Final banyan magazine 2015

Fall 2015

A Legacy of Love & Learning PAMELA DAVIS: 38 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE

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DISCOVER THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY A PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 12 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SARASOTA / LAKEWOOD RANCH • CORE VALUES: Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Responsibility • COLLEGE PLACEMENT: 100% acceptance rate to four-year colleges and universities and an average merit award of $158,000 per Out-of-Door graduate.

• FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Over $1.7 million in financial assistance & tuition remission awarded annually. Taylor Emmons Scholars receive full four-year scholarships to attend Out-of-Door.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE From the Head of School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Letter From the Board Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Out-of-Door Celebrates 90 Years . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2014-15 School Year Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Faculty Achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Student Achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Academics in and around Campus. . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Educational Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Service at Out-of-Door. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Commencements & Graduation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Artistic Moments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Athletics and more. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Report on Philanthropy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Banyan Ball 2015: Where it All Began. . . . . . . 72 Alumni Events & Class Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

FEATURES A Legacy of Love & Learning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Diversity of World Languages Program. . . . . 26 Instructional Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Collaboration in the College Process. . . . . . 52 Unveiled: The Dick Vitale Family Student Center / Dart STEM Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Special Insert On the Cover: 2015 Retiree Pamela Davis alongside students she taught during her 38 years at Out-of-Door (clockwise from Pam in blue): Kelsey Lugannani ’20, Kim Lugannani SK ’83, Johnny Delgado ’15, Fondren Watts ’08, Kent Hayes ’03, Ashley Hawkins ’05, Travis Garner ’01, Abbey-Michelle Graham ’14, Kylee Madden SK ’08, Kim Madden SK ’81, and Lexie Kozel ’21.

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EDITOR’S NOTE The Banyan Magazine is designed for members of The Out-of-Door Academy family – students, faculty, parents, grandparents and alumni in an effort to tell the Out-of-Door story and celebrate our successes.

The Banyan Magazine is published by the Advancement Office. We make every effort to ensure the names and information in this publication are correct at press time.

Comments or suggestions can be addressed to: The Banyan Magazine, The Out-of-Door Academy, 444 Reid Street, Sarasota, Florida 34242 or call 941-554-3405.

Head of School: David V. Mahler Siesta Key Campus, Grades Pre-K-5 | 444 Reid Street | Sarasota, FL 34242 • Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch, Grades 6-12 | 5950 Deer Drive | Sarasota, FL 34240 E-mail: communications@oda.edu | www.oda.edu • Main Phone: 941-349-3223 | Admissions: 941-554-3400

A Message From The Head Of School Dear Out-of-Door Family, The 2014-15 school year was a special one on campus as it marked the 90th anniversary of the founding of Out-of-Door. As you will see in this issue of the Banyan, throughout the year we took the time to celebrate nine decades of Out-of-Door history. From the opening day of classes in August, all the way to Commencement in May, we found meaningful ways to pause and remember all those who came before us and contributed to the story of our school’s growth and development. From its humble roots as a small, proprietary, boarding school on a rustic, barrier island called Siesta Key in the 1920’s to a vibrant, two-campus independent school that serves over 700 students, the evolution of Out-of-Door has been nothing short of remarkable. Our founders Ms. Harrison and Ms. Gavin developed a compelling vision for a school where the pursuit of academic excellence would be enriched by fresh air, physical activity and the arts. Today their original vision is alive and well in our mission, “to provide an environment in which students strive to achieve their highest academic goals and to build character through a balanced program of academics, the arts and athletics.”

While 2014-15 was indeed historic, it was also a year where we seized the opportunity to plan for the future growth and development of The Out-of-Door Academy. Our Board of Trustees, school leadership, and faculty and staff engaged in a thoughtful, comprehensive and collaborative planning process. As a group, we generated and prioritized strategic goals that will focus and inform our work to continue to enhance the educational experience for all of our students PK-12. The vision for the future state of Out-of-Door is bold and transformational. It will require the successful implementation of strategies that will result in elevated levels of expectation and performance across all program areas in our school.

It will also require us to become a more nimble organization that displays higher levels of leadership, innovation and excellence in execution. Strategic Vision 2015 establishes a framework and direction that will guide our school to a new standard of excellence.

Our key strategies are: 1. To shape an academically and intellectually rigorous curriculum that emphasizes mastery of essential skills, collaborative inquiry and a more customized learning environment for our students.

2. To provide learning opportunities that transcend the walls of the traditional classroom to better prepare our students to live, learn, lead and succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

3. To make our core values: Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence & Responsibility the foundation of our school community.

4. To recruit, retain and develop a talented team of dedicated and creative educators to lead Out-of-Door in its pursuit of excellence.

5. To provide effective leadership and stewardship in order to better position The Out-of-Door Academy for the future.

As we close the books on our 90th year, the future of The Out-of-Door Academy could not be brighter. Ms. Harrison and Ms. Gavin would be pleased to see that the school they envisioned in the early twentieth century is thriving in the new millennium. As we look to the future, we will continue to pursue our founders’ mission in compelling new ways. Your inspiring commitment to provide the best possible education for the next generation is the key to both our past accomplishments and our future successes. Thank you for your continued support and for making The Out-of-Door Academy such a unique, caring, and dynamic community.

Sincerely,

David V. Mahler Head of School

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Letter From The Board Chair Dear Out-of-Door Community, The 2014-2015 school year was yet another remarkable time in the life of the Out-of-Door Academy. There were many impressive accomplishments as we continue to provide a stellar college preparatory education for our students, and serve our mission of excellence in academics, arts, and athletics.

You may remember from last year’s letter, the comprehensive Strategic Plan for our school that began in 2010 has been successfully completed. The next phase which we refer to as The Strategic Vision for Out-of-Door has been approved by the Board and the implementation process has begun. One of the main focus areas of the Strategic Vision is core skill development for our students such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. This document is extremely important because it drives our institutional planning and decision-making.

Our admissions department reports a record number of applications with wait lists at most every grade level. We are also very pleased that our retention rate is over 96%. This is a direct reflection of the outstanding work of our talented faculty combined with a terrific leadership team.

Our financial position is very strong. While enjoying our growth in enrollment, we have continued to do detailed financial analyses and future projections to ensure that we remain fiscally sound in the years ahead. Our endowment continues to grow, which is essential for a not for profit educational institution. One of our annual events, the Banyan Ball was a lovely celebration commemorating Out-of-Door’s 90th anniversary on our historic Siesta Key campus. Guests were treated to a memorable evening complete with fireworks! It was also an extremely successful fundraiser. Additionally, our Annual Fund contributions and parent participation levels remain steady. The Annual Fund and Banyan Ball are vital to meeting our budget, since tuition alone does not cover the expense of a college preparatory education. Thank you for your generosity in both of these areas.

The key to achieving our mission, whether it’s construction, adding more faculty, or new technology, is fundraising. We are presently working diligently on our Capital Campaign. We are close to meeting our initial goal. The Board has invested a great deal of effort and resources to ensure the success of this campaign. As we continue to explore future needs, I hope that each of you will choose to help us in our efforts to move the school forward.

Our campus master plan continues to expand and change. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Dart Family and the Vitale Family, this fall we cut the ribbon to open the Dart STEM Center and the Vitale Family Student Center. This building will provide our students with unparalleled access to STEM opportunities and the true feel of a college student center experience. On behalf of the Board, I extend our most sincere thanks to the Dart Family and the Vitale Family for making this building a reality. We know it will provide a transformational change for both the institution and our student body. I am also pleased to share that the Middle School began the school year in newly renovated science labs and the addition of their own STEM lab.

We cannot thank you enough for the tireless commitment of time and effort that you put into Out-of-Door. There are so many opportunities for you to become involved. Our school and the lives of our children are greatly enriched by your participation.

In closing, we are extremely appreciative for everything you do to help make Out-of-Door the truly special place that it is. The rich history and tradition of 90 years are remarkable and I am especially proud to be a part of such an amazing organization. The accomplishments of 2014-2015 were outstanding, and I look very forward to the year ahead. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I thank each of you for all that you do.

Mitzie Henson

The Out-of-Door Academy 3

2015-2016 New Trustees BOARD OF TRUSTEES Thomas Buffett John Cannon John M. Cranor, III Rhonda Deems Larry Fox Ron Gelbman Lisa Grain Ann Grano Mitzie Henson Teena Humphrey Ann Kittle Donna Koffman Ashley Kozel Julie Luhrsen Tracee Murphy Mary Peirce Ken Pendery Florian Schuetz Larry Thompson Terri Vitale Michael vonWaldner Emeritus Gerd Petrik Reed Savage Brenda Uihlein Ex-Officio Member David V. Mahler

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DOUGLAS BRADBURY

Doug is a native of Gainesville, Florida. He attended P.K. Yonge High School, the developmental research school of the University of Florida College of Education. He attended University of Florida and received his B.A. from Florida State University and went to graduate school at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy and Washington DC, receiving a Master of Arts.

From 1974 -1984, Doug worked in the International Division of Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, at the time the fourth largest bank in the United States and spent 9 years in Australia, Thailand and Italy. From 1984-1987 he helped launch a family-owned communications company in Orlando, Florida. From 1987-1996, Doug served as a Board Member, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MFS Communications, a competitive telecommunication company and then co-founded Level 3 Communications, serving as a Board Member, Vice Chairman and CFO. Both MFS and Level 3 were publically listed on the NASDAQ. Doug has been active in the non-profit world since retiring. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees and Treasurer of the Colorado Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, a Director and Board Treasurer of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Chairman of the Asolo Artistic Endowment Board of Trustees, an Advisory Board Member of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training and an Advisory Trustee of the P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville. Doug has twin daughters, Alexandra and Devin, and two adult sons, Geoff and David. His daughter Alexandra graduated from ODA in 2015, having attended since second grade. Devin attended ODA from second through tenth grade, when she transferred to a visual performing arts program.

ARIANE DART

Ariane was born in Warren, Pennsylvania where she attended a Catholic grade school and two years at a public junior high school. She then moved to New York City where she attended Riverdale Country Day School and then graduated from the Nightingale Bamford School in 1989. She attended Lehigh University, graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Marketing and an Art History Minor.

