Connections Spring - 2026

SPRING 2026

KNOWN. NURTURED. INSPIRED.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Reception for Former Faculty and Staff – 4:00 p.m. entennial Reception – 5:30 p.m.

C Alumni, current and former faculty and staff, and parents of alumni gather for a special evening featuring dinner by the bite and drinks.

Homecoming Football Game – 7:00 p.m.

Country Day vs. Clermont Northeastern

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Alumni Breakfast – 10:00 a.m.

Breakfast honoring the Class of 1976 and 50+ year alumni. Includes the presentation of the Virtue in Action and Distinguished Alumni awards.

Centennial Celebration Gala – 6:30 p.m.

All events are gratis, courtesy of the Alumni Association.

Classes ending in ’1 and ’6 will celebrate their reunions this year. Please contact Peter Fossett ’80, associate director of alumni and legacy giving, at 513.979.0283 or fossettp@countryday.net with any questions.

As our 100th academic year came to a close, the Country Day community marked the occasion with an extraordinary Giving Day celebration.

Through Givin’ on Given, alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends came together to honor a century of excellence and invest in the future of our school. Thanks to that incredible support, we surpassed our Giving Day goal, raising more than $202,000 and securing over $1.05 million for the Country Day Fund this year.

The impact of this generosity will be felt across every corner of campus, helping ensure that the energy, opportunity, and excellence celebrated throughout this milestone year continue for every student who walks through our doors. We are deeply grateful to all who helped make Giving Day such a meaningful finale to an unforgettable year.

Dear Members of the Country Day Community, This is a remarkable season in the life of Cincinnati Country Day School. In September 1926, our school opened its doors to its first students – all 55 of them. This fall, we will celebrate 100 years of Country Day: 100 years of teachers, students, alumni, traditions, and legacies, all rooted in academic excellence, character development, and community.

In many ways, the celebration has already begun. On May 2, more than 1,000 members of our community gathered on campus for our centennial arts celebration – CCDShowcase – a joyful, exuberant, and fittingly creative kickoff to this historic year. It was a reminder that Country Day is not merely a historic school filled with tradition, but a living community still bursting with energy, dynamism, and possibility.

Now we turn toward September, when our centennial celebrations will reach peak excitement. We will welcome alumni and former faculty back to campus for a centennial reception on September 18, we will gather for a gala celebration on September 19, and we will mark our official birthday with our students at an all-school event on September 28. These events will give us the chance to honor the generations who built this school and to celebrate those who carry it forward into a second century.

As we approach our 100th anniversary, I am filled with pride and gratitude. Our founders could scarcely have imagined the Country Day of today: a vibrant, innovative, nationally respected school preparing nearly 850 students for a world they themselves could not have foreseen. And yet, I believe our founders would recognize the same spirit they breathed into life all those years ago.

Happy birthday, Country Day!

Rob Zimmerman ’98 Head of School

Scan above to watch the 2026 State of the School video, an imaginative and gently irreverent tribute to our founding trustees’ vision, inspired by the Saturday Night Live sketch “Washington’s Dream.”

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SOUND BITES

“AI is still evolving and is in the early, maybe even middle, stages of what’s possible. It’s another tool, like the internet and the mobile phone, that came with a lot of fear. But with those technologies, we learned how they could become indispensable parts of everyday life.

AI is going to change how we do things, and we need to make sure we steer it in a positive direction.”

– Jason Douglas ’00 (pg. 13)

“BEING A PART OF THE WINTER MUSICAL WAS TRULY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF MY JUNIOR YEAR. FROM PLAYING ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD IN THE FALL TO RUNNING LAPS AROUND THE TRACK IN THE SPRING, THE MUSICAL PROVIDES AN ARTISTIC BREAK IN MY YEAR. BEING ABLE TO PERFORM ON STAGE IS SOMETHING I ENJOY, AND DOING IT WITH PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE SAME PASSION AND DEDICATION AS I DO MAKES IT THAT MUCH BETTER.” – Leon Hall ’27 (pg. 24) 2 | CONNECTIONS

“I appreciate the independence I was given as a student, along with the opportunity to engage in real dialogue with faculty and staff. I encourage current students to do the same, to remain curious and open to unexpected paths.”

“I am excited to join the Country Day community, where college counseling is rooted in authentic relationships and a shared commitment to the full arc of a student’s independent school journey.”

– Stephen Jackson, who will assume the role of director of college counseling in July 2026 upon the retirement of Sarah Beyreis (pg. 12)

– Ilana Habib ’11 (pg. 22)

“The Class of 2026 has represented the school with class and character all year long. “Their understated but unmistakable leadership has left Country Day better than they found it.”

– Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98

“THE GIRLS HAVE TRULY EMBRACED LEARNING THE GAME AND THE CONCEPTS OF FLAG FOOTBALL, AND IT’S BEEN INCREDIBLE TO WATCH THEIR GROWTH.” – Dennis Coyle, head flag football coach (pg. 30)

FEATURES 5

The Perfect Formula:

Paula Butler in Her Element

Mission in Action 26

A Year of Impact: Celebrating our Inaugural Teaching Fellows

39

Jessica Chen ’26 Earns Country Day Award, School’s Highest Student Honor

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Last Words by René J. Peters Jr. ’09: Standing Alone, Speaking for Many

Also in this issue 7 A Day in the Life of a Country Day Freshman

18 CCDShowcase: A Centennial Celebration of the Arts 28

Athletic Hall of Fame

40

Arts Hall of Fame

46

Centennial Spotlight

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18

10

Across Our Campus

14

AI @ Country Day

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Around the World

20

Off Campus

38

Record-Breakers

48 Parting Words: Student Council President Lilly Shafer ’26

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50

Class Notes

61

In Memoriam

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ON THE COVER:

Seniors Vanca Pandey and Leah Coyle embracing a newer Country Day tradition: the Last Bell, when seniors gather in the US Commons for the last bell of their last day of high school.

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, athletics, or other school-administered programs.

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HOW DO YOU UNPLUG FROM SCREENS? With so much of our daily routines tied to screens, stepping away to unplug has never been more essential. We invited members of our community to share how they disconnect and recharge.

Sean Kaufenberg ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS MANAGER

“Play golf.”

Cameron Orr

CLASS OF 2028

“I unplug from screens by going outside or spending time with my family and friends. I try to remember that I can always find other time for screens, but the time with my friends and family is limited, and I should value it.”

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Sally Dwyer Hernandez ’05

Dan Wood

“Puzzles! I constantly have a puzzle on my desk that I can escape to when I need a break from screens (and the kids!).”

“I go for a walk, hike in the woods, read a book, work in the yard, and spend time with my family and friends.”

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER

COUNTRY DAY PARENT

Lauren Legette ’07

CHIEF OF STAFF AT GOOGLE

“I’ve learned that the best notifications are the ones you never see. I keep my phone on Do Not Disturb until mid-morning to protect my headspace from the digital noise. Once I’ve cleared my to-do list, I trade blue light for sunlight and head outside for as much fresh air as possible. If I need to be entertained, I skip the scroll and reach for a book or a record instead. My best advice? Don’t just unplug— reconnect with the real world.”

Mia Kellenberger CLASS OF 2027

“Unplugging from screens is something that took me a long time to figure out, mainly because I’m usually always close to my phone, in case something happens and I need to respond. But sometimes, that begins to stress me out. So, when I need to take a break from screens, I usually do something that takes my mind off everything around me. Whether that’s going for a walk or even just taking a nap, I find that unplugging from your screens is sometimes exactly what you need.”

Peter Niehoff ’05

AUTHOR & INSTRUCTOR IN FILM STUDIES

“As a film instructor, this is especially difficult. My favorite way to unplug is to read a real book, not an eReader or tablet, but a book made from paper and ink. A screen cannot replace the tangibility of turning pages; not to mention there is nothing like perusing a bookshelf and stumbling upon something you didn’t know existed.”

The Perfect Formula: PAULA BUTLER IN HER ELEMENT By: Melanie Young ’29

Upper School chemistry teacher Paula Butler has made significant contributions to Cincinnati Country Day School throughout her 35 years of teaching at CCDS. Her impact on the school and on the students who walk its halls is immeasurable. Read on to learn more about this incredible Country Day icon.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST YEAR AND FIRST JOB AT COUNTRY DAY? “My first year was 1991, and I was teaching many of the same things I teach now. I taught AP Chemistry and Chemistry, and I believe I also taught General Chemistry that first year.”

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO COUNTRY DAY? “I was teaching at an international school, and when I was ready to return to the United States, I was looking at schools in Ohio, since that’s where my family lived. I became aware of an opening at CCDS; it was the first opening in that position in 35 years. I felt like it was meant to be, and the rest is history.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THE CCDS COMMUNITY? “The students here are terrific, and my colleagues are dedicated and engaging. It’s really fun to teach students who want to learn, and that has been true since I started here. I have the privilege of teaching students who are enthusiastic about learning, even in a challenging subject like chemistry. I also enjoy working with the parents, who are highly involved and invested in the school’s success. And it’s especially meaningful to be here long enough to teach younger siblings or even the children of my former students.”

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DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A TEACHER, OR DID YOU HAVE OTHER CAREER ASPIRATIONS? “Ever since I started tutoring my peers in high school, I’ve had the teaching bug.”

WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED EVERY DAY TO COME TO WORK? “Doing something new every day. I love the subject I teach, and we have a lot of fun in class doing experiments, demonstrations, and in-class challenges.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER CONNECTIONS TO COUNTRY DAY OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM? “One of the greatest things has been having our son attend school here from pre-K through his graduation in 2020. I got to wear the Country Day parent hat for all those years. I also started the Science Olympiad team and have remained a coach. I am a co-advisor of the Students Helping Students program, and a co-chair of the new faculty mentoring program.”

TELL ME ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES FROM YOUR TIME TEACHING. “One of my favorite adventures was in 2019, when Mrs. [Jamie] Back, Mr. [Marcus] Twyford, and I took a group of Science Olympiad team members to a competition at MIT. We flew to Boston with all our gear and spent the weekend there. Other great memories include the summer bike trips I led in the 1990s. Mr. [Matt] Dahl and I led 300-mile week-long trips across the Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan.”

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HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR STUDENTS? “It takes patience and intention. The biggest thing is getting to know students outside of chemistry class, ironically. Seeing what they do beyond the classroom is really important. When they know I see them as whole people, it makes it easier to have honest conversations about challenges they may face in the classroom.”

I HEARD A RUMOR THAT YOU ARE MAKING IT YOUR PERSONAL MISSION TO REACH OUT TO FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF TO INVITE THEM TO HOMECOMING IN SEPTEMBER. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO COME BACK FOR THAT CENTENNIAL MILESTONE? “I love the people I’ve worked with over the years.

There have been remarkable colleagues who have made enormous contributions to this community!

Some have spent decades here, while others stayed for a short time yet had a lasting impact.

To be able to see them again and reconnect, and for them to meet up with former students, will be incredibly meaningful. It’s worth its weight in gold.”

INTRODUCING OUR NEW TRUSTEE:

Dr. Oya Aran

Dr. Oya Aran serves as the director of AI and data transformation at Procter & Gamble, where she leads initiatives at the intersection of technology and R&D. Before transitioning to her leadership and industry role at P&G, Oya spent over a decade in international research and academia, notably as a professor at De La Salle University in the Philippines and a research fellow at the Idiap Research Institute in Switzerland, focusing on multimodal computational modeling of social behavior and human interaction. Oya holds a PhD, master’s degree, and bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey, and is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Oya loves sailing, trying all kinds of sports, and doing pottery. She and her husband, Onur, live in Montgomery and are proud Country Day parents of Ece ’29 and Deniz ’33.

Will Lindner ’07 and Chase Shiels ’04 will join the board as the new Alumni Council representatives, while Sarah Habib ’07 and Holly Mott ’95 will transition from Alumni Council representatives to at-large trustees.

Paula with coworker Dr. Jeanette Hecker and recent Arts Hall of Fame inductee Rob Patterson ’02.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our new trustees as well as to the trustees whose terms are concluding this year: Chris Cicchinelli and Peter Klekamp. We deeply appreciate their commitment to our school community.

A Day in the Life of a Country Day Freshman (as told by Omar Mahmud ’29) 6:00 A.M.

Morning routine. “I usually make my bed first thing in the morning, then check my phone for notifications, shower, brush my teeth, and eat breakfast. I live in Loveland, so we’re usually out the door by 7 a.m. I like to get to school by 7:30 a.m. so I can shoot hoops in the South Gym before classes start.”

8:00 A.M.

11:45 A.M.

Planning for next year. “This week, we used advisory as a time to plan next year’s schedule.

I’m considering AP Computer Science, Video Production, AP Bio, Pre-AP BC, Pre-AP Spanish, Honors British Lit, and Honors Modern History.

I’m most excited about taking AP Bio.”

12:15 P.M.

Advisory. “My advisor is Ms. Rabovsky, and we have a pretty chill advisory. I usually turn in my phone when I get there and then talk with my friends or get ahead on homework.”

Mid-day break. “I know it’s not an exciting lunch, but my favorite is when we have chicken sandwiches. On Cookie Wednesday, I love the double chocolate cookie. And I always have a chocolate milk at lunch.”

8:18 A.M.

12:50 P.M.

9:33 A.M.

1:35 PM.

Honors Freshman Science. “We’re learning about mitosis and meiosis, and we recently examined onion root cells under a microscope and identified each phase. I like the hands-on approach to science; it keeps me engaged in what I’m learning.”

Office Hours. “I like having the option to stop by a teacher’s office if I need help with something or am working through test corrections. Like before my last science test, it was helpful to stop in and ask Mr. Dahl a question I had about sodium-potassium pumps. If I don’t need to talk with a teacher, then I usually use this time to hang out with friends or study.”

10:30 A.M.

Algebra. “We just finished natural logarithm problems and are now preparing for an upcoming test.”

3:20 P.M.

After school. “Until about 6 p.m., I usually do basketball workouts in the North Gym or South Gym, sometimes with others, sometimes solo. I try to get my homework done during the school day so I can train consistently after school.”

7:00 P.M.

Basketball. “I’m on a spring and summer local AAU team, so every Tuesday and Thursday I have AAU basketball practice at Walnut Hills.”

9:00 P.M.

Home at last. “I usually get home and then eat dinner around 9:15 p.m. After that, I shower, pray, journal, and stretch for about 15 minutes. I try to get to bed by 10:30 p.m. so I get enough sleep.”

Club time. “In Science Olympiad, we’re preparing for the state competition. I think it’s the 18th year in a row that Country Day has competed. In Photo Club, we’re working on a project for the CCDShowcase, using old yearbook photos to add some texture to a community art installation.”

