Wehave had an amazing start to the 2022–23 school year! Anchored by positive energy, effusive kindness, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the Bolles family launched into a new year in August and has not looked back. While it is hard to believe that we are already through our first semester, my team and I look forward with anticipation to the spring. This is an especially exciting time to be at Bolles, and it is all about the WE! Everything we do at Bolles is a collective effort. It takes all of us.
Weopened the year with 1,752 students, 39 new faculty and staff and wait pools in nearly all grades. Our boarding population represents 21 countries and 12 states, and if you expand to include the day student population, we represent 59 countries and more than 30 languages. A new Global Learning and Engagement program — if you haven’t met Director Natalia Aycart I encourage you to do so — will build upon this and seeks to create a Global Learning diploma recognition for upper school students for implementation in the 2023–24 school year. We continue to implement and refine our Strategic Plan (see QR code below). Highlights include work on fostering kindness, revisiting our Portrait of a Graduate to define the traits and qualities a Bolles graduate should possess, expanding class trips and a continued commitment to improving the health and wellness of all of those who grace our campuses.
Werecently celebrated the public launch of our The Future is Now capital campaign with our Pinnacle Celebration in October. With ample food, fireworks and fellowship, we celebrated our success in raising over $52 million and will certainly see this number increase as we construct new spaces for teaching and learning and expand our endowment.
Wehave much construction ongoing or scheduled on all four of our campuses. On the San Jose Campus, the Bent Tennis Complex is almost ready along with a new stadium entrance called Surface Way, an updated billboard tower is about to get started and the Center for Innovation is well underway. When the CFI is complete, it will house all the math, science, engineering and technology classes in one place — making room for the expansion of the girls boarding program in Bolles Hall. Enhancements to the Aquatic Complex are also being planned, which includes an All-Sports Hospitality Suite, Coaches suites, training facilities and a huge terrace for viewing games and events. A Gateway to Learning building is also in the design process on the Whitehurst Campus that will house a dining hall and resource classrooms. The Ponte Vedra Beach Campus has plans for a treehouse and outdoor learning center, and on the Middle School
Bartram Campus, a Learning Resource Center was just completed in time for school to start. In addition, Lovett Hall is being renovated from the old girls’ dorm space into nice, enlarged classroom spaces.
Wecontinue to make our mark on the national stage. One recent example is the swim team’s 20th national title, which continues a long tradition of excellence at Bolles. Bolles has also brought home state titles this season in both boys’ and girls’ swimming and in both boys’ and girls’ cross country — bringing our state title count up to 154.
Wewill always honor those that came before us, acknowledging the efforts and support of those that might no longer be with us. We will cultivate and shepherd the students currently in our fold, fulfilling our mission to prepare them for life beyond Bolles. We will prepare for those students not yet born, working towards the sustainability that will enable Bolles to exist in perpetuity.
Please take a minute to stop and simply soak in all that is taking place at Bolles. You will see smiling and focused faces, abundant and inspiring construction, enthusiastic teachers and learners. We are truly blessed and thankful.
Respectfully, Tyler Hodges
Russell Newton III
Chair
Tatiana Salvador ’86 Vice Chair
Preeti Swani Secretary
Tyler J. Hodges
President/Head of School
Fernando Acosta-Rua ’85
DeCovan Brown ’86
Ali Chahlavi
Robert Crosby
Rahul Deshmukh ’89
Jamie Dwyer ’92
Aubrey Edge
William Erwin Jr. ’80
Steven Gold ’95
Brittany Groover
Michael Meyers
Kathryn Pearson Peyton Francis Sanchez
Allison Korman Shelton ’94 A. Chester Skinner IV ’98
Karen Stone
John Surface ’90 DeWayne Terry ’84 A. Rodney VanPelt ’73 Matthew Wotiz
Justin Hart ’00 Alumni Board, Chair
Clayton Bromberg ’00 Board of Visitors, Chair
Elizabeth McGraw Parent Association, Co-Chair
Peter McGraw Parent Association, Co-Chair
Harry M. deMontmollin Jr. ’56
Quinn R. Barton Jr. ’46
James V. Bent Sr. ’53
John W. Connolly Jr. Deceased
William K. Hatcher ’48 Deceased
Ann C. Hicks ’55 Bartram
Beverley W. Hirsig ’46 Deceased
Helen M. Lane ’42 Bartram
Hal Lynch
Robert H. Paul III ’52 Deceased
Frederick H. Schultz ’46 Deceased
A. Chester Skinner Jr. ’40 Deceased
Herman Ulmer Jr. ’37 Deceased
George W. Varn ’38 Deceased W. Lester Varn Jr. ’42 E. Ellis Zahra Jr. ’64
There’s never been a busier time to be at Bolles, with a historic amount of construction projects either recently completed or continuing into 2023 and beyond.
Many improvements were made to the Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus during the summer months, including the installation of additional double doors and new tiling in Verlander Hall, maintenance of railings in Bolles Hall, renovations to Ulmer Hall, the addition of a firepit on the River Campus and more.
The Center for Innovation is the largest construction project currently underway on the Upper School San Jose Campus. The 47,000-square-foot, three-story building marks the most expansive construction undertaking on the San Jose Campus property since the building now known as Bolles Hall was constructed as the San Jose Hotel in 1925.
Groundbreaking on the $25 million building, designed by Miamibased Zyscovich architects and constructed by Jacksonville-based Stellar design-build company, began in June with construction projected to take approximately two years to complete. The start of construction on the Center for Innovation was made possible by a generous gift from Frank Sanchez, whose $5 million landmark
contribution is the largest single gift The Bolles School has received in its history.
The state-of-the-art structure is being constructed on the San Jose Campus’ last prime development site adjacent to Bolles Hall on a bluff overlooking the St. Johns River.
Thanks to a very special gift from the Bent Family, the School will soon complete a total renovation of the Bent Tennis Complex on the San Jose Campus. The new-and-improved tennis complex will feature all new courts, a tennis entrance, LED lights and a storage building as well as a major landscaping redesign and additional parking.
A new ticket building and entry arch made possible by the Surface Family is also being installed on the San Jose Campus, and a tower sign is being built at the intersection of San Jose Blvd. and St. Augustine Road that includes a digital display sign to promote activities and events.
On the Middle School Bartram Campus, the Bolles operations team completed construction of the Bartram Learning Resource Center. While the previous space had been restricted to a small testing room with limited capacity for students, the new 580-square-foot Center includes two collaborative working areas, a study and testing room, two offices, a restroom and a small student lounge. Plans for the future renovation of North Hall are also moving forward, with the goal of turning the former dorm space into a renovated building with multiple large classrooms. The Parrish Outdoor Learning Lab is also being added to the middle school campus to provide even more hands-on learning.
While it was necessary to put the Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus Outdoor Learning Center on hold, it will be under construction in the new year. In addition, the Bolles operations team repainted all classroom spaces in the lower school campus and replaced all the HVAC equipment on the third-floor level of the main hall before the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.
The Lower School Whitehurst Campus facilities were upgraded with new windows and doors over the summer, although progress was slower due to the presence of summer camps. The operations department also upgraded landscaping and installed new signs and an electronic reader board this fall.
The start of construction on the Center for Innovation was made possible by a generous gift from Frank Sanchez, whose $5 million landmark contribution is the largest single gift The Bolles School has received in its history.Bent Tennis Complex Surface Way
The Bolles Reflection Garden on the Upper School San Jose Campus is now home to a sculpture created and donated by Gordon Gund, a successful businessman, investor and prominent philanthropist who has generously supported The Bolles School in memory of his late wife Llura “Lulie” Liggett Gund ’58 Bartram
The piece, entitled “Flukes,” is a whale tail made of cast bronze, which was carefully installed by the Bolles operations team on December 7 via a large crane and many expert hands. Gund created the piece using only his hands and memory as he lost his eyesight in 1971.
Gund’s artist bio on his website states: “While with my eyes I can’t see the shapes I create, I feel them over and over again with my hands and my mind, and the result is in my heart forever.”
The inspiration for “Flukes” comes from a powerful experience Gund and his sons had rescuing pilot whales off the coast of their family home in Nantucket. On a Fourth of July weekend, Gund received a call from a friend who had spotted a pod of pilot whales stranded on an exposed sandbar about 100 yards offshore. The whales found themselves in this position after following the school’s alpha whale, which was dying and had beached itself.
Gund, his sons and their friends, who were in town for the holiday, joined neighbors and local fishermen in saving as many pilot whales as possible. They put sheets underneath the whales and worked together to push them back into the water, and others even tied ropes around the whales’ flukes to pull them back to the safety of the sea. But the instinct to follow their alpha was too strong for some, with several choosing to swim back onto the sandbar after being rescued. Many
survived due to the group’s efforts. Gund said that those who lived would swim deep and make sounds as they reconnected with their pod — and that was what he envisioned while creating “Flukes.”
“The sculpture has so many facades of inspiration for our Bolles Community, whether drawing from the history of the artist (Mr. Gund), the partnership between Mr. and Mrs. Gund in relation to the art and life, the story of what inspired the sculpture, or the exposure our students have to seeing a piece of art on campus that is part of a collection that has been celebrated at a multitude of private and prestigious public institutions,” said Carol Nimitz, Bolles Chief Advancement Officer. “It is a tremendous gift that will serve as a reminder to students that no matter where they roam, they always have a home to return to here at Bolles.”
Gund’s late wife, “Lulie,” was a graduate of the Class of ’58 at Bartram. He and his two sons gave an extremely generous gift two years ago, which allowed the School to totally renovate the second-floor dorm rooms, create a girls dormitory wing within Bolles Hall and move the girls from the Bartram Campus to the San Jose Campus. The sculpture can be seen from their windows, adding to their view and our campus beauty.
Gund is the Chairman and CEO of Gund Investment Corporation in Princeton, NJ, the former lead director of the boards of the Kellog Company and Corning, Inc. and the former majority owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. His artwork is on permanent display at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ; the Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden of the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH; and the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro in NJ.
An all-upper school convocation was held September 15 featuring Darryl Bellamy Jr. — a TEDx speaker and owner of Fearless Inside, a movement that has inspired thousands of students to act beyond their worries, fears and anxiety.
To date, Bellamy has collected and read more than 55,000 written and virtual fears, making him an expert on the subject. D.J. Moore ’24 introduced Bellamy to his upper school audience. Students enjoyed his
high energy and engaging presentation. They learned that others share their same fears and that they aren’t alone.
At the conclusion of the convocation, Bellamy handed out black wrist bands to everyone in attendance to remind each of them that they were fearless. Following the convocation, Bellamy ate lunch with some faculty members and later, spoke with small groups of students from the Black Student Union and the Student Global Connections Committee.
The Bolles Class of 2026 gave back to the community and learned about the role of servant leadership from a global perspective during the annual Make a Difference Day on October 12.
The freshmen worked with the following local nonprofit agencies off campus in the morning: Angelwood, City Rescue Mission, The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services, Lutheran Social Services, Mandarin Museum, North Florida School of Special Education, Pine Castle, Ronald McDonald House, Sanctuary on 8th Street and St. Johns Riverkeeper.
The students then returned to the Upper School San Jose Campus for an afternoon of activities developed by Bolles Director of Global Learning and Engagement Natalia Aycart, including:
• A compelling presentation about the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals given by Upper School San Jose Campus teachers Jeff Yeakel and Sean O’Neill with IT support from Gloria Wood in McGehee Auditorium
• The opportunity to reflect on their morning volunteer work through making a video with Steven Stam and Paul Dostert or partaking in a t-shirt design competition with Russ Bratcher and Chris Hicks
• A campus-wide scavenger hunt that challenged them to think critically about how they can be changemakers both locally and across the globe
Faculty advisors and department heads led the student groups through these perspective-broadening activities. They were especially key in the scavenger hunt, which involved 17 Bolles teachers scattering across campus for students to find and discuss each of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The students demonstrated their broader perspectives by explaining how they can continue reflecting The Bolles Way now and throughout their lives.
While the freshmen participated in this special service day, Grade 10 students took the PSAT and then attended pop-up classes that appealed to a wide variety of interests. The sophomores chose to attend either two 60-minute lessons or one 120-minute lesson, with offerings ranging from “Learning Japanese Language and Culture through Anime” to “Drum Circles!”
Grade 11 students also took the PSAT in the morning and then spent the afternoon attending a college counseling program. Seniors, who were not required to be on campus, were given the day to work on college applications.
Bolles 2022 Homecoming Week brought out the Bulldog spirit in students of all ages October 3–7.
