The Benjamin School Buccaneer magazine 2012

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THE

BUCCANEER

2012

VOLUME X

INSIDE: Annual Report of Gifts

The Magazine of

FEATURED: TV and Video Production Studio Captures Life at Upper School

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THE BENJAMIN SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Front row (left to right): Georgia Heard O’Brien, Joseph W. O’Connor (Chairman), Lizet Guildford, Michael Bracci, Miriam Acosta-Castriz, Lynda L. Jacobs, Joseph J. Zaluski

Second row (left to right): Head of School Robert S. Goldberg (exofficio), Charles Barker (Treasurer), Alan J. Ciklin, Ellin Miller, Ray Graziotto, David G. Lambert

Back row (left to right): Thomas C. Frankel (Vice-Chair), Al Hoffman, Jr., Ray Celedinas, Kenneth F. Kahn, Daniel W. Stanton, John W. Appleby, Brian K. Waxman ’86, Mitch Davidson

Not pictured: Linda G. Reichel (Secretary), Sheila Waugh

2011-2012

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the buccaneer 2012

1 Lower/Middle School Campus Upper School Campus

11000 Ellison Wilson Road

4875 Grandiflora Road

North Palm Beach, Florida 33408

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418

561.472.5998

www.thebenjaminschool.org

In This Issue

THE BENJAMIN SCHOOL Robert S. Goldberg Head of School STAFF OF THE BUCCANEER Editor Kathy Aiello, Ed. D. Director of Publications and Communications Donna Minard Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Office

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From the Head of School

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Campus Features TV and Video Production Studio Captures Life at Upper School It Takes an Army to Launch Middle School Career Day No Place Like Home at the Lower School Story Cottage BPA Forging Generational Bond Through Grandest Friends’ Day Renowned Guest Speakers Foster Multicultural Awareness Alumnus Dedicates Breathtaking Performance To Benjamin With Love School Community Joins Hands with Be a Star Foundation

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Academic Accolades ASPA Names The Pharcyde America’s Most Outstanding Private School Newspaper Seniors Earn Pathfinder Scholarship Awards World Language Teams Earn Top Honors at State Competitions Odyssey of the Mind Regional Champions Advance to State Tournament National Honor Society Inducts New Members

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Faculty Spotlight Simple but Challenging Goals – a Symphony for Learning

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Time, Talent, Treasure BASH at the Beach Rides a Wave of Success

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Bucs Sports Highlights

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Alumni Focus Welcome Newest Alumni – Class of 2012 Alumni Council Honors Benjamin Teacher with Distinguished Alumnus Award Orange and Blue Couples Say, “I Do” Benjamin Grads Propel Innovative Careers in Arts and Entertainment Industry Alumni Class Notes

Contributors: Kathy Aiello, Gloria Boyd, Jessy Fulford Padon ’01, Rebecca Szmukler Seelig ’93, Rhonda Thomas, Andriana Zachariades Contributing Photographers Moya Photography Michael Price Photography Sabourin Real Moments Thompson Studios Photo Submissions Kathy Aiello, Jeff Johansen, Jessy Fulford Padon ’01, Erika Sousa, Rhonda Thomas

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From the Head of School Mr. Robert Goldberg’s Senior Commencement Remarks DELIVERED FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Good evening, and welcome to the class of 2012, parents, grandparents, family, friends and faculty. We have been invited here this evening to celebrate joyful times. Ever since Baccalaureate on Wednesday evening, I have been moved to high levels of appreciation of others in my life. I took my cues from the 103 seniors that evening who spoke with a sincerity and depth that marked their departure from childhood and their foray into adulthood.

As an educator in the 21st century, I, like so many of my colleagues here at Benjamin, are intrigued by the brain research now available to us as a tool to serve students better.

Neuroscience teaches us that the human brain takes its time developing into its full usefulness.

Given that the brain begins to develop in-utero from the back, and continues throughout childhood and young adulthood toward the front, the last region to develop is the prefrontal cortex. These frontal lobes are what make us human versus any other of God’s creatures.

The executive function comes from this region; that is, knowing how it feels to hurt someone else’s feelings or to predict the potential consequences of your actions. Did you ever ask your teenage son what he was thinking when he did something entirely irrational, like jumping off a roof or not submitting an assignment on which he worked diligently the night before? Well, the science-based answer to, “What were you thinking?” is actually that he was not thinking at all! It takes chronological maturity to develop executive functioning. Prior to that time, we all exist at the center of the universe, at our own pleasure, disregarding or misreading the importance of others in our lives.

Robert S. Goldberg

“Our path is always paved by those around us, and sometimes they are invisible or unknown to us.”

Robert Goldberg, Head of School

congratulations

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“Your children, our students, realized the incomparable value of the adults in their lives.”

Robert Goldberg, Head of School

Moya Photography

On Wednesday evening, if you were cognizant of it or not, we all witnessed the demonstration of frontal lobe development. Your children, our students, realized the incomparable value of the adults in their lives. Their expressed value for you, their parents, and for their teachers’ role in their success was articulate and, more importantly, genuine. They are ready to begin the journey outside of the nest. As adults, we are all more successful out there in the “jungle” when we employ our executive function. Our path is always paved by those around us, and sometimes they are invisible or unknown to us.

Such is the case for the individual whom it is my pleasure to introduce to you now. Joe O’Connor has worked tirelessly for the School since I have known him. Very much behind the curtain, he works for the benefit of all TBS constituencies. Joe is finishing his first year as a masterful Chairman of the Board of The Benjamin School, and I need you to understand that he is very much at the center of our school’s success and progress.

Before he approaches the pulpit to address you, I want to leave you with a quote from Voltaire: “Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”

Thank you, Joe O’Connor, for all that you have done for us this year. ■

Class of 2012

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TV and Video Production Studio

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

“You give us 15 minutes, and we’ll give you the latest news that affects you and The Benjamin School,” is the on-air pledge television anchors from BTV News Channel 3 broadcast to their upper school viewers at the top of their campus newscasts.

With the opening of fall classes, The Benjamin School unveiled its new state-of-the-art Television and Video Production Studio and new film and broadcasting program on the Upper School Campus. New classes in TV Studio & Field Production and Television Broadcasting & Journalism, taught by Director of Multimedia Productions Ken Archer are providing an in-depth look into life on the Upper School Campus, and so much more.

“This production studio is one of the most advanced facilities I have seen in all my years of television production,” remarked Archer, who joined the faculty this school year after spending more than 15 years in the television industry as a news anchor, news director, and executive producer, in addition to teaching film and designing video production curriculum.

The 1,663-square-foot, digital television production facility features four in-studio, high-definition cameras, a dozen editing stations, six highdefinition video cameras for fieldwork, live webcasting and switching equipment, industry standard post-production suites, and a graphics production package to create a virtual set design.

Ken Archer, Director of Multimedia Productions

“Students are learning everything from using a camera and shooting proper video, to writing scripts, creating graphics, editing video, and producing a live newscast,” explained Archer, who produced a documentary series on the nation’s veterans in 2005 that earned him an Emmy nomination and a prestigious Edward R. Murrow award. “Students are acquiring hands-on skills in producing news and also gaining experience in the technical and artistic components of producing cutting-edge video, both in the studio and in the field.”

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Captures Life at Upper School “This studio offers the opportunity for our students to have a true, preprofessional experience.”

Robert Goldberg, Head of School

broadcasting

Continued on page 6.

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TV and Video Production Studio Captures Life at Upper School

Continued from page 5.

For audiences of the recently produced newscasts aired in the division’s assemblies and also posted online on the School’s website, BTV N3WS is capturing an exciting and informative glimpse into life on the Upper School Campus.

newscasts

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“The skills students are obtaining will allow them to step right into a professional broadcast television studio and feel immediately at home.”

Ken Archer, Director of Multimedia Productions

“In this new era of the 21st century skill set, The Benjamin School recognizes its responsibility to prepare our students for a world of technology never known previously,” announced Head of School Robert Goldberg at the ceremonial ribbon-cutting event of the new facility. “This studio offers the opportunity for our students to have a true, preprofessional experience.”

“The skills students are obtaining will allow them to step right into a professional broadcast television studio and feel immediately at home,” added Archer.

“Most importantly, students are challenged to be creative, think critically, collaborate as a team, use productive time-management skills, and communicate effectively.”

For audiences of the recently produced newscasts aired in the division’s assemblies and also posted online on the School’s website, BTV N3WS is capturing an exciting

and informative glimpse into life on the Upper School Campus. Whether it’s a revealing feature about what students are doing to prepare for college, video coverage of a guest speaker on campus, an entertaining special interest segment, or the latest in Buccaneer athletics, the student broadcasters, script writers, editors, videographers, and producers are adeptly honoring their news anchors’ pledge with skillful finesse. “You give them 15 minutes, and they’ll give you the latest news that affects you and The Benjamin School!” ■

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It Takes an Army to Launch Middle School Career Day

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

Energized and equipped, students embarked upon their grade level assignments to put into practice specific workforce strategies developed in their middle school classrooms throughout the school year.

