M A G A Z I N E
Episcopal School of Jacksonville
WINTER 2022
The Magazine of Episcopal
4455 Atlantic Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207
EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF JACKSONVILLE
T H E
Winter 2022
O F
LEADERSHIP 2021-2022 Board of Trustees John K. Adams O. David. Barksdale ’84 Beverly H. Bonaparte Stephen D. Busey (Chancellor) Troy M. Davis ’93 Kelly A. Flanagan ’02 (Treasurer) Heather W. Fouts Alexander M. Graham ’00 Michael J. Grebe Paige Hakimian R. Brian King Mark R. LaBorde ’84 (Secretary) John B. Magevney ’89 Andrew K. McCain '80 The Very Rev. Katherine B. Moorehead (Vice Chair) Jeffrey Rosen Helen C. Rowan (Chair) John-Paul Saenz ’89 John C. Schmidt ’70 Sally Haskell Singletary ’86 William N. Steitz III Carl E. Stoudemire III ’75 Kenneth D. Sweder Arnold D. Tritt Jr. ’81 Amy Harris Wacaster ’94 Sidney E. Wells ’91 The Right Rev. Samuel John Howard, Bishop of Florida, Ex-Officio The Rev. Adam S. Greene, Head of School, Ex-Officio William L. Milne ’00, Alumni Board/ President, Ex-Officio The Rev. Thomas P. Murray, Rector of St. Mark’s, Ex-Officio Foundation Board Robert M. Clements George M. Egan Kelly A. Flanagan '02 (Finance Committee Chair) Michael A. Kelley Stephen D. Moore Jr. John E. Sawyer IV Kenneth D. Sweder (Chairman) Helen C. Rowan, Ex-Officio The Rev. Adam S. Greene, Head of School, Ex-Officio Trustees Emeriti William B. Bond E. Bruce Bower Peggy P. Bryan J.F. Bryan IV Stephen D. Busey
The Right Rev. Frank S. Cerveny John W. Donahoo Jr. † David W. Foerster † Henry H. Graham Jr. † Joan S. Haskell Preston H. Haskell III Mark Hulsey† Allen L. Lastinger Delores T. Lastinger Hugh M. Magevney III J.T. McCormick † Thad L. McNulty Walter A. McRae Jr. † John A. Mitchell III Jane S. Munnerlyn † W. Wilson Munnerlyn † The Rev. Dr. Robert Parks † Gert H.W. Schmidt † The Hon. Gerald Tjoflat Elizabeth S. Walton † William H. Walton Jr. † Mary B. Winston † James H. Winston † Katharine K. Zambetti Head of School Emeritus Charles F. Zimmer Honorary Trustees Michael D. Abney † William R. Barnett Margaret B. Berg ✝ Jackie J. Busse Robert M. Clements Maxwell K. Dickinson Thomas M. Donahoo J. Dix Druce Jr. The Right Rev. Bertram Herlong † Richard H. Jones Dr. Ross Krueger Joan W. Newton Richard H. Suddath † The Very Rev. Gustave J. Weltsek † Alumni Board Mary Burke Baker ’93 Peter T. Blumeyer ’08 Mary Lanier Cook ’94 (President-Elect) Derek T. Gaff ’87 Lee Haramis ’10 Jennifer Stopiak Hayes ’90 (Vice President of Membership) Ashley Helmick Howard ’07 (Vice President of The Episcopal Fund) Leigh Elizabeth Black Israel ’05 ESJ
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Nicole Clemons Lewis ’97 Deanna Thornton Lombardo ’10 (Secretary) Brad McCollum ’08 William L. Milne ’00 (President) Joseph C. Murray ’99 (Chaplain) Colleen McDermott November ’99 Caroline K. Oakley ’13 Todd Ogletree ’88 Graham Riley ’00 (Vice President of The Episcopal Fund) Dr. Shannon Shea ’89 Julie Wiggins Sorenson ’98 Tori Thompson ’14 Tracy A. Thompson ’12 Nick F. Walker ’10 J. David Wingard ’92 Katharyn Smith Woods ’07 Editor Meg Scheu Sacks Design and Production Katie Lawrence Photography Caroline Carithers Close ’03 Ashley Davis Laura Evans Joe Kohla Claire Pulignano ’05 Brandon Westerman ’99 Contributors Katie Lebhar Black-Bowling ’95 Caroline Carithers Close ’03 Ashley Davis Taylor Lee Horne ’00 Heather Newman Johnson ’90 Missy Ketchum Andy Kidd ’99 Jane Labossier Samuel Salameh ’22 Chip Stroud Bridgett Stroud Shane Tripp Kate Wallis ’01 Brandon Westerman ’99 Jennifer Windley Special Contributors Karen Kelly Becker Marta Pauly Victoria Register-Freeman
(† deceased)
The Mission OF EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF JACKSONVILLE is to provide a superior college-preparatory education in an environment marked by high expectation, Christian nurture, and social diversity. Through a balanced program of academics, arts, and athletics, Episcopal’s faculty seeks to instill in each student intellectual growth, character development, responsible leadership and a commitment to community service.
