Head of School Blog

If you find yourself on the 3rd floor of Pen y Bryn Upper School this spring, you will encounter a gorgeous display of Chinese watercolor and calligraphy art. The artist, Kevin Mao (Class of 2027), has been practicing Chinese calligraphy since the age of five; his works have won many awards and have been displayed in a number of exhibits. Below, Kevin provides some background about his art and family.

Chinese Watercolor & Calligraphy

by Kevin Mao (Mao Hai Xu), Class of 2027

I like Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting, which is derived from the family. My grandfather is a very respected doctor in China. His dream since childhood was to become a painter, but later, he saw that the people around him were constantly suffering from illness, so he studied medicine and became an excellent doctor. However, while he was doing medicine, he did not give up his preferences, so I learned calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting from my grandfather when I was a child, which brought me an appreciation and interest in beautiful things.

I have been practicing Chinese calligraphy since I was 5 years old, and I am proficient in official script, regular script, and running script. I began to practice Chinese painting at the age of 6. A lot of achievements have been made in both art methods. At the age of 7, the calligraphy fan works were exhibited at the first Fan Calligraphy Art Festival of the Primary School Affiliated with Renmin University. It was the only two works in the school to be selected for exhibition. In June 2015, I won first place in the painting and calligraphy competition for primary and secondary school students in China. The 2016 Beijing Haidian District Art Festival Soft Pen Calligraphy Competition won third place. I won first place in the 2017 Beijing Haidian District Art Festival Soft Pen Calligraphy Competition. The 2018 Beijing Haidian District Art Festival Soft Pen Calligraphy Competition won first place—the highest level of passing the Chinese calligraphy examination in 2019: Level 10. The work "Creative Lantern," produced and painted in 2017, was selected as "Chinese Stories under Children's Brushes" and published on the 16th page of Modern Education News. Modern Education News is the most authoritative educational publication in China, with a circulation of 300,000 copies per issue. In 2018, the Chinese traditional Chinese painting, flower, and bird art examination passed level 6.

On April 12, 2019, calligraphy and painting works were invited to be exhibited at the "Yi Cheng Guo Yun" Excellent Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition. Exhibition Address: Daoxiang Lake Exhibition Centre, Haidian District, Beijing. On November 7, 2019, calligraphy and painting works were invited to the primary school affiliated with Renmin University to exhibit the calligraphy and painting exhibition "Wen and Rixin, Shuzan Huaxia." Exhibition address: Beijing Yanhuang Art Museum. On December 13, 2019, calligraphy and painting works were invited to the primary school affiliated with Renmin University of China. "Children Painting Kyushu" celebrates the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 65th anniversary of the school's founding.

Many of my works have been permanently collected by the Primary School Affiliated to Renmin University.

Practicing Chinese calligraphy and painting can make people feel calm, and it can bring happiness to people. I like this kind of creative process very much. Now that I have joined the SSFS family, I am happy to introduce this artistic expression from China to the whole school by exhibiting my artworks, such as the Scribe Script. This ancient calligraphic art form has existed for more than 1,300 years and is a marvelous and ancient artistic miracle that one can marvel at. Practicing Chinese calligraphy and painting brings peace and joy, and I enjoy the creative process.

Kevin’s Chinese watercolor paintings will be displayed on the third floor of Pen y Bryn Upper School until the end of the 2023-2024 school year. 

As we kick off March, the Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging (OIEJB) shares a recap of February events and activities honoring Black History Month and provides information about Ramadan and Women's History Month.

Black History Month 2024

SSFS celebrated Black History Month in a variety of ways across all three academic divisions and in the broader community:

In Lower School, the First Grade is led the LS Community Art Project by learning about Black architects such as Paul R. Williams, and their contribution to residential house designs, public spaces, and the creation of institutions in the form of hospitals, HBUs, museums, and more. Students thought about how the design of the space we are in can meet our physical needs and provide the safety necessary to gather, organize, learn, and create. Other grades read books and dove into lessons representing Black History, culture, and important figures as it related to their work from MLK Day and their science and social studies curriculums. 

In the Middle School, bulletin board displays, book lists, and advisory lessons were complemented by three themed days: Black Hero day, Proud of my Hair Day, and HBCU day. Via announcements from students in Meeting for Worship, middle schoolers were invited to dress as a Black Hero, celebrate their hair, and wear hats or other clothing from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Students in Upper School mounted a student art display in the Atrium of Pen Y Bryn that celebrated multimedia creativity ranging from painting to sculpture to fashion. In addition to slides highlighting famous figures like Gwen Ifill and Katherine Johnson, the Black Students Affinity Group and Arts teacher Dana Scott wrote and performed an assembly program featuring student poems, poems by Maya Angelou, jazz standards, contemporary hits by artists like Rihanna, and a multimodal finale incorporating dance, poetry, and music.

Finally, parents, students, faculty and staff, members of Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting, and residents from Friends House gathered to celebrate the life of Bayard Rustin. Following a screening of the 2023 Netflix film Rustin, George Lakey, a lifelong activist who knew Mr. Rustin, and Toni Graves Williamson, who identified Rustin as a central influence in her professional life, engaged in a discussion about Mr. Rustin that included their personal reflections on one of the lesser-known figures from the Civil Rights Movement and questions from the audience.

Thank you to everyone on campus who helped celebrate the contributions of Black people on campus, in the U.S., and around the world!
 

Women's History Month 2024

Spring at SSFS brings with it Immersion Week, Intersession, early planning for Field Day, and well-deserved rest during Spring Break. Amidst that seasonal transition, we also turn our attention to Women’s History Month, which recognizes the myriad societal contributions of well-known figures like Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks, and lesser-known women like Sheila Michaels, Yosana Akiko, and Claudia Jones. 