It takes a village to raise a child and an army of volunteers to launch Middle School Career Day at The Benjamin School. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders heard from accomplished individuals passionate about their life’s work, engaged in mock employment interviews with faculty and parent volunteers, and pitched their clubs’ business plans to school administrators and area business leaders at the division’s fourth annual event.

“There are 57 members of our local community here to teach and help you with today’s activities, in addition to your teachers and numerous parent volunteers,” announced Middle School Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Tina James, who welcomed the division’s professionally attired students assembled February 24 in the Barker Performing Arts Center.

An esteemed guest panel of keynote speakers addressed the student body to kick off Career Day 2012. All shared distinctive insights into their individual career paths and personal affection for their chosen fields of work.

One by one, the following six, distinguished presenters conveyed their dream jobs to the audience of middle schoolers: Dr. Laura Basile – neonatologist; Sister Sara Cannon – Catholic nun, counselor, and educator; Jonathan Corey ‘07 – international oil tanker broker; Kristi Mangan – children’s photographer and teacher; Dr. Andrew Moffitt ‘84 – physician; and George Poncy – film producer, screenwriter, and author.

“The estimable people assembled here this morning are all individuals who were unafraid to find the right vehicle for them, get in it, slam the door, and go hurtling down life’s road,

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An esteemed guest panel of keynote speakers addressed the student body to kickoff Career Day 2012.

advancing at full speed toward their dreams,” said Dr. James. “I hope by listening to them this morning, you, too, will remember to carry on fearlessly and bravely toward that which you wish to accomplish during your lifetime.”

(Left to right) Jonathon Corey ’07, Dr. Laura Basile, George Poncy, Kristi Mangan, and Dr. Andrew Moffitt ‘94

Energized and equipped, students embarked upon their grade level assignments to put into practice specific workforce strategies developed in their middle school classrooms throughout the school year.

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

The class of 2018 converged upon the gymnasium, where Junior Achievement professionals, faculty, and volunteers transformed the basketball court into Biztown – a simulated display of a variety of business storefronts, including a McDonald’s, a bank, an animal shelter, a radio station, city hall, and a grocery store.

There, sixth graders implemented the entrepreneurial skills acquired during their advisory group classroom study of an expanded Junior Achievement BizTown curriculum. Students entered Biztown ready to open their doors and perform their assigned business duties.

Seventh graders convened in campus classrooms to partake in real-life employment interviews with a team of guest interviewers. Armed with resumes and cover letters, each member of the class of 2017 engaged in the interview process drawing on methods and skills studied in their English classes.

Eighth graders mobilized resources acquired in their leadership course to present their group start-up clubs to the panel of judges assembled for the class of 2016’s culminating business plan competition.

“Since the start of the school year, a corps of eighth grade parents has been guiding students through major aspects of launching and managing a successful club business,” explained Dr. James.

Like any congenial workforce, the brigade of students, faculty, school administrators, and admired guests joined together to recap the day’s activities, while savoring a delicious spread of refreshments provided in the division’s patio areas by the Hospitality Committee. Head of Middle School Charles Hagy echoed the sentiments of the industrious troop to conclude the day’s events. “Our faculty, parents, and community volunteers have imparted hands-on knowledge and first-rate employability skills that will remain with our students forever,” he said.

For the Career Day undertaking, it was mission accomplished! ■

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“It is a magical place where our young readers come to explore new worlds through storytelling.”

Sherrie Hornaday, Librarian

No Place Like Home at the Lower School Story Cottage

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

It might be the sailing of a Buccaneer pirate ship, a Victorian garden in bloom, a cozy gingerbread kitchen, or a Polynesian island ocean wave. Each month, the Lower School Story Cottage is transformed into a land of imagination at The Benjamin Lower/Middle School Library.

“It is a magical place where our young readers come to explore new worlds through storytelling,” explained Librarian Sherrie Hornaday who captivates Pre-K through third graders during their weekly trip to the Story Cottage for their library story time reading. Outfitted in a handcrafted theme-based costume with an open volume in-hand, “Granny H,” as she is affectionately called, delivers a fascinating read to each of the curious classroom audiences from a treasured library book.

“The Story Cottage themes add tremendous excitement to the lower school reading incentive program.”

(Left to right) Librarians Susan Duncan and Sherrie Hornaday

Susan Duncan, Head Librarian, Lower/Middle School Campus

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“It is a labor of love,” said the campus’ Head Librarian, Susan Duncan, who assists Hornaday with the elaborate makeover of the library’s adjoining room for the School’s budding readers. “We use garage sale finds, fabric shop remnants, donated toys, and roadside discards to create our scenery for the Story Cottage,” added Hornaday, whose resourcefulness and ingenuity astonish all who step into the enchanting sets.

“The goal is to provide a rich incentive for students to use imagination as they enter a world of fiction.”

Sherrie Hornaday, Librarian

“The goal is to provide a rich incentive for students to use imagination as they enter a world of fiction,” explained Hornaday, who devotes thousands of hours each year to masterfully create the ever-changing Story Cottage.

“The Benjamin School was founded with the belief that a child who can read, can educate himself, and, therefore, can learn most anything.”

“The Story Cottage themes add tremendous excitement to the lower school reading incentive program,” remarked Duncan. “The amount of time students spend reading at home is logged each week and prominently displayed in the library to encourage participation. Competition is keen, and the winning class documenting the highest number of hours is awarded a party at the end of the school year.”

“Granny H” (Librarian Sherrie Hornaday) portrays a Buccaneer for a story time reading.

The two librarians have taken that premise beyond school walls to impart the novel reading incentive program to independent school educators throughout the state. “A Commitment to Reading” was the workshop topic the pair presented at this year’s Florida Council of Independent School’s annual convention.

“We shared the how-tos of developing a campus Story Cottage with fellow librarians and teachers,” said Duncan. In addition, Granny H (aka Captain Book) took her show on the road to The Gardens Mall last year as part of the School’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. There, Hornaday converted the mall’s Community Room and engaged area preschoolers with select readings from a favorite collection of children’s books.

“Cultivating a love of reading is at the heart of the Story Cottage,” said Hornaday. “It is so rewarding when older students return to the campus and tell us the Story Cottage is one of their fondest memories of Lower School.”

No matter the age, both young and not so young, there is no other place like it – at home, in the Lower School Story Cottage. ■

“Cultivating a love of reading is at the heart of the Story Cottage.”

Sherrie Hornaday, Librarian

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BPA Forging Generational Bond Through Grandest Friends’ Day

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

They are a family’s utmost treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, and the keepers of tradition who linger on in cherished memory. Indeed, it is grandparents who are the family’s greatest storytellers and the roots of its strong foundation.

The Lower/Middle School Campus was filled with excitement and celebration the week of March 26 as students welcomed their grandparents, relatives, and special friends to the 2012 Grandest Friends’ Day festivities spearheaded by the Benjamin Parents’ Association.

Lower and middle school students greeted their special guests on their designated Grandest Friends’ Day, coordinated by the BPA parent committee co-chaired by Jim Chesnes and President Cindy Doolittle.

The annual event kicked off with informal division tours and visits to classrooms, where students proudly shared samples of their coursework with their special friends.

co-founder, Nancy Benjamin, also joined the school community for the four-day campus celebration.

“Your grandchild or special friend is delighted you are sharing this day on our campus,” said Mr. Goldberg. “We are thrilled to have you here with us today and recognize how vital you are to our students. Our school is like a family and we thank our grandparents and special friends for being part of our unique Benjamin community.”

“Grandest Friends’ Day is another opportunity for our children and their grandparents and special friends to celebrate such a special bond,” added Mrs. Doolittle. “The BPA was proud to host this important campus event.”

It is, after all, the unconditional love of grandparents that sets them apart on Grandest Friends’ Day and always.

The distinctive visitors took pleasure in dining with students in the campus gymnasium and enjoyed a photo slideshow, student artwork, and vocal, instrumental, and dance selections presented by the divisions’ performing arts students. Head of School Robert Goldberg and Division Heads Robyn Quaid (Lower School)) and Charles Hagy (Middle School) extended warm greetings to the honored guests. School

BPA officers Cindy Doolittle and Jim Chesnes lead Grandest Friends’ Day festivities.

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“Our school is like a family and we thank our grandparents and special friends for being Your children, our students, realized the incomparable value of the adults in their lives. part of our unique Benjamin community.� Robert Goldberg, Head of School

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Renowned Guest Speakers Foster Within The Benjamin School Mission Statement are the words “...to provide a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body...,” and three prominent guest speakers brought their motivational messages to the student body in separate addresses presented throughout the 2011-2012 school year.

Geoffrey Canada

“It is our belief that a diverse school community broadens awareness and appreciation of the many ethnic, cultural, and religious values and traditions informing our world,” explained Director of Multicultural Affairs Brad Pazant. “Differences enrich and strengthen our community and the inspiration each of these accomplished individuals conveyed to our student body was another step forward toward realizing that goal.”

