Ravenscroft Summer 2017 Magazine

| VOL. | VOL. SUMMER SUMMER 20152017 XVIII. 20.NO. NO.22

magazine

Class of 2017

CONGRATULATIONS and REFLECTIONS

INSIDE: International Diploma |

Fourth Grade Pen Pal Program | Alumni Entrepreneurs

BIRD’S EYE VIEW Discovering the hidden details on campus

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FEATURES 8 Academic Excellence

Class of 2017 — Congratulations and Reflections

16 Global Citizenship

International Diploma Sets a Global Stage for Graduates

20 Creative Leadership

Dear Pen Pal — Fourth Grade Letter-Writing Program

24 Innovation & Tech

Alumni Lead From Here with an Entrepreneurial Spirit

DEPARTMENTS 2 Vision & Voice

Doreen Kelly, Head of School and the Embrace Possibility Volunteer Cabinet

3 Lead From Here

Reimagining Education: Student Health and Wellness Support 4 Notes from the Nest

News and Updates from the Ravenscroft Community

28 Student Showcase

Do You Smell That? The Teenage Spirit? by Gabby Derosier ’17

30 Center Stage

Ravenscroft magazine is published three times a year by the Marketing and Communications Office. Any suggestions or comments should be directed to Jennifer Marchi, 919-847-0900, ext. 2312 or jennifer.marchi@ravenscroft.org.

Design by M Creative | Photography Simon Capell, Strawbridge Photography, Mary Kornegay | Written by Stacy Calfo, Karen Lewis Taylor, Susan Perry

Golden Globe Winner Michael Hall ’89

32 Game Day Coach P. Retires and Ravenscroft’s Sports Medicine

34 Class Notes 44 Ravenscroft Rewind

VISION & VOICE A message from our Head of School

Embrace Possibility!

Doreen Kelly, Head of School DEAR RAVENSCROFT COMMUNITY, Three years ago, with the efforts of our campaign co-chairs and volunteers, we embarked on a transformational campaign, Embrace Possibility. To date, many generous gifts by leadership donors have set the groundwork for the campaign, bringing us to over $12.6 million of our $15 million goal! Those gifts have raised endowment funds to help sustain our distinctive programs, financial aid for our students, professional development for our teachers, and supported Every Raven, Every Day through the Annual Fund.

I am pleased to share that Pete and Pickel Tannenbaum, parents of Ally ’18 and Charlotte ’20, will serve as our Embrace Possibility Community Chairs for the 2017-18 school year. Pete and Pickel will oversee all of our volunteer fundraising efforts for Parents, Alumni, Grandparents and Parents of Alumni.

With the guidance of their amazing team (listed right), I have no doubt that we will have continued success in our efforts to reach our $15M goal.

In the coming year, we will ask you to demonstrate your commitment to the transformational work of our talented faculty and invest in our educational mission. We need all members of our community to join together in support of the vision for Ravenscroft.

I look forward to the year ahead as we all work together to Embrace Possibility, providing support for our remarkable teachers and ensuring the success of Every Raven, Every Day.

EMBRACE POSSIBILITY VOLUNTEER CABINET

Embrace Possibility Co-Chairs

Jenny and Charles (’78) Winston Easter Maynard (’89*) and John Parker Honorary Co-Chairs

Fran* and Watson (’38) Pugh Joy and Temple Sloan Public Phase Chairs

Pickel and Pete* Tannenbaum Parent Co-Chairs

Kelly (’90*) and Stephen (’91) Gould Laura (’92*) and Carmin Kalorin Lower School Division Chairs

Courtney and Geoffrey Brock Lynn and Chuck Vitello Kathy and Steve Pretzer

Upper School Division Chairs

Parent Leadership Team (as of June 1st, 2017)

Amy and Sterling* Baker Victoria and Bryan Bell Mary and Julian Bossong Claire and Raynor Casey Tracy and Dan Davidian Susan and Todd Eichler Sarah and Zaher El-Assi Susan and Yuri Fesko

With sincere gratitude,

Doreen C. Kelly Head of School Pete and Pickel Tannenbaum

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Alumni Co-Chairs

Middle School Division Chairs

Beth and Ben Atkeson Nicole and Paul Kerner

Andrea and Neil Fox Katie (’95) and Rich (’96) Gillespie Erin and Mike Hollingshead Britt and Phil MacNabb Anne (’89) and Amir Mehr Liz and Josh Morgan Dominique and John Primus Ragan and Billy (’93) Ramsey Amy Beal and Brett Rogers Sally and Jeff Schmalz Bonita Young and Dexter Smith Ally Sonntag Jenn Dominguez and Nate Spilker Dani and Kevin Stansell Jennifer and Steven Swift Meg and George (’92) Venters Anita and Andrew Wells Jen and Ryan Wickline John Parham ’84* Joyce Pope ’04*

Alumni Leadership Team

Sarah Hoverstad ’04 John Moss ’04 Rebecca Qubain ’15 James Sansom ’76*

Grandparent Co-Chairs

Kevin Keim* Donna* and Kirk Preiss

Parents of Alumni Chairs

Iren* and Mark Hianik

*Indicates members of the Board of Trustees Italic indicates Grade Level Captains

LEAD FROM HERE Updates from our movement

Reimagining Education: Student Health and Wellness Support A FEW YEARS AGO, I was part of a panel discussion about raising healthy children in the 21st century. A parent asked, “Ever since we laid down the rules about his phone and curfew, it is although we don’t recognize him.

How do parents bridge these gaps of communication? Where or how can I meet him and his needs?” My response, “Where they are, where they need to be met, and by all means be available.”

Today, how to raise an adult as author Judith Holcott Helms calls it in her book with the same title — still resonates as an educational challenge.

It’s not too bold to suggest that we are reimagining education at Ravenscroft. Our Lead From Here educational platform, developed in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), has brought to light the importance of supporting the healthy development of a young person, going beyond academics, to create strong and skilled learners and leaders.

The skills, mindsets and tools for successful engagement in the classroom and beyond relies on cognitive, relational, and socio-emotional skills that research strongly correlates to academic achievement.1 The most published studies about student health behaviors and academic achievement focus on four areas, 1) the benefits of regular physical activity, 2) the association between chronic stress or other conditions and decreased achievement in the absence of any school based services, 3) how safe, positive school environments were associated with both improved health behaviors and achievement and finally, 4) engaging families and community members in schools also had a positive effect on students’ health and achievement.2

At Ravenscroft, student health and community well-being is a top priority. To support our efforts, we have restructured our approach to address all four of these areas. Since the beginning of the 2016-17 school year, our physical education and health faculty, clinically trained counselors, academic skills faculty and Jones Health Center staff, as well as our diversity and inclusion efforts, have been moved under the vision and coordination of myself in a new appointment as the Assistant Head of School for Student Affairs. This position was endowed as a result of a generous gift from the Joy and Temple Sloan and the Sloan Family Foundation.

Our Lead from Here model is a one-of-a-kind educational framework that correctly places the relationship of educator and student as the fundamental coordinate around which nearly all of our decisions are made and offers us a way to systematically support comprehensive student development. This framework comes to life in our school through learning relationships that share a common language and share similar values.

These learning relationships demonstrate behaviors that reflect a high degree of self-awareness and emotional regulation, two key developmental competencies we know are associated with positively influencing a young person’s growth and development.

As of this year, a unique professional partnership between my office and Colleen Ramsden, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs, was created to integrate developmentally appropriate content related to a young person’s growth, development and health. Using research-based practices with our CCL team, we have created a year-long plan that develops their skills and tools educators need to be facilitators of learning rather than

By Susan Perry, Assistant Head of School for Student Affairs

Dr. Susan Perry talks with Lower School students

instructors of static content. In short, what students are learning is equally as important as how they are learning.

How students process information, integrate learning, develop socially and emotionally places our school at the forefront of addressing the different learning needs of the contemporary classroom.

Our Ravenscroft community models, embodies and implements a distinctive vision about being a leading thinker and innovator in a student-centered, one-of-a-kind educational environment. “Where to meet students as they grow and learn?”

I say bring your head, your heart and meet them, “...where they are, where they need to be met,” and don’t forget “...by all means be available.” R

REFERENCES: Turn Around for Children: Building Blocks for Learning by K. Brooke StaffordBrizard 2 Journal of School Health, Volume 85, Issue 11, November 2015, Pages 740–758 1

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NOTES FROM THE NEST News from around the campus

Middle School Named Mix-It-Up Model School Record Number of Students Participate in Travel Programs

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AVENSCROFT’S MIDDLE SCHOOL has been named a 2017

Mix It Up Model School by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance program for the school’s exemplary efforts to foster respect and understanding among its students and throughout its campus during the 201617 school year. Ravenscroft is among 76 schools nationally to receive the honor. The Teaching Tolerance program has hosted Mix It Up at Lunch Day for the past 15 years to help students demonstrate the importance of respecting each other’s differences.

Upper School students changing our world with our partner schools in Zambia

Ravens Athletic Club Honors Volunteers with Service Award In January, the Ravenscroft Athletic Club (RAC) honored three members of the Ravenscroft community with the Athletic Club Service award for their loyal and outstanding dedication to Ravenscroft athletics. Martha Funston, mother to Lanny ’09, Melissa ’12 and Jennifer ’15, volunteered

This year, a record number of Ravenscroft students in Middle and Upper School traveled abroad on school programs. Eighteen students participated in the Spanish Exchange; eight traveled to Belize for the global health focused program; fourteen traveled to Zambia for a service program. In the Middle School, seventeen students went to Costa Rica for service and cultural immersion, eleven traveled to Germany and France as a part of the new World Wars curricular program. More students plan to travel on Global Programs this summer!

with athletics in many ways including serving as RAC president and team parent, and volunteering for countless athletics events. Diane and Steve Murphy, both service award recipients and parents to Eryn ’14 and Zach ’17, have dedicated time and energy to the athletics program. Steve has photographed sports games and events, sharing thousands of photos with student-athletes and their families.

Helping drive the growth of RAC, Diane has recruited and welcomed many volunteers to the group. She has been involved with every aspect of Ravenscroft athletics including serving as president of RAC.

Director Ned Gonet, RAC representative Jill Morin, Martha Funston, Diane and Steve Murphy, Doreen Kelly and RAC president-elect Cathleen Peety

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Boys Golf Captures Conference and State Titles The Ravenscroft Boys Golf team won its eighth 3A NCISAA State Championship in May. Ryan Gerard ’17, Quinn Riley ’18 and Kenan Poole II ’19 received All-State honors for finishing inside the Top 10. Prior to their state title, they captured their 11th straight TISAC title. Gerard was named TISAC Conference Player of the Year.

GIA GIAMBRUNO ‘26 and ELLE WARNER ‘26

Lower School Students Win Writing Competition

2017 Boys Golf Team

Third graders, Gia Giambruno and Elle Warner, were recognized as Raleigh-Wake Young Authors, winning at the state level. Gia and Elle, along with the other winners from North Carolina, will have their stories published in the 2016-2017 North Carolina Reading Association book, Step Outside! The judges received almost 600 entries this year, and the entries went through two rigorous rounds of judging. The young authors were encouraged to write about personal experiences with the natural world or investigate a natural world topic.

