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Eleanor Napoli ’16
“I believe that the concept of active listening and learning was cultivated at WFS, and this included being open to feedback. Being willing (and knowing it’s okay!) to change your mind, and constructively disagreeing helped prepare me for post HS life. On the topic of seeing something differently, it was here that I learned that it is perfectly fine to disagree with someone or not see eye to eye, but it’s imperative for everyone’s personal growth and development to do so in a kind, respectful, and gracious way. I think this is the most powerful lesson I took away from Friends and one that I see necessary to practice daily in our world, now more than ever.”
Eleanor Napoli ’16 graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2020 with her degree in English Literature (with a minor in Communication and African Studies). Eleanor certainly made the most of her time during her four years in St. Lawrence County as she served as a Freshman Orientation Leader, an Admissions Ambassador, an Admissions Senior Fellow, and a Civic Dialogue Fellow. A member of the Dean’s list from 2017-20, Napoli studied abroad in Kenya for four months in 2018 where she interned at a rural health clinic. A three-sport athlete in cross country, swimming, and lacrosse at WFS, she decided to walk-on to the women’s crew team and spent four years competing for the Saints. An avid marathon runner, Eleanor credits Erin O’Conner, Paul Nemeth, and Devon Adams for her development as an athlete and her passion for competing. She adds, “They have helped me so much develop into a healthy athlete who hasn’t forgotten to add and keep the fun alive in such a competitive sport!”
Upon graduating from St. Lawrence in 2020, Napoli was scheduled to travel to Uganda and begin a Public Health Fellowship. Unable to take part in the fellowship due to Covid-19, Eleanor quickly pivoted, and found herself working for Northwestern Mutual in Boston, Massachusetts as a Financial Planning Associate for the past two years. Thankful for the opportunity that she received, Eleanor enjoyed working with the Northwestern Mutual team as she learned how to use new platforms and software while providing support for her colleagues on the analysis and development teams. However, as Eleanor began to reflect on both her WFS senior exploration where she shadowed multiple physicians and her experience in Kenya, she had the itch to return to school and explore a career in the medical field. So, this fall, Eleanor will begin her journey as a post baccalaureate candidate at Georgetown University which will help her transition to medical school.
Her advice to a WFS senior? “Just say yes and don’t doubt yourself. Just take the class you want to take, be in the show you want to be in, try the new sport, apply to that college, do the extra credit, do it all. There’s no reason for you to think that a classmate or peer can do something and you can’t - you absolutely can. When you think that something isn’t working, try one more time. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help or guidance. We all have 24 hours in a day and tomorrow is always fresh. WFS has so many resources and people to turn to while you’re there and after graduation, take advantage of our beautiful, strong, smart, fascinating, compassionate network!”
Good luck this fall, Eleanor!
WFS Alumni Spotlights
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David Venarde ’83
"Most importantly, it helped me to value and appreciate silence and reflection, and I think it made me a better listener, which isn’t a bad thing in my line of work."Read More -
Eleanor Napoli ’16
“I believe that the concept of active listening and learning was cultivated at WFS, and this included being open to feedback. Being willing (and knowing it’s okay!) to change your mind, and constructively disagreeing helped prepare me for post HS life. On the topic of seeing something differently, it was here that I learned that it is perfectly fine to disagree with someone or not see eye to eye, but it’s imperative for everyone’s personal growth and development to do so in a kind, respectful, and gracious way. I think this is the most powerful lesson I took away from Friends and one that I see necessary to practice daily in our world, now more than ever.”Read More -
Juliane Van Egmond ’68
Julie Harvey Van Egmond comes from a long line of Quakers on her father’s side and was raised to believe in service to others.Read More -
Grayton Downing ’14
“Throughout college I spent my summers volunteering at Nemours hospital and since then, I always dreamed of working there as a physician.”Read More -
Ellie Anderson '14
Ellie Anderson '14 spent yesterday with a national celebrity - Punxsutawney Phil - who predicted six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day 2022.Read More -
Hunter Witmer ’10
“One of the greatest lessons I took from Friends was how to think critically, which has served me well throughout my educational journey and into the professional world. It’s truly a skill that is valuable regardless of what you do in life."Read More -
Ikechukwu Daniel Adebi ’18
Read More“I greatly appreciate WFS for giving me the opportunity to become an independent learner and teaching me how to write. Without these skills, I would not have had nearly as much confidence to go into research as I do now.” -
Alex Rudin ’13
I attended Wilmington Friends School for 14 years, and by all accounts, I consider myself a “lifer.” WFS provided the bulk of my educational experience, which was the basis for my development as an artist and an activist. Throughout my attendance at Friends, certain core values such as integrity, community, equality, peace, stewardship, and simplicity were foundational.Read More -
