Fletcher Warner Takes Center Stage and Center Field at Severn

7/22/2025

Fletcher Warner ’26 had always felt most at home on the baseball field.

With a natural talent for the sport, Warner’s future in athletics seemed crystal clear from the moment he joined Severn as a freshman. But things don’t always go as planned, and for Warner, getting placed in a third-choice elective opened a door he never expected—one that would lead him to discover a talent for music and ultimately to thrive both athletically and artistically.

When Warner began his Severn experience as a freshman, baseball formed the core of his identity. His shadow day as an eighth-grader solidified that foundation. Paired with a fellow player, Warner bonded instantly with the Severn baseball team. Conversations with the head coach and warm encouragement from teammates made his decision easy. The strong academics—always a top priority for Warner—and Severn’s tight-knit athletic community sealed the deal. He was ready to be an Admiral, both on and off the diamond.

The Accidental Elective

As it turns out, Warner wasn’t meant to be confined to the field. During the summer before freshman year, a surprising twist led him down an entirely uncharted path. Freshman schedules at Severn are mostly set, but students select one elective for the year. While reviewing options, Warner surprisingly marked “Vocal Ensemble” as his third choice.

To finalize placement, Vocal Ensemble required an audition with Rob Redei, Upper School Arts Chair. Warner walked into his summer audition, however, without knowing he was auditioning.

“I had to come to school over the summer, and I admit, at the time, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing,” said Warner with a laugh. “I actually thought I was coming to take a test!”

Instead, he found his way to Mr. Redei’s basement classroom, where he spent time doing vocal exercises and dusting off piano skills from childhood lessons.

While he thought it was a cool experience, Warner didn’t think there was any way he’d get placed in Vocal Ensemble. Aside from the elementary school chorus, his only singing experience was in the shower. “I think maybe I enjoyed singing a little more than the average person, but I never really thought much about it,” he said.

Much to Warner’s surprise, he did earn a spot in the class. But instead of just being a fun elective, this last-place choice marked the beginning of an exciting musical journey that has enabled Warner to become a prominent voice within Severn’s Arts program. Even better, he’s been able to pursue both baseball and music with equal vigor.

Baseball by Day, Singers by Night

Realizing that he didn’t have to limit himself to any one specialty area was pivotal for Warner, who has managed to achieve a healthy balance, thanks to the support he’s received from the Severn community.

“Something Severn does well is accommodate students involved in multiple activities,” said Warner. “You can do a lot here. You can be a competitive athlete and be a performer. You don’t have to choose between the play and your sport. I can’t emphasize enough the support and how that makes it possible to do and be more than just one thing.”

Discovering his gift for singing through Vocal Ensemble was important, but the real turning point for Warner came when his baseball teammates encouraged him to audition for Breakwater, Severn’s award-winning a cappella group. Turns out, he wasn’t the only singing baseball player on campus.

“I wouldn’t have pursued that opportunity without those upperclassmen encouraging me to go for it,” said Warner. “It’s amazing to think about how much of a difference that made.” One teammate in particular—Sean Ward ’24—became a mentor to him. Ward, too, navigated the worlds of athletic excellence and music mastery, showing Warner that it was possible to succeed in both.

Those encouraging teammates have become some of Warner’s closest friends. “I have the most fun when the small group of us who play baseball and are also in Breakwater are together,” said Warner, who shared that those dual-practice days have been dubbed “Basewater” by his friends. “It’s part of the community feel I appreciate about Severn.”

More Alike Than Different

Fast-forward two years and Warner hasn’t stopped exploring his artistic side. He’s a member of Breakwater, sings with Jam Band, is a founding member of The Gentlemen of Severn—an all-male a cappella club—and is a regular in Severn’s stage productions. Warner also starred in Severn’s 2024 holiday video, singing a “Winter Wonderland” duet with fellow Breakwater member Annie Campion ’26. Amidst all his arts activities, he still plays Varsity baseball and aspires to continue his athletic career in college.

For Warner, the two pursuits—sports and music—are more alike than different. The baseball team and Breakwater have “pregame” routines, and whether he’s wearing a jersey or a costume, his favorite part of any game or performance is putting on a good show. The adrenaline rush is similar. So, too, is the commitment to excellence. “Whether the goal is coming up with a hit in baseball or learning your lines for the play, there’s a similar amount of time that gets invested in preparing,” he said.

While this isn’t the path his eighth-grade self expected to be on, it feels exactly right to Warner. “Everyone at Severn is so supportive and encouraging,” he said, “and the result is that you’re more inclined to take risks, step out of your comfort zone, and try new things.” Warner is especially grateful that Zak Starr, Head Baseball Coach, Redei, and Frank Donn, Jam Band Director, have backed him as he pursues multiple interests.

Paying It Forward

The influence of past upperclassmen hasn’t been lost on him either. “Mr. Buckley often talks about how we’re standing on the shoulders of the Admirals who came before us, and there’s so much truth in it,” he said.

“When I think about what Sean did for me, and how he told me that when he was a freshman, there were two juniors who encouraged him to join Breakwater … that’s what it’s about,” he continued. “They supported him and let him know he could succeed in both, and he did that same thing for me. So it’s a nice ladder or a chain reaction of sorts that I intend to carry forward.”

Though he never imagined that taking center stage—instead of just center field—would be part of his Severn experience, Warner’s story exemplifies how every Admiral’s journey is centered on discovery and anchored in purpose.

This feature story originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of The Bridge, which is available here.

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