2017-18 Winter Bolles Magazine

2015 (continued) After students put in countless hours of hard work- including desk research, field research, writing the 50-page paper, and preparing for and completing a group oral defense — each team of professors is challenged to select the strongest cases presented.

Alumni speakers at this year’s Bolles New Student Welcome event included DeShawn Ruffin ’14, Kiana Cleveland ’16, Max Michael ’15, Audrey Ryan ’15, Hollisan Peery ’12 and Ana Torubara ’16. Either via Skype or in-person, alumni visited with the class each day to share memories of their Bolles experience and their top five tips for academic success.

Rachel Schwam '15 is pursuing a Spanish major with minors in Politics/International Affairs and Latin American and Latino studies at Wake Forest University. In the fall of 2016, she was one of nine

Riley Coonan ’17

Coonan ’17 Named to SoCon All Freshman Volleyball Team Bolles alumna Riley Coonan ’17 was named to the 2017 Southern Conference Volleyball All-Freshman team. A middle blocker for Wofford College, Coonan hit .300 on the 2017 season, fifth best in the conference and second best on the Wofford team. She had 129 kills in 67 sets played.

# TBT 2006

# TBT

76 | alumni |

“Riley has made a noticeable difference for our team this season,” said Terriers Head Coach Lynze Roos. “With her speed and size, she brought a new level of competition into the gym which improved our middles and right-side attackers. Riley blended with our team’s chemistry so well from the beginning, so the communication and connection on the floor was immediate. We are honored that she is regarded as one of the best freshmen in the league and are expecting great things from her in her career.”

Jordan Jackson ’16 and Kyle Johnson ’16

Bolles Alumni Reunite at Air Force Academy

2015 (continued) upperclassman students to receive the Thomas E. and Ruth Mullen Scholarship. Through the program, she spent a semester abroad in Chile. Here is an excerpt from a reflection she wrote for the Wake Forest Scholars page in December: "The academic and cultural experiences in Chile have been incredible, for they have shaped me personally and intellectually. Taking a variety of classes and being able to travel throughout the Southern Cone exposed me to a region of the world I had never known. For example, traveling to the Chilean Magellanic and Antarctic region and seeing a colony of King penguins on Tierra del Fuego was one of the most breathtaking sites I have ever visited…I chose to write about the success and influence of the German-Chilean minority in Chile and why they experience high levels of socioeconomic and cultural success in comparison to another minority in Chile.

Interviewing subjects for this thesis was fascinating because it allowed me to learn firsthand about a group that I would not have interacted with otherwise. Not only did I learn about the German-Chileans, but also, it provided me with a chance to practice more Spanish in the process! As a Spanish major, this whole semester abroad was enjoyable and exciting for me.

My love for the language definitely deepened during my time in Chile, and while I will certainly miss the place that has been my home for the last four months, I am looking forward to returning to campus!"

Bolles football alumni Kyle Johnson ’16 and Jordan Jackson ’16 are teammates again as contributors on the United States Air Force Academy’s football team. Jackson, a defensive lineman, recorded a pass break-up and Johnson, a linebacker, had two tackles in the Falcons’ season-opening win over VMI. During the Air Force Academy’s Parents Weekend, Johnson, Jackson and Air Force Academy Prep School cadet candidate Amari Terry ’17 and their parents reunited over dinner.

While not at the dinner, alumnus Cody Mercer ’17 is a teammate of Terry on the prep school’s football squad.

The Bolles connection to the Air Force Academy is particularly strong in recent years with additional Bolles alumni Chandler Beachy ’14 (Wings of Blue Air Force Skydiving Team), Michael Fonteno ’14 (swimming), Maddie Hoff ’15 (swimming), Jonathan DeWane ’16 (basketball) and Matt Serra ’17 (swimming) all attending.

Rachel Schwam ’15

winter 2017–18

77