The Benjamin School Buccaneer magazine 2007

the

BUCCANEER

2007

VOLUME V

The beauty of

sustainability

The magazine of

cover: Alyse bentz ’07

harrison apple ’09

the buccaneer 2007

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Lower/Middle School Campus Upper School Campus

11000 Ellison Wilson Road

4875 Grandiflora Road

North Palm Beach, Florida 33408

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418

561.626.3747

561.472.5998

www.thebenjaminschool.org

Table of Contents

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george donaldson ’14

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THE BENJAMIN SCHOOL Eugene Gross Head of School STAFF OF THE BUCCANEER Editors Kathy Aiello, Ed. D. Director of Publications Barbara Birt Director of Communications Contributing Photographers Chris Oakes Michael Price Photography Photo Submissions Kathy Aiello, Chris Oakes, Mike Thomas, Rhonda Thomas

From the Head of School .........................................................................................................................................

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Features Sustaining Our World – All Eyes on the Everglades ............................................................................

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From the Highway to the Classroom........................................................................................................

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Benjamin Teachers in Prestigious Mentoring Role ...............................................................................

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Faculty Profiles Jay Selvig..........................................................................................................................................................

Upper school head helps launch the Everglades theme

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Kristen Ruest ...................................................................................................................................................

Middle school department chair discovers meaning through environmental science

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Susan Bickel ....................................................................................................................................................

Turtles and teaching: passions of our lower school science coordinator

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Alumni Spotlight Back from Iraq Joshua McKenna ‘99.....................................................................................................................................

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Research Nourishes Neighborhoods Dr. Allison Kawecki Karpyn ‘94...................................................................................................................

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The Girl to Watch – More Than Just Eye-Catching Whitney Cunningham ‘03............................................................................................................................

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Eclipsing the 1,000-Yard Mark at Carnegie Mellon Robert Gimson ‘04........................................................................................................................................

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Smiling Faces, Happy Places Dr. Jason Wanuck ‘92 ...................................................................................................................................

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Adversity Drives University of North Carolina Star Forward Erlana Larkins ‘04...........................................................................................................................................

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What the School Meant to Me Andrew Terhune (NPBPS ‘68).................................................................................................................... 20 End Notes Sustaining Wisdom........................................................................................................................................

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Class Agents: Together from the Start ...................................................................................................... 24

the buccaneer 2007

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cait friedlander ’08

the beauty of sustainability

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From the Head of School This edition of The Buccaneer, “The Beauty of Sustainability,” features cover art by Alyse Bentz, a Benjamin senior and one of dozens of students who had the privilege of hands-on tutoring by legendary Florida artists, the Highwaymen. They were on campus during our month-long Artist-in-Residence Program, which dovetailed with Black History Month in February.

Head of School Gene Gross previews a group rendering of the Everglades crafted by members of the lower school art club. The ceramic mural is permanently displayed in the Admission Office.

THE BENJAMIN SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2006-2007 Marianne P. Gold, Chairman Llwyd E. Ecclestone III ‘80, Vice-Chairman Susan B. Sachs, Secretary John R. Purcell, Treasurer Molly Apple John Appleby Rory Brown Gary Burkhead Miriam Acosta-Castriz Gregory Gozzo Lewis Hay III Lynda Jacobs S. Tucker S. Johnson Kenneth R. Kennerly David Lambert

Joe O’Connor Trustee Emeriti John E. Pew Nancy Benjamin Morris Propp Kevin Kenny Hal Reed Martha Kenny Daniel W. Stanton Barbara Nicklaus Brian K. Waxman ‘86 Jack Nicklaus Joe Zaluski Eugene Gross (ex-officio)

What does the art of the Highwaymen have to do with sustainability?

While the word carries environmental connotations, for the Highwaymen, art was their means of sustaining their families. Faced with few employment options, this group of African-Americans found a way to avoid the limited opportunities available to them in the 1950s, and using inexpensive tools, taught themselves to paint realistic Florida landscapes which became known as “vintage Florida.” They produced an estimated 100,000 pieces of art which they sold roadside, door-to-door, and storeto-store from the mid-1950s through the 1980s. A testament to the American entrepreneurial spirit, the work of the Highwaymen, which continues today, has recently enjoyed a resurgence earning them the title of Florida Hall of Fame Artists.

Just as the Highwaymen developed a way to sustain their families, an independent school must do the same. Benjamin must anticipate and stay responsive to the rapidly evolving demands our students will face upon graduation through innovative curriculum and programs, talented, supportive faculty, and outstanding facilities. Next year, we’re introducing Mandarin Chinese into the Upper School; this year we inaugurated a 6th grade overnight field trip as part of our PK-12 examination of the Everglades through history, art, science and literature; we have been sending faculty for intensive training through Columbia University, launching a dynamic reading and writing program in our Lower School; and three years ago we opened a state-of-the-art Upper School Campus where students can take college level courses in all subject areas and be supported by the latest technology.

And as we sustain our school through forward thinking, we stress sustainability, in the environmental sense, to our children daily – through recycling programs, composting efforts, science projects, as well as modeling and positive reinforcement. However, sustainability is about much more than the environment; it also includes our programs which are increasingly interconnected and global in focus. At Benjamin, “The Beauty of Sustainability” is all around us. Thank you for supporting our efforts.

Sincerely,

Gene Gross

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Sustaining Our World All Eyes on the Everglades Sarah Bell ’11

Two years ago at an administrative retreat, Gene Gross proposed that as a school we look at the issue of sustainability. The United Nations had made this a priority, and the National Association of Independent Schools had subsequently embraced it and challenged member schools to find unique and creative ways to address it.

At the recommendation of Upper School Head Jay Selvig, we chose to examine sustainability through a two-year Everglades Project, first by learning as much as we could about the region, and then by crafting activities and excursions that help support and transform this fragile ecosystem. It was a natural choice for our school. Marshall Benjamin was an environmentalist before the word was coined. As he transformed what had been a pineapple plantation into a school, he made his construction choices based on what impact the work would have on the land.

by Academic Dean Ken Didsbury

This year, our students PK-12 have been studying the Everglades through science, literature, writing, community service, social studies, and art. For example, the 6th grade took a two-day field trip to the Corbett Wildlife Center hiking, dissecting, and performing chemistry experiments; upper school kids took an environmental footprint of their campus; and 3rd graders went “dipnetting” at Grassy Waters to see what species they could identify. In addition, students became particularly creative in their writing classes. Pre-K students created picture books about Everglades animals; kindergartners also did books, which included illustrations and research information; and 3rd graders used Everglades-based grammar material that Mrs. Donn created to practice writing skills.

