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.

(Front Row, l-r) Keynote speaker Jaelon Moaney, Margaret Porciello ’25 (Denton), Logan Kille ’25 (Centreville), Emma Sharp ’25 (Denton), Jackson Showalter ’25 (Easton), Benta Owino ’25 (Grasonville), Allison Davis ’25 (Chestertown), Evelyn Russ ’25 (Cambridge), Elena Fraser ’25 (Annapolis), Grace Hanlon ’25 (Middletown, Del.) and Isla McCollum ’25 (Centreville).

(Second row, l-r) Head of School John Lewis, Trevor Janssen ’25 (Stevensville), Tori  Nessly ’25 (Earleville), Victoria MacGlashan ’25 (Centreville), Drew Tolly ’24 (Cambridge), Mia Walker ’25 (Easton), Alix Allison ’25 (Annapolis), Lennox Franks ’25 (Queenstown), Alivia Runz ’25 (Easton), Grace Shepherd ’25 (Church Hill), Gunston NHS Advisor Mike Kaylor.

(Third Row, l-r) RP Johnson ’25 (Ridgely), Zach Steinberg ’25 (St. Michaels), Kazys Morris ’25 (Centreville), Lily Brantner ’25 (Easton), Louise Mulock ’25 (Church Hill), Phoebe Kelly ’25 (Chestertown), Margaret Randolph ’25 (Millington), V McCluskey ’25 (Centreville), Katherine Sadler ’25 (Easton), Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis.

(Fourth Row, l-r) Ethan McWilliams ’25 (St. Michaels), Tyler Hanson ’24 (Upper Marlboro), Josh Nuessle ’24 (Centreville), Aiden Dunlap ’24 (Chestertown), Justin McCubbin ’25 (Severna Park), and Brayden Hamm ’25 (Smyrna, Del.).

Gunston Bull Roast volunteer and parent of 2021 alumni Emily Shifrin, with Gunston Board of Trustees members Jim Shifrin and Jill Caron, P’17. Photo by Derrika Layne Photography.

The Gunston School welcomed nearly 200 parents, alumni and community supporters to their waterfront campus on Saturday, October 21 for their signature fundraising event, the Bull & Oyster Roast, raising a little over $120,000 for Gunston’s annual giving program, smashing their record from last year. Guests enjoyed delicious food provided by Phat Daddy’s BBQ (Chestertown) and Superior Oyster Shuckers (Baltimore) as well as sweet treats from Emily’s Produce.

“We’ve had volunteers working on this event since early August,” said Parent Association President Ildi Watkins, P’26 (Easton). “They’ve been pounding the pavement for auction items, procuring wine donations, and have spent countless hours on campus making name tags, rolling silverware, creating beautiful flower arrangements, and a lot more. The success of this event is truly a testament to our volunteers who came out of the woodwork to help!”

The online silent auction featured 50 items ranging from original artwork, specialty baskets filled with local gift certificates, professional photography session, fishing charters, luxury catered cruises, NFL tickets, spa packages, and a wide variety of experiences such as the opportunity to be a beekeeper for a day, almost all of which were procured by Gunston Parents’ Association volunteers.

The live auction featured six items including a Paul Reed Smith custom guitar, Ravens versus Dolphins tickets for six on New Year’s Eve, vacations to Jamaica and Mexico, a catered cruise for 10 with a private chef, and VIP tickets to the Gunston 2024 Commencement ceremony. The evening’s auctioneer was volunteer Woody Dunstan, P’24, who once served as the Director of Operations at Christie’s Auction House, where he trained as a charity auctioneer.

A very successful “Raise the Paddle” raised $42,100 for Health & Campus Safety initiatives including a comprehensive security audit with a professional security consultant that specializes in school safety, campus-wide upgrades including automated doors and locks, lighting, updated communications system, installation of tempered glass and faculty and student best-practices safety and security training.

Head of School John Lewis shared, “Each year, we gather together as a community to both have fun and raise funds to support our students and teachers. This year was especially inspiring as attendees were extraordinarily generous in their support!” Generous donations such as these allow Gunston to provide experiences above and beyond what tuition pays for as well as provide 60% of Gunston families with financial aid.

