Exploring Interests, Igniting Passions

1/7/2025

From the Winter 2025 US Journal

By Sarah Humm, Communications Coordinator

If the brain of University School is our innovative curriculum and our faculty and staff who teach, support, and inspire students in their pursuits of academic excellence, then our heart is the out-of-the-ordinary enrichment experiences that can be academic, artistic, or almost anything else that gets a student's or teacher's pulse racing.

Mr. Jim Seibyl ’83 knows first-hand the power of these enrichment experiences, from the student and teacher perspective. As a student, Jim was drawn to the performing arts; he acted and was on the stage crew in US productions and president of the Glee Club. Jim carried this creative spirit into his first career as a commercial photographer. Thirty-one years later, he found his way back here and joined the US instructional technology team. The combination of fatherhood and going "back to school" propelled him into the world of rocketry. Mr. Seibyl went all-in on rockets and earned his high-powered rocketry license to better support Jae Smith ’22 with his Strnad project. Today, Mr. Seibyl not only leads one of our most heralded programs, he did that thing you do when you are really into something. He started a podcast—simply named The Rocketry Show.

Just as Mr. Seibyl was then, students at US today are encouraged to try new things and take chances. What follows is just a taste of some of the unique variety of clubs and activities across our school. Here boys explore their interests and uncover new passions in a trusted environment. So, when they launch into their next chapter, they have the courage and confidence to keep pushing their minds and following their hearts.

It's a Bird, it's a Plane, it's...The Rocketry Team

Passing by the Rocketry room at the Upper School, you might hear "vigorous speaking in a loud manner of voice" (they don't call it yelling), a fair amount of technical speak—subscale, Arduino, payload, apogee—a lot of laughing, and a moderate amount of snacking. Another time, you might not hear much at all, but see Rocketry Team members focused on building a rocket or modeling one on a computer. In both instances, there is quality engineering happening— you could even say NASA-level quality.

The US Rocketry Team successfully completed a year-long college-level challenge, NASA Student Launch, by sending a six-foot-tall fiberglass rocket almost a mile into the sky. The journey began when the team, led by Mr. Seibyl, qualified to apply by finishing in the top 15 teams at the American Rocketry Challenge in Virginia in May 2023. The mission concluded on a hot field in Huntsville, Alabama, in April 2024, with their rocket, the Turbo Encabulator (look it up), doing (most of) what it was designed to do.

Stepping inside the Rocketry room, you would find organized chaos—materials, tools, models, electronics, and awards—on industrial shelves that surround tables pushed together in the middle. The room is relatively small, but it can hold a lot of boys with big plans. Isaac Duncan ’24, the Lead Engineer of the 2023-24 team, points out the rolling whiteboard that houses those big plans—it is not chaotic at all. The board lists the major aspects of the challenge: payload and electronics, design, simulation and propulsion, build, and management and paperwork, and the team members assigned to each part. Isaac was quick to explain, however, that, "No one is stuck in one part. Anyone can help with anything, and we all do. But these groups are who knows each aspect of the project the best."

Isaac designed and built the initial three-quarter subscale model, and handed it off to Vio Pavlidis ’25, Airframe Specialist, who re-created the rocket in simulation software. Vio elaborates, "I make sure all the calibers are in check, and that it would work how we want it to. For example, on the subscale, I found we needed an extra 500 grams in the base because it was over-stable and would shake all around once it left the launchpad."

The NASA challenge required rockets to carry a payload that performed an experiment or collected data. Ben Hoffman ’25, Payload Engineer, said, "We decided to test how atmospheric contamination changed based on altitude by measuring amounts of certain particles. Our payload was essentially a battery connected to sensors and data storage with an Arduino as the central computer to guide everything." Milo Slye ’24, leader of the US Robotics Team, lent his expertise in wiring the Arduino, and fittingly, on the flights to and from a college visit, built detailed engineering drawings of their rocket to be used in the reports required at each stage of the competition.

The challenge mirrors a NASA engineering project design lifecycle, providing real experience that prepares students for a career in the STEM fields. Though the US team was invited to apply, they had to pass each review milestone to continue in the competition. Each milestone required an online meeting with NASA engineers and, throughout the year, the submission of a mountain of paperwork totalling 240 pages.

