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."
Peace posters from the WFS Class of 2038 were on display as part of the 2026 Visionary Peace Youth Art Exhibition with Pacem in Terris at the Wilmington Library!
Aubrey Ashman ’26, Abigail Thurlow ’26, Easton Martinenza ’27, Emma Furman ’28, Bayan Katirai ’29, and Will Van Druff ’29 spent the weekend in Providence, Rhode Island with chaperones Megan Hegenbarth and Katie Wolf Martinenza ’99 at the Quaker Youth Leadership Conference (QYLC).
Our WFS Chamber Singers joined choirs from Tower Hill, Sanford, and Tatnall for a full day of music-making at the annual Four School Choir collaboration—an experience of learning, rehearsal, and shared artistry.
Our 8th-grade Chinese students recently completed a unit on dining culture and brought their learning to life with a visit to LeShio Restaurant in Wilmington!
The WFS Upper School Student-Run Production is an annual tradition in which students are chosen to create, direct, and produce (and often write) their own vision for the stage.
A huge thank you to our incredible Grounds and Building Services team for their tireless work over the past three days—morning and night—clearing snow and making sure our campus is accessible for members of our community. Your dedication, care, and behind-the-scenes efforts make a real difference!
At Wilmington Friends School, our partnership with The Social Institute (TSI) supports students, families, faculty, and staff in navigating the digital world with intention and care.
Over winter break, the Wilmington Friends After-School Program hosted three festive days of child care filled with creativity, celebration, and community.
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.