ISSUE THIRTEEN | 2020 7 EDITOR Michael Schwartz ’98 18 ART DIRECTION, contents DESIGN & LAYOUT Nicole Patterson 46 PHOTOGRAPHY Courtesy of Linda Campbell Courtesy of Robert Groff ’98 Courtesy of Betsy Headbavny ’90 Courtesy of Kelly Johnston McKee ’95 Courtesy of Abby Schlageter ’17 Courtesy of Sammy Schlageter ’17 Courtesy of Will Schlageter ’15 Courtesy of Cristian Tineo ’18 Courtesy of Shayna Watson ’98 Nick Gould Matthew Lester LNP 32 Michael Schwartz ’98 alumni seraphicpress.com David Sinclair weekend 2019 Donna Wilcox 24 LCDS CONTACTS issue no. 1 2020 Sandi Abraham 3 Director of Admission ext. 227 [email protected] on the cover 4 A Message from the Head of School 24 Views from a Pandemic Carrie Pyfer ’97, with new baby girl, Veda Louise. Louise Despard Barr ’90 5 No Apologies for Wanting 32 The Unfolding Success Story Read more about Carrie’s — and Veda’s — Director of Communications ext. 229 trials with Covid on P. 24. Country Day to Be Better of Cristian Tineo [email protected] 8 Theater At LCDS 34 112th Commencement Anne Dandridge ’98 20 Director of Constituent & Alumni Relations ext. 328 10 The Art of Science and Engineering 35 Class of 2020 Award Recipients [email protected] 11 Unchecked Youths 36 Newest Alumni, Shelby LaMar CONNECT Chief Advancement Officer ext. 231 Go On Kindness Spree Newest Teachers Q&A [email protected] 12 Sports Highlights 38 Class Notes  facebook Lancaster Country Day School 18 LCDS Performing Arts Take 40 People & Places Lcds Alums LCDS Parents of Alumni Center Stage With Gardner Theatre 45 In Memoriam Lancaster Country Day School instagram 20 I Hope the Real Me Comes Out LCDSchool 46 Alumni Weekend 2019 725 Hamilton Road | Lancaster, PA 17603 717-392-2916 linkedin www.lancastercountryday.org Lancaster Country Day School ©2021 Lancaster Country Day School 36 nextdoor www.oldschoollanehills.nextdoor.com 5 twitter Q LCDSchool LCDSsports

youtube Lancaster Country Day School &A a m essage f ro m the head o f school | ste v en d . lis k NO APOLOGIES FOR WANTING CELEBRATING ACCEPTANCE COUNTRY DAY TO BE BETTER by Michael Schwartz Sean Mendez-Catlin’s journey took 15 “I interviewed many different people and “I want to be a liaison between Sean years and brought him full circle. The 2008 the piece was mostly just their quotes, shar- and Head of School Steve Lisk and the I am very pleased to welcome you to the new In June, Linda Campbell retired after 35 years grad was a sophomore when a brouhaha ing stories anonymously of what they’d Development Office and the Black Student year with this issue of our alumni magazine: at Country Day. In her roles as an English over — of all things — an article he wrote experienced, so they’d feel free to speak Union and, basically, any student I can help Connections 2020. teacher and college counselor, she spent her for the school newspaper first soured him candidly,” he continued. “Someone men- in any way I can,” Gordon said. career helping generations of students dis- on LCDS as an institution. Slights and tioned this poster, ‘Faces of LCDS,’ which Since the last time I reached out to you in this Gordon explains the director of equity and cover their love for everything from William thoughtless, ignorant incidents accrued and consisted entirely of white faces, except space, we’ve experienced so many changes in inclusion position this way: Faulkner to William & Mary. She refined and strengthened his indifference, bordering for one mixed-race kid who was so light our pattern of life that it feels as though we advanced our college counseling program, on mild antipathy, toward Country Day live in a world wholly different from the one -skinned that they could have easily passed “We are one school with one cohesive making it the integral part of the LCDS by the time he left for the University of we knew. The ways we teach and learn, the for white.” For this student, the poster em- environment. I want us all to work experience it is today. Pennsylvania. extraordinary measures we take to stay safe bodied the tacit, perhaps unintentional, but together to be our best selves,” while engaging in some of life’s most ordinary Asked what makes a good college counselor, “I decided not to have much to do with the nonetheless constant projection of other- Gordon said. “We all have unique errands, the widening of our political divisions Campbell said, “My goal has always been to ness that minority students felt. backgrounds and come from differ- and coarsening of our dialogue: 2020 help kids find the place where they fit. I’m school,” said the lawyer and founder of the new Alumni of Color group. “Until recently.” ent beginnings, but despite what- challenged us in more ways than any year that not a brand-name person. I believe with my It didn’t take long for the paper to get into most of us have lived through. whole heart that it’s not where you go, it’s ever differences we may have, I want “What changed was I heard that they the hands of various administrators, each of what you do once you’re there. So I celebrate us to work together to bring every- wanted there to be a more friendly But for as much as things seem to have everyone’s acceptance.” whom was just shy of furious at the imputa- one together to improve the school. changed, I take comfort in the pillars of the environment for minority students, tion of racism they perceived in the article. Part of that is promoting diversity.” CELEBRATING “old” world that are still standing tall in this Celebrating acceptance, in whatever form that and I felt that the school was genuine, “They asked me to issue a retraction and “new” one. In these pages, I’m confident you’ll happens to take and in whatever context it that they were serious about being to apologize,” Mendez-Catlin said. “First The new Alumni of Color group is still in find many reasons to smile, to laugh, and to occurs, holds timeless value. This adds a recog- ACCEPTANCE, IN better, and I wanted to help them off, I wasn’t even the one who said it, but feel the warmth and gratitude that comes nizable depth of quality to our community and its infancy, but it’s already attracted roughly WHATEVER FORM THAT from being part of a hopeful community that to the formation of our individual students. with that,” Mendez-Catlin said. even if I had been, the answer still would 40 members and named a seven-member consistently invests in the promise and devel- It’s an essential part of developing character have been no. So I left the paper instead.” board. Mendez-Catlin said that, besides Two years ago, after a three-year turn in HAPPENS TO TAKE AND opment of its students. and instilling in our students a fundamental mentoring, one of the group’s goals is to respect for others, as well as self. the Orlando prosecutor’s office, Mendez- For all this drama, Mendez-Catlin said advise the school on certain questions, of IN WHATEVER CONTEXT Take the words of the first Hubbard Scholar to Catlin opened his own firm. He earned his that he enjoyed the academic parts of curriculum for example. Here, Mendez- graduate from Country Day, Cristian Tineo. It is how we teach this lesson, perhaps more J.D. from the University of Miami and a Upper School very much, and that, “There Catlin stopped to make an important point Cristian is a junior at Dickinson College than any other, that makes me most proud IT OCCURS, HOLDS bachelor’s from Penn, but for our purposes, are people I consider family who I met perfectly clear: who earned a Gilman Scholarship last year. of our school. Knowing that LCDS does Mendez-Catlin’s story begins one year after Gilman is a State Department program aimed this naturally and well fills me with hope there. I don’t think anything I experienced TIMELESS VALUE. starting at Country Day, when he pitched “In no way do I think we’re an oversight at helping kids who wouldn’t otherwise have for our future. was specific to race or specific to me. The a story to the teacher overseeing the news- the chance to study abroad and benefit America education is great, and I went through it board,” he said. “We’re a consultant; we’ll paper and got an enthusiastic thumbs-up. by bringing back valuable skills, such as speak- and never looked back,” he said. provide advice. The school is free to take ing Portuguese, a “critical need” language. that advice or not, but we feel that the im- “There was always a disconnect because Warmly, An essential part of the Alumni of Color portant thing is for Country Day to be open. I was the only Black male and the only He is a deeply thoughtful, kind, and quiet group’s mission is to provide mentoring As long as the school is open-minded, we young man who enriched our school as a Latino male in my class,” Mendez-Catlin resources for current students. “Somebody can accomplish a lot. I’ve gotten the sense student and realizes he wants to bring the explained. “That was rough sometimes, so that they’re willing to listen to our sugges- same energy to his community as a teacher. Steven D. Lisk I had an idea to write an article on race to talk to who’s experienced what they’re tions, and if they do, I believe it’ll help more relations at school. Where things started experiencing can be exactly the person “There are times when I walk into class and diverse students succeed in more situations.” and where they were now, asking minority to lead them through what they’re going I’m not at my best. With Portuguese, it was through,” Mendez-Catlin said. different,” Tineo said, explaining how the students how they felt, basically. ALUMNI OF COLOR BOARD MEMBERS teacher had such a gift for making each session The work of connecting current students Sean Mendez-Catlin, Chair interesting and engaging. “I remember think- with alumni who may be able to help them Brandon Watson, Vice-chair ing, ‘This class is valuable.’” Not long after that, Melissa Baez, Secretary better understand or navigate a particular Tineo found he had turned a worksheet over Cristian Tineo, Historian and, without consciously meaning to, written situation is one of the functions of Director Angela Gordon, Lenaiya Flowers, Community Liaison a certain Portuguese sentence. In English, it of Equity and Inclusion Sophia Marshall, Treasurer/Head of Activities translates as “I want to be a teacher.” whom the school hired in a new, full-time Ajay Chatha, Parliamentarian administrative role last summer.

4 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 5 alu m ni council update b eyond the classroo m alu m ni on ca m pus

