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October 4, 2022

The Chestertown Spy

An Educational News Source for Chestertown Maryland

Education Ed Notes

Mid-Shore College Fair & Financial Planning Evening Set for October 20

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The Gunston School is pleased to announce the Mid-Shore College Fair and Financial Planning Evening on Thursday, October 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Chesapeake College’s Health Professions and Athletics Center, Room 130 in Wye Mills, Md. This event is free and open to the public with no registration required. Participants are encouraged to browse the college fair at their own pace and have the option to attend one of two sessions on the Financial Aid Process at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m., led by Director of Financial Aid at Swarthmore College, Varo Duffins.

Mr. Duffins has worked in higher education admission and financial aid since 1995 and prior at Elizabethtown College at Franklin & Marshall College. He received his BA in biology from the University of Delaware and his MS in higher education administration and enrollment management from Drexel University.

“We still have colleges and universities signing up to participate,” said Gunston’s Co-Director of College Guidance Emily Coffey. “As of now we have over 20 signed up and expect quite a bit more.” Those attending include Washington College, Wake Forest University, Shenandoah University, UMBC, Towson University, Salisbury University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Providence College, Mount St. Mary’s University, McDaniel College, Lafayette College, University of Delaware, Harrisburg University, Elizabethtown College, Notre Dame Maryland, Chesapeake College, Catholic University of America, Clarkson University, and Dickinson College.

The Mid-Shore College Fair was made possible with support from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Contact Gunston’s Directors of College Guidance with questions: Emily Coffey, ecoffey@gunston.org or 410-758-0620 ext 3101 and Tony D’Antonio, tdantonio@gunston.org or 410-758-0620 ext 3100.

Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

Benedictine Students Remember the Heroes of 9/11

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Hannah, a student at Benedictine, creates pictures to be sent to firefighters and police officers in New York City and Washington, D.C. to honor all the heroes of 9/11.

Students at Benedictine, a regional service provider for children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism, sent packages of letters and pictures to fire and police departments in New York City and Washington, D.C. in honor of all the heroes of 9/11.

Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. Cadet Roseburrow stated “Benedictine is a great place! Our officers would love that,” in hearing what Benedictine planned to do.

Upon receiving the package from Benedictine at the City of New York Police Department, Deputy Inspector Craig Contrera stated “On behalf of the New York City Police Department, thank you for forwarding the letters and drawings from your students. I would also like to thank your students for citing the bravery and service of our police officers during the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.”

Katherine Fizhugh, a Benedictine school teacher for five years, was the inspiration behind this idea. “I realized that my students were not alive when the 9/11 attack occurred and I wanted to teach them such an important part of our history. I also teach my students about being kind and I thought sending letters of thanks and coloring pages to our first responders in New York and Washington DC would be a nice way to show our support. I invited the whole school to participate in this random act of kindness,” stated Fizhugh.

Katherine’s class, called Functional Academics, focuses on academics related to life skills such as money, reading comprehension, typing and social skills. ”I love the teamwork and support that is offered here at Benedictine and the opportunities our students are given. We are like a family!”

For more information on Benedictine and the programs and services it offers children and adults with developmental disabilities, please. Visit Benedictine at www.benschool.org. To find out how you can support Benedictine’s mission to help children and adults with developmental disabilities achieve their greatest potential, please contact Claudia Cunningham, Chief Advancement Officer, at claudia.cunningham@benschool.org or call 410 634 2292.

About Benedictine:

Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit organization helping more than 200 children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and autism achieve their greatest potential. Benedictine’s year-round educational program is one of only 26 nationwide to earn a two-year accreditation from the National Commission for Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). This program includes home-like living and learning options on the Ridgely, Maryland campus, for children ages 5 to 21 who come from Maryland and surrounding states. Benedictine’s Adult Services program offers employment and vocational services for transitional youth and adults, ages 22 to 70+, in the community and those who live in Benedictine’s group homes in Caroline, Talbot and Anne Arundel counties. The Easton Community Services & Training Center prepares the adults it serves to enter the workforce and collaborates with the Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Caroline and Dorchester County public schools to provide services to their students through the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) Program. For more information, visit www.benschool.org.

COVID-Delayed 50th Celebration Culminates in Spectacular Evening for CACC

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In 1970, Happy Critchlow and Janice Adkins had a vision to provide affordable childcare for working families. More than 50 years later, a dream that started out with a handful of classrooms has now grown to include five sites throughout Talbot County and has served nearly 13,000 local children across four generations.

