Connections - Winter 2025-26

WINTER 2025-26

KNOWN. NURTURED. INSPIRED.

Celebrating

Our 100

th

May 2, 2026 | CCDShowcase All are welcome to join us as we launch a year of centennial celebrations with a vibrant all-community arts festival. Enjoy a full day of performances and exhibits from students across every division — plus a few special surprises you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details on this historic kick-off event.

SHARE YOUR CCDS STORY

Visit our centennial website to tell us your favorite Cincinnati Country Day School story. You can share how CCDS has impacted your life…a special memory of an activity, friend, faculty member, or coach…a major sports victory or a standing ovation. What story you tell is your choice entirely. We can’t wait to hear it.

Check out our new centennial website to share your CCDS story and find out more about our history, centennial-themed gifts, and upcoming events like CCDShowcase and our Centennial Celebration Gala!

FEATURES 12-15

Mission in Action

An Update From our Teaching Fellows

Miles of Connection

513 Green Certification for

Sustainability Excellence

22

Also in this issue

Three Rooms, Three Visions

2-3

4 Head of School Message 8 Patterson-Strauss Travel Grant

The Creative Minds Behind

Two days of strategy, community,

38-39

and cross-divisional competition

Virtue in Action

40-42 Centennial Spotlight Love at Country Day

13

18-19

Staff Recognition Award

23-33

Athletics

34-36

Senior Spotlight

“Bedroom Farce”

24-25 CCDS Chess Championship

22

Sound Bites

44-46 Celebrating Virtue and Leadership 50-59

Class Notes

60-61

In Memoriam

24

42

ON THE COVER: Mariah Shaw ’30 and Mia Schnieber ’30 enjoy some friendly competition during the Homecoming pep rally at Brian J. Bortz Family Stadium. During this annual tradition, students from different grade levels compete in various games planned by the Upper School Student Council to kick off a weekend of fun, community, and school spirit.

Connections is published by Cincinnati Country Day School. Photos are contributed by alumni, students, parents, faculty, and staff. If you have questions or believe any information to be incorrect, please contact Josephine McKenrick at (513) 979-0215 or mckenricj@countryday.net.

Parents of graduates: If you have been receiving CCDS mail for your graduate at your home address and they have a permanent mailing address elsewhere, please let us know how to best reach them. Please send updated information, class notes, or address changes to addresschanges@CountryDay.net or complete the form on our website at www.CountryDay.net/alumni/alumni-news.

Cincinnati Country Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age (40 or over), national origin, ancestry, or military service/veteran’s status in the administration of its educational programs and policies, admission decisions, tuition aid programs, employment practices and benefits, athletic, or other school-administered programs.

CONNECTIONS | 1

SOUND BITES

“At this stage of my life, I’m grateful to still be involved with so many current and former students through events like Multicultural Night, the Black Alumni Network gathering, and the Country Day Car Show. Events come and go, but the memories stay. And for me, it’s always been about the kids.”

– Lois Rust, recipient of the 2025 Staff Recognition Award (read more on pg. 18)

“The Investment Club’s philosophy is to make money and use it for the benefit of the community. We make money to do good.”

– Max Sun ’27 (read more on pg. 21)

“WE ARE GRATEFUL TO CELEBRATE TWO VERY SPECIAL ALUMNI; TWO MEN WHO EXEMPLIFY THE BEST OF COUNTRY DAY. THANK YOU FOR BEING THE LIVING ARGUMENT FOR THE SCHOOL OUR FOUNDERS ENVISIONED, AND THE SCHOOL WE INTEND TO BECOME IN OUR NEXT CENTURY.” – Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 at the Alumni Breakfast, speaking about award recipients Andy Kaplan ’75 and Jody Brant ’87 (read more on pg. 44)

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“This is a life-long community. I feel great about all the relationships I have made with good, smart, and passionate people that I know I can fall back on if I need guidance. It’s a great place to be.

No place is perfect – but this is close.”

– Ali Zimmerman ’26 (read more on pg. 34)

“OUR SCHOOL HAS BENEFITTED FROM OUR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS BY MAINTAINING AND PRESERVING AN ALMOST 100-YEAR LEGACY THAT PUSHES THE LIMITS ON WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED AS A SCHOOL AND A COMMUNITY.” – Rick Schoeny, middle school teacher, commenting on the school’s 513 Green Certified School designation (read more on pg. 15)

“Overnight success is like hitting the lottery. Real success takes long, hard work over a long time. It’s about dedication, resilience, and creativity.”

“When more people do a sport, the more a team really succeeds and grows, and this makes a big difference at a small school like Country Day. Even if you join to spend extra time with friends, the experience can build long-lasting relationships and create community within yourself and others.”

“COUNTRY DAY IS ALWAYS STRIVING TO BE BETTER AND TO SUPPORT FUTURE LEADERS. I WANT MY KIDS TO GO THERE SOMEDAY. I’LL ALWAYS COME BACK.”

– Vanca Pandey ’26 (read more on pg. 23)

– Alexia Otchere ’20 (read more on pg. 9)

“My mentors, Mrs. [Emily] DiMatteo and Mr. [Nick] Rose, guide with such inspiration and I really could not have asked for better leadership. Country Day has opened my eyes to the necessity of a supportive community and has created a pathway to becoming the teacher that I always dreamed of becoming.”

“Chess teaches so many great life skills: the ability to anticipate and plan ahead, the need to think critically and calculate accurately, effective time management, the clear-mindedness needed to perform under pressure, sportsmanship, and the resilience to accept defeats and learn from them and to win graciously. We saw all of that in a tournament environment, across all divisions.”

– Andy Ahrens, teaching fellow, reflecting on his experience in the program (read more on pg. 12)

– Alan Falkingham, CCDS parent & chess tournament director (read more on pg. 24)

– Dr. Todd Alamin ’86 (read more on pg. 46)

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Dear Members of the Country Day Community, As is the case with most educators – and, I suspect, many of you – artificial intelligence is near the top of my list of challenges and opportunities these days. I am convinced that it will permanently alter both education and society. And yet, it is far from clear how anyone – least of all schools – should respond.

In some ways, this moment feels a bit like 1998 did with the internet. When I was a senior at Country Day, we were already using computers every day and proudly running the nation’s first one-to-one laptop program. We knew that connectivity and digital tools would change the world. What we did not yet know was how: The iPhone had not been invented, social media didn’t exist, and many of the most powerful – and problematic – uses of the internet were still unimaginable.

AI sits in a similar place today. We know it will be a major influence on our students’ lives.

But we are only beginning to understand how.

This subject has been on my mind more than ever lately because I have recently returned from an AI conference in Houston with Jamie Back – perhaps the finest STEM educator in our region – and four Upper School students. Together we joined educators and students from across the country who are wrestling with intractable questions: How do we use these astonishing tools to deepen learning rather than circumvent it? How do we protect academic integrity while empowering students to become fluent, ethical users of AI? How do we ensure that human judgment, character, and creativity remain at the center of education?

Those are exactly the questions we set out for ourselves at the start of the school year in my opening letter to the community. AI, I wrote then, is a boon for many industries because it offers efficiency, speed, and ease. But those are not always the virtues that lead to deep learning. Real education depends on effortful thinking, productive struggle, and the sometimes uncomfortable work of metacognition. One of our key priorities this year is to harmonize AI’s immense potential with what we know from brain science and child development.

To that end, we have been taking a thoughtful, deliberately paced approach: • First, we have convened an AI committee of teachers and administrators from across disciplines. Their charge is to help develop our strategy: to identify promising classroom uses, to clarify where AI does and does not belong in student work, and to ensure our decisions are grounded in both cognitive science and our mission.

• Second, we are elevating student voice through a cohort of AI ambassadors in the Upper School. They are helping us understand how AI is actually being used by teenagers, advising on guidelines, and helping to teach their peers about ethical and effective use.

• Third, we are developing clear AI policies to ensure ethical use of these tools in learning. There can be no ambiguity that using AI to do one’s work dishonestly is a form of cheating. But we are equally clear that AI is not just a cheating tool. It can be a 4 | CONNECTIONS

powerful assistant for brainstorming, feedback, revision, and exploration – provided it is used transparently and with integrity. Our goal is to move beyond simple bans or blind enthusiasm and instead teach discernment: when to use AI, how to use it, and when to set it aside and think on one’s own.

• Finally, we have rolled out our own AI tutoring agent through Microsoft Copilot.

Importantly, this tool is grounded in learning science, and serves as a tutor and study guide, not a quick source of answers. While no agent can replicate a master teacher, research shows that an AI tutor can provide retrieval practice, sample problems, and immediate feedback that extend the reach of our faculty. In this pilot phase, we are proceeding carefully, monitoring how students use the tool, and ensuring it serves as a complement to, not a substitute for, student relationships with teachers.

Underlying all this work is a broader vision of what our students will need in an AI-powered world. As I shared with faculty in August, we are especially focused on four competencies: • Technical proficiency: Fluency in frontier models and a desire to stay current as technology continues to rapidly evolve are table stakes in today’s world.

• Durable future skills: While background knowledge remains essential, access to information is increasingly less important than the cultivation of judgment, creativity, collaboration, character, and leadership.

• Adaptability: Agility is as important as ability. Intrinsic motivation to learn new skills and a willingness to adapt to new realities are essential traits to continually keep pace with modern life.

• Meaning and purpose: More than ever, our students must be able to make meaning, find purpose, and demonstrate wisdom – all anchored in timeless values and virtues.

As bullish as I am on the potential of AI, I am still cautious about making sweeping predictions or grand bets. It is simply too early to know which tools will endure and which will fade. But it is not too early to cultivate the right mindset.

At Country Day, that mindset is one of keen curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a strong grounding in timeless principles. With that approach, we believe our students will be as ready for the future as Country Day students like me were, without realizing it, for the world that followed 1998.

Happy New Year,

Rob Zimmerman ’98 Head of School

Game On! Country Day Celebrates a Day of Games, Food, and FallFest Fun The Parents’ Association brought the spirit of play to campus with this year’s “Game On!” FallFest, kicking off Homecoming Weekend with an afternoon full of board-game-inspired fun. Students, families, and alumni made their way across campus to discover everything from carnival challenges and inflatables to arcade-style competitions, giant chess, and crowd-favorite activities in both gyms. Kiddie Land buzzed with younger visitors enjoying the inflatables, while the bake sale, cotton candy stands, Jorge’s Taco Truck, and the CCDS Grill kept everyone fueled for the festivities.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Johanna Brun (PA president), Kristyn Buck, Sasha Cantrell, and a tremendous team of volunteers, FallFest delivered another unforgettable start to Homecoming Weekend. The event brought families together, raised support for PA initiatives, and proved once again that Country Day’s community spirit is second to none.

MATCH DAY 2025 WAS A CELEBRATION WORTHY OF 100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we met – and surpassed – our Match Day goal before the day was even over, raising more than $485,000 for the Country Day Fund. This extraordinary outpouring of support is a testament to the strength of the Country Day community – students, parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends – who show up, year after year, to ensure our school continues to thrive.

We are deeply grateful for every gift, every word of encouragement, and every act of support that helped make this Match Day such a meaningful celebration of our 100th academic year.

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homecoming weekend 2025 Recap Homecoming Weekend 2025 was a smashing success!

The weekend kicked off Friday afternoon with the Black Alumni Network gathering at Broadwell House. Alumni spanning five decades of Country Day life and their guests gathered with current and former faculty and staff to reconnect and reminisce over hors d’oeuvres on the lawn.

From Broadwell House, the festivities moved to the Gordon R. Wright Family Tennis Complex for an evening reception. Alumni from the Class of ’60 through the Class of ’25 and their guests enjoyed a tailgate-inspired buffet, perused old yearbooks, swapped Country Day stories from across the years, and visited with faculty.

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A decisive CCDS victory in the Homecoming football game capped off Friday night. The Brian J. Bortz Family Stadium was rocking with enthusiastic students, alumni, and friends of Country Day as the Nighthawk gridiron squad defeated the New Miami Vikings 49-6.

On the Saturday morning of Homecoming Weekend, a record-breaking crowd gathered for the annual alumni breakfast in the school’s dining terrace to welcome the Class of 1975 into the Virtue in Action Society (alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago) and to celebrate the 2025 recipients of the school’s major alumni awards.

Andrew M. “Andy” Kaplan ’75 received the 2025 Virtue in Action Award, recognizing his decades of dedication to others. Joel S. “Jody” Brant ’87

was presented with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award, honoring his outstanding leadership in law, philanthropy, and at Country Day. In addition to these Homecoming events for alumni of all years, reunions were held by many classes celebrating milestone graduation anniversaries. Throughout the weekend and across the city, alumni who’d travelled in from all parts of the compass reconnected with classmates and commemorated these exciting milestones.

Homecoming Weekend 2025 was full of fun and 2026 promises to be even more special as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Country Day’s founding. Mark your calendars now and join us for a once-in-a-century Homecoming Weekend!

Classes that graduated in years ending in 6 and 1 will celebrate milestone anniversaries. It’s never too early to start planning your reunion! Contact Peter Fossett ’80, associate director of alumni and legacy giving, at fossettp@countryday.net or 513-979-0283 for more information.

EXPLORING THE PAST TO UNDERSTAND THE PRESENT Seventh graders visited Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve for a full day of hands-on learning and as part of their year-long study of indigenous worldviews. The trip offered a meaningful opportunity to explore how indigenous peoples lived in Ohio nearly 3,000 years ago, laying the groundwork for the visit to Great Council State Park, which focuses on life 300 years ago, and to Cherokee communities in North Carolina, representing contemporary perspectives.

Students heard from an archaeologist about the significance of ceremonial earthworks, explored reconstructed dwellings and gardens, practiced traditional drilling techniques, examined animal pelts, and even tried their hand at spear-throwing. The experience concluded with a scenic hike through the preserve’s trails.

It was a memorable day that brought history to life, connecting students not only to the past but also to the ongoing stories of indigenous cultures.

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2026 Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19 CONNECTIONS | 7

Where Dedication Meets Discovery: Celebrating Faculty Through the Patterson-Strauss Travel Grant By: Melanie Young ’29 The Patterson-Strauss Travel Grant is an incredible opportunity that celebrates Cincinnati Country Day School faculty who have served the school for at least 15 years. The grant gives two long-tenured faculty members the opportunity to enrich their travel experiences. To date, 39 members of the Country Day faculty have received this distinction. The recipients of the grant for the 2024-25 school year were Rachel Corwin, a middle and upper school French teacher, and Matt Dahl, an upper school science teacher, with 24 and 30 years of service to the school, respectively.

The grant was named in honor of Bob Patterson and Tony Strauss, two veteran faculty members who gave a great deal to CCDS. Corwin was inspired to apply “by other colleagues who have been awarded the travel grant” and was “excited to have the opportunity to travel to places that I might not otherwise have the chance to visit.” She said that simply the existence of the grant is important to her, as “it shows the school values and appreciates long-tenured faculty and gives teachers a chance to come back to school in the fall refreshed, with new experiences to incorporate into the curriculum.” Corwin spent her two-week trip traveling to France and Greece, with her husband and daughter. Their trip started in France, which Corwin said was perfection.

“I would move there if I could. I hope to, one day, when I retire.”

The second week of their journey was spent in Greece. They visited a small town by the name of Nafplio, where, Corwin reported, there was a surprisingly large number of French speakers. This made communicating 8 | CONNECTIONS

a lot easier. Visiting the rest of this new country, however, came with a difficult barrier. “It’s very humbling to be in a country where you don’t speak the language. When I’ve traveled outside the United States it’s typically been where people have either spoken enough English or spoken French and I haven’t really experienced the discomfort that comes with not speaking the language. The places that we went to in Greece....hardly anyone spoke English, and I don’t speak any Greek, and so that was exciting, but, at the same time, terrifying.”