Upon graduation, she began to work as a Sales and Marketing Manager for her father’s manufacturing company called Loranger International Corporation. She expanded the company by seven fold during her tenure and served on an Industry Committee that began the four-day long Burn-In and Test Socket Workshop in 2000, which continues to this day. She married her husband, Bob Dart, in 2001, and then moved to Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. Shortly thereafter she joined the William and Claire Dart Foundation. She then joined the Board of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands in 2002 and created, Chaired and sponsored a fundraiser for the National Gallery that takes place in her garden each spring. The event is in its thirteenth year. She joined the Board of Forty Carrots Family Center in 2009 and created, Chaired and sponsored the Firefly Gala, which was first held in March 2010 and will be in its sixth year in Spring 2016. She joined the Board of the Celebration Exotic Car Festival in 2011, benefiting Make A Wish in Central Florida, and the Board of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County in 2013. Previously, Ariane co-chaired the 2011-2015

Palm Balls benefiting the Conservation Foundation, the 2014 Key to the Cure for the grand opening of the new SAKS Store at University Town Center, and the 2015 Pentathlon Sponsors Gala. She continues to direct the Dart Foundation, making grants worldwide on an annual basis to ensure that its focus stays true to its original mission statement.

Her hobbies include tennis, skiing, participating in car rallies, collecting art, and membership in a book club. She has two children at ODA, Lyndsey ‘23 and Alex ‘26.

TAMMY KARP

Tammy Karp has resided in Sarasota since 1993 with her husband of 27 years, Richard. Together they have raised their two daughters, both graduates of The Out- of-Door Academy. Taylor attends Boston University and Sarah is a freshman at Northeastern University.

Since moving to Sarasota, Tammy has been very active in the community, having served on several boards.

Currently she sits on the advisory council of the Child Protection Center and is the Upper School Vice President of the ODA Parent Association. In addition, she is very involved in Southeastern Guide Dogs as a three-time puppy raiser and a breeder host. She also sits on the development council for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

DAVID WHITE

David is the husband to Stacy White, and proud father of two Out-of-Door students, Ansley ‘22 and Aidan ‘25.

Stacy and David have been actively engaged parents and big advocates of Out-of-Door Academy since Ansley started Pre-K in 2008.

Currently, David is a Senior Vice President and discretionary Portfolio Manager with Morgan Stanley in Sarasota. He has 16 years of experience in the brokerage industry and 5 years of Private Capital investing experience prior to that.

David was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He attended The Ohio State University where he studied Finance and Marketing. He moved to Tampa in 1994, was married to Stacy in 1999, and moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2002. David and Stacy are big believers in the importance of time spent with their kids; as a result, he has spent many years coaching tee ball, soccer, and flag football. He has also worked as a coach for the Special Olympics in the past. Recently, he served as a Trustee for The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast.

Q A

What Is the Gavin & Harrison Legacy Society?

In 1924, The Out-of-Door Academy’s founders, Fanneal Harrison and Catherine Gavin, sought to establish a uniquely progressive school committed to high academic standards and nourishing the minds, bodies, and spirits of children over 90 years later, Out-of-Door remains inspired by their vision.

By joining the Gavin & Harrison Legacy Society, you are honoring our school’s founders and helping sustain their vision for The Outof-Door Academy today and in the future. The society is composed of donors who include The Out-of-Door Academy in their wills or other estate plans. Their gifts provide essential financial support for all aspects of the academy.

Common types of gifts that qualify for membership include: » Bequests (gifts made through your will or living trust) » Charitable gift annuities » Gifts of retirement plan assets after your lifetime » Charitable remainder trusts

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY For more information, contact: Amy Towery, CFRE (941) 554-3405 | atowery@oda.edu www.oda.edu/legacysociety

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Letter From The Director Of Advancement Dear Out-of-Door Community, In January my family and I joined the Out-of-Door community. Ringing in the New Year we packed up our belongings, loaded our two young sons and two old dogs into our cars, trekking over 1,200 miles from the Lonestar State to sunny Florida. We were on a journey, an adventure if you will, to move closer to family and find an educational experience for our boys that would be second to none. We found what we were looking for right here at The Out-of-Door Academy.

Prior to our arrival, many told me that it’s the people that make ODA so great and after several short months, I would agree wholeheartedly. Since the very first day I set foot on our campuses, I have been astounded by the people I have met - the students, the faculty and staff, the parents, the volunteers, and the alumni, not only because of their support of the school, but also the community of support they are for each other. There is so much heart at the core of all things ODA - whether in the classroom, on the athletic field, in the meeting room, or on the stage - the heart of our ODA community continually shines through.

I have worked in development and fundraising for a very long time and I can say without a doubt that it is something very special to see groups of caring, committed, generous individuals come together with a united purpose. At ODA, that means making this school the great institution it is today, while also guaranteeing greatness for future generations. We are equipping our students with the skills and experiences they need to be well prepared for the world that awaits them- a task that wouldn’t be possible without your philanthropic support.

The Out-of-Door Academy relies on philanthropic support from our community to bridge the gap between tuition and fees and the cost of providing the exceptional Out-of-Door educational experience to our students. The Report on Philanthropy included in this magazine is dedicated to the acknowledgement of the individuals and businesses that have made philanthropic giving to The Out-of-Door Academy a priority. Seeing a need and stepping up to fill that need for the betterment of our community- that’s the heart of ODA at work.

On behalf of the current and future students who will benefit from the generosity of those who give to advance our school, thank you for your support. From the heart of Texas, to what I now believe to be the heart of Sarasota, thank you to the Out-of-Door community for making the ODA experience such a truly special one.

My door is always open and I am grateful for any opportunity to meet people who love ODA as much as I do, so please stop by and say hello. I look forward to seeing you on campus and hope you will join me in giving as we continue to build a legacy of excellence at The Out-of-Door Academy.

Best,

Amy Towery, CFRE Director of Advancement

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GROWING UP BLUE & WHITE

Cameron Yates ’27, Jack White ‘27, Jimmy Kuebler ’15 and Matthew Leonard ‘15

Blue and white are the colors of excellence.

In the classroom, on the stage, and on the field.

Blue and white are the colors of nature.

From the sparkling blue water on Siesta Key to the star-filled sky at Lakewood Ranch, at our core we embrace learning out-of-doors.

Blue and white are the colors of distinction.

Intentionally different.

Equipping young people for life.

Siesta Key Campus: Pre-K-Grade 5 | Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch: Grades 6-12 | Sarasota, FL | 941-554-3223 | www.oda.edu

To learn more about how your child can be OUTstanding at The Out-of-Door Academy, visit us online at www.oda.edu/admissions

The Out-of-Door Academy 7

Out-Of-Door History The Out-of-Door Academy’s Seal and Logo, 1988-89

CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF HISTORY From humble beginnings in 1924, opening our doors with 10 registered students to today on two beautiful campuses serving over 700 students, The Out-of-Door Academy has risen to become one of the nation’s foremost premier independent schools.

1932 Literary Magazine

The Out-of-Door Academy celebrated its 90th anniversary at a time of transformation, challenge, and innovation. During our distinguished history, academic leaders, elite performers, professional athletes, and committed volunteers have passed through our doors and our alumni are doing great work in our communities, locally, nationally, and abroad.

Our 90-year history is rich in tradition, congruent with our Founders’ vision. The students’ experience is our priority and we honor them with events including Convocation, Homecoming, and Spirit Day. Fall 1996 Magazine

1995 Admissions Booklet

Rendering of Original Siesta Key Campus

1981 Extravaganza Program

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Highlights From 2014-2015 CONVOCATION As a way to officially pass the torch of leadership to the senior class, the student body gathered together to honor them and kick off the 2014-2015 school year with an all–school photo at the annual Convocation Ceremony.

Convocation was held on Friday, October 10, 2014 at the Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch. It was a very inspirational ceremony where the senior class was recognized with gifts from each grade level and the faculty. The seniors and their kindergarten buddies entered the Thunderdome together and enjoyed the celebration and presentation of gifts.

• Kindergarten, Class of 2027 presented a drumming selection • Pre-Kindergarten, Class of 2028; First Grade, Class of 2026; and Second Grade, Class of 2025 performed the song Count on Me • Third Grade, Class of 2024; Fourth Grade, Class of 2023; and Fifth Grade, Class of 2022 performed the song I Believe • The Classes of 2021, 2020, and 2019’s Chase Bannar, Sofia Delgado, Tucker Harris, Victor Marcano-Santos gave a presentation on Kids Helping Kids. A song

by Euphoria was performed by Ethan Ball, Caty Castro, Sofia Delgado, Mutaz Faqqouseh, Kat Gaukhman, Erin Luhrsen, Emily Macdonald, Kinsey Newhams, and Andrea Schiro • Ninth Grade, Class of 2018 and Tenth Grade, Class of 2017 gave a presentation on Sweet Things, by Amber Bond, Matthew Comito, Ethan Eckhard, Chris Eckart, Octavien Han, Matthew Jones, Rebekah Lang, Laszlo Tengerdy, Jack Towsley, Megan Wiles, Jessica Young • Eleventh Grade, Class of 2016 presented a video Meet the Class of 2015 • The faculty gift, the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull, was presented by Joseph Madres, Middle/Upper School Art Teacher. It is written by Richard Bach, a fable in novella form about a seagull learning about life and flight, and a homily about self-perfection. Mr. Madres told the senior class that they “will discover that their academic journey is larger than attending the right college, finding the right job, and making a lot of money.” He quoted Whoopie Goldberg from the movie Sister Act, telling the class of 2015 that if they “wake up in the morning and can think of nothing else other than singing, they should be a singer.” His advice from the faculty to the seniors was to “find their passion, pursue it, and fly.”

• David Mahler, Head of School, gave a Day of Service in which the senior class organized several teams of volunteers, consisting of 90 students and 25 faculty and staff to work at the Sarasota Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon in honor of Annika Lange.

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Use your QR code reader on your smartphone to view a video from Convocation.

HOMECOMING The Out-of-Door community had a fantastic celebration at Homecoming’s all-school picnic and football game in October. Many members of the Out-of-Door community, dressed in navy and white in support of our team, came out to Thunder Stadium to enjoy great food, fun and games for the kids, and to cheer on the Thunder. This annual all-school event is a great opportunity for our entire Out-of-Door community to get together and show our school spirit.