Wrestling and Boys Lacrosse Earn Conference Titles

(above) 2017 Wrestling Team (right) Lacrosse players celebrating their conference title

The Ravenscroft wrestling team won its fourth straight TISAC wrestling title in February. The Ravens won 58-44-16 over Cary Academy and North Raleigh Christian Academy. Ian Conley ’17 was named TISAC wrestler of the year.

Boys Lacrosse clinched their sixth straight TISAC title with a 12-5 home win over Cary Academy on Senior Day. Clay Baker ’18, Scotty Crouthamel, Patrick Ednie ’18, Jake Schneider ’19 and McCabe Watson ’18 earned All-Conference honors and Schneider was named to the All-State team. Earlier in the season, Sandy Kapatos won his 100th career game as head coach of the varsity boys lacrosse team.

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NOTES FROM THE NEST News from around the campus

Kevin Anderson ’82 to Serve as New Board Chair Beginning with the 201718 school year, Kevin Anderson ’82 will succeed Caryn McNeill as the Ravenscroft Board Chair. Kevin joined the Ravenscroft Board of Trustees in 2014. He has chaired the Audit Committee and served on the Executive Committee. As Audit Committee Chair, Kevin has overseen the development KEVIN ANDERSON ’82 and implementation of a three-year rolling risk management review program for each of our Board committees. Kevin is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor and Senior Portfolio Management Director with The Legacy Group at Morgan Stanley. Kevin and his wife, Perri, have two children who are Ravenscroft alumni, as is Kevin’s father, Glen “Chip” Anderson ’55. Kevin is a thoughtful and compelling leader and will be a tremendous asset to Ravenscroft in this role.

Competitive Coding Club Develops App for GPA Calculations The Upper School’s new Competitive Coding Club (CCC) has developed and released an app to quickly calculate cumulative GPAs — and they did so in less than two months. Comprised of 16 Upper Schoolers, CCC was created to build upon the coding knowledge students gain through AP Computer Science and use those skills at regional coding competitions. Creating an app wasn’t the original intention of the club, but the students saw a need and realized they could fill it. “The app also allows you to figure out what grades you’ll need to maintain a certain GPA,” said CCC president Dante Sanaei ’17. “We also saw creating an app as a challenge and a great learning opportunity.” The app is available on Google Play and the iTunes App Store.

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Two New Trustees Named to the Ravenscroft Board: Kristin Replogle and Nelle Schantz ’83 Kristin Replogle was a Senior Speech-Language Pathologist at Massachusetts General Hospital specializing in traumatic brain injury, before retiring to focus her time and energy on philanthropy and advocacy. She serves as a member of several national and community boards focused on health, educaKristin Replogle tion and the arts, including the Kennedy Center for the Arts, the North Carolina Museum of Art, NCSU’s Institute for Nonprofits advisory board, NCSU’s College of Education advisory board and the board of WakeMed Hospital. Kristin and her husband John (a former member of the Ravenscroft Board) have four daughters, two of whom are current students at Ravenscroft.

Nelle Schantz ’83 is a Vice President at Fidelity Charitable managing the Advisor Marketing team. Fidelity Charitable is an independent public charity that has helped donors support more than 219,000 nonprofit organizations with more than $25 billion in grants. Prior to working at Fidelity Charitable, NELLE SCHANTZ ’83 Nelle worked at SAS and led their Product Marketing Division. Nelle is on the Board of the Methodist Home for Children and is a middle and lower school Sunday School teacher. Nelle and her husband Stuart have two daughters, whom are current students at Ravenscroft.

FACULTY NOTES News from our faculty and staff

Faculty Notes Upper School Computer Science teacher Alfie Hobbs was accepted to participate in the BOLD Summit at The Galloway School in Atlanta, GA. BOLD is an acronym for Building Opportunities for Leadership Development. The program is designed to help cultivate and equip educators of color within independent school environments for future leadership roles.

Emily Roach, Middle School Computer Science and Digital Communications teacher, was featured in a recent news post on Harvard’s ScratchEd website, an online community for Scratch educators. She shares how she establishes a culture of iteration and possibility, creativity and inclusivity in her classroom.

Jason Ramsden, Chief Information Officer, has been elected President of the Board of the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools for a two-year term starting in July 2017. Ramsden spoke at the 2017 ATLIS Conference in April on our “Winning at Social” program and progress.

Susan Perry, Assistant Head of School for Student Affairs, has been appointed to serve on the Executive Committee for the Independent School Health Association (ISHA). Perry will also serve on the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)/The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) Task Force on Educator Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response.

Drama, music and private voice instructor Mary Royall Hight recently performed with North Carolina Opera in their season-closer, The Pearl Fishers, under the baton of Maestro Timothy Myers.

Martha Janes and Carol Miedema, two members of the retiring faculty/staff

Retirements Julie Folsom, Middle School Language Arts Teacher, 13 years Martha Janes, School Nurse, 42 years Joni Keane, 4th grade teacher, 7 years Jenwei Kuo, Upper School Mandarin Teacher, 9 years In January, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ned Gonet was honored and inducted into the George Whitfield North Carolina Hall of Fame for his dedication to coaching and administrating high school athletics. Whitfield, along with a committee, honors coaches, administrators and athletes who have distinguished themselves in their respective field.

Carol Miedema, Lower School Assessment Coordinator, 38 years Mary Catherine Phelps, Lower School Assistant Librarian, 33 years Michelle Piette, Assistant Athletic Director and Athletic Trainer, 31 years Rebecca Poole, Assistant to the Head of School, 33 years Debbie Ragusa, Lower School Teacher’s Assistant, 11 years Summer 2017

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Class of 2017

CONGRATULATIONS and REFLECTIONS

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S WE CLOSE OUT ANOTHER YEAR, we reflect upon the accomplishments of the Class of 2017 in the classroom, on the playing fields and the stage, and throughout the community.

Here we celebrate five seniors whose academic and leadership efforts are a snapshot of the tremendous potential of this class.

Photography by Laura B. Hunter Photography

by Stacy Calfo

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ALLISON ARBER ’17 Bailiol College at the University of Oxford

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LLISON ARBER’S ’17 outstanding academic record coupled

with her strong interest in music have paved the way to an impressive variety of experiences since beginning at Ravenscroft in pre-kindergarten. She will be studying chemistry at the Bailiol College at the University of Oxford in the fall, and she considers her Oxford acceptance as her biggest accomplishment.

Allison has focused academically on her passion for science. Her favorite subject is chemistry because she is fascinated with the physical workings of nature and even the artificial world. “Through chemistry, the transformations and various reactions of matter are explained,” she said. “I also appreciate how chemistry involves both mathematical and qualitative descriptions which provide fascinating subtleties of distinction.”

It’s no surprise that Allison’s favorite Ravenscroft teacher is her chemistry teacher, John Karny, who always encouraged her to further the topics covered in class. Karny gave her the opportunity as a sophomore in Honors Chemistry to take the Chemistry Olympiad exam with his AP class. “He spent hours during the weeks before the exam teaching me material which would have been covered later in the year,” explained Allison.

“This experience strengthened my passion for the subject and encouraged me to continue my study of chemistry.” Her years at Ravenscroft have taught her how to adapt and succeed in a challenging academic environment.

Allison’s academic honors include Cum Laude Society, National Merit Scholarship Finalist, Ravenscroft Scholar Award for 9th, 10th and 11th grades, the Rensselaer Mathematics and Science Medal, the National Honor Society and AP Scholar with Distinction. She attended the North Carolina Governor’s School in Natural Science, the Experimental Physics Research Academy and participated in the Duke TIP Field study at the PARI Observatory studying astronomy, physics and astrobiology.

Beyond the chemistry lab, Allison has devoted her extracurricular time to her love of music. She played the violin in the Eastern Region All-State Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra and the Chambers Quartet. Allison won the Ravenscroft Concerto competition as a freshman, was a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and participated in the Honors Division of the Lamar Stringfield Music Camp. She also found time to volunteer as a docent at the Museum of Natural Science and to work at the Catholic Parish outreach.

Allison encourages younger Ravens to find their passions and pursue them enthusiastically. If they do, many exciting experiences await.

By Jennifer Marchi

BARON VON ROSE II ’17 North Carolina State University

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N REFLECTING on his four years at Ravenscroft, Baron Von Rose II ’17 summed up his biggest accomplishment as the opportunity to love people in the Ravenscroft community. That strong sense of community has influenced how he has spent his time outside of the classroom. Baron will be attending North Carolina State University in the fall.

Although math is his favorite subject because there is an exact answer, Baron has felt particularly connected to his Spanish teachers. He explained that teacher Kristy Rogers has been a mentor to him, making Spanish his favorite class during his junior year.

During his sophomore year, Baron also developed a strong bond with teacher David Kates, a relationship that has continued throughout high school. His interest and excellence in Spanish led him to earning the Academic Achievement Award in World Languages in the 10th grade.

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Photography Baron had the opportunity to travelbyto Madrid, Spain to Laura Photography practice some of his Spanish.

“I B. gotHunter to experience a totally different culture and met awesome friends who I still keep in contact with,” said Baron. “Going to Spain was like experiencing a never before known splendor in cultures around the world.”

In the community, Baron played the drums for a small church in Hillsborough and has volunteered at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club in Raleigh.

During his senior year, he was named King of both Homecoming and Prom, and received the Clarke Worthington Award, one of the most distinguished awards presented by the school community, which honors the senior whose character, integrity, and treatment of other people best provides leadership by example.

He seems to have followed his own advice to younger students. “Do your best to stay away from high school drama. Organize your time. Make wise choices,” he advised. “Gain wisdom more than you gain knowledge, but definitely gain knowledge.”

Baron feels well prepared for the workload that he expects at NC State, and there’s no doubt that he will embrace and enhance his next community of people.

JOHN FRANK DANIEL SAWYERR ’17 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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school freshman, JD Sawyerr realized that he had to step up his game academically at Ravenscroft. “I had to challenge myself to work even harder as soon as I found out how competitive the school was,” said JD. “No matter how tough things were, I had the courage to persevere. I’m glad to have had such experiences because I know that life will be filled with obstacles.” That perseverance has helped JD succeed both in the classroom and in his extracurricular activities. He will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall and plans to study either business or biomedical engineering.

ANDREW WILLIAMS ’17 University of Virginia

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ing class, Andrew Williams ’17 set an amazing example both academically and in his dedication to service. He is headed to the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar, where he will study economics and urban planning at the Virginia School of Architecture.

While at Ravenscroft, Andrew pointed to Advanced Placement Microeconomics as his favorite subject. He said that economics combines the elements of math and social science into real world applications that make sense. His academic excellence has been recognized through his membership in the Cum Laude Society, the National Honor Society, the Latin Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society and as a National Merit Scholarship award winner. All that hard work also earned him the senior superlative “Most Likely To Stay Awake a Week.”

Andrew has attended Ravenscroft since kindergarten and credits the school with teaching him how to juggle classwork,

In considering his biggest accomplishment at Ravenscroft, JD pointed to his success in AP Physics.