Alumni Trio Enlighten Organic Chem Classes Frieda Zhang ’11 visited class on July 8. Originally from Shanghai, Zhang spent her junior year of high school at LCDS through the ASSIST program. After returning to Shanghai for her senior year, Zhang went on to major in chemistry at Wellesley College, and in January 2020, she graduated from M.I.T. with a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry. Zhang then joined a law firm in Boston as a staff scientist, using her scientific background to assist the firm’s work in patent law. Zhang shared her professional The Alumni Council journey, presented some of her research, and answered announced this year’s student questions from the six students in the course. representative, Isa Marquez Climate March On July 13, Matt Hurley ’10 was a guest speaker in the sum- ’22, who brings insight from On Sept. 20, 2019, more than 120 Middle ervation agenda. Science teachers shared Three Country Day alumni and mer 2020 online organic chemistry class. Matt was almost student life and fresh ideas as School students marched in support of information about climate change, and the Global Climate Strike. The Strike students discussed political mobilization. a lifer, entering Country Day in second grade. After graduating chemistry standouts returned to to how to alumni and students drew more than 4 million participants The seventh grade acted with near from LCDS, he went on to earn a B.S. in chemistry from Fordham can stay connected. worldwide, many of them fellow students unanimity in expressing concern about the University with a minor in mathematics. He is pursuing their alma mater to lend their talents advocating for stronger action to curb climate and a desire for national leaders a Ph.D. in chemistry at Temple and working on simulating global climate change. In the week leading to take stronger action. Last year’s protein dynamics using the Folding@Home computing to today’s organic chemistry students up to the event, some students made Middle School co-presidents, Julia Bono project, in addition to creating models of drug inhibition of over three seminars in July. ne w b oard m e m b ers posters and wrote letters to their elected and Claire Miller, led the march around the nCov-2019 main protease. representatives that urged adoption of a the school grounds at noon. Andrew Blakinger ’07 LCDS names three new board more robust and meaningful climate pres- visited the class on July 23. Andrew started at Country Day in kindergarten and completed the 2 019 spea k er series members for three-year terms. next step in his education by attending Clemson University, Dr. Laura Sheaffer Harkin ’95 and her husband, Sean, where he earned a bachelor’s in chemistry with a minor in Denis ’20 Lianne ’26 are the parents of and . Laura philosophy. Since graduating from Clemson in 2012, Andrew has served on the Alumni Council and the Head’s RODNEY GLASGOW AN EVENING DIALOGUE Advisory Council and her mother, Sharon Sheaffer, has worked at Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, where he serves as Manager of the Extractables & Leachables Testing Division. previously served on the LCDS Board of Trustees. Rodney Glasgow presented an Laura is a dentist and manages her family’s third- generation dental practice, Laura Sheaffer Harkin evening dialogue titled, “Navigating DMD, in New Holland. Laura is a graduate of Challenging Times for Us and Our Franklin and Marshall and Temple University’s School of Dentistry. Children” in October 2019. Glasgow Christopher T. Russo is a 2001 graduate of Country is a diversity practitioner, trainer, Day and married to fellow alum Emily Sedlis Russo activist, and a founding member and ’00 . Chris earned his MBA from Columbia Uni- Chair of the National Association ne w faculty & sta f f versity and works at the investment firm of Gardner Russo & Gardner. Chris is the son of of Independent School’s Louise Despard Barr ’90 Dany Huanira Lew Martin William Neal Nancy Steedle Tom and Gina Russo. Gina is a Life annual Student Diversity Director of Communications LS Faculty LS Faculty English Faculty Math Faculty Trustee and previous Board Presi- Leadership Conference. This dent. Chris’ sister, Meredith, gradu- Laurin (L.J.) Simmons Bloom ’87 Solomon Klombers Rebecca Miller Alexis Rineer Christopher Wilson ated from Country Day in 2004. evening was for all families, COVID-19 Coordinator LS Faculty Math Faculty LS Faculty Language Faculty Gautum Pasupuleti educators, and diversity and his wife, Gretchen Clark Brian Kramp Wendy Morrison William Sassaman Gregory Woodbridge Mina Meesala, are the parents of practitioners in the Lancaster Rima ’31 Roshan ’28 Gardner Theatre Manager Maintenance Language Faculty PE Faculty Music Faculty and . Gautum community interested in is a vice president at Fulton Financial Angela Gordon Gabrielle Kuster Katelyn Mowery Edward Sherretta Guang Yang and has served on the Head’s diversity, equity, and social Director of Equity and Inclusion Kindergarten Aide LS Faculty Music Faculty US Faculty Advisory Council. He earned his justice issues. Scott Haden Carolyn Martens Erin Myers Benjamin Shipman Lan Ziegler MBA from Columbia University. Maintenance Math Faculty Math Faculty History Faculty Language Faculty

6 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 7 BLITHE SPIRIT STEEL MAGNOLIAS Charles Condomine — Christopher Matthews Truvy — Hannah Whisman Ruth Condomine — Malia Cintron Annelle — Laurel Marx Elvira — Mae Barr Clairee — Sophie McDougall Madame Arcati — Amelia Lojewski Shelby — Mae Barr Dr. George Bradman — Adam Majid Lynn — Amelia Lojewski theater Violet Bradman — Tess Murphy, Ouiser — Frannie Thiry Maya Robinson, Peachy Lee Edith — Laura Biscoe, THE HOUSE OF Peachy Lee BERNARDA ALBA … LCDS Theater Presents Angustias — Mae Barr Stage Manager — Joan Miller ‘Blithe Spirit’ Comes To Life Martirio — Amelia Lojewski Assistant Stage Managers — Charley Walton, Adrien Wright “Oh my God, I’m dying,” proclaimed Kristin Everyone proved Wolanin right when the Magdelena — Laurel Marx Sound Designers — Hayden Feddock, Ben Kendall Wolanin, with the buoyancy of someone curtain rose on the English playwright’s a Historic Double-Feature Amelia — Peachy Lee Sound Run — Hayden Feddock, Ben Kendall positively effervescing with life. She then 1941 comedy centering on a séance gone “My thoughts were this,” Kristin Wolanin Instead of a live performance, each show Poncia — Frannie Thiry Props Mistresses and Run — Gaby Nahm, Linnea Wright Adela — Sophie McDougall clarified, “It’s just my usual tailspin that hap- wrong, leaving a widowed and remarried said. “We need theater this fall, and life in was its own film of a staged reading, in Props Crew — Keira Alhadeff, Mira Hurtt, Litty Clark Bernarda — Hannah Whisman Props Run — Mira Hurtt pens around this time before every show.” novelist haunted by one, then a second, general has already been dark enough; I full costume, as an ensemble. The filming Servant — Sarah Hilton Assistant TD — Riley Eckman ill-tempered ex-wife. don’t want the theater to be dark too.” consisted of two four-hour shoots that … As befits a dramatist who found herself Deck Carpenter - Run — Riley Eckman were then edited to move the players in Stage Manager — Sarah Hilton Set Crew/Stage Crew — Keira “in the booth tearing my hair out,” deus ex “This is a wonderful show for students to Then, having thought those things, the their Zoom cubes around the screen to ap- Costumes — Riley Eckman*, Alhadeff, Renie Christensen, Laurel Marx, machina took the form of a long-forgotten step up and showcase their talents,” Wolanin director of Country Day theater turned proximate the feeling of seeing actors move Keira Alhadeff, Anna Sponaugle Ruby Nemeroff, Frannie Thiry memory and Wolanin snatched inspiration said. “Every cast member is in a role that’s her attention toward making them happen. around the stage. Props — Linnea Wright*, Publicity Chief — Charley Walton from the jaws of hopelessness. totally different from anything they’ve done Twice. In a format neither the cast, crew, or Ruby Nemeroff, Kobe West, Publicity Crew — Raphael Andreae, Ben Kendall before, which has forced them to stretch out director had ever attempted before. “It can be hard to picture,” Wolanin said, Lennon Krista, Jayden Temple Poster Design — Adrien Wright “Oh,” she recalled thinking. “‘Blithe Spirit!’ and really display their growth as actors.” “but a good way to think about it is as a Sound — Ben Kendall, Costume Mistress/Master and Run — We’re going to do Noël Coward and every- While the cast was all Upper Schoolers, the “The kids came back thinking we’re not radio drama rather than a traditional play.” Grace Foresman*, Eli Hurtt Julia Nahm, Theo Zhang one’s going to love it!” crew had both Middle and Upper Schoolers, going to have a show and my reaction Publicity — Ben Kendall*, Costume Crew — Lianne Harkin, Rebecca MacKinnon with students in grades 6-12 helping bring was, ‘What do you mean? It’s Wolanin. Of Both shows have the advantage of taking Olivia Neff, Linnea Wright Costume Run — Renie Christensen, Lianne Harkin, “Blithe Spirit” to life. course we’re going to have a show,’” Wola- place in one location, both center on the Poster Design — Linnea Wright Laurel Marx, Rebecca, MacKinnon, Frannie Thiry nin said. “Also, I have an addiction. Not “awesome, juicy drama of all these women,” *crew chief Master Electrician and Run — Justin Kresse Every cast member is in a role that’s doing a show wasn’t a possibility for me.” and both feature six members of the eight- Lighting Crew — Rebecca MacKinnon actress cast playing strikingly different roles Box Office Manager and Run — William Haddad totally different from anything they’ve Of course, doing only one show was a pos- in each play. Box Office Assistant and Run — Noah Stoycos done before, which has forced them sibility. Then Wolanin thought some more. House Manager and Run — Sarah Hilton “To play two characters basically at the same Assistant House Manager and Run — Eli Hurtt to stretch out and really display “I had this fantastic all-female cast and two time who come from different countries and Ushers — Keira Alhadeff , Waasae Ayyaz, their growth as actors. plays that I loved that I knew could be chopped different cultures and speak completely dif- Raphael Andreae, Litty Clark, Rohan Kurian, down into great one-act shows. So that’s what Ruby Nemeroff, Morgan Tate — Kristin Wolanin, Theater Faculty ferently than the other, that’s not easy to we’re doing, and it’s been extra double crazy!” do,” Wolanin said. “I was really impressed with how much range and versatility they The LCDS Theatre Company kept the showed.” performing arts thriving in two ground- breaking productions, “Steel Magnolias” and “The House Of Bernarda Alba,” shown on successive weekends in November. 8 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 9 2 4 m iddle school dispatch

3 5 The Art of Science and Engineering In Diane Wilikofsky’s classroom, the fifth “One of the questions the art faculty has UNCHECKED YOUTHS GO ON graders inspected the small cardboard- asked itself is not everybody is going to framed boxes with a mix of skepticism be an artist, so what can we teach so they The Makerspace and curiosity, picking them up and peeking get something from art?” Wilikofsky said. inside them in a vain attempt to uncover The Makerspace exercise is “a fun way to exercise is a fun way their purpose. incorporate STEAM concepts into art.” 1 6 to incorporate STEAM Then Wilikofsky called for their attention, While one class built cardboard automatons, Kindness Spree and the students turned and saw her holding another experimented with the basics of The following acts of generosity and 2 | Llarimar Vidot ’25 created an education box 7 | Jean Noecker’s advisees made positive and concepts into art. an identical cardboard frame with a few electrical networks by making bracelets with pure, unselfish goodwill were reported for her cousins. “They do not have school right now, uplifting signs during advisory one day. Tatum additional parts, one of which was a crank conductive wire sewn between batteries and by Head of Middle School Meg Reed. so I wanted to help them out,” she said. “Also after Ribeiro ’26 offered some advice on hers: — Diane Wilikofsky, MS Arts Faculty school at 2:30, I FaceTime them and tutor them.” “Throw kindness around life like confetti.” attached to a wheel and axle. As soon as she LEDs so that they light up when the bracelet The perpetrators remain at large and turned the crank, Wilikofsky’s automaton — and its built-in circuit — is closed. should be considered charmed and 3 | Sixth-grader Agatha Clapper shows us all that 8 | When the internet went out at the Blocher lurched to life and the purpose of the frame kindness and compassion don’t just make people’s house, Natalie and Olivia got a message to the became instantly clear: It was the skeleton For all the fun Wilikofsky and her students magnanimous. lives sweeter, but can deepen the ties between people the old fashioned way. have, and all that they’ve learned together, of a mechanical creature not yet made. human and lizard as well. Her bearded dragon is 9 | Caralina Caplan ’25 wrote a thank you card William Gould ’25 very sweetly wrote his neighbor, she stresses that the fledgling enterprise is staying warm and showing school spirit thanks to a to the doctors and nurses at a local hospital, and whose husband had just passed away the previous Today’s was not a conventional art class, still very much a work in progress. bespoke hoodie that Agatha made for him. followed that up by sending a $100 donation to an week, if she would like him to mow her lawn or though it certainly had elements of one; 4 | For Julian Colino ’26, charity begins at home. area food bank. “I hope this is enough,” she wrote “What’s difficult is that kids want grades, wash her car. today’s class was a Makerspace. These are Thank you to all chore-tackling heroes everywhere. to Meg Reed. lessons in which hands-on creativity — and and this can be frustrating for them because 1 | Both of seventh-grader Raphael Andreae’s 5 | Natalie and Olivia Blocher brought six cases of Girl ZJ Suarez ’26 is “shy and talks seldom,” wrote [the final product] is not an end. I want kids parents are doctors who have been in the thick of actually creating a physical thing — is the Scout cookies to Lancaster General as a thank you his mom, Sasha, to Meg Reed. ZJ, his mom and to take what they’ve learned and apply it to it since “Covid” entered the vernacular. His mom, main idea. to the doctors and nurses. Not satisfied with cheering his little brother, Liam ’30, are good friends with the next problem,” Wilikofsky said. Adriana, wrote Meg Reed to briefly catalog some only healthcare workers, Olivia also put a box with a a frontline worker at LGH and decided to make of Raphael’s unheralded compassion. “He picks “But that’s only a part of it,” Wilikofsky note of thanks in the mailbox for their letter carrier too. some masks to donate. When she wrote the email, “I want kids to take away life skills and to his dad up from work most days. He cut his dad’s explained. “It’s about problem-solving, they had more than 30 done, and they all looked learn that failure’s OK. Nobody’s trying to hair, and he built a vegetable garden for and with 6 | Nisha Mele ’25 was thanked in a neighborhood brainstorming ideas, making and testing a pretty cool. chat group as the “mysterious neighbor” respon- solution, and then fixing any problems in fail, obviously, but so, OK, you failed. his younger brothers (Felix ’27 and Benyamin ’31).” sible for the hearts on everyone’s driveways. This redesign or even going back to the brain- “What’s next?” photo captured the brazen vandal in broad daylight. storming stage.”

