Over Spring Break, the Upper School's premier choral ensemble, the 1759 Singers, embarked on an eleven-day tour to Japan. This was the first choral tour to Asia in the Academy's history.
News
Blake Smith lined up to make the second start of his Northwestern career, and his first start at home, against Iowa on March 2. Two weeks before, the Germantown Academy graduate wasn’t in the lineup at all. But as injuries wreaked havoc on Northwestern’s roster, opportunity knocked for Smith, and he took it
In February, more than 20 eager GA students traveled to Louisiana for five days to partner with Youth Rebuilding New Orleans, an organization established in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that engages local youth to rebuild and revitalize distressed and foreclosed properties.
Sarah Zimmerman’s fourth season as the Head Coach of Germantown Academy's softball team started in March 2024. Zimmerman, who serves as the Middle School Academic Dean and science teacher, gave some insight into why she coaches the sport.
![David Samson Named Head of Upper School](/uploaded/photos/About/daveS.jpg)
Germantown Academy Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760 has announced the hiring of David Samson as the school’s next Head of Upper School. Samson is no stranger to GA or the Philadelphia area as he is a graduate of the Shipley School and worked in GA’s Upper School from 2004-15.
![CNUHS Visiting Students Experience Life in America](/uploaded/photos/fullchinagroup.jpg)
GA welcomed 15 students from its sister school in Beijing at the end of January as part of the Curriculum Partnership Program.
![Nine Students Place at County-Wide Oral Proficiency Contest](/uploaded/images/MS_and_US_Medalists.jpg)
Nine students placed first or second in the 2024 James J. Doyle Oral Proficiency Contest sponsored by the Montgomery County Association of Teachers of Foreign Languages. Nosotros estamos orgullosos de ti! Nous sommes fiers de vous! Wǒmen wèi nǐ zìháo! We are proud of you!
Germantown Academy was well-represented on the lists, with 26 student-athletes being recognized, two of whom were named the Most Valuable Player for their respective sport. In addition, the Independence Hockey League announced their All-League teams as well, with five student-athletes making the list.
GA's Art Across the Academy sponsored alumna Drew Tye Ruby-Howe '05's amazing art installation. There were also many beautiful teaching moments from all divisions. One of the take-away lessons was to feel what emotion you are having, then find a paint color that you think represents that. Little and big students, along with some faculty, loved getting their hands dirty to create gorgeous art of their own.
Germantown Academy Director of Athletics Tim Ginter has named Kyle Donahue ’14 as the new Head Coach of Varsity Football. Donahue, who has spent the past five seasons working with the Patriots’ offense, becomes the youngest head football coach in the Inter-Ac League.
![US Art Reception Wows the Crowd](/uploaded/images/Academics/art_crowd_2.jpg)
Beautiful art, spectators in awe, behind the scenes peeks. The Upper School Visual Arts Department hosted a reception and studio tours to celebrate the Upper School Honors Visual Arts Student Exhibition.
Gabby Bowes '25 and her teammates on the Germantown Academy girls basketball team hosted a fun carnival to support Athletes Helping Athletes, a local group whose mission is to connect local athletes with special needs with mainstream student-athletes in a spirit of friendship for their mutual benefit, inspiration, and respect.
Germantown Academy had a major showing that included 29 top-eight finishes while competing at Franklin & Marshall College and GA for the Easterns Interscholastic Swimming and Diving competition over the weekend. Those performances powered the GA girls to their third consecutive Easterns title, while the boys finished third in the team standings. Overall, Germantown Academy was the Combined Team Champion for the second time in three years.
Germantown Academy only brought eight wrestlers to the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Wrestling Tournament from Feb. 16-17, but even though they were small in numbers, the Patriots' performances were mighty. With seven top-eight finishes, the GA compiled 117.5 points, good enough for fifth place. The team also had six wrestlers finish in the top six of their weight class, automatically qualifying for National Preps.
Germantown Academy’s indoor track team braved snowy conditions as they took to Mercersburg Academy over the weekend for Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Championships. Student-athletes put up top performances, setting numerous personal bests and breaking two school records.
![Middle School Show Willy Wonka a Huge Success!](/uploaded/images/Arts/Middle_School_Play_Page/Willy_Wonka/DSC_2921.jpg)
The Middle School musical, "Willy Wonka", was a scrumdiddlyumptious hit that played to two sold-out crowds. It was a ton of fun to watch the fantastic choreography of the Oompa Loompas and Veruca Salt being as bratty as ever!
Germantown Academy graduate Cori Rosen '12 has achieved remarkable success in her career in communications, having gained experience at prominent companies such as HBO & Max, Business Insider, and TikTok. Rosen's diverse career experiences exemplify her strong work ethic and dedication to her craft.
![Three Named National Merit Scholar Finalists](/uploaded/images/Academics/2024_national_merit.jpg)
Congratulations to Ansh Kakadia '24, Andrei Vava '24, and Angie Wang '24 on being named Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Awards competition.
![Curiosity Leads to Passion Project for Aidan Gor](/uploaded/images/aidangor.jpg)
Junior Aidan Gor ’25 has turned his curiosity for coding into a passion for computational neuroscience. Taking the fundamentals of coding, Gor turned a research project into a memory game that boosts memory in individuals with working memory deficiencies, such as those with Autism and ADHD and presented at the International Brain Research Organization's World Conference.
![Voces8 Gives Choral Clinic at GA](/uploaded/images/voces8.jpg)
GA was pleased to host members of the internationally acclaimed choral ensemble, Voces8, for a clinic with the 1759 Singers last week. Voces8 is among the most celebrated professional choral programs in the world.
Germantown Academy has named Sean Patrick Gibbons the school’s new Belfry Director. The Belfry Club is the nation's oldest, continuously run high school dramatic club that produces two major shows each school year in the Arts Center.
![International Holocaust Remembrance Day](/uploaded/images/holocaust_remembrance_0.png)
The Germantown Academy Upper School honored International Holocaust Remembrance Day with some beautiful, emotional, and educational moments this past week.
![GA Honor Musicians Participate in PMEA District 11 Band](/uploaded/photos/today@GA/district_band_and_orch_pick_IMG_3147.jpg)
Students from the Honors Academy Symphonic Band - Andrei Vava '24, Jianna Kim '25, Arthur Hu '26, Ethan Page '24, Dominic Perazza '25, and Umang Mittal '25 just completed their District 11 Band Festival at Bensalem High School.
The GA Department of Athletics is pleased to present the seventh episode of The Patriot Playbook, and the second one of the winter sports season!
![GA Celebrates MLK Day of Service](/uploaded/images/MLK_Day_-_00028-X2.jpg)
More than 250 GA community members gathered to honor Martin Luther King Jr. at GA's 21st MLK Day of Service, which was full of good will and school spirit.
For the first time since 2019, a Germantown Academy boys basketball player has scored 1,000 points.
This year, the Patriots are off to an 11-3 start, playing a diverse schedule that includes matchups with Catholic League and Suburban One League teams, in addition to wins at prestigious tournaments.
Germantown Academy graduate Kyle Sonlin '15 has embarked on an extraordinary journey, making significant strides in the blockchain industry and establishing himself as a mentor and thought leader.
Sue Szczepkowski, Head of the Lower School at Germantown Academy and a preeminent educator, has joined the organization's Advisory Board. Her emphasis in providing students and faculty with skill sets for the future aligns with the core mission of EQuipt People to create cultures of understanding through listening.
!["Kids Teaching Kids" Uses Hands-On Learning](/uploaded/photos/today@GA/main_IMG_8308(1)_LR.jpg)
Kids Teaching Kids (KTK) is one of the most loved activities at GA for PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, and Upper School students when they gather for scientific hands-on learning.
![Pat Terefenko Announces Retirement](/uploaded/photos/Pat_T_1.jpg)
Fortunately for Germantown Academy, the numbers have always added up. Accounting Manager Pat Terefenko, who has announced that she will retire at the end of the school year, has made sure of just that for the past 24 years and GA will be hard pressed to find someone as meticulous and tenacious.
“I love to build things!” “It’s so much fun!” “I like hanging out with my friends!” “YES! We did it!” were just some of the comments that were heard during GA’s Middle School Robotics club. The carefully controlled chaos was heard in both the science lab and Beard Center for Innovation (BCI)
The GA Department of Athletics is pleased to present the sixth episode of The Patriot Playbook, and the first one of the winter sports season!
Earlier this fall, Opera Philadelphia played host to the world premiere of “10 Days in a Madhouse,” from composer Rene Orth with a libretto by playwright Hannah Moscovitch. The opera retold the story of Nellie Bly, who, in 1887, wrote about the inhumane conditions at an all-female asylum on Blackwell’s Island in New York City. The performance used an acoustic orchestra and electronics to represent the balance between sane and insane, and Germantown Academy Assistant Band Director, Percussion Instructor, and MS General Music teacher DeLane Doyle was one of the musicians involved in helping create that unique effect.
![2023 Holiday Program](/uploaded/photos/About/CSO_MS.jpg)
On Tuesday, December 19, students and employees from across the school gathered in the Field House for Germantown Academy's 34th annual CSO Holiday Program.
![Carol Peery Ayers 1760 to Retire](/uploaded/photos/today@GA/headshot_IMG_2748B_LR.jpg)
A sense of calm and relaxation comes over Señora Carol D. Peery Ayers 1760 when she walks into her Spanish classroom on the third floor of the Upper School where her true home away from home awaits. Ayers has created a welcoming space for her students to learn, filled with books, posters, Spanish phrases, and a love of teaching. While love for her students, colleagues, and especially GA will never wane, Ayers has announced that she will be retiring at the end of the school year. She leaves behind a giant list of accolades, positions, and initiatives that, frankly, helped make GA the place it is today.
![Middle School Musicians Perform in Winter Concert](/uploaded/photos/today@GA/DSC_9295.jpg)
Middle School students created beautiful music with songs of the season at the Winter Concert.
![Faculty and Students Attend Both the People of Color Conference and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference](/uploaded/photos/today@GA/group_POCC_IMG_8733_LR.jpg)
GA was proud to send 6 students and 13 faculty/administrators to the 2023 Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) and People of Color Conference (POCC) in St. Louis, MO.
Earlier this fall, Opera Philadelphia played host to the world premiere of “10 Days in a Madhouse,” from composer Rene Orth with a libretto by playwright Hannah Moscovitch. Germantown Academy Assistant Band Director, Percussion Instructor, and MS General Music teacher DeLane Doyle was one of the musicians involved in helping create the score.
In her debut for Team USA on Oct. 23 at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Kate Horvat ’14 rowed to a gold medal in the Women’s Quadruple Scull. One day later, she earned silver in the Women’s Eight.
The GA Department of Athletics is pleased to present the fifth episode of The Patriot Playbook, and the final one of the fall sports season!
This story about Jianna Kim '25 is a testament to the power of volunteerism. Starting as a youth volunteer for the Special Olympics track and field team in 6th Grade, Kim's passion for supporting individuals with disabilities grew into a lifelong commitment. Her dedication led her to initiate a plaque installation project with Worcester Township to encourage and support Special Olympics athletes and their families.
![Brianna Geist '24 Brings the Sugar Plum Fairy to Life](/uploaded/images/brianna_cover.jpg)
Senior Brianna Geist ’24 is fulfilling a dream. One that began at seven years old when she first auditioned for the iconic holiday ballet, The Nutcracker. Not only has she achieved her goal of starring as the Sugar Plum Fairy, but she will perform the role for the SECOND time this weekend with the Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company.
On Sunday, December 3, GA celebrated its annual Holiday Marketplace in the Field House. With more than 60 vendors in attendance and the new From the Boot food truck stationed outside, the Marketplace was a blast! Attendees had the opportunity to participate in raffle contests and the lucky winners were announced at the end of the event.
The Upper School Performing Arts Department ushered in Winter 2023-24 with its annual Winter Concert on November 30. Featuring the Academy String Orchestra and Honors Strings, Singing Patriots and 1760 Singers, and the Academy Symphonic Band and Honors Band, almost 100 students performed for family, employees, and friends in the Arts Center.
![Designs Come to Life in Fourth Grade STEAM Studio](/uploaded/images/tinkerlab2023.jpg)
STEAM Studio, taught by Lower School Art Chair and PreK-12 STEAM Coordinator Jess Grisafi and Lower School 3rd-5th Grade Science Teacher Troy Holiday '01, along with 4th Grade homeroom teachers, is one of the most interactive parts of the 4th Grade curriculum.
![Lower School Gives Thanks!](/uploaded/images/Thanksday.jpg)
The Germantown Academy Lower School decided to try something new this year for their annual Thanksgiving project and embarked upon a “Thank You Day.” As told by Head of Lower School Sue Szczepkowski during the assembly, “showing gratitude is when we appreciate what is good in our lives; we appreciate our homes, food on our tables, family who takes care of us. When we say thank you and think about that, and we express that, it is called gratitude.
After a 12-year run that included eight winning seasons, Germantown Academy Head Football Coach Matt Dence is stepping down from his position. The Patriots finished the 2023 season with a 5-5 record that ended with a 35-14 loss to Penn Charter on Nov. 11. Dence finishes his tenure with the Patriots with a 67-46-1 overall record.
Upper School Modern Language Department Chair and French teacher Ben Tinsley has been invited to be the keynote speaker for the Paris Embassy/ACTFL Conference in Chicago this year!
The Inter-Academic League released its All-League teams for the 2023 fall season. Germantown Academy was well-represented on the lists, with 22 student-athletes being recognizeD, one of whom was named the Most Valuable Player for their respective sport.
![Brainstorm - A Touching Belfry Club Performance](/uploaded/photos/Arts/DSC_4964.jpg)
The award-winning Upper School Belfry Club performance of Brainstorm made you laugh and cry, and sometimes at the same time. The main thread throughout the show was that you are unique, and you are not alone.
Created by Eren Slifker '20, their collaborators, and a slew of hired student interns, At Winter's End is the final product of a $27,500 grant that was awarded to the group of University of Chicago students last summer.
Germantown Academy has been awarded a Whitemarsh Township Green Recognition Award by unanimous vote.
![Class of 1973 Welcomed into Old Guard](/uploaded/images/Alumni/old_guard2023.jpg)
The Old Guard, Germantown Academy's alumni group that includes those who have graduated 50 years ago and more, welcomed the Class of 1973 at the annual dinner during GA/PC Weekend.
The first point of the 2023 GA/PC rivalry was won three days before the actual day's events as the GA golf team bested Penn Charter, 6.5-1.5. Despite the early lead, the Patriots were unable to win back the coveted Competition Cup, falling to PC on GA/PC Day, 6-4.
Five Germantown Academy alumni were honored with Alumni Mission Awards at the biennial awards ceremony in the Arts Center on November 9, 2023. The awards, given by the Alumni Society Board, reflect how this class of inductees are Independent in Thoughts, Confident in Expression, Compassionate in Spirit, Collaborative in Action, and Honorable in Deed.
Germantown Academy came away with the 3-1 win, bringing a PAISAA Volleyball title to Fort Washington for the first time ever, and ending Notre Dame's nine-year run as state champions.
On Nov. 8, 2023 Germantown Academy celebrated 17 members of the Class of 2024 who are committing to continuing their academy and athletic careers at Division I and Division II institutions.
The GA Department of Athletics is pleased to present the third episode of The Patriot Playbook, a podcast featuring interviews with coaches and student-athletes.
![Halloween Fun at GA](/uploaded/images/IMG_9402-X2.jpg)
Putting the "Happy" in Halloween, the Germantown Academy community took to Connor Quad for the annual Halloween Parade to the delight of hundreds of families, employees, and students.
On Monday, Oct. 30, USA Swimming announced the full list of 2022-2023 Scholastic All-America recipients.
For the second straight season, Germantown Academy's golf team finished the year as Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association runners up.
Acclaimed actor Jarrod Spector '99 has recently joined the cast of Hamilton as King George. Spector took over the role from Euan Morton, who had his final performance on September 10 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
Ed Harris, the President and CEO of Discover Lancaster, has been named 2023 Marketer of the Year by the Saint Joseph’s University Chapter of the American Marketing Association (SJU AMA).
![Lenape Descendant Visits Third Grade](/uploaded/photos/Lenape_IMG_6942.jpg)
Third Grade had an amazing time learning about the Lenape tribe. Carla Messinger, a woman of Lenape descent, visited with the students and read the book that she authored named, “Where the Shadbush Blooms”.
Senior Luke Philip '24 had an amazing opportunity to attend the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (PGSS) at Carnegie Mellon University last summer.
![Congrats to GA's Commended Students](/uploaded/photos/Academics/College_Counseling/commended2024.png)
Congratulations to the following seniors on being named Commended Students in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program: Ali Amann ’24, Celina Bagchi ’24, Carmela Jenkes ’24, Samantha Kostacos ’24, Richard Liao ’24, Isabelle Lieu ’24, Alan Liu ’24, Melinda Shen ’24, Danika Staples ’24, and Andrew Zhou ’24.
Expletives, eyebrows, and onomatopoeia. When those are the main ingredients people use to describe a quarterback, chances are they’re referencing a special talent. Such is the case with Germantown Academy sophomore Xavier Stearn, who, through just five games in his first season as a starter, has already statistically outpaced the school’s long line of talented quarterbacks.