When President Jimmy Carter declared the Week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week, he wrote a proclamation that read in part:

“From the first settlers who came to our shores…men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”

By 1987, through a series of bipartisan Congressional partnerships and resolutions, what began as a week expanded to the entire month when Congress declared March National Women’s History Month.

This year’s theme, according to The National Women’s History Alliance, celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” At SSFS, that celebration will include ongoing grade-level leadership in the Lower School Community Art Project: building on First Grade’s success introducing their LS peers and teachers to Black Architects during Black History Month, Fourth Grade will take the lead as the community learns about sculptor Louise Nevelson, a Jewish woman born in the Russian Empire and what is now Kyiv, Ukraine. Nevelson is known for her monumental, monochromatic, wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures, even though she had to fight and navigate a male-dominated professional market. Resources will be sent to all grades so that teachers can weave themes and other historical figures into their class curriculums.

In Middle School, bulletin boards will offer profiles of women who made significant contributions to history, and as always, students will be able to check out books by and about women. Curriculum-enriching materials will be offered to teachers, and some Immersion-week content will be geared toward celebrating the month.

Upper School will celebrate female students’ creativity with a visual art display in the Atrium, and an assembly late in the month that balances learning about Women’s History Month with contemporary artistic expression by current students. Slides in the Upper School will feature profiles of lesser-known but historically significant women, and the Girls Affinity Group will set up tables in the Atrium during free times that offer community education and more.

Please join SSFS and the National Women's History Alliance this month in a "recognition of women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, news, and social media."

(source: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/womens-history-month/womens-history-month-history/)
 

Ramadan

Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, begins on Sunday, March 10 at sunset, and will last until Tuesday, April 9 at sunset. Practicing Muslim students and staff at Sandy Spring Friends School will be fasting (not eating food or drinking water) from dawn until dusk (approximately 6:00 am to 8:00 pm). 

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim Lunar calendar and therefore takes place 10 days earlier each year.  In 2023, Ramadan began on sunset of March 22 and ended on sunset of April 21.  Muslims fast the month of Ramadan to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God in order to increase their spirituality, discipline, self-restraint, and generosity.  Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the foundation upon which Muslims live their lives. The other pillars are faith, prayer, charity, and performing the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Learn more about Ramadan.

On Wednesday, March 27, from 7:00-8:30 pm in the AC Gym, the Muslim Student Affinity Group will host an Iftar evening on campus. Iftar is a significant part of each day during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims come together at sunset to break fast, reflect on blessings, and extend compassion to those around us. Everyone is welcome to come and join in the meal to break the Ramadan fast at sunset, share a dish, and learn about Ramadan traditions. Kindly RSVP by March 25, and contact Shahana Pagen with questions.

Last summer, Donté Tates began leading SSFS’s Middle and Upper School English Department. An educator since 2005, most recently Chair of the English Department at Westover School in Connecticut, he felt like he was coming full circle, having taught at a school in nearby Hyattsville early on in his career. By all accounts, he has found a welcoming home on campus, and has been struck by how, deeply grounded in its Quaker values, the school “sees the light in everyone.” Below, a few off-the-resumé insights into his life, past experiences, and what he looks forward to sharing with the SSFS community.   

Quakerism is new to him; but its tenets resonate.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Donté has experience as both a Catholic high school student and teacher. “I will always be a Catholic school boy who became a Catholic school teacher at my core,” he says. 

But SSFS’s Quaker traditions did not deter him. In fact, its foundational principles—silence, stillness, and togetherness—are what drew him in, stoking his curiosity. And a mere seven months after arriving on campus, the School’s commitment to these principles is what he has grown to love about the community. In part, that’s because Quakerism dovetails with his own philosophy and interests, which include inclusivity, peaceability, and conflict resolution. He wants to challenge his students to wrestle with these types of complex ideas in the same way he has.

“I appreciate that Quakerism offers a robust sense of redemption, forgiveness, and the promise of becoming, every day—the goal isn’t peace itself, but the peaceful resolution of conflict,” he says. “My work is ultimately to help students see that if they self-regulate to figure out their own logic, argument, and reasoning, that’s the first step to transforming any conflict.”  

Actively applying these lessons of “conflict transformation”—to use his words—to the classroom, Donté has launched two new initiatives: A virtual exchange with a school in Cairo as well as a collaboration with actor-educators from Beyond the Page. More to come on both in a future article!

Among his former students: Three professional Black athletes. 
Following his first teaching position at Our Lady of Good Counsel—coincidentally, just two miles from SSFS—Donté moved to DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville. An all-boys Catholic school, it is known for its music and athletic programs and for “helping athletes to actualize their dreams,” he says. 

His five years at DeMatha—a school struggling to balance its Catholic identity with a desire for inclusiveness—were foundational to his career. “I enjoyed working with the Black Student Union and really invested in supporting the Black students at the school,” he says. Three NBA and NFL athletes were among those students: Victor Oladipo, a guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, as well as Cyrus Kouandjio (a former Buffalo Bills offensive tackle) and his older brother Arie (a former Washington Commanders guard).

The pandemic almost sidelined his first leadership role. 
After eight years as a Catholic school educator, Donté was ready to branch out. “I want to go independent,” he remembers thinking. “My little rogue spirit needs it.” After three years as an English teacher at The Potomac School and another five as a multidisciplinary humanities teacher at Maret School in Washington, D.C., he was ready for a leadership role. Westover School in Middlebury, Connecticut, came calling. But only with a teaching position at first. 

“We had some back and forth, and in the meantime, there was something going on that people were whispering about—something that could make us sick and might keep us home from school for a while,” he recalls. “I told them, thanks for reaching out to me, but I’m just going to sign my contract here at Maret and stay put this year.” 

