PCDS The Bridge Magazine, Winter 2025

THE BRIDGE

A PUBLICATION OF PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

THE BRIDGE

Phoenix Country Day School Fall 2024/Winter 2025

Andrew Rodin Head of School

Gay Firestone Wray Chair for Leadership

Roz Bolger Abero ’89 Assistant Head of School

Katie Charles Director of Annual Giving & Stewardship

C. Ryan Joyce Director of Development

Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99 Director of Alumni Relations and The Bridge Contributing Editor

Chris Martinez

Director of Communications & Marketing and The Bridge Editor

Jennifer Murray Administrative Assistant and Special Events Planner

Tina Pitts Advancement and Communications Coordinator

Largo Photography, Mark Skalny Photography Feature Photography

Other photography and articles: PCDS students, faculty, and staff

The Bridge is published twice each calendar year. An Annual Report on Philanthropy is included in the summer issue.

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please email The Bridge at communications@pcds.org.

©2025 Phoenix Country Day School. All rights reserved.

ON THE COVER

Chase Sorosky ’25, Claudia Primus ’25, Lelia Symington ’25, Swim & Dive team introduced at Blue & Gold

THIS PAGE

MS students at First Friday assembly

BACK COVER

Danica Schwartz ‘30, Nyla Joy ‘30, Kylie Marciano ‘30

the

from PCDS Upper School (US), Middle School (MS), and Lower School (LS), plus alumni features and philanthropy highlights.

A Bridge to a Legacy: The Daley Family’s Reunion at PCDS

Annual Fund dollars at work. Read more about the impact of philanthropy at PCDS starting on page 38.

Summer 2024 Issue Corrections

The following families were inadvertently omitted from the Honorable Mae Sue Talley Society Members list in the Annual Report on Philanthropy: Gayle & Mike Ahearn, Praveena & Arvind Bobra ’97, Kayleigh & Peter Diamond, Mara & David Dobrusin ’99, The Flack Family, Emily & Jeffrey Gottfurcht, Amanda & Michael Koch, Marilyn & Biggs Porter, Erica Hendrix & John Shay

In the MS Athletics Awards, the 5/6 girls’ soccer team won the Mountain Valley Athletic Championship.

PCDS Community,

When I was 10 years old, I got to play in my first Toilet Bowl. Before you read on, let me tell you: it’s even cooler than it sounds.

Every year on Thanksgiving Day morning, the adults in my extended family would trod down to the local park, lay down sweatshirts and jackets and extra shoes to establish sidelines and endzones, pick teams, and compete in a rowdy game of touch football. Sometimes it was lighthearted, sometimes fi erce. Sometimes there was laughter, sometimes tears (mine). And always a sense of things swirling around the edge of anything we could actually be proud of: hence the name “Toilet Bowl.”

For years prior to my tenth birthday, I had been an avid viewer of this spectacle, roaming the sidelines and shouting out the score, counting the minutes, it seemed, until I could be an actual participant. And when I at long last hit the age minimum, I felt like I had finally arrived.

I’ve often thought about what, exactly, it was that drew me with such force to that experience. It couldn’t have been the quality of play, which was generally terrible. And it wasn’t the bragging rights, because it wasn’t

always clear who had won. (It also certainly wasn’t the cracked kneecap I endured in my third time playing, but that’s another story.)

What made it so appealing was that I was finally able to be a part of something that had been inaugurated long before I came along, something that was a rite of passage that left you feeling like you belonged. It was a tradition that felt much, much bigger than the game itself. And I looked forward to being a part of it for years to come.

In this issue of The Bridge, you will read about some of the most time-honored fall traditions at PCDS: from First Friday to the Boat Regatta to Blue & Gold—our version of Homecoming. All celebrate our accomplishments as a community, and the momentum that is generated from the celebration of these accomplishments, year after year, is a big part of what enables our PCDS to hold such a special place in each of our hearts.

Here’s to wishing all of you the very best in 2025. And here’s to a new year of traditions to enjoy and to establish.

Let’s go, Eagles!

Andrew M. Rodin P’19, ’19, ’25 Head of School

Gay Firestone Wray Chair for Leadership

PCDS Mission PCDS prepares promising students to become responsible leaders and lifelong learners through an education that emphasizes intellectual engagement, independence, collaboration, creativity, and integrity.

“ I am honored to be on the Board of Trustees, serving as the President of the Alumni Association. I love learning how the School is run while being surrounded by so many smart people. It’s a privilege to give back to a community that has done so much for me.” Welcome to our Newest Trustees

Brooke Levy P’29, ’32

“ As a proud parent of two PCDS students, I am honored to join the Board of Trustees. This is an opportunity to support a School deeply committed to shaping the minds and values of its students. I embrace this responsibility wholeheartedly, knowing that the impact of our collective efforts will extend far beyond the walls of PCDS.”

Courtney McConnell ’06

Martin Felli

President

Darryl Berger

Executive Vice President and Vice PresidentTrusteeship

Julie Sabeeh Vice PresidentAdvancement

Jordan Rose Vice PresidentFacilities Planning

Chris Ashby Vice PresidentFinance

Jawad Ahsan

Kristen Brook ’95

Theresa Gregory

Brooke Levy

Mercedes Liljegren

Kelsey Martin

Riad Nizam

Dan Silverman

Kiran Singh

Dave Stearns

Ex officio:

Andrew Rodin Head of School

Courtney McConnell

Melnyk ’06 President, Alumni Association

Alie Chaidez

President, Parents’ Association

Advisory Trustees:

Susan J. Bansak

Beverly Bradway

Daniel J. Donahoe III

Bennett Dorrance

Nick Firestone ’84

Susan Garrity

Samuel Garvin

Bert Getz

Donald R. Loback

Jahm Najafi

Ellie B. Nolan

Frederick M. Pakis

Nicholas J. Sakellariadis ’69

Tracy Schwimmer

Jonah Shacknai

Shoshana B. Tancer

Charlene Whitfill

Garth Wieger

Gay F. Wray

PCDS is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), which sets forth guidelines for independent school governing boards. To view the Principles of Good Practice, visit www.pcds.org/admissions/the-independent-school-difference.

Top row, from left: Dan Silverman, Darryl Berger, Head of School Andrew Rodin, Dave Stearns. Third row: Riad Nizam, President Martin Felli, Kelsey Martin. Second row: Theresa Gregory, Chris Ashby, Parents’ Association President Alie Chaidez, Kiran Singh, Alumni Association President Courtney McConnell Melnyk ’06. Bottom row: Julie Sabeeh, Brooke Levy, Kristen Brook ’95, Jordan Rose. Not pictured: Jawad Ahsan, Mercedes Liljegren

F A L L

T R A D I

TIME-HONORED STUDENT ENRICHMENT THAT

TFOSTERS COMMUNITY AND CREATES MEMORIES

FIRST FRIDAY

First Friday is rich with traditions: the senior-kindergarten buddy walk across Daley Bridge, the recognition of the Pre-k Class of 2038, and inspiring words of encouragement from LS, MS, US students, and the Board of Trustees.

BLUE & GOLD

Blue & Gold is our PCDS take on Homecoming, marking the finale of a spirited week packed with activities that bring together students and faculty from all three divisions. The celebration features an all-school pep rally and an exciting lineup of MS and US sporting events, culminating with a girls’ varsity volleyball game. The baseball field is transformed into a vibrant carnival scene, with food trucks, a DJ, rides, and activities for all ages. The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks display, creating lasting memories for our community.

T R A D I T I O N S

SENIOR SPEECHES

Senior Speeches are a long-standing and beloved tradition at PCDS. As a graduation requirement, each senior is expected to deliver a 7-10 minute speech to the entire US community on a topic of their choice. Every week, at least two seniors share their speeches during Community Time, part of the School’s commitment to learning through conversation and learning together.

BOAT REGATTA

The annual Boat Regatta is a favorite tradition during Spirit Week. Students showcase their creativity as they sail across the pool in their unique, handmade boats.

LS ARTS STROLL

The LS Arts Stroll offers a unique and cherished opportunity for LS students to proudly showcase their talents in visual and performing arts. Held in conjunction with the LS Fall Concert, the event transforms the LS into a vibrant gallery, displaying artwork from every grade level. Parents, teachers, and friends can enjoy the diverse range of student creations, from colorful paintings and imaginative sculptures to detailed drawings and mixedmedia pieces.

Beyond the visual displays, the Arts Stroll also highlights the students’ musical and performance skills, with performances that add to the festive, community-centered atmosphere. This event has become a beloved tradition, celebrating our young artists and performers’ creativity, hard work, and dedication.

The LS Arts Stroll fosters a love for the arts among students and brings the community together, encouraging appreciation and support for artistic expression at every age.

8TH GRADE TRIP TO CATALINA

In MS, each grade embarks on a unique journey that aligns with their studies while fostering class unity and showcasing the real-world impact of their education. Our 8th graders embark on a captivating journey to Catalina Island each year. Amidst the scenic surroundings, they engage in kayaking, hiking, and nighttime snorkeling to witness the enchanting bioluminescence. Amidst marine biology lessons, the 8th graders form bonds with junior students, who serve as trip counselors and continue as mentors throughout the school year. The Catalina trip stands out as a beloved experience for many PCDS students!

9TH GRADE CLASS TRIP

Each year, the 9th graders, their First Year Initiative (FYI) Seniors, and chaperones stay at Camp Shadow Pines in Heber, AZ for the annual 9th Grade Class Trip. This trip is a vital part of the 9th grade transition to the US, and the FYI seniors ensure that the freshman year experience is as positive as possible for every student in the 9th grade. While having fun is a top priority, the event has five goals: to bond as a grade by strengthening connections between old and new students; to encourage participation and engagement through games and activities; to facilitate mentoring between seniors and freshman as well as faculty to students; to provide the students an opportunity to be away from the typical stressors of schoolwork; and to create and model an environment of inclusion, empathy, and respect.

12TH GRADE CLASS TRIP

Each senior class enjoys the traditional service trip to Camp Tatiyee, a summer camp for people of all ages with varying disabilities in Lakeside, AZ. While there, the seniors complete various tasks to help maintain the camp’s facilities, and enjoy hiking, free time, and bonding as a class.

Breaking Ground

The Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts

On September 17, 2024, PCDS celebrated the groundbreaking for the largest structure ever built in our nearly 65-year history. Named The Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts, this student-focused 24,000-square-foot facility is well under construction and scheduled to open in January of 2026.

Attending the groundbreaking ceremony on this beautiful September morning were generous donors—including current parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends— whose collective contributions had raised $22.5 million towards this $25.5 million facility. Head of School Andy Rodin recognized the two lead donors to this project: current PCDS parents Jawad and Arsala Ahsan P ’32, ’36, and current PCDS grandparents Nancy and Peter Salter G ’26, 29, ’31, ’34, each of whom spoke eloquently about what motivated their philanthropy. Before the official groundbreaking, PCDS Board of Trustees President Martin Felli spoke about the importance of leaving a legacy for generations to come.

The Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts will feature a 600-seat performance hall

—to be known as The Salter Performance Hall—and an elegant lobby that can accommodate indoor events for the PCDS community. In addition to the main stage, there are a number of strategic spaces for PCDS students to exercise their creativity such as a costume lab, scene shop, two side stages flanking the main stage, dressing and makeup rooms, and a lighting and sound booth on the floor so students handling theater technology are visible. In addition, there is no orchestra pit in order for all musicians to be visible during performances.

This facility is the first component of several capital improvement projects being pursued by PCDS as part of the $40 million Play On! Capital Campaign. We will share more about this exciting project in forthcoming editions of The Bridge

From left: Stephanie Weinshel, Audrey Weinshel ’26, Allie Parzych ’31, Valerie Parzych, Nancy Salter, Ansley Parzych ’34, Andy Rodin

Above: Martin Felli, Jawad Ahsan, Dia Ahsan ’36, Arsala Ahsan, Ezz Ahsan ’32, Andrew Rodin. Far left: Sean Weinshel ’29.

Left: Andrew Rodin.

Fall 2024 Independent Studies

US students chart their own course outside the classroom

In the fall semester, thirty-four students developed Independent Studies, allowing them to explore areas of interest beyond the regular curriculum. The studies this term fell in the realms of academic research, artistic design and creation, journalism, and business applications. Students who are interested in designing an Independent Study course begin with a proposal that outlines the objectives of the study, questions that will be explored, and the general timeline for the work, identify the resources that will be used, and determine how the attainment of their goals will be demonstrated. Once their proposals are approved by the Dean of Academics and Head of US, students begin their study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students have regular meetings with their study advisor and keep a work log they share with their advisor and the Dean of Academics. At the end of the semester, students give a presentation summarizing their study, including highlights, challenges, unexpected outcomes, and future work in the area.

