38 minute read
Hands-On Service is Back at Bolles
LIVE AND IN-PERSON: Hands-On Service is Back at Bolles
After a long — and sometimes creative — hiatus, in-person, hands-on service work is back in business on all four campuses at The Bolles School.
Freshman students were able to participate in the annual Make A Difference Day festivities, traveling to more than a dozen local nonprofit agencies to learn about their missions and opportunities to serve. The annual Halloween Carnival, an on-campus opportunity for Bolles upper school clubs to host a special carnival for local youths, also resumed its fall tradition. And Club Day, which last year was relegated to a virtual sign-up experience, was back to being a crowd-pleaser — with one of the biggest turnouts in school history.
All Bolles campuses participated in the annual Thanksgiving food drives. The Bolles Lower School Whitehurst Campus and Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus once again collected nonperishable food for Woodland Acres in concert with donors on the Upper School San Jose Campus. The Bolles Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus drive for the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation was back to being a meaningful service success, with Washington himself appearing on campus to thank students for their donations.
The return to in-person service also inspired smaller groups, clubs and individual students to ramp up their work. The Power of Blue ambassadors at Bolles hosted a spike ball fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House that yielded more than $11,000 for the organization. Several middle and upper school students gathered on multiple occasions to assist the Mandarin Food Bank and other groups.
The Bolles Way guides students in pursuing excellence through courage, integrity and compassion. It feels right to be heading this direction once again at Bolles!
A Winning Tradition Continues
Bolles fall sports teams continued a winning tradition with four more varsity state titles, six district titles and a state championship and two conference titles in middle school athletics. Bolles has now won 149 varsity state championships along with 96 state runner-up finishes, 509 district titles and 56 middle school conference championships.
The boys’ and girls’ swimming and diving teams continued their state title streaks, winning team titles at the 2021 Class 1A meet in Stuart on November 6. The boys won the program’s 34th consecutive state title, extending the national record for straight titles, and 43rd overall. The girls won the program’s 31st consecutive state title and 35th overall. Bolles won 12 events and recorded numerous automatic and provisional All-American times. The girls’ and boys’ teams won region and district team titles en route to the state meet.
Bolles won the girls’ 200 medley relay (Kate Meyers-Labenz ’24, Jessica Strong ’22, Julia Murphy ’24, Alex Zorn ’22) and the 200 free relay (Meyers-Labenz, Megan McGrath ’22, Sabrina Lyn ’23, Fresh Sathianchokwisan ’22) in automatic All-American times (AA–A), breaking the school record in the 200 free relay. Individual titles for the girls were won by McGrath in the 200 free (AA–A) and Sathianchokwisan in the 100 free (AA–A and school record). Sathianchokwisan also set a new school record in the 50 free (AA–A, 2nd place).
The Bolles boys flirted with school, state, and national records in both the 200 medley relay (Carter Lancaster ’24, William Heck ’23, Miguel Rojas Newman ’22, Tucker Peterson ’22) and 200 free relay (Andres Dupont Cabrera ’22, Heck, Peterson, Ethan Maloney ’22), winning both in automatic All-American times. The boys also won the 400 free relay (AA–A — Seth Tolentino ’24, Carter Lancaster, Dupont Cabrera, Kayden Lancaster ’23). Individual titles for the boys were won by Dupont Cabrera in the 200 free (AA–A) and 100 free (AA–A), Rojas Newman in the 50 free (AA–A) and 100 fly (AA–A) and Heck in the 100 breast (AA–A; school and state record set in the prelims).
The girls’ and boys’ cross country teams repeated a feat first accomplished in 2018, as both teams won titles at the 2021 State Championships on November 12 in Tallahassee. In a first for the girls’ program, Bolles claimed the individual and team championship in the same season as Jillian Candelino ’23 won the girls’ Class 2A race. Aidan Ryan ’23 led Bolles in the boys’ race with an individual runner-up finish.