All campuses participated in dress-up theme days, which included Disney Day, Team Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, Western Day and Bulldog Spirit Day for lower and middle school students. Upper school students also participated in the theme days but opted to swap Disney Day and Western Day for Minion Monday and Pink Out for Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
The Upper School San Jose Campus was Homecoming central, with a variety of fun activities for students that included a dodgeball tournament and games on the lawn in front of Bolles Hall throughout the week. Lower and middle school students also showed their Bulldog pride through pep rallies and special performances on their respective campuses.
The 2022 Homecoming Court featured senior students: Jeb Allen, Jeffrey Ashby, Georgia Avret, Madison Balaskiewicz, Emily Bradshaw, Jackson Brill, Jillian Candelino, Allie Drew, Katie Farr, Cameron Gratz, Land Johnson, Chris Lee, Annie Marrone, Andrew McGraw, Jessie Pearson, Carmen Roundtree, Aidan Ryan, Tucker Sharp, Tony Wang, Kiley Wenger, Graham Worley and Lydia Zaepfel.
The festivities culminated on October 7 with many celebratory events, including a pep rally with a faculty flash mob and performances from Bolles cheerleaders and dancers as well as the annual Homecoming parade and carnival held on the Upper School San Jose Campus.
Ahead of the varsity football game against TRU Prep Academy, our youngest Bulldogs enjoyed a lower school picnic held on the lawn in front of Bolles Hall, and Bolles alumni attended the Homecoming Family Tailgate Party.
The 2022 Homecoming Sweethearts, selected by votes from their peers and upper school faculty, were announced on Hodges Field during halftime of the football game, with Wang and Candelino taking home the crowns. The Bulldogs then went on to victory that evening, defeating the TRU Prep Academy Saints 42–12. Go Bulldogs!
Upper School San Jose Campus science teachers are challenging their students to question the world around them through hands-on, technology-based lessons designed to elevate their thinking and ground their understanding of complicated concepts.
Assistant Head of Upper School Piper Moyer-Shad ’91 tasked her anatomy students with a thought-provoking project called “Secret of the Skulls.” The students deduced the age, gender and race of either a real human skull or a plastic replica of a real skull. On October 4, they presented their findings to the class, explaining how their measurements informed their hypotheses.
“The lesson was an excellent opportunity to discuss ethical issues with the trafficking of human remains prior to laws enacted in the 1980s and 1990s,” Moyer-Shad said. “It also allowed for a discussion about identifying race and how problematic that can be on many levels.” Moyer-Shad added that the project challenged the students to be comfortable with ambiguity, to trust their research and to think for themselves.
Upper School science teacher Ashley McLeod not only conducted flame tests with her students this past fall, but she also brought some scientific awe to the classroom through a bright line emission spectrum lab. This technology allows observers to view the colors emitted by different elements when excited by high-voltage electricity and measure their unique wavelengths. McLeod then challenged her students to observe the colors emitted by the classroom lightbulbs and identify the element used in those lightbulbs based off their observations in the lab.
Upper School Science Chair Nancy Hazzard also reinstituted the use of digital microscopes in her classroom, which had been shelved due to Covid restrictions. These cutting-edge microscopes allow students to examine what is under the scopes on their computer screens thanks to the built-in cameras on the devices. Hazzard’s students observed a variety of specimens, including amoebas, plant cells and blood cells.
Bolles students on the Speech and Debate teams competed in multiple competitions across the state this fall, with many earning impressive individual accolades.
The Middle/Upper School Speech team kicked off its interscholastic competitive season at a tournament held September 10–11 in Trenton, Florida. Aarav Gandhi ’26 captured first place in both oratorical declamation and impromptu speaking, with Sohan Patel ’27 earning second place in impromptu speaking. Unsh Majithia ’25 brought home first place in extemporaneous speaking.
With only three members in attendance at this tournament, the Bulldogs still took second place in team sweepstakes points — an achievement that impressed team coach Bob Hutchings, who is a history teacher on the Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus.
The Speech team also competed in a high school/middle school tournament held at Fletcher Middle School in November, taking on 25 schools and about 250 students. Veda Galipalli ’28 took third place in “Just Talk” with Anushika Arun ’27 clinching fourth place in the category, while Liv Bassin ’27 and Max Kovacocy ’27 were named champions in duo interpretation of literature. Sohan Patel ’27 rose to the top as champion in impromptu speaking middle school with Aiden Pereira ’28 clinching second place in the competition. Aarav Gandhi ’26 was also named champion in impromptu speaking high school. In informative speaking, Akash Gusani ’27 finished second and Adi Yadav ’28 took home third.
The Bolles Debate Team excelled at the September 24 Incubate Debate held in Winter Haven, Florida. In the roundtable event, Daniel Waheed ’23 won the overall competition with Brody Mills ’25 coming in second and Cameron Gratz ’23 taking fifth place. Donovan Dow ’25 and Malik Leslie ’23 both made it to the semifinals of the roundtable event, and Owen Shorland ’24 had a strong performance in the first two rounds. Claire Hastings ’25 was also runner up in the mini-constitutional debate.
Bolles alumna Sophie Grace Postick ’22, now a student at Florida Southern University, served in a management role for the Incubate. The competition judges were all professors from Florida Southern University who specialize in constitutional law, social policy and history.
The following Incubate Debate tournament was hosted at Bolles on October 8 on the Upper School San Jose Campus, which was the first time the School had hosted an Incubate competition.
Students from participating schools across the region competed in two formats — town hall and roundtable — with Cameron Gratz ’23 winning the entire competition. His teammates Anaiya Nahar ’25, Abby Bradley ’25 and Lea El Hajj ’24 made it to the semifinals and won runner-up medals in their chambers. Bolles Speech and Debate Team Coach Marie Kervin said Sarah Anne Thomas ’25, Donovan Dow ’25 and Owen Shorland ’24 also performed well during the tournament.
Professors of economics, political history and law from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University and Florida State University joined a diverse judging panel that included a midshipman, two judges, two attorneys and a detective from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
About 75 upper school service and special interest clubs were well represented during the 2022 Club Day fair, held outside in front of Bolles Hall on September 13. Students perused their options and signed up for the groups they’ll support this school year.
From American Sign Language to Video Production Club, there was a diverse, broad range of opportunities for students to engage with each other and make a difference. The Bolles Way is reflected in the mission of all upper school clubs as students apply their servant leadership skills to raise funds or volunteer to support causes in the community and across the globe.
While each club champions a unique cause, all Bolles clubs came together October 26 to host the annual Halloween Carnival for children served by Sanctuary on 8th Street, a local nonprofit dedicated to encouraging and empowering Jacksonville youth and families in need.
More than 100 students entertained the children with fall-themed activities, games and treats at booths created by each club. These booths, which lined the sidewalks of the River Campus, brought smiles to both Bolles students and the children they served as they enjoyed face painting, fishing for candy, pumpkin decorating and more.
Freshmen in the Bolles Resident Life program hosted an International Dinner September 19 in Verlander Hall on the Upper School San Jose Campus. The students worked with Chef Cirilo Victoria to create the evening’s menu, which featured special meals from their home countries.
Boarding students in all grade levels and dorm families attended the flavorful feast, along with faculty, staff and day students specifically invited by the freshmen boarders. Dishes included wonton soup, garlic-flavored pork ribs, tomato egg noodles, paneer butter masala
with paratha, pelmeni dumplings, chilaquiles, pasta and meatballs, pork and fennel dumplings and piska ku funchi.
Thank you to the following Resident Life students for planning the event and presenting their dishes: Adam Wang ’26 (Canada), Andy Cao ’26 (China), David Dong ’26 (U.S.), Diego Capuano Sanchez ’26 (Mexico), James Barger ’26 (U.S.), Matthew Burke ’26 (U.S.), Nicholas Kwan ’26 (Hong Kong), Robert Luo ’26 (China), Rocco Torres ’26 (Curaçao), Rashi Kumawat ’26 (India) and Viktoriia Bobrovskaia ’26 (Russia).
Bolles Latin teacher Ginny Greenland, a faculty member for 46 years, was as a finalist for The Florida Times-Union’s 53rd annual EVE Awards. This premier award program recognizes women in North Florida and South Georgia who have contributed the most to the community during the past year and whose efforts made lasting improvements.
Former Bolles Chorus Director Rachel Clifton, who recently retired after 22 years with the School, joined Greenland as a finalist for the EVE Awards. All 12 finalists were celebrated at a luncheon on November 1 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Guest speakers from around the world visited Bolles to share their experiences and engage students in meaningful dialogue aimed at broadening their perspectives.
Kie Young, a global learning advocate and Japanese native, joined upper school students in the Chahlavi Center for Global Learning and Engagement September 8 for a thought-provoking dialogue comparing cultures by religion, social media, stereotypes and political structures. The group also discussed concepts such as Japan’s safety, recycling, hygiene and cleaning procedures, freedom and food.
Young is the president of the Japanese Association of Jacksonville and the secretary of the Mayor’s Asian American Advisory Board, an appointment that designates her to represent the concerns and desires of the Asian community in Jacksonville. She has lived in Japan, the United States, Singapore, Taiwan and Ireland.
Young’s daughter Rachel and son-in-law Daniel also joined the class to share their perspectives as “third culture kids,” which is defined as people who are raised in a culture other than their parents’. They also highlighted how students’ diverse backgrounds and experiences abroad can be powerful tools for success.
Bolles Director of Global Learning and Engagement Natalia Aycart said the pair’s viewpoints were similar to those of the Japanese American protagonist of the Global Learning and Engagement summer reading, “Diary of a Tokyo Teen.”
A delegation of Ukrainian physicians also visited Bolles on October 19 as part of an exchange with GlobalJax, a local nonprofit dedicated to developing global leaders in Northeast Florida via international education and exchange. Bolles alumna Kristina Morris Escudero ’09 coordinated the visit as a program officer with the nonprofit.
The physicians’ main objective for their trip was to learn more about the transplant surgery system in America, as they are on the forefront of developing their own system in Ukraine. The group spent a considerable amount of time at Mayo Clinic and decided to visit Bolles to get a glimpse of the U.S. education system and resources available to students interested in entering the medical field.
The delegation visited upper school history teacher Jeff Yeakel’s class to discuss the culture, language and traditions of their respective regions of Ukraine. The students asked thoughtful questions about the physicians’ current professional environment as well as their personal experiences living in Ukraine during a time of war. The physicians then observed a demonstration of the School’s Anatomage table before having lunch in the Chahlavi Global Learning Center.
The Ukrainian delegation received special permission to visit the U.S. as they work to advance the medical capabilities of their country. This is especially noteworthy given that men were not permitted to leave Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Aycart, Yeakel, Piper Moyer-Shad ’91 and Allison Chandler collaborated to ensure this opportunity was possible for both Bolles students and these special visitors, which included: Serhii Serhiiovych Chernyshuk, Yaroslav Vitaliiovych Khrebtiy, Roman Petrovych Moraru Burlesku, Dmytro Mykhailovych Koval and Mykhailo Stepanovych Zagriichuk.
Bolles is committed to providing students with All Things Possible opportunities, including enriching international travel programs like our French/Latin Exchange, which has been offered since 1990.
Eight Upper School San Jose Campus students participated in the 2022 exchange program, traveling to France to visit their correspondents at the Fénelon School in Clermont-Ferrand for two weeks in June.
John Baker ’25, Maggie Boyd ’23, Kyla Bullock ’24, Will Chamberlain ’23, Annie Hellman ’23, Kayleigh Kasinger ’24, Zoe Lieb ’23 and Ava Rathet ’23 stayed in the homes of their French peers while upper school language teachers Meredith Kendall and Sara Phillips-Bourass were hosted by two French teachers, Stéphanie Suchet and Muriel Lacroix.
The students explored the historical center of Clermont-Ferrand, visited the Petrifying Fountains of Saint-Nectaire and the Church of Saint-Nectaire, and took in the natural beauty of many lakes and volcanoes in the region. The group then made its way to
Lyon before embarking to Paris for a whirlwind tour of the City of Light, which included excursions to the Catacombs, Luxembourg Gardens, the Palais Garnier, Château de Versailles, the Champs-Elysees and the Eiffel Tower.
“The greatest thing about the exchange was being able to communicate with native speakers who were my age,” said Lieb. “I learned a lot of slang and also got to experience what life is like for a French teenager!”
Kendall emphasized how profound Bolles travel programs are in reinforcing classroom knowledge and broadening understanding while also imparting real-life skills.
