Directions 05-06

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Reunion 2006. For those of you who haven’t been back to campus in awhile, there is a lot that’s new. The face of the School has changed with new buildings, and new faculty members, but underneath the improvements the soul of the place is the same. RETURN ONCE AGAIN

Friends’ Central School

Middle & Upper Schools

1101 City Avenue

Wynnewood, PA 19096 (610) 649-7440

Lower School Campus

228 Old Gulph Road

Wynnewood, PA 19096 (610) 642-7575

www.friendscentral.org

Head of School

David M. Felsen

Published By

The Development Office

Director of Development

Evelyn P. Rader

Assistant Director of Development/Director of Capital Efforts

Lydia A. Martin

Director of Alumni/ae Affairs

Linda Waxman Wasserman ‘75

Director of Annual Giving

James P. Brennan

Assistant Director of Annual Giving/Archivist

Elizabeth H. Finley

Director of Publications

Alexa K. Dunn

Webmaster/Data Specialist

Joel F. W. Price

Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the Home and School Association

Pam Yih

Development Office Support

Denise K. Morris

Monica Peterson

Directions Design

Yoonsun Chung

Ad Layout & Design

Yoonsun Chung

Valley Press

Printing Star Print Mail, Inc.

2005–2006 Board of Trustees

Ann V. Satterthwaite, Clerk

Peter P. Arfaa

Adrian Castelli

Kenneth Dunn

Jean Farquhar ’70

Victor Freeman ’80

Christine Gaspar ’70

Robert Gassel ’69

Edward Grinspan

Irwin Gross

Walter Harris ’75

Sally Harrison

Karen N. Horikawa ’77

Deborah Hull

Craig Lord

Hillard Madway

Edward Marshall

Carol Mongeluzzi

Jeffrey Purdy

Lawrence S. Reichlin

Marsha Rothman

Jonathan Sprogell

Louise Tritton

James Wright

Barbara M. Cohen, Emerita

Joanna Haab Schoff ’51, Emerita

Headmaster’s Note

Dear Friends,

It pleases me that the focus of this edition of Directions is on alumni/ae who are leading successful lives and pursuing their interests in academics, arts, and athletics. It is also reassuring that, like so many of our graduates, they remember Friends’ Central and testify to the power of a Friends’ Central education.

In the section entitled “Campus Log” you may enjoy articles drawn from the current curricula of our Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. They provide examples of our ongoing commitment to an education which helps our students attain the skills and confidence vital to success at Friends’ Central and beyond. Underlying all our efforts is the belief that the world can be a better place, and that Friends’ Central students of today, along with our graduates, will continue to make significant contributions to that end.

It is a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of a community devoted to such good purpose.

Sincerely,

David M. Felsen Headmaster

From the Board of Trustees

Ann Satterthwaite addressed Friends’ Central’s faculty and staff during opening exercises at Merion Meeting. Below are excerpts from her speech.

...As I was preparing to greet you as the new clerk of the Board of Trustees and to share with you some of my journey to this spot, thoughts of how I was brought up—and the significant influences I have had in my 62 years—kept coming up again and again…

...As a child and grandchild of Quakers, I guess the Friendly ways would inevitably become a part of my very being and guide me in questions of ethics and values…

...That I was truly excited about enrolling my young son, Andrew Newcomb, at Friends’ Central indicates how very much a Friends education did reach me. Andrew and I started Friends’ Central at the same time. Some of you may remember me from those early days. That would be around 1974 when I began a job as Assistant Director of Development and Director of Publications. Tom Wood was headmaster; Bill Ravdin was clerk of the board. Physically, the campus was a very different place in 1974. No Shallcross Hall, Fannie Cox Center, Shimada Athletic Center, Upper School Building or separate Lower School Campus...

…Interestingly, editing Directions gave me the opportunity to meet and correspond with alumni of all ages. To this day, when attending alumni events here at school, I recognize lots

of names and faces. Just last spring at Homecoming, I attended a reception for the Class of 1955, their 50th reunion. This class said over and over again how much they appreciate their Friends education and in many cases regretted that a school like Friends’ Central wasn’t available for their grandchildren...

Ann V. Satterthwaite

…I have been a board member for 19 years, give or take a year out between terms. I have gained valuable insight from fellow board members who give countless hours to develop budgets and long range plans, invest endowment funds, lead capital campaigns, examine issues of school life, and oversee the building of major new facilities. It is an honor to spend time with these volunteers who come from many walks of life and professions but who all share an unwavering belief in the value of a Friends’ Central education and total faith in the talents, honesty, and integrity of the faculty members and the leadership of David Felsen.

A new academic year begins for Friends’ Central for over 900 students, young, impressionable, and in various stages of world awareness. More than ever, let us remain true to what Friends Council on Education says about Friends education: “A Friends school hopes to offer a community that cares deeply about what kind of persons its members, young and old, are becoming, what goals and motives are effective in their lives, what their response is to the high calling of being human.”

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce or reintroduce myself. I look forward to working with you and an exceptional board of trustees as we enter a new chapter…

Thank you and good luck to all.

Ann V. Satterthwaite Clerk of the Board of Trustees

Editor’s Note

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the beginning of a fire.” —W.B. Yeats

As I place the finishing touches on this, my first, issue of Directions, I wonder about Yeats’ statement and how it applies to a Friends’ Central experience. To prepare most of the articles within, I had the rare opportunity to visit and talk with past and present Lower, Middle, and Upper School administrators, teachers, and students and learn first hand what it is like to be a part of this unique institution.

Midway through our 161st year at Friends’ Central School, it is abundantly clear that people—administrators, teachers, and students—are happy here. As a Middle School teacher at FCS since 2001, it has been my ongoing pleasure to witness kids filling their pails with “ah-ha!” moments and triumphs. Even the smallest victory is celebrated as an important step in their evolution as students and citizens of the larger community. My hope is that these developing young men and women view their pail not just as an end in and of itself, but as a stepping stone to the exciting road that lies ahead. At FCS, not only have students begun to fill their pails with social, academic, athletic, and artistic skills, but they have honed these skills and sharpened their interests here at the School so that as they go out into the world beyond it, the outcome—whatever it is they choose to pursue—smolders until it becomes a full-on fire. Friends’ Central not only provides its students with kindling for the blaze, but it also teaches them how to light that fire and how to follow and attend to that spark once it is set.

As you thumb through this issue, notice that not only do we shine at every level and within each division of the School, but we also produce talented, focused, poised, grounded, and successful alumni/ae who have used what they learned at FCS as kindling for their fires—their passions and pursuits.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Directions, and I welcome your comments at adunn@friendscentral.org.

Sincerely,

Alexa K. Dunn Director of Publications

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Have you published a book recently? Run a marathon? Had a baby?

FCS encourages friends to share their news with Directions. Email your notes and photos to alumni@friendscentral.org (preferable method) or mail information to the Development Office, 1101 City Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096. Please mark the back of prints with your name and class year.

Digital images must be of high quality (28" x 21" at 72 dpi, or 4" x 6" at 300 dpi). We accept photos up to 2MB.

2004–2005 Report of Voluntary Support Corrections

The following errors were reported for the 2004–2005 Report of Voluntary Support. We regret these errors and provide the correct information below. We value each and every gift—regardless of size—made to support and strengthen this great school.

Friends’ Central Benefactors Gift Club should read $800–$1,199.

Blue and Gray Associates Gift Club should read $300–$799.

Robin and Eric Siegel should be listed under Blue and Gray Associates and also under Parents, Class of 2007.

Cynthia and Michael Veloric should be listed under Parents, Class of 2009.

TAKE NOTE

Ann Satterthwaite has been on the Friends’ Central Board of Trustees since 1986. She served as Co-Clerk of the Board with Debbie Hull in 2004–2005 and was appointed Clerk in May 2005. Beginning in 1974, Satterthwaite spent five years working at FCS as Assistant Director of Development and Director of Publications, concentrating on admissions, planned giving, fundraising, and publicity. Reminiscing on her time spent at FCS as Director of Publications, she remembers being in awe of Trustees as she snapped pictures at events. Satterthwaite warmly states, “It never entered my mind that I would become a board member and I’m still very humbled by it all.”

After years of working in the areas of development, marketing research, and publications management for Haverford College, Drexel University, Schultz & Williams, Inc. and other organizations, Satterthwaite launched her own company, The Ann Satterthwaite Company, in January of 1998. She serves non-profit groups representing the arts and culture, social service, education, the environment, and health care; clients include Girard College, The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Planned Parenthood, and the Lower Merion Conservancy. As Clerk of the FCS Board, she is looking forward to “working with an extremely talented and diverse group of Board members to face challenges that all independent schools face: endowment, financial aid, faculty and staff salaries and benefits.” Satterthwaite also enjoys her continuing work with Headmaster David Felsen, who she believes is leading the School “in the right direction, in the right way, at the right time.” In addition to her position on the FCS Board, she is First Vice-President of the Board of the Pennsylvania Prison Society. Outside of her professional accomplishments, Satterthwaite enjoys wonderful relationships with her son, Andrew Newcomb ’87 and husband, Jim Bergen. She is also a member of Germantown Monthly Meeting.

Carol Mongeluzzi (Devon ’08 and Andrew ’10) loves Friends’ Central because “there is such a balance” between the rigor of academics, arts, and athletics and the serenity of downtime where “kids can just be kids.” A Thomas Jefferson-educated psychiatric nurse who once worked in the Child/Adolescent Unit of Hahnemann Hospital, she is now a full-time stay-at-home mother who is passionate about family, animals, painting, drawing, skiing, and running. She boards her horse, Duke, at a Penn Valley barn that is also home to alpacas, donkeys, sheep, and pigs; the barn has quickly become her home away from home, as she derives great pleasure from her animal ardor. Carol is also a frequent traveler—she and her family recently traveled to Africa (including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) demonstrating her free-spirited and energetic nature. As an FCS volunteer, she is

Adrian Castelli, James “Brad” Bradbeer, Ann Satterthwaite, Larry Reichlin, Carol Mongeluzzi

a parent representative and is presently on the Middle School Book Fair Committee. She views her membership on the Board of Trustees as an “opportunity for personal growth,” one which adds a “new dimension to [her] relationship with FCS.” Because the School has been such a vital part of her children’s lives, Carol seeks to give back, offer a new perspective, and meet interesting people.

Adrian Castelli (Peter ’07 and Will ’09), co-owner of Narberth and Gulph Mills Tennis Clubs and Julian Krinsky Summer Camps and Programs, has two boys who love Friends’ Central. With a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Biology from the University of Pennsylvania, Adrian’s activity within our community stems from a desire to give back and make positive change in the world. Adrian was the founder of the Philadelphia Relief Foundation that supported social work homes in North Philadelphia. He also served as Trustee and Board President of Riverbend Environmental Education Center. Currently, Adrian personally funds PALS Summer Camp, which pairs Down Syndrome children with non-Downs peers. He and his wife Molly Love chose FCS because “community is as important as education.” Adrian looks forward to serving on the Board of Trustees and participating on a greater level within the School community. He enthusiastically states, “My time and commitment are small in comparison to what FCS has given my sons.”

Larry Reichlin (Aaron ’10 and Jake ’12), partner at packaging distribution company Zuckerman Honickman, Inc., will now add FCS Trustee to his long list of community activities. He is a member of the Board of Trustees at The University of the Arts, serving on both the Development and Finance Committees. On the Board of Overseers at the Institute of Contemporary Art at Penn for the last twelve years, Larry is Chair of the Nominating Committee and a member of the Executive/Strategic Planning/Endowment Committee. He also serves on the Board of Overseers at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. At Friends’ Central, Larry is a member of the Development and School Life Committees and Co-Chairs the Annual Giving campaign with his wife, Norma. While their two sons are quite different from one another, Larry confidently believes that FCS is the “perfect school” for both of them. He joins the Board of Trustees assert-

ing, “I believe in being involved, and if we [the family] are going to be a part of a community, we are going to give back to it.”

A birthright Quaker, James “Brad” Bradbeer (J.B. ’14, Peter ’16) joins the Board of Trustees due to his love of Friends’ Central and desire to give back to a community that provides a wonderful education for his children. He appreciates the School’s focus on the individual, the commitment to Quaker values, and the drive to “teach kids and get them to be everything that they can be.” As President of Lilly Pulitzer

Clayton L. Farraday ’32 Mastership Summer Stipends

Each year, the FCS faculty has the unique opportunity to apply for a Clayton L. Farraday ’32 Mastership Summer Stipend to pursue areas of interest and curiosity that support their pedagogical and personal aspirations. Below is a listing of faculty who received this gift and their stipend descriptions. For further details, see the Fall 2005/Winter 2006 issue of Forum

Katie Daniels: Research in the Yucatan Peninsula on the culture and ancient customs of Mayan civilizations.

Alexa Dunnington ’98: Graduate classes in literary theory and Latino literature at the Sante Fe, New Mexico satellite campus of Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English.

Louise Evans: Cultural tour of Prague, Budapest, and Vienna, with emphasis on the music of each city.

Liza Ewen: Three-week Spanish immersion program at Amazonas Spanish School in Quito, Ecuador.

Linda Hensel: Week-long workshop at the Florida Avenue Meetinghouse in Washington D.C. on HIPP (Help Increase the Peace Program) given by the American Friends Service Committee.

Caroline Maw-Deis: Travel to Kaua’i to research and work with native fiber artists and basketweavers.

Dawn Ovalle: Early childhood music workshop at Michigan State University based on Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory. Further certification in Early Childhood Music by the Gordon Institute for Music Learning.

Marcia Slade: Travel to Greece to prepare for artistic study of Lower School theme, Islands, and a course on Greek islands.

Steve Ruzansky: Five days at NashCamp in Nashville, TN studying bluegrass instrumentals (banjo), vocals, and band/jam structures.

since restarting the company in 1993, he owns and operates eleven Lilly stores and sells the brand in seventy signature and upscale department stores across the U.S. Despite his busy professional life, Brad loves to chase his four boys (Thomas, 5, and John, 2, attend St. David’s Nursery School in Wayne), spend time with his wife Carol, and play golf. A graduate of Episcopal Academy, Amherst College, and Harvard Business School, Brad is “impressed and enthused” by Friends’ Central and Headmaster David Felsen’s leadership of the School. Brad looks forward to serving the institution and the people that hold great significance in his family’s life.

Fannie Cox Hendrie Summer Stipends

Since 1992, Fannie Cox Hendrie Stipends have supported science, math, and technology teachers as they pursue summer study, travel, and other activities that enhance their teaching at Friends’ Central. Listed below are the 2005 recipients.

Sara Callaghan: Travel to France to join an Earthwatch Institute research team and participate in an archaeological dig in the Dordogne region, excavating a cave where Neanderthals once lived.

Dyann Connor: Travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands to study the ecological impact that the Indian mongoose has made on the islands’ ecosystems.

Deb Goldader: Travel to Greece in spring of 2006 to view the total eclipse of the Sun.

Peter Grove: A three-week journey across China; research, preparation, and planning for an interactive Lower School weather station.

John Gruber: Moth and butterfly specimen collection in unique southeastern Arizona habitats close to the Mexican border; attendance and presentation at the annual Lepidopterists Society in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Chris Guides: Travel to San Diego, California to attend a conference for GIS (Geographic Information Systems) educators to enhance his Middle School tree mapping project of all trees (including pictures, scientific names, diameters, and planting history) on the City Avenue campus.

Gayle Harmer: Membership in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and Math Forum’s Problem of the Week; new materials and manipulatives for math activities.

The Upper School Faculty Recommends...

Each year, Upper School teachers have the opportunity to recommend books to 10th-12th grade students for summer reading. In September, teacher-led discussion groups are formed according to who read what. Below is a sampling of books put forth as noteworthy and notable. Perhaps some of these will make it on to your reading list as well.

John Ricci

INHERITTHE WIND by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee

This play is a dramatization of the famous Scopes ‘Monkey’ Trial which took place in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925. The trial dealt with a teacher, John Scopes, who violated a Tennessee state law by teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution in the public schools. The current “intelligent design” controversy in Kansas gives this drama a contemporary connection.

Bill Kennedy

SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut

Only Kurt Vonnegut could combine science fiction, the horrors of war, and the otherwise ordinary life of an optometrist into a compelling, thought-provoking tragicomedy. This is the story of Billy Pilgrim, a man who has come “unstuck in time.” Moving without warning from the bombing of Dresden in WWII to his stay in a zoo on the planet Tralfamor, Billy leads us through a meditation on time, war, capitalism, and the fickle finger of fate. As a proponent of the unvarnished truth, Vonnegut doesn’t shy away from difficult or uncomfortable situations. He never loses sight of our shared human frailty either.

Jackie Gowen-Tolcott

THE NAMESAKE by Jhumpa Lahiri

Although he is American born, Gogol Ganguli has grown up with parents who adhere to Bengali traditions. Gogol has tried to fit into American society since his childhood. This is not an easy process and he will have to make difficult decisions throughout his growing years. He would like to create a new life and a new name for himself in his country of birth but he can’t completely break ties to the world of his parents. The novel presents themes of alienation, personal growth, romantic entanglements, and search for identity. It’s a well-written novel which has universal appeal.

Al Vernacchio

MIDDLESEX by Jeffrey Eugenides

“I was born twice: first, as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day in January of 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of 1974.” Middlesex tells the history of the Stephanides family and of a certain gene that winds its way through the years until it finds

expression in the protagonist, Cal. Born intersexed (a blended male and female biology), Calliope is identified as female at birth and raised as a girl. In growing up, however, she realizes that her gender assignment doesn't fit the person inside her body. Cal’s many journeys in the novel (to understanding her gender, across country, and into her family’s history) all lead to finding his true identity as a young man. This great story brings up very interesting questions about the nature of gender, biology, and how our family’s history leads us both towards and away from our true identity.

Deb Goldader

THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN

by Michael Crichton

In this short, suspenseful work of science fiction, the author weaves a not-so-far-fetched tale of human response to an extraterrestrial threat. It seems a satellite carrying an alien pathogen has crashed in an Arizona town. Given that NASA’s “Stardust” mission is due to return on January 15, 2006, with a sample of cometary debris it collected in 2004, Crichton’s fiction may give some of us pause to think about the real-life risks involved when returning celestial samples to Earth.

Sara Callaghan

ISHMAEL by Daniel Quinn

Ishmael is a book that makes you think about your place in the world. Here are some particularly good quotes from reviews: Miles Morgan Shuman said, “[Ishmael] asks for humans to begin to look at themselves without the distorting lens that ‘civilization’ has placed before their eyes. Ishmael removes this lens. The view is astounding;” James D. Osborne added, “There are Leavers, and there are Takers. Takers ought to read Ishmael.”

I haven’t read it for a few years, but I remember being really moved by it, and I'm not the only one... (Rumor has it that Pearl Jam’s album, Yield, was influenced by this book.)

Mike Crauderueff

ALWAYS OUTNUMBERED, ALWAYS OUTGUNNED by Walter Mosley

Socrates Furtlow has done his time. He has paid his debt to society and been released from prison after twenty-seven years. Aware of the handicap of being an ex-con, poor, and black, he heads to South Central Los Angeles to make a new life for himself. He experiences violence, pain, and rejection—as well as friendship, beauty, survival, and redemption. Our witness to the courage Socrates displays and the lessons he teaches transforms our understanding of his life in Watts and, indeed, of all our lives—no matter who we may be or where we may live.

Friends’ Central won a Historic Preservation Award from Lower Merion Township’s Historical Commission for the Fannie Cox Center for Science, Math, and Technology and the adjacent campus green. Designed by GUND Partnership, the work embraced an open, participatory planning process that included faculty, staff, students, alumni/ae, parents, neighbors, and other interested parties within Lower Merion Township.

Friends’ Central Upper School students helped organize and participated in the Quaker Youth Leadership Conference at Penn Charter and Germantown Friends Schools this past February. Co-clerked by Ami Bagia ’05, the conference hosted Friends schools from across the U.S. FCS students led worship-sharing groups and coordinated events. Over 200 total participants spent the weekend exploring this year’s theme of national and personal identity and discussing personal and political freedom within their own communities and the world at large.

