Titan Trail (Fall 2024)

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TITAN TRAIL

FIRST CLASS:

Titan Robotics Team 539 Makes History in Houston

FROM THE

HEAD OF SCHOOL While it's true that every issue of the Titan Trail is dedicated to highlighting and sharing the best of Trinity, I’m particularly excited by the breadth of success and broad impact represented within this edition. From the banks of the James River to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Titans are branching out and sharing the best of Trinity with the wider world.

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.

On pages 10 and 11 of this issue, you will see a celebratory reflection on the recent unprecedented success of our robotics team after their trip to the World Championships in Houston, TX last spring. The hard work and dedication went beyond the students’ design work — to the support of our parents, the generous gifts of donors and the enthusiastic guidance of our teachers and staff. This effort was truly collaborative in the best sense of the word. Along their journey, these students have leveraged their keen interest in robotics and developed their skills to support one another for the betterment of not only each individual person, but the entire group and, by extension, the entire school.

Time and time again, we see students develop keen interests here, bond together in a group and rise to a challenge under the nurturing guidance of our teachers and staff. At Trinity when students have the will to accomplish a task, we commit ourselves to provide the instruction and the space necessary to do this. Our Innovation Lab is a place where ANY student can go to learn the components of design and use their creativity to dream and to build.

What will the next great invention be? I certainly don’t know, but every day I am here I feel like there just might be one right around the corner where our students gather in groups to make friends and to look toward the future. That spirit of innovation makes me proud to be part of this community of thinkers, creators and team-players.

Thank you students and thank you parents, faculty and staff for all you do each day to be the architects of this dynamic academic environment.

Rob Short Head of School

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TITAN TRAIL

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10 FEATURES www.trinityes.org The Titan Trail is published twice yearly by Trinity Episcopal School’s communications and development offices.

Development:

Communications:

Sarah Herbert Assistant Director of Development & Alumni Relations

David Ready Director of Communications & Marketing

Sam Mickens Leadership Gifts Officer

Breanoh Lafayette-Brooks Digital Marketing Manager

Photography: David Ready, Breanoh Lafayette-Brooks, Bridget Hazel Photography, Tom Woodward, Sarah Schriber, Thomas Macaulay '25, Wendell-Powell Studio, Cynthia Chinworth, Carter Tyree, Adam Lonon, Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography Contributing reporter (pages 19-20): Carter Tyree

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Simply the Best Under One Sky FIRST Class Rain or Shine ¡Aventura de España!

Graduation

SECTIONS 02 06 14 24 22 23 38 44

Faculty News Around the Courtyard Athletics Arts Philanthropy Granddparents Day Class Notes In Sympathy

ADMINISTRATION Robert A. Short, Head of School Mary Jordan, Head of Employee Life Brian Phillips, Head of Campus Life Maria Bartz, Head of Student Support and Academic Program Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement Adam Lonon, Athletic Director Margie Vaughan Snead ’85, Director of Admission David Ready, Director of Communications & Marketing Joseph Monaco, Chief Operating Officer BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chris Ellis ’81, Chair Cynthia L. Coleman, Vice Chair R. Braxton Hill, IV, Secretary Cheri Anthony Danielle Crowley ’93 Jay Davenport Sourya El-Ayoubi Richard Flaherty Keegan Hines ’05 Asheley Jewett David C. Kearfott ’94 Jana McQuaid Anne McCray Rebecca Muminovic ‘93 Clay C. Reynolds Ann Roberts ‘80 Ashley Sommardahl Todd Willett Sam Williams '08 ADVISORY BOARD Mary Bliley J. Read Branch, Jr. Otis L. Brown Milton Cerny Elizabeth Edwards Swannee Goodman Ericson ’75 Carol Estes-Williams Daniel Allen Gecker 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

NEWS FA C U LT Y

WELCOMING NEW FACULTY & STAFF

HIEDEMANN

HORST

Garrett Compton, assistant athletic director, joined our athletic staff this summer after serving in a similar role at The Steward School.

Compton has extensive experience with scheduling, logistics and athletic operations.

HUGHES COMPTON

CUTRO

DEAKINS

HACKLEY

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Kevin Cutro, social studies teacher, comes to Trinity from Goochland County Public Schools where he taught AP US history, world history and humanities classes. Previously Cutro worked in admissions at the College of William & Mary and as a legislative assistant at the US House of Representatives.

Jon Deakins, English teacher, moved to Richmond just one year ago. Deakins taught at Benedictine last year and previously worked at a number of independent schools, including Berkeley Prep and Archmere Academy as an English teacher and football coach. He is also a sports writer and has worked for both the Miami Herald and Yahoo Sports.

Brianna "Bri" Hackley joins the Athletic Department as our new certified athletic trainer. Hackley received her BS in exercise science from VCU and holds her MS in athletic training from the University of South Florida. In her new role, Hackley will be responsible for providing on-site medical care during practices and games, developing injury prevention programs and helping our athletes recover quickly and safely from injuries.

MAJIKES

MALCOLM

SINGLETON

Stephanie Hiedemann ’86 has returned to Trinity to join the college counseling team.

Hiedemann has most recently worked at the Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where she served as a class dean, the director of civic engagement and history teacher. She has completed courses in college admission at UCLA and in college student development at Kent State University.

Amanda Horst, science teacher, was previously a physics teacher in Hanover County Public Schools. Horst has a proven track record of growing a love of physics in her students. She is a yoga enthusiast and looks forward to connecting with her physics and scientific research students.

Philomena Hughes joins Trinity in a new role: college counseling coordinator. Hughes earned her BA in political science with a concentration in civil rights, and master’s of teaching in secondary education (history and social studies) from Virginia Commonwealth University. Hughes previously taught social studies at Atlee High School where she was recognized as “Beginning Teacher of the Year” in 2021 and served on the African-American studies textbook selection committee.

Matthew Majikes ’17 is returning to Trinity as a Latin teacher. Majikes graduated from Randolph-Macon College where he was a swimmer and majored in Latin with a minor in secondary education. He has been teaching Latin 1, 2, and 3 for the past two years at Virtual Virginia.

Beth Malcolm, Spanish teacher, returns to Trinity after being away for about 20 years.

She and her family moved back to Richmond this past year. In addition to teaching Spanish, Beth has also served as a dean of students and the director of co-curricular programs at Trinity Episcopal School in Austin, Texas.

Josh Singleton, ceramics teacher, is originally from West Virginia. He has been a ceramicist in the Richmond area since 2018.

Singleton is currently teaching ceramics at VisArts and has been a gallery associate at Shockoe Bottom Gallery.

INTERNAL TRANSITIONS

CONFERENCES, DEGREES, GRANTS, AWARDS

Olivia McGuckin will lead the College Counseling department as director, following the departure of Chet Childress after over 25 years at Trinity. McGuckin has been a college counselor at Trinity for three years, and she worked with Trinity families through her previous role as an associate director of admissions at Randolph-Macon College. She has received national recognition for her innovative campus visit experience leadership and student mentoring.

Sam Mickens, leadership gifts officer, completed his master’s degree in education (administration and supervision) from Liberty University in August 2024. “Early in my tenure at Trinity, Dr. Aycock made me promise him that I would get my master's degree in administration down the road,” said Mickens, referring to Trinity’s previous head of school for a quarter century. “While life has a way of getting in the way over the years — with a wife, two kids, and many excuses — I'm proud to say that I have finally fulfilled that promise I made to him years ago. I’m excited and I look forward to finding ways to continue to contribute to our school community.”

Alice Phillips will take the reins from Marti Truman as faculty development coach, supporting and guiding new faculty, while overseeing faculty and staff professional growth and goal setting.

Adam Lonon is Trinity’s next athletic director (see page 19).

FACULTY DISCOVERY AWARD Congratulations to Charlotte Morris, veteran math teacher and the recipient of the Faculty Discovery Award grant for 2024. 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. Morris will tap into her lifelong passion for animals, and especially horses, by spending a week at a working ranch in the Rocky Mountains, learning roping, herding techniques, animal care and cattle moving strategy. “About ten years ago I watched a documentary on cowboys — real, ranching, cattle-driving, sunup-to-sundown cowboys.

It wowed and inspired me,” she wrote. “They are not only the truest of equestrians, but they are knowledgeable about the earth, the climate and the necessary care of all the animals they work with. Their days are long and often difficult, but they can’t imagine doing anything else.

If there is such a thing as a “next life,” then I want mine to be as a cowboy/cowgirl!”

John Benson, chemistry teacher, submitted a proposal to the Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) that resulted in a $5,000 STEM grant for Trinity. The grant will go towards the purchase of a Polymerase Chain Reaction Thermal Cycler (PCR), micropipettes, and a Gas Chromatography (GC), all of which significantly enhance the learning experience in the science classroom. “This equipment will expose our students to different ways of investigating science and to allow for an authentic experience,” said Benson. “The PCR will allow our Forensic Science classes and Biology classes to be able to experience the DNA replication and identification process from start to finish. The GC will allow our Forensic Science and Chemistry students to interact with a separation technique that is used often in the industry.”

Sarah Herbert, assistant director of development and alumni relations, was a featured presenter at the GiveCampus Partner Success Conference in Washington, DC on July 30, 2024.

Speaking to other development professionals from independent schools, colleges and universities from around the country, she spoke on Trinity’s success encouraging automated, recurring philanthropic gifts to the school and provided lessons learned for other schools to integrate recurring giving into their giving program.

FACULTY MILESTONES Wendy Williams, Titan Closet manager, became a grandmother again! Sam ’08 and Susan Williams welcomed their first child, Joseph “Bo” Bowman Williams on June 4, 2024. Bo weighed 9 lbs., 5 oz. and was 21” long.

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CELEBRATING RETIRING FACULTY

Marti Truman Science Teacher (1989–2016) IB Diploma Programme Coordinator (2007–2022) Faculty Development Coach (2022–2024) Marti Truman arrived at Trinity in 1989 and brought a passion for teaching all levels of biology and electives such as the IB Environmental Systems and Societies. A lover of the natural world, she is proud to have been the first sponsor of Trinity’s SEA Club (Students for Environmental Action) and to have led the school’s emblematic River Program with Bill Snead and Barbara Pearce for nearly two decades.

Head of School Rob Short, who began teaching at Trinity the same year as Truman, praises her ability to set high expectations for students, while nurturing their natural curiosity and making them feel like scientists. “Her background in science and in teaching gave her the ability to understand how scientific pursuit actually occurs and allowed her classes to go beyond the subject itself,” says Short. “Marti’s intentionality with all she does encompasses every aspect of school life.”

In 2007, she became the school’s second IB Diploma Programme Coordinator, applying her attention to detail and keen data analysis skills to help students reach their potential. Students, parents and colleagues have benefitted from her ability to make complex systems simple. Under her thoughtful guidance, Trinity has cemented its status as Richmond’s first and preeminent IB World School, with 75% of students now taking at least one IB-level course.

