January Lion Life 2023, Print Edition

Exploring Possibilities

Mel Nelson, Head of School

I have had, and I continue to have amazing experiences in education. You have heard me say many times that in my nineteen years of being a part of the Sagemont Prep family, I have explored most of the career paths at Sagemont Prep. During this time, I had the immense pleasure of being a college counselor. Having been a college counselor allowed me to be an active part of helping students along their journey in crafting their list of best-fit colleges after Sagemont Prep. This was an exhilarating partnership.

Although I made the transition from the college counseling office many moons ago, the goal of helping students navigate life after high school remains a core component of our programming. As a college counselor, I focused on assisting students in identifying best-fit colleges, exploring professional pathways, defining curricular and co-curricular opportunities to expand their interests, and so much more. My work with students in this role focused heavily on their high school resumes. This simply means that any class that carries a course credit starts the “college resume” building. With that said, what you would have heard from me ten years ago and what you hear from our current college counselor, Ms. Sweeting, is that the preparation and foundation for this resume really begins before high school. This is why it is essential to be thoughtful about the course selection process with your middle school and high school students.

The process of selecting courses for the upcoming academic year is upon us. With this in mind, view this process as more than merely routine practice. Curricular exploration is essential to immersing students in new interests, broadening skills, and sharpening awareness in and out of the classroom. We encourage students to take risks, be creative, and venture into new and exciting academic territories. This exploration comes to life for our younger learners through their daily play, learning, and engagement. These components of our curriculum allow students to develop a strong sense of self by challenging them to investigate topics, subjects, scenarios, and more that interest them.

A holistic perspective is necessary for students to embark on deep and long-lasting learning. The interplay of rigorous academic content, high-impact instruction, personalized learning, and learning mindsets connect to create this robust experience for our students. Optimal learning happens when students are connected to the material, and there is genuine interest. Student voice and choice are critical to the learning ecosystem. So, when your child presents you with their course selection sheet, remember, it is not a routine assignment. Rather, it is an opportunity to have amazing dialogue regarding the curricular pieces that will help them continue to explore and for our older students, begin to build a resume that reflects their personal interests. This is when the magic happens, and our students dive deeper and get lost in the learning process. A one size fits all approach does not allow our children to thrive. Let us listen to their voice and acknowledge their interests and passions and how this can come to life with Sagemont Prep's rigorous curriculum and offerings.

Sincerely yours in transformative educational excellence,

Mel Nelson

Sagemont Preparatory Upper School

January has been a month of possibility and looking ahead. As the first semester draws to a close, students have had the opportunity to demonstrate academic excellence during midterm exams and final projects and explore future curricular and co-curricular opportunities to design personalized pathways for 2023-2024.

5th Grade students “prepped up” to the Upper Campus to experience life as middle school students. 5th-graders rotated through the core classes of math, science, and English, as well as electives such as studio art and culinary class. In science lab, students participated in an anatomy lesson and frog dissection. 5th graders were guided through the lab by the honors and AP biology students. The advanced students loved having the opportunity to share their expertise and knowledge. In studio art, they were able to create their own piece of Sagemont Prep art to commemorate their day. Students enjoyed a culinary demo class and learned how to make their own lunch of spaghetti and meatballs- learning how to test if pasta is done by throwing it on the wall! 5-graders burned off some extra energy in a team sports class and

Felicia Myers, Upper School Principal finished their classes by rotating through a math lesson involving pendulums and an English class on Martin Luther King Jr. They ended their day with a choice of clubs ranging from theatre and scuba diving to international tae kwon do, robotics and rock band!

The first annual “Celebrate the Arts Night” basketball game was a true collaboration and celebration of the visual and performing arts department and the athletic department. Highlights of the evening included performances by theatre students and the rock

band, as well as the debut of Sagemont Prep’s drumline! It was incredible to see student-athletes, including Lexi Arencibia and Sean Jean Mary, run off the court from cheering and playing basketball to join the Sagemont Synergy band during half-time! The gallery walk of student artwork from the lower and upper school showcased the immense talent of our student artists.

Sagemont Prep’s inaugural Curriculum Fair was an opportunity for students and parents to investigate new and established courses for the 2023-24 academic year. Teachers were able to provide insight into the nuances of honors versus AP coursework, course pre-requisites and discuss signature projects such as student TED talks in 9th grade English class and the Passion Project in senior year.