He explained that he had a rough start in the course but bounced back at the end of the year. That’s one of the things he has learned at Ravenscroft — to challenge himself to get better every day. His favorite subject, however, is math because it’s straightforward with a right or wrong answer.

He also credited his Ravenscroft teachers with his positive experience, reflecting on Upper School Science Teacher Chris Kelly in particular. “He always created a chill atmosphere where we recognized when to have fun and when to focus.

He encouraged us to learn from our mistakes.”

JD has been recognized for his academic achievements, earning awards in math, science, World Languages, English, and Spanish. He was inducted into the National Honor Society and served as a Graduation Marshall.

Outside of the classroom, JD excelled as a JV and varsity soccer player and was co-president of the Badminton Club. He served as a soccer coach at Coach Alix Charles’ soccer camp and was the varsity boys’ basketball team scorekeeper. In addition to sports, JD was active in the Robotics Club, the Key Club and the African-American Affinity Club, My Brother’s Keeper.

JD encourages young Ravens to get involved in the whole Ravenscroft community. “Having well-balanced participation in class and out of class will ensure that students get the most out of their Ravenscroft education.”

extracurricular activities and a social life, preparing him well for the next chapter of his life. “I have learned that I can manage many different aspects of my life and succeed in every area,” said Andrew. He praised Band Instructor Bill Pendergrass as one of his favorite Ravenscroft teachers. “His students learn more than just how to play instruments exceptionally; they learn how to be leaders inside and outside the band room,” he explained. “Mr. P. has been a mentor, helping me to organize St. Baldrick’s and a friend, sharing in my love of barbeque.”

Andrew’s passion for service is exemplified through his involvement as a founding member of the Community Service Board, President of the Key Club, an Eagle Scout and as the event organizer for St. Baldrick’s. Andrew considers his biggest accomplishment at Ravenscroft raising nearly $90,000 for childhood cancer research over his two years as St. Baldrick’s event organizer.

For younger Raven students, Andrew’s advice is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way as well as to make their own opportunities. “Find your passion and cultivate it,” said Andrew. “Ravenscroft will provide the resources needed to pursue whatever passion you may have.”

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GABRIELLE PHILLIPS ’17 University of North Carolina School of the Arts

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RRIVING AT RAVENSCROFT as a second semester sophomore,

Gabrielle Phillips ’17 has made her mark following and cultivating her strong passion for the arts. She will be attending the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the professional acting program.

Gabby focused her time on dancing, acting and singing as a company member at the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory. She was a Top 20 Triangle Rising Stars Finalist in 2016–17. At Ravenscroft, she considered her strongest accomplishment the Thoroughly Modern Millie production.

“The cast and crew worked together tirelessly to pull off a show that was full of extra material with vocals, dancing and acting,” she explained. “I was extremely sad for the production to end, as it was my last show at Ravenscroft.” One of her fondest memories, however, was not on the stage but on the basketball court. She often sang the National Anthem at basketball games and loved the memories of the students singing with her.

Gabby said that her experience at Ravenscroft taught her leadership skills and the confidence to take charge and be a leader at school and in the community. Those skills led her to be on the Executive Board of the Thespian Troupe and a Community Service Board Club Member. She also credits the genuine and caring faculty with making Ravenscroft such

a special place. “The teachers I reached out to for help were ecstatic that I wanted them to be part of my college journey,” said Gabby. “The Fine Arts Department worked with my audition schedule and prepped me for auditions. Knowing I had their support through this hectic time definitely prepared me for the next phase of life.”

Her artistic focus also influenced her academic interest in history. She thinks that history bridges the gap between her traditional and artistic educations. The events she learned in the classroom have transpired into the pages of many plays and helped her make informed decisions in developing characters as an actress.

Her advice for younger students is to try new things and don’t be afraid to step out of their comfort zones. She also encouraged friendliness and has seen what a difference it can make in new situations. “Before I walked through the doors of Ravenscroft,” she said. “I promised my dad that I would say hello to everyone I came in contact with that day. Yes, it’s scary but trust me, it’s worth it.” R Summer 2017

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Congratulations to RAVENSCROFT’S Class of 2017!

From Learners to Leaders 100%

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Acceptance to College

Colleges Attending

Graduating with International Diploma

GRADUATES

Over $6M

In State: 47% Out of State: 49% International: 4%

in Scholarships Awarded

33

in the National Honor Society

47

Presidential Service Awards

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Committed to Play College Sports

Our 2017 Graduates Allison Nicole Arber Emmanuel Baende Bonyongo Matheus Duarte Bellettini Meredith Hope Blackmon Anna Carlton Blanks Logan Allen Boggis Dylan Boyd Rebecca Elizabeth Brandes Jade Alycia Burton Nathan Spencer Cohen Ian Hogan Conley Simon Laniel Copeland Makhi Jarrod Crawford Scotty Crouthamel Robert Steven Deckelbaum Gabrielle Marie Derosier Briana Catherine DeStaffan Jake Harrison Dillo Douglas William Dillon Brenden Kavi Drumm Ian Rogers DuBose Omar Abraham Elgamal Douglas Edward Elks Kaela Nicole Ewing Trevor David Fachko Donald Najee Fuller Catherine Grace Gardner Ryan Burtle Gerard Mary McKenzie Glenn Brett Charles Haensel Caroline Grace Hall Connor Mack Harrison Katharine Virginia Higginson Madeline Claire High James Staley Hilliard Autumn Janay Horton Chengshuo Huang

Erin Elizabeth Hughes Molly Kathleen Hutter Nolan Wagner Irey John Gardner Isley Weicheng Jiang Lynn Marie Johnson Erick Michael Jordan Alexandra Chunman Kansler Raymond Joseph Karrenbauer IV Benjamin William Kasierski Zachary Ryan Kirkbride Nathan Theodore Lamb Samuel Elliott Landis Natalie Marie Lang Alexander Scott Lindsay Christopher James Little Gerhard Jacob Livingston Benjamin Thomas Lockhart Daniela Mainz Reed Joseph Margolis Carolyn Elisabeth May Savannah Ruby McCabe Matthew Cameron Mehr Madelynn Rachel Morin Zachary Ryan Murphy Madeline Alice Musaus Melody Ashlyn Musaus Mary Katherine Neff Jill Christine Noonan Jordan Robert Norona Sydney Samai Olson Johnathan Gray Overton Jordan Caroline Parham Devon Senell Perry Gabrielle Dee Phillips Chandler Stewart Presson Anna Winslow Pugh

William Jackson Queen Sydney Nicole Ramey Jashaun Ray Register Gabriella Victoria Reiter Christopher Michael Reynolds Edward Fenwick Rockwell Jr. Baron Von Rose II Dante Aryan Sanaei Pearce Jacob Sanders John Frank Daniel Sawyerr Grace Davis Schmalz Cameron Parker Scioletti Marigrace Katherine Seaton Akanksha Sharma Casey Claire Shuey Sahib Pal Singh Danielle Nicole Sisson Margaux Carolyn Steadman Jaxson Taylor Stocks Elijah David Tanner Maxwell Richard Van Lokeren Sidney Savannah Vinson Joseph Curtis Wadley Maya Hadas Wahl Natalie Beth Warren Lillian Marie Wayne Caroline Hayward Welsh Andrew Thorne Williams Dillon Grace Wingo Spencer Chamberlain Winston Lila Winter Avery Rebekah Wood Natasha Michelle Zaletel Maya Monique Zelmanovich Laura Danielle Ziperski Benjamin Graham Zucker

Attending the Following Colleges Arizona State University Auburn University Boston College Campbell University Centre College Chinese Language Institute (Guilin, China) Christopher Newport University Claremont McKenna College Clarkson University Clemson University College of William and Mary College of Wooster Duke University East Carolina University–3 Elon University Emory University Fordham University Furman University Guilford College Hampden-Sydney College High Point University–3

Houston Baptist University Howard University Lehigh University Liberty University Long Island University, Post McGill University Meredith College New York University–3 North Carolina Central University North Carolina State University–13 Northwestern University Pace University, New York City Purdue University–2 Randolph College Reed College Roanoke College Savannah College of Art and Design–2 Trinity College Dublin University of Alabama–3 University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Barbara

University of Kansas University of Minnesota University of Mississippi–2 University of North Carolina at Asheville University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill–16 University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina at Wilmington–5 University of North Carolina School of the Arts University of Oxford University of Richmond University of South Carolina–8 University of Virginia Villanova University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University–3 Washington and Lee University West Virginia Wesleyan College

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GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

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- BY STACY CALFO -

In conjunction with our Mission Statement — The Ravenscroft community, guided by our legacy of excellence, nurtures individual potential and prepares students to thrive in a complex and interdependent world — the International Diploma program was designed for Upper School students who have a passion for and curiosity about global issues, world languages and travel.

ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO, David Kates, Director of Global Education and Initiatives, along with Mary Beth Immediata, Mimi Lieberman and others decided they would create a program of distinction for our students who were globally minded and interested in world languages and cultures to have an opportunity to shine and run with those passions. They wanted Ravenscroft students to be recognized for being global citizens who go the extra mile.

“We looked at models from other schools and while many had the global travel component, few high schools had this level of investment in global studies,” Kates says. “It was something that was mission-driven and aligned and meshed beautifully with the Citizen Leader Framework.”

“This program is distinctly Ravenscroft — it is tailored to meet the individual needs and interests of our students.

At the same time it is continually evolving so the school is providing the most impactful learning experience and global curriculum,” adds Jessica Yonzon, the program coordinator. “The International Diploma program begins in ninth grade and currently has over 50 students enrolled, including nine graduating seniors. Our international experiences begin in middle school and this year there are over 100 students involved in the travel and hosting this year.” For graduating seniors, the International Diploma program is much more than an academic degree. It’s a decision to pursue a life’s passion and connect across borders.

Reed Margolis ’17 will attend Duke University this fall, where he plans to double major in International Comparative Studies and Global Cultural Studies with a minor in Spanish. “I want to use all of the lessons I learned through the International Diploma program and my recent experiences abroad to propel my success at the next level. After college, I will ideally join the United States Peace Corps, and later become some sort of ambassador or consul overseas,” Reed says. “Perhaps the experience that sticks out the most to me is my hosting

of a Spanish exchange student, Alvaro, my sophomore year. Our relationship has transcended the International Diploma program, as he has come back to visit me twice, I have gone to visit him twice, and we have even shared an excursion to New York City together.”

Alumni who have taken the International Diploma studies at Ravenscroft state that it helped them shape their college and grad school experiences. Many have won awards or have been chosen to be part of University-level programs like Elon’s Project Pericles, which aims to promote social justice and civic engagement at home and abroad.

“The International Diploma program has helped me at Elon by encouraging me to take unique classes my first year and that ultimately led me to major in Religious Studies,” says Tate Replogle ’14. “Because of the

REED MARGOLIS ’17 (right) with his exchange student and friend, Alvaro Summer 2017

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TATE REPLOGLE ’14 has traveled to all seven continents.

Here, she is pictured in the United Arab Emirates.

International Diploma program, I am more confident in my classes and have taken on many leadership roles at Elon, like applying and getting accepting in the Periclean Scholars program. I have spent the last two years travelling back and forth to Zambia with my peers as we work together on our Periclean project. My travels abroad with the International Diploma program and now at Elon have really set the stage for my path to the Peace Corps after college.”

