Titan Trail (Spring 2025)

SPRING 2025

CH AR SE RE

TE CH NO LO GY

TITAN TRAIL

T

R I

INNOVATION You can't spell Trinity without…T…R…I

FROM THE

HEAD OF SCHOOL More important than knowing what the future of careers will be is knowing how to adapt and how to evolve. This idea has been at the heart of our school’s most recent strategic plans, and it has been the inspiration for our cross-curricular initiative — launched this fall and detailed in the central pages of this magazine — TRI: Technology, Research & Innovation.

For an unknowable future, these three skills will be especially important, and so we have committed to incorporating them into absolutely every subject at Trinity — with skill levels that go from the youngest 8th grader all the way up to the oldest senior. No matter the academic discipline or professional field, our students will be using a research-driven approach to discover the needs of the world, and applying a tapestry of creative and technical skills and the latest tools to meet those needs.

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.

We want every Titan to leave Trinity with an excitement about their limitless potential and their role in the future of work. It's about designing. It's about creativity. It's about putting yourself out there and making the world a better place. We're trying to get students to adapt and think differently about careers, and we're so excited to be able to bring this to our students and our campus.

As long as I have been at Trinity, we have always prided ourselves in building programs around people — identifying student interests and passions and meeting them with resources. It is with this in mind that we will be complementing our TRI initiative with the expansion of the lower level of Morgan Hall this summer. The new spaces will not only expand our offerings in the Innovation Lab and robotics team room, but will touch multiple other program areas as well. The Academic Resource Center, where our students learn how to learn, our photography lab, where they visually interpret their surroundings, and the Ethel Powell Library, where students can explore the history of human thought — all of them will be enjoying substantial expansion and improvement of their spaces.

As you read this issue of the Titan Trail, I hope you will see the myriad ways that our mission is being realized, not only in the lives of each student on campus, but also through the impact that our alums are making on the world today. Thank you for the support of the Trinity community as we move “Ever Onward” into tomorrow.

Rob Short Head of School

SPRING 2025 CONTENTS

TITAN TRAIL TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH

15

INNOVATION

ADMINISTRATION

22

21

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

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10

Chris Ellis ’81, Chair Cynthia L. Coleman, Vice Chair R. Braxton Hill, IV, Secretary

12 FEATURES

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

Communications:

Development:

David Ready Director of Communications & Marketing

Sarah Herbert Assistant Director of Development & Alumni Relations

Breanoh Lafayette-Brooks Digital Marketing Manager

Sam Mickens Leadership Gifts Office

Photography: David Ready, Tom Woodward, Kyle van de Kamp ’12, Bridget Hazel Photography, Breanoh Lafayette-Brooks, Adam Lonon, TESPN, Hanna Ally Contributing reporter: Carter Tyree (page 39) Publication and Graphic Design: Creative Worx, LLC

08 10 12 14 15 21 22

No Job Too Big, No Job Too Small A Compassionate Calling Sewing a Tapestry Tools of the Trade Bright Horizons Crosstown Canvas You Can't Spell Trinity Without T...R...I 36 Homecoming

SECTIONS 02 06 07 16 24 28 38 42 45

Around the Courtyard Faculty News Trinity Welcomes Arts Philanthropy Athletics Alumni Spotlights Class Notes In Sympathy

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

AROUND THE

COURTYARD A SPECIAL TRADITION

It was a great day in August when Trinity hosted the annual Special Olympics Mile Fun Run at Aycock Stadium. Each participant was paired with a Trinity student to run one mile around the track together to the finish line. The Trinity field hockey team cheered on all the runners with signs and encouragement.

DIAMOND VOICES HOT OFF THE PRESS

Did you catch our feature in Richmond Magazine? In their Private School Guide, Maria Bartz, Head of Student Support and Academic Programs, shined a spotlight on what truly sets Trinity Episcopal School apart: our unwavering focus on community.

The Trinity Tritones a cappella group wowed the crowd with their rendition of the National Anthem at a Richmond Flying Squirrels game in September. These talented singers have been busy this school year, performing around the city at various events in RVA.

BON APPETIT!

Students in Kristine Keeney’s French 2 and 3 classes got a delicious introduction to French culture and cuisine when they visited the traveling Julia Child exhibit at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture last fall. Exploring the fascinating life of this culinary icon, their assignment was to answer questions about Julia Child’s time in France—en français, bien sûr!

PHOTO: French

SENIOR SUNRISE

On a dewy summer morning in August, the Class of 2025 officially kicked off their senior year at Senior Sunrise Breakfast! After breakfast, they paraded into Morning Meeting with their traditional senior shirts.

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SPRING 2025

HISPANIC HERITAGE

Trinity celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month in a big way — through food, music and the joy of community! With the help of some talented and generous parents, the Spanish Club organized a vibrant celebration where students could sample authentic dishes from countries like Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

PHOTO: Spanish

UNDER THE STARS

It was a stellar night under the stars at the Science Society’s annual Telescope Night in September. The Richmond Astronomical Society brought out their super-powered telescopes, allowing students, families and guests to explore the cosmos like pros.

CALCULATOR MAKEOVER

Trinity Mathletes Club raised up to the power of fun with a calculator decorating party in September. With some serious creativity, our students gave their trusty calculators a total makeover, turning them into unique masterpieces. Now, finding a misplaced calculator is easy — and way more fun!

PHOTO: Math

ON THE BEAT

Students in Rick Hamlin’s Sports Broadcasting and Media class got an insider’s look into the fast-paced world of news with WTVR Reporter Jon Burkett. From the hustle of a reporter’s day (and night!) to the logistics behind delivering breaking news, our students gained invaluable insights into the real-world demands of journalism.

T I TA N T R A I L 3

FOOD, FELLOWSHIP AND… SCIENCE?

Members of the Trinity Science Society invited all Titans to bring a dish and enjoy each other’s company in the Science Discovery Center before Thanksgiving Break. The science faculty donned lab coats and safety goggles to accurately check the deep-fried turkey temperature with a probe thermometer.

GONE TOMORROW

In a spectacular collaboration between the Visual Arts Department and the Natural Forensics Club last October, students worked with photography teacher Tom Condon to make and photograph ephemeral leaf sculptures — in the iconic style of artist Andy Goldsworthy — along the wooded trails by Trinity’s main campus.

T-72!

About 100 Titans packed the Perkinson Arts Center theater during a Discovery Period in October for an epic round of Bingo. Led by Student Life Coordinator Torey Burston ’12, the game was fast, fierce and full of laughs. The twist? Each winning card formed a bold “T” for Trinity!

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Trinity 8th graders stepped up in a big way last November, lending their hands and hearts at Goochland Cares — sorting clothes, stocking food pantry shelves and making signage. Through their work with Goochland Cares and other community partners, students embody TITANS values such as Altruistic and Neighborly.

PHOTO: Goochland

PUMPKIN CARVING

The annual Pumpkin Carving Contest returned to Dunn Courtyard this October with creativity and Halloween spirit in abundance.

Teams of students and staff crafted pumpkin masterpieces and earned awards for scariest, most creative and best school spirit.

PHOTO: Pumpkin

VIRTUAL VAN GOGH

Students in Ms. Keeney’s French classes had a unique challenge while visiting the traveling Van Gogh experience: navigating the exhibit to complete exercises in French, using clues hidden within Van Gogh’s iconic artwork and descriptive placards. The adventure didn’t stop there — virtual reality brought Van Gogh’s masterpieces to life, creating unforgettable moments.

THE GREAT RACE

Sponsored by the Trinity Mathletes Club, the Math Great Race inspired teams to have fun with math. Teams of four students had to solve math problems and puzzles to see who could complete the course obstacles in the fastest time.

PHOTO: Math Race

CHRISTMAS QUIZ BOWL

When I say “Christmas” you say “Quiz Bowl!” The last Morning Meeting before Christmas Break is always full of “singing loud for all to hear,” thanks to the annual holiday-themed trivia contest that features catchy drum beats and huge bags of candy prizes. Students and staff look forward to Christmas Quiz Bowl all year round.

T I TA N T R A I L 5

NEWS FA C U LT Y

WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY On October 30, 2024, Cynthia Chinworth, Trinity’s technology and innovation teacher, stood before thousands of women at the Dewey Gottwald Center to present on the topic “The Education of Innovation.” Cynthia was a featured speaker at the Women in Technology Conference at the Science Museum of Virginia, hosted by rvatech/Women in Technology. Engaging with non-educators, she found the experience both challenging and rewarding. “It was refreshing and pushed my boundaries,” she said.

Tom Condon, photography teacher, exhibited his work in a group show titled “If You’re Asking the Question, You Already Know the Answer” at the University of Mary Washington's DuPont Gallery from February 4 to March 23.

Tom Condon: Stress Fracture, 2020; Archival Pigment Print with Metal Leafing; 40"x60"

SCHOLARSHIP FROM ESU USA Sarah Schriber, English teacher, has been named one of this year’s Teacher-Lab (TLab) Scholarship recipients by the English-Speaking Union (ESU). Each year, the ESU awards nearly 50 scholarships to dedicated classroom teachers, giving them the opportunity to attend world-class educational programs at Shakespeare’s Globe, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Oxford. These scholarships provide an unparalleled chance for educators to immerse themselves in the study of literature, history and culture alongside experts and peers from around the world.

“I'm really excited by the opportunity to study literature with teachers from all over the world,” said Schriber. “It's just an incredible opportunity to learn from experts, absorb Scottish culture and connect with people from all over. I studied abroad at Oxford when I was in college, so I'm so excited to be returning to the British Isles to learn."

This scholarship not only celebrates Sarah’s commitment to her craft but also reinforces Trinity’s dedication to academic excellence and lifelong learning.

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Asking both rhetorical and survey questions of the audience, Cynthia spoke from her heart asking, “What is the difference between innovation and technology?” Utilizing a roster of industry experts from aviation, robotics, healthcare and physics, Cynthia took the attendees on a journey to research and question their preconceptions about technology and innovation — offering both insight and best practices for business professionals to take back to their respective fields.

For Chinworth, innovation is more than technology — it’s about expanding human capacity. Her ability to adapt and inspire curiosity continues to shape both Trinity and the broader RVA Women in Technology community.

Since joining Trinity in 2022, Chinworth has helped elevate the school’s innovation, technology and robotics programs. Working alongside Laurie Pierce, technology director, and librarian Spring Lavallee, she integrates innovation education across disciplines.

One standout initiative blended English and technology — ninth graders created and popularized their own slang words, highlighting the evolving nature of language.

At the heart of Chinworth’s teaching philosophy is accessibility and a love for learning. “I’m learning alongside my students,” she said. “Success looks different for everyone, but commitment and perseverance always lead to growth.”

FACULTY MILESTONES Wendy Williams has a new grandchild, as her son, Jake ’06, and Brittney Williams welcomed their second child, Sloan Elvira Williams on December 27, 2024. Sloan weighed 6 lbs., 7.5 oz. and was 19" long.

TRINITY WELCOMES… SEPTEMBER 10

Sarah Sheppard Thompson ’09 Good Foods Grocery/Commonwealth Autism Thompson shared information about how students could get involved with Commonwealth Autism & Good Foods Grocery's "Harvest for All" festival last October. “It’s a great way to give back, enjoy the fall vibes, and support a wonderful cause!”

SEPTEMBER 11

Baneshwar Singh, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University “Insects can help us in determining post-mortem facts. Insects can tell you exactly how old a body was, what drugs the person was using, and more.”

SEPTEMBER 23

Lauren McMullen Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, UMFS “Currently there are over 5,000 youth and teens in the foster care system in Virginia alone… We love it when children get involved, because we have children on our campus who want to be loved, want to be seen, want to be heard.”

SEPTEMBER 25

Rev. Ken Malcolm Rector of Christ Church Episcopal (Glen Allen) “We are one human race, one group of people. Nobody gets thrown away. Everybody matters. Remember, as Mark's Gospel just said, ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ Who's your neighbor? Everybody.”

SEPTEMBER 30

Gina Marie Longo, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Sociology, Virginia Commonwealth University “What we need to do is engage in active listening skills, reflect and speak the truth to ourselves, and see where we actually need to grow. It’s easier if we start to step outside our comfort zone and talk to one another.”

NOVEMBER 25

Rev. Andie Rohrs Associate for Pastoral Care at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Downtown) “True gratitude leads to generosity and to compassion. When we are aware of the abundance in our own lives, we are compelled to give out of that abundance…. True gratitude must also be coupled with an awareness of our need for one another, our dependence on one another.”

T I TA N T R A I L 7

Joe Monaco

No Job Too Big, No Job Too Small Joe’s arrival on campus in the summer of 2000, Morgan Hall opened its doors for the first time, along with the Science Discovery Center, the Estes Athletic Center, the Perkinson Arts Center and renovated theater, not to mention the purchase and renovation of the Wright House property as an office and event space. Solar arrays atop three of those buildings have made Trinity one of the largest private producers of solar power in the state.

Overseeing payroll, budgeting, financial reports, student financial aid and tuition, he has kept a steady hand on the rudder of Trinity’s finances.

