The WIS Memorial Fund honors the legacies of departed members of the WIS community and ensures their memories remain as indelible parts of the School. The Memorial Fund supports financial aid at WIS, and is aligned with our goal of promoting socioeconomic diversity by expanding opportunity to more families, regardless of their financial means. At present, the Fund memorializes the following late members of the WIS community:

Sam Smith, 1957-2006
William P.J. “Sam” Smith was a beloved math teacher and college counselor who came to WIS in 1986. In addition to teaching and advising hundreds of students over the course of his career, Sam was involved in many theatrical productions, extracurricular activities, and community service. Anyone who crossed Sam’s path knows what a truly good person he was, how he treated his students with the respect that allowed many to feel as if he were a friend and not just a teacher. Besides numerous mathematical memories are those of a teacher who worked so hard with students who needed extra help, who came in during his vacations to write that one last college recommendation, of the actor (Mr. Cellophane, in particular!), and, of course, the Converse high tops.

Jonas Weiss ‘87, 1968-2003
Jonas Weiss was a warm, compassionate friend to all, a gentle spirit who is remembered by his personal qualities and goals of promoting diplomatic leadership and general social concern. After he matriculated from WIS, Jonas later graduated from American University before taking a diplomatic post with Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs. He served at embassies in Belgrade and Moscow, before transferring to Amman, Jordan in 2001. Jonas’s primary area of responsibility was Iraq, and over that summer, he quickly became a familiar face on the Amman diplomatic circuit, freely sharing his observations of life in Baghdad and other parts of the then conflict-affected country. It was his special sort of genuine kindness and concern for others that made Jonas such an esteemed figure among those who knew him.

Johnny Hersson-Ringskog ‘98, 1979-2024
As an American-Swede, Johnny grew up in Alexandria until 1988 when his family moved to Helsinki, Finland, where he spent five magical years before returning to Virginia. After initially attending the Charles E Smith Jewish Day School, he joined Washington International School in 10th grade and graduated in 1998. After graduating, Johnny studied at the University of Manchester in the UK where he met his wife, Rhoda. They married in 2008 and lived in London where they were blessed with two children, beautiful Ruthie and handsome Jacob, before moving to Stockholm to head up HSBC’s corporate lending in the Nordic countries. Even with his brief time at WIS he was loyal to his friends and was honored by his friends and classmates who dedicated a tree (near the WIS Mansion) to him in fall 2024, along with a plaque to always remember his dear soul.

Sean Hopkins ‘82, 1963-1990
Sean Patrick Hopkins was a much-loved member of the WIS community and valedictorian of his class. He went on to study at Georgetown University. Following his death, his father Robert, a career CIA officer, became an advocate in the fight against AIDS. In 1996, Robert wrote a book entitled Sean’s Legacy: An AIDS Awakening. Sean is remembered by his classmates as a gentle leader who exhibited an effusive kindness and humanity, and as a person who had a beneficial effect on others, drawing them to him through his positive outlook on life and affecting them in turn.