W+H Media Mashup - The Wardlaw + Hartridge School
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The Promise of Spring
about The Promise of Spring
Why Gratitude Isn't Always Easy
about Why Gratitude Isn't Always Easy
Dr. Crafton's Convocation Address 2025
about Dr. Crafton's Convocation Address 2025
Commencement Address 2025
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An Invitation to Explore Our School
A Constant Force in Uncertain Times
One thing for sure that has remained consistent is The Wardlaw+Hartridge School and its approach to creating a safe learning environment and following the best safety protocols. The school’s steadfast and conscientious approach to safeguarding the students, parents, faculty and staff and its continued commitment to in-person learning have been unwavering.
Connecting and Reconnecting
Influencing Performance: Eliminating Doubts and Unlocking Successful Outcomes
The Lifelong Impact of High School Athletics
More Than a Soccer Club: Valencia Soccer Academy and Wardlaw+Hartridge Athletics
teAchIng
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Everything Counts in High School
about Everything Counts in High School
On Teaching
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Small Acts, Big Impacts: How Service Shapes Our Middle School Community
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From First Notes to Standing Ovations - The Impact of the Arts in Middle School
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Building Community Through Competition: Our House System at Work
about Building Community Through Competition: Our House System at Work
Grit and Resilience
This past Coffee and Conversation, we continued with the theme that we started the school year with and focused our talk on Grit and Resilience. We deconstructed and amplified concepts from Angela Duckworth’s book
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.
Parents took a moment to complete a short
Parent Questionnaire
, and I introduced the survey by stating: “These are a number of statements that may or may not apply to you. There are no right or wrong answers. Please complete all 10 prompts and we’ll debrief at the end of our talk.”
about Grit and Resilience
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Alumni Finding Balance in College
about Alumni Finding Balance in College
A New Take on the College Admissions Process: A Potato’s Perspective
about A New Take on the College Admissions Process: A Potato’s Perspective
When is the Right Time to Start Talking About College?
about When is the Right Time to Start Talking About College?
Looking Ahead, Looking Back
Rudy Brandl '83
Jan
2026
47
AM
As I woke up from a long winter’s nap during the school’s recent Winter Break, I realized it was time to turn the page, or swipe the screen, on another busy and exciting year at W+H. While I’m always trying to live in the present and eager to look ahead to the future, I also enjoy reflecting on the past and celebrating accomplishments and milestones.
Every year, we run a countdown of the Top 10 Stories of the Year on our social media channels during the Winter Break. Since some members of our community decide to unplug a bit during the break and others are not social media followers, I like to dedicate my first blog of the new year to sharing the list.
Since it’s still January, I will wish you all a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness and prosperity as we look ahead to 2026. Let’s take one more look back at the W+H Top 10 Stories of 2025:
No. 10 –
Students Embrace Cultural Immersion in Navajo Nation
No. 9 –
Upper School Thespians Entertain at Musical Newsies
No. 8 –
Upper School Students Inducted into World Language Honor Societies
No. 7 –
Softball Team Captures GMC Invitational Crown
No. 6 –
College Bound Athletes Honored at Signing Ceremony
No. 5 –
Class of 2025 Graduates at 142nd Commencement Ceremony
No. 4 –
Conservatory Program Offers Production, Performance Tracks
No. 3 –
Upper School Students Earn National Merit Recognition
No. 2 –
Dalal Entrepreneurship and Technology Program Provides New Opportunities
No. 1 –
W+H Ranked No. 1 in County For Seventh Consecutive Year
Shades of the Seventies
Rudy Brandl '83
Oct
2025
22
AM
I found myself reflecting on the mid-late 1970s quite often throughout the weekend of Fall Fair and Homecoming Day, especially in the late afternoon during the Alumni Awards Ceremony and during the evening at the 50th reunion dinner for the Class of 1975. Watching Gil Childers ’73 offer his well-crafted introduction of legendary coach John Chandler, inducted posthumously into the W+H Athletic Hall of Fame at the event, brought back recollections that Mr. C was the coach who taught me how to play tennis that summer at the Wardlaw Country Day School sports camp. I attended that camp as a 10-year-old who loved to play sports – baseball, soccer, basketball, football, tennis, really anything – and the camp offered all of them in addition to an indoor pool for swimming. It was the best camp ever!
