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Transcript of The Ridge, Spring 2014
RidgeSpring 2014
BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL
EducationCharacter
at the
Belying the weather we’ve experienced in central Virginia, this edition of The Ridge offers hopeful evidence that
Spring is here.
Of course, by writing this statement I may be cursing us with at least one more snowstorm and an ice-covered lake.
At least the students in the BRS Polar Bear Club will be pleased!
If this is the first you’re learning of the Polar Bear Club, I encourage you to see our website and accompanying
videos. I assure you it takes no small amount of grit to take the leap with David Welty, the BRS educator who leads
the club. Grit, along with attributes like honor, integrity, and dedication to service, is a focal point of the Blue Ridge education; it’s our
aim for students to develop these traits while exploring chemistry and learning how to write a persuasive essay (and jumping into the
lake now and then).
Blue Ridge boys are with us for some formative years. Their experiences here impact significantly the men they become and in many
cases are truly transformative. We take seriously the role we play in a student’s academic development; no less serious is our charge to
help him grow up and become a man of character.
It’s this character education, interwoven throughout the academic and co-
curricula, that is the feature of this edition of The Ridge. I am excited about
the purposeful programs developing under the leadership of Vinton Bruton,
our Assistant Headmaster for Co-curricular Programs (and history teacher,
advisor, duty captain, and avid outdoorsman).
Our team believes that the key to character education is the approach.
Character development is not an isolated event; the dynamic occurs over time
and is the result of many interactions and experiences across all areas of life.
Character education at BRS, therefore, is not a separate entity. Teachers from
all departments, coaches of all sports, dorm parents, advisors and leaders of
clubs all incorporate character lessons into their daily classes, practices and
meetings.
Vinton continues to do a great deal of research into character education.
Most notably, he has been selected to participate in an Action Research
project by the International Boys School Coalition. Vinton’s research will
focus on the ways in which boys implicitly develop character and what
preconditions are necessary for effective character education. This will be a
perfect fit with our plans on campus.
I hope to see you at the Vintage Blue Ridge event on May 10th or at
Graduation on May 24. You are most welcome on campus at any time, and
your engagement with the School is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Headmaster William “Trip” Darrin III
GreetingsfromSt. George!
ContentsWalking the Walk: Character Education at Blue Ridge School 2
Baron Scholarship Program 8
Congratulations to the Class of 2014 9
Wine Educator and Enthusiast: John Buckey ‘88 10
Vintage Blue Ridge: Celebrating Great American Wines 11
It Matters! Advancement Update 12
Learning and Service: Outdoor Program Volunteers 14
Winter Sports Wrap-ups 16
BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Mr. William A. Darrin III, Headmaster
Dr. Kevin Miller, Associate Headmaster for Academics
Mr. D. Franklin Daniels, Jr., Associate Headmaster for Advancement & Admissions
Mr. Vinton Bruton, Assistant Headmaster for Co-curricular Programs
The Ridge: Editor/Graphic Designer: Ms. Hilde Keldermans
Writers: Ms. Hilde Keldermans, Mr. Dan Dunsmore, Mr. John Hetzel
Principal Photography: Mr. Michael Hallstrom
Additional Photography: Ms. Hilde Keldermans
www.BlueRidgeSchool.com
We focus on helping boys reach their potential through personalized,
structured, innovative learning practices in a college-preparatory, all-
boarding community.
Blue Ridge School admits qualified young men of any race, color,
national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and
activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
Blue Ridge School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies,
admission policies, financial assistance and loan programs, athletic and
other administered programs.
ON THE COVER:At Blue Ridge School Character Education
is interwoven in all aspects of a boy’s
education. For example Chemistry teacher
Mr. Joe Reilly, pictured with Salman
Almokbel ’15, uses the Manhattan Project
as an assignment that requires his students
to reflect on the ethical issues surrounding
the science of splitting the atom, as well as
creating and using an atomic bomb.
Walkby Dan Dunsmore
Ask the powers that be at just about any educational facility in the world if
they address character development with their students, and the answer
will likely be, “Sure. It’s a part of what we do.” What does it even mean
to make character education one part of the curriculum? Fit it in when
you can? No follow up? No hands on?
When Blue Ridge faculty and students speak of character development on the St. George,
Virginia, campus, they will more often than not describe it as EVERYTHING we do. I would
even go so far as to suggest that character development at the Ridge is the most important
quality that separates us from the large crowd of other independent schools.
It’s difficult to pinpoint where character education begins at Blue Ridge, but I’ll say for
argument’s sake that it begins with the signing of the Code of Conduct. All students and faculty
sign it at the beginning of the school year. The signed code is then posted in every classroom
and dorm room to inspire the community to do right in thought and action. The Code of
Conduct includes our Honor Code as well as such core values as integrity, respect, moral
courage and being a brother’s keeper. In the hustle and bustle of each school day, these core
values might be forgotten. But not at Blue Ridge School.
