Wycote Academy provides each and every student with individualized classroom instruction. This method of individualized learning has resulted in a personal success rate that many of our students never expected to achieve.
Here are the stories of some of our former students who credit Wyncote Academy with giving them the foundation for success:
- Jeffrey Brown
- Karen Schaphorst and Greg Schultz
- Jennifer Garrett
- Andrew Widmaier
- Evan Williams
- Keith McGoldrick
- Dyanne Glass
- Chris Searle
- Michael DePue
- Scott Schwade
- David Wiley
Jeffrey Brown
Jeffrey Brown was the Commencement Speaker at Wyncote’s 2010 graduation ceremonies. He is the founder, President, and CEO of Brown’s Super Stores. He is also a former Wyncote student.
Brown’s Super Stores, Inc. operates ten ShopRite supermarkets in the Delaware Valley. The company employs more than 2,300 associates.
Brown’s supports its community by assisting those in need and partnering with other local community groups that fight hunger, prevent violence, and help underprivileged youth. For two years running Brown’s has been recognized as “The Best Employer” in the Philadelphia region by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Brown’s Super Stores has been recognized by numerous local and national media outlets, such as “CBS Sunday Morning,” the New York Times, and the Philadelphia Daily News, as well as The White House for its efforts in serving poor communities whose conditions are considered “food deserts.”
In 2010, Jeff Brown was invited to sit with Michelle Obama during the State of the Union Address. The White House traditionally invites distinguished Americans to sit with the First Lady. Jeff was honored for his efforts to bring supermarkets with fresh foods to those underserved urban neighborhood “food deserts.”
Jeff’s Commencement Address to the Wyncote Academy Class of 2010 reflected on how, while a Wyncote student, he learned problem solving skills that have served him well throughout his life. He stressed the importance of respect and understanding when working with people of diverse backgrounds.
Karen Schaphorst and Greg Schultz
Karen Schaphorst and Greg Schultz, both members of the Class of 1977, found something not advertised in the Wyncote brochures – life partners! Karen and Greg have been married for 30 years and are the proud parents of two children, Aaron and Melissa, both college graduates.
Karen graduated from Harcum College in Bryn Mawr and also attended Gwynedd-Mercy College, where she studied early childhood education. She has worked at the Jenkintown Day Nursery for many years. When asked what she found of importance at Wyncote Academy, Karen replied succinctly, “confidence.”
Greg went from Wyncote Academy to Penn State University, where he studied mechanical engineering. Greg has worked with McDonnell Douglas and Hewlett-Packard, and is now the Director of Wholesale Division Sales at ArchBrook Laguna.
Outside of his engineering career, Greg is the co-founder and president of Pure Inspiration, an organization that supports the Tibetan Monks of Drepung Gomang Monastic University. Greg has met and studied with His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Greg states that he felt compelled to protest oppression in the world, a commitment stemming from his Jewish heritage and the lessons of the Holocaust.
“In 1996 I had the pleasure of meeting a Tibetan monk, Palden Gyatso, at an evening event while he was on a 300-mile march from the Chinese Consulate in Washington, DC to the United Nations in New York City. During the program, Palden spoke about being imprisoned for 33 years and enduring unimaginable torture.
At the end of the event I asked Palden how he endured such pain. He responded by telling me, ‘While being tortured, I meditated on the thought that somewhere in the world someone was suffering worse than I was.’ His answer touched my heart to the point that I knew I needed to become part of solving the Tibetan situation. From that day forward, I decided to dedicate my life to the ultimate return of the Tibetan people to their home land of Tibet, in addition to ensuring that their culture survives.
Most recently, during a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama while in Philadelphia, on July 17, 2008, he thanked me for supporting the Tibetan people and the Drepung Gomang monastery for the past 12 years. He then requested that I continue to devote my life to supporting the monastery. Without hesitation, I agreed to this task.”
Jennifer Garrett
Jennifer Garrett, Class of 2004, has accomplished a great deal with her considerable talent in art that was evident during her years at Wyncote.
After graduating from Wyncote, Jen graduated from Philadelphia University, summa cum laude as a distinguished honor scholar, majoring in Industrial Design. Upon graduation, Jen received the Sara Tyler Wister Award for excellence in scholarship, for earning the highest scholastic average in the School of Design and Media. She also won the Industrial Designers Society of America Regional Merit Award.
Jen is now a young industrial designer, currently working in the field of audio consumer electronics. Several of her student and professional works have been featured in various print and online publications or shown at trade events such as the 2007 International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the 2008 Industrial Designers Society of America Northeast District Conference, and the 2008-2012 Consumer Electronics Shows.
