Patriot
the
m yy d ee m A cc aa d n A wn ow n tt o m aa n G ee rr m G
Spring 2016
JAMES W. CONNOR 1760
FIELD M I D D L E S C HOOL HOME TO
BASEBALL
MORE THAN MS & US STUDENTS PLAY AT LEAST
75% ONE SPORT
SOCCER
at Germantown Academy
GIRLS VARSITY
?
DID YOU KNOW THE TURF GIVES A
Fulfilling the Promise
MORE SPACE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR
HEALTH
CAN HELP FULFILL
YOU THE PROMISE!
& WELLNESS
MAKE A GIFT TO:
HONOR your coaches and teammates during your time at GA
ALLOW GA to remain competitive in the Inter-Ac Athletic League
CELEBRATE Jim Connor 1760 for his 26
years of dedicated service to the Germantown Academy community
SUPPORT GA’s commitment to a school day that doesn’t end at 3pm FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO SUPPORT FULFILLING THE PROMISE go to www.germantownacademy.net/supportga/fulfillingthe-promise or contact Audrey Schnur aschnur@germantownacademy.org or 267.405.7212
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THERE WILL BE
ADDITIONAL
BASKETBALL COURTS
SPRING 2016
Table of Contents
HEAD OF SCHOOL James W. Connor 1760
ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL AND HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL Rich Schellhas BOARD OF TRUSTEES Judi J. Goodman 1760, President
Scott M. Badami Karen Dougherty Buchholz Judy Chang Cody Brian DiDonato Thomas E. Durkin ’89 Alison Korman Feldman ’78 William A. Garbose 1760 Lori Griswold 1760 Janet Haugen Annamarie Geppert Hellebusch ’84 Jeffrey A. Honickman ’75 Michael H. Jordan Bradley J. Korman ’83 John Korman ’76 Marcy Kramp Susan Stratton McGinnis ’78 Robert L. McNeil III ’80 David O. Oberkircher 1760 Lori F. Reiner Jeffrey T. Sultanik ’72 Catherine Thompson ’77 Andrew Towne Nancy A. Wolfson Kathy Wyszomierski 1760 CHARTER TRUSTEES Robert L. Bast 1760 Berton E. Korman 1760 John W. Rex ’63
EDITOR Carla Zighelboim Director of Communications & Marketing czighel@germantownacademy.org DESIGN Dina Katz Associate Director of Communications & Marketing
FEATURED WRITERS Thomas McGlinchey, Jim Connor 1760
EDITORIAL STAFF Audrey Schnur, Martin Dean, Thomas McGlinchey, Adam McGrath, Heather Durkin, Kellianne Kaput, Christine Passaglia PHOTOGRAPHY Dina Katz, Thomas McGlinchey, Adam McGrath, Carla Zighelboim
ON THE COVER Painting by Stephen Kennedy, P’07, ’10
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Fulfilling the Promise
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Class of 2016 College List
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Commencement 2016
James W. Connor 1760 Forever Patriots
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Retirement Celebration Campus Life
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Mission: GA
Germantown Academy inspires students to be… • Independent in Thought • Confident in Expression • Compassionate in Spirit • Collaborative in Action • Honorable in Deed
Germantown Academy is a PreK-12, independent, coeducational, nonsectarian day school, welcoming students, faculty and staff of diverse ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.
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The Patriot Magazine is produced twice a year by the Office of Institutional Advancement at Germantown Academy. The Patriot was printed by Paradigm Digital Color Graphics in Southampton, PA. Reprinting of any material contained in this publication requires the written consent of Germantown Academy. Please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement with any corrections or omissions - Goodman House, 340 Morris Road, P.O. Box 287, Fort Washington, PA 19034. For more information about Germantown Academy, please visit us online.
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Stay Tuned!