Corwin said the whole experience expanded her global mindset. “It helped reinforce the idea that everyone comes from different places and to be open minded about new experiences. Being able to step outside of the classroom, gain a new perspective, and then come back to apply all of it to what and how I teach gave me fresh excitement.”

The other recipient of the grant, Matt Dahl, spent his time primarily in Italy, with his wife, daughter, and sister-in-law. A personal connection to both Patterson and Strauss motivated him to apply for the grant, as well as “the opportunity to get out of the school environment and pursue something interesting to me professionally, as well as go someplace interesting.” Dahl said he was “very grateful to have been selected for the award. I knew both Mr. Patterson and Mr. Strauss a while back, and I’m thankful to have known them.” Dahl toured Rome and then went on a cruise that went around the coast of Italy, including crossing over to Sicily before coming back across the countries of Montenegro and Croatia. He had the opportunity to visit historic locations, like Pompeii, the Vatican, and the Colosseum, but said his favorite part of the trip was visiting Rome.

“Historically, it’s incredible; but also, the art is incredible, and the architecture is incredible. Everywhere, there was art and architecture…every building we were in was older than this country we call home. Also, so many discoveries happened in Italy, and to be in that sort of historical environment, to see artwork that you’ve studied in high school and college, it’s hard to describe how different it is to experience it firsthand as opposed to seeing a picture of it projected in a lecture hall.”

Dahl states that it is important that Country Day offers this opportunity to teachers because “it is an invigorating process that gets you excited about coming back to school and sharing what you’ve learned. For me, it got me even more excited about teaching, but also about learning.”

A YOUNG ALUM THRIVES IN AN UNEXPECTED FIELD

When Alexia Otchere ’20 looks back on her years at Cincinnati Country Day School, she sees more than a place where she learned, studied, and accumulated leadership roles. She sees the environment that shaped how she moves through the world today, confidently, thoughtfully, and with a clear sense of responsibility to the communities she serves.

Now a finance manager in Privacy and Trade Fund Operations at Procter & Gamble (P&G) and the co-owner of a growing real estate development company, Alexia is already balancing a dynamic early career with a legacy of advocacy that began in the Upper School and continues to evolve.

Inspired by her Country Day foundation, Alexia Otchere ’20 is leading in business, equity work, and global service.

Alexia joined Country Day in seventh grade, which she says was perfectly timed. “From the moment I arrived, I felt heard and seen by the Country Day community, especially the administration. The small class sizes were ideal for me; and the teachers I had were exemplary.”

Alexia didn’t always envision a career in business. She was accepted into the University of Cincinnati’s early assurance medical program, and was set on becoming a doctor until she decided that the life of a medical professional was not meant for her. She then leaned on an internship experience she had participated in while at Country Day with Lightship Capital founder and CCDS parent Candice Matthews Brackeen – an experience that introduced her to finance, strategy, and the world of start-ups. “I think it is so important to diversify your skill sets because you don’t know when they will come in handy.”

Today, she thrives at P&G as a finance manager in privacy and trade fund operations. “It’s like a city within a city,” she says of the diversity of people she gets to work with at P&G. “I get to meet people from all over the world. Everyone brings such impressive business sense and an overall intelligence that it inspires me to grow.” Outside her corporate role, she runs a real estate development company with friend and classmate Ethan Reisenfeld ’20, a collaboration that emerged from reconnecting a few years after graduation.

Balancing two careers requires discipline and boundaries; skills she traces back to Country Day. “Efficiency is one of my superpowers. And I’ve learned to prioritize what matters,

Alexia with her parents, Baffour and Toni, at her college graduation party in 2024.

whether that’s work, family, or things that bring joy.” For Alexia, that includes horseback riding, figure skating, working out with her mom, traveling, and creating custom book covers.

Service is another constant in her life. She serves on the board of the Ghana Schools Project, a nonprofit founded by her parents that supports schools, women’s clinics, and hospitals in Ghana. They also help support the local economy by purchasing supplies in Ghana with the donations that they have received, rather than shipping supplies that were bought in the United States.

While at Country Day, she founded the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Council in the Upper School, believing there needed to be a body of power representing students of color that could influence change. This past school year, Alexia partnered with Upper School leadership to fund a new award for a graduating senior who has demonstrated meaningful leadership in the EDI space. She is financing the award herself, with a long-term goal of building an endowed fund to sustain it in perpetuity.

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When she reflects on the adults who shaped her during her time at Country Day, Alexia struggles to narrow the list; Yvonne Green, Sarah Beyreis, Dr. Yven Destin, Angela Barber-Joiner, Jenn Weinheimer, and Pat Dunn all impacted her tremendously. “Every teacher I had left a mark. Their lessons follow me every day.”

Her advice to current students is simple: “Network with your peers because you never know what your classmates will go on to do. Take risks. Pivot quickly when something isn’t right for you. And make time for joy; it’s essential.”

Above all, Alexia carries deep pride in her alma mater.

“Country Day is always striving to be better and to support future leaders. I want my kids to go there someday. I’ll always come back.”

A REMARKABLE CAREER OF SERVICE AND STUDENT SUPPORT CCDS prepares for a leadership transition while honoring the enduring legacy of Sarah Beyreis and her two decades of service to the school.

With the deepest respect and gratitude, we announce the forthcoming retirement of Sarah Beyreis, whose service as our director of college counseling will conclude at the end of this school year. Since joining CCDS in 2005, Sarah has guided hundreds of students and families through the college admissions process with wisdom, care, and an unwavering commitment to helping each student find the right fit for their future.

Alexia in Besease, Ghana, at the Besease Middle and Junior High School in 2019 during a Ghana Schools Project trip.

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Sarah’s impact on our community has extended well beyond college counseling during her two decades of leadership at CCDS. In addition to directing the College Counseling Office, she has served as academic dean, created and led the job shadow and internship program, served on the CCDX course planning committee, and co-chaired two ISACS self-evaluations. She has also taught freshman and sophomore English, and advised The Scroll, the Upper School’s student newspaper.

Her professional journey began as an English teacher at Loomis Chaffee in Connecticut and then Newark Academy in New Jersey before she joined The Pingry School in Martinsville, New Jersey, where she also directed college counseling. A lifelong learner herself, Sarah earned both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Yale University, as well as a master’s degree from Middlebury College. She has been a highly respected member of professional organizations, including the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, the Ohio Association of College Admissions Counselors, the College Board, and the Clambake Group.

Under Sarah’s leadership, our College Counseling Office has helped students matriculate at a diverse range of top colleges and universities across the country. Recent graduating classes have included students enrolling at Ivy League institutions, highly selective liberal arts colleges, and nationally ranked research universities.

Equally important, students have found their way to schools that match their unique passions and goals, preparing them to thrive as leaders in their fields and beyond.

• In the past five years, CCDS graduates have matriculated at more than 150 colleges and universities across the U.S. and abroad.

• Over 90% of CCDS students enroll at one of their top-choice institutions.

• Alumni continue to distinguish themselves as leaders across industries and communities worldwide, a testament to the thoughtful and personalized approach of CCDS’s counseling program.

The mission of our College Counseling Office has always been clear: to ensure every student finds a place where they will prosper, grow, and emerge ready to lead a life of meaning and purpose. That mission will continue to guide us as the school welcomes a new director of college counseling in the next school year.

Country Day has partnered with placement firm Carney, Sandoe, and Associates to recruit our next leader of this important department. A national search process – targeting candidates at other independent schools and the college level – began in October, with a view towards naming Sarah’s successor in the early part of 2026.

Sarah has been a remarkable steward of our program, and while we will miss her deeply, the school remains committed to the same values that have always defined our approach: knowing and nurturing each student and inspiring them to lead in every aspect of their lives to better the world around them. We look forward to building on this tradition as we launch a new chapter for our college counseling program.

A Growing

COUNTRY DAY TRADITION

The Class of 2038 planted their lifer tree – an American Basswood – in the arboretum this past fall. Each kindergartener took a turn scooping and pouring dirt around the tree while enjoying plenty of Head of School Rob Zimmerman’s signature tree jokes. We can’t wait to watch these young Nighthawks – and their lifer tree – grow together throughout their journey at Country Day!

As we prepare for this important transition, we celebrate Sarah’s extraordinary contributions to Cincinnati Country Day School, and we thank her for the generations of students she has inspired.

(This article is adapted from a letter sent from Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 to the community in October 2025.)

CONNECTIONS | 11

Creating leaders who, through the discovery of their own abilities, kindle the potential of others and better a dynamic world.

Mission in Action

An Update From our Teaching Fellows

Reflections from our inaugural cohort of teaching fellows on their first semester of growth, discovery, and impact.

In August, we welcomed our inaugural class of teaching fellows – Andy Ahrens, Yasmin Kloth ’01, and Will Stratford – to our campus to begin their journey in the region’s first Teaching Fellows Program. This innovative initiative was designed to cultivate the next generation of exceptional educators and was created in response to the nationwide teacher shortage as well as the growing need for dynamic, well-prepared educators. The arrival of Andy, Yasmin, and Will marks an exciting step forward as Country Day continues to invest boldly in the future of teaching. Now that these three fellows are established in their work alongside our talented faculty mentors, we asked them to provide some insight into their first semester in the program.

WILL STRATFORD During his doctoral studies on his journey to complete a Ph.D. in history at Boston College, Will served as a teaching assistant and spent a year in Germany conducting archival research.

He also possesses teaching experience in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) in Isesaki, Japan, and the University of Chicago Urban Education Lab. “I have gained invaluable pedagogical experience partnering with my mentor [Dr. Jeremiah McCall] these first few months at CCDS. How many young educators get to work hands-on with an international expert in the use of games for history instruction? Rather than reading another book from the education literature, I am absorbing decades of teaching experience every

12 | CONNECTIONS

day in the classroom and getting to try out different techniques for myself.”

Since joining the team in August, Will has been very involved. He is advising two clubs – Current Events & Civil Discourse and the International Film Club, he is a member of the CCDS community choir, and he has helped create a history book cart for the Upper School Commons.

As a former college track athlete and Kentucky state champion in distance running, there is no doubt there is potential for leadership in our community in this realm as well.

YASMIN KLOTH ’01

mirroring my teaching experience – a course that explores literature at the heart of medicine.”

“What a unique experience to be paired with exceptional teaching mentors across English and science. Little moments have unfolded that I have cherished – like sharing my love of words through poetry with initially resistant, but I-know-they-can-be-won-over freshmen; or having a side conversation with seniors who are dissecting the psychology of a marketing campaign, which provided me with an opportunity to share how lessons from my prior career can help them see the project with new eyes. As a graduate, it feels like a full-circle story to be teaching at Country Day.”

Prior to being a Country Day fellow, Yasmin was a communications leader at the National Institutes of Health for more than 10 years. Her work focused on communicating advancements in the fields of neuroscience, substance use, treatment, and prevention, and integrative health approaches.

She has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Georgetown University. In addition to her work in the sciences, Yasmin is a published poet.

Scan here to read some of Yasmin’s most recently published poetry!

Yasmin has jumped right into the busy life of Country Day, involved in working with fellow arts and humanities faculty to resurrect the high school’s literary magazine, supporting Mrs. [Jill] Jaksetic in the development of her new AP Psychology course, and developing an English elective that she feels “in many ways is

Scan here to read a reflective essay penned

by Yasmin about her unexpected career shift.

ANDY AHRENS

Andy originally studied education in college and has a master’s degree in creative writing. Most recently, Andy has been a substitute teacher at the Latin School of Chicago and the University of Chicago Lab School. He was also a mainstay in the Chicago acting scene for over a decade, most notably as a member of the cast of Chicago Fire and on stage at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, so it is no surprise that he found joy in working with Nick Rose on the fall play, Bedroom Farce.

“Jumping into the teaching fellow position has been a tremendously meaningful experience for me and I am overjoyed to have embraced the opportunity. Co-directing the fall play, Bedroom Farce, was such an absolute delight and I look forward to working with the gifted group of artists in the theater department again soon. I have also had the privilege of helping young authors unlock their writing talents with Power of the Pen and Just Write Ohio! My mentors, Mrs. [Emily] DiMatteo and Mr. Rose, guide with such inspiration, I really could not have asked for better leadership. Country Day has opened my eyes to the necessity of a supportive community and has created a pathway to becoming the teacher that I always dreamed of becoming.”

Scan here to read more about the school’s Teaching Fellows Program.

CONNECTIONS | 13

Creating leaders who, through the discovery of their own abilities, kindle the potential of others and better a dynamic world.

Miles of Connection

Malcolm Doepke ’16 is building a running community that brings people together mile after mile.

When Malcolm Doepke ’16 invited a few friends to join him for a Saturday morning jog last summer, he did not imagine it would grow into one of Cincinnati’s top fitness communities: Cincy Run Club, a group that now attracts more than 100 runners downtown each weekend.

Before the club began, Malcolm explains that the idea came from a gap he noticed in the city’s running community. He had been searching for a group to join and realized there weren’t many options that felt welcoming. Most were older, more competitive, or less social. “I was looking for a run club in the city and couldn’t find one that fit what I was looking for. So, I created it.”

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Malcolm studied psychology and marketing and says that combination helped him build connections. But his sense of leadership and service began long before college. “Country Day instilled in me the importance of giving back to the community. Even back then, we were learning that not everyone has the same privileges, and helping others matters. It stuck with me, even if I didn’t realize it at the time.”

Those lessons continue to guide him. “Being a leader means having tough conversations, putting on a happy face, and smiling through whatever’s going on because people look to you.

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At Run Club, the energy people feel starts with me and the leadership team.”

He credits fellow Country Day alumnus Nick Sam ’16 as his “right-hand man” and says the group’s warm, inclusive culture stems from their shared approach: bringing positive energy, building genuine community, and creating a social environment where people feel supported rather than pressured to compete.

In the early days, Malcolm says the biggest challenge was reaching new people. “It started with eight of my closest friends. I basically begged them to come run. At first it was just, ‘Let’s run and get coffee.’ And then my marketing brain got going and focused on how to make the brand and experience more appealing to those beyond my circle of friends.”

Today, the group continues to grow each week.

“Throughout the first year of us running the social channels, I paid close attention to what performed well and focused on building more of that content to reach more people. It’s what’s helped us continue to create engaging content that reaches new audiences, bringing us to

over 5,000 followers to date in just a year and a half.” He adds, “We’re a social running club that is open to everyone, even those who don’t identify as runners. We have people who range in age from 18 through their mid-60s. We have all levels of runners, from seven-minute miles to fourteen-minute miles. It’s really about the human aspect; running is just an excuse.”

The club meets every Saturday at 9 a.m. at Urbana Café downtown, and it’s completely free with no sign-ups, forms, or formal invitations required. “People can just show up and run.”

When asked what advice he would give to current Country Day students, Malcolm didn’t hesitate. “If you’re looking for something and you don’t see it, create it. Don’t give up. Take action. Most things take time — there’s no ‘get rich quick’ in life, but the reward is in building something meaningful.”

Scan the QR code to follow CincyRunClub for updates and events on Instagram (@cincyrunclub).

Creating leaders who, through the discovery of their own abilities, kindle the potential of others and better a dynamic world.

Cincinnati Country Day Earns 513 Green Certification for Sustainability Excellence months,” says Middle School science teacher Rick Schoeny. “I was then encouraged to explore the possibility of Country Day becoming a 513 Green Certified school to help with the consideration for receiving financial assistance.”

Rick went through the required checklist and submitted Country Day’s application, with the school ultimately scoring 88 points. An assessor for the 513 Green Certification reviewed the application and later visited the campus to confirm that Country Day was meeting the program’s sustainability metrics.

Cincinnati Country Day School has been named a 513 Green Certified School by Hamilton County, becoming just the fourth school to earn this recognition. According to the 513 Green website, to be eligible for certification, an organization must be located within the county limits (or the city of Oxford); earn at least two points in each of the five categories: sustainable actions, waste diversion, transportation and air quality, water conservation, and energy conservation; and achieve a minimum of 45 points overall.

