Aerie 2017 Summer

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PA R E N T S , A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S o f PA L M E R T R I N I T Y S C H O O L

Alumni Profiles

Juan Camilo Maldonado Tovar ‘01 Lauren Santa Cruz ‘05

Perspectives

Shadow a Student

VisionAerie Patrick Roberts

MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY 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

SUMMER 2017

PRESIDENT OF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Lynley (Walker) Ciorobea ‘96

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2016–2017

Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja MANAGING EDITOR

Ashley Valentin DESIGN

RMC | Strategic Design + Brand Innovation ADMINISTRATION

Head of School Patrick Roberts Head of Upper School Ashley Chapman

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.

Head of Middle School Peter Tolmach Reverend Dr. 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

PA R E N T S , A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S o f PA L M E R T R I N I T Y S C H O O L

Director of Parent Relations Denise Gallardo

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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.

Michael Baiamonte Chairman Bronwen Rutter Vice-Chair Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85 Secretary Charles Klenk Treasurer Jeffrey S. Bass Rev. Frank J. Corbishley The Right Reverend Peter Eaton John D. Fumagalli Lynne Keller Tina Lane Rachel Malueg Hugo Mantilla Camilo Montana Marcel Navarro Sonia O’Donnell Tina Portuondo Alejandro Rodriguez Jesus Socorro Harvey B. Sperling Jack Brumbaugh (Trustee Emeritus) William Morrison (Trustee Emeritus)

Director of Technology Gus Sabogal Diversity Coordinators Ashley Armato and Aldo Regalado Registrar Vivian Cerione Executive Assistant to Head of School Susie Loiacono DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

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.

Director of Development Juan Gomez

Alumni Profiles

Juan Camilo Maldonado Tovar ‘01 Lauren Santa Cruz ‘05

Associate Director of Development/

VisionAerie Patrick Roberts

Patrick Roberts cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony for our South Campus.

Development Assistant Terri Agress Development Assistant Marilyn Klenk

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FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

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Shadow a Student

ON THE COVER

Director of Alumni Relations Lauren Dowlen

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

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Perspectives

@PALMERTRINITY

JOIN US ON LINKEDIN

LINKEDIN.COM (SEARCH “PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL NETWORK”)

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE

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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 EXCERPTS FROM PATRICK ROBERTS’ GRADUATION SPEECH (YOU CAN FIND THE ENTIRE SPEECH AT WWW.PALMERTRINITY.ORG/HEADSCORNER)

Congratulations, Class of 2017!

As we gather to celebrate you today, please know that I recognize the simple fact that I am the only one standing between you and those doors, leading you to your next adventure. I promise to be brief, and I say “thank you” for this opportunity.

If you recall, I was asked to speak to your class a few months ago and offer a few tips for your college planning, and next steps after graduation. In those brief 10 minutes, I shared with you 5 simple pieces of personal advice that I hoped would resonate with you. Recognizing that it was early in the day and early in the semester, I would like to share with you today those 5 thoughts again—a little more formally, and in greater detail. Please remember these are my own observations, and are based only on a relatively short life span of 47 years.

Offering #1 – Don’t oversleep.

Whether you realize it or not, you are about to have more free time than you may ever have experienced before. Depending upon your class schedule and what you decide to do in terms of extracurricular activities, you will be completely left to your own devices. For most of you, this will be the very first time in which you must be in charge of getting yourself up and ready for the day, and setting the schedule for those 24 hours, 7 days a week; 10,080 minutes to be exact! 10,080 minutes.

Offering #2 – Get involved.

Beyond choosing what you will focus on in your course of study, I encourage you to search for meaningful moments. Whatever you choose to become involved with—be it an independent study, intramural athletics, fraternity or sorority life, volunteer service, student government, whatever—make sure you explore the possibilities beyond the classroom.

Offering #3 – Find a mentor.

Mentors are everywhere around you: your teachers, coaches, advisors, or family friends. Many of you have already developed strong relationships with folks whom you chat with regularly.

Remember: finding a person who truly cares about you and your future is a wonderful gift, and it behooves you to cultivate that relationship.

Offering #4 – Become a lifelong learner.

Parents, friends, and faculty, I implore you, please don’t throw anything at me or get the pitchforks out just yet, but Class of 2017, hear me when I say that it is the PURSUIT of learning that is so important, and not necessarily the final result.

Offering #5 – Choose to be positive.

You choose your attitude every day, plain and simple.

Playwright Tom Stoppard encourages us to do the following, noting that: “A healthy attitude is contagious, but don’t wait to catch it from others... Be a carrier.”

And so, Class of 2017, that’s my last bit of advice to you, before you walk out these doors today, diplomas in hand, with celebrations soon to begin.

I hope you can use these 5 short lessons as you develop your own set of rules and perspectives along your journey. However, I also hope that, most importantly, you know just how grateful I am for each of you.

As we say in my hometown of Nashville, I am “proud to know ya!”

You have made our School a better place, and you have enriched my life, and the life of the Roberts Family, with your presence.

Thank you.

Thank You, Class of 2017.

Your positive spirit and your genuine commitment to the ideals of our school are of the highest order, and our entire community owes you a great debt of thanks for leading us so capably this school year.

And, always remember, You may leave Palmer Trinity, but Palmer Trinity will never leave you.

PATRICK ROBERTS HE AD OF SCHOOL

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Contents | A E RIE , SU MME R 2017 BIRD’S E Y E VIE W 06

South Campus Opening

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The PTS Compost Initiative

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Honoring Senior Athletes

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Middle School Art

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The Palmer Trinity Ghost Shrimp Fossil Bed // Marine Science

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Once On This Island

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Dancing to a New Beat

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Model UN

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Understanding Immigration

PERSPECTIV ES 19

Sand Mandala

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Shadow A Student

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Lessons In Leadership

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Understanding Our Journeys

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VISION A ERIE 26

Servant Leadership and the Greater Good

E V EN TS 30

International Festival

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Grandparent’s Day

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PTPA Holiday Party

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Head of School Circle Reception

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Leadership Luncheon

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Sandy Golf and Tennis Tournament

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Graduation

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Class Notes

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Alumni Reunion Celebrations

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Collegiate Alumni Panel

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Alumni Holiday Party

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Alumni Reunion Weekend

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ALUMNI PROFILES 46

Juan Camilo Maldonado Tovar ‘01

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Lauren Santa Cruz ‘05

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Message From the Head of School

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Message From the Editor

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M E S S AG E F RO M T H E E D I T O R It is common knowledge that our lives pass by on a timeline with an established beginning and end. However, despite this linear nature, many aspects of our lives unfold in a cyclical fashion, like the changing seasons or the ticking of a clock.

As our 8th graders “moved-up” to high school and our seniors embarked on exciting new journeys another cycle came to an end. After a year of demanding work and thrilling accomplishments as a community, the need and appreciation of summer’s rejuvenation was a theme that swept the campus of Palmer Trinity School.

Among the many highlights of the 2016-2017 school year, perhaps most notably, we opened the gates of our South Campus!

The combined unflinching support put forth by our students, parents, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees and administration was a beautiful reminder of our school’s remarkable sense of community. We are continually moving forward to offer new opportunities for our students through the expansion of the campus.

This past year was exciting for our adventurous students, who traveled to South Africa, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, England, and Argentina amongst other locations.

Back at home, while our seniors made some meaningful decisions about their collegiate path, our eighth graders spent a week in Washington, D.C. learning about our founding ancestors, hearing from Senators and Representatives in Congress, and revealing that they were more than ready for high school.

The extracurricular events at Palmer Trinity School were abundant as ever this year. Our Varsity Soccer teams and Varsity Girls Track team went to the first round of the State Championships, while many of our teams went onto Districts and Regional Finals. Our students won a Silver Knights Award and a Silver Knights Honorable Mention. Guests from all over the world traveled to our campus and spoke at our convocations and chapels. We were even visited by a Buddhist monk who artfully crafted a sand mandala for us. The art department displayed the work of our students during their annual art walk.

In addition, the band and orchestra played under the stars at Pinecrest Gardens, and our theatre department performed outdoors under the moon on our campus.

These, of course are just some of the many outstanding highlights of the past year. Reflecting upon these memories reveals the diverse opportunities that our school has to offer.

This edition of the Aerie will give you a glimpse into many of our programs here at Palmer Trinity School. As VisionAerie, our very own Head of School, Patrick Roberts, lends his wisdom and insight in this issues’ featured interview.

Perhaps most appropriately, our graduation marked the culmination of the school year as we celebrated all that has passed, all that is now, and all that is yet to come.

Graduation initiates our time of renewal, a critical component in the cycle of growth and triumph. All the effort expended during the school year is undeniably important, but often in our fast-paced culture we forget the importance of rest, where all the benefits of our hard work coalesce to restore our energy.

Year after year, cycle after cycle, Palmer Trinity School proves that it nurtures and fosters extraordinary students with bright, promising futures. With their compassion, intellect, and creativity, our students will continue to make our world a better place.

“ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

ELE A NOR ROOSEV ELT

SUZ ANNE GOT TLIEB CALLE JA A S S OCIAT E HE A D OF S CHOOL FOR COMMUNICATIONS A ND ST R AT EGIC PA RT NERSHIP S

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BIRD’S EYE VIEW

SOUTH CAMPUS OPENING

BY PAUL ZAMEK , ASSOCIATE HE AD OF SCHOOL FOR OPERATIONS

ON FEBRUARY 10TH , PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF ITS SOUTH CAMPUS ENTRANCE ON S.W. 184TH STREET. THE GRAND OPENING WAS A SUCCESS, AS ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND PRESENT AND PAST MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES GATHERED TO WITNESS THIS HISTORIC MOMENT FOR OUR SCHOOL.

The ceremony began with over one thousand students, faculty, staff members, and invited guests marching from the North Campus to the South Campus, led by bagpipers and flag-holders. As they approached the gate, the community gathered around the stage to hear from Head of School Patrick Roberts, Board Chair Michael Baiamonte, and the Bishop of Southeast Florida, Peter Eaton. Bishop Eaton blessed the opening, and Mr. Roberts then ceremoniously cut the ribbon to allow parents and students access in and out of the School.

All civil engineering work was completed in February, as was the South Entrance Welcome Center. However, the Welcome Center at the North Entrance was completed in May. The main athletic field and track on the South Campus are nearing completion and will be ready for play in August. More exciting facilities are on the horizon.

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THE PTS COMPOST INITIATIVE

BY ANDREW SHODELL, CL ASS OF 2019

FOR YEARS, garbage trucks have picked up Palmer Trinity’s food waste from the cafeteria and taken it to landfills, where it builds up.

Side by side with plastic bags, cartons, and bottle caps, this neglected food takes up space, creates smells, and contaminates the Earth. Food scraps make up 20 percent of all waste that is put in landfills. Organic materials, including many of those foods, can be kept away from landfills and broken down by a process called composting. Palmer Trinity started composting on January 18, 2017. What is composting, and how does it work at Palmer Trinity?

Palmer Trinity owns two composters: one purchased online, and another donated by science teacher Mr. Evans. Each is a different kind of composter that uses a slightly different method to break down its waste.

The composter bought by the Palmer Trinity Compost Initiative is called a “tumbler,” and it has a big barrel suspended atop two stilts.

The barrel has a lever attached to its side that is used to spin the composter. The composter

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has to be spun once a day, which causes aeration in the chamber containing the food waste, breaking down all of the food instead of a small amount. The bin is spun for 14 days before the waste is fully broken down by heat, oxygen, and microbial bacteria. In order to have the capability to be broken down, food waste cannot be the only material inside the compost bin. “Browns” like dead leaves and grass clippings should ideally outnumber the food waste by up to 30 times in order to create an environment suitable for the decomposition of organic trash. The carbon to nitrogen ratio dictates the decomposition process. Many online sites sell “compost activators,” which are condensed cubes of browns that can improve the carbon to nitrogen ratio. As a relatively inexpensive and effective catalyst, the PTS Compost Initiative will use a combination of activators and dead leaves around campus to fuel the compost.

The other kind of composter is a cube which does not require spinning and is not suspended. The cube is a small box with a floor open to the ground, meant to attain

geothermal heat and natural bacteria for the process of breaking down. This uses the “addas-you-go” process, allowing food to be added to the composter daily. A small opening at the bottom of the cube allows for the oldest and most decomposed food waste to leave the cube as newer food comes in. Earthworms and other natural catalysts can be added to the pile in order to speed up the process.

The end product of all the composting is naturally fertilized, especially healthy soil rather than waste that sits in a landfill. The trees produced from composted soil will consume carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Composting results in an eco-friendly recycling process.

Soil produced from Palmer Trinity’s composters can be used in the garden and around campus, or wherever it is needed.

The PTS Compost Initiative has volunteers that spin the compost tumbler after school, help direct students to the correct bin while disposing of their food, and transport bags of excess food to the composters. We are doing our part to sustain the environment.

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

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HONORING SENIOR ATHLETES

WINSOR ALSTON Varsity Boys Basketball

MARCUS ALVAREZARANGO

MARCO BERTEMATTI Varsity Boys Football

DYLAN DIBELLO

Varsity Boys Football Varsity Boys Lacrosse

ARTURO GALAN

Varsity Boys Lacrosse

Varsity Girls Tennis

ALISSA DOBRINSKY

Varsity Girls Basketball

JULIAN GALLARDO

Varsity Boys Basketball, MGR Varsity Boys Lacrosse

ALEXA GARCIA

Varsity Girls Volleyball (not pictured)

Varsity Boys Soccer

Varsity Cross Country Varsity Track & Field

AMANDA BROWN

Varsity Boys Basketball

ALEJANDRO ALVAREZ

ETHAN HILL

SOFIA IGLESIAS

Varsity Girls Basketball Varsity Track & Field Varsity Girls Volleyball, MGR

GEORGIA BURLINGAME

Varsity Girls Lacrosse

CHRISTOPHER DORSY Varsity Boys Soccer

ARIANA GOMEZ

Varsity Girls Soccer Varsity Track & Field

DEVIN ARAGONDUENAS

Varsity Boys Baseball

ALEXANDRA ESCO

Varsity Girls Basketball Varsity Girls Lacrosse

PAULA GUTIERREZ Varsity Girls Soccer

Varsity Cheerleading Varsity Girls Lacrosse

JONATHAN BENITEZ Varsity Boys Lacrosse

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Varsity Girls Softball

Varsity Cross Country

Varsity Boys Football

Varsity Boys Tennis

LAUREN KELLER

GABRIELLA CEPEDA

ALBERT FERNANDEZ CHARLES BAILEY

Varsity Boys Soccer

CARLOS CARVAJAL

Varsity Boys Soccer

SALMA ATASSI

ANDRES JIMENEZLAURIA

AMANDA CLAVIJO Varsity Cheerleading

DANIELA DIAZ

Varsity Track & Field Varsity Girls Volleyball

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JULIETTE HAMILTON Varsity Girls Soccer Varsity Girls Volleyball Varsity Track & Field

HENRY FERNANDEZ Varsity Cross Country Varsity Boys Soccer

WILLIAM KRUEGER Varsity Boys Football

FABIANA LACAU COLE HEBBLE

Varsity Boys Baseball

Varsity Cheerleading Varsity Girls Lacrosse

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

SASHA LALANNE

Varsity Boys Lacrosse

HAILEY MALUEG

Varsity Girls Soccer

IMRAN PANJABI

Varsity Boys Basketball

CATHARINE ROMEO Varsity Cheerleading

AMANDA MARTIN DANTE LANG

Varsity Cheerleading

Varsity Cross Country Varsity Track & Field

ASHLEY QUERO

Varsity Girls Volleyball

CHAD SERRATE

Varsity Boys Football

HUNTER SERRATE VICTORIA ROSALES

Varsity Boys Lacrosse

Varsity Girls Soccer

AMBER MILLER

Varsity Cheerleading

DELANEY REYNOLDS

MIGUEL SIERRA

Varsity Girls Basketball

CURTIS LARY

Varsity Boys Soccer

ALEXA RUIZ

Varsity Boys Lacrosse

Varsity Girls Soccer Varsity Track & Field Varsity Girls Volleyball, MGR

SAVANNAH MILTON Varsity Track & Field

BEVERLY RHODES

JACOB WALDMAN

Varsity Girls Soccer, MGR Varsity Track & Field

MATTHEW LEWIS

Varsity Boys Basketball

Varsity Boys Lacrosse

TIANNA SCHIAPPA PIETRA Varsity Girls Soccer

NICOLAS MONTANA Varsity Boys Soccer

GRACE SEIDE SOFIA RIVAS

Varsity Girls Soccer Varsity Girls Softball

VALENTINA LOPEZ

Varsity Girls Lacrosse

Varsity Girls Volleyball (not pictured)

ANDREW WATSON Varsity Boys Soccer

CHRISTOPHER MONTOYA-REDLICH Varsity Boys Lacrosse

HOPE MORALES KATELYN MALLOY

Varsity Girls Basketball

Varsity Girls Volleyball (not pictured)

MARIO RODRIGUEZ Varsity Cross Country Varsity Track & Field

BROCK SERRATE

Varsity Boys Lacrosse

QUENTIN WHEELER Varsity Boys Baseball Varsity Boys Football

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Middle School Art MY 4TH -GRADE ART TEACHER, Ms. Scott, always told me that each art piece I developed was my very own original creation and I could choose my own design, shapes, and colors. Her advice overwhelmed me because I almost never had a chance to explore my own creativity in school. Art allowed me to branch away from the set formulas of division and multiplication, and I felt encouraged to make choices myself. Ever since Ms. Scott’s class, art has been one of my favorite subjects.

