2024 Alumni Awards

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Episcopal Academy Alumni Awards and our 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees, all of whom exemplify exceptional accomplishments in their chosen fields, dedication to their communities, and passion for their alma mater. The following individuals were honored at The Episcopal Academy 2024 Alumni Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 4:

2024 Episcopal Academy Alumni Award Honorees


2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient: Mindy Menkowitz Scheier '89

Before founding the Runway of Dreams Foundation in 2014, Mindy accrued two decades of fashion experience, designing for the INC collection and styling at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her inspiration for Runway of Dreams stemmed from her son, Oliver, who, living with Muscular Dystrophy, aspired to wear jeans like his peers. Employing her design expertise, Mindy tailored jeans to meet his needs, bolstering his confidence. This experience fueled her extensive research into modifying mainstream clothing to cater to people with disabilities.

In 2016, Mindy made fashion history by collaborating with Tommy Hilfiger to launch the first mainstream adaptive clothing line. Rooted in the belief that clothing is a fundamental human need, Runway of Dreams develops, delivers, and champions initiatives to broaden accessibility of mainstream adaptive clothing and advocate for people with disabilities (PWDs). Forbes recognized the Runway of Dreams fashion show as one of the top seven NYFW events in 2022.

Responding to the high demand for connections between brands and PWDs, in 2019, Mindy founded GAMUT Management, a pioneering consulting and talent management company representing PWDs across the fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment sectors. 

Mindy's impactful work has garnered recognition from various publications, including Newsweek’s “The Creative Class of 2019: Innovators,” and People magazine’s “Heroes Among Us: Making the Fashion Industry More Inclusive.” She has been featured in USA Today, Parents magazine, The New York Times, and Vogue Business, and made appearances on NBC’s Today, ABC’s Good Morning America, and CNBC. An esteemed TED Talk speaker, Mindy has received numerous awards and was honored with the opportunity to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange in recognition of her innovative work in the adaptive space.

Mindy pursued fashion design through a dual program at the University of Vermont and the Fashion Institute of Technology.


2024 Distinguished Service Award Recipient: Thomas V. Zug '64

Tom Zug entered Episcopal in kindergarten and has since remained active in the EA community. He was a leader and a beloved member of his class, remembered as senior warden of the Vestry and a varsity letter winner in five sports.

Tom was a member of the Alumni Society Board for nine years, serving as president for two. He was elected to a three-year term as an alumni trustee and served as a term trustee for nine years. During his 12 years on the Board, Tom served on the Athletic and Health Committee, Development/Advancement Committee, Finance Committee, Facilities Committee (which he chaired for six years), and the Executive Committee. Additionally, he contributed to two ad hoc committees addressing auxiliary programs and school size.

Tom's contributions to Episcopal include annual donations since 1964. He has co-chaired most of his class reunions and has been the class agent or co-class agent for 50+ years. He played a pivotal role in establishing and supporting the Zug Family Scholarship Fund and the Class of 1964 Memorial Scholarship Fund, his class's 50th reunion gift. Tom is a member of the Bishop White Society and was elected an emeritus trustee in 2019.

Tom’s alma mater, Dickinson College, recognized him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Service to the College in 2009. Following his service as a Naval officer, he earned his MBA from Harvard. He held marketing positions at Safeguard Business Systems before assuming a director of corporate development and investor relations role. In 1986, he co-founded an investment partnership with his brother, Graham.

Deeply committed to his local community, Tom dedicated 30 years to the Gladwyne Fire Company, serving as president for 15 years, and currently holds the position of director emeritus. He served Lower Merion Township as president of the township fire board. Within Saint Christopher’s Church in Gladwyne, he fulfilled roles as a Vestry member, treasurer, and teacher. Furthermore, he was a longstanding member and officer of the Gladwyne Civic Association Board.