More Alumni News, Campus Life and the Annual Report will arrive in our September edition! THE PATRIOT/GERMANTOWN ACADEMY/3
The Legacies
TRADITIONS
Class of 2016 graduates along with their legacy parent or grandparent include: Jim McAfee ’79 and Jimmy McAfee ’16; Caroline Sloane ’16, Kim Flannery ’84 and Michael Sloane ’84; Katherine Aemisegger ’16 and Bob Aemisegger ’48; Jamie Simkins ’82 and Valarie Simkins ’16 (front); Brad Korman ’83 and Sam Korman ’16 (back); Rich Christine ’56 and Kayla Seiberlich ’16 (front); Tony Lamm ’76 and Matt Lamm ’16 (back); Wendy Hyndman Combs ’85 and Stephen Combs ’16 (back); Kristin Rorer ’16 and Bill Rorer ’80 (front); David Karr ’86 and Andrew Karr ’16; Dennis Connor ’80, Maeve Connor ’16 and Trent Connor ’16; Hayley Derbyshire ’16 and Chrissy Dare Derbyshire ’97; Lauren Rajauski ’16 and Dan Rhoads ’55, Kathryn Van Blarcom ’16 (daughter of the late Jim Van Blarcom ’80); and Mark DePietro ’78 and Katie DePietro ’16.
Germantown Academy welcomed the Class of 2016 into the school’s illustrious alumni body during a picture-perfect commencement ceremon on June 10, 2016 on Connor Quad.
Prior to the presentation of diplomas from Head of School Jim Connor 1760 and Board of Trustees President Judi Goodman 1760, students, parents and extended family members were inspired and entertained by student speakers Sara Dakin ’16 and Eathyn Edwards ’16, as well as longtime Upper School History teacher Tony Garvan 1760, who served as the faculty speaker.
Senior Class Representatives Emilia Dolaway ’16, Hayley Derbyshire ’16 and Bryan Mikey Robins ’16 presented the class stone and the senior class gift to the Annual Fund.
Class of 2016
During the ceremony, graduation awards were bestowed upon Dolaway and Andrew Karr ’16 (Beard Memorial Awards), Grace Polisano ’16 and Matthew Lamm ’16 (Nahill Memorial Awards), and Sabrina Tran ’16 and Gregory Voigt ’16 (Head of School Prizes).
Also included in the ceremony was the announcement by Alumni Society Board President Cathy Thompson ’77 that Middle School Spanish teacher Deborah Mersky, parent of alumni and former Trustee Bruce Goodman, Upper School biology teacher Phil Rittenhouse, and Director of Alumni Relations Heather Durkin P’24, ’26 will be inducted into the honorary alumni Class of 1760 in a special ceremony on November 11, 2016.
Honoring the memory of Bobby Taggart ’16, who passed away in November 2015, Head Elect & Head of Upper School Rich Schellhas presented John and Nancy Taggart with Bobby’s diploma during the ceremony. Bobby’s classmates also honored him by wearing special sashes displaying his initials.
Following the recessional, GA faculty lined up on the outer edge of the Quad and wished the Class of 2016 well during the traditional handshake line.
Seniors were also given oak tree saplings started by seeds collected in the Quad by Lower School students as part of Project Acorn, which was led by the Middle School Green Ambassador program.
