Solebury School Magazine - Winter/Spring 2014

Solebury SchoolMagazineSolebury SchoolMagazine Winter/Spring 2014

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2 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Winter/Spring 2014

New Faces on Campus 8

Celebrating an Anniversary 10

Alma’s 13

SoleBenefits 16

Auction 18

In this issue of Solebury School’sMagazine, you will be introduced tothe new faces around campus, learnabout the process of the school’sreaccreditation, and find out aboutour new Middle School program.

You will meet current students whoare living proof that the school’sphilosophy has stayed relevant sinceits inception in 1925. Catch up withalumni in this issue’s Alma’s and seethe exciting schedule planned forReunion Weekend 2014.

What’s Inside Winter/Spring 2014

Cover and inside cover photos credit to Nicole Mount.

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I find myself talking about “the collegeprocess” frequently. As a formerAdmissions Officer at the university level,there are two changes to the process thatstrike me as particularly noteworthy.

First, the number of enrolled studentsat colleges has not appreciably increased,however, the demand for those seats has.More people are going to college thanever before. If you combine this trendwith the following mind-set – thesubjective belief that for each, only a fewcolleges are the “right” choice – youratchet up the stress level of parents andstudents around admissions. Selecting a college that isbest for you is no longer the driver for many; getting intoa specific college is now the focus.

For Solebury, the “right” college is about the best fitfor the individual student. We take into considerationtheir style of learning, as well as their physical andemotional needs – all the variables such that, whenproperly aligned, position our graduates for success incollege.

For the students, the college process spans much oftheir time at Solebury. Tim Gallen, Solebury’s Directorof College Guidance, devotes all of his time to helpingour families negotiate this process. Tim offers seminarsand workshops to the parents of sophomores andjuniors. He answers questions from ninth gradersthrough seniors about course selection and how “thecolleges” will view this particular course choice asopposed to that one. He helps to chart the course ourstudents must navigate – ensuring access to the necessarytests (PSAT, ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests) – as well aspreparing our students for regional and national collegefairs. He teaches a class on the college process, requiredfor every junior and has built strong relationships withmany institutions of higher learning. Under Tim’sleadership, the school adopted Naviance, an onlineanalytic tool that informs students and parents as to howthe students’ credentials match the desired profile of thecolleges they are contemplating. In addition to Tim, allfaculty are part of the support network as our studentsapproach the college process – from supportive advisorswho listen, guide and counsel, to those faculty who

author highly personalized letters ofrecommendation.

In addition to Tim’s official schoolrecommendation, each student typicallyrequests two to four letters in support oftheir application from those teachers who know them best.

Which brings us to Senior year, whenthe emphasis shifts to a series ofdecisions for the student. How manyschools should I apply to? What are my“safety schools” and are they really safe?Do I have a first choice and should I

apply Early Action (EA), Early Decision (ED) orRegular? How does that decision affect my financial aidif I need financial assistance? Which teachers should Iask for my recommendations? With one eye (hopefully)still focused on their current academic work, the firsthalf of the senior year sees the other eye focused on amountain of forms, some paper and others electronic,essays and deadlines.

And then…the waiting begins. How long the waitdepends on which schools are in the mix, whether theypractice precipice or rolling admission, and whether thestudent applied ED, EA or Regular. Thus, almost theentirety of the year is dotted with a mixture of joy andpathos as students learn of their decisions fromNovember through April.

Like the classes before them, the class of 2014 hasinvested much time and effort in both their time atSolebury and in making choices for the next step in theireducational journey. We have students actively seekingadmission at schools such as Brown, Yale, Penn andColumbia, while George Washington University,University of Illinois, Skidmore, Penn State, NYU,Bennington, Hampshire, Pitt, and Indiana Universityamong others have already welcomed Solebury seniorsto their freshmen class of 2018. Of our 51 seniors, morethan half have already received an acceptance.

What does all this mean? I do not subscribe to theview that only a relative handful of schools define theuniverse of acceptable options as our students graduatefrom Solebury School. I do believe in fit and feel and

A Note fromTom Wilschutz–Head of School

(continued on page 11)


During the next 18 months, Solebury School will participate in the rigorous accreditation processof the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS). Currently, our faculty and staffare deeply engaged in comprehensive, thoughtful reflection about all aspects of the work we do as aschool. This effort will culminate with a written self-study composed by the entire faculty and staffand demonstrating our approach to 25 standards that include the school’s philosophy, governance,institutional advancement, financial management and health and safety.

Once the self-study is complete, it will be submitted to PAIS and we willbegin preparing to welcome a Visiting Team composed of volunteers who areteachers, administrators and Heads from other independent schools, allmembers of PAIS. The Visiting Team, chaired by the Head of anotherindependent school, will arrive in late October to visit every class, review all thepaperwork with collateral materials and meet with students, administrators,parents and faculty. The visiting team is examining us based on the criteria wehave set for our school and evaluating our efforts against generally acceptedstandards for effective independent schools. The standards provide a basicframework that is intended to be shared among independent schools inPennsylvania and its narrative format allows us to detail the unique and specialattributes of Solebury School. Some months after the visit, we will receivefeedback from PAIS regarding the status of our accreditation, along with adetailed written report with commendations and recommendations to guide usas we seek to continually improve the experience for our students and allmembers of the community. Once approved, Solebury will be accredited withPAIS through 2021.

Special acknowledgement goes to our librarian Hanna Elliot, who is chairing the self-study, and the entire SteeringCommittee for their extraordinary effort and time commitment to this process. “I have been really grateful for the extrawork that everyone has been doing,” said Elliot. “It isn’t an easy process but our faculty and staff has been willing toparticipate and rise to the challenge.”

“As time consuming as this effort is, this process offers the whole community an opportunity to examine closely whoand what we are and evaluate that snapshot against both our mission and our vision for the school’s future,” said TomWilschutz, Head of School. “Perhaps as valuable, we ask a group of external experts who arrive without bias orpreconceived ideas to read carefully what we think of ourselves, then to come and spend time with us – listen and observe– and confirm for us, or challenge us, on our reality. In most every instance both are true. We will be praised for doingsome things very well and we will be challenged to improve where needed. The schools that engage the reaccreditationprocess with serious intent seize a wonderful opportunity to insert into the busy lives of a school time for thought,reflection and discussion such that the near term path forward is well lit by these three beacons as we seek the kind ofcontinuous improvement that keeps us completive and relevant.” ❖

Standards of Academic ExcellencePAIS Accreditation

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Just a couple of months ago, English teacher KaraMcCabe had a conversation with a student that let her knowshe was doing something right. Referencing a popular imagefor good ideas, McCabe heard, “I’ve run out of light bulbs!You can’t make any more connections today.”