The international diploma “program truly makes our Ravens

global citizens who are ready to share their

”

talents & experiences worldwide.

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Replogle adds. “I thought that the requirements for the International Diploma would challenge me, inspire me, and help me grow. In the end, they did exactly that and I am grateful for the whole experience.”

In addition to the Peace Corps, graduates of the program have also pursued careers with Teach for America as well as International Business degrees and linguists of all types.

“Ms. Yonzon always encouraged me to think globally, act locally, and I’ve carried that slogan with me,” says Jessie Lutz ’14, currently studying at the University of North Carolina. “Right now, I am interning at a human rights think tank. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed examining human rights specific to the American South through both a legal and grassroots lens, and hope to continue to advocate for human rights beyond college. I was also recently invited to be a corps member for Teach for America. If I choose to accept the offer, after I graduate, I will be teaching in Hawaii for two years.”

“The International Diploma program is a toolkit that provides valuable cultural competency skills that are essential to thrive in our world today. The world needs curious, open-minded, and worldly leaders, and the International Diploma can help groom students into global citizens ready to take on the world,” Lutz adds.

The International Diploma program truly makes our Ravens global citizens who are ready to share their talents and experiences worldwide.

“At Carolina, my international diploma certainly helped form my decision to major in Global Studies and continue my Spanish classes. I plan to study abroad for a semester in between my sophomore and junior year in South America because my region for the Global Studies major is Latin America,” explains Caroline Christman ’16, a freshman at the University of North Carolina. “After UNC, I would like to get a job abroad, possibly making economic recommendations in developing countries or for businesses in Latin America.”

Christman adds, “I would say that pursuing the International Diploma at Ravenscroft is a good idea for anybody interested in studying abroad, learning another language, anthropology, history, or any global/economic development or political fields. The world is much more connected than it may seem in many different areas of study and the international diploma will give you a solid base to build your international knowledge on.” R

When Jessie Lutz was a senior she shared these views of the International Diploma program.

“As a transracial and transnational adoptee, I am a child of both the eastern and western worlds. I like to say that I’m ethnically Chinese and culturally American. The richness and complexity of my own cultural identity has fostered my passion for learning about the diverse peoples and cultures of the world.

When introduced to the International Diploma program at Ravenscroft, it seemed a perfect fit for me. I love learning about culture and have always been interested in international relations. Indeed, the International Diploma has equipped me with a well-rounded international education. The coursework coupled with travel and hosting opportunities have shaped me into a more competent and growth-minded global citizen.

The Religion and Ethics Seminar impacted me most during my time at Ravenscroft. I found this seminar to be especially powerful because it was primarily discussion based. In articulating my personal beliefs, I began to understand the evolution of my moral compass. I realized just how significant a role religion has played in shaping culture, societal norms, and the justice system. I learned that understanding a person’s faith is profoundly important to understanding their ethical code.

Global Issues One and Two also had a profound impact on my international education. These classes challenged me to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” and to always check my privilege. I have learned not to take things like clean water, plumbing, and electricity for granted.

Another incredible facet of the International Diploma was the opportunity to travel. I’ve been fortunate to have participated in both the China exchange program and the Zambia program. The China exchange enabled me to practice my Mandarin skills while experiencing what life is like in a typical Beijing home. I was able to reconnect with my culture and that meant the world to me. In Zambia, I was humbled by the two schools and orphanage we visited.

Despite language and cultural barriers, I felt that I could connect with the people of China and Zambia. Laughing, dancing, and singing are all beautifully universal.

I’ve had a rich and meaningful international education at Ravenscroft. I feel that I’m well prepared to continue my international studies at American University in the fall.

I believe that graduating with an International Diploma is a perfect starting point in my pursuit of a career in the international diplomatic arena.”

JESSIE LUTZ ’14 (behind the cheetah) with her classmates in Zambia in 2014.

Summer 2017

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CREATIVE LEADERSHIP

PEN PAL...

LETTER-WRITING PROGRAM PAIRS FOURTH GRADERS WITH ALUMNI TO BUILD SKILLS AND STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS

~ by Karen Lewis Taylor ~

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A

T A TIME WHEN personal letter-writing is fast becoming a lost art, a Ravenscroft

program that matches fourth graders with alumni pen pals allows students to make heartfelt connections across generations while improving their writing and interpersonal skills. “Getting to know someone through letter-writing, without meeting them first, is kind of old-fashioned,” says Lower School teacher Denise Simpson, whose fourth graders participated in the program for a number of years. “People just don’t write letters like that anymore. Watching my students learn and grow through this experience was really special.”

Building Skills and Friendships Students and their pen pals — many of whom are Tucker Street graduates — trade letters throughout the school year, sharing details about their lives and special moments in their experiences at Ravenscroft. At the end of the year, the fourth graders host a breakfast where they meet their pen pals in person.

For Simpson, the decision to have her class participate was an easy one. She knew having her students write to pen pals would help them improve their communication skills while also, she hoped, making a personal connection with someone outside their day-to-day circle. She was thrilled by how much her students enjoyed it.

“It just sort of took off with my students,” Simpson says. “Most of them didn’t get much hard-copy mail, even eight years ago. The pen pal program was fuel for the fire. We saw lots of enthusiasm coming from the kids.”

Particularly gratifying, Simpson says, was watching students who were typically shy “really blossom when they met their pen pals at the breakfast.” Seeing a nine-year-old talking with a seventy-plus-year-old was just great.”

ALFRED HAMILTON ’56 with his pen pals

Some of her students enjoyed the program so much that they asked their pen pals to continue writing with them over the summer — and many agreed.

“The adults have told me over and over how rewarding it is and that they enjoy connecting with the students,” says Tammy Haywood, director of alumni activities, who helps coordinate the program. “It’s a small way alumni can stay connected with the school and help keep alive the art of hand-writing letters.”

“Seeing a nine year-old talking with a seventy-plus-year-old was just great.”

AMANDA RAXLIN ’09 with her fourth grade pen pals

Summer 2017

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Strengthening Tucker Street Connections One family of Tucker Street graduates has participated since the program’s inception. Four sisters — Lillian Pou Stroupe, Millie Pou Genet, Ihrie Pou O’Bryant and Frances Pou Carr, who passed away in 2013 — have all participated in the program over the years.

“My older sisters, Lillian and Millie, had been involved since the program began,” says O’Bryant. “They recruited Frances and me six or seven years ago.”

O’Bryant says she usually sends one to two letters or postcards per month.

“Each of my pen pals has been delightful,” O’Bryant says. “My pen pal this year is so cheerful in her letters to me.

She is very active in school and extracurricular activities.”

One of O’Bryant’s past pen pals, Sophia Hopper, who is now in fifth grade, has fond IHRIE POU O’BRYANT ’72 (left) with LILLIAN POU STROUPE ’67 memories of their exchanges.

“My pen pal was really fun to talk to. She would send me letters and postcards from her vacaHaywood emphasizes the benefits of the program for tions where she would tell me what she did that day,” she says. the alumni participants as well, particularly those from the Tucker Street era.

“It’s great to have them on our Falls of Neuse campus,” she says. “They can see all the great things we’re doing with our current students while also catching up with some of their classmates and friends.”

O’Bryant agrees. “Being involved with the pen pal program has reconnected me with other Tucker Street alumni. I’ve recruited other classmates to join because it’s so enjoyable. I like staying informed on the progression of Ravenscroft,” she says.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting all of my pen pals at the breakfast,” she adds. “I would hate to miss it!”

“It’s great to have them on our campus. They can see all the great things we’re doing with our current students while also catching up with some of their classmates and friends.”

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“The program has been so successful that it was expanded from one fourth grade classroom to the entire grade level — in part because so many alumni ask to participate.”

WILL EICHLER ’25 and SMEDES YORK ’59

Growing to Meet Demand The program has been so successful that it was expanded from one fourth grade classroom to the entire grade level — in part because so many alumni ask to participate. Some of them were once fourth graders in the program and are now excited to be on the other end of the exchange, sharing fond memories of their time at Ravenscroft.

Simpson notes that several high-profile Ravenscroft alumni, including former Raleigh Mayor Smedes York and former N.C. Senator Neal Hunt have participated in the past. Their presence at the end-of-year breakfasts created quite a stir among the students.

“It was as though a rock star was coming,” she says. “It was very fun for the kids.”

For students such as Sophia, every pen pal is a rock star. The program has left a lasting impression about the kindness of strangers who become, through these exchanges in the mail, something more like friends.

“My pen pal was really compassionate,” she says. “I was in Jump Rope for Heart [a fundraising program of the American Heart Association], and I talked to her about it in my letter. She donated to support me!”

“The best thing I learned,” she adds, “is that you can communicate with people that you aren’t seeing face to face through letters and learn a lot about them without them being right there — and that they might do nice things for you even though you’ve never met them!” R

A fourth grade class celebration with their alumni pen pals

Summer 2017

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INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

e n t re p 2r0e1n7 e u r ia l sp t iri

by

STACY CALFO 24

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UR LEAD FROM HERE Citizen

Leader Framework is a trifecta of knowledgeable skills our current students will use to become leaders of the next generation. Many of our alumni have already delivered on these skills — Leading Self, Leading with Others and Changing Your World — by creating innovative businesses to better their communities and perhaps even the global world. We highlight four such alumni here.

to earning the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to fly commercially. “Patience has definitely played a part in Flyte’s success. So many business owners ultimately fail because they push to expand and reach new clients too early, rather than build a firm base.

Success comes with time and patience,” said Davis.

In the future, Davis would like to continue to expand his business and serve clients across North Carolina. But that will just be a side project. Once he earns his degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in renewable energy, he hopes to develop less expensive home and automotive alternatives to coal and gas, reducing the negative effects on the environment.

Davis sets an inspiring example of how a strong work ethic and the entrepreneurial spirit has led him to amazing heights.

Johnny Davis ’15

FLYTE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, INC. Johnny Davis ’15 has soared as a young entrepreneur and student over the last two years. Davis started Flyte Aerial Photography, Inc. in January 2017 while studying Electrical Engineering and Physics as a sophomore at North Carolina State University. Flyte is a drone filming service located in Raleigh. “We are currently serving residents and businesses in the Triangle.

Flyte offers drone video and photo solutions as well as ground photography for both indoor and outdoor environments,” Davis explained.

The idea of starting Flyte grew out of Davis’ combined interests in model planes, aerospace and photography.

Davis credits Ravenscroft with teaching him valuable time management skills, which has been a key component in his business success. During his years at Ravenscroft, he participated in sports, studied hard academically and played a musical instrument. Learning to balance those various interests has translated well into running a new company and studying as a fulltime engineering student. Davis also finds time to stay involved in the Outdoor Adventure Program at NC State, working as a climbing wall specialist.

In considering the challenges to entrepreneurship, Davis pointed to the time involved in learning the legal requirements of business ownership in addition

Two photographs captured

by JOHNNY DAVIS ’15 and his drone company, Flyte.

