Meet the Team
Admission Staff
Maddy Hooper
Assistant Director of Admission & The Hight Family Archivist
Maddy graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in Sports Management. At UConn, Maddy was a four-year member of the Division I women’s lacrosse team, and was named to the Big East All-Academic Team four times. Since 2018, Maddy has been working as a Program Director with Harlem Lacrosse in Boston, and brings experience and leadership in community outreach and engagement. Maddy serves as an Assistant Director of Admission and head coach for girls lacrosse. She lives on McCormick Dorm.
Contact Maddy: 434.385.3704 | mhooper@ves.org
Margaret Lyle Jones '95
Associate Director of Admission
Margaret Lyle, a 1995 VES graduate, returned to the Old 160 in the fall of 2005 as Associate Director of Admission. Margaret Lyle has served in a variety of roles across the school, including Head of Perkins Dorm, Director of Residential Life, liaison to the Parents Council, Director of Advancement Programs, and Director of Special Events. Margaret Lyle returned to the Admission office this past summer to support prospective families as Associate Director of Admission. Margaret Lyle attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she received her B.A. degrees in Spanish and Government. Prior to her career at VES, Margaret Lyle served for six years as the director of Rockbrook Camp for Girls in Brevard, North Carolina. She lives on campus, is a dorm parent on Perkins Dorm, and serves as a faculty advisor.
Contact Margaret Lyle: 434.385.3602 | mjones@ves.org
Janice Bloom
Admission Administrative Assistant
Janice joined the VES Admissions team in January of 2011. She brings to our team 20 years of experience in administrative support and customer service. Janice runs our office and supports Admissions events, among many of her responsibilities. Her family includes husband, John, and their daughter, Katie '24.
Contact Janice: 434.385.3607 | jbloom@ves.org
Matthew Porter
Assistant Director of College Counseling | Ellison Scholars Coordinator
Matt Porter joins us from Williston Northampton—a boarding school in Massachusetts—where he was a teacher and coach. Matt was a boarding student for his post-graduate year at Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut, then received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and his M.A.T. in Teacher Leadership from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Matt is VES’ new head football coach, serves as an Assistant Director of Admission, and will teach a section of Psychology in the future. Matt and his wife, Rachel, live on Randolph Dorm.
Contact Matt: 434.385.3704 | mporter@ves.org
Tripp Price
Director of Admission
Tripp Price, who joined our VES Admission team in 2019, has a passion for working with young adults. His leadership, care, and joy are evident in all that he does—helping prospective families seamlessly navigate the admission process; serving as a student advisor, mentor, coach, and dorm parent; and in his 15 summers as a camper, counselor, and Head Counselor at Camp Sea Gull in Arapahoe, North Carolina. Tripp is in his third year at VES and previously worked in the Admission office at The Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. He is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Tripp and his black labs, Jib and Charlie, live on campus on Ainslie Dorm.
Contact Tripp: 434.385.3701 | tprice@ves.org
Rebecca Snover
Director of Financial Aid and Advancement Services
Rebecca Snover joined our VES Admission team in 2020. She brings 15 years of global talent management experience from Accenture, one of the world’s leading management and technology consulting firms, where she managed high-performing teams in the Philippines, India, Argentina and across the United States. Rebecca is a native of Hackettstown, New Jersey, and earned her B.S. in Biology from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where she also served as a captain of the women’s soccer team.
Rebecca lives next to campus with her son, Luke ’24; and her daughter, Emily '26.
Contact Rebecca: 434.385.3604 | rsnover@ves.org
Sarah Elizabeth Sterne
Welcome Desk Coordinator
Sarah Elizabeth, a graduate of the VES Class of 1989 and Lynchburg native, returned to VES
in 2021. After graduating from North Carolina State University with a B.A. in Communication Disorders, she enjoyed a career in special events for an array of non-profit and private organizations. She previously shared her talents with VES, helping departments plan and execute events under the leadership of Headmasters Zimmer and Battle. She returns to serve as the Welome Desk Coordinator, providing support to our students and the Student Life and Advancement offices. She has been married to her husband, Ricky, for more than 24 years and together they are raising three Bishops: Joseph ’19, Row ’21 and Alex ’23. In her free time, Sarah Elizabeth can be found volunteering for her favorite organizations and floating on the Maury River with her family.