On Friday, the Middle and Upper School held a pep rally, and enjoyed an exciting cheerleading routine. Friday night’s family picnic featured inflatable bounce houses and a giant slide, hearty meals from LeeRoy Selmon’s, a bake sale to benefit the 8th grade’s trip to Washington D.C., the Thor Store, and more. This year was particularly special, as there was a strong turnout of alumni, who enjoyed catching up with each other in the alumni tent, which had a very special historical photo display created by the school’s Historian Elizabeth Mahler.

A special surprise this year was the delivery of the Homecoming game ball arriving on the field by parachute from The Out-of-Door Academy’s Alumni Council President, Michael Calamaras, ’05. The Homecoming Court was also honored in the middle of the field at halftime.

Saturday night, the theme for the Upper School Homecoming Dance was Viva Las Vegas. The event was a great success and our seniors enjoyed their last Homecoming Dance at The Out-of-Door Academy.

Use your QR code reader on your smartphone to view a video from Homecoming.

90TH ANNIVERSARY PLAY In honor of the school’s 90th anniversary, the entire Lower School faculty and students joined together to create a 90th Anniversary play about our school’s history. With a unique collaboration with Florida Studio Theatre, students mastered core curriculum through this innovative and creative experience.

Florida Studio Theatre and Out-of-Door’s faculty worked together to incorporate theatre, music, dance, and visual art to enhance the curriculum in many subject areas while honoring the 90th anniversary of the school. Through a series of workshops, students wrote, rehearsed, and performed three theatrical pieces that touched on key elements of social studies, language arts, and performing arts curricula. Every student in grades PreK-5 played a pivotal role in this performance.

Together classes studied history archives, wrote scripts, choreographed dances, chose corresponding music, and even wrote songs to make this play truly one of a kind. After an evening showing for parents, students performed the next day to a full house of grandparents and special friends at Grandfriends’ Day.

Use your QR code reader on your smartphone to view a video from the 90th Anniversary Play.

To read more Out-of-Door news, visit www.oda.edu/news.

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Celebrating Our 2015 Retirees A FOND FAREWELL CHERYL LENZ In 1992, Cheryl Lenz walked onto The Out-of-Door Academy’s Siesta Key Campus, for an outside event, with teacher Grace Duffey and in May 2015, she retired as Martha Gulácsy shares a gracefully as she arrived. moment with Cheryl Lenz.

But two questions arose from her departure: one, who will fill the void and two, who will teach next year’s fifth grade class the lyrics to Sweet Caroline?

Cheryl taught 4th, 5th and 6th grade math, history and English at Out-of-Door. When she talks about the children she taught, you get a clear sense of who she is and why she loves to teach. Her story began in Westwood, Massachusetts where she was raised in a very close-knit family with three siblings. Cheryl’s father was the football and basketball coach as well as the Athletic Director at Northeastern University, which is where she received her B.A. in Education and M.A. in Reading. It was her mother who advised to her to become a teacher and after her first year of teaching, Cheryl knew it was the right choice.

Cheryl began teaching in Massachusetts after receiving her degree and five years later she married Steve Lenz, moved to Oklahoma City and began teaching at her first private school; she still remains in touch with former coworkers from that school. Her family then moved from Oklahoma to Gibson Island, Maryland. There, she excelled in teaching and eventually became the head of the school’s PTA. Her next and final move was to Sarasota, Florida in 1991 where she accepted a teaching position at ODA the following year.

Cheryl enjoyed being a part of the Out-of-Door family, but it was her students that she most enjoyed. Even though teaching has changed over her 20+ year career at Out-of-Door, Cheryl always embraced new ideas. Even with the vast technology changes in the classroom (she cheerfully calls herself a technology immigrant), she has always been amazed at the level of knowledge her students have and what they can do with technology. She often called upon them to teach her additional skills.

“THIS IS WHERE I BELONG. THESE KIDS FILL MY HEART.” - CHERYL LENZ 12 The Banyan

Cheryl is also very thankful for the Out-of-Door administration, “They gave me a subject to teach and allowed me to teach it my way,” she said. Her goals were to spark the students’ interest and make them aware of the world. “My head is math but my heart is history,” she noted. Cheryl is eager to begin her travels locally throughout Florida, after teaching her students about these wonderful Floridian cities, she is ready to visit as many as she can now that she has more time.

As Cheryl moves on to the next chapter in life, she provides some insight for new teachers to heed. She said she was trained by wonderful teachers who were much older than she but she observed what they did, and she picked-up a few things that she felt would have taken her years to learn. Her words of wisdom for new teachers, “Experience counts for a lot, watch what they do and try new things too.”

Cheryl feels fortunate to have been guided to Out-of-Door to teach alongside veteran teachers like Debra Waterman and others, for more than 20 years. “This is where I belong, these kids fill my heart,” Cheryl said referring to teaching at Out-ofDoor and when she returns to substitute, she looks forward to “torturing” the children (with love of course) and perhaps she will teach them the words to her favorite song, Sweet Caroline.

MARNIE HOWELL Marnie Howell has lived a well-traveled life that most only dream about. The retired Spanish teacher was born in Charlotte, NC and lived briefly in Philadelphia, PA before, Virgene Linse, Jane Hancock & at the age of two, moving Marnie Howell sharing a special moment at the retirement luncheon in June. with her family abroad to Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico. Upon returning to the United States, her family settled in Maryland where she met and married her husband and raised three sons. Marnie received a B.A. in Spanish Literature from St. Louis University and a M.A. in English as a Second Language from Salisbury University.

After working in the business sector using her bilingual skills for many years, her passion for literature inspired her to begin teaching at a small catholic school. In 2000, Marnie and her husband decided on a new adventure, which led her to post her teaching resume online and she received interest from five

Retirees Marnie Howell, Cheryl Lenz and Pam Davis with Head of School, David Mahler at the 2015 Retirement Luncheon, June 2015.

schools. The Out-of-Door Academy was the first school she visited and she accepted the positions of Spanish Teacher and World Language Department Head. For the next 15 years, Marnie taught Spanish I through AP Spanish Literature. She loved her students and colleagues, saying, “No two days are the same, sometimes you improvise and sometimes you go with the teachable moment. It’s like I come to a different job every day.

Things are always changing and I love change.”

Marnie was excited to be a part of the new and emerging high school at Out-of-Door. She remembers chaperoning students on a minimester trip to Puerto Rico and taking a small group to Salamanca, Spain where students were hosted by Spanish families. They went to class every morning and gathered in the evenings to learn about the country’s rich culture. Marnie also enjoyed seeing the changes and growth at Out-of-Door, especially in the area of technology. Her students provided insightful ways of using technology in the classroom and Marnie embraced their thoughtfulness and determination.

lessons to be learned here,” Marnie said. “Communicating with each other, treating each other with dignity, and hoping they will give back,” she indicated as a few.

As she prepared for her final days on campus she was very relaxed. “I’ve been fulfilled being around young people, they kept me young,” she said. “It’s time to move on to something different and new. It’s time for me to spend a little more time with my family,” which includes her 95-year-old mother and five grandchildren. She’s interested in getting back into the world of art, traveling, joining a book club, and spending time with family, not necessarily in that order.

“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work at Out-of-Door. It’s been a wonderful 15 years,” said Howell. “It’s been wonderful to witness the growth of the school. To have been a part of that growth has been very satisfying. I’m eternally grateful for the time I’ve spent here.”

“I’VE BEEN FULFILLED BEING AROUND YOUNG PEOPLE, THEY KEPT ME YOUNG.” - MARNIE HOWELL Marnie said the human connections were the most rewarding part of teaching. Knowing that she contributed to the development of children and knowing she made a difference is what kept her happy in the profession. She is extremely proud of the students at Out-of-Door and hopeful that what they learned will be passed on to another generation. “There are a lot of Virgene Linse introduces her friend and colleague, Cheryl Lenz.

The Out-of-Door Academy 13

A Legacy Of Love & Learning

SAYING GOODBYE AFTER 38 YEARS IS NEVER EASY PAMELA DAVIS In May 2015, after 38 years in the classroom at The Out-of-Door Academy, science teacher Pamela Davis was preparing to retire. “I haven’t thought about my last day, but it will be bitter sweet,” said Davis who began teaching at The Out-of-Door School in 1977. This position was the only teaching position she ever held after receiving her bachelor’s degree from The University of South Florida in Tampa. Davis’ mother was a teacher, which influenced her to get her degree in education. Davis’ first job was working at a local bank in Siesta Key, which eventually led to Out-of-Door. During her commute to work, she drove past a “charming little school with a cute sign.”

One day she decided to stop and visit. Little did she know that visit would change her life and a teaching position would be offered to her

by Head Mistress, Eleanor Harner that same day. Davis returned to work at the bank and advised her supervisor that she was leaving to teach. “It seemed like the right thing to do, to take the job. It was a good fit,” said the Sarasota native.

The first 35 years of her 38 year ODA career were spent on the Lower Campus teaching math, science, and English to third, fourth, and fifth grade students. When the Lower School began teaching in teams, Davis focused on math and science. She was also tapped to create the Lower School’s new science program during her tenure. Davis went on to teach fifth and sixth grade before permanently moving to the Uihlein Campus to teach science three years ago, when the 6th grade was moved to Lakewood Ranch.

Through all the years of change at the school, the one constant that Davis truly enjoyed was teaching students. She revels when her students “get it” or have that “aha moment” when learning about science. She will remember going on trips with students, the projects that her students completed, and how hard the students worked in the classroom, but she was all about motivating her students and teaching them about the joys of science. “It was important to do science and not just read about it,” she said.

One of her students told her that he became interested in medicine, science, and engineering because of an electricity unit he took in her fourth grade science class. She is not only proud of him, but she’s proud of all of the Out-of-Door students she has come in contact with.

She said, “Out-of-Door students become successful young people because of the wonderful opportunities they receive as students at the school. Students here are polite, they appreciate their education, and they work hard because they care about their performance in the classroom.” Davis understands that all ODA students are motivated to do well and that they were not typical students, but uniquely ODA students.