In today’s exercise, students began by thinking 8 about how they wanted their automaton to move — what they wanted it to do — and then sketching a design of how to 7 accomplish that. For example, a figure that would rise and fall evenly with each turn of the axle would need to rest on an oval-shaped wheel. Making the 9 figure dance in a more eccentric way would call for a more oblong wheel, while making it perform more intricate movements would require increasingly complicated assemblies.

10 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 11 t This season has been

o u amazing. I think a lot of our

t success came from the leadership and maturity of our seniors. h o u

s — Hilary Waltman, Girls’ B-Ball Head Coach

Finney Heads to Dickinson After Record-Setting HS Squash Career Whitney Finney owns the Country Day records for the most single-season and career squash wins and will take her considerable talents to Dickinson College, where she will compete on its women’s squad, ranked No. 21 nationally. 2 019 - 2 0 athletics “I’m going to Dickinson with the expectation to start somewhere in spots three through six,” Altland and Boys’ Hoopsters GIRLS’ BASKETBALL The Girls’ Basketball team enjoyed the most successful season 23-4 Finney said. “That’s amazing for a freshman; | in school history, finishing the regular season with an overall record of 18-2, capturing the ts that’s really cool. But also I think when an MOST WINS IN Shine Amid Girls’ B-Ball Gleam Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 title with a 9-1 record. The Cougars defeated Section h athlete commits to a college, they owe it to the SCHOOL HISTORY college to be the absolute best they can be.” Juniors Evie Altland and Lance Lennon are state tournament, advancing to the final 2 Champion Ephrata 49-41 in the first round of the L-L League Playoffs, only to fall to eventual

two of a handful of Country Day athletes round before finishing 16th with a total League Champion Lancaster Catholic in the Semifinals. lig

to earn acclaim for their performances in score of 336.20. h GIRLS’ BASKETBALL the winter of 2019-20. They picked a tough Boasting four double-digit-average scorers in the starting five of Ashanti Duncan, Genesis L-L League Section 5 1st Team All-Stars

year to excel; the varsity girls made enough In boys’ hoops, Lennon was named a Meadows, Kaela Stankiewicz, Annabelle Copeland, and Anna Sotirescu, the team also had two ig Ashanti D. ’20, Annabelle C. ’20 I think when an L-L League Section 5 2nd Team All-Star history to inspire folk songs, but the girls’ Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 1,000-point career scorers in Copeland and Duncan, Country Day’s all-time leading scorer. h Defensive All-Star. Lennon and teammate Kaela S. ’20 athlete commits triumph makes this pair’s achievements no L-L League Section 5 Defensive All-Star less impressive. Grant Landis ’22 also earned spots on the Ranked No. 1 in the District 3 Class A Power Ratings all season, the Cougars captured the Kaela S. ’20 L-L League Section 5 Second All-Star PIAA District 3 Class A Championship for the second consecutive year. In the PIAA State L-L League Section 5 Academic All-Star to a college, they Competing for McCaskey’s diving team, roster. Senior Waasae Ayyaz took Academic Class A Tournament, the Cougars fell in the second round to end the season with an overall Julia M. ’20 Altland earned the silver medal in the All-Star honors, while classmate Greg L-L League Section 5 Coach of the Year owe it to the college record of 23-4, the most wins in school history. Hilary Waltman District 3 AAA Championships with a Mizii was chosen for the L-L League L-L League Coaches Senior All-Star total score of 392.80. She also dove in the Coaches Senior All-Star Game. Game Selections to be the absolute BOYS’ BASKETBALL Ashanti D. ’20, Annabelle C. ’20, Kaela S. ’20 PA Sports Writers All-State 3rd Team

basketball Ashanti D. ‘20 best they can be. 1,000 Point Scorers ’ Ashanti D. ’20 (All-Time Leader), — Whitney Finney ’20 Annabelle C. ’20

fare w ells ALTLAND ’20 LENNON ’21 LANDIS ’22 AYYAZ ’20 MIZII ’20 SENIORS

girls ANNABELLE C. & ASHANTI D. Linda Campbell William Griscom Harry Myrick Hong Wang Our love and thanks go College Guidance/English US Faculty | 3 years Math Faculty | 2 years Language Faculty | 1 year out to the following faculty Faculty | 35 years Katie Jacobsen Jeffery Pasternak-Post Robert Weidman Jr. 1,000 and staff members for their Megan Charlesworth Development | 1 year History Faculty | 3 years Maintenance | 14 years POINT CAREER LS Music Faculty | 4 years service to our school. Solomon Klombers Karen Roosa Guang Yang SCORERS Dulcey Antonucci Deborah Culbertson Teaching Apprentice | 1 year Librarian | 14 years Language Faculty | 1 year The season started with great optimism as the Cougars won their first Director of Communications LS Faculty | 1 year Cynthia Knauer Rudy Sharpe Barbara Ziegler four games, capturing the LCDS Tip-Tournament title with a 78-58 7 years Rose DeSante LS Librarian | 29 years MS & US Faculty | 18 years MS Faculty | 9 years Maintenance | 10 years win over West Shore Christian. The Cougars finished the season ranked Jeanine Bonner Mika McDougall Rob Trubiano Lan Ziegler Math Faculty | 4 years Olha Drobot Director of Equity and Inclusion Math Faculty | 19 years Language Faculty | 1 year No. 11 in the District 3 Class A Power Ratings, missing the District 3 Language Faculty | 14 years 1 year Tammy Calhoun Bridget Umble playoffs by one spot. LS Faculty | 3 years Kimberly Gladys Wendy Morrison Intern | 1 year LS Faculty | 5 years US Faculty | 1 year

12 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 13 w inter 2 0 2 0 BOYS’ SOCCER

TRACK & FIELD |Competing as a member BOYS’ BASKETBALL | The Boys’ The Boys’ Soccer team finished the regular season of the McCaskey Indoor Track & Field team, Basketball team finished the regular season 11-4-2, 7-3-2 in L-L League Section 4 (third place). Arielle Breuninger ’21 set JPM program with an overall record of 7-15, 3-7 in L-L records in the indoor 3,000 meters League Section 5. The Cougars placed 3rd in the PIAA District 3 Tournament, (10:36.62) and 1,600 meters (5:11.85). SWIMMING The J.P. McCaskey Boys’ and qualified for the PIAA State Tournament where Milana Breuninger ’23 also set a program | record in the 800 meters (2:27.57). Swimming team finished the regular season they reached in the Quarterfinals for only the second with an overall record of 3-7, 0-5 in L-L ALEXA A. ’22 & RILEY K. ’22 HOCKEY Wesley Gilbert ’20 (6 goals, League Section 1. time in school history after upsetting undefeated DIstrict 6 | Alexa A. ’22 recorded personal bests in 13 assists), Thomas Kiely ’22 (1 goal, 3 assists) all four swimming events, finishing 14th in Champion McConnellsburg in PK’s in the first round. and Shaan Toor ’20 (1 assist) helped the Penn The J.P. McCaskey Girls’ Swimming & Diving the 100 free (57.58), 13th in the 100 back Manor Ice Hockey team finish the season team finished the season with an overall (1:04.30), and was a member of both the 200 record of 1-9, 0-5 in Section 1. medley and 200 freestyle relays that finished with an overall record of 7-11 in the Central ts ninth, one place away from the medal stand. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League. Riley K. ’22 also posted a career-best fall 2 019 o u time in the 200 free relay.

t GIRLS’ TENNIS | The Girls’ Tennis team BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY | The J.P. BOYS’ SWIMMING ended the regular season with an overall McCaskey Boys’ Cross Country team

record of 12-3, 5-2 in L-L League Section finished the regular season with an overall h o u

4 (t-third place). The Cougars (No. 8 Seed) record of 7-3. s lost to Wyomissing (No. 1 seed) 3-2 in the first At the Lancaster-Lebanon Jake H. ’20 and GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY The J.P. round of PIAA District 3 Team Tournament to | League Swimming end the season with an overall record of 12-4. McCaskey Girls’ Cross Country team Ryan N. ’20 were named finished the regular season with an overall Championships, Christian L-L League Section 4 GOLF | The Golf team finished the regular record of 5-5. season with an overall record of 12-18, 12-18 F. ’20 placed fifth in the First Team All-Stars. in L-L League Section 4 (fourth place). GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL |The LCHS 50 freestyle (22.13) and Girls’ Volleyball team enjoyed a 14-match EVIE A. ’20 eighth in the 100 freestyle GIRLS’ SOCCER | The Girls’ Soccer team winning streak to finish the regular season Evie competed in the PIAA Class AAA finished the regular season fifth in L-L League with an overall record of 14-2, capturing the (49.44). Owen W. ’20 Diving Championships, and advanced Section 4 and advanced to the PIAA District L-L League Section 3 Title for the first time to the final round of diving before finishing 3 A Tournament semifinals, finishing the sea- in program history. The Crusaders advanced placed third in the 16th with a total score of 336.20. son with an overall record of 11-8-1. to the quarterfinals in the PIAA District 3 50 butterfly (53.97) Tournament, another program first. FIELD HOCKEY | The Field Hockey and seventh in the 100 team finished the season with an overall record of 7-9-1, 4-9-1 in L-L League Section 3 backstroke (56.86). (fifth place).

all-stars & awards GIRLS’ TENNIS GOLF BOYS’ SOCCER FIELD HOCKEY CROSS COUNTRY 56 L-L League Section 3 All-Star TEAM AWARDS L-L League Section 4 First Team All-Stars L-L League All-Star L-L League Section 1 First Team All-Star Cassidy G. ’21 Most Valuable Player Pheobe S. ’22 Jake H. ’20, Ryan N. ’20 Lauren W. ’20 Arielle B. ’21 MIDDLE & … Rookie Of The Year Winston T. ’23 L-L League Section 4 Second Team All-Star L-L League Section 3 First Team All-Stars L-L League Section 1 Second Team All-Star UPPER SCHOOL TEAM AWARDS Michael K. ’21 Lauren W. ’20, Whitney F. ’20 Milana B. ’23 Leadership Amelia L. ’21 GIRLS’ SOCCER L-L League Academic All-Star Wesley G. ’20 L-L League Section 3 Second Team All-Stars L-L League Academic All-Star SQUASH PLAYERS Most Valuable Player Cassidy G. ’21 L-L League Section 4 First Team All-Stars … Annabelle C. ’20 Christian F. ’20 LCDS sent a record number of teams to Rookie of the Year Maggie A. ’23 Julia M. ’20, Grace G. ’20 TEAM AWARDS … national tournaments, two to high school Most Improved Oliva S. ’21 Rookie of the Year Chandler K. ’23 TEAM AWARDS L-L League Academic All-Star BOYS’ BASKETBALL and four to middle school competitions. Julia M. ’20 Outstanding Teammate Luke F. ’21 Most Improved Player Sydney V. ’23 L-L League Section 5 2nd Team All-Stars … Defensive Most Valuable Player Grant G. ’22 Offensive Most Valuable Player Lauren W. ’20 Lance L. ’21, Grant L. ’22 VARSITY GIRLS VARSITY BOYS TEAM AWARDS Coaches Award Jackson O. ’21 Defensive Most Valuable Player Genesis M. ’23 L-L League Section 5 Defensive All-Star Leadership Gaby N. ’20, Abby G. ’20 Cougar Award Rohan K. ’21 Cougar Award Maya R. ’20 Lance L. ’21 Offensive MVP Grace G. ’20 Mr. Hustle Award Christopher S. ’22 Coaches Award Annabelle C. ’20 L-L League Section 5 Academic All-Star Defensive MVP Alyssa K. ’22, Anna S. ’20 Most Dedicated Alex V. ’21 Waasae A. ’20 3-8 2-8 Team Most Valuable Player Julia M. ’20 Offensive Most Valuable Player Cameron Y. ’21 GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL L-L League Coaches Senior All-Star Game Selection Most Improved Player Freddie B. ’23 L-L League Section 3 First Team All-Star Greg M. ’20 Mr. Versatility Alex P. ’20 Isabel H. ’21 L-L League Academic All-Star 14 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 15 Summer T. ’22 fall 2 0 2 0

