PARENTS, ALUMNI AND FRIENDS of PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL
Editor
Palmer Trinity School is committed to the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative growth of all members of our school community. Our dedication to excellence and respect for diversity inspire students to seek enlightenment and lead lives of honor, integrity, and social responsibility.
Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja
Assistant Editor
Jennifer Agress
Editorial Advisors
Lois Chumbley
Katrina Murphy
Bruce Musgrave
Monica Sanchez
Katherine Vale
Design R+M Collaborative
Executive Staff (alphabetical )
Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja, Director of Advancement
Vivian Cerione, Registrar
Laurette Cestare, Head of Middle School
Jose Chao, Director of Finance and Operations
Ashley Chapman, Head of Upper School
Rita Feild, Counselor
Korée Hood, Diversity Coordinator
Katie Lamiell, Learning Resource Specialist
Julian Lentz, Chaplain
Susie Loiacono, Executive Assistant to the Head of School
Sean Murphy, Head of School
Bruce Musgrave, Assistant Head of School for Academics
Danny Reynolds, Director of Admission, College Counseling, and Financial Aid
Gus Sabogal, Director of Technology
Jake von Scherrer, Director of Athletics
Advancement Office
Susanna Cetta, Director of Annual Fund and Major Gifts
Lauren Dowlen, Advancement Officer
Peg Musgrave, Assistant to Advancement
Monica Sanchez, Director of Alumni and Events Relations
Mike Pena, Web and Content Manager
Board of Trustees 2012-2013
Joseph J. Kalbac, Jr., Chairman
Michael Baiamonte, Vice-Chair
Ricardo Albarran, Secretary
Charles Klenk, Treasurer
Susan Benenati
Paula Brockway
Rev. Frank J. Corbishley (Bishop’s Designate)
James Davidson
Rt. Rev. Leo Frade
Anne Jackaway
Mitchell Kaplan
Susan Ludovici
William Morrison
Vicki O’Meara
Tina Portuondo
Rev. Jennie Lou Reid
Alejandro Rodriguez
Isabel Rodriguez
Magdalena Rothfeldt
Bronwen Rutter
Bishop Calvin Schofield
Gary Tarbe
Jo-Ann Titley
Michelle Torbert
The Aerie is published twice a year by Palmer Trinity School for alumni, parents, grandparents, students and friends. The E-newsletter informs the community of campus events and student and faculty accomplishments. Send story ideas or comments to scalleja@palmertrinity.org or Webmaster Mike Pena at mpena@palmertrinity.org.
Palmer Trinity School offers a full-service website – www.palmertrinity.org – where you can look up friends in a searchable directory, find out about the latest news and events, and connect with our Alumni office. We also post back issues of our PTS e-newsletter and Aerie magazines online. For details on Alumni benefits and services, please contact our Director
of Alumni Relations and Events, Monica Sanchez, at msanchez@ palmertrinity.org or (305) 969-4210. The Aerie welcomes submissions and suggestions for magazine departments. If you have an idea for a feature story, please contact our Aerie editor at scalleja@palmertrinity.org.
Special thanks to RMC (www.rmcollaborative.com), a strategic design and brand innovation company, who continues to take the image of Palmer Trinity School to the next level.
Finally, we would like to thank Original Impressions, especially our Account Representative Lori Casner, for their continued dedication to Palmer Trinity School.
For this 40th anniversary edition of the Aerie, I can’t help but look back. At Palmer Trinity School, we strive to honor our past as we continue to build on our future—a sentiment I believe is apparent in this issue, as we admire our growth over the past forty years.
In our history, we have taken two separate schools and built one, inclusive, landmark institution. We have brought together two communities, always with a keen eye on conservation. Through our efforts, we have expanded our notion of what it means to serve one’s community and to honor one’s own spirituality.
This history makes me think of the word collective. Our school is a collection of entities that both share and are motivated by a common objective—this objective being to create a learning environment that nurtures and sustains everyone in its community. Over the past four decades, this has developed in a myriad of ways.
Think of a tree. The roots began forty years ago with the inception of Palmer School in 1972—later developing more roots as Trinity School opened in 1983. (For a comprehensive list of moments in our history, please check the Perspectives highlight on page 24.) Even with the severe damage inflicted on our current campus, caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, our tree grew back stronger, grew back faster, and it grew back with a determination to succeed.
Branches developed: academics, faculty, staff, athletics, library, music, drama, art, community service, sustainability, and Alumni. Now the tree is fuller and can provide students with both shade and oxygen. It’s worth noting that a tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide by the time it reaches forty years old, ultimately clarifying the air and improving the environment on which it stands.
Today, our school is a 40-year-old, glorious tree that protects and sustains us. It has weathered various physical storms, it has been patient as growth occurred all around it, and it has nurtured the comings and goings of students for the past forty years. It will continue to stand after each graduating class moves on, providing shelter, stillness and peace for students in our future.
“If we represent knowledge as a tree, we know that things that are divided are yet connected. We know that to observe the divisions and ignore the connections is to destroy the tree.”
—Wendell Berry, American academic, cultural and economic critic, man of letters, and farmer
Our collective community is forty years old. We celebrated in September with PTS Gives Back, an enormously successful event in which our students, parents, faculty, staff, grandparents, and Alumni participated in several service projects, both on and off our Palmer Trinity School campus. We came together again in November and December to celebrate the holidays, and we look forward to ending the year with our annual Reunion Weekend—an exciting event that invites Alumni back to campus to bask in the memories of their time at Palmer, Trinity Episcopal and Palmer Trinity School.
As we continue to build on the past—as we do throughout this issue of the Aerie —Pat Brockway, an amazing individual who has had a hand in Palmer Trinity School since the early days, is the perfect Visionaerie. Her first child graduated from Palmer School in 1982, her second in 1985, and now she has five grandchildren attending PTS. We honor her, and the entire Brockway legacy at Palmer Trinity School in her profile on page 18.
As for our collective, I’ve been a proud part of it for the last 7 years. I am enthusiastic about its future, and I am excited to watch as more branches grow, and our tree continues to blossom.
Happy Reading, Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja
Fortyyears is a long time if you are wandering in the desert, but it is no time at all if you are in love. The mere passage of time is no guarantee of success, happiness or meaning. As Jim Croce sang, “If I had a box just for wishes/ And dreams that had never come true/ The box would be empty/ Except for the memory/ Of how they were answered by you.” The fulfillment of wishes and dreams is not a result of time passing, but of us. Wandering in the desert allowed the chosen people to grow up, to prepare themselves to receive the Promised Land, not for the land to get ready for them.
Emerson claims that “Society never advances” in his essay “Self-Reliance.” Only individuals can advance. If you don’t believe him, just spend a little time studying history, literature, or your grandmother’s diary. Things were not so different one hundred years ago, or four thousand. People are the same. Our hopes and dreams for ourselves and for our children are not born out of the technological inventions or discoveries of the day, whatever Apple would have you believe. Galileo lived over 400 years ago, but what he saw through his telescope did not change his love for his daughter.
Has Palmer Trinity been wandering in the desert for forty years or are we in love? When I think of the past, present and future of this school, I can only think of an infinite number of moments—bits in time when something passed among people. I’ve said it often enough, that the school is not so much the land and the buildings, the fields and the labs, but the people who inhabit them, and more specifically the spirit of those individuals.
But those infinite moments are swept into eternity as quickly as they come into being. We strive mightily to preserve them, but our clawing and grasping prevents us from bringing the next moment into expression. It is like playing tennis. If you stop to admire your excellent volley, the next one passes you by.
Recently I watched The Dead Poet’s Society with my senior English class. It is a tragedy, a cautionary tale as all tragedies must be. The title comes from a group of rebellious boys who, in the midst of a world that offers only conformity and quiet desperation, are committed to Thoreau’s invitation “to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life” (Walden, “Where I Lived, and What I Lived for”). I do not want to wake up one day only to “discover that I had not lived.”
I am turning fifty this year. They say a midlife crisis is a problem of meaning. You can’t take for granted the achievements and purposes of forty years or so. I am afraid we might take for granted the purposes of our school. We are here to get ready for college, right? No, we are here to create a beloved community of the sort that Dr. King proclaimed and that his son reiterated to us just a few weeks ago.
Our intention to be an excellent Episcopal School is a high calling. I hope that in the next forty years we will keep foremost in our hearts, minds and backbones that mission. The Episcopal nature of our project is not a nice addition; it is the whole enterprise. At the beginning of Lent, we read Luke’s account of the three temptations to remind us that the purpose of being led through the desert and to be given a life in the land of milk and honey is not to keep us well-fed, or make us more privileged. We cannot assume a long life or permanent favor. We must continually turn away from those temptations toward our highest calling—service to one another in the work of creating beloved community. Everything else misses the point.
p
Sean Murph
Sean Murphy Head of School
PTS Advanced Placement Students Ranked Above National Standards
By: Bruce Musgrave, Assistant Head of School for Academics
In the most recent administration of the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Testing Program, Palmer Trinity School students distinguished themselves to an unusual degree. In May of 2012, 127 PTS students wrote a total of 210 AP exams in 20 fields of study. Moreover, 50 of those PTS students were recognized by the College Board as AP Scholars. Palmer Trinity School’s total of 270 written AP exams was 100 more than PTS students wrote in the spring of 2006.
The AP program offers college-level study, assessed by examination, in which a score of 5 denotes that a student is “extremely qualified to receive college credit,” 4 denotes “well qualified for college credit,” 3 denotes “qualified for college credit,” 2 denotes “possibly qualified for college credit,” and 1 denotes “not recommended for college credit.”
The National average score on all AP exams for 2012 was 2.89, the Florida average was 2.55, while the PTS average for 2012 was 3.68.
The College Board recognizes AP Scholars at three levels. PTS had 26 students recognized as “AP Scholars” (3 or more AP exams per student, with scores of 3 or higher). PTS had 9 “AP Scholars with Honors” (4 or more APs per student, with scores of 3 or higher, and an average score of 3.25 or higher). Palmer Trinity School had 15 “AP Scholars with Distinction” (5 or more APs per student with scores of 3 or higher, and an average of 3.5 or higher). The 50 students at PTS recognized as AP Scholars at those three levels constitute 39% of the students who sat for AP exams at PTS in 2012, and those 50 students earned an average score of 3.97 on all of their AP exams.
Courses in which 100% of the PTS students earned scores of 3 or higher on their AP exams in May of 2012 include German Language and Culture (1 student), English Language and Composition (21 students), United States History (9 students), European History (7 students), and Music Theory (3 students). Courses in which all but one student earned scores of 3 or higher include Spanish Language (32 of 33 students), Chinese Language and Culture (2 of 3 students), Biology (9 of 10 students), Chemistry (10 of 11 students), English
Literature and Composition (16 of 17 students), Environmental Science (8 of 9 students), and Art in Two Dimensions (3 of 4 students). Also noteworthy were AB Calculus (28 of 30 students with scores of 3 or higher), BC Calculus (4 of 6 students), Physics C Mechanics (5 of 7 students), Psychology (40 of 50 students), Spanish Literature (8 of 10 students), and Statistics (7 of 9 students). Overall, PTS students achieved scores of 3 or higher on 86% of their AP exams written in 2012.
The College Board monitors a school’s “success” in the testing program by calculating the percentage of students who earn one or more passing scores on the exams they take. Average percentages of success for the US, Florida, and PTS over the past five years appear in the table below:
In some cases, these students have earned college credit for their performance on the exams, and in other cases, they have earned “standing,” exempting pre-requisite courses. The school’s AP course syllabi are audited by the College Board, blind of the school’s identity, and each course is appraised by two college professors or other expert educators before it is authorized for inclusion in the AP program. We congratulate our students and their teachers on these outstanding results in this rigorous program.
Future Mathematicians
By: Basant Pangeni, PTS Mathematics Department
When AP Calculus finished last year, there were no other classes offering similar topics pertaining to a higher level of mathematics. As a result, seniors Marcus Fernandez, Sam Forristall, and Arissa Baiamonte approached Mr. Basant Pangeni and asked him to support their advanced mathematical studies by supervising an independent study. Meeting after school one day each week, Mr. Pangeni taught these students First Order and Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations, courses typically taken as a sophomore in college. As part of the class, each student had to give a presentation on a topic that related to Differential Equations. As a result, Arissa gave a presentation on Autonomous Equations used when there is no explicit occurrence of the independent variable in an equation. Sam, on the other hand, demonstrated the Separation of Variables Method; and showed how we can utilize Integrating Factors to solve a First Order Differential equation and find the position function for an object in freefall affected by drag. Marcus completed the course with a lecture on Damping in Oscillating Systems, which required techniques used to answer Homogeneous Linear Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations and Euler’s Equation. “Mr. Pangeni and Palmer Trinity School gave us a rare opportunity that we would not have had at another school,” Arissa says. “This
Independent Study gave us wonderful insight into how mathematics is used in other fields, and we are all glad that we now have a
head start on learning difficult topics that we will see again in college and possibly use in our future careers.”
This was the first time that the school has taught a mathematics course of this level. As a result, it has caught the attention of some of the younger students who are now interested in learning higher-level mathematics that surpass AP Calculus next year.
Seniors Arissa Baiamonte, Sam Forristall and Marcus Fernandez
One day each week, Mr. Pangeni taught the seniors college-level mathematics.
Diversity at PTS
By: Korée Hood, Diversity Coordinator
From
the first time
I stepped
foot
on the grounds of Palmer Trinity School,
I knew there was something different about it. I wasn’t yet a member of the school. At the persistence of a friend who raved about the transformative soul of this place—and of course, their amazing salads—I went to the campus as a visitor. Before arriving at Palmer Trinity School, I was a fourth grade teacher at another independent institution in South Florida. Prior to that, I earned my undergraduate degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, where I really began to understand and refine my position as an educator.
As an educator in the evolving and globalized landscape of the world today, I came to realize that young people need to have more than just an understanding of traditional classroom academia to be successful. Now, one’s success—both personal and professional— is dependent on how well they understand, and can navigate,
“People
Knowledge”
different people. Professionally, our students will have jobs and operate businesses that have yet to be created; and in the process, they will likely interact with colleagues who do not share the same culture, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomics or religion as they do.
As Diversity Coordinator, my job is to teach “People Knowledge.” It starts by facilitating a conversation that further creates an environment where students are knowledgeable about people, understand what makes people unique and different, and are assured that their identity is recognized and affirmed on campus. By doing so, we let the students know that Palmer Trinity School isn’t a place they are merely visiting—it’s their home. During a time where unpleasant school experiences follow kids home through technology, we need to turn our differences into appreciated gifts, rather than hurtful curses. Furthermore, we can ensure that, as graduates, our students will be knowledgeable, understanding, compassionate and relevant leaders in society, as a result of their humanistic understanding of others.