Investigating the Process of Botanical Research

Kathryn Barakat ’26

In seventh grade, I talked to a family friend who worked in the field of phylogenetics. I learned about how one can trace an organism’s entire lineage, where it originated, its sources of nutrients, and more by looking closely at its DNA sequencing. Ever since then, I have been fascinated by genetics and had a strong desire to do some research of my own.

At the Desert Botanical Gardens, I work with researcher Dr. Shannon Fehlberg to trace the geographical origins of a specific species of cactus, Ariocarpus Kotschoubeyanus, that was seized at the U.S.-Mexico border. The end goal is to work with the Mexican government to send these illegally-smuggled cacti back to their natural habitats in Mexico.

First, we had to extract DNA from samples of the A. Kotschoubeyanus that we had in the garden. These samples could be different parts of the cactus, such as a flower or a piece of its flesh. Overall, we did DNA extractions on over 40 different samples of A. Kotschoubeyanus. We then checked the quality of the DNA that we extracted from the plants by ‘running a gel’, a process that adds fluorescent dye to the DNA, so that you can see it when scanned by a machine.

The second step of the research project was to test which microsatellites our A. Kotschoubeyanus had. Microsatellites are segments of DNA code that repeat the same sequencing (i.e. ATG ATG ATG ATG ATG).

These repeating sequences are incredibly common in plants, and they can inform us on the genetic similarities between related species. The more microsatellites that organisms share, the more closely related they are.

The technique used to test said microsatellites is called ‘running a PCR’. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a laboratory method that mixes the DNA extracted from samples with DNA primers of known microsatellites in order to replicate that part of the DNA. We put the mixture into a PCR machine, which heats the mixture to optimal temperatures throughout the replication process. DNA primers bind to a targeted portion of DNA that they are coded for, meaning that if the DNA from our extractions doesn’t have the specific microsatellite that we are searching for, the DNA will not be replicated. In order for us to see if the replication was successful, we have to run another gel in order to see the DNA with the naked eye.

Knowing the microsatellites that A. Kotschoubeyanus contains is vital to this experiment because we are sharing our knowledge with researchers in Mexico, who are testing the microsatellites of A. Kotschoubeyanus cacti in their surrounding landscapes. By cross-referencing our microsatellite data with theirs, we can find the plants in Mexico that are the closest relatives to the seized A. Koschoubeyanus, and we would be able to determine the original sites of the smuggled A. Kotschoubeyanus

I have really enjoyed my time at the Desert Botanical Gardens. There was definitely a large learning curve, as I have never worked on a research project before. As time went on, however, my confidence and understanding of the experiment increased. Now, I often work in the lab independently. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity and can’t wait to see what next semester brings!

Hydrogels as Sorbents in Carbon Capture

Sarah Bendok ’26

As global carbon emissions continue to surge, developing innovative and sustainable solutions, like carbon capture, is crucial to slowing climate change and preserving our planet’s future. However, carbon capture technology today has limitations such as high cost and limited selectivity/insufficient adsorption capacity for CO2. To address these challenges, my Independent Study focuses on the research and development of hydrogels, which offer promising solutions as sorbents in carbon capture due to their potential for enhanced selectivity, higher adsorption capacity, and cost-effectiveness.

Hydrogels are unique, porous materials composed of polymers—long molecular chains that can absorb and retain significant amounts of water. This molecular structure allows hydrogels to respond to environmental changes and release or absorb substances in controlled ways, making them highly adaptable for various applications. In the context of carbon capture, sorbents are critical, as they selectively capture and hold CO 2 from industrial emissions or the atmosphere, helping reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the air.

Hydrogels stand out as promising candidates for carbon capture sorbents due to their porous structure and high surface area, which enhances their capacity to adsorb CO 2 effectively. Additionally, hydrogels can be tailored chemically to improve their CO 2 selectivity by adding metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) or functional groups like amines, which form bonds with CO 2 molecules. This customizability allows for optimized CO 2 capture efficiency, especially in mixed-gas environments. Furthermore, the flexibility of hydrogels means they can operate under varying environmental conditions, such as humidity and temperature changes, making them durable carbon capture applications.

My study focuses on researching, creating, and testing different hydrogel formulations that maximize CO 2 capture while ensuring low-energy requirements for releasing the captured CO 2 (desorption). After CO 2 is adsorbed onto the hydrogel, a controlled release process allows for CO2 to be separated and either stored or utilized, with the hydrogel sorbent regenerated for repeated capture cycles. The capability of hydrogels to capture (adsorb) and release (desorb) enhances their potential as a sustainable and scalable solution for carbon capture.

Fall 2024 Independent Studies

Kathryn Barakat (with Mr. Tafur): Investigating the Process of Botanical Research

Sarah Bendok (with Mr. McVey): Hydrogels for Water Production

Sophia Bosch (with Ms. Mueller): The Business of Art Curation

Dylan Chen (with Ms. Anderson): Ukrainian Language and Culture (full year)

Deven Chhabra (with Mr. Peacher): TAI’s Affect on Economic Systems in Countries and Future Predictions

Petra Danek (with Sra. Riehle): Advanced Spanish: DELE C1/C2

Piper Fazio (with Mr. Lewis): Game Development: A Multidisciplinary Study of Art, Computer Coding, and Psychology

Alexa Greenberg (with Mr. Lewis): Documentary Filmmaking

Jake Gregory and Aarush Atmakuri (with Mr. Rodin): Intro to Business and Technology

James Jones (with Mr. Heideman): Variables and Their Impacts on the Quality of a Basketball Shot

Matthew Kahn (with Mr. McVey): The Chemistry of How Snake Venom Affects the Human Body

Philip Kaplan (with Dr. Khakpour): Analyzing War Media on 20th-Century Global Confrontations (full year)

Carter Kroeger (with Mr. Bistricky): Effectively Navigating the Music Business in 2024

Julia Lotz (with Mr. Bistricky): Artificial Intelligence in Business Development and Legal Research (full year)

Zoe Oland (with Dr. Harvey): Evolution of Ethics and Style in Journalism (full year)

Michaela Paltzik (with Mr. McVey): Shadowing a Veterinarian (full year)

Ash Reyes (with Ms. Mueller and Ms. Anderson): The Craft of Greek and Roman Pottery: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Zach Rich (with Mr. Peacher): The Strangle Stock Option Strategy

Siena Roach (with Mr. Bistricky): The Study and Promotion of Music Therapy

Logan Rose (with Mr. Baumann): NIL in College and High School Athletes

Simone Sabeeh (with Mr. Sullivan): Strategic Leadership: Analyzing Effectiveness in Influential Roles

Gabby Scott (with Ms. Mueller): The Reality of Production

Lelia Symington (with Mr. Baumann): Transnational Migration in the Western Hemisphere

Cabot Teskey (with Mr. Lewis): Metalworking and Welding a Two Stroke Engine

Sophie Valente (with Dr. Harvey): Bridge to Safety: Migrant Social Services

Aaryan Wadwekar (with Dr. Khakpour): The Raj: How the British Changed Indian Economics, Genetics, and Cultures

Sebastian Wesley (with Ms. Cherilla): Advanced Python: Game Design

Miles Wrubel (with Mr. Baumann): Fundamentals of Commercial Real Estate Investing

Online Classes

Maeve Brown: Business Law

Lily Gentry: Psychology of Crime

Lyzbeth Lara Sandoval: Portuguese I

Jessica Osorio: Portuguese I

Gaby Radic: AP Psychology

The Business of Art Curation

Sophia Bosch ’26

This semester I have taken a deep dive into what it truly takes to be an art curator with the help of my art loving and knowledgeable advisor, Mrs. Mueller. This means understanding how to interpret pieces and do the necessary research, how to find pieces for exhibits, and how to put together an exhibition or gallery. This research also included looking into the artistic side and the more business/logistical aspects to art curation.

I started the semester off by researching what art curation really is and I found that the whole idea is taking artists and their work and showcasing it in the best way possible to an audience. The main goal is for the art to reach people and have it resonate with them in a meaningful way. Ideally exposure eventually also results in the gallery, art curator, and the artist making a living with pieces being sold.

I then researched topics such as how to interpret art, how to find good artists to represent as a curator, and the art of creating an exhibition. Along the way I found myself asking some big questions such as, “Who gets to decide how much art is worth?” I found that it depends on many factors such as reputation of the artist, exposure, materials used, and finally, uniqueness. For example, the reason why some art costs millions of dollars to buy is because it became famous for being revolutionary for its time.

Some logistical aspects that I have been learning about are the artist and gallery negotiations and profit split and the economics of the art market. The economics include how the supply and demand of different art and types of art can influence the pricing of the pieces.

I have also learned about the costs of running an art gallery and pricing the art accordingly in order to make a profit. Finally, I learned how much it takes to maintain a valuable art collection and the marketing logistics to attract the audience for your exhibition or gallery.

I put all of this into practice through putting up new student art and rotating the different art that is hung up all around Shin. Through this, I learned how to create visual pathways for the eye to travel, especially with the abstract paintings. I also set up the art display at the coffee house for everyone to enjoy. In addition, I helped to curate the advanced studio art exhibition this year which took place in Arcosanti in mid-December.

I have also been conducting interviews with some amazing people that I have had the opportunity to be put in contact with. This project, within this Independent Study, consists of interviewing an art curator, an art broker, and an artist. I have been blessed to be able to interview one of the main art curators at the Phoenix Art Museum and pick her brain about her life’s passion. I have also been able to interview local legend and artist Randy Slack, and art broker Garret Loomis to understand the different perspectives within the art world.

I have already learned so much and I plan on continuing to help the studio art department at PCDS to showcase student art in the best way possible through Arts Walk or just simply around campus for people to admire. I also hope to create my own exhibition in the spring featuring artists I found and art that I will be selling for a limited amount of time.

“ Whether sparked by a course they’ve taken or a passion they’ve discovered, Independent Studies allow students to explore topics in depth and with creativity. With clear goals in mind, they embark with curiosity and determination, and it is truly inspiring to witness their progress and the culmination of their hard work.”

Jennifer Cherilla,

Assistant Head of Upper School and Dean of Academics

Analyzing War Media on 20th-Century Global Confrontations

Philip Kaplan ’26

Analyzing War Media in 20thCentury Global Confrontations is a year-long Independent Study course that delves into the role of media as it shapes the perceptions and stories of war, specifically on 20th-century global confrontations. Through in-depth analysis and investigation of key war media— films, documentaries, articles, literature, interviews, and televised segments—a more critical understanding and engagement of wars such as World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and ultimately the War on Terror will culminate in an all-around understanding of not only their events but their portrayals as well. Working closely with Dr. Arta Khakpour, selective pieces of significant media will be chosen based on relevant historical events, military strategy, public sentiment, and political agendas relative to the current war that is being studied. The year will be structured so that World War I and World War II will be allotted the entire fall semester while the following wars, up until the War on Terror, will be assessed in the spring. After each piece of media is analyzed, an expository essay will be written evaluating the cinematography, message, and how the media contributes to the broader themes of war and its implications. The outcome of this Independent Study will be an extensive portfolio of writings and reflections on a year’s worth of media analysis. One final essay will be chosen and extended so it can be submitted to various historical writing competitions (Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, The Schola, David McCullough Essay Prize, etc.) in hopes of being selected.

Evolution of Ethics and Style in Journalism

Zoe Oland ’25

The Evolution of Ethics and Style in Journalism is a research-based study that uses the history of journalism and modern journalist practices to inform the work posted on the PCDS student news site Eagle Eye News. By assessing journalism’s role in our society and what has historically clouded

its purpose, this study hopes to understand news production from a moral and ethical standpoint.

This Independent Study conceptualizes the relationship between the writer and the reader and what standards a journalist must meet. More broadly, the evaluation of what large media companies should do to distribute effective, meaningful, and necessary stories is also researched. An additional aspect of the study is stylistic and grammatical teachings to enhance writing and storytelling skills.

The study will culminate in applying the tools gained to write a series of investigative articles about a specific issue on the PCDS campus, published on Eagle Eye News. The first semester’s articles investigated waste production in the US.