Perhaps the most prolific work with the Everglades was the creation of paintings documenting the region’s landscape and

Upper School Florida History and Caribbean Islands students tour the Everglades. (Below): Third graders examine water specimens at Grassy Waters Preserve.

EVERGLADES INITIATIVES

10th: Researched and reported

K: Donated a permanent display of

Everglades-related social problems in

students’ Everglades artwork to the

Introduction to Government class

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

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5 kyle vincent ’15

everglades Ginny Donn ’17

This spring, we shifted from learning about the Everglades to supporting the Everglades.

The 6th graders, for example, spent all day at Torrey Pines planting several hundred pond apple trees in an area of the Everglades that had been denuded.

In addition to working with students, Benjamin reached out to parents and the local community this year. We invited parents to a series of book groups that emphasized Florida and environmental themes. The school also sponsored a community lecture series about the history and ecology of the Everglades, suggested by Benjamin grandparent, Nathaniel Reed, a leader of Florida’s environmental movement and the former Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife, and National Parks. Our speakers came from multiple disciplines and included Michael Grunwald, author of the best-selling

book The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise.

Next year, we’ll enhance the Everglades theme by expanding to include such things as an Outward Bound program that will enable upper school students to spend most of a week camping in the Everglades while learning how to be more self-sufficient in that environment. In addition, we’ll take what we learned from measuring the upper school’s environmental footprint and begin crafting ways to reduce our environmental impact.

Ultimately, The Benjamin School is committed to promoting the spirit of stewardship that Marshall Benjamin so effectively fostered.

The study of the Everglades is a chance to do that, by giving students an opportunity to be empowered by their knowledge and take action to create a better world.

wildlife. Lower school students, guided by art teacher Ro Sammis, spent several weeks painting portraits of Everglades animals in their native habitats. In addition, Ms. Sammis launched a school-wide Artist-in-Residence Program by inviting several Highwaymen artists to campus in February to work with students in each division. These AfricanAmerican painters, who have earned national prominence for their folk art depicting classic Florida landscapes, worked hands-on with our students, not only bringing Florida history to life through stories of their livelihood in the 1950s, but they immersed students in creating Everglades-related art.

Members of the 6th grade class plant pond apple trees during a grade-level field excursion to Torrey Pines.

7th: Viewed Highwaymen Art Exhibit at Museum of Art – Ft. Lauderdale

4th: Read a class novel –

3rd: Studied Everglades habitat,

The Missing Gator of Gumbo

rainfall, and wetlands

Limbo by Jean Craighead George

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by Barbara Birt

Lessons from a Florida Legacy He made it look so simple, but years of tradition were informing his technique as Jimmy Stovall stroked and dabbed and transformed his blank canvas into a sultry Florida sunset. Nine students in Michael Thomas’ AP Portfolio class watched closely, eager to imitate the method known as Highwaymen Art.

katelyn michels ’14

Mr. Stovall, along with five members of the group known as the Highwaymen, came to Benjamin on repeated visits during February for a school-wide Artist-in-Residence Program. They worked with lower, middle, and upper school students, coaching them on their fast painting technique, while telling stories of the history of their art form and how it earned its name.

Highwaymen Art originated in the 1950s when a group of African-Americans decided to forego the misery of packing houses and try their hand at art, creating a virtual assembly line of original pieces, which they sold roadside along U.S. 1, as well as door-to-door.

The art depicted classic Florida scenery and sold like hot real estate for many years before being relegated to attics and yard sales.

“We’re all using the same paints, but we all have a different technique.”

Highwayman legacy artist Jimmy Stovall coaches senior Ariel Lepoff on fast painting technique.

EVERGLADES INITIATIVES

5th: Investigated plants and animals unique to South Florida

K: Established a T-shirt contest with Everglades renderings for MacArthur State Park’s NatureScaping Earth Day celebration

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R.L. Lewis, one of the original Highwaymen, assists 5th graders (left) Kyle Ruedisili and Jeremy Stauffer with their landscape paintings during February’s Artist-in-Residence Program.

The Artist-in-Residence Program united students across grade levels and campuses, while bringing African-American history to life during Black History Month. The program culminated in a gallery showing open to the community on the Kehl Campus, featuring student and professional art.

Recently, it’s enjoyed a resurgence and is prized by collectors as true American folk art, earning the Highwaymen a place of honor in the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004.

Mr. Stovall led Benjamin juniors and seniors in February in painting a sunset with palm trees silhouetted against a bright sky above a wandering waterway. One student’s canvas was decidedly dark and eerie; her greens and browns heavier than Mr. Stovall’s.

Another girl’s canvas had light blues and

pinks. Mr. Stovall applauded the interpretations encouraging the students to believe in their personal style. “I’m learning here myself,” he said. “We’re all using the same paints, but we all have a different technique.”

tegan kahn ’18

He did, however, intervene from time to time, such as when Alyse Bentz’s ground cover lacked texture. Mr. Stovall picked up a brush, dabbed it in a lighter shade, and dashed the bristles, again and again against the patch, turning it into a leafy bush. “There you go,” he said, cautioning her to dab, not just paint.

“It’s a little intimidating at first,” said Alyse, a senior. “Having him here really helps.” annie loppert ’12

highwaymen 1st: Toured Grassy Waters Preserve to study South Florida habitats

Kehl Library: Transformed the Story Cottage reading room into an Everglades swamp for PK-3 reading incentive program

4th: Composed a published book on the Everglades

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Columbia Selects Benjamin Teachers Two Benjamin faculty members have been selected from candidates worldwide to become apprentices of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University. According to Columbia, the 75 teachers will be equipped with “the tools, techniques, mentors, and intellectual community” needed to provide state-of-theart literacy leadership to peers.

Karen Basil, coordinator of curriculum and instructional services, and Jen McDonough, writing coordinator and kindergarten teacher, will head to New York City for two weeks this

summer for the specialized training in one of the nation’s most respected and innovative writing curricula, developed by Columbia’s Teachers College.

To date, only a handful of teachers has gone on to become recognized leaders in literacy as a result of this program, which was co-founded by Benjamin parent Georgia Heard in 1982.

“Not many people realize how fortunate we are to have Georgia with us,” said Ms. Basil, to whom Ms. Heard introduced

the program in 2004. Since then, Ms. Heard has donated countless hours in lower school classrooms training our teachers in how best to instruct children in writing.

