THE HIVE WINTER 2025
LOOKING AHEAD II THE FUTURE AT DCDS
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2035
It is an honor to serve as Head of School at Detroit Country Day School, especially at such an exciting time in PK-12 education. As a national leader in teaching and learning, we take seriously our commitment to strengthening and enhancing the student experience as the demands in college and challenges in our world continue to broaden, deepen, and intensify. As we look ahead to the future, we are thrilled to seek and provide opportunities that set a DCDS education apart and best prepare our students for the journey ahead.
The traditions, high expectations, and foundation of the DCDS experience will always be the bedrock on which we build. However, as the world evolves, we must adapt to meet the needs of an era where critical thinking, problem-solving, and flexibility will be paramount. We must prepare students for careers that likely don’t exist yet, and to do that, we need to provide profound, meaningful experiences that allow them to connect their learning to reallife applications.
This work has already begun. Great schools are constantly moving forward, and our exemplary faculty and staff have embraced their roles as
leaders in education. One sector where we are seeing exciting progress is in STEM and innovation. Our new partnership with Stanford University will allow our students to study the fundamentals of genetics and genome sequencing. But it’s the opportunity to use that knowledge in a state-ofthe-art laboratory that will give them a competitive advantage in college and beyond.
Over the next decade, student learning will become more interdisciplinary. The emphasis will be less on memorizing content and more on building skills to analyze and explore meaning across various curricular areas. Students will need to use their knowledge to identify problems and find viable solutions. They will have opportunities to use these skills to deeply examine subjects they are passionate about and collaborate with others to apply what they have learned to make an impact in our community and beyond. These changes may make the traditional classroom look different, but make no mistake – what will be critical to the success of our students will be those same characteristics that have always guided a DCDS education: curiosity, tenacity, creativity, and the ability to analyze, think strategically, and reason effectively in a complex world.
Though no one can predict exactly what the future will bring, we are energized. Our path is paved on a rich history and solid foundation. As I look to the next decade, DCDS will continue to set the standard for educational excellence as we evolve to meet the needs of a new generation of learners and leaders.
Richard Dempsey, Head of School
LIBRARIAN’S BOOKSHELF
FROM A VANISHING MONA LISA TO A CON ARTIST AND EVEN FUNGI - THESE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS WILL LEAVE YOU WANTING TO READ MORE!
Most know the benefits of reading are plentiful; reading helps develop empathy, bolsters brain activity by allowing the reader to think critically and interpret complex ideas, and reading simply helps us grow and understand the world around us. Cheri Dobbs, Upper School Librarian and Department Chair of Library Services, along with Lower School librarian Kelly Hincks and Middle School librarian Victoria Robins, are, as you can imagine, avid readers. Here, they share books to read for all ages based on four themes: Geek Out; Another Place, Another Time; Playing the Game; and It’s a Mystery. Each category includes book recommendations for early elementary, elementary, middle school, upper school, and adults. Pick up a book and read! And if you read one of these, let us know by sending an email to thebuzz@dcds.edu. We’ll be sure to send you a little something!
GEEK OUT!
Books highlighting out-of-the-ordinary or little-known subjects
Early Elementary
Who’s Afraid of the Light? by Anna McGregor
In this hilarious tale, McGregor introduces young readers to the ocean’s “midnight zone,” where Fergus hides from bioluminescent sea creatures, blending humor, narrative, and nonfiction to explore the wonders of the deep sea.
Elementary Ultimate Mammalpedia (National Geographic Kids) by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
From the biggest to the smallest, the fiercest to the cutest, this science-packed encyclopedia has everything you want to know about these amazing warmblooded creatures.
Middle School
The Mona Lisa Vanishes (A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity) by Nicholas Day
Who knew there was a time when detectives did not believe that the fingerprint was unique to each individual? This and many more misunderstandings were behind why the theft of the Mona Lisa led to the painting’s international fame. Fans of criminology will love this real-life mystery.
Upper School
American Wings by Sherri Smith and Elizabeth Wein
Whether you’re interested in aviation, 20th-century history, or stories of epic achievements, you won’t be able to put down this narrative nonfiction account that takes readers from makeshift runways in Chicago to air battles in Ethiopia and shares the stories of the brave African-American men and women who fought for their place in the sky.
Adult
How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi: Collected Quirks of Science, Tech, Engineering, & Math from Nerd Nite edited by Dr. Chris Balakrishnan & Matt Wasowski
Wacky and fascinating, this compilation of Nerd Nite presentations will make you laugh, make you wonder, and leave you so much smarter at the end!
ANOTHER PLACE, ANOTHER TIME
Books featuring a time and place not our own
Early Elementary
Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo
Jun, who feels lost after moving from Hong Kong to America, finds comfort and a sense of belonging in her favorite foods, reminding readers that home can be found in every bite.
Elementary
Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion: A True Story by Dave Eggers
Dave Eggers’ tells the quirky story of Annie, who, after losing her fortune and facing pressure to remove her pigs, rolls her mansion away on logs while still living in it, proving that nonfiction can be as lively as fiction.
Middle School
The Marvellers (The Conjureverse, 1) by Dhonielle Clayton
With fantastical twists at every turn, Ella, the first conjuror to attend the magical Arcanum Training Institute, meets challenges creatively and ingeniously. Ella and her friends must overcome those who wish to incriminate Ella and her family for the evil doings of others.
Upper
School
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez
Steeped in the rich sites and sounds of 1880s Egypt, this historical fantasy draws readers in alongside 19-year-old Inez as she relentlessly investigates her parents’ mysterious disappearance from their archaeological dig near Cairo and follows the traces of magic left behind on an ancient ring that belonged to Cleopatra.
Adult
Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin
Part memoir, part love letter to the community built around his family’s restaurant, Curtis Chin takes readers behind the register at Chung’s Cantonese Cuisine and into atmospheric vignettes of 1980s Detroit.
PLAYING THE GAME
If gaming or sports is your thing, check out these books
Early Elementary
The Way Champs Play by Naomi Osaka
Through a rhythmic celebration, discover the key steps to becoming a true champion - being kind, working as a team, doing your best, and having fun.
Elementary
Who Is Lionel Messi? by James Buckley Jr.
Read all about Argentinian soccer superstar Lionel Messi and his legendary career in this Who HQ Now book featuring today’s trending topics and newsmakers.
Middle School
Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros
Told from the rotating perspectives of middle schoolers Marco and Issac, this is a story of friendship and helping each other move beyond where they think they fall short. Navigating bullies, the basketball court, academics, and family issues, these two characters teach us how friends are all we need sometimes.
Upper School
Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Whether you’re a fantasy gamer, a sports fan, or a rom-commer, you’ll find a connection in this lovable Twelfth Night retelling in which a case of mistaken online identity and high school drama threaten the growing friendship between Viola and Jack.
Adult
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Willy Wonka meets Knives Out in this cozy, mysterious caper. If Lucy and the other adults can win the game created by their favorite childhood author, they might just be able to change their lives and those of their families.
IT’S A MYSTERY…
Get hooked on a good mystery!
Early Elementary
Time Flies: Down to the Last Minute by Tara Lazar
In Capital City, Private I must solve the mystery of disappearing clocks. Can he catch the thief before time runs out?
Elementary
The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass
When Evan discovers two old books in a mysterious free library, he and his friend Rafe uncover a long-buried secret that will transform their lives and town.
Middle School
A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga
More than an art heist mystery, our two sleuths, Rami and Veda, will break the rules to reconnect with old friends, solve a ghost story, and clear the name of Rami’s mom. Along the way, they will find themselves, and you will fall in love with this mystery.
Upper School
The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Eight contestants on a private island with life-changing prize money for whomever can solve the puzzles. No one knows why they’ve been chosen, but everyone has a secret and a grudge. What could go wrong?
Adult
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Con artist Evie Porter is used to controlling her life, but now everything is spiraling into chaos. Twisty, fun, and edgy, clear your schedule before you pick up this book because you won’t be able to stop reading!
