Aerie 2016 Spring

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P A R E N T S , A L U M NI A N D F RI E N D S o f PA L M E R T RINI T Y S C H O O L

Alumni Profiles Vicky Garcia ‘01 Jan (Risi) Field ‘77 Todd O’Donald ‘91

Perspectives

Travels with a Headmaster

VisionAerie

Bixie Renick A Dream Fulfilled…

Palmer Trinity is an Episcopal school dedicated to promoting academic excellence and inspiring students to lead lives of virtue, humanity, and spirit. Providing a supportive, inclusive environment for students, we emphasize academic distinction, ethical global citizenship, and character. As members of the greater community, we inspire students to lead lives of honor and social responsibility. Palmer Trinity School is committed to diversity and includes students with a range of academic interests, as well as students from diverse ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Aerie

President of Parents Association

Amy de la Cruz-Muñoz

SPRING 2016

PRESIDENT OF BOOSTERS

Michael Haggard ‘88

Editor-in-chief

Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja

President of Alumni Association

Managing Editor

Board of Trustees 2015–2016

Lynley (Walker) Ciorobea ‘96

Daniel Mutter

Editorial Advisors

Jennifer Agress, Lauren Dowlen, Veronica Garcia, Paisley Papineau Photo contributors

Jan Morrison, Patrick Roberts Special Thanks

Kathy Vale

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 mpena@palmertrinity.org or scalleja@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.

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.

Design

Robertson Martin Collaborative Administration

Head of School Patrick Roberts Head of Upper School Ashley Chapman Head of Middle School Peter Tolmach Chaplain Mary Ellen Cassini Associate Head for External Relations Danny Reynolds Associate Head for Academic Affairs Manjula Salomon Associate Head for Communications and Strategic Partnerships Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja Associate Head for Real Estate Paul Zamek Chief Financial Officer Jose Chao Academic Dean Adrianna Truby Director of Athletics Ernest Robertson Director of Student Activities Susana Cetta Director of Parent Relations Denise Gallardo Director of Technology Gus Sabogal Diversity Coordinator Koreé Hood Registrar Vivian Cerione Executive Assistant to Head of School Susie Loiacono DEVELOPMENT Office

Director of Development Juan Gomez Director of Annual Giving Rachele Huelsman Associate Director of Development/ Lauren Dowlen Director of Alumni Relations Development Assistant Terri Agress Development Assistant Marilyn Klenk

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On the cover

Tina Lane, former Board Chair of Trinity Episcopal School and current PTS Board member; Patrick Roberts, Head of Palmer Trinity School; and Bixie Renick, former Board Chair of Palmer School celebrating the bright future of Palmer Trinity School.

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Michael Baiamonte Chairman Bronwen Rutter Vice-Chair Ricardo Albarran Secretary Charles Klenk Treasurer Jeffrey S. Bass Susan Benenati (Executive Committee) Rev. Frank J. Corbishley (Bishop’s Designate) The Rt. Rev. Peter Eaton John D. Fumagalli Lynne Keller Tina Lane Hugo Mantilla Camilo Montaña Sonia O’Donnell Tina Portuondo Alejandro Rodriguez Isabel Rodriguez Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85 Harvey B. Sperling Jack Brumbaugh (Trustee Emeritus) William Morrison (Trustee Emeritus)

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M E S S AG E F RO M T H E H E A D O F S C H O O L Earlier this year, my wife Laura and I, along with

Associate Head of School, Dr. Manjula Salomon, had the unique opportunity to travel to India as representatives of Palmer Trinity School, attending the 17th Global Connections Seminar.

At our Opening Ceremony, Global Connections Chairperson and Founding Head of Keystone Academy in Beijing, China, Mr. Malcolm McKenzie, addressed our group focusing on the importance of conversation. In his remarks, McKenzie noted that the art of conversation was at risk of being destroyed, due in large part to the advances in social media and our increased dependence upon electronic forms of communication.

Accordingly, McKenzie’s argument furthered the idea that good face-toface communication is truly needed today and that we as educators should model as such, continuing to find ways to converse freely and regularly with one another and our colleagues from across the globe.

I couldn’t agree more with McKenzie’s sentiments, and his message truly set the tone for our eight days of meetings, school visits, and yes, open, honest dialogue regarding the state of our schools and the need for our ongoing commitment to ensure the foundation for our conference focus, “Peace Education Within Faith Diversity.”

Surrounded by fellow leaders of schools representing 26 countries and 14 different states, and with a full schedule beginning each day with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and concluding after dinner on most nights just before midnight, I can honestly say that a multitude of worthy and enjoyable conversations took place between January 12 and January 19, and I am most grateful for these moments.

During our eight days together, our group visited a number of different schools, both private and public, and we were hosted most warmly by The Daly College in Indore, founded in 1870. We also had the opportunity to experience enlightening presentations from a number of diverse speakers, including two spiritual gurus, and India’s leading General. However, the highlight for me was the simple opportunity to network and learn from fellow colleagues and have the chance to get to know these incredibly talented and wise school leaders, both on a professional and personal level. As McKenzie encouraged us to do, I spent quality time with each of our delegates, forming new friendships and professional relationships that I know will ultimately benefit our School. Following the advice of noted British essayist and journalist, Richard Steele, “The best guide

to conversation is to ask questions.” I certainly posed my fair share. And, as is the result of good dialogue, I gained a new appreciation for the value of such communication for, as Sir John Lubbock, the great English thinker and philanthropist claims, “Conversation is an art in itself.”

Upon my return from India, I shared my observations, my photographs (nearly 200!), and numerous stories of my experience in both formal and informal settings, including an All School Chapel, a Parent Coffee, a Faculty/Staff after school gathering, and a Board of Trustees meeting. Anyone who stops by my office will also receive a “tour” of my India display, which includes original artwork and a mini Taj Mahal! Most importantly, however, the dialogue between my colleagues across the globe continues. As hoped, this newly established professional network for our School provides me and others with an opportunity to engage in sustained professional development. Palmer Trinity School is now “officially” linked with a group of top flight international schools; these schools represent a range of learning institutions who wrestle with many of the same challenges we do, and strive to be leaders within their own communities, and the greater world, just as Palmer Trinity does.

It should be noted, too, that our School will serve as host to this esteemed group in four years, and I truly look forward to showcasing our School to my newfound friends.

As the final weeks of the school year are upon us and the days get busier with end-of-the-school-year activities, I encourage each of us not to forget both the value and the joy of good dialogue.

Whether it be a brief moment at a student performance or athletic activity, a more formal discussion in the “school house,” or a casual chat in the courtyard, I hope that we may recognize any and all opportunities as true gifts. Moreover, I truly hope that we, as teachers and mentors for our students, will model the best practice in creating, sustaining, and ensuring healthy conversations. By making ourselves available and willing to converse, and by taking time each day to engage in meaningful conversation, we send a powerful message—one that recognizes the value of open dialogue. Such time is not wasted, and is, I argue, one of the many benefits we have to live, work, and play in such a learning community as Patrick roberts Palmer Trinity School.

He ad of school

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Contents | A erie , SPRING 2016 Bird ’s E y e Vie w 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 14

A Peace of Community The Road to Competition Diwali // Learning Land Development Fall Arts Showcase Breakthrough Miami The Experience of Learning Honoring Senior Athletes Donor Profile: Leaving a Legacy

Vision A erie 08

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Both Sides Now

Perspectiv es 18

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Palmer Trinity School: Paving the Way Toward a Bright Future Agents of Change The Power of Grieving Reading Around the Globe Travels With a Headmaster Modern Day Math

Ev en ts 28

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St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi Animal Blessing Ceremony Golden Falcon Dinner // Leadership Luncheon Palmer Trinity Parent Association Holiday Party Homecoming Week 2015 Sandy Golf and Tennis Tournament Head of School Circle Reception Middle School Grandparents Day International Festival

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Class Notes Alumni Reunion Celebrations Falcon Forum Alumni Speaker Series Alumni Reunion Weekend Alumni Association Holiday Party Alumni on the Road Collegiate Alumni Day Alumni Soccer and Basketball Games In Memoriam

ALUMNI PROFILES

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Vicky Garcia ‘01

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Jan (Risi) Field ‘77

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Todd O’Donald ‘91

DEPARTMENTS 03 05

Message from the Head of School Message from the Editor

M E S S AG E F RO M T H E E D I T O R When I was growing up, I was taught to answer the phone and say, “Gottlieb residence, Suzanne speaking.” In retrospect, that seems as quaint as the rotary dial and the paper pad we kept next to the phone for messages. Today, it’s unusual when you don’t reach someone immediately. It would also be unusual to answer someone else’s phone.

These unwritten rules about the changing nature of communication have much to do with social media. Social media represents two things we hold dear as a society: technology and connection. The fact that they seem like incongruent things— most people equate technology with sleek, cold design, not bonding with others—makes social media all the more interesting for millions of people online. Part of that appeal is creating a brand for who we are. It allows us to carefully curate a vision that we want to share.

To understand the pros and cons of social media—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter—would almost require us all to be able to see what was going on in each other’s brains. Why do we want or need to present ourselves a certain way? Don’t we already do that with the way we dress and speak and move through the world?

Palmer Trinity uses social media to set apart our brand and connect our school to the larger world. As of this printing, Palmer Trinity has 2,376 likes on Facebook, 852 followers on Twitter, and 600 followers on Instagram. Like our student body and families, these numbers represent our community, too. These followers are invested in PTS. Our brand—top academics, spirit-instilled learning, athletic excellence, and global citizenship—ripples farther afield than what was possible in any previous generation.

In a 1956 New York Times article called, “Tomorrow: A Living Dream,” architects and designers described their vision for homes in the future: “ By 1980, we can expect that the combination of research and electronic applications will have wrought considerable change in our homes and pattern of modern life... it is possible that the home of the future might contain a small electronic computer to remove the ‘drudgery’ of budgeting the family finances, paying bills, even figuring income taxes.”

Imagine how mind-blown that panel of experts would be with today’s “living dream.” We can speak to anyone, anywhere, at any time. We can forge deep connections with people online that we may never meet in real life. We can research anything from the comfort of our homes. And, yes, we can figure out our income taxes. We can even follow news about our children’s school! (In case the mention above didn’t entice you, if you’re not following PTS on social media, you really should).

What about the darker side of social media? Just like I answered the family phone, so did my parents, which meant they had a keen sense of who I was talking to. I was left to speak privately, but they always had a sense of what was going on. The idea of privacy was fundamentally different than it is in today’s online world. A new book, American Girls by Nancy Jo Sales, reveals details about the private lives of teenagers online. (Mainly, that there is no privacy.) She offered some sobering statistics about teenage girls who are asked for inappropriate images of themselves by fellow students and comply for fear of bullied retribution.

For teenagers, social media hits precisely at the age when there is a lack of understanding about the nature of consequences.

Mistakes can live on in perpetuity. What a painful way for some teenagers to learn that particular lesson.

Besides the loss of privacy, all of our typing and texting has resulted in the lost art of handwriting. The act of holding a pen or pencil and writing our thoughts down on paper is linked to a certain part of learning ability. The processing time from pen to paper is different than keypad to screen—it also practices hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

I know—I sound like a dinosaur. Still, I think it’s important to recognize that the same things we love about social media—the connection with people we would otherwise not meet, the ability to share one’s own life—could also be its potential downfall. If we don’t question it, why should our kids?

Suz anne Gottlieb Calleja ASSOCIATE HEAD of S chool FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

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Peace A

of Community

By Rita Feild, School Counselor

Creating a community where students care about each other is the main focus of the PTS Peer Counseling Program.

During spring semester, tenth-and-eleventh-graders are invited to apply for this volunteer service, interviewed

by School Counselor Rita Feild, and vetted by the faculty. Students are considered for the program based on a demonstrated care and concern for others as well as being in good academic standing.

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During the interview process, applicants are asked why they want to be a peer counselor.

Some of the responses given have been:

“ During my freshman year, I spoke with peer counselors and it was a positive experience. I would like to pass it on.” “ I personally have been known to overcome peer pressure and how to truly be myself. I would love to now teach others how to rise above.” “ Young people today have to face challenges of peer pressure, feeling left out, and the stress of school work, family life, friendship and decision-making. I know it’s hard to go through high school holding in all your feelings, and I want to be someone that other kids can talk to. I want to give back to the community.”

Every year before the start of school, a group of 60+ juniors and seniors gather in the Upstairs Library to participate in a full day of training to become peer counselors. Active listening techniques, body language awareness, strategies to address bullying behaviors, and conflict resolution are some of the skills covered in the trainings.

During this school year alone, the peer counselors facilitated a three-session workshop on antibullying with the seventh grade, and led advisory discussions with the eighth grade on transitioning to Upper School. They even met with ninth graders through biology classes to talk about “what I wish I’d known when I was in ninth grade,” study skills review, bullying, and preparations for Outward Bound. They have also met one-on-one with students who were struggling with friendship issues, academic performance, parents going through divorce, or most anything that blocks a student’s overall progress and success. The efforts of these peer counselors are hopefully contributing to a “Peace of Community.”

Bird’s eye view

The Road To Compe tition

By Phebe Hibshman, The ater Arts Director

Last fall, PTS Junior Thespian Troupe #88939 participated in the District 4 Thespian Festival – scoring high enough to perform at the Florida State Junior Thespian Festival in February 2016. The festival had over 2,000 middle school students, educators, and professionals from across Miami-Dade County, including troupes from every drama magnet and performing arts program. Our troupe presented monologues, acting scenes, playwriting, musical solos, duets, and a large group musical that were judged by a panel of three professionals. The judges were tasked with providing copious notes and a score of “good,” “excellent,” or “superior” for each performance.

The highest possible score of “Critic’s Choice” was only given to the best performance in each category at the District 4 Thespian Festival – and I am proud to share that our “Improvisation” group earned the title. At States, we received two “excellent” and seven “superior” ratings, as well as our first “Honorable Mention” in the “Large Group Musical” category. This distinction was significant because the Florida State Festival is the largest of its kind in the nation, with 14 other districts competing, and over 4,000 people in attendance. Troupe #88939 is the strongest and largest junior troupe in Palmer Trinity School history, and we are so proud of their accomplishments.

The PTS Senior Thespian Troupe #5458 is made up of powerful student performers and technicians, making it another force to be reckoned with this year. In the District 8 Festival, students performed in the categories of “Duet Acting,” “Small Group Acting,” “Solo,” “Large Group Musical,” and “Playwriting.” The District 8 Festival includes 3,000 student competitors, and takes place over two consecutive Saturdays at Felix Varela Senior High School and G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School. Each school is allowed to bring up to five “superior”-rated performances from the District level to States; and this year, we qualified with two “Solo” performances, one “Duet Musical,” and one “Ensemble Acting” performance.

In March, this same troupe went to Tampa to participate in the Florida State Thespian Festival, the largest student theater event in the nation.

Competing against more than 8,000 participants, I am proud to share

(top) PTS Senior Thespian Troupe #5458; (bottom) PTS Junior Thespian Troupe #88939

that our PTS Thespian Troupe #5458 earned awards for every individual category they performed in. Special congratulations goes to Priscilla Carlo ‘16, who earned a straight “superior” score for her solo musical performance of “Raining” from the musical Rocky. Additionally, Priscilla was joined by Natalie Veater ‘18 for a duet performance of “Our Little World” from Into the Woods, which also earned a straight “superior” score.

In the end, art cannot be truly judged. There’s no right or wrong in acting, only boring or interesting – and to prove that point, I constantly remind my students that Medea, by Euripides, once placed third in a one-act festival. Adjudicating performances is never perfect; but our participation in these festivals allows students to foster a supportive ensemble, witness what other students are doing, challenge themselves, and inspire others. It’s a life-changing, theatrical experience; and one we are so proud to be able to participate in here at Palmer Trinity School.

