B.E.S.T. Summer Scholars 2025


August 7, 2025

This summer, new middle and upper school B.E.S.T. students took part in the 2025 Summer Scholars program, an engaging five-week experience created to support and prepare them as they begin their journey at independent schools.

This year’s Summer Scholars theme, “Get Rooted!”, emphasized both academic readiness and long-term personal growth. The curriculum spanned core subject areas including Science, Mathematics, English Language Arts, History, Intro to World Language, and Visual Arts, providing students with an engaging and meaningful head start.

In addition to academic coursework, the program focused on helping students navigate the social and emotional aspects of joining a new school community. Through group discussions and peer interactions, Scholars reflected on what it will be like to become part of the B.E.S.T. Member School community, how to affirm and celebrate their identities, and the unique perspectives and contributions they will bring to their new school.

To balance classroom learning with experiential education, students participated in weekly field trips that fostered fun, community-building, and real-world connections.

Supported by a strong foundation of learning and community, the 2025 B.E.S.T. Summer Scholars will start the new school year prepared, confident, and connected.

Camp Hippodrome

At Camp Hippodrome, the Scholars embraced an exciting creative challenge of learning improv techniques through games and team building activities. After a full day of rehearsals, they took to the main stage for a high-energy performance in a theater that hosted legendary productions including Wicked and Hamilton.

Outward Bound

During their field trip to Outward Bound at Leakin Park, Scholars stepped outside their comfort zones and embraced new challenges designed to foster trust, collaboration, and personal growth. Through high ropes courses and team-building exercises, students worked together, supported one another, and deepened the connections within their group, strengthening both their confidence and sense of community.

Marble Hill Walking Tour

Scholars took part in a meaningful walking tour of Baltimore’s historic Marble Hill district, beginning at the Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum. Along the way, they visited landmarks tied to prominent figures such as Thurgood Marshall and Frederick Douglass. By connecting their classroom learning to the rich history embedded in these real-world sites in Baltimore, students experienced a powerful and lasting reminder of the legacy of leadership, advocacy, and resilience.

Storytelling Workshop with Dr. David Fakunle ’05

Scholars had the meaningful opportunity to participate in a powerful storytelling workshop led by Dr. David Fakunle, PhD ’05, a proud B.E.S.T. and Friends School alumnus. A passionate advocate for cultural identity and healing, Dr. Fakunle describes himself as a “mercenary for change,” committed to uplifting people of African descent and those on a journey to rediscover their authentic selves.

With academic roots in psychology, criminology, and public health—including a Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health—Dr. Fakunle brings a unique perspective to his work. As co-founder and CEO of DiscoverME/RecoverME, he blends African oral traditions with personal storytelling to help individuals and organizations reclaim their narratives as tools for growth and empowerment.

In this engaging workshop, Scholars explored the deep value of personal storytelling through interactive exercises and reflective writing prompts. Dr. Fakunle encouraged students to honor their own voices, recognize the strength in their lived experiences, and see storytelling as a vital part of shaping who they are and who they hope to become.

Transition Workshops with Farah Evans and Donell Thompson

Farah Evans, Director of Student Support Services and Upper School Counselor at the Bryn Mawr School and Donell Thompson, Director of Secondary School Admissions at Gilman School, led engaging, meaningful workshops about the transition that lies ahead, affirming our students and providing practical advice and support.

Skateland

A favorite field trip each year is our visit to Skateland where students had a blast skating and enjoying the chance to request their favorite songs.

The heart of this summer’s experience was the incredible team of faculty, staff, and Alumni interns who brought the B.E.S.T. Summer Scholars program to life. Their energy, care, and commitment created a welcoming space where students could learn, grow, and build meaningful connections. From guiding academic exploration to offering everyday encouragement, their impact was felt in every corner of the program. We’re deeply grateful for the way they supported our newest students, helping them feel seen, prepared, and excited for what’s ahead. Because of their efforts, these students are stepping into their new schools ready to thrive, and we couldn’t be more thankful.

LaShanda Lawrence, Summer Scholars Director, Transitions and Athletics
Andrew Avallone, History and ELA/English
Fitz Hardcastle, Math
Antoinette Haegrich, Art
Fran Aus, Science

Neil Weyhing, Intro to World Language

Xavier Belton ’24, Intern
Chace Carter ’24, Intern
Mykenzie Cooper ’24, Intern

Thank you to our Funder!

We are deeply grateful to The Thomas Wilson Foundation for their generous support of the Summer Scholars Program. Their vital contribution made it possible to provide this enriching and impactful experience for our students, and we sincerely thank them for their commitment to empowering young learners.

To Our Remarkable Students:

At the heart of the Summer Scholars program is a simple but powerful goal: to help you step into your new school community with confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of self. This summer, you’ve shown resilience, enthusiasm, and a genuine openness to growth, evidenced in your learning, your friendships, and the way you’ve embraced new experiences. We celebrate all that you’ve accomplished, not just in the classroom, but in the ways you’ve supported one another and shaped this community. As you move forward, know that you belong, you matter, and you have so much to offer. Your Member Schools are lucky to have you, and we are proud to call you part of the B.E.S.T. family.