FALL 2019
A PUBLICATION OF CHARLESTON DAY SCHOOL
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Kindergarten Begins Third Year
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Preparing for High School
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Alumni Spotlight: Emma Navarro (’16)
2018 –2019
Annual Report
SCHOLARSHIP | INTEGRIT Y | RESPECT | RESPONSIBILIT Y
Table of Contents Letter from Head of School
From the Head of School 2
Kindergarten Begins Third Year 3-4 2019 Awards and Accolades
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Rising seventh graders attend the CDS Commencement ceremony for their graduating siblings.
Preparing for High School Requires a Personal Approach
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Great Glimpse of Europe
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Beyond the Gates: Alumni Spotlight
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Beyond the Gates: Alumni News
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2018-19 Annual Report
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About the Cover
Kindergarteners high five the eighth graders on graduation day. Photo by Tim Coffey.
The Gateway Contributors: Nicole Seitz
Editor and Writer
Mary Baarcke
Contributing Writer
Brigitte Morin
Contributing Writer
Tim Coffey
Photographer
Thanks also to several faculty, staff members and parents for contributing photos and content.
Dear Charleston Day School Families,
I
t’s hard to believe that a year has passed since I settled into 17 Archdale Street. During that time, I’ve had a rapid-fire education about hurricanes and King Tides and have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the Charleston Day School family. This is a place that is easy to call home. As I think about some of the highlights of the past twelve months, my focus goes to the student growth that is experienced every single day at 15 Archdale Street. Whether it is the marvel of a kindergartner decoding a book for the first time or the pride our graduating eighth graders have in their accomplishments, hard work and wonder abound in every corner of Charleston Day School. It isn’t by chance that our graduates are well prepared and ready to meet the challenges of high school and beyond. Each day at CDS is a building block for a successful future. So, how does that success happen? What are the competencies that distinguish a Charleston Day School graduate? Our graduates are effective communicators who can present their ideas, experiences, and information confidently and appropriately. They are responsible citizens who strive to make a difference in their community. They are life-long learners who seek opportunities to expand their knowledge, approach new situations openly and are confident self-advocates. They exhibit strong character and care about one another. Universally, the one thing that I hear from alumni, regardless of age, is that their strongest and longest friendships, the ones that withstand time and challenges, are the friendships that were formed while at CDS. In this issue of The Gateway, you’ll learn a little more about our Kindergarten program, which is now in its third year. Under the direction of alumna and former CDS parent Garden Blincow (’81), the opportunities for our littlest Scorpions are bright. And you will learn more about the successful high school placement process at CDS. On average, 98% of our eighth graders are admitted to their first choice high schools, including Academic Magnet, Porter-Gaud, Episcopal School, Ashley Hall, Woodberry Forest and many others. Faculty member Andy Willits works individually with each eighth grader and his or her family to weigh options and determine the best fit school for each graduate. The process is designed to be individualized, with each student focusing on his or her unique talents and hopes for the future. Finally, please take a moment to read about Emma Navarro (’16), who recently won the girls’ doubles championship at the Junior French Open, made it to the quarter-finals in girls’ singles at Junior Wimbledon and is ranked 4th (and the top American) in the junior tennis world ranking. Her drive and tenacity are inspiring, and when asked about her time at CDS, she shared, “the two biggest things Charleston Day taught me were independence and resilience. I learned how to figure things out on my own and stand up for myself. I learned how to be tough and never give up even in the toughest of situations.” The strength of a Scorpion! The closing section of the magazine contains the 2018-19 Annual Report. In his letter that accompanies the Annual Report, Board Chair J. Rutledge Young III (’85) shares that, “The Annual Report that follows this letter highlights the overwhelming community support that our school enjoys, with 97% of current parents and 100% of faculty and trustees participating in the Gateway Giving annual fund. This level of support is simply outstanding and contributes to the continued excellence of Charleston Day.” I couldn’t agree more. Many thanks to all who helped to make Gateway Giving a tremendous success, from our youngest kindergarten philanthropist to the countless volunteers, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who dedicated time and resources to allow for all of the opportunities that Gateway Giving provides for our students, faculty and community. As you make your way through this issue of The Gateway, enjoy learning a little bit more about the day-to-day at CDS and know that we are always happy to have you visit campus. Once a Scorpion, always a Scorpion. I am grateful for your support of our school. Warmly,