![GA Welcomes Siri Lindley as First Lunch & Learn Speaker](/uploaded/images/About/sirilindley5.jpg)
GA was excited to welcome Siri Lindley as our first speaker in the new Lunch & Learn Series for Middle and Upper School students. Lindley barely knew how to swim when she began the training regimen that would lead her to conquer prestigious triathlons such as the ITU World Championships. Today, as the world’s former #1 ranked triathlete, an in-demand coach, one of Tony Robbins’ favorite motivational speakers, and a cancer survivor, Siri has made it her business to change lives for the better.
GA has been welcoming students from Colegio Internacional Europa in Espartinas, Sevilla, Spain for almost 10 years now. Upper School Spanish Teacher Carol Peery Ayers 1760 gave some insight on how students are selected to participate in the exchange.
Jeff Nissman '24 got the opportunity of a lifetime when he toured Europe for a month this summer, playing music for eager concertgoers at each stop.
During the last month of high school, most seniors’ thoughts turn to graduation, senior week, summer vacation, and college life. At Germantown Academy, seniors in their final month of school explore areas of interests in a real-world environment. The goal: to forge invaluable connections and prepare them for what awaits in the next phase of their lives.
The GA Department of Athletics is pleased to present the inaugural episode of The Patriot Playbook, a podcast featuring interviews with coaches and student-athletes.
Germantown Academy had three student-athletes recognized by PhillyBurbs.com as Top Performers after their standout days on the field.
![Congrats to the Class of 2024 Fall Cum Laude Inductees](/uploaded/images/Academics/cum_laude.jpg)
GA is proud to announce the 14 seniors who will be inducted into the Cum Laude Society for the Class of 2024.
Germantown Academy Director of Athletics Tim Ginter has announced the hiring of DeLane Doyle as the new Head Coach for Varsity Coed Ice Hockey.
![K. Richardson Announces Retirement](/uploaded/images/k_richardson_2.jpg)
The Germantown Academy Arts Center stage certainly won’t be the same after K. Richardson takes her final bow at the end of the 2023-24 school year. While she hasn’t spent the past 20 years at GA for awards or applause, Richardson does find joy having taken hundreds of students from merely actors to true performers with her artistic creativity and directorial leadership.
A student who loved Germantown Academy turned into a staff member who brought his talent and passion back to the school. Read about how Equipment Manager Lance Stewart '09 is one of his alma mater's greatest assets.
Vincent Zhou '26 showcased his skills as a close-up magician when he wowed the entire Upper School during the 2023 Spring Talent Show. Zhou then took his magic to a different level this summer after being selected Start of Tomorrow at the 2023 American Society of Magicians Convention in New Orleans.
Eric Greenwood '16 used his time as a Prefect at GA to learn initiative and leadership skills, which he then brought to Lehigh University. Currently working at GroupeConnect in Boston, Greenwood has added advertising, marketing, and club soccer to his daily routine.
![Class Stone Tradition from 1885 Continues Today](/uploaded/images/2023_stone_DSC_0009.jpg)
The giving of the class stone is a tradition that dates all the way back to the 1800s and was introduced by Head of School Dr. William Kershaw. This year year's class stone was designed by senior Ryleigh Dougherty '23.
!["In Our Own Write" Middle School Club Hosted Spring Writers' Contest](/uploaded/images/Arts/IMG_6028_today_at_GA.jpg)
The glitter, markers, and stickers were abundant as the members of the Middle School magazine, In Our Own Write, worked to create posters about their Spring Writing Contest. The contest provided a great opportunity for students in the Middle School community to create submissions for the magazine, and students within the club were the editors and judges.
The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) recently published its All-America lists for the 2022-23 season.
Libby Brewer '25, Laurel DePolo '25, and Brendan Hodgens '24 were named National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association All-Americans for the 2022-23 season.
![Nathan Chang '24 and Richard Liao '24 Become Eagle Scouts](/uploaded/images/Arts/Nathan_construction.png)
Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America is the highest level attainable and it carries with it an extremely prestigious reputation, as Eagle Scouts exude leadership, compassion, and service. Nathan Chang '24 and Richard Liao '24 have now joined this illustrious group.
![Students Awarded Highest Prizes in Art](/uploaded/images/Arts/Student_Choice-Claire_McMichael_B.jpg)
Aisosa Idahosa ’23 and Claire McMichael ’23 took home prestigious art prizes this year. Idahosa’s large-scale figure drawing was chosen by the GA Visual Arts Faculty as this year’s “Purchase Award” winner and McMichael took home the “Student’s Choice Award” in Visual Arts as her GA/PC inspired chess set sculpture was voted on and chosen by GA students for this year’s prize.
Imagine being in high school and riding along with law enforcement, listening to 911 calls, and touring the county jail. That shadowing experience during high school laid the groundwork for Emma Conradi’s future career.
Norley is aiming to improve mental health care in college athletic programs and make sure current athletes’ experiences are better than his. His company, OnBalance, which launched earlier this year and hits the market this summer, is a tool for college programs to better identify athletes dealing with mental illness or disease.
![Happy First Day of GA Summer Camps!](/uploaded/PDFs/Summer_Programs/camp_photos_2023/boys_fish_IMG_0456.jpg)
It was such a good sight to see kids getting dropped of for a great day!
Fourth and 5th Grade students celebrated their final assembly of the school year in the Arts Center Auditorium. Students accepted their 5th Grade Completion certificates, and several awards were given out.
Sam Wang '23, along with the other deserving students were celebrated in a ceremony at the Firstrust Bank Club at Lincoln Financial Field on May 16. Wang was one of three students who were the recipients of two-year scholarships totaling $25,000 each.
Germantown Academy honored, celebrated and welcomed the remarkable Class of 2023 into the school's storied alumni body during a picture-perfect ceremony on Friday, June 9, 2023 on Connor Quad.
The Class of 2027 was celebrated for the last time as Middle School students in Connor Quad. Speeches of the day were inspiring, and lessons in themselves for the 98 members of the class.
Germantown Academy sophomore Aidan Gor ’25 was selected to participate in the annual Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP) at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Philly decathlete Kyle Garland '18 is competing with bated breath as he looks to claim an NCAA Division I outdoor track and field title — in the searing Texas heat.
Twenty-six seniors were inducted into Germantown Academy's Cum Laude Society chapter during a special ceremony on June 5.
![Prize Day 2023](/uploaded/photos/Academics/HM.jpg)
The Upper School student body gathered for one final assembly in the Arts Center Auditorium on Friday, June 2, 2023 for the annual Prize Day ceremony, a GA tradition to acknowledge the many accomplishments of dozens of deserving students.
Students participated in the annual 8th Grade Science Fair where they learned how scientific research requires both patience and creativity!
Germantown Academy senior Sam Wang '23 won one Grand Award and three Special Awards and for a total of $4,500 in prize money at the 2023 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Dallas.
The Inter-Academic League released its All-League teams for the 2023 spring season. Germantown Academy was well-represented on the lists, with 26 student-athletes being recognized.
With graduation less than one month away, the 132 members of the Class of 2023 are getting ready to leave Germantown Academy and move on to 88 different colleges and universities in 29 states, Washington D.C., and Scotland.
Three Germantown Academy teams --baseball, girls lacrosse, and softball -- will be competing in the post season and all have earned the right to host the game on May 19.
FORT WASHINGTON -- Finding success on the field and in the classroom is not out of the ordinary for Germantown Academy student-athletes. However, that focus does not end once they leave the Fort Washington campus. Many former Patriots recently garnered accolades for the work that they put in during the spring season.
Following up on a historic season can be an intimidating and daunting task for some teams, but not for the racquetmen of Germantown Academy. One season after claiming a share of the Inter-Ac League title for the first time since 1986, the Patriots repeated the feat by defeating arch-rival Penn Charter 5-2 on May 11.
The AD’s Award is presented annually to a senior girl and/or senior boy who has been a multi-sport varsity athlete and has exemplified dedication to their team and school. Recipients are considered to be outstanding representatives of the Inter-Ac League in sportsmanship and leadership.
Thirty-seven Germantown Academy student-athletes who will play their sport in college were honored at the annual Senior Signing Ceremony in the Korman Family Pavilion. On hand to congratulate GA's seniors and wish them well next year were GA coaches, parents, siblings, friends, Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760, and Director of Athletics Tim Ginter.
Germantown Academy’s Sadie Hess knows for Germantown Academy to win games in the rugged Inter-Ac League, mistakes have to be kept to a minimum.
Villanova University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D joined the stage alongside Student Body President Jose Garcia-Orozco and Campus Climate Committee Chair and Senator Dean Millard for the annual Town Hall.
![Students Inducted into Modern Language Honor Societies](/uploaded/images/Academics/French_HS.jpg)
Germantown Academy proudly inducted new students into the three Modern Language Honor Societies for French, Chinese, and Spanish.
Thirty-four Germantown Academy Upper School Science Research students competed at the Montgomery County Science Research Competition (MCSRC) on March 22, directed by Phil Rittenhouse 1760. In total, 32 students earned first, second, or thirds place awards, and qualified for the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF) in the process.
More than 40 years ago, Edward Piszek 1760 emigrated to the United States from Poland. Two of his children, Bill Piszek ’77 and Helen Piszek Nelson ’70, went to Germantown Academy. Edward decided to start a tradition of giving a book to every child in the Lower School; this tradition continues to this day.
After 25 seasons as the girls varsity basketball coach at Germantown Academy, Dr. Sherri Retif, a member of Germantown Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame, announced that she will retire from coaching at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Retif will remain a member of the Middle School faculty.
The 26-0 mark between the boys and girls programs over the last two seasons is not only a product of the work put in by Head Coach Jeff Thompson, his staff, and the student-athletes, but also credit to the school, according to Thompson.
Germantown Academy third graders took a trip to Wings Airfield to experience the concepts of flight that they had been learning about in class in a real-world setting.
The Upper School Asian American Student Association (AASA) ran an event for the Lower School Asian American Student Affinity Group that saw a lot of fun and creativity with the end result a beautiful aquarium of unique marine animals. Read below a Q&A from two of the Upper School student leaders, Stella Lee ’23 and Aayush Kevadia ’23, about their group’s work.
Kyle Garland '18 set the collegiate heptathlon record to win his first national championship with the world’s second-best score in history during the final day of the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in the Albuquerque Convention Center Saturday
Angel City announced that the club has signed midfielder Mackenzie Pluck to a one-year contract.
Six Germantown Academy students were named National Merit finalists, bringing them one step closer to consideration for 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million.
On March 4, the Germantown Academy VEX Robotics team, led Upper School science teachers Diane Goldstein 1760 and Michael Rheam, traveled to Norristown for the VRC Spin-Up High School East Pennsylvania State Championship.
Germantown Academy welcomed Dr. Michael Fowlin to speak with the Middle School on Monday, March 6, in the Honickman Auditorium as part of Wellness Week.
The Inter-Academic League released its All-League teams for the 2022-23 winter season. Germantown Academy was well-represented on the lists, with 22 student-athletes being recognized, two of whom were named the Most Valuable Player for their respective sport. In addition, the Independence Hockey League announced their All-League teams as well, with seven student-athletes making the list.
Germantown Academy had 10 student-athletes recognized by PhillyBurbs.com as Top Playoff Performers, with two in the running for Best Playoff Performer of the Week.
![New York Times Best-Selling Author Tami Charles Leads Black History Month Celebration](/uploaded/images/About/PXL_20230215_180038514.jpg)
Germantown Academy was pleased to welcome New York Times best-selling author Tami Charles on Wednesday, February 15 for a full day of student assemblies, Q&A sessions, dinner, and a community presentation where she discussed her life and her books, Like Vanessa, Muted, All Because You Matter, and more in celebration of Black History Month.
![Success Found at PMEA District 11 Orchestra Festival](/uploaded/images/About/GAmusic.jpg)
GA had 10 students participate in the PMEA District 11 Orchestra Festival concert at Perkiomen Valley Middle School on Friday, Jan. 27. This is the most students GA has ever had in District Orchestra.
![Speech and Debate Team Wins at Final Tournament](/uploaded/images/Academics/Upper_School/debate_group.jpg)
The Germantown Academy speech and debate team hosted the final tournament of the season on February 8 for the Southern Pennsylvania Debate League (SPDL). Students have participated this fall and winter in a series of meets leading up to the final.
![Alum Return for Life After GA Week](/uploaded/images/Alumni/alumpanel.jpg)
As part of the Upper School’s Experiential Learning program, a team of GA administrators put together the school’s first “Life After GA” week. The goal of this unique program was to connect students to GA alums who shared their personal stories about how to make the best use of their GA education, not only their academics but their co-curricular experiences.
When they were attending Germantown Academy, Dean Millard ’21 and Blake Smith ’22 could most likely be found in the gym making plays on the hardwood for the Patriots’ boys basketball team. Although they are not teaming up on the court to dazzle spectators with their athletic abilities any longer, the two friends are showcasing a different set of skills while keeping basketball at the forefront with “Tap In,” a podcast that covers hot topics around the National Basketball Association (NBA).
![Joanne Bates Announces Retirement](/uploaded/images/belfry_bates_IMG_8750_copy.jpg)
After a 26-year career at GA, Joanne Bates, private music instructor of the cello and double bass, is hanging up her bow. Stepping on campus in 1997 under the former Head of Performing Arts Janice Kemp, Bates has brought her personal talent of teaching to students that have come to appreciate a love of music.
![GA Earns College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award](/uploaded/images/AP_CSP.png)
GA has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles. Schools honored with this award have expanded girls’ access in AP computer science courses. GA was proud to have 14 female students take AP Computer Science with Computer Science Department Head Jason Oswald during 2021-22.
There was great cause for celebration as all divisions were treated to live Lion Dance performances in honor of the Lunar New Year.
For 12 years Martha McGlinchey has played an integral role behind the scenes in the business office at GA. Working as a key member of our business office, her tedious work has impacted each and every member of the GA community in a positive way. Consequently, Martha will be missed by all, as she has decided to retire at the end of the school year.
In the role, Rizzi will be working on several Adolescent Health projects as well as learning about health practices and how to improve physical and emotional healthcare for teens. The position started in November and runs until May.
Bennett has signed with Binghamton, joining her father as a Division I basketball player in the family.
![Twin Sister Docs Highlight GA's 20th MLK Day of Service](/uploaded/images/About/E_I/2023MLK.jpg)
Germantown Academy's 20th annual MLK Day of Service was a complete success! More than 200 members from the GA community came out to hear from the Twin Sister Docs and put together 14 different service projects for a variety of organizations throughout the morning of January 16. A big shout-out goes to Genie Hill '23 and Anthony Commale, CSO Director, and their team for spearheading this feel-good event.
![Young Alumni Discuss College with the GA Community](/uploaded/images/Academics/college_panel_2023A.jpg)
Germantown Academy's Office of College Counseling hosted its annual College Panel to kick off the new year.
Izzy Casey '24, Bryce Rollerson '25, Jack Baron '26, and Robert Leeds '25 were mentioned by the newspaper for their stellar performances in on the court and on the mats.
On Monday, December 19, students and faculty from across the school gathered in the Field House for our annual CSO Holiday Program. Ushered in to the Upper School Jazz Band’s rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming To Town,” everyone arrived bearing toys, clothes, gift cards and basic necessities to make the holiday season a little brighter and more comfortable for those in need.
![Class of 2027 Day Off Campus](/uploaded/photos/About/Dareus_Conover.jpeg)
The 8th Grade Day Off Campus event returned to GA this fall with resounding applause by the Class of 2027. Students spent a day observing what it's like to work in a career of their choice.
On Sunday, December 4, GA celebrated its annual Holiday Marketplace in the Field House. With more than 50 vendors in attendance and food trucks stationed outside, the Marketplace was a blast!
Upper School Honors musicians auditioned for select ensembles for PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) District 11. A total of 14 students won seats in District Band and Orchestra!
Ms. Karina Slapinsky’s Student Teaching exhibit is showcased at the Tyler School of Art. Karina has been doing her Student Teaching Placement here at GA since early September and this exhibit acts as the culmination of her Art Education experience.
While numerous former Patriots were recognized during the post-season, these two earned All-America honors.
![Six Students Attend NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference](/uploaded/photos/SDLC_kids.jpg)
GA sent six students to the annual NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference in San Antonio, which is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of Upper School student leaders (grades 9-12) from across the U.S. and abroad.
Kiley Kergides took home Third Team Academic All-American, United Soccer First Team All-American, and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East All-Conference honors. She also earned Division II Conference Commissioners Association (DIICCA) and United Soccer All-Region honors.
Health and Wellness as a curricular topic is in the air this season! Construction is coming along on the new Health and Wellness Center, and Director of Health and Wellness Dr. Leigh Serra P’24 ’28 used that theme for Lower School’s Design Day.
![Glenda Daulerio 1760 Announces Retirement](/uploaded/images/About/glendaNEW.jpg)
For 47 years, Middle School English teacher Glenda Daulerio 1760 P’07 has brought books to life. One may even go as far as saying that her tenure at GA is a book in itself. To say that Daulerio’s retirement will make a difference in GA's story, especially in the GA Middle School, is an understatement. She has always been an integral part of the GA family.
The Inter-Academic League released its All-League teams on Nov. 17 and 18 for the 2022 fall season. Germantown Academy was well-represented on the lists, with 30 student-athletes being recognized, two of whom were named the Most Valuable Player for their respective sport.
Germantown Academy officially inducted five athletes and one team into the GA Athletic Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
Another exhilarating GA/PC Day and Reunion Weekend is in the books! While the Patriots did not claim the annual Competition Cup, five teams -- golf, boys water polo, girls soccer, field hockey, and football -- triumphed over the Quakers.