The Florida State Junior Thespian Festival (Longwood, FL – 2016) HONORABLE MENTION Large Musical Group: “When I Grow Up” Matilda/Chehab & Co (N. Chehab ‘22/K. Carlo ‘20/ S. Cook ‘22/R. Infante ‘22/ L. Infante ‘22/L. Furniss-Roe ‘22/K. Guma ‘22/M. Maguire ‘22/AR Miles ‘22/K. Requenez ‘22) Solo Musical: “Isn’t It Loverly” My Fair Lady/S. Cook Duet Musical: “Comes As No Surprise” Doctor Zavago/Miles & Maguire

SUPERIOR AWARDS Duet Acting: Kathy & Mo Almeida & Trouillot Duet Musical: “Stepsisters Lament” Cinderella/Belle & Zambrano

Solo Musical: “Naughty” Matilda/K. Guma Monologue: Tomorrow’s Wish D. Garcias-Novas S P R I N G 2 0 16

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diwali Bringing Light Into The Lives of Others

By Crystal Marie Ferreira ‘16

On Wednesday, November 18th, a magical phenomenon occurred; when every girl walked into the bathrooms on campus, they encountered a ray of sunshine. For their Literature of Afroeurasia Diwali project, PTS Juniors Amanda Clavijo ‘17 and Georgia Burlingame ‘17 wrote inspirational messages on 800 sticky notes and posted them up on all of the girls’ bathroom mirrors. Examples of the messages included: “You’re Beautiful;” “Life Isn’t Easy, But It’s Not Impossible;” “Keep Moving Forward”…and the list goes on and on. The project was conceived by Mrs. Sidhu in honor of the Hindu holiday Diwali, encouraging students to bring light into the lives of others. Amanda and Georgia’s project brought so much light to the lives of our students at Palmer Trinity School.

Learning Land Development This fall, Mr. Moore’s Scientific Inquiry and Fieldwork class was among the first group of students to set foot on the new South Campus. Open to Middle School students, Scientific Inquiry and Fieldwork examines the growth and development of South Florida through environmental, historical, and cultural perspectives. Associate Head of School for Real Estate Paul Zamek gave students an up-close tour of the ongoing civil engineering work which includes underground utilities like water, sewer, and power. During this tour, students learned about responsible water policies and the importance of protecting South Florida’s aquifer.

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Associate Head of School for Real Estate, Paul Zamek, shows PTS Middle School students the intricate civil engineering work behind the development of the South Campus.

Fall Arts Showcase

Bird’s eye view

This year’s Fall Arts Showcase was a success!

With over 100 excellent pieces on display, students were able to show off their artistic talent to family and friends. The musical accompaniment from students Wynne Owre ‘18 and Isabella Swift ‘18, on violin and flute, provided the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the evening.

The evening kicked off with a poetry reading by Mrs. Blackburn’s English students. Natalie Veater ‘18, Duncan Stoner ‘18, Gabriella Eriksen ‘18, Emily Himes ‘16, and Katrina Hernandez ‘18 read original poems based on works by the artist Edward Hopper. The showcase concluded with book awards presented by guest judge, Mr. Lucas Blanco, a local artist and professor.

The winners were: Victoria Llanos ‘21 (Middle School Art), Akane Waki ‘16 (Ceramics), Sophia Marchandise ‘19 (Painting), Gaby McVadon ‘18 (Mixed Media), and Ana Martinez-Oleta ‘16 (Drawing). The Juror’s Choice Award went to Stefani Tolchin ‘16.

Sandi Wood, Stefani Tolchin, Lucas Blanco

Tilly Strauss, Sophia Marchandise, Lucas Blanco

Sandi Wood, Ana Martinez-Oletta, Lucas Blanco

Lisa Colandrea, Gaby McVadon, Lucas Blanco

Sejal Vaywala, Victoria Llanos, Lucas Blanco

Natalie Veater, Duncan Stoner, Gabriella Eriksen, Cathy Blackburn, Emily Himes Robert Moorhouse, Akane Waki, Lucas Blanco S P R I N G 2 0 16

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BRE AK THROUGH MIAMI:

W hat ’s Been Done , and W hat ’s to C ome ?

By Jonah Ste vens, Bre ak through Miami Senior Site Director

“Mr. Stevens, Mr. Stevens, we caught two shrimp and a crab!” exclaimed gleaming-eyed Breakthrough scholar Chrisanna, as she waded out from the knee-deep Biscayne Bay after exploring the aquatic life of the seagrass community on our most recent field trip to Deering Estate. This type of exploratory, project-based learning is what Breakthrough Miami promotes and encourages.

We are proud that 90% of our volunteer teacher core is composed of our dedicated Palmer Trinity students. Our volunteers not only provide excellent mentorship to scholars by teaching 12 unique electives and a powerful core curriculum, they benefit from our mostly under resourced population by learning a plethora of leadership and character building skills. Considering our scholars are labeled “at risk,” the percentage

of them who graduate from high school and enroll in college is absolutely phenomenal.

As the Senior Site Director, my primary goals remain to fortify a united front among our Palmer Trinity and community constituents, and to expose our scholars to new experiences in order to build confident, well-informed leaders of tomorrow. This year, our scholars had the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of South Florida and the exodus of Cuban children through the Operation Pedro Pan exhibit at History Miami Museum. The PTPA Breakthrough Committee, headed by Mimi Hernandez and Susi Cetta, have been instrumental to our success. Through their support, we were able to conduct a successful Halloween Bash, CPR training, and Winter Wonderland Holiday Luncheon. Our in-house AmeriCorps members Michelle Altemus and Alexandra Dugarte have added tremendous value to our program providing tutoring until late hours on campus, community outreach, and invaluable mentorship for our scholars. I must also recognize my fierce Associate Site Director and partner in crime, Johanna Lopez, who embodies the essence of Breakthrough Miami at Palmer Trinity.

“What’s the secret to your successes?” I’ve been asked on numerous occasions. The answer is simply passion for education, gratitude, and perseverance, all sprinkled with a whole lot of joy. As a soon to be father, I’m ready for anything. I could not be more jubilant of our accomplishments but even more excited about what’s to come. We are all Breakthrough Miami.

LEGAC Y GI V ING The best way to ensure the gift of education for generations of students is through a legacy gift. This type of gift keeps on giving, providing funds to prolong our mission to inspire students to lead lives of honor, integrity and social responsibility.

How does a gift keep on giving? By making a legacy gift to our school’s Endowment fund, the interest earned on your gift may be reinvested in the school. Anyone can make a legacy gift.

No matter the amount, each gift builds our Endowment and provides a lasting source of funding for our students and faculty.

We often refer to charitable gifts made through a will or trust as “planned gifts,” as opposed to outright gifts for building and renovation or Annual Fund gifts for ongoing operations. Through a planned gift, you are leaving a legacy for the life of your School beyond your own time.

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“ The greatest gift we can give Palmer Trinity School and our students is the gift of education.”

— J ACK BRUMBAUGH, Trustee Emeritus

Contact Lauren Dowlen at ldowlen@palmertrinity.org or (305) 969-4282 for more information about leaving a legacy for Palmer Trinity students.

Bird’s eye view

THE E X P ERIENCE OF L EARNING

By Peter Tolmach, He ad of Middle School

Under the umbrella of Experiential Learning, all Middle School students in grades six and seven participated in two amazing grade level events. Both learning experiences took students off campus into different areas of Florida for three days and two nights.

Marine Lab During the week of October 12th, we held two trips to Key Largo, FL – one for the boys, and one for the girls. Ultimately, with such a large sixth grade (largest in Palmer Trinity School history), we could not fit everyone at once. Given that there is a great deal of research supporting single sex education, we wanted to lift some of the social pressures and engage in meaningful education for all students involved.

Throughout this action-packed three-day program, students explored the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, home of the only barrier coral reef in North America and the third-largest coral barrier reef in the world.

Students spent their days snorkeling through

the coral reefs and mangroves, learning about the local marine ecology. In the evenings, students gained in-depth knowledge about marine life through hands-on lab experiences.

became to find a facility a few hours away that could sleep all of the students at once and provide a high ropes experience, allowing our students to learn together in a positive and encouraging environment.

Camp Sparta

Camp Sparta was a mixture of teambuilding, collaboration, mindfulness, and spirituality.

Throughout the trip, students participated in group activities that challenged them to work together with others in their grade that they might not normally have the opportunity to get to know. The experience really allowed students to be themselves, challenging them to collaborate to meet their goals. For us at Palmer Trinity School, this trip far exceeded our expectations. We look forward to making this trip a continued part of the seventh-grade experience at Palmer Trinity School.

The seventh-grade trip to Camp Sparta grew out of a former experiential education program where students would travel to F.I.U. North Campus to participate in the high ropes course. This was a great program for students, but it only provided for a few hours of learning and collaboration. Seventh grade is the most difficult middle school year and offering a trip that helps build bonds among students, allowing them to get to know one another is invaluable. Essentially, the goal

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Honoring Senior Athletes Athletic participation is a significant aspect of student life at Palmer Trinity School. In addition to community service projects and high academic achievement, many PTS students participate in three or more sports a year.

At the end of each season, seniors are honored for their years of service and dedication to the team during Senior Day. This year, we celebrated the achievements of 41 senior athletes.

Daniel Erixon Football: 3 Years Track and Field: 1 Year

Michael Gravier Golf: 5 Years Lacrosse: 2 Years Basketball: 1 Year Baseball: 1 Year

Kyrah James Basketball: 3 Years

James Jones Ted Fernandez Baseball: 4 Years

Grace Hibshman

Baseball: 4 Years Football: 2 Years

Volleyball: 4 Years Track and Field: 1 Year

Kristyn Abood Vicente Cheerleading: 4 Years Track and Field: 1 Year

Austin Cannon Football: 2 Years Lacrosse: 2 Years

John Fumagalli

Justin Kross

Golf: 3 Years

Football: 2 Years Baseball: 2 Years

Emily Himes Tennis: 4 Years

Kelly Blary Tennis: 4 Years

Cooper Devine Golf: 2 Years Basketball: 2 Years Tennis: 2 Years

Rodrigo Gerbasi Cheerleading: 3 Years Track and Field: 2 Years Wrestling: 1 Year

Matias Luehring Dylan Irigoyen

Lacrosse: 4 Years

Cross Country: 1 Year Cheerleading: 1 Year Lacrosse: 1 Year Wrestling: 2 years Track and Field: 1 Year

Guillermo Bonet Football: 2 Years Track and Field: 2 Years Basketball: 2 Years

Catherine Dos Santos Alves Softball: 4 Years

Luca Giberti Soccer: 3 Years Tennis: 1 Year Golf: 2 Years

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Kyle Magenheimer Lacrosse: 4 years

Bird’s eye view

Carolina Mallar Softball: 5 Years Cross Country: 1 Year

Blake Miller Football: 4 Years Baseball: 4 Years Basketball: 2 Years

Zachary Peckins Football: 3 Years Baseball: 3 Years

Mercedes Pliego Soccer: 3 Years Cross Country: 1 Year Track and Field: 1 Year

Nicholas Sourber Lacrosse: 4 Years Football: 3 Years Wrestling: 1 Year

Carolina Mantilla Cheerleading: 4 Years

Omar Marron Montesinos Football: 3 Years Tennis: 1 Year

Pablo Pedroso Soccer: 4 Years Football: 2 Years Lacrosse: 2 Years

Pablo Rodriguez

Jarrett Pico

Sophia Sardinas

Soccer: 2 Years Tennis: 2 Years

Dawson Stiff Volleyball: 2 Years Soccer: 2 Years Track and Field: 1 Year

Patricia Martinez Softball: 5 Years Soccer: 1 Year Cross Country: 1 Year

Vitor Pagano Soccer: 4 Years

Baseball: 4 Years Basketball: 2 Years

Softball: 1 Year Soccer: 1 Year Track and Field: 1 Year

Jonathan Valles Football: 3 Years

Yanni Mathelier Lacrosse: 4 Years

Rodrigo Pecchio Soccer: 2 Years

Alyssa Pino Philip M cMichael Cross Country: 2 years Track and Field: 3 Years Lacrosse: 1 Year

Basketball: 2 Years Track and Field: 1 Year

Gabriela Shaikh Cheerleading: 3 Years Track and Field: 1 Year

Daniel Yanes Soccer: 2 Years

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Donor Profil e:

L e av in g A Legacy Beth (Moskowitz) Lazar ‘84 is a jack of all trades. A trust and estate attorney at Weiner & Cummings, P.A., she is an active member of the Palmer Trinity alumni and parent communities. Serving as both an Annual Fund Ambassador (sixth grade) and Alumni Class Agent, Beth has made Palmer Trinity School a part of her family tradition.

What is it like to be back on campus, this time as a parent rather than a student?

It may be hard to believe, but I think I am enjoying being back on campus more now as a parent than as a student. No matter how many years have gone by, the feeling of “home” still exists all over this amazing campus. I love seeing Jordyn in her Palmer Trinity uniform each morning and feel this overwhelming bond that we now share and will share for so many years to come.

This year, you are serving as an Annual Fund Ambassador and an Alumni Class Agent.

How has your leadership through these roles changed your perspective about Palmer Trinity?

Trust me, it is no easy task reaching out to parents who have just made one of the biggest sacrifices that they will ever make by committing to a very costly education for the next seven years for their child (or children), yet what most people don’t know is 14

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that our tuition does not fully cover the costs of attending Palmer Trinity. Without the assistance of the Annual Fund, our children would not be afforded amazing opportunities such as Marine Lab, Outward Bound, and the STEM Lab. Knowing that 100% of the funds we raise in the Annual Fund are used to provide for these programs makes it easier for me to ask for the help.

This year, we had 100% participation in our Annual Fund from our PTS faculty and staff.

If these extremely hard working faculty and staff members could find it in their hearts (and pockets) to contribute, then so should every one of our parents.

Your family has generously supported the Annual Fund at a leadership level. Why have you made Palmer Trinity a philanthropic priority?

I believe that charity starts at home and supporting the schools that my children attend is an absolute

Beth (Moskowitz) Lazar ‘84 and her daughter, Jordyn Lazar ‘22

priority. Palmer Trinity is so much more than a school in which Jordyn attends; it’s a community that I want our whole family to embrace not only during school hours, but after school and for many years after her graduation.

This school is an extension of our family and I know firsthand that the relationships that are made here last a lifetime. There is no price tag for that.

not only continue to grow, but I am confident that each year the satisfaction that comes from seeing the end product will make it that much easier for you to participate in years to come.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about supporting the Annual Fund?

I thank Palmer Trinity for not only giving me the opportunity so many years ago to obtain the education that allowed me to succeed in college and law school but just as important, it gave me the opportunity to make friends that still hold the most special place in my heart. It is an incredible feeling to see Jordyn at PTS alongside the children of some of my best friends from my days at Palmer and now as parents we are experiencing this amazing school together.

It is all about participation. It’s about investing in our children and providing them the resources they need to become the most intelligent, caring, respectful, and compassionate adults they can be.

As a full-time working mother, I know what a sacrifice making a contribution to the Annual Fund is. I believe that if everyone would “participate” and give at whatever level they are comfortable with, our Annual Fund would

Thank you for all that you do for our school. Is there anything else that you would like to share with our community about your experience at Palmer Trinity?

VisionAerie

Both Sides Now

By Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja, Associate He ad of School for Communications and Strategic Partnerships

In the 2011 spring issue of the Aerie, we profiled Tina Lane—a prominent board member and one of t wo catalysts for the 1991 Palmer Trinit y merger—as our VisionAerie. The other catalyst? Bixie Renick.