In today’s society, the ultimate goal for a group of individuals is often to become a “melting pot”—where people blend together and are all, essentially, the same. As we examine that further, however, we find that that expectation is not only unachievable, but it is also hurtful to a community—as our differences are no longer celebrated, and instead, everyone has become mirrors of each other. Metaphorically, Palmer Trinity will aim to become a mixed salad. We will have lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, avocado, croutons, bacon bits, red onion, sesame seeds, feta cheese, yellow peppers and a small dab of Italian Dressing—let’s keep it healthy. Every ingredient has a different taste, texture, smell, consistency and color, and each adds a purposeful, distinct, and appreciated contribution to the salad. If
the salad were a melting pot, we would put the ingredients into a blender before consumption to ensure that every sip tasted the same.
During Advisory next year, students will begin to learn about the different aspects of people in society in an age- and maturityappropriate setting. Of all of the issues they explore, we will focus primarily on ability (differences in learning and physical capabilities), religion, cultural awareness, sexual orientation, gender equality, ageism, race, and socioeconomic status. Learning to appreciate our diversity does not mean that everyone will agree on every issue. It simply means that students will be aware, knowledgeable, and appreciative of the differences we see in one another, and the different ways we perceive the world around us. No matter who you are, everyone shares one, general truth: We all want to know that we matter, and we all want to know that we are loved. This is true whether you’re tall or short, rich or poor, young or old, black or white, male or female, child or adult. Palmer Trinity School will continue to motivate students intrinsically to appreciate what they add to our salad. We want everyone to know that their ingredient matters, and that our school would not be the same without them. We will make sure the croutons understand the importance of the onion. The lettuce appreciates the dressing, the avocado is aware of the tomato, the bacon bits celebrate the feta cheese, and the yellow peppers work together with the sesame seeds—and vice versa. We may not all like the same salad, but surely we can agree to understand each ingredient. Our students depend on this knowledge, and more importantly, the world depends on our students.
“No matter who you are, everyone shares one, general truth: We all want to know that we matter, and we all want to know that we are loved.”
Korée Hood, PTS Diversity Coordinator, leading an outdoor activity with members of the sixth-grade class.
Breakthrough Miami
By: Ariel Edwards, Breakthrough Miami Senior Site Director at Palmer Trinity School
As the school bell rings, signifying the end of the 2011-2012 school year, the chatter begins:
“Where are you going this summer? ”
“What are your summer plans? ”
While most young adults are preparing to travel, backpack or spend their summer vacation volunteering abroad, a handful of Palmer Trinity School students and Alumni stayed on campus—ready to make a difference in their school community and beyond. In doing so, these five students committed to an intensive eight-week internship with Breakthrough Miami, where they served as teachers for 125 Breakthrough Miami scholars from different areas of South Miami-Dade County.
“My summer at Breakthrough Miami not only taught me how to manage time and deal with stress, but it also showed me that we unconsciously affect people with small actions each and every day.”
After a rigorous application process, PTS students Hallie Parten ‘14, Arissa Baiamonte ‘13 and Melinda Klenk ‘14 were selected as teacher interns for the Breakthrough Miami Summer Program—giving them the task of creating lesson plans and leading classroom instruction, throughout the summer, for a specific, grade-level subject. While Ms. Hallie and Ms. Melinda taught English, Ms. Arissa taught 6thgrade math. “My summer at Breakthrough Miami not only taught me how to manage time and deal with stress, but it also showed me that we unconsciously affect people with small actions each and every day,” Melinda says. “Even if you don’t think what you are doing makes an impact, you can see it ripple through the rest of someone’s life.” She wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Also this past summer, three Palmer Trinity School Alumni—Julian Del Prado
‘12, Christian Alfonso ‘07 and Estefania Romero ‘07—returned to their Alma Mater to become integral members of the Breakthrough Miami family. While Julian taught 5th-grade social studies and Christian taught science, Estefania returned for her second summer with Breakthrough Miami to serve as Program Manager, where she was responsible for coordinating special events and volunteers. Without the help of these dedicated scholars, we would not have been able to maintain the academic rigor, the enthusiasm—and ultimately, the success—of our 2nd-annual Breakthrough Miami Summer Program at PTS. Through their lessons, these teachers planted seeds of success in the minds of our Breakthrough scholars; and their dedication to these students, throughout the school year, has allowed them to witness their growth in both their personal and academic lives. Most importantly, it is because of their efforts that our Breakthrough Miami students, many of whom come from under-resourced communities, are gaining the tools they need to take their lives to the next step—and one day, just maybe, make a difference in their own communities.
With the end of the summer, we once again hear the familiar school bell—this time marking the start of a new academic year. As everyone returns to campus to catch up on what they’ve missed, the curious chatter begins:
“What did you do this summer? ”
“Where did you go? ”
And out of the crowd, we get one unfamiliar, meaningful response:
“I stayed here to work with Breakthrough Miami.”
Hallie Parten ‘14
Melinda Klenk ‘14
Arissa Baiamonte ‘13 with her class of Breakthrough Miami students
Sustainability and Schools: Palmer Trinity School’s Contribution
By: Dr. Leopoldo Llinás, Director of Sustainability at PTS
There is a sincere and growing interest among us in identifying and choosing schools where there is a demonstrated commitment to sustainability. But what exactly does this commitment entail? Why should it matter whether a school has practices in place that support green living? And how can we determine whether a school is committed to going green?
In the United States alone, there are over 100,000 schools— each housing a campus of anywhere from one to dozens of buildings—that, until recently, were guaranteed to waste water, energy and other natural resources, release toxic chemicals and limit clean air exchange. It wasn’t until 2002, when the United Nations (UN) established the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, that the damage these schools were causing to the environment became a government issue—and schools across the nation began to make a change.
In 2007, Palmer Trinity School’s Head of School, Sean Murphy, hired a Sustainability Coordinator, Dr. Leopoldo Llinás, to oversee a variety of projects and programs aimed at saving resources and reducing the school’s environmental impact. The implications of going green have resulted in changes to the ways Palmer Trinity School maintains its campus, provides food services, constructs and operates buildings, disposes of waste, and most importantly, instructs its students. Aside from these changes, “green” initiatives have been rolled out in key areas—energy efficiency and renewable energy, waste disposal and recycling, capital projects, food services, transportation, academic programs, water conservation, and procurement—all to enhance the academic experience and quality of life of Palmer Trinity School students. Most notably, these students have participated in a number of ongoing projects to make their own contributions to the school’s sustainability efforts, including: the Reclamation Project, Sustainability Pledge, Butterfly Garden, Fairchild Challenge, Photovoltaic System, and Carbon Footprint Reduction
Commitment. The recent addition of the Falcon’s Nest SolarPowered Energy System will serve as another wonderful tool to track the school’s energy and greenhouse gas emission savings, and ultimately, see how the school is reducing its carbon footprint. Due to the school’s sustainability efforts, Palmer Trinity School students have gone beyond the confines of a typical high school education to learn, hands on, about the significance of the world around them—and most importantly, what they can do to help. As a result, these students are not only helping save the environment, but they are also paving the way for a better quality of life, and education, for future generations of students.
Dr. Llinás, Director of Sustainability at PTS, leads students on a trip to Key Biscayne to collect mangrove seedlings each year. Following the trip, the students bring the seedlings to campus and hang them in cups of water, on the hallway walls, to help the seedlings grow before returning them to Key Biscayne.
Students and teachers built special plant boxes to facilitate the growth of f resh vegetables on campus.
One for All, and All for One
By: Jennifer Agress, Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Coming from Doral Academy to Palmer Trinity School as a sophomore, Stephane Granada ‘13 quickly established herself as a leader on the PTS Varsity Girls Basketball team. Since her arrival, Stephane has served as the team’s point guard, setting numerous school records and being selected as the first PTS Varsity Girls Basketball player to ever make The Miami Herald’s 1st Team All-County. Selected as captain for the past two years, this senior Falcon acts as a guide for younger players on the team; serving as a mentor for middle school player Chrystal Peterson ‘17 and setting an example for work ethic—oftentimes staying late to lift weights even when practice is over. “She is a great student, she is humble, and she is goal-oriented,” says James Valle, Stephane’s coach. “Most importantly, she values her teammates and makes efforts to help them be successful.”
Born with an aptitude for sports, Stephane spent much of her childhood joining every sports team she could—even trying her hand at Tae Kwon Do. It wasn’t until she began playing basketball at PTS, however, that she knew she had found her niche. “I lose myself playing it,” she says. “In my opinion, it’s fun whether you win or lose.” With plans to continue playing basketball at the university level, Stephane has already received a scholarship offer from the University of West Florida, in Pensacola, where she hopes to study physical therapy. “For people who are willing to work hard, basketball can be both fun and challenging,” Stephane says. “The friendships you build on the team become family. I can’t imagine my life without it.”
Student Races to Fame
By: Jennifer Agress, Communications and Marketing Coordinator
qualifying for, and competing in, World Finals in Portugal, just this past November—as a middle school student—Juan is already an integral member of Jay Howard’s professional Team Motorsports Driver Development (Team MDD). Watching his first karting race with his dad, a rally car racer, at a very young age, Juan believes racing is more than just a hobby—it’s a part of who he is. “I like it because it’s something different,” Juan tells us. “It has just become my sport.”
A Champion in the Making
By: Jennifer Agress, Communications and Marketing Coordinator
On Sunday, November 11, 2012, Palmer Trinity School student Alejandro Rodriguez ‘14 competed in the Miami Man Half International Triathlon— placing 1st in his age group, 10th overall for male participants, and 10th overall for the entire race. Participating in this event with his dad, Alejandro Rodriguez, Sr., this PTS student swam 0.6 miles, biked 22 miles and ran 6.6 miles in a total two hours, four minutes, and 19.68 seconds.
Having always played soccer in school, Alejandro was introduced to triathlons one year ago, when his father suggested that he try one out. Competing in five triathlons since then, including the Miami Man Half International Triathlon, Alejandro is now on a strict training regimen—training four hours a day, before and after school, and everyday this past summer. Joining the Palmer Trinity School Boys Varsity Cross Country team, just this year, to help with his training, Alejandro placed 2nd overall in District Championships. Admittedly, Alejandro maintains that the running component of triathlons is his favorite part of the competition. “Running is what I’m best at,” Alejandro says. “It’s a way to give your all, after you get off the bike and hit the concrete. It gets me stronger in both the mind and muscle.” Relatively new to the triathlon scene, Alejandro is already taking the world by storm. Competing in Nationals earlier this year, which attracts the top 100 athletes per age group, Alejandro placed in the top 20. As a result of this accomplishment, he will represent the U.S. in the U19 division of the International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) world championships, in London, this September—competing on the same track used in the Summer 2012 London Olympic Games.
Just this past September, Palmer Trinity School student Juan Manuel Correa ‘18 earned his racing stripes when he competed in the Rotax Pan American Championships, in Englewood, Colorado, and placed 2nd in the Rotax Junior division. Competing in karting races for nearly six years—with a resume of accomplishments that includes a 2009 Ecuador National Championship, placing 3rd in the National Championships in South Bend, Indiana, and
With so much success already, Alejandro knows this is only the beginning. “My dream goal is to go to the Junior Olympics in 2014,” he says. While still in high school, Alejandro also wants to letter in three varsity sports to get the coveted letterman’s jacket—and, in addition to participating on the soccer and cross country teams, plans to join the Palmer Trinity School Track team in the Spring to bring him closer to that goal. Of all these athletic commitments, Alejandro still maintains that the triathlon is his favorite. “I got the opportunity to try new sports, and I guess I found one I’m good at,” Alejandro says. “I don’t know what I would do without triathlons.”
Juan Manuel Correa ‘18 earned a second place finish in the Rotax Pan American Championships.
Alejandro Rodriguez (on podium) wins first place.
Stephane Granada ‘13 plays point guard for the PTS Girls Varsity Basketball team.
PTS Library: Then and Now
By: Ruthanne Vogel, PTS Librarian
Libraries certainly have changed in the last 40 years. Computer terminals have replaced typewriters and online databases have replaced encyclopedia sets and journals. Books, however, have remained constant. According to a recent Pew Foundation survey, 80% of library users report that they went to the library in order to check out a book. Though librarians have become “information specialists,” and certainly are in demand for help in navigating the information explosion we find ourselves in today, their extremely important role as the connection link between readers and books is still valid. In 1972, the Palmer Trinity School library was housed in what is now the drama room in the middle school building. The current building was constructed in 1989 and later expanded to include the back reading room and upstairs nonfiction area in 1990. Based on statistics for the last 20 years, the now 20,000+ volume book collection was probably around 1,500 to 2,000 volumes. But what books were on the shelves in 1972? A guess can be made from the bestsellers of the day.
Bestselling Novels for 1972
New York Times
1. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
2. The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth
3. Semi-Tough by Dan Jenkins
4. August 1914 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
5. The Camerons by Robert Crichton
6. The Persian Boy by Mary Renault
7. The Winds of War by Herman Wouk
8. On the Night of the Seventh Moon by Victoria Holt
9. Green Darkness by Anya Seton
10. My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
Nonfiction Bestselling for 1972
New York Times
1. I’m O.K. – You’re O.K. by Thomas Harris
2. The Best And The Brightest by David Halberstam
3. Super Money by Adam Smith
4. Harry S. Truman by Margaret Truman
5. Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution by Atkins
6. The Peter Prescription by Laurence J. Peter
7. Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye by Kenny O’Donnell
8. Eleanor: The Years Alone by Joseph P. Lash
9. Journey To Ixtlan by Carlos Casteneda
10. Open Marriage by Nena and George O’Neill
Notable Books for Children and Young Adults Published in the Early 1970s
1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien (winner of the Newbery Medal in 1972)
2. Watership Down by Richard Adams (1972)
3. The Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl (1972)
4. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (1971)
5. Carrie by Stephen King (1974)
6. Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary (1970)
7. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (1974)
8. M.C. Higgins the Great by Virginia Hamilton (1971)
9. Dreamland Lake by Richard Peck (1973)
Forty years ago, bestseller lists like the ones above were maintained and published mostly for the adult book buying market. Books published for children and young adults were categorized together and classified as juvenile literature. In 1972, juvenile literature made up a small percentage of the book publishing industry, with about 3,200 new titles per year. That percentage stayed constant for the next 20 years or so, before a remarkable thing happened. In 1997, Scholastic Press bought the American publishing rights to a popular novel in Britain—and as a result, the Harry Potter era began. The popularity of books written for middle and high school readers has
10. The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White (1970)
skyrocketed. Last year, more than 36,000 new titles were released, many of them parts of the ever popular series fiction, which hooks them at book one and keeps them reading for years. Though many predict the end of reading in this evermore digital age—with electronic games, videos, and smartphones grabbing the attention of the young—the book publishing statistics tell a different tale. Reading books, both in traditional print and their electronic counterparts, is still very much a part of the culture of our students. When you get a chance, please visit the Palmer Trinity School Library of 2013. Forty years in, it is still filled with books—and most importantly, readers.
