Paintings by Steve Baris Featured in the Tyler School of Art Alumni Exhibition
Paintings by Upper School art teacher Steve Baris were on display at The Ice Box Project Space in Philadelphia, which hosted the Tyler School of Art Alumni Exhibition from April 13 through April 29. The show featured two paintings from Baris’ recent Urban Compression Series. For more information about Steve Baris, visit his website at

Gil Smith, Shipley’s Business Manager, Wins Prestigious Award
Gil Smith, Business Manager of The Shipley School since 1990, was recently recognized by The Philadelphia Area Independent School Business Officers Association with the prestigious “John Batley Distinguished Business Officer Award.” Named for one of the Association’s three founders, the award honors individuals for their professional commitment to the field and volunteer work for the Association. Shipley received a contribution of $1,500 from PAISBOA in honor of Smith’s work.

The 25th Annual West Chester University Theater Festival
The following Shipley students were recognized for their standout performances at the 25th Annual West Chester University Theater Festival on Wednesday, April 25:

     Katie Zurbach       Best Audition Scene (Mrs. Sorkin)

     Eric Simpson       Best Monologue (Importance of Being Ernest)

     Tori Udvarhelyi &  Best Ten Minute Scene (“Good Morrow Kate” Shrew)
     Sam Foster

     Dan Harlan          Best Actor (White Room)

     Tori Udvarhelyi     Best Actress (White Room)

Spencer & Peter Stokes Victorious at U.S. National Father/Son Squash Championships
Shipley father/son team, Spencer (Grade 7) and Peter Stokes (Middle School faculty member & Varsity Squash Coach) won the 13-and-under division of the U.S. National Father/Son Squash Championships held on April 22 at the Racquet & Tennis Club in New York City. The win is the latest for the champion squash players. Peter recently won the U.S. Nationals 50’s Hardball Championships, and Spencer is the current U. S. Under-15’s National Doubles Champion.

Charlotte Miller Simon Poetry Contest Winners
The Ardmore Free Library recently hosted the first annual Charlotte Miller Simons poetry contest. Several members of the Shipley community were recognized for their submissions. David Kimmel (Grade 6) received the 3rd place award for his poem, Pi. Tatiana Fogt (Grade 6) received an Honorable Mention for I Let it Go. Fitz Dougherty (Grade 2) also received an Honorable Mention for Palm Tree Bay. And Middle School English teacher Elizabeth Dougherty received an Honorable Mention in the Adult Category for her poem, I Am Sorry. The award recipients read their poems at a celebration held on April 15, and will have their names displayed on a plaque in the library.

Daniel Conner Places in Hip Hop Dance Competition
Shipley senior Daniel Conner spent his spring break at the Monsters of Hip Hop convention in Denver, Colorado. The convention featured some of the top choreographers in the entertainment business and drew close to 500 dancers from around the country. During the convention, Daniel competed in the Club Stylz Freestyle competition and placed as a top-ten finalist in the event.

A principal from one of the largest talent agencies in Hollywood, McDonald/Selznick & Associates, noted his performance as one that “stood out” and offered Daniel the opportunity to be taped for a film project that is currently in development.

Daniel said, “I have never worked so hard and with people who are so serious about their profession. I am so pumped about the weekend and the recognition I received. It was a great learning experience.”

Read a Philadelphia Inquirer interview with Daniel.

Graham Wicas Earns Silver in the Junior Men’s Epee
In the Junior Men’s Epee event on Sunday, April 15th, Shipley junior Graham Wicas took on the largest field of the weekend at 132 competitors and emerged with a silver. Read the full story in Sports Highlights.

Eli Branzburg Awarded Scholarship by Lower Merion Little League
The Lower Merion Little League recently awarded its annual LMLL Student Scholarship Award to Eli Branzburg, a senior at The Shipley School. Read the full story in Sports Highlights.