“It all started when I asked Hamilton County Resource [formerly Hamilton County Recycling] if Country Day could receive financial help with our composting costs over the summer

THIS JUST IN! We’ve earned another 513 Green Certification!

“Along with the one the school received, we now have a dedicated certification for dining services as well,” reported Casey Wolford, SAGE Dining Services senior food service director at Cincinnati Country Day School.

“We’re proud to be only the second food service operation to receive this recognition – a huge win made possible through our continued partnership with the school.”

“To be recognized as a sustainable school is a great way to showcase all of our efforts,” says Rick about receiving the certification. “Our school has benefitted from our sustainability efforts by maintaining and preserving an almost 100-year legacy that pushes the limits on what can be accomplished as a school and a community.”

This shared dedication to environmental responsibility extends beyond individual initiatives and reflects a school-wide philosophy.

“At Country Day, we take seriously our obligation to be good stewards of the planet, not for external recognition but because it is the right thing for our students and our environment,” says Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98. “But we are honored to get caught caring for our planet.”

To learn more about Country Day’s 513 Green Certification, visit our profile by scanning here.

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Jason has set his sights on attending California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, where he hopes to continue swimming while studying material science, either physics or chemistry.

“We are very proud of all these students, who have contributed to our school in so many ways – on athletic and academic teams, in theater productions, on our newspaper and student council, and in a myriad clubs,” says Sarah Beyreis, director of college counseling and external opportunities.

While the awards highlight the accomplishments of individual students, they also speak to the culture of academic excellence across the Upper School.

Back row (left to right): Shiva Shyam ’26 (Mason), Yvannia Buten ’26 (Mount Lookout), Jason Starodub ’26 (Liberty Township), Max Sun ’27 (Mason), Gabriel Benitez ’26 (Loveland), Ryaan Arif ’26 (Mason), Sanjay Cherukuri ’26 (Mason); bottom row: Kate Kranias ’26 (Indian Hill); Jessica Chen ’26 (Milford), Matthew Wood ’27 (Milford), Louie Tucker ’27 (Mount Washington), Eric Niu ’27 (Indian Hill)

TWELVE COUNTRY DAY STUDENTS RECOGNIZED

BY THE COLLEGE BOARD; JASON STARODUB ’26 NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALIST Cincinnati Country Day School junior Jason Starodub was named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Congratulations are also in order for Yvannia Buten ’26, Sanjay Cherukuri ’26, Katerina Kranias ’26, and Shiva Shyam ’26, who were recognized as National Merit Commended Students. In addition, seven Country Day students earned the College Board’s new School Recognition Award: Ryaan Arif ’26, Gabriel Benitez ’26, Jessica Chen ’26, Eric Niu ’27, Max Sun ’27, Louie Tucker ’27, and Matthew Wood ’27.

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“It feels nice to be recognized for all of the work that I’ve put in,” says Jason. “I’ve been working hard in and out of the classroom; to be honored by the College Board means a lot.”

Jason also spoke about how well Country Day prepared him for the test.

“My math classes prepared me to solve problems quickly, while my English classes helped me with critical thinking. And both classes taught me how to work under pressure.”

“This achievement highlights the strength of our entire school community,” says Jon Zeljo, head of Upper School. “These students have worked diligently, and their success is also a testament to the dedicated teachers and supportive community members who have guided them. Together, we celebrate this remarkable honor.”

National Merit Semifinalists can advance in the competition for more than 7,000 scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered this spring. To become a finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application, maintain an outstanding academic record, and earn the recommendation of a school official. Commended Students, while not continuing in the scholarship competition, are recognized for placing among the top 34,000 students nationwide.

The School Recognition Award, introduced in 2025, celebrates students who demonstrate academic excellence within their school community. To qualify, students must rank among the top 10% of their school’s test takers on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 and/or earn a score of 3 or higher on at least two AP exams by tenth grade. The award recognizes students from schools of all sizes and backgrounds, helping colleges connect with talented students across the country.

The Land Lab

CONNECTING CLASSROOMS TO OHIO’S NATIVE LANDSCAPE By: Miranda Johnson, communications intern If you haven’t yet this school year, take a closer look at the school’s newest native area – the prairie field! Nestled within the school’s 60-acre campus, the prairie may appear a bit unruly at first, but beneath the surface, deep roots are forming, soil is renewing, and a resilient ecosystem is taking shape. Just as we nurture growth in our students, this space is a reminder that lasting transformation, whether in nature or in the classroom, requires patience, care, and time.

Jana Westhoven, lead teacher for the school’s outdoor education program, explains that the prairie, known as the Land Lab, helps students see nature as a living system where plants, insects, and birds all depend on one another.

“It connects what they learn in class to what’s happening right at their feet.”

During a recent visit, fourth-grade students explored the New Land Lab up close, observing plants, collecting insects, and identifying them by their characteristics, behaviors, and ecological roles.

Beyond its value to students, the Land Lab restores a piece of Ohio’s natural heritage and provides a haven for native species. “It’s more than an outdoor classroom; it will keep growing and changing alongside our students,” Jana says. “These hands-on experiences inspire curiosity, build problem-solving skills, and foster responsibility for caring for the natural world.”

She also encourages families to get involved by joining planting or care days, walking the trail to observe seasonal changes, and supporting native gardening efforts at home. “Even small steps, like planting a few native flowers or reducing pesticide use, can make a big difference.”

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LOIS RUST WINS STAFF RECOGNITION AWARD FOR DECADES OF IMPACT Recognizing a lifelong commitment to enriching school events, programs, and the student experience “First, I was totally shocked when I heard Rob Zimmerman call me to the stage. Then, I was so happy.”

Those were the initial thoughts of this year’s Staff Recognition Award winner Lois Rust, who is in her 44th year at Country Day. As she continued to reflect on winning this award, she believes it is not just her being recognized for her efforts, but also her co-workers.

“I am honored and touched that so many people felt that I deserved to win this award. This award shows me that all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at Country Day doesn’t go unnoticed. I get to work with the most wonderful people, and without them, I couldn’t do what I do.”

To read more about Lois Rust, scan here to check out this faculty spotlight article from 2022.

The Staff Recognition Award honors staff members for outstanding workplace achievements that contribute to the school’s excellence. The head of school and the cabinet team review submissions to select one award recipient each year. An individual may win the award only once during his or her CCDS tenure.

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Lois has witnessed Country Day evolve over the years. She chose to enroll her first son, Eric ’94, in kindergarten because Country Day was “a calm, and classy place, but also grounded in nature and the love of learning.” Over time, the school grew into an “exciting and vibrant” place, a change she attributes to Country Day’s early adoption of new technologies and its commitment to introducing them to students like her sons, James ’04 and Chris ’05.

Lois’s creative touch has helped shape Country Day into the energetic, joyful community it is today. Throughout her career, she has been the driving force behind countless celebrations and traditions, bringing them to life in ways that have become woven into the school’s identity.

We asked her to reflect on the ones that still hold a special place in her heart.

“At this stage of my life, I’m grateful to still be involved with so many current and former students through events like Multicultural Night, the Black Alumni Network gathering, and the Country Day Car Show.

Events come and go, but the memories stay. And for me, it’s always been about the kids.”

8th Grade Musical “I am so proud of inventing the eighth grade musical with [former Head of Middle School] Mr. Richard Schwab. It was always so much fun to put together, but also so impactful for the students. I always told the students who were scared to get up on stage that, ‘If you can do this in eighth grade, you can achieve anything.”

FallFest “When I was in high school, I loved planning our school carnival, so planning FallFest has always been a joy to do. I especially love getting to work with the people in the Parents’ Association. It is so great to see the kids running around and everyone is just so happy. I love making Country Day the place to be.”

Commencement Ceremonies “Both the eighth grade and Upper School commencement ceremonies have such a special place in my heart. Both of these events were lacking in taste, especially the eighth grade ceremony.

Once we relocated from the football field into Keeler Theater, I was able to decorate it and make the event feel much more top-notch and intimate. And same for the Upper School graduation ceremony – [former Head of School] Dr. Rob Macrae gave me the go-ahead to improve it the way I saw fit. After the success of the first one I helped plan, Dr. Macrae called me into his office and asked me if I would continue to help plan the ‘royal graduations’.”

COUNTRY DAY CAR SHOW In September, the Country Day Car Show brought our community together in style! Featuring 43 incredible cars – from timeless classics to modern favorites – Country Day families, students, and friends strolled through rows of polished chrome and shining paint while enjoying a beautiful day together. A huge thank-you to the families who organized and hosted the event, our incredibly talented guest chef, the band, and everyone who joined us to celebrate a passion for cars and community spirit.

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COMING TOGETHER FOR A COLLECTIVE ACTION MOMENT What a gift to welcome nationally renowned author and speaker Dr. Devorah Heitner to campus in October. Dr. Heitner, whose work focuses on mentoring kids in the digital age, spent time with parents, faculty, and students exploring what it means to “grow up in public” and how families can navigate technology with confidence and care.

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Through her engaging presentations and conversations, Dr. Heitner encouraged our community to think critically about the role of technology in our lives. She provided tips on how to develop healthy habits with smartphones and social media, how to manage privacy and online presence, and how to build empathy and understanding in a connected world.

Her message to our community was clear: Technology isn’t going anywhere, but by fostering open dialogue, modeling positive behavior, and prioritizing balance, we can all learn to live healthy, ethical, and empowered lives alongside the digital world.

We are so grateful to our Parents’ Association and Office of Belonging & Wellbeing for bringing such an insightful and thought-provoking expert to our campus!

HOLD THE PHONE Beginning last school year, the Parents’ Association and the Office of Belonging & Wellbeing have teamed up to hold parent discussions to explore one of the most significant parenting decisions of our generation: the smartphone. Evidence increasingly suggests that kids who have access to smartphones and social media before 8th grade are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety, and miss crucial family and social experiences that foster growth and relationships, which can negatively impact brain development at important stages. Country Day parents are encouraged to join other parents in making a thoughtful, collective commitment to hold off on getting their child a smartphone until at least 9th grade.

WHY SIGN A COMMITMENT TO DELAY GIVING YOUR CHILD A SMARTPHONE? • Protect Mental Health. Help your child decrease the possibility of stress, anxiety, and social media pressure.

• Support the Development of Real-World Skills. Help your child increase independence, focus, and face-to-face connection.

• Delay or Prevent Digital Addiction. Help your child avoid screen overuse and online risk during key development years.

Scan the QR code to make your commitment today!

STUDENT-LED INITIATIVE SAVES PARENTS THOUSANDS ON TEXTBOOKS The Investment Club’s LEXICON project spent $860 buying back textbooks from Upper School students last spring, and then saved parents an estimated $2,011 on textbook purchases this fall, reports the club’s president, Max Sun ’27. Students pay $10 a year to rent a textbook that might retail for $30 to $150.

Max came up with the idea for the textbook rental program last year as one of many ways the club returns money it has made through its Birdfeeder snack business back to the school community. “The Investment Club’s philosophy is to make money and use it for the benefit of the community. We make money to do good.”

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Three Rooms, Three Visions

THE CREATIVE MINDS BEHIND BEDROOM FARCE By: Shiva Shyam ’26

This year’s Upper School fall production, Bedroom Farce, took on an unusual challenge: Instead of a single director shaping the world of the play, three faculty members each helmed one of the show’s three bedrooms. Though the play unfolded in a continuous storyline, the shifts between bedrooms depended on the creative choices of each director.

The distinct visions of directors Nick Rose (arts department chair and theater director), David Mavricos (physics teacher), and Andy Ahrens (teaching fellow), coexisted on one stage to form a witty, fast-paced comedy.

When asked what initially drew him to directing his particular set, Ahrens explained that the 22 | CONNECTIONS

choice grew out of a desire to challenge himself.

“I picked the bedroom I did because it had a lot of physical comedy challenges. And while I may not always be the best at physical comedy, I wanted to take that on.”

play and how the production had organically melded into one cohesive story,” says Mavricos.

“The actors did a really great job bringing the three different rooms to life, both individually and as a whole.”

Before the full set was built, actors ran scenes in an open rehearsal room where bedroom boundaries didn’t actually exist. For a play that relies heavily on timing, overlapping movement, and the illusion that all three bedrooms exist simultaneously, creating a “suspension of disbelief” without physical walls was a challenge.

“For much of the rehearsal process, we worked each bedroom in isolation; when we came together, it was exciting to see how each director and set of actors had interpreted the

The structure of Bedroom Farce meant that each director’s section had to connect seamlessly with the others while maintaining its own personality. The transitions between bedrooms offered comedic beats and new energy each time the rooms and scenes changed.

“I love how surprisingly specific everything had to be in this show,” says Rose. “The humor depended on specific actions and timing. And the actors and technical crew really impressed me with how they made it look easy.”

From Start to Finish THE CAREER AND IMPACT OF VANCA PANDEY ’26 By: Leon Hall ’27

Vanca Pandey ’26 is leaving a legacy to remember. Vanca, who plans to study neuroscience or medical science in college and enter a pre-medical track, started attending Country Day as a freshman and has never looked back. She joined the soccer team her freshman year but later felt the calling to try cross country. During her first year at Country Day, she made first team all-city, first team all-conference, and won the CCDS Invitational – an impressive start to her high school career.

“I’ve enjoyed getting more people to join cross country and being able to do it with my friends,” says Vanca. Throughout her Country Day athletic career, she has learned to push herself mentally and physically. During her junior year, Vanca was the only girl on the cross country team because the other was suffering from an injury. The experience taught her that she must push herself to reach her highest goals. During Vanca’s cross-country high school career, she made First Team All-City and First Team All-MVC all four years. She also won the CCDS Invitational three times and holds 12 of the 25 best overall times in program history.

Out of all her achievements, Vanca said her most memorable was making it to the state meet her senior year, where she finished 25th out of 214 runners with a time of 19:18.79, the second fastest finish of her season. She was seeded 52nd and blew out even her own expectations. Vanca encourages more people to participate in Country Day athletics, especially cross country and track. “When more people do a sport, the more a team really succeeds and grows, and this makes a big difference at a small school like Country Day. Even if you join to spend extra time with friends, the experience can build long-lasting relationships and create community within yourself and others.” Vanca credits her coaches for pushing and encouraging her to do her best, supporting her and her athletic career. “Vanca brought a spirit of competitiveness to the team and represents girl runners everywhere,” says Dr. Heather Williams, Vanca’s cross-country coach. “She unified the team during the entire season. Even though she was the only runner competing at state, her team showed up to run with her, showing how much Vanca has deeply impacted the culture of the program.” Building on that sense of community, Vanca hopes more students will take advantage of Country Day’s athletic opportunities. “You’ll never regret joining a sport. The memories you make and the relationships you build will stay with you for a lifetime.”

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In November, the 2025 CCDS Chess Championship brought together young minds from across all three divisions for two days of strategy, camaraderie, and competition.

Friday’s simultaneous exhibition featured 35 Country Day students facing off against national chess master and multi-time city champion Russ Wilson ’75 or tournament director Alan Falkingham.

Saturday’s tournament included 36 Country Day students from grades K-12.

All participants were guaranteed to play five competitive games.

A STRONG SHOWING AT THE 2025 CCDS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP Two days of strategy, community, and cross-divisional competition highlight a thriving chess culture at Country Day.

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In the Upper School division, first-place honors went to Jack Albers ’26, with Sam Driehaus ’28 claiming second. Meanwhile, in the Middle School bracket, top finishers were Parker Watson ’31 in first place and Neel Patel ’30 in second. The Lower School saw impressive results as well: Siddhartha Hoffman ’36 captured first place and Agnatveer Maan ’34 took second.