A team of FCS Upper Schoolers, organized and led by Upper School science teacher John Gruber, won the “Most Outstanding Technological Presentation” award at the Annenberg High School Science Symposium at Lankenau Hospital in May. At the competition, the FCS team presented devices to combat heart failure and assist cardiac performance.

Upper School art teacher Peter Seidel is the winner of the Da Vinci Art Alliance Gold Medal for Best of Show in the July 2005 juried show entitled “Word.” Peter’s winning work, Mouthwash #10, is featured above. Peter’s work is also included in the Susquehanna Art Museum’s Van Go! Exhibition, an art education program running from September 2005 to July 2006. According to the museum’s website, the exhibition’s mission is “to provide exposure to original works of art to people who otherwise lack such opportunities.” Van Go! exhibitions aim to reach broad audiences and encourage ideas across school curricula. For more information on this year’s Van Go! exhibition and to see Peter’s work, Cleaner #3, included in the show, visit www.sqart.org/vango/index.htm.

Upper School science teacher Deb Goldader led a group of Upper School students on a trip to Arizona as part of her Summer Science Institute in Observational Astronomy program. In Tucson, she wrote, “Andromeda and other things

just rising to the north were very easy to see with the naked eye. Binocular views were spectacular. The Milky Way and galactic center to the southeast were delectable—Lagoon Nebula, M6, M7—wowee!!” At Kitt Peak, she added, “a highlight for the kids was watching for an iridium flare near dawn. The greatest part of using both telescopes simultaneously is that we have the benefit of take-home, printable CCD ‘souvenirs’ plus memories of an unparalleled evening under the stars.”

This spring, Middle School Latin teacher Margaret Sommerville Roberts ’83 organized a FCS family trip to Greece that included 76 students, parents, grandparents, and siblings from Middle and Upper School families. The ten-day trip included four days in Athens, a cruise to Turkey, and visits to Ephesus and the southern islands. The tour focused on venues in Homer’s Odyssey and mythology.

Lower School science teacher Peter Grove was The Main Line Times Volunteer of the Week for his work with the Riverbend Environmental Education Center. The newspaper indicates that Grove “exemplifies what [Grove] would like to see more of: people pitching in and working together for the sake of the community, and developing and sharing an appreciation of the world we live in.” Grove also records Halloween broadcasts for NPR. Hear his scary story at http://weekendamerica.-publicradio.org/programs/index_20051029.html#grove.

Gabe Bloomfield ’07 won first place in the 2005 Philadelphia Young Playwrights Festival (PYPF) for his one-act play Snow is Falling. His drama was chosen out of 320 entries in the PYPF’s high school category due to the quality of writing and excellence as a piece of producible theater. Gabe is one of five first place winners who received enhanced workshop productions of their plays at Temple University this fall.

Zach Malet ’06 won three medals at the six-day USA Track and Field Youth National Championship in Knoxville, Tennessee in July 2005. Zach scored two individual medals (800m and 1500m) along with one team medal in the 4x800m relay.

Rachel Bradburd ’05 and Lauren Nadkarni ’05 were named Academic All-Americans, outstanding lacrosse players who also demonstrated high academic achievement.

Dan Lieberman ’05 was profiled in the September 2005 issue of Philadelphia magazine for his passionate pursuit of online journalism. Lieberman launched teenzone.com, a website expressly for teens, in March and gathers contributions from students at over twenty local high schools. Dan was also featured in ThePhiladelphia Inquirer and has been awarded a $13,000 grant from the Philadelphia Foundation. Dan currently attends McGill University.

Charles and Peter Wapner ’05 competed this past July in the 2005 Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association World Championships at Connecticut College. Charles participated in the 400m, 800m, 1500m, javelin, and discus track and field events, and in the 50m freestyle swim. Peter entered the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke contests, along with the javelin, shot put, and discus.

Marian Grove ’04, a sophomore at Yale University, interned this summer at WHYY’s Children’s Services Department where she conducted research on literacy and the impact of PBS shows on children learning how to read. Currently, she is assisting with writing a grant proposal for a children’s camp that teaches the main principles of American government.

Benj Pasek ’03 debuted Edges, a new musical co-written with colleague Justin Paul, at the Kimmel Center’s Innovation Studio in May 2005. Edges was featured in an Off-Broadway New York showcase, where Benj, his colleague, and other collaborators caught the attention of Tony Award nominees and top Broadway writers and agents. Edges’s Kimmel Center debut was part of an East Coast tour through Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Connecticut. Benj, a college junior, is a musical theater major at the University of Michigan.

Adam Nicolai ’02, a junior at Goucher College, has coauthored Salmon Pursuits, a play about a young man who fulfills his dreams with the help of a supportive friend. On the Goucher website, Adam states that he was motivated by Goucher College’s motto, ‘Education without Boundaries’: “I’ve always wanted to fuse together art and community service work, and this play represents the outcome of that.” The work premiered in October at the Towson YMCA Outdoor Pavilion in Towson, Maryland, where Goucher students acted alongside members of the Towson community. The performance benefited the YMCA Strong Kids Annual Giving Campaign, a program that supports children whose families might not otherwise be able to afford the activities that the YMCA offers.

Last February’s Film & Lecture Series featured author Diane McKinney Whetstone (Kehinde ’00 and Taiwo ’00), who treated Friends’ Central to a reading from her novel Leaving Cecil Street

Defne Amado ’99, a second-year medical student, was published in the University of Pennsylvania’s PennsylvaniaGazette. Her article, “IWant to Remember Everything,”is an excerpt from her journal about visiting a patient with sarcoidosis, an immune system disease of unknown cause whose complications include lung disease, diabetes, and memory loss.

Burchard Tang ’94, Curtis Institute of Music graduate and viola player with the Philadelphia Orchestra, was part of the Musicians from Marlboro concert at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Anne Midgette of The New York Times wrote, “Mr. Tang, particularly, played a sweet viola” and added that “it just seemed that the young artists were responding honestly to music they loved.”

Janet Goldwater ’68 has won a $50,000 Pew Fellowship in the Arts. A filmmaker collaborating with fellow Philadelphia filmmaker Barbara Attie, she has created social documentaries focusing on women’s lives for the last fifteen years. Awardwinning films include Maggie Growls (2002), Landowska: Uncommon Visionary (1997), and I Witness: Shot Down in Pensacola (1998). Her newest piece, Rosita, was screened at Drexel University in October. Visit her website at www.attiegoldwater.com.

Debbie Hull has served on the FCS Board of Trustees since 1981. She became Clerk in 1997 and then co-clerked with Ann Satterthwaite in 2004–2005. The torch has now been passed fully to Ann. Headmaster David Felsen states, “We are grateful for Debbie’s dedication, wisdom, leadership, and the graceful way she has passed along such major responsibility. We are pleased that she remains a member of the Board and maintains her great involvement in the School.”

CAMPUS LOG

Transitions

“Give, and it shall be given unto you is still the truth about life… it means kindling the life-quality where it was not.”

– D.H. Lawrence, We Are Transmitters

After 34 years of service, Bob Emory, teacher of art, photography, and woodworking, manager of the stage crew, and set builder for all drama productions, has retired from Friends’ Central. Recipient of the Merrill E. Bush Award, Bob was an outstanding member of the FCS community, a dedicated and modest teacher who touched the lives of many. Upon his departure from FCS, a group of faculty and staff led by Middle School art teacher Caroline Maw-Deis presented Bob with a memory book filled with old photos, hand-written trips down memory lane, thoughts, well-wishes, and even a poem. Ginger and Mark Fifer wrote, “You have done a fine job of transmitting your passion for the arts as seen in the myriad roles and jobs you’ve completed with your fine sense of attention to detail. You have given life to [students’] creative talents in so many ways.” Middle School math teacher Maureen Sullivan added, “Your work behind the scenes always left our community looking like stars on the stage…scene by scene, year by year. Thank you for all your hard work, all your energy, all your expertise, and all your inspiration. May the years ahead bring you as much peace, joy, and love as you have brought to all of us.” Junior Focus editor Josh Abel ’07 wrote in a June 2005 article about Emory, “This Renaissance man, who has held positions at this school ranging from stage crew manager to photography teacher, is now going to depart from Friends’ Central School, an institution that has been incalculably enhanced by his 34 years of service.” We wish Bob and his family all the best.

For 16 years, Dorothy (Dot) Nelson was a dynamic and tireless presence working as the Administrative Secretary to Headmaster David Felsen. Dot exclaims, “Those sixteen years were just great! I loved the job, the people; I truly looked forward to going to work every day.” She believes she learned a lot and made many strong connections while at FCS. Deanna Ciarrocchi, Admission Office secretary and Dot’s close friend and confidante, misses their daily lunchtime

power walks and wishes she were still here, but emails and speaks to Dot regularly. Reflecting on her work with David Felsen, Dot warmly states, “He made me feel that I worked with him, and not for him.” A recipient of the Merrill E. Bush Award, her dedication to her job and her strength of character made her an example of integrity in the School.

David Felsen fondly states, “Dot was not only advantageous to me and our work in the Headmaster’s Office, but was also responsive to so many in the Friends’ Central community. In all her time here, she never lost a step. No Headmaster could have asked for a finer assistant.” Dot recently moved down to North Carolina to live with her daughter and family. She chases her grandsons, volunteers at the YMCA, and participates in a local women’s club. Dot confesses, “I am enjoying retirement much more than I thought I would!”

Catherine (Cay) Duggan spent more than 35 years at FCS, working as Admission Office Secretary and Lower School Secretary for Michi Tashjian and current Lower School Principal Joseph Ludwig ’69. Joe reminisces that Cay was “a real school person, well loved by faculty, parents, and children.” Lou Del Soldo, Assistant Lower School Principal, adds, “She was lovely, hard working, vibrant, fun, had a great rapport with students and an incredible sense of professionalism.” At Cay’s retirement party this June, she was presented with a Friends’ Central rocking chair and a memory book filled with pictures, letters, and warm sentiments. A Meeting for Sharing was held that afternoon, and every Lower School teacher stood up to muse about Cay and communicate well wishes.

Congratulations to all!

Friends’ Central Welcomes New Archivist

The death of Clayton L. Farraday ’32, Friends’ Central’s founding archivist, left the School’s archives without an official caretaker. Finding a person with the right mix of School spirit, attention to detail, and archival expertise was no easy task, but Friends’ Central has had the good fortune to appoint Elizabeth Finley Archivist for the School.

Elizabeth worked with Clayton in the Archives for two years in a volunteer capacity and enjoyed Clayton’s insight and company immensely. “He was a fount of knowledge and an expert at everything ‘Friends’ Central’. I loved simply talking with him as much as I enjoyed learning about the historical documents and artifacts pertaining to the School.” Clayton’s collection of historically-significant items, which he amassed while researching his history of the School, Friends’ Central School 1845–1984, is housed in the Blackburn Library on the City Avenue campus.

Friends’ Central’s new archivist hopes to administer the Archives in a way that will encourage the FCS community to add to, and learn from, the Archives. “I encourage everyone in the community to contact me if they are interested in anything in the Archives, or if they have something to add to the collection. I want to make the FCS Archives as accessible as possible, and continue Clayton’s tradition of diligently collecting photographs, documents and artifacts which tell the story of Friends’ Central.” Recent submissions to the Archives have included photographs dated as early as 1928, a Cum Laude key, and a

Elizabeth Finley

medal won in the late 1940s by an alumna in a city-wide French language competition.

Elizabeth stresses that the School’s heritage can be useful and interesting to all. When an Upper School faculty member recently requested primary source material from the Archives to use as part of her curriculum, Elizabeth was thrilled. She states enthusiastically, “This is just the way an archive should be used! Using primary sources to conduct research at the high school level is exciting and I hope more teachers—at all levels—will consider incorporating the Archives, somehow, into their teaching plans.” Even young members of our community have an opportunity to take a peek back at Friends’ Central’s early days. In the coming months, Elizabeth will welcome a second grade class to the Archives for a field trip to view various treasures from the School’s history.

Before coming to Friends’ Central, Elizabeth worked in a photograph and fieldwork archive at the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collections in Washington, D.C. In addition to her duties as Archivist, Elizabeth is Assistant Director of Annual Giving for the School, and has two daughters, Jane ’16 and Kathryn ’13.

Katrina Relief—One Division at a Time

Across the campuses and within each of our divisions, Friends’Central’s response to Katrina is multifaceted. Here is a brief list of how we are mobilizing to help support the victims of one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history:

Lower School

• Canned goods, toiletries, and diapers collection for PhilAbundance

• Student-designed Blank Note Cards Sale

Middle School

• Candy Sales

Upper School

• Benefit Dance—raised over $1,000!!

• Mardi Gras bead sale

• Bake Sales

• Supplies collected during Katrina Day (October 6, 2005)

• PhilAbundance Food Bank volunteering to prepare “one-deal meals” for Katrina survivors

• Boys’Varsity Soccer—donations taken for each goal scored and each defensive shut out. Players donated one dollar for each goal sacrificed—over $700 raised!

Proceeds from most fundraisers will be given to the American Friends Service Committee.

From the Admission Office

Barbara Behar, Director of Admission and Financial Aid

The Admission Office meets and assesses an ever-growing number of prospective students each year in an effort to identify those who would be a good “match” for Friends’ Central’s challenging curriculum and creative environment. The job gets harder every year since space is limited and the applicant pool continues to be strong.

From almost 1800 inquiries, the Admission Office meets and evaluates over 500 prospective students in order to fill approximately 140 places in the three divisions. Each year the process leads us to a talented and dynamic group of students from all over the Philadelphia metropolitan area. These diverse students not only bring demonstrated academic strength but also a high level of achievement in athletics and in the arts. They bring a variety of life experiences and perspectives, a diversity of backgrounds, and a commitment to learning. We welcome the contributions that they will make to the Friends’ Central community.

From the College Counseling Office

Grant Calder, Director of College Counseling

Members of the Class of ’05 accepted offers of admission at 52 different institutions. Though a significant majority of these graduates stayed fairly close to home to attend college, three members of the class are continuing their studies abroad—two in Canada, one in Scotland. And despite their general preference for the East Coast, our students enrolled in a very diverse set of schools—public universities, private colleges, art institutes, as well as women’s, historically black and Quaker colleges. Another three students deferred their college matriculation for a year to pursue interim experiences in work, travel, and community service.

Friends’ Central is committed to ensuring that our college advising program is student-centered. We want students to feel supported and empowered to make choices that reflect their individual values and personal circumstances. As always, the most significant component of our program remains one-on-one counseling time. One of the benefits of the relationships built during these sessions is that many of them persist after the students leave Friends’ Central. A number of Class of ’05 graduates have already been in touch with their college counselors by email or have stopped in to visit while home on their first fall break. They consistently report how well prepared they are to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the next stage in their formal education.

Class of 2005 College Matriculations

StudentCollege ChoiceStudentCollege Choice

Carlin AdelsonUniversity of PennsylvaniaJoseph KangPenn State University

David AichenbaumKenyon CollegeSafiya KarsanWashington University

Abbie AlexanderSpelman CollegeDaniel KaufmanLehigh University

Colin AngevineDickinson CollegeLouise KraftCornell University

Jonathan AronchickBrown UniversityCarolyn LazardBard College*

Natalie AronsonUniversity of PennsylvaniaDaniel LiebermanMcGill University

Emily AsheSyracuse UniversityDeacon LileHamilton College

Stephen BachowCollege of CharlestonSheedeh MadaniUniversity of Pennsylvania

Ami BagiaThe University of St. AndrewsSarah Maloney-TruittGettysburg College

Samantha BerschlerSyracuse UniversityNoora MarcusDickinson College

Julie BironSavannah College of Art & DesignKelly MarkowitzOberlin College

Kyle BornBrown UniversityNicholas McCloskeyPenn State University – Honors

Jamie BoschanCarnegie Mellon UniversityTajah McDonald-WilliamsUniversity of Pennsylvania

Colin BottlesCarleton CollegeAlana MoskowitzBard College

Rachel BradburdDickinson CollegeEli MuhrerVassar College

Isaac BrownUrsinus CollegeLawrence MurrayCalifornia University of Pennsylvania

Kyree BrownEastern Illinois UniversityLauren NadkarniTufts University

Sarah BrownVassar CollegeDavid NewmanLafayette College

Geneva CampbellUniversity of PennsylvaniaAdrian OeiOberlin College

Alexander CohenTulane UniversityChris PadronUrsinus College

Bradley CohenUniversity of PennsylvaniaAaliyah PowellTemple University

Andrew DapkunasLafayette CollegeAdrienne PurdySmith College

Andrea DeSabatoTemple UniversityDonald PutnickShippensburg University

Lucas DrecksageFranklin & Marshall CollegeGaelan QuintonMillersville University

Anthony DuVernoisLafayette CollegeAnna RaffVassar College

Samuel EisnerUniversity of PennsylvaniaAlfred RosenbluthConnecticut College

Adam FarrarGeorge Washington UniversityNathan SandalsUniversity of Michigan – Honors

Sarah FedermanBarnard CollegeAaron SchechterLehigh University

Sarah FlahertyWarren Wilson CollegeJuliette SchwabUniversity of Maryland

Leah FranquiYale UniversityAaron SchwartzSwarthmore College

Kate FussnerVassar CollegeEthan SeidelSyracuse University

Emily GasparTemple University*Alexander ShustermanUniversity of Pittsburgh

Marla GlasserCornell UniversityElyse SiegelUniversity of Pennsylvania

Shaina GraboyesColumbia UniversityLowell SmogerRochester Institute of Technology

Jennifer GreenbergHampshire CollegeEric Springerpursuing acting career

Benjamin GrinspanVassar CollegeJane Stansburypursuing art career

Michael GrinspanColumbia UniversityMariel StikloriusBoston University*

Joseph GuerinBard CollegeMatthew TannBrown University (8 year medical program)

Matthew GureghianVillanova UniversityLauren TedescoGettysburg College

Lacy GwynnVillanova UniversityAlana TeranKutztown University

Kylie HardinGordon CollegeJennifer TintenfassUniversity of Pennsylvania

Brendan HarnettPenn State UniversityCharles WapnerBucknell University

Ellen HemingwayDrew UniversityPeter WapnerFranklin & Marshall College

Jeffrey HorowitzShippensburg UniversityJacob WeisfeldBrandeis University

Kyle HutchinDickinson CollegeSara ZachmannGeorge Washington University

Hannah JohnstonMount Allison UniversityEric ZeigerUniversity of Pennsylvania

*Deferring enrollment to September 2006 to pursue interim-year experiences—work, travel, service, etc.

Eric Springer and Jane Stansbury are pursuing careers in performing /visual arts.

Friends’ Central Welcomes New Faculty and Staff!

New Faculty Profiles

Michael Fedder will teach both introductory and advanced computer science classes. With over twenty-two years of information technology experience, including work on systems design and programming, and an M.B.A. in management information systems from the University of Denver, Michael is most enthusiastic about sharing his passion and expertise with his students. A Friends’ Central parent (Matthew ’11 and Daniel ’08), he will also be coaching soccer and helping with programming.

Wesley Maloney-Truitt joins the faculty as the director of technical theater and as a teacher of woodworking. Familiar to the School community as a tireless volunteer and a parent (Sara ’05), Wes has worked extensively in all aspects of the theater. He holds an M.F.A. in scenic design from Temple University and is excited about designing and building with students.

Natalie Mayer will be teaching advanced and A.P. biology while Melinda Yin is on maternity leave this year. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with an M.D. from the

New Faculty and Staff

Back row (L–R): Michael Fedder—Technology Specialist, Natalie Mayer—Upper School Science Teacher, Mary-Chilton Van Hees—Assistant Kindergarten and Fourth Grade Teacher, Laurie Fox—Accounts Receivable Bookkeeper, Carole Sioutis—Accounts Receivable Bookkeeper, Sarah Franzel—College Counseling Secretary

Front row (L–R): Joel Price—Webmaster/Data Specialist, Jane Pompetti—Assistant First Grade Teacher, Wesley Maloney-Truitt—Upper School Woodshop Teacher/Stage Crew and Theater Manager, Monica Peterson—Secretary to Directors of Development and Annual Giving

Temple University School of Medicine, Natalie has a diverse background including work in the West Wing for George Stephanopoulos and on Sesame Street. For the last three years she has taught biology and genetics, among other courses, at the Hewitt School in New York.

