crossroads Issue 28
Fall/Winter 2014
Inside this issue:
NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL DAN FRANK PAGE 4
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also InsidE: Remembering Debbie Robson
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d th eir JK
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partners into the Convocation
14. 4, 20 r e b ptem y on Se assembl
crossroads Administration Dan Frank, Head of School Lisa Dwelle, Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations Carol Moore, Director of Upper School
highlights
head of school 4 New Dan Frank named Steward’s sixth headmaster
Susan Atkinson, Director of Middle School Melanie Casper, Director of Lower School Nancy Negus, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development JK-12 Publication Staff Lori Jobe, Editor Sydney Smith, Managing Editor Stan Hulen, Designer Kristina Kerns, Interactive Features Editor Elaina Brennan, Garrett Compton, Shane Diller, Beth Farmer ’09, Bruce Hammond, Cary Jamieson, Lori Jobe, Kristina Kerns, Adam Lonon ’06, Sydney Smith, Jennifer Wilkerson, Contributing Writers Bonnie Anderson, Elaina Brennan, Suzanne Casey, Diane Engelke, Betty Enright, Beth Farmer ’09, Bridget Hazel Photography, Susan Holt, Cary Jamieson, Lori Jobe, Kristina Kerns, Lindsey Koerner, Leslie Kovach, Mike Kuhla, Tracy Poling, Wendell Powell Studios, Sydney Smith, Contributing Photographers Printing Worth Higgins & Associates, Inc. The Steward School admits students without regard to gender, race, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The editors have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of information reported in this publication. We apologize for any inadvertent errors.
The Steward School’s Mission:
Prepare our students for college and for life in a community defined by robust academics, inspiration, engagement, and care.
story of 8 The Steward pride
The past, present, and future of blue and gold
forever 14 Ain rose bloom
Memorial tribute to our beloved Debbie Robson
It Easy Forum 25 Tech National experts discussed finding the balance of technology in our lives
Hearty 42 Sparty Stay in shape with Sparty
departments 4 20 34 40 44
headlines campusculture teamtalk spartanliving alumninews
STEWARD WEBSITE www.stewardschool.org
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS www.facebook.com/TheStewardSchool www.twitter.com/stewardschool www.pinterest.com/steward/RVA instagram.com/thestewardschool View this issue and past issues on Issuu.com: keyword The Steward School or download the app for the ipad at the App Store.
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New head of school named Our thanks to the search committee We extend our deep appreciation to the following individuals for their time, wisdom, and care throughout the search process.
———————————————————–––— n Faisal Qureshi ’92 Search Committee Chair Trustee and Parent ———————————————————–––— n Tanya Cummings Trustee and Parent ———————————————————–––— n Wallace Inge Middle School Faculty and Parent ———————————————————–––— n Heather Jeter Director of College Counseling ———————————————————–––— n Wally O’Brien Trustee and Past Grandparent ———————————————————–––— n Corbin Orgain ’96 Middle School Faculty and Parent ———————————————————–––— n Jay Poling Trustee and Parent ———————————————————–––— n Clay Reynolds Parents Association President ———————————————————–––— n Susie Scott Trustee and Grandparent ———————————————————–––— n Jane Whitely Lower School Faculty and Alumni Parent ———————————————————–––— n Charlene Wilton Director of the Center for the Advancement of Learning and Parent
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After serving as interim head of school for almost a year, Dan Frank was officially named Steward’s sixth headmaster on November 20. The school conducted a highly competitive national search, narrowing a large pool of applicants down to eight candidates, with the top three visiting campus in November. After receiving valuable input from members of the Steward community, the Board of Trustees and the Head of School Search Committee unanimously supported Mr. Frank’s appointment. Board Chair Maria Brent Jones said, “We are absolutely confident that we have selected the candidate who best fits the needs of our school community. Dan is an exceptional leader who brings a passion for innovation and community, as well as a deep understanding of Steward, to this leadership role.” Mr. Frank possesses more than 25 years of experience in education. Before stepping into the role of interim head of school in 2013, he was the director of the Upper School (2007-13) at Steward. Prior to coming to Richmond, he was the director of Summer Session (2002-07) at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, where he was responsible for all aspects of the summer session from curriculum, admissions, and marketing to staffing and budget. Mr. Frank spent several years abroad at the beginning of his career in
education. His first teaching position was as a Peace Corps volunteer on the island of Tarawa (1988-90). He spent a year in Latvia as part of the prestigious Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program (1995). And, as a teacher trainer for the Peace Corps, he lived in Estonia (1996). Mr. Frank received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont and master’s degree from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. He also participated in the National Association of Independent Schools/E.E. Ford’s fellowship program for aspiring heads of schools. Mr. Frank is very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and focusing on Steward’s community. “At its core, Steward is about people, so we must always acknowledge the potential in each of our students, helping to guide and push them toward the outcomes that are uniquely theirs, be committed to the growth and professional development of our faculty and staff, and create substantive relationships with the school’s families,” said Mr. Frank.
Reflections from the committee members n Wallace Inge: “I was truly impressed with how meticulous the process was, and I was especially impressed with the amount of feedback we received about the candidates and Steward from the community. With all this valuable information, it became evident to us that we were not just selecting a new head of school. We also needed to process all of the information and present it to the Board of Trustees and new head of school. I want people to know that they have been heard, and now we are ready to move forward as a community with Dan Frank as our leader.” n Charlene Wilton: “I found the search process to be very affirming of the deep commitment that all of our constituents—board members, faculty and staff, parents, grandparents, and even students—have to our truly wonderful school. We spent long hours discussing every bit of data collected on each candidate, and I am confident that Dan Frank is the leader with the vision and passion to lead our school to even further greatness.” n Clay Reynolds: “I feel privileged to have been a part of such an intelligent and devoted group. The process was an educational, emotional, exhausting, and exhilarating experience. I am so proud of the committee and Steward; every constituency helped showcase our fabulous school to the
candidates. They all complimented the Steward community, especially how wonderfully they were treated, our top-notch facilities, faculty and staff, and how happy and engaged our students are. Steward is a great school, and with Dan’s guidance, we will only be better.” n Jane Whitely: “It was an honor to represent the Lower School on the Head of School Search Committee. It was exciting to see individuals with many different connections to Steward working towards the same purpose: to find the individual who could lead our school into the future as a strong presence in the community. We examined our charge from every conceivable angle and sought input from all constituencies. There was a bond created among the members of the committee, and we were proud of the work that was accomplished. I look forward to many exciting changes for our school!” n Tanya Cummings: “Throughout the process I kept remembering the quote, ‘Hold the vision. Trust the process.’ It was a rigorous process that included representatives from every Steward constituent group. I’m proud of how we worked together and feel great about the process, the outcome, and the vision for Steward.” n Susie Scott: “The head of The Steward School should embody the core values that are the foundation of the school’s mission; one
of the goals of the Search Committee was to find someone who could meet this criteria. After a year of discernment, six months of candidate reviews, and three weeks of in-depth interviews, one candidate stood out above all the others and received the unanimous endorsement of the search committee, and today, we are fortunate that Dan Frank has accepted the invitation of the Board of Trustees to be the next head of school. He is a man of great compassion and caring, a wise and visionary leader, and he not only understands the Steward mission, but even more commendable, he lives it every day! With Dan’s guidance, the next chapter of The Steward School will be a memorable and exciting one.” n Wally O’Brien (not pictured): “After a stellar time as the director of the Upper School, Dan was asked by the Board of Trustees to assume the responsibilities of the interim head of The Steward School. Dan’s ideas, insights, innovative way of thinking, and his collaborative leadership have reenergized The Steward School. His performance during 11 months [as interim head of school] set such a high bar that none of the highly talented candidates from all across the country could reach it. Steward students expressed their thoughts through a sign posted in Dan’s office. It read, ‘Dan is the man. Steward rocks!’”
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Look Who’s Talking Dan Frank Head of School Of what accomplishment are you most proud? In concrete terms, I’m pleased and honored that we’ve been able to launch the Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship program. That is a tribute not only to Deb’s memory, but also to the kind of school we are and to the priorities we have for our own folks and for Richmond. I am also proud of the way we reworked the school’s mission statement [at right]. I think it succinctly reflects not only our goals for outcomes, but also who we are as a community. We have always been a school that puts people first, and that’s one of the things I love most about Steward. That’s why I feel such a debt of gratitude to the entire community for the ways in which we have pulled together over the last year. Everything we have achieved, we have achieved together. Where do you see Steward in five or ten years? In the next five to ten years, Steward will be known across the region for independent research, design, and innovation, in addition to robust work in the fine arts and a winning athletic program. When people visit us, they will immediately feel the quality of the relationships we create, see the outcomes of our feedback-rich environment, and know that they are part of the best small school in Richmond! Being head of school is an all-consuming job. When you get time to yourself, what do you like to do? Before most people are awake, I’m on the road running every day. That time in the morning before my kids are up is really important to me in terms of having time on my own to reflect and think (or sometimes not to think!). I love to read, and I have an extensive collection of music—roughly over 3,000 albums and CDs. On the weekends, I love to read, run, and then go for a hike with my family, followed by a late lunch at Mellow Mushroom and a prowl through the used bin at Plan 9 Music. What has surprised you most about the job since you’ve been interim head of school? Because I had been here for so long and was so involved with many levels of the organization, I thought I had a wide view of Steward. That was true, but when I took over as interim head, the view became immediately and simultaneously wider and deeper. Adapting to the flow of information and building both my physical and psychological stamina took some time, and if I’m going to be honest, it’s ongoing. The process of taking that information and making sense of it is actually one of my favorite challenges of the position. What do your kids (Glenn, grade 10; Will and Mike, grade 6) think of your becoming head of school? I think my kids feel the same way as my wife and I do: we are incredibly happy to remain a part of the community we have always wanted to be part of!
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The Steward School Crossroads
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Go blue! Go gold! Make it epic! By Sydney Smith
How do you show pride in something you love? At Steward, pride has come in many sizes, shapes, and colors during the last four decades. As supporters of a small, struggling school in the 1970s and 1980s, everyone was involved in everything, and a tremendous amount of school spirit developed through doing the things it took to keep the school afloat. As Steward has grown since the transformative $15 million gift was given in 1997, keeping a unified feeling among the expanding population has meant that different types of initiatives were required. Take a trip with us through the past, present, and future of Steward’s school spirit.