Free bell. “As a freshman, I get two free bells during the week. Usually, it is four, but I’m taking Health class, which takes up two of those bells. When I do have a free bell, I usually use this time to lift weights in the weight room or get extra work done.”

2:05 P.M.

English. “This is one of my favorite classes of the day. Right now, we’re reading The Other Wes Moore and working on vocabulary. We did a lot of group reading for Romeo and Juliet, which we read last quarter, where you get to choose which character you would like to read.”

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CountryDate 2026: An Après Ski Affair brought the Country Day community together on Saturday, February 28, for an evening that transformed the Little Miami Brewing Event Center into something more reminiscent of a glamorous alpine ski resort.

More than 300 Country Day parents, alumni, faculty, and friends gathered for an evening of laughter, dancing, and Country Day spirit. And the community fully committed to the theme!

From retro one-piece ski suits and Fair Isle sweaters to down vests, thermal layers, and multi-colored ski socks, the après aesthetic was embraced with Olympic-level enthusiasm.

Inside, the venue’s transformation was nothing short of magical. Thanks to the vision and tireless work of event co-chairs Sally Hernandez ’05 and Jenna Milligan, guests enjoyed a winter wonderland — complete with igloo, mountains, evergreens, and even snowfall. Their creativity and passion elevated every detail and made the evening feel like a true alpine escape.

Guests enjoyed delicious food, a full-service bar with wintery signature cocktails, and the tireless energy of DJ Jon Jon, who kept the dance floor rocking well into the night.

Beyond the celebration itself, CountryDate once again demonstrated the extraordinary generosity and spirit of the Country Day community. The event received more than $110,000 in sponsorship support from over 60 families and businesses — support that strengthens the school’s mission and helps sustain the vibrant experiences and opportunities that define Country Day. CountryDate continues to serve as one of the school’s signature community traditions, bringing together alumni, parents, faculty, and friends in support of Country Day and its future.

We are deeply grateful to all who attended, sponsored, and supported this year’s event, and we look forward to continuing the tradition next year.

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Across Our

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Across our 60-acre campus, every corner becomes a space for connection, creativity, and discovery. It is more than a backdrop; our campus actively shapes how we learn, collaborate, and grow together.

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1. Hundreds came together for Multicultural Night to celebrate the richness, beauty, and strength of our diverse community.

2. Gili Arnold ’36 dressed up as Christiano Ronaldo for the second-grade wax museum project.

3. Mr. Morawski can’t contain his excitement at the Kindergarten House Reveal!

4. An annual tradition, Country Day hosted a naturalization ceremony, during which 46 individuals were sworn in as United States citizens.

5. Sally Hernandez ’05, Sarah Habib ’07, Angela Barber-Joiner, and Johanna Brun at Hold the Phone 4.0: The Great Tech Tune-Up. 6. Ria Patel ’27 and Jessica Chen ’26 speaking as part of the student-led discussion panel during the Upper School’s annual Diversity Conference.

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ur campus

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7. Fourth graders dressed up as famous inventors for their Invention Convention.

8. Taiwanese exchange students enjoying their visit with their Country Day counterparts.

9. The 13 new seniors who were inducted into the Cum Laude Society.

10. Third graders head to the pool during their campus campout this spring.

11. The Upper School Nighthawk Choir teamed up with Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy’s Upper School Choir for the inaugural Cincinnati Independent School Choir Festival.

12. Middle Schoolers participating in an Earth Day service project.

13. It is always great to have recent alums back on campus to present about college life during Senior Seminar!

14. Mrs. Timme’s first-grade class shows off their city project.

15. Members of the Middle School Power of the Pen team competed at the regional competition hosted at Country Day, where Alena Li ’31 and Winston Douglas ’31 made school history as our first-ever 7th-grade state qualifiers for Power of the Pen state competition.

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CCDS NAMES STEPHEN JACKSON AS NEXT DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING We are pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Jackson as our next director of college counseling. Stephen will assume the role in July 2026, succeeding Sarah Beyreis following her retirement at the conclusion of the school year after more than two decades of outstanding service to the Country Day community.

“I am excited to join the Country Day community, where college counseling is rooted in authentic relationships and a shared commitment to the full arc of a student’s independent school journey,” says Stephen. “It is a privilege to support students and families through such an important and transformative chapter of growth and discovery.”

Stephen brings more than 25 years of experience in independent school education, including extensive leadership in college counseling, teaching, coaching, admissions, and senior administration. Visit our website to read the full announcement.

Please join us in welcoming Stephen and his family as we begin this exciting new chapter for our college counseling program.

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CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF YVONNE GREEN AND SARAH BEYREIS Family, friends, co-workers, and former students gathered to celebrate the retirement of Sarah Beyreis and Yvonne Green and to honor the lasting impact both have had on the school community.

Since joining Country Day in 2005, Sarah Beyreis has guided hundreds of students and families through the college admissions process with wisdom, care, and a deeply personalized approach. In addition to serving as director of college counseling, Sarah served as an English teacher, advisor to The Scroll, academic dean, and leader of numerous school initiatives throughout her two decades at Country Day. Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 reflected on Sarah’s impact, saying, “Sarah Beyreis has worn many hats in her two decades at Country Day, but her biggest impact came one student at a time, guiding families through major life decisions with keen insight and generosity of spirit.”

The community also celebrated Yvonne Green, who served as the welcoming heart of the College Counseling Office for more than 20 years. Yvonne retired in 2024 due to medical reasons, making the retirement celebration especially meaningful as it marked her first time back on campus in two years.

Scan here to read more!

“Yvonne Green served Country Day with passion, dedication, and a razor-sharp wit for more than 20 years,” said Zimmerman. “Anyone who had the privilege to work with her is better because of it.”

We thank Sarah and Yvonne for their years of service, leadership, and care for the Country Day community. Their impact will continue to be felt for generations of students to come.

JASON DOUGLAS ’00 GOT IN EARLY ON LAPTOPS, NOW HE’S HELPING SHAPE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE His path from Country Day to OpenAI mirrors the evolution of modern technology itself.

Artificial intelligence (AI) might be the hottest topic of conversation in the past decade, with no sign of slowing down. For Jason Douglas ’00, it’s just the latest in a series of major technological shifts he has experienced firsthand. He attended Country Day just as the school was instituting the nation’s first one-to-one laptop program, and he and his friends quickly became enamored with the machines.

Jason went on to attend Harvard University, where he double majored in computer science and economics.

Later, while working at Apple, he found himself in the “right place at the right time.” The first iPhone had just been released, giving him the opportunity to work on the first iteration of the App Store, back when not many people even knew what an app was. He also contributed to the first version of Apple’s AI assistant, Siri.

“Country Day encouraged us to pursue our interests in computers,” says Jason. “For me, it eventually shifted toward using technology as a tool for science.

Mrs. [Paula] Butler was my mentor for the Intel Science and Engineering Fair my junior year, where I won first place. I took something I was good at – computers – and combined it with something new to me: molecular biology.”

“While technology is always changing, you don’t often get to be part of a major societal shift in technological history,” says Jason.

Jason, his wife, Freya, and their son, Winson ’31, celebrate Winston’s second-place finish at the regional Power of the Pen competition.

Now a member of the technical staff at OpenAI (a company that isn’t big on titles), Jason works daily on projects that help companies enter the world of AI and explore how it can improve their businesses. Just as he witnessed a major technological shift at Apple, he sees similar patterns emerging with AI. “AI is still evolving and is in the early, maybe even middle, stages of what’s possible. It’s another tool, like the internet and the mobile phone, that came with a lot of fear. But with those technologies, we learned how they could become indispensable parts of everyday life. AI is going to change how we do things, and we need to make sure we steer it in a positive direction.”

So, with new technologies evolving faster than ever, what advice does Jason have for students interested in pursuing a career in tech or computer programming?

“My biggest piece of advice is not to focus too much on a specific career path or worry about taking the ‘right’ courses. Find a personal project you’re passionate about and figure out how to use technology to support it. That’s how you’ll learn whether you truly enjoy it. There are so many tools available now, and it’s easier than ever to explore your interests and build something meaningful.”

Jason has one final piece of advice for Country Day students: “Try different things. I feel lucky to have tried – and failed at – many things at Country Day. This is a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of interests. Many of my experiences have stayed with me, from playing sports, even though I wasn’t the most athletic, to writing for The Scroll for many years, to participating in Math Olympiad. You may not get another chance to try so many different things later in life, so take advantage of it now.”

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AI

This year, Cincinnati Country Day School formalized its approach to artificial intelligence, grounding innovation in its longstanding In 2024, CCDS’s InvenTeam showcased commitment to thoughtful, their patent-pending bicycle safety innovation, the IllumiLane, at MIT’s disciplined learning. From a clear EurekaFest, earning national recognition position statement to student and two top awards—including the prestigious Golden Beaver Award for ambassadors and new tools, the overall excellence. Their work highlights school is intentionally shaping student-driven ingenuity tackling real-world challenges with creativity, technical skill, and how AI enhances – not replaces – impact. This year, the team has continued the work of thinking. working to get the invention patented.

In April 2026, the school adopted the following AI POSITION STATEMENT: At Cincinnati Country Day School, we approach artificial intelligence with both curiosity and discipline; we are eager to use it, but only where it strengthens learning. Guided by our academic tradition and cognitive science, we teach students to exercise judgment and discernment so that they can embrace AI when it deepens understanding and set it aside when it replaces the essential work of thinking and learning.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES • Cultivate a dynamic learning environment where AI-literate faculty explore and apply effective teaching strategies.

• Empower students to become confident, ethical, effective users of AI. • Challenge faculty and students to use AI to explore real-world problems and promote positive change.

• Ensure access to leading AI systems and tools that are familiar, reliable, and secure.

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AI AMBASSADORS & COMMITTEE In 2025, the school formed an AI committee, composed of faculty across departments and co-chaired by our director of technology and our director of makerspace and innovation design.

We also have four AI student ambassadors who provide input to this committee.

AI POLICY

We asked our two alums featured in this edition of Connections: What skills or mindsets do you believe will matter most for students growing up alongside AI? “What will matter most for students growing up alongside AI is creativity and critical thinking, because those are the areas AI still struggles to truly replicate.

AI is built on past data, so it can be useful as a tool or thought partner, but it is not a replacement for original thinking or genuinely new ideas. Students also need strong media literacy so they can question what they see, tell the difference between real and fake content, and think carefully about the information in front of them.”

– Ilana Habib ’11

One of the results of the committee’s work is the creation of an AI academic assignment usage policy so we have common language and expectations around AI usage in the classroom.

AI AGENT

“We should keep learning the things we’re learning. AI is a powerful tool; it can really enhance what we do, but it can also be dangerous if we just blindly believe what it tells us. A lot of skills may become obsolete in the coming years, but we don’t really know which ones yet.

You still need to be a good writer to recognize good writing, and a good coder to give it the right prompts.

So, let’s keep investing in the fundamentals and becoming experts in our fields, instead of throwing everything we’re learning out the window.”

– Jason Douglas ’00

In 2025, the school developed an AI agent – a learning science coach – in Copilot 365, with the purpose of helping students retain and master knowledge.

We may be the only school in the city – if not the region – that has created a multi-modal Socratic tutor such as this.

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around the world From international exchanges to outdoor adventures, Country Day students stepped beyond campus to experience the world as their classroom. Whether across the globe or just beyond our campus, these journeys foster independence, deepen connections to the world around us, and bring our mission to life in meaningful and lasting ways.

INDEPENDENCE ON THE SLOPES AND BEYOND A long-standing rite of passage at Country Day, the annual 5th Grade Ski Trip to Peek’n Peak in Clymer, New York, gave the Class of 2033 their first taste of adventure away from campus.

Students spent their days skiing and tubing on the slopes, but also experienced increased independence while making new memories to last a lifetime.

WHERE CURRICULUM MEETS EXPLORATION The fifth grade Nashville trip blended travel and hands-on learning into an enriching educational experience.

Students deepened their study of Ancient Greece with a visit to the Parthenon in Centennial Park, the world’s only full scale replica of the original Athenian temple.

The trip also included a tour of Vanderbilt University and a guided visit to Mammoth Cave, where lessons in science and geography connect to Greek mythology. Cultural experiences throughout Nashville added an engaging and memorable dimension to this well-rounded journey beyond the classroom.

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CONFIDENCE THROUGH CHALLENGE Sixth graders traveled to Camp Joy for an engaging outdoor learning experience that combined science, teamwork, and fun.

Students explored astronomy through handson activities and challenged themselves on the ropes course, building confidence and supporting one another along the way. The trip was filled with excitement, discovery, and memorable moments shared with friends.

HISTORY, TRADITION, AND LIVING CULTURE Seventh graders traveled to Cherokee, North Carolina for an immersive experience connected to their Culture Studies curriculum.

Students engaged directly with Cherokee history and traditions, learning about Native American culture in the place where it lives today.

Conversations, site visits, and hands-on experiences helped bring regional history into sharper focus.

LEARNING ON A BIGGER STAGE TURNING EXCHANGE INTO CONNECTION CCDS students continued a longstanding exchange partnership with Collège St. André in Colmar, France, participating in immersive learning both inside and beyond the classroom. While abroad, students attended classes with their French peers, explored historic cities, and engaged directly with the region’s culture and daily life. Shared classes, conversations, and daily routines helped turn new acquaintances into meaningful friendships.

Students explored the energy of New York City through media, theater, and iconic landmarks. The trip included a TV and movie tour, visits to the Museum of the Moving Image and NBC Studios, time in Times Square, and Broadway performances of Hamilton and The Play That Goes Wrong. From historic landmarks to bright stages and skyline views, the city itself became the classroom.with friends.

IMMERSED IN CULTURE Upper School students traveled to Taiwan as part of a growing exchange partnership with Tzu Chi Senior High School, immersing themselves in local culture and life with host families. Students explored wetlands by boat, hiked to waterfalls, visited Yehliu Geopark, completed a 42 mile bike ride, and created handmade chopsticks. The experience strengthened cross-cultural connections and reinforced the long term partnership between the two schools.

TOGETHER FOR THE FINAL STRETCH EXPLORING HISTORY WHERE IT HAPPENED A staple of the middle school experience, this trip brings classroom learning to life through visits to historic and civic landmarks in Washington, D.C. Students explore sites such as the Holocaust Museum and the National Mall, engaging with history, government, and national culture firsthand. From memorials to museums, learning took shape through the sights, spaces, and stories of the nation’s capital.