(Left to right) Robert Goldberg, Dirk Ziff, Geoffrey Canada, and Latta Baucom

Geoffrey Canada, founder of the Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ), and one of Time magazine’s “Most Influential People,” kicked off the annual Leadership Lecture Series on the Upper School Campus. “All children can succeed, regardless of race, wealth, or zip code,” Canada told the audience of freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The extraordinary innovator in educational reform who is featured in the documentary Waiting for Superman, shared insights into his personal life and professional career during his visit to campus. Benjamin parent, Dirk Ziff, served as moderator at the special morning program held January 19 in the Healey Athletic Complex gymnasium, as Canada, who grew up in an impoverished neighborhood in the Bronx, described his life story and personal philosophy on education.

“Luck played a part in my success and opportunity to go to college,” said Canada. “However, no child should have to depend on luck alone to succeed.” Instead, the career educator founded HCZ, which provides a cradle-to-career continuum of high-quality neighborhood schools and support services for disadvantaged children. “The Zone program combines educational, social, and medical services and is a national model for other communities to emulate,” explained Canada, who has received numerous humanitarian and public service awards for his work.

“I encourage each of you who will have the opportunity as future leaders of our great country to use your talents to make the world a better place for children less fortunate,” said Canada.

“It is our belief that a diverse school community broadens awareness and appreciation of the many ethnic, cultural, and religious values and traditions informing our world.”

Brad Pazant, Director of Multicultural Affairs

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Multicultural Awareness The Honorable Sheree Davis Cunningham The third annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Breakfast, with the theme Have We Achieved His Dream?, commenced at the Upper School Campus on January 13 with an impassioned keynote address

by The Honorable Sheree Davis Cunningham.

Judge Cunningham, who was appointed to the bench as a county court judge by Florida Governor Lawton Chiles in November 1993, challenged the audience of students, parents, faculty, school administrators, and community guests to help make a difference by “doing your part to bring about change.”

“We have made great strides, but we still have much to do,” said Cunningham, who was introduced to the audience assembled in the Healey Complex gymnasium by two of her children (Benjamin alumni Frank ‘11 and Kendall ‘09 Cunningham) in a surprise video tribute.

“Each of us needs to take action to help realize the dream set forth by Dr. King. We must honor, love, and respect him by picking up where Dr. King left off.”

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

Capt. Barrington Irving Capt. Barrington Irving, the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world and also the first person of African descent to accomplish such a feat, shared personal accounts from his record-setting flight with middle school students and third, fourth, and fifth graders during two special assemblies hosted during Black History Month. Irving is also the founder of the nonprofit Experience Aviation, Inc., whose mission is to promote aviation careers and inspire young people to identify and pursue their dreams through educational aviation programs.

Most famous for his solo circumnavigation of the planet at the age of 23, with only 600 hours of flying experience, Irving lifted off from Miami on March 23, 2007, in the aircraft he named Inspiration. “After stopping in various countries in Europe and Asia, I returned to Miami on the 27th of June to satisfy the dream I set forth to achieve,” said Irving. “With hard work and perseverance, you, too, can accomplish your dream. I encourage you to never give up no matter what detour you may be challenged with throughout your lifetime. It’s important to share your knowledge and experience so others can be inspired by both your failures and successes. If someone like me from humble beginnings can achieve his dream, I believe anyone can.” ■

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Alumnus Dedicates Breathtaking Performance To Benjamin With Love

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

Internationally acclaimed American tenor, John Matz ’96, took center stage at the Eissey Theatre and brought the spellbound audience of Benjamin supporters to its feet with his breathtaking operatic performance.

“To Benjamin With Love has allowed me to fulfill my dream of presenting a concert to benefit The Benjamin School’s fine arts program,” said the class of 1996 alumnus of the February 4 special performance. “It is a wonderful opportunity for me to use my God-given gift of singing to say thank you to my alma mater for the incredible education I received from this institution.”

“To Benjamin With Love has allowed me to fulfill my dream...” Alumnus John Matz ’96, Tenor

Since his upper school graduation, the 2011 recipient of the School’s Distinguished Alumnus Award has achieved one extraordinary success after another, earning a spot in the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the age of 21, followed by his debut at the Metropolitan Opera’s gala performance in New York City on his 23rd birthday under the baton of Maestro James Levine.

The Washington National Opera engaged Matz in 2002 to understudy the tenor lead of Samuel Barber’s Opera, Vanessa. Less than two weeks later, he made his auspicious debut opposite Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and took over the entire run of performances. The combination of his

electric

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The combination of his remarkable debut at the Kennedy Center, coupled with sizzling musical and dramatic electricity on stage, immediately signaled an exciting new tenor had emerged on the international operatic scene. remarkable debut at the Kennedy Center, coupled with sizzling musical and dramatic electricity on stage, immediately signaled an exciting new tenor had emerged on the international operatic scene.

Yes, singing has been a part of Matz’s life since day one. But it is his kindergarten teacher, Carolyn Montini, he credits as his first music teacher. “We are so proud of John who has definitely come a long way since singing in kindergarten class, performing in the A to Z Does It third-grade music program, and playing the role of Albert Peterson his senior year in the upper school production of Bye Bye Birdie,” said Mrs. Montini.

A singer in the upper school chorus and a 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound lineman on the Bucs varsity football team, Matz’s influence while on campus sparked a surge in chorus membership, expanding from five to 50 new singers in one semester. “John regularly left his teammates during pregame warm-ups to sing the national anthem at our home games, and then he would hop back on the field for the opening kickoff,” recalled Head Coach Ron Ream. “His talents on and off the field were an inspiration to everyone.”

Such inspiration and passion for his craft helped to fuel the invitation by Matz for Benjamin’s performing arts students to join Continued on page 49.

“John regularly left his teammates during pregame warm-ups to sing the national anthem at our home games...

His talents on and off the field were an inspiration to everyone.”

Ron Ream, Head Varsity Football Coach

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“Be a Star Foundation provides financial support for the Pediatric Oncology Support Team (POST) of the Parent-Child Center and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.”

Julie Healey, Founder – Be a Star Foundation

School Community Joins Hands with Be a Star Foundation

by Kathleen H. Aiello, Ed. D.

...The Benjamin School engaged in a variety of service activities during the school year to support Be a Star Foundation.

Benjamin parents, Julie and Richard Healey, founded the nonprofit foundation on behalf of their daughter, Daisy, a member of the seventhgrade class who was diagnosed with leukemia at age 4½ and is now cancer-free. The School designated the foundation as its partnering organization for the 2011-2012 school-wide community service project.

Daisy Healey

“Be a Star Foundation provides financial support for the Pediatric Oncology Support Team (POST) of the Parent-Child Center and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation,” explained Mrs. Healey.

▲

Student Services Counselor Kathy Bailey (left) joins students for the presentation of the lower school book drive collection to Be a Star Foundation Founder Julie Healey (right).

Offering encouragement to area children undergoing cancer treatments was a cause whose purpose rang close to home as The Benjamin School engaged in a variety of service activities during the school year to support Be a Star Foundation.

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“The POST team helps children with cancer and their families deal with the impact of diagnosis and treatment, and offers a range of free services to pediatric oncology patients.”

celebrated Article reprinted from the March 2, 2012, issue of The Pharcyde.

Junior Celebrates 10 Years Cancer-Free

By Hunter Toro, Editor-in-Chief

What started with frequent bruising, constant sleepiness, night sweats, and an inflated stomach ended in a life-changing diagnosis; Davis, who was only four at the time, had Leukemia.

To lend their support, lower, middle, and upper school students embarked upon their respective divisional service projects.

A weeklong lower school book drive commenced in March for young patients confined to hospital care. ”Some children can be in the hospital for months during their cancer treatments, and having a vast collection of books to read is such an enjoyment for them,” said Mrs. Healey.

“Our students also took the time and effort to compose a personalized message for the children in each of the 552 new books they contributed,” added Student Services Counselor Kathy Bailey.

Specifically, Davis had A.L.L, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a fast-growing cancer that kills the white blood cells.

“The doctor told us very point-blank, ‘Your daughter has leukemia.’ The very next day we started chemotherapy. Transitioning from not knowing anything at all to ‘oh you have cancer’ and next day chemotherapy was terrifying,” Davis said.

Kristen Davis

Middle School students also joined forces with their divisional project and welcomed cancer patients from Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center to a special assembly performance. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders took center stage in the Barker Performing Arts Center on March 26 and entertained the guest audience with select vocal, instrumental, and dance performances. Students additionally purchased and wore Be a Star Foundation T-shirts to convey unified support to the visiting children.

The bag seems ordinary enough. Inside lies a tiny cotton t-shirt, sized for a small child. It is decorated with children’s hands dipped in paint.

The shirt reads “The Little hands praying for Kristen.” Next to it, a cuddle-worn teddy bear, affectionately called “Beary,” and a seemingly normal spiral notebook. But inside, the book are meticulous notes, documenting things from gifts, to Kristen’s childhood doodles, to her reactions to chemotherapy. Pages of the notebook are dedicated to full verses of Scripture, copied in a delicate cursive.

Moreover, seventh graders from Maggie Ross’ and Charles Hagy’s advisory class hosted a Pizza Night on April 10 at the neighboring Big Apple Pizza, with proceeds earmarked for Be a Star Foundation.

