Wyoming Seminary Summer Journal 2024

PIONEERING

Sem alums Nancy Welker '59, Meg Aronowitz ’95 pave the way in STEM, sports fields

On a frosty February afternoon, sophomore Artur Zelenko '26 braved the cold, leaving his cozy Carpenter Hall dorm for a run around Sem’s campus. While that is certainly nothing unusual — students have been walking and running Sem’s campus for decades — Artur’s run was unlike any other in school history.

This particular Saturday, after a fresh snowfall, Artur made a unique preparation, strategically placing water and nutrition gels around the route.

Artur started his watch and set out on a journey. He would run his first marathon.

Artur circled Sem's campus, covering nearly 70 laps from Sprague Avenue to North Maple Avenue. After 3 hours and 49 minutes, the 16-year-old from Kharkiv, Ukraine, completed the 26.2-mile distance without leaving campus.

There was no grand finish line, no cheering spectators, just a determined teenager with a soccer background challenging himself to achieve something significant.

"I didn’t tell anyone until I actually ran it and it was over. And then I celebrated by myself with a bag of chocolate candies and a movie," Artur shared. "Everyone was surprised when I told them. I really just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. All it takes is mental toughness and resilience."

It takes mental strength to pursue many goals as a teenager. Whether it's participating in Winter Acting Workshops for the first time, going extra rounds in a geography bee or mastering a new instrument, Sem students push their boundaries.

Last season, the varsity cross country team adopted "Dig Deep" as its motto, a reminder for every runner to summon their best effort and gracefully accept defeat when necessary — a lesson applicable to all areas of life.

"Running around the campus in winter was terrible," Artur confessed. "I thought about giving up more times than I thought about anything else while I was running. But if you really want something, you will do it no matter what."

Artur’s personal marathon was unprecedented at Sem, a testament to his determination and the school's culture of excellence.

Some achievements end with applause from a crowd, while others, like Artur’s, are quietly celebrated with chocolate candies. Either way, it’s always worth digging deep.

Jill Snowdon Wyoming Seminary Director of Communications

Journal Editor-in-Chief

jsnowdon@wyomingseminary.org

(570) 270-2195

Board of Trustees

2023-24

LEADERSHIP

Chair:

John Dowd

Vice Chair:

Anthony L. Berger ‘73

Treasurer:

John Loyack

Secretary: Tara Mugford Wilson ‘88

TRUSTEES

John Basalyga

Dorothy Darling ‘68

Chip Edmonds

Gerald Gunster ‘85

Scott Henry ‘06

David Hourigan ‘71

Joseph E. Kluger ‘82

Kristen Mericle ‘13

Jeffrey Metz ‘88

Tanya Pyke

Stephen J. Rosenthal ‘93

William E. Sordoni ‘93

Madhan Srinivasan '01

Robert Tamburro ‘91

Christina Taylor

Lewis Thayne ‘67

Nicole Santo Yochum ‘03

TRUSTEES EX-OFFICIO

Martin Mooney

TRUSTEES EMERITI

Richard Goldberg ‘55

Rev. Charles F. Gommer

Sue Kline Kluger ‘55

Arthur Sherwood ‘56

Robert H. Smith ‘56

LIFE TRUSTEES

Barbara Fassett Oski Beane ‘53

Harry F. Lee ‘53

John F. Magagna ‘52

Alumni

Alumni

Wyoming Seminary Journal

Summer 2024

The Journal is regularly published by Wyoming Seminary and is sent to its alumni, parents and friends. We welcome story ideas and encourage letters to the editor.

Please send correspondence to: Jill Snowdon jsnowdon@wyomingseminary.org 570-270-2195

Jill Snowdon

Wyoming Seminary 201 North Sprague Avenue Kingston, PA 18704

Editor-in-Chief

Jill Snowdon

Editorial Staff

Matt Bufano

Liz Clements Katyl '05

Cheryl Connolly

Graphic Design

Shannon Zimmerman

Printing Llewellyn & McKane, Inc.

Photography

Wyoming Seminary Staff

Jade Hewitt Media

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Martin J. Mooney

As he begins his second full year as Head of School, Martin J. Mooney will be formally installed in a ceremony this fall.

The event is scheduled for September 6, 2024, in the Kirby Center for Creative Arts and will be livestreamed.

More information will follow closer to the event.

Sem plans for the future

As I finish up my first year as Head of School at Wyoming Seminary, I am reminded of a line attributed often to C.S. Lewis, who said, "There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind." In its long history, Sem has met many challenges in its mission to serve its students and to stand as one of the most revered institutions in the Wyoming Valley. Leaving behind the challenges of recent years, we look to the future in many ways. The most important step we are taking right now is in putting together a strategic plan, to be intentional and thoughtful about ensuring the Sem experience for generations to come.

Developing a strategy for Sem requires data, analysis and vision for what Sem can be. But it also requires choices. We are choosing a direction and we are choosing our priorities. That said, there are certain principles that, as Head of School, I believe are not choices. The principles discussed below are fundamental not only to how we plan strategically for our future, but how we teach, mentor and guide every student in our charge.

Plain and simple, our mission lies at the heart of everything we do. We’ve spent a good deal of time incorporating Sem’s mission into this process and we are using it as a beacon for our work. Sometimes in these strategic plans, schools forget the most important aspect of their work — kids and the dedicated faculty who serve them. But at the heart of Sem’s mission is the sacred trust between the school, our students and our families, trusting that we will instill in our students a sense of purpose, integrity and excellence in everything they do.

Of course we are in the growth business in regard to our students. Their growth is at the core of our mission. But schools, also, must grow — and that growth can take many different forms: growth of our fundraising and alumni outreach, supporting professional growth for our faculty, curricular growth and evolution for our programs, the growth of the Wyoming Seminary brand in the independent school world. In order to best cultivate the growth and development of our students, we, too, must grow.

Sustainability speaks to the responsible stewardship of all the resources of a Sem education. We have a very highly regarded program in climate science and sustainability, we are committed to being good stewards of the planet and we want to teach our students to do the same. As vital as global sustainability is, we are also aware of our duty to make sure that our campus resources and physical plant, as well as our campus location in Kingston, are sustainable, efficient and vibrant spaces for us to achieve our mission.

Finally, we must always be aware of our place in the global community. For many years, Sem has been a place that embraces cross-cultural understanding and empathy among our students. Our students learn to navigate cultural differences with grace and humility, recognizing that true understanding comes from a supportive community, real conversations and shared goals. With students and faculty from around the world, as well as across the Valley, we understand that events far beyond our gates have significant ripple effects on our campuses. We must be committed to making a positive difference for our students wherever their journey may take them.

This is an exciting time for Wyoming Seminary. After returning from spring travel, meeting with our alumni and friends in Florida, New York and Philadelphia, their sense of deep connection and fondness for Sem was made real in every conversation I had. This energy is matched by the students returning to campus after spring break, when the trees begin to bud and all of our energy is renewed. As we work on leaving behind the challenges of the past few years, I am eager to work with all of you on the “far better things ahead.”

