Quaker Matters : Recent Episodes
Wilmington Friends School
Dami Johnson ’27: Teens Supporting Teens helped high schoolers organize their time and work more effectively. Dami’s project also focused on improving mental well-being and helping students address feelings of stress or disarray.
Scarlett Murphy ’27: Passionate about politics, Scarlett began her SIP project by exploring the struggles of individuals involved in the political scene. This led to thoughtful conversations about ethics and personal values. Inspired by this work, Scarlett created a project aimed at helping people find local businesses and resources that aligned with their ethical beliefs, supporting more conscious, values-based consumer choices.
Scarlett Murphy ’27: Passionate about politics, Scarlett began her SIP project by exploring the struggles of individuals involved in the political scene. This led to thoughtful conversations about ethics and personal values. Inspired by this work, Scarlett created a project aimed at helping people find local businesses and resources that aligned with their ethical beliefs, supporting more conscious, values-based consumer choices.
Justin Hutchful ’27: Justin’s project, Fixing Procrastination, helped students who struggled with procrastination by offering an online study group that implemented an intensive study schedule to build better academic habits.
Henry Gaskell ’26: Henry’s idea, Henry’s Arm Care, was a small physical single-page guide made for baseball players who were unable to perform at peak level because of arm pain. It offered targeted exercises based on pain location to help athletes recover and maintain performance.
Gianna Cottone ’26: Gianna’s project, Earth Educators, revolved around educating teenagers about the climate. Her focus was on sparking curiosity or urgency regarding climate change, with the hope of reducing daily habits that harm the environment.
Landis Hershey ’26: After observing a significant lack of transparency in scoring at mock trial competitions, Landis developed a mock trial guide booklet titled All Rise: The Art of Mock Trial. This booklet provided competitors with clear, easy-to-understand information about the scoring process, practical tips and strategies, and other essential guidance to help improve their performance at competitions.
Charlie’s project, Hockey Parent Connect, was an online newsletter and platform that provided valuable information to parents of youth hockey players about local programs and what they offered for the upcoming season.
On the latest episode of the Quaker Matters Podcast, Rose Mulveny ’26 reflects on her year abroad in Zaragoza, Spain with the School Year Abroad (SYA) program. Rose shares how this immersive experience helped her gain confidence in speaking and presenting in Spanish, as well as the lasting friendships she built with her peers and host family.
“Doing it for the full year is the best experience you are going to get. And I think, SYA is the best experience that I’ve had in my life. It’s been so life-changing.”
From cooking classes and daily conversations with her host family to field-based electives and weekend adventures, Rose embraced every moment. Tune in to hear how her time in Spain shaped her perspective, strengthened her independence, and deepened her love for language and learning.
As part of her Senior Exploration, Reese Bryson ’25 interviewed Charlie Bradford for the Quaker Matters Podcast. Charlie, a visitor from The Friends’ School in Hobart, Tasmania, spent time at Wilmington Friends this spring engaging in service activities before returning home to begin medical school. Their conversation explored Quaker values, cultural differences, how Charlie enjoyed teaching middle school students, and what he learned from working
with the grounds crew on campus.
Thank you to Reese for highlighting Charlie’s experience—and thank you, Charlie, for the impact you made during your visit!
Jake Rashkind stops by to chat with Andrés Pardo ’21 and Ely Longwill ’21 about his teaching career at Wilmington Friends School.
“When a child looks at you like, ‘I trust you,’ I think that’s the most rewarding feeling in the world.”
Tracey Quillen Carney ’80 recently joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Tracey discusses her experience as a student here at WFS, the inspiration behind writing a children’s book, the importance of literacy and how families can help their children develop this skill at an early age, and the most rewarding moments of their Reading Tour at local libraries throughout the First State.
“To go back to the Quaker SPICES… I think the foundation of what Wilmington Friends School is… it turns out good people. Yes, of course, it’s about the education, but it’s also about the people this place turns out. It turns out good people who will do good.”