By learning to write news articles and produce impactful stories, one can evaluate current stories on social media, online sites, and broadcasts for potential journalistic integrity breaches.

Bridge to Safety: Migrant Social Services

Sophie Valente ’25

Bridge to Safety: Migrant Social Services explored the accessibility and evolution of migrant services in the U.S. and Mexico, with a focus on the impacts of immigration laws and historical events. I worked to create a library at Kino Border Initiative, a shelter in Nogales, Mexico that provides food, clothing, medical, and legal assistance for families seeking asylum in America. This library will provide migrants staying at this shelter with a safe, quiet space to relax and read. This is very crucial because migrant children do not have access to education during this long waiting period. I researched the services available to migrants in the U.S. and Mexico and identified the different types of services available, in order to provide information about these services for migrant families staying at Kino. I analyzed the intersection of legal policies that affect the types of services NGOs and nonprofits provide for migrants seeking asylum.

College Visits Through Project Excellence

A Student’s Voice — by Mia Warner ’26

As someone who has been a part of Project Excellence at PCDS for four years, I believe an inclusive community is vital. This program offers resources and opportunities to about 30 scholars on the PCDS campus. Because of Project Excellence, many underprivileged students are provided with experiences that promote intellectual, cultural, and personal development. One experience I am grateful for was the ability to travel out of Arizona and go on three college tours.

From the moment I began discussing my college visits trip, I was excited to experience what could be the next chapter of my life, specifically in the Pacific Northwest. Previously, Arizona State University was the only college campus I had toured. I was familiar with ASU’s cultural and social environment within Arizona’s community, so I believed most colleges felt the same, and the only significant difference was their location. Once I finalized my journey, I planned to tour three universities: the University of Washington, Portland State University, and the University of Oregon.

The main goal of my college visits was to learn more about the three different communities firsthand. After each visit, I discovered that every university has a variety of pros and cons that, truthfully, a quick Google search would not have fully depicted. I observed students interacting with each other as they walked to and from class and participated in various campus events; I was immersed in their atmosphere.

Attending these college tours allowed me to surround myself in the environment, offering a comprehensive understanding of what living and studying on a college campus will be like beyond academic considerations. The University of Washington is in Seattle, a large city, but it felt like a small college town. This differed significantly from Portland State University because PSU was quite urban and spread throughout the city. Lastly, Eugene’s University of Oregon was the center of attention; everyone was a Ducks fan. I was exposed to different cultures and met people with various backgrounds, especially while interacting with students and faculty.

Because traveling is a privilege to many, Project Excellence has helped countless students, including myself, unlock experiences most kids in my circumstance can only dream of. This possibility solidified my acknowledgment and understanding of what I will want throughout my college experience over the next four years; it fueled my passion for thinking big about my goals related to higher education. Everything about this trip was perfect, and I would love to revisit these cities. I hope this program continues to benefit many future scholars and I am excited by the possibilities in my own college future.

Project Excellence is an elite, award-winning scholarship program with a community outreach emphasis. This program was established by PCDS in 1987. The mission of the PCDS Project Excellence is to enrich, engage and empower first generation college-bound students from local public schools and partnering organizations, their educations, and their parents by providing resources, academic enrichment, and opportunities that encourage intellectual, cultural, and personal growth.

Phoenix Country Day School’s Project Excellence imparts the necessary skills to be successful by providing resources and opportunities that most students do not have access to during their regular school day.

All PCDS Project Excellence Programs are free to participants and are funded by the generous support of individuals, grants from local foundations, businesses and the Phoenix Country Day School community.

Fall Play: She Kills Monsters

by Gracie Smith ’26

The 2024 Fall Play was She Kills Monsters —a story following a high school English teacher Agnes Evans (Gracie Smith ’26) as she deals with the tragic loss of her sister Tilly (Saturn Klein ’26). Agnes plays Dungeons & Dragons, a common pastime of Tilly’s, as a way of coping and learning about her deceased sibling. Although the show includes funny quips and physical comedy (and plenty of ’90s references since the show is set in 1995), the main plot is an extremely heartfelt and emotional journey as Agnes finds out that her sister was secretly in love with another student, Lilly (Megan Eckerman ’25). Agnes has to figure out how to come to terms with that fact.

This play was Theater Arts Instructor Stevie Ray Dallimore’s directing debut at PCDS. During the rehearsal process, he would frequently talk about how long he’s been wanting to do this show and how grateful he is to Keith Burns and the US Administration for allowing him to push the boundaries of what’s presented on the PCDS stage. Due to its mature content, this production was marketed for an US and adult audience.

Actors portrayed students and monsters throughout the story and transitional effects showed that the world was shifting between real-life and the fantasy realm

Saturn Klein ‘26

Rya Stearn ‘28, Jiya Mutyala ‘25

Olivia Owens ‘25, Gracie Smith ‘26

Megan Eckerman ‘25

called New Landia. The Stagecraft class created a high platform that was used for plenty of dramatic, fantastical entrances and fight scenes. The fight choreography, designed by faculty member Elizabeth Broeder, stunned audiences and stole the spotlight throughout the show. The Stagecraft class and the cast were tasked with creating a dragon for the final fight between Agnes and the dragon Tiamat. The final outcome truly was a sight to behold; just under fifteen actors, all carrying props (including five swinging heads, wings made from umbrellas, and a glowing cube for a heart), came together to create one magnificent creature.

Costumes and overall character design was done by Sharvi Chaurasia ’26. She and Mr. Dallimore worked with a couple of the cast members to determine what they wanted their Dungeons & Dragons characters to look like. The end result was a wonderful arrangement of contrasting costumes, depicting the vast differences between the fantastical world of New Landia and the real world.

“ For me, this rehearsal process was a new experience. Mr. Dallimore frequently let the cast and crew give input, which helped us feel like we were a part of his creative vision. The Stagecraft class did an amazing job with designing and creating weapons, building platforms, and painting movable blocks for us to use during our fight scenes. Mr. Dallimore and many of the cast members felt that this was an important show to do because it included themes of grieving, fantasy, struggling to let go, and coming to terms with sexuality. I was so happy to be a part of showing this play to the School.”

— Gracie Smith ’26

Above: Ethan Ortega ‘26, Zayna Kahn ‘27, Olivia Owens ‘25, Lili Chaidez ‘27. Below: Gracie Smith ‘26, Sydney Hardy ‘27

First Annual 1-Day Play Project

by Keith Burns, Director of Arts

PCDS Theater added a new program to our season last September with great success! The 1-Day Play Project uses various disciplines in the arts to create an intensively compact creative process, which results in a performance of five short, original plays. US students expressed their preference for involvement as either a writer, director, actor, or crewmember. This year, five writers were selected who wrote original plays inspired by a painting or drawing from any of our visual arts courses. The writers submitted drafts, received feedback from faculty, and made final revisions before submitting their final script.

In September, approximately 30 students gathered in Dorrance Auditorium to learn their job (director, actor, or crew) and which script they would be working on. First, the art pieces were shared along with the titles and playwrights of the five scripts, and then directors, actors, and tech crew learned how they were assigned. After a quick directors meeting, the casts quickly read through the scripts, directors began formulating a vision, and writers trustingly put their creations into the hands of their peers. Actors were assigned to learn their lines by the

next morning, and directors were expected to plan their productions by 9:00 a.m. the next morning.

After a good night’s sleep, all gathered in Dorrance Auditorium for a group meeting and morning warm-up, then directors took their casts to various classrooms and began rehearsing. At the same time, the crew searched for sound effects, built lighting cues, and pulled furniture, props, and costumes for that afternoon’s tech rehearsal. After lunch, each play was put on stage for a run-through, adding all the tech elements. Finally, the company gathered to watch each play’s dress rehearsal. A quick pizza dinner break nourished the participants as the audience gathered, and one day after the scripts were revealed, actors and technicians brought the writer’s scripts to life. The stage was framed with the original visual art that inspired each script, and live piano music filled transitions between each play.

This project emphasizes the importance of process over product and creates a true collaboration among all of the arts offerings on the PCDS campus.

Look for the second annual 1-Day Play Project coming in September 2025!

From left: Jaxson Bulloch ‘25; Asia Harper ‘26, Raya Stearn ‘28; Aila Kaibara ‘25; Ross Wheeler ‘27, Siena Roach ‘25

MS Musical Legally Blonde Jr.

by Keith Burns, Director of Arts

In December, MS theater director Elizabeth Broeder directed the second MS musical (following last year’s Matilda Jr.) with 70 5th through 8th graders. We have known for some time that our MS students had a hunger to perform live musical theater. They have joined the US Musical Theater program to a limited extent, but now that a new annual MS program has been launched, the show is all theirs. Miss Broeder initiated the idea early last year, and the new tradition is already a huge success.

Legally Blonde Jr. was a colorful and dynamic production with elaborate choreography and energetic songs, not

to mention the well-known plot of Elle Woods’s legal prowess and strong sense of fashion and beauty. Recognizable song titles like “Ohmygod You Guys!,” “Bend and Snap,” and “Whipped into Shape” were audience favorites.

The young cast and crew learned much more than how to sing and dance. The lessons of responsibility, collaboration, and innovation are at the forefront of PCDS’s educational theater programs, and this cast and crew passed the bar exam with flying colors.

Agnes Oh ‘32, Avarie Bradley ‘32, Maxen Patel ‘32, Cassie Pondelik ‘30, Laura Souccar ‘31, Simone Taira ‘32

PCDS Advanced Studio Art

A new exhibit celebrates dedication, vision, and unique artistic journey

Students in the Advanced Studio Art class showcased their remarkable talents in an exhibition in the Arcosanti Gallery. Over their initial years in the US, these students have worked diligently to develop strong technical foundations in painting, drawing, and sculpture. Building on this foundation, they embraced the freedom of expression evident in their recent works. Through this process, they explored profound questions about who they are, their values, and how to effectively convey their perspectives using their chosen mediums. While this freedom allows for boundless creativity, it also presents challenges requiring innovative problem-solving and interdisciplinary thinking.

Nancy Burns ’26

Megan Eckerman ’25

Mia Warner ’25

Jaylyn Taylor ’26

Jaxson Bulloch ’25

Ruby Lammersen ’26

The 2023-2024 Don F. Stone Overall Excellence Award

PCDS earns Outstanding Performance in Athletics

The AIA has awarded PCDS the Don F. Stone Overall Excellence Award for the third year in a row. This award is for our outstanding performance in the 2A Conference and is based on success at high levels in both region and state competitions. We attribute our success to teamwork, unmatched leadership in coaching, strong community support, participation of our student athletes, and the work ethic required to compete at the highest level possible. AIA Executive Director David Hines attended our 2024 Blue & Gold ceremony to present our School with this award.

PCDS athletes represented their sport at an AIA presentation during Blue & Gold.