As their 50th anniversary approached in 2020, Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers (CACC) knew they had to do something very special to celebrate such a momentous milestone. They planned a celebration for that September. COVID had other plans, and their event had to be delayed – not once, not twice, but three times over the course of the next two years.

In the interim, CACC did not skip a beat, opening their doors during COVID to care for the children of first responders so they could go to work. As schools opened back up in a virtual setting, CACC’s before-and-after-school programs quickly converted to all-day programs. Critchlow’s teachers helped the children with their virtual learning and planned enrichment activities that would bolster what they were learning in school, ensuring that they would not fall behind. If parents faced financial hardships due to the pandemic, Critchlow worked with them so they could continue working, knowing that their children were safe and well-cared-for.

State Delegate Johnny Mautz, Critchlow Adkins Executive Director Cristy Morrell, and State Senator Addie Eckhardt.

Good things are often worth waiting for, and after a long and productive two years, on September 8, 2022, CACC’s staff, Board of Directors, and supporters gathered under a tent at the Talbot Country Club for a beautiful evening of celebration. Attendees reveled in the opportunity to be together face-to-face once again, and to celebrate such an important milestone for Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers.

Executive Director Cristy Morrell kicked off the evening by thanking everyone for joining them for the special occasion and paid tribute to CACC’s founders, past and present Board Members, the organization’s dedicated staff, and all of the donors who made it possible to reach more than 50 years of service to the community. Board Chair James Redman honored the organization’s newest Legacy Award Winners – Ceci Nobel, Fayette and Bob Engstrom, Sandy Kaufman, and Christmas in St. Michaels. CACC Board Member Brie Wooden spoke about her experience growing up as a Critchlow Adkins student, and how she is now the parent of a Critchlow Adkins student. She marveled at how her son has blossomed since joining CACC’s programs.

Proclamations were presented on behalf of the State of Maryland by State Senator Addie Eckhart and State Delegate Johnny Mautz. The speeches were followed by a live auction and a Fund-A-Need to purchase new classroom furniture for CACC’s Cordova Site.

“We are still reeling in the best way from that night,” Morrell shares. “To see so many of our treasured supporters in person again, and to celebrate them for all they do for our children, was incredible. We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our event committee,  sponsors, business partners, and the Talbot Country Club for making this event such a success.”

All of the proceeds from the event will be used to support Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers’ mission of providing quality, financially accessible childcare for children and their families in a nurturing, diverse, safe, and enriching environment.

CACC has five sites throughout Talbot County, providing preschool, before-and-after-school care, and summer camp programs. Their enrichment programs, including Raising a Reader and innovative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) projects encourage a love of learning and inspire children to use their creativity to solve real-world problems. To learn more about CACC, register your child, or make a donation, visit cacckids.org or call 410-822-8061.

One Maryland One Book 2022 Events at Kent County Public Library

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Kent County Public Library invites you to take part in One Maryland One Book, a program of Maryland Humanities designed to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book.

The 2022 One Maryland One Book selection, What’s Mine and Yours by Naima Coster, is a multigenerational saga featuring two North Carolina families. They collide in ways that neither is prepared for when Black students from the east side of the county are integrated into the predominantly white schools on the west side. Readers will follow these families over decades as they break apart and come back together.

Pick up a copy of What’s Mine and Yours at any KCPL location. Free copies are available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. With your library card, you can also check out a copy of the book or download it through Overdrive.

KCPL’s first One Maryland One Book event takes place on Saturday, October 1st!

Love Maps: Knowing Your Partner’s Inner World

Saturday, October 1 | 1pm | Chestertown Branch

What’s Mine and Yours features fraught relationships that explore the depth and complexities of love.

Love Maps is an opportunity to explore your own relationships with significant others and learn ways to make them less fraught and more loving and supportive.

This program is tied to the themes in What’s Mine and Yours, but is not a book discussion. You are welcome to attend even if you have not yet read the book.

Through this expert-led workshop, couples and singles will learn about the three most important areas of knowledge when embarking on (and maintaining!) a long term relationship: 1) relationship expectations, 2) core beliefs, and 3) family background experiences.

The workshop is interactive with plenty of opportunities for discussion.