And the overall tournament champion was Max Sun ’27, who came in first place in the Upper School during last year’s tournament, and who reflected on the event with characteristic humility.

“I’ve always found the CCDS Chess Championship to be a chance to connect with others in the CCDS community. I continue to find myself surprised by the skill level of my competitors, particularly the middle and lower schoolers. I have little doubt that there will be a multitude of players who will overtake me soon.”

“I am thrilled by the increased interest we have seen in our chess program over the past couple of years, and it’s great to see kids who were part of our Lower School and Middle School clubs continuing to grow and develop their chess skills as they rise through the divisions. Chess teaches so many great life skills: the ability to anticipate and plan ahead, the need to think critically and calculate accurately, effective time management, the clear-mindedness needed to perform under pressure, and sportsmanship — the resilience to accept defeats and learn from them and to win graciously. We saw all of that in a tournament environment, across all divisions. For example, we saw second graders battling toe to toe with our former Ohio chess champion and Country Day alum Russ Wilson for several hours, and a

lower schooler scoring an impressive 3.5 out of 5 points in the tournament. Chess truly is one of those few endeavors where age and physical strength are neither advantages nor disadvantages; it’s all about skill.”

It was a weekend that reaffirmed the spirit of Country Day’s community: inclusive, cross-divisional, and rooted in virtue more than purely victory.

Middle school teacher and chess club advisor Nico Rumboll spoke to the deeper value of the event.

“I would say that chess is becoming more relevant in today’s hyper-accelerated world, where slowing down and engaging the pre-frontal cortex is great training for any careful decision-making. Seeing students take on the emotional and mental challenge of dueling against their friends and kids of other grades strengthens the community, gives them more chances for extracurricular engagement, and creates more space for kids to find themselves.”

Tournament director and CCDS parent Alan Falkingham mirrored that sentiment.

Back row (left to right): Nico Rumboll (deputy tournament director), Alan Falkingham (tournament director), Jack Albers ’26 (Loveland), Max Sun ’27 (Mason), Rob Zimmerman ’98 (head of school); bottom row: Siddhartha Hoffman ’36 (Indian Hill), Agnatveer Maan ’34 (West Chester), Neel Patel ’30 (Loveland), Sam Driehaus ’28 (Clifton), Parker Watson ’31 (Loveland) CONNECTIONS | 25

Nighthawks Cheer Soars

LARGEST SQUAD IN HISTORY REBUILDS WITH NEW SKILLS, SPIRIT, AND ENERGY Written by: Head Cheer Coach Alicia Wall Photo by: Ellie Texter ’26 This year, our cheerleading program has undergone a complete transformation. With 18 athletes, the largest squad in school history, our team is thriving, and what makes this group especially remarkable is that 13 of our cheerleaders are brand new to the sport. Many of these student-athletes also balance multiple sports, rigorous academics, and school clubs, yet they have committed themselves wholeheartedly to building something special for our community. Our squad is incredibly diverse in talents and passions: from a national champion in karate, a varsity golfer who competed in Districts, and the lead in the upcoming school musical, to a competitive hunter-jumper equestrian, a studio dancer, and even a fairy in Cincinnati Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty (who also performed as Clara in last year’s Nutcracker). Alongside them are lacrosse players, softball players, and more multi-sport athletes, each bringing unique strengths and experiences that make this team truly one of a kind.

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For the first time ever, our cheer program has introduced stunting, tumbling, jumping, and dancing—none of which had been part of the program before this season. Our senior leaders, Nia Irby and Lilly Shafer (who is also Student Council President), have been instrumental in cultivating a culture centered around school spirit and community involvement. In addition, the squad launched “Flight Crew,” a new student leadership group for the student section, to get fans more engaged across all Upper School sporting events. They’ve also created new social media accounts to teach chants, connect with classmates, and keep the student body energized both on and off the sidelines.

The week of September 22 was one of the busiest and most exciting of the year because of Homecoming and FallFest. The cheerleaders practiced daily, prepared a halftime routine for the first time, organized games for the student section, and took the lead in energizing the school community. They created more than 200 goodie bags and locker decorations for every fall athlete and Upper School administrator. On game day, the cheer team arrived early to welcome Lower School and Middle School students with a spirit tunnel, handed out “spirit clips,” and spread energy throughout the halls before the big night.

The team then headed straight to the Homecoming game where several cheerleaders kicked the game off singing the national anthem with the Upper School choir. Once under the Friday night lights, the squad brought nonstop energy with interactive games, new chants, stunts, dances, and even a new touchdown celebration. They kept the student section loud and lively from kickoff to the final whistle.

The night concluded with one of our favorite traditions, singing the alma mater together with the student section.

What makes this team’s accomplishments even more impressive is the way they balance it all.

Our cheerleaders are not just athletes, they are leaders, performers, and competitors in so many different arenas. From a district-level golf player and multi-sport athletes to equestrians, dancers, and even ballet performers on Cincinnati’s biggest stages, these young women

embody what it means to be well-rounded student-athletes. They’ve taken on the challenge of building a new cheer program while excelling in their own diverse pursuits, showing resilience, teamwork, and commitment to community.

This cheer team has completely rebuilt the program from the ground up in just a few short months. They have created new traditions, pushed their limits to master new skills, and most importantly, put their fellow students and community first. The feedback from administrators, coaches, and classmates has been overwhelmingly positive; the energy they’ve brought to Country Day is unlike anything the school has experienced before.

This group of young women has taken a chance on something brand new, embraced the challenge, and accomplished something truly special!

At the pep rally, they performed with confidence, partnered with Lower School cheerleaders to pass out spirit beads, and even participated in a student-teacher dance. Immediately afterward, the girls volunteered to work at our pre-homecoming game event, FallFest, which included running carnival games, inflatables, face painting, and our spirit shack.

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2025 Fall Sports recap MVC Dick Snyder Fall Sportsmanship Award: Ellie Texter ’26

CROSS COUNTRY Vanca Pandey ’26 finished 25th out of 214 runners at the OHSAA DIV State Championship Meet. Vanca, Max Sun ’27, and Dima Chernovol ’28 were named Regional qualifiers.

MVC All-Conference First Team: Vanca Pandey ’26 Second Team: Max Sun ’27

FOOTBALL Miami Valley Conference Gray Division Champions, 9-1 MVC All-Conference Offensive Player of the Year: Levi Guttman ’27 First Team: Lucas Donahue ’26, Levi Guttman ’27, Leon Hall ’27, Michael Hendrix ’26, Thomas Huckleby ’28, Brandon Proffitt ’26, Will Robinson ’26 Second Team: Nathan Kellenberger ’29, Kevin Li ’27, Gabe Odeh ’29, Myles Shaw ’26 Honorable Mention: Ryan Heekin ’28, William Ollinger ’27 All-Southwest District First Team: Lucas Donahue ’26, Levi Guttman ’27, Leon Hall ’27, Thomas Huckleby ’28, Brandon Proffitt ’26, Will Robinson ’26 SWOFCA All-City First Team: Lucas Donahue ’26, Levi Guttman ’27, Leon Hall ’27, Thomas Huckleby ’28, Brandon Proffitt ’26, Will Robinson ’26 All-Ohio First Team: Lucas Donahue ’26, Brandon Proffitt ’26 Second Team: Thomas Huckleby ’28 Third Team: Levi Guttman ’27, Will Robinson ’26

BOYS GOLF District Qualifiers MVC All-Conference First Team: Evan Ross ’26

GIRLS GOLF District Qualifier: Lilly Shafer ’26 MVC All-Conference 28 | CONNECTIONS

First Team: Lilly Shafer ’26 Second Team: Ali Zimmerman ’26

BOYS SOCCER MVC All-Conference First Team: Trey Blum ’26, Gabe Benitez ’26 Second Team: Morris Helmantel ’26, Ryan Pavlisko ’28 Honorable Mention: Andrew McGivern ’27, Luke Schnieber ’27 Southwest District Awards Honorable Mention: Gabe Benitez ’26, Trey Blum ’26

GIRLS SOCCER 2025 DV District Champions MVC All-Conference First Team: Josie Hyden ’27, Audrey de Alarcon ’27, Alyssa Easter ’26 Second Team: Nicole Hardesty ’27 Honorable Mention: Roxy Vollmer ’27, Zoe Doerger ’28 Southwest District Awards Audrey de Alarcon ’27, Alyssa Easter ’26, Josie Hyden ’27 All-Ohio Awards Josie Hyden ’27

All-Central Region Award Josie Hyden ’27

FOOTBALL’s WINNINGEST class The Class of 2026 secured the record for most wins over a four-year span with 42 wins, surpassing the Class of 2025’s record of 40 wins to become the winningest class in program history. They secured their 41st win on October 17 vs. North College Hill (46-14) and their 42nd win on October 24 vs. Clark Montessori (51-20). The Class of 2026 Nighthawks include Myles Shaw, Brandon Proffitt, Will Robinson, Lucas Donahue, and Michael Hendrix.

TENNIS Miami Valley Conference Co-Champions, 15-2 record (best in program history) Caroline ’26 and Katherine Connelly ’26 competed at the OHSAA DII State Championship.

MVC All-Conference Coach of the Year: Kyle Scully First Team: Reema Arebi ’27, Caroline Connelly ’26, Katherine Connelly ’26 Honorable Mention: Elena Gregorsok ’28 Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association Awards First Team: Caroline Connelly ’26, Katherine Connelly ’26 Second Team: Reema Arebi ’27 Distinguished Player: Elena Gregorsok ’28, Gertrude Lazarus ’27, Andrea Sgro Plaut ’27

VOLLEYBALL 2025 DVI District Runner-Up MVC All-Conference First Team: Ellie Albers ’27 Second Team: Jordyn Brown ’28 Honorable Mention: Samirah Barber ’29, Ece Karakus ’29 Southwest District Awards First Team: Ellie Albers ’27 Second Team: Jordyn Brown ’28

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Special thanks to Mark Beyreis, Brian Mack of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Omar Mahmud ’29, and Ellie Texter ’26 for their contributions to this spread.

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GIRLS’ VARSITY TENNIS Boasts Its Best Season in Program History By: Madison Conley, sports information director

The girls’ varsity tennis team had a remarkable season. The team started the season with a bang, hosting the CCDS Invitational and taking home the championship, a feat that had not been accomplished in almost two decades.

The Nighthawks went on to win seven straight to start the season. The back half of the season was just as successful as the front half, winning another seven straight and finishing the season 15-2!

The Nighthawks were crowned MVC Co-Champions with a conference record of 9-1. They split the title with CHCA. This is the team’s first MVC Championship since 2012 and just their second in 20 years.

Most notably, the Nighthawks posted their best season record in program history, finishing with a win percentage of 0.882 (15-2). It was an incredible finish after closing the 2024-25 season at an even .500.

Led by senior captains Caroline Connelly ’26, Katherine Connelly ’26, and Ellie Texter ’26, each varsity player contributed so much to the success of this year’s squad.

The twin sisters hold the school records for most double matches won in a career and a season. After several hard-fought wins at Sectionals and Districts, the Connellys qualified for the OHSAA D2 State Championship.

Reema Arebi ’27 played #1 singles and had an outstanding season, posting a winning record.

She was the #4 seed at the OHSAA ATP Lindner Tennis Center D2 Singles Sectionals.

Elena Gregorsok ’28 and Ellie Texter also had strong performances as singles this season

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and earned the CCDS Coaches Award for her outstanding leadership.

Ellie is incredibly proud of this year’s team.

“All the girls gave their all for every single match, and you can see that through how successful our season was. I am beyond grateful for all the energy and time the girls put into this season, and as a captain, that’s all I could ask for. I’m sad that my high school tennis career has come to an end, but I couldn’t have wished for a better season.”

Katherine Connelly reflects on her final season as a Nighthawk. “I am super proud of the tennis team for an incredible season. Whether on JV or varsity, everyone worked extremely hard at matches, tournaments, and practices.”

While their season ended to a talented Columbus Academy team, they represented CCDS with class. Reaching that stage is something many tennis players dream of but fall short of achieving.

The Connellys made it, and they’ve left their mark on the tennis program.

On the doubles side, Andrea Sgro Plaut ’27, Gertrude Lazarus ’27, and Shriya Iyengar ’28 played #2 doubles and had incredibly successful seasons. Andrea and Gertrude represented the Nighthawks as doubles in Sectionals.

“I’m very thankful for such a great team and coaches. This season has been so much fun, and I can’t wait to see what the team can do next year!” Caroline Connelly says of her senior season.

Four-year varsity members Caroline and Katherine Connelly played at the #1 doubles position and had a dominant senior season.

They went 13-2 overall, 8-0 in the MVC, and were the #3 seed at the OHSAA ATP Lindner Tennis Center D2 Doubles Sectionals.

Along with the success of the varsity team, the entire tennis program represents one of the biggest girls’ programs at CCDS. With 27 players between the varsity and JV levels, it’s safe to say that this program isn’t going anywhere. 19 players will return next year, including five from the varsity team.

This team set unprecedented records and have carved their names in the program history books. Head Coach Kyle Scully offers deep praise for how far this program and team have come. “It was a historic and inspiring season for the team, and we’re proud of all they accomplished on and off the court.”

Congratulations to every member of the girls’ tennis program on such a successful season!

Seniors Caroline Connelly, Szofia Varga, Greta Varga, Katherine Connelly, Shiva Shyam, Ellie Texter, Kate Kranias, and Ella Blatt.

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What are you most looking forward to during the second semester?

I am very interested in ancient societies and civilizations, so I am really looking forward to my independent study with Dr. [Jeremiah] McCall. It’s called “Ancient Warfare in Modern Media.” I’ll be learning about how classic war tactics are portrayed in modern media. Specifically, I’ll be looking at Homer’s Iliad and the movie adaptation of it in the 2004 movie Troy, as well as in a video game, A Total War Saga: Troy. Dr. McCall is my inspiration to one day come back to Country Day and teach history.

What are your current college plans?

Senior Spotlight: ALI ZIMMERMAN

I applied early decision to William and Mary, and just found out that I got accepted! I’m planning on double majoring in classical studies and international affairs, while also attaining an education certificate.

What is your dream job?

I really love Cincinnati, and so much of my family is here, so I plan on moving back after college and will hopefully become a history teacher at Country Day. Further in the future, I could see myself in some international governmental role, like foreign ambassador.

Do you have a favorite Country Day memory?

What are some of the activities that you are involved in this semester?

I have been on the golf team for the last four years, and although I’m not very good at it, this year was a lot of fun because we had such a great group of new seniors who decided to join. I lead the International Club; I am the editor-in-chief for The Scroll; and I was the stage manager for the fall play, Bedroom Farce. Ever since Mr. [Evan] Ditullio made me the tech director for Seussical, I have really loved being a part of tech theater. I had no experience going into it, but I had a great time learning from Mr. DiTullio. I also had such a wonderful mentor in Will Schiff, and it was really cool working with [my cousin] Harrison [Zimmerman ’28]. Being a tech director was very stressful, but I enjoyed dealing with all the problems that came with the position. I also felt it was very empowering to learn how to take a couple pieces of wood and use power tools to create something.

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What is a fun fact that people may not know about you?

I love heavy metal music! Some of my favorite bands are Megadeath, Metallica, Alice in Chains, and Gojira. I even sing in a heavy metal band. Oh, and I saw Ozzy Ozbourne’s last ever show that he performed at the Back to the Beginning Festival in Birmingham, England – the town where Black Sabbath was formed – with my dad!

How is your senior year going so far?

Senior year is going really well! I’m extremely busy with all the responsibilities that I’ve loaded myself up with. I am a bit surprised how this year doesn’t feel that much different, though. I think that’s because when Harrison and his friends came into high school when I was a junior, I sort of took on the mentorship role that normally a senior might take on in helping guide them and helping them with the transition from Middle School to Upper School.

