Campus News

Elijah Lee, a senior at The Haverford School, recently completed a three-year project of 3D printing a full-scale carbon cello, and his interest in this field led him to found Forte3D. Lee is the co-president of the School’s a cappella group The Notables and serves as the president of the Haverford Orchestra. He serves as one of only five Tour Guide Captains, meaning that he is a main figure that prospective families see when they visit Haverford. He is a member of the Haverford Materials Group (soft robotics) and has placed first in the Soft Robotics Toolkit Design Competition. Lee was published in the Soft Robotics journal and Journal of Chemical Education. His interest in soft robotics has also led him to several conference presentations, including one at NASA. Lee is also a member of Haverford’s VEX Robotics team that captured the state championship in 2020. At Haverford, he’s been awarded the Music Technology Prize, the Rudolph Hamma Blythe Jr ’59 Computer Award, and the Williams College Book Award. Off-campus, Lee interned at MIT in the Therapeutic Technology Design and Development Lab, during which he developed tools for bench-top left atrial appendage flow simulation. He also has interned at Penn Medicine in the Laboratory for Structural Physiologic and Functional Imaging to generate training data for automated spinal CT segmentation.

This fall, Middle School boys took part in STEPs Day—or “Solving The Earth’s Problems.” The boys researched the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and considered how those problems impact them, their communities, and their world. Middle School faculty members Emily Odeh, Mario Masso, and Kori Brown led the program.

HAVERFORD — It was do-or-die time for The Haverford School.

The Fords needed a first down to run out the clock and preserve a 13-7 victory over archrival Episcopal Academy Saturday afternoon at Sabol Field. The task, though, was a daunting one.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL's) Debbie and Charles Ball ’80 have received the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Medal for Exceptional Public Service while on assignment with OSD. The medal is presented by the secretary of Defense to non-career federal employees, private citizens and foreign nationals.

The Haverford School Crew wrapped up its 2021 fall season over this past weekend with the Hidden River Regatta. The Fords had an adjusted fall schedule this year due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ida that left the program and local rowing community in recovery mode. 

Sam Gerber was mid-sentence when the need for an updated example hit him.

The Haverford School senior wide receiver was extolling the toughness of his classmate Mike Galasso, about his ability to bounce back, even as he’s shared snaps all season with fellow senior quarterback Michael Benincasa. “We’ll have a third-and-13,” Gerber said, “and he goes into every play thinking we’re going to convert.”

During the fall months, members of the Third Form have been volunteering at Memorial Church of God in Christ food pantry located in Haverford. The Form III Called to Serve Project takes place most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during study hall. The boys walk a few blocks to the church to pack boxes, bag vegetables, and deliver cases of water and soda to the church members’ cars.

A senior at The Haverford School, Mitav Nayak serves as the 2021-22 Student Body President. He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of The Index (school newspaper), Editor-in-Chief & Designer in Chief of Newton’s Notebook (school STEM journal), and Model UN President. Nayak is also the Jazz Band President, the Math Club President, and the founder and president of the Economics/Stock Market Club and the Science Club. He is also a member of the Cum Laude Society (highest academic honor) and the Hephaestus Society (highest extracurricular honor). Nayak is an intern at Watermill Asset Management in New York City, during which he has researched biotech and med-tech companies about to come public through IPOs. He conducted summer research at Penn after being accepted into the Gene Therapy Program Student Internship at the University of Pennsylvania, where he worked with researchers repurposing drugs for rare diseases. Nayak has received multiple awards, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Prize in Economics, the Yale Club of Philadelphia Book Award, and several awards for his journalism and writing work. He is captain of the Fords’ squash team, and individually, he is ranked 10th in the U19 age division in the United States.

Inside the Inter-Ac is a spotlight on some of our most important stakeholders, the coaches. This weekly feature hopes to allow fans of the Inter-Ac to get to know the coaches on a more personal level.
 
This week, we heard from: Mike Toomey, Haverford School, Boys Cross Country

Several Haverford School students were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program, including nine who were named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.

