HIGHL NDERA PUBLICATION FOR THE ST. ANDREW’S COMMUNITY

winter 2014

OUR ISLAND IDENTITYFOUNDER’S DAY

FALL ACADEMIC HONORS

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Mark Toth

FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL www.saintschool.com

Mark

What makes us unique from all the other private and public schools in town?

One differentiator is our Island Identity. Our proximity to the salt marshes, beach, barrier islands and rivers, provides a distinct addition to our traditional classrooms. Whether studying sea life on Tybee Island or searching in the marsh areas for palm fronds to complete an art project, our students are directly engaged in learning.

Teachers and staff at St. Andrew’s are continuously searching for ways to provide the most relevant opportunities for our students. We are not teaching about the environment. We are getting our hands dirty in the on-campus garden, harvesting basil, cabbage and lettuce. We are not lecturing to our students on sea life. We are stomping through the Atlantic Ocean pulling nets through the waves to identify and observe each catch.

These examples are just a few of the ways that we are increasing our relevancy in the region and celebrating who and what we are on Wilmington Island.

Please enjoy this latest edition of the Highlander. You

showcase our Island Identity. There is a reason we have been selected as one of the most challenging schools in the nation two years in a row. We are truly one-of-a-kind in and out of the classroom.

Here’s to 2014,

MISSION

VISION

St. Andrew’s, an independent college preparatory school dedicated to personalized student development, strives to develop engaged, well-rounded individuals by inspiring a passion for knowledge, a commitment to personal integrity and a deepened social consciousness within a supportive educational community.

TAG LINE Tradition + InnovationA Perfect Balance

St. Andrew’s is an independent International Baccalaureate World School committed to being a leader in 21st Century Teaching and Learning, which includes a curricular focus on creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and character.

ON THE COVER • some of our Student Ambassadors

3winter 2014

FOUNDER’S DAY

Almost 40 years ago a group of teachers, parents and church members at the small Independent Presbyterian Day School began to dream of a bigger school where the children could go all the way from Kindergarten through high school. The dream grew and grew until they decided to take action.

Land was purchased. Plans drawn. Buildings constructed. As with most dreams, things did not go as planned. The work took much

up their vehicles and moved desks, chairs, books and more. The school didn’t look like it does now -- it was only Bell Hall and Compton

But the dream was alive and growing.

That is the beginning that we are here to remember today. Soon the seniors will plant a tree as has been done in the past. The hope is that planting the tree will help anchor the Class of 2014 to the school. I doubt that one act will do that but it is a symbol of our history.

At St. Andrew’s, we are not afraid of change but hold traditions dear. I hope each of you will come back to check on those trees. When you do, what will you see? The same dream of the founders? Mostly, yes, because we have become all they envisioned and more. We are still small where everyone knows each other and everyone counts for who they are. We are still sending well prepared students to college. We are still encouraging students to do their best and to set high goals for themselves and their communities. We are still dreaming big dreams.

The founders would be proud!Lisa Cooper Blackburn ’86 with her sons

Dale Holloway ’82 with his children

Jo Lamas, former Lower School Head and Teacher, gave the Founder’s Day address this past November. Below is a portion of her thoughtful words to the entire student body.

Jo Lamas, Mark Weeks ’84 & Kelley Waldron celebrate Founder’s Day

LEGACY LIONS & ALUM PARENTS read more about our Legacy Lions on page 15

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Rachel Wollenburg ’22, Dianne Lee and Anna Wollenburg ’22 on campus

St. Andrew’s is special. As a parent and educator here for over twenty years, I believe that to be true now more

than ever. Our school has many wonderful qualities, but let me share a few observations about our singular identity from my perspective in the Lower School.

When considering the characteristics that make St. Andrew’s unique, let us not overlook the obvious. Ours is an island school, and that alone separates us physically, if not symbolically, from most other schools. How many campuses have a tidal creek running through them for study as an extension of the classroom? Not many, I’ll venture.

something at which to marvel: an egret or heron feeding

the shrill cry of an osprey overhead, or even the changing creek levels and velocity. These are not small things. (As a

her hometown, I can say that these things never fail to thrill.)

students saw an egret on a branch outside our classroom window. The egret, he was convinced, was somehow caught

had read just such a story earlier this year, so it seemed a reasonable assumption. Students rushed to the windows amid pleas of “We’ve got to save him!” After a bit of calming followed by observation and research, we came

an attempt to build a cushion of air as insulation against

an hour later. Such is a teachable moment in our island classroom.