The Lifers Thirty-one members of the Class of 2016 began their GA career in PreK or Kindergarten. They are: (front row, L to R) Amanda Amorosi, Ashley Stauber, Valarie Simkins, Samantha Godick, Hannah Fried, Taylor Gales, Kayla Seiberlich, Alexandra Ernst, Rachel Ashdale, Jillian Silverman, Caroline Sloane, Kathryn Van Blarcom, Peyton Woodward; (back row, L to R) Neela Klein, Carly Pruitt, Samantha Felgoise, Katherine Aemisegger, Genna Eve Feirson, Carter Seggev, Samuel Korman, Gabriel Alter, Mackenzie Morris, Nikolas Roman,Tanner Kramp, Matthew Lamm, Max Schwartz, Zane Zabinski, Daniel Zamarin, Andrew Karr, and Aiden Rogatz. Missing from photo – JohnVernon 4/THE PATRIOT/GERMANTOWN ACADEMY
TRADITIONS ...And the Journey Continues
Graduates from the Class of 2016 will matriculate at the 83 different colleges and universities in the United States and abroad listed below. Franklin and Marshall American University University of Pittsburgh, Honors College College (3) Amherst College ’s University Queen George Washington Arcadia University University of Rhode Island University (2) Arizona State University, University of Richmond Georgetown University (5) Barrett Honors College University of Rochester Georgia Institute of University of the Arts Technology Saint Francis University Barnard College Gettysburg College (3) University of South Bloomsburg University Carolina (2) Harvard University Boston College (2) University of Southern Hobart and William Smith Boston University California Colleges (4) Bryn Mawr College Syracuse University (3) Howard University Bucknell University (4) Temple University Ithaca College University of Chicago Towson University King’s College London Colgate University Trinity College Lehigh University (3) Connecticut College Tufts University (3) Miami University (OH) Cornell University Tulane University (2) Michigan State University Davidson College University of Utah Muhlenberg College (4) University of Delaware (2) University of Vermont (2) NewYork University (2) University of Denver Villanova University Northeastern University Dickinson College (2) Wake Forest University (2) Pace University Drew University Washington and Lee Pennsylvania State Drexel University (2) University University (7) Duke University (2) Washington University Pennsylvania State University of Edinburgh in St. Louis University, Schreyer Elon University (4) University of Wisconsin Honors College at Madison Emerson College University of Worcester Polytechnic Emory University Pennsylvania (5) Institute Fordham University University of Pittsburgh (4)
Our Academy Scholars
Academy Scholars (l to r) Ashley Stauber, Samantha Felgoise, Fred McElwee and Jessica Araten.
Led by Upper School math teacher Sue Negro and Middle School history teacher Mark Stephens 1760, the Academy Scholars Program is an opportunity for Upper School students with a passion for scholarship, creative writing, visual art, performing art, or research in the sciences, social sciences, or humanities, to pursue that passion by means of developing and working on a significant, independent project. Four members of the Class of 2016 – Jessica Araten, Samantha Felgoise, Fred McElwee and Ashley Stauber – were recently named Academy Scholars after submitting their final projects prior to graduation.
Araten, a talented rock musician, created her own brand for her project, including a brand new website, www.jessaraten.com. Also striking a musical note was Felgoise, who interviewed elderly women at the Abramson Center for Jewish Life and later wrote songs based on themes from those conversations. Felgoise documented her songwriting process in a PowerPoint presentation and recorded the songs she wrote. Our newest 1760 inductees with Alumni Society Board President Cathy Thompson ’77 (l to r) Heather Durkin, Thompson, Bruce Goodman, Deborah Mersky, and Philip Rittenhouse.
Presenters of the 2016 Class Stone (left to right) Haley Derbyshire ’16, Emilia Dolaway ’16, Bryan Michael Robins ’16
Stauber also spent time interviewing her elders for her blog, Letters2thefuture.org, which serves as a space to inspire future generations with nuggets of wisdom from the past.
McElwee went a different route and wrote a book on public policy and economics entitled Rational Reform: Policy Ideas for the Modern Economy. The recent grad noted that his goal was to write a book that gave people an accessible way to understand the complexities of certain markets that do not follow traditional economic rules, and show policy options governments can take to alleviate the accompanying market distortions and inefficiencies.
CONNOR’S CORNER
Dear GA Community,
“And indeed there will be time To wonder, ‘Do I dare?’ and ‘Do I dare?’ Time to turn back and descend the stair, With a bald spot in the middle of my hair— (They will say: ‘How his hair is growing thin!’)”
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
T.S. Elliot
“We hope you’ve had the time of your life,” sang the students and teachers in the Lower School in the portion of their June full division assembly devoted to saying good bye to me. “What a perfect choice,” I thought, while soaking into my memory the sounds and the sights of the earnest and compelling young faces sitting before me. Being a part of Germantown Academy as a parent, a teacher, a coach, and an administrator has been the best time of my life. In this Lower School in the 1980s, my daughters had their love of learning instilled. How short a time ago that seems! How vivid the memories are. How sustaining they will be in the retirement years to come.