Thanks to Monaco’s fiscal stewardship, the school was able to build a small annual surplus, which has grown over the decades into a $7M endowment. “Considering that when I started we didn't have any reserve fund, I feel pretty good about that,” Monaco says.

Through all the expansion, though, Monaco says he is most proud that the school hasn’t lost its unique identity. “People go visit other schools, and they always say Trinity has a different feel about it,” he says.

“They just feel welcome here. And in all these years, that hasn't gone away.”

“The opportunity to be someone who can impact young people’s lives in a positive way continues to be the most rewarding part of the job 25 years later.” —Joe Monaco Paying it Forward

The story of Joe Monaco and Trinity Episcopal School began 25 years ago with a phone call from his sister-in-law, Margie Vaughan Snead ’85. Friends since their student days at William & Mary, Snead immediately thought of him when Tom Aycock, then head of school, announced that Trinity was hoping to revive their football program after a 10-year hiatus. Interested, Monaco had initially planned to keep his job as the warehousing and distribution manager at Ukrop’s and coach part-time, but as the summer of 2000 approached, the business manager position at Trinity opened, and Monaco applied.

A finalist for the position, he lost out to a candidate with 20 years of experience at other schools. “I called Joe and told him how impressed we were with him, but I offered it to the other person,” remembers Aycock. “And then the next day I got a call from the other candidate saying she had changed her mind!” Aycock immediately called Monaco back to explain the whole situation and offer him the job. “I was afraid he'd say, ‘hell no!’” joked Aycock.

“He took the job but he's never let me forget it! I’m just glad the Lord wouldn't let me make such a bad mistake, because I can't imagine Trinity without Joe Monaco.”

Consistent Growth Over Monaco’s time as business manager, the school has seen transformative growth in its facilities, footprint, student body and financial stability. Since

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Born in the Bronx, Monaco and his family moved to Wappingers Falls, a village near the Hudson River when he was 5. “My parents always supported all of my athletic activities growing up,” he says. “Coaching Little League baseball, waking up at 4 a.m. to drive my brother and me an hour away to ice hockey practice in the middle of the winter. It’s all those things you only fully appreciate when you have children of your own.”

It was this dedication that translated not only to his unwavering support of his own daughter’s journey (Cate Monaco ’21 is now a senior at Lehigh University), but also inspired him to coach football, lacrosse, baseball and volleyball for Trinity. “My high school coaches and teachers had a profound impact on my life,” he says. “The opportunity to be someone who can impact young people’s lives in a positive way continues to be the most rewarding part of the job 25 years later.”

As a coach, parent and spouse of an alum (veteran math teacher Diane Vaughan Monaco ’81) he has gained a first-hand appreciation for the impact of the Trinity mission on thousands of students. He loves that Trinity wants students to enjoy their time in high school and encourages them to try as many new activities as they can. “You’re only in high school once. The school has always done a great job in developing young people to learn how to navigate social situations and interact with a variety of groups of people,” he says. “To see how students grow emotionally and in self-confidence from their freshmen year to graduation is what I appreciate most about Trinity.”

What started with Dunn Courtyard being lit up for the first Grand Illumination in December of 2008 has grown into one of the school’s signature events, each year bigger and more spectacular than the last. Starting the day after Halloween, with the help of his dedicated facilities staff, Monaco adorns the entire campus with well over 100,000 lights. With six people stationed at outlets around campus, the team wows the crowd when the countdown reaches zero on the night of the Grand Illumination. “The instant we plug in all those lights,” says Monaco, with a hint of pride. “It gets me every time.”

No Job Too Big or Too Small As a coach, Monaco’s former players recall his attention to detail, his welcoming smile and his light-hearted spirit on the field. Says one, “When Joe spoke, people listened.”

Building a Program A dip in enrollment in the late ’80s forced the end of football at Trinity. But a decade later, numbers were back up, and community members were hopeful it would return. As full time business manager, Monaco could not commit to being the head coach, but he was able to convince teammate and fraternity brother Eric Gobble to move to Richmond from New Jersey to help build the nascent program.

For that first season, the team’s locker room was the headmaster’s garage, and most of the team had never played football before. “We had some difficult seasons for a while,” Monaco remembers. “We didn't have a winning season for a decade.”

Former players recall his attention to detail, his welcoming smile, and his lighthearted spirit on the field. Countless lineman have learned to, “block people with your feet” from his tutelage. “Getting off the ball, making the correct first step, driving your feet, staying low and using your hips for leverage,” remembers Tripp Harris ’14, “technique he had us practice for what felt like hours every day.”

“When Joe spoke, people listened,” remembers Jackson Eliasek ’16, football captain and lacrosse player, appreciating his targeted feedback and personal empowerment of each player.

Jack Freudenthal ’15 recalls how Monaco could always find comedic relief in the toughest moments. Cold, tired and anxious during halftime of the Titans' first state championship final at St. Anne’s-Belfield in November of 2014, the team was instantly jolted back to life when Monaco offered, “Here are some Skittles to warm you up!" pouring each offensive linemen a handful of the rainbow candies. “I can't stop smiling just thinking about it,” says Freudenthal.

Lesser known than his football and lacrosse experience is his early stint as the coach of the boys volleyball team from 2000 to 2003. “While he may not have had a ton of experience with volleyball, he led us to an undefeated season,” says Matt Curtis ’03, who became Trinity's one and only Division I men’s volleyball player. “Regardless of the sport, what he excelled at was getting the guys to come together and care.”

“I learned that hard work and fun can go hand-in-hand,” says David Isaacs ’03, another volleyball alum. “Whether it was stopping by the world's largest Arby's after an away game or staying after practice to play 2-on-2, I cherish the memories with Coach Monaco.”

The Legend of the Lights It's no secret that Tom Aycock, the head of school from 1990 to 2015, loves Christmas, and so does Joe Monaco. At one Monaco-hosted faculty Christmas party, Aycock was so impressed with the decorations, he wondered aloud if they could bring them to school next year.

Beyond the buildings, the dollars, the wins and the losses, what colleagues appreciate most about working with Joe Monaco is his calm, selfless leadership. They describe him as humble, self-effacing and with a dry sense of humor and quick wit.

“He's a really good listener,” says Head of School Rob Short. “He can take a complex situation and get to the essence pretty quickly to help with decision making.”

Sam Mickens, head football coach and leadership gifts officer, offers: “In challenging situations, I often ask, ‘What would Joe do?’ because he has a way of staying calm and composed no matter the situation. Joe can hold a conversation on any topic yet his intelligence never intimidates you, but instead draws people in, making them feel valued and at ease.”

“Joe is the first to roll his sleeves up and dive in,” says Brian Phillips, Associate Head of School and 39-year Trinity veteran teacher and coach. “There is no task that he hasn't done or wouldn't do for the school — from groundswork to janitorial, coach to dressing as Santa, development of the campus to financial management and everything in between, he is a dedicated and faithful steward of the school's mission, philosophy, growth and evolution.”

Shannon Puckett, operations specialist, has worked side by side with Monaco for the last 24 of his 25 years and contributes her own longevity to Monaco’s even-keeled, selfless approach to the job. “He doesn't really consider himself anybody's boss,” she says. “He's always going around and making sure all the buildings are clean. If it needs to be done, he's going to do it.”

Whether it's overseeing a multi-million-dollar construction project for a new facility — or fixing a wobbly chair leg the morning before a Homecoming or Prom — Monaco takes pride in partnering with people to make the school better. “All those little things are difference makers in the lives of our students,” says Margie Snead. “When he sees our kids engaged and happy, enjoying impactful moments during their time in high school… it really does bring him joy.”

Alumni like Harris recall coming by campus late at night or on weekends and seeing Monaco closing up gates, picking up trash or hanging up lights.

“His dedication to small details in service of Trinity — when no one else is watching — sticks with me the most,” says Harris, now a student life administrator at Indiana University. “When I think of my own career as an educator, I want to be as dedicated to my school as Coach Monaco is to Trinity.”

Family​Ties: (from left) Diane Vaughan Monaco ’81, Chief Operating Officer Joe Monaco, and daughter Cate Monaco ’21.

T I TA N T R A I L 9

Alice Phillips

A COMPASSIONATE CALLING “I loved being able to help young people push themselves and be stronger and achieve things that they didn't know they could do.”—Alice Phillips Two First Days Although she interviewed in 1987 to be an English teacher, Phillips was hired to teach science. She advised the yearbook, coached field hockey and track and kept the book for basketball. (That first year, she would coincidentally end up teaching a senior named Amy Baynum, who would later become Amy Chaplin ’88 and go on to work alongside Phillips for the past 15 years advising the Honor Committee.) In 1989, she went back to grad school at UVA for health promotion, but not before meeting fellow teacher and future husband Brian Phillips, now associate head of school in his 39th year at Trinity.

During her years away, she worked in public health and found herself gravitating toward classroom-like environments. “I did corporate trainings, which was like teaching,” she recalls. “I found product development to be like lesson planning, but for adults.” But soon the pull of the classroom and the desire to have the same schedule as the rest of her family brought her back to Trinity in 2002 as a science teacher and swim coach.

Sunlight beams through the open blinds in the southern exposed windows of Room S-4 in the Science Discovery Center — illuminating the walls, shelves and countertops that hold mementos and keepsakes of a 25-year veteran coach and educator.

There is the swim team memorabilia, hand-decorated frames of team photos and “Coach of the Year” plaques; the bins, bottles and baskets of biological specimens; the experimental seedlings under grow lights for Independent Assessments in Biology SL; and a handmade poster from a group of students honoring “Women in Science.”

She would lead the swim team for the next 17 years, a tenure that included multiple coach-of-the-year honors, two state titles for the boys (2015 and 2016) and three razor-thin state runner-up finishes for the girls in a highly competitive field. “I loved being able to help young people push themselves and be stronger and achieve things that they didn't know they could do,” she said.

“Swimming is very technical, so it's fun to see if you can help someone improve their form. But it's also very measurable. So improving your time by a second and a half means something.”

Honor and Compassion In addition to teaching Anatomy, IB Biology, Sustainable Systems and more, she was head of the Science Department from 2007 to 2013. But it is her role on the Honor Committee for the last 15 years that has been at

“This is my grandmother,” says Alice Phillips, lifting a framed photograph from her desk in the corner of the room. “Both my mom and her mom and her dad were all teachers.” Descended from a long line of educators, her vocation might have seemed predetermined. Her grandfather was Davis Paschall, the president of William & Mary in the 1960s, and her mother was an English teacher at Hampton Roads Academy in Newport News. “I like writing,” says Phillips. “She would help me with my papers. To this day, I think about her when someone says ‘less’ when they really mean ‘fewer.’”

Still, in college, she was convinced she would be an athletic trainer or physical therapist. As she prepared to graduate she found a reference book in the UVA Office of Career Planning called “Independent Schools in the Mid-Atlantic.” She sent her resume off to more than a dozen schools, and Trinity was one of them.

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A​ ​lice Phillips (here with assistant coach Wells Bridgforth ’12) l​​ed the ​Trinity swim team 17 years, a tenure that included multiple coach​-of​-the​-year honors, two state titles for the boys (2015 and 2016) and three razor-thin state runner-up finishes for the girls in a highly competitive field.

In return, Truman described Phillips’ teaching style as “one that is rooted in encouraging students to take ownership of their own learning.”

Head of School Rob Short praises Phillips for her love of big ideas and her ability to share her wonder and appreciation of the natural world with students. “When she gets enthusiastic about something you can hear it in her voice,” says Short, who also credits Phillips with a “strong environmental moral compass.”

Titan Family: (from left) Madelyn Phillips ’15, Associate Head of School Brian Phillips, Science Teacher and Faculty Development Coach Alice Phillips, Griffin Phillips ’18.

once the most behind the scenes, yet possibly the most impactful on the character of the school. Under the leadership of Phillips and co-advisor Chaplin, the Honor Committee has evolved from a more punitive body to a more educational one.

Phillips has seen this evolution since she was a member of her own student honor council in high school. “Kids used to write the same report but change the font, but you would know because the typos were the same,” she remembers. “It's much easier to cheat now than ever. Cutting and pasting or using AI changes the ball game.”

Responding to increased parent advocacy, and recognizing the critical importance of student mental health, the committee has recalibrated the role of the students on the Honor Committee — from that of judge and jury to one more like a coach in ethical behavior. “We need to protect our tradition of honor, but reinterpret it and help it serve the community we have now,” says Phillips. She calls the committee's role as “corrective in a more compassionate way.” She affirms that it is still critical to provide the ethical boundaries and guidance, but acknowledges: “We're all human, everyone's going to make mistakes. You just want to see students build character by learning and growing from those mistakes.”

A Coach for Teachers Her caring demeanor also extends to mentoring young teachers in her new role as faculty development coach, where she is respected as a wise and trusted listener.

