Titan Trail (Fall 2023)

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

MISSION STATEMENT:

Our charge is to challenge Trinity students to discover their paths, develop their talents and strengthen their character within a dynamic academic community.

One of my favorite things about Trinity is that any student has the opportunity to participate in the IB Extended Essay program, a 4,000-word independent research project and core component of the IB Diploma Programme open to all seniors at Trinity. All of their skills learned here over their four years are put to the test, and upon completion they are scored on the global stage of the International Baccalaureate. Through this journey, they create new knowledge and build habits of mind that make them much better thinkers and problem solvers with more tools at their disposal for life’s challenges.

Our talented teachers help these students through the inquiry and research process and Trinity’s librarian, Spring Lavallee, guides them in their journey. In a recent conversion with Lavallee, I was excited to learn about the novel approaches that this year’s crop of students are using in their research and writing. In particular, one student is comparing two types of classical Indian music through mathematics. Through the lens of geometry and calculus, she is analyzing, visualizing, comparing and contrasting the structure of the musical styles in a language beyond words. For a teenager to blend the arts, music, math and culture in such a novel way is as daring as it is interesting.

In projects like the Extended Essay and in every classroom at Trinity, our talented teachers guide students to use their gifts and tap into their interests to help make a complex world understandable. In short order, the wonders of AI will give us both technical opportunities to seize and challenges to meet in the ways we approach education. In a world where many repetitive jobs may go extinct, the ability to think, create, and make cross-disciplinary connections will position our students well for jobs of the future.

It is with all of this in mind that I am especially proud and excited to announce the launch of “Ever Onward: a Five-Year Strategic Plan for Trinity,” published officially in the issue you are holding (see pages 18-22) as well as on our website. In the section entitled “Navigating Complexities,” you will see other examples of challenges that require complex thought and frameworks to help guide students toward the future. From daily well-being, to media literacy, design and invention, we aspire to help each Trinity student take a robust approach to daily problem solving and look holistically at life.

This plan is a result of two years of work and if you are reading it, it is likely that you had a part in its formation through our surveys or small group sessions. Thank you! Thanks as well to everyone who participated including our trustees, parents, students, alums, faculty and staff. As we look to the horizon, we can take great encouragement from the dedication and shared excitement in the future of our school.

Yours,

Rob Short Head of School

TITAN TRAIL

ADMINISTRATION

Robert A. Short, Head of School

Mary Jordan, Head of Employee Life

Brian Phillips, Head of Campus Life

Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement

Alyssa McBride, Director of Development & Alumni Relations

Anna Prillaman, Athletic Director

Margie Vaughan Snead ’85, Director of Admission

Joseph Monaco, Director of Operations

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chris Ellis ’81, Chair

Cynthia L. Coleman, Vice Chair

Randy Sullivan ’83, Secretary

Lisa J. Acquaye

Sourya El-Ayoubi

Henry D.W. Burt

Richard Flaherty

Kyle W. Hendrick ’05

Charles T. Hill, Jr. ’98

R. Braxton Hill IV

David C. Kearfott ’94

Anne McCray

Jana McQuaid

Rebecca A. Muminovic ’93

Ann Marie Petrucelli

Clay C. Reynolds

Ann Roberts ’80

Tia Walker

Todd Willett

Sam Williams ’08

ADVISORY BOARD

Mary Bliley

Development:

Alyssa McBride Director of Development & Alumni Relations

Sarah Herbert

Assistant Director of Development & Alumni Relations

Sam Mickens Leadership Gifts Officer

Photography:

Communications: David Ready Director of Communications & Marketing

Breanoh Lafayette-Brooks Digital Marketing Manager

David Ready, Bridget Hazel Photography, Tom Woodward, Breanoh Lafayette-Brooks, Maria Bartz, Malcolm Bell, Cynthia Chinworth, Wendell Powell Studio, TESPN, Carter Tyree

Contributing writer (pages 12-15, 36): James Flowers ’16

Contributing reporter (page 16): Carter Tyree

J. Read Branch, Jr.

Otis L. Brown

Milton Cerny

Swannee Goodman Ericson ’75

Carol Estes-Williams

Daniel Allen Gecker

Mary Jane Hogue

Stephen E. Hupp

Joseph C. Kearfott

Kelly J. O’Keefe

W. B. Perkinson, Jr.

José Santiago

Martha V. Singdahlsen

Richard Thweatt Wilson, III

Charles F. Witthoefft

AROUND THE COURTYARD

WINTER SPIRIT WEEK

It was all fun and games as faculty members challenged students to a week-long battle of wits and endurance for 2023’s Winter Spirit Week. Sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA), the games include Head’s Up, the Newlywed Game, Pictionary and Family Feud — and culminated in a spirited Pep Rally on Friday afternoon. After back-and-forth matches of frisbee golf, track stand (mountain biking), slack line and dodgeball, the faculty eked out a win in the end.

In honor of Pi Day, the math department and the Mathletes student club kicked off a fun week of pi (or pie) related activities on Tuesday, March 14. Teams of students competed to construct the most original and sturdy 3D version of the world’s most famous irrational number.

LOVE IS STRONGER THAN FEAR

Friends, neighbors and the Titan community came together for the Pach's Place lunchtime concert on April 9, marking 30 years since the late Pach Torres ’93 was taken too soon from the Trinity community.

GRATULATIONES!

For the first time since the pandemic, all Trinity Latin students competed in the National Latin Exam. They competed against over 100,000 students from around the world. This year was a recordbreaking year for Trinity, with 23 students earning awards.

students with disabilities in

TITANS FOR ALL

The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) celebrated PRIDE on campus in April with an info booth, stickers and popsicles for all students. Their motto “Titans for All” really speaks to the inclusivity of our Trinity identity and values.

COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION

NEW to Trinity in 2023 — Senior Signs! Senior class sponsors worked with the marketing team to create celebratory signs for the class of 2023. Seniors were invited to pick up the signs the week before graduation and indulge in an early morning photo op!

WELCOME NEW FAMILIES

Trinity welcomed a large crowd to the annual New Family Picnic on Saturday, May 12. Families got the chance to meet other new families, enjoy a BBQ buffet dinner and pose for a festive photo booth.

EARTH TO TRINITY

Trinity students celebrated Earth Day by enjoying the beauty of the Trinity campus with nature walks through the nearby hiking trails. The Trinity Outdoor Program connects students to the natural environment so that they become engaged and caring stewards of their local and global communities.

TRINITY ROBOTICS TAKES FIRST

Trinity’s robotics team took first place at the FIRST Chesapeake Robotics Charged Up competition at Churchland High School in Portsmouth, Virginia in late March. Laurie Pierce, faculty sponsor and coach said, "It was a very long and tiring three days, but each of the students on the team stayed positive and supportive of each other and actively engaged in helping our robot to compete and succeed.”

CHALLENGE DISCOVERY

In March, the sophomore class took on a team building activity facilitated by Challenge Discovery where they had to complete challenging puzzles and obstacles that tested their mental and physical talents. As expected, they pulled together to trust each other and passed with flying colors.

TOUR DE TRINITY

Wet weather didn’t cancel one of Trinity’s favorite traditions this spring, as teams of costumed students raced around the Auxiliary Gym on tricycles to compete for the championship of the Tour de Trinity.

SCHOLARLY PURSUIT

Forum Scholar Walker reflects on experience meeting some of the world’s greatest minds

Attendees at the March 18, 2023 Richmond Forum came expecting to see a larger than life star of the stage and screen, John Lithgow. Students, faculty and friends of Trinity in attendance that evening also enjoyed a surprise appearance on the big screen by a familiar face, Cameron Walker ’24, who was tasked with emceeing the student room and presenting live on camera in front of an audience of 3,500.

With his student leadership experience, Walker was ready for the spotlight. “Trinity has prepared me so well that when I had to talk in front of the entire Richmond Forum, it wasn't that hard,” he said. “Trinity has given me the opportunity to speak in front of large groups of people in a professional format countless times during my career here.”

Walker is the fourth Trinity student since the program was conceived in 2013 — to be selected as a Richmond Forum Scholar. “Each year, five of the Richmond region’s highest achieving and most impressive high school juniors are selected to work behind the scenes at America’s largest nonprofit speakers series as a Richmond Forum Scholar,” states the Forum’s web page. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that showcases the best students in our region.”

Walker says he took full advantage of the opportunity to develop his professional and communication skills and to engage with “the most talented and successful individuals that I could ever have the opportunity to meet.”

At the Lithgow program, Walker was given the assignment of moderating the Forum’s student room, a special experience for students that includes a Q&A with the featured speaker before the program. Before Walker introduced Lithgow, he warmed the crowd up with some trivia questions. Later, during the main program’s intermission, he went live on the big screen to share student questions with the audience. “The Scholars are given a level of trust and independence when it comes to how we interact with people,” he says.

When Walker originally applied to be a Richmond Forum Scholar in the summer of 2022, he reflected in a video essay on Dr. Cornel West, who then visited the Forum for the final session of the 2022-23 season on April 29, 2023. “Personally meeting Dr. Cornel West was an experience that I could only dream of prior to becoming a Forum

Scholar,” says Walker. “As one of the world’s greatest thinkers, his wisdom and character had an immeasurable impact on myself and the other scholars.”

“Every speaker consistently showed that the reason they're there is that they have an intense passion for what they do,” Walker remembers. “Whether it's an anthropologist, actor, intellectual. For all the speakers at the forums, their passion is constantly on display.”

At each program one lead scholar is assigned to escort the speaker, and make sure things run smoothly. Walker was paired with Ella Al Shamahi, paleoanthropologist and stand-up comedian who spoke on the topic of Neanderthals on February 8, 2023.

“The main thing that stood out about her was that she really knew how to talk to people and keep them engaged,” Walker reflected. “A lot of scientists don't have that skill, but being able to communicate is something that’s really important in the professional world. And while she was up there on stage, interacting with scholars, it looked like she was having fun.”

“She taught me that you need to discover your own path, and find something that you enjoy,” he says. “That experience helped me realize that having a passion for what you do will determine how far you go.”

At Trinity, Walker has been a leader in all areas of the school — from the arts, to athletics, clubs and student government — leveraging these diverse experiences to bring people together from all areas of the school. He plays varsity football, trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble, was vice president of the Student Government Association and has been a multi-year member of the Honor Committee, elected by his peers. Last year, he also started a new on-campus student organization called SALT (Student Athletic Leadership Team). As a leader of the Black Alliance Initiative, Walker participated in a memorable school-wide Chapel interviewing the former president of the University of Richmond, Dr. Ronald Crutcher.

“Later on, I intend to study biomedical engineering, pre-med, and plan to go into the medical field,” Walker says. “Having the soft skills – professionalism, interacting with others, understanding non-verbal cues — is very important in the medical field. The Forum and Trinity have prepared me well.”

FACULTY NEWS

CELEBRATING RETIRING FACULTY & STAFF

Robin Dudding has retired after 20 years at Trinity, the last 14 as full time in-house sub, and managing the front office, where she served as the face and voice of welcome for thousands of students, families and guests. For much of the time, she was part of a dynamic duo at the front desk with sister Angla McMurtry, who retired in 2020. “Answering phone calls, answering every imaginable questions from students, parents and colleagues,” she says were chief among her duties. “In 2003, I started proctoring IB exams for Vivian Hiedemann and senior exams for Linda Verdery,” she recalls. “I just finished my 20th year of proctoring IB Exams.” Dudding will enjoy the memories of Trinity tradition like the Grand Illumination, Cabaret and Dr. Aycock’s snow dance.

administrator Anne Alessio. “I eventually ended up as the permanent calendar person — probably because I developed a new calendar system that nobody else could figure out how to manage,” Dunaway jokes. “I had always been interested in technology. In 2013, when the school's registrar, Mary Ellen Greene, moved to Ohio, I took her job.” Over that time, Dunaway continually looked for new ways to align PowerSchool's functionality with Trinity's needs.