At Germantown Academy (GA), a prekindergarten-through-12 nonsectarian, independent, coeducational school in Fort Washington, an in-house, peer-staffed Writing Center encourages Upper School students to enhance their writing skills.
Students and employees gathered around Connor Quad to take part in our annual Halloween parade!
Germantown Academy repeated as Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Champions
It’s just for fun, La Salle guard Jaye Haynes made clear. Find some old basketball highlights from the 1990s or even the late ‘80s, and compare the videos of her father to some of her own, just to see similarities and differences.
Inspired in part by a trip to the Pennsylvania Academy the Fine Arts last April, then juniors in Visual Arts Chair David Love's class were instructed to find a moment in a painting from their collection to do studies from, which then transformed into large, five foot tall figure drawings.
Kathryn's amazing quilts are hanging in the Arts Center gallery for the month of October. The Art Across the Academy team welcomed Kathryn to GA with a reception held in her honor.
Although the team fell short of defending the league title, the Patriots did not go home empty handed. After a lengthy league season, Ajeet Bagga '24 was named Inter-Ac Individual Champion, becoming the first Germantown Academy student-athlete to win the award since its inception is 2011.
Happy Fall Y'all! Lower School families gathered on the playground to celebrate the fall season at the annual LS Fall Fest. The event featured lots of fun fall activities.
When Ben Feld’s golf career at Drexel came to a close, he wasn’t sure what he would do professionally. He had an important decision to make, and, ultimately, someone who had recently arrived at the West Philly campus led Feld to make a life-changing move.
The Middle School cross country team was in action on Monday at Belmont Plateau for the Inter-Ac League Championships. The Patriots had an excellent showing, garnering 56 points to finish second in the league.
By sweeping the season series against Academy of Notre Dame on Oct. 12 with a 3-2 win, the Patriots moved to 6-0 in league play and won the title outright.
Germantown Academy Director of Athletics Tim Ginter has named Steve Moll as the new Head Coach of Varsity Track & Field for both the winter and spring seasons.
Germantown Academy Director of College Counseling Karen Mason recently announced the fall inductees of GA's Chapter of the Cum Laude Society.
Academy is proud to announce that six members of the Class of 2023 have been named National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists!
Germantown Academy welcomed author and educator Matthew Landis to speak with the Middle School on Wednesday, September 28, in the Honickman Auditorium.
Germantown Academy Director of Athletics Tim Ginter has announced the hiring of Diana Shumar as the new Head Coach of Girls Lacrosse.
USA Swimming on Sept. 19 revealed the 72 athletes comprising the National Junior Team for the 2022-23 season. Among the select few is Landon D'Ariano '24, one of just two boys from Pennsylvania to receive the honor.
The GA Field House, originally built in 1987, received an interior facelift over the summer!
Before the masterpieces constructed by Germantown Academy students grace its halls and walls, stunning works created by Visual Arts faculty members are on display in the Arts Center until the end of September.
A baseball fan his whole life, Kepner not only became a “beat” writer, but he ascended to the top of the journalistic mountain. He joined The New York Times in 2000, covering the Mets for two seasons, the Yankees for eight and has been the Times' national baseball writer since 2010. He has covered almost every World Series game over the last two decades.
The GA Field House, originally built in 1987, is receiving an interior facelift this summer. The Field House renovation is expected to be complete in early September.
Countless mathematics classes + thousands of engaged students x years of personal and professional growth = Lisa Ledwith's 36-year teaching career at Germantown Academy.
Germantown Academy was well represented on the NISCA All-America lists, with 12 different student-athletes claiming honors in a total of 16 events.
The Class of 2026 Science Fair, an annual event for the 8th Grade, was held on May 25 in the Field House. There were 115 science fair projects, the most of any previous years, and more than 50 winners.
Hats off to Voyager editors Alex Goodridge '22, Alaina Steck '22, and Jeff Cheng '22 for an amazing publication showcasing Upper School Modern Language students' written work.
28 GA students earned first, second, or third place awards at the Montgomery County Science Research Competition, while 4 GA students earned first place, second place, third place, or honorable mention at the Delaware Valley Science Fair
Meng was one of three students to receive the top-three grand prize of $10,000.
![Yvette Marquez to Retire from GA](/uploaded/images/yvette.jpg)
Yvette Marquez’s classroom is one of stories. Nine years of students learning Spanish by being immersed in the language, creating stories as they learn more about each other, their families, and Spanish-speaking countries, have gone by way too rápido.
In addition to teaching French in GA’s Middle School, Zora Meddahi-Larbi is a protector of an ancient Berber language. Today she and others are working to preserve Taqbaylit, a Berber language spoken in Algeria.
Middle School Spanish Teacher Lauren Fosnight’s session from the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association’s (PSMLA) 2021 conference was selected as the "Best of PA".
GA competed against 18 area high school theater productions and came out on top with three awards.
Many beautiful pieces were entered into the annual GA Student Choice art contest and once all of the votes were counted, the winner was senior Charlotte Harobin ’22.
In all there were 17 students who joined the Academy Club following a full year during which they prepared to be alumni leaders. As Academy Club members, these students are role models for capitalizing on the broad GA alumni network and its innumerable connections.
![Class of 2022 Graduates from Germantown Academy](/uploaded/photos/_DSC0972.jpeg)
Germantown Academy honored, celebrated, and welcomed the remarkable Class of 2022 into the school's storied alumni body during a picture-perfect ceremony on Friday, June 10, 2022 on Connor Quad.
If you have followed Germantown Academy athletics over the past four years, chances are you have heard the voice of Cory Miller ’22. Although he is finished calling games for the Patriots, his legacy as “The Voice of GA” will stand for the foreseeable future.
![Final Assembly Marks End of Lower School for Class of 2029](/uploaded/photos/Academics/lsfinal3.jpg)
The Lower School held its Final Assembly to honor the fourth and fifth grade's student achievements of the school year. The 76 members of the Class of 2029 will move across Connor Quad to Middle School this fall.
Ruth Carver has taught math in the Germantown Academy Upper School for 26 years. Multiply that by the number of students taught and add the amount of people she has supported as Mathematics Department Chair, Relay for Life Advisor, and Faculty/Staff Forum Committee member and her tenure equals a word problem one would be challenged to solve. However, Carver will soon be taken out of the equation as she heads into the aftermath of her teaching career and into retirement at the end of the school year.
On Tuesday, June 7, Germantown Academy's Middle School, led by Jonas Jeswald, held its final assembly on Connor Quad to honor a number of students for excellence in academics, character, and service, and also said goodbye to the Class of 2026.
Twenty-seven new members of the Class of 2022 were inducted into Germantown Academy's Cum Laude Society chapter during a special ceremony on Monday, June 6, 2022 in the Honickman Auditorium.
On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Germantown Academy celebrated 28 college-bound senior student-athletes in the Korman Family Pavilion. On hand to congratulate GA's student-athletes and wish them well next year were GA coaches, parents, Head of School Rich Schellhas, and Director of Athletics Tim Ginter.
Germantown Academy is proud to recognize 29 seniors who were inducted into the GA chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the national mathematics honor society, during a special luncheon on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 in the Middle School Green.
Raina Bandekar '23, Aisosa Idahosa '23, Joseph Richards '23, and Sam Wang were each awarded the McNeil Patriot Scholarship Award during Friday morning's 11th grade/12th grade Prize Day ceremony in the Arts Center.
The Upper School hosted two Prize Day ceremonies in the Arts Center on Friday, June 3, 2022. The 9th grade and 10th grade ceremony took place first and was immediately followed by the 11th grade and 12th grade ceremony.
Lower School Field Day is one of Germantown Academy's longest and most cherished traditions. The annual event puts our Lower School students in the spotlight as they are cheered on by Middle School and Upper School students as they march out to Carey Stadium and compete in a variety of fun competitions before bleachers packed with parents and grandparents.
It’s mid-May, with the spring season in full flower– pun totally intended. Want to know what you might do to more fully experience nature now? Simple. Grab a copy of “Spring Processional,” a hot-off-the-press book by local naturalist Craig Newberger, where you’d learn now is the time to see horseshoe crabs mating on the Delaware Bay and the first meadow wildflowers blooming.
![Marnie McDonald Announces Retirement from GA](/uploaded/images/About/marnieMD.jpg)
Nine years and hundreds of books read, stories written, and math equations solved later, Marnie McDonald will say goodbye to Germantown Academy and its third grade hallway this June. Her passion for her students, teaching, and technology propelled her to take advantage of all of GA's gifts to further her own education to be the best teacher possible.
The AD’s Award is presented annually to a senior girl and/or senior boy who has been a multi-sport varsity athlete and has exemplified dedication to their team and school. Recipients are considered to be outstanding representatives of the Inter-Ac League in sportsmanship and leadership.
University of Georgia junior decathlete and Germantown Academy alum Kyle Garland '18 destroyed the collegiate decathlon record with 8,720 points and qualified to be on Team USA for the coming World Athletics Championships to wrap up the USA Track & Field Combined Events Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. on Saturday.
Filling the hole left by swimming was a complex challenge for Rachel Zilinskas when she left the University of Georgia.
With graduation right around the corner, the members of the Class of 2022 are getting ready to leave Germantown Academy and move on to colleges and universities all over the country
The Patriots not only had four entries in the high school division of races, but GA also had entries in both the middle school Boys and Girls 4x100 Relays and had a handful of alumni participating.
This trip serves as a meaningful way for Chinese learners from the higher-level classes to immerse themselves fully in the Chinese community, experience the culture first hand, and apply their language skills.
Sports have been part of Marquette women’s lacrosse first year attacker/midfielder Elise Smigiel’s life as far back as she can remember.
Since graduating, Adames has kept up his hard work, most recently becoming a published author. Titled Philadelphia’s Diary, the book shares stories about the city at the micro and macro level that Adames has experienced or heard through his nonprofit.
Germantown Academy freshman Charlie Morris '25 of Scouts BSA Troop 177 received the honor of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in Scouts BSA, at a Court of Honor held at First Presbyterian Church of Springfield.
Germantown Academy community members and fashionistas everywhere should keep their eyes peeled for Ralph Lauren’s latest collection.
![Newsies Delivers to Sold Out Crowd](/uploaded/images/Arts/Newsies_2022_long_lens_and_phone_090.jpg)
Newsies, GA’s winter Belfry musical, had the largest cast of any Belfry Show to date, with more than 80 Middle and Upper School students showing off their talent in acting roles, in stage crew, and playing in the pit band during four sold-out shows in the Arts Center.
Ron Gonen '93 admitted that it had been a while since he set foot on Germantown Academy's campus when he took the stage in the Art Center to talk to the Upper School about his book, “The Waste Free World,” and the path that he has taken to become CEO of Closed Loop Partners, a New York based investment firm that finances businesses that are making a positive environmental impact.
![Charlotte Dean Announces Retirement](/uploaded/images/charlotte2.jpg)
A thirst for knowledge and a passion for helping children be their best selves are two outstanding qualities that Lower School teacher Charlotte Baker Dean has shared with the Germantown Academy community for the past 25 years. As she prepares for her retirement at the end of this school year, she will truly miss her interaction and learning with and from her students.
The Germantown Academy community stepped up to help the people of Ukraine in a variety of ways.
Winter of 2022 brought some frigid temperatures and unpredictable weather, but it also featured some dynamite performances from Germantown Academy student athletes.
A spectacular set for the upcoming Belfry Production of Newsies can be seen from every seat in the Arts Center. What is most surprising about the set is that all of it was designed and produced by GA students. While overseen by Technical Theatre teacher Paul Moffitt, it was his students from technical theater classes and those who joined the show’s stage crew that created it from the initial design to the painted sets to the very last welded corner.
With 679 points, Germantown Academy's girls swimming and diving team claimed its first Easterns title since they won in 2015. Mercersburg finished in second with 472.5 points. The boys swimming and diving team finished second behind Mercersburg (621 points) with 533 points. However, when the scores were put together, GA outscored the Blue Storm, 1212-1093.5.
![Preparing Juniors (and their Parents) for the College Search Process](/uploaded/images/Academics/college_simulation3.jpg)
Admission representatives from nine East Coast institutions, some of them vice presidents at their respective colleges, ran a Case Study Program where small groups of juniors and their parents became mock admissions committees for a pretend institution.
Germantown Academy welcomed nine alumni back to campus to chat with students about their academic and career pursuits. Current GA students were able to sign up for two sessions that interested them and hear from the recent college graduates or college seniors.
Germantown Academy was proud to host its annual Head of School Distinguished Speaker Series in early February as a kickoff to Black History Month. This year’s guest was the Marian Anderson Museum.
![Lower School Celebrates Black History Month](/uploaded/images/Screen_Shot_3_kids.png)
The celebration of Black History Month at Germantown Academy continued in the Lower School with a special assembly made completely by students.
Yash Chadda ’23 is an incredibly talented musician. In addition to playing in GA’s Upper School orchestra, Chadda plays in the audition-only Youth Orchestra of Delaware County and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA). He also composed his own music during Middle School, which Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Department Head Chris Horner helped bring to life.
A published author walks among our Germantown Academy Middle School students. Mallea K. ’27 has a passion for creative storytelling and the horror genre which led her to write her first book, The Orphan's Game.
Lisa Martin 1760 has spent many years cultivating her garden of life. Armed with a degree in marine biology and a sunny disposition, Martin feels that she has been extremely lucky to have had careers that match up with her passion for the natural world. Beginning at the Wistar Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, moving on to the Franklin Institute, and finally building a 34-year home at Germantown Academy, Martin has left her mark on all things science.
The former Germantown Academy star, who plays in Finland with Jokerit, will be hoping to lead the U.S. to a much better finish than the seventh-place it achieved in 2018.
Upper School student musicians from Germantown Academy successfully auditioned for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 Orchestra and Band.
Senior Sofia Eichsteadt ’22 created a stunning mural which will be permanently housed in the Modern Language hallway in the Upper School. Eichsteadt said that she was asked by her junior year Spanish teacher, Carlos Chubb, if she would be interested in creating the mural last November.
Madame Test's past travels prove that it really is a small world, and her care and concern for not only her French students, but her advisees and colleagues will all be missed when she closes the door on her GA teaching career this June.
The NHL is once again keeping its players from playing in the Olympics -- this time in hopes of completing the 2021-22 season as scheduled, giving O’Neill another shot at Olympic gold.
A poet, a teacher, a mentor, a friend.
After 25 years, Julia Blumenreich’s tenure at GA will come to an end.
Earlier this season, Jay Wright was taking questions about a popular 2021-22 subject — how Villanova’s young guys get (or don’t get) playing time. It’s not just how new players perform, Wright asserted, but also how everyone else plays when a new guy is out there.
“It’s never too late to become a winner.”
That’s the mantra of Laura Eiman ’71, who, in her 60s, decided to take her life into her own hands to become a gold-medal-winning weightlifter and mental toughness coach.
Sandy Bennett 1760 is still the same fireball as when she started working at GA. Having spent more than three decades molding young minds in the Lower School, Bennett keeps her days busy by living near campus and maintaining her personal GA connections.
![Fall All-Inter-Ac Awards Announced](/uploaded/images/athletics/germantown_academy_athletic_logo_with_shield_1280x720.png)
Senior Christian Combs '22 was named Inter-Ac League Boys Soccer Player of the Year and 40 GA student-athletes were named to All-Inter-Ac teams for the fall 2021 season.
Dr. Parth Patel ’11 has had more schooling in his short lifetime than many people around the world. A lifer at GA, Patel graduated from the University of Miami in three years, headed back to Philadelphia to earn a dental school degree from University of Pennsylvania, then completed his MBA at Penn’s Wharton School.
GA celebrated Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) across all divisions during the first full week of December. CSEdWeek is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field.
![GA Falls to PC in Competition Cup](/uploaded/images/athletics/_U9A4724-XL.jpg)
Another exhilarating GA/PC Day and Reunion Weekend is in the books! While the Patriots did not claim the annual Competition Cup, four teams - boys soccer, golf, field hockey, and girls tennis - all won their contests.
Germantown Academy is proud to announce the newest class of its Athletic Hall of Fame.
![Pat Terefenko Awarded Professional Achievement Honor](/uploaded/images/PatT.jpg)
Congratulations to Business Manager Pat Terefenko on being recognized by the National Business Officers Association! Pat is in her 21st year at GA.
![THANKFUL to the GA COMMUNITY](/uploaded/images/1.jpg)
We are so grateful to the GA community for the generous food, monetary, and gift card donations given to the 2021 CSO and Parents' Committee Thanksgiving Food Drive!
GA honored four Patriots with the inaugural Alumni Mission Award during Alumni Weekend.
The third-seeded Patriots came out on the wrong end of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association championship game, 4-2, against the top-seeded Kiski School at the Proving Grounds.
![Boys Soccer Beats PC for 2021 Inter-Ac Title](/uploaded/images/athletics/bsocchamps.jpg)
The boys soccer team entered its Nov. 13 matchup against Penn Charter with a unique opportunity. Not only would a win against the long-time rival Quakers bring the Patriots a coveted point on GA-PC Day, but it would also give the team its first Inter-Academic Athletic League title since 2009.
Fourth Grade Teacher Julia Blumenreich 1760 has written a new poetry book entitled The What of Underfoot.
The Patriots not only won the Inter-Academic Athletic League team title, but they also came home with the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association title!