The girls cross country team won consecutive state titles for the sixth time in program history and for the 13th time overall, moving into sole possession of the record for most state titles in Florida history. The girls also continued their streak of consecutive top-5 state finishes (28) and top-2 finishes (14). The state title is Head Coach Tony Ryan’s ninth at Bolles and 12th overall in his career. The boys’ claimed the program’s sixth state title and the third for Head Coach Mike Rivera. Both teams won region and district team titles as well.
Both the girls’ and boys’ golf teams advanced to the state tournament, placing 11th and ninth, respectively. The girls’ team
won the Region 1–1A tournament for the third year in a row, qualifying for the state tournament for the seventh straight season. After tying for medalist honors in 2020, Tori Mouton ’22 won the individual region title outright in 2021. The girls won the program’s ninth straight and 21st overall district title, led by Mouton’s individual win. The boys won the program’s 19th district title.
The volleyball team earned a berth in the state playoffs for the 36th time in program history.
Highlights for the middle school sports teams included winning the girls’ private school division at the Middle School Cross Country State Championships, the football team going undefeated (8–0) and winning the Independent Middle School Conference title and volleyball posting a 16–3 record.
The varsity football team capped the fall sports season with an 8–3 overall record, advancing to the state semifinals for the 20th time in program history. The Bulldogs also tied for most state tournament appearances (39).
College Athletic Commitments at Bolles — November 10, 2021
Nine Bolles student-athletes were honored on November 10 for committing to a particular college or university to continue their athletic and academic careers. See the complete list of studentathletes below. Family, friends, classmates, coaches and faculty gathered in Davis Gymnasium on the San Jose Campus to celebrate this well-deserved achievement. Associate Athletic Director Kelly Stevenson welcomed everyone and coaches introduced their respective athletes.
The following student-athletes were honored:
Baseball Max Haug, George Washington University Tanner Zellem, University of Tennessee
Boys’ Lacrosse Andrew Sledzik, Queens University of Charlotte Softball Annabella McClerran, Stetson University
Boys’ Swimming Andres Dupont Cabrera, Stanford University Tomohiro Nozaki, Georgetown University Tucker Peterson, Brown University
Girls’ Swimming Alexandra Breuer, Georgetown University Megan McGrath, US Naval Academy
This was the first of three college commitment ceremonies planned at Bolles this school year to recognize student-athletes as they commit to colleges. Ceremonies are also planned for February 2, 2022 and April 13, 2022.
Historic Year for Boarding in Bolles Hall
The Bolles School launched the 2021–22 school year August 12 with some exciting history-making firsts for Bolles Hall and the Bolles Residential Life program. In addition to opening with a fully solar energy dependent Bolles Hall, historic hallmarks of the new year include a near max capacity student body of more than 1,700 students on all four campuses and the reception of boarders from 17 states and 18 countries.
“There is so much good happening as we begin a new season of cultivating and educating young minds at Bolles,” said Bolles President and Head of School Tyler Hodges. “Our collective culture and courage is defined by our respect for one another and the incredible momentum pushing us forward — we are strengthened by the differences and successes fueling this very special school year.”
The biggest “first-ever” event of the school year is the advent of girls boarding facilities on the second floor of Bolles Hall. Construction concluded this fall on renovations to Bolles Hall’s second floor — a key project that has expanded the School’s residential life capacity and enabled girl boarders to move from their longtime dorms on the Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus to Bolles Hall with their male peers. The move was made possible by a historic gift from American businessman, philanthropist and professional sports team owner Gordon Gund and his sons Zach and Grant Gund, whose wife and mother, Lulie, attended Bartram School.
Called the Llura “Lulie” Liggett Gund ’58 Residence Hall for Girls, the project encompasses the entire second floor of Bolles Hall and doubles Bolles’ female boarding capacity from 30 to 60 students—positioning the program to meet increasing admission demand. The work includes notable environmental enhancements to the entire building, originally developed in the mid-1920s as a posh hotel before its founding as a school in 1933.
The second and third most historic Bolles Hall milestones of the 2021–22 school year are the switch to 100 percent solar energy dependency and the installation of an elevator. Bolles recently committed to solar power use through JEA’s SolarSmart program.