Martin Mooney

IN THE CLASSROOM

Seniors recognized as Levi Sprague fellows

Awarded annually to commemorate the 70-year tenure of Sem's fourth president, the Levi Sprague Fellowship honors student leaders in academic, athletic and extracurricular life. It also brings day and boarding communities together by bringing some day students into the dorms. Selection as a Fellow is the highest honor that the school bestows for leadership. MICHAEL VODZAK ’24, LILY ROBERTI ’24, and MOLLY KOPETCHNY ’24 earned the distinct honor of serving as Levi Sprague Fellows for the 2023-24 academic year.

Senior named National Merit Scholarship finalist

HARRY FENG ’24 was named a finalist in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Feng was one of 16,000 semifinalists and his finalist status allows him an opportunity to earn a National Merit Scholarship.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

In addition to Feng, TRINITY KONG ’24, DAVID GETZ ’24, ARI FROEHLICH ’24 and BEN FENSTER ’24 were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as Commended Students.

Wyoming Seminary earns designation as Apple Distinguished School

Wyoming Seminary is pleased to announce it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2023–2026 program term. The Lower School was selected for this distinction based on its commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to create exemplary learning practices.

Apple Distinguished Schools are recognized as some of the most innovative in the world. They’re centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments. Schools all over the world are using iPad and Mac to transform learning. As teachers incorporate technology into their lessons, they empower students to lead, learn, and thrive, to discover new opportunities, and to make their world a better place.

Shown from left are Lower School faculty members — Liz O’Malley, Molly Zvirblis, Toni Loftus, Janel McCormick, SARA MOLITORIS ‘05 and KAYANNE BARILLA ‘84 — with the Apple Distinguished School certificate.

Lower School contests prove competitive in final rounds

The annual Lower School Spelling and Geography Bees were held in early December, testing the spelling and geography skills of the Middle School students.

On December 1, C.J. STEVENSON ’29 defended his Spelling Bee title after successfully spelling "bilge" in the final round. NAOMI WOODS ’30 was the runner-up.

Students returned to the Amato Auditorium stage on December 15 for the Geography Bee. CHASE LINDBUCHLER ’29 defeated PLACIDO FRANKELLI ’31 after two tiebreaker rounds. Third-place finisher EESA MOHYUDDIN ’31 also had a solid competition and kept the pressure on in the final rounds.

Feng

Lindbuchler

Stevenson

HOMECOMING O

The Wyoming Seminary Upper School campus was bustling with activity in mid-October as the school’s Homecoming festivities got underway. The football game on Saturday, October 14, was a defensive battle played in driving rain. Trailing, 6-0, against St. Frances Academy’s regional team, quarterback MIKE MCMAUGH ‘25 tossed a touchdown pass to MOLA OWODE ‘24 before GIO GALLO ‘25 kicked what proved to be the winning extra point. Sem won, 7-6. Among the other highlights were Spirit Week-themed dress-down days throughout the week, a football pep rally at the Lower School, a Saturday night dance, a performing arts showcase, the presentation of awards and an alumni speaker panel.

1. PAUL STEVENSON ‘24, left, and LUCY LEW ’24 earned the Alumni Service Awards, presented annually to two members of the senior class who most exemplify leadership and service to Sem and the local community.

2. SANDER FERNANDEZ '26, MICHAEL MCMAUGH '25, CHIEF MONTALVO '24, SEBASTIEN ACHEAMPONG '24, SEAN GOMEZ '24, GAVIN GREEN '25, AARON KUTNEY '26, ALEX CRUJI '24 and NIKOLA DUROVIC '24 show their school spirit.

3. NICOLE SANTO YOCHUM ‘03, an attorney at Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn and member of the Board of Trustees, is presented with the Outstanding Young Alumna Award by Head of School Martin J. Mooney.

4. Quarterback MICHAEL MCMAUGH '25 sheds a tackle while scrambling.

5. Members of the Upper School Parents Association Executive Board handed out donuts and apple cider as fans entered Nesbitt Memorial Stadium. The Parents Association sponsors many events and projects throughout the year. From left: Gail Smeraldi P ’26, ’24, USPA Representative; Kim Mauriello P ’26, ’23, USPA Secretary; Hannah Burgess P ’37, ’34, ’24, USPA President; and LIZA TAMBUR-ROLLAND '93 P ’29, ’27, ’25, USPA Representative.

6. Lineman EDWIN LORA JR. '24 gestures to the crowd in the game's final seconds.

7. Wyoming Seminary seniors nominated for the Alumni Service Awards pose at halftime of the Homecoming football game. Pictured with Head of School Martin J. Mooney, from left: LUCY LEW, PAUL STEVENSON, OLIVIA SEKEL, QUE RIGGINS, CHIEF MONTALVO, DAVID GETZ, HARRY FENG and MOLLY KOPETCHNY

8. Jeffrey Popple P ’24, ’23; Jacob Burgess P ’37, ’34, ’24; and William Blaum P ’25.

9. Martin J. Mooney, Head of School; Rachel Bartron, Head of Upper School; REMONA GRAY ANTOINE '98; and Richard Antoine.

10. Susan Shoemaker P ’26, ’20, and Gail Smeraldi P ’26, ’24 at the Parents Weekend cocktails.

GRANDPARENTS DAY

1. Janet Stavish Yattasaye and JACK TUZINSKI '24

2. Samuel and Louise Falcone, BRIANNA FALCONE '27, and Nancy and Donald Schimer

3. The Williams family, from left: Sandy, SARA '26, SCOTT '25, ABBY '24 and Bill

4. Ronald and Linda Skamanich, CALEB APONICK '28

5. Joan Evan and ANTEK EVAN '25

Next page, top right photo: NATALIE JOSEPH '28 and Lois Noble

6. Grandparents and students visit the Book Fair.

7. Lois Herb, RONAN NESS '28 and Pamela Ness

8. CASH HARRISON '29 and Virginia Harrison

9. Elisa Ruiz and STELLA RUIZ '28

10. Lower School students perform for their grandparents.

Students at both divisions were excited in September to celebrate their grandparents as part of a special Wyoming Seminary tradition. The Upper School hosted Grandparents Night in the Kirby Center for Creative Arts. The evening included a reception, followed by a presentation from student leaders on academics, the arts, athletics and campus life at Sem.

The next day, the Lower School students in primary grades entertained their grandparents with a musical performance prior to classroom visits. Middle school students welcomed their grandparents into their classrooms for academic activities and games. All grades concluded the day with a visit to the Sordoni Library for the Scholastic Book Fair.