Dunaway says her favorite Trinity tradition is Morning Meeting, as it reminded her of home, growing up in Denmark. Her next step is a move to Portsmouth, NH, where she looks forward to “becoming a greater part of my kids and grandkids lives” and “being involved with the local church and community and doing more travel.”

“I love the culture of Trinity, the pride of the students, faculty and staff,” she says. “It’s a great community inside a community. I have really enjoyed my time at Trinity and working with so many different people. In retirement, I hope to spend more time on the golf course with my husband and friends, and do some DIY projects in our home.”

After 22 years at Trinity, Isa Dunaway has retired, having served for 12 years as German teacher and Foreign Language Department Head and piano teacher, followed by ten years as the school’s registrar and database administrator.

Dunaway recalls taking over the school calendar from longtime

Maureen Mauck has retired after two separate 7-year stints working in the Academic Resource Center (ARC). The parent of two Trinity alumni (Katherine ’05 and Page IV ’08) and the widow of longtime faculty member Page Mauck, her history with Trinity goes all the way back to 1982 — yet she only began working full-time in 2001. After leaving to earn a master’s degree in 2008, Mauck returned in 2016. But looking back on the last 40 years, Mauck says "I never really left.”

“What kept me going was the potential for the school and how it was growing,” she says, noting that Trinity has stayed true to its commitment to connect to each student’s personality and needs. “We were looking at these kids as individuals, and not as a pile of paperwork,” she says of her time supporting hundreds of students in the ARC. “The goal was to get to know each student one on one, help them accentuate their strengths and accept that everyone has weaknesses.”

After remarrying last fall to Phillip Davenport, Mauck says she is looking forward to traveling, hiking and working with schools on mindfulness — on her own timeline. A pilates and yoga enthusiast, she likes running into Trinity students and faculty at the gym.

DUDDING

DUNAWAY

MAUCK

WELCOMING NEW FACULTY & STAFF

Erin Flynn joins the Fine Arts department as orchestra and choral music teacher. Flynn is currently a contract musician and also a private cello teacher in Richmond. She earned her bachelor of arts in music from Kutztown University where she also earned a number of scholarships and leadership roles.

Brooke Ferguson joins the Academic Resource Center, having been a collaborative education teacher in both Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. Ferguson earned her BA and a master’s in special education from Radford University.

Carole Forkey is the new front office manager starting July 10, overseeing attendance, supporting the IB Coordinator and program and working along all members of the administration, faculty, staff and student community. She comes to Trinity after 37 years of leading and teaching in both public and private schools.

Chris Hugate joins the safety and security team, bringing a wealth of experience with the Chesterfield County Police Force. Hugate will advise our security planning efforts and improve protocols regarding visitors on campus. A parent of a Trinity alum (Carter ’20), he has also served as an assistant softball coach at Trinity.

Adah Kanter, ceramics instructor, comes to Trinity after teaching art in both Chesterfield and Henrico counties. Kanter graduated from VCU Honors College with a BFA in art education and craft and material studies.

Morgan Kaye, a current girls lacrosse assistant coach, joins our admission team after working in the corporate world as a recruiter. She has extensive experience recruiting diverse candidates, project management and streamlining processes. Morgan attended Trine University where she earned a degree in business administration.

Kristine Keeney, a long time school French teacher, joins the world language department as a French I, II, II Honors, and Spanish I teacher. Keeney studied French and secondary education at the University of Lynchburg and was a French teacher at Calvert Academy, an online accredited school.

Breanoh Lafayette-Brooks joins the communications and marketing team in mid March as Trinity’s new Digital Marketing Manager. Breanoh comes to Trinity after ten years at Care Advantage, Inc. managing internal and external communications. Prior to working in the healthcare industry, she spent ten years as marketing & communications coordinator for Bryant & Stratton College. She is a proud graduate of Longwood University and continues to mentor students in the communications program there

Spring Lavallee is the new teacher librarian and research coordinator, having served previously as a school and digital librarian in the IB Middle Years Programme. She has a BA in English from Carroll College and a master’s in library science from the University of Maryland. Lavallee will be the Extended Essay Coordinator for our IB students.

Margaret Olander ’13 has returned to campus as registrar and PowerSchool administrator. Most recently, Olander was a lead teacher and educational technology specialist in Henrico County. She earned her master’s in teaching from VCU. Olander will also coach field hockey and lacrosse.

Emma Quagliano is teaching Biology, Scientific Research and Human Anatomy. She comes to Trinity from Henrico High School, where she was an IBB biology teacher and coach. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from William & Mary and is now finishing her master’s in biological sciences at Clemson.

Kelsey Schaefer-Holt ’11 returns to Trinity as new athletic trainer, having served in a similar role at Matoaca High School. Schaefer-Holt earned a BFA in dance and master’s in athletic training from George Mason University.

Jamie Shure joins the social studies department this year, after 10 years at St. Gertrude High School, where she taught history, was department chair and was the moderator of the Model United Nations and Model General Assembly. Shure earned both her BA in history and master’s in teaching at VCU.

Meredith Sizemore joins the English department after six years at Douglas Freeman High School. She earned both her BA and her master’s of teaching in secondary education from James Madison University. Meredith will teach some sections of English 9 as well as the Beginning Communication and Creative Writing electives.

FLYNN

FERGUSON FORKEY

EUREKAFEST

FACULTY DISCOVERY AWARD

Maria Bartz, English Teacher and Head of Student Support and Academic Program, received the Faculty Discovery Award grant for 2023. Presented annually by the Trinity Board of Trustees, the grant enables a faculty member to travel, study or pursue a passion during the summer months. Bartz says she hopes to travel next summer to Okinawa, Japan to revisit for the first time the places where she spent half of her childhood, from elementary through high school. “Although I have kept in touch with friends and teachers who are scattered around the world, there is no comparison to the feeling of returning home… I will be visiting all the places that hold special meaning to me and exploring all the beautiful views and sites that Okinawa has to offer!”

CONFERENCES AND EXHIBITIONS

Tom Condon, photography teacher, exhibited his own artwork in a show in June 2023 at Turley Gallery located in Hudson, NY. Entitled “Sight,” the collection explored “the interplay between perception and imagination” and “the elasticity of photographic material and the flexibility of photographic identity.”

Technology and Innovation Teacher Cynthia Chinworth received the Excite Award Scholarship from MIT. The award includes an invitation to attend EurekaFest 2023, a 3-day professional development conference that empowers student inventors, honors role models and encourages creativity and problem solving.

“One of the most meaningful parts of the classroom training was working with dedicated teachers to rapid prototype an invention for a disability,” Chinworth said. "One of the most powerful parts of this experience was learning how ordinary students are made into inventors and the passionate belief that there is an inventor in every student waiting to be found.”

FACULTY MILESTONES

Olivia McGuckin and husband Jim welcomed James Wesley McGuckin, IV, “Wes”, on Easter Monday, April 10, 2023. Wes weighed 6 lbs. and was 19 inches long at birth.

Sarah Schriber married Tom Frederick at the Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan, VA on June 24, 2023.

MCGUCKIN SCHRIBER

TRINITY WELCOMES…

FEBRUARY 13

Shannon McKay

Executive Director, He, She, Ze & We

“Listening to trans and non-binary individuals is the best way to learn about gender diversity, because they're the experts.”

FEBRUARY 20

Rev. Moses Joshua Chaplain, Good Shepherd Episcopal School

“Your teachers and your school head are the people who are here with you day in and day out; they will not give up on you.”

FEBRUARY 27

Alejandro Prince Director of Educational Programs, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities

“You get really good at what you practice. If you practice having difficult conversations, then it won’t feel as challenging.”

MARCH 3, 2023

Tom Aycock

Retired Head of School, Trinity Episcopal School

“Whether you’re an athlete or not, find something you can do to stay active — walking, cycling, anything. Get a workout, and keep yourself in shape.”

MARCH 17

Roger Galbraith

Manager of Nuclear Site Services, North Anna Power Station, Dominion Energy

“Our reactor vessel is about 35 feet tall and about 12 feet wide. For making 20% of the electricity in the state of Virginia, it’s not that big.”

MARCH 20

Amy Wentz Co-founder, Southside Releaf

“At the same time of day, there can be up to a 16-degree difference between areas of the city, depending on the number of trees in the neighborhood.”

GROWING OPTIONS

Trio of Titans wins online investing battle against national competition

For the second year in a row, a team of Trinity Titans has earned the top prize in the national online investment battle sponsored by the DIME Program.

Jaylen Williams ’23, Princeton Sutton ’24 and Mubanga Mwenda ’24 were honored on the morning of Monday, May 22 — at the last Morning Meeting of the school year — with a special presentation by DIME’s founder, Dion Woods.

In 2022, another Trinity team — comprised of Carter Rubio ’22 and Chaz Sutton ’22 — netted the top prize. “Trinity has shown up big time over the years… and won in almost every category,” said Woods, before presenting the 2023 team with a $2,000 cash prize, along with a $1,000 gift to Trinity.

Preparation for the stock battle against students from all over the country involved weeks of research, analysis and guidance from industry professionals. “One of the things I was most proud of was their effort,” said Woods. “If you are going to be successful in anything you do, you have to have a degree of curiosity that begins where others are willing to stop.”

The investment battle is just one element of the program's mission. DIME, which stands for “Diversity Investment Management Engagement,” was started two years ago in the wake of national unrest and racial reconciliation conversations. “We said, we’re tearing a lot of things down, but what can we build up and most importantly, what can we build together?” reflected Woods.

“We looked in the investment industry, and we realized that if you added up all of the minorities in the investment industry and included women of any ethnicity, you would still end up with less than 1% of representation in our industry, and so we said, ‘something has to be done,’” said Woods, noting DIME is “designed to not only to help students understand how to create wealth, but ultimately align them for potential access and entry into the investment industry.”

The free, seven-week immersion program educates student participants about all aspects of the professional investment industry and prepares them for future internships and opportunities,” said Woods. “Our whole goal is to create the next generation of diverse minority investors.”

WOODS

UNWAVERING PASSION

Over 25 years on staff — and over four decades as a Titan — Admission Director

Margie Vaughan Snead ’85 has been “all in” for Trinity

Student. Athlete. Alum. Parent. Coach. Administrator. Champion. It would be hard to find a more multidimensional Trinity Titan than Margie Vaughan Snead ’85.

Despite not having a classroom of her own, she has brought the spirit of a teacher to the education of thousands of students and their families. “From my very first day, Margie Snead instilled within me what it means to be a Titan: hospitality, togetherness, pursuit of excellence,” says Brian Griffen, school chaplain and community leader for nearly two decades. “She sent a clear message that I had the honor of teaching at a very special school, and she has lived out what it means to be a Titan and part of the community.”

Like Family

Margie Snead’s Trinity story begins in fall 1981, when former teachers like Pauline Crowling recall her as bright, energetic and athletic 9th grader. “The school wasn't even 10 years old, and I don't think I realized that I was a part of the school's early days,” she says. She was fully engaged in the life of the school, participating in SGA, Model UN, field hockey, soccer, basketball and lacrosse — and even joining a sorority.