GIRLS’ TENNIS | The Girls’ Tennis team GOLF |The Golf team finished the season GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY |The JPM BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY |The JPM FOOTBALL |The JPM Football team captured the Lancaster-Lebanon League with an overall record of 6-14. The Cougars Girls’ Cross Country Team finished the regu- Boys’ Cross Country Team finished the finished 0-9 overall, 0-6 in L-L League Section 1. Section 3 title by finishing the regular sea- were led by Winston T. ’23 and Phoebe S. lar season with a perfect record of 10-0 and regular season with an overall record of 8-2 Luca F. ’22 started at linebacker and had ts son with a perfect 8-0 record. LCDS lost to ’22, who averaged 88.5 and 91.3 per round, captured the first Lancaster-Lebanon League (2nd place L-L League Section 1). At the L-L three carries for 15 yards on the season. Section 2 Champion, Lampeter-Strasburg respectively. Results from the L-L League Section 1 Title in program history. Three of League Championships, the Tornado boys o u

in the League Team Tournament Semifinals. Tournament played at Meadia Heights Golf JPM’s top four runners were LCDS students: placed 3rd as a team.

- t The Cougars (No. 3 seed) lost to Wyomiss- Course: Arielle B. ’21, Gabrielle T. ’24 and Milana B. 8 0 ing (No. 2 seed) in the PIAA District 3 Class ’23. At the L-L League Championships, GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL |The Lancaster ISABEL H. ’21 & JULIA F. ’23 GIRLS’ TENNIS AA Team Tournament Semifinals, ending the Winston T. — tied 34th overall, 11th in Class AA Arielle placed 5th (19:54), Milana 8th (20:15) Catholic Girls’ Volleyball Team finished the Isabel was named an L-L League Section 3 First Team h o u season with an overall record of 8-1. and Gabby 11th (20:22) as the JPM team fell regular season with an overall record of 11-2, PERFECT RECORD Phoebe S. — 6th overall, 1st Class AA and PA Volleyball Coaches Association District 3 s one point short of capturing the League title. 10-1 in League play and captured their second The Girls’ Tennis team captured the At the L-L League Championships, Cassidy consecutive Section 3 title. In the postseason, Second Team All-Star. Julia was named L-L League Savannah M. ’24 — 11th overall, 2nd Class AA At the PIAA District 3 Championships, Ari- Section 3 Player of the Year and PA Volleyball Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3 G. ’21 placed second in Class AA Singles for the Crusaders lost to Section 2 Champion title by finishing the regular season elle B. ran the race of her life, finishing the 3.1 Coaches Association District 3 Third Team All-Star. the second consecutive year, and teamed Garden Spot (the top-ranked team in District with a perfect 8-0 record. FIELD HOCKEY |The Field Hockey, Boys’ mile course in a personal best 18:33, good with Maggie A. ’23 to capture the Class AA Soccer and Girls’ Soccer teams successfully enough for 4th place. Gabrielle T. also turned 3 AAA) in the L-L League Semifinals (3-2), Doubles Title. Gleiberman/Auman qualified completed non-traditional seasons, which in an outstanding performance and earned and to York Suburban (No. 2 seed) in the for the PIAA District 3 Class AA Doubles culminated with Maroon & White intrasquad a medal with a time of 19:07 (16th place). Quarterfinal Round of the PIAA District 3 Tournament where they reached the Cham- scrimmages, senior recognitions and team Class AAA Tournament (3-1). They were led pionship match before falling to a strong team celebrations. Overall participation in the six- by a contingent of LCDS students, including from Conrad Weiser. week intrascholastic season was robust — field Isabel H. ’21 (78 digs), Bella D. ’21 (10 kills, 9 hockey (14), boys’ soccer (16), girls’ soccer digs), Julia F. ’23 (33 kills), and Summer T. ’22. (18) — as was the individual improvement of each player. Coaches and student-athletes Hilary Waltman was demonstrated exceptional levels of commit- all-stars & awards CASSIDY G. ’21 & MAGGIE A. ’22 ment, dedication, and leadership. At the L-L League Championships, named L-L League GIRLS’ TENNIS GOLF BOYS’ SOCCER Cassidy G. ’21 placed second in Class AA L-L League Section 3 All-Star L-L League Section 4 Honorable Mention All-Star TEAM AWARDS Singles for the second consecutive year, Cassidy G. ’21 Winston T. ’23 Hustle Award Chris S. ’21 and teamed with Maggie A. ’23 to Girls’ Tennis Coach L-L League Coach of the Year … Dedication Award Alex V. ’21 Hilary Waltman TEAM AWARD capture the Class AA Doubles Title. Most Improved Player Kieran H. ’21 of the Year. … Most Valuable Player Winston T. ’23 Leadership Luke F. ’21 TEAM AWARDS Cougar Award Cameron Y. ’21 Unsung Hero Amelia L. ’21 FIELD HOCKEY Leadership Isabella G. ’21, Olivia S. ’21 Most Valuable Player Cassidy G. ’21 TEAM AWARDS GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL Cougar Award Ryan D. ’23 TEAM AWARDS Cougar Award Maggie A. ’23 Most Improved Player Alexa T. ’24 L-L League Section 3 First Team All-Star Leadership Riley E. ’21, Madison F. ’22 Julia F. ’23, Isabel H. ’21 L-L League Section 3 Second Team All-Star GIRLS’ SOCCER Bella D. ’21 L-L League Section 3 Player of the Year TEAM AWARDS Julia F. ’23 Leadership Alison N. ’21 Most Improved Player Molly H. ’23 Captains Annika K. ’21, Maddie B. ’21

WINSTON T. ’23 PHOEBE S. ’22 SAVANNAH M. ’24 Tied 34th Overall | 11th Class AA 6th Overall | 1st Class AA 11th Overall | 2nd Class AA

L-L LEAGUE TOURNAMENT MEADIA HEIGHTS GOLF COURSE 9/28/2020

16 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 17 capital ca m paign update

Clockwise from left: The foun- dation was completed in winter LCDS Performing Arts of 2019. The finished theater’s elegant and prominent façade will greet visitors to Country Take Center Stage With Day from President Avenue. Construction proceeded briskly, with the steel skeleton Gardner Theatre of the new space completed in early 2020.

These interior shots present a glimpse of how the completed theater will look, including views from the back row and, in the panoramic shot below, the perspective from the stage.

conceptual renderings of gardner theatre By the time you read this, a new era secure financial foundation. His wife, will have begun in the performing arts Anne, explained exactly why this means at Lancaster Country Day School. so much to her and her family. Gardner Theatre will have 580 seats, an orchestra pit, state-of-the-art light- “It’s important to us because the school ing and acoustics, and fly space. It will is important to us and has been for gen- host plays, musicals, graduations, recitals, erations,” Anne said. “This is a facility The theater is named in honor of speakers, and events during which the that Gene Gardner was enthusiastic Eugene Herr Gardner Sr., who passed whole student body will have a place about and that he hoped could be part away in 2016 and whose stewardship of of the LCDS campus. He saw a per- Lancaster Country Day’s endowment to sit, bringing us truly together under ensured the school would thrive on a our one roof in a way we previously only forming arts space becoming a real asset secure financial foundation. dreamed possible. to the school for which he worked so hard, and to the community of The theater is named in honor of Lancaster, where he spent his whole life Eugene Herr Gardner Sr., who passed and which he loved very much.” | Exterior | | Interior | away in 2016 and whose stewardship of Lancaster Country Day’s endowment ensured the school would thrive on a To see a video update visit https://youtu.be/7LMG8IHrzn8

18 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 19 {a fond fare w ell }

inda Campbell keeps a box of love and I HOPE light under her desk. It’s filled with the Lletters she’s gotten over the years from her former students and advisees who wanted from student to teacher her to know how happy they were in college In the fall of 1985, Campbell had recently or beyond and how grateful they are to have become the newest member of the Country THE No one person has had her to point them in the right direction. Day English faculty. One day she stood done more to shape “When I’m having a bad day I pull them chatting with fellow English teacher and Head of Upper School Donna Luttrell, who and define the college out,” Campbell said. “It doesn’t happen had a bit of half-gossip, half-performance often, but when it does…” she trails off, REAL ME counseling program of report to share. Lancaster Country Day then pithily summarizes her reverie: “I’m so proud to have had a small part in so many “John Jarvis thinks you’re intense,” Luttrell School than Campbell. people’s lives,” she said. said. Campbell didn’t, and still doesn’t, quite know how to respond. COMES No one person has done more to shape and define the college counseling program “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” she won- of Lancaster Country Day School than dered aloud, more than three decades later. Campbell, who retired in June after 35 OUT years of helping students discover their love Campbell’s teaching career began one day for everything from William Faulkner to after her undergraduate career ended. It by michael schwartz William & Mary. was an inauspicious start. The diminutive Elizabethtown College grad- An English teacher, college counselor, uate found herself at the head of Elizabeth- and trusted confidante to generations of town High School’s remedial English class. Country Day alumni, Campbell’s was an enduring — and assuring — presence in “I looked like I was 15 and they looked like the lives of many of those whose missives they were 25,” she said. “Who’s this Campbell fill her treasure chest, and many more who lady?” one of her oversized charges asked didn’t find the time to write, but remember with marked skepticism. “I am,” she her just as warmly. replied. Eventually, Campbell’s news was met with a slow, incredulous, “No.” She gamely Country Day is a college preparatory school, reassured him that she was indeed the new and Linda Campbell has devoted more of her teacher, an exercise she had to repeat several life to both sides of the preparing — teaching times before the reality of the situation and counseling — than anyone else. sunk in. LINDA CAMPBELL

20 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 21 {a fond fare w ell } {a fond fare w ell }

