to Global Exchange! Welcome
September 2025 marks Atlanta International School’s 40th anniversary, and we’re looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our entire community. As we reflect on our 39th year in this issue of Global Exchange, it’s clear that the AIS spirit—who we are and what we stand for—continues to guide us toward a strong future.
During this year’s Senior Graduation Ceremony, one message echoed across every speech: that change is inevitable. It’s life’s constant. So learning how to adapt and be comfortable in times of uncertainty isn’t just a useful trait—it’s a core skill, just as valuable as academic knowledge.
At AIS, this approach is woven through our IB curriculum, taught at every level. Here, learning goes beyond facts and formulas. It’s about asking good questions, thinking critically, analyzing deeply, and finding innovative solutions—not just memorizing other people’s answers.
Every student has their own story. And if there’s any group of students ready to thrive in this ever-shifting world, it’s ours.
This adaptability isn’t something we expect just from our young people, but also from our educators. Every classroom dynamic is di erent. Teaching has to meet those needs. Because in reality, one-size-fits-all actually fits no one.
And as school leaders, we also have to be agile. Sometimes that means taking bold, exciting steps forward. Other times, it means making tough calls. But no matter the moment, our experiences at AIS continue to remind us why being an intentionally inclusive, world-class learning community matters—now more than ever.
We hope you enjoy reading this year’s magazine as much as we have.
Shelley Giberson Chair of the Board of Trustees
Kevin Glass Head of School
Innovation in Action
Guiding Principals tick tick… Boom! The Sound of Becoming He’s a Keeper
Talking Technics Class of 2025
Rendez-Vous!
Community Spirit Then and Now
Swoop Says
WITH THANKS TO:
Julie Audibert
Keith Bogle
Dee Dee Dennis
Jaclissa Haislip
Arielle Garber Kohan ’01
Hermine Morrell
Jane Simpkins
EDITORIAL:
Chika Barry
Alice Cappelletti
Alexis Croft
Emily Hands
Aisha Nga
FRONT COVER:
Varsity Tennis and Soccer
State Champions. See back cover for names.
22 12
Partners With Purpose
This year, Atlanta International School continued to grow internally and globally—through partnerships with leading organizations (see opposite) and the appointment of new Board members, all of whom are committed to AIS’s longterm strategic vision. These combined e orts strengthen our mission through collaboration, innovation, and leadership across cultures.
Lew Dickey is Chairman and Principal of Modern Luxury, the nation’s largest luxury media company. He is the author of two books, the most recent titled, The New Modern Media. Lew lives in Buckhead with his wife, Vanessa, and daughter Vale ’34, who has been at AIS since 3K.
Ingrid Hackett is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Great Minds, PBC, an education company specializing in learning materials. Ingrid oversees legal and compliance matters. Ingrid’s daughters, Nadia and Naomi, are AIS alums (’23 and ’25), and son Aaron ’29 is a current student.
Naren Jangid Goenka is CEO and owner of two technology solutions companies and one investment holding company. One of these companies, RAAH Technologies, has been a proud sponsor of recent AIS
Spring Benefits. Naren and his wife, Tina, have two children—Shaurya ’29 and Veera ’34—who both attend AIS.
DeAnna Perrotta Steinke is a global HR leader in the retail, media, entertainment, aerospace, defense, and medical device industries. She currently oversees the HR function of Integrated Polymer Solutions and Kaman businesses. DeAnna and husband, Andrew, have a daughter, Gianna ’33, at AIS.
Tomer Zvulun is the General and Artistic Director of The Atlanta Opera. He has directed over 30 new productions in Atlanta, including immersive, large musical theatre, and contemporary pieces. He is a member of Rotary Downtown Atlanta and The Buckhead Coalition. Tomer and Susanna have two daughters, Emma '37 and Maya '34, at AIS.
Meet the new Board members, pictured from left to right:
AIS Joins Global Freedom Prize Initiative
AIS was honored to host the Freedom Prize program, welcoming 101-year-old World War II veteran, Hilbert Margol, to speak about the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. Students met with international human rights leaders and voted for this year’s global honorees.
In June, five AIS students traveled to Normandy to attend the 81st D-Day anniversary and participate in the Freedom Prize ceremony.
CNN’s #MyFreedomDay at AIS
As part of CNN’s global #MyFreedomDay initiative, a CNN news crew visited AIS to capture how our students are raising awareness about modern slavery and human tra cking, through research, advocacy, and creative action. The incredible all-school Walk Out for Freedom was featured on CNN, spotlighting AIS students as global citizens using their voices for change.
First Mouratoglou Academy Atlanta Launches at AIS
World-renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou—whose roster includes Serena Williams, Coco Gau , and Stefanos Tsitsipas— partnered with AIS to launch the first Mouratoglou Academy in Georgia. Located at the Sandy Springs Campus, the program o ers elite tennis training alongside AIS’s rigorous IB curriculum, giving student-athletes access to a world-class methodology and four new on-campus courts.
AIS and Google
Our Global Education Sponsors, Google, continue to expand AIS student opportunities in design, AI, and global storytelling. This year, students engaged in immersive learning at their headquarters here in Atlanta, and in April, traveled to Ghana, where they collaborated with Google AI for Africa. For the second year running, Google generously donated to need-based financial aid at AIS during the 2025 Spring Benefit.
The Serious Business of
by Helen Muñoz, Early Learning Center Principal
Step inside the Early Learning Center (ELC), and you’ll find a team of educators who, through careful planning, intentional design, and a deep understanding of children’s cognitive processes, pride themselves on being "protectors of play." Why does play need protecting, you may ask?
Because through play, our young people learn language, knowledge, skills, and conceptual understanding. It nourishes their bodies and minds with all they need for their educational journey, now and in readiness for big school when that time comes.
As part of this development, young people pass through what expert Mildred Parten Newhall calls the Stages of Play.
In the ELC, students transition from onlooker to cooperative play, driving immense growth in all domains, especially social skills.
To encourage this growth, Early Years spaces are intentionally designed into areas that support play: such as the mud kitchen, makerspace, and home corner.
If you ask an ELC student what they did that day, they may well answer,
"I made a mud pie!"
Unoccupied Play
Early random movements and observing surroundings help infants gain bodily control, crucial for development.
Mildred Parten Newhall's 6 Stages of Play
Solitary Play
Children play alone, developing concentration and independence, with little interest in others.
Parallel Play
Children play side-by-side with similar toys but without direct interaction, acknowledging peers.
Onlooker Play
Children watch others play and learn social cues by observing, without participating.
Children interact during play, sharing materials and talking, but without common goals. 5 6 3 2 1 4
Cooperative Play
Children engage in organized activities with shared goals, taking specific roles, enhancing social skills.
But if you take a closer look at what that really means, it would sound a little more like,
“Today I used my gross motor skills to hold and carry a heavy pot back and forth from the water barrel to the mud kitchen.”
“I used my fine motor skills to turn the tap on and o , and my hand-eye coordination to track the water level.”
“I developed mathematical understanding as I worked out how much water was needed to fill the bowl. I counted three full bowls as I emptied them into my bigger vessel, shaping my number sense.”
“I explored causation as I tried to perfect the muddy texture. Not enough water doesn’t work,
Associative Play
too much, and I’ll have to start again. I inquired and persevered until I got it just right. All my senses were engaged as I heard the water and felt it on my body.”