Girls’ Swim & Dive Wins State

AIA DIII State Champions, Small School Champions

AIA DIII Girls Swimming 400 Free Relay State Champions: Olivia Singer ’27, Nancy Burns ’26, Julia Lotz ’25, Lelia Symington ’25

AIA DIII Girls 200 Medley Relay State Champions:

Olivia Singer ’27, Claudia Primus ’25, Julia Lotz ’25, Lelia Symington’25

AIA DIII Girls Swimming 200 Free State Champion: Lelia Symington ’25

AIA DIII Girls 500 Free State Champion: Lelia Symington ’25, All American Consideration, School Record

AIA DIII Girls Diving State Champion: Simone Sabeeh ’25

AIA State Record Holder: Simone Sabeeh ’25

AIA DIII Girls Diver of the Year: Simone Sabeeh ’25

Girls’ Diving: Julia Root ’27–2nd Place, Mya Abraham ’28–5th Place, Audrey Weinshel ’26–6th Place

AIA Swim & Dive Coach of the Year: Kristen Pruett

Back row, from left: Coach Kristin Pruett, Lelia Symington ’25, Julia Lotz ’25, Audrey Weinshel ’26, Claudia Primus ’25, Simone Sabeeh ’25, Coach Mike Maczuga. Front row: Nancy Burns ’26, Olivia Singer ’27, Mya Abraham ’28, Julia Root ’27, Teagan Roeder ’27, Mia Coviello ’26

Boys’ Swim & Dive DIII Runner-up

Small Schools Champions

AIA DIII Boys Swimming 400 Free Relay State Champions: Oliver Wilmink ’25, Felix Lehmann ’28, Cabot Teskey ’25, Marcus Rawner ’28

AIA DIII Boys Swimming 500 Free State Champion: Oliver Wilmink ’25

AIA DIII Boys Diving State Champion: Chase Sorosky ’25

AIA DIII Boys Diver of the Year: Chase Sorosky ’25

AIA State Record Holder: Chase Sorosky ’25

Boys’ Diving: Jaxson Bulloch ’25–5th Place, Ronnie Ross ’28–6th Place

AIA Swim & Dive Coach of the Year: Kristen Pruett

Back row, from left: Coach Mike Maczuga, Cabot Teskey ’25, Chase Sorosky ’25, Coach Kristin Pruett. Front row: Marcus Rawner Scannapieco ’28, Braden Shuster ’27, Soren Etheridge ’27, Ronnie Ross ’28. Not pictured: Felix Lehmann ’28, Jaxson Bulloch ’25, Andres Casillas Montes ’28

Girls’ Volleyball Champions

AIA 2A Conference State Champions, AIA Valley Region Champions

From left: AT Mitch Barnhart, Coach Kat Glaeseman, Lucie Keul ’27, Coach Greg Hull, Ellie Robinson ’25, Jessica Osorio ’25, Rian Chang ’27, Jodie Jones ’27 (back), Lyzbeth Lara Sandoval ’25, Aila Kaibara ’25, Quincy Rodin ’25. Facing page: Layla Jarvis ’28, Luly Poole ’26, Mia Warner ’25, Asia Harper ’26, Josie Robinson ’26, Alaina Kieran ’27, Ayla Conant ’28, Lexi Black ’26, Coach Tori Whitcomb, Coach Shannon Kelty. Not pictured: Darian Tedesco ’26

2A Conference Player of the Year: Quincy Rodin ’25

All-Conference Coach of the Year: Kat Glaeseman

All-Conference First Team: Quincy Rodin ’25, Mia Warner ’25

All-Conference Honorable Mention: Asia Harper ’26

All-Region Player of the Year: Quincy Rodin ’25

All-Region Coach of the Year: Kat Glaeseman

All-Region First Team: Quincy Rodin ’25, Mia Warner ’25, Asia Harper ’26

All-Region Second Team: Jodie Jones ’27, Alaina Kiernan ’27, Jessica Osorio ’25

All-Region Honorable Mention: Lyzbeth Lara Sandoval ’25, Josie Robinson ’26, Rian Chang ’27, Layla Jarvis ’28

Cross Country

DIV State Runner-up: Emma Butler '28

Metro Region 3rd Place: Emma Butler '28

AZ Republic Honorable Mention: Emma Butler '28

MS Awards

Congratulations to the following MS teams for athletic honors:

MOUNTAIN VALLEY ATHLETIC LEAGUE (MVAL) CHAMPIONS:

7/8 Boys’ Flag Football

5/6 Girls’ Blue Volleyball

OTHER:

5/6 Boys’ Flag Football –MVAL Runner-Up

7/8 Girls’ Blue Volleyball –Cactus Christian Schools League (CCSL) Semifinalists

7/8 Girls’ Gold Volleyball –MVAL Quarterfinalists

Speech & Debate

by Brittany Stanchik, Director of US and MS Speech & Debate

Most sports and activities come and go with the seasons. But like Arizona itself, Speech & Debate doesn’t recognize seasons: it’s a constant throughout the year, varying slightly based on a variable or two. In the first semester of 2024, the PCDS Speech & Debate team set a remarkable pace for their marathon season.

As a primer to the year, both MS and US students attended various summer camps across the country, where they honed their skills and prepared for the rigorous season ahead. Upon returning to campus, students wasted no time jumping into the season with their first major competition: The University of Kentucky Season Opener. This marked the beginning of a fast-paced calendar filled with prestigious tournaments and opportunities to showcase their hard work. Over the course of the season, the team has competed at renowned events such as the Yale Tournament, Scottsdale Prep. Tournament, Jim Fountain Classic, Toro Country Classic, The Glenbrooks, The Winter Trophy Tournament, and the TOC Digital Series.

While simply competing at these high-profile events is an accomplishment in itself, the team’s success this season has been extraordinary. The Speech & Debate Team achieved its first sibling championship—not once,

but twice—demonstrating both individual talent and collaborative strength (Jiya Mutyala ’25 and Kavin Mutyala ’27, Informative Speaking and Humorous Interpretation, respectively). In addition, the Congressional Debate team earned a top-six national ranking at every national tournament they attended, solidifying their status as one of the nation’s most competitive teams (Sameer Khan ’25 and Nathan Conley ’26).

One of the most remarkable achievements came from the MS team, who closed the first semester with an incredible showing. Competing with only four members, they managed to secure third place at a major competition—defeating multiple schools with far larger rosters. This incredible performance showcased not only the talent of these young competitors but also the depth and determination of the entire program.

From their summer camp experiences to the packed tournament schedule, the team has proven that hard work and teamwork can lead to incredible accomplishments. With milestones like their first sibling championships; Division II Champions in Informative Speaking, Humorous Interpretation, and Original Oratory; Congressional Debate’s national success; and MS’s impressive finish at the first semester’s conclusion, the team has demonstrated their ability to rise to any challenge.

The journey of the PCDS Speech & Debate Team this year has been marked by growth, perseverance, and celebration. But it’s far from over. With more than two months remaining in the 2024-2025 season, the sprint to the finish line begins.

From left: Devin Desai ‘27, Kavin Mutyala ‘27; Isabela Gala ‘27, Avish Patel ‘28, Jiya Mutyala ‘25; Camila Acharya ‘27; Tara Ghafouri ‘27

Taylor Bulloch ‘26, Sahil Aggarwal ‘27, Jiya Mutyala ‘25, Tara Ghafouri ‘27, Zayna Kahn ‘27, Camila Acharya ‘27, Aya El Masry ‘26, Sid Vadnerkar ‘26, Aaryan Wadwekar ‘26, Kavin Mutyala ‘27, Avish Patel ‘28, Nathan Conley ‘26, Caden Huckelbridge ‘27, Max Safir ‘27, Farris Suyyagh ‘27, Charlie Robertson ‘27, Maeve Brown ‘26, Zara Shah ‘27, Alaia Lalji ‘28

Avish Patel ‘28, Kavin Mutyala ‘27, Sahil Aggarwal ‘27, Charlie Robertson ‘27, Jiya Mutyala ‘26, Jyothi Patil ‘28

Jiya Mutyala ‘25, Tara Ghafouri ‘27

Yale University

News on Campus

Faculty and staff happenings outside the classroom

On March 23, 2024, US History teacher Colin Reynolds married Dave Harrison.

Dr. Reynolds also published an article in the Journal of Transatlantic Studies. The title is “Civil Rights and ’Civil Riots’: Anti-Colonialism, Anti-Communism, and the U.S. Radical Right During the 1960s”.

Carson Wong was born on November 19, 2024, to US Mandarin teacher Casey Chen and her husband, Calvin Wong.

On November 27, 2024, Administrative Assistant to the Head of the US Gabi Ragsdale and her husband Jon welcomed granddaughter Natalia.

On July 12, 2024, US Math Teacher Jackie Ferraro married Joe Gossman in Cabo

On December 13, 2024, Accounts Payable Specialist Yahaira Carranza graduated from GCU with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

San Lucas, Mexico.

This fall, LS Music Teacher Dr. Carla Cose-Giallella presented two music education workshops, Come Sing! Come Play! and Let’s Play Orff! for Arizona educators. She shared her expertise using the Orff Schulwerk process for the Arizona Orff Schulwerk Association’s Chapter, and the Tempe Elementary School District’s Professional Development Day. Also, Dr. Cose-Giallella completed her twentyfourth year this past summer training teachers in the Orff Schulwerk music curriculum at Arizona State University.

Dr. Nathan Botts has long felt that students learn music most appropriately in an environment that honors and celebrates their cultural and familial heritage. Students studying music at PCDS already enjoy opportunities to explore European classical and folk music, American jazz and popular music, and various Latin American musical styles. Dr. Botts has long wanted the program to do more to celebrate the musical heritage of PCDS’s South Asian students and families. He states, “While it wouldn’t be appropriate for PCDS to adopt the rigor of an Indian classical music gharana (an institution analogous to a music conservatory), it seems like a missed opportunity not to provide our students with opportunities to explore some of the sounds, rhythms, musical instruments, and ways of musical thinking that have emanated from India and Asian subcontinent.”

Dr. Botts made his first steps toward developing a unique curriculum that would make studying Indian music at PCDS possible by acquiring an organ-like keyboard instrument called a harmonium and a set of tabla, the small drums commonly played by Hindustani musicians. A modest assortment of other Indian instruments will follow.

Facilitating accessible opportunities to explore a new musical culture with an appropriate degree of authenticity requires thoughtful attention to detail, an issue

compounded by the rich variability in the traditional music of the Asian subcontinent. Dr. Botts contacted Ken Thommen, PCDS’s US Librarian, for help sourcing appropriately robust background and pedagogical materials. Mr. Thommen responded with the expertise befitting a research librarian at a tier-one research university. “This was a project I’ve wanted to take on for quite a while, but I didn’t have the time to do the research I knew I needed to develop something workable within our PCDS performing arts context. I asked Ken for help and indicated the types and variety of wonky, academic-level historical and ethnomusicological things I was most interested in. Within a few weeks, Ken placed an assortment of materials on my desk that were sufficient to develop a college-level course…fabulous printed resources on nearly every arcane subject related to Indian and Pakistani music, as well as some excellent newly-written general purpose histories of the region. What a pleasure to work at an educational institution that fully supports academic curiosity, not only among its students but its faculty as well!”

Sounds and experiences with Hindustani music will begin filtering through the MS music program in the spring.

MS PE Teacher André Gibson-Starks recently graduated with a Master of Science in Sport Psychology from Capella University.

PCDS ANNUAL FUND

4 We’re so proud of our supportive community—your gift is a vote of confidence in the continued success of PCDS.

4 The Annual Fund is essential to Phoenix Country Day School. It helps bridge the gap between tuition and the true cost of a PCDS education, ensuring we maintain the excellence we’re known for!

4 Annual Fund gifts have an immediate impact, supporting our teachers and students both in and out of the classroom.

4 100% of our faculty and staff contribute to the Annual Fund.

4 Parent participation boosts national rankings and offers prospective teachers and families a glimpse of our supportive community.

Your gift, no matter the size, makes an immediate impact on:

Look for the symbol to the left throughout this issue to identify PCDS Annual Fund dollars at work.

PCDS TAX CREDIT

In addition to supporting the Annual Fund, PCDS asks you to participate in the Arizona Tax Credit programs— Individual and Corporate—that fund scholarships for students in need. It’s an easy (and FREE) way to make a big impact, and you get the money back as a tax credit!

Important: Receiving ESA funds does not impact your ability to contribute to the Arizona Private School Tax Credit program.

Donate your Tax Credit now at WWW.AISSF.ORG

“ We are proud to support PCDS students through Arizona’s Individual and Corporate Tax Credit programs. By directing a portion of our family and business state taxes, we can help students in need. The process is easy, a beneficial tax vehicle, and most importantly, all funds go directly to the students, creating a meaningful impact in their lives!”

— Randy & Stephanie Weinshel P ’26, ’29, Weinshel Holdings, LLC

INDIVIDUAL TAX CREDIT

How to get a credit on your Family’s Taxes:

Talk to your accountant about your family’s personal Arizona state tax liability for 2024.

If you earn more than $60,000 a year, you likely qualify to redirect your state income tax liability to fund student scholarships through the Private School Tax Credit program.

Designate your tax credit contribution for 2024:

• Visit AISSF.org

• Select PCDS as your preferred school.

• Contribute up to $1,459 (single filer) or up to $2,910 (married filer).

Complete Arizona tax credit forms 323 and 348 to take the credit for your contribution.

Get your money back as a tax refund.

Deadline: April 15, 2025

CORPORATE TAX CREDIT

How to get a credit on your Company’s Taxes:

Talk to your accountant about your S or C Corporation or LLC’s Arizona state tax liability for 2024.

If your company has more than $5,000 in AZ tax liability, it can redirect taxes owed to fund student scholarships for low-income students.

Complete your unofficial contribution application at pcds.org/giving/tax-credit

The Corporate Tax Credit Team will submit the official request for the Arizona Department of Revenue.

You will be notified as soon as your request is approved.