Our spacious, canopied campus is open and inviting. Recent improvements such as our bridges, lower school entrance,

Thrive Café and outreach programs like the Tybee Beach sweep contribute mightily to our “sense of place” and belonging. So, too, does the rich culture and storied history of the Savannah area, from the original Guale inhabitants to the diverse, thriving city we live in today. I have traveled the country extensively, and I can attest that few other places in America offer such a smorgasbord for the senses. This is a special place, indeed.

Wendell Berry, noted author and bioregionalist claims, “If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are.” I believe that knowing where we are does matter. The more we learn about our special island

identity, the more likely we will seek to embrace, sustain, and protect it. By strengthening our connection to where we live, work, and play, we reinforce our connections with one another. In today’s often harried world, that is still something to value.

Our Island Classroom BY DIANNE LEE

THE REAL WORLD

5winter 2014

HIGHLAND SOCIETY

We recently held a Thank You Social for members of the HIGHLAND SOCIETY, our most generous and committed donors.

Andy Powers

AnonymousChatham Oral SurgeryHoward Family Dental

Sea Island BankSoutheast Medical

The Kennnickell Group

SAVE THE DATE

29TH ANNUALLIVE AUCTION & GALA

MARCH 8 SAV GOLF CLUB

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NUMBERS$6,610Dollars raised and donated to

-mester of the 2013-14 academic year

1,326Weekly Reach on Facebook

60+Open House for Admission

run with the LIONS5K Trail Run

3.29.14

SAS CampusKid Run (Age 10 & under) • 8 a.m.

5K Run • 8:15 a.m.

5K Walk • 9:30 a.m.

online registration is available at

7winter 2014

FRIDAY NIGHT FRENZYScenes from campus during a Friday Night Basketball game

1. Isabel Lanier ’24 2. Queen Mariel Colon-Leyva ’14

Hall ’15, Laura Khalidi ’15, Dylan Hix ’14, Camille Wixon

Grandparents &

Middle and Upper School

Monday, February 248:30 a.m.Skinner Hall on Main Campus

If you plan to attend, please contact Scott Searcy at 912.897.4941, x. 307 or searcys@saintschool.com

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CHEERLEADINGEllie DONOHUE

Most Improved Player Georgina QINRookie of the Year Marie SOLITARIOCoaches Award Deana DABITScholar Athlete Kate FERENCSIK

CROSS COUNTRY BOYSGlen CLARK

Most Improved Player John ASHTONCoaches Award Zack CHOUScholar Athlete Zack CHOU

CROSS COUNTRY GIRLSRebecca SUH

Rookie of the Year Lindsey BERKMANScholar Athlete Camille WIXONAll-State Victoria MCLAREN

FOOTBALLWright WALLACE

Most Improved Player Tyler FIELDSCoaches Award Logan SIMSRookie of the Year Malcolm WILLIAMS-GREENScholar Athlete Michael HALL

Wright WALLACE

VOLLEYBALLDominique DESAUTELS

Most Improved Player Bailey ADAMS & Morgan BENNETCoaches Award Mariel COLON-LEYVA & Ansley CONNORScholar Athlete Mariel COLON-LEYVA1st Team All-Region Bailey ADAMS2nd Team All-Region Morgan BENNET2nd Team All-Region Ansley CONNOR

ATHLETIC AWARDS

AWARDSNightDominique Desautels ’14, Mariel Colon-Leyva ’14, Ansley Connor ’14,

Howard McLaren

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Ashley Cunningham ’21 5. Mrs. Keyser

study in the garden

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Phoebe Mayo Corinne Standing

Mia Wylly

Aryaman AroraWill AshtonAinsley Barlow

Denton Lord Lucy Marsden Sydney Orr Sam Perkins

Brooke Avino

Mikaela Barlow

Will Cohn

Sara Cordasco

Peggy Fan Isaac Grenchik

Taylor Hauft Kathryn Hoersting Leila Khalidi Olivia King Lilly McIncrow Isabelle Powers