Character education is in every activity and program we offer: Residential Life, the Prefect and
Proctor Program, the Honor Council, Ridge Rites of Passage, Chapel Services, Community
Service, Saturday Morning Programs, Athletics, the Active Arts, the Outdoor Program, and
the Disciplinary Committee and Classroom Instruction.
I thank Assistant Headmaster for Co-curricular Programs Vinton Bruton, Director of
Performing Arts and Alumni Parent Jerry King and Residence Life Coordinator Hans
Hermanson ’97 for their input. Their insight is either directly quoted or paraphrased in much
of this article.
CHARACTER EDUCATION AT BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL
Walkingthe
“At Blue Ridge School, the phrase ‘My Brother’s
Keeper’ is not just a creed but a way of life. It means
having your friend’s back in hard times or helping
someone out who might be new to something. Simple
little things go a long way, and that is what Blue Ridge
students are taught to live by. Many students come to
this school to find a suitable learning environment or
play for a State Championship team, but they also end
up gaining a new family, one that watches over them
and guides them to be inspirations to the rest. In the
end, we all graduate as brothers. We will always be
each other’s keepers.” - Harrison Gant ’14, Four-Year
Boy, Prefect and Member of the Honor Council
The true indicators that character education at
Blue Ridge happens in very meaningful ways are
in the students’ takeaways. Be sure to read their
perspectives that accompany this article.
2
RESIDENTIAL LIFE
Learning to live with a roommate is a skill that many people
don’t acquire until their college days. It’s probably fair to say
that many adults still struggle with it. At Blue Ridge, learning the
art of compromise and helpful, supportive conversation is at
the heart of dorm living. Mr. Bruton describes the importance
of residential life as follows: “The boys spend more time in the
dorms than in any other place so it stands to reason they should
learn many life lessons there. Living with a roommate is a new
skill for the vast majority of our students. Learning to respect
other’s space, possessions and opinions will serve them well
at college and in life. Learning to keep one’s personal space
organized and clean should pay dividends in the classroom.
Doing one’s fair share of mundane chores such as cleaning
community spaces and emptying the trash teaches responsibility.”
Mr. Hermanson adds, “By following the character example set
forth by the Hall Parents and supporting duty faculty members
who work in the dorms, the Residence Life Curriculum is
designed to be a compliment to the Character Education
Program in that it teaches boys to contribute positively to
communal living. This can be seen in their working with others to
maintain their private and communal environments and learning
that every student matters.”
Walking
“Every student matters and is expected to positively contribute to the
community, every student is expected to work with other students
to maintain their living environment, every student should learn a
healthy respect for the needs and rights of other students and behave
in a way that earns the respect of his peers, and every student is
expected to live by the Honor Code and Code of Conduct.”
- An excerpt from the Residence Life Curriculum
PREFECTS AND PROCTORS Students earn these vital
leadership roles through their proven character development
track record. Being a strong leader requires a student to develop
the skills of negotiation, leading by example, sense of humor and
patience in the face of adversity. The goal is to train leaders who’ll
lead by example, with empathy and with an attitude of service
rather than privilege. Prefects and proctors definitely have to walk
the walk because they’re under constant scrutiny by their peers.
They are expected to help facilitate a safe atmosphere where
the students feel a true sense of community and security. They
should be the leading examples of the BRS Code of Conduct and
make every effort to garner the respect of every student.
Peng Kamonprapasawat ’13 and Hassan Dasuki ’13
3
CHAPEL SERVICESThe Reverend David McIlhiney, an Episcopal priest, conducts
the services that take place two mornings a week as well on
Sunday evenings. He makes a special effort to reinforce the faiths
of students from Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist backgrounds
as all students are expected to attend these services. The most
meaningful services for me are those that involve students or
faculty members sharing their personal experiences of character
development. These talks often lead to further discussions during
advisory time. The Lessons and Carols service, a full-community
celebration of Christmas, is also a highlight each year.
RIDGE RITES OF PASSAGE Director of Outdoor Programming Mr. Tony Brown coordinates
this program that gives students the chance to accomplish
something outside their comfort zone as a way to build character.
The possibilities are endless, and Mr. Brown encourages students
to come up with their own ideas. When the freshmen complete
the four-day Wilderness Orientation Trip, when the sophomores
run for leadership positions during the spring trimester, when the
juniors write essays on “What it Means to be a Man” and when
the seniors complete overnight solos on the mountain, they are
fulfilling character-building rites of passage.