As her ten-year, cancer-free anniversary approaches on March 7, these mementoes serve as a very real reminder to the Davis family of the trauma their daughter, junior Kristen Davis, suffered at a very young age.

community Continued on page 20.

19

At the beginning, Davis did not fully understand the implications of having cancer.

“I was so young. I didn’t really know what it was, I had never really even heard of it. So the doctors and my family telling me ‘you have cancer’ didn’t really mean anything to me. I just knew I was sick and was not happy about it.”

But soon enough, Davis would adjust to the hospital life, as she was to spend the next two and a half years living at the Joe DiMaggio Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, where she would receive her treatment. A port was placed on Davis’ chest to which the IV’s could be hooked up, so as to avoid constantly pricking her veins. Davis still sports the scar.

Her days consisted of doctor’s visits, spinal taps, CT scans, bone marrow biopsies, and 72 hour chemotherapy infusions. Ultimately, Davis would receive 130 weeks of chemotherapy.

Continued on page 49.

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School Community Joins Hands with Be a Star Foundation

Continued from page 19.

Students greeted restaurant patrons, processed counter and phone orders, tossed pizza dough, bussed tables, and washed dishes at the evening fundraiser.

Finally, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors rallied behind an upper school teddy bear drive in March for their division project. Junior Kristen Davis, who recently celebrated 10 years of being cancerfree, offered a personal request during upper school assembly to encourage student body participation, while The Pharcyde detailed her journey with leukemia from the age of 4 in a timely front page feature by Editor-in-Chief Hunter Toro (see accompanying article, “Junior Celebrates 10 Years Cancer-Free,” on page 19).

“Something as simple as the comfort and security found in having a stuffed bear really makes a difference,” said Davis, who even now cherishes her beloved stuffed “Beary,” a constant confidant during her illness.

Seventh-grade advisory group members, with faculty advisors Maggie Ross and Charles Hagy, contribute their Pizza Night proceeds to Be a Star Foundation.

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“Something as simple as the comfort and security found in having a stuffed bear really makes a difference.”

Kristen Davis ’13 Middle School students and Be a Star Foundation Founder Julie Healey display their support of the annual, school-wide community service project.

“Hunter’s retelling of Kristen’s experience describes a level of courage and perseverance that hopefully none of us will ever know personally,” said Assistant Head of School for Academics, Ken Didsbury, who also serves as faculty advisor to the award-winning newspaper, in his compelling appeal to the upper school student body. “But one of the great things about Benjamin, really its finest moment, occurs when we acknowledge the challenges that others experience, when we reach out to them and empathize, and when we come together as more than a school, when we come together as a caring community. Hopefully, Kristen’s experience with cancer is long over, but other children will face this horror, and little bears will provide comfort to them in time of need.”

“The purpose of community service participation not only positively impacts those with needs within the community, but teaches our students to think beyond themselves and to develop a concern for others and a commitment to serve society,” remarked Director of Students Services (Pre-K3-grade 8) Susan Poncy.

Clearly, joining hands with Be a Star Foundation in the year’s annual, school-wide service project, while offering encouragement to children with cancer, is guiding students toward that worthy goal. ■

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the buccaneer 2012 | academic Accolades

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Academic Accolades ASPA names The Pharcyde America’s Most Outstanding Private School Newspaper

The American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) named The Pharcyde the Most Outstanding Private/Parochial School Newspaper in America in its 2011-2012 Scholastic Newspaper Awards Program. The Horace Mann School’s student newspaper, Record, shares the national title with The Benjamin School upper school newspaper.

The ASPA scholastic contest reviews student newspapers in several award categories for the annual competition, including coverage and content, writing and editing, photography, art and graphics, and leadership.

Assistant Head of School for Academics, Ken Didsbury, serves as faculty advisor to the national, award-winning newspaper staff.

The Pharcyde Staff: Editorial Board: Hunter Toro (Editor-in-Chief), Laura Berry (Executive Editor), Ben Germano (Co-managing Editor), Lauren Bernick (Co-managing Editor), Meredith Berger (Copy Editor), Victoria Cribb (Multimedia Editor), Alana Dresner (Columnist), Sam Greenspan (Online Editor), Dean Sandquist (Sports Editor), Kelly Moran (Illustrator), Liam Fine (Photographer) Staff Writers: Tory Tiano, Emily Dunkel, Rachel Smith, Averill Healey, Jerrie James, Casey Pearce, Riley Burke, Ashlyn Sendler, Paige Sode, Juliette Mercadante, Ben Greenspan, Andy Weir

outstanding

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scholarship

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(Left to right) Head of Upper School Latta Baucom, Pathfinders Katie Murray and Christian Sendler, and Assistant Head of School for Academics Ken Didsbury

Seniors Earn Pathfinder Scholarship Awards The Pathfinder Scholarship Awards Program named class of 2012 members Christian Sendler, a second place winner in the History/Political Science category, and Katie Murray, a fourth place winner in the Art category, at the 29th annual Pathfinder Scholarship Awards ceremony held May 8 at the Kravis Center.

The Pathfinder Scholarship Awards, sponsored by The Palm Beach Post, are based on outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular activities, teacher recommendations, awards, and honors. Sendler, who will be attending Boston College in the fall, received a $2,000 scholarship award.

Murray, who will be headed to Savannah College of Art & Design, was the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship award.

The Benjamin School Pathfinder nominees (alphabetical): Meredith Anderson (Sports), Savannah Barkdull (Science), Erika Castriz (Academic Excellence), Jamie Corey (Community Involvement), Mallory Cotter (Drama), Daniel Ditaranto (Forensics/Speech), Jake Eisenberg (Computer Science), Sara Forrest (Mathematics), Cameron Kaplan (Business), Tess Rollins (Foreign Language), Gabrielle Tannenbaum (Literature), Hunter Toro (Communications)

Continued on page 24.

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Accademic Accolades

World Language Teams Earn Top Honors at State Competitions The Spanish Conferencia team and French Congrès team captured top honors at their respective annual world language state competitions held during March in Orlando.

The 16-member Conferencia team* of upper school Spanish language students finished in second place in the oral contest in Florida’s 3A category. Faculty members Montserrat Arpa

and Ivette Casiano serve as advisors to the Conferencia team.

The 18-member upper school Congrès team** also finished with high honors at the annual French language competition, earning third place at the state convention. World language teacher Anita Spassoff, the team’s faculty advisor, and senior Cameron Kaplan, served

as state presidents to the 2012 Congrès that marked its 60th anniversary of the French language oral competition.

“These accolades further illustrate the strength of our world language program,” said Mrs. Spassoff. “The Benjamin School offers students 15 years of a modern language, including French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese.” *TBS Conferencia Team (alphabetical – bottom photo): Riley Burke, Kayla Casasus, Nicholas Castriz, Ana García, Jamie Hagar, Averill Healey, Hannah LaBovick, Nataly Lambert, Alexandra Murray, Jeremiah O’Connor, Sean Ovelmen, Kyle Ruedisili, Lindsay Slavin, Jack Sory, Gabrielle Tannenbaum, Rudy Zindel **TBS Congrès Team (alphabetical – left photo): Angelica Bafitis, William Bafitis, Alexandra Bourlas, Katherine Davis, Caroline Downey, Stephen Fasul, Savannah Johnson, Cameron Kaplan, Morgan Kaplan, Claire Kearns, Alexa LaBarbiera, Oliver Levy (8th grader), Rebecca Lichtblau, Adrienne Propp, Tess Rollins, Blaire Slavin (8th grader), Lindsey Slavin, Shelbi Smolak, (Courtney Doran – scrapbook)

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honor society National Honor Society Inducts New Members Odyssey of the Mind Regional Champions Advance to State Tournament The middle school Odyssey of the Mind seven-member team captured the Palms Region Division II championship and advanced to the annual state tournament held April 14 at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Eighth-grade team members, Brenna Boyle, Caterina Breuer, Nike Hendi, Annelise Hillmann, Kate Sory, Katie Walsh, and Veronica Weiss, developed innovative solutions for the competition’s predefined problem, tested innovative solutions, and constructed the sets necessary to accompany their regional and state tournament performances. Middle School Department Chairs Kathleen Devine and Gabrielle St. Martin serve as faculty advisors to the Odyssey of the Mind team.

Members of the National Honor Society welcomed 34 new candidates at their fall and spring candlelight induction ceremonies. National Honor Society members are elected by the Faculty Council and satisfy the criteria for membership by demonstrating excellence in scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Upper School faculty member Anita Spassoff serves as NHS advisor to The Benjamin School Chapter.