MANDEEP DHILLON ’88 with his family

Mandeep Dhillon ’88

TOGETHERVILLE 1STUDENTBODY

Mandeep Dhillon’s ’88 entrepreneurial spirit stems from intellectual curiosity and a drive to look to the future.

“My goal is always to learn more faster,” said Mandeep.

“Nothing I do today existed when I was a student, so I constantly push myself to adopt what is next and see how to make it better for people.”

After graduating from Ravenscroft, Dhillon went on to earn three more degrees — a BA in economics from Duke, an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and a juris doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. His academics led him to work professionally as an attorney at Latham & Watkins in California and then as an Engagement Manager for McKinsey & Company in Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Dubai and New Delhi.

Dhillon left McKinsey in 2007 to start his first company, Togetherville, after identifying a need from his own parenting experience. He noticed that his four-year old son was starting to use the computer in unexpected ways. “I realized at that time that people all over the world would

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have to become more comfortable with their children using technology,” Dhillon said. “So, I started Togetherville, a way for parents of young children to be online with their kids.”

Over several years, Togetherville developed a connected platform for children that used their parents’ Facebook friend graphs to monitor the people a child connected with and to provide safe content. In early 2011, Walt Disney Company acquired Togetherville and its main elements were folded into Disney Interactive Media.

Dhillon next launched 1StudentBody in 2012.

He explained that parents had become increasingly comfortable with giving children mobile technology and iPads. “Our goal with 1StudentBody was to understand and develop products for authentic expression by children whose primary access to the Internet was mobile — many of whom were tweens and early teens,” Dhillon explained. 1StudentBody built a variety of products from social polling to anonymous posting to note sharing before ultimately landing on a group-centric mobile expression platform. In considering the hurdles to starting this venture, Dhillon pointed to execution risk as the greatest challenge. The dynamic needs of the audience and retaining top talent in Silicon Valley were difficult obstacles to overcome.

In reflecting on his years at Ravenscroft. Dhillon credits the opportunities he had to experiment and fail as preparation for entrepreneurship. As student body treasurer and president, Dhillon said that the administration let the students take over running the concession stands, which was his first chance to learn how to run a small business. “Middle School Principal Mr. Miller and Upper School Principal Mr. Beasley stand out among the many who gave me the support I needed as a minority and as a student trying to do things differently at Ravenscroft,” Dhillon recalls.

Mandeep’s advice for future entrepreneurs is to focus on people problems first and then learn from patterns.

“Most everything that people do today originates from a human need that existed for generations,” he explained.

“Any technology or solution you develop must intersect with a basic human need — food, shelter, belonging, health, happiness — or it will not succeed.”

Kelly Young ’03 Chris Young ’01

JUICEKEYS

Ravenscroft alumni Kelly Young ’03 and Chris Young ’01 have found the recipe for success as the entrepreneurial, brother-sister team who started Juicekeys.

Located in Raleigh near the Ravenscroft campus, Juicekeys is a juice bar and health boutique that offers “KEYS” to great health through food and education about nutrition and lifestyle choices. The siblings started Juicekeys as an e-commerce business with a small storefront and a cardboard sign. After only 11 months in business, they installed a functioning kitchen and a real sign, finding a niche in all organic, gluten-free and dairy-free products that include smoothies, juices, power bowls, superfood shots, salads and dessert fuel.

“A light bulb went off and I realized what I was putting into my body.

I started eating cleaner and my health changed.

I felt better.”

After graduating from North Carolina State and playing football for the Wolfpack, Chris decided to enter the United States Marine Corps. Over the next seven years, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune and had two deployments in Afghanistan. He then was stationed in Southern California at Twentynine Palms and earned his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. During his time in California, Chris frequented juice bars and began talking to Kelly about the idea of opening a juice bar in Raleigh. “I used to send Chris supplements in his deployment boxes and he thought I was nuts,” said Kelly. “I guess he had to come around in his own time.”

With Kelly’s interest in health and nutrition and Chris’s business background, they combined their talents to start Juicekeys. Kelly describes their strengths as polar opposites. He loves numbers and business operations, while she loves health education and creating recipes.

Kelly points to self-discipline and good time management as keys to success, skills she said they learned during their years at Ravenscroft. “Ravenscroft gives a lot of homework so we had to buckle down and figure out how to get it all done while we also played sports. Small classes also helped us learn to engage with others,” said Kelly. She also described the love and support she and Chris have always felt from the Ravenscroft community.

To future entrepreneurs, Kelly’s advice is to have a clear vision and to pick a business you are passionate about and believe in. R

Before starting Juicekeys in 2014, the Youngs had very different career paths. Kelly graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in communications and went on to become certified as a Hippocrates Health Educator. As a competitive gymnast, Kelly faced health challenges after breaking a vertebra in her back.

Kelly said that in 2006, “a light bulb went off and I realized what I was putting into my body. I started eating cleaner and my health changed. I felt better.” In addition to her own health changes, she also had a professor who credited juicing and holistic practices for healing after a cancer diagnosis. These experiences led her to become more interested in healthy food choices.

CHRIS YOUNG ’01 and KELLY YOUNG ’03 inside Juicekeys in Raleigh Summer 2017

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STUDENT SHOWCASE Highlighting exceptional student work

DO YOU SMELL THAT? THE TEENAGE SPIRIT? a poem by Gabby Derosier ’17

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HEY GUYS do you think about those nights?

I think about them a lot.

We were, in a word, EPIC.

We were the sticky side of life.

The 4:00 PM beach sunset gazers.

The 4:00 AM Ramen noodle eaters.

That was us, shamelessly.

We rode in a minivan with various liquids soaking into its seats.

We always, always were too cheap to actually go shopping.

We liked thrift shopping better anyways.

Our fights were brutal — Swedish Fish or Sour Patch Kids?

Our nights inevitably stretched into mornings.

Our thoughts had no direction, our laughs were always in harmony.

We talked with nighttime dreams during the day.

We talked of the FUTURE only to wonder what song would come on next.

We liked our now.

We were the Band-Aids stopping the bleeding of “where do I belong?”

We didn’t belong anywhere.

We belonged to each other.

WHO CARED how much gas was in the tank?

We were the roamers, the nomads, the vagabonds of a good time.

We were superheroes without a mission, but not without a cause.

Our plan B was always disguised as our plan A,

Because let’s face it — all else usually did fail.

We embraced LIVE as a verb and decided to start DOING IT.

We were the leftovers,

We were the sticky side of life.

Those nights, I think about them a lot.

We were, in a word,

EPIC.

Summer 2017

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CENTER STAGE Students and alumni excelling in the arts

Equipped to Go in Many Different Directions Golden Globe Winner, Michael Hall ’89, Reflects on His Ravenscroft Roots

MIKE HALL ‘89 explored many different roles at Ravenscroft, including athlete, before deciding in college to major in acting

As a student at Ravenscroft, Mike Hall ’89 played football, soccer and basketball, enjoyed linguistics and AP English, and performed in the chorus and spring musicals. When he left for college, he thought he might become a lawyer.

I

NSTEAD, HE’S BEEN A MORTICIAN, a degree in theater. “I went to college

cabaret emcee, transgender rock singer, serial killer, reclusive alien and, yes, a singing, dancing lawyer.

Along the way, Michael C. Hall has earned six Primetime Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe and three SAG Awards. He recently filmed an episode for Netflix’s “The Crown,” in which he portrays John F. Kennedy.

“Looking back, I feel like the die was cast from really early on,” Hall says of his eventual decision to pursue

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without a firm sense of what I’d end up focusing on. But I felt equipped to go in many different directions.”

THROUGH THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES When he enrolled at Ravenscroft in fifth grade, Hall found a community where he could be many things.

He recalls with particular fondness performing in the boys’ choir under conductor Lester Southern, calling him “my fine arts mentor.”

“He was involved with all the musicals I did,” he says. “Those were some of my earliest experiences performing and some of my most cherished memories.”

Hall credits football coach Ned Gonet for impressing on him the importance of preparation: “that to play freely, you have to know your plays, formations, assignments so well you can forget about them and just play.”

He also fondly recalls teachers Marcia Scraper Jones, who cultivated

By Karen Lewis Taylor

his love for the written word and assigned him his first Shakespeare soliloquy, and Steve Swaim, whose linguistics class made language feel like “a vital, living thing.”

Swaim remembers Hall as “sincerely interested in human language, especially the nuts and bolts of such topics as phonetics and phonology.”

He recalls as well “the crack-up fun we had trying to produce those difficult Arabic pharyngeals — the sounds made way in the back of the throat.”

Hall says that such opportunities to explore his interests were critical to his development.

“Students were encouraged to feel their way through the nooks and crannies of what they may be and what they may be interested in,” he says. “There are all kinds of points of intersection you might not otherwise have at a place where kids are forced to specialize before they really know what they want to specialize in.”

A QUIET AMBITION Still, Hall acknowledges that acting was, for many years, a “quiet ambition.”

“I’ve always loved it in a way that I didn’t love anything else,” he says.

“But I didn’t want to taint the purity of it with anybody’s dismissing it as a bad idea.”

He found validation in older Ravenscroft students who pursued their passion for the performing arts.

“Lester Southern talked about opera singer William Joyner ’80 and I think I heard him sing one time,” Hall says. “My ears and imagination perked up thinking people who do this thing for a living aren’t from another planet — they have a path comparable to my own.”

He continues, “I was inspired by Mary Catherine Johnson Bunn ’89, who played Maria in ‘The Sound of Music.’ Stephanie Warren Hines ’86, who is sadly no longer with us,

was someone I really looked up to because of her consistency and excellence as a performer.

Just her enthusiasm about it was something — I came from a background where that kind of enthusiasm was in short supply. It really did crack open this whole new world.”

He also recalls a school trip to New York City, where he saw his first Broadway show and visited Radio HALL (second from right) with “Sound of Music” cast mates including MARY City Music Hall.

CATHERINE BUNN JOHNSON ’89 (at left) and the late STEPHANIE HINES WARREN “While I didn’t make a ’86 (at right) conscious choice or forHe recently starred in the New mal announcement, at that moment, looking back, I had a sense I would be York and London productions of “Lazarus,” co-written by David back there someday,” he says.

Bowie and inspired by the character Bowie played in the 1976 film INTEGRAL AND INHERENT After taking an acting class his fresh- “The Man Who Fell to Earth.” In his man year at Earlham College, Hall vocals as the alien Thomas Newton, Hall channeled the iconic singer, a rewas ready to commit to that path.

“I just knew. I knew the experience markable turn that became especially I’d had of acting was not unique to poignant after Bowie’s death in 2016.

His success is no real surprise to the context of high school or anything else I might have done growing Gonet, Ravenscroft’s football coach, up in Raleigh. It was more integral who remembers Hall for his sportsand inherent to who I was discover- manship, discipline and productivity. ing myself to be,” he says. “At that “He practiced very hard and gave us point I let it be known to the college everything he had on the field,” he and my mom and anyone else who says. “No doubt the same applies to cared to listen that I wanted to pur- his work on the stage.”

In a career that’s allowed him to sue acting more formally.”

He went on to earn a Master of go in many different directions, Hall Fine Arts at New York University continues to relish trying new things.