Choir at PTS: One Year, A World of Difference
Coming to us from the Miami Dade College Music Department, Mr. Tim Lester started as Performing Arts Chair and Choral Director at Palmer Trinity School just last year. Faced with a choral program that only had 19 members—including an Upper School Choir with only three students—Mr. Lester knew he needed to do some heavy recruiting. Through his work with the Palmer Trinity School musical last spring, and seeking out talent from the entire student body, Mr. Lester was able to increase program membership by eleven students this year—expanding the Upper School Choir alone from three to sixteen members. As a result of his efforts—and the hard work of our talented student musicians—today, our choral program is at a new level of excellence; impressing audiences statewide with their clear voices, perfect harmonies and a distinct musicality atypical of singers their age. Having worked extensively with both high school and college students, Mr. Lester believes Palmer Trinity School students are talented in ways he has never seen. “I taught college for eleven years and high school for four years and never saw this much musical ability concentrated into one place,” he says. “I can give these students a new piece and they will have it learned in just a matter of days.” Already putting on concerts for both the school and local community, the Palmer Trinity School Singers were also selected, after an audition process, to perform for the public
at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney in January 2013. Most importantly, throughout their success, these students have been able to practice what Mr. Lester believes is the most powerful component of singing: expression. “In my opinion, there is no instrument quite like the human voice,” he says. “It can exhibit raw emotion, display intense joy or deep sadness. Everyone likes to sing—even if only in the shower—and we can connect to each other in a manner that is impossible otherwise.”
Having grown so much in such a short amount of time, what’s still in store for these student musicians? “Over the next five years, my main focus will be attempting to continue the growth in numbers,” Mr. Lester says. “If the growth continues, I would love to be able to take the Upper School groups to wonderful festivals, perhaps even in Europe. That would be just amazing.”
PTS Theatre: 40 Years and Still Growing
By: Phebe Hibshman, PTS Theatre Department
In recent years, the Palmer Trinity School Theatre Department has developed in a myriad of ways, putting on multiple shows a year for school and community audiences, and producing theatre students that have left the confines of Palmer Trinity School to pursue acting at impressive levels. Producing Check Please, Anatomy of Gray, Into the Woods, Drop Dead Juliet, Urinetown, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Little Princess and Once Upon a Mattress in the past few years alone— which included casts of both middle and upper school students, as well as staff and faculty members—our student thespians also performed in various showcases and all-school assemblies. Placing an emphasis on all aspects of production, both on and off the stage, we now offer a costume and make-up class that allows students to create designs for our various productions and festivals. Always keeping service in mind, these designs are also used at our annual fashion shows—the proceeds of which benefit Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids.
Promoting an “ensemble” approach to performance and technical theater that encourages the
students to work as a team, we—as a department—also collaborated with the PTS English and Art Departments to produce The Skin of Our Teeth earlier this year. In January 2013, we will host James and the Giant Peach, a show both acted, and produced entirely by middle school students. Through these activities and more, our thespians not only put on wonderful productions, but they also bond with one another and form close, lasting friendships.
Today, Palmer Trinity School is proud to have multiple Alumni from the PTS Theatre Department acting on an even larger scale. With three Alumni admitted into prestigious acting programs at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the University of Southern California, Alumna Katherine Wood ‘05 in her senior year at The Julliard School acting program, and Dexter Carr ‘09 currently dazzling audiences in his Broadway debut of Bring It On: The Musical, the Palmer Trinity School Theatre Department looks forward to the next forty years—and the tremendous success it is sure to bring.
Cassandra Plunkett ‘16, Isabella Victoriano ‘14 and Brenda Quesada ‘15 in the PTS production of “The Skin of Our Teeth”
2012-2013 Palmer Trinity Singers
2011-2012 Upper School Choir (L-R: Paulina Acebal, Leo Rocchiccioli, and Karenne Koessler).
Teaching Young Artists
By: The PTS Art Department
LISA COLANDREA
As an art educator, it is my goal to motivate art students to become art innovators. Together, we create an art culture, sustained through independent thinking and an intrinsic drive to gain further knowledge. Students use their own experiences and insights to create art. My art studio requires the students to work collaboratively with one another to solve problems together. As a whole, they gain confidence and take risks developing ideas in the arts. Self-sufficient learning begins to develop their innovative capabilities in the arts. I provide my students with the structure that allows them to feel comfortable being creative and give them a chance to explore their voice and develop a sense of connection and identity. In my studio, I encourage inquiry-based learning; constantly pushing my students to think and use their voice as insights and aspirations for more art work. If a student has a passion or a reason to believe in, I know they can endure a lot. I want to develop passion and purpose for their creative pursuits to help them find success in life. I seek to learn from my students and establish a creative relationship based on a deep sense of respect for one another. Together, we create a learning environment that is hands on, collaborative, and interdisciplinary.
ROBERT MOORHOUSE
Art and music have always been my oxygen. They sustain me, stimulate my imagination, and give me great fulfillment and personal satisfaction. Studying art and art history at a very intense, demanding, and exciting art institute allowed me to sharpen my skills and deepen my commitment
to a wide array of creative pursuits. I see myself as a link in a noble, lustrous chain of teachers and students—learning from, guiding, and challenging one another. In my one-on-one interactions with students at the potter’s wheel or in the woodworking shop, we are co-creators; marveling over the endless field of creative possibilities that lie before us. When I sense the special spark of excitement or hear the proverbial “Aha!” from a student, I know that the magic has worked, and that the lifeaffirming spirit of creativity has been shared. That’s what I live for. My high school teachers and college professors gave me countless precious gifts, and I now have the deep privilege of sharing them with our students. This, my daily work, is my greatest pleasure.
I’ve always believed that a person’s job here on Earth is to figure out what they are good at and put it to use in the pursuit of helping others. In the Art Department at Palmer Trinity School, I truly feel as though I am able to do that. As an art teacher, there are few things more satisfying than when I hear a student exclaim “I can’t believe I made this!” After helping students gradually build up skill—through a variety of techniques—until they are producing work at a stunningly sophisticated level, I love to see students surprise themselves with their beautiful output. Nowhere is this truer than in the A.P. Studio
Art course, where students who are seriously dedicated to artistic self-expression commit to a rigorous series of creative challenges. It is my honor and privilege to help guide my students through the world of self-expression and the creation of visual splendor.
SEJAL VAYWALA
I am passionate about teaching art to children because it not only gives me joy and satisfaction, but because it also helps create meaningful dialogue between all of us. I spent five years of my childhood in India. Upon my return, when language barriers limited the amount and depth of communication I had with peers and teachers, I found myself drawn to creating art. I was lucky to have an inspiring, encouraging art teacher who helped me to express my own ideas, and most importantly, share my personality. Art challenges us, stimulates our creativity, pushes us forward, and helps us discover each other’s unique experiences, thoughts, practices and lives. Each day, as I stand in front of my students, I realize how lucky I am to be given the opportunity to share my passion for art with them. I have the opportunity to impact their lives in the same way my elementary school art teacher impacted me. As a teacher of mostly younger middle school students—an age where students can lose interest if they don’t have a curriculum that helps spark their creativity—I understand that it is especially important to keep the students’ imaginations
alive and encourage them to think outside of the box. In art, I work to create a space for students to be themselves, embrace their diverse backgrounds, social experiences, and interests, and most importantly, share with and teach one another.
TILLY STRAUSS
There is a German saying, “Angst Essen Seele auf,” that translates to “fear eats the soul.” As an artist, I know that everyone can make art—but the biggest obstacle to doing so is fear. The art teacher provides boundaries so that the element of fear can be removed. Boundaries can inspire our curiosity. Art is one of the few places in a student’s structured day when they can safely experiment with taking risks, making odd choices, and develop thinking in original ways. In the art studio, experimentation is a means, and failure is courted while searching for the unique voice. Techniques, limiting parameters of an assignment, insights from research and our history, and more, are brought together in support of artistic exploration. Another saying, a Spanish proverb, is “a life lived in fear is a life half lived.” Art can be taught, and it is not a talent you have to be born with. It is a place to round out the lives of our students, and a place for them to stretch to their fullest potential in the realm of decision-making and discovery. As an art teacher, I strive to make my assignments relevant to the students’ lives. Each class is structured to exercise skills and establish a safe place for leaps of faith. I believe that in taking those leaps, the student sees who they are, who they might become, who they do not want to be, and in the process, they find their soul.
SANDI WOOD
Lisa Colandrea
Robert Moorhouse
Sandi Wood Sejal Vaywala
Tilly Strauss
Community Service: A Tradition Since 1972
By: Elena De Villiers, Director of Community Service
If there was one thing the two merging schools had in common, it was their commitment to, and emphasis on, community service. I remember when I first came to Palmer School, in 1984, and the Head of School at the time, Jack Morgan, asked me to lead Palmer’s chapter of Key Club—the main vehicle for the school’s community service efforts. Having come from a long tradition of community service, I gladly accepted. In a school of less than 300 students, the Key Club grew to include over 100 upper school students. With countless service projects made available each month, it wasn’t too long before the Palmer School chapter of Key Club began to win state awards against much larger schools, both public and private, throughout the state of Florida. We became very well known in the Key Club community for the quantity and quality of our work, due in part to Mr. Morgan’s vision that Palmer School would become an institution that, starting with Key Club, would become synonymous with community service—and an inviting institution that welcomed all members of the community to come to our campus to enjoy its beautiful surroundings. Rooted in this vision, students began to organize and participate in a collection of service events, including Best Buddies, the Special Olympics and more. Similarly, under the guidance of Head of School Dr. Edward “Ned” Dougherty, Trinity Episcopal School students participated in weekly visits to the McLamore Children’s Center, where they would help care for abandoned or abused infants. Today, 28 years later, and now Palmer Trinity School, it is rewarding for me to see that the values of both of these schools still stand, and more importantly, that they have become a hallmark of a Palmer Trinity School education. Currently, PTS has more than 35 student organizations—all of which, if not fully dedicated, are involved in some aspect of community service. Clubs like Best Buddies, Chapman Partnership for the Homeless, Project Feel Good, His House, the Autism Awareness Club, Breakthrough Miami, Eco Club, the Jewish Culture Club, the League Against Cancer, Operation Smile, Out of
the Darkness, Students Against Drunk Driving, Second Chance, Students Assisting Veterans, Light the Way and Roots of Hope—to name a few—are commiting themselves to serving others. Even our Honor Societies, which recognize the academic achievements of many of our students, participate in a local charity. Finally, this past fall, Palmer Trinity School students, faculty, staff and friends came together for “PTS Gives Back” to commemorate 40 years of community service—a special event, this past fall, that gave more than 300 attendees the opportunity to impact our community as one.
After 28 years at Palmer and Palmer Trinity School, what continues to impress me is that these students have never been required to complete community service hours for graduation. At Palmer Trinity School, and in line with Mr. Morgan’s original vision, our students believe that serving others is an inherent part of their role as members of their community—and even more importantly, they believe that community service is an inherent part of who they are as human beings.
Students in the PTS Project Feel Good Club organized a Thanksgiving food drive for the families of St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center. Over Thanksgiving break, they visited St. Alban’s to play with the kids and donate what they collected.
In October, PTS students, faculty, staff and families participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Through this and other fundraising initiatives, PTS raised more than $4000 to benefit breast cancer research.
Members of the PTS Best Buddies Club hosted a special holiday party, where they played games with their buddies
PTS Invites Global Leaders to Campus
By: Danny Reynolds, Director of Admission, College Counseling and Study Away
From November 8-10, 2012, Palmer Trinity School hosted the Global Education Benchmarking Group (GEBG) Annual Meeting, where school leaders from more than twenty leading institutions across the nation came together to discuss ways to promote global education in schools throughout the United States.
During this event, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen visited Palmer Trinity School to speak with attendees about the importance of global education in the world today, as seen from her role as chairperson of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Created to emphasize global citizenship in schools across the United States, GEBG aims to identify best practices in global education by collecting, analyzing, and sharing data from GEBG members; to develop curriculums, experiences, and institutional support that promote global education; to encourage global citizenship; and to enhance the knowledge and skill sets required to understand different viewpoints, in the world today, that will help us thrive and engage in increasingly-interconnected world
systems. Most importantly, as a result of their efforts, they have created a network of premier educational institutions—from all over the world—that work together to give high school students a chance to broaden their intellectual horizons through study abroad opportunities. As a founding institution, Palmer Trinity School has been heavily involved in the Global Benchmarking Group since its inception in 2008, and was even awarded the Global Education Award in 2012 for its commitment to global education. Furthermore, by hosting this annual meeting, Palmer Trinity School had the opportunity to not only let other school leaders see our beautiful campus, but even more importantly, see what Palmer Trinity School is really all about.
On Saturday, September 29, 2012—in celebration of its 40th Anniversary—Palmer Trinity School hosted “PTS Gives Back,” a day of social responsibility, community, fellowship and learning.
During this event, more than 300 Palmer Trinity School students, faculty, staff, parents, grandparents, Alumni and friends participated in a dozen service projects, both on- and off-campus, to benefit the Greater Miami-Dade community. Beginning at 8 a.m. that morning, participants gathered in the Palmer Trinity School gymnasium to meet with fellow volunteers, check-in for their respective projects, and kick-off the day with a delicious breakfast and a message from Head of School Sean Murphy. By 9 a.m., all in attendance dispersed into groups to work on a multitude of
service projects. While some individuals stayed on campus and wrote letters to members of the armed forces stationed in Afghanistan, facilitated a day of outdoor activities for special-needs students and families from Best Buddies, or participated in a community gardening project, others assisted with service initiatives throughout Miami-Dade County—participating in a mangrove and coastal clean-up at Deering Estate; playing with children at the St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center; celebrating National Public Lands Day at Bill Sadowski Park; organizing games and entertainment for children at Chapman Partnership Homeless Assistance Center; painting and cleaning facilities at Atlantis Academy, in conjunction with the University of Miami Center for Autism Related Disabilities (UM-CARD); folding and boxing new clothes for children in need at Neat Stuff; putting on drama, choral
and instrumental performances for residents at Eastridge Retirement Village; and helping clean up Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead. This event—which commemorated Palmer Trinity School’s long-standing commitment to community service—gave members of the PTS community the opportunity to come together, make a difference, and do what they do best: Serve others
Bill Sadowski Park
Neat Stuff
St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center
Best Buddies
Eastridge Retirement Village
Over 300 participants kicked-off the morning with a delicious breakfast at PTS.