The senior rafting trip offered the Class of 2026 a meaningful opportunity to grow, lead, and support one another as they prepared for their final year. More than just an adventure, the experience brought the class together through shared challenges and traditions that strengthen lasting bonds. This year’s seniors embraced the outdoors, tackling whitewater rafting along with climbing, zip lining, hiking, and team building activities.

Through teamwork and perseverance, students returned more connected, confident, and ready for the final stretch of their CCDS journey.

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A Centennial Celebration of the Arts By: Ali Zimmerman ’26

This spring, Cincinnati Country Day School hosted the most ambitious celebration of the arts in its history, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and families for a weekend dedicated to creativity and community, and it was a roaring success.

Jim Taylor ’77, Susan Pepper ’95, and Rob Patterson ’02. The ceremony provided an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the lasting impact these artists have made both on CCDS and beyond.

The weekend began on Friday, May 1, with the Arts Hall of Fame induction ceremony, during which we welcomed faculty member Lois Rust and three new alumni into our Arts Hall of Fame:

The following day marked the beginning of the school’s centennial celebration and its first-ever Day of the Arts — a true community-wide event.

Artwork was displayed from every grade level, spanning Pre-K II through the senior class, highlighting the growth and creativity of students across the years. Performances filled the day with entertainment in the amphitheater, Keeler Theater, and the MS Commons as students, faculty, and alumni all took the stage. Across campus, artist talks, exhibitions, a Hall of Fame panel, and interactive activities gave attendees more opportunities to engage with the creative process.

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That afternoon, the band and choir performed their end-of-the-year concerts, and Mr. [Greg] Miller’s original piece “Virtue In Action” was performed by a combined CCDS choir. This score was composed by Nighthawk community members for Country Day’s 100th anniversary, and many attendees described its performance as the “most moving part of the day.”

As a whole, this weekend of art demonstrated how central the arts are to the culture and identity of Country Day. A large portion of the community came together not only to observe artistic achievement but to reaffirm its value in education.

LYRICS OF “VIRTUE IN ACTION” The light is dim, a new day dawns, so we rise up and face the morning.

And step by step we’ll find our way, although no path is at our feet.

If you walk along with me, I will not fear what comes to pass.

I hear your voice ring in my ears, and when you call my heart will answer.

And with my hand tight in your own, we’ll tread a new path side by side.

We’ll march ahead with integrity, and we will do our best to lead.

The day is bright, the Sun shines warm, and may we ease each other’s burdens.

We forge a path, and where we go we find the future hand in hand.

We are the seeds tended with care, and we take shelter in each other.

And when again the Sun shines bright, we will have a grown up side by side.

Lift high the load. Go and take on the world.

Never doubt I am with you. Go find your place.

Strike out the oars, life up the meek and poor, And when we chase our wildest dreams, that’s when we craft our legacy.

We’ll meet new friends along the way, there’s always room for joy and plenty, Another hand, another voice, another family at our side.

I’ll lean on you, you lean on me, and we will sing on ‘til tomorrow.

Our song has passed a hundred years, and we will sing on evermore.

As Mr. [Rob] Zimmerman noted during the opening ceremonies, “before anything is enacted, it must first be created.” This sentiment perfectly captured the spirit of the celebration and the essential role the arts continue to play at Country Day.

And as the sun begins to shine, recall the ones who came before us.

The past has led, the future calls, together strong we’ll stand through it all.

And when the sun will rise again, we’ll tread a path that’s all our own.

Scan here to read more and view the full program!

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Outside of school, Country Day students continue to pursue their passions, challenge themselves, and achieve at remarkable levels. Whether performing on stage, competing in tournaments, creating original work, or representing their teams on international stages, these individuals exemplify the dedication, drive, and excellence that are trademarks of a Country Day student.

AUTUMN RINALDI ’27 Autumn continues to earn top honors for her musical achievements at both the state and regional levels. Most recently, she earned first place in Matinee Musicale Cincinnati’s prestigious Nancy F. Walker Scholarship Auditions and was Finalist in the Cincinnati Arts Association Overture Awards. She also won first place in the 2025 MTA Buckeye State Auditions (Senior Strings) and served as principal cellist of the OMEA All-State Orchestra. In addition to her performance success, Autumn is expanding her focus to composition.

Collaborating with Mindful Music Moments, she was co-creator of a large-scale “musical quilt” that reached over 135,000 students nationwide in the 2025-26 school year. Currently, she is exploring experimental composition techniques with the Luna Composition Lab based in New York City. She will also be featured as a cellist in a segment of Rick Steves’ A Symphonic Journey, which will be aired on PBS/CET in the upcoming year.

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EZRA COHEN ’27 Ezra (pictured third from the left) turned his passion for sports cards into a fundraiser honoring his uncle, who has Down syndrome. Ezra organized “Cards for Community” in Blue Ash, attracting more than 40 vendors and hundreds of attendees. The event raised over $10,000 for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati.

Photo credit: John Cheng

KYLIE SMITH ’29 Kylie is a member of the Women’s Junior National Team for USA Gymnastics. In February, she won the junior women’s all-around title at the USA Gymnastics Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky. She also earned gold medals on floor and bars, and a bronze medal on vault. At the Winter Cup, Kylie was selected to compete with the Junior Team at the City of Jesolo Trophy. In March, Team USA won gold in Jesolo, Italy (the Senior Team also took gold). Kylie also earned silver medals in the all-around, bars, and floor.

BENJAMIN ABES-FELDMAN ’29 Benjamin starred in the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s mainstage production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical. He played Rowley Jefferson, the Wimpy Kid’s naive and innocent best friend. Over three weeks, Benjamin performed in 22 shows, including public performances and performances for students from local schools. On opening night, he also had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with the series’ author, Jeff Kinney. Adding to the excitement, this was the first season of shows at the Children’s Theatre’s newly renovated Emery Theater in downtown Cincinnati. This marked Benjamin’s fourth mainstage production with the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, following roles in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, NARNIA The Musical, and Disney’s Finding Nemo JR.

DANIEL KLIPPERT ’31 Daniel placed third in the U1100 section of the Cincinnati Scholastic Chess League tournament, which included 300 players across all sections.

PARKER WATSON ’31 Parker won honorable mention in the U900 section. Both students are members of the chess club at Country Day and participated in the 2025 CCDS Chess Championship in November, where Parker placed first in the middle school bracket.

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Ilana Habib ’11 has never been someone to follow a set path, and she says that mindset has shaped both her early career and where she is today. Long before artificial intelligence became a mainstream topic, Ilana was already working at the forefront of the field.

At Cincinnati Country Day School, Ilana discovered the freedom to shape her own direction. She pursued photography and worked with the school’s marketing and communications team, experiences that encouraged both creativity and autonomy.

She credits Country Day with teaching her how to think, not what to think.

“I appreciate the independence I was given as a student, along with the opportunity to engage in real dialogue with faculty and staff,” says Ilana. “I encourage current students to do the same, to remain curious and open to unexpected paths.”

CURIOSITY AS A COMPASS:

ILANA HABIB ’11 ON AI, EDUCATION, AND VENTURE CAPITALISM From building early AI systems to backing founders, Ilana’s path reflects a focus on insight-driven innovation By: Miranda Johnson, communications intern 22 | CONNECTIONS

She says her teachers set her experience apart, emphasizing the lasting influence of her English teacher, Fred Carey ’80, who died tragically in a bicycle accident in 2014.

“His impact stayed with me long after high school. It’s so important to take the time to say thank you to people who make a difference, because you never know where life is going to take you.”

After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, Ilana spent a couple years in the classroom before joining Mainstay (formerly AdmitHub) as one of

meaning students were not yet navigating the same level of constant connectivity and distraction that exists today.

Ilana pursued photography during her tenure at Country Day, capturing moments at everything from all-school gatherings to football games.

the company’s earliest employees. There, she helped build conversational AI systems from the ground up, well before the current wave of widespread adoption. Working directly with student-facing tools, she played a key role in shaping how the technology responded to real questions through constant iteration, feedback, and refinement.

“I was never someone who was going to do well being put in a box. I’ve always been drawn to curiosity, creativity, and finding my own way. That’s what shaped how I learned, how I led, and eventually how I built solutions for students.”

Her experiences at Mainstay meaningfully shaped how she thinks about both technology and the people building it.

Today, that perspective guides her work in venture capital. After earning her MBA

“In some ways, it’s a benefit that we didn’t have the technology students have now, but at the same time, they have access to more tools and information than ever before. A balance is required: AI should always be a tool, not a replacement for intelligence. While it can improve efficiency and support ideas when used correctly, creativity, curiosity, critical thinking, and media literacy are still essential.”

from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Ilana now serves as a principal at Cintrifuse Capital, a Cincinnati-based venture fund investing in early-stage companies. She is also an active angel investor and works closely with student entrepreneurs as a coach with the University of Chicago’s College New Venture Challenge.

The transition was a natural one.

“The best founders I back have an earned understanding of their market. That is the same thing I learned building AI in education, that the best products come from people who actually understand the problem.”

Reflecting on technology during her time at Country Day, Ilana notes that it was a very different environment. The iPhone was introduced while she was in high school,

Ilana and her mom, Elissa, volunteering at FallFest together.

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From Rehearsal to Curtain Call: THE JOURNEY TO OPENING NIGHT By: Leon Hall ’27 It’s opening night, and my nerves are through the roof. The countless hours I spent in the choir room and on the stage practicing, practicing, practicing had led to this moment: performing in front of an audience. Trust me, I love performing. But I also strive to make everything I do as perfect as possible, and that’s not always conducive to performing live.

Before every opening night – from the last bell of the school day to the moment places are called at showtime – I have random, intrusive thoughts about messing up an important part of the show. What if this? What if that? Where is this? Where is that? But once I see the audience in their seats and I step fully into character, the nerves fade. The questions cease. All the hard work and rehearsal time we put into the production come into play as I remember that everyone in the audience is there not to criticize but to support me and the rest of the cast and crew.

Our winter production of The Drowsy Chaperone was truly one to remember. A show filled with love, humor, and 1920s flair, the story spirals into chaos thanks to a blindfold and a pair of roller skates. I played Robert Martin, the groom‑to‑be, who is a charming, energetic, and occasionally clueless character whose impulsive choices send his life spinning. Through dashing capes, airplanes, and perfectly timed spit takes, The Drowsy Chaperone brought the John Whitman Keeler Memorial Theater stage to life.

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But some of the most memorable moments happened long before opening night. Rehearsals quickly became part of my daily routine, from choreography sessions to repeating measures of music with [choir director] Mr. Greg Miller until the harmonies locked in. One of the most demanding parts of the show was my tap-dancing number with Thomas Huckleby ’28, which took time, patience, and a lot of repetition. Thanks to the guidance and teaching of Mrs. [Melissa] Wood, the choreographer for the show, we created a tap‑dancing moment the audience would never forget. Trust me, learning to tap is not easy. It takes balance and a strong core to keep yourself on your toes and ready for the next move. Neither Thomas nor I had ever tap danced before, but her guidance brought out a side of us we never even knew existed.

And while the dancing was complicated yet fun to master, the music quickly became one of my favorite parts of production. Whether it was my own songs or full‑cast numbers, I could recite every single line from memory well before opening night. The catchy tunes showcased how, when we come together, we can create something special. It’s the little things – saying a line a certain way or hitting the right note at the right time – that make a musical truly come to life.

NEW AWARD INSPIRES STUDENT LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

From left to right: Seventh-grade teacher Dan Wood, Lily Jackson ’31, Shreena Choudhury ’31, Elle Sheriden ’31, Sandi Amoils, Steve Amoils, Head of Middle School Theresa Hirschauer

Being a part of the winter musical was truly one of my favorite parts of my junior year. From playing on the football field in the fall to running laps around the track in the spring, the musical provides an artistic break in my year. Being able to perform on stage is something I enjoy, and doing it with people who share the same passion and dedication as I do makes it that much better.

And – thankfully – this community is full of people like that.

This year, Middle School launched the Maya Amoils Memorial Award, a leadership and service honor established in memory of Maya Amoils ’08, whose extraordinary commitment to helping others transformed lives both locally and around the world. The award is part of a seventh-grade service leadership initiative that challenges students to identify a cause they care about and develop a proposal to create meaningful change.

Inspired by Maya’s legacy of compassion and service through H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Endure) – an organization she founded as a seventh grader to support orphaned children in rural South Africa – students spent the second semester developing and pitching service project proposals focused on making a positive impact in the community.

The inaugural Maya Amoils Memorial Award was presented by Maya’s parents, Steve and Sandi Amoils, to Shreena Choudhury ’31, Lily Jackson ’31, and Elle Sheridan ’31. Their winning proposal, which focuses on providing microloans to women living in shelters, will receive seed funding and ongoing support as the students bring their vision to life in eighth grade and beyond.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ACHIEVE HISTORIC MILESTONE IN POWER OF THE PEN Alena Li ’31 and Winston Douglas ’31 represented CCDS at the Power of the Pen State Tournament as the school’s first-ever 7th-grade state qualifiers! A special congratulations to Winston, who advanced to Round 4 and became the first CCDS student ever to qualify for state prize eligibility in the Power of the Pen competition history.

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A YEAR OF IMPACT:

CELEBRATING OUR INAUGURAL TEACHING FELLOWS By: Al Beauchamp, Director of Academic Affairs

STUDENTS EARN RECORD 80 SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS This year marked a record-breaking achievement for Cincinnati Country Day School, with 60 students across the middle and upper schools earning a combined 80 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. This includes nine Gold Keys and 27 Silver Keys, making it one of the most successful Scholastic years in school history.

Among this year’s Gold Key recipients, Irene Garcia ’30 was nominated for an American Voices Award, a distinction reserved for a small number of regional works selected for national consideration.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running recognition program for creative teens. Student work is evaluated on originality, technical skill, and the development of a personal voice. These awards reflect both the strength of our students’ creative work and the environment Country Day provides for developing confident writers and artists. Congratulations to all our students recognized in this year’s competition!

Scan here for the full list of winners:

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Front row (L to R): Al Beauchamp (director of academic affairs), Will Stratford (teaching fellow), Yasmin Kloth `01 (teaching fellow), Andy Ahrens (teaching fellow); back row (L to R): Dr. Jeremiah McCall, Nick Battista, Jill Jaksetic, Dr. Christine Bridge, Nick Rose, Emily DiMatteo (mentors)

When the inaugural Teaching Fellow Program began this past August, three aspiring educators – Andy Ahrens, Yasmin Kloth ’01, and Will Stratford – arrived eager to learn, ready to contribute, and committed to serving the Country Day community. Over the course of the year, they did far more than support classrooms; they left a lasting imprint on our students, faculty, and school culture.