New course offerings were introduced such as Writer’s Workshop in 7th grade, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering and Lean Six Sigma, where students can earn yellow and green belt certificates in high school. Check out the Sagemont Prep Course Catalog 2023-24 to learn more!

Sagemont Prep Lower School

Monica Vigna, Lower School Principal

At Sagemont Prep, we provide opportunities for students to develop a comprehensive skill set to succeed. Our accomplished educators teach rigorous academic content, in addition to life skills, responsibility, cultural awareness, and global responsibility to enhance and prepare them for their future.

Each January, preschool through fifth-grade students participate in Lion Prep Up Day. This day gives our students a sneak peek into upcoming grade levels to prepare them for the future. Our teachers carefully craft lessons with the goal of curricular alignment and a synopsis of key features in each specific grade. Sometimes it is difficult for a student to predict what it will be like in the next grade level with a new teacher, experiencing new and challenging academic content. The questions and wonder are endless and range from curricular content, rigor, field trip opportunities to enrichment time. The memorable experience of Lion Prep Up Day provides a snapshot of what to look forward to while minimizing the anxiety of the unknown.

Future PK students experienced hands-on activities incorporating various content areas from the Links to Learning Curriculum. Links to Learning is our proprietary curriculum for children ages 3 to 5 years, which takes advantage of a child’s readiness to learn with activities that are fun, challenging, and engaging. Learning came to life as students enjoyed an interactive reading of the book “A, B, C I Like Me” by Nancy Carlson. The students were enriched with vocabulary and were exposed to prereading skills by playing the Alphabet Soup match-up game! Students also enjoyed learning new math strategies with a variety of manipulatives. The morning had an exciting end as students participated in a chemical reaction science experiment!

Rising kindergarteners had the opportunity to explore some of the highlights they will soon experience in the coming academic year. Lion Prep Up Day in kindergarten launched with a captivating video created by current kindergarteners who presented an overview of daily routines and learning engagements. Children then interacted in various dynamic activities that provided a glimp

glimpse of what to look forward to in kindergarten. Some favorites included stamping names, creating play dough shapes, and a thrilling science experiment that tested cause and effect. The learning and fun never stops in kindergarten.

Our future first graders had an opportunity to connect aspects of the winter season to their learning activities. After listening to a winter story, students were challenged to design a snowman using various materials. Students then demonstrated their elaboration skills by writing an alternate ending to the book previously read. Continuing with the winter theme, students enjoyed hot cocoa while learning math facts using marshmallows. Students then transformed into scientists as they experimented with creating their snow. Everyone enjoyed the culminating challenge of making the tallest snowman!

Incoming second graders kick-started Lion Prep Up Day with a fun ice-breaker activity. Students engaged and learned about daily routines and expectations. Students had the opportunity to engage in the second-grade Sagemont Prep Signature Project on biomes, including a field trip to explore the plants and animals that make up our various ecosystems. Students enjoyed learning about the many creative and reflective projects that accompany the daily learning throughout the school year. Science, math, and map skills were utilized to complete an activity involving the Dead Sea. They experimented using water, salt, and grapes to demonstrate an understanding of how people float in The Dead Sea.

Future third graders traveled through Greece, France, England, Italy, and the USA in search of iconic structures worldwide. In addition to expanding their knowledge, students recreated their version of the Parthenon, Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, and Big Ben, by painting them using watercolors onto canvases. Through responsible risk-taking, students understood that as part of expanding one's knowledge, it is ok to make mistakes while learning.

Prospective fourth-grade students were thrilled to discover that their future classroom underwent a complete transformation into a Sweet Shop! The Sweet Shop was comprised of various challenges, highlighting fourth-grade standards and curriculum. Students dissected multiple texts, reviewed place value, and more. Students enjoyed getting to know the fourth-grade teachers and earning their Sweet Shop Certificate!

Fifth grade is a very exciting time for a Sagemont Prep student. Future fifth graders were provided a glimpse of what to expect as they prepare for their transition. They were excited at the prospect of being the oldest on campus. Students participated in an engaging creative writing carousel activity. Our authors were provided with the beginning of a writing prompt. They then enjoyed rotating around the room, adding sentences to their peer’s written narratives to generate a complete written piece.

