Mrs. and Mr. Kal Rudman, who established the scholarship, are pictured with this year’s recipients, Sahar Pourshahriari and Alexander Kowalski. Also pictured is Emily Williams, in whose honor the scholarship was created.

Families and friends of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy’s Montessori students recently attended the school’s final celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of Montessori education. The students opened the event by marching in with their homemade flags from around the world as they sang Red Grammar’s “Teaching Peace.” Everyone was delighted as Dr. Maria Montessori (played by Sr. Roseann Tribuianni) visited the gathering and enthusiastically answered the questions posed by the Junior Level students about her life and the opening of her first school at Casa dei Bambini in San Lorenzo, Rome, Italy on Jan. 6, 1907. Later, parents and students enjoyed refreshments in NFA’s courtyard. Some of those who participated in the celebrations included: (Front) Janine Mazzarelli with her children, Celia, Anna, Christian and James of Chestnut Hill. (Second row, from left) Thomas and Emma Woolley of Ft. Washington, Dr. Maria Montessori of Sr. Roseann, Linda and son Charlie Newbold of Erdenheim, Arlene Monti, the Mazzarelli children’s grandmother. (Back row from left) Tim, daughter Mary, and Jackie Woolley of Ft. Washington, Susan, son Joey, and Jay Valinis of Chestnut Hill.

This year’s recipient of the Distinguished Service Award is Springside trustee and parent Bill Smilow, a Chestnut Hill resident known in the community as the head of Great Oak Holdings. Three years ago, Smilow joined the Springside Assets Committee and more specifically Buildings and Grounds and has overseen the construction of the 9.5 million dollar, 54,000-square-foot Vare Field House. As builder’s advocate, he watched costs and helped Springside stay within budget and complete the field house on time. Two years ago he and his wife, Kathy, gave Springside “Smilow House” to provide much-needed permanent housing for the Head of School. The Vare Field House is a visible tribute to his selfless devotion and many volunteer hours spent at the school. Pictured with Bill from right are his daughter Alexandra, class of 2016, his mother-in-law, Mary Byers, and his wife, Kathy, a Springside alumna.

The Norwood-Fontbonne Academy Oratory Club ended their competitive season with much success when the team received second place overall achievement at the recent LaSalle Forum, an elementary school forensics tournament. Those receiving honors included: (from left) Hillary Yeabsley, of Ambler and Angela Saponaro, of Blue Bell, honorable mention, duo interpretation, Caroline Cilio, of Mt. Airy, and Maggie Rush, of Fort Washington, fourth place, duo interpretation, Lauren Stabler, of Abington, fifth place, poetry, Christina Hamilton of Lafayette Hill, second place, poetry, Alex Gilliam, of Wyncote, first place, poetry. Not pictured are Joshua Bailey, of Worcester, honorable mention, poetry and Fred Gerngross, of Ambler, honorable mention, prose.

Cum Laude Society Eight Springside scholars from the Class of 2007 and 2008 were honored at the esteemed 2007 Cum Laude Society Induction Assembly. The featured speaker at the event was alumna Amy Banse, who serves as President of Comcast Interactive Media. Her inspiring remarks focused on the notion of great ideas: “Ideas that help you make sense of the world, ideas that help you relate to people, ideas that inspire you to do better, ideas that make the world a better place.” Inducted to the society because of their academic achievement and demonstration of excellence, justice, and honor are (first row from left) Beth Alsentzer, Hannah McDonnell, Sarah Wadsworth, Caitlin Gruer, and Kalila Smith. Second row from left are Emma McClafferty, Kira Theuer, Emily Bilger, Alexandra Levitt, Rachael Ellis, Emily Winant, Grace Ortelere, and Macrina Cooper-White.