Working across the Middle School and Upper School in the English, arts, science, and history departments, they supported instruction in ways that expanded student access, strengthened collaboration, and enriched classroom experiences. Their curiosity and openness brought fresh perspectives to curriculum design, discussion, and assessment, always keeping students at the center.

Beyond academics, Andy, Yasmin, and Will immersed themselves fully in the life of the school through clubs, co-curricular activities, athletics, and performances.

Their presence was felt in hallways, classrooms, gyms, and performance spaces, where relationships were built through consistency, care, and enthusiasm.

Each fellow demonstrated leadership in meaningful ways.

Yasmin helped lead the resurgence of the school’s literary magazine and establish plans for a writing center to support students. Will also played a key role in developing the writing center, helping students grow as reflective writers through collaboration and peer editing. Andy brought creativity and theatrical expertise to the school play, supporting students on and off the stage.

As the year draws to a close, I am thrilled to share that Yasmin and Andy will return next year in expanded roles, while we celebrate Will as he begins a lead teacher position at The Seven Hills School.

We are equally grateful for the work of our mentors – Dr. Christine Bridge, Dr. Jeremiah McCall, Emily DiMatteo, Nick Rose, Jill Jaksetic, and Nick Battista – who generously shared their expertise throughout the year.

Together, the fellows and mentors exemplified the vision of the Teaching Fellow Program as curious educators, generous collaborators, and committed mentors. This inaugural year affirmed the powerful impact of investing in emerging teachers, and we are excited for what lies ahead.

More Than Just a Show: THE MAGIC OF THE 8TH-GRADE MUSICAL By: Michael Wood ’30

The 8th-grade musical is a longstanding tradition in the Middle School. This year’s production, Bye Bye Birdie, is set in 1958 and features Conrad Birdie, an Elvis-like superstar, who gets drafted into the army. This leaves his manager, Albert Peterson, swamped with debt, but his secretary and love interest, Rose Alvarez, comes up with a plan to help Albert earn enough money to return to college and

become an English teacher so they can build a happy life together. Of course, it doesn’t all go exactly according to plan, often thanks to Albert’s mother, but what’s a story without a little drama?

Bye Bye Birdie is a really fun show, and I think it fits our grade really well. Although some themes may not be considered very modern,

the moral of the story is still a good one. I can see why the 8th-grade musical is a tradition at Country Day; it’s a great way to strengthen bonds with classmates and build new friendships.

We got to spend a lot of time with each other throughout the rehearsal process, and whether it was with our best friends or people we don’t typically talk to as much, it was always fun. My favorite part of theater is being on a team with a bunch of friends (new and old) and working towards a common goal: making the show the best it could possibly be.

Playing the role of Albert was very rewarding.

I had the privilege of being a part of the journey from the beginning, and working with some very talented actors, such as Caroline Zimmerman (Rose Alvarez), Mariah Shaw (Mae Peterson), and Andreas Pagdadis (the one and only Conrad Birdie). It was a long road from not knowing the show at all to memorizing lines, learning blocking, and perfecting the final product, but I think it really came together. It was also great to see everyone working side by side to help each other out.

Being a part of a theater production really gives you an appreciation of everyone and everything that goes into making these shows possible. Of course, the actors have an important job to do, but everyone in technical theater has an equally important task. From lighting, sound, and props to building the entire set, they poured a lot of work into the show, too, and we couldn’t do it without them. I’ve been in theater productions before, but until this musical, I never really understood how much work the directors and choreographers do (and I’m sure there’s even more I don’t know). I would like to give a special shoutout to Mrs. [Stephanie] Wietmarschen, Mr. [Greg] Miller, Mrs. [Melissa] Wood, Mr. [Andy] Ahrens, Mr. [Evan] DiTullio, and [Head of Middle School] Hirsch. Thank you so much for making our 8th-grade musical possible!

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For a century, athletics at Cincinnati Country Day School have been about far more than wins and records. As Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 reminded attendees at the 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony, “Athletics have never been merely ornamental here. From the beginning, athletics were deemed an essential component of a Country Day education. Athletics are classrooms of character, and character development was the very purpose of the school at its founding.”

That philosophy was on full display as Country Day honored four inductees – Joey Fritz ’10, Elizabeth Blackburn ’11, Cam Alldred ’15, and Tony Strauss ’57 – alongside 10 student-athlete record breakers and three 12-season athletes. Together, they represent generations of student-athletes who carried forward the relay of Country Day athletics, one in which students discover they are responsible to other people and to the standard handed down by those who came before them.

Ellie Albers ’27, Gabriel Benitez ’26, Caroline Connelly ’26, Katherine Connelly ’26, Alyssa Easter ’26, Thomas Huckleby ’28, William Lothmann `26, Brandon Proffitt `26, Luke Schnieber ’27, and Jason Starodub ’26 all broke school records during the 2025-26 school year. Seniors Katherine Connelly, Greta Varga, and Zsofia Varga each participated in athletics during every season of their high school careers. “They remind us that our tradition is more than simply our past; it is happening now, in real time, in the lives of students who compete.”

The ceremony celebrated not only extraordinary athletic achievement, but also the balance and community that define the Country Day experience.

For Joey Fritz ’10, that balance proved transformational. One of the most accomplished tennis players in school history, Fritz still holds the school record for career match victories with more than 100 wins and later became an NCAA Division III singles champion at Amherst College.

Speaking virtually from Singapore, Fritz reflected on the way Country Day nurtured both his competitive drive and intellectual curiosity. “What comes to mind is the healthy balance of tennis and learning. My experience at Country Day gave me a love of learning that perfectly balanced my athletics experience.

Very few schools can offer that all-around experience for their students.”

That foundation shaped decisions throughout his life, including choosing Amherst over larger Division I tennis programs. Fritz and his mother, Jane Fritz ’78, who introduced him during the ceremony and is also a former trustee and staff member, credited Country Day’s teachers and coaches for ensuring he could pursue elite athletics without sacrificing academic rigor.

CCDS CELEBRATES ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE ACROSS GENERATIONS AT HALL OF FAME CEREMONY 28 | CONNECTIONS

Elizabeth Blackburn ’11 embodied that same spirit of all-around excellence. A five-sport varsity athlete, Blackburn earned All-MVC honors in tennis, swimming, and track while representing Country Day at the state level in both tennis and swimming.

Former coach Lynne Schneebeck ’84 praised Blackburn’s leadership, work ethic, and sportsmanship, calling her “an outstanding student-athlete and a wonderful representative of Country Day. She competed not only for herself but for her teammates and her friends, while balancing athletics with the rigorous academic and social expectations of Country Day.”

In prerecorded remarks, Blackburn said, “Country Day’s unique and supportive ethos gave me the freedom and encouragement to try new sports and truly explore my full potential.

Life is a team sport; so many things cannot be accomplished alone. As someone who loves sports and truly believes in the power of athletics to teach, connect, and inspire, this honor means everything to me.”

“I have tremendous gratitude for those who helped me along the way, especially my coaches for pushing me, motivating me, and occasionally yelling at me. They helped shape me into the athlete I am today, but, more importantly, the person I am. To my teammates, thank you for making every practice fun and every game – as well as the locker room banter, pregame meals, and bus rides – unforgettable. We grew up together,” Alldred said in remarks from Mexico, where he currently pitches for the Saltillo Saraperos. Speaking directly to the students in attendance, he encouraged them to “enjoy the moments while you’re in them; these are the ‘good old days.’”

The ceremony also honored the lasting legacy of Tony Strauss ’57, who devoted nearly half a century to Country Day as both a teacher and coach. Strauss competed in five sports as a student before returning to CCDS in 1963 and spending 44 years mentoring generations of student-athletes.

Former colleagues Theresa “Hirsch” Hirschauer and Merle Black described Strauss as someone who fully embodied “the Country Day Way,” emphasizing involvement, integrity, character, and commitment to students beyond the playing field. “Every school needs its hall of

famers, the people whose life’s work embodies the school’s values. That person was, without a doubt, Tony Strauss,” said Hirsch. Merle echoed that sentiment. “At Country Day, no teacher stood higher in the judgment of the faculty than Tony Strauss.”

Accepting the honor on his behalf, Strauss’s wife, Gerri, reflected on his lifelong devotion to the school. “He loved this school with a passion I cannot even begin to explain to you. Country Day was part of every day of our lives.”

Zimmerman closed the ceremony by connecting the honorees across generations of Country Day athletics. “You make us proud, whether you carried the banner in the 1950s or carry it today.”

For Cam Alldred ’15, athletics created lifelong memories and relationships. A standout three-sport athlete who reached Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022 and still pitches professionally, Alldred reflected on the friendships and shared experiences that defined his CCDS career, following his introduction

by Tim Dunn, legendary Country Day coach, teacher, and fellow Athletic Hall of Fame inductee.

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Cincinnati Country Day Kicks off Its Inaugural Girls Flag Football Season By: Madison Conley, sports information director

The historic year for girls athletics programs continues as Country Day fielded its first-ever girls flag football team. Under the leadership of Head Coach Dennis Coyle, who also served as the school’s head football coach and athletic director, the Nighthawks are building the foundation for what they hope will become a staple of the athletic program at CCDS. The Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL, and its marketing partners have been huge drivers for flag football in the tri-state area, including our team here at Given Road. From providing uniforms and equipment to coaching support and showcases, they are helping make the sport more accessible by providing greater 30 | CONNECTIONS

opportunities for women looking to participate in football. NFL teams around the nation have taken a huge interest in supporting efforts to sanction this fast-growing sport. Many high school associations and universities have added flag football as a varsity and club sport. The NCAA declared flag football an official varsity sport with scholarship offers beginning this year. Flag football will make its debut at the Olympics in 2028.

On July 17, 2025, the OHSAA announced it will sanction a state championship event in girls flag football starting in 2026. Ohio is the 17th state to sanction the sport. According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association, in 2021, there were only 20 schools in Ohio that had a team,

and now there are nearly 80. Southwest Ohio represents 41 of those teams, with 21 of them joining this spring, including our Nighthawks.

All 19 players on the team have participated in another sport this year, seven of them being four-sport athletes.

“The girls have truly embraced learning the game and the concepts of flag football, and it’s been incredible to watch their growth,” says Dennis Coyle. “I really believe this sport is going to take off and become one of the most popular opportunities for female athletes, and I’m grateful to play even a small role in that, being part of this inaugural season.”

A HISTORIC MILESTONE IN COUNTRY DAY ATHLETICS The 2025-26 winter sports season marked a historic milestone for CCDS athletics as the girls wrestling program competed as a team for the first time, establishing the future of the program.

Erica Peterson ’26 (on the left) and Dominique Makasiar ’29 will always be remembered as founding leaders of the program, along with Head Coach Theresa “Hirsch” Hirschauer.

“The girls wrestling program is an incredible opportunity for students to participate in a sport and join a team,” says Hirsch.

“The chance to coach Erica and Dominique was one of my favorite coaching experiences in my career.”

Erica Peterson, a senior, wanted to be a part of something new and joined the team with no prior wrestling experience.

She had a memorable season learning the sport and spending several hours in the gym with Dominique and Coach Hirsch. On the other hand, Dominique Makasiar is a strong and experienced wrestler who has wrestled for Country Day since middle school. She went 6-13 in the season and battled some of the toughest wrestlers across Southwest Ohio as a freshman.

“I ended the season very proud to have been a part of the team, knowing that I was able to contribute to the growth of a women’s sport both here at Country Day and nationally,” says Dominique.

While Country Day had just two wrestlers this year, the team is looking to expand with several student-athletes from the middle school team moving up to the high school level, along with several more upper school students willing to give a new sport a chance.

End-of-Year Athletics Award Recipients DAVID MCDANIEL OUTSTANDING MALE ATHLETE: Luke Schnieber ’27 SHIRLEY HEINICHEN OUTSTANDING FEMALE ATHLETE: Nicole Hardesty ’27 OUTSTANDING MALE UNDERCLASSMEN ATHLETE: Ryan Pavlisko ’28 OUTSTANDING FEMALE UNDERCLASSMEN ATHLETE: Zoe Doerger ’28 LETTERMAN AWARD (MALE): Will Robinson ’26 & Evan Robinson ’26 LETTERMAN AWARD (FEMALE): Katherine Connelly ’26 JAMES A. WRIGHT SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD (MALE): Trey Blum ’26 JAMES A. WRIGHT SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD (FEMALE): Alyssa Easter ’26

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Seven Seniors Commit to Compete at the Collegiate Level

2025-2026 Winter Sports Recap BOYS BASKETBALL MVC All-Conference First Team: Gianni Zeljo ’27 Second Team: Pace Guido ’28 Honorable Mention: Levi Guttman ’27, Evan Robinson ’26 Cincinnati Enquirer All-City First Team: Gianni Zeljo ’27 Honorable Mention: Pace Guido ’28, Levi Guttman ’27 Southwest District Awards First Team: Gianni Zeljo ’27 Second Team: Levi Guttman ’27 All-Ohio Awards Honorable Mention: Gianni Zeljo ’27

GIRLS BASKETBALL MVC All-Conference Second Team: Nicole Hardesty ’27, Roxy Vollmer ’27 Honorable Mention: Audrey de Alarcon ’27, Alyssa Easter ’26 This year, seven seniors announced their commitment to compete in athletics at the collegiate level. Years of hard work have gone into reaching this moment, and it is a special time to honor and recognize Trey Blum (Cincinnati), Lucas Donahue (Loveland), Delaney Gorman (Loveland), William Lothmann (Indian Hill), Brandon Proffitt (Bond Hill), Jason Starodub (Liberty Township), and Alex Thompson (Loveland), and their commitment to their sports.

“Your commitment to your sport and your academic journey has led you to this milestone, and we have no doubt that you are well-prepared to excel at the next level,” says Dennis Coyle, athletic director. “Signing day symbolizes the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. To our student-athletes, congratulations on this incredible accomplishment.”

TREY BLUM: EARLHAM COLLEGE, SOCCER Trey, a midfielder, is a four-year member of the boys varsity soccer team. In his junior year, he led the team in points (15), goals (5), and assists (5). As a senior captain, Trey started in every game and had the second most points (21), goals (8), and assists (5). He was named to first team All-Conference and second team All-City as a senior.