HONOR COUNCILStudents also serve alongside faculty members on this important
council. Students’ character certainly develops as they confess
their errors in the areas of lying, cheating or stealing, and other
students then discuss what the most constructive consequence
might be for the student and the community. These are often
very difficult decisions. Mr. Bruton writes, “Our Honor Council
is responsible for enforcing our Honor Code, though in the
larger picture everyone shares this responsibility. This process
offers the Honor Council members a chance to make decisions
that most high school students don’t have to make. It also offers
opportunities for students to learn from their mistakes and make
amends while protecting our Honor Code.”
Frankie Harris ‘14 and Max Morgan ‘14
SATURDAY MORNING PROGRAMSOur Saturday morning programs give students the opportunity to
hear guest speakers who challenge them in the areas of character
development. At times, bad examples of character are shown as a
springboard to discussions of good character in advisory groups.
At other times, the student’s moral and/or ethical judgment is
challenged by real-life scenarios, again explored in large-group
discussions or in advisory groups. These programs offer a
chance for the whole school to pause and focus on a particular
issue. To be specific, during one recent Saturday morning,
the boys listened to Chazz Woodson ’01 discuss how he has
applied character lessons as an Ivy League student-athlete and
professional lacrosse player. On another recent Saturday, the
students discussed Lance Armstrong’s admission of blood doping
and linked that to academic integrity.
COMMUNITY SERVICE Students and faculty take advantage of many opportunities
throughout the year to serve the Blue Ridge community, the
Greene County community and the world community. Family
members of faculty and staff also often participate, and it is this
large-group effort, this all hands on deck, that is the strength of
our community service. Mr. Brown coordinates such efforts as
volunteering at the Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels. Our
students definitely get their hands dirty as they peel apples, then
stir the pot to make Apple Butter to benefit Operation Smile
(organized by Dr. Kevin Miller and Mrs. Carrie Woods). They
work in small teams to pack meals for Stop Hunger Now. Many
of the students participate in Shop with a Baron, which gives
local children a chance to buy Christmas gifts for their families.
Many others take advantage of the opportunity to donate blood
to Virginia Blood Services, an activity that is coordinated by
librarian and English teacher Mr. Jon Baker along with Honor
Society members. In all of these opportunities, students are
definitely walking the walk of building character.
ACTIVE ARTSThis is the term that Mr. King uses to describe the various arts
programs at Blue Ridge School. His comments, which he first
made at the 2014 New York Auxiliary’s Blue and White Ball,
follow: “I am convinced that the boys of Blue Ridge School are
made more alive, become better men for having stepped up, into
the realm of what I call the active arts. The core part of being
human is being creative. Some have (or can develop) an eye for
visual art; some have or can learn to perform music; sometimes
they will do this solo, sometimes in a group; sometimes
producing sound with just their own voices, sometimes with
instruments; some will pursue drama. Experience with the arts
has become a part of the core requirements for graduation for
every Blue Ridge boy. We’re going for excellence. We’re doing
all we can as teachers and administrators to teach boys to become
good men, fully human, potential realized, with courage and a
sense of adventure firmly in place to take on a world’s worth
of challenges, some of them pretty intimidating. And to leave a
mark, a good one. Because, by the time they are handed a Blue
Ridge diploma, they will know – by experience – that they have
what it takes to step up and really do something.”
ATHLETICSIt’s a bit cliché to say that athletics builds character. What makes
Blue Ridge different? Every student at the School is expected
to participate in a sport at some point in the year. Nearly every
faculty member and several staff members coach during at least
one season. Sports aren’t relegated to just a select few. Everyone
in the community learns how to deal gracefully and productively
with winning and losing. It’s that important to character education
at the School. Success and failure are part of life so sports offer a
relatively low cost, high repetition method of learning how to do
so.
“Blue Ridge has been teaching me to help others as much as possible, and community service is emphasized. Through my experience at Blue Ridge, my
personality has developed because I realized, if I work as hard as I possibly can for something that I want, there is not much that can stop me. I have become
determined to be successful and help others achieve their goals because of my experiences at Blue Ridge.” - Clayton Turner, Jr. ’15, Proctor
“One of Blue Ridge’s top priorities is to help its students develop into moral, good-mannered and successful young men. The steps Blue Ridge takes with its structured
schedule and community gatherings, such as Saturday morning programs, allow students to live in a tight-knit community where they become respectable young men
in their own ways. The School stresses its desire for students to be themselves because it is vital in the process of developing as a man. Students at Blue Ridge display
this important quality by performing acts of kindness on a daily basis all over campus, which demonstrates that Blue Ridge’s intention to develop us as young men is
working.” - Greg Wasserstrom ’14, Prefect and member of the Disciplinary Committee
5
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION Faculty members constantly look for opportunities to
teach character development through classroom readings,
discussions and writing assignments. Those assignments that
have worked particularly well are shared in a systematic way
with fellow faculty members so that the opportunities may
increase throughout the year.