Judith Foley Arnstein Head of School
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CDS Kindergarten Begins Third Year A
s the parent of four Charleston Day alumni and an alumna herself, Kindergarten teacher Garden Blincow (’81) felt she was returning to her “first love” when she stepped back on campus a few years ago. “I was over the moon excited to be asked to be a part of developing the Kindergarten program. I believe firsthand in the quality of education provided here at CDS.” Having begun a similar program at another school, she had the experience to foresee challenges and to plan for success. The program is beginning its third year, and the Kindergarteners have become an integral part of our community. The joy that the Kindergarteners bring to the school is immeasurable. “When we walk into morning assembly, we get applause,” says Garden. “We get called up to give out birthday books; we got called up to be in the scooter race. Although only beginning our third year, we are a huge part of a school that’s 83 years old.”
Judith Foley Arnstein welcomes former Kindergartener Finn Brown with a morning handshake.
Charleston Day has worked diligently to understand and meet the age-appropriate learning, social and emotional needs of a Kindergartener. With a maximum of 16 students in the class, Garden and her assistant teacher, Caroline Rhoden, foster a nurturing learning environment with an optimal teacher-to-student ratio. The attractive Kindergarten classroom meets their physical needs as well. Garden loves the open space and the ability to move around and to explore learning beyond the table. “The doors can be opened,” she said. “We can have sight word races outside; we can have scavenger hunts for math facts; we can walk around the property to look at three-dimensional shapes. I love the fact that we are very secure in this space, yet we have a room that provides us the ability to learn in a variety of ways.” The Kindergarten program serves students from local preschools and church schools, families moving to the Charleston area, as well as current CDS families. Not only has the program matured in the past couple years, but the students have as well. “There is not a yardstick big enough to measure the growth when a child enters in August and leaves the first of June,” says Garden. “Five year olds are concrete thinkers who learn by doing. As the Kindergarten year progresses, they develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their world. They leave Kindergarten with increased autonomy, a deep connection to their school, and ready to dive deeper into the world of first grade.” At the end of May, the Kindergarten class attended the eighth graders’ graduation. They walked in formation across the street to St. John’s Lutheran Church and high-fived the big kids, a beloved CDS commencement tradition. The Kindergarteners sat as still as they Continues on next page
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I believe firsthand in the quality of education provided here at CDS.
could in the pews as they listened to Head of School Judtih Foley Arnstein describe each graduate through the words of their teachers over the years. Upon leaving graduation, there was a screen in front of the door, partially blocking the sunlight. One of Garden’s students grabbed her hand and said, “Miss Garden, is it nighttime?” “I thought to myself, I’m going to write that down because when he gets up in eighth grade and someone speaks about him, I want them to remember that.” The graduation ceremony is especially poignant to a teacher who is at the beginning of a student’s educational career at Charleston Day School. “I sat there and thought about those little bodies and what would be said about them when they are in eighth grade. Will you still bound through the door and give me a hug? Will you still be the person to offer me a cough drop covered in lint out of your pocket? Will you still love to read and make your voice sound like the characters when you read aloud?” We look forward to watching each of the Kindergarteners grow this year as well as those who have graduated from Garden’s classroom and moved on to first or second grade. Although the students will change and grow immensely, one thing that won’t change is our love and support for each one.
Caroline Rhoden works one-on-one with former Kindergartener Taylor Walker.
