At 4- and 7-years-old, Lola and Jaxon Graham are the youngest-ever donors to the Friends Select School annual fund. 

On a mild Sunday in September, they set up a stand in front of their house during their parents’ yard sale. In three hours, the students netted $20 from the sale of ice-cold lemonade. Asked what they wanted to do with their earnings, the children immediately picked their school and made the first annual fund donation of the year. The enterprising entrepreneurs are pictured here with the banner that attracted thirsty patrons.

George Batcheler was closely affiliated with Friends Select School during a transformative decade in the school’s history. He was a stalwart advocate for the school, helping steer the new school building project from dream to reality. Named a trustee in 1961, Batcheler served on the property, executive and redevelopment committees, providing valuable expertise as an architect during a challenging era of change.  

When he died last July, George Batcheler remembered Friends Select School in his will with a generous bequest. As the school moves ahead with planned renovations and expansion, Friends Select will use his gift in a manner that honors the legacy of this beloved friend of the school.

This rang amazingly true during my trip to Cairo this summer. When I arrived in Cairo, I thought it was a big chaotic mess. Although I had been studying Arabic for almost three years, I did not speak colloquial Arabic. But I managed to navigate my neighborhood (getting gloriously lost more than a handful of times) and to dig myself into the culture. 

As I slowly became integrated into everyday Cairene life, feeling a part of a foreign place became both comforting and empowering. After two months of intensive language study, I was able to communicate better and view Cairo in its own context. The city no longer felt chaotic. Insha’ Allah, I'll return to Cairo soon.

My amazing experience at Friends Select has stayed with me my whole life. The excellent education and strong sense of Quaker values permeated every aspect of the school then – and still have the same transforming power now, more than 50 years later.  

I chose to establish a charitable gift annuity as a way of building a bridge between the past and the future. The funds I have invested will provide an income stream to me for the remainder of my life, plus some tax benefits. When my life is over, the principal will go to Friends Select. 

I feel a wonderful sense of continuity, knowing that I will have contributed in a very tangible way to the education of future Friends Select students. 

Judy Love Keogh ’55

-Christopher McNeur ’65, Benefactors Society Former Committee co-chair

smell the musty wood of the meetinghouse, I am touched by it. Memories flood back.

Peter O. Price ’58, President & CEO National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, National Academy of Media Arts & Sciences

From our very first visit to Friends Select, I have been impressed with how the faculty help imbue students with a love of learning and a commitment to being serious students. It was an honor to be asked to co-chair the annual fund parent committee and to advance the mission of this fine community.

I believe in being part of a “culture of giving.” When my daughter started in pre-k, I decided that contributing a little more over and above tuition was definitely worth it. Now, as a new trustee, I have the opportunity to set an example and to show my commitment to Friends Select.  

Kevin Satterthwaite, parent of Kelcie Satterthwaite '17
Trustee, Benefactors Society

John Wallace ’68 and Ann Wallace

What did her 13 years at Friends Select mean to Mary Helen Bickley ’34? We wish we could ask her, but surely the answer is clear from the generous bequest she left to the school upon her death at the age of 86. Friends Select is grateful to have been included in her estate.

After graduating from Friends Select, Ms. Bickley earned degrees from Wilson College and Cornell University, and then embarked on a 33-year teaching career. We are left to wonder what prompted her to choose teaching as her life’s work. We like to think that Ms. Bickley’s teachers at Friends Select played a part in her decision, instilling a love of learning and inspiring by their fine example. 

One of Friends Select’s greatest strengths is its proximity to so many of Philadelphia’s fine cultural institutions. So we are particularly delighted to be making a targeted donation to support the school’s educational partnerships with museums. 

 By skillfully incorporating pertinent exhibits into the teaching program, Friends Select’s faculty helps students develop a habit of museum-going. We believe that this early exposure sets the stage for a lifelong appreciation of the cultural resources around us.

The Hon. Arlin M. Adams, and