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THE P A ST Though pride is intangible, it has been felt and shared among the Steward community in many ways throughout the years. Here are a few examples in the history of Steward pride: Jam B oree “At my first Jamboree, I had been sworn to secrecy that I’d show up dressed as [former Director of Lower School] Debbie Hanger. I was standing in the hallway between the gym and the locker rooms as the buzzer to end the first half went off, and I was suddenly surrounded by a bunch of very confusedlooking basketball players from both teams! I remember Debbie’s unmistakable laughter behind me as I pretended to be her. I even did a cartwheel. Back in those days, the cartwheel into a split was a LOT easier.” — Chris Tickle, fourth-grade teacher
Ath L etics “One of the things that was so great at Steward was our ability to be competitive against the much larger schools we played. We were never the biggest or fastest or even the most talented, but we seemed to have a spirit and closeness that brought us together, and we worked well as a team. We believed we could do it! Our 1991 soccer team was very competitive, and I remember us winning the match in true fall conditions on a cold rainy day far from home (against Christchurch, I think). I don’t honestly remember what title it was for, but it was a bit of an upset, and we were all so thrilled about that win. All in all, we had heart and played hard in every sport. Spirit drove us.” — Jimmy Benson ’92
U nity “We had blue and gold teams, but they were not separated by grade. They tried to keep family members on the same team. There were competitions, which were mostly based on fundraising. The one I remember best involved blue and gold construction paper links. Each one cost a quarter and would get added to a chain that was hung in the main
school building. It ran along the walls and ceiling. At the end of the competition, the team with the most links in its chain won something, such as a break-the-dress-code day, pizza party, or ice cream party.” — Faisal Qureshi ’92
P E p Rallies “I remember we had great pep rallies. The cheerleaders always created awesome dances or new cheers that got everyone fired up for the games. One of the cheers that was—and probably still is—a crowd pleaser is ‘We’ve got spirit, yes we do, we’ve got spirit, how about you?...We’ve got the MOST!!’ We all tried to outdo the other side with our yelling. Fun times.” — Mary Harvard Nolde ’93
G raduation “I’ll never forget that when Monica (Kallman) Moehring ’95 got up to sing a solo during her Graduation, her classmates all held lighters over their heads. It was so moving to see their support of her and really showed a lot of pride.” — Carolyn Brandt, former ASSISTANT head of school
H O mecoming “Prior to Wilton Hall, the carpool lane was in front of the school. At Homecoming, the children would sit on the curb around the carpool lane and watch the Middle and Upper School homemade floats pass by. Mostly, they were borrowed trucks decorated with everything from cans to hay bales, but the students rode them proudly. The highlight of this parade was the lawn chair brigade led by [former Director of Athletics] Janet Rice. Faculty members and administrators from all divisions marched
in precision, setting up their lawn chairs at intervals. It was quite a sight!” — Debbie Hanger, trustee and former director of Lower School
Stunt Ta L ent Night “Talent Night used to be K-12 on one night. It built spirit to have older and younger students together—the little ones idolized the older kids, and the high school students cheered for the younger students. Before the Cramer Center was built, Talent Night was held in what is now the Middle School Dining Commons. I’ll never forget when all the little ones were sitting in front of the stage on a mat, and the performers were using dry ice. The dry ice effect of smoke was drifting off the stage so it was hard to see. [Former Director of Lower School] Weezie Wiltshire couldn’t see anything—not even the kids—and she thought they were going to get smothered by the smoke. She nearly had a fit—it was hysterical.” — Lynn Zinder, Lower School art teacher
Mischievous D eeds “One day [in 1989], Mr. [Ian] Coddington, trying to top all of the [students’ fashion trends], allowed himself to be wrapped in plastic by some of the students, only to become the target for a big, gooey chocolate cream pie placed perfectly in the middle of his face. Who would dare do such a thing? You won’t believe it, but it was Tom Galvin ’91, that nice, quiet, sensitive student who was so talented in art and theatre. Tom said afterwards, ‘It just felt so good!’ (He was the recipient of the Headmaster’s Award one year.) All of this was good for Steward spirit, and everyone enjoyed it, even Mr. Coddington, who said, ‘The pie tasted good anyway!’” — Paul R. Cramer, Sr., former headmaster, in A Story of Success—A History of The Steward School 1972-1997 (p. 164)
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The Present As the school has expanded, the ways in which school spirit develops have been adapted over time. To bring some focus to the idea, an ad-hoc group called the Pride Committee, consisting of a variety of campus representatives, has worked on many “little things” designed to deepen students’ connections to Steward. Parent and former Director of Marketing and Communications Wyndi Carnes has been leading the spirit charge. “The objective of blue/gold is to drive traffic to the extra events during non-school hours,” she said. For example, the committee put tremendous effort into boosting the appeal of Steward’s Fall Invitational in September. Popcorn was free, and there were additional activities for families, such as a bounce house, a soccer speed-kick measurement game, an Upper School lounging area with cornhole, and a hospitality tent. More spirit additions will be included at the winter and spring tournaments.
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Spirit ribbons are another new addition designed to boost pride. Sold as a fundraiser for the junior class, ribbons were made for Homecoming and the fall athletic teams, and new ones will be created for each tournament and select home basketball games, including some with specific opponents. “Little kids love them, and it’s an easy take-away from an event for only a $2 investment,” Mrs. Carnes added. Each January, Lower School Jamboree is a fantastic night full of school spirit. It’s by far the best attended home boys basketball game each season, and the crowds are overthe-top excited. Young students and their
families come out in full force dressed in blue and gold, and the Lower School faculty provides the entertainment during halftime. The “shows” have ranged from a fashion show to fake athletic contests, and the night always includes great giveaways, such as t-shirts and spirit gear, being thrown into the stands. What’s been missing is a Middle School night with the same enthusiasm, and this year, that problem was solved. The first Middle School Spirit Night was held on Friday, December 12 at the boys varsity basketball game versus Banner Christian School. The Middle School students and
their families turned out in their blueand-gold finest and brought their cheers to the Athletic Center. During halftime, Sparty challenged the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ Nutzy to a free-throw contest, and all Middle School students were entered in a surprise raffle. That same afternoon, the Upper School Student Council hosted “Give Some, Get S’more,” a free event for JK-12 families with s’mores, hot chocolate, games, face painting, and a philanthropic component. Guests were encouraged to bring donations for various local organizations while they enjoyed the festivities. Student Council sponsor and Upper School teacher Elizabeth Simpson said, “It’s really a ‘thank you’ reinforcement….The coolest thing about this is that the kids are very motivated to make it happen.” As young leaders, the student councils in each division help spread school spirit. Ms. Simpson said that she has encouraged the Upper School leaders to adopt new ideas, such as making Field Day about helping others. Last May, students with autism from the Faison School were invited to Steward’s campus so that our students could show them what Field Day was like. During Spirit Week, Ms. Simpson said that the new ideas included a book drive, student competitions during lunch, and the faculty versus students flag football game, which was held on the Friday of SpartaFest weekend. Leading up to the game, both teams held practices and took their preparations seriously—it was a hard-fought contest with the students pulling off a victory in the end. Another baby step in building momentum among the youngest students was taken in late October, when the fall varsity athletes journeyed to the Lower School for a short spirit assembly. Seniors Will Farmer and Emily Parris talked to the students about their humble beginnings at Steward, which was followed by a “Minute to Win It”-style game among the athletes that had the Lower School cheering. Director of Athletics Bob Stratton told the younger kids, “One day you’ll be up here as a big kid telling the Lower School students about what being in the Upper School is like.”
The varisty athletes will continue to meet with Lower School students throughout the year to develop connections so that there is more of a “one school” feeling throughout the community. One way to build pride is to revive traditions from the past, and this year’s Thanksgiving Assembly did just that. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, students could buy blue or gold links in a paper chain as part of a fundraiser. The Pride Committee took this clever idea and turned it into a thankfulness chain, for which students, faculty, and staff were invited to add notes of thanks for someone or something that provides inspiration in each person’s life. These thanks-filled strips of paper became a blue
and gold chain used during the assembly as a visual display of both Steward pride and gratefulness. The committee is continuing to search the archives of Steward history for traditions that can be reinvented and brought to life again.
Tell us your BEST story of Steward pride! Do you remember a great school spirit idea? The Pride Committee would love to hear from you! Please submit your memories to StewardPride@stewardschool.org.
A swinging way to step up school spirit School spirit was a priority for our beloved former Associate Head of School Debbie Robson. She spearheaded the blue and gold t-shirt campaign at the beginning of the year and was a true cheerleader for making school pride contagious. For anyone who knew Mrs. Robson, the “Make it Epic!” t-shirts now hold extra-special meaning. She had also jumped on an idea that came up last summer, when she was talking with parent Ann-Marie Trepp about what topics Sam Trepp (pictured above with junior Mackenzie Carnes) was considering for his senior project. Mrs. Trepp said he was thinking about swing dancing. “Debbie immediately wanted to offer dance lessons to the entire Upper School because it would engage the kids and build community,” Mrs. Trepp said. “She loved that it would be an inclusive activity for every grade 9-12.” As a result, in preparation for Homecoming, teacher Corbin Adamson Orgain ’96 and her husband Frazer ’95 taught dance steps to almost 50 students in early October. Mrs. Trepp added that the athletic coaches supported the idea and let their players out of practices early to attend.
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THE F UTU R E Where can Spartan spirit go from here? The Pride Committee has numerous plans, but the rest is up to the Steward community. The concept of school spirit has taken on new meaning since Mrs. Robson’s passing, as she was such a champion of the cause. Mrs. Trepp says that Mrs. Robson’s presence can be felt like “a gentle breeze” on campus through all of these new projects that she would have loved. In our hearts, love for her can live on through our blue-and-gold fever, ensuring a lasting legacy for our pride in Steward.
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Sparty’s secret society 1
Just ask the creators of Sesame Street—one way to build attachment is to incorporate likable characters into a campaign. At the end of the 2013-14 year, it was decided that the previous Steward mascot should receive a makeover to update the gruff expression on his face. After all, a mascot’s job is to promote school spirit. Enter Flat Sparty.
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Debbie Robson with Flat Sparty in Scotland
To build excitement toward the revelation of the new and improved mascot, a travelsized Flat Sparty (based on the character from the Flat Stanley children’s books) was given to every Steward student, faculty, and staff member at the beginning of the summer. The school ran a social media campaign and contest to keep track of Flat Sparty’s adventures. With a collection of more than 350 pictures of his travels around the world, a love for Flat Sparty was born. When the school year started, it was time for the Steward world to meet the real Sparty. Of course, a good mascot requires talented representatives to wear the costume. The Order of the Shield is a new secret society that will carry the torch of school spirit. Two seniors and two juniors will be chosen to play Sparty each year, but their roles will be kept secret until Graduation of their senior year.