“Alice has such an unexpected sense of humor,” says first-year Trinity science teacher, and roommate in S-4, Amanda Horst. “She can come across as pretty serious at times, so it makes it even funnier when she makes a completely hilarious comment at lunch. She's also incredibly caring. She's had a perfect balance of providing insights on how to best manage student behavior and giving me encouragement that I am doing the right thing in how I'm handling those situations.”

Phillips says of her role coaching new teachers, “I don't think there's only one way to be a good teacher.” She encourages them to lean into their individuality and love of the subject matter to forge an authentic connection with students. “Teaching is actually really, really hard to do well,” she says.

“Every good teacher struggles between how much to focus on content versus skills versus just creating a meaningful experience with a special group of people.” Phillips credits her predecessor and retired three-decade veteran teacher Marti Truman with imparting the wisdom of how to find that balance.

“She always said, the most important thing is to be enthusiastic. And that doesn't mean you have to be a cheerleader, but to bring your natural curiosity to the topic. Because when we're having fun, learning comes naturally.”

Ned Trice has shared lab spaces with Phillips for over a decade. “Alice literally does her dishes,” he says gratefully. “I have seen her offer her space to colleagues who needed a home; I have seen her hand over her classroom for a large tutorial with no notice. She does this all with a smile on her face and a truly welcoming attitude.”

Lifelong Learning Also on Phillips’ desk is a family photo including husband Brian, son, Griffin ’18, now an investment advisor in Richmond, and daughter, Madelyn ’15, a health and safety coordinator for a study abroad company in Cambodia. “I’m all about health, and Brian’s all about safety,” Phillips says, “so that fits!”

Phillips confesses that she finds herself saying “back in the ’90s” more and more often as she reflects on a quarter century of teaching. “I've often used this symbol of the Galapagos Islands,” she says. “We're all on our little island doing our thing in our classrooms, but we have a lot of freedom and independence and trust. So many teachers come here from other schools and think, ‘Wow, I can just be who I am here!’ I can try a new activity, see how it goes, and no one's going to judge me if maybe it doesn't work out.’”

25 years on, Phillips is still reenergizing herself and her classroom with new ideas, whether it's a new field trip destination, new lab or unit. “Far from coasting to retirement, she wants to continue to expand her skillset,” says Head of the Science Department Kasie Kemp. “What I notice most about her is that she is still trying new things, trying to keep up to date with trends in education, as well as revisions in the IB syllabus.”

After completing a Permaculture Design Certificate from the University of Richmond, Phillips has been able to incorporate thought leadership in the areas of sustainability and self-sufficient resource conservation into her classes. For years, she has led trips to Polyface Farms, where students have gotten their literal hands dirty learning about these future-ready skills.

Countless students have been able to trace their curiosity about the world — whether it be the biological and natural sciences, environmental stewardship or health and exercise — to their time as students of Phillips.

Nadia Khoury ’15 remembers her classes in Human Biology and IB Sport, Health, and Exercise Science. “She ignited a passion for learning and for physiology that has stayed with me ever since,” says Khoury. “Her ability to make complex concepts accessible and interesting was unmatched. She had a way of blending humor and enthusiasm with serious academic rigor, creating an environment where learning felt natural and exciting.”

“Not only did she instill a sense of passion in me for biological sciences but she helped to gently guide me through a period of unexpected adversity in my life that occurred during my time at Trinity,” remembers Logan Glancy ’17. “My high school experience would not have been the same if it weren’t for Mrs. Phillips.”

T I TA N T R A I L 11

Jennifer Waters

SEWING A TAPESTRY brought my child to my interview,” she recalls noticing. “That gave me a feel for the kind of welcoming, open community it was.”

Tough but Caring When she began teaching in the fall of 2000, she taught algebra and calculus, but it only took a year before she was able to incorporate her true love into the classroom — launching the AP Statistics course that she says has been “my baby” ever since.

She says she believes former students would say she was a strict teacher.

“But they would also say that I cared, that I wanted them to be successful,” she says. “I was a rule follower. In the early days, I would make them keep an organized notebook, and they didn’t like that.”

Other teachers have noted and praised her role as a mentor, who challenges students to reach their full potential. “She has shown countless students the importance of discipline and perseverance while reminding them that success is achieved with guidance, compassion and encouragement,” says Christy Darlington.

Sewing is more than a passion for Jennifer Waters, 25-year veteran math teacher. The hobby has been a calming presence in her life since she was a teenager. “My husband can tell when I haven't been in the sewing room a while,” says Waters. “I get a little grumpy.” This hobby also fits right into Waters’ mathematical mind, especially when she makes quilts for each of her seven grandchildren. “In quilting, you’ve got to get the pieces all the right size to fit together. I think if I weren't so strong in math, I might find it very frustrating.” Her husband Joseph is quality control tech for concrete.

They love watching TV together and enjoy taking vacation each year to explore a new area.

Growing up on land leased from the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation near Buffalo, NY, Waters earned her undergraduate degree in music from the State University of New York at Fredonia. A tenor saxophonist in high school, she started college as a music major before a bad bout of tonsillitis forced her to drop the instrument and switch to education. For grad school, she escaped the snowy winters of Buffalo and completed a master’s in statistics at the University of South Carolina.

But her data analysis work for state governments left her feeling bored. “I would write a computer program to analyze that data and sit for six hours waiting for data to run. That just wasn’t me.” It was her love of tutoring friends in high school that convinced her to give teaching a try. “Watching them go from not understanding something to understanding something seemed powerful to me,” she recalled. “It felt good knowing that I could change that.”

She learned about Trinity through a family connection, Peggy Hefflin, and at the time of her interview, her son, Walter, was an infant, and she couldn’t find someone to watch the baby. “They didn’t seem to think it was odd that I

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Waters cherishes the relationship she has made with colleagues over the years. “We support each other not only in our careers but in our lives,” she says. “When I worked in business and for the state, I never felt that. When a teacher leaves Trinity, there is a feeling of loss for a while. It's not just holding a spot.”

“Jennifer sets clear expectations and maintains a well-structured classroom environment, providing her students with a sense of comfort and predictability,” says veteran Math Department Head Charlotte Morris. “This consistency has been especially impactful in her AP Statistics classes, where her students achieve scores above both the state and national averages, year after year. It is not unusual for alumni to give Jennifer credit for their success and comfort in college level statistics classes.”

Running counter to her reputation as a stickler when class was in session, during off hours her classroom became known as a safe space for students to come in, write on the board, goof off and be themselves a bit.

Although her son, Walter Street ’18, says he only had her for one class as a teacher, he was still able to appreciate her style of interacting with students. “I remember one student getting close to mom, and if they were having a horrible day or something happened in their life, my mom would stop what she was doing, so that she could comfort them and make sure they’d be able to get through the day,” he remembers.

Anna Reynolds Folliard ’08, now a licensed clinical social worker for Children’s Hospital of Richmond, remembers Waters' kindness and compassion as an advisor. “She was an integral part of my success because of how supportive she was,” says Folliard. “She believed in me when I came to her with problems and helped me face them head on. I really can't say enough good things about her. She also used to give us Hershey bars in our report card envelopes no matter what was on them. And I think that speaks volumes of who she is as an educator and a person.”

Accounting for her long tenure, Waters says Trinity is an “awesome place” to teach. “Faculty have as much support from administration as the students do from individual teachers,” she says. But it was sending her own son to Trinity that really took her appreciation to another level. “We talk about ‘Discover Your Path,’ a lot, but as a parent I realized how much we walk the walk, especially when it comes to the difference that we make in students’ lives. I don’t know how many schools can say that.”

Master Scheduler When not in room A-1 preparing students to make inferences for quantitative data or build probability tables, you could often find her courtside at a Trinity basketball game, where she was the diligent scorekeeper for 15 years. “That helped me get to know some kids in a totally different way,” she says. “It would make for more levity in the classroom during basketball season.”

Off the court, Waters has cemented her reputation as someone who can “bring order to chaos,” in the words of Morris. Trinity has benefitted from her proctoring study halls to registering students for exams, and even creating the vastly complex master class schedule each summer.

“It takes a lot of care, attention to detail, and empathy for teachers and to get the schedule right,” says Head of School Rob Short, who had been responsible for the task in previous years. “The work is demanding due to the technical, human and institutional needs that it requires. Jennifer has done masterful work.”

“Jennifer has always been one to step up, try new roles and diligently pursue them,” says Short. “What this shows to me is the value in her ability to see the whole school, the variety of student needs, and the wishes of her colleagues for teaching and learning.”

Crunching the Numbers Campus Coordinator Chris McQueeney and Associate Head of School Brian Phillips are also effusive in their praise of Waters’ ability to manage the thankless task of student discipline data. “Jennifer is a rockstar at every task and challenge she faces,” says McQueeney. “She was on top of every single demerit that came across her desk. She is also great at managing teens. She is tough but always fair with students, never budging an inch when they whine about getting demerits.”

Brian Phillips concurs, “She was always fair and consistent when it came to applying standards, student accountability and issuing demerits,” he In Stitches: (from left) Math Teacher Jennifer Waters, Walter Street ’18, Yasmine Alansari and Joseph Waters at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for Walter and Yasmine’s wedding.

Quilting fits right into Jennifer Waters’ mathematical mind, especially when she makes them for her seven grandchildren: “In quilting, you’ve got to get the pieces all the right size to fit together.”

says. Noting her equally important sense of humor, Phillps recalled when the two joked about giving one particular repeat offender 1,000,000,00 0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 demerits. “She sent me back a math formula for arriving at the number — as well as the proper "official" mathematical term for such a number!”

Even the College Board has recognized her talent and dedication, promoting her to the leadership team for the Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics exam, which she has graded for the last 15 years. “When a teacher agrees to grade papers nationally for the IB or the AP, they are taking that step to really understand the inner workings of the curriculum of these courses,” says Short. “Ultimately, the students benefit, the department gains more insight into the curriculum and the school is stronger due to their efforts.”

For the last 20 years, Waters was the lead organizer for the annual Academic Awards Assembly at the end of May. From her unique perch on stage seated next to each award, says she loved spying each awardee at the moment it dawned on them that their name was about to be announced. “It was really touching to watch the kids realize, ‘Hey, I'm getting an award!’ And most of the time they were shocked.”

Following the retirement of the previous head of school, she spent a few years dipping her toes into administrative work as the assistant to the head of school and the IB coordinator, while maintaining her statistics classes.

Short thanked Waters for helping to make his life easier during some of the more challenging times for the school. Waters reflects: “That's the cool thing about Trinity is that you can do that even as faculty. ‘Discover Your Path’ applies to us too!”

“We talk about ‘Discover Your Path,’ a lot, but as a parent I realized how much we walk the walk, especially when it comes to the difference that we make in students’ lives. I don’t know how many schools can say that.”—Jennifer Waters T I TA N T R A I L 13

TOOLS OF THE TRADE Seniors in the IB Global Politics class explore the principles of international trade through friendly competition As alliances form and reshape, the students gain a fast-paced understanding of the relationship between technology and resources as they tease apart abstract concepts like “dependency theory” between countries in the global north and global south that they have been reading about in their studies.

I

t’s a Friday morning during long period, and the ten students in Marcus Jones’ IB Global Politics HL class are busy cutting pieces of construction paper into perfect shapes — triangles, squares and circles. Once they have a set of five, they rush to the front of the class, where Jones, in the role of an international financier, is ready to pay them for their wares.

“If you want 3 cents, then you’ve got to give me a set of five perfect squares,” says Jones, “and you have to make money because every 10 minutes you owe me 10 cents for your basic needs, and you’ve got to pay. And if you can't pay, then I also represent the IMF [for a loan].”

It’s called the “International Trade Game,” and each group of three students represents an imaginary country with raw materials and tools with which to make their products. The twist? When the game begins, each country opens a shoebox containing their country’s resources.

Some teams have the best tools, some have the most raw materials while others have very little of either. “You are not necessarily in direct competition with one another,” Jones advises. “Although it may feel that way and you can treat it that way if you want to.”

Each iteration of the game can take multiple paths. Will the team with all of the raw materials be able to use them? Will the teams collaborate or exploit their advantages? After a few rounds — as some countries begin to slide into debt while others are frustrated by their inability to mass produce — the deal making begins.

“How about two pieces of paper for a ruler?” one team offers.

“What if you borrow our scissors for 10 minutes in exchange for 30% of whatever you produce?” counters another.

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“In what way did you guys reflect a Hobbesian worldview throughout this game? Deals that just benefit you, right?” asks Jones during the game’s debrief. “I think we probably saw an element of Hans Morgenthau kind of power politics a little bit. Looking out for your own best interests and trying to make every deal in a way that enhanced your own power? What do you all think?”

As the second semester begins for these IB seniors, Jones has found that students enjoy a break from the traditional classroom and benefit from a hands-on way of exploring topics they’ve been reading about.

“The game is a fun way to show some of the flaws in development theory and to illustrate the inequality in global trade,” says Jones. “It also helps to reinforce some of the theories we discuss on human nature, as many students become Machiavellian in their pursuit of profits.”

IB Global Politics HL is just one of 20 higher-level International Baccalaureate courses offered at Trinity. The course helps students to understand abstract political concepts by grounding them in real-world examples and case studies. Developing international mindedness and an awareness of multiple perspectives is at the heart of this course.