Lesley Tryon ’71, the Assistant Director of Finance at WFS, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Lesley discusses how the business office supports faculty, staff, and students, why she has chosen to serve the school for over 30 years, and the decision to send her children to WFS. Enjoy!
“There’s no need to be modest about your ambitions or your hopes. If there is something that you want do or something that you want to see happen in the world, move toward it one little step at a time, and you can be a part of how things change.”
Zach Williams ’02, an author and Jones Lecturer in Fiction at Stanford University, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Zach discusses the importance of his WFS teachers and how they inspired him to get into the teaching profession, what he enjoys most about writing, what it’s like to get a story published in The New Yorker, and his new book titled, "Beautiful Days.”
Published this summer, “Beautiful Days” is a collection of ten short stories confronting parenthood, mortality, and life’s broken promises. Click on the link in our bio to learn more about Zach and his recent book. Enjoy!
“It prepares you to be a better citizen of the world, both going out into the world and receiving people into your own world who might not speak English. I also think it gives kids a sense that there is more than one normal in the world; there is more than one way to think about something because language has a big effect on how we perceive the world.”
Laura Jersild Pardo ’90, who serves as a middle school Spanish teacher at WFS, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Laura discusses the importance of teaching Language at the middle school level, how she uses movement in the classroom each day to engage students, and what the future of Wilmington Friends looks like. Enjoy!
Inspired by their mothers’ entrepreneurial spirits, Anya Agarwal ’25 and Layla Baynes ’25 founded the Entrepreneurship Club at WFS during the 2023-24 school year. They created the club to provide a supportive environment where WFS students could develop and share their business ideas. Anya hoped club members would realize that “no idea is a bad idea if you are passionate about it.”
Throughout the school year, with the help of Upper School Math Teacher and Advisor Sarah Stock, the Entrepreneurship Club welcomed professors and employees from the University of Delaware who specialize in entrepreneurship. During these discussions, club members received valuable guidance for their ideas and learned the importance of stepping outside their comfort zones. The common sentiment echoed by each speaker was that if you never take a chance, you’ll never know what you might accomplish. As Layla noted, “It’s not about making an idea that’s going to make you the most profit; it’s about making something that you are most passionate about.”
Josh created a preoperative total joint replacement (TJR) screener targeting patient-initiated cancellation. This TJR screener gives patients scores/ratings based on how likely they are to cancel their surgeries.
Cora’s project, “Wild Kids in the Wildlife,” is focused on helping teens take action against climate change. Focusing on recycling, reusing, and reducing, Cora helped teenagers understand that there are many small and low cost every day efforts that they can do each day to help the environment.
Tripp’s project recognized that athletes care about how they look while they play sports. His project, an awareness brand called “Safe2Style,”focused on helping lacrosse players decrease the chance of injury, while also maintaining a sense of style.
Ava’s project, “College Help,” is designed to help high school juniors navigate key and challenging aspects of the college application process. Ava helped students narrow down programs and colleges that meet their needs, ultimately helping them evaluate what they want to go to college for.
Piper’s project, “Connecting with Careers,” focused on helping high school students learn about different careers through interviews with people in various professions. These conversations share personal stories and advice from WFS alumni.
Based on her own interest in talking with teens her age who are going through similar situations, Temi's Project, “Matchmaker,” is a peer-to-peer service that brings young people together, allowing them to share their experiences with one another.
Carter’s project, “Blind Strides,” is centered around giving more accessibility and normalcy to blind people. Carter helped create a personal workout routine that works within their blindness.
Sandra wanted to help students who are interested in the medical field plan their future. Her project, “AI College Guidance,” allows students to use AI and input key details about their future aspirations. After doing this, they receive a detailed description of the necessary steps one must take in order to accomplish their goals.
Nife created Historyclub.exe, a space designed for students who are interested in history to express and explore their interests outside of class. Historyclub.exe is a place where students can explore all types of history and bounce ideas off of one another in a more free and unstructured setting.