Fall inductees: Seniors – Laura Barry, Robert Honig; Juniors – Jasmine Adams, Rachel Baucom, Colby Bradford, Randell Doane, Emily Dunkel, Ana Garcia, Rachel Harris, Nataly Lambert, Noah Presser, Lindsey Slavin, Shelbi Smolak, Brenna Tiano, Connor Tobin, Natasha Zachariades Spring inductees: Juniors – Lauren Bernick, Evander Biondi-Copeland, Peyton Cole, Hannah Gross, Jamie Hagar, Alexandra Kaye, Austin Rosenthal, Virginia Tadini, Jamie Wilkinson; Sophomores – Caroline Araskog, Riley Burke, George Donaldson, Morgan Kaplan, Hannah LaBovick, Jerry O’Connor, Casey Pearce, Tres Pimentel, Eric Rosen

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Faculty Spotlight Simple but Challenging Goals – a Symphony for Learning

by Ken Didsbury, Assistant Head of School for Academics

When I interview teacher candidates, one of the questions I frequently ask is “What do you teach?” For most candidates, this is a startling question because long before they have come for an interview, we have talked about the specifics of the job opening.

At that point, I usually draw a line on a sheet of paper with the word “student” at one end and the subject title at the other end. Then I ask them to point where on the continuum they fall. If they do not point to the end closer to the student than to the subject, then the interview has taken a turn for the worst.

Teaching students is the heart of our job, and on a regular basis in my meetings with faculty, I talk about the need to help our students become fearless, collaborative, independent, and self-directed learners.

Head of Middle School Chuck Hagy was the first person to call our attention to the importance of developing fearless learners. He said fearlessness is important because we often learn the most from the academic risks we take and the mistakes we overcome.

When asked what made them successful, most people attribute their accomplishments to one of four factors: luck, ability, help, and effort. The factor over which students have the most control is effort, and the level of effort is dependent on motivation. Unfortunately, many students are stymied when they encounter adversity and make mistakes. Thus, academic fearlessness is important if students are going to rise above those mistakes.

One of our jobs as teachers is to promote that fearlessness by creating what educational researcher Renate Caine calls a climate of “high challenge and low threat.” School should provide a relatively secure environment where failure is not fatal. Teachers should scaffold the

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learning

developments in business. First, management has embraced the need for bottom-up, not top-down leadership, involving shared authority and responsibility, not authoritarian control.

Second, the emerging globalization of work, as documented in Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat, has shown how success in business is increasingly the result of collaborative efforts by individuals who often do not work face-to-face, but remotely over an electronic interface.

instructional experience so that the next level of success should be just beyond their students’ immediate grasp and should require risk, effort, and patience to achieve. That next level should not be such an overwhelming reach that the student perceives that success is impossible. By scaffolding the level of challenge in assignments, we help students find success one step at a time so that progressively they gain confidence and take greater academic risks.

The need for collaboration has become increasingly important because of two

At Benjamin, we are exploring how to make collaborative projects a more meaningful and significant part of the curriculum. We try to teach our students that the best decisions are made when a diversity of talents come to bear on a problem, where people bring their unique talents and strengths to the task.

Teaching students to become independent learners is one of our greatest challenges, and yet, one of our most significant successes.

When our alums come back from college at the end of the first semester, they repeatedly tell us two things: first, they write better than most of their peers, and second, they have better study skills.

I can illustrate how we develop this independence with a personal story. In my expository writing class, which produces The Pharcyde, I usually work with students who enroll in the class for multiple years. Using a writing conference method to teach my students, I have them come to my desk several times before we go to press. I will mark up their stories in detail and show the students what mistakes they have made without telling them specifically how to correct the errors.

One day, a sophomore girl came to my desk clearly frustrated by all the marginal comments I had put on her paper. She in effect said, “How am I ever going to learn all of this, there is so much to learn?”

I responded by saying, “You are going to be fine. Gradually, you will see a pattern to your mistakes and you will look for them and correct them before you submit the drafts.”

Over time, she did improve, but her confidence did not grow as readily. Once during her junior year she asked me in frustration, “How am I going to ever remember all of this when I go to college?”

Continued on page 51.

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Time, Talent, Treasure

(Left to right) BASH Co-chairs Bob and Robin Martin, Honorary Chairs Kim and Ray Celedinas, and BASH Co-chairs Sara and Geoffrey Peckham

BASH at the Beach Rides a Wave of Success The 2012 BASH Gala was a spectacular sellout event, with more than 380 guests enjoying a fabulous evening at The Breakers Palm Beach at the annual Benjamin School fundraiser. BASH at the Beach, co-chaired by Robin and Bob Martin, and Sara and Geoffrey Peckham, was a huge success, netting over $820,000 to be used to support school programs.

Kim and Ray Celedinas served as honorary chairs.

The 28th edition of BASH, celebrated Friday, April 13, was supported by many generous sponsors, including Kim and Ray Celedinas, the Cline Family, Ambassador Al and Dawn Hoffman, and Northern Trust Bank, among others.

Sandy and Joe O’Connor

Dawn and Al Hoffman

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Bucs Sports Highlights FHSAA Academic All-State Team Taylor Cogsil

Julian Reynolds Career Athletes – 2012 Meredith Anderson, Trenton Saunders Trenton Saunders

Meredith Anderson and Taylor Cogsil

SFWLUA Frank Rathke Sportsmanship Award Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Team

FHSAA State Championship Qualifiers Girls’ Varsity Cross Country Team

FHSAA State Championship Individual Qualifiers Girls’ Tennis: Alexandra Sexton, Shelbi Smolak Girls’ Track & Field: Jeanelle Ackerman, Ariel Adams, Meredith Anderson, Katherine Atterbury, Riley Burke, Taylor Cogsil, Ana Garcia, Rachel Harris Boys’ Track & Field: Ben Horowitz, Trenton Saunders Girls’ Cross Country: Meredith Anderson, Taylor Cogsil, Ana Garcia, Rachel Harris, Nataly Lambert, Jen Nestler, Clara Parker, Ashley Reback Boys’ Cross Country: Austin Matese, Dane Mauger Girls’ Golf: Caroline Araskog Boys’ Golf: Clancy Waugh Boys’ Diving: Anthony Mercadante

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champs

Senior Class Athletes Advance to Collegiate Sports Alexander Alevizos . . . Baseball . . . . . . . . Babson College Meredith Anderson . . Track. . . . . . . . . . . Wake Forest University Robert Dattolo . . . . . . Lacrosse. . . . . . . . Rutgers University Anna Dwyer . . . . . . . . Volleyball . . . . . . . Villanova University Nick Gardner . . . . . . . Lacrosse. . . . . . . . Florida Institute of Technlogy John Hardin . . . . . . . . Football . . . . . . . . Johns Hopkins University Tom Jervis . . . . . . . . . . Baseball . . . . . . . . Jacksonville University Will Kemp . . . . . . . . . . Lacrosse. . . . . . . . Norwich University Lauren Lafleur . . . . . . Cheerleading. . . . University of South Florida Joey Raso . . . . . . . . . . Football (sprint) . University of Pennsylvania

National Contenders The Bucs competitive cheering squad finished 10th in the nation in the medium varsity non-tumbling division at the 2012 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship.

Boomer Rinker . . . . . . Golf . . . . . . . . . . . Campbell University Trenton Saunders . . . . Football . . . . . . . . Florida International University Jonathan Taylor . . . . . Baseball . . . . . . . University of Tampa Nick Theofilos . . . . . . . Football . . . . . . . . Oberlin College Brooke Visoski . . . . . . Volleyball . . . . . . . Millsaps College Evan Wesselman. . . . . Lacrosse. . . . . . . . Fairfield University

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the buccaneer 2012 | alumni FOCUS

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Welcome Alumni Focus Newest Alumni