Local architecture firm Luke Architecture P.A. designed plans for the new spaces and Bent Construction is the contractor. The full scope of work hinges on future completion of the Center for Innovation, Math and Science building planned for the Upper School San Jose Campus bluff. This building is expected to house the School’s science, math, robotics and technology offerings, adds classroom space displaced by the residence hall expansion — another project that will take the Bolles experience and Bolles Hall to new “first-ever” heights and beyond.
#BollesGlobal
Bolles Residential Life is proud of its culturally and internationally diverse community of students, which this year come from 17 states and 18 countries. Students in the 2021–22 Bolles Resident Life program are from Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Vietnam, in addition to the United States. These students are joining an already culturally and ethnically diverse community of learners, many bi-lingual. Bolles students in grades Pre-K through 12 come from many backgrounds and a total of 52 countries including the United Kingdom, Tanzania, Puerto Rico, Vietnam, Brazil, Nicaragua, Italy, Lebanon, Spain, Germany, Peru, Mexico, Israel, Canada, Japan, Jamaica, Romania, South Africa, Norway, Bahamas, Singapore, Mongolia, Japan, Nigeria, Australia, Austria, Cayman Islands, China, India, Egypt, Armenia, Pakistan, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Russia, New Zealand, Belarus, Czech Republic, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, France, Ukraine, Kenya, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Turkey and South Korea.
BOLLES AT WORLD AROUND...THE OF....AND TOP ON Taking Bolles ON THE ROAD
Administrators from several key Bolles departments are traveling across the country and globe to share Bolles’ All Things Possible spirit with others.
The Bolles Office of Admission has been leading the way this fall with trips to boarding school fairs all over the world. Bolles Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Kila McCann traveled to several destinations to meet with prospective students and families including Guadalajara, Mexico City and Merida in Mexico, Jamaica and The Bahamas. Mark Frampton, Director of Upper School and Boarding Admission, hosted a Bolles booth and display at independent school fairs in the following areas: Lakeville, Connecticut; Canaan, New Hampshire; Lexington, Kentucky; and Nashville, Tennessee.
“These boarding school admission events give us an opportunity to showcase Bolles in a personal, meaningful way — it is so important to build connections with the many families around the world who want their children to receive a Bolles educational experience,” McCann said. “Knowing Bolles is an option is one part of the admission equation, but equally as important are relationships and showing families firsthand what it means to be part of the Bolles Resident Life family.”
The entire admission team traveled to Seattle, Washington to attend the Enrollment Management Association annual conference this fall to meet with other likeminded professionals in the independent school admission world.
“Relationships — whether with new families or admission colleagues — make all the difference,” she said.
The Bolles College Counseling Office knows the importance of relationships well. This year, counselors resumed visiting college campuses around the country to reestablish connections with admission staff and refresh their on-campus experiences after staying closer to home during COVID. They, like their peers in the admission office, traveled to Seattle for a professional conference this fall — in their case, however, they attended the National Association of College Admission Counselors conference. Assistant Director of College Counseling Danielle Leach, for example, also visited several colleges in the area including Williamette University, Reed College and Lewis & Clark College. Colleague Jack Fitch visited the University of Washington Seattle among others. Counselors typically visit college campuses throughout the year to make sure they are well versed on offerings that would be a good fit with students’ college ambitions.
The Bolles Alumni Office also has been making trails in an effort to strengthen connections to alumni friends around the country. This fall, Alumni Director Julia Kalinski and Chief Advancement Officer Carol Nimitz joined Bolles President and Head of School Tyler Hodges in hosting an alumni event at Red Rocks Amphitheater outside of Denver, Colorado. With more in-person engagement as their goal, the alumni office plans more events in 2022 including gatherings in Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; Cashiers, North Carolina; Vail, Colorado; Denver, Colorado; New York City, New York; and Washington, D.C
Seattle, WA
Denver, CO Canaan, NH
Lakeville, CT
Lexington, KY
Nashville, TN
Nassau, Bahamas
Mexico City, Mexico Merida, Mexico
Guadalajara, Mexico
Kingston, Jamaica
Full Tank: New Energy, Structure Redefining Admission Events
The Bolles Office of Admission hosted one of its largest — and full on tented outdoor — lower school admission events in early November during an Explore Bolles! gathering on the bluff of the Bolles Lower School Whitehurst Campus. Many prospective families showed up to learn more about the Bolles experience and hear from School administrators about the benefits of a Bolles education.