LEARNING BEYOND THE SENIOR PROJECT
2024 GRADUATE DAVID YUN LEARNED LESSONS FROM HIS SENIOR PROJECT AND NOW SHARES THEM WITH THE WORLD THROUGH A BOOK HE AUTHORED
An invaluable extension of the Detroit Country Day School education is the senior project, where students spend four weeks in the real world either shadowing or working at a business. The program started in 1968 with twelve students under the direction of the Head of School, Dick Schlegel, and has grown into
a flourishing part of a senior’s final year at DCDS. Jessica Salamin, Grade 12 Dean of Students, shared that the senior project is an “opportunity to pursue interests, expand learning, and explore possible future career paths. This time-honored tradition is a capstone experience for DCDS students, allowing seniors to connect their classroom learning to realworld applications, immersing them in the ultimate learning experience.” One particular student, David Yun ‘24, put his own unique spin on the senior project, combining his love of writing with his studies in Spanish.
David Yun was a stand-out graduate of Detroit Country Day School and achieved many honors, including recognition as a 2024 Coca-Cola semifinalist, receiving First-Class Distinction in the 2023 Achievement Awards in Writing from the National Council of Teachers of English, and winning a Silver Medal for his writing as a 2024 National Medalist in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Currently at
Princeton University, David reflected on the rewards of his senior project. David took Fernanda Gavaldon’s Spanish class during his freshman year and enjoyed it, forming a close relationship with her. He shared a lot of his writing with her, and Gavaldon said that even though she isn’t an English teacher, she shared
feedback with David and always took the time to read his pieces. She said, “When the senior project time came, he told me that he loves to write and thought it would be nice to write something in Spanish.” Gavaldon connected him to the International Language Academy in Pontiac for his senior project, where she had friends who taught. David remarked that he “wanted to do something that would leave a mark as a senior” and decided to connect two loves of his: creative writing and Spanish, which he took for seven years at DCDS.
For one month, Yun adjusted to an environment where 80% of the students were Hispanic, and many did not speak English. He explained he grew close with the students but quickly realized that they could not read many books in their classroom because they were in English. An idea ignited; David listened to the students’ journeys as Hispanic immigrants moving to a foreign country and had them reflect on their heritage growing up. He quickly realized that the students’ stories were worth sharing. Listening is such a powerful medium and can build empathy, which Yun does in his book, Donde está mi Corazón, which features the stories of students he gathered from conversations and interviews along with illustrations done by the students. The story is a powerful one of community; Yun said he hopes the students “realize the importance of their culture and heritage, and keep that with them, continuing to speak Spanish to hold that piece of their culture.”
Gavaldon, from Mexico herself, shared: “I thought he’d write a book and I’d proofread it, but in one month, he was able to capture us, our culture, the struggle, the traditions.” She continues, “Spanish teachers try to explain to students the culture of Mexico, but he was actually living it through these young students.” Yun noted that many seniors opt for jobs that will help them in their future endeavors, and he thinks this experience will help him too, but notes that he “was able to learn so much about a culture I was initially unfamiliar with. The students’ stories represent so many stories of kids throughout the nation, and being able to learn that was very rewarding.” For Yun, the senior project experience has a lasting impact on the students at the school, and you can read more about them in Yun’s book for sale on Amazon.
Check it out!
Please scan (or click) the QR code to see Donde está mi Corazón on Amazon. All proceeds from the book will be donated to the International Language Academy in Pontiac.
Stan-X Mission: To train teachers and support students who are underrepresented in science by engaging them in genuine discovery through authentic experiments that build mastery and contribute knowledge to the scientific community.
DISCOVER STAN-X
In the Upper School science hallway, you’ll find a lab with fascinating and incredible scientific equipment - the Stan-X fly lab. Detroit Country Day School is the first school in Michigan and one of only a handful in the United States to partner with Stanford University and become a Stan-X school. The Stan-X program allows students to take advanced research courses in molecular genetics with Drosophila melanogaster (more commonly known as the fruit fly). Working with DCDS faculty, students will create transgenic fruit flies and characterize the genetic modifications with molecular analysis.
Dr. Seung Kim, a Stanford University School of Medicine faculty member, developed the Stan-X program. Dr. Kim was perplexed by the fact that science has been taught the same way for decades and wanted students to experience science in a hands-on fashion. He developed Stan-X so that students could do experiments, allowing them to make scientific discoveries much earlier in their educational journey. Dr. Kim notes, "The world yearns for new ways of teaching science to students and teachers, and we developed Stan-X programs to address this need.”
Why fruit flies? Fruit flies are the workhorse of genetics. The fruit fly has contributed to six Nobel Prizes!
Three of our Upper School teachers went to Lawrenceville School in New Jersey in the summer of 2024 to learn about how to run the lab and help our students succeed. Karen Lamb, one of the Stan-X teachers at DCDS, said of her training: “To be put back in that student chair and especially the lab stool and be taught procedures and techniques that I hadn't done in 30 years was cognitive overload in the best way.” The teachers were immersed in a fly laboratory for a week and are now ready to teach DCDS students genetics in an active way with their own fruit flies.
The course teaches students authentic research techniques and lab etiquette, allowing students to participate in real-world science and helping contribute to finding cures for diseases like diabetes and sickle cell anemia. The course is all about discovery, asking questions, failing and retrying, and interacting with schools all over the globe. Teachers and students work together to expand the idea of experiential science. Alison Liddane, a current Stan-X teacher, shared that each Wednesday, students and teachers will hop on calls with other schools “and problem solve things, creating a great connection for our students with other kids in this course.” She furthers, “It's really this web of support” all over the globe. Ann Kingsbury ‘97, another teacher in the Stan-X lab, promotes one of Dr. Kim’s most prominent ideas - that failure is a part of science. Kingsbury said that our students might struggle to work with the flies and laboratory equipment for the first time, which is what should happen. She remarks that the Stan-X program is a “perfect sandbox to take risks and step into potential failure.”
Thanks to the generosity of eight donors, this lab was built in record time and is ready for science to happen! Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates on student work in the lab and this webpage for updates: www.dcds.edu/stan-x.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE!
Straight out of the 1930s: Can you spot the 10 subtle changes in science class? It certainly looks different than our science classes today!
(Answer key on page 58)
TEN YEARS FROM NOW
FROM MARKETING TO MENTAL HEALTH, THE WORLD WILL LOOK VERY DIFFERENT IN 2035
We certainly don’t have a crystal ball to help us predict the future, but we do have industry leaders who are current parents, alumni, faculty, and students. We asked some of the Detroit Country Day School community members to imagine what the world will look like in 2035 within their sector. Flying cars? A household robotic maid? 2035 may not look exactly like The Jetsons, but our community members show how it can look vastly different ten years from now.
Michael Gordon ‘83 is the Chief Executive of the corporate public relations firm Group Gordon
Technology will completely change the way companies get their messages out–and how we all receive them.
My firm, Group Gordon, supports corporate and nonprofit clients across all communications needs— including public relations, crisis management, strategic planning, and more. We’ve seen major shifts in the industry, and the pace of change is only accelerating. That means we must navigate what communications look like today and prepare for how the landscape will evolve tomorrow.
Here are some important technological trends we’re forecasting for the next decade: First, the artificial intelligence takeover: Unsurprisingly, AI is first on the list. News outlets will rely more heavily on AI, which has huge implications for reporter relationships, trust in media, and the value of good messaging. Next, a transfer of power from the news outlet to the reporter: Today, we’re seeing an explosion of single-author subscription-based newsletter content on platforms like Substack. We’ll see these individuals come together to create new news outlets as they seek financial viability— but this time, people will subscribe because they trust the reporting, not because the outlet has a legacy name. Last, cybersecurity and data leaks: Already any employee can become a company spokesperson by speaking out on social media or being caught on video. As hackers create new ways to break into company data, more private information than ever before will leak into public space. Media training and security clearances will be for everyone, not just those at the top.
The news landscape will evolve and change in new ways. Influencers will become journalists: The line between influencer and reporter will continue to blur. The public relations industry will grapple with a changing definition of “sponsored content,” how this shift affects credibility, and where the line falls between earned and paid media. Also, content will be geared toward Generation Alpha. We’ll see an increased focus on platforms that don’t just report the news but allow audiences to engage with it directly as it unfolds. Live videos and other interactive content will be paramount, and the PR industry must develop new ways to meet this demand.
Betsy Thomas ‘84
is a producer, writer, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Writers Guild of America West
AI may replace some jobs in Hollywood, but human-generated content will reign supreme.