Lauren’s project, “Unlock Your Learning,” focused on helping students with different learning challenges gain access to additional resources so that they can more effectively advocate for themselves.
“I think you have to have a knowledge of the Quaker testimonies and the importance of those with being a global citizen because they are important for everyone to know. I think we all as humans strive to follow those types of testimonies, but I think understanding how they play a role in education is really important.”
Alex Stan Mellow ’01, who currently serves as a Lead 2nd Grade Teacher at WFS, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Alex discusses how she implements the Quaker SPICES into the 2nd grade curriculum, the importance of giving students a voice in their learning, and what sharing the WFS experience with her mother, sisters, and children has been like.
Piper Roskovensky ’26 interviews Alex Harris ’68. Alex, who is currently retired, used to manage and administer public-sector architectural projects. Some examples include: Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington, and the Central Library in Seattle, Washington. We are excited to share her journey of working in architecture!
Piper Roskovensky ’26 interviews Josh Galperin ’00. Josh is currently an Assistant Law Professor at Pace University. He studied at the University of Delaware, Yale School of Environment, and Vermont Law School. He has researched and taught environmental law, food and agriculture law and policy, property, constitutional law, and tort law. In their interview, they discussed his journey of teaching law and working in environmental law.
“We always tried to follow the idea that the team concept was more important than the individual and that the student came before the player.”
Coach Bob Tattersall, longtime athletic director, teacher, and the winningest high school football coach in the State of Delaware, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Coach T discusses his decision to join the Friends community in 1968, the characteristics of a successful coach and athletic director, what it’s been like to share the WFS experience with his children and grandchildren, and why he continues to give his time towards WFS. Enjoy!
“It’s the hope that all of us, every kid in that room, has the power to be a genius, to be extraordinary, to make a difference no matter where they are.”
Rick Grier Reynolds, a longtime WFS teacher and the creator of the Global Peace and Justice course, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Rick discusses his decision to join the WFS community in 1969, why his trip to Cyprus was life-changing in 1973, creating the Global Peace and Justice Course in 1979, and his current work with the Alternatives to Violence Project. Enjoy!
Dick Kittle, who has been working at Wilmington Friends School since 1975 in a variety of roles, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Coach Kittle discusses his decision to work at Friends in 1975, what he enjoyed most about teaching history, coaching his children in lacrosse and football, and why he continues to give his time towards WFS. Enjoy!
Sarah Schenck Maheshwari ’91, who currently serves as the Executive Director for ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Sarah discusses her time as a student here at Wilmington Friends, her decision to enter the medical field after college, the importance of virtual healthcare, and what it’s been like sharing the WFS experience with her four children.
Every February, with the support from our diversity committee and librarians, Wilmington Friends lower school students participate in a Black History Month project. Each class and/or grade chooses one important African-American figure to learn about, typically connecting to the class’s interest or the curriculum. After their research, the group creates a display to share about that person with the rest of the school.
Part 1: George Washington Carver
Part 2: Audrey Faye Hendricks
Part 3: Aretha Franklin
Shirley Padmore Mensah ’87, who currently serves as the Chief Judge at United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Shirley discusses her time as a student here at Wilmington Friends, her decision to become a lawyer, her love of litigation, and why she decided to transition careers and become a magistrate judge. Enjoy!
Chris Loeffler ’00, who serves as our Interim Head of Lower School, joined the Quaker Matters podcast and discussed the following: the importance of LS students having a routine during the school year, numerous ways in which WFS encourages LS students to advocate for themselves, how he supports students and teachers throughout each school day, and his own WFS experience as a student.
Gregg Miller, who has worked at WFS for over three decades and currently serves as our Director of Technology, joined the Quaker Matters podcast and discussed the new technology that has been introduced to WFS during his time, the importance of the 1-to-1 laptop program, and what it’s been like to share the WFS experience with his three children.