As the days have moved on, the tune and the lyrics of the chorus remained at the front of my memory, and I began to reflect upon my life’s “times” at GA, a place that has become more of a home to me than a position. Within that context, undoubtedly the best “time of my GA life” – and I believe the best time for our community – occurred with the development and communication of the Mission Statement by the Senior Administration Team. Given that we are not religiously affiliated, are not single sex, are not military, and are not structured around any national or international educational philosophy, the task of articulating what Germantown Academy believes and practices as a school was necessary to communicate to those outside of our community the culture we have built, maintain, and celebrate. After gathering periodically for a year to engage in the Mission-development process, we grew more and more excited as the Mission draft took shape in the form to which we had aspired - brief, memorable, a promise we make to, and keep with, every student, and visible in the day-to-day life of the school and in the lives of our graduates. Once formed, almost all of the constituent groups we then met with signed off enthusiastically on the draft. Remarkably, it was a group of Middle School students who had this nagging sense that something was missing. What was missing became suddenly and surprisingly clear. One of the boys in the group, a sixth grader, as I remember, raised his hand toward the end of the focus group session and said, “Mr. Connor, we talk so much about honor at GA, I think the Mission should say something about that.”
Out of the mouths of babes! Of course, “honorable behavior” is always an expectation in a community founded upon trust. The administrative team agreed as well. After another session, the second and final draft had “Honorable in Deed” added to our list of virtues.
The unveiling of the Mission occurred at our Flag Raising Ceremony in September, 2010. That event, rather than being held as customary on the Main Quad, was staged on the construction site next to the skeletal steel “bones” of the rising Upper School. After the American Flag and the GA Flag were hoisted on a white beam, signed by every student and faculty/staff member, and placed at the highest point of the building, the full school’s attention turned to our makeshift stage. Upon it, the new Mission was read aloud as five separate faculty members, on cue, held up their poster, each containing three words:
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Independent in Thought Confident in Expression Compassionate in Spirit Collaborative in Action Honorable in Deed
CONNOR’S CORNER
These moments of unveiling, occurring amongst the dust of September while dozens of construction workers looked down from the beams above, were poignant, prideful ones for me, moments deliberately chosen to drive home the message that the new buildings and fields, as critical as they are to our ability to deliver a world-class education, serve, first and foremost, as forums for Mission delivery. It is within and upon these spaces that each GA student and faculty and staff member, in his or her own way, will imbibe GA’s intent and become a better person. Almost six years later, now, the GA Mission is all that we had hoped, a living, breathing entity that informs our every action.
A second “time of my life” at GA of which I am quite proud is our development of a more racially diverse school. This community change cannot be tied to any one catalytic event but, rather, has evolved over a long period of time. Our institutional efforts toward becoming more diverse began in 1992 when we initiated a multi-cultural assessment plan under the direction of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). With that foundation upon which to build, we at GA have, over the ensuing decades, moved from enrolling well under 10% of our students from Asian-American, Indian-American, African-American, and Latino-American heritages to today’s populace of 28%. With increased racial diversity have come positive opportunities to continue to grow into a community that is more reflective of the greater society in which our students are being educated to lead and nourish. Keith and Connie Williams, Keith as Director of Community Outreach, and Connie as a Teacher of Fourth Grade, and Carol Ayers, Upper School faculty member and Upper School Director of Diversity, have been at the heart and the soul of this work, but the effort has been communal in nature, I am delighted to say. I could not be more grateful for the relationships into which I have been able to enter with parents and students from various communities within the Delaware Valley and from across the world. Our international outreach programs in China, Poland, Spain, and England are a direct offshoot of our interest in providing students with opportunities to experience cultures that are different than their own. Because of our outreach in diversity, GA has become connected to broader communities, local and overseas, in ways that could not be imagined when this work began.