Alumni Gatherings

1. The ALUMNI COUNCIL gathered to hear grant proposals from students who wished to receive funding for their clubs, athletics and other programming. First row: LIZ CLEMENTS KATYL ‘05, Director of Alumni Programs, LAUREN TOCZYLOWSKI ‘02; Second row: AMANDA YOUNG ‘01, JAMIE FLACK ECKMAN ‘05, MOLLY TURNER ‘14; Third row: STEPHANI COCCIA SLAVISH ‘02, MARINA BARNAK ‘15; Fourth row: CHRISTIAN SWITZER ‘05 and MADHAN SRINIVASAN ‘01

2. BILL SORDONI ‘93, MADHAN SRINIVASAN ‘01, GREG WEAVER ‘93, Brent Snowdon, CHRIS SEIGEL ‘88

3. BOB CLEMENTS ’72 and Betsey Gover

4. Kathi Anselmi, TISH MCCARTHY LAST ‘74 and JANET MURRAY ‘76

1. NAPLES: LIZ CLEMENTS KATYL ‘05, Director of Alumni Programs, Judy Frosini, Peter Frosini, Liz Frosini 2. TAMPA: Front row: Nancy Schauer, JUDY KOLFRAT CABLE ‘63, BARBARA SCHWARTZBACH FELDER ‘54, Janet Watson. Back row: LIZ CLEMENTS KATYL ‘05, STEVE FALKOWITZ ‘87, Marty Mooney, Head of School, TOM WILLIAMS JR. ‘55, JOHN SCHOOLEY ‘66, HOWARD WATSON ‘61, Cheryl Connolly, Director of Advancement 3. NAPLES: Front row: JUDY CASPER BOHORAD ‘54, Freddie Bittenbender Henry. Back row: Rob Bohorad, CLAIRE CONLON EVANS ‘52, LOUISE LOUCKS MOORE ‘55 4.

: Marty Mooney, Kseniya Platonava, ANDRIY YAKUSHYN ‘00, John Dowd, Chairman of the Board 5.

PALM BEACH: Cheryl Connolly, TAYLOR KAZIMI ‘17, Karin Kazimi, Tina Dowd.

WEST PALM BEACH

WEST

1. LONDON SOCKWELL ‘35, left, and CHARLIE BARGER ‘35 2. JACK ROSENGRANT ‘35 3. T.J. RUSHMER '29, RONDA GUPTA '29, NIC LACROIX '29,

SCIENCE

NANCY WELKER ‘59

Welker ‘59 shattered glass ceiling at National Security Agency

By Jill Snowdon

The biographical summary under DR. NANCY WELKER’S senior photo in the 1959 edition of The Wyoming yearbook has her pegged perfectly — “L'étudiante brilliant.”

A “brilliant student,” she also enjoyed waterskiing and Broadway shows, was the first to receive a college acceptance among her classmates and was thought to be quiet.

After silently leading by example throughout her academic career, Welker collected professional accolades in the field of physics that speak volumes of a woman who excelled in an industry dominated by men.

Welker enjoyed 55 years with the National Security Agency, which she watched grow from one building to 40 buildings, before settling into retirement in 2018. Among countless other accomplishments, Welker was the first woman appointed Chief of the Research and Development Group.

Life as a retiree has been anything but typical for Welker. She continues her work in science — as a volunteer — and has been recognized the past three years with highly distinguished awards.

Most recently, Welker was the recipient of the Joseph C. Donchess Distinguished Service Award, which is presented annually at Sem’s Alumni Weekend in May.

Welker, who is a pioneer for women in STEM-related careers and a leader among her peers, traces her passion for physics back to her junior year at Wyoming Seminary.

“The origin of it was my first physics class at Sem with Professor (B. Everett) Lord,” Welker said. “It was just very interesting to me and I enjoyed it. I’m sort of a tinkerer and I like experimental physics in particular. I’m not into theoretical physics, but I do like experimental physics, so I decided that I would major in physics when I went to college.”

Anticipating that she would be significantly outnumbered by males in that major at a co-ed college, Welker opted to attend Mount Holyoke College, an all-women's college in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

“I loved the college, the campus and the atmosphere there, and they were very strong in the sciences,” Welker said. “I knew if I went to a bigger school there wouldn't have been many, if any, other women in the classes that I took and it

would have been miserable. At Mount Holyoke, there were only three women in my class in that major. Now, it’s about 15 to 20 women, which is reasonable for a college that size.”

Welker graduated from Mount Holyoke in 1963 with a degree in physics. Her master’s and doctoral degrees, also in physics, are from American University. She began her career at the National Security Agency in 1963 and just as she expected, she was a minority in her field.

“I have actually given some talks locally (in her hometown in Maryland) and other places about those early years and what it was like to be a woman in a field dominated entirely by men,” Welker said. “I can’t say that I had a terrible experience. I have heard some awful stories from other people, but the men that I worked with in the government were very supportive. I participated in many meetings where there were 20 or 30 people and I was the only woman there on a regular basis.”

Welker proved herself a leader as she helped launch the Microelectronics Research Laboratory in support of the agency’s Special Processing Laboratory, a pioneering NSA facility that produced cutting-edge semiconductors critical to the NSA’s mission.

Following her retirement, she continued to work part-time at the NSA for six years. And she is currently a volunteer at the NSA in the Center for Cryptologic History, where she writes articles and serves on panels for the Cryptologic Literature Award and the Hall of Honor Award.

Welker is no stranger to awards herself. In 2021, she was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame for her work as a physicist and nationally recognized expert in superconducting electronics.

She joins women such as Harriet Tubman, Clara Barton and Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.

“I’m in rare company here,” Welker said of her induction into the Hall of Fame. “It means a lot to me and I am very appreciative of the state of Maryland and to the people who worked on my nomination.”

Last spring, Welker received another remarkable honor as she was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Mount Holyoke and was invited to give the 2023 Commencement address.

“That meant so much to me,” Welker said. “I was just blown away and before I even answered the email, I called a friend who was connected with the college and I said, ‘What’s going on here, is this a joke?’ It was just wonderful and they treated me so well.”

A few close friends and her steadfast fondness of Wyoming Seminary keep Welker, who grew up in Luzerne, connected to the area. Her grandmother (Class of 1893) and great-grandmother (1855) are also Sem graduates. Her mother attended the Wilkes-Barre Institute before going off to boarding school her final two years. And, her great-grandfather is Luke Swetland, whose name is on the girls dormitory.

Besides her family’s long history with Sem, Welker is a regular on virtual Sem Talks and she has attended all of her class reunions. She’s especially happy to see the forward direction the STEM program is taking at her alma mater. Welker is further committed to the future of Sem with her intent to establish the Nancy K. Welker Endowed Teaching Chair in Science.

“It’s so wonderful to see the progress and I think it’s great that students can pick an area of concentration now such as STEM,” Welker said of the Academic Concentrations. “And I really enjoy the Sem Talks. I think I’ve only missed one. I’m looking forward to being back on campus again soon.”

Welker

Family Tree at Sem

Luke Swetland (fourth great-grandfather), born in 1729, prominent early settler in the Wyoming Valley. Swetland Hall is named in his honor.

Margaret Swetland Hughes (great grandmother) graduates in 1855

Bertha Denniston (grandmother) graduates in 1893

Margaret Denniston Welker (mother) graduates in 1929 from Wilkes-Barre Institute before going away to boarding school

Nancy Kirschner Welker graduates in 1959

Nancy's senior yearbook photo at Wyoming Seminary

Wyoming Seminary Alumni Weekend 2024: front row, left to right, are ANN POPKY FISHER '59, Welker, and MARIAN STEVENS '59; back row: JANE SNOWDON JONES '59, GEORGE BEHLER '59, and Judy Behler.

MEG ARONOWITZ ‘95 4

Aronowitz ’95, player-turned-producer, a key figure at ESPN SPORTS

By Matt Bufano

Life has thrown MEG ARONOWITZ ’95 a couple of curveballs.