It encourages dialogue and debate, nurturing the capacity to interpret competing and contestable claims.

In 1994 Trinity Episcopal School became the first school in the Richmond Metropolitan Area authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which thoroughly prepares students for the academic rigors of college while emphasizing a mix of intellectual challenge, intercultural understanding and respect, and independent research. Trinity has been a proud IB World School, an international standard of excellence, for over 30 years.

BRIGHT HORIZONS Continuing a decades-long Trinity tradition, 9th graders embarked on a three-day adventure last September at Camp Horizons in the Shenandoah Valley. The Freshman Class Retreat gives students a break from technology and time to bond with each other as a class, all while enjoying nature and learning to challenge themselves through high-ropes activities like the Giant Swing and the Leap of Faith. The 9th grade at Trinity represents a diverse blend of students from over 60 feeder schools and more than three dozen ZIP codes across the Richmond area. The annual retreat helps foster inclusion and unity among each new freshman class — building connections that will last throughout their Trinity careers and beyond.

T I TA N T R A I L 15

ARTS THE

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FULL DISPLAY

Winter Art Show showcases original student works across nearly a dozen categories Students, parents and guests enjoyed the return of the annual Winter Art Show to the Perkinson Arts Center on Tuesday, December 11, featuring hundreds of original works of art produced by Trinity students across nearly a dozen categories of media. From paintings and drawings and photographs, to sculpture and ceramics, to mixed media and video, all levels of student progress were represented. Professional artists judge the works in ten categories according to technical skill, content, display and overall creativity.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS. Here is a complete list of this year’s honorees:

BEST IN SHOW: Sam Nedeff ’25 FUNCTIONAL CERAMICS Layla Wintsch ’26 Lucy Smith ’25 Claire Hart ’27 NON FUNCTIONAL CERAMICS Baker Mahoney ’25 Alexa Linton ’25 Georgie Hoover ’26 3D DEPARTMENT AWARD: Iris Parker ’27

PAINTING Lila Clarkson ’25 Ash Bell ’26 Rosie Williams ’26

ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY Henry Decker ’26 Sarah Benedetti ’26 Hugo Adams ’27

DRAWING Solomon Crewe ’26 Kate Dausch ’26 Alaina Golliday ’27

PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT AWARD: Nick McDonald ’26

2D DEPARTMENT AWARD: Nora Rufe ’25 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Ryder Thomas ’29 Bowen McFadden ’28 Addie Lavallee ’28

NEW MEDIA (CINEMATOGRAPHY) Alaina Golliday ’27 Carmen Jackson ’25 Colton Knight ’27 Evan Mackey ’27 T I TA N T R A I L 17

RECORD RECOGNITION Thirty-three Trinity artists have been recognized in the annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, described as “the nation's longest-running, most prestigious educational initiative supporting student achievement in the visual and literary arts.”

Submitting work in media that varied from photography to ceramics to comic art, the students earned a schoolrecord 46 awards in the visual arts and three in writing, all of them selected from thousands of entries by high school students in the region.

Work that achieved Gold and Silver Key status was on display at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond from February 8 to February 23, 2025. Digital projections of the Honorable Mention works were also on display.

Gold Key winners of art and writing will advance to the national level of judging in New York City.

“Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients,” reads the official award description from Scholastic.

“Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.” Recognizing exceptional artwork by students in grades 7–12 throughout the U.S. Scholastic provides the largest source of creativity-based scholarships for middle and high school students.

The Trinity visual arts curriculum includes photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, mixed media and much more.

Course levels are designed to meet the needs of beginning students through IB art certificate students. Trinity’s 4,000plus square-foot visual arts center brings together artists, painters and sculptors in a spectacular collaborative space.

Learn more at www.trinityes.org/arts.

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PHOTO: 32 AWARDS 12 Gold Key 4 Silver Key 16 Honorable Mentions 2D: 4 AWARDS 1 Gold Key 3 Honorable Mentions 3D: 8 AWARDS 2 Gold Key 1 Silver Key 5 Honorable Mention HONORABLE MENTION Childress Alverson ’26, Honorable Mention, Drawing Adeline Clark ’27, Honorable Mention, Photo Maddie Cranston ’26, Honorable Mention, Ceramics Solomon Crewe ’26, Honorable Mention, Comic Art Peyton Davis ’27, Honorable Mention, Photo Mary Grayson ’26, Honorable Mention, Painting Claire Griffen ’28, Honorable Mention, Photo Lily Hennessey ’26, Honorable Mention, Photo Ruby Mills ’26, Honorable Mention, Photo Lelia Richardson ’26, Honorable Mention, Ceramics Nora Rufe ’25, Honorable Mention, Drawing Claire Starke ’25, Honorable Mention, Sculpture Luke Tuttle ’26, Honorable Mention, Photo Nick Yavorsky ’26, Honorable Mention, Photo MULTIPLE AWARDS Alexa Linton ’25, 2 Honorable Mentions, Ceramics SILVER KEY Hugo Adams ’27, Silver Key, Photo Daniel Adams ’25, Silver Key, Photo Layla Wintsch ’26, Silver Key, Ceramics GOLD KEY Sarah Benedetti ’26, Gold Key, Photo Grayson Buelow ’26 , Gold Key, Mixed Media Lila Clarkson ’25, Gold Key, Painting Henry Decker ’26, Gold Key, Photo Kailyn Harris ’28, Gold Key, Photo Allie Hilferty ’26, Gold Key, Photo Nadia Lartey ’28, Gold Key, Photo Baker Mahoney ’25, Gold Key, Ceramics Delilah Reinke ’28, Gold Key, Photo Lucy Smith ’25, Gold Key, Ceramics MULTIPLE AWARDS Ella Holloway ’25, 2 Gold Keys and 5 Honorable Mentions in Photo Nick McDonald ’26, 1 Gold Key and Honorable Mention, Photo Sam Nedeff ’25, 1 Gold Key and 1 Silver Key, Photo Mathias Roussy ’25, 1 Gold Key and 2 Honorable Mentions, Photo Mia Jung ’26, 1 Gold Key in Film & Animation, 1 Silver Key and an Honorable Mention in Photo; in the Writing Competition a Gold Key and Silver Key in Poetry and an Honorable Mention in Critical Essay T I TA N T R A I L 19

CABARET 2024:

A Musical Journey Through “People and Places” Trinity’s premier showcase for visual performers, Cabaret, took center stage once again with this year’s theme, “People and Places.” Inspired by student Farrah Berry ’25, the theme highlighted two of music’s epic inspirations, resulting in a dynamic and varied program.

From country and pop to swing and funk, the show offered something for everyone. Featured “People” selections included Cassius, Sir Duke, Lacy, Take It Easy My Brother Charlie, and Jason’s Song, while the “Places” lineup transported audiences with Tennessee Orange, Far from Heaven, This City, and Downtown Abbey.

Beyond the student performances, Cabaret embraced the entire Trinity community, with staff members joining the show. Behind the scenes, students and faculty worked tirelessly on lighting, sound and stage management to bring the production to life.

A one-night-only event, Cabaret 2024 showcased the incredible talent, creativity and spirit of Trinity. With stunning vocals, captivating performances ?and a truly entertaining atmosphere, it was a night to remember!

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Crosstown Canvas IB Art Students Find Inspiration in the Big Apple After a very early train ride on a cold weekend in January, Trinity’s IB art students immersed themselves in some of the world’s most renowned museums in New York City with sketchbooks in hand.

Their itinerary included visits to The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and The Whitney Museum of American Art. They were also encouraged to draw inspiration from observing the culture and life of the bustling city around them.

Before the trip, students researched exhibits and identified works they were eager to see in person. Armed with pocket-sized sketchbooks provided by their teachers, they sketched, took notes and made critical observations, experiencing firsthand the profound difference between viewing art on a screen versus standing before the original piece.

By the end of the weekend, each student had filled their sketchbook with reflections, sketches and newfound inspiration — ready to bring their insights back into the studio. Beyond the museums, highlights included reenactment photos in front of famous paintings, a visit to Times Square, and even a Broadway show for some.

Students shared their inspiring moments from the trip:

“I really value and take the time to truly observe smaller details in a work.”

— Magovern Rollins ’25

“Two important takeaways for me as a 3D artist are the consideration of light — imperative to sculptural works — and how materials can have immense meaning when used in nontraditional ways.”

— Kate Dausch ’26

“It was so exciting to see the Georgia O’Keeffe painting in real time. I remembered the poster from Design Fundamentals. Her work is much more detailed in person than in a book or on a screen.”

— Lily Hennessey ’26 This trip wasn’t just about viewing art — it was about experiencing it in a way that deepened students' understanding and passion for their craft. The inspiration from NYC will surely fuel their creativity in the months ahead! Many of their works will be on view in the Trinity Spring Art Show, May 14, 2025.

T I TA N T R A I L 21

TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH

INNOVATION

TRI at Trinity: Director of Technology Laurie Pierce, Librarian Spring Lavallee and Technology and Innovation Teacher Cynthia Chinworth sat for a roundtable interview with the Titan Trail to discuss their newly unified department and its foundational impact on skill-building within the Trinity curriculum.

You Can’t Spell Trinity without T… R… I… Technology.

Research.

Innovation.

These foundational, future-ready skills, stretching across all academic disciplines, will be essential in every professional field — shaping and defining the future of work. Recognizing that these critical skills are fundamental, Trinity Episcopal School has made the commitment to incorporating them into the academic experience of every Titan.

Titan Trail: Why is this important for a Trinity student to graduate with these skill sets? And why are these things important more broadly for an unknowable future?

Laurie Pierce: We’re trying to help students adapt

to this rapidly changing world. And the more futureready skills that we can teach them the better — skills like flexibility, adaptability, critical thinking, how Previously considered three distinct areas of study TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INNOVATION to communicate, how to be creative, how to collaborate and interest, teachers in the Technology, Research and Innovation with others, how to problem solve. And we’re trying to make sure that departments unified in the winter of 2024 to create an interdisciplinary, no matter what challenges students are presented with in the future cross-curricular department aimed at supporting every teacher and that they’re prepared to meet them with these skill sets. every student at Trinity.

A direct outgrowth of both of the school’s most recent strategic plans — identifying "Future-Ready Skills" and "Navigating Complexities" as key capacities for Trinity graduates — the new department is putting an emphasis on skill-building for an unknowable future.

The Titan Trail recently sat down with the three leaders of the TRI initiative — Director of Technology Laurie Pierce, Librarian Spring Lavallee and Technology and Innovation Teacher Cynthia Chinworth — for a roundtable interview to learn more about how these three concepts are connected, why this shift is so significant and how what it looks like to bring these skills to life.

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TT: How is this approach different from the way technology has traditionally been taught?

LP: Technology tools are going to be constantly changing. In the past, a student might have taken a class in a computer science class where they learned one programming language, like C++. But every couple of months a new technology tool rises to the fore. So now we are trying to teach not only about the tools but about how to be problem solvers and critical thinkers. Because if we’re just teaching kids to use a tool versus how to problem solve we’re not equipping them appropriately for the future.

TT: If you could clear up one big misconception about your field,

And then we talk about how we are all creating content every day. So how do you protect yourself and protect your own creations? You’ve got to cite your sources; you’ve got to cite your information. It helps them understand the “why” behind it. And it’s a really fun discussion.

The students can appreciate that she’s an incredible business woman, so even if you don’t like her music, you’re going to learn something.

what would you say?

Cynthia Chinworth: Innovation is totally different from

technology. Innovation is the novel idea, while technology comprises the tools that you use to implement that idea.

CC: For me, the most meaningful collaboration was last year’s innovation week. We worked with every 9th grade student in their English classes and challenged them to create a brand new word.

You could take a word and change the meaning of it. We see this all the time in slang, like with the word “cap,” which means “lie.” Or we had one student who blended a Dutch and American word together.

The next step was for them to go out and try to implement the new word in usage. So a student would then take that and play with the word a little bit with their friends, create a video and introduce this word to other students. And then the whole school got to vote on what was their favorite word in it.

LP: A prevalent misconception is that technology only serves as a distraction in the classroom. While it is true that devices can divert students’ attention if misused, they can also be powerful tools for increasing student engagement and promoting collaboration.

Trinity’s faculty uses technology to capture students’ interests and enhance their understanding of complex topics while providing clear guidelines for appropriate use.

Spring Lavallee: Research is more than just Googling something.

TT: What initiatives are you particularly proud of?

TT: What was the winning word?

LP: Over the last 10 years, we have really grown our curriculum offerings, with new hands-on courses in programming, computer science, game design, robotics, innovation, design thinking and more. Launching the one-to-one MacBook program in 2015 put everybody on the same platform and set the table for robust technology offerings where students can explore areas that weren’t available to them before. On-demand tech support is readily available, thanks to investments in equipment and staff. As teachers implement technology into their own classes and curriculum, they feel supported and have the resources they need to be successful.