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Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Second Team: Nicole Hardesty ’27 Honorable Mention: Roxy Vollmer ’27, Audrey de Alarcon ’27 Southwest District Awards Second Team: Nicole Hardesty ’27

GYMNASTICS

5th place finish at the City Championship Cincinnati Enquirer All-City First Team: Hayden Zimmerman ’26 Honorable Mention: Gabrielle Gonzalez ’28

All-City Honors: Hayden Zimmerman ’26 All-District Honors: Hayden Zimmerman ’26 Academic All-Ohio Honors: Jessica Chen ’26

SWIMMING

Jason Starodub ’26 District Champion and new school record in the 100m backstroke (52.62) State Qualifiers Jason Starodub ’26, Delaney Gorman ’26, Katherine Connelly ’26, Talia Gholston ’29, Greta Varga ’26, Zsofia Varga ’26 Jason Starodub ’26: placed 8th in the 100 Back with a time of 52.87 Delaney Gorman ’26: placed 9th in the 100 Fly with a time of 58.74 Jason Starodub ’26: placed 14th in the 200IM with a time of 2:00.90 Delaney Gorman ’26: placed 21st in the 100 Back with a time of 1:00.76 Katherine Connelly ’26, Delaney Gorman ’26, Talia Gholston ’29, Greta Varga ’26: The 400 Free Relay placed 23rd with a time of 3:52.09 Cincinnati Enquirer All-City Second Team: Jason Starodub ’26, Delaney Gorman ’26

WINTER INDOOR TRACK Luke Schnieber ’27: won the Ohio DIV Indoor State Championship in pole vaulting with a 17’0.25” vault, which is the best vault in Ohio and the 6th best in the nation

GIRLS WRESTLING The 2025-26 year marks the school’s first-ever female wrestling team. Dominique Makasiar ’29 and Erica Peterson ’26 represented the Nighthawks at the varsity level.

LUCAS DONAHUE: OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY, FOOTBALL Lucas was an integral part of the offensive and defensive line for four years and a member of the winningest class in program history. As an offensive lineman, he helped the offense amass 2,052 rushing yards (most in MVC), and 2,004 passing yards (second most in MVC). Defensively, Lucas was the second-leading tackler amongst defensive linemen with 50. He was named to first team All-Conference, first team All-City, first team All-Southwest District, and first team All-Ohio.

DELANEY GORMAN: COLGATE UNIVERSITY SWIMMING Delaney has been swimming for 11 years with the Cincinnati Marlins, her club team, and is a four-year member of the team at Country Day. Delaney holds the school record for the 100-meter fly and has qualified for state three times individually.

WILLIAM LOTHMANN: DENISON UNIVERSITY, TRACK William, a sprinter, is a four-year member of the varsity track and field team. Throughout his career, he’s recorded seven second-place finishes and four first-place finishes, including a victory in the 400-meter dash at the 2024 MVC Championship. Two of those first-place finishes were this current season at the Finneytown and CCDS Invitationals. William was named second team All-City in 2024 and 2025 and received first team All-Conference honors in 2024.

BRANDON PROFFITT: MOUNT ST JOSEPH, FOOTBALL Brandon was a two-way starter for the varsity football team and a member of the winningest class in program history. During his senior year, he led the team in receiving touchdowns (12) and interceptions (4).

He totaled 1,463 all-purpose yards with 17 total touchdowns. His 1,461 career receiving yards stat is the second-highest in program history. Brandon was named the Cincinnati Enquirer’s 2025 DVII defensive player of the year. He also received first team All-Conference, first team All-Southwest District, and first team All-Ohio honors.

JASON STARODUB: CAL TECH, SWIMMING Jason is a highly decorated four-year member of the varsity swim team. To cap off his Country Day career, Jason qualified for Districts with first-place finishes in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard individual medley at Sectionals. He became a District Champion in the 100-yard backstroke, setting a new school record (52.62 seconds) and qualifying for the OHSAA D2 State Championship. In Canton, he finished 8th in the 100-yard backstroke (52.87) and 14th in the 200-yard individual medley (2:00.90).

ALEX THOMPSON: BROWN UNIVERSITY, ROWING While rowing is not an official sport at Country Day, Alex has represented the Nighthawks with her club team, the Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club. Brown University is a top 10 nationally ranked team, and it is an incredible accomplishment for Alex.

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Special thanks to Geoff Blankenship of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Omar Mamoud ’29, and Ellie Texter ’26 for their contributions to this spread.

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THIS JUST IN!

LUKE SCHNIEBER ’27 IS A STATE CHAMPION! His vault of 17’5” not only secured him first place at the state meet on June 4, but is a new Division V state record, a Jesse Owen’s Memorial Stadium record, and is the best vault in Ohio!

After a record-setting 2025 season, Luke Schnieber ’27 continued to dominate the pole-vaulting scene this winter. Last year, Luke set the school and OHSAA D3 record with a 16’7” vault at the OHSAA D3 Regional meet last May. He placed 3rd at the State finals with a vault of 15’10”. After climbing up the state rankings last spring, he is now breaking national rankings.

On January 24, Luke competed in an Ohio State High School Qualifier in Columbus, where he recorded a 16’7” vault – a new indoor personal record and a match to his outdoor PR from the OHSAA D3 Regional meet.

His 16’7” vault earned him the best jump in Ohio and the 12th best in the nation.

He was invited to compete at the 118th Millrose Games in New York City on January 30 at Nike’s Amory Track and Field Center. The Millrose Games is the oldest indoor track meeting in the world, hosting Olympians, collegiate, high school, and youth athletes. Luke competed against ten vaulters, including the top four in the country, all of whom finished in front of him as he placed 5th at the event with a 16’0.75” vault.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any sweeter, he’s continued to exceed expectations and smash

his own records. Luke won his fourth Mount St. Joseph high school indoor track meet on February 20. He recorded a 16’10” vault, another PR, and the 8th-best vault in the nation.

Luke entered the Ohio Association of Track and Cross-Country Coaches Indoor Track and Field meet as the top seed in the event. He continued his record-setting run this winter with a 17’0.25” vault to win the Ohio DIV Indoor State Championship, which is the best vault in Ohio and the 6th best in the nation.

At the annual CCDS Invitational, Luke took home first place with a 16’9” vault, the best outdoor vault in Ohio. He cleared the competition by six feet and broke the previous outdoor school record that he set in 2025 with a 16’7” vault.

At the Miami Valley Conference HS Track & Field Championship this spring, Luke continued his remarkable run, capturing first place in the boys’ pole vault with a vault of 17’1.25”. The mark secured his third consecutive MVC title while also setting a new personal best, breaking his own school record, and establishing a new all-time MVC record. Even more impressively, the vault stands as the top mark in Ohio this season, surpassing the previous leading height of 17’0” set at the Mason Rod Russell Invitational by Centerville High School.

VAULTING TO NEW HEIGHTS, SMASHING RECORDS By: Madison Conley, sports information director 36 | CONNECTIONS

Luke won the Ohio Association of Track and Cross-Country Coaches DIV Indoor State Meet with a 17’0.25” pole vault, a mark that stood as the best in Ohio and sixth-best in the nation at the time (March 2026). He has since surpassed that height, with a 17’1.25” at the Miami Valley Conference Track & Field Championship, where he set a new school record, personal record, conference meet record, and is the best vault in Ohio.

2026 spring Sports Recap BASEBALL

District Runner-up MVC All-Conference First Team: Jaemeson French ’26 Second Team: Casey Newman ’28, Ryan Pavlisko ’28 Honorable Mention: Levi Guttman ’27, Evan Robinson ’26

Greg Ross Coaches Boys North-South Game The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association selected coach Greg Ross to serve as the South team’s coach in the North-South All-Star game on April 24, which showcased the top 20 players throughout the state in all divisions.

GIRLS LACROSSE MVC All-Conference First Team: Zoe Doeger ’28, Roxy Vollmer ’27 Second Team: Katherine Connelly ’26, Kate Thompson ’29, Zsofia Varga ’26 Honorable Mention: Caroline Connelly ’26, Kaitlyn Frescoln ’28

BOYS TENNIS MVC All-Conference Second Team Singles: Sanjay Cherukuri ’26 Honorable Mention Singles: Aarnav Narayanan ’27

TRACK & FIELD MVC All-Conference Luke Schnieber ’27 Boys pole vault champion District Champions Luke Schnieber ’27 in the boys pole vault (16’2”) William Lothmann ’26 in the boys 400m dash (50.28) The girls 4x200m relay (Nicole Hardesty ’27, Gabrielle Gonzalez ’28, Gabby Yisrael ’29, Josie Hyden ’27 (1:51.02) Regional Champions Luke Schnieber ’27 in the boys pole vault (16’8”) The boys 4x100m relay (Luke Schnieber ’27, Peyton Ware ’29, Nathan Kellenberger ’29, Leon Hall ’27) (44.02) State Qualifiers Luke Schnieber ’27 in the boys pole vault and 300m hurdles The boys 4x100m relay (Luke Schnieber ’27, Peyton Ware ’29, Nathan Kellenberger ’29, Leon Hall ’27) William Lothmann ’26 in the boys 100m and 400m dash State Champion Luke Schnieber ’27 in the boys pole vault (17’5”)

Ross earned the honor after leading the Nighthawks for a 12th straight year as head coach, where he has amassed a 187-107 record. Only four coaches from Ohio are chosen from over 700 Division 1-7 schools.

“I am very grateful and proud for the opportunity to represent our school and program at the state level.”

STUDENT‑ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE The athletic department is excited to introduce the Student‑Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), bringing together a hand‑selected group of student‑athletes to represent the voice of our student-athletes.

The group includes (top row, left to right) Dima Chernovol ’28, Tyler Spence ’28, Kevin Li ’27, Leon Hall ’27, Luke Schnieber ’27, Nicole Hardesty ’27, Josie Hyden ’27, Jordyn Brown ’28, (front row, left to right) Scarlett Highlands-Amster ’27, Roxy Vollmer ’27, Kaitlyn Frescoln ’28, Zoe Doerger ’28, and Audrey de Alarcon ’27.

Their goal is to strengthen communication between student‑athletes and the athletic department while helping ensure and enhance a positive student‑athlete experience at Country Day. Since being selected, SAAC has already begun meeting, collaborating, and planning exciting initiatives for the upcoming school year. The committee was designed to empower student‑athletes as leaders within our school, promote school spirit, enhance communication with athletic administration, and proudly represent the values of our athletic program.

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WE HAD TEN RECORD-BREAKERS THIS YEAR!

Caroline and Katherine Connelly ’26 (girls tennis): most double matches won in a career (40) and season (21)

William Lothmann ’26 (track & field): best boys 400-meter dash (49.76) 38 | CONNECTIONS

Brandon Proffitt ’26 (football): most punt return yards in a career (417)

Ellie Albers ’27 (volleyball): most kills in a season (236)

Gabriel Benitez ’26 (boys soccer): most saves in a career (442), most saves in a season (146)

Alyssa Easter ’26 (girls soccer): most saves in a career (509), season (215), and a game (20)

Thomas Huckleby ’28 (football): most receptions in a career (115), most receiving yards in a career (1,819), most touchdown receptions in a career (22)

Luke Schnieber ’27 (track and field): best boys pole vault (17’1.25”)

Jason Starodub ’26 (swimming): best boys 100-yard backstroke time (52.62)

JESSICA CHEN ’26 EARNS COUNTRY DAY AWARD, SCHOOL’S HIGHEST STUDENT HONOR We recently celebrated the accomplishments of 28 Upper School students during the Upper School awards ceremony, which highlighted excellence across academics, extracurricular involvement, athletics, service, and community engagement.

The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the recipient of the Country Day Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a CCDS student.

This year’s recipient, Jessica Chen ’26, was recognized by faculty as the student who best represents the qualities for which Cincinnati Country Day School strives to be known. As said

by Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 during the ceremony, “Jessica works hard and takes school seriously. And yet there is nothing severe about her seriousness. The faculty who nominated her described her kindness, her generosity, and her willingness to help.”

One Community, One Final Clap-Out:

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2026 Clapping out our seniors is one of Country Day’s most meaningful traditions, and today the community came together to celebrate the Class of 2026. Though rainy weather brought the event indoors, the energy and emotions of the day were felt just as strongly as students, faculty, staff, and families from every division cheered on our seniors in their college spirit wear.

“The Class of 2026 has represented the school with class and character all year long,” said Rob Zimmerman ’98, head of school. “Their understated but unmistakable leadership has left Country Day better than they found it.”

With hugs, laughter, and countless photos, the Country Day community wished this remarkable class the very best as they prepare for their next adventure.

Congratulations to Jessica and all of this year’s award recipients for their dedication, leadership, and achievements.

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HONORING CREATIVITY, COMMUNITY, AND LIFELONG PASSION AT THE 2026 ARTS HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION

From left to right: Susan Pepper ’95, Jim Taylor ’77, Rob Patterson ’02, Fances Kovach ’23, Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 (not pictured: Ben Stacy ’20 and Lois Poe Rust)

Cincinnati Country Day School celebrated the enduring impact of the arts during its 2026 Arts Hall of Fame induction ceremony, recognizing alumni and faculty members for their contributions to the fine, musical, performing, and literary arts at CCDS and beyond.

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“This evening celebrates excellence in the arts, but not excellence measured only in awards and titles. What we honor tonight is a sustained commitment to craft, to learning, to teaching, and to using creativity as a way of engaging meaningfully with the world,” said Nick Rose, arts department

chair, during the ceremony. “The Arts Hall of Fame exists to affirm what we have always known at CCDS: The arts are not an accessory to education; they are essential to it. They teach us to live with ambiguity, to trust process, and to believe that creativity can shape both careers and communities.”

This year’s inductees include long-time faculty member Lois Poe Rust, artist and educator Jim Taylor ’77, musician and songwriter Susan Pepper ’95, and clarinetist and educator Rob Patterson ’02. Frances Kovach ’23 and Ben Stacy ’20 were also recognized with the Young Alumni Recognition Award.

Upper School art teacher Amy Brand reflected on Frances Kovach’s impact as a student, saying, “She wasn’t just part of the fine arts; she shaped it, defined it, and left it bigger and better than she found it.” Kovach, now studying psychology at the University of Kentucky, spoke about the role the arts played during her time at Country Day. “The arts department gives you a space to be yourself and express yourself. You can spread a message and make an impact on your community.”

Ben Stacy, an accomplished sound designer currently working professionally in live and recorded productions, was praised by Evan DiTullio, technical theater director, for his innovative leadership in technical theater.

Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 presented Lois Poe Rust with her Arts Hall of Fame plaque at the end-of-year faculty and staff meeting.

The evening also celebrated the faculty members and mentors who helped cultivate generations of artists. Lois Rust, inducted in absentia, was described by Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 as someone who “ignited a passion for drama that some didn’t even know they had.”

Jim Taylor, an internationally recognized painter, sculptor, and educator, spent the week teaching CCDS students on campus before accepting his award. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of supporting the arts in every era. “Small communities flourish by supporting their culture. It is of the utmost importance for the arts to thrive despite war, technological development, and disease.”

