A publication for The Odyssey School Community SPRING 2013

Executive Function Skills at Odyssey: Providing a Road Map for Daily Living

Special Double Issue: 2011 and 2012 Events • New Faculty • Alumni News The Odyssey School

The Odyssey School

MISSION STATEMENT

The Odyssey School provides an excellent education to children five years old through middle school who have been diagnosed with dyslexia and other language learning differences.

Odyssey offers an educational program using proven teaching methods, small group instruction, and daily tutoring for individual skill building. Our program is designed to help children reach their full potential by challenging them intellectually while building the self-advocacy skills needed to meet the academic challenges of both high school and post-secondary education.

Our Four Pillars of Kindness, Honesty, Respect and Hard Work are the foundation on which The Odyssey School is built.

PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Taken from Homer’s account of Ulysses’ heroic Odyssey understands that a good education journey from the Trojan War, our name represents is forged from a partnership between the parents, the challenging personal journey that each child the school and the child. We believe that within must undertake in his or her individual road to the context of such a partnership each of these success. It represents our conviction that through promising children is able to learn. We provide a encouragement, mentoring, and a healthy sense diverse range of multisensory methods of reading of community, our children can learn, excel, and instruction that are proven by current research to develop the personal character that often blossoms be effective in teaching dyslexic students. We are from adversity. committed to maintaining a low student/teacher The Odyssey School employs a whole child ratio, which allows our children to develop the educational program aimed at teaching students academic competence that is so imperative and to how to utilize their strengths to compensate for grow personally in their understanding of dyslexia their weaknesses. We recognize that our students and its impact on their lives. are often gifted in other areas, and do not fit easily into traditional educational categories.

The Odyssey School 3257 Bridle Ridge Lane, Stevenson, MD, 21153 410-580-5551 www.theodysseyschool.org The Odyssey Way: EXECUTIVE FUNCTION – A Road Map for Daily Living Managing the challenges of school and the ordinary tasks of daily life can be daunting for many students. Odyssey’s curriculum and programs offer strategies and tools to support each student’s pathway to success. page 6

From the Board Chair 2 DRAMA GOLF 2011 GOLF 2012 Favorites Alice in This very popular Raising funds for From the Head of School 3 Wonderland, Jr. and outing was held in Odyssey’s tutoring Annie, Jr. please the honor of the late program, the 2012 Welcome to Odyssey 4 crowds at Spring drama Patrick J. B. Donnelly. outing was a great productions in 2011 PAGE 16 success. PAGE 18 Alumni News 25 and 2012. PAGE 12

Passages 31 GRADUATION 2011 FOUNDERS’ AWARD 2011 GRADUATION 2012 Graduates share Odyssey Gordon Jones is honored Traditional ceremonies memories and receive for his leadership and mark the beginning of diplomas. PAGE 20 commitment to Odyssey. life after Odyssey. PAGE 22 PAGE 23 FROM THE CHAIR

“What begins here changes everything.” 2012-2013 Board of Trustees

This sentence, which is on the masthead of our Christopher A. Pope website, serves as a reminder to our faculty and Chair our trustees of the importance of our efforts every Robert H. Geis, Esq. day. It speaks to the promise we make. As partners Vice-Chair with our parents, we provide our students with the best academic environment to help them learn not just Suzanne S. Needle, M. Ed. subject matter, but the skill sets of problem solving Secretary and advocacy which will be invaluable in their lives. Patrick C. Crain Delivering an Odyssey education is complex by Treasurer nature. Our student-faculty ratio is a fraction of Martha H. Sweeney Christopher A. Pope other independent schools. Our tutoring program, Head of School Chair, Board of Trustees integrated into the daily schedule, provides a level of targeted attention that is unavailable outside of Odyssey. Our Middle School One-to-One Tablet PC program, which benefits student Roger J. Bennett learning and independence, is seamlessly woven into our curriculum. Our faculty’s W. Bradley Bennett ongoing efforts and professional development allow us to stay at the forefront of Sana Naylor Brooks educational strategies targeting our students. W. Boulton Dixon As you will see throughout this issue of Pillars, the coordination of delivering such Martin J. Eby an empowering education is quite a task. I marvel at our faculty and staff and their Elizabeth Linehan ability to coordinate curriculum across the school while teaching to each student’s individual strengths and needs. They are indeed a remarkable and dedicated group. Charles H. Miller Despite the ongoing challenges of the economy, the Odyssey community of Rebecca H. Penniman faculty, parents, trustees and friends continued its tradition of outstanding support. James J. Railey Odyssey was established on the foundation of our Four Pillars of Kindness, Honesty, Suzanne R. Riedel Hard Work and Respect. Parents, friends and faculty, modeling those characteristics Abigail E. Smith for our students and working in concert have created a school that has, in fewer than J. Timothy Voelkel 20 years, become an invaluable resource to our community. We are deeply grateful of Christopher G. Wunder their ongoing generosity and support.

2 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School Pillars is published by The From the HEAD OF SCHOOL Odyssey School for alumni, parents and friends.

Martha H. Sweeney Head of School Dear Friends and Families of Christopher A. Pope Board Chair The Odyssey School, Roger J. Bennett, Esq. Chair-Development Committee The Odyssey School is in its nineteenth year Patricia D. Palm, CFRE of providing excellence in education to very Editor, Director of Development capable students with dyslexia and related and Advancement language learning differences. Over the years, we Rachel H. Tranter have delighted in the School being recognized as an Advancement Assistant outstanding research based program in which students meet success through specialized instruction, character Contributors: education, self-advocacy and the exploration of their Martha Nesbitt special talents and interests. Jenny Penn At the core of what makes Odyssey, Odyssey is the Marcia Peterson enthusiasm and commitment of a dynamic faculty Marty Sweeney Marty Sweeney of lifelong learners. Dedicated to the understanding Head of School Photographers: that the work we do with our students requires Sarah Bare considerable expertise, professional development opportunities are abundant Pam Bilger here on campus year in and year out. Most recently, the focus of professional Mary Brunst development efforts has been on ways to increasingly deliver meaningful classroom Dorothy Hampton activities that grow executive function skills. From math instruction that emphasizes Steve McDaniel logic and problem solving to reading strategies that foster active evaluation of text Rachel Tranter comprehension, our students are learning how to better plan, organize, self-monitor Printing: J.H. Furst Company and to think critically. As you read more about the importance of executive function Design: Jen Smith, skills in this issue of Pillars magazine, I believe you too will appreciate how they Network Media Partners, Inc. impact virtually every aspect of our lives. Graphic Designer: I hope that you enjoy this double issue of Pillars which has been produced after Darby Lassiter, dl designs the magazine’s redesign. You can look back at many events and accomplishments of Cover Art: Katie Heine, the past year or so. We have watched our graduates go on to thrive at competitive Odyssey student mainstream schools by applying the skills, self-awareness and our Four Pillars of

The Odyssey School does not Kindness, Honesty, Respect and Hard Work to their new endeavors. In today’s fast discriminate on the basis of race, changing world, The Odyssey School continues to be a School where success takes color, gender, disability, or national place one student at a time. and ethnic origin in administration of What begins here changes everything! the educational policies, scholarship, athletic, and other School- administered programs.

Please note: Parents of The Odyssey School students should be advised that the School may use photographs of students from time to time in various School publications. Parents who do not wish their child’s photograph to be used should notify the School if they have not already done so.

