The Gunston School is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $100,000 matching grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation to enhance its renowned environmental education programs and support the development of the school’s newly acquired property. Gunston has long been a leader in environmental education, with its annual Chesapeake Bay Studies experiential learning program, the Environmental Leadership for Independent School Leaders workshop, and the innovative Chesapeake Watershed Semester (CWS). CWS was launched with support from a previous EE Ford grant, and will soon launch its sixth semester.

The grant will be matched by $100,000 through annual fundraising efforts, totaling $200,000. This new EE Ford Grant will support transportation and equipment with the purchase of a passenger van, kayaks, and a trailer for field trips and water-based learning, benefiting all environmental programs. It will provide support for the development of Gunston’s recently acquired 40-acre waterfront property, including outdoor educational spaces, trails, and signage. Additionally, the grant will fund an Environmental Scholars Fund, a means of financial support for students to participate in the school’s diverse environmental learning programs.

“This is the second prestigious EE Ford grant we’ve received for our dynamic environmental teaching and learning programs, and the foundation seeks to honor schools that are at the forefront of educational innovation,” said Head of School John Lewis. “This grant will further inspire and educate future leaders in environmental science and stewardship. It provides great momentum as we welcome our new director for CWS and Sustainability, Mr. Brad Hirsh, in July. Let me thank both Ms. Ronnie Vesnaver and Ms. Melissa Haber for their great work on this grant proposal.”

---

Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

The Gunston School celebrated its 113th commencement this past Saturday, June 8, honoring the Class of 2024 with a waterfront ceremony overlooking the Corsica River, as family and friends looked on. The procession began with Bagpiper Andrew Jaecks, followed by school faculty and staff, and then graduating seniors. This year’s senior class was accepted to 153 colleges and universities, earning nearly 12 million dollars in merit scholarships.

Head of School John Lewis introduced the commencement speaker, President of Washington College Michael J. (Mike) Sosulski, Ph.D., who took office in September 2021. Dr. Sosulski has implemented several initiatives including a $20 million investment in renovations of residence halls, improved Wi-Fi quality and access, and approved the addition of golf, cross country, and track and field as new sports for men and women. Additionally, he helped steward the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the College—$50 million from the Hodson Trust dedicated to financial support for students.

“You are embarking on the next chapter of your life,” said Dr. Sosulski, “One of the most important things you can do is offer your opinions up for scrutiny. Why? For two reasons: first, it is one of the primary ways that you will learn and grow. […] It is about the pursuit of knowledge. Exposure to how others see the world will help you become the person you are meant to be. Some of those perspectives will reinforce your own, while others will flip your thinking on its head. The other reason to offer your opinions for scrutiny is simple—often … we’re just wrong. And the quicker we realize it, the better off we are.”

Mr. Lewis and Gunston’s Chair of the Board Joe Janney, P’21 then presented each graduate with their diploma, individually handcrafted by faculty member Michael Kaylor on an antique letterpress.

This year’s valedictorian honor (also called the Samuel A. Middleton Award after one of the school’s founders) was bestowed upon Zoe Buzzelli of Grasonville, Md. the day prior at the school’s Green & White Awards Ceremony.

“This year’s winner is a superior student, leader, athlete, community servant, and National Honor Society member. She finished with a mathematically perfect 4.0 GPA, having taken the most rigorous course load of her grade, including eight AP courses. Having taught her last year, she is engaged, curious and fun, and above all else, totally thorough. She’s a member of the Chesapeake Watershed Semester […] she served as sophomore, junior, and senior class president, and as an athlete, she is a multi-sport and conference champion and has been the captain of four athletic teams: cross country, volleyball, swimming, and triathlon,” said Mr. Lewis.

Zoe had this parting wisdom for classmates: “The advice I am trying to leave you with is probably some of the only advice I am qualified to give, for it is not instructions on how to change the world, although I hope you do; it is simply a reminder to make your world a better place. Find people who lift you and people who encourage you. People who aren’t afraid to challenge you to make you better. Find people who will work hard with you and strive to achieve collective goals. And most importantly find people who bring you joy. Build your foundation with these people, so that whatever life may throw at you, you are steady because of your strength and the strength of the people around you. And Class of 2024, we are lucky enough to have Gunston as part of our foundation.”