For one project, volunteers stayed on campus and wrote letters to members of the armed forces stationed in Afghanistan.
Pat Brockway: A Heart Behind the School
By: SUZANNE GOTTLIEB CALLEJA, Director of Advancement
In light of our 40th Anniversary celebration, there is no better person to recognize as our VisionAerie than the woman who was there during the early days of the school: Pat Brockway. She is the mother of two Palmer School Alumni—Bob Brockway ‘82 and Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85—grandmother of PTS Alumni, Cole ‘09 and former PTS student Madelaine Brockway ‘14, and grandmother of five current Palmer Trinity School students—Katie Brockway ‘13; Brock, Chad and Hunter Serrate ‘17; and Mackenzie Serrate ‘19. Pat’s involvement in our growing institution, and that of her family’s, has been a story of love, generosity, and most importantly, faith in the future of Palmer Trinity School.
John and Pat Brockway with John III, Brenda, Beth ‘85 and Bob ‘82
BORN IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, PAT MOVED TO SOUTH FLORIDA WITH HER MOM, DAD AND BROTHER WHEN SHE WAS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD. Settling in Coral Gables, Pat and her brother, Bill Ussery, Jr., went to Coral Gables Elementary, Ponce De Leon Junior High School and later, Coral Gables Senior High School. “We lived in the same small, cozy house all through our school years,” Pat recalls. “Those days were truly the best times in the best place.” On the opposite coast, John Brockway— who would later become Pat’s husband—was born in Los Angeles, California, where his dad worked for Pan American World Airways. His dad was transferred to Miami when John was in elementary school, and their family also settled in Coral Gables. Pat met John at Coral Gables Senior High School, and they began dating at the end of their junior year. After graduation, John moved back to California with his family, and Pat went to the University of Florida and became a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Pat and John were married in 1959, moving to California for a year, and returned to Miami in 1960 to work for Pat’s father and begin raising a family.
While in Detroit, Pat’s father, Bill Ussery, was the Used Car Manager for Bert Baker, one of the largest used automobile companies in the nation, located on the famous “Automobile
Row”—Livernois Avenue. Settling in the historic area of Coral Gables—just three blocks from “the Trail,” as 8th Street was called—Bill invested in used car lots, eventually buying into the Studebaker dealership in 1953, where he partnered with Tom Caldwell Studebaker to form Caldwell – Ussery Studebaker. Bill eventually bought out Mr. Caldwell to create Bill Ussery Motors, and in 1957, it became one of only two dealerships in the entire United States—the other in Portland, Oregon—to take on the MercedesBenz franchise. Also selling Renault, MG and Austin Healy vehicles, Bill Ussery Motors became exclusively Mercedes-Benz Dealers in 1960. In 1972, Pat and John bought the dealership from Pat’s father. Since then, it has expanded multiple times, and currently sits in a brand new facility across the street from the original dealership. After 34 years of ownership, Pat and John sold Bill Ussery Motors to their son, Bob Brockway ‘82, and his wife, Paula, in 2006 and it remains in their care today. “I am very proud of our dealership and its history,” Pat says. “Family has always been very important to us, and our main goal has always been to treat our employees like family. I believe we continue to do that, and that our customers benefit from that family feeling.”
Over the years, Pat and John raised four beautiful children—two girls and two boys: Brenda, John III, Bob ‘82 and Beth ‘85. Pat and John’s
involvement in Palmer Trinity School first began in 1978, when they began searching for a private school for their two youngest children, Bob and Beth. “We had enrolled all four of our children in the Miami-Dade County Public School System, but over the years, we became disenchanted with many aspects of it,” Pat recalls. “Our very good friends, Peter and Yiska Moser, had two sons enrolled at Palmer, Laurence ‘80 and Stephen ‘76. Palmer was only five years old when Bob and Beth became students in 1978, but we were very impressed with its administrative staff and faculty. There was only one building and several pods on a large piece of property—in the middle of nowhere—but we were all growing together, and it was a very exciting time.”
WITH A GROWING SCHOOL
CAME MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED, AND PAT AND JOHN WERE THERE TO HELP WHEREVER IT WAS NEEDED. Serving as a Palmer School Board member from 1979-1983, John was there to see the original Activities Building—now home to our gym, Athletics and Business offices— completely funded and built. He watched their beloved Head of School, Tex Warrington, retire; saw Robert “Bob” Yarbrough become the Interim Head, and was there when the following Head
Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85
Pat Ussery and John Brockway as Coral Gables High School seniors in 1956
of School, Jesse Morgan, was hired. Pat was PTA President for Palmer School from 1984-85. She and John donated new bleachers for the gym, hosted many fundraisers in their home, used Mercedes-Benz to sponsor various fundraising initiatives, and donated Mercedes-Benz vehicles to be given away as “door prizes” at different school and community events. When times got tough at Palmer School, Pat and John were always there to offer their support—and even wrote a five-figure check, without thinking twice, to fund the faculty payroll and keep the spirit of the school alive. “We wanted to help the school in any way we could,” Pat says of those early years. “It was so rewarding to watch progress being made as our school grew, and most importantly, our children thrived.”
Girls Volleyball and Varsity Girls Softball, was a cheerleader, and was selected as one of two Homecoming Queens during her senior year. Beth was also the Entertainment Editor for “The Pirates Log,” the Palmer School newspaper. Since graduation, Bob has served on the Palmer Trinity School Board of Trustees; his wife, Paula, is a current Trustee; and Beth is in her second year as President of the PTS Boosters Club. John III sent his daughter, Katie Brockway ‘13, to Palmer Trinity School as an upper school student; and Brenda, who lives in Sarasota, never misses an opportunity to watch her Falcon nieces and nephews compete in various athletic events.
the superior education she has received at Palmer Trinity School, and how it will help her in the future,” Pat says. “Her graduation from PTS will be an emotional day for our family, and we will all miss having her here when she goes off to college!”
From hosting get-togethers, to attending sporting events, watching her children and grandchildren graduate, and having Bob and Beth’s Palmer classmates hang out at her house over the years, Pat’s 35-year stint with Palmer School, and now Palmer Trinity School, has been one filled with many heartfelt memories. “I look back at the ‘early days’ of Palmer Prep and remember a fantastic
MUCH LIKE THEIR PARENTS, BOB AND BETH WERE BOTH VERY INVOLVED IN THEIR SCHOOL LIFE DURING THEIR YEARS AT PALMER SCHOOL, AND EVEN BRENDA AND JOHN III, WHO NEVER WENT TO PALMER, STAY INVOLVED TODAY. Bob played Varsity Boys Football and Varsity Boys Soccer, and ran track. When he wasn’t on the athletic fields, Bob thoroughly enjoyed taking journalism and photography classes. Beth played Varsity
In recent years, the Brockway family has faced some major turning points. In 2007, John was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, and died in November of that year at the family’s ranch in Livingston, Montana. He passed away peacefully with the deer at the window, his black lab, Tar, by his side, and all nineteen family members, including ten grandchildren, right there with him,” Pat says. “We all miss him so much, but what an honor it has been for all of us to have known and loved him.” This year, the family will reach another milestone, as the fourth Brockway, Katie ‘13, graduates from Palmer Trinity School. Before starting high school at PTS, Katie and her family lived in Montana. “As difficult as that move was for her, and as hard as it was for her to leave all of her friends, Katie always acknowledges
Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85 and Bob Brockway ‘82 during the 1981 Palmer School football season
Pat’s father, Bill Ussery, at Bill Ussery Motors
John and Pat with (L-R) Bob, Beth, John III and Brenda Brockway in the June 14, 1968 edition of The Miami Herald
faculty who truly cared about each and every student and family,” Pat says. “I even recall Mr. Bob Yarbrough, the English teacher at the time, sending me a note one day to tell me not to worry—he’d gone out early that morning, before school, to water the flowers we had just planted at the school.” When it came down to it, the Palmer School community really was just a small family. “We all counted on each other when things got tough,” Pat recalls. “We got through it all, and here we are, forty years later, still growing and becoming even more beautiful—with an exceptional faculty, outstanding administrative staff and loving parents who are all deeply dedicated to the success of Palmer Trinity School.” Most importantly, these past 35 years have provided an opportunity for generations of Brockways, both past and present, to come together and share in the joy of a loving, thriving community. “PALMER AND PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART,” PAT SAYS. “I FEEL SO LUCKY THAT WE, THE BROCKWAY FAMILY, GOT TO BE A PART OF THIS BEAUTIFUL SUCCESS STORY.”
“We all counted on each other when things got tough. We got through it all, and here we are, forty years later, still growing and becoming even more beautiful—with an exceptional faculty, outstanding administrative staff and loving parents who are all deeply dedicated to the success of Palmer Trinity School.”
Bob Brockway ‘82
Pat and John Brockway
John and Pat with their four children, sons- and daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren
“The greatest gift we can give Palmer Trinity School and our students is the gift of education.”
— JACK BRUMBAUGH, Past Board of Trustee Chair
LEGACY GIVING
The greatest gift you can give to Palmer Trinity School, to our students and faculty, and to our mission and vision, is a legacy gift. This type of gift may offer valuable tax and financial benefits to your family and beneficiaries, as well as to Palmer Trinity. It may be as simple as a bequest in your will. We can help you plan a gift to support your priorities, take care of your family, and leave a legacy for generations of students. We are grateful for your generosity and contribution to Palmer Trinity School.
For more information, contact Lauren Dowlen at ldowlen@palmertrinity.org or (305) 969-4282
SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND FAITH
“There is nothing more important to me than my family; especially my son, Michael, his wife and my three beautiful granddaughters,” shares Catherine Baiamonte, the grandmother of three Palmer Trinity School students. Catherine and her late husband, Frank Baiamonte, raised their son in the neighborhood of South Miami-Dade that is now Palmetto Bay before retiring to Central Florida. Education and faith have always been central to the Baiamonte family, and as such, they have always been involved in their school, their church and their community.
Reflecting on what Palmer Trinity School has meant to her granddaughters, Catherine chose to make arrangements to leave part of her estate to the school. Her legacy gift will help ensure that Palmer Trinity School fulfills its mission, which focuses on the moral, spiritual, intellectual, creative and physical development of all members of our school community.
“While making my estate plans, I decided that—after putting aside an adequate amount for my family—a gift should go toward the things I care about most deeply. One of those things is Palmer Trinity School, a magnificent school in Miami that provides a safe and beautiful community, exceptional academics, athletics and a faith-filled environment for my granddaughters to grow. My late husband, Frank, didn’t get the opportunity to meet the teachers and staff I’ve met at Palmer Trinity, but I know he would agree that it’s a place worthy of our support. I am very happy to support this exceptional school.”
CATHERINE BAIAMONTE, Mother of Board of Trustee member, Michael Baiamonte, and grandmother of Arissa ‘13, Ilana ‘15 and Janae ‘16
-
HOMECOMING DAY | OCTOBER 27, 2012
The dedication took place right before kick-off of the Homecoming game, with many PTS students, p faculty, A n attendance.
Members of our PTS Booster Club will use the Falcon’s Nest during home athletic games.
mily cut the ribbon, officially dedicating the new Falcon’s Nest.
The Reynolds family with Dr. Leopoldo Llinás, Fabiana Vivacqua ‘14, and Head of School, Sean Murphy
MO M ENTS IN T I M E
“ Our future—the future of each one of us individually, and the future of humanity—is dependent upon individuals listening to the still small voice of spirit within themselves.”
School
X X
Moments in Time
PALMER SCHOOL FOUNDED WITH GRADES 9-12 (originally Gulliver Prep)
1974
Biscayne Oar rivalry with Ransom School begins
Leo Hogan
of School for Palmer School 1972-1973
Leslie Severinghaus Head of School for Palmer School 1973-1974
1973
1975
1976
Palmer Key Club receives its charter from the Kiwanis Club
By the time (we were ready to sell the property), there were houses being built all around, and I didn’t want to see anymore development.
Warfield felt the same way I did. We had plenty of chances to sell, and developers wanted to give us a lot more money than Palmer Trinity. But we decided we’d rather sell it to Palmer Trinity School. We wanted the land to be used for education.
Virginia Hester
First Homecoming. Palmer School defeats Hollywood Christian 27-0
“Palmer Players” Debut with Edward Albee’s Sandbox
First graduating class
1981
Palmer Activity Center completed (current location of PTS Gymnasium)
FOUNDED
7TH &
1977
“ e Great Freeze” – snow falls at Palmer on January 20th
Palmer Pirate Football goes to State Championship
First Varsity Team (Girls volleyball ) to state finals under Coach Karen (Bozo) Brettholtz
Palmer was not merely a job; it was a life experience. I am proud to say that many of the young scholar athletes of that day are now viable contributors to our society. I am very proud of their accomplishments. Over the years, many of these young people have demonstrated a true love for their time at Palmer. I am humbled to believe that my staff and I were able to help shape the lives of these young people, and we are all blessed to be a part of the family that is Palmer School.
Coach Capparelli
Head
Caleb Van Warrington, Jr Head of School for Palmer School 1974-1981
1986
Dedication of new classroom and office wing that included “State of e Art” Science labs
First school bus purchased
Juan’s Lunch Truck was hired to provide lunch for those who wanted to buy food without ever knowing how much it would cost until the driver made up a figure
1984
First ski trip to Montreal and Edphy, Canada, under the direction of Kathy Vale
TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
UNDED WITH & 8TH GRADES
TES camping trips begin
1986
First to win Cross-Country State Title
1984
Palmer hosts first annual Palmer Science Fair
1988
First graduating class
1991
PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL OPENS
1988 Addition of 6th Grade
My fondest memory of my sixteen years at Palmer Trinity School is when Headmaster Jack Morgan hired both Mark Oliver and I during a lunch interview in the spring of ‘83. Little did I know, that would become the beginning of a lasting friendship where Mark became the brother I never had, and a dear member of my family. Not a day goes by that I do not reflect upon our years of friendship.
Coach Hewett
1982
Inaugural issue of literary magazine “Ellipsis”
1985
First PTS French team at Congrès 9th graders take first trip to Seacamp with science teacher, R ick Maddox
First Trinity Episcopal Cheerleading team
Susan Keedy 1983
1992
First Graduating
Hurricane
After Andrew, used for convo,
1987 Renaissance Festival
1989 First Book Fair event
1990 Matheson Library completed
I have very fond memories of our little committee meeting at St. Phillips Church striving to make our vision of an Episcopal High School in Dade County a reality. What an adventure that was! I must offer a truly heartfelt acknowledgement of the work and support of Billy and Tina Lane and the Dunspaugh Dalton Foundation. I have equally fond memories of the early days of PTS and the struggles and triumphs. It is enormously gratifying to see what those who carry on after us have been able to accomplish.