Pre-school through fifth-grade Sagemont Prep Signature Projects continue to be embedded within our daily curriculum. Students in first grade have become inquisitive problem-finders and problemsolvers. As part of their signature project, students were tasked with conducting comprehensive research to identify endangered animals. Students engaged in all aspects of research, from informational text to informative video clips, to help generate a list of animals in need. Students presented their findings to their peers, and the manatee was selected as the animal to support. Students were excited to have the opportunity to make a positive impact. Through brainstorming activities and class discussions, students determined that hosting a bake sale would be the most effective way to raise money. Our researchers went to work investigating and comparing food costs from two vendors. This activity provided understanding for our 1st graders on where goods should be purchased and how to establish prices for their bake sale effectively. First-grade students and their fifth-grade Roaring Readers and Leaders collaborated on developing eye-catching posters to help promote sales and raise awareness during the event. Additionally, a first-grade family generously donated First Graders Save the Manatees shirts. All of the hard work paid off! The bake sale was a huge success! Our entrepreneurs raised over $340, which will be donated to a foundation focused on protecting the well-being of the manatees. Fifth-grade Roaring Readers and Leaders are invited to visit our first-graders in May to share the valuable information gathered from their incredible experience of swimming with the manatees on the Habitat H2O field trip. First graders strive to become manatee experts and continue to be problem solvers and entrepreneurs.

College Counseling

Tera Sweeting, Upper School College Counselor

Sagemont Prep's College Counseling Department celebrates the kick-off of a new semester. January is a great time to prepare for spring and summer. Moreover, preparation for test taking has begun.

Sagemont Prep's Pathways to Success is a core component of the college planning process. Our goal is to guide each student to explore and discover paths to their future. Together with your child, we will look at future possibilities, but the journey to the right fit college starts with experiences.

An essential part of college prep is one's academic preparation. The courses taken when students are in their junior year of high school are typically the last courses with grades to show on the transcript for the college application process. Junior year is a great time to add more challenging coursework, including Honors, AP (Advanced Placement), or other college prep classes. Often your transcript will be evaluated not only for grades but for demonstration of "rigor," -- which describes the difficulty level of your courses. Rigor demonstrates to colleges and universities that you are willing and able to work hard. A challenging courseload will also help ensure that students are academically prepared for college. This is exactly what college expert Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of the Princeton Review shared with our parents and students at the recent Sagemont Prep presentation on Finding Your Dream College. Rob Franek is the author of five books, including The Best 387 Colleges, The Best Value Colleges, and Colleges That Create Futures.

Having Rob Franek on campus was a true honor for us to expand further our knowledge on the current state of college acceptance. With a focus on finding one's best-fit college, a key takeaway from our college expert highlighted the importance of identifying that best- fit should rest soundly on the integral qualities of a college rather than on popular name recognition. High school students and parents, this will be a focus area of our meetings together.

As we gear up for curriculum and class scheduling for the 23-24 academic year, consider courses that relate to the college major you are thinking of exploring. Look for classes to help you learn and develop your writing and critical thinking skills, as admissions counselors know these skills are crucial for college success. Do not shy away from AP courses and dual enrollment if you are ready for this. Take advantage of the rigor in front of you and make the most of your academic exploration and experiences.

C O L L E G E V I S I T S

Sagemont Prep students have had the opportunity to meet with college and university representatives from across the world. Below are the colleges and universities that have visited our campus this school year, and the list continues to grow.

Alcorn State University

Barry University

Bethune-Cookman University

Boston College

Boston University

Bryant University

Clemson University

College of the Holy Cross

Columbia College

Dean College

Drew University

Edward Waters University

Eckerd College

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Emmanuel College

Fairfield University

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Flagler College

Florida A&M University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Memorial Aviation University

Florida State University

George Mason University

High Point University

Hult International Business School

INTO University Partnerships

Jacksonville University

Kennesaw State University

Lafayette College

Lees-McRae College

LIM College

Loyola University Maryland

Lynn University

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Rollins College

Saint John's University

Saint Mary's College

Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah State University

Seton Hall University

Spelman College

St Thomas

Stetson University

Sullivan University

SUNY Cortland

Texas A&M University

The American University of Paris

The University of Alabama

The University of Tampa

University of Albany

University of California Riverside

University of Chicago

University of Connecticut

University Of Delaware

University of Florida

University of Maryland

University of Miami

University of Oregon

University of Saint Andrews

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

University of Toledo

Valdosta State University

Vassar College

Verto Partnerships University

Virginia Tech

Miami International Institute of Art & Design

Michigan State University

New College of Florida

New York Film Academy

Nova Southeastern University

Oglethorpe University

Regis University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rider University