Cynthia Stan Mellow, who served as the upper school visual arts teacher for 44 years, joined the Quaker Matters podcast and discussed her love of teaching, her passion for art, and why she dedicated so much of herself to the WFS community.
Lenny, who is from Tasmania, Hobart and attends The Friends' School in Hobart, joined the WFS community for the past two weeks. Throughout his time here, he immersed himself into the school community by taking classes, attending Meeting for Worship, participating in sports, and exploring major U.S. cities with his host family. On this episode, we talk about his favorite class here at WFS, the similarities and differences between each school, and the moments that he enjoyed the most. Enjoy!
Listen to this webinar titled, "How Networking Enhances Your Brand," featuring Andy McEnroe '04, Managing Director for Raymond James; Monterry Luckey, Deputy Director of the Delaware Workforce Development Board; and Lynne M. Williams, Executive Director of the Great Careers Group & BENG.
Ethan Cooperson, who currently works as a Senior Researcher at Stats Perform and Talent Statistician at numerous networks (CBS, TNT, etc.) joined the Quaker Matters Podcast and discusses the impact of attending WFS, how he got his big break into sports, what it's like to work a Super Bowl, and his favorite event that he's covered.
John Bonifaz, who currently serves as the Co-Founder and President at Free Speech For People, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast and discusses the impact of attending WFS, the importance of voting rights, why big money in politics can be problematic, and why he has spent his entire career fighting to reclaim democracy.
Ajala Elmore ’20 joins the podcast to discuss the impact of WFS, advancing to the Division III College World Series, and interning at the Chase Fieldhouse this summer - enjoy!
Craig Lyttleton ’20 joins the podcast to discuss the impact of WFS, starting Susquehanna Blockchain, and balancing his time as a student-athlete - enjoy!
Denzel Dixon ’20 stops by to talk about his growth as a student during his time at WFS, empowering the younger generation, and the content creator space — enjoy!
Adam Ellick ’95 talks about the impact of the Whittier Miscellany and how it ignited his passion for journalism, the constant changes in journalism over the course of his 20-year career, and what it’s like to win an Emmy.
Dr. Omar Khan ’90 shares with us his passion for research and why filling in the missing gaps in medicine is critical, his decision to enter the world of family medicine, and letting his life speak through his actions.
Louisa Terrell ’87 discusses the impact of being a WFS “lifer,” working for President Joe Biden for the past 20 years, and navigating our divided political landscape.
Jace Boland ’23 joins the Quaker Matters Podcast to talk about Original Sin, the student-run performance this year that he directed. Jace takes us through the directing process for this show, what he enjoys most about directing itself, and the difference between acting and directing. Enjoy!
Jack Hebert ’23 joins the Quaker Matters Podcast to talk about Original Sin, the student-run performance this year that he wrote and starred in. Jack takes us through the script-writing process, his inspiration for the script, and what it's like to act in something that you wrote. Enjoy!
