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Titan Trail (Winter 2015)

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Winter 2015

TITAN TRAIL


FromThe Headmaster When school started back in August, I was a little anxious. What would it be like to go through a year knowing it’s my last at Trinity? Heading into retirement, I knew I would experience mixed emotions. On the one hand, I was so proud and thrilled that Rob Short was chosen by our Board of Trustees to be the next Head of School. On the other hand, I knew that each moment would have a special significance for me because it was part of my 25th—and final— year at this place I love so much. But something wonderful happened. Any anxiety I might have had has been swept away by many of you who have taken the time to share your memories of our time together or something important that happened to you at Trinity. You’re sharing with me all those moments that matter: the small and meaningful ones that last a lifetime. I am truly grateful for this common history, this feeling of family and for friendships that endure. I have also found that I am savoring the memories of each day— every conversation with a student, every burst of laughter in morning meeting, every inspirational word I hear from our marvelous faculty. These experiences have always been there but are magnified now by time and the realization that these moments define us and give meaning to our lives.

Mission Statement: Our charge is to challenge Trinity students to discover their paths,

As I near the end of my tenure as your Headmaster, I now know these moments and lifelong friendships are the most meaningful and lasting gifts. I am thankful for 25 wonderful years here and for the Trinity family who filled those years with memories I will treasure forever.

develop their talents and strengthen their character within a dynamic

Thomas G. Aycock, PhD. Headmaster

academic community.


Eric M. Gobble Athletic Director Laurie Hedgepeth Director of Development Margie Vaughan Snead ’85 Director of Admission Joseph Monaco Director of Operations B o a r d o f Tr u s t e e s E. G. Allen III ’84 Frank Barksdale, Jr. Paige H. Bell Sheryl E. Black Bryan A. Brassington Benjamin D. Bretz ’97 Lisa Compton, President, Trinity Parents Association Keyser H. Glancy Gayle C. Hargett Stephen E. Hupp, Secretary Cynthia A. Joyce, Treasurer Daniel J. Lawrence William G. Londrey ’84 Virginia Flemer Marchetti ’75 Kathy Ashby Merry, Vice Chair Robert D. Seabolt Lee Sprague, Faculty Representative Lynn Strader Phillip P. Tarsovich, Chair Brian F. Witthoefft ’99 John A. Young ’83 Advisory Board J. Read Branch, Jr. Otis L. Brown Carol Estes-Williams Kathy Graziano Dr. E. Bruce Heilman Joseph C. Kearfott Kelly J. O’Keefe Dr. W. B. Perkinson, Jr. Virginia H. Totten Dr. Henry I. Willett, Jr. Richard Thweatt Wilson III Charles F. Witthoefft The Titan Trail is published twice yearly by Trinity Episcopal School’s development office. Laurie Hedgepeth Director of Development David Ready Marketing and Communications Manager Anne Hurt Assistant Director of Development Judy Rocawich Marketing and Communications Assistant Ellie Donahue Boyd ‘04 Development Assistant- Alumni Relations

Rapid Friendships 14 Visiting Speakers 16 Grandparents Day 17 Homecoming Weekend 26

SECTIONS Around the Courtyard 10 Philanthropy 18 Athletics 20

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Class Notes 28

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16 www.trinityes.org

Robert A. Short Assistant Head of School

Come Together 2

Credits: Graphic Design: Creative Worx, LLC Photography: Bridget Hazel Photography, David Ready, Judy Rocawich, Karen Michael, Joe Sites, Whitewater Photography, Meredith Turner, Michael Stratton, Caroline Lea, Allison Fiebert, Elizabeth Kelley

Administration Dr. Thomas G. Aycock Headmaster

Contents

FEATURES

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Come Together A one-on-one interview with Dr. Thomas G. Aycock about the memorable moments and major milestones that comprise his legacy as Trinity’s third Headmaster

W

hat was the first thing you set out to do when you began as Trinity’s Headmaster in 1990?

I didn’t want to make extensive changes in the first year. The one thing I did add, because I thought this was a critical piece, was implementing Morning Meeting. I felt that in order to build the culture, you had to build the community. I had met a retiring boarding-school headmaster at a conference once, and something he said struck me as being incredibly profound and important. He said, “I always want to gather my boys around me when we begin our day.” That seemed to me to be the best way to start building a culture, making sure that everybody comes together. What better time than in the morning? Morning Meeting has become one of the most fundamental and cherished of Trinity traditions. What has been the secret to its success? There was a bit of grumbling at first. “Where’s our homeroom?” some would ask. I emphasized that I didn’t want it to be stiff and starchy, with a formal speech from the head every day. I wanted us to have some fun with it. I’ve said many times that we not only allow teachers and students to engage in good-natured kidding and ribbing, but we encourage it. We put the Student Government Association in charge 2

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and had the officers open the meeting. I explained my vision, which was that I wanted everybody to be a part of it, and for it to be interactive, where anyone can stand up and give announcements. Students get to know other students beyond their classmates, so, for example, 8th and 9th graders get to know the seniors, and vice versa. They get to know the personalities of teachers they may have later on. Before you know it, the ultimate result is it draws us closer together and makes us feel like one community. Rob Short once said, “that’s Dr. Aycock’s classroom.” I had never thought about it that way before, but in a lot of ways, it’s true. Since I don’t teach a class, that’s an opportunity I have to speak to all the students every day. It’s my responsibility as the leader of the school to set the tone each day—a positive, compassionate and caring tone—and I try to do that in Morning Meeting. I firmly believe that the theatre is the right place to have Morning Meeting, because of the intimacy we have when

gathering there. I love that we are looking at each other. Even when we expand the theater and have more seating, we will still have some students on the floor so that everybody can see each other and have that family-gathering feel. The Trinity student body has a unique reputation for spirit and sportsmanship. You have often praised them for that. How have you helped to build and nurture that aspect of the Trinity culture? When we talk about spirit and sportsmanship at Trinity, we say those two words together (Spirit and Sportsmanship), because they go together. We want to be a school that has great spirit, but does it in the right way. Looking back, I am so proud of our students, because I give them credit for building that, especially the student leaders in the class of 2006 [with Catherine Marchetti ’06]. That year, we started having meetings with senior leaders about wanting our spirit to

“I have loved many aspects of being a headmaster, but the best part of my job, without question, has been the interaction with students.”


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reflect who we are at Trinity and how we treat people. We have always been proud of being a very welcoming community, a caring community and a friendly community, and we felt our spirit should reflect that. That group was the first to really take it to heart, and show a lot of leadership in modeling for our younger students, “this is who we are, and this is who we want to be.” We wanted that to be our reputation.

The Best Headmaster in Richmond —Emily McLeod

“We’ll always do the right thing, and everything will be all right.” That was Tom Aycock's charge to me when I was given the position of Director of Admission at Trinity in 1990. Tom was new, and although I had been working at Trinity for two years, I would be new in the admissions office. The school year began with 231 students—considerably less than full enrollment. We knew that we had a fine school serving great students. We also knew that Trinity would become an even better school and that we needed to tell prospective families about the opportunities Trinity offered. We realized that the right approach was to bring prospective families to Trinity. There they could experience what was happening on our campus. They could sit in on inspiring classes, attend exciting games, enjoy performances, and meet the people who make up this remarkable community. We expanded our Open House and added admissions events like Q & A on Pittaway. And we continued to have a better Trinity story to tell. We added the International Baccalaureate Program, expanded our offerings in the arts, and fielded more teams. New facilities were added to support our enhanced programs. Enthusiastic students, parents, and alumni were eager to help the admissions team share the Trinity story. A new slogan, “Discover Your Path” summed up what was happening at Trinity, and we began to get calls from families who were seeking just that. I was often asked about our headmaster. It seems that many people were telling their friends that the best headmaster in Richmond was at Trinity. Tom greeted everyone who came on campus. When Morgan Hall was built, he wanted his office to be where he was available to everyone. Tom’s wife, Kae, was an indispensable part of our admissions team. She welcomed families to our events, and the headmaster’s home was a gracious and inviting place. Tom dreamed of the school that Trinity has become in the last 25 years, and he made it happen. He built on the legacy of our first two headmasters, each of whom also contributed his best to Trinity. Tom gave so much to everyone who was a part of the Trinity family, and he created the atmosphere that led prospective families to often comment, “Everyone seems so happy to be here.” That included me. He made my job a happy one. 4

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The moment I knew it had really taken hold was a game when a student started an inappropriate cheer, and before he could get three words out, the seniors immediately turned and said, “no, that is not who we are.” The kids still have a lot of fun, and there’s some goodnatured ribbing between schools, but I give our students all the credit for building something that has distinguished Trinity and has made it very attractive to families. When prospective students come to games, they see that spirit, sportsmanship, and togetherness and positive energy, and say, “Gosh, I want to be a Titan!” When I go to conferences, other school heads will invariably mention two things about Trinity: “Y’all have that great pep band and you’ve got great spirit!” How did the Pep Band get started? My very first week as headmaster, a sophomore approached me, tapped me on the shoulder, and said, “Dr. Aycock, I understand you play trombone.” He said, “I’m Robby Hoppin [’93], and I play trombone too. Dr. Aycock, we need a band at Trinity.” At that time, Trinity did not have a band or a music program. I said: “I agree. It’s at the top of my list to start working on getting a music program and particularly a band.” Well, the next day, he was at my office door, asking “how’s it coming with the band?” It was daily with him checking on my progress on the band. Finally, I said, “Robby, bring your horn tomorrow.”