The independent thinking and the creative freedom built my confidence as I expressed both myself and my culture through my projects, especially after my move back to the U.S. following my years living abroad. After I gained confidence through my grade school art classes and college, I decided I wanted to share it with children who, like me, blossomed when creating art projects.

My interest in art-based youth empowerment led me to immerse myself in a career teaching middle school students at Palmer Trinity because I find artistic expression to be particularly critical for this age group. In my middle school classes, the young artists learn to generate and reveal their own ideas and values through art and are provided with an opportunity for personal expression solely through their unique perspective. I believe that exposure to art in these grades instills self-confidence and personal growth, and intellectually challenges students.

Middle school art experiences are especially important because of all the physical and

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BY S EJAL VAY WAL A , MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTS, FACULT Y

personal changes that the students go through.

Art becomes an instrument for processing these changes in their internal and external worlds. Moreover, we live in an age where there is a proliferation of images. Media affects our youth’s perceptions of themselves and the world. Art gives them a space to process the images we are bombarded with, to be mindful, and to thoughtfully develop their own personal perspectives. In 6th grade Discovery Art at Palmer Trinity, students design and execute everything from long-term projects such as original dot paintings inspired by Aboriginal art to quick five-minute warm-up drawings that help them utilize their imagination and transition into thinking outside of the box at the start of each class. In the 7th and 8th-grade middle school art elective, students become even more independent, further developing their unique ideas, and beginning to take their own positions on social issues. For instance, in a project inspired by artist Keith Haring, students build large-scale sculptures of dancing figures and paint symbols, words, and drawings that reveal issues they support and subjects they value in their everyday lives. Art becomes a pivotal medium for their own exploration and development. Additionally, middle school students are capable of more risk-taking, innovation, and sophisticated manipulation of materials and techniques. This process sets the groundwork for their more advanced upper school art classes.

BY TEACHING ART, I AM HONORED TO SHARE MY PASSION FOR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION WITH STUDENTS, HELPING TO BUILD THEIR IMAGINATION, BOOSTING THEIR SELF-ESTEEM, ENCOURAGING SELF-EXPRESSION, AND CHALLENGING THEIR MINDS AND HEARTS.

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

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THE PALMER TRINITY

GHOST SHRIMP FOSSIL BED

BY BRIAN ME ALE Y, UPPER SCHOOL SCIENCE, FACULT Y

IT WAS APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS AGO that a University of Miami professor and Palmer Trinity parent, Dr. Donald McNeill, brought his geology class to PTS and spent a considerable amount of time in the north campus limestone garden. It sparked an interest among the faculty and staff and I volunteered to find out more.

Approaching the group, I noticed the students looking intently at the limestone and taking notes.

“Good afternoon! Do you know what you have here?” asked Dr. McNeill.

“Limestone rock,” I responded. He smiled and my lesson began.

We were standing on an incredible representation of Florida’s limestone formations between the North campus baseball field and the north parking lot of Palmer Trinity School. This area is a true journey into South Florida’s past. Once, the area was overgrown with vegetation and hidden from view. Now it’s exposed and reveals a geological and paleontological view of the past. This area was once a shoreline with a sandy bottom, teaming with marine life. One invertebrate in particular, the burrowing ghost shrimp, called this shoreline home.

If you have ever snorkeled off a sandy Florida beach, you probably saw the entrances of the ghost shrimp burrows. They appear to be small hills covering the sandy floor. They’re often seen with jets of water and sand being expelled from the entrance as the shrimp maintains the burrow.

These burrows can be several feet in length.

MARINE SCIENCE

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, the water here receded, exposing the area to the air and other environmental factors that contributed to the limestone formation and the fossilization of the ghost shrimp burrows. As you peer into the eroded limestone formations on campus, you can see the fossilized remains of the burrows.

Dr. Leo Llinas’ Marine Science class had the opportunity to build custom spinning rods as part of their semester project during both the fall and spring semesters. Twenty students under the instruction of Dr. Llinas and our school Librarian, Eric Ballesteros, worked carefully — giving special attention to detail in order to complete their custom wrapped rods. Over a five-week period, Dr. Llinas and his students learned the basic skills of custom rod building as well as experiencing a “reality check” in the form of a lesson in patience and perseverance.

Twelve of the best fishing poles were selected and entered into the Dade County Youth Fair’s Fishing Division and were on display in the Student Exhibition Hall at the Dade County Youth Fair through April 16, 2017.

This unique geological fossil bed has been incorporated into a lab within the PTS biology and science classes. Alumni Albert Fernandez ‘17 and Hunter Serrate ‘17 designed and implemented a ghost shrimp burrow count transect line during their freshman year and fine-tuned the lab in their Marine Environment classes. The lab exposes Palmer Trinity students to this unique geological feature on our campus and provides a unique experience in the students’ learning.

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BY ERIC BALLESTEROS, LIBRARIAN

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Once On This Island

A MUSICAL TO FIT THE TROPICAL BEAUT Y OF PTS

THIS YEAR HAS MARKED A TURNING POINT IN OUR THEATRE DEPARTMENT AS WE WELCOMED THE SCHOOL’S NEW THEATRE TEACHER, MR. MICHAEL STODDARD.

Mr. Stoddard comes from a musical theatre background. He has a Master’s degree in Theatre Education, created Community Theatre Works—one of the largest education theatres in Wisconsin, and recently performed as Lord Farquaad in Shrek. His latest ambition at Palmer Trinity School was to direct an outdoor musical that involved the entire PTS community.

“One of the things I love about Palmer Trinity is the stunning campus. I longed to do an outdoor show in the heart of it. When I walked the grounds outside, Once on This Island jumped out to me immediately. The Caribbean score and dialogue that refers to nature and journeying around the island seemed perfect,” he said.

Mr. Stoddard was looking for a show that could unify all the grades and the faculty. He wanted an ensemble show where the actors rarely left the stage, the success of the production wouldn’t fall on a few principal actors, and the roles were appropriate for all ages. A large ensemble show would mean that the production would not be able to be contained within the black box theatre. Thus began the construction of the outdoor stage.

“We built a large stage that allowed us to take the audience into the heart of campus at night; they were able to feel the beautiful 70 degree breeze and hear wonderful Caribbeaninspired music from our students,” remarked Mr. Stoddard.

The musical was a true masterpiece that marked the end of the school year with festivity.

Once on This Island’s 30-foot stage was a colorful and intricate masterpiece that used the trees already on our grounds as part of the set.

Students worked hard at painting and crafting leaves, trees, and ocean scenery. The effect was a colorful and eye-catching visual treat.

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Dancing to a New Beat MRS. RODRIGUEZ BEGAN TEACHING AT PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL at the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year. With a background in education, theater, and dance, she has breathed new life into Palmer Trinity School’s dance program. With great enthusiasm, she embraced the school and found inspiration in the positive PTS community.

its infancy, I have ambitious plans for the Palmer Trinity School Dance program and dancers. We have performed several times in this, our inaugural year, and my goal is to eventually build a dance team that would perform at school gatherings, sporting events, community events, as well as potentially participate in regional dance competitions!”

“I am thrilled to be surrounded by such encouraging and creative administrators, teachers, parents, and most of all, such motivated students,” she said.

The “Original Six” dancers from the Fall semester and the “Talented Ten” dancers from the Spring semester showed a dedication and love for dance that amazed Mrs. Rodriguez. Students learned Modern and Contemporary, Technique, Leaps and Tricks, Ballet, Theatrical Tap and Jazz, Hip Hop and Peer Choreography. At the end of the

“This is the second time I have had the privilege to build a dance program from the ground up and though it is currently in

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year, the dancers had learned over 10 routines in various genres, as well as choreographed their own pieces, performed them for the class, and professionally written out their own choreography.

Student Sophia Fornaris says, “I love that every girl in the class is eager to dance and expresses herself freely. I chose this class to improve my dance skills and to become an overall better dancer. I love that Mrs. Rodriguez is always eager to help me when I’m having trouble on a dance step. I really look forward to more girls joining the dance program. Dance helps me express my inner self and makes me feel free.”

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

MODEL UN

BY CHRISTOPHER HUDSON, CL ASS OF 2018

IF YOU HAPPENED TO BE AT LA GUARDIA AIRPORT at

around 9:30 p.m. on the 18 of March, 2017, then you might have seen four students accompanied by two adults shivering in the cold, waiting for a taxi. You would probably be able to tell that they were not from New York. For one, they wore huge insulating coats, scarves, and gloves but somehow managed to stay cold. One student was also very excited at the sight of snow. th

The very next day, this group would be dressed in suits, ties, and other formal attire sitting in the General Assembly Hall in the United Nation’s Headquarters listening to a few keynote speakers. The day after that, they could once again be found in their “adult” clothes in the UN’s Headquarters, only this time they would no longer be themselves — they would be Delegates to the state of Burundi representing the interests of their nation.

A few months prior, these students had received an all-school email inviting them to attend the first Model United Nations meeting at Palmer Trinity School. About 16 people attended the first meeting, but with time the club began thinning out. Eventually, there were seven committed individuals eager to build a serious Model UN program within their school. The students and teachers alike had to teach themselves what Model UN was about, and its particular semantics.

The group learned that at Model UN, each school is assigned a country and a topic. Students are supposed to research the topic and its country’s stance on the issue. At the conference, a Delegate (the name for the participants) loses his/her identity and becomes a vessel to enact the will of the nation they represent. As a result, the conferences do away with personal pronouns and the focus turns towards debating the issues.

The debate follows a particular structure with allotted speaking time, specific language, and other particular decorum. The club had to teach itself all of this, running Model United Nations simulations after school every Monday. When the general flow of the conference was achieved, the group turned to researching Burundi and its stance on increasing

African representation in the Security Council as well as how it could contribute to stability and good governance in its continent. After months of work, four of the seven students hopped on a plane and a few hours later found themselves in frigid weather in New York City.

They felt prepared, albeit a little nervous. All around there was a sense of responsibility. This was Palmer Trinity’s first Model United Nations team in almost 15 years and there was no option but to take it seriously.

At the conference, the students faced something that no amount of rehearsal could prepare them for: the number of people attending. The rooms were filled with 300-350 people, and although the structured portion of the debate was comfortable enough, the students had to improvise for the unmoderated caucuses. In an unmoderated caucus, delegates are allowed to walk around the room forming alliances and discussing the topic with other delegations in a more informal manner.

The most exciting portion of the conference is that students learn diplomacy and networking skills in order to build a strong bloc — an alliance between nations. Group chats were formed, Google docs were shared, emails were exchanged, and one truly got a glimpse of how the 21st century is impacting politics and international discourse.

The students also learned how diplomacy extends far beyond the conference itself. Students from other schools would meet for lunch and dinner and would organize meetings in the hotel lobby. At night, between typical high school conversation topics, one could hear, “So, what do you think we should do about the “veto?” If we don’t mention it maybe Russia will support us and, to be honest, we need one of the P5 members on our side if we have any chance of our resolution passing.”

Model United Nations consumed every minute of the delegates’ time at the conference and beyond. Students forgot they were pretending and became fully committed to the ideas of their nations. They got excited, stressed, and frustrated, much like real delegates in the United Nations.

Students felt that everything they did could make a difference in the world, whether they were simulating or not.

The result was inspiring. Yes, some could choose to see the conference as children playing dress-up entertaining their imaginations with no real purpose, but that very thought is itself immature. It is important to remember that every skilled diplomat today was once an adolescent.

Every individual who has contributed to the maintenance of world peace once had the same high school conversations as people have today. It was inspiring to see the generation of the future take charge and feel responsibility for their place in the world. The statement may be cliche, but that does not make it untrue, the people at these conferences are the leaders of the future. At these conferences, young men and women learn the valuable skills of diplomacy, networking, public speaking, and research all while learning about international relations. It is a privilege for any school to offer a Model United Nations program, and Palmer Trinity can take great pride in knowing that they have built a spirited Model UN club.

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UNDERSTANDING IMMIGRATION

BY ANDERSON STE WART, SPANISH, FACULT Y THE PURPOSE OF INDEPENDENT RESE ARCH IS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS A STRUCTURE THROUGH WHICH THE Y CAN DRIVE THEIR OWN INTEREST IN A TOPIC, WORK AT THEIR OWN PACE, AND DEMONSTR ATE WHAT THE Y HAVE DISCOVERED IN A MANNER OF THEIR CHOICE.

Recognizing the need to stimulate a sustained culture of rigorous independent research within Palmer Trinity’s middle school curriculum, this Honors seminar provided thirty-five eighthgraders an opportunity to explore in-depth the various complexities that reside under the increasingly complex topic of immigration in the United States. This seminar asked the following of participants: 1 / Choose a topic related to immigration.

2 / Create an essential question to explore & answer.

3 / Conduct varied research.

4 / Craft and display this project by incorporating characteristics such as native language, cultural background and history, and other abilities through a variety of media.

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Students could use creative or formal writing, visual displays, film, music, art, performances, etc. True to the seminar’s philosophy, students were allowed expressive freedom in an effort to encourage them to cultivate and display their unique talents while demonstrating topical mastery.

During the course of four Saturday sessions in March and April, each three hours in length, instructors facilitated student-led discussions on topics concerning U.S. immigration related to linguistics, history, statistics, and civics.

Students participated in a range of activities from discussions on the (mis)representations of immigrants in the media to debates on legal policies concerning immigration and how to best adapt them to the demands of an ever-evolving society. On the second of those Saturday sessions, students skyped with former Palmer Trinity student, Harvard graduate, and Fulbright scholar, Andrea Ortíz ‘12. Ortíz is currently conducting emigration research in her native Mexico. Many students considered this interview to be one of the highlights of the seminar as it provided the unique opportunity to engage with someone close in age to them who is currently pursuing sustained, independent research. It allowed them to

envision themselves doing something similar in the near future.