On the playing fields, Snead was a force, logging 15 varsity letters and multiple LIS first-team and player of the year honors in field hockey, soccer and lacrosse — eventually joining the Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame’s inaugural 2004 class. “She’s arguably the greatest female athlete to wear the uniform here as a student,” said Rick Hamlin ’96, fellow Trinity Hall-of-Famer, in a 2019 tribute broadcast on WTVR News 6.

Her extended Trinity family includes husband Billy Snead ’82 and two daughters, Annie Snead ’16 and Sally Snead ’19, sister Diane ’81 and Joe Monaco (head of business operations), niece Cate ’21 and father-in-law the late Dr. Bill Snead. A two-time All-American in high school lacrosse, she went on to earn the same honors at William & Mary (1988 and 1989) and earned a spot on the US National Team in 1989.

Working summers at a field hockey and lacrosse camp in Pennsylvania, Snead never strayed too far from the world of education. “My Trinity and Tribe communities were, and still are, like family,” she says. “I loved my experience so much that I was very drawn to the possibility of returning to work at TES to impact others in the same way.”

After working as a project manager in the financial sector, Snead ran into her former Trinity soccer coach, Page Mauck, who suggested she talk to then-headmaster Tom Aycock about a possible role in the alumni and development offices and coaching soccer and lacrosse. “My first interview and job that followed was in an old converted trailer set up in the spot where the science building now sits,” she recalls. “The Trinity we know today was just a dream, a possibility. [Dr. Aycock] was a passionate individual, and I was drawn to his dreams for the school.”

Following a few years in development, and a stint as assistant athletic director, she moved to the admission office, eventually taking on the lead role after the retirement of the long-tenured Emily McLeod in 2013. Snead says her time working with the legendary former admission director gave her an appreciation both for the “grace and poise in the way that she shared Trinity's story” and the thoroughly welcoming way in which she did it. “We don’t want prospective families to feel they need to jump over a fence,” says Snead. “It’s more like standing at a gate and opening it. Welcoming people to experience our community was something that she had a gift for.”

Building a Community

From the start, Snead felt empowered to bring her own ideas and strengths to the table, a lesson she pays forward with student volunteers. Her team of STAR (Students Trained as Admision Resources) tour guides tells the Trinity

story honestly and authentically — an approach that has been pivotal for more than a generation of future Titans. “Our admission events are so unique from the smallest detail to grandest gestures,” says sister and colleague Diane Monaco ’81. “Margie has a keen sense for how to make our prospective families feel welcome in a really personal way. She also helps our students develop their communication and leadership skills because she involves them in the process.”

“Every year she builds the community for us,” says Head of School Rob Short. “Before they even come through the doors, somehow every year by the time September rolls around, each new group of students already feels a part of the school. That’s magical, but it's also a big product of what Margie has done.”

The secret to that success is as simple as “bringing groups of people together to make things happen,” a skill and passion of Snead’s that runs like a thread through her days as a student leader, team captain and professional project manager. “With prospective students coming from over 80 different feeder schools, we want to open our doors for them to see who we are — and give them a chance to show us who they are.”

The community that Snead has helped to build makes the school powerfully unique. “You cannot clearly describe and identify a ‘Trinity student,’” says Snead, “because our student body is so diverse with such a wide range of interests and passions. But they come together every day to celebrate and encourage one another — and we actually thrive on those differences.”

Don’t Quit the Cone!

Since becoming the head field hockey coach in fall of 1998 and head lacrosse coach soon thereafter, Snead has been just as impactful. Named LIS Coach of the Year four times, she has notched multiple 20-win seasons and over 300 wins. But more important to her are the lives impacted both on and off the field. Monaco estimates that over 1500 young women have discovered their path with Snead’s lessons on “what it means to work hard for the we and not the me,” and to “embrace humor and cultivate leadership qualities that help them succeed in life.”

Perhaps no phrase better sums up her approach to teaching a winning mindset than “Don't quit the cone!” — words from a sprinting drill that still ring powerfully in the ears of hundreds of alumni like Addie Nash ’18. “She knew that if we 'quit the cone' (didn't touch the line) we would be letting ourselves down,” says Nash. “She wanted us to maximize our potential on the field, in the classroom, with relationships and as all-around people… We learned how to stop making excuses for ourselves because if you quit the cone, then what else are you going to quit in life?”

Alex Upadhyaya ’13 is equally grateful for the lessons of leadership, teamwork and commitment. “But most of all, I learned the importance of putting your heart and efforts into something fully — even if success isn't guaranteed,” she says. During moments when she needs a boost, Upadhyaya just thinks about Snead’s game-time pep talks: "Let yourself experience this. Make your minus a plus. Celebrate every small victory. Never give in. Titan up.”

Setting a High Bar

When asked how Snead would like people to think of her, the word passionate comes to the forefront. “If the students I come across leave Trinity knowing that I believe strongly in what happens here on this campus and that I care about them and their experience, then I am happy with that,” she says. “High school should be and is challenging. Students who come through here should be taken out of their comfort zone, but for the better. And when they leave, we should be better for having them here,” she says.

Parent and assistant coach Beth Stinson (parent of Miranda ’16) agrees. “She has and will go the extra mile to mentor her players on and off the field, will track down stats and talk to college coaches, whatever is needed to achieve the goals of her players,” Stinson says. “Her standards and expectations are high for the girls she coaches and she holds herself to the same.”

For Cynthia Coleman, (parent of Henry ’20 and Leland ’23) and trustee, the word that sums all of this up is: “CONSISTENT! There's always the big hug first, but there's also so much genuine love, enthusiasm, compassion, energy, care and concern that she exhibits to everyone, all the time,” says Coleman. “The way she loves Trinity makes you want to love Trinity. She is a gift. There is no one like her and there never will be another like her.”

SPRING ATHLETICS

SOFTBALL

OVERALL RECORD: 14-5 (7-1 in LIS, 1st place, tournament champs)

HONORS: LIS First-Team: Alex Giesen ’24, Olivia Golliday ’24, LB Welch ’23, Karsin Beatty ’25, Magovern Rollins ’25

LIS Player of the Year: Alex Giesen ’24

All-State second team: LB Welch ’23

All-State first team: Alex Giesen ’24, Olivia Golliday ’24, Karsin Beatty ’25

Softball ended their 2022 campaign with a state tournament loss to Potomac in the semifinals. But with one senior on the roster, head coach Christy Darlington knew repeat success would be imminent heading into her 11th season at the helm of the Titan softball program. “We wanted to win the LIS,” Darlington said. “The players worked hard everyday to make that a reality.”

Win the LIS is exactly what they did, highlighted by defeating Collegiate (19-9) and St. Catherine’s (7-3) in the process. The Titans went 5-1 against the Cougars and Saints over the 2023 campaign,

contributing to their first LIS championship in 30 years. The final victory over the Saints not only was the defining moment of the 2023 campaign, but also solidified the Titans berth as a 3-seed in the state tournament.

One senior departs a young team that is chock-full of young talent, including captains Alex Giesen ’24 and Magovern Rollins ’25 Though that lone senior is LB Welch, who struck out 129 batters, over 25 percent of batters faced this season. In five of her 19 appearances, Welch notched double-digit strikeouts. An impressive year for the right-hander set the tone for the offense who, as a team, batted .360 and knocked 52 hits for extra-bases. Runs were scored in bunches for the Titans this season as they outscored opposing teams 168-56.

“We finished third in the state for the third year in a row,” Darlington said. “While that sounds impressive, we are not satisfied. We want to make it past the semi-finals and go on to the state final game.”

BASEBALL

OVERALL RECORD: 5-15-1 (4-6, 4th in Prep League)

HONORS: All-Prep League: Logan Janney ’23, Carter Schuma ’23

After some early season struggles, the Titans played their best baseball of the season down the stretch as they narrowly fell to No. 3 Collegiate 1-0 on the road in the next-to-last week of the season. Packing up the spring with a pair of wins over Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA), the future is going to be filled with player development opportunities as eight seniors depart the 2023 squad.

Four of those eight seniors (Logan Janney ’23, Daniel Miller ’23, Carter Schuma ’23, JD Stemhagen ’23) are off to play at the next level, leaving not only an experience gap but also a leadership opportunity for younger players to fill in.

Athletics

The top of the order for the Titans, typically containing Stemhagen at leadoff followed by Janney and Schuma, carried the freight when it came to scoring runs. The three combined for driving in nearly half of the teams runs scored and knocked in over 70 percent of the teams extra-base hits, including all three home runs on the year.

On the mound, Carter Schuma was dominant for nearly the full length of the season. In nine starts, the righthander pitched a 2.12 earned run average (ERA) and a walk-to-strikeout ratio of 3-to-1 (45 K’s/15 BB’s). Over three starts in the month of April Jalen German ’26 held opponents to a .171 batting average and struck out 18 batters.

The team now turns to its young arms, including German ’26, Lawson McLeod ’26 and Jack Norman ’25 as Trinity looks to work back to postseason play for the first time since 2021.

BOYS TENNIS

OVERALL RECORD:

8-3 (5-2 in VPL, 2nd place)

No. 2 in VISAA state tournament

HONORS: All-Prep: Roman Sancilio ’25, Damian Sancilio ’23, Gus Mitchell ’23 (singles); Roman Sancilio ’25 and Damian Sancilio ’23 (#1 doubles); Gus Mitchell ’23 and Sam Nedeff ’25 (#2 doubles)

VPL Player of the Year: Roman Sancilio ’25

All-State: Roman Sancilio ’25, Damian Sancilio ’23 (1st Team); Gus Mitchell ’23 (2nd Team)

VISAA State player of the year: Roman Sancilio ’25

With a goal to win Prep League and VISAA State Tournament, the boys came in a very close second in both. Damian Sancilio, head coach in his second season, praised the team’s “champion mentality,” led by captains Damian Sancilio ’23 and Gus Mitchell ’23

For the first time in 11 years Trinity defeated Collegiate twice and earned the team’s first-ever spot as a VISAA team finalist. Other season highlights included a win over last year’s 5C Public School State Champion, Deep Run, in a very exciting 5-4 decision. With a dominating season, Roman Sancilio ’25 locked up back-to-back player of the year titles in both the Prep League and the state.

“Our team values are discipline, respect, humility and accountability,” said Coach Sancilio. “Our theme this year was “Don’t Break the Chain” which means that every single player does his best every practice, every match, whether playing or not playing, to keep the energy strong.”

GOLF

OVERALL RECORD:

12-2 (6-2 in VPL, 3rd place)

HONORS: VPL Player of the Year: Grady Williams ’24

With a goal to win the Prep League, this season tied last year’s high water mark of 12-2, “but we came up short in the VPL championship! Would’ve loved to have witnessed a stronger performance,” remarked Adam Lonon, assistant coach, noting that captains Grady Williams ’24, Peter Ward ’23 and Haleigh McPeak ’23 led a team with a “more family oriented” attitude this year. “Everyone was appreciative to play together and it made for a fun season!”

“On Friday, April 21, TES clipped Woodberry Forest by five shots (145150) for our first ever win at their on-campus course,” recalled Lonon.

“In his first trip around the tricky Donald Ross design, Jakob Beauchamp ‘24 claimed medalist honors with a 34 (-1). Grady was two back at 36, followed by Peter (37) and Blake (38). A well-deserved meal at the BBQ Exchange was enjoyed by all thereafter.”

Just two weeks after the historic win at Woodberry, the Titans enjoyed a 10-shot win over VISAA No. 1 Collegiate at Salisbury (their home course). “Our 143 total (-1) was the first time breaking par as a team this season,” said Lonon. “Grady strung together four consecutive birdies on the way to a round of 33 (-3). Blake tied his season low at even par, and Jakob and Peter matched 37s.”