There isn’t a particular day that stands out, but I went into my tenth grade math class absolutely dreading it because I hate math. But Mr. [Corey] Flick would talk about Aerosmith, roller coasters, and Disney – all things I love. He made the class fun; it was the one time I felt that I wasn’t hating or struggling with math.

What lessons have you learned at Country Day do you think will help you the most when you get to college?

I’ve definitely learned how to do it all, how to say yes to everything and still be able to get it all done. It’s really hard to do, especially with all the tough classes we have to take, playing on a sports team, and taking on leadership roles in extracurricular activities. But Country Day gives you a lot of real-world experience and practice when it comes to learning how to budget your time effectively in order to accomplish your goals.

How do you think you have grown as a person throughout your time in Upper School?

I’ve learned that to be a good leader, you must be both passionate and kind but also be able to hold others accountable to your high expectations. I have learned to trust others to get the job done but also be willing and ready to help when they need it.

What does leadership look like to you?

To me, leadership looks like my dad [John Zimmerman ’98], who also went to Country Day. Every day he sets a good example for me to follow, and I try to emulate him as much as possible. CCD has helped me with this, as our teachers have taught us how to be leaders, even in rooms where people might be older or outrank you. They encourage you to always speak up in your own way. And I think that’s a powerful message that gives me the confidence to go into the world and respectfully give my point of view or share my ideas even in front of people who might be more important than me.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

The Scroll. I had always pushed to get more editions on physical paper and produce more issues. After years of that not happening, I decided it was time to make it a reality. I published the first edition of the back-on-paper Scroll, and the feedback we’ve received on our last few issues was great!

I’m proud of all the effort and time that my team and I have put into this new version of The Scroll, and I hope it continues when I leave.

If you could give your freshman self one piece of advice, what would it be?

I would say that you have a good moral compass and don’t stray from what you want to do just because others may want you to do something different. I’d also tell my younger self that you should stop being so anxious about everything because more often than not, it’s going to be completely fine.

And, on the occasion you have to navigate rough waters, your teachers and parents will be there through it all.

Anything else that you would like to talk about or mention about your time at Country Day? This is a life-long community. I feel great about all the relationships I have made with good, smart, and passionate people that I know I can fall back on if I need guidance. It’s a great place to be. No place is perfect – but this is close.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: A GLIMPSE INTO COUNTRY DAY’S PAST By: Ali Zimmerman ’26 and Dima Chernovol ’28 As Cincinnati Country Day School gears up to celebrate its centennial year, we’re diving into the past pages of The Scroll. More than just a paper, The Scroll was how the school community knew more about itself in the school’s early years. We invite you to travel back to January 1931, just five years after the school’s founding. Nationally, the U.S. was in the throes of the Great Depression, the Empire State Building was nearing completion, and the “Star-Spangled Banner” was about to become the national anthem.

What was happening at the all-boys Cincinnati Country Day School? One thing of note is that the school was preparing to introduce a formal rating system for its students. As a later article from June 8, 1932, explained: “A group of masters meet every two weeks to go over the reports handed in and put a boy in his correct classification: A, B, C, D, or E.” This system came with real stakes, as we can see from the development of “honor pins”: “There are certain penalties for those on D or E, and, on the contrary, rewards for those on A or B.” Continue reading for the original 1930s Scroll articles that first introduced this rating system to the CCDS community.

RATING SYSTEM January 19, 1931 The general discipline of the School has improved greatly in the last year or so. There is a better spirit in everything that is done on the Hill. We were much interested, therefore, when Mr. Snyder announced at morning prayers on January 9, that a “rating system” was to be introduced. We went to his office to inquire further concerning it.

“Some of us” said Mr. Snyder, “have felt that while the general conduct is satisfactory, some definite system of discipline might be preferable. One fault with the present rather vague way of maintaining discipline is that there is no sort of reward for being better than the average, and the result is that no boy is especially interested in doing things for the good of the School unless he is told to do so. I think that the new system, with its privileges as a reward for the highest conduct ratings, will furnish an impulse for positive and instructive conduct. The results should be greatly improved conduct, and, more than that, better spirit among the boys.”

We learned that each boy above the fourth grade is to be rated each week by the faculty. The highest ratings will obtain certain privileges, some of which will be very valuable. As ratings become lower the privileges become less. If a boy’s rating is consistently far below the average, he will be in serious danger of being asked to leave the school.

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DEPORTMENT SYSTEM February 9, 1931 The conduct rating system has been running smoothly for one month.

The appearance of the school is much better and the classes think twice before becoming noisy and disorganized. Each boy has a chance to show himself efficient as well as deficient in his manners.

S. Sutphin

HONOR PINS April 20, 1931 New honor pins, in the form of the School seal, have appeared. They are to be worn only by boys on “A” rating, who are well suited for the honor as the few who have received the pin show.

The rating that was posted March 16th gave “A” to three boys, Hinkle, T., Black, R., and Cooper; the next rating posted April 6th added Black, H. to the list.

REMARKS ON THE RATING SYSTEM April 18, 1932 There has recently been quite a bit of discussion about how to raise yourself in the Rating System. The main way is by cooperating; that is, by being helpful and attentive in classes, by being quiet while passing through the halls during school hours, by being quiet in Study Hall and therefore thoughtful of whose who are working, by keeping your desk and room in order, and by doing other things which make running the School easier.

Above all work with the masters; they are not here to drive you like horses; they are here to teach you things which will be useful to you when you are a man. It is for your own good, so don’t see how little work you can get away with when doing your lessons. A good attitude in class will help you a great deal toward a higher rating. By a good attitude I mean paying attention, and listening all the time.

Your rating may also be affected by your attitude in athletics. Don’t be one of those fellows who misses grounders because he has to run to stop them, who doesn’t half try to keep his mind on the game, who is always “fooling around” and not hearing what the coach is saying. In other words, when you are out on the field, try to learn the game and play it as hard as you can.

To sum it all up: be the kind of fellow who puts pep in his work and zip in his play. (T. Hinkle) 36 | CONNECTIONS

Award-Winning Communications

CCDS RECEIVES TOP AWARD IN THE STATE By: Miranda Johnson, communications intern This recognition is part of the OHSPRA’s effort to honor high-quality communication work across the state. This year, the organization had a record number of award entries across 14 categories, with more than 300 submissions.

Cincinnati Country Day School was recently named a recipient of a Mark of Distinction award for excellence in school communications from the Ohio School Public Relations Association. The winning project, State of the School 2024, is a video that highlights school and student achievements and the vision for the year ahead.

Scan here to watch the award-winning video!

“It’s always a humbling honor to be recognized by peers,” says Josephine McKenrick, director of strategic marketing & communications. “This award not only affirms the strength of our strategic efforts to communicate with our community, but also the strength of our community itself and the meaningful work happening across our campus every day. It’s a testament to the collective commitment, creativity, and pride that define Country Day.” All award entries are evaluated by an external panel of professional communicators using established criteria for effectiveness, clarity, and adherence to best practices in school public relations.

Country Day was formally honored at the 2025 OHSPRA Conference and Achievement Awards Ceremony.

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virtue in Action At Country Day, we believe it is important to develop leaders who act in service to others. This past summer and semester, we saw this every day throughout our community and on our campus, in both big and small ways.

Sophomores volunteered at Matthew 25: Ministries, inspecting donated paint to confirm it was latex- or water-based and safe for use. Their work helped provide reliable paint to communities recovering from natural disasters.

During the 21st annual Wrap-In, students across all three divisions donated and wrapped 1,142 gifts for ProKids and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati.

Seniors volunteered at Habitat for Humanity build sites in Finneytown and Covington, taking on hands-on construction tasks that support safe, stable, and affordable housing for local families.

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Roxy Vollmer ’27, Leon Hall ’27, and Kevin Li ’27 spent the day at French Park helping with land beautification by spreading mulch and cleaning up trails.

Their efforts support a long-term plan for trail clearance, invasive species removal, and restoring native habitats.

These are just some of the recent highlights of the extensive service performed by CCDS students. Way to make a difference, Nighthawks.

The spirit of virtue in action has never been stronger!

Freshmen packed meals for the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative, preparing nutrient-dense servings designed to halt and even reverse the long-term effects of childhood malnutrition.

Eighth-grade peer mentors stepped in to support their fifth-grade buddies as they set up and explored their new Surface Pro devices. Together, they worked through tools, features, and first-day questions, building confidence, teamwork, and digital skills.

Fifth graders continue to collect and process plastic bottle caps in science class – a Middle School tradition. To date, they’ve collected about 100 pounds, nearly halfway to the 250 pounds needed for their recycled bench.

Once they hit the goal, they’ll travel to the facility to see the bench created.

During the annual All-School Food Gathering and Turkey Train, Upper School students donated 2,214 cans of food, Middle School students donated 144 turkeys, and our Lower School students decorated and filled snack bags for children staying at Ronald McDonald House and under the care of doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. They collected over 593 snack items to fill those bags!

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centEnnial spotlight

Sharing little and big moments

Love at Country Day Thirty-three couples, one shared community, and a century of connection that goes beyond the classroom walls

Throughout Country Day’s history, dozens of couples have found not only professional fulfillment but also a deepened personal connection within its halls — the opportunity to work at the same institution as their most loved one. In every corner of campus, love and partnership have shaped the Country Day story. Join us as we celebrate the many ways Country Day has brought people together — not just as colleagues, but as partners in life and learning. Below are anecdotes from a few of our 33 Country Day couples.

“We have so much gratitude to Country Day for the deep purpose, growth, and community our family enjoyed during our eleven years on Given Road. Our lives were fully centered around campus and its wonderful people. Stephanie found her stride as an administrator through the mentorship of [former Head of School] Dr. Rob Macrae and the inspiring work of the Upper School faculty. I found a home in Middle School, teaching and coaching under Hirsch’s leadership and with the warm camaraderie of the dedicated Middle School team. Our sons Jonas ’12 and Max ’16 found their passions for art and technology through the opportunities and encouragement given to them by wonderful teachers and coaches. There are so many names and faces of students and grown-ups whom we think of often and with such affection.

Cross country and track meets…Friday night lights with a Dunn Burger…student art shows…eighth grade D.C. trips…middle school dances…Upper School kickball antics — and all the little and big moments in classrooms and hallways each day; we carry them with us, and we love when a Country Day moment arises in our Massachusetts lives.”

— Mark Luebbers, former Middle School teacher, who worked alongside his wife, Stephanie Luebbers, former Upper School division head

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“One morning on my drive to work at Country Day, I heard a familiar voice on the radio. It was Melissa, being interviewed about her role in the national Broadway tour of The Phantom of the Opera. Hearing her voice instantly brought back memories – we had attended grades one through four together and crossed paths a few times in our early twenties.

Feeling inspired to reconnect, I reached out and invited her to speak to our Middle School students about life on tour. I also asked if she would join me for dinner, joking that if she only had time for one, I hoped she’d choose dinner. To my surprise and delight, she agreed to both.

Bringing home to the workplace “We love getting to share stories and experiences together. It isn’t just some random name or event that we tell each other about; it is someone that we both know and are able to celebrate. It brings a true feeling of home to the workplace for both of us.”

— Evan DiTullio, technical theater director & video production teacher, reflecting on working with his wife, Elizabeth DiTullio, Upper School administrative assistant

The day Melissa came to campus, I was so nervous at lunch with Susie Lewis that I couldn’t eat. Susie thought that was adorable, which makes perfect sense if you know her. For her presentation, Melissa originally planned a short talk followed by a long Q&A, but I convinced her to speak a little longer and keep questions brief, mostly because I worried that Lauren Legette ’07 and her friend Tori Hall ’07 might share what they knew from when they played the classic middle school game of MASH with me. Lauren and Tori had asked me to name potential “wives” for the game, and I included Melissa along with a few celebrities. They promised to keep it quiet, but during Melissa’s talk, I could see their excitement at having that insider information.

But Melissa’s presentation went perfectly, including our dinner at Trio. Soon after, we started dating and I visited Melissa on the road whenever I could. That was Spring 2002.”

— Dan Wood, Middle School science teacher, about how he and his wife, Melissa, Middle School PE teacher, came to be a couple

And the rest is history CONNECTIONS | 41

“I did not just work with my wife Lucia at CCDS – she was a member of the eighth grade teaching team as the history teacher – but as the head of school living in Broadwell House, our entire family life and family revolved around 6905 Given. This allowed us to fully engage in the community and blend personal and professional lives together. While this can be a wonderful way to work and live in service to students, it can also present challenges. I recall one dark, wintry morning when I trudged over to my office after driving around Indian Hill and conferring with the superintendent of Indian Hill schools; it was clear we would need to call a snow day. I wrote the appropriate emails, recorded a voicemail – the one kids love to get! – and then sent a few additional communications. Since it was a quiet morning, I decided to do some work. What I neglected to do was to tell Lucia, who went through her morning routine and was on her way to classes hours later before she learned about the snow day. I think she was the very last person to learn about my early AM decision. People often think that working couples communicate about school all the time…especially if one spouse is the head of school. Not always the case!”

“Being married to the head of school, people always assumed I knew a lot more than I did. Those who worked closely with me on the eighth grade team learned very quickly how clueless I sometimes was, as they were often telling me things that were happening around school…and were genuinely surprised that I did not already know.

Snow days were often one of those times when everyone thought I – and our kids – knew way in advance. Tony grew up in Vermont, so he was very conservative in his calling of snow days, and he rarely did it in advance. He would get up at 4:00 a.m. on those mornings and go drive around the surrounding area to test the roads. One such morning I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. to wake up and do some grading (those eighth grade history essays weren’t going to mark themselves). I took a quick peek at my phone to see if Tony had sent a text about a snow day, but there wasn’t anything. I didn’t want to go down the rabbit hole of checking my emails because I really needed to get my grading done...and surely Tony would have texted if there was a snow day, right? Well, two hours later, I was all dressed, my school bag was packed, and I was waiting for my coffee to brew before heading to school. Okay, time to check my school email to see what awaits for the upcoming day...and there is the email about no school! While I was annoyed about missing my sleep-in, I can assure you our son Nick, who was a senior at the time, was even more so.

His friends were all asking him about a snow day the night before, and he said honestly that he didn’t know. That same morning, he was also all dressed and about to walk over to school when one of his friends happened to text him about the snow day; he was also not amused to miss his snow day sleep-in. Tony learned very quickly after that day that once he sent out the ‘no school’ announcement that he should then immediately send a text to our family group chat!”

— Tony Jaccaci, former head of school

— Lucia Jaccaci, former Middle School teacher

Same story...

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s e iv t c e p s r e p t n e ...differ

COUNTRY DAY WELCOMES PROMINENT CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLAR TO CAMPUS By: Miranda Johnson, communications intern

Through a partnership with the Indian Hill Historical Society, Cincinnati Country Day School had the distinct honor of hosting Professor Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University and one of the nation’s foremost constitutional scholars. Professor Amar has earned national honors, advised Congress, and been cited in over 50 Supreme Court cases by Justices across the political spectrum.

Throughout the day, he engaged our eighth grade and Upper School students in lively discussions about the U.S. Constitution, its enduring relevance, and the civic responsibility we all share in understanding the principles on which our democracy stands.

Over lunch with faculty and students, Professor Amar shared insights from his recent work and encouraged all to think critically about how history informs today’s challenges.

Later that evening, he presented to the community, expanding on how America’s founding ideals have evolved through generations of debate, reform, and renewal. “In order to uphold our democracy, all of us share a responsibility in reading and learning about our nation,” he emphasized.

We are deeply grateful to Professor Amar for inspiring our community to read, reflect, and engage thoughtfully with the living document that defines our nation.