The event had 50 sponsors and included:

• Grill Master: Fred Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Easton (Heron Heroes Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25)

• Rockefeller: Joyce & Associates, LLC (Heron Heroes Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26) Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Heron Heroes Brigitte and Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), Friends of Gunston (Heron Heroes) and Ebb Tide Tent & Party Rentals.

• Prime Rib: Jay & Colleen Baldwin, P’27, Faithful Accounting & Consulting Inc. (Edward & Heather Bennett, P’27), ShoreGate Partners (Chesley & Justin Nonemaker, P’27), Paul Ewing’s Contractor Supply (Pam & Charlie Andrews, P’26), Gillespie & Son, Inc. (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24), McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Heron Heroes Adele and Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa and Doug Walker, P’25’27), Delaware Podiatric Medicine (Rebecca and Dr. Jacob Hanlon, P’22’25’27).

• Choice: JC Warner Heating & Cooling, Brenda Fornos, Realtor with Taylor Properties, and Shore United Bank (John and Amber Augustus, P’26).

• Select: Lakeside Run at Trappe, The Keith Family, P’24, PepUp (Melanie & Nash McMahan, P’27), The Figliozzi Family, P’26, Avon Dixon, An Alera Group Agency, LLC, Envision Wealth Planning (Ed & Sarah Schut, P’26’24’22’21’17), Glenn Michael, Heron Heroes Dr. Laurie and John Lewis and The Shifrin Family, P’21’21.

• Sirloin: Smithey Law Group, Cohen Chiropractic Centreville (The Cohen Family, P’26), Brad & Kara Morris, P’27, Paco & Jill Labrador, P’27, DPC Emergency Equipment, The Chiochetti Family, P’27’27, The Sharp Family, P’25, The Morris Family, P’25’26, A Classic Design (Dave Griffin & Cindy Strauss, P’27), Island Creek Events (Katharine Greenlee Henning ’07) and Draper’s Bros., Inc.

• Brisket: Eliza Niemann & William Hodge, P’24, The De Leon Family, P’22, The Hallmark Family, P’24, Farmer Properties, LLC (Calvin & Kerry-Ann Farmer, P’27), The Edmonds Family, P’27, The Walker Family, P’21’25, The Callahan Family, P’24, The Hartman Family, P’27, Ben and Karen Dize, Wye Mills Mechanical (The Thomas Family), Adam and Tracy Steinberg, P’25, The Marketto Family, P’26, Ildi & Mory Watkins, P’26, Wrench & Socket (Tim & Beth Lavery, P’26), and The Algier Family, P’23’26.

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 pleased to announce the Mid-Shore College Fair and Financial Planning Evening on Monday, October 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Chesapeake College’s Room 127 in Wye Mills, Md. This event is free and open to the public with no registration required. Participants are encouraged to browse the college fair at their own pace and have the option to attend one of two sessions on the Financial Aid Process at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m., led by Senior Associate Director of Student Financial Aid at Washington College, Cailean Leith.

Mr. Leith has worked in higher education financial aid at Washington College since 2006, and attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland where he received his Bachelor’s of Art in History.

“We have more than 50 colleges and universities coming,” said Gunston’s Co-Director of College Guidance Emily Coffey. Those attending include Alfred University, Binghamton University, Bucknell University, Chesapeake College, Christopher Newport University, Clarkson University, College of Charleston, Davidson College, Dean College, Dickinson College, Elizabethtown College, Franklin and Marshall College, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, High Point University, Johnson & Wales University-Providence, Lafayette College, Marist College, Miami University, Oxford, Mount St. Mary’s University, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Main Campus, Queens University of Charlotte, Rider University, Roanoke College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rollins College, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Saint Joseph’s University, Salisbury University, Salve Regina University, Savannah College of Art & Design, Seton Hall University, Shenandoah University, St. Bonaventure University, St. John’s College, Susquehanna University, Syracuse University, The American University of Paris, The George Washington University, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Towson University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Delaware, University of Maryland-College Park, University of Rhode Island, University of San Francisco, University of Utah, Ursinus College, Villanova University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Warren Wilson College, Washington Adventist University, Washington College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and York College of Pennsylvania.

