Gunston’s Tony D’Antonio Named ‘Counselor of the Year’

The Gunston School is delighted to announce that Co-Director of College Guidance Tony D’Antonio has been named a Counselor of the Year by the Potomac & Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC), a professional non-profit organization established in 1964 for those who work with students in the transition between high school and college. PCACAC is a chartered affiliate of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) that serves Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

“Mr. D’Antonio is a tremendous asset to the Gunston community,” said Head of School John Lewis. “His gift is the combination of expertise, a love of students, total commitment, a sense of humor, community engagement, and a deep and authentic empathy.”

This prestigious recognition was created to recognize counselors who go above and beyond in their work with students. Selection includes areas of expertise, impact on constituents in the admission process, advocacy for students and colleagues, commitment to equity and access for all, thoroughness in their daily work, and innovation in the industry.

“Mr. D’Antonio is an incredible college counselor whose guidance has led both Ava and Alivia and countless other students, on amazing journeys,” said Jen Runz, P’24’25. “He takes time to listen and support students, always coupled with a cheering spirit. His commitment and dedication to college guidance will shape countless future students. He is a true gem at Gunston.”

Mr. D’Antonio came to Gunston in 2021 with more than 30 years of experience in college and admission counseling. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science and two master’s degrees from Salisbury University and from the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore in counseling and education psychology. In addition to his responsibilities with college guidance, Mr. D’Antonio is also the head coach for girls’ soccer, assistant coach for triathlon, and a regular chaperone for various field trips, including Gunston’s annual Chesapeake Bay Studies week.

“There’s a quote that summarizes Coach D’Antonio perfectly, and that is ‘Coaches have the power to turn potential into reality through guidance, encouragement and belief’ by Lou Holtz,” explains Sarah Phillippon, P’25’27. “Coach D’Antonio is the best coach my daughter Abby has had in her athletic career thus far. He cares deeply about the girls both on and off the field.”

Co-Director of College Guidance Emily Coffey adds, “His genuine personality, concern for others, and willingness to consistently go above and beyond the task at hand make him a beloved staff member at Gunston. Students and parents alike feel supported and taken care of when working with Tony. He cares about each student and helps them think about who they are, why they are interested in pursuing higher education, and how to create a balanced list that will help them accomplish their goals. Even if his calendar and to-do list are both full, Tony makes each student feel and believe that they are the most important thing right then.”

Head Pickleball Coach Adele Showalter, P’25’27 with Arya Shajwani ’26 & Lilah Wharton ’26 and Assistant Pickleball Coach April Crandall.

The Gunston School’s first annual Heron Pickleball Tournament was held Saturday, April 13 on the school’s 75-acre campus, bringing together a vibrant community of players, sponsors, and volunteers for a day of spirited (and windy!) competition. The event raised around $7,000, which will be used to purchase new equipment for Gunston’s 20 interscholastic teams (plus four recreation leagues!) that comprise Heron Athletics.

The event kicked off with long-time faculty member Mr. Ben Dize flipping his famous homemade fluffy pancakes. Despite challenging weather conditions, with winds gusting up to 20mph, the tournament kicked off with enthusiasm. Beginner players moved to the gymnasium, while the intermediate/advanced players braved the elements outside. As the day progressed and the sun emerged, the wind persisted but warmed up, creating an exhilarating atmosphere for the competitors.

A total of 60 players, alongside 10 staff, parent, and student volunteers, participated in the tournament, which featured a dynamic mixture of Round Robin and bracket-style matches. Community supporters, current, past, and incoming Gunston parents, as well as students and faculty, showcased their skills on the courts.

Many participants lauded the tournament’s organization, expressing appreciation for the well-run event despite the wind challenge, which added an element of excitement to the games. The Pickleball Tournament was organized by Event Director Catherine Lawson, with invaluable support from Gunston’s Pickleball Coach John Hansen, P’23, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid David Henry, P’20’23, Director of External Relations Marie Thomas, and Athletic Director Josh Breto.

“A special thank you, as always, goes out to our very involved Gunston Parents Association,” said Lawson. “We put a call-out for volunteers, and they are always diving in to help!”

Head of School John Lewis shared, “The impact and value of athletics is central to Gunston’s educational approach, and our programs have grown in scope and competitiveness over the past decade. The future of the program is bright, and financial support for our students and coaches is key to sustaining this success, so we’re grateful to all who sponsored and participated.