“Traveling is inherently educational, but magic happens when you combine enthusiastic students, expert teachers and a team of professionals who support the group to provide an ultimate experience,” Kendall said. “Whether the Colosseum or the Eiffel Tower, it truly never gets old to see the wonder on our students’ faces when they behold, in person, what they’ve learned about in their courses at Bolles.”
In October, it was the Fénelon School students’ turn to travel to the United States and stay with their new friends from Bolles. The French students began their first full day at Bolles with a reception in the Martin E. Stein, Sr. Courtyard. Their Bolles correspondents greeted them alongside Upper School San Jose Campus Associate Head of School Mike Drew.
The French students then attended an orientation led by Bolles International Programs Coordinator Kristin Hong, who played an integral role in arranging both legs of the exchange with the Fénelon School and the company that coordinated the tour guides and travel.
During their visit, the Fénelon School students partook in Bolles Homecoming festivities, participated in French classes on campus, learned about the history of Florida and explored Downtown Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Kingsley Plantation and Fort Caroline.
All the students said “au revoir” and parted ways October 13, taking with them new friendships, lessons and broader perspectives.
Bolles recently expanded its extensive international and domestic travel programs to include Discovering Peru, an immersive experience for Grade 9–11 students set for June 5–14, 2023.
Students who embark on this South American adventure will:
• Learn about the Peruvian culture
• Interact with and learn from local community members
• Experience meaningful service-learning opportunities
• Explore and gain insight into the local agriculture
• Practice the Spanish language
• Discuss issues of global importance
In addition to this new program, Bulldogs are gearing up for the upcoming Spanish Exchange, Japanese Exchange, London Global Studies Collaboration, Rome/Pompeii Program and Grand Canyon/ Zion Program.
World language and cultural immersion, as well as safety and security, are priorities as students’ understanding of how different people work, believe and approach their daily lives is broadened through these rewarding and numerous experiences.
We can’t wait to see our students learn and grow as they travel the globe!
When a history teacher from Torah Academy of Jacksonville reached out to Bolles students for help teaching the Chinese language at the beginning of the 2022–23 school year, Chinese III Honors students responded enthusiastically.
Outside the classroom, Abigail Bradley ’25, Ava Chen ’25, Emily Farr ’25, Claire Hastings ’25, George Louh ’25 and Owen Zauke ’25
collaborated to create a dynamic video project that taught Torah Academy students different aspects of the Chinese language as well as a few basic Chinese words and phrases.
The video was well received by the teachers and students at Torah Academy, with one noting, “The video was amazing! It really opened a new world for my students.”
The Bolles Office of Admission forged new relationships with families across the country and the world at boarding school fairs and parent forums this fall.
Bolles Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Kila McCann traveled to several international destinations to meet with prospective students and families, including Berlin, Germany and multiple spots in Mexico and The Caribbean.
Mark Frampton, Director of Upper School and Boarding Admission, connected with those interested in Bolles in the following areas: Lexington, Kentucky; Caanan, New Hampshire; Lyme, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; and Nashville, Tennessee.
Bolles staff from the Office of Admission and the Office of Communications and Marketing also traveled to Orlando, Florida to attend the Enrollment Management Association annual conference this fall to exchange best practices and meet with likeminded professionals in the independent school admission world.
The Bolles School supports faculty professional development, providing many opportunities for teachers to hone their skills and enrich their classroom experience. The Duane Ottenstroer Excellence in Teaching Fellowships are among the school community’s most treasured faculty awards.
Funded by a grant from Duane and Sue Ottenstroer, the fellowships are awarded annually to members of the Bolles faculty who have had a significant impact on the learning process and have a plan for future improvement.
Many Bolles teachers completed their grant work in summer 2022. Their work reflected a broad range of interests and focuses:
Andrea Benitez
Lower School Whitehurst Campus Grade 3 Teacher
Jennifer Moore
Lower School Whitehurst Campus Librarian/Media Specialist
Andrea Benitez and Jennifer Moore
Benitez and Moore traveled to Scandinavia as they explored the library as the window to the self and the world. Highlights from their trip include kayaking the fjords in Flam, Norway, and spending an afternoon at the World Peace Center in Oslo. The pair also visited Denmark and Sweden on their 10-day journey.
Lipp went on a European tour for his Ottenstroer Fellowship as he studied famous scientists to prepare for in-character TED talks with his students. While researching Galileo in Italy, he made stops in Florence, Pisa, Rome and Venice. He also traveled to England where he learned more about Isaac Newton in London and Cambridge.
Michael Lipp MichaelResearching Galileo and Newton to Get in Character
From touring the streets of Lima to hiking Machu Picchu, Stam’s immersive journey focused on exploring the Spanish language, Incan history and local Quechua communities. Stam has been traveling the Spanish-speaking world for years to enhance her knowledge of the subject she teaches, and this trip to South America helped her fill in the gaps where she felt she needed to grow as an educator.
Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus Grade 1 Teacher
Heninger and Hetland traveled to South America to bring back the five senses of Argentina for their Grade 1 students. The team teachers walked the colorful streets of Buenos Aires, tasted the cuisine of San Telmo, learned how to tango, explored Iguazu Falls and more during their eight-day trip.
Robinson traveled to the United Kingdom to walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare’s tragic hero, Macbeth, as part of her Ottenstroer Fellowship. Robinson toured Scotland for one week, making stops in Perth and Inverness as she traced the places Shakespeare mentions in the play. She then made her way to Northumberland, England, before visiting York and London to see “King Lear” at the Globe Theater and visit Westminster Cathedral.
Adriana Stam
Janet Robinson
Adriana
Bolles Fine and Performing Arts programs continue to offer students a variety of creative outlets as they explore their talents and learn from expert faculty who inspire them to fully develop their artistry, no matter the medium.
This fall, Bolles Director of Fine and Performing Arts Laura Rippel led instructors across the School’s four campuses to provide All Things Possible for their students. The spring is also packed with opportunities for students from Pre-K through Grade 12 to showcase their artistic abilities.
“We are proud to instruct and guide budding artists as they achieve excellence through expression, and, most importantly, discover excellence within themselves,” Rippel said.
Incredible student works of all mediums have been featured in both the middle school and upper school galleries, ranging from expressive paintings and detailed drawings to intricate sculptures and moving photographs.
On the Lower School Whitehurst Campus, drama teacher Daniel Austin kicked off an innovative series of seven shows that will run across all grade levels throughout the 2022–23 school year. This global-focused series won the 2019 Global Expression and Thought Prize from the Global Education Benchmark Group for excellence in the primary school division.
Rippel said middle and upper school students have greatly benefited from not only their experienced Bolles instructors but also from guest artists who have provided world-class workshops.
At the beginning of the school year, UNF Director of Choral Studies Dr. Cara Tasher visited the Upper School San Jose Campus as a guest artist to help choral students prepare for their fall concert. Renowned dancer and choreographer Ariana Crowder also worked with the Bolles Dance Company in the fall and choreographed one of the pieces they will be performing in the 2023 Spring Dance Concert.
Rippel said she expects Bolles students to continue shining as they move from winter into the spring season. The middle school musical, “Once Upon a Mattress,” will open in February, and many fine arts exhibits and concerts will feature soon-to-be All State and Scholastic Award-winning artists.
“Things are finally feeling a bit more normal again, and students are using the arts to heal as they process the pandemic years,” Rippel said. “They are ready to excel and are growing in confidence and skill every day. As much as we aim to inspire them, it’s really the students who inspire us through their passion and dedication. We can’t wait to see how high they soar!”
The Bolles Dance Company, directed by Angela Blackledge, had the opportunity to work with renowned dancer and choreographer Ariana Crowder September 17–18 in the Parker Auditorium on the Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus. Crowder worked closely with the dancers during the Guest Artist weekend and choreographed one of the pieces that the company will perform in the 2023 Spring Dance Concert.
Crowder is trained in many forms of dance, ranging from ballet, jazz and contemporary to popping, locking, waacking and vogue. She was most recently a dancer for Taylor Swift and Beyoncé and was a past contestant on “So You Think You Can Dance: Stage vs. Street,”
making it to the top 14. The Los Angeles resident has appeared in “West Side Story” as well as on television shows “Glee,” “The Wendy Williams Show” and NBC News’ “ TODAY.” Crowder continues to train with the industry’s top professionals and travels throughout the world dancing, teaching and choreographing.
The 2022–23 Bolles Dance Company features Kate Burton ’23, Kennedy Cole ’23, Gabby Glisson ’25, Viviana Gomez ’28, Anjali Gusani ’25, Ella Hendershot ’25, Hannah Hodges ’27, Ria Kotihal ’26, Eva Lantzy ’25, Grace Ross ’27, Anya Shah ’27, Kayla Sterling ’25, Ada Ertekin-Taner ’27 and Liza Yaryna ’25. Apprentices are Lauren Berry ’27, Angelina Le ’27 and Nishi Shah ’27.
Bolles Fine and Performing Arts Director Laura Rippel hosted multiple receptions in Gooding Gallery this fall to showcase student works in mixed mediums. Exhibited pieces were created by artists from both the Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus and the Lower School Whitehurst Campus.
Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus students invited audiences to join them for a ride to remember during their production of “Murder on the Orient Express,” based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie and adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig.
The actors portrayed their colorful on-stage characters with poise and charisma in this classic whodunit tale directed by Bolles Director of Fine and Performing Arts Laura Rippel.
The performances were held November 11–12 in the Parker Auditorium at the Betsy Lovett Arts Center on the Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus.
Special thanks to Bolles faculty Angela Blackledge, Hillary Bodin, Michael Fritton, Meredith Mormann and Maggie Vance, who shared their teaching space with the giant, on-stage train!
This summer, Ashvatha Arun ’23 hosted an art competition for 90 lower and middle school students living in Sirkali, India, the small town where her father was raised. Arun held the competition through her nonprofit Enchanted, which promotes the love of art in underfunded schools.
Carrying out The Bolles Way, she used art commissions and profits from her Etsy shop to fund the materials necessary for the students’ participation as well as the prizes for the competition.
“It was a memorable experience for me to see a tangible product of my efforts,” Arun said. “It motivated me to expand my organization so I will be able to conduct more competitions in the future.”
The theme of this year’s contest was the “Beauty of Sirkali,” which Arun said inspired exceptional entries that depicted regional specialties. She separated the entries by grade level and selected the top three works in each category. Winners received art supplies to nourish their growing talent in addition to gift certificates. Arun also provided a small prize for each student who participated in the competition at an award ceremony hosted by the schools.
Bolles middle schoolers had the audience shrieking with laughter in their spooky production of “Over My Dead Body,” a one-act play written by Jean Blasiar. The performances were held October 6 and October 12 in the Parker Auditorium at the Betsy Lovett Arts Center on the Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus.
Directed by middle school drama teacher Michael Fritton, students told the story of a ghost and her husband who have joined the realm of family ghosts living in their haunted family home. Unfortunately, their still-living children plan to sell the house and move to Florida, which is something they simply won’t have…
Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus students attended the grand opening of the new-and-improved Bartram Learning Resource Center on August 19, receiving a warm welcome from the Center’s team of Janice Rausch, Brooke Ward and Cameron Mann.
While the previous space had been restricted to a small testing room with limited capacity for students, the new 580-square-foot Center includes two collaborative working areas, a study and testing room,
two offices, a restroom and a small student lounge. The expanded Center was built in a second-floor dorm apartment formerly utilized by Bolles Resident Life before the girls’ boarding program moved to the Upper School San Jose Campus.
The Center’s experienced and dedicated team provides individual support, small group lessons and school-wide instruction aimed at helping students achieve academically and reach their fullest
potential as members of the Bolles community. Students also benefit from a teamwork approach as the Center partners with teachers, administration and families to help them learn and grow.
The Bartram Learning Resource Center team now utilizes the spacious venue to:
• Teach executive functioning and life skills such as time management and organization
• Emphasize the value of self-awareness and reflective learning
• Provide an age-appropriate retreat space, a path for individual discovery of strengths and the choice to embrace challenges as learning experiences
• Facilitate individual sessions with advisors who advocate for students and lead them in exploring a variety of problem-solving, character education, study skills and academic enhancement activities
• Provide student-specific, reasonable accommodations, as needed
• Empower students to access the resources they need to thrive
Diya Comar ’27, a lifer at Bolles, recently took home the title of Miss Teen India Florida. As the youngest participant in her category, she competed in front of a panel of judges for various categories. She sang multiple compilations, excelled during a one-on-one interview and gave a cultural presentation on the topic of various regions of India.