Jeanelle Ackerman

Ariel Adams

Blake Agresti

Alexander Alevizos

Alexa Altman

Meredith Anderson

Benjamin Appleby

Savannah Barkdull

Laura Barry

Alexandra Bartone

Christian Berger

Meredith Berger

Chloe Bieber

Erika Castriz

Payton Celedinas

Boston College

Wake Forest University

Georgetown University

University of Miami

Wake Forest University

University of Virginia

Rollins College

University of Virginia

University of Alabama

Babson College

University of Florida

Washington University in St. Louis

Rollins College

Stonehill College

University of Notre Dame

Class of 2012

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Class of 2012

Christopher Cline

Taylor Cogsil

Nicole Connaughton

Alexandra Connors

Jamie Corey

Mallory Cotter

Cali Cramer

Victoria Cribb

Bridget Crosby

Robert Dattolo

Mary Katherine Davis

Daniel Ditaranto

Heather Doan

Jorge Dominicis

Margaret Downey

Clemson University

Boston College

New York University

Yale University

University of Florida

University of Florida

College of Charleston

University of Central Flroida

Southern Methodist University

Villanova University

University of Georgia

University of Miami

University of Central Florida

Rutgers University

University of Florida

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Welcome Newest Alumni

Alana Dresner

Anna Dwyer

Jacob Eisenberg

Kaitlyn Elliott

Sara Forrest

Wesley Franklin

Nicholas Gardner

Gabrielle Gaudet

Daniel Gillman

Moe Gola

Benjamin Gross

Alexandra Guildford

Samantha Hagar

John Hardin

Robert Honig

Washington University in St. Louis

Tallahassee Community College

Dickinson College

Villanova University

Florida Institute of Technology

Southern Methodist University

Michigan State University

University of Alabama

Boston College

University of Alabama

West Virginia University

Johns Hopkins University

University of Virginia

Florida State University

University of Florida

Class of 2012

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Class of 2012

Kyra Huertas

Thomas Jervis

Cameron Kaplan

Andrew Katzenberg

William Kemp

Lauren Lafleur

Justin Linder

Kristian Lloret

Holly Long

Linda Long

Anne Loppert

Luke Mauger

Trevor McAlees

Megan McCraney

Roberto Mendoza

Wellesley College

University of South Florida

Emerson College

Jacksonville University

Indiana University

College of Charleston

Duke University

Valencia College

Florida Gulf Coast University

Syracuse University

Palm Beach Atlantic University

University of Alabama

Norwich University

Roanoke College

University of Central Florida

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Welcome Newest Alumni

Felix Metz

Michael Milbauer

Hayley Miller

Katherine Murray

Jennifer Nestler

Ryan O’Hare

Malena Ohl

Clara Parker

Austin Paulos

Austin Pepper

Joseph Raso

Hattie Reedy

Courtney Reynolds

Marshall Rinker

Andrew Roche

Studying in Germany

Clemson University

University of Pennsylvania

University of South Carolina

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

University of Alabama

University of Miami

College of Charleston

Texas Christian University

Savannah College of Art & Design

Palm Beach State College

Campbell University

University of Georgia

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Texas, Austin

Class of 2012

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Class of 2012

Tess Rollins

Lawrence Rooney

Mary Rooney

Rachel Rosen

Andrew Rueckert

Trenton Saunders

Nicholas Scarmazzo

Stuart Schar

Sydney Schor

William Selfridge

Richard Selz

Christian Sendler

Benjamin Slavin

Scott Slawson

Lyle Swift

Davidson College

Florida International University

Campbell University

Villanova University

Tallahassee Community College

Boston College

Savannah College of Art & Design

Elon University

University of Miami

University of Miami

Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University

Tallahassee Community College

Wake Forest University

University of Alabama

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Class of 2012

Gabrielle Tannenbaum

Jonathan Taylor

Nicholas Theofilos

Salvatore Tiano

Hunter Toro

Brooke Visoski

Alexandra Vorder Bruegge

Morgan Welton

Evan Wesselman

Emily Whelan

Alexis Wilson

Spencer Zeiger

Mariana Zindel

Vassar College

Millsaps College

University of Alabama

University of Tampa

Providence College

Clemson University

Oberlin College

Florida Atlantic University

Dartmouth College

Fairfield University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Colorado at Boulder

Duke University

Class of 2012

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bravo 39

Alumni Council Honors Benjamin Teacher with Distinguished Alumnus Award “Joie de vivre,” literally the French translation for “joy of living,” embodies the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Madame Lisa Kerste Arline (NPBPS ’68), a graduate of the first sixth-grade class of North Palm Beach

Private School, where the alumna’s schooling began as a kindergartener in 1961.

School co-founder Nancy Benjamin (left) congratulates Distinguished Alumnus Lisa Arline (NPBPS ’68)

(Left to right) Alumni Council President Jason Pierman ’96, Lisa Arline (NPBPS ’68), and French teacher Anita Spassoff

Alumni Council President Jason Pierman ‘96 joined the class of 2012, school administrators,

teachers, alumni, and special guests in honoring The Benjamin School faculty member at the annual alumni luncheon held May 24 in the Healey Athletic Complex gymnasium.

“This award, presented by the Alumni Council, recognizes the exceptional achievement and significant contribution Mrs. Arline has made to her profession, the community, and the school,” said Pierman of the 34-year lower school French teacher who delivered a heartfelt address to guests at the luncheon ceremony.

“As an exemplary alumnus, we present you with this award and thank you for the major impact you continue to make to our alma mater by devoting your time, talent, and treasure.” ■

The Benjamin School Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipients 2012 – Lisa Kerste Arline (NPBPS ’68) 2011 – John Matz ‘96 2010 – Major Brad Flournoy ‘91 2009 – Dr. Andrew Larson ‘91

(Left to right) Brian Patterson ’02, Jessy Fulford Padon ’01, Chelsea Albertz Lasater ’04, and Kristen Desmond LeFevre ’93

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Orange and Blue Couples Say, “I Do”

B

man ‘95 Jack Bur ller Burman ‘97 u Kim Biem iter, Fla. p Ju : e Resid 005 2 : d ie ade (6) Marr arper Re H : n re d Chil

Freddy Chesney ‘95 Kelly Bobo Chesney ‘97 Reside: Palm City, Fla. Married: 2006 Children: Trey (4), Kameron (1)

‘02 Mike Bustamante stamante ‘02 Bu ta et rr To Heather n, Conn.

Reside: New Have Married: 2010 g freshman year We started datin e ing dance, but w at the homecom us of er e neith broke up becaus t back together go e W ! could drive ar and have our sophomore ye en, ce th been together sin e, long-distance maintaining a tru ss two different relationship acro d continents. colleges, cities, an

I E R O E M M S

Our Family

Brad Henry ‘96 Ashley Craft Hen ry ‘97 Reside: Palm Beac h Gardens, Fla. Married: 2005 Children: Will (4), Carolina (2), Wal ker (1) Despite being in different grades, we always knew each other durin g our 14 years at TBS, an teachers, including Mr. Benjamin, who d the same places in our hear held special ts. After college, we reconnected an LS AT review cla at ss and, subseque ntly, were both accepted to UF La w School.

2005

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Many alumni couples have tied the knot since graduating from The Benjamin School, including these 13 couples who share their first encounters that trace back to their beloved alma mater.

Andy Larson ‘91 ‘94 Ivy Ingram Larson h Reside: Palm Beac .

Fla , ns Garde Married: 2000 1) Children: Blake (1 th I (Ivy) was in eigh the to w ne d grade an was my school and Andy ould math tutor. We w 15 spend about 10 or h ug ro minutes flying th e th d an my homework g. tin at ch e rest of the tim of t ou n We never ra t and things to talk abou w. no at th it’s still like

Brett Massa ‘98 Michelle Carrillo Massa ‘97 Reside: Gainesville, Fla. Married: 2011 Children: Sebastian (1 month) We spent a lot of time with each other in high school while dating each other’s best friends who set us up a few years later in New York City where I (Brett) was living and Michelle was visiting her sister.

J.C. McG a Amanda nn ’97 L Reside: P ewis McGann ‘0 alm Bea 1 ch Gardens , Fla. Married :2 Children 011 : Jack (6 months)

life after benjamin...

Continued on page 42.

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Orange and Blue Couples Say, “I Do”

Continued from page 41.

6 Jason Pierman ‘9 Pierman ‘97 r ne ar Amanda W h Gardens, Fla. Reside: Palm Beac Married: 2001 R.J. (4) Children: Ella (8), e manda) toured th We met when I (A where Jason was class school in an art of an ing silk painting az am creating an e to say He kept asking m Indian campsite. cent. in my English ac “happy birthday” s math e for help with hi Later, he asked m ’t dn di lls me now he e homework and te m co to t just wanted e. need the help, bu m to lk tables and ta over to the picnic

L

O

V

E

Brian Rooney ’91 Tiffany Beach Rooney ‘93 Reside: Canton, Mich.

Married: 2003 Children: Silas (6), Eleanor (5), Blaise (3)

We met on the football field when I (Tiffany) was in fifth grade and Brian was in seventh grade. We now live in Michigan with our three children.

Michael Shoemaker ‘80 Patti Knippel Shoemaker ‘80 Reside: Easley, S.C. Married: 1983 Children: Nicholas (19) I (Patti) remember meeting Michael in Mr. Barnhart’s government class. We were just friends, but fell hopelessly in love on our senior class cruise to the Bahamas, and will celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary in October.

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Mac Warren ‘02 Ashley Taylor W arren ‘00 Reside: Jupiter, Fla .

Married: 2011 We connected 10 years after high school at a local favorite and wer e introduced thro ugh mutual Benjamin friends .

Bradley Simons ‘95 Allison Jabali Simons ‘97 Reside: Jupiter, Fla. Married: 2005 Children: Kate (5), William (6 months) The Jabali and Simons families were quick friends at The Benjamin School. Brad and Ryan ‘01 credit their middle brother, Sean ‘99 (the only one not married to a Jabali girl) with bringing their families together. Brad admits he was immediately drawn to Allison’s good looks.

2008

Ryan Simons ‘01 ons ‘99 Angela Jabali Sim Pa. h, rg Reside: Pittsbu 08 Married: 20 ad ‘95 reconnected at Br Ryan and Angela its m ad an wedding. Ry n and Allison’s ‘97 he w la ge An crush on he secretly had a a d an er cond grad he was a little se ay rade girl would pl -g th beautiful four with his hair.

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Alumni Focus

Bucs Sports Highlights

Continued from page 37.