The team was thrilled when new member Phineas Quigley ’25, a recent transplant from California, happily volunteered to be the head writer and General Manager. Among many other requirements, Phineas explained, "We detail the modeling done in the simulation software: How the rocket will behave under different launch conditions, wind speeds, and angles of the launch rod. We describe our safety procedures, budget, and timeline for how we make sure everything gets done."

They got it done. It involved frequent test flights on and far away from campus; many all-nighters, including one to replace a fried circuit the day before departure to Huntsville; multiple trips to a Home Depot in Alabama, including one to purchase a Dustbuster they used to clean the mess they made in the hotel making repairs. But they got it done.

"The trip was awesome," said Construction Lead Tommy McGowan ’24, "We learned we can work very well together under pressure." Much of this pressure came as launch time approached, then was delayed, then delayed again, for a total launchpad hold time of one hour, 43 minutes, and 27 seconds (engineers track things).

They had not anticipated baking in the Alabama sun for so long, and the plastic circuitry meant to capture their atmospheric tests basically melted. Still, it was a successful flight. Of the 21 high school teams participating in the challenge, only 11 were cleared to fly. The US team earned the Northrop Grumman Award, "for excellence in the design and construction of a high-powered rocket and scientific payload," and many team members’ names are now in the aeronautics company's database for potential internships.

The current US Rocketry team has existed for just nine years, but has qualified for and competed in the largest national competition in three of the last six, and their second NASA challenge is well underway. Mr. Seibyl beams, "It's a lot of fun for me. I love pushing the envelope and watching them get into it. And to go as far as they have, it makes me really proud."

The Bulls and Bears of Hunting Valley: Student Investment Committee

Extra early on a late start day, seven members of the Student Investment Committee (USSIC) convened in a conference room at the Upper School, only partly because of the doughnuts. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss some of the current stock holdings in the portfolio managed by the committee, and decide if it was time to sell, hold, or invest additional money in each company. Real money.

Though the committee members have fun, this is not a game. The total group of nine (three from each class, excluding freshmen) is now responsible for nearly $400,000 worth of stock and bond holdings. The USSIC portfolio has achieved this impressive growth from $20,000 in start-up funds in 2009, with an additional $10,000 annually for new investments. Since the end of calendar year 2020, the portfolio's value has increased over $110,000.

Mrs. Ilene Frankel, Executive Director of the Young Entrepreneur Institute, and Mr. Michael DeGrandis, University School CFO, are the committee's advisors and manage the competitive selection process for new members. Once a student is selected for the committee, usually as a sophomore, he will remain through the end of his senior year.

The companies discussed at this meeting included: StoneCo Ltd., a Brazilian financial technology/e-commerce solutions company (NASDAQ GS: STNE); McCormick, a spice and condiment company headquartered in Maryland (NYSE: MKC); and Linde, a multinational gas and chemical company (NASDAQ: LIN).

Proposals for new investments and reviews of current portfolio holdings are handled similarly at the Committee’s quarterly meetings. Each stock holding is monitored and considered by a member who presents a review of the company's financial performance, including share price, P/E ratio, EPS, dividend yield, and performance relative to its industry competitors, and factors that may influence it in the short or long term. The "security analyst" for each holding makes his recommendation, then the discussion starts.

Nate Miller ’25, the incoming USSIC President, values these discussions, "Often during our meetings, there is disagreement about investing decisions. In these meetings, I have learned how to engage in conversations where everyone does not agree and we need to find a consensus."

Adam Sands ’25, the incoming Vice President, plans to start a larger discussion with his fellow members this year. "Cutting the number of stock holdings we have and consolidating is a goal for me, I think the portfolio could be better in terms of diversification and strategy." The forward-thinking and critical perspectives of committee members that have contributed to its success so far are certainly continuing on.

Building Ideas to Life Entrepreneur Club

There are many established national and state programs US Middle School students can join, including Junior Model United Nations, Power of the Pen, and FIRST LEGO League. There is also a plethora of programs developed here by US faculty and staff. "One idea of the Middle School—within and outside the curriculum—is to stretch boundaries and provide boys with new things to explore," says Mr. Jeff Pierce, the Jr. K–8 Enrichment Specialist.