Her next stop is at New York Fashion Week, where she earned a spot as the Florida representative. She will endeavor to take home the crown of National Miss Teen India USA in August 2023. Congratulations, Diya!
On October 12, Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus students enjoyed a day dedicated to celebrating their school community. Faculty members led students through a variety of community-building activities focused on B.E.L.O.N.G., the newly developed middle school norms:
• Build up others
• Elevate your attitude
• Listen to understand
• Open your perspective
• Notice your impact on others
• Give grace
Activities included relay races and a circle lap sitting competition as well as a creative exercise in which students wrote their dreams on small beach balls and launched them into the air as a group with a parachute.
The students then gathered for a campus-wide viewing of the Bartram fall play “Over My Dead Body” and a pep rally to celebrate the fall sports teams, arts programs and clubs.
This fall, Bolles lower school teachers across all grade levels invited students to approach traditional academic concepts through the lens of creativity, providing hands-on lessons that encouraged imagination and, in some cases, artistic expression as they broadened their perspectives.
Grade 4 students in Lower School Whitehurst Campus teacher Dr. Jaime Swartz’s class expanded their reading interests through an interactive book tasting on September 8.
Swartz transformed her classroom into a quiet café, where she asked students to don chef hats as they traveled between three stations — each featuring a collection of books as the main course. The collections were organized into the following categories: Florida-native realistic fiction, fantasy genre and series books.
At each station, students were given time to scan the book covers and flip through the table of contents and pages to gauge their personal interest in the different writing styles and genres. Then, they wrote on bookmarks and booklets Swartz provided to reflect on the reasons why they would or would not like to read the stories they
reviewed. Students also enjoyed muffins in between stations as a cherry on top of the immersive experience.
Swartz designed the learning activity to help students get to know their own tastes in literature and facilitate the creation of personalized book lists as they set reading goals for the school year.
Over on the Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus, students celebrated International Day of Peace on September 21 with a special, student-only flag. Grade 5 teachers Kaki Movsovitz and Jeni Strain worked with their students to plan this event, which included poetry readings, a group song and a Peace Walk.
Along with hand-crafted doves that adorned trees on campus, lower school art teacher Kimberly Thomas helped Grade 5 students paint colorful peace poles for display during the Peace Walk. These poles, each unique in design, featured the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” written in English on one side and the same phrase written in another language on the opposite side. Students across all grade levels stopped to admire the peace poles during the school-wide walk.
Movsovitz and Strain drew inspiration for this initiative from their Ottenstroer Fellowship called “Pathways to Peace.” In addition to touring the United Nations in New York City, the pair visited sites and attractions that represent peace, compassion and unity in Ireland and Switzerland, two countries that rank in the top 10 of the most peaceful countries in the world. They both believe it is important to incorporate peaceful resolution strategies, problem-solving skills and compassion in Grade 5.
Lower School Whitehurst Campus Kindergartners also had a roaring good time sinking their teeth into an especially creative K-Cove September 27. Students wore dinosaur masks and hand-crafted paleontologist vests as they rotated through interactive stations in groups.
From excavating dinosaur figurines in the sand pit to chiseling “fossils” out of hardened clay, these Bulldogs enjoyed playing by the K-Cove rules: design, learn, grow, discover and investigate!
K-Cove stands for Creating Outdoor adVentures through Exploration. It is located outside behind the two Kindergarten classrooms near the playground and under a shaded area by the classroom doors. K-Cove also includes a water table, a sunken boat in a sand digging area, several outdoor tables and learning tools.
The 2021 Bolles Boys’ Swimming and Diving team was named Swimming World’s Boys’ National High School Champion, the ninth overall (public and independent schools combined) national title in the boys’ program history. The honor is the seventh for the Bolles boys’ team from Swimming World. Bolles has also now claimed 12 independent school national titles. Combined with the girls’ team, Bolles has won 18 overall national titles and 20 independent school national titles.
Swimming World combined the top times from throughout the nation swum during the 2021–22 high school season to form a mock heat sheet. Bolles tallied 148 points, with the next competitor, Carmel High School in Indiana, tallying 105. Bulldog swimmers earned the top times in the nation in two relays — the 200 free relay (Andres Dupont Cabrera ’22, William Heck ’23, Tucker Peterson ’22, Ethan Maloney ’22) and the 400 free relay (Seth Tolentino ’24, Carter Lancaster ’24, Dupont Cabrera, Kayden Lancaster ’23).
Other top national times from Bolles included the 200 medley relay in third (Carter Lancaster, Heck, Miguel Rojas Newman ’22, Peterson); Dupont Cabrera in the 100 free (6th) and 200 free (9th); Heck in the 100 breast (4th); and Carter Lancaster in the 200 IM (15th).
In the feature story on Bolles in the September 2022 Issue of Swimming World (Bolles also appeared on the cover), Head Coach Peter Verhoef shared that it was depth and mutual respect that fueled his 2021 squad’s success.
“This group of guys on paper, it was our depth. We had a number of guys step up to help the team. A lot of them believed they could make an impact and that showed,” Verhoef said. “But culturally, when you look under that, this group was really good coming through Covid and coming out the other side knowing everyone has something to contribute. That respect is what is going to stand out about this team. They believed everyone in the locker room was important. They grew a lot to respect that contribution. It helped a lot of guys step up and have a bigger impact for the team.”
Bolles added four more state titles in the fall sports season, along with six district titles and a middle school conference title. Bolles has now won 154 varsity state championships along with 97 state runner-up finishes, 523 district titles and 61 middle school conference championships.
The girls’ and boys’ cross country teams made program history as the Bulldogs swept the team and individual state titles for the first time. It marks the third time Bolles has won both team titles (2018, 2021), the fourth time the boys have won both the individual and team title (1985, 2017, 2018) and the second time the girls have won both individual and team titles (2021). It is also the first time Bolles has won both the girls’ and boys’ individual titles in the same season.
The state title is the third consecutive for the girls, fourth in the last five years and 14th overall, adding to the program’s lead as most in Florida history. The girls also continued their streak of consecutive top-5 state finishes (29) and top-2 finishes (15). The state title is Head Coach Tony Ryan’s tenth at Bolles and 13th overall in his career. The boys won their second straight state meet and claimed the program’s seventh state title and the fourth for Head Coach Mike Rivera.
Jillian Candelino ’23 led the Bolles girls as a repeat state champion — another first for the girls’ program. After a runner-up finish last season, Aidan Ryan ’23 broke the tape to claim the boys program’s fourth-ever individual title. Both teams won regional and district
team titles, as well as individual wins from Ryan at both meets and Candelino at regionals and Ella Mickler ’23 at districts.
In the 2022–23 Florida Dairy Farmers Sports Awards for cross country, Bolles swept the Class 2A awards and Candelino won the overall state girls’ runner of the year award. Aidan Ryan won the Class 2A boys’ award, Tony Ryan won the Class 2A girls’ coach of the year award and Rivera won Class 2A boys’ coach of the year award. Candelino is the first North Florida area runner to be named “Miss Cross Country” since 2001. She earned the Class 2A runner of the year last season as well. The Class 2A coach of the year award is the tenth for Ryan in girls’ cross country and fourth for Rivera in boys’ cross country.
The girls’ and boys’ swimming and diving teams continued the program’s incredible streak of state titles at the Class 1A meet on November 18 in Stuart. The meet was originally scheduled a week earlier but was postponed due to Hurricane Nicole. The extra week did not deter the Bulldogs as the girls won their 32nd consecutive state title and 36th overall and the boys won the program’s 35th consecutive state title, extending their national record, and 44th overall.
Bolles won seven events with six on the boys’ side and all in automatic All-American times. The girls’ lone event win was in the 200 free relay (Simany Lee ’24, Katherine Meyers-Labenz ’24, Julia Murphy ’24, Lila Higgo ’25). The boys won the 200 medley relay (Carter Lancaster ’24, Will Heck ’23, Aidan Paro ’23, Drew Heck ’23),
Carter Lancaster won the 200 IM in a state and school record time (previously held by Olympian Joseph Schooling ’14), Andrew Kravchenko ’25 won the 50 free, Kayden Lancaster won the 500 free, Landon Kyser ’24 won the 100 back, Will Heck won the 100 breast (bettering his own school and state record in the prelims) and Bolles capped the meet with a win in the boys’ 400 free relay (Seth Tolentino ’24, Carter Lancaster, Anthony Whittall ’24, Kayden Lancaster).Head Coach Peter Verhoef was named Class IA Coach of the Year in the Dairy Farmers Sports Awards.
The varsity football team advanced to the state semifinals for the 23rd time in program history and finished the season with a 9–5 overall record.
Both the girls’ and boys’ golf teams advanced to the state tournament, placing seventh and 16th, respectively. The girls’ team won the Region 1-1A tournament for the fourth year in a row, qualifying for the state tournament for the eighth straight season. The boys placed second at the region tournament and both teams won team and individual titles at the district tournament. The girls won the program’s 10th straight and 22nd overall district team title, led by medalist Violet Robbins ’24. The boys won the program’s second consecutive and 20th overall district team title, led by medalist Luke Balaskiewicz ’25.
The volleyball team earned a berth in the state playoffs for the 36th time in program history, advancing to the region quarterfinals. Grace Albaugh ’23 was named to the 2022 American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Third Team, AVCA Best and Brightest First Team for excellence on both the court and in the classroom and to the AVCA All-Region Team.
Highlights for the middle school sports teams included winning the girls’ private school division and placing as runner-up in the boys’ race at the Middle School Cross Country State Championships, volleyball winning the program’s fourth IMSC title and the football team going 7–1.
Seventeen members of the Bolles Sharks Swim Club were named 2022 Scholastic All-Americans by USA Swimming on October 13. The honor recognizes athletes in 9–12th grade who maintained a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) and meet any of the competition criteria during the qualifying period of September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2022.
As a club, the Bolles Sharks ranked fourth in the nation for total honorees. Bolles students honored include Victor Derani ’23, Andrew Heck ’23, Lila Higgo ’25, Andrew Kravchenko ’25, Carter Lancaster ’24, Kayden Lancaster ’23, Simany Lee ’24, Katherine Meyers-Labenz ’24, Aidan Paro ’23, Alston Qin ’25, Seth Tolentino ’24, and Eldad Zamir ’25. Additional Sharks members to earn the recognition are Jayla Covington, Evan Larson, John McNamara, Lucas Spillers and Jack Whitten.
Bolles rower Sophia Quirk ’23 was named to USRowing’s Class of 2023 Scholastic Honor Roll, announced September 8. She was one of 100 candidates out of 321 applicants to earn the honor.
The scholars were chosen based on outstanding academics, rowing career successes and their responses to short-answer questions. USRowing noted that the 2023 applicant pool was the most competitive yet.
Sixteen Bolles student-athletes representing nine different sports were honored on November 9 for committing to a particular college or university to continue their athletic and academic careers. See the complete list of student-athletes below.
Family, friends, classmates, coaches and faculty gathered in McGehee Auditorium on the San Jose Campus to celebrate this well-deserved achievement. Athletic Director Matt Morris welcomed everyone and coaches introduced their respective athletes.
The following Bolles student-athletes were honored:
Baseball Will Studebaker, Niagara University
Crew
Avery Goldknopf, Clemson University
Daniel De Monte, Boston University
Andrew McGraw, Colgate University
Aidan Ryan, University of Tennessee
Girls’ Cross Country/Track & Field
Katherine Campos, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Jillian Candelino, University of Tennessee Elizabeth Csikai, Emory University
Boys’ Lacrosse
Caleb Coleman, University of Vermont Garrett Jobe, Queens University of Charlotte
Girls’ Soccer Annalise Cannada, University of Kentucky
Boys’ Swimming
Will Heck, North Carolina State University Kayden Lancaster, University of Louisville Aidan Paro, University of Louisville
Girls’ Swimming
Montana Freeman, Colorado State University at Pueblo
Volleyball Grace Albaugh, Georgetown University
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 and April in 2023.
Over the summer and throughout the fall, volunteers from the Parent Association welcomed our new families to Bolles, hosted faculty and staff appreciation events, organized an electronic device recycling drive, sent warm wishes of sunshine to families in need, hosted parent education events, planned and carried out Grandparents’ Day and several other special events on all campuses, and kept everyone up to date on the myriad of activities through weekly global emails and PA highlights on the Bolles website. If this seems like a lot, you’re right, and it is all made possible by our outstanding parent volunteers.