Presented by Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis, the prestigious Gunston Award, which began in 1969, is unique in that it’s chosen by the vote of the entire school community, including students, faculty, and staff, and is given to the senior who embodies Gunston’s core values daily. This award was also given to Zoe Buzzelli. “A role model of citizenship and a thoughtful leader, this student makes every person feel important and worthy. The Gunston community has benefitted from her earnest investment in all academic, social, and personal commitments,” said Mrs. Grabis.

Mr. Lewis concluded the awards ceremony with a request of the graduates, made as he held a hand-crafted six-foot wooden social distancing stick aloft. “I carried this around in the first weeks of your ninth-grade year, much of which was spent be masked under a semi-heated tent. As Mrs. Grabis said a few days ago when we were chatting about this, ‘Right, these were the tent kids.’ So when thinking about what I would like to do with this stick […] I’d like each of you to sign it with a sharpie, so I can keep it in my office forever as a symbol of the grit, resilience, and grace of the Class of 2024.”

####

Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

The Gunston School is proud to announce the induction of two remarkable athletes, Eleanora Keene ’11 and Olivia Keene ’13, into the Gunston Athletic Hall of Fame. Eleanora, a true sports star, distinguished herself in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse during her time at Gunston. As a four-year letter winner and team captain in each sport, Eleanora demonstrated exceptional leadership and skill. In field hockey, she was part of the 2008 ESIAC Tournament Champions and earned multiple ESIAC All-Conference honors. In basketball, Eleanora’s achievements include the prestigious ESIAC Team Sportsmanship Award and the Gunston Defensive Most Valuable Player (MVP) title. In lacrosse, her talent shone bright; she was named to the All-Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Association and All-Capital Area Lacrosse League and was honored as the CALL MVP. Eleanora continued her athletic journey at Guilford College, where she set numerous school records, including career ground balls, draw controls, and caused turnovers. She was named the Best Female Athlete at Guilford College in 2015.

Olivia Keene ’13, another exceptional athlete, left an indelible mark on Gunston’s sports legacy. Olivia’s dedication and skill were evident in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. As a four-year letter winner and team captain, Olivia led by example, earning multiple ESIAC All-Conference honors and MVP titles. Her leadership was instrumental in guiding her lacrosse team to two conference championships. She was also named Gunston’s Class of 2013 valedictorian before continuing her athletic journey at Puget Sound, where she broke the school’s single-season scoring record and earned multiple accolades, including All-Northwest Conference First Team. Additionally, both Keene sisters won the Anita Gruss Student Athlete-Award during their time at Gunston.

“We are beyond honored to be here,” said Eleanora who gave a combined speech with her sister Olivia, “to be received with so much excitement, respect, and love is so touching and a true testament to The Gunston School’s ability to nurture and support its students, past, present and future. […] Being a part of a team gave us the tools and confidence for self discovery, which is not an easy journey for anyone, but through sports, we learned how to lead, how to recognize strength in others and ourselves, the importance of diversity, how to handle pressure, loss and disappointment, and how to have an open dialogue with our bodies.”

The Keene sisters both now reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Eleanora is an oil and watercolor artist and owner of The Desert and The Sea. Olivia is an instructor for both Atlantic Challenge USA and for the National Outdoor Leadership School. She is also an artist and designs jewelry.

“I’ve come to appreciate the concept of legacy,” said Head of School John Lewis. “The traditions and values you pass along to others who come behind you. Tonight’s Hall of Fame inductees, Eleanora and Olivia Keene were the heart and soul of Gunston women’s athletics. They were great players; they were great leaders; they were great teammates; they were enormous fun to watch; they hung banners; and they passed along a tradition of athletic excellence that every student-athlete in this audience has inherited. Gunston owes them a debt of gratitude for the example they set, and the flame they passed along.”

---

The Gunston School Athletics Program has 20 interscholastic teams, as well as several recreational athletic offerings. Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

The Gunston School’s annual spring fundraiser, Golfing “fore” Gunston V, on Friday, May 3 welcomed parents, alumni and community members for a warm and sun-filled day on the links at Queenstown Harbor. The event raised nearly $35,000 for Gunston’s annual giving program, which supports the students and faculty of the school by offering opportunities beyond what tuition would typically pay for. The GOLF Channel’s Professional Long Driver Scott Kalamar was on hand for an entertaining “Hole in 2” challenge, where golfers who made a qualifying donation could attempt to hole out the pro’s 400-yard drive on Par 5. While there were no winners on the challenge, it was great entertainment.