Ms. Basil and Ms. McDonough, who have been trained in the basics of the program, will now use this summer’s apprentice training to become Benjamin’s resident mentors, providing daily support to teachers and students in grades K-5.

The new writing approach gives teachers a precise framework for writing instruction.

Rather than teachers relying on their own educational backgrounds, which draw from multiple writing approaches, our teachers now have precise tools and organized study units, with clearly articulated goals – and goals that allow for differentiated learning.

“It takes my breath away, and I‘ve been in education since 1974,” said Ms. Basil. “We are bringing all of our students to new levels of accomplishment. They’re reading and writing with real passion.”

One key element in this approach lies in exposing kids to a variety of literature, from poetry, to biography, to fiction and nonfiction – teaching them to learn writing from reading. “They learn to listen with a writer’s ear for words and phrases they’d never come up with themselves,” said Jane Higginbotham, 2nd grade, grade-level chair.

Fourth grade Writer’s Workshop participants (left to right) Bailey O’Donnell, Vishal Harpalani, and Preston Hainsworth conference with Karen Basil, coordinator of curriculum and instructional services.

EVERGLADES INITIATIVES

prestigious mentors 4th: Painted banners of Everglades species for a permanent campus art collection

9th: Focused ecology unit on the Everglades in Biology classes

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for Prestigious Mentoring Role

by Barbara Birt

In addition, the students gather in weekly heterogeneous “Writers Workshop” groups to discuss various books they’ve been reading, regardless of the level of the book, and they share ideas and interpretations about literature. “Then,” said Ms. Higginbotham, “they write!”

One 3rd grader was able to take two main characters from two books and compare them in a four-page literary piece. According to Ms. Basil, it’s all about carefully selecting age-appropriate, good literature and making reading and writing relevant to children.

“It builds purpose and ownership. They sit down to write, and suddenly they can’t contain themselves – they’re up on one foot, writing, writing, writing,” said Ms. Basil.

“Then, they confer with their teachers, and they’re writing some more. It’s incredible!”

Since implementing this program in the kindergarten in 2004 and carrying it through to 5th grade, a Columbia facilitator has visited

Jen McDonough, lower school writing coordinator and kindergartener Andres Kaneb confer during a classroom writing activity.

campus six times to work with lower school teachers, seven of whom also went to Columbia for summer training. This summer, four additional teachers from Lower and Middle School will attend the summer institute as part of Benjamin’s commitment to

the program. As more and more teachers learn the approach, Benjamin will have its own literacy coaches on hand to shepherd them along.

Continued on page 10.

erin ecc lest one ’19

1st: Classified and researched Everglades animals; reported findings in classroom presentations

6th: Performed quarterly arts wheel performance with Everglades theme

2nd: Etched drawings of various birds native to the Everglades

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Columbia Selects Benjamin Teachers for Prestigious Mentoring Role

Continued from page 9.

Benjamin “Heard” the Message...

Enhanced the Curriculum One of the things that excited Georgia Heard about enrolling her son at Benjamin in 2003 was seeing the books in 2nd grade teacher, Jane Higginbotham’s room. Among them were books by Ms. Heard herself and Lucy Calkins – two of the four founders of the Columbia Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. “Wow! They have the literacy program here,” I thought. “I was so excited.”

When she’s not authoring books on the literacy program, or training trainers, Georgia Heard is writing poetry and has published two poetry books. Her love of words takes her around the world these days, from the Middle East, to London, to Jakarta, and fortunately – back to Benjamin, where she’s been dedicating countless hours to training our teachers.

A Passion for Poetry

by The Higbees

With words she paints pictures, in our minds – words colored with, magic, feelings, movement, and nature.

There are happy words, and sad words, – words of comfort and excitement.

She pulls poetry from her heart, to share special dreams and memories.

She’s a mom, a poet, a teacher, And a kind friend!

“We are very grateful to Georgia for the inspiration she provided us to get this program launched at Benjamin,” said Head of School Gene Gross, “not to mention for the many hours she’s donated to helping train our teachers. Her dedication and expertise have been invaluable.”

Thank you for sharing your passion!

alec batts ’15

In fact, Benjamin didn’t have the Columbia literacy program. But it does now, thanks to Ms. Heard’s collaboration with the school’s Coordinator of Curriculum and Instructional Services, Karen Basil. Ms. Heard and her three co-founders now have dozens of peer trainers whose ranks will soon include Ms. Basil and Lower School Writing Coordinator and kindergarten teacher, Jen McDonough.

The trainers help fellow teachers inspire children to new levels of writing through a reading-based approach.

“We developed it over years of working in classrooms, and discussing what works and what doesn’t work,” said Ms. Heard. “The writing curriculum was developed in conjunction with Columbia University.”

Georgia Heard

EDITOR’S NOTE: Composed for Georgia Heard

by Jane Higginbotham’s 2nd grade class.

EVERGLADES INITIATIVES

3rd: Studied Clyde Butcher’s photography to create landscape paintings of the Everglades

Benjamin Book Club: Read and discussed The Swamp; A Land Remembered; Life and Death on the Loxahatchee, and Double Whammy

faculty profile | the buccaneer 2007

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Jay Selvig In 1970, Jay Selvig arrived at one of life’s crossroads which, years later, inevitably prompts the question, “What if?” He had a teaching offer from a school in Switzerland, had been accepted into a graduate program in environmental science in North Carolina, and he was being sought by a school in Syracuse where he had formerly taught.

His strong preference was Switzerland, followed by the graduate program. But, courtesy of a cranky headmaster who literally wouldn’t take “no” for an answer, Jay found himself back at Syracuse.

To this day, he sometimes wonders where Switzerland would have led, but not regretfully. Jay finished the Syracuse job after one dutiful year, then it was off to Ransom Everglades School in Miami and the beginning of an independent school career that has made Florida his family’s home.

Between life here, and summers in Vermont, Jay is able to spend time outdoors, preferably fishing, and stay connected to his interest in the environment. That’s why when an administrative team brainstormed last year about an all-school curriculum to unify our three-division, two-campus school – a curriculum whose theme would somehow parlay with our sustainability initiative introduced by Gene Gross – Jay didn’t hesitate. The Everglades.

