George Chappell and Kate Reber, philadelphia

“Summer Search is giving me the opportunity to live in the wilderness and morph into a young adult who knows morals and how to respect life in all ways.”

- Percy Fields, a Summer Search student from Bodine

Summer Search Philadelphia launched its very first interview season with outstanding success: we worked with 14 teachers, counselors, and administrators from 9 high schools in the Philadelphia area to accept over 30 students into the program. Thanks to referral partners George Chappell and Kate Reber, who referred twelve students from Bodine High School for International Affairs.

George Chappell, a tenth-grade teacher at Bodine, initiated the relationship with Summer Search Philadelphia after attending the fall Awareness Event graciously hosted by Terry Marek and Peter Buttenwieser. George reached out to Summer Search shortly after the event and partnered with Kate Reber; another teacher at Bodine, to ensure the Summer Search program would be available to their students.

After each student participated in an interview, George and Kate spoke to them about their process and what feelings and thoughts had come up through the experience. Both George and Kate have invested in their students in a holistic way that goes far beyond the classroom. They have shown a desire to understand and learn the Summer Search process and the impact that it has on students.

As Summer Search grows, we increasingly understand the importance of peer-to-peer support among Summer Search students within their schools. Bodine is excelling in creating that community and support that will help Summer Search students create a successful and fulfilling experiences. Thank you, George and Kate for being outstanding pioneers and for your work and dedication to the students of Bodine High School.