TABLE of CONTENTS 6
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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
7
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ALUMNI PROFILES AND FEATURES
26
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WRITING AT EPISCOPAL
34
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ATHLETICS
42
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FINE ARTS
54
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ADVANCING EPISCOPAL
68
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
76
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ALUMNI
98
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END NOTES
Gallimaufry is a collection of student art and creative writing – poetry and sketches, paintings and short stories – published intermittently throughout the years. The name of the journal means “hodge podge, jumble, medley,” and adequately describes the assortment of poems, visual art pieces and short stories and essays included in the publication. Students wrote poetry about nature, love, grandparents, and dreams; art pieces included photography of other students, and sketches of nature, birds, and people.
In 2018 student publications went digital with the birth of The Talon Times, the school’s first online newspaper. The Talon Times was born after Sydni Wynter ‘18 and Katharine Conklin ‘18 approached faculty with the idea. Six students were on staff in the fall of 2021. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply to join the newspaper. The Talon Times features Letters to the Editor, a Student Life section, Faculty Spotlight, movie reviews, cultural commentary and sports features. “The online newspaper was created with the intent to provide students with the ability to report on happenings both on the Episcopal
Aquila, a student newspaper published by
campus and within the outside community,”
the Episcopal High School Journalism class and club in the 1990s-2000s, provided printed coverage of school happenings. The publication covered Peter Pan, the first performance given in the Munnerlyn Center for Worship and Fine Arts, and the retirement of Louise Bignon, beloved faculty member and archivist in 2004. Students also tackled national and world events – remembering Columbine, the appointment of
said Leah Glotzbach, Director of Curriculum and Communications Department Chair. “This publication has been an amazing opportunity for students to write on (and discuss - as we also record podcasts!) topics ranging from questions pertaining to school policies all the way to new legislation being passed within the United States.”
Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State in 2005,
No matter the subject matter of the articles, the
and elections in Iraq. Coverage of sports, movie
main purpose of these publications – to provide
reviews, exam study tips, and the Fine Arts
students with an outlet to write and share their
trip to New York was also included through the
work – hasn’t changed, even in more than 50
years.
years.
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for the freedom to make my own choices,
the shoes of other people, perhaps even
to stake a claim on my identity, and yet I
our opponents, and consider perspectives
hadn’t the slightest idea how to enact those
outside our own. Second, good writing leads
desires in a gratifying and meaningful way.
to self-discovery. Writing at its best is not
Nevertheless, though I wasn’t necessarily
simply a declaration but a journey. Though
conscious of it then, my high school English
initially we may envision a final product, it
courses had already begun to illuminate a
will never yield the exact result we predicted,
path forward for me. For instance, in Bert
for we learn something about ourselves
Harrell’s junior English class, I discovered
and our beliefs along the way, altering our
writing as a form of personal liberation. Bert,
destination. Finally, language reminds us
who became my colleague and unofficial
of our humanity—our ability to connect, to
mentor a decade later, showed me the
relate, to occupy space together. Is it not
empowering qualities of self-expression, that
simply marvelous that symbols on a page—
through writing, we make claims about what
or utterances in our ears—have the power
we find beautiful or appalling--what allures,
to conjure vivid images in our brains, or can
inspires, and petrifies us. And though such
produce a physical reaction, like laughter or
declarations may leave us feeling vulnerable
tears?
and perhaps a bit unsettled, they lead us
Though writing instruction doesn’t sound
toward crucial self-understanding and a
particularly glamorous, perhaps there is a
deeper knowledge of the human condition
reason why so many films have famously
itself. Billy Valentine’s AP Literature, which
portrayed English classrooms as places
remains one of the most demanding courses
where students find inspiration and a sense
of my entire academic career, taught me
of purpose. As Robin Williams says in Dead
the importance of patience, precision, and
Poets Society, “No matter what anybody tells
fastidiousness. Through many trials and
you, words and ideas can change the world.”
tribulations, I found that good writing could
I will admit that my students have yet to climb
result from last-minute midnight epiphanies
atop their desks. Nevertheless, when they exit
but was more likely to come from piles of
my classroom for the final time, my sincerest
carefully crafted drafts and painstaking
hope is that they leave possessing more than
revisions.
just a passion for literature and language.