But, once she’d seen them coming, Aronowitz adjusted her approach with the same agility and determination she used to face unexpected challenges in the prime of her softball career.

Aronowitz, ESPN Senior Vice President, Production, is a 23-year employee of the Worldwide Leader in Sports, where she oversees thousands of live broadcasts every year.

Aronowitz has covered everything and worked with seemingly everyone at ESPN. The former shortstop says her fondest memories are tied to the network’s softball coverage.

“Softball has been my baby. This will be my 18th year overseeing it at ESPN,” Aronowitz said. “When we launched ESPNU in 2005, we did six softball games and we thought, ‘Look at us!’

“This year, we’ll produce over 3,200 live softball games on the ESPN platform.”

Speaking earlier of life’s unexpected curveballs, Aronowitz had been blindsided by her very arrival at Wyoming Seminary. The teenage girl had been excelling academically at her former school, Pocono Mountain High School, to the point that her parents thought she wasn’t being adequately challenged.

“My parents wanted more for me,” Aronowitz recalled.

Aronowitz’s parents, Greg and Joan Aronowitz, had heard good things about Sem from a friend who mentioned the possibility of receiving financial aid.

“My mom actually snuck me up to Kingston one weekend under the guise of going to the movies,” Aronowitz recalled. “I got out of the car, saying, ‘What are we doing?’”

Aronowitz met Jack Eidam, then the school’s Dean of Admission, and took a scholarship test.

Aronowitz aced the test, received a scholarship and enrolled for her junior and senior years at Sem.

The activities index in the 1995 edition of The Wyoming yearbook reflects Aronowitz’s participation in sports like softball, basketball

and football (she was the manager), as well as dormitory council, resident assistant, blue key and student government.

“Sem is one of the pivotal times in my life,” Aronowitz said. “I honestly believe that, without going to Wyoming Seminary, I probably wouldn’t be in some of the positions that I’m in today. I learned a lot about life, academics, hard work and community by being a boarding student at Sem.”

Aronowitz continued her studies and softball career at Emory University in Atlanta.

She also worked full-time as a bartender/waitress, eventually striking up a friendship with one of the restaurant’s regulars who happened to be a CNN executive.

Aronowitz had no idea that she was essentially interviewing for a position at CNN, a departure from her intended career path to become a sports agent. However, other factors, including this friendship, swayed her into the media.

“What I always tell students and young men and women who are trying to get into the industry — life is about relationships,” Aronowitz said. “It’s about networking. It’s about connections. It’s about making an impact and realizing that you influence every person you meet, in some form or fashion.”

After two years as an assignment editor on the news desk at CNN, Aronowitz moved to ESPN where she’s worked her way up the ladder.

In addition to leading NCAA coverage in multiple sports, Aronowitz oversees ESPN’s school production project that has played a significant role in the growth of NCAA Olympic sports while giving college students valuable, first-hand experience.

A recent study by Wasserman, a sports and entertainment agency, concluded that women’s sports from 2018 to 2023 received 15% of all sports coverage online and on television. While Aronowitz hopes to see that number increase, it’s also important to note that reports as recently as 2019 had that number closer to 5%.

“I believe that the value and impact of women’s sports is just being realized,” Aronowitz said. “We are seeing advertising dollars being spent, sold-out venues, and media rights deals being impacted by the growth potential of women’s sports. This generation of female athlete is reaping the rewards of the work done by those who came before and will set the bar for the next generation of amateur and professional athletes.”

Aronowitz was inducted into the Wyoming Seminary Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2016. She was the 2018 recipient of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Melinda Fischer Distinguished Service Award.

Aronowitz was honored in 2022 on Sports Business Journal’s list, “Game Changers: Women in Sports Business,” where she was described as “a tireless advocate for women’s sports inside ESPN.”

Aronowitz resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her wife, Christy, and spoiled beagles, Summit and Bryant.

Sem is one of the pivotal times in my life “ “

Meg with her ESPN team.

Meg and her wife, Christy

SCENE & HEARD

FALL MUSICALS

Actors, singers and dancers at both divisions had a busy start to the school year as they worked tirelessly on the annual fall musical productions. The Upper School presented Guys and Dolls, while the Lower School players performed Frozen Jr.

ACTI-VEST

Wyoming Seminary Upper School students designed, sewed, painted and even wore creative garments as part of the “Acti-Vest” exhibit, which was unveiled in November and remained on display for a month in the KCCA lobby. Students in AP Studio, a class taught by Colleen Ayers, were tasked with creating vests that were emblematic of their concentration or theme that must evolve and develop in their work throughout the school year.

WINTER ACTING WORKSHOPS

The Sem Drama Department had 22 artists take the stage at the Buckingham Performing Arts Center in early February for the annual Winter Acting Workshops. The performances were divided into Slates A and B with three performances for each slate. The Winter Acting Workshops are a collection of one-act plays performed in a black-box setting.

HOLIDAY CONCERTS

Sem musicians and vocalists always help put the community in the holiday spirit. December was packed with holiday musical opportunities for everyone to enjoy from students in primary grades to Middle School Chorus and Band to the holiday concert at the Upper School, which is always a highlight of the holiday season. The annual Winter Instrumental Concert was held in late January and featured the Wind, Jazz and Percussion ensembles.

RUSH GOLD GOLD RUSH

Werner, Rosenthal share state title glory

By Matt Bufano

They play different sports and tread different paths, rarely having an opportunity to even watch each other compete.

Yet, NICK WERNER ’25 and ILANA ROSENTHAL ’25 are somewhat of a duo — arguably the most dominant duo Wyoming Seminary has ever seen.

Werner capped his junior season of golf by winning his second District 2 Class 2A title and first PIAA Class 2A state championship. Meanwhile, Rosenthal repeated as the District 2 Class 2A and PIAA Class 2A state champion in girls tennis.

This past fall, no other individuals or teams in the entire Wyoming Valley Conference won a PIAA state championship.

“When the moment came, it felt really good,” Werner said. “But then again, it’s right back to work.

“I still have next season and a whole career ahead of me. So while I celebrate the wins, I try to learn from them. To be honest, I didn’t have perfect rounds — no one ever does — and there’s always stuff that I can improve on to get back there next year.”

Werner and Rosenthal have each played their respective sports for as long as they can remember.

Rosenthal learned the game from her father, STEVE ROSENTHAL ’93. The elder Rosenthal won three district championships (one singles, two doubles) at Sem before playing at Pitt.

Rosenthal credits her success to several factors.

“I love the sport and I think you really have to love it to have success,” Ilana Rosenthal said. “I’m athletic. I’m fast. I’m quick on the court. It’s such a mental game, too, so you have to be mentally strong, especially in singles. It’s so great to have a team by your side, cheering you on. But you still are doing it alone, so it’s definitely a mental game.”

Rosenthal’s skills are undeniable, as is the size disadvantage she usually faces on the other side of the net.

ILANA ROSENTHAL

Sport: Girls tennis

Coach: Raphael Cooper

Accolades: 2x PIAA Class 2A champion (2022, ’23); 2x District 2 Class 2A champion (’22, ’23); PIAA Class 2A team champion (’21); District 2 Class 2A runner-up (’21)

“I am a smaller build and I play girls much taller than me, much bigger and stronger,” she said. “But you have to learn to use the weight behind the ball to block it back and create energy and power. A lot of it comes from your legs — lower-body lifting, strength and conditioning.”