Edward Dougherty
Michael R. Ferguson Head of
Michael R. Fergu Head of School
Jean E. Miller
While our students are at PTS, strong bonds are formed with faculty—in the classroom, in extracurricular activities, and through the advisory program. We become family. These bonds strengthen as time goes on, and students realize what a special place PTS is—a place where they are truly loved.
Elena De Villiers
1994
First year Girls Varsity Cross Country compete as Division II school
1993
Senior Chickee Hut built
1997
Robert M. Yarbrough Humanities Building dedication (November) Laptop program begins
I still remember the first day I arrived at Trinity Episcopal School. What impressed me the most that day was that, even though the school was small in size, it had a thriving, vibrant, palatable heart and spirit. I started working in July, when the entire school was being freshly painted by Manuela. I was amazed that teachers, administrators and board members were on campus bustling with activity and preparing for the new school year. I knew almost immediately what a special school this was. That same heart and spirit has continued over the years and it is seen, today, at PTS.
Vivian Cerione
1998 First Japan Exchange
Mrs. Hester’s decision to the school was prayers. While we beautiful 22-acre of what an extraordinary presented to us 33-acre Hester vision of additional swimming and fine arts center real and achievable. Clearly, the purchase been a crucially important event in the to the merger of Palmer School and Trinity
2003
Purchase of Hester after completion fundraising project
2000
Music Building completed in January
First International Festival
1995
Mr. Robert M. Yarbrough retires from his 45 year teaching career
I remember getting down to Palmer Trinity School three days after Hurricane Andrew and hearing a groundskeeper say, ‘We’ll never open again.’ We opened six weeks later.
Ned Dougherty
1999
Original Falcon’s Nest completed
There will always be a special place in my heart for Palmer Trinity School. During my years there, I appreciated the dedication of our faculty and my fellow administrators. Working with Judy Andrews was such a privilege and a joy. We knew that Palmer Trinity School was a special place where our students were growing, not only intellectually, but also in matters of the spirit. Students inspired us so often when they demonstrated care and love for one another and for their teachers— from a walk-a-thon for an injured student, to shaving their heads to show support for a teacher battling cancer, to caring for young children as part of their holiday offering. Palmer Trinity School is a place where lives are touched and values are formed for a lifetime.
Laura Walker
2002
Math & Science Building completed
First Sandy Golf Tournament
Victory Bell given by Class of 2002
Judy Andrews Head of School for Palmer Trinity School 2003-2004
Laura Walker Head of School for Palmer Trinity School 1995-2003
Laura Walker, replaced Ned for one semester in 1993
Allen Adriance
Interim Head of School for Palmer Trinity School 1993-1995
decision to sell her property was an answer to many, many we had always been proud of our 22-acre campus, we were keenly aware extraordinary opportunity would be if we could add the adjoining property. With all 55 acres, our additional playing fields, a chapel, diving facilities, a multi-purpose and a media center all became purchase of the Hester property has the life of the school, second only Trinity Episcopal School.
Jack Brumbaugh
Hester Property completion of $1.8M project
2007
Dedication of Coach Mark Oliver softball field
PTS begins study abroad program in Salamanca, Spain
2008
PTS begins partnership with Island School, Bahamas
To this day, my closest friends in the world are people I have met working at Palmer School, and now Palmer Trinity School. The PTS community is a close-knit group who work hard and play hard together. Having been here for so long, I am now teaching the children of former students. So often, I can see the parents in their children—and a look or a smile can transport me back 25 years to when they were first sitting in my class. That’s an amazing feeling.
Marty Migliaccio
2010
New dining hall is opened. For the first time PTS sits inside for lunch
2005
PTS Sri Lanka relief effort
School
2006
PTS began City Term program in New York City
PTS begins Shark program
Sean Murphy Head of School for Palmer Trinity School 2004-present
2004
First athletes inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame
PTS began study abroad program in Sydney, Australia
Each person at Palmer Trinity School brings intellectual stimulation, energy, adventure and vitality. It’s an exciting place.
Kathy Vale
2012
Falcon’s Nest Solar Power Energy Dedication
Ciara Michel ‘03 becomes first PTS Olympian
I’m grateful for the experience my daughter had to be able to attend PTS for seven years, for the 29 years I’ve taught here so far, for the current students and the many Alumni with whom I’ve stayed in touch, the collegiality found here and my dearest friends. It’s truly a blessing to be part of this community.
Caroline Goodwin
2009
PTS begins study abroad program in Aix en Provence, France
Coral Lab opens its doors
2011
PTS welcomes Breakthrough Miami
PTS wins National Global Education Award
2013
Martin Luther King III speaks at PTS
OCTO BER 27, 2012
On Saturday, October 27, 2012, Palmer Trinity School students, Alumni, faculty, staff, parents, grandparents, Alumni parents and friends came to campus to commemorate Palmer Trinity School’s 40th Anniversary Homecoming celebration. During this daylong event, Alumni soccer players came out to play in our annual Alumni Soccer Game, four talented Alumni and one coach were inducted into our PTS Alumni Hall of Fame, and members of the Palmer Trinity School and neighboring communities visited the campus to witness the official dedication of our Falcon’s Nest Solar-Powered System, honoring the Reynolds family, without whom this new installation could not have been possible. at afternoon, the PTS Booster Club hosted a delicious BBQ from our newlydedicated Falcon’s nest, our PTS Falcons took on the Coral Springs Christian Crusaders, and the 2012 Palmer Trinity School Homecoming Court was crowned at halftime.
e weekend wouldn’t have been complete without our annual Homecoming Dance, which took place that night at Alcazaba Lounge, in the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables.
Special thanks to all those who attended this 40th Anniversary Homecoming celebration. We know this weekend wouldn’t have been the same without your participation, and we look forward to seeing all of you—and more—next year!
Amber Miller ‘17, Lauren Keller ‘17 and Sheridan Posschelle ‘17
Ben Roberts ‘13 and Melissa Dangond ‘13 were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.
Judd Smith ‘08, Ariel Moger ‘08 and Lauren Franklin ‘08
Elena De Villiers, Marty Migliaccio and Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85
PTS students, Alumni, faculty, staff, parents, grandparents, Alumni parents and friends visited campus to participate in the day’s events.
The Palmer Trinity School Falcons played against the Coral Springs Christian Crusaders.
The Homecoming football game kicked-off at 1 P.M. in front of many Falcon fans.
James Bailey ‘18, Maria Gabriela Benedetti ‘18, Vivieghne Posschelle ‘18, Victoria Sardinas ‘18 and Natalie Cetta ‘18
PTS Varsity Cheerleaders
The PTS Booster Club hosted a special BBQ for all who came to watch the game.
Alumni Luis Asensio ‘12, Stefano Aime ‘12 and Jose Reyes ‘11
Palmer Trinity Parent Association (PTPA) Holiday Party
AT THE HOME OF RAUL AND SIMONE SEGREDO | DECEMBER 5, 2012
To celebrate the 2012 holiday season, nearly 200 parents gathered at the home of Raul and Simone Segredo, parents of Carina ‘15 and Raul ‘18, to enjoy delicious food and drink and spend time with one another before the holiday break.
Avalino and Natalia Dos Santos, Carla Albarran, Maria Elena Espinosa and Susi Cetta
Emilio and Raquel Fernandez with Lilia and Charles Bailey
Raul and Simone Segredo with Head of School, Sean Murphy
William Hill, Maria Elena Espinosa and Ricardo Albarran
Cynthia and Jeffrey Wilson
Pierre Apollon and Lucie Casthely, Kenneth and Estela Irigoyen, and Robert Miller
Gladys Miller, Phil Serrate, Hector Sardinas, Beth Serrate, and Kenneth and Estela Irigoyen
Lois and Doug Chumbley
Chirine and Zyad Mneimneh, Lenny and Elaine Roberts, and Laura and Jacob Miguel
Gary Fox, Emilio and Raquel Fernandez, and Robin Fox
Matthew and Happy Forristall with Susi and Karl Cetta
Greyhni Rodriguez, Michael and Natalie Baiamonte, and Alejandro Rodriguez
22nd annual
BOOK FAIR
James Grippando
APRIL 22, 2013
PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
James Grippando was born in Waukegan, Illinois and raised in rural Illinois.
After law school Grippando clerked for the Honorable Thomas A. Clark in Atlanta. There and in private practice Grippando worked on numerous appeals in death penalty cases. This experience served him well in writing his first published novel, The Pardon.
As a lawyer, Grippando wrote numerous scholarly articles before shifting to creative writing. It was during his trial lawyer days in Miami that he developed the character Jack Swyteck, a criminal defense attorney and fixture in nearly all of his novels.
Leapholes, Grippando’s first novel for young adults is also the first novel for young readers ever to be published by the American Bar Association.
Grippando enjoys writing outdoors at his south Florida home. He has written 20 novels, most of which are set in Florida, primarily in Miami. His suspenseful legal thrillers, many of which draw upon his experience as a trial lawyer, have been published in twenty-six languages.
About the Book Fair
For twenty-two years, Palmer Trinity School has hosted the annual Book Fair, a wonderful event that brings approximately 250 people together to enjoy engaging speakers, book sales from Books & Books, student artwork, a delicious brunch, and the opportunity to view 30 tables decorated in a variety of different themes! Book sales will also take place throughout the week in the small dining room.
7:30 a.m.
Book sales, coffee, and table viewing 9:00 a.m.
Brunch Served
TICKETS: $50 .00
Please make reservations by April 6th
CONTACT: Peg Musgrave (305) 969-4242 or pmusgrave@palmertrinity.org
Martin Luther King III Speaks at Palmer Trinity School
Story and photographs by: Daniel Mutter
Palmer Trinity School campus buzzed with excitement Wednesday, January 30 over a visit by the son of legendary civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. Students, faculty and staff gathered in the Palmer Trinity gym for a special convocation hosted by Keynote Speaker Martin Luther King III.
“What we’re trying to do here at Palmer Trinity is educate the whole student, and diversity is a big part of that.”
The event kicked off with an inspiring speech by Middle School Speaker Ethan Hill ‘17. In his speech, Hill focused on the significance of personal action. “Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make all the difference,” Hill said. “Residence is not dictated by fame or by fortune but by the personal character of that single individual—who you are and what you stand for.”
Hill was followed by a performance by the Palmer Trinity Upper School Choir led by Performing Arts Chair Tim Lester. Choir members gave a powerful performance of “I Am His Child” by Moses Hogan. Upper School Speaker Hallie Parten ‘14 followed with a speech on the value of community service. “There are so many things that you can do to make our world a better place, you can help out with the elderly, your classmates or in your neighborhood,” said Parten. “Small acts of kindness can be tremendously powerful. Remember, our world is real and each of us has the power, the power of one.”
Keynote Speaker Martin Luther King III began by asking all of the students to stand up and repeat after him: “Spread the word, have you heard, all across the nation, we are going to be a great generation.” He went on to give a powerful speech about the importance of unity and making a difference in the community. “I want people to come to a conclusion where you know what, I may not agree with you but I appreciate the fact that we can dialogue, that we can exchange ideas, that ultimately we will find out that we have far more in common than we do apart,” said King. “All of us have to decide what is it that we are going to do to try to make a difference on this planet.”
Convocation concluded with Assistant Head of School Bruce Musgrave, who awarded King with a two part gift. The first part—a crystal base—was inscribed with Margaret Meade’s words: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” The second part of the gift was a decorative solar powered globe. “Because of solar power the globe will spin perpetually, it’s the power of the sun,” said Musgrave. “Well, the inward indwelling spirit that you’ve infused in us from your father ensures that the actions of another son will keep this world spinning, we need your actions.”
Diversity Coordinator Korée Hood was responsible for arranging King’s visit at Palmer Trinity School. “We’re both graduates of Morehouse College, and about five years ago, we marched together on the same processional route that they took the day of Dr. King’s funeral,” said Hood. “What we’re trying to do here at Palmer Trinity is educate the whole student, and diversity is a big part of that. So with it being the first year of Palmer Trinity having a diversity coordinator, I thought it would be great to have Mr. King come in and speak to the students as well as the staff.”
After convocation ended, King joined the Diversity Council and selected faculty and staff for a special luncheon followed by a question and answer session with middle and upper school students. “King thoroughly enjoyed his visit here,” said Hood. “He said there was something different about Palmer Trinity and when I asked him what it was, he said: ‘the spirit.’ He said ‘when I walked on the campus I could feel the spirit was different here than a lot of other schools.’ ”
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Meade
Class Notes strengthen the connection of our Alumni community to their classmates and their alma mater.
Monica Sanchez, Director of Alumni Relations (305) 969-4210 | msanchez@palmertrinity.org
1983 MARY (JOYCE) WILBURN marywilburn@bellsouth.net
1984 PETER CUTTER guycutter@aol.com
1985 DALE BENNETT RB9999@aol.com
JOHN MALLOY jcmalloy@malloylaw.com
1986 JOELLE (WAGSHUL) STEINBERG jwagshul@aol.com
1987 CLASS AGENT NEEDED
1988 ELENA (ESSEN) ENDARA partyuv5@bellsouth.net
AlumNews is the first section Alumni turn to when they receive the Aerie Magazine, so this section is full of exciting and updated information. To send us news for our next issue, please log on to www.PalmerTrinity.org and click ‘Alumni.’
Keep the updates coming!
AlumNews class
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ptsfanpage and “like” our page!
