The school year might be in full swing, but WRA community summer adventures are still front of mind. We celebrated historic milestones, personal victories and everything in between as students, faculty, alumni and families embraced opportunities to make a difference and discover new passions.
For some, this summer meant once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Christian Krueger ’27 completed an internship through Harvard Medical School’s MEDscience program, where he strengthened his clinical skills through immersive simulations and teamwork exercises. Christian also stepped into the world of film, appearing in “Superman,” directed by James Gunn!
Julian Farian ’26 spent time in Washington, D.C., representing WRA as one of just 34 participants in the Youth Education Summit. There, he debated complex government issues before panels of Harvard professors, earning a $1,000 scholarship for his performance. His summer adventures continued to Virginia, where he earned two first-place awards and a third–place recognition for his historically accurate military models, competing against thousands of adults from around the world at the International Plastic Modelers Association Nationals. He now embarks upon a nine-month NASA internship, working alongside engineers to design airless tires for a lunar landing module, fulfilling a dream he’s had since childhood.
Cate Dzero ’26 volunteered at Crossings Akron, teaching English to immigrants, while also participating in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association's Summer Legal Intensive Program. Through internships at an immigration law firm and with attorneys handling custody and DUI cases, Cate combined her Russian and Spanish language skills with her passion for the law, making a meaningful impact in the process.
Emanuel Sheng ’28 attended a Georgetown University summer medical camp, gaining hands-on experience in emergency medicine; Peter Zhu ’29 earned a bronze prize in the World Youth Economic Forum, with the added benefit of reducing stage fright; James Johnston ’27 dedicated much of his summer to cross country training in preparation for the season; and Xinglin Yu ’29 explored tennis for the first time, discovering a new hobby!
As you can see, our students use summertime to pursue most excellent adventures. Not to be outdone, our faculty also embraced immersive cultural experiences and personal accomplishments. Ms. Boesch traveled to Paris and Greece, meeting up with current students and alumni, while Ms. Marmerstein ’21 returned to Vermont, writing a daily newsletter for the Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English, contributing to a community that shaped her as a student. Mr. Butensky-Bartlett (Mr. BB to most students!) ran another Goodyear Half Marathon, cheered on every step of the way by his two sons. Meanwhile, Dr. and Madam Borrmann journeyed to Zambia to visit their daughter Sophie ’20 (stationed there while serving in the Peace Corps) and to enjoy family time and a rather exciting safari — stories they’ll be glad to share! Our faculty and staff kept busy in countless ways — showing artwork in exhibitions, publishing work, competing in triathlons, traveling near and far, and embracing new adventures. The common thread? No one sat still this summer!
Looking forward, Yun Choi ’26 will present his National History Day project at this year’s Underground Railroad Gathering taking place on Sunday, Sept. 21, at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. Yun created a website on Medgar Evers that continues to earn acclaim, and we wish him the best of luck at the end of the month.
Congratulations to our talented and illustrious community. We are confident that the year will bring equal esteem, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