“Trinity is the best example that I know of what great teamwork can do.” The next day, we went to the gym, sat down on the bleachers and learned a few fight songs and marches. At the next basketball game, we sat in the stands, and the two of us played through our limited repertoire during time-outs. That was the beginning of the Pep Band. As enrollment grew, I started looking for a band director, and when it really took off was when I hired Brian Rollins, our current band leader. He has built an incredible band program—one that is recognized as one of the strongest programs in the state. It’s a neat story about the power of one student’s enthusiasm. Would you say that the IB program was one of your biggest and most important accomplishments here? Talk about how that came to be and what it means to our identity. Going back to that first year, we had a strong academic program here, but a lot of us felt like we needed something academic that would stand out and give us a niche in the area. Emily McLeod, our admissions director, told me about one of our parents who was very familiar with a school abroad that had an IB program and loved it. So several of us, including Emily, myself, Linda Verdery and Vivian Hiedemann started investigating, talking with other IB schools. We also asked the faculty to do some research, and they became very enthusiastic about it. The more we learned about it, the more we thought it would be a good fit for Trinity. We liked the emphasis on teaching kids to think for themselves, and not just memorize facts. We like the emphasis on being able to think, write and articulate what you’re thinking. Our curriculum had always had a strong writing component, but the IB program has made it much stronger. We also

liked that it wasn’t just an academic program, but that other elements, like theory of knowledge and the service component, help students make connections between what they’re learning and how they can make a difference in their lives. One of the big questions we had going in was whether it would be flexible enough to allow our kids to participate in the full life of the school. Over the years here, we have definitely found that to be the case. In fact, our IB kids are some of the most heavily involved in arts, athletics, service student government and many other extracurriculars! In those subsequent two decades, the IB program has become such an integral part of our identity. We are a part of something worldwide; we are connected with other very successful schools, not only in the US, but all over the world. One of the things that makes me feel very good about our success is our performance on the IB exams. While the nationwide pass rate is 69%, and the worldwide pass rate is 79%, over the past two decades, Trinity’s pass rate has been 92%. Vivien Hiedemann did a great job as our first IB coordinator, and Marti Truman has taken it to the next level.

It has been great for Trinity. As the program has grown, we’ve added more IB courses, and we have a much more complete program now. It continues to serve Trinity well, and it was one of the best things we did early on. Any alum or former parent returning to Trinity after being away for a few years cannot help but marvel at the incredible physical expansion of campus facilities. From Morgan Hall in 1999, to the Science Discovery Center in 2003, to the stadium, Estes Athletic Center and Perkinson Arts Center more recently—the growth has been remarkable. An incredible team of people—faculty, students, board members over the years, and supportive parents—built all of these things. Trinity is the best example that I know of what great teamwork can do. Our success has come not from what one or two or three people have done, but what a lot of people have done pulling together to do great work. For me it has just been a joy to have been part of it. There was a famous line from the movie “Field of Dreams,” that went, “If you build it, they will come.” Well,

ock: memory with Tom Ayc Share a message orshared as part of the retirement celebrations for Tom Aycock. iled and Messages will be comp _____________ __________________ __________________ _____________ ___ ___ ___ __________________ ___ ___ ___ ._ ter ___ ma __________________ ___ alm ___a___ my ___ y ___ nit ___ Tri __________________ l ___ cal___ to ___ ud___ pro___ ry _ _________ eve ___ ___ joy ___ ___ En ___ ___ e. ___ lif ___ r ___ ___ of you ______ ______ se ___ pha___ t ___ nex___ the___ er ___ ent___ ______ ___you it. __________ ck as lu___ ned of ___ ear ______ st___ ___ ly Be___ ___ ___ tain ___ cer e ___ hav ___ —you ______ ent___ irem ______ r ret ___ ______ of you _____________ te ___ nu___ mi___ ___ __________________ __________________ ___ ___ _____________ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ______ __________________ ___ L ___ ger ___ xin ___ Re _____________ n ___ obi___ -R___ ___ __________________ __________________ _____________ ___ ___ ___ __________________ ___ ___ ___ __________________ _____________ ___ ___ ___ __________________ ______ __________________ ____ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ______ _________ ______ __________________ ___Aycock: Share a message___ or memory with Tom ________________ ___ ____________ ___ ___ ___ ___ Messages___ will be___ compiled and shared as part of the retirement celebrations for Tom Aycock. ___ __________________ __________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Tom, ___________________________________________________________________ You might be the best Headmaster in American ___________________________________________________________________ history! Your character and passion came across ___________________________________________________________________ to the Trinity community every day. You were ___________________________________________________________________ always a faithful servant-leader. You will never ___________________________________________________________________ be gone from our hearts. God bless you always! ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ - David and Kay Barrett and family ___________________________________________________________________ (Elizabeth ’01, Emily ’04, and Mark ’07), ___________________________________________________________________ former trustee ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

hip and for r wonderful leaders Thank you for you continuing to make me utz ‘79

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I have always believed the opposite. We focused on the culture and the programs first—and only when we felt like we had those in place did we turn to making them even better with great facilities. That has certainly been the case, I think, with our arts program. Interest in music and visual arts have been so great that we outgrew that little space in the basement pretty quickly. Now, Trinity visual arts and music have one of the nicest facilities anywhere for high school. Now, the last piece of that is the theatre. We need to renovate and make it larger, and complete that project. You have been an inspiration to so many. What inspires you? What has kept you going? More than anything, I am inspired by the other people here, faculty and students. Any time I see a student here become passionate about something— it might be a subject, a sport, music, or

doing for others in a service project— those are the kinds of things that inspire me. Sometimes I can feel myself getting in a rut working on something, so I’ll get up and walk around campus and visit a few classes. I always come back recharged. It’s amazing to think, “all that is going on at the same time.” How incredibly inspirational it is to see what is happening on a normal day. I am also inspired by witnessing our students go through some extraordinary transformations. Some of them occur over a period of four or five years, and some are more sudden. For example, I remember one student who was really struggling, both academically and socially, and I was worried that he would not make it. Brian Phillips and I convinced him to try out for a part in the play. I hadn’t heard how things were going until I took my seat in the theatre for opening night. He had really taken to his role, and was getting a great response from the audience—lots of laughs and applause. It seemed that with every scene he performed in, you could see him getting a little taller. During the curtain call, the crowd jumped to its feet and gave him a standing ovation. Just in the length of that play, his confidence grew like I’d never seen. After that, he went from really struggling with grades to making honor roll, and he found a great group of friends through the play. It was like this amazing metamorphosis.

ock: m Aycock. Tom Ayc To _______ ory with irement celebrations for _______ em m or ret e e g _______ _ sa _____ _ part of th _ es _ as _ m _ d _ _ a are ___ __ ___ Share ll be compiled and sh _______ _______ _ _ _ _ ____ s wi _ _ _ ge _ _ _ sa _ _ _ es _ M ___ ____ _ ____ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ ____ _____ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _ _ _ _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ___ __ ___ _____ _______ _______ _______ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ ___ ____ _ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ _____ _____ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _ _ _ _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ___ __ ___ _____ _______ _______ _______ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ ___ ____ _ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ ____ _____ _______ m Aycock: _______ _______ ory with To ent celebrations for Tom Aycock. _______ _______ _______ _ _______are a message or mem _______ _ __________ _ _ _ of the retirem _ t _ _ _ par _ as _ _ _ red Sh sha __________ ___ _____ compiled and __________ _______ _______ _ __ __ ssages will be _ __ __ _ Me _ __ __ _ __ __ _ ____ ________ _______ __________ _____ __________ __________ __________ to __________ __________ __________ has __ nt___ __ __ ea __ __ __ m __ __ __ __ __ ip ____ sh__ er__ __________ __________ lead ____ ____ I’m __ur ___ __yo io__ns__, __ e__wh m__, ____________s to__de__sc__rib __at ct To fle r __ __ __ re ea __ __ r D __ __ he rt __ __ __ wo__rd____ of __ _ e__wh __at .__B__ut__wi__th__fu____uate__ly__de__sc__rib ki__ng ____ in on __ th ic __ __ n d __ __ he an __ __ W __ __ nd__ ge__ ____ ad__eq____ to __ ed__le__ s __ wi__sh_ er__ rd__ id__ I wo ns d __ __ __ e co ea th __ __ __ I s ah __ __ __ , s ha __ __ __ ity ar ge____ __in____ ______ __Tr ____ __ua __e__ye r la __ng ou__ _ ur__pa__th__in__th that ____ yo__ n __ ai__ ve__r __ __________ ha__te__ __rt__ __t__ce d. __no ____ he __W __________ is __ __ pl m __ __ co __ __ __ __ ac ve ____ ____ _________ ha __ __ __ u __ __ __ yo __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ____ . ________ _ __st__ ve__ry__be __________ __________ __e__ __u__th __________ __yo r __________ _________ be__ __________ ____ em __ __ m __ __ rd __ __ oa __ __ __ B __y__ ____ __or ________ __is Adv ____ __________ _ inity Tr__ tt,__ ille__ ____ __________ __________ en__ry__W __-__H__ __________ __________ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ____ ________ __________ __________

y to an testiftand c I , rs rs a er 60 yaen readily undeRight . c Tom for ov S E d n T n ow a o n t k is Having d of person he been so valuable been blessed t, o the kin d why he has place. We havefriend. Thanks how an ght time, right tor and dear man, ri im as an educa know h nd Kae! ocks Tom—a the Ayc of d n e ri f e, - Dick Ros

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There have been hundreds of examples of transformations that are just as meaningful, if not quite as dramatic. I think about that every year at graduation when I hand out diplomas. When each student comes to the stage, I flash back to the day they arrived and the conversations I had with them—and I marvel at the transformation. What is the one thing that you hope will not change about Trinity going forward? First of all, I think that change is a part of being successful. Trinity has been changing continually for the past 25 years. We have seen a lot of positive changes and improvements, but the thing that I hope remains at the core is the close-knit culture of the school. One of the unusual things about Trinity is that there has never been an “usagainst-them” mentality between students and teachers. We tend to work as a team and as a family, and we pull together to get things done. Looking ahead to the next 25 years, I know Trinity will be doing some amazing things that we can only dream about today, and it will continue to be very successful, but it would be great if when you walk on campus you recognize that special, intangible feel that we have today—that feeling of a close, caring community. So many people have said, “you can just feel it when you come on campus and speak to people in the halls.” If you get the environment right, one where students feel comfortable and confident enough to reach out and try new things and take some healthy risks, there is no limit to what can be accomplished. Another thing that you have become known for over the years is your commitment to learning the name of each student. You can’t get to know someone if you don’t know their name. It’s my first priority every year. I remember how it felt when I was in school and a teacher