In fact, Bixie Renick and Tina Lane are so interwoven with the early days of our School that in the article about Tina, Bixie’s name was mentioned four times. Bixie was the Chair of Palmer School, and Tina was Chair of Trinity Episcopal School. The complex and intricate merger, and indeed our current academic institution, would not be what it is today had it not been for these two VisionAeries. They contemplated the future and wondered: Could two schools, one of which needed financial resources, the other land, merge to become a strong educational force in Miami?

the Latin word for palm tree, since pilgrims went to the Holy Land and returned with palm fronds as proof of their journey. The palm branch is recognized as a symbol of victory or triumph. Trinity means “three,” and both Tina and Bixie have three children (Tina girls, Bixie boys). One could interpret their story and their legacy at PTS as mothers who worked to create a proud place for their children, and for all students, to succeed.

Interestingly, the word derivations of both Palmer and Trinity were perfect for a union.

Palmer means “pilgrim” and is derived from

Bixie was modest and humble when being interviewed for this article, but if you

That legacy is still important to Bixie. “When I walk around campus, I can still feel what a special place it is,” she says.

(above, from L-R) Tina Lane, Head of School Patrick Roberts, Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85, Bixie Renick and Associate Head of School for Real Estate, Paul Zamek, tour the site of the new South Campus.

look closely you can see the glimmer of a distinguished life taking shape. Born in New York City, she grew up in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where her father worked, after graduating with his MBA from Columbia University. Unlike her literary counterpoint, Eloise, Bixie is not an only child—but is one of five children in a large Irish family. After graduating from Marymount School in 1964, Bixie attended Duchesne Residence School, a Sacred Heart College in New York City.

From there, she moved to Washington D.C. with five of her girlfriends. As luck would have it, her job hunting took her to Georgetown University’s History Department, where she met her future husband, Finlay Matheson, a

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senior in the business school who was taking a class in Latin American history. Bixie and Finlay were married in 1969, and following a year of service in the Navy in the Azores, the Mathesons settled in Miami in 1970.

Bixie became very involved in Miami life. Her three boys—Brooks, Austin, and Jordan—attended the McGlannan School until the sixth grade, when, thanks to Mrs. McGlannan, Bixie learned about Palmer School, where she sent her boys to attend middle school. Although she had served on the boards at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Day School and Ransom Everglades School, Bixie decided that Palmer was the best place for her sons. With her previous board experience, her skills, and leadership, Bixie became an integral part of the Board of Trustees of Palmer School, and ultimately sat as the Chair.

For Bixie, Palmer was like a family. “I remember one day, the Dean of Discipline at the time, Mike Ferguson, came to me when Brooks got in trouble. He said, ‘Don’t worry about why he got in trouble; we just want you to know what’s going on, the School and the parents need to work together,’” Bixie remembers with a warm smile.

“It was a long time ago. Brooks took typing – so you know how far back it was!”

The boys went to Palmer for four years. “When I think of Palmer School I fondly remember a picture of Jordan wearing his football jersey, carrying his trumpet, and carrying a backpack full of books. That photo says it all for me, epitomizing what Palmer offered its students. My kids were involved with all aspects of School life.”

As sophomores, the boys went to boarding school in turn, but Bixie’s heart remained with the Palmer community. She continued on as Board Chair, even though her sons were not students at the time.

In 1990, Tina called Bixie and invited her over to her home. “Trinity Episcopal had been in existence for seven years, and we were being forced to relocate,” said Tina Lane. “I thought we could find property that would work. The Palmer School and Bixie came to mind immediately. So I picked-up the phone and asked Bixie to come over.” While enjoying a glass of wine, they talked about what each of their schools needed and how a merger might work.

Bixie brought the merger idea to the Board of Palmer and with their support to the Palmer School Community. The School held three evening meetings over a six-month period to talk to the parents. Palmer and Trinity’s Boards decided to hire a consultant who specialized in mergers and could walk them through the different options. In the winter of 1991, the Boards came together on the Palmer campus for a weekend retreat.

For Bixie, she wanted the spirit of Palmer to remain intact.

“Palmer is such an asset,” she says. “I would get frustrated when people would say how far south it was located, or would not appreciate the core of the School. It was a great school even back then.” She continues: “But I am so proud now that our greater community can see the special gem that is Palmer Trinity School.”

In the summer of 1992, a category 5 Hurricane Andrew directly hit the newly merged campus and devastated the grounds: roofs blew off, windows crashed, trees uprooted, and the fields flooded. “It was earlier that year that I stepped down from the Board, and Austin decided boarding school was not for him,” Bixie said. “He decided to come home to Miami to graduate from Palmer Trinity in 1993.”

For Austin, that year was especially memorable, not only because it was the year he would graduate. As he points out, “I will always remember the chinook helicopters

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VisionAerie

(left) Bixie Renick and her three sons: Jordan, Austin and Brooks (opposite page, from top) Austin Matheson ‘93 with his brother Jordan ‘95 and Palmer friends; old PTS seal; Tina, Patrick and Bixie; Austin Matheson and two Palmer friends

When I walk around campus, I can still feel how special a place it is.”

taking off and landing all day long on the football field. The heat was unbelievable and the shade was nowhere to be found.

Sadly, Hurricane Andrew took it along with the trees.”

The 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army landed on what is now the PTS fields to assist both the School and the neighborhood with cleaning up the devastation. “The School wasn’t sure if it would be able to open, but within just a few weeks, they made it happen. Our entire community pulled together to make sure that our students would be able to attend school that year,” she added. “It was a challenging, but exciting year.

The students were called to participate and do service in a whole new way. The kids had to step it up amidst all the destruction.”

Today, one of the central spaces on our restored campus is the Matheson Library. It houses over 19,000 books, videos, and magazines, as well as an extensive and expanding digital collection of research and reference sources.

This fall will mark the 25th anniversary of the Palmer Trinity Book Fair, which raises funds for books, software, furniture, shelving, and special projects at the library.

We knew that we would build the library, Bixie says. “My father-in-law, Finlay Matheson, Sr. gave the first gift of $50,000. I remember it clearly. One afternoon he had come to watch Jordan play football and I said, ‘We are going to build the library, and he said, ‘Today?’” she laughs with that memory.

“I am very proud that Tina and I were able to save both schools. It has been a while since I have been back on the campus, but a few weeks ago, when Tina and I had lunch with Patrick [Roberts], who could not be a better fit, I understood why more and more people are falling in love with the School. Tina and I might have brought the idea to merge the Schools to the forefront, but it was the Board, staff, and families of both institutions that should get all of the credit. Without their support we never would have succeeded!”

Remembering those early days fondly, Bixie smiles as she considers where PTS is today.

“I am so proud that the two schools found each other, complement each other, and, have become successful as one institution.”

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– Palmer Trinity School – Paving the Way Toward a Bright Future

By Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja, Associate He ad of School for Communications and Strategic Partnerships

We are pleased to announce that Palmer Trinit y is

on schedule to open its south entrance on S.W. 184 Street in the Fall of 2016. The School has been intentional in creating a space in Palmetto Bay which can exist harmoniously within the natural environment. From adding landscape buffers, to creating sidewalks on S.W. 184th Street, Palmer Trinity is working to build a campus designed to not only fit in, but to create a private oasis for both our students and our neighbors. th

There has been great care to develop the South Campus both strategically and thoughtfully. In keeping with Palmer Trinity School’s Mission of Environmental Sustainability, eighty-five percent of our South Campus will be green space; providing a natural habitat for South Florida’s extensive bird community, other animals, and flora and fauna. In addition, we have already excavated and repurposed 2.8 million cubic feet of dirt, gravel and limestone throughout the property.

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We are thoroughly excited by the progress that has been made thus far.

Today, we are seventy percent complete with the onsite civil engineering work. Additionally, the off-campus roadway improvements on S.W. 184th Street and Old Cutler Road are in progress, and will be completed by the end of this summer.

Although there is much more work to be done on the South Campus, Palmer Trinity School will soon be ready to offer our students the most distinct state of the art facility in South Florida.

For more information or updates about our new South Campus, please visit www.palmertrinity.org/campusplanning, or contact Paul Zamek, Associate Head of School for Real Estate or Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja, Associate Head of School for Communications and Strategic Partnerships at (305) 251-2230.

Perspectives

AGENTS OF CHANGE

The objective of the PTS Academy of Agents of Change Social Entrepreneurship course is to empower students with the necessary skills and experiences to design, launch, and run their own ventures for social change. The course combines Outward Bound’s Experiential Learning methodology and adventure with the framework of Ashoka’s Youth Venture Program. Two successful Agents of Change share their projects with members of the PTS Community.

Curtis L ary ‘17

Sink or Swim

Bike Rental at Deering Estate

The Academy of Agents of Change Leadership course

Bike Rental at Deering Estate is a success! With

has impacted my life in wonderful ways. One of the most rewarding experiences was being asked to create a sustainable initiative that led to my founding The Sink or Swim Project and www.miamisearise.com.

grants received by Dream in Green and Lonesome George, all of the donated bicycles have been restored to pristine working order. In coordination with Major Serralta and members of the Palmetto Bay Police Department, the transportation of the bicycles, as well as a bicycle awareness event with Bike305 was made possible.

Delane y Re ynolds ‘17

The Sink or Swim Project is a community action program that educates people about the growing risks from sea level rise as well as solutions to this problem. The response to my work has been amazing and has led to a number of achievements, including: – Lecturing to over 1,000 people to-date – Being appointed to youth boards for The CLEO Institute and Dream in Green – Attending Climate Reality Leadership Training – Being filmed for the 2016 television show, Higher Ground 2,

by CAVU & The Turtle Conservancy – Having actor/musician Jack Black interview me for the Emmy award-winning show, Years of Living Dangerously, which will feature my work on the National Geographic Channel – Being selected to give a TEDXYouth@Miami talk As an Agent of Change, I felt comfortable becoming active in politics by speaking before the Miami-Dade County Commission to demand money to mitigate sea level rise. I am proud to say that, for the first time in history, the County subsequently agreed to allocate $300,000 and even appointed a Chief of Sustainability.

My life’s work on environmental causes has only begun, but the Agents of Change program and Palmer Trinity gave me the confidence to know that I can create positive change and, in doing so, make the world better.

The creation of this project took a large amount of work and dedication to complete. In the beginning of the bike share initiative, the aim was to serve as a transportation method for Palmer Trinity School. However, the bike share team ran into some problems with the practicality of a transportation supplier which would see little to no growth in early stages because of the small size of Palmer Trinity’s campus. Therefore, the initiative was made sustainable by pivoting to a bike rental format for Palmetto Bay Parks. The revenue from the bike rental becomes part of the Deering Estate functionality, so all the funds go into Deering Estate and into funding resources for the state. Deering appropriates a small part of the profits to maintaining the bike program.

In December, I was presented with a certificate of accomplishment by the Village of Palmetto Bay with Bike Rental at Deering Estate Co-Founders Marcus Arango ‘17 and Jacob Waldman ‘17. I’m hoping to build a rental station at Matheson Hammock Park to allow more people to access bikes and bring more awareness to the program. I’m excited to see the bike rental program continue forward, inspiring other park districts to embrace the cycling movement.

To read more success stories, log on to www.palmertrinity.org/aac

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GRIEVING Th e

p o w e r

o f

By Re verend Dr. Mary Ellen Cassini, Chapl ain

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of those depths.”

— Elisabeth Kübler-Ross —

When I was Associate Rector at a parish in Ft. Lauderdale, my vocation was very different than my time as a school chaplain.

Both jobs have different demands of my time and efforts. Both environments are filled with challenges and joy. During my time at 20

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St. Mark’s Church, I participated in many memorial services. At first I dreaded giving the sacrament “Holy Unction,” formerly known as “Last Rites,” but then I realized I was privileged to be involved in such an intimate way with the person dying and his/her family. Time

Perspectives

becomes “Kairos” or sacred time, not “Chronos” or chronological time. The ancient rituals have a healing effect.

All of us die. Not a pleasant thought, but one, the Buddhists say, we should remind ourselves of every day. Through this reminder, maybe we will be a bit more aware of the fragile nature of our existence and treasure our time here and our relationships with greater meaning and depth. Each day brings new surprises and changes. We are in perpetual transition. In my classes, I make it a point to discuss the stages of grief. Many times students tell me that death and sex are two topics they do not discuss with their parents. I believe it is a missed opportunity. The beginning of life and the end of life are essential to grasping the nature of life. Our existential being is grounded in life and death. Yet, we try to dismiss or ignore the state of our lives.

Understanding the process of grief is essential. Shock, denial, pain, guilt, anger, bargaining, depression, reflection, loneliness, acceptance, and hope are all part of the waves of experiencing life in its most intense ways. As humans, we also know grief comes in waves and in no organized fashion. A smell, a piece of music, a vision, or a touch reminds us of people we love.

I believe that the death of a child or adolescent is the unspeakable grief. This past summer and this school year wreaked havoc with our community and loss. Oliver Strong taught us what it means to have life taken in a tragically immediate way. His life was one of joy and love. Oliver meant everything to his parents, family, and friends. There is no theology that can articulate why this happened. We can only grieve over such a devastating event. As I traveled with the seventh grade to Camp Sparta, I thought how unfair and wrong it was that he was not with us laughing and enjoying his friends and teachers. I miss Oliver and there is a void without him.

Then, two PTS Alums died suddenly, Katie Corlett ‘02 and Stefano Aime ‘12. Young with a great future ahead of them, we ask the age-old question, “Why?” How does this senseless ending of life make any sense, especially with the passion for life that both Katie and Stefano had for existence. Every person they encountered loved them for their energy and spirit. Katie mastered law and had a brilliant future in front of her. Stefano was a talented and incredible person who challenged life.

Both had deep and meaningful relationships.

Each of these four precious souls’ unique light will be remembered with bittersweet emotions; bitter loss and sweet memories. The holiness of relationship is deepened through a sense of community revealed through the passing of a loved one.

We do not have any answers. As a priest, I do believe that God suffers with us. I also believe that the only response to another’s grief is to be present for him or her. I am also convinced that one of the best stories in the Hebrew Testament (Genesis 32: 22 – 31) is when Jacob wrestles with the Angel/God and comes out with a blessing, a limp and a new identity. I grasp at this story and its existential profundity.

Life is a series of wrestling matches. After a tragedy, we experience pain and injury, a transition to a new creation and identity, and in some inexplicable way, a blessing; a blessing that we love, we are loved, and that love is eternal. I also know that community is sacred and it has the power to support those who suffer.

Our son has an insidious chronic disease and many times Charley and I have gone through the stages of grief. His suffering is a heavy weight upon both of us, one that always is in the back of our minds, even when he is in remission. I pray for his healing daily. I am grateful for modern medicine and his wonderful doctors. But the anxiety remains; Charley and I are engaged in a formidable wrestling match.

A former colleague from many years ago recently contacted me to ask me “What is the meaning of life?” For me, the answer is to learn and love, being present for each other in times of joy and in times of suffering. On this journey of life, let us commit to loving one another through the darkness and light. And if we do this, PTS will continue to be the sacred community dedicated to promoting the safety and growth of each person’s mind, body, and spirit. Together, we move into the future, remembering the past, and embracing the present. AMEN

Finally, the school community experienced a devastating loss with the passing of Rina Kohara. Her death stunned her family and friends. Memories of her as a talented, beautiful and gifted young woman, who was also a lover of the arts, permeates the faculty and student body. The community’s transition to life without Rina is one of profound grief and bereavement.

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Reading Around The Globe

By Ruthanne Vogel, Librarian Image Credit: Tilly Strauss, Art Department

I will tell you right off that I have not travelled much and my passport is sadly lacking in interesting stamps. Nevertheless, I have spent time wandering the dark streets of Barcelona at night and watched the sunrise on a small rural farm in the Netherlands. I once sweated through endless summer days in a small village in Colombia. The next winter I feared I would never be warm again while hiking in coastal Iceland. It is true that I do not have many frequent flier miles. What I do have, however, are shelves packed with books that transport me to these places and many more.