Ringling College of Art & Design

School Counseling

Luann Burrows, Upper School Counselor

21st Century Kids- Parenting Kids in the Digital Age

Two-thirds of parents in the U.S. say parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago, with many citing technologies, such as social media and smartphones as a reason, according to the Pew Research Center Survey. Screen time is an ongoing battle in most homes, with adolescence being a critical time for brain development. While watching videos or texting with friends is fun, limiting screen time for tweens and teens is crucial for maintaining positive physical and mental health.

Sleep Deprivation

Many teens who stay up late texting get less sleep and do not achieve REM sleep. REM sleep plays a vital role in dreaming, memory, emotional processing, and healthy brain development. Not getting enough sleep or having poor sleep quality has been linked to additional health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and obesity. Ongoing sleep deprivation can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, a loss of concentration ability, and difficulty performing daily tasks. Not to mention grumpy teens who do not want to get out of bed! It would be beneficial to ask your children to hand over their smartphones before heading off to bed. While many factors can harm sleep, technology in the bedroom is a growing problem affecting families.

ADHD- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Throughout my 31 years in education, I have noted a marked increase in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD. The question is, "Can frequent use of tech make children more prone to the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? According to a new study conducted by James Munoz, Ph.D., an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at NSU's College of Psychology, it's possible. The study looked at 2,587 high school students who had not been diagnosed with ADHD. Students were surveyed on how much time they spent on digital media, including social media. While technology is not the cause of ADHD, the constant distraction of ringtones and the buzzing sounds can provide symptoms like ADHD, such as inattention and hyperactivity.

Bottom Line

Technology has provided us with life-saving equipment and procedures; it is incredible! Tech helps us solve daily tasks (ask Alexa), technology makes it possible to work and study virtually and can save your life. Helping children find a tech-life balance is key. Parents are encouraged to set limits, make rules and find a balance to ensure our children's healthy physical and mental well-being and protect their brain development.

"As parents, we often struggle with balancing our desire to make our children happy and setting boundaries." Ellen Trump, Frugal Kids

School Counseling

Maritza Zea, Lower School Counselor Career Day Inspires Sagemont Prep Students

Imagine learning how a crime scene investigator collects evidence to solve a crime, how an entrepreneur invented a durable, reusable drinking cup made from recycled coffee grounds and plant-based materials, or becoming well-informed about First Aid and CPR. These are just some of the possibilities that our students experienced at Sagemont Prep's annual Career Day. For more than twenty years, preschoolers through fifth grade have experienced this exciting program. This year is no exception.

Career Day is one of my favorite events of the school year. It has always been fascinating to see students and staff excited about the presentations. The Career Day goal is to provide the students with an excellent education on the world of work and career exploration with the hope of changing a child's life. Career Day is about creating excitement and enthusiasm and learning about the necessary skills in education required for various careers.

Career Day includes all elementary grade levels, Preschool through 5th grade. I have observed that upper elementary-grade students begin to think about pursuing careers based on their strengths, have a greater understanding of the content shared by the presenters, and often ask insightful questions about the careers being discussed. The guest speakers represent a wide range of careers.

Career Day covers all six career clusters: Science & Technology, Business Operations, Administration & Sales, Technical, Arts, and Social Services. The professional roster included doctors, lawyers, scientists, airline pilots, engineers, entrepreneurs, firefighters, environmentalists, dog trainers, and many more.

Presenters were invited to share information about their professional lives, education, and work experience with students. The students enjoyed demonstrations, participation, and visual displays. The presenters engaged students in hands-on activities while emphasizing the importance of hard work, setting goals, and responsibility. This engagement automatically triggers higher-level thinking, where students take ownership as they become participants rather than observers.