Benjamin Grads Propel Innovative Careers in Arts and Entertainment Industry

Scott Arnold ’88 Profession: Design Manager, FUNA – global entertainment technology design and integration company primarily for cruise ship entertainment systems, super yachts, and land-based projects Co-founder: ShowSys (acquired by FUNA) – leading design consultancy for advanced control and media systems to the themed entertainment, gaming, and super yacht markets; clients include Busch Entertainment, Universal Studios, Six Flags, Warner International Location: West Palm Beach, Fla. (FUNA maintains 14 offices in 10 countries) ▲

Up-close Look: Creates, designs, and manages entertainment vision with advanced control, audio, and video system distribution

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“In computer class and the lab (at Benjamin), I had the opportunity to teach myself how to do animated graphics in DeluxePaint.”

James Baker ’93

Memorable Projects: Believe Shamu Show in the three SeaWorld parks; simulators at the Empire State Building; welcome center and viewing deck at Rockefeller Center; entertainment systems for several cruise ships and Las Vegas casinos Current Projects: I am currently working in China on the 963-acre Shanghai Disney resort. I’m also involved with a roller coaster being built at Busch Gardens Williamsburg that has the feel of a traditional, outdoor roller coaster and themed elements of an interior dark ride, with some exciting special experiences. Another project I’m involved with is the entertainment systems for a 149.5-meter super yacht being built in Germany. The vessel’s two helicopter pads will convert to disco/movie viewing areas, a suite near the waterline where the wall hinges down at the push of a button to create a bathing deck to the sea, and a pool where the floor can raise to deck level to create a dance floor.

Benjamin Influence on Your Career Path: I was involved in drama club on the technical side and I was working with computers. Those interests persisted in college (University of South Florida) where I studied both computer science engineering and technical theater. At Benjamin, the exposure to literature, the seeming incessant creative writing assignments, the sciences such as physics and chemistry, and for me, geometry, all proved to be a foundation for skills that have carried me through my everyday, professional life.

Unforgettable Moment at Benjamin: The key memories of Benjamin are all about the people; especially my teachers and friends. ■

“At Benjamin, the exposure to literature, the seeming incessant creative writing assignments, the sciences... all proved to be a foundation for skills that have carried me through my everyday, professional life.”

James Baker ’93 Profession: Interactive Advertising Creative Director; WDDG, President/Owner Founder: Funtank (acquired by Publishers Clearing House) – develops games for many platforms and runs Candystand.com, one of the largest online game sites Location: New York, N.Y. Up-close Look: Creates interactive design, programming, and game development for the online marketplace using Flash and other technologies; clients include Duncan Hines, The Electric Company, Marc Ecko, UbiWorld, Daisy Marc Jacobs Advertising Awards: Gold Cannes Lion, Gold Clio, Gold Effie, Webby, ANDY, EMMY Memorable Project: For Altoids, we choreographed and directed a full interactive sideshow using the actual performers from the Coney Island Carnival. There aren’t many brands that will let you get away with that! It was enjoyable to experience the brand’s support in pushing the envelope creatively and technologically.

Benjamin Influence on Your Career Path: In computer class and the lab (at Benjamin), I had the opportunity to teach myself how to do animated graphics in DeluxePaint. Back then, the program ran on the one computer that actually displayed color. My computer teacher, Mr. Salehi, would let me spend all my time in the lab animating and designing. (Baker went on to earn a degree in computer programming at Florida State University.)

Unforgettable Moment at Benjamin: I have favorite memories playing on Coach Harbeck’s golf team that made it to the state championship more than once. ■

entertainment Scott Arnold ’88

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Alumni Class Notes The Benjamin School Alumni Events 2011-2012 W.O.W. – LEGACY FAMILY BREAKFAST

PINK OUT

TALLAHASSEE ALUMNI RECEPTION

September 2, 2011 The Benjamin School

October 14, 2011 The Benjamin School

October 21, 2011 Po’ Boys, Downtown Tallahassee, Florida

CLASS OF 2001 10-YEAR REUNION

ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

November 5, 2011 Downtown at the Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

December 23, 2011 Rooney’s Public House, Jupiter, Florida

GAINESVILLE ALUMNI RECEPTION

OCEANA COFFEE SOCIAL

NEW YORK CITY ALUMNI RECEPTION

March 30, 2012, Cantina 101, Gainesville, Florida

May 10, 2012, Oceana Coffee, Tequesta, Florida

May 11, 2012, Tribeca Tap House, New York, New York

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CLASS OF 1988 HOMECOMING

October 28, 2011, The Benjamin School

ODDS VS. EVENS BASKETBALL GAME

December 26, 2011, The Benjamin School

Kristin M. Ahr, a member of the Florida Bar for over 15 years, joined Schwarzberg & Associates in 2011.

Kristin is an experienced litigator in a variety of legal matters and was recently appointed to the Code & Rules of Evidence Committee (CREC) by the president of the Florida Bar. Mark Swift, a motion picture screenwriter, will soon be directing the latest horror film he wrote for Paramount Pictures. He is also the executive producer for the family film, Shakey, coming to theaters and Video on Demand this summer.

CLASS OF 1992

Genie Miner Smith and her husband, Charles, welcomed Grayson Bishop on April 17, 2012. Their older daughter, Shelby, is a student at TBS. CLASS OF 1993

ALUMNI LUNCHEON

May 24, 2012 The Benjamin School

Peter Katona has been cast in the upcoming TBS Network show, The Wedding Band, and has also performed in numerous national commercials for Apple, Chevrolet, Honda, Gillette, Dannon, and Old Navy. Peter has also co-founded AdvoCoach (www.advocoach.net), a theatrical training coaching firm for trial attorneys.

CLASS OF 1994

Kathryn Mackey Dillon and her husband, Patrick, welcomed Tenley Diane Dillon on March 6, 2012.

She joins big brothers Cole (7), Luke (5), and Beau (1).

Cherie Tarek Fromson and her husband, Abe, welcomed their daughter, Emery, who joins big sister, Mia, a student at TBS. CLASS OF 1995

Cyrus K. Toufanian is now Board Certified in criminal trial law and was elected secretary of the Palm Beach Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. For further information, visit www.cktlaw.com.

CLASS OF 1996

Steve Yackira and his wife, Farin, welcomed their daughter, Ivy Josephine Yackira, on June 1, 2011.

CLASS OF 1997

Meredith Ahr, Senior Vice President of Alternative Programming & Development for NBC and Universal Television, was a key player in the acquisition, development, and day-to-day management of The Voice, the No. 1, new entertainment program of the 2010-2011 season. She also developed and managed the hit series America’s Got Talent, The Celebrity Apprentice, and Who Do You Think You Are?

Continued on page 48.

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Alumni Class Notes

Continued from page 47.

Jeanmarie Burigo Connor recently moved back to Florida and is practicing pediatrics in Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter at Children’s Physicians. Jeanmarie is pictured with her husband, Mike, their son, Chase (4) who is a student at TBS, and daughter, Caroline (2).

CLASS OF 1998

Erin Fulford Gonzalez resides in Jupiter, Fla., with her husband, Mario, daughter, Livy (2), and rescue dogs, Ollie and Shiner.

Erin works part time for an advertising agency.

CLASS OF 1999

Louise Trufelli Waterfield, her husband, Travis, and their son, Xavier (2), welcomed Xander Raven into the family on February 23, 2012. Louise enjoys her time as a stay-athome mom and is also an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University and a private tutor.

Jeanine Craner Norlin married John Norlin in July 2011. She is pictured with TBS alumnae Angela Jabali Simons ’99, Kristina Gostic ’99, Jessy Fulford Padon ’01, and Allison Jabali Simons ’96.

Graig Mansfield earned his MBA with a concentration in corporate finance from Virginia Tech in May. Graig is a financial associate at the National Academies of Science in downtown Washington, D.C. CLASS OF 2001

Paige Maltby Bollenbacher and her husband, Donald, welcomed their daughter, Mallory Post, on July 15, 2011.

Jessy Fulford Padon and her husband, Brent, welcomed their daughter, Hazel Grace, on July 20, 2011.

CLASS OF 2000

Alumni classmates Cara Scarola Hansen, Jeanmarie Burigo Connor, Adrian Silversmith, Josh Schwartzburg, and Louise Trufelli Waterfield celebrate over the holidays with their families.

The duo known as Sleigh Bells, songwriter and guitarist, Derek Miller, and vocalist, Alexis Krauss, performed on Saturday Night Live in February to promote the release of their latest album, Reign of Terror.

CLASS OF 2002

Whitney Cunningham, marketing manager at The Blue Flame Agency in New York City, recently collaborated with Willie C. Bentley ’00, resource development chair for the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem.

Shannon “Clancy” Weller married Alexander James MacDonald on April 14, 2012, at the Harbour Lodge in Hope Town, Abaco, Bahamas.

CLASS OF 2005

Ashton Kunkle is working for former Congressman and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Benjamin A. Gilman, at his lobbying firm, the Gilman Group, while earning a master’s degree in U.S. foreign policy and national security at the Catholic University of America.

CLASS OF 2007

Jenna Smith graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in commercial recreation and tourism and a minor in public relations. Jenna resides in Palm Beach Gardens and has opened her own business, Your Sparkling Event, LLC (www.yoursparklingevent.com), which specializes in weddings and special events in South Florida and North Carolina.

