Spring/Summer Tatnall Today 2020 by The Tatnall School

Spring/Summer 2020

More Connected Than Ever Authentic Relationships and Talented Educators Ensure Online Learning Success Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today ::

Pollinating Interest

Tatnall Reveals All Sides

Tatnallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apiary provides a unique way to tie classroom lessons to the outside world and show students how everything in nature is connected. PAGE 25

Michaella Moore â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 was poised to begin her freshman year of high school, excited by the prospect of learning new things about herself. She says when she transferred to Tatnall, the process of opening up every part of her brain began. PAGE 26

:: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

Table of Contents SPECIAL EDITION

More Connected Than Ever We’ve replaced in-person instruction with online teaching, sports practice with at-home workouts, and extracurricular clubs with Zoom meetings. But despite the physical separation, the Tatnall community is more connected than ever.

6 14 18 Wrestling with Life’s Challenges The values Bob Brams ’77 learned at Tatnall and beyond shaped his career as a lawyer—and helped him survive brain cancer. PAGE 27

Meet the Board Each trustee has their own reason for dedicating their time to Tatnall—and each reason speaks to a deep respect and appreciation for our unique culture. Get to know some of the men and women who support our school.

LEGO Robotics How would you better your city? Our 5th-graders answered this question during the Lower School’s inaugural LEGO League competition.

Commemorating 9/11: A Community Effort With any lesson, how we teach it can make a big difference in whether it’s remembered or not. That’s why Tatnall teachers set out to create a meaningful, hands-on way for students of all ages to commemorate 9/11.

Three Siblings. Three Promising Careers. The Reeses ’08 are triplets and Tatnall “lifers,” having attended Tatnall for all 14 years of their precollegiate education. A bit of friendly competition between the siblings drove each one to perform ever better in their classes and sports teams while at Tatnall. PAGE 28

Love of Books Speaks Volumes Heather O’Donnell ’89 is living her dream, thanks to strong mentorship in the humanities at Tatnall. PAGE 31

Foreword A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

As I embark on my tenure as Tatnall’s Head of School, I’m excited to join a community that has forged strong faculty-student bonds and an unwavering commitment to exceptional academics, outstanding athletics, unparalleled arts, and authentic relationships. Over the last several months, our students have clearly demonstrated their cheerful resiliency as well as their impressive academic, artistic, and athletic talents. Our Lower School students displayed innovative solutions to complex problems during their inaugural LEGO League competition (page 14), and students in every division commemorated 9/11 with a collaborative, hands-on project (page 18). When COVID-19 forced us to close our campus, the entire community banded together, allowing us to continue the classes, extracurriculars, and experiences that make up the Tatnall “way of life” (page 10). Despite our physical distance, incredible school spirit was sustained, and our students continued to grow and thrive. Looking to the future, we aim to be agile and forward-thinking to ensure the Tatnall experience is enriching and joyful. As we plan for the fall, the health and safety of our students and community members is of the utmost importance. We will continue to rely on state guidelines and protocols, as well as the advice of local medical professionals and Tatnall’s COVID Planning Steering Committee, to determine the appropriate formatting of schooling—in-person, virtual, or a hybrid. In the coming school year, we will also focus on several other important initiatives. We recognize there is room for improvement in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Tatnall and have already begun both reflection and active planning on DEI initiatives. We will strive to live our motto—Omnia in Caritate or “All Things Done in Love”—and to strengthen a culture that aims to be inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all (page 8). To better leverage our outdoor spaces and expansive campus, we have also formalized an Experiential Education Committee, co-chaired by science teachers John Evans and Evan Cantu-Hertzler. Over the summer, the committee will further develop ways we can use the campus to our advantage—during COVID and beyond—to support student learning. More information will be available in the coming months. I also look forward to furthering Tatnall’s fundraising and admissions efforts with the help of Pat Manahan ’03, Tatnall’s new Director of Development, and Talia Busby Titus, Tatnall’s new Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid (page 32). Above all else, I look forward to meeting and interacting with the wonderful students, faculty members, parents, and alumni who make up the Tatnall community. Thank you for your partnership and support! Go Hornets!

Andrew D. Martire, Ed.D. Head of School

:: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

The Tatnall School 1501 Barley Mill Road | Wilmington, DE 19807 (302) 998-2292 | www.tatnall.org Tatnall Today is published twice a year by Tipton Communications. Copyright by The Tatnall School. Alumni and faculty articles encouraged.

EDITORS Nicole Fullerton, Tipton Communications | (302) 454-7901 Page McConnel, Director of Marketing and Communications | (302) 892-4338

PHOTOGRAPHY Brandon Bolinski, Jim Graham ’77, and Tatnall Staff

The Tatnall School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. (Tatnall retains the right to make admissions and retention decisions on the basis of the school’s ability to reasonably accommodate students with disabilities.) It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

Around Campus

Olympian Don Paige Visits Tatnall In January, Tatnall’s Winter Track Team listened to the inspirational words of Don Paige, a former world record holder, a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic track team, and one of the most accomplished track stars in United States history. Paige spoke to the students about the importance of teamwork, the hard work needed to attain goals, and the real meaning of being competitive in sports and life. Paige’s 40-minute talk was full of highlights about his climb to greatness, his immense disappointment when the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, and the lessons he learned along the way. Paige took the time to speak with each student, including Napoleon Hernandez ’20, Tatnall’s school record holder and state champion in the 800 meters—the same event Paige specialized in!

Lower School Kindness Club Kindness abounds in Tatnall’s Lower School! Initiated by Natalee Schwieger ’29, the Lower School Kindness Club plans activities that promote kindness and spread joy. Just before Spring Break, the club gathered donations from families to create care baskets that were delivered to local organizations.

Skating to Victory

For the third year in a row, the Hornets defended their State Championship ice hockey title during a sudden-death overtime game. Thirty-one seconds in, Pen Sailer ’20 scored his second goal of the night, giving Tatnall/Newark a 5-4 win over the Harrington Havoc at the University of Delaware’s Fred Rust Arena. Pen was assisted by Gabe Jensen ’20 and Jason Roux.

Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today ::

Around Campus Science Olympiad Winners In March, Tatnall’s Science Olympiad team returned from Delaware State University with several awards! During the competition, our students competed with teams from across the state, defending their science knowledge. Amanda Janusz ’21 won first place in Ornithology. Amanda Janusz and Judy Cheng ’21 won second place in Agribio. Max Leary ’20 and Bijan Torres ’21 took seventh place in Machines, and Amanda Janusz placed seventh in Fossils. Tatnall’s Science Olympiad team members are Elijah Jones ’20, Max Leary ’20, Cameron Mills ’20, Zac Narimanian ’20, Judy Cheng ’21, Amanda Janusz ’21, Bijan Torres ’21, and Fatima Konte ’20. Upper School physics teacher and Science Department Chair Jim Brice is the team chaperone.

Black & Gold Spirit Store Thanks to the hard work of Tatnall parents and volunteers, the Black & Gold Spirit Store has flourished this year! The store offers a variety of Tatnall merchandise, including hats, Hornet honey, jewelry, mugs, and clothing. You’ll find the perfect gift for students, parents, and alumni! Visit tatnall-spirit-store.square.site.

Physics Students Take on Mousetrap Car Olympics As a culminating project for Classical Mechanics, the students in Jim Brice’s Honors Physics class participated in the first annual Mousetrap Car Olympics. The competition required students to design and build a car that could propel itself along the ground using the power of a mousetrap. The students then had to put their designs to the test in three events—the distance, speed, and climbing competitions. In addition to these competitions, the students were instructed to demonstrate their understanding of mechanics and their car’s function through an essay, video, or creative poem.

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Picture Perfect This year, the Delaware Photographic Society recognized Madhuram Sundararajan ’22 and Crystal Wang ’20 in the 4th annual Delaware High School photography contest. Madhu’s photo, “Weathered by Life,” earned the second-place award, while Crystal’s photo, “Lost,” earned an Honorable Mention.

Tatnall Students Sweep 2020 Scholastic Art Awards Thirty-six Middle and Upper School students won recognition for their fine art accomplishments in the 2020 Delaware Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s most prestigious and competitive contest for excellence in fine art. This year, Tatnall students won 78 Individual Awards and 29 Gold Key Awards—more than any other school in the state! Several students received special recognition: ■

shlin DeLucia ’20 was awarded a Delaware A Foundation for the Visual Arts scholarship.

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uciana Kehr ’21 was nominated for the American L Vision Award.

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Madhuram Sundararajan ’22 earned more Individual Awards than any other Tatnall student, with five Gold Key Awards and two Honorable Mentions.

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sther Adebi ’24 earned more Individual Awards than E any other Middle School student, with two Gold Key Awards, a Silver Key Award, and an Honorable Mention. This is the first time a Middle School student from Tatnall has won multiple Gold Key Awards.

Middle School Coding Club

All Rise! It’s Mock Trial Time!

Initiated by Greg Datto ’21 and Tony Shao ’21, the Middle School Coding Club gives Middle School students an opportunity to learn Python, a higher-level programming language used for backend web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing. Using the knowledge they’ve gained in Patrick Castagno’s Upper School Python class and online resources, Greg and Tony have introduced the Middle School students to several topics, including variables, loops, conditional statements, and proper syntax. After their first sessions, several students were able to write basic programs!

Members of Tatnall’s Mock Trial Team competed in the 29th annual Delaware High School Mock Trial Competition at the New Castle County Courthouse. The team worked to prepare both sides—prosecution and defense—in the State of Delaware v. Dakota Boren, a case of murder or accident at the rodeo. The students competed against 25 other teams from across the state. Jane Penn ’21 and Fatima Konte ’20 were awarded Most Effective Attorney gavels. Corinne Crowley ’20 and Ellie Hiller ’21 were awarded Most Effective Witness gavels—Corinne earned two gavels, one in each of her two rounds! Great job to all participants!