During her time as an Industrial Design student at Philadelphia University, Jennifer utilized her position as IDSA Student Chapter President to organize and lead numerous on-campus initiatives to promote and benefit the industrial design program and its students. She was also selected to present at the regional IDSA conference as an IDSA Merit Award winner and graduated top of her class in the School of Design and Media.
Jennifer remains an active contributor to the growing design community and is now a professional member of the IDSA in the Northeast. Jennifer is employed by New Jersey-based SDI Technologies, where she designs products and packaging under the international brand names of Timex and iHome, the number one market leader in iPod/iPhone electronics in North America.
“With SDI I do everything from market research, concept sketching and presentation to designing the exact manufacturing specifications and even testing the final product. I also frequently design the packaging for these products and have direct input on marketing strategies.”
Jen comments that the most important thing she learned at Wyncote is that you don’t always have to do something in the standard or generally accepted way to get it done. “Doing it by the book doesn’t mean that you’re doing it right.”
Andrew Widmaier
For Andrew Widmaier, Class of 2004, life since graduation has literally been spent spanning the globe. After graduation, Andrew spent two years at Keystone College studying Liberal Arts. However, his love of ice hockey and desire to travel soon took him on an amazing journey.
Taking time off from Keystone, Andrew joined Planet Hockey, an international organization that provides innovative ice hockey skills training across the globe. As a Lead Instructor, Andrew soon found himself traveling to over 24 different cities across the United States and Canada, and eventually across Eastern Europe. Andrew continues to work as a Director for the Planet Hockey Skills Camps.
Returning to the area, Andrew enrolled at Temple University, majoring in Public Relations, studying Strategic and Organizational Communication. Fittingly, Andrew soon became a member of the Temple University Ice Hockey Team. Temple also became a hockey instructor and coach for the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.
“Snider Hockey is a unique program that uses the sport of hockey, combined with teaching life skills and educational services, to build character and academic skills for high-risk inner-city kids from Philadelphia and Camden,” says Andrew. “The program provides full equipment, ice time, and experienced coaching to more than 3,000 children, at no charge to them or their families.”
After graduating from Temple, Andrew’s career goal is to attain a position in the field of sports media, working in the area of communications and public relations.
Evan Williams
For Evan Williams, Class of 1996, Wyncote Academy was a place where, “I could be myself.”
At Wyncote, Evan demonstrated talent in writing, literature, and music. After graduating, he attended Montgomery County Community College, ultimately graduating summa cum laud from Arcadia University with a BA in Communications. While attending Arcadia, Evan also studied in Italy and at the University of Westminster in England.
After graduating, Evan returned to Arcadia, where he spent two years as an Enrollment Management Counselor. Following Arcadia, Evan moved to Drexel University, where he is now the Assistant Director of Transfer and Part Time Admissions. His future plans include completing a Master’s Degree from Drexel.
Evan credits the academic program at Wyncote Academy for preparing him for the challenges of college and post-graduate study. He also credits the unique composition of the Wyncote community.
“Wyncote was a school where it was ok to have many diverse friends,” says Evan. “People were more than just the face value.”
Keith McGoldrick
Keith McGoldrick reports on his busy life since he graduated in 1997.
After earning a BA from Goddard College in philosophy and history, Keith earned his MA in clinical mental health counseling from Union Institute and University.
Keith is now in a PhD program, studying Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology at Fielding Graduate University.
Recently, Keith was asked to author a chapter for an upcoming book on positive student development. As a part of his research, he sought information from Kirk Hittinger, Wyncote’s Head of School.
Keith comments that the “intervention and guidance given to me by Wyncote, my family and community allowed me to develop to where I am today.” He is currently exploring collaborative practices that schools can provide to help students with learning disabilities.
While at Wyncote, Keith was active in the Outdoor Education Program, participating in many of the trips, including the cross-country trip to Olympic National Park.
Dyanne Glass
Dyanne Glass, from the campus of Drexel University, has managed the office of the Dean of the College of Medicine for the last 16 years.
Dyanne graduated from Wyncote Academy in 1983. She received her BS from Temple University, trained as an x-ray technician, then studied anesthesiology before taking over in the Dean’s Office at Drexel.
When asked what she learned at Wyncote that affected her life, Dyanne replied, “The first thing was diversity and the interpersonal skills that I have carried throughout my life.”
Dyanne also represents the tri-state area for the AMHPS, the Association of Minority Health Professions Schools. The organization provides support for education, research, and community service to promote health among minorities and the underserved.
AMHPS member schools are drawn from historically black colleges and universities. Together, these institutions are regarded as the nation’s primary educators of minority health professionals and leading authorities on minority health.
While attending Wyncote, Dyanne’s performance foreshadowed her success. She was student council president, won the Director’s Award and the Spirit Award, cheerleading co-captain and volunteered on the prom committee.