The Mid-Shore College Fair was made possible with support from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Contact Gunston’s Directors of College Guidance with questions: Emily Coffey, ecoffey@gunston.org or 410-758-0620 ext 3101 and Tony D’Antonio, tdantonio@gunston.org or 410-758-0620 ext 3100.

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

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The Gunston School commenced its 113th year on Tuesday, September 5, with its annual Embarkation tradition, welcoming a total of 83 new students and five new employees to the community by boat. After exchanging a handshake with the Head of School, newcomers signed the school’s Honor Code, and made their way up the hill to greet fellow students and current staff and faculty. Parents and family members were invited to watch from the shoreline as students arrived.

Once all new students and staff arrived by boat, they made their way to the Field House for Convocation. Student Body President Maren Kneeland ’24 welcomed the crowd and addressed new students. “You’ll find that what’s best for yourself is going to change over and over and over again and constantly revise yourself as you grow up. […] Being ready for the next chapter of your life, whether you’re starting high school or finishing it, is not feeling like you know everything, but that you’re ready to learn from whatever is going to come at you. So, as you go through high school, never stop asking yourself the hard questions, making the tough decisions, and setting challenging goals. The moment that you stop doing that, is the moment that you stop allowing yourself to learn at all.”

After ringing an antique bell from Gunston’s days as an all-girls boarding school, Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis declared, “Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year, the bell has sounded, you may now commence the year!”

New students had the opportunity to get to know their peers well before the start of school during Gunston’s orientation and leadership retreats. Ninth grade students went on a two-day retreat at Camp Pecometh, where they spent the day and evening participating in various outdoor challenges and team building activities. They then returned to campus the following day, where they were joined by new upperclass students and current student leaders for informational sessions on central school values, technology, and more.

Running simultaneously, Gunston’s 8th Annual Leadership Institute invited student leaders from various clubs, student government, and athletics to gather and learn about leadership practices, set goals for the year, and to help facilitate activities for new students.

Faculty and staff were also busy preparing for the beginning of school with departmental retreats, new employee orientation, and annual CPR, First Aid/AED, ALICE and various other emergency response trainings. Gunston’s Math Department welcomes Captain Clay Saunders as a part time math teacher. Capt. Saunders possesses more than 35 years of military service and experience in industrial manufacturing. He holds Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island; and a Master of Science Degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Also joining the math department is Gunston alum Ryan Redding ’17, who has served as one of Gunston’s rowing coaches since 2022. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington College and a Master of Arts degree in Chemistry from the University of Delaware. With professional experience as a technician in the Research and Development Lab at the Lamotte Company, Mr. Redding gained valuable expertise in lab management and analytical skills.

Joining Gunston as the new Fine Arts Department Chair is Amanda Pesce, who earned a double Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and Art History, as well as her Master of Arts in art history, authentication, and administration—all from Temple University. Most recently teaching art at St. Anne’s School in Annapolis, Ms. Pesce also taught at the Phelps School, and is a recent graduate of Columbia University’s prestigious Klingenstein Summer Teaching Institute.

Audrey McNeal joined Gunston as the Assistant to the Head of School and Alumni Coordinator. Mrs. McNeal is an accomplished administrative professional with 25 years of experience at a variety of institutions including large corporations as well as pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. Prior experiences also include expertise in tasks such as information analysis, report preparation, database management, and more.

Natalie Reading ’16 joined in January as the new Assistant Athletic Director for Waterfront Athletics and also serves as the Head Crew Coach. She is a familiar face in the Gunston community, as a four-year rower during her time, and she has experience both competing and coaching at the collegiate level for St. Mary’s College and the University of Maryland club team. She earned her Bachelor’s of Art in Sociology at the University of Maryland.

Founded in 1911 and currently enrolling 243 students, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.