CLASS OF 2006
Mercedes McCoy Brown After graduating from ODA, Mercedes attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated with a double major in business administration and marketing. She now works at a large healthcare IT company as an executive in charge of global operations. Mercedes travels all over the world and loves it. Her favorite memory of ODA was Spirit Day – Go White! She graduated college in three years thanks to the Advanced Placement credits ODA offered.
Michael Calamaras When Michael graduated ODA, he pursued a degree in engineering at the University of Miami. Post-graduation, Michael began working in Sarasota and most recently has been working for TriNet as a regional consultant. He married his wife, Kelly, this year and they regularly attend ODA Alumni events. Michael remembers playing kickball in the quad during free periods. He is grateful for his experience at The Out-of-Door Academy, which prepared him for college and taught him that he must work hard to succeed.
Austin Dailey When Austin graduated from ODA, he went on to earn a finance degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. Austin is employed as a corporate M&A attorney in Atlanta, Ga. with King and Spalding. Austin was recently married in June 2016.
Katie Dobosz Katie graduated from ODA in 2006, attended the University of Central Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in history. She taught at ODA from 2011-2013 and attended New York University to work on her master’s degree. Katie graduated from NYU in 2015 with a Masters in global affairs. She recently completed a year teaching seventh grade Global Studies in Jackson, Miss. Katie became engaged in March 2016 to Tanner Kenney. Katie fondly remembers her teachers. They helped her grow as a student and person and mentored her during her first years of teaching at ODA. She is grateful to L’Tanya Evans who she says, “Remains my treasured friend to this day.” Katie feels that her experience at ODA prepared her to continue to find what drives her both personally and professionally. ODA taught her to be confident, but also know that she would always have the ODA family there to support her.
John Eagan John graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University. He earned a law degree at the University of Miami School of Law, where he met his wife. He is an intellectual property attorney at a firm in Miami. John’s favorite memory was ‘blowing things up’ with Mr. Kennon, but also learning why. He feels ODA taught him to be independent and accomplish his goals.
Scott Haddow Since graduating from ODA, Scott is a realtor. He joined the Greg Sheller Team and finished in the top four percent of all ReMax agents in the nation last year. ODA prepared him to succeed in his real estate career. Scott’s favorite memory is ‘Bouncing around Beantown’ with Ms. Evans and Mr. Lemieux.
John Clark Hawkins Since graduating from ODA, John earned a bachelors in philosophy and English from the University of North Florida. He went on to earn a master’s certificate in guitar from Berklee College of Music and is a musician. John Clark said that his experience at ODA prepared him to be humble in failure and success, and measure neither in terms of money or power.
Chris Hayes In 2013, Chris relocated to Washington, D.C., where he received his master’s degree from Georgetown. He worked and coached Georgetown’s football team for two years before accepting a position as athletic director for a school in Washington, D.C. Chris remembers football games on the quad during lunchtime. Chris feels that ODA helped him become an educator by following the examples that ODA faculty set when he was a student.
Joshua Israileff After graduating from ODA, Joshua pursued a degree in management, marketing, and economics from DePaul University. Joshua worked with UBS Financial for six months in Chicago before starting a career in his family’s jewelry manufacturing business, where he is currently the vice president of operations. He remembers Spirit Day on campus and helping the Blue Team finally break the White Team’s winning streak. Joshua is grateful for his experience at ODA and feels it prepared him to navigate the rigors of college.
The Out-of-Door Academy 107