WINNERS: The Flat Sparty social media contest held during the summer of 2014 produced hundreds of pictures, from which four winners were chosen: (1) Most Unusual Location—Parish Freeman, Sparty observed veterinary surgery; (2) Best Use of Design Principles—Cole Tyson, Recreation of the Eiffel Tower; (3) Funniest—Andy Mudd, Flat Sparty met Fat Sparty; (4) Best Near Disaster—Iliana and Giselle Swartz, “Lost” Sparty in the ocean waves. Crossroads
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tribute
A rose forever in bloom In loving memory of Debbie Robson The Steward School experienced a great loss on September 10, 2014, when Associate Head of School for Community Advancement Debbie Robson passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. For 15 years, Mrs. Robson touched many hearts and every facet of Steward life—as a math tutor and teacher, the director of admissions, and associate head of school for community advancement. Among her many achievements at Steward, she will be remembered for the compassion and kindness she showed everyone she met, her energetic and sincere personality, her ability to connect with people and put them at ease, and the spirited laughter she added to so many occasions. To celebrate her remarkable life, more than 500 family members and friends gathered in the Lora M. Robins Theatre on September 13 for a party in her memory. She is sorely missed. n Nicté Diaz, junior: “I’m glad my education was put under her hands. I’ll never forget her or everything she’s done for us. I know she will continue to watch over us.” n Chaise Johnson, junior: “Mrs. Robson, I would have never ended up at Steward without you. You truly changed my life, and I am eternally grateful.” n Lydia Heitman, senior: “Mrs. Robson was like my second mom. She always supported me and was always there for me. I’m going to miss her more than words can describe.” n Adam Mickle, senior: “Mrs. Robson was the first person I met the day I walked into Steward, and it made such a good impression on me that I’m here for my sixth year at Steward.” n Mark Leopold, senior: “Mrs. Robson, You will be in my thoughts and prayers forever. You meant so much to me even though you may not have known it. You helped me through Middle School, not just in math but life. Thank you for everything. I’ll miss you.” n Matthew Gelber, senior: “Mrs. Robson was the first teacher to see my math potential and encouraged me to advance two years ahead in math. You were awesome!” n Charlie Vaughan, senior: “If it wasn’t for Mrs. Robson, I wouldn’t be here.” n Haley Cummings, junior: “Mrs. Robson was such an amazing person with a huge heart and love for her work. She made every student feel special and cared for everyone deeply. She will be deeply missed and was loved tremendously.”
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n Dylan Burnett, senior: “Mrs. Robson is the only reason that both my brother and I were able to make it out of public school. Without her, we would never have made it to where we are now. She was the only one who would listen to our family. Both my brother and I love Mrs. Robson for the love she has shown my family. Without her, we would be lost. She will be missed so much. Forever in our hearts.” n Megan Norman, senior: “Mrs. Robson was the best math teacher I ever had. I will always remember her colored chalk and Lifesaver mints. She was an incredible woman who will be missed dearly but never forgotten.” n Holly Weisiger ’07: “Mrs. Robson was a huge part of my life for 13 years. I walk every day with her in my heart, and I strive to be the kind of person she was.” n Christina D’Angelo, Upper School faculty member: “Deb helped me organize the Jamaica trip and all the fundraising. She not only changed my life, but hundreds of kids’ lives in Jamaica. I will never forget her.” n Rugene Paulette, Upper School faculty member: “Debbie filled Steward’s campus with her energy and spirit. She looked at the positive side of life and spread it everywhere she went. She is someone to be treasured just to have had the opportunity to know. She is loved.” n Robin Oliff, director of admissions: “Here are some words I would use to describe Deb: she was intentional about making the most of every day; she was a great listener with a
Announcing the Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship Before Mrs. Robson’s untimely passing, she had been working diligently on implementing a scholarship for rising ninth-grade students. The Board of Trustees had approved two merit scholarships to be funded by donors and the school, and it is only by a twist of fate that the scholarship now exists in her name. The Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship provides four years of full tuition for two rising ninth-grade students who have distinguished themselves academically and in extracurricular areas such as athletics, arts, innovation, or community service.
gallant personality and a spirited laugh; and she LOVED family, friends, singing, sunshine, flowers, birds, travel, tennis, math mints, and happy tea!” n Dan Frank, head of school: “There was so much depth to Deb that wasn’t always apparent, though the best things always shone through. As I learned more about her, and we started to dream about great things for the school, I depended on her more and more. These months later, there’s still something missing, but there are times— unexpected times, just like her!—when she’s profoundly with me.” n Jen Jennette, vice president of Parents Association: “I remember whenever Debbie was amazed or touched by something she would let out that breathy ‘WOW’ that only she knew how to express in order to make you feel the magnitude of the situation. Whenever I think of Debbie, I think of this quote: ‘To live in the hearts of those you love is to live forever.’ As we all know, she touched SO many hearts and in doing so, she lives on in all of us.” n Jenny Christensen, parent: “I was a student at Mayfield Senior School when Mrs. Robson served as director of admissions
from 1988-91. We talked about Duke, from where she had graduated in 1982. I followed in her footsteps and went to school there. Coincidentally, I saw her on a Duke campus bus in what must have been April 1992, her 10-year reunion. Then several years later we ran into each other again in Richmond, and my oldest daughter now attends The Steward School. Debbie is a rose forever in bloom. She never aged across the 26 years I had the pleasure of knowing her. She had a beautiful knack to meet you where you were, to unify, to care, to calm, and to be the sunshine in any room.” n Clay Reynolds, president of Parents Association: “When you were with Debbie, she made you feel you were the only person in the world and that what you had to say really mattered. To me, she embodied the heart and soul of Steward. Every day I think, ‘How can I help Debbie’s vision and passion for Steward live on?’” n Larry French, Steward trustee: “Debbie was a Spartan through and through… strong, resilient, resolute, kind, energetic, incredibly bright, and most of all committed to the best for our kids and the entire Steward community. She loved and laughed, both seriously.”
To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must complete the ninthgrade application process at The Steward School, submit the Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship essay, and provide a letter of recommendation from an individual who can speak of the candidate’s interests and qualifications. Select applicants will be chosen by the Merit Scholarship Committee to participate in oncampus interviews. All required documents must be submitted by February 1, and decisions will be made by early March. Current students and students new to Steward are eligible to apply. Candidates may complete the application by visiting stewardschool. org/meritscholarships. At the conclusion of each school year, the academic performance and school conduct of the merit scholarship recipients will be reviewed to ensure they continue to meet the standards established for the program. We are pleased to offer this opportunity for a distinctive and personalized independent school education in honor of a woman who made a significant impact on The Steward School.
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Fun festivities for our annual Spirit Week in October included a lively pep rally, dress-up days that ran the gamut from babies and boomers to blue and gold, lunchtime contests for the Upper School, food and book drives for charity, and the ever-popular SpartaFest and Bazaar.
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headlines
campus happenings
Good Works
WHAT A WONDERFUL WHIRL HONOring our veterans The Lower School tackled Veterans Day in two ways. Students helped stock the food pantry at Liberation Family Services, a shelter for homeless veterans on Richmond’s Southside (donations pictured above with a representative from LFS). In addition, the students wrote letters and drew pictures for World War II and Korean War veterans that will be delivered during an “Honor Flight” to a war memorial in Washington, D.C. Fourth-grade teacher Chris Tickle shared his father-inlaw’s story of an Honor Flight. The Middle and Upper Schools heard from Jonathan Harmon, a 1987 West Point alumnus and national trial lawyer who focuses on making complex and/or highexposure cases easier for juries to understand. He spoke about CAP (Courage, Attitude, and Perseverance) in honor of Veterans Day. Juniors Josiah Armstrong and Jonathan Beigel heard Mr. Harmon speak at the 2014 Leadership and Ethics Conference at Randolph-Macon College earlier in the fall and suggested that he speak at Steward.
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Students donated $2,004.82 worth of “pennies for peace” on Whirled Peace Day, all of which was given to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond.
WALK THIS WAY Senior Madison Borovatz’s mother, Darlene, was diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 53, when Madison was only 13 years old. For the Richmond Walk to End Alzheimer’s in October, Madison organized the “Walk for Darlene” team with 48 members, including faculty, students, family, and friends (local radio personality Bill Bevins among them). The team came in second place in size and ninth place in donations, totaling over $7,000. They added special touches, including flowering pinwheels to represent personal connections with the disease: blue—Alzheimer’s patients, yellow—caregivers, purple—those who have lost someone with Alzheimer’s, and orange—supporters. In Madison’s own words, “It took a few years to fully diagnose my mom, since many people believed her memory loss was due to stress at work, and she was simply focused on her business. She is now 58 and under 24/7 care. The past few years have been difficult and full of trials of strength for my family and my mother’s friends. But, together we are working through the tough times now and ahead. My family and I are ever so grateful for the 48 walkers who joined us for the walk, as well as the people who gave their support in spirit as we walked for the cure!”
THAT’S SO RANDOM Led by Admissions Associate Beth Farmer ’09, the Middle School and varsity field hockey teams devised a “Random Acts of Kindness” campaign to spread a positive spirit around campus. The team created 40 laminated cards in memory of Associate Head of School Debbie Robson and kicked off the campaign with secret deliveries, each with a card. Several of the examples noted on campus included a Starbucks gift card on a random locker, a candy bar on a teacher’s desk, and a flower on a random car. The recipients are supposed to pass along the cards when they deliver their own random act of kindness.
Join the kindness campaign! To pass along your own random acts, here are some suggestions of easily achievable good deeds: n Cut fresh flowers and lay them on a car n Leave a candy bar or apple on a desk n Leave a happy/positive note on a locker or car n Tape a dollar on vending machine n Check out the dollar aisles at various stores for items to use (a packet of flower seeds, fun pens and pencils, etc.) n Bake cookies and leave them for a teacher n Pick up all the trash in a classroom
Outstanding alumnus wears many hats A new tradition was born at Convocation this year: alumnus Parke Smith ’01 received the first-ever Alumni Achievement Award and served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. The Steward School Alumni Achievement Award will be given each year to recognize an outstanding alumnus who, by virtue of his or her inspiration, engagement, and care, has had a transformative effect in the community, within a chosen profession, and on families.