Jane Pompetti is an experienced early-childhood educator. A graduate of Swarthmore College, she is an assistant teacher in first grade. Her daughter Julia and son Richard are FCS graduates (’01 and ’04, respectively), and daughter Claire is a current FCS eighth grader.

Mary-Chilton Van Hees has been a mainstay in the Extended Day program and a frequent substitute teacher in the Lower School. A graduate of Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, Mary-Chilton is an assistant teacher in kindergarten for the first half of the school year and will assist in the fourth grade during the second half.

Intra-National Relations: Don Denton’s Fourth Grade U.N. Pen Pal Project

Back Row (L to R): Don Denton, Brianna Seid, Ashley Tedesco, Jason Clough, Thomas Fakharzadeh, Colin O’Shea, William Block, Spencer Grossinger, Holly Woodbury, Mary Chawaga, Ryan Cassidy

For the last twelve years, Don Denton’s fourth grade class has penned letters, emailed, and phoned fellow fourth graders at United Nations International School (UNIS), an independent K–12 institution with international flair that was founded for UN dependents and people associated with the UN.Stemming from the spring study of international relations, children’s rights, child labor, and the UN itself, Denton’s class writes letters to UNIS pen pals from September through June. He asserts that he, and subsequently FCS, has benefited from having a long-term relationship with UNIS because of “their devotion to peace issues and international understanding. That’s the main point of our study of the UN each spring, so it’s helpful to see how colleagues at another school address these issues.”

The pen pal idea was conceived by Don and his friend, Lloyd Lohmeyer, a fourth grade teacher at UNIS. Don and Lloyd have been friends since teaching together in Iran the 1970’s; they were both evacuated in 1979 when the Shah was exiled and have remained close ever since.

Once a month, Don’s and Lloyd’s classes send typed or handwritten letters, and sometimes pictures, photos, and drawings, back and forth. Based on the first round of letters that arrives from UNIS, Don tries to match students with each other (although these young correspondents do not know he does this!) to enhance the quality of letters. He finds that the students get excited when their pen pals write of common

likes and dislikes. Although the connection may be partially fabricated by Don, it ensures the longevity of the relationship and the continuing enthusiasm for the project.

This connection evolves during the year and culminates in a Friends’ Central visit to UNIS in April/May. Accompanied by parent chaperones, Don and his fourth graders sally to New York City to meet this international group of students with whom they have shared letters on favorite foods, movies, books, hobbies, news, and travel. Don jokes that it is always endearing to witness mixed-gender pen pals meet for the first time; however, shyness is quickly overcome by conversation and laughter. After a day of visiting the school, touring the UN itself, and munching on international fare, the Friends’ Central delegation returns to Wynnewood, satisfied and excited having met the pals face-to-face. Don indicates that sometimes pen pals make play dates and invite each other to birthday parties.

Reflecting on the pen pal project, Don states, “I love to see the social development of the kids as they express who they are to their new friends.” He cites social training and attaining a larger world view as two goals that the FCS students achieve as a result of this program.

And somehow, although far removed from the Lower School campus, Don’s fourth graders this past spring managed to conduct themselves at UNIS in ways that call to mind the reflective practice of Meeting for Worship. While waiting for tickets to enter and tour the U.N., the students and their chaperones remained at the entrance to a meditation chapel on the site. Laurie Novo, Upper School Literature teacher, parent of a then fourth grader, and chaperone on this trip recalls, “I was struck by the maturity of these nine-year-olds. The kids put themselves into a circle, quietly. It was almost a natural falling into a Meeting for Worship of sorts. They took their cues from their FCS experience that suggests that this is the way one responds to this kind of space. There was a reflective feeling in that chapel that day.”

Pen Pal Letter Excerpts

Of Tadpoles and Tyros

April proved to be an amphibian-full month in Barbara Cole’s second grade science classes. Teaming up with St. Joseph’s University Biology Professor and Friends’ Central parent Dr. Scott McRobert (Caelie ’15), Cole and her students investigated the effect of temperatures on the evolution of toad tadpoles. When McRobert discovered toads in a pond at the Lower School, he was not only interested in feeding his own hunger for research, but also says he wanted to give the second graders “the opportunity to be scientists.”

Students brought toad eggs laid in the pond inside and divided them into two tanks. They cleaned tanks, fed and weighed the tadpoles, and kept daily journals of the tadpoles’ size and stage of development. Back in his lab at St. Joseph’s, McRobert observed two batches of toad eggs from the FCS pond. Tadpoles lived in five tanks, each maintained at a different temperature. The experiments illustrated that the tadpoles in the School tanks had taken an average of twenty-three days to evolve into toadlets while those in the cooler tank at McRobert’s lab had developed in twenty-nine days—and were much larger in size.

Together, Cole, McRobert, and the sixty students performed observations on toad tadpole development at various temperatures. Toads, an indicator species, were the perfect specimens to study because of the way they react to different environmental changes. Thus, after a series of studies on the tadpoles and toads, the students learned that animals experience change

after birth and that ecological alteration and variation can affect growth and survival of a creature. This insight surfaced again as the students studied African animals during the rest of the year.

Involved in hands-on, inquiry-based learning, Cole’s second graders experienced scientific research—live and in the field. Samuel Kruger ’15 reflects, “Being a part of this project has opened my eyes to science.” Maria Mutz ’15 adds, “I definitely want to do more projects like this because it was fun to have animals in the room and get to do real research.” Cole recalls, “I loved taking small groups of students to the pond. I got to hear their ‘ah-ha!’ moments and got to know them better. Even the quieter students felt free enough to open up and emerge from

their shells. All the kids were able to see, feel, and live science so they could learn it.”

Although the project served to further these second graders’ experiences with science education, it also instilled a sense of self-esteem in the students. As Elliot Gross ’15 states, “Science has always been a joy in my life and always will be, but the toad project really made me feel more confident about myself.”

LOWER SCHOOLWELCOMES THE FALL HARVEST!

Lower School students welcomed the Fall Harvest with a bountiful and beautiful display of homegrown tomatoes, gourds, cucumbers, flowers, and other natural symbols of the season. Spearheaded by science teacher Peter Grove, this cornucopia showcased the labor of Lower School students and gave everyone a chance to marvel at the lively colors and textures that characterize autumn.

LOWER SCHOOL THEMATIC CURRICULA: THE ISLANDS!

First Graders experience magic with Fairy Houses!

In keeping with this year’s Lower School theme of Islands, Catherine Dawson’s first grade class studied Acadia on Mt. Desert Island, off the coast of Maine. After watching a film, Kristen’s Fairy House, the students decided to build their own fairy houses in the FCS woodlands on the Lower School campus. Working in pairs to construct their houses, students used leaves, twigs, seeds, branches, stones, acorns, pinecones, and various other natural items collected from home. Here, Aidan Fitzsimons ’17 shares some pumpkin seeds with Antone Walker ’17. But look again—could that be magical fairy dust???

Kindergarteners take Manhattan!!

Kindergarteners from Kristi Kallam’s class focused on Manhattan and Ellis Island for their Fall project. Each student created a boarding pass, toasted the maiden voyage to Ellis Island on the Olympic (boat pictured), and sailed from England to Manhattan. In New York City, the children studied the Brooklyn Bridge and built a replica for the classroom with help from fourth grade book buddies. Soon, they will begin the book A Cricket in Times Square and transform the Olympic into a subway system.

THE MARVELOUS, MAGNIFICENT MEG-A-MURAL

Guided by renowned and generous muralist Meg Saligman (Robert ’17 and Lindsay ’14), the Lower School community spent the last year creating a magnificent work of art on the exterior wall of the gymnasium. Inspired by the Lower School Fall theme, The Arts, the mural— inspired by American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “O World, I Cannot Hold Thee Close Enough!”—is a reflection of every Lower School student’s artistic vision.

As shown on the cover and throughout the pages of this issue of Directions, the mural represents a faux brick wall with a central motif and includes haiku poetry, illustrations of animals and nature, figures of children, and abstract forms. Each class, aided by Lower School art teachers Kim Parris and Marcia Slade, produced paintings which were then transferred to a special fabric that adhered permanently to the wall with acrylic and a sealant. The designs appear exactly as the children originally created them.

Unveiled in June of 2005, this mural brings the experience of large-scale public art typically part of the urban landscape into a suburban community. An impressive and beautiful addition to the Lower School campus, it is truly a must-see.

The Peace Pole—Now at Friends’ Central!

Rhoni Groff, Middle School Art Teacher

Friends’ Central now has a Peace Pole, thanks to many hands. Our journey began in the fall of 2002 when Barbara Kurtz, interior designer (Amy ’04), Linn Linton (Kendra ’07), and I offered an Upper School service opportunity to construct a peace pole for our campus. First, students learned how to connect on a personal level with the concept of peace within themselves as individuals. This led the students to draw and model images in clay that reflected their ideas about peace—taking it beyond common symbols toward more profound imagery. While some of our students excelled naturally in crafting tiles, others struggled to make just one. However, individual struggle became a part of students’ learning; we acknowledged the difficulty and supported one another through the creative process. Each student’s earnest participation was visible in the amazing tiles that were crafted, but it was not until the third day that we realized that more than a Peace Pole was being created amongst the participants. Individual achievement gave way to communal accomplishment.

The World Peace Prayer Society, a non-profit, nondenominational organization founded in 1955 by Masahisa Goi, started the Peace Pole Project in Japan. There are more than 200,000 Peace Poles in 180 different countries all over the world, in churches and gardens and in unusual places like the Pyramids of El Giza, Egypt and the Magnetic North Pole in Canada. Inscribing the words, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” a minimum of four times is a mandatory step towards creating an official Peace Pole. We decided to wrap these words around our pole in a ribbon shape and found that we had enough

room to repeat this phrase in seven different languages including English, Braille, Arabic, Hebrew, French, Spanish and Japanese.

Working together, changing the design, and expanding the program to include Middle School students in Service Thru Art, it took two more years to finish the work. Recently the base was added and we now have a completed Peace Pole sitting proudly in the back of Shallcross Hall next to our painted mural (also created as an Upper School service project). It is our hope that the School community will not only take notice of the Peace Pole but also of what it symbolizes. The Peace Pole stands as a reminder that true peace begins within oneself. It is this internal harmony that may be used to solve outward conflicts, big or small, with peaceful resolutions. Our deepest thanks to all the students who helped make Friends’ Central’s Peace Pole a reality.

March Mini-Course Madness!!!

This past spring, FCS Middle School students and teachers participated in a three-day mini-course curriculum that complemented the regular class schedule. Students chose from thirteen enticing course options such as American Folk Arts, Philadelphia Music, Marketing and Advertising, Fairmount Park Discovery, Om, The Complete Phantom of the Opera, Fete Accomplis, and many more. Middle School teachers paired up to team-teach mixed classes of 5th through 8th graders, providing both students and educators the chance to interact with each other on different levels and to investigate new areas of interest. Some classes remained on campus during the program while others traveled to Center City, Valley Green, and New York City on daily excursions to enhance the mini-course experience. Due to this departure from the regular Middle School curriculum, students had the opportunity to learn such things as how to sell a product

effectively, how to lead a healthy lifestyle through yoga, and how to plan and execute a large group gathering on a budget. A course entitled Captured: The Official Documentary of the 2005 Mini-Courses engaged students in the filming and editing of a video that gathered all courses together into one exciting (and funny!) glimpse at these three days before Spring Break in March. As social studies teacher and mini-course originator Alex McDonnell ’87 states, “It lets us see the big picture of how knowledge is inter-related so we can break down the walls between disciplines.” A two-time mini-course student, Ahmad Zachary ’10 agrees that the courses are “a good way to look at learning from different angles. You’re still in the classroom, but you can go outside your comfort zone and learn to expand that zone.” Anne Estey ’10 adds, “I would have never been able to learn those computer skills had I not taken the course on documentary filmmaking. This was an experience that allowed me to experiment and try new things.” March mini-courses have been incorporated into the Middle School curriculum since 2003; students will once again gear up for the madness this spring.

Middle School Service: Knitting to Rwanda

Last winter and spring, over twenty conscientious Middle School students under the guidance of Administrative Advisor and Quakerism teacher Linda Hensel, math teacher Lylee Van Pelt, and drama teacher Margie McCarty worked diligently to knit nearly thirty teddy bears to send to orphans in Gitarama, an area of Rwanda that continues to be rather hostile. During her April 2004 trip to Rwanda, Margie established a connection with genocide survivor and peace activist Eddy Kalisa. This connection gave the FCS students a distribution source for their bears. Kalisa

works with the Quaker-initiated Anti-Violence Project and for the Rwandan government under the Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation. He lost both parents and two brothers at the age of thirteen. Now 24, he has raised himself and his two surviving brothers. Eddy’s life is dedicated to fighting for peace in Rwanda and to helping other orphans like himself.

The Middle Schoolers packaged their bears along with notes and letters; the package arrived in Kigali, Rwanda this summer. However, the bears represent only a fraction of the entire service project; through bake sales, donations, art, bracelet, and

bumper sticker sales, over $3500 was raised last year and distributed to various organizations McCarty worked with in Rwanda, such as George Fox Friends School in Kigali.

This year the Middle School Rwanda Service Project hopes to sponsor the school fees for the students pictured in these photos; $250 per student per year will cover tuition, books, and uniforms. Without uniforms, students are not permitted to attend school.

The Rwanda Service Project is just one of many examples of how students savor not only the finished product

itself (or the end result), but also the process and journey by which those products are created. For ninety minutes every Wednesday, every Middle School student learns valuable life skills through participation in service projects benefiting the School, its surrounding communities, and the world at large.

Sixth Graders earn accolades at The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire!

Every year, the entire sixth grade travels to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire to complement their studies of the Renaissance and Medieval periods. Winners of the Renaissance Faire Regional poster competition are pictured at left.

Presently, students are working on creative writing that will be submitted for regional Renaissance Faire competition. Sixth graders have always been successful in this contest and we hope that this year will yield the same results. Stay tuned for details!

All Class of ’12

Top Row: Ilan Dreyfuss, Jake Reichlin, Lee Penzarella, Marshall Orocofsky-Singer

Bottom Row: Claudia Rizzo, Justine Singer-Kaufold, Tiffany Phuong

Middle School Citizenship Awards 2005 And what classmates and teachers said...

IDA HILL CAHN AWARD FOR PEACE THROUGH SERVICE

Elisabeth Fifer ’09

“Libby always sets a great example for her peers. She is passionate about causes and seeks to raise our awareness. She makes us better citizens of our world.”

Jason Kirschner ’09

“Jason is always doing something good for others. He enjoys service and constantly works to help the greater good.”

Elizabeth Marmon ’09

“Ever since Lizzy came to FCS, she has shown leadership to serve our local and global communities. She is interested in everything from our Meeting for Worship team to helping George Fox Friends School in Africa.”

Isaac Pedisich ’09

“Isaac is helpful wherever he can be; he has lots of interests, and they all seem to have one thing in common: making our community a better one.”

FRANK M. GROFF AWARD FOR SPORTSMANSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP

Jillian Glen ’09

“Jillian is an extremely nice friend and a great team player. She is very modest about her sports achievements and never brags. She makes sure to congratulate everyone on her team. I am lucky to be her friend.”

Phoebe Harris ’09

“Since Phoebe came here, our class has more spirit; she is friendly to people who aren’t even her close friends. She is willing to help our classmates solve their problems, and she does it even if there is nothing in it for her. She just likes to help.”

Andrew Kelly ’09

“Andrew’s qualities of friendship, sportsmanship, spirit, and enthusiasm are not only seen on the athletic fields but more importantly in the classroom where his desire to learn is immense.”

JACQUELINE FRANCES O’NEILL AWARD FOR ENTHUSIASM AND SPIRIT

Sakina Abdus Shakur ’09

“Sakina has maturity beyond her fourteen years, and although misunderstood at times, her spirit and enthusiasm concerning the ways she chooses to contribute to this community need little clarity.”

Anthony Patrick DeSabato ’09

“Patrick sets an example by the way he displays leadership among his peers. He is competitive but demonstrates good sportsmanship—he is interested in enhancing the talents of his teammates for the success of the whole group.”

Julia Ellis-Kahana ’09

“Julia shows her enthusiastic school spirit every day. When she performs her music, she plays with her soul. When she plays her sports, she plays with her heart. When she does her schoolwork, she prepares with her mind. She puts her entire self into everything she does on a daily basis.”

Middle School Spring Sports Highlights

The following Middle School Spring Sports Teams had successful seasons. *Undefeated.

TeamWins-Ties-Losses

Co-Ed Track & Field9-2-1

Boys’ “A” Tennis5-0-2

Boys’ “B” Tennis3-0-1

Girls’ “A” Softball9-1-1

Girls’ “B” Softball*6-0-0

Boys’ Lacrosse7-0-3

Girls’ “A” Lacrosse3-0-8 Won last 3/6 games

Girls’ “B” Lacrosse1-0-8 Terrific team improvement

Boys’ “A” Baseball4-1-2

Boys’ “B” Baseball0-1-6 Improved in batting skills and defense

100 Days Dinner—In Celebration of Seniors!

To welcome the newest alumni/ae, the Alumni/ae Association organized an impressive dinner party in March for the Class of 2005 to celebrate the 100 days remaining until graduation. Seniors shared plenty of good times as they dined in the lobby of the Fannie Cox Center, signed the Senior Class T-Shirt, and heard about the results of their fundraising efforts which supported the Senior Class Gift.

The Class of 2005 presented a map of the FCS City Avenue Campus at graduation ceremonies in June. Senior Class Gift Committee member Natalie Aronson ’05 stated, “On behalf of my classmates, I am here to present the class gift of the map of our newly expanded campus located at the

entrance of the green. A map is a guide to help one navigate uncharted waters. The metaphor is apt because Friends’Central helped all of us navigate our education up until today. Whether we entered in kindergarten or eleventh grade, the paths that we have traveled all converge at this destination. As the class of 2005 completes its journey, we embark on our next voyage well prepared. For this, we will be eternally grateful. It is with gratitude and affection that we are proud to leave a map behind to help guide others in the way that Friends’Central has guided us.”

FCS’ 160th Graduating Class!

JUNE 11, 2005 MARKEDTHE 160THANNIVERSARYOFCOMMENCEMENTEXERCISESAT FCS.

The Class of 2005 along with faculty, staff, family and friends gathered on Graduation Terrace to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of seniors and to hear featured speaker Bob

Every member of this soon-to-be-graduated classof 2005 has contributed to this school in his or her own special way. It is this diversity that has fortified the extremely tight-knit relationship that we have with this school, as a family. Through Friends’Central, we were given

Emory, woodworking teacher and Drama Technical Theater Director, reflect on his 34 years spent at the school and his forthcoming retirement. Other presenters included Board of Trustees Clerk Ann Satterthwaite, Headmaster David Felsen, and peer-elected senior class speakers Kate Fussner and Joe Guerin. Beth Johnson, Co-Principal/Dean of Students, and Bill Kennedy, Co-Principal/Dean of Faculty, awarded diplomas.

the privilege to excel in whatever sparked an interest. While I, along with a percentage of my classmates, chose to communicate through the music that we created in jazz band, orchestra, and chorus, others have perfected this same art of communication through table graphs on the math team, intricate plays on the basketball court, incandescent poetry in the lit mag, powerful performances in the plays, ingenious creations in Science Olympiad, and much, much more. Without these passions that we have, that allow us to communicate through our individual interests, our ability to survive as the extremely cohesive grade that we are today would be tremendously hindered. Friends’ Central has not only allowed us to become the independent students that we are today, but has also created a community where everyone’s efforts are appreciated, however big or small. It is that quality that has created the strong support that fortifies the diverse community that is the Class of ’05

SPEECH EXCERPTSBY KATE FUSSNER ’05

We have been blessed over the past two, four, ten, fourteen years to have the opportunity to become the adults that are seated before you. It has been a gift that we have all learned to express in different ways—on the playing field, on the stage, in the classroom, in stories. We have been in the most nurturing educational environment and we have flourished…. There is no doubt that we will go out into this world and make the lives for ourselves that we want to because this school has given us the educational foundation to do so and has helped us develop our means to express our gifts. In short, the School knows we will do well.