In March 2020, just as the spread of COVID-19 began necessitating school shutdowns around the nation, Westover invited him to head their English Department. It was a role he couldn't refuse. Five months later, he took over the reins and continued to lead throughout the pandemic. Navigating through challenging times, he successfully established a humanities program, enriching the academic curriculum.

He is the author of a five-part poem called “Blessed Be the Beloved Barn.” 
For the last three summers, in lieu of quiet time at the beach or travel excursions not possible during the school year, Donté has headed north, to Vermont. There, stuffed into small cabins nestled in the Green Mountains, with fellow students, some writers and publishers, and renowned professors, he has immersed himself in the literary canon, oral and community histories, rhetoric, autoethnographies, and more, in pursuit of a master’s degree at Middlebury College’s prestigious Bread Loaf School of English (his undergraduate degree is in American Studies and English from Colby College, in Waterville, Maine). “What I love most is being a lifelong learner,” Donté explains, and the convenient, five-year summer program allows him to “fully focus on being a teacher during the school year and be a completely devoted student in the summer.”

As part of an assignment last summer, while steeped in the historical fiction of Toni Morrison and his own research into the historical arc of racial violence and conflict, “Blessed Be the Beloved Barn,” was born. Paired with curated archival images, the poem was his way of depicting how racial tensions have played out not simply in the past, but in the present day. 

He wants students to learn how to read the world.
As an inquisitive, ardent student in his own right, Donté naturally takes an expansive, multidisciplinary approach to his teaching. The strong pedagogical foundation of SSFS’s English Department immediately excited him. In fact, it’s what drove his curiosity and desire to become part of the community, he says. 

Top of mind for him is to design a clear through line for students in Grades 6 through 12, so their learning experiences “are meaningfully different and developmentally appropriate yet produce a wise, thinking individual who is capable of taking on and reading not just a book, poem, or play, but the world—a world that isn’t strictly disciplined one way or the other.” 

That may sound like a tall order, but Donté—on campus for less than a year—is already struck by the ability and the humanity of SSFS students. “I appreciate how quirky and how real they are, how they like to laugh and experience joy,” he observes. “Even when we don’t agree, there’s a willingness to see each other deeply; there is trust.” 
 

In addition to our core curricular and co-curricular offerings during the regular school day, our Upper School students also participate in a variety of extracurricular clubs throughout the year that provide opportunities for them to pursue their passions and interests beyond the school day. This February, several SSFS teams and clubs distinguished themselves and showcased their passions and expertise in various activities and competitions, doing the things they love best! See below for updates from the Model U.N. club, the Quiz Bowl club, and the Speech and Debate teams.

Model United Nations

By Chloe Jonasdottir '25

18 students from the SSFS upper school participated in the 61st annual North American Invitation Model United Nations conference in Washington, DC. We participated in a wide range of committees, from general assemblies that dealt with current world problems from the perspectives of countries to crisis and non-traditional committees that started with real historical issues then evolved into new directions through the imagination of the delegates. We all had a lot of fun both in and out of committee, forming new connections, learning about international relations, and making new memories. 

I was on a non-traditional committee about Iceland during the 2008 financial crisis. In the committee of about 25 people, each of us acted as figures who were relevant to making change during the collapse. The committee started right before the crisis, then we needed to work together to implement strategies to prevent it from worsening. Eventually, through our time in committee, we found ourselves re-writing the Icelandic constitution and establishing a national security apparatus to combat the war Russia had just waged on us because of our actions in the committee. Working together to solve the challenges that the staff threw our way was an amazing experience that helps collaboration skills, all the while remaining exciting. 
 

Quiz Bowl Team Earns Bronze Medals at MABL Championship

By Eduardo Polón, Quiz Bowl Club Coordinator

QUESTION: For 20 points. Guess which college preparatory Quaker school earned bronze medals at the Montgomery Academic Beltway League’s 2023-2024 Championship Round, while continuing to distinguish itself as “an ideal setting for intellectual contemplation, diverse extracurricular pursuits, and personal growth?”

ANSWER: SSFS

Finishing 17-4-1 in the MABL, including victories in the Championship Round over Churchill, Quince Orchard, and Bethesda-Chevy Chase high schools, SSFS capped off another remarkable academic competition conference season. Led by Captain Greta Garrettson-Taylor ’24, this year’s SSFS Quiz Bowl Travel Team is rounded out by Assistant Captain Diego Zein ‘25, Justin Carr ’26, and Nate Miles ‘26, and supported by up-and-comers like Ian Donahue ‘26 and Namir Pagen ‘26.

Next up, and sporting an impressive overall record of 26-5-2, our 'Beest Quizards are headed back to the television studios at Interface Media Group in Washington, DC, to compete in the It’s Academic semifinals on Sunday, April 14, at 12:15 PM, against Georgetown Day and Landon high schools. Meanwhile, you can see the team's opening round vs. Bishop Ireton and Westfield HS on the WETA YouTube channel.

Providing camaraderie for kindred spirits while celebrating academic achievement, intrascholastic Quiz Bowl Club and interscholastic Quiz Bowl Team provide healthy venues to foster friendships inspired by a mutual love of learning.  Best of all, it's fun!  For more information, contact Quiz Bowl Coordinator Eduardo Polón.
 

Speech Team Earns 2nd Place in the WACFL Sweepstakes Awards 

By Scott Carneal, Faculty Advisor for the Speech and Debate Teams

Each year, 70 schools in Virginia, Maryland, and DC compete in the WACFL (Forensic League) for the Sweepstakes Award, which is based on the results of 5 Regular Season Competitions and the Metro Finals Tournament. This year, the SSFS team won 2nd place among the 70 competing schools! 