“I learned through doing and trusting myself to be independent, and having agency of my learning. I waited my turn at the tap before heading back to share my water with the other chefs. My social skills helped me to make friends and be in a community.”
“I was full of joy and did it all many, many times, as I learn so much from repetition— strengthening the neurological pathways in my brain.”
So yes, our ELC students are just playing—and what a serious business it is!
IB Learner Prof
Balanced
Our PLC students are wellversed in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profiles—a range of important attributes that take them far beyond just academic success. They see them every day, displayed on classroom walls, and live out all 10 during their time at school.
But how well do you know them? Here is a quick refresher on these central tenets of the IB:
We understand the importance of balancing di erent aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve wellbeing for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Caring
We show empathy, compassion, and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive di erence in the lives of others and in the world around us.
Communicators
We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate e ectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
Inquirers
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
iles
Knowledgeable
How Well Do You Know Them?
We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Open-Minded
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Principled
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Reflective
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
Risk-Takers
We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Thinkers
We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Eagles in Flight
Grade 5 Journeys Abroad
Exploring the world is second nature to AIS Eagles. Whether through daily conversations with international classmates, the beyond borders curricular approach of the International Baccalaureate (IB), or the trips they take. Their horizons are constantly expanding.
Students in Grade 5 take big strides into the wider world during their Journeys Abroad, which take place in their final weeks of Primary School. These unique experiences allow them to gain a greater depth of understanding of the languages and cultures they’ve been immersed in during their time in Primary School.
So, whether it’s bargaining in a bustling market, exploring the significance of historical sites, sampling local cuisine, or enjoying outdoor pursuits, their language learning takes on a new dimension.
5, 6 - China
7, 8 - Costa Rica
1, 2 - France
3, 4 - Germany
Pictured...
Eagles in Flight
Secondary School International Trips
And the journey continues once our students enter Secondary School. Every year, there is a range of overseas travel options. Some are focused on service or extracurriculars (such as Model United Nations in Panama or a service program in Medellín, Colombia), while others are designed primarily to enhance language proficiency—with exchanges to Germany, China, and France.
And the list of destinations is set to grow once again through the new Eagles Learning Experiences in Secondary School. This fall, our Eagles will soar off to Iceland, Germany, Mexico, and elsewhere for enriching, thought-expanding experiences.
Learning to be at ease while away from home is an important part of an AIS education, as is being a responsible and culturally aware traveler. Through these far-flung opportunities, our students are truly spreading their wings!
In Their Own Words
In a world of GIFs, eyeroll emojis, and merciless memes, it’s more important than ever to encourage students to use their "outdoor voices"!
The enduring power of the spoken word was demonstrated beautifully during this year’s annual Uniting Nations Day event.
Be inspired by these excerpts from our students' speeches…
Scan to read the full speeches.
“Walking through our hallways, seeing children from so many di erent countries learning and playing together, fills my heart with hope. In a world where we hear a lot about conflict, places like this school remind us of something very important: the beauty of unity and the power of understanding.
We all come from di erent backgrounds, speak di erent languages, and have di erent traditions, but we learn and grow together with respect and kindness. This is something truly special.
“
Azeez Al-Rubaian ’32
“ “
Our school is all about inclusion, learning, and expressing yourself.
It is super important for kids and their families to be able to celebrate their culture, religion, traditions, dances and songs, and participate in rituals.
Our school is a place where everyone is accepted and no one should feel like they have to hide who they are or pretend to be someone else.
“
I am truly grateful for the variety of opportunities I have received at this school.
I hope that all students will also know the same joy I felt during their time at AIS.
“
One of the most important IB Learner Profiles is to be caring because you should take care of yourself and who you are. You should celebrate your culture and language because your language is a very important part of your identity.
You should celebrate your language by speaking it, and using it during the day to talk to your family and friends. You should care about everything in your life inside and out.
“
Here I learned that people don’t have to look like me and speak like me to understand me. It’s the shared sense of global-mindedness and inclusivity that connects us into a collective community. I can’t help but wonder what the world might look like if we applied these principles beyond AIS. And perhaps the closest to the tomorrow that we are seeking, is to start today.
Mara Shipman ’32
Kaixuan Guo ’25
Meltem Bilen ’32
INNOV ATION IN ACTION
This year, innovation at AIS meant more than just new tech or programs—it was a mindset, a movement, and a mission.
From space science to social impact, students and educators turned bold ideas into real-world action. Here are six ways AIS brought innovation to life this year.
INNOVATION, IDENTITY, & IMPACT
This year’s innovation extended across borders. From a global designthinking program in West Africa, to faculty-led learning exchanges with Da Vinci and SCAD, AIS continues to position innovation as a tool for global citizenship and local relevance.
In April, educators and students from AIS and the Benjamin E. Mays High School traveled to Ghana, where they met with creatives, philosophers, historians, archaeologists, and Google AI for Africa executives. Together, they engaged in collaborative work focused on visual storytelling and the power of culturally grounded design.
INNOVATION IN THE EARLY YEARS
Creativity doesn’t wait for Secondary School. At AIS, our youngest learners are encouraged to experiment and explore. With a new Primary Robotics team and STEAM-based maker activities using recycled materials, early learners have been building the foundations of innovation. This handson approach nurtures a mindset of discovery, right from the very beginning.
LEARNING SPACES
THAT SPARK INNOVATION
Innovation isn’t limited to what students learn—it’s also shaped by where and how. This year saw a redesign of the Primary Fab Lab (pictured below) and flexible classroom designs that encourage student agency. Educators reimagined their environments as interactive tools—places where students could think critically, explore materials, and see their ideas take shape.
TRAILBLAZING WOMEN & INCLUSIVE STEAM FUTURE-READY PROGRAMS
Representation matters in innovation. AIS celebrated its Girls in STEAM Conference, hosted and organized by students and keynoted by engineer, author, and AIS parent, Stephanie Espy. The conference created conversations around equity in science and technology.
And read on for Asha Read ’25’s story on page 34 about being a female leader in robotics.
AIS students aren’t just preparing for the future—they’re shaping it. This year, they launched biology experiments to the International Space Station and competed in Science and Math Olympiads. Through programs like this they gained experience building the skills and confidence to lead and shape a rapidly evolving world.
INNOVATION FOR GOOD
From Shark Tank–style pitches in the AIS Nest, to student-built robots delivering food to the community—innovation at AIS is rooted in purpose. This year, our students and educators developed AI tools for the visually impaired, explored climate solutions through bioplastics, and launched ideas that bridged learning with real-world impact. Powered by the Goizueta Foundation, the AIS Innovation for Good program continues to generate meaningful change.
Guiding Principals
AIS is thrilled to be welcoming two new Principals for the next school year.
Rachel Hovington (left) will be taking up her position as the Principal of the Sandy Springs Campus, and Jaia Masterson (right) will be taking over the reins of our Middle School (Grades 6–8). With a wealth of experience in international school leadership between them, we took a moment to get to know them a little better…
What drew you to Atlanta International School?
Rachel: After working, visiting, and accrediting several international schools across the world, AIS has always felt like a beacon of both innovation and heart. Its dedication to multilingualism, global citizenship, and nurturing curiosity, aligns perfectly with my belief in education as a force for a more compassionate, equitable world. Returning here isn’t a career step— it’s coming home. [Rachel previously worked at AIS from 2003-2016.]