Congratulations to the winners across various categories:

Womens Beginners

Gold – Lori Bunts & Amy Lorenz

Silver – Amy Ennis & Tricia Mooney, P’15’19

Bronze – Arya Shajwani ’26 & Lilah Wharton ’26

Mixed Beginners

Gold – Jill & Paco Labrador, P’27

Silver – Christie & Joe Grabis

Bronze – Van & Siroon Topjian

Women Intermediate/Advanced

Gold – Megan Owings & Kim Worley

Silver – Jayci Frederick & Parker Tengwell

Bronze – Amber Tormey ’24 & Alice Crouch ’24

Men Intermediate/Advanced

Gold – Ben Herr, P’28 & Brian Vane

Silver – Edward Smith, P’26 & Justin Peacock

Bronze – Bob Ford & Brian Cole

Mixed Intermediate/Advanced

Gold – Ben Herr, P’28 & Megan Owings

Silver – Kim Worley & Brian Vane

Bronze – Amie Chilcoat & Ezra Lillie ’25

Heron Pickleball Tournament sponsors include Premier Sponsors Fred Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25), Court Sponsors Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26), Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), and Friends of Gunston. Award Sponsors include Gillespie & Son, Inc., (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24) and McCallister, Detar, Showalter, & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27. Paddle Sponsors include The Shifrin Family, P’21’21 and Dr. Laurie & John Lewis.

More images can be found here.

Head Pickleball Coach Adele Showalter, P’25’27 with Arya Shajwani ’26 & Lilah Wharton ’26 and Assistant Pickleball Coach April Crandall.

The Gunston School will be holding its spring fundraiser, Golfing “fore” Gunston V, on Friday, May 3 at Queenstown Harbor in Queenstown, Md. Join fellow Gunston parents, alumni

and community members for another fun-filled day on the links. Continental breakfast will be served in the clubhouse before we tee off with a shotgun start at 9 a.m., followed by refreshments and snacks served throughout the day. Once all 18 holes are completed,  golfers are invited to the banquet room for lunch and an awards ceremony with prizes where we will announce the Men and Women First Place teams, Men and Women Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, and of course we can’t forget our “Last Place” winners. This year, Gunston has invited one of the GOLF Channel’s Professional Long Drivers to join us for a “Hole in Two” challenge for a chance to win a 3 day dream golf getaway to Pebble Beach, Cal.

Golf registration is $195 per player or $755 per foursome and $175 for alumni golfers and $675 for alumni foursomes. Sponsorships are also available, ranging from $100 up to $3,000 and include the opportunity for businesses to get their name and logo in front of the entire Gunston community of students, parents, alumni, and local community members. Proceeds from the event supports Gunston’s annual giving program, which offers students and faculty opportunities beyond what tuition would typically pay for.

Tournament sponsors include Heron Heroes Fred Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram  (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23 ’25). Crew Station sponsors include Heron Heroes “Friends of Gunston,” Easton Dermatology Associates (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’23), and Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26). Ceremony sponsors include Gillespie & Son, Inc. (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24), McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27) and Tred Avon Wealth Management. Refreshment sponsors include Dr. Laurie Lewis and John Lewis, Mirando Chiropractic Center (Kristy & Dominic Mirando, P’25), and The Shifrin Family, P’21’21. Hole sponsors include St. Anne’s School of Annapolis.

Visit https://www.gunston.org/golf24 to register for the outing or a sponsorship (or both!), or call Event Director Catherine Lawson at 410-758-0620, ext. 1200 or email [email protected]

The Gunston School is hosting its first-ever Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, April 13 at its waterfront campus in Centreville, Md. beginning at 9 a.m. The format will be round-robin or double elimination, depending on the number of registered teams, with men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles teams playing on Gunston’s tennis courts. Beginners will compete in the morning and intermediate and advanced players will compete in the afternoon with a detailed schedule to follow their registration.

All funds raised go toward purchasing new equipment for Gunston’s 20 interscholastic teams (plus four recreation leagues!) that comprise Heron Athletics. Check in opens at 8:30 a.m. with Gunston celebrity guest and long-time faculty member Mr. Ben Dize, who will be flipping his famous chocolate chip pancakes for participants. Those who wish to participate and do not have a partner will be paired with someone of a similar skill level.

The cost to participate is $40 per player. Current students and faculty/staff can participate for a reduced rate of $25. Registration closes on Monday, April 8. Sponsorships are available starting at $150 up to $2,500 for a premier event sponsorship. Registration and sponsorships are available at http://gunston.org/pickleball24 or by contacting Events Director Catherine Lawson at 410-758-0620 ext. 1201 or [email protected].

