Alumni Blog

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!

As a boarding student, the time between Thanksgiving break and winter break was always special, and I have great memories of the holidays at Perkiomen— this brings me to this month’s Alumni Pillar: Nostalgia.

I loved spending time in the small choral room (which is now an art gallery) with Mary Jane Royal, perfecting my solos or choral numbers in time for Vespers. If we were lucky, Hanukkah would be celebrated before break, and we might have latkes. Yummy! I can also remember the ways in which Mrs. Weeks and Ms. Price made dorm life homey by baking cookies, hosting a gift exchange among Ruhl Hall, and even ending study hall early. I think of these moments fondly and even share bits of Perkiomen holidays with my family thirty-seven years later.

My hope is that this generation of students will hold the holiday traditions of today near and dear to their hearts and carry them for the rest of their lives.

From the Weir-Smith family to yours, happiest of holidays!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Alumni Pillar #4: Nostalgia
We treasure these moments and relish the “good old days”. These memories bring us joy and fill our spirits. When we think about our experiences on campus, we are brought back to that moment in time and the clock is turned back.

Carmel M. “Midge” & Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service
On Sunday, December 11, the Perkiomen School community gathered in the Mesnier Chapel for the Carmel M. “Midge” & Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service. This year’s student and faculty musical performances included “Away in a Manger”, “Carol of the Bells”, and “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring”. View photos here.

Save the date!
There are a lot of things to look forward to in the coming year, especially Reunion and Alumni Weekend 2023! Mark your calendars for June 9, 10, and 11.

Advisory Door Decorating Contest
Between the holiday breaks, the Office of Student Life encouraged some friendly competition between advisories with the annual Door Decorating Contest. Check out some of the designs below!

Meet Our Donors: Robert K. Morgan ’64
This month’s Meet Our Donors article features Bob Morgan ’64 who is leading a full life through travel and continuing education. Click here to read about his Perkiomen story.

Institute Project of the Month

Another Perkiomen tradition is the annual holiday card, many of which have included student artwork. Always innovating, this year’s image was created by students in the Design Institute using Midjourney.

Reese Gordon ’26 shares her experience in this team effort: “None of us had ever used Midjourney before this project, but we knew that we wanted the design to feature snow, include the school colors, and look like a watercolor painting. Through the multiple iterations, Ms. Horvath and our other classmates offered insightful feedback and valuable suggestions along the way. I think the end product was pretty amazing, and its uniqueness is something that will stand out from other holiday cards. I am proud of my group for our teamwork and determination through the process, and I am honored that I got to be a part of the project.”

Have you moved recently? If you didn’t receive your holiday card, please update your mailing address here to make sure you’re on future mailing lists.

Beat the clock, Perkiomenites!

There’s just one week until we ring in the new year. Support the next generation of Perkiomenites by making an end-of-year gift today! Make a gift today!

All gifts are tax-deductible. Please date and postmark checks by 12/31 or give online by 11:59 p.m. to count towards the 2022 tax year. Questions? Reach out to Director of the Perkiomen Fund Shauna Betof P '25, '27.

November is the time to share gratitude, one of our alumni pillars. We are thankful for every moment we have shared and every friend, teacher, coach, director, advisor, and mentor who lifted us and stood beside us. We are thankful to our parents and families for this opportunity of Perkiomen. We are thankful for this time and the impact our alma mater will have on us for the rest of our lives.

This month we celebrate on our social media the gratitude with the Class of 2023, in Michael Lasser’s ’53  reflection of Ralph Hossman, and Michael Krajsa’s ’67 OMTL donor story. We celebrated with alumni at our Philadelphia Gathering too.

All of us in The Office of Alumni and Development wish you and you’re a very happy Thanksgiving season.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Philly Gathering 

On Wednesday November 16, we held our Philadelphia Area Gathering at the Philadelphia Country Club. We had alumni from classes ranging from 1960 to 2019, and it was great seeing everyone in attendance. Head of School Mark A. Devey showed the updated visuals for Kehs Hall, the Outdoor Recreation Area, and the Grove. Big, big thanks to Peter Sharkey, Jr. ’03 for securing the venue and helping us to host the event!

Meet Our Donors: Mike Krajsa ’67

This month’s Meet Our Donors article features Mike Krajsa ’67 who is inspiring others by encouraging growth through experiential learning. Click here to read about his Perkiomen story.

A Tribute to Ralph Hossman by Michael Lasser ’53

Ralph Hossman and Perkiomen changed my life. I had graduated from a good public high school only two months after my sixteenth birthday. My mother understood that I was in no way ready for college. She and my father got some helpful guidance, and suddenly I was off to Perkiomen for a post-graduate year.

I was smart enough, but my grades were lousy. I was lazy and immature, and was lost in high school. I hated every day of it.

I also hated everything about the idea of Perkiomen. I knew nobody, and all my friends were heading off to college while I was staying in high school. I guess I planned to punish everybody by sulking until June, but the place soon won me over.

To at least some degree, I was on my own. I learned to study and began to learn how to write, and I came to have great regard for Headmaster Stephen Roberts and his wife Eleanor, and for a tough but fair Dean named Richard Weigel.

More than anyone, though, there was Ralph Hossman, the most courageous man I’ve ever known. He had fought in World War II, where he’d been grievously wounded. His entire back was fused. He could not turn. When he sat in a chair, he, the chair’s back, and the seat formed a triangle. I assume he lived with chronic pain.

He was my English teacher, he became my mentor, and I revered him. He’s one of the major reasons I became a teacher of English in independent school for forty years.

He had graduated from Dartmouth in 1938. After the War, he couldn’t return to his newspaper job in New York City. But he found a different life of purpose at Perkiomen, where he taught literature and writing, but also helped boys and girls become young people of character.

He said to me one day, in his taciturn Yankee way, “Michael, you’re applying to college.” “Yes, sir, I am.” He said, “Well, you might want to think about Dartmouth.” I knew I didn’t have to go there, but I was also smart enough to know that if Mr. Hossman thought it was a good idea, I needed to take it seriously. My parents were surprised. We had all been raised in and around New York City, and here I was thinking about rural New Hampshire.

They took me on a trip to Hanover over a vacation. You know how sometimes you know something before you know it? I got out the car and said, “If they’ll take me, this is where I want to go.”

Imagine my thrill, when at supper one night, Ralph Hossman walked over to shake my hand and tell me I’d been accepted. It was a moment I cherish almost seventy years later.

Institute Project of the Month

It’s cold and flu season! Medical Institute Distinction Candidate Brianna Rickabaugh ’23 is looking to alleviate symptoms of these illnesses with her capstone, titled “The Efficacy of Home Remedies against Common Cold/Influenza”. Check out her poster here.

If you’d like to view additional Medical Institute capstone posters, stop by campus and visit the third floor of Schumo Academic Center!

End of Year is Near!

There are only 40 days until we ring in 2023! Send in your tax-deductible Perkiomen Fund gift today.

Make a gift today!

My travels this month have me thinking about our third of eight alumni pillars: Connections. 

"When we wander, wander, far away from you, Perkiomen we are loyal, loyal tried, and true.” 

Our alma mater says it best! We are connected through a worldwide network. In sharing that common thread that binds us, this centers us and brings us home. 

I visited five states and multitudes of alumni, and with each visit, I found a connection that makes up the bigger tapestry of Perkiomen. I hope you can connect this fall by attending the play, stopping by to watch a sports game, or following us on social media. 

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Next up: Philly Gathering 

Join us on November 16, 2022 at the Philadelphia Country Club. The Philadelphia Area Gathering will be 6:30-9:30 pm. RSVP to Diana Weir-Smith via email or call/text 610-506-1927. 

Thanks to those who came out for our NYC Gathering. It was great reconnecting with you all.

Fall Athletics Post-Season Updates 

Kudos and good luck to our post-season student athletes! Be sure to follow @PerkAthletics on Instagram to keep up with the latest news.  

October is Arts Month

Students performed in a dance recital, and rock band concert, and concluded the month with the theater production of Alice in Wonderland this past weekend. We also hosted two student gallery openings along with other fun events to celebrate the arts. Check out @PerkiomenArts to see more photos.

Medical Institute students attend Healthcare Careers Expo 

On October 18, students from Perkiomen’s Medical Institute attended the Gwynedd Mercy University Healthcare Careers Expo. They toured the University’s facilities within the School of Nursing and Health Professions, connected with healthcare professionals and educators, and learned about opportunities within medical fields. Additionally, students attended respiratory and radiation therapy workshops, a nursing workshop, and participated in a medical simulation lab.  

Medical Institute Distinction Candidate Shae Leach ’24 shares, “This experience exposed me to many different medical career paths, some of which I had never considered or heard of before. My interest was piqued in the neonatal field, and I enjoyed interacting one-on-one with experienced healthcare professionals. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and wouldn’t have been able to do it if it weren’t for the Medical Institute.” 

Institute Project of the Month

Do you enjoy homemade burritos? Have you ever wished that those homemade burritos would roll themselves?  

Artificial Intelligence Institute Distinction Candidate Zach Kivelowitz ’23 is inventing an automatic burrito roller. He explains, “When I was brainstorming ideas for my AI Institute capstone, I began thinking about some of my favorite foods. I’ve always loved burrito nights at home, except for the fact that it was my job to roll everyone’s burrito. I wanted to design this device to make burrito nights easier for everyone.” 

From this experience, Zach says, “While there were many failures and iterations with my project, I stuck with it. My teacher, Mrs. Rodgers, was always there to lend a helping hand, secure materials, and walk me through the coding steps. I managed to reach the retyping stage where I was using cardboard replicas creating a 3-D prototype of my burrito roller. It took a lot of determination and motivation to make it a reality.” 

Perkiomen Inspires

Your support of Perkiomen School helps our faculty and programs to inspire our students through the arts. Thank you!

• Unique experiences and gallery talk events preparing student artists for vibrant futures in all fields 
• Quality supplies and welcoming studio spaces encouraging self-expression 
• Sound equipment, production rights, set design supplies, and costumes, helping students to discover their voices and uncover confidence on stage
• Theater shows, music performances, and art galleries, providing our school community opportunities for appreciation of the world and people around us

Make a gift today!

Happy fall, Perkiomenites! The first four weeks of school have been filled with new classes, Institute projects, music rehearsals, athletic competitions, and more. This month’s alumni pillar is GENEROSITY, tying in perfectly to the biggest news of the year that was announced on Fall Family Weekend. Keep on scrolling to find out!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Alumnus Dan Breidegam ’71 Makes Leadership Gift to Our Moment to Lead Campaign

Head of School Mark A. Devey announced Saturday that alumnus Daniel Breidegam ’71 has made a significant gift to the Our Moment to Lead Capital Campaign. Breidegam’s leadership gift, combined with other noteworthy contributions, will enable Perkiomen School to begin construction on their new student center in 2023. Read the article here.

Want to learn more about the Our Moment to Lead Campaign? Visit the campaign website here.

Alumni Pillar #2: Generosity

We remember what others gave us and try to follow their example. We volunteer, share wisdom, lend a helping hand, and are generous of spirit within Perkiomen and beyond. We can make a difference regardless of our journey.

Alumni Gatherings

On September 17, we hosted the Alumni Baseball Game. Thanks to those who came out!

Don’t forget to RSVP for the NYC Area Gathering at 230 Fifth from 6:30-9:30 pm on October 5, 2022. Reach out to Diana via email or call/text 610-506-1927.

Institute Project of the Month

Artificial Intelligence Institute Distinction Candidate Max Theisen ’23 is collaborating with the Homelessness Taskforce of the Boyertown Area Multi-Service to create an online program to spread awareness of social programs for low-income populations in his hometown. With Max’s program, users can visit an interactive calendar to learn about community events that provide access to basic human necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, showers, and medical care in times of financial difficulty. It will also include a function for users to sign up for events so that organizations can ensure adequate supplies and track program efficacy.

Want to know more? Read more about Max in the 2021-2022 Report to Donors publication, dropping in the mail this week.

Make a difference today!

Students like Max are learning to code by using the school’s subscription to CodeHS alongside instruction from classroom faculty. CodeHS is an interactive online learning platform which provides curriculum guides for teachers in addition to supplemental course videos, practice problems, and a coding environment for instructional purposes. Give to the Perkiomen Fund today to provide Perkiomen students resources to learn skills to solve real-world problems.

We are back at it! The students have returned to campus, we are planning events, and our community is creating exciting and innovative learning opportunities. Additionally, we anticipate putting a shovel in the ground for our New Student Center in 2023!

Throughout the year, I will also be sharing our Perkiomen Alumni Pillars. These eight pillars guide us in connecting with our alumni and the common experiences we all share as Perkiomenites. 

Cheers to another year at Perkiomen!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Alumni Pillar #1: Belonging and Family

We know this is home. We feel a sense of allegiance to this school, our people, and that moment in time. We know where we fit in and the story that we are part of. We wear our Perk shirt with pride!

Perkiomen Magazine

We are excited to share the 2022 Perkiomen Magazine. We hope you will enjoy the stories and photos about wonderful events and initiatives happening on campus. Click here to read this year's edition.

Reunion and Alumni Weekend: June 10, 11, 12, 2023

Mark your calendars early! We can't wait to have you back for Reunion and Alumni Weekend 2023. This year we will be celebrating the classes of 1973 (50^th reunion) and 1998 (25^th reunion). All classes are welcome!

Alumni Baseball Game

Join us for the Alumni Baseball Game on Baker Field at 2 pm on September 17, 2022 as we kick off our series of fall alumni events. Dinner to follow at the PC Pub. Please RSVP to Diana Weir-Smith.

NYC Alumni Gathering
Perkiomen is coming to NYC this fall! Join us at 230 Fifth from 7-10 pm on October 5, 2022. Please RSVP to Diana Weir-Smith.

Ready, Set, Go!

Everyone is back on campus, athletic practices have begun, and we are ready for the first day of classes. Help our students get off to a strong start! Support the Perkiomen Fund today.

Summer is for celebration! During the 2021-22 school year, Perkiomen once again featured unique student experiences that help us to stand out in the boarding school world. You will be reading about some of them in the 2022 edition of our Perkiomen School Magazine hitting your mailboxes in a few weeks. While we can’t fit them all in one blog post, we can share some of the bigger stories with you and – give you a sneak peek at the cover. 

Ed Friedman ’61 and Fred Ahlborn ’63 both have highlights you will not want to miss. Learn how Perkiomen impacted their lives and how they are supporting our students today and beyond. Additionally, I can’t forget to mention the greatest weekend of the year, Reunion and Alumni Weekend, and our class notes. 

We also have features that convey the creativity, excitement, and research that go into our students’ capstone projects within the Institutes. We also have a lot of Perk Pride to share with you in our athletic recap section. If you didn’t get a chance to chat with Head of School Mark A. Devey on Reunion and Alumni Weekend, be sure to check out his intro letter for an update on our alma mater, his vision, and where we are heading. 

Looking forward to a great 2022-23 year with all our alumni! 

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Panthers go to the MLB

Congratulations to Carlos Torres ’19! Carlos was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 20^th round MLB draft. Read the full story here.

Welcome back, Jordan and Kyle!

Perkiomen is proud to welcome back Perkiomen alumni Jordan Barth ’16 and Kyle Bixler ’00 among our newest faculty members. Jordan is excited to begin her role as Director of Student Life Programs and Assistant Coach of the varsity girls basketball team. Kyle is serving as Director of Strength and Conditioning and has already begun working with some of our day students to prepare for their upcoming athletic seasons. Three of his children will be entering Perkiomen as new students this fall. If you know either Jordan or Kyle, stop by campus to say hi to them!

Meet Our Donors: Rebecca Clark Cole ’88

This month’s Meet Our Donors story features Becky Cole ’88, an alumna who found confidence and opportunities during her student experience at Perkiomen School. Click here to read about her Perkiomen story.

Thank you!

We are grateful for our alumni, families, and friends who generously supported Perkiomen School in 2021-2022. Your support means so much to our school community. Thank you for inspiring our students and creating moments of joy at Perkiomen.

So much has happened since our last blog in April! We hosted the various award ceremonies and closed out the school year on a strong note, all followed by my favorite yearly event- Reunion and Alumni Weekend!

Celebrating memories and creating new ones is what Reunion and Alumni Weekend is all about. We experienced laughter, tears, moments of joy, remembrance, and excitement for the future. Thank you to those who joined us, and we missed those who were unable to make it this year.