Regan Sadowski Baird Thoni

Alex Awad Clay Bush Grace Collins

Gena Hill

Robby Livingston Anna Lord

Riley Stillwagon Claire Turner

Kelly AdamsLindsey Berkman

Ben Mayo Oliver McCammon Marie Solitario Reed Wixon

Kate Ferencsik

Madison Mermelstein Georgia Miller Sam Powers Rebecca Suh Caleb Tymchyshyn

Hadley Gordon Michael Hall Hope Housman

Camille Wixon

Bailey AdamsMariel Colon-Leyva Dominique Desautels

Ben AndrewsSumter Archer Ben Bingley Andrea Carson Ben Coe Ashley Cunningham

Will Livingston Christian Oelschig Samuel Rolland-Mills

Avery Whipple

Tyler AwadBrendan Conn

Makenzie Leblond Harrison Soldan Keyonna Williams

Anna Steele Avery Cameron BlandMorgan Dewberry

Molly HughesBen HurfordPiper LanierMadelyn Laning Cage Lee Lauren MacMahon Alex Marinelli Marissa Meyers

Katie Cohn Claire Davis Garrett FloydChase Harper Reid O’Brien Lizzie Ryan

Benjamin Spadaro Caison Winslow

Cooper Hall Katherine Hurford Ashlin Leblond Merideth Rasplicka

Morgan FollakTaven Leblond Melanie Ourhaan Brighton Sandt Grace Turner Maddie Walsh Brea Yates

Morgan Bennet Daniel Chisner Tyler Fields Whitney Hall Laura Khalidi

Charles Perrie Matty Powers Morgan Randolph

Hunter Youmans

Andrew AdamsSiria Cruz Amaya

Pavle Ilic

Rachel Smith

TOP Class fall semesterof the

11winter 2014

ours gnHere is a collection of

signs around campus this semester.

These hand created works of art are

representative of who and what we are at

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We know that those closest to St. Andrew’s School are the best representatives for spreading good news. Here are three TALKING POINTS to share with others when you are out and about.

Talking

Points!

Saturday, March 8 • Savannah Golf ClubProceeds go directly into the classroom

Plans are moving forward to renovate 2,000 square feet of existing space in the Lower

St. Andrew’s is 1 of only 2 independent International Baccalaureate World Schools in Georgia

13winter 2014

2014Monday 18

Tuesday 19 LS Drop-In, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday 20 First Day of Classes!Thursday 28

(Childcare provided)

Monday 1

Monday 8

Thursday 11

Friday 10

Wednesday 22

Monday 3

Pre K - 5K 11:30 a.m., 1st - 12th 11:45 a.m.Tuesday 25

Monday 15 - Friday 19

Friday 19

(Pre K - 5K 11:30 a.m., 1st - 8th 11:45 a.m.)

2015Wednesday 1 - Friday 2

Monday 5 School ResumesMonday 12 Reenrollment Contracts IssuedMonday 19

Sunday 25 All-School Open HouseFriday 30 Reenrollment Contracts Due

Monday 23

MARCHMonday 2

Friday 13

Spring Break

Monday 23 School Resumes

APRILThursday 2

Friday 3

MAYMonday 25

Friday 29

(Pre K - 5K 11:30 a.m., 1st-8th 11:45 a.m.)

Friday 3

2014

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LS Lower School, Pre K - Grade 4 MS Middle School, Grades 5 - 8

+ Sundowners Childcare Available until 4:30 p.m.

updated 1.14

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ALUMNISome of our youngest alums were on campus over their winter break to chat with the Class of 2014. This annual

get to hear the real deal on college life from St. Andrew’s alums who were in their shoes a few years ago. Thanks to our alumni panel.

Rollins College

Minor • Political Science

Hampden-Sydney CollegeMajor • International Relations

pictured left to right

BLAST Check out these old pics. Recognize anyone? See yourself ? Go to the alumni facebook page at Saint Andrew’s Alum.

Post some of your own photos from SAS on our page. We want to hear from you.

from the

PA S T

15winter 2014

After some thought, input from other graduates of St. Andrew’s

anticipating your future.

Why is the ring important? Your class ring is a mark of distinction, pride and prestige. While you are at St. Andrew’s, the ring should face you to remind you of the pride you have for your school. When you graduate, the ring faces away from you to remind everyone else of your accomplishments.

The Past. Why is today important? The friends you make in high school might become scattered by geography, but they will stick with you for a lifetime. Two of my best friends are St. Andrew’s alums.

The Future. It will be here before you know it. The high standard of education that you are receiving at St. Andrew’s will give you a head start on the next page of your life. Seize this day. You are fortunate to be right here right now.

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail.