Once funds are submitted, your company claims the credit upon tax filing.

Deadline: June 30, 2025

The Louis Family Society for Planned Giving recognizes members of the PCDS community who have included the School in their estate plans.

Carter and Jo Norris, P ’77, ’78, ’81 left a bequest to Phoenix Country Day School that will name a collaborative practice room in the new Music, Art & Theater classroom building. Andrew Norris ’81 shared his thoughts about the importance of Planned Giving:

“ Giving back is a value that our parents, Carter and Jo Norris, embodied throughout their lives. Membership in the Louis Society exemplifies their commitment to education, and by extension, the entire PCDS community. Music and the arts held immense significance for Carter and Jo as a means of experiencing the fullness of life beyond academic achievement and career, which so often are the focus in educational institutions. The three Norris children—Jon ’77, Noelle ’78, and Andrew ’81—enjoyed participating in music and theater programs at PCDS; this fostered a profound appreciation for the freedom of expression and cultural foundations provided through the arts. It is both fitting and a great privilege for our family to honor Carter and Jo’s memory in a way that continues to inspire and enrich the lives of future generations.”

For more information or to let us know you have arranged for a planned gift, contact: C. Ryan Joyce, ryan.joyce@pcds.org or Roz Abero ’89, roz.abero@pcds.org, 602.955.8200.

Please consult with your tax advisor or estate attorney about tax implications and which options are best for you.

Mark your calendars for our annual

Saturday, April 26, 2025

PCDS Founders’ Lawn 6:30-9:00 p.m.

A culinary festival featuring food and beverages donated by our Valley’s premier restaurants and vendors, music, and a silent auction.

RSVP by April 18 at pcds.org/BTG

This complimentary event is to thank our community for the many ways in which you support PCDS and our Annual Fund.

MESSAGE

FROM THE ALUMNI

BOARD PRESIDENT

Dear Fellow Eagle Alumni,

I am honored to be the new president of the PCDS Alumni Association. When I moved back to Phoenix a few years ago, I knew I wanted to re-engage with the School. As a “lifer”, I have so many fond memories of PCDS and love connecting with the whole community.

This has been a busy and exciting year already for the Alumni Association. We are so thankful to everyone who

Welcome to our New Alumni Board Members

Zach Hitchcock ’09

“ I’m excited to join the alumni board to both give back to a place that shaped me and to reconnect with former classmates and the broader PCDS family.”

has participated in our $61 for ’61 campaign for the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Thanks to you, we are affording students in need the ability to have a PCDS education. If you haven’t had the opportunity yet, please join us in giving this year. And don’t forget—our Blue vs. Gold Giving Challenge will continue until the fiscal year concludes on June 30, 2025. Each contribution counts as a point for your team (blue = odd grad years; gold = even grad years).

On the road this past fall, we made a visit to Dallas as well as our first international visit to London, and this spring we look forward to returning to Los Angeles. For those who aren’t local, these regional events give us the opportunity to reconnect with alumni and current college students throughout the country.

Our networking committee continues to spearhead the Alumni Internship Program. This summer, we will continue to grow this program with multiple internships around the Valley. Any alumni (or current parents) that are interested in hosting an intern in the future, please get in touch with us to learn more. If you haven’t reconnected with PCDS in recent years, we urge you to join us virtually or in person for one of our events, and please don’t hesitate to let us know if you are interested in seeing how our campus has grown over the years.

I look forward to seeing what amazing things are in store for the Alumni Association.

Go Eagles!

Courtney McConnell ’06

Peter Curzon ’04

“ I had such a blast when the Class of 2004 reconnected during our 20th reunion last spring. Nearly half of us attended, including travelers from both coasts and a brave soul from across the pond! When I was asked if I was willing to volunteer on the Alumni Board, I didn’t think twice. I’m looking forward to supporting PCDS’s mission.”

BOARD OF TRUSTEES—SCHOOL YEAR 2024-2025

Alison

“ One of the joys of having my children attend PCDS has been reconnecting with my alma mater and other alumni parents. I have been impressed by how the School has grown and changed since I was a student. When asked to join the Alumni Board, I jumped at the chance to support the PCDS community.”

As a nod to the School’s emphasis on sustainability, please use this QR code if you would like to opt-out of printed issues of The Bridge magazine moving forward. Instead, by completing the survey you will receive an email link to the online ISSUU version of The Bridge.

Alumni Board, front row from left: Courtney McConnell ’06, Zoe Oland ’25, Alice Gaston Gibbons ’05, Jennifer Lewkowitz Abelson ’05, Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91. Back row: Peter Curzon ’04, Kate Werth ’14, Deven Chhabra ’25, Gilbert Armenta ’00, Mishary Al-Sulaihim ’00. Not pictured: Alison Pulaski Carter ’97, Sydney Portigal ’14, Zach Hitchcock ’09, Hannah Keogh Gates ’10, Kate Pokorski ’13, Sarah Bauer ’10

Pulaski Carter ’97

Fall 2024 Alumni Events

Check out pcds.org/alumni/engage for more photos and information about spring alumni events.

This fall and winter, it was a joy to connect with you in Dallas, on campus in the Blue & Gold Alumni Tent, and at our huge alumni holiday party!

• In September, Dallas Eagles gathered for a beautiful dinner hosted by Drs. James Sackett & Kimberly Yamanouchi ’74 and Mr. John Sewell ’73.

• Food, fireworks, and fun were featured once again at the annual Blue & Gold Carnival in October. We had a blast seeing you and your families in the Alumni Tent.

• Thanks to the parents of college-age alumni who gathered in early December for breakfast while helping the Alumni Association pack over 300 care packages for our college-age alumni.

Blue & Gold Alumni Tent 2024

Dallas Alumni Dinner 2024

Happy holidays from Mercedes Cain ’08, Kaleena Patel ’08, Mr. Lance Coon, and Michele Barnhill ’08

Members of the Class of 2022 ringing in the holidays together

College care packages—Mandy Arthur Daitch ’93, Valentina Acharya, Margaux Rosen; Jessica Lehmann, Nicole Russo

Chloe Charlton ’06, THUNDER, Kathryn Peik ’06, Ellie Charles ’06

Hank Dryden ’21, Ryan Vakil, Eric Emami ’21, Christian Levitz ’21, and Tamar Salant at the Alumni Holiday Party

Bridget Monahan ’04, guest, Courtney McConnell ’06, Shannon Malone ’06, Christian Lorentzen ’03, Kate Pokorski ’13

A Bridge to a Legacy: The Daley Family’s Reunion at PCDS

by Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91

During Thanksgiving 2024, the entire Daley clan—Laura Daley Hutton ’85, Hugh Daley ’87, Timothy Daley ’89, Rick Daley ’91, their spouses and children, and their father, Dr. Richard Daley—gathered together at PCDS on the Daley Bridge and Garden bench. Built in 1993 and dedicated in memory of their beloved mother and adored PCDS community member, Ann Hays Daley, the Daley Bridge stands as a literal and figurative symbol of the connectedness of the PCDS community, joining the LS/MS and US campuses and commemorating the past while representing the transition from the present to the future. Rick Daley shared, “It was wonderful to see how vibrant and dynamic the campus is and how the bridge ties the campus together. It felt integral to the whole campus, just like Mom was to PCDS and our family.”

Encapsulating PCDS’s tight-knit community spirit, the PCDS Alumni Magazine is called The Bridge, signifying the lasting connection between PCDS and its alumni. Reflecting on what the Daley Bridge means to their family, Hugh Daley expressed, “We were thinking about how appropriate it is that Mom’s memorial is a bridge

connecting students and the campus together, because Mom loved to bring people together. It’s wonderful that PCDS has adopted the bridge as a community symbol. We are very thankful to PCDS for allowing our mom to be represented by such an enduring memorial.”

Tim Daley ’89, Rick Daley ’91, Laura Daley Hutton ’85, Hugh Daley ’87, Dr. Richard Daley

The extended Daley family on the Daley Bridge

2025 Alumni Spring Weekend

Come home to Phoenix Country Day School to celebrate and reconnect with classmates, friends, and faculty.

Alumni Spring Weekend is open to all alumni. We will be celebrating the reunions of these graduation years: 2015, 2010, 2005, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1985, 1980

Friday, April 25

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Welcome Cocktail Reception Social Tap, 4312 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale

Saturday, April 26

5:45 p.m. Alumni Campus Tours

6:30-9:00 p.m. Reunions at the Annual Bridge-the-Gap Celebration

All Saturday events will be held on campus. Bridge-the-Gap includes: Open bar, dinner provided by our Valley’s premier restaurants, music, class photos, reunion gifts, and more.

Registration for Alumni Spring Weekend and Reunions is open!

RSVP for all events at: pcds.org/alumniweekend2025

Looking Back

Alice Gaston Gibbons ’05

Twenty years. It doesn’t feel like 20 years but surprisingly the graduating class of 2005 is getting ready to celebrate our 20th reunion next May. I never feel older but somehow my friends’ younger siblings have all grown up. In that time, I’ve somehow done the same.

PCDS has always been a special place for our family. It’s where my husband Ryan and I met, being one of the

three couples from the class of 2025 to marry someone from the same graduating year (a record!). Our wedding book included a PCDS 8th grade class picture that included the bride, groom, maid of honor, and best man. The same book included three prom photos, photos of Ryan taking pictures of women’s soccer and lacrosse games on the sidelines, and senior class trip photos (before most everyone got food poisoning).

Class of 2005 and all other classes ending in the numbers 0 or 5:

Register for your Reunion Weekend taking place April 25-26 — pcds.org/alumniweekend

Alice and Ryan visiting La Jolla last summer with their children Hunter and Madeline

Now, 20 years later, bringing my own children back to campus is sometimes a surreal experience. We attended Blue & Gold Day as a family again this year with alumni friends and their children. I’m always surprised how young the current students look, even the seniors. But being back on campus with a new generation of Eagles is a joy and a wonderful reminder of our time together.

As my own kids start their academic journeys, I hope they find the same community and friendships as we found. I don’t remember everything from school, but I still find myself putting Dr. Allison’s lessons to use. I’ll use the mantra “affect verb, effect noun” when I can’t remember which to use. I’ll wince slightly when I hear someone say that’s “very unique” or see “their” instead of “they’re”.

As I look back on the past two decades, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I had as a PCDS Eagle. I can’t wait to see everyone back on campus in May to see the changes and reconnect with one another. See you there!

TEST YOUR MEMORY

Here’s an (unapproved) Dr. Allison style grammar test. Can you spot the errors? Only one of the sentences is correct.

1. Neither the students or the teacher was prepared for the surprise quiz.

2. Laying on the couch, the remote control slipped from his hand.

3. Between you and I, I think she’s the best choice.

4. The new painting she bought was very unique.

5. Do you know the Joneses? The Joneses’ house is blue.

6. She is feeling badly about the mistake she made.

7. Their going to the store to buy groceries.

8. Irregardless of the weather, we will go hiking.

9. The new car, along with the old one, are for sale.

10. The company’s new policy effects both the employees and the customers.

If it makes you feel better, I had to look up some of the answers myself.

They’re going to the store to buy groceries. 8. Regardless of the weather, we will go hiking. 9. The new car, along with the old one, is for sale. 10. The company’s new policy affects both the employees and the customers.

She is feeling bad about the mistake she made.

Correct.

The new painting she bought was unique

Between you and me, I think she’s the best choice.

Lying on the couch, the remote control slipped from his hand.

Neither the students nor the teacher was prepared for the surprise quiz.

Answer Key

Ryan Gibbons ‘05 and Alice Gaston Gibbons ‘05

Golden Circle 2025

Inducting the Class of 1975

The Phoenix Country Day School Classes of 1965-1974 look forward to welcoming the Class of 1975 into the Golden Circle on May 29, 2025.

In honor of your 50th high school reunion, Head of School Andrew Rodin cordially invites you to your Golden Circle Induction

Thursday, May 29, 2025

4:30 p.m. Golf Cart Campus Tour (optional)

5:00 p.m.

State of the School and Cocktail Reception with Head of School Andrew Rodin PCDS Shepard Welcome Center

7:30 p.m.