Yet connections are what it’s all about in the newinterdisciplinary Middle School Program, designed tohighlight the interconnected relationship betweenLiterature, History, Science, Math and Language. The new7th and 8th grade curriculum invites students to broadentheir understanding, spark their critical thinking skills, andnotice the overlap of issues in the world around them.Students read Greek myths while learning about early Greekdemocracy; they learn about languages as a window intoworld cultures; they learn about science while exploring thelocal environment, interviewing local farmers and preparingtheir own farm-to-table meal; they learn about their owncultural identity as a way of exploring immigration,geography and government.

“We hoped that they would see the inter-related nature ofschool and really all academic disciplines,” said KristyThurrell, a history teacher who, along with McCabe, teachesa Middle School humanities course called Identity,Community, Change. “We planned it out, with theconnections there, and said, ‘Maybe they’ll see them.’ Theyreally have, maybe even more than we hoped. And they’remaking the connections themselves.”

With just 16 students, the new Middle School program issmall by design, and offers a challenging and advancedcurriculum. Essentially, this is Honors Middle School,observes Cari Nelson, science teacher and director of theMiddle School program. “There is a higher level of thinkingat work here,” said Nelson. “These students will be veryprepared for high school.”

Nelson pointed to the small class size, interdisciplinaryapproach and the opportunity for experiential learning as thecornerstones of this unique program. During their twoyears, Middle School students visit Washington, D.C., theUnited Nations, an Environmental Education Center,Overlook Farm, run by Heifer International, and even takean international trip. The Middle School also has a 1:1 iPadprogram, allowing students to develop their technologicalskills while staying organized. “We are 90 percent digital,”said Nelson. “Students turn in work on the iPad, I grade iton the iPad, and give it back on the iPad. It helps withorganization. There are no more loose papers for MiddleSchoolers.”

This is one of the many changes that students seem toappreciate. “I really like the fact that we use iPads forlearning now,” said Stella Stinnett ’18. “I am learning aboutso many new things and it’s very fun at the same time.Overall this year at Solebury School has been a greatexperience for me and I’m having so much fun and learninga lot.” ❖

The New Middle School Program

Middle Schoolers Connor Leff ’19, Garritt Zalewski ’19 and Robbe Genyn ’18work on their LEGO robot projects.

Middle School Director Cari Nelson (center), works with LorenzMarkhoff ’18 and Ben Weinberg ’18 on their iPads.


Solebury School’s Philosophy–An Enduring Foundation

When the school opened in 1925with just four teachers and fourstudents, these core ideas became thefoundation of an educationalphilosophy. The future may have beenmurky, but the school’s mission wascrystal clear. “Our goal is to start asmall school with an informalatmosphere, where the needs of eachboy would be attended to, wherefriendship between teachers and pupilswould be encouraged, and where a boywould be prepared not only forcollege, but for life beyond highschool,” wrote Arthur “Doc”Washburn, Solebury’s first headmaster.

Nearly 90 years later, SoleburySchool’s philosophy includes five tenetsthat align seamlessly with the fourfounders’ original intentions:challenging academics, a partnershipbetween students and teachers, respectfor the individual, the importance ofdiversity and relevant education.“When I think about Solebury’sphilosophy, I’m jealous that ourstudents get to go to school here,” saidScott Eckstein, Solebury School’sDirector of Admissions. “They attenda school where the classes are full ofmeaningful work, they are surroundedby adults who care, and they are partof an environment where they cantruly be themselves. A community likethis is an incredible gift and creates agreat high school experience.”

Today, the five tenets of SoleburySchool’s philosophy are not just words

on a page. Instead, they are living,breathing emblems of what the schoolrepresents. They are embodied in thebright and vibrant students thatpopulate the campus. They endure.

It is difficult to find a student atSolebury School who does notpersonify the school’s philosophy.Here are brief snapshots of fivestudents who help bring the school’sphilosophy to life every day.

Challenging and Inspiring AcademicsLooking at

Eli Sadoff’sacademictranscript,several patternsappear – likethe repetition ofthe word“Honors” or thefrequent use ofthe letters “AP”.

Sadoff ’14, has sought out challengingcourses since he arrived at SoleburySchool in 9th grade. Now in his senioryear, when he could perhaps ease up abit, he has instead decided to take APFrench, AP Statistics, AP Chemistry,Honors Physics, 19th Century Novel,and Multivariable Calculus, a collegelevel course where he is the onlystudent in the class. “My schedule iskind of crazy,” laughed Sadoff. “Idecided to make my senior year myhardest.”

Yet while Sadoff has always pushedhimself, he has also enjoyed hisstudies. He said the small class sizes,individual attention from teachers, andthe notion that education is aboutmore than just earning grades hasmade what could have been anacademic slog into something muchmore satisfying. “There is some stress,but there is also the joy of learning,”said Sadoff. “I look forward to goingto class.”

Students and Teachers – A Partnership in Learning

Ian Grady’14 considershistory teacherKristy Thurrellhis friend. AtSolebury, this isnot atypical.Instead, this is acommonoccurrence on acampus where

class time is all about discourse,discussion and debate; and wherestudent/teacher relationships are allabout collaboration, conversation andcamaraderie.

“I’ve been at schools where youcalled teachers by their first names,but even then you couldn’t sit downand have lunch with a teacher. You canat Solebury and it’s a huge plus,” saidGrady. “You feel a lot more confidentin class when you’re asking questionsor if you don’t understand something.

Ian Grady ’14

In the early 1920s, four young men with big dreams and few resources embarked on one revolutionary idea: to build a better school.They had seen what was out there – rigid rules, rote learning, authoritarian teachers – and envisioned something different. Theyimagined a place where education could be challenging and inspiring, where learning could be more about asking new questions thanreceiving old answers, where students’ individual passions could be ignited and encouraged, and where the bonds between teachers andstudents could feel like a genuine partnership. They imagined Solebury School.

Eli Sadoff ’14

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It’s a lot easier to say, ‘I have no ideawhat you just said.’”

Grady arrived at Solebury School lastyear, and has spent three trimesters inThurrell’s history electives. This yearhe doesn’t have Thurrell as a teacher,but still makes time to have lunch orcoffee with her. Grady said formingbonds with his teachers has enhancedhis experiences here, allowing him todevelop relationships based on mutualrespect. “You’re treated much more asa peer,” said Grady. “Teachers talk toyou like a person.”

Profound Respect for the IndividualSome high

schools areruled by theclique, thestereotype, thelabel - notSoleburySchool. WhenVeronica Fitton’14 arrived herein 7th grade,

this notion was a revelation. “I alwaysliked to do a lot of things, but I neverknew that I could do 10 things Iloved,” she said. “I thought I had topick one.”

Six years later, Fitton has found herunique individuality by pursuing all thethings she loves. She plays softball andfield hockey, she is a captivating singerand performer, she is a peer mentor, agraduate of the Teach2Serve program,and the co-founder of GirlForward, aclub that highlights the challengesfaced by adolescent girls around theworld. Fitton said Solebury’sencouraging environment helped herfind the confidence to pursue herpassions. “Stereotypes are not a thinghere,” she said. “It’s not like if you’re ajock you can’t also be a singer or anactivist. You can be whoever you want.There’s no one who’s going to tell you‘No you can’t do this.’ Instead it’s ‘Youwant to do this? How can we make that

happen?’ It’s a ‘make it happen’ kind ofschool and community.”