In many cases, my literary travels have been extremely memorable. This is due primarily to the quality of the writing, I believe, though the cultural differences and unknown landscapes also contribute to the wonder. Of course, much of what I am reading on these ventures is in translation. It is likely that these works are as well received by their native readers because they actually made it through the “translation bottleneck.” Fewer than five percent of the books published in the United States are works in translation. Ann Morgan discusses these publishing decisions of what to translate in The World Between Two Covers (2015): “Connection is the key here. It’s not enough

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for a book simply to go into the intricacies of a particular culture or situation in great detail – in order to travel beyond its milieu, it must have the ability to make its specificities meaningful and engaging to people with little knowledge of them.”

within their borders. Through reading The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, I gained an understanding of the social class system in modern Japan. And from Michael Ondaatje’s Anil’s Ghost, I emotionally lived through the ravages of the civil war.

One of my first strong reading connections to a far flung place was when I was in high school and read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. I had a visceral reaction to the harrowing tale of the life of a political prisoner in the Stalin-era Soviet Union. I remember that, for weeks, I felt a strong hunger – not for my usual fare, but for hunks of bread torn from the loaf and stuffed with cheese. I also have vivid impressions of several cities that I have never visited. The streets of Barcelona would be familiar to me, I think, as I have read the vibrant descriptions of Carlos Ruiz Zafón. My first look at Tokyo came from the combination of the real and surreal settings in the outstanding novels of Haruki Murakami. Beyond the humanfocused frenzy of city life, I have also had some idyllic time in the northern regions of the Netherlands through the words of Gerbrand Bakker. My cultural and political knowledge of several far flung places has been expanded through intricately drawn characters living

My literary journeys through books comes from a variety of sources. Many would argue that the only true sense of a place comes through the words of a native of the land. I would argue that some transplanted souls – think of Ernest Hemingway in Spain or Henning Mankell in East Africa – experience their adopted land with keen insight. Through travel, extensive research, and brilliant imaginations, many writers have opened the doors to places far from their own roots. My lists in this article are by no means a comprehensive bibliography of world literature, but they do represent a trip through my bookshelves. Sadly, I know there are hundreds of titles I have left out. Happily, I know that as soon as I finish this list, I will travel somewhere new in another book.

So, take a trip with a good book. You will get lost in a new place, but not necessarily suffer jet lag when you get back. Plus, you need not submit to scans by the TSA, though I highly recommend that you take off your shoes.

Perspectives

Africa A Guide for the Perplexed

by Dana Horn (Egypt) A Long Way Gone and Radiance of Tomorrow by Ishmael Beah (Sierra Leone) A Treacherous Paradise by Henning Mankell (Mozambique) Cutting for Stone

by Anthony Verghese (Ehtiopia) Disgrace and The Life and Times of Micheal K.

by J.M. Coetzee (South Africa) Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight

by Alexandra Fuller (Zimbabwe) Half a Yellow Sun

by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria) The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden by Jonas Jonasson (South Africa and Sweden) The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith (Botswana) The Poisonwood Bible

by Barbara Kingsolver (Congo) What is the What

by Dave Eggers (Sudan) Asia A Constellation of Vital Phenomena

by Anthony Marra (Russia) A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian

by Marina Lewycka (Russia) A Tale for the Time Being

by Ruth Ozeki (Japan and Canada) A Thousand Splendid Suns

by Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan) An Unnecessary Woman

by Rabih Alameddine (Lebanon) And Quiet Flows the Don

by Mikhail Sholokhov (Russia) Anil’s Ghost

by Michael Ondaatje (Sri Lanka) Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie (China) Doctor Zhivago

by Boris Pasternak (Russia) Dog Boy by Eva Hornung (Russia) Lost Horizon

by James Hilton (Tibet) Midnight’s Children

by Salman Rushdie (India)

Night Watch

by Sergei Lukyanenko (Russia) Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

by Marjane Satrapi (Iran) Seven Years in Tibet

by Heinrich Harrer (Tibet) The Erast Fandorin Mystery Series

by Boris Akunin (Russia) The Good Earth

by Pearl S. Buck (China) The Housekeeper and the Professor

by Yoko Ogawa (Japan) The Lowland

by Jhumpa Lahiri (India) The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (Japan) The Tiger’s Wife

by Téa Obrecht (Balkans area) The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles, Kafka on the Shore and IQ84

by Haruki Murakami (Japan) The Windup Girl

by Paolo Bacigalupi (Thailand) Australia In a Sunburned Country

by Bill Bryson (Australia) Lost and Found

by Brooke Davis (Australia) Sonata for Miriam by Linda Olsson (New Zealand) The Light Between the Oceans

by M.L. Stedman (Australia) The Thorn Birds

by Coleen McCullough (Australia) Europe Angels and Demons

by Dan Brown (Italy) Benny & Shrimp

by Katarina Mazetti (Sweden) Black Swan Green

by David Mitchell (England) Elegance of the Hedgehog

by Muriel Barbery (France) For Whom the Bell Tolls

by Ernest Hemingway (Spain) Into the Woods, The Likeness, and more by Tana French (Ireland) Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson (England and Scotland) Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

by Susanna Clarke (England)

Life After Life and A God in Ruins

by Kate Atkinson (England) Norwegian by Night

by Derek Miller (Norway) Out Stealing Horses

by Per Petterson (Norway) Shadow of the Wind and The Angel’s Game

by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (Spain) The Blackwater Lightship and The Heather Blazing

by Colm Toibin (Ireland) The Blue Fox by Sjön (Iceland) The Book Thief

by Marcus Zusak (Germany) The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (Eastern Europe) The Magus

by John Fowles (Greece) The Martin Beck Series by Maj Sjöwall, Per Wahlöö (Sweden) The Thief Lord

by Cornelia Funke (Italy) The Twin

by Gerbrand Bakker (Netherlands) The Reader

by Bernard Schlink (Germany) Transatlantic

by Colum McCann (Ireland) The Americas (minus the U.S.)

A Complicated Kindness

by Miriam Toews (Canada) Alias Grace and The Blind Assassin

by Margaret Atwood (Canada) Archipelago

by Monique Roffey (Trinidad) Claire of the Sea Light

by Edwidge Danticat (Haiti) Collected Stories

by Alice Munro (Canada) In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez (Dominican Republic) Mosquito Coast

by Paul Theroux (Honduras) One Hundred Years of Solitude

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Colombia) State of Wonder

by Ann Patchett (Brazil) The Bird Artist and Next Life Might be Kinder by Howard Norman (Canada)

The Border Trilogy

by Cormac McCarthy (Mexico) The House of the Spirits

by Isabel Allende (Chile) The Shipping News

by Annie Proulx (Canada) The Storyteller

by Mario Vargas Llosa (Peru) The Terror by Dan Simmons (Canada and the Arctic) Other Places Made Real Empire State and Made to Kill

by Adam Christopher (Alternate New York) His Dark Materials Trilogy

by Philip Pullman (Alternate Universe) The Book of Strange New Things

by Michael Faber (Oasis) The Clan of the Cave Bear series

by Jean Auel (Pleistocene Era) The Discworld Series

by Terry Pratchett (Discworld) The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (Middle Earth) The Narnia Chronicles

by C.S. Lewis (Narnia) The Tales of Alvin Maker

by Orson Scott Card (Alternate North America) Sources for more book lists 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die By ed. Peter Boxall (2010) Book Lust Series

by Nancy Pearl (2003-2010) Browsings (and others)

by Michael Dirda (2015) Stop What You’re Doing and Read This! ed. by various (2011) The Pleasure of Reading: 43 Writers on the Discovery of Reading and the Books that Inspired Them ed.

by Antonia Fraser (2015) The World Between Two Covers

by Ann Morgan (2015) Where I’m Reading From: The Changing World of Books

by Tim Parks (2015)

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Travels with a He admaster

By Manjula Salomon, Ph.D., Associate He ad of school for Academics

I do not recall the moment I decided I must take Patrick Roberts to India. I sensed a natural respect for the ancient religious traditions and the land of Mahatma Gandhi that was in tune with this country. Many Heads had asked me to take them to India. I had always declined. But Patrick and Laura Roberts were humble, warm, and respectful. The perfect situation presented itself in a Global Connections Conference for Heads of Schools in Mumbai and Indore. We registered and they applied for their visas. I had gone home for the Christmas holidays and flew to Mumbai to meet them at the airport. Laura’s relief when she saw me was palpable.

We stayed at the historic Taj hotel. This hotel has played host to the Beatles on their visits, Presidents John F. Kennedy and Obama, and of course British royalty. Many would remember that it was the scene of the “Mumbai Bombing.” After a day to recover, we left for Agra to see the Taj Mahal. We went at dawn to see the marble change colors as the day grew lighter, and to avoid crowds and have time to linger. This place stops the heart and they were amazed and delighted by its floating beauty. We drove to New Delhi, seeing India by road. In Delhi, we toured all day the wonders of the British Raj, and at Patrick’s request, the memorial where Gandhi was assassinated.

Patrick stood a long time paying honor to this man that took on the British

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Perspectives

Patrick stood a long time paying honor to [Gandhi] this man that took on the British Empire with no more than his certainty that freedom was an essential human right.

Empire with no more than his certainty that freedom was an essential human right. At night, we ate in street restaurants. Nothing in my country fit this Head of School—not a chair or any transport. On the 12th, the delegates convened—40 of the most diverse Heads of School, ready to engage the theme of “Peace Education amid Faith Diversity.”

In India of course, the cultural divide is not race, but a fierce religious separation. With the election of a Hindu Nationalist Party (BJP) to government, we noticed that the doors were locked to not let Press in when there were speakers. The erudition of the speakers across the next several days was inspiring indeed. We visited the 5th century caves of Elephanta with the enormous triple head of the Hindu Trinity Shiva. That evening, we went to the Jewish Synagogue across the street. All the time Patrick made friends with the Indian Heads with his questions of the great religions that lived side by side in Mumbai.

By the time we reached Indore and Daly College, our princely host school, every Indian Head had told me how different Patrick was from the many officious Americans arriving on the wave of the global economy. His immediate connection was with a young man, from a royal family, who had founded a school with his family’s wealth and land. The Emerald Heights School, we hope, will be our partner school in India.

In Daly College, the relationship between Alumni and the Head is marked. The Alumni provided a dinner for our group. Under

the lights and fragrance of jasmine, Patrick presented Sumer Singh, our host, with a large expensive bottle of Tennessee whisky. It was a hit. He had unconsciously stumbled on the fact that Indian gentlemen love whisky, because for 350 years it was only for the British. Only Laura had brought gifts to the Indian hosts. Laura delighted the ladies with her thoughtful and hard-to-get presents. They all loved her unfussiness and that she ate Indian food three times a day.

The last day Sumer Singh gave a lecture for two hours without a notecard or any aid on the religious history of India for over 6,000 years.

We were spellbound. Later, he took a few of us to the shrine in his house he had made for his wife, who had been killed in a car crash on the campus four years ago. It was the sentiment of the Taj Mahal again. As we walked towards the buses that last fragrant night, I was glad that Patrick Roberts had made this voyage with me. His knowledge of a great subcontinent has grown personally and immensely. He has friends all over the world.

We will welcome this group in four years to Miami and Patrick Roberts will welcome them as a global Head.

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Modern Day

math

By Emily Wilken, Mathematics Department

2015–2016 has been a year of great change for the PTS Math Department. Laura Kujawa was named

the new Department Chair. Laura, who has a BS in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education, brings substantial mathematics knowledge and educational leadership to the department. She has taught for 23 years, three of which have been here at Palmer Trinity School. “I am thrilled to be leading the math department and working alongside so many excellent professionals to optimize student learning of mathematics,” said Ms. Kujawa. A number of new teachers were also hired this year. The strength of the math teachers who have been making math learning happen at Palmer

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Trinity School for years, along with the former experience and new ideas from the new faculty, have made for a dynamic year in the math department.

The Palmer Trinity School Mathematics Department is proud to present two new clubs for this academic year. The Math Squad is the Upper School competitive math team consisting of 15 students. Tuesday mornings at 7:15 a.m., the Math Squad gathers to explore new, advanced math topics. The team competes on campus monthly through the Florida Math League and American Mathematics Competitions. The team also attends local mathematics contests to compete against mathematicians from Miami-Dade County. The Math Squad is led by Laura

Morin, a new math teacher at Palmer Trinity School. Although Mrs. Morin is new to Palmer Trinity, she is not new to coaching math teams.

This is the third math team she has started during her career. The squad’s captains are Ryan Chen and Autumn-Jade Stoner. “I am thrilled with how well received the math clubs have been at Palmer Trinity School,” said Mrs. Morin. “PTS students have a love of learning and are eager to learn advanced math topics.”

The Middle School also has a new competitive math team, the Palmer Trinity School Mathletes. The average weekly attendance for Wednesday meetings is 25 students, and is led by new math faculty member Emily Wilken, who formerly coached math teams as well. Mrs. Wilken is assisted by Ms. Kujawa.

Perspectives

Eighteen of the Mathletes attended an off-campus competition, Math Bonanza, in November 2015 at John A. Ferguson Senior High School in West Kendall. The students had a great time doing math, getting to know one another better, and learning the ins and outs of math contests. Seeing the dedication of other teams really gave the Mathletes something to strive for as a team!

The Mathletes also compete monthly on campus through the Sigma organization and the year is going very well for the newly formed team. “The Mathletes Club provides students with an opportunity to show their talents and love for the subject of math,” said Peter Tolmach, Head of Middle School. “The response from the students has

been phenomenal and there has been more excitement about mathematics than anyone anticipated.” Many sixth and seventh graders are participating in Mathletes, therefore, we anticipate a great deal of growth in the coming years. The strong eighth grade Mathletes will be a great addition to the Math Squad next year.

In addition to the Mathletes and Math Squad, the Palmer Trinity School Math Department is proud to house a National Honor Society for students in pre-calculus honors or above.

The Mu Alpha Theta inducts students each spring. Mu Alpha Theta members provide mathematics tutoring to any PTS student that needs it. They tutor in the PDR on Tuesdays and Thursdays before school and on Mondays

after school. This year, 25 students are actively involved in the Math Honor Society.

As a department, we are proud to see increased enthusiasm and participation in the learning of mathematics through our two new math teams. It is a joy to recognize students’ achievements through Mu Alpha Theta, and we are glad the members so willingly serve other students through tutoring. As you can see in the photo, the newly formed math teams and Mu Alpha Theta are proud of their participation, sporting their math department polos. The success of these organizations would not be possible without the hard work of the math teachers here at PTS.

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Oc tober 2015

St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi Animal Blessing Ceremony It was a beautiful morning for Palmer Trinity School’s 2nd annual St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi Animal Blessing Ceremony. Students and parents brought their favorite pets to be blessed in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all God’s creatures. Thank you to the members of our Student Vestry and to visiting Clergy members Father Roger Tobin (St. Philip’s, Coral Gables), Mother Jennie Lou Reid (St. Faith’s, Cutler Bay), Pastor Jorge Sayago-Gonzalez (St. Stephen’s, Coconut Grove), Father Grey Maggiano (Trinity Cathedral, Miami), and Father Frank Corbishley (Chapel of the Venerable Bede, University of Miami, Coral Gables). Thank you also to Second Chance Club Co-Chair Isabella Martino for sharing the importance of animal rescue and adoption in South Florida.

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1 Melissa Beske, Ania Fernandez, Caroline Goodwin 2 Catharine Romero’17, Kristyn Abood ‘16, Rev. Jennie Lou Reid 3 Rev. Jorge Gonzalez; Chaplain Mary Ellen Cassini; Upper School Head, Ashley Chapman; Head of School, Patrick Roberts; Rev. Frank Corbishley; Rev. Roger Tobin; with PTS students 4 Blake Cobo ‘22 5 Stephanie Tolchin ‘16, Ana Martinez Oleta ‘16 6 Caroline Isom ‘22 7 Rev. Jorge Gonzalez

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events

F E BRUA RY 24, 2016

Golden Falcon Dinner

On February 24th, Patrick and Laura Roberts hosted the first annual Golden Falcon Dinner at their home. Members of the Golden Falcon Circle are Palmer Trinity School supporters who donate more than $25,000 annually to the School. Golden Falcon Circle members are helping to shape Palmer Trinity School’s future and raise its stature through their visionary philanthropy.