On the fourth and final Saturday, a question and answer session with two panels comprised of legal experts on immigration and immigrants with ties to Palmer Trinity provided students with both legal and personal perspectives on the immigration process. Many students would later describe this experience as both eye-opening and instrumental in helping them whittle down their individual topics of research.

The culminating event was the showcase where participants presented their individual projects to attending parents, faculty, and friends.

From video to tactile displays, graphic art and mixed media, the medley of projects and presentations covering a vast number of issues in U.S. immigration highlighted the extensive talent and insight these eighth graders deployed in researching and answering their essential questions. As a pilot program, this has been an unqualified success and signals uncharted progress, not only for the development of these and future young scholars as independent researchers, but also towards an inquisitive academic culture at PTS that dispels with the traditional approach to learning. Welcome to the 21st century.

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SAND MANDAL A

IT’S NOT EVERY DAY THAT OUR SCHOOL RECEIVES A VISIT FROM A MONK, and it’s certainly not every day that we get to witness the construction of a sand mandala. Between March 14 and March 17 we were fortunate to experience both.

Lama Tenzin Yignyen, a Buddhist monk from Tibet, and professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, visited Palmer Trinity School with a simple message: treat others with compassion. His sand mandala acted as an artistic representation of compassion and unity, featuring designs of

each of the elements, flowers, and a variety of vibrant colors. During his construction of the mandala, Lama Tenzin spoke to students, faculty, and staff about the importance of having a good heart and a good head on your shoulders. Additionally, each morning he led daily lessons in meditation for students, faculty and staff, and some parents. He answered questions about life, philosophy, and his personal history, enlightening many in our community.

It took four days for the sand mandala to be completed. Once it was finished, students

and faculty gathered around as Lama Tenzin prayed and began to dismantle his mandala.

Students helped Lama Tenzin brush the sand into a container for transport to a river across the street from campus. In a stunning ceremony witnessed by students and faculty, Lama Tenzin released the sand from the mandala into the water. You might ask, why dismantle a work of art that beautiful? The act of releasing the sand was symbolic. It represents our own impermanence in this world, and that all beautiful things must one day come to an end.

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SHADOW A STUDENT ON GROUNDHOG DAY, when the country

places its winter forecast in the hands of a rodent, I took on another kind of shadow mission for the day. I participated in the “Shadow a Student Challenge” alongside Academic Dean, Mrs. Truby and Middle School Dean of Students, Mrs. Schael. Each of us shadowed a student, one from each middle school grade, in an attempt to see how the school is functioning from the student’s perspective. This exercise was a way for other school leaders and I to examine some of the School’s decisions and look at making other decisions in the future with the best interests of the students in mind.

Going into the experience, I knew it would be critical to find the right student to shadow (one that could tolerate me for an entire day).

Luckily I found a perfect match. The student and I agreed to meet in morning advisory right before 8:00 a.m. and I would remain with him until the ending bell at 3:00 p.m.

The only disclaimer I gave the student was that whatever he did, I would do with him.

That meant we would walk the path between classes together, participate in classes together, and worst of all – wait in the lunch line together. As I told my student that morning, “If you typically break any of the school rules, don’t let my presence deter you.” After looking at me with some shock and surprise, he agreed and we were on our way for the day.

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BY PETER TOLMACH, HE AD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

While in 8th grade English, we read the final pages of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and came across the quote: “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.”

I had to pause and read that line again. When I did, it gave me validation that I was not crazy for participating in the shadow experience.

How else could we really know what students go through without standing in their shoes and walking around in them? It was a perfect “a-ha” moment. I was walking in the shoes of a student to get to know his perspective of school. Of course I remember what it was like to be 14 years old, but today’s 14-yearold is much different than a 14-year-old who grew up in the late 80’s, early 90’s. I wanted to know, firsthand, what today’s students are doing, seeing, and, as best I could tell, feeling throughout the day.

Through this experience, I could see much clearer that our students live a fast-paced life.

Students have eight periods that are forty-five minutes long and each of them felt quick.

Just when we began to dive into one item, it was time to go to the next class. I wonder if students have time to absorb all of the ideas that are being thrown at them. On top of classes, they have to maneuver many activities outside of the classroom. There’s athletics,

academic clubs, enrichment activities, tutoring, and performances. With the advent of the internet, cell phones, and social media, students face social challenges at a much faster pace than students ten to fifteen years ago. I do not envy students nowadays but I am fortunate that I am in a position to help them navigate this phase of life.

In everything I do — from decision-making to programs to speeches — I do so with the students in mind. Having spent the day with a student, I was able to see the school day through their eyes. I was immersed in the lessons, took notes in math class, wrote in a journal in English class, played handball in PE, and took quizzes in Science and American Studies. I was reaffirmed in my belief that we are doing productive learning activities in our classes. The teachers really care for their students and strive to make learning apparent each day. The students are engaged in their learning, active in the classrooms, and profound in their thoughts. My presence in the classroom did not seem to change their dynamic. We did manage to break one rule – we put our backpacks in the locker room during lunch. Thankfully, no one caught us!

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LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

BY ADRIANNA TRUBY, ACADEMIC DE AN LAST SUMMER I ATTENDED THE GCLI (GARDNER CARNEY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE) CONFERENCE, WHERE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY ENGAGE IN THE STUDY OF LEADERSHIP.

Throughout the conference, I gained a far better understanding of my own leadership style, a keen awareness that the boundaries between leaders and followers are porous, and a certainty that those who serve in either role are more effective when they are allowed to shift freely between the two. By participating in the conference, I realized how imperative it is to teach our students the skills of leadership and to create authentic venues for the students to develop those skills.

My first lesson in leadership began as most powerful learning begins: with a look inward. I

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was required to ask a supervisor, two peers, and one student for an evaluation of me as a leader.

I took a leap of faith and asked two colleagues whom I respect, but sense are not always pleased with my leadership style. Yet, I knew that if I wanted to gain the most from the conference, I needed to request feedback from those who would assess me without sparing my feelings.

My risk paid off. The evaluators felt valued and encouraged me to ask other administrators to follow suit. I learned that the simple gesture of asking for feedback showed leadership and trust in myself and in my colleagues. It may have shown a healthy balance of confidence and humility. By reading the evaluations at the conference, I also learned much about the colleagues who wrote them. They were genuine and thoughtful. Also, they noted aspects of my

leadership that I hardly appreciated and they offered helpful, constructive criticism. I value their opinions and the brave step they took to communicate with me. This exercise gave me significant pause; it forced me to reflect on the ways I may have been leading as well as the ways in which I would navigate those relationships moving forward.

The second most helpful exercise of the lab was participation in the Consultation Model.

In this exercise, we explored a multifaceted administrative challenge that one member chose to share with the group. We were tasked with focusing on the process of finding a solution, not the solution itself. I quickly found that using the word ‘process’ and actually engaging in the process are two very different activities. I think most participants shared my sense of frustration. Initially, each of us thought

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we knew the answer and wanted to provide the solution. Yet, in resisting that urge to solve, we worked through the problem in far greater depth and gained a richer understanding of the nature of the topic at hand. Together we simplified the issue, asked clarifying questions, and concluded with probing questions. We led and we learned. We witnessed the ways in which our ability to guide effective discussion transformed the group dynamic. Attention to the exchange of ideas rather than the need to find a solution helped me grow more attuned to my own style of participation. As often happens, by actively listening, I created space for other voices to emerge.

Lastly, GCLI confirmed for me that everything my grandmother ever said about adolescent behavior is essentially true, only now we have the science to prove it! And that makes all

the difference to the status of our profession as educators, doesn’t it? The celebrated scientists and keynote speakers led us through fascinating presentations on the science behind leadership, the teenage thought patterns, their decision-making, motivation, and group dynamic. Our week was spent delving into the science, research, reports, and case studies of successful implementation of leadership programs. Such serious study and constructive venues for meaningful dialogue helped me move forward with deliberation and foresight.

I returned to the new school year and engaged my colleagues in questions of why and how we will raise leaders. Where and when do we want to begin? How do we keep authentic work at the core of our program? What will a leader look like and how will we know when we have achieved our goal?

I understood that I could not insist on a school-wide approach to teaching leadership that all faculty and students would accept.

Such teaching takes time and requires space.

We need to create space for consideration of the situation we are stepping into. We need to create space during the situation to adapt, respond, and witness with a real presence of mind. We need to create space after the experience to reflect and consider how to proceed.

As I engage my colleagues and students in this conversation around leadership, I’m forced to ask myself if such teaching is an innovative 21st century educational trend, as some may argue, or as fundamental as teaching our ABCs. Honestly, I am not sure. But, I do know that this dialogue is critical to our profession today.

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Understanding Our Journeys

BY RE V. DR. MARY ELLEN CASSINI, CHAPL AIN

Ulysses by Lord Alfred Tennyson I cannot rest from travel: I will drink Life to the lees: All times I have enjoy’d Greatly, have suffer’d greatly, both with those That loved me, and alone, on shore, ...To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

and learned about the power of focus and the impermanence of this life as symbolized by the artistry. We are stardust.

Recently, poet Richard Blanco celebrated the written word with our students. His search for home enlightened the community with the recognition that we are becoming part of our own memories. His powerful words flowed through our souls, touching each one of us in different ways.

Understanding the journey is not always possible.

We are all on a journey. And as we travel through the minutes, hours, and days of our lives, we glance at eternity in brief moments. This semester, Palmer Trinity has pondered what it means to travel and grow as individuals.

Each visitor provided a lens to view the impact and transitions that each of us as human beings experience during our lifetime, and to contemplate the mystery of where our journeys may take us.

Our hope creates for us a faithful accompaniment on the journey.

Our students and faculty are journeying to many places in the world, meeting new people, and exploring new cities. As we explore, we learn not only about our new environments but also about ourselves and who we are becoming.

A prayer from Jennifer Pharr Davis’ visit clearly articulates the power of the journey:

In January, Jennifer Pharr Davis spoke to the community about her work, Becoming Odyssa, and shared her odyssey through the Appalachian Trail on foot from Georgia to Maine. The experience was life changing and brought her to a profound understanding of both what it means to be selfreliant, and how to engage others and be a healthy participant in the community.

In February, Denis Belliveau, co- author of In the Footsteps of Marco Polo, explored with students and faculty the gift of going to new places and encountering diverse cultures. This exploration leads one to a deeper knowledge of oneself.

In March, Lama Tenzin Yignyen — Tibetan Buddhist monk from Hobart Smith College — created a sand mandala over four days, applying deep contemplation and skill. Students watched

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O God, who is our companion on along the journey of life, be with us, Emmanuel, during times of joy and suffering. Let us engage in the world and be inspired by the power of nature. Help us to take the time to appreciate the small wonders of creation.

Enable us to be silent and alone, as well as in community with each other, to learn about ourselves and others in the world. We pray this in the name of the One God, who is the Creator of our World and who said at creation, “It is good.” Amen.

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SERVANT LEADERSHIP AND THE GREATER GOOD

VISIONAERIE: PATRICK ROBERTS

BY S UZANNE GOT TLIEB CALLEJA , ASSOCIATE HE AD FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

WHAT IS A VISIONARY? AS DEFINED IN THE DICTIONARY, A VISIONARY IS “A PERSON WHO THINKS ABOUT OR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE WITH IMAGINATION AND WISDOM.” 26

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Patrick Roberts is a visionary.

While conducting my interview with him for this article, I was reminded of his warmth and how he evokes the qualities of a true Southern gentleman. He is dignified, but also focused and humble. When he asks how you are doing, he genuinely wants to know. As many good leaders would agree, being in charge is only part of their responsibility. Patrick would likely say that it is not the most interesting thing about him. He is first and foremost an educator.

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Rather than begin with a series of successes, or list each successive senior position he has held, Patrick began by talking about loss and heartbreak.

When he was 11, his older brother died in a tragic car accident, followed by the loss of his mother in his early adulthood. Despite those impactful losses, he expressed how lucky he was to be a member of a very close-knit family.

“I was blessed within my family—there were some strong individuals that influenced me when I was younger. I spent summers working on my maternal grandfather’s farm. I learned a lot from my grandparents, and developed a very simple, common sense approach to life. However, my father is by far the greatest influence in my life, and someone who I am lucky is still with me. I don’t get to see him as often as I like. However, he has been a great father, and now a friend,” he says.

“My mother was the kindest person I know. She was open and accepting of all people,” Patrick says. “Mom was always there for me.”

Patrick leads a very full life, a hallmark of visionaries. He met his wife Laura and her son TJ in 2005. He knew instantly that they were his family. In addition to TJ, now 24, Patrick and Laura have four children under the age of nine: Cook, Hagan, John Patrick and Katherine Ann. Patrick attended Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA), a private boys’ school. In 1993, when MBA invited him back as a volunteer and coach,

he knew that education and working with young people was exactly what his life’s work should be. His AP English teacher, Mary Ellen Lowry, reinforced a work ethic that he still follows. “You had to be prepared in her class,” he explained.

“You had to be ready.”

Since 2014, he has been the Head of School at Palmer Trinity, and just as significant, he has taught sixth grade and an independent study course. He believes that success, as it is often defined, is not always measurable in well-ordered data. After spending nearly 25 years in education, he recognizes that numbers may obscure a larger truth: “There is such an emphasis on the quantifiable,” he says, “when it really should be the qualitative experience that needs to be focused on. What are we doing to push our students appropriately and to challenge them so that they develop the skills they need to work both individually and in teams, rather than fixating only on test scores?”

The concept of “teams” is significant to Patrick.

“I was always a part of a team — as a student, as a coach, and when I worked at an advertising agency immediately after college. We are much stronger when we work together. I think so many good benefits come from being a part of a team,” he says.

As a rule, visionaries are open-minded and unafraid of change. They actively seek out new ideas. This is what the ‘team’ mentality did for Patrick. “For me, from an organizational

below, from left Rising 8th-grade family trip to Sea Island, GA with his maternal grandparents, June 1983; High school graduation from MBA with friend Demetri; Patrick Roberts and Harvey Sperling; Patrick Roberts with his two closest friends – David Boring (left) is Mr. Roberts’ former mentor who served as Associate Head of School in Michigan and Andy Knote (right) teaches English and coaches soccer at University Liggett School in Michigan.

Every day I learn something new.

Whether it is a perspective that I might not have been aware of or an approach, every day I am learning. I think that concept is critical for educators.

As educators, when we say ‘we know it all,’ I think it’s time to retire. The attitude needed is that I am going to learn something today. I am going to come out better today than when I started. I need to put myself in a position to learn.”

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standpoint, the best thing I can do is be a great coach,” he says. “Support those teams, give them encouragement, set the tone, set the expectations, give them resources, but ultimately, when we work together, we become much stronger —from the top down. Some teams are created in a formal way, some just come together, but that spirit of collaboration is very important to me.”

‘Team’ is not merely a tidy metaphor for Patrick; he truly believes that his good fortune with teammates is what brought him to Palmer Trinity. He credits certain teammates, his mentors, with shepherding him along the right path. Besides Mary Ellen Lowry, there was Brad Gioia, the Head of School at MBA. Brad asked Patrick to lead the Annual Giving program, given Patrick’s unique position as alum, teacher, and coach. This work made Patrick contemplate being a Head of School himself one day.

Patrick’s father suggested that if he was thinking along those lines, he should meet Harvey Sperling, who became another important mentor. At that time, Harvey was Head of School at University School in Milwaukee and had been involved in education for more than two decades. Patrick shadowed Harvey, who gave him the confidence he needed to know that he could be the leader he wanted to be. Today, Harvey sits on Palmer Trinity’s Board of Trustees. “There are lots of definitions of leadership,” Harvey explains, “but vision, integrity, humility, compassion and a bit of mirth are at the core, and Patrick models them brilliantly.”

“Another real mentor for me is David Booring.