The school has come such a long way since Davis began teaching. The growth of the programs, faculty and staff, and facilities were tremendous during her time here. The curriculum was always evolving and the teachers had to be innovative and creative to be a part of the Out-of-Door team. When asked if she would do anything differently, Davis said, no, that there was nothing differently she would do.

“This (career) has been very rewarding, the entire experience was great. This was a good choice.”

Throughout it all, the most difficult part of Davis’ career was officially retiring. She is looking forward to the next chapter, which will include boating, gardening, cooking and entertaining. Davis plans to travel with her husband and to reconnect with family and friends.

“This [was] a great opportunity for me, but it [was] a scary decision,” she said as retirement began to creep closer. At the time of this interview Davis was not thinking about how she would fare when she closed the classroom door behind her for the final time. She dedicated the past 38 years to students at Out-of-Door without regret. No, Pamela Davis did not want to reflect on her last day, but she said without hesitation, “I am closing a huge part of my life, both with sadness and with excitement.”

THANK YOU PAMELA DAVIS FOR GIVING THE OUT-OF-DOOR COMMUNITY 38 WONDERFUL YEARS OF YOUR LIFE, TIME, AND COMMITMENT. 14 The Banyan

Kathy Dozier hugs longtime ODA teacher, Pam Davis, at the June 2015 Retirement Luncheon.

1. Pamela Davis 2. Kelsey Lugannani ’20: “I was so excited to have Mrs. Davis because she was my mom’s teacher. She was the teacher who was always doing fun experiments and we never had a dull moment. I will miss her, I just wish my brother had her too.

Middle School won’t be the same without her.”

3. Kim Lugannani SK ’83: “I was in Pam’s first class at ODA. I always remember her to be a fun teacher who really connected with her students.

It was so special that Kelsey could experience having Pam as a teacher too, during her final year at ODA. It is the chance to have experiences like this that makes ODA such an amazing school.”

4. Johnny Delgado ’15: “Mrs. Davis is the person that sparked my interest in electronics. Her lessons with batteries and lightbulbs caused me to go on to teach myself about circuitry, lightning, and everything electronic. I consider Mrs. Davis’s lessons to be the point where my love of making things expanded into the big world of electronics. Before I worked mostly with mechanical projects, and now I’ve started studying programming.”

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5. Abbey-Michelle Graham ’14 6. Lexie Kozel ’21 7. Kylee Madden SK ’08: “When I started my student career at ODA, little did I know that I would have some of the same teachers that my mother and uncle had when they went to ODA. I was fortunate to hear all the stories about this small island school when my mom and uncle reminisced. Mrs. Davis was an awesome teacher and as cliché as it sounds, she always made learning fun. She certainly helped lead the former small campus to what it is today and made her mark on the upper campus as well.”

8. Kim Madden SK ’81: “I had Pamela Davis her first year teaching and we were her first class of 3rd graders.

I remember all the learning experiences were fun, we were out doors a lot of the time, and our classmates and teachers were like family. Three

of my children have also been fortunate enough to have been Mrs. Davis’ students as well. It was so neat watching them learn from a teacher who started her career with our little 3rd grade so many years ago.”

9. Fondren Griffin Watts ’08 10. Kent Hayes ’03 11. Ashley Hawkins ’05 12. Travis Garner ’01

The Out-of-Door Academy 15

Renee Huntley

Faculty Achievements LOWER SCHOOL Jessica Banks • Elected to the Board of Directors for the Florida Kindergarten Council • Served on FCIS accreditation team for Christ Church School in Ft. Lauderdale • Attended the FCIS Administrators Retreat in Sanibel

Lisa Cheyney • Renewed the Florida Professional Teaching Certificate • Elementary Science Olympiad Team Coach 2014-2015

Grace Duffey • Completed edWeb.net Webinar: Fine Motor Skills Write Out of the Box • Experienced the Coursera Class, English Composition at Duke University • Completed edWeb.net Webinars, Writing a Winning Grant Application, Arts & Music in Early Learning, Preparing Children for Success in School and Life, and TFK Talks to Jane Goodall

Jessica Dunda • Completed two PhD courses in Educational Leadership at USF St. Petersburg

Martha Gulácsy • Member of FCIS Accreditation Visiting Committee • Published “Shurley you jest?” Teaching grammar in a new way in Speaking English, The Journal of English Speaking Board in Great Britain • Director of the Summer Institute For The Gifted • DSAM Day Site Administrator’s Leadership Meeting, Summer Institute For The Gifted, National Society For The Gifted And Talented • Inducted into the Cum Laude Society

Sarah HIgham • Trained in the Orton-Gillingham reading method by taking the 30-hour Comprehensive Training course

Tanna Horner • Attended the BAAIS Lower School Heads Retreat in Tampa • Attended the FCIS Administrators Retreat in Sanibel

Jeff Horr • Began masters program in Coaching and Athletic Administration at Concordia University

16 The Banyan

• Received a certificate from the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education for the completion of the Orton-Gillingham Advanced Continuum Training

Glynis Miller • Received the 2015 DeWitt E. & Vera M. Hooker Fellowship for the MITT @ Home project. The project was presented during the 2015 FCIS Convention in Orlando, Florida

Serena Robins • Completed Graduate Course Developmentally Appropriate Language, Literacy and Early Reading Experiences for Children Ages 3-8 from Nova Southeastern University • Completed edWeb.net Webinar: Outdoor Classroom Management-Rethinking Outdoor Education Life Lab • Completed Florida Kindergarten Council Annual Convention: The Collaborative, Multi-Sensory, Language-Based Classroom; STEAM Movement, Music & Fun: A Total Brain Workout; Pre-K Can Write • Completed edWeb.net Webinar: Using Technology to Engage Learning, Communication, and Relationships in Natural Environments • Completed edWeb.net Webinar: Fine Motor Skills Write Out of the Box • Began graduate class Foundations of Diversity, Human Development, and the Young Child at Arizona State University • Presented during the Parent Educational Series: “The Power of Play”

Dr. Kelly Rose • Received the 2015 DeWitt E. & Vera M. Hooker Fellowship for the MITT @ Home project. The project was presented during the 2015 FCIS Convention in Orlando, Florida

Michelle Ulrich • Gesell Training in Jacksonville • FCIS New Teacher Conference in Howie-in-the-Hills • Writing Conference “Implementing Rigorous, Coherent Writing Curriculum” in Orlando

Dr. Linda Vasilaki • Received a Music Educators’ Service Award, for teaching 30 years at ODA, eight years in MI and maintaining a certification in both states, at the Statewide Convention held in Tampa • Joined the Venice Symphony on viola (Fall of 2014-15) • Received a Bill Gates Foundation grant and invitation, along with three music educators in the county, to give instrument enrichment concerts in the public schools • Completed a MOOC entitled “Virtual Music Ed- Conference” online offered via Australia

MIDDLE SCHOOL Sean Ball • Received a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida

Michele Corley • Completed TESOL (Teaching English as a Second/Other Language) certificate through Kennesaw State University

Margarita Caban-Dooley • Attended a three day workshop titled Honor Systems Conference in Los Angeles, California sponsored by the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education • Offered Blended Learning Spanish 5 Language and Culture course with aspects of Hispanic culture in terms of customs, traditions and history • Successfully conducted 7th Grade Video Conferencing with Hispanic media professionals in the field in Miami, Florida • Successfully conducted 7th Grade Video Conferencing with Hispanic media professionals in the field from Arizona • Successfully conducted 8th grade Spanish classes in several live videoconferences with students of the Carol Morgan International School in the Dominican Republic • The 8th grade Spanish classes met Dr. Alfonso Espinel and Mrs. Sonia Espinel, parents of 8th grader Alfonso. The Espinels, from Guayaquil, Ecuador, presented different aspects of the country and its varied culture • The 7th grade Spanish classes met Mr. and Mrs. Delgado, grandparents of Sofía Delgado. The Delgado’s are from Puerto Rico and Mexico and discussed their childhood hobbies growing up in Mexico and Puerto Rico

Paul Elmendorf • Coached three sports: golf, basketball, and lacrosse • Worked collaboratively with the 8th grade team on a Wordpress-based writing assignment. Launched a blog written collaboratively by 6th and 8th grade students

Dane Gass • Launched the media production program, which included Introduction to Film, Elements of Film, Electronic Field Production, and re-vamped WODA

Danielle Goldsby • Presented a workshop at the FCIS state convention “Interdisciplinary Blogging in Ancient Rome” • Presented “Blogging in Ancient Rome” at FCIS

Denise Hoff

Joanna Johnson • Began a graduate program for Science and Technology • Participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Walk • Presented “Scratching the Surface of Programming with Scratch” Poster Presentation at FETC Orlando

Yadira Gomez Kirschner • Began master of education in curriculum development at USF • Attended a Kagan’s workshop in Tampa, to learn new technics to foster collaboration and independent learning in students • Worked collaboratively at establishing a cultural exchange via live videoconference between the 8th grade Spanish class and a school in Dominican Republic • Successfully conducted 7th Grade Video Conferencing with Hispanic media professionals in the field in Miami, Florida • Successfully conducted 7th Grade Video Conferencing with Hispanic media professionals in the field from Arizona • Successfully conducted 8th grade Spanish classes in several live videoconferences with students of the Carol Morgan International School in the Dominican Republic • Began master of education in curriculum development at USF • Served as a judge at the Florida State Spanish Competition in Orlando

Bruce Latta • Completed a master’s degree in education, Teaching and Technology

Josh Singer • Appointed as Dean of Student Life for Middle School • Created an effective leadership team with Student Council

Ken Sommers • Attended Davidson College week long AP Summer Institute understanding the revamped American History AP curriculum

Stephanie Sassetti • Attended the STEM conference • Presenting at the NSTA conference in Reno

Debbie Waterman • Presented a workshop at the FCIS state convention “Interdisciplinary Blogging in Ancient Rome” • Member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an educational society • Presented “Blogging in Ancient Rome” at FCIS

• Completed a two-year project as Senior Academic Designer with McGraw-Hill Education on their new Music Studio product recently released to customers including comprehensive music curriculum for grades PreK-12 used in nearly 40% of all public schools nationwide

ODA Staff Celebrating 25 years of service or more in 2014-2015.