The plans for Reunion and Alumni Weekend (June 9, 10, and 11, 2023) are already in the works. Mark your calendars for the big weekend!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

View your Reunion and Alumni Weekend photos here!

View album

Welcome, Class of 2022!

Join me in welcoming the Class of 2022 to the alumni ranks! Commencement Weekend kicked off with the Middle School Moving Up Ceremony, followed by the Upper School Award Ceremony, Baccalaureate, and Commencement. At each of these ceremonies, various awards were presented to students who are living in the footsteps of Perkiomen "greats" such as Marian J. Stefano, Gunard O. Carlson, Wayne Engle, George and Midge Thomas, Mary Jane Royal, and many more.

The Office of Alumni and Development presented this year’s Alumni Awards to Hunter Eschallier and Viktoriia Sokolova for their dedication to the Perkiomen Community with spirited intentions to remain involved in years to come. In the fall, Hunter will attend University of New Hampshire and Vika will attend UC Irvine.

Meet Our Donors: Tom Diascro ’85

This month’s Meet Our Donors story features Tom Diascro ’85, a former staff kid who is giving back alongside his wife, Stephanie. Click here to read about his Perkiomen story.

End of Fiscal Year is here!

As you reflect on this amazing year at your alma mater, don’t forget to support the programs and students you have met all year long with a gift to the Perkiomen Fund. Give by June 30 to be counted in the 2022 Report to Donors publication! 

What’s the big news at Perkiomen? REUNION AND ALUMNI WEEKEND 2022 – all classes are welcome, and we will be celebrating the 50^th reunion classes of ‘70, ’71, ‘72, and the 25^th reunion classes of ’95, ’96, ’97. All events are planned to be held outdoors and many are tented, including our big celebration of Kevin and Trish Manferdini. We have lots of current and former faculty joining us, including John and Jeannene Ziegler as well as Carla Hausmann. Send us your questions at alumni@perkiomen.org in the meantime.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Thinking about registering for Reunion and Alumni Weekend? Here are some helpful links:

FAQ

Schedule of Events

Registration

To ensure adequate staffing, lodging, and food quantities, please register by May 27.

Manferdini Day

April 15 was Manferdini Day. Festivities included breakfast for lunch, ice cream, and a long line of student thank yous during Morning Meeting. In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Manferdini, students and faculty made contributions to UNICEF in support of Ukraine, in exchange for dressing down… however, many students dressed up instead, to honor Mr. Manferdini’s great respect for the dress code.

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Manferdini, for all the ways you have cared for our community.

We hope you will join us for a celebration to honor Kevin and Trish on Saturday, June 11 at Reunion and Alumni Weekend.

Prom

On April 21, Student Senate hosted at a disco themed prom at RiverCrest Golf Club. Being the first "normal" prom since 2019, we had record attendance tallying in at more than 250 students! Mr. and Mrs. Manferdini were named Prom King and Queen! They slow danced to their wedding song "Just You and I".

Juggling magician visits campus

Shout out to our young alumni who participated in the 25² Challenge on Perkiomen Day of Giving in February. Because 25 of you gave $25 or more, our students enjoyed a special treat of a magic show and Rita’s water ice. Thank you for supporting Student Life and helping to create memorable moments of joy on Perkiomen's campus.

Meet Our Donors: Tom Thurston

This month’s Meet Our Donors story features Tom Thurston ’65 who is creating space for personal growth and identity development of Perkiomen’s students. Click here to read about his Perkiomen story.

1,000 Thank Yous

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up – it’s a chance for our community to say thank you to faculty and staff who made an impact on your Perkiomen experience. Say thank you to folks by making a gift to the Perkiomen Fund in their honor.

You are the reason we are inspired and busy at Perkiomen! We’ve been visiting with Perkiomen alumni and donors, planning Reunion and Alumni Weekend, and partnering with Leighton School.  Thank you, Perkiomen alumni, for keeping us creative, innovative, and working hard to keep you connected to your alma mater.

Additionally, my good friend and fellow alumna Aimee Flubacher ’79 has beautiful story of how she came to Perkiomen and why she is a supporter of the Our Moment to Lead Campaign.

Keep on scrolling to get the full stories.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2022

70 days remain until Reunion and Alumni Weekend. We’ve designed a great weekend invitation that will be in your mailbox soon, so look for the announcement for the online registration. It’s more than just a weekend of great food, we’ve also coordinated many events and entertainment. See the weekend highlights lineup below. Reach out to me, Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19, with questions and to get involved with your class reunion planning.

Online registration opens in mid-April. Please register by May 27 to ensure sufficient staffing, overnight accommodations, and food.

Highlights Include:
Welcome Center
Scavenger Hunt

Friday, June 10
50^th and 25^th Reunion Dinners (’70, ’71, ’72, and ’95, ’96, ’97)
Welcome Reception - All classes welcome

Saturday, June 11
Memorial Service
Campus Tour for Legacy Families
Parade of Classes
Reunion Lunch
Our Moment to Lead Tour
Hall of Athletic Honor Induction
Clark Kreger ’92 Memorial Alumni Lacrosse Classic
Celebrating Kevin and Trish Manferdini
Dinner and the Vibe Tribe

Sunday, June 12
Brunch

Leighton School

Did you hear about Perkiomen’s partnership with Leighton School? Leighton School (pronounced lee-ton) is an American college-preparatory high school located in Shanghai, China. Read more about this innovative and global opportunity for Perkiomen School here.

Meet Our Donors: Aimee Flubacher ’79

This month’s Meet Our Donors story features Aimee (Romanow) Flubacher ’79, a West Coast girl who was given the opportunity to attend boarding school in Pennsburg, PA. Click here to read about her Perkiomen story.

Panthers in Puerto Rico

During spring break, Perkiomen’s baseball team traveled to Puerto Rico to get their season started with an intensive 7 days of practices and games against local teams. Thank you to Juan Carlos Sierra P ’13, Miguel Valcarcel ’06, and other Perkiomen families for hosting our players!

Alumni Visits

Mark and I had the opportunity to visit a couple of alumni on the West Coast. It was great seeing everyone!

Give back to Perkiomen School

My life changed for the better the moment I stepped onto Perkiomen’s campus. When I came back for Alumni Weekend in 2019, it was like being with family you hadn’t seen in forever. I hold this school near and dear to me.
-Aimee Flubacher ’79

Was Perkiomen a home away from home during your high school years? Did your Perkiomen education give you a jumpstart on your life path? Give back to your alma mater by making a gift today!

Everyone at Perkiomen is eager for sunshine and the warmer weather this spring, especially the Class of 2022 as we begin their countdown to graduation. Spring term also means that we begin the final planning stages of Reunion and Alumni Weekend for June 10-12.

The Arts are hot at Perkiomen as we celebrate the new Design Institute and a successful run of Shrek the musical; our athletes are gearing up for conference championships; and there’s some exciting news within the Institutes. A special thanks goes out to all our donors who participated in Day of Giving— you make all this possible!

I look forward to seeing you all on campus and in person this June!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2022

This chilly and windy February in Pennsburg has made us extra excited for June and Alumni Weekend planning! Check out the graphic below to see a sneak preview of Saturday’s programming. Reach out to me, Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19, to get involved with your class reunion planning.

A sweet week for our seniors

Q: How many days until Commencement?
A: 94- That’s right, as of last week, our countdown to graduation is officially in the double digits!

To mark 100 days until graduation, we celebrated the Class of 2022 with some sweet treats and a dance party. Earlier in the week, we also hosted a Valentine's Day candy bar and shared the alma mater, the original love song to Perkiomen. We are sweet on our seniors!

Medical Institute students visit Venel Institute

On January 29, fifteen students from Perkiomen’s Medical Institute participated in a cadaver workshop at Venel Institute to learn about the anatomy, physiology, and treatment of the human spine.

Students were led by St. Luke’s neurosurgical spine specialists Doron Rabin, MD, chief of Neurologic Surgery, and Hugh Moulding, MD, director of St. Luke’s Brain and Spine Tumor Center. Assisting was Matt Diliberto P ’21, ’24 of Medtronic, whose generous grant made the experience possible. Medtronic also supported a similar experience for students in 2019.

Access to this type of unique hands-on learning is rare for a high school student. What is even more special is that the group didn’t just watch the surgeons demonstrate dissection and procedures, the students were able to hold the instruments and perform the steps themselves.

Read the quotes below from Director of the Medical Institute, Dr. Jeffrey Rodgers, and Candidate for Medical Institute Distinction, Alyssa ’22, to hear about their experiences.

The cadaver dissection lab was a unique opportunity for Perkiomen students which allowed them to explore interest in medicine in a hands-on and close-up manner. I was impressed with all our students' thoughtful and insightful questions for the mentoring neurosurgeons, both during the pre-lab lecture and the dissection itself. I will be able to incorporate reflections on this experience into my Anatomy & Physiology and Foundations of Medical Field classes, including the valuable first-hand perspectives of the neurosurgeons. It made me incredibly happy to see the obvious eager engagement of the students; with the help of St. Luke’s, Medtronic, and Venel institute, I hope this becomes an event we can host again in the future!

-Dr. Jeffrey Rodgers, Director of the Medical Institute

I am so excited about and grateful for the amazing opportunities that are provided to students through Perkiomen School’s Medical Institute. During the cadaver dissection lab, we were able to explore different areas of the human body, such as the spine, neck, and brain. As someone who’s very interested in psychology, I love learning about the brain and its many functions. Being able to look at an actual human skull and brain was incredible! I cannot believe that I have already had such unique experiences like this, and I look forward to seeing what other things students in the various Institutes have the chance to do.

-Alyssa ’22, Candidate for Medical Institute Distinction

Design Institute

On February 3, Perkiomen announced its Design Institute, the latest addition to Entrepreneur, Medical, and Artificial Intelligence programs. Read more here.

The launch of the new Design Institute fantastic, and it is so great to see the Arts at Perkiomen are moving in a positive direction! We live in a world of interconnectedness, and the arts are central in how we live on this planet. STEAM won’t have much power without ART!

-Drew Pedrick ’76, founder of MCTIGUE

Shrek

Perkiomen Theater returned to Kehs Hall this winter with Shrek, a musical comedy based on the book and hit movie. The cast and crew even included several chips: Danielle Archer (Michele Beck Archer ’87), Bella Baringer (Todd Baringer ’84), Anya Crapo (Nadine Brennan ’88 and Bob Higman ’84), Hailey Tobin (Dane Tobin ’93), and Evelyn Yorgey (Shaun Yorgey ’97).

Athletics Happenings

Girls Basketball – ranked #1 in the Penn-Jersey League and advancing to the championship; ranked 5th seed in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) tournament

Boys National Basketball – ranked #2 in the Great Atlantic Conference and advancing to finals; ranked 2nd seed in the PAISAA tournament

Boys Varsity Basketball – ranked #6 in the Great Atlantic Conference and advancing to finals

Boys and Girls Winter Track – both teams placed 5th out of 9 in the PAISAA championship

Boys and Girls Swimming – competing in the Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving championship

To keep up with the Perkiomen Panthers through the winter championship tournaments and into the spring sports season, follow our Instagram pages @perkathletics and @perkiomenschool.

Meet Our Donors: Jeff and Luanne Stauffer

This month’s Meet Our Donors story features Luanne and Jeff Stauffer, a husband-and-wife team who are doing great things in their home, the Upper Perkiomen Valley. Click here to read about their role in the community and at Perkiomen School.

Day of Giving 2022

This month, we held our third annual Day of Giving, raising more than $35,500 for the Perkiomen Fund within the Arts, Institutes, Student Life, and Athletics. Thank you to our generous donors!

Happy New Year! To kick off the year, we’d like to give a big thank you to all who generously supported us during the calendar year 2021. In December we celebrated one of the most beloved traditions at Perkiomen, the Carmel M. “Midge” & Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service, and held our annual door decorating contest (congrats to Dr. Roig’s advisory!).

In 2022 we look forward to our Day of Giving in February, Shrek The Musical, Graduation of the Class of 2022, and our in-person, outdoor Reunion and Alumni Weekend (be sure to check your mailboxes for your save-the-date postcard). Keep an eye out for our monthly updates about the Weekend’s festivities which will include an all-new event format – a five-piece band, a scavenger hunt, and much, much more!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2022

Save the date for the biggest party of the year! Reunion and Alumni Weekend will be held on June 10, 11, 12. Stay tuned in the coming months as we release more details. Reach out to me, Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19, to get involved with your class reunion planning.

Carmel M. “Midge” & Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service

On December 12, the Carmel M. “Midge” & Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service was held outside on Schulz Plaza. Our talented students and faculty performed carols and shared readings. We were also honored to welcome George E. Thomas, Jr. as he expressed reflections and memories of what the holidays meant to his parents during their time at Perkiomen. Warmed by hot chocolate and the glow of white lights, we were so grateful to be able to gather together to celebrate the season.

Special thank you to the Thomas Family, Associate Head of School Carol Dougherty, and Director of Music Charlotte Finnerty, and all those who made this evening possible.

Meet Our Donors: Bill '83 and Leslie Flick

This month’s Meet Our Donors story features Bill '83 and Leslie Flick. Click here to read about how Bill risked to become his best during a postgraduate year at Perkiomen School and how he and his wife are honoring his former coaches, teachers, and mentors through the Our Moment to Lead campaign.

Day of Giving 2022

Get ready and get excited to support our amazing students and faculty during Perkiomen’s third annual Day of Giving on February 8. This year, we are thrilled to partner with GiveGab, an online web platform to design special Day of Giving website where you can donate, participate in challenge gifts, enter to win prizes, and see how your gift is making an impact on Perkiomen’s campus. Look for more info on our Day of Giving website!

Thank you!

We are so grateful for our end-of-year donors who gave to the Perkiomen Fund in November and December. Here’s one of our favorite donor quotes from last month:

I give as an alumna because I am grateful for the financial support I received from donors, which allowed me to attend Perkiomen. My educational experience would not have been the same without you! 
-Molly Hughes '20, Davidson College '24

This month, the senior class has been sharing their gratitude with us and I hope that you have enjoyed hearing from them. Traditions like these are important markers throughout the school year as we celebrate, engage, and welcome them as they transition to alumni status. On November 1, the Office of Alumni and Development joined College Counseling for an outdoor breakfast party with sweets to celebrate this first major college application deadline. 

Celebration and gratitude are two components of our alumni platform. I hope to share more of both with you throughout 2022. Director of Development Karl Welsh and I have been on both coasts visiting with Perkiomen alumni and friends, and have especially enjoyed the in-person connection again. We have great content in this newsletter, including a terrific photo of a Class of 1988 mini reunion and a great story about Bruce Sanft ’64.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Celebrating with our seniors

Looking for some feel-good content? Visit our Instagram page @perkiomenschool and Facebook page to watch the senior gratitude videos and see what they’re thankful for in their lives.

Meet Our Donors: Bruce Sanft ’64

This month’s Meet Our Donors story features Bruce Sanft ’64, P '92, '94, '97, GP '24. Click here to read about the impact his alma mater has made on three generations of his family and how he is giving back through the Our Moment to Lead campaign.

The XCHANGE: John Newton ’67 and Ryan Kelly ’14

November 3: John ’67 is a Grammy-award winning audio engineer and has won the Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Classical in 2008, 2011, and 2012. He shared that his team’s success is rooted in being able to look at what they have done and understand where and how it fits into the lives of others as well as their own.  Having the audience asking for more, once the music project is complete, is confirmation.

November 10: Ryan ’14 works for Moody's Analytics as a Data Engineer and is experienced in the Financial Service industry. When asked about failure, Ryan answered, “Failure is inevitable, you just have to push through it. Think of challenges as a puzzle. Once you figure it out, the end reward is so worth it!”

Class of 1988

Becky Cole (Clark) stopped by campus for a tour. While in the area, she met up with classmates (L to R) Jackie Zambanini (Housley), Kelly Glinski (Mayer), Elizabeth Ferretti (Whitehouse) for a mini reunion lunch at Jamison Publick House. Have you met up with any fellow Perkiomenites recently? Enter a class note and tell us here.
 

Happy Holidays from Perkiomen School

This month, the Perkiomen School community observed a number of holidays, including Diwali, Thanksgiving, and Hanukkah. No matter which holidays you celebrate, we wish you a joyous holiday season filled with love and light.