Laura Roberts and Head of School Patrick Roberts with Natalie Baiamonte and Trustee Chairperson Michael Baiamonte Parents ‘13, ‘15, ‘16

Head of School Patrick Roberts and Laura Roberts with Eduardo and Daniela Balarezo, Parents ‘17 and ‘19

Head of School Patrick Roberts with Laura Roberts, Nelea Zagorodruic and Ed Patricoff, Parent ‘18

Head of School Patrick Roberts with Trustee Tina Lane, Parent ‘93 and Laura Roberts

M A RCH 17, 2016

Leadership Luncheon

Trustee Hugo Mantilla, Parent ‘16, Trustee Chairperson Michael Baiamonte, Parent ‘13, ‘15 and ‘16, and Brian May, Parent ‘19

Trustee John and Sara Fumagalli Parents ‘16, ‘18, ‘21, ‘22 with Head of School Patrick Roberts

On March 17th, the Board of Trustees hosted the Leadership Luncheon at Northern Trust Bank. This annual luncheon honors a distinguished group of PTS supporters that donate $5,000 or more to the Annual Fund.

Collectively, annual leadership gifts influence the School’s ability to meet new opportunities and emerging needs while providing critical support that advances the School’s most precious resource: Palmer Trinity students.

Ho s ted by

Trustee Ricardo and Carla Albarran, Parents ‘20, ‘18 and ‘15 and Eduardo Balarezo Parent ‘17, ‘19

Trustees Lynne Keller, Parent ‘17 and ‘21 with Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85, Parent ‘17 and ‘19 S P R I N G 2 0 16

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DECE M BE R 2015

Palmer Trinity Parent Association (PTPA) Holiday Party To celebrate the beginning of the holiday season, PTS parents gathered at the home of Ricardo and Carla Albarran, parents of Susanna ‘15, Ricardo ‘18, and Carla ‘20, to enjoy delicious food and drink and spend time with one another before Holiday Break.

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1 Jan Morrison, Parent ‘07, 08, ‘10, Head of School Patrick Roberts, and Trustee Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85 and Jose M. Calleja, Parent ‘21 2 Raquel and Emilio Fernandez, Parents ‘19, ‘22, James and Cynthia Slaman, Parents ‘16, ‘19 3 Trustee Chair Michael Baiamonte and Natalie Baiamonte, Parents ‘13, ‘15, ‘16, and Trustee Chuck Klenk and Marilyn Klenk, Parents ‘14 4 PTPA President Amy de la Cruz-Munoz, Parent ‘15, ‘17, John Paul Gallardo and Parent Relations Director Denise Gallardo, Parents ‘17, ‘19, Head of School Patrick Roberts and Laura Roberts, and event hosts Carla Albarran and Trustee Ricardo Albarran, Parents ‘15, ‘18, ‘20 5 PTPA President Amy de la Cruz-Munoz, Parent ‘15, ‘17, Maggie Ricart, Parent ‘14, ‘19, and Margi Shanti, Parent ‘18, ‘20 6 Carlos and Andrea Penzini, Parents ‘22 with Alexander and Sophia Ponomarenko, Parents ‘22 7 Alexandra and Joseba Badiola, Parents ‘18 8 Sara Fumagalli, Parent ‘16, ‘18, ‘21, ‘22, Mary Burlingame, Parent ‘17, and Vivian Cortinas, Parent ‘20 9 Jennifer Dylweski, Parent ‘19, ‘21, Lisa Tannebaum, Parent ‘17, ‘22, and PTS Boosters Co-Chair Bekki Haggard, Parent ‘20, ‘22 10 Saul and Maria Hudson, Parents ‘18 with Rodrigo and Cynthia Calvo, Parents ‘22 30

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events

Oc tober 2015

Homecoming Week 2015 School spirit was at an all-time high for Homecoming Week 2015. Starting October 19, 2015, students participated in a variety of fun-spirited activities, including: the Girls Football Game, the “Mr. Falcon” competition, and Homecoming Court. PTS Boosters were there to cheer on the Falcons on Homecoming Day with a delicious Boosters BBQ for students, faculty, and staff. The week concluded with the Middle School Halloween Dance, as well as a fun-filled Homecoming Dance at Splitsville for Upper School students.

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Tha nk you to our sponsors Presenting Sponsor

Fairway Sponsor

Par SPONSORS

& Cornish Family Foundation

On Monday, January 25, Palmer Trinity School hosted its 15th Annual Sandy Golf Tournament and 6th Annual Tennis Tournament. Held at Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club, the event proceeds support the Sandy Block Financial Aid Fund, which enables outstanding students to attend Palmer Trinity School by receiving need-based financial aid.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Presenting Sponsor Northern Trust for their incredible support and leadership. Thank you to our generous event sponsors, underwriters, donors, participants, volunteers, and student golfers and tennis players for supporting this remarkable tournament.

ACE SPONSOR

GOLF CART SPONSOR

Golf hat Sponsor

Golf ball SponsorS

Swag Sponsor

hole-in-one SPONSORS

FOOD & BEVER AGE SPONSORS

Auction and Awards Reception Sponsor

Pat Brockway

steps beyond convenient

TOURNA MENT co-cha irs

Brian Gershen ‘98 Lynne Keller Chuck Klenk Nathan Zeder ‘98 Honor a ry Cha ir

Chris Block ‘96 Committee

Michael Baiamonte Simon Baker Jim Block Bob Booth Shawn Crews Clint Jones Jon Lawrence ‘98 Will Morrison ‘07 Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85 Zachary Sulkes 32

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Tee/Birdie Sponsors Jesus Socorro The Topping Family Ingo Vwehweg

Eagle Sponsors Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod, LLP The Serrate Family The Block Family Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, P.A. Climate Pro Laurie and James Evans Cordero Law Firm Epic Construction Corporate Sponsors Alarm & Electronics Systems, LLC Civica, LLC Gonzalo R. Dorta, P.A. Downstairs Orion Real Estate/ The Sanz Family Luke Palacio Tropicars Trinity Air Conditioning

Court Sponsors Carol and William Berk Consulting Engineering & Science, Inc. The Steven Ferreira Family Franmar Bus Company Geomantic Designs, Inc. Kaufman Rossin & Company Melody, Inc. Net Sponsors Barry L. Simons, P.A. Cambridge Title & Closing Services, Inc. Geomantic Designs, Inc. Orion Real Estate Group/ The Sanz Family

Food and Drink Underwriters Bacardi Downstairs Nothing Bundt Cakes Sports Grill Underwriters Bay Plumbing Breakwater Construction and Development The French, Gershen, Lawrence, Zeder Foundation Jeffry Gillman The Haggard Law Firm Hertz Furniture Landera Associates, P.A. LRG Construction Company Joy McIntosh Dr. Richard Mariani, Jr. Ramon Carpet Services, Inc.

Thank you to our premier printers Original Impressions.

events

Devoted Volunteers: Lisa Mishurda Parent ‘21, ‘19, Lauren Sondon Parent ‘18, Alexis Birbragher Parent ‘21, Sara Fumagalli Parent ‘16, ‘18, ‘21, ‘22, Jennifer Dylewski Parent ‘21, Angelica Lang Parent ‘17, ‘19, ‘21, Maggie Porto Parent ‘19, Bekki Haggard Parent ‘20, ‘22, Ines Nicholls Parent ‘11, ‘12, ‘17, Jenny Agress, Silvia Messmacher Parent ‘19, ‘20, Christine Jaar Parent ‘22, Claudia Barroso Parent ‘20, ‘22, Maria del Pilar Illueca Parent ‘21, Betty Morales Parent ‘17, Lisa Tannebaum Parent ‘17, ‘21

The Winning Foursome – Eagle Sponsor, Climate Pro: Mike Myles, Brittany Davis, Pat Lawler, Frank Pedra, Bill DePalo, Philip Fiori, Ricarda Barron

Fairway Sponsor, OHL Arellano foursome: Frank Vilar and Lincoln Rodon

Par Sponsor, Coastal Building Maintenance foursome: Jeff Noyes, Alumni Board Secretary Mason Harris ‘89, Matt Sullivan and Jeff Griese

Presenting Sponsor, Northern Trust foursome: John Fumagalli (not pictured), Marshall Smith, Phil Newcomm, Kurt Bauer

Alumni Parent Volunteers: Marla Ferreira, Laurie Evans, Nancy Michelson and Heidi Nosich

Golf Cart Sponsor, The Zeder Team foursome: Shane Battier, Alumni Board Member Nathan Zeder ‘98, JR Hernandez and Robbie Wright

Terri Lam and Kim Giles

Laura Roberts, Head of School, Patrick Roberts, Jennie Block, Anabel Block, Catherine Block and Christopher Block ‘96 and Trustee Chairperson Michael Baiamonte

Tennis Tournament Participants – Back Row – Cristina Daniels, Margi Shanti, Michelle Streit, Kitty Sierra, Nancy Michelson, Hortensia Linero, Sissy Templeton, Becky McCarron, Amy Saphier, Mateo deSola, Gina Bruce, Corinne Kayal, Heidi Nosich , Cindy Slaman, Laurie Evans. Front Row – Kim Giles, Terri Lam, Donna Golik, Raysa Morerro, Tennis Guest, Maria McDonald, Lynne Keller, Rose Metal, Samantha Evans

Corinne Kayal and Cindy Slaman, Parent ‘16 and ‘19

Tennis Winners – Terri Lam and Mateo deSola S P R I N G 2 0 16

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N OV E M BE R 5, 2015

Head of School Circle Reception On November 5, Palmer Trinity School welcomed current parents, alumni parents, alumni, members of the Board of Trustees and grandparents to Thalatta Estate for the Head of School Circle Reception.

This premier annual event recognizes leadership donors for their generous contributions of $1,250 or more to the Palmer Trinity School Annual Fund.

To learn more about the Annual Fund, please visit www.palmertrinity.org/ giving.

1 Trustee Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85 and Pat Brockway Parent ‘82 and ‘85, Grandparent ‘17, ‘19 2 Brian and Lisa Tannebaum Parents ‘17, ‘21, Beth (Moskowitz) Lazar ‘84 and Scott Lazar Parents ‘21 3 John Paul and Parent Relations Director Denise Gallardo Parents ‘19, ‘17, Heather and Trustee Jeff Bass Parents ‘19 4 Ed Patricoff Parent ‘18 with Head of School, Patrick Roberts 5 Iraida Robledo Parent ‘11, ‘15 with Rachel and Paul Malueg Parents ‘17, ‘21 6 Richard and Janet McMichael Parents ‘16, ‘19 7 Trustee Lynne Keller Parent ‘17, ‘21 with Sara Fumagalli Parent ‘16, ‘18, ‘21, ‘22 and John Keller 8 Grace and Luis Cordero Parents ‘21 9 Laura Roberts, Natalie Baiamonte Parent ‘13, ‘15, ‘16, Trustee Alejandro and Grehyni Rodriguez Parents ‘14, ‘17, Denise and Juan Gomez, Director of Development 10 Gary and Belkis Freedman Parents ‘20, with Carmen and Sean-Patrick Karshis Parents ‘22 11 Trustee Emeritus Bill Morrison Parent ‘07, ‘09, ‘10 and Felipe Medina Parent ‘19, ‘21

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events

Februa ry 12 , 2016

Middle School Grandparents Day

Right before Mid-Winter Break, PTS students were excited to celebrate Middle School Grandparents Day.

The morning began with inspiring words by Head of Middle School Peter Tolmach and Head of School Patrick Roberts. Town Hall continued with student reflections by Caroline Isom ‘22, Reese Bell ‘21, and Karla Gomez ‘20 followed by performances by the Middle School Chorus and Orchestra.

After a wonderful morning, grandparents spent the rest of the day enjoying classes with their grandchildren.

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1 John and Norma Keller participate in class activities with their granddaughter, Megan ‘21 2 Ian and Eve Tatlock, with granddaughter Anna Bistry ‘22, chat with Patrick Roberts 3 Albert and Julie LaVoie with granddaughter, Nicole Ballesteros ‘21 4 Dan and Trish Bell with grandaughter, Reese Bell ‘21 5 Peter and Ginny Nicholas engage in mathematics with grandson, Jade Curtis ‘22 6 Sandy McCarthy and grandson, Silas James ‘20 7 Andy and Nancy Haggard Parent ‘88 with grandchildren, Madison ‘20 and Carson ‘22 8 Dorothy Johnson and grandson, Tyler McCray ‘22

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April 2 , 2016 As it does every year, Palmer Trinity School was proud to host the 16th-Annual International Festival on April 2nd, 2016.

This all-day event celebrates Palmer Trinity School’s ongoing commitment to global citizenship, sustainability and environmental initiatives, and highlights the School’s vibrant, multicultural community. While the highlights of the day are the eclectic dishes and handicrafts from 60 themed and country booths, all organized by volunteers, this event also features carnival rides and entertainment: like jazz, classical music, and theatrical performances. Led by Middle and Upper School students, our famous International Parade of Flags wound its way around the PTS courtyard – representing more than 50 countries – while community service organizations hosted tables where students could sign up for various service initiatives.

This year’s International Festival also came with some new additions. First and foremost, our 4th annual Indoor World Cup Soccer Game, which is always a popular event, was held in honor of PTS student Oliver Strong ‘21, who passed away unexpectedly before the start of the 2015–2016 academic year. Leading up to the festival, Palmer Trinity School hosted its first-ever “Global Week.” This week-long celebration honored the diverse community at Palmer Trinity School, showcased its distinctive cultures, and emphasized the importance of uniting as one, global community. The week included speakers, student presentations and more; all culminating with the 16th Annual International Festival.

All money raised at the International Festival supports Palmer Trinity School’s global education initiatives.

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cl ass notes

Class Notes Everyone has a story after they leave Palmer Trinity School – share yours by contacting our Director of Alumni Relations, Lauren Dowlen, at ldowlen@palmertrinity.org or (305) 969-4282. The Aerie magazine editorial staff also welcomes submissions and suggestions. If you have an idea for a feature story, please contact our Editor-in-Chief at scalleja@palmertrinity.org.

As always, we encourage you to keep in touch with your class agent by sending in your Class Notes for the Fall 2016 issue.

Class of 2016 students proudly wear their new PTS Alumni hats at the Board Senior Luncheon

“As Alumni of Palmer, Trinity Episcopal and Palmer Trinity School, we all have memories of the special school, teachers, coaches and friends who have helped shape who we are today.

We are so excited to welcome the 97 members of the Class of 2016 into our PTS Alumni family, and look forward to coming together to build more memories as an Alumni community.”

Ly nl e y ( Wa l k e r) Cio ro be a ‘ 9 6 President, Palmer Trinity Alumni Association

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alumnews

1973

class agent

David Wood mdavidwood@comcast.net

1974

class agent

Julie (Coleman) Mansfield juliemansfield@comcast.net

1975

class agent Needed

1976

class agent

Andrew Hessen hesstang@aol.com

1977

class agent

Craig Zimmett cazfla@aol.com

1978

class agent

Thomas Magenheimer tmagmai@aol.com Ward Wilson lives in Brentwood, TN, a suburb of Nashville, with his wife, Paula.

They have four children - Mary Helen (27), Anna (25), Sarah (23), and Andrew (21). The first three have graduated from Furman, Birmingham Southern, and Belmont, respectively.

Andrew is a sophomore at TCU and is friends with Kelsey Magenheimer ‘14, PTS grad. “Palmer was a great experience and I continue to be very close friends with Tom Magenheimer ‘78 and Andy Magenheimer ‘82, Al Eldredge ‘78, Kevin Buchwald ‘79, and Jac Clutter ‘77.”

Ward is the Market President for U.S. Bank’s Tennessee operations, coordinating the bank’s efforts in the state and directly managing the Commercial Banking team.