CC: The winning word was “schmacky,” which was an adjective that means “something that is very good tasting.” It might sound silly now, but it really demonstrated to these students that language is innovation. Not only do people use communication as a way to innovate, but that language itself is innovation. Language, just like innovation, is ever evolving and changing .

That was a really powerful moment for me as a teacher to be able to ask, ”Can you innovate in English class, and what does that look like?” We gave students a platform to thrive and let them go. It was really cool.

SL: I’ve also seen quite a bit of growth in collaboration with teachers. The library has traditionally been a resource available for students and teachers, however there wasn’t always the flexibility for the librarian to be in the classroom providing direct instruction or collaborative instruction with the teacher. But now, I’m teaching three classes a day; I’m in every single grade level; I’m in every single department. As professionals in our field, we’re all trying to reach the students and give direct instruction on those skills they need to move forward.

TT: How are you combining skills with the availability of technological tools?

CC: There’s a unit that I teach in my Exploring Engineering class about harnessing, storing and generating energy and the students design actual wind turbines. And over the years, the tools have advanced, but the conceptual skills like problem solving and creativity have become even more important.

TT: What are some of the ways you’re bringing these concepts into the classroom?

LP: In the past, students would have only been able to design

SL: At the beginning of Titan Prep, I like to do a lesson on copyright, which becomes a great real-world example of why it is so important to cite our sources when doing research. I introduce it by talking about Taylor Swift, because even if the students are not big Taylor Swift fans, they might know that she is earning more money than any other musician in the entire world. We talk about why she is rerecording her own material licenses for her music and how she makes money.

TECHNOLOGY

•

RESEARCH

something conceptual, but now we have tools that can laser cut or 3D print. Now, students can realize their idea, build it out of PVC and wood and test their models out. Students adjust, change, iterate, see what works and what doesn’t and troubleshoot. With the combination of skills and tools, they can go deeper than ever before.

—­continued on page 26

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I N N O VAT I O N

T I TA N T R A I L 23

philanthropy

At Trinity Episcopal School, we believe in fostering a dynamic learning environment that prepares students to be engaged world citizens. As part of our strategic vision, we are renovating Morgan Hall in the Summer of 2025 to include a 3,600-square-foot expansion of the lower level extending beneath the current library.

This expansion is a transformative step forward in ensuring that Trinity students are equipped to navigate an ever-evolving world with confidence and creativity.

Trinity’s Innovation Program is rooted in the philosophy that adaptability and problem-solving skills are paramount in an unpredictable future. The expansion and relocation of our Innovation and Robotics Labs will integrate technology and science in a collaborative space. The state-of-the-art labs will provide hands-on experiences that inspire strategic thinking and innovative problemsolving. By fostering creativity, Trinity ensures that our students are prepared for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.

This expansion goes beyond enhancing the Innovation Program; it also optimizes our physical space to better support our entire community. With increased common areas, improved classroom configurations, and expanded student services, this project will create an environment that is both functional and inspiring. These updates will "right-size" our campus footprint, ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to thrive.

The Morgan Hall expansion and reconfiguration will introduce: ● • A Larger, Centralized Innovation Lab and Robotics Lab: Keeping these vital programs at the heart of student life near the courtyard, fostering engagement and exploration.

• An Outdoor Patio for Hands-on Learning: A dedicated space for experiential education and collaboration in an open-air setting.

• A Flexible-use Classroom: Offering adaptability to accommodate a range of academic and enrichment activities.

• An Expanded Academic Resources Center: Featuring additional space and an office for faculty to support individualized learning.

• Enhanced Photography and Titan Prep Spaces: Providing improved facilities for students to refine their artistic and preparatory skills.

• A Better-equipped Nurse’s Office: Ensuring student health and wellness remain a top priority.

• An Expanded Library on the Upper Level: Creating more common space to encourage reading, study, and collaboration.

• New Sidewalks for a Safer Drop-off Lane: Enhancing safety and accessibility for students and families.

• The TESPN Recording Studio: Repurposing the former Robotics Lab in the Estes Athletic Center to support our school’s growing broadcasting and media programs.

The Morgan Hall expansion is more than just a structural addition; it is a commitment to Trinity’s future. It represents our dedication to innovation, student well-being and academic excellence.

We invite you to be a part of this transformative journey. Your investment in Trinity Episcopal School ensures that our students receive the best education possible, in a space designed for discovery, collaboration and growth.

Together, we build the future of Trinity. Together, we’re READY FOR LAUNCH! For more information on how you can support this initiative, please contact Sam Mickens at sammickens@trinityes.org or (804) 327-3153.

To learn more and support this campaign, please visit www.trinityes.org/readyforlaunch or scan here: 24

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philanthropy

T I TA N T R A I L 25

—­continued from page 23

TT: Where does AI fit into this and how are we teaching our students about its potential and pitfalls?

SL: When I talk to students about AI, I remind them that it’s just

a machine. It’s just an algorithm. Whatever you put in is what you get out.

LP: No matter what generative AI platform exists in the future,

teaching students how to successfully engineer a meaningful prompt is one of the most useful future-ready skills that we can give them.

SL: In that skill, I see a lot of connections with TRI. Engineering a prompt is very similar to defining a problem, which is very similar to defining your research question. So it’s the same underlying skill for all of those, but it’s just a different language and different process for them to understand it.

TT: What existing research and pedagogy is this grounded in?

What proven models are we tapping into to support teachers and students?

SL: In the area of research, we use the “Big Six” research model. I

tell students, it doesn’t matter if you are researching where you’re going to have lunch or if you are researching your 4,000-word IB Extended Essay — all research boils down to six steps: 1) Task Definition; 2) Information Seeking Strategies; 3) Location and Access; 4) Use of Information; 5) Synthesis; 6) Evaluation. And it’s a circular model because sometimes you loop back, you have to go back through the steps.

I always go through and explain to students that when you think you are “researching,” you may actually be doing one of those six steps. It’s also important to point out when they’re doing these steps even though they don’t yet have the vocabulary.

LP: For technology, we use ISTE’s (International Society for

Technology and Education) standards for technology coursework and how to integrate technology into the curriculum. They have seven different standards (1.1 Empowered Learner; 1.2 Digital Citizen; 1.3 Knowledge Constructor; 1.4 Innovative Designer; 1.5 Computational Thinker; 1.6 Creative Communicator; 1.7 Global Collaborator) that help students demonstrate competency, make sure they’re using technology in safe and ethical ways, curating and evaluating the best resources and tools, among other skills.

Being an “innovative designer” means students are using the design process to solve and identify problems and create these new solutions, which overlaps with the “I” in our TRI initiative (innovation). “Computational thinkers,” means leveraging technology to do things like algorithmic thinking data sets; that has

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some cross-curricular impact on math and science. And “global collaborator,” which connects naturally with our IB World School mindset here, has students using tools to broaden connections and enrich perspectives. Being aware of multiple viewpoints on a topic is a skill which overlaps nicely with the “R” in TRI: research as well.

CC: We lean heavily on the Design Thinking Process, which is an

established, circular paradigm: 1) Empathize; 2) Define; 3) Ideate; 4) Prototype; 5) Test; 6) Implement.

What’s the first word that you think of when you think of “innovate?”

You think “creative,” right? So how do you teach somebody to be creative? What does that mean? So often, students have a narrow concept of what being “creative” means. But it’s so much more than visual or artistic creativity. The foundation of innovation is using something in a different way than it was intended for. And that’s where the skills are taught: implementation, evaluation and communication. And then the hardest part is the self-evaluation and encouraging kids to be risk takers in the process. If somebody’s creative, is that because they’re inherently creative or because they’ve developed these skills?

TT: Can you recall an instance where you really saw this?

CC: Last year, in the Design Thinking class, I had a student who was very, very analytical and very engineer focused, and it was hard for him to let go of his engineering mindset. But that was a really powerful moment for him being vulnerable with me as a student and me being able to guide him through that vulnerability and discomfort around not being certain of the answer. He also taught me a lot about how to be patient through that learning process — so I’m grateful to him, because I was able to learn just as much as he did.

TT: Any final thoughts?

LP: This initiative is something that’s been a long time coming for us at Trinity. In the last 12 years, we’ve gone from having technology as almost an afterthought, a one-off lesson every now and then, to being integrated fully into the curriculum. And we’ve seen the same thing as research and innovation has been fully integrated into the curriculum.

SL: There have always been teachers who were trying to navigate these areas on their own. The big difference now is that our teachers have guidance, access to professional development with professionals in the field and help implementing these ideas into their classes. We’re working on their unit plans to help make sure that the integration makes sense for them, that it’s catered to their individual needs and more access to us as the professionals in these fields to be able to provide that guidance as well.

TECHNOLOGY

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By embracing innovation, we foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, enabling our students to become active contributors to an ever-changing world.

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By focusing on the harmonious integration of technology, innovation and research, we provide our learners with a solid foundation for personal and professional growth. Our goal is to produce innovative thinkers who possess not only the knowledge and technical skills to excel in their chosen fields but also the adaptability, resilience and leadership qualities required to flourish in an uncertain future.

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Research serves as the cornerstone of our educational approach, ensuring that our curriculum remains responsive to emerging trends, challenges and opportunities. Through research, we develop evidence-based strategies that continuously enhance our teaching methodologies and content.

This commitment to research also instills a culture of curiosity, intellectual rigor and a passion for lifelong learning within our students.

TECHNOLOGY

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Through the integration of technology, we aim to equip our learners with the digital literacy and fluency required to navigate an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven global landscape.

RESEARCH

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I N N O VAT I O N

T I TA N T R A I L 27

FA L L 2 0 2 4

ATHLETICS

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Photo by: Tom Woodward

Athletics

LIS CHAMPIONS FIELD HOCKEY 2024

FIELD HOCKEY HEAD COACH: Margie Snead (27th season) CAPTAINS: Karsin Beatty ’25, Alexa Murphy ’25 W/L RECORD: 18-1-1 overall; 18-0-1 in LIS (League Champions);

advanced to VISAA state semifinals ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-LIS: Karsin Beatty ’25 (Player of the Year) Cabel Berkeyheiser ’27, Alaina Catedral ’26, Avery Johnson ’26, Lilah-Grace Logan ’26, Anna Riesser ’26 All-State (1st Team) Karsin Beatty ’25 (Player of the Year), Lilah-Grace Logan ’26, Anna Riesser ’26; (2nd Team) Cabel Berkeyheiser ’27, Avery Johnson ’26 All-South-Region: Karsin Beatty ’25 All-Metro: Karsin Beatty ’25 (Player of the Year); (1st Team) Avery Johnson ’26, Lilah-Grace Logan ’26; (2nd Team) Anna Riesser ’26, Cabel Berkeyheiser ’27; (Honorable Mention) Alaina Catedral ’26

FOOTBALL HEAD COACH: Sam Mickens (12th season) CAPTAINS: Partrick McGowan ’25, Isaiah Robinson ’25, Deuce Edwards ’25, Taegan Logan ’25 W/L RECORD: 5-4 overall ; 2-1 VPL ; advanced to VISAA state semifinals ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-VPL: Davion Brown ’26, Raymond (Trey) Cherry ’27, Deuce Edwards ’25, Mason Love ’26, Miles Love ’26, Taegan Logan ’25, Khalid Rainer ’27, Isaiah Robinson ’25, Brady Sakowitz ’26, Jordan Stith ’25 All-State: (1st Team) Davion Brown ’26, Deuce Edwards ’25, Mason Love ’26, Isaiah Robinson ’25, Brady Sakowitz ’26; (2nd Team) Taegan Logan ’25, Miles Love ’26, Patrick McGowan ’25 All Metro: (1st Team) Davion Brown ’26, Deuce Edwards ’25, Brady Sakowitz ’26; (2nd Team) Taegan Logan ’25, Isaiah Robinson ’25; (Honorable Mention) Patrick McGowan ’25 Mason Love ’26, Miles Love ’26, Khalid Rainer ’27 RECORDS/MILESTONES: Quarterback Taegan Logan ’25 finished his career 9th all time in total touchdowns, 8th all time in career passing yards (6,332), 5th all time in career passing touchdowns (75).

NOTABLE: Avery Johnson ’26, goalkeeper, will travel to Toronto as a member of the US Junior Women's National Indoor Team. Lilah-Grace Logan ’26, Cabel Berkeyheiser ’27 and Julia Riesser ’28 were selected to attend the trials for US Women's Junior National Team (outdoor).

COACH’S REMARKS: Getting back to the LIS Championship game and finding a way to win was a defining moment of the season. They strove to play team hockey, utilizing the strengths of each of our teammates.

Their motto was "Get Stuff Done" and the meaning behind it was to make a difference in the moments when it was your time to shine.

If everyone did their job in the little moments, the big moments would take care of themselves. To achieve our goal of an LIS championship, these girls worked hard but brought positivity and fun to every game and practice. They focused on one game at a time and trusted in their teammates. They were a joy to coach and so entertaining to watch. Our rising senior class is very talented and they are a wonderful group of leaders. I am excited to watch them take the successes of this season into the next.