Jaia: The people! When the position opened up, I asked people about AIS, and everyone seemed to have had a colleague who’d worked here or knew someone here now. The same words
were repeated, “AIS is a great school,” or, “I’ve heard great things about that school.” As I have learned more about AIS, the focus on inspiring students to shape their world with agency and responsibility truly resonates with my educational philosophy. What could be more meaningful than helping to “shape the world for the better”?
Every school has its own culture. What’s something from your previous schools that you'd like to see here?
Jaia: I’ve seen how powerful it is when a school community embraces collaborative decision-making and distributive leadership. During my time visiting AIS in April, I got to see how the students have a strong voice and
deep desire to be part of decisions, and service work. I am super excited about continuing that.
Rachel: I deeply value a strong commitment to outdoor and experiential learning, where student voice, teamwork, and nature-based activities like forest hikes, mountain camps, and water sports are not just extras but embedded into the curriculum. There’s something powerful about realizing how vast the world is and feeling small in the best possible way.
Describe your leadership style in three words—and what would students say in three di erent ones?
Jaia: I’d say collaborative, inclusive, humble. Students might describe me as approachable, supportive, and encouraging.
Rachel: Also collaborative, reflective, and intentional. Students might say I’m approachable, passionate, and “yes!” They joked in their graduation speech that my favorite saying is, “Yes, let’s do it.”
What changes do you think we’ll see in education over the next decade?
Rachel: We’ll likely see education shift even more toward interdisciplinary learning, prioritizing skills like adaptability, empathy, and ethical reasoning over rote content. AI will play a growing role, but the real opportunity lies in using it to amplify human connection, not replace it.
Jaia: I believe that education will increasingly emphasize developing students as global citizens. I am not
worried that AI will take the place of passionate teachers. It can help us be more e cient—but it can never replace human connections.
Did you have a teacher who inspired you when you were growing up?
Rachel: Ms. Kent, my Grade 5 teacher, had a classroom that was a sanctuary of curiosity and courage, where we were encouraged to speak up for ourselves and others, and take bold actions.
Jaia: One was my high school biology teacher, Mrs. Coviello. She always taught unapologetically over our heads and made us believe we were smart and capable—and could learn anything we wanted to apply ourselves to.
If you were a student at AIS for a day, what classes would you take?
Jaia: Any kind of interdisciplinary, project-based learning, or a servicelearning class that connects academic concepts to community impact. Besides teaching science, I was also an art teacher for many years, so the hands-on projects speak to my heart.
Rachel: I’d start with Science, because that’s where my heart and head go. Next, Global Politics, then Theatre to channel all that energy into some risktaking and collaboration.
And what would you hope to be on the school lunch menu?
Rachel: An international street food pop-up with tacos, bánh mì, injera, and samosas. And something very chocolatey for dessert!
Jaia: I love to cook, eat, and learn about foods from all cultures, so I would hope for lots of choice!
We’re excited to welcome Rachel and Jaia to the AIS community.
tick, tick... BOOM!
An explosive student-led debut.
In 1990, a struggling composer named Jonathan Larson wrote a semiautobiographical musical about turning thirty. He called it tick, tick… Boom!—a reference to the ticking clock he felt inside himself, and the anxiety of not knowing if your voice will ever matter.
Decades later, that same countdown echoed from the stage at AIS, as a group of students brought Larson’s story to life. Entirely student-led, directed, and produced, the show dared to ask, How do young people today measure success in a world obsessed with outcomes? A question that made tick, tick…Boom! a perfect fit for a school grounded in inquiry, identity, and international perspective.
Director and now rising senior, Gianmarco Di Pelino ’26, reflected on the production, and the tension between passion and fear.
“tick, tick… Boom! was a good source for everyone to draw from because of how it connects with that feeling of growing older and pursuing your dreams,” he said. “It’s about learning to find joy in the journey, even if it doesn’t look like how you thought it would. The tick, tick, tick is that low-grade anxiety we all carry,” Gianmarco explained. “The boom is the moment it erupts—sometimes into disaster, sometimes into clarity. Not every ending is bad. Some endings are just change.”
Gianmarco himself erupted into his role without prior directing experience. “I had no idea if I was going to be able to do it,” he said. “So I did what I could. I drew from what I’d seen in past productions, what I’d experienced as an actor, and I figured the rest out as I went.” He credits the support of the cast and crew. “I had people around me who gave me grace to mess up. That’s something I’ll always be grateful for. I messed up, but I learned. And I think the whole show became stronger because we had that space to try things.”
He also emphasized the emotional weight of the show. “Closing night, I was bawling my eyes out,” he shared. “There’s a moment in the show that’s bittersweet. It’s not okay, but it’s okay. That kind of feeling—of things not going the way you planned, but still finding something meaningful.”
Jonathan Larson died suddenly the night before Rent, his most famous production, opened. He never lived to see any of his work ignite a generation.
Gianmarco Di Pelino – tick, tick...Boom! Director and rising senior at AIS
That knowledge cast a shadow over the AIS production of tick, tick… Boom!—but also a kind of light. “I hope Jonathan Larson would have been proud to see his story come to life,” Gianmarco said. “He never got to see his own success, so we treated this with respect. We tried to stay true to his voice and let it guide us.”
More than applause, Gianmarco said it was the emotional response of the audience that struck him. “I didn’t expect it to mean so much to so many others. That meant everything,” he said. He also hopes the production opens the door for future student directors. “This was the first studentled production AIS has ever done,” he said. “And I know it won’t be the last. I’m just glad I got to lay the groundwork.” His advice for the next student who wants to direct something personal and bold?
“Don’t be scared to try. You might think it can’t happen—but it just might.”
A YEAR OF AIS THEATRE
This year, the AIS stage came to life with Pippin (Grades 9-12), The Jungle Book Jr. (Grades 3-5), and The Wizard of Oz (Grades 6-8). See photos below.
Framed by Imagination
From 5K to Grade 12, these works were shown in art showcases throughout the school year, capturing the diverse perspectives and techniques that shape our visual arts program. What you see here is more than just art: it’s imagination, identity, and inquiry, framed by the hands and hearts of our students.
(Clockwise from top left)
Left Page:
Sophia Rogers '29
Belle Bernstein '37
Seven Holmann '25
Trip Gotch '30
Right Page:
Garridin Sledge '29
Luke Nawrocki '32
Julia Curnyn '25
Stella McCormack '30
Nadia Allen-Krincek '25
Yanran Qi '25
Henry Morley '37
Artists
The Sound of BECOMING
With young fingers hovering above strings, there’s a soft hush that falls over Amber Daniel-Robinson’s classroom right before a student plays. It’s the moment before sound becomes storytelling.
Amber is the AIS Director of Secondary Orchestras and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) Music Instructor. She’s also a singer, violist, bassist, certified yoga instructor, and mother. But most of all, she’s a mentor who never forgets what it’s like to struggle, to grow, and to be heard.
For her, music is a language that helps students find themselves—and each other.
“If music has taught me anything, it's that it truly is for everybody. It is a language that can connect people no matter what their experiences.”
Amber with her orchestra director, Hugh Haddad, after a school orchestra festival.