School counselors play a critical role in the college and career-ready process. Even though secondary-level school counselors typically address these issues in more extensive detail, it is highly relevant and meaningful at the elementary level. Elementary school counselors can build foundational knowledge and skills for students to understand

Elementary students' natural curiosity and creativity make career exploration so much fun. To the

Sagemont Prep students, Career Day is always an exciting event. Before the event, our teachers work with students to prepare relevant questions about the careers and professions they will be exposed to. After the presentations, the classes reflect on their Career Day experience, and thank-you letters are written by students expressing excitement and gratitude to the speakers.

A T H L E T I C S

Athletics

Shane Marcey, Director of Athletics

The athletic department is extremely excited about the future of the school’s new identity as Sagemont Prep and the opportunities for our facilities, teams, coaches, and studentathletes. Our women’s volleyball and men’s basketball team have enjoyed our beautiful new floor in the Goldman Athletic Center and a new LED score table recently purchased by our generous PTO. Be on the lookout for continuous new additions to our facilities!

Our coaching staff is dedicated to providing their athletes with the tools, knowledge, and direction to pursue their sports at the collegiate level. During your next experience at one of our home athletic events, be sure to take a moment and enjoy the recent additions to our Lions Legacy wall. Nothing motivates our current athletes more for the future than seeing the outstanding success of our past athletes.

As enrollment continues to grow, we are excited to add new and exciting opportunities for our student-athletes. The revival of past middle school programs has served as an excellent platform for those students to get involved in athletics and pursue the sports they enjoy! The athletic department is very optimistic that we will be able to add junior varsity teams to some of our flagship programs.

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The future looks bright for our men’s baseball team, with spring sports just around the corner. Coach Jason Stettner is new to Sagemont Prep but certainly not a rookie to the sport, as he has experienced great career success. With some new additions, he fields a talent-rich roster that looks to return the district and regional titles where they belong. And always, be sure to follow us on Instagram @sagemontprepathletics for updates, events, and more!

Innovation & Technology

Estefania Martinez, Innovation & Technology Coordinator

Edpuzzle

What is Edpuzzle?

Edpuzzle is an easy-to-use platform allowing students to engage in everyday learning, one video at a time. Edpuzzle benefits students by enabling them to learn digitally wherever they go. Students can find quality lessons on numerous subjects on Edpuzzle, such as Art, Computer Science, Math, Reading, Technology & Engineering, countless other languages, and so much more!

Can my child use Edpuzzle if they do not have an account? Absolutely! Edpuzzle is a free app, and students are not required to be enrolled in a class to use it. This app has numerous resources available to them to practice on the go. This app can be used to provide extra practice and rigorous education.

Technology-Rich Classrooms

Ms. McQueen, Sagemont Prep Upper Campus teacher, infuses technology daily within her classroom. Ms. McQueen regularly incorporates EdPuzzle into her social science classes. For Ms. McQueen's classes, "Edpuzzle creates interactive educational engagement with students. Students are more motivated to learn through educational videos and interactive platforms. The program also provides opportunities for multiple formative checks for student understanding and mastery of objectives." Student data is then reported to the teacher in real-time, so that our faculty can provide individual support and enrichment activities for students.

Jose Antonio Alicea

6th Grade

What does being innovative mean to you?

"In my opinion, being innovative means being a creative problem solver and having new ideas/methods. An example of innovation is when Henry Ford realized that it was taking him too long to make his cars. So instead of focusing on the problem, he was said to be inspired by the animal "disassembly" line of Chicago's meatpacking operations to find a new way to make cars. That's how he created the assembly line at Ford Motor Company. His revolutionary idea helped cut the time it took to build cars from 12 hours to 90 minutes. That's how his innovative spirit transformed the way we make cars today. "

In what ways are you innovative?

"In my opinion, what makes me innovative is my skill to be creative and use those skills to make and improve amazing things. I also see myself as a great problem solver who loves a challenge once and a while."

What is your favorite subject?

"In school, there are lots of interesting subjects, but out of all subjects, social studies is my favorite. I find it fascinating because I love learning about history and the progression of the world. It's also important to learn about the mistakes from the past, so we don't repeat them."

What extracurricular activities do you take part in, both at school and outside of school?

"In school, I do ceramics, cross country, and basketball. Outside of school, I've been swimming since I was five years old. I have been able to appreciate and value the progress that I have made throughout the years. I consider myself to be creative, and I like to express that through building Legos (I have collected a wide variety of Legos over the years). I also make cosplay Star Wars costumes out of cardboard."