English and history teacher Pete Bonds recently offered the
following assignments. After reading Lord of the Flies, students
in 9th Grade English wrote an essay in which they explored
how the plot of the novel might have been different had
the main characters been Blue Ridge students adhering to
the BRS Code of Conduct. Additionally, students wrote
about whether or not it is realistic to expect human beings to
adhere to the ideals of the BRS Code of Conduct when they
find themselves in a dire emergency as do the characters
in Lord of the Flies. In such a situation would the Code of
Conduct be ignored or embraced? Mr. Bonds’ US History
and Government students discussed this topic: Is the idea
of “Brother’s Keeper,” the foundation of the BRS Code of
Conduct, compatible with those ideals set forth in America’s
founding documents -- the Declaration of Independence
and the US Constitution? To what degree did the authors
of these documents believe that Americans ought to act
as “brother’s keepers?” How does government act as
a”brother’s keeper” today, and should it? What are the
potential downsides to being a “brother’s keeper?” and of
understanding yourself to be a “brother’s keeper?”
Also consider Chemistry teacher Joe Reilly’s Manhattan
Project assignment. “After viewing the documentary about
America’s development of the atomic bomb, consider the
following questions. Can a scientific discovery be inherently
good or evil? Why or why not? What are some of the
arguments FOR America using atomic weaponry to end
WW II? What are some of the arguments AGAINST
America using atomic weaponry to end WW II? How did
the development of atomic weaponry lead to the Cold War?
Was it necessary to use the bombs after developing them?
Was it necessary to drop the second bomb on Nagasaki?
Was the use of atomic weaponry significantly different
than the fire-bombing campaign that was already targeting
Japanese civilians? Was either form of bombing ethically
defensible? Write a 300-word minimum reflection on the
ethical issues surrounding the science of splitting the atom.”
OUTDOOR PROGRAM In the fifteen years that Mr. Brown has been at Blue Ridge,
the Outdoor Program has become integral to the character
development of the students. Canoes, the climbing tower,
high ropes course and Frisbee golf course are just a few of
the many ways in which students may involve themselves in
outdoor activities on campus. Off-campus activities include
skiing, climbing, hiking and swimming. Blue Ridge students
do them all. The Outdoor Program offers boys a chance to
push their physical and emotional limits against an absolute,
unchanging standard. The mountains, a river, the weather
in general, won’t change because a student isn’t strong
enough or smart enough to overcome them. The student
either adjusts his methods or he fails. Coming up against that
unchanging force offers a student a chance to assess himself
and learn from the experience.
DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEEThis body of students and faculty sees students who have
run afoul of our rules to the extent that the Dean of Students
feels it’s necessary that a more serious consequence be
considered. Some of the best character lessons are learned
in these situations for both the potentially guilty student as
well as the students who must sit in judgment of their peers.
Both the students and faculty on the Committee sometimes
lose sleep considering what consequences best fit the
infractions. I have been a member of this Committee for the
past two years, and I can attest to the emotional testimony
at times as well as to the heart-wrenching discussions among
Committee members that follow. It is definitely a character
building process.
“By being a student leader, I’m able to set an example for my peers and lead
them on a path to become true Blue Ridge Barons. By serving with other student
leaders such as prefects, proctors, Honor Council members, etc., I also learn
what it means to be a part of the School’s community. With the knowledge I obtain
in my everyday activities, I can pass on what I know through my actions and
hopefully impact the community in a positive way as I help other students become
responsible men.”
- Nana Poku ’14, member of the Disciplinary Committee
6
“Blue Ridge has always had an emphasis on
character education and development. When
I was a student in the 80’s, we were taught a
lot of critical thinking, ethical reasoning and
moral reasoning. Blue Ridge has expanded
on these topics to include health education
and promotion, non-bullying, conflict
resolution and civic duties. My son Clayton
and his classmates have been on civic field
trips delivering meals, and this is another
activity that Blue Ridge has added to its
character education efforts since my days as
a student. Mentoring underclassmen is one
more area where Blue Ridge has made an
effort to expand on character education. It is
good to see these young men taking pride in
helping each other out, no matter what grade
they are.”
- Clayton Turner, Sr., ’87,
Class Agent, current Parent Council Officer,
and father to Clayton, Jr. ’15
From left are Clarence Han ’17, Jason
Hess ‘15 and Harrison Gant ’14 (on top).
BARON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Blue Ridge School’s
Baron Scholarship Program
offers substantial scholarships
to boys applying for the 9th grade
and who exemplify character and
potential leadership.
For more information, please contactMr. James H. “Jamie” Miller, ’94 [email protected]
Interested applicants will complete• A BRS application;
• An essay on his interest in BRS and
the qualities and talents he can
bring to the school; and
• A campus visit with his parents for
a day of tours, interviews and
meetings with faculty,
administrators and Trustees.
lue Ridge School has designated $105,000 to
provide five annual scholarships for qualified
young men who are US citizens and rising 9th
graders.