Without the constraints of being toldwho she should be, Fitton foundherself. “Solebury influenced me to bewho I want to be,” she said. “It’s just asupportive place to grow.”

The Importance of DiversityAs the word

implies,“diversity” canmean manydifferent things.At SoleburySchool, the factswill tell you itmeans that thecampus has apopulation

where 20 percent of students are ofcolor and 15 percent are internationalstudents. Yet to Zonia Rueda ’15, itmeans something much more personal.“Diversity means that my friends liketo learn about my culture andlanguage,” said Rueda, whose familycomes from Guatemala. “It means thateveryone is friends with everyone. Itmeans it’s a place to be who you areand express who you are.”

Rueda said Solebury is a welcomingplace that has encouraged her to joinchorus, Master Singers, theaterproductions, Diversity Club, JudiciaryCommittee and the InterculturalStudent Association. It is a place thatalso encouraged her to celebrate herown heritage. Last year, Rueda foundedthe Hispanic Affinity Group, a clubthat hosts a Day of the Dead event atschool, sponsors movie nights, andholds meetings for members to talkabout issues related to cultural identity.

Rueda said the varied student body,unique clubs, and multicultural campusevents make Solebury feel veryaccepting. “It’s a comfortable place tobe respected,” she notes.

Relevant EducationWhat does a

relevanteducation looklike? It looks likea student whofeels prepared tomeet thechallengesahead. It lookslike a studentwho understands

their connection to the broadercommunity. It looks like a student whofeels empowered to change the world.A relevant education can look likeAlliyah Allen ’14.

Last year, Allen completed SoleburySchool’s Teach2Serve program, aninnovative two-year curriculum thatteaches public serviceentrepreneurship. As part of hercapstone project, Allen developed atutoring program for elementary andmiddle school students at a school inTrenton – a program that continuestoday. Allen was also invited toparticipate in Solebury School’s TEDxconference, presenting her TED Talkon how to motivate middle schoolstudents in inner city schools. “I didn’teven know what a TEDx conferencewas before,” said Allen. “Now I’vepresented at one.”

Allen said that these experiences –along with classes like Ethics, AmericanStudies and Honors Theory thatencouraged her to explore social issues,significantly changed how she sees theworld and herself. “It pushed me towant to be better and do more,” shesaid. “It’s not just about GPA. Now Ifeel like I’m working towardsomething. I’m definitely inspired tomake a bigger impact on the world andbring forth some kind of change.” ❖

Veronica Fitton ’14

Zonia Rueda ’15

Alliyah Allen ’14


Steve Feld Steve Feld, our new Director ofFinance, cannot stress enough howglad he is to have found Solebury.After years of experience in highereducation management (most recentlyas Chief Financial Officer of CabriniCollege), Steve was looking for anindependent school, and Soleburycouldn’t have proved to be a better fit.Steve oversees both the financials andthe operations of Solebury School –

shifting from analyzing spreadsheets to evaluating investments inthe infrastructure of campus on an ongoing basis. Steve sharesthat Solebury is a community that understands and supports hiscommitment to his family, for being a father to his two teenagedaughters is the job he loves more than anything.

Gail Acosta Gail joined the Advancement team inJuly as the Annual Fund Manager.With over 16 years of developmentexperience in the non-profit sector,she has a natural orientation towardsocial justice and communityimprovement. “I’ve witnessed thechange that can occur in a youngperson’s life through creating a caringenvironment,” she said. Herappreciation of service was cultivated

early, for she grew up working on a Quaker farm in Bucks County.Gail attended Arizona State University and lived in Arizona foralmost 18 years, developing community-based affordable housinginitiatives and at-risk youth programs in indigenous communities.After returning to Bucks County, she worked as the assistantexecutive director of the Bucks County Community CollegeFoundation. She is an avid reader, nature lover, and mother of twochildren, Jess (13) and John (6), who are devoted Solebury DayCampers.

New Faces on Campus

Each issue, we’ll profile some ofthe new faculty and staff oncampus. In the next issue, youwill meet Brad King, FacilitiesManager and Ellen Cuthrell,teacher of English as a SecondLanguage.

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Joan Mutascio Joan is the friendly voice wehear every time we callSolebury. She has been a partof the Solebury communitysince her daughter, Holly ’08,was a student. Holly is nowour beloved GardenCoordinator and Joan couldn’tbe more thrilled to workalongside her and to enjoy thefood Holly grows for the

dining hall. Joan’s long-time involvement with Soleburymakes her a knowledgeable and invaluable member of theadministration. She is the gateway to the school – the firstsmiling face for all visitors and guests. “I love Solebury. Ireally believe in the mission of this school, and I am happyto support it in any way I can,” Joan said. In addition tomanaging the phones and providing administrativesupport, Joan also assists admissions, college counseling,and the advancement office. She loves the countryside andis a 25-year resident of Bucks County.

Kim AlligoodKim signed, scanned, andfaxed off her Solebury Schoolcontract from halfway acrossthe world, in Madrid, beforeever stepping foot on campus.It was a leap of faith that she isendlessly thankful to havetaken. As a Spanish teacher,newspaper supervisor, dormparent, and Spanish HonorsSociety head, Kim clearly

possesses a knack for adaptability, immersing herself inmany facets of Solebury life. She has some practice, afterall, having lived in both Spain and Argentina whilepursuing her Masters in Spanish from MiddleburyCollege’s prestigious language program. She has traveledextensively, landing herself in some pretty amazing places,from Marrakesh to Iguazu Falls. She loves cooking, music,singing, and the arts.

Stacie AnastasioWhen she’s not teachinghealth class or taping sprainedankles, Stacie is probablytraining for her next halfmarathon. By the end of 2014,she’ll have four half marathonsunder her belt. She is a naturalathlete and a predestinedathletic trainer, havingrecognized her calling when

she was still in high school. Her position at Soleburymarries everything she loves: teaching, training,community, and sports. Stacie earned her Master’s inKinesiology from Temple University last May and upongraduating, chose to turn her concluding year-longexternship at Solebury into a full time lifestyle. She nowlives in the boys’ dorm with her girlfriend, Jessie, and theirnew Golden Retriever puppy, Sheldon.

Liz KesslerLiz is a pickle-frying queen, anenergetic mountaineer, and oneof Solebury’s newest Spanishteachers. A 2010 graduate ofHamilton College, she has livedin Spain, Argentina, NorthCarolina, all over NewEngland, and now onSolebury’s beautiful campus.She has been impressed by theschool’s magic, its well-spoken,

thoughtful students, culture of acceptance, andincorporation of the arts into the curriculum. She isexcited to continue building student relationships and todesign and curate her classroom.