2024 Speech Sweepstake Awards

• 1st place: 192 points:  Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
• 2nd place: 178 points:  Sandy Spring Friends School
• 3rd place: 160 points:  Potomac School of McLean

See the recent blog post for more details about Speech and Debate team events from 2023-2024, and stay tuned for an April update, which will include the students who will be participating in the Nationals. 

Speech and Debate Team on Feb. 24 after Metro Finals

This February, sixth-grade students in Carolyn Donovan and Donté Tates's English classes have been reading Lois Lowry’s popular dystopian novel, The Giver.  If you are unfamiliar with the book, there is a scene where the "Year Twelves" are assigned jobs based on their personal inclinations that they will keep for the rest of their time living in their dystopian community. In the book, this highly-anticipated event is called the “Ceremony of Twelves.” 

On February 26, Carolyn and Donté brought this experience to life for the 6th Graders by gathering them together in the Middle School Collection Space to be presented with their assigned jobs in the community–though of course their jobs were just for the afternoon, not a lifetime commitment!

“Chief Elders” Carolyn and Donté welcomed the students with this introduction (adapted from the book and from Presto Plans):

This is the time when we acknowledge differences. You Elevens have spent all your years till now learning to fit in, to standardize your behavior, to curb any impulse that might set you apart from the group. But today we honor your differences. They have determined your futures. This year’s group has many different personalities. One of you has a real skill for enforcing rules and justice. Another loves children, and there is one among you who has an unusual scientific aptitude. I have also noticed some who find physical labor a desirable activity. I will now call all your names out and announce your new career to the rest of the class! I will pass you a card that explains your role in the community. 

Students applauded their classmates as names were called out, and students were assigned various roles based on their personalities and interests: 

• Nurturer (working with younger students); 
• Recreation Director (planning fun activities and monitoring rules for games); 
• Department of Justice (helping to uphold rules in the community); 
• Giver Receptionist (greeting and providing information to visitors); 
• Food Producer (helping on the farm to deliver food to the community); 
• Speaker (documenting and reporting on community activities and events; making community announcements); 
• Chief Elder (working with all department leaders to make sure everything runs smoothly); 
• Doctor (studying medicine and helping provide relief from any pain in the community); 
• and, of course, The Receiver of Memory (responsible for holding all the community memories for the society).

Later that afternoon, the students met with various “Chief Elders” of the SSFS community to give them a sense of the jobs that make our own campus function: for example, LS Assistant Head of School Joel Gunzburg took the “Nurturer” kids over the Lower School to assist with carpool; the “Recreation Director” group worked with PE teacher Lauren Essig; the “Food Producer” group met Farmer Educator Dan Miller at the Community Farm; the “Giver Receptionists” helped Erin Ryan with tasks such as updating the bulletin board by the front door; the “Doctor” kids met with Athletic Trainer Julie Tucker; the “Chief Elder” group visited with School leadership in Scott House; and the “Speaker” group met with Julie Méndez and Margaret Rosser from the Marketing & Communications Department.

Below, you can see some of the photos that the “Speaker” group took as part of their documentation task, where they interviewed students in various jobs. As you can see from the photos, the students had a lot of fun, and the activity was a great example of how teachers use creativity, our campus, and our community to bring assignments to life for our students!  

The "Doctor" group with Julie Tucker made medical kits for people that get injured at an an away game, and enjoyed a ride on the cart Julie uses to transport injured athletes.  

The "Chief Elder" group meets with Head of School Dr. Rodney Glasgow in Scott House

The "Department of Justice" group meets with Meredith Shankle, Assistant Head of Upper School

The "Nurturer" group visits the Lower School playground with Assistant Head of LS Joel Gunzburg

The "Director of Recreation" group helps Assistant AD Lauren Essig move PE equipment

Congratulations to all SSFS student-athletes, coaches, and families for a fantastic winter season. In addition to bringing home numerous PVAC championship banners (US Women's Varsity Basketball league and tournament champs; US Men's Varsity Basketball league and tournament champs; US JV Men's Basketball tournament champs), many of our individual athletes were also recognized with league honors. Special shout-out to Jake Tringone '24 and Noel Motley '25, who were named "Player of the Year" in their respective divisions. This is a huge, well-deserved accomplishment!

BASKETBALL

Middle School Boys Basketball - Gold Team
Head Coach Edward Graves

The Middle School Boys Gold Team embarked on this winter basketball season with a focus on honing a cohesive defensive strategy, a skill that quickly translated into two early victories, despite facing a setback in the first game. The team dedicated the post-winter break period to mastering the concept of 3-man basketball, a strategic move that, when combined with their already solid defensive foundation, led to a commendable season record of three wins and two losses. Notably, the losses were hard-fought battles, with the Gold Team maintaining close scores until the final quarter. This season was a testament to the team's resilience, strategic development, and the spirit of collaboration, showcasing their growth and potential on the basketball court.

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Middle School Boys Basketball - Green Team
Head Coach Frank Horton

The season started with an impressive first game victory. We then encountered some ups and downs as the season progressed, with close wins and disappointing losses, but the players had a lot of fun building and working together to round out into a team. I specifically would like to highlight the fact that most players on the team were able to make at least one three-point basket in a game. Several players had games where they were able to score multiple three point baskets (Kaiden, Trevor, Isaac, Mazi, Pete and Nate). Ben, through his hard work, was able to lead the team in rebounding, and Kaiden, with crafty layups and three-point shooting, led the team in scoring. Max, Ibou, and Mazi were the best defenders this season. I hope the boys will continue to work on building and refining their skills to become better basketball players.