would call me by name. I thought, “If they know my name, they care.” I have always made it a priority to know every student’s name. When I first came in the summer of 1990, the first thing I did was to get a list of all of our students—those already here and those coming in—and I personally called every student on the phone. This was before answering machines, so there were some I had to call several times. To this day, I still call every student as they receive their acceptance to Trinity. Of course it has gotten tougher and tougher as our enrollment has grown— and, believe me, there’s no trick to it and I don’t have a natural gift for remembering names—but I felt like it was so important to the job, that I was willing to commit the time it takes. We take pictures of every student on orientation day, and I keep them in a notebook and study them. And I visit a lot of classes. I never feel satisfied that I know enough about each student, but I want them to feel that when they’ve been here for four years, that we’ve built a friendship between headmaster and student. I’m not trying to be their buddy—they’ve got plenty of buddies—but it’s important to have a relationship of respect and affection with the head of the school. I have loved many aspects of being a headmaster, but the best part of my job, without question, has been the interaction with students. With their energy, enthusiasm and basic sense of fairness, they have helped me far more than I have ever helped them. What is your perfect Trinity day or quintessential Trinity moment? I think about this often, and there have been many times when I might pause and look around and say, “Gosh, I cant believe they actually pay me to do this!” Several years ago, there was a beautiful fall day, and the Operation Smile folks were out that day at lunch carving pumpkins on one

side of the courtyard. We had Pach’s Place going on, with several kids playing banjos, guitars and singing, and I remember thinking that it was such a diverse group, including a star athlete and an exceptional artist. They all had different interests but had formed a band together. Of course, people were sitting in the courtyard eating their lunch. There was even a group of parents who had come to see their children perform, hiding behind some of the other students so they wouldn’t embarrass their children. I thought, “This is almost like a Norman Rockwell

painting; it’s is all too good to be true!” But it was actually happening right in front of my eyes. There have been so many times when I’ll think, “This is amazing.” There was not a thing about that moment that I would have changed. It was just a perfect moment. There have been so many perfect moments.

Right Man for the Job —Joe Kearfott, Father of Kelly ’89 and David ‘94 Tom Aycock arrived at Trinity in the summer of 1990 to a headmaster job filled with challenge. Don’t get me wrong. Trinity was then, as it is today, a great school. It had strong academics and extracurricular programs. It had a talented and dedicated faculty. It had smart, motivated students. But Trinity’s enrollment was way down. That meant money was tight and that it was hard to realize the school’s full potential. Tom promptly went about doing what he does best – spreading optimism and a genuine love of kids and their education. He immediately got to know his faculty and staff. Within a short time of school starting, he knew every student at Trinity by name. He liked them, and they liked him. Vision is important, and Tom had it. He quickly worked to build on Trinity’s strengths. He knew the physical campus needed additions and improvements and constantly prodded the Board to find ways to make them happen. He promoted music and the arts. He led the effort to bring the IB curriculum to Trinity, a first for Richmond. Enrollment increased, slowly at first, then more rapidly, as word spread of the school’s success. Financial health followed. Tom and I worked closely on financial and other administrative matters from the time of his arrival. But it was only a bit later that I fully understood what would come to make Tom such a success at Trinity. The occasion was a happy one. My son, along with another Trinity boy, had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Tom was the invited speaker at their troop’s Eagle banquet. Tom delivered a talk that was eloquent and inspirational. He spoke to the boys at a level that was meaningful to them but that also gripped the adults in the audience. As I listened to that talk, I understood how it was that Tom was able to relate so well to Trinity’s students. It totally confirmed what I had pretty much figured out already. We had hired the right guy. TITAN TRAIL

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25 YEARS of Change, Challenge, Laughter and Love

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Around the Courtyard

A FINALIST QUINTET

AN AQUATIC COMMUTE Nearly 40 student swimmers and kayakers took advantage of Trinity’s proximity to the James River during the firstever “Swim/ Paddle to School” on September 5, 2014. A combined effort between the swim teams and the Trinity Outdoor Program, the event put an “RVA spin” on the popular bike to work. Getting some exercise, enjoying the river and saving some gasoline—what a great way to start the week!

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Over 1.5 million students took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October 2013. Only about 1% of those students achieve recognition as National Merit Finalists. This year, a remarkable five Trinity seniors received word that they would be joining that elite group: Owen Ayers, Henry Choisser, Madison Ferris, Chris Powell and Callaway Sprinkle. Only one other school in the Richmond area (Maggie Walker) has more Finalists than Trinity in the class of 2015.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS FUN RUN About 20 athletes from the Special Olympics of Virginia joined volunteers from the boys and girls cross country teams at Aycock Stadium for their annual one-mile fun run in September 2014. The race was the happy culmination of a summer training program between Trinity runners and the Special Olympics athletes. Special thanks are due to this year’s student coordinator, Huntley Polanshek ’15, for organizing the annual event.


EMPTY BOWLS DINNER

A WARM WELCOME

Combining community service and the arts, members of the Art Club made over 50 ceramic bowls in October 2014 to be sold at a local “Empty Bowls Dinner” benefitting homeless services in the Richmond area. Trinity art students have participated in this fundraiser for over 10 years.

MILES FOR SMILES At Scotchtown, the historic home of Patrick Henry, about two dozen Trinity government students participated in a naturalization ceremony on Constitution Day, handing out favors and congratulating the newly naturalized American citizens.

This year’s Operation Smile Club “Miles for Smiles” 5K color run was a big success by any measure. Sixty runners participated in the race on Saturday, October 25, 2014. One hundred pounds of colored powder were “sprayed” on the runners. Forty student volunteers logged more than 120

hours of community service. Eight life-changing facial reconstruction surgeries through Operation Smile were funded.

ONE ACT, SIX DIRECTORS This fall’s theatre production, “One-Act Student Showcase,” featured six plays—each one act in length—each directed, performed and produced by Trinity Performing Arts students.

These challenging, actor-centered selections probed the complexities of modern human relationships: “The Role of Della” by John J. Wooten; “Telephone” by Gina Hoben; “Traces of Memory” by Ann Wuehler; “A Matter of Husbands” by Ferenc Molnar; “The Next Mrs. Jacob Anderson” by Ann Wuehler; “Sure Thing” by David Ives; and “Chocolate Affair” by Stephanie Walker. TITAN TRAIL

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A TEAM EFFORT The girls basketball program adopted a family for the Chesterfield Christmas Mother program in December 2014. The family’s three kids, ages 4, 6 and 7, submitted a wish list for Christmas, and the team shopped together one Sunday—read the list, checked it twice—and purchased all the gifts on the list together.

They were each the focus of a committee at the 1st Annual TESMUNC (Trinity Episcopal School Model United Nations Conference) in late January 2015. The conference was organized and hosted by the student members of Trinity’s own Model UN Club, welcoming two dozen other students from Hermitage and Deep Run High Schools. The Trinity participants were excited to keep their skills sharp as they

prepared for their most competitive conference of the year at Johns Hopkins in February.

ART IN THE BIG APPLE

Collection and the International Center for Photography. The annual trip provides Trinity’s IB artists with a unique opportunity to explore, inquire and become inspired.

Forty-five students in Trinity’s International Baccalaureate Arts program enjoyed four days in New York City in early January 2015, where they visited a host of museums and galleries, including the Met, the MoMA, the Frick

UNITED NATIONS OF TRINITY What do the following three things have in common: The Syrian Civil War in 2012; The Roman Senate in 72 BC; and the World Health Organization?

TRINITY PASSES VAIS ACCREDITATION WITH FLYING COLORS Every 10 years, the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) conducts an interactive review process with each of its member schools. Trinity faculty—working on strategic planning committees over several months—completed a self-study, and a team of teachers and administrators from other Virginia schools visited Trinity to confirm the report in mid-November 2014. The visiting team commended many the school’s major strengths, including:

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A strong school culture in which the faculty, students, parents, and board all recognize, appreciate, and contribute to the welcoming, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere. “Discover Your Path,” which goes well beyond a marketing slogan, embodies the institutional culture, and the school is to be commended for this.

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A truly unique and powerful tradition of Morning Meeting that sets the positive, inclusive, and supportive tone for each day.

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An academic program of great depth and breadth, including the International Baccalaureate program.

•

A commitment to strong programs in the arts and in athletics and other extra- curricular options.


Faculty News Wesley Hedgepeth

Wesley Hedgepeth was elected president of the Board of the Virginia Council for Social Studies in October 2014. About 500 members strong, the Virginia Council for Social Studies is an affiliate of the National Council of Social Studies, the largest social studies education association in the country. As president, Hedgepeth will chair the upcoming annual conference in October 2015 in Norfolk, Virginia. “I have presented at VCSS conferences for the last three years, and have been an active member of the board for two of those years,” said Hedgepeth.

Each year Trinity’s Board of Trustees offers the Discovery Award grant to a deserving member of the faculty. The grant is intended to get teachers excited about learning something new and perhaps realize an unfulfilled dream. The 2014 recipient of the award was Allison Fiebert, photography teacher. In a September Chapel, Fiebert presented to the Trinity community some of the highlights of her summer experience, a 10-day course at the University of Boulder, offered through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), learning skills for certification as a Wilderness First Responder.

Social Studies Department Chair Bob Patterson ’83 was selected as one of the Virginia Historical Society’s Florence S. Cabaniss Teacher Members this fall, allowing him full benefits of membership in the VHS, including access to the society’s research facility.

“I definitely chose something ‘stretchy’ that pushed me beyond my comfort zone,” she said. “The training I received is intended to provide individuals with the tools necessary to make critical medical decisions while caring for patients in the wilderness, potentially for multiple days, while evacuation plans can be made and executed.”

Ashley Tremper, Chair of the 2014 VAIS conference

Trinity was well represented among presenters, performers and organizers at this year’s VAIS (Virginia Association of Independent Schools Conference) on November 3, 2014. The organizing committee was chaired by Trinity Latin teacher Ashley Tremper. The conference at the Richmond Convention Center welcomed hundreds of educators from independent schools across the state to share best practices and find inspiration in others’ success.

Fiebert showed slides of her training, where she and the other students took turns acting as both care provider and patient. “For realistic effect, patients were dressed up with moulage (bloody stage makeup),” she said. “One of the nighttime mock-rescues involved hiking up into the mountains, having the instructors silently pick off the last 4-5 people in the back of the line and leaving us in our groups for an unknown amount of time to deal with whatever came our way during that period.” “For the last two years I have accompanied Michael Stratton ’02 on the Trinity Spring Break, 5-day student-backpacking trip he organizes on the Appalachian Trail,” she said. “This training has made me more competent and has provided me with the confidence to rely on myself in potentially challenging situations.”

