W+H Media Mashup

Theater productions are typically judged by the execution of their performances. The recent W+H Upper School musical Mean Girls absolutely nailed it with solid acting, outstanding vocals, excellent orchestral music and lively, entertaining dances. Months of hard work produced a fabulous show that impressed audiences throughout a memorable weekend run.

There have been many wonderful musicals and plays staged at W+H over the years but there was something special about this one that goes beyond the stage and control room. More than half of the senior class was involved in this production, including 27 who gathered for a massive group photo with roses after Sunday’s finale and two others from the Scenic Production and Design Class who provided artistic support. As the curtain closed on Sunday afternoon’s performance, it marked the final performing arts collaboration for a proud and dedicated group of seniors, including seven lifers who have attended W+H for at least 12 years.

The connections in the Class of 2024 run deep, and not only among the students. Many parents of these students have been friends for more than a decade. They’ve been watching their kids sing, perform and make speeches since Lower School. During this school year, several have attended senior speeches for students who are not their own children. These folks are connected. Although beaming with pride, many expressed nostalgic sadness watching their children collaborate on the Berry Performing Arts Center stage for the last time. 

Although I never performed in a W+H theatrical production in my scholastic days many years ago, I always enjoyed the plays and musicals. I continue to be amazed and impressed at how thespians are able to remember all of their lines and all the little details that make a scene work. My interest in the school musicals was elevated when my wife, alumna Macada McMullen Brandl ’87, was the choreographer in the 1990s and then again for a brief stint about a decade ago. Being married to a key production team member also taught me how much time and dedication is required from so many people to execute a musical. The term “team effort” is somewhat overused, but in this case it applies.

And what a team we had this year! Senior leadership was evident on the stage and behind the scenes – 12 crew members, two musicians, two artists and 13 performers. One of my lingering recollections from the final day of many W+H productions continues to be the combined exhale of “we did it” with the sad realization for the seniors and their parents that “it’s over.” That feeling was particularly evident this year as more than half of the senior class and its lifer population bid a fond farewell to the W+H stage. 

I’m all about looking ahead to the future with great anticipation and optimism. When you work in education, there’s always something exciting on the horizon and at Wardlaw+Hartridge, we have a calendar chock full of big events in the next six months. I also enjoy reflecting on the past and celebrating accomplishments and milestones. When I recently celebrated my 59th birthday, I came up with a list of my “Best 59 Days Ever” – no worries, I won’t bore readers with the details, but among those that made the list were my graduation from W+H, my wedding day, and the births of my three children. 

Every year, we run a countdown of the Top 10 Stories of the Year on our social media channels during the Winter Break. Since some members of our community decide to unplug a bit during the break and others are not social media followers, I like to dedicate my first blog of the new year to sharing the list.

Since it’s still January, I will wish you all a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness and prosperity as we look ahead to 2024. Let’s take one more look back at the W+H Top 10 Stories of 2023:

No. 10 – Students Showcase Creativity at INDIE Film and Arts Festival

No. 9 – W+H Students Win Odyssey of the Mind State Title 

No. 8 – W+H Athletes Sign National Letters of Intent – Two Wardlaw+Hartridge athletes signed Division 1 letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the NCAA level in ceremonies held at W+H early in 2023. Angelina Vargas ’23 has continued her impressive soccer career at Brown University and Maiti O’Connor ’23 has kept making a splash as an accomplished diver at Rider University. 

https://www.whschool.org/about-wh/school-news/news-posts/~board/news/post/angelina-vargas-23-signs-commitment-to-brown-university

https://www.whschool.org/about-wh/school-news/news-posts/~board/news/post/maiti-oconnor-23-commits-to-rider-university

No. 7 – W+H Girls Win Third Straight Central Jersey Golf Title

No. 6 – Senior Buddies Tradition Returns to W+H 

No. 5 – Class of 2023 Graduates at Commencement Ceremony 

No. 4 – Genetics Research Scholars Visit Princeton University 

No. 3 – W+H Ranked No. 1 in Middlesex County Again 

No. 2 – W+H Celebrates 140th Anniversary 

No. 1 – Dr. Corinna Crafton Installed as new Head of School 

The AP Room was loaded with iconic Wardlaw+Hartridge legends at the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception, which has become one of my favorite events every year. I still recall my first one as a member of the W+H staff way back in 2009 when my classmate Jill Kenny Christen ’83 was one of the inductees into our Athletic Hall of Fame. Fourteen years later, in the 40th anniversary year of my graduation from this wonderful institution, I still enjoy hosting the event.