Get to know Parke: n He is the son of art teacher Cindy Grissom and Preston Smith (above), and he attended Steward for three years. n He was a soccer and lacrosse player, and he founded the Outdoors Club, which still exists today. n In addition to an inherent appreciation for art, his favorite classes were with science teacher Mary Greenlee. n He remained involved at Steward beyond graduation as a boys lacrosse coach with fellow alumnus Clay Tharrington ’02. n Beginning in high school, he served as a volunteer firefighter with Station 1 in Goochland County, discovering a passion which helped spark his future career. n In 2003, he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps. During five years with the Marines, he was stationed with the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines in Twentynine Palms, California as an infantry assaultman. n He served three combat tours in Iraq—two in Fallujah and one in Al Qa’im on the Syrian border—before being honorably discharged as a corporal. n He is a Henrico County police officer, working with the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team (a.k.a. the bomb squad). He is training a puppy to work on the canine squad. n He is training to run a marathon in full bomb gear to raise awareness about his EOD work. Crossroads
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campus happenings
MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL Grandparents and Special Friends Day Bob Cox (upper right), grandfather of James and Emily Cox: “What seems so nice is that they talk about academics, then they talk about athletics, and then the arts, and everything seems to be on the same level. When we asked James what his favorite thing about school is, he said, ‘I like every single teacher and everything I’m taking.’” Elizabeth Armitage (bottom right), grandmother of Jesse and Ellie Hall: “It’s wonderful to see her [Jesse] develop intellectually and socially. I thought this morning’s program was one of the best grandparent programs I’ve ever attended, and I was a schoolteacher for years and years.” Marie Bright (center), grandmother of Nik and Kara Bright: “This school has done more for my two grandchildren than any school they’ve ever attended, and it’s the friendliest school I’ve ever visited.”
Ray Tate Spartan Golf Classic A beautiful October day of golf made for a great day of fundraising for the Spartan Club.
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SPARTY PARTY
PREVIEW
Steward’s annual school year kick-off event, the Fall Social, included the debut of the new mascot, Sparty.
______________________ Lower School Jamboree January 9, 2015 ______________________ Family Bingo Night January 30, 2015 ______________________ Steward Town Hall February 3, 2015
Great tailgate The ninth annual Great Tailgate was complete with Ninja Turtles, a college dorm room, Twister, ice sculptures, and much more!
______________________ Gala and Auction February 28, 2015 ______________________ Steward Town Hall April 14, 2015 ______________________ Spring Social April 23, 2015
What great results from our fall charity drives! Canned Food:
1,363 lbs.
The Middle and Upper School donated 1,363 pounds of food to FeedMore in October.
Blood: The Stewardship Club registered 34 donors and collected 28 units during the October blood drive, touching the lives of 84 people.
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Celebrate! RVA: The Middle
giving hearts: This fall, the junior class included several charities in its prom fundraising through bake sales and jeans days. In the course of raising money for the dance, the students have donated a total of $260 (20 percent of their proceeds) to Breast Cancer Awareness, Children’s Hospital of Richmond, Toys for Tots, and the Richmond Fisher House (a home where military families stay while their service members receive treatment).
Books: The Middle and Upper School collected 115 books for patients at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond.
390
$
School raised $390 through a Halloween trick-or-treat fundraiser to support this organization, which is dedicated to celebrating the birthdays of underprivileged children. As an entry fee to the Winter Dance in December, grade 7-8 students also donated party supplies such as party hats, candy-filled pinatas, and birthday candles for the organization.
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fine arts
Arts Guild comes to life
The perfect blend
The Arts Guild was formed to bring a collective umbrella of support to the Fine Arts Department. Chaired by parents Andi Metts and Alice Young and faculty members Andy Mudd and Rugene Paulette, the group’s mission is to assist with all artsrelated activities. “There are so many ways to support the arts at Steward,” Mrs. Paulette says. “We would love for members of the community to get involved in areas of particular interest to them with minimum time commitments. There is a true need for help with events we already have in place which could truly be enhanced by parent involvement.”
Junior Ally Dods (center) and seniors David Cross and Lydia Heitman were selected to participate in the SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) choir during the District I weekend in February.
High praise from CharacterWorks For ten years, The Steward School has enjoyed a special relationship with CharacterWorks, formerly known as Christian Youth Theater, a non-profit, after-school youth program. This well-respected local group, which began as an affiliate of CYT, Inc. in San Diego, has utilized the Lora M. Robins Theatre for its spectacular productions two or three times per year throughout the last decade. In a recent interview that Artistic Director Brooke Abrahamsen gave the Richmond Times-Dispatch, she gave Steward a glowing report: “We have been renting The Robins Theatre at The Steward School since 2004 and have cherished our ongoing relationship with them. The Steward School is an excellent place for students and has a stunning professional theatre facility. We have been able to pursue a high standard of creative and technical excellence in our shows because of the Robins Theatre capabilities like a full rigging system, a professional stage, and gorgeous seating and lobby. Going to a show at The Steward School feels like going to a professional show! Their technical director, Andy Mudd, has been a wonderful host over the years, and his partnership has enhanced our program immensely. You have to see a show at the Robins Theatre!”
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Jazz men The Varsity Jazz Band performed the prelude during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the National Science Teachers Association Conference held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in October. This event is one of only three such conventions held throughout the country. The band’s set included jazz standards and New Orleans-flavored blues and funk for an appreciative crowd of science teachers, administrators, and vendors. The ensemble is directed by instrumental music teacher John McAlister, and the band members include Matthew Gelber, David Cross, Adam Mickle, Henry Harrell, Jackson Pieters, and Dan Eakin. The ensemble had performed at the Stir Crazy Café in September to prepare their new repertoire.
The Heights of drama With a cast that included students in grades 3-12, the classic tale of Wuthering Heights was performed for three nights in October. “When my students told me last year that they wanted a play with a clear villain, but one that was also a romance, Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights immediately came to mind,” said director Craig Smith. “Our production captured the essence and heightened emotions of the original novel, and the actors were pushed to extremes for each performance. This is one of the strongest casts I have worked with in all my time at Steward, and their dedication to the craft of acting shone through in this production.” The cast included Madison Borovatz, Trace Coles, Caroline Curry, Ben Fox, Conor Frydenborg, Elise Gresham, John Wesley Hall, Chris Harvill, Lavinia Johnson, Dan Kovach, Dixon Mescall, Catie McKinnon, Jackson Pieters, Virginia Villani, and Aubrey Woods.
PREVIEW –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Art Gallery Exhibit: Emma Knight January 6-February 13, 2015 (Artist Reception on January 7)
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Winter Play: Little Princess, Sara Crewe February 5-7, 2015 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Art Gallery Exhibit: Monica Rao February 18-April 17, 2015 (Artist Reception on February 18)
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Lower School Talent Night March 26, 2015 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Middle and Upper School Talent Night March 27, 2015 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Art Walk April 23, 2015 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Spring Musical: The Boyfriend April 23-25, 2015
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Embracing technology the right way This fall, we dove in with technology in the classroom, and the learning that is taking place has surprised us. Our Tech it Easy forum focused on finding balance in this technology revolution, and self-reflection has been one of the most powerful outcomes from the event. Technology surrounds our students’ lives completely; learning how to navigate the path safely has become the responsibility of parents and schools. The challenge is that technology moves so fast, schools and parents must constantly keep up to date. Bringing in national and local experts and allowing our school to fully engage in this conversation was incredible.
Blending math, science, and art A team of Steward teachers was awarded a Partners in the Arts grant from the University of Richmond in March 2014, which provided the opportunity to host Steve Tanimoto as the first visiting innovator of the school year. Dr. Tanimoto is a professor at the University of Washington, the author of An Interdisciplinary Introduction to Image Processing, and the lead developer of PixelMath. The faculty members and several of their classes worked with Dr. Tanimoto for two days in November—Laura Akesson (AP Physics and Biomedical Design), John Alley (Photography), Jennifer Maitland (Algebra I and Algebra II), Rugene Paulette (Upper School Art), and Director of the Bryan Innovation Lab Cary Jamieson. “This grant is a wonderful opportunity for our students because we are able to look at interesting topics through an interdisciplinary lens,” Mrs. Jamieson says. “The design process that fine arts does so well is applied to math, programming, observation, and design,” she adds, “and it’s kind of magical how it comes together.” Dr. Tanimoto assisted each teacher in the following ways: n Mrs. Akesson has developed lessons and methods with which students will translate the mathematical laws of nature into visual representations. Images can be made using Python Programming within the PixelMath application. Examples of programs include a projectile motion graphic with a color gradient that corresponds to the velocity of the object, and an image of an electric field that surrounds a flower. Students are meant to appreciate the exactness in the nature of physics and computer programming as well as the complexity or simplicity beneath digital images.
One thing we learned from the national experts is that we are not alone. Schools, parents, and industries are racing to find the right balance to best utilize technology as an effective tool. One thing we learned from our local panelists: technology and programming matter. Companies are hiring young adults who understand how to make ideas come alive through programming. This talent, combined with communication and critical thinking skills, makes for highly desirable hires. One thing we learned from our students (which is a good reminder for myself as a mom)—“put down your phone.” Let’s start this new year by putting down our phones and soaking in the small moments with our children. They are learning so much about the world, and they are relying on us as role models of how to live in it. — Cary Jamieson, Director of the Bryan Innovation Lab
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n Mr. Alley and Mrs. Paulette have developed student projects involving the image analysis of classic paintings. Students will consider fundamental questions—What is an image? What is a pixel?—and will use math as a universal language to decipher ways in which a painting might be described as a function. In addition, Mr. Alley has developed projects wherein students will learn aspects of computer programming to explore the emerging field of computational photography. Relevant topics could include green screen, anamorphic images, morphing, photomosaics, and high dynamic range photography.
n Mrs. Maitland has created several lesson plans that will have students explore equations and inequalities within PixelMath to create lines and use them in image effects. Her students will write functions that change the color of the images and design their own slope art. One of the activities will involve creating colorful square images similar to the square designs of renowned painter and printmaker Frank Stella.