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CELEBRATING VIRTUE AND LEADERSHIP: COUNTRY DAY HONORS ANDY KAPLAN ’75 AND JODY BRANT ’87 The Cincinnati Country Day School community gathered in late September for one of the most meaningful traditions of Homecoming Weekend: the Alumni Breakfast. At this year’s gathering, two extraordinary alumni were honored for lives that exemplify the school’s values of service, integrity, and leadership.

Andrew M. “Andy” Kaplan ’75 received the 2025 Virtue in Action Award, recognizing his decades of dedication to others. Joel S. “Jody” Brant ’87 was presented with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award, honoring his outstanding leadership in law, philanthropy, and at Country Day itself.

“We are grateful to celebrate two very special alumni; two men who exemplify the best of Country Day,” said Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98. “Thank you for being the living argument for the school our founders envisioned, and the school we intend to become in our next century.”

THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE The Virtue in Action Award recognizes one or more members of the Virtue in Action Society – a guild composed of alumni who are commemorating their fiftieth or greater reunion year – for their dedication, attitude, and motivation expressed through volunteer service to the community. Recipients of the award embody Virtue in Action, the key element of the school’s motto.

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Pictured (from left to right): Holly Oblinger Mott ’95 (Alumni Council president), Andy Kaplan ’75 (Virtue in Action Award recipient), Jody Brant ’87 (Distinguished Alumni Award recipient), and Rob Zimmerman ’98 (head of school).

When John Youkilis ’75 introduced his longtime classmate and friend Andy Kaplan, he didn’t begin with a list of accolades; instead, he spoke about Andy’s humility.

He has never craved public acknowledgment.

He is gracious, often with a laugh and an easy sense of humor, and he personifies the best of the Country Day spirit.”

“Andy has lived a life of service to the Cincinnati community since he joined the Service Club in the fall of 1971, and by senior year, he had become the president of the club,” Youkilis reflected. “While his accomplishments are impressive, he also shows that character matters.

There is a natural humility to him, and a kind demeanor often hidden by his natural talent….

That spirit first took root as a teenager when, inspired by the opportunities that Country Day provided, Andy discovered that helping others was not just meaningful but indispensable in how he wanted to live his life. “There is a direct through line between Country Day and the service work you’re recognizing me for today,” Kaplan said in his remarks.

Andy recalled three pivotal volunteer experiences from his years at Country Day: • Stepping Stones: “In ninth grade, I was a camp counselor, and that was a fantastic experience. I’ll never forget seeing an upperclassman, Blake [Selnick ’73], gently lift children from their wheelchairs so they could go boating. I thought to myself, ‘That guy is a hero.’ It showed me what service looks like up close.”

• Longview State Mental Hospital: “On Saturdays, we would take kids out to the park or bowling, some kind of activity around town. It was an eye-opening experience and one that Country Day afforded me, and an example of Country Day reaching out to the broader community.”

• Summer Enrichment Program: “This was maybe the best job I ever had. Kids from other schools came to campus and we tutored them in the mornings. It was another example of Country Day reaching beyond the acres, saying, ‘You need to get out there and do something in the bigger world.’”

After graduating from Country Day, Andy attended Amherst College for his bachelor’s degree and then received his Juris Doctor from Georgetown. He built a distinguished career in employment and workers’ compensation law with Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, yet continued to volunteer throughout the community.

He has provided volunteer legal services to the disadvantaged, and is currently serving as a Big Brother, and a volunteer tutor at Hays Porter Elementary in Cincinnati’s West End. There, he not only mentors children in reading but also recruited 22 other lawyers to join the effort and successfully lobbied to keep the school open when it faced closure. He has provided more than five decades of wide-ranging service work, and commends Country Day for showing him the importance of giving back.

teachers and scholarship assistance, he navigated a mascot change, he led the school through a world-altering global pandemic, and he headed a head-of-school transition, to name just a few of his major accomplishments.”

“Through the Service Club, Country Day has provided 63 years of service thus far, and the good work continues; students still go to all kinds of places to volunteer their time. Bravo to Country Day for that.”

John mirrored that sentiment. “Thank you, Country Day, for giving us a club that had nothing to do with college applications or self-promotion, but everything to do with volunteering to make others’ lives better. We need that spirit now more than ever.”

THE POWER OF LEADERSHIP

A Dartmouth graduate with a Juris Doctor from Georgetown and an LLM in Taxation from New York University, he is now president and CEO of Katz Teller, where he is trusted advisor to many of Cincinnati’s most prominent leaders. But his leadership has never been confined to the law.

He has chaired or served on the boards of the Christ Hospital Foundation, Easter Seals Tristate, Jewish Vocational Services, Cincinnati Squash Academy, and the Mayerson JCC, among many others.

Yet, for Jody, his deepest impact may well be at his alma mater. As a trustee, board president, and foundation board chair, he shepherded Country Day through some of the most consequential years in its modern history.

“Country Day has had an enormous impact on who I am today,” Jody said. “I spent a significant part of my life on this campus – not just as a student, but later as a parent and volunteer. The opportunities I was given here allowed me to develop as a leader.”

If Andy embodies service, Joel S. “Jody” Brant ’87 embodies leadership.

In introducing Jody, Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 described him as “one of the pre-eminent lawyers in Cincinnati…a community leader in countless endeavors. But while Jody’s record of accomplishment and service is wide-ranging, his leadership at Country Day merits special mention. As board chair, he steered CCDS through a sequence of tests that would have strained the patience and tested the sanity of a less sturdy temperament: He co-chaired a capital campaign to invest in our CONNECTIONS | 45

In his acceptance, Jody shared lessons about leadership that drew directly from those experiences: 1. Leadership is not about being in charge.

“You can lead from any position. As a member of the JV and varsity basketball teams, I worked to make those around me better.

CCDS gave me numerous opportunities to be part of a team to achieve a common goal.”

2. Leadership is not about perfection. “The only way that progress can happen is by deciding where you want to go and starting the journey, which will almost always not go as planned.”

3. Leadership is about process. “Meaningful change in complex organizations requires a process in order to be successful.”

4. Leadership is about showing up. “If you want to be in the room where decisions are made, you have to show up and participate. When you show up, leave your ego at the door.”

5. Leadership is about thinking of others. “To be an effective leader, you cannot have a personal agenda.”

6. Leadership is less about speaking and more about listening. “The school’s character virtues are great guides for making decisions, but they only work if you listen to the people around you.”

7. Leadership is about diversity and inclusion.

“Every decision we made was better when we included a variety of viewpoints.”

DR. TODD ALAMIN ’86 AND HIS ROAD FROM SMALL-SCHOOL ROOTS TO NATIONAL LEADERSHIP How empathy, hard work, and a Country Day education are foundational to the success of one of America’s top spine surgeons.

“On behalf of the entire Country Day community, we congratulate Jody on his outstanding achievements,” said Zimmerman. “We are grateful to have been the recipient of so much of his wisdom and leadership.”

For more photos from the event, scan here.

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“A few months ago, I attended the wedding of Patrick Beer [a classmate from CCDS] and this photo was taken during that trip on the bridge in between Lambertville, New Jersey and New Hope, Pennsylvania.”

When Dr. Todd Alamin ’86 walks into an operating room at Stanford Medicine, he brings with him not only decades of surgical expertise but also the curiosity, creativity, and intellectual fearlessness he first nurtured at Cincinnati Country Day School. Today, he is recognized as one of the nation’s leading spine surgeons, a physician whose insights are sought by national news outlets and whose innovations in medical device development may soon transform the future of spinal care. Yet when he reflects on the path that led him here, he traces it back to a small, tight-knit community – one where it was “cool to be intellectual and curious.”

Rather than moving directly into medical school after graduating from Stanford University, Todd took a gap year that became a pivotal chapter in his development. Fluent in French, he bartended in France, worked at a ski resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and traveled across Asia before earning his medical degree at Yale. He believes those experiences broadened his worldview and strengthened his ability to connect with people from all walks of life – a quality he considers central to his leadership and patient care today. “Being an approachable person matters. Those random experiences gave me a big set of references and stories to connect with patients.”

Todd, who was named one of America’s best spine surgeons by Newsweek in 2024, describes his Country Day years as a rare blend of strong academics and joyful independence. “My group of friends was phenomenal. We got in trouble together, had a great time together; it was a great crew.” They wrote eccentric, free-form articles for The Scroll, bonded over soccer (including seasons when he played alongside both of his brothers), and immersed themselves in the stories and passions of their teachers.

Now more than 20 years into practice, Todd operates three days a week, performing exclusively spine surgeries. “My favorite is surgery is anterior cervical [otherwise known as neck surgery] because it involves elegant dissections, which I enjoy, and patients generally do really well.”

Those teachers, he says, were formative. There was Mr. Christopher Cerf who reported that he once lived on a commune and captivated students with unforgettable stories; Mr. Robert Plummer, the brilliant and unabashedly quirky math teacher; Mrs. Wynne Curry, the French teacher who was “was just like an incredible older sister”; and an art teacher whose bear painting was memorable enough to become legendary.

“We even listened to the Grateful Dead with him and jumped the fence at a concert back in 1984,” Todd laughs.

What CCDS offered, he explains, was the confidence to explore – to try, fail, think critically, and write deeply. “The writing we learned at Country Day was a really important skill set. Our teachers had the time and space to push us.” And being in a “small pond” allowed him to take intellectual risks that later helped him thrive in elite academic settings.

Outside the operating room, Todd likes to surf and plays soccer in a Sunday league to blow off steam. He and his wife, who is also a physician, are recent empty nesters after nearly three decades of raising their four children. Their oldest lives in Cambridge; their second is in medical school; and the younger two are pursuing undergraduate degrees.

Looking back, he believes Country Day helped set the foundation not just for academic success, but for resilience, flexibility, and the long arc of professional growth. “Being creative and embracing open-mindedness is incredibly helpful. But what students don’t always realize is that everything takes a large amount of work – way longer than you think it will. Overnight success is like hitting the lottery. Real success takes long, hard work over a long time. It’s about dedication, resilience, and creativity.”

He is fueled by both the technical challenge and the opportunity to improve lives through precision and compassion. “If you try to take care of people as you’d want your own family members cared for, it changes everything. We all use our life experiences to relate to patients. In the end that relationship of trust is incredibly important, and sharing analogous experiences to patients helps to engender that trust and allows the patient to feel that they are trusting someone who is a real person to take care of them.”

He is also deeply invested in advancing the field.

For years, he has worked to address shortcomings in existing surgical approaches, developing new technologies designed to improve outcomes and reduce complications. One device he has been refining in the field of spinal surgery is nearing approval in the United States. “It works better than what we have currently,” he says, and his excitement is unmistakable.

Todd (far right) with his family (from left to right): Healey (holding their dog, Kona), Lily, Artis (his wife), Burke, and Spencer CONNECTIONS | 47

If you hadn’t gone into teaching, what career do you think you would have pursued?

Meredith: I probably would have chosen nursing even though I’m not a fan of needles. Teaching ended up being the perfect way for me to nurture others...without the need for needles.

Terri: Pediatric nursing. I’ve always loved working with children, and nursing would have been another way to support them.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: MEET OUR PATTISON AWARD WINNERS By: Miranda Johnson, communications intern

Each year, Country Day presents the Lee S. Pattison Distinguished Teacher Award to educators who exemplify excellence in teaching and a deep commitment to students. Recipients are nominated by colleagues and selected for their dedication and impact in the classroom. The latest honorees, Meredith Simmons and Terri Sears, bring a combined 41 years of service to Country Day and are celebrated for the warmth, innovation, and joy they bring to their students every day. Meredith is in her 11th year of teaching, while Terri is marking her 30th year.

When Meredith Simmons, PRE-K II teacher, learned she was the latest recipient of the Pattison Award, she said she was honored to join a list of past winners, including her next-door neighbor, Prissy Schoeny. “I just felt this wave of emotion: surprise, gratitude, and disbelief. I never think of myself the way others apparently do, so learning I’d been chosen was incredibly moving.”

When Terri Sears, third grade teacher, learned she was selected to receive the Pattison Award; she felt a mix of excitement and humility. “Sharing it with people who have inspired me made it so special. The award honors the loyalty, creativity, and integrity that I try my best to model every day. I love showing my students that learning is a shared journey.” While everyone who has the privilege of knowing them will agree that Meredith and Terri are exemplary teachers who strive to know and nurture not only their students but also their peers, we wanted to go beyond the classroom and give you a glimpse into the personalities behind the 2024-25 Pattison Award winners.

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What music instantly boosts your mood or energy during the day?

Meredith: ’80s hits, Bob Marley, and Queen.

Anything upbeat makes the classroom feel energetic.

Terri: Upbeat pop, anything fun that keeps me moving and helps me reset.

What do you consider your classroom superpower?

Meredith: The combined energy between me and my co-teacher, Emily Putman, and the intentionally designed classroom environment, which I call “the power of the third teacher.”

Terri: Patience. Every child learns at their own pace and staying calm and supportive helps them gain confidence.

What’s something you always carry with you throughout the school day?

Meredith: Chapstick, lotion, and electrolytes for my daily special drink.

Terri: Something to drink. I talk a lot throughout the day, so I need to stay hydrated to keep my energy up.

What’s your favorite Country Day tradition?

Meredith: The Wrap-In and the Turkey Train.

They get me every time, tears of joy included.

Terri: Sledding on Mt. Country Day. The kids’ joy in the snow never gets old.

How do you stay inspired?

Meredith: I gather ideas from fellow educators online, Pinterest, and annual professional development, especially in arts and play-based learning.

Terri: I get inspiration from everywhere: my colleagues, educators I follow on social media, Pinterest, and the professional development I take.

What advice do you feel like you give students time and time again?

Meredith: Be courageous. Embrace challenges. Dive in even when you’re unsure.

Terri: Be present – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Show up fully for learning and life.

What one word describes Country Day for you?

GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY On the day before Thanksgiving Break, we welcomed more than 700 visitors to the Country Day campus for Grandparents & Special Friends Day. This year, Upper School joined in the fun for the first time in 17 years, with more than 100 guests visiting that division! During their time on campus, grandparents and special friends visited classrooms, joined activities and lessons, took photos at pop-up photobooth stations, and enjoyed performances from our musicians and choir ensembles. It was a day filled with joy and community spirit.

Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 reflected on the day, saying, “Grandparents and Special Friends Day has become one of the highlights of the year, and this year it was bigger and better than ever.”

Meredith: Nurturing.

Terri: Family.

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Class Notes 1965 1

Class of 1965

On May 17 and 18, members of the Class of 1965 gathered to celebrate their 60th reunion. The festivities kicked off with cocktails and dinner at Seasons 52 on Saturday evening and concluded with brunch at the Cincinnati Country Club on Saturday morning. Good memories and good laughs made for a wonderful weekend. Special thanks to Rob Sherwood and Bob Buechner for organizing and hosting the weekend.

Pictured (left to right): Lynda Eggers, Terri Sherwood, Rob Sherwood, Bob Buechner, Potter Orr, Buck Niehoff, Dick Reis (seated), Harry Robinson, Mitch Eggers, Polly Culp, Peggy Robinson

1970 2

Class of 1970

Over Homecoming weekend, Friday and Saturday, September 26-27, members of the Class of 1970 gathered on the Country Day campus to share memories and updates and to celebrate the 55th anniversary of their graduation from CCDS. The crew reminisced and reconnected at the alumni reception Friday evening and at the alumni breakfast Saturday morning.

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UPDATES ON ALUMNI NEAR & FAR

Many thanks to Luke Boswell and Jeff Heinichen for getting their classmates together.

1976

Friday (left to right): Jed Nau, Lee Burton, Luke Boswell, Tom Dieck, Bill Westheimer, Bill Lanzit, Jeff Heinichen

Jeff Harrison ’76 recently finished a two-week residency at T.S. Eliot’s family’s summer house on Cape Ann in Gloucester, MA. While in residence at the old Eliot place with several other writers, Jeff enjoyed the contemplative environment and good conversation and did some good writing, producing the draft of a long poem about Eliot, the house, and the Gloucester area.