Meghan CavanaughIt’s hard to ignore the eagersmile on Meghan’s face whenshe describes her job. “I havelearned so much about culturaldifferences and their effect onlearning,” she notes. Theadventurous, highly qualifiedshort-term addition to theEnglish as a Second Language(ESL) department for the 2013-14 school year received both

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in teaching ESL fromKent State and Penn State, respectively. Meghan hastaught students from every continent in the world at boththe university and high school levels. She teaches a rangeof ESL courses and she also helps coach the field hockeyand track teams. ❖


Celebrating An Anniversary–65 Years of CoeducationThe year was 1949, just one month before the all-boys

Solebury School would merge with the all-girls HolmquistSchool down the road. Student opinion was decidedlyunenthusiastic.

“The question on everybody’s lips nowadays concerns themerger between Holmquist and Solebury and whether ornot it will be a satisfactory and advantageous arrangement,”wrote Noel Crowley in the May 1949 issue of Solebury’sstudent newspaper, The Scribe. “While we have not takenconsensus of opinion on the subject, we have listened to theviews expressed by members of both student bodies andhave found very few supporters of the merger.”

Happily, opinions quickly changed.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the merger ofSolebury School and the Holmquist School. Back in 1949,co-educational independent schools were not the norm.About 77 percent of private schools were single sex in 1950,wrote Arthur G. Powell in Lessons from Privilege: theAmerican Prep School Tradition. Yet the progressive leadersof Solebury and Holmquist decided on the merger.

That first year following the merger, Solebury Schoolwas populated by 64 boys and 45 girls. Since then, women

have impacted, enhanced and influenced the school inmany ways. Solebury’s student body is now composed of118 boys and 103 girls. More than half of Solebury’steachers are women and there are nine femaleadministrators. Solebury fields nine girls’ sports teamsthroughout the year and, this year, all three schoolpresidents are girls. On campus today, there is an opennessand strong support system – with faculty advisors, peerleaders, Life Skills classes, and more – that nurtures girls,and all students. And there are clubs like GirlForward, acampus group started by two students last year whichhighlights the challenges facing adolescent girls around theworld and gives young women a place to talk, share,question and connect.

“This is one of the safest places I’ve ever seen for thedevelopment of a teenage girl’s mind,” said Shawn Wright,the girls’ dorm parent of the aptly named HolmquistHouse. “We have a really unique opportunity here, withour size, philosophy and methodology. I see that the culturehere fosters strong student leaders.” Wright tried to definetoday’s “Solebury young woman.” “She’s very independent,more confident than other girls, with a little more faith inher skills,” she said. “And her individuality is reallyexpressed and encouraged.”

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tone as key filters in helping a student select their collegechoices. Increasingly, I see the value of the practice of taking a“gap year” – while the path leads to college for the vastmajority of our students, Solebury also sees some seniors whoexplore exciting opportunities that postpone college by at leasta year. Last year, one of our seniors spent a year in Brazilworking with young children as part of the Global Citizen YearProgram. Next year, we’ll send a current senior into thecompetitive City Year program to mentor young minds inChester, Pennsylvania. I hold fast to the view that a strongundergraduate program focuses on education rather than onlytraining. I believe exiting your undergraduate years with thecapacity to read critically, to write cogently, to think broadly,deeply and logically, and to discriminate fact-less opinionsfrom fact-based, rational thought; all are the stuff that shouldbe required of the undergraduate experience. And I believethat more and more of our students will need to continue theireducation in graduate school, law school or one of theprofessional schools. They enter a world where pace continuesto pick up, where too much information will be their challengeand where continuous education will be the norm.

The process for identifying and then gaining admission tocollege is indeed a daunting one for students and their caringparents. Solebury’s role is to support, to guide, and to be avoice of reason and balance, a buoy that our students andparents rely on to help navigate and for support. A finalperspective: as this college thing swirls about them, blowingharder and harder with each passing year of high school, Ialways stress to our students that “getting in” is not the end.Once in, their lives will be far more impacted by what they didthan by where they went. A track record of diligence, ofsuccess, of involvement that belies commitment and passion –these will be keys that unlock the doors post collegegraduation.

I hope you enjoy this issue of our magazine. You will meetsome folks new to Solebury, have an opportunity to see howwe are spending our year on the re-accreditation process, learnabout our recently redesigned Middle School program as wellas spend some time reflecting on some of the guiding tenetsthat underpin the Solebury School philosophy.

Enjoy. ❖

A Note from Tom Wilschutz (continued from page 3)That’s just what the founders of the HolmquistSchool intended. Karline Holmquist started herschool with six students and five teachers in 1917,predating Solebury School by eight years. One ofthe original students, Peggy Rickett Ramsperger,wrote a letter about her recollections of MissHolmquist. “She did not believe in grades andrequirements, or unnecessary rules andregulations,” wrote Ramsperger. “She did believein encouraging our interests and abilities.”

The tradition of supporting young womencontinued after Holmquist merged with Solebury.Andee Falco ’63, who arrived at Solebury just tenyears after the merger, recalls “a very kind,nurturing environment.” Yet she also recalls adifferent time in history. When she and fellowclassmate, Bella Schauman ’63, visited SoleburySchool last year, they were struck by the advancesof women and girls on campus. “Young womenare challenged, encouraged and nurtured todevelop their talents at an earlier age” said Falco.

Schauman agreed. “It seems to me that girls’emotional and social lives are much betteraddressed now,” she said. “There’s a consciousfaculty that’s trying really hard to be aware ofwhat girls need and provide a model of a worldwhere girls can thrive.”

Sixty-five years after Holmquist merged withSolebury, girls continue to impact and enhancethe school. And the school continues to shape andsupport young women and all students.

“Solebury School is an empowering place foryoung women but just as equally empowering foryoung men,” said Alex Leone ’14, a co-founder ofGirlForward who organized an all-day campusconference last April. “I have always beenencouraged to try new things and push myself atSolebury the same as every other student.” ❖

In November, Alexandra Leone ’14was recognized for her exceptionalcommunity service and herextraordinary display of character andcommunity involvement. Alex wasrecognized by the Central BucksChamber of Commerce as a recipientof the Chamber’s Young CitizensAward at a luncheon ceremony at TheWarrington Country Club.

Alex came to Solebury Schoollooking to branch out. She was raisedby her mother and grandmother andhad attended all-girls’ schools througheighth grade. She felt the need toexpand her horizons at a school wherestudents were excited about learningand encouraged to be themselves.Alex’s unflagging work ethic helps herboth in and out of the classroom. Alexshines as a student who canconsistently excel in the classroom andin the community. During her time atSolebury, she has been involved in ourcommunity council, rising to the levelof class president twice and council

president this year. She hashelped international studentslearn English, been a peertutor on campus as well as avolunteer tutor at a charterschool, sung with our chorusand advised on our academiccommittee to help studentswho were struggling. She isalso an accomplished Irishdancer; she has been dancingsince she was eight years-oldand has competed nationallyand internationally.