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2 0 1 9 C H A R L E S T O N D AY S C H O O L
Awards & Accolades Headmaster’s Award: Kathryn Matheson Hood Established in 1998 by Gregory J. O’Melia and Edgar S. Jaycocks, this prize recognizes a member of the graduating class who has exhibited a genuine love of learning through commitment and hard work at Charleston Day School. This award underscores the belief that true academic scholarship should be judged not only by one’s grade point average, but also by the student’s diligence, effort and sincere desire to learn. Faculty Award: Benjamin Beach Kuhl This award is given to the student in grades 6-8 who, in the faculty’s opinion, best exemplifies the ideals of good manners, neatness in appearance and work, and good character. The Archdale Achievement Award: Chandler Grace Ghegan This award is given for outstanding academic achievement in all areas, and for willingness to serve others. Esprit de Corps Award: William Mason Cogswell This award, established in 1996, recognizes the eighth grader who epitomizes devotion to and enthusiasm for the common spirit of the entire student body.
New Charleston Day School Alumni:
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The Gordon Scott Gillespie Prize: Walter Dale Blessing III Established by Mrs. Gillespie and her daughter Brook, this award is in memory of Brook’s father, who died while she was an eighth grader. In a year in which it is given, it is awarded to the student who shows special interest and a desire to delve deeper than is required into his or her schoolwork and projects.
The Thomas W. Alexander Creativity Award: Ella Davis Bragg The Thomas W. Alexander Creativity Award was established in 2003 by the family and friends of Tom Alexander, a successful advertising executive and proud CDS alumnus, parent and grandparent. This award is given to a student in grades 6-8 who best demonstrates creativity in his/ her life, schoolwork or hobbies. The Josephine Little Townsend Award: Julia Burdick Gaddy This award was established in memory of Jody Townsend after her death, during her fifth grade year at Charleston Day School. Recipients should display intelligence, love of reading, well-roundedness, ability to get along with others, optimism, and should be a top student in his or her class. It is awarded only to fifth graders. Fourth Grade Award: Daisy Gardner Ryan Established in honor of Noel Kunes, this prize recognizes a student’s effort, attitude and positive relationships with his or her peers.
The Braveheart Award This award was established by the Class of 1996. It recognizes students whose strong work ethic, optimism and strength of character best exemplify the spirit of Charleston Day School. Grades 1-4 Recipient: Bea Anderson Grades 5-8 Recipient: Jamarion Harrell The Brendan O’Shea Citizenship Award: Pierson Ross Tobin Established in honor of Brendan O’Shea whose 13-year tenure as Head of School was marked by a culture of civility, this award recognizes a student who has demonstrated service, leadership, responsibility, character and discipline. French Society Award: James Hammond Unger Presented by the French Society of South Carolina to the student who demonstrates excellence in the French language and interest in promoting French culture. The Julia Mayrant Rees Simonds Award: Kathryn Matheson Hood Established in 1999, in memory of Julie Simonds, Class of 1987, this award is presented to the student who embodies a spirit of openness and a desire to learn more about France, its language and its people. Spanish Award: Walter Dale Blessing III Presented to the student who demonstrates excellence in the Spanish language and interest in promoting Spanish culture. English Award: Apple Melissa Gilmore Established in 1998 to recognize particular excellence in English. The Harriet C. Wilson Award: James Hammond Unger Established in 1995 by an alumna of Charleston Day School, this award honors Miss Wilson’s contributions to our community as a history teacher. Her standards were very high, but she was always able to inspire a sense of self-confidence in those with whom she worked. She strove to make the past come alive for her students, and she imbued them with a love of history. To reflect her spirit, this award is presented to an eighth grader who exhibits the enthusiasm, the interest and the potential to become a genuine scholar in the study of history.
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Athlete of the Year Award Awarded to an accomplished athlete of strong character who has shown exemplary sportsmanship, concern for fellow teammates, and a strong work ethic. Female Recipient: Somers Calhoun Kirk Male Recipient: Whitman Charles Ravenel
2018-19 seventh grade honor marshals and honorary banner bearer.