How do you plan to use your innovative skills for the future?

"I plan to use these skills by becoming an engineer for NASA. This job requires lots of dedication, work, and creativity. It won't be easy. I will do whatever it takes to fulfill my dreams."

Serena Mair

Sagemont Prep Innovator Sagemont Prep Innovator Spotlight Spotlight 11th Grade

What does being innovative mean to you?

"To me, the word innovation refers to the introduction of various aspects in a community or organization which will have a positive impact. To be innovative is to be the face of inspiration and originality."

In what ways are you innovative?

"I am innovative through my various efforts at creating opportunities for myself to present my interests at a higher level than what is currently offered."

What is your favorite subject?

"My favorite subject in school is chemistry. With an interest in the science field, I've found fascination in chemistry as I have explored experimentation through testing various laws and techniques. Chemistry can be applied to our daily life, and the subject has helped me better understand the mechanisms and reactions that occur in the world around me."

What extracurricular activities do you take part in, both at school and outside of school?

"I am a writer. Through this interest, I have developed several activities to display my skill. I have a poetry blog where I make weekly posts of creative, unpublished work. Similarly, I have submitted poetry to The America Library of Poetry and The New Yorker to use my talent to its highest degree. I am currently writing a book entitled Surge. Surge is a fictional, philosophical exploration of the mind. I plan on self-publishing Surge in the Spring/Summer of 2023. I run an online collaborative journal in which international high school and college students from various countries can share their experiences. I am also passionate about ballet. I began dancing ballet at three years old and have dedicated ten years to skill and technique. The classical experience in ballet explores the creative aspect of my mind through expression. Through my time dancing with The Royal Academy of Dance, a UK-based classical ballet institute, I have been examined six times, crediting four merits and two distinctions. I plan on being a double major in my undergraduate years—one of which is astrophysics. I have created an astronomy journal in which I plan to publish my findings by observing stars, measuring stellar parallax, and recording astrological activity such as comets or meteorite showers. Additionally, this summer, I will become the co-founder of the jewelry business Violet Blues. Recently, I became a part of the Student Innovation Committee on campus here at Sagemont Prep. I enjoy being with like-minded people at my school and participating in school initiatives. I also serve as an editor of our school's magazine, Lion Life. I publish monthly articles highlighting the unique student experience at Sagemont Prep."

SAGEMONT PREP SAGEMONT PREP

Staff Spotlight Staff Spotlight

TRIMAR LUGO

E

A T I O N

Universidad Católica Andres Bello Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education

I ignite curiosity in my students through a multitude of strategies. I build connections with my students through open-ended questioning techniques and engaging learning activities. I use their interests to build meaningful and exciting experiences. With any grade level, building genuine relationships leads to deeper learning and engagement.

I strive to create relevant and authentic experiences daily within my classroom. Providing learning opportunities in which I bridge academic standards and real-world scenarios increases student engagement and allows for opportunities to make meaningful connections. Through these experiences, students will not only achieve the standard but will be able to understand the context.

SAGEMONT PREP SAGEMONT PREP Staff Spotlight Staff Spotlight

HELIANA RENDON

St. Thomas University

Bachelor of Elementary Education K-6 & World Language, Spanish K-12

Sagemont Sunshine Club Coordinator

I am incredibly passionate about what I do and care for my students tremendously. I build longlasting relationships with my students and gain a deep understanding of their interests. Through this understanding, I can continuously curate high-interest lessons that motivate and engage them.

Language transcends multiple jobs and industries. I encourage and equip my students with the tools to conquer their educational fears and achieve high personal success. I teach my students to take responsible risks with their learning and how to apply their knowledge to real-world situations effectively.

Senora Rendon has been teaching at Sagemont Prep for 19 years!!

SAGEMONT PREP SAGEMONT PREP Staff Spotlight Staff Spotlight

DANIEL CARLSON

E

U C A T I O N

University of Florida

Bachelor of Science, Geology

Middle School Math Club Sponsor

I ignite curiosity via explorations into the hither-to-fore unknown realms of math; for example, using a TI-84 graphing calculator or through calculus thinking. We blend math learning with creativity and find a passion for continually expanding our understanding and improving our skills. We forge ourselves into an elite cadre of young Jedi math students.