However, I don’t think that the School wants us to do well, as much as they want us to do good. Think for a

moment about how much good these teachers and this school have done for us. Now think about how much they have taken care of us, and how much we have learned to take care of each other. Now, think about how much good all of us have done for other communities so far. Over the past four years, I have had the opportunity to work side by side with teachers at so many different service events. And while all of us were working, our teachers were working with us. They were there working just as hard as we were—and the impression that I got from them was that this wasn’t something that felt mandatory, to them it felt good. It felt like the right and true thing to do.

There’s a common mistake in the English language. When someone asks, “How are you?” people often fumble for a response, choosing between “I am doing good” and “I am doing well.” The second, “I am doing well,” is the grammatically correct answer—and in writing, or speaking, or general expression, a good vocabulary and strong grammatical response are signs that one has had a solid academic foundation for the rest of one’s life. But ten, fifteen, twenty years from now when I happen to run into a Friends’Central classmate, I don’t want to hear them say the correct answer. Because of all the gifts we have been given—and this place is a gift—the correct answer “I’m doing well” would be easy. But, because of these gifts, we have been given an even greater one—the chance to give back, to take this feeling of home and make it exist elsewhere. So that when I do hear a classmate answer, many years from now, I hope they will make a mistake of their own and mean it when they say, “I’m doing good.”

Drama on High Street

Megan Schumacher with Alexa Dunn

For two weeks in the month of August, twenty-three Upper School students and five of their teachers traveled to London and Edinburgh to experience the theater, culture, and history of these two fabulous cities.

The students’ trip began long before August, however. It started as soon as Friends’ Central was selected to participate in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It was then that Terry Guerin began preparing her drama majors for the trip. This included rehearsing their performance of Funny Shorts, a selection of short comic scenes and sketches, exhaustively during the months of June and July. Their time and dedication paid off tremendously as they brought the works of authors Christopher Durang, David Ives, Harold Pinter and others to life on the stage.

An Edinburgh theatre critic wrote of our students’ performance, “These are an impressive group of young actors who work the material [to] their advantage.” In addition to their four nearly full-house performances on the Greenside Stage in Edinburgh, students also performed on the open stage outside of the Fringe Festival Headquarters on High Street where their shows drew receptive and enthusiastic spectators. Aleeza Wachs ’06 stated of her experience performing, “It was exciting to be seen as performers with something to offer and not just as high school students,” and K.C. Luce ’06 added, “It was inspiring to be around actors who were trying to bridge the gap and make connections with people. All performers were accessible to their audience and that’s what we wanted to be.”

While in London, students participated in an acting workshop at the Globe Theatre where they were coached by a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. They took in the sights, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tate

Habitat for Humanity

For this fall’s Upper School service days, students painted and nailed siding on a Habitat for Humanity house currently under construction in North Philadelphia.

Top Row: Teacher Alex Bockman, Valerie Kirk ’06, Kate Fussner ’05, Tim Chawaga ’06, Ben Grinspan ’05, Dwight Dunston ’06, Deacon Lile ’05, Liz Lundy ’06, Jon Herman ’06

Middle Row: K.C. Luce ‘06, Jacob Senker ‘06, Teacher Megan Schumacher, Carlin Adelson ’05, Aleeza Wachs ’06, Carolyn Lazard ’05, Eric Springer ’05, Teacher Terry Guerin, Matthew Tann ’05, Lacy Gwynn ’05, Jon Aronchick ’05, Hannah Johnston ’05, Mariel Stiklorius ’05, Anna Raff ’05, Leah Franqui ’05

Bottom Row: Paul Senker ’06, Rachel Reed ’06

Modern Museum, and Harrods. In Edinburgh, they had over 2000 theatrical productions beckoning them, and while they couldn’t see them all, they tried! The students’ dedication and passion were a joy to witness and they served as great Friends’ Central ambassadors. Matthew Tann ’05 said of his experience in Edinburgh, “We were able to share our art with other schools and with other students interested in the same creative vein. Indeed, connections were made.” Of the experience of traveling for two weeks with classmates, Rachel Reel ’06 confirmed, “Everyone took the experience seriously,” while Aleeza Wachs chimed, “It was a privilege to be there; the group depended on each other. We were a family.” K.C. Luce wrapped up the final sentiment by adding, “The Fringe wasn’t about personal achievement, it was about group achievement.”

Ben Loughin ’07, Earl Atta-Fynn ’07, Allie Gibson ’07, Emily Olson ‘07

DRAMA ON HIGH STREET

MANNA

During Upper School service days at MANNA, an organization that delivers nourishment to people living with HIV/AIDS, FCS students worked the tray line, packed breakfasts and desserts, and peeled many yams in preparation for a marathon late-night sweet potato pie baking session for the annual MANNA “Pie in the Sky” Thanksgiving Fundraiser.

2Headmaster David Felsen and Teacher Terry Guerin on High Street

3Tim Chawaga ’06, Rachel Reed ‘06

4Aleeza Wachs ’06 and Paul Senker ’06 perform on High Street’s outdoor stage

5Jon Herman ’06, Eric Springer ‘05

Teaching Garden Unites FCS Community and Delights the Senses

“THISISNOT LONGWOOD GARDENS; THISISA TEACHINGGARDENWHEREKIDSARERESPONSIBLEFOR WHAT ’SGROWING,” muses chemistry teacher Phyllis Gallagher, one of the many people responsible for making the Clayton L. Farraday ’32 Memorial Teaching Garden a reality. Nestled next to the Upper School Language Building is the new Teaching Garden, a gem of a project connecting faculty, staff, students, and parents. Among the eggplant, yellow heirloom tomatoes, varieties of hot peppers, string beans, broccoli, cabbage, banana trees, herbs, Hubbard squash (in celebration of a painting presented to Clayton on his 90th birthday), annuals, and perennials are butterflies, bees, and other creatures of nature that make this garden a beautiful and educational place. FCS Horticulturalist Doug Linton ’68 states, “It’s a wonderful remembrance of Clayton.”

While Clayton was living, Phyllis had an idea that took root and propagated in early spring 2005. In the spirit of Clayton, an avid gardener and a Friends’ Central graduate, teacher, administrator, and archivist, the concept was to create a garden to bring the School’s three divisions together and help students understand where their food comes from and how it grows. However, for two seniors this project proved to hold even more significance.

When senior projects began in May, Deacon Lile ’05 and Adrian Oei ’05 approached Phyllis, asking her to advise their initial project of creating and tending a vegetable garden in Deacon’s grandmother’s backyard. While the Teaching Garden was not originally in their plans, these young men eagerly took on the

grueling task of planning, excavating, building, and finally planting the garden. Joined on some days by students, faculty, and staff, Deacon and Adrian (who had to cease physical work due to a hand fracture requiring surgery) spent extensive time outside, performing manual labor for five weeks. The young men had opportunities to apply principles of science, math, and art learned in the classroom to this real-life experience. Perhaps even more significant was the chance to learn actively every aspect of this project by doing. In his senior project self-evaluation, Deacon wrote, “The most valuable thing I can take away from this project is the experience of finishing. This experience taught me what it means to see a goal through to completion.”

The project proved to be a labor of love when, after the closing exercises of graduation had concluded and school ended for the summer, faculty, staff, student, and parent volunteers tended the garden throughout the summer to harvest crops and maintain flora and fauna. This year, one of the goals to enhance the area will be the inclusion of a wheelchair-accessible raised potting bed (all paths within the space are built to accommodate a wheelchair). The garden will continue to grow and evolve due to the involvement of Friends in the Garden, Doug Linton ’68, Karen Ivory, Pam Yih, Amy Broaddus, and countless others whose hard work and dedication preserve the spirit and legacy of the Teaching Garden. As Phyllis Gallagher aptly states, “Students will feel more connected to FCS when they have a connection to the earth. They have a vested interest in this place because they built this. This is a community garden, and this community is Friends’ Central School.”

Friends’ Central Congratulates National Merit and National Achievement Scholarship Students

Friends’ Central School is proud to announce 18 National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Students in the Class of 2006. Over the last five years, 22% of Friends’ Central Seniors have earned these distinctions.

Five are Semifinalists: Robert Golan-Vilella, David Kline, Mikayla Lytton, Lise Rahdert, Elizabeth Simins.

In addition, Amy Thomas is a Semifinalist and Aaron Garland is an Outstanding Participant in the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Middle Row: Laura Weir, Robert Golan-Vilella, Lise Rahdert, Elizabeth Simins, Adam Valen Levinson, Sarah Drew

Back Row: Matthew Miller, Mark Simon, Timothy Chawaga, Mikayla Lytton, Ryan Levan, Amy Thomas, Robert Grasberger

Awards

THE

CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

The National Independent School Honorary Society is similar to Phi Beta Kappa. The Chapter at Friends’ Central School elects students to membership on the basis of scholarship and citizenship.

David AichenbaumMichael Grinspan

Jonathan AronchickSafiya Karsan

Geneva CampbellEli Muhrer

Anthony DuVernoisLauren Nadkarni

Samuel EisnerAnna Raff

Leah FranquiNathan Sandals

Katharine FussnerAaron Schwartz

Marla GlasserMatthew Tann

Jennifer GreenbergEric Zeiger

T HE PHI B ETA K APPA A SSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA AWARD

Awarded to a senior who has excelled in his/her scholastic record and who possesses inherent character and integrity.

Aaron Schwartz

EXECUTIVE AWARD

Awarded to a boy and girl in the Upper School who, by vote of students and faculty, represent the highest qualifications of school citizenship.

Katharine Fussner

Eric Zeiger

Middle Row: Marla Glasser, Aaron Schwartz, Nathan Sandals, Anna Raff, Lauren Nadkarni, Anthony DuVernois

Back Row: MatthewTann, Jennifer Greenberg, Michael Grinspan, Jonathan Aronchick, Eric Zeiger, Eli Muhrer

THE JOHN H. MCCOLLUM MEMORIAL AWARD

The Home & School Association recognizes graduating senior young women and young men who represent the spirit former faculty member John McCollum brought to the community of Friends’ Central School.

Geneva CampbellSheedeh Madani

Leah FranquiLawrence Murray

Jennifer Greenberg

THE SUSAN DURNFORD SNIPES MEMORIAL AWARD

Given by the Upper School Faculty, in memory of Susan Durnford Snipes, in recognition of outstanding contributions, made by seniors, to community service in the school.

Natalie AronsonJoseph Guerin

Katharine FussnerAaron Schwartz

Jennifer Greenberg

THE FLORENCE JACKSON AWARD

For twenty-two years, Florence Jackson was the dominant figure in the area of girls’ athletics at Friends’ Central School. The Florence Jackson Award is given to those young women who, through their dedication and love of sports, have shown to the coaches the outstanding qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit which Mrs. Jackson sought to instill.

Andrea DeSabato

Lauren Nadkarni

THE DAVID KIRK MEMORIAL AWARD

David Kirk was an instrumental figure in the area of athletics at Friends’ Central. This award is given to young men who, through their dedication and love of sports, have shown to the coaches the outstanding qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit which David Kirk sought to instill. This honor is awarded to young men in the Upper School who are selected in the spring by all the coaches of boys’ sports.

Adam Farrar

Deacon Lile

OUTSTANDING SENIOR ATHLETE

AWARD

The outstanding senior athlete award is presented to members of the graduating class who have demonstrated outstanding skills in athletic competition as members of at least two Friends’ Central Varsity teams during their senior year. The criteria for the award

include athletic achievement, leadership ability, and sportsmanship throughout their high school careers.

Samantha Berschler

Rachel Bradburd

Daniel Kaufman

THE LEOLA ADELAIDE SMITH MEMORIAL AWARD

Established in memory of Leola Adelaide Smith ’74 by her classmates and friends, this award is to be given annually to students who have an appreciation for cultural and intellectual pursuits and at the same time are sensitive to the beauty in nature as well as in people. Leola set an example for all of us—she possessed dignity, integrity, a desire to learn, a love of people, and a talent in music and art.

Kyle Born

Colin Bottles

Lauren Tedesco

THE BENJAMIN V. OGDEN MEMORIAL AWARD

Given by Mrs. Andrew Joseph Newman, Jr. and the late Thomas B. Ogden, ’45 in memory of their father, Benjamin V. Ogden, Director of Friends’ Central Summer Day Camp for fifteen years and teacher of physical education in the Philadelphia public school system. Mr. Ogden was concerned about developing future citizens who were aware of their spiritual, mental and social responsibilities. A silver bowl has inscribed on it each year the names of the recipients in the Upper School.

David Aichenbaum

Daniel Kaufman

Sara Maloney-Truitt

CALVIN H. RANKIN, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD

Established for Calvin Rankin, Jr. ’43 whose fine and sensitive spirit displayed itself in a love of great music, in a gift for discriminating writing, and in a character which combined gentleness with integrity. A group of friends offers annually a carefully-selected book to students who are worthy representatives of the high ideals for which Calvin Rankin is remembered.

Colin Angevine

Katharine Fussner

LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

The Foreign Language Department recognizes juniors and seniors who have exhibited exceptional achievement on an advanced level and enthusiasm in their foreign language studies.

Colin Angevine

Jonathan Aronchick

Anna Raff

Laura Loesch-Quintin

HISTORY PRIZE PAPER

Juniors in their American History classes undertake independent, primary sourcebased research projects in the second half of the year. The history department takes this opportunity to highlight two of these works.

Eli Muhrer

Aaron Schwartz

MATHEMATICS

The Mathematical Association of America and Friends’ Central School present this award to a student receiving high scores on the Annual American High School Mathematics Examination. The awards are a book and an achievement pin.

Marla Glasser

THE POETSAND PLAYWRIGHTS PRIZE

This new award, sponsored by the English department, recognizes the work of poets and dramatists in our student community.

Jasmine Martin

THE RAMSEY AWARDFOR PROSE

Given by Mary Ann Ramsey ’41, a writer, editor, and public relations director, this award recognizes a writer for a piece of fiction or non-fiction prose.

Leah Franqui

Katharine Fussner

JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST WINNERS

Juror: Hilary Takiff ’96, photography-based mixed media artist

Black & White Category

1st place: Emily Gaspar

2nd place: Luke Pryor

3rd place: Millan Abinader

Honorable Mention: Catherine Josem-Adler, Rachel Bradburd, Noori Marcus, Dana Robinson

Color Category

1st place: Luke Pryor

2nd place: Elias Friedman

3rd place: Emily Gaspar

Honorable Mention: Joshua Cohan, Molly Johnston, Laura Karabell, Laura LoeschQuintin, Adam Valen Levinson

Portfolio Category

1st place: Elias Friedman

2nd place: Millan Abinader

3rd place: Rachel Bradburd

SPECIAL AWARD PRESENTATION

Perfect Attendance during all four years of Upper School

Andrea DeSabato

MUSIC AWARD

This award is given in recognition of loyalty, service, and contributions to the Music Department. Recipients demonstrated excellence in composition, performance, and academic achievement.

Joseph Guerin

Emily Gaspar

ART AWARD

This award is given to a student who, throughout the course of his/her high school career, has demonstrated vision, intelligence, skill, and a love of image-making.

Jane Stansbury

SCIENCE AWARD

The Science Department presents this award to senior students who have demonstrated excellence in scientific scholarship and achievement and have shown breadth of study across science disciplines.

Nicholas McCloskey

Lauren Nadkarni

Aaron Schwartz

Winter 2004–2005 Athletics Awards

SPORTMOST VALUABLE MOST IMPROVEDCAPTAINS

Boys’ Kyree BrownGalen GuindonJustin Plummer

BasketballLarry Murray

Jeff Horowitz

Girls’ Sara Maloney-TruittJulia PearlmanSamantha Berschler

BasketballElyse Siegel

WrestlingDeacon LileAdrian OeiDeacon Lile

Joseph KangJoseph Kang

Boys’ Daniel FedderHenry FriedmanNA

Indoor Track

Girls’ Emily OlsonJessica GoldsteinNA

Indoor Track

Boys’ Kyle HutchinIsaac BrownIsaac Brown

SwimmingKyle Hutchin

Girls’Mary StromanNoneMary Stroman

SwimmingLaura WeirLaura Weir

CheerleadingNANA

DanceNANA

FRIENDS SCHOOLS LEAGUE TEAM CHAMPION

Boys’ Swimming

ALL FRIENDS SCHOOLS LEAGUE

Boys’ Basketball: 1st Team–Kyree Brown

Girls’ Basketball: 1st Team–Aaliyah Powell, Galen Quinton, Honorable Mention–

Sara Maloney-Truitt

Wrestling: 1st Team–Deacon Lile, Adrian Oei, Joe Kang; Honorable Mention–Derek Eckhart, Fernando Jones

Boys’ Swimming: 1st Team–Kyle Hutchin, Justin Chen, Chris Hall, Isaac Brown

Girls’ Swimming: 1st Team–Mary Stroman, Laura Weir

FRIENDS SCHOOLS LEAGUE

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS

Swimming 200m & 500m Free–Matt Miller

100m Free–Kyle Hutchin

100m Breast–Chris Hall

500m Free–Mary Stroman

200m & 400m Free Relay–Kyle Hutchin, Justin Chen, Chris Hall, Matt Miller.