“Best” of all, is the state of the school I am leaving. GA, an educational leader on an international scale, only will grow stronger and more influential in the years to come. Rich Schellhas, as Head of School, is prepared, talented, innovative, energetic, and collaborative. He deserves all of our support as, in combination with a dynamic faculty and staff, a committed Board of Trustees, a supportive parent and alumni community, and with an aspirational strategic vision, Rich begins to engage GA students in an educational journey designed to convey them to the outer limits of their potential and deliver them into the deeper riches of their promise. I envy all who will be here to work with Rich to build and experience this process.
In this my last year, my two specific professional goals were to do what I could to help bring about GA’s “better” tomorrow, by making the Head of School transition smooth and uplifting, and by assisting in raising significant capital dollars for projects that will help deliver the “Promise” that each day at GA will be a good school day, all day, for every student. I am happy to report that one goal has been fulfilled. As the second semester progressed, leadership of the work of the senior administration has shifted seamlessly to Rich, assuring that he will hit the ground running this summer while leaving me more time to focus on fundraising, which I have greatly enjoyed. Seeking capital support for needed projects enabled me to reconnect with former students and parents and renew relationships I value and respect. Thanks to the generosity of spirit and of deed from Trustees, parents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends with whom others and I have spoken, great progress toward providing the new field and the basketball pavilion has been
THE PATRIOT/GERMANTOWN ACADEMY/7
CONNOR’S CORNER made. But we still have a ways to go.The Beard Center for Innovation, of course, opened last fall and will only grow in curricular significance in the days to come.
With the turf field and the girls soccer and Middle School baseball opportunities it would provide, I have vowed to do all that I can to make it available sooner rather than later after watching, all spring, out of my office window, our Middle School boys climb down the steps of the bus when returning from practicing or playing off campus. I ask for your assistance, if you have not given as yet, to have this year be the last year of that inefficient and expensive programmatic band aid.
I am equally excited about the basketball pavilion. Loyal basketball alumni and former and current parents have organized with the intent to honor our Hall of Fame Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball coaches by dedicating the two courts to Sherri Retif and to Jim Fenerty 1760. Again, if the GA community will rally around this project, we shortly will have a facility of which we can be proud. Every year we have fourteen basketball teams and only four courts on which to practice and play. Just two of those courts are available for basketball every day. As a result of our fundraising efforts around these facilities, a conversation was had with a family whose relationship with GA spans the two generations the school has spent in Fort Washington. Aware that making GA accessible to talented students from all socioeconomic classes is one of my passions, they are establishing a generous financial aid endowment. This commitment has moved and inspired me, for I know how access to GA’s teachers and programs can change for the better the trajectory of a family’s life.
With so many “times” on which to dwell, to close my tenure successfully has been a priority for me. Our school deserves no less, for I firmly believe that the manner in which a professional leaves a post is just as important to the community as how that person had assumed it. Yet, as someone who always prefers the beginnings of things, goodbyes, even ones long planned and anticipated, are difficult for me. This goodbye is particularly challenging, for “the best times of my life” are at an end, and, as yet, I have no vision for how my future will take shape.
You, as community, as individuals, have sensed my predilection and have made our parting poignant and festive. I am beyond grateful for the many kind words, spoken and in cards and emails, the gifts, so thoughtful and personal, the honors, small and large. All have moved me and leave me feeling that my professional life has been essential. At the end, one could not ask for greater affirmation than that. Simply saying “thank you” does not seem enough for all that you have done for my family and for me. But, “thank you,” is all that I have to give in return. Serving as your Head of School has been an honor beyond measure and a privilege beyond deserving. I will miss you, of course, and all things GA. Know that I am at content, though, to be “descending the stair.” I leave with strength for the next journey and at peace with the past. For each of you, I wish the same. With gratitude, best wishes, and the fondest of goodbyes,
Jim Connor 1760 P’00, ’04 Head of School, 1990-2016
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AN EVENING OF APPRECIATION HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF
1760
MAY 14, 2016
Tyler Kepner ’93, the national baseball writer for The New York Times, spoke about how Mr. Connor was an inspirational English teacher and coach.
Terri Hilley P’18, ’21, ’23, Grace Parker P’21, Charrele Brown P’21, ’29, fourth grade teacher Connie Williams and Director of Community Outreach Reverend Keith Williams P’01, ’03, ’11.