“I’ve been fortunate to truly love and by 1996 was portraying Shakespearean characters in off-Broadway so much of the work I’ve done,” he productions. That same year, he took says. “I like to think of whatever’s over the role of Billy Flynn — that next as my favorite.” R singing, dancing lawyer — in the Broadway revival of “Chicago.”

More stage work followed, as did lead roles in two acclaimed television series, HBO’s “Six Feet Under” and Showtime’s “Dexter.”

Summer 2017

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GAME DAY Students and alumni support outstanding athletes

Inspired to Help Others: The Impact of Coach P. and Ravenscroft’s Sports Medicine Program Coach Michelle Piette (“Coach P.”) has been an integral part of the Ravenscroft family since 1985 — as she retires from Ravenscroft, we look back at her influence in shaping our second-to-none Athletic Training program.

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OACH P. STARTED HER CAREER as the head of the Sports

Medicine program at Arizona State University. She loved the interaction she had with the athletic training majors and realized that she was happiest when she was teaching and mentoring students and the athletic teams. She began to envision working with these students on a high school level and at about the same time, she learned that North Carolina would be the first state in the country to require certified athletic training. So, she decided to make the move to North Carolina.

Shortly after her move, Piette met Ravenscroft then parent Barbara Goodmon, who told her that Ravenscroft didn’t have an athletic trainer and could benefit from one. A few phone calls later, and Coach P. found a new home in the Ravenscroft Athletic Department — the place she was obviously meant to be.

In addition to being the athletic trainer, Coach P. wanted to teach similar classes to those she taught while at ASU, including anatomy, physiology and sports medicine.

Her goal was to prepare students for college and beyond. “Kids bought into it, they loved being able to learn while they were also out on the fields,” she says. “The students I taught were not just athletes either.

It was a very popular program and continues to be today.”

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Piette’s duties at Ravenscroft have taken her beyond campus as she served on the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association Board of Managers for eight years and was also appointed by the Senate Pro-Temp to the N.C. Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners in 2006 where she is currently serving her second term. In January 2010, Piette was named the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year.

She was inducted into the Ravenscroft Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and has also received Ravenscroft’s prestigious Helton Award for Teaching Excellence.

“Most rewarding for me is watching the faces in class when things come together. You can tell when they get it. Or when they walk into class and say ‘Coach Piette, over the weekend, there was an emergency while I was playing out on the soccer field. And, I stepped forward and helped out.’ It’s so rewarding — they are like sponges. You see their confidence build. They are measured.

They’re still students and have boundaries. But they realize they are gaining in confidence and that’s the most rewarding,” she says.

Take Maddie Mehr ’19, for example. Earlier this spring, Maddie was playing on the softball team when a Cary Academy player was hit in the eye with a flyball. Coach P. and

Tim Savage were at other venues on campus, so Maddie went to the dugout, got ice and the training kit and went to the field as the first responder. “I get notes from kids who’ve graduated 20, 25 years ago and say they still have those skills that they have never forgotten,” says Piette.

Chris Rose ’88, who played football for Ravenscroft, was Coach P.’s first student to go on to earn an athletic training degree in college which he earned at Guilford College. Ashley Bratcher ’05 started

by Stacy Calfo

college in the University of North Carolina athletic trainer program but realized it wasn’t her niche.

Maintaining a close relationship with Coach P., she felt compelled to admit this fact to Coach P., who in turn, encouraged her to follow her interests. A year later, Bratcher reconsidered and is now a certified trainer.

Just this semester Coach P. had parents come forward to thank her for the experiences their son had experienced in Sports Med class.

They said that the class made him look at some of his future academic and career decisions that he had not considered before. “That’s what I want to happen. To plant the seed and have them know they’ve got some basic skills. And if it works out, fabulous,” shared Piette.

Tim Savage is taking over the Director of Sports Medicine role next year. “Tim loves mentoring kids as much as I do, and so whether a student chooses specifically to be an athletic trainer or enter another medical or health field, we have had the unique experience to expose them to a wide variety of opportunities. We have students who have gone into nursing, physician, dentistry, physical training — there are a lot of student athletic trainers who simply want to be an athletic trainer as adults.”

When Coach P. decided to retire, she never realized her potential replacement might be someone she herself trained, “Over the course of 31 years I have had so many students who have gone into athletic training that I probably could pull off the top of my head a few names and say ‘I wish they would apply for this position.’ So, when we got Sofia Armstrong’s ’11 application, I got a big grin on my face.”

Armstrong earned her athletic training degree from the University of North Carolina and her Master’s

in health education from East Carolina University. She will be assisting Savage as a trainer as well as a health and sports medicine teacher.

It has long been a dream of hers to return to her alma mater in the sports medicine department.

“When I was at Carolina, I always dreamed of having her job,” Armstrong says. “I respect Coach P. and what she has done at Ravenscroft. I love being on campus Ravenscroft is home — I literally grew up there. It was fate that they were hiring for an assistant the same year I was getting my graduate degree.”

“When I think of what Coach P. means to me, it’s hard to put into words,” Armstrong adds. “She is an icon in Ravens athletics. She is everywhere and knows everyone. Those are big shoes to fill. It’s intimidating because I know the impact she has had on everyone, including myself. But I am really excited to get started because I know she is so well-respected and I want to follow in her footsteps.

It’s reassuring to know I am coming into a well-respected, warm environment.”

Hopeful that a former student might return to work in the department, Coach P. shares, “I had hoped that when the job was posted and we shared the job description, that one of the Ravenscroft alumni that had gone into athletic training might just say ‘aw that might be fun to go back and actually be an athletic trainer here’,” she says, “and indeed one did!”

“To see the spark in my students, like Sofia, and know that the seed is planted for their future careers, I can’t think of a better completion of a 30-year tenure at such as wonderful school,” Coach P. says.

And we can’t think of a greater legacy of maintaining the health and wellness of Ravenscroft athletes than that of Coach P. R

Tim Savage, Coach P. and SOFIA ARMSTRONG ’11

“Most rewarding for me is watching the faces in class when things come together.

You can tell when they get it. Or when they walk into class and say ‘Coach Piette, over the weekend, there was an emergency while I was playing out on the soccer field. And, I stepped forward and helped out.’ ”

A retirement celebration for Coach P! Pictured: RYAN BARRY ’01, NICK RITCHER ’11, JOHN RITCHER ’01, Dave Monaco, JEREMY BULL ’00, Coach P., WILLIE WILKINS ’94, Coach Gonet, ANTWAN HARRIS ’96, THOMAS DURHAM ’97, MARC MURPHY ’94, HANES ROBERTS ’96

Summer 2017

33

CLASS NOTES Catching up with our alumni

BIRTHS

as of March 30, 2017

4

3

2

1

5

7

6

8 1. STEPHENIE BUTLER KOVAC ’92 and husband, Brent, welcomed

6. MELISSA WARREN DOUGHER ’00 and John welcomed Johnny

John Ryker on October 6, 2016. He joins big sister Carrington.

on December 6, 2016. Johnny joins big sister Emily.

2. JEN MADISON SNOOK ’95 and husband, Steve, welcomed their second son, Charles Thomas George (Charlie), on March 15, 2017.

7. SAMANTHA BARNETT EVANS ’03 welcomed Roc Oscar Evans on January 3, 2017 at 7 lbs 15 ounces. He joins big sister Noah Ann.

3. Sean and JANIE SMITH BROOKS ’98 welcomed Carter Thomas

8. JESSICA GARBARINO ’03 and fiancé, Zack Stoyshich, welcomed Ava Noelle on February 2, 2017 at 7 lbs 6 oz.

Brooks on December 5, 2016.

4. MIKE NOEL ’98 and Stephanie welcomed Llewyn James Noël on December 12, 2016.

5. ELLEN MANN O’CONNOR ’98 and husband, Patrick, welcomed Jack Harris O’Connor on January 10, 2017.

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9. STEPHIE HALE NORRIS ’07 and husband, Josh, welcomed their second child, Beckett Paul, on January 15, 2017.

Class Notes information as of March 20, 2017

1975 Cindy Poole cindy@cindypoole.com

Sara Pope Titchener’s youngest, Walt, turns 30 this year and is getting married in October.

Catherine Deener Newton will graduate with an associates degree from Johnston Community College in May in Therapeutic Massage. She already had a bachelor’s from UNC-CH. We are all turning 60 this year and are planning a big birthday party! So everyone needs to please let us know how to get in touch with you.

Please join our Facebook page: “Ravenscroft Class of 75” or email me at Cindy@CindyPoole.com.

1977 Terry Chamblis terry.chamblis@duke.edu

Carol and Andy Andrews’s son, Bo Andrews ’09, was inducted into the Ravenscroft Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in January. Currently Bo is playing golf on the Latin America PGA Tour.

sen by the Division 1 women’s soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior studentathlete. To be eligible for the award, the studentathlete must be classified as an NCAA Division 1 senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character and competition. Congratulations to Tom and his wife, Beth Anne! In addition, Christina was recently drafted to play in the Women’s Soccer league, 5th overall by the FC Kansas City. Congrats to Christina!

Chad Day ’07, Skipper Day’s son was inducted into the Ravenscroft Alumni Sports Hall of Fame this past January for his successful golf career at Ravenscroft and NC State. Wonderful accomplishment, Chad!!!

ALLEN MASSEY ’79 and WORTH HARRIS ’79 in Snowmass, CO

Lisa Brown Glenn’s son, Logan Aldridge ’09, has won two Guinness World Records and was featured in Men’s Health. He won the most one arm and one leg push ups in a minute. Congratulations to Logan!!

Condolences to Lisa Phillips Perkinson on the death of her father in February, and condolences to Kelly Corpening Thornton on the death of her mother-in-law.

Allen Massey sent a picture of he and Worth Harris

1979 Allison Gilbert Holmes allisonholmes@nc.rr.com

After a nationwide balloting, Duke University’s Christina Gibbons, (Tom Gibbons’s daughter) was selected as the 2016 Senior CLASS Award winner for women’s soccer. The award, cho-

skiing in Snowmass, Colorado. Allen’s daughter, Lee Massey ’13, is graduating from Wofford College with a finance degree.

ALLISON HOLMES ’79 and CHUCK DUNCAN ’79 at Broughton’s Ducks Unlimited Banquet

Sue Finley Cotton was in Raleigh and got together with Cathy Edwards Lull, Dianne Jones Hyneman and myself for dinner and drinks. We had a great time catching up and laughing. Sue told me about what her kids are doing now. Her oldest, John, is living here in Raleigh. He was in

Lee Holder ’74 RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Lee Holder of Colliers International/ Raleigh received the Triangle Commercial Association of Realtors Special Recognition Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Triangle Commercial Association of Realtors’ annual Frontier Awards in March 2017.

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the Navy. Ben has joined the Army. Chris is a senior in high school and is in the Air Force reserves. Eric is a junior in high school and is a super soccer player. Caroline is in the 5th grade and has an amazing voice.

Cathy Edwards Lull told me that her son, Josh, is

SCOTT BOVELSKY ’92 on vacation in L.A. with “Lucy”

DOUG MYERS ’92 after a race in Black Rock, Georgia

a Raleigh firefighter. We just had a huge fire in Raleigh and that was one of his first times out.