The annual Preserve Day 5K/10K Run and Fun Walk was a great success! More than 175 runners and walkers registered for the event and skies were beautiful for a run through GA’s cross country course and walk on the track at Carey Stadium.
Germantown Academy celebrated its inaugural Upper School PRIDE Week October 12-15. Rachel Lintgen, Upper School Dean of Students, and Michael Ferrier, Upper School English teacher and Co-Upper School Diversity and Community Life Coordinator, brought the Upper School community together to celebrate a week of PRIDE for students, faculty, and staff that identify as LGBTQ+ as well as their allies.
![Preserve Day Showcases GA's Outdoor Spaces](/uploaded/photos/Parents/preservedaycover.jpg)
More than 100 families participated in Preserve Day - a celebration of GA's outdoor spaces.
GA Director of Athletics Tim Ginter has announced the hiring of John Staudenmayer as the new head coach of the GA Varsity Wrestling team.
Tesa Pribitkin '16 is spending nine months in Madrid, Spain as a Fulbright Scholar
On Tuesday, GA students heard from authors Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed.
Germantown Academy alumna Olivia Reiner '14 was named the Philadelphia Flyers Beat Reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Angelina Sannicandro '22 was the recipient of the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award and honored before Wednesday's Phillies' game at Citizens Bank Park.
Germantown Academy Director of College Counseling Karen Mason recently announced the fall inductees of GA's Chapter of the Cum Laude Society.
Three members of the Class of 2022 have been named Semifinalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
GA is proud to announce that nine members of the Class of 2022 have been named Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of September 11, Sue Szczepkowski, Head of Lower School, shared a short video with students in kindergarten through 5th grade earlier this week.
Sam Wang '23 of Scouts BSA Troop 542 received the honor of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in Scouts BSA, at a Court of Honor held at Supplee Presbyterian Church.
See where the Class of 2021 will continue their studies!
Germantown Academy is sad to announce the passing of former Head of Upper School Choruses, String Orchestras, and Music Theory teacher Michael Kemp, who passed away on July 10, 2021.
Enjoy the 2020-2021 edition of The Voyager, Germantown Academy's modern language journal. Special thanks to this year's editors: Christina Nguyen '21, Eileen Zhang '21, and Priyanka Anand '21.
GA conferred five new endowed chairs during the faculty/staff on June 10.
Lower School Art Teacher Alia Tahvildaran was named the Herbert and Irma Barness Endowed Chair in the Fine and Performing Arts.
Jarrett Anderson was named the Peter J. Cressman Chair for Excellence in the Teaching of Classical and Modern Language.
Rachel Lintgen '90 was named the William L. Schoff Memorial Alumni Chair for Distinguished Teaching in English.
Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760 announced the Distinguished Mission Award on June 10.
Jim Eichsteadt was named the Peter Biggs Chair for Excellence in the Teaching of History during the end-of-year faculty/staff breakfast.
Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760 announced the Distinguished Mission Award on June 10.
Becky Pizzino 1760 was named The Diane Goldstein 1760 Chair for Excellence in the Teaching of Science.
Annually, GA honors members of the faculty, administration, or staff with awards for excellence in program development, teaching, service, or other exceptional achievement.
Every June, GA awards four Mission Awards to outstanding members of the faculty, administration, and staff.
Several GA student-athletes were named First Team or Second Team All-League
GA honored, celebrated and welcomed the remarkable Class of 2021 into the school's illustrious alumni body during a special commencement ceremony on June 11, 2021.
Twenty-six new members of the Class of 2021 were inducted into GA's Cum Laude Society chapter.
GA inducted the 97th class of the Academy Club during a special ceremony on Tuesday.
GA celebrated the Class of 2028 at the Lower School Final Assembly.
The Middle School held two final assemblies on Monday and Tuesday.
Rebecca Lee '21 won the Student Choice Award for her stunning painting, "Feast."
Sixteen GA students earned first place awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences State Fair.
The Upper School hosted two Prize Day ceremonies on Connor Quad on Friday, June 4, 2021.
Henry Morrissey '22, Caitlin Boland-Szura '22, Fore Abinusawa '22, and Jake Hsu '22 were each awarded the McNeil Patriot Scholarship Award during Friday morning's ceremony.
On Thursday, 35 members of the Class of 2021 were inducted into the GA chapter of the Science National Honor Society.
Twenty-eight seniors were inducted into Mu Alpha Theta on Tuesday.
Elise Smiegel '21 and Jordan Longino '21 were recipients of the Inter-Ac League A.D. Award.
Jade Dohner '21 and Helen Wu '21 are the recipients of National Merit College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships.
Jason Wang '22 won a second place Grand Award and a $2,000 cash prize at the 2021 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
GA students and faculty came together to create a local food source for Ambler area residents.
GA won the 2021 Inter-Ac League Girls Track & Field Finals on May 22 at Carey Stadium.
![GA Mourns the Loss of Jim Fenerty 1760](/uploaded/images/jimfenerty.jpg)
Jim Fenerty 1760, longtime athletic director, boys basketball coach, and history teacher, and most recently part-time college counselor, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2021. The GA community mourns the loss of this incredible icon.
Robert DiDonato '21 broke the all-time Pennsylvania state record in the boys 3,200 meters with a time of 8:44.98 at the Henderson Invitational.
Lower School Literacy Specialist Joy Holmes 1760 has announced that she will retire from GA following the 2020-2021 school year.
The Small Gym was filled with historical figures––Beethoven, Abraham Lincoln, Kamala Harris, Malala Yousafzai, Neil Armstrong, King Tut and more!
In honor of International Nurses Day, GA honored Lori Andress ’88, Pam Barrer P’02 ’08, Lorraine Rodgers P’03 ’08, Karen Williams P’14, ’16, ’17, and Sarah Williams ’14.
This year, six Honors musicians have qualified for District 11 Band and three also qualified for Orchestra!
Twenty-seven GA students won silver, bronze, and honorable mention medals. Congratulations to the following students!
GA science research students won 22 special awards, including $1,125 worth of prize money and $173,000 in scholarship money.
Sixteen students were inducted into their respective language's honor society by the faculty, who spoke almost entirely in French, Spanish, and Chinese during the ceremony.
In total, 24 GA students earned first, second, or third place awards, and, in the process, qualified for the virtual Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF).
Eighteen GA students earned first place awards at the virtual PJAS Region 1B science fair
The Germantown Academy Cooperative Learning Program (GACLP) was founded in 2017 as an externship program for Upper School students to gain real world experience in a variety of employment fields within proximity to GA.
An important message to the Germantown Academy community.
Germantown Academy's Middle School is proud to present Scenes From a Quarantine. This is a virtual play, and is available for viewing on Friday, March 12 at 6pm.
Atharv Awasthi '22 qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam!
Director of Security Steve Dolan will retire after the 2020-2021 school year.
Germantown Academy Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760 has announced the hiring of David Pannepacker as the school’s next Chief Financial and Operating Officer.
![Craig Newberger 1760 Announces His Retirement](/uploaded/images/craig_large.jpg)
Craig Newberger's 34-year teaching career at Germantown Academy will come to an end this June and the entire community will miss its singing outdoorsman.
Nine Germantown Academy seniors have been named finalists in the 2021 Competition for National Merit Scholarships.
Chief Operating Officer Tom Taft will retire following the 2020-2021 school year.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with GA!
John Jennings, a professor, author, comic artist, curator, Harvard Fellow, and 2018 Eisner Winner, will speak to the GA community on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7pm. This online event is free and open to the public.
![Sue McHugh Announces Her Retirement](/uploaded/images/Sue_McHugh_small.jpg)
"Super" Sue McHugh is retiring from GA after 21 years as an educator, mentor, and leader in math and technology.
GA's 18th annual MLK Day of Service was a success! Thank you to everyone in the GA community for donating items and for tuning in to the virtual event.
![Janet Maurer 1760 Announces Her Retirement](/uploaded/images/janetB_retirement_FINAL.jpg)
Janet Maurer, member of the honorary alumni class of 1760 and counseling department matriarch, has announced she will be retiring at the end of June after a 23-year career at GA.
The award-winning Belfry Club, the nation's oldest, continuously-run high school dramatic club, is proud to perform The Internet is Distract–Oh Look a Kitten!
Middle School History Teacher Mark Stephens 1760 will retire at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
GA alum Kent Griswold ’76 has launched a new television program, which will premiere on Amazon Prime on January 12.
Sarah Rojas '21 has been named a Top 300 Scholar in the 80th Regeneron Science Talent Search for her science research project, Inducing Dysbiosis in Brown Planaria with Single Strain Probiotics Clostridium butyricum, E.coli Nissle 1917, and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Sarah Rojas '21 has been named a Top 300 Scholar in the 80th Regeneron Science Talent Search for her science research project, Inducing Dysbiosis in Brown Planaria with Single Strain Probiotics Clostridium butyricum, E.coli Nissle 1917, and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Senior Maddie Gamburg '21 and her new online student newspaper, The Rocky, were featured on 6abc's Philly Proud segment.
Grace Brogan '21 was recently named the Ambler Rotary Club's Student of the Month.
The Upper School Community Service Organization hosted the annual CSO Holiday Program over Zoom on December 18, 2020.
![Germantown Academy Names Nidhi McVicar Assistant Head of School](/uploaded/images/nidhi_headshot.jpg)
Nidhi McVicar will join the GA community in July 2021 as a member of the Senior Administrative Team.
This year's celebration featured the sharing of projects and experiences across ages.
Independent Teacher, the official magazine of the National Association of Independent Schools, published an article about Germantown Academy Upper School English Chair Becca Burnett's "Shakespeare in Performance" class.
Germantown Academy Director of College Counseling Karen Mason recently announced the fall inductees of GA's Chapter of the Cum Laude Society.
Using a tenet of the school's Mission, Compassionate in Spirit, the Lower School sent heart-felt notes to the seniors who missed out on a regular GA/PC Week due to the pandemic.
On Germantown Academy’s sprawling campus, outdoor spaces enable students to grow, play, and learn essential skills needed to thrive later in life.
A number of Upper School students were officially inducted into their respective language's honor society this fall.
The annual GA/PC Day has been turned into GA/PC Week! Join us online for many of our fall sports competitions between GA and Penn Charter where you can cheer for the Patriots watching any device!
The following guidelines are in alignment with Inter-Academic Athletic League rules for spectators. These policies will be in place for the duration of the Germantown Academy 2020 fall season.
Second grade students in Sara Fridirici's class were outstandingly Collaborative in Action this fall in science class.
Germantown Academy is proud to announce the newest class of its Athletic Hall of Fame.
GA is proud to announce that nine members of the Class of 2020 have been named Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.
GA kicked off its 261st school year on Thursday, September 17, 2020 with its annual Flag Raising ceremony.
Nine members of the Class of 2021 have been named Semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Helen Wu '21 and Jason Wang '22 created, launched, and hosted Camp Intellect, an intensive, fee-based summer English and science enrichment program for students entering grades 7-9.
For 22 years, Peter Waxler has gently and expertly guided his students through the crucial foundational years of Prekindergarten and Kindergarten.
![Dr. Lori Griswold 1760 Named President of the Board of Trustees](/uploaded/images/trustees/griswold.jpg)
Lori Griswold, Ph.D., a member of the Germantown Academy Board of Trustees since 2012, has been appointed President of the Board, and began her three-year tenure last month.
![An Important Message from Rich Schellhas](/uploaded/images/GA_LOGO_CMYK.png)
An Important Message from Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760.
On July 16, 2020, Germantown Academy celebrated 35 college-bound senior student-athletes in the Korman Family Pavilion.
GA honored, celebrated and welcomed the remarkable Class of 2020 into the school's illustrious alumni body during a special commencement ceremony on July 17, 2020.
Upper School History Department Head Bob Moyer was inducted into the Class of 1760 during the Class of 2020's graduation ceremony on Friday, July 17, 2020.
Lower School Spanish Teacher Marisa McAuliffe was inducted into the Class of 1760 during the Class of 2020's graduation ceremony on Friday, July 17, 2020.
Lower School Music Department Coordinator Jodi Bohr was inducted into the Class of 1760 during the Class of 2020's graduation ceremony on Friday, July 17, 2020.
Head of School Rich Schellas was inducted into the Class of 1760 during the Class of 2020's graduation ceremony on Friday, July 17, 2020
GA inducted the 96th class of the Academy Club on July 16.
Bassoonist Garrett Comrie '20 landed a seat in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra!
I am writing to you with my mind on the state of the world, but more specifically, on our school community. As we strive to find the best path toward reopening school in the midst of a health crisis, we also bear witness to the rise of social justice movements around the world, including in our own city.
Several Germantown Academy student-athletes were named to the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association's All-America lists for the 2019-2020 season.
GA alumna Nina Tang '16 was selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program to conduct microbiology research in Switzerland.
Harry Hou '21, Priyanka Anand '21, Sarah Rojas '21, and Justin Weiss '21 were each awarded the McNeil Patriot Scholarship Award at the annual Prize Day ceremony.
A list of winners from the 2020 Upper School Prize Day ceremonies.
Twenty-eight members of the Class of 2020 were inducted into Germantown Academy's Cum Laude Society chapter.
A number of Germantown Academy Upper School students were inducted into their respective language's honor society.
The Belfry Club scooped up three awards at the 15th Annual Greater Philadelphia Cappies Gala for its March production of Chicago.
Twenty members of the Class of 2020 were inducted into the GA chapter of the Science National Honor Society.
Annually, GA honors members of the faculty, administration, or staff with awards for excellence in program development, teaching, service, or other exceptional achievement.
Every June, GA awards four Mission Awards to outstanding members of the faculty, administration, and staff.
GA is proud to recognize 14 seniors who were inducted in the school's chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the national mathematics honor society.
On Wednesday, June 10, GA's Middle School held a virtual final assembly over YouTube where faculty and staff honored a number of students for excellence in academics, character, and service, and also said goodbye to the Class of 2024.
On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, GA celebrated the Class of 2027 at the Lower School Final Assembly.
A statement from Head of School Rich Schellhas
Emily Wang '21 qualified for the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering (ISEF) Fair
Germantown Academy seniors Maddie Burns '20 and Matt Sandifer '20 were recipients of the Inter-Academic Athletic League Athletic Director's Award.
Eleven GA students qualified for the Delaware Valley Science Fair.
Seven GA students earned first place awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences Region 1B science fair.
The Belfry Club received nine nominations from the Greater Philadelphia Cappies organization for its March production of Chicago.
Thirteen Germantown Academy students participated in the Montgomery County Oral Proficiency Contest.
“Looking at Ambler" won second place in the Documentary Category at the 2020 Film Now Festival.
With a strong desire help and support youth in Philadelphia, GA senior Juan Adames '20 started his own non-profit organization called Leaders of Tomorrow in 2019.
GA is celebrating its amazing teachers – past and present – from May 4 – 8 in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week!
GA is celebrating its amazing teachers – past and present – from May 4 – 8 in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week!
In memory of Peter C. McVeigh 1760, members of the GA community showed acts of kindness and compassion in their communities on "McVeigh Day," which took place on Saturday, April 25, 2020.
Junior Jordan Longino '21 was named Pennsylvania's Class 4A Boys' Basketball Player of the Year by Pennsylvania Sportswriters.
Jaye Haynes '20 and Maddie Vizza '20 were named All-State.
“Looking at Ambler," a documentary that was created in a Germantown Academy Digital Media class during the 2018-2019 school year placed in the top three of the Documentary Category in the 2020 Film Now Festival, a regional high school film festival sponsored by The Ambler Theater.
Every year, a number of Germantown Academy students take the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 10 Exam or the AMC 12 Exam.
To lift the spirits of their teachers and classmates, members of the GA Upper School String Orchestra came together (virtually) to perform a beautiful rendition of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity" by Gustav Holst.
The Patriots won the School State Championship in the U1300 division at the 2020 Pennsylvania State Scholastic Chess Championships.
A number of Germantown Academy students submitted artwork for a competition organized by the Ronald McDonald House.
![GA Seventh Grader Named a Lions International Peace Poster Contest Merit Winner](/uploaded/photos/News/jianna_k_poster.png)
Jianna K. '25 is one of 23 young artists selected from more than 600,000 participants worldwide as a merit winner in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest.
![Six GA Students Named National Merit Finalists](/uploaded/photos/News/National_Merit_finalists_class_of_2020.jpg)
GA is proud to announce that six members of the Class of 2020 have been named Finalists in the 2020 Competition for National Merit Scholarships.
![Coronavirus Resources](/uploaded/photos/News/seal_1280x720.png)
Germantown Academy created this page to be a resource to the GA Community during this difficult time.
![Ice Hockey: Patriots Win IHL Title for Third Year in a Row!](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Ice_Hockey/ice_hockey_germantown_academy_2020.jpg)
The Patriots defeated Episcopal Academy, 5-2, to clinch its third consecutive league title.
![Bravo, Middle School!](/uploaded/photos/News/freaky_friday_germantown_academy.jpg)
The Middle School's production of "Freaky Friday" was truly a highlight of the winter thus far.
![Wrestling: Patriots Take Sixth at National Preps](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Wrestling/wrestling_team_paisaa_2020.jpg)
GA had quite a bit of success at the National Prep Championships on Saturday.
![Design for the Future Students Visit Comcast Technology Center](/uploaded/photos/News/design_for_the_future.jpg)
Members of Project Management: Design for the Future recently visited the Comcast Technology Center in Philadelphia to gain inspiration from the popular Center City building.