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 3 WELCOME TO ODYSSEY

Sarah Bare – Peggy Beidelman – Ellen Ehrenreich – Jason Gordon – Middle School Art Language/Tutor Tutor Language/Tutor Substitute teaching, Peggy has a BA in English A cum laude graduate of Jason holds a BA assistance with Odyssey’s from Northern Illinois Smith College where she in English, a BA in annual drama production University and an MS in majored in education and Philosophy and an MFA in and the School’s entry in Speech and Language child study, Ellen comes Creative Writing, all from the Kinetic Sculpture Race Pathology from Loyola to Odyssey from her the University of plus four summers with University, Maryland. Her private tutoring practice College Park. He has also Camp Windward have additional trainings include following 9 years at The received training in Phono- made Sarah a familiar Phono-Graphix® and Friendship School where Graphix®, Project Access face to many in our Empower™. She brings she was Assistant Director and Orton Gillingham. community. She holds experience in developing of Tutoring. She brings Before coming to Odyssey, a BFA from Maryland learning programs in a creativity, teaching and he taught at the Phillips Institute College of Art variety of locations and mentoring skills and School and at Jemicy. (MICA) where she majored settings. Peggy has taught mastery of a variety of Odyssey’s great reputation in Photography. Well- English as a foreign programs designed to assist piqued his interest and he schooled in many other language for the Peace students with learning has found “it’s not just a media such as ceramics, Corps in Hungary, created differences. Ellen is great school for students drawing and painting, a tutoring program for experienced in developing with dyslexia; it’s a great she is also interested in children in foster care, and individualized approaches school for anybody.” Jason digital and alternative worked in various areas to and strategies tailored to has traveled to India, Costa process photography improve students’ reading, each tutoring opportunity. Rica, South Africa, Poland, which she plans to share writing and listening Away from school she , England, Ireland, with her students. Sarah abilities. She loves to read enjoys walking with her , Greece and Italy! lives in Hampden with and enjoys swimming and golden retriever, kayaking, He and his wife, Elizabeth, two bearded dragons, hiking. Peggy and her biking, cooking and travel. live in Catonsville with two cats and a dog. She husband, Ralph, live in She loves to read. Ellen their two sons, Jake and photographs weddings Clarksville with their two and her husband Mark, baby Patrick. including a few weddings daughters and dog, Cosmo. who have a grown son, live of our own Odyssey in Ellicott City. teachers!

4 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School Rachael Palmieri – Lauren Rausch – Laurie Rosenberg – Cece Walsch, RN – Math Teacher Yawl Violin Instructor Tutor School Nurse Rachael is already familiar A graduate of Arizona State Laurie recently worked at Cece Walsch has worked to many because she University with honors, The Park School as a part- as a nurse for more than completed her field Lauren holds a Master of time Reading Resource 28 years. She started her experience at Odyssey Music degree from the Teacher and tutor since career working in critical prior to receiving University of Oregon. 2005. Laurie has developed care in the Coronary Care her BS in Elementary Currently she is pursuing a broad repertoire of skills Unit at St. Joseph Hospital, Education: Liberal Arts a Doctor of Musical Arts and strategies in teaching then worked in Pediatrics and Technology from degree in performance at language arts over the for many years before Stevenson University Peabody Conservatory. last 17 years. She, too, embracing the world of where she graduated She has had extensive has worked at Odyssey’s school nursing. Cece summa cum laude. She private study, master Camp Windward where holds an Associate Degree is also a Maryland State classes and chamber she embraced our School’s in Nursing from Essex Department of Education music coaching and has mission. Her background Community College. She is (MSDE) Teacher of performed as a chamber includes a BA from the a member of the Maryland Promise. She enjoys and solo musician. Lauren University of Maryland Association of School problem-based teaching has taught violin at the in American Studies and Nurses which awarded her and her goal is to have university level as a a State Certification to a scholarship to attend the all of her students love graduate assistant and is teach Early Childhood National Association of math. Rachael is actively certified in Music Mind Education. She has also School Nurses conference involved in the performing Games Training and Suzuki attended many specialized held last summer in arts, does face painting Training. Currently she trainings. Laurie has Washington, DC. Cece and trains a pre-teen girls’ is also a violin instructor a variety of interests and her husband, Ken, are choir. She loves to travel for the Greater including gardening which parents of four children; and enjoys both little road Youth Orchestra: Bridges. brought her to spearhead Erin, Emily, Matt and trips and international the creation of an organic Andrew. Cece truly enjoys journeys to visit friends. garden at Park. She and the rewards of meeting She lives in Baltimore with her husband David live in wonderful students, her husband, Sebastien, The Village of Cross Keys families and dedicated and baby daughter, Eden. and are parents of two boys educators. who live in Colorado.

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 5 The Odyssey Way: Executive Function

Providing a Road Map for Daily Living

How Odyssey Executive function skills guide the course of daily living just as a road map Leads the Way guides travelers en route to their destination. Living without strong executive to Executive function skills presents students with difficulties in managing the ordinary Function Skills tasks of everyday life. These students go through a typical day struggling to find the strategies that can help them on their journey to becoming capable independent learners. Despite their greatest efforts and intentions to succeed, weak executive function skills leave them feeling lost. Executive function is the set of cognitive controls that help people appropriately respond and tackle the typical challenges and tasks of daily living. Sometimes described as “command and control center or as the conductor of the orchestra,” executive function skills include the following components:

6 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School Photo opposite page: Natassia Celnik and Catey Zacur use their tablet PCs to organize a research paper.

• Organization, Time Management, curriculum to help students develop Planning/Prioritizing, Task executive function skills. While Initiation, Working Memory, maintaining a strong commitment Persistence/Problem Solving, to developing the strengths, talents, Ability to Shift/Flexibility, and passions in each of our students, Sustained Attention, Response Odyssey’s teachers provide support Inhibition, Emotional Control and and explicit instruction for building Metacognition. the skills that are so critical for strong The N3 notebook serves as an The breakdown in any one function executive function. external organizational system. in this set of cognitive controls or “These skills need to be taught processes can impact an individual’s directly to our students, and many performance in school, in extra- components of our program from the curricular activities and in social routine and structure of each day to How Odyssey interactions. the Phono-Graphix® reading method Develops Executive Function Skills Each child is unique, presenting The curriculum at Odyssey includes these strategies and with strengths and weaknesses many others to teach executive function. in school performance. • Establish successful routines or sets of strategies • Organize materials Each child is unique, presenting and the EmPOWER™ writing • Develop time management with strengths and weaknesses program are in place to do just that,” • Set goals in school performance. Similarly, says Marty Sweeney, Head of School. • Plan long term projects— executive function presents itself To understand how executive prioritize, planning responses, differently in each individual. The functions may impact a child, here monitor time interplay of executive function skills are a few situations that could be • Devise methods for self- shapes each child’s performance in typical of young children who may monitoring and self-checking various ways, including children’s be experiencing a breakdown in • Identify a problem and emotional and social responses, executive function. developing and executing plan personal relationships, and academic • Suzie is a jubilant kindergartner • Acquire metacognition strategies progress. but faces difficulty with naming including comprehension Over the last twenty years, there letters and following directions. • Enhance note taking has been a great deal of research on She bounds out of the car in the • Build study strategies executive function. The Odyssey carpool line and jumps into every • Support memory strategies School has applied this research by activity with curiosity, creativity • Encourage writing integrating programs and strategies and energy at school. Full of into the daily teaching of the imagination and brimming with a