1:30 - Her start in swimming and beginning to compete 4:15 - What makes a successful 200 IM swimmer 5:30 - Expectations for her HS career9:00 - Winning her 1st State Championship 12:00 - Handling the pressure 13:00 - Winning her 2nd State Championship 14:40 - Biggest influences in her swimming career 16:00 - Swimming at Georgetown 18:30 - Favorite moments swimming at WFS 19:20 - Mad Minute Segment 20:10 - Ring the Bell Segment
1:00 - When he first started playing lacrosse2:00 - Playing at WFS, giving back to the team4:20 - Why Maryland?6:00 - Winning a National Championship 8:40 - How his parents inspire him10:00 - Being proud of his brother 11:00 - One lesson he keeps with him from WFS12:30 - Mad Minute Segment 14:00 - Ring the Bell Segment
1:30 - What is is social, emotional learning? 2:30 - Improving this in the classroom, the value it brings 3:30 - How can parents help? 4:30 - Having her own space as a counselor 5:30 - What is mindfulness? 7:40 - What is psycho-education? 8:20 - Practicing gratefulness each day 10:00 - Making mental health a priority 11:20 - Quaker Cares 12:20 - Wearing different hats, the power of listening 14:30 - Being the first counselor at WFS 16:00 - How can Meeting for Worship help when it comes to centering oneself? 17:00 - The ways in which students can build self-esteem 19:00 - Approaching mid-terms, the power of music when studying 20:00 - Mad Minute Segment 21:00 - Ring the Bell Segment
2:00 - Shaping your own academic path at WFS 3:30 - Benefits of Malone Schools Online Network (MSON)5:00 - Joining School Year Abroad, brining back a global mindset 7:10 - Establishing the Quest Scholars Program in 20099:50 - The importance of the Senior Exploration 11:30 - Teaching Theory of Knowledge (TOK)13:15 - Culminating Project for TOK16:20 - Student run clubs and committees 18:00 - Helping families balance the numerous options20:00 - What Rebecca loves most about her job 21:40 - Mad Minute Segment 22:30 - Ring the Bell Segment
1:10 - The beginning of coding at WFS
2:35 - Scratch programming
3:30 - Beginning the coding process in Kindergarten
4:50 - Why students are motivated by doing this type of work
5:40 - Helping new lower school students who do not begin coding in Kindergarten
6:15 - Connecting computer science to the to lower school curriculum
7:00 - Building math skills through computer science
8:00 - The value of partner programming
9:00 - How the curriculum as technology continues to evolve
9:30 - Being comfortable not knowing, working through a process
10:00 - What Carol enjoys most about teaching
10:30 - Creating a generation of problem solvers
1:25 - Introduction to music production
4:00 - Decision to attend Elon
5:25 - How Elon helped jumpstart her career
8:30 - Internships and how she became interested in marketing
10:00 - Describing the feeling when she found out that she was a "Gold Record" recipient
13:40 - Most important aspect of her work
16:00 - The power of networking and how it has helped her career
25:00 - Deciding to live in Wilmington, not Hollywood
27:00 - Impact of WFS
29:00 - Mad Minute Segment
32:10 - Ring the Bell Segment
1:00 - Introduction to WFS
2:40 - Why she chose a career in education
4:00 - Starting her own business
6:40 - Coming back to WFS
8:40 - Empowering students in math and science
11:40 - Solving real-world problems in the classroom
16:00 - Creating a classroom filled with love and respect
19:20 - Encouraging mistakes in the classroom, building resiliency
20:10 - No chairs in the classroom?!
23:10 - Quakerism in the classroom and how it impacts learning
25:00 - Finding inspiration from her WFS colleagues
27:00 - Mad Minute Segment
30:30 - Ring the Bell Segment
Carlos Charriez joins the podcast to talk all things gardening!
1:30 - How his love of gardening evolved over the years
3:40 - His time in Brazil and its impact
4:30 - Becoming involved in the local Wilmington community
5:50 - Acquiring two plots at Bellevue State Park
7:15 - Help that he received from the community
8:40 - When the organic garden came to WFS
9:40 - Building a greenhouse on campus this summer
10:30 - The various ways in which gardening enhances his classroom work as a teacher
13:30 - What he hopes students take away from their time in the garden, hopes for this budding program
15:30 - Running Ultra Trail races
18:50 - Why he gives so much of his time and energy to WFS
20:45 - Mad Minute Segment
21:30 - Ring the Bell Segment
2x State Champion Aubrey Nisbet ’23 joins the podcast!
1:00 - Why she loves tennis
2:00 - How she has developed her mental toughness
2:30 - Expectations heading into the season
4:00 - Winning her 2nd Championship last year
5:00 - Difference between her 1st State title as an 8th grader vs last year
6:00 - Winning the team title
7:00 - Sibling success and how they both motivate her
8:00 - Choosing Wake Forest
8:30 - 3 WFS student-athletes who are competing at the Division 1 level
9:30 - Hopes and aspirations for her tennis career
10:00 - Mad Minute Segment
11:00 - Ring the Bell Segment
WFS Head of School Ken Aldridge joins us for episode 9!
