13 teens from Brescia, Italy, and their teacher arrive here on September 8 from our sister school I.T.C. 'Lunardi" for a 17-day whirlwind tour of Severn, Baltimore, Washington, and NYC. Under the careful eye and meticulous organization of Mr. Doug Sassi (Upper School art), this is the 25th consecutive year of the exchange (Severn students journey to Brescia in the spring). I.T.C. 'Lunardi' has a heavy emphasis on learning foreign languages and all their students are required to take English classes. In their last 3 years of high school they take English Conversation and Business English. Therefore, conversation with our guests should be extremely easy. Be sure to say ciao!

Mark Bowden is the author of the bestselling books Guests of The Ayatollah, Black Hawk Down and Killing Pablo. He is a national correspondent for The Atlantic, a contributing editor at Vanity Fair magazine, and an occasional contributor to National Public Radio.

Upper Schoolers donned their assembly dress last week for the first time this year and gathered in Price Auditorium for the annual Honor Code Assembly. Mr. Marc Buckley, 12th grade dean and former faculty sponsor for the student council, explained how and why Severn created an honor code four years ago. Mrs. Harriet Yake, US art teacher, shared her experiences in high school when she served on the honor council and reflected on her college (Smith) which had such a strong honor code that students were permitted to self schedule exams. Mr. Troy Wilson, Upper School math teacher and football coach, shared his college experiences at St. Olaf where professors did not monitor exams, they just checked in to answer questions.

       "The basic premise of an Honor Code is to accept the responsibility for academic integrity," explained Upper School Head Bea Fuller. "The onus and effectiveness of an Honor Code rests primarily with the students. You have control over your choices, your behaviors, your actions. I encourage you to make choices of which you will be proud."

      The Upper School faculty, the student council and students will spend time this school year continuing to work on making the honor code a viable and effective concept.

Lise Charlier, Michael Font, Janet Fort, Rachel Garvey, Matthew Haynor, Whitney Jamison, JoAnna Josey, Daniel Keller, Maura Rudder, Jason Tarnow, and Eileen Tidd.

Severn School is pleased to announce that MajGen Joseph D. Stewart '60 will be awarded the Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni Award, Friday, November 12 at 10a in the Edward St. John Athletic Center. The ceremony will also commemorate Veterans Day and Severn alumni who served or currently are serving in the military. All alumni are cordially invited to attend.

 
Joe Stewart '50, Jack Warpinski '03 and Phillip Choi '03 at Founder's Day 2003