For her part, Truman attributes her long tenure to the sense of purpose she found in every role. “I love working with teenagers and people who love working with teenagers, I love the cycle and rhythms of the academic year, and I’m grateful for the support and opportunities to be creative,” she says. Among her accomplishments, she is proud of launching the Thomas G. Aycock Award of Distinction to honor an IB diploma candidate student that has committed to playing college athletics. She also enjoys the special recognition that IB Extended Essay students now receive through having their works published. “The celebration of the independent research journey for each student with the support of their supervisor(s) and librarian is inspiring.”

Truman says she will fondly remember the fun Trinity traditions like Tour de Trinity and the Halloween pumpkin-carving contest, in which she and Sarah McDermott, history teacher, consistently raised the bar year after year with their creative and over-the-top designs.

In her retirement, she looks forward to “traveling with family and friends, volunteering, playing more golf, continuing to explore the world of cheese, and staying curious and creative.”

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Bob Alley Social Studies Teacher (1991–2024) Bob Alley joined the Trinity faculty in 1991 and taught social studies, specializing in US History and Government, for 33 years. Over that time, he built a reputation as Trinity’s master storyteller and corny jokester, delivering lessons on civics and the constitution with trademark wit and wisdom.

Looking back on his career, Alley takes special pride in being able to work in the Social Studies Department alongside two of his former students, Marcus Jones ’00 and Rick Hamlin ’96, both of whom trace their love of current events to lessons learned in E-Hall.

“Bob Alley was my all-time favorite teacher,” says Hamlin. “I learned more from his AP Government class than any class I have ever taken. His love of civics, deep knowledge of American government and unbiased moderation of class debate ingrained within me an appreciation for our government…

We were expected to watch ‘Meet the Press’ each Sunday morning, a habit that I have continued to this day.”

Jones, the department chair, continues to go to Alley with questions on the workings of government. “What makes him truly special is his knack for breaking down complicated issues so they can be easily understood,” says Jones. “He makes the study of US government approachable and meets his students where they are. He encourages students to ask questions, creates a welcoming learning environment, and is always thoughtful in his response.”

Hamlin calls Alley a “model of the independent school teacher: a Renaissance person who added value to all activities that he was involved in.” Alley has been the girls volleyball coach, JV baseball coach and finally the golf coach for 15 years from 1992-2007. Alley led groups of students in Model UN, Youth in Government Club, Model Judiciary, the Stock Market Game and Model General Assembly (MGA). His knack for spinning a good yarn has led to his selection for three commencement speeches and multiple Cabaret emcee gigs.

Alley accounts for his longevity the fact that he began teaching shortly after the hiring of former Head of School Tom Aycock in 1990. “I think all the barely thirty teachers at Trinity when I arrived felt that, with Dr. Aycock, Trinity was embarking on a new era of growth,” he recalls. “It was an exciting time, and I’m so thankful that I was able to be there. It is when I fell in love with Trinity Episcopal School.”

In retirement, Alley says he looks forward to more time for writing and finishing projects in his wood shop, like building a wooden ship and a model of the USS Constitution.

TRINITY WELCOMES… APRIL 8

Roy Woolwine The Frankie Woolwine Story “To be a true leader, you gotta have the courage to tell your best friend who’s been drinking, ‘don’t get in that car!’ You’ve got to make good decisions. Just take a second to think about it, and you’ll make the right decision.”

APRIL 29

Timone Brown Head Coach, Won Up Prep Academy “Stay in the present, be confident and remember that mental toughness is a choice…

You have the power of decision in your hands — that is the greatest power you have.”

UMFS Names Trinity “Community Partner of the Year” At a Morning Meeting on May 16, 2024, Kate Ockerman, volunteer manager from UMFS, presented Head of School Rob Short and Head of Community Engagement Laura Weiler ’00 with a plaque honoring Trinity as their “Community Partner of the Year.” The award recognized the hundreds of service hours that Trinity students have logged over the past year in partnership with the Virginia social services nonprofit.

“Trinity has really become a household name at UMFS,” said Ockerman. “You guys do stuff during the school day, and a lot of you have come to our campus in the evenings and the weekends to do more. We are really, really thankful for your partnership and the way that your community has embraced our community.”

Simply theBest!

Have you read the news?! Trinity was voted “No. 1 K-12 Independent School” in Central Virginia by Virginia Living Magazine readers in their May 2024 annual “Best of Virginia” issue!

The magazine editors noted how Trinity “prioritizes community connections and the progression of students’ confidence.”

A special thanks to everyone who added their lateral votes of confidence in Trinity's unique mission and role in the Richmond area.

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AROUND THE

COURTYARD

(Photo by Thomas Macaulay ’25)

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MODELING INTEGRITY

TITAN KARAOKE

Trinity was proud to host student honor council representatives from six other area independent schools for the annual Honor Symposium conference in January. The event welcomed nearly 70 students and faculty for a morning of candid discussions about the challenges and rewards of maintaining an honor code.

To kick off the new semester, students and staff gathered in the PAC Theatre during a Discovery Period in January to cheer on their fellow Titans as they sang selections from Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, the Foo Fighters and more…

RAINBOW LIBRARY

TITANS IN ACTION Titans in action! The Trinity orchestra played for a local retirement home in January and brought music and joy to the residents.

Thanks to a collaboration between the student-led Gay/Straight Alliance and Spring Lavallee, school librarian, Trinity was a recipient of the grant-funded Rainbow Library initiative from GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network). The Powell Library received free books last spring from the organization dedicated to “ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.”

LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER! The French Club held a Mardi Gras party in February, where students and faculty enjoyed traditional King Cake and other festive treats and made Mardi Gras masks while listening to New Orleans jazz music to get in the spirit.

LE PAIN Titans in Kristine Keeney’s French class learned to make fresh baguettes with Head of School Rob Short, Trinity’s bread maker enthusiast. Students took turns adding ingredients, mixing, baking and enjoying their delicious creations. The final product: C’est magnifique!

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AT THE FORE-FRONT Trinity’s new disc golf team came in third place in their first tournament this spring! The team now practices on a new course built by students and faculty in the woods between Trinity and neighboring St. Michael’s Episcopal School. “Disc golf is accessible to almost anyone,” according to Louis Ferro, club sponsor and coach. “It is such an approachable activity. Our team has a wide swath of students with all kinds of interests.”

JUNIOR WORK WEEK Putting the final touches to an advertising photo shoot at local creative firm SuperJoy, Grace Marcus ’25 was one of over 100 Trinity juniors to enjoy spending a week away from classes interning and shadowing one of dozens of employer hosts across the Richmond area in March. A Trinity tradition and opportunity for students to explore a career or specific job of interest, Junior Work Week allows students to learn about the world of work and gain greater understanding of their own strengths and interests.

WELCOMING NEW FAMILIES Members of the Trinity TPA were on campus as we held our annual New Titan Family Picnic in May. Incoming families were able to meet and mingle with current students, faculty and other Titan parents to hear about upcoming opportunities to get involved in the Trinity community.

SHIELDS & SWAG “It’s a great day to be a Titan!” said Margie Snead, Director of Admissions, inviting all newly admitted families to come grab their new TES swag and spiritwear on a sunny afternoon in late March. The Titan Closet was bustling with activity and had to restock many sold out items. Our new Titans in 2024 come from over 80 different feeder schools and 40 ZIP codes across Greater Richmond.

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CORNMASTER AWARD Head of School Rob Short awarded the much anticipated Cornmaster Award to two students, Mia Watkins ’24 and Nolan Davenport ’24, at the final Morning Meeting of the school year.

The annual award honors the most prolific and creative participants in “Corny Joke Friday,” a longstanding Trinity tradition, where corny jokes are read aloud at each week-ending Morning meeting. Bob Alley, history teacher and Cornmaster Emeritus, presented the handmade scepters to each winner.

UNDER ONE SKY

Eclipse Viewing Turns Science into a Spectacular Celebration Creating teachable moments in real time can be a challenging task, especially when working against a cosmic clock! On Monday, April 8, 2024, the Richmond area was scheduled to be in the path of a rare partial eclipse of the sun. While most other schools in the area looked at the celestial event as a logistical hurdle to plan around, Trinity chose the moment to do what it does best: build a community around a shared experience. By gathering all 600-plus students, faculty together in Aycock Stadium, the moment provided an exceptional educational opportunity to combine scientific exploration with Titan spirit.

Under clear skies, the peak of the eclipse occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. To ensure everyone could participate, Trinity extended its school day slightly, holding students until after the peak. Attendees were provided with proper viewing glasses, courtesy of the Science Society student club, as well as celestial-themed treats from the Trinity Parents Association, like Starburst chews and Milky Way chocolates.

More than a scientific observation, the event ended up being a celebration of curiosity, learning and community, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. “This is so exciting,” said Sadie Holloway ’24, president of the Science Society. “It’s so awesome that the school gave us the ability to experience this event. It’s once in a lifetime.”

A local reporter, Jake Burns from WTVR News Channel 6, asked Head of School Rob Short to reflect on the power of the moment.

“It’s always about instilling wonder,” said Short, also a former science teacher. “Because if kids have wonder and natural curiosity, they’ll pursue anything.”

Elizabeth Kelley, IB Coordinator and physics teacher and enthusiast, said that students and teachers had been planning thoughtfully for the event for years, following the last on-campus eclipse experience in 2017, one she called “overwhelmingly enthusiastic and almost mystical.” “That experience fueled our determination to make this year’s eclipse even more memorable… ensuring that everyone at Trinity could safely and meaningfully engage with this awe-inspiring event,” she said. “The April 2024 eclipse wasn’t just an astronomical phenomenon; it was a school-wide celebration of science that brought us all together under one sky.”

View the full news story on Trinity’s YouTube channel @trinityepiscopalschoolRVA >>

“The April 2024 eclipse wasn't just an astronomical phenomenon; it was a school-wide celebration of science that brought us all together under one sky.” — Elizabeth Kelley, physics teacher

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Titan Robotics Team 539 at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship in Houston: (back row) Spencer Anthony ’25, Ryan Mariscalco ’27, Hayden Veech ’25, Belle Sears ’25, JJ Brink ’26, Farrah Berry ’25, Izzy Garrison ’27, Jacob O’Dette ’25, Julien Morriss, staff mentor, (front row) Coach David SanClemente and Coach Cynthia Chinworth. (not pictured) Warwick Lord ’25

FIRST CLASS Titan Robotics Team 539 Makes History at FIRST Robotics World Championships

F

or the first time in its 23-year history, Titan Robotics Team 539 earned a spot in the world championships of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) last spring. An international competition featuring over 600 teams from 32 countries, the event represents the pinnacle of high school robotics competition worldwide. This year’s event was held in Houston, TX from April 17-20.

But the team only learned they would be going to Houston a few days earlier, when their alliance won first place at the district-level competition Petersburg, VA. It was at that moment that they met one of their toughest engineering challenges of the entire robotics season: figure out a way to pack and ship their robot and fly the entire 15-person team to Houston in just 10 days.

“We’re committed to going to worlds next year and bringing a much larger team.” — Cynthia Chinworth, coach A defining feature of all FIRST competitions is that teams must form alliances, thus demonstrating teamwork, respect, empathy and the competition’s mantra of “Gracious Professionalism.” That mantra was on full display just a few short days later when neighboring Team 1086 “Blue Cheese” from Deep Run High School, offered to build a custom 4’x8’ palette for the Titans. Thanks to this neighborly generosity, the team was able to pack everything — including robot, tools and spare parts — onto a tractor trailer at a furniture delivery warehouse and send it on its way to Houston.