At the time, I’m sure my primary purpose
“Even more so, I want them to depart carrying the fundamental tools that are necessary to continue their cultivation of voice – to use language as a source of empowerment and self-discovery, which will enable them to build relationships with, and a deeper understanding of, the world and its inhabitants.”
was to earn an A; however, through Mr. Valentine’s guidance, I would eventually realize (perhaps years later) that good writing serves many simultaneous purposes that are much more important than a grade. First, good writing, at least in most contexts, is conceived and constructed with an intended audience in mind. As I tell my students in AP Language and Composition, every choice made in a piece of writing should reflect that awareness. Therefore, good writing— conscientious writing—forces us to step into ESJ
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beyond. Good writers know that what Lucy Calkins says is true: “When you think you are done, you have just begun.” “Nothing matters more than the mission of giving all young people access to the beautiful important work that happens in reading and writing workshops,” states Lucy Calkins. The two workshops go hand in hand because students learn about authors’ craft and style when reading and then can “try it out” during Writer’s Workshop. When students learn to add figurative language, sound elements, literary elements, dialogue, and think about sentence structure they are emulating what they are reading in real literature during Reading Workshop and their independent reading time. The main goal is to prepare students to become confident, lifelong readers and writers.
“A favorite moment for many students is getting to share their published pieces with a classmate, a teacher, or a family member. Writing celebrations
“Students are seeing the full process of writing from generating ideas to a published paper,” said Shane Tripp, Learning Specialist, Beaches Campus. “The kids move from telling a story to showing their stories with the help of the mini-lessons within the model. Students are no longer intimidated by writing because they are becoming comfortable with taking writing risks and can selfexpress within their own writing.”
are held at different times in the school year when students finish a unit of writing. Once they have gone through the writing cycle and have perfected their piece, they publish a final copy complete with pictures, a cover, an ‘about the author’ page, and a blurb for the back cover. Being an illustrator adds another layer of skill. Knowing how to make their words come to life perfectly through illustrations is part of learning what goes into finalizing a book. These final pieces - their published stories - reflect where they are right now as writers,” said Bridgett Stroud, Learning Specialist, St. Mark’s Campus.
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years 1971-2021
MARCH 19, 2022 . JACKSONVILLE, FL
50th ANNIVERSARY REGATTA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL of JACKSONVILLE
JADE HARDWICK AND YUSUF SAGUN
Earn Full Scholarships to Brown, UVA Seniors Jade Hardwick and Yusuf Sagun have earned full scholarships through QuestBridge, a national program that connects high-achieving high school seniors with full four-year scholarships to top colleges. Almost 17,000 students applied this year, and Jade and Yusuf were two of 1,600 finalists nationwide. Nationally, QuestBridge applicants have an average unweighted GPA of 3.93, and 92% are in the top 10% of their graduating class.
JADE HARDWICK
YUSUF SAGUN
Jade is Student Diversity Union President, in addition to her leadership in the Black Student Union, and she is team captain of the Varsity Track team, which she has been a member of since Middle School. Jade has also served on Student Vestry since ninth grade and is a Senior Team Leader for the group this year. She joined the Cum Laude Society last year. Academically, she has “maxed out” Episcopal’s math, science, and computer science curriculum, with no higher level courses left for her to take. Jade will attend Brown University in the fall of 2022. “At Brown, I plan to follow the astrophysics concentration track while participating in clubs such as BSU, dance, fashion, and community service. I am so thankful for the opportunity and very excited to join the Bears community!” said Jade.
ESJ
Yusuf transferred to Episcopal in tenth grade. His family immigrated to Jacksonville from Turkey and he is now helping other recent immigrants from Turkey learn English. Yusuf is on the rowing team, serves the school as an Eagle Ambassador, tutors fellow students as a member of the National Honor Society, and participates in Model United Nations. Yusuf will attend the University of Virginia. “One of the main reasons why I want to study at UVA is that it’s one of the best public schools in the nation with a top-tier business and social sciences school. I’m planning to major in economics and hold a government position after I graduate. UVA is great for its proximity to a big city like Washington D.C. and yet it offers the warmth of a beautiful college town. I’m excited to join as many student organizations as possible and do outdoor activities on the weekends,” said Yusuf.