In addition to the 34 Trinity faculty members who attended, several were listed in the program as presenters. Assistant Librarian Sarah Greenlee and Technology Specialist José Santiago presented on the use of 3D printers in education, while Spanish teacher Chris Mercer spoke on “Using innovative techniques to engage and empower students.” Student members of the Trinity robotics team demonstrated their latest technological creations, and singers from the Trinity Tritones a capella chorus performed on stage at the conclusion of the day’s events, which ensured that the VAIS conference ended on a high note. Sarah Greenlee and José Santiago demonstrate 3D printers at the VAIS conference.

Allison Fiebert uses her Discovery Award grant to lean wilderness first-responder techniques through the National Outdoor leadership School (NOLS). TITAN TRAIL

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Rapid Friendships Freshman Class Retreat explores new territory

W Left to right: Teams of eight freshmen per boat conquer the rapids on the Lower New River near Fayetteville, West Virginia. The reward at the end of the Timer Trek challenge course: a ride down the zipline.

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hen Camp Sheridan in Luray, Virginia— the time-honored destination for Trinity’s annual freshman camping trip—decided to cancel its offseason programs in 2014, Chris Markunas ’01 was in a tight spot. Having gone on the trip as a freshman in 1998, Markunas has been on the Trinity faculty since 2005, and he has led the annual 9th grade rite of passage since 2008. But now the future was uncertain; how would Trinity continue its 25-year tradition? Just mention the word, “Sheridan,” to almost any Trinity alum, and images are immediately conjured of campfires, team-building, and outdoor fall fun. The experience has been the seminal

one for a generation of Trinity alumni— their introduction to the outdoors and one that has sparked a lifelong love of outdoor adventure and stewardship. “It has been a great way to get the entire class out together away from an academic environment and away from the social pressures and routine that they are used to,” Markunas said. “It is a true bonding experience.” Lucky for Trinity, Michael Stratton ’02, another Sheridan-trip veteran and the school’s outdoor program coordinator, leads camping, rafting, and kayaking outings almost every weekend with groups of Trinity students. His familiarity with the Appalachian wilderness led him to suggest a new location for

the trip: Adventures on the Gorge in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Renamed the “Freshman Class Retreat,” the trip would expand its scope, including an adventure-packed three days of whitewater rafting, rappelling, zip-lining, hiking and camping on West Virginia’s New River Gorge.


hard strokes in unison, led by the paddler sitting at the front. “Back Left!” meant only the paddlers on the left side paddle in reverse. Through it all, the guides consistently praised the Trinity students’ politeness, listening, enthusiasm and willingness to participate. “What a great common experience that they will always share, even as they go off to different classes, sports, and clubs over the next four years,” Markunas said, ecstatic that the 9thgrade camping tradition is still alive. “No matter how many paths they take, they will all share this one. Going back almost 30 years now, nearly every Trinity alum has been on the Sheridan Trip. Even though the location has changed, the shared experience is still just as meaningful.”

Left to right: Making S’Mores by the campfire. Arriving at the Adventures on the Gorge campsite. Rappelling in the gorge. The entire 9th grade gathers above the New River Gorge before heading home on the buses. Hallie Larsen ’18 and Connor Engelke ’18 are all geared up for the Timber Trek challenge course.

They arrived before dawn on the morning of Sunday, September 14, the herds of sleepy teenagers lumbering toward the three coach buses that would carry them four and a half hours due west, into the New River Valley, and finally across the majestic, 980-foot-tall New River Gorge Bridge. Before tackling the Timber Trek course on day one, the freshman suited up in helmets and harnesses and picked up some new vocabulary (words like “tweezle” and “carabiner”) in a safety training course. In groups of eight at a time, the 9th graders swung, climbed and zipped through five different challenge courses full of obstacles, bridges, swings and zip lines between platforms as high as 50 feet in the forest canopy. Each group had to work together as a team to navigate the challenges in a sequence, making sure

each member cleared each element successfully before the next could begin. The location of the Adventures on the Gorge complex also allowed for quick jaunts down the gorge for rappelling from the abundance of cliffs around the property. The next day, they all hit the New River, eight to a boat (with a guide at the stern), floating and paddling along a meandering artery punctuated by a series of class-3 and class-4 rapids with names like Surprise, Double-Z, and Greyhound Bus Stopper. An extensive safety lecture and training course preceded the trip. “This ain’t Six Flags!” shouted the chief guide. Listening and teamwork were key, as the guide called out commands. “Forward Three!” meant three TITAN TRAIL

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Visiting Speakers

could find parallels with their own IB curricular and individual goals,” Turner said. “The students were energized by the visit and would like to do a mural of their own on campus.”

JUST GROW

David Camden

HANDS-ON Local professional potter and VCU professor David Camden spent a two-day residency in the Perkinson Arts Center on October 9-10, 2014. Working in classes with students of all levels, he demonstrated centering and shaping techniques for beginners—as well as surface treatment, throwing large pieces and construction for the advanced and IB-level ceramics students.

EUCHARIST The Rev. Dr. Ross McGowan Wright (of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Richmond) was the visiting celebrant for the Epiphany Eucharist Chapel on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. In his homily, Dr. Wright acknowledged that adolescence is

a time of growing independence, and he encouraged students to listen to their hearts as they discover and establish their own spiritual identity.

ALL ABOARD In late October 2014, local artist Ed Trask gave Trinity IB art students a personal tour of the murals painted on the old GRTC bus sheds in Richmond’s Fan District. The murals were part of a community project organized in the fall of 2013 by Trask, John Mills ’90 and Jon Baliles ’89.

In a Chapel on October 29, 2014, Scott Turner brought a humble message of faith to the Trinity community, presented in the form of a children’s book, “Just Grow,” that he wrote with inspiration from his work for True Timber, a local tree service company. In the story, a group of saplings fret over the futility of being stuck in a rain gutter, before one of them decides he will “just grow.” “Try to see how good it feels to grow,” he told Trinity students, “not for a reward, but to grow for growth’s sake—that’s the healthy thing to do. Humans can grow with our minds and spirits, unlike trees. That’s our blessing.”

Art teacher Meredith Turner chaperoned the trip; she recalled how Trask shared insight into the varying concepts, collaborations and research that went into each mural. “He talked about formal choices of size, material, imagery and subject matter, so that students Scott Turner

Rev. Dr. Ross McGowan Wright

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J. Cofer Black

SPIES LIKE US Billed before his visit as the “world’s foremost expert on counterterrorism,” former CIA operative and ambassador-atlarge J. Cofer Black did not disappoint during his two-hour presentation to students in the theatre on Thursday, October 30, 2014. He covered a broad range of topics from pre vs. post- 9/11 attitudes toward terrorist threats at the top echelons of government, to Bhengazi to ISIS to the remarkable influence of social media in the recruitment and sustainability of terrorist groups. “The United Nations still has no definition of terrorism,” he said, “for, as they say, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.” Black also highlighted the distinction between “antiterrorism,” conducted by the military, usually after terrorist acts have begun or concluded— versus “counter-terrorism,” which is meant to identify and thwart terrorist threats. Black’s visit was made possible by the F. Norton “Norty” Hord, Jr. Memorial Scholarship program, established by family and friends of Norty Hord, a 1985 graduate of Trinity who died of a brain tumor in 1992. Norty was an avid participant in political and government-related extracurricular organizations and activities, and was a campus leader in Youth and Government while a student at Trinity.

< Ed Trask


A Grand Time Grandparents Day, September 25, 2014 Trinity’s new students enjoyed a special visit from their grandparents during the annual Grandparents Day this September. Our honored guests toe-tapped to musical performances by the Jazz Ensemble and the a-capella Tritones, followed by lunch with their grandchildren. Grandparents were also given the opportunity to tour campus and experience Trinity life first-hand. “Grandparents Day was such fun!” Mrs. Marguerite Ellett, grandmother of Sallie Ellett ’16, said. “The musical performances were excellent, decorated students and halls—now I know why Sallie likes Trinity!” Trinity grandparents provide a critical part of the love and support needed to help our students to reach their goals. The Trinity community is fortunate to have them as members of the TES family—a family composed of many supporters who believe in our students and in the unique educational experience we offer. As Dr. Aycock stated in his remarks on Grandparents Day: “We are especially thankful today for grandparents. You offer wisdom, strength, insight and, most of all, love.”

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PHILANTHROPY www.trinityes.org/give

Gifts to the Annual Giving Campaign… • Support every student, every day.

GIVE

WHY

• Allow for collaborative and hands-on learning opportunities beyond the classroom. • Help create an educational environment where individuality is celebrated and encouraged. • Inspire discovery.

Gifts to the Future Pathways Capital Campaign…

Give Tom an This year we honor our beloved Headmaster,

• Support the renovation of our Perkinson Arts Center theatre where Morning Meeting kick-starts every day.

Dr. Tom Aycock. As he retires after 25 years, we celebrate his caring spirit, dynamic leadership and inspiring vision, which has made Trinity a place of

• Help create a new and upgraded space where our talented performers will shine and showcase their talents. • Will complete Tom’s vision for this school and campus.

discovery for our students. In Tom’s final year at Trinity, we want to honor him by supporting the place he loves through the Making the Grade Campaign. This campaign offers two opportunities to support Trinity through gifts to our Annual Giving Campaign and Future Pathways Capital Campaign. These

Thank you to the hundreds of individuals who have already made their gift in honor of Tom this year. We cannot think of a better way to show our gratitude.

campaigns are distinct and different, but both help create a vibrant learning environment where students are supported and challenged.

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SHOWSAVE YOUR LOVE THE DATE Tom Aycock Celebration

Tom Aycock Celebration

Friday, May 15, 2015

3-7 p.m. in Aycock Stadium

Join us and give Tom a farewell fist bump! Drop in for refreshments, entertainment, and share your warm memories and funny stories with Tom. Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s welcome: students, alumni, parents, and friends. You may also continue to send your handwritten sentiments, which will be given to Tom, to: Trinity Episcopal School, ATTN: Making the Grade, 3850 Pittaway Avenue, Richmond, VA 23235 Headmaster Thomas G. Aycock

MAKING THE

GR

DE

Share a me ssage Messages will be comp or memory wit iled and share h Tom Ayc d as part ock: of the retire _________ ment celeb rations for _________ Tom Ayco _________ ck. _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _______ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____ _________ _________ ____ www

for 25 years ______

Ways to

GIVE

.trinit

yes.or

g

The Making the Grade Campaign concludes June 30. If you would like to make a gift, you may do so through the below options. Thank you in advance for your support of Trinity and for your expression of appreciation to Tom.