1989 SCOTT SHELFER scott@exactaland.com
1990 PETER BAUMBERGER psb@rbrlaw.com
ALDEN (DUNWODY) PIMENTEL Pimentel@bellsouth.net
1991 DEREK FISHER derekfisher7@gmail.com
1992 JOY (BERG) JOHNSON jeremyandjoy@yahoo.com
1993 AMANDA MATALON amatalon@arnoldoil.com
1994 CHARLES BAUMBERGER catcay@yahoo.com
CAMPBELL WALKER cwalker@lincolnharris.com
1995 KAITLIN BLAZEJACK kkblaze@gmail.com
1996 LYNLEY (WALKER) CIOROBEA lynley3@yahoo.com
1997 BRETT FRENCH brettfrench@yahoo.com
1998 BRIAN GERSHEN briangershen@gmail.com
NATHAN ZEDER nz1305@aol.com
1999 BELINDA FRIERI belifrieri@yahoo.com
2000 SOOZIE KLOCK seklock@gmail.com
2001 WES FARRELL wesfarrell@floridaattorney.com
2002 ADRIA (JENKINS) YOUNG juiceeasapeach@aol.com
2003 DAX TEJERA dax.tejera@gmail.com
LAURA ATECA laura.ateca@gmail.com
2004 CORINA (LOPEZ) MINERA celopez721@gmail.com
2005 KATEY O’REGAN katey613@yahoo.com
2006 BRANDON MCNARY bmcnary@citco.com
ED LUCKMANN luckmann.e@neu.edu
AMANDA OMACHONU amandaom22@gmail.com
2007 WILL MORRISON willmorrison07@yahoo.com
2008 ARIEL MOGER aem2178@columbia.edu
MEGAN CUNNINGHAM megan215@gwu.edu
2009 JESSICA MAZON jessica.mazon@gmail.com
MARCEL CONTRERAS marcelc28@aol.com
NATALIA MATALLANA natismata@hotmail.com
2010 VICTORIA FERNANDEZ vifer18@gmail.com
2011 ALEXA CAJIGA acajiga@gmail.com
KATIE DIFEDE krdifede@loyno.edu
2012 BIRAAJ MAHAJAN bmahajan@bu.edu
1976
Pilar (Guzman) Neer was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame this past Homecoming Weekend. After graduating from Palmer School, Pilar studied Hospitality and Travel Management at FIU, and has since worked in the travel industry for the past 30 years. She is a proud mother of two children, stays active in the gym, and travels as often as possible to University of Florida football games.
Stewart and wife, Deborah (Clark) ‘77 Magenheimer returned to campus during Homecoming Weekend to see fellow family and friends. Stewart and Deborah had not been back on campus in several years and were impressed with all the lush landscape and buildings.
1977
John Alger graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Agricultural Economics. Upon graduation, he returned to Florida to manage and operate Alger Farms in Homestead. This past Homecoming Weekend, John was inducted in the Athletic Hall of Fame. Today, he and his wife Carla have four children: Kristy, Jon, Amanda, and Liz.
JAN (RISI) FIELDS ‘ 77, MONICA SANCHEZ AND
ZIMMETT ‘ 77
Craig Zimmett ‘77 has driven his car in the PTS Homecoming Parade for the past two years.
Jan (Risi) Fields ‘77 visited Palmer Trinity School, this fall, to watch the Homecoming festivities.
Cindy Yaffey lives in Palmetto Bay, FL, where she works as an LPN/Dental Hygienist.
1978
Tom Magenheimer is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee at Palmer Trinity School. This past fall, he had the opportunity to induct his close friend and fellow Alumna, Pilar (Guzman) Neer ‘76 into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
1979
Joakim “Jay” Nordqvist lives in Gainesville, FL, where he works for GSE Engineering & Consulting Inc. He is engaged to his fiancée, Allison Dexsler, and recently traveled down to Miami to participate in the Alumni Soccer Game.
1981
Bobbi (Pohlman) Rodgers graduated from Everest University with a BS in Criminal Justice. She currently lives in Tamarac, FL, where she works as a Project Coordinator for G4S Youth Services, LLC. She is married to her husband, William Rodgers, and has three sons and one step-daughter.
Suzanne (Kane) Hollub stopped by campus during Homecoming Weekend to congratulate Coach Jeff Capparelli who was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Suzanne brought her son and enjoyed walking all over campus, sharing memories she has from her days as a Palmer student and admiring the beautiful campus facilities.
KARL STURGE ‘ 82, PAT BROCKWAY AND BOB HALLSTRAND ‘ 82
1982
Karl Sturge returned to campus, during Homecoming Weekend, to celebrate with former football Coach, Jeff Capparelli, at the Booster Reunion. Karl lives in Palmetto Bay, FL with his wife, Ann Marie, and their three boys, Karl, Matthew, and William. Karl is a Partner of the firm Marlow Connell, where he practices all areas of defense litigation.
Bob Hallstrand lives in Miami, FL with his wife, Annette, and their two children, Karl and Christopher. He came to campus for our Booster Reunion last October.
1983
Isabel Elena Noguera graduated from the Universidad Metropolitana–Caracas, in Venezuela, with a degree in Education. She currently lives in Bogota, Colombia, where she works as a Group Director (Homeroom Teacher) at Colegio Anglo Colombiano.
Mark Sturge works as a podiatrist in Palmetto Bay, FL, where he owns his own practice.
1984
Gordy O’Neil is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame committee at PTS and was on campus to witness the Induction Ceremony during Homecoming Weekend. Gordy looks forward to coming back to campus with his father to share old stories from Palmer.
1985
Derek Chase graduated from Syracuse University, and is married to his wife, Gray Chase.
Kevin Russo works for Cisco Systems and lives in Miami, FL, with his wife, Isabel, and their two children, Maxwell and Olivia. He stopped by campus, during Homecoming Weekend, to play with former teammates in the Alumni Soccer Game.
1986
Marialicia Silva Schmidt graduated from Universidad Jose Maria Vargas with a degree in Special Education. She currently lives in Acworth, GA with her husband, Michael Schmidt.
Dina Ashemimry is married to Spencer Aronfeld, and has two children, Sara and Nory. As President of Lawyers to the Rescue, Dina recently organized an event to help raise funds and awareness for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. All proceeds from this event went to the American Red Cross.
1987
Graham Kurzner graduated from Baylor University with a BA in Film, Television, and Radio. Today, he lives in Los Angeles, CA, where he works for Luckie Pierre Entertainment and Management. Having recently finished managing a tour for Grammy-nominated artist Sara Bareilles, Graham is now in the UK to manage another tour. Outside of touring, Graham is in the process of putting together an art show and writing two projects, one for film and the other for a TV pilot.
Brad Wagshul lives in Miami, FL, with his wife, Karen, and their daughter, Maddie.
DAVID DIAZ ‘ 87
David Diaz lives in Miami, FL, and has one son, Steven. He returned to campus, just last fall, to play in the Alumni Soccer Game.
John Lederman and his family celebrated the 20th Anniversary of JoAnna’s Marketplace with a Holiday Open House, this past November.
JOHN LEDERMAN ‘ 87
DINA ASHEMIMRY ‘ 86
1988
Martin Burkett is a practicing attorney and avid cyclist. He currently lives in Miami Shores with his wife, Natasha, and their three children.
1989
Sean Murphy is the Vice President for Operations for Coastal Construction. He lives in Miami with his wife, Jennifer, and their oldest daughter, Taylor, who is currently a 7th-grade student at PTS.
1990
Allison Maguire graduated from the University of Miami with a BA in Marine Affairs and Golden Gate University with an MSC in Computer Information Systems. Today, she lives in the United Kingdom with her husband, Kyle MacArthur, and their two children, and works as a Knowledge Management Specialist at Mars Chocolate UK. Jason Kosove graduated from Cornell University and went on to the University of South Carolina,
where he completed a Master’s degree in Anthropology. He later returned to school to get an M.D. from Drexel University College of Medicine. He was seen on campus, just this fall, playing in the Alumni Soccer Game. Jason lives in Miami with his wife, Julia (Arango) Kosove ‘90, and their children.
Ricky Jofre and wife, Dana, welcomed their son Julian, earlier in 2012. He returned to campus during Homecoming Weekend to play with former teammate Victor Balestra in the Alumni Soccer Game.
Virgil Guma lives on Key Biscayne with his wife, Kelly (Kimmel) Guma ‘89, and their three children, Nicholas, Katalina, and Gianna.
1991
Derek Fisher graduated from the University of Miami with a BS Industrial Engineering, and went on to study at the University of Maryland, where he earned an MBA in Finance. Today, he is a Senior Commercial Real Estate Appraiser at PGH Consulting, in Adelphi, MA,
where he lives with his wife, Kari.
1993
Corey Hunter earned a BA from the University of Rochester and an MD from the Drexel University College of Medicine. While studying to become a doctor, Corey completed his residency at the NYU School of Medicine and a fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College. Today, Corey is engaged to Courtney Gallo, and is living in NYC, where he recently opened
Alumni Soccer Game
his own practice, The Ainsworth Institute of Pain Management.
1994
Julie Riera-Powless lives in Seattle, WA with her husband, John Powless, and their son, Dominic “Nico” Joshua.
1995
David Keedy graduated from Barry University, in Miami, FL, where he received a BS in Economics and Finance. He currently lives in Durham NC, and is a member of the Investment Policy Committee at Gordon Asset Management, LLC. Through his position, David helps manage investment operations and serves as an internal contact for client relationship management. Before joining Gordon Asset Management, LLC, David worked as a Wealth Management Associate for Southwest Bank, in St. Louis, MO. Today, he holds his Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses; maintains his Life Accident & Health insurance license; and is a registered representative with CW Securities, LLC, an independent
DR. COREY HUNTER ‘ 93
registered broker-dealer and member NASD firm. David is currently enrolled in the Certified Financial Planning program at Duke University.
Zander Bowen and his family recently relocated from Belize to Houston, TX, where he started working for Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS.
1996
Lesley Kline graduated with a BSBA from the University of Florida. Today, she and her husband, Jordan, live in Miami, FL, where she works as a Planner at Macy’s.
Maria Monterroso lives in West Orange, NJ, with her husband and children.
Jessica (Corry) Sierralta is the founder of Mermaids, a designer swimwear boutique in the heart of South Miami. Along with her sister, Jordana Corry ‘98, who is a fashion design graduate from the Miami Art Institute and runs day-to-day operations for Mermaids, Jessica has created Kai Lani, a signature line of bathing suits sold in their store. Jessica and husband, Pierre, have two children, Kai and Malia.
1997
James Campbell recently opened his new company, What You Say –James Campbell Consulting, Inc., in NYC—specializing in marketing, advertising, licensing, public relations, celebrity management, event coordination and planning, and fashion show production.
1998
Daniel Diaz-Leyva was selected to sit on a distinguished panel of speakers at the Republican National Convention, in Tampa, FL, last fall. As a Partner and Director of Business Development, Daniel Diaz Leyva sat with other national thought leaders to discuss issues pertaining
to Economic Development. He was joined by George P. Bush, President of St. Augustine Partners; Nina Vaca, Chairwoman of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Pinnacle Technical Services; and Adam Putnam, former Congressman and current Commissioner of Agriculture & Consumer Services for Florida. Moderated by Peter Cook, Chief Washington correspondent for Bloomberg Television, this panel of leaders discussed different issues facing America’s emerging workforce, including unemployment and underemployment problems among young people, especially Hispanics, today. Daniel focused his remarks on the prominent role education plays in helping to secure upward mobility and develop the necessary skill sets for young people to be ready for a career as soon as they enter the workplace.
1999
Jason Johnson married Maria Strand this past October.
Jaclyn Varela was recently engaged to Tony Gil. Their wedding is planned for April 2013.
2000
Alvaro Pinzon graduated from Boston University with a BA in Communications. Today, he
lives in Miami, FL, where he works as a Sales Representative. Alvaro recently returned to campus, during Homecoming Weekend, to play with former Palmer Trinity School teammates at the Alumni Soccer Game.
Layda Morales and her husband, Chris Cosio, welcomed their first child, Christopher Alexander Cosio, last summer.
Andre Lemers returned to campus, during Homecoming Weekend, to play in the Alumni Soccer Game with old friends from PTS.
2001
Alex Chester lives in NYC, where he works for Smith Barney. He and his wife, Kelly, celebrated the birth of their first son, Benjamin, this past fall. Brock Blue married Noelle Robillard ‘05, in Miami, FL, last May. Today, they are living in Jacksonville, FL.
JESSICA (CORRY) SIERRALTA ‘ 96 AND JORDANA CORRY ‘ 98
JAMES AND CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL ‘ 97
DANIEL DIAZ-LEYVA ‘ 98
ANDRE LEMERS ‘ 00
JASON JOHNSON ‘ 99
BROCK BLUE ‘ 01 AND NOELLE ROBILLARD ‘ 05
CHAD STARKS ‘ 02 AND MERCE ANEZ ‘ 03
Jesse Dougherty ‘91
Starting at Trinity Episcopal School as a 7th-grade student in 1985, Alumnus Jesse Dougherty graduated in 1991—one of only eighteen students who made up the last class of graduates before Trinity’s merger with Palmer School. After his high school education was complete, Jesse left
sunny South Florida for Ohio’s Kenyon College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Leaving the United States altogether, Jesse continued his graduate education at Trinity College— in Dublin, Ireland—where he received a Master of Philosophy in Ecumenics.
Jesse with his wife, Rebecca; their three children, Liam (7), Fiona (5) and Quinn (2); and the family dog
When his stint overseas was finished, Jesse returned stateside, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Today, he is the Director of Upper School and Assistant Head of School for International Studies at Friends Select, an independent Quaker school, in downtown Philadelphia—where he lives with his wife, Rebecca, and their three children, Liam, Fiona, Quinn. An active participant in a variety of athletic and club organizations during his time as a student at Trinity, Jesse is also remembered by many Alumni as the son of Dr. Edward (Ned) Dougherty—the founding Head of School for Trinity Episcopal School, and later, Palmer Trinity School’s first President.
As a Trinity Titan, Jesse was very involved in his school life. Serving as Editor of the school newspaper, he also participated in student government, helped produce the school yearbook, sang with the school choir, acted in school plays, and played three, sometimes four, sports each year. One summer, Jesse even recalls coming to campus to put together new lockers and fix the picnic tables. Given the small size of the school, these activities couldn’t have been made possible without the incredible commitment of the teachers who worked there. “The faculty was fully dedicated and willing to participate in everything; they taught, they coached, they took us on field trips and they took us camping,” Jesse remembers. “For anything to work, everyone had to do everything—and we all did it so happily.”
Working as a high school English teacher, a middle and high school athletic coach, and a department chair before accepting his current positions at Friends Select, Jesse knew early on that he belonged in the field of education. Spending his school summers teaching sailing, Jesse loved the connections he was able to make with his students. Furthermore, Jesse believes much of his inspiration to teach came from his time at Trinity Episcopal School. “In high school, I took on a lot of leadership roles and felt a calling towards mentoring others,” Jesse recalls. “I was inspired by my teachers to be my best, and I believed I could be a good leader.” Of these teachers, Jesse specifically remembers the influence his English teacher, Mrs. Joan Kjeldsen, had on him. “She believed my ideas were worth hearing,” he says. “I often emulated her teaching style in my classroom.” Above all, his greatest influence was none other than his own father. “Trinity was a great school, and for my Dad to see that creating Palmer Trinity would make an even better school is the sign of a visionary leader,” Jesse says. “I want to lead like that.”