2024 Young Alumni Award Recipient: Zoe LaPalombara '09

Zoe LaPalombara earned a Bachelor of Science in neuropsychology from Yale University. Her exceptional performance during her undergraduate years earned her distinction in her major for her senior thesis, which explored Vitamin D signaling in addiction and obesity. Zoe went on to complete her Ph.D. in neuroscience, conducting her postdoctoral research under the mentorship of Dr. Susanne Ahmari at the University of Pittsburgh. Her dissertation, completed in 2020, delved into the intricate role of aberrant fear processing in the pathophysiology of a mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Zoe began her career as an in vivo research scientist at Tevard Biosciences, specializing in developing suppressor tRNAs to address genetic epilepsies. Currently, she serves as a scientist II in the In Vivo Pharmacology Department at Atalanta Therapeutics, a biotech startup in Boston, where she plays a pivotal role in developing small-interfering RNAs targeting neurodegenerative disorders. As a program lead, Zoe oversees and coordinates drug development activities focused on one of Atalanta's disease targets. Moreover, she actively designs and executes experiments for other promising targets within the organization.

Zoe's work has been published in esteemed journals such as Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Appetite, and Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. She has showcased her research findings at prestigious conferences, including the Amygdala Function in Emotion, Cognition, and Disease Gordon Research Conference and the Society for Neuroscience Conference. Throughout her career, Zoe has been recognized for her scholarly achievements, receiving funding through the National Institutes of Health via an Institutional Training Grant and a Predoctoral Fellowship. She is an active member of the Society for Neuroscience and Women in Bio Pittsburgh.

Zoe resides in Quincy, Mass., with her husband and dog. In her free time, she enjoys playing music, hiking, and cheering on the Eagles. 


2024 Young Alumni Award Recipient: Caitlin Powers '09

Caitlin is a director in the chemicals and materials group at Piper Sandler, a leading investment bank. Throughout her career, Caitlin has advised on more than 25 completed M&A transactions totaling over $40 billion for a wide variety of clients, including major publicly-listed corporations, private companies, and private equity firms in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. 

During her time at Episcopal, Caitlin was an exceptional athlete. She earned 12 varsity letters, was elected field hockey captain, and was named MVP and Defensive MVP in field hockey and lacrosse during her senior year. In addition to athletics, Caitlin excelled academically, earning honors every semester. She also participated in the Australia study exchange program during her junior year.

After graduating from EA in 2009, Caitlin went on to play four years of varsity field hockey at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning the title of National Champion in 2009 and runner-up in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Caitlin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in finance from the Kenan-Flagler Business School. During her time in Chapel Hill, Caitlin was a member of the Carolina Leadership Academy and served as a Kenan-Flagler Leadership Mentor. Post graduation, Caitlin has remained active with UNC, serving on the Young Alumni Leadership Council and as a member of the National Championship Club.

Caitlin lives in New York City with her husband, Ross, with whom she loves to travel the world.


2024 Alumni Community Service Award Recipient: Stephen Paul Chawaga '76

After graduating from Episcopal, Steve Chawaga went to college and law school before he began practicing as an attorney in Philadelphia. He is a long-time member of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and American Bar associations. Steve worked on several projects with the Temple-LEAP Program at the Philadelphia Bar Association, and served in several positions in the PBA Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition, including scorekeeper, judge, attorney, and coach for a school in Montgomery County.

After a career as a corporate litigator, most recently with McElroy Deutsch Mulvaney and Carpenter, Steve left to continue his legal path with a new venture: Episcopal Legal Aid in 2019. Building on his volunteer service as an attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, Steve had the idea to offer legal advice and assistance to people of limited economic means by partnering with Episcopal churches and community organizations that were offering free meals and gifts of clothing in their communities. Episcopal Legal Aid attends various church events and meets directly with people who have no other access to a lawyer who can help them resolve their legal problems.