Wrap up your year-end giving with a gift to Perkiomen School

In this season of giving, please consider making a gift in support of Perkiomen School and our students.

Support students like Megan and give to the Perkiomen Fund today through our online giving form or on Venmo.

October has been busy for Perkiomen and for Alumni and Development! Earlier in the month, I spent some time visiting loyal alumni donors in the Virginia and DC area. Seeing everyone in person, following all the protocols, and engaging with those in the greater community made the trip very special. Art reigned at Perkiomen during Arts Week, with an outdoor concert on the Schulz Plaza and Clue staged outdoors. And finally, over the weekend we virtually co-hosted MARD, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Diversity Conference with more than 10 independent schools participating.

As we look towards November, we are preparing for a month of gratitude, a senior class tradition that we hold close to our hearts. Send us a sharable quote about your Perkiomen gratitude at alumni@perkiomen.org.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Celebration of Perkiomen School Athletics

October 16 was all about Perkiomen School athletics as we honored our past accomplishments and celebrated the future of our athletic programs. Head of School Mark A. Devey, Director of Athletics Ken Baker, and Director of Development Karl Welsh highlighted recent progress in athletics and outlined plans for the future, including new coaching staff and enhanced facilities. In attendance were members of the Hall of Athletic Honor, coaches, and community members. It was a great evening of conversation and camaraderie between many generations of Perkiomen’s athletic community. If you’d like to read more about recent developments in our athletic programs, check out this year’s editions of the Perkiomen Magazine and Report to Donors.

Athletics Happenings

October has been a fantastic month for our fall athletic teams. See below our post-season standings.

Girls Tennis – Penn-Jersey (PJ) championship second place

Boys Soccer – advancing to the PJ championship; participating in Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) league tournament

Girls Soccer – advancing to the PJ championship

Cross Country – participating in the PJ championship; participating in the PAISAA championship

Volleyball – Independent Volleyball League champions; participating in the PAISAA league tournament 

Golf – two golfers will participate in the PAISAA league tournament

8-Player Football – advancing to the Keystone Football League semi-final

Congratulations, all!

To keep up with the Perkiomen Panthers through the fall championship tournaments and into the winter and spring sports seasons, follow our Instagram pages @perkathletics and @perkiomenschool.

Arts Week

Last week we celebrated Arts Week. Some activities included improv with Mr. Devey, raku pottery with Mrs. Rodgers, line dancing with Mr. Williams, and a panther mural with Ms. Krieg. Midway through the week, the Rock Band, led by Music Director Charlotte Finnerty, and Dance Team, led by Michelle Brenneman, treated us to an outdoor concert. Led by our new Theater Director Gavin Flood, the theater students concluded an awesome week, performing Clue on an outdoor stage. With evening temperatures dipping close to 50 degrees during the week, our spirits were warmed by music, dance, and theater performances under the stars.

To view more photos, follow @perkiomenarts.

The XCHANGE: Gaetan DeSimone ‘08

The X-Period virtual lecture series has taken on a new name this year, the XCHANGE. On October 6, we welcomed back Gaetan DeSimone ’08 as our guest speaker. He is currently a senior motion designer at Nickelodeon, and does freelance work through his studio freshcake. He has also worked for WWE, VH1, Forbes, and MTV News. Check out his website.

Dick Werkeiser

We were saddened to learn of the passing of longtime faculty member Dick Werkeiser on September 20. Coach Werkeiser loved jazz music, his fish pond and lawn (took great pride in them), the Philadelphia Eagles, and most of all, his family. Read his obituary here.

 

ThankView

This year we’re so excited to introduce ThankView, a video greeting platform that allows us to send personalized messages to your mobile phones and email inboxes. We’ve already used it to send preview emails for the fall Perkiomen Fund mailing and you’ll see it again throughout the year for Day of Giving, holiday greetings, and Alumni and Reunion Weekend!

Did you receive our postcard?

Support students like Cheyene and give to the Perkiomen Fund today through our online giving form or on Venmo.

Didn’t get your postcard? Update your contact info today to stay in the know with all things Perkiomen.

Greetings Perkiomenites!

This has been a great month as we welcomed the students back at the end of August. Highlights included watching the seniors climb the stairs of Kriebel Hall for the very first time and joining the Philip A. Lloyd II ’65 Convocation ceremony on the campus sward. During Convocation, we celebrated our legacy families, chips (children/grandchildren of alumni) and twigs (siblings), and at the close, alumni faculty and staff helped to distribute school pins to the new generations of Perkiomen students— all time-honored traditions.

It’s a great time to be a Perkiomenite. As you have seen in our school magazine, there is much growth and development happening at our alma mater. Now that campus is open to alumni, I hope that you can venture back for a visit.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Class of 2022

Led by Student Body President Abirami Chinnakaruppan, Vice-President Hunter Eschallier, and Senior Class Student Senate representatives Alyssa Iacobacci and Logan Brassington, the Class of 2022 took their first steps into their senior year during Orientation Week as they walked up the front stairs of Kriebel Hall.

With the help of Associate Director of College Counseling Erin Davidson-Kellogg and Alumni Director Diana Weir-Smith, each senior class member’s name was featured on the staircase. They also received a class t-shirt and a coupon for a free Robbie’s cookie. This was just the first of several senior events throughout the year, and we can’t wait to keep celebrating our awesome senior class.

Fast facts about the 2021-22 student body

• 124 boarding students and 168 day students
• 59% boys, 41% girls
• 19 chips: children and grandchildren of Perkiomen School alumni
• 94 twigs: siblings of current students or alumni
• 12 states and 28 countries represented

What’s in your mailbox?

Earlier this month, you should have received this year’s edition of the 2021 Perkiomen Magazine featuring Perkiomen’s very own Mr. 500, Coach Ken Baker. If you didn’t receive it, please update your contact info here and we’ll make sure to send you a copy. In the meantime, or if you’d like to view the magazine from your phone, computer or tablet, check it out here.

2020-21 Report to Donors

Who’s excited for the 2020-21 Report to Donors? We hope that you all are because this year’s publication includes a ton of great articles, including student impact stories, fundraising updates, and an exclusive first look at the detailed plans for Phase II of Our Moment to Lead campaign. The second campaign phase focuses on a new school entryway as well as new outdoor athletic facilities, including an all-weather turf field and track, three additional grass fields, track and field event areas, a baseball/softball infield practice area, and additional parking for athletic events.

Send us your updated contact info today so we can say ‘thank you’ to our wonderful alumni donor community!

Why I Give, September edition

“I am both a teacher and a coach at Perkiomen and I absolutely love what I do and would not want to do anything else.” -Nick Koffel

Join Nick and give to the Perkiomen Fund today through our online giving form or on Venmo.

May and early June have proven to be a whirlwind of celebrations here in Pennsburg. The traditional year-end celebrations looked a little different, but the warmth, gratitude, and shared love of our students and alma mater have never been stronger. Commencement was held under a huge tent in a deluge of rain and cold weather – this was the first time in 20+ years that I had to wear rain boots and a turtleneck to graduation! Our dinner for the 50^th reunion classes was lovely and quaint. I can’t wait to start in-person area gatherings, visits, and get started on planning Reunion and Alumni Weekend for the 2021-22 school year. Even more so, I’m excited about sharing stories of our students, faculty, and campus with you. Enjoy your summer and be sure to check in with emails and photos of your adventures.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

50th Reunion Dinner

After a year of being apart, we were so happy to welcome the Classes of 1970 and 1971 back to campus on June 5 to celebrate their 50^th reunions. In addition to catching up with each other over dinner, they joined Head of School Mark A. Devey in a conversation about the vision for the new student center and were treated to the world premiere of the Our Moment to Lead campaign promo video! Stay tuned for the public release this fall.

Welcome, Class of 2021!

This year, the Alumni Association Awards were presented to Owen Taylor and Sihan “Victoria” Zhou for their dedication to the Perkiomen Community with spirited intentions to remain involved in years to come. Owen will attend the University of Toronto and play baseball for the Varsity Blues. Victoria received Entrepreneurial Distinction and will attend George Washington University.

80 Gifts for 80 Seniors – Thank You!

80 million thanks go out to our alumni who made gifts to the Perkiomen Fund throughout the month of May to honor the Class of 2021. Through your collective efforts, we raised $6,347! This year’s class is filled with talented students, athletes, artists, leaders, entrepreneurs, medical innovators, and the next generation of AI groundbreakers. I wish that each of you could have the opportunity to meet these fine young Perkiomenites.

Financial gifts of any amount ensure that Perkiomen students have the resources to follow their dreams and realize their passions. Keep the momentum going into the 2022 school year and beyond by making a gift to the Perkiomen Fund by June 30.

P.S. Did you know that we have a Venmo account? Give here!

As our 2020-21 academic year comes to a close, I want to celebrate the Class of 2021 and the vibrant array of talents they bring to our alumni community. While they have experienced so much over the past year, nothing has taken away their excitement for what the future holds. I hope you can join me and make a gift to the Perkiomen Fund in honor of this senior class. I am looking for 80 donors— one for each senior! Look for more details on how you can welcome a senior to the alumni ranks and unlock a challenge gift that will propel our end-of-year giving! I will be featuring seniors on our social media accounts over the next few weeks. 80 of you are out there— I am sure you can do this!  Let’s gather for the next class of Perkiomenites and show them our support. Make a gift and include 2021 in the “What prompted your gift today?” box!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Reunion and Alumni Weekend 2021

To celebrate our alma mater, our bonds of union, and bonds of friendship, we are thrilled to be able to host a modified Reunion and Alumni Weekend 2021. As we are keeping up with rapidly changing protocols for gatherings in Montgomery County, the event will take place as follows:

Saturday, June 5^th cocktails and dinner for the 50^th Reunion Classes of 1970 and 1971 (classes celebrating reunion 55th, 60th, and 65th are also welcome). Click here to register.

Saturday, June 12^th cocktails and dinner for the 25^th Reunion Classes 1995 and 1996. Click here to register.

While there will be no registration fee, we ask that you consider a donation to Perkiomen School.

Details will follow shortly, and we will continue to closely monitor the Montgomery County protocols for gatherings and inform you of any updates.

Schultz Hall Bricks

Each brick includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Head of School Mark A. Devey and Alumni Director Diana Weir-Smith.

Donation: $100 plus $16 shipping

Campus pickup will be arranged after payment Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Please contact Diana Weir-Smith to schedule a pickup time.

Click here to purchase a brick

Virtual Alumni Events – Thank You!

Thank you to our alumni who helped us to host two fabulous virtual events in April: A LA MINOOT with Rachel Bowen Dean ’77 and Jennie Cook ’88 and Cutwater’s Sensory Experience with Earl Kight ’84. If you're interested in sharing your time and talents with us, let us know if you'd like to help host an event.

To follow the great evening of A LA MINOOT with Rachel and Jennie, Earl and Gwen took us behind the scenes to share how Cutwater Spirits creates a wide variety of flavors in their canned cocktails that bring “bar-crafted” quality to their extraordinary line-up of drinks including their perfectly balanced White Russian. They delved into personal stories about the process of sourcing and crafting their award-winning tequilas and encouraged us to try new combos of food and beverages together to see that with a little exploration, and trial and error, one can enjoy a deeper and more satisfying experience. If you are in the San Diego area, stop by to visit the tasting room and restaurant. If over 21, visit the website www.cutwaterspirits.com to find out where you can buy their spirits or canned cocktails. (P.S. My favorites are the Tequila Margarita and the Spicy Bloody Mary)

It has been a hopping month here at Perkiomen and so many events are happening. It’s hard to keep up with all the news! Thanks to everyone who tuned in for inaugural events of the Our Moment to Lead Campaign, the Schultz Hall demolition and the Athletic Panel- a big thank you goes out to our panelists Nicole Allison ’91, Eric Fanning ’12, Stephanie Falcone ’16, John Williams ’13. Next up is another virtual event on Thursday, April 1 at 7 p.m. for a panel discussion about Arts. Link will be emailed to all alumni. Keep on reading for a Reunion and Alumni Weekend announcement.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Reunion and Alumni Weekend 2021

To celebrate our alma mater, our bonds of union, and bonds of friendship, we are thrilled to be able to host a modified Reunion and Alumni Weekend 2021. As we are keeping up with rapidly changing protocols for gatherings in Montgomery County, the event will take place as follows:

Saturday, June 5^th cocktails and dinner for the 50^th Reunion Classes of 1970 and 1971 (classes celebrating reunion 55th, 60th, and 65th are also welcome). Click here to register.

Saturday, June 12^th cocktails and dinner for the 25^th Reunion Classes 1995 and 1996. Click here to register.

While there will be no registration fee, we ask that you consider a donation to Perkiomen School.

Details will follow shortly, and we will continue to closely monitor the Montgomery County protocols for gatherings and inform you of any updates.

Spring Virtual Alumni Events

A LA MINOOT
Saturday, April 10, 6 p.m. EDT
Back in the day when Jennie '77 and Rachel '88 ran the Double Dutch Dinette, they learned a lot about “a la minute,” a kitchen phrase meaning “on the fly” or “at the last minute”. It’s French so it’s important to say “MINOOT”. We’ll run through a variety of weeknight recipes that can be whipped up on the fly at the last minute! It will ignite the passion of your inner chef! Zoom link will be sent on Monday, March 29. Get ready for great food and a lot of fun!

Cutwater’s Sensory Experience
Wednesday, April 28, 6:00 p.m. EDT
Cutwater’s Sensory Experience is a guided educational culinary pairing. Your shopping list will include what canned cocktails, spirits, and snacks to purchase prior to the event. Gwen Conley and Earl Kight ’84 will teach everyone about the beverages (what is in them and what makes them special); how they interact with some simple, everyday foods (NOT your everyday “pair this with that” exercise!); while learning some fun facts and science at the same time. This event’s goal is for everyone to have fun, learn some new things, and have takeaways that you can use in your everyday lives. Zoom link will be sent on April 20.

More details will follow, including instruction on what you will need to be a part of the full experiences.

Meet Our Donors

We continue to publish a series of donor profiles on the school website. Inspired by Our Moment to Lead, A Campaign for Perkiomen School, these profile pieces give readers a closer look into the stories of the campaign’s leadership donors and how our greater community can get involved at any participation level. Visit the Meet Our Donors page to read our most recent spotlight features, Barry '63 and Howard '66 Forman in addition to Fred Ahlborn '63. Come back every two weeks for new content.

Goodbye, Schultz Hall

On March 24, students and faculty gathered during X-Period to officially say goodbye to Schultz Hall. Two days prior, a handful of us stopped by the worksite to remove the cornerstone which was rumored to hold a time capsule from 1963. We didn't find anything, but it was great exchanging stories with members of Emmaus Constructors, Scott Schultz '83 (no relation to the building) and Bob Higman '84. We'll keep an eye out during the demolition and construction process in hopes that we do find one!

Next Thursday, April 1, we'll be taking a quick detour from our Meet Our Donors stories to release a special edition featuring an insider's take on the construction of the Our Moment to Lead Campaign as we interview Mark A. Devey, Head of School; Mike Foux, Associate Head of School, Executive VP for Finance & Business Development, CFO; and Mark Emswiler of Emmaus Constructors, Inc.

It has been a delight reading through the comments sharing memories of "back in the day" at Schultz Hall on our Perkiomen Alumni Facebook page. Reach out to Diana if you're not on social media and would like to share a memory.

Support Your Alma Mater with Online Giving

I went to school there! I’m going to support my alma mater!
-Barry A. Solomon '68

Donate Now 

Spring break is just around the corner and I can’t believe how this winter term has flown by. All of us on campus have been amazed by the record snow we’ve had in Pennsburg but I look forward to the days of warmer weather, travel, alumni gatherings, and Alumni and Reunion Weekend. 

In the meantime, we can have some much-needed alumni interaction, entertainment, and fun! Let’s gather for Guided Interactive Sensory and Pairing Party with Gwen Conley and Earl Kight ’84 from Cutwater Spirits. Additionally, sisters Jennie Cook ’77, of Jennie Cooks Catering and Plant Based Parties, and Rachel Bowen Dean ’88 will collaborate to bring us A LA MINOOT to help you prepare quick and creative weeknight dinners.