Grant Ament admits that coming back to Haverford School as the team’s new Offensive Coordinator completes a unique circle of growth in his lacrosse career.

“It’s kind of crazy, I’ve come full circle,” said Ament, who was recently named to the post by Fords head coach Brendan Dawson. “I couldn’t turn that down.”

This past summer, sixth former Jeffrey Yang and fifth formers Jay Crowther, Isaiah Shuchman, and Jaiden Shuchman spent time volunteering at PALS, an organization that fosters friendship and independence among young adults with Down syndrome. The four Haverford School students were joined by young alumni Robert Esgro ’19 and Ryan Ngo ’21, who have been working at the camps for many years under the recommendation of Ms. Jini Loos, Haverford’s Director of Service Learning.

The Haverford School celebrated the Opening Day of the 2021-22 school year on Sept. 10. The community returned to in-person traditions and welcomed new Head of School Tyler Casertano.

By Terry Toohey
 

HAVERFORD – Officially, Sam Gerber is listed on The Haverford School football roster as a slot back and free safety.

Gerber, though, is much more than that.

In addition to his duties as a receiver and defensive back, Gerber also returns punts and kickoffs, is on the hands team and the holder for all kicks. He would probably do more if head coach Brian Martin asked him to.

“He’s like a Swiss Army Knife,” Martin said. “He does it all.”

CHESTER — The legion of purple jerseys with No. 16 on the back was the first giveaway. The array of Haverford School lacrosse stars filling section 121 of Subaru Park was the second. And the line of kids waiting to take selfies with Grant Ament was easy enough to follow if you had any questions.

Not many high schools could claim what Haverford School did Sunday, with players in both halves of the Premier Lacrosse League semifinal doubleheader in Chester. Split between the Atlas blue-clad fans cheering for Dox Aitken in the first game and Chris Sabia’s purple Waterdogs in the nightcap, there was plenty of Delco lacrosse history on the field.

While Haverford School boys enjoy their final summer days, Haverford’s faculty and staff are busy preparing the School for the full community’s return to campus. Head of School Tyler Casertano began this week of preparation with the following remarks:

In February of 2020, Devon native and former Conestoga High School student Chris Tsetsekos and his two Haverford School classmates Jon Krouse and David Graham were living in the temporary limbo known to many high school seniors.

It was the period between receiving a college acceptance letter and the fear of the unknown that would await them when they arrived at their respective college campuses in the fall.

After nearly a year-long search, the all-boys Haverford School appointed Tyler Casertano its 10th head of school.

As the Haverford School’s nonleague football schedule was being leaked, drip by challenging drip, coach Brian Martin braced for the text messages.

“The alumni,” Martin said, smiling. “They would ask: ‘Are you feeling OK?’”

The concern, premature and likely unnecessary, was that the Fords would be challenged by the classic likes of Downingtown West and La Salle, by the mystery of Executive Education Charter from Allentown, from Lansdale Catholic and, Maryland Landon School. From there would begin the ever-competitive Inter-Ac League schedule.

Three Haverford School alums co-founded FuzeMee, a peer-to-peer social media app focused on connecting college students before they get to campus, and then helping them engage in events and activities as students. David Graham ’20, Jon Krouse ’20, and Chris Tsetsekos ’20 developed and tested versions of the app in late 2020, with a full launch scheduled for the App Store in late summer.

Rhonda Brown began as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in early July. Brown comes to The Haverford School from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and has a long career working at large research institutions, including the University of Notre Dame and Temple University, and small private liberal arts colleges like Albright College and the College of the Holy Cross. 

Thomas Lindberg ’07 has been named the Director of Ice Hockey Program at The Haverford School. Lindberg will be responsible for coordinating the entire program from the middle school to varsity level.

This spring, The Haverford School cross-country program partnered with the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania to raise funds for mental health care for veterans. The team raised more than $4,000 that will help provide services to military veterans and their families who are challenged by mental health issues.