Jeanette Tuten Carson ’80

Dale Holloway ’82Thomas Huncke

Fran Gnann Huncke ’83

Lisa Blackburn Cooper ’88

CLASS TRADITION

current senior to present them with their ring. Continuing another tradition, our most recent distinguished alum recipient gave the address to the Class of 2015. Below is a

Class.

ring from her sister, Carolyn ’05 2. Lauren Chisner ’11 gives ring to her brother, Daniel 3. Olivia Wilkins receives ring from her aunt, Laurie Graham

5. Sam Dabit ’12 gives ring to his brother,

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ALUMNI

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ON THE

TRADITION

saintschool.com

How did St. Andrew’s help prepare you for Yale?What I loved about St. Andrew’s was the small, supportive community. I knew all the students and teachers and was able to form strong relationships. When I arrived at Yale, I realized that relationship building and collaborating with others was the key to success at that level too.

How did you end up as a political reporter for the Washington Post?

here ever since.

Are there any past assignments that are highlights for you?

The second event was the mass shooting in 2011 that wounded Representative Gabrielle Giffords and killed a federal judge. The assignment was particularly challenging because it was a human drama, with a 9-year-old girl among those killed, but also a political story. My responsibilities ranged from writing pieces that captured the emotion and scale of the tragedy, including writing about young Christina Taylor Green’s funeral and President Obama’s eulogy at the Tucson memorial service, to political stories that explained Giffords’s career in Congress and the unique politics of her district, which sits along Arizona’s border with Mexico.

What makes a good journalist?A good journalist should be objective, curious, open minded and able to synthesize a great deal of information.

What does a typical day look like at The Washington Post?

St. Andrew’s Alum ’02The Washington Post since graduating from Yale

questions and his responses.

Q & A

SAVE THE DATEGraduation2014

17winter 2014

GAME ROSTER 12.29.14NAME CLASS Preston White 2002

Davy Clay 2004

Bubby Pavlo 2008

Dexter Fritts 2010

Megan Meyers 2011

annu

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The alumni team came prepared to play vs. Varsity game takes place sometime

want you to be here this year - men and

Jeff Smith, Davy Clay, Preston White & Jules Victor

Jim Kingston & Jon Hope

Thanks to all who joined us on the court and in the stands!

18 saintschool.com

CLASS Hey AlumsWe want to hear from you! Please send any and all news to alumni@saintschool.com

NEWS’04 has started a

responsibility to become more transparent and to ensure that they understand and comply with

ensuring the “gold standard” that complies completely with current governance regulations.

a compliant compensation process in place for

912-201-3725, or visit their website at

’08 Bubby Pavlo is living and working

for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) which is the world’s largest private,

and a global leader in the study of the ocean.

’09

’09 graduated from the

He is traveling and working on his father’s senatorial campaign.

JAY PHILIP HELMREICH 15, 2013. He was a member of the 2009

the ages of 12 and 17 with joint pain over 80% of his body since

increase awareness and early recognition of this serious disease by all health care providers, so that other children might not have to suffer

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation

Lockbox #1352P.O. Box 8500Philadelphia, PA 19178

19winter 2014

Highlander is a quarterly publication. We welcome class news, photographs,

parents and friends.

Please send them to Scott Searcy at:

searcys@saintschool.com

Karen Helmly Oelschig ’84 • PresidentGary Conleay ’99Katie Hardie Conleay ’99Kim Poythress Garcia ’81Dale Holloway ’82Liz Skinner Kehoe ’88

We are looking for new alumni board members. If you would like to serve your alma mater in this capacity, please contact Karen at karen.oelschig@expeditors.com

If your child no longer lives at your address, please notify us at alumni@saintschool.com or

address.

Want to plan a reunion for your class? We can help. Contact Scott Searcy to get an updated class

pieces. We can also help with mailings, emails and other correspondence to get the ball rolling.

THE CLASS OF 2014Please be a part of this year’s welcome committee.

luncheon prior to graduation. It is a small gesture with a large impact! Contact Karen Oelschig if you would like to be a part of the alumni group at this annual event.

ALUMNI 411

@Savannah_SAS@SALionFootball

saint andrew’s alumni

BLOGsaintschool.wordpress.com

Follow, Find or Friend US

U.S. POSTAGEPAIDSAVANNAH, GA601 Penn Waller Rd.

Savannah, GA 31410 saintschool.com

UPS

TRADITION + INNOVATION A PERFECT BALANCE

Members from theCLASS OF 2026