Next month I will have some more information on Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2021, so stay tuned. If you have an event idea, feel free to reach out to me at dweirsmith@perkiomen.org.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Spring Virtual Alumni Events

Cutwater’s Sensory Experience
Wednesday, April 28, 6:00 p.m. EDT
Cutwater’s Sensory Experience is a guided educational culinary pairing. Your shopping list will include what canned cocktails, spirits, and snacks to purchase prior to the event. Gwen Conley and Earl Kight ’84 will teach everyone about the beverages (what is in them and what makes them special); how they interact with some simple, everyday foods (NOT your everyday “pair this with that” exercise!); while learning some fun facts and science at the same time. This event’s goal is for everyone to have fun, learn some new things, and have takeaways that you can use in your everyday lives.

A LA MINOOT
Date and time TBD
Back in the day when Rachel '77 & Jennie '88 were running the Double Dutch Dinette, they learned a lot about “a la minute”. It’s a kitchen phrase meaning “on the fly” or “at the last minute”. It’s French so it’s important to say “MINOOT”. We’ll run through a variety of weeknight recipes that can be whipped up on the fly at the last minute! It will ignite the passion of your inner chef!

More details will follow, including instruction on what you will need to be a part of the full experiences.

Happy Lunar New Year!

On the evening of February 12, the Perkiomen community gathered for a sky lantern release in observation of Lunar New Year. Earlier that day, our dining services treated us to fabulous grab-n-go meals which included Vietnamese spring rolls, hoisin BBQ pork buns, and sushi. We wish our alumni near and far a happy, healthy, and prosperous Year of the Ox!

Senior Celebrations

For the Class of 2021, their senior year has looked much different than what you may have experienced. Through it all, there is still much to celebrate! This month, we hosted not one but TWO events! For Valentine’s Day, the seniors received candy grams along with a copy of the alma mater, a lyrical love letter to Perkiomen School written by our very own Al Dubin, Class of 1911. On February 23, we celebrated 95 Days Until Graduation with music and goodie bags. While this was originally intended to be a 100-day countdown, the snow had other plans. One thing we’ve learned from this past year is how to pivot! Congratulations, Class of 2021!

Meet Our Donors

This month we launched a series of donor profiles on the school website. Inspired by Our Moment to Lead, A Campaign for Perkiomen School, these profile pieces give readers a closer look into the stories of the campaign’s leadership donors and how our greater community can get involved at any participation level. Visit the Meet Our Donors page to read our first two spotlight features, Barry A. Solomon ’68 and Sheeri K. Steinberg ’81, and come back every two weeks for new content.

Why do you love Perkiomen?

February is almost over but love for our alma mater lasts all year long! Download our Valentine’s Day template and share with us why you love Perkiomen School. While you’re at it, visit our giving page and make an online gift to the Perkiomen Fund.

Donate Now 

We are so glad to have the students back on campus.  I enjoy being greeted each day with smiles and laughter in the dining hall and catching up with students, especially the Class of 2021.

Alumni were out in full virtual force in January. X-period speakers Will Bryant ’89 and Tarig Bakhit '02 shared their life experiences and entrepreneurial ideas with our community. Additionally, the Office of Alumni and Development partnered with College Counseling to continue our tradition of the Young Alumni College Panel. And on January 27, we welcomed Bob Novick '57 and Debbi Sugarman '71 to Perkiomen's Diversity Collaborative faculty discussion series. All giving back to their alma mater! Thank you for sharing your time and insight with our students.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Remembering Paul Hausmann

Paul “Deano” Hausmann passed away on January 19^th. Paul and his beloved wife Carla “Ma” Hausmann spent over 30 years at Perkiomen School teaching and mentoring students and faculty. Perkiomen is where they raised their daughter Heidi ’88. We will hold a memorial when we can safely gather. If you would like to contribute a condolence or share a memory please click here. Paul was so proud of our faculty for working virtually and for the support Perkiomen is providing to students during this time.

View full obituary here.

Thank you, X-Period Speakers!

Young Alumni College Panel

Thank you to our young alumni panelists: Natasha Khela ’20, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Edrick Padilla ’20, Ohio Wesleyan University; Chris Pow ’19, Moravian College; Polly Tolmachenko ’20, Virginia Tech; Jenny Zhang ’19, Vanderbilt University

Faculty Diversity Discussion Series

In observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, Perkiomen’s Diversity Collaborative hosted a faculty and staff discussion of Night by Elie Weisel, featuring alumni speakers Bob Novick '57 and Debbi (Dach) Sugarman '71. Bob worked with Wiesel in developing the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and has generously supported Perkiomen trips to the museum over the years. Debbi’s father was the sole family survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and she has been an outspoken social justice advocate and storyteller of the Holocaust throughout her lifetime.

Great things happen when Perkiomen unites

Thank you to our end-of-year donors who gave over $87,404 to the Perkiomen Fund in December. Your generous gifts have supported everything from virtual learning resources, health and safety mitigation, financial aid, and Institute capstone projects. With your donation, even more great things will happen in 2021.

Donate Now 

Well, folks, we’ve made it to the end of 2020. For the highs, the lows, and everything in between, it was certainly a year to remember. Campus has been very quiet since the students left for break but we look forward to returning to in-person learning once the holiday hubbub settles in mid-January. Despite things being a little bit different this holiday season, we still reveled in traditions such as Vespers, Santa’s Zoom visit to the faculty’s children, and a student-led food drive benefitting a community food pantry.

From all of us in Pennsburg, we wish you love, light, and happiness in the coming year. See you all on the other side of 2021!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Let It Snow

On December 16, Pennsburg saw its first major snowfall of the season, measuring in at over six inches. We hope you will enjoy these gorgeous photos of your alma mater and remember fun-filled snowy days at Perkiomen when you were students.

Vespers Goes Virtual

On the evening of December 13, Perkiomenites all around the world gathered in front of their screens to view the Rev. George and Carmel “Midge” Thomas Vesper Service. Students performed Christmas classics including “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, “What Child is This”, and “Gesu Bambino,” a violin piece which Midge was known to play from October until Christmas.

This online format allowed the Thomas family to share photos of Christmases past in the couple’s home, bringing back joyous memories to the alumni and former faculty in attendance in addition to showing newer generations of Perkiomenites how much the holiday season meant to George and Midge. While we hope that we will be able to hold Vespers 2021 in-person, we will be sure to continue to stream it for all to enjoy near and far.

Shop Small and Support Perkiomen Alumni

Perkiomen alumni are doing great things. This month, we featured a number of small businesses owned by alums just in time for some holiday shopping. Browse this list to treat yourself any day of the year or get a head start on Valentine’s Day gifting.

Kraussdale Alpacas - Maggie Wright '79
The Cashmere Sale - Amy Hoppenfield-Kay '86
Society of Bacon - Paul Kennedy '86
Mad Dash Studio - Shara Donohue '00
Forge & Finish - Carly Mayer '04
Cakes and Pastries - Samantha Lee '05
Caitelle - Caitlyn Konradt '16

Want to be featured next year? Reach out to Diana Weir-Smith and tell us about your business.

End-of-Year Giving

2020 was an eventful year, indeed, and we are optimistic for all that lies ahead in 2021. One thing we know for certain is that Perkiomen School is so fortunate to have an amazing community who has rallied behind us through it all. Check one final thing off your to-do list before we ring in the new year by giving to the Perkiomen Fund and help us reach our December fundraising goal of $75,000. Please make your gift by 11:59 p.m. to be counted for the 2020 tax year.

Donate Now 

Each November we give thanks and share gratitude. This year, so many of us were able to reflect on the ways in which we feel fortunate, appreciating so many of the everyday things we once took for granted. But this month, more than ever in my life, I am celebrating what I am grateful for at Perkiomen School – unity.

• Our Board of Trustees and administrators are united to provide a safe environment for our community and continue to be innovative in education.
• Our faculty, staff, and students, through challenging circumstances, have united to make Perkiomen Resolved a reality.
• And finally, alumni have united behind their alma mater with their loyalty, support, and love.

Together through it all, #PerkiomenUnites.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

X-Period

There are so many ways for Perkiomen alumni to give back to their alma mater, serving as ambassadors, mentors, donors, or a little bit of everything. Thank you to our alumni X-Period speakers who joined us this fall and shared insights into their careers and life beyond Perkiomen.

Day of Giving Recap

Many thanks go out to those who gave to Perkiomen on October 27 - our Day of Giving. We raised over $25,000, which was split between the Perkiomen Fund, the Our Moment to Lead Campaign, and our Endowment. No matter the amount, gifts of all sizes make a positive impact on the Perkiomen School community.

Kudos to the Class of 2017 who had the highest participation and will receive special discount pricing at Alumni and Reunion Weekend! And tied for second place were the Classes of 1971, 1979, and 2019.

Missed out on Day of Giving or want to make another gift? Give here.

Donate Now 

What's on your bucket list?

There is just a month remaining until 2020 ends and 2021 begins. 2020 was certainly one to remember, and as we reflect on another year gone by, what are some neat things you've accomplished in your lifetime? And while you're at it, consider one more item to add to your bucket list. Ensure your legacy at your alma mater and create the impact you've always wanted by arranging your planned gift. Contributions of all sizes equip the next generation of Perkiomenites to lead fulfilling lives as they follow their dreams.

Learn About Planned Giving

Fellow Perkiomenites,

My Perkiomen Pride as an alumna, past parent, and faculty member is at an all-time high. Through Perkiomen Resolved, we have had a safe and amazing first month of school. Kudos to our faculty, students, and parents for a job well done. Coming up, we have a series of exciting virtual events including the Hewett Concert, Alumni Area Gatherings, and #PerkiomenUnites our #DayOfGiving.

Come and be a part of our bigger Perkiomen Community through our virtual events.

Happy Fall!

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

The Hewett Concert - Virtual!
This year we are excited to bring the Hewett Concert live to you on Perkiomen School’s Facebook page. Trevor Gordon Hall returns to Perkiomen for his second Hewett Concert on Friday, September 25, at 7:30 pm. To learn more about Trevor Gordon Hall visit his website. Be sure to tune in and check out this amazing free concert. Join me virtually as I sit out back on the deck with the fire pit going alongside my family as we listen to this concert on a beautiful fall evening.

Virtual Gatherings

Be sure to check out the upcoming Perkiomen School Virtual Gatherings on our events page! Please use the links to register for the events. Traditional areas of gatherings are listed but guests from all regions are welcome! We also have a gathering for all alumni in November.

Remembering Michael Wampole P ’92, ’95
Perkiomen was notified of the recent passing of former faculty member Michael Wampole. During his 31 years of service to Perkiomen School, Mike was the school librarian. He also coached the wrestling team and led the school’s debate team to many victories at oratory competitions. Please keep his daughters, Rachael ’95 and Sarah ’92, in your thoughts during this time.

If you would like to honor Mike, his children have asked that you make a gift to Perkiomen School. The family will be notified of your gift.

Perkiomen Unites
One day, one cause. Save the date for on Perkiomen School’s Day of Giving on Tuesday, October 27 as we unite to support Perkiomen’s students and programs. Stay tuned throughout the month of October as we unveil exclusive videos, challenge gifts, and other surprises to get ready for this special day.

Can’t wait for October? Make your gift to the Perkiomen Fund today.

Donate Now 

The end of August is here, summer is winding down, and Perkiomen is ready to roll with the 2020-2021 academic year! Our students have begun arriving to campus, and I’m so excited to see what is in store for the fall term and beyond. In this edition of the alumni blog, read about Perkiomen Resolved, our plan for alumni engagement, and our newest team member, Shauna Betof. To all you alumni with families or who are continuing education, I wish everyone the best of luck this coming school year!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

The Questions of August 2020
“Diana, is Perkiomen opening in person this year?”

“Are you having Virtual Perkiomen again?”

“How is the school handling the fall term?”

Find all the answers to these questions at Perkiomen Resolved. 

Events and Area Gatherings
For the remainder of the year we will move all our events virtually- yes, that includes area gatherings. This means you will have access to events like the Hewett Concert, the Carmel M. “Midge” and Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service, and others online from anywhere in the world! NEW and Exciting alumni events will also be held virtually, so stay tuned for a calendar of events coming soon.

Remembering Wayne Engle
This week, Perkiomen was notified of the recent passing of former faculty member Wayne Engle. During his 40+ years of service to Perkiomen School, Wayne taught math and coached tennis and soccer. Please keep his children, Ruth and Steve, in your thoughts during this time.

If you would like to honor Wayne, his children have asked that you make a gift to Perkiomen School. The family will be notified of your gift.

Welcome Shauna!
Shauna Betof, Major Gift Officer
Shauna recently moved to Bucks County, PA with her family. A graduate of Cornell University, she studied Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Human Ecology. Shauna was also a member of the Women’s Soccer team. Prior to joining Perkiomen, Shauna worked as the Program and Sponsorship Manager at the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE) and served on the Board of Directors for the Brookline Education Foundation (BEF). She has worked and lived at several independent schools, including as an Assistant Athletic Director at George School. Shauna has also served as an Olympic Development Program (ODP) soccer coach and a soccer club director.

 In her free time Shauna enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her husband, two daughters, and dog. Her younger daughter, Kayla, will be entering 6th grade at Perkiomen!

As a Major Gift Officer, Shauna is excited to get to know Perkiomen students, families, and alumni. Her work will focus on the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, where businesses and individuals earn substantial tax credits for supporting financial aid at Perkiomen. Director of Development Karl Welsh is eager to have her on board, saying, “Shauna comes to Perkiomen with strong recommendations, an abundance of boarding school experience, and an appetite for fundraising that should allow her to find quick success. We are thrilled she has joined our department.”

Learn About Gifts for Tax Credits

Support Perkiomen This School Year
With the first day of classes just around the corner, we are so excited for another year of learning and growth. Show your support for our students this school year and make a gift to the Perkiomen Fund today.

Donate Now 

Perk Pride was at an all-time high for the 2019-2020 school year! We led the way with Virtual Perkiomen and celebrated a fantastic senior class. We are also thankful for the outstanding backing from our alumni and community with our #GivingTuesdayNow, Perkiomen Fund, and Our Moment to Lead Campaigns. Now, get ready to burst with Perk Pride, once again, as we kick off Perkiomen Resolved, a solution for meeting each student’s goals for the 2020-2021 academic year, tailored to each student’s situation as we open school this fall.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Perkiomen Resolved
“The success of our plan will lie with the willingness of our community to share responsibility for each other’s health and safety. We also understand each student and family may be facing a unique situation.” - Head of School Mark A. Devey

Learn more about our plan here: https://www.perkiomen.org/campus-life/resolved

Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2020/2021
Save the date for Summer 2021 and send us your photos of Summer 2020! We will celebrate Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2020/2021 on June 11, 12, and 13. Keep checking back on our event page for more updates throughout the year. We can't wait to see you! Until then, send us your summer photos of you sporting your Perk Swag! Submit at class note with your photo here.

Invest In Us
Thank you to all who gave to the Perkiomen Fund during the 2019-2020 fiscal cycle. With your help, we raised $825,039, exceeding our goal of $750,000. Let’s keep this momentum going into this new year!

Our donors play a very special part in the continued success of Perkiomen School as your generous support drives what we will be and what we will accomplish in the years to come. By investing in resources for everything ranging from a culture of wellness, the arts, and the Institutes, to diversity initiatives and faculty professional development, your philanthropy ensures that every day Perkiomen achieves its mission to inspire students to risk becoming their best.

Make a Gift Today 

Give the Gift That Gives Back
If Perkiomen made a positive difference on your life, honor your Perkiomen experience and consider leaving a legacy through a planned gift. Contributions of all sizes equip Perkiomenites like yourself with a distinct competitive edge in their academics, careers, and lives.

Learn About Planned Giving

 

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Perkiomen Magazine 

The Perkiomen Magazine of Summer 2020 is hot off the press and heading to your mailbox. Find a comfy seat,  grab an ice cold glass of your favorite beverage, and get reading! If we don't have your mailing address, update your contact information here and we'll make sure to get our next publication to you. For now, check out the digital version on Issuu. 

Summertime News Flash!   

• Reunion and Alumni Weekend plans for the coming year.
• International gatherings in June.  
• Perkiomen creates a space for community-wide dialogue on systemic racism.