Since opening its doors in 2019, Episcopal Legal Aid has helped more than 800 people with housing issues, social security appeals, wills and powers of attorney, complaints against landlords, evictions, family law problems, tangled property titles, and a host of other matters. Episcopal Legal Aid currently holds 12 legal clinics per month in various locations in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties.


2024 Alumni Award for Achievement in the Arts Recipient: Nicole M. Haddad '99

Nicole Haddad is the founder of Lobo Mau, a sustainable, slow fashion brand based in Philadelphia. She embarked on her journey after receiving a Bachelor of Art in Art History from Skidmore College and pursued further education at Drexel University's Masters of Fashion program, where she graduated with the prestigious Joan Shepp Award for Design Innovation.

Drawing from her unique Brazilian and Italian heritage, Nicole established her clothing line, Lobo Mau, infusing it with cultural inspiration. Embracing a “slow fashion” ethos, Lobo Mau places a strong emphasis on meticulous fabric research, utilizes sustainable inks for hand-printed textiles in their studio, and collaborates with local mills for machine-knitted fabrics. Skilled local seamstresses, some boasting 50+ years of experience, ensure each piece is expertly crafted to withstand the test of time. By prioritizing local production, they minimize lead times and reduce the environmental impact associated with global sourcing. Their mission is to combat the fast fashion industry by delivering quality, classically styled garments with a modern twist that retains their integrity even after repeated washings.

Nicole's achievements have been recognized within the fashion industry, notably with Drexel's 40 Under 40 Award for Excellence in Fashion in 2017. That same year, her brother, Jordan Haddad ’07, joined the company as CEO. In 2019, the siblings clinched the Best of Philly award for Best Sustainable Brand, followed by the opening of their inaugural store in Queen Village, Philadelphia, in 2020. Additionally, they were honored with a Zero-Waste partnership with the City of Philadelphia. In 2023, Lobo Mau showcased their creations as a featured exhibitor at the Smithsonian Women’s Committee’s Craft Fashion + Home event. Their work is now esteemed and accessible, displayed in institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, selected online retailers, and their flagship Lobo Mau store.

 

2024 Episcopal Academy Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees


Kimberly Lowe McCalla '99

A midfielder known as a fierce competitor, Kimberly Lowe McCalla launched her lacrosse career as a four-year varsity starter and letter-winner at Episcopal. Twice selected to the All-Main Line First Team, as well as the First Team All-Inter-Ac League in 1998 and 1999, Kimberly was honored by her teammates as co-captain her senior year. Recalling those days, she fondly remembers the joyful bus rides with teammates to away games and knocking off rival Penn Charter in her final home game. 

A member of The Ohio State University's lacrosse team from 2000 to 2003, Kimberly was inducted into the Ohio Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2022 and named to the "100 Buckeyes You Should Know" list in 2012. A captain for the Buckeyes’ 2003 American Lacrosse Conference championship squad that posted an NCAA Tournament win at Duke, she played in 54 games for the Scarlet and Gray, starting all 34 games over her final two years. Kimberly was an IWLCA Third Team All-American and an All-Region honoree. The Buckeyes also earned an NCAA Tournament bid in 2002.

Leading the defense, she helped the Buckeyes to one of the program's biggest wins – a 12-11 victory over then eight-time defending national champion Maryland on March 31, 2002, in College Park. Ranking in the top five in Buckeye history in career ground balls and caused turnovers, and posting top 10 single-season marks for caused turnovers twice, Kimberly received both the Alex Shumate and Jesse Owens awards for dedication, leadership, and character.

Following her playing days, Kimberly served as an assistant coach for the Lucky Lax club team and served as an official for 12+ years at all levels–youth, high school, and college. She has been a Varsity ‘O’ Alumni Society board member and a color analyst for the Big Ten Network.

 

Todd Harrity '09

Todd Harrity is one of the country’s best and most accoladed squash players. During his Junior career, he was a five-time Junior National Champion. During his time at Episcopal, he was a four-year varsity squash player and served as captain his senior year. He led the team to four consecutive Inter-Ac championships and, in his senior year, won the Inter-Ac individual championship.

