Tyrie Jenkins ’73 is a pioneer in eye care as she was the first person to perform LASIK in Hawaii.
How did you choose to start your business?
I am currently the proud owner of a successful ophthalmology practice in Hawaii. I moved here in 1989 after having trained at a prestigious ophthalmology residency in the east coast. I built my practice around making sure my adopted home - the most isolated landmass in the world - had access to the latest technology in eye care. This business model was not only successful but most rewarding. I was the first person to perform LASIK surgery in 1987 and more recently, was the first to perform laser assisted cataract surgery.
What are your current interests and passions?
While still working full time, I am taking a bit more time off. I am lucky to be passionate about taking care of my patients but am lucky to have other interests. I am enjoying being a grandmother. I spend free time hiking, traveling and golfing.
How has WFS impacted you since graduation?
Since I graduated from Wilmington Friends, I actually joined a Quaker meeting and call myself a Quaker. I continue to embrace Quaker values of integrity, equality, community, stewardship of the earth and peace. Friends School's commitment to educational excellence has made me value life long learning.
What are your favorite WFS memories?
As preteen, I have to admit, I loved school so much I used to walk to Friends at the end of the summer before the school opened. I would sneak into the front door (it was open ) and walked through the silent hall and smell the newly waxed floors! Other great experiences, were non academic - chorus with Violet Richman and band with Mr. Guest. I remember vividly, those beautiful fall days on the hockey field. My best friend is still Pam Hoopes who I met in kindergarten!
Tyrie Lee Jenkins ’73 started at Wilmington Friend School at age 4. She can still remember all the names of her teachers in grades K - 6 and her best friend is still her first friend she met in Kindergarten! Her mother was also a Wilmington Friends School graduate. Elizabeth Miller Jenkins ’51 still lives on the Augustine Cut-Off in the home where Ty would walk to school from. After graduating from Friends, she attended Mount Holyoke College and then Jefferson Medical College. After a medical internship in Wilmington, she completed her medical training in Ophthalmology at Will’s Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. After a stint in Memphis, Tennessee, she moved to Honolulu in 1989. She started her current practice and is one of the businest eye surgeons in Hawaii. Being the first person in Hawaii to perform LASIK as well as Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery, she is a pioneer in eyecare. She and husband have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. Hobbies include hiking, golfing and traveling. The second-act? As her current practice winds down, she is hoping to participate in some medical missions and spend more time with the grandkids.
To kick off his classes, especially Smart Machines, upper school computer science teacher Nicholas Ordway began with a cup-stacking challenge (with a twist).
This week kicked off with faculty meetings and professional development , along with a lovely event with our new parents and guardians. And student orientation day did not disappoint, with energy filling both campuses!
The WFS football team hosted the Special Olympics Delaware Flag Football Clinic on Saturday afternoon. WFS student-athletes and Special Olympians participated in a variety of drills together, working on their passing, receiving, and blocking skills!
Gavin Gray ’28 was one of three WFS students who participated in the UPenn Social Innovators Program this spring. This 12-week virtual program allows students to learn more about social entrepreneurship and earn a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania.
The WFS field hockey seniors ran a clinic for 5th through 8th grade students on Thursday afternoon. Participants worked on their dribbling, passing, and receiving skills throughout the morning.
New faculty and staff members began their orientation this week! Over the next couple of days, they’ll dive into the history of WFS, explore Quaker Faith and Practice, connect with their mentors, and enjoy activities like “Who’s Who?” and Friends Trivia.
“My kids had the benefit of learning from incredibly talented faculty, being part of a caring and loving community that truly values seeing people for who they are, and what they might not realize they can be.”
On the latest episode of the Quaker Matters Podcast, WFS Director of Athletics Brad Greenman breaks down his first year, the lessons that student-athletes learn through athletics, and his hopes for the 2026–27 school year.
The Class of 2027 participated in the College Counseling Office's annual Application 101, where students completed the Common Application and refined their essays. The workshop was led by Interim Director of College Counseling, Rose Gnade, who has served on the College Counseling team since 2017.
Who remembers when the Class of 1996 took over the parking lot to spell out their graduation year?!
This fall, the Class of 1996 will celebrate its 30th Reunion during Homecoming Weekend, October 23-24, 2026. We hope to welcome as many classmates back to campus to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate together.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is often considered the highest standard for college preparatory education. This year, more than 30 members from the Class of 2026 were IB Diploma candidates.
“I think that the experiential leadership experience, trying all these new things, was very, very helpful for me. I knew I felt ready going to a liberal arts college after this experience [at WFS] because of that…but then I think the most important thing to me, and this is where I think it’s foundationally and morally changed who I am, is just leading with empathy.”
Colton Loeffler ’29 participated in the Ulster Project Delaware this summer, a month-long program in July where American teenagers host Northern Irish teenagers while participating in team-building activities, embarking on exciting day trips, and creating lasting friendships- all while fostering peace.
When reflecting on the history of girls’ athletics at Wilmington Friends School, one name stands as a monumental pillar of leadership, transformation, and excellence: Natalie S. “Lee” Bush. Serving the school from 1966 to 1999 as the Director of Girls’ Physical Education, teacher, coach, and grade dean, Lee spent over three decades establishing a culture of empowerment that changed the trajectory for countless female student-athletes.
Drew Milford '00 (left) and Josh Galperin '00 (center) recently returned to campus for a tour with their classmate and Head of Lower School, Chris Loeffler '00!
“It is my hope that when families think about the role of music at Wilmington Friends, they think far past just the entertainment factor of the performance, but all of the influences that music has on their child’s complete education.”
Statement of Nondiscrimination as to Student Enrollment
Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.