Things brightened after that, with Campbell “I had a very clear idea of what I wanted Campbell stresses that for as And on the question of Harvard vs. going back to her alma mater to teach the to do and where I wanted to take the pro- much as the admission process can Haverford vs. Bucknell vs. Millersville, that freshman composition class at Elizabeth- gram,” she said. To accommodate these new be a logic- and reason-defying is: How much does it matter where you go town College, and eventually landing — responsibilities and ambitions, Campbell to college, Campbell didn’t hesitate. and juggling — four simultaneous teaching began teaching fewer and fewer English black box, students can do a gigs: at Millersville University, Penn State classes, eventually trading the classroom great deal to take the reins “I don’t think it matters at all where you go to undergrad,” she said. “What you do Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, and Lancaster for the counseling room completely, a move of their own destinies. is more important than where you go. If Country Day School. whose benefits came at a cost. you’re an ambitious student, you’ll discover “You have to realize that there are a lot “I was hired to teach freshman and senior “The most important thing for a counselor there are professors and students who will of other applicants with very good grades English, and I thought I, let’s say, wouldn’t is listening and getting to know the challenge you wherever you go.” and very good SAT scores and just having care for it,” said Campbell, whose brief students,” Campbell said. “That’s one part Campbell, not surprisingly, believes there’s teaching career had largely been to of no longer teaching that I miss. I’ve spent those isn’t enough to distinguish you when great value in a liberal arts education, undergrad and graduate students. “But it enough of my life grading papers, but when you’re applying to a very competitive I was teaching I knew students on a different school,” she said. albeit not from the standpoint of immedi- was great!” she said. “Ninth graders are ate utility. just like puppies. ‘Ooh! Ooh! What are level than I do now, and I miss that.” Kids have to make themselves stand out we doing today?’ They were so much fun.” When she first took the helm of to admissions officers who are looking at “I had to take history and appreciation of hundreds or thousands of smart, qualified ap- art and I certainly never intended to be an on counseling a newly invigorated counseling plicants. Or, as Campbell put it, “I don’t want art historian or museum curator, but the program, she sought to make & college you to be another plain cookie. I want you knowledge I acquired in that class stays “Country Day” mean more with me and I draw on it every time I go A lover of literature, Campbell to be the cookie with the sprinkles on top.” than it had to the college to a museum. I’m able to appreciate it on has a literary knack for speaking tuition representatives who visited. a deeper level than I otherwise would,” in fully formed paragraphs. Campbell said. The steady, stratospheric trend of college “I wanted to be able to have facetime with “You don’t always see the value of it at Asked what makes a good college coun- the reps when they came to campus,” tuition worries Campbell, but, “That doesn’t the beginning, but it gives you a broader selor, she offered the following disquisition: Campbell said. “Before, they would show make a difference in my counseling,” she perspective. There’s something to be said up and the secretary would make an said. “I make a shopping list based on the “My goal has always been to help kids find for developing the life of the mind. And, announcement and they would drop off student’s interests, school size and geo- the place where they fit. I’m not a brand- especially today, there’s something to be their materials and that was it, and that was graphic preference.” Although, as a nod said for developing an educated citizenry. name person. I believe with my whole heart a wasted opportunity, I thought.” toward thrift and a desire to see students that it’s not where you go, it’s what you do graduate saddled with as little debt as Learn. Become informed.” once you’re there. So I celebrate everyone’s While the reps come to sell the college, possible, “I always put Penn State, Pitt, and Campbell waxed nostalgic about teaching, acceptance,” Campbell said. it’s also important to “sell” Country Day. Temple on that list,” Campbell said. when she was the one guiding students’ “There are a lot of good students applying learning and becoming informed. “Every school has opportunities for “I was raised by people who went through students,” she continued. “I want to help to colleges from a lot of good independent the Depression,” she continued. “Life is hard “I love learning to know kids on a one-to- students and their families find a college schools, so having those relationships and enough without graduating and finding one basis,” she said. “I hope the real me where they’re both challenged academically being able to put a name to a face can make ‘Lancaster Country Day School’ stand out you’re 22 and have $100,000 in school loans. comes out in those situations. I really care and satisfied more broadly. There’s more to when one of our students applies there.” Being in debt is not good. about my students. I want them to do well. college than just the academic part of it.” I like talking to them.” Every bit as important, and perhaps more “But this question of tuition is something When Campbell began as a college demanding, than managing SATs and I’ve been thinking about a lot, especially in We like it too, Mrs. Campbell. And we THERE’S SOMETHING counselor, she was truly beginning recommendation letters is managing kids’ the last five years or so,” Campbell continued. thank you. from scratch. “No one talked to me TO BE SAID” FOR and parents’ expectations. “Colleges are putting so much money into about going to college when I was things that have little or nothing to do with in high school,” she said. She became Campbell’s approach is to temper encour- education. At one point after visiting a few DEVELOPING AN the fourth college counselor and agement with realism. schools, I remember thinking that if I see took on a quarter of the senior class. EDUCATED CITIZENRY. “I tell kids, look, I don’t have a crystal ball, another climbing wall I’m going to scream. During the late ’90s and early 2000s, the but I can guarantee you one thing: If you This spending isn’t sustainable, and it leads LEARN. BECOME INFORMED. college counseling program at Country Day don’t apply, you won’t get in, but let’s also to kids and parents being seduced by all this received new resources and support, which look at some less competitive schools. I’ve other stuff. The process of choosing a college provided Campbell with new freedom and never had a student who didn’t get into at and choosing a country club shouldn’t be opportunities. least one school,” she said. the same,” she said.

22 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 23 The doctor “We’re learning on the fly,” “One of the more Groff said, “which in an academic important things I’ve sense is sort of exciting, but in a practi- learned is the effect of uncer- VIEWS from a cal sense is absolutely terrifying.” tainty on behavior,” he said. “Under- standing how to practice against an invisible Groff earned an M.D. from the University enemy that is potentially dangerous to staff of Pittsburgh and then headed to Stanford, and families makes people act in ways that where he did his anesthesiology residency are very different than how they usually do. as well as completing a fellowship in critical PANDEMIC care medicine. In that decade of rigorous “It’s been fascinating to watch people’s BY MICHAEL SCHWARTZ medical training, was there ever a class or behavior,” Groff continued. “We’re all perhaps just a small unit on navigating a experiencing high emotions and high anxiety, pandemic? and therefore we’re much more prone to having challenging interactions with each n retrospect, it seems fitting that the 13th of March 2020 fell on a Friday. For Country “‘No,’ is the short answer,” Groff said. “The other. I spend a lot of time on the phone Day students, faculty, and staff, it was the final weekday of spring break. At 2:14 p.m., closest thing to that was in the last year of trying to defuse interpersonal tensions, IHead of School Steve Lisk sent an email announcing the cancellation of all on-campus medical school when we had an exercise in activities for the next two weeks. Two weeks became two months, and life at LCDS, like emergency medicine where we ran through which has come as some surprise.” life everywhere else since the arrival of the coronavirus, changed in fundamental ways. disaster scenarios where resources didn’t Surprise because the tensions have flared In the 11 months since “Covid” joined the English language, it has killed a third of a mil- meet needs, for example, and as far as that up among professionals, or because he’s lion Americans. Millions more have been sick or lost time with loved ones or their jobs, goes, it wasn’t nearly enough to amount to the one being called on to play the role of preparation.” while the fortunate among us have merely traded life as we knew it for the safety of what marriage counselor? sometimes feels like the Overlook Hotel. The intensity of confronting a novel health “Because I’m the one playing marriage crisis on the fly has taught Groff some- We present here the stories of five alumni directly affected by the pandemic. Their counselor,” Groff replied instantly. “Some- thing else that didn’t come up in school: experiences and perspectives are unique, but they share two essential elements: They’re times I feel like my job is less being a doctor How an individual behaves under normal all Country Day grads, and they all discovered and followed their own path through the and more being a coach. That’s been an circumstances is a very poor predictor of Twilight Zone that was 2020. adjustment, let’s say. how that person will behave when those Our story has five characters: The Doctor, The Parish Priest, The Teacher, The Clinical normal circumstances fall apart, taking “I’ve heard people say that Trial Designer, and The Patient and New Mother. all of our unconscious expectations and as- the pan in pandemic is for We begin in the nightmarish early days, when knowledge of the virus was scant and effective sumptions with panic. Maybe that’s a part treatments unknown. From the last week of March to the first week of April, the number of them. we didn’t appreciate new coronavirus cases rocketed from 10,433 each day to 26,930, an increase of 158 percent. In early April, not long after “Covid” stopped setting off spell check, Connections spoke going into this,” he said. with Dr. Robert Groff ’98 in Atlanta, where he works as a critical care anesthesiologist at Emory University hospital and teaches at the Emory School of Medicine.

24 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 25 Groff said that when he saw the speed with which the virus spread and overwhelmed the health care system in Italy, he “be- came very concerned.” Not long after that, The patient & new mother Covid-19 showed up in Seattle. “When I heard from my colleagues practicing there, When Carrie Pyfer ’97 spoke to Connections “She was one of three women plus the Two days after her first symptoms, Pyfer that crisis was even more terrifying than what in mid-November, it had been roughly 17 instructor. Two of the three women got it got tested. Three days after that, she I’d read and seen about Italy,” Groff said. days since she had been exposed to the from the instructor,” Pyfer said. started “not feeling so great.” coronavirus, about 15 since testing positive “A big challenge is that most physicians for Covid-19, and a just under a week since “And that’s what gets me, just how crazy “It’s crazy how the symptoms of practicing now — of my generation — she felt almost back to normal. infectious this is and how easily it spreads this vary as much as they do,” she have never experienced anything like this,” through the air. I mean, I’m a teacher and said. “I got really sick to my stom- he continued. “There are some older doc- So what did that experience teach her about I’m used to getting sick from touching stuff ach and couldn’t hold anything tors who had experiences treating SARS the pandemic that she didn’t appreciate that sick kids have touched or coughed down for three-and-a-half days. and MERS, and others who dealt with before she got sick? on or God knows what. And before my It felt like the flu, except it would Ebola, but there aren’t many and this isn’t mom got sick and I got sick, I would have ebb and flow, so I’d think, ‘Oh, I’m “It amazes me that people are good about the same.” thought they were behaving responsibly. turning the corner here,’ and then masks in public, but socially they’re not,” Yeah, they had taken off their masks and two hours later I’m back on my knees.” Groff then spelled out a prediction that she said. it was enclosed, but you think, you know, time and tragic experience have proved all it’s a big space and high ceilings. “That up and down was disorienting. For example? too prescient. It’s like your mind’s not sure why it’s “Nope. Doesn’t matter,” she said. struggling,” she said. “So, when you’re out and about in the grocery “I’m not a virologist and I’m not an store or walking around downtown, generally infectious disease specialist, but I think the Pyfer became so fanatical Adding to Pyfer’s nauseating ride was the you see people wearing masks and being only way we’re going to fully come out of about keeping her six- need to keep her baby well — all on her own. responsible, but the minute you get into a the other side of this is when we’ve got a small yoga or Pilates class, or you’re around month-old daughter, Veda, “I have this new baby and I’m struggling vaccine or developed herd immunity,” he people you’re familiar and comfortable with, because I don’t want people to be near me said. “In the absence of that, reducing social from getting infected that the masks come off. or in my house because I don’t want to get distancing or backing off on the measures she slept with a mask anyone else sick.” that we’ve taken to get this under control “You might still be socially distant and on for days out of an will mean that people are going to keep everything else, but there’s this sense of, abundance of caution. For about 10 days, Pyfer felt a deep and getting sick. ‘Oh, I know you. We can take our masks persistent exhaustion. “I was really run off,’” Pyfer said. down. I wasn’t eating. It took all my energy “The way this was handled from the federal Her mom found out she had been exposed to change a diaper or go get sick.” level has been just bonkers,” Groff continued. “That’s how I got it,” she said. “From my mom.” around Halloween, and it was around that “Totally bungled.” time she transmitted the virus to her daughter. Finally — thankfully — Pyfer began to “She was in a really small yoga class in a Both of them had very mild symptoms improve. And throughout, her baby girl, Since Groff made that diagnosis, the number large space. They’re all about 15 feet apart, at first. Veda Louise, handled the entire situation of Americans dead from Covid-19 has risen socially distant, and they’ve taken off their like a pandemic professional. from 26,000 to more than 350,000, and masks. “I had a little cough, and then about two or while several vaccines have been developed three days later, it was a bit more of a cough, “I suppose I’m biased, but all the data shows in record time, the pandemic rages on. but I had just cleaned out the backyard and that she’s perfect,” declared the proud mother. I always get a little congested and season- Her thoughts then turned more somber. Groff ’s thoughts then turned from immediate ally stuffy. And that’s all it was for the first medical matters to broader, deeper, and week,” Pyfer said. “I wanted to go on a Veda tour and travel longer-term concerns. all around the country to visit friends so At first, it didn’t even occur to me that it they could meet her,” Pyfer said. “Well, so “This is going to change society and us as was possible” that her symptoms were the much for that plan. individuals,” he said. first manifestations of Covid-19. “We’d been so careful. For months we’d only gone “Our worlds have gotten so “It’s not as if this is like a bad night on the to yoga and each other’s house.” town and we just have to sleep it off and much smaller,” she said. “It things will go back to normal,” he continued. just feels like life is on pause.” “This is going to fundamentally change business as usual. As a physician, as a human being, we’re going to have to figure out how to do the things we do that make up our daily lives in a way that makes peace with the new normal.”

