Hun School Receives Donation of Family Home

Princeton philanthropist Betty Wold Johnson has donated her Edgerstoune Road home to the Hun School of Princeton with the intention of the property becoming a headmaster’s house and a place for the headmaster to entertain members of the school community.

Designed by Princeton architect Ralph Bauhan, the property includes an 18-room Georgian-style house with furnishings and antiques, and manicured gardens. It is known for its large, illuminated Christmas tree.

“Mrs. Johnson’s generosity to The Hun School has been extraordinary,” said Hun School Headmaster Jonathan Brougham. “The house is far more grand than my family would ever expect or need, but it will mean great things for the School.” The gift, along with the Brougham family’s move into the newly named Johnson House in the new year, will open up Mason House, the existing headmaster’s house, for other school needs.

PHS Yearbook Receives top NJ Award

Princeton High School’s yearbook, The Prince, recently received the Garden State Scholastic Press Association’s top honors, the “All New Jersey Platinum” award, and the highest score of any yearbook submitted in New Jersey.

Evaluated in the categories of overall concept, writing, photography, and coverage, the PHS yearbook is the product of the efforts of more than 40 students.

The 2020 editors-in-chief Katherine Chang, Anna Eaton, and Alisa Prokoshin, along with PHS yearbook advisor Diana Lygas, accepted the award at the 2019 Fall Press Day at Rutgers University. Last year’s editor-in-chief was Will Davies, who graduated in June and is now attending the University of Virginia.

Solebury School Acquires 50 Acres

The Solebury School in Bucks County, Pennsylvania has acquired 50 acres of land adjacent to the school, increasing its campus size to 140 acres and allowing for expanded facilities and programming.

“This is truly a magical moment in the history of Solebury School,” said Head of School Tom Wilschutz. “We have ensured the future of Solebury School.”

Jennifer K. Burns, assistant head of school, provided an update on the school’s strategic plan, which includes increased enrollment in the boarding program and an enhanced campus environment.   

NOAA Administrators Visit French American School

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists Mitch Bushuk and Vince Saba recently visited the French American School of Princeton (FASP) to deliver a presentation on “Understanding, Observing, and Acting on Climate Change.”

Over the past several years FASP has actively participated in work to expand environmental consciousness. During the 2018-19 school year, former middle school students visited Bermuda to study plastic pollution and its impacts on marine life. This school year, the initiative continued with efforts to eliminate single-use plastics throughout the school.

“The value of this presentation aligns with FASP’s work in protecting the environment, while keeping our students conscious of the world in which we live,” said Head of School Corinne Gungor.

PHS Sophomore Competes for Miss New Jersey Teen USA

Princeton High School sophomore Kylie Colvin, 15, will be competing for the title of Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2020, November 22-24 at The Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

She is a member of PHS Cantus, the yearbook staff, the track and field team, and a tutor at John Witherspoon Middle School.

The contestant chosen as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2020 will go on to represent the state of New Jersey in the 2020 Miss Teen USA pageant.

Pennington School Receives Grant for Malawi Project

The Pennington School has received a STEM grant for $4,590 from the Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) in support of a technology project designed to bring iPad technology and resources to children living in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, Africa.

Susan Wirsig, director of Pennington School’s Applied Science Certificate Program and a teacher of design engineering and mathematics, received the grant and has been working with Pennington students this fall to refurbish iPads to deliver to the children personally when they travel to the Malawi refugee camp during their spring break in March 2020.

The project began during the 2018-19 school year and has grown to include more than 50 current students working on several technology initiatives to serve the refugees in Malawi.