A Baron Scholarship applicant will demonstrate these qualities:
• a respect for himself and the world around him;
• an appreciation of an honor code and an understanding of
his role in it;
• an experience in team activities whether athletic, academic or
artistic, as well as an aspiration to play a leadership role;
• an interest in a variety of extra-curricular activities which may
include the outdoors, community service and faith-based activities.
While good grades and the ability to maintain them are important, the
applicant’s character and potential leadership qualities will carry
significant weight in the scholarship decisions.
Baron Scholarships may be renewed each year once awarded, based on
the student’s good performance.
Candidates must be referred to the School by a qualified source
(educational consultant, school counselor or teacher, current or
former BRS parent, alumnus or friend.)
In 2014, awards will be offered on or before June 15th.
The deadline to accept the award is June 30th.
B
8
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES
Adams State CollegeArcadia UniversityArizona State UniversityArt Institute of RaleighAuburn UniversityAveritt UniversityBaldwin Wallace UniversityBarry UniversityBelmont Abbey CollegeBirmingham Southern CollegeBrevard CollegeBucknell UniversityCanisus CollegeCase Western Reserve UniversityCoe CollegeCoker CollegeColorado Mesa University (2)Colorado State University (2)Curry College (2)Davis & Elkins CollegeDelaware County Community CollegeDodge City CCDickinson CollegeDrexel University (3)East Carolina UniversityElon UniversityEmory & Henry CollegeEvergreen State CollegeFerrum CollegeFlagler CollegeFt. Lewis CollegeFranklin & MarshallGeorgia Tech UniversityHampden-Sydney College (2)Harrisburg UniversityHartwick CollegeHigh Point University (2)Hofstra UniversityHumbolt State UniversityHuntingdon College
Illinois CollegeIthaca CollegeJames Madison UniversityJohnson & Wales UniversityLangston UniversityLawrence UniversityLongwood UniversityLouisburg CollegeLoyola University, New OrleansLynn UniversityLynchburg College (2)Lynn UniversityMars Hill College (2)Marymount UniversityMedaille CollegeMesa Community CollegeMercyhurst UniversityMiami University, OhioMichigan State UniversityMississippi State UniversityMount St. Mary’s UniversityNew York UniversityNorth Central CollegeNorthern Arizona University (2)Ohio Northern UniversityOld Dominion University (2)Penn State, AltoonaPenn State, BerksPepperdine UniversityPresbyterian CollegePurdue UniversityRadford UniversityRandolph Macon CollegeRutgers UniversityQueens University of CharlotteSamford UniversityShenandoah UniversitySt. Andrew’s Presbyterian College (2)St. Joseph’s University
SUNY AlbanySUNY FredoniaStetson UniversitySyracuse UniversityTulane UniversityUniversity of Alabama (3)University of ArizonaUniversity of Arkansas (2)University of BuffaloUniversity of California, Irvine (3)University of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, RiversideUniversity of California, San DiegoUniversity of Colorado, Boulder (2)University of Colorado, Colorado SpringsUniversity of HartfordUniversity of Illinois, UrbanaUniversity of Indiana (2)University of KansasUniversity of KentuckyUniversity of La VerneUniversity of Miami, OhioUniversity of Mississippi (2)University of New HavenUniversity of North Carolina, GreensboroUniversity of RochesterUniversity of South FloridaUniversity of South CarolinaUniversity of Virginia (2)University of WashingtonVillanova UniversityVirginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginia Wesleyan CollegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern State Colorado UniversityWingate UniversityWichita State UniversityWofford College (2)Xavier UniversityYoung Harris College
Congratulationsto theClass
of
2014
9
John Buckey ’88 found
his love of wine at an
early age. Although his
class nominated him as
most likely to return to
Blue Ridge as a history
teacher, John realized that studying and
teaching others about the all-encompass-
ing topics surrounding wine was extremely
enticing and very tangible.
Currently, John is the Director of Sales
and Marketing at the historic Hanzell
Vineyards just north of the town of
Sonoma, California, on the south western
slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains.
In 1992 upon graduating from Wash-
ington College in Maryland, he worked
as an assistant manager of a restaurant.
He found that what he enjoyed most was
running the wine program. From there he
worked his way from retailer to distribu-
tor to sales representative and then into
distributor management, selling some of
the best wines from around the world.
During his seven years at Churchill Dis-
tributors, he received multiple awards to
include Sales Representative of the Year
and the Gloria Ferrer Master’s Award.
While managing eight sales representa-
tives, he was also an instructor in the
company’s Sales Training Program and
its Certification of Beverage Professionals
courses.