Susan Pepper shared an original song titled “While We Travel Through This Land,” centered on empathy and human connection.

Reflecting on her own journey, Pepper explained that although she did not pursue music professionally until after college, Country Day laid the foundation for both her artistic and academic life. “The arts help us ground in the present moment, and connect with one another as humans and to the world around us.”

Rob Patterson, now on the faculty at Boston University’s School of Music, reflected on the sense of belonging he experienced at CCDS. “The prevailing emotion when I think of Country Day is safety to struggle, to explore, to fail, and to grow. Even when we were stumbling, confused, or making a spectacular mess, our teachers stood firmly in our corner.”

Throughout the evening, speakers returned to a common theme: The arts are not only a source of creativity but also a powerful force for empathy, curiosity, and community. “[The arts] help us remember who we have been; they help us understand who we are; they give shape to our shared memory,” said Zimmerman during the ceremony.

“Our Arts Hall of Fame celebrates the school’s strong and vibrant tradition in the arts…. Our honorees remind our current students that they stand on the shoulders of giants; that they are part of a long and distinguished line of artistic excellence.”

Scan here for more photos from the event!

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Class of 2030

Class of 2034 “I would like to share one final phrase from songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, who wrote/sang, ‘Live your life with arms wide open; Today is where your book begins; The rest is still unwritten.’ It’s a simple but powerful reminder: No matter what has already been written in your story, there is so much more ahead – so many pages yet to be filled with your experiences, your decisions, and your growth. In that spirit, believe in the power you have as the author of your own story. Return often to our character virtues – compassion, courage, integrity, respect, and responsibility. Let them shape your decisions, influence your actions, and guide the story you continue to write.”

-Mark Morawski, Head of Lower School 42 | CONNECTIONS

“Class of 2030, you have built strong friendships, formed lasting bonds, and created memories that will stay with you long after today. You’ve learned to collaborate, listen, and grow together. As you move forward, remember that these connections are a source of strength. Carry your caring hearts, creative minds, and connected spirit with you – you have and will continue to make a difference….

Don’t be followers. Have the courage to forge your own path.

Be leaders, even when it means going against the grain.

At Country Day, you have the opportunity to shape your own journey, free of stereotypes. Start new clubs. Take the stage.

Try something new. Play a sport. Get involved. Your next four years will fly by so make the most of every moment.”

– Theresa Hirschauer, Head of Middle School

Class of 2026 “Before we move to different zip codes, promise me these five things: One: Don’t forget the memories we made. ‘Someday soon your whole life’s gonna change. You’ll miss the magic of these good old days.’ Think back on the memories, laugh, and smile. Two: Take your time. ‘Ain’t about how fast I get there. Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb.’ You may or may not know where you are going, but on your journey, take your time. Enjoy it. Three: Make mistakes. ‘Tables turn, bridges burn, you live and learn’ as Mrs. K’s third quarter English elective taught me. In order to succeed, you have to fail, so don’t worry if you make a mistake. Instead, learn from it. Four: Keep in touch with your family, and by family, I don’t just mean your parents, but us, your classmates. ‘If you’re lost, you can look, and you will find me, time after time. If you fall, I will catch you. I’ll be waiting, time after time.’ Over these past few years, we’ve built a family. Look out for each other and don’t let our family break. Five: don’t take any moments for granted and don’t change for anyone, use the amazing gifts you’ve been given and pay them forward using your dreams to jump start the next generation’s dreams. ‘History has its eyes on you.’

Class of 2026, I have loved my past four years with you. Thank you all for everything you have given me.

Every single person in this class has their own laugh, own witty comebacks, and spark. Class of 2026, do not lose your originality…. Now go. Make memories. Make mistakes. Find your passion. Change the world.

And never forget your family at Country Day.” – Lilly Shafer ’26, Student Council President

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Established in January 2014, the school’s Instagram account has grown into a dynamic storytelling platform with more than 2,000 posts to date, including more than 100 posts shared this semester alone! The account continues to document campus life through timely, engaging content that reflects both traditions and the evolving spirit of the school community. Here’s a look at some of this semester’s top-performing posts.

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Building on this digital presence, Country Day expanded its social media offerings last fall with the launch of a TikTok presence (@ccds1926), providing a fresh, short-form perspective on campus life through trending content and behind-the-scenes moments. Led by student intern Mia Kellenberger ’27, the platform is shaped through her creative direction, content production, and trend research.

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centEnnial spotlight

OUR CENTENNIAL STORIES

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This year, we are celebrating a remarkable milestone: the centennial anniversary of our founding. In honor of 100 years of Country Day, we are sharing snapshots into our centennial story on our socials. We hope to continue to capture that history through the voices and experiences of the people who have shaped it.

With that goal in mind, you are invited to share your favorite memories and reflections from your time at CCDS. Follow along by visiting our centennial website at https://ccds100.com. Below are some of the stories we have shared this semester. We are excited to celebrate our centennial year with you!

In 2009, the north side of Broadwell House came to life when first-grade teacher Marge Rockwell and her students used an Environmental Council grant to beautify the gardens and create Mrs. Rockwell’s Sharing Garden in the courtyard. More than a decade later, that same space continues to inspire learning – today, students are still benefiting from this special outdoor classroom, writing poetry, reading aloud on the benches, and enjoying the calm of the garden just as students did years ago. What began as a small project has become a lasting place where creativity, reflection, and learning continue to grow.

The junior paper, introduced by Lee Pattison in the 1960s, quickly became a milestone for generations of Country Day students. Famously rigorous and grueling, it required in-depth research, meticulous attention to detail, and elegantly persuasive writing.

As page counts began to reach 100, the junior paper was eventually limited to 20 pages. But its totemic importance to the CCDS experience remained.

Although many alumni groused about it, most came to appreciate the intellectual growth this project fostered.

And nearly everyone came away admiring Mr. Pat as perhaps the greatest teacher in Country Day history.

A tradition and rite of passage: The 8th-grade musical!

Grease was the first performance, and took place in the Middle School Commons. From there, each eighth-grade class has gone on to perform a musical for the community to enjoy. Every eighth-grade student is challenged to step outside of their comfort zone and participate one way or another in the production. Lois Rust, who co-founded this experience with former Head of Middle School Dick Schwab, advised the students, “If you can do this in eighth grade, you can achieve anything.” The Class of 2005 performed Annie Jr. in Keeler Theater, the first eighth-grade musical to hit that stage. The 2023 production of Singin’ in the Rain Jr. was Lois’s farewell performance.

Chris Bortz ’92 and Paige (Heimann) deBuys ’92 perform as Danny and Sandy in Grease.

In the spring of 1981, the senior class felt a shift in the air – a taste of freedom, a brush with adulthood. It wasn’t prom night or graduation that carried that type of feeling; it was a field trip, something ordinary on the surface but extraordinary in what it meant.

The destination was Playhouse in the Park, where the seniors would watch Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. After the performance, we did not need to return to school immediately.

Instead, the seniors were given something rare and thrilling: freedom to choose their own lunch in nearby Clifton. It was a neighborhood alive with music spilling from record stores, the

This year, the Class of 2030 performed Bye Bye Birdie.

smell of pizza ovens, and the hum of college students from UC lingering in cafés. Splitting into small groups, friends wandered sidewalks, ducked into diners, and claimed tables as if they truly belonged there. For that single midday stretch, they weren’t just high school students under supervision; they were young adults, soon-to-be college freshmen, tasting independence.

Looking back, it wasn’t only about a play or a lunch. It was part of a moment: The seniors of 1981 realizing that life after high school was waiting, full of choices, stories, and independence all their own. – Submitted by Dr. Chris Griffith ’81, Athletic Hall of Fame inductee CONNECTIONS | 47

This lively classroom scene captures a moment of transition at Country Day. Taken during the 1955-56 school year, the photo shows Mrs. Mary Frances Glover’s nursery class, joined by girls who had only recently begun attending the Lower School in the early 1950s.

Under the guidance of teachers Mary Frances Glover and Alene Eggers, students parade around the room with instruments, reflecting a “new way of doing things” and an era of growing inclusion, joy, and creativity in early childhood education.

The Cincinnati Country Day School was officially born when articles of incorporation were taken out, and the school opened in September 1926 with five faculty members and a total enrollment of 55 boys, ranging from “primary grades through senior high.”

Parting Words

FROM STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT LILLY SHAFER ’26 FOR COLLEGE, I WILL ATTEND… The University of Cincinnati to major in medical sciences. I then hope to attend medical school at UC so that I can work in pediatrics. I learned that I love working with kids through my experience working at CCDSummer. And staying close to home allows me to remain a regular part of my younger siblings’ lives.

IT WILL BE WEIRD… Not to see my friends, teachers, or the administration every day. Not sitting at the lunch table every day and dying laughing at something someone said will be very weird. I have loved my time here since the day I arrived at Country Day my freshman year. The community is so special and supportive. If you told my younger self that by senior year, I would be student council president, I would have laughed at you.

I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO… My college program! I’m so excited to see all the classes I’m going to be taking, especially since I get to take a lot of math and science classes right away.

MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT SENIOR YEAR IS…

Scan here to share your CCDS story!

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All the small things that we get to do as seniors – senior surprises, senior night, the class trip, prom. All these things are opportunities that we get to have as a grade to keep coming together, and as the end of the year approaches, it truly feels like we are closer than ever.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE CLASSES AT COUNTRY DAY WAS… My AP chemistry class with Mrs. [Paula] Butler.

I liked that class so much, even though it kicked my butt, because it challenged me, and I really enjoyed learning everything. I also enjoyed AP Biology with Mrs. J [Jill Jaksetic] because it pushed me to work harder. Oh, and Computer Science 2 was great, as well. I loved building a minigolf hole in that class.

WHAT I’LL MISS MOST ABOUT COUNTRY DAY IS… All the small moments throughout the day, like giving Mr. Faulhaber a fist bump...and then he reacts with the “snail” every single time.

Or skipping our homework and playing the imposter game with everyone who was free during B bell. It’s moments like that that I’ll miss the most.

MY FAVORITE MEMORY OF COUNTRY DAY IS… Getting to run the Homecoming pep rally. I had never done anything like that before, and it took a lot of work, but in the end, I had so much fun cheering on all the little kids in their events and overseeing the traditional tug-of-war competition between all of the grades in the Upper School.

TO ME, LEADERSHIP IS… Putting other people first and building connections. I think it’s important to ask others for their opinions instead of just going with my initial thoughts. It’s important to support and listen to people, especially if they are having a bad day.

MY BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR NEXT YEAR’S SENIOR CLASS IS… Don’t take anything for granted. Be in the moment. You should absolutely care about your classes, but don’t make them everything. Do as much as you can with the time you have left. Go to every senior event to support your classmates. Try something new – I’m even playing flag football!

IN 25 YEARS, I HOPE TO… Be thriving in my career at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and be married with a big family, which is something I’ve always wanted. I hope that my kids will get to take the same path that I did by starting at St. Gertrude and then ending up at Country Day.

I DEFINITELY STRESS OUT ABOUT… My classes. Like, 100 percent. I took DMac’s [Dr. Jeremiah McCall’s] history class, and it was vastly different from history classes at my previous school because his tests were all essay-based and really hard. But it taught me that I need to study a little more and work a bit harder. I remember going into my AP Chemistry final just wanting to get a “B,” knowing that it would be an OK grade to get because I knew how hard I had to work to get even that.

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Mr. Cutler’s study hall, 1936 50 | CONNECTIONS

Class Notes 1971

Bill Hopple ’71 During two recent trips to Mexico, Bill ran into several Country Day alums. In Cozumel, Bill was hailed by Michael Sparks ’88 while walking across the pool deck at a Hilton resort. A week earlier, while attending a wedding in Cancun, Bill bumped into Joshua Williams ’09 and Ben Schneider ’89, who were also in attendance.

This really is a small world!

UPDATES ON ALUMNI NEAR & FAR conducting medical research in several countries and practicing pathology. Brooks was recently honored by Johns Hopkins University, where he spent much of his career as the chair of pathology, with the 2025 Distinguished Medical Alumnus award. Brooks writes that he is looking forward to the 55th reunion of the Class of 1971 in the fall and hopes he will see many classmates there.

1975

John Simon ’75

Brooks Jackson ’71 While Brooks has stepped down as the head of the University of Iowa Health System and dean of medicine, he is still working full-time as a physician and professor of pathology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine,

John’s newest book is now available! Drawing on his many years in higher education leadership, Experiential Leadership: How Real-Life Moments Shape the Way We Lead invites readers into a deeply personal exploration of how leadership grows through experience. As vice provost for academic affairs at Duke University, as provost at the University of Virginia, and as president of Lehigh University, John faced many challenges.

He came to see those challenges as chances to lead more authentically and with greater purpose and self-awareness.

In Experiential Leadership, John conveys that hard-earned insight through compelling stories and practical reflections, demonstrating how leaders develop resilience, clarity, and purpose by learning directly from the moments that matter most.

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1978

Mark Linder ’78 Mark, a professor of architecture at Syracuse University, has recently published a new book: That’s Brutal, What’s Modern?: The Smithsons, Banham, and the Mies-Image. In his new book, Mark offers an original understanding of New Brutalism. He aims to recover a specific yet overlooked aspect of New Brutalism by reconsidering the entirety of Alison and Peter Smithson’s work as a fitful and evolving 50-year fascination with the imaging potential they found in the architecture of Mies van der Rohe. This book will appeal to a broad audience, including architects, students of architecture, and those with a serious interest in modernist and contemporary architecture, as well as scholars in multiple academic fields, including architectural and art history, visual studies, media studies, and photography.

Quite an accomplishment!

1981

M. Chris Griffith ’81 Chris has been named one of Atlanta’s top doctors by Atlanta Magazine. The list recognizes doctors who demonstrate clinical excellence and are highly regarded by both their peers and their patients. Chris specializes in psychiatry and obesity medicine and also teaches at the medical schools of Morehouse University and Emory University in Atlanta. The full list of Atlanta’s top doctors for 2026 will be available in the July 2026 issue of Atlanta Magazine. Well done, Chris!

52 | CONNECTIONS

1988

Michelle Généce Patterson ’88 Michelle was honored last summer as one of the country’s most influential journalists by Take the Lead, a nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving gender parity in leadership.

An award-winning news producer, Michelle has won a Peabody Award and six Emmy Awards for ABC and CNN. Now running her own company, MindFire Productions, Michelle tells stories that empower people to succeed. Take the Lead recognized Michelle’s impact on others by selecting her for one of their top awards at their annual Power Up conference last August. Each year, Take the Lead recognizes nine “Power Tool Champions” who embody the nine key strategies they encourage women to use to succeed in their career; Michelle was selected as one of those Power Tool Champions for her deft and effective use of one of those strategies – employing every medium to advance her voice – and dubbed “The Influencer” by the organization. Congratulations, Michelle, and well done!