To defend her PIAA championship, Rosenthal had to play against the state’s best tennis players. She defeated them all — the District 3 runner-up, as well as champions from Districts 1, 11 and 3 — without losing a single set.

Meanwhile, Werner’s toughest competition came from fellow Luzerne County residents.

In the two-day state championship tournament at the Penn State Golf Courses, Werner shot 68 on Day 1 to take the lead. He protected the lead on Day 2, shooting 70 to finish at 6-under 138 and beat Lake-Lehman teammates Michael Lugiano and Cael Ropietski, who shot 140 to tie for second.

Werner’s PIAA title was Sem’s first for the sport of golf.

“I’ll never forget the day after states,” Werner said. “Walking up the stairs in Sprague Hall, I saw one or two of the deans and they both said, ‘Congratulations.’ It seemed like a train of people followed after that. It was a special day.”

Werner’s always been a top golfer among his peers, dating back to freshman year when he earned silver at the district championships.

Back then, Werner was a first-year student at Sem and he remembers what it felt like to be the new kid on the team. He had a positive experience as an underclassman that he pays back to the younger golfers who now look up to him.

“When I first came here, the upperclassmen were really kind to me,” Werner recalled.

“It made me feel like I had a home on the golf team and at Sem.”

NICK WERNER

Sport: Golf

Coach: Matt Occhiato

Accolades: 2x District 2 Class 2A champion (2022, ’23); PIAA Class 2A champion (’23); District 2 Class 2A runner-up (’21); fifth-place PIAA Class 2A championships (’22)

CROSS COUNTRY

BOYS FINAL RECORD: 4-11

GIRLS FINAL RECORD: 8-8

FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP

One of the finest careers ever for a Wyoming Seminary runner ended in the fall with JACK NOVELLI ’24 earning a PIAA Class A state medal.

Novelli finished 18th at states, which was preceded by a sixth-place finish in District 2 and third in the Wyoming Valley Conference.

REBECCA POLGAR ’24 (sixth, Class A girls) and JACK TUZINSKI ’24 (15th, Class A boys) also earned district medals.

FIELD HOCKEY

FINAL RECORD: 5-13-1

FOOTBALL

FINAL RECORD: 3-5

Sem was one of the hottest teams in the league at the end of the season, evidenced by a 5-0 win at Nanticoke Area in the District 2 Class A quarterfinals. Sem was eliminated in the semifinals with a 2-0 loss at Wyoming Area.

LAINE CABELL ’24 was chosen by the Pennsylvania High School Field Hockey Coaches Association as a first-team all-state goalkeeper. ELLIE PARRA ’24 and EMMY SWARTZ ’26 made second-team all-state. Cabell and Swartz were also selected as Citizens’ Voice all-stars.

The Blue Knights’ season was highlighted by back-to-back wins to begin the season, defeating Capital Prep, 50-0, and Kiski School, 40-14.

JUSTIN DENSON ’24 earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in the East Coast Power Prep league. Denson made 45 tackles and notched five interceptions.

The East Coast Power Prep conference also selected kicker/ punter GIOVANNI GALLO ’25 as its Special Teams Player of the Year. He connected on 13 of 13 extra points with a long field goal of 43 and a long punt of 54 yards.

GOLF

FINAL RECORD: 10-2

NICK WERNER ’25 swept virtually all honors he could attain his junior season, winning District 2 and PIAA state championships in addition to being named The Citizens’ Voice Golfer of the Year.

ANNA ZAPLETALOVA ’25 also had a sensational season. Zapletalova was the District 2 Class 2A girls gold medalist. She also placed fifth at states.

LEO NOCKLEY ’27 joined the two juniors as Sem’s third district qualifier.

BOYS SOCCER

FINAL RECORD: 11-6

GIRLS SOCCER

FINAL RECORD: 8-9-2

GIRLS TENNIS

FINAL RECORD: 15-2

The Blue Knights started the season on a torrid stretch, winning four in a row, including a 3-1 win at Lake-Lehman in which MATT SWARTZ ’25 scored all three goals.

Sem’s season ultimately ended with a 5-4 loss at Dunmore in the District 2 Class 2A quarterfinals. OWEN STRETANSKI ’26 scored twice in the loss.

Swartz, who netted 30 goals and nine assists, was named to The Citizens’ Voice all-star team along with SAM ROLLAND ’25

Citizens’ Voice all-star ELLA STAMBAUGH ’27 made an immediate impact as a freshman, scoring 26 goals. Stambaugh provided both goals in a 2-1 overtime win at Tunkhannock, where goalkeeper SARAH BEDNAREK ’24 made eight saves.

Sem was eliminated in the District 2 Class 2A quarterfinals by Mid Valley. Stambaugh scored two goals while LIA LIMONGELLI ’27 and OLIVIA DELUCA ’27 also scored in the 8-4 loss.

WYOMING VALLEY CONFERENCE CHAMPION

ILANA ROSENTHAL ’25 continued her masterful high school career by winning Citizens’ Voice Player of the Year honors for a third consecutive year. She was the PIAA Class 2A singles state champion for the second straight year.

Rosenthal helped the Blue Knights win back-to-back matches in the District 2 Class 2A team championships before losing the gold-medal bout against Scranton Prep.

Sem had two doubles teams — ELISABETH MOULES ’26 and ADDISON PRIEBE ’26, LIZZIE WEAVER ’27 and KIMI LI ’27 — make the district quarterfinals.

Novelli

Cabell

Stambaugh

Swartz

Class Notes

1956

JOHN HOPEN writes, “My wife, Lynn, and I are keeping busy this Spring with our gardening. Planted over 30 seeds for our tomatoes in the front windows. They need sun and warm soil to get ready to transplant in May. String beans, cukes and eggplants will follow.

We are down to five kayaks and are ready to get some paddling in. We no longer kayak camp in Maine — it's a 13-hour drive and I turn 88 on April 5. Slowing down a bit — but have many fond memories of Sem in 1956. It gave me the discipline that I needed, as well as exposure to great teachers. I will be forever grateful for my experiences at Wyoming Seminary!”

1957

JANE CAMPBELL writes, “As some of my classmates may recall, we lived many years in Ohio before taking an opportunity to live in Chapel Hill, N.C., for 20-plus years. We are back in Hamilton, Ohio, again enjoying being closer to family. In April 2023, we welcomed our first great-grandchild into the family, McKenna (Campbell) Newsom. Naturally, we think she is very special but unfortunately lives in Beaumont, Texas. If anyone knows of any alums from Sem who live in the Greater Cincinnati area, it would be fun to connect with them. Happy Springtime to all.”

ALICE "ANN" ROBINSON THOMPSON (known as "Tex" in Sem days) writes, “Life these days seems to revolve around downsizing. Amazing how much stuff one can accumulate. I have moving boxes from 1996 that were never opened. Spare time, though, is devoted to genealogy research, which is filled with ‘brick walls’ where no records exist. Such challenges add to the fun in discovering missing ancestors.”