As the fall semester draws to a close, we enter into the season of gratitude and giving. We cannot imagine a better time to express gratitude for all of our parents who give of their time and talent in support of our school community. Bolles is fortunate to have parent executive committee chairs, campus committee chairs, class parents
and event volunteers who are dedicated to making every PA event a success. We are extremely proud of and grateful for each of our parent volunteers for all 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, and also to Becca Rogers, Bolles Events Manager, for their tireless support of the Parent Association. These combined efforts serve to enrich the Bolles experience for our students, faculty, staff and fellow parents. Keep an eye on your weekly global emails for more events to come in the spring!
With gratitude,
Elizabeth
Peter McGraw Parent Association Executive Co-Chairs Ben ’22 and Andrew ’23
and
The 2022–23 school year is off to another great start for the Bolles Parent Association!
The Bolles Parent Association hosted Grandparents’ Day events on all four campuses November 17–18. Guests enjoyed visiting students in their classrooms, convening for special performances and visiting with their grandchildren and friends throughout the day. Bolles loves Grandparents!
As we reflect on the year that passed and look ahead to the future for The Bolles Alumni Association, we want to thank you for joining us in creating a truly meaningful space for Bolles and each other. Our alumni participation rate doubled in 12 months, all because of the value that you see in your Bolles experience. Two Bolles families opened their homes and hosted alumni events in the mountains of Cashiers, North Carolina, and New York City. Alumni also gathered in Denver, Colorado, Washington, D.C. and Tampa to learn more about the exciting projects planned for all our campuses. The Homecoming tailgate celebration brought alumni back to campus as families cheered our Bulldogs to victory on Hodges Field. Over 200 of you took the time and stopped by the Alumni Office to say hello and reconnect with your favorite faculty, staff members and coaches.
From across the country and the world, many of you chose to give your best gift to Bolles and joined our online community on Alumni+. We appreciate your understanding of the value of staying connected and the importance of paving the path for future Bulldogs through job and internship opportunities. In partnership with our graduates, the Alumni Office looks forward to another year of growth as we build a bright future for the leaders of tomorrow.
Thanks again for supporting YOUR Alumni Association. Please reach out, visit us on campus and join us on the road at an alumni event to learn more about how you can help The Bolles School continue to pursue excellence in all that we do.
With Gratitude, Julia Kalinski, MPA Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving KalinskiJ@Bolles.org
John Newman ’86, M.Ed. Stewardship and Alumni Officer NewmanJ@Bolles.org
The Alumni Tailgate Party at Homecoming was held Friday, October 7 in the west endzone ahead of the varsity football game against TRU Prep Academy. Prior to kickoff, the Advancement team celebrated this year’s winners of the Sidney W. Register Memorial Award — Lynda M. Erwin ’80 and Stephen G. Matson ’87 — on the track at Skinner-Barco Stadium. Alumni and their families enjoyed tailgate activities while reconnecting with fellow Bolles graduates.
1942
Class Representative: Helen Murchison Lane Helen3790@aol.com
Trustee Emerita: Helen Murchison Lane
1949
Class Representative: Anne Monroe Poidevant 1950 Patricia Wood Lee passed away on August 8, 2022.
1951
Class Representative: Frances Watts McCurry fmccurry@comcast.net
1953
Class Representative: Jane Howard Chadbourne jachadbourne@aol.com
1955
Class Representative: Beverly Brett Warren bbrettw@hotmail.com
Trustee Emerita: Ann Curry Hicks
1956
Class Representative: Louise Adams Ropp weezier@comcast.net
1959
Class Representative: Linda Burbridge Knight lbksr@comcast.net
1961
Class Representative: Meriel Traylor Rucker (843) 881-7939
1964
Class Representative: Missie Graham Sarra LePrell Missie@missiesold.com
1966
Class Representative: Marcia Caribaltes Hughes (303) 253-4410 | Marciahughes17@gmail.com
Martha Cesery Taylor passed away peacefully on August 22, 2022, in Florida.
1968
Class Representative: Judy Goins Quick jgquick@bellsouth.net
1969
Class Representative: Virginia Conley Pappas virginiacpappas@gmail.com
1973
1971
Class Representative: Kerry Lee Byron Ehrlich klehrlich@cox.net
Class Representative: Barbara Arnold Pickett bsap00@comcast.net
1974
Class Representative: Joann Ferguson Purdie 2210jrfp@gmail.com
1975
Class Representative: Marnie Law George marnie@thegeorgegroup.com
1976
Class Representative: Virginia Ferguson McNulty virginia@mcnulty.tv
1977
Class Representative: Robin Giddens Sheppard rgsfld@att.net
1979
Class Representative: Karen Ibach Bowden kbowden61@comcast.net
Class Representative: Jennifer Williams Wiegand (704) 661-1036
1980
Class Representative: Hilda Pendleton Fenton mafenton@hotmail.com
Class Representative: Jennifer A. Hanigan jhanigan@bellsouth.net 1981
Class Representative: Susan Williams Brodeur brodboys@bellsouth.net 1982
Class Representative: Virginia (Ginny) Jones Charest Gcharest1@verizon.net
Class Representative: Carmen Crenshaw-Hovey carmencrenshaw@msn.com
1983
Class Representative: Rebecca Faircloth McNeil marvmcneil@bellsouth.net
1984
Class Representative: Marci Haimowitz Talisman Marci.talisman@gmail.com
1986
Class Representative: A. Patricia (Tricia) Helwig Todd phtodd@helwigandtodd.com 1988
Class Representative: Rebecca (Becky) Martin Forbes Rebecca.forbes@me.com
1989
Class Representative: Josphine (Josie) Bryan jbryan@stmarksdayschool.org
Class Representative: S. Courtney McCranie Mccranie2222@gmail.com
1991
1990
Class Representative: Grace Herzog Bryan Gracieb2u@me.com
Class Representative: Jennifer Purino Hensley jhensley@accretivesolutions.com
1942
Trustee Emeritus: W. Lester Varn Jr.
1946
Class Representative: Fitzhugh “Hugh” Powell (904) 733-3673
Carl “Duff” Madsen passed away at the Waterford Place Health Campus in Kokomo, Indiana, following a short illness.
Trustee Emeritus: Quinn R. Barton Jr.
1948
Class Representative: Robert (Bob) W. Brack Jr. (904) 744-2759
1949
Class Representative: Jerry Foley (904) 389-6460
1952
Steve Spragens passed away on August 10, 2022, in Santa Cruz, California, following a lengthy decline in health from Parkinson’s disease.
1953
Class Representative: James (Jim) M. Barker IV jmbchb@aol.com
Trustee Emeritus: James V.E. Bent Sr.
William R. Klahr passed away on August 2, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida.
1954
Class Representative: Hayes (Butch) L. Basford Jr. hbasford@icloud.com
1956
Class Representative: Harry M. deMontmollin Jr. hmdem@aol.com
President Emeritus: Harry M. deMontmollin Jr.
1957
Class Representative: Albert (Ted) T. Quantz tedquantz@gmail.com
1958
Class Representative: S. Thompson “Tom” Tygart silas5037@aol.com
1959
Class Representative: Barry P. Sales bpsrnr@aol.com
1962
1961
Class Representative: Ben T. Franklin Jr. bfranklin@southbankgroup.net
Class Representative: Richard Hyer Richardhyer44@gmail.com
Class Representative: Creston “Clark” Riffe clarkriffe@gmail.com
1963
Class Representative: C. McNeill (Neill) Baker neill46@aol.com
Damon Looper passed away on August 3, 2022, in Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Harry Seligman passed away on March 2, 2022, in Sanford, Florida.
Alex Smith visited the San Jose Campus to tour Skinner-Barco Stadium, Bulldog Hall, Tarver Pool and historic Bolles Hall prior to the start of the 2022–2023 school year. At Bolles, Alex was a member of the Bulldog football team and captain of the track & field team. Alex had the unique experience of attending Bolles when it transitioned from a military school to a traditional all-male high school. Alex attended Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and is retired after serving more than 50 years at the law firm of Smith & Smith in Jacksonville.
1964
Class Representative: Gregory (Greg) W. Blackmer gregblackmer@yahoo.com
Trustee Emeritus: E. Ellis Zahra Jr. 1965
Class Representative: Charles (Chuck) P. Torrey Jr. Ctorrey1@gmail.com
1966
Class Representative: Shepherd (Shep) E. Colledge Shepherdc904@aol.com
Shep Colledge, past Chairman of the Bolles Board of Trustees, won the Robert T. Shircliff Award — a recognition that many consider the Rotary Club of West Jacksonville’s highest honor. Ike Sherlock, the organization’s past president, presented Colledge with this esteemed community service award on July 13 as part of the weekly assembly of the Rotary Club of West Jacksonville.
1967
Class Representative: Christopher (Chris) B. Stubbs cbstubbs@snelling.com
1968
Classmates Jeff Marks and Jack Bettman visited the San Jose Campus to see some of the recent changes to Bolles Hall and other parts of campus. Both men had children who attended Bolles and have remained close friends over the years. Jeff was awarded the Sidney Register Alumni Award in 1995, and Jack was among the top scholars throughout his time at Bolles.
1969
Class Representative: James (Jim) R. McCain Jr. Jrmjr1951@gmail.com
Fred Wood passed away on December 4, 2021, in Clemmons, North Carolina.
1970
Class Representative: F. William (Bill) Borg bill_borg@vanguard.org
Class Representative: Chester (Chip) Skinner III chip@skinnerrealty.com
Tom Tinsley passed away on September 5, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Ryan Tredinnick ’73 visited the Upper School San Jose Campus September 7 to speak with students in Bolles Instructional Technology Specialist Gloria Wood’s video production class. He shared insight from his extensive industry experience and discussed how television production evolved over the course of his almost 50-year career.
After graduating from Florida State University, Tredinnick spent 20 years in broadcast television starting in 1975. He held a variety of positions at stations in Florida, Virginia and Indiana, including cameraman, audio operator, master control operator, production manager, newscast director, client services director and executive producer of programming. He earned Emmy Awards, Addy Awards and Telly Awards as well as the National Association of Programming Executives Iris Award.
Tredinnick then joined Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Television Division as director of production for Game Show Network in Los Angeles, where he went on to serve in various roles such as director of production, vice president of programming and vice president of operations. He also created GSN original program Common Knowledge, hosted by Joey Fatone, before retiring as the senior vice president of network operations after 25 years with the company.
His rich experience and anecdotes provided students with historical context of television production, and he left them with words of encouragement and advice.
1971 Philip Bloom passed away on November 11, 2022.
1972
Class Representative: James (Jim) F. Bailey Jr. Jimbjax53@gmail.com
1973
Class Representative: John F. Pendergast Jr. jpendergast@penderlaw.com
Board of Trustees: Rodney VanPelt
In September, Ryan Tredinnick visited the Alumni Office to take a quick tour of the San Jose Campus and present to students in Gloria Wood’s video production class. See sidebar to the left.
1974
Class Representative: Jan K. Reeder jreeder@rpds.com
1975
Class Representative: John Crescimbeni jrcjaxfl@aol.com
Class Representative: Mark McGowan mark.mcgowan@bcbsfl.com
Class Representative: J. David Sheppard sheppardpvbfl@bellsouth.net
1976
Class Representative: Kevin T. Gay (904) 249-8900
Alumni Board: Jerry F. Hurst 1977
Class Representative: Catherine Randle Hurst Catherine.hurst10@yahoo.com
1978
Class Representative: Jeffrey (Jeff) L. Evans jeff.evans@colliers.com
Chip Bachara continues to gain recognition for his excellence in the legal industry, both regionally and nationally. See sidebar on the right.
1979
Class Representative: Karen Ibach Bowden Kbowden61@comcast.net
1980
Class Representative: Jennifer Akins Hanigan jhanigan@bellsouth.net
Board of Trustees: Bill Erwin
Lynda Erwin was awarded the Sidney W. Register Alumni award for 2022–23. The award is a prestigious annual distinction for alumni who have been extraordinary changemakers in the Bolles community.
Scott P. Tyre passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 23, 2022.
1981
Class Representative: Ricardo (Rick) Morales III rick@moralesgroup.com
1982
Class Representative: Virginia (Ginny) Jones Charest gcharest1@verizon.net
1983
Class Representative: Erin O’Dell O’Brien Erin_o’brien@csx.com
Class Representative: R. Dean Scott rdeanscott@msn.com
Board of Visitors: Marcia Morales Howard
1984
Class Representative: Stephanie Hodge Bassett Bassett4837@comcast.net
Board of Trustees: DeWayne Terry
Board of Visitors: Carole Ann Coplan
1985
Class Representative: Beth Rosenbaum Angelo bethangelo@aol.com
Class Representative: Kimberly (Kim) Tucker Price kimtprice@gmail.com
Board of Trustees: Fernando J. Acosta-Rua
1986
Class Representative: Charles “Charlie” Arnold III Charlie.arnold@regdevllc.com
Class Representative: Jeanine Gulliford jeaninegull@yahoo.com
Board of Trustees: DeCovan Brown, Tatiana Radi Salvador
Board of Visitors: Peter R. Bream Jr.