Contact Sarah Elizabeth: 434.385.3600 | sesterne@ves.org
We look forward to connecting with you!
- The VES Admission Team
Alpha Order: Our Admission Student Leaders
We Look Forward to Welcoming You to VES!
We are a team of VES students who love showing prospective families VES, and we're called Alpha Order. We look forward to connecting with you on campus when you visit.
Can't wait to meet you!
Get to Know Us
Henry Allen ’24 | Charlotte, NC
I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and came to VES my sophomore year. As someone who was skeptical about boarding, I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a brotherhood we have here—especially on Randolph Dorm, where I have lived the last two years. One thing I love about VES is the events that the school puts on: the dances and activities are some of the most fun I have ever had. I really love being here and all the memories I have made.
Grace Battle '24 | Lynchburg, VA
My favorite thing about VES is the strong community. I really enjoy getting to know new friends, but always seeing a familiar face. I have been at VES since freshman year. Now I am a junior, living on Perkins Dorm and I am really able to be involved and help with the community. One way is through Alpha Order! Another way is through sports. I play volleyball and lacrosse. I absolutely love playing on a team and having a close relationship with my teammates. This year, I am a Junior Resident Assistant and a member of the Best Buddies Club.
Mary Clare Caprise '24 | Lynchburg, VA
I love that VES has a host of different clubs and activities of which to be a part. I play field hockey and lacrosse, and I am a member of the Badminton Club and Chamber Ensemble. I also serve as a Junior Resident Assistant on Jett Hall. Every year, I look forward to our Casino Night dance and getting to spend time with my friends. I am the third of my siblings to attend VES, after Michael ‘19 and KC ‘22.
David Darko ’23 | Hanover, MD
I live on Pendleton, and this year I am serving on the Counselor Body. I play center on our football team, as well as wrestle and play lacrosse. One of my favorite things about VES is being on the road with my teammates when we have extra time to build camaraderie.
Chester Fannon IV '24 | Winchester, VA
When I was in 7th grade, my sister was a freshman here at VES and could not stop telling me about how much she loved it here. On my first day of freshman year, I knew she was right! I love living on campus with everyone and have gotten to know the entire community including students and faculty. This year, I am a junior living on Randolph dorm. I am a member of our mountain biking team in the fall and I play lacrosse in the spring.
Sally Fonville '24 | Charlotte, NC
I'm excited about being a leader this year, and throughout my time at VES. I live on Perkins Dorm, filled with sophomores and juniors. Since freshman year I have enjoyed playing my main sport, field hockey, with the love and support of my teammates and the VES community. My favorite event is the Back to School Dance, when the community gets to celebrate the upcoming school year!
Dora Hou '24 | Beijing, China
Hi! I’m a junior and live on Perkins Dorm this year. I’m the volleyball manager and also a member of afterschool art in the winter. I enjoy drawing and cooking, so you can usually catch me in the Pendleton basement making some really good dishes or at the art studio. I love the beautiful scenery at VES, especially walking a campus loop after school.
Henry Johnston ’23 | Raleigh, NC
I really enjoy the boarding experience—I live on Ainslie Dorm this year—and have made lots of great friends at VES from my hometown of Raleigh, across North Carolina and Virginia, and from all over the world. In addition to playing football and baseball, I am a member of our Green Team, a club that helps the school understand the importance of recycling and sustainability, and I recently joined the Badminton Club! My dad is a graduate of the VES class of 1988.
Tae-In Kim ’23 | Seoul, Korea
I am a forward on the soccer team, a member of the Photography Club and live on Randolph Dorm. Students can create their own clubs with a faculty advisor, so this year, some friends and I started the Math Club. I am excited about the variety of activities offered every weekend on and off-campus and having just four classes per day so we can really focus on each subject.
Ethan Kline '24 | Lynchburg, VA
What’s up! I live on Randolph Dorm as a Junior Resident Assistant. I was born and raised in Lynchburg and now live in Forest, Virginia. Even though my family lives nearby I still chose to be a boarding student. I am the captain of the basketball team and a leader of the Mental Health Ambassadors. My favorite event at VES by far is Casino Night and the RA DJ Parties. The reason I came to VES is to play collegiate basketball one day and get an amazing education!