We hope everyone is well and able to find some fun this summer.  And if you happen to take a photo in your Perkiomen gear enjoying some fun and interesting summer activities, please share with us to post in our next edition of the Alumni e-Newsletter.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Reunion and Alumni Weekend Update
It’s two times the fun, friends, and celebration – the Dynamic Duo of Events. So, get ready to for a fantastic first-time event you and your classmates won’t want to miss. We will celebrate Reunion and Alumni Weekend 2020 and 2021 together on June 11, 12, 13, 2021! Look for more information in the Perkiomen School Magazine coming out in July. To assist in rallying your classmates, email Diana Weir-Smith at alumni@perkiomen.org. To spark your enthusiasm for our big event next year, enjoy these photos from 2019. And to help us stir up the enthusiasm of others, please send us a photo of you and someone – a dynamic duo – from your time as a student at Perkiomen School.

Worldwide Virtual Connections
On June 3^rd, alumni from Argentina, Spain, India, Maine, and Florida got together with Mr. Manferdini, Mr. Romasco, and Mrs. Hoffmann for a Zoom Gathering. Blanca De Luis ’09 organized the international event with the Alumni Office. As areas begin to open, you may still want to have a virtual get-together, with your Perk friends. Let us know, we are happy to help you host it!

Open Conversations in Difficult Times
On June 4 and June 18, Perkiomen School offered time for students, families, faculty, and staff to come together for dialogue and resource sharing around global systemic racism, implicit bias, and the necessity for greater cultural humility. Hosted by our Head of School and the Diversity Collaborative, we created a virtual space to ask, listen, and share. This is a time for us to take a step forward, to raise our hands and say "enough," to collectively try to make progress – together. If you are interested in participating in of the upcoming summer sessions, you can email communications@perkiomen.org for details. All sessions will be held at 8 p.m. EDT.

July 9
July 30
August 13

Perkiomen Fund Goal Growing

In 2010 the Perkiomen Fund’s goal was to raise $289,000. Over the past decade, at the urging of the school’s Board of Trustees, with more dedicated resources and clear goal setting to deliver the best program possible for our students, we are excited to be on the cusp of raising $750,000 for this year’s Perkiomen Fund! Yes, with one final push we may even exceed that mark by the end of June. If you have not given already, take this opportunity to make a gift and join our generous donors as we celebrate 150% growth of the Perkiomen Fund on behalf of our students.

The 2019-2020 school year was one to remember; we introduced our Artificial Intelligence Institute with four seniors receiving distinction; the Perkiomen Panthers went undefeated during the inaugural season of the Keystone State 8-Player Football League; we successfully launched Virtual Perkiomen this spring which allowed our students to complete their coursework and our community to share camaraderie across borders; and for graduation and the other end-of-year events, we’ve been celebrating with the Class of 2020 in traditional but new formats.

Reid Awards, Athletic Awards, Baccalaureate, and Commencement all became virtual. We combined the Baccalaureate and Commencement Awards into one fantastic Senior Awards night. It was definitely different; you couldn’t hear applause or see the full crowd’s reaction, we couldn’t hug or wipe away tears of gratitude, but we loved it just the same. Class of 2020, you certainly are special– trend setters and Virtual Perkiomen Launchers. Thank you for your grit and resilience. Let’s welcome this class into the alumni ranks and cheer them on.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Welcome, Class of 2020!
The Perkiomen spirit is strong and present as ever, especially as we closed the school year last week with the Senior Prize Ceremony, Baccalaureate, and Commencement. Please welcome them to the Alumni Association!

At the beginning of the week, we held the Senior Prize Ceremony to recognize those who went above and beyond during their time at Perkiomen. Most notably, the Office of Alumni and Development presented this year’s Alumni Award to Ji “Jack” Li for his dedication to the Perkiomen Community with spirited intentions to remain involved in years to come. Jack, a 5-year student, is a driven and kind-hearted individual who was a member of the Diversity Collaborative, Student Tour Guide Leadership Committee, and Science Olympiad. He also earned distinction from the Medical Institute for his capstone titled, The Relationship between Openness to Experience and Academic Performance of High School Students. He will be attending Fordham University and is excited to attend the NYC area gatherings in the future.

Senior Stats
We hope you will be as proud of them as we are!

• Accepted to 205 different colleges in 5 countries and 35 states and D.C.
• Together, they wrote more than 65,000 words in their college essays
• Enrolling in 52 different colleges
• 12 NCAA athletes (five Division I, one Division II, six Division III), 1 NJCAA, and 1 U Sports (Canada)
• 2596 hours of community service during their time as students
• 24 received one or more distinction from the Entrepreneur, Medical, and Artificial Intelligence Institutes

Class Notes
What's new with you? Have you graduated, gotten married, had a new baby, or met up with a fellow alum? Send in a class note today.

Almost there!
We are 98% to our Perkiomen Fund goal. We couldn’t have done this without the generosity and loyalty of our supporters, and we are so grateful for you. We have one more challenge for you: Help us to finish the fiscal year on a strong note and set our students on the path of success for the fall. Make your gift today to help us EXCEED our goal of $750,000 by June 30.

Thank you to all the alumni who have sent their support to Perkiomen during this unprecedented time. Perkiomen is best when we work together; students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and community. Perkiomen is supporting our local hospital; gathering gloves and making disposable stethoscopes made from our 3-D printers. We have held informative and inspiring X-Period programs. We’ve gone where our alumni programming has never gone before... virtual alumni gatherings! We’d be remiss if we didn’t say thank you to the alumni and community who made gifts to our Emergency Response Fund.

Most of all THANK YOU TO OUR ALUMNI ON THE FRONTLINES – essential workers, medical personnel, and first responders – our Perk Pride swells! Take care of yourselves, fellow Perkiomenites, and we will see you on our next virtual gathering or on the other side of this.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Continuing Connections

Perkiomen is a place of immersive, 360-degree education and we pride ourselves on the lessons and moments created beyond the bell. Likewise, the Virtual Perkiomen experience is all about creating meaningful connections in this educational environment. In the past month since launching Perkiomen’s distance learning program, students and faculty have stepped up to the plate to offer an array of community enrichment activities via Zoom video conferencing. The list includes cooking demonstrations, a pet show-and-tell, Diversity Collaborative meetings, and spirit week.

Testing, 1-2-3… Virtual Alumni Gatherings

Wow, just talking about all these cool community engagement activities makes me wish that I was a student again. If these Virtual Perkiomen initiatives sound fun to you, here’s an idea- Virtual Alumni Gatherings! Whether you’re a loyal, tried, and true Perkiomenite of generations past or a graduate of the last decade, we encourage any and all alumni to join us on Zoom.

Two weeks ago, on April 9, we trialed a virtual gathering which included 29 faculty members and alumni spanning over 50 years. Everyone reported that they had a fantastic time and can’t wait to do it again. We hope to schedule another in the coming week, so keep an eye on your inbox for the details. Hope to see you soon! If we don’t have your email, please contact alumni@perkiomen.org.

Live at the Creamery – Conversations and Community

We invite you to connect with Head of School Mark A. Devey for “Live at the Creamery” – a new video series featuring interviews with Perkiomen School community members. Mr. Devey’s campus residence, built in the 1850s, originally functioned as a creamery in East Greenville, before the school purchased and renovated the property in 2009. View the video series here.

Women’s History Month
Perkiomen alumnae are doing great things. Yes, alumnae with the –ae. While March was Women’s History Month, why not celebrate in April as well? Read on as we highlight Cheryl Price ’73, Jessica Ziegler ’00, and Halle Brown ’17 to showcase their incredible accomplishments post-Perkiomen.

Cheryl Price ’73

Cheryl enrolled at Perkiomen in September 1969 for her 9th grade year as one of only five girls in the entire student body. Remembering these years, she says, “We truly felt like pioneers.” While many of the girls’ male classmates treated them pretty well, she recalls receiving some resistance from the older boys and other veteran community members. Cheryl claims that in this time in her life, she learned to stand up for herself and navigate life in a male-dominated environment. Despite this, she is grateful to the female faculty and staff such as Beth Auxter, Jean Thobaben, Midge Thomas and her husband George, Marion Stefano, Barbara Baker, Benita Trotter, Nora McCormick, and Carla Hausmann who took an interest in helping her and the other girls adjust to Perkiomen throughout the years.

After graduating from college, Cheryl returned to Perkiomen as a Spanish teacher and admissions team member for six years, living in Ruhl Hall and advising extracurriculars. Between 1987 and 2015, she was a high school counselor, for five years at the Lewisburg Area School District and for 23 years at the State College Area School District. She retired in 2015 and was hired at Grier School as a part-time college counselor the following spring. In September 2017, she took on her current position as Grier’s full-time Director of College Counseling.

Jessica Ziegler ’00

As a former faculty kid, one experience which Jessica will never forget from her Perkiomen experience was the Kriebel fire in 1994. Seeing firsthand how people’s lives can be turned upside down in an instant was a lesson in empathy, setting her on a career path of helping others.

After college, Jessica worked for an organization in Philadelphia that helped families from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF) navigate social resources. While she enjoyed working directly with families, she was interested in addressing the interconnected problems of poverty at a systemic level. Upon receiving a master’s degree in public policy, she worked in a research and evaluation firm where she conducted evaluations of federal-, state-, and foundation-funded education, employment, training, and food security programs that informed recommendations to policymakers and other stakeholders on how to improve social programs.

Currently, Jessica serves as the Director of Research at a research and consulting firm that helps large institutional investors manage their environmental and social impacts. In short, the firm advises them on how to use their money and power to have a positive impact. For example, they recently partnered with groups the World Bank and the Generation Foundation to provide investors with practical guidance for addressing global problems climate change and income inequality.

Halle Brown ’17

Halle (pronounced Holly) is an engineering major and physics minor in her junior year at Smith College. At Smith, Halle is proud to be working and learning alongside ambitious women, especially as she enters a male-dominated field of aerospace engineering. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and is establishing a chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) at Smith which provides students opportunities to participate in space-related projects.

Within the aerospace engineering field, Halle’s interest lies in mechatronics, a branch of engineering that focuses on the engineering of both electrical and mechanical systems. Last summer, she interned with the Technological Educational Satellites (TechEdSat) team at NASA Ames. There, she and her team developed a thermosphere test probe (TTP) a balloon-like device that will be used to determine the density of the thermosphere for the drag deorbit device, the Exo-Brake. The team’s work on the TTP is significant because it will help the International Space Station deliver test samples to Earth in a more cost effective manner using existing space-ready commercial parts.

This spring, Halle began her semester abroad at Queen Mary University of London to take specialized aerospace engineering courses. While her time across the pond was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, she is continuing the semester online and is eager to return hands-on learning during her senior year. Luckily, Halle won’t have to wait too long to get back into the swing of things as she will be working with 3-D model radar systems at Raytheon Technologies in Dallas, Texas as a CAD (computer-aided drafting) mechanical engineer intern. With her bachelor of science degree, she plans to pursue a master’s in aerospace engineering and possibly even a Ph.D.

Emergency Relief Fund Update
Thank you to all who have given to the Emergency Relief Fund! Mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday on May 5!

Greetings, fellow Perkiomenites! Yesterday marked the first day of Virtual Perkiomen. As Head of School Mark Devey shared with the community last night, despite the miles and time zones between us, 148 class, advisory, and conferencing meetings took place in our community via Zoom. Nearly everyone was synchronously participating for a portion of the day - an excellent start! It was wonderful with everyone happy to be together again. While you're here, check out some campus updates, including a video from the Head of School. Everyone at Perkiomen hopes you and your family are well!

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

A Message from the Head of School

Head of School Mark A. Devey addresses the Perkiomen School community about COVID-19 and Virtual Perkiomen. Click here to view.

Get the scoop on Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2020

Lucky Us

It is hard to believe spring break begins this week. That means Alumni and Reunion Weekend is just around the corner. To get you in the spirit, read about former faculty members, Ralph and Marcie Van Inwagen, and their experience at last year's Alumni Weekend. We’ve posted the weekend festivities on the alumni website, and I think you will like some of the changes, including the new Welcome Reception! We are also pleased to announce that Ian G. Vasquez ’10 is the 2020 Hall of Athletic Honor inductee. The Office of Alumni and Development looks forward to helping you make the most of your Alumni and Reunion Weekend plans. 

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

2020 Hall of Athletic Honor Inductee

Ian Vazquez ’10 was an outstanding student athlete at Perkiomen and in college. At Perkiomen, he spent four years playing varsity baseball at shortstop and led the team for three years in stolen bases, batting .528 in 2010. He also ran cross country and was MVP during his sophomore and junior years. At graduation, he received the Frank Stefano Award as the top male athlete of his class.

In 2010, he was drafted by the Houston Astros but chose to attend Wagner College instead of going to the Major League. At Wagner, he was a standout as a starting freshman. Ian transferred to Belmont Abbey College where he finished his academic and athletic career. Ian earned a degree in sports management and made the Dean’s List all three years. His accomplishments on the field are too numerous to mention, but a few highlights include 23 stolen bases and led the team with 40 runs and 49 hits in his sophomore season. In his junior season, he batted .360 with an on base percentage of .420 and had a 23 game hitting streak. In his senior year as team captain, he hit three home runs, stole 13 bases, and had a .399 slugging average.

After graduation, he headed to Manheim, Germany, where he was starting shortstop for the Manheim Tornados of the Bundesliga League of professional baseball. Ian was a fan favorite, playing in the 2015 all-star game and was the winner of the best hitter award with a .374 batting average, 27 runs, 43 hits, and 17 stolen bases. In 2016 he led the team with 33 runs, 14 stolen bases, batting .303. Ian also enjoyed working on fundamentals and fitness with young baseball players in Germany. 

In 2016, he retired and joined the United States Tennis Association where he has worked as a coordinator of the Pro Circuit, managed the Competitive Pathway program, and served as a member of the US Open Player Operations staff. In 2019, he earned a master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from San Diego State University.

Ian will be inducted into the Hall of Athletic Honor on June 6 during the Reunion and Alumni Luncheon. For more information on Reunion and Alumni Weekend visit http://www.perkiomen.org/alumni/2020-alumni-weekend.

Ralph and Marcie Van Inwagen

Between 1976 and 1979, Ralph and Marcie (then known as Mr. and Mrs. V) began their first jobs out of grad school at Perkiomen, embarking on very long and very rewarding careers in education. Marcie taught ninth and eleventh grade English classes and worked in the communications department. Ralph taught history and coached football, wrestling, and JV soccer. Noting the scarcity of players on the football roster, he recalls that he sometimes played safety and linebacker during practice. Remembering those times he had to play alongside the students, Ralph was happy to learn about Perkiomen’s new 8-player football program from current Head of School, Mark A. Devey. He also was a co-advisor to the yearbook with Jean Thobaben. The couple resided in South Cottage— Ralph serving as the dorm parent initially and then Marcie becoming head dorm parent when it became a girls’ dormitory.

Over the years, Ralph and Marcie worked in eight schools, mainly along the East Coast. Besides teaching, Ralph served in a number of roles at the administration level, including department chairs, deans, and heads of school. Marcie pursued another degree in computer science and mathematics and took on roles of Coordinator of Technology, Director of Technology, and Chief Information Officer at various schools.

The Van Inwagens retired in 2015 and now live outside Boston, spending a good part of the year traveling all around the country to visit family and friends. Last summer, when Ralph and Marcie realized that Alumni Weekend coincided with their return trip from Florida, they just knew that they had to stop in.

While the couple has remained in touch with some of their former students over the years, they appreciated the opportunity to see everyone together at the place where it all began. What struck them the most was their interactions with their former students. The students whom Ralph and Marcie knew as teenagers were now their contemporaries— many reaching the ends of their careers and some becoming grandparents themselves. They noted that it was really neat to make a connection with their former students and see how they were part of each others’ stories.

Both expressed that they had a wonderful feeling coming back from the weekend and encourage more alumni and former faculty members to make the trip to campus. Being veterans of a number of independent day and boarding schools, Ralph and Marcie were also impressed by the changes made to Perkiomen’s campus since the late 70s, particularly the beautiful landscaping and new buildings. The couple reported that the Perkiomen of the 21^st century has the spark and attraction that makes you want to come to a place. They enjoyed checking out the new dorms and the Institutes, as well as hearing about the school’s vision for a new student center. In fact, Ralph was so inspired by the school’s innovative programs and plans for the future that it made him want to jump back into teaching. Reflecting on the weekend, he stated, “You look at it and say, ‘Wow, I could see myself being here.’” And now I ask you, do you see yourself here for Alumni Weekend 2020?