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Be Prepared The quick turnaround time is emblematic of one of the keys to success in the FIRST robotics league: be prepared for anything. “Once the competition season starts, you basically have to have a pretty wellfunctioning robot,” said Hayden Veech ’25, team co-captain. “And by the time you either have your second competition, you’re qualified for the district championships, and you have to be ready to go to worlds the second you qualify. There is no turnaround time” Each year in January, the rules for the international competition’s are released, and teams have just six weeks to design and build their robot. Participants are judged not only for their functional coding, engineering and design skills, but also on their ability to build a team brand and raise funds from sponsors and build “respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.”

Crescendo The theme for the 2024 season was “Crescendo,” which revolved around music and concerts, with robots launching physical rings resembling musical notes into goals shaped like amplifiers or speakers — and avoiding hazards like a stage trap door. In honor of the musical theme, Trinity’s robot was named “Pach,” in a nod to Pach’s Place, the spot on campus where students perform in weekly open mic concerts at lunchtime.

After a 9th-place finish at the regional competition in Ashland in early March, the Titans surged to 2nd place in their next regional

“Simple solutions are often better solutions, because complex solutions become complex problems.”

— Spencer Anthony ’25, lead programmer

A Global Scale match in Falls Church. A month later at the Chesapeake District event in Petersburg, Team 539 and their robot, Pach, joined an alliance with local rivals Team Torch 5804 (from Collegiate) that would take them all the way to a first-place finish and a trip to “worlds.”

Of the nearly 3,500 teams worldwide, only 600 are selected to participate at the international competition.

Although the team did not advance into the final competitive round in Houston, they came away with a wealth of experience and are already planning for next year’s competition. “We’re committed to going to worlds next year,” said Chinworth, “and bringing a much larger team.”

Lessons Learned The 11 students and three coaches of Team 539 point to adaptability, resourcefulness, preparation and organization as the ingredients to this season’s success.

To prepare, the team emphasized organization and being efficient with their practice time. “We created a calendar full of checkpoints that we wanted to get through each week,” said Farrah Berry ’25, team co-captain.

The most successful teams come to each competition with not only a top-performing robot but also the resolve and the extra equipment to be able to make repairs and change strategy on the fly. Broken parts like a “hex shaft” were commonplace, and the team made sure to travel with plenty of spare parts. But the Titans were also proud of their ability to pivot their strategy mid-competition. “We started as an offensive team,” Veech said. “But we didn’t have the greatest autos, and we didn’t have the greatest cycling times.”

When a key part broke, he says they had to pivot strategies, which became a stroke of good luck. “We were able to find out that we were actually really good at defense.

The one thing they couldn’t prepare for was the sheer size of the competition. “With 600 different teams all in one building, it’s pretty easy to get lost if you aren’t careful,” said Spencer Anthony ’25, the team’s lead programmer. Berry agreed: “Every competition you’ve been to so far has had one field, and each field is about the size of a basketball court. And in Houston there were eight fields and all the fields were running at the same time. So it’s just a wider scale, under the bright lights.”

WIth over 30 countries represented, Berry brought back souvenirs from other teams from as far away as India and Israel.

All the team members gave accolades to Anthony’s expert coding in “Path Planner,” which allowed them to create autonomous programs and adapt to different strategies. “The thing is, we weren’t bad at anything,” said Anthony. “We were pretty good at a lot of things. We weren’t really good at any one thing, but… we were consistent.”

Chinworth credits the team for developing a simple design that was relatively easy to fix. “Simple solutions are often better solutions,” said Anthony, “because complex solutions become complex problems.”

Put another way, Veech said, “If you over-engineer it, it’s going to break.”

It Takes a Village Chinworth is quick to thank the support of the entire Titan community, especially the parents and community sponsors that enabled the team to complete a full-scale upgrade of tier technology and equipment in 2023. “There was no way that we could have done it without all of that,” she said.

Looking back at the entire season, Chinworth is proud of the team’s perseverance. “There are always voices saying, ‘you’ll never take a small team,’ or ‘we don’t have the resources for that,’” recalled Chinworth. “But we kept working through that and told ourselves ‘we can do this!” Staying true to that vision and knowing that there are so few things in life that actually come to fruition that you put so much into and so much passion. For me, that’s the best part.”

T I TA N T R A I L 11

RAIN OR SHINE

Trinity Continues Tradition of Service, Competition and Spirit at Dominion Riverrock Festival

Trinity is more than a school — it is a community committed to service, engagement, and fostering a strong sense of togetherness.

Nowhere is this commitment more evident than at Dominion Riverrock, the nation’s premier outdoor sports and music festival, held annually each spring in downtown Richmond, Virginia. For many years, under the leadership of Michael Stratton ’02, Trinity Outdoor Program coordinator, the school has played a crucial role in this vibrant celebration of outdoor adventure and music, showcasing what it truly means to be a Titan.

Dominion Riverrock brings together the best of outdoor sports and music, offering activities that range from trail running and mountain biking to kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and even bouldering.

For Trinity students, volunteering at Riverrock is more than just a community service opportunity; it’s a chance to be part of a national event that celebrates outdoor adventure and community spirit. “Our students assist anyone at the festival who wants to try kayaking or paddleboarding, providing a safe and welcoming experience regardless of ability,” says Stratton. “They put on a smiling and confident face through adverse weather and river conditions to ensure all participants have a positive experience.” It is this resilience and dedication that sets Trinity students apart, embodying the T.I.T.A.N.S. values of trustworthiness, intentionality, toughness, altruism, neighborliness and sincerity.

“Our students assist anyone at the festival who wants to try kayaking or paddleboarding, providing a safe and welcoming experience regardless of ability.”

—Michael Stratton ’02, Outdoor Program Coordinator

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Trinity students and alumni have competed in almost every event at RiverRock, often against professional athletes — a testament to the school’s first-rate outdoor adventure and education program.

also excelled in the SUP-cross event, with first and second-place finishes, respectively. These results reflect the high level of skill and dedication that Trinity students bring to their athletic pursuits.

Trinity’s involvement in RiverRock is a unique opportunity for students to challenge themselves, contribute to the community, and showcase the spirit of neighborliness and toughness that defines what it means to be a Titan. As the festival grows each year, so too does the impact of Trinity’s students, who continue to lead with resilience, dedication and a commitment to service — rain or shine.

Each year, the involvement of Trinity’s senior students stands out.

With around 120 student volunteers to manage, Stratton relies heavily on the leadership of seniors to set the tone and lead by example. “I give everyone a post to manage, and some spots are definitely harder than others,” Stratton explains. “The seniors do a great job of letting me know when students need a break or a switch in positions.” This leadership and teamwork are critical to the success of Trinity’s involvement in the festival.

The scale of Trinity’s participation at Riverrock is impressive. The Outdoor Program has been involved with Sports Backers, the organization behind Riverrock, for over a decade, assisting with race setups and other events. About seven years ago, the school began running the “Try a Kayak” and “Try a SUP” portions of the Interactive Village at the festival. This year, the school had 120 students volunteer, contributing a remarkable 1,400 hours of service. Some students even logged up to 80 hours each, marking trails for running and biking events in the week leading up to the festival.

In addition to volunteering, Trinity students and alumni have competed in almost every event at RiverRock, often against professional athletes — a testament to the school’s first-rate outdoor adventure and education program. This year’s whitewater competitions saw outstanding performances, with Tomi Gal ’24 taking first place in boatercross, Thomas Clarkson ’24 finishing second, and several others placing in the top 10. Clarkson and Gal

T I TA N T R A I L 13

SPRING

ATHLETICS

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(Photo by Tom Woordward)

Athletics

TRACK & FIELD HEAD COACH: Marcus Jones ’00 (19th season) RECORD: 4th in LIS (girls); 6th in VPL (boys) 6th in VISAA (girls); 8th in VISAA (boys) ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-VPL/All-LIS: Eila Crumlish ’25, Lilly Versen ’24, Ashlyn Nelson ’27, and Lucy Versen ’26 (girls 4x100m); Cooper Gardiner ’24 (shot put); Lucy Versen ’26 (100m); Nathan Sims ’24 (400m) All-State: Cooper Gardiner ’24 (shot put); Will Rosen ’24 (shot put, HM) Lucy Versen ’26 (100m, 200m (2nd); Ainsleigh Jones ’27, Lily Versen ’24, Ashlyn Nelson ’27, Lucy Versen ’26 (4x100m) Lily Versen ’24 (200m); Nathan Sims ’24 (400m) All-Metro: Ainsleigh Jones ’27, Lily Versen ’24, Ashlyn Nelson ’27, Lucy Versen ’26 (4x100m) Nathan Sims ’24 (400m); Cooper Gardiner ’24 (shot put)

BASEBALL HEAD COACH: Chris Gerrity (1st season) W/L RECORD: 10-10 overall; 6-4 in VPL (3rd place) Finished 10th overall in VISAA Division I ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-VPL: Brennan Ridley ’24 (CF), Jalen German ’26 (pitcher), Lawson McLeod ’26 (pitcher) All-Metro Honorable Mention: Brennan Ridley ’24 (utility), Jalen German ’26 (pitcher), Lawson McLeod ’26 (pitcher)

RECORDS/MILESTONES: Cooper Gardiner ’24 was the Prep League and VISAA state champion in the shot put, setting school records this year in both the shot put (55-6.25) and discus (147-7). Will Rosen ’24 had a throw of 49-6 in the shot put at the state meet which earned him 3rd place and AllState Honorable Mention. Nathan Sims ’24 was the Prep League and VISAA state champion in the 400m. Lucy Versen' 26 broke the school record in the 100m with a time of 12.33. Lucy was the LIS and state champion in the 100m and was state runner-up in the 200m. Lilly Versen ’24 ran 25.66 in the 200m and was the state champion. The Girls 4x100m team of Ainsleigh Jones ’27, Lilly Versen ’24, Ashlyn Nelson ’27, Lucy Versen ’26 ran a school record of 49.62 and won the state championship.

RECORDS/MILESTONES: Brennan Ridley ’24 set a new VPL record for stolen bases (33) Lawson McLeod ’26 set a new VPL record for strikeouts (60) MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Beating St. Christopher’s twice is a first ever in Trinity history; splitting 1-1 against a top Collegiate team was also a highlight.

COACH’S REMARKS: Our goals were to win 10 games and double the win amount from last year and to get our young top arms more innings. Our team slogan was “Why not us?!” Our goal for next year is to win 15 games, and we expect to make it into the top 8 and compete for a Prep League Championship.

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Athletics MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Ainsleigh Jones ’27 and Regan Perkinson ’27 were Freshman who emerged as two of the best 400m runners in the LIS, combining with Shannon Hiller ’24 and Eila Crumlish ’25 to place in the girls 4x400m relay at the state meet. Matthew Waidelich’s ’26 time of 4:30 in the 1600m is nearing the school record in the event.