He was the Associate Head of University Liggett School. I learned all about the business side of schools from David. We spent a lot of time together focusing on the Admissions and Business side of school life,” remembers Patrick.

Matthew Hanley, Patrick’s boss at University Liggett School in Grosse Point Woods, Michigan, was another instrumental person on his path. Patrick was working as the Director of Admissions and Financial Assistance at that time. “Matthew was a tough manager and taught me the importance of details,” Patrick says.

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Thus, Patrick greatly values the importance of details and preparedness. He wants Palmer Trinity students to be prepared, and not just for the purpose of securing good jobs and financial security. They should be prepared to partake in the important discussions of our day, and Patrick worries that social media can be a distraction from achievement.

“Social media has a lot of good things that come from it, but I worry about our students being able to have a good discussion, to stay off their devices long enough to interact with each other, to connect socially and emotionally. Being able to sit down and have a mature conversation is critical to healthy relationships,” he says.

Connected to his vision of preparedness is his belief that discipline is essential, but not, perhaps, in the way that discipline is usually touted. Patrick thinks that discipline helps one be more accountable to the team and to oneself.

It requires discipline to give oneself a moment’s grace before responding to our accepted life of immediacy. He expressed, “I speak all the time about the fact that it is okay if it takes a day to get back to someone on an email. Sometimes we need to think through ideas before sending an instantaneous response. It takes real discipline to turn off the phone at night. It takes discipline to sit and engage. We need to do that as a community. These devices are tools for us, but they should not mandate or run our lives. We need the discipline to use them properly.”

Interestingly, visionaries sit at a unique intersection. They are present, disciplined, and welcome collaborative big picture ideas for the future. They are also ignited by curiosity and imagination which propels them out into the world, often into unfamiliar territory.

For Patrick, this is where his life in education has brought him. Patrick’s personal education came from both formal training and a lot of volunteer work. He joined the Volunteer Action Council in college and worked at the Boys Club in Richmond, Virginia coaching basketball and football, as well as organizing tutors. He went into communities to learn what resources they needed, and then raised funds for them (even getting his fraternity involved in fundraising for the Boys Club).

His formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and communications from the University of Richmond, and a master’s in educational leadership and administration and supervision from Lipscomb University in Tennessee.

“Every day I learn something new. Whether it is a perspective that I might not have been aware of or a new approach, every day I am learning,” he says. “I think that concept is critical for educators. As educators, when we say ‘we know it all,’ I think it’s time to retire.

The attitude needed is that I am going to learn something today. I am going to come out better today than when I started. I need to put myself in a position to learn.”

It’s tempting to think that being a good listener and being open-minded and curious are all that is needed to create a visionary, but with that curiosity comes change and work.

Always work. As retired Brazilian soccer superstar Pele says, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” Patrick ascribes to that statement, and has used Pele’s words as a central message to the Class of 2017.

It is easy to look at a career like Patrick’s and see a clear trajectory for success, but Patrick knows that the work came first, “I am not afraid to take on any task. I hope I model collegiality. I have

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“There is such an emphasis on the quantifiable, when it really should be the qualitative experience that needs to be focused on. What are we doing to push our students appropriately and to challenge them so that they develop the skills they need to work both individually and in teams, rather than fixating only on test scores?

above At Patrick Roberts’ installation with his family; opposite page Mr. Roberts in July 1976 at age 6 in Nashville, Tennessee; on a farm in 1986

worked in a lot of different areas in many schools and I have some sense of what the challenges are, but I also really love what I do. I hope that is evident. I hope people see that I am not afraid to get my hands dirty. I want to work hard because I believe in what we are doing.”

time and on budget, something that has been over a decade in the making.”

Since Patrick arrived at Palmer Trinity he has seen his share of successes.

“I think Episcopal schools in general are unique in the sense that they try to address the spirit in whatever way, shape, or form,” Patrick explains.

“And with that in mind, we draw a wide range of people to that mission. So we have natural opportunities for diversity, inclusivity, service, and experiences for our students to develop strong moral character and leadership skills.

Regardless of what one believes, those skills will transfer well in the future into being a good spouse, employee, colleague, friend, and contributor. This kind of teaching goes beyond the academic and physical aspect of

“We have already completed much of the work in our Strategic Plan, sooner than projected.

We are already envisioning the next steps in our future Plan. We have put in place a pivotal number of teams, including the Academic Team, who reviews our curriculum and makes recommendations to me on a daily basis about how we can strengthen our academic programs,” he reminds me. “Our School has been invited to be a Round Square School, and we have opened the South Campus gates on

The trinity of virtue, humanity, and spirit at the core of a PTS education is a huge part of why he thinks our campus is so special. It is within this trinity that his intention lies:

wellness. When we start talking about spirit, and also start implementing practices to develop empathy and compassion and service, ultimately that is what leadership is,” he concludes.

Gratitude, teamwork, discipline, curiosity, change, and spirituality. It turns out that answering “What makes a visionary?” may simply be the same thing as answering, “What is important to you?”

Patrick concludes by stating: “I use the term ‘servant leadership’ all the time because a true leader is a servant. We’re really teaching our students to go out and be servants of others, to help others, to make life better for others, to make a difference in the world, and to become part of something larger than ourselves.”

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17 TH A N N U A L

M A RC H 18, 2017 Palmer Trinity School hosted its 17th annual International Festival which celebrates our vibrant multicultural community and highlights an ongoing commitment to global sustainability and environmental initiatives. This year, our school hosted a wide variety of entertainers, from colorful dancers to aikido martial artists to our very own student musicians, dancers, and actors. The highlight of the festival is the booths. Food booths representing countries from every corner of the world sold signature dishes from their respective countries, making for a food lover’s dream. Community organizations set up tables for students to sign up for a variety of service opportunities, while shoppers were able to browse through clothing and accessories. In the PTS gymnasium, our 5th annual Indoor World Cup Soccer game took place. Students registered with teams representing different countries and played against each other for the World Cup title as onlookers cheered. Our Alumni Association hosted an “Alumni Village” with vintage uniforms and photos on display.

The main event was the flag parade. Led by our Middle and Upper School students, the International Flag Parade wound through the booths, displaying flags from over 50 countries, and ended at the main stage where the flags were placed on display for all to view. Students proudly brandished their flags as they participated in this signature event.

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

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EVENTS

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F E BRUA RY 17, 2017

Grandparent’s Day RIGHT BEFORE OUR MID-WINTER BREAK,

middle school students eagerly greeted their grandparents for this year’s Middle School Grandparent’s Day. The day began with a heartfelt opening from Head of Middle School, Pete Tolmach and reflections from Head of School, Patrick Roberts. This was followed by performances by our orchestra and guitar students. After a joyous morning, grandparents sat in on classes with their grandchildren and experienced first-hand the engaging and thought-provoking lessons being taught here at Palmer Trinity School.

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EVENTS

DEC E M BE R 2017

PTPA Holiday Party TO CELEBRATE THE BEGINNING OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON, PTS parents gathered at the home of Will Van der Vlugt, parents of

Lucian Van der Vlugt ‘22 and Chloe Van der Vlugt ‘18, to enjoy delicious food and drinks, to listen to great music, and to celebrate with each other before the Holiday Break.

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1 Patrick Roberts, Amy De La Cruz, Denise Gallardo, Bobbie Vander Vlugt, Will Vander Vlugt 2 Raquel and Marty Dobbins 3 Lynne Keller, Ursula and Ignacio Vidaguren, Juan Gomez, Natalie and Michael Baiamonte 4 Daphne Martino, Denise Gallardo, Will Vander Vlugt, Margarita Rosa de Francisco 5 Silvia Messmacher, Lisa Mishurda, Amy de la Cruz 6 Maria and David Cimo, George and Monique Befeler 2

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1

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DEC E M BE R 1, 2017

Head of School Circle Reception PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL WELCOMED

current parents, alumni parents, alumni, members of the Board of Trustees, and grandparents to the campus 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.

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5

1 Arie and Laurence Assayag 2 Bishop Eaton, Simon Strong, Ashley Chapman, Charles Cassini, Mary Ellen Cassini, Vilma Strong 3 Sebastian and Claudia Alegrett, Raquel Fernandez, Erin Bauer, Emilio Fernandez 4 Pearl Seo, Jennifer Dylewski 5 Laura Roberts, Vivian Cortinas, Denise Gallardo 6 Kelly Fullerton, Megan Kleber, Alan Kleber, Bill Bailey 7 Ron and Jan Katz, Jan and Bill Morrison 8 Brian and Lisa Tannebaum 34

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EVENTS

1

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M A RC H 9, 2017

4

5

Leadership Luncheon 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.

1 Hugo Mantilla, Leivys and Jesus Socorro, Marcel Navarro 2 Lucia de Sola, Silvia and Rafael Olloqui 3 Pat Brockway and Beth Brockway-Serrate 4 Herschel and Davenie Faber 5 Patrick Roberts and Sara Fumagalli 6 Mateo de Sola, Alejandro Rodriguez, Jesus Socorro, Michael Baiamonte, Representative from Northern Trust 7 Jeff and Heather Bass 8 Chuck Klenk, Patrick Roberts, Carol Fine

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TH A NK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSOR

FAIRWAY SPONSOR

PAR SPONSOR

HAT SPONSOR

ACE SPONSORS

On January 30, Palmer Trinity School hosted its 16th annual Sandy Golf Tournament and 7th 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.

GOLF CART SPONSOR

SANDY SHOT SPONSOR

EAGLE SPONSORS

FOOD & BEVER AGE SPONSORS

TOUR NA MENT CO-CH A IR S

Brian Gershen ‘98 Lynne Keller Chuck Klenk Nathan Zeder ‘98

GOLF BALL SPONSOR

steps beyond convenient

AUCTION AND EVENT RECEPTION SPONSOR

HONOR A RY CH A IR

Chris Block ‘96 COMMITTEE

Michael Baiamonte Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85 Shawn Crews Zachary Sulkes Lisa Mishurda, Parent Committee Chair Alexis Birbragher, Auction Co-Chair 36

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E AGLE SPONSORS Climate Pro HCA Healthcare The Serrate Family The Block Family BIR DIE SPONSORS Dorta Law Tech-Optics, Inc. SA NDY SHOT SPONSOR Mercedes-Benz

CORPOR ATE FOURSOMES Centro Human Capital Management Orion Real Estate Group/ The Sanz Family Trinity Air The Topping Family Ameriprise Financial Services/ Mark Marandino Dennis Carvajal, PA The Zeder Team at EWM NET SPONSOR Geomantic Designs, Inc.

COURT SPONSORS Consulting Engineering & Science, Inc. Polga Medical Group Bay Plumbing Bilzin Sumberg Kaufman Rossin & Co. The Slaman Family DONATIONS/ UNDERW R ITERS Ramon Carpet Services, Inc. Landera Associates, PA

Thank you to our premier printer, Print Farm

EVENTS

2017 Sandy Tennis Tournament Players

Cristina Daniels, Maria McDonald, Laurie Evans, Paula Herron, and Debi Friedlander

Luke Elder of Mercedes-Benz presents the winning foursome of Don Gustafson, Nate Brand, Anthony Infante and Tony Infante with David Delgado of Mercedes-Benz

Brett French ‘97, Jon Lawrence ‘98, Wes Farrell ‘01 and Brian Gershen ‘98

Tom Cornish shows off live auction win

Kelli Powell, Lisa Mishurda, and Alexis Birbragher

Patrick Roberts, Michael Baiamonte, Shane Battier and Robbie Wright

Sandy Golf & Tennis Chairs: Brian Gershen ‘98, Chris Block ‘96, Chuck Klenk, Nathan Zeder ‘98, Shawn Crews, Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85, Lynne Keller

Kurt Baur, Marshall Smith, John Fumagalli, representing Presenting Sponsor Northern Trust

Meredith Ortega, Cristina Soulavy, Laura Roberts, Catherine Block S U M M E R 2 0 17

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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

LEGACY 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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Contact Juan Gomez at jgomez@palmertrinity.org or (305) 969-4241 for more information about leaving a legacy for Palmer Trinity students.

CLASS OF 2017

C ONGR AT UL ATIONS – Class of 2017 –

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Alma Campiani Valedictorian

“In our society, we define success in terms of status, in terms of wealth, in terms of power... But I want to suggest a different picture of success.

Can we stop, just for a moment, and listen? What burns in your heart? Maybe things don’t have to be so difficult. Maybe it’s okay to doubt. Maybe it’s okay to feel vulnerable. Maybe our sensitivity is our greatest source of power.”

Alexa Tannebaum Student Reflection

“Class of 2017, when you walk out those doors in front of us and your friends and family greet you and ask you how you’re feeling, tell them that you are ecstatic, overjoyed, thrilled, or even just happy because you are done and you have accomplished incredible things and will continue to do so.”

Ana Sofia Nicholls Salutatorian

“I think what we all need right now is a bit of reassurance. We shouldn’t be afraid of the future. Most of the experiences we’re afraid of end up being some of the best experiences of our lives, because facing our fears allows us to learn and grow, develop character and courage.”

Tiago Rachelson Student Reflection

“The next element we had to learn was compassion... It’s a special element because compassion demands that you care for others and work to alleviate their pain. It’s not about you, it’s about them.

We ran 5Ks for cancer research, built houses for Cambodia and Nicaragua, worked with Best Buddies and Breakthrough Miami, spread awareness through our Eco Club, shared bikes across neighborhoods, fed 14,000 children in an hour, and established international medical trips to Haiti to name a few.”

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CLASS OF 2017

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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 Development, Juan Gomez, at jgomez@palmertrinity.org or (305) 969-4241. 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 2017-2018 issue of the Aerie.

President of the Alumni Association Lynley (Walker) Ciorobea ‘96 welcomes new Alumni from the Class of 2017

M IS S I O N S TAT E M E N T Palmer Trinity Alumni Association

The objectives of the Palmer Trinity Alumni Association shall be to advocate and support Palmer Trinity School and its mission, provide opportunities for alumni involvement with the school, fundraising, and to lead activities and events that build and maintain an active, informed and engaged alumni community.

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ALUMNEWS

1973

1976

1980

David Wood mdavidwood@comcast.net

Andrew Hessen hesstang@aol.com

Dawn (Hoyt) Kidd dhoytkidd@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

1974

CLASS AGENT

Julie (Coleman) Mansfield juliemansfield@comcast.net LISA (ARNOLD) FRANKLIN recently exhibited her painting Viva la France at the 29th Tallahassee Watercolor Society, Tri-State Water Media Exhibition at the FSU Museum of Fine Art. She writes, “I’m thrilled to be included in this exhibit! I recently retired from the architectural and interior design field in order to finally pursue my passion for art.”

1975

CLASS AGENT

Cathy Chappell chappell913@gmail.com JANET (SMITH) DONNANGELO writes, “I have moved to Leicester, North Carolina. I am doing my pottery full time, showing my work at craft festivals and galleries. I thank my Palmer art teacher and friend, AL SNYDER.”

CLASS AGENT

1977

CLASS AGENT

Craig Zimmett cazfla@aol.com

1978

CLASS AGENT

Thomas Magenheimer tmagmai@aol.com

1979

CLASS AGENT

Lori (Fogel) La Forgia ljlaforgia@gmail.com LORI (FOGEL) LA FORGIA recently joined Weichert Realtors in Hilton Head, South Carolina. She writes, “We moved here because MARY (ELDREGE) GREENWELL ‘79 and JON GREENWELL ‘79 had a house we could rent while we figured out where we wanted to relocate to permanently. We loved it here so much, we are now in the process of buying their house.

I became a realtor because so many visiting friends and family are considering moving to this paradise as well!”