Left to Right: Shelley Stone, Pamela Davis, Virgene Linse, Patricia Young, Michael Young, Dr. Linda Vasilaki, Lupe Sosa, Laura Murphy, Debbie Waterman and Kathy Dozier.

The Out-of-Door Academy 17

UPPER SCHOOL Elizabeth Armor • Began master’s degree in Master of Arts in English, Specialization in English Teaching at Bowling Green State University (Ohio)

Joanne Barrett • Presented “Taking Your Class to the Cloud” Session at FCIS • Presented “Picture Your Data with an Infographic” Workshop at FETC Orlando • Presented “Blogging in Ancient Rome” at FCIS • Presented “Scratching the Surface of Programming with Scratch” Poster Presentation at FETC Orlando • Participated on an FCIS evaluation team • Re-elected to the position of President of the Florida Chapter of the Computer Science Teacher’s Association

Theresa Beeman • Attended the National Science Teachers Association conference in Orlando, developing an engineering curriculum for grades 9-12 • Revived the Science Olympiad Club and chaperoned two teams of students to the regional competition

Stefanie Betz • Audited a course at New College of Florida entitled, “Writing Studies: Pedagogy in Practice”

Daniele Daddario • Attended workshop entitled Strategies for ADHD, Dyslexia and Autism • Attended a conference in Atlanta presented by the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education entitled OrtonGillingham Advanced Continuum Training

Joseph Madres • Attended the EE Ford Summer Teachers’ Colloquium at Santa Fe Prep • Worked with local artist and writer Paula Hollins illustrating her series of children books called the “Makes Words” series.

Created over 200 original, full-color illustrations that were used in over 25 books. One book in the series received a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. One of my illustrations was published on the cover of Paula Hollins’ book “The Writer’s Blockbuster” • Hosted a book signing and reading event at Bookstore 1 in downtown Sarasota in Paul Hollins’ honor

Alyssa Mandel • Helped host the 2015 annual conference of the Association of School Librarians

Cory Militzer • Attended an Advanced Placement Summer Institute at USF to examine the curriculum changes to the AP Physics 1 and 2 courses • Presented a breakout session at the InterActiv Technology Learning Conference on utilizing Google Forms/Google Docs • Attended the Florida Association of Physics Teachers (FAPT) annual conference at Eckerd College • Participated as a Special Awards Judge at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) • Revived the Science Olympiad club and chaperoned two teams of students to the regional competition

Aimee Murphy

• Presented at the NAIS POCC Conference in Indianapolis with Leslie Garasic • Accepted and started graduate studies at University of Nebraska for a M.A. in Classroom Education

• Completed Online Course Teaching Students with Disabilities offered through the Florida Department of Education • Completed the Oasis Conference on Blended and Online Learning Workshop • Completed recertification requirements for Teaching Certificate for the State of Florida • Upper School Visual Arts Team • Completed Adobe CS 6 training

Camela Giraud

Kim Walsh

L’Tanya Evans

• Attended the Online Educational Symposium for Independent Schools (OESIS) conference in Boston, MA

Andy Lemieux • Instituted a speech program 9-12 in the English department • Researched, designed workshop, and published Calliope, the school’s literary magazine: Andy Lemieux, Stefanie Betz, and students Emma Henson, Morgan Woods and Alex Bradbury

18 The Banyan

• Attended a Vernier Renewable Energy workshop at the Department of Energy in Washington, DC • Received an Aquatic Species Collecting License • Revived the Science Olympiad Club and chaperoned two teams of students to the regional competition

Ellen Zitani • Presented at the NAIS POCC conference in Indianapolis • Grader at the AP European History reading in Kansas City • Attended an AP European History Summer Institute at USF

Sami F., ‘26, Sofia H., ‘26 & Emma S., ‘26

JESSICA BANKS

L’TANYA EVANS

Appointed as Chair of Accreditation Visits for the Florida Council of Independent Schools Florida Kindergarten Council

Appointed to Co-Chair the 2015 NAIS Equity and Justice Conference

Congratulations to Assistant Head of Lower School, Jessica Banks, on her selection to serve as Chair of Accreditation Visits for the Florida Council of Independent Schools, Florida Kindergarten Council. Jessica will serve a three-year term and her responsibilities will include:

After being selected along with colleague Ellen Zitani to serve on the planning committee for the 2016 National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) Annual Conference, Ms. L’Tanya Evans, Upper School Academic Dean, English Teacher and Art Department Head for The Out-of-Door Academy, received a call from Caroline Blackwell, NAIS Vice President of Equity and Justice, asking her to co-chair the conference with Christine Ortega, from Berkeley Prep in Tampa.

• Establishing and maintaining exemplary educational and ethical standards for the membership.

• Accrediting schools with early childhood programs, which meet the published standards of the Florida Kindergarten Council.

• Providing support services to member schools to include: professional development, shared resources, collaboration and accreditation guidelines.

• Making membership information available to Florida Independent Schools with early childhood programs.

• Disseminating and promoting legislation, through the relationship with Florida Association of Academic NonPublic Schools (FAANS), for the protection of school patrons and for the elevation of standards for Florida Kindergarten Council schools.

“ACHIEVEMENT IS LARGELY THE PRODUCT OF STEADILY RAISING ONE’S LEVELS OF ASPIRATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS.” - UNKNOWN 20 The Banyan

Caroline shares, “L’Tanya Evans is a creative and energetic professional who understands the mission and transformative value of the conference for all attendees. We are delighted that she has agreed to lend her leadership skills to this important role.”

Ms. Evans said, “This conference is one of the best conferences I have ever attended. It never fails to deliver the professional development and support that encourages self-reflection, empowerment, and overall camaraderie. Being a part of the planning committee enables me to make this experience as amazing for others as it has always been for me.”

The Out-of­-Door Academy is proud of Ms. Evans and all of her professional accomplishments. We are honored to be a part of such a prestigious and internationally acclaimed conference.

“A TEACHER AFFECTS ETERNITY; HE CAN NEVER TELL WHERE HIS INFLUENCE STOPS.” - HENRY ADAMS

DR. LINDA VASILAKI

DAVID V. MAHLER

Recipient of the Florida Music Educator’s Association’s Music Education Service Award

Appointed to the National Association of Independent Schools’ Commission on Accreditation

The Head of the Lower School Music Department, Orchestra Director, and Strings Specialist, Dr. Linda Vasilaki, was honored at the 2015 Florida Music Educator’s Association (FMEA) Conference and received the FMEA Music Education Service Award. Dr. Vasilaki, who has taught music at The Out-of-Door Academy for more than 30 years was recognized for her commitment to the profession of music.

The Out-of-Door Academy’s Head of School, David Mahler, was appointed to the National Association of Independent Schools’ (NAIS) Commission on Accreditation in September of 2014. David was one of only three heads of school across the nation to be tapped to serve on the Commission, which is made up of representatives from 19 independent school accrediting associations spanning the United States, Canada, and the world.

David was chosen due to his expertise as a Head, his knowledge of independent schools, and his proven leadership skills. Prior to his appointment, his nomination was not only supported and approved by the NAIS Commission on Accreditation, but also by the NAIS Board of Trustees.

Dr. Vasilaki holds certificates in K-12 music education in Michigan and Florida and is a member of numerous professional organizations including Delta Omicron, professional music fraternity, Suzuki Association of the America, and the Sarasota Arts’ Council. In addition to teaching music to Out-of-Door students, she also chairs the music department and has been published since 1983. Dr. Vasilaki is a joy to work with and she continues to teach our children how to enjoy and embrace music.

The Out-of-Door Academy congratulates Dr. Vasilaki.

“TEACHERS PLANT THE SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGE THAT LAST A LIFETIME.” - UNKNOWN

“As Chair and on behalf of the NAIS Commission on Accreditation, I am delighted beyond measure that David Mahler accepted the nomination to serve as a Head of School Representative on the Commission, informally referred to as ‘CoA.’ His considerable talents and experience, diverse perspectives, and fresh energy invigorate our work in significant ways. Heads of School offer unique and valuable insights into the work of accreditation and the ways in which it serves and might better serve schools. They are direct users and beneficiaries of the process and can reflect and contribute wisely on CoA matters. David’s service ensures that the NAIS Commission on Accreditation reflects all major relevant constituencies, including executive directors, accreditation directors, school heads, NAIS representatives, and at-large commissioners. We really appreciate David’s leadership and service to the Commission.” David also serves as president of The Florida Council of Independent Schools Board of Directors.

“TO TEACH, IS TO TOUCH A LIFE FOREVER!” - UNKNOWN The Out-of-Door Academy 21

In Memoriam

The Out-of-Door Academy lost three of our own during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year. As a community, we mourn the loss of these remarkable women- one student and two faculty members‌ all dearly loved and dearly missed.

In Memoriam: Paula Kozak Paula Jo Kozak, 52, made her transition on May 1, 2015.

Paula grew up in Minneapolis and moved to Sarasota in the early 1990’s. She graduated from Ringling College of Art & Design in 1997 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration.

Paula leaves a legacy of inspiration to both her colleagues and her students at The Out-of-Door Academy. Paula loved being an art teacher. With her enthusiasm and passion, she helped her students bring forth their talent and creativity.

She was the world’s biggest Bruce Springsteen fan, traveling far and wide to attend many concerts. Her passion for life rubbed off on her son, Anthony, of whom she was extremely proud as she watched him succeed in his own creative path.

Paula is survived by her son, Anthony Schultz of Los Angeles; her mother, Beverly Kozak of Minneapolis; three sisters: Carleen (Tim) Murphy; Sue (Peyton) Robb; Michelle (Dan) Graziano; many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, all of the Minneapolis area. She is also survived by many friends who loved and admired her. She was predeceased by her father, Joseph Kozak, and her brother, Tim Kozak. A Celebration of Paula’s life was held May 13 in Sarasota.

Paula we love you and we miss you. Your passion for the creative arts, your love of life & Springsteen, and most importantly your big heart for every student at Out-of-Door make you an inspiration to us all.

The Out-of-Door Academy 23

In Memoriam: Annika Lange, ‘15

Photo Credit: Meg Phillips

Annika Elizabeth Lange, Class of 2015, passed away on September 18, 2014. Cherished and beloved daughter of Alan and Margaret Lange, Annika was a senior and a friend to everyone. She impacted others by doing random acts of kindness wherever she went… whether a smile or kind word Annika always took the opportunity to slow down, and be present in the moment. Annika had a big heart for others, she always tried to bring comfort to those around her. She made our world a better place.