Waidelich scored points in the 1600m and 3200m at the Prep League Meet and finished 5th in the 3200m at the State Meet.

COACH’S REMARKS: The girls team climbed the state standings moving from 13th in 2023 up to 6th this season. The boys had a similar season but fell from 5th to 8th in the state standings. The team will graduate some very accomplished and talented athletes, several of whom will go on to compete in college. The coaches were really proud of the improvement and successes of the 9th and 10th graders and excited about their future. We are in a position that we can improve upon our team results next year. The future is bright.

ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-State: Caden Clark ’24 (2nd Team) All-VPL: Caden Clark ’24, Ethan Owens ’25 All Metro: Caden Clark ’24 (2nd Team); Greg Gallinger ’25 (Honorable Mention) RECORDS/MILESTONES: Caden Clark ’24 recorded 694 career saves and finished 4th in the state all-time for saves in boys lacrosse. Zach Pruitt ’25 had 33 goals and 21 assists for 54 points on the year.

COACH’S REMARKS: Our team lived by “Improvise, Adapt and Overcome.” We had to change practices last minute due to weather, embrace playing in the cold rain this spring and learn how to overcome the loss of some key players due to injury. During those challenges the boys embraced the moment, worked together to handle the changes and as a team overcame the adversity. We know that learning how to overcome these challenges will assist each student as they discover their path, and our team as we continue to move our program forward. Although we will lose our amazing goalie, and some incredible senior leadership, we bring back our entire offense, a midfield that has played varsity the last two years and has matured a ton, and have some new faces joining us next year that will help us take another huge step forward!

GIRLS SOCCER HEAD COACH: Rick Hamlin ’96 (20th season) CAPTAINS: Sisi Mileski ’24, Kate DeRoco ’24, Logan Snyder ’24 W/L RECORD: 12-7-1 overall; 4-1-1 in LIS (2nd place) Advanced to state Final Four

BOYS LACROSSE HEAD COACH: Dave Daly (3rd season) CAPTAINS: Caden Clark ’24, Taylor Benson ’24, Lawson Good ’24, Zach Pruitt ’25 W/L RECORD: 8-10 overall; 0-5 in VPL (6th place) Finished 14th in VISAA state poll

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ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-LIS: Marin Snyder ’27, Logan Snyder ’24, Sisi Mileski ’24, Kat Pope ’26 All-State: Logan Snyder ’24 (1st Team), Sisi Mileski ’24 (1st Team), Kat Pope ’26 (2nd Team) All-Metro (Honorable Mention): Logan Snyder ’24, Sisi Mileski ’24, Kat Pope ’26 RECORDS/MILESTONES: Continued streak of winning record for 17 straight seasons; made the state tournament for the 17th year in a row; won the Tiger Invitational at JR Tucker

Athletics MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Coming from 0-2 down at halftime at STAB to win 3-2; winning a PK shootout over JR Tucker to win the Tiger Invitational championship; playing at City Stadium "under the lights" against eventual-state-champion Collegiate; winning 3-0 at St. Catherine's, winning 2-0 at Catholic HS to avenge an early season loss and make it to the state Final Four; hanging close against state No. 1 seed Trinity Christian until falling just short in the final minutes.

COACH’S REMARKS: The team's goals were to finish in the top 2 in the LIS, host a state tournament game and make the state Final Four, and we accomplished all those goals. The team played strong defense and won many close games. There were several come from behind victories. We continued our consistent winning tradition, and with over a dozen non-seniors starters returning, the future looks bright.

COACH’S REMARKS: We wanted to compete and have fun in a very strong Prep League and win non-league matches. Trinity was the top dog a year ago, every match was stressful, and the practice schedule was grueling.

This year was a quasi-rebuilding year, and with a different group of players, we tried to have more fun and play more loose and relaxed.

The players liked that and responded to it, and they ended up playing their best when it counted.

GIRLS LACROSSE HEAD COACH: Margie Snead ’85 (26th season) CAPTAINS: Alyssa Acquaye ’24, Darcy Kopsinis ’24, Catherine Pollard ’24, Julia Pollard ’24 W/L RECORD: 11-6 overall; 2-3 in LIS (3rd place) Qualified for the state tournament as 7th seed ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-LIS: Julia Pollard ’24, Campbell Rowe ’25 All-State: Campbell Rowe ’25 (2nd Team) All-Metro: Julia Pollard ’24 (1st Team); Campbell Rowe ’25 (2nd); Sydney Bourne ’26 (HM), Catherine Pollard ’24 (Honorable Mention)

BOYS TENNIS HEAD COACH: Darryl Wilburn (1st season) CAPTAINS: Collin Hennessey ’24; Thomas Strickler ’24 W/L RECORD: 7-8-1 overall; 1-7 in VPL (5th place) Tied for 9th place in VISAA ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-VPL: Sam Nedeff ’25 All-State: Sam Nedeff ’25 (1st Team) All-Metro: Sam Nedeff ’25 (2nd Team)

MEMORABLE MOMENTS: A flashy behind-the-back goal sealed a come-from-behind buzzer-beater road win at Catholic that proved crucial in the state standings; winning the final game of the regular season on the road at St. Catherine’s solidified a 3rd place finish in the league and 7th seed in the state tournament.

COACH’S REMARKS: We took it one game at a time and focused on getting better every day. We started the year with a new goalkeeper and a young keeper returning from injury; the team rallied around them both. They played hard for each other and stayed positive when things were challenging. This was the strongest year we have had since 2019.

This group faced a lot of challenges and rose to the occasion. We had injuries that required younger players to step up. We faced deficits in games and were able to pull out wins. They supported

RECORDS/MILESTONES: Thomas Strickler ’24 was a four-year starter; both Strickler and Collin Hennessey ’24 acted as quasi-assistant coaches MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Played both the No. 1 (North Cross, tied) and No. 2 (beat Covenant 5-4) teams in VISAA Division II at home, and the team brought their “A-game” to both matches, with the bottom of the lineup especially playing above expectation.

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Athletics one another and believed in themselves. They were a pleasure to coach. We have some big shoes to fill from our graduating seniors.

But we have talented and motivated returners who are eager to leave their mark on the program.

GOLF HEAD COACH: Will Dugan (1st season) CAPTAINS: Grady Williams ’24, Jacob Beauchamp ’14 W/L RECORD: 7-6 in VPL (5th place) ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-VPL: Grady Williams ’24 All-State: Grady Williams ’24 RECORDS/MILESTONES: All players competed and posted at least one score in a match COACH’S REMARKS: Our team goals were to get everyone to play in at least one match, while we encouraged all players to maintain a positive attitude: if you have a bad shot move on to the next one. The most memorable moment of the season was when the team shot 2 over par. We look forward to an even better season in 2025.

SOFTBALL HEAD COACH: Christy Darlington (11th season) CAPTAINS: Alex Giesen ’24, Magovern Rollins ’25, Karsin Beatty ’25 W/L RECORD: 15-9 overall; 8-2 in LIS (2nd place) 2-2 in postseason; 4th place in VISAA ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-LIS: Alex Giesen ’24, Jordan Winston ’24, Jordan Morey ’28, Magovern Rollins ’25 All-State: Alex Giesen ’24 (1st Team), Magovern Rollins ’25 (1st Team), Jordan Winston ’24 (2nd Team), Jordan Morey ’28 (2nd Team), All-Metro (Honorable Mention): Alex Giesen ’24, Jordan Winston ’24, Jordan Morey ’28, Magovern Rollins ’25 RECORDS/MILESTONES: Olivia Golliday ’24 recorded 100 hits MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Our "Salute to Military" win against Collegiate started a nine-game winning streak that saw us beating the eventual LIS Champions (St. Catherine's) along with strong teams from Fredericksburg Christian, Flint Hill and avenging an earlier loss to St. Gertrudes, by beating them twice in that stretch.

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COACH’S REMARKS: Our goal was to come together as a team and try to repeat as LIS Champions. Although the season started off with a very challenging schedule out of the gate, it definitely prepared us for the LIS season.

While we did not repeat as LIS Champions there was a lot of growth amongst the team leadership-wise and performance. Continuing to battle despite circumstances outside of our control could have had us giving up. They proved to themselves that they can fight through adversity and still be successful — a great lesson in sports but an even greater lesson in life. We have a strong core of leaders returning from this season that are hungry to recapture the top spot in LIS before they graduate. Along with some potential newcomers, the Titans should make a run at LIS supremacy next season.

Athletics

HEADLINE MAKERS King of Throws Following another dominant season in the circle, Cooper Gardiner ’24 now holds every throwing record in both indoor and outdoor track & field. His 51’9” indoor shot put, 55’6.25” outdoor shot put and 147-7.0 discus marks put him at the top of the school record board in all three events. Gardiner is now a first-year student at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Hitting the Century Mark

Going Pro

Softball player Olivia Golliday ’24 joined an exclusive club after smacking her 100th hit for the Titans. She ended her career with 102 hits and a .472 batting average in 77 games as a Titan. A four-year starter she reached the milestone with a pair of singles against St. Gertrude on May 7 in the LIS Semifinals. Golliday is now a freshman at Virginia Tech.

Since he last suited up in the green, blue and white last fall, Griffin Garnett ’25 has decided to pursue professional soccer full-time.

Signing a multi-year contract with the local Richmond Kickers franchise was a dream come true for Garnett. According to an August 8 article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Garnett said: “We used to walk to games, I used to watch them and I always wanted to play with them. My dream was to always go pro.” The story also noted that he “currently ranks sixth in the league in total volume of passes. He’s won 73% of his tackles, 57% of his duels, recorded an 86.1% pass accuracy and completed 45 long passes.” The defender/midfielder was also the ECNL national player of the year.

Top Shelf

Saving the Day Two-year varsity captain and four-year player Caden Clark ’24 broke the all–time record for saves at Trinity (694), landing 4th on the all-time for the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA). Clark finished his career as a two-time Academic All-American and is now a freshman at James Madison University.

Lilly Ferguson ’26 is off to a blazing start to her career with Titan girls lacrosse. In May 1, she surpassed the 100-goal mark in a 1606 win over St. John Paul the Great, making her one of the few sophomores ever to reach 100 goals. Currently at 106 goals, Ferguson is on a 35-goals-per-season pace to score 177 in her high-school career.

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Athletics

Sprint to the Finish

Double Trouble Twin Titans in the class of ’24, sisters Julia and Catherine Pollard were not only co-captains of the 2024 lacrosse team but both earned RTD All-Metro Honors on their way to dominating the competition this season and leading the team to a state tournament berth. Both will be playing lacrosse at George Mason University this spring.

Meanwhile, brother-and-sister duo Seth and Sisi Mileski ’24 may not have played on the same team, but they were just as intimidating for Titan opponents last fall. Both captained their respective squads, both earned all-league honors, and both made state final fours (Seth in 2022, Sisi in 2021 and 2024). And to top it all off, both are first-year students at the University of Virginia this fall.

If you liked watching the USA women’s 4x100m team in Paris this summer, then you would have loved watching the LIS And VISAA championship meets this spring, where the Titans sprinting quartet of Ainsleigh Jones ’27, Lilly Versen ’24, Ashlyn Nelson ’27, Lucy Versen ’26 nabbed victories and set new school record in State meet of 49.62.