“There is a renewed energy and interest in an independent school education at Bolles — for all levels of study,” said Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Kila McCann, who said the office regularly fields interest from families coming to Jacksonville from larger metro areas in the Northeast, including New York City.
As a result, this school year is one of the first in recent years to be at capacity on all four campuses — an enviable issue that is bringing new depth and diversity of experience to the School community.
The Bolles admission team has been accommodating this influx of interest with new approaches to prospective student and family tours. The Explore Bolles! events, like the early November Whitehurst gathering, are opportunities for families to get a sense of a typical school day at Bolles — with plenty of time for authentic conversation, questions and peer-directed engagement. The events are tweaked for the audiences of all four Bolles campuses, but all relay the spirit of family, compassion and excellence for which Bolles is so widely known.
Much of the momentum began last spring, with the advent of drive-through admission welcome events for newly admitted students and their families. Each event convened faculty, staff and student representatives, who lined the campuses’ drives and shared their enthusiasm and gracious spirit with the newly minted Bulldogs.
To learn more about the Bolles Office of Admission, visit www.Bolles.org/admission.
From the Chief Advancement Officer
As we gather with relatives and loved ones during the holiday season, I would like to express gratitude for my Bolles Family as a parent and employee. Whether you identify as alumni, current or past parent or grandparent, or a current or past faculty and staff member we all share a special bond of memories and experiences that are unique to The Bolles School. Generations of individuals and families since 1933 have taken reverent care in executing the Institution’s guiding principles of integrity, compassion, excellence and courage. I am especially grateful for those who have contributed in a multitude of ways to provide the confidence we have as parents that our children are being prepared for success in a global community. We all share the responsibility to continue to make Bolles a special place, because excellence is ever evolving.
I encourage you to explore the multitude of meaningful ways you can stay connected. The Bolles Family will always welcome you!
Sincerely,
Carol Nimitz Chief Advancement Officer
100 Days of Giving Begins with a Celebration!
The Bolles Advancement Office launched its 100 Days of Giving to the Bolles Annual Fund during the The Bolles Annual Fund Kick-Off Party on the Bolles River Campus Saturday, October 2. The celebratory event ushered in 100 days of Bulldogs making their best gift to the Bolles Annual Fund — which supports all areas of school excellence.
As a 501c3 non-profit organization, The Bolles School depends on The Bolles Fund annual giving campaign to make the School’s needs and wants a reality. It provides the funds beyond tuition to make enhancements on all four campuses. This was the first year the School hosted a party to begin its annual fund efforts. Parents, faculty, staff and friends enjoyed playing games on the river bluff, music, refreshments and fellowship.
Support from families, faculty/staff, friends and alumni strengthens Bolles’ global community, offers the School the ability to purchase new equipment and supplies within the arts, academics, athletics and activities and provides for professional development opportunities for our faculty and staff — improving teaching and learning at Bolles.
Bolles Hosts Special Tribute Remembers Retired Team Doctor Lucie
Bolles hosted a special pregame ceremony honoring retired team physician Dr. Stephen Lucie for his many years of dedicated service to The Bolles School. Held this summer at Skinner-Barco Stadium prior to the Bold City Showcase, the event was one of the last opportunities coaches, faculty, friends and family had to thank Lucie, who passed away December 10, 2021.
Lucie left a rich legacy of excellence to the program he helped build more than 40 years ago.