We are in probably the biggest period of tumultuous uncertainty ever in Hollywood. Tech has upended the way we consume entertainment. I remember in 2007, a friend told me people would be watching TV shows and movies on their phones, and it sounded like a preposterous prediction. Well... here we are. So where are we in ten years?
Our entertainment has become global and will only continue to increase in that way. Netflix will continue to dominate the streaming landscape, while many other streamers will die. Streaming “bundling” will arise, so in lieu of individual subscriptions, there will be one subscription that provides “channels” that will be cheaper (or even free!) if you are willing to see advertising. Hmm... that idea sounds familiar…
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room that looms large over the entertainment business – the threat that fueled the 2023 WGA and SAG strikes, blowing a hole in the economy of Hollywood… Artificial Intelligence. AI will replace many jobs in Hollywood –as the technology improves, it will be an invaluable tool to reduce costs. It will bring dead people back to life -- they will be able to re-animate Paul Walker for ten more Fast and Furious sequels. (This desire was told to me recently by a high-level movie exec after his second martini.) There will be movies or TV shows that were “created” or generated by AI, but those will carry warning labels – much like a food label now –so audiences will be aware of the difference between human and AI-generated content.
Human-generated content will soar in popularity because it will always be imperfect and personal, and despite our irresistible attraction to technology, humans will always be drawn to stories that make us feel something. There’s a reason that Barbie was a giant phenomenon: it took an idea of something that we all had a relationship with and told a story about what it is to be human that resonated with an audience (and told it imperfectly, in my opinion –partly why it was so effective). Ted Lasso was hardly groundbreaking in its storytelling, visual style, or content – the well-meaning underdog trying to win against jaded, cynical forces – but it resonated with audiences in the middle of a global pandemic, trying to fight through their own fear and isolation to find a community full of hope. Although hopes are high that AI will help predict successes and failures... it cannot. The elusive game of finding “hits” exists because the target – a huge human audience – is always moving and unpredictably evolving, affected by the tides of war, economies, cultural phenomenon, societal mindset... that even with streaming and AI, the future work of entertainment continues as it did long ago with the Greeks or Shakespeare: telling stories to make people laugh, cry, think, or question authority... in hopes to make the world a better place for the humans that are watching.
Rejji Hayes is a current DCDS parent and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
of CMS Energy Corporation
Beyond Coal: How utilities are reimagining the energy landscape.
The power and energy sector is currently experiencing the highest levels of demand for electricity since the 1980s, driven by three primary factors: first, the growth of data centers to serve the computing needs of artificial intelligence; second, the onshoring of numerous manufacturing companies to the U.S., resulting from constructive federal policies like the Chips & Science Act and ongoing geopolitical tension with China; and third, increased adoption of electric vehicles.
While it is exciting to see multiple sources of sales growth prospects in a sector that hasn’t experienced meaningful growth in decades, our sector still has not solved an age-old problem of how to store electrons in large quantities over a significant period at a reasonable cost. As such, utilities generally need to have a constant equilibrium between the supply and demand of electrons. The implications of this dilemma are severalfold for utilities. First, can we build enough generation resources in a timely fashion to meet said demand? Second, can we do so in an affordable manner for our customers? And how do we build a generation fleet that meets the first two criteria while reducing carbon emissions and limiting our impact on climate change? The latter issue is complex because the most proven clean energy sources currently are wind and solar farms, which, though abundant and relatively costefficient, are naturally intermittent – since the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine. As a result, most experts predict a power
generation fleet in the U.S. that remains somewhat reliant on fossil-fuel-based generation resources like gas and coal plants for the foreseeable future.
That said, select power and energy companies, like Consumers Energy, which serves 3 million customers in the lower peninsula of Michigan and is the primary subsidiary of my company, CMS Energy, are challenging conventional wisdom. Specifically, Consumers Energy aspires to lead the clean energy transformation by substantially reducing our carbon footprint over the next ten years. We will be one of the first utilities in the country to retire all of our coal plants when we decommission our Campbell facility, the last of our 12 coal units, in 2025. Additionally, we’re building hundreds of megawatts of wind and solar farms across Michigan, which will provide our customers with clean, reliable, and affordable energy when coupled with large lithium-ion batteries.
Panning out more broadly, the power and energy sector’s unique conundrum of meeting surging demand with clean, reliable, and affordable power will consume the mindshare of utility management teams over the next decade and beyond. In the interim, it is encouraging to see utilities across the country invest billions of dollars to slow the effects of climate change by advancing emerging sources of clean energy, such as carbon capture and sequestration technology, nuclear small modular reactors, and long-duration energy storage.
These numerous clean energy sources will become commonplace in the 2030s, with most utilities offering a cost-efficient mix of wind and solar farms, energy storage, nuclear power, and customerdriven energy waste reduction programs, among other sources of generation.
The power and energy sector’s transition to clean energy will offer numerous benefits to society. If successful, these benefits will show a massive reduction in the industry’s carbon footprint, which ranks second in the world for the highest emission
levels behind the transportation sector. Power and Energy companies will also enable the rapid expansion of data centers to drive advancements in artificial intelligence technologies and the widescale adoption of electric vehicles. From a Michigan perspective, the economic impact Consumers Energy will have on the state will be significant, as we will be one of the first utilities in the country to exit coal and offer reliable, affordable, and clean energy, attracting several manufacturing companies and data centers to the state, all of which have clean energy procurement goals. These companies will bring many jobs and economic activity to Michigan, allowing our home state to attract and retain some of the greatest minds in the country.
Cynthia Vakhariya, D.O., is a current DCDS parent whose practice focuses on hematology and medical oncology
Personalized treatments and lifestyle interventions will be the new wave of cancer care.
Cancer - a word that invokes fear and to which no one is immune. In the year 2035, cancer incidence and prevalence will continue to rise. This is because the population is aging, and the current life expectancy average is increasing. Moreover, cancers are being detected earlier with improved cure rates. For example, liquid biopsies using blood, urine, or saliva already detect circulating tumor cells, tumor DNA, and cell-free RNA. Advancements in these non-invasive testing measures, in addition to advanced imaging, will allow for earlier detection. Artificial intelligence is expanding into radiology
and pathology and will be a part of every specialty and field to help detect and predict patterns.
Personalized treatments will be the way of the future, with individual genetic profiles and tumor characteristics based on biomarkers and nextgeneration sequencing approaches. Just in 2018, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded for immunotherapy, where researchers proved that the body’s own immune system can attack cancer cells. To date, it has been proven to be effective in 20 cancer types. As we improve upon targeted options and immunotherapy, patients will experience fewer side effects from traditional therapies with improved outcomes.
Access to care is improving. Since COVID-19, telehealth visits have increased from 5 million to over 53 million among Medicare recipients alone. Remote visits allow for more access to care and digital health monitoring. This will improve care for underserved populations, as cancer care will be more accessible.
People will continue to focus on lifestyle interventions and prevention with weight loss, exercise, clean eating, and avoidance of toxic substances. Additionally, researchers are developing vaccines for prevention. For instance, the human papillomavirus vaccine was approved in 2006 and has decreased HPV-associated cancer risk by 90%. Environmental scientists are working to reduce exposure to environmental carcinogens with the risk of pollutants, changes in the environment, and climate change.
Undoubtedly, cancer will affect more people in 2035. It will be a chronic illness for many. Despite the improvement in technology and advances in treatment, cancer will be a part of our reality. The personal and humanistic approach to cancer will remain the same, with empathy and compassion as the backbone of care.
Mike
Medvinsky is the Creative Technologist at Detroit Country Day School
Schools will continue to humanize technology through creativity and critical thinking.
Technology has had a profound impact on all of us, both personally and professionally. As a creative technologist, I focus on artistic expression, storytelling, critical thinking, and innovation, all influenced by inquiry, creativity, and emerging technology. The coming decade will surely see technological advancements like artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and immersive environments. These will, in turn, continue to inform and define the ways we work, interact, and learn.
In an age of exponential technological growth, human creativity takes on new significance. While new and emerging technology can automate tasks, provide information, and digitize our analog world, it lacks the understanding of human lived experience that fuels creativity. By intentionally designing experiences for learners to develop creative skills, we equip them to approach problems from unique perspectives and envision new possibilities. Creating learning environments that encourage exploration, experimentation, discovery, and creation will be essential. Educators can create classroom cultures where learners’ thinking is valued, visible, and their ideas part of their everyday experience. Emerging technology should be a tool for articulating thought processes, creating digital artifacts, and developing new worlds of self-expression.