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 7 The Odyssey Way: Executive Function

love of learning, she finds it hard to sit still in circle time, and often leaves projects unfinished. • Raymond is in second grade and has difficulty with starting school work or a new task. He wants to do well, but gets easily frustrated with the time limits of the class. Often appearing unfocused, the class is ready to move on to another activity and Raymond is frustrated about being “left behind”. • Rachel is in third grade and struggles socially. She blurts out responses and sometimes misinterprets messages from her friends. • Steven is in fourth grade and Some teachers and students use a “sticky note” system to enhance likes to live in the moment. He is organizational skills on their tablet PCs. energetic, athletic and sociable yet he often feels like a failure when it and disorganized. She often feels as lazy and unmotivated, Jeremy comes to school. Planning ahead everything is wrong, and feels she often withdraws by doing things is difficult, and the organization of is stupid. She has no means to that allow him to escape and give his materials, books, and back- problem-solve her way through a him a feeling of success. Often pack is still a source of worry and task, to apply specific feedback, or he seems hyper-focused on these frustration for him. He expends to judge the quality of her work. “distractions” and avoidant of the much time and effort into looking • Jeremy is in sixth grade and life responsibilities of school. Feeling for what he needs to complete his in middle school has become inadequate and lacking motivation, assignments and tasks and fails to much more complex. Multiple Jeremy feels increasingly stressed plan enough time to see anything assignments with greater length and frustrated about school. to completion. Increasingly disap- and the increased level for pointed in himself, he finds himself independence seem overwhelming Executive function skills can retreating from activities and getting for him. He has great trouble be taught and are an integral part into arguments with his parents. keeping track of homework and of each day at Odyssey. The daily • Mary is a fifth grader who feels undone when it comes routine and schedule, the N3 struggles with the pace of the time to study for large tests or notebook which serves as an external class—speed and accuracy seem complete writing assignments. organization system, the agenda, and to be such an emphasis for all of The expectation for writing papers the tablet laptop program are a few her tasks. She struggles to keep —the planning, the starting and examples of how Odyssey’s program up and to evaluate her own work seeing it to completion are all huge assists students in getting organized which frequently appears sloppy stumbling blocks for him. Labeled and in carrying out assignments

8 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School effectively. The Four Pillars of How has the EmPOWER™ Kindness, Honesty, Respect and Hard writing process helped you? Work are fundamental and consistent standards that help children develop • It helps me organize and keep When you are writing a paragraph, character and the perseverance track of what I am doing. EmPOWER™ helps you get all of required to meet with success. • It helps me stay on topic. your ideas out and onto paper. Enhancing children’s language • It helps me remember the steps — Eli Boyd skills enhances their abilities to of how to prepare an essay. organize themselves, to plan out • It helps me prepare to meet When I was asked to make tasks, to hold plans in memory, and my assembly guest by using a PowerPoint for a project, to actively check themselves as they key words for organizing my EmPOWER™ really helped me to are working. All of these executive thoughts. — Conor Patro create it. — Nikki Neuberger function skills improve as a student’s language skills improve. The Phono- The templates are very helpful. EmPOWER™ helps you get off to a Graphix® reading method facilitates I can take information from the great start. Writing projects can be reading because it organizes the Brain Frame to the template and overwhelming. Brain Frames are learning around each sound that then be set to write. a good and easy way to create the children hear. This method does not — Katie Brinegar skeleton of your paper. require children who are challenged — Blake Hill with memory issues to understand, remember, retrieve and apply lengthy and complex rules. Odyssey’s teachers and tutors instruct all students in the EmPOWER™ writing program which explicitly trains them to organize their thinking and to follow a specific step by step process to complete writing assignments. As Middle School Head Jenny Penn shares, “Writing assignments in the middle school become much more complex. The EmPOWER™ writing program helps students by breaking down the writing process into more manageable components.” Executive function also pertains to how a child manages the Sloop students Augie Miceli and Josh Jones use a Cause and Effect emotions that influence behavior. Brain Frame to prepare for a test. Regulating emotions includes the ability to recognize and to control

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 9 The Odyssey Way: Executive Function

impulsive responses. Learning how requires time, patience and direct Executive function ties together to move forward when upset or teaching. Teachers partner with the many competencies needed disappointed can play a positive role parents to identify ways to help to do well in daily life and affects in the interactions of students with students become independent numerous aspects of academic executive function deficits. learners. Examples of this include performance and social interaction. Dr. Eric Tridas, Psychiatrist finding a specific time and place for As Marcia Peterson, Lower School and President of the International homework, establishing consistent Head, states, “Helping our students Dyslexia Association, when speaking morning routines and reinforcing gradually develop and strengthen to Odyssey’s faculty said that the skills with specific praise and their executive function skills is a key “what ifs” or excessive worry can increased expectations. Odyssey component of The Odyssey School’s be a significant block to a child’s teachers and tutors communicate program at every level.” school performance. Odyssey’s frequently with parents about Executive function skills are calm culture, focused on the progress and individualized required in school all day, every safety of spirit of each child and strategies that can be beneficial. day. Consequently, throughout each the comfortable student-teacher In addition each year the School day and in every class, Odyssey’s relationships, minimizes the anxiety. provides parent education teachers and tutors coach the key Teachers and families share an opportunities to support families. abilities of executive function that understanding that developing the Executive skills are increasingly enable students to map their road to capacity for personal management important in our complex world. success. ■

Resources

Executive Function in Education: What To Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s From Theory to Practice – Guide to Overcoming Anxiety – Dawn Huebner and Lynn Meltzer, Ph.D. Bonnie Matthews

Late, Lost, and Unprepared: A Parents’ Guide to Where’s My Stuff?: The Ultimate Teen Organizing Helping Children with Executive Functioning – Guide – Samantha Moss with Lesley Schwartz Joyce Cooper-Kahn, Ph.D. and Laurie Dietzel, Ph.D. Educational Care: A System for Understanding and No Mind Left Behind: Understanding and Helping Children with Learning Problems at Home Fostering Executive Control – Adam J. Cox, Ph.D. and in School – Mel Levine, M.D.

Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Children and Adults – Thomas H. Brown, Ph. D. Any Level – Sally Shaywitz, M.D. Helping Students Take Control of Everyday Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Executive Functions: The Attention Fix Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach their Potential – Paula Moraine – Peg Dawson, Ed.D. and Richard Guare, Ph.D.

10 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School EXECUTIVE FUNCTION PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Mary Adkins is an Assistant Professor of Education at Goucher College, specializing in learning disabilities, special education, self-regulated strategy development and generalization instruction. Dr. Karin Sandmel is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Johns Hopkins University, School of Education. She is an expert on writing strategies and Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). Faculty Training: Self-regulation and Reading Comprehension: The GPS Strategy, October 2012.

Jenny Penn, M.S., Marcia Peterson, M.S., and Marty Sweeney, M.S., Odyssey Academic Administrators, offered a Parent Education presentation on the book; Smart but Scattered; Fall 2011.

Dr. Vincent Culotta, is a practicing neuropsychologist, Director of NeuroBehavioral Associates and frequent speaker, providing consultation to children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Dyslexia and ADHD. Parent Presentations; April 2012, September 2012.

Dr. Martha Denckla, Director of Developmental Cognitive Neurology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, is a research scientist, author of over one hundred scientific research papers, and Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Faculty Training; January and April 2011.

Ms. Marty Hankins, Director of Learning and Technology at Odyssey presented at the International Dyslexia Association Conference: Tablet PCs and Executive Function in the Middle School, October 2012

Dr. E. Mark Mahone, Child Neuropsychologist, Research Assistant, Associate Professor and Associate Director of Neuropsychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, is a leader in the research on the relationship between brain development and childhood disorders, including ADHD, dyslexia, movement disorders, sleep apnea, and prenatal alcohol exposure. Parent Ed Presentation; Fall 2011

Dr. Bonnie Singer, Speech Language Pathologist, is an expert in language, literacy, and executive function and the co-author of EmPOWERTM, a Strategic Approach to Teaching Expository Writing; Serves as a consultant to Odyssey each year; Faculty Training.