Heron Pickleball Tournament sponsors include Premier Sponsors Fred Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25), Court Sponsors Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26), Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), and Friends of Gunston. Award Sponsors include Gillespie & Son, Inc., (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24) and McCallister, Detar, Showalter, & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27. Paddle Sponsors include The Shifrin Family, P’21’21 and Dr. Laurie & John Lewis.

In Spring 2024, The Gunston School will join the premiere rowing conference in the region, the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association (WMIRA). While Gunston has regularly competed against WMIRA teams at national regattas like Head of the Scyulkill, the school is now eligible to compete in the conference championship regatta on May 5th.

“Each year our students and coaches continue to elevate the quality and competitiveness of the program,” shared Head of School John Lewis, “and we’re eager to join the ranks of the best public and private school rowing teams in our area. We’re grateful that the WMIRA expanded its geographical reach to include us, and we look forward to welcoming these teams to home regattas at Gunston.”

The WMIRA includes independent and parochial school teams like Dematha, Georgetown Day School, St. Albans, Gonzaga, Holton Arms, and National Cathedral School, as well as Montgomery County public school powerhouses such as Blair, BCC, Walter Johnson, and Walt Whitman.

Head Crew Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Waterfront Athletics Natalie Reading said, “I’m proud of our rowers, and appreciative of the WMIRA. This opportunity not only enhances the competitiveness of Gunston’s rowing team but also opens doors to a broader range of experiences and challenges. We aim to continue to build on our 2023 Maryland State Championship performance.”

In addition to the WMIRA, Gunston will again host the Maryland State Rowing Championship on Saturday, April 27, 2024 on its 75-acre campus on the Corsica River in Centreville, Md. Spectators are invited to bring chairs and/or blankets and watch the 1,500-meter sprint style race with 4’s and 8’s, Men and Women’s Varsity, JV and Novice event categories.

The Gunston School is pleased to announce that Senior Colin Hallmark (Annapolis) was selected as a 2023 Heisman High School Scholarship recipient this past November. Hallmark and other award winners were selected from thousands of applicants from more than 4,000 schools. This scholarship honors the nation’s most accomplished, community-minded high school senior athletes.

During his four years at Gunston, Hallmark has participated in cross country, triathlon, crew, sailing, basketball and swimming. He is a three-time Maryland State Champion in triathlon, a seven-time national champion in Taekwondo and third degree blackbelt, and two-time Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference’s (ESIAC) Runner of the Year. Gunston’s boys’ cross country team has won the ESIAC championship three years in a row, as well as the inaugural swimming championship in 2022.

“I apply the same discipline to academics that I do to athletics. I would like to get into medical school and I hope athletics can help me do so,” says Hallmark.

Gunston’s Head of School John Lewis shared, “Colin is the definition of an ‘elite’ student-athlete. While he is perhaps the most accomplished athlete to ever step foot on Gunston’s campus, he’s equally talented in the classroom, and his future is extremely bright.”

To apply for the Heisman Scholarship, students must be a graduating senior, have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of a B (3.0) or better, participate in at least one of the sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the Paralympic Games and/or the National Federation of State High School Association and be a leader in his/her school and community. Over the past 29 years, the program has honored more than 600,000 of the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors and provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarships to students and more than a million dollars to high school academic and athletic programs across the country.

The Gunston School is pleased to announce they’ll be joining the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. MIAA is the state’s premier boys’ athletic conference and includes 29 private high schools across eight Maryland counties and Baltimore City. Divided into three tiers based on school size (A, B, & C), MIAA schools have a combined enrollment of 17,000, and it is recognized as one of the country’s most prestigious, competitive, and well-run independent school athletic conferences.

“Gunston first applied to the MIAA nearly 25 years ago,” explained Gunston Athletic Director Josh Breto, “and while our initial attempts to join were not fruitful, the recent combination of Gunston’s enrollment growth, expanded offerings, improved athletic performance, and facilities upgrades made our most recent application successful.”

Beginning in fall of 2024, Gunston’s boys’ teams which include soccer, cross country, swimming, basketball, lacrosse, tennis and golf will begin full-time MIAA competition in the “C” conference.