26 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 27 The clinical trial designer Kelly Johnston McKee ’95 has discovered McKee has designed clinical trials for more something: It’s infinitely more appealing than a decade and explained them this way: to think of yourself as Chuck Yeager than “A clinical trial is really a way to answer a a lab animal. question,” she said. “Is a given drug more safe and more effective than the standard “People say no, no, no, I don’t want to be therapy? There’s a carefully designed experi- a guinea pig. And that’s the wrong way to ment and volunteers are recruited whose think of it. I want people to think of them- participation answers that question.” selves as test pilots,” she said. “I want them to understand that they are on the edge of For the first time, the trial innovation and are playing a vital role.” designer is experiencing McKee is senior director of patient recruit- a trial firsthand; she ment and registries for Medidata, a firm volunteered for a that makes software for clinical trials, and she talks about her job with an evangelical Covid-19 vaccine study. enthusiasm. “It’s been really interesting,” McKee “Working in clinical research is really cool. said. “It’s given me the opportunity This is how new medicines and vaccines to look from the perspective get developed,” McKee said. “Every time as a patient while also you take a pill for your headache or your having the perspective dad takes medicine for his blood pressure, of an industry insider. the reason those medicines are available I’ve seen a few in- is because other people raised their hands stances where things and participated in the clinical trials that weren’t as pretty as I made sure the drugs were safe and effective.” would have liked to see them, and that While there’s no shortage of was a consequence drugs on the market, McKee of the trials being finds a lot wanting in the rushed. Now that I’ve been on the inside, I have conventional approach to more street cred, if you will, creating clinical trials. because I can say that this is what will happen if we do or don’t do X or Y. “We as an industry don’t do enough, and “One example is that when I received haven’t done enough, to promote trial my patient symptom card, some of the participation,” she said. “I think it’s because instructions had been crossed out by hand,” in the past the industry was focused more she continued. “Now, I can understand how on the data to obtain approvals. It’s only that probably happened and it’s not the more recently that we’ve been paying more biggest thing in the world, but it really attention to individuals in the value they doesn’t look great. bring to making new drugs possible.” We need to be more thoughtful. One small part of making trials more appealing consists of word choice, I want every patient in the McKee said. trial to have a great experi- ence so they talk about it “I’m against calling clinical trial participants ‘subjects.’ Maybe this is where my anthropology with their friends and then background comes in, but it’s important those people decide that that people be able to think of themselves they’d participate too.” as individuals.”

After all, even if you wear number 99, it’s “We are all so desperate for this pandemic decidedly more human for folks to call you to end, and the only way to get through Wayne Gretsky. this is for us to raise our hands.”

28 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 29 The teacher Returning to the classroom was a frightening “Kindergarten is totally proposition for many teachers. Betsy where it’s at,” she said. “The Hedbavny ’90 teaches kindergarten at social distancing is hard for Country Day and when asked how she felt about returning to the classroom, she them, but the mask-wearing parish priest The didn’t equivocate. isn’t at all. In Lower School, On Shayna Watson’s 12th Easter we’re used to being patient, “People have this “I could not wait,” she said. “It’s 1,000 Sunday, she was looking forward to idea that church is times easier to be back in the class- compassionate, and kind. going to the store to get her Easter this big thing that’s room. In Lower School — maybe dress when she heard her sister scream One day, a boy walked into exempt or excluded from not just Lower School but especially in the other room. Their father had died class with his mask covering world events. So here there’s no racism, Lower School — kids need to be in earlier that morning, and, because her mom no disease. This is a place where you come class. That instant feedback is essen- his nose and mouth — and was away visiting Watson’s grandmother, no and worship and you’re not hindered by tial. They need to be with us, and we one knew he was dead until it was time to his eyes. It’s OK. They’re 5.” social, or political, or health concerns. It’s need to be with them. leave for the store. flattering and romantic and we should be “It’s a lot more difficult for Middle School “It’s hard for parents to juggle work and “Some years are tougher than removed from or beyond worldly things,” and Upper School students,” Hedbavny [virtual] school,” she continued. Watson said. “But the church is brick and continued. “They thrive on social interac- others,” said Watson ’98. “We mortar and our bodies are flesh and blood, “I’m not trying to do their job and they tion. For that age kid, who’s important to buried my dad the day before and we shouldn’t forget that we are in and shouldn’t have to try to do mine.” them? Their friends. Kindergarteners want my birthday. It was a really of the world.” to be with mom and dad. And if you want difficult time that led to me She continued: “Ministry is Still, when Country Day went all virtual, them to wear a mask? They’re just like, ‘OK.’ Hedbavny was glad it happened in the They don’t have as many opinions, whether wrestling with God, leaning different now. Families can’t spring and not sooner. backed by science or not.” in to needing to know about be together to bury a loved this enemy named God.” “One thing that’s more true in kindergarten For as bright as Hedbavny’s school experi- one who’s died. That’s just one than in other grades is that the kids you ence has been, it started out about that dim example, but more generally start the year with are not the ones you end for her oldest son, Jacob ’20. Watson grew up in a very morally conserva- the year with,” she said. “In September, I’ve tive and strict church that excommunicated [the pandemic] has affected got a class full of junior kindergarteners and “It’s a nightmare to be a freshman in these LGBTQ members. That also rankled, and our rituals and how we by May I’ve got a class of first graders. When circumstances,” said Hedbavny, whose son is she found herself still more fired up in her console one another. Covid hit in March, they were good, solid attending High Point University. “You leave “boxing with God.” kindergarteners and handled the transition your home, your family, and your friends, and then you get to school and you’re told “These [excommunicated] people are lovely; to the virtual thing pretty well.” “These aren’t small things.” you can’t connect with other people. All my dad died; I’m hearing about this vengeful Thanks to the wonderful flexibility of young they want to do is meet somebody.” God and I just thought, ‘What the hell?’ children, Hedbavny said that teaching Then I began seeking a better God than the in the Covid classroom has gone pretty Still, Hedbavny remains sanguine, and one I grew up with,” Watson said. smoothly. offered these parting words on navigating the pandemic. Did she ever find him? “Kindness and compassion are a must,” she “Yeah,” she said with a bright laugh. “Just said. “Everyone’s trying to do their best. No a couple years ago!” one’s trying to be a jerk. Watson spoke to Connections in early “Well, very few people.” August, two months after becoming the associate rector at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster. Some years are indeed tougher than others, and while turning to the church for succor and solace is hardly unusual, Watson has seen some of the faithful and shaken expect too much.

30 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 31 recent alu m ni spotlight

THE UNFOLDING SUCCESS STORY OF CRISTIAN TINEO

The First Hubbard hen Cristian Tineo ’18 sat down to In early 2019, Tineo was contacted by Dick- “I like having something to hold, some- “There are times when I walk into class speak with Connections in January inson’s financial aid department. Or maybe thing physical you can hand to someone and I’m not at my best. With Portuguese, it Scholar Reflects 2020,W he was halfway through his second it was the foreign language department? “I and share with them,” Tineo said. “I want was different,” he said, explaining how the year at Dickinson and had managed to got an email from someone,” he said, “and to show the kids how they can use cameras teacher had such a gift for making each ses- On His Journey whittle his choice of major down to one. they thought I should apply for a Gilman to document their own lives and tell their sion interesting and engaging. “I remember That is, he knew for certain that he would Scholarship.” Whoever sent the email was own stories and give them a way to show thinking, ‘This class is valuable.’” Not long major in something. Or maybe a couple right: Tineo applied and was accepted. others what their lives are like. after that, Tineo found he had turned a By Michael Schwartz things. But then again… worksheet over and, without consciously Dickinson has a new satellite program in “They might all have some common back- meaning to, written a certain Portuguese “College wasn’t really what I expected,” he Brazil, and Tineo became a member of its ground or experience, but they’ve still got sentence. In English, it translates as “I want began, smiling his shy smile. “With the inaugural class. The Gilman Scholarship individual stories. So I thought I’d give the to be a teacher.” academic stuff, I felt prepared, but college is a State Department program aimed at kids each their own disposable camera and is a new environment that feels familiar to helping students of limited financial means at the end of the summer, collect the photos “That professor is a great resource and Country Day, but different as well.” A lot study abroad to further their education, and for an exhibition.” source of support,” he said. “It made me of the difference, he said, boiled down to benefit America by bringing back valuable think about applying for a Fulbright Schol- time management. “School is your life,” he skills including speaking a “critical need” Why disposable cameras? arship, which I also mentioned in an ap- said. “Realizing that was a change.” language such as Portuguese. plication essay.” “My mom has a big box of old photos, all “It took me a little while to find a new sup- Part of becoming a Gilman taken with disposable cameras. It’s nice to Tineo’s plans were put on hold because of have something to hold,” Tineo said. “Today port network, and I had such an incredible Scholar involved completing the coronavirus pandemic, but when he one here. But it’s going really well now,” said everything is so digital, and that’s great in heads to Brazil, he will spend the entire the then-sophomore. “I’ve got great friends a service project. Tineo chose a lot of ways, but for me, photos are some- year studying in São Paulo. Each semester and professors who support me academi- to do his at Country Day with thing that’s on an SD card and then my will consist of four classes, along with an in- A HUBBARD cally and emotionally.” phone, and that’s where they stay.” dependent study with the program director. SCHOLARSHIP PRIMER the Horizons Program. “I was going to double-major in studio art As a freshman, Tineo took a photography Asked what he hoped to get out of the The John Cooper Hubbard ’59 and, well, first it was Latin American stud- “The idea is to spread the word about Gil- class where they learned to shoot with and program, Tineo paused. Scholarship Endowment is named ies, and then I was thinking anthropology, man, to fill people in about what it is and develop film. after a generous benefactor whose “I hope to get as much out of it as I can, bequest ensures a position at but it’s so much work so now I’m thinking what it’s all about,” Tineo said. The way he’s “I hated it at first. Hated it. that I should just try to graduate rather chosen is the same way his mom chose to and put into it as much as I can. I want Lancaster Country Day School for than do too much,” Tineo said. fill in the family’s collective memory: With But eventually I got the hang to grow as a person in ways I can’t picture an enthusiastic and well-qualified photos taken on a disposable camera. now. I still have doubts. I’m still anxious. fifth or sixth grade student whose Country Day’s first Hubbard Scholar grad- of it and I realized how much There are still times when I think I’m not family could not otherwise afford uate is well on track to do that, and when In the fall of 2019, Tineo took a trip to my mom was able to docu- ready for this.” LCDS. This fund was established he does, it will be with a degree in studio Philadelphia and added a new piece of ment with a simple, cheap to make a Lancaster Country Day art. Probably. gear to his usual kit: A disposable camera. “I said this to Raul,” an associate professor education available to students The limitations imposed by having a finite film camera, and how power- from Brazil visiting on a Fulbright Schol- of diverse backgrounds and to “I like how open it is,” Tineo said. “I’m do- number of frames on a roll of film and a ful that could be.” arship, “and he told me I’m going to come demonstrate that our school is ing some photography, drawing, and art fixed focal length in which to frame shots back having been through so many experi- open to anyone who meets history.” forced Tineo to think about shooting dif- ences that I will be a different person — in our academic standards. Tineo realized a few other things freshman a good way. And studying the Portuguese ferently, and that process, and its tangible year: He loved Portuguese, and he wanted results, were inspiring. language and Brazilian culture has opened to be a teacher. up a whole new world to me, so I think I’m He smiled and laughed as he launched into in a good place.” the backstory and explanation.

