Featured Alumnus: Adam Brown

It takes an exceptional teenager to become an Eagle Scout – according to Boy Scouts of America, only about 5% of all Boy Scouts move up to this ultimate achievement. Wilmington Montessori School alumnus, Adam Brown, age 15, is one of those rare young men.

In addition to earning 21 merit badges each with demanding tasks (10 to 20 requirements for each badge!), an Eagle Scout applicant must design and complete a service project for the community. The beneficiary of the service project is decided on by the Scout, and is usually an organization that has meaning to the Scout. In Adam’s case, he has chosen WMS as the recipient. His vision? A classroom in the woods where teachers can bring their students to explore the woods, learn about local plants, and rest on benches that line the short, inviting trail. In the Spring of 2008, Adam and many volunteers will join together to create his vision in the woods.

Adam attended WMS from age 2 through 3rd grade. He remembers some things clearly (like the Pink Tower and his joy in using it as often as he could), while other things are more vague (like the names of his classroom pets). What he does know is that his 7 years at WMS greatly impacted his future as a student, even at this young age. Adam knows that his love of learning was cultivated in the kid-friendly Montessori classrooms that he called home. He remembers how inviting and tactile the activities were, and attributes his appreciation for education to the messages he learned early on. He describes himself as an organized student whose curiosity was sparked by his Montessori education. And for that he is grateful.

His choice of WMS for this signature project was something he considered for many years. He knew 2 things for certain. First, as a Cub Scout, he knew early on that he wanted to achieve the Eagle Scout badge, and secondly, he wanted to find a way to give back to a school that gave him a secure start to his education.

WMS and his original Cub Scout Pack 1313, sponsored by WMS, are equally appreciative of Adam’s gift. To support his endeavor, WMS has generously allowed Adam to utilize some of the grant money received from the Welfare Foundation, money that has been earmarked for improvement of the woods around the school. Adam’s project dovetails nicely with WMS’s goal to better use the woods around the school for education. Pack 1313 has generously given Adam a check for $500 to help purchase native plantings and scouts will help with the installation. As part of his Eagle requirements, Adam has to manage a group of volunteers . In addition to supervising scouts, he will work with WMS parents on May 3 during a special Co-op Woods Day. This has become a real community project.

Adam now attends Cab Calloway School for the Arts in Wilmington, majoring in Visual Communications. While a few years away from graduation, he aspires to major in Math as an undergraduate (it all started with the pink tower!) and hopes to continue on for graduate degrees in either Physics or Economics. With the determination and capability of an Eagle Scout, we know he’ll succeed in whatever he attempts. Congratulations Adam!

Photo: Adam and Linda Zankowsky, Head of School, accept a check for $500 from Cub Scout Pack 1313 in support of Adam’s Eagle project.

WMS Alumna in the business world: Elizabeth Nolan

WMS aluma Elizabeth Nolan (daughter of former computer teacher Maryann Nolan) and two of her friends have a new business selling homemade, all natural dog treats. Known as "Waggies by Maggie and Friends," (named after dog treat baker Maggie Corrigan) the company produces all natural peanut butter dog treats. While dogs love the flavor, owners like the freshness, all-natural ingredients, and attractive packaging. More importantly, the treats are baked with a lot of love from 3 young women and their support team.

According to Maryann, "There is a lack of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Those who are employed are not given much in the way of job security." This business has helped the bakers to develop a variety of skills they would not otherwise get. Nolan's hope is that this model will not only be successful in Wilmington, but can also but can be replicated in other communities.

How are Elizabeth’s products being received? According to Liza Conces, mom of well-known Montessori weiner dog, Pedrick Conces: “Pedrick thinks they are delicious. He is partial to their newest flavor--chicken—since it does not bother his brother Andrew’s peanut allergy.”

If you are interested in finding out more about Elizabeth’s company visit the “Waggies by Maggie and Friends” website at http://www.waggies.org/.

Alumni of the Month - Flo Miniscloux

Someone forgot to teach Flo Miniscloux the word “impossible.” In fact, someone must have told her to dream big, because big dreams come through as she talks of her current endeavors and her hopes for the future.

Flo, a 2002 graduate of WMS, is now a senior at Cab Calloway School for the Arts in Wilmington. As she looks to graduation, she also fondly looks back at her 8 years at WMS. She found the experience so profoundly meaningful that she is making a documentary about WMS for her senior year film project. Flo feels that people don’t understand the value that Montessori education holds. She wants her documentary to capture some of that value so she filmed the many aspects of childrens’ days at WMS to demonstrate what she believes. She emphasizes Maria Montessori’s ideas about classroom set-up, child-sized furniture, self-correcting materials and more. She highlights the strong mathematical foundation offered through Montessori learning, as well as social and emotional maturity, the sense of community that is developed in each classroom and the respect and love of nature that is nurtured in each child. If making the documentary isn’t enough, she is also writing her senior research paper on the same topic. While the paper is for her teachers to read, the documentary will be entered into competition for both Scholastics and Student Emmys.

Ask Flo about her years at WMS and she raves. She holds dear the memories of teachers in every grade, unwilling to single anyone out as her favorite: “They were all fantastic!” On a recent visit back, she was surprised they all remembered her. She also speaks fondly of (and mentions by name) two class pets: “Rocky” the albino ferret and “Corny” the snake, the latter of which she took home for the summer for an extra special bonding experience.

The stand-out experiences for her at WMS include: Fun Day and the Fun Run; Steel Drum assemblies in which she played; the African Dance assembly; learning Hula Hoop from an expert; and her experience as a Buddy to a preschooler. As the youngest member of her family, she learned a lot about caring for younger children through her buddy experience.

Flo came to WMS via France, her country of origin. She moved here when she was 4 years old and her sister Cindy was 8. When not in school, she learned dance 6 days a week with performances on Sundays. Since June of this year, she has shifted her commitments to readying herself for college, so dance has been cut back to one day per week.

Instead she has her eye on majoring in film production – at USC or NYU. USC, she has learned, only accepts 24 students into their program each year, so while that is her first choice, she is trying to be realistic about her chances.

Beyond college, Flo isn’t sure what life holds for her. Perhaps independent film making or work as a cinematographer. Wherever her plans take her, we know it will involved big dreams and lots of success. And we’ll certainly remember her.

Since this article was written we've learned of Flo's newest endeavor, this time in front of the camera. She has been invited to participate in the upcoming movie, The Lovely Bones, directed by Peter Jackson, who also directed The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The offer came after she attended an open call in Philadelphia. Acting is not new for Flo. She toured the United States performing in Dragon Tales Live as the leading performer, Emmy, from 2003-04. And, in 2003 she played a principal role in the movie, The Woodsman, starring Kevin Bacon. Congrats, Flo. We'll be watching for you!

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