T I TA N T R A I L 29

Athletics MEMORABLE MOMENTS: ​​ Thrilling Homecoming victory against St. Christopher's School that came down to the final play.

COACH’S REMARKS: This season was filled with excitement, challenges and unforgettable moments. Our up-tempo passing game has led to our offense being amongst the highest rated in the state and our players on several area top-ten lists. While we fell short of our offseason goal to claim a third consecutive Prep League Championship, and compete in a fourth consecutive title game, our seniors demonstrated remarkable leadership and grit, competing fiercely against some of the top teams in the state. This graduating class represents the most accomplished group of football players in our program's history, having earned four consecutive VISAA Division I playoff appearances during their time here. The program’s future is bright, as our returning players are ready to carry forward the winning tradition established by this outstanding group of seniors.

COACH’S REMARKS: We have worked equally hard on the court and off the court to create good team bonding. We also were teaching girls about how to support each other even if they are not on the court. When we weren’t competing, we were all “Clappists” to the teammates who were on the court (cheering them). I love the team spirit. Even though we lost to a few tougher teams, we were not too far behind.

I really would love to see us come out on top against some of the rivals that we lost to this season. I believe our girls will be ready to show up with a stronger game next year!

CROSS COUNTRY HEAD COACH: Doug Sutkus (1st season) CAPTAINS: Spencer Anthony ’25, Matthew Waidelich ’26,

Courtney Fabian ’25, Eila Crumlish ’25,

Chloe Sprenkle ’25 W/L RECORD: 5th in LIS (Girls); 6th in VPL (Boys)

13th in VISAA (Girls); 16th in VISAA (Boys)

GIRLS TENNIS HEAD COACH: Joanna Pfluger (1st season) CAPTAINS: Vie Updike ’25 W/L RECORD: 10-6 3rd place in LIS ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-LIS: Susanna Whitehead ’26 (Player of the Year) and Caroline Avery ’26 RECORDS/MILESTONES: Susanna Whitehead ’26 won every single match at No. 1 spot.

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ACCOLADES/AWARDS: Kailyn Harris ’28 finished 8th at the league and 6th at the state meet to earn All-LIS and All-State Honors.

RECORDS/MILESTONES: Matthew Waidelich ’26 and Spencer Anthony ’25 led the boys team and both showed significant improvement over previous years, posting season best times of 16:24 and 16:58 respectively. The girls were led by Kailyn Harris ’28 in all races, who had strong support from Molly Heston ’26 and Courtney Fabian ’25 who recorded career best 5k times during the season of 22:08 and 22:38.

The team saw steady individual improvement throughout the year with most athletes seeing their 5k time get faster over the course of the fall.

Athletics

BOYS SOCCER HEAD COACH: Brian Phillips (28th season) CAPTAINS: Ben Gravely ’25, Kenan Muminovic ’25,

Mathias Roussy ’25, Tucker Tetterton ’25 W/L RECORD: 5-6-4 overall; 0-3-2 in VPL (5th place) ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-VPL: Kenan Muminovic ’25 COACH’S REMARKS: With two years of 10-plus seniors graduating a focus for this season was introducing and developing a number of new players to the team. The team battled multiple injuries and illnesses throughout the season but showed grit, resilience and heart in response — with gutsy performances from all of the returning seniors, and especially Mathias Roussy ’25, Kenan Muminovic ’25, Tucker Tetterton ’25, Gino Galvez ’25, Ben Gravely ’25 and Oliver Simpson ’25. Juniors Cole Ferrell ’26 and Grayson Buelow ’26 stepped up to fill big holes in the defense and newcomers Luca Salafia ’26, Alex Edsall ’26 as well as sophomores Sam Adelaar ’27 and Brycen Furgurson ’27 provided much needed flexibility.

8th-graders Reid Woodward ’29 and Alex Peterson ’29 played significant roles against perennial VISAA powerhouse programs in this rebuilding year.

VOLLEYBALL

RECORDS/MILESTONES: Sarah Brown ’25 and Dakota Baldwin ’25 logged the highest hitting percentages with .656 and .549; Baldwin also had the most aces with 47.

COACH’S REMARKS: I was very excited to start a new path with a new team. I was impressed with the skills the girls had prior to working with them.

My goal for the team was to increase their volleyball IQ. I think we accomplished it. The girls walked away as better players. The second time we played St Anne's-Belfield was an incredible match.

We lost in five, but the girls played their hearts out and we stopped one of their best players. Although the season didn’t go as well as I hoped, I am excited to continue to help grow the program at Trinity.

GIRLS BASKETBALL HEAD COACH: Adam Lonon (8th season) CAPTAINS: Farrah Berry ’25, Sutton Eldredge ’27, Alexa Linton ’25 W/L RECORD: 17-10 overall; lost in the quarterfinals of VISAA championship to eventual champion, No. 1 seed Bishop Ireton 8-2 in LIS (2nd place); lost in conference (LIS) championship

ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-LIS: Adina Asuelimen ’27, Sutton Eldredge ’27 All-State: Adina Asuelimen ’27

HEAD COACH: Elizabeth Ragland (1st season) CAPTAINS: Rea Dorsey ’25, Dakota Baldwin ’25 W/L RECORD: 6-14 (Lost in 1st round of LIS tournament) T I TA N T R A I L 31

Athletics ACCOLADES/AWARDS: Ainsleigh Jones ’27: VISAA State and LIS Champion (500m); 6th place LIS (300m) Lucy Versen ’26: LIS Champion and 4th place in state (55m); 3rd place LIS (300m) Kailyn Harris '28: 3rd place LIS (3200m); 5th place in state (3200m) Girls 4x200m (Lucy Versen ’26, Ainsleigh Jones ’27, Ashlyn Nelson ’27, and Layla Wintsch ’26): 2nd place LIS; 6th place in state Spencer Anthony ’25: 6th place VPL; 9th in state (3200m) Boys 4x200m (Deuce Edwards ’25, CJ Gray ’28, Josiah Walker ’27, and KJ Harris ’27): 4th place VPL RECORDS/MILESTONES: Ainsleigh Jones ’27 won her first state title in the 500m at VISSA State Championships. We saw nearly all of our competing athletes set personal and season bests.

RECORDS/MILESTONES: Adina Asuelimen ’27 recorded a career-high 31 rebounds vs. Saint Gertrude, January 27. She also set the single-season record for rebounds on the girls side with 350. Sutton Eldredge ’27 recorded a career-high 29 points vs. Collegiate, February 13. The team went undefeated against all LIS opponents except St. Anne’s-Belfield (St. Catherine's, St. Margaret's, Collegiate, St. Gertrude's).

MEMORABLE MOMENTS: ​​ Early in the season, down by 5 points at halftime vs. St. Margaret's, the team battled back to win by 9, establishing themselves as a contender.

COACH’S REMARKS: The themes of the season were family and friendship. Each girl had an amazing relationship with one another outside of the locker room and off the court, and that translated to strong cohesiveness on the floor as well. Improving from 6-17 the previous season to 17-10 was a complete turnaround, with the girls crushing all of their team goals on their way to the best statistical season since 2019-20. With key players Frances Fischi ’26, Adina Asuelimen ’27 and Sutton Eldredge ’27, as well as Caroline Ashoff ’27 and Reagan Perkinson ’27, all returning, we look to continue the same style of play with even more vigor. The future looks bright for Trinity girls basketball!

INDOOR TRACK HEAD COACH: W/L RECORD:

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Evan Leach (1st season) Girls: 4th place LIS ; 6th place in state Boys: 6th place in VPL

MEMORABLE MOMENTS: ​​ Our last meet before Winter Break at the Boo Williams indoor track provided a huge boost in our confidence and morale.

COACH’S REMARKS: If you can become comfortable being uncomfortable, you will find success in this sport. Track is one of the toughest sports, but also the most rewarding. To fully reach your potential in any event, you have to be tough, gritty and willing to hurt more than the competition around you. The same applies to our effort and discipline practice. The goal is to continue growing our team into a dominant program that can compete for titles at the league and state championship level. To do this, we have prioritized creating a team culture and standard that fosters successful athletes on and off the track. Despite being a very young team and losing nearly all of our veteran leaders, I was very pleased with how we carried ourselves as a team. While we did see success in league and state titles, I was most impressed with the buyin we got from the team as a whole.

Athletics ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-Prep League: Boys 200m Medley Relay (Aidin Muminovic ’27, Sam Adelaar ’27, Cole Dameron ’28, Patrick Puzon ’25); Boys 200m Freestyle Relay (Patrick Puzon ’25, Collum Kelley ’25, Sam Adelaar ’27, Aidin Muminovic ’27 — 1st overall); Cole Dameron ’28 (200m Freestyle); Patrick Puzon ’25 (50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle); Aidin Muminovic ’27 (100m Butterfly); Sam Adelaar ’27 (100m Breaststroke) All-State: Boys 200m Medley Relay (Aidin Muminovic ’27, Sam Adelaar ’27, Patrick Puzon ’25, Collum Kelley ’25); Boys 200m Freestyle Relay (Collum Kelley ’25, Cole Dameron ’28, Patrick Puzon ’25, Aidin Muminovic ’27); Boys 400m Freestyle Relay (Cole Dameron ’28, Ryan Mariscalco ’27, Cole Dameron ’28, Collum Kelley ’25); Patrick Puzon ’25 (50m Freestyle); Aidin Muminovic ’27 (100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke)

BOYS BASKETBALL HEAD COACH: CAPTAINS:

W/L RECORD:

Andrew Blazar (4th season) Keaton Gregory ’27, Isaiah Robinson ’25, Mason Patrick ’25, Brent Thompson ’25 17-9 overall (lost to St. Stephen's in state tournament); 6-4 in VPL (3rd place)

ACCOLADES/AWARDS: All-VPL: Keaton Gregory ’27, Davion Brown ’26, Mason Patrick ’25 RECORDS/MILESTONES: Mason Patrick ’25 had a 45-point game vs. St. Vincent Palotti on 12/7 and Davion Brown ’26 had a 35-point game vs. Matoaca on 12/20.

COACH’S REMARKS: We competed in every game and continued to establish the expectation to win every game, work towards winning the VPL and compete for a state title. Memorable moments this year include the Sleepy Thompson Tournament where we came from behind to win our last two games. Additionally, our win on the road at Catholic showed our team that we could have a great season. We have improved each and every season the past four seasons. We will work hard to develop our team in the off season and look to have our best season yet next year.

RECORDS/MILESTONES: Aidin Muminovic ’27 set the school record in the 100m Butterfly (49.86) at the Hanover Hawk Invite on December 21; he was the boys team’s top scorer. Top scorers for the girls team were Kendall Kryszon ’27 and Hana Walker ’28.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS: ​​ For the boys, the 200 Freestyle Relay at the Prep League meet really stood out as a turning point for the team. After illnesses, injuries and other setbacks, winning first place showed them that they could still compete at a high level and make a strong showing at states.

COACH’S REMARKS: On the girls side, we only have two returning swimmers, and the small size of the girls team caused them to struggle in matchups with the larger teams in the state. For the boys, the season was a bit of a struggle. We finished second in the state last year, and we were looking to finally secure the top spot this year, but we lost some senior swimmers to injury. Fortunately, the boys were able to surge to a 4thplace finish at states. We lost some great senior talent on the boys side to graduation, but we do have younger talent coming up.

SWIMMING HEAD COACH: CAPTAINS:

W/L RECORD:

Tim Johnson (7th season) Patrick Puzon ’25, Mathias Roussy ’25, Norah McCullagh ’25, Olivia McHenry ’25, Ann Tanner Mullins ’25, Zile Golos ’25 (diving) Girls: 5th place in LIS; 17th place in state Boys: 3rd place in VPL; 4th place in state T I TA N T R A I L 33

Athletics

HEADLINE MAKERS Coming Up Aces Susanna Whitehead ’26 logged an undefeated season at the No. 1 singles line. Whitehead was named LIS player of the year, on her way to lead the girls tennis team to another successful season.

Back on Top With a 3-1 home victory over Collegiate on October 31, 2024, the girls field hockey team captured their first LIS championship since 2019. Goals came from Alaina Catedral ’26, LG Logan ’26 and Karsin Beatty ’25. This was a banner year in more ways than one for the Titans, as Max Field Hockey had them ranked as high as No. 11 in the nation and No. 20 by the end of the year (No. 2 in the Mid-Atlantic). Karsin Beatty ’25 was named LIS Player of the Year, and Margie Snead ’85 LIS Coach of the Year.

Grand Total Mason Patrick ’25, forward for the boys basketball team, eclipsed 1,000 career points on December 14, 2024 during their championship victory of the Dale Travis Invitational Tournament versus Harrisonburg Homeschool Basketball Association. Patrick averaged 12.8 points per game in his Titan career. Earlier in the season, he scored 45 points against St. Vincent-Palotti; this was the second highest single-game total in school history (Armando Bacot ’19 had 48 points in a 2018 contest). His career total 1,291 points include 1,091 scored as a Titan

Deep Yardage Taegan Logan ’25 completed his Trinity football career with the second-most passing yards in school history (5,620) behind Blake Bowen ’15. Logan now holds the Trinity records for career passing touchdowns (75) and total touchdowns (87). Those numbers also rank in the All-Time Richmond area records (5th in career passing TDs, 9th in career total TDs) according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Next season, Logan will begin his collegiate career at Hampden-Sidney College.