Wave Is a company whose mission is to unite humanity through immersive 3D digital entertainment destinations. Artists who will emerge in the next ten years will be able to make personal connections through mixed reality interactive concerts and musical performances, or Waves, providing real-time connections with fans that are impossible in the real world. When the children in our classrooms today become the professionals of tomorrow, their creativity and artistic expression will be propelled by the technology of the future.
Innovative examples like this, where cuttingedge technology is harnessed to forge new human connections, serve as a driving force behind transformative learning experiences. These experiences empower students to become the visionary founders or creative forces behind groundbreaking companies like Wave and other pioneers in advanced tech. Whether it’s utilizing recombinant DNA technology—where enzymes are used to splice and merge strands of DNA, as seen in the student-led research at the DCDS Stan-X Lab—or crafting hyper-realistic environments and immersive mixed reality cinema in The Studios using Unreal Engine and Disguise Render Stream for The Studios’ XR LED Volume Wall, students are deeply engaged in wielding technology to shape and redefine their world. To accomplish this, classrooms must evolve into dynamic spaces where learners engage in handson, immersive experiences that blend the digital and physical worlds. As technology continues to be more ubiquitous in learning, fostering creativity will encourage students to innovate and address complex challenges in ways that machines cannot replicate.
Josh Greenwald is the Director of College Counseling at Detroit Country Day School
The path to college might change, but the value of a post-secondary education will still be a ticket to success.
The landscape of college admissions and higher education is poised for continued transformation over the next decade, driven by technological advancements, shifting demographics, and evolving societal needs. From the role of AI in admissions to the survival of some regional colleges, here’s what we might expect by 2035.
The Changing Face of College Admissions
The traditional college essay—a hallmark of applications for decades—faces an uncertain future as AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and essay tutors become ubiquitous. Admissions offices already grapple with identifying authentic student voices amidst professional editing, and AI further blurs these lines. In response, some institutions may pivot to short, timed, or recorded video essays, requiring applicants to demonstrate originality and spontaneity. This shift could favor students who are comfortable with public speaking, adding another layer of complexity to the process.
Additionally, the impact of post-COVID grade inflation is a common theme from admissions representatives. In large, at suburban public schools, inflated GPAs are more common, challenging colleges to differentiate between high achievers and those buoyed by lenient grading policies. Admissions offices may increasingly rely on standardized test scores or class rank to maintain fairness despite
the growing movement away from such metrics. Context through a better understanding of the rigors of each academic environment will be a premium.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Arts, often overshadowed by the STEM boom, might enjoy a resurgence as AI automates technical tasks in many professions - including programming. Creative problemsolving, critical thinking, and communication— hallmarks of a liberal arts education—are becoming indispensable in a tech-driven world, making these programs more appealing and marketable.
The Growth of Large Schools and Struggles of Regional Colleges
As demographic trends shift, higher education faces a looming challenge: a significant decrease in college-age students due to declining birth rates. Enrollment managers have closely monitored this “cliff” for the past decade. Many regional colleges and universities, already operating on tight budgets, could face closures or mergers.
Conversely, large and/or well-known colleges and universities with prestigious names and robust endowments are likely to thrive. Students seeking a traditional college experience or strong job market outcomes are drawn to these institutions’ perceived stability and return on investment. The most elite universities may also begin to face pressure to expand their enrollment capacities, a trend promoted by thought leaders such as Malcolm Gladwell and Scott Galloway.
Trade schools, often considered a cost-effective alternative to college, will remain crucial for meeting workforce demands. However, despite the lower upfront investment, data consistently shows that lifetime earnings for college-educated individuals continue to outpace those of trade school graduates. This earnings gap continues to reinforce the appeal of higher education, particularly at institutions that can offer generous financial aid or clear pathways to more lucrative careers.
The Next Decade: Challenges and Opportunities
As we approach 2035, colleges and universities must embrace new technologies, maintain academic integrity, and address demographic and economic pressures. The DCDS College Counseling Office will stay on top of trends through our relationships with colleges and universities and our continued presence at major national conferences and roundtables. Of course, as a premier college preparatory institution, DCDS will continually adapt to the changing environment while still holding true to the traditional mainstays for which we are known.
Achyut Reddy ‘25 is a current senior at Detroit Country Day School
We’ll see mental health valued as much as our physical health.
Mens sana in corpore sano. A sound mind in a sound body. Over a century ago, our school’s founder, F. Alden Shaw, was dedicated to creating an institution that emphasized academic rigor while believing in cultivating athletics for every student at DCDS. Little did he know that his vision would one day extend far beyond academics and athletics to encompass a holistic approach to student well-being. Ten years from now, this vision will not just see mental health valued on equal terms as physical health at Detroit Country Day School, but across society.
Today, mental health is increasingly recognized as a growing issue: rates of depression are skyrocketing, anxiety is much more common, and burnout is rising among youth. But, while not everyone has a diagnosed mental illness - all of us have mental health. We all have a brain that needs to be cared for, just like how we care for our physical health.
Currently, our focus on physical health is strong. We have commercially available gyms, trainers, and social media to design and implement programs that keep our bodies healthy. As a society, we understand the need to maintain a well-balanced and nutritious lifestyle.
But we don’t just work out or focus on our physical well-being after an injury. So why shouldn’t we work on our mental health when we’re young and healthy? Mental health can even translate into our physical health, such as our sleep quality, appetite, fatigue, and shortness of breath. So, if mental health affects all of us, shouldn’t we devise solutions that everyone has access to?
Currently, mental health is following the same trajectory as physical health. We are witnessing a rise in mindfulness programs, peer-to-peer support systems, and mental health counselors. Yet, there is more to come.
Ten years from now, mental health will be integrated into our daily lives, fitness, and physical routines. Imagine “mental health gyms” that offer chances for meditation, therapy, and metacognition workshops the same way we provide fitness classes and gym equipment. Schools will adopt wellness and structured mental health sessions as recess and physical education is implemented in our curriculum, allowing students and teachers to develop tools and knowledge to recharge their minds. Apps that track mental illness will be as common as that of a Fitbit or an Apple Watch device you wear on your wrist. Just as we aim to hit those physical milestones and that colorful wheel on the watch, society will come to recognize mental health achievements.
In 2035, mental health will be valued as much as physical health. Mental health care will be destigmatized and accessible like physical health care, fulfilling Mr. Shaw’s vision of nurturing the minds, bodies, and whole individuals.
DRIVING INTO THE FUTURE
ELECTRIC CAR CLUB DEVELOPS BOTH GRIT AND CAMARADERIE
The best scholars in the world are not those who can memorize vast swaths of information or those who can compute complex formulas with ease. The top students–who will go on to be leaders in their field–are those who can harness the knowledge they have learned and apply it to real-world problems.
Then, if the solution doesn’t work, they analyze why and try something else.
These are exactly the skills that students participating in the Electric Car Club develop and hone after school four days a week as they design, build, and enhance a fully street-legal electric vehicle from scratch. There are no plans or directions except the ones that students create themselves.
“I learned a lot about creative thinking in this club, not just thinking one way,” says senior Chris Anton, who is one of the club captains. “For instance, if you have to connect a wire, someone might think, let’s just do it the same way every single time. But then it comes loose. So, we have to consider that it’s going to be cold outside. The motor rumbles and the car vibrates a lot. What’s the best way to do it for these conditions? Why don’t we bolt it on instead of just using a crimped connection?”
That “trial and error” mindset is what Faculty Advisor Rich Fitzner wants club members to cultivate. In past generations, many kids had the opportunity to experiment and build things with tools and spare parts in their garage or basement, or they had a grandparent or neighbor who showed them how to operate unfamiliar equipment. Students today don’t always have the chance to tinker in a shop; the club gives them self-directed, hands-on experience outside their comfort zone.
“Thomas Edison said something like, I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 things that won’t work,” says Fitzner. “So this really challenges students. But it’s okay for them to struggle and make decisions. Because we’ve been conditioned to just look it up, both adults and students struggle when there is no answer. That’s when all the consideration of what you’re planning and the questions you ask yourself become important. This builds grit and perseverance, which is a challenging thing to teach.”