He went to Princeton University, where he received the 2010 Ivy League ‘Rookie of the Year’ Award. In 2011, he became the first American in more than 20 years to win the National Men’s Singles Championship. In 2012, he led the Princeton Tigers to win the National Team Championship, ending Trinity College’s 13-year team championship winning streak. 

After Princeton, Todd turned pro and has been playing squash professionally on the PSA World Tour for the past 10 years. During his pro career, he has won three National Championship Titles (2015, 2016, and 2019). He also won two Gold Pan-American Games Medals at the 2019 Pan-American Games in Peru (Men’s Doubles, with partner Chris Hanson; and Men’s Team, with teammates Chris Hanson and Andrew Douglas). He has been a consistent member of the U.S. Men’s Squash National Team, competing in three Men’s World Team Championships (Germany 2011, France 2017, and USA 2019). He also competed in three Pan-American Games (Toronto 2015, Lima 2019, and Santiago 2023).

Off the court, Todd is known for his sportsmanship and commitment to promoting squash as a dynamic and inclusive sport. He actively engages in community initiatives aimed at introducing squash to a wider audience and nurturing young talent. With his relentless pursuit of excellence and passion for the game, Todd continues to inspire squash enthusiasts worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the sport's landscape.
 

Taylor Trimble Harding '11

Taylor Trimble Harding is a distinguished athlete with a legacy of excellence on and off the field. As a standout lacrosse player, she earned the prestigious distinction of three-time First Team US Lacrosse All-America selection. Taylor's leadership was instrumental as she captained Episcopal's lacrosse team to seven consecutive league championships, earning recognition as the 2011 Delaware County Times Player of the Year.

Her prowess extended beyond lacrosse, excelling in soccer and squash. Taylor's achievements in soccer include leading her team to back-to-back league titles and earning numerous accolades such as team MVP and First Team All-Inter Ac League honors. In squash, she demonstrated her skill as a leader, guiding her team to two league championships and two U.S. High School National Championships finals.

Taylor went on to leave an indelible mark on the lacrosse program at Duke University. She concluded her career ranked among the top players in Duke history, achieving milestones such as surpassing the 100-goal mark and earning recognition as a three-time All-South Region and All-ACC selection. Taylor's leadership was evident as she helped guide Duke to four consecutive NCAA quarterfinal appearances, including a memorable trip to the national semifinals. Off the field, Taylor exemplified academic excellence, earning recognition as a four-year member of the All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Academic Honor Roll. Her dedication to both athletics and academics culminated in her selection to the 2014-15 U.S. women’s national team, further solidifying her status as a distinguished scholar-athlete.

Throughout her illustrious career, Taylor Trimble Harding's achievements have left an enduring legacy in the world of lacrosse and beyond, earning her a well-deserved place among the elite athletes of her generation.
 

1999 Baseball Team

The 1999 boys' baseball team (7-3 league; 17-6 overall) had a date with destiny. Since their middle school days, they knew that Churchmen Baseball might enter its 50th year during their senior year without an Inter-Ac title. The four seniors were determined to end the drought. Despite starting the league season by losing two out of three games, the team never wavered. They went on to win seven of their last eight games to claim the Inter-Ac championship and end the streak.

First-year Coach Jeff Bond, along with Assistant Coach John Spofford ’74, knew they had a formidable lineup, led at the top by seniors Jeb Broomell, DJ Gregory, and Tripper Heckscher, who combined for 94 hits, 96 runs scored, and 59 RBIs. The juniors - Jack Meyers, Kyle Eckel, and Doug Hitchner - followed, contributing 77 runs over 79 hits. The underclassmen, Mike McGillian, Ian Wallace, and Adam Murray, undoubtedly formed the strongest back end of the lineup in the league and later filled the void left by the graduating seniors in 2000.