Elle Langley '24 | Lynchburg, VA
When I was a freshman at VES, I lived on dorm in the midst of the pandemic, but I have been a day student ever since. At VES, I love that you always get the best of both worlds, no matter if you are a boarder or day student. I am a Junior RA, the founder of the VES pickleball club, a member of the Vestry, and a member of the tennis, basketball, and lacrosse teams. My favorite part about VES is the community and all the opportunities offered, including sports, clubs, and fun weekend events! I am proud to come from a family of Bishops. My father, Stewart, graduated in '88, and my brother, Cannon, is class of 2023. Go Bishops!
Sierra Lewis ’23 | Lynchburg, VA
Among so many things I love at VES are my sports. I play tennis in the fall—in addition to playing singles, my teammate Elle ’24, and I make a hard-to-beat doubles team—and I play lacrosse in the spring. This year, I am on the Badminton Club and I serve on the Counselor Body. Every year, I really look forward to our all-school End of Summer Dance!
Walter Marr '24 | Wilmington, NC
Hello, my name is Walter Marr, and I am from Wilmington, North Carolina. I play varsity football, basketball, and baseball. I am a boarder and Junior Resident Assistant on Randolph dorm. I love boarding life because I get to live with all my friends. I love engaging in the community through clubs like the Vestry. I learned about VES through my brother Hays Marr, who graduated in 2019.
Lily McKee ’23 | Raleigh, NC
I've always been competitive in athletics and, at VES, I am a leader on the girls cross country team and play lacrosse. Clubs are another great way to be involved in the community. I’m a member of the Green Team and Badminton clubs. I live on Jett Dorm, and serve on the Counselor Body. What I love most about being a boarding student at VES is that I get to be around my friends all the time! My brother, Max, graduated in the class of 2021.
Edwin Moye '23 | Raleigh, NC
Hi, my name is Edwin Moye and I am from Raleigh, North Carolina. This is my third year at VES. I play football in the fall and golf in the spring. In my free time I like to hunt, fish and hangout with my friends!
Lollie Smith '23 | Wilmington, NC
Hello! I live on Jett Dorm along with 14 other senior girls. I am a member of the girl's varsity soccer team! VES has been life changing for me and is the absolute best decision I ever made! My favorite event at VES is Casino Night. I love our tight-knit community and all the friendships I've made.
Mykala Smith '24 | Lynchburg, VA
Hello! I’m a day student at VES, but I spend a lot of time on campus. I love the variety of clubs VES offers. I’m a part of the Library club, Pratfall club, and BSU. Since I'm not into sports, I am heavily involved with the arts. I am currently taking AP Ceramics as a course and art afterschool in the winter. I am the youngest sibling (with two older brothers) and the first to go to VES. Lastly, I serve as a Resident Assistant on Perkins dorm!
Clark Watts ’23 | Lynchburg, VA
I am a senior day student, but I’ve known VES most of my life because of the long history our family has with VES. My grandfather graduated in the class of '53, my dad is a 1983 graduate. I will be the youngest of the three kids in my family to graduate, behind my brother, Ash ’19, and sister, Carlisle ‘21. I am a key member of our golf team, and I participate in the Stock Market Club, Badminton Club and Vestry. I love the friendships I have made at VES with older and younger students and how those connections will continue long after our time at VES.
Ethan Wang '24 | Beijing, China
This year, I am a RA on Randolph Dorm and I play football, baseball and will be managing Varsity Boys Basketball this winter. I am also a member of the photography club, end-of-year video editing group, stock club, and a big fan of all Bishop events. One thing that I love about VES is how everyone supports each other as their friend, teammates, and family. One piece of advice for all international students is to chase whatever you want, whether it’s trying a new sport or being a campus leader.
Jana Yan ’23 | Qingdao, China
At VES, I live on Jett Dorm and serve on the Counselor Body. I stay very busy as a member of the Green Team, Photography Club, Yearbook staff, and Global Ambassadors. I also play tennis and enjoy our weekend trips to Starbucks. I love all the dogs our faculty have on campus, especially Wren Nealis!
Fisher Zhang ’23 | Suzhou, China
This year, I live on Randolph Dorm, and serve on the Counselor Body. I am a member of the cross country and basketball teams, and I love to play the piano. You will find me around campus taking photos at every major event and fun activities on the weekends, helping as an assistant to the Marketing & Communications team. What I love most about VES is that we are a small, close-knit community.