Celebrate Love at Perkiomen

Valentine’s Day was two weeks ago, but we’re still feeling the love for our alumni who have contributed to the Perkiomen Fund this year. Along with our innovative academic programs, part of Perkiomen’s mission is teaching our students how to be good people who care for one another and those around us. When you give to the Perkiomen Fund, you directly provide opportunities for this next generation of young people to gain these life lessons in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and beyond.

Make a Gift Today 

What a month January has been for the Office of Alumni and Development! Seven young alumni joined our College Alumni Panel on January 9, sharing their advice on what college life is really like with our current students. On January 11, 20 alumni and their families came out in full support for the Alumni Basketball Game and reception at the PC Pub. We look forward to engaging with more alumni on January 29 at the LA Area Alumni Dinner. Contact dweirsmith@perkiomen.org if you wish to attend. Last but not least, Alumni Weekend is June 5-7. We have tweaked the weekend to encourage participation and add enjoyment. Details to come in February’s blog! In the meantime, read up on everything happening on campus this month and make an online gift to the Perkiomen Fund while you’re here.

Loyal, Tried, and True,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Thank you, Young Alumni College Panelists!

On Thursday, January 9, students gathered in the Mesnier Chapel to learn about life beyond Perkiomen, aka college. Young Alumni Panelists answered questions surrounding time management, university athletics, clubs, and dining hall food. Afterwards, the panelists had some time to wander around campus and catch up with friends and faculty before returning to their universities for the start of the spring semester.

Alumni Basketball Game

Former members of Perkiomen’s basketball team made their way back to campus on Saturday, January 11 for the annual Alumni Basketball Game. Afterwards, they socialized and shared stories of their student athlete experiences at PC Pub. Thanks to Boys Basketball Coach Thomas Baudinet for organizing the event!

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Save the Date!
It’s not too late to register for the LA Area Gathering!

LA Area Gathering
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
6 p.m. Dinner
Chinois On Main
2709 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405

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Cheers to 2020!

Happy 2020, Perkiomenites! On campus, we rang in the new year with extra excitement and gratitude, thanks to our Perkiomen Fund donors who made year-end gifts. Between December 19 and December 31, our amazing donors generously gave $68,436 to get us even closer to our fundraising goal of $750,000 by June 30. Keep the momentum going into 2020 and give to the Perkiomen Fund today.

https://www.perkiomen.org/giving/give-online-tab

This holiday season, we have been celebrating with Rev. George and Carmel “Midge” Thomas Vesper Service and winter door decorating. In the spirit of giving, students, faculty and staff joined together to support Open Link, a local organization here in the Upper Perkiomen Valley. Also, I’d like to give a big thank you to our alumni who made gifts to the Perkiomen Fund or plan to make one this year.

So what’s happening in 2020? We have the Alumni Basketball Game 1/11, LA Area Dinner on 1/29, and the Office of Admissions will host an Open House on Monday, January 20, 2020, starting at 9 a.m. Prospective students and their families are invited to join us! Learn more about the event and register here.

Alumni Weekend is just around the corner June 5-7, and we look forward to fun new elements like the Welcome Reception on Friday evening and karaoke! We also are very excited to celebrate with the 50th reunion class of 1970 and 25th reunion class of 1995.

From my family to yours, wishing you the merriest of holidays seasons and a happy new year!

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Carmel M. “Midge” and Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service

The annual Carmel M. “Midge” and Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service was held on Sunday, December 15. The Mesnier Chapel was beautifully decorated with greens, complete with purple and gold ornaments, thanks to the endowment from the estate of former faculty members Rev. George Thomas and his wife, Midge. The couple’s son, George Thomas II and their granddaughter Kate joined the celebration, and George offered a reflection of what Vespers meant to his parents during their time at Perkiomen. The service included student performances, the telling of the Christmas story, and the candle lighting ceremony. Check out the event’s photos here https://www.timmillerphoto.com/Perk/Class-of-2020/Vespers/

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Save the Date!
Keep the festive spirit going into the new year. Read up on our events happening in January 2020. Hope to see you around!

Alumni Basketball Game
Saturday, January 11, 2020
2 p.m. Perkiomen Boys Varsity vs. The Patrick School
4 p.m. Alumni Basketball Game
Reception at PC Pub to follow.

LA Area Gathering
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
6 p.m. Dinner
Chinois On Main
2709 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405

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The countdown is on.

We hope that your 2019 was filled with happiness, inspiration, and growth, and we wish more good things to come in 2020.

Before we say goodbye to 2019, we encourage you to make a gift to the Perkiomen Fund. A robust annual fund provides the School with greater reach and depth in offering transformative opportunities to our students. Your support makes a difference. It shows our students that you believe in them, further inspiring them to take calculated risks towards their goals, whether it be trying a new sport or starting their own nonprofit.

https://www.perkiomen.org/giving/give-online-tab

I love November. It’s our time to get ready for the holidays and show our gratitude, following the lead of the Class of 2020. Join us in December for Vespers and the Holiday Open House. January kicks off with our Young Alumni College Panel, the Alumni Basketball Game and Reception, and our LA Area Gathering. I also invite you to show your gratitude for your Perkiomen experience by supporting the Perkiomen Fund. I am also grateful for the wonderful Board of Trustees and our alumni presence on the Board. Come and meet Pedro in this alumni spotlight.

Loyal, tried, and true,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Perkiomen Seniors say, “Thanks.”

Throughout the month of November, members of the Class of 2020 are sharing what they’re grateful for. Check out their video clips on our Facebook and Instagram.

Carmel M. “Midge” and Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service

We invite all Perkiomen community members to the Carmel M. “Midge” and Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service at 7 p.m. on December 15. Gather in the Mesnier Chapel to sing holiday carols, listen to live music, and reflect on the meaning of the season. Afterwards, join Mark Devey, Head of School, for a Holiday Open House in Carnegie Library and enjoy some hot cocoa, coffee, and desserts.

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Save the Date!
Keep the festive spirit going into the new year. Read up on our events happening in January 2020. Hope to see you around!

Calling all college and university students!

Perkiomen young alumni, this one’s for you. On Thursday, January 9, the Offices of Alumni and Development and College Counseling will be cohosting the annual Young Alumni College Panel. Do you have any tips for surviving your first year and making the most out of college? Have you studied abroad, joined a cool club, played university-level sports, or gone Greek? Share your experiences with some younger fellow Perkiomenites and reconnect with your alma mater. Reach out to Diana Weir-Smith if you’re interested! Undergraduate and graduate students are welcomed. P.S. We’ll even sweeten the deal with some Perk swag and lunch afterwards as a thank you.

Alumni Basketball Game
Saturday, January 11, 2020
2 p.m. Perkiomen Boys Varsity vs. The Patrick School
4 p.m. Alumni Basketball Game
Reception at PC Pub to follow.

LA Area Gathering
January 29, 2020
6 p.m. Dinner
Chinois On Main
2709 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405

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Meet the Board: Pedro Miranda ’65

Board Member Pedro Miranda (bottom row, center) celebrates his 50th class reunion in 2015.

It has been just over a month since the first Board of Trustees meeting of the 2019-2020 year and one of its newest members, Pedro Miranda ’65 is eager to be a part of it. He sees his membership on the Board as a way to contribute to an institution he respects and appreciates, explaining, “Perkiomen was important for me many years ago. I got a lot from it academically and personally at a time when I really needed it.”

During Pedro’s career, he has served as an attorney in private practice, as a prosecutor, and as a judge for close to twenty years with the Department of Justice. He has argued cases before the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston and has in addition been admitted to practice before the Courts of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the District of Columbia. After retirement as a judge, he became a partner in a law firm and is now in private practice. Through his years of experience, Pedro has become proficient at analyzing complex matters while considering different sides of issues. Adept at attention to detail, he understands the value in practicing patience in order to consider things carefully. These skills, among others, he believes he can put to use in helping to make key decisions on the Board at Perkiomen.

Not only does Pedro have some wonderful qualities which set him up for success on the Board, he has the support of a fantastic mentor, fellow Trustee Steve Keller ’66. While Pedro was only one class year ahead of Steve, he doesn’t recall much interaction with his mentor during their time as students. Naturally, when Pedro learned of his mentor-mentee pairing with Steve, he looked Steve up in his senior yearbook and joked that they both looked a lot different back then. Despite the 50-something years between their high school days and now, it’s clear that this was a great match, “He’s been a great help. We hit it off immediately during our first phone call.” This invaluable partnership has quickly turned into a friendship as the two even coordinated flight schedules from opposite ends of the country to meet at the Philadelphia Airport and travel to campus together for the Fall Board of Trustees meeting.

As for Pedro’s engagement with the school since his graduation in 1965, he reads the school’s publications, he is a loyal Perkiomen Fund donor, and welcomes visits from Perkiomen community members when they come to Florida. He has also dropped in for a visit numerous times, including when he was en route from Florida to an interview for a judgeship in Washington, D.C., a trip that he made by car with his family. Currently, he is looking forward to celebrating his 55th reunion this coming June, as his classmates all agreed to return in five years at their 50th reunion back in 2015. At this point, he doesn’t know who will be attending but hopes that many will as Alumni and Reunion Weekend would be a more rewarding experience.

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Did you know that November 15^th was National Philanthropy Day?

If you didn’t, don’t worry- we didn’t either! This day celebrates charitable activities such as volunteerism, mentorship, and financial support to organizations making the world a better place. If you missed it this go around, it is the perfect time of year to take part in this season of giving. Make a tax-deductible gift before December 31 at 11:59 p.m. and be sure to mark your calendars for next year!

https://www.perkiomen.org/giving/give-online-tab

I can’t believe October is over! It has been a jammed packed month for Perkiomen with athletic championships and alumni events, culminating in tech week for our upcoming theater production, The Clumsy Custard Horror Show. We celebrated 10 years of women’s soccer with our first alumnae soccer game, followed by alumni baseball which had a great turnout and lots of camaraderie. The Alumni Office hosted gatherings in Washington, D.C., New York (it was soggy), and Philadelphia. Coach Ken Baker was inducted into the Tri-County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and Head of School Mark Devey continued to share his vision for the new master plan of Perkiomen with our community. On November 1, the Class of 2020 will celebrate the college admissions process and begin their gratitude videos. Watch our social media for the posts and let us know how Perkiomen has made you grateful!

Loyal, tried, and true,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Fall Alumni Events

Congratulations, Coach Baker!

Coach Kendall Baker was inducted into Tri-County Area Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 26. Assistant coaches and students were excited to celebrate with him. Read the full article here.

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Perkiomen Theater

Perkiomen School Theater proudly presents The Clumsy Custard Horror Show by William Gleason on Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9. This comedy for all ages can be described as Fantasy meets Medieval Times meets Rocky Horror! Come out and see our cast and crew of more than 30 students. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

 

 

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From the Director’s Seat - Welcome Gabrielle!

Please join us in welcoming Gabrielle Miller, Perkiomen’s new Director of Theater. She holds an MFA from the University of Idaho as well as a Professional Actors' Training Certification from East Carolina University. She has been seen on stage across the country and internationally. Onscreen, she has appeared in film and television - two of her most recent projects being 9 Lives (post-production) and Hollywould. And regularly, you may even see her as a guest host on QVC. Some of her past experiences in the educational field include The Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square and St. Joseph’s University. In fact, she worked alongside Perkiomen’s own Head of School Mark Devey while he served as Head of the Middle School at Episcopal.

In addition to her involvement in the theater arts, she and her family are the entrepreneurs behind Wordnerd Apparel, a clothing brand which encourages its wearers to speak their minds. The Millers have even been Shark Tank finalists twice. She has also owned baking company, producing desserts for Philadelphia area restaurants.

In Gabrielle’s role at Perkiomen, she directs the Upper and Middle School theatrical productions during the Fall and Winter terms. She started right out of the gate, choosing The Clumsy Custard Horror Show for her Perkiomen directorial debut. Be sure to check out the section above for more details if you haven’t already. She also teaches full-year performance classes at the upper and middle school levels which address topics ranging from classic Greek theater to film production.

So what doesn’t she do? Or perhaps, what hasn’t she done yet? As Gabrielle settles into her new role here at Perkiomen, she hopes to add karaoke nights and theatresports (aka improv) to the regular cycle of on-campus programming. Very soon, you may also see a student-run drama club producing its own one acts.

While Gabrielle has big plans for the Fine & Performing Arts Department at Perkiomen, she is embracing the traditions and community the school has to offer. When asked about one of her favorite moments so far, she didn’t have to think too hard, gleefully recalling her first Perkiomen birthday celebration a few weeks ago. The day was complete with warm sticky buns delivered to her house at 7:15 a.m., homemade cupcakes, $2 for a Diet Coke from Robbie’s, and most importantly, a birthday announcement during morning meeting, starting with “Today is a very special day…” The students also presented her a bundle of birthday balloons which she was directed to carry all day.

As you can see, Gabrielle loves theater, culture, and all aspects of the arts, and she welcomes anyone to get in touch for a chat. She is excited to meet all you former theater alums at Alumni Weekend in June, but if you can’t wait 'til then, come out to one of Perkiomen’s theater productions.

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Feeling INSPIRED to make an IMPACT?
We hope you enjoyed the stories from our fall Perkiomen Fund mailer. Didn’t receive the mailer? Update your contact info here for the next mailing and share with us anything exciting going on in your life! If you’d like to support all things Perkiomen, make an online gift to the Perkiomen Fund.

https://www.perkiomen.org/giving/give-online-tab

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To all our alumni in California
Please know we are all thinking of you and sending our love from Pennsburg. 

 

 

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Save the Date!

January is quickly approaching, and that means Alumni Basketball! We look forward to your company. RSVP to Diana Weir-Smith.

Saturday, January 11, 2020
2 p.m. Perkiomen Boys Varsity vs. The Patrick School
4 p.m. Alumni Basketball Game
Reception at PC Pub to follow.

Happy Fall to my fellow Perkiomenites! Here on campus we’re celebrating Spirit Week as we lead up to the Homecoming Dance, the Hewett Concert, and the Inaugural Home Game of the Keystone State 8-Player Football League. Go Perk! And while we’re teeming with Perk Pride, 'tis the season for Alumni Baseball, Alumni Soccer, Alumni Gatherings, and loads of other chances to engage with your alma mater.

Loyal, tried, and true,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Registration Day 2019

As Perkiomenites of generations past, let’s give a warm alumni welcome to the newest members of our Perkiomen family! At Registration Day, we welcomed 99 new students to campus, celebrating the beginning of their Perkiomen journey, complete with Weis cupcakes, Rita’s water ice, a photo booth, and a special appearance by none other than our beloved mascot, the Perkiomen Panther. Check out some stats on Perkiomen’s 2019-2020 student body:

Total Enrollment: 330
Countries: 22
States: 9
Boarding students: 167
Seniors: 75, including 7 postgraduates
Siblings of current families or alumni: 99
Sets of twins: 2
Legacy students: 14

Did someone say LEGACY STUDENTS?

Do you have a son, daughter, niece, nephew, or grandchild who’s looking for a transformative, innovative, global, and diverse educational experience? Mark your calendars because Perkiomen’s Fall Open House is happening on Monday, October 14. Register today. Can’t make it to campus for the event? Schedule a tour at any time. For questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at (215) 679-1132.

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Medical Distinction Candidates

Congratulations to our 18 Medical Distinction candidates who were formally presented with their lab coats at a ceremony on September 14. Good luck as you embark on this adventure and opportunity for self-discovery!
 

 

 

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Dropping in a mailbox near you

Once again, we express our deepest gratitude to all who gave to the Perkiomen Fund during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. When incredible donors like yourselves give, you fund all things Perkiomen, such as our top notch faculty, unique student programming, and so much more. Want to know where you’re making an impact? Be on the lookout for the latest annual Report to Donors magazine within the next week and see for yourself how you are making a difference in the lives of our students.

If you read the Report to Donors and are impressed by our students’ accomplishments, keep the momentum going and make a gift now at https://www.perkiomen.org/giving/give-online-tab

 

 

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Save the Date!