As I said at the podium during my welcome and introduction on Saturday afternoon, the preparation for this year’s ceremony was the most enjoyable and rewarding part of the process. I’ve been told the event ran smoothly and that our guests enjoyed it, which is no surprise considering the enthusiastic and passionate recollections the honorees shared during the planning stages. 

This year’s ceremony honored one legendary teacher, two individual athletes and two teams who epitomize the school’s proud heritage and tradition of excellence. Congratulations to Distinguished Faculty Award winner Sue Howard, athletes Gil Childers ’73 and Keith Mann ’03, and the State Prep champion 1971 boys’ and 1984 girls’ basketball teams. 

Sue taught Lower School art at W+H from 1979-2020. She’s inspired thousands of young artists with her passion and expertise. Reflecting on her long tenure, she particularly enjoyed teaching children of her former students and very kindly made reference to my family during her remarks. My mother-in-law, Alice McMullen, who received the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2004, attended the ceremony and remains incredibly sharp at the age of 92. Sue taught my wife, Macada, an alumna from the Class of 1987, and then all three of my children between 2011-2018. I still have much of that artwork on display in my home. Gale Goldman, who received the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2019, made a wonderful introductory presentation for her friend and former colleague. Several former and current Lower School teachers attended the event to celebrate with Sue.

I’ve enjoyed meeting and getting to know Gil Childers in the past few months. Many folks may not realize that Gil received the Distinguished Alumnus Award way back in 1996. Gil remains very humble about his impressive professional accomplishments and likewise initially questioned his Athletic Hall of Fame credentials. Once he got rolling with the old stories, Gil started to realize he belonged in the Hall. Gil’s vivid memories of the accomplishments of the old Wardlaw teams was incredible. Gil couldn’t resist pulling out his old maroon Wardlaw varsity jacket, much like his brother-in-law Mike Lackland ’80 did at the 2011 ceremony when the 1977 football team was inducted into the AHOF.

Keith Mann was the one honoree I had not met prior to the ceremony, but I had heard so much about his amazing character, perseverance and athletic talent. The words he shared during his acceptance remarks were genuine and heart-warming. W+H teammate Mike Olim ’04 provided an excellent introduction for Keith’s presentation. Keith was the youngest of this year’s awards recipients, which means you can find the most information about him online. I encourage you to Google him. 

The Athletic Hall of Fame Committee was looking to honor the school’s athletic history by inducting two teams at one ceremony for the first time. Both the Wardlaw boys of 1971 and Wardlaw+Hartridge girls of 1984 won the first state titles in the history of their respective programs. Jon Kovonuk, son of the late Hall of Fame coach Ray Kovonuk, accepted the award on behalf of his father from Gil Childers. Jon found a plaque commemorating Ray’s 200th win in 1983, which was my senior year at W+H. I remember celebrating with “Rayko” at that party. Gary Burdick ’73, the point guard on that team, found an old Courier-News article online that revealed some play-by-play details of that game and how the Rams came back from two 10-point deficits to prevail.

Doug Anderson, who coached several sports during his W+H stint in the 1980s, accepted the award from Patti Feeney ’84, one of his team’s leaders. Reconnecting with Coach Anderson was like a walk down memory lane, four decades later. I went to school with many of the players on that team and it was great to reconnect with them after so many years.

Celebrating with all of these folks, along with former teachers, school mates and colleagues, was a nostalgic experience to say the least. Forty years after my graduation from W+H, I’m fortunate to have decades of memories.