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.
Middle school students participated in the Workable Peace curriculum from the Consensus Building Institute, where they built skills to navigate conflict with empathy, respect, and confidence.
During Identity Fest, members of the Middle School Alliance and Affinity groups hosted student-created activities to share with their peers. Seven different affinity and alliance groups were represented and hosted activities.
Director of College Guidance Kathleen Martin recently represented WFS at the Potomac Chesapeake College Admissions Counseling Annual Conference, which had 400+ attendees.
WFS students celebrated Earth Day last week. Lower school students took part in a plastic-free lunch, while middle school students explored sustainability through thoughtful discussions and activities in their family groups.
After their luncheon in the library, seniors held a noise parade, celebrating their last day of school before heading off to Senior Exploration and IB exams. The day ended with their final school-day Meeting for Worship, a time for gathered silence and reflection.
The Spring Concert Series continued with an outstanding upper school instrumental concert, featuring our Jazz Band and Symphonic Band in the Friends Theater.
The end-of-year senior traditions have begun, with the Class of 2026 signing the Senior Scroll and receiving their WFS laundry bag. This tradition has been a part of the senior class spring for more than 25 years!
IB Art and Visual Arts Major students welcomed friends and family to the opening of their exhibition, showcasing works from the portfolios they have developed over the past two years.
The WFS Spring Concert Series began with a fantastic middle and upper school choral concert on Tuesday evening, featuring performances from our 6th Grade Choir, 7th & 8th Grade Choir, Chorale, and Chamber Singers.
7th-grade Chinese students explored the history of kites in China before heading outside to practice flying them. With the campus in full spring bloom, flying kites in the beautiful surroundings was refreshing for the students.
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.