He’s been in banking his entire career since graduating from Vanderbilt University with the exception of time taken to obtain an MBA in International Business from Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management. He stays busy in the community as well, serving as current Board Chair of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and immediate Past Board Chair of Habitat For Humanity of Greater Nashville. He is also on the executive board of the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America and on the Campaign Committee for the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville.

1980

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Dawn (Hoyt) Kidd dhoytkidd@gmail.com

Beth (Moskowitz) Lazar bethm1428@aol.com

class agent

1981

class agent

Lee D. Sterling psports@bellsouth.net Jesper Nordqvist is a Special Education Vocational Teacher for Greenacre Home and School in California. He was recently honored by the Super Bowl 50 Playmaker Fund for his “Veggies and Vocation” teaching and therapeutic garden program. The garden is used to teach applied horticulture, to grow produce for the school and residential facilities, and to provide a tranquil area for therapists to work one-on-one with students. Jesper’s studentrun programs include a bike repair shop, a full-service café, and the crafting of ceramic and wooden percussion instruments for retail sale.

1982

class agent

Tracy (Tabor) Shelowitz

1979

class agent

Lori (Fogel) La Forgia ljlaforgia@gmail.com

Stephen Gray ‘87, who is now a professional photographer, took this photo in Wynwood

1983

class agent Needed

class agent

1985

class agents

Beth (Brockway) Serrate bethserrate@mac.com John Malloy jcmalloy@malloylaw.com

1986

class agent

Joelle (Wagshul) Steinberg jwagshul@aol.com

1987

class agent

Miles McGrath miles.mcgrath@gmail.com Stephen Gray writes, “I have always been fascinated with imagery and photography since my first Camera, which was a Kodak 126. I like portrait photography and often shoot weddings, events, fashion, and commercial photographs.

Capturing life through a camera is timeless and something I am passionate about and truly enjoy. My website is graysonfoto. com. I also can be found on instagram@jamaica007. For booking info and inquiries I can be reached by email at saephotograph@gmail.com.”

Katalina Guma ‘22, daughter of Kelly (Kimmel) Guma ‘89 and Virgil Guma ‘90, stars as JoJo in the PTS production of Seussical

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cl ass notes

1988

class agent

Elena (Essen) Endara partyuv5@bellsouth.net Michael Haggard was presented with the 2015 Florida Justice Association (FJA) Eagle Centurion Award for his lifetime contribution to the organization.

He is a former FJA president, secretary, and executive committee member.

1989

class agent

Scott Shelfer scott@exactaland.com

1990

class agent

Peter Baumberger psb@kubickidraper.com John Cobb recently completed his final F-16 flight after 16 years of flying with the Air Force and Air National Guard. His career included 4 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and over 700 hours of combat flight time. He was hired to fly for Delta Air Lines last year and will continue to serve in the Air Force Reserves. John lives in Atlanta with his beautiful wife, Jinny, and their three-year-old daughter, Abigail.

1991

class agent Needed

1992

class agent

Nickaros Sanchoo nickaros.sanchoo@gmail.com

1993

class agent

Amanda R. Matalon amandamatalon@gmail.com

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Amanda Matalon has opened her own business outside of Austin, Texas. She writes, “Rhythms Social Dance Studio is a boutique-style studio opened in January 2016 that is aimed at replacing the rigidness of a formal studio with a fun, social environment where students learn moves they can take straight to the dance club. We teach the Texas two-step, shuffle, country waltz, jitterbug swing, one-step, salsa, Argentine tango, and west coast swing. Please follow us on Facebook and stop in anytime you are in town and say hi!”

Michael O’Hara Diaz writes, “Currently, I’m a Firefighter/ Paramedic for the city of Charleston in South Carolina.

My station is located right in the heart of downtown Charleston and is one of the oldest stations in the country, built in 1887. This is such a great city and am really happy I made the move here.

It’s an honor to serve the people of this beautiful and historical city. I’ve been a firefighter since 2004 and a medic since 2011. I only had certification as a medic in the state of Florida until I recently tested and received National Certification.”

1994

class agents

Campbell Walker cwalker@lincolnharris.com Charles H. Baumberger, Jr. baumberger16@gmail.com Travis Rosen writes, “I received a Master’s in public health from FIU and currently work in clinical research and behavioral health. I also just released a self-produced music album: www.teethofwolves.com.”

Campbell Walker, his wife Amy, and their son Holt welcomed a new baby boy this spring, Ford Campbell Walker.

1995

class agent

Andrew P. Bennett andrewpbennett@gmail.com Chip Walters has launched a new company and writes, “Raising Cane Boards is a brand of longboard geared towards long distance land paddling.

Land paddling is a fast growing sport that anyone can enjoy on many levels. The experience is more like cruising than that of a typical ‘skateboard.’ It’s a great workout and new way to see the city. So much fun!”

1996

John Cobb ‘90 and his family

Michael O’Hara Diaz ‘93

class agent

Lynley (Walker) Ciorobea lynley3@gmail.com Amanda (Chrycy) Thompson aecswild@aol.com Amber (Goethel) Seidlin and her husband Lee welcomed their daughter, Bree Elise Seidlin, on April 28, 2015 (20 in., 8lbs., 12 oz.). Amber writes, “At ten months of age, Bree continues to brighten every day with her big smile, infectious laugh, and willingness to put up with loud barks and lots of licks from her two, four-legged siblings. We feel very lucky to be her parents, and I am so happy that she has already been able to meet my PTS classmates and dear friends, Cindy Denkhaus ‘96 and Eva (Hinton) Hartman ‘96.

Looking forward to introducing her to others soon!”

Amy and Campbell Walker ‘94 welcome a baby boy, Ford

Travis Rosen ‘94

Matthew Whitman Lazenby was presented the Humanitarian Award by the The Buoniconti Fund: The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, along with his uncle Randy Whitman and grandfather Stanley Whitman.

Bree Seidlin, daughter of Amber (Goethel) Seidlin ‘96

alumnews

Alumni celebrating their Reunions this spring had a great time visiting Miami and each other. Thanks to our many Reunion volunteers and Class Agents!

1970s

Class of 2001 15 year reunion

Class of 1986 30 year reunion

Class of 2006 10 year reunion

Class of 1991 25 year reunion

Class of 2011 5 year reunion

Class of 1996 20 year reunion

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alumni Profile

cl ass of

2001 Vicky Garcia

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If someone told you they studied mechanical engineering at the elite Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earned a Master’s degree from Georgia Tech, and currently work at NASA as a Systems Engineer, you might think they were just trying to impress you. But in the case of Palmer Trinity School alumna Vicky Garcia ‘01, she has accomplished all of those things and more. And unlike many who have reached her level of success, she did it all with one unique quality: Vicky is completely deaf.

From the classroom to the athletic field, Vicky looks back on her time at Palmer Trinity School as being positive and influential. “Because I am deaf, my parents decided to put me in a private school to take advantage of smaller classes and get more attention from the teachers,” Vicky remembers. “It was good to have a more personal relationship with my teachers because they made sure that I understood everything in class.”

And as both Vicky and faculty members will tell you, that enjoyable working relationship was mutual. “I’ll never forget when Ms. Sarah Kemeness wrote a poem for each of us at the end of the school year that described us as individuals.

Also, Mrs. (Rosas-Guyon) De Villiers and Mrs. Pam (Couliette) Zavada made math fun, which is really hard,” Vicky remembers. “You could tell that they enjoyed teaching math and passed on their passion onto me, which had a big impact, especially in my job now.”

Recognizing Vicky’s ability to excel at it in ways that most students wouldn’t be able to, Pam (Couliette) Zavada remembers how quickly Vicky adapted to her teaching. “Vicky is brilliant,” she recalls. “When I taught her, she couldn’t hear anything – she would read lips and learn from what I was writing on the board. Yet, she still aced my class.”

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“Some people Of course, with all of her success at Palmer Trinity School, Vicky knew that she wanted to stumble onto pursue a career that combined her passions for both science and math – but she didn’t know how. “I had an inkling that I would work with a roadblock computers quite a bit, but I wasn’t sure,” Vicky remembers. “My advisor at the time, Mrs. Adriana Truby, recommended that I apply to and give up, an engineering school. So I did.”

Taking undergraduate and graduate classes thinking that at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Georgia Institute of Technology, respectively, there is no way Vicky went on to intern with none other than NASA at the Kennedy Space Center; and later joined the organization officially as they could do a Systems Engineer. Working on everything from operating a motion-tracking laboratory – which helps assess how particular launch it...hard work vehicles might impact ground operations or already in space – to her current and persistence astronauts project, NASA’s newest heavy-life launch vehicle, the SLS, Vicky’s position has allowed her to solve complex problems; another aspect are key to of the job she is passionate about.

“Projects are always changing, so I rarely get achieving bored, and the idea that I am contributing to the exploration of space is motivation in itself,” says. “In the case of the new launch your dreams.” Vicky vehicle, we have different teams that deal with propulsion, navigation, aerodynamics, trajectory and so on. I lead task teams from various disciplines to review design and analytical models to make sure they are accurate, and that the design can meet the mission.”

In such a highly competitive and specialized field, achieving the level of success Vicky has already is hard enough as it is – and she’s done it all without hearing. Knowing this, and thinking about how hard she’s worked to get there, there’s nothing Vicky Garcia wants future fellow PTS Alumni to do more than always reach for the stars.

Vicky works with an augmented reality system at NASA’s Virtual Environments Laboratory.

“Some people stumble onto a roadblock and give up, thinking that there is no way they could do it,” Vicky says. “What they don’t realize is hard work and persistence are key to achieving your dreams.”

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Cristina (Rosas-Guyon) Hart ‘97, Rob Chester ‘09, Elena DV, Samantha Ostwald ‘13, Danielle Rothfeldt ‘13, Rob Morean ‘13, Maria Elena Gutierrez, Nina Aguirre and Christina Ludovici ‘10

1997

class agent

Brett French brettfrench@yahoo.com Michael Davis writes, “I am a Major in the US Army assigned as the Operations Officer for the Defense Coordinating Element for Region I. We work with FEMA to provide Department of Defense assistance in the event of a disaster in the Northeastern United States. My family and I are living in Boston and enjoying our time here, as this is not a typical posting for the Army. My older daughter Maegan is doing well as a competitive swimmer and my younger daughter Claire is doing well on a Junior Olympic Level 3 team.”

Vicky Garcia writes, “Luca Maxwell Garcia was born at 3:46 AM on Jan 12, 2016. He was 20 inches long and weighed 8 pounds even.”

Brittney (Hoffman) McCabe bmccabe@palmertrinity.org

Steven Yu married Qu Zhang in October 2015. He writes, “It was a video game themed costume party/wedding!”

2000

2001

Adria (Jenkins) Simon writes, “I married the love of my life on Wednesday, November 25, 2015. We are Mr. and Mrs. Avans Simon. We are expecting a baby girl, Alexandria Marie, in February.”

Soozie Klock seklock@gmail.com

Wes Farrell wesfarrell@floridaattorney.com

1999

class agents

Belinda Frieri belifrieri@yahoo.com

class agent

Nathan Zeder nathan@allmiamirealestate.com Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda accepted a position with Duke University School of Nursing as an Assistant Professor.

According to the school, “Gonzalez-Guarda comes to Duke from the University of Miami School of Nursing where she was co-director of the

Horacio Rodriguez was recently promoted to VP of Marketing for Universal Music Latino, Machete Music & Capitol Latin. He writes, “I started my career in the Latin music division of Universal Music Group 10 years ago in Miami. I spent 6 years living

class agents

Brian Gershen briangershen@gmail.com

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Teddy Hart, son of Jason and Christina (Rosas-Guyon) Hart ‘97

in Los Angeles, and now I’m very happy to be back home in Miami again. Some of my most notable achievements come from playing an instrumental role in the success of artists/ singles like Enrique Iglesias (“Bailando”), J Balvin (“Ginza”, “Ay Vamos”, “6am”), Don Omar (“Danza Kuduro”), Juanes, and Jencarlos Canela, among others.”

Training and Community Cores of their school’s P60 Center of Excellence for Health Disparities Research: El Centro, which is funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the NIH.”

Layda Morales writes, “I became the principal of Somerset Academy South Homestead this year. We also welcomed Isabella Carolina Cosio to our family on 11-252016. Chris is a very proud big brother.”

1998

Michael Davis ‘97, Noel Schael, Biraaj Mahajan ‘12 and Brook Bodie

class agent

Wes Farrell married his wife Helen this past August.

The wedding took place at the Diamond Point Community church in Lake George, New York, in the Adirondack Mountains. Palmer Trinity graduates in attendance included Robert O’ Donnell ‘00, Erik Jacobson ‘01 Groomsman, Jaime Alvarez ‘01 Groomsman , Grania (Michel) Jacobson ‘03, Connor Jacobson ‘03, and Ashley (Pruitt) Andren ‘01. Father Scot McComas, former Chaplain at Palmer Trinity, performed the ceremony.

2002

class agent

Adria (Jenkins) Young mz.adria@gmail.com

Yuri Tuma writes, “I am releasing my first publication during the exhibit “Papel Cola Hilo” in La Eriza in Madrid, entitled “+”. The content explores the correlation between a city’s and a pixel’s infrastructure through the deconstruction of digital architectural photography, transforming them into geometric and organic drawinglike images.”

2003

class agent

Dax Tejera dax.tejera@gmail.com Brian Fernandez writes, “I am SVP, Group Director at

alumnews

Falcon Forum Alumni Speaker Series This past fall, Palmer Trinity School launched the inaugural Falcon Forum Alumni Speaker Series, providing a great opportunity for Alumni to network and hear from prominent figures in the community. The first Falcon Forum featured Palmer Trinity Head of School, Patrick Roberts. In October, Alumni gathered at Books & Books in Coral Gables for an informative discussion about Leadership and Education in the 21st Century. In February, USA Women’s Soccer World Cup Champion Coach Jill Ellis hosted the second Falcon Forum. Mrs. Ellis reflected on her experiences as a coach with an emphasis on leadership, the importance of preparation, and the power of failure.

Alvaro Pinzon ‘00 with Scott du Feu

Steven Yu ‘00 marries Qu Zhang

PTS Head of School Patrick Roberts explains why he thinks creativity, collaboration, communication and character are tenets of a 21st-century education.

Helen and Wes Farrell ‘01

PTS Alumni celebrating with Wes Farrell ‘01

Coach Jill Ellis shares her perspective on preparation and failure, and how both can be used as keys for success.

Luca Garcia, son of Vicky Garcia ‘01

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alumni Profile

cl ass of

1977 Jan (Risi) Field When Jan (Risi) Field ‘77 moved to South Florida from Lake Forest, Illinois as a child, she had a lot to learn about life in Miami; like where to go to school, what to get involved in, and where she could go to make new friends.

Fortunately, her parents sent her to Palmer School – and Jan quickly began to settle in.

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Student Government Officers 1976-1977: Cindy Weil, Jan (Risi) Field and Cindy Yaffey

Jan and Jim Field and their family

“You can’t be afraid to introduce yourself. People love to help other people. I do it today. I need help, I ask questions, I seek advice.”

“To me, the state of Florida was still pretty new when I started Palmer,” Jan remembers, who entered high school in 1973, when Palmer School had just launched from its Gulliver roots. “For a new school, it did a good job of providing a vast array of things for students of various interests. I played for Coach Janet Romeo, the girls athletic coach at the time, who was fun and got me involved. She was a good mentor.”

From there on out, Jan got involved in everything she could. During her time at Palmer School, Jan was more than your everyday Palmer overachiever; she played softball, volleyball and basketball, and was even voted “Most Likely to Succeed.” Very much influenced by her parents, Mary Jean and Louis Risi – who often donated their time, talent and treasure to help the school grow – Jan wanted to give back to the school in any way that she could. She served as Student Government President during her senior year, and her father, Louis Risi, served on the Palmer Board.

