COMMENCEMENT 2015

Moorestown Friends School Celebrates the Class of 2015Seventy-six members of the Class of 2015, together with their families and friends, gathered for Commencement on Saturday, June 6, on the MFS Oval. Head of School Larry Van Meter ’68 opened the ceremony with remarks on the diversity and distinctive personalities of the Class of 2015:

“The class you see before you is upbeat and highly accomplished. These students are a credit to their families and the school. So let me say thank you, Class of 2015, for all you have done to make MFS a better school and a stronger community.

I know from my meetings with each of you that your appreciation for the special experience you have had here with your teachers is already strong. And I know from personal experience that it will only grow stronger over time. I spent eight years after MFS in undergraduate and graduate programs, and the best teachers I ever had were right here at Moorestown Friends.

Through the love and sacrifice of your parents, you have been given the opportunity to have the rare and very special experience of learning from the best.”

To view, purchase, and download 2015 Commencement photos at mfs.smugmug.com, click on “All Galleries.”

Commencement Speakers: In Their Own Words

Aliya Williams“A few months ago, I was sitting in Mr. Gornto’s classroom, discussing postmodernism in author Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America. In his own words, Mr. Gornto described the movement as ‘a collage of individual experiences that make up a larger picture.’ The same could be said about the Class of 2015, and even Moorestown Friends School as a whole. Here, every student’s individual experience is not only valued and respected, but celebrated and cherished.

Being an Original here, I can start from our humble beginnings in Lower School... Performing The Rainbow People play taught us love and acceptance, and performing Dig It educated us about the pride and plights of ancient civilizations. Middle School was also a time of great discovery and real intellectual growth. We conquered the quadratic formula and sang our way through the electromagnetic spectrum... Slowly but surely, we began to develop a sense of self, as well as a greater idea of our goals and aspirations for our future.

Here’s to a class filled with students more inclined to drop a mixtape than an AP class, and most importantly, here’s to a class who continues to love and support each other unconditionally and authentically. I consider this class a part of my extended family, and I can’t wait to witness the incredible and influential people I am sure you’ll all become in the future.”

To view, purchase, and download 2015 Commencement photos at mfs.smugmug.com, click on “All Galleries.”

David White“Moorestown Friends School allows its students to express themselves in a magnitude and multitude of ways, and this is what distinguishes MFS from other institutions. Not only does MFS provide its students with a solid foundation of academic knowledge, it creates opportunities for its students to become experts in their fields or discover their hidden talents, all the while producing an unbelievable amount of support.

...Moorestown Friends has prepared this grade in ways unimaginable. Through this school, we’ve discovered passions of ours that would have otherwise remained hidden, we’ve gained an unfathomable amount of knowledge from faculty both in and out of the classroom, we’ve pushed ourselves to elusive limits, stopping at nothing to reach success, and most importantly, along the way, we stumbled across the importance of family.”

Mark Gornto Middle/Upper School Drama Teacher

“Life is challenging and life can be too short. I encourage and implore you to make the most of your opportunities. Hug your friends and thank your parents – for time is fleeting, and life can change in an instant. I am proud to be a teacher and proud to be part of this community. When Shakespeare asks the 400-year-old question, ‘Who’s there?’ you can answer and do so with confidence. You are ready. Take your leap of faith. Together, we are closing a chapter. This moment also begins a new chapter – may you write it with dignity, honesty, integrity, and above all, with love.”

Clockwise from upper left: Spencer Kelly and Erica D’Costa process onto the Oval at the beginning of the Commencement ceremony; Yanjun Zhang, David White, David Berg, and Luke Bianco pose for a photo before the ceremony; Stephanie Walker, Kendall Whittall, Annie Levine, and Taylor McManus pose in their white Commencement dresses; Jeremy Berinson and Katie Teitelbaum hold up homemade signs as they step out of the Upper School building; Adalberto Rosado receives his diploma from Head of School Larry Van Meter; Sabrina Patel and Clemente Passariello enter the ceremony.

Commencement Memories

Reflections on the Class of 2015 Justin Brandon, Upper School Director

The Class of 2015’s legacy is that of a cohesive group of students with diverse interests. They represented Moorestown Friends in athletic and academic competitions, visual and performing art showcases, and around the world during Intensive Learning. This class of 76 individuals will be remembered for their school spirit (they won Spirit Week twice) and camaraderie. The impact the Class of 2015 had on the Upper School community was far-reaching. Some students in the class were part of the first Peer Leadership program designed to support ninth grade students’ transition to Upper School. The program’s first year was a resounding success thanks to the initiative taken by the seniors. The class as a whole helped strengthen our community, whether it was in the hallways or at Meeting for Worship. Their stewardship will be missed. I expect to hear about their achievements in the near future.