1991

2003

Kathy and her family have moved to New Zealand!

After 23 years of medical practice with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Kathy is now practicing in Whakatāne, New Zealand, in the sunny Bay of Plenty on the North Island.

She is working in a hospital that serves a large district that is about 50% Māori, training young doctors and doctors specializing in emergency and rural medicine, and she will soon complete the process to become a Fellow of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine.

Kathy’s 14-year-old daughter, Josie, has started at the local high school, and her partner Dave is cooking at a local restaurant and taming the fruit trees and native bush on their big property.

According to Kathy, their dogs and cats have settled into their new lives in New Zealand.

Kathy describes Whakatāne as a beautiful coastal place with rivers, mountains, bush, and geothermal features for lots of fun. Kathy encourages anyone traveling to New Zealand to get in touch with her.

Corbin and Andrea Pomeranz welcomed their fourth child, Violet Ruth Pomeranz, on November 4, 2025. Corbin and Andrea are adjusting well to being increasingly outnumbered, and siblings Esmé, Remy, and Poppy are delighted with their new playmate.

Kathy McCue ’91

Corbin Pomeranz ’03

Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Heinz, and Kraft Mac & Cheese, and successfully launched new brands. She is committed to building high‑performing teams and fostering a collaborative, creative culture that delivers results.

Congratulations, Ashley!

2005

Johanna Byer ’05

2004

Ashley (Durand) Tople ’04 Ashley has earned a very significant promotion at The Kraft Heinz Company; she is now general manager & vice president of marketing of the hydration portfolio. She leads a $2billion+ business that includes iconic brands such as Capri Sun, Kool Aid, Crystal Light, Mio, Country Time, and Tang. She is responsible for defining the portfolio’s strategic direction and platform vision and leads execution of integrated brand and business strategies. A 13‑year Kraft Heinz veteran, Ashley has led brand building, innovation, and portfolio strategy for

April 2026 was a momentous month for Johanna. On April 10, her most recent movie was released by Universal Pictures. Johanna, who is executive vice president at Will Packer Productions, produced You, Me & Tuscany, a romantic comedy set in Italy and starring Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, and Marco Calvani. Filled with comedic and romantic adventures and misadventures, the film tells the story of a young American cook who squats in an empty Tuscan villa posing as the owner’s fiancée and discovers an unexpected romance that could transform her life. Shortly after the movie’s release, Johanna and her husband, James Adcock, welcomed their third child, Dobbs James Adcock, to their family on April 20. Brothers Bowes ’38 and Hodge ’42 are delighted with their new playmate. Talk about having your hands full.

Scan here to read a recent alum spotlight about Johanna:

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Peter Niehoff ’05 Peter Niehoff, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of film and media studies at the University of Cincinnati, has written a book on the return of Sunday cinema in England. The book was recently published by Edinburgh University Press. In the early years of motion pictures, showing films on Sunday was outlawed in England. Peter’s book, which began as a graduate research paper 13 years ago, examines the efforts of the countless people who coalesced around England’s Sunday cinema movement. These cinematic communities began to see the social necessity of film and challenged the institution of the British Sunday to make room for this new cultural practice.

Cinema on Sundays recounts the emergence of legal Sunday cinema culture in Britain between the 1920s and the 1950s. By utilizing newly uncovered sources, this book uncovers the larger social, political, and legal history of the topic. Sunday cinemagoers forever altered the one day a week most people were free from work.

Chris Rust ’05 Chris married Stephanie Batsakes on May 2, 2026, at the Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Finneytown. A memorable reception followed at the Queen City Club in downtown Cincinnati. Many members of the Country Day community helped Chris and Stephanie celebrate. Stealing the show was ringbearer Johnny Shepherd ’42; keeping Chris on task were best men John Weyan ’05 and Rob Shively ’06 and groomsmen Will Carroll ’05, Aaron Guttman ’05, Des Holloman ’05, and Andrew Roth ’05; providing family support were James Rust Jr. ’66 (father), Lois Poe Rust (mother), Julie Rust Webster ’71 (aunt), 54 | CONNECTIONS

Eric Poe Miller ’94 (brother), James Rust III ’04 (brother); and rounding out the alumni contingent were Peter ’05 and Betsy (Jacobs) Niehoff ’05, David ’05 and Vallie (Geier) Tapke ’05, Yusuke Uchiyama ’05, Erin Kapor ’06, and Sam Kapor ’10.

Chris and Stephanie will make their home in Cincinnati, where Chris owns an insurance brokerage, and Stephanie is the area sales manager for one of the country’s largest distributors of wines and spirits. Congratulations and all our best wishes to Chris and Stephanie!

2006

Erin Kapor ’06

Erin, who is the lead talent agent representing creative directors for the top-tier WME firm in Los Angeles, was on campus on Thursday, April 30, to talk with students interested in pursuing careers in the arts or entertainment. Erin shared her path from Country Day to Hollywood and described the nature of her work, answered questions, and provided practical advice and encouragement to a large group of students. Thank you, Erin, for lending a hand to our current students!

2008

Christine Lindner Potvin ’08 Christine Lindner Potvin and Connor Potvin welcomed their daughter, Charlotte Lindner Potvin on April 7, 2026. What wonderful news!

2009

Bailey Kielarowski ’09 On July 26, 2025, Bailey married Gumer Ventura in a small, private wedding in Chicago. Bailey and Gumer live in Chicago, where Bailey is a director at a boutique market research and strategy firm. Bailey’s sister, Meredith Kielarowski ’12, and Meredith’s husband, Ryan Little, attended the ceremony. Congratulations and all our best wishes to Bailey and Gumer!

Alums showcase their talent on stage!

Alyssa Magarian ’10 and Aimée Ward ’11 (and current faculty member) performed in Cincinnati Music Theatre’s sold-out production of Rent, the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Jonathan Larson.

Elvira Carrillo, retired CCDS Spanish teacher, and Susie Lewis, retired CCDS math teacher, went to see their former students perform.

“What a joy to see both Alyssa and Aimee on stage in this amazing, energetic, and moving musical,” said Susie.

“Rent was sold out and performed to standing ovations.

The voices and acting were fabulous! Their talent brought me to tears. I have fond memories of both of them starring in CCDS theater productions.”

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2010

2011

2013

Jordi, an English professor at Louisiana State University, has uncovered a previously unstudied 17th-century treatise on poetics in the archives of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

The manuscript – De Arte Poetica – was written

by Jesuit professor and poet Ubertino Carrara (b.1642- d.1716).

Cody Pomeranz and Tori Kutzner welcomed their first child, Raymond Kutzner Pomeranz on December 21, 2025. Cody writes that Raymond is a complete delight and that he and Tori are overjoyed to be his parents. Dog Burrow, on the other hand, is a bit less excited about the addition of Raymond to the household.

Isabelle married Marshall Hollerith on October 25, 2025, at the Washington National Cathedral in the District of Columbia. Quite a few members of the Class of 2013 attended and helped the happy couple celebrate their wedding: Michael Barton, Luke Hall, Sam Hall, Olivia June, Cassidy (Sachs) Masters, Julia Murphy, Sally Portman, and Sarah Mae Selnick.

2012

Michael Barton ’13 and Sam Hall ’13

Jordi Alonso ’10

Jordi, who earned his Ph.D. in poetry from the University of Missouri in 2021, has long been interested in both English-language poetry and the literature and art of ancient Greece and Rome. In fact, after earning his Ph.D. in English, Jordy earned a master’s degree in classics from Columbia University in 2023. Jordy developed an interest in the works of Carrara while translating his epic poem “Columbus” – a fantasy about Columbus’s first voyage of discovery into the Americas that largely reimagines Virgil’s Aeneid with Columbus as the main character – for a bilingual Latin-English edition. A quest for other works by Carrara led him to the archives of the Pontifical Gregorian University, the school where Carrara taught for many years (though it was then known as the Roman College), where he discovered De Arte Poetica, a treatise on the art of poetry previously unknown to the modern academic community. Jordi has transcribed the entire work in its original Latin and will soon begin translating it with the goal of publishing a bilingual Latin-English edition. What an interesting adventure!

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Cody Pomeranz ’11

Reed Davis ’12 Reed and Leigh Davis welcomed their second child, Fisher, in February. All are doing well, and Caroline is delighted with her new sibling!

Congratulations!

Isabelle McAlevey ’13

The Alpaugh Family Economics Center (AFEC) at the University of Cincinnati selected Michael Barton and Sam Hall for the keynote panel at the AFEC 2026 Annual Awards ceremony held April 21, 2026. Both Michael (who leads Coatue’s $17 billion hedge fund in New York) and Sam (who co-founded and is COO of Growthfactor.ai, a startup using data and artificial intelligence to help real estate investors make smarter decisions) participated in AFEC programs during high school; they were both members of the winning team in AFEC’s stock market game during their junior year at CCDS, earning a trip to Wall Street, and were influenced in their choice of careers by their AFEC experience.

Michael and Sam were delighted to share with

2015

this year’s young AFEC award winners the impact AFEC had on their development and to offer their insights into the worlds of finance and entrepreneurialism. Both also spoke very highly of the role CCDS played in shaping their lives, giving special accolades to Susie Lewis – a much-beloved and now-retired Middle School faculty member who for many years advised CCDS teams in AFEC’s stock market game.

Ben Stegman ’15

Back row, left to right: Blake Selnick ’73, Tim Selnick ’80, Mike Leonard ’83, Sam Hall ’13, Luke Hall ’13, Eaisa David ’13, Olivia June ’13, Cassidy (Sachs) Masters ’13; front row, left to right: Kathy (Chantilas) Drew ’79, Celeste (Hatfield) Warrington ’79, Sadie Lindner ’12, Sally Portman ’13, Julia Murphy ’13, Sarah Mae Selnick ’13, Isabelle McAlevey Hollerith ’13, Isabella Guttman ’13 (not pictured but also in attendance: Jack Willingham ’13)

Sarah Mae Selnick ’13 Sarah Mae married Liam Jude Giblin on December 6, 2025, in the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center in New York City. A large contingent of Country Day alums was on hand to help the happy couple celebrate. Attending were Blake Selnick ’73, Kathy (Chantilas) Drew ’79, Celeste (Hatfield) Warrington ’79, Tim Selnick ’80, Mike Leonard ’83, Sadie Lindner ’12, Sam Hall ’13, Luke Hall ’13, Eaisa David ’13, Jack Willingham ’13, Olivia June ’13, Cassidy (Sachs) Masters ’13, Sally Portman ’13, Julia Murphy ’13,Isabelle McAlevey Hollerith ’13, and Isabella Guttman ’13.

Congratulations and all our best wishes to Sarah Mae and Jude!

Jack Willingham ’13 Jack married Katie Taylor on Saturday, March 21, at St. Francis De Sales Church in Cincinnati. A delightful reception at the Transept in Over the Rhine followed. Helping Jack and Katie celebrate well into the night were many members of the Class of 2013: Sara Fitzgerald, Olivia June, Isabelle McAlevey, Sarah Mae Selnick, Michael Barton, Alex Brady, Elliot Cofer, Sam Fossett, Luke Hall, Sam Hall, and Jack Victor. Other CCDS alums in attendance included Peter Fossett ’80, Brian Cofer ’10, Claire Willingham ’10, and Isabelle Hannan Hudson ’15. Congratulations and all our best wishes to Jack and Katie!

Ben is thriving in the Los Angeles area. Ben, who earned his Ph.D. in materials engineering from Purdue, is the lead materials engineer on SpaceX’s Raptor Materials and Processing Team, working on the engine that powers the company’s Starship space transportation system. Ben finds the work of figuring out the best materials for the Raptor engine exciting, especially now that Starship is moving out of the development phase and is close to being mission capable.

Ben sends a special shout-out to Paula Buter – it was in her AP Chemistry class that his passion for materials engineering was first ignited – and notes that he works with Casey Hopple ’09, who is a manager in the Starship program. In addition to leading critical work for SpaceX, Ben recently married Tara Mehta in Boston. Ben and Tara met in London while Ben was pursuing studies at the Imperial College-Royal School of Mines and Tara was a student at King’s College.

Helping Ben and Tara celebrate were fellow members of the Class of 2015: Alexander and Taylor Maier (who were Ben’s best men), Jack Hupper, Nicholas Langenbahn, and Leonard Behrens. Well done, Ben!

2016

David Yang ’16 David is a software engineer with Palantir Technologies; he has recently moved to Palantir’s New York City office after spending four years in the company’s Seattle office. David has recently wed, too, marrying Capri Scharff on October 11, 2025. David and Capri make their home in Long Island City, a stone’s throw from the East River.

David is eager to connect with Country Day alums in the New York City area.

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2018

2019

Sachi graduated from the University of Toledo’s College of Medicine this spring and has begun her residency in orthopedic surgery at Wright State University in Dayton. Congratulations, Dr. Bhati!

Sean has finished his first year of medical school at Wright State University in Dayton. While Sean is not sure what practice path he will pursue, he has developed a significant interest in cardiology and will pursue research in the field with the Veterans Administration over the summer break.

Congratulations, Sean!

Sachi Bhati ’18

Sean Stewart ’19

2021

Nora Brant ’21 Kaity Travis ’18 Please join us in congratulating Kaity, who has been named Teacher of the Year by the William Bell School, a Butler University lab school in the Indianapolis public school system. Kaity is a 5th-grade teacher at William Bell, where she has taught for the past four years. She serves as an ENL (English as a New Language) cohort teacher in a classroom with an equal balance of English learners and native English speakers. She is passionate about creating a classroom where every student feels seen, valued, and motivated to learn. Kaity focuses on hands-on, engaging learning that extends beyond the classroom and creates opportunities for students to connect their learning to the world around them in meaningful ways. Through these experiences, students begin to understand the purpose behind what they are learning and their role in their community. Her goal is to foster curiosity, confidence, and a lasting love of learning. Well done, Kaity!

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Nora, who is pursuing her Master’s of Philosophy in Medical Science (Oncology) at the University of Cambridge (Emmanuel College), will begin her Ph.D. at Cambridge in the fall as part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program, a highly individualized and accelerated doctoral training program for outstanding students committed to biomedical research careers.

NIH Oxford-Cambridge students partner with two Investigators – one at the National Institutes of Health and another at the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom – to perform a single, collaborative dissertation project. Students are expected to divide the time evenly between the two laboratories, with two years in the NIH laboratory and two years in the UK laboratory. Nora will study cancer genetic epidemiology with Dr. Siddhartha Kar at the Early Cancer Institute, Cambridge, and with Dr. Mitchell Machiela at the NIH’s National Cancer Institute. What an interesting adventure!