“I remember my parents helped with fundraising, and even helped build the field,” Jan says. Adding to their Palmer legacy, Mary Jean and Louis continued the tradition of having Palmer Pirate students by sending Jan’s younger brother, Andrew, to Palmer School in 1982.

After graduating from Palmer School in 1977, Jan (Risi) Field’s dedication to hard work and success only continued. Graduating from DePauw University with degrees in English and Business, she went on to earn a Master’s in Business Administration from UCLA. Paving the way for women everywhere, Jan began a career in commodities at Ralston Purina, working with the Chicago Board of Trade, during a time when there were very few women in the field.

“When they hired me, I wanted to go into sales, but they had a good grasp of things already,” Jan remembers. “They didn’t care if I was man or woman – I was going to be trained and learn their way and either survive or not. I worked a disciplined couple of years in a very structured work environment.”

After that, Risi worked for Chef America and Jack in the Box, and even launched Burger King’s co-op. Mastering her understanding of commodities as they applied to the agri-business and food industries, Jan was approached by Subway franchisees with questions about how it all worked. Taking that as a sign, in 1996, Jan launched her own business, and today she is CEO and Founder of the global supply company Independent Purchasing Cooperative (IPC) – a powerhouse company that now supports 78,000 Subway stores worldwide.

“I remember promising my husband I would be working until I’m 50; and now we have 300 employees and offices in Miami, Dubai, Brazil and Australia,” Jan jokes. “As the world changes, the environment in our business has changed, and we’re going back to the basics. I feel like I’m going back to my roots, and it’s really fun.”

Having gained so much success already, Jan still remembers the influential people at Palmer School who helped get her there, like Rebecca Aikman, a French teacher at the time.

“She helped me get an internship with The Miami Herald while I was still a student, and her influence was so crucial during the college process,” Jan remembers. “Mrs. Aikman took the time to work with me, and as a result of her support, I spent time abroad. She really helped me prepare for a positive university experience.”

Paying that forward to Palmer Trinity School students now, Jan has taken what she’s learned from her career and turned it into words of wisdom for achieving success.

“You’ve got to be in the game to really be in the game,” Jan says. “Don’t worry so much about whether or not you love it, because it doesn’t always work out that way. Start networking, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. People love to help other people – and I still do it today. I need help, I ask questions, and I seek advice. It’s how the world works.”

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Publics (a French advertising agency), managing the Cadillac account for North America. Prior to Publics, I spent five years at another advertising agency in NYC leading the BMW account.”

2004

class agent

Corina (Lopez) Minera cminera@ymail.com Lisa (Migliaccio) Haynes lisanmig@gmail.com

Adria Peach (Jenkins) Simon ‘02 and her family

Shannon Casey has joined Kreps DeMaria PR as a Vice President. After working with new and established brands in the areas of fashion, beauty, lifestyle, wellness, and hospitality for five years, Shannon will focus on Kreps DeMaria’s luxury lifestyle division, including luxury real estate and development.

Chris Sanz ‘04 celebrates his wedding to Allison Abreu with many PTS friends

Lema Ghafir writes, “My husband, Dr. Yousef Usta, and I were so excited and blessed to announce the birth of our first baby, Lana, on October 5, 2015.

She is now 4 1/2 months old and has brought us so much happiness and joy. Her favorite thing to do is smile! We will be leaving Phoenix, AZ, and moving to Houston, TX, this coming July as Yousef will be starting to work as a Gastroenterologist there. After working for 5 years in Phoenix, I’m currently a stay at home mom and couldn’t be happier. We’re looking forward to the future ahead in our new city.”

Garrett Navia ‘04

Garrett Navia writes, “I’m doing very well. I went to Elon University and graduated with majors in psychology and business administration, as well as minors in philosophy and accounting. (Go figure – some of those Calculus classes you taught me helped!) After college, I started working for a private equity group as a Turn Around Specialist, which went really well. Then, in the beginning

Elena De Villiers and Dr. Miguel Gosalbez ‘03

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of 2008, I left that company and formed my own business consulting and private equity firm. After a lot of grinding, I grew out pledge fund to roughly $300M, which consists of highnet-worth individuals and family offices. I haven’t looked back since. As of recently, I opened a new arm of consulting that provides not only 360-degree health analysis of smaller-tomid-sized businesses, but has now partnered with some great groups to provide merchant services, payroll services, staffing capabilities, and much more. I bought my first house no too far from Palmer, about 6 months ago, and I’m currently helping plan my own wedding!”

Chris Sanz married his long time girlfriend, Allison Abreu, on Saturday, March 5th, in Miami, Florida. Faculty in attendance included Maria Vanegas and Alumni in attendance included Kyle Rutter ‘04, Kevin Sanz ‘01, Shannon Casey ‘04, Richie Martin ‘04, Ian Wogan ‘04, Brandon Rose ‘04, Raul Rodriguez ‘04, Erin Murphy ‘01, and AJ Undorfer ‘04.

2005

class agent

Katey O’Regan katey.oregan@cbs.com Jackie Helcer writes, “I’m currently a 4th year doctoral student at Fordham University.

I’m getting my PhD in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology. Our residency takes place during the final year of the program and I just matched as the first ever Multicultural Neuropsychology resident at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital. I will be receiving an appointment at Harvard Medical School as a Clinical Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry beginning on July 1st.”

Lee Patterson is currently studying at FSU as a PhD candidate in Literature, had a group of poems published in the Spring 2016 issue of The Florida English Journal based in Marianna, FL, and was a finalist in Tethered by Letters’s Spring 2016 F(r)iction magazine poetry contest.

Lene Staertzel writes, “I am currently the Marketing Manager for Porsche in the Western Region which is based out of Los Angeles. In this position, I am responsible for marketing activities and events at the dealer, regional, and national level.

With events ranging anywhere from local sponsorships, to track days and motor shows, I am staying very busy. I am also planning my own wedding, which will be in February of 2017 in Santa Monica.”

2006

class agent

Amanda Omachonu amandaom22@gmail.com Paola Granados-Redlick writes, “I got my PsyD. It’s a doctorate in clinical psychology with greater focus on the clinical piece. I cannot believe that so much time has passed. Elena De Villiers was truly one of my most memorable teachers.”

Amanda Omachanu writes, “I got a new job recently working for the Miami Children’s Health System IT Department.

I work as a senior business analyst there and help with process improvement and the development of mobile health applications for physicians and nurses to improve the overall quality of healthcare.”

Kevin Singerman met up with Elena De Villiers while she was in New Jersey. He is a PhD candidate at Rutgers University, with a concentration on Victorian Literature.

alumnews

2007

class agent

Will Morrison willmorrisonfl@gmail.com Ercole Cellino writes from Venice, Italy, “Last May, I had the chance to start a new experience with Giorgio Armani. I follow the two luxury lines of the groups Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani. I do worldwide commercial and sales with a focus on US and Canadian markets.”

Courtney Clark married high school sweetheart Bill Dramis in October 2015 at the W South Beach. The couple currently lives in New York City.

Wes Davidson writes, “I just accepted a new job with the Transwestern Investment Group as an Acquisitions Associate in Dallas, TX. I will be sourcing and

underwriting new commercial real estate investments across the United States. I left my former job at Lone Star Funds this winter and was there for 3.5 years. I graduated from SMU in 2011 and have been in Dallas ever since.”

Stephanie Garcia writes, “I have been at BMI Companies for 2 years as the Director of Media and PR in our headquarter office in Miami, FL. BMI is a health and life insurance agency dedicated to the international marketplace, with local offices in several other countries such as Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. I am responsible for all traditional, digital and social media, as well as sponsorships, and work directly with our international offices to ensure they are maintaining and enforcing all media strategies implemented in the headquarters. I believe social responsibility is an integral aspect of every

company, so I am always looking for opportunities for us to give back to the community in ways we haven’t before. In April we will be a participating sponsor in the Mindo Futures Kickball Tournament, benefiting a medical mission in Mindo, Ecuador! BMI is a family company. My grandfather first founded BMI in 1973, and I am the first member of the third generation of my family to work here. Born and raised in Miami, I moved back in 2013 after working in New York City as a Media Planner for accounts including AT&T, Macy’s and COVERGIRL. I currently live in Brickell and am LOVING Miami’s warm weather again!”

Delfina Guemes writes, “With a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University and 5 years of experience working in the travel and lifestyle division of Finn Partners, a PR agency in New York City, I have returned to Miami as an Account Director

at Carma PR. I am currently leading the hospitality division and representing hotels and restaurants such as Delano South Beach, Hotel Victor, Menin Hospitality, Mondrian South Beach, and Makoto among others.”

Gabriela Pacini recently launched her own company.

She writes, “FRONT ROW TRIBE is an Italian luxury website that rents dresses and looks from the latest collections of well established and up and coming designers. It is supported with strong editorial content, an overall clean image, and an online store. FRONT ROW TRIBE will launch in the rest of Europe in mid-2016.”

Caiti Pomerance, Esq., founded the nonprofit organization, Debris Free Oceans, to inspire local communities to responsibly manage the lifecycle of plastics

Power o f

P o s s i b i l i t y

The Annual Fund for Palmer Trinity School Annual Fund gifts touch every student, every faculty member, and every corner of our school. Every donation, no matter the size, makes it all possible.

To donate online, please visit www.palmertrinity.org/onlinegiving For more information, please contact Rachele Huelsman, Director of Annual Giving, at rhuelsman@palmertrinity.org or (305) 969-4210.

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alumni Profile

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1991

Todd O’Donald

While our Palmer Trinity School students have always had a reputation for success, every once in awhile, you find that standout member of our Alumni that manages to impress you even more. Enter Todd O’Donald – a 1991 Palmer School alumnus and accomplished student athlete, and today, a virtual pioneer in the Internet marketing age.

(above) Student Council President Todd O’Donald ‘91 meets with Palmer School 6th grade students

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“ There are no second takes in life. You just always have to go for it.”

Fortunately for Todd, all of those qualities led to what Palmer teachers already knew would be an exciting future. After graduating from Palmer, Todd went on to the University of Richmond for his BA, and later earned a Master’s degree in Finance and Marketing from NYU’s Stern School of Business, where he developed a particular interest in advertising.

Todd, his wife Trish and their children

Like so many of our Palmer Trinity School students, during his time at Palmer, Todd was a well-rounded individual known for being involved in many school activities; from drama and debate, to Mu Alpha Theta and Key Club. As a senior, he was elected as Student Council President, and even served as Captain of the Palmer Varsity Football Team.

“My time at Palmer was great for many reasons. I made some incredible friends, some of my best friends today, and I was put in an environment that helped me grow up,” Todd recalls, as he looks fondly on his memories on and off the field with great teachers like Mr. Babcock, Coach Hewett, Carol Trice, Mike Ferguson and Elena (Rosas-Guyon) De Villiers. “Palmer was where you could discover who you are, and who you wanted to be, guided by the teachers. I knew it was a special place because the teachers and coaches were real role models.” And many of those same role models viewed Todd as a leader in his own student community.

“Todd had leadership and the kids respected him,” Coach Dave Hewett remembers. “He was a tough kid. He had a tremendous work ethic and his effort on the field was 110%.”

Similarly, as Elena (Rosas-Guyon) De Villiers looks back on her days having Todd in her class, she only remembers a bright student who was eager to learn. “He was a diligent, intelligent and conscientious student,” she says. “He was easy to teach and he would delve into the topics until he understood them thoroughly.”

“I was always excited by the energy and opportunity of New York,” he says. “I was attracted to advertising for its creativity, and other careers seemed drab. I was looking for creativity in any job, really.”

Getting a job at the advertising giant Ogilvy & Mather, Todd landed the sought-after IBM account and dove headfirst into the world of Internet marketing. “I felt as if I was forging a new path, and I was excited by the newness of it all,” he remembers of those early days. “I had a lot of opportunity to make an impact.”

Leaving Ogilvy & Mather to make his mark on several other advertising agencies, Todd eventually decided to take his expertise to the startup world. Working with a talented group of individuals, together, they created what became the forerunner to the most popular health website at the time – which Todd and his partners later sold to WebMd for $300M. After the sale, Todd supported the new company with his expertise for several years, but today, it’s a different story. Out on his own, Todd loves working on different passion projects, finding what makes them special and unique, and making investments. “Many of these new projects might be underappreciated by other people,” Todd says. “But there is a lot of value yet to be created in the marketplace, and I want to find it.”

A self-made expert in his field, Todd is constantly motivated by these undiscovered opportunities. “I’m excited by the challenge of solving unique problems and finding a solution for them,” Todd says. And he believes that current Palmer Trinity School students, and his future fellow Alumni, can apply that same mindset to create their own success.

“There are no second takes in life,” Todd suggests. “You just always have to go for it.” And if they’re anything like Todd O’Donald, they certainly will.

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P TS A lu mni Association

A lu m ni R eunion W eekend MARCH 11-12, 2016

Athlet ic H all of Fame I n duct ion On Friday, March 11th, Alumni, family, and faculty members joined together to kick off 2016 Alumni Reunion Weekend with the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and All-Alumni Reception. This year, we honored three new inductees: Arasay Guerra ‘06, Coach Michelle (Brenner) Mondell, and Michael Haggard ‘88.

Arasay received Class 2A Second-Team All-State honors from the Florida Sports Writers Association after pacing Palmer Trinity to a 28-2 record and a district championship in 2004. In 2005, the Miami Herald named her “Dade Player of the Year” after leading the Falcons to their first appearance in the girls’ volleyball state finals since 1977.

Michelle coached many sports and seasons at Palmer and Palmer Trinity. She was Head Track & Field Coach for one season, Head JV Volleyball Coach for three seasons, Assistant Varsity Softball Coach for three seasons, and Head Varsity Soccer Coach for six seasons. In 1991, Athletic Director David Hewett named her as an Assistant Varsity Football Coach, and she spent three seasons as such. She was one of the first female football coaches in the state of Florida. Michael played both varsity football and baseball as a seven-year starter on both teams. He quarterbacked the undefeated 1984 JV football team and went on to quarterback for the Varsity football team. During his time as a player, Michael led Palmer to two Conference Championships, a #4 ranking in the State of Florida, and was 27-8 as a Starter.

Craig Zimmett ‘77 shows off his Palmer class ring.

Marty Migliaccio, Emma Haynes and Lisa (Migliaccio) Haynes ‘04

PTS Athletic Director Ernest Robertson, Arasay Guerra ‘06, Tom Magenheimer ‘78 and Coach William Gonzalez

Ernest Robertson, Tom Magenheimer ‘79, Michael Haggard ‘88 and Coach Dave Hewett

Class of ‘06: Jeff Lumish, Bryan Rodriguez, Carlos Suarez and Colton Chase

Ernest Robertson, Tom Magenheimer, Coach Michelle (Brenner) Mondell and Coach Dave Hewett 52

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Preston Courtney, Katrina (Hodson) Courtney ‘75, John Hayden, Lisa (Lombard) Hayden ‘75, David Wood ‘73 and Andy Hessen ‘76

David Wood ‘73 and Lauren Dowlen, Director of Alumni Relations, display the Palmer School Mother’s Club quilt from the 1970’s

Upper School Head Ashley Chapman and Daniel Diaz Leyva ‘98

Nathan Zeder ‘98, Head of School Patrick Roberts and Daniel Diaz Leyva ‘98

Lee Sterling ‘81, Kim Sterling and Hart Baur ‘82

Rosilyn Burke and Felicia Burke ‘11

Steve Veingrad ‘79 and Guest

Coach Judi Jennings, Monica Eulitz ‘96 and Danny Reynolds, Associate Head for External Relations

Di s t i ngu i shed A lum n i Awa r d s Following the Induction Ceremony, Alumni had the opportunity to tour the beautiful Palmer Trinity campus and catch up with old friends and former teachers. The evening also included the presentation of our Distinguished Alumni Awards to Nathan Zeder ‘98 (Founders’ Alumni Award) and Daniel Diaz Leyva ‘98 (Head of School’s Alumni Award).