With a 5-under par 67, Williams claimed the outright individual VPL title this year, clipping Dartmouth-bound Tyler Brand (Collegiate) by two shots. It made him player of the year for back-to-back years, a first in Trinity golf history!

GIRLS SOCCER

OVERALL RECORD:

9-9-1 (6-4 LIS, 3rd place)

HONORS: All-LIS: August Gregory ’23, Sisi Mileski ’24, Logan Snyder ’24

All-State: August Gregory ’23, Sisi Mileski ’24 (1st Team)

All-Metro: August Gregory ’23, Sisi Mileski ’24 (Honorable Mention)

Despite an unprecedented number of injuries to what was an incredibly young team (six 9th graders starting and only one senior on the roster), the Titans persevered and made the state tournament for the 15th straight year and advanced with an exciting 1-0 victory over Catholic HS before falling to eventual state champion Trinity Christian. Other highlights included last second 2-1 wins over St. Gertrude and Veritas, sweeping St. Catherine’s (2-0 and 1-0) for the first time in 12 years, and winning a state tournament game over Catholic 1-0. 2023 marked the team’s 16th straight year without a losing record. Leading scorers were August Gregory ’23 and Katy Verdery ’26. In his 19th season, Coach Hamlin surpassed the milestone of 200 career wins as head coach in March.

“With a bevy of injuries, the attitude was to be versatile. Many players had to move positions, and many young players were thrust into more playing time than they expected. But the morale stayed high and the team never gave in. This group showed a lot of character and led by captains August Gregory ’23, Sisi Mileski ’24, Kate DeRoco ‘24 established a foundation for future Titan teams to build on,” said Coach Hamlin. Noting that the team was able to have so much success despite being the youngest team in more than 20 years, Hamlin said, “the future looks very bright for Titan soccer.”

TRACK AND FIELD

GIRLS RECORD: 6th in LIS

BOYS RECORD: 7th in Prep League

HONORS: VPL: William Hoffler ’24 (3rd place 100m, 1st place 200m), Nathan Sims ’24 (5th 100m, 4th 200m), Stephon Woodson ’24 (6th place Triple Jump), Robbie Dunn ’23 (4th place Shot Put), Cooper Gardiner ’24 (4th place Shot Put, 5th place Discus)

LIS: Lucy Versen ’26 (3rd place 100m, 4th place 200m)

All-Metro: Nathan Sims ’24 (100m, 400m), William Hoffler ’24 (100m, 200m)

VISAA State Champions: Nathan Sims ’24 (400m), William Hoffler ’24 (200m)

VISAA: Lilly Versen ’24 (3rd place 100m), Cooper Gardiner ’24 (3rd place Shot Put), VISAA: Lucy Versen ’26 (7th place), Trai Ferguson ’23 (7th place), Robbie Dunn ’23 (7th place), Stephon Woodson ’24 (8th place)

Seniors Sarah Coleman ’23 and Drew Covington ’23 captained the squads alongside juniors Lilly Versen ’24 and Stephon Woodson ’24. Part of their job as captains was not only to lead from the front, but also to help sustain and build growth in the track and field program.

William Hoffler ’24 and Nathan Sims ’24 led the boys side in numerous events. Hoffler bested the competition as the 200m state champion with a school-record winning time of 21.76. Hoffler also set the school record in the 100m with his 10.85-second scamper, good for second in the state. Sims topped the state ranks as the 400m champion with a blazing 49.36. Overall, the boys finished the season with a 5th place finish in the state.

Hoffler and Sims parlayed their spring success into the national spotlight with appearances at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Championship in Philadelphia, PA in June 2023. Hoffler competed in the 100m and placed 78th. Sims followed suit and competed in three events over the four-day competition in June. In the 100 meter, the junior placed 73rd. In the 200m, Sims set a personalrecord of 22.29 and followed that performance with another personal-record in the 400m, setting the clock at 49.05 and narrowly missing out on a top-10 finish.

The girls had their own afternoon of success in the 2023 season. In the state meet, Junior Lilly Versen brought home a third-place finish in the 100m with a 12.63 time and sister Lucy Versen ’26 was not far behind in 7th with a time of 13.17. The Versens also made up half of the school-record setting 1600m sprint medley relay alongside Eila Crumlish ’25 and Grace Marcus ’25

BOYS LACROSSE

OVERALL RECORD: 4-13 (0-5, 6th in Prep League)

As the record shows, the results didn’t always fall in favor of the Titans this season, but head coach Dave Daly knows seeds are being sowed for the future as the culture around boys lacrosse at Trinity continues to grow and be established. Captains Henry Caudle ’23, Parker Woolwine ’23 and Caden Clark ’24 led the way this year.

“Our team this year was very young,” Daly noted. “Our amazing seniors did a great job leading this young team and helping to teach them lessons that will benefit our program moving forward.”

Some of the seeds that were planted in previous years are now blooming, a direct outcome of the work the Titans have already put in years prior. Caden Clark ’24, the Titans trusty netminder, recorded his 500th career save in a Trinity uniform this season and Greg Gallinger ’25 scored 40 goals in his first season as a Titan. “From changes in game venues to weather cancellations, our team learned how to improvise through any situation, how to adapt to quick changes, and how to overcome them together as a team,” Daly recalled.

That willingness and drive to do whatever it takes to compete is what is going to take the boys lacrosse program to a competitive level. For now, they will continue to sow and cultivate but they know the days for harvesting are coming soon.

GIRLS LACROSSE

OVERALL RECORD: 11-8 (1-3 in LIS,advanced to semifinals)

HONORS: All-LIS: Catherine Pollard ’24

Led by captains Sophie Dolan ’23, Maisen Jenkins ’23, Caroline Roberts ’23 and Kari Rogerson ’23, the seniors on this year’s team were leaders and mentors on the field, in the hallways, and in the classroom, says Margie Vaughan Snead ’85, completing her 25th season at the helm.

“As a program, we work hard to trust in our teammates and play to our strengths,” recalls Snead. “We truly want to be ‘Better Every Day.’ While we had some ups and downs throughout the season, we definitely found ourselves playing at a much higher level when we hit our last regular season game. They felt a lot of pride in their individual improvements and more importantly in the elevation of their play as a team.”

Season highlights included: Kari Rogerson completing her 5th year as a significant varsity starter and contributor; Maisen Jenkins reaching 500 career saves; Catherine Pollard ’24 leading the team in goals (over 80); Julia Pollard ’24 leading the team in draw controls (over 70); Campbell Rowe ’25 finishing top-two in ground balls, draw controls, and caused turnovers; and Lilly Ferguson ’26 led the team in Assists.

With a strong group of returning talent, Snead is rosy on the outlook for girls lacrosse at Trinity. “Our JV team had an unprecedented season, and we have some experienced players who will be matriculating to the varsity roster next year,” she says. “Some will make an immediate impact. Others started playing lacrosse for the first time this season and have the potential to be huge difference makers in the program over the next few years.”

HEADLINE MAKERS Athletics

SOFTBALL TAKES LIS CROWN

The girls softball team notched its second LIS championship in program history — coming exactly 30 years after the first in 1993. The girls defeated St. Catherine’s 7-3 in front of a large home crowd at McGee Field on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Five Titans were named to the All-LIS first team, with Alex Giesen ’24 (.442 batting average/15 extra base hits) named LIS player of the year. Christy Darlington has been head coach of the team since 2010.

ADVANTAGE TITANS

The courts at Southampton Recreation Center proved a tough place to play for visiting teams this season, as the boys tennis team achieved runner up status in both the Prep League and the state — capping off their best season in program history. Coach Damian Sancilio enjoyed the opportunity to coach both of his sons, with the younger Roman Sancilio ’25 earning both VPL and VISAA Player of the year honors.

THE SIMS AND HOFFLER SHOW

Morning Meeting announcements about success on the track this season frequently mentioned the duo of Nathan Sims ’24 and William Hoffler ’24 Each earned a state championship this season for Trinity: Hoffler in the 200m, Sims in the 400m. Both were named to the Richmond Times-Dispatch AllMetro team for 2023. Both were a part of the indoor boys 4x200m team (along with Cornell Allen ’24 and Terrance Edwards ’25) that placed 11th in the nation this winter.

SISTER ACT

The dynamic duo of Versen & Versen established themselves as the top athletes on the girls track & field team this year. Lucy ’26 finished 3rd in the LIS in the 100m and 4th in the 200m, coming off of an indoor season where she won the high jump state championship with a Trinity record of 8’1”. Lilly ’24 finished 3rd in the state in the 100m, and was named LIS Athlete of the year in indoor track, winning the LIS 55m and long jump as well as the indoor VISAA high jump crown. The sisters were a part of record setting sprint medley team (along with Grace Marcus ’25 and Eila Crumlish ’25) and record setting 4x200m indoor team (along with Logan Snyder ’24 and Crumlish)

200 WINS!

On March 22, the girls soccer team defeated Catholic High School 4-0 to earn Rick Hamlin ’96 his 200th victory over 19 seasons as head coach of the team. Shepard Ramsey ’24, August Gregory ’23, Sisi Mileski ’24, and Katy Verdery ’26 scored, with Kate DeRoco ’24 earning the clean sheet in net. Hamlin is two-time LIS coach of the year. The girls ended the year 9-9-1 and Hamlin now sits at 206 career wins.

WELCOME, COACH GERRITY

Chris Gerrity, former VCU baseball standout and co-owner of Richmond Baseball Academy West, was announced this summer as the next program head for Titan baseball. Gerrity is eager to step into a mentorship role for each of his players and to support Trinity’s mission of challenging each student to discover their paths. “I'm very excited to be a part of the community here at Trinity,” he says. “I want to give these student-athletes a fun and exciting experience, while teaching them a work ethic that will help them down the road in whatever path they choose.”

A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME

Students and families gathered in the Perkinson Arts Center on April 12 to celebrate four seniors as they signed their letters of intent to represent Trinity as they compete in intercollegiate athletics next year. Coaches reflected on their individual experiences with each athlete, shared words of praise and encouragement and also expressed their appreciation for what each senior contributed to their team and school community.

SPRING 2023 SIGNEES

Valentina Ambrogi-Torres (field hockey)

TJ DiLoreto (football)

Nathaniel Milligan (swimming)

Gus Mitchell (tennis)

Randolph-Macon College

Virginia Military Institute

University of Lynchburg

Christopher Newport University

“W

People First

New strategic plan makes a renewed committment to Trinity’s strong mission of helping students discover their paths

hat I’m most proud of is that it's very much focused on people,” says Chris Ellis ’81, chair of the Trinity board of trustees, when asked aout the launch of “Ever Onward,” a five-year strategic plan for Trinity. “Our school is about people and about community. This strategic plan really speaks to that. I think it nailed it in terms of speaking to who Trinity is.”

Over the past two years, Trinity stakeholders including faculty, parents, alumni and a team of school leaders have honed a plan for the next five years that reaffirms the strength of the school’s identity. With the guidance of Katherine Whitney, a Richmond-area professional consultant for schools and nonprofits with Warren Whitney Management Consulting, the Ever Onward plan, built on a 50-year foundation, will guide Trinity as it steps boldly into the next half century.

“We have the confidence and the self awareness to know what we do really well, combined with the eagerness to do even better. We’ve seen the challenges, know the foundations, are still savvy and dynamic. We see where the school needs to go, and we have the energy to make it happen,” says Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement and Special Projects. “Coupled with the infusion of new leadership and new faculty, this plan gives us the tools to continue to respond to the changing nature of education and student needs, which is something we’ve always done well. It’s an opportune combination of factors that allow this plan to be special.”