Kindergarteners Present The Wide-Mouthed Frog After transforming into monkeys, alligators, lions, and frogs, our kindergarten students wowed the crowd with this year’s performance of The Wide-Mouthed Frog. This annual performance requires lots of practice and work from our young performers, who have to remember their stage positioning and repeat lines in front of an audience of friends and family members. The performance is adapted from the book The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner.

Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today ::

In Around the Classroom Campus

Meet The Board Keep an eye out for more board member profiles in future issues of Tatnall Today.

Tatnall’s Board of Trustees is a diverse group of professionals who embody the Mission of our school and are devoted to driving our growth and maximizing our impact. Each trustee has their own reason for dedicating their time to Tatnall, and each reason speaks to a deep respect and appreciation for our unique culture. Get to know the men and women who support our school.

Thomas Ferry

Bonnie Wu

You’ve served on Tatnall’s Board of Trustees for more than 22 years. What are you most proud of during your tenure?

Why did you choose Tatnall for your children? How have you seen them grow throughout their time at the school?

My wife Diane and I tell people all the time that choosing The Tatnall School was one of the best decisions we ever made for our children. From the beginning, we were all embraced in a wonderful culture of love and support— a culture grounded in excellent programs in academics, athletics, and the arts. It’s why I joined the Board of Trustees when the children were in 6th and 4th grades and stayed involved through their graduations and for 13 more years after that. I love Tatnall and feel very fortunate to have been involved with it all these 22-plus years. I’m very proud of how the amazing people on the faculty, in the school leadership, and on the board have been steadfast and passionate in maintaining that culture of love and commitment to excellence.

We chose Tatnall for several reasons. Our children started in the 3/4s program and are now in 7th and 3rd grade. First, Tatnall teaches to the child. My children are very different learners. Tatnall has embraced their differences and strengths and nurtured them. Second, the teachers are, without a doubt, among the best in the country. I have never met a more loving, engaged, talented group of people, and their excellence is clear every day in the classroom. It was also important to us that the arts and athletics are a daily part of life. We love how they are incorporated into some of the traditions at school, from May Day to the grade-level plays and Field Day. Tatnall does that exceptionally well. Lastly, the family atmosphere has been a real bonus. It really takes a village to raise a child, and I know that everyone at Tatnall has my kids’ best interests at heart. Over the years, we’ve seen the kids grow into independent learners. They care about their work and their grades and truly want to do better. They’ve learned to ask questions when they don’t understand something — and for kids who are shy in the classroom, this is a testament to their level of comfort with their teachers and fellow students.

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David Hamilton Your daughter has been in many Tatnall theater productions. How has Tatnall nurtured her musical talent and balanced the arts and academics?

Carter Lee ’89 As a second-generation alum, how do you think Tatnall prepared you for your career? What is your best memory about going to Tatnall? From a professional standpoint, Tatnall provided me with a diverse set of skills that would later open multiple career paths. I worked as a production manager for National Geographic Television, in part due to my participation in Tatnall’s arts and science programs. I worked as an associate producer on an Emmy-winning documentary produced by Walter Cronkite, thanks to Tatnall’s English and film study programs. Moreover, I was able to transform my journalism career into a career in finance, due not only to Tatnall’s math program, but also to the overall Tatnall experience, which equipped me with the academic confidence, work ethic, and social skills to embrace change. As for my best memory at Tatnall, there are too many to narrow down to one. Academically, it would be every class I had with Dr. Chipman and Mr. Schluter. Athletically, my best memory is upsetting Tower Hill in football at their homecoming. Artistically, it’s a tie between our musical production of Guys and Dolls and performing Christmas carols at the historic Immanuel Church in New Castle. Socially, I’ve maintained lifelong friendships with many of my classmates and continue to make memories to this day.

Elizabeth ’19 enjoyed Tatnall’s theater productions, especially Playbill. She sometimes credited that activity with keeping her sane in the midst of everything else. But what she and we value most about Tatnall is the strong academics. Looking back, Elizabeth says her best memories involve Upper School English classes and, especially, AP Latin. I think Tatnall’s superb academic focus is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. The close personal approach, starting in the early years, creates a foundation for learning and interests — and that’s a gift Tatnall kids carry with them for the rest of their lives.

LEARN MORE “All our trustees share a depth of love and commitment to Tatnall and its Mission,” says Bonnie Wu. “It’s one of the first things that struck me when I joined the board.” Regardless of their length of tenure, the 20 members of our board are able to contribute in a meaningful way. For example, Bonnie has served for only two years, but she has co-chaired the Head of School Search and Transition committees. “We have new members, longer-serving members, parents, former administrators, alumni, past parents, and even folks who don’t have a direct connection to Tatnall but serve because they were drawn to our Mission. Each trustee brings a unique set of skills to the table and applies those skills tirelessly to help enhance the Tatnall culture and way of life.” To learn more about our board, visit

tatnall.org/about/board-of-trustees Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today ::

Around Campus

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Honoring the Tatnall motto Omnia in Caritate or “All Things Done in Love” we are committed to improving our approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Through ongoing reflection and active planning for DEI initiatives, we will support a culture that respects everyone and celebrates their uniqueness. “We have to engage the full community in promoting antibias and antiracist mindsets,” says Marc Scott ’96, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Upper School History Chair. “We all play a role in supporting the authentic relationships that are a hallmark of the Tatnall experience.”

PROMOTING ANTIBIAS AND ANTIRACIST MINDSETS During the past school year, Tatnall has focused on several DEI initiatives:

ANTIRACIST FACULTY TRAINING

STUDENT AFFINITY GROUPS

PARENT PRESENTATIONS

Recent faculty training included insights from Dr. Ali Michael, the cofounder and director of The Race Institute for K-12 Educators. Dr. Michael’s research and writing helps teachers mitigate the unintentional effects of institutional and individual racism.

Members of Tatnall’s student affinity groups help reach other students and spread awareness. Groups include:

Dr. Loni Tabb, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Drexel University, spoke with AP students and affinity group members about race and health disparity. Dr. Jennifer L. Lambe, associate professor in the department of communication at the University of Delaware, conducted an interactive presentation with 9th-grade students about stereotypes in media.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ANTIBIAS TRAINING Twenty 7th- and 8th-grade students participated in ADL Antibias Peer Leadership Training. This two-day antibias program promotes leadership and advocacy skills in the participants, who then work together to promote respect and inclusion in their own school communities.

■ Asian Student Alliance ■ Black Student Union ■ Women of Color Empowerment Group—For the Culture ■ Gender Equality ■ Gender and Sexuality Diversity

CURRICULUM REVIEW Tatnall is reviewing the curriculum to reduce bias and racist themes, and introduce more perspectives and positive messages about identity.

IDENTITY PROJECTS In 6th and 9th grades, before beginning their history units, students review and study their own identity, race, and gender to promote conversations about bias, stereotypes, and character development.

DEI SPEAKER SERIES Past speakers include Ann Jaffe, Holocaust survivor and Tatnall grandparent, and Dr. Michael Fowlin, a psychologist, performer, and poet focused on diversity, peer meditation, and worldwide inclusion.

EARLY CHILDHOOD AND LOWER SCHOOL BUILDING BLOCKS Antibias and antiracist lessons focus on hair texture, eye shape, skin color, and family structures, encouraging students to appreciate differences.

CITY LOVE CONCERT City Love, a West Philadelphia social justice music and education group, performed for Tatnall’s kindergarten through 5th-grade students. 8

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LOOKING AHEAD

We’re planning ongoing curriculum reviews, peer training opportunities, additional speakers, and increased community involvement to ensure that our school continues to be inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all. And we will continue to engage and involve our students. “We’ve seen growth in our students’ ability to articulate and critically assess what’s going on at Tatnall,” says Marc Scott. “Working with them will help us deliver on our Mission and promote a community that celebrates uniqueness.”

GET INVOLVED

To learn more, please visit the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page on the Tatnall website. To get involved, please email Marc Scott at marcscott@tatnall.org.

Tatnall Athletics

WINTER SPORTS ACCOLADES

BOYS BASKETBALL Advanced to the DIAA 2nd round of the tournament

WRESTLING Zack Cattermole ’20— Ranked #12 in the State at 182

All-Conference Omari Banks ’21—2nd Team Bryce Scott ’21—Honorable Mention

SWIMMING All-Conference Zac Narimanian ’20—1st Team

GIRLS BASKETBALL Advanced to the DIAA quarterfinals Breionna Dodson ’21— All-State Honorable Mention, DIBCA Northern Delaware Top 15, 1st Team

All-Conference Emma Kirby ’23— 2nd Team All-Conference Sophie Kirby ’22— All-Conference Honorable Mention

Caleigh Hoban ’20—2nd Team Niles Commodore ’24— Honorable Mention

All-State Caleigh Hoban ’20—Honorable Mention

ICE HOCKEY 3rd Consecutive Championship Title All-Star Delaware High School Hockey League Team Pen Sailer ’20 Lain Singer ’20—MVP Gabe Jensen ’20 Ty Hutchison ’20

WINTER TRACK Girls Winter Track Lydia Colasante ’23— All-State Mile (State Champion)

Boys Winter Track Declan McDonnell ’21— All-State Mile (State Champion)

Kali Clayton ’23— All-Conference Honorable Mention Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today ::

Beyond the Classroom

More Connected Than Ever

We’ve replaced in-person instruction with online teaching, sports practice with at-home workouts, and extracurricular clubs with Zoom meetings. But despite the physical separation, the Tatnall community is more connected than ever.