MAIN LINE TIMES ALL MAIN LINE

Boys’ basketball: 1st Team–Kyree Brown; 2nd Team–Justin Plummer, Galen Guindon

Girls’ basketball: 1st Team–Aaliyah Powell, Gaelen Quinton, Sara Malaoney-Truitt; 2nd Team–Sarah Friedman, Andrea DeSabato

Boys’ Swimming: 1st Team–Justin Chen, Chris Hall, Kyle Hutchin

Girls’ Swimming: 1st Team–Mary Stroman, Laura Weir

Wrestling: Deacon Lile, Adrian Oei, Honorable Mention–Derek Eckhart, Joe Kang

Kyree Brown was selected to play in the All Star Labor Day Classic

Aaliyah Powell scored her 1000th point

Front Row: Jessica Goldstein ’07, Henry Friedman ’08, Julia Pearlman ’06, Zach Brown ’05, Mary Stroman ’08, Laura Weir ’06

Middle Row: Emily Olson ‘07, Daniel Fedder ’08, Sara Maloney-Truitt ’05, Kyle Hutchin ’05

Back Row: Kyree Brown ’05, Galen Guindon ’06, Joe Kang ’05, Deacon Lile ’05, Adrian Oei ’05

Photo on Right

Front Row: Max Branzburg ’07, Justin Plummer ’06, Rob Ricketts ’06, Brennan Umsted ’07, Deanna Connor ’07, Jordane Blum ’07, Parker Umsted ‘07, Basil Coutifaris ’07, Erica Kivitz ’07, Josh Cohan ’06

Back Row: Anthony DuVernois ’05, Adam Farrar ’05, Zach Malet ’06, Dan Kaufman ’05, Samantha Berschler ’05, Emily Olson ’07, Sam Eisner ’05, Rachel Bradburd ‘05, Andrea DeSabato ’05, Adam Greitzer ’06

Spring 2005 Athletics Awards

SPORTMOST VALUABLE MOST IMPROVEDCAPTAINS

BaseballAnthony DuVernoisMax BranzburgAaron Schechter Anthony DuVernois

SoftballSamantha BerschlerDeanna ConnorSamantha Berschler Elyse Siegel

Boys’ TennisSamuel EisnerBasil CoutifarisEric Zeiger

Girls’ LacrosseRachel BradburdErica KivitzRachel Bradburd Andrea DeSabatoAndrea DeSabato

Kylie Hardin

Boys’ LacrosseDaniel KaufmanBrennan UmstedDaniel Kaufman ParkerUmstedBradley Cohen

Chris Padron

Girls’ TrackEmily OlsonJordane BlumAdrienne Purdy LaShae JacobsMichelle SmithMillan Abinader

Boys’ TrackZachary MaletJustin PlummerAdam Farrar Adam FarrarRobert RickettsRobert Ricketts

Zachary Malet

GolfAdam GreitzerJoshua CohanNA

NA

FRIENDS’ SCHOOLS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Boys’ Tennis, Girls’ Lacrosse

ALL FRIENDS SCHOOLS LEAGUE

Boys’ Track: 1st Team–Adam Farrar, Zach Malet, Rob Ricketts, Justin Plummer, Isiah Hammond

Girls’ Track: 1st Team–LaShae Jacobs, Emily Olson, Jordane Blum, Katie Bash

Baseball: 1st Team–Anthony DuVernois, Phillip Rosenblum; Honorable Mention–Max Branzburg

Boys’ Lacrosse: 1st Team–Dan Kaufman

Girls’ Lacrosse: 1st Team–Rachel Bradburd, Andrea DeSabato, Kylie Hardin, Carolyn Lazard, Lauren Nadkarni; Honorable Mention–Natalie Kitroeff

Golf: 1st Team–Adam Greitzer

Softball: 1st Team–Samantha Berschler; Honorable Mention–Elyse Siegel, Jen Robbins, Karen Lavi

Tennis: 1st Team–Sam Eisner, Eric Zeiger, Basil Coutifaris, Joshua Abel; Honorable Mention–Elias Friedman

FSL Individual Champion/Place Finishers

Golf: 4th Place in FSL Championship Match–Adam Greitzer, 81

Tennis: 1st Doubles–Sam Eisner, Eric Zeiger; 2nd Doubles–Basil Coutifaris, Joshua Abel Track: 1st Triple Jump–Lashae Jacobs; 400m–Emily Olson; 200m–Emily Olson; 300m hurdles–Jordane Blum;

Pole Vault–Andrew Dapkunas; Shot Put–Justin Plummer; 1600m–Zach Malet;

4 X 400 Relay–Rob Ricketts, Alex McElroy, Zach Malet, Ben Schutzman

MAIN LINE TIMES ALL MAIN LINE

Baseball: 1st Team–Anthony DuVernois; 2nd Team–Max Branzburg; Honorable Mention–Phillip Rosenblum, Joshua Aichenbaum

Boys’ Tennis: 1st Team–Sam Eisner, Eric Zeiger; 2nd Team–Joshua Abel, Basil Coutifaris, Elias Friedman

Boys’ Lacrosse: 1st Team–Dan Kaufman; 2nd Team–Tom Vail, Brad Cohen, Honorable Mention–Andrew Richardson, Marco Massaro

Softball: 1st Team–Samantha Berschler, Karen Lavi; 2nd Team–Jen Robbins, Elyse Siegel, Sarah Friedman; Honorable Mention–Deanna Connor

Golf: 2nd Team–Adam Greitzer

Girls’ Lacrosse: 1st Team–Andrea DeSabato, Lauren Nadkarni, Rachel Bradburd; Honorable Mention–Carolyn Lazard, Lauren Rosner

State Independent School Track Champions

1600m–Zach Malet

300 hurdles–Adam Farrar

4 X 800 Relay–Rob Ricketts, Drew Erikson, Dwight Dunston, Zach Malet

Shot Put–Justin Plummer

300m Hurdles–Jordane Blum

All Northeast Lacrosse League Team

1st–Dan Kaufman

2nd–Brad Cohen, Tom Vail

Honorable Mention–Marco Massaro, Andrew Richardson

Main LineTimes Athlete of the Week

Zach Malet

Main Line Life Athlete of the Week

Andrea DeSabato

IN SUPPORT From the Development Committee Co-Clerk

This past summer our Upper School drama students and their teacher, Terry Guerin, were invited once again to perform at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. About 30 students, together with teachers and administrators as chaperones, made the trip and were joined by about a dozen Friends’ Central families. Our students toured and saw the sights, met students and actors from other schools and countries, drummed up interest in their show by leafletting and performing street theater, saw lots of other performances and put on their show, Funny Shorts, half a dozen times, to much critical acclaim. Some even attended Meeting for Worship in Edinburgh.

What impressed us parents most was our students’ respectful behavior, their talent, their self-confidence, and the obvious joy they took in the opportunity to travel together with their friends and teachers.

And that’s exactly why we send our kids to Friends’ Central. In academics, in service, in sports, and in the arts, our students are supported by a group of caring adults and peers who help them identify their talents and their passions and encourage them to pursue these interests to the fullest.

We are grateful to all our teachers, staff, trustees, alumni/ae, parents, and friends, who make this terrific educational experience possible. Thank you.

Ed Grinspan Co-Clerk of the Development Committee

Headmaster’s Reception

The Headmaster’s Reception hosts those who made gifts of $1200 or more in the previous year, as well as those we hope will deepen their support and commitment to the School in the present year.

1Jeffrey Drebin and Linda Mundy, Jonathan Fiebach ’82 and Catherine Fiebach

2Frank Correll, Brad Bradbeer, Headmaster David Felsen

3Franklyn Judson ’60, Adrian Castelli

4Lindy Snider ’78 and Larry Kaiser

5Flavia Vogrig and Robert Gassell ‘69

6Sharon Weiss and David Arnold

8Joan Mazzotti, Mary

9Ruth Horowitz, Marta Adelson, Jennie and Samuel Nemroff

The 2005 Golf Classic

The 16th Annual Friends’ Central Golf Classic took place at the beautiful Rolling Green Golf Course in June 2005. All money raised supports the Scholarship Fund; this year, $61,558 was raised to help Friends’ Central open its doors to children with limited financial means.

1Charles Champion, Tom Hale ’75, Headmaster David Felsen

2The Committee: Jonathan Stein, Headmaster David Felsen, Ross Trachtenberg ’98, Linda McConnell, Rich Gendelman, Jordan Rubin ’98, Josh Klein ’80, John Shaw ’74, David Niles ’82, Committee Chair Mark Aronchick

3FCS Faculty members Padraig Barry, Dan Crowley, Steve Ruzansky, Tom MacFarlane

4Larry Rubin and Jordan Rubin ‘98

5Frank Correll, Sid Rosenblatt, Rich Gendelman, Mike Silver

6Headmaster David Felsen and Mark Aronchick

7Doug Hyman ’79 (on right) and friend

Beth D. Johnson ’77

With a broad smile and animated voice, Beth Davis Johnson ’77, or “Miss Beth” as many Upper School students call her, is a powerful and warm presence at FCS. Employed at the School since 1987, she is a Jill-of-all-trades, gracefully juggling numerous administrative roles from Assistant Director, Associate Director, and Director of Admission and Financial Aid to her most recent venture, Upper School Co-Principal and Dean of Students.

Her long list of accomplishments both within the school and outside of FCS is impressive and inspiring. Effortlessly over the last eighteen years, Beth has also trained Varsity Cheerleaders, directed the Gospel Choir, advised the Black Student Forum, co-founded the Diversity Committee of the Alumni Board, co-founded the Parents of Students of Color group, and, since its inception in 1987, coordinated the Wynnefield Community Scholar Program which attracts students to FCS from the diverse community neighboring the school. Once a Christian school first grade teacher, she has co-taught Psychology with Lou DelSoldo in the Upper School and currently teaches Algebra I.

Still incredulous about her successful path at FCS, Beth exclaims, “I don’t know how this all happened to me !” However, anyone who has been in her presence can understand why. She’s an intelligent, savvy, focused woman who is adored and admired by many. As Bill Kennedy, Upper School Co-Principal and Dean of Faculty states, “What I appreciate most about Beth is her ability to keep things in perspective and maintain her sense of humor at all times.”

Over the years, Beth has witnessed and even facilitated major changes to the physical and educational landscape of the school. However, Beth cites the biggest change at FCS during her time here as the “intentionality of hiring and retaining students and adults of color.” The process of diversifying the school is a constant responsibility; as Beth states, “the world is a diverse place and the school should reflect that.” By the time Beth and her husband Martin were ready to send their children Tanya ’02 and Kristen ’03 to FCS, the School had “grown in multicultural sensitivity, no longer expecting an assimilation model for students of color” and had become inclusive in

practice. As a result, more African-American students were enrolled, curriculum was designed to reflect diversity and an appreciation of difference, and teachers became more sensitive to and intolerant of stereotypical comments regarding race.

Beth’s professional accomplishments outside of FCS (but nonetheless related to the School) include sitting on the Board of Friends’ Council on Education, speaking on admission and financial aid for the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS), co-founding and chairing People of Color in Delaware Valley Independent Schools, leading workshops at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference, and speaking on her experiences as a student, alumna, parent, and administrator of color at seminars and conventions all over the United States.

Most of these activities are done on a volunteer basis.

Beth’s journey in education began at FCS in 1963 and continues today because every few years there has been something new and exciting to keep her challenged and focused. She proudly proclaims, “At FCS, I’ve always been encouraged to try new things and develop.”

Todd Swimmer ’81

Deliberate in word and in deed, Todd Swimmer ’81 dislikes the spotlight. A part-time art instructor teaching photography and studio art at FCS, Todd has spent the last ten years helping students use art as a creative outlet. He adds that he considers photography “a tool to enhance perception and communication, not an end in itself.” And while Upper School art colleague Peter Seidel calls Todd “a consummate craftsman—a great example for the students to see,” Todd himself is humbled by the challenge of making great art and is reluctant to mention his impressive photographic successes. With an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from S.U.N.Y. College and an M.F.A in Photography from Tyler School of Art, Todd has been awarded Purchase Prizes by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, and the Johnson and Johnson Collection.

Todd traces his artistic roots back to FCS and mentions that while he was not an academic star, he did find his niche at the School. Nurtured by then-photography teacher Bob Emory who “encouraged a sense of experimentation, deliberate

framework has also helped Todd further his interest in photography, environmental conservation, and the African continent.

Because “a Friends education offers opportunities and responsibilities to connect our lives and our community to people and communities not only through consciousness but also through actions,” Todd has spent most of every other summer since 1992 traveling in Africa. His experiences have included visiting schools, bicycle trips, photographing for UNICEF, hiking, white water rafting, volunteering for scientific research, attending art gallery openings, and enjoying great food.

control of a range of photographic processes,” he won many awards in the Annual Photography contests that still are a large part of the arts at FCS today. As a student, he reveled in the School’s Quaker values; when he graduated, he missed Meeting for Worship greatly. The choice to return to FCS and teach was driven by the Quaker tenets and his Jewish heritage; Todd believes that the combination of the two produce a framework “with a broader sense of purpose.” This conceptual

Fascinated with Africa since childhood when his uncle would tell of his Peace Corps experiences in Tanzania, Todd has deep interests in the continent which, he states, “continue to evolve in breadth and depth, from environmental conservation policies and programs to politics, sustainable development, human rights, history, music, film, and food.” His ongoing artistic and personal project in Africa concerns contemporary Africans who are trying to make sense of the socio-economic and political climates of their vast and complex continent. What Todd has discovered in his work there is that “most people in Africa have many of the same concerns we have in America: family, money, decent jobs, good education, access to healthcare, fulfilling spirituality, effective governance, and a hopeful future.” This past summer, Todd spent six weeks in Namibia and Botswana, including four weeks of volunteer work on two Earthwatch animal research projects studying the black rhino and Nile crocodile. And just as Todd returns repeatedly to Africa, committed to fulfill a greater sense of his life’s purpose, Peter Seidel passionately asserts, “he [Todd] is committed to the process of constructing an enduring image.” Without a doubt, Todd remains modest and unassuming as he faces the challenge of being an artist and a citizen of the world.

FEATURE ARTS

S TUDENTSTHRIVEINTHE ARTSAT FRIENDS’

CENTRAL; drama, musical theater, stage crew, studio art, chorus, orchestra, jazz band, and more offer our students the opportunity to get involved, dabble in uncharted territories, and hone their artistic skills. In Lower School, students participate in holiday programs, assemblies, and class performances. Hallways are adorned with elaborate and unique art projects reflective of the annual thematic curriculum that infuses every aspect of every class. Middle School students may venture into the creative, zany, and yet profound world of Margie McCarty’s well-researched, original plays with highly-choreographed lyrical dance numbers and witty dialogue that engage, entertain, and educate audience and performers alike. Or students may experiment in vocal or instrumental ensembles; Brian Ramsey’s choral concerts and Broadway review and Carl Bradley’s Middle School orchestra and jazz band enhance music appreciation for participants and fans and encourage students to pursue their musical interests into Upper School. Upon arrival in the higher grades, students, regardless of prior experience, can still experiment in the Arts and through rotation classes have the chance to hone their creativity. The studios and campus green are home to hosts of budding artists guided by Peter Seidel and Todd Swimmer ’81. Student art—photography, painting, charcoal and pastel sketches, just to name some— lines the walls of Shallcross Hall and illustrate how gifted our students truly are. Terry Guerin’s top-notch Upper School drama productions, featuring poised talent, beautiful

sets, and period costumes, draw large crowds. Jim Davis’ and Carl Bradley’s choral and instrumental concerts impress the ear and leave the audience stunned at our students’ focus and ability. Some students, like current seniors, recent graduates, and members of the Class of 2000, have even had the rare opportunity to perform at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. From the flair on stage to the forte behind the curtain, in the art studio, woodshop, and instrumental rooms, it is easy to understand why FCS graduates leave our School with an appreciation for the process and the product, have the gumption to pursue their passion in the Arts, and attain success.

Alex Pudlin ’00 acted in FCS productions such as Into the Woods, Much Ado About Nothing, and Fires in the Mirror, experiencesthat, he states, not only helped him appreciate acting, but also fueled his aspirations of becoming a playwright and screenwriter. An Africana studies major at Brown, Alex focused on the arts as an undergraduate and had many opportunities to get involved in theater. He cites that the African-American theater was a large aspect of the Africana studies major and, as a result, he found an outlet for his work as a playwright. “I definitely think of myself as a writer,” he states.

A 2004 Brown graduate, Alex currently works as a programming and production coordinator for TV One, a lifestyle and entertainment network geared towards African-Americans

with a viewership of about 23 million homes nationwide. Here, he is learning how to write for television and just finished the first draft of a screenplay in his spare time. While his larger career goals include screenwriting, he is satisfied to gain experience in his current position.

As a writer, he traces back to Friends’ Central his experience traveling to the Fringe Festival with drama teacher Terry Guerin. Alex explains, “The festival moved me and opened up my ideas of what theater could be. There were lots of different artistic expression on stage and lots of inspiration.” In addition to theater, Alex looks to music and art to influence his writing. At FCS, he remembers the emphasis on individuality and the celebration of differences. Alex is thankful that these values trained him to accept other cultures, ideas, and points of view. “As a playwright, connecting to my audience allows me to not be limited to my own experiences, but to open myself up to showing an overall human story.”

Alex’s classmate and friend Kehinde Whetstone ’00 was extremely active in music at FCS, beginning in third grade. He cites that “Mr. Bradley, Mr. Davis, and Ms. Guerin taught me 80% of what I know now. I cannot separate FCS from my knowledge of music or performing.” As a graduated senior, Kehinde traveled with FCS to the Fringe. He states, “I figured the acting would follow me, and it did, and then music followed me. I knew I wanted to be in the arts, and my interests were solidified by going to Scotland.”

Kehinde released his first solo album NPR-Network Pirate Radio in June 2005 and another, the group collaboration Terror Firma, debuted in November 2005. His music is a mix of indie rock, hip-hop, and rhyme with a political tone. Thankful to be happy and fulfilled in his life, Kehinde proudly exclaims, “I have no desire to see myself on MTV or have my own sneaker. My personal satisfaction comes from making good music.”

Pablo Colapinto ’96

In a New York state of mind, Liz Gross ’00 is pursuing her dream of acting. Cast regularly in FCS plays such as Into the Woods, A Chorus Line, Once in a Lifetime, Much Ado About Nothing, and Fires in the Mirror (performed at the Fringe in 2000), she states that the School “fostered the acting passion within me.” When she attended the Fringe in 2000, Liz explains, “it opened up other kinds of theater to me. I went back as a non-actor in 2001 and 2002 just because I loved the experience so much.” Upon graduating from New York University’s Tisch School for the Arts with a B.F.A in Drama, Liz became a working actress in New York City. She has appeared in Bobby Spillane’s “off-off Broadway” comedy All Dolled Up, participated in Summer Stock regional theater in New Hampshire, and is currently auditioning for Richard Maltby Jr., director of Fosse and writer of lyrics for

Harvard graduate Pablo Colapinto believes that his FCS education, the influence of teachers like Bill Kennedy and Carl Bradley, and the integration of all subjects taught at the School led directly to his passionate interest in visual storytelling. A video artist, he states, “FCS welcomed my participation as an artist, and teachers treated students like colleagues.” While working as intuitively as possible, he uses the art of contemplation that he learned in Meeting for Worship as he works “to be able to hook a thought and watch it bake.” Selected from among approximately 400 artists, Pablo was awarded a $50,000 Pew Fellowship in the Arts. The youngest recipient this year, Pablo seeks to “take [his audience] to impossible places—the high seas, another planet, the past—and evoke that element of surprise.” To see Pablo’s work and learn more about his art, visit his website at www.xwolftype.com.

Big and Miss Saigon. In between auditions, Liz takes voice lessons and searches for an agent. However, while the acting world can be tough, she enthusiastically claims, “I’m 23 years old, and I get to pursue my dream. That’s really exciting!”

Other FCS graduates who have attained success in the Arts include Patti LaBelle’s personal assistant, Gail Carter ’97, stage actor Lenny Haas ’76 (photo at top left), and Universal Pictures chairperson Stacey Snider ’78

FEATURE ACADEMICS

WHATSETS FRIENDS’ CENTRALAPARTFROM

OTHERSCHOOLS is not that we send our graduates to top colleges and universities. For a school of our caliber, that is a given. What sets us apart is our emphatic desire for students to choose the schools that best fit their diverse interests; the schools that will best cater to their particular curiosities and talents. Three academically-gifted students from the Class of 2005 currently blaze their trails at top colleges and universities locally and across the Atlantic, pursuing courses of interest that FCS helped nurture.

MATTHEW TANN came to Friends’ Central through the Wynnefield Community Scholar program in fifth grade. A star in music and drama programs at the School, Matthew also excelled in the classroom. He cites the Upper School history department as one of the many that presented material in interesting, innovative ways; the rigor of the English department brought a heightened intensity to writing; the science department knew how to chal-

lenge and advance students’ knowledge and understanding. The breadth of FCS’ curricula gave Matthew an analytical lens through which to view his subject matter. It is this exposure that helped him prepare for what he encounters as an undergraduate and future graduate student at Brown University.

Enrolled in an eight-year BS/MD program called the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), Matthew will experience a liberal arts undergraduate education and then proceed with four years of medical school at Brown. From his early teens, Matthew wanted to be a doctor. Volunteer work at Pennsylvania Hospital and Upper School chemistry and biology helped further his interest in medicine.

Wynnefield Community Scholar Program (WCSP)

In 1987, the WCSPwas founded to create a bridge between FCS and the neighboring community of Wynnefield. Each year, the School selects one Wynnefield Community Scholar—a student who, through a competitive examination, earns a fully-funded need-based grant. While we name only one winner per year, we are usually fortunate enough to enroll the finalists as well. Originally endowed by the Elizabeth E. Whereat ’43 Fund, WCSPis now supplemented by Friends’Central's own financial aid budget.

In addition to his pursuit of degrees, Matthew also seeks to become established in music at Brown; he currently sings with a cappella group the Brown Derbies and is planning to be a music concentrator as part of his undergraduate experiences. Due to FCS’ emphasis on service throughout all divisions of the School, Matthew seeks to pursue community service as an integral part of his college experience. He states, “I want to take myself out of my comfort zone and try to experience new things.” Thus far, Matthew claims to have made a “smooth, easy transition” to life at Brown because it is similar to FCS. “People are open, opinions are expressed openly, and it’s a diverse place,” he indicates. When asked for his advice to other students looking to accomplish similar goals as he, Matthew advises, “Take advantage of all that Friends’ Central has to offer. This can really prepare you for a place like Brown. You have to reach out and involve yourself.”