CLASS AGENT

1981

CLASS AGENT

Lee D. Sterling psports@bellsouth.net ANDY VORZIMER was recently recognized by Whittier Law School Alumni Association as Attorney of the Year. He is the managing partner of Vorzimer & Masserman, Fertility & Family Law Center, P.C. Andy also received the American Fertility Association’s Illuminations Award for outstanding vision and his contribution to family building.

He has lectured throughout the world, has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs, and has authored a number of books and articles on assisted reproduction.

1982

CLASS AGENT

Tracy (Tabor) Shelowitz

JIM HANNAN recently exhibited his piece, Water World, in the new “Emerging Consciousness” exhibit at Spring Street Studios in Houston, Texas.

Jim writes, “I have a total of four pieces included in the exhibit. Additional pieces can be seen on my Instagram page @hannanart233 or #hannanart233.”

1984

CLASS AGENT

Beth (Moskowitz) Lazar bethm1428@aol.com DAVID AMES writes, “I am the Head Men’s and Women’s Varsity Squash Coach at Vassar.

I have just completed my first season. The women’s team finished 11-6 and the men’s team was 5-15. Both were huge improvements from last year.”

1985

CLASS AGENTS

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

1983

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Chef Roelof De Groot ‘88

David Ames ‘84, Head Coach of the Vassar Squash Team

Michael Haggard ‘88

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CL ASS NOTES

1986

1989

an integral theme throughout my culinary career.”

Joelle (Wagshul) Steinberg jwagshul@aol.com

Scott Shelfer scott@exactaland.com

1987

1990

Miles McGrath miles.mcgrath@gmail.com

Peter Baumberger psb@kubickidraper.com

MOLLIA (FULLER) JENSEN writes, “I’m living in Seattle and glad to say I’m still dancing!

I teach two modalities, Soul Motion, and my own creation, Dance Intuition. I’m working in the field of expressive arts and dementia. I’ve been married for 21 years and have two wonderful teenagers, Henry An, and Greta Joy.”

DIANA FAHMIE writes, “I’ve been digging deep into the food culture community in Asheville since moving here in May of 2014. I am currently the Chef at 1900 Inn on Montford, in Asheville’s historic Montford district. The Inn is an AAA Four-Diamond Bed and Breakfast, one of only eleven bed and breakfasts out of over 450 in North Carolina that have this distinction. I share my home with my two canines and a feline and live at the base of the Pisgah National Forest.

My fondest memories include playing three sports alongside DENISE (CIPRIANO) HINMAN ‘91, an HoF member, and our senior cruise chaperoned by MARTY MIGLIACCIO and ELENA DE VILLIERS. As well, Dante Fascell was our keynote speaker for graduation. It was truly an honor to have him there with us.

Going to a school that valued integrity and sportsmanship in competitions made me very honored to represent Palmer as an athlete. (I believe Palmer had a very long stretch of years to which we received the [FHSAA] Sportsmanship Award). We were then a very small school competing against teams that had two or three times the number of student-athletes to form a team with; even when we were out-played, we were never outclassed. Credit goes to coaches like MARTY MIGLIACCIO, MARK OLIVER, and MICHELLE (BRENNER) MONDELL for stressing the importance of playing fair, with zero tolerance for showboating.

The lessons I learned at Palmer are ones that are still crucial to my everyday success, as well as

CATHERINE (MCGEHEE) JOHNSTON writes, “I live in Melbourne, Australia and have two beautiful daughters and an amazing Australian husband. I am a former high school teacher and have just started my own business teaching creative writing classes to primary and secondary students. I am passionate about literacy and think of my years at Palmer as the inspiration for this next phase in my career in education.”

CLASS AGENT

CLASS AGENT

1988

CLASS AGENT

Elena (Essen) Endara partyuv5@bellsouth.net ROELOF DE GROOT writes, “I currently live in New Jersey and work in Philadelphia at Hilton Worldwide. I’m a Restaurant Chef for an Italian restaurant. I recently married and have two children. One is 2 and the other is 11.”

MICHAEL HAGGARD writes, “As many of you may know, I have lived with PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) for several years. Last year, I was blessed to find my donor match—my brother-inlaw Allen Buckhalt! Our kidney transplant surgery was a success and I am happy to report we are both doing great! Since then, I have been coaching my son’s football team, spending time with family, running a busy practice as Managing Partner of The Haggard Law Firm, and serving as the President-Elect of the National Crime Victim Bar Association.”

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CLASS AGENT

CLASS AGENT

Catherine (McGehee) Johnston ‘90

1991

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

LETITIA CALDERON is working with the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind under a service to families provided by the state of Florida. She writes, “As a parent advisor, I work with families of deaf and hard of hearing children ages 0-5 in South Florida.”

Diana Fahmie ‘90, Executive Chef in Asheville, NC

1992

CLASS AGENT

Nickaros Sanchoo nickaros.sanchoo@gmail.com NINA GARCIA writes from Maryland, “I’ve been a dermatology physician assistant. I have two beautiful kids, Mia and Charlie.”

Nina Garcia ‘92 and her daughter Mia

1993

CLASS AGENT

Amanda R. Matalon amandamatalon@gmail.com

1994

CLASS AGENTS

Campbell Walker cwalker@lincolnharris.com Charles H. Baumberger, Jr. baumberger16@gmail.com

On the beach with Lucca, son of Adriana Varela ‘96

ALUMNEWS

ALUMNI REUNION C E L E B R AT I O N S 1987

1992

1997

2002

2007

2012

30 YEAR REUNION

20 YEAR REUNION

10 YEAR REUNION

25 YEAR REUNION

15 YEAR REUNION

5 YEAR REUNION

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ALUMNI PROFILE

Juan Camilo Maldonado Tovar CLASS OF 2001

JUAN CAMILO MALDONADO TOVAR OF THE CLASS OF 2001 WAS NOT A TYPICAL PALMER TRINITY STUDENT.

At seventeen years old, his family made a decision to move to the United States that would change his life forever. Through company benefits, his father was offered the chance to have Juan Camilo’s education

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completely paid for. And so, wanting his son to receive an international high school diploma and perfect his English, Juan Camilo was enrolled in Palmer Trinity School as a senior.

Adjusting to life in a new country with a different culture was not easy.

“During the first couple of months I felt like a fish out of water. I had no friends, and everyone

in the senior class already knew each other,” said Juan Camilo, “I was an outsider.”

Faculty member Raul Gonzalez remembers, “Juan Camilo Maldonado was always an outstanding student. Even back in high school his love for literature and theater were evident.

He was at the top of my Spanish AP Literature course and had already published a poetry

ALUMNEWS

Juan Camilo is the epitome of the ideal PTS Global Student.”

— RAUL GONZALEZ book. He performed both his poetry at the Spanish Competition “Conferencia” earning him not only a perfect score, but also the judges commendations.” He performed in two plays where his talent helped him shine.

At the time, Colombia was in the middle of a political uprising. People were fleeing the country and many people had their lives turned upside down. Juan Camilo had to navigate his feelings of loss for his previous home, concern for the political state of his country, and adjusting to a new reality in a new country. While learning to adjust to his new life, he decided to focus his energy not on parties and the social aspects that come from senior year, but on really immersing himself in his studies. He enrolled in classes that he wouldn’t have been able to attend if he had not immigrated to Miami and attended Palmer Trinity.

“I took Marine Biology, and had the opportunity to travel to the Keys to study wildlife. Coming from the mountains, I would have never had the opportunity to study the oceans. There was also a Comparative Religions class that was very important for the development of my spiritual life. I loved English literature and reading Shakespeare. And I found the student groups to be very inspiring. For me, it was the first time I saw teenagers fighting for social change. It inspired me,” said Juan Camilo.

Juan Camilo began to make friends with his classmates who were as eager about learning as he was. Slowly, he found himself at home within the Palmer Trinity community, and becoming inspired by the diversity around him. That inspiration carried him into a love for understanding the social and political aspects of life around him. During one pep rally where the senior class dressed up in military gear for a spirit day, Juan Camilo

and a friend dressed up as Red Cross volunteers to make a stance against violence.

After graduating from Palmer Trinity, Juan Camilo began attending FIU. Because of Juan Camilo Maldonado with his brother, Diego Maldonado ‘03, and the influence of his teachers Raul Gonzalez and friends at PTS, he camp,” he said. looked into a wide variety of Soon after, Juan Camilo made his way over majors and classes including Marine Biology, to Salamanca, Spain to complete his master’s Sociology, Anthropology, and Writing. Those degree in Latin American Studies. Before he interests began to propel him towards his knew it, he was offered an editor’s position future career as a journalist. But suddenly his at Vice. life took a dramatic turn. His dad’s company went through structural changes and fired Again from Raul Gonzalez: “Through the him. Juan Camilo was no longer able to years I have been honored to keep in touch afford his education and made the decision to with him and follow his career, from working move back to his native Colombia. for one of the most prestigious newspapers “I was a good student, but I no longer felt connected to Miami. My family was living a life that didn’t belong to us. Our dream was over. In the end I decided I wanted to become a Spanish journalist. I picked the less traveled road, went back to Latin America, and enrolled in university,” he said.

In Colombia, Juan Camilo graduated from university with degrees in Journalism and Political Science. His passion for mass media brought him to the door of El Espectador, a legendary newspaper famous for its stance against drug trafficking, for an internship.

“It was my dream to work on the most inspiring liberal media outlet in Colombia.

I worked there for eight years. I became a cultural writer, and then an international journalist because—thanks to my time in Miami and at Palmer Trinity—I now spoke English. I had the amazing opportunity to cover a national election when Obama got elected for the first time. I was able to spend election night covering the results at McCain’s

in Colombia “El Espectador”, to giving news capsules on the TV News, to being the director of Vice Magazine in Colombia. I am so proud of him and his achievements! Juan Camilo is the epitome of the PTS Global Student.”

“I fell in love with the spirit of Vice,” he said. “I quit being a respected mainstream journalist to once again take the road less traveled. I was able to start up Vice in Colombia and focus on creating a media outlet devoted to understanding the conflict in Colombia.”

After three years of journalism at Vice and completing incredible work, including spending a week in the jungle with Colombia’s most notorious guerrillas, the FARC, Juan Camilo left Vice to become an independent media creator.

“I create new media outlets to change the world. I want to make the world a better place.

I help companies enlarge their voice, tell stories that matter, and change minds,” he said.

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CL ASS NOTES

Winsy (Dunwody) Pittinos ‘97 and Andrew Pittinos ‘95 and family

1995

CLASS AGENT

Andrew P. Bennett andrewpbennett@gmail.com

1996

CLASS AGENTS

Lynley (Walker) Ciorobea lynley3@gmail.com Amanda (Chrycy) Thompson aecswild@aol.com ADRIANA VARELA welcomed a son, Lucca Adriano Mata, born December 7, 2015.

REBECCA (PAGAN) ZAMORA recently earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Innovation and Change from University of Denver. She writes, “I currently work for Adams County in Colorado. I am the county’s neighborhood liaison and work in the Office of Long Range Strategic Planning. I married BEN ZAMORA ‘97 from Palmer Trinity. We have two beautiful boys and live in Colorado.”

1998

CLASS AGENTS

Brian Gershen briangershen@gmail.com

1997

Nathan Zeder nathan@allmiamirealestate.com

Brett French brettfrench@yahoo.com

KAMAL MOO recently wrote and produced a comedy-horror feature film called The Midnight Man which will be released by ITN Films in 2017. The film will also be screened at two indie film festivals.

CLASS AGENT

WINSY (DUNWODY) PITTINOS writes, “ANDREW PITTINOS ‘95 and I are still living in Greenville, South Carolina and have been here for almost 9 years. Andrew is a financial advisor and I am a strategic insights manager for an advertising agency, all while raising our three wild ones: Keller (7), Mitchell (4), and Emma Lane (18 months).”

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BRENDAN WINKLER and his wife Allison welcomed their first child, Lillian Margaret Winkler, in the fall of last year, and look forward to introducing her to the Palmer Trinity family very soon! They reside in Chicago where Brendan recently joined a quantitative trading firm

Max Martinez Miyashiki ‘99 and his bride Olga on their wedding day

after a decade in management consulting, and Allison serves as a strategist in the wellness and digital healthcare sectors of the American Medical Association.

1999

CLASS AGENTS

Belinda Frieri belifrieri@yahoo.com Brittney (Hoffman) McCabe bmccabe@palmertrinity.org MAX MARTINEZ MIYASHIKI writes, “2016 was an amazing and life-changing year for me. On March 19th, I married the love of my life, Olga, and enjoyed traveling with my bride to Europe and Asia. To add to the year’s excitement, our first child Sofia Eva arrived in April of 2017. As Chief Operating Officer, working and mentoring alongside my father in the extensive and varied family business, we have grown significantly with expanding profit margins. I look forward to unlimited possibilities and opportunities in both my family and business life in the years ahead.”

2000

CLASS AGENT

Soozie Klock seklock@gmail.com RINALDO J. CARTAYA III, ESQUIRE, was recently sworn into the United States Supreme Court Bar and heard oral arguments in County of Los Angeles v. Mendez and Water Splash, Inc., v. Menon.

His father Rinaldo J. Cartaya, II was also in attendance for the ceremony. Rinaldo lives in Orlando, Florida and practices complex construction litigation with Quintairos, Prieto, Wood and Boyer, P.A.

2001

CLASS AGENT

Wes Farrell wesfarrell@floridaattorney.com JONATHAN BLACKMORE and his wife Yvethe welcomed a baby boy, Samuel David Blackmore. The family lives in Coconut Grove.

JACOB FUERST, PH.D., P.E., passed the professional engineering licensing exam, and is now a professional engineer in Alabama, and is the senior metallurgist and material scientist for the Remington

ALUMNEWS

Collegiate Alumni Panel On January 6th, our collegiate alumni visited our campus to share advice and suggestions about college with the Class of 2017. This year’s panelists included Jesse Alvarez ‘15 (University of Miami), Osmel Alvarez ‘16 (Johns Hopkins University), Marina Bryant ‘15 (Bowdoin College), Nicolas de Sola ‘16 (Duke University), Daniel de Feu ‘14 (St. Michael’s College), Nicole Font ‘13 (High Point University), Marcus Kyle ‘16 (University of Alabama), Alexis Leira ‘16 (Emerson College), Valerie Macaulay ‘15 (University of Miami), and Waleed Mneimneh (Columbia University).

Outdoor Company, the nation’s oldest firearms manufacturer.

ALISON STEED married Brandon Theibault on October 1, 2016, on the shore of Lake Michigan near her hometown in Door County, Wisconsin.

Brandon is a two-time war veteran (Iraq and Afghanistan) and current Staff Sergeant in the US Army. Alison earned her Masters of Science in Clinical Embryology and Andrology from Eastern Virginia Medical School in July and celebrates her 11th year as a human embryologist with Reproductive Medicine & Infertility Associates this fall. PTS alumni VICKY GARCIA ‘01 and DANNY MATUS ‘01 attended the wedding celebration.

2002

CLASS AGENT

Adria (Jenkins) Young mz.adria@gmail.com MICHAEL FRIDMAN is currently working as a Human Capital Management Consultant for Global Resources Partners, an incubator for start-up ventures where he leads and executes various HR initiatives.

Since graduating from Palmer Trinity in 2002, Michael continued his studies and achieved a Bachelor of Arts Degree in I-O Psychology from Florida International University, and a Human Resources Management Certification from the University of Miami. Michael has held various HR consultative roles with a few of South Florida’s most prominent Fortune 500’s and industry leaders including, most recently, Baptist Health South Florida. In addition to serving on the board of directors for the Greater Miami Society for Human Resources Management from 2013-2016, Michael is active in the community, and has participated in a plethora of outreach programs with Big Brothers Big Sisters where he coordinated one of the largest School to Work programs in Dade-County, and has been a mentor for the past five years.