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Distance Learning and COVID-19 Tatnall has joined the ranks of schools around the globe that have embraced distance learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. And while distance learning is different than our typical learning experience, our Promise remains the same: to provide a balanced foundation with exceptional academics, outstanding athletics, unparalleled arts, and authentic relationships. To deliver on that Promise, faculty and staff have worked hard to keep things as normal as possible. The distance learning curriculum allows students to continue their academic, athletic, and artistic pursuits. More importantly, it prioritizes relationships and the well-being of students and families. In a video message, former Head of School Dr. Burns acknowledged the new normal, saying, “It’s going to be a different kind of education, but it’s going to be good. We’re going to do this as a community because that’s what Tatnall is all about.”

Preparing for Distance Learning When our students left for spring break on March 13, one question was on everyone’s mind: “When will we be returning to campus?” As the COVID-19 situation continued to evolve, the school made the decision to close through May 15—and, eventually, for the remainder of the school year. But our forward-thinking teachers already had a plan in place, complete with lesson plans, digital assignments, and tech sessions.

“We’ve seen some of the best professional development meetings we’ve had at Tatnall,” says Middle School Head Brendan Minihan. “Our teachers were all on board, and we had a blast doing it. We’ve been able to help each other and learn from our mistakes, which is exactly what we tell our students to do.” Before break, students practiced using distance learning technology and checked in with the health and wellness teams. The students also went home for break with their iPads, Chromebooks, musical instruments, and school materials. “We put a lot of effort into preparing for this scenario,” says Early Childhood Head Aimee Neff. “We came together and made this a success.”

Distance Learning Approach Our division heads took cues from the schools in Seattle, Washington, which were some of the first in the country to implement distance learning. Former Lower School Head Deanna Bocchetti spoke with schools on the West Coast and learned more about digital learning best practices. “Switching to screen learning is exhausting, so a carefully planned shortened day is a must,” explains Bocchetti. “The West Coast learned that five full days of online classes was just too much. The students were grieving the loss of friends, clubs, and teams, so schools redesigned their schedules to allow for special programming.” Collectively, the division heads designed a plan to provide students with all of the benefits of a Tatnall education

without requiring six hours per day of digital instruction. Across the divisions, students receive digital instruction from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Afternoons are set aside for special projects, student group meetings, extra help, physical fitness, and mental health. This approach ensures that teaching and learning continue, while guarding against student and family burnout or stress.

Specials and Extracurriculars Critical to the Tatnall experience are the extracurricular activities, student meetings, and specials that enable students to tap into their unique interests and abilities. These activities and specials continued—albeit virtually. In Early Childhood, for example, students are continuing weekly karate lessons with their regular instructor, Director of Technology Geoff Weyer. Our Lower School students have benefitted from continued specials classes as well. “It’s remarkable to see how seamlessly our specials have continued,” says Casey Chipman, Lower School Learning Specialist. “This is especially important because we’re missing so many spring traditions—May Day practices, the Early Childhood and Lower School Art Show, and Field Day practices.” In the Middle and Upper School, continuing specials, clubs, and extracurriculars extends to the Tatnall sports program. Coaches have engaged team captains to generate daily activities for cardio and skill enhancement. Students can hone their abilities while staying connected to their teammates.

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Beyond the Classroom

Support Resources and Connectivity Support resources have been crucial to the success of Tatnall’s distance learning efforts, and we’ve been providing help for students and their parents/guardians. In Early Childhood, families can take advantage of counseling opportunities. “Our goal is to help families with distance learning because our students are not quite as independent as Tatnall’s older students,” says Neff. “We meet with families in every age group at least once a week—usually more often.” In the Lower School, homeroom is just one opportunity students have to check in and share their thoughts. A daily virtual homeroom serves as a platform for questions and allows students to see one another and say hello, helping to bridge the gap between home and school. “Our kids need to see and hear their classmates and teachers,” says Bocchetti. “It’s important for students to greet each other, smile, and share what they’re happy and sad about.”

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In the Middle and Upper School, Wednesdays serve as a mental health or “brain break” day. On Wednesdays, our students have the chance to catch up on work or longerterm projects, and participate in advisory check-ins. “The seniors are very affected by this new normal,” says Upper School Head Bill Schluter. “They’ve been very poignant in expressing their feelings about events we’ve always taken for granted—spring athletic contests, the prom, and, most importantly, Commencement.” But seniors aren’t the only ones feeling the loss. “I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been blindsided by the virus and the impact it’s having on our lives,” Schluter adds. “Our school counselors have made themselves available through the advisory system to speak to any student in any grade or any parent who wants to discuss mental health or coping.” Despite the challenges, Tatnall’s students, families, and teachers have remained connected and resilient. “Our motto reminds us to do everything in love,” Dr. Burns concludes. “And we’re certainly remaining true to our motto as we do our distance learning.”

Keeping the Tradition Alive

Although our students couldn’t meet in person, many Tatnall events and traditions—old and new—took place online! • Weekly Lower School Zoom Dance Party hosted by Shannon Curtis, Lower School Coordinator • Online mindfulness stress management sessions hosted by Dr. Lisa Crandell • Annual May Day performances • All School Art Show • Evening of the Arts • Moving Up Ceremonies • Middle School Talent Show • Middle School Coffee House

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Beyond the Classroom

LEGO COMPETITION

Inspires Students to Excel How would you better your city? This was the question posed to our 5th-grade students by the FIRST® LEGO® League competition. FIRST LEGO League is an international competition that introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on learning, problem-solving, coding, and robotics. “Our goal is to completely move away from disciplinary silos of learning,” explains Heather Brooks, Lower School STEM Coordinator. “The LEGO League competition allows us to further explore integrated learning as our students work to solve real-world problems and iterate solutions.” This year’s competition, “City Shaper,” required teams to identify a problem with a public space in their community and design a solution. The competition—which involved a robotics game, an innovation project, and a core values presentation —was a true challenge for the Lower School students who were experiencing LEGO League for the first time. “This was a huge undertaking, but our students rose to the challenge,” says Lauri Leary, 5thgrade teacher. “There was a lot of give and take throughout but, in the end, our students came up with impressive products and presentations.” To kick off the competition, the students programmed LEGO EV3 robots and were challenged to complete as many missions as possible in only 2.5 minutes. The missions required the robots to navigate, capture, transport, activate, or deliver objects, forcing our 14 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

students to get creative. Students first had to build the robots and then complete the missions using programming—and a lot of trial and error! Next, the students focused on their City Shaper innovation projects. This portion of the competition required students to identify a problem, design a solution, and share and refine that solution. During official LEGO League events, the students then had to present their projects, problems, and solutions during a five-minute presentation in front of judges. Luckily, our students had help! With their problems identified, the students reached out to experts in the field. They interviewed Megan McGlinchey, Executive Director of the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware, and Josh Drubin, co-inventor of the GreenCan, an intelligent trashcan that sorts recyclables from garbage. “These experts were integral in adding value to the competition,” says Brooks. “In talking to Megan and Josh,

we realized we could combine ideas from the individual teams to build an even better solution. In LEGO League, we call that ‘coopertition’— cooperating with people you’re competing with.”

Meet the LEGO League Teams NERD HERD Innovative Project: Inspired by Ooho, a flexible packaging for beverages and sauces, the team created a biodegradable mechanism to hold Oohos during 5Ks and large community events to cut down on waste.

Throughout the competition, students also had to embody the LEGO League’s six core values: discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun. These values were vital during the 12-week competition as our students learned to settle disagreements, find consensus, encourage each other, and stick to a schedule. Their hard work paid off. During the initial qualifier event, the Raptors won a Core Values Award and the Leg Godts won the Innovative Project Award, qualifying both teams to move onto the Delaware State Finals held in March. During the finals, the Leg Godts also won an award for Best Mechanical Design, resulting in an invitation to compete in a final challenge, the Global Innovation Award Competition, which is sponsored by Disney. The team spent their entire first weekend of Distance Learning writing essays for this competition, which aired on FIRSTinspires streaming TV.

Team Members: Jiya Amin, Charles Davis, Kaleb Kain, Clare Minihan, Liv Lefkon, and Beckett Chipman

HORNET ARCHITECTS Innovative Project: The team created a device that looks like a turtle and removes microplastics from the water. Team Members: Sophia SirotininRemmel, Naima Prince, Peyton Flowers, Owen Mrozinski, Randy Betz, and Sean Kennedy

While the competitions motivated our students to work hard, the awards and positive feedback from the judges were not the biggest takeaways. Each student walked away with a sense of pride, an appreciation for teamwork, and a newfound interest in STEM projects.

LEG GODTS

(“Leg godt,” the source of the name LEGO, is Danish for “play well”). Innovative Project: This team developed a Wilmington Riverfront charging station that uses energy from the water’s current.

“At the first qualifier, the students walked out of the judging rooms with huge smiles on their faces—they were just beaming,” says Leary. “Seeing the students’ reaction made the weeks of hard work all worth it.” Adds Brooks, “LEGO League was an interesting experience for our students because it was a required learning activity, instead of a club or after-school project. Every child was able to increase their understanding of coding and design. I witnessed shy students take on leadership roles; I also saw students who previously had no interest in coding excel at programming and robotics. Every member was critical to the team and the entire competition was so inclusive. It was amazing to watch our students grow and learn.”

