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PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR OUR FUTURE

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026

FROM THE DESK OF CHRIS HERMAN

Welcome to Garden School's Annual Gala, our community's most significant celebration and fundraiser. We are proud to be a part of an organization that has thrived for the last 103 years by consistently showing we can be both a stabilizing and reliable part of the community, while also remaining responsive to the evolving world around us

For the last century, we have been tasked with meeting the extraordinary demands of extraordinary times Whether it be through depressions, wars, pandemics, or hurricanes, Garden has opened its doors to empower young learners This year, we honor Jude A Avelino ’88 and Aziz Isham, exemplars of the Garden spirit. They prove regardless of the extraordinary times we face, remarkable outcomes abound when we focus on what matters

At Garden, we talk a lot about community and collective responsibility. These values pervade every aspect of what we do and who we are When I think of the great community effort that is behind our annual Gala, I cannot thank the Advancement team, the Gala Committee, and our Co-Chairs enough This event takes immense effort to organize and our children benefit greatly from those working behind the scenes for months to pull it off

Tonight’s Garden Gala serves as a meaningful reminder of the benefits of the community responsibility we share We ask our students to show up with great effort each day and we expect the same of ourselves. When we gather to celebrate and raise necessary funds, we make a statement of support for the school, its future, and the children who have been, are being, and will be educated here.

The staff and faculty are at the heart of a school and as we celebrate the school’s accomplishments, let us acknowledge that it is the generations of former and current teachers and staff members who have ushered children through the decades and made the Garden community a sanctuary of innovative teaching and learning

The families, students, alumni, and friends of Garden have consistently taken on the role of steward ensuring we have the support we need to see to it that the children of Garden School thrive. We thank you for being on the journey with us and for being here tonight to celebrate two outstanding individuals and Garden’s many accomplishments. When our students witness this commitment and leadership, they feel doubly supported in their own efforts and achievements

Very best, Chris

Herman

HISTORY OF GARDEN SCHOOL

Garden School was founded by a small group of families looking to establish an independent school option in Jackson Heights. The thenrural borough of Queens served as the perfect backdrop for what would become Garden Country Day School. In 1923, in a rented apartment in Laburnum Court on 80th Street, Garden School opened its doors.

The school took its name from the newly constructed garden apartment complexes built by Edward MacDougall and the Queensboro Corporation. As interest in this new academic model grew, our first Head of School, Otis Flowers, along with the Board of Trustees, purchased the Jackson Heights Tennis Club and relocated the school there. More than a century later, Garden still opens the front doors of that original schoolhouse to welcome bright, enthusiastic learners each day.

Naturally, the school has grown quite a bit since then As Garden evolved, so did Jackson Heights. No longer the rural borough it once was, Garden dropped “Country Day” from its name in the 1950s, added a new Upper Division building in the 1960s, a new Lower Division in the 1970s, and later a pool and annex facility on Northern Boulevard.

With a continued focus on affordability and access, the Board prioritized auxiliary services. Garden launched a popular summer program, became one of the first NYC schools to expand into early childhood education, hosted non-fluent international students through an English Language Academy, and partnered with the DOE to open a Pre-K branch.

Community-based programs like the Writing Project and Music Conservatory have helped signal that Garden School is as committed to Jackson Heights as Jackson Heights has been to Garden for over a century.

MISSION STATEMENT

Garden School, in the independent tradition, affirms the primacy of learning. We empower every student in our educationally diverse community to meet responsibly the challenges of everyday life by promoting academic achievement, personal development and social involvement. We believe in each student’s individual identity. Garden School fosters the self-worth necessary to succeed.

HONORING HONORING

AZIZ ISHAM

Executive Director

Museum of the Moving Image

A. JUDE AVELINO ’88

Partner, Avelino Law, LLP

Garden School Trustee

AZIZ ISHAM

Garden School is proud to honor Aziz Isham, Executive Director of the Museum of the Moving Image, an Emmy-winning filmmaker and nonprofit arts leader with more than two decades of experience leading community-centered cultural organizations.

Prior to joining the museum, Aziz served as Executive Director of Twenty Summers, whose annual festival presents and incubates original work imagining a more sustainable and equitable future. Earlier in his career, he was the founding Executive Producer of BRIC TV, where he oversaw hundreds of hours of programming by filmmakers and journalists and helped bring numerous independent projects to national audiences.

An accomplished filmmaker, Aziz has produced more than 40 documentaries, feature films, and television series, earning six New York Emmy Awards for his work on films exploring climate change, education, and the arts.

A native New Yorker and graduate of Yale University, Aziz frequently speaks on media and community and teaches showrunning and social justice filmmaking at the Barry R. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two young children.

Garden School is proud to recognize Aziz Isham for his leadership in the arts and his dedication to expanding access to media, storytelling, and cultural engagement.

A. JUDE AVELINO ’88

Garden School is proud to honor A Jude Avelino, Partner at Avelino Law LLP and Chair of the firm’s Private Client Division. With extensive experience advising closely held businesses, individuals, families, and charitable organizations, Jude has built a distinguished legal career focused on estate planning, corporate structure, and tax matters. His work combines deep technical expertise with experience as both a transactional attorney and litigator.

After graduating from Fordham University with a degree in Political Science and Dean’s List honors, Jude earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School He later completed an LL M in Taxation and a Certificate in Estate Planning at Georgetown University Law Center. Jude began his legal career as a litigator at a New York City law firm before founding Avelino LLP in 1999

Beyond his professional work, Jude is deeply committed to community service. He has served on the Board of Directors of Gilda’s Club and on the Board of Trustees of the Overlook Foundation, including two years as chair He was also honored by Trial Lawyers Care for his pro bono representation of clients injured in the September 11 attacks.

Garden School is proud to recognize A. Jude Avelino for his professional achievements and his dedication to serving both his clients and his community

MEET OUR EVENT CHAIRS

DR. ELIZABETH CRUM P’31, ’36

Parent Chair 2026

Dr Crum is a New York State licensed clinical psychologist who has served in various clinical, academic and supervisory capacities For many years, she worked as frontline clinician and unit administrator on the admissions service of the largest state psychiatric center in NYC. She has also worked extensively as a clinical supervisor to masters and doctoral level students and an adjunct professor of forensic psychology In 2018, she founded Ditmars Psychological Services, a group practice in Astoria, NY that provides psychotherapy services to children, teens, and adults. All of this is in combination with being loving parents to two current students here at Garden; Olivia ’31 and Charlotte ’36.

LISA KUNIZAKI-CHOLIY P’36

Parent Chair 2026

Lisa Kunizaki-Choliy is a dedicated mom to Gabriel ’36, a successful entrepreneur, and a talented event producer Known for her warmth and generosity, Lisa has been an integral part of this year's gala, contributing her expertise and passion to ensure its success. Her thoughtful approach and unwavering commitment have made her an invaluable member of the community Outside of her professional accomplishments, Lisa's genuine care for others shines through in everything she does

THANK YOU TO OUR GALA SPONSORS THANK YOU TO OUR GALA SPONSORS

GRIFFINLEVEL

AvelinoLaw,LLP

BLUELEVEL

BadavasFamily

DimeCommunityBank

KoeppelKares

LiftoffGivingFund

MichaelRakosi’64andAndreaRoschelle

SteinhardtEssesFamily

WHITELEVEL

AzizIsham