After 18 holes, golfers gathered for lunch and an awards ceremony. Placing first for Women’s/Mixed was Gillespie & Son’s team of Erin Gillespie, P’07’09, Tricia Mooney, P’15’19, Bobbie Cusimano, P’10’12, and Maria Gillespie ’10 (with a score of 54). First Place for Men’s was Fleetwood Insurance’s team of Spencer McCallister, Dan Shriver, Jim Fodrie and Dickie Kemp (with a score of 55). Closest to the Pin winner was David Henry, P’20’23; Women’s Longest Drive winner was Erin Gillespie; Men’s Longest Drive was Brian Dare, P’25; and the Last Place Winners went to the Mirando Chiropractic team of Dominick & Christy Mirando, P’26, Scott Boomer and Michelle Martin.

“Despite spending most of my tournament looking for my errant shots in the woods, it was a tremendously fun event for all involved. We’re grateful for the support of our community, and we look forward to this tournament again next year. Fore!” said Head of School John Lewis.

---

Tournament sponsors include Heron Heroes Fred Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram  (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25) and What’s Up? Media. Crew Station sponsors include Heron Heroes “Friends of Gunston,” Easton Dermatology Associates (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26), and Miss Alice & Crew ’75.

Award sponsors include Gillespie & Son, Inc. (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24), McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27) and Key Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation (The Kroncke Family, P’23’23’27). Refreshment sponsors include The Shifrin Family, P’21’21, Dr. Laurie & John Lewis, Mirando Chiropractic Center (Kristy & Dominic Mirando, P’25), The Kent School, The Country School, Callahan’s Gas & Appliance, Dogwood Acres, Chris & Dawn Bent, P’25’27 and Shore United Bank. Contest sponsors include Tred Avon Wealth Management, The Prell Family, and Palmieri & Shannahan Financial Planning. Hole sponsors include St. Anne’s School of Annapolis, Bob Sanderson, P’22’23, Fleetwood Insurance Group, Wye Mills Mechanical, LLC, The Daisy Group: Estate Management, In Honor of Sally Clark (Former Gunston Art Teacher) and Serino Orthodontics.

The Gunston School is delighted to announce the appointment of Brad Hirsh as Gunston’s new Director of the Chesapeake Watershed Semester and Sustainability. In this role, Hirsh will be responsible for leading one of the nation’s most innovative college preparatory environmental education programs.

Gunston’s Chesapeake Watershed Semester (CWS) is a unique opportunity for highly motivated high school students in 11th and 12th grades to immerse themselves in the study and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay for one semester. Through dynamic and diverse field-study expeditions, students travel the region meeting with stakeholders and conducting research. From our waterfront campus, students take honors and AP-level classes while maintaining an intense, hands-on engagement with the natural environment.

“Next year will be the 6th year of CWS, and we look forward to the program’s continued growth and development,” said Head of School John Lewis.

Hirsh has a remarkable range of teaching, program leadership, and environmental education experience. Since 2019, he has served as a Program Director at Sultana Education Foundation in Chestertown, where he developed several new programs, expanded grant support, managed significant equipment inventory, and notably has been directly involved with Gunston students through its CWS and Bay Studies programs. Before Sultana, he served in multiple teaching and leadership positions at independent schools in Pennsylvania and Nevada, as well as at Echo Hill Outdoor School. A graduate of St. Andrew’s School and Bard College, Hirsh is a native of Kent County and possesses a deep knowledge of the ecology and culture of the Chesapeake Bay. He is well positioned to lead CWS, as well as Gunston’s Chesapeake Bay Studies program and various other campus sustainability efforts.

In his application, Hirsh shared, “The potential of working with students and teachers interested in the history, ecology, literature, and politics of the Chesapeake Bay thrills me. As a child growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I took for granted the natural wonder that was all around me. Only after exploring the rest of the country and then returning to the Eastern Shore as an adult and professional did I realize the uniqueness of my childhood home. I believe that Gunston is creating a space for students to experience the wonders of the Chesapeake Bay and not take those wonders for granted like I did, and I would be honored to be a part of that process.”

The Gunston School’s first annual Heron Pickleball Tournament was held Saturday, April 13 on the school’s 75-acre campus, bringing together a vibrant community of players, sponsors, and volunteers for a day of spirited (and windy!) competition. The event raised around $7,000, which will be used to purchase new equipment for Gunston’s 20 interscholastic teams (plus four recreation leagues!) that comprise Heron Athletics.