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Middle School Boys Basketball - White Team
Head Coaches John Fitzgerald and Joel Gunzburg 

When the season started, approximately half of the players had rudimentary basketball skills. However, they came to practice every day with a great deal of enthusiasm—and eagerness to learn. We spend a great deal of time working on all types of basketball skills, including dribbling, passing, rebounding, and shooting. We accomplished this by creating teams of players with all skill levels and playing five-on-five and three-on-three scrimmages nearly every day. We were only scheduled to play six games. Our season began with resounding success. Our team played very cohesive, very unselfish basketball in the first two games, winning each game by a large margin. As the season progressed, the competition ramped up--and the team rose to the challenge. Despite losing the next three games, the team charged back from 10-point deficits in two of the games to make the score close. In our last loss, the opposing team was clearly much taller and much more skilled than our squad. In our final game of the year, the team was down by nine points at halftime, rallying in the second half to win the game by two points. Our players were extremely excited about this accomplishment. I believe all of the players had fun, which is the most important takeaway from a middle school season. Moreover, I believe many of our players learned more about the game of basketball, improved on one or two fundamental skills, and learned to play unselfishly and distribute the ball. 

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Middle School Girls Basketball - Green Team
Head Coach: David Milord

The Middle School Girls Green Team was a fun group to coach. Watching the steady improvement of each player week to week, and seeing them pick up on various concepts of the game, led to us building momentum and better understanding of the game as a team, winning 4 games this year. All but two of the girls had played on the green team the year prior, so they were all fairly new to the level of competition and skill-based training that we worked on each practice. We started off a little slow (and extremely quiet!) but really turned it on as the year progressed. It was a great season because all players were able to get a lot better, worked together, and continued to learn and incorporate all the different aspects of shooting, defending, communication, and schemes (offensive sets, team defense, inbound plays) in each game. All players made valiant contributions to our team success and everyone had a lot to be proud of. While I hope that they grew their love for the game of basketball this year, I am confident that ALL players walked away with a lot of experiences, lessons, and skills that will carry them far in life off the court as well.

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Middle School Girls Basketball - Gold Team
Head Coach: Chris McGrew

SSFS Girls Gold team had a great season with two signature wins and improvement both on and off the court. The team made up of mainly 6th graders competed hard and stayed in games against older competition. The shooting and rebounding skills were a big part of the success of the team. This group has a chance to be special in future years to come with the team chemistry and willingness to learn.

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Upper School Men's JV Basketball
Head Coach: Luis Lopez

The SSFS JV Boys basketball team had an amazing season and established themselves as a team that was well-respected throughout the DMV. With a mix of conference and out of conference games, the boys ripped through the conference in the regular season going undefeated with all double-digit victories and finished 8-3 in out of conference games. They finished the season with a nail-biting victory in overtime in the conference championship and won 4 games in a single day to win an invitational tournament the following weekend. The final record of the boys was an astounding 20-3 overall record claiming 3 championships: Regular Season Champs, Conference Playoffs Champs and President’s Day Tournament Invitational Champs. These kids are extremely special and worked hard all year learning a new system with a new coach, and they embraced it with positivity, great energy, and most importantly, with great character. I am very excited to see what their future holds, especially since they have 4 starters returning next year, and they will have a giant target on them as the team to beat. Great season kids!! 'Beests on 3, Family on 6!!!

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Upper School Men's Varsity Basketball
Head Coach: Azhar Shamsudeen

The Sandy Spring Boys Varsity Basketball team achieved remarkable success in the 2024 season, securing their third consecutive PVAC Championship with a triumphant three-peat. Finishing the season with an impressive 24-8 record, the team demonstrated consistent excellence on the court. Their stellar performance earned them a coveted spot in the Maryland private school state tournament, showcasing their prowess at a statewide level. Additionally, the team expanded their horizons by traveling to Florida for a competitive tournament, further solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in high school basketball.

In addition to their on-court success, the Sandy Spring Boys Basketball team celebrated the achievements of three standout seniors who committed to playing college basketball. Jake Tringone's commitment to Lander, Donovan Blackman's decision to join Alfred University, and Jaison Nkala's commitment to Warren Wilson College further highlight the team's impact in developing talented players ready for the collegiate level. These commitments underscore the program's dedication to fostering both athletic excellence and the academic pursuits of its student-athletes.
 

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Upper School Women's Varsity Basketball
Head Coach: Chris McGrew

SSFS Girls Varsity basketball team had a fun and successful season. The team finished with an impressive 17-6 record and a PVAC championship. The team was led by five all conference student athletes, and the PVAC tournament MVP Julia Platts and the PVAC player of the year Noel Motley. The team had signature wins against Rockbridge Academy in a thrilling comeback and took home a victory at the Palm Springs National Invitational against the Benjamin School. 

The team had a good mix of upperclassmen leadership and a talented group of young players. We thank our two seniors Franne Obi and Layla Cushenberry for their major contributions on and off the court and we wish them well in their bright futures. In league play, 'Beests went undefeated and got major wins at the Theresa French Invitational and The Ben Uzzell Tournament. We thank the SSFS community for their unwavering support and look forward to big things in the future.
 

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CLIMBING

Upper School Rock Climbing Team
Head Coach: David Ciamarra

The '23 SSFS Rock Climbing team had brought a resilient effort to each and every comp this season, along with having incredible poise, and an overall desire to succeed. Throughout the season, after having many incoming new climbers, each student was able to develop many skills such as belaying, rope/knot-tying, learning climbing commands, as well as incorporating new drills in practice on a frequent basis. In other words, this year’s climbing team had come a long way after only doing so in such a short amount of time. To conclude the season in Crystal City for our championship comp, the team had featured two climbers (one on each team) finish in the top 8 overall, as well as each member climbing until the final buzzer. Overall, the '23 SSFS Climbing Team showed tremendous effort all-around, and should be proud for their season-long progressions, and overall accomplishments. 
 