JOHANNA (KLINE) POGUE writes, “My husband Dustin and I had our fourth baby on June 16, 2016. Her name is Stella Gray Pogue. She’s crawling everywhere and trying to balance

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CL ASS NOTES

Alumni Holiday Party On December 14th, alumni old and new gathered together at the Coral Reef Yacht Club for this year’s Alumni Holiday Party. Our alumni gathered together to celebrate the holiday season while reminiscing about their time together at Palmer, Trinity Episcopal, and Palmer Trinity School. Special thanks to our sponsors, Jan and Bill Morrison, and the Sanz family and Orion Real Estate.

Brian Gershen ‘98, Brett French ‘97, Nathan Zeder ‘98

Jordan Kircher ‘05, Francesca (Fernandez) Guerra ‘05, Olee Fowler ‘05, Amanda Omachanu ‘05, Nicole Fernandez ‘07 and Mario Guerra

Sophia Policastro ‘08, guest, Will Morrison ‘07, Alumni Ambassador Elena De Villiers

Kathy (Hassan) Wittenmyer ‘92, Dany Relloso, Maggie (Rosas-Guyon) Relloso ‘93, Hadley (Nichols) Foreman ‘93, Patrick Whiteside ‘92

Matthew Whitman Lazenby ‘96, Kristen (Arbuckle) Lazenby ‘98, Head of School Patrick Roberts and Laura Roberts

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Doug Rothfeldt ‘10 and guest Catrina Pacinelli, Camila Aime ‘10, Matias Faillace ‘11, Martina Faillace ‘10, Katie DiFede ‘11, Matthew MacNair ‘11

Scott du Feu and Mason Harris ‘89

Beth (Brockway) Serrate ‘85 and Patrick Kalbac ‘10

ALUMNEWS and walk already! She definitely completes our family and we’re so happy she’s here!”

TAMARA (RUTTER) WALSH and her husband David welcomed baby Kai last Spring. The family is currently living in Chicago, but they still keep a place in Miami and try to visit as often as possible.

RANDI (WOLFSON) ADAMO writes, “I’m a kindergarten teacher at The Cushman School and it’s currently my 4th year teaching there. I also am Vice President of the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens

Baby Charlie, son of Chrissy (Yablosky) Rubin ‘00

down in Key West. I have also been on the Miami City Ballet board for 5 years now. I recently joined Social Venture Partners as a founding member of the Miami chapter.”

2003

CLASS AGENT

Dax Tejera dax.tejera@gmail.com MIGUEL GOSALBEZ writes, “After Palmer Trinity, I went to Vanderbilt for undergrad, graduated with a BS in Biology and Spanish, and a minor in Studio Art. From there

CHRISTINA SARNOFF writes, “I have a social impact film company called Atila Films.

I directed a documentary television series called Connected about modern slavery, executively produced

by Julian Lennon. I also work as the manager of Branded Entertainment for Discovery Communications and I’m a member of the United Nations Global Sustainable Network. Our website is www.atilafilms.com.”

MELISSA (DAVENPORT) TUCKER writes, “My daughter Ellie turned one in December and I changed positions

Rinaldo J. Cartaya, III ‘00 and his father at Tracey King ‘00 visits her sister, Faculty member and the Supreme Court of the United States Coach Tammy King ‘94

Celebrating with Alison Steed ‘01, Daniel Matus ‘01 and husband Christopher Gilmore, with Victoria Garcia ‘01 and friends

Stella Pogue, daughter of Johanna (Kline) Pogue ‘02

I did 2 years of basic science research before getting into medical school at the University of Miami Miller SOM. After 4 years there I was accepted into residency in urology back at Vanderbilt University. There I remained for 2 years before realizing urology was not what I wanted to do. So in July 2015 after finishing my second year I left the program, moved back to Miami, and started working as a physician locum in the pediatric urology practice at Miami Children’s Hospital. Since then I have gained interest in radiology, applied again to residency, and am waiting to match into residency in radiology.”

Palmer Trinity art students in Little Haiti with a mural by Tatiana Suarez ‘01

Tamara (Rutter) Walsh ‘02 and her family

Jonathan Blackmore ‘01, wife Yvethe and baby boy Samuel

Randi (Wolfson) Adamo ‘02 and her husband, Chris Adamo

Alumni from ‘03 - ‘05 celebrate the wedding of Adrian Foley ‘02 and Andy Kirkpatrick ‘04

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Dax Tejera ‘03 with journalist Jorge Ramos

Jessie (Gross) Undorfer ‘04 and Max Undorfer ‘07 with their baby girl, Rose

Melissa (Davenport) Tucker ‘03 and her family

Kyle Rutter ‘04 and his wife Katie with baby Nathaniel

at UNF this past summer.

I am now working in the Hicks Honors College at the University of North Florida as an academic advisor.”

DAX TEJERA writes, “After four years in Miami helping to build and then lead Fusion and our team supporting Jorge Ramos in reports and interviews from around the world, I’m heading to Washington to cover the new big story - the Trump administration - for ABC News. It was an unexpected invitation to join the ABC team that I worked so closely with alongside Univision to launch Fusion. Needless to say, it’s bittersweet to leave my family in Miami - but it’s an incredible assignment I could not turn down.”

2004

CLASS AGENTS

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

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Andy Kirkpatrick ‘04 and Adrian Foley ‘02 celebrate their honeymoon in South Africa

Lisa (Migliaccio) Haynes ‘04 and Alex Haynes ‘04 and sweet Emmy

Carolina (Vara) Jovanov ‘04, husband Daniel and twin boys

Richie Martin ‘04, Brandon Rose ‘05, Chris Sanz ‘04, Raul Rodriguez ‘04, Megan Morini, Maria Vanegas, Ian Wogan ‘04

ANDY KIRKPATRICK and ADRIAN FOLEY ‘02 were married in the Fall of 2016. She writes, “Our honeymoon picture was taken in Cape Town, South Africa, on the top of Table Mountain! There were a few Palmer alumni in our wedding party: LAUREN BENANATI ‘04, RYAN JURNEY ‘04, GEORGE ANTONIADES ‘04, MICHAEL CONTRERAS ‘04, MARIANA FOLEY ‘05, DYLAN GRABOWSKI ‘05 and CESAR LOPEZ ‘03.”

RAUL RODRIGUEZ married his longtime girlfriend Megan Morini in front of family and friends on October 29, 2016, in Coral Gables, Florida.

LISA (MIGLIACCO) HAYNES writes, “ALEX HAYES ‘04 and I are living in Cutler Bay. I’m the business manager at a Coral Gables advertising agency, Ronin Advertising. Alex is working at Sylvester Cancer Center, which is a part of UHealth. Our daughter Emily is two and a half years old and looking forward to her first trip to Disney World next week.

She enjoys spending time with her best friend, Nonna, (aka MARTY MIGLIACCIO) at PTS sports games!”

JESSIE (UNDORFER) GROSS and MAX UNDORFER ‘07 and welcomed their first child, Rose Undorfer, on October 28, 2016, in Miami, FL at 9:14 a.m., measuring 6 lbs 2 oz and 19 1/4 inches. Proud aunt, ALEXIS (UNDORFER) AREAS ‘04 was the first to hold Rose in the hospital, and uncle AJ UNDORFER ‘04 and godparent LOGAN SANDLER ‘07 visited shortly after her arrival. Jessie also completed her M.S. in Educational Leadership at St. Thomas University a week before Rose was born.

KYLE RUTTER writes, “2016 was an exciting year as we moved back to Raleigh, North Carolina, bought a house, and started a family. We were excited to announce the birth of our son Nathaniel Parker Rutter on December 27th.”

DANNY AND CARO (VARA) JOVANOV welcomed twin baby boys, Andrew and Ryan, on September 12, 2016.

2005

CLASS AGENT

Katey O’Regan katey.oregan@cbs.com JULIANA FERRO is a second year associate at Williams Parker, a law firm in Sarasota, Florida. She graduated from law school with a joint degree from the University of Virginia School of Law (J.D.) and Sciences Po Law School in Paris (Master in Economic Law). Juliana focuses her practice on real estate law, corporate law, and international client services.

JACKIE HELCER writes, “I’m finishing my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology. For residency, I matched as the first ever Multicultural Neuropsychology resident

ALUMNEWS

Dylan Grabowski ‘05 climbing the Sierra Mountains

Jackie Helcer ‘05, Clinical Fellow in Neuropsychology

Lauren Santa Cruz ‘05 and Congresswoman Elizabeth Warren

Brittney (Fyffe) Hernandez ‘06 with Gabriel and Samantha (Evans) Moore ‘06 with Cameron

David Marbert ‘06 and his bride Karla on their wedding day

at Harvard Medical School/ Massachusetts General Hospital. I received an appointment at Harvard Medical School as a clinical fellow in the department of psychiatry and will be completing the program on June 30th. I have been awarded a Neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship position with Northwell Health in New York City, which I will be starting on July 1st.”

BRITTNEY HERA writes, “I love working at Boca North Animal Hospital and Pet Inn. The job is very fulfilling. It’s a smaller practice which really allows our veterinarian, Dr. Bull, to give each animal the care they deserve. Most of our clients have been with him for decades because of his knowledge, devotion, and humor! I help him give our cats and dogs their regular physical exams and immunizations, as well as assist during our surgeries.

Just yesterday we completely removed a malignant tumor from an Australian Cattle dog, spayed a Siamese cat, took out too many bladder stones from a lab mix, and had our regular appointments throughout the day. That was a busy day. As I said, we are a smaller practice. I grew up with all types of animals and loved it, so helping them in any way is very rewarding.”

DYLAN GRABOWSKI writes, “I’m currently living in Oakland, California where I’ve been working as a transportation planner for the California Department of Transportation since February of 2015. I’ve been filling my spare time with climbing in the Sierra; I have about 100 different routes on my resume.”

MARTIN JENSEN moved to Pompano Beach, Florida at the start of the year to serve as in-house counsel for Sol Group Marketing Company, part of the Fyffes brand and the largest melon distributor in the United States.

TRYGGVI PALSSON and his spouse Sonja Petra welcomed a baby, Axel Þór, on December 9, 2016. Tryggvi is a sales representative for Saint-Gobain Distribution Denmark and lives in Reykjavík, Iceland.

LAUREN SANTA CRUZ is currently the creative producer at The Hub Project and is responsible for crafting all visual content for campaigns teams and partner organizations.

“The Hub is a new non-profit that’s creating a lot of buzz in progressive circles in D.C. I am focusing on economic and democracy-related issues — courts, voting, elections — hoping to build stronger issue advocacy at the federal and state level. I’m fortunate to be a part of an elite group of policy workers that are dedicated to making real, positive change for all Americans.”

LENE STAERTZEL writes, “Travis and I got married at the courthouse in Germany on September 24, 2016, among my German family and friends. We ceremonially tied the knot on my 30th Birthday on February 25th in Santa Monica where we celebrated our marriage in the typical American style. Travis and I met at the University of Florida and we are now living in beautiful Santa Monica, California where we said our vows in front of 100 of our closest family and friends.

Among the guests were some of Palmer Trinity’s finest alumni: MARIA BORIA ‘05, MARIANA FOLEY ‘05, ROBERT NUELL ‘05, OLEE FOWLER ‘05, HANNE STAERTZEL ‘12, STEFAN STAERTZEL ‘12, and AMANDA QUINONES ‘12. Looking forward to attending future Palmer events as Mrs. Allen.”

VICTORIA VARELA writes, “After spending 2 years working at a non-profit focused on empowering young women, I decided I wanted to work more directly with high school students. I am now

the Government/Economics teacher at a charter school in Hialeah, the City of Hialeah Educational Academy. It’s been amazing getting hands-on experience with the students in the community. When I’m not working, I spend my time traveling. I will be taking trips to Madrid and Eastern Canada with some friends which include PTS alum NICOLE GROSNOFF ‘08.”

ALEX WILTZ graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 2009. He lives in New Orleans, Louisiana with his twin brother ERIC WILTZ ‘05. Alex is a Post Production Supervisor.

2006

CLASS AGENT

Amanda Omachonu amandaom22@gmail.com JULIO LIGORRIA writes, “I’ve officially been in Panama for six months and I’m loving it. I’m working for a leading PR firm called Burson-Marsteller as a senior crisis and corporate communications consultant. I recently turned 30 and I gotta say it feels pretty good. I’m looking forward to seeing what adventure awaits next.”

DAVID MARBERT and Karla Castillo were married January 21st at the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach. The guest list had a very distinct Palmer Trinity flavor with many alumni in attendance.

IAN MCLAUGHLIN writes, “After graduating from Pitzer College in Claremont, California, I began graduate school in the Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Soon thereafter, I moved to the University of Pennsylvania to work on a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. After passing my candidacy exam, I became interested in exploring new ways to communicate science to folks

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ALUMNI PROFILE

Lauren Santa Cruz

CLASS OF 2005

LAUREN SANTA CRUZ CAME TO PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL IN THE 7 TH GRADE BECAUSE SHE WAS IN SEARCH OF SOMETHING MORE. She begged her mother to let her transfer to PTS, where her brother and friends attended.

Thankfully, Lauren made the move to Palmer Trinity School, which proved to be the perfect fit for her. During her time here she played volleyball, soccer, basketball, and softball. She participated in summer camp and photography, and reveled in the wide range of subjects and diverse student body

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at Palmer Trinity School. Lauren looks back on her time at PTS fondly: “Everyone was friends with everyone, and teachers were invested in student success. The campus was great back then, but now it looks even more beautiful,” she remarked.

psychology. But during her last year of college at UM, her path suddenly turned.

One class that stood out to Lauren during her attendance at Palmer Trinity School was her psychology class, taught by Paul Dean.

Lauren had long set her mind on becoming a psychologist. Chasing that dream, she selected University of Miami to commence her studies, with an intention to acquire her PhD in

Traveling is a good way to expand your horizons and grow as a person.”

ALUMNEWS

“Photography was my hobby as a teenager.

During my last year of college at UM, I had completed all my requirements to graduate, but I needed to fill credit hours. So I took photography and film development. I saw there was a fun video class; I tried it and ended up loving it. In junior year I did summer abroad in England and tried photography there. My teacher was impressed, and told me the school was starting a masters program in photography, and that I should apply. I had grown to love photography more and more, so I applied and was accepted. I completed my Master’s there and it sealed the deal. While I was there, I traveled the whole world for projects, including United Nations development goals, India’s education system, and the Roma people of Eastern Europe.”

Her experience combined her two passions: traveling and understanding people. She was passionate about psychology already, so hearing the stories of people around the world was an ideal aspect of her work.

After grad school, Lauren worked as an intern for TIME magazine during the Occupy Wall Street movement. Afterwards, she worked at the Center for American Progress reporting on progressive news stories. Eventually, she began her work at Fusion. Fusion was the true kickstarter for her career, launching her to become the lead producer of the America with Jorge Ramos flagship show.

“It was an incredible experience. We traveled the world with Jorge. We went to the Jordan and Syrian borders to report on refugee camps.

We met Rwanda genocide survivors and learned about how the women there are rising up and taking over their country’s government. We were even nominated for an award after we swam across the Rio Grande together. It sounds crazy, but we swam a very narrow and calm part of the river.”

After leaving Fusion, Lauren took a dream trip to Southeast Asia for two months: “Don’t be afraid to leave your job to pursue your dreams. Only two weeks had passed after I left Fusion that I had gone on the trip. I recommend it to anyone. Following your dreams is the point of living.”

When she returned from her trip, after working for a while as a freelancer, The Hub Project hired Lauren. The Hub Project is a non-profit, progressive organization that partners with other non-profits to build advocacy campaigns and provide a voice to communities. Lauren was employed to lead the creative visual and photography content for their campaigns. Thus far, the campaigns she has been assigned to have dealt with some of the world’s most dire issues, like raising the minimum wage, instilling paid family leave, and most recently, blocking the repeal of affordable health care. Lauren reported that a high point of her career at The Hub was meeting Elizabeth Warren.