If you are currently in a relationship, bring your significant other! This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about your relationship through a shared experience.

If you are currently single or your significant other isn’t available, don’t hesitate to sign up! You will be able to take away new knowledge to better understand current and future relationships whether or not your partner attends.

Adults and older teens (ages 16+) welcome.

Registration required.

Mark your calendar for other upcoming One Maryland One Book events in October and November.

What’s Mine and Yours Book Discussions

Tuesday, October 11  |  3pm  |  Chestertown Branch

Wednesday, October 26  |  3pm  |  Rock Hall Branch

Thursday, November 10  |  3pm  |  North County Branch

Join a community discussion of What’s Mine and Yours by Naima Coster. These discussions will be led by KCPL staff and are open to all. Registration requested, but walk-ins welcome.

Build A Self-Care Toolkit

Tuesday, November 15 | 11am | North County Branch

The characters in What’s Mine and Yours face challenges large and small. Join us to create a self-care toolkit that you can use on days when your life feels difficult. Registration requested. Walk-ins welcome, supplies permitting.

This program is tied to the themes in What’s Mine and Yours, but is not a book discussion. You are welcome to attend even if you have not yet read the book.

For more information or to register for upcoming programs, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410-778-3636.

About One Maryland One Book

When we read a great book, we can’t wait to share the experience and talk about it with others. That’s one of the joys of reading.

In that spirit, Maryland Humanities created One Maryland One Book (OMOB) to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. We invite you to participate in book-centered discussions and related programs at public libraries, high schools, colleges, museums, bookstores, and community and senior centers around the state.

For more information, visit https://www.mdhumanities.org/programs/one-maryland-one-book/

RHES, Community Celebrate Artist’s Work

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Dressed in a ballgown she fashioned out of brightly colored plastic bags, artist Kayti Didriksen had a big moment in the spotlight Friday afternoon, Sept. 23 when a mural she created with local students was unveiled at Rock Hall Elementary School.

The three-panel mural hangs along the school’s brick entryway, greeting students, staff and visitors with a tableau celebrating music, movement and color.

The Sept. 23 unveiling brought school and community together for a celebration. There were musical performances by Rock Hall Elementary School students and ice cream from Lockbriar and Daughter of Worton.

Artist Kayti Didriksen, in her ballgown of plastic bags, poses with her mural “Rock Hall Elementary Rocks” at an unveiling celebration Friday, Sept. 23.

“Friday’s unveiling was a wonderful way to celebrate all the positive energy and work that went into the creation of the mural. Kayti’s passion for creativity and the arts was on full display from her amazing dress to the music played by our various student musical groups,” said Principal Gillian Spero. “It was a beautiful day and a perfect celebration.”

The mural, titled “Rock Hall Elementary Rocks,” was made possible through the Kent Cultural Alliance, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the HedgelawnFoundation.

Dr. Karen Couch, superintendent of Kent County Public Schools, commended Didriksen on her work.

Art teacher Teresa Jetton, center, helps hand out Lockbriar and Daughter ice cream to students, staff and community members at the unveiling of the new mural at Rock Hall Elementary School Friday, Sept. 23.

“Kayti captured the sense of joy music brings to our students. This mural will provide KCPS with lasting memories of her many contributions in our schools,” Dr. Couch said.

While originally from Maryland, Didriksen has traveled extensively as an artist. She came to the community last year thanks to Kent Cultural Alliance’s Artist in Residence program.

Didriksen has partnered with KCPS art teachers, visiting classrooms and helping students explore their creativity.

Kent Cultural Alliance Executive Director John Schratwieser and artist Kayti Didriksen make their grand entrance to the unveiling of Didriksen’s mural at Rock Hall Elementary School.

She completed a mosaic mural that was unveiled at H.H. Garnet Elementary School last spring.

For “Rock Hall Elementary Rocks,” Didriksen began by visiting music classes at Rock Hall Elementary School.

She attended classes led by music teachers Jodi Bortz and Ashton Mooday with her notepad and pens.

Artist Kayti Didriksen, dressed in a gown of colorful plastic bags, greets Rock Hall Elementary School students.

Didriksen completed a series of drawings in February and March capturing the students’ movements as they learned new rhythms and instruments.