Her classmate, Jordan Towsley recalls, “…she made me laugh… she made everyone laugh. She lived as though it was her job to make people happy and she did. She lived so fearlessly and authentically that her presence was enough to make anyone happy.” Annika excelled in the classroom, was a three-sport-athlete, and active in service to her community. She was a member of GSA, Calliope, Global Citizens Club, Key Club, Student Admissions Team, a two-year member of the Cum Laude Society, and a three-year member of National Honor Society. A funloving, inspirational, extraordinary, caring student and friend, Annika is dearly missed. Annika know that we love you, we miss you and we will never forget you.

Annika is survived by her parents, Alan and Margaret Lange of Sarasota; her maternal grandparents, Ross and Virginia Ludeman of Grafton, VT; and her paternal grandparents, Ned and Priscilla Lange of Seattle, WA, aunts, uncles and cousins. A Celebration of her Life was held September 22nd at the Church of the Palms in Sarasota.

24 The Banyan

In Memoriam: Robin Storm After a three-year battle with cancer beloved Lower School nurse, Robin Storm, passed away on Sunday evening, March 29, 2015. Robin dedicated her life to serving children, first with a nursing career in pediatrics serving in the NICU and then, for ten years as the nurse on Out-of-Door’s Siesta Key campus. Robin was also an animal lover. The walls of her office were covered in pictures of her three dogs, Hello Kitty images, and any other silly animal pictures that the kids passed along to her.

Next to her servant’s heart, Robin was probably best known for her sense of humor and “say it like it is” attitude. She was unique, told it like it was, and literally danced to the beat of her own drum. No one, children and adults alike, left the nurse’s office without having their spirits lifted. It is fitting that Robin’s Celebration of Life service was held at Temple Sinai on Thursday, April 2nd, which was Spirit Day, her favorite school celebration.

The students and staff decorated butterflies in her honor and hung them throughout the campus. A butterfly garden is also being installed this year in her memory. Robin’s friends, Debbie and Eyal Halevy have donated a beautiful bench to be included in the garden the children are planting.

Robin we love you and we miss you. You taught us all how to live life well. You are perfectly unique and you will always have a very special place in the heart of every member of The Out-of-Door Academy family.

The Out-of-Door Academy 25

DIVERSITY & STRENGTH: OUT-OF-DOOR’S WORLD LANGUAGES PROGRAM The World Languages Program at Outof-Door, headed by Nicole Fafalios, is an incredibly unique and strong program. The breadth and diversity of the program across all grades provides students with an early introduction to a second language and its associated culture in the Lower School, and offers a wide array of options to pursue as the students progress into the Middle School and Upper School. The Spanish, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese programs are robust and very active, and our students fully embrace the languages and cultures they study.

Lower School Spanish Program Lower School Spanish teacher, Señora Angela Giorgianni-Mejicanos, teaches Spanish to the very youngest students in Pre-K, the optimum time to introduce children to a second language. Señora Giorgianni-Mejicanos says, “At this age, they are excited to learn and their minds are fully open to new concepts. The majority of learning happens through music, song, games, storytelling and repetition.” This continues through all of the Lower School grades, with a focus on fostering a love of the Spanish language. The students are exposed to myriad themes and to practical vocabulary that promotes oral communication and a basic knowledge of language structure. Culture is also an important part of the Lower School Spanish program. Each grade level focuses on a different region of the Spanish-speaking world.

The students learn about the customs, traditions, and rich history of countries across Latin America.

Middle School Language Programs Spanish teachers Yadira Kirschner and Margarita Dooley are very innovative in their approach to teaching Middle School Spanish, and the students are fully engaged in the program. The seventh grade Spanish students participated in a live videoconference with AMC Networks International programing director, David Cabán, from Miami, Florida. Mr. Cabán has worked in the media for the past twenty-five years and spoke about the importance of speaking Spanish in the workplace and how Spanish is used in his field everyday. The eighth grade Spanish classes established a cultural exchange with a class in the Carol Morgan School (CMS) in the Dominican Republic, a private co-educational day school, with a college-preparatory curriculum that instills a passion for learning, builds character and

26 The Banyan

inspires civic and social responsibility. The school incorporates a rigorous American curriculum and empowers students to become leaders of a multicultural global society. The exchange afforded students an opportunity to interact and communicate with their peers using webcam technology. Students discuss topics concerning academic classes, culture, and student life in their respective schools.

Ms. Shumin Yu taught middle school students how to speak, write characters, and engage in short conversations in Mandarin Chinese.

They also participated in many cultural activities: learning calligraphy, creating projects about festivals, using chopsticks, and making panda masks.

Ms. Anya Grady, Middle School Latin teacher, is a very passionate teacher and instills a love of Latin and culture of the ancient world to her middle school students. She brings Latin to life, and goes far beyond the textbook. Ms. Grady creates an atmosphere that allows the students to delve into the areas of Latin in which they are most interested, and she encourages them to be creative and take an active role in their learning. Out-of-Door students also participated in the Florida Junior Classical League competition.

Upper School Language Programs In the Upper School Latin program, Nicole Fafalios and Paul LeBras continued to foster a love of the Latin language and culture in the students. A small group of Upper School students in grades 9-12 went to the regional competition for the first time. This was completely voluntary for the students, and they took the initiative to prepare, outside of school, for subject areas ranging from mythology to Roman history, and several students created an artistic project as well. In addition, many Upper School Latin students participated in the National Latin Exam. Special recognition goes out to Ms. Fafalios’ AP students who read and analyzed Caesar’s Gallic War and Vergil’s Aeneid this year, which was no small feat.

Shumin Yu, Middle and Upper School World Language Teacher, has built an incredibly strong Chinese program at Out-of-Door, and continues to expand the opportunities and reach of the program through language and culture instruction, as well as the student exchange program with Beijing High School No. 4. Each week, Ms. Yu conducts a cultural session on Chinese culture in her classes.

Spanish teachers Marnie Howell, Yadira Kirschner and Margarita Dooley fully engage the Upper School Spanish students in a very advanced Spanish program. The students further their knowledge from Middle School Spanish, with a focus on grammar, culture, and traditions.

Out-of-Door plans to continue the growth and expansion of the World Languages Program, with the goal of fostering a life-long interest in the students to explore and learn about other cultures.

These efforts con-tribute to our on-going goal to develop and nurture global citizenship.

CHANGING THE WAY LEARNING LOOKS Out-of–Door is employing a state of the art instructional technology program throughout Grades Pre-K to 12. Students in all divisions are learning new and different ways to utilize technology, and they are thoroughly enjoying these additional offerings and methods of gaining and disseminating knowledge. Application of technology across all divisions and disciplines is an integral part of the advanced educational environment offered to all Out-of-Door students.

Technology

LOWER SCHOOL – UTILIZING THE MITT APPROACH With the Lower School students on the Siesta Key campus, Dr. Kelly Rose, Media Center Specialist, and Mrs. Glynis Miller, Lower School Instructional Technology, are utilizing the MITT (Meaningful Innovative Transformative Transliteracy) approach to “catching” information and sending it back out into the world.

Why MITT? Consider the baseball pitcher standing on the mound. A large amount of information is being thrown at the pitcher, and he or she must gather it all, hold it in the MITT, and then decide where and how to deliver the information. Different times call for different information and different modes of communicating it back out, but in the center of it all is the MITT and the person, filtering the information, synthesizing it, and sending it back out.

World languages have taken a lead in introducing students to creative new ways to study language. Latin students experience the richness of language through blogging and virtual bulletin boards while Spanish students connect in live synchronous sessions with native speakers in the Dominican Republic.

UPPER SCHOOL – ONLINE AND BLENDED PILOT Camela Giraud, Director of Collaborative Learning and Educational Outreach says, “The online and blended pilot is going extremely well. Students report that they like the increased flexibility and ownership of the material. Teachers like that they have more time to work one-on-one with students and customize instruction. A sample of the online and blended pilot classes for 2014-2015 included Irish Literature, International and Community Development, American Foreign Policy in the Middle East and FUNdamentals of Mathematics. We expect that the program will continue to grow as we continue to explore new ways of teaching and connecting with students. There are no plans to move all courses to blended or online format; however, the added flexibility has been terrific for some classes.”

MIDDLE SCHOOL – UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY FOR RESEARCH, DESIGN, AND COLLABORATION Take a walk through the Middle School and you will observe technology in use in many ways. From the creation of country culture videos on MacBooks and iPads in the sixth grade, or the use of iPads and Chromebooks in science research and design for seventh graders, to an eighth grade collaborative project on the Constitution on iPads that required content mastery and presentation skills, technology is supporting the curriculum.

“WE ARE EVALUATING THE RESOURCES WE HAVE BY LOOKING AT PHYSICAL SPACE, MAKER SPACE, COLLABORATION, RECORDING CAPABILITIES, ETC. STUDENTS COME IN LOOKING FOR FLEXIBLE SPACE TO BUILD, RECORD, DISCOVER AND COLLABORATE.” -MRS. MILLER The Out-of-Door Academy 27

TERRA EHRHART ‘20 The demands on a student athlete at The Out-of-Door Academy are rigorous to say the least.

As Out-of-Door is a nationally recognized college prep school, the time it takes to properly prepare for academic tests and projects requires our students to be organized and disciplined.

Student Achievements JAMES GELVIN ‘23 James “Jimmy G” Gelvin ‘23 scored some big wins in the tennis world. James participated in the Little Mo International Tennis Tournament in 2014. The Little Mo Tournament is named after Hall of Fame Tennis great Maureen Connelly and is one of the most prestigious youth tennis tournaments in the country. Andy Roddick was a Little Mo Champion in his youth.

Terra Ehrhart posseses those skills as an Honor Roll student.

Although the primary goal is academic achievement ultimately leading to excellent options for a student’s college career, Terra also excels in other areas outside of the classroom.