That’s one reason why the advisors in this club–which transforms into the Robotics Club in the winter— don’t see themselves as conventionally “teaching” anything. They are there to keep everyone safe and ask the right questions rather than provide answers.
Chris says, “It’s all of us in this together and having teachers who’ll be there if we need them, but it’s up to us. It’s really purposeful. It’s great that they let you solve the problem instead of just looking at it and saying, Well, you might want to do this. So yeah, I’m going to take pride in that after it’s done. Because we did it.”
Joy Yang, the other Faculty Advisor for the club, says encouraging students to look at a problem from an engineering perspective pays dividends, no matter what career they go into. “I think training as an engineer teaches them how to think. Because engineers use backward design to say, I know the finished product, so I will work backward to say, what can I do to make things work? And that is fulfilling.”
Sriram Nallapaneni, the other senior captain of the Electric Car Club, agrees. “I think euphoria is the best word for it. You feel just pure joy when something that you built with your own hands works. It’s one thing when you put together a Lego set, and it works. But with Legos, at least you’re following a set of instructions. With this, there are no instructions; there is no structure. This car is the first of its kind. You are starting from nothing. So it’s an incredible feeling when you finally get it right and when it works the way you want it to.”
In the first four years of the club, the group had victories, like getting the motor running, welding the frame, and fabricating doors that fit, but the car was not fully operational. Still, students kept coming back, and the juniors and seniors became mentors and teachers to a new crop of freshmen and sophomores. A community was built.
“It makes you feel like you’re actually making a difference in the club. You’re teaching people things. It’s a great feeling when you see someone put into place something that you taught them,” says Sriram. “I’ve made some of the best friends I have in some of the juniors who taught me when I joined as a freshman. They’re still people I keep in contact with to this day.”
Then came the moment that the car had its first successful test drive.
“We were jumping around and went crazy,” says Chris, “but then we thought, okay, we have this running, let’s push it further. What else can we do?”
For Fitzner, the bigger question is, what can’t these students do? Whether they go on to become engineers or scientists or teachers or business owners, he knows that the lessons they learned in this club will stick with them for years to come. Fitzner shares, “Everything we do, every job, is about problem solving. Life is about not knowing the answer. It’s about failing but having a willingness to keep going.”
Thomas Edison couldn’t have said it better himself.
COMING FULL CIRCLE
OVER 40 ALUMNI RETURN HOME TO INSPIRE A FUTURE GENERATION OF YELLOWJACKETS
How is it possible for over forty alumni to return to Detroit Country Day School as faculty or staff members? That number makes up an impressive part of our current faculty and coaching staff. We asked some of those forty people why they returned to their alma mater, and their answers were so great we had to share!
“DCDS has always been home to me. I always say, there’s my life before DCD and my life after. I came back to DCD to coach so that I can give back to a community that has given so much to me!”
Amber Deane ‘12, Assistant Athletic Director and Coach
“As a graduate of DCDS, I always felt a strong sense of family within the community. My mom taught here, and I witnessed the incredible connections she built with colleagues, students, and families. I knew it would be a wonderful place for me, too. I also met my husband at DCDS, and that’s led to a life of happiness with our own children at the school, too!”
Marnie (Bailey) DuRoss ‘95, Teacher and Current Parent
“For me, what makes DCDS unique is the overall ecosystem. We have so much diversity and so many different walks of life in one area, working and thriving together. The connections are limitless. I came back to DCDS specifically because the basketball program opened up doors and opportunities for me while playing here that may not have been available at my local high school. I wanted to be able to do that same thing for this generation of student-athletes.”
Darryl Nobles ‘07, Coach
“I came to DCDS because I was returning to work after having kids. I heard from a friend at Cranbrook that DCDS was hiring a psychologist. My reason for staying at DCDS is more interesting: I have stayed because of the community. My colleagues are truly inspiring, and the students always keep me on my toes!”
Prathima (Setty) Mistry ‘95, Director of Learning Support and Current Parent
“DCDS holds a special place in my heart since I attended from PK3 through 12th grade. I experienced firsthand the incredible sense of community, support, and belonging that makes DCDS unique. The relationships I built with peers, teachers, and staff went far beyond academics, and they shaped who I am today.
This school is like a second home since my father has also been a dedicated teacher here, and growing up, I saw how much he valued the school and the students. His example inspired me to consider how to give back to this community that has given so much to my family.
When I thought about where I wanted my children to grow up and learn, I couldn’t imagine a better place than DCDS. The sense of connection and tradition, coupled with the school’s commitment to excellence and personal growth, is something I wanted to pass on to them. Returning to teach at DCDS feels like coming full circle, giving back to the place that shaped me, and ensuring that future generations have the same incredible experience I did.”
Abby (Arseneau) Symanow ‘10, Teacher and Current Parent
“Detroit Country Day School is unique to me because it goes beyond academics, truly fostering growth in all areas of life. The school challenged me to excel both in the classroom and as an individual, instilling values of leadership, discipline, and resilience. DCDS prepared me for college and life by teaching me to approach challenges confidently, adapt to new situations, and strive for continuous improvement.
Returning to coach at DCDS is an opportunity for me to give back to the place that had such a profound impact on my life. I want to contribute to the growth of the next generation, helping students develop their skills, character, and confidence, just as my coaches and mentors did for me.”
Jacob Hill ‘15, Coach
“After teaching in public schools for 25 years, I was ready for a change of scenery and the desire to work partially outside the classroom but still within education. The timing worked out with my association with DCDS and their need for a math teacher and edtech support. The school was redesigned after I graduated, so its physical look is different. However, its foundation remains strong, and I am very happy to be back.”
Greg Johnson ‘89, Teacher and Current Parent
“Coming back to teach at my alma mater feels like a full circle moment. It’s not just about returning to familiar hallways -- it’s about being part of the same supportive community that shaped me into who I am today. When I was a student here, I was inspired by teachers who didn’t just teach lessons but taught life. Yes, they prepared me for college, but they also instilled in me a love of learning and a sense of possibility. Now, I get to be that person for the next generation. I want to pass on the same encouragement and excitement that helped me believe in myself and, hopefully, inspire a few students to find their own path as I did.”
Ashley Battier ‘03, Teacher
“DCDS is unique to me because of the incredible array of talent that forms the foundation of our community. If you look at our alumni, you’ll find individuals excelling in diverse fields— whether it’s in professional sports like the NBA, NFL, soccer, or front office operations or in business as CEOs and founders, or the arts as actors, directors, and musicians. I don’t know of another secondary school community that consistently develops individuals who achieve such high levels of success across so many disciplines. This speaks volumes about our faculty and staff, whose expertise, dedication, and resources foster this kind of growth in students.
I wanted to return to DCDS because I deeply value being part of a community where students and faculty take education seriously—both their own and that of others. It’s inspiring to work in an environment that prioritizes excellence and supports everyone in reaching their full potential.”
Annie Gordon Thomas ‘06, Assistant Director for Early Upper School Success
“I came back to DCDS because I wanted to be a part of the “Sound Mind” in our school motto. I believe that our mind can be the biggest tool or barrier to reaching our dreams. I love seeing students learn not to be afraid to ask for help and use the strategies we promote to help them pick themselves up from setbacks. I hope that by supporting students through our mental health counseling department, I can help them build resilience and grit, learning the skills necessary to balance their drive for achievement and purpose with their overall well-being.”
Brittany Washington ‘14, Upper School Mental Health Counselor
“I grew up at Country Day with my uncle coaching. Every Friday night was a family reunion. I used to be the ball girl and water girl on the sidelines. I would go on scouting trips when my dad would join my uncle. My DCDS roots go so far back that I remember swimming in the pool where the new athletic hallway used to be. It’s always been my home away from.
I loved my time at Country Day Upper School, specifically on the women’s swim team. I had a great coach that made competitive swimming so fun. My coach and I always talked about returning when the time was right. This year was it. I care so deeply for this program that I want to carry on the legacy he built since the team’s inception in 1996. I hope to develop a program here that will last and be a staple for years.”
Mary Kate (Maclean) Gray ‘18, Coach
“During my time at DCDS, I had so many amazing teachers who played a role in me wanting to become a teacher. I spent time with Mrs. Matthews at the Lower School for my senior project and loved everything! Fast forward 4 years, I ran into an old of mine while subbing, Sara Garn, who talked to me about teaching and coaching at DCDS. I felt it was meant to come full circle and hopefully help inspire some younger students like my teachers inspired me.”