But, her own musical journey didn’t start with private lessons or perfect pitch. It started with curiosity and grit.
“I can remember going on road trips with my mom and my sister and we would be listening to music together. We'd talk about the lyrics, about what the instruments meant, and how they felt. It would lead into deeper conversations… that’s how I connected with my mom.”
Amber's third grade year would become pivotal. After hearing Summertime from Porgy and Bess, she cried.
“I couldn't understand why I was crying. I was like, this is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. I think I want to do this.”
And she did. Amber can play nearly every instrument in the orchestra due to her music education degree, which required fluency in brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion, piano, and voice. Her teaching style reflects that flexibility. She often asks students to transpose their music to another instrument, or to sing it.
“The best way to learn is to move it,” she says. “It helps the ear grow so much…and deepens the understanding when you transfer it to another instrument.”
But her real brilliance shows in the quiet classroom victories. “One of my students who was a beginner had been asking why they weren't getting it as fast as everyone else,” she recalls.
Amber went back to the drawing board. She reworked her approach, finding a new way to explain the concept visually. It clicked. Her student’s face lit up, and with a spark of certainty, she said,“I get it now.”
“That was just so big for me,” Amber says. “A light switch flipped on.”
2025 was another milestone year for Amber, when she was invited to serve as a guest clinician at an honors orchestra in New Mexico, a role that allowed her to inspire students far beyond her own classroom.
“I was honored…for a teacher in a faraway district to say to me, ‘I trust you with our students,’…that is a huge deal.”
“I think it's really important, the fact that I'm a Black woman in classical
music, that I am seen, because it's not something that is frequently seen. You know, when I was growing up, I didn't see a lot of Black women doing what I do. And I know that I for sure didn't have any teachers doing what I do.”
According to the League of American Orchestras 2025 Conductors Report fewer than 29% of conductors in the U.S. are women, and just 7.4% of all conductors identify as Black. The percentage of Black women conductors is so low, it’s rarely measured separately.
Representation, Amber explains is about letting others imagine something they didn’t know was possible. Visibility isn’t where the work ends, it’s where it begins.
She adds, “Success for me isn't just about the perfect performance. It's about accepting what you gave and
understanding that it was the best you had to give, and being proud of it.”
What does she want her students to remember?
“I hope my students remember the way that making music made them feel. It'll always be a safe place for them when the world is being too hard.”
“What you’re really hearing when a student leans into their own sound is the sound of them becoming who they are.”
AIS MUSIC SUCCESS
From the sparkle of winter concerts to performing at Carnegie Hall, this year’s music program at AIS truly shone.
At the Orlando Music Festival, AIS brought home top honors and gold ratings. Soloist Gabriel Chavez-Vitiello '28 shone in Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Choir, and Sylvie Hooper '28 earned a place in the Georgia All-State Chorus.
Our Primary students were charmed by The Atlanta Opera’s performance of The Magic Flute, courtesy of Artistic Director and AIS parent, Tomer Zvulun. In May, the Uniting Voices choir from Chicago joined our Middle School chorus for a day of singing South African freedom songs and Gullah Spirituals.
Looking ahead, the Afterschool Music Lessons Program returns this fall, o ering one-on-one and small group instruction in voice, piano, guitar, strings, percussion, and traditional band instruments. Primary students can also join free afterschool ensembles: choir, band, and orchestra.
At AIS, music is more than a performance. It's a purpose.
Luca Chiappetta Keeper! He's a
is an AIS “lifer”—and something of an AIS legend! The Boys Varsity Soccer team goalkeeper graduated this year, leaving an impressive legacy behind.
His teams advanced to the championship during all four of his Upper School years, winning three of the four and leaving a record of 70–10–4 (wins, losses, ties) during his tenure.
As Luca '25 prepared to start at Ohio Northern University, where he will join their Division III soccer team as goalkeeper, we caught up with him.
You were four when you joined AIS, but when did your love of soccer begin?
I’ve loved soccer for as long as I can remember. Growing up with a Brazilian father, there were always games on TV and soccer balls flying all over the house, which my mom [Kelley Chiappetta, AIS Director of Auxiliary Programs and Services] was never fond of! I began playing organized soccer at the age of four at the YMCA and then played club for Concorde Fire.
Who is your favorite soccer team?
My favorite team is Corinthians, from my dad’s hometown of São Paulo, Brazil.
What has been most inspirational during your AIS sporting journey?
Throughout Primary we would often stay on campus to watch the AIS Varsity Boys, and would travel to
away games to support the team. One moment that vividly sticks out was the bus ride back from Savannah in 2021. I was in Grade 8, the Varsity team had just lost the State Championship, and the bus broke down on the side of the road. Coach Warde came over and told me to be ready, because we were going to work hard to get back to the championship. And we did. We got back—and we won!
For me, the most inspirational part of my journey was all of the upperclassmen who mentored me. I’m also very thankful for AIS alumnus Sukhi Bal ’07, who has supported me since the beginning.
What
are you excited about as you look forward?
I'm most excited to continue to play at the collegiate level, to improve my skills and grow as a student-athlete.
What will you miss the most?
All the moments spent with my teammates in the locker room, talking before games, and all of the hard-fought battles on the field. It's going to be hard to move on from an environment where you experience constant support from your coaches and teachers. I'm also going to miss the support from all of the amazing AIS parents—and the post-game dinners at Fellini’s!
Hardest moment?
Some of the most challenging moments have been overcoming
injuries and experiencing losses. Those losses turned out to be the best teaching moments and only made me hungrier and pushed me harder. Losing in penalties in the 2023 State Finals fueled my desire to win. I put in the hard work and came out stronger and determined to never lose a State Championship again.
Best moments?
There are so many. It has been an honor to be a part of the AIS Varsity Soccer team for four years. There is something special about the winning traditions of AIS soccer that brings the community together.
ADVANTAGE
A NEW ERA OF TENNIS EXCELLENCE
No wonder we’ve been serving up aces! Over the last year, AIS has ushered in a new era of tennis excellence. We’ve seen the launch of MAA (Mouratoglou Academy Atlanta), located at the AIS Sandy Springs Campus, complete with four new hard courts.
We are so proud to partner with the very first Mouratoglou Academy in Georgia o ering elite tennis coaching and camps.
Our flexible learning schedule, AISx, allows student-athletes, including our tennis players, (like Maya pictured far right) to compete around the U.S. and beyond without compromising their academic schedule.
And proving our tennis year was a smash, AIS Middle and Varsity teams won both Regional and State championships!
Legendary coach Patrick Mouratoglou has played a pivotal role in shaping world champions including Serena Williams, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Coco Gau .
1A–3A Private State Champions 2025
Middle School Boys Tennis team secured a runner-up finish in the MAAC Championship
“We are on our way back from Arizona, after spending five days in Tucson for a USTA National Level 2 tournament... With the results from this tournament, Maya is well on her way to reach her goals this year. We are grateful that the AISx program has allowed her the flexibility for training and travel.”
Ellen Laddin, Maya’s mother.