Chris Searle
Chris Searle, a member of Wyncote Academy’s Class of 1999, received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and a graduate-level teaching certificate from Arcadia University and holds an MBA from DeVry University’s Keller School of Management.
After completing sixth grade at The Quaker School at Horsham, a Friends school for children with learning differences, Chris was looking for a middle school that would offer the same small classes and high academic standards that he had previously enjoyed. Chris’ search soon led him to Wyncote.
Today, Chris is making a difference in the lives of other students much like himself as a teacher. His successful experience at Wyncote Academy found him back in our school’s classroom as a teacher for several years. Chris also taught 5th grade at Buckingham Friends School and World Cultures in the Pennsbury School District of Pennsylvania. Chris currently teaches Central Study and US History at Princeton Friends School.
Outside the classroom, Chris has also served as a trustee of the Quaker School at Horsham, worked with at-risk youth, and has a passion for the martial arts.
At Wyncote, Chris discovered a place where he could really develop his talents in math and social studies while, at the same time, learn to compensate for and even overcome his weaknesses in other areas. He also learned that teachers really did have an impact on a student’s life. “The most valuable things I took from Wyncote were the lasting relationships I had with the faculty members,” he explained. “I always felt comfortable going to talk to them about a variety of issues I faced as a teenager.”
Michael DePue
Michael DePue, Class of 1997, was a volunteer for the Newtown Fire Association even before graduation. Adventure has always held an attraction for him. Mike also participated in Wyncote’s Outdoor Education Program. “I went on most of the trips and I learned a lot about the world around me. This really made a difference for me.” Mike also managed the Student Store.
For many years, Mike’s career focused on large equipment maintenance as an engineer for Caterpillar Tractor Company. For the past year, he has been employed by Amtrak as a lineman on the railroad between Philadelphia and New York. He works 120 feet in the air on 76 miles of wires carrying 60,000 to 138,000 volts of electricity. He will continue in training for 2 years to get to know every mile of wire between the two cities.
When asked what he learned while at Wyncote Academy, Mike replied, “I would be nothing without Wyncote. While at Wyncote, I learned to take responsibility for myself. Life is not about money or an easy job; it is about becoming a productive member of society.”
Mike is also the proud father to daughter, Leela, born in October of 2010.
Scott Schwade
Scott Schwade, Class of 1993, was honored on August 3, 2010 as a Whitpain Township hero for his life-saving efforts in resuscitating a 2-year-old drowning victim. The child was found unconscious at the bottom of a local swimming pool. He has made a complete recovery, due to Scott’s intervention.
On May 15, two-year-old Michael Winters went missing, and friends and family members soon found him lying unconscious in the deep end of a 50-degree pool nearby the family home.
The Second Alarmers Rescue Squad quickly responded to the location, with paramedic Anthony McGrail, EMT Garry Schmoltze and EMT Scott Schwade taking over rescue breathing and chest compressions. They immediately made the decision that Michael needed to be flown by medical helicopter to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for specialty pediatric care.
After a brief hospital stay, Michael made a full recovery, and his parents credit the three members of Second Alarmers for the fact their son is still alive today.
“The events of this day truly were a textbook display of how well things can go when all links of the ‘chain of survival’ work together to save a life,” said Jamie Haddon, Executive Director of Second Alarmers. “It was with your quick thinking and prompt action that a positive outcome resulted in the saving of a 2-year-old’s life.”
The Second Alarmers presented McGrail, Schmoltze and Schwade with Chain of Survival awards to honor their actions.
“For our guys, this is what we train for,” said Fred Trasatti, chief of operations for Second Alarmers. “It’s always nice when we can get anyone back from no pulse to normal life. When you save a life, especially when it’s a young kid, you feel good. It’s nice to recognize the guys; they work hard.”
After the gathered crowd gave several standing ovations, the heroes and local emergency service groups received a final thank you from the board of supervisors.
Scott, an emergency medical technician by trade, volunteers as an EMT for the Second Alarmers. His picture was featured on the front page of local newspapers. While at Wyncote, Scott was active at the Student Store. He also participated in the Outdoor Education Program and the Varsity Basketball Team.
David Wiley
David Wiley, Class of 2007, states, “After getting my first snake, I became addicted to reptiles.” Currently, David is on the staff of the Philadelphia Zoo in the reptile department. How he got his job is unusual…
While visiting the Philadelphia Zoo, Dave noticed a snake was misidentified. He spoke to a keeper, who referred Dave to his supervisor. Further research proved Dave correct and he was offered a job on the spot.
When asked what he learned at Wyncote that has affected his life, Dave replied, “You don’t have to be the same as everybody else to be successful. I could be myself and feel secure, and that made me actually look forward to school.”
Dave plans to study herpetology in college and open his own business dealing in reptiles.