Having achieved so much already, Jesse still has one career feat left to accomplish: to become a Head of School, just like his dad. When he does, his memories of Trinity Episcopal School, and even the impressions he has of the school today, will be there to guide him. “Everything has changed, yet everything looks familiar,” Jesse says. “I see students who are engaged, teachers who are inspirational, lots of activities, and above all, I see great leadership.”
THE FACULTY WAS FULLY DEDICATED AND WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN EVERYTHING; THEY TAUGHT, THEY COACHED, THEY TOOK US ON FIELD TRIPS AND THEY TOOK US CAMPING. FOR ANYTHING TO WORK, EVERYONE HAD TO DO EVERYTHING—AND WE ALL DID IT SO HAPPILY.
Jesse in China
Boosters Reunion Party
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012
In honor of our 40th Anniversary celebration, Palmer Trinity School kicked-off Homecoming Weekend with a Boosters Reunion Party. During this event, more than 50 attendees—both former and current Boosters members, as well as Alumni, faculty, former faculty and coaches—gathered in the P TS Main Dining Room (MDR) to rekindle old friendships, honor the current Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, share memories of their time at Palmer, Trinity Episcopal and Palmer Trinity School, and celebrate their years as a Booster. Several presentations were made by Head of School, Sean Murphy; Booster Club President and Alumna, Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85; Athletic Director, Jake Von Scherrer; Director of Advancement, Suzanne Calleja; and the first Palmer School Admissions Director, Jim Higgins, who said a few words about the humble beginnings of Palmer School in 1973. Overall, this was a special evening enjoyed by all in attendance.
Madeleine Marr, Jim Beverley and Hart Baur ‘82
Tom Magenheimer ‘78 and Janet Capparelli
Jeff Capparelli and Family
Sharon Adamo, Laurie Evans, Steven Ferreira, Scott de Feu and Marla Ferreira
Steve Veingrad ‘79, Bob Hallstrand ‘82, Karl Sturge ‘82, Lee Sterling ‘81 and Patrick Kinney ‘80
Robert Moore ‘05, Samantha (Evans) Moore ‘06, Jo-Ann Titley and Roger Titley
Palmer, Trinity and Palmer Trinity School Memorabilia
Pat Brockway and Sean Murphy
Jeff Capparelli, Jim Beverley and Jim Higgins
Allison Drexsler and Joakim Nordqvist ‘79
Jim Higgins, Peter’s Guest, Peter Carlos and Jim Beverley
Scott de Feu, Joan Sanz and Joseph Sanz
After a long campaign, Patrick Erin Murphy was recently elected to represent the 18th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
2002
Melanie Hood Malone was recently married at the Botanical Gardens in NYC. She graduated first in her class from both Columbia University and Columbia Medical School.
Chad Starks married fellow PTS Alumna, Merce Anez ‘03, in Bimini, with many PTS Alumni in attendance. Steven Shpiner and Rebecca Williams ‘00 were in the wedding party.
2003
Michael Bassett graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Economics. He lives in Clayton, MO with his wife, Jennifer, where he works as an analyst at West Asset Management.
Ciara Michel recently made PTS history when she became Palmer Trinity School’s first Olympian! While earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees, Ciara played for the University of Miami and the University of Melbourne, in Melbourne, Australia. Today, she plays professional volleyball in Germany, and represented her birth country, Great Britain, in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Jessica Johnson lives in Ardmore, PA with her husband, Robert Douglass, whom she married last July. She is in her first year as a graduate student at Bryn Mawr College, where she is studying to receive a Masters in Social Service, with a focus on child and family well-being.
2004
Corina (Lopez) Minera and her husband, Frank, welcomed their first child, Nicholas, last November.
Hilary Harper graduated from R hodes College with a BA in Political Science. Today, she is living in Durham, NC with her husband, James Hayes. She is in law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Astro Araujo graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BS in Business Administration. He is currently living in San Francisco, CA, where he works as an Account Manager for www.Limos.com.
2005
Ricky Gluski currently works in the Dominican Republic,
where he is producing a featurelength documentary about albinos who live in the region.
Alejandro Melean made his National Team Debut with the Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano, last October, as they defeated Uruguay 4-1. Now an official member of the team, he also had the opportunity to play in a World Cup Qualifier against Ecuador, just last fall.
Maria Lorena Boria ‘05 and her daughter live in Miami, FL, where Maria runs a wholesale computer distribution company, The Wise Computer, Inc. She recently helped manage her father’s campaign for Mayor of Doral, which he won. Joelle (Goodwin) Marr lives in Orlando, FL with her husband, Gordon Marr. They were married in Key West, FL, this past fall, in front of many PTS Alumni and faculty.
Dylan Grabowski graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. Moving to Denver, CO shortly thereafter, Dylan served as a fundraiser for a non-profit organization that helps children and families in the U.S. and ten other countries. Through his work, Dylan was able to find sponsorships for 650 children. He is
CIARA MICHEL ‘ 03
REBECCA WILLIAMS ‘ 00
JOELLE (GOODWIN) MARR ‘ 05
JESSICA JOHNSON ‘ 03
MARIA LORENA BORIA ‘ 05
CORINA (LOPEZ) MINERA ‘ 04
STEVEN SHPINER ‘ 00
Elizabeth Keedy de Obando ‘92
Entering Trinity Episcopal School as a 7th-grade student, Alumna Elizabeth Keedy de Obando stayed at the school until her graduation in 1992—making her a member of the first class of graduates from the newly-merged Palmer Trinity School. Upon graduation, Elizabeth left Miami to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Kenyon College, in Gambier, Ohio. Moving to Southern California for a publishing job with Cherie Carter-Scott, Marianne Williamson, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul Group, Elizabeth returned to South Florida a year later to become a teacher. She earned a Master of Arts in Literature from Florida International University in 2001, and still wanting to pursue her education further, headed north to attend Yale University, where she graduated with a Master of Arts and Religion in 2003. Today, Elizabeth lives in Granada, Nicaragua, where she and her husband are two of the founding members of Sacuanjoche International School.
Elizabeth with K3 and K4 students on the school’s new jungle gym
1st- and 2nd-grade students going on a nature walk to the lagunas behind the school
With a heartfelt love for education, Elizabeth finished all of her graduate degrees and jumped right back into teaching. Finding a job as a teacher at The Salisbury School—in Salisbury, Maryland—Elizabeth taught Literature, Honors Humanities, AP Art History, World Religions, World History and Introductory Spanish classes, coached soccer, and served as the Yearbook Advisor. With a nationwide recession in full bloom, and a second child on the way, Elizabeth and her husband, decided to sell everything and try something new. “We wanted to do something that would give us freedom, time with our growing family, and something that would bring us closer to our extended family,” Elizabeth says. “My husband is Nicaraguan, so the location was easy—and we moved [to Granada] in early 2010 with nothing more than two little boys and an idea.”
I THINK WHAT MADE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE WERE THE EXPECTATIONS. EVERY TEACHER, ADMINISTRATOR, AND PARENT EXPECTED THE MOST OF US...THEY EXPECTED US TO WORK HARD, TO ASK QUESTIONS, AND FIGHT FOR SUCCESS. IT IS BECAUSE OF THEIR TEACHINGS THAT I HAVE CONTINUED TO EXPECT A LOT OF MYSELF, AND THOSE AROUND ME, TODAY.
When they got to Granada, one of the first things they needed to do was find a school for their boys. “We bumped into Waldorf Kindergarten, a small school tucked into a colonial home on a side street in Granada,” Elizabeth recalls. “There were about twenty children, ranging from 18 months to 6 years of age, separated into two classes: Maternal and Kinder.” In an effort to not have to send their children to school in Managua—which meant three hours of traveling each day, long hours sitting in a classroom, and little time at home with their families—families at Waldorf Kindergarten were making plans to expand their small institution into a primary school. “Once I heard the plans and desires of this group, I couldn’t help but get involved,” Elizabeth says. “I saw this as my opportunity to really give something back to the community, provide a truly valuable service, and serve my very selfish designs as well: a great education for my own children.” With that, Sacuanjoche International School was born.
Having had previous educational experience, Elizabeth was immediately appointed Director—giving her the daunting task of developing a curriculum. “I pulled from every educational experience I’d ever had; every class, every teaching experience, every school visit, and every article or book read, and to this day, I still pick the brains of several mentors from different jobs and schools.”
As the Head of School, Registrar, Accountant, Lead Fundraiser, Receptionist, Gardener, Painter, Nurse, Events Planner, new Athletic Director and part-time school curtain maker, Elizabeth has done more than open a new school—she is giving the educational community in Granada the opportunity to break new ground. “Every school teaches English—but to offer half of the day’s classes in English, and half in Spanish, is revolutionary here,” she says. “By opening a truly bilingual, bi-literate school, we are guaranteeing that each child leaves completely and truly bilingual.” Now, with a school of 22 pre-school and kindergarten students, and twelve in first and second grade, Elizabeth is excited to see what
the future holds for Sacuanjoche International School. “The greatest responsibility of an elementary school is to nurture strong self-esteem,” Elizabeth says. “Of course we teach reading, writing, and arithmetic, but I want each of the children in my care to understand themselves as a valuable member of our community. With small classes, we can give each child the attention they need to help them find that path and assure a positive self-image. With the right attitude and selfconfidence, I have learned that anything is possible— even in Nicaragua.”
As she continues to develop Sacuanjoche International School, grade by grade, Elizabeth looks back on her own education as a child, namely her time at Trinity Episcopal, and later, Palmer Trinity School. “I think what made the biggest difference were the expectations,” she recalls. “Every teacher, every administrator, and every parent expected the most of us. It wasn’t an acceptable option to give only 50%; and they expected us to work hard, to ask questions, and fight for success. Most importantly, they taught us that the measure of this success is not monetary, but the qualitative difference we can make in the lives of others. It is because of their teachings that I have continued to expect a lot of myself, and those around me, today.”
Having accomplished so much already, Elizabeth believes the school’s history has only just begun. “Today, we are fighting for sustainability,” she says. “I am looking forward to ironing out the bigger wrinkles, like convincing the Nicaraguan water company that we do, in fact, need city water at the school, and then having the time to focus on the events, projects, and programs that will really enrich our curriculum and community.” Furthermore, Elizabeth wants to start emphasizing education not just for the children, but for the greater community, as well. “We want to start a lending library for our larger school community,” she says. “We are also trying to develop a series of community programs, like adult ESL classes, CPR instruction, infant healthcare, ‘Teach the Teacher’ seminars, music lessons, traditional dance classes, a community youth soccer league, and programs that teach people how to identify and protect ‘at risk’ children.” In the future, Elizabeth sees a larger institution, purchased land, new facilities, and the beginnings of a middle and high school. “Our plan is to add one grade per year until we go all the way through high school,” Elizabeth says. “If all goes as planned, we should have our first graduating class in 2022!”
For more information about Sacuanjoche International School, or to give your support, visit www.granadainternationalschool.com
Elizabeth wanted to create a good school that was affordable for all. As a result, much of the school’s expenses are paid for through individual sponsors and capital gifts.
Elizabeth’s son, Antonio, reading to his Kindergarten classmates
class notes
currently studying at the University of Colorado at Denver, where he plans to graduate in December 2013 with a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning. In line with this effort, Dylan will write his thesis on highspeed rail over the course of this year.
2006
Manny Contreras graduated from Indiana University. He currently lives in NYC, where he works as a Senior Analyst for J.P. Morgan. Manny recently had the opportunity to work for sixth months in Singapore, during which he spent time traveling extensively through Asia.
2007
Anthony Will graduated from Wofford College with a BA in Economics. Today, he lives in North Carolina, where he works as an Account Manager for Easyfish Marketing.
Bianca Barros graduated from Miami International University of Art and Design with a degree in Fashion Merchandising. Today, she works as a Marketing Assistant for Lenny in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Elizabeth McNichol spent last summer working for Catholic Migration Services, an immigration non-profit organization, in NYC. Today, she is in her second year of law school.
Nicolas Guerra-Mondragon graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Environmental and Ecological Engineering.
Logan Sandler graduated with honors, with a BA in Film Production, from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television. His thesis short film, All It Will Ever Be, screened in-competition at the 16th Annual Bermuda International Film Festival, and was shown at the Film Anthology Archives, in NYC, just
last summer. The film was also a finalist at the 34th Annual National Short Film at Video Competition, at the USA Film Festival, in Dallas, TX. Through his studies, Logan interned with Wendy Finerman Productions and DC Comics Film and Television Division. Through the American Film Institute, he was recently awarded an artistic fellowship for “Directing,” and is in the process of publishing his first collection of poetry—all at the age of 22.
Christopher Narchet graduated from Fordham University.
Clare Murray graduated from Texas Christian University with a BS in Nursing, and plans to be an ICU nurse.
Christian Alfonso graduated from Florida International University with a BS in Biology. He is now a student at the University of Miami, where he is studying to receive a Master of Public Health.
J.P. Gilbert graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BSBA in Economics. Today, he is in law school at Stetson University College of Law.
2008
Annie Jensen graduated from NYU, just last May. Today, she is in law school at the University of Miami, and works at Greenburg Taurig, an international law firm.
Nathalie Imran graduated Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Design in Architecture, from the University of Florida.
Brianna Rivas graduated from Boston College, just last May. She currently works as a Registered Nurse on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the Mayo Clinic.
Stephen Ludovici graduated early from the University of Florida with degrees in Mathematics and Sociology. Today, he is in law school at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
2009
Stephanie Silva lives in Washington D.C., where is studying to receive degrees in Public Communication and International Studies, as well as certificates in European Studies and International Communication, from
American University. Over the past year, Stephanie completed internships with Discovery Communications and NBC Universal, Inc. During her internship with Discovery Communications, Stephanie worked in Human Resources, and managed all of their social media platforms, planned intern events, volunteered for Kid’s Day, and set up informational interviews with people from different departments. At NBCUniversal, Inc., she wrote stories for NBC4’s “The Scene.” Today, she is a Public Relations intern for Animal Planet, and plans to graduate in May 2013.
Mark Allen is in his senior year at American University, in Washington, D.C. After earning top scores in a number of races, Mark competed in the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Jessica Mazon is currently a senior at FIU, in Miami, FL, where she is majoring in Public Relations and Business. Outside of school, Jessica works at Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, and spent time traveling through Europe this past summer.
2010
Erin Benson is currently a student at the University of Miami, where she is a member of the Sunsation Dance Team.
Kristen Titley just finished her junior season of Division 1 Volleyball at Bucknell University. Right now, she is studying abroad in Florence, Italy.
2011
Aaron Lall just completed his first year at the University of Florida. Alexandra and Lauren Mann recently released a new single, “Halloween Night.” They were both excited to receive a great review from Robert Oermann, a top music critic in the Nashville, TN area.