Erica (DiClemente) Ginster ‘13, Teacher
“Detroit Country Day School is very unique because of the high standards across our three pillars: academics, arts, and athletics. The standard that Country Day has established in each of these areas collectively is unmatched by any other school in this state. Every school can define its quantitative value in today’s market for education, but what truly defines Country Day is our qualitative value or “our unique stories.” I came back because I firmly believe in the mission and the motto. I have lived and experienced the benefit of a sound mind in a sound body. To come back to this institution to pay it forward and provide the same opportunities afforded to me is truly an honor. My wife, Carla ‘98, and I feel a sense of comfort knowing that our children now get to share and have this experience. The value proposition for us is clearly understood. The mission precedes and succeeds us all.”
Ashton Aikens ‘01, Assistant Director of Admissions and Current Parent
“Detroit Country Day was like a very long season of Survivor. Students battled to outwit, outplay, and outlast. Challenges were difficult, and the competition was fierce. Most of us were busy making alliances and looking for immunity idols along the way, while others seemed to know exactly what they needed to do to win. However, despite all the theatricals, we all emerged as a forged team of survivors who bonded and will forever feel connected. We were so fortunate to be a part of something so unique and special, and I think that fact draws alumni back to the school, whether as parents or employees. So here we are, seasoned veterans in the game, fan favorites, so to speak, simply enjoying another season of adventure!”
Alexis Zuk ‘93, Coach and Current Parent
“It was always important for me to come back to work at DCDS because I wanted to make sure that our students had someone they could look up to at school who looked like them and could relate to the things they were going through. Working as a fundraiser for the school allowed me to apply my skills to a place I genuinely care about. It makes the job much easier, as it is more like raising money for my family than work.
It’s fun to see the innerworkings of the school and it’s special to know that you can help secure the future of a place that has given you so much. As an adult, you often don’t get to work in a place filled with so much energy and where you know your work is meaningful. Simply put, being here is like being home.”
Tina (Mangalick) Blank ‘06, Director of Philanthropy
“I honestly feel so fortunate to teach a subject that I love each day. I get to explore ecosystems, grow plants, and investigate the human body with students who find joy and wonder in learning about the world around them. I had the privilege of being taught by so many wonderful teachers here at Country Day who helped shape me into the person I am today. I hope that I get to do the same and impact my students in the same way my teachers did for me.”
Meghan (McGrath) Kurleto ‘04, Teacher and Current Parent
“I decided to coach at DCDS because it offered me an opportunity to stay involved in both softball and the DCDS community. After graduating college, that was the end of my playing softball, and when I saw that DCDS was hiring for a softball coach, it was an opportunity to open a door again to a sport I loved. The connections that I formed both with my teammates and with the program during my years playing at DCDS are something that will stay with me forever. It’s amazing to see, and I hope that I am now helping create those connections for the next generation of Yellowjacket softball players. I was very excited to be back on campus seeing all the familiar faces. The DCDS community is like no other, and I’m excited to continue participating in it. And the added bonus is I never got to play on the new turf field, but at least now I can say I get to coach on it.”
Jacqueline Spizizen ‘17, Coach
“Coming back to DCD was coming home for me. My dream has been to continue my family’s legacy here, and I’m grateful to be able to do just that.”
Emily Corwin ‘09, Teacher
“I returned to Country Day because being a student-athlete was one of the most formative experiences in my life. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the athletes I coached the way my teachers and coaches had changed my life. I was coaching and teaching in London, and Mr. Shilling called and asked if I wanted to come back to Country Day. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work at the school that meant so much to me.
Being a Yellowjacket gives me a sense of belonging and of being part of a community. I have a shared experience with thousands of alums. The year they graduated doesn’t matter; we have Country Day in common. Working with alumni, I have met alumni from the 1950s to current students and mens sana in corpore sano, is something everyone remembers and knows and can tell you what it means in their lives.”
Kimberly Otsuji Link ‘02, Director of Alumni Relations
ALUMNI REGIONAL EVENTS
DETROIT
The Detroit Regional Gathering, held at the Detroit Athletic Club, was a stellar event attended by alumni, past faculty, and significant others.
Anita Prys, Jeff Rogers ‘10, Megan Upton
Joe Hansen, Billy Hunter ‘82, Analiza Baikie ‘82
Phaebre Colbert and Maria Buczkowski ‘12
Cecilia De La Torre and Roderick Harris-Wright ‘11
Karen Wilson, John Wilson ‘81, Mike MacLean ‘16
Zachary Zeidner ‘07, John Ticer ‘07, Seshakhil Konduru ‘05, and Sai Kancharla ‘07
Kerry Duggan ‘96, Jason Wilson, Stefanie Givens-Wilson ‘96
Erika Bryant ‘91, Dennis Bryant, Darrell Hervey ‘91
Jared Freeman ‘22, Carrinton Thomas ‘23, Gabe Nazelli ‘21
Rich Dempsey, Joe Hansen, Kim Otsuji Link ‘02, Tina (Mangalick) Blank ‘06
Avery Wilson ‘20, Diego Rangel ‘20, Skylar Jackson ‘20, Lindsey Rising, Jake Bartholomew ‘20
Stefan Marshall, Parisa Kiani ‘01, Sachin Shah ‘01
John Ticer ‘07, Sai Kancharla ‘07, Adriel Neely ‘11
Stephanie Thibault ‘01, Kim Otsuji Link ‘02, Jennifer Ferris ‘01, Jacki Gatt ‘01
Andrew VanAntwerp, Mickey VanAntwerp ‘19, Paul VanAntwerp ‘79, Donna VanAntwerp, Madison VanAntwerp ‘11, Nicholas Barry
Gabe Nazelli ‘21, Wadie David ‘09, Kevin DuRoss
Erika Bryant ‘91, Christine Alix ‘09, Denise Liberty, Donnavan Kirk ‘09
Trevor Medema ‘15 and Dan MacLean
Maria Buczkowski ‘12, Jordan Yagiela ‘11, and Christine Alix ‘09
Dale Brundidge ‘08 and Denise Liberty
Yvonne Hammoud ‘06, Garai Fields, Erica Gibson ‘06, Ross Arseneau, Nikia Williams ‘92, Allyson David ‘06
LOS ANGELES
Steve Ballmer ‘73 hosted this alumni gathering at the new LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome. Before the event, alumni enjoyed a private tour of the new arena. After hearing Ballmer give a rousing speech, they watched the Clippers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Detroit Country Day School
Cynthia Miller ‘77, Tommy Duncan ‘98, Jessica Daniels Clemons ‘90, Sophia Kim ‘90, David Williams ‘90, Michael Jonna ‘21, Jonathan Pataq ‘21, Akhil Puli ‘21, Tejas Desai ‘21
Jeffrey P. Straus ‘72, Byron Washington ‘73, Steve Ballmer ‘73, Ann Kinney-Eittinger ‘73, Hank Rosenfeld ‘73
Skip Dise ‘99, Zaahir Syed ‘99, Chris Speed ‘02, Ramie Abu-Zahra ‘04
Mike Kuhn ‘98, Arnold Reed ‘11, Byron Washington ‘73, Tom Berman ‘97
Dawn Vassel ‘86, Michael Hannagan ‘87, Rosiley Hannagan
Jennifer Edison ‘98, Carla (Dorsey) Aikens ‘98, Chris Speed ‘02
Scott Tynan ‘85, Courtney Tynan ‘14, Camryn Tynan ‘19, Jack Tynan ‘21
Debbie Mosley ‘13, Tess Karmann ‘13, Vinod Narla ‘01, Toussaint Waterman ‘93, Joe Hansen
Raj Senapati ‘99, Ashish Aggarwal ‘99, Zan Jafry ‘99, Jacob Shapira ‘99, Skip Dise ‘99, Zaahir Syed ‘99, Chris Speed ‘02, Ramie Abu-Zahra ‘04
Krishan Amin ‘17, Rishuv Mehta ‘17, Erin Brennan ‘19, Stanley Hou ‘05
From
Ann Kinney-Eittinger ‘73, Chris Thomas ‘74, Cynthia Miller ‘77, Robin (Karr) Deighan ‘79, Kristen Washington ‘78, Courtney B. Vance ‘78, Byron Washington ‘73
Ranvir Gujral ‘96, Christopher Weber ‘03
Anna
Pooneh Mohajer ‘83, Khaled Tawansy ‘83, Todd Karr ‘83
Vidya Ramesh ‘90, Veda Ramesh ‘99
Jason Won ‘16, Matthew Song ‘16, and Cassidy Tynan ‘16
back:
Gustafson ‘09, Robert Gustafson ‘08, Brian Tan ‘07, Patrick Kim ‘00, Nimish Jain ‘00, Masood Qazi ‘02, Taylor Hale ‘13, Kafui Bediako ‘07
Drew Shannon ‘04, David Freedland ‘96
Brian Qian ’15, Liana Lau ‘20
NEW YORK
Partnering with Amit Doshi ‘96, the New York Area Regional Gathering allowed alumni to reconnect with classmates and network with one another. Many alums stayed after the event to cheer the Lions as they took on the Packers.