Justine Finch Math Award: Kathryn Matheson Hood Established in 1998 as the Math Award, this award was renamed in 2014 to the Justine Finch Math Award and is presented to the student who displays excellence in mathematics as well as a desire to achieve at the highest level. The award is named in honor of Mrs. Finch, who taught math at Charleston Day for 26 years, from 1988-2014. Her exacting standards coupled with her expectation that each individual student perform to his or her highest capability helped establish Charleston Day’s math program as the best in the area. Countless students benefited from her emphasis on organization, checking work, daily preparation and review, as well as her high expectations for each child.
Barry D. Gumb. Jr. Scholarship Award: Faisal Al Gadban Established in 2002 in memory of Beau Gumb, this award recognizes a CDS student who is strong in character and integrity, shows empathy, and reflects the qualities embodied in Beau — a love of learning and respect for education. Sarah Huger Jervey Award: Kathryn Matheson Hood Established in 1947 in remembrance of Miss Sadie Jervey, whose school for grades 1 and 2 was the parent school of Charleston Day School. In 1939, she merged her school with the Day School, and taught there until 1945. It is awarded to the 8th grader with the highest cumulative academic average over the past three years. Charleston Day School Scholar: Kathryn Matheson Hood and Somers Calhoun Kirk To the sixth, seventh or eighth grader with the highest academic average for this year. Fifth Grade High Honors: Robert Tazewell Gamble Sixth Grade High Honors: William Edward Applegate Seventh Grade High Honors: Elizabeth Clifton Manuel Eighth Grade High Honors: Kathryn Matheson Hood and Somers Calhoun Kirk
Science Award: Pierson Ross Tobin Established in 1998 to recognize particular excellence in science. Marcia E. West Technology Award: Thomas Lawton Harper III Established in 1998 to recognize particular excellence in computers. Audrey Elizabeth Grice Art Award: Lula Robyn Galvan This award was established in 2002, in memory of Audrey Grice, member of the Class of 2006. Audrey was an exceptional art student, whose energetic spirit and love for life were reflected in her work. This award recognizes particular excellence in art. Music Award: Chandler Grace Ghegan Established in 1983 to recognize especially noteworthy achievement in music. Athletic Director’s Award: Elizabeth Carson Batten Established in 2003, the Physical Education Award recognizes a student who exemplifies good sportsmanship, enthusiasm for all activities, honesty, cooperation with others, and a positive attitude.
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Class of 2019 High School Acceptances Academic Magnet High School Ashley Hall Asheville School Baylor School Berkshire School Bishop England High School Charleston Charter School for Math + Science Christ School Episcopal High School
First Baptist School James Island Charter High School McCallie School Palmetto Christian Academy Porter Gaud School Saint Mary’s School St. George’s School Taft School Wando High School Woodberry Forest School
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Preparing for High School Requires a Personal Approach C
harleston Day School’s approach to preparing students for high school is not only focused, including mock interviews, test practice, school visitations and applications, the process is also highly personalized. “Leaving parents and students to fill out paperwork on their own isn’t the Charleston Day approach,” says high school counselor Andy Willits. “We support them, educate them, and help them through the process so we can create great options for high school.” The process begins at the end of the seventh grade year with a “Preparing for High School” meeting with Willits, the parents of rising eighth graders and the students themselves. After they fill out a form indicating their preliminary high school choices, Willits meets with each family over the summer to discuss school options. By August, he reaches out to those schools to get the students on their radar early. It’s that legwork and relationship-building that helps Charleston Day School eighth graders find the right fit for high school. And the choices are many. Boarding school or local? Private or public? Does the student prefer a small school, an intimate environment, supportive like Charleston Day? Or do they want some place large and diverse like Academic Magnet or Wando? Perhaps they want to embark on a family tradition of attending a specific boarding school. Based on a student’s goals, values and qualities, Willits will discuss the characteristics of the high schools of interest. He may even recommend some summer “homework” for students, researching schools that may be a good fit. With so many choices, Willits works diligently to understand the subtle differences between schools, especially boarding schools. Because of high interest (7-11 CDS students per year), each September many of these schools attend a Boarding School Night at Charleston Day to meet with prospective families. Last year, students chose to attend Asheville School, Episcopal High School, McCallie School, Taft School and Woodberry Forest School. Past graduates have attended Andover, Baylor, Brooks, Choate, Christ School, Culver Academy, Ethel Walker,
Mr. Willits’ Advice to Students Beginning to Prepare for High School n Be observant. You’ll have many opportunities to visit schools based on your siblings or friends. Look around. n Be yourself. Your decision should be based on what’s best for you. Start the dialogue now with your parents. Will it be your decision or one you make together? n Academically, stay strong or show improvement. If your grades are excellent, keep up the great work. But if there is room for improvement, make your best effort to improve. n Be a good person. Be helpful. Get involved. If you see someone having a hard time socializing, be that person that goes over and talks with them. Make a difference. Character matters.
