WHY WE GIVE

For everyfamilythat hasbenefitedfromanMVSeducation,thereisauniquestory.Sinceour very beginningalmost 60yearsago,wehavethrivedbecauseof thegenerosityof countlessalumni,parents, grandparents,faculty,staff,andfriendswhohavechosentogivegenerouslytosupport MVSstudentsin countlessways

Every gift isimportant.Howwill YOUmakeyour markat MVS?

Youcancreateascholarshipendowment that opensdoorstoachievement andsuccessfor adiverse student body,ensuringthat financial barriersnever slow academicinquiry,imaginationor drive.Youcan boost thedepartment that changedyour life,helprenew andreimagineour facilities,or buildrobust undesignatedfundsthat allow MVStoquicklymeet challengesandembraceopportunities.Youcanmakea gift tosupport theextracurricular activitythat youloved,andthat will helpother studentsfindtheir own uniqueplacesasMVSstudents

Findyour inspirationinthestoriesbelow!

"Now morethan ever,I understandandrecognizethecritical roletheMiami Valley School playsin preparingthenext generation for leadership,compassion,andunderstanding As a'first generation' graduateof MVS(classof 1980),andparent of twoMVSgraduates,I still usethetools,skills,and worldview pioneeredby MVSwhen it wasfoundedin the 1960s.I can think of nobetter legacy of MVS' curriculum and dedication tothevalueof experiential learningthan my children,whohavegrown tobelife-longlearnerswith a compassionatededication tomakingtheworldabetter place"

"Wearegrateful toMVSfor providingagreat educational environment for our children andwewouldliketocontribute tothiscommunity.

It iswith agrateful heart that wegiveour contribution to MVS"

"Our daughter Edie?shorizonsarecontinually broadenedand brightenedby her timespent at MVS.WedonatetotheAnnual Fundasaway toprovideextrasupport tothefaculty andstaff whowork sohard tocreatethisamazingenvironment for all thestudentsevery day "

Dr Jeffrey Mikutis& Mrs Susan MikutisP?06,?12 - Donors since1993

"MVShasbeen apart of our family for almost 30 years? both of our children,Josh andAmanda,werelifersandwere nurturedandinspiredby thevaluesof theschool Philanthropy hasalwaysbeen acorevaluefor us,andwe wantedtofindaway togiveback tothecommunity that has given usall somuch.Weareafamily of readers,soagift tothe library wasaperfect match.Our hopeisthat theNatureNook will inspirefuturegenerationsof MVSstudentswith alovefor readingandlearningabout thenatural world Wehopethose studentswill grow with theMVScommunity andseek to nurtureit in thefuture"

Michael & JessicaCochran P'24 - Donorssince2018

"Asan engineer myself,I want schoolstoprovidehigh-quality STEM experiencestotheir students TheMVSRoboticsTeam isan excellent opportunity for high school agedyoungadults toexploreSTEM subjectsandpotentially afuturecareer

My son,Ethan,hasthrivedin theFIRST roboticsprogramsfor many years,andhavingthenecessary resourcescan makeor break theexperienceof ateam I hopetheupper school opportunity resultsin growth intothemiddleschool where theinterest in STEM can blossom tocreatestrongrootsfor the upper school teams."

Norm & Mary RitaWeissman P?01,?04,?06- Donorssince1997

"Wecouldnever repay MVSfor what they havedonefor our children andby extension for how MVShasenriched our lives. What wegiveisall wecan dotoat least attempt togiveback so that MVSwill continuetoenrich our communities?children andtheir familiesaswehavebeen enriched Wearesoexcited about how theimmersion methodhasevolvedandbeen woven intothefabricof all levelsof MVSthrough new initiativeslike MakerSpace"

KatieNutter McCallum ?96,P?24,?29- Donor since1996

"Comingfrom afamily of philanthropists,I wasraisedto understandthat you takecareof thepeoplewhotakecareof you. TheMVScommunity isafamily andit?sthepeople, particularly thefaculty,that inspiremetogive.

I seedonationsusedin multipleways,in particular, professional development andfacilities Our teachersare providedwith opportunitiestoenrich their knowledgeand bringit back totheclassroom toimproveteachingmethods, bringnew ideas,andtoengageandchallengestudents.Our environment can havealargeimpact on our thoughts,feelings andactions.From thegyms,aturf field,andan art studio,toa stage,labrooms,andacafeteria All providespacesanditems for our faculty andstudentstoencouragesocial engagement, interaction andlearning

My hopeisthat alumni know how important it istodonateto theschool sothat programs,classesandexperiencesthey had asastudent at MVS,can continuefor futuregenerations

I try toemphasizethefact that it isnot how much they donate, but that they donate,even if it isjust alittlebit,it all addsup."