Trustees Bill Garbose 1760 P’09, ’12, Sue Stratton McGinnis ’78, P’11, ’13, Rory McNeil ’80 and Michael Jordan P’19, ’21, ’23.
The Quad is a little quarter acre of green grass that represents the heart of GA. It’s where every September students gather for flag raising, they have their GA history lesson, and then they’re sent off with all the anticipation and excitement that comes with the beginning of the school year. In June, it is where all the seniors gather, for their graduation. They too are sent off, with the expectation that they will live the GA mission every day.
Jim will tell anybody who asks, that they are his two favorite days of every school year. In addition, Jim has promised alumni that that Quad will never change, as it is a very special place that lives in our GA hearts. Tonight we gather to celebrate Jim, but we wish also to permanently recognize Jim. And so it gives me great pleasure to say to all of you, and especially to you, Jim, that as of May 14, 2016, the Quad will now be known as Connor Quad. Excerpt from Judi Goodman 1760’s speech
Former Belfry Club stars Emma Hearn ’14 (left) and Sophie Hearn ’15, performed The Dock of the Bay.
Upper School Science teacher Dick O’Hern and Marjorie Honickman P’09, ’12. To watch the evening’s presentations and see more pictures go to: www.germantown academy.net/supportga/celebrating-jim-connor-1760
Kris Henry P’20, ’20 and Nicole Riter P’11, ’13.
Singing Patriots Madison Press ’18, Sarah Steffens ’18, Connor Kate Connor Boyette ’96 and Annie Connor ’00 and Jake Dianno ’17.
Connor, Pam and Brad ’83 Korman P’13, ’16, ’19.
Barbara Bodine P’99, ’02, Joe and Donna Patterson P’02, ’04, Peg Connor and Alan Shapiro P’10 with Connor. ’06 and Larry Bodine P’99, ’02.
CAMPUS LIFE
GA HONORS PAST LEGEND VIRGINIA DAY
MCNEIL PATRIOT SCHOLARS
Gavin Rees '17, Julia Buchholz '17, Akosua Adubofour '17 and Daniel Smith '17 were each awarded the McNeil Patriot Scholarship Award at the annual Prize Day ceremony. McNeil Patriot Scholarships are awarded to two boys and two girls in the junior class who have built an uncompromised reputation in the following areas: leadership, personal character and conduct, scholarship, and full engagement in the extra-curricular life of the school.The Patriot Scholars are awarded full tuition for senior year and will assume active leadership roles in the GA community.
During the 2016 Prize Day Ceremony in the Arts Center Auditorium, Rich Schellhas announced that Alcott House, one of the seven houses that make up the Upper School House System, has officially been renamed to Alcott Day House to honor the late Virginia Belle Day 1760.
“Virginia Belle Day, whose admirable life spanned from 1929 to 2006, was an indomitable force with which to be reckoned,” said Schellhas. “While GA consistently had female students in the early childhood grades throughout its history, it wasn’t until 1963 and the appointment of grande dame Jinny Day that female students were eventually permitted to attend GA in all grades. We can hardly imagine today what a difficult charge that must have been, to transform a boys’ school with such a long history, now on a new campus in a different town, into a highly functioning coeducational institution. From everything I have heard and read, GA’s first Dean of Girls was the force who made this happen, and a beloved force she was indeed.” A teacher of English, college counselor, honorary member of the Academy Club, and member of the illustrious honorary alumni class of 1760, Day taught, in the words of Schellhas, ‘like her hair was on fire,’ every single day at the Academy until her retirement in 1994.