Clearly affirmed in this plan is the strength of Trinity’s mission — which was encapsulated two decades ago in a three-word tagline that still guides the school community as an informal motto: Discover Your Path. Now 20 years on, this new strategic plan helps reinterpret what discovering your path will mean to the next generation of Trinity students.

In the classroom, that means balancing the teaching of content and skills with the goal of achieving relevance and preparing students for meaningful life experiences. Looking ahead toward an increasingly complex world, students will be equipped to handle difficult situations and make meaningful connections — both digital and face to face. Addressing the role of families, the plan will guide parents on how to best support their students while giving them the space to make and learn from their own mistakes.

“Our school is about people and about community. This strategic plan really speaks to that." — Chris Ellis ’81

In bringing the Ever Onward plan together, Trinity stakeholders recognized the benefits of retaining the current student census (approximately 510 students) for the foreseeable future. With the addition of Dawson Commons in 2023 and the planned Morgan Hall expansion of the lower level in 2024, campus spaces become appropriate for the school's needs and size. This allows the school’s fundraising focus to turn toward growing an endowment to help sustain the school for the next 50 years and beyond. “Growing an endowment is a big step for Trinity, but one we hear the community is ready for,”

Alyssa McBride, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, says. “As we continue to build annual giving — now the newly named Trailblazer Fund — and raise capital support for the Morgan Hall expansion, we are preparing for an Ever Onward campaign to build an endowment worthy of Trinity’s mission and aspiring future.”

Putting the plan into action involves all stakeholders, from the Head of School and the Board of Trustees to faculty and staff to alumni and the current students with their own ideas about how to continue to keep Trinity a special place. In her role with special projects, Weiler will shepherd the plan through collaboration with all constituents and looks forward to the energy each group will bring. “One of the best parts of “Discover Your Path” is the variety of experiences that result from students’ interests and passions. Harnessing the energy within the five pillars of the plan is a rewarding challenge.”

This roadmap for nurturing the school's growth and development Weiler likens to a fruit orchard. “Trees need constant maintenance. We’ve gotten through the growing season. The first couple of years are the most difficult. We’ve borne thriving fruit and we are so proud of our community. We want to continue to bear fruit and celebrate the sweetness while recognizing that the trees are also fragile. We can’t take for granted that we've succeeded in the past. The weather and the soil continually change, and we must adapt with these changes.”

“We’ve never had a clearer picture of what we want to do,” says Weiler “Now it's up to us as a Trinity community to lend its full support in guiding Trinity toward its next 50 years.”

"This plan gives us the tools to continue to respond to the changing nature of education and student needs." — Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00

Ever Onward A 5-year Strategic Plan for Trinity Episcopal School 2023–2028

Trinity Episcopal School’s culture of a community that accepts and respects each individual and supports students as they discover their unique paths distinguishes it from its competition. Our academics combined with high participation rates in the IB diploma programme and AP program, athletics, the arts and other co-curricular activities create a vibrant and engaged community of learners.

This strategic plan supports and strengthens our commitment to that culture, including continuing our work on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging which is woven throughout the plan. Our mission and philosophy remain unchanged. The plan’s five goals focus on:

●1. Maintaining academic excellence in a rapidly changing educational environment

●2. Developing skills that help students navigate complex situations

●3. Strengthening parent partnerships so we can work together to help each student thrive

●4. Maintaining and enhancing our campus and facilities

●5. Being good stewards of our financial and human resources

2023-2028

Priorities and Goals: I

Excellence in Teaching and Learning

We are in a time of rapid change in approaches to education. We are now looking forward with some combination of excitement and caution at increasingly sophisticated technology. We cannot avoid it; we must figure out how to use it to provide an even better education for our students. We must continue to enhance our adaptability to be prepared for ever-changing educational and global perspectives.

We are fortunate to have an excellent faculty and staff. We recognize that we must be prepared to support new faculty as well as our tenured faculty, and we must provide a sense of belonging to them just as we strive to do for our students. Retention will be key in a world where shortages of educators may be more common. Trinity’s values and culture remain at the center of our community as we integrate ways to support continuous change and improvement around teaching approaches for all faculty and staff. We also recognize that we need to adapt to a shift in personal preferences in the workplace and support those to the extent we are able

GOAL:

Develop faculty and staff who can help Trinity evolve our approach to teaching as we encounter rapid changes in technology, competition, and holistic factors in students’ lives.

1. Attract and retain a diverse faculty and staff who are committed to supporting Trinity’s values and standards of teaching.

2. Support faculty and staff as professionals.

3. Evolve Trinity’s resources and teaching to address new benefits and challenges provided by technology.

4. Utilize the IB World School diploma programme as a resource to advance educational excellence in all courses.

5. Use co-curricular activities to support Trinity’s core values and educational goals.

6. Highlight Trinity’s educational value proposition externally and internally.

Campus and Facilities Trinity Stewardship

Trinity’s campus is beautiful and compact. Our fields are on campus enabling efficient transitions for students and coaches and providing many opportunities to bring visitors to campus. At the same time, we are landlocked; we must find creative ways to use our current space effectively. We will develop and implement plans for our campus and facilities with an eye toward curricular and cocurricular, security, and cyber needs.

GOAL:

Maintain and upgrade our facilities for optimum use within our available space.

1. Repurpose and create new space.

2. Increase both physical and cyber security.

3. Reduce our carbon footprint and maintain a strong commitment to environmental stewardship/care.

We are responsible for developing a community and culture that enables students and faculty to thrive. As education itself and the needs and desires of our families become more complex, Trinity must continue to balance our expenses with our income. We believe that our current target of roughly 510 students is correct, given our goals for building community, our faculty and staff, and our facilities. As a school built on a community of students from 40 different schools, 80 different zip codes and countries from around the world, we recognize that our identity relies on our tuition level and the availability of tuition assistance. We look continually at our tuition price point compared to our primary competitors and would like to remain on the lower end of that tuition range. Importantly, though, Trinity must continue to offer high-quality programs in all areas to prepare our students for college, careers, and life. We will look for ways to increase our revenue, with emphasis on growing our endowment while being judicious in our expenses.

GOAL:

Ensure that we have the resources available to provide an excellent educational experience for current and future generations of students

1. Ensure the ongoing growth and continuity of faculty and staff skills and knowledge.

2. Build a culture of philanthropy.

3. Continue to be good stewards of the financial resources entrusted to Trinity.

4. Look for opportunities to generate auxiliary income.

Athletics, Arts and Analogies OH MY!

While students and faculty are taking a much needed break during the summer months of June and July, Trinity’s campus is still buzzing with activity. Our Summer Discovery Program offers several workshops and camps for students to explore their talents. Whether perfecting your creative writing skills, learning pottery for beginners or hustling on the basketball court or soccer pitch — discovering your outlet is what the Summer Discovery Program is all about.

Trinity also hosts outside groups on campus as space permits. This year, the Richmond Kickers Youth League held two soccer skills camps on campus for over 100 youngsters, guided by professional soccer players.

Be sure to look for our 2024 camp schedules on Trinity's website next spring. Anyone can attend a Summer Discovery camp at Trinity, attendees do not have to be students enrolled at the school.

THE ARTS

Spring Strings

Trinity's string orchestra continued its spring joint concert tradition with St. Christopher's and St. Catherine's schools on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Featuring professional cues conductor Naima Burrs, the combined orchestra presented a night of jazz, Latin and dance music in the St. Christopher's School Ryan Recital Hall.

Trinity’s Jazz Ensemble performed for families and guests following the New Family Picnic in May. Audience members enjoyed selections both modern and classic from what music teacher and conductor Brian Rollins calls America’s true original art form.

TALENT ON DISPLAY

From ceramics to painting, and photography to mixed media, the breadth and depth of Trinity’s talented visual arts program was on full display on the evening of Wednesday, May 10 for the annual Spring Art Show in the Estes Athletic Center. A panel of professional artists served as jury for the top prizes across a dozen categories, including non-functional ceramics, analog photography and drawing.

Congratulations to all of the participants and to this year’s honorees:

BEST IN SHOW: Sage Parker ’23

FUNCTIONAL CERAMICS:

1st Sophia Thompson ’25

2nd Madison Jewett ’26

3rd Ryan Mitchell ’24

NON-FUNCTIONAL CERAMICS:

1st Mia Watkins ’24

2nd Claire Arnold ’23

3rd Zach Pruitt ’25

SCULPTURE:

1st Kari Rogerson ’23

2nd Bones Brakman ’25

3rd Caden Clark ’24

MIXED MEDIA:

1st Caroline Roberts ’23

2nd Tyra Gilliam ’26

3rd Ashley McFadden ’24

3D DEPARTMENT AWARD: Ann Tanner Mullins ’25

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY:

1st Emily Krickus ’24

2nd Clair Duffey ’23

3rd Isaiah Robinson ’25

ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY:

1st Thomas Clarkson ’24

2nd Mary Wise Carter ’23

3rd Reese Blanchard ’26

PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT AWARD: Rockira Harris ’25

PAINTING:

1st James Woodward ’24

2nd Lila Clarkson ’25

3rd Stella Brakman ’23

DRAWING:

1st Kyle Plaugher ’25

2nd Emma Kates ’24

3rd Leah Crowe ’24

2D DEPARTMENT AWARD: Alex Giesen ’24

Congratulations Class of 2023! Class of 2023! Congratulations

Lucy Rowe ’23, VALEDICTORIAN

During our time at Trinity, we have been surrounded by this phrase discover your path. After all that we have been through over the past four years, I think I learned that discovering a path isn't necessarily the hard part. Rather, it's figuring out how to make it through the path when you're confronted with bridges you can't fit under and pandemics that force you to completely change direction… After leaving here today, we will all encounter more obstacles in our paths. In these moments, I urge you to take a chance and confront the challenge head on. Because whether you fail or succeed, there will always be some aspect that you can look back and laugh at. You may leave with a few scrapes and some regrets about your decisions, but you can't learn unless you make some mistakes along the way.

Colin Edsall ’23, SALUTATORIAN

I owe a lot to this school for what it taught me and allowed me to discover in myself… This community has shown me trust and understanding beyond anything I have seen before. Whether I had to make up work or redouble my efforts, my teachers and classmates were always there to lend a hand… You, seniors, are problem-solvers. Never letting expectations weigh you down, you found ways to establish your own spaces-even in the most unexpected places. As we go beyond high school, do not forget that the strength, flexibility and determination that drive you will only grow stronger. Your futures are in your hands, and the skills and talents you have developed here will only guide you to excellence.

l've always said point A to point B is never a straight line… You have looked hard into your hearts and have made decisions which are best for you — either a trade school, going straight into the workforce, taking a gap year, continuing your athletic career… [or] not. So many mature decisions at such a young age. But always know if it turns out not being the right choice and does not make you happy there is no shame in changing course. You are not living this life for anyone but the person you see in the mirror every morning.

Short, HEAD OF SCHOOL

You have had your fair share of moments where you see the power of how humanity can work together toward a common goal. You’ve learned this on the fields, courts and in the pool, on the teams you have joined in addition to the work you’ve done in the classroom. Along the way I hope you have noticed: the power of creating more than consuming; the satisfaction and fun found from finding meaning and purpose from the unending task of working with others within community to common goals; and we hope the excitement that comes with new discoveries and new learning. These are traits the world desperately needs.