When she’s not advocating for progressive campaigns, Lauren passionately works on FIVRA, a foundation she and her mother founded after her brother, Michael Santa Cruz, passed away from cystic fibrosis.

“We wanted a way to celebrate his life while helping people who cannot get medical services to treat this disease. My mother is Colombian, and we started the foundation both here and in Colombia. What we do is take donated medical equipment from nurses, doctors, or patients who don’t need them. Then we take the equipment to kids in Colombia who have cystic fibrosis and cannot afford medical equipment.

Colombia is very behind when it comes to cystic fibrosis treatment, but we’ve helped a lot of kids there.”

When asked to give advice to seniors and juniors worrying about college, Lauren said: “Don’t worry about getting into the right college. I went to three different colleges as an undergrad! Take everything in stride; college is just one part of your life. I advise everyone to try and study abroad if they can. Travel independently to discover things about yourself, and see the education system in other countries.

Meet different people. That shaped the person that I am and my career. Nowadays people are scared of other cultures. Traveling is a good way to expand your horizons and grow as a person.

Also, do as many extra curricular activities as you can. Get involved in whatever interests you. Instead of sharing your opinions on Facebook, get out there and make a difference wherever you see something you don’t like.

Take initiative. Organize clubs. And don’t stress about changing careers. You can do anything you want in life. Getting a degree in something isn’t a life sentence to a career.”

below Lauren on her graduation day from Palmer Trinity with former faculty member Sarah Kemeness; Lauren Santa Cruz featured in USA Today opposite page Michael Santa Cruz ‘02 and Lauren Santa Cruz with their mother Marta Sonia Yepes

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with little or no exposure to the subject. At around that time, Twitter rolled out their video live-streaming app, Periscope, which enables real-time interaction between streamers and viewers. One day, I decided to start an informal live-stream with the title of “I research the brain, ask me anything,” and within just a few minutes, I saw over 300 people join in simultaneously, ultimately amounting to several thousand total viewers. Surprised at the reception, I decided to continue this form of communication, adding a podcast called Wired to be Weird, live tours of laboratory spaces, neuroanatomy, fluorescence microscopy, and I’m planning several VR-style 360 degree live video streams in unique collections

of biological specimens in the near future. Recently, I became a finalist for a Shorty Award for Periscoper of the Year, an awards ceremony focused on highlighting online content in the fashion of the Academy Awards. While I won’t know if I’ve won until the evening of the ceremony, it’s encouraging to see science-focused content acknowledged by an event like this, and so I intend to continue this effort of finding new and more effective ways to bring people closer to science during and after the rest of my time in graduate school.”

RAFAEL REYES writes, “2016 was a very rewarding year for my family. Rachel was able to fully dedicate her time to becoming a yoga teacher and

Ian McLaughlin ‘06 livestreaming as @_Anthropoid

Tracy Wilk ‘06, Executive Pastry Chef at David Burke Kitchen

gives classes at Corpo Yoga in Dadeland Station. In my 5th year with the Colorado Rockies, I signed Colton Welker (Stoneman Douglas HS) in the 4th round and Willie Abreu (University of Miami) in the 6th round of the June MLB draft. I was also able to start my MBA in August and finished my first half marathon in November. In January, Rachel and I welcomed our first baby.

Andrew has been an absolute blessing and a great reward to an active 2016.”

TRACY WILK was recently named as one of FSR magazine’s ‘40 Restaurant Stars On the Rise.’ She writes, “I’m currently working in New York City and Aspen as an Executive Pastry Chef for Craveable Hospitality Group. If any PTS

Lene Staertzel ‘06 and her husband Rafael Reyes ‘06 and his wife Travis with their wedding party Rachel welcome baby Andrew

Alexandre Lang-Willar ‘08 and Romaine Lang-Willar ‘08 and family

Ariel Moger ‘08 (second from right) and her team at Oceana Celebrating together — Alex Hevia ‘09, Brooke LeMaire ‘09, guest Devin Bazick, the bride Devin Dolgiej and groom Martin Dolgiej ‘09, guest Jacob Rice, Chris Hager ‘09, Fernan Espino ‘09, Jasmine (Glick) Pinkert ‘09, Danielle Befeler ‘09, guest Sophie Trautschold, and Brendan Britto ‘07

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alumni are in the area, please stop by, I would love to say hi!”

2007

CLASS AGENT

Will Morrison willmorrisonfl@gmail.com SEBASTIAN GUERRAMONDRAGON writes, “After graduating from Purdue with a Masters in Engineering in 2014, I went on to work at a tech startup called Sincerely as the founder’s right-hand man. Two years after I joined Sincerely the founder left and I co-led the company with the Head of Engineering. At the same time I was moonlighting as an entrepreneur and launched a company called Tove.co.

Roughly seven months later I am now at a high growth drone software startup company called DroneDeploy as one of the founding members of the business development team.”

ASHLEY (PEMSLER) CARA writes, “I got married in 2014 and lived in Madison, Wisconsin for a couple years until November 2015 when my husband and I moved back to Rochester, New York where we had gone to undergraduate school and I had completed my masters.

I currently work as a mental health counselor at a behavioral health clinic in the city. I’m approaching licensure in September with plans to open up a private practice around that time.”

LUIS GUILLERMO VILLANUEVA is the Chief Operating Officer at SOMOS Next, based in Miami. He writes, “SOMOS Next is focused on the commercialization and distribution of paid audiovisual content mainly in Spanish in the online environment. Its brands include FlixLatino (movies, series, and other fiction formats) and Pinguinitos (animation for children 0-5 years of age).”

ALUMNEWS

2008

CLASS AGENTS

Megan Cunningham megancunningham215@gmail.com Ariel Moger aem2178@columbia.edu NICKOLAS ABRARPOUR writes, “After graduating from Palmer Trinity, I studied Finance at Bentley University in Boston, and moved to New York after graduation to pursue a career in the stock market. I obtained the Chartered Financial Analyst after three annual exams and thousands of hours applied to studying on weekdays and weekends. Looking back, I am grateful for the learning curve obtained through the curriculum, and I would recommend the program to anyone with a strong passion for quantitative finance.”

NATALIE IMRAN writes, “I went to the University of Florida for an undergraduate degree in architecture. After graduating, I took two years off from school to work at firms in New York City and Sydney, Australia. Then I went to the Savannah College of Art and Design to get my Masters in architecture. I had a full tuition scholarship which was very fortunate. After I graduated from SCAD, I started working at BLUR Workshop in Atlanta.”

ALEXANDRE LANG-WILLAR writes, “After moving to New York City and living there for two years, I decided to quit my job at Goldman Sachs PE to rejoin my father’s efforts in building a tech start-up (Social Dating App). We’ve now been writing this new story side by side since November of 2015, and are almost ready to launch.

We both live here in North Bay Village Miami. My younger brother ROMAIN LANG-WILLAR ‘08 (who is here visiting), still lives in Geneva Switzerland and is in the process of finishing his military service.

ARIEL MOGER writes, “I’ve been living and working in Washington, DC for almost two years now. Last month I was named Policy Fellow at Oceana, the largest international advocacy organization focused solely on ocean conservation. It has been an absolute privilege to work on Congressional bills to protect sharks, address seafood fraud, and safeguard coastal communities from offshore oil and gas drilling. Between frequent visits to Capitol Hill for work and constant participation in rallies and marches, I certainly feel like I am getting the most out of living in DC.” LAURA UCCI currently lives in Jacksonville, FL. She works for VITAS Healthcare as a hospice care social worker. She will be relocating to Boston, Massachusetts in May 2017 in order to further her career.

SOFIA ZULUAGA BOTERO recently exhibited a selection of her work at the Barcelona Academy of Art, where she is an Artist in Residence and a principal instructor.

2009

CLASS AGENTS

Natalia Matallana natismata@gmail.com Jessica A Mazon jessica.mazon@gmail.com DIANE ASHOURI and her husband welcomed baby boy Zayn on January 2, 2017.

Diane will begin her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling this fall.

DANIELLE BEFELER writes, “After graduating from Florida State University in English and Media Productions, I earned my Master’s in Public Policy and International Law from the American University of Paris with a certificate in International Human Rights Law from The University of Oxford.

Since taking French classes at

PTS, I had always wanted to live in Paris and achieving that dream was amazing. I am currently attending University of Miami School of Law and worked in Immigration Law in New York City this past summer and in Miami this year. My friend group from PTS is still very close, and we have had an annual beach Memorial Day weekend since graduating and even went to two weddings this past year for MARTIN DOLGIEJ ‘09 and JASMINE (GLICK) PINKERT ‘09.”

HANNAH IBANEZ writes, “In May of 2016 I graduated law school with Honors. I received the Paul Barnard award for Clinic Excellence, and certificates of completion for the Stetson Law Honors Program, Stetson Law Social Justice Advocacy Concentration, Stetson Law Trial Team (#1 in the country), and President of the National Organization for Women— Campus Action Network. I received Stetson Law Veteran’s Law Institute medal of service, and I was the student speaker for graduation brunch. I was offered my dream position as an Assistant Public Defender representing individuals who cannot afford an attorney and who overwhelmingly suffer from mental illness, extreme poverty, or experienced severe trauma in their lives (or a combination of each). In 2017 alone, I have participated in six trials, five of which I was lead attorney on. I have recently received approval from the Public Defender himself to launch my Podcast: Lavender, Liberty and Lemonade, a space for conversations relating to people, legal politics, and pop-culture, designed for artists and activists (coming spring 2017!)”

FERNANDO ESPINO has followed in his father’s footsteps and entered the commercial real estate industry. He took a position at Crossman & Company in 2015, where he works on leasing retail shopping center space. He works primarily

with Publix-anchored properties.

JASMINE (GLICK) KICHAVEN and Matthew Kichaven were married at Temple Emanu-El on Miami Beach on January 14th, 2017. Jasmine writes, “We met at the University of Arizona my freshman year, been together for six years, and he proposed to me at Disneyland. We live in Los Angeles, California with our dog George.”

MICHAEL KJELSON completed a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Miami, and then a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech. He is currently an engineer at GE Transportation, where he is working on designs for some of the most cuttingedge diesel-electric engines that reduce environmental pollutants to all-time low levels for freight trains and marine vessels.

He writes, “I live in Chicago and on my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking, snowboarding, exploring, and going back to Miami as a tourist during the winter.”

JULIA KRAKOW writes, “I’m currently living in Boston and I’m working at Liberty Mutual Insurance as a senior analyst in charge of growth and profitability strategies. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to our offices in the Midwest and Southwest. Outside of work, I love being active in the Boston community and enjoy playing intramural sports, volunteering at Big Sister, and have a food Instagram account (eat.drink.boston) with nearly 2,000 followers!”

DAVID OMACHANU writes, “I worked for Paycom and received “The Executive” award for being the #1 sales representative in my training class of 15 individuals.

I went on to close the first deal in the territory I was assigned after the previous two reps weren’t able to generate any business. I recently started a lifestyle development and sales

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ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND MARCH 17-18, 2017

AT H L E T IC H A L L OF FA M E I N DUC T ION On Friday, March 17th, alumni, families, current and former teachers and coaches all came together to celebrate the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend. This year, the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee inducted three new members: Jeff Greenwell ‘75 presented by David Greenwell ‘80 and Andy Hessen ‘76, Coach Mike Becker presented by Hart Baur ‘82 and Danny Rosenberg ‘82, and Kristen Titley ‘10 presented by Coach William Gonzalez.

J E F F GR E E N W E L L ‘ 75 stood out at the young Palmer School as an all-around exceptional athlete. He played baseball, soccer and football, the latter for which he was recognized with All-Dade County honors. Jeff played football at Mars Hill College, St. Leo’s College and for the semi-pro Tampa Bay Sharks.

M I K E BEC K E R taught and coached at Palmer from the 1981-82 year through the 1986-87 year.

Most notable during his tenure are many titles for the Cross Country and Track teams, including the State Championship Cross Country team in 1986.

K R IS T E N T I T L E Y ‘10 was a five-year member of the volleyball team at Palmer Trinity, and also played softball for six seasons. As a junior, Kristen was selected to Florida Coaches Second Team AllState and Miami Herald Third Team All-Dade County. At Bucknell University, Kristen played Varsity Volleyball for four years and was recognized with Patriot League Academic Honor Roll Selection.

Debbie (Clark) Magenheimer ‘77, Stewart Magenheimer ‘76, Pilar (Guzman) Neer ‘76, Jim Karasautos ‘77

Coach William Gonzalez, Tom Magenheimer ‘78, Kristen Titley ‘10, Athletic Director Ernest Robertson

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Hart Bauer ‘82, Coach Mike Becker, Kevin Russo ‘85

Jon Greenwell ‘79, Andy Hessen ‘76, Jeff Greenwell ‘75, Joe Greenwell, David Greenwell ‘80

ALUMNEWS

Richard Rosen and Adria (Jenkins) Simon ‘02

Jan (Risi) Field ‘77, Lou and Mary Jean Risi, James Field, Lynley (Walker) Ciorobea ‘96 and Head of School Patrick Roberts

Alumni President Lynley (Walker) Ciorobea ‘96, Brittney (Hoffman) McCabe ‘99, Adrianna Truby.jpg

Miles McGrath ‘87, Dennis Finneran ‘87, Coach Jim Beverly

Jan Tobin, Alumni Associate Elena De Villiers, Kathy Vale

Lee Sterling ‘81, Craig Zimmett ‘77 and Donna Zimmett, Tim Chappell ‘77 and Terri Chappell

DI S T I NGU I SH E D A LU M N I AWA R D S Following the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction, alumni had the opportunity to celebrate and catch up with former classmates and teachers. The evening also included the presentation of our Distinguished Alumni Awards to Jan (Risi) Field ‘77 (Head of School’s Award), presented by Craig Zimmett ‘77, and to Brittney (Hoffman) McCabe ‘99 (Founder’s Award), presented by Adrianna Truby.

The Founders’ Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have helped to fulfill the vision of the founders of the Palmer, Trinity, and Palmer Trinity Schools. It is awarded to individuals who have been deeply concerned about Palmer Trinity School and who have demonstrated honor, courage, and leadership. After graduating from Smith College with a degree in Political Science, Brittney earned a master’s degree in Gender Studies at George Washington University. She served for many years in the social justice and nonprofit sectors before returning to Palmer Trinity as a passionate educator. She has also volunteered for nearly every alumni opportunity offered, including Alumni College & Career Day, the Admission Advisory Committee, as a Class Agent, the Alumni Annual Fund and ultimately serving on the inaugural Alumni Association Board.

The Head of School’s Alumni Award recognizes distinguished service to the community that exemplifies Palmer Trinity School’s mission — a commitment to the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative growth of all members of our community. After graduation, Jan earned a double major from De Pauw University and a Master’s degree from UCLA. In 1996 she began her own company, Independent Purchasing Cooperative, now a global leader in the quick-service food industry. As a former Palmer Pirate, Jan has volunteers to plan and host reunions for our Alumni from the 70s.

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Diane Ashouri ‘09 and her husband Gabriella (Verwaay) Desir ‘09 and Faris welcome baby Zayn Desir ‘09 on their wedding day

Katie Titley ‘09 and her new play in NYC

Jasmine (Glick) Kichaven ‘09 and her husband Matthew Kichaven

Genesis and Santiago Rojas Couttenye Tyler Kalbac ‘10 and his bride ‘10 with their baby boy Jenni on their wedding day

Adriana (Alvarez) Stoumpo ‘11 and her Ashley Ramkishun ‘11 at Law husband William on their wedding day School

Broadway in New York City.