Dr. William Stixrud, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at George Washington School of Medicine, author and lecturer, is an authority on brain based learning, motivation, ADHD, and the effects of stress and sleep deprivation on the brain. Putting the Fun Back in to Executive Functioning; March 2013.

Dr. Eric Tridas, President of the International Dyslexia Association, Pediatrician and Director of the The Tridas Center for Child Development and Clinical Assistant Professor in Family Practice at the University of South School of Medicine, is a specialist in the diagnosis and management of developmental, behavioral and learning disabilities and Sister Mary Gilchrist Cotrill, an educator who employs executive skills coaching in the classroom and has founded three schools in Florida presented Executive Function: Theory and Practice; Spring 2012.

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 11 Drama Club 2011

Odyssey Students Play Out Alice’s Adventures

Small Alice was played by Jillian Sadler, Alice was Audrey Wilke and Tall Alice was Chloe Goolsby.

Alice, the White Rabbit, the White Rabbit, Aliyah Ware was the alumna Meredith Jones ’07 worked Mad Hatter and the rest of Lewis quirky Queen of Hearts and Tweedle with retired teacher Carol DeMizio Carroll’s imaginary characters came Dum and Tweedle Dee were Maclean to create the magnificent costumes. alive on the stage of Odyssey’s Salsbery and Lauren Hudson. Annie Alumni parent Judy Weidel provided Founders’ Theater when the Drama Chambers was the Caterpillar. hair and make-up services. Club presented Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr. on May 5 and 6, Colorful sets and creative costumes 2011. The School’s traditional Spring drama club performances were a combined with student-directed lighting sensory delight as well. Colorful sets and creative costumes combined with and sound. student-directed lighting and sound to bring excitement and energy to Drawing on the talents of many Off-stage, students who assisted this classic story. members of the Odyssey community, with the production were: wardrobe More than 40 students had roles the presentation was guided by mistress Liza Moore, stage manager in telling this most creative tale. Alice producer/director Patrick Rose, Henry Townsend, lighting designer was played by Audrey Wilke with musical director Joan Wilkerson, Gray Selby, sound director David Chloe Goolsby acting as Tall Alice and art director Kesling St. Denis. Modell and stage crew members and Jillian Sadler playing the part Teacher Regina Kroll assisted with Raphael Ayres, Dylan Clayton, Peter of Small Alice. Cole Alban was the music and choreography. Odyssey Hoffmann and Patrick Stahl.

12 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School Joining in the merriment were Lucy Swindell as Rose, Grace Lauren Hudson and Maclean Salsbery Matthews as Lily, and Annie Chambers as the Caterpillar. portrayed Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee.

Checking the time were Cole Alban as the White Rabbit, Leo Johnson as the Mad Hatter and Ben Cabral as the Mary Ryan Budnitz was the Cheshire Cat. March Hare.

The cast of Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 13 Drama Club 2012

Annie at Odyssey: From Hard Knocks to Happiness

Lauren Hudson sings to Sandy, the robotic dog.

The heartwarming story, beloved practice and rehearsals. Sandy, the St. Denis, and set designer Sarah Bare. characters and familiar tunes of the rescued dog, was a robotic creation Among the volunteers who assisted musical Annie came to life in the of Odyssey student, Jack Kutchins. were seamstresses Carol DeMizio Founders’ Theater as Odyssey’s drama Other Odyssey students provided and Julie Selby, and hairdressers and club presented Annie, Jr. to appreciative technical assistance as Rex Beck make-up artists provided by Judy crowds on May 3 and May 4, 2012. Students performed the charming Audiences were thoroughly entertained tale of Annie, an orphan who maintains the hope of finding her by more than 40 students who shared parents. When she is placed in the luxurious home of Oliver Warbucks roles and showcased their talents. as part of a publicity campaign, Annie’s positive outlook enables handled lighting while Conor Weidel and Studio 1612. her to work her way into everyone’s D’Andrea was responsible for sound. Odyssey’s production of Annie, Jr. hearts and find a permanent home. Annie, Jr. was guided by Odyssey’s combined enthusiastic and well- Audiences were thoroughly capable faculty: director/producer rehearsed actors with favorite entertained by more than 40 students Patrick Rose, musical director Joan musical numbers to show that with who shared roles and showcased Wilkerson, choreographer Regina an optimistic attitude about life, their talents honed by months of Kroll, costume designer Kesling anything can happen.

14 Summer 2012 The Odyssey School Annie, played by Annie Chambers, and Daddy Warbucks, played by Dylan Clayton, sing about their happy ending.

Orphans Maddie Riedel, Nikki Neuberger, Hannah Lily St. Regis, portrayed by Aliyah Ware and Rooster McAleer and Catherine Trueschler sing about the Hannigan played by Greenberg plot with “hard knock life.” Remington Ziegler in the role of Miss Hannigan.

The entire cast of Annie, Jr. takes the stage.

What begins here changes everything. Summer 2012 15 GOLF OUTING 2011

A Memorable Day: Odyssey’s Golf Outing 2011

Odyssey’s 13th Annual Golf Outing saw eighty- seven golfers tee off to a shotgun start at Green Spring Valley Hunt Club on May 24, 2011. The 2011 golf outing honored the memory of Odyssey’s great good friend, Patrick Donnelly. Patrick was devoted to our School and to the successes of each student. He served on Odyssey’s Board of Trustees from 2000-2007 and was instrumental in securing support for the School’s building on the Stevenson campus. Over the years, Patrick Donnelly was the Green Spring Valley Hunt Club member who sponsored this golf outing. We miss our good friend and are so very minutes a day in a 1:1 grateful for his love and or 1:2 setting. It is this support of our School. individualized attention The net proceeds by highly-trained and of $60,000 from this dedicated tutors that plays year’s outing support a significant role in the the difference that daily successes experienced by tutoring makes for each Odyssey’s graduates. Odyssey student. Every Thank you to everyone child enrolled at Odyssey who supported Tee Off for receives tutoring for 50 Tutoring in 2011.

Top: The foursome of Day Bank, Sana Brooks, Alicia Matthai and Krista Bedford enjoy the day. Right: Chessie Donnelly holds photos of her late husband, Patrick J. B. Donnelly, in whose honor the 2011 outing was held.

16 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School THE DAY’S winners

Ladies’ Longest Drive – 11th Hole: Day Bank Men’s Longest Drive – 11th Hole: Fred Allner Closest to the Pin – 18th Hole: Geoff Carey Closest to the Pin – 5th Hole: Bill Roohan 4th Place Foursome: Bill Pellington, Adam Weidner, John MacSherry and Matt Bremner 3rd Place Foursome: Tim Schweizer, Bob Price, Geoff Carey and John Poulton 2nd Place Foursome: Barbara Webbert, Eddie Lipski, Mary Anne Bennett and Debbie Lane 1st Place Foursome: Phil Rauch, Alan Heilbron, Tom Willard and Mike Barrett

Left: Bob and Maggie Geis and Martha and Dick Moore pause for the photographer. Top: Chris Wunder wills the ball into the hole. Above: Roger Bennett putts for a birdie.