“Jay’s idea fit perfectly with our sustainability initiative,” said Mr. Gross. “So many of our teachers have taken off and run with it. You’ll see the Everglades in our students’ artwork, in science studies, history classes, and language arts classes, and throughout many other programs this year. There’s been such

4th: Crafted Florida Seminole traditional patchwork artwork

by Barbara Birt

To this day, he sometimes wonders where Switzerland would have led, but not regretfully. enthusiasm surrounding it that we’re going to continue the Everglades work next year.”

In the Upper School, Jay introduced the Everglades to the one class he taught this year, 9th grade biology. Students spent three weeks researching an aspect of the Everglades and reporting on it.

Jay’s passion has always been science.

“I remember a Sunday dinner during senior year in high school, when my dad asked me what I wanted to be,” said Jay. “I told him either a doctor or a teacher.” Dad’s reply – Well, if you want to be a teacher, you can go to a state school instead of that fancy expensive school. The fancy school won out, even though medicine didn’t. Jay graduated from Williams College and then received his MS from Syracuse University, and ultimately an MA from Columbia University’s prestigious Klingenstein Fellowship program, now called the Klingenstein Institute of Teachers College at Columbia. Designed as a program to develop leaders in independent education, Jay was one of the program’s original 12 students.

After receiving his MS, Jay spent a year in the Philippines with the Peace Corps. He studied one of the many Filipino languages, then set

11th and 12th: Conducted an environmental footprint of the Upper School Campus in Environmental Science class

off on a mission that ultimately was flawed, serving as a science professor at the University of Iloilo.

“The best student I had graduated and wound up selling meat in an open-air market. When I asked her why, she told me there was only one teaching job open in the province and 60 people had applied. I decided it just wasn’t worthwhile for me to continue there,” declining, he said, the Corps’ offer to become science education coordinator for the southern half of the Philippines.

Upon returning to the United States, Jay found himself in Syracuse, followed by 11 years at Ransom Everglades where he served as science department chair and upper school head. He and his wife, Chris, then took their daughter, Lindsay, to Louisville, where Jay’s second child, Jason, was born. Jay served as upper school director at Collegiate School in Louisville for 16 years, then returned to Florida in 1998 for a job at Benjamin, where Jason is a graduate of the class of 2001.

“Jay has the very best qualities of a leader,” said his assistant, Sheryl Kittrell. “I have worked with him for five years, and no matter what the situation, you can depend on him to listen and act in a manner that honors and values others. His most endearing quality is his sense of humor. He is quick-witted and pleasant, and his ability to make others smile, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, is a gift to us all.”

K: Created stories and illustrations; published class books on Everglades animals

the buccaneer 2007 | faculty profile

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Kristen Ruest When Kristen Ruest talks about living life to its fullest, she’s doing more than giving voice to common wisdom. She learned at age 19 just how important each day is when, in 1998, her 21-year-old brother Sean was struck and killed by a car.

The oldest, Sean was the “smart” one and Kristen the “slow” one, so she claimed, at least until high school, when she wound up in Sean’s math and science classes. “He didn’t like that,” she said smiling, thinking back on a childhood that always forced her to keep up.

As the only girl among five siblings, and the daughter of a military man, Kristen’s “noexcuses” upbringing helped her embrace the challenge of her brother’s passing.

“The biggest thing in life is you never know when it will be your last day,” she said. “You really have to do what you want to do, surround yourself with joyous, happy people – make an impact somewhere.”

Kristen sees her “impact” as environmental, a cause she championed on the Benjamin campus this year, and a passion that dovetails with her favorite place – the outdoors.

by Barbara Birt

An avid gardener, a hiker, kayaker, and naturalist, Kristen and her colleague Gabrielle St. Martin launched an aggressive, middle school recycling program. It kicked off at an assembly in September. Students were divided into relay teams charged with determining, on the fly, in which of three bins to toss the piece of trash they were given – garbage, recycling, or compost. The team with the greatest number of correct tosses, won. It not only educated, but it generated enthusiasm for the recycling effort.

“They do get that it’s important,” she said, reflecting on the year-long effort. “I see students calling out to each other, ‘Hey, that doesn’t go in there!’ ” After graduating from Dwyer High School, Kristen attended her grandmother and her mother’s alma mater, College of Mount St. Vincent in New York City, where she earned her BS in Science. Eventually, after stints at Joshua House where she worked with abused and neglected children, and at a public school teaching biology to students who didn’t speak English, Kristen spent two years working at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, caring for and educating others about Florida wildlife. She harbors some herself, along with her husband, Shannon, at their home in Jupiter Farms.

“I have two bearded dragons, a turtle, and three dogs,” she said. All of them rescue animals.

These days, the energy and enthusiasm of Benjamin middle school students are her inspiration, as chair of the Middle School Science Department. “I really love how into things they are, how open their minds are.”

“Kristen is a remarkably innovative teacher with the rare ability to inspire a passion for science in her students,” said Middle School Head Chuck Hagy. “Her passions, particularly examining our society’s impact on the environment and working to educate the public to be more environmentally conscious, come through in her teaching.”

Kristen joined Benjamin in 2005, envisions having a family one day, but stops there when it comes to predicting what’s next.

“I don’t think we have to carve our path.

It comes to us as we go.”

“You really have to do what you want to do, surround yourself with joyous, happy people – make an impact somewhere.”

EVERGLADES INITIATIVES

5th: Studied the state’s geological history and ecosystems of South Florida

2nd: Read and authored poetry and conducted research on Everglades animals

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Susan Bickel When Susan Bickel looks back on her teaching career, she can conjure some memorable moments. Like the day a girl came to her in the morning, explaining she had forgotten to stash her knife in her locker, so could Ms. Bickel please hold it for her. Or the day the North Philadelphia school went into lockdown because of gunfire at the nearby crack house.

The stark existence she witnessed as an inner-city teacher is a long shot from North Palm Beach where she grew up or from Georgetown where she studied as an undergrad, or from the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, where she got her master’s degree. It’s also a far cry from her days as a congressional liaison or a financial assistant for a Fortune 500 business. But, she’ll take teaching any day.

“I sometimes miss my old salary, but I never miss my old job,” she said, laughing.

Susan Bickel is happy these days teaching her 4th and 5th grade math and science students, coordinating the PK-5 science curriculum, and tending to her rescue turtles.

In between, it’s all about her daughter, Ellie, who just turned 1. “She’s the love of my life,” said Ms. Bickel.

by Barbara Birt

From the high-powered world of Capitol Hill, to the high-heeled, high-salaried world of a financial analyst, Susan turned to teaching, launching her career as the only white person at an all-Black, inner-city school. If ever a school tested a teacher’s wherewithal, this was it. “We had no curriculum, no books, no paper. I did so much read-aloud, I thought my throat was going to fall apart,” she said.