In early 2002 John was excited to accept
a position managing sales in the Mid-At-
lantic for Treasury Wine Estates, owners
of the iconic Penfolds Winery and many
other notable Australian producers. With
two years of proven success, Treasury
relocated him to Napa, California, to man-
age ten states around the country. After a
few mergers and acquisitions, the culture
changed, and John joined Constellation
Brands — the largest premium wine com-
pany in the world — managing ten states
on the West Coast. Although excited and
challenged to be in such a large company
of wines, he felt too far removed from the
essentials of production and authenticity
of smaller producers.
John had been collecting the wines of
Hanzell Vineyards for many years, and,
while visiting the winery to pick up an
order, the opportunity arose to fill the
WineEducator Enthusiast
John Buckey ’88
&
10
O n May 10, 2014, the inaugural Vintage Blue Ridge will be held at the
renowned Grelen Nursery in Somerset, Virginia. The event celebrates
American wine and viticulture featuring a tasting led by BRS alumni
Tom Payette ’80 (featured in The Ridge, Fall 2013) and John Buckey
’88 (featured on the left).
Tom has deep roots in the Virginia wine industry and John works closely with some
of the finest California labels. Together they will share their perspectives on this
fascinating industry, offer a tasting of some of their favorites, and show all involved
what two great Blue Ridge alumni can do!
Two BRS Trustees are chairing the event – Wendi Smith and Page Sullenberger.
Tickets are $95 each or $175 for a couple. The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m.
and includes a cocktail hour, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a full wine tasting and the
opportunity to peruse a truly unique silent auction - all at Grelen’s gorgeous Virginia
Piedmont setting.
Proceeds to benefit Blue Ridge School.
To reserve your tickets or to become a sponsor, go towww.BlueRidgeSchool.com/americanwines
or call Franklin Daniels or JC Ignaszewski at 434-985-2811.
CELEBRATING GREAT AMERICAN WINES
position of National Sales Director. This
role consisted of many public appearances
around the country while managing sales
through the distributor network. Because
of the added distribution around the
country, visitors and sales at the winery
increased dramatically, and the role of Di-
rector of Sales and Marketing was created
for John in May 2013. Now he manages
the hospitality team and is an integral part
of the executive team at Hanzell Vine-
yards.
He is a proud member of the Society of
Wine Educators in which he holds the
title of Certified Specialist of Wine, an
exam that is rumored to have only a 33
percent pass rate.
Enthusiast
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!
11
Blue Ridge School relies on the Annual Fund
and its generous supporters to make impactful
differences in the classrooms, on the field and in
every aspect of a boy’s experience at Blue Ridge. If
you have not made your Annual Fund gift, there is
still time to do so. Please send in your donation on
or before May 31st and make a difference. As you
can see, it matters!
The Annual Fund In 2013/14, the BRS Annual Fund goal is $800,000 – nearly 10% of the operating budget.
As of March 31, the Annual Fund was on track to make its target, with about $200,000
remaining to raise before May 31.
We are very pleased to report that participation is up significantly from recent years with
good numbers of new donors and returning donors joining – or re-joining – the team.
The Annual Fund is always a down-to-the-wire race – making it exciting every year. If
you have not yet made your gift, please do so. At this time of year, unrestricted gifts are
particularly appreciated as they help balance the overall operating budget and set the stage
for next year.
Each year, our Advancement team members hear from scores of alumni, parents and
friends who tell us the impact Blue Ridge had on themselves or their families. The best
reason to give is a simple one. It matters!
Matters!It
12
BRS Faculty CommonsGOAL: $960,000 RAISED TO-DATE:(cash and pledges) $615,009 REMAINING NEED: $344,991
During the February Trustee Meetings, staff were given the green light to pursue the
final documentation steps needed before construction begins on the Baron Athletic
Complex. It is hoped that these studies and permits will be secured by August 2014 so
that early site preparations may begin in the 2014 - 2015 academic year.
From a fundraising perspective, the project continues to move forward. Commitments
totaling nearly 75% of the $1.98M projected have been secured, leaving $621,000 to go.
Several elements have been fully funded, including the Varsity Soccer Fields, the Track,
and The Terrace, a beautiful new element which will serve as the entrance to the Track
and Field Center.
Currently, the fundraising focus is on the completion phase of the artificial turf field
(lacrosse, soccer and football), the golf center and the launch of the baseball initiative.
Having more than 60 percent of our faculty living on campus remains a top priority
at Blue Ridge today. Toward this end, two new faculty cottages have been built and
are fully endowed, totaling more than $600,000 raised. These two new residences are
adjacent to Gibson Chapel and have been carefully designed to accentuate the Chapel’s
extraordinary architectural features. Room for two more cottages remains in this area. It
is expected that fundraising for those will resume once the Baron Athletic Complex is
fully funded and under construction.
Of equal importance, a concurrent project to refurbish several other existing faculty
residences on campus is now well underway. Two are complete with two more soon to
be underway.