Lucie first stepped onto the Bolles sideline in 1982, offering his services to help Bulldogs heal and stay healthy in their sports endeavors. In the nearly 40 years since, he was instrumental in advancing the Sports Medicine services at Bolles in personnel, resources and facilities. Lucie’s ties to Bolles extend to that of a former Trustee (1998–2004) and past parent with his wife, Sharon (Ryland ’96 and Craig ’00). His legacy will endure as Bolles continues to offer Sports Medicine on the level of many college athletic programs.
Lucie was a founding member of Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute, the Baptist Center for Joint Replacement team at Baptist — Downtown and he served as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ first head team physician. He also helped develop the Jaguar’s sports medicine facility. In addition to Bolles, he served as head physician for Jacksonville University and the Jacksonville Sharks. Lucie’s efforts with the Sports Medicine program at Bolles established a partnership with JOI, providing a full-time trainer as well as student trainers from area colleges. He contributed both funds and expertise in building the current Sports Medicine facility in 2003, along with members of the Skinner family.
Bolles alumnus Dr. Kevin Kaplan ’95 is the new team physician for his alma mater. The Bolles community is forever grateful to Lucie for his expertise, guidance and support during the past four decades. He leaves a #BulldogStrong legacy for Bolles athletics that continues in perpetuity. Our deepest condolences to Sharon, the Lucie family and all who knew and were helped by Dr. Lucie over the years.
Culture of Philanthropy Gathering Celebrates Donor Generosity
The Bolles Office of Advancement hosted the Culture of Philanthropy Reception November 9 in Bolles Hall’s Staman Lobby and the Martin E. Stein Sr. Courtyard. The event celebrated the School’s dedicated donors and was an opportunity to showcase the new donor circle plaques, which will be installed permanently in the coming weeks. Thank you to all who attended — we look forward to hosting more events that celebrate and honor our sustaining givers!
The McGraw Family
From the PA Co-Chairs
The 2021–22 school year is off to a great start for the Bolles Parent Association! After a year of limited activities due to COVID-19, our parent volunteers have been anxious to make up for lost time and have delved into various committees that support our students, faculty, staff and parents with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm.
The Parent Association volunteers have welcomed our new families to Bolles, hosted faculty/staff appreciation events, organized an electronic device recycling drive and uniform recycle sale, sent warm wishes of sunshine to families in need, hosted parent education events, encouraged awareness and celebration of our diverse student body, planned and carried out grandparents day and other special events on all four campuses, and have kept everyone up to date on the myriad of activities through weekly global emails and PA highlights on the Bolles website.
While this may seem like a dizzying pace of activity in just the first semester, our parent volunteers somehow make all of this look easy. Peter and I are so proud of and grateful for each of our parent volunteers for the countless hours they have given, and continue to give, to Bolles. Most importantly, we are especially grateful to Sandy Catanese, Director of The Bolles Fund and Parent Programs for her continued dedication and leadership. These combined efforts serve to enrich the Bolles experience for our students, faculty, staff and fellow parents. Stay tuned for even more to come in the next few months!
With gratitude,
Elizabeth and Peter McGraw Parent Association Executive Co-Chairs Ben ’22 and Andrew ’23
Grandparents’ Day Events A Real Celebration
The Bolles Parent Association hosted Grandparents’ Day events on all four campuses November 18–19. All gatherings were well-attended and long on joy, and everyone enjoyed the buzz of being back on campus after a virtual hiatus the past year. Guests enjoyed visiting students in their classrooms, touring campus for various activities, convening for student performances and visiting with their grandchildren and friends throughout the day. Bolles loves Grandparents!
It is truly an honor to serve the Bolles community as the Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. I have enjoyed hearing from so many alumni about their Bolles experience and how it has shaped their lives 10, 20 and 50 years later. Coming to Bolles from the Jacksonville nonprofit sector, I was no stranger to the Bolles legacy. I have served on local boards alongside Bolles alumni, partnered with them on major fundraising initiatives for children in need and watched Bolles alumni change our community for the better. There is no doubt the foundation of a Bolles education creates passionate changemakers with a heart for service.