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Athletics said Burston. “This season wasn’t just about a perfect record; it was about continuing a legacy of excellence and showing how leadership, culture, and commitment to a team’s goals can create something truly remarkable.”

New Digs JV Green Goes 17-0 Joining an elite group of only three other Titan teams, the JV boys basketball “green” team strung together an impressive 17 wins this season with no losses. Their closest game was an 8-point win over Catholic, with the rest of the wins by an average 15-points. They swept their local rivals going unbeaten against St. Chris, Collegiate and Benedictine. Led by coach Torey Burston ’12, the boys dominated their competition all season, only trailing once in one game.

Renovations were completed over the summer for a new locker room facility for both the boys (fall) and girls (spring) soccer teams.

The former concession stand and storage building that overlooks the soccer field was equipped with new wooden stalls for equipment and whiteboards for team meetings. The facility will give the teams a dedicated facility near their playing field. The renovations were funded in part thanks to the generosity of a group of current and former soccer parents.

“Whether on or off the court, the players held each other accountable, built each other up, and pushed themselves to constantly improve,”

SIGNS OF GREATNESS

FALL 2024

NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES Campbell Rowe (lacrosse) — High Point University Karsin Beatty (field hockey) — Syracuse University Mason Patrick (basketball) — Hampden-Sydney College Ethan Owens (lacrosse) — Anderson University

WINTER 2025

NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES Parents, family, coaches and students gathered in the Estes Athletic Center on November 13, 2024 and February 5, 2025 to celebrate sixteen Trinity seniors their national letters of intent to 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.

Terrance “Deuce” Edwards (football) — Michigan State University Isaiah Robinson (football) — University of Virginia Jordan Stith (football) — Christopher Newport University Taegan Logan (football) — Hampden-Sydney College Ashton Lawler (football) — Hampden-Sydney College Braxton Brooks (football) — Christopher Newport University Dylan Friedman (football) — Virginia Military Institute T I TA N T R A I L 35

HOME AGAIN Homecoming Week 2024 unites students, teachers, parents, alumni and friends in a celebration of the best of Trinity A beloved annual rally point for every part of the Trinity community, Homecoming Week 2024 lived up to the hype — with students, faculty, alumni and friends enjoying several days of competitive fun and joyous reunion.

For alumni, the weekend’s festivities kicked off the prior evening with a Thursday night Alumni Happy Hour at Hardywood West Creek Brewery. Out-of-town travelers connected with local classmates under a tent at the expansive Goochland gathering space.

On Friday night, over 400 alumni, parents and friends enjoyed a perfect fall evening under the tent in Dunn Courtyard at the annual Oyster Roast. Special thanks to oyster sponsor and Tuckahoe Seafood owner Drew Lucas ’98 as well as music sponsor Greg Layton ’79 and his "F Train Band," who kept the dancefloor rocking all night.

Reunion class alumni arrived early in the evening to reconnect and pose for their class photos. The prize for the largest turnout went to the class of 1984, celebrating their 40th reunion. Coming in a close second was the class of 2004, marking their 20th. Special thanks to our Reunion Class Captains for planning class gatherings and rallying their classmates to attend: Polly Wood ’84, Wright

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Ramsey ’94, Deborah Aycock Everett ’94, Chris Aycock ’99, Stuart Raper Nuckols ’04, Claire Witmeyer ’04, Phillip Tickle ’09, Sally Snead ’19 and Riley Hogge ’19.

Following strong performances from every varsity team all week long — including home victories by the boys soccer, field hockey, girls tennis and volleyball teams — the football team faced rival St. Christopher’s in Aycock Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for the weekend’s culminating contest.

Alumni gathered in a special tent for the first annual Alumni Tailgate, while students and other children enjoyed snow cones, face-painting and ornament decorating in the Family Fun Zone. The youngest alumni from the class of 2024 returned to pick up their copies of The Shield yearbook, hot off the presses.

An active student cheering section, Pep Band and DJ kept the school spirit high all afternoon. After four intense quarters, the game came down to the final play, with Trinity intercepting a last-second pass to stop a Saints comeback and seal a 14-10 victory.

Special thanks to the volunteers, staff, attendees and student leaders who teamed up to make 2024 Homecoming Week the best ever. Go Titans!

See complete photo galleries at www.trinityes.org/photos

T I TA N T R A I L 37

Alumni S P O T L I G H T S

Determined to SUCCEED Lorin Johnson ’16 returned to Trinity on Monday, October 7 as the featured guest speaker in Chapel. The Chapel before Homecoming Weekend is traditionally reserved for celebrating and welcoming accomplished alumni.

In her speech, Johnson reflected on the challenges she overcame as a member of the first graduating class from Anna Julia Cooper School, joining seven other AJCS classmates at Trinity in the fall of 2012. After initially struggling to keep up, she recalled making a determined effort to get involved by joining clubs, trying out for teams and becoming the manager of the football team. Eventually, she graduated as one of the leaders of her class.

“If teachers could say a lot about me, it was the hard work I put in,” she recalls. “I wasn’t always the top student, but if anybody said anything it was about Lorin’s hard work.

And that’s kind of what pushed me through [my time] at Trinity.”

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She expressed gratitude to teachers like Amy Chaplin who encouraged her to try new things. “I could not tell you anything about ceramics before I got here,” she said, “but Ms. Chaplain encouraged me to take that extra step. I got into IB Art, and it changed a lot of things.”

Johnson said the balance of academics, arts and athletics gave her multiple outlets to find success and feel a sense of belonging.

After returning to her alma mater (AJCS) in 2020 as their director of graduate support, she made the decision last year to challenge herself again and moved to Baltimore and began a role as a support specialist with Service Coordination, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing case management services to individuals with disabilities.

Johnson hoped the assembled students would take inspiration from her story to step outside their comfort zones and persevere through setbacks. “Don’t close the door on something just because it may seem difficult,” she said. “If that means taking a chance and going to a college out of state or somewhere [unfamiliar], I think you should take the opportunity.”

“Sometimes you have to fall a couple of times before you are the best,” she concluded. “The best athletes, the best CEOs and things like that — they don’t get to the top just because they’re always doing great. They have to do a lot of hard work to get there.”

Alumni S P O T L I G H T S

Conscientious INVESTORS

For the inaugural installment of Trinity’s alumni “Titans of Industry” series, Head of School Rob Short invited Fritz Albers ’06, his sister, Barbara “Babsi” Albers Ploix, to speak to Trinity students via video conference on November 15, 2024. Short initiated the series this fall as a way to give students a direct connection to alumni who are embracing the importance of future-ready skills to live a life of meaning and purpose.

Albers attended Trinity for two years, from 2004 to 2006, while Ploix attended for three weeks while on an exchange in 2008. Both expressed their love for the school and how welcomed they were as international visitors.

Both Albers and Proix combine their expertise in the world of finance with socially and environmentally conscious principles. A leader in impact investing and sustainable development, Albers currently serves as managing partner at Savrola Group, London. he concentrates on investments in clean energy and resilience technologies, demonstrating a deep commitment to sustainable economic development. “I wanted to do something that our mother would be proud of,” said Albers, noting that he tries to find investment opportunities that can yield large returns while also helping the planet.

As director of ESG & impact investment at Blackrock in New York City, Ploix helps direct the investment of funds in socially conscious and environmental investing alongside more traditional investment strategies. “Unfettered capitalism in itself, not the best,” she said.

“Being able to say proudly what you’re working in and feeling like it stands for something good goes back to sort of that holistic life that you’re building. It’s not just about your career progression and the money, it’s also about how you feel about your whole life.”

Their message for the assembled Trinity students in the Speight Alumni Room was to pay close attention to their interests and strengths, while

having the patience to steadily build experience — through both work and volunteering — before settling on a fixed career path.

Albers encouraged students to be adaptable and open-minded about opportunities and not to overlook the value of volunteer jobs. “The best internships and experiences I had were the ones that I actually didn't want to do,” he said, recalling when the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 canceled his internship there, and he pivoted to one at a hotel in London. “Looking back, it was one of the most valuable experiences, because I learned a lot about how you deal with people.”

Ploix also emphasized the importance of staying patient early on in one’s career. “I built a career in finance with a couple of different twists and turns in between,” she said. It’s also not just about building a career, it’s also about building a life that you really want to live.”

Albers made a plug for students to consider study-abroad options.

“There are dozens of really great colleges in Europe that offer courses fully in English,” he advised. “They are much cheaper than American colleges… I think the sooner and earlier you get international experience, the happier you’ll be … and you might make your parents happy because they might save a bunch of money on college.”

Although he cautioned that “it’s very difficult to predict the future even a year or two years from now,” he was bullish on one particular trend in international business and engineering: the “transition to net-zero” in an attempt to fight climate change. “The world economy will have to spend something in the range of $1,500 billion to $2,000 billion every year for the next 30 years to transition to a net zero economy,” he said.

“So this is going to be bigger than AI, bigger than data centers, bigger than any other thing in our lifetime…. [and will include] green energy, energy transition, future of transport, future of living. And there are dozens of careers that you can have in that field.”

T I TA N T R A I L 39

Alumni S P O T L I G H T S

Life Support Mary Kenzakowski ’17 returned to Trinity on October 15, 2024 for a full day of conversation with 9th grade students in their Titan Prep classes. Kenzakowski detailed her non-traditional medical career journey that began while she was a junior at Trinity, and she expressed gratitude for the students, teachers and staff that supported her through adversity as she discovered her path.

recalled, “and that happens less than 8% of the time if you're not in the hospital.” Seeing such a successful EMT response early in her tenure helped her stay encouraged through tougher times ahead.

After a particularly late night on a call to a massive house fire, with multiple families and no survivors, she remembered how emotionally drained she was the next day at school. “I don't think a single teacher didn't come by to ask me how I was doing,” she said.

“Everybody was so caring. I mean, they really were there for me in a really hard time.” Later, as a freshman in college, she recalled how the death of Christian Wood ’18, then a senior at Trinity, had a devastating impact on her and her friends.

When she was only 17, Kenzakowski was volunteering at a local hospital, when she decided to take her passion for helping others to the next level and joined the Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad in Chesterfield as an EMT. This often meant extremely late nights and exposure to traumatic accidents, injuries and disasters, experiences she described as “intense” and “jarring.” Just a few weeks into her tenure, she recalled getting called to a Gold’s Gym, where a woman was on the floor, unresponsive with no pulse. “But what was absolutely remarkable is that they were actually able to bring her back,” she

Despite all of this adversity, Kenzakowski said the support of both the Trinity community and her growing bonds with the rest of the EMT squad convinced her to continue with her medical career goals. After attending both Virginia Tech and UVA as an undergraduate, she just graduated in December of 2024 from the School of Nursing at VCU, where she has also been working in the trauma center as a paramedic since 2023. She is now an RN in VCU’s Coronary ICU. At VCU, she said she feels most in her element when she is able to provide comforting care to those in traumatic situations. “Because I was so supported at Trinity, I felt capable of furthering my career,” she said. “If I hadn't had that, I don't think I would've had the resilience to go through the emotional tolls of what I go through on a day-to-day basis.”

In conclusion, she encouraged the Trinity 9th graders to keep an open-minded approach to the next years of their growth. “You really don't know where life is going to take you, and it’s not going to happen the way you think it is.,” she said. “And that's okay. Just roll with the punches… it'll all be okay. It really will be.”

40

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Alumni S P O T L I G H T S

Built Endurance Morgan Williams ’19 returned to Trinity on December 13, 2024 to speak to students about her post-Trinity academic life and how she has continued to discover her path in graduate school and in preparation for a life of meaning and purpose.

At University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morgan earned a dual degree in psychology and communication studies with an emphasis in rhetoric, as well as a minor in medical anthropology.

Currently, Morgan is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at James Madison University. As part of her graduate training, she works as a student clinician at a community clinic, gaining experience providing mental health counseling.

Williams says working with children “fills her cup,” and she has enjoyed being able to make a difference in the lives of children, especially at the middle school age. “Kids are smart and they can tell you so much,” she said. “They can formulate their thoughts, they can give you feedback, they can tell you what they do and don’t like, and you can have really mature conversations.”

She said she has gained a unique perspective on the role of different parental styles. “Not necessarily whether somebody’s a good parent or bad parent,” she said, “but just how the style of parenting affects how they talk to themselves, which in turn affects the way that they interact with their environment and, in turn, shapes your life.”

In addition to her clinical role, Morgan works for Victim Advocacy Services on JMU’s campus. She is also a part-time afterschool teacher for 8th graders, combining her passion for education and mental health to support young people. “We teach them non-traditional topics that they don’t learn in school, like financial literacy with them, mindfulness, agriculture, and more,” she said.