Tech It Easy Forum Sonali Shetty, moderator Co-founder and CEO of Hodges Digital, an innovative agency specializing in digital strategy, web and social apps, and data analytics
Prescott Nichols
Jonathan Becker
Senior Director who leads Capital One’s Recruiting, Infrastructure Operations, Selection, and Strategy Analysis Teams
Director of Online Academic Programs in the Office of Online Education at Virginia Commonwealth University
Catherine Steiner-Adair
Q: I am still undecided about whether digital textbooks are a good idea or not. When kids can search for a particular topic and go right to it and learn just that material, have we lost something in them being able to turn pages and maybe pick up other related information along the way? n Mr. Andersen: I think the idea of what a book is has changed dramatically. Go walk through a college campus and the library and see how kids are studying. It’s not just looking in a book. There are so many resources that they’re using. One of them is watching YouTube videos of people like me because they don’t want to read a book, and they think a video would be a lot better way to get the information because somebody can synthesize it and explain it. n Mr. Nichols: I learned about the Revolutionary War from the European perspective. I came to the United States and learned about the Revolution from the United States perspective. My son reads from a textbook, and he learns about the United States perspective. He goes on the web, and he learns about the Revolutionary War from a world view that is unparalleled in any textbook that is written. I’m not saying textbooks are bad. I’m a tactile person, but I believe textbooks can sometimes be a slightly myopic perspective in comparison to the web of information that is connected and has made this community more global.
n Mr. Becker: Again, a call to be nuanced about this. My son is very into books. He actually prefers print books, but he is also reading a lot online. He reads all of these Wikis and informa-tional websites voraciously and clicks around and learns about different things. It is an amazing resource. He is having screen time, but he’s reading. So, not all screen time is created equal.
to know more
Science Teacher, 2011 Montana Teacher of the Year, 2011 National Teacher of the Year Finalist, and YouTube EDU Guru
Clinical Psychologist and Author of The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age
The Bryan Lab was pleased to present this forum in partnership with the Parents Association on November 5. Below is a sample question from the event; to see a video, scan the QR code below.
n Dr. Steiner-Adair: When reading Jane Austen on a Kindle, do you read as well? Do you absorb as well on devices that you can highlight with a swipe of a finger? Some of the research shows that we are not reading as deeply and developing as much vocabulary as when we read from paper books and make our own notes in the margins. One of the things I love is that I can put five books in my purse on my mini iPad, but I’m reading for pleasure. More differentiated responses to how we think about books are really important.
Paul Andersen
BRYAN LAB
PREVIEW –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Healthy Cooking Demo in Partnership with Relay Foods January 16, 2015
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sarah Severn, Senior Director of Stakeholder Mobilization in the Sustainable Business and Innovation team at Nike, Inc. February 11, 2015
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Bluebird House Building Workshop March 2015
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MakerSpace RVA Workshop March 2015
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “Food for Thought” The Past, Present, and Future of Food – Speakers TBA April 15, 2015
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FAIL
Focus
FLOW
You walk through your front door and trip on the doormat.
You walk into your bedroom, and there is a magnifying glass on your bed.
FIGHT
You walk into the bathroom, and there is a giant water bottle in the sink.
FRIENDS
You walk into the kitchen and notice a giant sword on the counter.
You walk into the dining room, and your friends are sitting around the table.
The amazing
Memory Palace Visiting Innovator Paul Andersen explained a technique called the Memory Palace to help his audience remember the “five Fs” of learning: fail, focus, flow, fight, and friends. The Memory Palace is a visualization method used to remember details. Mr. Andersen connected five virtual rooms with the following guidance for learning. Fail
Fight
“Failure is an incredibly good thing; you learn from your mistakes and get up and practice again,” Mr. Andersen said. This phenomenon happens constantly during video games, and players become conditioned to learning how to correct their mistakes.
Focus To explain focus, Mr. Andersen used the Marshmallow Project, a study in which young children either gave in to the temptation of eating a marshmallow when left alone or earning a second marshmallow if they left the first one uneaten. The long-term results of the study showed that those who waited to eat the marshmallow, thereby doubling the benefit, ultimately enjoyed better lives. Surmising that the ability to control distractions and pay attention to the overall goal allows delayedgratification learners to focus, Mr. Anderson
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Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. – Mahatma Gandhi
suggested that students should turn off all the ‘notifications’ in their lives in order to concentrate.
Flow Mr. Andersen said that game designers plan video games to have flow—if a game is too difficult at the beginning, players will quit; if it’s too easy, it becomes boring. If it’s “just right,” time disappears, and learning should be the same way. Students should set up the right conditions for themselves to fully absorb information.
Using the fight versus flight philosophy, Mr. Andersen said that some games require extended strategic planning. Some players are naturally “fighters,” and some hang back and tend toward “flight.” He likened this stance to school—“What do the cool kids do in class?” he asked. “They sit back, unengaged,” the equivalent of the “flight” approach. The kids who “fight,” i.e. who get engaged and pay attention, are the ones who take life by the sword.
Friends Acknowledging that he is “old,” Mr. Andersen described his fascination with the earliest video game, Pong. The best part about it, he said, was that another person was playing with you. “Learning should include your friends,” he added; talking about information in study groups makes it relevant.
Look Who’s Talking Catherine Steiner-Adair
Clinical psychologist, school consultant,clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, and author of The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family in the Digital Age By Jennifer Wilkerson What are some ways in which technology decreases family connections? We are raising the first generation of kids who prefer texting to talking. Texting is incredibly efficient. You can make plans in seconds, or your child can tell you if practice ended early. The downside to texting is that they are not having the same experiences of learning how to be vulnerable, to listen, to be there for each other, to talk. Texting prevents hearing tone of voice and seeing body language, which decreases empathy and can increase anxiety. The worst time to text is when you are mad or sad. Texting escalates drama. We are not as reflective neurologically when we text, and we lose our filter and respond too fast. We don’t slow down and ask, “What do you mean?” as we might when we talk to someone. So, what do we do? I have seven “Technology To-Do’s” for parents. 1. First thing in the morning, turn toward yourself and the people you love before you turn to technology. Start the day acknowledging the people you love most. 2. Wake up 30 minutes before your kids and do all of your email and “checking” before they get up. 3. Set a “no device” rule in the car. On the drives to and from home and school children need to stare out the window, let their brains rest, figure out how to deal with what might be worrying them about the day. They need to be able to turn to you with their anxieties and thoughts. 4. Allow your kids to connect to themselves and others. During these daily transitions, kids and their brains need to rest, they need to daydream, they need to connect to themselves, and talk to you. It is important that kids learn how to wait and be patient. 5. Resist texting with your kids during the day. Kids get anxious when they see your texts during the day just as we get anxious when we see theirs. Give them the space to become self-reliant. It’s okay to say, “Let’s touch base at the end of the day.” It’s okay not to be there 24/7. 6. Pick up your kids from school or walk in the door unplugged and keep the family technologyfree for at least one hour. Show them that they are your first priority. 7. Vacations are technology-free. Neurologically our brains respond to the pings of phones with a sense of urgency. Each time we “just check” or phone or email, we are “checking out” from our family. Technology can be scary. What can parents do to make sure their kids talk to them when problems arise? As part of my research, I asked teenagers, “What can parents do to make you more comfortable going to them if you’re in trouble?” I didn’t get much response until I flipped the question and asked, “What do parents do that makes you NOT feel comfortable going to them if you’re in trouble?” They described three characteristics: scary, crazy, clueless. n Scary parents react too intensely or overreact. Scary parents say things like, “Now you’re never going to get into college.” They make kids feel like they ARE their mistakes. n Crazy parents feel their kids are upset, so they get just as upset. Crazy parents who get too involved in the problem amplify the drama. n Clueless parents check out and assume kids aren’t going to get in trouble. They don’t understand technology and don’t feel that they need to. Often kids with clueless parents are envious of parents who “care.” The opposites of these characteristics are approachable, calm, and interested. If your kids come to you with a problem…take a deep breath and ask how you can support them. The key to dealing with technology is to stay engaged and connected in the non-digital world. It’s never too late to put down the iPad and come to the dinner table. Crossroads
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Bright ideas every day On this page is a sample of the innovative work that goes on in the Bryan Lab every day. At all ages, students have opportunities to think outside the box and put new skills to the test. Whether learning about cotton from Robin Ricketts (bottom left), creating armatures in Biomedical Design (center left and upper right), or dissecting worms (center right), the unknown is discovered in this unique learning environment.
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Science mimics nature By Shane Diller, Bryan Innovation Lab Teaching Fellow
On Senior Day, students were presented with a 25-minute challenge: mimic an organism or system in nature that already provides a solution to a problem in that organism’s environment. Three organisms were chosen: the octopus for its amazing ability to camouflage itself in color and “texture,” the honeybee for its honeycomb structure that provides one of the best strength-to-mass ratios out there, and the hummingbird for its ability to hover and turn on a dime while beating its wings over 50 times per second. THE Goal
THE Plan
We wanted the seniors to understand that biomimicry applies in all aspects of life, from art to engineering and everything in between. They predicted problems that humans may encounter in 20 years and were then challenged to look to nature for solutions. The principles and mechanisms of biomimicry would illustrate that nature is not our enemy or competitor, but can instead be our teacher. Evolution has already solved so many of the problems we will come up against (think gecko pads, camouflage, flight/hovering, structural engineering), and there is so much we haven’t yet figured out how to mimic. We wanted the seniors to see that it is fun and fascinating, but also that it really does work.
Upon entry, each senior picked a card (artist, architect, or engineer) with which he or she most identified, and they grouped themselves with others who chose the same card. Each group had to identify the most important problems we might encounter in the next 20-50 years. They watched videos that included examples from curiositymachine.org.
To serve as an example, we showed the seniors the Namib beetle, which lives in the Namib Desert of South Africa, where the annual rainfall is only 1.4 cm per year. This beetle has adapted by developing a shell with bumps and ridges, some that attract water and some that repel it. The AirDropTM irrigation system, currently in commercial production, mimics the beetles’ self-watering process and received the Dyson Design Award in 2011.
The artists watched a video about the camouflage of octopi and then had to choose a structure or pattern in the Bryan Innovation Lab into which their animal could blend.
The engineers watched a video about the wing of a hummingbird, which they then had to recreate. The artificial wing, when flapped while sitting on a stool, had to produce circular motion using only tape, plastic trash bags, wooden dowels, and string. The architects watched a video about the honeycomb of a honeybee and then had to build a “step stool” using nothing but paper and tape.
After the construction process was complete, all groups discussed whether or not the products they created could help with any of the problems they listed in the original step. The honeycomb structures were nearly fail-proof and needed almost no teacher direction. The process ignited a bit of wonder for the seniors and shattered the disbelief that something so fragile and light could work with just geometry. The fact that they could “hold a person and a person holding a person” was entertainingly fantastic.