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Into the Woods included an enormously talented group of students, who are gifted artistically, academically, athletically, and beyond. They poured their hearts and souls into this process and production. We as adults all know there are always evil spells, big bad wolves, and angry giants along our life journey. I remember spending much of my adolescence and early adulthood discontented by the stresses of school, friends, relationships, etc. I was always looking forward to arriving at my final destination of “happily ever after.” I had to train myself to live in the present, rather than wanting to rush to the next thing. I know that our students have so much to look forward to in their futures -- I’m sure there are plenty of magic beans, fancy ballgowns and golden harps coming their way. But for now, I hope they can just savor these moments. These are the times they will reflect on with delight and pride one day. I know this because when I think back to my time as a student at Episcopal, I don’t remember the stressful tests and late nights spent studying. I remember my best friends and I enjoying theatre together. It’s a shame we only realize these things in hindsight. “But if life were only moments, then you’d never know you had one.” -- Taylor Lee Horne ‘00
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STUDENT-CRAFTED NATIVITY SETS Bring Years of Joy As families prepare their hearts and homes for Christmas during the season of Advent, unpacking Christmas decorations is an annual, time-honored tradition. For many Episcopal families, carefully unwrapping and displaying homemade nativity scenes made by their children is a particularly sentimental moment. Beginning in Pre-K 3, St. Mark’s Campus students create wood block nativity pieces in art class. By the time students reach kindergarten, they have a complete wooden nativity set. As their fine motor skills progress, first through fifth grade students change mediums to create additional clay nativities. “It is a joy to observe how each student uses their individual creativity to make each nativity their own,” said Bebe Alexander, Art Instructor, St. Mark’s Campus. “Watching their skills evolve throughout the years is such a blessing.” On the Beaches Campus, Pre-K 3 through fifth grade students also mold detailed nativity sets out of clay. By the time students leave the campus after fifth grade, they have a complete clay nativity set. “Each year, as the Christmas season approaches, we are flooded with excitement,” said Elisa Formoso, parent of a Beaches Campus third grade student and a Munnerlyn Campus sixth grade student. “Our family’s tradition is to display our nativity scene first. With smiles and giggles we unwrap each piece of the nativity our boys, Nick and Teddy, created with Mrs. Henson. To our family, there is no better way to start the holiday season.”
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“INSTRUMENTAL” ADDITION TO ST. MARK’S CAMPUS MUSIC PROGRAM TOYS! The Night They Come Alive!
First through third grade students performed this magical musical filled with singing and dancing. On Christmas Eve, when all the children went to sleep....the Christmas tree came alive! They had a Christmas party of their own, and Santa arrived to teach them the real meaning of Christmas.
Music to many parents’ ears, kindergarten through fifth grade students have the opportunity to participate in bi-weekly violin classes before school on St. Mark’s Campus. Instruction is led by Corina Donica, a professionally trained European violinist who has performed as a soloist, orchestral, and chamber musician throughout Europe and the United States. Ms. Donica has taught instrumental music at the elementary through high school level, served as a principal leader of the Charlotte Slavic Children’s Choir and Orchestra, and currently teaches children at different levels to perform together in the Living Stream Orchestra.
The Story of Christmas
Pre-K 4 students delighted their audience as they dressed as Joseph and Mary, angels, shepherds, barn animals, wise men, innkeepers, and even the Star of Bethlehem.
“During the school day, students are exposed to xylophones, drums, bells, ukuleles, guitars, voice, and additional handheld instruments,” said Beville Anderson, Head of Lower School, St. Mark’s Campus. “Offering violin before school is a great addition to an already robust music curriculum.” Since the start of the school year, students have learned the proper positioning for holding a violin and bow, practiced and played notes, and developed skills on how to be personally responsible for an instrument. They performed “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” as a group during Chapel on Friday, December 17. “Though the violin is considered one of the most difficult instruments to learn, everyone is doing very well,” said Corina Donica, Violin Instructor. “I am amazed how in such a short amount of time they are able to make music all together.”
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BAND ENHANCES MUSIC PROGRAM ON THE BEACHES CAMPUS Beaches Campus Lessons and Carols The Beaches Campus students performed The Festival of Lessons and Carols on Wednesday, December 15, in the St. Paul’s by-the-Sea sanctuary. During the performance, the Christmas story is told through scripture readings and Christmas songs. Each grade sings a carol together and older students act out the story of Christ’s birth. This long-standing tradition helps to focus students’ hearts on the true spirit of Christmas. “Each year I look forward to this performance as it marks the start of the Christmas season for many of our families,” said Leslie Sale, Christian Education teacher, Beaches Campus. “The Lessons and Carols service is held during the last Chapel before the Christmas break and commemorates the Christmas season by recounting the miracle of Christ.”