Her daughter, Jordan, is living in Hershey, PA. She just finished her first year residency in Pediatrics at Penn State Children’s Hospital.

I ran into Chuck Duncan at the Broughton Duck’s Unlimited Banquet this March. I took a selfie of the two of us! Chuck shared that he and Clinton Lee Duncan ’76 are renovating a house. He can’t wait to move into their new house! He also shared with me that I am going to LOVE being an empty nester next year.

As for me, my boys are 18 and seniors. One has confirmed that he is going to UNC at Chapel Hill next year and the other to NC State. I have changed jobs this year and really have enjoyed it. It is nice to have my weekends and evenings available. I do miss learning about the new wines, though! Remember to keep me posted on any of your news please!

1982 William Gaither wmgaither@msn.com

David Roberts says, “I am still in Burlington and have taken a position with Edward Jones and have a daughter getting married in May.”

Adam Jones writes, “My debut novel Fate Ball is going well and is still available (Amazon.com or local stores). A producer in Hollywood is considering it for the big screen, but that would be two years out. My next project is a children’s book about Cecil the littlest ant. “Cecil and the Big Wave” will be out in late April. My girls are growing up too fast with Ainslie now 5 and Lilly now 8.”

LAURA HELTON KALORIN’S ’92 new family pet — a hedgehog named Meatball

1992 Stephenie Butler Kovac Stephenie.butler@bcafreedom.com

Laura Helton Kalorin writes, “All is well in the Kalorin house. The most exciting news is Meatball, our pet hedgehog. He is a dream pet! We are all in love with him. Vic, Audrey

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and Hope are loving 5th, 3rd and 1st grade at Ravenscroft, respectively. We took an amazing trip to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” last fall. Highly recommend to all Potter fans! Last May, I graduated from NCSU’s Jenkins MBA program. It was great and I am really glad I did it, despite the chaos it caused in our house. My husband is a saint! I am still seeing patients at Alliance Medical Ministry — a primary care clinic for the uninsured of Wake County — one day a week and volunteering for lots of fun things on the other days, mostly at school.”

Scott Bovelsky says, “The Bovelskys are doing great. My oldest is getting ready to start high school. Crazy. Went to LA for vacation. See picture of me with ’Lucy’.”

Doug Myers writes, “In the past year I was fortunate enough, or crazy as my kids would say, to run a half marathon at Yellowstone National Park. I also ran my first two trail marathons and my first ultra. In April, I’ll be running Big Sur in California!”

Dr. Sanjay D. Rao writes, “My wife, Laboni, and I just recently celebrated our 10th anniversary!

Also, I was voted a Top Doc in NJ Monthly’s Magazine’s annual Top Doc list for 2016! We have also been trying to spend as much time back in NC as possible by spending our free time at the beach in the Outer Banks or visiting Raleigh.”

Stephenie Butler Kovac shares, “We have had a busy few months in the Kovac household. We welcomed John Ryker to the family on October 6. Big sister Carrington loves having a friend and playmate. I keep busy working two parttime jobs and raising my littles. In March, we moved to Wendell. I love country living but it is a difficult adjustment when you are used to everything being one minute away. Hope to see all of you in October as we celebrate our 25th reunion. (YIKES!)”

1995 Jen Madison Snook jmadison77@gmail.com

Rebecca Streamo, husband, Tom, and big sister, Gianna, welcomed Dylan to their family in May 2016. Then after spending the last six years in Maryland, she brought the whole crew back to North Carolina late last summer 2016.

They are all enjoying the warmer weather and spending lots of time with extended family!

STEPHENIE BUTLER KOVAC’S ’92 daughter Carrington

Ravens on the Road regional reunion in Charlotte

Jen Madison Snook and husband, Steve, welcomed their second son, Charles Thomas George (Charlie), on March 15, 2017. He joins his proud big brother, Christian (2).

Anna and Jimmy Goodmon ’95 welcomed Frances Ballard Goodmon on February 10, 2017.

1998 Ellen Mann O’Connor Ellen.b.mann@gmail.com

Hope everyone in the Class of 1998 had a wonderful spring! Lots of exciting updates to share; thanks for sending them in!

Stephanie and Mike Noel welcomed Llewyn James Noël on December 12th at 12:07pm. He was 7 pounds, 12 ounces and 21 inches long.

Mike writes that he is an NC State fan, who likes Duke and appeases his mother by allowing her to put Carolina clothes on him! “Joyful little guy who loves smiling and laughing, people, sleeping at night and walking through nature looking at treetops and listening to birds during the day!”

Sean and Janie Smith Brooks welcomed Carter Thomas Brooks on December 5, 2016 and have been loving the last few months with him!

He was born at 5:51 am and weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Emily Callahan started a new job as the Executive Director for the Council of Autism Service Providers. This is a national group that represents organizations across the United States that provide services for people with autism spectrum disorders. Congrats, Emily!

Congratulations to Adrienne Deninger Edmonds who started a new job as an OR nurse at Rex Hospital in Raleigh in February.

This April, Shannon Dooley Rinella moved companies and joined Marriott as Director of Learning for their Luxury & Lifestyle brands.

Congrats Shannon!

REBECCA STREAMO’S ’95 children, Gianna and Dylan, before a UNC game

Anne Forsyth English is still living Hong Kong and loving it. She recently traveled with her family on vacation to Sri Lanka and says hello to everyone though!

As for me, Ellen Mann O’Connor, my husband, Patrick, and I welcomed Jack Harris O’Connor on January 10, 2017. He was 22 inches long and weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces. He is sweet and smiley and keeping us on our toes for sure. We look forward to one day sleeping again through the night…like, REALLY look forward to it.

Please keep sending in all your exciting news on new jobs, babies, marriages and travels — love hearing from everyone!

JIMMY GOODMON ‘95 and his daughter Frances Goodmon

Summer 2017

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CLASS NOTES

DOUGLAS SUE ’00 and his wife, Winnie, at Disneyland Ravens on the Road regional reunion in Washington, D.C.

2000 Melissa Warren Dougher melissawdougher@gmail.com

Melissa Warren Dougher and John welcomed a son, Johnny, on December 6th. Big sister, Emily, loves her little brother!

WENDY NOEL BRUGH ’01 and her husband, Graham, welcomed their second daughter Riley Jane on Dec. 28, 2016

2001 Jaclyn White Morgan jaclyn.w.morgan@gmail.com

Wendy Noel Brugh and her husband, Graham, welcomed their second daughter, Riley Jane, on December 28, 2016. They also celebrated the fifth anniversary of their working farm, Dry Ridge Farm, in Mars Hill in February.

Ashley Washington married French Ratliff on January 14, 2017. Their ceremony was at North Ridge Country Club.

2002 Alan Haydon ahaydon@gmail.com

Guy Crawford shares, “I have received the perfect ASHLEY WASHINGTON ‘01 and her husband French Ratliff

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attendance award from my job at The Learning Experience for never missing a day at work.

This is the first time that an employee has

achieved this award. Alongside my New Start Curriculum program, I have started up a Little League coed soccer group. Our name is the “Lightning Kickers,” and we are from Durham, North Carolina. ”

William Earnhardt says, “Lauren and I just had our second baby boy. Davis Michael Earnhardt was born February 11, 2017.”

Suzanne Morgen writes, “I’ve had a very busy and fulfilling year. Last April, I became a licensed foster parent and accepted my first placement. My 8-year-old foster daughter has been living with me for almost a year and keeping me on my toes every second! I feel very lucky to be her mom, even if it’s only for a little while. I am also excited to share that my first novel will be published in Spring 2018 by Little, Brown. The Inventors at No. 8 will be published under the pen name A.M. Morgen with a sequel to follow in 2019.

The book is an adventure aimed at children ages 8-12, so if you have any kids (or grownups) in your life who would love to read about mysterious organizations, clockwork birds and pirates, please keep an eye out for it next year!”

And from me, Alan Haydon, in March 2017, I joined Alaska Airlines as a First Officer. I’ll be based in Los Angeles flying the Boeing 737. I am very grateful and extremely excited to continue my career as a professional aviator with such a wonderful and highly regarded company. Pardon the plug, but I must mention that Alaska Airlines offers daily non-stop ser-

Class years without notes have been omitted. See Alumni at ravenscroft.org for class agents.

Moss Withers ’02 NAMED COMMERCIAL REALTOR OF THE YEAR Moss Withers was named Commercial Realtor of the Year by the Triangle Commercial Association of Realtors at its annual Frontier Awards in March 2017. As a broker with NAI Carolantic Realty, Withers was a top two producer last year at NAI Global. He joined NAI Carolantic in 2009 after receiving his MBA from North Carolina State University.

vice from RDU to Seattle and Virgin America will begin daily non-stop service to San Francisco on October 20, 2017. Alaska Airlines and Virgin America are joining forces and our merger will be complete early next year. I’m looking forward to running into fellow Ravens in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California!

2003

Samantha Barnett Evans welcomed Roc Oscar Evans who was born January 3, 2017 at 7 lbs, 15 ounces. He joins his sister, Noah Ann Evans!

Jessica Garbarino and fiancé, Zack Stoyshich, welcomed a 7lb 6oz baby girl named Ava Noelle on February 2, 2017. Jessica’s father, Robert J. Garbarino, Jr., passed away unexpectedly a week after Ava’s birth on February 9, 2017.

2004

Anna Claire Murnick Price annaclaireprice@gmail.com

Sarah Cortina has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Best Children’s Animated Program. Sarah was the Line Producer for “Lost in Oz: Extended Adventure” (Amazon), Polygon Pictures, Tokyo, Japan.

Gretchen Presnell Hyde Ashley Board GretchenPHyde@gmail.com ashleyboard@gmail.com

Drew Boyd was a finalist for the Sundance Alfred P. Sloan Grant — a development grant for science- and technology-themed narratives — with his second screenplay, a crime saga

Petty Officer Peter Pirotte ’04 PERFORMED WITH U.S. NAVY BAND AT PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION Petty Officer Peter Pirotte was featured on ABC11WTVD for playing the trumpet with the U.S. Navy Band at this year’s Presidential Inauguration. Pirotte joined the Navy Band in 2014. He was featured on Raleigh’s ABC11-WTVD for his performance. Five thousand service members marched in the inaugural parade, with 100 players from the U.S. Navy.

Summer 2017

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CLASS NOTES

entitled The Lease of Nature. He continues to work in post-production in New York.

2007 Rob Byrd robertgbyrd@gmail.com

Stephie Hale Norris and her husband, Josh, STEPHANIE HALE NORRIS ’07, her husband, Josh, and their children

welcomed their second child, Beckett Paul Norris on January 15, 2017 at 7 lbs, 12 oz and 20 inches long.

Steve Abrahams is a certified National Expert in chess, and he has co-authored with Life Master Bryan Tillis a book called Become a Chess Champion. Not only are they high-level chess players, they are both Certified Educators in the State of Florida and among fewer than 20

Americans certified by the International Chess Federation as FIDE Trainers.

Chad Day was inducted into the Ravenscroft Alumni Sports Hall of Fame this past January. Chad was a five-year starter for golf and achieved multiple All-Conference honors and All-State honors, qualified for a U.S. Junior Amateur and was a state runner-up his senior year. Chad was a starter for NC State and played on two state championship teams, competed in NCAA tournaments and was chosen for the All-ACC Academic team.