“It was amazing. I learned so much from those kids. They just need to know you care about them and once they know that, it doesn’t matter how old you are, or what your race is, or whether you’re rich or poor.”

A year later, circumstances called her to a teaching job in Connecticut where there was wealth, resources aplenty, and students who didn’t need to worry about survival.

“I struggled personally,” she said of the contrast her new world presented. “That’s why I instituted so many environmental programs in Connecticut because I wanted to teach these kids to give back.” She started read-a-thons for the rain forest, for the whales, and myriad other projects, in keeping with her love of the outdoors and of science.

“It’s important for students to view science as a part of their world and their place in it,” she said. “Science is also about understanding what rights you have in the world and the responsibilities that go with them. A big piece of that is giving back to the environment.”

Since coming to Benjamin three years ago, Ms. Bickel has reworked study units on the earth, matter, and invertebrates to better fit the school’s sustainability theme.

6th: Engaged in a two-day field excursion to the Corbett Wildlife Center

3rd: Examined Everglades Forever: Restoring America’s Great Wetland by Trish Marx; discussed the picture book Everglades Forever

“It’s important for students to view science as a part of their world and their place in it.”

Her students not only recycle their water bottles, but empty any residual water into a jug to sprinkle on the low-water garden they planted this year. In addition, they’re studying the Everglades through research projects, collection and identification exercises, and by caring for and studying Ms. Bickel’s turtles. “We’re observing the offspring to teach students about conservation and endangered species,” said Ms. Bickel, who is a board member of the international Turtle Survival Alliance, dedicated to preserving the world’s 200 species of endangered land turtles.

“It’s all about instilling in kids excitement about the natural world.”

PK: Adopted endangered sea turtles

the buccaneer 2007 | alumni spotlight

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Back from Iraq

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

J o s h u a

M c K e n n a

’ 9 9

Like his father and grandfather, he’s following the family’s military tradition and serving in the Armed Forces. “I signed up for Army ROTC in college as a tribute to my dad,” said Joshua McKenna ‘99, who also earned his degree in Computer Engineering while at Georgia Tech.

“Two weeks after I enlisted, 9/11 happened,” said the 26-year-old TBS alumnus, who spent his initial 13 months in Korea as a Commissioned Communications Officer. Captain McKenna recently finished another tour of duty, this one, in Iraq.

Army Captain Josh McKenna ’99 conducts communications surveillance aboard an armored humvee in Tal Afar.

The 14-month assignment was “…pretty intense military combat. For two months, we tried to stay inside to keep from the mortar blasts,” Josh said of his deployment to Tal Afar, the ancient city of a quartermillion inhabitants, situated on a smuggling route in the northwestern desert of Iraq where American forces have been driving out insurgents terrorizing the city. From there, he spent nine months in Ar Ramadi, the capital of Al Anbar Province, about 70 miles west of Baghdad, the place of terrorism, suicide car bombs, automatic weapons, and rocketpropelled grenades.

“I’m just glad to be home,” Josh said during a recent two-week leave before heading back to his station in Giessen, Germany, to await his official discharge in July. “I do believe we’ve made some small successes over there.”

During his brief visit in March, Josh stopped by the Kehl Campus to reminisce. “My first two years in college were pretty easy because of my Benjamin education,” he said smiling. “My fellow students were reading their textbooks pretty intently, and I was already prepared. I didn’t have to work too hard.”

...he spent nine months in Ar Ramadi, the capital of Al Anbar Province, about 70 miles west of Baghdad, the place of terrorism, suicide car bombs, automatic weapons, and rocket-propelled grenades.

EVERGLADES INITIATIVES

Besides crediting the faculty for his academic success, Josh recalled a real-life lesson he learned in his upper school math class. “I remember my teacher, Mrs. [Phyllis] Wissner, always asking, ‘Ask me if I care?’ Now I know the answer,” he said.

When his tour of duty is complete, Josh and his wife, Samantha, who married a week before he left for Korea in March 2004, plan to move back into the area. “We’ve been traveling since I’ve been back from Iraq,” said Josh. “We’ve visited Garmisch, Switzerland, Paris, Nice, Ireland, Prague, and more.” Soon, Army Captain Joshua McKenna will be traveling home — bringing pride to his family, his alma mater, and his country.

PK: Compared and contrasted animal characteristics

6th: Planted pond apple trees at Torrey Pines

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Research Nourishes Neighborhoods

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

D r.

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Three blocks off Temple University’s campus stands a dilapidated supermarket, a wig emporium, Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits, and half a dozen shuttered shops. Although the nation’s oldest, Black-owned shopping center may look like an urban eyesore, Progress Place is about to undergo a major face-lift, resulting in a gleaming new grocery store – the setting for a landmark study spearheaded by TBS alumna Dr. Allison Kawecki Karpyn ‘94.

“It’s a natural experiment, the first of its kind in the country,” said Allison, the research and evaluation director for the Philadelphia-based, nonprofit, The Food Trust. She’s testing whether easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables improves a neighborhood’s sense of health and well-being.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University who went on to earn her doctorate in Policy Research Evaluation and Measurement at the University of Pennsylvania, Allison will be surveying area residents to compare their fruit and vegetable consumption soon after the fullystocked Fresh Grocer opens its doors. Right now, the only shopping alternatives are a handful of bodegas and corner stores where you can’t buy an apple, but you can wash down a bag of Cheetos with a 22ounce Coca-Cola Classic Slurpee.

Her trek through the community will be made easier by her affinity for physical fitness. She was on the track team, the swim team, and played volleyball and soccer during her 14 years at Benjamin, as well as being an extraordinary student academically.

’ 9 4 “Allison had an enthusiasm, independence, and maturity that spoke greatly about her potential,” recalled her upper school Spanish teacher, Sara Salivar. “She asked the thoughtful questions and was always prepared.”

“I will never forget Allison,” recalled Linda Twitchell, college counseling assistant, who for years has developed personal relationships with the students as they go through the college process. “I didn’t teach her anything, but she taught me a lot about humility. When it came time to choose a Pathfinder nominee in the Community Involvement category, the faculty was wondering whom to give it to – then a little bird came forth. Allison had not only countless hours of community service under her belt, but, being the wonderful Girl Scout that she was, had quietly helped establish a library at our local Girl Scout Camp Welaka in Tequesta.” Allison was selected the Pathfinder’s 1994 1st place award winner for Community Involvement in Palm Beach and Martin counties.