The Founders’ Alumni Award recognizes Alumni who have demonstrated honor, courage and leadership and helped to fulfill the vision of our school’s founders. Nathan has been involved in the Sandy Golf Tournament since 2005, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars toward financial aid at Palmer Trinity. He has served on the Admission Advisory Committee, chaired the Alumni Annual Fund, and serves on the inaugural Alumni Association

Board. Nathan has volunteered as a speaker to our Prospective Parent Open Houses and during Alumni College and Career Day. The Head of School’s Alumni Award recognizes distinguished service to the community, which exemplifies Palmer Trinity School’s mission — commitment to the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and creative growth of all members of our community.

Daniel’s service to Palmer Trinity includes volunteering during the annual Alumni College and Career Day, serving on the Admissions Advisory Committee, speaking to Prospective Parents, and serving on the inaugural Alumni Association Board. Outside of PTS, Daniel is very involved in the South Florida community and serves as a trustee of Miami Dade College – the largest institution of its kind in the United States.

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and waste as part of a global initiative to eradicate marine debris. Debris Free Oceans currently focuses on making Miami a zero-waste city through education, cleanups, research, policy, consulting, and events. To learn more, visit www.debrisfreeoceans.org and follow @debrisfreeoceans on Facebook and Instagram.

Raquel Quinones writes, “I was hired as a Speech Language Pathologist for Rebecca School, a DIR-Floortime modeled school for kids (ages 4-21) with developmental delays, many of which are on the Autism Spectrum. So far it’s been such a wonderful experience and I’m looking forward to working here in the years to come!”

Alec Santos (McCluskey) headlines the new Hotpockets campaign, currently running on National and Hispanic networks.

He is also teaching High School Drama, Science, and Creative writing in Vancouver, Canada.

Logan Wyatt’s short film Tracks starring Keith Stanfield (Selma, Straight

Outta Compton) screened at the Miami International Film Festival this March. It recently played in competition at AFI FEST. For his work on Tracks, Logan won the American Film Institute’s prestigious Franklin J. Schaffner fellow award. He recently signed with talent agent Joanne Roberts Wiles of ICM Partners. His most recent work, the feature film Live Cargo, starring Dree Hemingway will be having its world premiere in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival in April.

2008

class agent

Megan Cunningham megancunningham215@gmail.com Ariel Moger aem2178@columbia.edu Cam DiFede has recently accepted a position at JJ Haines in Glen Burnie, MD, as a Pricing Analyst. JJ Haines is the largest floor covering distributor in the country. Cam now lives in Baltimore, MD, and would love to connect with any alumni in the area.

Lana Usta, daughter of Lema Ghafir ‘04

Harper, daughter of Ashley Briana Henry ‘09 (Hess) Guidry ‘08

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Kevin Singerman ‘06 visits with Elena De Villiers

Joro Forman writes, “I work at the Broward State Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State Attorney, where I handle hundreds of cases involving various criminal matters. I graduated from University of Miami School of Law in 2015. I live in downtown Miami.”

Ashley (Hess) Guidry was happily married to Michael Guidry in 2013. Ashley and Michael were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Harper Leigh Guidry, on August 10, 2015.

The Guidry family resides in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Ashley works at a renowned equestrian training center, Willow Oaks Equestrian Center in Lafayette, LA, as the head trainer for all athletes and horses.

Gregg Steinman is studying law at the University of Miami.

He had a summer clerk position with the Honorable Judge Cristol of the United States Bankruptcy Court and was selected to participate in the Pro Bono Bankruptcy Assistance Clinic for the fall and spring semester. He was awarded the Cali Excellence Award for his work in the Pro Bono Clinic fall semester.

2009

class agent

Natalia Matallana natismata@gmail.com

Jessica A Mazon jessica.mazon@gmail.com Kirsten Ferriera writes, “After graduating from Elon University in May of 2013, I moved to Washington, D.C. to pursue my masters degree at the George Washington University and began my work as an Intern for McChrystal Group. McChrystal Group is a leadership and management consulting firm founded by General (Ret.) Stan McChrystal (with the purpose to enable organizations to adapt to their complex operating environments). While obtaining my degree, I became an analyst for the McChrystal Group and in August 2015, graduated with a Masters of Arts in Organizational Sciences, with a concentration in Organizational Management and recently was promoted to an Associate position.”

Carlos Suarez, Brian Rodriguez, Colton Chase class of ‘06, Stephanie Garcia ‘07, Ms. De Villiers and Caiti Pomerance ‘07

Erin Benson ‘10 shows off her UM spirit

Paulina Prieto ‘12 cheers as her team, the University of Texas Longhorns, advances to the Women’s Division 1 NCAA Volleyball National Championship

alumnews

P TS A lu mni Association

A lu m ni H oliday Part y December 15, 2015

Alumni old and new met at Coral Reef Yacht Club for this year’s Alumni Holiday Party. Over 100 Alumni gathered together to celebrate the holiday season, catch up with friends and faculty, and reminisce about good times together at Palmer, Trinity Episcopal, and Palmer Trinity School. Special thanks to our sponsors, Orion Real Estate and the Sanz Family: Joe and Joan Sanz, Holly and Kevin Sanz ‘01, and Allison and Chris Sanz ‘04.

Scott Benesch, Michele (Baker) Benesch ‘89, Martin Echavarria ‘88 and Associate Head of School Paul Zamek

Martina Faillace ‘10, Matthew MacNair ‘11, Alexa Cajiga ‘11 and Matias Faillace ‘11

Kristin (Hayden) Hebert ‘01, Felipe Serrano ‘01, Yolanda Frieri ‘01, Andrea Santamaria ‘01, Kevin Sanz ‘01 and Elsa Frieri ‘02

Alumni Board President Lynley (Walker) Ciorobea ‘96, Brett French ‘97 and Grimsley Matkov ‘97

Joe Sanz, Chris Sanz ‘04, Joan Sanz, Holly Sanz, Kevin Sanz ‘01, and Alumni Relations Director Lauren Dowlen

Sarah Fernandez Mendoza ‘95, Tef French ‘94, and Saskia French

Katie Lamiell, Chris Narchet ‘07, and Danielle Snyder ‘07

Alumni Board Member Charles Baumberger ‘94, Denie (Freyer) Harris, Alumni Board Secretary Mason Harris ‘89

Kelly (Kimmel) Guma ‘89, Beth (Moskowitz) Lazar ‘84, Suyain George ‘84, Lani (Kane) Hannan ‘84, Gordy O’Neil ‘84 and Scott Lazar

John Zavitsianos ‘99, Shannon (Brill) Emery ‘94, Elena De Villiers

Alumni Board Members Daniel Diaz Leyva ‘98 and Brian Gershen ‘98

John Lawrence ‘98, Zachary Sulkes, Brian Alonso ‘94

Joanna de Velasco ‘98 and Gladys Hernando ‘98

Brian Fernandez ‘03, Marty Migliaccio and Emily Hill ‘03

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reunions

PTS Alumni On The Road

The Palmer Trinity Alumni Association has hit the road! Members of our Alumni Office and School Administration have hosted events from coast to coast, inviting Alumni to connect with fellow Alumni in their respective cities. Since this fall, Alumni have enjoyed such events in Atlanta, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Boston and New York.

Boston November 2015

Atlanta October 2015

San Francisco November 2015

New York City November 2015, January 2016

Columbia University November 2015

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Jacksonville October 2015

alumnews

Alumni in Boston: Laila Khatib ‘14, Pedro Domit ‘14, Jenna Fusfield ‘14, Octavio Vidal ‘14, past faculty Tim Cassel and Sofia Pedroso ‘14

Sam Forristall ‘13 skydiving

Coco Reiser ‘14, Sabrina Rodriguez ‘14, and Karla Rosado ‘14

P T S A lu mni Association

C olle g iate A lu m ni D ay Four Collegiate Alumni visited our campus in January to share their advice and suggestions for college with the Class of 2016. Sebastian Espinosa ‘15 (Columbia University), Victoria AlvarezArango ‘12 (Rice University), Daniel Du Feu ‘14 (St. Michael’s College) and Valerie Macaulay ‘15 (University of Miami) volunteered as this year’s panelists for this PTS tradition with current seniors.

Brooke LeMaire graduated summa cum laude at the top of the Public Relations program from the University of Miami in May 2013, where she was named Outstanding Senior in Public Relations and was selected as one of the faces for the university’s Momentum2 fundraising campaign. Since then, she has enjoyed working fulltime as the media relations coordinator at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. She has worked with National Geographic, CNN, Associated Press, and more to promote Fairchild’s innovative science and education programs.

Her favorite projects include: a partnership with NASA to research which edible plants can grow in microgravity during space travel, and the Million Orchid Project conservation initiative, which aims to reintroduce one million endangered orchids back into South Florida’s urban spaces.

Melanie Metal writes, “I am currently earning a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech in Atlanta. My specialization is in Environment & Health Planning, and after graduation I hope to work in the field of climate resiliency. As a Miami native, I am especially interested in studying the threat of sea level rise. I recently founded a Women in Planning organization at Tech and I am working with the Urban Climate Lab here to study urban heat issues. Prior to returning to school, I worked as an Ecologist for an environmental consultant in southwest Florida and earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Florida.”

2010

class agent

Victoria Fernandez vfmarante@gmail.com Annie Morrison annie.morrison2@gmail.com Martina Faillace mafaillace@gmail.com

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cl ass notes

Alumni Soccer and Basketball Games On Saturday, October 24th, 2015, more than thirty Alumni came out for Palmer Trinity School’s annual Alumni Soccer and Basketball Games. Led

by Coaches Scott du Feu and Ernest Robertson, Alumni enjoyed playing with old friends and reminiscing about their times as athletes at Palmer, Trinity Episcopal, and Palmer Trinity School.

Marcel Apple works as a Case Manager at Camillus House, where he helps transition people into the community.

Erin Benson graduated with a BA from the University of Miami in December 2014, where she majored in Economics and double minored in Business Law and Business Administration.

During her time at UM, Erin was the captain of the University of Miami Sunsations Dance Team and was a Delta Gamma sister.

As a merit scholarship recipient, Erin is attaining her Masters of Studies in Law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and is also launching an online clothing boutique this March.

Landon Michelson is currently the volunteer assistant coach with the Rice University Men’s Golf Team while he continues to pursue professional golf.

Daniela Vargas recently joined McCombie Group as a Private Equity Intern. She writes, “I love the deal exposure that I am experiencing at my private equity internship.

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McCombie Group is a collection of influential families actively seeking to invest long-term capital into established familyowned businesses.”

2011

class agent

Alexa Cajiga acajiga93@me.com Katherine R. Difede 91difede@cardinalmail.cua.edu Alexis Capellades graduated from the University of Miami School of Business in 2014, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Computer Information Systems. She was then hired at Z-Media Inc., where she worked with the advertising sales team for Vogue and Rolling Stone. After, she was hired by the University of Miami to become the UM Frost School of Music’s Communications Coordinator. She enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her dog, Danay.

Julian Narchet earned a B.S. in Marketing and is now working on her M.A. in

Mass Communication at the University of Central Florida.

Ashley Ramkishun was accepted to the George Washington University Law School. She’s currently working as a Paralegal for a Washington, DC law firm.

2012

class agent

Giancarlo S. Falconi g.falconi@umiami.edu Biraaj M. Mahajan bmahajan@bu.edu Ledah Geller was recently accepted into the University of Virginia School of Law. She’s currently writing her honors thesis at Dartmouth College and writes, “I conducted original research comprising over 35 hours of in-depth interviews with undergraduate students.

I’m currently examining the structural factors that shape student experiences with the hookup culture, sexual assault, and the sexual double standard on Ivy League campuses. I’m synthesizing current policies to

improve academic institution approach to sexual assault prevention, post-episode counseling, and disciplinary procedure. I decided to pursue this topic after seeing many of my friends and acquaintances, unfortunately, get sexually assaulted. They often felt like the justice system could not provide them with the justice they sought. Furthermore, Title 9 issues have become so prominent in the media and the way institutions deal with sexual assault have really shaped student experiences. I’m trying to give victims a safe space to share their stories so that we can make college campuses a safer place.”

Paulina Prieto recently played for the University of Texas Longhorns in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship.

2013

class agent

Preston R. Michelson michelsonpr@gmail.com

alumnews

A mini reunion for the Class of 2015

Giancarlo Coccarello ‘15, Jonathan Sourber ‘15 and Sebastian Andrew ’15 cheer on the PTS Boys Lacrosse Team

Class of 2015: Sam Waldman, Hannah Forristall, Waleed Mneimneh, Nick Font and Ben Roberts

Tatiana Campuzano recently started an internship with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She writes, “I’ve been pre-med at UM for three years now. My ultimate goal is to become a cardiologist one day so the research I got at the Medical Campus is fitting because it focuses on researching heart disease, specifically cardiac myocytes, which is the leading killer in the US, ranked above cancer.

Sam Forristall is a junior at the United States Naval Academy, majoring in mechanical engineering. He will graduate and be commissioned as an officer in 2017, and he will be placed somewhere in the fleet – i.e., Marines, submarines, airplanes or as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO). While he was home for summer break he fell in love with skydiving and has since joined the skydive team at his school. Currently, he has 150 jumps under his buckle, all since this past August.

Preston Michelson recently accepted an internship offer from the Chicago Cubs in the Media Relations Department.

He is pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and Journalism at Northwestern University.

2014

class agent

Sara Abbassi sabbassi96@gmail.com Sabrina J. Rodriguez sjr430@nyu.edu

2015

writes from Harvard University, “Intending on concentrating on computer science, I’ve been in touch with Miami’s budding tech realm through projects like CODeLLA and other initiatives.

Here at Harvard, I’ve maintained that interest in my first semester by taking computer and business courses and joining Women in Business and Women Computer Science.”

class agent

Keenan Rodriguez keenanrodriguez10@gmail.com Isa Ruiz isabellaruiz1029@gmail.com Hannah Forristall is a freshman at the University of Florida, majoring in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. She is active in AOPi and continues her love of volunteer service by working on physical fitness with middle school children once a week.

Carina Segredo has made the Dean’s List at Cornell University.

She is currently exploring majors in either Hospitality or Communications.

Isabella Victoriano is recording her own album and has started a Kickstarter campaign. She writes, “Nowadays, anybody can record in their bedroom but there’s nothing like old school recording with professional A-list musicians in Nashville, TN. This record means a lot to me. I’ve put a lot of time and emotion into these songs and worked with some of my best friends to make them the best they can be. What it comes down to is, I want to make the best record I could possibly make. Unfortunately, that’s not free, so I’m creating this Kickstarter in hopes I don’t have to pay for all of it out of my own pocket.”

Maia Suazo-Maler recently launched a blog with a friend called Modandbean. She

IN MEMORIAM

Our deepest condolences, prayers and thoughts are with the extended families and friends of these members of our Alumni family, and all those who have lost loved ones.

Katie Corlett ‘02 passed away in October 2015. She is survived by her brother Buddy and parents Chip and Patsy.

Carlyn B. Jacobs ‘84 passed away in August of 2014 in Boca Raton, Florida.

Stefano Aime ‘12 passed away in December 2015. He is survived by his sister Camila ‘10 and parents Rhona and Jorge.

Rina Kohara ‘19 passed away in February 2016. She is survived by her parents, sister, and brother.

Past Board Member John Dickason passed away in February 2016. He is survived by his wife Bobbie, and many family members and friends. John served on the Palmer Trinity School Board from 2000-2005, and co-chaired the School’s Strategic Plan in 2004.

Past Board Member D. Richard Mead passed away in February 2016. He is survived by his wife Ginger, daughter Cathy, and son Budge, Palmer Class of ‘86. Dick served on the Palmer School Board from 1984-1987 and made a significant impact on the growth of our school.

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