Our Wildwood, Summer 2021, Volume 46

“ MR. OSSENHEIMER, MR. MCFARLAND, AND HOPE BOYD helped shape my life and show me how to not be just an adult but a globally responsible human. They made me consider how my actions affected others, showed how to avoid letting the actions of others negatively influence me, provided me with guidance, and even transportation in moments of need. These three, along with Lewis Forsheit, Peter Breslin, and Tengiz Bibilashvili, are part of why I became a special education teacher.”

Mr. McFarland was so informative and helpful! His advice on writing thank-you notes post-interview has been some of the best professional advice I’ve ever gotten.” IVY JANE ’11 “I attended Wildwood School from kindergarten through 12th grade. The Habits of Mind and Heart taught me to put as much effort into academics as I did into being a responsible member of the community. Most importantly, it was because of the education I received at Wildwood and the emphasis on lifelong learning that I was empowered to become an educator.”

RAQUEL LEATHERWOOD ’05

JACK COGHLAN ’19 “COACH pAt COLLeY HAD A HUGe IMpACt On Me–It’s DIFFICULt tO pICK OnLY One MeMOrY. He COACHeD Me FOr tHree YeArs, AnD We COntInUe tO MAIntAIn A GreAt reLAtIOnsHIp OFF tHe COUrt. He WAs A FAtHer FIGUre AnD reALLY BeLIeVeD In Me–HArD On Me In BAsKetBALL BeCAUse OF HOW MUCH He CAreD AnD ALsO tAUGHt Me A LOt ABOUt LIFe In GenerAL.”

JULIE FRIEDMAN ‘05

“JAN STALLINGS IN 5TH GRADE was the best teacher! Tough and fun! You knew she loved you and cared for you, and she kept us preteens in check.”

“My drive to pursue international relations and political science topics all began while I was at Wildwood in Deb Christenson’s political science elective in 9th grade and the Model U.N. Club I helped found from 10th to 12th grade.”

KENDRA SMITH ’95, elementary alum and current teacher

“One of my favorite memories is our biology trip to Bermuda with our teacher Sal Trento, who I absolutely loved! It was so beautiful, not only because of the scenery but because of how much Sal truly immersed us in the environment and made sure we had the best possible experience. To go cave diving with bats, learn about various types of amphibians, etc., with my friends was just unreal.”

CONOR GRICE ’ 17

LEAH PERRY ’09

“I gave tours at the middle and upper campus and relied on Wildwood students’ spontaneous participation. I’d have a group of prospective parents with me and I could grab any student—in class, in the hall, coming, going—to talk about what they were studying, and they’d be game. They’d be articulate, attentive, brave, and friendly. It was my favorite part of giving tours. I was just so proud of them for their generosity and grateful to them for their thoughtful input.”

DIANE FRESCO, alumni parent of Emma ‘17, Sam ‘20, and Tess ‘20

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS! | OWW SUMMER 2021

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