Give Online:

Matching Gifts:

Go to www.trinityes.org/give

Corporate Matching Gifts can double your giftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact. Contact your Human Resource Department for more information.

Give Today: Gifts can be made by cash, check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to Trinity Episcopal School.

THANK YOU!

Gifts of Appreciated Securities:

For a complete list of donors to 2013-14 Annual Giving please visit our website at: www.trinityes.org/annualreport.

Contact Laurie Hedgepeth, Director of Development lauriehedgepeth@trinityes.org (804) 672-4899 Trinity Episcopal School 3850 Pittaway Drive Richmond, VA 23235

Trinity Episcopal School is a 501(c)(3). All gifts are tax deductible in accordance with the law.

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Trinity captured its first-ever VISAA D-II State Football Championship on a cold November night in Charlottesville.

— C h a m p ions —

Athletics

Trevion Armstrong ’16 leaps for a pass vs. Christchurch.

FALL SPORTS 2014

Football A versatile, adaptable offensive attack, resilient defense and strong leadership from seniors and coaches coalesced to deliver Trinity its first-ever state football title. The boys hoisted the VISAA Division II trophy on a bitterly November cold night in Charlottesville, after defeating St. Anne’s-Belfield (STAB) 20-16 to complete a challenging playoff run as the visiting team in each game. Defeating STAB in the title game was a fitting conclusion, for it was during the fourth week of the regular season that the Titans fell to the Saints 54-14 in their only D-II loss, a game that Head Coach Sam Mickens called the season’s turning point. “From that point on, we felt like we couldn’t go any lower, and the only way to go was up,” he said. “Everyone worked harder after that loss, players and coaches 20

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alike. We had such great senior leadership on this team, it never felt like we weren’t going to win. Everyone stayed positive, even when we were 1-3.” The team finished with an overall record of 8-4, with three of those losses coming against Division-I opponents. Coach Mickens equipped his players with offensive game plans that could adapt to any opponent they faced. “The cool part of this team was that they could play multiple styles,” he said. “We could run the ball or we could throw it. We could play smash-mouth or we could be a finesse team. Any team we faced, we could adapt to their strengths.” Coach Mickens also credits the simultaneous, historic run of the field hockey team for inspiring his players through the season. “The girls made winning their business,” he said. “They were so professional on the field, and not nervous at all.”

The 2014 season saw a bevy of school records fall from the board. Jack Freudenthal ’15 scored 25 touchdowns, shattering the previous record of 15 (set by Bryan Black ’13 in 2012). Blake Bowen ‘16 tied the school record for touchdown passes in a game with 6 vs. Blue Ridge. Blake Bowen ’16 passed for 2,750 yards, topping Will White’s ’10 record of 2,079 yards in 2007. Blake Bowen ’16 threw 35 touchdown passes, topping Will White’s 25. With two 80-yard catches in a game, Jack Freudenthal ’15 broke the school record for yards per reception in a game (Chris Knight ’83 in 1982, 56.6). The top receiver in a prior season was David Coleman ’07 with 710 yards. That mark was eclipsed

by three receivers in 2014: Jake Brown ’16 (724 yds.); Trevion Armstrong ’16 (925 yds.); and Jack Freudenthal ’15 (1,000). Trevion Armstrong ’16 tied the record for most receptions in a season (60) with Andrew Sarlo ’10 in 2009. Rimoni Dorsey ’15 caught 4 interceptions, tying the season record held by Wells Larson ’11 in 2009 and Caeden Knight ’14 in 2012. Jack Freudenthal ’15 recorded 15 tackles for a loss in 2014, shattering the prior career record of 11 (Bill Patton ’13).


Celebrating Trinity’s first-ever LIS Field Hockey Championship after beating Collegiate for the third straight time.

Jack Freudenthal ’15 set a new school record for sacks with 10.5, obliterating the previous record of 4 (Elias Khoury ’14 in 2012). VISAA D-II All-State: Offensive Player of the Year: Blake Bowen ’16 Coach of the Year: Sam Mickens First Team: Trevion Armstrong ’16, Rimoni Dorsey ’15, Jack Freudenthal ’15, Jake Hogge ’16, Justin Jasper ’15 Second Team: Jake Brown ’16, Jack Cabell ’15, Jake Chalkley ’15, Cody Gray ’15, Zane Lewis ’16, Will Michael ’17, Stephen Traylor ’16

Field Hockey From the first day of the season in August, right up until the last second ticked off the clock at the VISAA state championship game in Virginia Beach in November, the Titans were ranked No. 1 in the state. In the team’s first-ever state-final appearance, the Titans fell to Norfolk Academy, 1-0. Head Coach Margie Vaughan Snead ’85 said that reaching that state-championship game— along with winning the LIS— had been the team’s two major goals, and they achieved both, all the while playing with passion and determination.

“Over the past two seasons, our girls have been very good about taking things one game at a time,” said Coach Snead. “They never lost sight of what they needed to do day-to-day to achieve our long-term goals. They did so by sticking together, keeping things fun and upbeat, and never doubting in their abilities.” The historic 2014 season included a combined

Christie van de Kamp ’16 lunges for a loose ball in a game against St. Catherine’s.

Richmond Times-Dispatch All-Metro 2nd Team: Jack Freudenthal ’15 Honorable Mention: Blake Bowen ’16 Trevion Armstrong ’16 TITAN TRAIL

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seven wins over crosstown league rivals St. Catherine’s and Collegiate, two teams that had previously dominated the LIS. This year, Trinity’s name finally joined those schools on the LIS championship trophy, after the team hosted and won two LIS playoff games in front of frenetic and supportive home crowds. “Winning the LIS Championship on our home field in front of such an inspirational crowd was something none of us will forget,” said Coach Snead. Much like their counterparts on the football field, the 2014 field hockey team was able to adapt to the style of play presented by any opponent. “We essentially had four different systems of play, and we were able to fall in and out of them as the game required,” said Coach Snead. The team finished with 25 wins (13 shut outs) and 3 losses (all in overtime). Emmy Bowe ’15 and Annie Snead ’16 led all scoring with 24 goals apiece. Snead led in assists with 30. 22

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Richmond Times-Dispatch All-Metro Player of the Year: Annie Snead ’16 Richmond Times-Dispatch AllMetro 1st Team: Emmy Bowe ’15, Annie Snead ’16, Christie van de Kamp ’16 LIS All-League: Emmy Bowe ‘15, Miranda Stinson ‘15, Annie Snead ‘16, Christie van de Kamp ‘16, Ella Donahue ’17, Cameron Rogers 16

LIS Coach of the Year: Margie Vaughan Snead ’85 VISAA All-State: Emmy Bowe ‘15, Annie Snead ‘16, Christie van de Kamp ‘16 National Field Hockey Coaches of America All-Region Team: NFHCA: Annie Snead ’16, Christie van de Kamp ’16

Annie Snead ‘16, Christie van de Kamp ’16 and Cameron Rogers ’16 were each selected to participate in the 2015 Futures Elite Academy Program, sponsored by USA Field Hockey, representing the top 128 under-16 players in the country. No Trinity players have previously reached this level. From this group, the top-40 players will go on to make up the under-17 national team at Junior-Olympic camp. Both Snead and van de Kamp have already been named alternates to the under-17 Junior-Olympic team.

Boys Cross Country With their fourth state title in the past five years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014), crossing the finish line at the VISAA State Championship Meet at Woodberry Forest on November 7 marked the completion of a historic season for the boys. Entering that meet, their lone loss to an independentschool team occurred a short three weeks prior when they fell to Bishop O’Connell at the Milestat Invitational. “That loss only furthered the boys’ resolve and increased their focus heading into the state championship meet,” said Head Coach Marcus Jones ’00. “Halfway through the race the boys appeared to be losing to O’Connell but entering into the final half of the race, a particularly hilly section, the Titans made their move. Showing great courage, strength and character at the race’s most difficult moment, the boys began surging past competitors. Fighting for every last position through the finish line the boys were able to defeat


Katie Cantone ’16 keeps a strong pace at the LIS championship race at Collegiate.

all other teams and were 16 points in front of 2nd-place Bishop O’Connell.” The team was led by senior captain Jamie Hiegel ’15, who was the Titans’ top finisher in all of the meets this year. Hiegel captained a young and talented group that continued to improve week after week throughout the fall. Hiegel’s cross country career finished with his third All-State selection. At the state meet, Hiegel was followed by Steve Jean ’16 (15th overall and All-State), Cole Shugart ’16 (15th overall and All-State) and Jack Bibb ’16 (15th overall and All-State). Nick Jean ’19 (23rd), Josh Thoms ’17 (24th) and Max Galbraith ’18 (35th) rounded out the scoring for the Titans. Richmond Times-Dispatch All-Metro: Jamie Hiegel ’15 VISAA All-State: Jamie Hiegel ’15, Steve Jean ’16, Cole Shugart ’16, Jack Bibb ’16 VPL All-League: Jamie Hiegel ’15, Steve Jean ’16,

Josh Thoms ’17, Cole Shugart ’16, Nick Jean ’19

Girls Cross Country had two team goals this year, both of which they achieved: finish in the top-three of the LIS Championship (3rd) and the top-five of the VISAA state meet (4th).

Coach Weiler. “We have five current IB diploma candidates, several future IB candidates, members of Honor Council, a capella, many clubs, community service regulars, and much more. They commit themselves 100% to all that they do, which helps them to inspire one another and truly achieve more together than any one of them could do alone.”

“The team’s mantra was ‘All-In,’ which meant everyone on the team was giving their all in practices and races, because we wanted to do our best not only for ourselves but for our teammates,” explained Head Coach Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00. “Cross country is actually a very team-oriented sport with regard to scoring in meets, and team performance supersedes individual performance by far. This is the most supportive team I have coached in my 10 years of coaching Trinity sports.”