Graduation Exercises and Golden Circle Induction PCDS Founders’ Lawn

RSVP to Leslie Feldman by May 8, Leslie.Feldman@pcds.org, 602.955.8200 x2229

Here’s what some of our alumni have been up to…

“ Our kids are keeping us busy, and now many of them are young adults!” Kerstan Lincoln Ruffer has a junior at Connecticut College studying Slavic Studies and Psychology, a freshman at Boston University studying History and Linguistics on the Pre Law Track, and a sophomore in high school already excited for the lacrosse season to start. She continues to host professional musicians at her home and throughout Portland, OR via her live music project the Bernese Mountain Series.

1990

Billy DuMone writes, “Dear Country Day, It’s been 34 years since graduating PCDS and the memories stay fresh in my mind. Playing soccer with the Hackett brothers (I believe there are some younger Hacketts there now), Coach Hendrickson leading us on the basketball court, and hitting batting practice with Coach K are just a few. The positive impressions from teachers, coaches, and teammates have infl uenced the choices I’ve made and my career path, as I am sure it has done

for many PCDS grads. Coach K. (Mr. Kosower) was the Athletic Director at the time and he taught us that kindness and competitiveness are not mutually exclusive. In ensuing years I met Shane Lewis who has carried on the tradition of excellence most admirably. That said I have spent my career in education, as a teacher, coach, and mentor, and for the last 21 years as the Athletic Director of a school called Wildwood in Los Angeles, CA. Our motto is “The Joyful Pursuit of Excellence” where we continue with the lessons learned from my days at PCDS, teaching our athletes

to be kind and competitive and to live with joy while doing so. I live not far from the beach, still play soccer as much as this 52-year-old body will allow, and have an 11-year-old son who loves to tell me how he doesn’t like soccer. I hope to make it to Blue & Gold Day in the future. Big shout out to all my old teammates from back in the day. Go Eagles!

Buchalter (left) lives in Westport, CT with her husband, Darin, and they have two children: Ben, who is in his senior year of high school; and Nathalie, in eighth grade. They also have a four-year-old Vizsla named Leo. Stefanie is currently working as the head of North America Operations for Earth Animal, a pet food and treat company. Her sister, Claudia Legere ’93, (right) is a physician and owner of a medspa and lives in Austin, TX. She recently visited Claudia with her daughter to attend Austin City Limits. Stefanie visits Arizona regularly to see family and enjoys the weather and outdoor life.

These alumni are registered members of the PCDS Alumni Networking Platform. Connect with PCDS alumni around the globe at pcdsconnect.org

We collect many Class Notes each year and cannot guarantee that all submissions will be printed. Class Notes are written in an individual’s own words.

Stefanie

Kerstan Ruffer (far left) and fellow members of the Class of 1989 at their 35-year reunion.

Kathy Hollenberg is now living in Phoenix. She is happy to be back and loves the warm weather. Since graduating from PCDS, she has lived in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. She was happy to reconnect with PCDS alums after being away for over 23 years. Kathy is a CPA. She just celebrated her 20th anniversary with Toyota Financial Services where she is the Business Marketing Manager for the Western Region. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and her five nieces and nephews. Kathy credits much of her success to her time at PCDS where she had excellent teachers and made lifelong friends.

1991

Beth Flores tells us, “Since graduating from PCDS in 1991, I’ve followed two primary passions: how do we build a healthy democratic society and what corners or the world can I explore on two wheels? My career path has taken me from public policy fellowships and civic tech start-ups to a decade-long career in national security at the Pentagon. In 2016, I joined Deloitte Consulting’s Government and Public Sector practice where I’m now a Managing Director helping clients transform the social safety net. But my bike adventures are SO much more exciting. During high school, family bicycle trips made me fall in love with two-wheeled, human-powered adven-

ture travel. After graduating from Yale University in 1995, I joined a group of students and biked across the country from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco. I was hooked! Since then, I’ve led bicycle trips as a guide and now venture on long-distance adventures that have taken me all over Italy, France, Portugal, Mexico, Canada, Slovenia, Croatia and the U.S. My time at PCDS prepared me to be a lifelong learner. Special shout-out to English teacher Lance Coon, who shared with me one of the rules I live by (I paraphrase): There are too many good books in the world to force yourself to finish reading ones you don’t like. I live in Arlington, VA just outside of Washington, D.C. with my sweet rescue dog Ruby and am in regular contact with many of my PCDS classmates. I travel frequently to Denver, CO where my family lives, including my sister Lisa ’93

Wendy Mackenzie says, “It’s funny how life works out sometimes. Not that I was ever one to have a life plan, but you never know where taking a chance might lead you. After graduating from UCLA with a BA in Business Administration and a minor in Cultural Anthropology, I had planned to join an archaeological dig in South America. Instead, I ended up moving to Finland and landing a job as a copywriter at an advertising agency. Since then, I’ve held various marketing roles across Europe and the Middle East with Fortune 500 companies and tech startups—even running my own media tech agency. Now, over 25 years later, I’m back in Arizona (still in marketing!), living on a horse property, where I’ve traded glamorous Dubai brunches for mucking out horse stalls.”

Eric Schaefer resides in Phoenix with his wife, Nora, and has two kids: Lucas, who attends Beacon College in FL; and Alexa, who is a junior at PCDS. He owns a commercial real estate company called Schaefer + Associates.

After graduating PCDS as a K-12 “lifer”, Rob Cohen MD, FACS completed his undergraduate education at Emory University and his medical training at the Tulane University School of Medicine. He then finished his plastic surgery residency at Dartmouth followed by an aesthetic surgery fellowship at the University of Southern California/ Marina Plastic Surgery program. In 2005, Rob established his first private practice, the Scottsdale Center for Plastic Surgery, in Paradise Valley. In 2015, he expanded his practice to Beverly Hills, CA at the Beverly Hills Center for Plastic and Laser Surgery. Rob has made surgical education and research a significant part of his career, publishing multiple textbook chapters and medical journal articles and speaking at plastic surgery meetings around the world (which has allowed him the fortune of combining his love of travel with his interest in surgical instruction). Rob lives with his wife Evan, a writer, and teen daughter Emerson, a musician, in Santa Monica, CA and continues to travel regularly to Arizona to care for patients at his original practice. When he is not spending time with his family, working, or traveling, Rob can generally be found getting out in nature and riding trails on his mountain bike (or powder skis when that’s an option).

Kerr Lordygan quickly became an award winning actor/director/writer, after receiving his BFA in Theatre/Acting from USC. Highlights: Performer— World premiere of Something Wicked this Eat Comes (Edinburgh Fringe Festival and LA), Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde , Pam & Tommy (Hulu), Time Zero (upcoming feature fi lm), Super Drags (Netfl ix), Betrayed (Id); Director—The Last Train to Nibroc , No Love (world premiere), Special (about the making of The Star Wars Holiday Special ). Writer— Askance, The Hit, Metro Sex Y’all ), Hard Rock Musical Gothmas (co-writer). Watch his new film, Iron Nest of the Moon (actor/co-writer/co-director/ co-producer)—winner of over 45 festival awards—now streaming for rent/purchase on Amazon. Kerr’s been writing, performing, and recording hard rock/heavy metal since his high school days at PCDS. Find Kerr’s music on all music streaming platforms. Listen to Kerr’s many audiobook narrations on Audible and other audiobook platforms. Outside of his theatrical and performance arts accomplishments, Kerr worked 15 years as Attraction and Show Operations Manager at Universal

Studios Hollywood (also opened Universal Studios Japan in Osaka), Associate TV Editor at Rotten Tomatoes film and TV review site (where he created and implemented a TV Tomatometer for the first time), President and Chairman of the Board at Eclectic Company Theatre in LA, and management team/board positions at various nonprofit theatre companies. Now Kerr is working on performance fulltime, including work as a Standardized (fake) Patient at USC and Western Universities for the practice and education of medical students.

Lory Hammer-Young graduated from NAU and MIT with degrees in business and mechanical engineering. She worked for Sikorsky Aircraft and Northrup Grumman before settling in to work in the semiconductor industry for the Dutch company ASML. Her two children are both in the Air Force (pilot and crew chief). She currently resides in Oceanside, CA with her husband Brian and rescue dog Muppet.

1992

Rebecca Dicken Kano writes, “I have been living in the Boston area since 2006 with my husband Zachary and now five children. Our oldest is in college and the youngest is in fi fth grade. I have told them many stories from PCDS over the years, including how after swimming during PE my hair would already be dry from the heat by the time we walked across the wash back to the classroom. I am working as an urgent care physician which I have really loved. I talk to Jeanne Geantil Howard ’92 more days than not and have had the chance to spend time

with her over the past two summers when she has visited. I think PCDS was such a wonderful place to grow and I am very grateful for my 12 years there and the lifelong love of learning it helped instill in me.”

1993

Raj Abhyanker writes, “I am the CEO of GovernmentGPT—a Delawarebased, California-headquartered startup that develops novel and burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with dual-use applications in the civilian and military sectors. “GovGPT’s” first customer is the State of Ohio, where we are working closely with the city of Springfield, Illinois (in recent national press).”

We have PCDS Alumni gear for sale!

Email alumni@pcds.org to order hooded sweatshirts, tank tops, or hats!

Does your grad year end in 5 or 0?

If so, we can’t wait to see you for your Reunion Weekend!

Friday, April 25-Saturday, April 26, 2025

Natasha Bernard has been thriving since her days at PCDS. After moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, she attended Mills College and later earned her medical degree from Touro University. Today, she is the proud owner of Alchemy Restorative Medicine, where she supports her patients in “Empowered Aging” through a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. Natasha lives in Alameda with her partner Sogolon and their two daughters, Brookly (age 10) and Zenzi (age seven), joyfully balancing this abundant phase of life.

1996

Nicole Felker Bergstrom landed close to PCDS. She graduated from Bates College in 2000 with a degree in French. She returned from the East Coast to attend law school at the University of Arizona. She left the legal practice in 2015, after the birth of her youngest child, to enter the family manufacturing business. She now lives just north of Lincoln Drive with her husband Chris and kids Lydia (13), Caleb (12) and Ethan (10). Nicole enjoys her busy household with a pair of barking dogs, two kids learning piano and the youngest either practicing guitar or loudly contesting NFL referees on TV (with encouragement from Chris). She also catches her share of peaceful, quiet moments, taking in spectacular sunrises and sunsets around Camelback Mountain.

1997

Jasmine Tashman attended PCDS for 13 years. PCDS fostered her deep love for science and respect for her teachers, particularly Liz Olson and Dave Martin. She found Mr. Martin’s history classes even more challenging than medical school. Jasmine also valued the support PCDS provided, which allowed her to engage in brain cancer research at Barrow Neurological Institute during high school, igniting her passion for medicine. Currently, Jasmine is a full-time sleep neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. In 2016, she married orthopedic spine surgeon Edward Song, and together they have two wonderful children, Jamie (7) and Sophia (6). In her free time, Jasmine is dedicated to her family and supports her parents through health challenges. She reflects fondly on her time at PCDS and deeply values the lasting impact it has had on her life.

2001

Josh Wright has served as City Manager (chief executive) of the City of Chandler, AZ, since 2021, overseeing a staff of 1,800 and a budget of $1.6B for the 76th largest city in the U.S. He is a doctoral candidate at Valdosta State University and earlier this year was selected to attend the prestigious Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He lives in Chandler with his wife and two children.

Brian Snyder tells us, “I live in Scottsdale with my wife, Amy, and our three awesome kids—Mia (10), Noah (7), and Dylan (4). The kids keep us very busy with all their sports, but we still find time to socialize with adults about once every 14 months, so that’s nice. It’s true what they say: There is no greater joy in life than watching your children grow up before your very eyes as you step on toys that were supposed to be put away three days ago. Turning to professional life, I will now refer to myself in the third person so the self-congratulatory humble brags don’t feel as awkward and lame. Brian is a partner at Snyder & Wenner, where he handles catastrophic injury and wrongful death personal injury and medical malpractice cases. He is the outgoing President of the Arizona Association for Justice, and was named the 2025 Lawyer of The Year for medical malpractice by Best Lawyers and the 2024 Trial Lawyer of The Year by the Arizona Trial Lawyers . These accolades are important, as competition with Jeff Sand ’01 heated up following Jeff’s prestigious ‘Shopper of The Month’ and ‘Customer of the Year’ awards from Spencer’s Gifts and Abercrombie & Fitch, respectively. The playing field has now been leveled. In 2023, Brian won the largest medical malpractice verdict in Arizona history. The case was against Banner Health and involved a birth injury that resulted in the child developing cerebral palsy.”