“Today we choose to make Virginia B. Day part of our every day,” stated Schellhas. “With the emphatic approval of Head of School Jim Connor 1760 and the unanimous vote of the House Heads, today we choose to combine two mighty forces for coeducation into one, two like-minded souls who lived in different centuries into one, two legendary GA figures into one, as we officially rename Alcott House to Alcott Day House." Along with Connor, Schellhas was joined on stage by Day’s nieces, Katherine Day Sutton and Amy Day Kahn, where they received their own newly minted Alcott Day flags.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS
The Middle School held its Final Assembly where faculty and staff honored a number of students for excellence in academics, character and service. The following students were recipients of an Academic Award: Isabelle Goldstein ’20 (Art), Kara McAndrew ’20 (English), John Karr ’20 (French), Natalie Sun ’20 (Latin), Jash Kakadia ’20 (Spanish), Sasha Capers ’20 (Chinese), Alice Su ’20 (History), Alex Yan ’20 (Mathematics), Lindsay Putnam ’20 (General Music), Alex Kafrissen ’20 (Chorus), Isaac Singer ’20 (Concert Band), Anthony Hu ’20 (String Ensemble), Michael Wood ’20 (Drama), Walker Butler ’20 (Physical Education), Zaccari-Charles Jobin ’20 (Science). A number of students were also honored with character and influence awards, including: Sofia Eichsteadt ’22 (Kershaw), Jack Galloway ’22 (Kershaw), Michael von Zuben ’22 (Wetherill), Sydney Cameron ’22 (Shipley), Henry Getson ’22 (Faculty), Emma Schneck ’21 (Kershaw), Collin McDonald ’21 (Kershaw), August Blatney ’21 (Wallace), Max Lasdon ’21 (Faculty), Goldstein '20 (Garvan), Capers (Owen J. Roberts), William Cahill ’20 (Owen J. Roberts), Karr (Kast), Davis Harobin ’20 (Faculty) and Lauren Paynton ’20 (Faculty).
LOWER SCHOOL AWARDS
At the Lower School Final Assembly, Head of School Jim Connor 1760 presented the annual Kershaw Medals, named after former Head of School William “Pap” Kershaw (1877-1915), one of the most important administrators in GA history. The award for honor, scholarship, deportment and general character was bestowed upon Sophie Goodridge ’24, Sammy Davey ’24,Yash Chadda ’23 and Raina Bandekar ’23.
CAMPUS LIFE
FOREVER PATRIOTS!
Patrick David 1760 P’05 Upper School Modern Language Tenure: 37 Years
Patrick David states honestly and in his inimitable French accent, "I never had a bad day in thirty-seven years." He shares this optimistic approach to life, this joie de vivre, with every one of his colleagues, students, and players. He is a happy man, justifiably proud of his accomplishments in the classroom, on the field and court, and in his personal life...and excited about what the future holds: time with his family, travel to France, long lunches, and soaking up the sun. Monsieur David smiles broadly and reminds us, "Every step along the way is enjoyable." (by Maggie McVeigh 1760)
Tony Garvan (again) 1760 P’98, ’02 Upper School English and Economics Tenure: 38 Years
An unmatched intellect, quick wit, savvy communication skills and a bevy of innovative ideas are just a sprinkling of things that Tony Garvan brings to any environment he is in.There’s something about Garvan that makes students want to succeed. Whether it is his welcoming nature, seemingly overflowing snack drawer, or his ability to see his students as more than what they see in themselves, there’s just something magical about him. (by Julia Stauber ’18 andVincent Paik ’18) Kendall Mattern 1760 P’02, ’06 Upper School History Tenure: 31 Years
From his arrival in 1985 until today, Kendall Mattern's name remains synonymous with integrity. Over the years, he has shared his perspective candidly with the school's administration and faculty. It was not hard to know where Kendall stood on an issue, and hear his admonition: consider a topic thoughtfully, do your research, formulate an informed opinion, and speak your mind. For over thirty years, hundreds of graduates have returned to see Mattern; he is one of those teachers whom they like the most and a man whom many of them want to be most like. (by Maggie McVeigh 1760)
Russ Noble P’01 Maintenance Team Tenure: 25 Years
Russ Noble, master plumber, has kept the water running, inside and out, to slake our thirst on a hot summer day, wash our germy hands in the winter, water our gardens, sprinkle our fields, and brew gallons and gallons of hot, dark coffee every day for 25 years. He is to be applauded for faithful service and for his expert stewardship of GA's water, the everyday necessity without which life would not be sustainable. (by Maggie McVeigh 1760) Nina Smith Middle School Physical Education Tenure: 25 Years
Over the years, Nina Smith has created a Middle School physical education curriculum that stresses skill, sportsmanship, self-confidence, and the value of team. She has worked her magic with the most elite athletes and just as importantly with those students far less gifted with physical grace. “Try.” She always encourages her students. “Just try...and see what you can do.” No one pushes students harder and celebrates their successes more genuinely than does Nina Smith. (by Maggie McVeigh 1760)
A wonderful way to honor these retiring faculty is with a gift to the Annual Fund — www.germantownacademy.net/giveonline
RED, BLACK, BLUE AND
Thank you to all those who generously supported the 2015-16 ANNUAL FUND. Contributions from the school community directly benefit each student and our dedicated faculty across divisions. The Honor Roll of Donors and Financial Summary will be published in the September 2016 issue of The Patriot. The full Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2015-16 will be available online in the fall. ANNUAL FUND G A Red, Black, Blue and You.