Maya Laddin ’31, AISx student
PODIUM PLACES
It’s been a great year for AIS Athletics and Eagle spirit is soaring. In addition to our soccer and tennis State Final wins, we have celebrated many individual and team triumphs—see a selection below:
Varsity and Junior Varsity (JV) compete in Georgia High School Association State Championships while Middle School competes in the Metro Atlanta Athletic Conference
VARSITY (UPPER SCHOOL)
STATE CHAMPIONS (1st)
Boys Soccer
Girls Tennis
Region Champions (1st)
Boys Soccer
Girls 4x800 Relay
Leanne Glass ’28, Lilly Glass ’26, Yäelle
Mathiot ’25, Claire de Wendel ’28
Diving – 1 Meter
Betsy Parker ’25 (2nd)
Track & Field
400M Dash
Louis Anzalone ’29 (6th)
800M Run
Edel Stawson ’30 (7th)
Flora Jenkinson ’30 (8th)
Louis Anzalone ’29 (6th)
1600M Run
Stella Behrenwaldt ’29 (1st)
Edel Stawson ’30 (5th)
Sara Andersson-King ’30 (7th)
Enzo D’Agata (3rd)
3200M Run
300 Meter Hurdles – Naomi Hackett ’25 (3rd)
100 Meter Hurdles – Naomi Hackett ’25 (3rd)
800 Meter Run – Lilly Glass ’26 (7th)
400 Meter Dash – Benoit Delly ’26 (4th)
Girls 4x400 Relay (5th)
Naomi Hackett ’25, Lilly Glass ’26, Carmen Ihlen del Prado ’27, Madison Parker ’27
Girls 4x800 Relay (4th)
Leanne Glass ’28, Lilly Glass ’26, Yäelle Mathiot ’25, Claire de Wendel ’28
Boys 4x400 Relay (8th)
Deniz Sertel ’27, Nihaal Singh ’27, Benoit Delly ’26, DJ Bazemore ’26
MIDDLE SCHOOL
MAAC Champions (1st)
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Girls Track & Field
Girls Cross Country
Team Podium Finish
Boys Tennis (2nd)
Boys Basketball (2nd)
Cross Country
Girls Basketball (3rd)
Lila Sand ’31 (3rd)
Stella Behrenwaldt ’29 (4th)
Garridin Sledge ’29 (7th)
Track & Field
100M Dash
Alex Onasanya ’30 (1st)
Gaby Hopson ’31 (2nd)
Aaron Hackett ’29 (3rd)
Jason Kim ’29 (5th)
Colin McCormack ’29 (6th)
200M Dash
Syenna Frempong-Manso ’30 (1st)
Anya Ajunwa-Ford ’30 (2nd)
Gaby Hopson ’31 (4th)
Adam Guan ’29 (5th)
Sara Andersson-King ’30 (2nd)
Jackson Haldar ’31 (6th)
Liam Turchin ’30 (7th)
100M Hurdles
Stella McCormack ’30 (1st)
Aaron Hackett ’29 (4th)
Adam Guan ’29 (7th)
Girls 4x100 Relay (1st)
Boys 4x100 Relay (2nd)
Girls 4x400 Relay (3rd)
Boys 4x400 Relay (8th)
High Jump
Syenna Frempong-Manso ’30 (3rd) Anya Ajunwa-Ford ’30 (5th)
Alex Onasanya ’30 (8th)
Jason Kim ’29 (2nd)
Shai Aspes ’29 (4th)
Dasche Page ’29 (5th)
Long Jump Drew Page ’31 (7th)
Triple Jump
Dasche Page ’29 (7th)
Swimming
(8th)
(4th) 50 Yard Breaststroke Theodoros Konstantinidis ’29 (6th)
200 Yard Freestyle Relay (4th)
Yard Medley Relay (4th) Golf (End of Season Individual Tournament) Amy Cho ’29 – Lowest Score Maren Russell-Sunderdiek ’30 – 2nd Lowest Score
Green Team AISClub Scene
Focused on sustainability, this Primary School club promotes green citizenship and environmental awareness at all levels - local, community, and global. Their efforts have already transformed several garden spaces on campus and they have much more planned
If you can think of an interest or cause, there's probably a student-led group for it at AIS! With some 50 groups in Secondary School and a growing number in Primary, there really is something for everyone. The list is always evolving, reflecting the passions of each student cohort. Here are just a few newcomers that have been making waves on campus:
Black Girl Magic
This Primary School group has a clear mission: to empower Black girls to be courageous leaders in every space they enter. And they’re doing just that whether through performances during Black History Month celebrations or their own apparel line.
Eatery Swoop's
The Golden Feather
What a sweet treat it was when this Secondary School student group opened a café on campus! With matcha lattes and frappuccinos flying out of the door, Swoop's quickly became a hit with students and staff alike.
Leaders of America Future Business
A new addition to AIS, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) empowers students to become ethical, community-minded leaders In their first year, the group not only developed business acumen, but also earned a state title and a place at the FBLA National Leadership Conference
Creating a school magazine is no small feat [we should know!] — but the Secondary School editorial team behind The Golden Feather pulled it off with flair. Covering diverse topics, their debut and subsequent issues featured insightful reflections, thoughtful analysis, and some seriously talented original writing.
Whether it’s coffee or culture, the AIS club scene has it all!
According to Asha, it all started when her interest was ignited by her Grade 6 Computer Science option.
“It not only came naturally to me, but having ideas in your brain, and then being able to turn them into something digital—that was something I knew I wanted to do.”
Having explored programming and code through Computer Science, something else began to capture Asha’s imagination–physical components, such as circuits, sensors, and hardware, all necessary to bring the digital world to life.
So when the time came to decide on an extracurricular activity, it seemed there was one natural fit for Asha and IHOT beckoned! But not before Asha’s parents were convinced…
“They were unsure to start with,” Asha explained. “My parents had heard that everyone who does robotics is constantly busy and they were worried it would mean me not having fun in my senior year. They knew that robotics was something that you needed to commit a lot of time and energy to. But Miss Tiyash [the legendary leader of the Parent Organization’s STEAM Team] and I banded together and convinced my mom that I should join!”
you enjoy! Just do what
Asha soon fell under the mentorship of Maanya Madan ’23, a former IHOT Operations Captain, who put her to work assisting with logistics— essential to the robotics team’s success. So while she was surrounded by the intensity of the design, build, and programming of the robot, she developed another key skill— organization.
Through managing the transport, accommodation, scheduling, and (vitally) catering, during the incredibly demanding competition season, Asha was soon making her mark.
By Grade 11, she stepped into the Operations Captain role—responsible for community outreach, fundraising, and marketing. IHOT must be entirely self-sustaining, including sourcing all of the materials that go into building a 150 lb. robot. Did this Operations role come as easily to Asha as she’d found Computer Science? Not straight away, Asha explained:
“I’d never been in a leadership position before, and at first, I tried to do it all myself... It was a huge learning experience—realizing that my job wasn’t to do everything, but to make sure everything got done.”
Another point of pride for Asha is the composition of the IHOT team.
“The majority of other teams at these competitions are guys, and I feel like we're really lucky because our team is evenly split, which is rare for robotics,” Asha told us.
“There's a girl driving the robot, there are girl leads, and we have a female coach [Ms. Jane Simpkins AKA Queen of the FabLab].”
So what would Asha say to other girls thinking about joining IHOT or another STEM club?
“It can feel overwhelming being the only girl sometimes, but don’t limit yourself based on what others might think. Just do what you enjoy!”
Asha is passionate about encouraging others to explore science, technology, engineering, and math—so much so that she co-created this year’s AIS Girls in STEAM Conference at school. The event introduced female industry leaders in these fields to girls also interested in pursuing related careers.