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Exeter, Foxcroft, Kent, Mercersburg, Millbrook, St. Andrew’s, St. George’s, St. John’s and Saint Mary’s. “It’s important that the high schools trust our sincerity in what a Charleston Day diploma means,” says Willits. “A CDS graduate is advanced academically in comparison to most students coming out of the eighth grade, particularly in the subjects of math and language arts. Our students are well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead—not only in arithmetic, writing and reading, but in community engagement. Charleston Day students will look you in the eye and shake your hand, be able to talk well about their skills and qualifications and how they can contribute to the school, and they are adept at speaking to a variety of audiences or individuals, no matter what the age.”
Relationships Are Paramount The relationships with high schools are important, but equally important are those with students and their parents. “There are a lot of hard conversations during this process,” says Willits, “so families have to be able to trust me. I have to be able to say, ‘ I’m not sure this is the right fit for you’ or ‘Have you considered this option?’” In order to personalize the high school process for students, Willits makes an effort to get to know them. In addition to serving as the high school counselor, he is a homeroom teacher, an advisor, and teaches two sections of 8th grade language arts in which he guides students through the process of writing their personal speech and becoming junior docents at the Gibbes Museum of Art. Willits also plans and chaperones their field trips and attends many student musicals, plays and programs. Willits’ dedication to each student and the high school preparation process ensures they will thrive once they leave our gates, and year after year, they return to let him know that all the hard work was worth it. In fact, on average 98% of CDS eighth graders are admitted to their secondary school of choice. Now that’s success we can measure.
Summer Trip: Great Glimpse of Europe I
n June a group of Charleston Day students elected to go on a trip to Europe to further their studies in history and broaden their global awareness. The trip, organized independently by French teacher Madame Brigitte Morin, allowed students to experience the culture and language of four countries in nine days. Several familiar faces from CDS served as chaperones—Allison Nesser, Brent Schulte and Scott Kerkstra. Although the trip was a whirlwind, it offered a great glimpse of major European countries, centuries of history and memories to last a lifetime. Days 1-2 Great Britain: Students enjoyed watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, taking high tea and shopping. Next they took the Chunnel, an undersea tunnel linking London and northern France, to get to Paris. Days 3-4 France: Paris had much to offer—good food and museums, a short trip to Versailles, a windy night at the Eiffel Tower and a new addition to the city, electric scooters. A small group also enjoyed a private tour of the Louvre led by our own Mr. Schulte. Days 5-6 Switzerland: After two nights in Paris, the students took le TGV, a 200 mph train, to Switzerland, where they enjoyed beautiful views of the Alps and glacier waters running through the city of Bern. The hotel in Lucerne was quite comfortable, and the city offered hiking opportunities and some well-deserved downtime. Days 7-9 Germany then Home to U.S.A: After two days in Switzerland, the group headed to Munich, Germany via the picturesque castle of Neuschwanstein and a delicious meal of wiener schnitzel. Munich also allowed them to observe and partake in traditional Bavarian folk dancing. On the last day the group went to Dachau, a WWII concentration camp near Munich, before heading home.