Student College Destination Senior Project Primary Service Project

Scott Abrams College of Charleston Flying W Airport Summer Camp in Costa Rica

Armon Adibi Virginia Tech Syscom Tech Cuba Service Trip

Sydney Arce University of Alabama Omega Energy Service in Spain

Yi Bao Georgetown University Medford Leas Chinese Language Tutor

Brett Barbin University of Chicago Michael Smerconish Show Summer Chemistry at MFS

Brandon Beach Emerson College Moorestown Theatre Company Medford Village Swim Club

Joseph Beideman Elon University Holman Ford and ARI Broadstreet Ministries

David Berg Muhlenberg College Perkins Center for the Arts Service in Dominican Republic

Jeremy Berinson Muhlenberg College Franklinville Family Dentistry Costa Rice Service Trip

Mankaran S. Bhasin Virginia Tech Airborne Systems Selfless Service in India

Luke Bianco Cornell University Neil Johnson Architecture Habitat for Humanity

Brandon Boyce Rowan University Starlite Productions The Order of the Arrow

Arianna Caiazzo Arcadia University Moorestown Friends School Choir Trip to Florida

Andrew Cook Rowan University Holman Ford and ARI Arizona Service Trip

Hannah Creighton James Madison University Canal Calem Periodontics Cuba Service Trip

Macey Cropski Florida Atlantic University Atlantic City Aquarium Marine Mammal Stranding Center

Erica D’Costa Rutgers University South Jersey Magazine CONTACT of Burlington County

Ryan Dorsey New York University Villanova University Night Market: Food for Thought

Shailen Doshi Cornell University Holman Ford and ARI SJ Boys Read

Andrew Edzenga George Washington University

Edmund Optics Riverton Yacht Club

Christopher Eni Gettysburg College Vincentown Florist Costa Rica Service Trip

Student College Destination Senior Project Primary Service Project

Molly Fischer Washington College Haddonfield Friends School MFS Lower School Teacher’s Aide

Chelsey Flax Rutgers University Superior Court of NJ Cuba Service Trip

Emma Foster Arcadia University Perkins Center for the Arts Cuba Service Trip

Molly Foster Arcadia University Westfield Friends School Cuba Service Trip

David Golden Emory University BaseCamp Ventures Women’s Shelter in Spain

Colby Gottlieb Muhlenberg College Franklinville Family Dentistry Costa Rica Service Trip

Amanda Gregory Rowan College at Gloucester County

Clover Gardens and Florist Mural Arts Intensive Learning

Thomas Heitzman University of Pittsburgh Sea Box, Inc. Habitat for Humanity

Sarah Henig Drew University Monmouth University Athletic Department

Costa Rica Service Trip

Crystal Hershey Widener University Animal Adoption Center Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

Samantha Hovatter West Virginia University 7th Street Surf Shop Costa Rica Service Trip

David Howarth Colby College Burlington County Public Works Department

TOPS Soccer

Jonathon Hurley University of Delaware Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica Service Trip

Vanessa Kara Drexel University Long Engineering & Land Surveyors

Costa Rica Service Trip

Spencer Kelly Howard University RiverWinds Golf & Tennis Club

Special Olympics

Alexander Knowlton Johns Hopkins University BaseCamp Ventures Group Work Camp Mission Trips

Megan Le Boston College Buzz Marketing Group International Girl Scout Program

Annie Levine Syracuse University Congregation M'kor Shalom Tikkun Olam in Israel

Thomas Martin Pennsylvania State University Holman Ford and ARI New Visions in Camden

Pilar Martinez New York Film Academy Visionary Media Champions Against Bullying

Alex Master Bates College Price Systems L.L.C. Food Bank of South Jersey

Oscar Mayer Ithaca College Camp Ockanickon MS 150 Bike Ride

Brianna McKenzie Princeton University Westfield Friends School Choir Trip to Florida

Taylor McManus Indiana University Dare Boutique Service in Camden

Adam Mohsen-Breen Harvard University BaseCamp Ventures Service in Camden

John Nutaitis Catholic University of America REM Audiology Associates Special Olympics

Brian Pansius Bates College Senator Diane Allen Special Olympics

Clemente Passariello Bentley University Passariello’s Pizzeria Soup Kitchen in Camden

Student College Destination Senior Project Primary Service Project

Sabrina Patel George Washington University Refugee Health Collaborative Service in China

Jamal Pratt Ithaca College R Malik Construction L.L.C. MFS Summer Scholars Program

Adam Quaranta Franklin & Marshall College Dietz and Watson Service Youth Leadership Conference

Lara Repholz Rutgers University Cisco Systems Virtua Hospital

Marlene Richards Drew University Kressville Pediatrics First Baptist Church of Jericho

Adalberto Rosado Princeton University Ronald McDonald House Church of Immaculate Conception CCD Assistant

Supti Roy Bryn Mawr College Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge Habitat for Humanity

Jaclyn Sackstein George Washington University Cordasco Financial Network Service in China

Matthew Scalamandre University of Chicago Syscom Tech Food Pantry in Cherry Hill

Luke Shaffer Temple University Greyhound Angels Adoption ESF Summer Camp

Wesley Share Elon University Holman Ford and ARI Costa Rica Service Trip

Alaina Shivers University of Mary Washington

Larc School Cranks Creek, KY Mission Trip

Olivia Sowa Lehigh University Wolf Commercial Real Estate Costa Rica Service Trip