Steve Williams married Fitz Pullins in Firenze, Italy on June 13, 2022.
1987
Class Representative: Ellis Barton ellis@moralesgroup.com
Class Representative: Michael (Mike) S. Wachholz Mwachholz02@comcast.net
Stephen G. Matson was awarded the Sidney W. Register Alumni award for 2022–23. The award is a prestigious annual distinction for alumni who have been extraordinary changemakers in the Bolles community.
Bolles alumnus Chip Bachara ’78 continues to gain recognition for his excellence in the legal industry, both regionally and nationally. Most recently, Bachara and his colleagues at Bachara Construction Law Group in Jacksonville, Florida celebrated the firm’s 15th anniversary.
In August, he was again selected by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of construction law and construction litigation. Bachara was also included as a member of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and Florida Super Lawyers earlier this year.
In July, he rotated off the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) for Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit after 11 years. During his tenure, which included two terms as chair, the JNC interviewed nearly 500 judicial candidates and helped appoint 33 judges.
With a bachelor’s degree in building construction from the University of Florida and a JD from Mercer University School of Law, Bachara is a licensed general contractor (inactive) and a Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Lawyer. He has practiced construction law since obtaining his law degree in 1986.
Bolles alumnus Anthony Nesty ’ 87 was named the 2022 American Swimming Coaches Association George Haines Coach of the Year, the ASCA announced September 8, 2022, at the ASCA World Clinic. In August, Nesty was named one of six finalists who coached athletes that won gold medals at the FINA World Championships in Budapest in June. The award is annually given to the individual whose coaching effectiveness has contributed the most toward American swimming excellence at the World level.
As head coach of the University of Florida’ s Men’ s and Women’ s Swimming and Diving program, Nesty balances leading the Gators to success with coaching post-graduate and professional swimmers to the highest levels. He coached multiple gold medalists in Budapest, including former Bolles Shark Caeleb Dressel as well as Bobby Finke, Kieran Smith and Katie Ledecky. The four combined for eight gold medals, the most golds coached by any finalist for the award this year.
Nesty’ s international coaching experience also includes serving as an assistant coach with the United States at the 2020 Olympics and as head coach of his native Suriname in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Nesty won Suriname’ s first-ever gold medal in the 100 fly at the 1988 Olympics and earned bronze in the event in 1992.
Anthony Nesty was named the 2022 American Swimming Coaches Association George Haines Coach of the Year, the ASCA announced September 8, 2022, at the ASCA World Clinic. See sidebar on the left.
1988
Class Representative: Karen Rinaman Barakat karenbarakat@comcast.net
Class Representative: Scott Hudmon shudmon@me.com
Richard Davis, founder and CEO of Spark Inc., led his agency to the honor of the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Company on the First Coast in 2022. See sidebar on page 59.
Mandarin Reading Clinic, co-owned by Lynda Leffler Gridley and Sarah French, won Best Learning/Tutoring Center in the 2022 Bold City Best Jacksonville.com reader’s choice contest. This is the second time MRC has won in the last three years, and the fifth consecutive year they have been a top three finalist. MRC is a clinic of Speech Language Pathologists who specialize in helping students with reading and writing difficulties as well as math tutoring.
1989 Class Representative: M. Laurie Shumer Gelman lsgelman@comcast.net
Class Representative: K. (Megan) Mickler Ira megira@me.com
Board of Trustees: Rahul V. Deshmukh
Alison Ehlert Muncy attended the Bolles Alumni event in Dallas in April 2022.
1990
Class Representative: Cynthia Sinha Anderson Cynthia.anderson3@gmail.com
Class Representative: David A. Barton davidabarton@yahoo.com
Class Representative: Amy Hightower Beaver azbeaver@bellsouth.net
Class Representative: Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Lande Givens betgivens@yahoo.com
Board of Trustees: John S. Surface
Board of Visitors: Ron T. Patrick 1991
Class Representative: Elizabeth (Liz) Kilgore Mundin mundinl@bolles.org
Class Representative: Norianne Wright norianne@msn.com
1992
Board of Trustees: Jamie P. Dwyer, M.D.
Chris Bono returned to the San Jose Campus with his University of Wisconsin Wrestling squad to practice in Cain Gym on November 4. See sidebar on page 60.
1993
Class Representative: Matthew (Matt) T. Berquist mberquist@intrepidcapital.net
1994
Class Representative: Jason M. Winkler jwinkler@gmail.com
Board of Trustees: Allison Korman Shelton
1995
Class Representative: Leed Silverfield lsilverfield@yahoo.com
Board of Trustees: Steven T. Gold
Board of Visitors: Summer J. Decker
Teddy Allen visited campus to learn more about the construction of the new Center for Innovation building and to speak to members of the Upper School science department faculty. In addition to his experience as a member of the Bulldog cross country team, Teddy credits the creative independence that Bolles fostered during his high school years for much of his professional success. Teddy has geography degrees from the University of California Santa Barbara and East Carolina University, along with a Ph.D. in meteorology and physical oceanography from the University of Miami. He currently resides in Barbados with his family and is a climatologist and research scientist at The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology.
In October, Jason Summerlin stopped by the San Jose Campus to tour the Center for Innovation construction site and learn more about the benefits of joining the Alumni Association. After graduating from Bolles, Jason received his master’s degree in digital forensics from the University of Central Florida and is employed by The Walt Disney Company in the cybersecurity department.
1996
Class Representative: Fontaine LeMaistre IV fontainelemaistre@comcast.net
1997
Alumni Board: Steve Kurosko
1998
Class Representative: Lindsay Skinner Eyrick lindsayeyrick@yahoo.com
Board of Trustees: A. Chester Skinner IV
Jeremy Yeagle passed away on November 30, 2021, following a 10-year battle with cancer.
Lindsay Tygart-Ahmed visited the San Jose Campus to share her experience at Bolles with faculty and staff in McGehee Auditorium to kick off the pre-planning meeting for the 2022–23 school year. See sidebar on page 61.
Bolles alumnus Richard Davis ’88, founder and CEO of Spark Inc., led his agency to the honor of the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Company on the First Coast in 2022. The Business Journal lists the “Fast 50” annually, highlighting “companies that boomed during the good times, that grew even when the economy shrank, that stand as an example of what ingenuity, hard work and creativity can lead to.”
Davis was honored at the Fast 50 Awards ceremony on September 15 at the Southbank Hotel. He founded his full-service advertising agency in 2004 and has seen 158.79% average annual growth.
Bolles alumnus Chris Bono ’92 returned to the San Jose Campus with his University of Wisconsin wrestling squad to practice in Cain Gym on November 4. The Badgers competed in the Battle in the River City, the first-ever collegiate wrestling event in Jacksonville, at JU on November 5. The event also included Bono’s college alma mater Iowa State as well as Chattanooga, Campbell, Little Rock and Buffalo. Each of the teams practiced at Bolles throughout the day.
Bolles Athletic Director and Wrestling Head Coach Matt Morris, who coached Bono to three wrestling state titles and the 1992 team title, visited the practice, along with longtime football assistant coach Mike Barrett. Bono was a two-time All-State selection in football and was a starter on the 1990 football state title team. He played baseball for the Bulldogs as well. His brother Ernie Bono Jr. ’89 and father Ernie Sr. were on campus on November 4 as well.
Bono has served as Head Coach for the Badgers since 2018, following successful head coaching stints at South Dakota State and Chattanooga. He has coached 16 All-Americans and 63 NCAA qualifiers along with a 136–78 dual match record over 13 seasons.
Bono began his coaching career as an assistant at Iowa State where he was a four-time NCAA qualifier and three-time All-American. He is a two-time United States National Champion, took first at the World Cup in both 2002 and 2003 and is a three-time World Team member. Bono was inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa in 2018 and FHSAA Hall of Fame in 2004.
Arthur Chin joined classmate Lindsay Tygart-Ahmed for the annual alumni presentation to faculty and staff in McGehee Auditorium during the School’s pre-planning week. During the visit, Arthur caught up with a few of his favorite teachers and learned more about current construction on the new Center for Innovation building on the San Jose Campus. After high school, Arthur received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. He resides in Jacksonville and is employed as a senior program manager at Zillow.
1999
Class Representative: Christopher “Chris” Dostie ccdostie@hotmail.com
Board of Visitors: Ryan B. Ong, Dennis E. Pash
Ryan Ong joined this year’s Board of Visitors to promote and strengthen the Bulldog alumni network in the northeast region of the United States. Ryan currently resides in Washington, D.C. where he is the senior director for international trade & regulatory affairs at the National Association of Manufacturers — the largest industrial association in the United States.
2000
Class Representative: Faye Goodman Hedrick fayemhedrick@gmail.com
Alumni Board: Justin Hart, Chair
Board of Visitors: C. Clayton Bromberg Jr., Chair, George S. Pilcher III
Brent McAuliffe stopped by the Tarver Pool on the San Jose Campus while he was in town for the Florida/Georgia football game in October. Brent was a resident student at Bolles and earned All-American honors as a swimmer for Coach Larry Shofe’s Bulldog program. He went on to swim at the University of Georgia where he was teammates with Bolles Head Swim Coach Peter Verhoef. Brent graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Georgia and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale where he works in the healthcare industry.
George Pilcher and his wife, Lollie, welcomed their new baby daughter, Penelope Jane Pilcher, on August 13, 2022.
Emmy-award winning journalist Craig Lucie led his company, Lucie Content, in executive producing “Look Up Atlanta” — the Fourth of July celebration at Centennial Olympic Park, which is said to be the biggest fireworks show in the Southeast. The ticketed event held on July 3 was hosted by Georgia World Congress Center Authority with proceeds benefiting the Centennial Olympic Park beautification fund.
2001
Class Representative: Katie Skinner Farrar katie.s.farrar@gmail.com
Class Representative: William O. Inman IV woinman4@gmail.com
Class Representative: Lloyd Regas lloydregas@gmail.com
Alumni Board: Lauren Bacalis Scheible
2002
Class Representative: Elizabeth Brotman Daniel eabrotman@yahoo.com
Class Representative: Margaret (Meg) Cheney Coleman Meg.e.cheney@gmail.com
Class Representative: John M. Marees II John.michael.marees@gmail.com
Alumni Board: Heather Lane Courtney Carson Vandergriff Richardson
2003
Class Representative: Rahul Sharma sharmar@bolles.org
Alumni Board: David Dunn, John Langley
Stephanie Lee Ramirez stopped by the Bolles Alumni Office in August to pick up some Bulldog gear and learn more about the benefits of joining the Alumni Association. Stephanie is currently the office project manager at The Church of Eleven22 and the proud parent of a PreK student on the Lower School Whitehurst Campus.
2004
Class Representative: Harry A. Kenning III Hkenn1009@gmail.com
Alumni Board: Harry Kenning
Board of Visitiors: John D. Bacon
John Bacon was selected to join this year’s Board of Visitors to promote and strengthen the Bulldog alumni network in the southwest region of the United States. JB resides in Corpus Christi, Texas where he is a vice president of account management for Naylor Association Solutions.
During a recent trip to Jacksonville, Kate Skaggs McGinniss and her family visited the San Jose Campus to learn more about the Alumni Association and some of the planned projects scheduled to begin this summer. Kate was a stand-out swimmer at Bolles and continues to train and compete in triathlons across the country. The McGinniss family currently lives in Marietta, Georgia, where Kate is a senior manager for the AbbVie pharmaceutical company.
2005
Class Representative: Catherine (Gracie) Williams Register c.gracie.williams@gmail.com
Board of Visitors: Katherine Newton Jones
Lindsay Tygart-Ahmed ’98 visited the Upper School San Jose Campus to share her experience at Bolles with faculty and staff in McGehee Auditorium to kick off the pre-planning meeting for the 2022–23 school year. Tygart-Ahmed is a senior member of Coker Law’s medical malpractice division and was recently selected to fulfill the judgeship for the 4th Circuit Court, Group 23.
A Bolles parent and dedicated alumni volunteer, Tygart-Ahmed has held board positions in the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association and the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, which named her 2020 Woman Lawyer of the Year.