“I went out a bunch of times to draw different classes because I wanted to get all of the grade levels and all the different ways the kids participated,” she said. “I wanted to have an opportunity to draw everything because I didn’t know what this mural would look like. In the end, you never know what a painting is going to look like.”

Using a projector, she began transferring her drawings onto the panels, working and reworking the layout many times over.

Rock Hall Elementary School Principal Gillian Spero and Kent Cultural Alliance Executive Director John Schratwieser celebrate the unveiling of Kayti Didriksen’s mural “Rock Hall Elementary Rocks.”

Throughout the mural’s evolution, the idea of having a teacher anchoring the composition was a constant.

That also led to Didriksen’s eureka moment bringing it all together —an inside-out rainbow.

“There’s a rainbow on the teacher’s ear and she’s listening for it. So the kids could still have all of their own individual energies, but as a group create harmonic sound through color,” Didriksen said.

Music teacher Jodi Bortz leads chorus students through a performance Friday, Sept. 23 at the unveiling of a new mural at Rock Hall Elementary School.

In addition to being subjects of the mural, Rock Hall Elementary School students helped bring the project to life.

With art teacher Teresa Jetton, they completed a lot of the underpainting, adding the necessary layers to crank up the boldness of the colors and make the panels shine.

“I feel really happy about it,” Didriksen said of the mural. “It’s intense, but it’s so great. It’s so satisfying. I really love it.”

John Schratwieser, executive director of the Kent Cultural Alliance, helped lead the unveiling celebration Sept. 23 and presented a sign that will hang next to the mural.

“We want to thank everybody here at Rock Hall Elementary School — all of you wonderful students, all the teachers, especially the music teachers who helped put this together,” Schratwiesersaid.

The unveiling offered Didriksen an opportunity to see how much those same students she drew last winter have grown as musicians.

Bortz led individual performances by the school chorus, bucket drummers and kazoo band.

“Hello my friends!” Didriksen said, receiving cheers from students at the unveiling as she took the microphone in her colorful gown.

She thanked students for allowing her to come into their classes and draw them and for their help in painting the mural.

“It really made me happy when you helped me so much. Thank you for your hard work and I hope that you enjoy it for years to come,” she told the students. “I know I had such a good time making it and now I’m going to enjoy some ice cream.”

Washington College Will Inaugurate Michael J. Sosulski as its 31st President

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On Saturday, October 8, Washington College will inaugurate its 31st president, Michael J. Sosulski, Ph.D. Inauguration festivities will take place on Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 and include a day-long academic symposium, activities at the waterfront campus, and the installation ceremony.

A seasoned leader in academic and student affairs, financial stewardship, and change management, Sosulski took office on September 1, 2021, after serving as provost at Wofford College in South Carolina for five years. In his first year as Washington College president, he moved quickly to invest $20 million in campus renovations, secured a new dining services partner for the campus, created the new position of associate provost of diversity and inclusion—since filled by Alisha Knight, Ph.D.—approved the addition of men’s and women’s golf to the athletics program, and has reshaped the senior leadership to ensure synergy in moving the College into the next decade and beyond.

Early in the Fall 2022 semester Sosulski announced the start of the strategic planning process for the College with the expectation of finalizing a five-year plan for launch in January 2023. The process includes a number of opportunities for Washington community members to provide input in shaping the strategic direction of the institution.

President Michael J. Sosulski, President of Washington College

“The installation of a college president is a time of promise, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to formally celebrate Dr. Sosulski with a traditional ceremony that honors the rich history of this institution,” said Stephen Golding ’72, chair, Board of Visitors and Governors. “Mike’s contributions in his first year alone have re-energized this community, and we are confident that his leadership and enthusiasm for the liberal arts experience will carry us forward as we work to realize a bold vision for the future of the institution.”

In addition to his role as Wofford College provost, Sosulski also served as a professor of German. Prior to that, he was with Kalamazoo College from 2004 to 2016, serving first as an assistant professor of German and eventually earning the roles of associate professor, department chair in German studies and associate provost. Sosulski earned his bachelor’s in German from Georgetown University and went on to receive a master’s and Ph.D. in Germanic studies from The University of Chicago.