Dr Dan Braunlin & Dr Jeri Lynn Braunlin P?02,?06- Donorssince1988

"Our daughtershaveexcelledat MVS,andthey continue!Theeldest,Susan ?02,an emergency physician andtheyoungest,Kathryn ?06,isan assistant professor of nursingat Vanderbilt University

Asparents,Jeri andI quickly realizedwhy theMVSwasthebest educational opportunity for our daughters.Wemadethecorrect decision! Both arelifersat theschool.Thisiswhy wecontinuetodonatetoour school, andtoour new addition,therenovatedTruslow Commons."

Ajay & Nital Patel P?26,?29- Donorssince2018

"Wesupport the[Truslow Commonsrenovation] becausethestomach hasa direct connection tothebrain,sowhat you put in iswhat you get out We believeit?sextremely important for kidstoeat nutritiousfoodin grade school.That iswhen their brainsdevelop themost andhealthy eatinghabits createdearly will carry over intoadulthood.Lunch isafavoritetimeof the day for many kids It?swhen they engageandsocializewith their friends whileeating It?swherethey?remost relaxed They forget their worriesfor those30 minutesandtruly enjoy themselves Thestudy spacein the cafeteriawill allow them todojust that "

Bob& Sherry Albrecht P?14,?19,?22- Donorssince2011

"MVSpreparedour children for collegeandlifebeyondour expectations andwebelievethosethat camebeforeuswhoprovidedfundingsupport to MVSpavedtheway for us Webelievetheonly thingyou really ?keep?iswhat you giveaway.GivingtoMVS(tothelimitedextent of our budget) isthebest way for ustoreturn thefavor andpay it forwardfor futuregenerationsof MVSstudents."

Lt.Col.John Bommer & Mrs.Sharon Bommer,P'30 - Donorssince2017

"TheMiami Valley School isofferingour daughter auniqueandvalued opportunity toachieveandgrow through exceptional Immersion experiencesandtherigor of theeducational programs Our daughter enjoys goingtoschool daily andishappy totell usabout her day upon returning home.Our interactionswith theteachersandadministratorshavebeen impeccable.In addition,weenjoy themany opportunitiesandforumsthat MVSallowsparentstosupport theschool?sprogress.Therefore,weare ?All-In?becauseof thevaluethat MVSbringstoour daughter?seducational growth,character-building,andtalent development Wehopeour giftsto theschool will continuesupportingtheuniqueexperiencesthat makeMVS such aspecial place"

Dr.MarketaWills'91- Donor since2011

"My parentswereaguidingforcein my educational journey They both felt almost "miseducated" by their segregatededucational circumstancesandwerevery alignedon wantingsomethingdifferent for me.The story that I'veheardisthat my dadaskedmy mom to "findout wherethedoctorsandlawyersin Dayton sendtheir kids'causethat'swheremy baby isgoing' My mom somehow discoveredMVSandtherest is history I am grateful for thesacrificesthey madeby investingsomuch intomy education Whilethe commutetoandfrom school waslong(I bussedan hour each way from the3rdgradeon - shout out Denny Manningandcrew!),I will never regret makingthe journey every day!

Somuch of whoI am today isbecauseof thespecial MVScommunity in which I grew,learnedandbecame Andtothisday,I continuetobeavoraciouslearner.At MVS,I gainedtheconfidencetoSPEAK MYTRUTH given my involvement in plays,speech anddebate.I gainedtheconfidencetoDREAM BIG,given my exposure toimmersivelearning Aboveall,I gainedtheconfidencetoSOARbecauseI learnedhow tobounceback even higher when I dofail, duetothesupportivenurturanceI receivedasayounghuman by thecaring administration,faculty,andstaff at MVS

I am proudtotiemy legacy tothat of MVSthrough givingby openingdoorsfor futureeager learnerswhomay comefrom economically disadvantaged partsof our Dayton community.I?m especially proudof my little cousinswhoareMVSstudents!

Philanthropy andgivingback ismy biggest flex "

Tom & Amy Brereton P?03,?06,?13- Donorssince1975

"After many years,Amy andI continuetosupport MVS becauseof theprofoundimpact theschool,itsfaculty, anditsculturehadon thedevelopment of our four children:Rebecca,Jake,Charlie,andEmma.Today they arebroad-thinking,engaging,successful,and happy adults Indeed,thefoundation for thepeople they havebecomewaslaidat MVS In partnership with theschool,wegavethem 'giftstolast alifetime,' andwe couldnot bemorepleased Thereisan oldadage: 'Givingisnot just about makingadonation,but making adifference.' Our giftsarecontinuingtohelp'makea difference' in thelivesof theMVSstudentsof today, andtomorrow."

In amultitudeof ways,each year at MVSisformative TheBrereton Family hopesthat therecognition that their awardprovideswill inspirea10th gradestudent with potential tofacetheacademic,intellectual,and social challengesof their final twoyearsat theschool with confidenceandgrace In addition,wetrust that thismaturation will portendacollegeexperiencethat ispositiveandfruitful.