Tygart-Ahmed shared fond stories from her time at Bolles and recognized teachers who made a meaningful impact on her life and career. Many of those teachers remain part of the Bolles faculty today.
“I was pushed, sometimes harder than I would have liked, but this Bolles community saw potential in me even when I couldn’t see it — and they taught me to embrace it,”
Tygart-Ahmed said. “At Bolles, we often hear words like tradition, legacy and excellence, but at Bolles, these are far more than just words. They are a way of life.”
Tygart-Ahmed was joined by her classmate Arthur Chin ’98, whom she has been friends with since the pair met in kindergarten on the Lower School Whitehurst Campus. After graduating from Bolles, Chin earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. He resides in Jacksonville and is employed as a senior program manager at Zillow.
Tygart-Ahmed left Bolles faculty and staff with these final words of inspiration: “You are what makes Bolles the premier academic institution, and you are the ones who foster the sense of community and sense of family that defines Bolles. Each of you has the power to change the world by simply doing what you do each and every day.”
Erin Rogozinski Weintraub and her husband, Arlen, have announced the birth of their son, Layton Archer Weintraub.
2006 Class Representative: Ashley K. Rawlins akrawlins@gmail.com
Alumni Board: Ashley K. Rawlins
Two-time Olympic swimmer Nim Shapira ’08 announced in August 2022 that his Northeast Florida-based company AQUAfin Swim Schools will reach farther south in the sunshine state as it opens its first franchise facility in Orange City, Florida. Shapira’s former Bolles teammate and fellow Olympian Rodion Davelaar ’08 and his wife Cassidy are behind the first AQUAfin franchise location, which provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to children as young as two-months old.
Davelaar and Shapira first met while swimming and boarding at The Bolles School in 2006. The relationship built at Bolles has lasted all these years later, and they are now both owners of AQUAfin Swim Schools.
“We are excited to expand into franchising after nearly a decade in business and further spread our swim knowledge and experience throughout Florida,” Shapira said. “We’re extremely proud to have Rodion as our first franchisee! Being a former Olympian himself combined with his career experience gives us the utmost confidence he will bring amazing water safety and swimming instruction to the Orange City community.”
In October, Trisha Berman stopped by the San Jose Campus to visit the Alumni Office and tour the new Lulie Gund ’58 Residence Hall for Girls. Trisha was a resident student during her years at Bolles and served as a prefect in the dorm. In addition to running track, Trisha was on the Bulldog cheer team for the 2004 football state champions. After graduating from the University of Hawaii with a business management degree, Trisha relocated to Carson City, Nevada, where she is employed by Guild Mortgage.
Krista Savage Chapas and Greg Chapas ’05 have announced the birth of their son, Cooper David Chapas.
Hassnah Elhage and Kahlil Elhage stopped by the San Jose Campus in August to tour the School and learn more about the recent construction of Tarver Pool. Hassnah and Kahlil were both resident students and members of Coach Jeff Poppell’s state championship swim teams while at Bolles. After graduation, Hassnah received master’s degrees in law and sports management from the University of Amsterdam and currently works as a sports lawyer and consultant focusing on improving equity in women’s sports. Kahlil received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Scientific Studies in Costa Rica and practices family medicine in Curacao.
2007
Class Representative: Michelle Risley Baker michelle.e.risley@gmail.com
Davelaar’s decision to franchise with AQUAfin came down to Shapira’s passion for swimming and desire to teach children to be safe in the water mirroring his own.
“As an Olympic swimmer and with my wife being a pediatrician, we know the importance of prevention, and the best way to prevent a swim-related tragedy is to enroll children in swim lessons early,” Davelaar said. “The joy I found teaching my two children to swim showed me I wanted to help other families do this as well.”
AQUAfin currently has 70+ employees serving thousands of local families at its corporate locations in Mandarin, Town Center and St. Augustine.
Class Representative: Allison Dewan Giebink allisondewan@gmail.com
Board of Visitors: Allison Dewan Giebink, Caitlin Hayes
Bobby Triglia stopped by the San Jose Campus in October to tour the School and visit with a few of his favorite teachers. In addition, he also informed us of his marriage to Anna Demetree. Bobby was a multi-sport athlete and a member of Coach Corky Rogers’ 2006 state championship football team. After graduating from Mississippi State University, where he played baseball for the Bulldogs, Bobby returned to Jacksonville where he is the owner of RBT Solutions.
2008
Class Representative: Catharine A. Brown catharineabrown@gmail.com
Class Representative: Christina “Christy” Prewitt Yost Christy.prewitt@hotmail.com
Max Glober visited the San Jose Campus in July to tour the School and learn more about the benefits of joining the Alumni Association. Max was a multi-sport athlete at Bolles, including being named an All-American swimmer for the Bulldogs. During his visit, Max also had an opportunity to meet Head Swim Coach and Aquatics Director Peter Verhoef at Tarver Pool. Max and his family reside in Jacksonville where he is the director of marketing for First Coast Energy LLP and Daily’s Convenience Stores.
In September, Nim Shapira stopped by the San Jose Campus to tour the School and visit with members of the Alumni Office. During his time on campus, he was also featured in the Coaches’ Corner segment on the Alumni+ network with Coach Peter Verhoef. Nim was a resident student at Bolles and a state champion swimmer for Coach Sergio Lopez Miro’s Bulldogs. As a swimmer at the University of Arizona, Nim was also an NCAA national champion and went on to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 Olympics in London.
Former Bulldog swimmers and Olympians Nim Shapira and Rodion Davelaar teamed up to expand AQUAfin Swim School. See sidebar on the left.
2009
Class Representative: Mandana (Mandy) Fatemi mandyfatemi@gmail.com
Marisa Graves Whitson and her husband, Zack, welcomed their first child, Eloise “Ellie” Lynn Whitson, on May 10, 2022.
Kristina Morris Escudero and her GlobalJax team visited the San Jose Campus in October. While at Bolles, Kristina was a standout student-athlete on the Bulldog volleyball and soccer teams. After graduating, Kristina attended Florida State University where she double majored in Spanish and International Affairs. She also earned her master’s degree in international relations and is employed by GlobalJax where she serves as a program officer.
Bradley Terry was married to Brianna Grace on November 4, 2022.
Bolles alumnus and accomplished actor Will Ropp ’12 is among the top cast of “The Greatest Beer Run Ever,” which debuted on Apple TV September 30. The movie stars renowned actors Russell Crowe, Bill Murray and Zac Efron and was adapted and directed by Peter Farrelly, whose credits include hit films “Dumb and Dumber,” “There’s Something About Mary,” “Me, Myself & Irene” and more.
The movie is based on a true story about a man who wants to support his friends fighting in the Vietnam War by personally delivering American beer and the book written by the main character “Chickie” Donohue titled “The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty and War.” The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival as Ropp and his castmates graced the red carpet.
Ropp plays the role of Kevin McLoone, a neighborhood friend of Chickie’s who runs into him during his journey. The real McLoone appeared with Ropp at the premiere. Ropp’s recent feature film credits include “The Fallout,” “Silk Road” and “The Way Back.”
2010
Class Representative: Morgan O’Hare mohareaffair@gmail.com
Bolles alumna Alexandra Pierson ’13 unveiled her highly anticipated novel, “Lightlark,” on August 23, making her a #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, #1 Publishers Weekly Bestselling, #1 Indie Bestselling and USA Today Bestselling author.
This fall, she was featured on many major television shows and outlets — including Good Morning America and Business Insider — and completed a national book tour to promote the fantasy novel, which she wrote under the nom de plume Alex Aster.
Before “Lightlark” was published, Pierson landed a major movie deal with Universal to develop the project in partnership with Temple Hill, the production company behind “Twilight.” She is set to serve as an executive producer on the project.
The novel takes place on the fictional island of Lightlark, which appears every 100 years to host the Centennial — a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play as they fight to break their deadly curses.
“Lightlark” is sold in more than 30 territories and can be purchased wherever books are sold. Visit Asterverse.com for more information about Aster and her upcoming works.
Erin Harcrow Dean and her husband, Justin, have announced the birth of their daughter, Harlow Grace Dean.
Jared Lenner was married to Renee Siegel on April 23, 2022, at Veritas Vineyards and Winery in Afton, Virginia.
Kendall Sieron and Gordon Williams were married on November 12, 2022.
Elizabeth Wingo Walker and her husband, Zach, welcomed their new baby son, Barrett Franklin Walker, on October 14, 2022.
Barrett Franklin Walker
2011
Class Representative: Ruth Curry Clements clements.curry@gmail.com
2012
Class Representative: Parker Wilf phwilf@gmail.com
Board of Visitors: Katherine Prusiecki Davis
Bulldogs Hayden Hurst ’12, Evan McGhee ’18, Trenton McGhee ’15 and Ahman Ross ’17 worked out with Coach Mike Barrett on Hodges Field in early July in preparation for the upcoming football season. Coach Barrett has been at The Bolles School since 1975 and was recently recognized by having the Bulldog weight room named in his honor — The Mike Barrett Strength & Conditioning Center.
Accomplished actor Will Ropp is among the top cast of “The Greatest Beer Run Ever,” which debuted on Apple TV September 30. See sidebar on page 63.
Tori Reiman toured the San Jose Campus in July to learn more about the new Center for Innovation and visit with a few of her favorite teachers. As a student-athlete, Tori was a two-time state champion thrower for the Bulldogs’ track & field team in the discus and shot put. She received her bachelor’s degree in family & child sciences from Florida State University and is employed by FAMA Technology as a senior manager of partnerships.
Hollisan Peery Smalenski and her husband, Jordan Smalenski ’13, have announced the birth of their daughter, Harleigh Anne Smalenski.
John Theus, his wife De and their son Weston visited the San Jose Campus in early June to tour the School and learn more about some of the planned projects at Bolles. John excelled as a student-athlete for Bolles where he was a high-school All-American on the gridiron. He went on to play collegiately for the University of Georgia and professionally for the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers. His family currently lives in Athens, Georgia, where he is a franchisee for Scooter’s Coffee.
Lane Travis and Walker Kane were married on December 10, 2022, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
2013
Class Representative: Shaye L. Newman slnewms@gmail.com
Class Representative: Emily Johns ketrjohns@aol.com
Class Representative: Virginia Skinner Virginiak.skinnera@gmail.com
Board of Visitors: Ryan F. Murphy
Latina entrepreneur Daniella Pierson ’13 was featured in Forbes as one of the wealthiest women of color in the country, with a net worth of $220 million. According to the publication, the 27-year-old is also younger than just about any self-made female entrepreneur with a nine-figure fortune.
Pierson is behind The Newsette and creative agency Newland as well as mental health startup Wondermind, which she co-founded with singer and actress Selena Gomez and Mandy Teefey, Gomez’s mother.
Ryan Murphy ’13
Bolles alumna Amy Angelo ’13 was recognized as a 2022 Moxie Award winner. The award was given to 100 women across the technology industry. The award was announced by Built In, an online community for national startups and tech companies. Of the recognition, Built In stated “we chose to represent women rising in their careers who are creating change from the ground floor of tech. The result is an impressive line-up of visionaries who have broken barriers to shape a bright future of technical excellence and inclusivity for women and other demographics in this industry.”
Angelo is a Senior Client Success Manager for Popmenu, a restaurant technology solutions company based in Atlanta. Her nominator shared that “Amy is endlessly supportive of her peers and highly capable. She makes her clients and her colleagues feel seen on not just a business level, but a personal level as well.”
2013 (continued)
Ryan Murphy was named to USA Swimming’s roster for the 2022 FINA World Short Course (25m) Championships. The event was held December 13–18 in Melbourne, Australia. Murphy is a six-time Olympic medalist and 33-time medalist overall in international competitions. At the FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in July, he won gold in the 200 back and mixed 4x100 medley relay, as well as silver in the 100 back and the 400 medley relay.
Amy Angelo was recognized as a 2022 Moxie Award winner. The award was given to 100 women across the technology industry. See sidebar on the left.
Holton Lane visited the Alumni Office on the San Jose Campus prior to the start of the new school year. Holton was a member of Coach Rogers’ Bulldog football team and was selected by his senior classmates as “Most Outgoing.” After Bolles, Holton graduated with honors from The Citadel with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in business. He resides in Jacksonville and is employed by Krystal Klean, a full service building care company.
Tee Mitchell has served as defensive quality control coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2022 season. See sidebar on the right.