Right now, the only shopping alternatives are a handful of bodegas and corner stores where you can’t buy an apple, but you can wash down a bag of Cheetos with a 22-ounce Coca-Cola Classic Slurpee.

Her service to community continues today. “We want to help break the cycle and give people access to a healthy lifestyle when it comes to food choice,” said Allison, who also teaches graduate courses at Drexel University and is a member of the American Public Health Association, Society for Public Health Education, and the American Evaluation Association.

To learn more about Allison’s latest efforts, visit www.thefoodtrust.org.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Presented to the public a four-part lecture series delivered by specialists on the Everglades

4th: Studied South Florida water flow, usage, and drought concerns

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The Girl to Watch M o r e

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Varsity sports fans remember her as a key player on the Bucs basketball court. Reality TV buffs know her as a contestant in this season’s America’s Next Top Model. Either way, Whitney Cunningham has always been the girl to watch.

Her stint on Cycle 8 of host Tyra Banks’s brainchild, ANTM, has landed the class of 2003 alumna outside the realm of “normal” and catapulted her into a world of live TV interviews, frequent travel, and portfolio-building photo shoots.

The soon-to-be Dartmouth graduate took off this fall semester and headed to Los Angeles for a twoand-a-half month taping for the nationally-televised series. “This was a way to jump-start my career,” said the 22-year old Whitney, who lived with a dozen competitors on the hit reality show at a home in Beverly Hills. “The way I look at it, I was working for a whole month-and-a-half, around the clock. We were in front of the camera eight to nine hours a day.”

Yet it was her obvious intelligence that was regularly touted by judges as one of her best assets. “Not to sound boastful, but I was constantly complimented on my intelligence, told that I could do so many things, that the sky’s the limit,” said Whitney. “I always put my best foot forward.”

“She was a terrific student and leader here,” TBS Athletic Director Ron Ream said of Whitney who was also a top Benjamin athlete in basketball and track.

The school named her its Female Career Athlete of the Year her senior year. “Whitney’s dedication and perseverance made her a strong competitor and a winner both on and off the court,” said Coach Ream.

Although the aspiring model was the last of two so-called plus-sizers to get the boot this season, her attitude

EVERGLADES INITIATIVES

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

“There have always been thicker ethnic women shown in rap videos, and now those bodies can be legitimate.” remains remarkably optimistic. “People are starting to embrace the average to fuller-figured woman,” she said. “There have always been thicker ethnic women shown in rap videos, and now those bodies can be legitimate. It is better, and we are taking a step in the right direction.”

Her aim to educate and bring about change is already becoming reality.

“I’ve been getting e-mail after e-mail from young girls, boys, mothers, fathers – from kids who never thought about going to college before the show – like the high school kid down on his luck, who wasn’t going to go to college. His mom made him sit down and watch me. That changed his whole perspective. And now he’s going to work, so he can make money and go to college. Having that kind of impact is nothing I regret. It’s been an inspiration.”

Her enthusiasm and determination have also sparked Whitney to continue pursuing her dream in the modeling and entertainment industry. Encouraged by the quality portfolio she has already begun to build prior to ANTM, Whitney will return to New York City this summer to further her budding career. “I tried to go to Miami, but they were looking for stick-skinny Brazilian models there, and that’s not me,” she said. “I’m now searching for an agency and doing my own thing.”

Although Whitney considers her shot at the next top model spot as “the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” chances are, she’ll continue to affect change throughout her latest journey, leaving her admirers, especially hometown Buccaneer fans, with the thrill of once again, rooting for Whitney.

After all, she always has been the girl to watch.

6th: Read a class novel – A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith; viewed the film An Inconvenient Truth

1st: Presented music performance with vocal selections centered on the Everglades environment

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Record-setting field performance by Tartan running back Robert Gimson ’04 helps lead Carnegie Mellon to its first undefeated season in 10 years.

Eclipsing the 1,000-Yard Mark at Carnegie Mellon

by Lisa C. Koches and Curtis Gimson

R o b e r t

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When TBS alumnus Robert Gimson ‘04 donned Bucs football jersey #21, he was known for his aggressive running, determined spirit, and hard work in the classroom. At Carnegie Mellon University, Robert is sporting the same number and using those talents he gained at Benjamin to carve a place in CMU history.

This 5-foot 10-inch, 210 pound all-around junior running back ran for 1,059 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2006, becoming only the third back in CMU history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. Robert’s outstanding performance helped lead Carnegie Mellon to its first undefeated regular season (10-0) in 16 years, the University Athletic Association (UAA) championship, and a bid for the NCAA Division III play-offs.

Robert’s remarkable running skills have already placed him seventh on the career-CMU rushing list, and he’s not done yet. He has amassed a total of 1,636 yards and 17 touchdowns on 282 carries. At 5.8 yards per carry, his career average is the best in Tartans’ history.

The talented running back, a mechanical engineering major who maintains a 3.2 GPA, has been twice named Academic All-UAA, and this year earned a place on the All-District Academic First Team as selected by the Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Robert was also nominated for Academic

All-American, and selected as First Team All-University Athletic Association (UAA) for the second consecutive year.

“Carnegie Mellon is fortunate to have such a fine student and athlete in Robert Gimson,” said Tartans’ Head Coach Rich Lackner. “Robert’s work ethic on the football field is matched only by his work ethic in the classroom.”

“I love football and I wish I could play forever,” commented Robert, “but, obviously, the reason I am at Carnegie Mellon is for my education. School always comes first, and success off the field is extremely important to me.”

“Robert epitomizes what a Benjamin student is all about,” said Athletic Director Ron Ream and varsity football coach. “He kept his grades up, was a three-sport athlete in football, soccer, and track, and worked hard at everything he did.” The former TBS football captain now returns to the campus during the summer to work with young athletes as a volunteer in the youth football camp.

His proven ability to balance a tough academic schedule with grueling practices and football games reflects a focused perspective Robert’s determined to carry into his senior year. “I still have one more year of football, and I’m going to play every play like it’s my last. You just never know when that could be.” With the combined athletic and academic record he’s set so far, whatever lies ahead for Robert, appears to be nothing but a game winner.

He has amassed a total of 1,636 yards and 17 touchdowns on 282 carries.

At 5.8 yards per carry, his career average is the best in Tartans’ history.