The event kicked off with long-time faculty member Mr. Ben Dize flipping his famous homemade fluffy pancakes. Despite challenging weather conditions, with winds gusting up to 20mph, the tournament kicked off with enthusiasm. Beginner players moved to the gymnasium, while the intermediate/advanced players braved the elements outside. As the day progressed and the sun emerged, the wind persisted but warmed up, creating an exhilarating atmosphere for the competitors.

A total of 60 players, alongside 10 staff, parent, and student volunteers, participated in the tournament, which featured a dynamic mixture of Round Robin and bracket-style matches. Community supporters, current, past, and incoming Gunston parents, as well as students and faculty, showcased their skills on the courts.

Many participants lauded the tournament’s organization, expressing appreciation for the well-run event despite the wind challenge, which added an element of excitement to the games. The Pickleball Tournament was organized by Event Director Catherine Lawson, with invaluable support from Gunston’s Pickleball Coach John Hansen, P’23, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid David Henry, P’20’23, Director of External Relations Marie Thomas, and Athletic Director Josh Breto.

“A special thank you, as always, goes out to our very involved Gunston Parents Association,” said Lawson. “We put a call-out for volunteers, and they are always diving in to help!”

Head of School John Lewis shared, “The impact and value of athletics is central to Gunston’s educational approach, and our programs have grown in scope and competitiveness over the past decade. The future of the program is bright, and financial support for our students and coaches is key to sustaining this success, so we’re grateful to all who sponsored and participated.

 

Congratulations to the winners across various categories:

Womens Beginners

Gold – Lori Bunts & Amy Lorenz

Silver – Amy Ennis & Tricia Mooney, P’15’19

Bronze – Arya Shajwani ’26 & Lilah Wharton ’26

 

Mixed Beginners

Gold – Jill & Paco Labrador, P’27

Silver – Christie & Joe Grabis

Bronze – Van & Siroon Topjian

 

Women Intermediate/Advanced

Gold – Megan Owings & Kim Worley

Silver – Jayci Frederick & Parker Tengwell

Bronze – Amber Tormey ’24 & Alice Crouch ’24

 

Men Intermediate/Advanced

Gold – Ben Herr, P’28 & Brian Vane

Silver – Edward Smith, P’26 & Justin Peacock

Bronze – Bob Ford & Brian Cole

 

Mixed Intermediate/Advanced

Gold – Ben Herr, P’28 & Megan Owings

Silver – Kim Worley & Brian Vane

Bronze – Amie Chilcoat & Ezra Lillie ’25

Heron Pickleball Tournament sponsors include Premier Sponsors Fred Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25), Court Sponsors Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26), Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), and Friends of Gunston. Award Sponsors include Gillespie & Son, Inc., (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24) and McCallister, Detar, Showalter, & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27. Paddle Sponsors include The Shifrin Family, P’21’21 and Dr. Laurie & John Lewis.

More images can be found here.

Head Pickleball Coach Adele Showalter, P’25’27 with Arya Shajwani ’26 & Lilah Wharton ’26 and Assistant Pickleball Coach April Crandall.

The Gunston School is hosting its first-ever Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, April 13 at its waterfront campus in Centreville, Md. beginning at 9 a.m. The format will be round-robin or double elimination, depending on the number of registered teams, with men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles teams playing on Gunston’s tennis courts. Beginners will compete in the morning and intermediate and advanced players will compete in the afternoon with a detailed schedule to follow their registration.

All funds raised go toward purchasing new equipment for Gunston’s 20 interscholastic teams (plus four recreation leagues!) that comprise Heron Athletics. Check in opens at 8:30 a.m. with Gunston celebrity guest and long-time faculty member Mr. Ben Dize, who will be flipping his famous chocolate chip pancakes for participants. Those who wish to participate and do not have a partner will be paired with someone of a similar skill level.

The cost to participate is $40 per player. Current students and faculty/staff can participate for a reduced rate of $25. Registration closes on Monday, April 8. Sponsorships are available starting at $150 up to $2,500 for a premier event sponsorship. Registration and sponsorships are available at http://gunston.org/pickleball24 or by contacting Events Director Catherine Lawson at 410-758-0620 ext. 1201 or [email protected].

