News
Two Upper School Students Win Scholastic Writing Awards
Congratulations to two Shipley students for earning recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running (1923) and most prestigious program for creative teens, known for recognizing emerging talent such as Sylvia Plath, Stephen King, Amanda Gorman, Andy Warhol, and Ken Burns.
Ara Speirs ’27 received an Honorable Mention in the Essay category for his personal memoir Running Is Hard.
Martin Sun ’27 earned a Gold Key in Poetry for Your Silence, advancing to the National Awards round. National medalists will be announced in the spring, with honorees invited to New York City for the National Awards ceremony.
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Ara Speirs ’27 received an Honorable Mention in the Essay category for his personal memoir Running Is Hard.
Martin Sun ’27 earned a Gold Key in Poetry for Your Silence, advancing to the National Awards round. National medalists will be announced in the spring, with honorees invited to New York City for the National Awards ceremony.
Other News from Shipley
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Two Upper School Students Win Scholastic Writing Awards
Martin Sun ’27 and Ara Speirs ’27 each earned recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, , the nation’s longest-running (1923) and most prestigious program for creative teens.Read More -
Four Shipley Colleagues Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries
Four Shipley colleagues are celebrating milestones anniversaries during the 2025-2026 school year. Celebrating 15 years are Kate Gearhart and Tamar Norquist. Celebrating 25 years are Christian Wareikis and Vince Ceriale.Read More -
US Science Teacher Earns Prestigious National Board Certification
Eliza Varner, Upper School Physics teacher and Class Dean, recently earned the prestigious National Board Certification, awarded by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The certification recognizes educators who meet rigorous standards through a performance-based, peer-reviewed process.Read More -
Swamp Night is January 23rd!
Shipley’s annual Swamp Night is on January 23! Bring your family for food and fun with the entire Shipley community. Wear your favorite Shipley gear and join the Shipley Swamp to cheer on our basketball and squash teams!Read More -
Beyond Shipley: Rishaan Nagar ’26 — Strengthening Volunteer Networks Through Squash The Gap
Motivated by a desire to expand access and opportunity, Shipley student Rishaan Nagar ’26 turned his volunteer experience with SquashSmarts into Squash The Gap—a growing initiative that connects volunteers with Philadelphia students through mentorship and community engagement.Read More -
Gator Tales - Marta Johnson '95 – From Shipley Star to Shipley Coach
Former Shipley standout Marta Johnson ’95 returns to where it all began, this time as head coach. From her family immigrating to America and first volleyball game to coaching her own daughters on the same court, Marta shares what it means to come full circle and build a culture of hard work, heart, and connection.Read More -
Shipley Stories: Ronan ’30
For as long as he can remember, Ronan’s been building things—first with LEGOs, then with anything he could get his hands on. But one day, curiosity took over: instead of just building, he started taking things apart to see how they worked.Read More -
A Q&A with Nationally-Ranked Melody Vaughn '29
Shipley freshman and girls basketball standout Melody Vaughn recently found herself on the 2029 ESPN W Watchlist - an honor bestowed upon the best up-and-coming players nationwide. Learn more about her passion, motivations, goals, and why she loves being a Shipley Gator.Read More -
Middle School Launches New Overnight Learning Trips
Last spring and this fall, Shipley’s Middle School launched new overnight trips, immersing students in history, culture, and community. From the maritime culture of Newport News, VA, and D.C.’s civil rights landmarks to Broadway in NYC, these journeys deepened curiosity, built connections, and brought classroom learning vividly to life.Read More -
Boys' and Girls' Cross Country Teams Win FSL Championships
Shipley's Boys' and Girls' Varsity Cross Country teams each won their respective Friends Schools League Championship on October 16. Several runners also earned individual medals for their times. Go Gators!Read More -
Students Attend RISE: A Middle School Leadership Conference
Nine Shipley Middle School students joined peers from 13 schools at the RISE Student Leadership Conference, where they explored empathy, communication, and inclusive leadership in sessions guided by Shipley faculty leaders. Shipley senior and student leader Cassie McDaid ’26 was the keynote speaker of the event.Read More -
Emily McKay ’26: Leadership on Ice
Senior Emily McKay ’26 balances a rigorous academic schedule with her role as co-captain of Team USA’s Theatre on Ice team—leading with empathy, supporting younger teammates, and proving that excellence and compassion can share the spotlight. Learn more about Emily in this Beyond Shipley Spotlight, featuring students whose pursuits outside of school reflect Shipley's mission in action.Read More -
Honoring Former Boys Soccer Coach Thom Schauerman
Read MoreFor nearly two decades, the name Thom Schauerman has been synonymous with Shipley Boys’ Soccer.For 19 years, his passion, leadership, and dedication led the Gators to over 250 victories and 10+ FSL Championships. Schauerman’s legacy extends far beyond wins; it’s about community, mentorship, and heart. Read more. -
Meet Tim Bickhart, Shipley's Head of Lower School
Shipley's new Head of Lower School, Tim Bickhart, is also the parent of Henry '28 and Jack '33. Learn more about what he loves most about elementary-aged children, what he considers to be great teaching, and what inspires him.Read More -
National Merits 2025
Congratulations to all our National Merit Semifinalists and Commended students from the Class of 2026—an honor given to less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors.Read More -
Super Saturday 2025
Read MoreJoin us on Saturday, September 27th at Super Saturday, a favorite Shipley tradition. The day-long excitement includes a kids' carnival, a free community barbecue, athletic events, and much more. Gather the family, wear your Shipley gear, and celebrate being a Gator! -
Beyond the Bell: Activities in Upper School
With more than 75 clubs, ensembles, committees, and affinity groups, Shipley’s Upper School provides students with daily opportunities to explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and build community through a wide range of extracurricular activities.Read More -
Full STEAM Ahead: Middle School Science Olympiad
Shipley’s Middle School Science Olympiad introduces students in grades six through eight to competitive science. Guided by teacher John Harris, the program blends hands-on problem solving with real-world application, inspiring curiosity in engineering, physics, biology, and more.Read More -
Meet Ian Craig: Shipley’s New Head of School
When Ian Craig stepped onto Shipley’s campus this summer as its 11th Head of School, he did so with a deeply rooted belief in the power of relationships and a steady commitment to what he calls “the work that matters.” With 20 years of experience as a head of school across a range of educational settings, Craig brings to Shipley not only expertise but also humility, humor, and heart. Learn more about Ian Craig.Read More -
Julia Fisher Farbman ’08: A Storyteller Driven by Purpose
Julia Fisher Farbman ’08 has built a career telling powerful stories. Her latest film, Audrey’s Children, honors pioneering oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans. Read this profile from the Summer/Fall 2025 issue of Shipley Magazine.Read More
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The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.