Chase Hill ’98, CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Today you become alumni of thIs great school and join a group that is now over 4,000 strong… It has been 25 years since I sat where you sit today. A lot has changed in those 25 years, but the DNA of the school remains the same. Trinity remains committed to its mission of challenging students to discover your paths… We look forward to welcoming you back for many years to come... You will always be welcome here.

ROWE

EDSALL

GILLERT

Diane Gillert, GRADUATION SPEAKER

Rob

SENIOR ACADEMIC AWARDS

Lucy Elizabeth Rowe, Valedictorian

Colin Horton Edsall, Salutatorian

Claire Jane Elizabeth Arnold

Colin Horton Edsall

Layal Samar El-Ayoubi

Kendall Grace Fleet

Sophia Sekhon Fugate

Brynn Alexandra Guerette

Haleigh Nicole McPeak

Ann-Sidney Shelton Ragsdale

Lucy Elizabeth Rowe

Nymeria Daenerys Cersei Smigrodzki

SENIOR CLASS AWARDS

Head of School Award

Layal Samar El-Ayoubi

Ann Randolph Jonas ’97 Scholarship

Stella Grace Brakman

ACADEMIC AWARDS

Bethany Award for Service

Haleigh Nicole McPeak

Bishop’s Award for Character & Integrity

Ann-Sidney Shelton Ragsdale

Brad McNeer ’96 Memorial Scholarship

Alexander David Bell

CAS Candidate Recognition

JD Stemhagen

DAR Good Citizenship Award

Layal Samar El-Ayoubi

Laura Kelley ’82 Memorial Scholarship

Robert Henry Caudle

Leadership Award

Caroline McDuffie Roberts

Page Mauck Award

Lucy Elizabeth Rowe

Ralph White Environmental Stewardship Award

Sage Kiernan Parker

Senior Class Award

Layal Samar El-Ayoubi

Caroline McDuffie Roberts

Titan Award

JD Stemhagen, Miles Isaiah Walker

Trinity Community Service Award

Mary Wise Carter

Nymeria Smidgrodzki

SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARDS

Founders Award

Colin James Flood

Thomas G. Aycock Award of Distinction

Valentina Sofía Ambrogi-Torres

Athlete of the Year

Elijah Rashid Rainer

Olivia Summer Schmincke

Dale Travis Sportsmanship Award

Robert Henry Caudle

Sophie Hannah Dolan

Bill Davies Award

Lily Marie Jennette

Carter French Schuma

Grady Richeson ’77 Award

Caroline McDuffie Roberts

JD Stemhagen

RTD Scholar Athlete

Trai Ferguson

Augustine Ingrid Gregory

T.I.T.A.N.S. Values Awards (Trustworthy) Ann-Sidney Shelton Ragsdale (Intentional) Leland Isaac Coleman (Tough) Mario Deshawn Thompson Jr. (Altruistic) Lucy Elizabeth Rowe (Neighborly) Benjamin Auburn Mills (Sincere) Sarah Elizabeth Coleman

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

English

Sophia Sekhon Fugate

Mathematics

John Edward Fannon

Performing Arts (Theatre)

Alexander David Bell

Performing Arts (Music)

William Blake Whitaker

Religion

William Braxton Hill, Rowland Walker Hill

Science

Colin Horton Edsall

Social Studies

Jack Benjamin Lamm

Technology

George Isaac Starkey

Visual Arts (2-D)

Stella Grace Brakman

Visual Arts (3-D)

Claire Jane Elizabeth Arnold

Visual Arts (Photography)

Lily Marie Jennette

World Languages (French)

Layal Samar El-Ayoubi

World Languages (Latin)

Sophie Hannah Dolan

Caroline Olive Jack

World Languages (Spanish)

Lucy Elizabeth Rowe

JUNIOR CLASS AWARDS

Junior Scholars (top 10)

Collin Hennessey

Darcy Kopsinis

Seth Mileski

Sisi Mileski

Marcy Mortimer

William Rosen

Finn Rowe

Jackson Smith

Logan Snyder

Cameron Walker

Chatham University Healthy Planet Award

Drew Kidwell

F. Norton Hord Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Jackson Smith

Harvard Prize Award

Cameron Walker

Hollins Creative Writing Award

Darcy Kopsinis

Richmond Panhellenic Award

Sarah Burris

Saint Michael’s College Book Award

Sadie Holloway

St. Lawrence Book Award

Leah Crowe

Sweet Briar Award

Alex Giessen

UVA Jefferson Book Award

Sisi Mileski

West Point Leadership Award

Joseph Turkaly

William & Mary Leadership Award

Finn Rowe

Williams College Book Award

Jackson Smith

FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE AWARDS

Sophomore Scholars (top 10)

Spencer Anthony

Dakota Baldwin

Farrah Berry

Eila Crumlish

Sylvia Dow

Liam O’Neil

Elizabeth Ray

Ryon Sinclair

Tucker Tetterton

Hayden Veech

Freshman Scholars (top 11)

Childress Alverson

Alex Edsall

Lily Hennessey

Britsia Hernandez

Madison Jewett

Mallory McEntyre

Ainsley McNeer

Anna Rohrs

Sarah Rowe

Sam Schuster

Matthew Waidelich

Hugh O'Brian Award

Farrah Berry

Tucker Tetterton

Emily Huffman McLeod Scholarship

Mubanga Mwenda

Compass Awards

Ana Forster

Matthew Woodward

Britsia Hernandez

Ainsley McNeer

Farrah Berry

Magovern Rollins

FINDING THE BEST FIT Reflecting on the College Admission Process for the Class of 2023

“It wasn’t my first choice, but when assessing my options after all my decisions came back, I think the college I chose was the best choice.”

This sentiment from a Class of 2023 graduate exemplifies the “best fit” philosophy that guides the Trinity College Counseling team. “We use the ‘best fit’ expression a lot in this business,” said Director of Counseling Chet Childress, “This student’s comment drives home in a very real way what ‘best fit’ truly means.”

From the beginning of the search process to the final decision about where to attend, Mrs. Grande, Mrs. McGuckin, and Mr. Childress encourage students to think beyond the name or reputation of schools and focus on their list of must-haves to gain a meaningful college experience.

“The question should never be ‘what do colleges want from me?” Childress said. “The question to ask is ‘what do I want from colleges?’” These answers lead students to schools that will nurture and support their academic pursuits, as well as their growth as individuals and community members. Students cited academic advising, the availability of internships and co-ops, study abroad programs, and a welcoming environment as important considerations in their final decision making.

Most of the Class of 2023 are going to colleges in Virginia, but many are headed to points all across the country. For some, their paths have led them to take a gap/post-grad year or start a career, reflecting a growing nationwide trend. “Best fit” means Trinity’s college counselors listen to students and help all of them achieve their post-secondary goals, regardless of the destination.

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES CLASS OF 2023

Agnes Scott College

American University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Averett University

Baldwin Wallace University

Bard College

Bennington College

Bridgewater College

Capital University

Carson-Newman University

Catholic University of America

Champlain College

Christopher Newport University

Clark Atlanta University

Clemson University

Coastal Carolina University

College of Charleston

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado State University

Culinary Institute of America (NY)

Davidson College

Denison University

Dickinson College

Drexel University

East Carolina University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ (Daytona)

Emory & Henry College

Fashion Institute of Technology

Florida A&M University

Florida State University

Fordham University

Franklin & Marshall College

Furman University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia State University

Gettysburg College

Gonzaga University

Hampden-Sydney College

Hampton University

Hawaii Pacific University

High Point University

Howard University

James Madison University

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Johnson C. Smith University

Longwood University

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Maryland

Macalester College

Marist College

Marymount University

Mississippi State University

Morehouse College

Norfolk State University

North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina Central University

North Carolina State University

Ohio University

Old Dominion University

Olin College of Engineering

Pace University

Penn State

Purchase College SUNY

Radford University

Randolph College

Randolph-Macon College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Richard Bland College of W&M

Roanoke College

Roger Williams University

Rollins College

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

Salve Regina University

Santa Monica College

Savannah College of Art and Design

Seton Hall University

Sewanee:The University of the South

St. John's University (NY)

St. Joseph's University (NY)

St. Joseph's University (PA)

St. Vincent College

Stetson University

Stevenson University

Syracuse University

Temple University

Texas Christian University

Thomas Jefferson University

Towson University

Trinity College

University of Alabama

University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

University of Colorado Denver

University of Delaware

University of Denver

University of Florida

University of Kentucky

University of Limerick

University of Lynchburg

University of Maine

University of Mary Washington

University of Maryland

University of Mississippi

University of New Hampshire

University of North Carolina Asheville

University of North Carolina Charlotte

University of North Carolina

Greensboro

University of North Carolina Wilmington

University of Northern Colorado

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

University of Rhode Island

University of Richmond

University of South Carolina

University of Tampa

University of Tennessee Knoxville

University of Utah

University of Vermont

University of Virginia

University of Wyoming

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University ARTS

Virginia Military Institute

Virginia State University

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest University

Washington & Jefferson College

Washington College

West Virginia University

Westminster College (MA)