On the mound, the team had a pair of aces, DJ Gregory and Justin DiLucchio, who were stellar all year but found another gear during the Inter-Ac season. In the era before pitch counts, these two (along with #3 starter McGillian) often went the distance, keeping the opposing hitters off balance with their arsenal of pitches.

They were a team in the truest sense, as even the three role players, Casey Halpern, Geoff Henissee, and John Thomas, often found ways to contribute to the team's success. Physically, this team was imposing, and statistically, they were dominant, outscoring their league opponents 90-37 over the 10 games. DJ Gregory was named Inter-Ac League MVP. First Team All Inter-Ac honorees were DJ Gregory, Jeb Broomell, and Kyle Eckel. Second Team All Inter-Ac honors went to Tripper Heckscher and Jack Meyers.

John L. Broomell '99 *
Justin D. DiLucchio '00
Kyle R. Eckel '00
David J. Gregory '99
Maurice Heckscher, III '99 *
Douglas S. Hitchner '00
Michael J. McGillian '01
John A. Meyers '00
Adam J. Murray '02
John I. Thomas, III '00
Ian Wallace '01
Casey H. Halpern '99
Charles W. Dickhart '00
Charles Kurz, III '00
Geoffrey C. Henisee '00
Edward H. Oberwager '02

Manager:
Lauren E. O'Neill '00

Coaches:
Jeff Bond
John Spofford ’74

*Captains
 

2014 Girls' Spring Track & Field Team

In the spring of 2014, the Episcopal Academy girls’ spring track & field team aimed to make their mark on the track. Highlights included standout performances at the Haverford High School Invitational, the Hill School Relays, and the prestigious Penn Relays Carnival, where they clinched a remarkable first-place finish in the Philadelphia Academic 4x400 relay. Their success continued at the DELCO Relays and the Kellerman Relays, where they secured podium positions in various relay events.

The pinnacle of their season came at the Inter-Ac Championships, where the team's depth and determination propelled them to victory, securing a remarkable 145.5 points. This triumph was followed by another impressive win at the PAISAA Championships and the team's historic qualification for the New Balance National Outdoor Championships, marking significant milestones in the program’s history.

Individually, several athletes set school records and earned recognition for their outstanding performances. From Brittany Belo's record-breaking 200m sprint to Alexis Malmberg's impressive mile time, each achievement contributed to the team's overall success. For five graduating seniors, including Brianna and Brittany Belo, Tara Boyle, Alexis Malmberg, and Gianna Smith, the season ended with exciting prospects as they prepared to continue their track careers at prestigious collegiate institutions, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence to inspire future generations.

Julia K. Adelizzi '16
Leighann G. Adelizzi '15
Leah C. Becker '15
Brianna M. Belo '14 *
Brittany E. Belo '14 *
Carla E. Boyce '15
Tara J. Boyle '15
Bria M. Dinkins '17-Q
Rachael E. Farmer '15
Caroline E. Fizzano '17
Dana R. Giles '15
Abigail G. Holston '16
Katherine H. Hong '15
Emma G. Howley '17
Antoinette M. Jackson '16
Silicia I. Lomax '14 *
Alexis J. Lowber 17
Ashley M. Lowber '17
Alexis P. Malmberg '15
Elizabeth M. McAvoy '15
Christine R. McCann '15
Molly K. O'Brien '17
Margaux L. Paolino '16
Gianna F. Pileggi '14
Gianna N. (Smith) Scott '15
Courtnie A. Williamson '16
Kathryn E. Wilson '16
Sarah M. Wingfield '17
Megan J. Zimmerman '17

Coaches:
John W. Goens, IV Hon.
Douglas Borgerson Hon.
David Dallas
Rev. Tim Gavin, Hon.
Howard Harding
Zachary Richards, Hon.
John Rocklin

*Captains