![Club Wednesday: The Edition](/uploaded/photos/News/The_Edition_2020.jpg)
Every Wednesday, Germantown Academy's marketing and communications team spotlights one of the many clubs on campus that make GA so extremely special.
![Girls Swimming and Diving: Emma Atkinson '20 Goes out on Top at 2020 Easterns](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Girls_Swimming_Diving/Emma_Atkinson_2020_easterns.jpg)
Emma Atkinson '20 set new records in the 100 and 200 freestyle events.
![GA Names Tim Ginter Athletic Director](/uploaded/photos/News/Tim_Ginter_germantown_academy.jpg)
Ginter is GA's varsity baseball coach and Upper School history teacher.
![Wrestling: GA Finishes Third at PAISAA Championships](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Wrestling/PAISAA_2020_3rd_place_germantown_academy.jpg)
Eleven GA wrestlers qualified for National Preps and Solomon Fleckman was named the PAISAA Head Coach of the Year.
![Boys Swimming and Diving: Morrissey Stands out at Easterns](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Boys_Swimming_and_Diving/Germantown_Academy_boys_swimming_2020_easterns.jpg)
GA finished sixth at the 2020 Easterns Swimming and Diving Championships. Henry Morrissey '22 led the Patriots with a championship time of 4:24.12 in the 500 free.
![French Students Visit the Barnes Foundation](/uploaded/photos/News/french_trip_2020_germantown_academy.jpg)
The Upper School AP French class recently visited the Barnes Foundation.
![GA Debate Team Stands Out at SPDL Semifinals](/uploaded/photos/News/germantown_academy_upper_school_debate_team_2019_2020.jpg)
Thirteen GA students advanced to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Debate League finals.
![Andrei V. '24 Wins GA Geography Bee](/uploaded/photos/News/germantown_academy_geography_bee_2020.jpg)
For the third year in a row, Andrei V. '24 won the GA Geography Bee.
![Isabella Venziale '20 Named Ambler Rotary Club Student of the Month](/uploaded/photos/News/Isabella_Venziale_CSO_Ambler_Rotary_Club.jpg)
CSO leader Isabella Venziale '20 was the recipient of the Student Of the Month Award in December 2019 from the Ambler Rotary Club.
![Nate Mann '15 Makes His Broadway Debut](/uploaded/photos/News/Nate_Mann.jpg)
Belfry Club alum Nate Mann '15 is making his Broadway debut in Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of A Soldier’s Play.
![GA Student and Alumni Connect during Day off Campus](/uploaded/photos/Posts/Today_at_GA/day_of_campus.jpg)
Using GA’s networking platform, Patriot Connect, eighth grader AJ D. '24 connected with Daniel Lipschutz '03 to spend a day in the life of a freelance illustrator.
![Upper School Debate Team Shines at Local Tournaments](/uploaded/photos/News/debate_team_2019_2020.jpg)
GA's Upper School Debate Team is off to a terrific start!
![Roberto DiDonato Continues Legacy of Germantown Academy at New Balance Games](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Boys_Track/Robert_DiDonato.jpg)
The GA junior distance runner is the latest delegate of his school to hit the top in his field of excellence.
![Simran K. '28 Raises Funds for School in South Africa](/uploaded/images/homepage/Simran_and_key_chains_1280x720.jpg)
Fourth grader Simran K. ’28 has a big heart. When she heard about a school being built in South Africa that needed funding, she not only felt compassionate, she was moved into action!
![Middle School Students Dive Deep Into Computer Science](/uploaded/photos/News/computer_science_education_week_germantown_academy.jpg)
Middle School students participated in a number of engaging computer science activities during Computer Science Education Week.
![Middle School Makes Beautiful Music](/uploaded/images/bandMS.jpg)
All-School Band Director Jeremy Correnti gives us the details about the latest Middle School Winter Concert.
![First and Second Grade Students Making a Difference for NICU Babies](/uploaded/images/web.jpg)
Students in Mrs. Fridirici's first/second grade class have been looming to help babies in the NICU for the Today is a Good Day organization.
![Cross Country: Issy Goldstein '20 and Robert DiDonato '21 Shine at Northeast Regionals](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Boys_Cross_Country/rob.jpg)
Robert DiDonato '21 made history last month when he became the first GA student-athlete to qualify for the Foot Locker Nationals.
![GA Community Gives Others a Happy Thanksgiving](/uploaded/photos/Parents/tday_US_at_MD.jpg)
The annual CSO Thanksgiving Food Drive was a complete success! Members of the Our Lady of Hope Church and the Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard were the recipients of the donations.
![VIDEO: GA Alumni Return to the Arts Center Stage for "Belfry 125"](/uploaded/photos/News/belfry_125_will_bellamy.jpg)
The Arts Center stage lit up on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 with spectacular performances by alumni and current members of the Belfry Club to celebrate the Belfry Club's 125th anniversary.
![Jordan Longino '21 Featured by The Philadelphia Inquirer](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Football/Jordan_Longino_Germantown_Academy_football_basketball.jpg)
GA junior and two-sport student-athlete Jordan Longino '21 was featured in a November 23, 2019 story by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
![A to Z Library and Learning Commons Featured by The Philadelphia Inquirer](/uploaded/photos/News/germantown_academy_library_lower_school_heather_tannenbaum.jpg)
GA's new A to Z Library and Learning Common was featured by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Thursday, November 7, 2019.
![GA Honors Five Patriots with Alumni Mission Award](/uploaded/photos/News/alumni_mission_award_2019.jpg)
GA honored five Patriots with the inaugural Alumni Mission Award during Alumni Weekend.
![GA/PC Day & Alumni Weekend A Huge Success](/uploaded/photos/News/ga_pc_day_2019.jpg)
A great time was had by all during Alumni Weekend!
![Student Voices Inspire Design of GA’s New Library and Learning Commons](/uploaded/photos/News/germantown_academy_lower_school_library_2019.jpg)
On Tuesday, October 22, Germantown Academy opened the A to Z Library and Learning Commons in its Lower School during a special ribbon cutting ceremony.
![2019 GA/PC Day Schedule](/uploaded/photos/News/2019_ga_pc_day_patriot_mascot.jpg)
Cheer on the Patriots during GA/PC Day (AT PC) on Saturday, November 9!
![Mission Award Spotlight: Jay Talsania '82](/uploaded/photos/News/Jay_Talsania.jpg)
Over the past 15 years, Jay Talsania '82 has volunteered his time to operate on children in rural areas of Guatemala.
![Mission Award Spotlight: Meghan McVeigh Maciolek '97, P'31 '33](/uploaded/photos/News/meghan_mcveigh_maciolek.jpg)
Meghan created the GA Alumni Community Service Organization as a way for GA alumni to participate in community service opportunities and to mentor students, all in honor of her late father, Peter McVeigh 1760.
![Mission Award Spotlight: Eugene Golson '76, P'06](/uploaded/photos/News/Eugene_Golson.jpg)
An educator and administrator for the School District of Philadelphia for 38 years, Gene Golson (pictured far right) brought about an unwavering commitment to excellence from both his students and his staff.
![Mission Award Spotlight: Jennifer Ehinger '88](/uploaded/photos/News/Jenninger_ehinger.jpg)
Jennifer Ehinger '88 has worked tirelessly to improve the lives and the futures of poverty-stricken children of Uganda.
![Mission Award Spotlight: Karla Ballard Williams '90](/uploaded/photos/News/karla_ballard_williams_YING_germantown_academy.jpg)
Leaving a successful career in the banking industry, Karla Ballard Williams '90 took a leap of faith and began service work by starting a chapter of the Urban League, an organization aimed at empowering people of color to achieve economic self-reliance, equality, power, and civil rights.
![Alumni Spotlight: Kendall Grasela '16 Leading Penn Basketball](/uploaded/photos/kendall.jpg)
Penn senior basketball player Kendall Grasela '16 named captain of the team.
![Celebrating GA's Outdoor Spaces](/uploaded/photos/Parents/1preservedock.jpg)
The 6th Annual Preserve Day and new Preserve Day 5K celebrated GA's outdoor spaces.
![Eleven Seniors Named National Merit Commended Students](/uploaded/photos/News/national_merit_commended_students_germantown_academy_2019.jpg)
Interim Head of Upper School Michael Torrey announced that 11 members of the Class of 2020 were named Commended Students in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.
![Courtney Williams '03 Shines in New Take on Classic Greek Comedy](/uploaded/photos/News/courtney_lynee_williams.jpg)
Courtney Williams '03 shines in the Barrymore recommended show Lysistrata, Cross Your Legs Sister!
![Six Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists](/uploaded/photos/News/2020_Germantown_Academy_National_Merit_semifinalists.jpg)
GA is proud to announce that six members of the Class of 2020 have been named Semifinalists of the National Merit Scholarship Program.
![Fall Cum Laude Inductees Announced](/uploaded/photos/News/Germantown_Academy_2020_fall_cum_laude_inductees.jpg)
Director of College Counseling Karen Mason announced the fall inductees of GA's Chapter of the Cum Laude Society.
![Girls Swimming: Emma Atkinson '20 Named to 2019-2020 U.S. National Junior Team](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Girls_Swimming_Diving/emma_atkinson_2019_Phillips_66_Nationals._1.jpg)
Germantown Academy senior Emma Atkinson '20 was named to the 2019-2020 U.S. National Junior Team.
![Fall Sports: Preseason Information and Practice Schedules](/uploaded/images/athletics/germantown_academy_athletic_logo_with_shield_1280x720.png)
Important information about the upcoming fall season.
![Emma Atkinson '20 Wins 18-and-Under National Championship!](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Girls_Swimming_Diving/emma_atkinson_2019_Phillips_66_Nationals._1.jpg)
Emma Atkinson '20 won the 18-and-under national championship in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2019 Phillips 66 National Championship.
Kim came away with a fifth-place finish in Greco Roman, the best he has ever put up at the competition.
![Germantown Academy Counselors Prepare Chinese Students for College in America](/uploaded/photos/DistinctlyGA/ChinesePrograms/CNU_Graduation_2019_thumb.jpg)
The Curriculum Partnership Program recently celebrated its fifth graduating class in Beijing, China
![Tyler Kepner '93 Examines the Art of Pitching in New Book](/uploaded/photos/News/Tyler_Kepner_1280x720.jpg)
New York Times national baseball writer Tyler Kepner '93 has written a book entitled K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches.
![Shira Wein '15 Makes Her Mark at Lafayette College](/uploaded/photos/News/Shira_Wein_Germantown_Academy_Lafayette_College_Georgetown_University_computer_science.jpg)
Shira Wein '15 was instrumental in creating a game-changing STEM community on Lafayette College's campus.
![Karen Mason Honored with the Delwin K. Gustafson Recognition Award](/uploaded/photos/News/Karen_Mason_1200x628.jpg)
On June 23, GA Director of College Counseling Karen Mason was presented with the Delwin K. Gustafson Award at the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling’s annual conference.
![Kimberly Bruce Davis ’06 Launches LACH](/uploaded/photos/News/Kimberly_Bruce_Davis_’06.jpg)
Kimberly Bruce Davis '06 launched LACH, a digital marketplace that connects moms from all over the country
![Tai Humphrey '19 Honored at Pennsylvania State Capitol](/uploaded/photos/News/Tai_Humphrey_germantown_academy_black_caucus_scholarship_pennsylvania.jpg)
Tai Humphrey '19 was selected as a recipient of a 2019 Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Scholarship.
![Craig Newberger 1760 Named The Diane Goldstein 1760 Chair for Excellence in the Teaching of Science](/uploaded/photos/News/Craig_Newberger_and_Diane_Goldstein_.jpg)
Craig Newberger 1760 was named The Diane Goldstein 1760 Chair for Excellence in the Teaching of Science.
![Jason Straub 1760 Named The Claire and Jeffrey Black Endowed Chair for the Teaching of Mathematics](/uploaded/photos/News/Jason_Straub_Germantown_Academy_Math_Chair.jpg)
Jason Straub 1760 was named The Claire and Jeffrey Black Family Endowed Chair for the Teaching of Mathematics.
![Faculty and Staff Distinguished Achievement Award Winners](/uploaded/photos/News/Germantown_Academy_Distinguished_Awards_2019.jpg)
Annually, GA honors members of the faculty, administration, or staff with awards for excellence in program development, teaching, service, or other exceptional achievement.
![Faculty and Staff Mission Award Winners](/uploaded/photos/News/Mission_Award_2019_Germantown_Faculty_Awards.jpg)
Every June, GA awards four Mission Awards to outstanding members of the faculty, administration, and staff.
![Class of 2019 Graduates from Germantown Academy](/uploaded/photos/News/2019_graduation_germatown_academy.jpg)
Germantown Academy honored, celebrated and welcomed the remarkable Class of 2019 into the school's illustrious alumni body during commencement on Friday, June 14, 2019.
![GA Inducts Class of 2019 Members Into Cum Laude Society](/uploaded/photos/News/cum_laude_2019_germantown_Academy_upper_dublin_wissahickon_penn_charter_springside_chestnut_hill_academy.jpg)
Twenty-eight new members of the Class of 2019 were inducted into GA's Cum Laude Society chapter.
![Academy Club Tradition Continues with the Class of 2019](/uploaded/photos/News/Academy_Club_2019_2-X3.jpg)
GA inducted the 95th class of the Academy Club during a special ceremony on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 in the Common Room.
![Class of 2023 Remembered at Middle School Final Assembly](/uploaded/photos/News/middle_school_final_assembly_2019.jpg)
On Wednesday, GA's Middle School held its Final Assembly in the Arts Center Auditorium.
![Class of 2026 Moves Across the Quad!](/uploaded/photos/News/lower_school_final_assembly_2019.jpg)
GA celebrated the Class of 2026 at the Lower School Final Assembly.
![GA Celebrates College-Bound Student-Athletes](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/emily_morrisey_villanova_college_bound_athletes_germantown_academy.jpg)
GA celebrated 43 college-bound senior student-athletes in the Korman Family Pavilion.
![Tai Humphrey '19 Wins Student Choice Award](/uploaded/photos/News/student_choice_award_2019.jpg)
Tai Humphrey '19 won the 1st Annual Student Choice Senior Art Competition for her stunning black and white portrait.
![2019 Prize Day](/uploaded/photos/News/prize_day_2019.jpg)
The Upper School student body gathered for one final assembly in the Arts Center Auditorium on Friday, June 7, 2019 for the annual Prize Day ceremony.
![Class of 2020 McNeil Patriot Scholars Announced](/uploaded/photos/News/McNeil_Patriot_Scholars_2020.jpg)
Matthew Sandifer '20, Sasha Capers '20, Isabelle Goldstein '20, and Alexander Browne '20 were each awarded the McNeil Patriot Scholarship Award at the annual Prize Day ceremony.
![GA Inducts 18 New Members into Science National Honor Society](/uploaded/photos/News/germantown_academy_science_national_honor_society_2019.jpg)
Eighteen members of the Class of 2019 were inducted into the GA chapter of the Science National Honor Society.
![GA Wins Three Awards at State Science Competition](/uploaded/photos/News/Pennsylvania_Junior_Academy_of_Sciences_germantown_academy_.png)
Three GA students won awards at the 2019 PJAS State Competition.
![Crew: Derek Walkush '19 Honored by The Triangle Club](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Crew/derek_walkush_triangle_club.jpg)
Derek Walkush ’19 was the recipient of a $250 scholarship from the Triangle Club of Montgomery County for his outstanding accomplishments in athletics, academics, and community service.
![Belfry Club Wins Three More Awards at Philadelphia Independence Awards](/uploaded/photos/News/belfry_club_drama_club_germantown_academy_cappies_philadelphia_independence_awards.jpg)
The award-winning Belfry Club won three awards at the 2019 Philadelphia Independence Awards ceremony.
![GA Students Playing Abroad in Scotland](/uploaded/photos/News/us_kids_european_championship_germantown_academy.png)
Sisters Serena '23 and Kiran '25 are currently in Scotland playing in the U.S. Kids Golf European Championship.
![GA Drama Club Wins Six Cappie Awards!](/uploaded/photos/News/Cappies_Gala_Award_Ceremony_2019_Germantown_Academy_rumors_BelfryClub_drama_club.jpg)
The award-winning Belfry Club won six awards at the Greater Philadelphia Cappies Gala.
At the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Championships, GA took first overall, winning the day by almost 50 points.
![GA to host Independent School College Fair & Alumni Panel](/uploaded/photos/News/College_Fair_at_Germantown_Academy.jpg)
Take advantage of the upcoming events being hosted by the GA College Counseling Department.
![GA Participates in Exchange Program with Franco-German School](/uploaded/photos/News/Germantown_Academy_Franco_German_Exchange.jpg)
GA hosted eight students and two teachers from the Franco-German School in Freiburg, Germany this spring. GA students and teachers will visit Germany this summer.
![The Germantown Academy Class of 2019 College List](/uploaded/photos/News/Germantown_Academy_College_List_College_Counseling_Penn_Charter_Episcopal_Academy_LaSalle_Springside_Chestnut_Hill_Academy.jpg)
With graduation right around the corner, the members of the Class of 2019 are getting ready to leave Germantown Academy and move on to colleges and universities all over the country.
![Two Members of the Class of 2019 Receive National Merit Scholarship Awards](/uploaded/photos/News/germantown_academy_logo_1280x720.jpg)
Kevin Hou '19 and Zoe Torrey '19 are the recipients of a National Merit Scholarship award.
