S T E W A R D NEWS
Sparking Inspiration in
Our Community
Two years ago, we adopted a new tradition of having a schoolwide theme
each year, which guides both the academic and extracurricular programming.
This year, our theme is inspiration. Inspiration is not just part of our written
mission; it comes to life here every day, and it can be found at every turn — in
classrooms, conversations, friendships, and teams.
In this magazine, you’ll see many examples of inspiration, including the music
and stories we shared with our fall Visiting Innovators, the Recycled Orchestra
of Cateura (page 6). From the experiential learning detailed in our cover story
“Learning for the Real World” (page 16) to the ways that alumni like Katie-Beth
Kurilecz ‘06 (page 26) and Madison Ellis Ellington ’09 (page 22) are bringing
positive change to people’s lives every day, Steward is an inspired and inspiring
community.
Personally, I am inspired by our incredible faculty, who consistently go the extra
mile to develop new and creative ways for our students to learn. I’m inspired by
our students, who are always stretching to do their best, and by their families’
unfailing support. When I consider all the positive growth that has taken
place among our community just this school year, it’s more than inspiring. It’s
stunning.
• All of our Spartan varsity athletic teams made it to their respective state
tournaments this fall.
• Our theatre department was one of the first in the nation to perform
Chicago: High School Edition.
• Our student musicians performed at the Richmond Folk Festival.
• Our art teachers led a schoolwide fundraiser for UNICEF on Whirled Peace
Day.
• Our faculty and staff have come together to research and develop initiatives
that will bring our new Strategic Plan to life.
What a year it has been already!
So, what’s your inspiration? What provides the spark that helps you get through
your day, week, month, or year? Give it some thought — you might be surprised
by the places you find it once you start looking. We hope you’ll find some
inspiration for your own life in the pages of this magazine. If so, please share
your thoughts with us.
A few exciting highlights from the first half of the year:
• Our newest alumni headed off to 32 colleges and universities with a record-
breaking $5.7 million in merit-based scholarships.
A D M I N I S T R AT I O N P U B L I C AT I O N S TA F F Stephanie Boyar, Kate Boyles, Dan Frank, Laura
Weisiger, Rachel Williard, Contributing Writers
Dan Frank, Head of School Stephanie Boyar, Editor Lisa Dwelle, Associate Head of School
for Finance and Operations Kate Carpenter, Designer Stephanie Boyar, Kate Boyles, Dr. Samuel
Brannon, Dan Busler Photography, Barbara
Coates, Carley Hamilton, Emily Oliff, AJ Parson,
Washington State University, Wendell Powell
Photography, Jenny White Photography, Rachel
Williard, Contributing Photographers
Dr. Adam Seldis, Director of Upper School
Susan Atkinson, Director of Middle School
Ingrid Moore, Director of Lower School
Kate Boyles, Lisa Dwelle, Rachel
Williard, Contributing Editors
Carley Hamilton, Contributing
Designer
Worth Higgins & Associates, Inc., Printing
The editors have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of information reported in
this publication. We apologize for any inadvertent errors.
DAN FRANK, HEAD OF SCHOOL
The Steward School admits students without regard to
race, religion, color, ethnic or national origin, age, sex,
disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, personal
appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation,
political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected
by law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities
generally accorded or made available to students at the
school. It does not discriminate on the basis of these protected
characteristics in the administration of its educational policies,
admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and
athletic and other school-administered programs.