The Darlington Podcast

Welcome to Episode 180 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent talks with Lauren Bowling ('05, LD '17) about her experience as a Darlington student, her unique career path and how she stays involved with Darlington as an alumni volunteer.  Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 179 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Dean of Community Life Tara Inman talks with senior boarding students Arike Akinbolagbe, Linda Pan, Natalia Sands and Eddie Ye about their holiday traditions from around the world in celebration of the holiday season in the United States.  Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 178 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Director of IT Derek Fine talks with Technology Integration Coordinator Leah Lynn, second grade teacher Courtney Cescutti, middle grades science teacher Reilly Thomas and Upper School history teacher John Hintermaier about their use of artificial intelligence, also known as AI, in their classrooms to...

Welcome to Episode 177 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) talks with Darlington volunteers Tashia and Chris Twyman, parents of Christa ('23) and Myles ('26) Twyman. The Twymans have been active volunteers since coming to Darlington 11 years ago and currently serve as co-presidents of the Athletic Booster Club. They talk abou...

Welcome to Episode 176 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Content Manager Maddie Chastain talks with varsity coaches Sam Clark (volleyball), Brant Evans (boys' and girls' cross country), Betina Fuentes (football cheerleading), Wayne Groves (football), Anna Harris (softball) and Melissa Smyly (competition cheerleading) about the fall athletic season at Darlington....

Welcome to Episode 175 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell talks with senior Mily James, sixth-grader Andrew Herren, and Lee (Taylor) Morris ('07, LD '24) about the fine arts department's season of discovery this fall, including our recent Discover Days, concerts, and the fall play.  Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 174 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Student Body President Atlas Kosedag talks with Upper School Learning Specialist Justin Bruce, Upper School science teacher Jaclyn Haynes, and senior Honor Council President Anna Nguyen about honor at Darlington, from our motto that says "Honor Above Everything," to how students and faculty strive to exhibit ho...

Welcome to Episode 173 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent talks with Doug Hendrickson ('74), member of the Darlington Board of Trustees. He shares his favorite memories from his time as a boarding student and reflects on why he chooses to give back to Darlington.  Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 172 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Student Body President Atlas Kosedag talks with pre-K teacher Beth Smith ('87, LD '12), eighth-grader Jesse Meredith and senior Whit Molnar about service at Darlington, from our motto that says "Service Beyond Self," to how we encourage our students and faculty to live a life of service, both at Darlington and...

Welcome to Episode 171 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Director of IT Derek Fine talks with kindergarten teacher Jody Deaton, fourth-grade teacher Dr. Mike Natarella, middle grades math teacher Chris Eberhart and Upper School English teacher Mallory Collier about Darlington’s recent distinction as a four-time Apple Distinguished School and how we inspire, imagine and cr...

Welcome to Episode 170 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Student Body President Atlas Kosedag talks with Upper School history teacher Brian Inman, sophomore Cora Fannin and eighth-grader Madison Paxten about about wisdom at Darlington, from our motto that says “Wisdom More Than Knowledge” to how wisdom is fostered in academics, athletics, the arts and more.  Click here fo...

Welcome to Episode 169 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with Upper School Learning Specialist Justin Bruce, Technology Integration Coordinator Leah Lynn, Moser House Head Day Prefect Murray Ellington ('26) and Thornwood House Head Day Prefect Ava Ann Woods ('26). Together, they share tips for students and pa...

Welcome to Episode 169 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Vincent talks with Jim Dent ('77, LD '19) about the impact Darlington has had on his life, his winding career path and his current work in medical missions with Mercy Ships.  Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 167 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Melissa Smyly talks with Technology Integration Coordinator Leah Lynn and Upper School Librarian Jordan West about the conferences and trainings they've attended this summer for their professional development.  Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 166 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) chats with Sara Weeks Dima ('97) about her experience as a boarding student at Darlington, her career small business owner in the food industry and more.  This episode was recorded on May 10, 2024.  Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 165 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this special Commencement episode, listen to Gordon Smith ('71) , chairman of the Board of Trustees and retired executive director and chief operating officer of the United States Tennis Association, give his Commencement address on May 18. Smith reminds graduates that the tools they've received at Darlington enable them to change the...

Welcome to Episode 164 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this special episode, listen to Heather Shores, Upper School history teacher, give her Baccalaureate address on May 17. Shores was selected by the senior class to serve as the Baccalaureate speaker. In her address, she gives the Class of 2024 six pieces of wisdom that she wishes she knew as a high school graduate. ...

Welcome to Episode 163 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with History Department Head Brian Inman about his career as an educator, his passion for history education and more. This is the final episode in a series highlighting each of Darlington's department heads.  Click for...

Welcome to Episode 162 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell reflects on the Class of 2024 with Upper School Director Chad Woods, Student Body President Oliver Liu ('24), Honor Council President Maddox Andrews ('24) and Discipline Committee President Jennifer Hughes ('24). They discuss the senior class's academic, athletic and artistic achievements,...

Welcome to Episode 161 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, senior boarding student Mary Covington talks with varsity coaches Sam Clark (boys' lacrosse), Mallory Collier (girls' lacrosse), Betina Fuentes (boys' and girls' tennis), Kevin Hunt (boys' and girls' track and field), Matt Larry (baseball), Al Shorey (boys' and girls' soccer) and Jared Willerson (boys' and girls' golf)&n...

Welcome to Episode 160 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Science Department Head Owen Kinney talks with juniors Ansel Enverga, Linda Pan and Javin Pandya about the Darlington robotics team, including their recent trip to the World Championship, the life-skills they're gaining from their involvement on the team and more.  Click here for complete show notes &...

Welcome to Episode 159 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell talks with Ethan Pender ('16), communication arts teacher, and  Jabberwokk  yearbook Editor-in-Chief Aiden Parsa ('24), Photo Editor Kaya Nadu ('26) and Design Editor Murray Ellington ('26). They discuss the production of this year's  Jabberwokk , the communication arts pr...

Welcome to Episode 158 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97) chats with Britta (Stern) Graf ('94) about her "life-changing" experience as a one-year boarding exchange student at Darlington, her favorite memories and what she's doing now.  Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 157 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Dean of Students for Global Education Tara Inman talks with sophomore day student Gabrielle Culberson and her mom, Rayan Hart-Culberson, about Gabrielle's journey with kidney disease and the upcoming  One Kid! One Kidney! 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run  in her honor.  Click here for complete show notes >>

Welcome to Episode 156 of The Darlington Podcast!  In this episode, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Stefan Eady talks with Fine Arts Department Head Kim Tunnell about her love for the arts, what fine arts education looks like at Darlington and more. This is the fifth in a series highlighting each of Darlington's department heads.  Cli...