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY 340 Morris Road Fort Washington, PA 19034
NON-PROFIT PRESORT U.S. POSTAGE
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FORT WASHINGTON, PA PERMIT #20
Congratulations Class of 2016!
Katherine Aemisegger • Gabriel Alter • Amanda Amorosi • Kwasi Ampomah • Samuel Andra • Jessica Araten • Rachel Ashdale • Sophie Axenroth • Roshni Babal Dylan Bass • Julia Boland-Szura • William Brittingham, Jr. • Laura Brown • John Burns • Gregory Callahan • Paulina Campos • Sydney Caplan • Shayne Cerebe Angel Chen • Stephen Combs • Callahan Connor • Maeve Connor • Trent Connor • Sara Dakin • Nicholas D'Ambrosio • Andrew DeFriece • Joseph DeGeorge III Alexander Deitz • Kathlin DePietro • Hayley Derbyshire • Michael DiBello • Emilia Dolaway • Molly Doman • Miraj Dudhat • James Dugan • Eathyn Edwards Alexandra Ernst • Genna Eve Feirson • Samantha Felgoise • Hannah Fried • Taylor Gales • Alex Gertel • Michael Gilmore • Samantha Godick • Devon Goodman Kendall Grasela • Eric Greenwood • Sarah Gu • Margaret Hallahan • Emmett Harkins III • Christopher Hayburn • Lauren Henasey • Matthew Hermann • Cecily Ho • Matthew Ho • Diana Ingham • Brian Jamison III • Leena Kardacz • Andrew Karr • Hee Hoon Kim • Michelle Klein • Neelamberi Klein • Samuel Korman Tanner Kramp • Matthew Lamm • Clare Levin • Ingrid Lillis • Erin Lindahl • Gordon Liu • Marissa Magid • Gabriella Mauro • James McAfee III • Hannah McDonnell • Frederick McElwee • McKensie Meyer • Mackenzie Morris • Madeline Nitroy • Joseph O'Brien • Lauren Oeth • Brianna Owen • Grace Polisano Elizabeth Prezioso • Yvette-Teresa Pribitkin • Carly Pruitt • Lauren Rajauski • Taylor Randolph • Ashley Revness • Bryan Mikey Robins • Samuel Robinson • Aiden Rogatz • Nikolas Roman • Kristin Rorer • Saliana Rosenfield • Rachel Rost • Amee Savani • Matthew Schwartz • Max Schwartz • Carter Seggev • Kayla Seiberlich Aaron Seidman • Jillian Silverman • Valarie Simkins • Caroline Sloane • Christopher Smolyn, Jr. • Katherine Stambaugh • Ashley Stauber • Joseph Stinson • John Taggart, Jr. • Robert Taggart • Nina Tang • Sabrina Tran • Samuel Trombetta • Kathryn Van Blarcom • Maitreya Venkataswamy • John Vernon • Gregory Voigt Christine Weeks • Bailey Whitman • Thomas Whitman • Jon Patrick Williams • Peyton Woodward • Zane Zabinski • Daniel Zamarin