James is a Triple A (academics, athletics, and arts) threat at Out-of-Door. He won the third grade geography bee and was one of the best spellers in both second and third grade. His favorite subject is history. He has played the piano for two years and recently started playing the violin. James embodies the spirit of Out-of-Door, which encourages children to appreciate and excel in the academic, athletic and arts disciplines. According to his mother Rebekah, James is also an “unbelievable cook, which he enjoys just about as much as he enjoys playing tennis”.

CATE PAXTON ‘22 Cate Paxton and art teacher Jessica Dunda worked with Lisa Berger of the Art Center of Sarasota for their annual iConcept Fashion show, which is an annual event and supports Youth in Education at the Art Center of Sarasota. The purpose of the show is to use unconventional items to create fashion designs, culminating in a fashion show where models walk the runway wearing their creations.

Cate’s theme for her design was “party girl” and depicted a skirt made of balloons and a top made of ribbons, which was featured at the event.

28 The Banyan

Terra is a four-sport athlete at Out-of-Door, competing in cross country, soccer, track, and tennis. Practice time alone for four sports equates to a part-time job. Maintaining Honor Roll status while competing in four sports shows the passion Terra has for excellence. To that end, Terra also plays the violin completing the triple crown threat.

If that were the end of the story, we could say that Terra was an exceptional student athlete, applaud her efforts and close.

However, it is not the end of the story.

Terra’s passion is sailing. She sails every weekend and competes in regattas once per month. Terra’s success in that field is also outstanding. She recently qualified for Team Trials in Miami.

Competing in the Team Trials is the gateway to International Competition. The top three finishers at Team Trials are placed on the Opti National Development Team. An Opti, or Optimist, is a small singlehanded boat that children learn to sail up until 15 years of age. Optimists are raced all over the world, and are a one design class.

Her mother Lisa says she is so thankful for the support that the Out-of-Door faculty and staff have given Terra to allow her to compete at this level. She comments that this is one of the many reasons Outof-Door is such as great choice. The school keeps the student on track while allowing them to pursue their passions!

“AS AN ADMISSIONS OFFICER, IT IS SO EXCITING FOR ME TO SEE AND SHARE THE DIVERSITY OF TALENT AMONGST OUR STUDENTS; WHETHER IN THE CLASSROOM, ON THE STAGE, OR ON THE ATHLETIC FIELD.” -LAURA MURPHY, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

CHRISTOPHER ECKART ‘18

NICHOLAS MURPHY ‘17

Middle School Latin student Christopher Eckart ‘18 participated in the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) Latin Convention held at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.

Nicholas Murphy, student composer, violinist, and pianist has been involved with The Out-of-Door Academy’s music program since his elementary years. He started out playing the violin with Dr. Linda Vasilaki, eventually picked up the trumpet to play in the band program with Mr. Patrick Miller, and is currently performing with the Advanced Orchestra at The Outof-Door Academy.

Christopher is a truly exceptional Latin student who excels in a wide array of competitions using his extensive Latin knowledge and understanding. He strives continuously to further his broad knowledge of every aspect of the Latin language and culture.

He was the top competitor at the Florida Junior Classical League regionals and state conventions and won a medal for being the highest scoring Middle School student on the National Latin Exam.

He participated in many aspects of the national convention, including the intellectual aspects and the “fun” events including the stunning opening ceremonies and procession into the auditorium each morning, as well as the toga event. Christopher thoroughly enjoyed the session that featured authentic gear, which provided the opportunity to see and feel the dress and armor employed during the ancient times.

Student participants are allowed to take as many tests as they wish, and Christopher took as many as time allowed. He competed in many contests and excelled in every one of them.

He says, “I could not believe how many participants were at the convention, and it was very inspiring to see the growth and energy associated with the study of the Latin language and culture. I plan to continue to participate in the state and national conventions. The national convention was of particular interest to me, as it is a competition by state, and I was cheering for both Texas, my previous home state, as well as Florida.”

Charlie Balliette ‘00, Laura Murphy, Director of Admissions and Travis Garner ‘01.

Nicholas’ love of music inspired him to begin composing. He made his debut as a composer with “Nakutan”, a piece written for string orchestra and performed on Arts Day 2014.

This year Nicholas was granted the incredible honor by Derek Han, professionally acclaimed pianist, of writing an orchestral piece for Sarasota’s 29th annual La Musica International Chamber Music Festival that took place at the Sarasota Opera House on April 12, 2015. Nicholas spent the semester working with his piano teacher, Dr. Lisa Rosser, and composition teacher, Ms. Denise Hoff, on perfecting his newest composition for the festival. His composition is a threemovement work: Mvt. I Happiness, Mvt. II Sadness, and Mvt. III Anger.

His intention was to depict each emotion through the music. The Out-of-Door community is so proud of Nicholas and his musical accomplishments and growth.

Students performing The Wiz in the Black Box Theatre.

The Out-of-Door Academy 29

FLORIDA SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

Excellence In Academics STUDENTS EXCEL IN COMPETITIONS Academic competitions are a great way for talented students to deepen their knowledge about their favorite subjects and challenge themselves to research and create. Competitions bring students together who share interests and abilities, and the atmosphere buzzes with learning and friendship. Students at The Out-of-Door Academy participated and excelled in various academic competitions including Mandarin, Latin, geography, math, and science.

LOWER SCHOOL PLACES IN SCIENCE OLYMPIAD COMPETITION The ODA Thunder Elementary Science Olympiad team traveled to Orlando on May 9th, 2015 to compete in the Science Olympiad, a hands-on, inquiry based competition where students participate in various events such as bridge building, water rockets, and an egg drop. Science Olympiad is the only science competition that is recognized by the National Science Education Standards as “an exemplary implementation of inquiry and assessment.”

ODA students who participated in the competition were: Oliver Giraud, Max Fischer, Pedro Briceno, Lyndsey Dart, Owen Eakle, Benny DeFelice, Liam Custer, James Carrion, Divya Muppavarapu, and Natalie Carrion. Oliver Giraud and Max Fischer won third place in the Bridge Building Competition and Pedro Briceno and Lyndsey Dart won second in the Mystery Packaging event. There were 46 teams competing and the ODA team placed 11th overall in their first year of competition. We are very proud of our students and their performance at their first state competition.

FLORIDA JUNIOR CLASSICAL LEAGUE Middle and Upper School students attended the Florida Junior Classical League (FJCL) Regional Forum Competition in Tampa in February. This was the first year Out-of-Door students participated and they prepared extensively for this rigorous Latin competition, which included an academic exam, athletic events, as well as a projects-based portion. Student projects included the creation of mythology costumes, speeches, mosaics, and a working lyre! ODA students received thirty high-achieving individual awards and placed third overall in their division.

Out-of-Door Latin students put forth a tremendous effort through their participation in academic, creative, and athletic competitions pertaining to Latin.

30 The Banyan

The Out-of-Door Academy has an active group of students involved in Science Olympiad at both campuses. The Upper School organized two teams to participate in the regional competition of the Florida Science Olympiad in February.

Seventeen Upper School students competed in this year’s events including Bridge Building, Forensics, Cell Biology, and Geologic Mapping. Students and faculty look forward to this science competition particularly because students have the opportunity to bring science to life through hands-on projects.

The students performed particularly well at the competition in the Bridge Building event. However, Mr. Militzer inspired the students to stretch themselves a little more and they brought the event back to campus to test the student-created bridges. The bridges weighed 0.7233 Newtons (.1625 lbs) and 4.309 Newtons (.9687 lbs) respectively and held the weight of 220 Newtons (49.46 lbs) and 1171 Newtons (263.3 lbs). Their overall strengthto-weight ratio was 304.2 versus 271.7. The second bridge was extremely impressive due to the sheer amount of weight that it could support (263 lbs). Based on the judging criteria of the Science Olympiad, the first bridge would receive a higher ranking due to the greater strength-to-weight ratio. Students not only excelled in the competition, but also surpassed their own expectations.

AMERICAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITIONS Sixty Upper School students participated in the rigorous mathematics competition, AMC 10/12, on campus in January. The main purpose of the AMC 10/12 is to spur interest in mathematics and to develop talent through the excitement of solving challenging problems. The AMC 12 is one in a series of examinations, followed in the United States by the American Invitational Examination and the USA Mathematical Olympiad, that culminate in participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad - the most prestigious and difficult secondary mathematics examination in the world. In this way, the very best young mathematicians are recognized, encouraged and developed.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY BEE: MAX HAJDUK QUALIFIES FOR THE STATE COMPETITION The National Geography Bee is a nationwide contest for students to test their knowledge of geography. The Middle School students participated in grade level contests in January. Brayden Nelson, Andrew Chiritescu, and Lexie Kozel represented the sixth grade. Luke Schaeffer, Patrick Olson, and Edward Hamburger represented the seventh grade. Adelaide Mahler, Max Hajduk, and Declan McCann represented the eighth grade. Mr. Bruce Latta, Head of Middle School, was the moderator.

The overall winner for the second year in a row was Max Hajduk.

10TH FLORIDA CHINESE TEACHER’S ASSOCIATION COMPETITION The Out-of-Door Academy participated in the statewide Chinese Competition and sent 10 students to represent the school. Each student performed well on the written and oral evaluations as well as the Jeopardy game, which involved Chinese history, and culture questions.

Middle School students: Maxwell Hajduk, Grace Mannion, Andrea Schiro and Upper School students: Christopher Eckart, Tess Farrell, Samuel Hajduk, Octavien Han, Charles Hayes, Bradyn Moore, and Alexander Seftas.

Anthology of Poetry

by Young Americans Congratulations to the following students who were selected for the next edition of the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans: Anna Berkes

Connor Lea

Ethan Bermudez

Peter Liashek

Austin Bonacuse

Cameron Lugannani

Jason Brewer

Aidan Marino

Pedro Briceno

Steele Miller

Natalie Carrion

Alexandra Morgan

Celine DeAngelo

Zara Morsli

Brogan Dougherty

Divya Muppavarapu

Owen Eakle

Kate Neily

Sebastian Ebenbichler-Casanova

Cate Paxton

Max Fischer

Grady Paxton

Zach Fox

Abbey Perry

Evelina Gardner

Luke Pfahler

Anthony Gaukhman

Reece Phillips

Oliver Giraud

Johnny Robinson

Alec Hall

Max Schoenfeld

Carly Mikisch Holst-Knudsen

Ryan Sforzo

Milan Jaiswal

Maria Shaw

Tiffany Jakubickova

Bianca Shriver

Tristan Jordan

Spencer Smith

Hayden Kints

Jakub Svoboda

Madeline Kwan

Ella Szmania

Ella Lahners

Peyton Wells

Alexandra Layton

Ansley White

According to the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans, “The Anthology of Poetry is the forum that recognizes writing excellence in students from kindergarten through grade twelve. We select and publish the finest poems submitted by student writers and provide teachers with an objective forum for their students’ creations. Every year, we publish professional anthologies of students’ poems, in soft and hard cover formats. Our authors are selected for their writing expertise.”