“Let me acknowledge the efforts of our current Athletic Director, Mr. Josh Breto, who coordinated this process, and I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the impact of former athletic directors Jon Mellinger and Anita Gruss, both of whom helped to nurture the steady enhancement of Heron Athletics over the years. I also want to thank our Board of Trustees, whose continued support of our school’s athletic program and leadership, helped make this possible,” said Head of School John Lewis.

(Front Row, l-r) Keynote speaker Jaelon Moaney, Margaret Porciello ’25 (Denton), Logan Kille ’25 (Centreville), Emma Sharp ’25 (Denton), Jackson Showalter ’25 (Easton), Benta Owino ’25 (Grasonville), Allison Davis ’25 (Chestertown), Evelyn Russ ’25 (Cambridge), Elena Fraser ’25 (Annapolis), Grace Hanlon ’25 (Middletown, Del.) and Isla McCollum ’25 (Centreville).

(Second row, l-r) Head of School John Lewis, Trevor Janssen ’25 (Stevensville), Tori  Nessly ’25 (Earleville), Victoria MacGlashan ’25 (Centreville), Drew Tolly ’24 (Cambridge), Mia Walker ’25 (Easton), Alix Allison ’25 (Annapolis), Lennox Franks ’25 (Queenstown), Alivia Runz ’25 (Easton), Grace Shepherd ’25 (Church Hill), Gunston NHS Advisor Mike Kaylor.

(Third Row, l-r) RP Johnson ’25 (Ridgely), Zach Steinberg ’25 (St. Michaels), Kazys Morris ’25 (Centreville), Lily Brantner ’25 (Easton), Louise Mulock ’25 (Church Hill), Phoebe Kelly ’25 (Chestertown), Margaret Randolph ’25 (Millington), V McCluskey ’25 (Centreville), Katherine Sadler ’25 (Easton), Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis.

(Fourth Row, l-r) Ethan McWilliams ’25 (St. Michaels), Tyler Hanson ’24 (Upper Marlboro), Josh Nuessle ’24 (Centreville), Aiden Dunlap ’24 (Chestertown), Justin McCubbin ’25 (Severna Park), and Brayden Hamm ’25 (Smyrna, Del.).

Gunston Bull Roast volunteer and parent of 2021 alumni Emily Shifrin, with Gunston Board of Trustees members Jim Shifrin and Jill Caron, P’17. Photo by Derrika Layne Photography.

The Gunston School welcomed nearly 200 parents, alumni and community supporters to their waterfront campus on Saturday, October 21 for their signature fundraising event, the Bull & Oyster Roast, raising a little over $120,000 for Gunston’s annual giving program, smashing their record from last year. Guests enjoyed delicious food provided by Phat Daddy’s BBQ (Chestertown) and Superior Oyster Shuckers (Baltimore) as well as sweet treats from Emily’s Produce.

“We’ve had volunteers working on this event since early August,” said Parent Association President Ildi Watkins, P’26 (Easton). “They’ve been pounding the pavement for auction items, procuring wine donations, and have spent countless hours on campus making name tags, rolling silverware, creating beautiful flower arrangements, and a lot more. The success of this event is truly a testament to our volunteers who came out of the woodwork to help!”

The online silent auction featured 50 items ranging from original artwork, specialty baskets filled with local gift certificates, professional photography session, fishing charters, luxury catered cruises, NFL tickets, spa packages, and a wide variety of experiences such as the opportunity to be a beekeeper for a day, almost all of which were procured by Gunston Parents’ Association volunteers.

The live auction featured six items including a Paul Reed Smith custom guitar, Ravens versus Dolphins tickets for six on New Year’s Eve, vacations to Jamaica and Mexico, a catered cruise for 10 with a private chef, and VIP tickets to the Gunston 2024 Commencement ceremony. The evening’s auctioneer was volunteer Woody Dunstan, P’24, who once served as the Director of Operations at Christie’s Auction House, where he trained as a charity auctioneer.

A very successful “Raise the Paddle” raised $42,100 for Health & Campus Safety initiatives including a comprehensive security audit with a professional security consultant that specializes in school safety, campus-wide upgrades including automated doors and locks, lighting, updated communications system, installation of tempered glass and faculty and student best-practices safety and security training.

Head of School John Lewis shared, “Each year, we gather together as a community to both have fun and raise funds to support our students and teachers. This year was especially inspiring as attendees were extraordinarily generous in their support!” Generous donations such as these allow Gunston to provide experiences above and beyond what tuition pays for as well as provide 60% of Gunston families with financial aid.