On Friday, October 7, Washington College will host a full-day inaugural symposium. The program—“Literacy and Transformative Learning Experiences in Local and Global Contexts”—is grounded in Washington College’s powerful liberal arts education and the centrality of writing and reading in experiencing new perspectives. Faculty, students, and community members will join keynote speaker—Emory University Professor of German Hiram Maxim, Ph.D.—for an interdisciplinary exploration of the transformative potential of literacy and language learning. The symposium’s keynote address will begin at 4:20 p.m. followed by a reception and an exhibition tour in the Kohl Gallery.

Saturday will include a celebration at the College’s waterfront campus between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Activities will include a Chester River Challenge regatta, electric boat demonstration, live music, kayaking and paddleboarding. The installation ceremony will take place on the Washington College Campus Green at 3 p.m. followed by a reception on the Miller Library terrace.

All events listed are open to the public, though RSVP’s are strongly encouraged at this link: Washcoll.edu/inauguration. The full listing of inaugural events is located here.

About Washington College

Founded in 1782, Washington College is the tenth oldest college in the nation and the first chartered under the new Republic. It enrolls approximately 1,100 undergraduates from more than 35 states and a dozen nations. With an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning in the arts and sciences, and more than 40 multidisciplinary areas of study, the College is home to nationally recognized academic centers in the environment, history, and writing. Learn more at washcoll.edu.

Community Listening Sessions Next Month for KCMS Project

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Kent County Public Schools is holding a series of community listening sessions next month about the future of the middle school.

A committee comprising KCPS administrators, educators, state officials, school construction experts and parents met over the past year to explore possible plans for renovating or replacing Kent County Middle School in Chestertown.

No decision has been made on the future of the middle school.

Three listening sessions are being held in mid-October, providing community members an opportunity to learn about the planning process and offer comments on three scenarios under review.

Three listening sessions are scheduled for next month to inform the community about possible future plans for Kent County Middle School and receive public feedback. The sessions will be held at Kent County High School, Galena Elementary School and the Kent County Public Schools Central Office.

The sessions are as follows:

  • 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12 in the Kent County High School auditorium, 25301 Lambs Meadow Road, Worton
  • 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18 in the Galena Elementary School cafeteria, 114 S. Main St., Galena
  • 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19 in the Board of Education meeting room at the Kent County Public Schools Central Office, 5608 Boundary Ave., Rock Hall

The Oct. 19 listening session will be livestreamed and a recording of the video will be publicly available through the Kent County Public Schools website.

“We are interested in obtaining input from the community as we consider the best long-term solution to address the problems and concerns with the current facility,” said Dr. Karen Couch, superintendent of Kent County Public Schools.

The first plan under review would replace the Kent County Middle School building with a new one on the Chestertown campus.

Another plan would see a new Kent County Middle School built on a portion of the KCPS campus in Worton.

The third scenario being considered is connecting new construction housing the middle school to Kent County High School in Worton. Under this scenario, the schools would maintain their individual identities and have separate entrances and their own administrations.

Adding fifth grade back to the middle school grade-band configuration is also being considered. Prior to consolidation to a single building more than a decade ago, the three KCPS middle schools served fifth through eighth graders.

Learn more about the Kent County Middle School project at www.kent.k12.md.us/KCMSProject.aspx.

Email questions and comments to KCMSproject@kent.k12.md.us.

Wye River Upper School In-person Open House Announced

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Wye River Upper School will hold an in-person open house on Thursday, Oct. 12th,  2022 from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM. Prospective families will have the opportunity to see the depth of the academic, social and emotional impact Wye River Upper School has on high school students. Families will also be able to meet and speak with faculty and staff, parents and students. Registration is required: https://www.wyeriverupperschool.org/event-details-registration/in-person-open-house

Wye River School, the brainchild of Chrissy Aull and co-founder Patricia McGlannan, opened its doors in September of 2002 when Aull struggled to find a high school for her son with learning differences. Twenty years and 900 graduates later, Wye River continues to provide the educational and social experiences for students to become successful and fulfilled in all walks of life. Last year, those paths included students who aspire to attend medical school, act on Broadway and to become certified as an underwater welder.

About Wye River Upper School

Wye River Upper School is an independent high school serving the strengths and needs of bright students with learning differences. Located in Centreville, MD, Wye River is approximately 20 minutes east of the Bay Bridge. For more information about the school, contact admissions@wyeriverupperschool.org or call 443-262-8267.

Classical Guitar Quartet Performs for Galena Students

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Fifth graders at Galena Elementary School enjoyed a special concert Monday, Sept. 12 by a quartet of classically trained guitarists.