2002

Claudia Gonzalez writes, “We’re very excited to announce that our life currently follows the whirlwind and joyous shrieks of our three-year-old toddler. The past couple of years have been filled with creating family memories, like at the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff (above), and convincing ourselves that Disneyland is indeed the most magical place on earth. I also can’t believe it’s been almost four years since I was appointed to the Yuma County Superior Court. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a judge in this community.”

Nataliya Biskup currently lives in Wichita, KS where she is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. “I do all forms of plastic surgery but do have a fellowship in pediatric, cleft, and craniofacial plastic surgery. I am the director of the Kansas Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Wesley Children’s Hospital. Recently, I’ve had the honor of traveling to Ukraine, my birthplace, for a couple of surgical mission trips. I am married with three kids, a 11-year-old girl, a nine-year-old son and a six-yearold son. We enjoy traveling and being outdoors together.”

Lindsay Tree writes, “I have over a decade of experience in the clinical field and recently opened my own private practice, Desert Tree Therapy. My main focus is Narcissistic Personality Disorder, intergenerational trauma, addiction, and familial conflict. I have two daughters, Emme and Rowan, ages four and six. Together with my husband, we enjoy traveling, camping, and playing with our puppy Dottie. 2003

Rachael Carrico now calls the great State of Texas home where her family celebrates all things burnt orange for her husband’s alma mater, the University of Texas (Go Longhorns!). When not spending time with her husband, Greg, 11-year-old daughter, Sloane, and nine-year-old son, Nate, Rachael dedicates herself to transforming juvenile justice in Dallas County as the Deputy Chief of the Juvenile Division at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Fortunately, she still visits Phoenix where she reconnects with family and friends, including former PCDS alumni.

2005

Joshua Bronfman attended Bucknell University where he majored in economics. Following college, he worked for a policy firm in Washington D.C., ski patrolled at Deer Valley Ski Resort, and had a career in professional motorcycle road racing as a semi-professional racer, private coach, and team owner in the professional series MotoAmerica. Since then, he met his wife, Danielle, and they now live in Scottsdale with their two children, Henry and Charlotte.

2006

Emma Robbs writes, “Since my days at PCDS, I’ve lived in Boston, London, San Diego, Santiago de Chile, and have now called Amsterdam home for the last nine years. I’ve continued my work in recruitment and HR technology working with companies around the world, and in January will be moving into a new home with my partner, Alexander, a restaurateur, and our cat Skittles.”

Sarah Kozinn is thrilled to share that Shiloh Craig Kozinn and Dylan James Kozinn were born on May 21, 2024. “They are my greatest blessing and accomplishment—truly everything and more. I’m so grateful for this incredible journey of motherhood.”

2007

Michael Crane and his partner of nine years, Ash, married on October 5, 2024. They are continuing to enjoy life with their cat, Bananas, in downtown Phoenix. Michael continues to work as a family lawyer, and is now also a volunteer Judge Pro Tem. He hopes he doesn’t have to see you while presiding on the bench!

2010

2010

Danielle Dozer has been living in California and working for Gallo across Sales, Operations, and Innovation for the last 10 years. She recently moved from LA and is splitting time between Arizona & Cincinnati where her significant other relocated for work.

Morgan Shepherd is currently living in Chicago wrapping up a Family Nurse Practitioner program while working as a Registered Nurse at Lurie Children’s Hospital. “I got married this summer in Lake Geneva, WI to my husband who Isabel Hines ’09 introduced me to in 2021. We had six PCDS alumni in our wedding party, and many others who came to celebrate with us!

Geri Hormel resides in Paradise Valley with her partner, Hunter Rodgers ’08 Together, they recently opened Pizza to the Rescue in Phoenix, where 25% of pizza profi ts support Geri’s dog rescue, Almost There: A Mom + Pups Rescue. Their dog-friendly patio often features adorable puppies for snuggling from 6-8pm. Geri is always looking to get more people involved in animal welfare, and she encourages you to stop by for a tour, to adopt, or to learn more about their volunteer and foster opportunities. You may even see some familiar faces, such as volunteer Katie McKean, and adopters Jenny Treadway, Liz Olson, and Cindy Davis. In their free time, Geri and Hunter enjoy the company of their two dogs, Ham and Cheese, and their barn animals, including chickens, goats, and geese. They foster animals frequently, with their current temporary guest being a pregnant pig named Jelly Bean. They love to travel together,

often loading up the truck and taking their dogs with them. Geri also loves to sing, and you can catch her singing at the Wrigley Mansion Jazz Nights once a month!

2011

Ashley Barnhill is a physician assistant in family practice. Outside of work, she is currently learning how to play golf. “Life milestone: I purchased a home, currently under construction, and am scheduled to move in summer 2025. Apartment life will soon be behind me!”

Above: Ashley (left) with her sister Michele Barnhill ‘08 in Seoul 2024.

Andrew Fennessy is living in sunny Manhattan Beach, CA, with his wife, Kenndra, and their one-year-old daughter, Claire. Andrew is working in sales at Rubrik, a fast-growing software company specializing in data security. Rubrik recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and IPO.

Elizabeth Rodie recently completed her residency at The University of Utah Hospital and spent the rest of the summer backpacking through the Dolomites in Italy. “Since then, my boyfriend and I bought our dream house in the Wasatch Mountains and I

started working as a dentist at a private practice in downtown Salt Lake City.”

Ashley Sylvester Truluck and her husband, Sutton, welcomed their daughter Charlotte on July 1, 2024, in McLean, VA. They are very happy being a family of three. Charlotte is already an avid traveler, visiting North Carolina, California, and Arizona to meet friends and family. She had a great time at Blue & Gold Day this past October— she even has a photo in front of her uncle Alex Sylvester’s ’13 basketball championship trophy!

Rachel Epstein lives in Brooklyn, NY and works at The Bowery Presents in NYC, booking concerts every night of the week in the city that never sleeps. One highlight over the summer was attending fellow PCDS alum Shannon Manley’s ’11 wedding in Copenhagen with other former 2011 classmates Rachel Chanen, Ryan Pitt, Arianne Price and Tom Wall. Even in Denmark, they learned you can’t escape the Eagles’ Nest!

and update for the family and early learning play space in the museum. Sticking to my paleontology roots, I have also been involved in writing a children’s book on Wyoming paleontology as part of an NSF grant with researchers from UNL, AMNH, Brown University, CUNY, and Hunter College. On a personal note, in August 2024 I celebrated my two-year anniversary to my husband with our big wedding celebration with friends and family, and we are getting ready to buy a house in New Jersey in the upcoming months.

Claire Schollaert completed her PhD in Environmental Health Science in July 2023 at the University of Washington, where she studied the impacts of wildfire and forest management strategies on smoke exposure and health across the western U.S. She is now continuing her work on wildfire smoke and other climate-related health impacts as a postdoctoral scholar as the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

Devra Hock-Reid states, “The last couple of years have been a whirlwind! In 2023, I completed my PhD in mammalian paleoecology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and started my role as the Assistant Curator for Science Education at the New Jersey State Museum, prompting a move from Nebraska to New Jersey in April of 2023. In my job I develop and manage all science education programs and workshops and work on exhibits for interpretation of scientific content. I’m also leading the redesign

2013

Jackson Murphy is a Lieutenant in the Navy and is stationed in Virginia Beach as a Contracting Officer for Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Over the past couple years he moved from Washington to Virginia and completed an Ironman triathlon in Arizona. Jackson and his wife Kate welcomed a baby girl (Jane) into the family in May and are experiencing the joys of parenthood.

Joan Dominique Clancy, a Parsons graduate, has worked with top fashion houses in New York and Milan, and debuted her collection at Paris Fashion Week in 2019. She launched her eponymous bridal and beauty brand with a fl agship store in Phoenix, featuring a 5,000-square-foot showroom for bespoke bridal gowns. In addition to her work in fashion, Joan is involved in commercial real estate as an agent

and serves as Vice President of the Joseph Kane Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit. She is also founder of Rico Royale, an ultra-premium tequila brand. Recently, Joan released her based-on-a-true-story book, Broken Care, which addresses critical issues such as medical negligence, patient safety, and hospital transparency.

Saira Malhotra , LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist practicing in Denver, CO. Saira recently concluded her tenure as the Board President of the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers [NASWCO]. In this capacity, she helped run and pass legislation to create more equitable paths to social work licensure, and contributed to the creation of a first-of-its-kind Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact. She is currently serving as Chair of the NASW-CO Practice Standards Committee, which publishes ethical guidelines for social workers across the nation. Saira also owns her own practice, through which she publishes writing about the relationship between mental health and social change and offers independent organizational consulting services. She remains engaged with academia, contributing to publications regarding substance use prevention amongst homeless young adults and the decolonization lens for psychotherapy.

Samantha Kaplan and several 2012 classmates came together to celebrate at Liam Dempsey’s wedding!

Above, from left: Elliot Goldberg ’12, Harrison VanDolah ’12, Liam Dempsey ’12, Quinn Lincoln ’12, Samantha Kaplan ’12

2014

Lexie Lewis got married in June in Atlanta, GA, and is so grateful to everyone who joined for the celebration! Sidrah Khan ’14 (right) was, of course, instrumental in making sure everything ran smoothly all weekend.

Nikhita Sachdeva, who graduated from St. George’s University Medical School in 2023, is now a second-year Internal Medicine resident at Abrazo Health Network in Arizona. Even with the intense 80-hour-plus work weeks that come with residency, she still makes time for adventure. Recently, Nikhita has explored places from the Arctic to the Caribbean islands, soaking in the beauty of the world whenever she gets a break. She finds deep fulfillment in being there for her patients, sharing in both the hardest and happiest moments of their lives. She cannot wait to see where her medical journey takes her as she navigates through life.

2015

Sophia Hill, co-founder and co-CEO of Phiya Technologies, has been instrumental in developing City Chapter

Connect, a transformative platform designed for the YNG (YPO Next Generation) London community. It has streamlined event ticketing, financial reporting, and membership tracking, successfully onboarding over 300 members. Working closely with her team, Sophia expanded the platform to include a job board and sponsorship partnerships with major brands such as Rixo and Saltee, creating exclusive opportunities for members. In addition to her work in technology, Sophia co-led a team that organized over 30 high-impact events, including the YNG 2024 London Leadership Summit, which brought together leaders from 20 countries. Sophia lives in London, U.K., where she runs this technology platform with her best friend and business partner, Kayla Aldridge.

Lexi Nelson recently got married to her college sweetheart, AJ Hauer. The two met at Texas Christian University and were married in Fort Worth. They celebrated with many PCDS alumni and Lexi credits her time at PCDS for her lifelong friendships and education that prepped her for college at TCU.

For the past couple years, Bond McGillivray has been substitute teaching science, math, and English at the K-12 level around Boulder, CO. “This fall, past fall, I returned to pursuing higher education at the Colorado School of the Mines. I found the perfect program for me at the intersection of space, economics, and the sciences. Here, I have begun a dual-track hybridization of two M.S. degrees, Mineral and Energy Economics, and Space Resources. Working with my brilliant academic advisor Ian Lange who resides on the White House Council of Economic Advisors, I am hoping to begin my space economics career this summer through either the government or private sector. I spend my off-campus time gardening, baking, snowboarding, and trying my hand at electronic music production. Life has never been busier! But I am having an absolute blast and I feel incredibly optimistic for the future and for the foundation of a new space race that my ambitious peers want to help create.”

Rae Aaron (left) graduated with a B.A. in International Politics and Economics from Middlebury College in February 2020. She participated in the Vermont tradition of skiing down the snow bowl with her classmates in their caps and gowns. She has since lived in New York City, working for HSBC as an Investment Banking Associate in Sustainable Debt Capital Markets. In her free time, she loves to be outdoors playing tennis or jogging in Central Park and traveling to new places with Remi Edwards ’15 (right).

2016

Stephanie Kay reports, “I’m still in the Army Reserves, now a First Lieutenant, as a Medical Services Corps Officer. Since graduating from Emory University with her master’s in Public Health, I’ve remained in Atlanta, GA, and have loved every minute of it. I now work in the field of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) consulting. Currently, I work as an Environmental and Sustainability Specialist at CAIRE,

Inc., where I’m responsible for the company’s carbon footprint reduction, keeping track of their greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring our reporting aligns with a variety of sustainability frameworks.”

Yash Muley graduated with a major in economics from Carleton College. After graduation, he moved to Santa Monica, CA and started his career in private credit, now working for MidCap Financial. Outside of work, he enjoys playing various sports (basketball, soccer, softball, and pickleball) and exploring the LA food scene.