In the spring, Jeff will begin a six-week residency at the James Merrill House in Stonington, CT, where he hopes to make progress on his next book.

Merrill, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who died in 1995, was an early mentor to Jeff and played a key role in his development as a poet. May your muse be with you during your residency at the Merrill House, Jeff!

Saturday (left to right): Jeff Heinichen, Luke Boswell, Jed Nau, Tom Dieck, Michael Simpson, Bill Westheimer

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Class of 1975

The Class of 1975 gathered at the alumni reception on the Friday evening of Homecoming weekend and at the alumni breakfast the next morning to celebrate their 50th reunion and to honor their classmate, Andy Kaplan, who received the school’s Virtue in Action Award at the Saturday breakfast in recognition of his lifetime of service to the Cincinnati community (see the separate story about Andy starting on page 44). The weekend was filled with shared memories and reconnections, and the presence of a large contingent from the Class of 1975 at Andy’s award ceremony made the school’s celebration of him more meaningful. Kudos to John Youkilis for pulling the class together for this special weekend.

Back row (left to right): Jeff House, Bruce Roy, Steve Bookman, John Sutton; middle row: Jim Silver, Ric Kallenberg, Doug Stenberg, Andy Kaplan, Eric Matthews, David Reid; front row: Linda Riethmiller, Emerson Knowles, Carey Costantini

Jeff Harrison ’76

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Class of 1980

Members of the Class of 1980 celebrated their 45th reunion at Stone Creek Dining Company in Montgomery. With healthy representation from out-of-town and local class members, the evening was full of

good conversations and good memories. Glasses were raised to all who could not attend, and special words were shared for departed classmates Fred Carey, Stuart Chantilas, and Chas Rowe. Many thanks to Lisa (Rose) Collins who did the lion’s share of the organizing, with yeoman support from Steve Schwartz, John Sullivan, Missy (Schwartz) Greenberg, and Peter Fossett Back row (left to right): Pam Shaffer, Doug Magenheim, John Sullivan, Tim Selnick, Steve Schwartz (partially obscured), John Skavlem, Peter Fossett, Chip Sproull, Lydia (Duarte) Chantilas, Jeb Head, Amy Meyer, Jeff March; bottom row: Vance Lehmkuhl, Lisa (Rose) Collins, Meghan (Sheldon) McCormick, Lisa (Anaya) Steelman Hudepohl, Missy (Schwartz) Greenberg

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Class of 1985

Members of the Class of 1985 gathered at Gordon “Gibby” Wright’s house for a celebration of the 40th anniversary of their graduation from Country Day. Attending were Phoebe (Dunkleman) Pardo, Lisa (Raushenbush) Pettengill, Gordon Wright, Susan Miller, and Melissa (Lanier) Murphy. While small, the group had a good time sharing stories and memories.

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1990 6

Class of 1990

Members of the Class of 1990 gathered at Covalt Station in Milford, Friday evening, September 26, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their graduation from CCDS. Good cheer and laughter characterized the reunion as classmates shared memories and updates. Many thanks to Rob Heimann for organizing the event.

Pictured (left to right): Marth GrassmuckMorris, Susan (Garfield) Schoeny, Bree Ann Murdock, Andy Head, Rob Heimann, Eric Barker, Lucy (Haverland) Joffe, Craig Joffe

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Class of 1995

With Covalt Station still ringing with the echoes of 1990’s 35th reunion the night before, the Class of 1995 raised their glasses at Covalt Station on Saturday evening, September 27, in celebration of their 30th anniversary of graduation. The evening was filled with laughter and good cheer as classmates recounted old stories and shared updates about their post-CCDS adventures. Many thanks to Holly Mott and Steve Sacks for co-chairing 1995’s reunion committee.

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Class of 2000

Members of the Class of 2000 celebrated the 25th anniversary of their graduation with a party at 50 West Brewing Company just outside of Mariemont, on Saturday evening, September 27. Good memories, good laughs, and good times were all flowing at the tap house that night! Thanks to Prithvi Bhaskar and Charlie Anness for organizing the reunion.

Pictured (left to right): Ted Muhlhauser, Jon McGrath, Jeni Reiber Walsh, Nick Gaeke, Prithvi Bhaskar, Charlie Anness, Al Sears

2002 9

Sarah (Gerber) ’02

Sarah (Gerber) ’02 and Mike Hughes welcomed their first little one, Henry William David Hughes, on September 25, 2025.

Henry’s middle names honor both families, and Sarah and Mike are through the moon with excitement about growing their family in Chicago! Henry is wonderful in every way and cannot wait to visit his grandma (Mrs. Gerber) at CCDS this year!

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Danielle (Schneider) Senzer ’04

Danielle (Schneider) Senzer ’04, now living in Boston, marked her 40th birthday with an extraordinary 52 | CONNECTIONS

milestone: completing 40 marathons. This past September, she crossed the finish line of the Berlin Marathon, securing not only her 40th race but also completing all six World Marathon Majors. Danielle’s passion for running began early – she ran her first marathon as a sophomore in college and was a dedicated athlete throughout high school, competing in three sports all four years, including four years of track. After triumphing in Berlin, Danielle celebrated in true international spirit, meeting her high school friend Leslie (Buechner) Fish in Munich for Oktoberfest – a fitting finale to an unforgettable marathon milestone. Danielle resides in Boston with her husband and two daughters (Shaya-7 and Piper-4). When not marathon training, she is a realtor, speech therapist, and mahjong instructor.

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Julien (Guttman) Teitelabum ’04

In August of 2025, Julien (Guttman) Teitelabum ’04 was honored by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati with the prestigious Clara Greller Award for Young Leadership, an award recognizing her deep involvement in multiple areas of Jewish Life.

A nurse advocate for Medicare patients, Julien recently returned to Cincinnati with her husband Adam and their young family after spending many years in the Washington, DC, area. Julien is a board member at the Mayerson

JCC and the chair of the board at GatherDC, a Jewish community building organization in the DC metro area. Julien gives her parents credit for instilling in her a commitment to service to others.

Congratulations, Julien, on this well-deserved honor.

Amanda Tholke ’04 Amanda Tholke ’04 an attorney in Cincinnati, recently competed on Jeopardy! While Amanda did not win, she was in the thick of the competition and gave her opponents a run for their money.

Amanda’s appearance on the popular game show was televised on Monday, October 20. Kudos to you, Amanda!

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Class of 2005

On Saturday evening, September 27, members of the Class of 2005 gathered at the Roosevelt Room in Rookwood to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their graduation from CCDS. All present had a wonderful time sharing memories and updates.

Thanks to Sally Dwyer Hernandez and Vallie and David Tapke for organizing the evening.

Back row (left to right): Peter Niehoff, Aaron Guttman, Ty Zimmerman, Zak Butler, Ben Tanzer, Will Carroll, Oren Costantini, Erik Larkin, Chris Rust, David Tapke, Trey Glasgow, Aaron Billings, Sonny Snell, John Weyand; bottom row: Betsy Niehoff, Suzi Jolly, Luisa Mancera, Maggie Lloyd, Sally Hernandez, Vallie Tapke, Ashley Lawrence

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2007 13

Jackie (Hartle) Hill ’07

Jackie (Hartle) Hill ’07 and her husband Mike welcomed their first child, Zachary Michael Hill, on July 2, 2025. Jackie, who works in marketing for Kroger, and Mike, who works for Rhinegeist Brewery, are enjoying the heck out of Zach and their new parental roles.

Congratulations!

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Brooke Heinichen ’08

Brooke Heinichens ’08 married Travis Thielen on August 9, in Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe, California. 2008 classmates attending were Kyle Scully, SJ Mann, Brigid Dunn, Elizabeth Black, and Alex Trott (Alex attended CCDS through middle school).

Pictured (left to right): Kyle Scully, Brooke Heinichen, SJ Mann, Brigid Dunn, Elizabeth Black, Alex Trott

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Greg Magarian ’08

Greg Magarian ’08 and his wife Sara, and Sara’s daughter Wren welcomed Kenneth Shant Magarian to their family September 14. All are doing well, and big sister Wren is pleased as punch with her new baby brother! Greg is an attorney with Katz Teller in Cincinnati.

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David Pease ’08 David Pease ’08 will marry Mary Kate Strang on Valentine’s Day 2026. The ceremony will be in Mariemont and the happy couple will reside in Cincinnati. David has launched and is growing two businesses – Pease Enterprises (with brother Fletcher ’10), which manufactures and sells interior and exterior doors and other residential building products, and REKKIE (with brothers Fletcher and Henry ’12), which designs and sells augmented reality ski goggles – and Mary Kate is a technology product manager at Kroger.

Congratulations!

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Kyle Scully ’08

Kyle Scully ’08 and Eric Rohman welcomed baby boy Henry on October 4. Kyle, who teaches English and outdoor wellness in the Country Day Middle School, and Eric, who works in safe patient handling at the VA hospital in Cincinnati, are thrilled to be parents and are enjoying every minute with Henry. What wonderful news!

2009 Olivia (Tholke) King ’09 Olivia (Tholke) King ’09 and husband Zack recently welcomed daughter Penelope to their family.

Olivia is a Cincinnati-based clinical sales territory manager for an Atlanta, GA, genetics testing

and research company, and Zack is a firefighter in Cincinnati.

Congratulations and all happiness to you and your family, Olivia!

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Molly McCartney ’09

Molly McCartney ’09 an attorney with Kroger, and her husband, Alex Wirt, a credit analyst at Johnson Investment Counsel, welcomed Caroline Ferguson Wirt to their family on June 23. All are doing well and adjusting to their new routines!

Congratulations and all happiness to all three. And a special shout-out to Caroline, a future Nighthawk already repping her CCDS gear!

2010 18

Xanni Brown ’10

Xanni Brown ’10 is engaged! On June 23, during a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine, Xanni and Alexandra Morrison were engaged. Xanni, who earned her Ph.D. in social psychology from Yale in 2023, is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Virginia’s school of public policy. Xanni’s research focuses on hierarchy, inequality, and democracy in the U.S., and she has a particular interest in the relationship between demographic change and backlash against democratic institutions. She also studies how to confront bias effectively in a variety of contexts, including schools and workplaces. Before

taking her fellowship at UVA, Xanni was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication. Xanni’s fiancée Alexandra works in renewable energy. Congratulations and best wishes to Xanni and Alexandra!

2011 19

Claire Heinichen ’11

Claire Heinichen ’11 married Nick Weber in Nashville on October 21, 2023 (your intrepid reporter was a bit slow sharing this one...!). A large Country Day crowd was in attendance to help Claire and Nick celebrate their union. Congratulations and all happiness to Claire and Nick!

Pictured (left to right): Baldur Tangvald, Jesse Heussner (married to Elizabeth Blackburn), Emily Grupp Miniat, Grant Hesser, Denise Hesser, Nick Weber, Audrey Tiffany, Jake Thomas, Wyatt Tiffany, Elizabeth Blackburn, Jamie Fisher, Claire Heinichen Weber, Megan Thomas

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Grant Hesser ’11

Grant Hesser ’11 and and his wife Denise welcomed Emma Marie Hesser on September 8. Denise and Emma are doing well, but Grant is a little shaken. Congratulations!

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2013 6 21

Luke Hall ’13

Luke Hall ’13 married Victoria Zaharoff in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 6. Classmate Jack Willingham `13 officiated; eleven other members of the Class of 2013 plus several members of other CCDS classes along with a handful of faculty, staff, and current students helped Luke and Tori celebrate their union. The happy couple resides in Chicago. Congratulations and all the best!

Back row (left to right): Sam Hall ’13, Jack Victor ’13; also attending but not pictured: Catherine Collett ’20 (Luke’s niece), Kyle Collett ’23 (Luke’s nephew), Bea Collett ’29 (Luke’s niece), and Mabel Collett ’31 (Luke’s niece); middle row: Alex Brady ’13, Jack Willingham ’13, Peter Fossett ’80 (alumni office), Sam Fossett ’13, Elliot Cofer ’13, Michael Barton ’13; bottom row: Vanessa Collett (Luke’s sister and CCDS Montessori teacher), Sally Portman ’13, Isabelle McAlevey ’13, Sara Fitzgerald ’13, Isabelle Hannan Hudson ’15, Luke Hall ’13, Alanah Hall ’11 (Luke’s sister), Ceridwen Hall ’05 (Luke’s sister), Sarah Mae Selnick ’13, Olivia June ’13

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Sam Fossett ’13

Sam Fossett ’13 completed his first ultramarathon on October 3, running in the DC Peaks 55K race on a mostly off-road course in Davis County, Utah, on the second wettest day in the region’s history. Sam was welcomed at the finish by Isabelle Hannan Hudson `15 and their canine pal Leo. Asked after the race about the challenge of running close to 35 miles under such conditions,

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Sam said “Oh, I feel it.” Just a few weeks later, on November 15, Sam tackled the challenging Dead Horse Ultra 50-mile race in Moab, Utah, with classmate Luke Hall. According to Sam, the Dead Horse course was beautiful but grueling. As painful as the experience was, Sam and Luke pushed through to the finish. In a post-race quote, Sam shared his motivation for finishing the race: “We got matching velour track suits for after the race. When things got tough, I just reminded myself: Track suits are for winners!

I couldn’t quit and wear that lush velour with any sense of pride.

I had to keep going.” Luke was more philosophical in his post-race comments, noting that the race “was a good reminder that you can always do more than you think you can.” Sam completed the race in 11 hours, 45 minutes, and 18 seconds. Luke bested Sam by 55 minutes, finishing in 10 hours, 50 minutes, and 5 seconds.

Congratulations to both the lads for this outstanding accomplishment!

Olivia June ’13 Olivia June ’13 and Hunter Keyes were engaged on September 28, 2024. Olivia practices family medicine in Yarmouth, Maine, as a PA. Hunter is an oyster farmer for Mere Point Oysters in Brunswick, Maine. No date has yet been set for the wedding, but it will likely be in New England.

Congratulations, Olivia, and best wishes to you and Hunter!

2014 23

Elijah Engelke ’14

Elijah Engelke ’14 graduated from Brown University with a mechanical engineering degree and began his career working on municipal water utility projects in Dallas, Texas. In 2020, Elijah obtained a graduate degree in finance from Southern Methodist University. Thereafter, he changed careers and joined Houlihan Lokey in their Dallas office. In this role, Elijah advises public company boards and special committees on complex transactional matters.

Earlier this year, he and his fiancée transferred to Houlihan’s corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. Elijah reflects fondly on his experience at CCDS, and attributes much of his work ethic and success in business to the foundational knowledge gained through Country Day and its wonderful community.

2015 Class of 2015 The Class of 2015 celebrated the 10th anniversary of its graduation with a party at MadTree Brewing in Oakley on the Saturday afternoon following Thanksgiving. Good memories, good laughs, and good times were all flowing at the tap house that afternoon! Many thanks to Mantero Moreno-Cheek and Max Guttman for taking the organizational lead for the reunion.

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Thor McMullen ’15

Thor McMullen ’15 is teaching English in Madrid, Spain.

And proving that the world is indeed small, Thor recently connected with Grace Ramirez ’21, who is also teaching English in Madrid, and Grace’s mom Tracy in the Spanish capital.

2016

Sidd Jejurikar ’16 Sidd Jejurikar ’16 has graduated from Harvard Law School and taken a prestigious clerkship with the United States Court of Appeals. Sidd finds the work very stimulating and is enjoying the variety of legal issues he is working on in his new position.

Congratulations, Sidd! We wish you great success in your career.

2017 Olivia Brown ’17 Olivia Brown ’17 continues to live and breathe soccer! An outstanding player during her high school years for both her club team (Ohio Elite) and the Country Day squad, and a leading member of the University of Dayton’s NCAA Division 1 Flyers in her four years there, Olivia coaches for Ohio Elite and works as a league services territory manager for the ECNL, a national youth soccer league. With the ECNL, Olivia works with midwestern clubs to ensure smooth regular season play and travels to league events across the country to ensure their smooth operation.