GOAL: $1,980,000 RAISED TO-DATE: (cash and pledges) $1,358,938 REMAINING NEED: $ 621,062
Baron Athletic Complex
WWW.BLUERIDGESCHOOL.COM/SUPPORT
13
The Spring Outdoor
participants recently
volunteered with the
American Chestnut
Foundation at an Orchard
near Charlottesville.
Mohannad Almofadhi ’15, Ian Burgin
’14, Fielding Castle ’15, Grant Fessler
’15, Jamie Fletcher ’16, Eric Hong ’17,
Nick Parnell ’15 and Mohamed Shokeir
’16 accompanied Mr. Cory Woods
and spent an afternoon measuring the
trees’ circumferences to support the
foundation’s scientific studies. The
American Chestnut Foundation works
to reintroduce the tree that was once the
dominant species in the Appalachian
canopy. The “chestnut blight” is an air-
born fungus that still limits the growth
of the species that continues to sprout
from the long-surviving underground root
systems in our mountains.
At the turn of the 19th century Chinese
Chestnut trees were imported for their
orchard quality as they provided easy
harvest that was consumed readily
throughout the region. However, these
orchard trees harbored a fungus to which
the Chinese trees were resistant. The
American variety could not cope with
the invasive fungus. What followed was a
drastic change to our local ecosystem and
livelihood for many in this area.
American Chestnuts comprised at least
one in every four trees in Appalachia.
Wildlife thrived from the unusually large
mast or seeds that fell from the trees each
autumn. Pigs, the primary livestock of the
mountaineers, were left to roam free to
fatten-up on the bounty. Early settlers also
used the chestnut’s high quality lumber for
their cabins, barns and fence posts.
In 1983 the American Chestnut
Foundation began the long process
of using traditional breeding methods
to produce a chestnut with dominant
American traits (tall, fast-growing canopy
tree) that would be blight resistant. Starting
with a 50/50 Chinese-American species,
they “back-cross” bred the trees back to
Americans; each successive generation
breeding out the orchard characteristics of
the Chinese species yet maintaining blight
resistance.
Now six generations deep, the Foundation
has developed a hopeful “Restoration
Chestnut” – a 15/16 American (1/16
Chinese) tree which has been planted
in orchards throughout Virginia and up
and down the East Coast. Once the test
trees reach a certain size, they are ready
for inoculation – an injection of the
blight to test its resistance (our students’
measurements from this spring will help
support this step of the process). Each
tree is then meticulously tracked to study
which strands show success (those that
show evidence of the blight are cut and
burned to remove them from the gene
pool). The Foundation continues its work
to develop a successful cross-bred tree and
to build a deep gene pool so this species
may be reintroduced to the Appalachian
Mountains.
Each fall our students in the Mountain
Ecology class supplement their study of
invasive species with a trip to the Virginia
Department of Forestry’s office to help
the American Chestnut Foundation open
burs as well as test and sort the nuts from
local orchards.
“The important work being done by the
American Chestnut Foundation provides
an excellent learning opportunity for our
students. The work offers an important
connection to our local ecosystem and
a meaningful application of service-
learning,” explains Mr. Woods. The
process provides a practical example
of scientific method, experimentation,
sample size, control groups, genetics
and disease resistance used to solve real
problems.
Our students are offered a valuable lesson
in land and ecosystem management –
important concepts for the Outdoor
Program at Blue Ridge School. “We
teach our students by how we steward our
own mountain property,” concludes Mr.
Woods.
To learn more about this topic, visit
www.acf.org.
ServiceLearning&
by Cory Woods
Pictured left is Nick Parnell ‘15.
14
Service
Pictured left is Nick Parnell ‘15.
VARSITY WRESTLING Varsity Wrestling started the season with
a bang as senior Torian Pegram won
the gold medal at the Norfolk Academy
Wrestling Classic, and senior Nathan
Johnson earned the silver medal. Though
the team lacked wrestlers in some weight
classes, BRS acquitted itself admirably
in competition all season earning head-
to-head victories over Trinity Episcopal,
Roanoke Catholic, VES and Miller
School. Along with senior leaders Torian,
Nate, Jordan Edelman and Zach Bridges,
the competitive team included junior
Daniel Lecce. The season culminated
with Torian and Nate both wrestling
their way to gold medals at the VIC
Championship, while Jordan Edelman
won silver. The next weekend the champs
both placed second in the VISAA State
Wrestling Championship. Torian pinned
four opponents en route to the final
match where he lost 2 to 3 to his St.
Christopher’s opponent. Nate
pinned two opponents to
get to the finals where he
lost to St. Christopher’s
4 to 1.