The stories of lifelong mentors, friendship and fond memories are what inspired us to create a space where Bolles alumni could connect with the School, revisit some of their favorite aspects of Bolles and give back to their community from anywhere in the world. In September, we launched the new Alumni Association and Alumni+ portal. In just a short time the Alumni+ portal has provided a space for exclusive Class in Session events with beloved teachers, Coaches’ Corner discussions with Bolles athletics coaches and opportunities to submit and share Class Notes. Sports stars from years past have met the new generation of coaches, classmates have seen updates on their friends in real time and our Alumni can now offer internships and jobs opportunities to the next generation of Bulldogs with the click of a button. Membership in the Alumni Association is your best gift to the Bolles Annual Fund and includes access to all virtual and in person events here and across the country as Bolles leadership goes on the road in 2022. If you have any questions, please contact me directly. I look forward to connecting with you!
Go Dogs, Julia Kalinski Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Phone: (904) 256-5014 Email: KalinskiJ@Bolles.org
Members of the Bolles Board of Visitors were treated to student-led campus tours by seniors Tori Mouton ’22 and Katie Sollee ’22 (third and fourth from left)
Bolles Board of Visitors 2021-22
The Bolles Board of Visitors (BOV) consists of alumni who serve as lead ambassadors for the Institution in key concentrated alumni populated areas throughout the United States and beyond and assist the Board of Trustees and the President and Head of School in specific projects as delegated. BOV members keep Leadershipat the Institution informed of attitudes, opinions, concerns and expectation with respect to The Bolles School. Most importantly, they build fellowship among the alumni base in their community and increase alumni engagement and participation with the Institution.
Clayton Bromberg Jr. ’00 chairs the 2021–22 Board of Visitors and succeeds immediate past chair Judge Marcia Morales Howard ’83. C. Clayton Bromberg Jr. ’00, Chair Terri Arnold ’85 Dr. Peter Bream ’86 Carole Ann Coplan ’84 Allison Dewan ’07 Dr. Summer Decker ’95 Katie Davis ’12 Caitlin Hayes ’07 Judge Marcia Morales Howard ’83 Kate Newton Jones ’05 Jake Lee ’11 Ryan Murphy ’13 Jamil Murray ’11 Dennis Pash ’99 Ron Patrick ’90 George Pilcher III ’00
The Bolles Alumni Association Board 2021-22
The Alumni Association Board strives to foster an engaged and passionate community of Bolles alumni in support of the Institution and each other. They serve as a vital partner in the success of The Bolles School through the significant engagement of alumni. Members assist in the diverse needs and interests of our community and alumni network through educational opportunities, local and regional events, as well as benefits and services. Adam Edgecombe ’98, Chair Heather Lane Courtney ’02 David Dunn ’03 Justin Hart ’00 Roland Johnson ’16 Carla Jones ’03 Harry Kenning ’04 Steve Kurosko ’97 John Langley ’03 Tim Miller ’05 John Marees ’02 Lauren Scheible ’01 Ashley Rawlins ’06 Carson Vandergriff Richardson ’02 Hunter Walker ’14 Jerry Hurst ’76
ALL THINGS ALUMNI: Join the New Bolles Alumni Association Today!
The roar of the crowd…the friends that are still on speed-dial… that special teacher who made a difference… these are just a fewof the things any Bolles alumnus might cherish. This is why the School explored the idea of creating a web portal exclusively for Alumni that offers a host of interactive experiences to build community near and far.
On September 8, 2021, that idea was implemented with the launch of the new Bolles Alumni Association and Bolles Alumni+ portal — a place that brings engaging programming that cannot be duplicated on any other social media platform and most importantly, represents experiences that showcase all aspects of what makes Bolles and our alumni unique.
The portal, an annual benefit of the newly-established Bolles Alumni Association, provides access to exclusive alumni content, events and networking opportunities. Sure to be a connector for alumni of every era, this high-tech window on the School’s past and present offers content such as Class in Session — livestreamed classes from some of the School’s most notable teachers.