The Beaches Campus band program is scheduled for a spring performance for the Episcopal community. The Beaches Campus Lower School Band program meets before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for rehearsal for students in fourth and fifth grade. Since the beginning of the school year, students have learned the proper positioning of their instruments, practiced, and played notes. “I am so proud of the growth our students have shown over the past months,” said Jennifer Ketchum, Head of Lower School, Beaches Campus. “It is a commitment on their part to participate in bi-weekly band practices before the start of the school day.” Band students chose an instrument and have practiced each week to build musical skills and grow as musicians. They have had the opportunity to perform band literature and develop their performance skills, as well as the ability to work as a part of a large instrumental ensemble through active participation in rehearsal. “We are thrilled to offer such solid musical programming and have the support of both the families and students,” said Cameron Strine, Music Teacher and Band Instructor. “We have had a tremendous response this school year with 21 students in the Band Program.”
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A week later, Music For a Cause participants partnered with the Parents’ Association and ESJ Instrumental Music to sing carols at the PA’s annual hot chocolate on the Kirwan Flag Plaza event. The club’s second semester programming is normally Songbird. With Songbird, participants embark on a music therapy journey to help Alzheimer’s and other dementia residents living in memory care facilities. Over many months, Songbird program participants undergo extensive training with the Alzheimer’s Association, where they learn interview/interaction techniques, dementia basics, and sensitivity training. Following training, students are partnered with a memory care facility resident and put music therapy knowledge into action. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the Songbird program has been put on hold and club leadership is working to find alternative ways to pursue the program or develop new initiatives.
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“Music for a Cause is glad to be selected as this year’s Episcopalsponsored club and hopes to use this as an opportunity to grow, bolster our programs, and make a larger impact within the community,” said Samuel. “The community can help support our selected charitable organization by participating in our dress down day in partnership with the Dean’s Office on February 3. We would also love your support by keeping an eye out for our spring tour and coming to the location where we are performing to donate to the charity organization we are supporting.”
EPISCOPAL’S TACOS & TEQUILA BASH Saturday, March 26 ~ 6:30 PM BASH COMMITTEE
Episcopal School of Jacksonville Munnerlyn Campus Acosta-Schmidt House Lawn
Shannon Connell Andrea Frick
Co-Chairs Claudia Adams Jennifer Branch Mica Brown Mary Lanier Cook ’94 Lori Cordell Elisa Formoso LaToya Freeman Amy Fu Sunny Turner Hartigan ’88 Yibo Huang Holly Kobrin Heidi Matey Ingrid McCawley Lori Moffett Suni Parks
Cocktails, Dinner, Silent Auction, and an Evening of Fun. Candace Ravis Fiki Revels Ashley Robinson Christy Rosen Lindsay Runnels Chris Snoap Allison Stefanides Catherine Colyer Tiedeberg ’95 Emily Tuten Annie Tuttle Amy Harris Wacaster ’94 Dee Wilcox Tala Woods Angela Young
More information on the event and ticket purchases will be available in January.
esj.org/bash
H
Saturday, February 26
1
MILE FUN RUN 8:00 AM
5
MILE GRAND PRIX RACE 8:30 AM
Run Features:
• M edals for the first 500 1-mile finishers and collector medals to the first 1,200 5-mile finishers. • A historic course over two bridges and along tree-lined streets. • 5 miles is the perfect training run three weeks before the Gate River Run! • Family-friendly street fair all morning. • P roceeds benefit the Financial Aid Program at Episcopal School of Jacksonville, St. Mark’s Campus.
Register Today! ESJ.org/ORR
FIFTH GRADE HOLDS ANNUAL Pasta Dinner The Beaches Campus hosted its annual fifth grade pasta dinner on Thursday, November 18. Fifth grade students entertained and served patrons curbside for a fun community-building event. The pasta dinner was prepared by Coop303 in Atlantic Beach.
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Memories Made During
GRANDPARENTS’ AND SPECIAL FRIENDS’ MORNING
Hundreds of Pre-K 3 - fifth grade grandparents and special friends gathered on the St. Mark’s Campus to spend the morning with students on Friday, November 19. Beginning with a special Chapel, attendees enjoyed student performances and a moving Homily from The Rev. Adam Greene. Following the service, students and guests gathered on Baker Green for refreshments and continued the morning with lively campus tours led by students.