William Strickland University of Michigan Virtua Hospital Sandy Hill Summer Camp

Nicolette Tamburri College of Charleston Methodist Hospital Costa Rica Service Trip

Rachel Tarter George Washington University Orchard Friends School Bianca’s Kids Foundation

Emily Tatum Johns Hopkins University Roofmeadow MFS Lower School Teacher’s Aide

Carly Teitelbaum George Washington University Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge Moore College of Art

Katie Teitelbaum Lehigh University BaseCamp Ventures Moorestown Tennis Club

Katherine Thai University of Edinburgh Voorhees Veterinary Center Burkina Faso Dental Clinic

Laila Van Cleve University of Delaware Burlington Animal Shelter TOPS Soccer

Stephanie Walker College of Charleston Future Fitness Westwood Swim Club

David White George Washington University Keller Williams Service in China

Kendall Whittall High Point University The Yoga Center Costa Rica Service Trip

Aliya Williams Rutgers University Marrone & Kaye Orthodontics Soup Kitchen in Camden

Jason Woloshin Temple University Idea Lab, Inc. Cuba Service Trip

Yanjun Zhang Case Western Reserve University

Moorestown Friends Thrift Shop Bayshore Discovery

Upper School Academic AwardsUpper School Academic Awards

Cum Laude SocietyMembers in the Class of 2015 Inducted as seniors: Yi Bao, Shailen Doshi, Emma Foster, Molly Foster, David Golden, Vanessa Kara, Emily Tatum, and Katie Teitelbaum

Inducted as juniors: Brett Barbin, Luke Bianco, David Howarth, Adam Mohsen-Breen, Matthew Scalamandre, William Strickland, Carly Teitelbaum, and Katherine Thai

Members in the Class of 2016 Erin Chen, Edward Gelernt, Alexandra Katsnelson, Samuel Milligan, Joshua Murdy, Andayah Sams, and Jacob Schoifet

National Merit ScholarshipFinalist: Matthew Scalamandre Commended: Shailen Doshi, Brianna McKenzie, Adam Mohsen-Breen, Lara Repholz, William Strickland, and Katherine Thai

National Achievement ScholarshipFinalist: Brianna McKenzie Outstanding Participants: David White and Aliya Williams

National Hispanic Recognition ProgramPilar Martinez and Adam Mohsen-Breen

Baccalaureate Honor Roll Brett Barbin, Luke Bianco, Shailen Doshi, Emma Foster, David Golden, Adam Mohsen-Breen, Matthew Scalamandre, Scott Strickland, and Katherine Thai

Herman Hollerith Award (awarded to a student who displays an inventive and entrepreneurial spirit) Carly Teitelbaum

Thomas V. Sedlacek Award (awarded to students displaying sportsmanship, skill, and commitment to a sport at a high level while also demonstrating outstanding ability in the sciences)Andrew Edzenga and Lara Repholz

David & Mary Richie Service Award Katie Teitelbaum

ARTS 2D Studio Arts Award Carly Teitelbaum

3D Studio Arts Award Mankaran Bhasin

Instrumental Music Award Aliya Williams

Choral Music AwardMolly Fischer and Spencer Kelly

Beth F. Oliviero Memorial Theater Arts AwardScott Abrams, Brandon Beach, and Pilar Martinez

ATHLETICS Herm Magee Award Joe Beideman, Sarah Henig, and Alaina Shivers

Floss Brudon Award Alexis Watson

Scholar-Athlete Awards from the Class of 2015Shailen Doshi, Andrew Edzenga, Thomas Martin, and Alaina Shivers

BOOK AWARDS Bryn Mawr Book Award Mia Zayas

Swarthmore Book Award Andayah Sams

Haverford Book Award Joshua Murdy

ENGLISH John “Doc” LaVia English Award David Golden and Katherine Thai

Douglas Searle Poetry Award Medina Shah

HISTORY History Award Brett Barbin

MATHEMATICS Math League Award Matthew Scalamandre

Marjorie F. Overholt Mathematics AwardMatthew Scalamandre

SCIENCE Richard J. Turley Memorial Prize in Chemistry Katherine Thai

National Association of Biology Teachers AwardLaila Van Cleve

American Chemical Society AwardWilliam Strickland

American Association of Physics Teachers AwardMatthew Scalamandre

TECHNOLOGY Technology Award Armon Adibi

WORLD LANGUAGES Chinese Language Award Brett Barbin

French Language Award Katherine Thai

Spanish Language Award Adam Mohsen-Breen

Inductees into National Chinese Honor Society 2015: Marirose Aleardi and Erin Chen 2014: Brett Barbin, Luke Bianco, Matthew Scalamandre, William Strickland, and Katie Teitelbaum.

Inductees into National French Honor Society 2015: Edward Gelernt, Andrew Harkaway, and Alexandra Katsnelson 2014: Jasmine Brown, Emily Tatum, Carly Teitelbaum, and Katherine Thai

Inductees into National Spanish Honor Society 2015: Gabriela Montes, Margaux Vellucci, and Mia Zayas 2014: Adam Mohsen-Breen and Lara Repholz

Congratulations, MFS Class of 2015!

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