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SWIMMING

Upper School Swim Team
Head Coach: Erin O'Leary

Our first full season went swimmingly!  We began having practices at the University of Maryland pool for the first time this year and had a full team.  We were able to compete in two meets this year: the Stone Ridge Invitational, which, while not scored, provided a solid introduction into high school swimming for our athletes.  Then came the PVAC championship, in which our girls team finished 5th overall, and our boys finished 3rd.  The boys 200 freestyle relay team of Luke Amberman, Abraham Watts, Owen Grahl, and Brennan Shaw won the PVAC championship, while each of these swimmers also placed 2nd in at least one of their individual events.  We said goodbye to our two seniors: captain Kaydin Knappenberger, and manager Gus Romanow, and wish them the best in the future!
 

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HOCKEY

Upper School Co-Op Hockey Team
Head Coach Kevin Esser

Since 2010, Sandy Spring hockey players have played in the Montgomery Hockey Conference, which is part of the Maryland Scholastic Hockey League, as members of a Co-Op team. Co-Op teams are made up of several schools that combine to make one squad. For the past five years, SSFS players have suited up with the Sherwood HS Warriors. This years' team set out to defend its Montgomery Hockey Conference Championship, but knowing it would be a rebuilding year, having graduated a strong senior class in 2023.

Although sporting a sub .500 record over the course of the regular season, the team racked up key wins against traditional rivals Blair and Richard Montgomery, and skated to a one-goal loss against state powerhouse Bethesda/Chevy Chase, in a game that turned heads across the conference. The team headed into the playoffs winning 2 of its 3 final conference games. The team won 2 of its first 3 double-elimination playoff games, including over Rockville Magruder in the Quarter-Finals, scoring 3 unanswered goals late to seal the victory. The team's season ended in the Conference Semi-Finals, with a strong showing in a loss to Upper Montgomery.

As has been the case for the last five years, SSFS's contributions to the Sherwood Co-Op hockey team have been small in number, but large in impact. Senior and Assistant Captain Vincent Mele anchored the team's defense - playing in all situations and providing a strong physical presence in the Defensive Zone. Junior and Assistant Captain Noi Jonasson was the 2nd leading scorer on the team, scoring 22 points in only 8 games. Noi was honored with selection to the Montgomery All-Conference team. Underclassmen Ken Johnson and Teddy Donaldson played important roles on the team and are part of the core of returning forwards that will be leaned on next year.

Coach Kevin Esser (father of SSFS alums Aidan '14, Sage '16, and Quinn '19) said of this year's team, "The hallmark of this group has been their commitment week after week to growing and improving. After winning only 1 of the season's first 8 games, they put in the work and closed the season going 4-3, beating teams that had overpowered them earlier in the season, and coming up only one game short of a chance to defend their Conference crown." After more than 30 years' coaching youth and Varsity High School hockey, at the team's Senior night, Coach Esser announced his retirement. "Working to help young people on their journey to mature and learn is the most important thing any of us does on any given day." He added, "Coaching has been one of the great joys of my life, I am better for it and am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve in this way for this long."

The team will begin practicing in September for the 2024-25 season; contact Athletic Director Bruce Nkala if you are interested in playing.

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INTRAMURALS

Upper School Athletic Enhancement Program
Led by Sal Benitez

The AEP had a wonderful winter season where we saw our students continue to develop and grow. This winter season, we were able to order new equipment that included new bench and squat bars, new resistance bands, bosu balls, and two hex deadlift bars. Over the season, we saw 6 students break their personal best record on both the bench press and back squat. We look forward to continuing the great work. 

Upper School Intramural Games (Morley Games)
Led by Demetri Orlando

Morley Games had fun this season focusing on Frazleerham, though the cold weather made for an abbreviated season. The players developed their ability to use strategies to their advantage... Opposing teams rotated players throughout the season so that everyone got to know each other. It was marvelous as a coach to witness how much better they played as a team by the end of the season, once they knew each other and knew the skills of the game. Simply by using teamwork, a larger team was able to compete positively with a smaller but more athletic team. In other words, they learned to use numbers to their advantage. 

By Brian Brubaker, Upper School ESOL Teacher

The Upper School's Culture Cafe—sponsored by the OIEJB and organized by the US ESOL Department—highlights the cultural diversity of our Upper School student body by providing an opportunity for students to meet at lunch and connect in sharing the unique cuisine of an SSFS international student.

On Thursday, February 22, the Culture Cafe featured Brazilian food and culture, with the menu selected by 10th grader Eduardo Fryszer of Curitiba, Brazil. Guided conversation activities were also part of the lunch activities.  

Each Culture Cafe is open to 16 Upper School students, with preference in the first 8 slots given to students currently enrolled in an ESOL course.  All participants are chosen at random from those who sign up. Keep an eye out for more Culture Cafes to come! 

 

If you’ve ever been on campus for a sporting event, you’ve heard “Go ’Beests!” shouted by exuberant fans. Yes, our mascot is the wildebeest (also called “gnu,” the inspiration for the name of this newsletter!), but for us, “being ’Beestly” is more than just a play on words. We look to the wildebeest for inspiration for the entire approach to our athletics program, connecting this extraordinary animal’s traits to the human realm. 

We seek to bring the best of the wildebeest to our athletic endeavors: unmatched energy; collective commitment to the team; determination, perseverance, and grit; loyalty to community; fair play; unity and the capacity to celebrate the diversity among us; and equality among our teams. Modeled after our gritty and community-minded mascot, we celebrate our accomplishments with a focus on the growth our community has fostered.

We recently sat down with four particularly ’Beestly athletes to learn what inspires them, who they’re grateful to, and what’s next in their athletic careers. Check it out!