32 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 33 adelphi university college of wooster concordia university davidson college delaware valley univeristy depaul university dickinson college elizabethtown college emory university f o r d h a m u niversity franklin & m ars h all c o llege ge o rgia instit u te o f tec h n o l o gy g o u c h er c o llege h averf o r d co llege h ig h p o int u niversity lafayette co llege monmouth university mount holyoke college new york university northeastern university ohio wesleyan university penn state university point park university princeton university queens university of charlotte robert morris university rochester institute of technology st . lo u is u niversity syrac u se u niversity t u fts u niversity university of delaware university of michigan university of pittsburgh u niversity o f scranto n u niversity o f so u t h ern calif o rnia university of texas austin university of utah university of wisconsin madison ursinus college villanova university wake forest university washington university in st. louis west chester university

wilfred laurier university hayden feddock

gabriella nahm ashanti christopher duncan matthews

anna sotirescu

th co m m ence m ent class2o f 2112 | 2 0 2 0 nina the trustee prize faculty award 0 0 shih nina shih gabriella nahm evie lynn altland kate lyn fry justin mark kresse alexander j. polito Awarded to the senior with the highest grade Given to the student who embodies what point average. the faculty most respects in a scholar and matthew adams armitage christian engle fulton gabriel vincent leskusky jonah david rebert a person, an individual who has a true love elise caroline atkinson olivia anne gallucci zachary noah liss maya amishi robinson of learning and is a model citizen. waasae ayyaz abigail downey gardner gilbert pierce lyons nina isabella shih ruth s. hostetter award anna sotirescu bryner barnhardt grace wakefield gardner adam ibrahim majid anna park sotirescu This award honors the memory of a Shippen head of school award ethan graham becker magdalene anah gelgot hasan maqbool kaela nikol stankiewicz School graduate from the Class of 1931 and ashanti duncan ashley h. blum-woodland wesley jakob gilbert christopher james matthews saharsh talwar recognizes a senior who, over an extended hayden feddock renie lee christensen denis aubrey harkin gregory james mizii jr morgan rose tate meet the class period of time, has worked selflessly and Presented annually by the Head of School, this malia jade cintron jacob sailer hedbavny julia kathleen mocny shaan singh toor enthusiastically to enhance the school award recognizes the seniors most deserving annabelle rose copeland jonathan frederick helm haley morphy gabriel charles walton of 2020 award community. of special praise for exhibiting qualities such peyton clark davis amera yvonne hemming teresa concepción murphy lauren ann wassell as leadership, school spirit, persistence, and recipients civic virtue. ashanti divine duncan jake bradley horvat julia rae nahm owen chairsell woodard ann musselman award yuqing fan abdul-kareem beyan el hosini gabriela lise nahm vannetia liwen xu christopher matthews hayden todd feddock mira bien hurtt ryan chau nguyen theo hanyuan zhang Given in honor of Ann Musselman, who was whitney stewart finney janani iyer dylan james parsons keting katie zhang an LCDS teacher for 30 years, this prize is awarded to the student who has enthusiastic curiosity, takes intellectual risks, loves to learn, and lives life to the fullest. 34 | CONNECTIONS | WEGE, FAULKNER, SPIRE NEWEST ALUMNI, NEWEST TEACHERS

Country Day’s youngest teachers have a unique perspective on their students. Not long ago, that’s exactly what they were.

Just how weird is it to be in What about this experience the classroom during this has turned out differently pandemic? than you expected?

JW | It’s much more of an emotional roller- JW | I expected to be a proxy for the teacher coaster than I expected. My assumption was that in the room, doing fairly usual teaching tasks it would be a high but constant level of stress to that they couldn’t due to being remote. For the be around kids and watching over them in this most part, it hasn’t worked out that way. I do environment. Instead, it’s long lulls without too help answer questions and clear up confusion, much worrying followed by brief moments of but otherwise my job consists much more of panic when a student — often unintentionally solving technical issues, keeping kids on task, and — breaks protocol. dealing with problems that come up in the room. How’s this new gig SS | I would say it’s more sad than weird. EF | I honestly assumed more kids would struggle of yours going? The best part of school was always getting to to properly wear their masks, but the vast interact with your peers both in and out of the majority of students have been really responsible JW | For the most part, it’s going as well classroom, but it’s hard to do that these days. I and respectful about following protocol. as can be expected. Working with Middle had a student tell me that they never enjoyed School students for the first time has been an group projects but they’d give anything to be What’s the most fun adjustment, but remembering back to what my able to go to the library and sit around a table part about being in the friends and I were like at their age has helped. and work with their classmates. classroom with kids? EF | Well! I’ve always been interested in teaching, How well are the kids EF | so getting in a classroom for a semester has been adapting to the strangeness This is a very nerdy response, but as a Q really helpful while I try to figure out the next former political science major, I really enjoyed steps for my career. Plus, I get to work with Mr. of the current moment? talking with students about the presidential Bostock, which is fun, always. election. And seeing how they talked about it JW | It’s a common mistake to underestimate among themselves was really interesting too. What do you know about the adaptability of children; I definitely made How did your friends teaching today that you that mistake here. They’ve adapted remarkably well, with logistical or technical issues being and family feel about your didn’t when school started? worked through often within minutes. Things are certainly different, but in many ways, shock- decision to teach? JW | I never realized how difficult it can be ingly little has changed about day-to-day classes. JW | to teach the same lesson many times in a row. Thankfully the people in my life have Ab y m i c h a e l s c h w a r t z Each section needs to cover the same material, EF | I think the students are adapting as well as been overwhelmingly supportive. There are the so it’s teaching the same thing for two days can be expected. A lot of things I took for granted usual worries about keeping healthy, but most straight then trying to remember where exactly in high school (afterschool activities, going on of my friends my age see it simply as a great JACK WEGE ’14 ERIKA FAULKNER ’16 SARAH SPIRE ’16 each section left off. coffee runs as a senior, even just sharing a phone opportunity to be employed and pay my bills, charger) cannot happen now unfortunately. But while the adults in my life have always placed a Wege graduated from Carleton College in Faulkner graduated from Dickinson College Spire graduated from Denison University in EF | Watching a socially distanced Color Wars the students are doing a good job at taking it great value on education and think that the work 2019, where he earned a degree in political& in May and returned to Country Day as Paul May after earning her degree in education. of making sure everyone has the best education is strange. all in stride. science. He hit the ground running on the Bostock’s long-term proctor. While earning She attended LCDS from kindergarten- they can is important. practical side, working for candidates from degrees in both political science and environ- eighth grade and has wanted to be a teacher SS | SS | It is all about flexibility and patience. There They’ve adjusted incredibly well, in my SS | the local to national level before landing a job mental studies, Erika also organized an an- for as long as she can remember. This fall, she are more than a handful of things that can go opinion. While it is by no means an ideal situ- They — and I — felt great about it. I’ve in security consulting in Washington, D.C. nual lecture series at Dickinson and interned took her first steps toward that professional wrong throughout the day, and you just have to ation, they’ve held their heads high and done loved school my whole life and having the The arrival of Covid put that on hold for the at the U.S. Army War College, where she dream alongside her sister, Caroline ’21. take some deep breaths and adapt. what they need to do to make the best of it. opportunity to ignite that passion in my students moment, freeing Wege to return to his alma explored women’s experiences in war. is what drives me to do what I do. mater as a Middle School proctor.

36 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 37 {class notes } 1980s 1990s class notes 1983 1990 John F. Hinkle III Mary Fulton Gingrich 717-898-5728 717-560-4908 We recognize that social media is an easier way than Class Notes for our alumni to stay [email protected] [email protected] in touch. Please see P. 2 for a listing of LCDS social media accounts. You’ll notice alumni 1984 1991 news and updates moving more onto these networks, even as Class Notes continues Kathleen Murphy Jasaitis Susan Hull Dworsak ’ to be a place to see some alumni submissions, reunion updates and event pictures. 98 781-631-7899 717-464-3537 To submit a class note for print or Web publication, contact the Alumni Office at [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]. 1985 1992 Deborah Dodds Kate Matwiczyk Hemmerich 1950s 1960s The class of ’59 met 1970s 310-415-7796 [email protected] for their 60th reunion [email protected] 1993 1951 1960 in October 2019 in 1971 Margaret Haller Hannum Anne Campbell Slater Lancaster. This class has Melissa Byers 1986 Jennifer Gschwend McGough 717-299-3798 610-896-6468 gathered to celebrate 818-719-6550 Joanna Underhill 610-430-7671 [email protected] [email protected] every year’s reunion [email protected] 717-468-3788 [email protected] since graduating! [email protected] Peggy Hannum was inducted into The Class of 1960 participated in a 1974 1994 the Rug Hooking Hall of Fame in Zoom Reunion (their 60th) on Oct. Mannie Tobie is a graphic designer 1987 Stacey Gregg 2018. Her work has been recognized 5, 2020. They enjoyed more than two in Washington, D.C. She and her Kristen K. Gedeon 919-622-4284 for outstanding contributions to the hours of catching up and discussing husband, George Collins, have 703-283-6187 [email protected] art of rug hooking. Examples can be families, jobs, and the vicissitudes, two boys, Read and Tobie. [email protected] 1995 seen at www.peggyhannum.com. sad and/or growth-inducing, of life. 1975 Bill Korner Class is celebrating his Betsy Wademan Ahlstrand Elizabeth Weaver ’98 is the entrepreneurial owner of 1954 1961 Diane Eshleman Djordjevic 25th year in the insurance industry. 415-845-7654 Lancaster Farmacy, a small, certified-organic farm Sally Rich Rohrer Alix Shuman Roth 410-919-7219 [email protected] 1988 that specializes in growing herbs for medicinal teas. 717-394-0847 717-507-8227 [email protected] Jack Fulton Jennifer Mikes In fall of 2019, she made beautiful holiday wreaths [email protected] 1955 ALUMNI 1976 717-394-2255 781-558-5293 out of her greenery and ornamental plants. Eunice Fulton Blocker 1962 REPRESENTED Margaret Hall Norton [email protected] [email protected] 502-895-2691 NEARLY 503-638-6127 Anne Darmstetter 1989 1996 30% [email protected] 1957 1964 Bob Porter Dennis M. Baldwin Elizabeth (Beppy) Foltz Martin Phyllis Morgan-Rupert DONORS 1977 [email protected] 484-269-4309 717-768-3322 Eileen Eckenrode Vroom [email protected] Beppy writes, “My mother, Katharine 2/3 FROM 2019 540-338-3630 Kerry Diamond Rinato Carey Flinn Foltz, graduated from 1966 #WEARECOUGARSTRONG @LCDSALUMNI The Shippen School in 1917, and I Joseph A. Myers Jr. 1979 [email protected] graduated from LCDS in 1957, as 717-394-9854 Sarah Miller Dorgan ’ 1997 97 The Class of ’75 717-687-6466 you know. My father was honored [email protected] Mark Ewing to be a Trustee, and we all loved the celebrated their 45th 1968 303-859-4994 school. I chose to become a public reunion via Zoom. It was Deborah Murray Martin great, as always, to catch [email protected] school teacher of history and English 717-290-2082 up with everyone! after attending Yale, thanks to Clifford 1998 [email protected] Gordon and Dr. Joel Haynes, two Alexandra Goodman gifted teachers Country Day was [email protected] smart enough to find.” 1999 Carrie Pyfer ’97 welcomed daughter Veda Louise to the 1958 Meagan W. Dodge Barbara Jaeger Gillis 415-846-8715 world in May 2020. While having a baby in the middle of a 717-299-3374 [email protected] pandemic was not what had been planned, everyone is doing [email protected] well and was so happy to have something to celebrate this year. ’ READ MORE ABOUT CARRIE ON P. 24 ’Victoria8686 Coates ’86 has been named the next president of the Middle East Broadcasting Net- works. MBN is part of the United States Agency for VIEWS from a Global Media, whose other broadcasts include PANDEMIC Radio Free Europe and Voice of America.