Fall is here, and that means… Alumni Gatherings and other events! Check out the list below and see if there are any events happening near you. We look forward to your company! RSVP to Diana Weir-Smith

Saturday, September 28 - Inaugural Home Game of the Keystone State 8-Player Football League ~ 1 p.m. ~ Freeman Field ~ Post-Game Q&A and reception at PC Pub to follow

Sunday, September 29 – Alumni Women’s Soccer Game ~ 1 p.m. ~ Zeller Field ~ Reception to follow at PC Pub

Wednesday, October 2 – DC Area Gathering ~ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ~ Olivia

Saturday, October 5 – Alumni Baseball ~ 3 p.m. ~ Baker Field ~ Dinner to follow at PC Pub

Wednesday, October 16 – New York City Area Gathering ~ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ~ 230 Fifth Rooftop Lounge

Wednesday, October 23 – Philadelphia Area Gathering ~ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ~ R2L Restaurant

The 2019-2020 academic year has officially begun! We have a lot of exciting events this fall, so be sure to check out our Alumni Gatherings in D.C., NYC, and Philadelphia! Additionally, we have three events on campus this fall– our Inaugural Football Game, Alumni Women’s Soccer, and Alumni Baseball. As we look to Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2020, take a minute to read about Daniel Bisaccio, a former faculty member who returned to campus for the first time in many years.

Loyal, tried, and true,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Good Luck, Class of 2019!

Best wishes to the Class of 2019. We miss you and we will be sending positive vibes as you begin your new paths. We’d love to for you to send us a photo of yourself in your dorm room or repping your Perk gear at your new school. Keep in touch and visit when you can!

Pictured: Sherry Zhang '19 enters the Class of 2023 at Vanderbilt University. Go 'Dores!

Save the Date!

Fall is almost here, and that means… Alumni Gatherings and other events! Check out the list below and see if there are any events happening near you. We look forward to your company!

Saturday, September 28 - Inaugural Game of the Keystone State 8-Player Football League ~ 1 p.m. ~ Freeman Field ~ Post-Game Q&A and reception at PC Pub to follow

Sunday, September 29 – Alumni Women’s Soccer Game ~ 1 p.m. ~ Zeller Field ~ Reception to follow at PC Pub

Wednesday, October 2 – DC Area Gathering ~ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ~ Olivia

Saturday, October 5 – Alumni Baseball ~ 3 p.m. ~ Baker Field ~ Dinner to follow at PC Pub

Wednesday, October 16 – New York City Area Gathering ~ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ~ 230 Fifth Rooftop Lounge

Wednesday, October 23 – Philadelphia Area Gathering ~ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ~ R2L Restaurant

Former Faculty Member Dan Bisaccio Returns to Perkiomen

L to R: Les Banyard ’78, David Frederick ’79, George Edwards ’79, Dan Bisaccio

Everyone, meet Dan. Actually, some of you may have seen him at Alumni Weekend this past June. Didn’t attend Alumni Weekend 2019? Those of you who were here on campus between fall 1976 to spring 1979 probably already know Dan as Mr. Bisaccio. Perhaps you even played football or lacrosse for him. Or lived on his floor in Kriebel Hall. Dan is a former faculty member, and he taught biology in Hollenbach Science Center which now houses Perkiomen’s Middle School. This summer, he returned to Perkiomen to celebrate the 40^th reunions of the classes of 1978 and 1979.

Since 1979, Dan Bisaccio has been doing some amazing things. When he left Perkiomen, he and his wife headed west to Colorado and took on a position at Kent Denver Country Day School. In 1990, he and a team of educators founded Souhegan High School in Amherst, New Hampshire. There, he led the science, math, and technology programs.

Not only has Dan taught in several regions of the U.S., he has also completed research all over the world. In 1995, he received training at Smithsonian Institution Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity (SIMAB) to conduct research at sites in Jamaica, the Yucatán peninsula, Saba, Tahiti, Panama, and the U.S., with the Yucatán being his primary location. Using the Smithsonian’s protocols for collecting data at each of his field sites, he studies trees, insects, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians. From there, he extended his expertise to future educators as the Director of Science Education at Brown University, teaching Masters candidates specializing in chemistry, biology, and physics.

Although Dan has carried his passion for lifelong learning all over this big, beautiful planet, he still fondly looks back to the moments of joy he shared with his Perkiomen students and colleagues at his first teaching position in this little town of Pennsburg. Likewise, after 40 years, Dan holds a truly special place in the hearts of his former students and remains an important part of their lives.

One of his Biology II students, Maggie Wright ’79, is quick to declare that Dan is one of her favorite educators of all time. Highlighting his patience and extraordinary understanding of his students’ needs, she tells a story from her sophomore year when the class dissected fetal pigs. She made it about halfway through the exercise until she became so squeamish that she asked to leave and go to the library for the remainder of the class period. She notes that many students may feel worried about upsetting a teacher, but Dan acknowledged Maggie’s honest effort and respected her limitations. Although Maggie received high marks for the class, she learned that a future career in the life sciences was not the right fit. Despite this finding, she still found value in the time she spent in this course because it brought her one step closer to discovering her future path and she built a lasting friendship with this trusted mentor. Dan created a student-centered environment that was a safe space to take risks in order for students to deepen their own inquisitiveness and knowledge of the world. In demonstrating respect for his students, he showed them what school should be by allowing them to become curious self-advocates, and that was one of the most important lessons that Maggie and her classmates took away from his Biology II class.

Upon returning to Perkiomen, he was struck by the beauty of the campus, delighting in the opportunity to learn about the school’s new programs and tour the new and updated facilities. Unsurprisingly, with his substantial background in the sciences, Dan was captivated by Perkiomen’s Medical Institute, especially its curriculum model which emphasizes inquiry-based learning. When asked about his Alumni Weekend experience, he replies, “I cannot adequately express in words the joy I felt in reuniting with past students and learning about their life journeys since Perkiomen. It was a very special weekend and I look forward to on-going conversations with former students and colleagues as well as new friends in the Perkiomen family.”

Does this story evoke any fond memories of any Perkiomen faculty or staff members? Be sure to tell them about Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2020 and encourage them to return to campus. We’d love to welcome our former faculty back to Perkiomen!

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Give the Gift of an Amazing School Year

While tuition is critical for maintaining everyday school operations, it is the generosity of donors that transforms Perkiomen into a school true to its mission - inspiring students to risk becoming their best. This generosity is rooted in passion and engagement, and is demonstrated by thoughtful donations of individuals. When a person makes a gift to Perkiomen, they are making an important mark on the school, making it incrementally better, and in aggregate, the very best. Make your gift today at https://www.perkiomen.org/giving/give-online-tab

Well, Perkiomenites, it is the end of July and we are officially less than one month away from the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. How did summer fly by so quickly? In this month’s blog, we send a shoutout to some outstanding members in the Perkiomen community. They include some very special faculty and all you alumni Perkiomen Fund donors. Read on!

Loyal, tried, and true,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

10 20 30

Congratulations to our faculty and staff who have been part of the Perkiomen family for 10, 20, and 30 years. Thank you for your dedicated service to Perkiomen!

L to R: Peter Dougherty (30), Justine Segear (10), Amber Goupil (10), Cathy Sweeney (20), Katie Hammond (10)

Congratulations, Jon!

Congratulations to Head of Upper School, Jon Moser ’97! This past May, Jon was awarded a Masters of Education in Independent School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center, a division of Columbia University’s Teachers College.

This intensive program took place over two summers and included independent fieldwork at Perkiomen during the 2017-2018 academic year. Jon researched the benefits and challenges of implementing the use of e-Portfolios in secondary education settings. The e-Portfolio is a resource for demonstrating a student’s learning over time with many independent schools exploring new possibilities to best represent the profile of a college applicant, in conjunction with long-established approaches based on GPA and test scores. For his capstone, Jon collaborated with a Klingenstein peer from another boarding school to shadow the head of school at the Canterbury School in New Milford, CT and analyze their observations, drawing upon insights from their coursework at the Klingenstein Center and applying them to real-world situations. One of Jon’s favorite courses extensively discussed micro-schools as a means of disruptive innovation within the realm of independent schools and their role in providing a high quality, non-traditional education to a broader student population.

Jon expresses appreciation for this opportunity, stating, “I remain thankful for the support Perkiomen afforded me, especially Mark Devey, Carol Dougherty, and Diana Gleeson. Without them, this adventure would not have been possible. The best I can do is “pay it forward” to the Perkiomen community.”

Kudos to you, Jon! We are incredibly proud of you and excited to see where the lessons from this journey take you in further inspiring students to risk becoming their best.

Start the New Year Right

Thank you to all who contributed to the Perkiomen Fund during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. We had 218 alumni donors out of 433 donors across all constituencies, raising a total of $622,173 . With your help, we were able to meet our fundraising goal and continue to provide an excellent education and opportunities beyond the classroom to our students. As we head into the first week of August, we’re already a month into our 2020 fiscal year. This being said, we already have raised $5,332. Whether you give $5 or $5,000,000, every gift matters. Feeling inspired after reading about all the amazing happenings on campus? Make your gift to Perkiomen now at https://www.perkiomen.org/giving.

Great friends, a beautiful location and fantastic weather made for an exceptional Alumni Weekend June 7-9. Alumni gathered from as far away as Bermuda, Spain, Florida, Maine, Texas and around the corner in Pennsburg. The festivities included good food, drinks, laughter and visits with current and former faculty. They learned about Perkiomen’s future, today’s accomplishments and celebrated her past with Headmaster Mark Devey. Together they reveled in friendship and competition at the Clark Kreger ’92 Memorial Lacrosse Game. Alumni families met for the first time and future generations of Perkiomenites made lasting friendships. Around the fire pit Saturday, they were entertained by Wes Johnson ’17 and Gabe Delp ’19. Sunday brunch provided the opportunity to spend a few more moments together before heading off to travel.

We’ve tried to capture the feelings and special moments of the weekend for you. Visit here for a recap and a slideshow.

All photos are available at our photographer’s website. The photos are available for complimentary downloads.

If you weren’t able to make it, we hope to see you next year!

Don’t miss our Middle School Moving Up Ceremony award winners and an in-depth introduction to our own Abi Rose-Craver ’14 in this month’s issue. Read on for more details!

Loyal, tried, and true,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

Congratulations to all the Middle School award winners, and a special shout out to all those alumni and community members who make these awards possible!

Did you get the chance to meet Abi over Alumni Weekend? She will be changing roles in the Office of Alumni and Development staring July 1, and is excited to continue to strengthen her deep roots in the Perkiomen community. Read more about Abi (bottom left) in the alumni spotlight below:

Alumni Spotlight │ Issue 4 │Featuring Abi Rose-Craver ’14
Written by: Meghan Malloy

There’s something special that happens when you attend Perkiomen as a student. You become enveloped in a family full of people who truly want you to succeed. You find yourself, and you grow. Such was the case for Abi Rose-Craver, class of 2014, who found her place as a student at Perkiomen from 2011 to 2014, then found her way back to Perk as an employee in 2015.

Abi started as an intern at Perkiomen during the summer months when she was home from college. “The summer after my freshman year I came back to help with Alumni Weekend,” she tells me. “I had been interning in the summers since. Then at the end of this August, I left to continue on with graduate school but decided I needed time to figure out what I wanted to do, and there was availability for an assistant role in the Alumni and Development office.”

Abi, who has a hand in nearly all the projects in the Alumni and Development office, also plays an invaluable role in helping familiarize me with all things Perkiomen, as one of the newest non-alumni faculty members. Her understanding of the school and surrounding community not only makes her day to day duties more manageable, but it also makes her a great resource to me. I’m lucky enough to share an office with Abi, and Abi is unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of my many questions.

While her role has shifted over the years, Abi is happy to be involved in all the new programs and developments that are evolving every day at Perk. “We’re always moving forward and introducing new opportunities that weren’t here when I was a student, but I know that the new generations can appreciate it. I really like being a part of the office that makes all the changes and additions happen,” she says.

During her time as a student here, Abi discovered herself in the workshop at Kehs where she participated in stage crew for three years. To this day, the backstage workshop in Kehs remains Abi’s favorite place on campus. “That’s where I grew the most, became a leader, and learned where my strengths are. It’s where I learned that I was good as something and I hadn’t had that before,” she tells me from her desk in our yet-to-be decorated office. She goes on: “In my last year as a senior, I signed my name on the wall like all the other graduates did, and that’s why it’s special to me.”

With the addition of the Entrepreneur, Medical and Artificial Intelligence Institutes, as well as so many other developments on the agenda in the future, the fact that the Kehs workshop is in large part the same as when she was a student here remains a comfort to Abi. “I don’t think the workshop has changed. Kehs has a distinctive smell, the smell of the wood dust and paint, and I love that smell. It reminds me of building sets, and you know where you are as soon as you walk in Kehs,” she says with a smile, remembering.

Still, Abi recognizes the great advantages the new Institutes provide for current Perkiomen students. “I think these institutes can help build confidence in the decisions students are making now, such as which school they should go to and which classes to take,” she says.

Abi plans to expand her career in Development at Perkiomen School starting July 1 with a new position. And while she may be diving into uncharted territory, one thing is certain: Abi will always have a place here at Perkiomen.

I can’t believe that the end of the year celebrations are coming to a close this week. Our class of 2019 has graduated and joined us in the Alumni Association. Their accomplishments have left a lasting legacy on our campus and we look forward to following them into the world. If you have a chance, check out the podcast by Emma Zhao ’19 here, which reflects on the Kreibel Fire and the cupola’s destiny. The best is yet to come with Alumni Weekend June 7-9. If you plan on attending, please register in advance here! Read on to learn more about the end of year celebrations including Commencement, Prize Day, and a reflection on some Board of Trustee members’ lasting impressions on the Perkiomen Community as they step down.

Loyal, tried and true,

Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19

This year, we welcomed Katie Park ’07 back home to Perkiomen as the 2019 Commencement speaker. Katie spoke about her experiences both at Perkiomen and Notre Dame, assuring the senior class that it’s more than acceptable to be unsure of what the future holds. Thank you for your time and inspiring words, Katie.

Visit Tim Miller's site here to see all the photos from Commencement!

As the class of 2019 crosses the threshold into the community of Perkiomen Alumni, the Office of Alumni and Development was happy to present the 2019 Alumni Awards to Maeve Gleeson ’19 and Eric Bechtel ’19. Maeve and Eric earned these awards for their dedication to the Perkiomen Community with spirited intentions to remain involved in years to come.

We’d like to recognize some alumni and community members who made our annual Perkiomen Prize Day a success! We are privileged to continue to celebrate Sandy Auld’s legacy through the presentation of the Brown Book Award, which acknowledges a student in the junior class who displays a strong talent for English and an unmatched passion for the written word. This year’s recipient was Andrew Patnode ’20.

We are also honored to celebrate the late Carmel “Midge” Thomas and Chaplain George E. Thomas through the presentation of awards they established to honor excellence in the subjects they taught. This year, Rebecca Derham ’20 won The Carmel M. “Midge” Thomas Music Award, Julia Kelly ’20 won The Carmel M. “Midge” Thomas World Language Award, and Xeuyan Rong ’20 won the Chaplain George E. Thomas Religion Award.

This year, Arrayah Brown ’20 received the Marian Stefano Award for her continual embodiment of Perkiomen School’s values and community spirit. Thank you, Frank Stefano ’48 for allowing us the sincere pleasure to acknowledge Marian’s lasting mark on the entire Perkiomen community.

Congratulations to all award recipients!

Pictured Above: Headmaster Devey presents Andrew, Rebecca, Julia, Xeuyan, and Arrayah their awards.

Thank you, Phil Lloyd ’65 and Ridge Goodwin ’60 for your years of dedicated service on the Perkiomen School Board of Trustees. Phil served as the Board Chair for four years with steadfast support and leadership, championing various developments and campaigns along the way. Ridge joined the Board of Trustees in 1986 and has shared his passion for education during his 33 years of service. In that time, Ridge led the charge planning new construction projects, while always enforcing his true passion of the beautification of Perkiomen School’s campus. Thank you, Phil and Ridge, for your loyalty. You are what make Perkiomen an extraordinary place.

Pictured Above: Headmaster Devey poses with Ridge and his classmate, Norm Olson '60.

It’s here! Alumni Weekend 2019 is just over a week away. Have you registered yet?
Register online, or give us a call us at (215) 679-1142 if you have questions. We can’t wait to see you then.

After 144 years, spring continues to be exciting at Perkiomen! The end of the academic year brings to mind many longstanding traditions including the spring concert, prom, Baccalaureate and Commencement Celebrations, Prize Day and Alumni Weekend. And we can’t forget APs and year-end exams. It's very busy!