Alexandra Pierson unveiled her highly anticipated novel, “Lightlark,” on August 23, making her a #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, #1 Publishers Weekly Bestselling, #1 Indie Bestselling and USA Today Bestselling author. See sidebar on page 64.
Latina entrepreneur Daniella Pierson was featured in Forbes as one of the wealthiest women of color in the country, with a net worth of $220 million. See sidebar on page 65.
Virginia Skinner stopped by the San Jose Campus in August to tour the School and learn more about the Alumni Association. During her visit, Virginia had an opportunity to catch up with her Grade 4 teacher, Caryn Canfield, on the Lower School Whitehurst Campus. After graduating with a finance degree from the University of Georgia, Virginia spent time in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. before returning to Jacksonville. She is currently the vice president of regional commercial real estate banking at Truist.
Emily Sprague passed away suddenly on June 20, 2022.
Garrett Hudson was married to Kaley Fennell on October 22, 2022, at Epping Forest Yacht Club in Jacksonville, Florida.
Bolles alumnus Tee Mitchell ’13 has served as defensive quality control coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2022 season. Mitchell was one of eight additions to the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff as part of the NFL’ s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program, announced in July. The league-wide program is designed to use training camps to give minority coaches a chance to observe, participate and ultimately gain a full-time NFL coaching position. Following what was to be a training camp stint on the staff developed into a full season role for Mitchell.
Sarah Jane Jones was married to James Collins on June 18, 2022, in Tucker’s Town, Bermuda.
Gordon Olson joined Colliers International in November to focus on Class A Industrial warehouses and Industrial land.
During a visit to Jacksonville for a classmate’s wedding, Zach Swain stopped by the San Jose Campus to visit with a few of his favorite teachers and tour the campus with a friend. After graduating from Bolles, Zach earned a business marketing degree from the University of Florida. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas, where he is a sales rep for Align Technology and the Invisalign system.
Amelia Hartje married Gustavo Machado ’13 on May 27, 2022, at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Jacksonville followed by a reception at Timuquana Country Club. Amelia is now in her third year of medical school at Florida State University, and Gustavo is working as an assistant project manager for Brasfield & Gorrie.
Prior to the Jaguars, Mitchell was the running backs coach for Edward Waters University in Jacksonville. He joined the EWU staff following coaching stints at Duke, Eastern Kentucky and West Georgia. He began his coaching career as a seasonal scouting assistant for the Jaguars in 2019.
Mitchell graduated with a degree in business administration from Mercer University in 2019, where he became the football program’s all-time leader in rushing yards (2,660) and all-purpose yards (3,432).
Alumni Board: Hunter Walker
Garrett Hudson ’14 and Kaley Fennell
James Collins and Sarah Jane Jones ’14
Bolles Alumnus Adam Prusiecki ’16 recounted his journey hiking the entire Appalachian Trail at the Lake Toxaway Country Club in North Carolina as a guest speaker for the August 22 Feast with Friends dinner. This popular summer series has featured guest speakers ranging from Olympians and politicians to retired military generals and the former chief technology officer of the U.S. Department of Defense.
Prusiecki shared stories of his adventures on the Appalachian Trail, the longest foot-traffic-only hiking trail in the world. After one year of planning, Prusiecki and his friend from college set out on the Appalachian Trail on May 8, 2021, in Georgia. He completed the trail in four months at the top of Mount Katahdin in Maine.
The Appalachian Trail extends 2,200 miles and passes through 14 states along the eastern United States. While the trail sees over 3 million visitors each year, only approximately 3,000 individuals attempt to hike the full trail — and only 1 in 4 successfully complete it. Steep climbs, wet conditions, high summer temperatures and a 30-pound backpack all contribute to the trail’ s difficulty and its charm.
Emily Hogan was recently awarded Rookie Teacher of the Year at Palencia Elementary School, where she has taught Grade 4 for three years. After graduation, Emily earned both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in elementary education. Prior to her award this year, Emily was selected by her school’s principal to attend several educational conferences and has had additional training opportunities.
Jack Comstock helped his former UNF men’s golf teammate Philip Knowles earn his PGA Tour card for the 2022–23 season. With Comstock as his caddie, Knowles finished fourth on the Korn Ferry Tour Finals money list to earn his card. Comstock was on the bag as Knowles made his first PGA Tour start on September 15 at the Fortinet Championship in Napa, California.
2016
Alumni Board: Roland Johnson
Adam Prusiecki recounted his journey hiking the entire Appalachian Trail at the Lake Toxaway Country Club in North Carolina as a guest speaker for the August 22 Feast with Friends dinner. See sidebar on the left.
2017
Class Representative: Joseph (Joey) P. DeWane dewanejoseph@gmail.com
Andrew Culver visited the San Jose Campus in August to learn more about the benefits of joining the Alumni Association before heading back to school at the University of Pennsylvania. At Bolles, Andrew was a member of the Bolles Bugle newspaper staff and a standout studentathlete for the Bulldog tennis team. Currently, Andrew is pursuing a master’s degree in healthcare law combined with a doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
Prior to heading back to school this fall, Richard Still visited the San Jose Campus to catch up with a few of his favorite teachers and learn more about the Alumni Association. As a Bulldog, Richard was a member of the rowing team, Model UN and National Honor Society. He is majoring in building construction at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Ariana Munoz was selected for the Peru Women’s National Team for Copa America, the top competition among women’s national soccer teams in South America. The UNF graduate student was one of just five collegiate soccer players on the team. She scored a goal in Peru’s friendly match versus Mexico on June 25 in preparation for the Copa America. She started seven matches for UNF this fall before missing the remainder of the season with an injury.
Anastasia Scott, a graduate student volleyball player at Long Island University, was named the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year. She is the first player in LIU history to receive the award three times. See sidebar on the right.
Anastasia Scott, a graduate student volleyball player at Long Island University, was named the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Scott is the first player in LIU history to receive the award three times. She was also named to the All-NEC First Team. Scott was also named NEC Defensive Player of Week three times this season.
Scott finished the regular season eighth in the NCAA in digs per set (5.59) and first in the NEC. She tallied double digit kills in all but three matches. She topped 30 four times, including 34 vs. Boston College on September 9. Scott will finish third in LIU history in total digs.
2019
Charles Hicks won his and Stanford University’s first individual NCAA Cross Country Championship, racing to victory in Stillwater, Oklahoma on November 19. He then repeated as the U23 European Champion on December 11. See sidebar on page 70.
Hunter Barco was selected 44th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft on July 17. A left-handed pitcher, Barco played three seasons for the University of Florida with a 17–5 career record, 3.18 ERA and 189 strikeouts. He is the 12th-highest Gators pitcher to be drafted and tied for the 19th-highest draft pick in program history.
Ariana Munoz ’18
Classmates Isaiah Morris and Josiah Johnson faced off this fall when Army took on the University of Massachusetts at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium on November 26.
Isaiah Morris ’18 and Josiah Johnson ’18
2019
For the first time in program history, the MIT men’s lightweight rowing team was represented on the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) All-America Team. Rising senior Richard Sollee was named to the Lightweight Second Team. Despite missing the majority of the fall 2021 season due to injury, Sollee became an integral member of the Varsity 8+ during the spring. He helped the Engineers win the Lightweight 8+ at the San Diego Crew Classic and the Dad Vail Regatta. Sollee set the program’s new 2K mark, breaking his own record, and also secured a spot on MIT’s all-time list of 6K scores where he currently ranks fourth.
Stefan Mostovych, a senior short stick defensive midfielder on the University of Florida men’s club lacrosse team, was named a 2022 Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division I Scholar Athlete. To earn Scholar Athlete recognition, a student-athlete must make one of his all-conference teams while also maintaining a cumulative 3.2 grade point average. Last spring, Mostovych was named to the All-America Second Team, All-Southeastern Lacrosse Conference First Team and USA Lacrosse Honor Roll.
Bolles alumnus Charles Hicks ’19 won his and Stanford University’s first individual NCAA Cross Country Championship, racing to victory in Stillwater, Oklahoma on November 19. He led the Cardinals to a fourth-place team finish. Bolles Boys’ Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach Mike Rivera was in attendance to cheer Hicks on and celebrate his amazing victory.
Hicks capped a stellar season in which he also repeated as individual champion and led Stanford to the team title at the 2022 Pac 12 Conference Cross Country Championships. He notched his seventh All-America honor in cross country and track.
He then repeated as the men's U23 European Cross Country Champion on December 11 in Italy. Hicks became the second male runner to claim back-to-back victories at the event. He also led Great Britain to the team title.
Furman student-athlete Pearson Toomey was named to the 2022 Preseason All-Southern Conference (First Team) and 2022 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Will Netting ’ 20, Ben Netting ’ 20, Cooper Sullivan ’19 and Avery Epstein ’21
Bulldog grads Will Netting ’20, Ben Netting ’20, Cooper Sullivan and Avery Epstein ’21 helped the Little Giants to a 7–3 record this season with Sullivan earning all-conference honors for the third time in his career.
Former resident student Tyler Wang visited the San Jose Campus in early September before heading back to college. In addition to being a prefect in the dorm at Bolles, Tyler was a member of the Bulldog crew and cross-country teams and president of the Art Club. Tyler is in his final year at Boston University where he is pursuing a double major in
The Toomey Family (Pearson Toomey ’ 19, Makenna Toomey ’ 21)
graphic design and advertising. During his visit, he reconnected with several of his favorite teachers, including one of his influential art instructors Tiffany Gonzalez.
2020
Avery Patterson, a junior on the University of North Carolina women’s soccer team, earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference and Academic All-District honors while leading the Tar Heels to the program’s 31st College Cup. See sidebar on the right.
Chance Moore stopped by the San Jose Campus during pre-planning week to visit with a few of his favorite teachers and learn more about the benefits of joining the Alumni Association. Chance was a multi-sport athlete for the Bulldogs and is on the Lakers baseball team at Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland.
Bulldog grads Will Netting, Ben Netting, Cooper Sullivan ’19 and Avery Epstein ’21 helped the Little Giants to a 7-3 record this season. See picture on page 70.
2021
Ethan Dano visited the San Jose Campus in June to learn more about the Alumni Association and participate in filming a segment for the Alumni+ portal. Ethan was a member of the Bulldog baseball team and recently completed his first year at Jacksonville University where he is studying biology.
Makenna Toomey stopped by the San Jose Campus to visit with a few of her favorite teachers and learn more about the Alumni Association. Makenna is in her second year at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers and is interested in studying elementary education.
Bolles alumna Avery Patterson ’20, a junior on the University of North Carolina women’s soccer team, earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference and Academic All-District honors while leading the Tar Heels to the program’s 31st College Cup.
Patterson earned All-ACC Second Team honors as she tied for sixth in the conference in both goals (9) and points (21) during the regular season, leading UNC in both categories. She also tied for the team lead in game-winning goals with three. Including postseason games, Patterson led UNC with 13 goals and 34 points in 26 games.
Former Bolles teammates Jackson Mayo ’21 (University of South Florida) and Jackson Baumeister ’21 (Florida State University) faced off in an exhibition game in Tallahassee, Florida.
Bulldog grads Will Netting ’20, Ben Netting ’20, Cooper Sullivan ’19 and Avery Epstein helped the Little Giants to a 7-3 record this season. See picture on page 70.
2022
While on fall break from Arizona State University, Ian Ramirez stopped by the San Jose Campus to visit with some of his favorite faculty members and coaches. At Bolles, Ian was a resident student and a member of Coach Peter Verhoef’s Bulldog state championship swim team. Ian is studying robotics at ASU and is a proud member of the Bolles Alumni Association.
To be eligible for Academic and All-District honors, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve who carries a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average and is at least a sophomore. Patterson is a global studies major with a concentration in international politics and Latin American studies. She is a two-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
Patterson and UNC advanced to the College Cup Final with wins over Old Dominion Georgia, Notre Dame and FSU in the NCAA tournament. The Tarheels were edged 3-2 in the final against UCLA with Patterson scoring both goals and earning All-Tournament honors.
Jackson Mayo ’21 and Jackson Baumeister ’21
On October 8, The Bolles School hosted its Pinnacle Celebration on the Upper School San Jose Campus. This elegant evening highlighted the philanthropic community of Bolles — past and present — including parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty and staff.
More than 650 gathered for the celebration, which also served as the kickoff for The Future Is Now capital campaign — an initiative that
will fund historic projects across all four Bolles campuses, including the Center for Innovation.
The festivities included dueling pianos, fireworks over the river and powerful testimonials from Bolles alumni and supporters.