Class of 2015 College Bound Galen Berger Thomas Blincow Gia Braddock Elise Seabrook Brown Charlie Cahill Lucas Clare Stedman Dowd Chloe Elebash Savannah Flagg Charlie Gaddy Gordon Geer Robert Grubbs Emily Catherine Haly Manon Henriksen Bobby Hood John Kerrison
Loyola Marymount University Clemson University Rice University The University of the South - Sewanee Southern Methodist University University of South Carolina Clemson University Washington & Lee University Howard University University of Georgia Hampden Sydney University of South Carolina Clemson University Aix Marseille Universite Clemson University The Citadel Honors Program
Will Marshall Caroline Mathisen Malcolm McAlister Hallie McClain Maggie Moore Janie O’Shea Campbell Parker Olivia Prezzano Clare Regalbuto Willis Rogers Julianna Skoglund Celia Smith Legare Walpole Alexis Wood Catie Wood Caroline Young
University of South Carolina – Honors Wofford College The Citadel University of South Carolina University of Alabama University of South Carolina - Honors University of Alabama – Honors Notre Dame University of Wyoming Winthrop College University of Miami University of Virginia Clemson University of South Carolina North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Virginia
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BEYOND THE GATES:
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Emma Navarro ’16 1. In June, you and your tennis partner, Chloe Beck, won the girls doubles championship at the Junior French Open in Paris. You also made it to the singles finals. In July, you made it to the quarter-flnals in girls singles at Junior Wimbledon. You are now #4 and the top American in the junior tennis world ranking. Would you describe your years of hard work and preparation to get to this level of tennis? I really started to get serious about tennis in fourth grade. I would get up at around 5:45 a.m. and go play tennis for about an hour before school. Although I’m pretty sure I drove Mrs. Tonks crazy with my tardiness every morning, that was when I started to understand the sacrifices I was going to have to make to achieve my goals in tennis. I would go back out to the courts after school, come home, finish my homework and get to bed early enough to have a decent night’s sleep before I did it all again the next day. Year by year I started devoting more and more of my time to tennis. Although I have had to make certain sacrifices, and it’s taken many years of hard work and dedication, I wouldn’t take back any of it. 2. The Post and Courier recently wrote, “Navarro has shown time and time again that she doesn’t yield in the face of pressure.” What factors in your life have contributed to developing that tenacity and strength? The past ten years or so of traveling and working hard on and off the court has allowed me to become very independent. That independence has helped me to work through any pressure or adversity that I’m faced with. I have learned to be patient and to put my best foot forward in any situation. I can also thank my family, specifically my parents, who raised my siblings and me on the principles of hard work and resilience. When we were growing up, my dad’s favorite phrase was “never give up,” and although slightly cliché it has shaped my attitude toward anything I do, even today.
The two biggest things Charleston Day taught me were independence and resilience. 3. You are a senior at Ashley Hall this year. What is a typical week for you as a high school student and world class tennis player? How do you manage both? A typical week as a high school student and an international tennis player is definitely a little hectic and overwhelming at times. Some of my friends joke that I lead a double life, and they’re not completely wrong. I’m sometimes away from home and school for weeks at a time, playing tournaments all over the world. Traveling is definitely tiring, but the experiences we get to have on the road always make up for that or any home sickness. When I am at home, my typical week day usually starts at around 7:00 a.m. with either fitness or yoga. After that, I practice on the court for a couple of hours and then head to school. I am usually at school for about four to five hours, depending on the day. After school, I go back to the courts to practice for a couple more hours before heading home. It’s challenging to manage both school and tennis, but I’ve been attempting to do so basically my whole life, so I’m pretty used to it. 4. How did Charleston Day School prepare you for what you are doing now? What are your favorite memories of CDS? I look back at my years at Charleston Day School incredibly fondly, and I hope everyone there now appreciates the atmosphere around them. I remember a time when each of my three siblings and I were all at At Wimbledon junior championship, Navarro played on grass and had to adapt her game to a completely different surface than the red clay (her favorite) she enjoyed at the junior French Open.