Alex is known for herservice on both a local andglobal stage, accumulatingover 200 community servicehours during her time atSolebury. During ninth grade,

she attended a Junior Statesman ofAmerica program at PrincetonUniversity, where she focused oninternational relations and made herfirst of many trips to the UnitedNations. From there she has helpedrebuild flood-damaged houses inIthaca, NY and travelled to Costa Ricawhere she painted a school and worked

with children and a community garden.Back home, she worked at a home forhomeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual andTransgender youth and interned at LifeTies, Inc., an organization thatprovides care and services to youth incrisis due to sexual orientation. Shehelped these adolescents learn dailyliving skills. She then took herexperience in Life Ties and created andhosted a life skills workshop for youngwomen at Solebury, bringing in aheadhunter to talk about resumes,representatives from PNC Bank to talkabout money management, a self-defense instructor, a teen model and ahealthy living advocate. Last year, sheco-founded GirlForward, a groupdedicated to the empowerment ofyoung women at Solebury. She workedwith representatives at the UnitedNations to help link our program totheir Girl Up program, becoming ateen advisor with the UN for theirprogram. Last spring, she shared herexperience at the school’s firstTEDxYouth conference with her ownTED Talk at Solebury.

Congratulations Alex! ❖

Award-winning Solebury SeniorAlexandra Leone ’14

Young Citizens Award recipient Alex Leone ’14 (center) withher grandmother, Susanne Case, and Steve Buteux, AssistantHead of School.

Young Citizens Award recipient Alex Leone (front row second from left).


Alma’s UpdateWinter 2014

HOLMQUIST SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 1917-1949

Class of 1940Carla Zingarelli Rosenlicht moved to aretirement community in Walnut Creek,California with many activities. She stillgoes to Arizona for three months to dotaxes for the American Association ofRetired Persons (AARP).

SOLEBURY SCHOOL FOR BOYS 1925-1949

Class of 1949Noel and Laurie Crowley celebrated their60th wedding anniversary last June. Noelstill enjoys practicing law with his son inMorristown, NJ. He sends hiscongratulations to the Solebury facultyand staff for preserving Solebury as afirst-class place to learn.

SOLEBURY SCHOOL 1950 TO PRESENT

Class of 1950Erica Child Prud’homme is still working asa painter and recently downsized to asmall NYC apartment. Her three childrenare doing interesting work and she has sixwonderful grandchildren.

Class of 1951 Susan Wagner Carlson says 80 is greatbut “I am slowing down.”

Class of 1964Rob Emlen is disappointed to find that the50th reunion is scheduled for May 2-4,2014 when he will be celebrating his sonas he is awarded his PhD.

Yoav (Bo) Peck writes: Solebury enabledme to turn my life around. I had beenheading down a slippery slope and thefine educators and empoweringexperience of Solebury gave me a freshstart.

Class of 1965Terry Thompson is enjoying working as aPresident of a bank in the hometown of agreat American - former Head of SchoolJohn Brown ’67.

Class of 1973Tom Zeng is a first-time grandfather. He isstill farming with one son. All of hischildren are “grown, caring andproductive.”

Class of 1977 Rachel Simon’s The Story of a BeautifulGirl was recently featured as the AmazonDaily Deal E-Book which propelled it to #1on the Kindle Literary Fiction Bestsellerand is #4 on the Top Paid Kindle Books.

Class of 1983Rhea D. Smith has written a book entitledDagny Rocks. Rhea was raised aboardmullet boats, hand-built tugboats,freighters and barges. She has lived inNew England, Dominica, French Guyana,England and Florida.

Class of 1988Navarrow Wright hosted a Black InAmerica screening in Philadelphia lastOctober with Soledad O’Brien.

Class of 1993Alexandra ManouCharleston ’93and MikeSienkiewicz ’56met at a dinner inLancaster, PA anddiscovered theywere bothgraduates of

Solebury School. Alex is living in Lititzwith her husband and three children. Sheis part owner of a small vegan/vegetariancafé in Lancaster called The Seed and isalso an organizational life coach.

Class of 1995Matt Foulkrod and his wife Betty havestarted a new property managementbusiness called Real PropertyManagement Three Rivers.

Class of 1996Rebecca Halloran is the HUDAdministrator’s Advisor of the EasternWoodlands region, which includes allstates east of the Mississippi plusMinnesota and Iowa and serves 66 tribes.Based out of Chicago, Rebecca works toincrease leveraging of federal housingand economic development funding withstate, non-profit and private resources forregional Tribal Nations.

Class of 2001Suzanne Cunningham is the headgardening teacher and Summer CampDirector at the Waldorf School ofPrinceton. She married Matthew D.Trowbridge in October and lives inPrinceton. Matthew is an English teacherat Princeton Academy. They went to Spainin December for their honeymoon andnow are planning a big trip to Europe thiswinter.

Class of 2005

Travis Givler graduated from Albright in2009 with a co-concentration ofPhilosophy and Digital Media. Hereceived his J.D. from Earle Mack Schoolof Law at Drexel University in 2013. Hepractices law at Givler & Evers andmarried Lydia Steiner on October 5, 2013.

WINTER 2014 THE ALMA PAGE 2

Noah Adrien Lyons is currently attendingthe Graduate Theological Union inBerkeley, CA. He is pursuing his Master’sdegree in Art and Religion, with a focuson how new movements in processtheology may help re-enchant secularliterature, particularly in children’s fantasynovels. He is simultaneously workingtowards earning a Master of Divinity forthe purpose of entering the field ofclinical pastoral care as an interfaithchaplain. He hopes to visit Solebury very,very soon!

Meghan O’Donnell engages inenvironmental fieldwork/research inbeautiful locations for the Academy ofNatural Sciences’ watershed protectionprogram. She is a research assistant, andit has been exciting, challenging and abeautiful learning experience.

Class of 2008NickSmerkanichwon two 2013New YorkInnovativeTheatreAwards lastOctober, onefor OutstandingActor in a LeadRole and theother asparticipating inthe OutstandingEnsemble.

Class of 2007Haeyoung Oh graduated from the KelleySchool of Business at Indiana Universityin 2011 and now is back in Seoul, Koreafinishing up a Master’s degree. He isgetting ready for his mandatory service asa Korean Officer.

Jonathan Tetelman graduated fromManhattan School of Music in 2011 andthen completed graduate school atNammes School of Music in 2013. Both ofhis degrees are in Opera/Classical VocalPerformance – Tenor. He recentlyperformed at the International VocalInstitute in Virginia and the SavannahOpera Festival. Jon just signed his firstcontract for the Young Artist Program -Opera North.

Kerry Toole attends the HazeldenGraduate School of Addiction Studies inMinnesota with the goal of becoming adrug and alcohol counselor.