I equip my Sagemont Prep students to tackle the real world by incorporating numerous real-world applications of math and guiding students to become increasingly college-ready for their future careers.

SAGEMONT PREP SAGEMONT PREP Staff Spotlight Staff Spotlight

JARVIS BROWN

& Mechanical University

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science

NOVA Southeastern University

Master of Business Administration

DECA Business Club Sponser

I ignite curiosity in the courses I teach by asking very profound questions that all learners cannot resist the temptation of trying to answer.

As an instructor that teaches fundamental subject matters, I try to provoke a certain level of perception within the students so that they can perceive the world correctly and use critical thinking and logic to ensure they make the best decisions possible.

Sagemont Prep Alumni Spotlight

Colin Xu, Class of 2019

Undergraduate In Progress: Emory University

Bachelor of Arts: Economics & P.P.L.

Philosophy, Politics, & Law

Colin received a scholarship to attend Emory University's Analytical Finance Master of Science Program.

Life After Sagemont:

"I was a member of both Varsity Tennis and Varsity Golf teams at the Oxford College of Emory University. I served as team captain for the Varsity Tennis team during my sophomore year. In March 2021, I was named the CHL (Center of Health and Living) Student-Athlete of the Month. I also was named the Academic All-American. I had the opportunity to be an NBA courtside reporter for Atlanta Hawks. Additionally, I served as a research assistant for Emory University Goizueta Business School."

How did Sagemont ignite your passions?

"Sagemont provided me with many opportunities to explore my passion and interests through extracurricular activities. Sagemont's tennis program provided me the chance to play tennis at the collegiate level."

Sagemont Prep Staff Inspiration:

"My Sagemont inspirations are Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Roe."

Words of Advice:

"Spend your time exploring all the amazing programs that Sagemont has provided for you. You can always find your interest through Sagemont."

at Sagemont Prep in 9th grade!!

Sagemont Prep Alumni Spotlight

David Williams, Class of 2010

Undergraduate: Emory University

Juris Doctorate: NOVA Southeastern University

Life After Sagemont:

"After graduating from college, I went on to graduate from Nova Law School and became an attorney. Now I'm fortunate enough to work for Broward County as an Assistant State Attorney."

How did Sagemont ignite your passions?

"During my attendance at Sagemont, there were a few dedicated teachers and staff who truly had my best interest in mind and were willing to help those who wanted to make an effort. They helped guide me through my academic career and helped me grow. Chief among them was then guidance counselor Mrs. Mellesia Nelson. She was always willing to offer support and shared information for plans going through Sagemont and beyond that would be invaluable. And she would always be there to lend me an ear when I needed it."

Sagemont Prep Staff Inspiration:

"Ms. Ann Sponnoble, my former English and Literature teacher. Her dedication for my favored study subjects and her wit were things I still remember fondly. And Mr. Fritz Liep, my physics teacher, who was also very passionate about what he did."

Words of Advice:

"My advice is to keep expanding your knowledge beyond what the classroom requires. There's such an emphasis on testing and scores that it can admittedly feel tiring and give the feeling of just wanting to get by. But continuing to expand your horizon and never stop learning is crucial. Be prepared to work hard and be tenacious when it comes to pursuing your goals. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy."

Started

at Sagemont Prep in 6th grade!!

Our Sagemont Prep PTO would appreciate your support of our upcoming Gala on April 15th!

'Tis the Season for Re-Gifting! Do you have any extra items from the holidays? Items you have no need for? Please consider donating them to be included in our Gala Auction!

Item Ideas:

Coffee Makers

Espresso machines

Tea kettles

Fancy Coffees or Teas

Kitchen Items

Jewelry

Candles

Beach towels

Purses or Tote Bags

Luggage

Sporting Equipment

Dinner Gift Cards

iFly Experiences

Dave and Buster Gift Cards

Beach items

Board Games

Camping Equipment

Fishing Equipment

Snorkeling Gear

Fishing trips

Disney Trips or Disney Gift Cards

Gas Cards

Vacation Home Stays

Airline Giftcards

Escape Room Experiences

Bowling

Dick's Sporting Goods Gift Cards

Go-Karting Experiences

Items in or out of their original packaging will be accepted as long as they are unused.