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Navarro signing autographs after her match at the French Open junior championship, June, 2019. She made it to the semifinals of singles, and won doubles with her partner, Chloe Beck.
Charleston Day, and I could name every person in the entire school. I think that was a testament to how much of a family everyone was and still is throughout the whole school. I think my favorite CDS memories were at field day. I looked forward to that day all year and remember going all out every time it came around. Music class with Mrs. Hawkins was also one of my favorite memories. I still regularly show off my jazz hands. The two biggest things Charleston Day taught me were independence and resilience. I learned how to figure things out on my own and stand up for myself. I learned how to be tough and never give up even in the toughest of situations. 5. Do you have any future goals for your tennis career, education and beyond? After high school, I’m planning to attend The University of Virginia. After college, my goal is to play tennis professionally and just see how far I can go in the sport.
8. What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you have for a Charleston Day student? The best advice I have ever received is: Never do anything with less than a full effort. I take this advice with me into anything I’m doing. Nothing’s worth doing if you’re not going to do it to the best of your ability. My biggest advice for any Charleston Day student would be: Appreciate your teachers and appreciate the school you go to because it’s very special. My second piece of advice would be: Work hard. Nothing will prepare you for the future like hard work. 9. Last question...CDS Red or Blue - which are you? Red team all the way!! Award ceremony at the French Open.
6. What do you do for fun or to recharge? Do you have any hobbies or passions outside of tennis? It’s very rare that I have a lot of free time on my hands, so when I do, I like to spend as much time with my family and friends as I can. Traveling has definitely made me appreciate the people around me and the people back home. 7. Tennis has taken you all over America and the world—to France, Italy, Great Britain, Canada, Belgium and Australia. Do you have any interesting travel stories? Traveling is always an adventure, especially to non-English-speaking countries. The best thing about traveling is meeting people from other cultures and being able to connect with them despite how different you are from one another.
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BEYOND THE GATES:
Alumni News Class of 1964
Elizabeth Tyson Sosnowski, formerly of Charleston, SC, entered into eternal peace March 23, 2019. She was born May 24, 1950 to the late, Dr. J. Richard Sosnowski and late Elizabeth Wright Tyson Sosnowski. Elizabeth lived in Atlanta where she was a retired special education teacher. She is survived by her brothers, John and Chris, who are also Charleston Day School alums.
Class of 1993
Howard Taylor and his wife, Ginny, welcomed a daughter, Virginia Alston Williams Taylor, on January 4, 2019. Alston joins her sister, Caroline, who turned three in May. The Taylors live in The Groves neighborhood in Mt. Pleasant. Howard practices personal injury law with his father, Van, at Law Offices of Taylor & Taylor.
Class of 1999
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Andrew Hagood and his wife, Kathleen, proudly welcomed baby James Camp Hagood on April 16, 2019.
Class of 2000
Ellen Shealy Mostellar, husband, Curtis, and big sister, Everett, welcomed Adelaide Mae Mostellar on May 2, 2019. Addie weighed 7 lbs., 1 oz. Congratulations to the Mostellar family of four!