The event had 50 sponsors and included:

• Grill Master: Fred Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Easton (Heron Heroes Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25)

• Rockefeller: Joyce & Associates, LLC (Heron Heroes Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26) Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Heron Heroes Brigitte and Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), Friends of Gunston (Heron Heroes) and Ebb Tide Tent & Party Rentals.

• Prime Rib: Jay & Colleen Baldwin, P’27, Faithful Accounting & Consulting Inc. (Edward & Heather Bennett, P’27), ShoreGate Partners (Chesley & Justin Nonemaker, P’27), Paul Ewing’s Contractor Supply (Pam & Charlie Andrews, P’26), Gillespie & Son, Inc. (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24), McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Heron Heroes Adele and Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa and Doug Walker, P’25’27), Delaware Podiatric Medicine (Rebecca and Dr. Jacob Hanlon, P’22’25’27).

• Choice: JC Warner Heating & Cooling, Brenda Fornos, Realtor with Taylor Properties, and Shore United Bank (John and Amber Augustus, P’26).

• Select: Lakeside Run at Trappe, The Keith Family, P’24, PepUp (Melanie & Nash McMahan, P’27), The Figliozzi Family, P’26, Avon Dixon, An Alera Group Agency, LLC, Envision Wealth Planning (Ed & Sarah Schut, P’26’24’22’21’17), Glenn Michael, Heron Heroes Dr. Laurie and John Lewis and The Shifrin Family, P’21’21.

• Sirloin: Smithey Law Group, Cohen Chiropractic Centreville (The Cohen Family, P’26), Brad & Kara Morris, P’27, Paco & Jill Labrador, P’27, DPC Emergency Equipment, The Chiochetti Family, P’27’27, The Sharp Family, P’25, The Morris Family, P’25’26, A Classic Design (Dave Griffin & Cindy Strauss, P’27), Island Creek Events (Katharine Greenlee Henning ’07) and Draper’s Bros., Inc.

• Brisket: Eliza Niemann & William Hodge, P’24, The De Leon Family, P’22, The Hallmark Family, P’24, Farmer Properties, LLC (Calvin & Kerry-Ann Farmer, P’27), The Edmonds Family, P’27, The Walker Family, P’21’25, The Callahan Family, P’24, The Hartman Family, P’27, Ben and Karen Dize, Wye Mills Mechanical (The Thomas Family), Adam and Tracy Steinberg, P’25, The Marketto Family, P’26, Ildi & Mory Watkins, P’26, Wrench & Socket (Tim & Beth Lavery, P’26), and The Algier Family, P’23’26.

Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

The Gunston School is pleased to announce the Mid-Shore College Fair and Financial Planning Evening on Monday, October 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Chesapeake College’s Room 127 in Wye Mills, Md. This event is free and open to the public with no registration required. Participants are encouraged to browse the college fair at their own pace and have the option to attend one of two sessions on the Financial Aid Process at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m., led by Senior Associate Director of Student Financial Aid at Washington College, Cailean Leith.

Mr. Leith has worked in higher education financial aid at Washington College since 2006, and attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland where he received his Bachelor’s of Art in History.

“We have more than 50 colleges and universities coming,” said Gunston’s Co-Director of College Guidance Emily Coffey. Those attending include Alfred University, Binghamton University, Bucknell University, Chesapeake College, Christopher Newport University, Clarkson University, College of Charleston, Davidson College, Dean College, Dickinson College, Elizabethtown College, Franklin and Marshall College, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, High Point University, Johnson & Wales University-Providence, Lafayette College, Marist College, Miami University, Oxford, Mount St. Mary’s University, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Main Campus, Queens University of Charlotte, Rider University, Roanoke College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rollins College, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Saint Joseph’s University, Salisbury University, Salve Regina University, Savannah College of Art & Design, Seton Hall University, Shenandoah University, St. Bonaventure University, St. John’s College, Susquehanna University, Syracuse University, The American University of Paris, The George Washington University, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Towson University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Delaware, University of Maryland-College Park, University of Rhode Island, University of San Francisco, University of Utah, Ursinus College, Villanova University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Warren Wilson College, Washington Adventist University, Washington College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and York College of Pennsylvania.

The Mid-Shore College Fair was made possible with support from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Contact Gunston’s Directors of College Guidance with questions: Emily Coffey, [email protected] or 410-758-0620 ext 3101 and Tony D’Antonio, [email protected] or 410-758-0620 ext 3100.

Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

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