VARSITY BASKETBALL
Varsity Basketball faced an uphill battle
this season as P. J. White, one of two
senior leaders on the squad, was lost to
injury in the preseason. Despite having
a young and inexperienced group, the
Barons faced a typically challenging
schedule. The season began with losses
to STAB and Carlisle. After a third loss
to Germantown Academy in the opening
round of the Bishop Walker Invitational
at St. Albans, the Barons were able to
regroup on day two of the tournament
with a big win against Bell Academy 82-
68. Coach Ramsey’s squad could not
springboard off the win, losing a string of
games before being bolstered by the mid-
season arrival of 6’10” sophomore transfer
Mamadi Diakite from Conakry, the capital
city of Guinea. The Barons changed
their tactics in mid-stream to adjust to
this talented inside player, and the squad
began to challenge some of the better
teams in the league. The team fell by only
one point to VISAA #1 State Tournament
seed VES at home and were outlasted
55-51 in a double overtime game against
LCA. The Barons played teams tough for
the balance of the season and notched a
second win over North Cross
51-46. Despite the difficult
season, the team stayed together and
should be contenders next year with the
majority of its starting lineup returning to
St. George. This includes Diakite, who
was 6th in the league in scoring average
(13.8/game) as well as blocks (5.8/game).
Diakite was named to the first team VIC
as a sophomore and is being recruited
by major universities such as UVA. Four
rising seniors figure to support Diakite as
the Barons look to work their way back
up to the top of the conference. Juan
Porta was 5th in the league in scoring
(14.8/game), Afanna Offor was 12th in the
league averaging 5.8 rebounds/game and
chipping in a healthy 9.2 points/game,
while Cal Ramsay and Noah Brooks each
averaged 6 points/game.
JV BASKETBALL BLUE
JV Blue Basketball had a
challenging time
gaining any traction
this winter due,
in part, to a slew
of interruptions
because of severe
winter conditions.
Seven of the team’s
final 10 games were
2014 Winter Sports Wrap-ups
VIC Champion Nate
Johnson ’14
VIC Champion
Torian Pegram ’14
by John Hetzel
16
JV Basketball WhiteMost Valuable Player – Albert CheMost Improved – Charles GaoCoach’s Award – Spencer Ammen
Indoor SoccerMost Valuable Player – Nana Ohemeng-TinyaseMost Valuable Player – Bibi OlaitanMost Improved Player – Siqiao YinCoach’s Award – Jacob Morgan
For more photos, click here. For a video of the BRS robot, Baron Bot, click here.
Varsity BasketballMost Valuable Player – Juan PortaMost Improved Player – Afanna OfforCoach’s Award – Cal Ramsey
Varsity WrestlingMost Valuable Player – Torian PegramMost Valuable Player – Nate JohnsonMost Improved Player – Zach BridgesCoach’s Award – Daniel Lecce
OutdoorsmenMost Improved Outdoorsmen – Nick HouCoach’s Award – Miles XuCoach’s Award – Andrew Marsh
JV Basketball BlueMost Valuable Player – Hampton PeaceMost Improved Player – John ZhengCoach’s Award – Joe Pence
either cancelled or postponed. Despite
starting the season 0-4, the Barons pulled
off a big upset on the road against arch-
rival Miller School 46-41 in a multiple-
overtime thriller. The squad followed that
win with an impressive victory over United
Christian Academy at home before winter
set in and cancellations played havoc with
the remaining games on the schedule.
JV BASKETBALL WHITE
JV White Basketball opened its season
with a 34-33 triumph over Covenant but
couldn’t rekindle the magic during its
ensuing four matches. Despite being on
the wrong end of the final scores, the
young team played with great enthusiasm,
and every player on the team improved as
the season progressed.
INDOOR SOCCER
Indoor Soccer played five tournaments
at the Collegiate School this winter
and compiled a record of 2-8-2. The
Barons competed hard and kept virtually
every match close while maintaining
a fun atmosphere. The team beat St.
Christopher’s 3-0 in the quarter-final of
the Valentine’s Day Classic Tournament
before falling to Steward 2-1 in the semi-
final.
The 2014 Winter Sports Awards Ceremony was held on March 19 at which our
student-athletes were honored for their participation in both competitive team sports
and afternoon activities. Coaches for the winter competitive teams gave varsity letters and
honored outstanding athletes for their courage, leadership and dedication to their sport
The winter sports include varsity, junior varsity, blue and white basketball teams, indoor
soccer, wresting, outdoorsmen, theater, art and robotics.
Pictured above from left: Athletic Director and Varsity Basketball Coach Bill Ramsey ’83, Afanna Offor ’15,
Mamadi Diakite ’16, Juan Porta ’15, Cal Ramsey ’15 and Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Varsity Coach
Bryan Puckett.
Winter Sports Awards
SAVE THE DATE ALUMNI LACROSSE WEEKEND
MAY 10, 2014For information, call Rory Bosek 434-992-0581
VIC Champion Nate
Johnson ’14
17
The Blue Ridge School Annual Fund
Matters!It
Blue Ridge School273 Mayo Drive
St. George, VA 22935