Soccer is clearly in Olivia’s blood!

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2018 Kaity Travis ’18 Kaity Travis ’18 announced her engagement to Jacob Butler in June 2025. Kaity and Travis are both graduates of Butler University (Jacob ’21 and Kaity ’22) and they met while students there.

Kaity is now teaching 4th and 5th grade at the William Bell School, a Butler lab school in the Indianapolis public school system.

Congratulations to Kaity and Jacob!

Madeleine Morales ’18 Madeleine Morales ’18, a 2026 J.D. candidate and Toll Public Interest Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Carey School of Law, was honored by the Philadelphia Bar Association over the summer of 2025 with the David M. Rosenblum Law Student Leader Award for her outstanding commitment to the legal rights and the legal protection of the LGBTQ community.

Madeleine, who plans a career in the courtroom advocating for those who face discrimination, will begin a one-year public interest fellowship on graduation in the spring of 2026 and then learn the ins and outs of the federal court system through two prestigious federal judicial clerkships: first, with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia during its 2027-2028 term and then with the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania during its 2028-2029 term. Congratulations, Madeleine, on these wonderful achievements – and all the best in your new career!

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2020 25

Class of 2020

Members of the Class of 2020 gathered at Somerset Bar in Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine neighborhood Wednesday night, November 26, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of their graduation from CCDS. The evening was filled with laughter and good cheer as classmates recounted old stories and shared updates about their post-CCDS adventures.

Many thanks to Ammar D’Ambrosio, Jay Bhati, and Cader Rowe for organizing the reunion.

currently pursuing her masters of philosophy (MPhil) in medical science (oncology) at Cambridge.

Nora is one of only six members of the Williams Class of 2025 to be awarded a Dr. Herschel Smith Fellowship. Well done, Nora!

Ruoyang Hong ’21

Abby Smith ’20 married Owen Salciccioli on June 14, in Eden Park’s Hinkle Gazebo. Abby and Owen met when they were students at Miami University. The couple reside in Huntington, WV, where Abby is in her second year of medical school at Marshall University. Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple!

Ruoyang Hong ’21, who was known as Daniel at Country Day and now goes by Ryan, graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in December 2025. Ryan now lives in the San Francisco area where he works for Tesla as a test engineer.

Ryan describes his work as performing tests for various control systems to make sure Tesla’s products are safe and reliable: He says he tries his best to break the systems he tests to be extra sure they work as desired. Ryan secured his job through an internship he had at Tesla during the summer of 2025.

Congratulations, Ryan – we wish you great success!

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Nora Brant ’21

Grace Ramirez ’21 and Rose Joffe ’21 are living together in Madrid, Spain, and teaching English. What a wonderful adventure!

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Abby Smith ’20

Williams College recently awarded Nora Brant ’21 a prestigious fellowship for post-graduate study at the University of Cambridge.

With the Dr. Herschel Smith Fellowship, Nora, who captained the women’s varsity squash team for two years and graduated from Williams with a degree in biology in the spring of 2025, is

Grace Ramirez ’21 Rose Joffe ’21

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Taylor Pavlisko ’21

Taylor Pavlisko ’21 and Logan Persson (Indian Hill ’19, Lake Forest College ’23) were engaged on June 2, in Cozumel, Mexico! The couple will wed on June 27, 2026, at The Camargo Club. All our best wishes to Taylor and Logan!

2022

Terre Virzi ’22 Terre Virzi ’22 graduated from Columbia University in December 2025 and will start with Procter and Gamble’s IT department in May. In her new position, she will help build tools that P&G’s salespeople can use to improve the placement of P&G products in retail stores with an eye to improving sales. Terre will be working most directly with the Sam’s Club team but will help all of the retail teams. Before returning to Cincinnati to get down to work, Terre is spending the spring traveling and visiting friends. Sounds like time well spent before settling into adulthood!

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Andrew Pavlisko ’24 Lucas de Alarcon ’24

Andrew Pavlisko ’24 and Lucas de Alarcon ’24 recently reunited on the collegiate soccer pitch. On September 14, Andrew’s Hanover Panthers fell to Lucas’s Kenyon Owls at Hanover, but there were no hard feelings between the CCDS classmates! Greg Hirschauer, veteran coach of the CCDS boys’ soccer team, traveled to Hanover to support both the lads.

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28 Have great news to share?

Have you moved?

Do you have a new email address?

Still receiving mail addressed to your alumni children, who no longer live with you?

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Please help us stay connected by going to www.countryday.net/ alumni/alumni-news or scanning the QR code below.

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IN MEMORIAM

Submitted by the loved ones of those we will never forget.

Leslie Elmore Gaut Jr. ’56

Barbara Ann Hurff – Former Pre-K Teacher

Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1938 to Christine Breck and Leslie Ellmore Gaut, young Leslie was given the nickname of “Rocky” at the time of his birth. The family of three moved to Cleveland and then to Cincinnati, which ultimately became his childhood home.

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Barbara A. Hurff (LaRock), age 77, of Miamiville, OH, on June 18, 2025, following a very short battle with a rare, aggressive cancer. Barbara was an amazing human who always put others above herself, whose smile made the world a better place, and who treated everyone like family. She never met a stranger.

In 1950 he started at Cincinnati Country Day which he attended through the 10th grade, lettering in basketball and baseball. It was during these early years he developed his lifelong obsession with golf. After 10th grade he attended The Taft School in Watertown Connecticut, where he played soccer, basketball and baseball, again lettering in all sports.

After graduating from Taft in 1956, he attended Washington & Lee College, graduating in 1960 with a degree in History, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. At W & L he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and played and lettered in soccer, basketball and tennis.

As a reserve officer, he served in the Army Transportation Corp in Berlin, Germany, from 1961 through 1962 during the building of the wall that separated East and West Germany until 1989. He received an honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant in October 1968.

Rocky’s professional career for 38 years was with Exxon Oil Co., primarily in marketing and then property management. He retired from Exxon in 1998, but continued to work as an independent business broker for another 17 years until he fully retired around 2015.

He was an avid and competitive golfer, playing regularly throughout his life. He was a long-time member of the Country Club of Maryland and an active member of Maryland Presbyterian Church and then Towson Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife Mary D. Gaut; 3 daughters from his first marriage (Sandra Bain Fink) Halle von Kessler, Emily Little, Carrie Gaut - all of Baltimore; 2 step children, Rachel Morgan Spencer of Roanoke , David Morgan of Baltimore; and 8 grandchildren: Cullen Little of Los Angeles, Eleanor Little of Richmond, Natalie Little of Baltimore, Stella and Everett von Kessler of Baltimore, Porter and Allison Spencer of Roanoke and Chloe Morgan of Odenton.

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Barbara was born on August 20, 1946, in Middletown, Ohio. Her early years were spent with loving parents and siblings, and extended family in Rochester, New York, until the family moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, during her high-school years. It was there she met the love of her life, Michael J. Hurff, also of Chillicothe. The couple would have celebrated their 57th anniversary this July. Barbara was a Pre-K teacher at Cincinnati Country Day School for 23 years. In retirement, she enjoyed time with family and friends, but especially time with her four grandchildren.

Barbara leaves behind her loving husband, Michael Hurff, her daughter Carrie (Hurff) Hughes, her son and daughter-in-law Ryan and Heather (Surkamp) Hurff, grandchildren Lauren Hughes (Joseph VonWahlde), Taylor Hughes (fiancé Anthony Giometti), Ella Hurff and Rocco Hurff. She was the loving sister to Mary K. LaRock, S.S.J., James LaRock, John (Jill) LaRock, the late Lt. Col. Thomas (Maria) LaRock, Jr., and William (Missy) LaRock.

She was also sister-in-law to the late Linda (Michael) Rourke, the late Edward (Jennifer) Hurff, and Matthew (Rebecca) Hurff. She leaves behind countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was proceeded in death by her parents Thomas and Mary (Orth) LaRock and her parents-in-law Edward and Norma (Staat) Hurff.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the sympathy, comforting words, prayers, and all expressions of kindness and concern.

Nancy (Titus) Johnson ’85 Nancy Titus Johnson, age 58, passed away on November 2, 2025, at home, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.

In addition to her husband of 34 years, David Johnson, she is survived by her brother, Curtis Elliot Titus, and his wife, Vivian, of Saugus, MA; her sisters, Dr. Margaret A. Titus and her husband, Dr. Gaku Ashiba, of Roseville, MN; Pamela Titus Boyd and her husband, Bradley Boyd, of DeLand, FL; Laura Titus Tang and her husband, Dr. Chi Tang, of Charlotte, NC; and Dr. Lavinia Resor Law Hultgren (nee Titus) and her husband, Geoff Hultgren, of Oregonia, OH; as well as her children, Autumn Johnson of Nashville, TN; Forrest Johnson and his wife, Isabella Johnson, of Charlotte, NC; Danae Johnson of Boone, NC; Acadia Johnson of Greensboro, NC; and her grandson, Daniel Titus Johnson.

She was born on March 16, 1967, in Danbury, CT along with her twin sister Laura, to Nancy Noyes Grimes and Curtis Vest Titus. She graduated from Cincinnati Country Day School in 1985, Williams College in 1989 with a B.A. in biology, and Ohio University in 1991 with an M.S. in zoology. She married David Johnson on August 17, 1991.

Deeply moved by a passion for the gospel, she and her husband moved to Almaty, Kazakhstan in December 1994 as full-time missionaries. During the 13 years they spent in Kazakhstan, they ministered to high school and college age students through English clubs, developed an evangelism program through their local church, and helped a local pastor plant a church. While in Almaty, Nancy wrote and published a cookbook of her favorite recipes, in English and Russian. People still use her recipes to this day. All four of her children were born in the US while she was living in Kazakhstan: Autumn (1997), Forrest (2000), Danae (2003), and Acadia (2006).

Nancy began teaching alongside her husband in Dongguan, China in 2008, then in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 2011, then again in Dongguan, China in 2014, and Tirana, Albania in 2019.

While Nancy moved on to full time teaching, her heart to share the good news of Jesus Christ never changed and she continued to share the love of Christ through the way she raised her children, taught her students, and opened her home to people in every country she lived. Her hospitality was her ministry throughout her life.

Dr. Marcus H. “Marc” Mendenhall ’76 Marcus Holden Mendenhall, a recently retired physicist with the Nanomechanical Properties Group in the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), died on April 28, 2025. He joined NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) in 2014 and retired in late 2024 but remained active in the NIST community and had participated in Take Our Kids To Work Day (TOKTWD) just four days prior to his death. He was 65. His colleagues loved his encyclopedic and intricate knowledge of the physical sciences, boundless energy, dogged determination, genuine goodness, and dry sense of humor. Marc was born on January 31, 1959, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Cincinnati Country Day School in 1976 and pursued his undergraduate college studies at Washington University in St. Louis, where he began as a biology major but switched to physics because he thought it was easier. While there, he founded the student J.R.R. Tolkien Society and discovered a love of baroque and Renaissance music. Marc learned to play several musical instruments, particularly the hammered dulcimer. He received his Ph.D. in experimental physics from Caltech in Pasadena, California, in 1983, and landed at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1986, where he worked on various physics and electrical engineering projects. In the early 1990s, he was associate director for operations of the Vanderbilt/Keck Medical Free Electron Laser Center, an international user facility providing mid-infrared laser light for a wide variety of physics, chemistry and medicine research. He joined NIST in 2014 to work on various projects in precision X-ray metrology and powder diffraction standards and collaborated closely with Jim Cline and Albert Henins in the MML, and Csilla Szabo-Foster in NIST’s Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). The standard reference materials and measurement methods that he helped to develop now allow researchers to study crystalline structures in exceedingly fine detail — knowledge that will lead to new medicines, ceramics, metals, semiconductors and polymers.

Marc’s colleagues and collaborators remember him fondly. Mark Ladicola, an engineer in MML’s Mechanical Performance Group, remembers his first encounter with Marc: “I met Marcus at a conference just before he came to NIST,” Ladicola says. “He was very enthusiastic and was explaining to me small details about a project that required integrating many disparate transducers into an experiment. He showed how he did not just want to get

it to work, but wanted to make sure it was done ‘right.’

I immediately thought, ‘He’s going to fit in at NIST just fine!’ I will miss him and his enthusiasm for science and encouraging the kids.” “Marcus was a knowledge powerhouse,” says colleague and friend Csilla SzaboFoster, a physicist in PML’s Dosimetry Group. “You could ask him about anything — I mean ANYTHING — and you had to be ready for him to give a mini lecture on the subject. At work he always had several projects going and was always helping anyone who asked his help. It was a privilege to have been able to work with him and to know him. We’ll miss him very much.” “My initial acquaintance with Marcus occurred in the mid-1990s through my collaborations with Dick Deslattes of the Quantum Metrology Division,” says friend and colleague Jim Cline, a materials research engineer in MML’s Nanomechanical Properties Group. “In the late 1990s, I started building what would become known as the Parallel Beam Diffractometer (PBD). Marcus developed the code to control this machine, but the PBD’s readout electronics were not compatible with the desired computer architecture. The solution was a device that mapped the memory locations of the two devices into one another.

The instruction manual began with a comically noted warning: ‘No Fast Start, Read the Entire Manual.’ My technical background was not consistent with an ability to understand a great deal about this effort, but a coworker did attend as Marcus proceeded with the device’s installation. At one point, as reported to me, Marcus was literally throwing semi-random input into the device and then using the response to rationalize the device’s operation. This was my first experience of an ‘only Marcus’ technical accomplishment. It was by no means the last.

Marcus will be sorely missed.”

Mendenhall met his wife Cheryl, a graphic communications and English/creative writing major from New Jersey, at a Bethel Lutheran Church student spaghetti supper while at Washington University. The two married in 1981 and had two children, Michael and Rose. During his time in Tennessee, Mendenhall served as an assistant Scoutmaster, Holy Trinity Lutheran councilperson and choir member, and participated in post-Katrina and Nashville flood relief projects. When he and his family moved to Maryland, he continued to share his musical, educational, and hands-on gifts with the people of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the wider community. During the COVID lockdown, he manufactured PPE for frontline workers on his home 3D printer. Mendenhall is survived by his wife Cheryl, sister Lisa, son Michael, and daughter Rose.

Anne Murray Moss – Former MS Music Teacher Anne was born September 22, 1947, in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up there. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hollins College (VA), a music diploma from Hochschule für Musik (Munich, Germany), and a Master of Music degree and Music Education Certification from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. She taught music in Cincinnati Public Schools and at Cincinnati Country Day School for more than two decades. At Country Day, Anne taught in the Lower School for one year (1978-1979) and in the Middle School for eleven years (from September of 1987 through May of 1998). While teaching in the Middle School, Anne created and directed “The Dynamics”, a choir of Country Day students that performed to much acclaim around Cincinnati; inaugurated, produced, and directed the Middle School cabaret; and was an integral part of the eighth-grade musical. In 1979, Anne founded The Musical Arts Center with Karl Resnik (and others) and in 1987 established her own private voice studio, The Music House.

There, for the rest of her life, she created a nurturing space for voice students of all ages and ability levels. Dearly loved by her students and many friends, Anne passed away on May 5, 2025. Anne was honored in a memorial program on October 12, 2025, at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church where she attended and occasionally sang in the choir.

Anne was a gentle soul who devoted her life to helping others, as well as caring for numerous cats and dogs.

She loved freedom, was curious, and found joy in life’s simple moments. She enjoyed traveling and took several trips to Central America with friends. Her empathy and capacity for connection transcended culture, language, and distance. Anne spent her life mentoring and teaching others who will carry her legacy forward through music.

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