2017

Miles Kohler moved back to Arizona at the end of 2022, and got a job as a Legal Document Editor with R. R. Donnelly in downtown Phoenix. He currently lives in Midtown with his cat, Jyn.

Aspen Pierson reports, “I left PCDS in 2013 to move to Massachusetts with my family (both of my parents worked at PCDS and all three of my younger siblings attended PCDS as well.) After graduating from Williams College in 2021 with a major in chemistry and having been pre-med, I lived in Guatemala for six months doing a Spanish and medical immersion program in the town of Quetzaltenango. I then moved to New York City for two years to work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and study the effects of mRNA binding proteins on Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This past fall I started medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. Although I have no idea what specialty I want to go into,

I am excited to be an advocate for my future patients and explore all of the possibilities of a career in medicine!”

2018

Maya AbouHaidar graduated in June 2022 with a degree in International Hospitality Management from EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Following graduation, she interned at the World Economic Forum in Geneva, working as a Live Reporter and Production Assistant for the Global Shapers Community and the Young Global Leaders Annual Summits. Upon returning to the U.S., Maya joined the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek in CO, where she quickly earned a promotion to Event Planning Manager. In this role, she oversees all aspects of group events, from concept and planning to budgeting and execution. Maya enjoys hiking and playing tennis, and is looking forward to another exciting snow-filled ski season in the Rocky Mountains. Reach out if you’re nearby!

2020

Ethan Rosenfeld graduated with a degree in physics from Stanford this June, and tells us, “I am currently sticking around at Stanford to do my Ph.D. in Applied Physics. In the lab, I build microchips to study the quantum properties of light. Practically, this means a lot of time spent playing with lasers. When I’m not in the lab, I spend my time exploring Northern California and playing pick-up soccer.”

Dylan DeFilippis graduated from Indiana University where he had an “excellent” four years in Bloomington and now works at a division of Sony Music called Terrapin Station Entertainment in Los Angeles.

Pietro Ori graduated from New York University with a degree in Politics, Rights and Development, where he studied abroad in London, Florence, and Abu Dhabi. Since graduating in May 2024, he has worked for the White House, spending the summer traveling across the U.S. with Vice President Kamala Harris on her political advance staff. Pietro recently began classes at Columbia Law School, where he aims to pursue a career in civil rights litigation. He remains close with many friends from PCDS and is always happy to host them at his comically small Manhattan apartment. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, exploring New York’s art and music scene, and watching Suns games.

Since graduating from PCDS, Sena Brenden has been busy pursuing a B.A. in Design Arts & Practices with a minor in Architectural History from the University of Arizona. “I have had the privilege of pursuing a wide range of spatial explorations through my academic studies and professional experiences, varying from small-scale sculptures to more intensive museums and public-housing projects. One of my recent highlights was visiting Greece this past summer to explore many of the country’s most notable works of classical architecture. Outside of school, I am a proud member of the Delta Gamma Fraternity, of which I was Director of Apparel my freshman year. Following graduation in spring 2025, I intend to pursue a master’s in architecture.

Caroline Moriarty recently graduated from Texas Christian University in May with a degree in accounting and finance. She is now in the Master of Accounting program at TCU while also working at a private equity firm as an accounting intern. Upon graduation, she will be working at KPMG Dallas as an audit associate.

Sydney McCarter shares with us, “Following graduation from PCDS, I attended California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, CA. My time in SLO led to meaningful friendships, a passion for yoga, joy in exploring nature, and an enthusiasm for lifelong learning. During spring 2023, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Sevilla, where I strengthened my Spanish language skills and fully embraced the vibrant Andalusian culture. I then graduated cum laude in June 2024 with a bachelor’s in Communication Studies and a minor in Spanish, along with three academic honors. Post grad, I traveled to Africa for three weeks with my family (a postponed 2020 trip) and practiced my photography. I am currently living in Madrid, Spain for six months and working as an intern in luxury real estate, followed by an internship at a marketing and communication agency. Gaining hands-on experience in a Spanish-speaking work environment is helping me hone my bilingual communication skills—an invaluable tool for my career in the U.S. My experiences have proven that abundance enters your life when you embrace challenges and change, and I continue to do so with patience, grace, and gratitude.”

Kate Cereghini writes, “After graduating from PCDS, I attended Loyola Marymount University, where I double majored in accounting and marketing. After college graduation, I moved to Boston to begin working as an audit associate at Deloitte and study for my CPA license. My favorite hobby includes visiting home in Arizona to spend time with my dog, Remy. I’m so thankful for all the amazing lifelong friends and education that PCDS gave me!”

Liv Boscardin is living in Manhattan after graduating from one of the top musical theatre programs in the country, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts New Studio on Broadway. She performed in her senior showcase in May. In addition to auditioning and performing post-grad, she continues to train in dance under some of the top choreographers in the industry at Broadway Dance Center. She works in fi tness on the side doing Pilates and dance cardio as well as in social media. She loves to travel (just visited Portugal and Greece this summer), try new recipes (embracing the gluten-free lifestyle) and finds her way into every concert she can!

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Finn Riester recently graduated from ASU with a Bachelor of Science and is hoping to pursue further education in fall 2025. Finn has worked alongside some of the largest names in the music/ entertainment industry, supporting some of the biggest DJs in Scottsdale and even internationally. He recently re-upped his Spanish as his fourth language and loves spending time abroad (even running into classmate Ellie Rink ’20 in Mallorca!) In his free time, he enjoys cycling, traveling, and spending time with Ludwig. Finn is currently training to race in the Tour de Scottsdale in April for RIDE4IBD! He is excited for what the future holds and hopes to see friendly faces around Scottsdale!

Willo Wass says, “I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University in August 2023. Following graduation, I joined Phoenix Children’s Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where I provide specialized care to critically ill neonates and support families through complex and challenging medical circumstances. In addition to my clinical work, I continue to cultivate a well-rounded skill set by teaching at Radi8 Hot Yoga. I also work as a cosmetic injector, performing nonsurgical aesthetic procedures that enhance patient well-being and confidence. In January 2025, I will begin the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Creighton University. As I reflect on my time at PCDS, I am deeply grateful for the education I received. The experiences and foundation provided during those years were invaluable, shaping both my personal and professional growth.”

Do you have news to share? We are always excited to hear from you. Send details about a graduation, a new job, a birth, engagement, marriage announcement, a recent trip, a new hobby, or a visit with another alumnus/a (and email accompanying photos) to alumni@pcds.org. We look forward to learning what you have been up to!

Bidding Farewell

Remembering Galen Brewster, PCDS Head of School from 1995-2005

PCDS mourns the loss of Galen Brewster. During his tenure, Mr. Brewster elevated the School’s reputation by making PCDS a member of the prestigious Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, which includes the region’s most prominent private schools. In addition to maintaining a close-knit community while growing the faculty, Mr. Brewster oversaw the development of many new facilities—including the US Library that preserves his name.

A plaque in that library honors Mr. Brewster’s contributions during his decade-long tenure. It highlights new programs established under his leadership, as well as existing programs that were strengthened:

• National reputation for academic excellence

• Project Excellence

• New US campus

• Financial aid

• Diversity programs

• Independent Schools Association of the Southwest membership

• New MS wing

• Brewster Library

• Annual Fund revenues

Family, friends and associates reflect on Galen’s life

• Campaign for MS and LS facilities

• Divisional libraries

• Campus technological advancements

• Tax credit program

• AIA athletics accreditation and programs

• Bob Kosower Athletic Field

• Building and endowment funds

“ The opening day ceremony was emotional for Galen. He inherited the lovely walk of seniors holding hands with the preschoolers to emphasize the importance of helping hands in the community. He added the inclusion of the Trustees standing behind him as he made remarks. He wanted students to see that the parent trustees were committed to helping even though their hard work was frequently unknown to students. Galen was very proud of the Project Excellence program, and he expanded it to include the Teacher Alliance so more students gained access to advanced technology and teaching techniques while in their own schools.”

— Hathy Brewster, wife of Galen Brewster

“ Galen brought fresh energy and spirit to the PCDS community. As Student Senate President, I got to know him better than most students and have fond memories of his presence, mentorship, and leadership. He was a warm, funny, smart and committed Head of School, and he will be missed dearly by hundreds of PCDS alumni.”

— Arden O’Connor ’96

“ I had the fortune of leading the search for a new Head of Phoenix Country Day School. The Board was searching for someone who could continue improving the curriculum and faculty while helping us guide the School through difficult financial times. During his tenure the faculty and curriculum improved tremendously, and I’m delighted that my three children benefited from his leadership.”

— Don Loback, former Board of Trustees President

“ Every year, Galen visited my classroom to introduce the ninth-graders to the Iliad before our reading of the Odyssey. Those ninth-graders no doubt still remember their School head’s riveting performance as he strode across the classroom spinning the tale of the “bedroom artist” Paris and his seduction of the beautiful Helen and extolling the pathos and strategic wisdom of Hector’s wife, Andromache. With his sparkling enthusiasm, Galen brought the Iliad alive for the wide-eyed ninth-graders.”

— Becky Allison, College Counseling and Student Support, former English teacher

“ Galen Brewster cared greatly for his faculty and demonstrated it in every act. He also was wonderfully quirky, and he knew it. (1) He declared a hurricane day due to an oncoming hurricane that would have hit during dismissal. It was the sunniest, most cloudless day ever. God bless Galen and our gorgeous day off. (2) He had every water fountain removed and replaced with 20-gallon filtered water dispensers and thousands of disposable cone-shaped paper cups, thinking all would use each cup all day. Cones can’t stand up, so thousands of paper cups were strewn across campus. Water fountains returned swiftly. (3) Galen would entertain pep rallies in the gym by donning a long-haired wig, shorts, a t-shirt, and rollerblades, blading around the gym. The LS children were terrified by the sight…as were the faculty. Galen was a caring, peoplefocused, driven, quirky, and lovable/loving man. I think of him often with great joy, fondness, and respect.”

— Chris Eriksen, English teacher since 1995

“ I was on the Trustee Search Committee for the new Head of School when I met Galen. He was the perfect choice to thoughtfully grow our community, our curriculum, and our facilities. His previous experience with difficult challenges served PCDS well. Despite having strong opinions, Galen was a great listener and his enthusiasm for the students, faculty, and staff was contagious. His service to the School helped to make it what it is today, something I appreciate even more now that my grandchildren attend PCDS.”

— Cindy Yeargen, former Trustee, P ’01, 03 GP ’35, ’37

“ Yes, Galen wore a clown costume and roller-skated around the gym at Blue & Gold pep rallies. And yes, Galen fretted about the threat of apocalyptic hurricanes and swarms of killer bees. But there’s no mistaking it: Galen Brewster was a force as Head of School. He brought his East Coast pedigree to the desert and elevated the PCDS experience to one that was recognized for its excellence not just in Arizona but across the country. Galen was a great friend and mentor to so many in our community and will be dearly missed.”

— Andy Rodin, Head of School

Excerpt from Mr. Brewster’s Obituary

Mr. Brewster died on September 26, 2024 from the complications of bulbar ALS. Mr. Brewster was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1942, attended Dexter School, Brooks School, and Harvard University for his BA in 1965 and Harvard Graduate School of Education for his Masters degree in 1978. After courageously leaving an unfulfilling stint in banking, he became a faculty member at Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts, where he taught English, philosophy, and economics and coached soccer, ice hockey, and crew.

He went on to become Headmaster of St. Timothy’s School in Maryland for 8 years, and from 1995 to 2005 he was Head of School at Phoenix Country Day School. He retired early to his farm on the coast of Maine and became an EMT. Eventually he and his wife Hathy moved to Vero Beach, Florida.

Mr. Brewster had an unquenchable thirst for life and a talent for making everyone around him feel welcomed and valued. Every adventure he undertook—race car driver, ship captain, tennis enthusiast, master storyteller, beer maker, and historian—he embraced with a fearless and boundless energy.

Mr. Brewster is survived by his wife of 57 years, Hathaway, as well as his daughter Paget and her husband Steve; and his son Ivan and his wife Katherine and two cherished grandchildren, Charlie and Eva. He will live on forever in the hearts of his friends and family, as well as the thousands of students around the world whom he guided and inspired.

PARENTS OF ALUMNI:

If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of his or her new mailing address at alumni@pcds.org. Thank you!