4th: Journeyed on an imaginary trip to Everglades National Park

2nd: Examined A True Book, Everglades National Park by Wende Fazion

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Smiling Faces, Happy Places M e m o r i e s D r.

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Along with the miniature dental chairs and a pint-sized x-ray machine, hints of Jason Wanuck’s taste for all that is childlike are instantly recognizable throughout his pediatric dental office – kids’ video games, a children’s book corner, a collection of stuffed animals propped along the shelves, and the beginnings of a colorful fish mural soon to line the walls of his newly opened practice in Jupiter. “It’s about building trust with the kids, making them feel comfortable,” said the class of 1992 alumnus who recently returned to the Kehl Campus to talk with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders about proper dental care and keeping their teeth healthy.

“My interest in children’s dentistry came about when I did some parttime dental work with a group of kids here in Riviera Beach and fell in love with it,” Jason said. The University of Florida Dental School graduate who earned his undergraduate degree at Florida State headed back to college to earn his pediatric specialty at Nova Southeastern University/Miami Children’s Hospital.

“I’ve found my niche working with children,” said Jason who enjoys the family time he and his wife, Lara, spend with their 21/2-year-old son, Jack. “It’s all a blast – the playground, the birthday parties, and being with the kids.

Second grader Caroline Teare receives tips on keeping teeth healthy from pediatric dentist, Dr. Jason Wanuck ’92.

EVERGLADES INITIATIVES

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

“I have great childhood memories of growing up, especially my time at Benjamin,” Jason recalled. “We were all friends here and the teachers knew everybody,” said Jason, who

stopped in to say hello to a couple of his former lower school teachers during his guest speaker visit. “It was the first time I’ve been on campus in over 15 years, and it was amazing Mrs. Montini and Mrs. Hogan still remembered me,” he said of his former teachers.

“Coming back brought back the smell of fresh flowers and Mr. Fong [TBS caretaker] who greeted all of us with a handshake. Like everybody at Benjamin, he knew each of us by name.”

Jason also reminisced about his kindergarten class time with the school founder. “Mr. Benjamin loved to read with us,” he said.

“He made it exciting and we looked forward to that special part of the day. Afterward, at the end of the day, we’d lug our backpacks, band instruments, and sports gear and race with our friends down the big hill in front of the school.”

Clearly, school was a fun time for Jason – and, based on his childhood recollection, Benjamin was unmistakably a great place to be a kid.

“Coming back brought back the smell of fresh flowers and Mr. Fong who greeted all of us with a handshake.”

5th: Depicted habitats of the Everglades on painted canvas panels for a permanent campus art collection

3rd: Recreated the traditional masks of South Florida’s Native American Indians

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“When bad things were happening, I was either at practice or in the gym. I looked at it like maybe this is where I’m supposed to be.”

Adversity Drives University of North Carolina Star Forward

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

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At age 12 Erlana Larkins ‘04 was the youngest player on the Bucs varsity basketball team. Now the record-setting University of North Carolina sophomore forward is taking her maturity and vast knowledge of basketball and helping to school her rookie teammates.

“When I first started playing as a 7th grader, I didn’t know much and was at practice with kids three and four years older than me,” the class of 2004 alumnus recalled of her first year on the Bucs squad. “It was pretty tough.” But with some support and guidance, the 2007 Palm Beach County Amateur Athlete of the Year Finalist more than figured it out. The 6-foot-1 forward led Benjamin to four state championships and six trips to the Final Four. She also amassed a phenomenal list of record titles during her half-dozen years at Benjamin before heading to UNC – twotime Florida’s Miss Basketball, three-time FHSAA Player of the Year, McDonald’s All-American, Parade All-America First Team, and more.

Yet, off the court the young basketball star was having plenty of hard knocks – a couple of friends tragically killed and deaths in her own family.

“She dealt with it her own way and went out there and won the state title,” said her former TBS coach Mike Terry, now an assistant at the University of New Mexico. His wife, Ronnalee, helped Erlana both on and off the court. In addition to driving Erlana to and from school, the former Benjamin coach and teacher ate lunch with her young player and tutored her with her homework.

“Basketball helped a lot,” said Erlana. “When bad things were happening, I was either at practice or in the gym. I looked at it like maybe this is where I’m supposed to be. If it wasn’t for that, I’m not sure if I would be where I am today.”

That place is clearly center court as the Tar Heels top offensive player with the best field goal percentage and most offensive rebounds this season.

Erlana was named the team’s Overall Champion for receiving the most

4th: Conducted research reports on Everglades animals

cumulative points in all of the statistical categories in which totals are kept throughout the season. With an average of 13.8 points and 7.2 rebounds, she scored a career-high 29 points with 10 rebounds in the 2007 NCAA Tournament to give Carolina the win over Purdue and a trip to UNC’s second straight Final Four. Her current record includes All-ACC, All-ACC Tournament, AP All-American, and Final Four Tournament Honors, to name a few. “Erlana is so versatile and a lot of that is from her basketball knowledge,” said UNC Coach Sylvia Hatchell.

Her teammates consider Erlana one of their toughest teachers and most UNC forward Erlana Larkins ’04 grabs important emotional leaders. “I feel like a rebound during the Tar Heels’ everybody needs somebody,” she said. game against Duke at Carmichael “I had somebodies when I came to Auditorium in Chapel Hill.

UNC because they expected so much of me in that they felt they needed to be teachers.” Now Erlana does what she can to help her freshmen players, who refer to her as “Big Teddy Bear” because as one teammate remarked, “She may look hard on the outside, but she is very sensitive.”

“You have to stay strong,” said Erlana, who continues to do what she’s always done, playing through emotional pain, and now helping others to do the same.

3rd: Explored South Florida flora and fauna at Grassy Waters Preserve dip-net excursion

5th: Planted a xeriscape garden on campus comprised of native Florida plants

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What the School Meant to Me “Looking back on all of my educational experience, I believe I learned more in my five years at North Palm Beach Private School than in any other five years of my life.”

—Andrew Terhune ’68 on his 2nd through 6th grade education.

by Andrew Terhune (NPBPS ’68)

Editor’s Note: Andrew Terhune earned his MBA from Columbia University, and his BS in Engineering from Trinity College and is now the Director of Management Development for Toll Brothers, one of the 10 largest home builders in the country. The class of 1968 alumnus, a member of the school’s first graduating class, addressed members of the Leadership Society and supporters of the school at the annual appreciation dinner held in the fall at Abacoa Golf Club in Jupiter. The following are excerpts from his presentation.