What Worked
What Didn’t Work
Having the students work in small groups and self-identify (as artists, engineers, or architects/ city planners) was a great way to form groups that would draw on their passions and talents. Using a tinyurl and iPads to access the document and the explanatory videos was an effective way to deliver the content. The videos from curiositymachine.org were what helped the information “stick” to become real. The materials for the hummingbird wing were challenging but realistic (wooden dowels, tape, string, zip ties, small PVC pipes, and two thicknesses of plastic). The first hummingbird group did a great job of mimicking the wing’s shape and structure, and a few groups benefitted from support that wasn’t solid because it created a “wave” motion (i.e. parts continued to move in reverse direction). With prompting about structural support, some students used tape as cartilage to give lightweight strength, which is really the key to flight in birds.
There were a few technical glitches from things that hadn’t been completely tested prior to the start of the project. The second hummingbird group ended up making wings that weren’t at all like hummingbirds, which could be due to defining the goal as obtaining results and function instead of form. We didn’t plan enough time to have that discussion. We also weren’t able to talk about how this project could be used to solve other problems on the list, and instead we had to remind the seniors of those problems as they built. Possible revisions for next time could include having the students pick a couple of problems to solve with their designs. Time was a limiting factor for the honeycomb structure group. Students were able to build just a small piece in the time allotted. I imagine many of the questions could have been more effectively thought through with additional time. Crossroads
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class acts
GLYPH NOTES Kindergartners chose pumpkins from the pumpkin patch before decorating them with their parents. The students measured the pumpkins and their own heads to make glyphs with the data.
CALCULAted thinking
(x·x) -49=0*
Upper School math teacher Barbara Filler came up with a twist for her Honors Algebra II students’ first assignment of the year. She assigned an “Algebra about Me” project, for which each student made a poster with six squares that consisted of algebraic equations to tell something about themselves. “I was so excited that there was such sophisticated math,” Mrs. Filler said. “I didn’t have to teach this. They showed me what they already knew.”
* Eighth-grader Tony Xu’s algebraic equation for “I have been in the USA X days.” Tony is one of 22 international students at Steward this year.
NOVEL APPROACH Senior Meghan Petrocelli made arrangements for students in the Writers Café to participate in National Novel Writing Month (NANOWRIMO), a national organization that provides assistance and encouragement for writers. According to Meghan, the goal is for people of all ages to write 50,000-word novels in one month, and if desired, the organization will help writers attempt to have their works published. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is the most well-known example of a NANOWRIMO novel. Meghan completed her fourth novel this November, having written one every year of high school. Though she’d like to pursue a career as a detective, Meghan says, “I like to push myself [because writing a novel] is such a feeling of personal accomplishment. Like, ‘yes!’” Writers Café sponsor Stephanie Arnold joined Meghan in the month-long writing this year with a novel in verse, a long series of poems.
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OUT AND ABOUT The long-standing Middle School tradition of Alternate Program has been moved to the fall to provide more opportunities for bonding and to take advantage of better weather. The sixth-grade continued with its exploration of Richmond through various themes, the seventh grade enjoyed both community service and an overnight camping adventure in Charlottesville, and the eighth grade had a blast at Wilderness Adventure in the Virginia mountains. Upper School Minimester will continue to take place in early March.
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class acts
TALL ORDER Lower School Enrichment Coordinator Suzanne Casey created the Children’s Engineering Lunch Bunch, which consists of three groups of first and second graders who participate in weekly challenges. The students respond to verbal challenges, such as “think of things that can be stacked,” while they are eating lunch. Afterward, they work in pairs to construct objects using minimal materials (five paperclips, two small drinking cups, and one piece of paper, for example). They are truly thinking outside the box as they meet the challenges!
out of the box The Middle School health classes were put to the test during the fall—they examined their own lunches for nutritional content and worked with Mighty Kids RVA, a local wellness enrichment company, to learn about aerobic, muscular, and flexibility fitness options.
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reading purr-fectly The Accelerated Reader program was kicked off in Seussical style by the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, Things 1 and 2, and a host of other familiar Dr. Seuss characters. Fourth-grade teacher Chris Tickle coordinated a phenomenal presentation for students in grades 1-5, who are eligible to participate in the AR program. When prompted by the Cat in the Hat, the students chanted, “We will read! We will read!” For every AR book they read between September and May, students may take quizzes on their iPads or the desktops in the classrooms to earn points.
BEAN THERE, DONE THAT
GENES DAY Seventh-grade life science students are working with the Partnership for Research and Education in Plants (PREP) at Virginia Tech to help discover the function of a gene. They are using the plant Arabidopsis thaliana in which a particular gene has been disabled (mutants). The students grow the mutant plants alongside unaltered plants under experimental conditions of their own design and then use their iPads and the Book Creator App to create lab notebooks with data, pictures, videos, and more. Fifth-grade students will join the project as part of a science experiment during the next planting, and AP Statistics students will analyze the data.
Lynn Define’s eleventh-grade English students recently completed a seven-week project in which they studied Henry Thoreau and his work with growing beans. Alongside the study of his essays, the lesson included hard work, determination, and caring for the plants. The project culminated in a huge celebration with dishes made out of beans (though not the ones they had grown), a video of each project, a website, and awesome homemade t-shirts. The teams received points for the height of the bean plants, the creativity of the shirts, and the taste of the dishes.
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teamtalk
athletics
BOYS SOCCER
The Middle School gold team had an exciting season developing the next generation of Spartan soccer players. Despite facing a challenging schedule of mostly older and bigger competition, this group of sixth and seventh graders ended the season with a thrilling win over Field School in Charlottesville in late October. The boys improved each week, showing determination and school spirit in every contest. The outcome of every game was decided by a narrow margin thanks to the standout defensive play of midfielder Landon Douglas, center backs Asa Shield and Mike Frank, and goalkeepers Baylor McKeand and Calder Stutts. The offense was led by midfielder/forward Harrison Woodley, midfielder Mark Carnes, and forwards David Cheon and Jonathan Creager. Coaches Tom Funkhouser and George Corwin give all the members of the team credit for the solid teamwork
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FIELD HOCKEY There was a large sixth-grade presence on the Middle School blue field hockey team under Coach Beth Farmer ’09. The lone eighth-grade player, Chloe Zehfuss, served as a strong leader and showed the young team many new skills to carry forward. Working with the varsity team, the girls started the Random Acts of Kindness movement, completing 40 good deeds at Steward. The focus during the season was the creation of cohesion between the Middle School and varsity teams and players. Each varsity player was assigned a Middle School “little sister” with whom to build a relationship during the season. Senior Co-Captains Emily Cox and Emily Parris were leaders on and off the field. The team scored a total of 32 goals (their best season yet under Coach Fratter). Eighthgrader Lizzie Parris was the leading scorer with eight total goals, and her classmate, goalie Abby Dwelle, had 101 total saves. Junior Julie Iuorno was named to the 2014 All-LIS Field Hockey Team.
and positive attitudes they demonstrated throughout the season. Under Coaches Jordan Clark and Mark Nugent, the Middle School blue soccer team ended the year with a 7-3-1 record. Led by a core of talented eighth graders, including Sam Popp, Tyler Steinfatt, Cole Hollier, and new goalkeeper Tyler Watkins, the team had a competitive season with several games won by five goals or more. The team kept all of the games close, losing a few tight ones. With 35 members, the varsity team had an explosive season under Coaches EJ Watkins, Casey Smith, and Patrick Tucker. For the third straight year, the team qualified for the state tournament—this year to the quarter finals. Coupled with placing second in the Valentine Futsal tournament last year, it is clear that the boys’ soccer program is on a roll. For the first time in school history, the boys won a match in the state tournament against a great Portsmouth Christian team 1-0 on the road with senior Will Farmer scoring the winning goal. The Homecoming game was another huge win for the Spartans, 1-0 against a very good Christchurch team. Will again scored the winning goal; senior Aubrey Nichols played a great game in goal; and seniors Kevin Cameron and Luke Caldwell and juniors Jackson Wellons, Tom Stack, and Grayson Redmond held down the fort on defense. Junior Theron Powell led the team in scoring, netting 11 goals this season, while junior Weston Popp scored the goal of the year off the side volley of a corner kick. The team is excited about this groundbreaking season and looks forward to getting one step closer to a state title next year. Crossroads Crossroads
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VOLLEYBALL VOLLEYBALL
Coach Bonny Hajek worked with both the Middle School blue and gold teams on a great season of skill-building. They developed team cohesion and had awesome team spirit. The gold team participated in a weekly league at Richmond Volleyball Club with games every Thursday night, and the blue team played other independent school teams. The JV volleyball team had a great season, losing only two games. The defense was led by eighth-grader Katie Jobe and the offense was charged by sophomore Morgan Van Davelaar. New coaches Jen Woosley and Ian McCathern helped coach the JV team to one of its best seasons ever. After graduating four seniors who played significant roles during the 2013 season, Coach Ginny Perry worked with the varsity team to begin the 2014 campaign focused on basic fundamentals and rebuilding. Although the Spartans finished the season with a 1-6 record in the LIS and a record of 5-14 overall, they fought hard. Most matches lasted four or five games. Sophomore outside hitter Mary Ann Neale and junior middle Meg Trepp led the offense with a total of 86 kills. Sophomore Glenn Frank stepped into the libero role quickly to lead the defense and finished with 143 digs. She was followed closely by junior Leslye Romero with 125 digs. The Spartans say goodbye to one senior, Blair Moring, who started as an outside hitter. Steward will return 11 players next year—expect big things from these girls in the future.
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CROSS COUNTRY
The varsity boys’ team was consistently led by the strong sub-19 (minutes) performances of junior Harrison Vicars and eighth-grader Alex Poling. Senior Captains Walker Poling and Will Renner led the team in a great race at the state meet in November at Woodberry Forest. The boys Middle School team more than doubled in size this year, and typically with numbers comes strength in cross country. This rang true, as these boys earned a prestigious second place finish in the huge MileStat Invitational. The team was led by Alex Poling (1st place) and sixth-grader Ben Poling (3rd place). Alex and Ben then placed first and second at the JV Championships, supported by sixth-grader Josh Stein, seventh-grader Jack Young, and sixth-grader Jake Smithson to round out our top five.
Virginia Cooper (grade 6), Olivia Koerner (grade 7), and Gracie Burress (grade 8) all made fantastic strides. Of note are the many medals and ribbons Olivia took home from almost every race she ran, topped by a fifthplace finish at the JV Championships. Coaches Laura Akesson and Todd Serr were very pleased with this tremendous cross-country season.
