Award-winning journalist and poet TyLisa C. Johnson ’13 was recently recognized with the 2025 Wilmington Friends School Distinguished Alumni Award for her exceptional contributions to journalism, community storytelling, and social impact.
A proud Wilmington native, TyLisa currently serves as the audience engagement producer at the Poynter Institute, helping to shape the future of media through connection, clarity, and purpose.
Over the past decade, TyLisa’s bylines have appeared in Carnegie Magazine, the Tampa Bay Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Dallas Morning News, The Points Guy, and PublicSource. Her work explores powerful stories about education, equity, and everyday life—and her voice has reached listeners through guest appearances on WHYY, WESA 90.5, and CityCast Pittsburgh.
During the 2025 Alumni Awards celebration, TyLisa accepted her honor with deep gratitude and reflection, sharing how WFS shaped her path. "One of the most powerful lessons I learned here as a girl is that you must let your life speak," she said. "It empowers me to walk in my truth and to stand firm on my values."
She encouraged students and alumni alike to "be bold with grace," to live their values every day, and to keep showing up for their communities. "When you let your life speak," she said, "there is no dream too big. You are limitless."
Upper school chemistry students recently brought science to life through the “nylon rope trick,” exploring how one of the world’s first fully synthetic fibers is made.
Each spring, Head of School Ken Aldridge looks forward to sitting down with our 12th-grade advisory groups for pizza and conversation—an opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate the senior class during their final weeks on campus.
1st graders wowed students, families, and faculty with their coordination and confidence as they took the stage for the 1st Grade Circus—showcasing their skills in hula-hooping, juggling, balance beam walking, and plate-spinning. This beloved WFS tradition helps students build strength, focus, and hand-eye coordination.
Isla White ’29 and Scarlett Murphy ’27 earned regional recognition in the Delaware Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a highly competitive program that honors outstanding creative work from students across the state.
WFS will host our annual Be Bold for Blue Giving Day on Friday, April 17, 2026. This fundraising event brings the community together to support our mission through Quaker education. This year, the school has set a goal to raise $150,000 from 350 individual donors.
5th-grade students designed and built ceramic slab containers in art class with Teacher Teal, applying many math skills learned in their home base classroom.
"The community is what I love most about being an athletic trainer, and it’s my favorite part of Wilmington Friends. I truly do come to work every day, and I don’t watch the clock; I don’t feel that it is work.” — Noah Underwood.
Lower school students welcomed local author Rebecca Louick to campus on Friday! Students in grades PK–5 had the opportunity to connect with Rebecca, hear about her writing journey, and learn firsthand about the importance of perseverance, reading, and storytelling.
Upper school Power and Performance English classes, IB Higher Level Visual Arts students, and Visual Art Majors traveled to Washington, D.C., for a research field trip.
WFS Director of College Guidance Kathleen Martin was one of 17 counselors invited to experience George Mason University (VA), about 30 minutes from Washington, D.C.
It was another excellent winter for WFS athletics. Our student-athletes competed with purpose, resilience, and school pride across every court, mat, pool, and track. We’re incredibly proud of their hard work and grateful to the fans who cheered them on.
Rick Grier Reynolds, who created the Global Peace & Justice course at WFS, returned today with Brian Winward, a returned citizen and long-time AVP facilitator, and parent of alumni Tim Terranova, to discuss the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) and run an AVP workshop with 9th grade students.
Lower school students enjoyed a special “Books & Breakfast” experience, bringing together students across divisions for a morning of storytelling and connection.
As part of his Physics Internal Assessment, Guillermo Romero Feito ’26 (right), with support from Henry Winn ’26, investigated the science behind accessibility—specifically, why the ADA standard for ramps is set at a 1:12 ratio.
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.