EA Olympians Share Their Stories & Experiences from the 2024 Summer Games
Release Date: 09/09/2024
Behind-the-Scenes of Athletic Success at The Episcopal Academy
EA Unlocked
The Episcopal Academy has a long-standing tradition of academic and athletic excellence. In the last year, EA teams have won 15 league championships and seven state titles. Ten student-athletes in multiple sports have been named MVPs, several were selected as All-Americans, and Player of the Year over the last few seasons. To learn more about EA's robust athletics programming, EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with coaches and some of EA's team captains. Guests: Steve Colfer/Assistant Athletic Director & Varsity Boys' Lacrosse Coach Katie Duffie/Assistant Athletic Director Todd...
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A Conversation with EA's Senior Teacher, Mark Luff, Hon.
EA Unlocked
The tradition of EA's senior teacher dates back to the 1950's and is one of several long-standing traditions at The Episcopal Academy. This person is the longest-tenured teacher and plays an important role during the opening day of school for faculty and staff. Middle School English Teacher Mark Luff, Hon. is in his 48th year at EA. He took over the Senior Teacher role in 2017 when Assistant Head of Middle School Chip Hollinger, Hon., retired. Host T.J. Locke talks with Mark Luff about this cherished tradition.
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A New PreK Wing & Reimagined Science Center for The Episcopal Academy Lower School
EA Unlocked
Season 6 of EA Unlocked kicks off with an exciting conversation about the newly opened PreK wing and reimaged science classrooms in the Lower School. The state-of-the-art space was dedicated in October to beloved and retired teachers, Joyce Gavin, Hon., and Nancy Reinhard, Hon. Listen in as host T.J. Locke visits PreK and talks with some of the people who made it happen. Guests: Terry Malone/Head of Lower School Paige LeGrand/Director of Enrollment Management Lori Moshyedi/PreK Teacher
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Science Beyond School - EA May Term 2025
EA Unlocked
Each spring, Upper School students at The Episcopal Academy finish up their exams and transition to May Term, a two-week program that allows students to travel or remain on campus to study a variety of topics in depth. This year, 33 courses were offered, including, five international and three domestic trips. The science department offered a fascinating class, Science Beyond School. Seventeen students spent several days shadowing experts in the medical, engineering, and STEM fields. A highlight was the overwhelming offers from EA alumni and parents to host students. EA Unlocked host, Dr. T.J....
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The Science Behind Breaking a 50 Year-Old-Record
EA Unlocked
A long-standing tradition at The Episcopal Academy is the Teacher, Coach, Mentor model. This has proven to be a successful formula for EA's athletics program and in the classroom. During this episode of EA Unlocked, host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with top-ranked High Jumper and Triple Jumper Yaya Johnson, a talented student-athlete in the Class of 2025, and Computer Science and Engineering Teacher Matthew Davis. Over the years, this duo has worked together in the classroom and on the track with great success. Listen in on how Yaya's Lilley Advanced Independent Study project, called the Biomechanics...
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Teaming Up for Bridge Day with Middle & Upper School Student-Athletes
EA Unlocked
As a developing student-athlete, there's nothing quite like learning and getting encouragement from an upperclassman. The robust athletic teams and talented student-athletes at The Episcopal Academy, provide the perfect opportunity for varsity athletes to work with their younger peers in Middle School. In this episode of EA Unlocked, host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with Assistant Athletic Directors Katie Duffie and Steve Colfer, along with Coach Colleen Bernabei and varsity student-athletes Stevie Combs (Track & Field) and Evan MacFarland (Lacrosse) about EA's Bridge Day.
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The Power of Words III - EA Chapel Speakers
EA Unlocked
The Chapel program at The Episcopal Academy is an important pillar of the school. Each year, more than 100 speakers share powerful insights and reflections with students, faculty, and staff in Lower, Middle, and Upper School. This episode of EA Unlocked highlights some of those speakers who were featured in weekly Instagram posts. Speakers: :37 Dr. T.J. Locke, Hon. (Greville Haslam Head of School) 2:03 Katie Duffie (Assistant Athletic Director) 3:14 Chaz Howard (Univ. of Pennsylvania Chaplain) 4:32 Anna Safford '09 (English Teacher) 6:14 Nick Mead '13 (2024 Olympic Gold Medalist)...
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The Arts at The Episcopal Academy with Department Chair David Sigel
EA Unlocked
The arts at The Episcopal Academy are a treasured part of the curriculum. At EA art is more than just a subject. Visual Art Department Chair David Sigel talks with EA Unlocked host T.J. Locke about how art is the truest form students can dive into, to figure out who they are as a learner. One of the highlights of the year at EA is the annual spring celebration, ArtsFest. on the vibrant sounds of ArtsFest in a past episode of EA Unlocked.
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Upper School Cell Phone Pilot Program at The Episcopal Academy
EA Unlocked
After much research and thought, The Episcopal Academy launched a cell phone pilot program in the Upper School. Each morning before homeroom, students place their phones in a secure holding case for the day and pick them up as they head out in the afternoon. Head of Upper School Mike Letts talks with EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke about the process behind the initiative and the observations so far.
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EA Unlocked Bonus: Boys' Track & Field PA Indoor Championship Three-Peat
EA Unlocked
The Episcopal Academy Boys' Track & Field Team pulled off a remarkable feat as they won their third consecutive Pennsylvania indoor state championship. With only five competitors in six events, every second, and every inch counted. In this bonus episode, the team and Coach Zach Richards share their "play by play," as the title came down to the Distance Medley Relay against powerhouse State College Area High School. "It was a movie in the making!" said Coach Richards. 2:20 Eli Engelman '25 (Mile, DMR) 4:47 Abaas Hunter '26 (200m, 400m, DMR) 9:00 Yaya Johnson '25 (High Jump, Triple Jump)...
info_outlineIt was an especially exciting summer for four Episcopal Academy alumni as they competed in the Summer Olympics in Paris.
Rower Nick Mead '13 competed in the coxless men's four and won gold. It was the first gold medal for the men's four since 1960. Nick was also selected to carry the American flag in the Closing Ceremony alongside fellow medalist and swimmer Katie Ledecky.
Open water swimmer Ivan Puskovitch '19 braved the waters of the Seine in the men's 10K where he placed 19th overall.
Water polo player Jovana Sekulic '21 was all smiles as she made her Olympic debut with USA Women's Water Polo. The squad won four of their seven games and finished in 4th place.
Ashley Sessa '22 lived her Olympic dream as a member of Team USA Field Hockey. She opened the team's scoring with a goal in their first game against Argentina. They finished in 9th place overall.
EA Unlocked host Dr. T.J. Locke talks with these incredible athletes about their path to the Olympics, experiences at EA, and their favorite Olympic swag.