The varsity girls’ team doubled in size as well. These strong ladies ran through hardships like losing shoes and getting spiked. Junior Ashley McCreary and sophomore Summer Owens ran smart and psychologically took down competition by passing people on both sides as the races progressed. The Middle School girls team went from zero to three runners, one from each grade: Crossroads
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teamtalk
athletics
Baseball Ring Ceremony In October, the 2014 state championship varsity baseball team reunited for the presentation of the official state championship rings. Two of the team’s graduates, Drew Barker ’14 and Craig McLane ’14, returned from college for the ceremony.
Ray Tate Student-Athlete Scholarship Winners Seniors Zachary Beigel and Emily Parris are the 2014 recipients of the Ray Tate Student-Athlete Scholarship, worth $2,500 for each student. Zachary has played basketball and baseball at Steward and for Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) throughout his high school years. He is a member of the Honor Council, National Honor Society, Student Philanthropy Initiative, Special Olympics Club, and Ping Pong Club. He has volunteered for five years as a counselor at Steward’s summer sports camps and was the school’s representative at the 2013 Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership seminar. Emily has been a varsity field hockey and lacrosse player since the eighth grade at Steward, including winter indoor lacrosse. Outside of school, she has played lacrosse for a competitive travel team named STORM Elite and is now coaching a STORM youth team. In addition to athletics, Emily is a member of the National Honor Society, Student-Athlete Committee, and Student Section Club, and serves as an admissions ambassador.
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Athletic accolades n Junior Owen Carter won the Elite Junior Golf Invitational in October at Fredericksburg Country Club by shooting a two-over-par 74. He started with a bogey and a triple bogey on his first two holes. Owen birdied his 18th hole to win by one shot. For his victory, he earned a $200 prize for the Steward golf program. n Seventh-grader Erik Engelke (left) has entered the gymnastics competition season as a level 9 gymnast (level 10 is pre-Olympic). He concluded last year as a level 8 gymnast by placing 14th at the national competition in California.
PREVIEW –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Athletic Hall of Fame Dedication January 15, 2015 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Winter Invitational Tournament January 16-17, 2015 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
n Senior Nic Enright pitches for a regional baseball team, the EvoShield Canes, which won their second consecutive WWBA World Championship in October, a victory which makes them the first-ever repeat winners in the tournament’s 16-year history. With a 14-strikeout, 2-hit game, Nic led the team to victory in the semi-finals against the Texas Scout Team Yankees, a team that had not scored fewer than four runs in a game. In November, Nic signed a commitment to play at Virginia Tech. n Eighth-grader William Hobbs competed in the 2014 USTA Junior Team Tennis National Championships in South Carolina in October. He is a member of the 14U Advanced Junior Team Tennis at Westwood Club, where he plays #1 singles for the team and has a winning record. n Fifth-grader Garrett Kuhla (left) competed in several rounds of the USGA/PGA Drive, Chip, and Putt tournament, including the regional tournament in Washington, D.C. in September, where his team missed advancing to the Masters by just half a point. Garrett has won the Junior Club Championship for his age group at Willow Oaks Country Club the last two years in a row. In addition to his golf accomplishments, Garrett is also a soccer stand-out whose team has qualified to attend the Disney 3v3 Soccer Championships in Orlando in January. n Senior Virginia Villani completed the two-week basic training for SEAL Team Physical Training. As a requirement to become a SEAL Team PT member, Virginia trained at 5:45 a.m. with SEAL Team PT Instructor and Middle and Upper School Librarian Marsha Hawkins. In addition to the morning workouts, Virginia was also in the final two weeks of rehearsals and performances for Wuthering Heights in the afternoons and evenings.
Winter Athletic Awards Night March 19, 2015 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Spring Invitational Tournament March 21, 2015 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
2015-16 Athletic Physicals May 19, 2015 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Spring Athletic Awards Night May 21, 2015 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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i n s p i r a t i o n f o r d a i ly l i f e
spartanliving
Anxiety Recognizing the emerging epidemic By Bruce Hammond, LCSW, Westhampton Family Psychologists, PC The number one emotional disorder in the U.S. is anxiety. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety is the most common, chronic, and costly emotional problem in 16 of 17 countries (WHO 2004). The post-9/11 war on terrorism, media information overload, the economy, and pandemic illnesses are among several sources responsible for the anxiety increase. Everything global in the news has become local. A school shooting in Connecticut enters our homes and hearts as if it is occurring in Richmond. We are often creating anxiety in the name of safety. We can’t rid ourselves of external worries, but certainly we can learn to control the impact it has on us. A focus on healthy eating, daily exercise, and lots of sleep will reduce stress overload and help manage external stress and worry. There are numerous fun ways for families to relax their minds and bodies together—give these “de-stress” tips a try. Then, practice, practice, practice and you’ll love the difference in the way you feel!
“De-stress” with these family games n Have fun together practicing “chocolate meditation.” Slowly and patiently dissolve a piece of chocolate in your mouth. Focus on texture, flavor, and other sensations, and savor it fully. This experience is the opposite of multi-tasking, intensely concentrating on one thing at a time.
n Participate together in a “slow race.” Choose an arbitrary finish line. Whoever takes the longest to reach the finish line wins. The only rule is that each participant must not stop walking (inching) their way to the very end. You must keep moving ever so slowly.
n Challenge your kids to a “media fast.” See who can go the longest without attention to any screen or media device.
Steward’s Supper Favorite recipeS by Meriwether Godsey
Cherry Almond Granola Makes 7 cups Ingredients: 6 cups rolled oats ¾ cup honey ½ cup packed brown sugar 1/8 tsp. salt ½ tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. maple syrup ½ tsp. vanilla 1 ½ Tbsp. vegetable oil
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1 ½ cups slivered almonds or pecans (maybe omitted for a nut-free recipe) 1 cup dried cherries, cranberries, or blueberries
DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. 2. Mix all ingredients except fruit and spread on a baking sheet. 3. Bake for one hour, stirring occasionally. 4. Cool slightly and add dried fruit. Excellent served with Greek yogurt, fresh cut fruit, and local honey.
Get fit now! Be stronger in 2015 with our experts’ tips With Christen Fratter and EJ Watkins, PE teachers and varsity coaches
praCtice Healthy Eating n Always try to carry a water bottle. The infused fruit flavors make water a little more exciting. n When you travel, pack food so you don’t ha ve to eat “fast food” on the road. If you’re at a fast-food restaurant, try to order one of the healthier options, or choose a place that sells fresh sandwiches, such as Wawa or Blimpie’s. Pizza is not a good pre-game choice!
Find a Balance n Pay attention to the balance of mind and body, getting enough sleep, and turning off devices. Keep a sleep log, if needed, to get your sleep schedule on track. n Cut back on bad habits. If you know something (like soda) isn’t good for you, learn how to have it in moderation if you can’t live without it.
Open Your Eyes to New Ideas n Embrace running—don’t think of it as “I did something wrong.” Running is a part of everyday fitness. n Show up for the summer workouts. Not only will you benefit by keeping in shape during the summer, but coaches often use this display of effort to determine who gets playing time down the road. n Accept yourself and don’t compare. What works for one person will be different for others.
Get Creative n Do what we do—become a PE teacher for a day! Think about all the different places that you can do something active. It doesn’t have to be at an actual gym—the gym is everywhere! n Embrace whatever aerobic activity you like—get hung up on something. Look for unique activities, like rock climbing, horseback riding, and yoga. n Use YouTube to find resources for new ways to exercise. Little snippets are all you need, and you can get creative. As one of four kids in a family with a father who coached multiple teams, Christen Fratter has always been around sports. After graduation from Chantilly High School in Northern Virginia, she played lacrosse at Virginia Tech and majored in English. She earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and her first job was as an English teacher at Northside High School in Roanoke. She wanted to move to Richmond, and she had connections at Collegiate, where she became a substitute teacher and coach for a year. The position at Steward was open when she was looking for full-time work, and Janet Rice hired her over the phone.
n There are great apps to track what you eat, measure blood pressure, and more.
OUR BEST ADVICE n Coach Fratter’s top tip: “It’s human nature—you’re going to make mistakes, but don’t make excuses. I love team sports because that built-in support group is there. You can call people out in weak moments and give them strength.” n Coach Watkins’s best advice: “Don’t let time get in the way—what you do with 24 hours is up to you. I’m an offender of saying I don’t have time to go to the gym, but then I’ll make time to do something else.”
When EJ Watkins was a senior in high school at the McLean School in Potomac, Maryland, he had an open period and was looking for an internship. He ended up being a physical education teacher for the entire third grade. Upon entering college, he wanted to be a police officer or detective, but the college he chose (Emory and Henry) didn’t offer a criminal justice major. He majored in physical education with a concentration in psychology and sociology of sport. His first job after college was as a PE teacher at his alma mater, the McLean School, and then he moved to Richmond to be near family. Crossroads
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i n s p i r a t i o n f o r d a i ly l i f e
Get in shape with Sparty! Keep yourself conditioned during the winter months with these exercises recommended by Coach Adam Lonon ’06. Single Leg Deadlift Standing with feet parallel, lift one foot off the ground. Lower torso forward and downward while raising lifted leg behind. Keep the back straight and knee of the supporting leg slightly bent. The hip and knee of the lifted leg should remain extended throughout the movement. Once a stretch is felt in the hamstring or gluteus, return to the original position by raising torso and lowering the lifted leg to starting position. Straighten the knee of the supporting leg as torso becomes upright. Repeat. This exercise can be performed with or without a medicine ball
Squat Stand with arms extended forward to keep the torso upright. Squat down by bending at the hips and allowing knees to bend. Continue in a smooth motion until thighs are past parallel. Return to the standing position by extending the knees and hips. Repeat. (Remember to keep your core tight and your back straight at all times.)
Adam Lonon ’06 is The
Steward School’s strength and conditioning coach and varsity girls basketball coach. Coach Lonon is a member of and certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and he is certified as a sport performance coach through USA Weightlifting. He handles every aspect of the school’s weightlifting programs, including sports-specific planning, Olympic lifting, functional training, and the improvement of speed, explosiveness, conditioning, and core strength.
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Overhead Lunge with Medicine Ball Stand with both feet parallel and medicine ball extended overhead. Step forward with one leg and lower the body by bending at the knee until the rear leg is almost touching the ground. Forcefully extend the knee and hip of the lead leg back to return to an upright position, then repeat with the opposite leg. (The shoulders should stabilize the medicine ball overhead. Stabilization of the shoulders and core are paramount throughout the exercise. Maintain a rigid posture, keeping your back straight.)