I am currently the Assistant Company Manager of a new musical called Dear Evan Hansen. I’m incredibly grateful to work on such a wonderful show, playing to sold out audiences every night.”

KATIE TITLEY writes, “After graduating from Colorado College in 2013 with a degree in Environmental Science, I decided to pursue a slightly different route and work in commercial theater on

GABRIELLA (VERWAAY) DESIR writes, “FARIS DESIR ‘09 and I were married August 27, 2016 in Miami, with our closest family and lots of friends. Palmer Trinity alums in attendance included: RICKY MONTERO

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Landon Michelson ‘10 accepts his first place winners check from the West Florida Tour Director.

Maria Elena Gutierrez ‘13

training business called Rational Persuasion, LLC. The purpose of that company is to share with my generation, as well as other generations, ways to deal with our problems and strategies to grow their businesses through the art of selling.”

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Martin Dolgiej ‘09 and his bride Devin on their wedding day

‘09, SEAN HEW ‘09, MANUEL ESCANCIANO ‘09, MARK ALLEN ‘09, ALEX QUIÑONES ‘09, JULIA KRAKOW ‘09, VASCO COSTA-MARQUES ‘07, and of course family alumni: AMIRA DESIR ‘14, ISABELLE VERWAAY ‘10 and soon to be alum MICHELLE VERWAAY ‘17.

Faris passed the Florida bar in September and he is currently working as an immigration attorney. I am working as a public health consultant for an energy startup working in Dominica and Haiti.”

Farida Amer ‘13 working in the entertainment industry

LAURA VOGEL is currently living in London, Canada and finishing her final year of her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering. She welcomed a son, Evan Vogel, in February.

2010

CLASS AGENTS

Victoria Fernandez vfmarante@gmail.com Annie Morrison annie.morrison2@gmail.com

ALUMNEWS Martina Faillace mafaillace@gmail.com TYLER KALBAC writes, “Jenni and I got married on October 23 at the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Coconut Grove. The wedding was beautiful. I’m currently finishing my third year of medical school at FIU, and Jenni teaches at Coral Reef High School.”

CHRISTINA LUDOVICI writes, “I am heading to UVA’s Darden School of Business in the fall to get my MBA. Prior to starting, I am going to spend three weeks traveling around Europe this summer. Lastly, shout-out to my best friend, LAURA VOGEL ‘09, for bringing the beautiful Evan Vogel into this world - love you both!”

LANDON MICHELSON writes, “I qualified for the PGA Tour Latin America in January in Sebring, Florida, shooting 11 under par, finishing 6th. This gives me full status for the first nine events on the PGA Tour Latin America.

In addition to that good finish at the qualifying tournament, I won the West Florida Golf Tour event at the Ritz-Carlton in Bradenton, Florida.”

ERIK QUISENBERRY-DIAZ recently joined Bash Network as a Digital Marketing Operations Manager. He writes, “I just moved to Denver Colorado and will begin a master’s program at Denver University for marketing.”

SANTIAGO ROJAS COUTTENYE writes, “We are currently back in Miami, our son is six months old already, and I’m still working for Nielsen on their finance team.”

PAULINA TORO recently graduated from Hunter College with a degree in Statistics, Sociology and Computer Science. In February she started working as a Junior Research Analyst for Research Alliance for New York City Schools at NYU.

2011

for Books and Books in Coral Gables.”

Alexa Cajiga acajiga93@me.com

ERICA VAZQUEZ-BACARDI recently joined Identity Media PR as the Public Relations Coordinator. She is based in Miami.

CLASS AGENTS

Katherine R. Difede 91difede@cardinalmail.cua.edu ANGELA ALVAREZ writes, “My husband I were married January 7th at Epiphany Catholic Church in Miami and our reception was at the Coral Gables Country Club. It was a large Puerto Rican/Greek wedding; two beautiful cultures mixed together. He’s from Athens, Greece and we met in Miami.”

ANGIE AUDIE is pursuing a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2014.

EMILY KEUNEN graduated from NYU with a Master’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. She writes, “I am currently a third-grade teacher at the Parkside School, which is a public school Brooklyn. It is my first year as a teacher and I am really enjoying it.”

NINA MAS writes, “I recently graduated from FIU with a marketing degree, but decided to pursue physical therapy as a career instead—especially with my background in soccer.

I played for FAU in Boca for two years of undergrad. This fall I will begin studies at the University of Southern California.”

ASHLEY RAMKISHUN writes, “I’m in my second semester of law school at George Washington University. I recently competed in the 1L Mock Trial competition and made the law school’s Mock Trial Board. This summer I will be a judicial intern for Judge de la O in the criminal division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami, Florida.”

DANIELA ROGER writes, “I am a bookseller and merchandiser

2012

CLASS AGENTS

Josh Reid ‘14 working on Delta Airlines engines

Giancarlo S. Falconi g.falconi@umiami.edu Biraaj M. Mahajan bmahajan@bu.edu XIMENA BOBADILLA graduated from Wellesley College.

She writes, “I’m currently a freelance photographer and kitchen designer in Gloucester, Massachusetts.”

CRISTINA HERNANDEZ writes, “I graduated from Boston College in May 2016 and am a 2016 Teach for America Corps member. I am working as the Director of ESL and Language Development at KIPP Academy Boston Elementary in Manhattan and love the kids I work with. Sending much love to our amazing class of 2012 and to everyone at PTS!” AUSTIN MILLER writes, “I recently finished my bachelor’s degree with a B.S in Exercise Physiology from the University of Miami, graduating with Cum Laude. Currently, I am working towards getting my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In my free time, I am running a personal training business as well competing in the sport of powerlifting. In December of 2016, I competed at the USA Powerlifting American Open. I received a gold medal as well as achieving an elite class total. I aspire to continue in the field of wellness in order promote a healthy lifestyle in others.”

SEBASTIAN NICHOLLS graduated from Georgetown University and is living in San Francisco, where he is

Sabrina Rodriguez ‘14 runs into Alumni Ambassador Elena De Villiers in NYC

Back on the Court: Claire Hebb ‘15, Alyssa Pino ‘16, Ilana Baiamonte ‘15, Janelle Gonzalez ‘15, Victoria Quintero ‘15, Arissa Baiamonte ‘13, Samantha Waldman ‘15, Sabrina Yanes ‘15

Gaby Befeler ‘15, Danielle Befeler ‘09, Richard Befeler ‘10, and Giovanna Befeler ‘19

Stephanie Montoya-Redlich ‘15 at the University of Virginia with a tour of current PTS students

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a Management Consulting Analyst for Accenture.

HALINA RACHELSON writes, “I was based at the Technical University of Delft through my university in Canada to learn about sustainable community and mobility network design, focused especially on how to adapt our North American cities to accommodate bicycle transport more. I also spent a few months taking graduate courses at Wageningen University and Research, which works jointly with the AMS Institute to advance research and practice in sustainable cities.”

JESSICA SALGADO writes, “I just graduated in May from the school of nursing at Boston College and am currently working as an RN in the ER at New York Presbyterian. Working in the ER is challenging but there is never a dull moment and I am always learning something new. I love being a nurse because it is such a rewarding career, knowing that every day you come to work you are making a difference in someone’s life. I can’t imagine doing anything else!”

CHRISTINA SANTILLI writes, “I graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in May 2016, and have been working at Ford Motor Company for eight months now. I will be applying to law school soon, and I am very excited for this new chapter.”

was Noises Off! I’m still pursuing film and television and am currently developing a pilot and editing a documentary I made while visiting my family in Egypt.”

PRESTON MICHELSON writes, “I am graduating in March from Northwestern University with a double major in journalism and political science and will be staying in the Chicagoland area as I have accepted an offer to be an assistant director of athletic communications for the Northwestern athletic department. I will be working closely with several teams and creating content, conducting media relations outreach, and running social media accounts.”

MARIA ELENA GUTIERREZ writes, “I’m currently interning at Personal Music, a fully integrated multi-cultural music, sound design and audio production company servicing Advertising, Film, TV, Radio and Interactive Media. I will be graduating from the University of Miami in the Fall of 2017 with an Electrical Engineering major with a concentration in Audio and a minor in Music Business. After graduation, I am going to pursue a Master’s degree in the field of Engineering Management.”

RODOLFO MARTINEZ-DON writes, “I am interning for the Executive Vice President of the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, DC. I am primarily conducting research on foreign policy.”

2013

2014

Preston R. Michelson michelsonpr@gmail.com

Sara Abbassi sabbassi96@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

FARIDA AMER writes, “I have recently booked a show called Allen Wilder 2.0 at the Lounge Theatre in LA and I’ve just graduated from college this February from AMDA. There, I was known for performing in many shows but the most popular one

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CLASS AGENTS

Sabrina J. Rodriguez sjr430@nyu.edu JENNA FUSFIELD is a junior at Boston University, studying at Questrom School of Management. She is working as a Radio DJ at WTBU and as a

BU Ambassador, and loves living in Boston.

CHRIS HAUFF is studying Social Entrepreneurship at Drexel University. He wrote us about his latest project: “SolarWind is portable green energy for your house/ apartment. By keeping the solar units portable it allows us to get rid of the high initial cost of roof-top solar and bring green energy to the middle and lower economic classes of the US as well as to renters such as retail stores who usually rent their space rather than own it.

I am almost done with product development and I am currently seeking out investors to launch the business on a large scale.”

JOSH REID writes, “I’m having an absolute blast being a co-op here at Delta. I’m currently working in the Propulsion Engineering department with the other engineers, and our job involves the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of all of the engines that fly in our fleets. I find it an amazing opportunity because I’m gaining a lot of useful experience while doing something that I love.”

PAULA SAN AGUSTIN writes, “I’m currently working two different internships--I am a Marketing Representative for Warner Bros. and I am also interning at Michelle Lehmann Communications, a Public Relations firm in Manhattan. I’m currently a Junior at NYU.” MICHAEL VEGA-SANZ writes, “I am currently getting a double concentration in Finance and Information Technology Management at Babson College. Recently, my brother MATTHEW VEGA-SANZ ‘14 and I started our own company, called Lula, that is garnering a lot of attention and traction in the Boston area. It’s an app that will enable peerto-peer car-sharing among college students.”

2015

CLASS AGENTS

Keenan Rodriguez keenanrodriguez10@gmail.com Isa Ruiz isabellaruiz1029@gmail.com JESSE ALVAREZ writes, “The people I’ve met at the University of Miami have helped me learn what makes all the work I’ve been doing worthwhile. It’s more work than I’ve ever had and I couldn’t be happier. This semester has included working in Canestage’s production of Into the Woods, working on student films, and a number of architecture projects, whether for Alpha Rho Chi or for our Design Studios.”

VICTORIA FRIEDLANDER writes from Chapel Hill, North Carolina: “I’m currently double majoring in Philosophy and Peace War and Defense with a minor in Religious Studies. The PWAD (Peace War and Defense) major is unique to Carolina and there are so many great opportunities for undergrad research, which I will be beginning next semester within the subfield of national security and intelligence. I’m involved in a campus ministry that brings about community service opportunities. I am also part of a program called HYPE where I tutor children in local community centers after school.”

SHREEYA MISHRA recently received an internship at the University of Miami’s Center for Computational Science. She is also on a nationally ranked Bollywood Fusion Dance team called UJhoom.

STEPHANIE MONTOYA-REDLICH writes, “I was just accepted to the Youth and Social Innovation major in the Curry School of Education.

This major focuses on education policy and evaluating social innovations that affect youth. I have started doing research with a professor at Curry and currently, I am working on two projects: one on school nutrition and the other

ALUMNEWS Mississippi in August of 2016. The soft cover version should be out in August of 2017.”

Former faculty member JERAMY NICHOLS earned his Ph.D. and is now Assistant Professor of Music Ed and Choral Music at Indiana University SE. Victoria Friedlander ‘15 with current PTS students at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Nick Font ‘16 at High Point University gives a tour to current PTS students

on college advising programs in the U.S. I’m also most likely minoring or majoring in Women Gender Studies. I continue to be involved with Best Buddies on grounds, so that’s something that I enjoy here at UVA.”

2016

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

OSMEL ALVAREZ, an Arts and Sciences pre-major, was recently put on the Dean’s List at Johns Hopkins University’s Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.

SARAH CORBISHLEY is studying international studies and economics at American University. She was recently selected as one of the University’s Orientation Leaders.

CARO MALLAR writes, “I am currently a freshman at the University of Miami. I am a Biology major on the pre-med track with Chemistry, English Literature, and Psychology minors. Outside of school, I have continued my work as the Chair of the Pediatric Advisory Council at Kendall Regional Medical Center. Through the council, I continue to run the Teddy Bear

Victoria Quintero ‘15 and Alumni Gabriela Shaikh ‘16 gives a tour of Duke Ambassador Elena De Villiers University to current PTS students

Faculty Member Marty Migliaccio Julie Suris, Caroline Goodwin, Teresa Magaz and Elena DeVilliers with her granddaughter

Clinics, where children can bring their teddy bears for “check-ups” and learn about healthcare. I am also a Girl Scout Troop Leader for a troop of young girls.”

GABY SHAIKH writes, “In my first year at Duke, I’ve broadened my horizons and ultimately found several passions that I did not know that I had!

Currently, I hope to major in computer science; however, I am also still considering studying Spanish, Public Policy, History, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. On campus, I am a tour guide, a member of Duke Business Oriented Women, a tutor for Spanish-speaking refugees, a leader of a preorientation program, a member of a sorority, and an employee of the Duke Catholic Center. Finally, I am excited to announce that I will be studying abroad in Rome this summer!”

CASSIE PLUNKETT writes, “For the past several weeks I’ve been DJ-ing a two-hour radio show called ‘This Is Now: Sunday Late’ on the Berklee Internet Radio Network (BIRN). The show is designed to train incoming BIRN DJ’s so that they are able to host their own show after passing a proficiency test and transitioning from a Noob - an untrained DJ -

into a Peep - a trained DJ. People who are interested can listen to the show on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at www.thebirn. com or find my playlists from each show on Spotify at open. spotify.com/user/1215737968.”

AKANE WAKI began studies at the School of Liberal Arts at Sophia University in Japan, one of the country’s top universities.

Faculty and Former Faculty News History faculty member ALDO REGALADO writes, “My book, Bending Steel With Bare Hands: Modernity and the American Superhero is an academic study (a cultural history) that examines the significance of the “superhero” in American culture from the early 19th century through the 20th century. It deals with issues of race, class, gender, immigration, and identity as reflected in superhero fiction in the context of an emerging “modern” society. It’s based on my doctoral dissertation, which I defended back in 2007.

The hardcover version was published by University Press of

TERESA MAGAZ came to visit the campus. Teresa taught Spanish at Trinity Episcopal and at PTS until her retirement in 2000. She currently lives in Seattle, Washington. She and her daughter, Marisa, were treated to a tour of the South Campus by Director of Development JUAN GOMEZ.

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.

BLAKE BABCOCK taught at Palmer and Palmer Trinity from 1986 to 2000. He will be remembered as a beloved history teacher and lacrosse coach. He is remembered in the state for introducing lacrosse to the Florida High School Athletic Association as well. Mr. Babcock was honored by students in the 2000 Palmer Trinity yearbook with the words, “We give you all our sincerest thanks and appreciation for your sincerity and care.”

Corrections Our apologies for these inadvertent mistakes.

A photo in the Fall 2016 edition of the Aerie was incorrectly identified. The individuals pictured are MR. GRAYDEN SCHAFER and MRS. BRITTANY (KALBAC) SCHAFER ‘07 on their wedding day, not Courtney (Clark) Dramis ‘07 as captioned.

The name of SEAN SABOGAL ‘15 was misspelled.

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Photo Credit: Juan Camilo Nicholls ‘11