The Young Entrepreneur Institute (YEI) offers clubs for boys in third grade and above. E-Club, for seventh and eighth graders, provides students with the basic steps plus some inside insights of how to develop a product and build a business. Jessica Dragar, YEI Senior Outreach and Engagement Manager, builds the sessions for this club around the five P's of entrepreneurship: People, Product, Price, Pitch, and Presentation. "Perhaps the most important—the bonus P—is passion," says Mrs. Dragar, who prompts the boys, "think of something you like, something you love, and something you are good at." This helps them identify a service or product idea to pursue. Mrs. Dragar says, "When they are harnessing their own interests, their time in the club is more productive and they have more fun."

During one particularly animated meeting, the participants in E-Club learned about branding from Thea Kennedy, Senior Graphic Designer at US. Starting with a rainbow of very recognizable logos on a big screen, they talked about the different feelings each color evokes, and why a company might use one color over another. The students were soon buzzing and clamoring for feedback from Ms. Kennedy and their friends about the logos they were in the process of designing for their products in preparation for the annual May Market.

The May Market is now a four-year tradition and has fast become a community favorite. At this bustling

event, student entrepreneurs (with guidance from Mrs. Dragar and help from their parents) make and sell the delicious: fudge, sourdough bread, and warm chocolate sauce-stuffed bananas with a selection of sweet or crunchy enhancements; the useful: salt water spray for the perfect beachy hair, scented handmade candles, and dinosaur pencil holders; and the unexpected: space-inspired artwork, a book of original short stories, a fidget toy involving a golf ball seemingly impossibly held within a too-small wooden "cage."

The creator of that fidget toy, Cade Croftcheck ’29, was unsure how it would sell, so he was "super pumped" to sell out, and enjoyed his profits, which all May Market business owners keep. "It was fun to create a product with my own two hands that people were excited about," Cade said, and he encourages other students to give it a try, "You learn how to create a business, and you make some money and a lot of good friendships."

Expanding their Horizons Junior Research Fellows

The Junior Fellows program provides the opportunity for boys, individually or in small groups, to apply their knowledge, ideas, and task-commitment to a personal area of interest. The goal of the program—from the planning and research process, through the development of the final presentation—is to encourage students to connect more deeply with something that matters to them while connecting them to the wider world and beyond-school learning. In some cases, these projects even connect students to their futures.

Recent projects have explored coding, the Knights Templar, the formation of the universe, and car design. Most recently, Benji Blitz ’28 presented his project, "University School Veterans," to an attentive audience in Conway Hall. Benji started at the beginning, "Ever since I was three years old, military history has fascinated me, and about three years ago, I started collecting." He shared part of that collection on stage: combat helmets representing the service eras of the veterans he interviewed.

Benji told the personal stories of these veterans and shared lessons from their time in service. His subjects covered an impressive span of history: Mr. Lee Chilcote ’60, a veteran of the Vietnam War; Mr. Alan Cate, current Upper School History Department Chair and a graduate of West Point Academy who saw overseas combat multiple times, including the First Gulf War; and Mr. Henry Parkin ’99, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps after September 11 and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq.

An integral part of the program are the mentors, who are drawn from faculty, alumni, and community connections. Benji's were Mr. Bill Champ ’85, Director of Auxiliary Programming, who helped Benji reach out to the veterans and coached him on how to conduct his interviews, and Mr. Jeff Pierce, Enrichment Specialist and Middle School Speech & Debate Coach, who guided Benji in the creation of his presentation.

Benji's final thoughts to his Middle School peers were inspiring, "I hope as you reflect on my presentation you will be encouraged to speak to veterans in your own life. It could be a neighbor or relative, or maybe just someone you see in a store wearing a veteran’s hat displaying the boat on which he or she served." He received a standing ovation.

During a question and answer session after his presentation, Benji shared that he wants to become a history teacher. It seems he already is.

Hands in the Air for Puppet Theatre Club

Have you ever heard a Weeple singing the alma mater? If you were one of the lucky people in attendance at the world premiere of The Weeples of the Forest at Conway Hall Auditorium in April, you have.