And true to her own advice, Asha will carry on her STEM path next year at Emory University, where she will be studying Biophysics. Like so many discoveries in science, her journey began with a spark.
Amelie Grakoui
2025 Atlanta JournalConstitution Cup Award Winner
Co-Founder of the MENA Student Union, Coolidge Scholarship Awardee, and AIS Orchestra Concertmaster, Amelie Grakoui ’25 has also been a Model United Nations (MUN) leader for five years and is an IB Bilingual Diploma holder. Under her leadership, MUN at AIS now hosts the largest bilingual MUN conference for middle and high school students in the United States. An accomplished musician, she performs with the Atlanta Festival Academy Orchestra and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra and founded The Atlanta Music Foundation, a nonprofit providing musical opportunities for underserved students.
Arabella Isaacs
AIS 2025 Co-Valedictorian
It is no surprise that Arabella Isaacs ’25 aspires to become a physician. Her research into Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease led her to create a Teen Health Habit Tracker App, part of a bilingual awareness campaign for teens that earned her the AIS MYP Innovators grant and the AIS Accelerators grant. Arabella has been Captain of the AIS Varsity Dive Team, Lead Captain of both the Science Olympiad and Math Team, and is an IB STEM Endorsement and IB Bilingual Diploma holder. Arabella will study Chemistry and Spanish at Dartmouth College.
Kaixuan Guo 2025 Educational Collaborative for International Schools Award for International Understanding
A passionate student activist, Kaixuan Guo ’25 helped design a dew-harvesting water collector to combat water scarcity in SubSaharan Africa with support from the AIS Incubator Program. A co-leader of AIS Against Human Tra cking, she has coordinated whole-school events such as #MyFreedomDay, counseled schools in Ecuador on starting human tra cking awareness clubs, and launched a Secondary School–wide film festival aimed at debunking pervasive myths about human tra cking.
Yaëlle Mathiot
AIS 2025 Co-Valedictorian
In addition to earning an IB Bilingual Diploma and a STEM endorsement, Yaëlle Mathiot ’25 also enrolled in the online school version of the French Baccalaureate. She was Captain of the Girls’ Cross Country team this year and is a previous state finalist as part of the 4x800 track team. In addition to all this, Yaëlle has been learning to fly. A veteran of the Electronics & Pneumatics Team with IHOT Robotics, Yaëlle has competed at the FIRST World Championships— the perfect preparation for studying Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech and realizing her goal of becoming a pilot.
Bright
Futures
Celebrating Our Class of 2025 Award Winners!
Congratulations to this year’s Valedictorians, Salutatorian, and other award-winning senior students.
Rohan Shrivastava
AIS 2025 Salutatorian
The AIS Eagle Award is given to the senior(s) who have most embodied and exemplified the AIS Mission and Core Values throughout their time at the school.
Dorcas Bosombo 2025 AIS Eagle Award
Whether co-creating a Girls in STEAM event to inspire younger students or organizing an African American Fashion Show to bring the community together, Dorcas Bosombo ’25 approaches education as a journey of discovery. Her joy in learning is evident from her thoughtful contributions in class discussions to the creative connections she draws across subjects. Dorcas lives out the AIS Core Values every day.
While Rohan Shrivastava ’25 excels in Higher Level Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics, he is equally passionate about Anthropology and loves to try new things. After a successful run as a water polo player, Rohan joined the AIS basketball team for the first time in Grade 12. A recipient of the STEM endorsement on his IB Diploma, Rohan has conducted extensive research beyond the classroom and was the only high school student invited to present his findings at a professional conference. In addition to his academic success, Rohan is known throughout the AIS community for his energy, positive attitude, and kindness.
Isabella Chapa 2025 AIS Eagle Award
Throughout her Upper School years, Isabella Chapa ’25 has balanced a rich array of extracurriculars—including dance, student ambassadorship, and choir—always with exceptional e ort, especially when in service to the AIS community. This year, she organized a student-led dance, working with peers to ensure their voices were heard while collaborating with school leadership to make the event a success. As an AIS lifer, Isabella exemplifies the AIS Mission and its Core Values.
Dear Class of 2025,
Phew. One last goodbye. This time, I think it’s really it.
Over the last two years, you’ve shaped your future. No matter what that path holds, all of you have put forth your continuous best e ort to make a plan, figure out how to do it, and you actually did it
I’ll take this last moment to remind you how we opened 11th grade. I told you a story about taking my kids to Puerto Rico, where we visited the El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. It’s full of native coqui frogs, beautiful ruins, and hidden waterfalls. Magical, yes—but daunting. In a few hours, we climbed the equivalent of 80 flights of stairs. It was humid. We didn’t eat enough. Our water was heavy to carry. My nine-year-old twins started to lose their patience with all the “magic". I reminded them how special rainforests are. Ollie looked at me and said, “Yeah, the rainforest is cool, but not this hike!”
That’s been the last two years for all of you. We asked you to keep going—even after 80 metaphorical flights of stairs—because ‘the end’ always seemed just beyond the next summative, Extended Essay, CAS requirement, or paper. And yet, you did it. You reached the waterfalls. Maybe you didn’t hear the coqui frogs—but I hope you can now enjoy the reward of rest and recovery. Take a breath. You’ve earned it. And when you take your next step, I hope it’s with a renewed sense of purpose, of your capabilities, and of your power.
Ahead of you are new hikes and waterfalls to discover. It’s been my absolute joy to walk this trail with you and our incredible Grade 12 Advisory team. As I’ve said many times, drink water, have snacks, and get rest. It’s not just hiking advice—it’s life advice.
And don’t worry—it’s never really goodbye. It’s, "I hope to see you again." Stay kind, stay good, stay you.