Team Members: Josh Fung, Nina DeVaughn, Henry Boswell, Connor Morris, and Madison Kuhner

RAPTORS Innovative Project: The Raptors designed a self-sorting trash and recycling can inspired by the GreenCan created by Josh Drubin. Team Members: Tate Fontanazza, Seamus Howard, Audrey Hughes, Brett Greene, Milan Miller, and Chase McGinley

Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today :: 15

Congratulations Class of 2020

16 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

Michele Marie Abbott

Patrick Daniel Harris

Franklin and Marshall College

University of Delaware

Daniel Jean Alexis, Jr.

Napoleon Carlos Hernandez, Jr.

American University

Brycen Jordan Anderson Franklin and Marshall College

Christian Joseph Ashe West Virginia University

Shannon Noelle Austin Rutgers University

Taylor Clara Balick

Cameron Michael Mills

Joint Program: University of Delaware and Thomas Jefferson University

Ty Anthony Hutchison Quinnipiac University

University of Delaware

Sarah Elizabeth Carroll Pennsylvania State University

Drake Zachary Cattermole Louisiana State University

Rohan Chugh Cornell University

Corinne Marie Crowley Dickinson College

Spencer Wells Dance University of Pittsburgh

Victoria Danner University of Delaware

Annika Ainslie Delport McGill University

Ashlin Kaleigh DeLucia Pratt Institute

Arden Grace Feltman University of Delaware

Seth Philip Friedlander

Dylaan Anne Jarmon Howard University

Richard Gabe Jensen McDaniel College

Elijah Micah Jones Gettysburg College

Galen Padraig Kelly The University of Alabama

Audrey Roya Khosravi University of San Diego

Fatima Kemoh Konte George Washington University

Max Cameron Leary University of Delaware

Carter Hutchison Lee College of Charleston

Gunnar Irénée Light Susquehanna University

Alisia Lovejoy University of Mount Olive

Lauren Elizabeth Magee George Washington University

University of Minnesota

Catherine Meredith Marvin

Amy Hall

Carleton College

Pennsylvania State University (Honors)

Robert Louis Secundy

Caleigh Elizabeth Hoban

Chase Allen Brothers

Susquehanna University

University of Delaware

Lehigh University

Indiana State University

Alexander Lewis Janusz

Corbin West Brumfield

Michael Cedric Sanders

Annabel Grace McPherson

University of Pittsburgh

Ursinus College

Grace Kathleen McKelvey

Post-Graduate Program: DME Sports Academy

University of Delaware

Fiona Lisette Monahan Undecided

Nina Irene Silver The New School— Parson’s School of Design

Alain Raunay Singer, IV

Hadley Ann Morgan

University of Delaware

Bucknell University

Abby Kisiel Soja

Benjamin Maxwell Morrison

Boston College

Ursinus College

Brooke Virginia Stempel

Nicolas Alexander Mowll Clemson University

University of Delaware

Carly Anne Stempel Quinnipiac University

Zachary William Narimanian

Mallory Sara Strmel

Columbia University

University of South Carolina (Honors)

Julian Dennis Nevin Ursinus College

Elaina Nicole Teklits

Hunter Grace Nixon

Syracuse University

Saint Joseph’s University

Isabella Rose Truono

Maya Tapan Patel University of Maryland

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Mackenzie Elizabeth Prettyman

Jiaxun Crystal Wang

James Madison University

Tufts University

Dante Paul Principe, III

Brett Pettinaro Wilkinson

University of Virginia

Ursinus College

Kyra Grace Ragland Lafayette College

Kimmi Hope Woods Columbia University

Erika Nicole Richard Clemson University

Yuqi Tracy Yang Franklin and Marshall College

Angelina Danielle Ritschel

Ethan Yu

High Point University

Ursinus College

Nathaniel Van Ruoss

Matthew David Zarrilli

Middlebury College

Samuel Penington Sailer

Ursinus College

University of Delaware Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today :: 17

COMMEMORATING 9/11 A Tatnall Community Effort

eptember 11, 2001, is indelibly etched into our memories. We remember where we were, what we were doing, and how the world changed afterward. As adults, we look back at 9/11 as a turning point for our nation and ourselves. But many in our youngest generations hadn’t been born—or even thought of— when those tragic events unfolded. Like all other worlddefining events before it, 9/11 now must be shared with kids and teens to ensure it doesn’t become simply a page in the history books. As with any lesson, how we teach it can make a big difference in whether it’s remembered or not. That’s why Tatnall teachers set out to create a meaningful, hands-on way for students of all ages to commemorate the event. What ensued was a schoolwide effort that touched every student, from the youngest in the Early Childhood division to the oldest in the Upper School. “The students wanted everyone to be involved,” says Heather Brooks, Lower School STEM Coordinator. “They felt it was important to show our support and show our love to all in our Tatnall community and beyond who have been affected by 9/11.” She adds that the students’ enthusiasm and self-motivation drove the project. “I was deeply impressed by the empathy our kids have for others and the responsibility they feel to understand the complexities of the events.”

How the Project Unfolded Because students of different ages have different levels of engagement and knowledge, the lessons and components of the 9/11 project varied. But the overarching theme was one of commemorating the tragedy and how it affected the world—and remembering and honoring those whose lives were lost.

What the Project Looked Like for the Early Childhood Division For the youngest Tatnall students, the project involved painting triangles different shades of the color blue with acrylic paint. Before they began painting, the students listened to the book Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Instead of focusing on the events of 9/11, they learned from this book how different shades of blue evoke different emotions. They then came up with their own lists of feelings that they associate with the color blue. “The students in the Early Childhood Division, who are between 3 and 6 years old, were so excited to collaborate with the older students on a large-scale art project,” says Alison T. Morgenstern, Early Childhood art teacher. “Our EC students worked really well painting each piece for the mosaic while talking and learning from one another, finding inspiration from their peers, and creating something special that each of them and all of them together connect with.” It’s a lesson that she thinks will linger and resonate more with students as they get older. “This project deepened the sense of community and pride among the students,” Morgenstern says. “As they get older and learn about 9/11, they will grow to appreciate the significance of participating in this all-school collaboration.”

18 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

How the Program Emerged from the Lower School The 9/11 project was the brainchild of Brooks, who thought of it as a way to keep in touch with the rising 6th-graders after they left her classroom. The project grew and blossomed from there. In collaboration with Jaymi Pennington, 6th-grade English language arts teacher, and Marcia Conkey, co-teacher for 5th-grade English language arts, 5th- and 6th-graders read the book Eleven by Tom Rogers. The book tells the story of a boy turning 11 on 9/11—and raised many questions for students. “After reading the book, my students had lots of questions,” Brooks says. “I asked them if they would like to learn more and share what they learned with the Tatnall community.”

“ September 11 was a day that touched countless lives around the world, and although my 6thgraders were not yet born, the events of that day had an impact on them as well. In many ways, 9/11 changed our nation. That’s why it’s extremely important to teach younger generations about the history and aftermath of the attacks. It’s also important to focus on the positive lessons that day taught us. September 11 was a day of sadness, but it was also a day of resilience and unity.” Jaymi Pennington 6th-grade English language arts teacher

The students were enthusiastic, and so began an adventure to learn more about 9/11 and its effects. This involved meeting with Deanna Bocchetti, former Lower School Head, who was a teacher and New York City resident on 9/11; visiting with Alima Bucciantini, an Upper School teacher with a background in museum studies; hearing from 12th-grader Mikki Abbott, whose grandfather died in one of the Towers; and taking a field trip to Manhattan in November that included a trip to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. “The kids wanted to create a lasting memorial,” Brooks says. “They had learned about the symbolism of the blue wall they saw in the 9/11 museum and wanted something similar at Tatnall.” The original plan involved having each student and teacher paint a square blue and turning it into a mosaic. After a chat with Sam Salazar, Art Department Chair and Upper School art teacher, this evolved into painting wooden triangles, which represent Tatnall’s triangle Mission. The 5th-graders are also creating a 9/11 museum to share what they have learned about the events of that day. While the date of its unveiling is still to be determined, the museum will include artifacts, writings, and artwork related to 9/11. “The goal was to display the finished mosaic as a memorial in the 9/11 museum during the art show, and to install it permanently in the Beekley Gallery next September 11,” Brooks says. “The kids have also purchased a Freedom Flag and have gotten permission from Operations Director Angelo Fontanazza to fly it for the first time on September 11.” Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today :: 19

COMMEMORATING 9/11 | A Tatnall Community Effort

What’s the Significance of the Color Blue? Tatnall’s 9/11 mosaic, and a similar wall at New York City’s 9/11 Museum and Memorial, feature various shades of the color blue. But why is that? It’s symbolic in many ways. Not only does the color blue evoke multiple feelings (as discussed in the book Blue read by the Early Childhood Division), but it also evokes the strikingly clear blue sky over Manhattan on the morning of September 11, 2001. 20 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

What the Middle School Learned from the 9/11 Project The Middle School’s participation in the 9/11 project coincided with that of the 5th-graders. The book Eleven, which 5th-graders read, was also featured in the curriculum for 6th-graders. What they read made an impact on the students. “Because 9/11 occurred before they were born, some of the students appeared to lack interest in the subject matter,” Pennington says. “But before we started reading Eleven, I provided background information. Many of my students were shocked as they learned the details of the attacks. Most of the 6th grade had a general understanding about the events, but several students were less familiar with some of the specific facts. By the time they started reading Eleven, they approached the story with a deeper appreciation for the challenges people faced that day.” After reading the book, the 6th-graders also met with Deanna Bocchetti, who was teaching in a New York City school at the time of the attacks. “Deanna gave the students a personal account of her experience and memories from that day,” Pennington says. “Her presentation was the most memorable part of the 9/11 unit—both students and teachers were strongly affected by her candid account of September 11.”