With 150 points, Germantown Academy's girls track and field team became the 2019 Inter-Ac League Champions.
![Seven GA Seniors Named National Merit Finalists](/uploaded/photos/News/national_merit_finalists.jpg)
Germantown Academy is proud to announce that seven members of the Class of 2019 have been named Finalists of the National Merit Scholarship Program.
![Karla Ballard Williams '90 Develops New Skill Sharing App](/uploaded/photos/News/Karla_Ballard_Williams_germantown_academy_ying_social_banking.jpg)
Karla Ballard Williams' new skill sharing app,YING, capitalizes on the idea of social currency.
![Six Things with Tony Macklin '56](/uploaded/photos/News/Tony_Macklin_film_critic_germantown_academy_bradley_cooper.jpg)
Film critic Tony Macklin '56 published a book based on his 12-year run as a magazine writer and celebrity interviewer.
![GA Shines in the Pennsylvania Math League](/uploaded/photos/News/top_math_scorers.jpg)
Upper School Mathematics Department Chair Jason Straub 1760 recently announced the top GA scorers in the Pennsylvania Math League during the 2018-19 school year.
![Charlotte Rapp '19, Ola Abinusawa '19 Given Inter-Ac League Athletic Directors Award](/uploaded/photos/News/Charlotte_Rapp_19_Ola_Abinusawa_19_university_of_chicago_lacrosse_University_of_pennsylvania_track_and_field_inter_ac_league_edited.jpg)
Seniors Charlotte Rapp '19 and Ola Abinusawa '19 were honored by the athletic directors of the Inter-Ac League on May 8.
![Belfry Club Nominated for Five Philadelphia Independence Awards](/uploaded/photos/News/belfry_club_germantown_academy_chess_independence_awards.jpg)
The award-winning Belfry Club received five nominations from the Philadelphia Independence Awards for its November production of Chess.
![Germantown Academy Names Matt Dolan Boys Basketball Coach](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Boys_Basketball/Matt_Dolan.jpg)
Germantown Academy Director of Athletics Josh MacArthur has announced the hiring of Matt Dolan as the new Head Coach of Boys Basketball.
![Germantown Academy Upper School Students Dive Deep Into Ambler's Story](/uploaded/photos/News/looking_at_ambler_white_mountains_performance.jpg)
Students shared their findings with the greater Upper School community during an April 17 assembly in the Arts Center Auditorium.
![GA Inducts 17 Seniors into the National Mathematics Honor Society](/uploaded/photos/News/math_honor_society_class_of_2019.jpg)
GA inducted 17 seniors into the GA chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the national mathematics honor society, on April 26.
![7th Grade Career Day A Huge Success](/uploaded/photos/News/7th_grade_career_day_real_estate.jpg)
The Class of 2024 had the unique opportunity to hear from a number of professionals during 7th Grade Career Day on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.
![GA CSO Hosts The "Not So Wing Bowl"](/uploaded/photos/News/justin_wajda.jpg)
Germantown Academy senior Justin Wajda '19 played a key role in organizing GA’s Not So Wing Bowl on Friday, February 22, 2019.
![Track & Field: Patriots Ready for Penn Relays](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Boys_Track/daelyn_and_don.jpg)
Just a few days stand between the student athletes of Germantown Academy and the first day of The Penn Relays on April 25. With four relay teams and five individuals competing, the Patriots will be in nine total events, up from the seven they were in just a year ago.
![Jim Fenerty Hangs Up His Whistle](/uploaded/images/About/fenerty_favorite.jpg)
After 30-year tenure, Jim Fenerty is shelving his history books and hanging up his whistle.
![Belfry Club Nominated for Eight Cappies!](/uploaded/photos/News/rumors_belfry_club_cappies.jpg)
The award-winning Belfry Club received eight nominations from the Greater Philadelphia Cappies organization for its March production of Rumors.
![Upper School Students Honored at Modern Language Induction Ceremony](/uploaded/photos/News/Modern_Language_Induction_Ceremony_2019.jpg)
Seventeen students were inducted into their respective language's honor society on April 10.
![GA Students Win Prizes and Scholarship Money at Delaware Valley Science Fair](/uploaded/photos/News/montco_fair_science_fair_2019.jpg)
All four students earned first place, second place, third place, or “special” awards."
![Academy Monthly Posts New Student Work](/uploaded/photos/News/academy_monthly.jpg)
The Academy Monthly recently posted new submissions to its website.
![Olivia Negro '19 Named Student of the Month](/uploaded/photos/News/olivia_negro_ambler_rotary_club.jpg)
Olivia Negro '19 was named the Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Ambler.
![Upper School Honors Art Students Explore Ambler](/uploaded/photos/News/Looking_at_Ambler_Germantown_Academy.jpg)
GA honors arts students spent the better part of the 2018-2019 school year exploring the nearby borough of Ambler as part of “Looking at Ambler."
![Olivia Reiner '14 Shines as Green Bay Press-Gazette Sports Reporter](/uploaded/photos/News/olivia_reiner_green_bay_packers_multimedia_reporter.jpg)
As the new multimedia reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Olivia Reiner '14 covers the Packers throughout the year.
![GA Students Lead the Way at Montco Science Research Competition](/uploaded/photos/News/montco_fair_science_fair_2019.jpg)
All five GA students earned first or second place awards and qualified for the Delaware Valley Science Fair on April 2 and 3.
![Crew: Kate Horvat '14 to Row in Women's Boat Race](/uploaded/images/athletics/News/Crew/CUWBC-KatherineHorvat.jpg)
Horvat will be rowing for the "light blues" of Cambridge against the "dark blues" of Oxford University on April 7
![GA Students Win Five First Place Awards at PJAS Regional Science Fair](/uploaded/photos/News/Germantown_Academy_PJAS_Science_Fair_2019.jpg)
On Feb. 23, 2019, five GA Upper School science research students competed at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences Region 1B Science Fair.
![A Visit to Fishermen’s Bastion](/uploaded/photos/News/Fishermens_Bastion_Budapest_2.jpg)
Soaking up the beauty of the Fishermen’s Bastion above Pest in Budapest, Hungary!
![Good Morning Budapest!](/uploaded/photos/News/budapest_2.jpg)
Beginning the morning experiencing the magnificence of Budapest, Hungary!
![Upper School Debate Team Shines at States](/uploaded/photos/News/germantown_academy_debate_team_2019_1.jpg)
The Upper School debate team recently participated in the Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Tournament at Bloomsburg University.
![GA Honors Top Scorers of American Mathematics Competitions](/uploaded/photos/News/math_winners.jpg)
On March 18, 2019, Upper School Mathematics Department Chair Jason Straub announced the top Germantown Academy scorers of the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC).
![Barbara Buckley 1760 Announces Retirement](/uploaded/images/Academics/Lower_School/Buckley3thumb.jpg)
The Lower School Office won't be the same without the never-ending smile of Barbara Buckley 1760.
![Germantown Academy Singing Patriots to go on European Tour](/uploaded/photos/News/Singing_Patriots_Tour.jpg)
The Singing Patriots will tour Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary from Thursday, March 14-Saturday, March 23.
![Germantown Academy Honors Engineering Dominates SeaGlide and SeaPerch Challenges](/uploaded/photos/News/Pic4-SeaGlide_smaller.jpg)
GA's SeaGlide team won a first place trophy and its SeaPerch team won a pair of second place trophies at the 2019 SeaGlide and SeaPerch competitions at Temple University.
![Twelve Students Earn Medals at Montco Oral Proficiency Contest](/uploaded/images/moderlangwinners.jpg)
GA modern language students win big in Montgomery County Oral Proficiency Contest.
![GA VEX Robotics Teams Finishes Second Overall in State Competition](/uploaded/photos/News/vex_robotics.png)
GA's VEX Robotics Team finished second overall at the Eastern Pennsylvania State Championship on March 2, 2019 at Norristown Area High School.
![9th Annual Jazz Cabaret Full of Beautiful Music](/uploaded/photos/News/germantown_academy_jazz_cabaret.jpg)
Hundreds came out to hear the beautiful sounds of student music makers from all three divisions at the 9th annual All-School Jazz Cabaret on February 24.
![Middle School Performance of Grease a Smash!](/uploaded/images/grease5.jpg)
Grease is still the word at Germantown Academy.
![Robin Bissell '86: From Belfry Star to Hollywood Director](/uploaded/photos/News/robin_bissell_germantown_academy.jpg)
Robin Bissell '86 is making his directorial debut in The Best of Enemies.
![Diane Goldstein 1760 Honored](/uploaded/photos/News/Diane_Goldstein_chair.jpg)
On February 15, Head of School Rich Schellhas announced that the newly established Chair for Excellence in the Teaching of Science would be named the Diane Goldstein 1760 Chair for Excellence in the Teaching of Science in honor of Upper School Science Teacher Diane Goldstein 1760.
![Practice Makes Perfect! PreK Students Make Shoe Tying Boards](/uploaded/images/Patriot_Posts_Blog/shoe_tying_board.jpg)
Physical Education Teacher Brian Grady taught PreK students how to make a shoe tying practice board in the Tinker Lab on Wednesday so they could practice tying their shoes.
![GA Robotics Team Takes Second Place](/uploaded/photos/News/vex_robotics.png)
On Saturday, Feb 2, 2019, the GA VEX Robotics team came in second place at the VEX Firebird VRC Winter Competition, which featured 22 teams.
![Jo Supplee Announces Retirement](/data/news/thumbs/5485.full.jpg)
Assistant to the Head of School for the last 7 years, Jo Supplee has announced her retirement.
![MLK Day of Service Supports Surrounding Communities](/data/news/thumbs/5484.full.jpg)
The GA community joined Americans across the country in celebrating and honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
![Author Erica Dunbar to Speak at GA on Feb. 5](/data/news/thumbs/5483.full.jpg)
Prize-winning author Erica Dunbar to speak at GA.
![GA Musicians Set Records at District 11 Band and Orchestra Auditions](/data/news/thumbs/5482.full.jpg)
Six GA students qualified for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 Band or Orchestra.
![Basketball Coach James Fenerty 1760 Announces Retirement](/data/news/thumbs/5481.full.jpg)
The longtime coach and teacher will retire after 30 years at Germantown Academy.
![GA Computer Science Students Host Workshop in Beard Center of Innovation](/data/news/thumbs/5480.full.jpg)
Upper School students celebrated Computer Science Week by participating in a student-led workshop in the Beard Center for Innovation.
![Lower School Students Celebrate Computer Science With LittleBits](/data/news/thumbs/5479.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy's Lower School Computer Science Week (Dec. 3 - Dec. 7) was out of this world!
![GA Students Shine in Annual History Debate Assembly](/data/news/thumbs/5478.full.jpg)
Upper School students did a tremendous job of articulating their points during the annual History Debate Assembly in the Arts Center Auditorium.
![Stephanie White Kappel '01 to Appear on Food Network's Holiday Gingerbread Showdown](/data/news/thumbs/5477.full.jpg)
Stephanie White Kappel '01 is competing in the Food Network's Holiday Gingerbread Showdown on Sunday, December 2.
![Upper School Gathers the Goods for Donation](/uploaded/images/Blogs/PatChat/11-20-18_Pooja_A_Food_Drive1.jpg)
Upper School CSO makes large food donation to local non-profit.
![Ambler Rotary Club Honors Priya Dudhat '19](/data/news/thumbs/5476.full.jpg)
The Ambler Rotary Club has named Germantown Academy senior Priya Dudhat '19 its Student of the Month.
![Field Hockey: Patriots Shut Out PC, Win League Title](/data/news/thumbs/5475.full.jpg)
![Philadelphia Inquirer Reporter Zach Berman '04 Writes Book about the Eagles' Epic Super Bowl Journey](/data/news/thumbs/5474.full.jpg)
Zach Berman '04 takes readers behind the scenes in his new book about the 2017-18 Philadelphia Eagles.
![There is snow in the forecast - WHAT?? Don't fear, we have a plan for that.](/data/news/thumbs/5332.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy uses a variety of ways to get the word out about school delays and cancellations due to inclement weather.
![Lower School Students Receive Book Donation Promoting Environmental Conservation](/data/news/thumbs/5471.full.jpg)
"The Wind in the Willows of Bucks County" reimagines the classic children's tale in local settings
![GA-PC DAY Roundup](/data/news/thumbs/5472.full.jpg)
Thank you GA alumni, students, parents, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends for coming out and supporting the Patriots on GA-PC Day!
![A Star Was Born (At GA)](/uploaded/images/Blogs/PatChat/11-6-18_Pooja_A.png)
GA seniors and faculty enjoy Cooper premiere.
![Eleven GA Seniors Named National Merit Commended Students](/data/news/thumbs/5470.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy Head of Upper School Chris Nelson announced that 11 members of the Class of 2019 were named Commended Students in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program.
![Goldstein, Krouse Receive Honors at PAISAA Championships](/data/news/thumbs/5468.full.jpg)
Issy Goldstein '20 finished first overall at the 2018 Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Girls Cross Country Championship. Head Coach Judy Krouse 1760 was named Girls Coach of the Year for the 2017 season.
![Robert DiDonato '21 Wins League and PAISAA Championship](/data/news/thumbs/5469.full.jpg)
Prior to this season, Robert DiDonato '21 had never run cross country before, which made his breakout season so much more unbelievable.
![Katherine Commale '19 Speaks at UN Foundation's Global Leadership Dinner](/data/news/thumbs/5467.full.jpg)
Senior Katherine Commale '19 was invited to speak at the United Nations Foundation's 20th Anniversary Global Leadership Dinner.
![Crew: Derek Walkush '19 Named Winner of Prestigious Rowing Award](/data/news/thumbs/5466.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy senior Derek Walkush '19, a veteran member of the Patriots' crew team, was the recipient of the the prestigious John Izzard Award for Athleticism, Service, and Achievement.
![Shelby Kuehnle '19 Honored by the College Board](/data/news/thumbs/5465.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy senior Shelby Kuehnle '19 has been recognized by the College Board as a 2018-19 National Hispanic Scholar.
![Middle School Drama Department Presents...](/data/news/thumbs/5464.full.jpg)
The Middle School is proud to present Hoodie and ths phne 2.0: THE NEXT GENERATION on Friday, October 19 at 7pm and Saturday, October 20 at 2pm in the Honickman Auditorium.
![Germantown Academy Unveils New Patriot Marks](/data/news/thumbs/5463.full.jpg)
Last March, Germantown Academy held a contest to create a new Patriot logo. The creative energy around the contest was palpable, and we received more than 150 entries from all parts of our community.
![GA To Host Organic World Language Visitation Day October 24](/data/news/thumbs/5462.full.jpg)
Teachers of any language at any level from any school invited to attend.
![Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach David Crowell Talks Parenting and Sports](/data/news/thumbs/5461.full.jpg)
All are invited to hear Coach Crowell's talk on Sunday, October 21 at 3pm in the Honickman Auditorium. Tickets are $5
![Zach Kohm '21 Invited to USA Swimming Select Camp](/data/news/thumbs/5460.full.jpg)
Zach Kohm '21 will travel to Colorado at the end of October to swim at the USA National Camp.
![Faculty Spotlight: Yvette Marquez-Pribitkin Honored](/data/news/thumbs/5459.full.jpg)
Yvette Marquez-Pribitkin was named the inaugural Peter C. McVeigh 1760 Upper School Director of Community Service.
![GA Students Celebrate the Anniversary of the Confucius Institute](/data/news/thumbs/5458.full.jpg)
GA students practice Mandarin and learn about the Mid-Autumn Festival as they celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Confucius Institute.
![Alumni Spotlight: Pete Vernon '04](/data/news/thumbs/5455.full.jpg)
The veteran journalist returned to campus on September 20 to talk about his career in media.
![Summer Reading Day A Huge Success](/data/news/thumbs/5457.full.jpg)
To kick off the 2018-19 school year, the Upper School held its annual Summer Reading Day where students and teachers spent the entire day discussing the book their group read and participating in related activities.
![GA Kicks Off 259th School Year](/data/news/thumbs/5456.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy, the oldest, non-sectarian, continuously run, independent day school in America, kicked off its 259th school year on September 12 with its annual Flag Raising ceremony.
![Germantown Academy Students Earn Distinction as AP Scholars](/data/news/thumbs/5454.full.jpg)
In total, three students were named National AP Scholar, 21 students were named AP Scholar with Distinction, 18 students were named AP Scholar with Honor, and 35 students were named AP Scholars.
![Seven Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists](/data/news/thumbs/5452.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy is proud to announce that seven members of the Class of 2019 have been named Semifinalists of the National Merit Scholarship Program.
![Early Cum Laude Inductees Announced](/data/news/thumbs/5453.full.jpg)
On Friday, September 7, Germantown Academy Director of College Counseling Karen Mason announced the fall inductees of GA's Chapter of the Cum Laude Society.
![GA China Trip 2018](/data/news/thumbs/5451.full.jpg)
Fifteen GA students, along with two teachers, traveled to China from June 12-June 23 where they had a chance to practice their Chinese language skills and learn more about the country.
![GA Students Enjoy Experiences of a Lifetime During European Exchange](/data/news/thumbs/5450.full.jpg)
Upper School students participated in an exchange program in France, Germany, and Switzerland.
![Q and A with Mandy '09 and Gordon '11 Freas](/data/news/thumbs/5449.full.jpg)
The talented brother and sister duo of Gordon '11 and Mandy '09 Freas, who make up the team at Clementine Pictures, were named to Sony's list of the "Top 10 Emerging Filmmakers of 2018" and were also the grand prize winners of Sony PlayStation's "Emerging Filmmakers Program" in which they sold their concept for Hyperreal.