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 17 GOLF OUTING 2012

Friends of Odyssey Tee Off for Tutoring

Many Odyssey parents, Odyssey education and the returning friends and new pivotal role tutoring plays players came together to in each child’s success. support Odyssey’s 14th Thanks to everyone, annual golf outing at Green the sponsors, the golfers Spring Valley Hunt Club and the GSVHC staff, Tee on May 22, 2012. Whether Off for Tutoring raised trying for hole-in-one nearly $60,000. Special prizes on the 1st and 18th thanks are extended to holes or aiming to be clos- Development committee est to the pin, every golfer chair Jim Railey and to enjoyed the camaraderie, Odyssey golf chairman the delicious food and the Lock Curtis and the beautiful day on a beautiful capable committee for the golf course. wonderful time had by all. Top: Matt Lind, Scott Breza, Adele Ammons and From arrival greetings Mark your calendars Jim Railey. Above: Art Guy with son and Odyssey alum, by Odyssey middle school now for Odyssey’s 15th Will Guy ’07. Right: Winner of closest to the Pin on hole students to personalized annual outing set for #5 was Odyssey parent Howard Zacur. notes in the golf carts, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. the focus of the event was Let’s tee off for tutoring! on the importance of an

18 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School THE DAY’S StANDOUTS

Ladies’ Longest Drive – 11th Hole: Sana Brooks Men’s Longest Drive – 11th Hole: Jim Railey Closest to the Pin – 18th Hole: Brendan Sweeney Closest to the Pin – 5th Hole: Howard Zacur 4th Place Foursome: Christy Ford Crain, Mary Pat Ford, Mac Ford III and Mac Ford IV 3rd Place Foursome: Barbara Webbert, Justin Knott, Eddie Lipski and Joel Stockbridge 2nd Place Foursome: Tim Schweizer, Geoff Carey, John Poulton and Bob Price 1st Place Foursome: Jason Cooke, Andy Arnold, Collin Black and Mark Van Tuyl

From top: Bill Callis putts while Bo Dixon and Tim Voelkel look on. Golfers relax on the patio. Gil Hutzler, Scott Stevens, Dave Fields and Lock Curtis.

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 19 Graduation 2011

Congratulations to Odyssey’s Class of 2011

The Odyssey School Class of 2011.

A day of tradition and of School Marty Sweeney powerful, funny and celebration, Odyssey’s presented the faculty with deeply touching, each 2011 Graduation dawned mementos honoring their speech reflected the with bright promise for respective 5 and 10 years graduates’ experiences at the future. Guests arrived, of service to Odyssey and Odyssey and hopes for boutonnieres blossomed in its students. Those honored the future. Sharing the lapels, programs fluttered for 5 years were Carol sentiment of many, Matt in the light breeze and DeMizio, Griff Kroll, Regina Knudsen said, “Odyssey the customary white tent Kroll, Kathy Lopez, Marcia has taught me lessons that glistened in the morning Peterson, Patrick Rose, and I will use for the rest of Grace Matthews delivers sun. Odyssey’s families David Tikiob. Those with my life. I’m truly grateful her graduation speech. filled the seats and trustees, 10 years of service were; and I will never forget graduates, and students David Ebert, Amy Norris The Odyssey School.” processed to the strains of and Judy Snyder. For the graduates the presented the 2011 Pillars Pomp and Circumstance. A long-established ensuing presentation of Award to Audrey Wilke for Lower school head hallmark of Odyssey’s diplomas symbolized dedication and adherence Cindy Lemieux and middle graduation is the speech the culmination of to the Four Pillars of school head Jenny Penn which each of the 12 their Odyssey years. Kindness, Honesty, Respect celebrated the transitioning graduates delivered. Accompanied by and Hard Work. students’ passages to their Prepared with care, resounding applause, Head A standing ovation met new schools. Then Head and both poignant and of School Marty Sweeney the presentation of the

20 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School 2011 Graduates & High Schools

Maria Hicks Oldfields School Charlie Iklé Boys’ Latin School Matt Knudsen Grace Matthews Ted Miller Jemicy School David Modell Boys’ Latin School Grace Pollak Oldfields School Natalie Saylor Dumbarton Middle School Lucy Swindell Garrison Forest School Henry Townsend St. Paul’s School Catherine Wegner St. Paul’s School for Girls Charlie Iklé receives congratulations from Audrey Wilke Maryvale Preparatory School Head of School Marty Sweeney.

Odyssey Board Chair Chris Pope presents the Founder’s Award to Trustee Gordon Jones.

Pillars Award winner Audrey Wilke celebrates with her mother, Brigitte Pocta, and father, John Wilke.

2011 Founders’ Award tradition, Pillars Award to Gordon Jones. Truly, winner Audrey Wilke Odyssey would not be rang the Founders’ Bell where it is today without to signify the close of Gordon Jones, his foresight the school year, the and “make it happen” end of graduation and attitude. the beginning of each Graduate Matt Knudsen poses with his parents, Ellen and Finally, as has become graduate’s future. Chuck Knudsen.

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 21 Graduation 2011

The Founders’ Award was established by the Board of Trustees to recognize those individuals whose generosity, leadership and commitment to The Odyssey School are in keeping with the spirit of the founding families who started Odyssey in 1994. In its short history, Odyssey has been blessed by those who have given so much to make the School what it is today. As a Board and as a School, we feel that it is important to pay tribute to those who have made the dreams of yesterday into the reality of today.

The 2011 Founders’ Award is presented to Mr. Gordon to stretch beyond themselves. Many of Odyssey’s current Jones. Gordon is the force that has advanced Odyssey. trustees learned to “get the gift” at the knee of Gordon An indefatigable champion of dyslexic children and of Jones, master fundraiser. The Odyssey School, his own vision is what brought Gordon Jones has been the defining force behind Odyssey to its current The Odyssey School. As campus. Gordon knew the a dyslexic himself, he has potential for growth when lived the trauma of being the school first opened with labeled “stupid” or “lazy.” 24 students and almost He is neither, but grew up immediately began to look in a time when learning for a larger building. He differences were not well knew Odyssey’s students understood and when strat- needed a campus that egies to address dyslexia would provide opportu- were non-existent. He is a nities for every aspect of living example of the good student life; academics, arts than can emanate from a and athletics. Capitalizing bad situation. Gordon does on his experience as a land not want any child with developer, Gordon sought dyslexia to grow up without out potential locations for hope — without the certain an expanded school. THE ODYSSEY SCHOOL hope that The Odyssey Finding the land and bril- School offers. liantly securing its donation FOUNDERS’ Life at The Odyssey led Gordon to tenaciously School is guided by the Four pursue financial support AWARD 2011 Pillars of Kindness, Honesty, for the construction of the Respect and Hard Work. school. He met, educated Gordon is a living demon- and shared the Odyssey stration of our Pillars and, is vision with many, many people. When some said, “It in so many ways, the embodiment of our School. Because can’t be done,” Gordon mustered his creativity and he sees himself in every single one of the children, Gordon enthusiastically moved forward. His ability to connect Jones is responsible for changing the life of every child with others nurtured their capabilities and enabled them who has walked through Odyssey’s front doors.