“ I appreciate Tatnall making this part of the educational experience, because it’s important to learn how this tragedy affected our community and communities worldwide. I shared firsthand stories when I was their age, I visited Ground Zero every year when it was still very raw, and there was a makeshift pond where we would leave notes and flowers for my grandfather. Today, the students see pictures of how peaceful and special the memorial site is, including a new museum. Visiting the memorial makes me feel connected to him. I also shared how I have had the

The Upper School’s Role in the Project

opportunity to read the names

Upper School students also played a meaningful role in the 9/11 project, with students and faculty decorating triangles for the mosaic just before school closed in March.

couple of times, and how that

at the anniversary ceremony a hits home when you hear name

In addition, Salazar, who has a background in the nonprofit sector, used her experience in putting together exhibitions to help the 5thgraders plan for their 9/11 exhibition. What stood out most to her was the way the students came together to create.

after name of those who were

“The 5th-graders started this because a story inspired them to learn more,” Salazar says. “As we listened to them talk about the events, we realized we needed to support them in their desire to learn and share information. I am so glad that the whole school wanted to come together and create artwork for this memorial museum.”

tribute ponds. This can be an

All in all, it’s a project Salazar believes ties in with the Mission and views of The Tatnall School. “It was important that we do this together, because we have all been affected by 9/11,” Salazar says. “Most of our student population was not born when it happened, but it is a part of our history and clearly still makes an impact on our students. This is a way for our community to come together—to continue to support those who were more directly affected—and to reflect on how important it is to be united. Clearly, our students and community still follow the motto of our school founder: All Things Done in Love.”

killed and then see those names engraved on the sides of the overwhelming subject matter, but I hope learning from my personal stories makes it more meaningful and something that the students will carry with them as they continue to study history and the terrorist attacks of September 11. I was honored to make a history lesson come alive for the Tatnall student body.” Mikki Abbott ’20

Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today :: 21

Student Highlights

BIG STEPS FOR LITTLE SHOES:

Meet 4-Year-Old Hero Emily Higgins ’33 Four-year-old Emily Higgins is the picture of a real-life hero: brave in the face of a scary situation, never losing her positivity and ability to spread happiness, and making sure to hold onto the things that make her happy— like being a sous chef every night, making dinner side by side with her mom. Or using her personal baking set to whip up something yummy to power through the quarantine boredom! Two years ago, on Valentine’s Day, the Higgins family was given the news that 22 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

no parent wants to hear: “Your child has cancer.” That day, Emily Higgins was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Emily has been in active treatments, but the doctors say she has “no evidence of disease”—another way of saying she’s in remission. Her last round of treatments was scheduled for June 27. But even though Emily is a cancer patient at the age of 4, her bubbly personality even in the worst situation can make you feel like everything will be okay.

“ Emily is a hero in our daily lives. By participating in Pennies for Patients, we have been able to focus on the importance of helping others. This supports our Early Childhood STAR Values, which help us become better citizens not just at school, but everywhere we go.” —Aimee Neff Early Childhood Head

The Higgins family has been busy since that Valentine’s Day in 2018, trying to make an impact in any way they can for kids facing the same battle as Emily. “You see the St. Jude commercials and hear about childhood cancer, and when it happens to you, you see firsthand what those kids go through,” says Emily’s mom Jackie. “It’s been a big mission of mine since Emily was diagnosed to advocate for kids like her.” One way the Higgins family did this was by bringing Pennies for Patients

“ I don’t cry when I get my hand IV. I’m a brave cancer-fighting superhero. My cancer is going away soon!” — Emily Higgins Fighting non-Hodgkin lymphoma

to Tatnall, a program set up to have students collect pennies. They each get a box and, once it’s filled, they bring their pennies to Emily. The proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Emily is a local hero for this year’s campaign. The Higgins family was introduced to the Pennies for Patients program about six months into Emily’s treatments; program representatives immediately fell in love with her outgoing, positive personality. As their local hero, she gets to advocate for children with cancer and help spread awareness. “Tatnall has been a wonderful asset and source of support to Emily and our family,” says Emily’s dad Fred. “They were so supportive when Emily got sick. They communicate with us so well, letting us know if Emily isn’t feeling well and asking us questions.” Jackie adds, “They even had the hospital come in and do a presentation

to the kids and teachers about staying safe and healthy, and how that can help Emily be safer in the classroom, too.” Emily’s hero status doesn’t stop with Pennies for Patients. She’s also a B+ Hero for the University of Delaware’s UDance Dance Marathon. UDance raises money for families of children with cancer, helping them cover expenses like rent, electric and water bills, gas, groceries, and much more to take these worries off their plate while they’re paying medical bills. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 spread, this year’s event had to be canceled, but UDance was still celebrated online. At 5 p.m., Emily got to lead the line dance! Emily and her mom and dad are devoted to advocating for children with cancer and helping her friends and family get involved. They’re truly making a difference in their

community and beyond. Emily and Jackie, in support of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, traveled to Dover, Delaware, to advocate for the foundation to be put on Delaware tax forms. Now, because they stood in front of the senate (yes, this 4-year-old spoke to the senate), anyone can check a box on their Delaware tax form to indicate they’d like to donate to the B+ Foundation. The Higgins family just wants Emily to be as happy as she can be, and show others that strength is possible in scary times. “Emily is a great example that you can fight hard and inspire kids like her to beat cancer,” says Jackie. “She’s so little, and even when older kids see Emily with her positive attitude, fighting through the needles and sedations and all of the ugly stuff, she gives those kids hope. That’s our goal as parents, and Emily’s as a survivor.” Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today :: 23

Student Highlights

Riley Greene ’24 Has the Golden Key

“I knew if I wanted to really bring this story to life, I needed to do some digging.”

Tatnall 8th-grader Riley Greene is like any other young teenager, full of passions and interests that keep her world going ’round—soccer, field hockey, basketball, singing, looking forward to going to school, and, uniquely, writing historical fiction. Riley’s novel, Famine to Freedom, won her a Golden Key Award in the Delaware Scholastic Writing Contest, a prestigious honor for young writers. She and other classmates were given the opportunity to enter the contest, encouraged by their teachers every step of the way. Riley, who is passionate about both writing and history, was excited to take on the challenge—and knew exactly what to write about, too. Inspired by her own family history, Famine to Freedom is centered around an Irish family, specifically a teenage boy, who experiences the famine that swept through Ireland in the 1840s. The novel shines a light on authentic struggles, emotions, and the family’s journey to the United States in search of freedom. Powerful stuff for an 8th-grader, right? Not for Riley. “I’ve always had an interest in my family’s history with the Irish famine,” Riley said. “I’ve heard stories about it my whole life, and I wanted to explore it more with this opportunity.” Key to writing a story like this is something most students might not consider, but you can bet Riley did: research, research, research. Although she had heard the stories from her family growing up, Riley needed to fully form her characters and enrich her story with concrete facts. She 24 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

spent about a year surfing the web for credible sources. Did Riley find all this investigation challenging? “Not really! I knew if I wanted to really bring this story to life, I needed to do some digging.” The most challenging part of writing her novel ended up being the length requirement. “I had wanted to continue after the family landed in Boston, and see them adjusting to a new world and a new life, but I just couldn’t.” The Delaware Scholastic Writing Contest limits the writers to 2,000–3,000 words, so Riley had to shorten her original ending. Working with word count restrictions can be tough for any writer, but she was able to wrap up her story in a new way, leaving the door open for further development in the future. When reflecting on her writing process, Riley used an interesting technique to create her characters: “I created a storyboard that helped me map out each character’s storyline, their emotions, and how they would react in different situations.” Storyboards are a great way to lay out ideas and research, and connect the storylines to each character. What’s next for Riley now that the writing contest is behind her? “I was so honored and excited to have received the Golden Key Award. Now, I’m just focusing on school, and maybe even thinking of submitting another piece next year.” With the deep love of history she got from her dad, Riley doesn’t see herself switching genres any time soon.

Honeybees Pollinate AP Students’ Interest in Nature

When students in Evan Cantu-Hertzler’s AP Environmental Science class first went out to the campus apiary, they were a little apprehensive. After all, the apiary is home to honeybees—lots of honeybees. “When we were showing them the hives, they were definitely squeamish and nervous,” Cantu-Hertzler says. “But when they got there they realized, ‘Oh, nothing is stinging me—it’s fine.’ They could watch the bees fly in and out of the hives.” Experiences like that are at the heart of Cantu-Hertzler’s approach to teaching science. With Tatnall’s apiary, he has a unique way to tie classroom lessons to the outside world and show students how we are all connected. “We get to see how creating mutualistic relationships with the plants and the insects really helps the bees’ growth,” he says. “It’s going to help the students understand the links between species.” Christina Fabris, a parent and certified beekeeper, has played a large role in helping students see those links. Fabris first met with the AP group last fall, explaining the importance of bees to the ecosystem. She also was among the parents who added sensors to the apiary’s half-dozen or so hives so students could collect data and get a sense of how healthy the hives are—and how they may change over time. Already, students have collected and sampled the bees’ products and sold the honey to the school community. The last harvest yielded two basic types—light and dark. Cantu-Hertzler hopes to be more specific in the future as students delve deeper into the science and take a microscopic look at the honey to determine the flower source. While the apiary is central to teaching how species relate and connect, it’s just the beginning of Cantu-Hertzler’s big picture for the class. Eventually, he wants to incorporate greenhouses and composting. Composting will provide an opportunity to reach out to kindergartners and show them how food scraps from the cafeteria and other material can be transformed into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. The hope, Cantu-Hertzler says, is for Tatnall students to appreciate the natural world and build lifelong routines for sustaining it, adding, “The apiary is just the right catalyst to awaken students’ interest and sustain it as they move through Tatnall and beyond.”