Jason Katz, Emilie Weiner ‘11, Jasmine (Samani) Felix ‘11, Laurel Zaima-Sheehy ‘11, Kevin Sheehy, Megan Arnold ‘11
Cydney Goldberg ‘97, Amit Doshi ‘96, Rich Dempsey
Stephanie Trautman, Sophia Gallette ‘19, Kate Holman ‘16, Kim Otsuji Link ‘02, Lauren Boos ‘18
Jimmy Kenney ‘16, Cameron Barr ‘16, Cooper Belanger ‘16, Jonathan Boos ‘16, Dylan Desai ‘15
Dylan Prime ‘18, Sophia Gallette ‘19, Jonathan Boos ‘16, Harrison George ‘18, Lily Mullany ‘18, Kate Homan ‘16, Lauren Boos ‘18, Stephanie Trautman
Peter Chang, Karina Kou ‘97, Raj Mangalick ‘97, Tina (Mangalick) Blank ‘06, Bradley Dock ‘92, Amanda Zaitchik ‘04
Amar Pradhan ‘98, Jim Boyle ‘75
Ashish Gupta ‘89, Pramod Sanghi ‘89, Rich Dempsey
Bradley Dock ‘92, Varisa Perlman ‘92, Philip Payton ‘92
Nikita Gohel Shetty ‘00, Kathryn Kerns ‘01, Shana Gohel ‘06
Raj Mangalick ‘97, Kate Levy ‘02, Beryl Satter
Harrison George ‘18, Lily Mullany ‘18, Nishal Patel ‘18, Dylan Prime ‘18, Christian Kasmikha ‘18
Stephanie Yim ‘16, Kate Holman ‘16, Lauren Boos ‘18, Sophia Gallette ‘19
Amar Pradhan ‘98, Nikita Gohel Shetty ‘00, Samir Janveja ‘99
Saahill Desai ‘02, Mike Rooney ‘02, Courtney Thomasma ‘02
Alicia Zurita, Juliana Montoya Padilla ‘13, Akua Achampong ‘13, Cindy Yu Simon ‘13, Joseph Nwabueze ‘17
Saahill Desai ‘02, Amit Doshi ‘96
Vik Dhar ‘05, Shilpa Prabhakar Nadella ‘05, Jordan Talia ‘05
Joseph Nwabueze ‘17, Rishuv Mehta ‘17, Rithik Aggarwal ‘18
Caroline (Rooney) Serrano ‘07, Ryan Murphy ‘09
HOMECOMING
From alumni games to brunch and the alumni tent at the Homecoming game, Homecoming 2024 was a huge success, with alumni bringing their families, having fun, and sharing stories.
Detroit Country Day School
Jeff Levine ‘88, Rich Dempsey, Steve Mann ‘88, and Brittany Mann ‘12
Mazen Asbahi ‘92, Razan Asbahi ‘94, and Moumen Asbahi ‘01
Preetha Balakrishnan ‘99, Ashley (Futterknect) Mahoney ‘99, and their daughters
Donnavan Kirk ‘09 and Beverly Hannett-Price
Carla (Dorsey) Aikens ‘98, Ryan Berman ‘98, Tom Berman ‘97, Ryan Sanders ‘07, and Rodney Fisher
Detroit Country Day School
Ryan Sanders ‘07, Donnavan Kirk ‘09, Ashley Battier ‘03, Sarah Akeel, and Adam Akeel ‘09
Eric Brown ‘01, Karina Khalife-Mass ‘01, and Aaron Morrell ‘00‘
Keshav Grover ‘04 and Beverly Hannett-Price
Demea Carter ‘04, Kim Otsuji Link ‘02, Jeremy Sasson ‘03
Erica (DiClemente) Ginster ‘13, and Adam Akeel ‘09
Sophia Leija ‘27, Hilde Heremans ‘97, Betsy Moss ‘79, Gene Jurkiewicz, and Sally Wisnieski
Katie Rinke ‘21, Jimmy Moceri, Amanda (Tapp) Moceri ‘11, Jordan Yagiela ‘11, Sandy Yagiela, and Janine Rinke
Teneka Singleton and Ryan Sanders ‘07
ALUMNI SPORTS
A sound mind in a sound body still rings true with our alumni, and that was shown when alumni spanning 5 decades came out to participate in the alumni women’s lacrosse, women’s field hockey, and men’s soccer games. Seeing our alumni players play alongside current Upper School athletes was fun!
Previous coach Bob Bukari with current men’s soccer coach Steve Bossert
John Rogers ’08, Amanda Rogers ‘13, Jeff Rogers ‘10
Cousins Annie Way ‘28 and Kate Holman ‘16
Amina Safiedine ‘23 and former coach Rodney Fisher
Ashley (Futterknecht) Mahoney ‘99 and Razan Asbahi ‘94
Alumni from 1994 to 2020 joined current field hockey players
Abby (Arseneau) Symanow ‘10, Ross Arseneau, and Nick Kowalski ‘09
Current & alumni parents came to watch. Shari Morningstar and Steve Gustafson, Christa Shilling, Bernice Sessa, Anna Pavlou, and Alexis Zuk ‘93
Kaley (Rosczewski) Williams ‘16 and her daughter
Tina (Mangalick) Blank ‘06, Paheli Koradia ‘20, Sarah (Fisher) Fredrickson ‘06
Ainsley Shilling ‘22, Kimberly Otsuji Link ‘02, Jordan Yagiela ‘11
Current Varsity Soccer team with alumni soccer players and coaches
Kimberly Otsuji Link ‘02, Meghan Meyers ‘01, Sarah (Fisher) Fredrickson ‘06, Anna Gustafson ‘09, and Ani (Shekerjian) Vasileff ‘08
Julia Cassel ‘09 and Jordan Yagiela ‘11
Alan Placek ‘94, Dave Hunter ‘94, Dave Garlick ‘94, Bob Bukari, Valentino Scicluna ‘94, Paul Bartoshuk
Current Varsity Lacrosse players and alumni
CLASS REUNIONS
Members of graduating years ending in 4s and 9s came together for an evening of reminiscing. The event was held the night before Homecoming in the Upper School library. It featured food & drinks, tours, and even some faculty favorites came to visit.
Nick Kowalski ‘09, Adam Akeel ‘09, Donnavan Kirk ‘09
Class of 1994
Class of 2004
Class of 1994
Stacie (Smith) Mizzi ‘04, Beverly Hannett-Price, Betsy Moss ‘79
John Matthews ‘84 and Diana Matthews
Susan (Crawford) Dandridge ‘84 and Whitney Bell ‘84
Amishi (Singal) Murthy ‘94, Monisha Shetty ‘94, Laura (Green) Gaffney ‘94
Mickey VanAntwerp ‘19, Evan Krol ‘19
Adam Akeel ‘09 and Carol Keeler
Detroit Country Day School
Class of 1989
Zach Walker ‘14, Ellie (Miller) Walker ‘14
Erin Stonehouse ‘94, Razan Asbahi ‘94, Beverly Hannett-Price, Tony Cook ‘94, Adam Hunter ‘94, Dave Garlick ‘94, Craig Stoller ‘94, and Andrea (Bologna) Barringer ‘94
Brendan Childress ‘14 and Alyssa Hogan
Mickey VanAntwerp ‘19, Beverly Hannett-Price, Paul VanAntwerp ‘79, Max VanAntwerp ‘14
Class of 1994
Class of 2014
Class of 1984
Class of 1979
COLLEGE LUNCHEONS
DCDS visited the University of Michigan and Wayne State University to engage with our most recent alumni. Many undergraduate and medical school students stopped by for pizza and to reconnect.