With top-10 finishes in every invitational race except two, Coach Weiler called the season extremely successful. In the LIS Championship Meet at Collegiate on Halloween, Katie Bowe ’16 and Katie Cantone ’16 finished 4th and 11th, respectively, earning them All-LIS honors. Bowe has finished 4th or better in every LIS championship in which she has run. Bowe was also All-State and finished as the runner-up (2nd place) in the VISAA state meet.

“The girls are such well-rounded members of the Trinity community who balance all of their activities amazingly well,” said

Richmond Times-Dispatch All-Metro: Katie Bowe ’16

Girls Cross Country

VISAA All-State: Katie Bowe ’16

LIS All-League: Katie Bowe, ’16 Katie Cantone ’16

Girls Tennis The 2014 campaign got off to a strong start with an 8-1 victory over Walsingham Academy in which every player earned a victory at either singles or doubles. The Titans debuted at No.10 in the VISAA Division I state poll. Led by a pair of senior captains, Tess Huizenga ’15 and Sophia Murray ’15, the team was nonetheless very young after six starters graduated in spring 2014. A challenging season ended with a 1-10 overall record (6th place in the LIS). “Although we may not have been as competitive in years past, it was exciting because it was a young group of kids who were getting exposed to varsity athletics and responding as professional as possible about it,” said Head Coach Chris Brown. “They focused on having fun and improving every day. They were TITAN TRAIL

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Charlotte Woods ’16 (left) and Emma Benedetti '16 leap for a block in their Homecoming win over STAB.

Natalie King ’16 returns serve in a match against Covenant School.

closing the gap on the competition very quickly. We performed better in every rematch we had this season and almost pulled off a couple of upsets towards the end of the season.” Tess Huizenga, the lone returning member from last year’s varsity team, placed in the top-4 at the No.1 singles level in the LIS Tournament. She and doubles partner freshman Brittney Watkins ’18 battled against Covenant to take both singles and doubles victories to finish in 3rd place at the LIS Tournament. Watkins also had a notable singles win over the defending Division II State Champions, Hampton Roads Academy.

Girls Volleyball “Look up, get up, and never give up.” These words, first made famous by NFL Hall-ofFamer Michael Irvin in his 2007 induction speech, became the motto for this season’s volleyball players. An extremely young team that lost many of their starters at key positions from the 2013 season, they were no strangers to adversity, with plenty of moments when they had to pick themselves up after being knocked down, physically and literally. The team finished the season with a 6-18 overall record, with 14 of the losses against non-league opponents (6-4 and 3rd place in the LIS). They lost in the opening round of the LIS tournament to STAB, the same team they had beaten on Homecoming weekend. “In what you could call our signature match of the year, we

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beat Collegiate on our home court about midway through the season. It was a huge upset,” said Head Coach Steve Eliasek ’86. “That was the best we played all year, and we had consistency of play, position, passing, stringing together streaks of seven or eight points in a row.” Coach Elisaek emphasized that the season went a long way toward developing consistency and experience. “Players never stopped trying to improve from day one until the end,” he said. “Our experience gained this year will lay the groundwork for some success next year.” LIS All-League: Avery Archibald ’16, Morgan White ’16

Addison Hyatt ’16 evades a Veritas defender on Homecoming weekend.


Boys Soccer With 10 underclassmen and seven upperclassmen in their first varsity year, the team benefitted from the strong leadership senior captains Grant Gonzalez ’15 and Hassan Brown ’15, and they continued to develop and gain valuable experience. Head Coach Brian Phillips said the top goal for the season was to win the VPL Team Sportsmanship Award, which they did. “Our core value was sportsmanship— with opponents, officials and each other,” said Coach Phillips. “Our mantra was TEAM: Total Effort All Match.” Coach Phillips said that the team accomplished its other goal as well, which was to improve both their league and overall records from last season. “The most memorable moment was the

Norfolk Academy match at home,” said Coach Phillips. “It was our first victory over them in many years and the best match that we played all year. A second highlight was a spirited second half against Collegiate, and the third was a 5-3 shootout victory over Fork Union and against one of the best athletes we saw all year.” Addison Hyatt ’16 was the Titans’ leading scorer and was especially effective on free kicks, scoring six goals this way. The team finished 8-8-2 (2-4-1 in the VPL) with no postseason appearance but a regular-season ranking of 15th in the state poll. VPL All-League: Grant Gonzalez ’15 VISAA All-State: Grant Gonzalez ’15

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A Clean Sweep HOMECOMING 2014, September 26-27, 2014 What a weekend for the Titan community! Homecoming 2014 kicked off with three victories for our sports teams: field hockey, soccer and volleyball. Friday nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alumni reunion party and Oyster Roast were celebrated with record attendance. Saturday afternoon culminated with a huge win for the football team, beating Christchurch 52-0. Titan pride and spirit were abundant throughout the weekend.

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Exciting plans for Homecoming 2015 are underway! Mark your calendar for October 9-10. Classes of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;0s and â&#x20AC;&#x2122;5s will be celebrating their reunions.

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Class Notes 1975 Dianne Conwell, mother of Linda Conwell Harris ’75 sent a letter, writing: “Linda went on to graduate from William and Mary and married Nelson Harris. They have three sons and now have a grandson, Evan Harris, who just celebrated his first birthday. Linda has a successful calligraphy business. They live in Poquoson, VA.”

1976 Patricia Conrad Headley ’76 writes: “I retired this past year after teaching for 33 years. I have been teaching in Chesterfield County for the past 26 years, where I taught high school Earth science, biology and anatomy. I now have more time to spend with our seven grandchildren!” Dianne Conwell, mother of Patricia Conwell Roncales ’76, reports: “Pat graduated from VCU, married Eduardo Roncales (from Argentina) and is an accountant. They have two daughters and a son and now have a grandson, Well Messer, who will be 1 in December. They live in Chesterfield County.”

1979

Nancy Fleming ’79 recently married Dr. Daniel Louis Weintraub of Wilmington, Delaware. Nancy writes: “My son, Jake, walked me down the aisle at Westminster Presbyterian Church and the reception was held at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. Dan and I thought the ‘night at the museum,’ filled with fossils and dinosaurs, was appropriate since we are getting old! Dan enjoyed meeting Nancy’s fellow Titans at her 35th reunion in September!” Nancy currently works for Long & Foster Corporate Real Estate Services in relocation and business development for the greater Philadelphia region.

1981 Dianne Conwell, mother of Bonnie Conwell Beardsley ’81, sent a letter writing: “Bonnie graduated from JMU, married Dale Beardsley and their son is presently in his second year at Longwood University. Bonnie is a teacher in Newport News, and they live in York County.” Kent Pankey ’81 played a lot of cornhole on the beach during his summer vacation. He played with Katherine Pankey Mathis ’86, Joseph Pankey ’13 and Tray Pankey ’15 who won the cornhole set at after-prom.

Fielding Archer ’79 was featured in Virginia Living magazine’s “Made in Virginia Awards 2014” for his work in furniture design. The publication wrote: “When an artist like noted painter Fielding Archer, whose portraits have been commissioned by collectors and corporations all over the world, turns his hand to furniture design, the result is a sophisticated collision of form and function.”

1986 Marci McCarthy Dillon ’86 writes: “I married Damon Dillon, MAJ, U.S. Army Reserves, on December 27, 2014 in Richmond. Stephanie Ellis Churchman ’86 served as Matron of Honor and Jeff McCarthy ’88 also attended. I am an attorney at Mayer Brown LLP in Washington, DC, and Damon and I live in Arlington, VA.” 28

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3,000 Paths Alumni share their stories There are more than 3,000 Titan alumni out in the world— each of them on a unique path that began right here at Trinity. Starting this past fall with the Reunion Classes ending in ’4s and ’9s, the Alumni Office began to compile a series of personal profiles to celebrate the unique path and favorite Trinity memories of every Titan. Here are some selected “favorite Trinity memories” from the first batch of “3,000 Paths” alumni profiles:

“eating lunch outside at Pach’s Place while listening to live music” —Haley Halstead Lillibridge ’04

“graduation day” – reflecting on all that my class had already accomplished” —Joseph Bliley ’94

“morning meetings” —Katherine Kearney ’04

“beating a tough St. Christopher’s basketball team followed by a school dance” —Chris Aycock ’99

“road trips with the tennis team” —Mollie Mahan Bertrand ’94

“lacrosse practices and games with my best friends” —Heather Hajek Hiner ’04

“being on backstage crew” —Erin Lowndes ’09

“Brian Phillips’s one-liners” —Jim Schnell ’94 Visit www.trinityes.org/alumni to read complete profiles. Alums with years ending in ’5s and ’0s, share your story! Contact Ellie Donahue Boyd ’04, Alumni Relations Coordinator, at ellieboyd@trinityes.org to add your path.

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Headmaster Hits the Road Alumni Luncheons

1989 Elizabeth Wilson Anderson ’89 writes: “I was so very excited for our 20th reunion! I missed the 15th because the night of the reunion, I had twin boys, Audley and Holden! They are 4½ now and fantastic. My wonderful husband, Eric, is a stay-at-home dad who gigs in a local event band, Soul Expressions. I lived in Seattle, Maine and Raleigh, North Carolina, before settling back into my hometown in 2002. I was a theater major in college with a focus on stage management and proceeded to work for a brewery, Red Hook, and then Burt’s Bees before getting into brokerage. I am currently a Financial Planning product rep for BB&T Scott & Stringfellow and loving it!”

1998

Headmaster Tom Aycock, Assistant Head of School Rob Short and selected faculty members are catching up with young alums. The visits to in-state college campuses began last April with trips to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. In October, math teacher Charlotte Morris joined Dr. Aycock and Rob Short for the trip to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. (see photo below). Graduates were asked how their Trinity experience prepared them for life after high school. Their answers were overwhelmingly positive. Trips to Virginia Tech and William & Mary are tentatively scheduled for this spring.

Amy Tarsovich Carroll ’98 and her husband, Lee, welcomed Beckett Phillip Carroll to their family on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 12:37 p.m. He weighed 7lbs. 14 oz. and measured 20.5 inches long.