Bee Buzz There are three types of honeybee—the queen, the drone, and the worker.

The Honeybee

has 5 eyes

flies 15-20 mph has wings that stroke 11,400 times per minute

visits 50-100 flowers during a collection trip pollinates about 80%

of U.S. grown crops will produce about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime Sources: Goddard Space Flight Center, American Bee Journal, Virginia Farm Bureau

Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today :: 25

Alumni Connections

Tatnall Reveals All Sides of Michaella Moore ’16

Michaella Moore was poised to begin her freshman year of high school, excited by the prospect of learning new things about herself. She says when she transferred to Tatnall, the process of opening up every part of her brain began. Moore credits her success to the creative and passionate teachers at Tatnall.

recently graduated biology student from Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she completed an honors thesis on neuronal loss in infant macaque monkeys infected with SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus) to investigate the effects pediatric HIV can have on brain development.

“Tatnall put me on the path to being a versatile student and using my brain in different ways,” she says. “Before Tatnall, I felt I was good at many things but not the best at anything. Tatnall has a small family environment—you can really make connections with people who support you along the way and change your life for the better. Most importantly, they also helped me find my purpose.”

Moore understands that the road to a career in STEM can be difficult for a Black woman such as herself. However, she says, at Tatnall she was “equally cultivated and engaged,” giving her the confidence to succeed. She found an ally early on in Marc Scott ’96, head of the History Department, co-coach of the basketball team, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and one of the only Black faculty members at Tatnall at the time.

Moore entered Tatnall with a strong interest in basketball and academics. But her other talents soon blossomed. Former art teacher Stephanie Silverman nurtured Moore’s love for visual art and she won awards for her paintings. She also dabbled in theater and participated in two musicals, Pippin and Legally Blonde.

Moore’s bond and friendship with Scott continued after college, a typical example of the connections teachers make with students at Tatnall to ensure their success. Scott procured space and funding at Tatnall for Moore to run a diversity inclusion conference for minority private school students in 2018 and 2019.

Moore’s science teachers honed her love for STEM and guided her toward a career in biology.

Moore won the 2020 Marshall Scholar Award and will attend SOAS University of London (the School of Oriental and African Studies) in England this fall. She says the versatility she developed with the encouragement of her teachers at Tatnall prepared her for this moment.

“The rigor and creativity of our science curriculum as well as the passion of our teachers help students realize their connection to an area they might not have considered before,” she says. For example, Moore says former physics teacher, Joshua Gates, took a learning-based approach to test-taking rather than relying on ordinary quizzes. Gates tested students using categories. If students did not score well in a given category, they could retest in it. The questions would be tailored to each student who retested in any category, ensuring the material was ingrained in their brains. Former AP biology teacher Penny Rodrick-Williams cultivated Moore’s love of biology. When she graduated in 2016, Moore was brimming with self-confidence. She is now a 26 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

“When I was interviewing for the Marshall,” she reflects, “it was that versatility and ability to intersect skills that made them appreciate me as a candidate and led to my success.” Michaella would like to use this space to state that Black Lives Matter.

“ You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” – Malcolm X

Brams in December 2019 at the Beast of the East Tournament at the University of Delaware, where his son wrestled in past years. Supporting the fight against cancer at the tournament, Brams presented along with U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware and Olympic Gold Medalist Dan Gable. The fight against cancer event was also supported by fellow Tatnall graduates Jim Graham ’77 and Nicki Topkis Pickles ’83.

Bob Brams ’77 Wrestling with Life’s Challenges Bob Brams excelled in soccer and baseball at Tatnall, but his greatest successes occurred in wrestling. His experiences instilled values that he passed down to his son and daughter, both of whom will graduate this year from the University of Maryland. These values also shaped his career as a lawyer— and helped him survive brain cancer.

Wrestling, the governing body for youth through Olympic wrestling, to help bring wrestling back into the Olympics. In an interview with USA Wrestling, Brams said: “Wrestling shows you what you can achieve both on and off the mat if you’re prepared to work hard.” His wrestling career continued, as a spectator, as he watched his son wrestle for years, ultimately in a Division 1 college program.

Off the mat, Brams has plenty of experience confronting difficult challenges—at Tatnall and in college sports, academics, fatherhood, and his battle to survive cancer. “Whether it’s in “Whether it’s in wrestling, wrestling, school, business, or life, if you school, business, or life, face a problem, you need to prepare for it, step up to the line, and do your best,” says if you face a problem, you Brams. He strongly believes that achieving need to prepare for it, success requires approaching any issue step up to the line, and “with passion, character, and integrity.” As a senior at Tatnall, Brams received the Team’s Outstanding Wrestler award. He beat the state’s top wrestlers from Salesianum School, St. Mark’s High School, and Archmere Academy, and he was honored as Tatnall’s Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1977.

do your best.” — Bob Brams

Early in his law career, Brams clerked for a federal court judge. He became a law partner and practice group chair and co-chair in three top international law firms based in Washington, D.C., and lives outside of D.C. with his wife Kim, his son Garrett, and his daughter Taylor. He has traveled the world handling major infrastructure projects and other matters. And, interestingly, he was retained by USA

Brams leaned heavily on the lessons and values of wrestling as he faced the biggest challenge of his life. In 2014, he and his family were shocked by his diagnosis of brain cancer. He underwent eight hours of surgery for the removal of a sizable brain tumor. Shortly after surgery, Brams suffered a near catastrophic brain bleed, went into a coma, and was placed on life support in intensive care. After more than a month in the hospital, he entered rehabilitation to help him learn to walk, think, and speak again. Unfortunately the tumor grew again and a second surgery was needed in 2019, followed by radiation and chemotherapy.

Brams credits some of the valuable lessons he learned and struggles he faced in wrestling for helping save his life. Having gone through a difficult battle to survive surgery, he now feels compelled to start a second career raising funding to support the fight against cancer, to mentor others, to develop a podcast and to use motivational speaking to support various groups from athletes and coaches to parents and corporate executives. To learn more, reach out to Brams at rbrams@gmail.com. Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today :: 27

Alumni Connections

Three Siblings. Three Promising Careers. The Reese siblings ’08 met each other in the womb. They’re triplets and Tatnall “lifers,” having attended Tatnall for all 14 years of their precollegiate education. A bit of friendly competition between the siblings drove each one to perform ever better in their classes and sports teams while at Tatnall. Each one has taken on a career that may seem daunting for some, but for which Tatnall provided the skills and values each needed to succeed.

28 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

Zach Reese attributes his success to learning how to work with others in teams, both in the classroom and as an athlete. “Working with others is a prerequisite when you grow up as a triplet,” he says, adding that he first learned the value of teamwork by forming study groups with his siblings. These skills translated easily to working with others at Tatnall and beyond. “You’re not only learning how to think critically, but you’re also learning how to get along with other people and how to work together in groups,” Zach says. “You’re working with your peers to solve problems, and that’s exactly what life is like.” In his senior year in 2008, Zach won both the Wooden Spoon Award—selected by his peers for demonstrating leadership, school spirit, and service—as well as the Triangle Pin, the school’s most prestigious honor, awarded to the student who most embodies the ideals of Tatnall.

A Doctor Zach Reese

“You’re not only learning how to think critically, but you’re also learning how to get along with other people and how to work together in groups,” Zach says.

After Tatnall, Zach attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he obtained a degree in chemistry before attending medical school at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He is now a chief medical resident at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and will be returning to Philadelphia to pursue a fellowship in pulmonology and critical care at the University of Pennsylvania. Even though he doesn’t consider himself a gifted athlete, he credits his experience as a cross-country runner with helping to prepare him for college and his career. “Running is both an individual and team sport, so runners try to beat their own previous time in addition to helping the team reach its goal,” he explains. As a result, Zach strengthened his individual determination, and learned how to apply it when working on a team. He still uses those skills daily when caring for patients.

Tatnall’s rigorous curriculum and support from faculty gave Amanda Reese the foundation she needed for success. “Tatnall has high expectations of all of its students, but the opportunities available are endless because of the immeasurable support that the Tatnall community offers,” Amanda says. “When you know you have that much support behind you, you’re going to reach higher and work harder.” While at Tatnall, Amanda juggled varsity field hockey and basketball, which taught her to prioritize her time. As a student-athlete, she won the Kohler Cup for sportsmanship and received several all-state and all-conference “As a competitive athlete, you accolades for field hockey and basketball. want to win, but Tatnall athletics “As a competitive athlete, you want to win, but Tatnall athletics encompasses so much more than winning,” she says.

encompasses so much more than winning,” Amanda says.

Amanda says that she developed teamwork skills, leadership skills, and selfdiscipline while learning the importance of physical health and mental well-being. She says she has used all these skills to navigate collegiate- and graduate-level academics, and she continues to use what she has learned at Tatnall in her professional career today.

A Nurse Amanda Reese

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Alumni Connections Amanda began her career as an occupational therapist. She was granted admission into the University of Delaware and Thomas Jefferson University’s joint-degree program, where she obtained a master’s degree in occupational therapy. She practiced for several years but decided on a career change and attended the University of Delaware’s accelerated bachelor in nursing program. Shortly after, she became a nurse in Christiana Hospital’s surgical trauma intensive care unit after completing a critical care nurse residency program. She has since become board-certified in critical care nursing.

“I work in a very challenging and demanding career,” Amanda says. “Tatnall took the fear out of leaving my comfort zone, and I learned that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.” A BIG THANK-YOU The Reese triplets would like to thank their parents for the privilege of attending The Tatnall School. “We all have always appreciated how fortunate we are to have had the opportunity to attend Tatnall,” Amanda says. “I remember thinking that education must be important after seeing our parents work as hard as they did to give us a good education. They instilled in us the value of education, and Tatnall had plenty to offer,” Zach adds. Todd agrees. “We definitely would not be where we are today without the foundation that Tatnall afforded us.”