ABOUT THE FACILITIES:

“The school was a different look back then. Even though it was just those five years I was there – and I went to other notable schools after my family moved – I can say there is no other school that I remember more, and more fondly, then North Palm Beach Private School. I remember walking in my first day and seeing just a few rows of classrooms – it was very little. I walked right into a class and

Joining Andrew Terhune (NPBPS ’68) on a tour of the Kehl Campus are (left) former classmate and TBS foreign language teacher, Lisa Kerste Arline, and school co-founder, Nancy Benjamin.

EVERGLADES INITIATIVES

PK: Explored Florida ecosystems and animal life through literature

5th: Studied traditional dress of Seminole Indian tribes

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Mrs. B. was there. It was a very sparse school. There were no big facilities that you see in many schools today, like where I live now in Philadelphia. There was none of that. We simply had classrooms. And we brought our lunch in lunch boxes and they had milk delivered to us every day.”

ABOUT THE EDUCATION:

“In spite of the spartan conditions, what we got was an education that I know was second to none. I know that because when I got to other schools, I was far ahead of other students I was in class with. I know I could have skipped a grade in all subjects at my other school.

It astounded me how much more I knew in all subjects – science, English, and French, especially. Another point I think was unusual, is that it wasn’t done with having students carrying lots of books home.

It was not an enormous amount of homework. The teaching went on right in the classroom. I didn’t really experience homework until 7th grade at another school. We had very intense work in school at North Palm Private.”

“Mrs. B. was my homeroom teacher for three years. I still haven’t forgotten the Carden method after all of these years. It is imprinted in my brain. I feel that I got a very good education in morality without being preachy. We were always taught the right thing to do. We heard it and we knew to listen. It was a school where it was important to know the difference between right and wrong.”

ABOUT THE SPORTS PROGRAM:

“Our sports facilities were, again, spartan. I didn’t feel I was deprived.

Our basketball practice field was a big hoop at the end of the parking lot. Mr. B. would be out there day after day, and turned us into a

“The school is not the location or the buildings. The school is the people and the philosophy that go with that.”

2nd: Studied maps of the Everglades extensions

Andrew Terhune (NPBPS ’68) addresses members of the TBS Leadership Society at the annual appreciation dinner.

basketball team. Our football field was that area right in front of the Lower School where everybody now pulls in. That was our practice area. I played there for three years. And guess who my coach was? It was Marshall Benjamin. On top of everything else he did at the school, he was our football coach. A few of the dads helped out, but he was the head coach – no if, ands, or buts. He was out there every Saturday when we were playing games. We came in second place, and that was against some pretty big schools, not only in size of the school, but the size of the players. It was due to Mr. B’s coaching. We had a pretty good team. We didn’t need a 100-yard field.”

ABOUT THE CO-FOUNDER MARSHALL BENJAMIN:

“It was November in 1963. We used to have lectures on Fridays and guys had to put on a jacket and look smart. Mr. B. came in early in the afternoon and said the president [John Kennedy] had been shot. And the lecture went on. Mr. B. came back in some time later and told us the president is dead. He said it with a gravity that was characteristic of him. It wasn’t artificial. It was very straightforward and to the point. He just let it sink in. He was very much a no-nonsense kind of guy. When he spoke, you listened. He didn’t need to go into a lot of elaboration.

He didn’t need to explain himself. The way he said it explained it. He was really an extraordinary gentleman.”

FINAL THOUGHTS:

“The school is not the location or the buildings. The school is the people and the philosophy that go with that. I will always have the memories I learned here and nothing will ever change that. The only regret I have, and I say that absolutely proudly and honored to be here today, is that Mr. Benjamin is not here today, and I don’t have a chance to be with him now or see Nancy and him together again.”

4th: Incorporated Everglades into exercises on grammar mechanics

8th: Created molar art depicting Everglades flora and fauna

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nicole fields ’20

faculty farewells 2007

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Sustaining Wisdom F a c u l t y

F a r e w e l l s

Those of you who command respect, you have to give respect.

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Enjoy the moment. Plan for the future, but don’t forget about the present.

– Chris Nordland

– Mike Thomas

You are who you pretend to be, so be careful of who you pretend to be. – Kurt Vonnegut.

– Perry Feyk

I hope you live to be as old as I am and be as happy as I am.

Integrity is what you do when no one is watching.

– Barbara Murphy

– Jay Rideout

Find something you are passionate about and share it.

– Ken Didsbury

In 25 different religions, it says treat people as you want to be treated.

– Trafton Foster

Live a fearless life, never give up and settle for less. Look into the mirror and be proud of what you’ve done.

– Nathalie Brouillac

Take care of your family, because they’ll be the only ones to always be there for you.

Spread sunshine. There are four things you need to remember – responsibility, consequence, love, and peace.

– Marisol Tejera-Mede

Share enthusiasm.

– David Spielberg

May the road always be well with you.

– John Boufford

Each of you is creative in your own way.

Stay creative.

– Lynne Feyk

To your own self be true. Don’t be who others want you to be. Be yourself.

– Jay Selvig

– Monica Sweeney

Take advantage of all opportunities.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

– Linda Willich

As you stretch in years to come, keep an open mind. Remember there are people in the world who need your help.

– Anita Spassoff

Be classic. Remember the number one skill you’ve learned is to listen.

– Phyllis Wissner

– Ryan Smith

Call your mom.

– Anita Buxe

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Class Agents Together from the Start They’ve been classmates together since pre-kindergarten and are all heading to Florida universities in the fall. Rajiv Asnani (University of Florida), Jonathan Corey (University of Central Florida), Lindsay Sachs (University of Florida), and Kirsten Schooley (Florida State University) have been part of every aspect of the Benjamin experience throughout their 14 years on campus – in academics, athletics, the arts, and community service.

As Class Agents for the class of 2007, the TBS grads will be helping to keep the school’s newest alumni connected. The Class Agent program is one of many projects and activities sponsored by the Alumni Association.

2007 Class Agents (left to right) Rajiv Asnani, Lindsay Sachs, Jonathan Corey, and Kirsten Schooley.

ryan silvester ’14

the

BUCCANEER

2007

VOLUME V

casey nicklaus ’15

logan myler ’16

jason thomas ’15

the beauty of sustainability 11000 Ellison Wilson Road North Palm Beach, Florida 33408-3108

The Benjamin School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.