“It was wonderful having grandparents and special friends back on campus this year,” said Susan Kwartler, Director of Development, St. Mark’s Campus. “We are grateful to the 2021 Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Committee under the leadership of Stephanie Davis for their dedication and hard work to make this event a great success!”
Memories Made
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ALUMNI EVENTS Regional Alumni Events:
Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York
The Rev. Adam Greene, Head of School, hosted alumni gatherings in cities across the country during the summer and fall of 2021. Stay tuned to the Alumni Events page on esj.org for a list of regional alumni gatherings in 2022.
atl
dc
ny
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Eagles Fore Eagles
The third annual Eagles Fore Eagles golf tournament was held Sunday, August 22, at Marsh Landing Country Club. A special thank you to Nick Walker ’10 and Chet Stokes ’09 for organizing and hosting the event!
Lady Alumni
The annual Lady Alumni networking event and wine tasting was held at Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas on Thursday, September 30. Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas is owned by Kori Blacker Tafoya ’99. Guests also enjoyed Makenu Chocolate from Jessica Diebel ’99. Thanks to Lady Alumni Chairs, Mary Burke Baker ’93 and Colleen McDermott November ’99 for coordinating a fun and enriching event.
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Jennifer Gentry Fernandez met her husband, Frank, in law school at Stetson and the two just celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. They live in South Tampa where they have a civil trial firm. Daughter Ella graduated from Belmont University last year and lives and works in Nashville for iHeart Media. Daughter Olivia is in her junior year at the University of Florida, majoring in digital art and design. Their dog Zeke accompanies Jennifer to the Fernandez Firm daily, where he pretends to work.
Anthony Flaris and his wife hiked 2,183 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail this year, falling short of their intended goal of 2,652 miles due to health reasons. Anthony is currently training to ride the MS150 cycling event with the team from Mayo Clinic.
Kevin Chinoy is a film and TV producer. After bouncing back and forth between NYC and Los Angeles for 20 years, Francesca (his partner in business and life for 20 years) and Kevin moved to Miami in 2017, where their 12-year-old son Giacomo has seven first cousins. Kevin and Francesca continue to produce movies through their company Freestyle Picture Company, though Kevin has also spent considerable time the last four years growing the family real estate business so he might reduce his travel and spend more time at home as Giacomo grows up.
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1993 Mary Burke Baker was promoted to Senior Director of Senior Talent Acquisition with KPMG, where she is celebrating eight years.
2001 Toby (Alberto) Vargas has been doing well as a photographer in Atlanta. Toby has written numerous articles for
Georgia Voice about drag, and for three years in a row has been named best photographer by the Georgia Voice. He is also working and touring North America with entertainers from RuPauls Drag Race. Toby is a graduate of Florida State University and holds a master’s degree in international business from Bond University. He has produced national events for the LGBTQ community and is the managing director of
Jorge Oliver ’99 and his wife Elena welcomed their second child, Helen Samantha Oliver. Helen was born on June 8, 2021, and joins big sister Camille.
a family health care business. Toby serves on the Board of Directors of Atlanta Pride and has been featured on thegayvoice.com.
2002 Osborne Crosby has two children: Annie Elizabeth Crosby, born June 1, 2017, and Emily “Emmie” Kincaid Crosby, born April 22, 2019.
Laura Wharen Donson ’02 is a Supervisory Contract Specialist for the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center. She recently spent a month deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sigonella, Sicily, supporting Operation Allies Refuge as a multi-agency team worked to welcome those escaping Afghanistan. She lives in Jacksonville with her husband, Chris, and two young boys Oliver (8) and Caelan (5.5). Laura is pictured (front, center) with part of her team after receiving a coin from General Milley, 20th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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Louise Ellisen ’16 graduated from the University of Florida with a business degree. She serves as the Associate Director of Camp Wayfarer and resides in Charleston, SC.
2016 Dinah Stephens is completing her master’s degree in management in June from the University of Florida’s Hough Business School and moving to New York City to work with GuidePoint as an associate.
Katie Nicholson ’18 was inducted in the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society this fall for academic accomplishments at the University of North Carolina in the field of chemistry.
Class Notes are edited for length. Please submit your news to alumni@esj.org.
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M A G A Z I N E
Episcopal School of Jacksonville
WINTER 2022
The Magazine of Episcopal
4455 Atlantic Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207
EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF JACKSONVILLE
T H E
Winter 2022
O F