Detroit Country Day School
Nikhil Patel ‘16, Carrinton Thomas ‘23, Gabe Nazelli ‘21, Kim Otsuji Link ‘02, Connor McGinnis ‘17, Jaden Freeman ‘22, A.J. Aburashed ‘21, Sarah Rehman ‘18
Frank Novock, Connor McGinnis ‘17, and Brendan Dolan ‘17
A.J. Aburashed ‘21, Carrinton Thomas ‘23, and Jaden Freeman ‘22
Wayne State School of Medicine students Brendan Dolan ‘17, Sarah Rehman ‘18, Louis Haddad ‘17, Adam Junn ‘16, Nikhil Patel ‘16, and Connor McGinnis ‘17
Detroit Country Day School
Mayer Krieger ‘24, Nishan Inampudi ‘24, Brett Sidle, and Will Thompson ‘24
Amber Deane ‘12 and Emma Arico ‘24
Jean Kowaleski, John Schwarz, Hans Liu ‘20, Ben Aaron ‘23, Max Shilling ‘20, and Amber Deane ‘12
Ayaana Hai ‘24, and Amara Tariq ‘23
Nicholas Frieler ‘23, Ben Aaron ‘23, Mayer Krieger ‘24, Nishan Inampudi ‘24, Ella Thompson ‘23, Sunny Challa ‘22, Will Thompson ‘24, Brett Sidle, and Hans Liu ‘20
ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES
Spencer Rogers ’63
Spencer Rogers ’63 would love to communicate with classmates. It’s been many years. His career was supporting education… well still is, because he is still coaching teachers, administrators, and professional developers.
John Eberline ‘66
John Eberline ’66 is just checking in to see how the class is doing. He has great memories of DCDS, and he hopes to hear from you and hopes you are well. His email is johneberl@hotmail.com. Cheers!
Gary Bachman ‘73
Gary Bachman’s ’73 first book, Southern Gardening All Year Long, was published in 2022. During his 50th-year reunion last year, he gifted DCDS a signed copy and is proud to know it’s available in the school library. Gary claims that nobody ever saw that coming in 1973! Email Gary at gardendoc73@yahoo.com for details on getting a signed copy.
Tabassum Ahmad ‘82
Tab Ahmad ’82 was a project manager and financial software consultant for a number of Fortune 500 companies, including IBM and Lear Corporation. He’s now retired and enjoying his hobbies, which include reading and listening to his alternative music collection.
Kevin Sell ‘82
Kevin Sell ’82 retired from Stellantis in 2023 after several plant manager roles. He is currently focused on nonprofit work in Kenya, Africa, as co-founder of Hearts of Hope International with his wife, Nancy, of 37 years (www.heartsofhopeinternational.org) He is also co-owner of Barb’s Pizza and Pasties in Clawson with his siblings after their parents’ passing. He lives around the corner from Dr. Jimmy Boutin ’82 and has 4 adult children and no grands yet.
ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES
Wendy C. Goldberg ‘91
Wendy Goldberg ’91 created and serves as an Executive Producer of the TV show Top Class Tennis, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Suzanne White ‘92
Former classmates and basketball State Champs Cathy Hayes ‘93, Maria Sarnacki ’92, and Suzanne White ‘92 reunited for surfing, biking, and yoga adventures in Bali. Believe It!
Thomas Lall ‘94
Thomas Lall ‘94 was recently named a Rollins Distinguished Clinician, a designation that recognizes professors who have made significant contributions to Emory University’s mission to create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in the service of humanity. Tom continues to be the Medical Director of The Emory Special Diagnostics Clinic, seeing patients that have rare and difficult to diagnose conditions.
Elizabeth Khalil ‘95
Elizabeth Khalil ‘95 authored a book on financial privacy published by the American Bar Association. She is the US Chief Privacy Officer for CIBC, one of Canada’s largest banks.
Jennifer Edison ‘98
Jennifer Edison ’98 released a new album, “Evolution,” which was listed on the initial Grammy ballot. It is available to stream everywhere, and more info can be found at jenniferedison.com .
ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES
Khari Jones ‘09
As Senior Research Manager & Collective Impact Facilitator at BrandIQ, Khari Jones ‘09 collaborates with the Los Angeles and Orange County Community College systems to drive curriculum innovation and workforce development initiatives for traditionally underserved student populations. This work includes managing the Faculty Equity Learning Community (FELC), enhancing culturally responsive teaching methods across 29 colleges, and leading a Student Advisory Panel to gather insights for systemic improvements.
Grace Elliott ‘12
After a professional basketball career in the United Kingdom, Grace Elliott ’12 followed her passion for the game into the college coaching scene. Grace Elliott has rapidly ascended in the coaching ranks since becoming one of the youngest female head coaches at the Division III level when she took the helm of the women’s basketball program at Rosemont College. Now entering her 9th season as a college basketball coach, Grace assumes the position of Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Haverford College, one of the nation’s top liberal arts institutions. Coach Elliott is focused on guiding her team toward a Centennial Conference championship this year.
Taylor Hale ‘13
Taylor Hale ‘13 has assumed the role of Jury Roundtable Host on CBS’s longstanding reality show Big Brother. She’s the second person to claim the role following Big Brother legend Will Kirby’s decade-long reign as Jury Roundtable Host. Taylor is the first Black woman to win the reality show, and remains the only person to win both the Grand Prize and America’s Favorite Houseguest, making her the winningest winner of the franchise.
Kendall Baisden ‘13
Kendall Baisden ‘13 was the keynote speaker for the Blue and Gold Club’s DCDS National Scholar-Athlete Awards. Her speech was focused on her journey of perseverance while becoming a professional track & field athlete and high-fashion model. She shared that the values of strength in community, protecting one’s passion, and finding purpose through heartfulness are the values sustainably fueling her journey to perseverance. As she does in her student-athlete mental coaching sessions throughout the year, she emphasized to the DCDS National Scholar-Athlete award recipients that aligning with their true purpose is the starting point in reaching the endpoint of perseverance.
ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES
Moe Ways ‘14
Moe Ways ’14 is currently working at Disney as an Account Executive in programmatic sales.
Joshua Adkins ‘15
Joshua Adkins ’15 recently partnered with an old Boy Scout friend to create a local landscape construction business in Oakland County called Odd Jobs Landscape Co.
Emily Fisher ‘15
Emily Fisher ’15 recently began a urology residency at the University of Minnesota.
Ernest L. Moore III ‘17
Ernest L. Moore III ’17 received his white coat from The Ohio State University Medical School On August 9, 2024. He extends his deepest gratitude to DCDS for the profound impact on his journey to medical school. The rigorous academic environment, dedicated faculty, diverse extracurricular opportunities, community service work, and teaching the art of networking helped to lay a solid foundation for his future in medicine.
Isabel Nino ‘17
Isabel Nino ’17 is playing professional soccer full-time in the USL Super League.
ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES
Jack Ohryn ‘17
Jack Ohryn ’17 was recently married to the love of his life, Kayla.
Emma LaBarre ‘20
Since graduating from DCDS in 2020, Emma attended MSU, where she researched the Big Five personality traits as part of the Social Science Scholars Program, studied eating disorders in the Klump Lab, volunteered at MSU’s Center for Survivors, and worked for the Michigan Health Council. In 2023, she entered the University of Michigan’s Masters of Social Work program. Having just graduated, Emma will work as a therapist at Connally Counseling in Seattle. She is pursuing clinical licensure in Michigan and Washington to serve adolescents and young adults in both states. Emma would love to connect with DCDS alumni living out West!
Julia Fliegner ‘21
Julia Fliegner ’21 became a semifinalist at the women’s tennis NCAAs, just the second in program history to reach that round. She also earned All-American Honors!
Richard Shao ‘23
On Friday, November 8, 2024, Richard Shao ‘23 successfully world-premiered his newest original composition, “Hope,” at the Bloomfield Township Public Library Chamber Music Recital. The composition was performed by the members of Echo Trio: Xindan Hu (Clarinet), Joshua Millet (Violin), and Richard Shao (Piano). Upper School English faculty Ms. Beverly Hannett-Price attended the performance as well.