1959

JUDY CASPER BOHORAD shared a picture from a few years ago of a small reunion of Sem alumni from the Class of 1959 including Nancy Welker ’59, Sally Friedman Cohen ’59, Barbara DeWitt Smith ’59, Jane Snowdon Jones ’59 and Jane Graham Kishbaugh ’59.

ANN POPKY FISHER writes, “Celebrated our 61st wedding anniversary, have two wonderful children and six wonderful grandchildren (and a grand dog). Best to all of my classmates.”

MARK JONATHAN HARRIS published “Misfits,” his collection of short stories in October. PublisherWeekly Booklife picked it as an Editor's Choice and called it “urgent, incisive short fiction.” Kirkus Review described it as “a bittersweet selection of well-told L.A. stories, spanning gang lockups to movie-director mansions.” After 40 years teaching at the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, Mark retired as Distinguished Professor to focus on his writing and filmmaking. His wife, Susan Popky Harris Ph.D. '59, continues her work as a psychotherapist in Los Angeles, where she and Mark have lived for the last 50 years.

NORMAN DANIEL JAMES writes, “I taught science at Wyoming Day School for 5th, 6th and 7th grades from 1963-1965. For 32 years, from 1965 until 1997, I was a Special Agent FBI. In 1997, I became a Special

Investigator for the FBI in 1997 and continued in that role for 26 years until 2023. I am now retired!”

JANE GRAHAM KISHBAUGH writes, “For years I have enjoyed attending our class reunions since I had lived in Shavertown, Pa., and didn’t have too far to travel. After graduating from Sem in 1959, I’d spent two years in North Dakota at an Air Force Squadron married to Ron Maturi ’57 where we traveled extensively through the west from Banff and Lake Louise, Canada, through the states to Southern California. It included some wilderness camping and was a great learning experience. I had traveled through Europe after my junior year in college and in later years with my daughter, Laura, in Spain. I am now living with my daughter and son-in-law in California. I will be missing the reunion, but wish the best to my classmates.”

JANE SNOWDON JONES writes, “I am looking forward to the reunion and catching up with everyone.”

HARRY REICH writes, “We moved to Georgia earlier this year as my balance is very bad and we needed to move closer to one of our children. We are learning new skills to adapt to a new environment!”

1961

ARTHUR BACON writes, “What's up with the class of '61? Kinda hard to submit anything that will pale compared to the accomplishments of Dr. Howard Gardner, but maybe…”

1962

MARILYN BERRY writes, “I recently spent time with two of my six great-grandchildren! I don’t see them often, so this was a treat. I’m enjoying life with my dog and three cats. I volunteer for Canine Companions and do social justice work with my church.”

NORMAN ISAACS writes, “I have relocated with Cristina, my wife of 50 years, to Naples, Florida, from Los Angeles.

Class of 1969 mini-reunion: ALISA BERGER COTTER, BURRELL MONTZ COVEY, CHRISTINE HIBBARD, and KATHARINE LOVELAND. Also pictured is Loveland's college friend, Katrina Reinhart.

Class of 1959 mini-reunion: NANCY WELKER , SALLY FRIEDMAN COHEN, BARBARA DEWITT SMITH, JUDITH CASPER BOHORAD, JANE SNOWDON JONES, and JANE GRAHAM KISHBAUGH

Class Notes

I am Co-President of the Jewish National Fund of Southwest Florida. Speaking and supporting Israel, playing a great deal of duplicate bridge and believe it or not still running.”

DR. KARYNE BETH WILNER claims that anger can be a valuable tool for promoting personal growth and one's overall well-being, if released in constructive ways. In her upcoming book "Releasing Toxic Anger for Women: Somatic Practices to Transform Negative Thoughts, Soothe Stress, and Stay True to Yourself," she shares body-based techniques to release anger in ways that lead to greater health overall.

Karyne B. Wilner, PsyD, licensed psychologist, has a private practice in Newport, R.I. She currently directs the Core Energetics Academy in Newtown, Ct., and was formerly Assistant Director of the International Institute for Core Energetics, Senior Director of the Brazilian Institute and Associate Director in Australia. She has traveled widely, giving lectures, workshops and seminars and has written numerous journal articles about somatics and psychology. In addition to her training programs, she is presently teaching master’s level Holistic Counseling courses at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I.

1964

GAIL KARNOFSKY MORRIS writes, “Feeling very fortunate to have a loving family and a wonderful husband for 54 years. Although our life was not conventional, we are now appreciating how lucky we’ve been. We are enjoying living in the warm weather and spending summers in Longport, N.J., with family and friends. Best wishes to the Class of ’64!”

JUDY A. ROBBINS writes, “I have moved into a condo in our 55 community and must admit I don’t miss all that is involved in owning a house! I’m still in Ellicott City, Md. I continue with volunteer work, church activities and gatherings with friends.

In 2017, my son, Scott, died of a drug overdose. The following summer, my daughter, Blair, was killed while riding her bike. Needless to say, it has been a sad time. On a happier note, I have four grandsons, Blair’s sons and their families including great-granddaughters. Three families live in Florida and one is in the Navy, stationed in Newport News, Va. I look forward to seeing many former classmates at our 60th (gasp) reunion.”

PAMELA SMITH WALSH writes, “We moved back to Texas after 10 years in Arizona to be close to our son and his family. We are sorry we will not be attending this 60th class reunion due to family commitments. Hope everyone has a great reunion.”

CHRISTINA SHAFER ZARDECKI writes, “We have been fortunate to spend winters in Bonita Springs, Fla., and our summers at Shickshinny Lake, Pa. Our son, Frank, got married in October and he and his wife live near us in Naples, Fla. Our daughter, Rebecca, and her family live in Chatham, N.J., but also spend some of their summer at their home at Shickshinny Lake. Frank finally retired after working for the Army for 60 years — a job that he loved! It does not seem possible that we graduated 60 years ago!”

1965

BRIAN HARRIS writes, “Just crossed off one from the bucket list. Revisited Perth, Western Australia, where I spent my junior year of high school. Spent a week with one of my ‘brothers’ with whom I spent about 10 weeks and his wife whom he just started dating back then. Fabulous memories. Perth had 1 million inhabitants then and now — 3 million. Spoke to the Rotary club who sponsored me. I did not realize at the time that I was their first student to host. Surprised they continued! Also spent a week on the south island of New Zealand, an incredibly gorgeous place.”

MARLENE LIPPI FUREY writes, “Life is good here! Quiet, no stress! Good food and wine and lots of love from my 21 rescues from Romania, Bosnia and Egypt. Quilting, gardening, cooking.”

DON MORREALE writes, “I am currently at work on the final installment of a trilogy about ancient Silk Road travelers for China Intercontinental Press. The books are being published in English and are meant for Chinese young adults. I was a teacher and coach for the public speaking team at a university in Hangzhou, China, from

2012 through 2017, which is how I got connected with this publisher. The books are available on Amazon under my name. I'm also doing volunteer work at Denver Rescue Mission, helping to resolve the homeless crisis here in Denver. A few old Wyo Sem chums live here and we get together for dinner from time to time.”