Class of 2008Mike Bardi works for a distributingcompany in Burlington, NJ in sales. Healso works on a startup calledwww.projecttoe.com.

Class of 2009Alexis Davis is active with AmeriCorpsVISTA in Washington, DC. She made herannual fund donation because PeterAmmirati ’82 made such a great argumentin his letter, and of course, she lovesSolebury.

Casey Edwards graduated from IthacaCollege in May 2013 with a BS in AthleticTraining in Clinical Health Studies. He iscurrently a licensed athletic trainer in NYstate and studying for a Doctorate inPhysical Therapy at Ithaca College.

John Farrell reports, “After graduatingfrom St. John’s College, I spent six monthsteaching in India. The future, as ever,takes the form of a glowering, purplequestion mark – probably law school.”

Stephanie Ulm is teaching earlyeducation to infants at Ohev ShalomSynagogue in Richboro, PA. She recentlyvisited Israel.

Class of 2010Ashley Colón will graduate fromRichmond University in the spring with adegree in Environmental Studies. She isvery involved in Richmond’s LGTBQ club.

Olivia Hagerty will graduate from theUniversity of Arizona this spring, and thenplans to move to Baltimore, MD to teachat a school in a low-income, underserveddistrict.

Alyssa Pimpinellais the assistantcaptain for St.Joseph’s Universitywomen’s icehockey team. Sheplays defense. Sheis also in AlphaOmicron PiWomen’s Fraternity.

Dhalia Wesley is finishing her last year asan undergraduate at Kean University. Sheloves sociology and is contemplatingcontinuing to graduate school ortransitioning into trade school to learnmassage therapy. Her goal is to own aspa one day. She sends her love toeveryone.

Class of 2011Daniel Bachman-Gregori is studyingInternational Development at LundUniversity in Sweden.

Sam Faulkner is anationally certifiedfire fighter. He saysit was the mosttime consumingand challengingthing he has everdone.

Solana Hoffman-Carter is studying atUARTS in Philadelphia. Solana is in Brazillearning Capoeira, a Brazilian martial artthat combines elements of dance,acrobatics and music as part of hersemester abroad.

Claudia Keep After sitting out the 2012season due to an injury, Claudiarebounded to a first-team All-Regionalselection at the NCAA Cross-CountryMideast Regionals by finishing eighth.That, along with a long laundry list ofaccolades both on and off the course,earned her Performer of the Year honors.Claudia has posted Bryn Mawr’s fastesttimes in the three-mile run (17:35) the 5K(18:23) and the 6K (21:41).

Sharon Landstrom is a junior at GoucherCollege studying Art History and CreativeWriting. She plans to travel to Scotland tostudy abroad next semester.

Samantha Messina is studying theatre atGoucher College. She works backstagemanaging sound and lighting design. Thissummer she plans to travel to Nazarethand Scotland.

Victoria Page is studying abroad at TokyoUniversity of Foreign Studies.

Class of 2012Paul McMullen is enjoying Rollins Collegein Winter Park, Florida.

WINTER 2014 THE ALMA PAGE 3

Class of 2013Julian Dahl recently visited Spain andColorado.

BIRTHSPolly Gnagy Seymour H’46 and herhusband Thad are great grand-parents.Eight pound Ruby Jean arrived a weekearly on December 5th at 5:45 am.

Greg and JoannaSchmergel ’94(formerly JoannaWhitney Owen),and big brotherGage KingsburySchmergel,announce thebirth of AuroraWhitneySchmergel, bornat 9:06 AM,

September 20, 2013 at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

WEDDINGSErnest Hood ’71 andDavid McCorkle weremarried onSeptember 28, 2013after 18 years ofpartnership - youcould say it was a

long engagement. The wedding was heldat The Church of St. Luke in the Fields inGreenwich Village.

Tammy Hawk ’93 married her best friend,Adam Taylor, on October 6, 2013. Theyhoneymooned in Colorado and are livingin Charlotte, NC. Tammy manages a Benand Jerry’s scoop shop for the last 10years and loves it. For fun they enjoyconcerts and working at music festivals.

Class of 2002Riley Murphy and Alyssa Snyder marriedJuly 13th 2013. The rain turned the dancefloor into a mud pit.

DEATHS

Anthony Evans ’555/17/1937-1/20/2014

Tony Evans passed away after longbattle with COPD. He was 76.

Not only was Tony a terrific newsman,he was a political animal and had thecredentials to prove it. His news career

began at small Pennsylvania newspapers,including a stint as an editor at 18. Hethen worked for the United Press and theNews American before getting intopolitics. He retired from the MarylandDepartment of Agriculture after helping tocreate and promote the successfulfarmers’ markets.

Tony was always at the center of localDemocratic politics, was generous withhis time and skills, and was a kind andthoughtful friend.

Joe Wentling, III ’63 5/22/1944 – 1/28/2014

Joe Wentling, III diedon January 28th, 2014 athis home in Pownal,Maine after a long battlewith lung cancer.After Solebury, Joeserved in the Army andwas stationed primarily

in Germany. He then attended theUniversity of Denver in Colorado wherehe met his wife, Jeanne. Joe was a stockbroker in Philadelphia. His interests weregolf, shooting sporting clays, and travelingthe world with friends and family.

He will be remembered as a loyal andgentle soul who loved his wife, children,and grandchildren.

Deborah June Seyler ’7612/11/1957 – 11/13/2012

Deborah passed away after a long andcourageously fought battle with breastcancer. She was the daughter ofCatherine P. Seyler and the late ReverendLawrence J. Seyler. She was a long termresident of Leavenworth and LakeWenatchee, WA.

Deborah lived her life with passion andcompassion. Her first career was as anadvanced EMT and Firefighter in theWhite Mountains of New Hampshire,where she was also a rock and iceclimber. She also worked as a medicaloffice assistant, ER assistant and hospitaltelephone operator. In keeping with herpassion for, and dedication to, caring forthis planet and its resources, her laterwork involved environmental law andpolicy on National Forests with regard tologging. She also developed grassrootsconservation education programs for thelocal region, and was always activelyteaching her friends and family how tolive “green.”

She was involved with numerous non-profits. Deborah loved animals, all of theoutdoors, mountaineering, and gourmetcooking and was an excellent writer. Shewas known for her generosity, even intimes of her own greatest need. She oftenexpressed deeply heartfelt thanks to allwho helped her through the hard timesand she always did her best to pass alongthe spirit of giving and caring.

Danielle Cioppa ’971/10/1979 – 10/4/2013

Danielle passed away on Friday, Oct. 4,2013, in North Carolina. She was thedaughter of Helene and Bob Cioppa ofNew Bern, NC.

Danielle attended Solebury for threeyears and graduated from HunterdonCentral High School in 1997. She loved herfamily, animals and the beach and was aloyal 49ers and Ohio State football fan.She loved the many friends she made atStop–N-Shop in Flemington, where sheworked for several years. Danielle was afriend to everyone she met, had a very bigheart, and will be missed.