Curl-Up Lie on your back with your arms straight, keeping your knees extended or slightly bent. Raise your upper body and shoulders off the floor by flexing your abdominal muscles. Touch your hands to your thighs. Repeat.
How do you keep exercise interesting? n Laura Akesson, teacher and coach: “Besides competing, keeping things interesting involves friends. I play volleyball in a league at RVC, and I go hiking, climbing, open-water swimming, and road-or-mountain biking regularly with friends.”
Standing Overhead Press (Military Press) Grasp a barbell from a racked position with an overhand grip, positioning the hands slightly wider than shoulder-width. With the bar positioned on the top of the chest, press the bar upward, stabilizing the bar overhead. Lower to the starting position. Repeat.
n Christina D’Angelo, teacher and coach: “Running helps clear my mind and relaxes me after a long day. As a former Division 1 athlete, I also enjoy weightlifting and cross-fit training. I always switch up the where, who, and how of my workouts—it ranges from yoga to dancing and lifting to running.”
Resistance Band Bicep Curl Place resistance band under the arch of one foot (or both feet for more challenge). Grasp at shoulder-width position with an underhand grip. With elbows touching the sides, raise resistance band by flexing the elbows until forearms are vertical. Lower until arms are fully extended. Repeat.
n Marsha Hawkins, librarian: “If you keep fitness fun, you’re more likely to stick with it. I do something different every day with SEAL Team PT, and my favorite thing is running along the James River Trail and watching the sun rise.”
Foam Roller (Self-Myofascial Release) Self-myofascial release techniques via a foam roller are performed by rolling the foam under each muscle group until a tender area is found and maintaining the pressure with one’s own body mass on the area for 30–60 seconds. Foam rollers are proven to help with muscle recovery by reducing inflammation from resistance training and increasing range of motion without sacrificing muscle performance.
n Wallace Inge, teacher and coach: “I try to run several times a week, and I also play basketball. My friends and I just won the Virginia Adult Intramural League 35+ championship. When I’m really good, I mix in some yoga.” n Todd Serr, teacher and coach: “I keep running interesting by changing the venue. The Upper School Running Club meets at Deep Run Park or Pony Pasture. I also enjoy an occasional road race, such as the Monument 10K or the recent 6K Tacky Light Run.” n Robin Ricketts, JK-12 technology coordinator: “The way I exercise has changed over the years. I have gone from competitive swimming in my teens, to scuba diving and endurance sports while my children were at home, to my current practice of yoga and walking.”
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alumninews
spotlight
Look Who’s Talking Mimi Tanaka ’08
Owner, Alice McQueen Consignment By Elaina Brennan, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations In June, Mimi Tanaka ’08 opened a clothing store, Alice McQueen Consignment, where she sells and rents designer clothes in a sleek shop in Short Pump’s West Broad Village. The name Alice McQueen pairs her two favorite designer brands, Alice + Olivia and Alexander McQueen. Where did the idea for Alice McQueen Consignment begin? My idea for opening Alice McQueen Consignment came from my love of fashion, my desire to become an entrepreneur, and wanting to create a boutique that would give Richmond women a new perspective on consignment. I have found some of the most amazing pieces in consignment stores around the United States, so when I decided to open one myself, I thought about my personal experiences and researched and surveyed what women disliked and liked most about their own consignment experiences. The major complaints I came across included bad lighting to inspect the clothing, feeling as if the clothes were very worn, having to look through cluttered space with tons of racks, and poor fitting room conditions. After months of research, I designed my store with the intent of creating a bright, inviting environment, where women would feel as comfortable as if they were shopping in their fabulous best friend’s closet. I know that with the hectic schedules women take on, it may not be easy to lug clothes around to consign or even to make time for shopping. To make life easier, we provide complimentary special services, such as personal shopping, a website that shows the status of consignor items, and white-glove service, which is when we pick up items people want to consign. Who has been the most influential person in your career so far? I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents, and they continue to influence me in so many ways. I grew up watching my mom dress in amazing designer clothing, and she taught me about high-end fashion at a very young age. She is definitely the reason that I love fashion so much. My dad is an amazing entrepreneur, having started several successful companies. Being able to see firsthand what an individual can accomplish with hard work, dedication, and ambition has given me the drive to pursue my dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur. What college courses would you recommend to Steward students who are interested in business ownership? There are so many amazing courses, but the three classes I recommend most are introduction to finance, marketing, and an entrepreneurship course. Also with the business degree I received at VCU, there were so many required non-business elective courses that it was easy to get a minor. I definitely recommend getting a minor. I chose to minor in psychology. If you had one piece of advice for someone who wants to open his or her own business, what would it be?
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My advice would be to find a mentor who can offer guidance based on his or her own entrepreneurial experience. I am lucky enough to have my dad as my mentor. People can pay to get as many degrees as they want, but opening a business isn’t all about what a textbook says. There are so many questions and challenges I face on a daily basis that my degree can only help to a certain extent. What exciting things should we expect from Alice McQueen in the coming months? I have really hit the ground running with launching our online store and a rental program, through which women can rent our clothing for four or eight days. There are a couple things I have in the works—the most exciting ones involve a few charities in the Richmond area. I’ll publicize them when I can!
class notes
’90s
PREVIEW ______________________ Alumni Panel January 7, 2015 ______________________
In May, Jenny McComas ’95 received her PhD from Indiana University in the history of art with a specialization in 20thcentury German art. Since 2004, she has been the curator of modern art at the Indiana University Art Museum, one of the top-ranked university art museums in the United States. Camberly Pearson ’98 recently started a custom décor business, Sweet Pear Paper, based in Richmond. She mainly produces decorations for weddings and special events. During the fall of 2014, her company decorated the backdrop for the Watters & Watters runway show in New York for bridal fashion week. The company’s website is sweetpearpaper.com.
Class of ’99 alumni
enjoyed their 15-year reunion at Capital Ale House with class sponsor Rugene Paulette: Michael Maszaros, Shelly Giglio Felvey, Fahad Qureshi, Ruth Williams, and Tikia Bonner.
Alumni Board Meeting January 13, 2015 ______________________ Athletic Hall of Fame Dedication January 15, 2015 ______________________
’00s
Corbin Brierre Ryland ’01 and her husband, Mark, welcomed a son, Cooper Roland Ryland, on August 7, 2014. Cooper was introduced to Steward at SpartaFest this fall.
Alumni Back to Basketball January 16, 2015 ______________________ Alumni and Alumni Parent Coffee with Dan Frank January, 21, 2015 ______________________ Alumni Board Meeting March 25, 2015 ______________________
Meghan Winslow Robertson ’04 married Robert Scarritt Jones III on August 2, 2014, at Cannon Memorial Chapel at the University of Richmond. Amy Elizabeth Burchett, sister of the groom, and Erin Elizabeth Anderson ’04 served as maids of honor.
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class notes
Amy Strickland ’04 became Mrs. Harry Nathaniel Speer on March 1, 2014, at Third Presbyterian Church. Amy met Harry through her brother-inlaw, who had served alongside Harry in Iraq. The Speers currently live and work in Richmond.
Anne-Sims Dewling Honey ’08 married Matthew Gilmour Thompson III on September 13, 2014, at St. James’ Episcopal Church. The reception was held at the Commonwealth Club. Meg White ’05 married Steward School Interim Director of Plant Operations Chad Montgomery on July 12 at the Rice House in Richmond. Jessica Powell ’05 and former Steward employee Sara Montgomery (Chad’s sister) were bridesmaids, and Lee Healey was matron of ceremonies. After honeymooning in Spain, the couple now resides in Richmond.
Submit your class note Email alumni@ stewardschool.org or scan here
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The Class of ’99 alumni shared memories at a Balliceaux soiree: Back row— Veronica Tharp, Kelsea Pieters, Emily Hazzard, JT Wauford, Keith Murphy, Becca Smyth, Carrie Ruffin, Dani Frazier, Jordan Rennie. Front row—Chlo e Higgins and Gracie Andrews.
Reunion Weekend Elizabeth Franklin ’06 married Kyle Carline on May 24, 2014, at Old Powhatan Baptist Church. The reception was held at Celebrations at the Reservoir. Karole Johnson ’06 was Liz’s maid of honor.
Holly Weisiger ’07 was named assistant coach of the Xcel team at River City Gymnastics.
n The alumni tent at the Great Tailgate created an “honorary alumni” theme. Christine Craig ’09 is in her second year at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. In May, she traveled to Belmopan, Belize, to administer eye exams to those in need. This past summer, Christine volunteered with Opening Eyes to give exams to Special Olympians at University of Richmond and worked at the office of Dr. Joseph Droter.
n Alumni and their families were treated to an open house and casual brunch at the Bryan Innovation Lab before the competition began. Head Soccer Coach EJ Watkins ran a match between teams comprised of alumni and varsity soccer players.
lastword
Stay tuned for the all-new
Steward School website [
coming in january
]
stewardschool.org
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Richmond, VA Permit No. 320 Our passion is helping students discover theirs. 11600 Gayton Road Richmond, Virginia 23238 www.stewardschool.org
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are you?
Area of Greatest Need These funds support the operating budget, which directly benefits students, faculty and staff, and special programs.
Digital Learning and Technology As a critical component of the curriculum, these funds ensure that our students have access to leading-edge technology and allow our faculty to transform classrooms into active learning environments.
Professional Development Professional growth and development help ensure that all teachers have access to the resources they need to maintain the distinctive and personalized independent school education that is the hallmark of The Steward School.
The Annual Giving
Family of Funds 6 ways
you can make an impact
Financial Aid (Scholarships) The school is enhanced by attracting exceptional students and by engaging students who represent diverse cultural and socio-economic groups in our community.
Athletics Gifts to athletics provide funding for items such as uniforms and equipment and support coaches in their efforts to teach essential life skills: good sportsmanship, teamwork, time management, and leadership development.
Fine Arts Your gift to the Annual Fund helps ensure that each student receives the best educational experience at Steward.
The arts develop important life skills—focus, concentration, imagination, discipline, and cooperation—necessary for students to succeed academically and in everyday life.
PLEASE GIVE TO THE 2014-2015 ANNUAL FUND.
IT’S FOR STEWARD STUDENTS! WWW.STEWARDSCHOOL.ORG/GIVE 48
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to give now!