Heron Pickleball Tournament sponsors include Premier Sponsors Fred Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25), Court Sponsors Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26), Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), and Friends of Gunston. Award Sponsors include Gillespie & Son, Inc., (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24) and McCallister, Detar, Showalter, & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27. Paddle Sponsors include The Shifrin Family, P’21’21 and Dr. Laurie & John Lewis.

In Spring 2024, The Gunston School will join the premiere rowing conference in the region, the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association (WMIRA). While Gunston has regularly competed against WMIRA teams at national regattas like Head of the Scyulkill, the school is now eligible to compete in the conference championship regatta on May 5th.

“Each year our students and coaches continue to elevate the quality and competitiveness of the program,” shared Head of School John Lewis, “and we’re eager to join the ranks of the best public and private school rowing teams in our area. We’re grateful that the WMIRA expanded its geographical reach to include us, and we look forward to welcoming these teams to home regattas at Gunston.”

The WMIRA includes independent and parochial school teams like Dematha, Georgetown Day School, St. Albans, Gonzaga, Holton Arms, and National Cathedral School, as well as Montgomery County public school powerhouses such as Blair, BCC, Walter Johnson, and Walt Whitman.

Head Crew Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Waterfront Athletics Natalie Reading said, “I’m proud of our rowers, and appreciative of the WMIRA. This opportunity not only enhances the competitiveness of Gunston’s rowing team but also opens doors to a broader range of experiences and challenges. We aim to continue to build on our 2023 Maryland State Championship performance.”

In addition to the WMIRA, Gunston will again host the Maryland State Rowing Championship on Saturday, April 27, 2024 on its 75-acre campus on the Corsica River in Centreville, Md. Spectators are invited to bring chairs and/or blankets and watch the 1,500-meter sprint style race with 4’s and 8’s, Men and Women’s Varsity, JV and Novice event categories.

The Gunston School is pleased to announce that Senior Colin Hallmark (Annapolis) was selected as a 2023 Heisman High School Scholarship recipient this past November. Hallmark and other award winners were selected from thousands of applicants from more than 4,000 schools. This scholarship honors the nation’s most accomplished, community-minded high school senior athletes.

During his four years at Gunston, Hallmark has participated in cross country, triathlon, crew, sailing, basketball and swimming. He is a three-time Maryland State Champion in triathlon, a seven-time national champion in Taekwondo and third degree blackbelt, and two-time Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference’s (ESIAC) Runner of the Year. Gunston’s boys’ cross country team has won the ESIAC championship three years in a row, as well as the inaugural swimming championship in 2022.

“I apply the same discipline to academics that I do to athletics. I would like to get into medical school and I hope athletics can help me do so,” says Hallmark.

Gunston’s Head of School John Lewis shared, “Colin is the definition of an ‘elite’ student-athlete. While he is perhaps the most accomplished athlete to ever step foot on Gunston’s campus, he’s equally talented in the classroom, and his future is extremely bright.”

To apply for the Heisman Scholarship, students must be a graduating senior, have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of a B (3.0) or better, participate in at least one of the sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the Paralympic Games and/or the National Federation of State High School Association and be a leader in his/her school and community. Over the past 29 years, the program has honored more than 600,000 of the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors and provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarships to students and more than a million dollars to high school academic and athletic programs across the country.

The Gunston School is pleased to announce they’ll be joining the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. MIAA is the state’s premier boys’ athletic conference and includes 29 private high schools across eight Maryland counties and Baltimore City. Divided into three tiers based on school size (A, B, & C), MIAA schools have a combined enrollment of 17,000, and it is recognized as one of the country’s most prestigious, competitive, and well-run independent school athletic conferences.

“Gunston first applied to the MIAA nearly 25 years ago,” explained Gunston Athletic Director Josh Breto, “and while our initial attempts to join were not fruitful, the recent combination of Gunston’s enrollment growth, expanded offerings, improved athletic performance, and facilities upgrades made our most recent application successful.”

Beginning in fall of 2024, Gunston’s boys’ teams which include soccer, cross country, swimming, basketball, lacrosse, tennis and golf will begin full-time MIAA competition in the “C” conference.

“Let me acknowledge the efforts of our current Athletic Director, Mr. Josh Breto, who coordinated this process, and I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the impact of former athletic directors Jon Mellinger and Anita Gruss, both of whom helped to nurture the steady enhancement of Heron Athletics over the years. I also want to thank our Board of Trustees, whose continued support of our school’s athletic program and leadership, helped make this possible,” said Head of School John Lewis.