22 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School Graduation 2012

The Class of 2012 Embarks Upon a Bright Future

The Odyssey School Class of 2012

On the sunny Thursday preparation for the future token of appreciation were Pam Bilger, Lori morning of June 14th and the self-advocacy skills presented by Head of Brooks, Lori Gordon, hundreds from the Odyssey instilled in each School Marty Sweeney. Anne Horman, Julie Scher, Odyssey community student. Receiving 5-year gifts were Megan Schuler, Kathy assembled under the tent In recognition of their Miriam Gerstenblith, Alli Simmons, Terri Smith, in the North Garden to service faculty and staff Gold, Marty Hankins, Kesling St. Denis, Robyn honor the bright futures reaching the marks of 5 Donna Leppo, Aby Milner Wagner and Gene Wilkins. of the members of the and 10 years of service and Pat Palm. Recognized A highlight of the Class of 2012. It was a were honored with a small for 10 years of service ceremony was the celebration of another successful school year and a farewell to the graduates. As is the Odyssey custom, each graduate delivered a speech about his or her experiences at Odyssey. Offering thanks to parents and teachers and sharing anecdotes, each graduate shared a very personal glimpse into the journey made during their years at Odyssey. A Students lead the Graduation procession with the Odyssey banner. 2012 Pillars Award universal theme was their recipient, Dylan Clayton, poses with Head of School Marty Sweeney.

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 23 Graduation 2012

presentation of the Pillars school year, the completion Award to Dylan Clayton of the graduation for his “dedication and ceremonies and the adherence to Odyssey’s Four graduates’ first steps into Pillars of Kindness, Honesty, the future, Pillars Award Respect and Hard Work.” winner Dylan Clayton After singing The performed the traditional Odyssey School Song and ringing of the Founders’ to signify the close of the Bell.

2012 Graduates & High Schools Catherine Trueschler shares her Odyssey memories. Raphael Ayres Calvert Hall College High School Rex Beck Boys’ Latin Ben Cabral St. Paul’s School Annie Chambers Garrison Forest School Dylan Clayton Calvert Hall College High School Conor D’Andrea Loyola Blakefield Gillian Eby St. Paul’s School for Girls Leland Freeman Mount St. Joseph High School Adam George Tandem Friends School, Charlottesville, VA Dylan Goldsborough Jemicy School Chloe Goolsby Carver Center for the Arts and Technology Michael Grinnell Jemicy School Lauren Hudson Oldfields School Graduate Gillian Eby and her parents, Martin and Lauren Hyson Oldfields School Carole, enjoy the occasion. Leo Johnson Carver Center for the Arts and Technology Jack Kutchins Mount St. Joseph High School Hannah McAleer Maryvale Preparatory School Brent Powers Boys’ Latin Lilli Pursley St. Pauls’ School for Girls Katie Railey Notre Dame Preparatory School Abby Sarnecki Catholic High School of Baltimore Harry Schorr Gray Selby Justin Smith Boys’ Latin Patrick Stahl Boys’ Latin Sarah Trauner Friends School Catherine Trueschler Oldfields School Gordon Jones was honored in the speech given by Aliyah Ware Towson High School graduate Gray Selby.

24 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School ALUMNI NEWS

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summer enrichment to inner city children. Her goal is to work with children who have learning differences.

Andrew Medlyn ’02 graduated from Baltimore Lutheran School and attends Juniata College where he is now a senior.

Becca Laws ’03 has moved to New York City and is continuing to Ian Bohager ’99 and Jack Tompkins ’96 chat with Head of School Marty Sweeney. advance her own designs of fine jewelry. She has two collections of pendants: Jules Leal ’96 is living in Leslie Giauque ’98 Mozambique and Costa Kaleidoscope Collection Dublin, Ireland where he is graduated in 2009 from Rica! During the summer and Modern Monograms. a regional manager for GAP Lynchburg College with of 2012 she was an intern In addition to her 14k gold Europe. a bachelor’s degree in at Port Discovery providing pendants, she also designs Health Promotion. She is Ben Gruver ’98 is home working at Sheppard Pratt from the Peace Corps and in the Eating Disorder unit is working as an educa- and has also enrolled in tional assistant at Sheppard nursing school. Pratt in Towson. Ben was previously with the Julia Florea T’99 is Forbush School provid- currently a senior at ing classroom and teacher Roanoke College in support and working one- Salem, Virginia where on-one with students. As she is majoring in a volunteer, Ben is writing psychology with a minor grants for Green Africa, an in elementary education. organization dedicated to She is a graduate of St. helping women farmers Paul’s School for Girls. Her fight poverty in post-war travels include various Sierra Leone. European countries, Catie Chafey ’01.

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 25 ALUMNI NEWS

jewelry in sterling silver Edinburgh, Scotland while and dipped gold. Currently, she completes her degree. Becca is collaborating with Johns Hopkins Children’s Melissa Radke ’03 is Cancer Center on a now in her second year of pendant to be used in their teaching Pre-Kindergarten fundraising efforts. and Pre-First students in Anne Arundel County. She Kathryn (Kat) McIntosh graduated from Towson ‘03 graduated in June University in May 2012 2011 from the University where she was on the of Redlands in Redlands, Dean’s List every semester California with a B.A. in after her first one. Melissa’s Religious Studies with degree is in Education Kurt Waters ’03 graduated in May 2011 from MICA department honors while and her major was Early (Maryland Institute College of Art) with a BFA in making All American as a Childhood Education with environmental design. He is now interning at the swimmer at the university. a Special Education minor. Baltimore City Department of Planning Office downtown. Last fall she began a Kurt works with the Commission for Historical & master’s program at the Adam Shettle ’03 is Architectural Preservation (CHAP) where he is editing/ University of Edinburgh living in New York City updating their files and archives on firehouses in the City (Scotland) School of Law where he works for ACE of Baltimore to help determine the need for rehabilitation. studying international Group. He holds an This will involve evaluating every firehouse, both active climate change and undergraduate degree from and inactive, that is still standing. Kurt also works environmental law. Villanova University and part-time at Charlesmead Pharmacy in Cedarcroft and The full program name is has completed his Masters volunteers with the Baltimore City Fire Department Box LLM Global Environment in Risk Management from 414 Association that operates the mobile canteen wagon and Climate Change Law. St. John’s University in at major fire scenes in Baltimore City. His hobby is taking Kat will be enjoying life in New York. photos for the fire department and Box 414.

Bradley Rogers III T’03 team all-star for Western graduated from East Aurora New York and earned the High School in upstate Ray Kroc Outstanding New York and is now a Sportsmanship Award. sophomore at Alfred State He also played lacrosse College in upstate New for four years and was York and is majoring in lead scorer for two years. liberal arts. He is a member He says his early years of of the varsity lacrosse team. lacrosse in Baltimore really During high school he helped, thanks to Coach Will Roohan ’03 (left) is now in his senior year at the played many sports and Martell. Brad spent last University of Vermont where he is joined by his brother, was the team captain for summer working at The Casey Roohan T’03, who is now a freshman. Both are the football team. Bradley Gow School as a camp graduates of Boys’ Latin School. was recognized as a second counselor.