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An Investment Analyst Todd Reese

Todd Reese works as an investment analyst for T. Rowe Price in Baltimore. In this role, he performs research on international companies to determine if his firm should invest in them. He credits Tatnall’s busy curriculum, wide variety of class subjects, and requisite involvement in sports for preparing him to succeed in his career in finance. “Tatnall creates well-rounded students by encouraging involvement in academics, athletics, and the arts,” Todd says. Todd was a member of Tatnall’s choir, and he was also captain of the wrestling team and placed fifth overall in the state wrestling tournament his senior year. “In most schools, my level of involvement in athletics, the arts, and academics would have left me ‘without a friend group,’ so to speak,” Todd says. Instead, Todd felt very at home in Tatnall’s family-like environment. “Tatnall has a culture where involvement and excellence are celebrated,” he says. “At Tatnall, it’s okay to be intellectually curious and to want to learn. I believe this environment is unique to the school.” Todd attended Georgetown University along with his brother Zach, where he balanced majors in finance and accounting and minored in mathematics. He then headed to New York City where he held several roles, including a role at Goldman Sachs, before taking his current position.

“Tatnall has a culture where involvement and excellence are celebrated,” Todd says. “At Tatnall, it’s okay to be intellectually curious and to want to learn. I believe this environment is unique to the school.”

Todd thinks of himself as a more “math and science” type person, but is thankful for Tatnall’s focus on rounding out a student’s education. While there is a fair bit of math in his job today, Todd is also required to write research reports and speak in front of executives at the companies he researches. “This writing and speaking part of my career requires skills outside of a normal ‘math and science toolbelt,’ but I think Tatnall’s early focus on writing and public speaking—including the speeches that were required throughout my time at Tatnall—has given me a strong foundation for success,” he says.

Heather O’Donnell ‘89: Her Love of Books Speaks Volumes About Her Tatnall Teachers Beautiful rare books surround Heather O’Donnell at her rare book dealership, Honey & Wax Booksellers in Brooklyn, New York. She deals mainly to university librarians, rare book and manuscript curators, and serious private collectors. And she’s living her dream, thanks to strong mentorship in the humanities at Tatnall. “I found Tatnall to be an incredibly supportive place to read and write and think about the history of reading and writing,” O’Donnell says. “When I look back on high school, it was those English classes that stayed with me.” A bevy of talented teachers influenced O’Donnell. But it was her Honors English classes with Bruce Chipman and Rosemary Crawford that gave her a good foundation in the humanities in the Upper School at Tatnall. Chipman and Crawford mentored her with “caring, thoughtfulness, and generosity,” which O’Donnell says is the hallmark of a Tatnall education. She participated in theater arts and the literary magazine all four years of high school with Chipman and Crawford as her mentors. O’Donnell graduated from Tatnall in 1989 and went to Columbia University in New York City. At the same time she worked at the Strand Bookstore, which she calls “one of the great used bookshops in New York City.” She also worked at the Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library at Columbia. As a graduate student at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, O’Donnell was a curatorial assistant for a few years with the curator of American literature at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. “I always had an interest in rare books, but it wasn’t until I was in my early 30s that I decided to leave academia and work for a rare book dealer full-time,” O’Donnell says. She worked for Bauman Rare Books, also in New York City, for seven years before opening her own rare book business in 2011. Four years ago, a group of filmmakers approached O’Donnell. They were shooting a documentary called The Booksellers, a history of the antiquarian book trade in New York City focusing on a group of people selling rare books in a digital age. They wanted to follow O’Donnell and other rare booksellers. They interviewed O’Donnell about her early experiences at the Strand, where she got her start in the trade, and about her work as an independent rare book dealer today. The Booksellers debuted last year at the New York Film Festival and is available to stream on digital platforms now. O’Donnell says she owes her success to her experiences, extracurricular activities, and teachers at Tatnall. “I got a wonderful liberal arts education, which was the basis of everything I’ve done professionally since,” she says. “Tatnall was an opportunity to watch the way adults mentored younger people. Since then, I’ve worked hard to mentor a younger generation of booksellers.”

“I found Tatnall to be an incredibly supportive place to read and write and think about the history of reading and writing,” O’Donnell says. “When I look back on high school, it was those English classes that stayed with me.”

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New Faces

in Our Learning Spaces Although they may be new members of the Tatnall staff, our recently hired administrators are far from new to the education scene.

fundraising and revenue-driving endeavors to ensure the financial health of the school. We can do so many things when a school is financially healthy, from strengthening programs to increasing diversity to using our money judiciously on quality improvement.

What drew you to Tatnall? I’m a Tatnall graduate, and the school has been a huge part of my life for a long time. When I was looking for a high school in 2000, I was drawn to Tatnall’s programmatic strengths, specifically the excellent academic program and the opportunities to participate in ice hockey, baseball, and theater productions. When I look at this decision from 20 years ago and my decision now to return as a faculty member, I see that a lot of the same sentiments are driving me. I see so much programmatic strength as well as opportunity for excellence, growth, and creating a modern independent school environment. Tatnall offers the ideal canvas for creating some dynamic and innovative things that are going to draw the attention of our market. Now more than ever, I see this school in a position to grow.

What is one of your goals for your new role?

Patrick Manahan ’03 Director of Development What are some of your main responsibilities? I plan to reinvigorate the greater Tatnall community. I want to remind people about the strength of the institution and reestablish Tatnall at the top of the independent school chain within the mid-Atlantic region. A huge part of that effort is going to be Andy Martire’s leadership, but we also have the opportunity to reevaluate the school’s strengths and weaknesses and repurpose our efforts to remind everyone why we love Tatnall. I’ll also focus on ensuring that events already in place are as robust as possible, while looking for new ways to engage our alumni community. And, of course, I’ll be focusing on

32 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

One of my priorities will be to bring some level of novelty to this office. In my experience, the development office sometimes feels like the west wing of the tower, where students aren’t allowed to go. Students usually know the office as a place where people work—and they know it’s important—but they don’t interact. Then, all of a sudden, members of the development office come out of hiding and speak to students once they graduate. I’m not interested in running an office that way. I can’t sit in the west wing of the tower. I need to be actively engaged in this vibrant school community and ensure this office is integrated into the dayto-day life of the school.

If you could create a class or club at Tatnall, what would it be? I would create an entrepreneurial course that requires students to use design thinking processes to create solutions to a given problem and then bring those solutions to market. I just finished my MBA last year, and I was really enamored of the entrepreneurial thinking process. Having an understanding of the business world opens up a new world of possibilities.

Do you have an interesting fact? One year after we graduated from college, a group of my friends from Tatnall started an email chain that has been ongoing now for 13 years. The chain is unbroken and has been the one constant through all of the job changes, marriages, and other life events that have taken place as we have moved throughout the adult world.

How do you plan to instill the Tatnall values in your position? Tatnall truly values helping students feel a sense of belonging. Whether it’s through a class, team, or play, it’s a feeling that helps shape the person a student will become. Throughout my career, I’ve recognized that so much of the independent school experience relies on that feeling. I will work to uphold that sense of belonging within the school and to share it with the broader community.

If you could create a class or club at Tatnall, what would it be? I’d love to develop a curriculum that focuses on women of the world—specifically, female leaders in a range of fields, from mathematics (my first love!) to politics. We would start by looking at local industry leaders, and our studies would culminate in a trip abroad. We’d investigate the challenges and opportunities for girls and women in the Pacific Islands, West Africa, or Argentina—all places I’m excited to explore.

Do you have an interesting fact?

Talia Busby Titus Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid What are some of your main responsibilities? In my position, I will oversee admissions for prospective students and families as well as the financial aid process for prospective and current families. Part of the excitement of my job is that I get to be a trumpeter for the good work that is happening here. That includes being a voice for our teachers and students while also demonstrating how our students grow and thrive. I think stories are the key to a strong enrollment strategy, and I’m really excited to join a community that is so incredibly warm and interesting. I look forward to sharing the great things happening at Tatnall with the broader community.

What drew you to Tatnall? Head of School Andy Martire and I have known each for more than 20 years. For a stint, we were competitors at different schools; however, we had a great respect and regard for each other. I’m excited to join Andy and work together on the same team this time. Of course, I was also drawn to Tatnall because of the stunning campus and the people I met during my visit. Everyone was so engaging and happy to be at the school.

I’m a morning person! I typically wake up at 4 a.m., so by the time I arrive at school at 8 a.m., I’ve already had quite a full day. I find that I am most creative in the morning while the world is still quiet. I enjoy staying active by swimming, playing tennis, and practicing hot yoga. I’m also an avid traveler—I’ve visited Istanbul, Turkey, Cape Town, South Africa, and Havana, Cuba. My 14-year-old daughter and I love to travel together.

ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBERS!

Denise Jarrell and Sara Wilson are also joining Tatnall’s development team! Denise is the new Administrative Assistant and Database Manager and Sara is taking on the role of Director of Annual Fund and Alumni Relations.

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Class Notes

CLASS NOTES

’60 Kristina Collins Herold writes, “It’s been such a difficult year, and yet it has brought so many blessings to me even though I am a widow and live alone with my cat Bellina. The silence of this pandemic brought peace, reflection, and joy to my life. I am now an expert using Zoom! How’s that for an old lady? I’ve been blessed with the time (finally) to go through my magical box of memories, including cards, letters, mementos, and, most of all, hundreds of photos of friends and family over the many years of my life. Especially the years I spent at The Tatnall School (when it was still homey and small and just for girls). From that experience alone, I have classmates who are dear to me still.” Kristina has lived in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Italy, and has visited France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Prague, and Budapest.