Growing up a few hundred yards from campus just up the road on Old Hickory Lane off Inman Avenue, I often walked to the school to watch athletic events, even before enrolling at W+H as a seventh grader in 1977. I didn’t necessarily know all of the names and faces, but I definitely saw some of those mid-late 70s athletic legends compete for the Rams. Some of those standouts were players on the 1975 State Prep champion boys’ soccer team, including a few who laced up the cleats and played in this year’s alumni soccer game 50 years after they were high school standouts. Those Rams were the first team in school history inducted into our Athletic Hall of Fame back in 2009. Other alumni athletes on campus for the festivities were members of the 1975 football and cross country teams that won State Prep titles and were inducted into our Athletic Hall of Fame this year.
The late John Skolka ’78 was certainly with us in spirit, having been inducted for a record fourth time. I remember John as the standout quarterback on the football team when I first enrolled at W+H. He was inducted as an individual in 2003 and then as a member of the 1977 football team, 1978 baseball team and 1975 football team in future years. John passed away a year ago and his family has established a memorial scholarship in his name. His wife, Kim, and children, Christopher and Courtney, attended the ceremony and presented the inaugural scholarship awards. Kim also joined the members of the 1975 football team and the larger group of all AHOF athletes and coaches to receive a commemorative medal in John’s honor.
The athletes who graced the stage wearing their medals represent many decades of more than just athletic excellence. Having edited and published many of their program bios for the past 16 years, I can tell you with full certainty that these are outstanding all-around people who were leaders in their school days and have gone on to make a difference in the world. Little did I know as a 10-year-old sports nut that I would enjoy the pleasure of meeting so many amazing people for the next half-century.
Stories to Tell, MO-ments to Share
Rudy Brandl '83
Jun
2025
17
AM
I was recently chatting with a few colleagues reflecting on how the craziness of covering multiple events in the last few weeks of the school year often reminds me of my previous career as a sports journalist when there were always events and deadlines. Concerts, academic presentations, awards ceremonies and graduations all warrant coverage and typically fill my calendar in late May and early June until the seniors graduate at Commencement. It’s a busy time with many opportunities to highlight our students in several areas.
Last week, an unexpected event popped up that truly brought me back to my previous career. The W+H varsity softball team advanced to the GMC Invitational championship game and there was no way I was going to miss this one. Anyone who watched this thriller will agree that it was a game for the ages.
The Rams showed remarkable resilience to prevail in a dramatic 5-4 victory over East Brunswick Magnet in a game that ended with a walk-off RBI single by Mohisha Jha ‘26. Mo stepped to the plate with teammate Elyssa Ortega ’26 at second base poised to score the decisive run for the Rams. Mo jumped on a fastball and stroked a single just inches inside the right field line and Elyssa sprinted home to set off a wild celebration.
Playing on their home field before the largest crowd of the season, the Rams fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning but promptly tied the game on a two-run home run by catcher Giselle Rodriguez ’25. W+H later forged ahead on RBI hits by Kacey Marmolejos ’25 and Sophia Riccio ’26 and took a 4-2 lead into the seventh. The Rams were one strike away from victory but a clutch two-run double tied the score. A devastating blow like this would deflate most teams, but the Rams kept their heads up and did not stop fighting.
Watching Mo emerge as the hero reminded me of why I loved working in sports media for two decades and covering students in myriad events for the past 16 years at W+H. There’s always a story to tell and you can never be sure which character will be the star or leading player.
This is not only true in sports at W+H, where it’s not uncommon to see new faces come out of their shell to excel in performances and presentations. One of the many strengths of our school is the support and encouragement students receive to give them the confidence and skills to succeed. It could be a polished academic presentation, a powerful musical solo, an impactful act of service, or a winning play on the athletic field that makes a difference.
Mo’s championship clinching hit was the latest example of W+H students achieving something bigger than themselves. It produced the softball program’s first championship since 2014 and I guarantee it’s a MO-ment she’ll never forget.
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School News
Middle School Students Lead Inaugural NASA Symposium
Apr
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Student Performers Entertain at Two Spring Recitals
Apr
22
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Lower School Students Honor Jane Goodall on Earth Day
Apr
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2026
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