Baseball pulls it out Boys baseball defeated a No. 5 ranked Collegiate team that was undefeated in the Prep League at the time, despite having lost 10-0 to the Cougars two days prior. In the 7th and final inning, Titans were holding on to a one run lead with the bases loaded and zero outs, before a strikeout and a huge double play gave them the win. Jalen German ’26 and Lawson McLeod ’26 both pitched and both hit home runs to help lead the team to an 8-7 victory.

Signing Day Students and families gathered in the Estes Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 to celebrate five 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 2024 Signees

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Brook Bailey (swimming) — Washington College Alex Chaikin (basketball) — Lafayette College Marcy Mortimer (swimming) — Washington and Lee University Shepard Ramsey (field hockey) — Sewanee: The University of the South Lilly Versen (track & field) — Washington and Lee University FA L L 2 0 2 4

Athletics

Welcoming Athletic Director Adam Lonon Adam Lonon became Trinity’s newest athletic director on July 1, 2024, after serving as associate athletic director for three years. Over the past seven years at Trinity, Lonon has served Titan Athletics in a broad range of capacities including — program head for varsity girls basketball and golf, scheduling and site operations and evolving the audiovisual media program into a series of content channels viewed by thousands of supporters across Titan Nation.

A hall-of-fame varsity athlete at The Steward School and record-holding basketball player at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Lonon’s unique perspective will continue to foster high expectations for himself, student-athletes, coaches and the entire Trinity community. “I am excited to work with our administration and to use my background in athletics to help guide our students and coaches on their athletic journeys,” says Lonon. “Through community engagement and wellness, my goal is to help our athletes, parents and coaches navigate the current landscape of high-school athletics. I look forward to continuing a culture at Trinity Episcopal School where people matter and the program is an extension of our mission and values.”

Lonon credits his passion and love for athletic administration to support and leadership from strong mentors along the way: former Steward School AD Janet Rice; current Steward School AD Bruce Secrest and formert Trinity Episcopal School AD Anna Prillaman. “Witnessing their insights into leading successful athletics programs with integrity and character while handling complex situations with grace and humility has been invaluable,” he said.

Lonon succeeded Prillaman, who concluded her five-year tenure as director in June. “Anna Prillaman has brought a level of excellence and excitement around athletics at Trinity,” said Lonon. “I am ecstatic for the opportunity to help continue the culture and Titan traditions in place while creating even more experiences for the development and success of Trinity Athletics.”

Welcoming New Varsity Program Heads Doug Sutkus (Cross Country) Doug Sutkus joins the Trinity track & field and cross country programs as co-head coach for cross country in the fall and head coach for both indoor and outdoor track in the winter and spring of the 2024-25 school year.

Coach Sutkus graduated from James Madison University where he competed for the men's track & cross country program all four years in college. Coach Sutkus taught for four years at the University of Richmond's Robins School of Business, coached high school track & cross country in the Richmond area for 10-plus years at Atlee High School, and has been involved in the Richmond running community for over 20 years. He has coached numerous All-State performers on both the boys and girls track & field and cross country teams, and his boys cross country team at Atlee won the 20202021 Class 5 State Championship.

Joanna Pfluger (Girls Tennis) After an esteemed amateur career that saw her ranked as high as No. 3 in Europe and a college career at the University of Richmond, where she battled to become the No. 1 line, Pfluger worked at Salisbury Country Club before launching her own coaching business, Rainbow Tennis.

She is the director of tennis at Southampton Recreation Association. Plunger describes her coaching style as enthusiastic and spirited.

“Tennis can feel like a lonely individual sport, especially at the highest levels,” she says.

“But I love the team culture of high school and college tennis. I want our girls to be intense, emotional and spirited – and to play not just for themselves, but for their team and for their school.”

Liz Ragland (Volleyball) With over 30 years of coaching, Liz Ragland brings to Trinity a wealth of knowledge in the Richmond volleyball scene.

While at Monacan High School for 13 years, Ragland built the volleyball program into one of the most popular at the school, eventually competing for regional titles. Ragland has coached many now competing at the college level, and her players describe her as tough but knowledgeable. She looks forward to preparing Titan Volleyball to compete at the highest level, and she has been impressed with the level of competition in the League of Independent Schools. “In the LIS, everybody is good,” she says. “So we've got to go in and play our hardest every single match.” Ragland says she is grateful for the solid foundation that was laid by previous coaches in the program, and she is excited to continue the strong growth and development of Trinity athletes.

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philanthropy The Board of Trustees of Trinity Episcopal School is made up of dedicated volunteers who donate their time and expertise toward the shared goal of the school’s long-term health and sustainability.

A very special thanks to the following outgoing trustees, who finished terms of service on the board: Lisa Acquaye, Henry Burt, Kyle Hendrick ’05, Chase Hill ’98, Ann Marie Petrucelli, Petrucelli, and Tia Walker. We appreciate all of their insights, dedication and enduring support.

We also welcome the following six new trustees and look forward to their enthusiastic guidance for the school’s future.

Cheri Anthony Trinity Parent (’25, ’27) / Adjunct Professor and Licensed Professional Counselor, Virginia Commonwealth University Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing, Sondermind

“Trinity has been a wonderful experience for our family. Trinity has provided a nurturing environment where both of my children have been able to thrive while discovering their passions and following their own unique paths.”

Danielle Crowley ’93 Business owner and Real Estate Professional — The Goddard School of Mechanicsville, Jade Properties

“Trinity provided me with a strong academic foundation, which served me well in college and graduate school, lifelong friendships and I even married another Trinity alum! I look forward to giving back to a school that has given me so much.”

Jay Davenport Trinity Parent (’24 and ’20) / VP, Development & Alumni Relations, VCU & VCU Health

“We have seen firsthand how Trinity truly helps every student Discover Their Path. I am excited to be part of the board and to help support the faculty and staff in continuing to improve our great school.”

Keegan Hines ’05 Principal Scientist, Microsoft

"I am excited to serve on the board and support Trinity. It will always be a special place for our family, as Caitlin and I met there and grew up together. We were greatly impacted by dedicated teachers who promote individuality and encourage each student to thrive in their own unique way. "

Asheley Jewett Trinity Parent (’25) / Brand and Marketing Executive

“It has been amazing to watch how Trinity has made our daughter grow and be challenged not just academically, but also be encouraged to explore talents that were previously unknown. I have joined to help ensure that existing and prospective students know how unique, encouraging, and family-like the Trinity community is and how students will walk out of Trinity with a one-of-a-kind experience that sets them up for whatever path they want to take.”

Ashley Sommardahl Trinity Parent (’26, ’26) / Associate Director, VCU BrandCenter

“I’m looking forward to serving on the board and giving back to an amazing school that has provided my daughters with so many transformational opportunities.”

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philanthropy

Surrounded by Love Nearly 300 grandparents of current Trinity students visited campus on Thursday, September 19 for a day that celebrated the impact of their love and support on the Titan community.

After a program in the Perkinson Arts Center — including reflections from current students, musical selections from three of Trinity's musical ensembles and a Q&A with Head of School Rob Short — grandparents enjoyed personal tours of campus with their grandchildren and lots of photo ops.

Responding to their thoughtful questions in the program, Short emphasized the personal connections that define Trinity's success.

"Getting to know students, getting to know what they're good at, getting to know their fears, their anxieties and things that they consider to be a triumph," Short said. “That is the key to making them feel at home in a place where they belong. Once you’ve built that foundation or love and support, the sky’s the limit.”

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ARTS THE

Break a Leg…

Titan thespians staged a production of “How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse” by Don Zolidis on April 13, 2024. This hilarious “how-to” guide instructs the audience on the top ways to make it through the world's next apocalypse. Everything from kung fu to sacrificing the weak, our Titans showcased their talents to keep the audience laughing through the whole play.

Swinging spring

Dozens of musicians from visiting area high school jazz bands performed under the tent in Dunn Courtyard at the annual Jazz Festival on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Trinity’s band featured solos by seniors Collin Hennessey and Cameron Walker, while the headlining Greater Richmond Youth Jazz Band (an all-star group composed of the Richmond area's finest high school jazz musicians) included our own Isaac Atkins ’25 and Farrah Berry ’25.

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SHOWSTOPPERS 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 8, 2024 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.

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¡Aventura de España!

Titans Embark on a Transformative Global Engagement Trip to Spain

T

his summer, more than two dozen Titans embarked on a remarkable Global Engagement trip to Spain, visiting some of the country’s most iconic cities and regions, including Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Mijas and the picturesque Costa del Sol. The journey was a whirlwind of cultural immersion, historical exploration and personal growth, leaving an unforgettable mark on each student who participated.

The trip kicked off in Madrid, where students were immediately captivated by the city’s rich history. From exploring the renowned Prado Museum, to visiting the grand Royal Palace and the famed Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, students had the opportunity to explore the cultural and historical environment of Spain’s capital. “It was amazing to see how engaged the students were, especially when given the chance to choose their own enrichment activities,” said Sarah Schriber, English teacher and a chaperone on the trip. “They explored with enthusiasm and a genuine curiosity, which was wonderful to witness.”

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A highlight of the journey was the tour of Toledo, a city known for its medieval architecture and historical significance. As they wandered through the winding streets, students marveled at the blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influences that define

Students were awestruck of the intricate designs and breathtaking views, gaining a deeper appreciation for Spain’s diverse cultural heritage.

Toledo’s unique character. The journey continued to Seville, where a bike tour offered a fun and active way to explore the city’s landmarks, including the iconic Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar Palace. Students also had the chance to immerse themselves in the rhythms of Spain through a flamenco dance lesson and show, a memorable experience that brought the country’s rich musical traditions to life.

In Granada, the visit to the Alhambra, the majestic Moorish palace and fortress, was a standout moment. The students were awestruck of the intricate designs and breathtaking views, gaining a deeper appreciation for Spain’s diverse cultural heritage. Even though the trip was not specifically tailored for Spanish language practice, many students took the opportunity to converse with

As they wandered through the winding streets, students marveled at the blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influences that define Toledo’s unique character. locals in Spanish, surprising themselves with their language skills. “So many of our kids jumped at the chance to practice their Spanish,” Schriber noted. “They were always so surprised and proud of how much Spanish they actually knew.”

The trip wasn’t just about sightseeing; it was also about fostering independence and confidence — traits that align with our IB Learner profile. Whether navigating the layers of security and customs at the airport or finding a pharmacy in the heart of Madrid, students quickly learned how to manage the challenges of international travel. In each city, they were given free time to explore, requiring them to plan their activities, navigate unfamiliar streets and return to meeting points on time. “Even in the winding roads of Granada, they were safe and able to find their own way,” Schriber said. “They helped each other and always made sure everyone had a group to be with.”

The journey concluded with a relaxing day on the beaches of the Costa del Sol, where students enjoyed the Mediterranean sun and savored traditional Spanish paella. Reflecting on the trip, Norah McCullagh ’25 said, “Our school trip to Spain provided me with the opportunity to interact with a culture I had only read about in my Spanish class, which has helped a lot with my IB Spanish class this year.”