MARY GREENMAN

moving on...

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Continuations

Alumnus Dedicates Breathtaking Performance To Benjamin With Love Continued from page 17.

him on stage at the evening concert. “It was a thrill for our students to rehearse and perform with someone of John’s caliber and exceptional talent,” said Upper School Performing Arts Chair Sara Salivar.

Not only did Matz’s electrifying solo concert, accompanied by guest pianist Gay Dedo, entertain the School’s students, parents, alumni, faculty, and guests, To Benjamin With Love additionally showcased the upper school dance team and chorus, guitarist Max Seiss ’13, vocalists Claire Kearns ’13, and Trustee Lynda Jacobs, as well as Matz’s sisters, Audrey Schofield and Allyson Shea, and his niece,

Beatriz Sentgeorge, who performed alongside the award-winning opera singer.

Junior Celebrates 10 Years Cancer-Free

Named one of “America’s Top 50 Bachelors” by People magazine in 2002, Matz has shared the stage at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris with Plácido Domingo, performing with fellow 2003 winners of Domingo’s respected Operalia competition.

The nationally televised CBS news magazine, 60 Minutes, additionally featured Matz in its 2004 segment “Plácido Domingo, Star Maker.”

For Davis the hospital became a second home. “I knew where everything was. I named all the fish in the tank on the second floor... I would even roll on my IV down the hall to entertain myself.”

Local opera fans, too, have enjoyed Matz perform in The Merry Widow and La Traviata at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Even nearer to home, it is Matz’s revered devotion to his cherished alma mater and the heartfelt gift of a concert performance drawing each of us to a higher note and a step closer – To Benjamin, with Love. ■

Continued from page 19.

While Davis adjusted to the hospital life, so did her family.

“My parents tried to make my childhood as normal as possible,” she said. “But nothing is really normal about a four-year old having cancer and struggling between life and death.”

As a consequence of her chemotherapy treatment, Davis began to lose her hair. She recalls waking up mornings to chunks of hair on her pillow, but never connected that she was balding. “I was so short that I couldn’t look into mirrors and see that I was actually bald.

When my grandma lifted me up to see for the first time, I immediately started bawling,” she said, “I was a really girly-girl, always obsessed with dresses, princesses, and makeup. With no hair, I thought I looked like a boy. It was devastating to me.”

The Battle Davis said she never fully understood how traumatized her family was until she got older.

“It affected my family in ways I can’t even imagine. Having a four-year old daughter and sister that you can’t do anything for, but if you could, you would do it in a heartbeat. It’s scary to feel so powerless. You can pay for the best quality treatment, but that may not even work.

Also keep in mind my parents also had three other young daughters to take care of too during this. I can’t imagine how they balanced all of that.”

Continued on page 50.

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Continuations Cancer-Free Continued from page 49.

Davis turned to a variety of things to get her through those two years at the hospital, spanning her family’s unwavering support, watching the Wizard of Oz “endlessly on replay,” and cuddling with her beloved Teddy bear, Beary.

“My family was always there for me. They were incredibly supportive… My mom deserves so much credit for my survival. She was always so organized. She would sleep next to me in the little pull out bed or the chair next to my hospital bed. She tried to keep me entertained all of the time. She was so strong. All of my family was so strong. I’m forever thankful.”

Davis said her mother would look to her faith when things got tough. “My mom would write out full bible verses when she got scared, even if they didn’t have anything to do with the situation. Having that faith really got her through,” she said.

Davis received Beary as a gift from a close family friend when she was first diagnosed.

“I took him everywhere. I was given thousands of other presents, balloons, cakes, toys, and coloring books, but for some reason the bear meant the most to me. I would take him everywhere; he was always next to me,” she said, “I wouldn’t let him leave my side when I was rolled into the OR for surgery or spinal taps.

He was with me through my whole treatment.”

Davis still proudly displays him on her bed.

“I’m not ashamed to say it,” she laughed, “because he’s still so special to me, and always will be.”

Because of her previous battle with cancer, and her attachment to her teddy bear, Davis has

partnered with Be A Star Foundation, a local non-profit organization that raises money for children affected by a variety of illnesses, like cancer. This month, The Benjamin School is working in conjunction with Be A Star Foundation to host a Teddy Bear drive. Students are encouraged to bring in new teddy bears to be donated to the children being helped by the foundation.

Davis encourages everyone to bring in as many bears as they possibly can. “Being sick so young is something that if you haven’t gone through, it’s very hard to understand. But something as simple as the comfort and security found in having a stuffed bear is something that really makes a difference. You’d be surprised how important it is.”

“It’s the little things that count,” she added, “whether it’s donating a teddy bear, time, or money, it really can help.”

Davis also encourages people to donate blood.

“You always hear, ‘donating blood saves a life.’

But it truly does. It saved my life.”

Moving Forward As her ten year cancer-free anniversary approaches, Davis looks towards the future.

She describes this landmark date as a “weight off her shoulders” as the possibility of relapsing decreases with time.

But even early this year, Davis had another cancer scare. Doctors found a tumor in her throat.

After being removed, the tumor was declared benign, which served as a great relief for the Davis’ family and friends.

But for Davis, the tumor served as a reminder that while the battle may be over, the risk of relapse is always there.

“Although ten years cancer-free is basically a ‘you’re in the clear moment,’ there’s still always the possibility of relapsing again. It’s a very big fear of mine, I don’t want to go through that again,” she said.

Davis will continue to attend regular doctor’s visits for blood tests, and will get an echocardiogram every two years to check her heart.

Davis plans to use her past struggles with cancer to influence her future, hoping to eventually pursue something in the medical field.

Davis still finds her ten-year cancer-free anniversary surreal. “Has it really been that long? I guess I never realized how big of a deal beating cancer was until recently. When I spoke at assembly about my battle with cancer and my ten-year anniversary, everyone clapped,” she said, “It finally hit me that this is a big deal.

It’s very exciting. I’m really proud of myself.”

Davis believes her struggle with cancer not only changed her childhood, but has changed her as a person. She describes herself as more caring and sympathetic now. “It’s made me the person I am today. I’m stronger because of it,” she said.

Her battle also strengthened her faith that everything happens for a reason. “I would not be who I am today had it not happened to me. You may not always find an answer, you may never find the answer, but you just have to believe there is one. It’s all going to be okay.” ■

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Simple but Challenging Goals – a Symphony for Learning Continued from page 27.

I said, “I have good news and bad news. The good news is that my voice is in your head.

You will hear that voice as you edit your work.

The bad news is that my voice is relentless and I can be a nag.”

The next year, as a senior and managing editor, she came to my desk to work on a piece I had edited. As I started to give her advice, she would finish my sentence. The second time she did that we looked at each other and I said what we both knew: “You’re ready for college.”

I believe that we help students become independent learners by getting into their heads. They leave Benjamin with a symphony of voices, a symphony of support, made possible because of the unique relationships that emerge between students and faculty.

To become independent learners, students need teachers who will effectively model learning and provide important information but, ultimately, recognize that their role changes over time, becoming more peripheral to students’ efforts.

We have to teach them how to ride the bike without the training wheels and without us holding the seat and handlebars as we run along beside them. The truly independent learners apply their skills to unique situations, demonstrating that they can transfer the application from one situation to another.

Self-direction is the most challenging and elusive of the four goals. Self-directed learners know what they know and know where they

are ignorant. They see the subject area or discipline as an incomplete mosaic in which they can distinguish between areas of knowledge and areas of ignorance. More importantly, they understand what they should explore, discover, and learn next, and they can create a plan to help them achieve that goal.

The truly self-directed learner is capable of taking full control of the learning experience.

Throughout their lives, our students will probably change their careers a number of times. To be successful in those jobs, they will have to adapt and learn new things. Their capacity to determine what they need to know and where to look will be key to their success.

At Benjamin, we help that process by teaching students how to ask good questions. The challenge and the joy of our work is to help them embrace that spirit of inquiry. The world

is an exciting place, and they have so much they can do to contribute to it. We have an inspiring mission as teachers.

Our greatest challenge is to be patient and have faith. If our students fully embrace the need to be fearless, collaborative, independent, and self-directed learners in the last hour of the last week of their senior year, we should count ourselves lucky. For some, it may happen earlier, and for others, these traits may only be realized in college or later. But the most important thing is that we have pointed them in the right direction.

As parents, you work with us in partnership to promote this process. Understanding our goals and our approach can help you support your child’s learning. We invite you to embrace that partnership. ■

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MISSION STATEMENT The mission of The Benjamin School is to provide a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment. The School motivates students to master the skills of learning, communicating and evaluating choices, and encourages them to grow intellectually, socially, morally, aesthetically, and physically to their fullest individual potential. Benjamin inspires its students to develop a coherent set of values that includes love of learning, personal responsibility, self-motivation, concern for others and a commitment to serve society.

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11000 Ellison Wilson Road North Palm Beach, Florida 33408-3108

The Benjamin School strives to attract and support a diverse and talented student body, faculty, and staff. Applicants for admission or employment will not be denied based on race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

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