With all my best and the best of luck,
Alison Keohane Head of Year Grade 12
THE CLASS OF 2025
Country of Citizenship, Heritage
Ananda Accardi
United States of America, American, Italian, Slovak
Gabriel Alarcon Espina
United States of America, Venezuelan
Sage Allen
United States of America, American
Nadia Allen-Krincek
United States of America, American
Julia Anbari
United States of America, American, Iraqi
Claire Anderson
United States of America, American
Avery Angove
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, American, English
Alyssa Aube
France, United States of America, American, French
Aisha Ayo-Adeyemi
Nigeria, United States of America, American, Nigerian, Yoruba
Maansi Boddapati
United States of America, Indian Dorcas Bosombo
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, United States of America, Congolese
Margaret Bruner
United States of America, Korean
Aria Caldwell
United States of America, African American
Chloe Carmichael
United States of America, American
Isabella Chapa
Mexico, Spain, United States of America, Mexican
Joyce Chen
United States of America, Chinese
Luca Chiappetta
Brazil, United States of America, American, Brazilian
Minseo Choi
Republic of Korea, Korean
Sofia Cohen
United States of America, British, Irish, Jewish, Nigerian
Lauren Cooper
United States of America, American, Greek
Julia Curnyn
Belgium, United States of America, American, Belgian
Henry Darley
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, American, British Jack Davoudpour
United States of America, American
Aayush Desai
India, Indian
Payton Dinkins
United States of America, American
Alexandre Dubois
France, French
Braden Dunham
United States of America, American
Andrea Esparza
United States of America, Lebanese, Mexican
Salomé Franco
France, French
Darcy Gall
France, United States of America, American, French
Matteo Gianella Málaga
Peru, United States of America, Peruvian
Irene Gómez-Muro García-Pardo
Spain, United States of America, Spanish
Ashton Gordon
United States of America, American, Jamaican
Amelie Grakoui
United States of America, Persian
Kaixuan Guo
United States of America, Chinese
Visnja Gusavac
Serbia, United States of America, Serbian
Naomi Hackett
United States of America, African American
Daniella Hansberry
United States of America, American
Liv Heinrici
Germany, United States of America, German Max Heller
United States of America, Jewish
Seven Holmann
United States of America, American, Nicaraguan
Arabella Isaacs
Ireland, United States of America, American, Irish
Antoine Jacob France, French
Ruya Kasikci
Turkey, United States of America, Turkish
Brooke Keith
United States of America, American Katherine Kiley
United States of America, American
BaeJin Kottke
United States of America, Australian, German, Korean, Polish
Alexia Levisse
France, United States of America, French
Martín López Álvarez
Spain, Spanish
Alex Mahran-Galindo
Spain, United States of America, Spanish, Egyptian
Andrew Maldonado
United States of America, American, Colombian
Yaëlle Mathiot
France, French
Iris McCord
United States of America, American
Tiago McGuire
Brazil, United States of America, American, Brazilian Santiago Mendez Escalona
Mexico, United States of America, Mexican
Anjali Mueller
Germany, United States of America, American, German, Indian
Imran Mukhtar
United States of America, Djiboutian, Somali Reem Musa
United States of America, Syrian Arab
Vincent Mutz
Germany, German
Max Nadler
United States of America, American, Cuban, Ukrainian Megha Nair
India, Indian
Jose Padilla
Chile, Chilean
Aditi Pai
United States of America, Hindu, Indian
Joshua Paik
United States of America, Korean
Zander Palenik
United States of America, German, Slovak
Yingkai Pan China, Chinese
Elizabeth Parker
United States of America, American
Jack Penniston Wolfe
United States of America, American
Émilie Perré
France, French
Alessandra Porter
United States of America, American Yanran Qi
China, Chinese Priyanshi Rathod
India, Indian
Asha Read
United States of America, Indian
Aries Redding
United States of America, African American, Jamaican Nava Rezaiamiri
United States of America, Persian
Daniel Richter
Germany, United States of America, American, German
Thomas Rizk
Egypt, United States of America, Egyptian
Aanya Sahni
United States of America, Indian
Diego Sanchez
Colombia, United States of America, Colombian
Isabella Sanchez
Peru, United States of America, American, Peruvian
Lucas Schekin
France, United States of America, French, Russian
Beya Sellami
Canada, Tunisia, United States of America, Tunisian
Josephine Seuge
France, United States of America, French Huaiyuan Sheng
China, Chinese
Alain Shi
United States of America, Chinese
Brent Shi
United States of America, Chinese Rohan Shrivastava
United States of America, Indian
Aaron Sitzman
United States of America, American
Shay Sultan-Dadon (Dadoun)
France, Israel, Israeli
Chase Summerlin
United States of America, African American
Milo Sussman
United States of America, American
Lailah Terry
United States of America, African American, Native American
Isabella Thompson
United States of America, American, Lebanese
Mateo Troncoso-Rojas
United States of America, Colombian
Nicholas Vaitsas
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Greek
Isabella Villagómez
United States of America, Mexican
Fee Volpert
Germany, German
Lima Wardak
Afghanistan, United States of America, Afghan
Claira Webber
Canada, United States of America, Canadian, Japanese
Marco Weick
France, United States of America, American, French, Italian, Mexican, South African
Amelia Williams
United States of America, American
Justin Wu
United States of America, Chinese
O ers from top colleges and universities around the world
Graduates will be continuing their education abroad in:
England
Germany
Korea Scotland
Spain
States plus the District of Columbia where AIS students will continue their studies in the U.S.
Athletes Continuing Their Journeys
Student-athletes will compete at: Kenyon
Ohio Northern University
New York University
AIS students are matriculating to 60+ U.S. and overseas colleges and universities
61.6%
of IB students graduate from college in four years (Compared to 41.1% of all U.S. students)
Creativity Unlocked
At Atlanta International School, creativity isn’t just encouraged—it’s expected. AIS students are taught to approach problems with curiosity and imagination—a mindset that stays with them long after graduation.
Hear directly from AIS alums working in creative industries such as film, media, and architecture. These are professionals who know the realities of creative work and the habits that sustain innovation over time. Learn their shortcuts, strategies, and lessons they’ve learned in the field—to help anyone who may be ready to take the leap.
Aisha Nga ’02
“Stories don’t just cross cultures; they create them. They shape how we see the world, how we connect, and what we choose to believe.” Aisha Nga has built her career around uncovering those connections—through food, travel, and the patterns that define us as humans.
Her work—from CNN legacy videos to her award-winning documentary A Tale of Two Teas, which aired on PBS, reflects a lifelong dedication to preserving voices and histories. “When a story isn’t recorded, it’s gone forever. That’s why I believe in documenting.”
Her tips for unlocking creativity, “Ask questions. Find the patterns no one else sees. And remember storytelling and communication are superpowers. If you learn how to use them well, you can help shape the legacy of a person, place or an idea, and build a better future."
Greta De Olano ’03
“Many buildings—especially the ones that last—end up carrying layers of stories,” says Greta De Olano, partner at Summerour Architects. “Every site has a memory, a history, a character.” Her work, spanning residential and commercial projects, is shaped by a deep respect for the dialogue between place and design.
Greta’s creative process draws heavily on memory. “I keep returning to small details that stuck with me—like the way a handrail felt in a Finnish architect’s home,” she says.
Architecture, Greta reflects, is “less about grand artistic moments and more about persistent problem-solving.
Earning trust, holding onto a vision long enough to bring it into the world—that’s where the meaning lives.”
Arsalan Akhavan ’11
“Great stories are both timeless and borderless,” says Arsalan Akhavan, CEO of Rug Entertainment. From his base in London, Arsalan produces films, podcasts, and performances that explore Persian heritage, including The Good Iranian and Shahnameh Quest
He sees storytelling as a bridge, “When a story has a proud legacy and passionate advocates to keep it alive, there’s no limit to how far it can travel.” Arsalan credits AIS for instilling this global mindset, and for teaching him to dream bigger. “It was the brilliant, supportive, and ferociously funny friends I made over those 14 years who shaped me creatively the most.”
Kilian Fischer ’12
“There’s no one-size-fits-all in storytelling,” says Kilian Fischer, a German-American filmmaker who balances corporate media work by day and independent cinema at night. As founder of his own production company, Fischbowl Productions, in Atlanta, Kilian has traveled the world for brands like Coca-Cola and FIFA—all while refining his own artistic vision.
Kilian’s creative approach is shaped by complexity and nuance. “The IB curriculum taught me that two opposing ideas can be true at the same time,” he reflects. “That spectrum of thought is necessary in any creative endeavor.”
When asked what drives him forward, Kilian is candid, “Someone has to do the work. If you can be that person, you’ll always find a role.”
WHAT A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!