The Canadian Guitar Quartet stopped by the school that morning to perform and talk to students about music and the feelings it inspires.

The quartet comprising Renaud Côte-Giguère, Jérôme Ducharme, Christ Habib and Louis Trépanier were in town having performed the day before at St. Paul’s, Kent, kicking off the National Music Festival’s 2022-23 Resonance concert series.

Canadian Guitar Quartet at Galena Elementary School

Support for the quartet’s Kent County appearance also came from the Kent Cultural Alliance.

Caitlin Patton, executive director of the National Music Festival, said providing musical experiences for Kent County Public Schools students is a key part of the festival organization’s mission.

“This season, for the first time, all six of our Resonance concert series artists will visit local schools during their time in Kent County. We are proud of this educational effort, and grateful to the Kent Cultural Alliance, without whose support this would not be possible,” Patton said.

At Galena Elementary School, the quartet performed several Brazilian pieces as well as an original composition by Côte-Giguère in music teacher Ashton Mooday’s classroom.

Following each selection, Trépanier led a discussion with students about what the music inspired in their imaginations. Students’ answers ranged from envisioning horseback races in western movies to video game themes like “Super Mario Bros.”

Mooday said it was a great performance for the students to experience.

“They got the opportunity to see musicians working together, playing an instrument that is central to the music they listen to, and playing a style of music that the students were unfamiliar with,” she said.”This helps foster an appreciation for music in all of its forms. How neat of an opportunity for our students!”

Cutline: The Canadian Guitar Quartet performs for Galena Elementary School fifth graders Monday, Sept. 12. From left are Renaud Côte-Giguère, Jérôme Ducharme, Louis Trépanier and Christ Habib.

Gunston Embarkation Welcomes New Students, Faculty and Trustees

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The Gunston School commenced its 112th year on Thursday, September 8, with the annual Embarkation tradition, welcoming a total of 65 new students and five new employees to the community by boat. After exchanging a handshake with the Head of School, newcomers signed the school’s Honor Code, and made their way up the hill to greet fellow students and current staff and faculty. Parents and family members were invited to watch from the shoreline as students arrived. The event, originally scheduled for the first day of classes on September 6, was postponed due to adverse weather conditions. 

Once all new students and staff arrived by boat, they made their way to the Field House for Convocation. Student Body President Mekonnen Sahle-Selassie ’23 (Easton, Md.) offered three pieces of advice to new students. “Find out who you are, get out of your comfort zone, and stay in the moment, for I promise you that these four years will go by so fast you won’t even notice it.” 

The Gunston School commenced its 112th year on Thursday, September 8, with the annual Embarkation tradition, welcoming a total of 65 new students and five new employees to the community by boat. Photo by Jess Coner.

Gunston’s Chair of the Board Patrick Shoemaker ’03 recalled his first day as a 9th grader in 1999. “I was part of a small group of students from Annapolis […] I arrived on campus to Mr. Dize’s homeroom and was immediately welcomed. What previously seemed like a foreign place on the Eastern Shore started to feel like home on my very first day. In many ways, Gunston is a different place than it was that September 23 years ago, but our strong sense of community persists thanks to the dedicated faculty who make every student feel welcome.” 

After ringing an antique bell from Gunston’s days as an all-girls boarding school, Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis declared, “Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year, the bell has sounded, you may now commence the year!”

Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis (far left) hands pens to new students as they sign the school’s Honor Code before greeting classmates and faculty. Also pictured are Aurora Baughman ’26 (left) and Lea Berling ’25. Photo by Jess Coner.

New students had the opportunity to get to know their peers well before the start of school during Gunston’s orientation and leadership retreats. Ninth grade students went on a two-day retreat at Camp Pecometh, where they spent the day and evening participating in various outdoor challenges and team building activities. They then returned to campus the following day, where they were joined by new upperclass students and current student leaders for informational sessions on central school values, technology, “Important Things You Need to Know,” environmental sustainability, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

Running simultaneously, Gunston’s 7th Annual Leadership Institute invited student leaders from various clubs, student government, and athletics to gather and learn about leadership practices, set goals for the year, and to help facilitate activities for 9th graders.

(l-r) Arielle Tyler ’24 and Lilah Paddy ’24 greet new students Adit Gupta ’25 and Aiden Filer ’26. Photo by Jess Coner.