Jackson Henderson ’24 | Soccer

’Beestly Pride

I was selected to represent Bermuda for 2024 CONCACAF* U20 Qualifiers to be held in St. Kitts (February 23 – March 2, 2024). If Bermuda wins, we will advance to the U20 World Cup. Starting the summer after my junior year, I was invited to train with Bermuda’s team twice and played in a tournament with them, but it was still a surprise and honor to be selected for their national team. That, being selected for all-conference each year I’ve played Varsity for SSFS, and recently being named to the Washington Post’s 2023 All-Met team are what I’m most proud of in my soccer career.

’Beestly Reflection

Although I’m American-born, I was introduced to soccer when I lived in Bermuda at age two, thanks to my dad—who played soccer at the college level and was a part of three state championship high school teams—and mom (who was quite the island soccer girl). I have fond memories of island life, including being close to family, snail catching, and snorkeling—which recently inspired me to get my scuba diving certification—so I’m very excited to represent Bermuda in these qualifiers. [Fun fact: While Jackson’s soccer career started in Bermuda, he shares that one of its early catalysts was training under SSFS alum Justin Reid ’00 at QuickFeet Soccer.]

’Beestly Values

Equality is the Quaker SPICE that resonates most with me. All of the clubs I’ve played for and people I’ve played with have represented a wide range of diversity. I’ve learned that you never fully know what people’s past experiences and backgrounds are, so I seek to treat them equally with that in mind.

’Beestly Support

Sandy Spring academics are still in full swing in the spring semester of my senior year! In my Advanced Techniques for Fabrication and Design class [an engineering elective], on any given day, we’re welding, 3D printing, programming, or coding. I’ve had to learn to balance academics and athletics; the SSFS community has made me comfortable reaching out to teachers and advocating for myself. I’ve gotten used to explaining soccer conflicts, like, “I have a club game, and I’ll be gone Friday through Sunday night; how can I work with you to get this assignment done early or to work out an extension?” I’ve learned time management and communication skills as a whole—these are habits I see benefiting me my whole life.

’Beestly Goals

I’ve been accepted to all the schools I applied to and am hoping to include soccer in my college experience by playing at one of these DI colleges. While I think of myself as a good player, it surprised me to have college coaches coming up to me and telling me it was a joy to watch me play. While in college, I’d like to pursue my academic interests: marine biology—inspired by my Bermudian heritage—and international business. My ultimate goal is to go pro—preferably with one of the top 5 big leagues in Europe—Liverpool is my favorite team!

*CONCACAF is the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football, one of FIFA’s six continental confederations.

 

Noi Jonasson ’25 | Ice Hockey

’Beestly Pride

I play for the cooperative team in the Maryland High School Hockey League under Sherwood High School which includes players from 7 different schools. This season, I was named to the first team all-county and first team All-Conference. Last year, we won the conference title and are hoping to repeat. I also play club hockey alongside players from around the country for Team Maryland U 18 AAA. We’re ranked #1 in Maryland and are top 30 in the United States. And, I represented Iceland at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Istanbul—I’m proud to be a dual citizen and be able to compete for my country on the world stage.

’Beestly Reflection

I had just turned three when I saw my first ice skating rink. Once I saw some kids in hockey jerseys, I was hooked!  I asked my parents to take me skating every day after that, and I competed on my first team when I was just 4 years old. Russell Smith has been my coach since I was three—his work with me over the past 14 years has made me a better hockey player. . . and person. 

’Beestly Support

SSFS encourages me to reach my dreams. When I started at the school in 6th Grade, I needed to ask for two weeks off school to compete in PeeWee International Quebec, the largest and oldest tournament in Peewee hockey. SSFS allowed me to work remotely, and all my teachers supported me to allow me to be a part of the tournament. In the end, my team made it to the semi-finals, and we played teams from Australia and Japan. When I returned to school, I was able to do a presentation for my class.

When my high school team won the playoffs in early February, lots of people from SSFS came out to support me, including three of my teachers. It’s been great to have support in the audience from my advisor, Barbara von Salis, and [Global Languages Department Head] Eduardo Polon—they’ve come to many games to cheer on all the SSFS players.

A parent of SSFS alums, Kevin Esser [P ’14, ’16, ’19 and spouse of former faculty/staff member], has been my high school coach for three years. He handed me my first puck from my first high school goal! He’s retiring this year after 30 years of coaching and will be greatly missed.

’Beestly Values

Community is the Quaker SPICE that best reflects hockey. To me, community means lifting each other up as a team and relying on each other. Being part of a team means everyone has a role. I enjoy helping younger players on the ice.

’Beestly Goals

I hope my club team—Team Maryland—can win a bid to Nationals where we would compete against the top teams in the country in March. For high school hockey, following our district playoff win, we’re heading to southeastern districts next month in Charlotte, NC, and I’m hoping we move on to nationals in April in Las Vegas. 

Long term, I want to move on to the Junior system in the USHL or NAHL where you play for three years and get bids for college teams. I hope to play D1 hockey in the NCAA. 

 

Noel Motley ’25 | Cross Country, Basketball, Softball

’Beestly Pride

I’ve been a part of three teams that won PVAC championships in the past year: Softball (Spring 2023), Cross Country (Fall 2023), and Basketball just brought home the banner! The athletic accolade that I’m most proud of is the basketball championship this season because we really got to grow together as a team. We also got to prove people wrong—those who didn’t believe we would do well this season and win as much as we did. We even proved ourselves wrong—when we doubted our ability to play good basketball. 

’Beestly Reflection

One of the biggest impacts of being on these teams is finding community and creating unforgettable memories. I got into softball and basketball when I was younger—it seems like I’ve always played. I only started cross country in seventh grade after my friends convinced me. With all three sports, I’m inspired by the people around me—especially my teammates—who always encourage each other and are supportive no matter what their role is on the team.

’Beestly Values

The SPICE that connects to my life as a student-athlete is Community: you have to have a good bond with your teammates and trust them to have your back. 