![Upper School Math Teacher Ruth Carver Writes AP Statistics Textbook](/data/news/thumbs/5448.full.jpg)
Ruth Carver co-wrote Introduction to Statistical Investigations AP Version, a statistics textbook that was published this summer by John Wiley and Sons.
![Boys Track & Field: Kyle Garland '18 Takes Seventh at Under 20 Decathlon Championship](/data/news/thumbs/5447.full.jpg)
Recent graduate Kyle Garland '18 finished seventh in the world at the IAAF World U20 Decathlon Championship.
![Alumni Spotlight: Andrew Barrer '02 Co-Wrote Ant-Man and The Wasp](/data/news/thumbs/5446.full.jpg)
The GA graduate co-wrote the blockbuster sequel Ant-Man and The Wasp, which will debut in theaters on July 6.
![Sarah Lindgren '18 Wins First Place in Alliance Française of Doylestown Contest](/data/news/thumbs/5445.full.jpg)
Senior Sarah Lindgren '18 won First Place in the 2018 Student Essay competition sponsored by the Alliance Française of Doylestown.
![Germantown Academy Senior Receives Global Charity Ambassador Award](/data/news/thumbs/5444.full.jpg)
Katherine Commale '19 received the Global Charity Ambassador Award from Chen Chien-jen, Vice President of Taiwan, at the 2018 HERO Talks. She also had a chance to meet President Tsai Ing-wen.
![GA Art History Students Create Engaging Coloring Book](/data/news/thumbs/5443.full.jpg)
This past spring, Upper School students in Dr. Mark Rabuck's Modern Art History class created an amazing and engaging learning tool for our third grade students.
![Alumni Spotlight: Danika Gottbrecht '13 Receives Fulbright Award](/data/news/thumbs/5442.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy alumna Danika Gottbrecht '13, who graduated from Guilford College this past spring, has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to Germany from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
![GA Students Earn Seven First Place Awards at PJAS State Fair](/data/news/thumbs/5441.full.jpg)
On Monday May 21, 2018, seven Upper School science research students competed at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences (PJAS) State Fair at Penn State University. Of those seven students, six earned first place awards.
![Alexandra Kafrissen '20 Honored at 2018 Cappies Gala](/data/news/thumbs/5440.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy sophomore Alexandra Kafrissen '20 was named Best Solo Dancer at the 13th Annual Greater Philadelphia Cappies Awards Gala at Unionville High School.
![Rising Seventh Grader Represents GA at U.S. Kids Golf European Championship](/data/news/thumbs/5439.full.jpg)
Ajeet B. '24 qualified and played in the 11th annual U.S. Kids Golf European Championship held in East Lothian, Scotland over Memorial Day Weekend.
![Johnny Aiello '15 Drafted by Toronto Blue Jays](/data/news/thumbs/5438.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy graduate Johnny Aiello '15 was selected on the final day of the 2018 MLB Draft.
![Class of 2018 Graduates from Germantown Academy](/data/news/thumbs/5437.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy honored, celebrated and welcomed the remarkable Class of 2018 into the school's illustrious alumni body during commencement on Friday, June 8, 2018 in a beautiful ceremony held on Connor Quad.
![Class of 2025 Moves Across the Quad](/data/news/thumbs/5436.full.jpg)
On Wednesday, June 6, 2018, Germantown Academy celebrated the Class of 2025 at the Lower School Final Assembly on Wednesday.
![Class of 2022 Remembered at Middle School Final Assembly](/data/news/thumbs/5433.full.jpg)
On Wednesday, June 6, 2018, Germantown Academy's Middle School held its Final Assembly in the Arts Center Auditorium, where faculty and staff honored a number of students for excellence in academics, character, and service.
![GA Honors College-Bound Student Athletes](/data/news/thumbs/5435.full.jpg)
On Monday, June 4, 2018, Germantown Academy honored 34 college-bound senior student-athletes in a special ceremony in the McVeigh Community Room.
![GA Inducts Class of 2018 Members Into Cum Laude Society](/data/news/thumbs/5434.full.jpg)
Twenty-five new members were inducted into Germantown Academy's Cum Laude Society chapter during a special ceremony on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 in the Korman Family Pavilion
![Academy Club Tradition Continues with the Class of 2018](/data/news/thumbs/5432.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy inducted the 94th class of the Academy Club during a special ceremony on Tuesday, June 6, 2018 in the Common Room where Class of 2018 members were honored for their service to GA.
![GA Inducts 19 New Members Into Science Honor Society](/data/news/thumbs/5430.full.jpg)
On Monday, June 4, 2018, 19 members of the Class of 2018 were inducted into the Germantown Academy chapter of the Science National Honor Society.
![Class of 2019 Academy Club Members Announced](/data/news/thumbs/5431.full.jpg)
On Prize Day, Director of Alumni Relations Heather Durkin announced the Academy Club representatives from the Class of 2019.
![Taking Their Talents to the Big Stage](/data/news/thumbs/5429.full.jpg)
Carnegie Hall dreams have come true for two more GA students this spring.
![Class of 2019 McNeil Patriot Scholars Announced](/data/news/thumbs/5428.full.jpg)
Danny Ritz '19, Kristine Wang '19, Priya Padhye '19, and Derek Walkush '19 were each awarded the McNeil Patriot Scholarship Award at the annual Prize Day ceremony in the Arts Center Auditorium on June 1, 2018.
![2018 Prize Day](/data/news/thumbs/5427.full.jpg)
The Upper School student body gathered for one final assembly in the Arts Center Auditorium on Friday, June 1, 2018 for the annual Prize Day ceremony, a GA tradition to acknowledge the many accomplishments of dozens of deserving students.
![Mackenzie Pluck '18 Honored by Triangle Club](/data/news/thumbs/5426.full.jpg)
On Thursday, May 10, senior student-athlete Mackenzie Pluck '18 was the recipient of a fifth-place award and a $500 scholarship prize at the Triangle Club of Montgomery County's 55th annual William F. Dannehower Banquet at Presidential Caterers in East Norriton for her outstanding accomplishments in athletics, academics, and community service.
![College Bound!](/data/news/thumbs/5425.full.jpg)
GA's College Counseling Team presents the matriculations for the Class of 2018.
![Rollin Wakeman 1760 Announces Retirement](/data/news/thumbs/5421.full.jpg)
Rollin Wakeman - science teacher, nature leader, camp director, and lover of all things GA - will clean his last beaker in 2018.
![Girls Track & Field: Patriots Finish Second at PAISAA Championship Meet](/data/news/thumbs/5424.full.jpg)
The Patriots took home five gold medals at the 2018 Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Track & Field Championship.
![PAISAA CHAMPIONS!](/data/news/thumbs/5423.full.jpg)
For the first time in GA history, the Patriots' boys track and field team finished first overall at the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Championship.
![Faculty Spotlight: Jessica Killo](/data/news/thumbs/5422.full.jpg)
Jess Killo is pursuing her passion here at GA through the important work she is doing in and out of the classroom.
![Patriot Entrepreneurs: Ashley Begley '07](/data/news/thumbs/5420.full.jpg)
Like many GA alumni before her, Ashley Begley '07 is pursuing her passion and has started her own company, Ashley D Studio.
![GA Music Teacher Honored](/data/news/thumbs/5419.full.jpg)
Hayley Varhol, GA's low brass specialist, has received the honor of being selected to conduct at the National Lesbian and Gay Band Association Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.
![Kelsey O'Hara '18 Honored by Inter-Ac League](/data/news/thumbs/5418.full.jpg)
Senior Kelsey O'Hara was GA's choice for the 2018 Girls Inter-Ac Athletic League Athletic Directors' Award.
![GA Science Research Students Rise to the Occassion at Delaware Valley Science Fair](/data/news/thumbs/5417.full.jpg)
Of the nine students that participated, seven students earned first, second, third place, or "special" awards sponsored by a variety of science and engineering companies and professional organizations.
![Inter-Ac League Champs!](/data/news/thumbs/5416.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy boys track and field team captured the 2018 Inter-Ac League title on Saturday!
![Barb Dwinell Announces Retirement](/data/news/thumbs/5412.full.jpg)
Senoira Dwinell looks to travel the open road after spending 21 years as a Middle School Spanish teacher at GA.
![Belfry Club Receives 11 Cappie Nominations](/data/news/thumbs/5414.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy's Belfry Club has received a whopping 11 nominations for its amazing production of Spring Awakening! Congratulations to Director K. Richardson, her amazing staff, and the entire cast and crew. See nominations below:
![Germantown Academy Names Kurt Wetzel '88 Head Soccer Coach](/data/news/thumbs/5413.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy Athletic Director Josh MacArthur has announced the hiring of Kurt Wetzel as the new Head Coach of Boys Soccer.
![Marcia Wexler Announces Retirement](/data/news/thumbs/5411.full.jpg)
After 27 years, Upper School math teacher and extracurricular superstar Marcia Wexler plans to hang up her graphing calculator to spend more time with her grandchildren.
![GA Latin Students Ace National Latin Exam](/data/news/thumbs/5410.full.jpg)
Forty-two students earned commendations on the 2018 National Latin Exam.
![Art for Community Club Creates Kindness Rocks](/data/news/thumbs/5408.full.jpg)
The Middle School Art for Community Club has been hard at work with their own Kindness Rocks Project, painting river rocks with messages of kindness, hope, acceptance and inclusion as well as hilarious puns and witty humor.
![Upper School Honors Modern Language Students](/data/news/thumbs/5405.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy hosted the 17th Annual Modern Language Honorary Society Dinner and Induction Ceremony on April 11. Eighteen students were inducted into their respective language's honor society by the faculty, who spoke almost entirely in the language of induction.
![8th Grade Girls Embrace Their Inner Brave](/data/news/thumbs/5407.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy's eighth grade girls spent an afternoon taking part exercises that build self-confidence.
![Beauty of Murals brought to GA's Middle School](/data/news/thumbs/5406.full.jpg)
Jane Golden, well-known director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, visited an art class and then gave a morning presentation for the entire Middle School as Germantown Academy's special guest this winter.
![2018 Film Now Festival Showcases Student Work from Mumbai to San Diego](/data/news/thumbs/5404.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy celebrated student filmmakers at the 2018 Film Now Festival on Sunday afternoon at The Ambler Theater.
![Faculty Spotlight: John Hyland](/data/news/thumbs/5403.full.jpg)
The Upper School English teacher recently had a lengthy article about Edward Kamau Brathwaite's poems published in the South Atlantic Review.
Soaring 800 feet for TARC, rocketry shoots for a trip to England.
![GA Engineering Students Stand Out at Local Competitions](/data/news/thumbs/5409.full.jpg)
Students in Germantown Academy's Honors Engineering class competed at the Greater Philadelphia Sea Perch and Sea Glide Challenge on March 10 at Temple University.
![Alumni Spotlight: Brian Grimes '05](/data/news/thumbs/5402.full.jpg)
Brian Grimes '05 is making headlines these days for his positive impact on the city of Philadelphia through his start-up company, Bloyd Street Capital.
![Phy Chauveau 1760 Announces Retirement](/data/news/thumbs/5398.full.jpg)
The time has come to publicly celebrate all that Phy Chauveau has meant to Germantown Academy over her thirty-three year tenure.
![GA Science Researchers Stand Out at Montco Science Competition](/data/news/thumbs/5401.full.jpg)
Eleven students earned first, second, or third place awards at the Montgomery County Science Research Competition.
![Science Research Students Shine at PJAS Regional Fair](/data/news/thumbs/5400.full.jpg)
Nine students earned first place awards and qualified for the 84th annual PJAS State Competition.
![GA Honors Mu Alpha Theta Inductees](/data/news/thumbs/5399.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy is proud to recognize 12 seniors who were inducted in the GA chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the national mathematics honor society, during a special luncheon on Wednesday, March 8.
![GA Students Lead the Way at Model UN Conference](/data/news/thumbs/5397.full.jpg)
BosMUN is a riveting three-day simulation of the UN hosted by Boston University for high school students around the country.
![Middle School Science Researchers Stand Out at Montco Science Fair](/data/news/thumbs/5396.full.jpg)
Of the 24 students that participated in the 2018 Montgomery County Science Research Competition, 14 were the recipients of awards.
![Tina Rodowicz Announces Retirement](/data/news/thumbs/5363.full.jpg)
Multi-tasker extraordinaire Tina Rodowicz will leave her noise-filled, kid-filled, light-filled Korman Family Pavilion behind when she retires to the lake this summer.
![AP French Goes on a Field Trip](/data/news/thumbs/5393.full.jpg)
As part of the AP French Language and Culture curriculum, students traveled to the Barnes Foundation to see the artwork they have been studying up close.
![Modern Language Students Score Big at County Contest](/data/news/thumbs/5395.full.jpg)
Middle and Upper School students scored well at the Montgomery County Oral Proficiency Contest in Chinese, Spanish and French.
![Students Have Fun With Design Thinking](/data/news/thumbs/5394.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy hosted an all-school design day on February 20 in which students in each division went through the design thinking process to find solutions for different needs statements.
![Colson Whitehead Inspires GA Community](/data/news/thumbs/5392.full.jpg)
Award-winning Colson Whitehead was the inaugural speaker in Head of School Rich Schellhas' Distinguished Speakers Series.
![Middle School Green Ambassadors Clean Bee Frames](/uploaded/personal/2929/bee_girls_2.jpg)
![GA Celebrates Chinese New Year](/data/news/thumbs/5369.full.jpg)
On Saturday, February 24, GA rang in the Year of the Dog in style!
![Belfry Club to Perform Spring Awakening](/data/news/thumbs/5391.full.jpg)
A mix of heavy topics and fabulous singing inspire the cast of Spring Awakening.
![GA Sophomore Honored by Area College](/data/news/thumbs/5415.full.jpg)
Sophomore Luke Abraham '20 is quite the filmmaker and editor. His video effects reel was recently selected for the Montgomery County Community College High School Art Exhibition and Competition.
![DCLCs Lead Black History Month Celebration](/data/news/thumbs/5366.full.jpg)
Led by Germantown Academy's Diversity and Community Life Coordinators, Black History Month celebrations can be seen in every division of our school.
![Anika Walker-Johnson Named Director of Equity and Inclusion](/data/news/thumbs/5367.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy Head of School Rich Schellhas has announced the appointment of Anika Walker-Johnson as the school's first Director of Equity and Inclusion. Walker-Johnson, who comes to GA from Tabor Academy in Marion, Mass., will begin her tenure in July 2018.
![Alumni Spotlight: Larry Gregory '68](/data/news/thumbs/5364.full.jpg)
Larry Gregory '68, the first African-American graduate in GA's history, was the featured speaker at the 2018 Black History Month Celebration.
![Connie Williams Announces Retirement](/data/news/thumbs/5343.full.jpg)
Connie Williams, fourth grade lead teacher, intuitively understands students, all students, perhaps especially the students who open cautiously, who seem, at first, to open not at all. "Maybe his little heart isn't getting the support it needs," Connie says and finds a way to tend that little heart with compassion and a healthy dose of laughter.
![Sculpture Students Win 17 Awards](/data/news/thumbs/5346.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy's Upper School Visual Arts Department announced that a whopping 17 Scholastic Art Awards have been awarded to Upper School sculpture students.
![Faculty Spotlight: Barry McCommon](/data/news/thumbs/5345.full.jpg)
Barry McCommon, a private music lesson instructor here at Germantown Academy, joined the "family business" at age nine when he started to play the trombone.
![Alumni Spotlight: Emma Hearn '14](/data/news/thumbs/5344.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy alumna Emma Hearn '14 returned to campus on January 10 where she performed for both Middle and Upper School students. Hearn, a senior Musical Theatre major at Texas State University, who most recently played Cassie in Chorus Line, also talked about her journey here at GA, going from a Middle School thespian to a Belfry Club superstar.
![Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Andrea Kurtz](/data/news/thumbs/5342.full.jpg)
Dr. Andrea Kurtz is right in the middle of the action in Middle School and she wouldn't want it any other way.
![Middle School to Perform Shrek: The Musical](/data/news/thumbs/5341.full.jpg)
The Middle School is proud to present Shrek: The Musical on Friday, January 26 at 7pm and Saturday, January 27 at 6pm in the Arts Center Auditorium.
![Alumni Spotlight: Josh Fried '06](/data/news/thumbs/5340.full.jpg)
We recently caught up with Germantown Academy graduate Josh Fried '06, who was Zac Efron's stunt double in the hit film The Greatest Showman.
![Alumni Spotlight: Lauren Eby '10](/data/news/thumbs/5339.full.jpg)
GA alumna Lauren Eby '10 has always known that she wanted to work in international development.
![Independent in Thought](/data/news/thumbs/5338.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy's Middle School hosted the annual 8th Grade Science Research Open House and Awards Ceremony on Monday, December 18.
![Joy & Giving](/data/news/thumbs/5337.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy's three divisions, along with faculty and staff, came together on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 for the annual Community Service Organization Holiday Program, which took place in the Field House this year and also featured some new elements to the program, including special musical performances and an all-faculty sled race.
![7th Graders Try to Beat the Clock in Lead Lab](/data/news/thumbs/5336.full.jpg)
'Lead Lab' is a required seventh grade course that meets once a rotation throughout the year. The foundation of this course is GA's set of seven fundamental leadership skills: Communicating and listening; Solving problems and thinking critically; Seeing and respecting others' perspectives; Taking initiative; Setting goals; Following through; and Learning from mistakes/overcoming adversity.