Quel Rendez-Vous! magnifique. The 2025 Spring Benefit celebrated French culture and surpassed all its goals, raising more than $580,000 in net funds for need-based financial aid and to enhance the experience of every AIS student.
With over 600 guests at this sold-out event, the evening brought friends together, old and new, saw thrilling bidding on exceptional auction items, and presented delicious Michelin-starred cuisine.Thank you to everyone who made the evening such a success.
Save the date for next year’s Spring Benefit on Saturday, April 25, 2026 when we will celebrate our 40th Anniversary and the city we call home, ATLANTA! It promises to be another can't-miss event in support of AIS.
Why Your Gift Matters
With a gift of $1,984+ to The Eagles Fund, you will become part of the leadership giving group, The 1984 Society. Special invitations and benefits include,
The 1984 Society Cocktail Reception
Spring Benefit tickets and presale
Private gatherings with senior leadership and networking opportunities
Learn More! www.aischool.org/support/ the-1984-society
Forty years ago, a group of visionary parents founded AIS with their extraordinary leadership and generous donations.
Each year we ask every family to continue this legacy of giving by donating to The Eagles Fund during the Fall Campaign, September 5-30.
Having 100% family giving is essential because philanthropic foundations and corporations look for high participation when they decide which schools to fund.
Like our peer schools, AIS is a non-profit. Here, tuition covers 90% of our annual costs. We rely on giving to enhance the exceptional learning experiences our students enjoy every day.
Your donation, at any gift level, signals strong community commitment to our mission.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Alongside international, interdisciplinary, and intentional, there’s another AIS buzzword you’re bound to hear daily: community.
At AIS, community means more than just shared space. It’s about belonging, friendships, identities, and shared purpose. Our students, parents, sta , educators, and alumni all play an essential role in advancing the school’s mission. This sense of togetherness is just as vital to AIS as the IB curriculum itself!
Creating connection is at the heart of who we are. Two powerful drivers of this are our extraordinary Parent Organization (PO), and our visionary Community and Belonging team.
The PO, through its dedicated volunteers and exceptional leadership team, brings families together in meaningful ways and strengthens the school’s shared culture. With events ranging from Worldfest to La Feria, trail walks to co ees, seasonal markets, and nights out, it truly caters to everyone.
PO Board from left to right: Cheryl Yul-Behrenwaldt - PO Communications
Paola Morlet - PO President
Ekta Patel - PO Treasurer
Florencia Ducote - PO President Elect Julie Schoen - PO Marketing Liaison
The Community and Belonging team, Katrina Daniels-Samasa and Joseph Redding (pictured *), is generating positive change to cultivate inclusion, identity, and intercultural understanding supported by our internal Bridge Builders, and newly formed Community Engagement Groups.
Together these groups enrich our AIS life, building a school community that is welcoming, purposeful, and strong. To everyone who helps make our events, programs, and initiatives—whether led by the school or the PO—so impactful, thank you!
See the joy of our community in action!
Answers: Asha (1, 41), Lailah (2, 36), Elizabeth (3, 49), Chase (4, 45), Amelia (5, 54), Isabella C. (6, 57), Diego (7, 43), Mateo (8, 52), Julia (9, 31), Lucas (10, 34), Alessandra (11, 32), Luca (12, 35), Chloe (13, 55), Darcy (14, 37), Claire (15, 42), aSofi (16, 47), Beya (17, 44), Brooke (18, 60), Daniel (19, 51),
Anjali (20, 39), Margaret (21, 50), Liv (22, 38), Alexia (23, 56), Alex (24, 48), Arabella (25, 59), Jack (26, 33), Isabella V. (27, 53), Amelie (28, 40), Seven (29, 58), Matteo (30, 46).
Dear Swoop...
We all love our school mascot, Swoop. He’s the center of attention at many AIS events and even has a café named after him—but did you know that he received over 100 letters this year from our Primary School students?
Delivered via his mailbox in the Primary reception, they range from heartfelt fan mail to questions about where he lives, what he likes to eat, and how he writes with his talons. Then there are those looking for some considered Eagle wisdom—such as how to be less distracted in class.
And yes, of course, Swoop thoughtfully answers every one! It’s no small task, so to help him, he has 7–8 assistants who take down his musings and deliver his letters—three adults and some highly discreet Grade 5 students. You can see some of the correspondence to your right—which Swoop kindly gave his express permission for us to share!
The GA Tax Credit Program allows Georgia taxpayers to choose where their taxes go. We ask that you direct your GA taxes to AIS for need-based financial aid and earn a dollar-for-dollar tax credit.
Here’s the step-by-step process (it takes 1 minute):
Apply online at goalscholarship.org now through 12/31/2025.
Choose the amount you wish to redirect (up to $5,000 per couple, $2,500 per individual). Businesses can apply too!
In January, you will be informed of the amount you are approved to pay (typically around 50% of the applied amount).
Make your payment by mid-March 2026.
In 2027, file your 2026 taxes and receive a dollar-for-dollar credit for the entire amount
Thank you Thank You!
Thank you to everybody for being a part of our AIS community.
OUR MISSION
To develop courageous leaders who shape their world for the better.
OUR CORE VALUES
The joy of learning and purposeful effort. Mutual respect and understanding in an intentionally inclusive and intercultural community.
OUR APPROACH
To lead as individuals and as members of their communities, future-ready young people must learn to thrive in ambiguity and uncertainty, pairing deep self-knowledge and empathy with the skills to think analytically and constructively. We believe it is essential to develop the capacity to consider one’s decisions and actions within an ethical framework grounded in a spirited sense of hope in human potential.
We create a safe, stimulating educational environment, promoting the wonder and curiosity that motivates a student to learn in and beyond the classroom and throughout life. We believe that achievement derives from sustained, purposeful effort and by learning to think critically, debate confidently, question assumptions and push our limits. We believe language and culture shape and inform identity. We delight in difference, opening ourselves to authentic and meaningful interactions with various cultures both in school and in life. We commit ourselves to grow and change individually and together, to ensure every learner’s identity, language, and values are respected.
AIS NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Atlanta International School practices a full nondiscriminatory policy in all school-administered programs and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender preference in all of its admissions, educational and employment policies, programs, and practices.
On the front cover, our Soccer and Tennis State Championship-winning students, from top row, left to right.
Row 1
Reo Kajikawa '27
Tomas Uribe '26
Felipe Haracemiv '26
Alexandre Dubois '25
Luca Jacobson '26
Row 2
Josephine Seuge '25
Andrea Esparza '25
Avery Angove '25
Amanda Rodriguez Morales '28
Antoine Jacob '25
Chloe Carmichael '25
Kaixuan Guo '25
Row 3
Harry Warner '26
Aanya Sahni '25
Julia Curnyn '25
Marshall DuVall '27
Alex White '28
Jeronimo Troncoso-Rojas '28
Theo Michel '25
Row 4
Zachery Pemberton '26
Malaika Minja '27
Mateo Troncoso-Rojas '25
Luke Hardy '27
Alex Cooper '27
Valdemar Kristensen '26
Row 5
Arman Sharif '26
Kiara Richards '27
Antonio Bueno '28
Luca Chiappetta '25
Gabriel Alarcon Espina '25
Julius Decoufle '26
Row 6
Matteo Gianella '25
Santiago Mendez '25
Visnja Gusavac '25
Ocean Sayman '28
www.aischool.org
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