Ellen Massaglia McKinney has been living in Naples, Florida, for more than 20 years. She writes, “My husband Bill and I just returned from half a world trip. I did get to visit the very tip of South America, Antarctica, the Pacific Islands, and Australia, where after two stops and having the itinerary changed several times, all the ports in Australia closed. Finally, after mostly drifting for more than a week, the port of Perth opened for four hours, and then there was a one-hour window to disembark.” She adds, “I have two 10-year-old twin 34 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring/Summer 2020

grandsons who also live in Naples and I’ve been able to watch them grow up, and joyfully get to see them almost every day.”

’61 Lynn Blackhurst Wait writes, “I’m enjoying the companionship of my two dogs, three cats, and 24 chickens during these times of social isolation. On a happy note, Mary Chichester Ahlgren ’61 and I have reconnected and it’s been fun corresponding. Old friends are good company!”

’64 Joe Schell writes, “For the last nine years, I have been involved in expanding a charter school in Georgetown, Delaware. We have 840 students this year in grades 6–12 and expect 1,100 students next year in grades K–12. More recently, I have been working with my sons and several other committed folks to build a public park and sports complex, also in Georgetown. Life is very good for the Schell family!”

’65 Susan Bissell writes, “I now live in a friendly enclave of retirees just outside of Portland. I escaped here just in time for crazy coronavirus. Life outside here came to a screeching halt, but I am so lucky to have a dozen-plus likeminded souls with me!”

Suzanne Johnson Harris says, “Nothing like starting a new virtual business during a pandemic! I am super-excited to share MyLifePhotoBooks.com with you! We make beautiful-quality, archival photobooks for our clients. Bill and I, and our whoodle Beau, love living five minutes from my sister in Naperville, Illinois.”

’66 Henry Lea Tatnall Ball writes, “I’m looking forward to being in Wilmington over the weekend of my birthday (8/8) for a Tatnall family reunion. Holler if you’d be interested in tossing a pint with me while I’m back there.”

John Peinert writes, “After spending my entire adult life in New England, in September I moved from northern Vermont to Shaw Island in the San Juan Islands, Washington. Early next winter we will be sailing my boat back to this side of the ocean from Portugal.”

’69 Sandra Kaufmann Battaglia writes, “The class of ’69 had a great 50th reunion—it was hard to believe 50 years had passed. My son Scott ’16 graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in May 2020, and he is searching for a job in the insurance industry in Philadelphia. When I attended his Tatnall graduation in 2016, I was pleased to see that the

ceremony had the same traditions as my 1969 graduation.”

which was Wilmington College way back when.”

Thomas Stat writes, “Alive and

’76

well in Chicago. I am now director of design labs for Gensler, the world’s largest design firm, with 50 offices and more than 6,500 people globally. Our work spans brand, strategy, product development, architecture, and interiors. Happily married for 23 years to a freelance writer and college writing coach. Oldest daughter is an account executive with a global advertising firm. Now have an almost2-year-old grandson. Youngest daughter will be a senior at Boston University next year. Hoping to retire someday. I happily stay in touch with many of my Tatnall classmates!”

’72 Edward Cook writes, “I retired in February and am now consulting in the wine industry. I’m looking forward to more travel and visiting grandchildren in Denver, my other sons in Phoenix and here in Charlotte, and, of course, my neighbor Ellie Gillespie Elmore ’73.”

’73 Susan Coonin Kogon writes, “I am a counseling therapist at NeuroFitness Therapy, where we treat clients with neurological disorders. It is very fulfilling work, and I look forward to getting back to it when we reopen. I hope to see everyone at our big reunion in 2023!”

’74 Patrick Singer writes, “Nine months from the date of this post (2/27) I will turn a young 65! How long have I been out of Tatnall?! My two loving boys— Dubbs, who turned 10 in May, and Scamp, who turned 3½ in May—take loving care of their dear daddy. As you might have guessed, my boys each have four legs and a tail! I also get to celebrate my 40th college reunion in 2020 from Wilmington University,

Liz Currin Hagen writes, “Grant and I have moved from Atlanta to Skidaway Island just south of Savannah. Please reach out if you are in the area.”

Lisa Suarez writes, “I recently moved to Tucson after 26 years in Maine. In February, I traveled to Mexico and visited three monarch butterfly sanctuaries in the mountains of Michoacán with Atlas Obscura. If you need a travel buddy, contact me!”

’77 Jim Graham was named a contributing editor at The Hunt Magazine, part of Today Media, Inc.

’83 Leon Aussprung lives and works in Center City Philadelphia, where he has his own law firm and oversees four other attorneys litigating medical malpractice and personal injury cases such as car accidents and falls.

’87 Peter Flint, Jr., writes, “I am still based in NYC, composing and playing

accordion with several groups. In November 2019, I participated in a marathon concert at Oberlin College, playing music for accordion and electronics on a five-hour program celebrating 50 years of their electronic music program. And last summer I was elected chair of the board of Third Street Music School Settlement in NYC, the nation’s oldest continuously operating community music school, founded in 1894.”

Brian Shannon retired as a U.S. Navy commander in September 2018 after 26 years of active and reserve service. He currently is a captain on the Boeing 737 with Southwest Airlines in Houston, Texas.

’89 Tracy Friswell-Jacobs has started the first state chapter in Delaware history of the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honor society for middle and high school theatre students. ITS is a division of the Educational Theatre Association, and Delaware was one of only two states that did not have an ITS chapter. Tracy is the chapter director, overseeing eight troupes from Delaware high schools. Her goals are to continue to increase school involvement throughout the state, to institute the first Delaware State Theatre Festival, and to provide scholarship opportunities

Tatnall Alumni Reunite at UMD Tatnall graduates Bob Brams ’77 and Missy Meharg ’81 reconnected during a benefit golf tournament at the University of Maryland. As the university’s field hockey coach, Missy has led the Terrapins to eight national and 13 conference championships (10 in the ACC and three in the Big Ten). Both of Bob’s children will graduate from the University of Maryland this year.

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Class Notes for Delaware students with a passion for and commitment to excellence in all aspects of theatre. Tracy continues to teach theatre at MOT Charter High School in Middletown, and is owner of the Delaware Arts Conservatory in Bear.

’93 After 16 years as a teacher of photography, graphic design, and printing technology, David Casius is heading up a new business venture as director of operations at Special-T Print, a partnership with Ranch Hope, Inc., and Astro Outdoor Advertising. Located in South Jersey, Special-T specializes in screen-printed apparel. For more information, write to David at dcasius@special-tprint.com.

’95 Melissa DeCastro, Esq., was honored in April as a Salem County Woman of Achievement. She has also been honored as a Woman of Excellence by the National Foundation for Women Legislators. Melissa currently works for the State of New Jersey. She is married to Nicholas Sommer and has one son, Charles Sommer.

’98

Branden Brooks, Esq., is an associate in the St. Louis office of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith and a member of the products liability practice. Before joining Lewis Brisbois, Branden was a prosecutor in the City of St. Louis, Missouri.

’03 Jay Charles writes, “My wife Pauline and I welcomed our first child, a baby girl, on December 18, 2019. Her name is Sloane Madeline Charles. She’s looking forward to a visit on campus!”

Nick Matarese designed two goalie masks that are going into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Nick’s masks for the Winter Classic (for the NHL on NBC Sports) and the All-Star Game (for Team Canada’s Ann-Renée Desbiens) will be displayed in the Hall. Nick and his family were invited to Toronto in February for the formal donation and a hands-on tour of the archives.

’06 Chris Pamm and wife Kelly welcomed their son Tripp Pamm on March 20. Both baby and mom are doing great.

’08 Laura Saad Voelker writes, “I recently made a wonderful connection with my coworker Abby Beck Schick

’91 at Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School, in Washington, D.C. We were discussing visiting our high schools only to realize that we both graduated from Tatnall! We now feel drawn to chat more often and reminisce over our time at Tatnall. Small world!”

’09 Cirrus Foroughi is graduating Harvard Business School with his doctorate in strategy.

’05

’12

Halley Brangs Kahn and her husband

Alexander Kane writes, “I recently

Evan welcomed their son Jacob Hugo Kahn on Saturday, September 14. They are loving life as a new family in Richmond, Virginia.

Siblings Open Exceptional Dentistry of Delaware After years of practicing dentistry in Delaware, alumni and siblings Amanda Bayley Matthews ’03 and Edward Bayley ’06 are happy to announce the opening of their own family practice, Exceptional Dentistry of Delaware. The siblings write, “Our new, modern office opened in November of 2019. We proudly invest in state-of-the-art technology to make dental visits quick, easy, and pain-free. We look forward to serving the Delaware community for years to come.”

closed a Series A round of investment for my startup, Sporttrade. We’re building a peer-to-peer exchange for trading sports outcomes!”

In Memoriam Virginia Shaw Martin ’49 Tom Alfano ’77 Jennifer Cramer ’89 Bethany Somers ’04 Patricia Stuart Burnet Crichton ‘46 Maggie Haner

(former Lower School Art Teacher)

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From all of us at The Tatnall School, thank you to everyone who has supported our students, faculty, and community! Your generosity is especially important as we continue to adapt to an ever-changing world. We rely on you to help us maintain the consistent excellence that sets us apart, as we provide the resources to ensure the success of each and every Tatnall student.

Donate today at supporttatnall.org.

Spring/Summer 2020 :: Tatnall Today :: 37

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Spring/Summer Tatnall Today 2020