AMI BAGIA also began her FCS career in the fifth grade. As a young woman from a culturally diverse family (Mom is from Iowa, Dad is East Indian), she emphatically states, “From the first day of school, FCS has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have truly learned by the example set by FCS that I can be different and that I can tolerate differences in others.” During her freshman year in high school, Ami realized she wanted to become a psychologist, and during the summer after her sophomore year she was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania’s PreCollege Summer Program. Penn not only allowed her to experience college life, but also exposed her to college-level psychology classes. After one successful summer, she was accepted for a second summer to take Abnormal Psychology and Social Psychology. As if that were not enough, Ami’s senior year schedule at FCS was arranged so that she could take Criminology and Beginning Gujarati (her dad’s mother

tongue) at Penn. Furthermore, her senior project was completed in Rajkot, Gujarat in India, where she spent an entire month volunteering in the ashram and in the free food program.

Ami realizes that these experiences were unique and is thankful for the opportunity to pursue her academic and personal passions. She is quick to rattle off a long list of teachers and administrators like Alex McDonnell ’87, Doug Ross, Keino Terrell, Keith Buckingham, and Beth Johnson ’77 as some of the many who have inspired and encouraged her to work harder and to “never give up!” Grateful for her experiences at FCS, Ami explains that the School has helped her “find a path of steady growth.” She continues, “I believe FCS has been an integral steady force in my life, which follows along with the Hindu principle of Dhriti, known as steadfastness. This steadfastness has brought me to [University of]

Ami’s interests in human behavior and forensics led to her fascination with the psychology of terrorism and counter terrorism. At St. Andrews, she is a dou-

ble major in psychology and international relations. Her future goals include obtaining her Ph.D. in psychology and “to joining a government organization such as the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI in order to study the psychology of the terrorist mind.” A licensed pilot (as of this past summer), she eventually hopes to combine her love of flying with a diplomatic career. “Wouldn’t it be nice to fly my own jet to my overseas assignment!” she proudly exclaims. In her spare time, Ami enjoys playing on St. Andrew’s women’s rugby team and singing in the Renaissance Choir and St. Andrew’s chorus. On how FCS has helped shape this exciting path, Ami firmly states, “FCS allows you to be an individual. You do not have to conform; FCS helps you challenge yourself to take on something different, to learn from others not associated with your immediate circle, and to discover new paths.”

AARON SCHWARTZ could have attended Harvard or Yale (he was accepted at both), but chose instead to enroll at Swarthmore College where he was awarded one of four McCabe Scholarships—a merit-based full four-year scholarship.

At FCS since first grade, he fondly remembers his passion for science ignited by Peter Grove and his yearning for flight due to Bill Bower’s fourth grade thematic study of flight and

field trip to Brandywine Airport, where Aaron later earned his pilot’s license along with Ami Bagia this past summer. Throughout Middle and Upper School, Aaron’s passions included Latin with Margaret Somerville Roberts ’83 and Dr. Erika Harnett. He cites the creative presentation in Magistra Roberts’ class and the higher-level analysis of Doc’s class as elements he feels he can build on in college. His experiences in the Upper School English department precipitates his report that his “writing is better than that of any of [my] peers at college.” Jim Rosengarten’s philosophy class was one of his favorites due to the notion that “FCS shows a different way to see the same texts that everyone else is looking at, but the School provides the context and background for further study and investigation.” Whether in the classroom, Science Olympiad, Focus (FCS’ newspaper), Math Club, or Stage Crew, Aaron found his niche at FCS and acquired valuable academic and life skills.

At Swarthmore, he is thinking about possible paths of study, from biology to political science. Aaron also projects into the future and is also thinking about medical school. But whatever road Aaron chooses, he considers FCS to be a “springboard” that assures students that anything is possible after graduation. He values hard work, adding, “There are so many people out there who are smart—but working hard makes you stand out and makes your work the best that it can be.” While he claims to have discovered in flight school that “learning to land is difficult,” Aaron shows no signs of slowing down or stopping on his impressive academic journey.

These three incredible graduates call to mind other alumni/ae who have forged a path in the academic world. Rhodes Scholar Julie Levison ’94 attended Wellesley College, Oxford University, and Harvard University Medical School. Barry Sharpless ’59 is a Nobel Prize Winner in chemistry, and Dan Biddle ’71 is Projects Editor for The Philadelphia Inquirer

FEATURE ATHLETICS

AT FRIENDS’ CENTRAL, CHAMPIONSHIP

ATHLETESARENOTJUSTSPORTSSTARS; rather, they are singers, artists, student government leaders, and community service organizers. They are competitive, talented, dedicated athletes who strive to push themselves and their teammates to achieve the highest levels of performance possible. They are individuals who are grounded not only in their sport, but also in life. Friends’ Central has a tradition of producing outstanding individuals on and off the field. Lauren Becker Rubin ’83, Ian Ramsey-North ’03, and Diana Bleakley ’01 are prime examples of how the School fosters athletic talent and prepares our graduates for the road ahead.

As the first Friends’ Central women’s lacrosse player to be named All-American, Lauren Becker Rubin ’83 has been pursuing her passion for sports since graduating from the School. But it was her experiences while here at FCS that have served to shape her outlook on what participating in the athletic arena should be. She believes that coaches like Gail Smith, Lynn Thompson, and Barbara Hanover “raised the bar” and served as “unbelievable role models.” She remembers that her coaches “took a personal interest in [me] not only as an athlete, but also helped [me] in life.” After recognizing her talent, her mentors introduced her to club teams and sports camps. Lauren believes that she

would not have arrived at Brown University if it were not for her coaches’ encouragement. “My coaches were my advocates—they were interested in the whole me and were able to nurture me as a person.”

At Brown, Lauren played all four years of both field hockey and her favorite sport, lacrosse, and racked up titles such as All-Ivy, All-American, Academic All-American, Ivy Rookie of the Year, and Ivy Player of the Year. Inducted into the Brown Hall of Fame for both sports, she was named to the 25th Anniversary Women in Sports for the Ivy League team. Lauren also competed in the Maccabi Games, earning a bronze medal for field hockey.

To feed her hunger for sports after college, she coached field hockey and lacrosse at Friends School of Baltimore and Goucher College. For the last two years, Lauren has coached the FCS girls’ lacrosse team with Lydia Martin. Lauren loves

this particular coaching position: “It’s good to be back into lacrosse with the kids and to be able to give back to a community from which I’ve gotten so much.” Reflecting on the Friends Schools League Championship her FCS team won in May of 2005, she states that it was satisfying to win after a “difficult up and down season” but explains, “If you’re lucky enough that everything falls together, you have the experience of winning a championship for the rest of your life.”

Lauren’s professional career has been concentrated in the athletic arena since graduating from Brown. Her first job was at Reebok, where she “gained exposure to the exciting world

of sporting goods.” From Reebok, she branched out into sporting goods sales and marketing and now sells to QVC. Her goods have expanded to include beauty, pet, and gardening products. Attributing much of her success to the roots that FCS has provided her, she states, “At Friends’ Central, I was encouraged to try everything, and there is exposure to all kinds of choices. The School lets you do it all and be a total person.” Lauren and husband Jon (also ’83) have three children: Jesse ’16, Bryan ’14, and Justin, age 2.

Ian Ramsey-North ’03 is another example of the student-athlete who can excel both on and off the beaten trails and tracks. A long-distance runner, Ian tried many sports while at FCS but made the full commitment to running cross-country, indoor and outdoor track as a sophomore. As a junior, he won the Friends Schools League Cross Country championship, a “completely unexpected” victory which Ian states was the best performance of any of the teams he was a part of at FCS. He claims that coaches Michelle Crowley, Ed Soto, Lance Jones and Bruce Johnson were integral parts of his athletic career. “Ed moved us along gradually and safely, ensuring steady improvement. Because of his training, I arrived at Haverford [College] well-prepared but still fresh and ready to run faster.”

At Haverford, running has become “both a competitive athletic activity and something personal for me. It has become so routine for me now that I forget that most people don’t get an hour and a half per day to be alone, just to

think.” A member of Haverford’s cross-country team, Ian recently won an impressive first place in the men’s 2005 Centennial Conference (CC) Cross Country Championship and became the tenth Haverford runner to claim a CC individual title in Conference history. Further, he was part of Haverford’s first All-American duo at the 2005 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships, leading his team to take third place—Haverford’s highest NCAA finish and the best placement ever by a Pennsylvania school.

However, running is not his only forte. This past summer, working with Haverford College’s Center for Peace and Global Citizenship, he traveled with Haverford political science professor and current FCS parent Anita Isaacs (Natalie Kitroeff ’07) to Guatemala to research the challenges of community-building and understanding after decades of civil war. A political science major, Ian also works at the Haverford College Women’s Center and is fundraising for disaster relief for a small Guatemalan village devastated by a mudslide following Hurricane Stan. A self-motivated runner with a social conscience, Ian looks back to his Friends’ Central experience and states, “The School let me do much of the work on my own while still providing me with guidance and encouragement and that has definitely served me better in the long run.”

Thanks to a fifth grade rotation physical education program, Diana Bleakley ’01 was inspired to try lacrosse, stating, “FCS makes you try new sports to see if you’re interested.” And interested she was. After asking for, and receiving, a lacrosse stick for Christmas, Diana went on to play lacrosse in sixth grade. She volunteered to be the team’s goalie in its

Hakim Warrick ’01

Hakim Warrick ’01was a first-round draft pick for NBA team the Memphis Grizzlies this spring. ESPN analyst Dick Vitale stated, “Warrick is one of the most improved players from his freshman year to his senior year [at Syracuse] I have ever seen. He has continued to grow as a player and he should have a solid NBA career.” Come join FCS to cheer on Hakim as the Grizzlies meet the Sixers at the Wachovia Center on January 20, 2006. For more information on this event, Log on to www.friendscentral.org.

first game “and never went back.” While she met with much success in lacrosse at FCS, she also played on the girls’ soccer team that was undefeated for three consecutive years in the Friends Schools League. In 2001, the girls’ lacrosse team secured the FSL championship—the first that the School had ever won for the sport.

Simultaneously, Diana participated in wrestling, cheerleading, and dance “just to remain active.”

When it came time to choose a college, Diana looked for schools that would encourage her lacrosse interest and talent and also provide a balance between sports and other aspects of life. Muhlenberg College seemed to meet all of Diana’s criteria, and they were looking to build their women’s lacrosse team from the goalie up to the offense. While playing at the Division III level, Diana started all but three games, missing those due to a sophomore year injury. During her time at Muhlenberg, she broke the all-time saves record during her last season and finished her college career with 669 saves. Diana also holds the Muhlenberg record for the most saves in a game (28) and in a season (252). Due to her impressive performances, she was named to the All-Centennial Conference first team in spring 2005. Her final collegiate season was filled with personal and team accomplishments; she cites FCS as “solidifying the team experience. You have to be able to work well with and respect the people around you.”

Holding a degree in Communications, Diana currently does sales and marketing for a rug design firm, Emma Gardiner Design, but yearns to coach at the high school level and eventually the collegiate level. With a passion for lacrosse and confidence that she can do great things, Diana perhaps speaks for all FCS student athletes, both past and present, when she states, “No one person is just one thing. Friends’ Central makes it possible to do all things of interest and not feel stretched and stressed. I am thankful to have found a true passion of mine in lacrosse and I can’t wait to see where life takes me.”

Other stars in the athletic arena include All-Centennial League 2005 soccer talent Chris Campbell ’03 attending Franklin and Marshall College, and NBA star Hakim Warrick ’01 (Syracuse University ’05), a first-round draft pick currently playing with the Memphis Grizzlies.

HOME & SCHOOL

Lower School Book Sale and Fair

The Lower School Book Fair promotes reading, raises funds to purchase additional books for classroom libraries, and helps fund visits by guest authors and illustrators.

1Author Dan Gutman with Janelle Purnell ’13, Cristian Clothier ’14, Claudia Detre ’14, Aliyyah Zachary ’14, Rebecca Sloane ’13, Ben Lichtman ’13, and Tess Wei ‘13

2Madeleine Coss ’16, Amira Simon ’16, and Avital Schweitzer ’16 browse the books

3The Philly Phanatic entertains the crowd

Plant Sale, Fair and Peace Concert

Friends in the Garden committee members are parents, faculty, and friends who use their green thumbs to work in FCS gardens, support the arboreta, and plan related activities. A plant sale and fair are held every spring. A “Concert for Peace” held the same day features Lower School students performing piano, flute, and violin pieces.

2Shopping and socializing at the Plant Sale & Fair

3Beah

4Sofia

5Ben

PSOC Welcoming Gathering

The PSOC (Parents of Students of Color) committee supports efforts to develop greater sensitivity for the individual and strives to increase open communication within the school community.

1Carolyne and Rodney Willis ’77, Gwendolyn Brown, Terri Jones

2Jon Dellum ’07, Adara Cohen ’08, Rob Ricketts ’06, Justin Plummer ‘06

3POSC Chairs Hao-Li Loh, Gwendolyn Brown, Arnita Outlaw

4Teacher John Gruber, Thomas Weldon

5Teacher Deb Will, Teacher Keino Terrell

6Teacher Jackie Gowen-Tolcott, Bruce Jacobson

7Adara Cohen ’08, Morgan Gunter ’09, Courtney Weldon, Tracy Weldon ‘08

8Michael Murray ’09, Teacher Bob Folwell ‘80, Jasmine Martin ’08, Lance Jones ‘08

9Pamela and Don Yih

10Teacher Dave Thomas, Henry Stursberg

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Grandparents and special friends of fourth grade and Middle School students got a glimpse into life at FCS as they met teachers, toured the campuses, and attended a class with the children.

1Anna Lynn-Palevsky ’13 shares a book with her grandparents

2Gemmika Champion ’12 and her grandparents

3Michael Andrews, Raaj Singh, Rebecca Sloane, Tess Wei, Sydney Stotter, Anna Lynn-Palevsky, Nathan Willis (all Class of 2013) perform at the Lower School’s Grandparents/Special Persons Day

4Jessica Hoffman ’13 and her grandmother

5Isaac Pedisich ’09 and his grandmother

6Natalie Willis ’09 and her grandfather

Pumpkin Fair

Held on the Lower School campus, the Pumpkin Fair is a wonderful family event. In addition to selling you-know-what, the Fair features arts and crafts, music, face painting, food, games and prizes, a spooky haunted house, and story telling.

1Abigael Crowley ’15, Gianna Giacomin, Morgan Crowley ‘18

2Benna Berger ’19, Amirah Alwyn ‘19

3Alex Chang ‘18

4Albert Bleznak ’17, Chloe BoscovBrown ’17, Amelia Orzech-Boscov ‘16

5Brian Gorberg ’18, Andrew Dean ‘16

6Olivia Matthews ’14, Emilia Weinberg ‘14

7Steven Folwell ’16, Gil Dreyfuss ’16, Allison Weissman ‘15

Tennis Night Out

Players and non-players alike enjoyed a social evening, lessons from a tennis pro, as well as singles and doubles matches between players of all skill levels. Held at the Gulph Mills Racquet Club, the event also included a delicious buffet, a silent auction, and massage therapy.

2Sharon Ritt and Wendy Kane

Friday Night Square Dance

Every spring, third and fourth graders and their families are invited to participate in the Friday Night Square Dance. Square Dancing is part of the physical education curriculum, and this is a chance for students to strut their stuff on the gym dance floor. Musicians play traditional music, refreshments are served, and students come dressed in their hoe-down best, ready to move!

1Annie Goldberg do-si-dos

2A Square Dance group in motion

3Will Keith ’14 and Jenna Bergmann ‘14

From the Vice President of the Alumni/ae Board

Having spent 13 years at Friends’ Central as a student and several more assisting with various alumni/ae functions, I have been fortunate enough to know many of my fellow alumni/ae; and many I don’t know, I know of. I am often reminded that our graduates achieve success through a wide variety of endeavors. Our alumni/ae excel in fields as diverse as education, the arts, finance, law, and medicine.

Friends’ Central prepares its students for their future success with an incredibly robust and inclusive program that fosters this breadth of interest and excellence. This program, although ever-changing and adaptive, includes a comprehensive and rigorous academic education. Equally important, a Friends’ Central education stresses humanity, compassion, and understanding. I believe it is the unique balance of these two educational components that provides a key ingredient for our most successful alumni/ae.

In this issue of Directions, we are provided with several shining examples of the product of this diverse and defining education. When you read the profiles, you too will be struck by this same breadth and diversity.

As we strive for achievement in our respective fields and for happiness and fulfillment in our lives, let us remember to draw upon those distinctive life lessons we learned while at Friends’ Central.

Sincerely,

Andy Newcomb ’87 Vice President, Alumni/ae Board

1ConradTurner ’76 and daughter Maria

2Nancy Schranz Wall ‘38, Donna Hayes Edwards ‘55, Ruth Stubbs Denlinger ‘55

3Jeffrey Bobroff ‘00, Heather Anastasio ‘00, Benjamin Joyce ‘00, Jeffrey Dean ‘00

4Peter Taylor ‘75, Linda Waxman Wasserman ‘75

5William Roberts ‘70, Blair Roberts ‘70, Christine Young Gaspar ‘70, William Thomas III ‘70

6Crystal Dawson-Blanco ‘75, Bob Folwell ‘80

7Susan Schwartz Goodrich ‘65, Adrienne Roos Jones ‘65

8Dorothy Everitt Bond ‘35

9John Trumper ‘50, Claire Trumper

10Rose Muravchick ‘00, John Rooney ‘00, Julian Smoger ‘00, Sara Levin ‘00, Sallie Garfield ‘00, Emma Steiner ‘00

11Eric Moyerman ‘75, Josef Schaff ‘75, Peter Taylor ‘75, Michael Collins ‘75

12Andrew Escoll ‘75, Tom Hale ‘75, Bonnie Donziger Antosh ‘75

13Friend, Victor Freeman ‘80, Juan Jewell ‘68

14Beverly Ulmer, Rich Ulmer ‘60, Benjamin Freeman II ‘55

15Jennifer Briggs ‘95, Andy Greenwald ‘95, Ian Bennet ‘95, friend, Barney Schmidt ‘95

16Barbette Schaff, Zack Schaff, Josef Schaff ‘75

17Frederick Goodman ‘50, Judith Martin Dorsett ‘50

18Esther Moore MacDonald ‘55, Bill Gartner ‘55, Barbara Zilling Fuller ‘55

19Kathleen Whitney ’80 (center) and family look at materials from the FCS Archives

20Archivist Elizabeth Finley shows alumni/ae photos from the archives

Class of 1955 Reunion “WE

WEREVERY

FORTUNATETOHAVEATTENDEDASCHOOL LIKE FRIENDS’ CENTRAL, which has always been special and unique to those who had the opportunity to be here for varying numbers of years. The structure of values has left its mark on all students over time...

“The Class of 1955 is a class of ‘WE,’ not I or me. We were back then a thriving, connected, and flexible class, and we still are today. Let me give you the most tangible evidence that I can, to support the notion and our premise as a class of ‘WE’...

“As we approached the task of accumulating funds for our 50th reunion gift, the goal was how many members of the class would contribute, not necessarily how much the total fund would be. One classmate was so earnest in his want to be a part of the contributors that he sent his gift by pouch through the State Department from Katmandu, Tibet. I am extremely proud of my classmates, and on behalf of the class I am very excited and pleased to report that we have achieved an unprecedented record. The class of 1955 has 100% participation to the Class of 1955 Reunion Gift Fund.”

– GEORGE M. WALTERS, JR. ’55 CLASSOF 1955 REUNION CHAIRMAN

1At Reunion 2005, George Walters ’55 and Jane Starrett Swotes ’55 present Headmaster David Felsen with a check representing the $94,876 garnered from all the Reunion classes

2Class of 1955 Dinner in the Fannie Cox Center lobby

3Front row: Middy Minster Larson, Herb Larson, Peggy Roatch Nagy, Mary Ruth Hardin Back row: Gail First Farber, Jane Tolson, Marci Henry Ballis, Dave Hardin

4George (Toby) Walters, seated Ann Dothard Walters ’58, Barbara Jess Charlson, Jane Starrett Swotes, Janice Dickson

5Archive Tour: Front seated Colin Dickson, Marguerite Tarrant Smith (looking at paper), Marci Henry Ballis, Ted Clisby (standing)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

76ers vs. Grizzlies • Wachovia Center • 7 p.m. Featuring the Memphis Grizzlies’ newest player Hakim Warrick — FCS Class of 2001

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24

Alumni/ae Board Meeting • Fannie Cox Center • 6:30 p.m.