Kicking off Class in Session, for example, was longtime Bolles history teacher Dr. Danton Kostandarithes, who shared a presentation on Alexander Hamilton on September 9, just as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit Hamilton returned to Broadway. Also, a guaranteed hit is Coaches Corner, which features opportunities to hear from and interact with the entire Bolles coaching staff. The Alumni sports stars of the past can come back and have real life connections to those walking the path today. Additional content includes presentations from Bolles arts and academic experts, students, and prominent alumni. Inside the Arts looks inside Bolles’ recent production of The Little Mermaid, and the portal also features an Alumni Concierge program.
“We are thrilled to offer Bolles alumni new opportunities to connect with their alma mater and each other,” said Bolles Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Julia Kalinski. “It is a wonderful new expansion of the Bolles alumni experience.”
To join the Bolles Alumni Association, visit www.Bolles.org/alumni to learn about Alumni+ and make your best gift to The Bolles Annual Fund. Once registered, new members receive full access to exclusive events and ways to connect personally and professionally with their Bolles alumni family. Alumni businesses can post employment and internship openings and new Bolles graduates can find their first chance at a job. Alumni who have long moved across the country can step back into the classroom with their favorite mentor or the locker room with their favorite coach. This space truly belongs to our Alumni and will evolve with their continuous feedback.
For more information about the Bolles Alumni Association’s Alumni+ Portal, contact Julia Kalinski at KalinskiJ@bolles.org or (904) 256-5014.
2021 Alumni Tailgate Party Brings Bulldogs Back to Bolles
The Alumni Tailgate Party at Homecoming was held Friday, October 29 in the west end zone. Alumni and families enjoyed being on campus to enjoy long overdue reunions with classmates, peers and faculty and to celebrate the posthumous honoring of Llura “Lulie” Liggett Gund ’58 Bartram during a pre-game ceremony. Gund’s husband Gordon and their sons Zack and Grant made possible the new Llura “Lulie” Liggett Gund ’58 Residence Hall for Girls on the second floor of Bolles Hall. In addition to celebrating the Gund family’s generosity, alumni had fun watching the Bulldogs take on Miami’s Tru Prep Academy and conversation with Bolles administrators.
Bolles Celebrates Gund Family’s Generosity, New Chapter of Girls Boarding
The Bolles School community was privileged to welcome and celebrate The Gund Family during Homecoming at several on-campus festivities.
Gordon Gund and sons Zack and Grant gave a transformative gift to the School in honor of wife and mother Llura “Lulie” Liggett Gund Bartram ’58, who passed away in 2020. The family’s gift made possible the Llura “Lulie” Liggett Gund ’58 Residence Hall for Girls on the second floor of Bolles Hall, which paved the way for female boarding students to live in Bolles Hall for the first time in School history. Gordon and son Grant traveled to Jacksonville October 29 to attend a reception and ceremony on the Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus in their family’s honor. Prior to kickoff of the Homecoming football game on George H. Hodges Field, the School posthumously honored Lulie Gund and announced her as the recipient of the 2021–22 Alumna Sidney W. Register Award — a prestigious annual distinction for alumni who have been extraordinary changemakers.
On October 30, the School hosted a luncheon honoring the family and boarding students led tours of the new Llura “Lulie” Liggett Gund ’58 Residence Hall for Girls.
The official opening celebration and Gund family welcome of the residence hall made history at The Bolles School. Bolles originally was developed in the mid-1920s as a posh hotel before its founding as an all-male military school in 1933. Bolles dropped its military affiliation in 1962 and became coeducational in 1971, but residence halls have been split between the Bartram and San Jose campuses for decades. With a consolidated boarding program — girls on the second floor and boys on the third floor of Bolles Hall — all Bolles Resident Life students can live on the campus where they attend classes, practices and events.
The new girls’ residential hall eventually will encompass the entire second floor of Bolles Hall and doubles Bolles’ female boarding capacity from 30 to 60 students — positioning the program to meet increasing admission demand. The work includes notable environmental enhancements to the entire building — Bolles Hall is now 100 percent solar energy dependent.