“Our orientation and leadership programs with their peer-to-peer learning and mentorship model are extremely important in creating bonds between students, a strong class spirit, and setting up a strong school year,” explains Head of School John Lewis. 

Gunston’s formal orientation is just one of many of the school’s initiatives that reinforce psychological “protective factors” which include “a safe and supportive peer culture and strong relational attachments to teachers and healthy adult mentors,” among others, with the goal of integrating academic, athletic, artistic, and social experiences in a beautiful natural location that promotes adolescent mental wellness and resilience. 

Gunston’s Student Body President Mekonnen Sahle-Selassie ’23 greeted new students and faculty. Photo by Jess Coner.

Faculty and staff were also busy preparing for the beginning of school with departmental retreats, new employee orientation, and annual CPR, First Aid/AED and various emergency response trainings. Gunston’s Math Department welcomes Linda Jayne, who most recently served as the Math Department Chair and lacrosse coach at Kent Island High School. In addition to her longtime experience teaching Advanced Placement AB & BC Calculus, Jayne has written curriculum at the county and state level, and she’s been an advisor for the Mu Alpha Theta math honor society. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Frostburg, and a Masters in Administration and Education from Western Maryland College. 

Also joining the Math Department is April Crandall. A recent transplant to the area from the Midwest, Crandall has nine years of high school teaching and tutoring experience, and recently taught a wide range of math courses at a high school in Missouri. She earned her B.S. in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Central Missouri and a M.S. in Math from Northwest Missouri State University. 

Gunston’s Board of Trustees Chair Patrick Shoemaker ’03. Photo by Jess Coner.

Simon Kelly ’05 joins the English Department after teaching writing courses at Villanova, Drexel, and Temple University. An avid cyclist who has spent time living abroad in Korea, he earned his B.A. from Guilford University in North Carolina, and a Masters in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Melissa (Mel) Skirkanich joined the Science Department as a Chesapeake Watershed Semester Environmental Science teacher in the fall and will continue to teach courses in the spring on campus. Skirkanich most recently taught Biology and Environmental Science at Manassas High School in Virginia, and her experience includes roles at Leesburg Animal Park, Pathfinder Ranch, the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, and the Science Museum of Western Virginia. She earned her B.S. from Virginia Tech, where she studied abroad in Australia and New Zealand. 

New faculty and staff at Gunston this year are (l-r) Simon Kelly ’05, Lynda Jayne, Caitlyn Creasy, April Crandall and Melissa (Mel) Skirkanich. Photo by Jess Coner.

Caitlyn Creasy joined Gunston as the Assistant to the Head of School and Alumni Coordinator. She earned her B.A. at Washington College in Business Management and Communications and Media Studies with minors in Dance, and Art Management and Entrepreneurship. In addition to being elected Student Government Vice President, she held positions of responsibility in the school’s admission and alumni offices. Most recently, she worked as the Director of Neighborhood Revitalization at Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity. 

Gunston also welcomed five new trustees to their board of directors. Jim Shifrin, P’21 is the Director of Product Development and Innovation at Dixon Valve in Chestertown. He has a BSME in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and also serves on Gunston’s Buildings & Grounds Committee. 

Dr. Fernando De Leon, P’22 is a pulmonologist with the University of Maryland Medical Center in Chestertown. Dr. De Leon received his medical degree from Boston University and completed his fellowship, residency and internship at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care. He also serves as a member of Gunston’s Health Advisory Team. 

Betsy McCown, P’11 is the Associate Director of Echo Hill Outdoor School in Worton, Md. She earned a B.S. in Community Leadership and Development from Springfield College, Springfield, MA. McCown is a former Gunston board member and a current Chesapeake Watershed Semester Advisory Committee member.

Jeff Frederick, P ’23 ’26 is the General Manager/Vice President of Fred Frederick Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-RAM in Easton, Md. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he is also a member of Gunston’s Development Committee.

Isabel Junkin Hardesty is the Executive Director of ShoreRivers and is a member of the Board of Directors for Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology. She received a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University, where she concentrated in coastal environment and management, and a B.S. from Bucknell University with a major in animal behavior. Hardesty has worked closely with Gunston for nearly a decade on various campus grant-funded research projects. 

Founded in 1911 and currently enrolling 234 students, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.