1999 Matthew Belt ’99 writes: “my daughter, Mia, was born June 12, 2012. I took her to Disney World recently for the first time and we had a nice father-daughter getaway, just the two of us. I currently work full-time for Virginia state government as a recovery support specialist at Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, VA.” Erik Haglund ’99 writes: “My wife Erin and I live in Glen Allen. We have two kids, James and Caleb. James is turning 5 this February and excited to start school next year. He is currently enjoying half-day preschool and half-day play. Caleb turned 2 in August and is having a great time chasing his brother and terrorizing the house. Both boys love to play with cars, trains and wrestle with me. We maintain a good arsenal of nerf swords; we have many epic battles each week (as I was writing this, James asked if I we could have a sword fight). Erin is a senior consultant planner with HOK, in their on-site services group. I work as a mechanical engineer at H&A in Innsbrook.”

Pictured Left to Right: Charlotte Morris, Rob Short, Jessica OstrowskiWright ’13, Justin Graves ’14, Megan Harvey ’11, Julia Rennie ’14, Dr. Thomas Aycock, Mary Alyce Duncan ’13, Ashley Morris ’13, Zach Swift ’11, Tim Chester ’11, Jake Vogt ’13, Frank Dorman ’13. Wells Bridgeforth ’12 also attended the luncheon but missed the picture.

30

WINTER 2015

Kevin Grizzard ’99 writes: “After living in the California Bay Area, I returned to the East Coast to work on a PhD in particle physics at Johns Hopkins. I worked with one of the two major collaborations at the Large Hadron Collider that were responsible for the discovery of the Higgs boson and have published a couple of papers on my research on the Higgs and supersymmetry. I hope to complete my PhD


in the next year or two. I’d love to hear from any old classmates and wish everyone the very best.” In November of 2014, Richmond BizSense featured Brandon Kline ’99 and the launching of Natural Border, his bamboo shirt shop in Richmond’s West End. “The idea came from wanting to make a new kind of Western-style shirt for people concerned about buying environmentally friendly and local products,” he said.

2002 Charles Dallam Townsend ’02 writes: “After high school I moved to Colorado. I went to junior college and then transferred to St. Andrews Presbyterian where I received my degree in history. I then attended Greensboro College and received my social studies teaching degree. I now live in Franklinville, NC with my wife of five years. We have one daughter who just turned one in August. I work at a company called Monarch which works with the special needs population. I am a developmental specialist for a facility in High Point. My wife, Michelle, is a qualified professional for the same company but works in Asheboro.”

2000 Marcus Jones ’00 was featured in the Sports Backers press release for his performance in the 2014 Richmond Marathon. “[He] was the first male Richmonder to cross the finish line with a time of 2:39:38.” Nedinia Barr Searle ’00 married Ian Charles Brown on November 15, 2014 at Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Richmond. An announcement in the Richmond Times Dispatch stated that Nedinia is in the real estate and event marketing business in Chicago, Illinois, while the groom is a golf professional at The Glen View Club, Golf, Illinois. The announcement concluded, “Following a honeymoon in Italy, the couple will reside in Chicago.” Lindsay Buford Wheeler ’00 writes: “My husband, a CPA for an accounting firm in Charlottesville, and I just celebrated our 5th anniversary. Our son, Robert, is almost 1½ years old, and he is running, climbing, and just enjoying life! I will be graduating with my Ph.D. in Science Education in May 2015 and plan on working at a university to help support science education instruction for K-16 (so elementary, secondary, and college).” She recently had an article published in the International Journal of science education. “The study has the potential to inform how methods of structuring inquiry instruction and teaching scientific practices are addressed in teacher preparation.”

2003 Elizabeth Gottwald ’03 writes: “The past few years have been a total whirlwind. I set off backpacking southeast Asia in December 2012, spending New Year’s in Thailand, watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat, riding elephants along the border of Myanmar and ending up on a boat in Papua New Guinea, before living out of a camper for a month while road tripping the east coast of Australia. Once I returned to the States, I went on three photography missions with Physicians for Peace. In Nicaragua I documented a children’s burn care unit, in the Dominican Republic I documented the education and outreach mission of pregnant teens living in low/no-income neighborhoods and in Colombia I documented reconstructive surgery of acid-attack victims. I then set out on foot along the Camino de Santiago in Spain for three weeks as a media guide with Walking Tree Travel, a highschool student travel group. After these jobs were finished, I ended up back in Australia, living in the outback and working at a winery. After my time there, I traveled through Hong Kong, where I met up with Charles Fagley ’04 who has been living there a few years, and then spent five weeks in China before returning to the states for the 2013 holidays. I then moved to England for a few months, receiving a job documenting a charitable veterinary clinic in Fes, Morocco, and returned back to Richmond mid-summer of 2014. I just arrived in Indonesia yesterday and am living on the island of Bali for two TITAN TRAIL

31


months while I do a yoga teacher training course. I will be returning to Richmond for Christmas this year but after the holidays I hope to be moving to either Southeast Asia or back to South America to teach—but who knows!” Jan-Pavel Kovar ’03 writes: “I live in Henrico and am currently job searching for an education job in Virginia. My family has recently grown! My parents became grandparents and me an uncle after the birth of my sister’s first child. For the past two years since graduating from Belmont Abbey College I have been working at an outdoor child summer adventure camp as a cook. I decided to take to culinary work and found myself landing a job at Camps Kahdalea & Chosatonga. The job was quite fun and great for developing friendships. After camp I was able to travel to Europe with my family. We went to Switzerland, Vienna, Prague, and took a Christian pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal and Lourdes in France. The pilgrimage was a deep Christian pilgrimage and call to silence, meditation and prayer—and especially for peace in a world that sadly finds so much hatred. In the future I hope to attend an alumni event with other 2003 classmates. Other plans include staying healthy, happy and whole, working, and maybe exciting travels to Alaska and Europe for a Camino from the French Pyrenees to Santiago Compostela in Spain. For leisure I enjoy kayaking, kayak-fishing, hiking, reading books, outdoor adventures and spending time with family and friends. My passion for outdoor adventures originated during Dr. Snead’s River Program and the Sheridan Freshmen camp.

2004 Ida Henley ’04 writes: “I am studying law at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. I will graduate with a Juris Doctor in 2017.” Katherine Kearney ’04 writes: “I’ve been working at VCU Health Systems/MCV in the Cardiac Surgery ICU as an RN for the past year and a half. My boyfriend and I have two dogs, a black lab named Dagny and a Catahoulah leopard dog mix named Roark. They are a handful. I’m potentially going back to school next fall to become a nurse practitioner, but for now I’m just working and hanging out. I enjoyed catching up with everyone at Homecoming!” Kim Owen Funkhouser ’04 writes: “I got married to Josh Funkhouser on April 12, 2014 in Glen Allen, Virginia. Matrons of Honor included Rebecca Olander Christian ’05 and Rachel Whitten Haislip ’00. Ellie Donahue Boyd ’04 was also in attendance. I graduated from Shenandoah University with my doctorate in physical therapy in August, 2014. I am working at Hunter Holmes McGuire Hospital in Richmond and Josh is working for Xerox in Henrico. We currently reside in Henrico, VA.” 32

WINTER 2015

2005 Emily Schurlknight Warren ’05 writes: “My husband, Kyle, and I welcomed our first child, Sawyer Davis Warren, on June 20, 2014. Weighing in at 8 lbs. 4 oz. and measuring 21¼ inches long, Sawyer has been such a blessing in our lives. We reside in Tampa, Florida, where I am a first grade teacher, but currently taking some time off to stay at home with Sawyer. Kyle is a project manager at a manufacturing company. We got married in Duck, North Carolina in September 2011.”

The Richmond Times-Dispatch featured chef Paige Healy ’05 and her “Dinner in the Field,” the fivecourse, traditional Italian, outdoor dinners she offers with The Boathouse Group and Victory Farms. She said she was inspired by her time studying at the Italian Culinary Institute in a program for master chefs in 2013. “What I fell in love with was the way the meal was based with family and friends coming together, with vegetables and herbs that we pulled from the garden just minutes before,” she sated in the article. Andrew Nesmith ’05 writes: “I joined the Marines on October 11, 2010 after graduating from James Madison University with a BA in English. The first year consisted of basic and marine combat training. From there, I went on to the Navy School of Music in Little Creek, VA for six months, graduated and shipped out to join the 2nd Marine Air Craft Wing (MAW) Band in Havelock, NC. We traveled to a variety of venues including New York City and Mardi Gras in New Orleans this past year. We performed for the local North Carolina communities with parades and concerts. I had the distinct honor of providing military honors (TAPS) to approximately 50 fallen warriors. It was an adventure and humbling experience to say the least, but I’m glad to be back in Richmond, my old stomping grounds. I’m currently networking to find work in logistics or some sort of writing field along with some trumpet gigs on the side. Since I’ve returned, it’s been great reconnecting with old friends before high school as well as mentors like Brian Rollins during my tenure at Trinity. I’m looking forward to seeing some more familiar faces soon.”


ALUMNI 2006 Catherine Marchetti ’06 was named Richmond’s Teacher of the Year in late 2014. This is her third year teaching early childhood exceptional education at Amelia Street School. A story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported: “She was honored for putting together a grants research committee, creating a field day with games, including an obstacle course, for students with multiple disabilities, and developing a sensory room.” “I firmly believe that every child, regardless of developmental ability, has the potential to learn and succeed,” Marchetti wrote in her nomination. “Children with disabilities or delays need to be instilled with a high-quality education and a love of learning as a way of helping them to develop and demonstrate their unique potential and abilities.”

Jeffrey Curtis ’06 writes: “I am currently attending Virginia Tech’s Architecture School in Alexandria. I will finish in 2017 with a double master’s in natural resources and landscape architecture. I also currently have a graduate assistantship, where I am working with a professor to develop a pamphlet or book that allows people to identify all the trees in Old Town Alexandria. I recently skied in the Lake Placid area for two and a half days. I spent two full days cross county skiing and into the night as well. It made me feel connected to the first American men who long ago strapped pieces of wood onto their feet so they could cross the Bering Straight into the Arctic Tundra. The last night was predicted to be –20°, so I slept in my car, rehydrated all my food with melted snow and ate it out of a small aluminum pot. I felt wild and free.”