2009 Kathryn Fogartie, Jack Greenberg and Sallie King Katfogartie@gmail.com Jack.d.greenberg@gmail.com shking@email.unc.edu

ALUMNI SPORTS HALL OF FAME

THREE INDUCTED INTO ALUMNI SPORTS HALL OF FAME

TIMOTHY MONAGHAN ’10 visited the Dallas Cowboys stadium

ALLIE GUY ’12 graduated from Guilford College in December 2016 with a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology

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BO ANDREWS ’09, CHAD DAY ’07 and COACH CHIP HOGGARD were inducted into Ravenscroft’s Alumni Sports Hall of Fame on January 20th.

Both five-year starters on the Ravenscroft golf team, Bo Andrews ’09 and Chad Day ’07 achieved multiple All-Conference and All-State honors.

Andrews played on four state championship teams and won the conference tournament as an 8th grader. At Georgia Tech, Andrews achieved All-ACC Honors, All-ACC Academic Chip Hoggard, Doreen Kelly, CHAD DAY ’07, Scott Manning, Honors and Academic BO ANDREWS ’09 and Ned Gonet All-American Honors.

At Ravenscroft, Day qualified for a U.S. Junior Amateur and was the state runner-up his senior year. As a starter at NC State, Day played on two state championship teams, competed in NCAA tournaments and was chosen for the All-ACC Academic Team.

Coach Chip Hoggard joined Ravenscroft in 1983-84 school year as an assistant football coach and is currently the Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Operations. Hoggard was instrumental in building and establishing the girls’ softball program; his team won conference and the state championship in 1994. As an assistant football coach, he helped lead the team to multiple conference and state championships.

Cameron Castleberry ’13 SELECTED TO PLAY FOR THE WASHINGTON SPIRIT Cameron Castleberry was selected to play for the Washington Spirit during the women’s professional soccer draft. Castleberry, a midfielder, was a starter at UNC-Chapel Hill during the team’s run to the 2016 College Cup. Castleberry led Ravenscroft to two TISAC Conference championships and two NC Independent Schools Tournament semifinals, including a championship game in 2011.

Bo Andrews was inducted into the Ravenscroft Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in January.

At Ravenscroft, Bo was an All-Conference and All-State performer at Ravenscroft as well as a five year starter. Bo went on to a career at Georgia Tech and is currently playing golf on the Latin America PGA Tour.

2012 Angelika Barth, Jordan Jeter and Lewis Stocks angelikagaledesigns@gmail.com jjeter@elon.edu lhstocks22@gmail.com

IN MEMORY Ravenscroft Alumni Office has learned of the passing of:

Susan Cobb Brumley ’87 on January 4, 2017.

James Whitlock ’99 on March

23, 2017.

FACULTY/STAFF Kathleen Fail passed away on December 25, 2016. She worked in the bookstore and delivered the mail at Ravenscroft for 20 years.

Virginia Belle Thornton Olsen

passed away on January 15, 2017 at 104 years old. She was an assistant teacher for the 3rd grade in early years of Ravenscroft.

Allie Guy graduated on December 15th, 2016

2010

with a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology.

Chase Bernhardt, Tyson Presnell, Natalie Salmonese

2013

ccbern@umich.edu tcpresnell@gmail.com natalie.salmonese@gmail.com

Erin Bratcher writes, “Wrapping up my third and committed to play my fourth season of professional basketball in the German Bundesliga with the Krofdorf Knights. Embracing the opportunity to travel, experience new cultures and learn a new language. Additionally, I’m working towards a master’s degree in Applied Exercise Science, with a double concentration of Human Movement Science and Sports Performance Training that will be completed spring of 2018.”

Natalie Salmonese is currently earning her MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill while still residing in Texas and working for a Nestle Skin Health. She plans to travel to the Azores Islands in March!

After college, Melis Tanik and Sean Kelly reconnected and began dating. They are now engaged and live in Santa Monica, California, with their dog, Rudy.

Emily Bedsole, Bryant Dowd and Thomas Sigmon ebedsole2@gmail.com bd45fb@gmail.com thomasigmon@gmail.com

Savannah Jane Story, who plays field hockey for Duke, was one of 139 seniors nationwide to be named to the National Academic Squad in each of their four seasons. The Zag Field Hockey/ NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad includes all student-athletes with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 or greater through the first semester of the 2016-17 academic year.

2014 Mary Grady Bell and Humza Rizvi mgbell@live.unc.edu humzarizvi@gmail.com

Charlie High is majoring in civil engineering at Virginia Tech and is a member of Sigma Phi Delta fraternity. He plans on being an intern

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CLASS NOTES

at an engineering firm in the Washington, D.C. region this summer.

Mary Grady Bell has loved working in marketing for The Daily Tar Heel and serving as Vice President of Standards for Panhellenic. She has also declared her majors in business administration and history with a minor in journalism. She is excited to work in brand marketing for Proctor & Gamble this summer.

Thomas Matthews studied abroad in London

Humza Rizvi is graduating from The George Washington University this May with degrees in international affairs and economics.

Rachel Hianik is participating in a summer study abroad program in Zambia where she will volunteer in a hospital.

Kayla Reali is majoring in economics and English and will be interning at Michael Page in their Chicago offices.

during the fall 2016 semester after observing a Maymester program that involved travel in Belgium, France and Germany during the summer.

He has decided to minor in religious studies, while continuing his classics degree.

JT Fritsch is attending a study abroad program in Cuba at the end of the semester and filming a feature-length narrative film in North Carolina, before going to Nicaragua to film a documentary program for the remainder of the summer.

Kathryn Anne Robinson has been studying anthropology at University College London this semester and will be interning in New York this summer.

Alex Nesvisky played varsity football and track and field and is a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and Theta Tau, which is a professional engineering fraternity. Alex attends Case Western Reserve University.

Jamie Mason has been studying at Kings College London this semester and will be interning in Washington, D.C. this summer.

Connor Irey has transferred to UNC Wilmington.

Juanita Perdomo is spending this summer volunteering at a medical clinic in Raleigh and completing her requirements in preparation for graduate school.

2015 Mykayla Perry, Rebecca Qubain and Alex Woodward mperry52@uncc.edu rqubain@purdue.edu awoodward322@gmail.com

Hannah Makepeace has transferred to NC State and was an assistant coach for lacrosse at St. Mary’s this spring.

Looking for a new job?

Have an internship to share?

Engage with Ravenscroft alumni on the new Ravenscroft Connect social networking site.

Build your Ravenscroft network, and learn about campus news and events.

Sign up at www.RavenscroftConnect.com!

PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS — do you have a job or internship opening? To post on Ravenscroft Connect, please contact Tammy Haywood at thaywood@ravenscroft.org

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photo

WELCOME NEW 2017 AGENTS! Jaxson Stocks jaxson.stocks@gmail.com Jordan Parham jparham2@me.com Natasha Zaletel natasha99@mac.com Douglas Dillon douglaswdillon@gmail.com

Save the Date for Homecoming/ Reunion Weekend Save the2017

Date FRIDAY,for 10/13 Football Game against Homecoming Trinity at 7:30 pm Weekend 2017!

5–7 pm Homecoming Dinner Reggae/ Friday,—10/13: Jamaican theme > Homecoming

football game SATURDAY, 10/14 >Brand Alumni Association New All Alumni Annual Meeting Luncheon Party. More information to come.

Saturday, 10/14: > Reunion Sandbox Events Party for for alumni families Classes of 1977, 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2007! > Class reunions

Visit

Stay tuned for the full www.ravenscroft.org lineto uplearn of activities! more.

Class of 2017 graduated 29 Lifers (left to right): Benjamin Zucker, Zack Kirkbride, Zachary Murphy, Jaxson Stocks, Mary Neff, Ryan Gerard, Andrew Williams, Sahib Singh, Simon Copeland, Benjamin Lockhart, Nate Cohen, Dante Sanaei, Spencer Winston (top): Pearce Sanders, Catherine Gardner (front slide): Margaux Steadman, Daniela Mainz, Chandler Presson (standing on ground): Anna Pugh, Madeline High (side slide): Kat Higginson, Mary Glenn, Carolyn May, Laura Ziperski, Rebecca Brandes Not Pictured: Allison Arber, Nathan Lamb, John Overton, Eli Tanner

RAVENSCROFT REWIND A look back in time in Ravens history

Seniors Ravens 30 Years Ago

Class of 1987

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Giving Back is Music to His Ears

A CONVERSATION WITH BILL JOYNER ’80

O

VER THE COURSE OF HIS CAREER, American tenor and Ravenscroft alumnus, Bill Joyner ’80, has traveled the world performing alongside some of the greatest musicians of our time giving over 550 performances of 55 different roles, in 12 countries, on three continents. He has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious opera theaters, including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, Bologna’s Teatro Comunale, Venice’s Gran Teatro la Fenice, Paris’ Opéra Nationale (Bastille) and many, many more.

Joyner’s journey began at Ravenscroft with a seemingly small act of generosity. While he was a student at Ravenscroft, he was the recipient of a scholarship provided by the A.J. Fletcher Foundation that allowed him, and students like him, to take private applied music lessons at no cost. It was the A.J. Fletcher Foundation scholarship that paved the way for Joyner to explore his BILL JOYNER ’80 passion for the Fine Arts and discover his talent for performing.

Now, as a Professor of Vocal Studies at the University of North Texas College of Music, Joyner is helping his students further their passions and is planting the seed for other Ravenscroft students to follow their own path.

“When Bill told me of his desire to support applied lessons for Fine Arts students I was deeply moved,” said Head of School, Doreen Kelly. “Stories like his are such a testament to the experience our students receive while they are with us at Ravenscroft and how that experience shapes their lives.”

Thanks to Joyner’s passion, dedication and generosity, he has established the William H. Joyner ’80 Family Fund for Music, an endowment which allows Upper School students with financial need to receive assistance specifically for the purpose of applied lessons.

“I feel obligated to give back because of what that gift did for my life and my career. I want to do the same for other young, talented youth,” shares Joyner.

In addition to establishing the William H. Joyner ’80 Family Fund for Music, Joyner has made a bequest to grow the endowment so that it will continue funding lessons for future musicians in perpetuity.

We gratefully welcome Bill Joyner ’80 to the Josiah Ogden Watson Society.

Join the Josiah Ogden Watson Society Help ensure that future generations have the same opportunities that Ravenscroft gave you or your children. To establish a new gift or add to an existing plan, contact Phil Higginson, Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement, or Deborah Thompson, Director of Capital Giving. phigginson@ravenscroft.org | deborah.thompson@ravenscroft.org | 919-847-0900

7409 Falls of Neuse Road Raleigh, NC 27615 Return Service Requested

OUR MISSION

The Ravenscroft community, guided by our legacy of excellence, nurtures individual potential and prepares students to thrive in a complex and interdependent world.

Alexa Karrenbauer ’21 received 1st place at the State Art Festival in March for her acrylic painting project, Fall Leaves.

Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Raleigh, NC Permit No. 9