Ryon Sinclair ’25, another student on the trip, summed up the experience perfectly: “The Spain trip was truly rewarding on so many different levels. Not only was I able to interact with a different culture and practice speaking another language, but I also gained valuable life experiences. I cannot express how much I truly got out of this opportunity, and I will cherish the memories we made in Spain for many years to come!”

Overall, the Global Engagement trip to Spain was a resounding success, providing students with a unique blend of cultural enrichment, personal growth, and unforgettable memories. Even more, it was a chance for them to experience Trinity’s philosophy of putting “life into learning and learning into life.” Next stop…

GREECE 2025!

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C L A S S

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Sisi Mileski, Salutatorian Each challenge we've faced, each decision we've made, and each of our mistakes has helped build our character and the person we are today. These challenges, decisions and mistakes have taught us firsthand the concepts of empathy, tenacity and moral courage.

The path to demonstrating perseverance and standing up for what is right isn't always easy, and you may receive criticism from others or face setbacks. Still, ultimately, the impact of helping others remains extremely important. In the next stage of our lives, we must maintain our character and continue to let our experiences further develop it.

Cameron Walker, Valedictorian To me, discovering your path means becoming confident in who you are and what your purpose is. It means not only figuring out what you want to do with your life, but also what kind of person you want to be, what kind of people you want to be surrounded by and what mark you want to leave on this world…

When I look at this class, I see scholars, athletes, musicians, artists, writers, actors, and so on. I have learned so much in my time here from every one of you. We possess such a unique and diverse set of talents, and when working together toward a common goal, we can accomplish extraordinary things.

T I TA N T R A I L 29

Francis Decker, Graduation Speaker But, since you're here, and since it's your graduation, I was thinking we could do something together, right now... let's make a video. A video of the liminal space you occupy. A video that will mark the beginning of all the awesome and exciting opportunities coming your way. Congratulations, Class of 2024!

Rob Short, Head of School At Trinity, we've seen a lot of classes filled with exceptional people in varied ways. But your class has something else that is independent of your GPA, your college choice, your victories or failures on the athletic field, it isn't even about how outgoing or quiet you might be — or how close or far from perfection you are. The chemistry of this class came along at just the right time.

Congratulations, Class of 2024!

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CLASS OF 2024 COLLEGE DESTINATIONS Alyssa Acquaye University of Arizona Ella Adams Texas Christian University Sam Aisenberg South Dakota State University Lulu Antal Penn State Rodney Archer Virginia Commonwealth University Brooke Bailey Washington College Branko Bality Virginia Commonwealth University Jakob Beauchamp University of Virginia Ava Benson University of Alabama Taylor Benson University of Virginia Baleigh Blalock James Madison University Logan Blanchard Virginia Commonwealth University Ginna Boggs University of South Carolina Abby Buckner Virginia Tech Sarah Burris William & Mary Radcliffe Burt Sewanee: The University of the South Luke Campbell James Madison University Robert Casasnovas Virginia Commonwealth University Alex Chaikin Lafayette College Caden Clark James Madison University Thomas Clarkson Virginia Tech Joseph Cohen Virginia Commonwealth University Ridgely Coleman Reynolds Community College Trey Coles Pursuing Other Options Mac Corso Virginia Tech Jack Cranston University of Mississippi Leah Crowe James Madison University Nolan Davenport Catholic University of America Kate DeRoco Elon University Cat Dodson Sweet Briar College

Lennard Donsbach Pursuing Other Options

Andrew Kidwell Virginia Tech

Joe Sanders Hampden-Sydney College

Seylon Duncan Hampton University

Bowen Knight Southern Virginia University

Ivy Saunders Virginia Commonwealth University

Davis Elliott Texas Christian University

Darcy Kopsinis William & Mary

Brady Scioscia James Madison University

Carter Erwin University of Miami

Ella Kramer College of Charleston

Landon Shepard Virginia Tech

Max Flaherty Virginia Tech

Emily Krickus Virginia Tech

Hayes Sheppard University of Mississippi

Rauhjai Forbes Norfolk State University

Mary Grace Kurtz Elon University

Olivia Sibley University of Georgia

Tomi Gal Virginia Tech

Brady Lang Christopher Newport University

Nathan Sims University of Rhode Island

Grant Gallatin Elon University

Cameron Lindo Virginia Tech

Jackson Smith Clemson University

Sophia Garces Randolph-Macon College

Ryan Lloyd Elon University

Logan Snyder Wake Forest University

Cooper Gardiner United States Naval Academy

Katelyn Loker Virginia Tech

Gabrielle Strickler Elon University

Giulia Gardiner University of Kentucky Alex Giesen James Madison University

Gabriella Lynam Randolph-Macon College

Thomas Strickler University of South Carolina

Collin Lyons Virginia Tech

Princeton Sutton Howard University

Olivia Golliday Virginia Tech

Van Malkie University of Utah

Laila Talibi James Madison University

Lawson Good Hampden-Sydney College

Ashley McFadden Virginia Tech

Garrett Tarchokov James Madison University

Trey Grant Virginia State University

Seth Mileski University of Virginia

Silvio Troy Virginia Tech

Silven Grover-Yannie Elon University

Sisi Mileski University of Virginia

Joe Turkaly University of South Carolina

Alviyana Hanks Norfolk State University

Ryan Mitchell University of Pennsylvania

Kayla Vaughan James Madison University

Rosalie Harr Virginia Commonwealth University

Arushi Mitra American University

Lilly Versen Washington and Lee University

Collin Hennessey University of Virginia

Marcy Mortimer Washington and Lee University

Cameron Walker Harvard University

Brock Heston Virginia Commonwealth University

Banga Mwenda Southern Virginia University

Kaitlyn Watkins James Madison University

Shannon Hiller Liberty University

Sawyer Nunnally Virginia Commonwealth University

Mia Watkins Hood College

William Hoffler Christopher Newport University

Catherine Pollard George Mason University

Grady Williams William & Mary

Emily Hoffman Radford University

Julia Pollard George Mason University

Jay Williams North Carolina A & T State University

Sadie Holloway University of Michigan

Zahir Rainer University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)

Jordan Winston Radford University

Josh Huckle Brightpoint Community College

Shepard Ramsey Sewanee: The University of the South

Stephon Woodson James Madison University

Ellie Johnson Davidson College

Brennan Ridley Hampton University

James Woodward Middlebury College

Emma Kates James Madison University

Alec Ringberg Virginia Commonwealth University

JuHee Yi Ohio State University

Sonnie Kayer James Madison University

Delia Rios Elon University

Declan Keith Virginia Tech

Will Rosen University of Virginia

Brydan Kelley Appalachian State University

Finn Rowe Northwestern University

T I TA N T R A I L 31

A GROWING FOOTPRINT Reflecting on the College Admission Process for the Class of 2024

Titan Nation has a growing footprint across the country when it comes to college attendance. Of course, perennial favorites Virginia Tech and JMU continue to lead with the most graduates from the class of 2024 matriculating to these in-state schools. Elon reclaimed the No. 1 spot for top out-of-state school choice.

However, many graduates will head to colleges where alumni have never attended or where they have not been a presence within the past five years, including Lafayette College, Middlebury, Northwestern, Ohio State, South Dakota State, Texas Southern, Washington College and the Universities of Arizona, Kentucky and Minnesota. The growing range of destinations shows a willingness on the part of students to look beyond the “typical choices” for schools that offer more of what they want in a college experience.

Also notable in the class of 2024, a record seven students chose to attend historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs), two students will be attending Ivy League Schools (Harvard and UPenn), and one will attend a U.S. service academy (Naval Academy).

In the past year, the college counseling team continued to develop and expand its programming to include year-round workshops for juniors and seniors as well as partnering with college admissions experts to lead evening meetings with families. The team also introduced Scoir to students, faculty and parents. This web-based platform streamlines the college search and application process, making communication between students, counselors and colleges easier. Finally, the college counselors also actively participated in local, regional and national professional conferences and toured college campuses – highlighting Trinity and its incredible students.

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COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES CLASS OF 2024 American University Appalachian State University Auburn University Baldwin Wallace University Ball State University Bard College Belmont University Berklee College of Music Boston University Bridgewater College Campbell University Christopher Newport University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Colgate University College of Charleston College of William & Mary Colorado State University Davidson College Drexel University Earlham College East Carolina University Eastman School of Music Eckerd College Elon University Emory & Henry College Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Florida State University Fordham University Furman University George Mason University George Washington University Hampden-Sydney College Hampshire College Hampton University

Harvard University High Point University Hollins University Hood College Howard University Indiana University (Bloomington) Ithaca College James Madison University Johnson C Smith University Lafayette College Liberty University Longwood University Loyola University Maryland Marywood University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Messiah University Miami University (Oxford) Michigan State University Middlebury College Morgan State University Muhlenberg College New York University Norfolk State University North Carolina A&T State University North Carolina Central University North Carolina State University Northwestern University Ohio State University Old Dominion University Penn State Purdue University Queens University of Charlotte Quinnipiac University Radford University Randolph-Macon College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Roanoke College Rollins College Rutgers University (New Brunswick) Saint Joseph’s University Saint Michael’s College Saint Vincent College Sewanee: The University of the South Shenandoah University Siena College South Dakota State University Southern Virginia University Spelman College SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Sweet Briar College Syracuse University Temple University TTexas Christian University Texas Southern University United States Naval Academy University of Alabama University of Arizona University of Central Florida University of Cincinnati University of Colorado Denver University of Delaware University of Florida University of Georgia University of Hawaii at Manoa University of Iowa University of Kentucky University of Lynchburg University of Mary Washington University of Maryland (College Park) University of Miami University of Michigan

University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) University of Mississippi University of New Hampshire University of North Carolina at Asheville University of North Carolina Wilmington University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island University of Rochester University of South Carolina University of Tennessee (Knoxville) University of Utah University of Vermont University of Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Military Institute Virginia State University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University Washington College West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Virginia University Western Carolina University Westminster University Winthrop University Wofford College

T I TA N T R A I L 33

ACADEMIC AWARDS St. Lawrence Book Award Sylvia Dow ’25 Sweet Briar Award Eila Grace Crumlish ’25 UVA Jefferson Book Award Gerardina Abbate ’25 West Point Leadership Award Tucker Milton Tetterton ’25

Freshman Scholars (top 10) Hadley Christine Bald Samuel Beauchamp Charlotte Elizabeth Chafin Kevin Richard Cronheim Elizabeth Ann Hepner Matthew Duening McCullagh William Emre Roussy Marin Elizabeth Snyder Matthew William Woodward Timothy Wozniak Sophomore Scholars (top 11) James Claiborne Bailey Alexander Edward Edsall Landon Eve Gravitt Lily Hennessey Madison Jewett Mallory Grace McEntyre Ainsley Owens McNeer Anna Stewart Rohrs Sarah Frances Rowe Matthew Waidelich Susanna Virginia Whitehead Compass Awards Jacob Cole Dameron ’28 Kailyn Grace Harris ’28 Keaton Andrew Gregory ’27 Samuel Beauchamp ’27 Anna Stewart Rohrs ’26 Rosemarie Eileen Williams ’26