MARCH

Washington, D.C. Area Reunion • Washington, D.C.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

Seniors 100 Day Dinner • Fannie Cox Center • 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 12

Career Day

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Reunion 2006

TUESDAY, MAY 23

Alumni/ae Board Meeting • Fannie Cox Center • 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 20

Seventeenth Annual Golf Classic •The ACE Club • 11:30 a.m.

Distinguished Alumni/ae

Bell Brett ’65: Educational Entrepreneur

At Reunion 2005, Belle Brett began her acceptance speech by stating, “When David [Felsen] first called me and told me that I was to receive this award, I felt like the college freshman who feels like they’ve been an admissions mistake.” But make no mistake about it—Belle Brett is an impressive presence and leader in her field of educational research and evaluation. She excels at helping those in the field of education improve and perfect their trade. As a teacher, advisor, and advocate for young people, she supports education at all levels.

As the principal consultant for her company, Brett Consulting Group, Belle Brett has designed and implemented evaluations for Brown University and Boston University Medical Center, as well as the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Brett also worked with City Year, a non-profit organization that operates national community service programs in thirteen cities across the U.S. For the past thirteen years, Brett has examined

how educational programs work, in order to improve them and make them work better. She emphatically states that “education needs to teach one to be a flexible thinker, not just a regurgitator of facts.” At Reunion 2005, Brett commented on how Friends’ Central helped her to do this, while honing her ability to adapt, sparking her enthusiasm for learning, and inspiring her desire to contribute to the common good.

Belle Brett’s past careers include teaching at the elementary school level and leading the Career Planning and Placement center at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Recent professional activities involve an independent investigation of life patterns and choices of midlife women and authoring countless articles, reports, and publications. She credits FCS with teaching her to write and write effectively.

Brett holds degrees from Swarthmore College, University of Wales, Northeastern University, and Harvard Graduate School of Education. Belle Brett’s dedication and commitment to education, learning, and community were encouraged at FCS. We are thrilled to claim her as an alumna.

Franklyn Judson, M.D.’60: Devoted Public Health Pioneer

After completing his education at Wesleyan University, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, and a Residency at University of Wisconsin hospitals, Franklyn Judson, M.D. concentrated his energy on researching the epidemiology and control of sexually transmitted diseases including Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS. The scholarly work he has contributed to the field of medicine will have an enduring effect on public health for many generations to come.

A physician and chief of infectious disease services for the Denver Health Medical Center and a Director of the Denver Public Health Department, Judson is one of President George W. Bush’s appointees to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. His pioneering research on AIDS and HIV is invaluable to millions of people around the world and his com-

mitment to public service sets the standard for our society. He advocates using traditional public health methods to help prevent the spread of HIV, supporting mandatory contact tracing and partner notification for those who test HIVpositive. An admirer of Clayton Farraday’s (’32) humanitarian and educational values, Judson supports the under-served and under-supported of our community and attempts to help them achieve.

Although Judson approaches retirement from Denver Public Health, he plans to remain active in his field. Through volunteerism and leadership, his vocation will continue. He warmly states that “three things that you need in order to be happy are: something to do, something or someone to love, and something to look forward to. I’m optimistic.” Although he moves into the next phase of his rich, full life, Franklyn Judson’s dedication to serving others and interest in the common good were born at Friends’ Central. We are proud to claim him as an alumnus.

Career Day 2005

Career Day exposes Friends’ Central sophomores and juniors to alumni/ae who represent a diversity of occupations, who are successful in their careers, who communicate well, and who are willing to share their expertise and experiences.

1Andrew Greenwald ’95, Emily Mayer ’00, Sharan Watson ’96, Derick Dreher ’85, and Julie Cowitz Gordon ’81 chat with students about careers in the arts and engineering

2Architecture panelists Mallory Floyd ’96, Andrew Armour ’85 and Peter Taylor ’75

3Michael Weiss ’07 and Micah Siegel-Wallace ’06 speak with Career Day panelist Josef Schaff ’75

4Kathleen Whitney ’80, Michael Sernyak ’80, Victor Freeman ’80, and Franklyn Judson ’60 listen to questions about their careers in medicine

5Christine Young Gaspar ’70 speaks to students about careers in education

6Robert Rhea ’80, Andrea Deutsch ’85, Charlie King ’80, Rich Ulmer ’60, and Jordan Rubin ’98 share their business experience with students

Class Lantern Photos

4 Class 1950: Frederick Goodman, Barbara Kratz Shaw, Judith Martin Dorsett, Sara DeVita Napoli, Carol Weinrott Leebron, Cynthia Linton Fleming, Winkie Ostroff Gaev, Carleton Stein, Gardner Hendrie, Nancy Hammond Caragher, Henry Cowell, Louis Clark, Alan Trumper, Bob Small, Barbara Zimmermann Bates, Anne Duford Clouser

5 Class of 1955

Back row: Colin Dickson, Edward Clisby, Daniel Egan, Jayne Tolson, Barbara Jess Charlson, David Hardin, Richard Spillman, George Walters, Mayer Schnyder, Nick Freeman, Madge Shore Miller, Ed Rummel, Marcy Henry Ballis, Marguerite Tarrant Smith

Front row: Bonnie Boardman

Schoennagel, Donna Hayes

Edwards, Ruth Stubbs Denlinger, Barbara Zilling Fuller, Linda Johnson Kacser, Ruth Jarvis

Dubois, Middy Minster Larson, William Gartner, Esther Moore

MacDonald, Sallie Whitesell

Phillips, Miriam Repp Staloff, Jane Starrett Swotes

7 Class of 1965: Robert Gardner, David McClenahan, John Battey, Ann Judson Ratcliffe, Andrew Weinstein, Joan Decker Battey, Kathleen Lane Enscoe, Annabelle Brett, Richard Burgess, Antoinette Leroux Jewell

6 Class of 1960: Ginger Gleason, Judi Deemer Roseland, Janice Decker Frohner, Bruce Babcock, Franklyn Judson, Rich Ulmer, Daniel Jones

8 Class of 1970: William Roberts, Christine Young Gaspar, William Thomas, Gigi Schlesinger Perry, Paul Seidel, Blair Roberts

9 Class of 1975: Crystal Dawson-Blanco, Martha Young, Kirk Paul, Peter Taylor, Bonnie Donziger Antosh, Eric Moyerman, Tom Hale, Linda Waxman Wasserman, Walter Harris, Josef Schaff, Andrew Escoll

Class Lantern Photos

11

12 Class of 1990: Jonathan Ginsberg, Rachel Replansky Bailey, Lynn Lentnek Berney, Amanda Welsh Greenwald, William Foster, Rachel Gleklen Foster, Emily Bernstein

13

14 Class of 2000: Isabel Daniels, Sara Levin, Tara Ramchandani, Rose Muravchick, Allison Pincus, Laila Goldberg, Sallie Garfield, Fawziyya Fox, Nathaniel Arem, Emma Steiner, Erica Jones, Daniel Shargel, Benjamin Joyce, Heather Anastasio, Jeffrey Bobroff

Q&A with Andy Greenwald ’95 Misery Loves Company: A Writer’s Journey

Upon graduating from FCS in 1995 and Brown University four years later, Andy Greenwald has forged an impressive path in the magazine and book publishing industry. After working as an intern, editorial assistant, and online editor for Spin magazine in New York City, he is now one of its senior contributing writers while also maintaining freelancer status.

In April 2002, Greenwald struck a book deal with St. Martin’s Press and published Nothing Feels Good: Punk Rock, Teenagers, and Emo, a non-fiction story about the relationship between teen culture, music, and the web. From tour bus interviews with expressive punk rock bands like Dashboard Confessional and

Jimmy Eat World to examinations of chat rooms and online diaries driven by teens relating to the music and baring their souls, Greenwald seeks to spread awareness and understanding of this music genre and its cultural movement. The book is now in its 10th printing.

His second release, Miss Misery, will debut in stores in January. It is the first fiction to be published by Simon Spotlight Entertainment, a new imprint of Simon & Schuster. This novel is the story (partially told through the mixed media of Instant Messaging, online journal entries, emails, voice mails, and texts) of an aspiring writer whose life is turned upside down by two women. The result is a swift, comedic story about youth and finding one’s identity.

Greenwald’s freelance assignments have ranged from writing about TV stars and video games to political figures. His work has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and the Washington Post; he has also made numerous appearances on CNN, MSNBC, MTV, VH1, BBC and ABC radio.

Andy Greenwald is blazing new trails in the literary world and has clearly embarked on an exciting journey after FCS.

Q:In your first book, Nothing Feels Good,the “emo”movement is explored and analyzed.Why were you inspired to focus on this aspect of teen culture?

A: The emo movement for me was really about something that had been exclusive, like indie music or punk rock. Trying to translate some of its value to

mainstream kids was appealing to me, particularly because I have a fascination with the way the teenage mind works where every experience is a new one and the greatest thing that ever happened…you sort of have a sense of instant nostalgia for things. I realized I saw a lot of myself in some of these online diaries...thank God I didn’t have an online diary published… (laugh) I would have regretted it later. That was really my connection. That, and also the fact that personally I get really sick of conservative pundits and people on TV saying that kids have no values, that the Internet is ruining their lives. Parents are scared that their kids are clustered in front of their computers and shut off from the world when in fact on their computers they have windows open all over the world—they’re talking to people, interacting, communicating.

Q:So you wanted to demystify and deconstruct the misunderstandings about this age group?

A: Yes. And in general I enjoyed going out and talking to kids, interviewing kids and bands and spending time with them…they’re great interview subjects and great to be around. They’re a lot less jaded about music and about the industry than what I was used to, having worked first in an office and in the New York music scene.

Q:And they probably told you the truth?

A: Absolutely.

Continued on the next page

Q:How are you different personally and professionally from your first book to your second?

Credit: Lisa Corson

A: That’s a good question. This is actually the first interview I’ve done for the second book (laugh). Professionally I’m not that different…I still spend my days in the same apartment, checking ESPN.com when I’m supposed to be working. The first book definitely opened up some more magazine writing opportunities and professionally now I’m much more excited about possibilities for the future because after doing it for five or six years I’m tired of constantly criticizing other people’s work, being a rock critic. I’d much prefer writing longer pieces or creating something myself. Personally, I don’t know, I guess I’m just a bit older. I think I’ve learned a lot about writing and life and this book in particular was a long experience with getting it out, getting it over with, really feeling like getting to the other side of something, and now I can relax and see where I am.

Q:What are some of the perks and challenges of being a freelancer?

A: I don’t have to wake up in the morning, and if I don’t want to, I don’t have to go anywhere. I can plan my days accordingly and do my work from anywhere. But I don’t naturally love the lifestyle. I really miss working directly with people and collaborating on projects. The part that I like about music journalism is that I get to go out on tour with bands or get to travel and talk to people. I’d much prefer going to California to spend a few days interviewing a band than going back home and transcribing it, writing it. It’s an adjustment…I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it forever. But I feel very lucky that I now have the ability to always have something new to look forward to. When people ask me what I do, I say

I’m a writer because I would like to be able to do all kinds of writing—not just what I’ve done in the past.

Q: Miss Misery is going to have an online component as well.Could you explain?

A: The audience for the music that I wrote about—the subculture that I plugged into—is online and whatever success that the first book has had has come from word of mouth, from people online, and from the message board on my website. So I was very excited when I had this new publisher who was very willing (almost more willing than I was at first) to think outside of the box and do things that haven’t been done before in terms of promotion and reaching the audience. To that end, music plays an enormous role in the book, so each advanced copy will be a paperback that comes in a cardboard box where all that’s visible through the box is an accompanying CD that has 8 songs featured in the book—either the artists were friends or I knew the management, and they allowed me to create a soundtrack CD. I’m talking to some of the bands that I’m friendly with that are in the book so I may get some original music to put on my website, andygreenwald.com, for people who like or buy Miss Misery. My mom thinks I should be a publicist—she thinks it would pay better—because I have good ideas about promoting myself (laugh).

Q: What’s next for you?

A: Well, I’m going to do a tour and make sure I’ll do at least one reading [of Miss Misery] in Philadelphia and that’s really exciting for me. I’ve recently had Spin cover stories on the bands My Chemical Romance and Foo Fighters and other work for the magazines. I have another book that I’m going to start working on soon. I haven’t closed

the deal with Simon and Schuster yet, but hopefully after the book tour I can spend the next year working on that. It spins off a character in Miss Misery and gives him his own book to tell his story.

Q: So it’s not a sequel?

A: It’s not really a sequel, I just like to overlap. It’s more of a love triangle-kidnapping story.

Q: Are there any writers that you admire/seek to emulate,or do you try and steer clear of that?

A: I definitely want to do my own thing, but two writers in particular gave me the confidence that I could do it. My all-time favorite writer and hero is Japanese author Haruki Murakami— just reading his books is one of my favorite things to do. And the other is a crime writer named George Pelecanos. Really, reading crime novels and mysteries inspired me to write this book, made me feel like I could write this book and also helped me with the pacing and structure of it. He [Pelecanos] actually “blurbed” Miss Misery—there’s a compliment from him on the back of the book—which meant more to me than anything.

Miss Misery will be in stores this January. For more information on Andy Greenwald and/or his work, please visit the newly designed and updated andygreenwald.com

Bluezette Gathering

In September, the Alumni/ae Association’s Diversity Committee, headed by Mallory Floyd ’96, hosted an Alumni/ae of Color mix & mingle in Center City Philadelphia at Bluezette. A group of over 40 spirited young alums attended this successful gathering.

3Upper

4Lindsey

Racers’ Day

Once alumni/ae have celebrated their 50th Reunion, they are welcomed back for an annual special luncheon and program. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Racers’ Day.

1Martha Shmidheiser DuBarry ’44, Hoy Jones White ’45, Cassie Gilda Dutton ’45, Director of Alumni/ae Affairs Linda Waxman Wasserman ’75

2Jackie Fehling ’39, Doris Yocum Markley ’39

3Jane Compton Mory ’37, Lucy Christman Statzell ’37, Ben Statzell ’37, Nancy Schranz Wall ’38, Harriet Cooke Roberts ’38, Paul Saxer ’38, Paul Mory ’37

4Madge Littlefield Bird ’49, Frances Fitts Ambler ’49, Winkie Ostroff Gaev ’50, Donald Greenfield ’46, Brigitte Solmitz Alexander ’47, Headmaster David Felsen

5Charlotte Eby Bartlett ’43, Nancy Fitts Donaldson ’43, Peg Cannell Spencer ’43, Walter Spencer, Helen Thomas, William Thomas ’43, Anne Loveman Zimmerman ‘43

6Dickson Werner ’41, William Carson ’41, Eleanor Stoer Davis ’36, Alice Legge Penza ’36

7Roswell Gillette ’31, Ed Rice ’34, Greta Rice, Dorothea Dorman Applegate ’34, Margaret Mitchell ’35, Dorothy Everitt Bond ’36

8Director of Development Evelyn Rader, Martha Shmidheiser DuBarry ’44, Hoy Jones White ’45, Cassie Gilda Dutton ’45, Dan White

NOTES FROM FRIENDS

Former Faculty

Richard H. Beyer enjoyed the story of Margaret Somerville Roberts’ ’83 Latin class. “I have good memories of her in my 3rd–5th grade science classes. I’m not surprised she’s now a good teacher.”

Stanley Cherim and his wife Solveig celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Denmark this summer.

Diane Tracy is working at Kalamazoo College, where she gets to see Carrie McKey (daughter of former faculty member Jim McKey).

Alumni/ae

1930s

Edward Rice ’34 enjoyed a 400-mile auto trip through ten European countries with his wife, Greta, in October 2004. That year, he drove over 33,000 miles! He still maintains his physical fitness program of exercise, handball, and daily walks.

1940s

Doris Armor Cochrane ’40 regrets missing her 65th reunion due to ankle fracture but reports that she is otherwise in good health!

L. F. Howe, Jr. ’41 was honored as “Volunteer of the Week” by the Main Line Times in May 2005 for his longtime environmental activities including the PA State Board of Landscape Architects, the Lower Merion Shade Tree Commission, the Lower MerionNarberth Watershed Association, and the Haverford College Arboretum Association. He currently volunteers for the Riverbend Environmental Education Center and the Lower Merion Conservancy.

William N. Stecher ’41 and his wife Betsy have been spending their winters in New Smyrna Beach, Florida and their summers in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina, where they

have to ford a creek to climb the 3600 feet to their cabin! They are also active in local arts activities and their church. Bill and Betsy can be reached by email at: wstecher@mindspring.com.

Gayle Waldhauser Martin ’42 writes, “My husband, Bob, and I are enjoying our golden retirement years with frequent traveling to CA to visit our daughter, Robin. Son Todd lives only a mile away and we see him often. I’m also in the throes of writing a mystery novel on my laptop, which I credit with keeping me young and happy.”

Pallen S. Millick, Jr. ’42, husband of Ellen Fitts Millick ’45, passed away on March 14, 2005 after a long illness.

Hoylande J. White ’45 and her husband Dan live happily in White Horse Village in Edgmont, PA, where Alice Legge Penza ’36 and Nancy Fitts Donaldson ’43 are also residents. Their daughter and her family live close by in Thornton.

Beverly Buck Brunker ’46 and husband Bob are staying closer to home this year. They are looking forward to a week’s cruise off the coast of Maine followed by a few days in the Philadelphia area before returning to their 8000 acre ranch in California.

Julie Miller Edgerton ’47 was very happy to attend the Alumni Reunion in St. Augustine, FL, in February. She spent her winter with “Ditty” Jones ’47.

Patricia Spotts MacLachlan ’47 was honored by Northwestern University in November 2004, when she was given an “N,” the major letter for competing in University Athletics (hockey, swimming, softball) before Title IX (1972) came into being! The letter was awarded during a football halftime program. Patricia writes, “We were queens for a day! It was great!”

1950s

Frederick L. Goodman ’50 has fully retired from the University of Michigan

after 46 years on the faculty. He has moved down to southern California to be near his family.

Suzanne Poggenburg Schafer ’50 is still in Pittsburgh but is enjoying warm, sunny winters and retirement!

M. Frances Williams Scott ’51 writes: “Our move to Austin two years ago was the perfect choice for us. We are living this time with our son, daughter-in-law and their precious sons. We’re having so much fun…plus, Austin is a vigorous place to live.”

Marian Siter Willey ’51 is now retired, and the traveling grandparent of seven girls. She and husband Len are celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 11, 2005.

Patricia Carroll Shuss ’52 has returned to the Atlantic City area and is involved in her community’s Homeowner Association, where she edits the monthly newsletter.

Joan Lallou Smith ’52 is happily married and will be celebrating her 50th anniversary in December 2006. Her five grandchildren are all doing well in school. “I think FCS is getting better and better with great improvement. I greatly mourn the passing of Clayton Farraday ’32.”

Dorothy Lieberman Grant ’53 has moved for the 4th time since a September 2004 hurricane destroyed her condo and has one more year before she can move back in. Dorothy shattered her ankle in New York City at Christmas time and spent two months in NYC hospitals, but writes, “Other than that—everything is wonderful.”

Peter T. Atkinson ’54 retired over one year ago. His parents, Mary Coxey Atkinson ’28 and Joseph L. Atkinson ’27, passed away last year. He has three grandchildren, Autumn Kya, Robert Cruise, and Liam, born to his son, Peter Joseph.

Edward V. Clisby ’55 says he and his wife are “true snowbirds,” flying north through FCS to attend the 50th Class Reunion, then on to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to

open their B&B called Sea-Clusion. Information about Edward’s B&B can be found at: www.seaclusion.com.

Ruth Jarvis DuBois ’55 enjoyed her 50th reunion in May.

Daniel J. Egan, Jr. ’55 writes, “Life is good here in New Mexico. Clear blue sky with big puffy clouds. Many good hearted people with no agenda and attitudes buried.” Daniel tutors two days a week at the local high school, where he says that all that algebra and physics are starting to return. About his FCS class, Daniel states, “We had a good class and who could ask for more! I wish all my class a healthy and meaningful life. I think we deserve it!”