’Beestly Support

I want to thank all of my SSFS coaches for all three sports. They are the most understanding and helpful people I’ve ever met. They are not just sports coaches; they’re also life coaches, preparing me to continue after high school. I’m forever grateful.

’Beestly Goals

For the near term, I hope we win a softball banner this year and have a great season.

 

Samir Ouchikh ’27 | Speed Skating

 

’Beestly Pride

I was selected for the Dream Program, which provided over 40 youths from different countries the opportunity to practice skiing and ice sports—hosted in the Republic of Korea in January. I participated as the first Moroccan short track speedskater and was awarded the silver medal for second place overall in Short Track Speedskating for both the 500 meter and 1000 meter distances. It was incredible to meet new people and make new friends in Korea. One of the main highlights was meeting Julian Yee, a Malaysian figure skater born in Kuala Lumpur, who started skating at the Dream Program as a child. He went on to represent Malaysia in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Of my speed skating accolades, I’m most proud of placing fourth in the 2022 United States Speedskating Age Group Nationals in Lake Placid, New York. And in my most recent race, I placed first in the Northeast Short Track Series Men's Division at the Bay State Short Track Championships in Massachusetts.

’Beestly Reflection

I skate at Potomac Speedskating Club at the Wheaton and the Cabin John Ice Rink. I’m inspired by my coaches, Simon Cho and John Henry Krueger, who both are Olympic medalists. My teammates are also an inspiration. Most recently, four of my teammates skated in the Youth Winter Olympic Games. Looking back, all of my coaches have had a significant impact on my growth as an athlete and overall as a person.

’Beestly Values

Integrity is the Quaker SPICE that means the most to me—to me, it means doing the right thing when no one is looking and working hard even when no one is watching me train. I spent last summer training in Incheon, South Korea, where I learned a lot about work ethic and commitment to the sport. The training schedule in South Korea was intense—every day I would wake up at 4:30 am and practice until 10:00 am, then return to the rink at 4:00 pm and practice until 9:00 pm.

’Beestly Support

SSFS has given me the time and support I need to succeed as an athlete. The teachers and administration allow me to take time off to attend races and training camps at certain times of the year. They also help support me by providing assignments ahead of time and helping me make up work if I missed any assignments while I’m traveling for races. Alice Lee and Cory Cloud have been my advisors and helped support me and my work during times when I have been away for competitions or overseas at camps in Korea or Europe. 

’Beestly Goals

As a little kid, I learned about speed skating by watching the Winter Olympics. They’re still on my mind—I would love to represent Morocco in the Olympics!

 

Congratulations on your ’Beestly accomplishments,  Jackson, Noi, Noel, and Samir! You’re inspiring us all to “Be ’Beestly!”

WACFL Speech and Debate Regular Season
The SSFS Speech and Debate Team, competing in eight different events, completed the 5 regular season tournament cycle on February 3. Twenty-one students qualified in 22 events for the Maryland/DC Speech Championships on February 24 and Debate Championships on March 9/10. Top 5 finishers at Metros receive bids to the National Championships over Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago.

Highlights from the regular season include the following medalists (top 6):

• Alexios Eleftheriou & Daryan Tchoubineh/top SSFS Debate Pair (2nd place in Public Forum Debate)
• Taye Bradford (1st place Dramatic Performance and 2nd place in Original Oratory)
• Matthew Burd (2nd place in Original Oratory)
• Sam Deichman-Caswell (3rd place in Extemporaneous Speaking)
• Eva Derryberry (4th place in Original Oratory)
• Greta Garrettson-Taylor (6th place in Dramatic Performance)
• Chloe Jonasdottir (4th place in Impromptu Speaking)
• Julia Roach (4th place in Original Oratory)
• Maxine Ross (6th place in Declamation)
• Annelise Tejpar (1st place in Oral Interpretation)
• Kairava Buchwald and Suutumee Negash (1st place in Duo Interpretation)
• Grace Christerson and Chloe Jonasdottir (3rd place in Duo Interpretation)

Top 9 Placement/Metro Championship Qualifiers: Audrey Deane-Gonzalez (DP), Quin Ely (Extemp), Cecilia Gang (OI), Henry Goldblatt (Dec), Janaan as Siddiqui (OO), Julia May (DP), Phoebe Yonkos (OI) and Diego Zein (OO & DP).

Other Top Public Forum Debate Results: Jonah DeGannes (3 wins), Clara Frank (4 wins), Max Koprivica (5 wins), Jason Malik (4 wins), Elena Powell (3 wins), Catherine Risen (5 wins), and Dylan Rose (5 wins).

Ridge Invitational (Ridge, New Jersey)
Twelve Speech Team students competed at this Gold Level tournament on January 26/27. After intense morning rounds against Nationally ranked students from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, four Springers broke into the semi-finals. Congratulations to medalists Taye Bradford (Original Oratory), Benji Cherukuri (Dramatic Performance), Sam Deichman-Caswell (Extemporaneous), and Maxine Ross (Declamation). A big shoutout to Taye who made the finals and finished in 5th place (and received a bid to the Tournament of Champions in April).

Yale Invitational & George Mason Patriot Games Invitational
Our top Public Forum Debate team of Alexios & Daryan were Octofinalists at Yale in September and Quarterfinalists at George Mason in December. They are competing at the Harvard Invitational over President’s Day Weekend, Metro Finals in Debate (DC/MD Championships) in March, and the Tournament of Champions in Lexington, Kentucky in April. They are one of the top three ranked debate teams in the DC/MD/VA league.

The Speech Team would like to extend a big thank you to Christian Ely, Donté Tates, and Barbara von Salis for assistant coaching in Speech; to Mike Risen (SSFS parent) for head coaching in Public Forum Debate; and Annie Grout (SSFS parent) for chaperoning at the Ridge Invitational.