1966

KAREN NIELSEN BEVAN and her husband, Stuart, enjoy living in Newport, R.I., and have resumed hosting concerts in the music room of their home, which was once a theatre. Karen is on the Board of a new music festival in Newport called “Puddingstone,” which is presented in the Salon format in architecturally significant venues and combines live music, dance and visual art and poetry. She is also singing again, after many years, and will perform at the Blue Hill Troupe’s 100th Anniversary Gala at the Ziegfield Ballroom in NYC in May with husband, Stuart. In its 100-year history, the BHT has raised over $12 million for various NYC-based charities.

1968

SUE GRIFFITHS GARDNER writes, “I am retired from

JONATHAN YODER '01 performs stand-up comedy at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre.

ARTHUR BACON '61 plays pool in Nicaragua.

Lehigh Valley Health Network where I work as an oncology nurse practitioner. I live six months in Pennsylvania and six months in Florida. Between us, my husband, Bill, and I have 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In Florida, we spend our time volunteering at Give Kids the World, a resort where chronically ill children and their families are able to vacation courtesy of wish-granting organizations.”

1969

JONATHAN EDWARDS writes, “My spouse, Ella, and I had a great time at the 50th reunion! We enjoyed communing with classmates — renaissance people all — especially old lunch table buddies.

Right this next red-hot second, I'm finishing the last chapter of the second draft of my YA novel and scouting for literary agents. Also, it being March in the Delaware Valley, it's Spring Training and time to set out the kale and sunflower sprouts, sow rainbow Swiss chard seeds and keep a sharp eye out for erupting asparagus!

I've been reviewing Prof. Joel Lidz's ’70 book, “Pork Barrel Education,” a muckraker about the current state of higher education. It's full of philosophical insight and worth a read in light of recent events in the higher education ‘industry.’ He and I have been reminiscing about how we were in seventh grade together at Chester Street Elementary, Kingston. I am trying to locate a source, for my own use, of copies of my family's little local newspaper, “The West Side News,” which my father and mother, et alia, published out of Kingston during the 1960s, just before Hurricane Agnes. I contacted the Hoyt Library, but their roof fell in as a result of the flood and they lost their archives. The Osterhout also suffered loss of archives. I recently donated some ancient “Opinators” to Seminary's library, knowing our alma mater also suffered archival losses. I would appreciate any suggestions.

So very sad to learn of the passing of our beloved classmate, Pam.”

KEN LAMBERT writes, “I have been enjoying retirement

since June 2022. Two more grandchildren have come into my world, bringing the total to four. Not looking for new gigs at this point, but happy to read like a buzzsaw, watch movies and indulge in intelligent loafing. Best wishes to my '69 comrades, whom I hope to see at our 60th reunion in a few years!”

KATHARINE LOVELAND writes, “On a beautiful day in early August, we had lunch by the pool in the Jenkintown area … Alisa Berger Cotter ’69, Burrell Montz Covey ’69, Christine Hibbard ’69, Katharine Loveland ’69 and a college friend, Katrina Reinhart … and it turns out Katrina knew Buddy Boris!”

DENISE GOOBIC MECK writes, “Enjoying the Florida sunshine and weather. Hurricane Ian was scary, but thankfully we had no damage. I love spending time here in Fort Myers with my daughter, Corie Klinger. Otherwise, we travel to Claremont, Calif., to visit our son, Paul, and to Vashon Island, Wash., to visit our daughter, Abby Cantarell. Life is good.”

SALLY PARKHURST VAN WHY writes, “I am excited to see everyone at the reunion and very much enjoying retirement. I celebrated 50 years of marriage in July 2023. My grandchildren are Jackson (11), Emma (9) and Lily and Sam (5). I am an Alzheimer’s advocate and very involved in my church, Bedford Presbyterian.”

LESLIE VIVIAN writes, “Currently retired and living in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. I have been in the area now for 30 years and still love it! I am so looking forward to seeing everyone!”

1970

JOEL LIDZ writes, “Hello to all former Semites! (even if you are not Jewish). Hope you are all doing well. My wife and I have moved from Boston to a retirement community in Hingham, Mass., and would be happy to hear from you. Yours, Joel Lidz.”

1972

DENISE HILDEBRAND LARSEN writes, “We welcomed our first grandchild, a boy, on March 4, born almost five

weeks early and weighing in at 6 pounds, 4 ounces. He, our daughter and son-in-law will be visiting us here in Central Oregon from the Boston area for one month this summer.

Our eldest son, Commander Peter Larsen, is now the Executive Officer (XO) of the USS John Paul Jones, a naval destroyer homeported in Everett, Wash. He will be deploying for six to eight months to various points in the Pacific theater as part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet this Spring. By the end of this year, he will be taking over as Commanding Officer (CO) of the ship.”

1974

TISH MCCARTHY LAST writes, “I am honored and excited to be the 50th Class Reunion chairperson. I’m looking forward to seeing who comes to celebrate. Meg Hall, Nancy Cline, Jane Benovitz Feinstein, Clint Walker, Chuck Scott, Lois Ann Troup and George Spohrer and I hope you will make every effort to return to campus to celebrate!”

KEITH NEWMAN writes, “Anyone who would like to read about events in my life can read my book, ‘Growing up Sixties,’ which was inspired by an assignment Mr. Smith gave my class during my senior year.”

JENNI RODDA writes, “In 2023, I retired from my position as Head of Digital Media and computer services at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts, a position I held since 1986.”

1979

CHARLES PARKHURST writes, “My grandson, Jack Gardiner (born 6/15/21), welcomes the latest addition, his sister Madeline Gardiner (born 12/16/23). We're expecting grandchild No. 3 in mid-May!”

A. LISA PIEROTTI writes, “I currently serve in the position of Director of the Luzerne County Domestic Relations Office, being appointed in March 2021 by the Honorable Michael Vough. My office is responsible for establishing and enforcing Child and Spousal Support Orders in Luzerne County.”

Quilt created by MARLENE LIPPI FUREY '65

MARILYN BERRY '62 with grandchildren

Film by ALI AHMED '12

2001

JONATHAN YODER writes, “I recently was back in the area as a part of a group called the Bored Teachers. We did a stand-up comedy show to a sold-out crowd of 1,800 at the F.M. Kirby Center. I even had a couple classmates come out and support me!”

2005

JAMIE FLACK ECKMAN and Richard Eckman ‘04 welcomed daughter, Remy Ashley, on November 18, 2023.

2009

ELLEN HUGHES LAFAVE and her husband, Adam, welcomed Rosalie Romeli LaFave on June 28, 2023.

2011

OMEED FIROUZI started a new, full-time job as a Professor of Practice and Director of the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic at Temple University Beasley School of Law. In this role, Omeed supervises law students in representation of low-income individuals who have disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). As part of the clinic class each semester, Omeed teaches a oncea-week seminar lecture (with those same students who do the clinical work) in which the class discusses tax law, IRS procedure and client casework.

SARAH GRANGER and her husband, Gio, welcomed their son, Scotland David, born on March 19, weighing 5 pounds and 13 ounces.

NORA KORNFELD HEUBER and her husband, Scott, will celebrate the first birthday of their daughter, Louise, on June 6!