Katie DiFede is currently a sophomore at the Catholic University of America, where she is majoring in International Business. Aside from classes, Katie dances for the Kirov Ballet Academy, a Russian dance company, in Washington, DC, and has plans to study abroad in Madrid, Spain at some point this year.
2012
Andrea Rey is in her freshman year at Georgetown University, in Washington D.C. While there, she has had the opportunity to spend time with PTS Alumni, both visiting and living in the Washington, D.C. area, including Sebastian Calderon, Sebastian Nicholls, Nick Joseph and Isa Gallart. She recently joined the Georgetown University crew team as a “walk on.”
Sean Ramras is a freshman at Washington University, in St. Louis, MO. He continues to develop his non-profit organization, Music Soothes the Soul, and is hoping to open a branch of the organization at Washington University. Biraaj Mahajan is a freshman at Boston University, where he plans to major in Neurobiology. Stefano Aime is in his freshman year at the University of Miami. He returned to PTS, during Homecoming Weekend, to play in the Alumni Soccer Game with former classmates Ashley du Feu and Luis Asensio
Alumni College and Career Day
APRIL 2013
Come back to campus this spring and share your high school, college and current occupational experiences with our current Palmer Trinity School juniors! For the fifth year in a row, Palmer Trinity School will host Alumni College and Career Day. You will be welcomed by Head of School, Sean Murphy, and will have the opportunity to catch up with former teachers before you speak to students in a round table, classroom format.
For more information please contact Monica Sanchez at 305-969-4210 or msanchez@palmertrinity.org.
ERIN BENSON ‘ 10
MANNY CONTRERAS ‘ 06
Alumni Holiday Party
PEACOCK GARDEN CAFÉ— DECEMBER 12,2012
This year, our annual Alumni Holiday Party took place at the Peacock Garden Café, in Miami’s trendy Coconut Grove. During this fun-filled event, close to 100 PTS Alumni gathered together to celebrate the holiday season, catch up with friends and faculty members, and reminisce about their times together at Palmer, Trinity Episcopal and Palmer Trinity School.
Catie Franklin ‘09, Stephen Ludovici ‘08 and Lauren Franklin ‘08
Brittney (Hoffman) McCabe ‘99, David Malek ‘99, Yannis Zavitsianos ‘99 and Miriam Malek
Will Morrison ‘07, Monty Sibley ‘07, Maria Vanegas, Chris Narchet ‘07 and JP Gilbert ‘07
Nathan Zeder ‘98, Evan Zeder ‘01, Andrea Santamaria
, m Malek
ia Vanega avi , n Ma
Samantha Evans Moore ‘06
Coming to Palmer Trinity School at the turn of the century, Alumna Samantha Evans Moore graduated in 2006—spending her 7th- through 12th-grade years as a Palmer Trinity School Falcon. Eager to start her undergraduate career, Samantha left South Florida to attend Franklin and Marshall College—in Lancaster, PA— where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and concentrations in Psychology and Government. Today, Samantha is a graduate student at Tufts University, where she is studying to receive a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, and plans to begin her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, at that same institution, in January 2014. Now married
to her high school sweetheart and fellow PTS Alumnus, Robert Moore ‘05, Samantha was inducted into the PTS Alumni Hall of Fame, just this year, for her tremendous success in Palmer Trinity School volleyball, softball and soccer. She is very involved with Positive Steps for Arumeru (POSA)— a preschool that works with children in Arusha, Tanzania, who are either orphans or have been affected by HIV/AIDS. Through this opportunity, Samantha, along with Robert and both of their families, has been able to sponsor POSA children integrating into regular schools in Tanzania—helping these children get the education they need to take control of their lives, and ultimately, their future.
Samantha (Evans) Moore ‘06 with her husband, Robert Moore ‘05, and POSA students
Like most Palmer Trinity School students, Samantha spent most of her Falcon years involved in a wide range of activities—including, but not limited to, Girls Varsity Volleyball, Soccer, and Softball, Peer Counseling, Honor Council, National Honor Society, the International Thespian Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Aside from these organizations, Samantha always had a passion for community service, and even more importantly, a passion for learning. “PTS taught me how to think outside the box,” Samantha recalls. “From classes like The Universe Story and Religion in America, to ‘Head Start’ Christmas parties and debates during convocation, I learned about the unfortunate disparities in our country and around the world. At Palmer Trinity School, we always knew about the importance of giving back to the greater community.”
After graduating from PTS, Samantha took her first trip to Africa with her family. “My father spends a lot of time doing business in different countries in Africa, so he went there often,” Samantha says. “After taking one more ‘touristy’ trip to Tanzania with Robert, we knew we had to go back and spend more time in that amazing country.” Returning in 2010 to volunteer with POSA, Samantha and Robert had found their niche. “With the assistance of my family and friends, we have been able to assist POSA by renting classrooms, purchasing desks, books, school supplies and hiring an English-speaking teacher,” she says. Aside from that, the Moores currently sponsor 21 children at English-speaking schools who graduated from POSA, allowing them to continue their education and go on to receive their secondary school degree, and are also in the process of setting up a foundation to continue to fund school-age children leaving POSA for Primary One School.
PALMER
TRINITY
SCHOOL
AND ITS TEACHERS STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND GIVING BACK TO THOSE LESS FORTUNATE—AND THAT’S SOMETHING WE’VE NEVER FORGOTTEN.
Having accomplished so much already, Samantha knows that, for her and Robert, this is only the beginning. “One of the ideas for my doctoral research will focus on an Early Intervention Screening process that will help facilitate the early diagnosis of children with development delays, children on the Autism spectrum, or children who have a Sensory Processing Disorder,” Samantha explains. “Eventually, I want to help push legislation that enables all parents to understand and utilize Early Intervention in their states—and once I finish, I hope I can bring my clinical skills to our friends in schools in the Arusha, Tanzania area.” With goals like these, Samantha knows she couldn’t have gotten to where she is today without help along the way. “PTS provided us with a very progressive and open-minded education that enabled us to see the world outside of Miami,” she explains. “Palmer Trinity School and its teachers stressed the importance of serving the community and giving back to those less fortunate—and that’s something we’ve never forgotten.”
Samantha and Robert return to Africa as often as possible to visit the children they sponsor.
The Evans family has been working with the POSA program for many years.
Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame
HOMECOMING DAY | OCTOBER 27, 2012
Each year, Palmer Trinity School recognizes exceptional athletes in the school’s history by inducting select PTS Alumni and past coaches into the Athletic Hall of Fame. This official recognition, which began in 2004, honors the achievements of men and women—from Palmer, Trinity and Palmer Trinity School—who have made major contributions to the success of the overall athletic program. Before Homecoming, the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee meets, reviews nominated candidates, and votes to decide who will be inducted that year. In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Palmer Trinity School, this year, we were proud to induct four outstanding athletes and one coach to this prestigious group of athletes.
JOHN ALGER ‘77
Coming to Palmer School at the start of his high school athletic career, John quickly gained notoriety as a prominent member of the Varsity Football, Soccer, Track and Wrestling teams. During his senior year, John earned recognition for his successes in football as a member of the Miami News All-City 1st Team, South Dade Newsleader All-Star 1st Team, and the Gulfstream Athletic Conference All-Star 1st Team. He was awarded the Palmer School Athletic Award for “Best Defensive Lineman,” and graduated from Palmer School to play football at Cornell University.
COACH JEFF CAPPARELLI ‘76-‘83
Known for his success as a Palmer School Athletic Director—as well as a football, softball, baseball and basketball coach—“Coach Capp,” as he was called, led the Varsity Football team to earn Greater Athletic Conference (GAC) District Titles in 1976, 1977 and 1978. In 1977, his team went to the State Semi-Finals, and even won GAC Athletic Program of the Year. As a Varsity Girls Softball coach, Jeff’s 1977-78 team won the GAC District Title, while his 1981-1982 team became District Champions. During his tenure as Head Coach of the Palmer School Varsity Baseball team, his 19781980 teams were recognized as District Runners-Up.
Head of School, Sean Murphy, welcomed the inductees and their families to the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony.
Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame inductees: Pilar (Guzman) Neer ‘76, Jeff Capparelli and Samantha (Evans) Moore ‘06
Jim Higgins, Karl Sturge ‘82 and Lee Sterling ‘81
Jeff Capparelli and family
Pilar (Guzman) Neer ‘76 with her husband, Michael, and her daughter, Jessica
CIARA MICHEL ‘03
Beginning her volleyball career as a member of the Palmer Trinity School 6th-grade intramural team, Ciara worked her way up to Varsity her freshman year. After graduating from PTS, Ciara played volleyball for the University of Miami and the University of Melbourne, in Melbourne, Australia, while she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees, respectively. Today, Ciara plays professional volleyball in Germany, and represented Great Britain, this past summer, in the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
PILAR (GUZMAN) NEER ‘76
Playing for Palmer School during the 1970s—a time when female athletes played multiple sports, and were not always given the tools they needed to help them do their best—Pilar managed to excel in three sports: volleyball, softball and soccer. Throughout her career, she earned multiple All-Conference and All-County awards in athletics, and most notably—in 1976, her graduation year—Pilar was selected as “Best All-Around Female Athlete.” After graduating from Palmer School, Pilar went on to study Hospitality and Travel Management at Florida International University, and has since worked in the travel industry for the past thirty years.
SAMANTHA EVANS ‘06
Earning five letters in Varsity Girls Volleyball, four letters in Varsity Girls Soccer and another four letters in Varsity Girls Softball, Samantha’s athletic accomplishments at Palmer Trinity School were innumerable. In volleyball, she helped her team become District Champions, Regional Champions and State Semi-Finalists; and in 2005, she made First Team All-Dade and Third Team All-State. During her soccer career, she made Second Team All-Dade in 2004, Third Team All State in 2005, and First Team All-Dade from 2004-2006. Samantha was further recognized for her athletic prowess when she received a Silver Knight Honorable Mention in Athletics, was named a First Team All-Dade County Scholar Athlete, and was selected as the Class 3A-1A “Female Athlete of the Year” for Miami-Dade County. After graduating from Palmer Trinity School, Samantha went on to play volleyball at Franklin and Marshall College. Currently, she is a graduate student at Tufts University, where she will graduate with an MS in Occupational Therapy in May 2013.
Ciara Michel ‘03 played for Great Britain in the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Pilar (Guzman) Neer ‘76 with her family and friends
Ciara Michel ‘03
Samantha (Evans) Moore ‘06 with her husband, Robert Moore ‘05, and family
Lynne Keller and Dorothy Evans
In Memoriam
Michael “Mikey” Santa Cruz-Yepes ‘02 died suddenly on July 17, 2012, from complications from a lung infection, at the age of 27. While at Palmer Trinity School, Mikey was a member of the PTS Boys Varsity Baseball, Soccer and Golf teams, was Golf MVP during his senior year, and served as a Peer Counselor. Born in Bogota, Colombia, Mikey is remembered for his unmistakable laugh, his effort to live life to the fullest, and his ability to lift the spirits of everyone around him. He is survived by his newlywed wife, Amanda; his mother, Martha Sonia Yepes; his sister, Lauren; his abuelita Sonia; as well as numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and lifelong friends.
Sandra “Sandy” Williams Grubbs died peacefully on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at the age of 66, after a long battle with cancer. An original Trinity Episcopal School parent, Sandy served as President
of the Trinity Parents’ Association, President of the PTS Booster Club, and worked as both a receptionist in the Main Office and the Director of the Annual Fund for a combined total of fourteen years. A secondgeneration Floridian and a native of Brooksville, Mrs. Grubbs was the daughter of Jewelle Arline Williams and George Kent Williams, a prominent Brooksville business owner, who served two terms in the Florida Legislature. After graduation from Hernando High School, Sandy attended Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, FL. She married Paul Hendry Bennett, before marrying William Grubbs, a business owner in Miami, 28 years ago. Mrs. Grubbs was actively engaged in community activities and supported local causes. She was a constant source of encouragement, and her many caring friends treasured her wisdom, wit, and fascination with the natural world. Mrs. Grubbs is survived by her husband, William, a daughter, Jennifer Jane BennettFlores ‘89; a son, Andrew Paul Bennett ‘95 of Miami, and his wife, Cristina; and five grandchildren— Jackson Valentin Flores, Andrew Valentin Hendry Flores, Sofia Margarita Bennett, Lily Jane Flores, and Alexandra Jane Bennett.
Antonio “Tony” Alonso passed away on October 25, 2012, after battling colon cancer for two and a half years. Having served on the Board of Trustees at Trinity Episcopal School from 1989-1991, and then the PTS Board of Trustees, Tony eventually served as PTS Board Chair from 1995-1997 and again in 2006-
2007. In 2007, Tony stepped down from his position as Board Chair for health reasons. Aside from serving on the Board, Tony was Chair of the “Catch the Spirit” capital campaign that built the Humanities Building, Chair of the Finance Committee and he served on the Executive Committee. Outside of Palmer Trinity School, Tony was President of La Epoca Department Stores, in downtown Miami, a third-generation family retail business. He was an active member of the community, and was the Founding Chairman of the Board for West Kendall Baptist Hospital, the first brand new hospital built in Miami-Dade County in more than 35 years. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jane, and six children—Jane ‘92, Tony ‘94 and wife Dania Melnick, Eric ‘96 and wife Ariel Bender, Brian ‘97 and wife Alexina Binnie, Randy ‘02, and Ashley ‘05 and husband John Lavin—and his five granddaughters: Sienna, Kayla, and Juliana, Elizabeth, and Evelyn Alonso. Since his death, PTS has received memorial gifts to the Endowment in Tony’s honor.
TONY ALONSO, PAST BOARD
CHAIRMAN
SANDRA “ SANDY ” WILLIAMS GRUBBS
MICHAEL SANTA-CRUZ YEPES ‘ 02
ANNUAL FUND 20122013
Help us honor 40 years of extraordinary faculty, coaches and staff who touched the lives of thousands of students over the years.
Make your tax deductible gift to the Annual Fund, which benefits every current student and supports essential school programs.
Show your love for Palmer Trinity and make an immediate impact TODAY!
Give online at www.palmertrinity.org/onlinegiving, mail a check to 7900 SW 176th Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 or call (305) 969-4243.
THANK YOU!!!
This June, you and your families are invited to join your fellow Palmer, Trinity and Palmer Trinity School Alumni for our annual Reunion Weekend! This popular weekend offers Alumni and their families a chance to rekindle old friendships, catch up with faculty members, and reminisce about their days as a student as they walk around our beautiful campus. During this weekend, Palmer Trinity School will also host various Alumni sporting events and Class Reunion parties.
