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Sussex Academy celebrates 25 years

Party draws current and past board members, alumni
At Sussex Academy’s 25th anniversary party at The Starboard in Dewey Beach, current and former school officials raise a glass to the audience. Shown are (l-r) Trish Oliphant, who served as head of school for 17 years; current Head of School Kyle Bentley; Chief Academic Officer Janet Owens; and Senior Administrative Secretary Andrea Rogers. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTOS
Ellen McIntyre
April 1, 2026

Sussex Academy celebrated its 25th anniversary with a party at The Starboard in Dewey Beach March 27, drawing a crowd of around 200 current and past faculty and board members, alumni and other supporters.

“Twenty-five years is a milestone, and this is not by accident,” said Head of School Kyle Bentley. “That is because of the dedication, the commitment, the vision, the foundation, the board members, the teachers, the leaders, everybody coming together and rallying around something that is different in education. That is why we are what we are.”

Bentley led a toast to the past, the present and the future of Sussex Academy.

Guests included Trish Oliphant, who served as head of school for 17 years; Chief Academic Officer Janet Owens; Senior Administrative Secretary Andrea Rogers, who is retiring after 13 years at the school; and several founding board members.

Sussex Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Georgetown that serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Founded in September 2000 as a middle school only, it expanded to high school in 2013 and to elementary school in 2020.

The school has a total enrollment of about 1,150 students.

 

Former Sussex Academy team members are called up to the front of the party by The 19th Street Band. Shown. Shown in back are Kathy Kay, left, and Stephanie Hartsoe. In front are (l-r) Gina Derrickson, Trish Oliphant, Karen Willey, Andrea Rogers and Betsy Kirschner.
Standing near the stage enjoying a performance by The 19th Street Band are (l-r) Betsy Esgro, Carmen Esgro, Yvonne Cerra and Walter Cerra.
Sussex Academy board member Shanté Hastings, left, and her husband Jason enjoy the party.
Enjoying the live music by The 19th Street Band are (l-r) Sherry French, Lauren Griffin Walls, Rachel Duncan, Ricky Duncan, Matt Walls and Albert French.
Sussex Academy staff and supporters come together at the party. Shown are (l-r) Jerica Morris, Megan Donahue, Cristian Talavera, Jenny Martinez, Pedra Vlasin, Phillip Todd, Patty White and Head of School Kyle Bentley.
Sussex Academy supporters reunite at the party. Shown are (l-r) former board member Susie Mitchell, Kathy Booth, founding board member Nathalie Willard, former PTO President Betsy Kirschner and Communications and Outreach Coordinator Ellen Driscoll.
Sussex Academy Head of School Kyle Bentley, left, addresses the crowd as Chief Academic Officer Janet Owens, middle, and Senior Administrative Secretary Andrea Rogers hug.
A crowd fills The Starboard’s back bar for Sussex Academy’s 25th anniversary party March 27.
The 19th Street Band rocks the crowd at Sussex Academy’s 25th anniversary party at The Starboard March 27.
Sussex Academy Head of School Kyle Bentley hypes up the audience.
Enjoying the night are (l-r) former Sussex Academy staff member Gina Derrickson, former Head of School Trish Oliphant and Senior Administrative Secretary Andrea Rogers.
The Starboard staff served up drinks and hors d'oeuvres all night at the Sussex Academy’s 25th anniversary party.
Reunited at the party are (l-r) former Sussex Academy team member Gina Derrickson, former PTO President Betsy Kirschner and former Head of School Trish Oliphant.
A framed collage of photos of former Sussex Academy students and staff members is on display at the party.
Sussex Academy Head of School Kyle Bentley gives remarks during the party.

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Ellen McIntyre is a reporter covering education and all things Dewey Beach. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State - Schreyer Honors College in May 2024, then completed an internship writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 2023, she covered the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as a freelancer for the Associated Press and saw her work published by outlets including The Washington Post and Fox Sports. Her variety of reporting experience covers crime and courts, investigations, politics and the arts. As a Hockessin, Delaware native, Ellen is happy to be back in her home state, though she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She also loves live music, reading, hiking and spending time in nature.

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