The female boarders are part of a culturally and internationally diverse resident community of students from 17 states and 18 countries this school year.
The Gund family’s gift has gathered this culturally vibrant group of students together in one campus home at long last. The family’s gift also aligns with Lulie Gund’s long legacy of philanthropy, which included making tangible changes in the realms of blinding retinal diseases, conservation and renewable energy.
Bolles Alumni Enjoy Mountaintop Experience!
The Bolles Alumni Office hosted a beautiful alumni event at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater’s Trading Post Backyard August 18 in Morrison, Colorado. The event drew Bulldog alumni in the area who enjoyed catching up and meeting with Bolles President and Head of School Tyler Hodges, Chief Advancement Officer Carol Nimitz and Director of Alumni Engagement Julia Kalinski. More “Bolles on the Road” alumni social events are planned in 2022. See the calendar listing of upcoming opportunities to gather with fellow Bulldogs in fun venues around the country!
INCOMING! Bolles Alumni Office Coming to a City Near You in 2022
As part of its dedication to connecting with alumni across the country this year, the Bolles Alumni Office has established an exciting travel agenda for 2022. Keep your eyes on our flight plan for Bolles alumni events upcoming — details to follow!
The Bolles Sharks Nation Third in Olympic Swimming Medal Count
If the Bolles Sharks Swim Club were a nation, they would rank third in the swimming medal count at the conclusion of the swimming competition at the 2020 Olympic Games. Former Bolles swimmers accounted for six gold and nine total medals! Bolles Swimming continues its streak of swimmers at every Olympics since 1972 with 63 total including 14 medalists winning a total of 29 overall medals and 18 gold. Six former coaches have also coached at the Olympics including four at the 2020 Games.
Former Bolles Shark Caeleb Dressel became just the fourth male swimmer ever to win five gold medals in a single Olympics. After two relay golds in 2016 and winning his first 2020 gold in the 4x100 free relay, Dressel claimed his first individual event gold in the 100 free with an Olympic record. He also won the 100 fly in a world record time, the 50 free with another Olympic record and finally, teamed with former Bolles Sharks teammate and Team USA co-captain Ryan Murphy ’13 to win the 4x100 medley relay in world record time.
Murphy ’13 Visits Current Swim Team
Six-time Olympic medalist Ryan Murphy '13 returned to the San Jose Campus and the new Tarver Pool on October 22 to speak to the current swim team about preparing for state and his experience at the Tokyo Olympics.
Murphy, a three-time gold medalist in 2016, won silver in the 200 back and bronze in the 100 back to total six medals over two Games. He and Dressel also teamed up on the USA’s 4x100 mixed medley relay, with Murphy and Dressel both swimming excellent legs, but a goggle issue hampered teammate Lydia Jacoby in the breaststroke leg and ultimately led to a fifth-place finish.
Santo Condorelli ’13 swam in his second Olympic Games and earned his first medal as a part of Italy’s silver medal 4x100 free relay. Condorelli did not swim in the final but earned the medal as part of the relay in the prelims where he helped Italy to the fastest seed heading into the finals, breaking the Italian national record (which was then broken again in the finals). Joseph Schooling ’14, a gold medalist in 2016, swam in his third Olympics for Singapore. He placed 44th in the 100 fly heats and 39th in the 100 free prelims. Former Shark McKenna DeBever, representing Peru, won her heat and finished 24th overall in the opening heats of the women’s 200 IM.
On the pool deck, alumnus and former Bolles Assistant Coach Anthony Nesty ’87 and former Bolles Head Coach Gregg Troy both served as assistant coaches for the U.S. Olympic Team. Former Bolles Head Coach Sergio Lopez Miro served as an assistant coach for Singapore. Former Bolles Head Coach Rick Bishop was the head coach for Hong Kong.
Bolles also partnered with First Coast News, providing a Bolles presence throughout local Olympic coverage as well as live news broadcasts from deck of the Tarver Pool.