Class of 2001
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Caroline Cutler Rowe and her husband, Chatham, welcomed their son, Thomas Chatham Rowe, Jr., on October 5, 2018. Baby Chatham joins his very proud big sister, Ellie (age 3). Chatham and Ellie Rowe
Class of 2002 – Frances deSaussure Murray and her husband, Billy, welcomed a baby girl, Ann Condon Murray, on May 16, 2019. They live in Alexandria, VA, where Frances is an Admissions Officer and Math teacher at Episcopal High School. Margaret von Werssowetz Waters and her husband, Ned, welcomed their daughter, Goodwyn Rhett Waters (“Goody”) on July 1, 2019. Goody arrived weighing 6 lbs. 11 oz. and 19 inches long. Congratulations, Margaret and Ned! ▲
Class of 2003
Elisa (Bennett) von Marschall and her husband, Sebastian, moved home from New York to Charleston last fall after the birth of their son, Richard (August 10, 2018). Elisa continues to work for IBM as a data scientist, and Sebastian is an architect with Beau Clowney Architects.
Class of 2006
Alex Hagood married Caroline Rearden from Winston-Salem, NC on May 26, 2018. They are living in Atlanta where Alex is the territory sales manager for William M. Bird.
Class of 2010
James Barkley will attend Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, in Birmingham, AL this fall. Ben Colyer is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, working as a communications strategy and operations officer for the II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group. Currently, he is studying at the Defense Information School in Fort Meade, MD until mid-September when he will go back to his duty station and unit in Camp Lejeune, NC.
Alex Kerrison graduated from Georgia Tech in Industrial & Systems engineering and just started working for a boutique healthcare consulting firm, Health Care Program Advisors in Atlanta. She is working on a project assessing revenue cycle for a hospital in New York. Allston Moore graduated in June from The University of Denver, Daniels School of Business, with a Masters in Accountancy. He will begin working for Price Waterhouse in Denver in the fall while he studies for his CPA exam. Celeste Pritchard graduated in June from The University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School, with a Masters in Accountancy. She will begin work in September for Deloitte in Washington, DC while she studies for her CPA exam.
Class of 2015
Annie Murray
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Contact Mary Baarcke at mary.baarcke@charlestonday.org or submit your alumni news online at www.charlestondayschool.org/submit-class-note.
Banks Hagood graduated from University of South Carolina and will begin work in Atlanta in June, 2020, as a Sonepar sales and operations trainee for World Electric.
James Camp Hagood
Goody Waters
Do you have news you’d like to share in the next Gateway?
Savannah Flagg is attending Howard University on a full scholarship, majoring in Political Science. Howard University is the #1 coed HBCU (historically black college or university), and the #2 HBCU in the nation. Congratulations to Savannah!
Class of 2011
Ella Berger, a senior at the Honors College at the College of Charleston, was accepted to veterinary school at the University of Tennessee, where she will attend next fall. Ella also recently completed a year-long research project studying treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs, and will graduate with Magna cum laude Latin honors as well as biology honors for exemplary research in biology.
15 Archdale Street | Charleston, SC 29401
Non-Profit Organization Charleston, SC Permit No. 180
Dates to Remember: October 18
Grades K-5 Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day
October 31
Parents’ Council Halloween Carnival
November 22
Grades 1-2 Family Feast
December 16
Grades 3-5 Holiday Program
December 17
Grades K-2 Holiday Program
Questions? Please call the Advancement Office for more information at 843.266.9797 or visit our website to register for events at www.charlestondayschool.org.
L-R Front Row: Beach Kuhl, Lisee Skogland, Apple Gilmore, Madeleine Picard, Chandler Grace Ghegan, Georgie Collins, Ella Bragg, Griffin Stiegman
L-R Third Row: Matthew Picard, Hale Ferguson, Pierson Tobin, Alex Fowler, Gardner Watson, Jack Quinn, Thomas Boulware, Darren McCants, Whit Ravenel
L-R Second Row: Jam Harrell, Mattie Hood, Mary Blake Hand, SaSa Darwin, Carson Batten, Somers Kirk, Janie Rowe, John Habakus
L-R Back Row: Garrett Griffin, Mason Cogswell, Michael Craig, Hammond Unger, Matt Larkin, Cordes Johnson, Jacob Musselman, Walter Blessing (Not pictured: Roy Maybank)