2012

ALI AHMED earned his commercial single and multiengine plane licenses, as well as his flight instructor, instrument rating instructor and multi-engine instructor licenses. He is now working as a flight instructor for the American Airlines Cadet Academy and hopes to begin flying for an airline in 2025. Also, his short film, “Zero Hour,” which he wrote, produced, directed and starred in, was screened in a theater in Union Square, Manhattan, as part of the NY Shorts Film Festival.

1984

CHARLES F. COHEN writes, “I am looking forward to our upcoming reunion!”

DAVID DANIEL HINKO writes, “I have not been able to come back for a reunion since our five-year reunion and unfortunately will not be able to come back this May. For this one, my daughter is graduating from high school and I will also be traveling more for work. I wish you all the best and remain grateful for my Sem education.”

SCOTT S. JOHNSON writes, “Hope all are happy and healthy and enjoying life.”

1994

NATALYA SHARP CHERRY writes, “A few great things have been happening for me lately, which include that I will be concluding my yearlong invited role (concurrent with my regular job at Brite) as Russell E. Richey and Merle Umstead Richey Visiting Professor in Methodist and Wesleyan Studies at Candler School of Theology,

Emory University, in May. Unfortunately, this is why I will be unable to attend my 30th reunion from Sem. Additionally, the faculty and trustees of Brite Divinity School on the campus of TCU voted to award me tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor, effective this fall. And finally, I have received research recognitions such as being elected co-chair of the Wesley and Methodist Studies Unit of the American Academy of Religion at its 2023 meeting (a five-year term) and I will travel to the UK where I have been accepted to present at the Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies this summer (an event that brings together scholars from all over the world once every five years, though the pandemic made it six this time).”

JONATHAN WEINBERGER writes, “I was recently named the Chief Policy Advisor for Global Affairs for General Motors. The role has been keeping me on my toes, but I continue to enjoy life in Nashville with my wife, Morgan Ortagus, our daughter, Adina, and our old canine son, Ozzie.”

2014

HOANG ANH T. PHAN graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2023. Hoang Anh received UPenn's Andy Binns Award for Outstanding Service to Graduate and Professional Student Life for her outstanding service and leadership with the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), including advocacy and contributions through roles in the Advocacy Division and as Executive Vice President, as well as service and advocacy for international students. She also received the Penn Global Student Citizenship Award, given to a graduating international student who has best exemplified a spirit of global citizenship during their time at Penn. As the graduate winner of the award, she was recognized for being "an exemplary steward of global citizenship and leader of Penn's international community." Hoang Anh is currently a research postdoctoral fellow at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Louise, daughter of NORA KORNFELD HEUBER '11 and husband, Scott

Rosalie Romeli, daughter of ELLEN HUGHES LAFAVE '09 and husband, Adam

Jack and Madeline Gardiner, grandchildren of CHARLES PARKHURST '79

Remy Ashley, daughter of JAMIE FLACK ECKMAN '05 and RICHARD ECKMAN '04

IN MEMORIAM

Our condolences are extended to the families of the following alumni and friends who passed away recently.*

1944

Elizabeth Miner Esten

Stephen Wolf

1945

Eddie Lou Brownlee Bush

1946

Joanne Raub Kluger

Richard Miller

Nancy Bloch Wolf

1947

Eleanor Friedman Barton

J. Louis Bush

Claire Konarski Rose

Elizabeth Brownlee Sherk

1948

Joseph Bonchonsky

Louis Goeringer

1949

Rita Kilgallon Conlon

Thomas F. Ferguson

Margery Goldstein Rosenberg

1950

Bette Nasser Clark

John Dixon

1951

Thomas Evans

Mary Meehan McAndrew

1952

Deborah Gutman Cornelius

Mary Lou Runstall Grontkowski

Sheldon Nelson

1953

Herbert Bauer

Lois Rinkenberger Hampton

Betsy Everett Hubinger

John Hughes

Pauline Julias

Arden Llewellyn

1954

Peter J. Blazes

Loretta Knorr Bufalino

James Butcofski

John Crandall

Norman Kluger

Sally Skinner-Sandford

Charles Smith

Catherine Howell Susanin

Peter Wells

Randall Wingert

1955

Jacob Boltz

Robert Lloyd Jr.

RICHARD "DICK" MASLOW, a long-time supporter and true friend of Wyoming Seminary, passed away on March 20, 2024.

A generous benefactor of the arts, sciences and scholarship, he received the Joseph C. Donchess Service Award, the highest honor bestowed upon by the Wyoming Seminary Board of Trustees.

Mr. Maslow established the Louis Maslow STEM School at Wyoming Seminary in honor and memory of his father to engage and inspire students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through holistic and

1956

Daryl McKenzie

1957

John Carl Daddona

Juliet Howells Fawbush-Fluke

Joseph Fosko Jr.

Diane Burnside Haddle

Walter Krieger

Lois Wasserstrom Morris

1959

Ralph R. Chase Jr.

China O'Toole Petersen

1960

Ronald Lawton

Carol Munday Lawrence

Richard Scott

Dina Raker Vail

1961

Michael Fosko

1962

Charles Aquilina

Kendall Clement

William Oncay

1964

Mary Sokash Challenger

1969

Mark Tymeson

Robert Shortz

1970

Andrew John Bowalick Jr.

Robert Buntz Jr.

Pamela Pethick Gale

Stephen Nicolas Huslander

1973

Carol Weiss Baltimore

1974

Jayne Smith Mullen

Robert Lewis

1975

Lisa Bartorillo

2002

Marissa Carmadella

FRIENDS OF SCHOOL

Alice H. Sallada

John S. Thalenfeld

* as of March 31, 2024

integrated paths of study and the Frances and Louis Maslow Award in memory of his parents to recognize teaching excellence. The award is presented each year at graduation to an Upper School and Lower School faculty member. Mr. Maslow also established the Sem Rwanda Scholarship, which supported a student from Rwanda to attend Wyoming Seminary for four years.

Mr. Maslow was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Marilyn, and their son, Doug '84. He is survived by five children, all of whom are Sem alumni, Jennifer '78, Hilary '80, Melanie Maslow Kern '82, Allison '85, and Leslie '86. He also had eight grandchildren, including Sem alumni Olivia Lumia '10, Louise Lumia '11, Malcolm Lumia '15, and Duncan Lumia '18.

FACULTY/STAFF

MILDRED “MILLIE”

CALKINS, 98, of York, formerly of 40 Church Street, Plymouth, passed away December 27, 2023, at the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown.

Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Eva Kasych. Millie graduated from Allentown High School and West Chester State Teachers College. She taught health and physical education at Wyoming Seminary and introduced women's field hockey to Wyoming Seminary, where she coached one of her teams to an undefeated, untied season. She was also a substitute teacher at Wyoming Valley West.

Millie was preceded in death by her husband, James Calkins, in 1996. Surviving are her children, James Jr. ‘71 and his wife, Tricia; and Charles ‘73 and his wife, Leslie; grandchildren, Jamie, Brandon and Chad; Hilary, Bennett and Jon; and five great-grandchildren.

MARC COOPER passed away on February 27, 2024, in Jasper, Florida. He was a faculty member at the Upper School in the Mathematics department from 2007-2011.

ANN MARIE KELLY passed away on January 21, 2024. She was a secretary at the Lower School from 1980-1996.

www.wyomingseminary.org/give