Beverley Virginia Jones of DelawareTownship, a longtime supporter offarmland conservation, the preservationof local historic sites and SoleburySchool, died on August 20, 2013 at homeon her farm in Sergeantsville, where sheresided for 60 years. She was 93.

Beverley is survived by her threedaughters; Leslie Jones Sauer ofSergeantsville, Candace Jones Phillips’69 of New Hope, PA, and Stephanie“Muff” Jones ’73 of Sergeantsville; threestep-children, Christopher Jones ofNaples, FL, Brian Jones of Naples andSandra Prager of Colorado Springs, CO;13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Important InformationPlease check out Solebury’s website

www.solebury.org. On this site you cansend class notes, update your contactinformation, register for reunions, make agift to Solebury, and more.

You can stay connected to Solebury viaFacebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, RSS Feeds,Flickr, and YouTube. Please join us. You canfind us via the website.


A gift of the soul has manyintrinsic benefits. OurSoleBenefits stories highlightsome of our most altruisticindividuals committed toSolebury School.

SoleBenefits

Solebury School’s mission isto create an environment ofeducational excellence thatprepares students for successin college and beyond. Inthe Solebury community, westrongly value intellectualchallenge and academicachievement, creative andindependent thinking,mutual respect betweenstudents and teachers, deeprespect for each individual,and diversity.

Sarah Dawes Bailin ’56A Life Changing Experience

In the early 1950s, a shy timid girl from a small New England townarrived at Solebury School for her first time. Selected based on the school’sacademic reputation and merit, her parents wanted their daughter to havethe opportunity for a sound education.

For the first three months, Sarah wanted nothing more than to returnback to the small rural community she called home - Hudson,Massachusetts. But then, a very distinct turning point occurred, a lifechanging one that made her want to stay and eventually led her to callSolebury School her home. For the first time in Sarah Dawes’s life, shebegan to read with comprehension. For Sarah this opened a new world forher understanding and exploration.

“Solebury saved my life. They taught me to read withmeaning and it changed me forever. I would not be theperson I am today without Solebury.”

Solebury School values bequests, large and small.Including Solebury in your legacy plan is simple.

One sentence in your will or trust can help support future generations of Soleburians.I give to Solebury School, 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA 18938 (EIN 23-1365-969)

$_____________ (or ________% of the rest of my estate) to be used for general purposes.Please let us know of your intent so we may honor your gift purpose appropriately.

www.solebury.org

At the time, she recalls Solebury had recently merged with TheHolmquist School for Girls. Sarah was one of nine girls that lived at theoriginal Holmquist dorm located at the corner of Phillips Mill and RiverRoad. Some of her most memorable moments included school dances,finding ways to get around “lights out” with her classmates, and studyparties in her closet. Several of her classmates were spirited jokesters andwho targeted each other as well as the faculty. Not even Head of SchoolArthur “Doc” Washburn was immune.

It was like a big family with caring adults. The teachersgave you a chance for explanation and somehow theyunderstood me. It was okay to be curious and ask questions- a place to explore. Solebury gave me a sense of myselfand built my self-esteem. It became my home.

Always designing clothes for herself while at Solebury, upon graduationshe attended the Prince School of Retailing at Simmons College, earning aBachelor’s of Science in Merchandising. On the fashion buyer’s careertrack, she worked in the high-fashion sector for companies like BonwitTeller, Neiman Marcus, I. Magnum and Joseph Magnum. She found herway to the West Coast and managed a women’s retail clothing shop in SanFrancisco before returning to New England to lead her family’s textilebusiness. One of her favorite innovations during this time was theproduction and marketing of the printed shoelaces that were popular duringthe 1980s. This particular product helped the family business to achieve, forone year, its greatest profits in its entire 134-year history. She’s proudlyraised two very independent and strong daughters.

She has toured the world – a bike tour in China, explorations in Budapest,along with extensive business travel to Europe – and continues to traveltoday. One of her most rewarding challenges was taking on the job of aland developer and creating a residential community. Today, she spendstime weaving garments on a ten-harness floor loom for family and friends.

Regardless of her path she remains grounded in her Solebury roots andcalls Solebury her home; the place that changed her life. “Solebury gave methe confidence I needed academically but gave me the chance to become anindividual.”

Sarah wants others to experience the life changing possibilities that aSolebury education can provide so she’s incorporated Solebury in her estateplanning. She notes, “Including Solebury in my legacy plan is one small waythat I can give back to Solebury and say thank you for changing my life.” ❖

What’s your legacy? Interested in learning more

about planned givingopportunities at Solebury School?

Visit www.solebury.org/giving or contact

Jenn Burns at 215-862-5261 ext. 183 or

[email protected]


Solebury SchoolAthletic Hall of Fame

Solebury School is pleased to announce the 2014 Class

Please join us for the induction ceremony on Saturday, May 3 at 1pmJohn D. Brown Athletic Center

Hank Brooks ’64 Courtney Clarke ’00Paul Prinzhorn ’64† Shannon Clarke ’00

† in memoriam ❖

Members of the Athletic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013.

Schedule of EventsFriday, May 23-4 pm Registration, Founders Library

School memorabilia available for purchase in Bookstore4 pm Varsity Girls Softball game, vs. Life Center Academy

Varsity Tennis match, vs. Plumstead Christian School6-8 pm Alumni Reception, Washington Crossing Inn

Catch up with your classmates while enjoying wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres1295 General Washington Memorial Blvd., Washington Crossing, PA

8 pm Reunion Dinner (All Classes), Washington Crossing Inn$50 per person, reservations required

Saturday, May 39-2 pm Registration & Student-Led Tours, Founders Library

School memorabilia available for purchase from 10 am-2 pm10 am Memorial Service, Alumni Memorial Garden (behind Founders Library)

Rain Location, Abbe Science BuildingHonor the memory of alumni and friends who are recently deceased

11-11:30 am Class Photos, Boyd Dining Hall11:30 am-12:30 pm Reunion Lunch, Boyd Dining Hall

Enjoy a complimentary lunch1 pm Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony, John D. Brown Athletic Center3-5 pm Alumni Burger and Beer Bash, Head of School’s Home

$10 per person6-1 pm Solebury’s Annual Dinner & Auction, John D. Brown Athletic Center

Run for the Roses, a Derby Party$75 per person, reservations required

Sunday, May 410 am Farewell Brunch, Boyd Dining Hall

Join your classmates for a complimentary farewell buffet brunch ❖

Reunion Weekend 2014

www.solebury.org


In May, Solebury School’s community will gather to celebrate our annual Spring Dinner Auction: Run for the Roses –A Derby Party. The auction is the school’s biggest fundraising event and helps fund educational programming, studentactivities and facility improvements at the School.

For over 25 years, parents, staff and students of Solebury have worked together to make this important eveningsuccessful. To date, we have raised in excess of a million dollars, making a significant impact on the lives of Soleburystudents.