Widener University

William & Mary

Winthrop University

Wofford College

Xavier University

York College of Pennsylvania

Chloe Aboujaoude

James Madison University

Valentina Ambrogi-Torres

Randolph-Macon College

Claire Arnold

Virginia Tech

Asher Atkins

University of Texas at Austin

Gejuan Atkins-West

Reynolds Community College

Reid Bacon

Virginia Tech

Darrick Badley

Chowan University

Lily Beirne

Virginia Tech

Alex Bell

Old Dominion University

Ben Blair

Oklahoma State University

Stella Brakman

James Madison University

Colton Brand

Appalachian State University

Jonathan Brooks

Christopher Newport University

Hunter Brooks

Davidson College

Nevada Brownfield

James Madison University

Aaliyana Carr

Virginia Commonwealth University

Mary Wise Carter

University of Mississippi

Dale Carter

Pursuing other options

Henry Caudle

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Nick Clopton

Auburn University

Leland Coleman

Hargrave Military Academy

Sarah Coleman

James Madison University

Carter Compton

University of Alabama

Drew Covington

Hampton University

Tyler Crawford

College of Charleston

Ellie Daglio

James Madison University

Helena Daglio

James Madison University

Bowie Dickens

Virginia Tech

TJ DiLoreto

Virginia Military Institute

Sophie Dolan

University of Virginia

COLLEGE DESTINATIONS

Clair Duffey

University of Delaware

Robert Dunn

Virginia Military Institute

Nick Echard

Roanoke College

Colin Edsall

Virginia Tech

Layal El-Ayoubi

Georgetown University

Jack Fannon

University of Virginia

Trai Ferguson

United States Naval Academy

Luke Fisher

Pursuing other options

Kendall Fleet Haverford College

Cameren Fleming

Virginia Tech

Colin Flood

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Sophia Fugate

University of Virginia

Anna Gorey

University of Miami

August Gregory

Wake Forest University

Brynn Guerette

University of Virginia

Davis Guise

Hampden-Sydney College

Frank Halloran

Virginia Tech

Jake Hilferty

Brightpoint Community College

Braxton Hill

Belmont University

Walker Hill

Colorado State University

Nathan Holloway

James Madison University

Matt Houston

Christopher Newport University

Christian Hutter

James Madison University

Caroline Jack

University of South Carolina

Logan Janney

Longwood University

Maisen Jenkins

Bridgewater College

Lily Jennette

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Marcus Johnson

Hampton University

James Keith

Longwood University

Charlie Kemp

University of Mississippi

AK Key

Chowan University

Ellie Kramer

Randolph-Macon College

Mitchell Kugelman

Wake Forest University

Jack Lamm

Virginia Tech

Caroline Lancaster

College of Charleston

Asher Levy

Virginia Commonwealth University

Caleb Llewellyn

Virginia Tech

Katelyn Luu

Christopher Newport University

Kiel Mahoney

Elon University

Cullen Malbone

University of Mississippi

Meredith McCray

William & Mary

Mary McCullough

University of Mary Washington

Marlee McLeod

Randolph-Macon College

Haleigh McPeak

University of Richmond

Sam McQuaid

James Madison University

Cooper Michalik

University of Denver

Daniel Miller

Chatham University

Nathaniel Milligan

University of Lynchburg

Ben Mills

College of Charleston

Gus Mitchell

Christopher Newport University

Carlos Moore

Hampton University

Annie Morgan

Drexel University

Lainie Murray

Virginia Commonwealth University

Sage Parker

Sewanee: The University of the South

Liam Peters

James Madison University

Jack Plaugher

Randolph-Macon College

Ann-Sidney Ragsdale

Virginia Tech

Elijah Rainer

William & Mary

Jordan Roark

Christopher Newport University

Caroline Roberts

University of Georgia

Eloise Robinson

Pursuing other options

Kari Rogerson

Appalachian State University

Caleb Ross

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lucy Rowe

Virginia Tech

Damian Sancilio

Pursuing other options

Adam Schleicher

James Madison University

Olivia Schmincke

University of Delaware

Carter Schuma

Randolph-Macon College

Melanie Schuster

Virginia Tech

Nymeria Smigrodzki

University of Virginia

Liam Smith

Virginia Tech

George Starkey

Virginia Commonwealth University

JD Stemhagen

Manhattan College

Ben Swider

University of Tampa

Mario Thompson

Old Dominion University

Miles Walker

Hampton University

Peter Ward

William & Mary

Laura Welch

James Madison University

Blake Whitaker

Belmont University

Jaylen Williams

Virginia Commonwealth University

Chase Williams

Pursuing other options

Neely Winefordner

Randolph-Macon College

Addy Winn

University of Mississippi

Lauren Wood

College of Charleston

Parker Woolwine

Virginia Military Institute

Fiona Wyant

University of South Carolina

William Yavorsky

Reynolds Community College

EXTENDING ONWARD

When a Peacock Changes its Colors: The Grotesque of Flannery O’Connor

Valentina Sofia

Ambrogi-Torres

The Real Divine Comedy: How the Adam and Eve Story is an Example of Indoctrination

Claire Jane Elizabeth Arnold

Study of Proximity to James River and Retail Value in Downtown Richmond

Reid James Bacon

The Effect of Eating Breakfast on a Student’s Performance on a Series of Memory Tests

Sarah Elizabeth Coleman

Cash for Compliance: Chinese Power in the Global South

Colin Edsall

The Marriage of Tradition and Evolution in the

Mainstream Episcopal Church

Layal Samar El-Ayoubi

Determining the Optimal Arc Length from a Free-Throw in Basketball

John Edward Fannon

The Influence of Household Income with Regard to Food Availability on Consumption of Animal Products

Sophia Fugate

The Flaws of the American Dream through the Eyes of F. Scott Fitzgerald

Anna Katelynn Gorey

New Art for a New Era: An Investigation into Adolph Gottlieb’s Work Following WWII

Brynn Alexandra Guerette

Finding Richmond’s Central Business District using residential data from Patterson Avenue

Mitchell Kugelman

China’s Economic Strategies: Surpassing the United States With a Nontraditional Approach

Jack Benjamin Lamm

The seniors in the IB Extended Essay program received official bound copies of their work in Morning Meeting on Thursday, April 27. Two copies of each essay were published — one for the student and one for the school to keep on display for posterity.

The Extended Essay is a component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. In no fewer than 4,000 words, students complete an independent, self-directed piece of research, akin to a college-level thesis.

The Economy of State Parks Across America: How Location and Offerings Affect the Monetary Draw for Trail Systems

Kiel McDonald Mahoney

“Man, I Feel Like A Woman”: How Ernest Hemingway Portrays Women and Masculinity in His Novel The Sun Also Rises

Haleigh Nicole McPeak

“Baby Sin Contrato”: Como las Culturas Influyen las Letras de Maluma

Lainie Ruby Murray

An Exploration on the Effect of Mass on the Maximum Voltage Output of a Lead Zirconate

Titanate Transducer

Ann-Sidney Shelton Ragsdale

“The Edge of Some Crazy Cliff”: Innocence and Insincerity in the Works of J.D. Salinger

Caroline McDuffie Roberts

The Effect of Coastal Erosion on Property Value in Holden Beach, North Carolina

Lucy Elizabeth Rowe

An Exploration of the American and British Pop Art Movements in the 1960s

Melanie Ray Schuster

The Variation of Socioeconomic Status Based on Urban Development in Central Virginia Nymeria Daenerys Cersei Smigrodzki

Brexit: The Complex Costs of Sovereignty

JD Stemhagen

It Was All a Dream: Storytelling in the Lyrics of The Notorious BIG and Tupac Shakur

Miles Walker

The Vietnam War and the Anti-War Movement: Understanding the Evolution of Nixon’s Vietnam War Policy

Peter Sloan Ward

SENIOR CHAPEL

Selected seniors reflect on Mission Moments from their time at Trinity

Each year, the last Chapel of the school year is set aside for the senior class, and this tradition continued on the morning of Wednesday, April 26. The whole school, as well as parents of seniors, watched the Class of 2023 process in, share memories and enjoyed a slideshow commemorating the end of their time at Trinity.

This year, seven seniors stood at the podium in the Estes Athletic Center to share their “Mission Moments,” reflections upon how they discovered their path and to offer advice for their younger peers.

Layal El-Ayoubi recalled the eye-opening perspective she gained during a summer away from Trinity after sophomore year in the High O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference. “I was introduced to different leadership styles and forced to question my approach to effective leadership,” she said. “I learned who I was independent of my Trinity identity and also began to notice how my time at Trinity had influenced my opinions and approach to others.”

has drawn strength and motivation from that setback over the years, going on to become secretary of the SGA as a senior.

“I’ll miss the beautiful drive down Cherokee Road every morning… talking to my friends in the parking lot about every little thing… but what I’ll miss the most is not being alone, no matter where I am on this campus,” said Cullen Malbone

Ben Blair recalled being apprehensive at a new school as a 9th grader, but made the most of his four years, in the classroom, the performance studio and on the field. “Every performance, every rehearsal, every piece of music… has just strengthened my love for music, and through this, I have become more confident in myself,” he said.

Miles Walker encouraged younger students to step outside their comfort zones, accept challenges and strive to make small

In June, 17 Trinity students and three chaperones traveled to Costa Rica to experience a rich culture while immersing themselves in the Spanish language. As members of an IB World School, Trinity students are encouraged to discover the world around them and apply their education in international situations. Through the Global Engagement program, Titans learn new perspectives and gain appreciation for the people and places around them.

This trip was not only fun and full of adventures, but also focused on service to others as well as the environment. Participants spent two days volunteering at a Costa Rican women’s shelter and orphanage where they assisted the caregivers in playing games, doing arts and crafts activities, and playing on the playground with the young children and giving an extra set of eyes and arms in the infant room. While on the property, they also participated in other service projects such as painting buildings and updating facilities while learning about basic day-to-day life in the local community.

Titans discovered a rich history while touring the capital city of San Jose: learning about local economics by touring a working coffee plantation; immersing themselves in environmental education by touring a rainforest via suspended, hanging bridges; and assisting in data collection to support conservation efforts. Finally, they celebrated their hard work with an adventurous trip to a volcano followed by a zipline tour, whitewater rafting and a horse back ride to La Fortuna.

Their experience ended with some R&R in Tamarindo to enjoy the beach, sail on a catamaran and enjoy other water sports. Traditional Costa Rican cuisine was enjoyed by all for each meal. Very little English was spoken as students navigated the Spanish language throughout the activities and to communicate their needs to guides.

A highlight for Maria Bartz, head of global engagement and trip chaperone, was salsa dancing with students. “No matter their dance experience, everyone tried it and they all supported and encouraged each other,” Bartz said. “It was really so heartwarming to see them bond and have fun together without hesitation.”

At the end of the trip, students reflected on shared moments they would remember most. “Several students mentioned working at the women’s shelter and caring for the children as the most meaningful experience,” said Bartz, “which stood out to me because it really showcases the connection and care students have to the world around them and reinforces our T.I.T.A.N.S values.”

CLASS NOTES Alumni

David Kraehenbuehl ’82 writes, "I retired at the end of 2022 after 35 years of federal government service with the Army and the Foreign Service. Having spent 20 years overseas in Africa, Europe, the former Soviet Union, Iraq and Afghanistan, I'm happy to be settled in northern Virginia for the foreseeable future. Post-retirement plans include supporting my daughter’s transition from high school to university this summer, volunteering with my local Catholic Church, exploring some of the lesser traveled corners of the US, and enjoying my 34th year of marriage to my best friend, Kate."

Javier Torres-Garcia ’86 writes, "Matías [Ambrogi-Torres] ’12 is my nephew and godson and he visited me in Chile for 10 days from LA and we participated in a Porsche Classic event in my '68 Porsche (note the Trinity Alumni sticker in the attached photo). We had a great time and visited a classic car restoration shop as well as had lunch with the other 45 participants."

Kelsey Clark Gamber ’12 writes, “I got married on December 3rd so my last name has changed from Clark to Gamber! I am currently working as the Grace Kids Director at Grace Church in Overland Park! Thankful for Trinity!”

In July 2023, CatieReagan Palmore ’14 married Jamie King at Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland.

Joshua Hemenway ’16 writes, “Stephanie and I met in the spring of 2016 and we’ve been dating ever since. We recently visited our alma mater of William & Mary where I proposed in front of the Crim Dell, a bridge that legend says ties those who cross it together for life. We plan to be married in the spring of 2024. We can’t wait for the rest of our life together to begin in earnest!”

Julia Lawton Deutsch ’17 and Thomas Deutsch ’17 welcomed their first child, baby Amelia “Millie” Harper Deutsch August on 12, 2023.

Grace MacDougall ’20 was named to the Fall 2022 dean’s list at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.7 or higher. MacDougall is a junior majoring in Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Japanese.

Morgan Bass ’09 writes, "I recently graduated with commendation from the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine. I accepted a position as a farm animal veterinary surgeon in the Peak District of England, where I reside with my partner Katie and our two dogs."

TORRES-GARCIA AND AMBROGI-TORRES

PALMORE

HEMENWAY

DEUTSCH

INVESTING IN HIS FUTURE

Pennies and dimes, quarters and dollars. The days of managing a stock portfolio just from the rambunctious floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street are long gone. You don’t need to work in a high-rise building downtown to track all of your financial investments and transactions. As Chaz Sutton ’22 has discovered, learning how to manage financial wealth starts with personal connection and the drive to be successful.

Beginning his junior year on campus as a Titan, Sutton got involved with Diversity Investment Management Engagement, better known as DIME. The program, which is an investment management group for minority high school students, aims to educate high school students on wealth and financial literacy while developing the next generation of minority investment talent. “A full-time [job] offer is extremely slim [for minority students],” Sutton said. “DIME’s whole mission is to kind of change that, create the next generation of minority investment talent.”

Sutton said it took some time getting to know the program and feel comfortable with the financial lingo that goes with managing investments. “To be honest, it was really intimidating,” Sutton recalls. “I did not understand what they were saying because that was my first real dive into things other than just stocks. They were talking about everything: savings, bonds, mutual funds, etc.”