38 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 39 {class notes } places people Senior Alumni Association Luncheon Oct. 10, 2019

New York, N.Y. Jan. 9, 2019 Alumni gathered for a regional reception at Hudson Yards in New York City.

V R I T U A L

Country Day’s First Virtual Alumni Weekend Oct. 9, 2020 Virtual Alumni Weekend kicked off with the all-alumni uiri cocktail party, sponsored by Yianni Barakos ’04, owner of Daiq Mason Dixon Distillery, and featured Family Feud with Cougar Paul Bostock! On Saturday, alumni enjoyed yoga with Christine Healy, science demonstrations with Todd Trout, ANDREW W. KILLOUGH ’08 Cougar Cocktail/Mocktail Contest Winner crafting with Diane Wilikofsky, and got a look inside our theater program with Kristin Wolanin.

1 lg. blackberry (muddled) Add ice, shake, then … 2 raspberries (muddled) double-strain into Missed a virtual session? 2 oz. white rum chilled coupe glass Contact [email protected] 1 oz. lime juice and garnish with two to view them on demand! 1 1/2 tbsp. simple syrup cougar ear lime peels.

40 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 41 {class notes } {class notes } Matt Mersky ’06 married Alison Rotondo 2010s on Aug. 3, 2019. 2010 Laura Smith Ettabbakh Molly Umble Adrienne Loreto Smith ’03 and Wadih Ettabbakh [email protected] ’10 and Jeffrey Smith wel- welcomed their daughter, comed Brady Tyler Smith Maryam Isabel Ettabbakh, Adrienne Loreto Smith ’10 and Jeffrey on April 24, 2020. to the family on May 10, Smith welcomed Brady Tyler Smith 2019, in Seoul, South on April 24, 2020. Said Adrienne, Korea. “Having a baby during the pandemic was definitely not what I planned, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing!” 2000s 2011 Paige Stover ’11 married Alex 2000 2006 Della-Penna in a small ceremony in Brendan Drewniany Nicole Richie Apex, N.C. They live in Durham, N.C. 404-216-2053 [email protected] and Paige is currently studying at the [email protected] Matt Mersky ’06 married Alison University of North Carolina School of Piera Moyer Rotondo on Aug. 3, 2019. His family Medicine in Chapel Hill. LCDS alumna 610-413-0487 and many LCDS alums and former in attendance were her sisters, Phoebe [email protected] parents attended the celebration in ’22, Emma ’18, and Madalyn ’14. Rochester, N.Y. ’07 2001 2012 Kelsey Gohn Bianca M. Heslop Dr. Melissa Harvey ’06 and husband Paige Stover ’11 married Mrs. Adrienne R. Worley ’07, husband 717-575-9034 [email protected] Shaohao Wu welcomed Teagan Alex Della-Penna in a Lillian Harvey-Wu nine weeks early Cody Worley and big sister Parker Wren [email protected] small ceremony in Apex, Elizabeth Sudhakar Vidor on Nov. 17, 2020. She weighed a hair N.C. LCDS alumna in at- [email protected]. Worley welcomed the newest addition 2014 under 3 pounds and measured 15.1 tendance were her sisters, Katie Jacobsen Phoebe ’22, Emma ’18, 2002 inches. She had quite the dramatic to their family, Reese Lennon Worley, [email protected] and Madalyn ’14. Corie Patterson Burton entrance to match her big personality. on April 22, 2020, in Bluffton, S.C. [email protected] We have a lot to be thankful for and good things do happen in 2020! 2003 Lauren Allwein-Andrews 2008 [email protected] Erika Vernet Dr. Melissa Harvey ’06 484-269-7483 and husband Shaohao Wu Laura Smith Ettabbakh ’03 and [email protected] welcomed Teagan Lillian Wadih Ettabbakh welcomed their Harvey-Wu nine weeks daughter, Maryam Isabel Ettabbakh, 2009 early on Nov. 17, 2020. to the family on May 10, 2019, in Kristen E. Casale Seoul, South Korea. Shortly after [email protected] her birth, they moved to India, where On Nov. 28, 2020, Brent Hallinger On Nov. 28, 2020, Laura is now working as a foreign ’09 married Margaret Butler in Brent Hallinger ’09 service officer at the U.S. Consulate Dunedin, Fla. married Margaret Butler General in Chennai. in Dunedin, Fla.

2004 Andrew England [email protected] Elizabeth Reidenbach LIFERS 717-368-2025 2020 [email protected] ethan becker | whitney finney | kate fry 2005 christian fulton | grace gardner | abby gardner Libby Roman Caldwell jacob hedbavny | amera hemming | zach liss | pierce lyons 717-669-8307 [email protected] christopher matthews | alex polito | jonah rebert morgan tate | charley walton | owen woodard

42 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 43 {class notes }

2017 Sam Schlageter filed the following Will Schlageter graduat- Abby Schlageter writes, “My experi- dispatch: “When I found out my senior ed from the University of ences while studying abroad during in m e m oria m fall semester at Georgetown Univer- Rochester with degrees the fall semester of my junior year at sity was going to be conducted online, in biology, chemistry, and Boston College have transformed my 2015 Ms. Myrtle Neff ’12 | Jan. 1, 2020 Elizabeth Warfel I concocted a crazy idea with my environmental science career aspirations and have fueled [email protected] childhood friend, Simone Geary, who and fulfilled a lifelong my advocacy for climate justice and a Ms. Doris Sander Foote ’25 | Jan. 1, 2020 dream and competed on is a senior at Dickinson College. We career in environmental economics. “American Ninja War- Mrs. Elizabeth Verdier Zellers ’38 | May 6, 2020 Will Schlageter graduated from the wanted to learn more about ourselves While studying in Geneva, I had the University of Rochester with degrees rior,” where he finished Mrs. Elizabeth Long Byers ’39 | Jan. 8, 2019 and continue growing as people, and placed 16th out of 31 privilege of participating in a full-time in biology, chemistry, and environ- we knew that taking online classes at competitors. internship with the International Mrs. Mary Ann Swanger Burns ’40 | Oct. 17, 2020 mental science. Which would have home was not going to help us do that. Institute for Sustainable Development been impressive enough, but Will then (IISD). IISD is and NGO which seeks Mrs. Sara Rohrer Peterson ’44 | Nov. 17, 2019 So, we decided to embark on a 750- Sam Schlageter fulfilled a lifelong dream and com- mile bike journey from Massachusetts to promote sustainable development Mrs. Charlotte Feagley Fitzpatrick ’45 | April 18, 2020 peted on “American Ninja Warrior,” embarked on a 750-mile to Washington, D.C., while taking bike journey from and climate action, and that experi- where he finished placed 16th out of Mrs. Nelda Diller Strange ’47 | June 25, 2020 online classes with our respective col- Massachusetts to Wash- ence gave me a newly focused drive 31 competitors. “Looking back on my leges. At the time, I did not own a bike ington, D.C. while taking and ambition.” Mrs. Mary Anne Rohrer Bailey ’47 | May 23, 2020 whole experience, I wouldn’t change online classes. and neither of us had any idea what Mrs. Margaret Hunt Landis ’49 | Nov. 9, 2020 a thing,” Will said. “I not only achieved we were getting ourselves into. my childhood dream, but I proved to Abby Schlageter studied 2018 Mr. Joseph T. Breneman II ’49 | Feb. 20, 2020 “I continually confronted my own abroad in Geneva, where Lauren MacKinnon myself that hard work pays off! I had Mrs. Helena Slaugh Freeburg ’49 | March 10, 2019 an amazing time at ‘American Ninja mortality as cars whizzed past us, she participated in a [email protected] Warrior’ and you can bet I’ll be back but after too many flat tires, Wi-Fi full-time intership with the Mr. Robert Droz ’50 | April 3, 2020 International Institute for next season for another shot!” issues, and mental breakdowns, we Sustainable Development Ms. Ellen Franklin Grove ’50 | Jan. 2, 2019 made it to D.C. This experience gave (IISD). Clair Salvo Mr. Hank Silver ’53 | May 12, 2019 me so many crazy memories that I 2 0 07 alu m ni spotlight will forever cherish, and I learned so Mrs. Suzanne Trout Metzler ’56 | April 12, 2020 much about how I respond to stressful Mr. Robert Skinner IV ’59 | Nov. 18, 2019 situations and my ability to endure Clair was commissioned to do a piece for the Biden campaign. She said, John L. Atlee III M.D. ’59 | Dec. 18, 2020 adversity. And I now know way too “I was brought on to do just one piece: the live drawing of Kamala that much about bikes.” aired via the Vote Joe twitch. Everything subsequently has been inde- Mr. Herbert L. Hogg ’65 | Nov. 15, 2020 pendent of the campaign (though mostly related to politics). Mr. Donald S. Watt ’65 | Jan. 15, 2020 Mrs. Eleanor Herr Rabinowitsh ’67 | Feb. 14, 2020 Ashley Ingram graduated from Seton Hill University “I've been working in ballpoint pen lately. These are my portraits of RBG Mr. Alan M. DeVitry ’72 | Nov. 13, 2019 in August 2019 with a bachelor’s in accounting. She and AOC. I've been turning these ballpoint drawings into wearable items Ms. Deanna Marschka ’76 | Sept. 20, 2020 was a three-time PSAC scholar-athlete in women’s as well: pins, sweatshirts, t-shirts and a tote bag (which benefits Stacey lacrosse, and received her MBA through Seton Abrams' Fair Fight).” Mr. Andrew D. Stauffer ’76 | Dec. 18, 2020 Hill with a specialization in fraud and forensic Mr. Adam M. Jester ’06 | July 1, 2019 accounting. Ashley is currently working to purchase | www.clairesalvo.com/merch Mr. George R. Proffitt ’17 | May 9, 2019 for an accounting firm in Harrisburg.

44 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 45 {class notes }

alu m ni w ee k end

alumni weekend

Graduates from years ending in four and nine returned to school to celebrate Alumni Weekend 2019, though plenty of their fellow alums across the decades joined in the fun too. Bonnie Kaplan and Katie Kozloff, both of the Class of ’99, were named to the Athletic Hall of Honor, with each four-year varsity letter winner giving the inducting speech for the other. Other highlights from the weekend included the all-alumni cocktail party, campus tours, and, of course, the John A. Jarvis Competitive Croquet Tournament.

46 | CONNECTIONS | | ISSUE NO. THIRTEEN 2020 | 47 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Lancaster, PA 725 hamilton road Permit No. 1556 lancaster, pa 17603-2491

VIEWS from a PANDEMIC Robert Groff ’98 is a critical care anesthesiologist at Emory University hospital and teacher at the Emory School of Medicine. He offers a unique perspective from the early days of the Covid outbreak in “Views from a Pandemic,” on P. 24.

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