What's a Weeple? A Weeple is the name given to the handmade puppets created by the third and fourth graders in Puppet Theater Club. Because the boys thought they resembled worms, (presumably before they were finished): worm + people = Weeple. Jim Henson would be proud.

Puppet Theater Club is the idea and a passion of Mrs. Shirley Veness, Third Grade Lead Teacher and Team Leader. In its first iteration, the club produced parts of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, providing a glimpse into the club's provenance: before joining US three years ago, Mrs. Veness taught fourth grade and for a unit on Shakespeare, "We performed the plays—pantaloons and all."

Mrs. Veness transformed this into something more accessible for younger students at US, something more crafty but with fewer pantaloons; with more time performing but less time spent memorizing lines. The reused Amazon-box puppet theater proscenium hides not only people but also scripts. "It was especially exciting to see the boys who were a little timid to come forward in this lower-stakes way of starting with public speaking, and getting comfortable with it."

Moments before the premiere, the boys were buzzing with anticipation, but graciously granted a brief interview. George Damoulakis ’33 said, "My favorite part is probably how you could add so much to your puppet thanks to Mr. Veness!" Mrs. Veness' husband, Mered, an artist with a background in the toy industry, was very happy to lend his time and talents to the club. Leo Cortes ’33 added, "I thought the lines were really funny and I liked how the puppets felt like real beings."

Some of the more challenging parts of the experience were holding their hands in the air and, as George said, "Saying your line at the right time. But, if you mess up, like Mrs. Veness says, 'Just keep going!’"

So now you know about Weeples, but why were they singing the alma mater? As at every Lower School Assembly, this one ended with the whole crowd standing and singing Hail, University! accompanied by classmate Krishnan Khot ’32 on the piano. The Weeples and their boys, watching the show from the side of the auditorium, seized the encore opportunity and brought belting-out-singing life to their Weeples one more time!

Please Don't Squash the Entomology Club

During the first meeting of the Entomology Club last fall, one of the first orders of business was a discussion about ethics. Mr. Hans Rydquist, Lower School Science Teacher, started at the beginning, explaining to the boys one of the most important parts of entomology, the study of insects, is collecting them so that you can study them up close.

Running around looking for insects and catching them was not a surprise, in fact, it was the main draw for many of the boys. Then, Mr. Rydquist brought out a flat case in which many insect specimens were displayed. He explained that in order to get such intact specimens, most of these particular insects had been captured, killed, dried, and carefully pinned in place for study now and into the future. Learning this, the boys decided then they were not interested in bringing a premature end to any bug's life themselves.

Instead, the Entomology Club members preferred transforming the jars and mesh cages of the science room into micro-habitats for their collected insects to live—while being observed by curious human eyes—as they went about their instinctual work.

When Mr. Rydquist had the idea for this third and fourth-grade club, he thought it might get some interest. But it got a lot of interest. As with many of the enrichment activities faculty members bring to our students, this one was born from a passion, something Mr. Rydquist got naturally, genetically, or, more precisely, from his mom. "My mom is a certified lepidopterist and is always texting me photos of moths and butterflies."

There are definitely some future professional scientists here, including Ridley Hagman ’32. His favorite part of the experience was learning collection strategies, the coolest being the pitfall trap where two plastic cups, one nested in the other, are buried flush to the ground, and loosely covered with bark and sticks, "and the insects are walking along and just fall in." Ridley wanted to join the club because, as an aspiring marine biologist, "I wanted to dive more into what is in the vernal pool." With the club he found mosquito larvae and water striders in the arboretum's pool, and later returned and spotted some baby salamanders.

The jumping spider is a favorite of Maverick Marra ’32, "I've always had an interest in insects and arachnids. I have three pet tarantulas, blue death-feigning beetles (a favorite of Mr. Rydquist), and a scorpion." Maverick loved exploring the outdoors around the Shaker Campus and finding all the places bugs might be, especially under big rocks and logs.

By the final meeting, members of the club better understood why collecting and preserving insect specimens is integral to the work of entomologists. While the future of some individual insects in the immediate area is not certain, the future of the Entomology Club seems well in hand.

Welcome to University School

Exploring Interests, Igniting Passions

Shaker Heights Campus JUNIOR K – GRADE 8

Hunting Valley Campus GRADES 9 – 12