Edwards-Flannagan Scholarship Deacon Thomas Skogen ’27 Hugh O’Brian Award Britsia Hernandez ’26 Anna Stewart Rohrs ’26 Junior Scholars (top 11) Spencer Campbell Anthony

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William & Mary Leadership Award Liam Carlin O’Neil ’25

Dakota Jett Baldwin Farrah Alexandria Berry Claire Marie Bowersox Eila Grace Crumlish Sylvia Dow Liam Carlin O’Neil Elizabeth Ballard Ray Ryon Lynne Sinclair Tucker Milton Tetterton Hayden Gabriel Veech

SENIOR DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

Chatham University Healthy Planet Award Nora Celeste Brakman ’25 English Brooke Catherine Bailey Mathematics Cameron E. Walker Performing Arts (Theatre) Arushi Mitra

Emily Huffman McLeod Scholarship Rockira Denasia Harris ’25 F. Norton Hord Jr. Memorial Scholarship Sylvia Dow ’25 Harvard Prize Award Farrah Alexandria Berry ’25 Hollins Creative Writing Award Magovern Rollins ’25 Richmond Panhellenic Award Elizabeth Ballard Ray ’25 Saint Michael’s College Book Award Asher Pearce ’25

C L A S S

O F

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Performing Arts (Music) Michael Carter Erwin, Sadie Stone Holloway

Religion Sarah Paige Burris

Unity Award Arushi Mitra

Science Alec Roy Ringberg

Trinity Community Service Award Leah Michelle Crowe, Van Martin Malkie

Social Studies Sierra Rebecca Mileski

Ralph White Environmental Stewardship Award Andrew Loyd Kidwell

Technology Cameron Amir Lindo Visual Arts (2-D) Ashley Marie McFadden Visual Arts (3-D) Mia Joelle Watkins Visual Arts (Photography) Thomas Simons Clarkson World Languages (French) Darcy Nicolette Kopsinis

Page Mauck Award Arushi Mitra Laura Kelley ’82 Memorial Scholarship Declan Joseph Keith DAR Good Citizenship Award Sarah Paige Burris

Brad McNeer ’96 Memorial Scholarship Robert Caden Clark

Bill Davies Award Alex Claire Giesen, Zahir Sadiq Rashid Rainer

SENIOR ACADEMIC AWARDS

SENIOR CLASS AWARDS

Head of School Award Cameron E. Walker Leadership Award Sophia Huerta Garces, Bowen Alexander Knight Titan Award Silvio Connor, Anthony Troy

Thomas G. Aycock Award of Distinction Cameron E. Walker

Dale Travis Sportsmanship Award Nathan LaMar Sims, Shepard Lassiter Ramsey

World Languages (Spanish) Sophia Huerta Garces

Senior Scholars Collin Eli Hennessey Sadie Stone Holloway Darcy Nicolette Kopsinis Seth Steven Mileski Sierra Rebecca Mileski Marcy Jean Mortimer William Evans Rosen Jackson McLeod Smith Logan Kendall Snyder Cameron E. Walker

Founders Award William Evans Rosen

Athlete of the Year Cooper Smith Gardiner, Lilly Jane Versen

World Languages (Latin) Ivy Saunders

Cameron E. Walker, Valedictorian Sierra Rebecca Mileski, Salutatorian

SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARDS

Grady Richeson ’77 Award Elizabeth Egan Antal, Joseph Patrick Turkaly

Bishop’s Award for Character & Integrity Sarah Paige Burris Bethany Award for Service Princeton Reece Sutton Ann Randolph Jonas ’97 Scholarship Thomas Simons Clarkson Senior Class Award Finnegan James Rowe, Cameron E. Walker

RTD Scholar Athlete Darcy Nicolette Kopsinis, Grady Michael Williams

T.I.T.A.N.S. VALUES AWARDS T

(Trustworthy) Robert Caden Clark

I

(Intentional) Logan Kendall Snyder

T

(Tough) Sierra Rebecca Mileski

A

(Altruistic) Declan Joseph Keith

N

(Neighborly) Jayden Isaiah Williams

S

(Sincere) Alexander Elliott Chaikin

VISAA Award of Merit Cooper Smith Gardiner Brennan LeeAndrew Ridley William Evans Rosen Olivia Cameron Sibley Nathan LaMar Sims

T I TA N T R A I L 3 5

THESIS STATEMENT The seniors in the IB Extended Essay program received official bound copies of their work in Morning Meeting on Thursday, April 11. 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 Effect of Filtration on the Hardness of Water: A Look at Metal in Drinking Water Elizabeth Egan Antal “This one’s died of natural causes. Natural to the line of work he’s in”: The “young man’s game” in Cormac McCarthy’s “No Country for Old Men” Robert Taylor Benson Exploring Humanity Amongst the Clones in Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go” Sarah Paige Burris El efecto que tuvo la caída de la economía española en el siglo diecisiete en los estilos arquitectónicos del tiempo.

Andrew Radcliffe Burt “Secret Signs of Misery”: Rebellion Against Female Gender Roles by the Lisbon Sisters in Jeffrey Eugenides’s The Virgin Suicides Joseph Wilson Cohen Queer Art Through Time Michaela Alice Corso

A Comparative Study of Proximity to Bodies of Water and Retail Value Between An Urban River in The US and a Lake in Germany Lennard Paul Donsbach

The Effect of Distance from the James River on Residential Home Prices in the Cherokee Road/Stony Point Shopping Center Area Sierra Rebecca Mileski

Impressionism in Joe Hisaishi’s Film Scores Collin Eli Hennessey

A Mathematical Analysis of Hindustani and Carnatic Music Using Swaras and Shrutis Arushi Mitra

Vendetta Burns Inside: The Effects of the Ukraine War and Iranian Protests on Armenian Foreign Policy Brock Joseph Heston Más Vale Tarde que Nunca: La Representación de Latinoamericanos en las Películas de Disney, Saludos Amigos, Los Tres Caballeros y Coco Sadie Holloway An Exploration of Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theories in Horror Literature Darcy Nicolette Kopsinis The Impact of Multinational Corporations on Human Rights In Central Africa: The dangers of unregulated industry Katelyn Elisabeth Loker The Effect of Incident Angle on The Degree of Polarization of Reflected Light Collin Lyons

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An Investigation into the Iron Content of Dulse Seaweed (Palmaria Palmata) through Spectroscopy Marcy Mortimer

The Never-Ending Story: the Past 20 Years of Third-Party Mediation in Israel and Palestine Olivia Cameron Sibley How does Bret Easton Ellis’ “American Psycho” function as a satire, and criticize 1980s yuppie culture and consumerism?

Jackson McLeod Smith The Effect of Redlining on the Dispersion of Greenspaces in Richmond, Virginia Logan Kendall Snyder

The Use Of Leitmotifs In Howard Shore’s Score For The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Sawyer Nunnally

An Analysis of the Importance of Plants’ Effect on Temperature Princeton Sutton

An Investigation on the Effectiveness of Football Helmets William Evans Rosen

The Weaponization of Debt: How Foreign Powers Control West Africa Lilly Jane Versen

Reopening Old Wounds; Brexit Marginalizing Northern Ireland.

Finnegan James Rowe

Products of a System: Structural Violence in the United States Cameron Walker

The Effect of Soil Saturation in Soil on the Trail-Following Behaviors of Yellow Meadow Ants Ivy Saunders

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The Effect of Different Alcohols on the Restoration of Oil Paintings after Contact with a Fire An Investigation into Art Restoration Mia Joelle Watkins

TRY, FAIL, AND TRY AGAIN

Seniors “Mission Moments” emphasize stepping out of comfort zone to discover their paths 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 24. The whole school, as well as parents of seniors, watched the Class of 2024 process in, share memories and enjoyed a slideshow commemorating the end of their time at Trinity.

This year, five 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.

Sarah Burris used a metaphor of light to encourage students to share their true and full selves with others. “In order to let our lights shine here at Trinity, I encourage all of you to go out of your comfort zone and embrace each opportunity given to you,” said Sarah. “Shining out lights and living authentically with people around us encourages them to be themselves as well.

Darcy Kopsinis encouraged younger students to step outside of their comfort zones. “The most rewarding experiences are the ones that force us to be uncomfortable,” said Kopsinis.

“We grow when we fail and try again. We grow when we choose to persevere through hardships. We grow when life isn’t easy… My advice to you all is embrace being scared. Let yourself be uncomfortable, and push yourself to overcome it.”

Katie Loker also described the experience of trying and failing — at volleyball — before finding her true self in another athletic team experience. “I got to play tennis with one of my best friends and start exploring who I truly was,” she said. “I was able to find integrity through being who I was rather than who I thought I should be.”

Retelling the brave decision he made to join the swim team as a senior — despite never having participated on a swim team before — Finn Rowe showed how being vulnerable and open to new experiences can lead to true gratitude. “To all of you who want to be part of something greater than yourself, do not fear failure, do not be afraid to inspire, and do not be afraid to be kind,” he added. “It requires a large amount of confidence and courage to take risks.”

Like Rowe, Lulu Antal also took a big risk her senior year and decided to get on stage and sing at Cabaret. “My parents were shocked to see me singing up on that stage, because Cabaret is not something I would normally ever volunteer to do,” she said. “Yet thanks to my years at Trinity… [I had] the confidence to sing in a theater full of people rather than in my car on the drive home — or give a speech voluntarily to hundreds when it would have been so much easier to just sit and listen to my classmates.” To those younger students listening to her, she said: “Let Trinity be a space for you to grow and figure out who you want to be. Try all the different things our amazing school has to offer… Trinity gives you the freedom to do so much. Take advantage of that.”

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Alumni

CLASS

NOTES

Class of 1988 Melinda Sandkam ’88 is working with the Juneau Public Library as an Outreach Librarian.

Class of 1996

Class of 1976

Ross Perkins ’96 is working for Siemens Energy as a Lean/ Continuous Improvement Project Manager.

Patsy Conrad Headley ’76 writes: “I retired in 2014 after teaching earth science, biology and anatomy for 33 years. I am a widow, have eight beautiful grandchildren and love to go to the beach and take cruises.”

Class of 1999

Jim Ware ’76 writes: “My wife (Maria) and I recently flew to Norman, OK with our youngest son Daniel to visit our oldest son Phillip, who is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Phillip organized a day road trip to Arkansas, where we were able to see the total eclipse.

So cool! Best way to enjoy a family reunion. In July, we joined another couple on a Viking river cruise in France. We had a wonderful time, met new friends, and enjoyed great food and probably too many adult beverages. Our trip included excursions to a number of locations, including, most importantly to me, Normandy and Omaha Beach. That was a ‘bucket list’ adventure for me because my father was there June 6, 1944 as a 22 year-old Navy Lt. I stood on Omaha Beach and gazed out over the English Channel, trying to imagine him watching the horror unfolding on the beach from the deck of his ship. A very moving, emotional experience.”