In The News Our mission is to challenge Trinity students to discover their paths, develop their talents and strengthen their character. How do we know we’re on the right track? Take a look at the paths taken by some of our alumni who have been recognized by the press and the public for their unique talent and firm character. Visit www.trinityes.org/AlumniNews to read about the published accomplishments of your fellow Titans

SEND US YOUR NEWS With alumni as active and engaged as Trinity’s there is never a shortage of news to share. Weddings, births, adventures, and accompanying photos are all of great interest to your fellow alumni, so send us your news. Trinity Alumni Office 3850 Pittaway Drive, Richmond, VA 23235 Ellie Donahue Boyd ’04 ellieboyd@trinityes.org 804.327.3153 phone 804.323.1335 fax TITAN TRAIL

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2007 Addison Lee Hern ’07 married Elizabeth Simpson Bugg on September 21, 2014 in Wicomico Church, VA, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Elizabeth graduated from Douglass Freeman and U.Va. and is director of executive administration at LeClairRyan in Atlanta, Georgia. Addison earned two BS degrees from Georgia Tech (aerospace engineering and business administration) and is a program analyst at General Dynamics in Atlanta. Anne Edwards ’07 writes: “I got engaged to Joshua Robertson on October 18, 2014, and we are planning a spring wedding. Joshua is a petty officer, third class in the United States Coast Guard. He was recently transferred from Portsmouth, VA to Rochester, NY and that is where we will reside until his next transfer. I am a teacher at Occohannock Elementary School on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I teach second grade inclusion and am working on a second postgraduate degree in reading from the University of Virginia.

2008 Anne Curtis Croxton Rather ’08 lives in San Francisco, California with her husband, Brian. Anne Curtis spent a year working as a social worker for foster care and will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall to receive her master’s in social work. She currently works part time at Samovar, a tea lounge that is known for its handcrafted tea and freshly baked scones.

Kelsey Butler ’08 and Eli Fatsi ’08 are engaged and planning an October wedding at Tuckahoe Plantation. Kelsey writes: “We’ve been living in Boulder, Colorado for the past two years. Eli is working as a backend developer at Viget, and I am finishing up my master’s in art therapy through Naropa University’s transpersonal counseling psychology program (starting my third and final year of the program this fall). We’re excited about our October wedding in Richmond, VA! Looking forward to seeing some Trinity friends at the wedding.”

2009 Brittany Jernigan ’09 writes: “I still have one more year of school left, because I am double majoring in biology and philosophy, and also because I wound up in the hospital with three pulmonary emboli, so I had to take a year off. Currently, I am working as a photographer, doing some graphic design work for some companies and bands across the pond, as well as working on an independent film, “Vampires in Virginia,” which is set to be released theatrically in 2016. I am an extra in the film, as well as the 2nd Assistant Director and a production assistant.” Heather Gerrish ’09 writes: “I’m just concluding my year as a young adult volunteer through the Presbyterian Church (USA). Through this program I worked with Iskashitaa Refugee Network in Tucson, Arizona, specifically helping with their gleaning program. Refugee families spend time harvesting and practicing English skills, and in exchange receive fresh local produce that would otherwise go to waste. It’s been a wonderful and rewarding learning experience!”

TITAN HOOPLA

Dozens of alumni returned to campus on Friday, January 9 to join in the “Hoopla!”

Spirit and sportsmanship were in abundant display on Dale Travis Court, where boys basketball bested St. Christopher’s 62-57 in a hard-fought game. Afterward, alumni of all ages had the chance to catch up with classmates and reminisce at an off-campus reception hosted by the Trinity Alumni Office. 34

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Philip Tickle ’09 recently got engaged to Chelsea Kidd of Mechanicsville, VA. A July 2015 wedding is being planned.

ATHLE TIC OF

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E. Dale Travis Coach

William W. Mc Cathern, III ’78

C.H. “Trip” Sh eppard, III ’78

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2010

John M. Bays Athlete

Aaron Fisk ’10 writes: “I graduated in May, with honors, with a BS in business administration in marketing and minors in Spanish and finance from the University of Miami. I received an incredible opportunity to work with a local real estate company in the marketing department. For that reason, among others, I’ve decided to stay down here for the foreseeable future. Living down here is amazing, and I have almost convinced my parents to join me full time! My job involves some travel, and in the next few months, I’ll be going to Honduras, Mexico and Costa Rica, among others. I don’t know if I would have had the opportunities that I did without support from the Trinity family (Brian Phillips especially) and appreciate everything that I was able to gain from attending school there.”

Kappie Fraher Fit Athlete

VCU Athletics published an online essay, “In His Own Words” by Torey Burston ’12, in the fall of 2014. “Fourteen years ago, you could never have told me I’d be in the position I am today,” Torey wrote. “I was just a kid living in Richmond playing recreation ball every Saturday morning. . . What it means to put on a VCU Basketball uniform is indescribable. . . Putting on this No. 14 jersey means everything to me, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Michelle Gibbons ’12 was highlighted in the Richmond Times-Dispatch in September, 2014. Michelle plays soccer at Mary Washington and in the fall “scored with 19 seconds remaining to nudge the Eagles into a 1-1 draw with Meredith. The goal was Gibbons’ first of the season.”

2013 Mac Strehler ’13 was highlighted in the Richmond Times-Dispatch in September, 2014. Mac runs cross country at Washington and Lee and “finished second overall and first among W&L runners at the 8K John Tucker Invitational in Lexington. His time (27:46.90) was less than a second slower than that of the winner.”

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Who’s Next?

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME You could help select the next two Titans to be inducted into the Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame! In 2004 the Athletic Hall of Fame was created as a way to recognize deserving athletes, former coaches and athletic contributors from the Trinity community. If you know of a former teammate, classmate, coach or friend from your time at Trinity that would be worthy of this honor, please send your nominations to Alumni Relations Coordinator Ellie Donahue Boyd ’04 at ellieboyd@trinityes.org by April 1, 2015. A committee will take all nominations into account and select two recipients to be inducted Homecoming Weekend 2015. The criteria for nomination are: 1. The nominee must be out of high school for ten years. 2. The nominee must have made a significant achievement in his/her sport during and following his/her career at Trinity and should exemplify the pride, spirit and success that Trinity athletics represents. 3. The nominee must exemplify principles of good sportsmanship and citizenship. 4. Any nominee not inducted in any given year may be eligible for nomination in ensuing years.

TITAN TRAIL

35


Save the Date

2014 In the preseason regional men’s tennis rankings, Justin Cerny ’14, freshman at Christopher Newport University ranked #10 in doubles with his partner David Reed.

C L A S S E S

O F

5s & 0s

Homecoming/Alumni Weekend October 9-10, 2015 Kira Tomenchok ’14 who swims for Washington and Lee was named Old Dominion Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week for the week ending November 23. She won two individual events at the Franklin & Marshall Invitational (100-yard backstroke and 200-yard backstroke). The article states: “Her 100-yard backstroke time ranks ninth nationally and her 200-yard backstroke time ranks fifth.”

PHOTO BELOW: A semi-annual post Thanksgiving soccer game brought together Titans past, present and future: Top row from Left: Garrard Glen ‘11, Kyle van de Kamp ‘12, Aaron Fisk ‘10, Whit Kern ‘10, Garrett Simpson ‘10, Trey Kern ‘09, William Howard ‘17, Andrew Barron ‘16, Sam Halish ‘17, Robbie Harvey ‘15, Conner Wagstaff ‘18, Collin Lewis ‘17 Bottom row from left: Adam Dingman ‘14, Michelle Gibbons ‘12, Rick Hamlin ‘96, Jeremy Corazzini ‘95 (recently inducted into Mary Washington Athletic Hall of Fame) Danny Cisek ‘10, Michael Gibbons ‘10, Hassan Brown ‘15, Ike Fleckenstein ‘16

In Sympathy The Trinity community offers its condolences to the families of the following people who have recently passed away. We apologize for any unintentional omissions. Jeanne Edmunds Acree, mother of John M. Acree ’81, died on October 20, 2014. Claudette Eastridge Limbrick, mother of Kimberly Limbrick ’85 and David D. Limbrick ’88, died on December 25, 2014. Lee Alexander Putney, former chairman of the Board of Trustees died on January 27, 2015. Barbara Lee Norris Sutherland died on November 5, 2015. She is the mother of Barbara Page Sutherland Gaylor ’77 and widow of Page Hamilton Sutherland, former chairman of the Board of Trustees. Melissa Barden Webb ’76 died on December 9, 2014. She is the mother of Nicholas Holt ’05. 36

WINTER 2015


During the weeks following Homecoming, Trinity students volunteered to write 478 personal notes to our reunion alumni to thank them for the many ways they support Trinity. Suzanne DiLoreto ’16, Kyla Coleman ’16, Hassan Brown ’15, Robbie Harvey ’15, Haley Sprenkle ’16, and Jack Freudenthal ‘15, wrote the most notes: 194 to be exact!

Friends & Corporations $ 47,915 Matching Gift Companies $ 28,701

FOR

Annual Giving Highlights

499.00

$

Alumni $ 39,786 2013-2014

2014

Annual Giving Total $

Grandparents $ 15,497 Foundations $ 60,000

$424

423,546

Parents 231,647

$405 $318

$

$337 2010

2009 %

72

%

100 100

%

%

13

Number of community service hours completed by Trinity students during the 2013-14 school year:

2013 2012

$335 2011

$500,000

Annual Giving Comparison through the years

$400,000

Participation percentages for FY14

For a complete list of donors to 2013-2014 Annual Giving, go to www.trinityes.org/annualreport. To make a gift to 2014-2015 Annual Giving, go to www.trinityes.org/give.

0

423,546 $

386,844 $

337,454

330,784 $

$

343,446

$100,000

$

95

$200,000

323,729

9,206

$

Alumni

Trustee

Faculty

Parent

$300,000

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Fiscal Year

Thank you!


Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Richmond, VA Permit No. 129 3850 Pittaway Drive Richmond, Virginia 23235 P 804.272.5864 F 804.272.4652 www.trinityes.org

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A camera attached to the Trinity Outdoor Program quadcopter provided this awesome view of the south bank of the James River in the foreground and the Trinity campus in the background.


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