David H. S. Hardin ’55 took a threeweek tour to Israel and Egypt in January, with his mother and wife. In addition to the wonderful sights, they found that the people were all very friendly and that they felt perfectly safe the whole time. “What an eye-opening trip.”

Hans Huber ’55 regrets that he was unable to attend Reunion in May due to hip surgery. He has been retired for about a year and plans to resume his mountain climbing, skiing, biking, and other outdoor activities after getting his new hip.

Patricia Pugh Dugan ’56 has been living in Conway, SC for seven years and still loves it. She is next to Myrtle Beach and states, “If you are ever in the area, please call.”

Gabrielle Schwarz Haab ’57 and her husband, Ched, saw Gretchen Young Lerch ’57 and her husband, Dana, at their husbands’ recent 50th reunion celebration at Episcopal Academy. Gaby and Ched just returned from London and Paris with their eleven-year-old granddaughter—one of seven grandchildren (ages four to eighteen) each of whom gets a special trip when he/she is eleven.

Ann Dothard Walters ’58 writes, “Debbie Sanchez, the daughter of our classmate Anita Matalon, needs our

help. Debbie was three and her brother Mark was almost two years old when their mother died from cancer. I have been corresponding with Debbie since February when I learned from the FCS Development Office that she is trying to learn more about her mother. If you have recollections of Anita, please share your thoughts and information. The smallest memory would mean a lot to her. I know with the Quaker tradition of helping others, you will respond to this call for help.” Debbie Sanchez can be emailed at ansoma3@aol.com, or written to: 51 Forest Avenue, Unit 96, Old Greenwich, CT, 06870.

Wetherill Cresson Winder ’58 spent the summer biking to prepare for a bike tour in the Netherlands in the first half of August 2005. Her other time is filled with hospice, volunteering, knitting, and traveling. “Life is good.”

Elizabeth Mackey Smith ’59 reports having had lots of changes (good ones). She sold her American Express Financial Advisor practice in May. She and George moved into a handicappedfriendly home in Savannah, GA. The best part of the move, she states, is that they are a half-mile from their grandchildren, and her son Doug says he’ll fix anything for them! They are on the #2 tee box of the Marshwood course, and she and George enjoy watching the 8 a.m. golfers from their breakfast table. “Both of us were tennis players, so this is a rather amusing situation.”

1960’s

Lynn Volckhausen Edinoff ’60 has been working full-time as a hospital social worker for the past few years. She is the Oncology Resource Coordinator, leading six cancer support groups, a weekly bereavement group and a weekly mediation class as well as doing individual counseling. She travels often; she has been to China four times and recently returned from a trip to Japan, Europe,

and the Western US. She happily states she has a wonderful life, is enjoying every minute of it, and would love to hear from classmates. Lynn’s email address is edinoff@yahoo.com.

Elinor Whitelaw Hunt ’60 is a retired elementary school teacher. She drove to Alaska in 2000 with her husband and plans to drive there again to see provincial parks in Canada as well. Unfortunately, she broke her arm in February when a young lady skied into her.

Daniel C. Jones, Jr. ’60 recently completed four years as middle school co-head. He is now enjoying the adventures of teaching 5th and 6th graders at Poughkeepsie Day School and the adventures of discovery in the glorious Hudson Valley area of New York; and (as of May) he and his wife are enjoying the adventures of first-time grandparenthood.

Judith Deemer Roseland ’60 has been with the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, since 1987, where she does pricing for the Consumer Price Index. She has three grandchildren, two boys and a girl.

Peter Kurt Woerner ’60 writes “A book on my work has just been published— Peter Kurt Woerner Architect and Builder—Projects 1968–2004. It was a very humbling and satisfying experience to see it come together. In addition, the old farmhouse that Mimi Dekker and I have in Tuscany will be published in Architectural Digest next spring. It is the culmination of almost twenty years of blood, sweat and tears (and money). Our house in Guilford, Connecticut will be published shortly in Garden Design, featuring the flower gardens, terraces, and a vegetable garden that Mimi and I have designed, constructed, and planted. I feel very fortunate. Life is good when you have a simpatica partner, two Labrador retrievers, and two dachshunds!”

John T. White ’61 and his wife have been married 34 years and have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Noel Sharpless Wittenberg ’61 writes that her father, also father of K. Barry Sharpless ’59, passed away peacefully in his sleep in September 2004 after a wonderful 93 years.

David M. Boyd ’62 continues with his firm assisting troubled hotels & inns of the Southeast and the Caribbean. His daughter Melanie just received a PhD in English from University of Michigan and daughter Jennifer was named VP at Bank of Bermuda in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Kenneth A. Kirchhofer ’62 writes that his father, Lewis H. Kirchhofer ’30, passed away in January of this year.

Vivian M. Appel ’63 is a Family Court Administrator for the Lehigh County, PA Court of Common Pleas. She is developing a unified family court for divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases and also works as a custody and support master.

Richard C. Burgess ’65 writes, “After graduating from Stanford, my daughter Meg went on for graduate degrees in Art History at Oxford (UK). While in Europe she was also employed for summer stints at the Guggenheim Museum in Venice and at Buckingham Palace. She was fortunate to receive a Mellon curatorial fellowship and is now working in the Modern European Art Department at the Cleveland Museum of Art. My son, Rick, completed both an M.D. and a Ph.D. at Ohio State and has been pursuing a neurology residency at Washington University in St. Louis. Next year he will come back east to Washington, DC where he has been accepted for neurology subspeciality training at the National Institutes of Health.”

Janet Goldwater ’68 and Barbara Attie, collaborative social documentary film-

makers, were recipients of 2005 Pew Fellowships in the Arts. Pablo Colapinto ’96 was also a recipient.

Helen L. Miehle ’68 visited the FCS Alumni/ae Office in the spring. A retrospective of her father’s artwork was being exhibited in a local church.

1970s

Stephanie Helen Koenig ’70 is teaching part-time for the Brandywine School District in Wilmington, DE. She received her A.R.I.C.P. in 2000 as a National Certified Dressage Instructor, and is training her Dutch Warmblood, “Korduroy Odyssey,” in classical dressage. “Odyssey” won the PHR Performance Horse Registry at the Dressage at Devon Breed Show in 2003 and 2004!

Beth Miller ’70 is a Family Formation Specialist who is a strong advocate for women’s health and child welfare; she is known for her work in Birth Mother advocacy and pre/post adoption education and social work. Aside from numerous professional accomplishments, she writes that some of her personal interests include Animal-Assisted Therapy, and jewelry design for Bellemirth Creations. She writes that “her finest personal accomplishment is shared with her husband, Bob: the raising of their son, Ethan, to adulthood.”

David H. Farraday ’74 writes: “I am so glad that Ted and I decided to attend the FCS alumni dinner last night at the Casa Monica in St. Augustine…and while I was not a part of the specific 50’s classes that were there, everyone was typical FCS—inclusive, friendly, and full of fond memories. It really is amazing across the generations the similarity of our FCS experiences. Just listening to some of the comments last night reminded me that over and above the strong education and extracurricular activity opportunities what matters most at FCS is the people—students, faculty, and staff. The event last night was a wonderful way to reconnect. Please share my congratulations for a job well done with Evelyn and David. Let me know if and when another FCS-Florida function is planned. You need to come visit more often—the weather really is beautiful year round!”

Kirk J. Paul ’75 appeared in Room Service, a 1937 play that became a 1938 hit Marx Brothers movie, at Stagecrafters in Chestnut Hill in June 2005.

Andrea Moll Tobochnik ’75 reports that she is still in Kalamazoo after all these years!

Leonard C. Haas ’76 received the Theater Alliance of Greater Philadelphia 2004 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical as Henry in The People’s Light & Theatre Company’s production of The Fantasticks.

Stephen B. Slade ’76 lives in Princeton, NJ with his wife, Bettina and his 14-year-old triplets. Steve is working in Philadelphia as an Executive Vice President of Aon Re, Inc.

Creighton H. Boyer ’78 is the publisher of a regional trade publication, Building Edge, a four-color glossy for the home building industry. His brother, Dillon Boyer ’79, is with American Express Corporate Travel in Alexandria, VA and his daughter, Alexa, turned 17 and is in Guatemala for an exchange program.

Karen D. Palcho ’78 is now the owner of Karen’s Botanicals, a small manufacturer of natural and organic body care products and of Plum Creek Pottery. She is on long-term leave from teaching and is enjoying the exploration of business ventures!

Nina Weisbord ’78 has enjoyed reconnecting with the Friends’ Central community. Her daughter Chloe Terres, new in fall 2004, is now an eighth grader.

Victoria Fineman Brown ’79 informed us that her father, Morton Fineman, died on January 19, 2005.

1980s

Eileen Flanagan ’80 lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two children. She recently finished writing a book about motherhood and spirituality, tentatively titled Imperfect Serenity.

Virginia (Ginger) Adams Simon ’80 earned her doctorate in education (Ed.D.) in May 2005. Also see New Arrivals for baby news!

Ellen Weinberg Cohen ’81 has been busy at work taking care of her two girls and selling real estate in Manhattan. If anyone is ever in the NY area, she would love to catch up.

Eric Larson ’82 will be co-authoring a chapter in an upcoming health and wellness book titled The Best Kept Secrets, Volume 3 dedicated to promoting wellness through chiropractic care.

Rachel G. Tilney ’85 and her husband have moved ashore to Lebanon, New Hampshire, after two years at sea on their small sailboat. They love the area and are enjoying exploring the mountains. Rachel has begun working at Kimball Union Academy in Admissions. “It is a great job and school with wonderful people. I've enjoyed hearing about FCS from Jen Corson Lebow’s ’85 daughter Becca, a third grader this year. Brings back memories!”

Jennifer Strauss Richmond ’86 and her husband, Andrew, celebrated the birth of their first child, daughter Bianca Rose, in March 2004. They live in the suburbs of Los Angeles in a town called Tarzana (named for the most famous character played by the original owner of the land parcel, Edgar Rice Burroughs). Jennifer is the Senior Vice President of Licensing and Media for a publicly-traded toy company called JAKKS Pacific (JAKK), and has an office located in Malibu looking over the Pacific Ocean. She has been with JAKKS almost seven years, seeing the company grow from $50M and thirty employees to almost $700 M and almost 300 employees. Her main responsibilities involve looking for the next Harry Potter, Scooby-Doo or Shrek on which to base new toys. “I'm having the time of my life with my new daughter and my husband and working at my dream job!”

Elizabeth Toborowsky Pollard ’87, along with her husband Mark and their son Matthew, will be moving to Birmingham, AL next July for Mark’s fellowship in sports medicine. They look forward to seeing all of their FCS friends when they return.

Tonya Evans-Walls ’87, an attorney at TME Law, was appointed by Philadelphia Mayor John Street to the Wireless Philadelphia Board of Directors in September 2005. Wireless Philadelphia is a non-profit organization committed to making Philadelphia the first major wireless, Internet-accessible city in America. Her book, Literary Law Guide for Authors: Copyright, Trademark, and Contracts in Plain Language, was recently selected as the Best Reference Book of 2005 by USA Book News.

Macon Pickard Jessop ’88 is still living in Brooklyn with her husband Mike. Their 3-year old daughter, Galen, goes to Brooklyn Friends School and is in class with fellow alumnus, Chris Bonovitz’s ’87 son, Dylan.

Salvatore V. Pastino ’88 and wife Anne are involved with the Order of Sons of Italy in America.

Sonya Sklaroff ’88 had an exhibition of her art entitled America the Beautiful on view at The Water Street Gallery, Seamen’s Church Institute in New York City from February 22 through May 20, 2005.

Leslie Morris Bari ’89 and her husband Jonathan proudly announce the birth of their daughter, Alexandra Haley on January 11, 2005. Leslie is Director of Account Development for the Lodging Industry at American Express, where she manages the relationship with Hilton Hotels. In their spare time, Leslie and Jon founded The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia, a selfguided walking tour of historic Philadelphia that has been featured in The New York Times Travelsection. For more information, visit www.theconstitutional.com.

1990s

Geoffrey G. Klein ’90 and his wife Nita are doubly delighted to announce the safe arrival of their identical twin daughters, Jemma Grace and Lucy Hannah Klein, born on June 25, 2005. Geoffrey is a real estate developer and he and his three beautiful girls live in Manchester, England.

Douglas C. Smith ’90 writes from Mongolia where he teaches English: “Sainuu Everyone. Work has kept me very busy and I still love every second of my time here. I am so lucky to be in Erdenet and loving my work.”

Sharon Katz Buchholz ’91 and her husband Scott are expecting a new arrival this fall. Big brother Dylan is very excited about having a baby in the house!

Alexander N. Miller ’91 and his wife Debbie are thrilled to announce the birth of their son, Samuel Charles Miller, born on December 19, 2004.

Alex is working as a Director of Internet Merchandising at QVC.com. He and his family live in Lafayette Hill, PA.

Raymond C. Heising ’92 works at Ford Motor Company.

Elena Karp Korngold ’92 and husband Ethan are having a blast with their sixmonth-old son Gabriel. Elena is finishing up her residency in Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and is hoping to move back to Philadelphia in the next few years.

Jaime K. Hanaway ’93 was married to Jonathan Arend on June 5, 2004, at Delchester Farm in Newtown Square, PA. They are living and working in New York City.

Melanie McCarthy Frick ’94 and her husband, Jared Andrew, are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Michael Jared. Michael was born on January 27, 2005, at 8 lbs 8 ounces and 20.5 inches long. Melanie is in her second year as a doctoral student at Saint Joseph’s University. Next year she will be meeting with her dissertation committee to begin the process of forming her research question.

William R. Weinstein ’94 writes to Middle School Principal Ray DeSabato, “Certain things we never forget from 8th grade English...I’ve been living in Los Angeles for approximately six years since I graduated from Cornell. I work as a motion picture literary agent, so it looks like Language Arts wasn't a total waste of time.”

Jennifer Briggs ’95 is training with the Alexander Alliance to become an Alexander Technique Instructor. As a result she is in Philadelphia several times a year, usually for a week at a time. “It is the most amazing thing I’ve ever done.”

Pablo Colapinto ’96 is a recipient of a 2005 Pew Fellowship in the Arts, which comes with “no strings attached” and gives artists the freedom to plunge into larger or more complex projects, work with new media, or collaborate with other artists. Pablo joins FCS grad Janet Goldwater ’68 who is also a 2005 recipient of the $50,000 stipend.

Hilary A. Takiff ’96 became engaged in April to Stuart Weiss whom she has been dating for two and a half years. They plan to marry in May 2006.

Emil Steiner ’97 had his first novel, Drunk Driving, published on April 14, 2005. It is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com or in stores. About his book, Emil writes: “I hope you all enjoy it.”

Brooke Gassel ’99 is returning home after eighteen months in Osaka, Japan where she has been teaching kindergarten at an International School for Japanese children. Brooke is looking forward to spending time with her brother Bruno, a first grader at FCS.

Elizabeth Grinspan ’99 lives in Brooklyn and works for Jewsrock.org, a website chronicling the involvement of Jews in the arts, primarily in Rock N’ Roll. For more information, check out The Philadelphia Inquirer article from July 9, 2005 (http://www.timesleader.com/mld/inquirer/12089794.htm).

2000s

Emma Steiner ’00 finished the first year of her Masters in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania. Her focus is on direct practice, and she hopes to go on to be a therapist. She is very proud of her brother Emil Steiner ’97 whose first book, Drunk Driving, was published in April 2005.

READ DeSabato ’02 is in his junior year at Cabrini where he is a residence advisor and a disc jockey. His webcast airs on

Sundays at 6 p.m. on www.wybf.com. He also works at FCS Aquatics on Saturday mornings and plays Ultimate Frisbee in Philadelphia’s spring and summer leagues.

C. Jerome Mopsik ’02 is a dual-major junior at Skidmore College and is enjoying a semester abroad at the University of Alicante in Alicante, Spain—just south of Valencia on the Mediterranean coast. In between his studies, Jerome has managed to travel around Spain in addition to Bulgaria, the UK, Portugal and Italy.

Stephen Rubin ’02 spent his junior year at Complutenese University in Madrid, Spain.

Evan Anderson ’03 continues study at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. He spent the summer in Italy on a painting and illustration fellowship.

Larissa Klevan ’03 participated in March of the Living, a two-week trip for Jewish teenagers to Poland and Israel in memory of the Holocaust, during spring 2005.

Adam Wolf Axler ’04 is the chairman of Speakers and Events for the Brown Democrats. He planned a speech and reception with former President William Clinton at Brown University in spring 2005.

Daniel Lieberman ’05 after two and a half years of work and forging ties with other students, Lieberman’s project— teenzone-online.com—debuted on the Internet in February 2005. “We’re all growing up in the city, and we lead totally separate, different lives,” states Lieberman, who attends McGill University in Montréal. “But in many ways, we’re really similar. I think that it’s important to see how we’re related, see what kind of common interests and perspectives we have.”

Matthew Garrison Tann ’05 is the Winner of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s National Achievement Scholarship. He currently attends Brown University, where he is pursuing an eightyear BS/MD program.

Transitions

Marriages

Walker N. Gilmore ’91 to Jane Shore on September 18, 2004

Jaime Hanaway ’93 to Jonathan Arend on June 5, 2004

Sharan Watson ’96 to Reina Rosas on March 26, 2005

Jeffrey Louis Ludwig ’99 to Michele L. Balfantz on August 20, 2005

New Arrivals

Benjamin Phillip Simon (Virginia “Ginger” Adams Simon ’80 and Tony Simon) on September 23, 2005.

Daisy Kaplan (Rachel Broker Kaplan ’87 and Brian Kaplan) on September 27, 2004.

Alexandra Haley Bari (Leslie Morris Bari ’89 and Jonathan Bari) on January 11, 2005.

Remie Greenwald (Amanda Welsh ’90 Greenwald and Jason Greenwald) on December 14, 2004.

Jemma Grace and Lucy Hannah Klein (Nita and Geoffrey Klein ’90) on June 25, 2005.

Nicholas Lord (Beryl and Patrick Lord ’90) on July 24, 2005.

Samuel Charles Miller (Debbie and Alexander Miller ’91) on December 19, 2004.

Dylan Jacob Cantor (Adrianne Levin Cantor ’92 and Josh Cantor) on March 19, 2005.

Michael Jared Frick (Melanie-Jo McCarthy Frick ’94 and Jared Frick) January 27, 2005.

Mae Ross Brockman (Anne Ross ’94 and Nathan Brockman) on March 22, 2005.

In Memoriam

Alumni/ae

Eleanor B. Shinn ’23

Joseph Atkinson ’27

Mary Coxey Atkinson ’28

Lewis Kirchhofer ’30

June Mitchell Lamotte ’33

Sophia Olsen Haun ’35

Charles M. Snyder ’36

Frank M. Knight, Jr. ’37

Charlotte Werner Bernstein ’38

William B. Fussell ’41

Pallen S. Millick, Jr. ’42

Frank M. Page ’42

David L. Farley, Jr. ’43

Malcolm Murphy ’43

Sara Ellis Brown ’46

Rodney S. Cook ’48

Stephen C. Marcus ’49

Marilyn Savage Zitin ’51

William M. Mieder ’54

Helen DeOrsay Freidberg ’55

Cindy Ornsteen ’64

Linda Deming Hansen ’65

LOOKING BACK

Can you identify at least three people, the place, and approximate date of this photograph?

Submit your response by phone or email to Denise Morris at 610-645-5043 or dmorris@friendscentral.org. A Friends’Central T-shirt will be awarded to the first person with a correct response!

Every Day at Friends’ Central . . .

Your Annual Gift Helps Every Student and Every Teacher

Whether through classroom supplies, extracurricular activities, field trips or faculty salaries, annual gifts from the whole Friends’ Central community are essential to everything we do to provide the best opportunities to students and teachers. Money raised through Annual Giving provides one of the most direct means we have to facilitate first-rate teaching and learning.

Your annual gift strengthens our children’s educational experiences, our teachers’ compensation, and the School where they work and learn.

We are grateful for the thoughtful response from our community to this yearly request for gifts to the Campaign.

Thank You!