26 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School Curtis Holmes ’04 is and is in her sophomore a Senior All-American year at Duke University. lacrosse midfielder at the Margaret spent the sum- University of Maryland mers of 2011 and 2012 College Park where he is interning at Super Kids majoring in Letters and Camp in Baltimore, a non- Sciences. Curtis holds profit summer camp for Maryland’s all-time single city elementary students to season record for winning improve their literacy and 222 face-offs in 2011. math skills. She was an AP Curtis was named an Scholar student at SPSG NCAA All-American in the and was active in student 2011 season and also to government, flourished Cole Waesche ’10 and Eric Reichert ’09. both the ACC and NCAA in advanced placement Tournament teams. classes, played ice hockey and lacrosse, and was an for her BA in globalization University studying Margaret Perry T’04 was avid photographer. and regional studies with a Criminal Justice. His goal the 2011 winner of the minor in Asian studies. She is to work within FEMA National Achievement Joe Polovoy ’04 is living, spent her junior semester or Homeland Security. He Award from Learning Ally working and attending abroad in and India has completed many fire (formerly Reading for college in Dallas, Texas. where she visited Buddhist department classes through the Blind and Dyslexic). monasteries, stayed in small University of Maryland Her essay about her own Perri Brierly-Bowers ’05 rural village homes and College Park: Firefighter journey through dyslexia After earning her Associate trekked into the Himalayas. I/II, Hazardous Materials brought her a $6,000 of Arts degree at Bard For summer 2011 Perri Operations, Rescue scholarship! Margaret College at Simon’s Rock continued her studies with Technician Site Operations graduated in 2011 from in May 2010, Perri has a summer internship at the and Vehicle and Machinery St. Paul’s School for Girls continued at Simon’s Rock Stars and Stripes newspaper Rescue, Confined Space in Tokyo, Japan. Perri has Rescue Technician, State begun work on her thesis of Maryland EMT-B, exploring the impact of Trench Rescue Technician, modernization on animism Emergency Vehicle in spiritual landscapes. Operator, Pump Operator. She plans to incorporate He has also completed published and field his Maryland Emergency research with illustration Medical Technician and photography for her (EMT) and is currently thesis. a Firefighter/EMT and Rescue Technician at the Andrew Packo ’05 Lutherville Volunteer Fire graduated from Calvert Company where he has Hall College High School volunteered for several in 2009 and is currently years. He hopes to become Katherine Eastham ’04 and Hannah Pope ’07. a junior at Towson a part of a FEMA Rescue

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 27 ALUMNI NEWS

Team and be able to travel a sophomore at the Meredith Jones ’07 overseas to help other University of Arizona graduated from Towson people in foreign countries and plans to study early High School in June 2011 during man-made and childhood education. At and is a sophomore at natural disasters. the University of Arizona Messiah College where Paige participates in the she received a scholarship. Will Roohan’05 is a SALT Center (Strategic Meredith devoted every senior at the University of Alternative Learning afternoon of her senior year Vermont where his major Techniques). SALT is to service as an art intern at is mechanical engineer- nationally known program Odyssey and was involved ing. He completed the last for assisting students with in costume design for the Alice, Jr. drama production. semester of his junior year various learning disabilities with a 3.89 GPA. succeed in college. is playing football and enjoys her foundry (bronze Paige Blaszak T’05 Patrice Johnson ’06 studying hard. He earned casting) class and is attended Odyssey for graduated from St. all As in the ninth grade. looking forward to moving her 5th and 6th grade Timothy’s School in June To earn community service into her first apartment in years before moving to 2010. She is attending hours during this past December with her dog, Greenville, South Carolina, Morgan State University summer Michael was a Colby. where she graduated where she is active in volunteer at the Super Kids from Greenville Technical Morgan’s Modern Dance Camp and worked for his Jessica Berry ’07 Charter High School. Ensemble. sister, Margaret! graduated from Lynchburg Paige received the Arizona College in June 2011 with Excellence Scholarship Michael Perry T’06 is TJ Root ’06, a graduate a Bachelor of Arts Degree in and the Palmetto Hope in the 10th Grade at the of St. Paul’s School, is English with a creative writ- Scholarship. She is where he attending the University of ing emphasis. Her minor Maryland (College Park) field of study was special School of Engineering. TJ education. She was in the helped prepare Odyssey’s Theater Honor Society, entry into the 2011 Kinetic Alpha Psi Omega, and a Sculpture Race sponsored sister in the sorority Alpha by the American Visionary Sigma Alpha. Jessica has Arts Museum. accepted an Internship with the Costume Department Daniel Scher ’06 of Flat Rock Playhouse in graduated from The Gow Flat Rock, North Carolina School in 2011 and is in where she began to work his second year at Marshall following graduation. After University. Odyssey Jessica attended the Baltimore School for Helen Stichel T’06 is in the Arts. her junior year in college at the School of the Art Henry Crompton ’07 Victoria Scarlet ’07 and Parker Phelan ’07 Institute of Chicago. She was a 2011 graduate from

28 Summer 2012 The Odyssey School St. Paul’s School and is Adam Foreman ’07 of the Thespian Honor Sam Collins ’08 won a sophomore at Elon graduated from Calvert Society and was the the Creighton Murch University. He spent his Hall College High School recipient of a Baltimore Scholarship Award at The senior project at Odyssey and is in his second year at County Cappie (prestigious Gow School at the end of his where he assisted for a few the University of Alabama. theater award). He had junior year for overall citizen- weeks in social studies and a lead role in Hereford’s ship and growth over time. math classes. Will Guy ’07 graduated in production of State June 2012 from Boys’ Latin Fair, which also won a Mallory DiGeorge ’08 Andrew Dempsey ’07 where he was a member of Cappie and therefore was graduated from St. Paul’s is a sophomore at Bucknell the golf team. He is a fresh- performed again at the School for Girls in June University. In June man at Elon University. Hippodrome Theater. 2012 and is a freshman 2011 he graduated from Dylan was also one of nine at the University of Boys’ Latin where was Hannah Pope ’07 students to receive a school Mississippi. an outstanding lacrosse graduated from Brewster service award from the player. He has received Academy in New Hampshire English department. When Kaley Gonzalez’08 is a a lacrosse scholarship at in June 2012 and enjoys congratulated, Dylan’s senior at Garrison Forest Bucknell. attending school in warmer mom stated: “Odyssey was School. In March 2012, weather at the University of the answer to our prayers.” Kaley was inducted into Melanie Fischer ’07 the Redlands in California. the Cum Laude Society graduated from The Jemicy Hannah has been an assistant Brendan Russell ’07 which honors academic School and is attending at Camp Windward. graduated from Boys’ excellence, good character Wesley College in Dover, Latin School and is now and integrity in all aspects Delaware. Several pieces Dylan Roberts ’07 attending the University of school life. of her art were displayed graduated in 2011 from of Alabama. Brendan has at Goucher College for the Hereford High School worked at Watson’s Garden Grace Riehl T’08 2011-2012 school year. where he was a member Center in Towson during graduated in June 2011 the summers. from St. Paul’s School for Girls Middle School where Devin Seidel ’07 gradu- she made the high honor ated from Calvert Hall roll and the effort honor College High School roll while playing soccer in June 2011 where he and lacrosse. She is in her was the Student Body sophomore year at St. Paul’s President. Devin was School for Girls. accepted into all the colleges where he applied Jacob Soloski ‘08 gradu- and is now in his sopho- ated from Calvert Hall in more year at Hood College. June. He will attend the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn Danny Vaile ’07 is a 2011 this fall to study architecture graduate of Loyola-Blakefield and design. He was accept- and is attending High Point ed to four other schools and University where he is a received generous scholar- Jeremy Lange ’10, Cameron Bell ’10 and sophomore. ship offers from all. Andrew Marsiglia ’10.