One of the highlights of the Live Auction is the Special Appeal, which directly benefits one building or program atSolebury. Last year, the auction raised $125,000 in total, with more than $50,000 raised through the special appeal andbenefiting our Visual Art program.

This year, the Special Appeal will benefit the Solebury Black Box Theater. Recognizing the importance of our Theaterprogram and the historic building it is housed in, an anonymous donor has generously agreed to match every dollar raisedthrough this year’s special appeal, up to $50,000! Your gift is worth twice as much thanks to this matching grant—thiscould be the largest Special Appeal ever.

Good friends, good gifts and great school – this year’s Annual Dinner Auction is sure to be terrific. Mark your calendarsfor May 3 and plan on joining for this great event – invitations will arrive in mid-March and sneak previews of auctionitems, as well as tons of other information, can be found at solebury.org. You can also help by donating an item, pledgingmoney to the Special Appeal or joining an auction committee. All levels of participation are greatly appreciated. Formore information, please contact Holly Victor at [email protected] or (215) 862-5261.

We look forward to seeing you on May 3rd for Run for the Roses – A Derby Party! ❖

Chuck Fitton Holly VictorAuction Chair Auction [email protected] 215.862.5261 x150

[email protected]

Dear Friend of Solebury,

We in the Theater Department could not be more honored and thrilled to hear the news that we are to receive thisyear’s Auction Special Appeal. Our theater program is growing by leaps and bounds and it is so exciting to enhance anabsolute jewel of a Black Box Theater on our campus. The Barn, which is home to the Theater, is often the very firstthing people see as they enter the front circle of campus. With the generous investment of auction attendees, it can betterreflect the wonderful and amazing things that are going on within. We are so proud of the program and the increasingnumber of students and parents who are becoming involved. In our last production alone, 20 percent of our students werein the cast or involved in the technical program! Along with our productions, many classes are taught in this space.

We anticipate that the Special Appeal will enhance the experience of our actors and audience, as well as everyoneinvolved with the production. Some of the plans we are exploring include: new seating, improved audio/visual technology,backstage improvements, much needed revamping of the interior space and much more. This Appeal has the potential totransform the space, meeting the needs of Solebury students, families, alumni, and friends for years to come.

Our Theater Department is thriving and growing. Your support will help this space to be beautiful, comfortable andmuch more widely functional for the entire Solebury community. I look forward to seeing you at the auction on May 3. ❖

Shawn Rowley WrightSolebury Theater Director

Auction Special Appeal–The Black Box Theater

www.solebury.org

2013-2014Solebury School Winter Magazine

EditorJennifer K. Burns

Director of Advancement

Associate Editor, MagazineBeverly Berkeley

Director of Communications

Associate Editor, Alma’sRenee LaPorte

Director of Alumni Relations and Gift Planning

Contributing WritersLauren Eckstein, Camille LeBlanc, Gail Acosta,

Beverly Berkeley

Design & ProductionEnForm Graphic Productions, Inc.

PhotographyBeverly Berkeley, Nicole Mount

Please send change of address to:Solebury School

6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA 18938Phone: 215-862-5261

Fax: 215-862-3366E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.solebury.org

Copyright 2014 Solebury School

Board of Trustees 2013-2014Scott Bolenbaugh (PA) ChairmanTom Hunt ’74 (NJ) Vice Chairman

Elizabeth Wavle (NJ) TreasurerAlan Sheriff (PA) Secretary

Ezra Billinkoff ’03 (NY)Bette Jane (BJ) Booth (NJ) David Christiansen (PA)

Dan Cohen ’63 (FL)Andrée Newsome Falco ’63 (NJ)

Dr. Ellen Faulkner (PA)Barbara Fordyce (PA)Stan Jablonowski (PA)

Ken Klimpel (NJ)John Petito (PA)

Joan Reinthaler ’53 (DC)Mike Sienkiewicz ’56 (PA)

Anne C. (Annsi) Stephano ’58 (PA)Brett Webber ’85 (PA)

Head of SchoolThomas G. Wilschutz

Honorary TrusteesBill Berkeley ’49

Chris Chandor ’60 Alan Donley ’55

Betsy Bidelman Meredith ’54 Richard Moss ’48

Eric Shaw ’55 Jean Shaw ’53

Follow Solebury School Online:Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and the school’s YouTube channel, SoleburyUWatch.

Website: www.solebury.org

Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Solebury-School/191183385937

Twitter address: http://twitter.com/soleburyschool

YouTube channel:http://www.youtube.com/SoleburySchoolUWatch

Instagram address: http://instagram.com/soleburyschool

Pinterest address: http://www.pinterest.com/soleburys/


The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officially ratifiedSolebury School as a Scholarship Organization under theEducational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC).This means we are ready to accept charitable donationsfrom EITC approved Pennsylvania businesses.

What is EITC? In 2001, by an overwhelming bi-partisanmajority, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania made historyby becoming the first state to pass an education tax creditaimed at corporations. Pennsylvania’s EITC program offersbusinesses an incredible opportunity to direct a portion oftheir state tax dollars to scholarship support to educationalinstitutions such as Solebury School.

What does this mean for my business? Participatingbusinesses can receive a tax credit equal to 75% of itscontribution to a Scholarship Organization, like SoleburySchool, up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year. Ofcourse, each company’s tax situation is different, please consultwith your company’s financial advisor to determine the beststrategy.

What types of taxes can be offset by this credit? “S” and “C” corporations must be subject to one of the followingPennsylvania business taxes to participate:

• Corporate Net Income Tax • Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax• Insurance Premiums Tax • Capital Stock Franchise Tax• Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax • Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax• Personal Income Tax of S Corporation Shareholders, or partners in a limited or general partnership

How does my donation benefit Solebury School? Donations received from approved EITC Pennsylvania businesses benefitSolebury students in need of financial assistance in the form of scholarships. Eligible students must be school age, aresident of Pennsylvania and demonstrate financial need.

How can my business participate? Pennsylvania businesses can begin applying for EITC credits through DCED’selectronic single application system at http://www.newpa.com/eitc Tax credit applications are processed on a first-come,first-served basis and approved until the amount of available tax credits is exhausted.

Interested in partnering with Solebury School for scholarship opportunities?Contact Gail Acosta at (215) 862-5261 or [email protected] for more details.

Educational Improvement Tax Credits for PA Businesses

Last year, thanks to our generous partners, EITC fundingprovided scholarships to Solebury students from Pennsylvania.

www.solebury.org

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPhiladelphia, PA

Permit #85

6832 Phillips Mill RoadNew Hope, PA 18938-9682

Address service requested

This Magazine is printed on Forest Stewardship Councilcertified recycled paper using vegetable-based inks.

Back cover phone credit to Tom Rondeau.

Scan this QR code with yoursmartphone to make your onlinedonation to Solebury School.

Documents

Solebury School Magazine - Winter/Spring 2014