A former track star at Trinity, she reflected with students about how Trinity’s IB Diploma Programme equipped her with academic “endurance,” preparing her to balance so many overlapping activities and professional interests. “IB is very challenging, especially on top of sports,” she said. “If I found I was getting overwhelmed, instead of pouring so much time into one thing, I would just study to the best of my ability… Know that your best is going to be enough and it’s going to be great.”

Ready for Research Grace Ashley ’22 returned to Trinity on January 16, 2025 to speak to IB Global Politics classes about her work as an undergraduate research assistant at the University of South Carolina. She had just returned from a large International conference in Puerto Rico, where she and a professor presented on the topic: “Is there a tie between election results in countries who receive financial assistance to produce free and fair elections?”

“Fun fact, almost every country on the planet has elections,” she said. “Even China, even North Korea, every country holds elections.

But what makes them different from being democratic is how free and fair those elections are.” Ashley’s research has delved into how international aid can either go toward building “capacity,” which she says can be abused to keep authoritarian regimes in power, versus “autonomy,” which enables healthier leadership turnover and independent parties observing and counting votes.

With the Trinity students, Ashley also shared advice and perspective on the college application and selection process, choosing a major and preparing for graduate school and a fulfilling career.

know almost all of you are going to have to take a political science entry level class,” she said. “Those classes were actually painful for me because I already knew everything, literally all the vocab words, all of it.”

She also pointed to the Extended Essay process as providing her a firm foundation for the undergraduate research she is doing in political science. “When you hear ‘research,’ you think biology, science,” she said. “But there are actually dozens of professors working on political science papers from opinion polling in the United States elections to the economic ties between the Gaza Strip and Israel.”

She encouraged the gathered Trinity students to explore opportunities in undergraduate research, especially if they choose to attend a larger university.

Ashley praised the preparation she received in the IB Diploma Programme, particularly Marcus Jones’ IB Global Politics class. “I T I TA N T R A I L 41

Alumni

CLASS

NOTES To submit your news to CLASS NOTES, please email us at alumni@trinityes.org

Class of 1980 Susan Board ’80 writes: “My wife, Karen, finally retired, so we moved from Florida to Greenville, SC and absolutely love it!

Cherishing four seasons again. It’s beautiful here!”

Class of 1993 Billy Shields ’93 won a regional Emmy Award from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, also known as “The Capital Emmys.”

Shields was honored in the “Public Affairs Program” category for his work as a multimedia reporter on the “Survivors” episode of the VPM TV newsmagazine series Focal Point. According to VPM, “The episode describes how innocent people find a way forward after being wrongfully convicted and losing years of life. It also features a survivor of sex trafficking who is helping others who have escaped abuse and a group of women connected by cancer who find support in each other.”

GROTOS

Class of 1977 Hillary Wood Grotos ’77 and her husband, Karl, were joined in Bryan Park this past November to honor their son-in-law, Josh Spain ’00 at a cancer walk event. Josh is a six-year brain cancer survivor. Family members in attendance were Josh’s wife, Kristen Grotos Spain ’03, Lya Zeno Sinclair ’02, Will and Clair Zeno Carpenter ’05 and Thomas Falor Zeno ’08.

Class of 1979 Candy Fugitt Ratliff ’79 writes: “My family moved from Houston, TX to Ashland, OR in 2018 and we love this small, funky college town, home to the Shakespeare Festival and surrounded by the Cascade and Siskiyou mountain ranges. I have two adult children — Sarah (33), who has a chromosome disorder (18q-), lives in a group home in Central Point, OR, enjoys Special Olympics and is a Best Buddies Ambassador, and Shane (30), who is starting a new job at Air Charter Service in Houston, TX. My husband of almost 35 years, David, sadly passed away unexpectedly on August 11 this year. I still love horses and am affiliated with Riding Beyond, an equine assisted learning program for breast cancer survivors in Ashland, OR.” 42

SPRING 2025

SHIELDS

Class of 1996 Jeff Meyer ’96 and Miranda Morgan welcomed their daughter, Islal Eyre Meyer, to their family on November 25, 2024.

Class of 2002 Eric Bliley ’02 and his cousin Carey Bliley were featured in Richmond Magazine last November under the headline “Generations of Compassion.” The article celebrated the 150th anniversary of Bliley’s Funeral Home, the family business and Richmond institution that the two continue to operate as ”part of the fourth generation of family members to helm the business.” Eric is executive manager of family experience and described in the article how the company’s cremation center “incorporates earth elements to create a purpose-driven space that supports the important ritual of being present for a loved one’s cremation.”

Alumni

WILLIAMS

ALMOND

MAHAN

Class of 2006 Jake Williams ’06 and his wife, Brittany, welcomed their second child, Sloan Elvira Willams, to their family on Friday, December 27, 2024, joining big brother Asher. Sloan weighed 6 lbs., 7.5 oz. and was 19 inches long.

Class of 2011 FELTS

Carly Alford Felts ’11 was named Chesterfield County Middle School Teacher of the Year. She is a 6th grade English as a second language teacher at Providence Middle School.

Madeline Pellicane Mahan ’11 and husband Matt welcomed their first child, Henry Nolan Mahan, on Wednesday, October 9.

Class of 2012 Craig Almond ’12 and his wife, Alex, welcomed their first child, Jay Price Almond, on Monday, January 6, 2025 weighing 7 lbs, 80 oz.

Taylor King ’12 and his wife, Charley, welcomed their first child, Sellars Marguerite King, into their family on February 3, 2025.

Tim Shaw ’12 and his wife, Allison, welcomed their first child, Luca Richmond Shaw, into their family on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

Baby Luca weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz. and was 21 inches long.

KING

T I TA N T R A I L 43

Alumni Marce Merry Robinson ’12 and husband Luc welcomed their daughter, Maeve Scott Robinson, into their family on Friday, October 18, 2024.

Class of 2015 Robbie Harvey ’15 married Brianna Shaw Robertson on October 12, 2024. Trinity alumni guests included Megan Harvey ’11, Jack Freudenthal ’15, Luc Maestrello ’15, Josh Tarkington ’14, Trey Daddio ’15, Hunter Hughes ’15, Erin Deloye ’15 and Ali Deloye ’17.

Class of 2016

STREET

This past November, Matthew Brassington ’16 and The Jared Stout Band were included in the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Bristol supporting Blake Shelton. Follow them at facebook.com/TheJaredStoutBand.

Bobby Oldfield ’16 Graduated from the Joseph F. Rice School of Law at University of South Carolina, passed the bar exam and is working as an associate attorney at Clarkson, Walsh and Coulter in Greenville, South Carolina.

Thomas Hupp ’16 and his wife, Kiley, welcomed their second child, Parker Annabella Hupp, on January 29, 2025.

Class of 2018 Walter Street ’18 was married to Yasmine Alansari at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia. After a cross country roadtrip adventure, the happy couple is now living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Henry Coleman III ’20 became the All-Time Leader in Offensive

HARVEY

44

SPRING 2025

OLDFIELD

HUPP

Alumni

COLEMAN

ELIASEK

CHAIKIN

Class of 2020

improve on his stellar junior season when he returns this fall for his senior season at Randolph-Macon.

Henry Coleman III ’20 became the All-Time Leader in Offensive Rebounds for Texas A&M University this spring with 351 career offensive rebounds. In his final collegiate season, Coleman’s Aggies finished the regular season ranked 19th in the nation, earning a No. 4 seed in the NCAA “March Madness” Tournament.

Class of 2024

Class of 2021 Daniel Eliasek ’21 was named Linebacker of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Richmond. Daniel plays for Randolph-Macon College. Daniel was named to the ODAC All-Conference Team, and ODAC ALL-Academic Team. He recorded 80 Tackles, 4 Forced Fumbles and 3 Interceptions this season. Daniel will be looking to

Alex Chaikin ’24 was profiled in the Richmond Times-Dispatch in December for his breakout season as a freshman at Lafayette College. In the article, Caikin credited the Trinity program and Coach Andrew Blazar for his development as a high school basketball player: “Sophomore year, I had a lot of ups and downs, but I continued to work. Junior year I found more success, and then senior year I found a lot more success. Blazar was with me every step of the way. Trinity was also great to me just developing me and making me into the player I am today.”

In Sympathy The Trinity community offers its condolences to families of the following people who have recently passed away.

We apologize for any unintentional omissions.

As of March 15, 2025 Patricia Cerny, grandmother to Justin Cerny ’14 and wife of Milt Cerny (Advisory Board member), passed away on February 14, 2025.

Donald Cruickshanks ’75, husband of Carol (Conrad) Cruickshanks ’77, passed away on December 29, 2024.

John Walter West III, former trustee and father of Thomas West ’77, Judy West ’79, & Stephen West ’85, passed away on November 20, 2023.

Patricia Hord, former trustee, mother to Norty Hord ’85 (deceased) and Lorin (Hord) Mazzucchelli ’93, and aunt to Taylor Hord ’00, passed away on September 20, 2024.

Raymond Brann Jr., former trustee and father of Raymond Brann III ’87, died on February 2nd, 2024.

Robert Allison "Bob" Boynton, father of Jennifer Boynton Lynch ’91, died on August 31, 2024.

James Ellis, father of Marianne (Ellis) Allen ’76 and Chris Ellis ’81, chair of the Board of Trustees, passed away on February 27, 2025.

Sachiko (Tokuyasu) Barber ’75 passed away on January 26, 2025.

Douglas Currier, father of faculty member Becky Currier, passed away on March 12, 2025.

T I TA N T R A I L 45

Alumni

HOOPS HANGOUT

Alumni gathered in the Speight Alumni Room and the mezzanine overlooking Dale Travis Court on Friday, January 17 for the annual Alumni Hoops Hangout. The former Trinity students and their families and guests enjoyed a Titan basketball tripleheader, with back-to-back-to-back games against St. Christopher’s (JV and varsity) and St. Catherine’s (varsity) schools.

Holiday Donor Reception On the evening of the Winter Arts Festival and Grand Illumination, Trinity’s Development and Alumni Relations Office hosted a reception for donors who had given to Trinity in each of the last 3 years. This event welcomed many of Trinity’s biggest fans back to the school to enjoy an evening of holiday lights, art and music.

46

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philanthropy

TITAN SOCIETY RECEPTION

L

ast fall, the Trinity community gathered for a truly special evening at the beautiful home of Tom and Liz Benedetti to celebrate our annual Titan Society Reception. Members of the Titan Society are those recognized for giving $1,000 or more to Trinity during the school year.

The evening was a vibrant celebration of Trinity’s culture of philanthropy, bringing together those who share a commitment to the school’s mission and future. It was also a wonderful opportunity to showcase the renderings of the much-anticipated Morgan Hall Expansion. This transformative project will not only help Trinity students prepare for an ever-evolving future but will also ensure that our campus is “right-sized” with the expansion and reconfiguration of the library.

A highlight of the evening was the pinning ceremony, where new Titan Society members proudly received their Titan Society pins, symbolizing their dedication and generosity. This moment, filled with camaraderie and appreciation, underscored the importance of philanthropy in shaping the future of Trinity Episcopal School.

In all, it was a festive and inspiring evening, celebrating the generosity of our Titan Society Members. Their unwavering support continues to propel Trinity forward, ensuring that our students have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. We are deeply grateful to all who attended and contributed to making this event memorable.

T I TA N T R A I L 47

MID-YEAR

GIVING REPORT Titan Impact: Your Gifts in Action At Trinity, every gift strengthens our community and continues to provide valuable experiences and opportunities for our students. From faculty and trustees to parents, grandparents and alumni, this support makes a difference every day. Your generosity fuels our mission, enhances academic and extracurricular programs and ensures that every Titan thrives. Together, we are building a legacy of excellence, shaping future leaders and fostering a spirit of giving that extends far beyond the classroom.

TRINITY’S PHILANTHROPY BY THE NUMBERS So far this school year, we’ve seen a record-number of participants in philanthropy.

From July 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025:

100%

Faculty/staff participation

G I V I N G D AY 2 0 24

506

Giving Day donors

98%

Giving Day alumni class participation

WINNERS OF THE ALUMNI CHALLENGE:

23.5%

100%

Class of 1981 participation

Trustee participation

141

Titan Society member households (gifts of $1000 or more)

53%

Current total parent participation

48

SPRING 2025

6,750

$

Parents rose to the challenge with the highest overall participation on a giving day!

60%

Class of 2027 participation

Class of 1993 giving

285

$

341

101

Grandparents Day attendance

Parents, alumni, faculty & friends attended the annual Oyster Roast

208,992 Grandparent giving year-to-date

Alumni Reunion attendees

I GIVE

because…

Trinity is a special community of people who share my dedication to creating a dynamic learning environment where students can realize their passions. Over my 30 years at Trinity, I have been continually inspired by brilliant young minds in the classroom, talented artists and musicians on stage and thrilling athletic accomplishments on the fields, courts and trails.

I give to Trinity because I want our school to continue to grow, prosper and serve the next generation of Trinity Titans!

— Marcus Jones ’00 Head of the Social Studies Department

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

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