Nick Springer ’99 writes: “My wife Shannon and I live and work in Midlothian, not far from the school! Shannon and I now own our family's second-generation insurance agency with three offices in Virginia and one in Texas. We have two awesome kids, Cruize (13) and Caris (10), that fill our time with all kinds of sports and activities.”

Class of 2006

BRIDGFORTH

Austin Bridgforth Patton '06 and her wife, Jess, welcomed their daughter, Annabel, on March 22, 2024.

Class of 2008 WARE

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Joanna Bolstad Simmons '08 and Kyle Simmons welcomed their first child John "Jack" Wesley Simmons on May 7, 2024.

Alumni

WILLIAMS

Susan and Sam Williams ’08 welcomed their first child, Joseph “Bo” Bowman Williams on June 4, 2024. Bo weighed 9 lbs., 5 oz. and was 21” long.

HARVEY

MESSINGER

Class of 2009

Class of 2011

Katie Markunas Messinger '09 writes: “This winter my husband Thomas and I welcomed our second daughter Ann Marie Messinger amidst the busy basketball season. She was born on Jan. 31, 2024 and was featured on several ESPN broadcasts during her dad’s games. She is already so loved by her big sister Millie, as well as the rest of the family including her uncles Chris Markunas ’01 and Nicholas Markunas ’11.”

Megan Harvey '11 married Benjamin Horansky at Salisbury Country Club on March 9, 2024. Trinity alumni in attendance were Robertson "Robbie" Harvey '15, Erin Deloye '15, Casey LaPrade Toy '11, Carly Alford Felts '11, Madeline Pellicane Mahan '11 and Timothy Chester '11. Erin Deloye made the wedding cake and Preston Slaughter '10 was the photographer.

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Alumni

WARNER

COTTRELL

Class of 2013

Class of 2014

Kaitlyn Warner Grayson ’13 and her husband Jay, welcomed their first child into their family last spring. Asaiah Joseph Grayson was born on April 1, 2024.

After seeing on Trinity’s social media that the Titan Robotics Team 539 would be competing in Houston for the world championships (see full story on page 10), Houston native and Team 539 alum Schuyler Cottrell ‘14 made a surprise visit to the convention center to meet the team and cheer them on. “It’s just amazing you are here,” he told the Titans with pride.

KANG

Class of 2016 JAMER

Matthew “Matt” Jamer ’13 married Alyson Coockerham of Liberty, North Carolina, on May 18, 2024. Thomas Hupp ’16, and Taylor King ’12 were groomsmen. Stephan Hupp ’12 was his best man.

There were many Trinity alumni and families on hand to witness the joyous occasion.

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Evan Kang ’16 married Kaelyn Reid on August 17, 2024. Thomas Hupp ’16, Stephan Traylor ’16, Sam Parker ’16, Andrew Barron ’16 were groomsmen, Estelle Kang ’22 and Elina Chong ’29 were Bridesmaids. Ephraim Kang ’19 was the best man. Faculty members Chris Williamson, Cheri Bradby, and Sam Mickens were in attendance, along with alums Blake Bowen ’16, Frank Barksdale ’16, Edward Blake ’16 and Smith Blake ’17.

Alumni

A Warm Reception Trinity welcomed past athletic award winners back for the second year to the 2024 Athletic Awards Alumni Reception held in the Estes Athletic Center’s Speight Alumni Room in May. Held concurrently with the annual Athletic Awards Banquet, the event welcomed past athletic award winners to celebrate alongside our current student-athletes and their families. While current athletes and their families were being recognized for outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments during the banquet, alumni eagerly shared memories of past games and milestones, honoring the legacy they have built. The highlight of the evening was the chance for past award recipients to connect with the current winners of the same awards.

“It was a true testament to the enduring legacy of Trinity's athletic programs, with alumni from multiple generations coming together to share memories and congratulate the latest generation of Titan achievers,” said Leadership Gifts Officer Sam Mickens. “This exchange of current and past award winners was a powerful reminder of the strong bonds that unite our community. As we look ahead, we welcome the return of our alumni to campus this fall, where they can witness firsthand the continued success of our teams in their respective meets, matches and games.”

T I TA N T R A I L 41

Alumni

Class of 2020 Mason Willett ’20 joined the WHSV news team in June 2024 as a multimedia journalist covering the Harrisonburg area. Says the announcement: “A 2024 graduate of Elon University… Mason was a part of the student run news organization Elon News Network, serving in a multitude of positions as a reporter, anchor, producer, sports director and news director during his four years.

He also completed internships at news stations in Richmond, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina.”

Class of 2022

WILLETT

Brian Curley ’22 earned accolades this spring for his contribution to the VCU Rams baseball team earning a spot in the College World Series. A starting pitcher, Brian was named First-Team All-Conference this season, and his 2.51 ERA was second in the A-10.

KUHN

Class of 2019 Josef Kuhn ’19 lives in Nashville and does music production, mix engineering, and touring full time. He has worked with the likes of The Greeting Committee, Samia, Mali Velasquez, and Annie Dirusso, and also has his own solo project under the moniker, “nickname jos”.

Jos has also been on over seven national tours since graduating from Trinity and keeps busy in Nashville when he’s not on the road.

CURLEY

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 or connection and camaraderie!

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Alumni

Fish Music Internationally renowned musician John-Andrew Wilhite ’09 teams up with marine scientists to help boost Norwegian cod population

Using sophisticated microphones, John Andrew “J.A.” Wilhite ’09 has been recording three-dimensional, spatial sound from the underwater home of “skrei,” the migratory codfish native to Norway. Though only a few centimeters long, the cod’s drum muscle produces an outsized, thumping bass tone in low frequency. Working closely with a team of other musicians and scientific researchers at the University of Agder and the Institute of Marine Research, the team is hoping that these recordings will illuminate the secrets of the cod’s mating rituals.

“Atlantic cod populations are down to the lowest levels ever,” says Wilhite. “This is an especially big problem in Norway, because Norwegian culture is synonymous with cod, and after oil, fish are the number two export for Norway. We have now proved that cod mating selection is determined by what kind of music the individuals make, which is a huge one. This means we can create real change by presenting this proof to policy-makers, and getting ordinances for things like noise pollution, which prevent successful cod mating. This is especially impactful in Norway where things like oil drilling and cod fishing happen in the same areas.”

Since 2018, Wilhite has been using these recordings not only to determine how and why the fish make “cod fish music,” but also to make internationally renowned art. His work has led him all around the country, and his recordings are being used for a permanent installation in the new Codfish museum in Kabelvåg.

He and collaborator Bálint Laczkó created the performance “Torsketromming” (available on Youtube) that depicts the cod rituals set to music both inspired by and incorporating actual cod sounds. He has presented his performance artwork internationally in Sweden, Austria, Scotland, Finland, and Norway.

As an undergraduate at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, Wilhite studied with scholar and composer David Schiff and bassist Orin

O’Brien, the New York Philharmonic’s first female musician. He completed master’s degrees in both double bass performance and composition from The Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) and spent a few years performing and writing music across Europe, including for the Norwegian National Opera. He’s now starting a PhD program at NMH in “artistic research… a relatively new field that asks the question, ‘how can art contribute to knowledge production in ways that other subjects cannot.’”

He says that both his undergraduate time at Reed as well as his Trinity experience prepared him for the interdisciplinary aspects of his work. “It’s no secret that Trinity is a great school for the arts, and I think that’s because the school doesn’t treat them as ‘extracurricular’ activities, but rather as worthy subjects in themselves, whether it’s theater, ceramics, photography, or whatever it is,” he says. “IB Music was (and of course it was!) as rigorous as any other subject at Trinity, and Brian Rollins treated the material with respect and even reverence, whether it was a madrigal by Monteverdi or milonga from Montevideo.”

Wilhite says that the teachers were what made the difference for him during his time as a Trinity student. “Trinity teachers are interesting people, and they will take you seriously as an individual, while challenging you as a scholar,” he said reflecting on his theatre classes with Brian Phillips. “I’m not kidding when I say that the teachers at Trinity could be just as critical as the teachers at college, but that’s a very, very good thing” “I think that having teachers who cared about me early on led me to set a high standard, and to search for teachers who would hold me accountable,” he says. “And I think that it was this understanding desire to learn from the best that led me to music in my particular path.”

“It’s no secret that Trinity is a great school for the arts, and I think that’s because the school doesn’t treat them as ‘extracurricular’ activities, but rather as worthy subjects in themselves.”

T I TA N T R A I L 43

Alumni

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, 2024.

Mike Bobinsky, father to Andrew Bobinsky ’18, passed away on August 5, 2024.

Marvin Dameron, grandfather to Cole Dameron ’28, passed away on July 21, 2024.

Wright Ellis, father of Stephanie Churchman ’86, passed away on January 20, 2024.

Wayne Gravitt, grandfather of Landon Gravitt ’26, passed away on January 2, 2024.

Cheryl Guderi, mother of Ross Guedri ’05, passed away on July 16, 2024.

Terry Jones, mother of Ben Jones ’96, Julie Gibbs ’98 (Arron Gibbs ’97), Stas Jones ’00, and Charlie Jones ’00, and grandmother to Colby Gibbs ’28, passed away on June 3, 2024.

Randolph Reynolds, father-in-law to current Board of Trustee Clay Reynolds and grandfather to Adam Reynolds ’25, passed away on May 17, 2024.

Cassie Elizabeth ’87 passed away on May 13, 2024.

Robert Salsitz, father to former Trinity Spanish teacher, Julie Davi, and grandfather to Lauren Davi ’21, passed away on April 3, 2024.

Anne Shelton, mother to Chip Shelton ’89 and Cynthia Shelton Buchanan ’79 (deceased), and grandmother to Lydia Cash ’19, passed away on June 10, 2024.

Doug Smith, father of Declan Smith ’21 and Liam Smith ’23, passed away on April 12, 2024.

Thomas Walker, father to Rebecca Walker ’07, passed away on April 21, 2024.

Ben Warthen, father of Thomas Warthen ’05, passed away on July 3, 2024.

Joan Wilton, wife of former Board of Trustee Somers Wilton (deceased), mother to Debra Wilton Bright ’75 and Sandra Wilton Garrett ’80, and grandmother to Emma Garrett ’14, passed away on August 13, 2024.

Catherine “Kitty” Witty, mother to Leesa Gregory ’93 and grandmother to August Gregory ’23, passed on May 6, 2024.

Robin Herbert, mother of Ashton Herbert ’08, Kelsey Herbert ’08, and Ann Carter Herbert, passed away on September 1, 2024.

44

FA L L 2 0 2 4

WE GIVE

because…

As Trinity teachers, not only are we invested in the success of our students in the classroom but we also understand the importance of contributing to the Trinity community as a whole. Giving to the Trailblazer Fund demonstrates our dedication towards making Trinity a place where every student can discover their path and succeed.

DID YOU KNOW? 100% of Trinity faculty and staff have made a gift back to the school towards the Trailblazer Fund and other scholarship funds for the past 18 years in a row!

You, too, can support Trinity and make a difference… www.trinityes.org/give

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If this magazine is addressed to a Trinity alum who no longer lives at this address, please send updated address information to development@trinityes.org.

Discover Your Path

TRINITY

TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

OCT 30, 2024

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