Darren Hengst, the Grace and Mahlon Buck Chair in Performing Arts at The Haverford School, gave a presentation titled “Performing Arts - Empathy, Connection, Communication,” during the annual Best for Boys Speaker Series in May. Hengst discussed how performing arts can bring out the authentic nature of boys and hone their ability to communicate, bridge connections between themselves and others, and build empathy. 

The Upper School gathered to celebrate several members of the School during the annual Honors Day ceremony on June 9. The event was led by Head of Upper School Mark Fifer, and included remarks by Head of School Dr. John Nagl. 

The Haverford School’s Board of Trustees has selected Tyler Casertano to serve as the next Head of School. Tyler, who currently serves as the Assistant Head of School for Advancement and Strategy at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., will begin his tenure on July 1.

The Middle School honored its Form II boys during the annual Middle School Closing Ceremony. The celebration, held with families in attendance at Centennial Hall, marked the boys’ completion of the Middle School program and their rise to the Upper School. 

The Haverford School’s fifth grade was honored during the annual closing ceremony on June 7. Fifth grade boys also received certificates marking their successful completion of the Lower School program, and were celebrated as they transition to sixth grade and the Middle School. 

Kristin Brown’s Digital Art II class used a new state-of-the-art Glowforge laser cutter to create collages of Haverford’s campus. The device utilizes a laser as thin as a piece of hair to cut and engrave designs into various materials. 

Artist, producer, and activist Brandon Michael Nase presented a virtual concert of gospel, jazz, R&B, and musical theater songs for the Michael Stairs Memorial Concert on April 28. Nase also reflected on the creation of his musical web series, “The Gospel According to Broadway,” and of his nonprofit organization, Broadway for Racial Justice.

The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) announced its award recipients for the 2021 men’s lacrosse season.
Williams first-year attack Pearse Glavin (Newton Square, Pa.) was selected as the Rookie of the Year. 

V Former Mitav Nayak was recognized in The Philadelphia Citizen for his work as a Germination Project Fellow - analyzing the City of Philadelphia's budget. Read more >

Arshay Cooper served as the speaker at the annual Joseph T. Cox Servant Leadership Symposium on May 6. Cooper’s memoir is the basis for A Most Beautiful Thing, a critically acclaimed film about the nation’s first all-Black rowing team.

Fifth former Damian Ferraro received the Union League Good Citizen Award after being nominated by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale director Jeff Smith. 

Dr. John Pruett ’86 presented “Haverford student to NIH-funded clinician-scientist” at the annual William Edward Gwinn ’86 Memorial Science Lecture on April 22. He talked about his journey into medicine and psychiatry, discussed his research into autism spectrum disorder in infants and toddlers, and shared advice for young scientists.

Shibo Zhou, a fifth former, participated in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) in April. The event is regarded as one of the most prestigious and competitive mathematics competitions in the country.

The Haverford School Diversity Alliance organized two events to mark the National Day of Silence in April, including an Upper School assembly featuring Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart.

The second grade completed the annual Walk for Water service learning project, in partnership with H2O for Life, a nonprofit organization. The boys spent Earth Day carrying gallons of water around the School’s Class of 1975 Field.

After months on Zoom, area children are getting the chance to get out in the fresh air and fields of Wallingford to enjoy "Soccer Saturday." Volunteer coaches from the Union, Haverford School and Strath Haven High School have been assisting.

Read the full story in the Delco Times >

More than 250 middle school students from 29 different schools gathered together virtually on March 11 for The Haverford School’s 13th annual Middle School Diversity Conference.  The featured speaker this year was Nyle Fort, a minister, activist, and scholar based in Newark, N.J.

The Scholastic Writing Awards recognized 21 Haverford School students for outstanding creative writing. Judged locally by the Philadelphia Writing Project, these 21 students earned six Gold Keys, nine Silver Keys, and sixteen Honorable Mentions in the categories of Journalism, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Critical Essay, Personal Essay & Memoir, Poetry, and Short Story.

Tim Dougherty ‘10 joined Dr. Daniel Goduti’s Upper School Environmental Science class on March 3. The class, which just completed a unit on oceans, aquaculture, and offshore drilling, is shifting their focus to global climate change.