What begins here changes everything. Summer 2012 29 ALUMNI NEWS

Aaron Leeds ’09 is now a 6 Cole Waesche ’09 Hank Galateria ’10 is foot, 1 inch senior preparing received First Honors for attending Christchurch for his 2013 graduation from the First Term 2011-12 at School near Saluda, Virginia Boys’ Latin. Sports continue Loyola Blakefield where where he is a junior. to be Aaron’s passion. He he is now a senior. Cole is is the only student at Boys’ taking mostly Honors level Emma Lavelle T’10 Latin who plays soccer, courses and enjoys meeting graduated from Charles ice hockey and lacrosse academic challenges. Armstrong School which at the varsity level. Math she attended after moving and science remain Aaron’s Ariyel Yavalar T’09 is to the San Francisco area. highest learning strengths now a sophomore at She is now a sophomore and interests. His middle school teacher at Odyssey, Garrison Forest School. at Mercy High School in David Weidow, inspired his initial interest in science that Ariyel was one of 6 Burlingame, California. continues today. Currently, Aaron is involved in college students in the entire search and preparation. Several college lacrosse coaches are 8th grade class selected Grayson Weidel ’10 has actively pursuing Aaron at this time. Occasionally, Aaron to present a speech, sold a piece of his artwork is asked what school he attended before Boys’ Latin and originally written for her to a private collector! Aaron proudly responds, “The Odyssey School.” Public Speaking class, to Congratulations! Grayson the entire middle school. has won several art awards The speech was a very at Carver Center for the Akeem Frederick ’09 is which she spoke about the personal account of both Arts where he is a junior. a senior at Dulaney High public’s misunderstanding of her struggle and success School and a member of learning and developmental with dyslexia. She credits Audrey Wilke ’11 is a the school’s marching band. disabilities. Jordan empha- much of her success to sophomore at Maryvale In spring 2011 Akeem trav- sized the power of family her Odyssey experience! Preparatory School where eled to England with the and the role of perseverance At Garrison’s 8th grade she has participated in marching band as part of a while praising Odyssey for graduation ceremony, many activities including musical exchange program. the strength it instilled in Ariyel was presented with the school’s “Lights Out, her. Swimming continues Garrison Forest’s “Unsung Lock In” to benefit the Fuel Wynn Geis T’09 is a to be her passion and she Heroine Award”. Fund of Maryland. sophomore at St. Paul’s has chosen to swim for the School for Boys where University of Texas, Austin. he was invited to join the varsity golf team at Matt Tillett ’09 is do- St. Paul’s School for Boys ing well at Archbishop when he was a freshman. Spalding High School. During the summer of Jordan Surhoff ’09 is now 2012 he worked at Busch a senior at St. Paul’s School Gardens in Williamsburg for Girls where she was on as a lighting technician. the academic honor roll at His passion is stage lighting the end of her junior year. and he is looking for a col- She received a standing ova- lege where he can major in tion from the entire school Technical Theater, Lighting for her senior speech in Design or related fields. Cindy Maier and Sam Hoffman ’10.

30 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School Passages

Carol DeMizio, retired Charlie Neave was a Odyssey math teacher, student at Odyssey for died in October 2012. A four years before his death veteran educator, Carol, on December 2, 2012. who served several years “He was a wonderful as Math Department chair, person: optimistic, kind, was at Odyssey for five enthusiastic, funny, and years and devoted her one of the most thoughtful energies to increasing people you could ever her students’ comfort find,” according to Head with and understanding of School Marty Sweeney. Hamilton Bishop, the of math. She also Lindsay D. Dryden, Jr., Charlie loved his family, founding Head of The volunteered her support an extraordinary friend of his dog, sports, especially Odyssey School, passed for the School’s drama The Odyssey School, died football and the New York away in November 2011. productions, especially on March 6, 2013. Mr. Jets, even here, in the heart Ham was a most kind, the creation of costumes. Dryden’s generosity made of Ravens territory. Charlie caring and dedicated Carol contributed sewing it possible to build The enjoyed laughter and silly leader who had a smile machines to the school. Lindsay Dryden Center, times, cracked jokes and and friendly word for all. A hands-on person, she Odyssey’s wonderful shared stories with his A vitally important part employed her considerable gymnasium which is tutoring partner — much to of Odyssey’s founding talents to craft many the site of daily physical the delight of his tutor. He on Roland Avenue in costumes that brought education classes, exercise was a friend to everyone. 1994, Ham brought his life to Odyssey’s drama break activities, many Charlie tackled challenges many years of experience productions both before assemblies and social with perseverance and was and instant credibility and after her retirement. events. With another kind the epitome of Odyssey’s to Odyssey as he led the Carol was a warm and gift he established The Four Pillars of Kindness, School for the first two compassionate person who Lindsay D. Dryden, Jr. Honesty, Respect and Hard years of its existence. The will be missed by everyone Speaker Series which has Work. The entire Odyssey entire Odyssey community at Odyssey. allowed Odyssey to bring community will miss his shares a great sense of experts in dyslexia onto calm and joyful spirit. appreciation for the many campus each fall to present ways that Ham contributed to our faculty, our families to the early and humble and the greater community. beginnings of this amazing As Head of School Marty School. Sweeney remembered, “Lindsay has been an amazing friend to Odyssey, supporting us in so many ways through his love and generosity.”

What begins here changes everything. Spring 2013 31 Scholarship Fund

The Charlie Neave Scholarship Fund

he Odyssey School community, receive the benefits of an Odyssey education. families and friends responded The student receiving scholarship funds would with an overwhelmingly generous embody, as Charlie did, Odyssey’s Four Pillars outpouring of memorial gifts to of Kindness, Honesty, Respect and Hard Work. Thonor the life of student Charlie Neave. The Liz and Jon Neave invite Odyssey’s parents, Charlie Neave Scholarship Fund has been former parents, alumni and friends to remember established in order to provide assistance to Charlie’s incredible life and insurmountable an Odyssey student needing aid to continue to spirit with a gift to his scholarship fund.

Checks should be made out to The Odyssey School with the “Charlie Neave Scholarship Fund” written in the Memo Line. Gifts may be made online; please go to the “In Memory Of” box and type in “Neave Scholarship.” Please contact Pat Palm in Odyssey’s Development Office with any questions: [email protected]

32 Spring 2013 The Odyssey School The Mainsail Society Ensuring Odyssey’s Future

The Odyssey School has established The Mainsail Society to recognize the generosity and dedication of individuals who participate in the School’s Planned Giving Program.

Participants’ vision will make a possible strong financial future for the School, ensuring that students who need Odyssey’s specialized education will have the opportunity to live up to his or her individual potential.

When you plan for your financial goals, there are many ways in which future generations at The Odyssey School can benefit: bequests through a will, gifts of retirement assets, life insurance or the establishment of various types of trusts that benefit both you and the School.

For a brochure and information regarding The Mainsail Society, please contact: Pat Palm, CFRE Bob Geis, Esq., Trustee 2005-2013 Director of Development Development Committee 410-299-2800 [email protected] [email protected]

Have you reviewed your estate plans? Experts say it is a good idea to check your plans every two years due to changes in tax law. When you do please think of Odyssey. Parents: Please email your alum’s email address to [email protected]

The Odyssey School Nonprofit Org. The Odyssey School U.S. Postage 3257 Bridle Ridge Lane PAID Stevenson, Maryland 21153-2036 Baltimore, MD Permit No. 6338

ODYSSEY EXCELS! Sloops take Silver

The Sloop science class, guided by lower school science teacher Jamie Craven, won the Silver Award in the BGE Wires Down Video Challenge. In a 35-second video, the students used hand-made puppets to demonstrate safe behavior when wires are down. BGE, sponsor of the contest for elementary schools in central Maryland, noted that the originality and creativity of Odyssey’s students made their “do not touch” commercial stand out among the 30 entries which received more than 65,000 online votes. In addition to a plaque, The Odyssey School received a check for $5,000 The Sloop science students and teacher Ms. Jamie Craven hold that will be used to expand the environmental the hand-made puppets as BGE’s Rob Gould displays the Sliver studies opportunities for all students. Award Certificate.