Peter Henderer ’89
Read MorePeter Henderer ’89 attended Friends for three years for Pre-1st through 2nd grades, and then returned for 10th through 12th grades. On campus, he played football and lacrosse, played in the Concert Band and Jazz Band, served on the Service Committee, and was Clerk of the Business Meeting. After graduation, Peter studied at Bowdoin College, majoring in Economics and Environmental Studies, and serving as Co-President of the Bowdoin Outing Club. After Bowdoin he studied law at The George Washington University Law School and went on to the private practice of law in Richmond, Virginia. Peter’s practice is in commercial real estate, with a particular focus on tax-credit financed multifamily housing. On the side, Peter has grown a portfolio of his own residential rental properties. Outside of work, Peter has served on numerous non-profit boards, and is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees at Richmond Montessori School, a Toddler through 8th grade school in Richmond. Peter is married to Armistead Edmunds Henderer and they have two teenage children. -
Laura Robelen ’78
Laura Robelen ’78 was a 13-year veteran of Friends, following in the footsteps of her mother, Lois Moodey ’53. At Friends, Laura enjoyed participating in chorus and especially the annual Spring musicals. She served as Secretary of her senior class. The friendships made at WFS have stood the test of time, thanks to social media, and she regularly gathers with classmates living in the Wilmington area. Laura graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a major in Communication and Theatre and a minor in Psychology. Since 1988, Laura has been a licensed Realtor and is also an Associate Broker. She teaches the Pre-Licensing Sales class for her brokerage Long & Foster. Laura has been a fundraising volunteer for Delaware Hospice for the last 25 years. She has served as chair of The Festival of Trees for most of those years and also serves on the Board of Trustees and as Co-Chair of the Development Committee.Read More -
Nathaniel Ruhl ’18
Read More“I learned to enjoy school, challenge myself, and develop in an environment where all of my teachers cared about my success and supported me.” -
Phoenix Mellow '08
The Class of 2022 commencement speaker was none other than Phoenix Mellow '08.Read More -
Tom Spiker ’93 & Jimmy Butterfield ’20
Read MoreA faculty member at the University of Arts in Philadelphia for the past eight years, Tom Spiker ’93 has taught many classes (and students) about music producing and engineering. -
Bowman Benge ’13
“I think Wilmington Friends School pushes its students to try and pursue multiple interests.Read More -
Ellie McGinnis
“My time as a WFS student built a foundation of curiosity, empathy, and determination that I will always carry with me, but the most important lesson I learned as a WFS student comes from the George Fox quote in the front entrance of school: ‘Let your life speak.’Read More -
Cecilia Ergueta
2018Read More
At Friends since Kindergarten, Cecilia ’18 has interspersed her Humanities studies in California with experiential learning in Germany. After a gap year in Berlin teaching children cooking on a kitchen bus, she entered an intensive program in Classics & Philosophy and designed costumes for the repertory Shakespeare Company during her freshman year at Stanford. When the pandemic moved classes online, she joined a Berlin social enterprise as a Marketing Manager. -
David Linton
1978Read More
A big fan of the Stoic philosophers, David's mantra is: Strive, not arrive. Winner of both the Mendenhall and Bush awards, David played sports, sang in musicals, and acted at Friends. He finds the faculty to be the School's core asset. Harry Hammond and Rick Reynolds in particular influenced his development. -
Hannah Kushner
2017Read More
Hannah Kushner ’17 was a Lifer at Friends. On campus, Hannah ran on the cross country team and was involved with the FIRST Tech Challenge, Poetry Speaks, and Amnesty International clubs. After graduation, Hannah attended Lehigh University, where she studied environmental engineering and urban policy, with a focus on climate resilient cities. At Lehigh, Hannah was involved in political activities and stormwater management research. After graduating in January 2021, Hannah stayed on at Lehigh to pursue a master’s degree in environmental policy while serving as a Resilience Fellow with the City of Boston. Hannah intends to continue working in local government to develop climate resilient and socially equitable infrastructure. Connect with Hannah or learn more about her work on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hannahkushner -
Hon. Shirley Padmore-Mensah
After spending two decades as a private practice trial lawyer, Shirley shifted the focus of her career to public service. She credits WFS with instilling in her the many values needed to be an effective U.S. Magistrate Judge.Read More -
Joey Gutierrez
Joey Gutierrez '07 joined the WFS community in 3rd Grade. After graduation, he attended Bucknell University, where he majored in Comparative Humanities and founded a student group focused on philanthropy education. After college, Joey moved to the Bay Area where he has held various roles in education technology and impact investing. He most recently completed an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business and started working at an edtech startup in San Francisco.Read More
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