![GA Musicians Shine at District Auditions](/data/news/thumbs/5335.full.jpg)
Four GA students were accepted into the District 11 Band and one student was accepted into the District 11 Orchestra!
![Collaborative In Action](/data/news/thumbs/5334.full.jpg)
Six Germantown Academy students and four faculty members traveled to Anaheim, California to participate in the 30th annual National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color and Student Diversity Leadership Conference.
![Faculty Spotlight: Nicholas Wynia](/data/news/thumbs/5331.full.jpg)
Upper School Photography Teacher Nicholas Wynia has been all over the world documenting individuals, issues, and causes. His work is currently on display in the Arts Center Gallery.
![Belfry Club Shines in A Man for All Seasons](/data/news/thumbs/5330.full.jpg)
The award-winning Belfry Club, the oldest continuously operated high-school drama club in the country, took on A Man for All Seasons back in November.An ambitious play to say the least, the Belfry Club was up to the task.
![Katie Kramp '18 Named Ambler Rotary Club's Student of the Month](/data/news/thumbs/5329.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy senior Katie Kramp '18 was recently honored for her role in GA's Community Service Organization.
![Middle School Green Ambassadors grow and make salsa for Preserve Day](http://photos.smugmug.com/Middle-School/Middle-School-2017-2018/Salsa-Making-Green-Ambassadors/i-93RfpQ9/0/e1d6c8ea/X3/IMG_4031-X3.jpg)
Middle School Green Ambassadors plant onions, peppers and tomatoes in the spring to make salsa in the fall for Preserve Day
![Musician Mitch Beer '00 Works with Songwriting Students](/data/news/thumbs/5328.full.jpg)
Bassist and producer Mitch Beer '00 played a pop-up concert on campus and will work with students in the Songwriting class.
![Learn Tai Chi in 2018](/data/news/thumbs/5327.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy is happy to announce we will be running Tai Chi classes on Saturday mornings in 2018 as part of our Chinese Programs!
![Alumni Spotlight: Will Newton '07](/data/news/thumbs/5325.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy alum Will Newton '07 is changing the timeless barbershop industry with Shortcut, his red-hot app which he co-founded back in 2014.
![Lauren Vanin Leads GA's Young Innovators](/data/news/thumbs/5324.full.jpg)
Lauren Vanin credits her leadership of the most recent Lower School Design Day to her professional development opportunity given by Stanford University's d.school.
![Honoring Our Own on Veterans Day](/data/news/thumbs/5323.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy's Community Service Organization honored GA alumni who have served in the military on Veteran's Day and also honored current teacher Jeff Preston.
![GA-PC Artists Collaborate to Create a "Peace Tunnel" on GA-PC Day](/data/news/thumbs/5322.full.jpg)
This GA-PC Day, the Art Across the Academy program is teaming up with Penn Charter to create a collaborative and symbolic art installation.
![Confident In Expression](/data/news/thumbs/5321.full.jpg)
Middle School thespians took on William Shakespeare this fall and did a phenomenal job of performing his classic play A Midsummer Night's Dream on October 20 and 21 in the Honickman Auditorium.
![Girls Cross Country Repeats as State Champions!](/data/news/thumbs/5320.full.jpg)
The Patriots won the 2017 Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Championship Meet by a mere 12 points on Saturday.
![Al Hagdorn Announces Retirement](/data/news/thumbs/5319.full.jpg)
For over twenty-three years, valued member of the GA maintenance team, Al Hagdorn has traveled the entire school, hanging the paintings and pictures that grace the walls of our administrative offices, classrooms in all three divisions, and especially the Child Care Center, home to our youngest Patriots. Need another gate strategically placed? Call Al. The gate will be straight. Find yourself sitting in an unexpectedly dimming classroom? Call Al. Lights will be lit.
![Brynne DiDonato '19 is Leading the Way](/data/news/thumbs/5318.full.jpg)
The GA junior is the first Germantown Academy student to participate in The Germination Project.
![Nine GA Students Named National Merit Commended Students](/data/news/thumbs/5317.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy Head of Upper School Chris Nelson announced that nine members of the Class of 2018 were named Commended Students in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program.
![Faculty Spotlight: Paul Moffitt](/data/news/thumbs/5316.full.jpg)
Technical Theatre Director and Production Manager Paul Moffitt's homemade boats are featured in a new exhibit entitled "Messabout" in the Arts Center Gallery.
![GA Alumna Nominated by President for Federal Judge Position](/data/news/thumbs/5315.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy alumna Rebecca Grady Jennings '96 was nominated for U.S. District Judge by President Donald Trump.
![Swimming: Emma Atkinson '20 Selected to Participate at 2017 USA Swimming National Select Camp](/data/news/thumbs/5312.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy sophomore Emma Atkinson '20 has been chosen as one of just 48 girls from across the United States to participate in USA Swimming's National Select Camp slated for October 19-22 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
![Empowering Educators and Learners In 3D Design + 3D Printing with Morphi](/uploaded/images/Blogs/Ed21/IMG_2848_copy.jpg)
As part of opening in-service, all Lower School teachers participated in training for 3D modeling, using the Morphi app on iPads. Founder and chief designer of Morphi, Sophia Georgiou led the training.
![Award-Winning Poet Jericho Brown Visits GA](/data/news/thumbs/5310.full.jpg)
The Whiting Writers' Award recipient was a guest of GA's Visiting Writers program.
![Tyler Dolan '18 named a National Merit Semifinalist](/data/news/thumbs/5309.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy Head of Upper School Chris Nelson announced on Friday, September 15 that the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) named Tyler Dolan '18 a National Semifinalist in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
![Early Cum Laude Inductees Announced](/data/news/thumbs/5308.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy Head of Upper School Chris Nelson announced the early inductees of GA's Chapter of the Cum Laude Society at Morning Meeting on Friday, September 15.
![RED, BLACK, BLUE, & GOLD!](/data/news/thumbs/5307.full.jpg)
Several Germantown Academy Patriots played key roles in helping Team USA win the gold medal in Junior Girls Lacrosse at the 2017 Maccabiah Games.
![Faculty Spotlight: Coordinator Bertina Hsu-Miller](/data/news/thumbs/5306.full.jpg)
During the summer, Lower School Chinese teacher and PreK-12 Chinese Curriculum Coordinator Bertina Hsu-Miller attended the Organic World Language East Coast Boot Camp.
![Alumni Food Truck Made it to Final Three on The Great Food Truck Race](/data/news/thumbs/5305.full.jpg)
Television personality and chef Mikey Robins '16 and former classmate Taylor Randolph '16 make up two of three members of the Breakfast Club Food Truck, which is currently competing in Season 8 of the hit show "The Great Food Truck" race on The Food Network.
![Success of 'The Big Sick' satisfying for executive producer Jeremy Kipp Walker '96](/data/news/thumbs/5303.full.jpg)
When the County Theater in Doylestown booked hometown boy Jeremy Kipp Walker to do a Q&A about his latest film, organizers of the event had no idea he'd be talking about one of the five most popular movies in the country.
![Bradley J. Korman Named President of Board of Trustees](/data/news/thumbs/5297.full.jpg)
GA graduate and current parent Brad Korman set for leadership role at his alma mater.
![Class of 2017 Graduates from Germantown Academy](/data/news/thumbs/5295.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy honored, celebrated and welcomed the remarkable Class of 2017 into the school's illustrious alumni body during commencement on Friday, June 9, 2017 in a beautiful ceremony held on Connor Quad.
![Academy Club Tradition Continues with the Class of 2017](/data/news/thumbs/5294.full.jpg)
Academy Club members are those to whom the responsibility for keeping the class in touch with the Academy is bestowed.
![Class of 2024 is Moving Across the Quad!](/data/news/thumbs/5293.full.jpg)
Germantown Academy celebrated the end of school for fourth and fifth Grade students at the annual final assembly in the Arts Center. Music, speeches, and awards highlighted the morning's event, along with a final farewell to the Class of 2024, who will be heading to Middle School in the fall.
![GA Inducts New Members Into Cum Laude Society](/data/news/thumbs/5292.full.jpg)
Twenty-six new members were inducted into Germantown Academy's Cum Laude Society chapter during a special ceremony on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 in the Korman Family Pavilion.
![Class of 2021 Remembered at Middle School Final Assembly](/data/news/thumbs/5291.full.jpg)
The Class of 2021 celebrated the culmination of their Middle School careers during the division's final assembly on June 7.
![GA Celebrates 2017 National Honor Society Inductees](/data/news/thumbs/5289.full.jpg)
On Tuesday afternoon, 13 members of the Class of 2017 were inducted into the Germantown Academy chapter of the Science National Honor Society in a special ceremony at Gypsy Blu restaurant in Ambler.
![Patriot In the Pros: Dan Lovitz '10](/data/news/thumbs/5017.full.jpg)
Patriots in the Pros is a new segment in which we check in on former student-athletes that played at Germantown Academy and then went on to play at the professional level. We see how playing at GA helped them in their careers, what they enjoyed most about playing at GA, and what life is like in the pros.
The McNeil Patriot Scholarship Award is awarded to two boys and two girls in the junior class who have built an uncompromised reputation in a number of areas.
![GA Upper School Celebrates Prize Day](/data/news/thumbs/5282.full.jpg)
The Upper School celebrated Prize Day on Friday, June 2. See the full list of prize winners in the story.
There were smiles all around as Germantown Academy's Lower School students, faculty, parents, and grandparents enjoyed a lovely morning for the 2017 Lower School Field Day.
![Science Research: GA Students Win Seven First Place Awards at PJAS State Competition](/data/news/thumbs/5272.full.jpg)
Seven students earned first place awards at the 82nd annual Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences, including Matt Sandifer '20, who received a perfect score!
After a spirited (and hot!) Middle School Greek Day competition, only 8 points separated teams Persia, Sparta, and Athens, but it was PERSIA who emerged victorious! Congratulations to all of the students, faculty, and staff who made this a spectacular day!
Anthony Hu '20 attended the Distribution des Prix this week at Chestnut Hill College where he was honored with a Platinum medal and a plaque for having a perfect score on this year’s Grand Concours (French National Contest).
Germantown Academy’s faculty and staff celebrated the 25th “GA anniversary” of Lower School Spanish Teacher Marisa McAuliffe, Fifth Grade Teacher Graham Martin, Assistant to the Director of College Counseling Ginny Allenson, and Maintenance Supervisor Charlie Landgrebe 1760 during a special ceremony in the Honickman Auditorium.
At the Greater Philadelphia SeaPerch Challenge, the GA SeaRaptor Team was named the Overall Winner and qualified for the National SeaPerch Challenge in Atlanta.
Both Abbe Goldstein '17 and Gavin Rees '17 received scholarships from The Sociedad Hispana Doylestown during the society's annual ceremony.
![Lower School Students Collaborate to Create Earth Friendly Devices](/data/news/thumbs/5229.full.jpg)
PreK-4th grade students participated in a design thinking activity for Earth Day. Their design problem was "How can we help Earth by capturing sun and water to create energy?"
![Lower School Students Win Prizes in Corson Writing Contest](/uploaded/SSMigration/data/files/news/TodayGANews/thumb/lg-DSC_0171.jpg)
A number of Germantown Academy Lower School students won prizes in the 2017 Nancy Corson Writing Contest.
On Saturday, April 29, Matt Rominger, who is GA's Assistant Director of Admission – Lower School, organized a Germantown Academy team of volunteers to help with the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association’s 47th annual creek clean-up.
Congratulations to Brendan Carr '17 on being nominated for a Greater Philadelphia Area Cappie for the category Comic Actor in a Musical for his role as Dusty in The Burnt Part Boys
Sixth grade group brings home blue ribbon from the Bucks County Reading Olympics competition.
Galloway House put on a show at the 2017 House Olympics to win the Schoolhouse Trophy with 161 total points.
![Science Researchers Win $808,000 in Scholarship Money](/data/news/thumbs/5170.full.jpg)
At the 2017 Delaware Valley Science Fair, 12 Germantown Academy Upper School students earned first, second, third place, or honorable mention awards, or special awards, including $875 in cash and $808,000 in scholarship money to local universities.
Germantown Academy graduates and current Wake Forest University Michael Hanamirian '13 and Kaela Griswold '15 danced in memory of Chris Nunes '14, Bobby Taggart '16, and Peter McVeigh 1760 at the 12th annual Wake 'N Shake, a dance marathon that benefits the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. Both also had key leadership roles in planning the student-led event.
On April 1, the Academy Scholars, accompanied by the programs directors, Sue Negro and Mark Stephens, attended an inspiring TEDx presentation, Rise and Run, held at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Pennsylvania's campus.
Middle School math teacher Anthony Commale's sixth grade students recently traveled into the world of virtual reality during to complete a times table activity.
Twenty-three Germantown Academy Middle School students visited The Haverford School to participate in the 2017 Middle School Diversity Conference, which brought together over 400 students from four different states.
![Alumni Update: Alli Lorraine '14 Interviews Allen Tate '08](/data/news/thumbs/5016.full.jpg)
Alli Lorraine '14, Style Editor for Highlark, recently sat down with Allen Tate '08, the lead singer of the popular music group San Fermin.
![Film Now Festival Adds Local Showcase While Maintaining Global Reach](/data/news/thumbs/5015.full.jpg)
An impressive mix of local and global films screened to an enthusiastic crowd at the Ambler Theater on April 9 in the second year of this GA-sponsored event.
![Faculty Spotlight: Kate Cassidy and Sara Goodwin](/data/news/thumbs/5014.full.jpg)
Leadership is everywhere in the Middle School these days. Just ask Kate Cassidy and Sara Goodwin, co-creators of the Eighth Grade Girls' Lunches and the 7th Grade Leadership Lab.
![Calder-Inspired Circus Sculptures](/data/news/thumbs/5013.full.jpg)
Kindergarten students used many objects in the Lower School art room to create their own circus after reading Sandy's Circus by Tayna Lee Stone.
Budding artists from Germantown Academy were selected to have their works of art displayed during the 39th Annual Montgomery County High School Exhibition and Competition.
Germantown Academy honored nine students at the 16th Annual Honorary Society Dinner and Induction Ceremony. Overall, GA inducted five students into the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and four students into the Société Honoraire de Français.
Kindergarten students used many objects in the Lower School art room to create their own circus after reading Sandy's Circus by Tayna Lee Stone.
Leadership is everywhere in the Middle School these days. Just ask Kate Cassidy and Sara Goodwin, co-creators of the Eighth Grade Girls' Lunches and the 7th Grade Leadership Lab.
An impressive mix of local and global films screened to an enthusiastic crowd at the Ambler Theater on April 9 in the second year of this GA-sponsored event.
Alli Lorraine '14, Style Editor for Highlark, recently sat down with Allen Tate '08, the lead singer of the popular music group San Fermin.
We are blessed that Ted Haynie's approach to family, faith, and work has quietly and steadfastly shaped the life of our school over the past thirty-five years.
GA eighth grade science researchers were well prepared for the Montgomery County Science Research Competition.
This year, the New Community Project completed an intensive exploration of the Community Partnership School, which is in the planning stages of developing a brand new school building in the Brewerytown neighborhood of Philadelphia.
![Science Research: GA Seniors Win First Place Grade Award](/data/news/thumbs/5117.full.jpg)
At the Montgomery County Science Research Competition, science researchers from the Class of 2017 earned the most total points for 12th grade projects. Overall, of the 28 GA students that competed,18 earned first, second, or third place awards and qualified for the Delaware Valley Science Fair.
Middle and Upper School students stood out at the 2017 Montgomery County Oral Proficiency Contest.
After going 10-0 in the regular season, the Patriots took on the statewide competition at three big-name tournaments in Lancaster.
Germantown Academy inducted 14 members of the Class of 2017 into the GA chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the national mathematics honor society, on March 8.
The award-winning Belfry Club took on Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in its latest production.
![Patriot Entrepreneurs: Alexandra Lefakinis '99 & Kassandra Lefakinis '00](/data/news/thumbs/5090.full.jpg)
GA lifers Alexandra '99 and Kassandra '00 Lefakinis grew up in the yacht industry and are now co-owners of a luxury charter company and a boutique online shop in Pireaus, Greece.
Dan Hoy '12 signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.
Germantown Academy has built a full curriculum around drama and public speaking in Middle School.
Germantown Academy's fourth grade STEAM program was featured in the February edition of Suburban Life Magazine.
The Class of 2024 participated in an Inventions Convention created by Lower School science teacher Craig Newberger 1760 to help show their knowledge of simple machines.
Six Germantown Academy seniors have been named finalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
The Lower School Green Ambassadors club meets monthly. Their projects range from planting to harvesting, from composting to wintering over the garden.
Students released the latest edition of In Our Own Write, the Middle School's literary magazine.
As part of their science curriculum, second graders cultivated beets, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, broccoli, radish, spinach, and Swiss chard.
The Class of 2027 took their knowledge from science class and turned it into an art project, with a little technology on the side.
Abbe Goldstein '17 and Kyle Garland '18 each won a pair of state titles!
![Science Research: Nine GA Students Qualified for PJAS State Competition](/data/news/thumbs/5054.full.jpg)
At last weekend's Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences regional competition, nine GA students earned first place awards and qualified for the 82nd annual PJAS State Competition in May.