2022

Sam Lazarus ’22 In early April, Sam and two of his Babson College classmates took second place in the 2026 Accuracy Business Cup, an international business consulting competition sponsored by Accuracy, a global consulting firm based in Paris, France. 700 teams from 100 universities in 11 countries started the competition, but only four teams made it to the finals in Paris; Sam and his Babson College teammates were one of those four teams that went to Paris.

The first two rounds of the competition established the national champions from each of the 11 competing countries. In the first round, Sam and his teammates competed against 29 other teams from the US. This first round of the competition tested the teams’ ability to respond to an external shock disrupting a client’s business: Specifically, the teams were challenged to develop a strategy for a Japanese automaker facing a hypothetical 200% US import tariff. By placing among the top four teams in that round, Sam and his classmates advanced to the US finals.

In the national finals, the teams were

2023

Nick Watts ’23

challenged to develop innovative solutions to the “range anxiety” and charging infrastructure limitations that impede the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

The Babson team’s development of an electrified semi-trailer, effectively turning diesel-powered tractor-trailers into hybrid vehicles, carried the day and made Sam and his teammates the US champions.

In the third round, the 11 national champions tweaked their award-winning second-round proposals and put them up head-to-head in a best-of-the-best competition for the four spots in the international final in Paris. Judged to have one of the top proposals, Sam and his teammates got their tickets to Paris!

In Paris, Sam and his Babson partners faced teams from Canada (Western University, Ontario), India (Indian School of Business, Hyderabad), and the Netherlands (University of Groningen).

The challenge in this last round of the competition was to develop a comprehensive competitive strategy for the French tire

company Michelin’s response to the rapid expansion of Chinese competition. While Sam and his Babson teammates finished second behind the Canadian team, they performed at a very high level and deserve hearty congratulations.

Nick, a third-year student in Xavier University’s Philosophy, Politics, and the Public honors program, spent this past spring semester in Washington, DC, on a program sponsored by the Fund for American Studies. While in Washington, Nick took classes on American government, economics, and history while interning in the office of Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN), the House Majority Whip. During his time with the Whip, Nick gained valuable insight into the legislative process by attending and summarizing hearings and briefings on multiple pressing policy issues. He also worked to ensure that Whip team events were executed smoothly and that members always felt welcome to stop by the Whip’s office.

Nick will stay in DC this summer and continue to learn more about the leadership in the House, interning with the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson (R-LA).

Reflecting on the experience, Sam had this to say: “Each case required us to move beyond surface-level analysis and into the kind of strategic thinking that professional consultants do every day: synthesizing complex market dynamics, building financial models that withstand scrutiny, and translating analysis into clear, actionable recommendations. The progression from defensive strategy (tariffs) to innovation (electrified vehicles) to competitive positioning (Michelin) gave us a comprehensive view of how strategy works across different business contexts.

We...left Paris with a deeper understanding of what it takes to think strategically about complex business problems.”

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Class of 2023 During the first week of May 2026, members of the Class of 2023 reunited in Madrid, Spain, to celebrate the end of the semester. Josh Back, Aidan McGivern, Colin Ray, and Anders Scheer (University of Cincinnati) caught up with Charlie Connelly (George Washington University), who was wrapping up a semester of study in Barcelona. Emil Hettich (WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany) and Andrea Berardi (Università Roma Tre in Italy) joined, and Hannah Schoeny (Ohio University) met the group on her way to Belgium. A great example of CCDS’s global community and the lasting connections that extend well beyond graduation.

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From left to right: Johannes (friend of Emil), Hannah Schoeny, Aidan McGivern, Anders Scheer, Colin Ray, Josh Back, Emil Hettich, Andrea Berardi, Charlie Connelly

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IN MEMORIAM

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

Chris Cartheuser ’02 Christopher “Chris” Cartheuser, 41, passed away on December 9, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. Born on December 21, 1983, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chris was just days away from celebrating his 42nd birthday.

Chris spent his formative years in Cincinnati, where he attended Cincinnati Country Day School from kindergarten through twelfth grade. His early education laid the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and critical thinking. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Arizona in Tucson and later completed a Master of Science in Human Resource Development at Florida International University.

Chris recently reached a significant milestone in his professional life when he was appointed as a Human Resources Success Partner at the Austin Center for Exceptional Students, ACES. This role brought him immense joy and fulfillment. He often shared that he had finally found a workplace where he felt truly at home—surrounded by like-minded individuals who inspired and supported him.

Chris’s passions extended far beyond his career. A gifted chess player and avid athlete, he was active in competitive chess as well as soccer and tennis. He found peace and inspiration in nature – walking through preserves and butterfly gardens, exploring creeks for Indian artifacts, and rescuing animals in distress whenever he encountered them. His intellectual curiosity led him to spirited debates on politics, philosophy, and environmental issues – topics he approached with both passion and thoughtfulness.

He was a passionate football, soccer, and Sumo wrestling fan, finding fascination in both the strategy and spectacle of sport.

Chris leaves behind a loving family who will miss him deeply. He is survived by his grandmother Fran Hunter; father Kent Cartheuser; mother Robin Harris Jackson; bonus dad George Jackson; sisters Lauren Cartheuser, Brooke Bristol, and Brandi Jackson; brother Christopher Jackson; aunts Jolie Harris and Diane Cartheuser; uncles Scott Harris and Christopher A. Cartheuser; niece Novalee Schneider; nephews Theo Schneider, Mason Bristol, and Adonis Bristol.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Joseph W. Harris; maternal grandmother, Gayle Eason Blais; maternal uncle, Mark Harris; and paternal grandfather, Donald Cartheuser.

Chris’s life was marked by deep intellect, compassion for others – human and animal alike – and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.

Linda Craig Linda Hollon Craig died on January 26, 2026, at the age of 84. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, L. Clifford Craig, their daughter, M. Lucinda Craig, son and daughter-in-law Christopher H. Craig and Maura Craig, grandchildren, Sarah (Jordan Lieb), Charlotte, and Jack Craig, as well as her brother, Dr. John Hollon (Jennifer), and sister Brenda Hollon Craig. She was predeceased by her father and mother, Thad and Margaret Hollon, and her brother Chad Hollon.

A strong believer in the value of education, she began her own schooling in the Blanchester school system, completed her secondary education at Southern Seminary in Buena Vista, Virginia, and her collegiate years at the University of North Carolina and Duke University, where she received her B.A. degree. After her own children had progressed beyond elementary school, Linda joined the faculty at Cincinnati Country Day School, where she taught for 21 years.

In addition to her love of education, Linda was a student and lover of nature.

In earlier years, she and her husband particularly enjoyed summer canoe trips to the boundary waters of northern Minnesota and southern Canada, often in the company of good friends Marge and Jim Anderson. Closer to home, windows that wrapped around her Clermont County farmhouse kitchen and dining room provided panoramic views of deer, wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, roving coyotes, and hawks spiraling skyward on the thermals ascending off the Stonelick Valley floor. She also loved the mountains and majestic skies that surrounded her home in Taos, New Mexico. In addition to the natural beauty of Taos, Linda was a great admirer of the mixture of Anglo, Pueblo, and Spanish cultures that make Taos so unique.

Linda also enjoyed antiquing and the thrill of the hunt to find a bargain. Her homes are filled with China, furniture, art, Native American pottery, and a variety of trinkets that she collected along the way. Fortunately for her family, Linda inherited her baking skills from her mother, Margaret. Her grandchildren fondly remember baking pies and other treats with her.

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Donn L. Klingler Donn LeRoy Klingler, son of Carl and Arlene (Schmidt) Klingler, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 24, 1931. He passed away on March 27, 2026. After high school in Charleston, Illinois, he served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Donn then attended the University of Illinois on the GI Bill. As he worked towards his degree in mathematics, he also played the clarinet as a member of the second L in the Illinois marching band. At the university, he met Elizabeth “Lizzie” Learner. On his graduation day, he and Lizzie skipped the ceremony to get married, a union that would last 62 years and produce three children, Richard ’79, Jean ’81, and Lisa (Looke) ’83, and seven grandchildren.

Donn devoted his life to his family and to his high-school math students. He started teaching at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois.

He then went to graduate school at the University of Michigan, where he earned his master’s degree, completed the coursework for a doctorate, and co-authored a high school algebra textbook. From there, he taught in private schools, with stints at Kent School in Connecticut, The Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, and Cincinnati Country Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served in many roles: math department chair, advisor, class dean, and college counselor. His students remember his mastery of his subject and his ability to make mathematics both accessible and enjoyable. For decades after his retirement, former students continued to contact him to thank him for his guidance. His colleagues remember him as an excellent teacher, a problem solver, a man of integrity, and a great friend.

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He and Lizzie worked at CCDS until they retired to New Hampshire. There, Donn immersed himself in gardening, the KUUF Unitarian community, and the serious business of providing a home base for his grandchildren, complete with fishing adventures in the summer and sledding and skiing in the winter.

Donn lived out his days with undimmed intellectual curiosity, a desire to be useful, a restlessness born of a sense that there was still a world to explore, and a fundamental kindness that he extended to all he encountered. He is survived by his brother, Clyde Klingler, his children, Richard and Jean, their children, those of his daughter Lisa, and thousands of students lucky enough to have had him as a teacher.

John Mack ’67 John Arthur Mack, age 76, died on March 10, 2026, of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. He is survived by his beloved family members: his widow, Alice, his daughter, Emma `06, his brother, Stephan, his sisters-in-law, Ruth and Barbara, and seven nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother Edgar “Ted” Mack III. The youngest son of Edgar “Buddy” Mack Jr. and Elaine Joseph Mack, he was proud to be a fifth-generation Cincinnati native.

He attended Cincinnati Country Day School, Tabor Academy in Marion, MA, the George Washington University, and the Institut International de Glion in Switzerland.

His parents encouraged his interest in foreign languages and cultures from an early age. One of his favorite years was when he attended the Université de Lausanne when he was 18. His French was remarkable, and he spoke with no discernible accent. He had a real ability to understand European cultures and people. He visited Demmelsdorf, Bavaria, the Mack family’s ancestral home in Germany, and he encouraged several Cincinnati families to travel there. The “Mack-Seligman” house is now the town hall.

John was also a gifted skier, and he could navigate black diamond runs with ease and grace. He learned how to ski when he was eight in West Virginia (with his friend and classmate Dick Schwab); perfected his technique in Aspen, CO (with the Lazarus and Strauss families); and then, after college, spent a season in Jackson Hole, WY. His love of the sport never left him, and Alice, Emma, and he took frequent ski trips together. Favorite destinations of theirs included the French and Swiss Alps, Whistler, BC, and Mount Hood, OR. John worked for Hilton International in Montreal, Athens, Tel Aviv, and Zurich. In New York, he was a managing director at Bear Stearns in European institutional sales, and then in Paris, he co-founded a company that specialized in the same business.

Alice, Emma, and he spent eight years in Paris before ultimately returning to John’s hometown of Cincinnati.

Standing Alone, Speaking for Many By: René J. Peters Jr. ’09

Over the last several years, my career in technology has taken me from Microsoft’s cloud computing to NVIDIA’s AI hardware, where I focus on cutting-edge enterprise projects.

These jobs have given me an intimate understanding of the technology that is changing how we live and work.

I have always aspired to turn these insights into community impact. 2019 marked the beginning of this journey when I was appointed to Seattle’s Community Technology Advisory Board (CTAB) by the city council. Moving from member to vice chair to chair, I supported incredible community-based technology efforts, tackling issues such as broadband access during the pandemic lockdown. CTAB functioned like a nonpartisan think tank, and my service felt both educational and inspiring.

My CTAB term expired in 2024, and I was appointed chair of Seattle’s Community Surveillance Working Group (CSWG), which is tasked with reviewing surveillance technology the city wants to implement and providing feedback to city officials. I started my role during a heated public discourse around proposed AI-enabled police cameras, raising serious questions about privacy, civil liberties, racial equity, and public trust.

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I showed up alone to two city council meetings, where I watched the Seattle Police Department present for over two hours. In contrast, I was given one minute to speak during the public comment period. In my address to the council, I made sure to underline our concern areas, the working group’s disapproval, and our frustration around the lack of collaboration with city leaders.

Here is what we were charged with researching: What happens when an AI-enabled police camera directly faces a Planned Parenthood healthcare center in a neighborhood with one of the highest Latino populations in Washington State?

Who is put at unique risk when there is no policy for where or how long the data is stored, which algorithms will be used, or the cameras’ specifications? We considered all of this in the 20-page report we were required to create as part of Seattle’s legal review process. Five of the six members, including myself, ultimately opposed the proposal for AI-enabled police cameras.

I had expected to work collaboratively with city leaders to address the feedback in the report; however, it turned out that creating the report was the easy part, and trying to get city officials to address the concerns was the real challenge. After a long period of silence and with only a day’s notice, I found out about the city council meeting that would address the report. We weren’t notified by the city, but by concerned citizens. It felt like city officials were actively avoiding our work, so I knew I had to create my own opportunity to advocate for the community.

64 | CONNECTIONS

After speaking, I was approached by local press, which led to live news features and multiple local articles focused on our research. I am naturally not comfortable being so visible, but I owed it to underrepresented citizens as well as the working group members who put so much time into the research. Being informed is only part of the responsibility; leadership sometimes means being willing to speak up even at the risk of being seen as adversarial by people with power.

I also challenged myself to find new ways to use my voice. The Seattle Times published my op-ed, “It’s time for the next wave of tech policy thinkers,” a call for Millennials, Gen-Z, Gen Alpha, and beyond to get involved in tech policy discussions.

As a result of the advocacy work, I was recognized as one of Seattle’s “40 Under 40” honorees as a “prominent voice in technology, its ethics and its implications for communities of color.” And, last year, my summer was punctuated with the honor of being invited to speak at the United Nations during their AI for Good Summit in Geneva.

The proposal I fought against was ultimately approved – nearly unanimously.

The cameras that pointed at the Planned Parenthood healthcare center were decommissioned by a new, progressive mayor. I’d like to think that our work had a role to play in that. Even if not, our report is still being used by law students and public interest groups around the country as an example of effective tech policy advocacy.

As I type this, Seattle is just over a month away from hosting the World Cup, where the surveillance discussion still looms large.

I remain hopeful.

For me, it all comes back to the responsibility I feel due to the opportunities I’ve been afforded, and the curiosity that was instilled in me from a young age. Solving big, complicated problems that impact others is what I want to make my life work.

I know I can draw on my Seattle experience for the courage to take up space and continue to make my voice heard.

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