But once the initial learning curve balanced out, Sutton was all in, and his passion for the program grew to new heights as he put more time and effort into growing the relationships he formed over his two years of involvement. Classes covering topics such as crypto currency, bond investing, asset allocation and personal branding. “I just really fell in love with the program,” Sutton said. “I saw the real value in it. For me, delayed gratification is always something I live my life on so I knew if I could really go through the two hour classes [then], it would serve me long term.”

DIME co-founders Dion Woods and Sonya Rorie, both executives at Allspring Global Investments, took note of Sutton’s potential, and in October 2022, he was invited to participate in a panel at the grand opening of the Allspring Global Investment Group global headquarter offices in Charlotte, NC.

“I was invited to come speak on the power of investing in minority talent and how underrepresented the investment space is,” Sutton

noted. “I’ve spoken at two panels representing Allspring but they’ve all been representing the DIME program.”

Forming connections comes with the territory of being selected as a participant on a panel for an investment firm that holds $465 billion in assets under management. But Sutton notes it’s not simply just shaking hands and giving out a business card while being a representative of the DIME program- it’s getting to know people for who they are and what motivates them, something that the Titan alum takes very seriously.

His path in DIME led him to Howard University in Washington D.C. and to their School of Business, ranked in the top 75 for ‘Best Business Schools’ according to U.S. News and World Report. The level of difficulty for an incoming freshman to be accepted into the business school is high, but Sutton didn’t run away from the challenge. Instead, he embraced it in part because DIME and his time at Trinity prepared him so well.

“[DIME] definitely set me up because I had access to resources and I took two years worth of classes and financial partners and mentors that a lot of high school students did not have,” Sutton said. “I was already at a different level as far as my access and my knowledge than some other students.”

Chaz stays involved with DIME as a college advisor and speaker coordinator. Utilizing the knowledge he’s gained in his first year at Howard, he also teaches lessons to students currently in the program.

Sutton, like so many other Titans who came before him, epitomizes the definition of ‘Discover Your Path.’ A leap of faith, as he called it, is what’s setting him up for not only leaps but also bounds in pursuing a future in investment banking.

Upon completion of his first year in the nation’s capital, Sutton is spending his summer in Malvern, PA after securing an internship at The Vanguard Group in the Investment Management Program. Vanguard is an investment advisory that is the largest provider of mutual funds and second-largest provider of exchange-traded funds in the world.

“The Class of 1982 has always had a big presence at reunions, and during our 40th reunion last year we reminisced about goodtimes and marveled at how the school has grown. A couple of us started talking about the Laura Kelley ’82 Memorial Garden, and the scholarship that was established by her friends and family following her untimely passing during her freshman year in college. We soon learned that the scholarship has been funded by the school in recent years due to a lack of contributions. So Bret Luter ’82 and I resolved to reach out to our generous class to rebuild the scholarship. We were blown away by the response! Our amazing classmates, together with friends of Laura’s, contributed $10,000, which will fund the scholarship for many years! We also will rededicate Laura’s garden during Homecoming this year.” — Mary Evans ’82

DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS:

New Name, New Roles

This year, the Development Office becomes the Office of Development and Alumni Relations to better signify its full mission. Alyssa McBride continues in her second year at Trinity as the department’s director. Additionally, Sarah Herbert transitions to full-time on the development team as the Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations after a year as Trinity's Board Relations and Stewardship Coordinator and scheduler for the Head of School. Having spearheaded a very successful 50 Hours of Giving, she will lead Annual Fund giving and continue to serve as the database manager. Herbert came to Trinity with 10 years of experience in marketing, communications, design and development. Known to many current families, Sam Mickens, coach, admissions associate, advisor and mentor has changed roles to support the newly formed department as the Leadership Gifts Officer. Mickens will work to grow the major gifts program and continue to liaison with alumni. Mickens is entering his 16th year at Trinity and is pursuing a master’s degree in school administration.

In Sympathy

The Trinity community offers condolences to families of the following people who have recently passed away. We apologize for any unintentional omissions. As of August 31, 2023

Dr. Felice Mary Archuleta, mother of Dr. Christine Archuleta ’09, passed away on April 22, 2023

David Nelson, brother to Marcus Nelson ’06 and Michael Glaser ’07, passed away on June 2, 2023

Helen Landry, mother of Henry Seward ’20 and Walker Landry-Seward, passed away on May 27, 2023

Hal Cole, father of Hayden Smith ’18 and Carthen Smith ’19, passed away on December 26, 2022

Mark Smith, father of Jordan Smith '02, passed away on April 16, 2023

Melvin Roach, father to Mel, Jr. '82 and Libby Herring '83 passed away on July 31, 2023

Lisa Krizan, mother of Isabella Anderegg ’17, passed away on July 26, 2023

Chad R. Campeau ’94 passed away on June 12, 2023

Harold F. Stierhoff, father of Vickie Stierhoff Jones ’84 and Michael K. Stierhoff ’81 passed away on July 6, 2023.

Mrs. Waynne Dunbar, mother of Diana (Dunbar) Place ’77 and Craig Dunbar ’81, and grandmother to Catherine (Dunbar) Muthusubramanian ’07, Marlee Dunbar ’09, and Holt Dunbar ’12, passed away on August 23, 2003

Mary Evans ’82 presents the Laura Kelley ’82 Memorial Scholarship to senior Henry Caudle ’23 at the spring Academic Awards Ceremony. Henry was awarded the scholarship for his kind, dependable, and compassionate quiet leadership in the classroom, on the fields, and in the community.

ANNOUNCING: Alumni Facebook Group

Join our vibrant Trinity Alumni Facebook Group and reconnect with old friends while forging new connections. This exclusive online community is the perfect platform to network with fellow alumni from various industries and classes, giving you the opportunity to expand your professional circle and share insights.

Stay up-to-date with the latest campus news, upcoming events, and alumni achievements, and take part in engaging discussions that range from career advice to cherished Trinity memories. Let’s celebrate each other’s successes, milestones, and the enduring Titan spirit that ties us all together. Come be part of a lifelong journey of connection and camaraderie!

They Still Got It!

In August, the boys soccer team hosted a special scrimmage against a familiar opponent. Alumni from classes in the ’90s came back to work with Head Coach Brian Phillips and challenge the team before the start of the season. It was hot and humid but our alumni kept their stamina up to match the younger Titans. Both teams worked hard to get the “W” but ultimately the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Go Titans!

KEEPING THE FAITH

Tyler Johnson ’14, professional baseball player in the Chicago White Sox organization, visited a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) student club meeting over videoconference in Mid-February, speaking to students and faculty gathered in the Speight Alumni Room about his athletic career and the lessons of faith and gratitude that have helped him persevere. “Keep each day simple. Look at each day as a series of wins and losses, and I guarantee at the end of the week, you’ll have more wins than losses,” Johnson said. “Don’t compare yourself to others. Some people don’t have a nice gym, school or family. Be grateful for what you have and count those as wins.” Johnson also reflected on how participating in three varsity sports at Trinity helped his athletic ability at the next level.

ATHLETIC AWARDS ALUMNI RECEPTION

On Saturday, May 13, in conjunction with the Trinity athletics awards banquet, a reception was held for past awardees in Speight Alumni Room. Past awardees watched current student athletes receive the same honors they received during their high school years from the balcony of Estes Athletic Center while enjoying food and fellowship.

Titan Society Celebrated

On September 7, nearly 100 guests gathered at the beautiful home of Dr. and Mrs. Baxter Perkinson for the annual Titan Society Reception. Titan Society members are supporters who donate $1,000 or more during the last fiscal year. This year, a record number of 157 households were honored. Members were thanked for their generosity and provided a glimpse into the year to come. This year’s celebration included a new Trinity School seal pin and a signature cocktail — the Titan Twist. To learn more about the Titan Society and the impact you can make as a member, please contact Alyssa McBride, alyssamcbride@trinityes.org.

TRUSTEE TRANSITIONS

A very special thanks to John Mills ’90 who finished his six years of service as a trustee, including two years as board treasurer. We appreciate his insights, dedication and enduring support.

We welcome new trustees Rebecca A. Muminovic ’93 (Trinity parent ’22, ’25, and ‘27), Richard Flaherty (Trinity parent ’24 and ’27) and Ann Roberts ’80.

Serving as officers for the coming year are Chris Ellis ’81 as chair, Cynthia Coleman (Trinity parent ’20, ’23) as vice chair, and Randy Sullivan ’83 as secretary.

ROBERTS FLAHERTY

COLEMAN SULLIVAN

MUMINOVIC

ELLIS

Thank you for making 50 Hours of Giving a huge success!

On April 17-19, Trinity held its 4th annual giving day but with a special twist — 50 Hours of Giving in honor of Trinity’s 50th anniversary with the goal of raising $50,000. In less than 24 hours, it was clear our community was more than up to the challenge.

In the end, 403 parents, alumni, students, grandparents, faculty and friends of the school raised a historical amount of over $85,000! This outpouring of generosity will be used to help students discover their paths.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO OFFERED MATCHING GIFTS:

Chris Ellis ’81

Mary McGee (Trinity parent ’09)

Rebecca Adleman Muminovic ’93 (Trinity parent, ’22, ’25, ’27)

Peter and Blanche Toms (Trinity grandparents, ’20, ’22)

Martha Singdahlsen (Trinity grandparent, ’76, ’84)

Henry Burt and Mitzi van der Veer (Trinity parent, ’22, ’24)

Raymond and Heather Wagstaff (Trinity parent, ’22, ’18)

Chris Hobbs (Trinity parent, ’25, ’27)

Congratulations to the winners of the alumni challenge: the class of 1981, with 23.5% participation; and the class of 2016, with a total of $4,235 raised.

Parents rose to the challenge, with the Class of 2025 raising the most funds and having the greatest participation. As a result, students got to enjoy a petting zoo on campus.

Students were also asked to give and as an incentive, two staff received a pie in the face and a teacher shaved his head!

GIVING DAY HAS MOVED TO THE FALL!

Giving Day will be Thursday, November 2. Mark your calendars and prepare to join the entire Titian community in supporting our school through an outpouring of generosity during this 24-hour event. Funds raised during Giving Day are used to meet school needs and bolster programs in arts, academics and athletics.

TRAILBLAZERS CREATE PATHS FOR STUDENTS TO DISCOVER

Trinity has a phenomenal culture of generosity.

DID YOU KNOW:

That for the past 17 years, 100% of the faculty and staff have contributed to the Trailblazer Fund?

Each year, 100% of our Trustees generously contribute to the Trailblazer Fund?

Last year, 45% of parents participated in giving to Trinity?

We are blessed with support from grandparents, alumni, former parents, former faculty and community groups too.

Giving to our newly named Trailblazer Fund (formerly called the Annual Fund) marks you as one of these pioneers who sees the brighter future our students can achieve and creates a way for them to succeed.

Gifts to the Trailblazer Fund (formerly the Annual Fund) play an important role in supporting Trinity’s annual operating budget and are immediately used during the school year. Unrestricted support impacts every aspect of Trinity:

-– retention and professional growth of our faculty,

-– maintaining robust academic programs, -– integrating new and emerging technology,

-– enhancing the fine and visual arts programs,

-– ensuring enjoyable field trips and retreats

-– increasing resources for athletic teams, and

-– providing tuition assistance for students.

Giving to Trinity through the Trailblazer Fund also allows the school the flexibility to confidently meet unexpected critical needs as they arise.

To join our generous Titan community and continue to prepare students for educational success in school and for a life of meaning and purpose in an ever-changing world, please scan this code or complete the enclosed envelope. Thank you!