1:00 - Introduction to Quakerism
3:30 - Families learning about Quakerism
6:40 - Quaker testimonies
8:20 - Meeting for Worship
11:00 - All School Meeting for Worship
13:30 - Being comfortable with silence
18:00 - Quaker ethos helping with challenging decisions
21:30 - Mad Minute Segment
23:00 - Ring the Bell Segment
WFS Head Coach Robin Lebauer stops by to talk about making school history in the pool this season!
Swim captains Ameer Bashir ’22, Zaire Nicholson ’22, and Marcel Stewart ’22 reflect on their WFS swimming careers that culminated with them winning the DISC Championship for the first time in school history this past winter!
WFS Lower School Librarian Kate McCarron joins us for episode 6!
1:30 - What is the information literacy program?
2:10 - What is the goal of this program?
2:30 - How is it integrated within the LS curriculum?
3:15 - Literacy and technology going hand in hand with one another
5:30 - Teaching internet safety
7:30 - Power of a database, teaching students how to use one
9:30 - How these skills translate to MS/US
10:20 - Catching new students "up to speed"
12:00 - Developing an appreciation for different cultures
13:00 - One thing you hope kids takeaway . . .
14:30 - Mad Minute
16:20 - Ring the Bell
We sit down and chat with WFS Assistant Head of School for Academics, Mike Benner!
1:30 - Why WFS joined the IB program
2:30 - Core values of the IB Program
4:00 - The full IB diploma program
5:30 - Three core principles
10:00 - Preparing students for the next level
11:30 - Rate of success
14:00 - Why is it student driven?
15:40 - What other opportunities does WFS offer besides the IB diploma?
18:30 - Mad Minute Segment
19:20 - Ring the Bell Segment
WFS Head Athletic Trainer Devon Adams joins us for episode 4!
2:00 - Introduction to WFS
3:00 - Decision to stay at WFS instead of working at a Division 1 school
6:00 - Athletics requirement at WFS and why that is crucial to a child's development
7:15 - The power of physical activity and how that help students
8:45 - What Devon loves most about working with WFS students
10:15 - WFS athletic facilities
12:00 - Relationship with WFS coaches
14:00 - Best part about Gameday
14:20 - Sharing the WFS experience with her children
15:30 - Why she loves her job
16:20 - Mad Minute Segment
18:15 - Ring the Bell Segment
WFS Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Melissa Brown joins us for episode 3!
2:00 - Why she enjoys the financial aid process
3:00 - What is "need-based" financial aid?
4:15 - Personalizing this experience for families
6:00 - How does this process yield families access to those that do not qualify for financial aid?
8:00 - What would you say to a family that is hesitant to have these financial aid conversations?
11:00 - Recognizing the value families bring to WFS
12:45 - What do you love most about your job?
14;20 - Mad Minute Segment
15:30 - Ring the Bell Segment
WFS Director of College Guidance, Kathleen Martin joins us on episode two!
2:30 - 4 year college process at WFS
5:00 - Importance of college fit
7:45 - Jumpstart for Junior, College Bootcamp
11:45 - Helping students, parents deal with the stress of the college process
16;15 - How does WFS prepare their students so well for college?
20:25 - What Kathleen loves most about her work...
23:20 - Mad Minute
25:00 - Ring the Bell Segment
In our first episode, we sit down and chat with WFS Head of Middle School, Jon Huxtable!
2:00 - Empowering middle school students
6:00 - Students need to overcome obstacles, allowing them to fail is ok!
9:10 - Approach to conflict, living for learning moments
14:00 - Power of extracurriculars
17:30 - Mad Minute Segment
19:20 - Ring the Bell Segment