Prize Day for our underclassmen provides the opportunity to learn more about the history of the school, and those who have come before them. Awards are named for some very well-known and beloved faculty including George and Carmel “Midge” Thomas, Marian Stefano and Wayne Engle. Annually, alumni like Frank Stefano ’48 and John “Sandy” Auld '58 support Prize Day awards. We can’t forget the Scholarship support Buzz Bayliss ’64 provides to AP test takers each year. A big thanks to all of our alums who help keep our traditions strong at Perkiomen.

Three years ago two sophomores, Emma Zhao ’19 and Kristine Rivera ’19, started our Cultural Festival! The Cultural Festival reflects our true diversity and has become the latest tradition in our spring line up. It was a wonderful legacy for them to leave to Perkiomen. Read more about it below.

I can’t forget to include Alumni Weekend! I promise you this is a weekend you don’t want to miss. We have the Clark Kreger ’92 Classic Lacrosse Game, other great events all weekend, and the chance to kick back and reminisce with your friends and share your life experiences. I look forward to seeing you June 7-9. Check out all the details and register here.

Loyal, tried and true,

Diana Weir-Smith '85, P '19

This year's cultural festival was a great success, featuring 20 different cultures! Kristine and Emma, pictured left, started the Cultural Festival three years ago as sophomores. They have passed the torch onto current juniors, allowing the tradition to span even more years to come.

Emma said, "We realized that there was so much untapped potential in our student body for cultural expression and exchange. Mostly, we hoped that we would be able to bring the community together by providing a fun way to learn and share about the cultures on campus. Even we were shocked by how much support the Perkiomen community showed from the very beginning, and we owe every volunteer, participant, and attendee the success that the Cultural Festival has enjoyed for the past three years."

Perkiomen Prom 2019 was a blast. After multiple promposals and much anticipation, the students enjoyed their special 'Starry Night.'

During the night filled with smiles, photographs, and dancing, seniors Peng (Rex) Xu and Tongshu (Sapphire) Yang, pictured right, were crowned Prom King and Prom Queen, capping off the night of fun. As one of the final major events of the year, the senior class especially cherished the memories made!

Spring is in the air and campus is buzzing with anticipation for the end of the school year! While our students were away for Spring Break, the alumni office was out and about connecting with Perkiomen alumni in Arizona, Florida, and even Puerto Rico.

Over spring break, Headmaster Devey, Coach Baker, and the baseball team traveled to Puerto Rico for some international friendly pre-season competition. As the parent of a baseball player, I made the trip with my family as well. It was great to see alumni Axel Rivera '12 and Miguel Valcarcel '06 working with our current players at practice and see other alumni at the gathering as well! The spring sports season is officially underway and we are excited to see what our athletes accomplish this year.

We’d love to hear from you! Shoot me a note and let us know what’s new and exciting in your life.

Loyal, tried and true,

Diana Weir-Smith, '85, P'19

Join us for Alumni Weekend from June 7-9!

Registration opens online next week and your invitation will be arriving in the mail shortly, so be on the lookout. Alumni Weekend is the time to connect with classmates and hear about other upcoming opportunities for the Perkiomen community. See the complete list of events here.

Pictured above: Perkiomen alumni enjoy a game of corn hole during the 2018 Alumni Weekend celebration.

The Perkiomen Fund closes on June 30, don’t forget to make your gift! Highlight a fellow alum or beloved faculty member with a gift in their honor before Alumni Weekend.

Were you unable to make it out to campus over the winter? Take a look at some of activities our students were involved in last term:

• The Girls’ Varsity Basketball team took home the TCL Championship and finished with an overall record of 8-6 while the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team capped off an impressive season with an overall record of 16-12.
• In the pool, Kirsten Carr competed at Easterns in the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter freestyle. On the boy’s side, Kyle Silbert broke the school record in 500-meter freestyle.
• In February, our students on the Model UN team traveled to Washington, DC for the AmeriMUNC competition, hosted by American University.
• This year, three students will be representing Perkiomen School at the national MathCON competition in Chicago. Juniors Rebecca Derham and Bruce Chen, and sophomore Silva Huang all scored in the top 1% of their grade levels nationally. The students are looking forward to representing the Perkiomen School well again this year on April 27.

January came and went in a flash, leaving a blustery February in its wake. This month, we appreciated the joys of the snow and a Headmaster’s Holiday, but are counting down the days to spring!

With Valentine’s Day just two weeks behind us, we graciously share our love for all of our alumni and supporters who make Perkiomen the special community that it is! Consider making a gift to the Perkiomen Fund to show your love for Perkiomen, too.

While Pennsburg was covered with snow, I flew down to sunny Florida for a great visit with some alumni. In Tampa, I was able to connect with Dick Crippen ’58 for the first time in over 50 years. As a successful sports broadcaster, Dick is currently in his 19^th year as Senior Advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team. If you, like Dick, wish to reconnect with your Perkiomen family, drop me a note through email or online.

Be sure to read on for some insight on new opportunities at Perkiomen, some updates around campus, and another alumni faculty spotlight!

Loyal, tried, and true,

Diana Weir-Smith '85, P'19

Headmaster Mark Devey announced Perkiomen School’s newest institute focusing on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies! Read more about it here.

Looking to spend an afternoon on Broadway in New York City? Perkiomen has extra tickets available for “Come From Away,” the hit musical which tells the extraordinary true story of how 7,000 strangers were forced together in Gander, Newfoundland after flights were diverted on September 11, 2001. Get your tickets to see the New York City show on March 30^th at 2 p.m. for only $110. Email Kevin Manferdini if you are interested.

Join us for Alumni Weekend from June 7-9! There are so many exciting events taking place, starting with the welcome celebration Friday night, and continuing with the parade of classes, the reunion luncheon and other activities on Saturday. Don’t miss corn hole, the alumni lacrosse game, and memorabilia on display from your time at Perkiomen all weekend! Registration opens online in just a few months, so be on the lookout. Alumni Weekend is the time to connect with classmates and hear about other upcoming opportunities for the Perkiomen community. Keep an eye out for your invitation but in the meantime see the complete list of events here!

Mark Your Calendar:

March 9- San Juan Area Gathering ~ 7 p.m. ~ Mercado La Carreta, San Juan, Puerto Rico

On February 13^th our own Perkiomen School girls’ varsity basketball team won the TCL Championship! The spring sports season is already underway, so come on out to campus and see our athletes in action.

This month the Upper School theater students performed their winter musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Our students shone brightly in this heartwarming and comical production! If you missed this show, visit our Facebook page for some more great photos.

Alumni Spotlight │ Issue 3 │Featuring John Williams ’13

Written by: Meghan Malloy, Development Writer and Stewardship Officer

We’re sitting in John’s office, at the front of Kriebel, where sports equipment and memorabilia litter the space. Reminders of his college football days, as well as the recent Eagles Super Bowl Championship decorate the walls. John tells me, “When my office is messy, that means I’m working. If I have nothing to do, then it’s clean.” I take in the current state of disorganization and decide it’s a positive sign.

John Williams, Perkiomen class of 2013, is yet another alumnus who has returned to Perkiomen in his professional life. He remembers the day that started him on this journey: “Diana Weir-Smith invited me to speak at the young alumni event during my senior year and we were all making jokes about coming back to work here.”

It was this mention of working at Perkiomen that sparked an interest in John during his senior year at Susquehanna University, where he competed as a defensive back from 2013 to 2017. He was prepared to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and was seeking a sports marketing position. John thought Perkiomen would be a great fit, as the school had just hired a new basketball coach, Thomas Baudinet, and John had played basketball at Perkiomen as well as football. At the time, Headmaster Mark Devey broke the news to John that there were no available positions.

A few months passed by and their conversation continued. A position became available and John eventually secured an interview with Mark at the same time that he planned to accept a position with the Philadelphia Eagles organization, after connecting with a 2010 Perkiomen alum who held the position of Digital Media Coordinator with the Eagles.

Upon visiting campus again, though, John’s plans changed. “When I came here [for the interview] I ended up falling back in love,” he tells me with the utmost sincerity. Fortunately, Mark allowed John to work for the Eagles on Sundays, with the contingency that he was able to meet the requirements of his new position with Perkiomen during the week.

Thus began John’s professional career as a Panther. He initially started his employment with Perkiomen in a marketing and communications position, but has since transitioned into an admissions role. As an employee, John takes advantage of his past experiences within the Perkiomen community to assist with his role in admissions while also shaping students’ lives. “The most rewarding part of my job I’d say is talking to prospective families and being able to relive my process and the growth that I went through, from being a knucklehead kid to becoming a leader on campus, then coming back to speak and work here. I think that’s a true representation of the process at Perkiomen School, a true coming of age story,” John tells me. “Every day I’m reminded of what this place did for me. I think that’s the most rewarding thing: I get to be appreciative of what I learned here,” he says.

Even five years post-Perkiomen graduation, John continues to build relationships with all members of the Perkiomen community. He mentions trying to ‘catch kids earlier,’ referring to spotting misbehavior and curbing it before it spins out of control. John recalls, “I remember having a conversation with Mr. Dougherty about the path I was going down. One time they even called my mom to come here from work, which was scary. So I’m trying to catch kids before they make that one mistake or bad decision and helping them see that if they buy into this, they’ll be successful.”

These meaningful connections and shared experiences are what make the Perkiomen community so special. When he was a student, John remembers sharing similar experiences with his classmates and teachers, all at the central hub of Robbie’s: “We were all in Robbie’s as a group, hanging out and clowning around. Everyone would share stories from class and talk about gossip.” John mentions that Robbie’s was the core of campus for the boarding students, and they spent many hours in front of the TV, watching major events take place, both uplifting and disheartening. “Big sports moments that happened, we all watched in Robbie’s. Even the sad events, like the Sandy Hook shooting that happened, I remember being in Robbie’s with Mrs. Manferdini watching it on TV.”

Still, the Perkiomen community remains welcoming and encompassing for all who cross paths with the school. For John, Perkiomen provided the encouragement and direction he needed to be successful. It introduced him to lifelong friends and allowed John to realize his dreams. For so many, Perkiomen is more than a school. It truly is a community, a family. John remembers with a smile, the moment at the graduation ceremony where it truly resonated for him: “Mr. Dougherty was in the front of the receiving line at graduation and he whispered to me, ‘This will always be home.’”

Diana Weir-Smith, '85, P'19

What a whirlwind this past week was! In a flurry of days, I visited alumni in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver—thank you for taking the time to visit with me! It was great to catch up with alumni at our LA Area Gathering at Chinois in Santa Monica, too. After our previous reservation at Hal’s fell through, the Perkiomen community came together to help make last minute arrangements for the gathering. It never ceases to amaze me how strong our Perkiomen Alumni community is and the lengths they will go to ensure a great event! Thank you to those who were able to join us as we shared stories and updates with one another.

(Pictured above: Jean Rosenthal '76, Danny Liggett ’81, Marianne Liggett, Richard Waisfisz '86, Amy Hoppenfeld-Kay '86, Samira Salahuddin '14, David Cohen '74, Seamus Finnegan '18, Jennie Cook '77, Rena Grivakis '02, Sean Yorgey '97, Drew Pedrick '76, Amber Goupil, Mark Devey, Mindy Irven, and Diana Weir-Smith, '85, P'19)

This month we welcomed back to campus a handful of our recent graduates for the Young Alumni Panel Discussion, including Aicha Ba ’13, David Juechter ’16, Sam Glavin ’18, Kyle Flagg ’17, Kyle Ramseur ’18, Isabel Barone ’17, Destinee Astheimer ’15 and Stephanie Falcone ’16. The young men and women spoke about their transitions to college life, risks they felt comfortable taking in college, and some Perkiomen voices they still hear in their minds, including Mr. Longstreth’s and Mr. Dougherty’s voices. The recent Perkiomen graduates left current students with keen advice—get involved, be courteous to the faculty and staff, especially those who clean up after you, and step out of your comfort zone. What an excellent way for our young alumni to give back to Perkiomen!

This past weekend, Perkiomen alum Emma Longstreth ’14 directed the hit Middle School production, Rough Magic. We love having Emma on campus, but wish her all the best in her upcoming journey to Echo Hill Outdoor School on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

I’d also like to send a thank you shout out to alumni Lauren Adams ’02, Laura Mullaney ’94, and Jennifer Eisenberger ’90, among other experts in the field, for taking time out of their Saturday to come to Perkiomen School, engage with students, and offer their expertise in our Pharmaceutical Panel. Your time and knowledge on the subject helped our Medical Institute students understand this distinct facet of the medical world. Thank you!

(Pictured above: Craig Moser, Timothy Hui, Lauren Adams ’02, Jennifer Eisenberger ’90, and Laura Mullaney ’94.)

Save the Date!

Alumni Spotlight │ Issue 2 │Featuring Lauren Schultz ’12

Written by: Meghan Malloy, Development Writer and Stewardship Officer

Lauren Schultz, Perkiomen class of 2012, is yet another alumnus to make her way back to Perkiomen for her professional career. Although Lauren acquired a full-time job after graduating from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and concentration in Advertising, she could not resist Perkiomen’s gravitational pull. Her optimistic attitude and warm personality align perfectly with the feeling that the Perkiomen community exudes on a daily basis, and she fell right back into step where she left off six years prior.

“I accepted a full time job in New York after graduating college and stayed there for a little over a year, before moving back home this past May,” Lauren said. Then, while searching for local jobs, Lauren came across one at Perkiomen and knew it was the right fit. “I thought, ‘That would be perfect.’”

Lauren came back to campus for her interview and found herself still inspired by the environment and community years later. She was offered a job, accepted it, and started in her role as the Academic Office Assistant to the Head of Upper School this past July. “I just love being back here and working with my former teachers, who I have known since I was in seventh grade. Perkiomen feels like a welcoming community. I am so grateful and happy to be back!” Lauren said of her return to Perkiomen, smiling widely.

As someone who spent six years here as a student, Lauren is a superb resource in a number of ways. Lauren’s familiarity of the students and activities is often utilized with the social media accounts. One such account, the PerkGSports Instagram, Lauren helped cultivate under the direction of Perkiomen teacher and coach, Justine Segear, from its beginning stages. “It is a girls’ Instagram initiative that we’re starting. We try to highlight a different female sports team every week, promote any home games, and shout out key players on our campus,” Lauren said. The tagline for the PerkGSports page, “Committed to developing and sustaining excellence in girls’ sports at Perkiomen School through education, celebration, and leadership,” resonates not only with the entire female student-athlete population, but with Lauren personally as well.

Her knowledge of all things Perkiomen also extends to her title as Academic Office Assistant, where she supports the Head of the Upper School, Jon Moser (another Perkiomen alum, class of ’97). Lauren said, “I feel that since I am in a lot of different meetings and committees, I have a heads up on a lot of things. I help with some scheduling so it’s nice to know that I took a certain class myself and I can tell students about it.”

Lauren’s Perkiomen roots run deeper than just being a former student and current employee. In fact, her family was intricately involved with some of the recent construction on campus. Lauren told me with pride, “My grandfather built many buildings on this campus including Schultz Hall, which is named after him. My father and uncle helped build the Entrepreneur Institute so it is a big tie to my family. They are all very happy and proud that I'm still involved.” Lauren also has cousins who graduated from Perkiomen and her family still lives in the area, so it’s safe to say the Schultz’s are Panthers through and through.

And while some things on campus have changed since she was a student, the warm community environment that keeps people coming back is very much intact. Lauren’s favorite place on campus, the cafeteria, may look different cosmetically, but it remains her favorite spot to relax and catch up with friends and colleagues. “It’s a good place to unwind and talk to a lot of people,” Lauren said. “I know the colors and walls have changed, and some remodeling took place, but it still feels like the same cafeteria that I went to.”

As far as the new additions to campus, the Entrepreneur and Medical Institutes, Lauren sees the advantages they offer and wish she could have taken part in something similar when she were a student here. Lauren beams, “I think both of our new institutes are amazing and they’re going to help students go so far. No other high schools that I know of have anything like them so they just put us one step above other institutions, and can really make a difference with our students.” Her feelings towards the new institutes are some that most alumni share: transformational, propelling students past all previous milestones all while cultivating the sense of family and community that Perkiomen embodies so well.

In many ways, Lauren herself continues to foster the Perkiomen spirit with her bubbling personality, positive attitude, and sincere willingness to help others. For her, and for so many others who have come before and will come after her, Perkiomen is family—loyal, tried and true.