The Out-of-Door Academy 31

Admissions

Ariel Conway ’29

…

At the heart of Out-of-Door are our core values: Excellence, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, and Service. This past year, the Admissions Office introduced a new component to the application process that asked candidates to demonstrate how they embody these five core values. This new requirement, the Be OUTstanding project, provides applicants the chance to shine through whatever medium they choose. The admissions team was overwhelmed by the creativity, diversity, and thought put into the projects. No two projects where the same as students utilized a variety of different mediums including iMovies, PowerPoints, CDs, sculptures, paintings, drawings, collages, diagrams, short stories, poems, essays, and books. This admissions requirement not only showcased an applicant’s creative abilities, but it also helps better demonstrate the applicant’s fit and understanding of the Out-of-Door mission. Admissions to Out-of-Door continue to be highly competitive and selective for the limited spaces available.

Celia Rayman ’25

The Be OUTstanding project helps candidates differentiate their applications beyond school reports, teacher recommendations, and test scores. The samples you see on this page are the forward-thinking and Kyle Klett ’22 creativity of new Out-of-Door students.

The Out-of-Door Academy is celebrating a record-breaking year: • • • •

Record number of applications Highest retention rate of students Record number of new students admitted Record enrollment

This is a direct result of the Out-of-Door community’s recommendation of our school to prospective families.

A special thank you to our Parent Ambassadors for supporting our new parents and making them feel welcome at The Out-of-Door Academy.

Hays Wilson ’26

To learn more about how students can Be OUTstanding at The Out-of-Door Academy, visit us online at www.oda.edu/admissions 32 The Banyan

The Out-of Door Academy is proud to present this year long series on raising young children (ages 4-6) in the 21st century. These presentations are FREE and open to the public!

October 22, 2015 - 8:00 to 9:00 am

November 19, 2015 - 5:00 to 6:30 pm

January 28, 2016 - 5:00 to 6:30 pm

• Focus on building relationships with your young child

• Kids bring their teddy bears for a reading adventure

• Kids come dressed in Pjs and play exciting math games

• Includes activties with your child and a special session with just Dads

• Focus on effective reading practices for parents and kids

• Focus on effective math practices for parents and kids

• Breakfast included with presentation

• Parents will be provided with handouts of additional resources and ideas including a parting gift of books

• Parents will be provided with handouts of additional resources and ideas including a parting gift of math manipulatives

• Dinner will be provided

• Dinner will be provided

February 22, 2016 - 5:00 to 6:30 pm

March 17, 2016 - 8:00 to 9:00 am

• Kids (and parents) come dressed in red or pink and comfy play shoes

• Appropriate use of technology for your early childhood student

• Focus on effective play habits and practices for parents and kids

• Parents meet with our media specialist to discuss best practices for technology use

• Parents will be provided with handouts of additional resources and ideas including a parting gift of play manipulatives

• Kids will create a digital storybook in our garden with our instructional tech teacher

• Dinner will be provided

April 29, 2016 - 8:30 to 10:00 am • Enjoy our Lower School Concert • Visiting Pre-K and K students will be paired with a current student to participate in art stations throughout the morning • Kids wear a smock

• Parents will be provided with handouts of additional resources and ideas • Coffee & breakfast breads provided

Sponsored by

For more information visit: www.oda.edu/ParentingPro

Educational Partners The Out-of-Door Academy partners with many educational and non-profit organizations throughout the year where students learn about music, theater, fine art, the environment, education and service. Our partners for the 2014-15 school year included: • • • •

Asolo Repertory Theatre Florida Studio Theatre New College of Florida The Swain Family Farm

• Circus Arts Conservatory • Mote Marine • The Players Theatre

MOTE MARINE PARTNERSHIP The 2014-2015 school year marked a decade of Marine Science collaboration between The Out-of-Door Academy and the Mote Marine Laboratory. Ten years ago, Mote inquired if Out-of-Door’s Lower School would be interested in building a partnership program, and the rest is history. Mote field trips remain a favorite of the students and create many lasting memories. Each year, children in Pre-K through third grade explore the estuary and collect and identify the creatures that dwell within this rich habitat. The fieldwork portion of the trip is a spiral curriculum where students build on their knowledge each successive year. For example, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students focus on classifying and identifying organisms, while First Graders examine the differences between animals found in the sandy beach habitat versus the seagrass habitat. Students also have the opportunity to participate in engaging, hands-on programs with the Mote scientists such as “Snazzy Sharks” and “Our Dolphin Neighbors.” The children often ask Mrs. Cheney if she gets bored going to Mote so many times, and her response is that “Every day is different at Mote because you never know what interesting and unique animals you will find. There is never a bad day at Mote.”

34 The Banyan

CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY Is there more to the circus than just clowning around? It seems like fun and it appears that anyone might be able to do it, but can they?

Through Out-of-Door’s partnership with The Michael Salmon and Terri Medina Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC), Upper School students and faculty brought the circus to the classroom. High-wire acts, jugglers, high-flying acrobats, and clowns provided entertainment and engaging ways to introduce physics and math theories, history, theater arts, and other educational concepts to students. Students learned how physics and math play critical roles in a high-wire walker’s act as they account for weight, wind speed, incline, and other conditions, and how a juggler’s ability to keep seven balls in the air with one hand depended on math and physics concepts.

They learned the history of the Sarasota Circus and the impact it has in the community. Students learned that the art of “clowning around” goes way deeper than just being funny, and how clowns are not “silly performers” but methodical in crafting their act.

These unique educational opportunities showed that ODA strives to continuously provide thought-provoking and fascinating ways to encourage students to learn advanced concepts and to see how they are being utilized in the world around them every day.

Out-of-Door Students went through an orientation at the Big Top at Benderson Park North and volunteered for at least one performance with many of them volunteering for more and received a total of 384 community service hours. Mackenzie Grace ‘18 was the student guest ringmaster for one of the circus performances while Admissions Officer for the Middle and Upper School, Michael Salmon, put his past high-dive act to work as guest ringmaster as well.

DAVID MATHER David Mather, author and Out-of-Door alumnus, attended The Out-of-Door School from 1956-1959. The influences of living and working in a camp helped create his first novel, One For The Road. Mather’s fondest memories of ODA include studying outside under sea grape trees, winning the underwater event at the annual swim meet in Big Pass and being a king in the Christmas Pageant extravaganza. He also fondly remembers the teachers who provided excellent education coupled with warm informality.

Mather grew up in Sarasota before attending and graduating from Deerfield Academy and Bowdoin College in New England.

He served in southern Chile with the Peace Corps from 1968-70 and was the most isolated volunteer in his program. Upon his return, he bought land in Lyme, New Hampshire, built a cabin in the woods and lived off-grid for over forty years. Self-educated in forestry, he founded a successful specialty lumber business that sold rare domestic woods. Mather has traveled extensively and returned twice to Chile to do research for his book. He and his wife split time between Lyme and a small fishing village on Florida’s gulf coast. When the Whistling Stopped, followed up his first novel and he is currently working on his third, which takes place in a fictitious small town on the Gulf Coast around the time of the 1993 No Name Storm.

RUTA SEPETYS Ruta Sepetys is an internationally acclaimed author of historical fiction and is published in over 45 countries in 33 languages. She came to ODA to speak to the Upper School students at Ovation. Her novels, Between Shades of Gray, and Out of the Easy are both New York Times bestsellers, international bestsellers, and Carnegie Medal nominees. She is the first young adult novelist to be invited to address European Parliament and was recently awarded the Cross of the Knight of the Order in Lithuania for her contributions to education and culture.

Sepetys, the daughter of a Lithuanian refugee, was born in Michigan and has a fierce love for all things related to Detroit.

Prior to writing books, she spent twenty years in the music business. In 1994 she launched Sepetys Entertainment Group, Inc., an entertainment management firm representing Grammyaward-winning guitarist Steve Vai, Orange County modern rock band Lit, and Emmy nominated film composer Niels Bye Nielsen. In 2002, she was featured in Rolling Stone magazine’s ‘Women in Rock’ special issue as a woman driven to make a difference. She serves on the Board of Advisors at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. She sent the following quote

Campus Visitors about the Ovation, “As a novelist, there is nothing more exciting, more rewarding, than listening to students interpret your work.

Books belong to the reader. My heart belonged to ODA. Thank you for an unforgettable experience.”

NIRVAN MULLICK Nirvan Mullick, the filmmaker who documented “Caine’s Arcade” and created the Cardboard Challenge, visited students in third through fifth grades to share how Caine’s life has taken shape since the film.

Highlights included Caine meeting the President, traveling to the Cannes Film Festival, being a speaker with TEDxYouth, and securing ample funding for his college education and beyond.

Since the film, Mullick founded the Imagination Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting creativity as a social value and inspiring young people to innovate and to “play”. Out-ofDoor Upper School filmmakers Ben Edelman and Nick Pearce, two-time winners of the Imagination Foundation’s filmmaker competition, were on hand to meet Mullick as well. Lower School students thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Mullick’s presentation.

NIK WALLENDA Sarasota native and high-wire daredevil, Nik Wallenda, visited Out-of-Door’s Uihlein campus in partnership with The Circus Arts Conservatory and ODA. He spoke to students about reaching their goals and not giving up. He talked about the importance to dream and never give up if there are obstacles or difficulties along the way. He also emphasized the importance of staying positive, and ridding one’s mind of negative thoughts and feelings. Nik was accompanied by Ty Tojo, a 16-year old juggling expert, who amazed the audience with his talent.

Students related well to Ty, and saw that someone of their age was indeed capable of reaching whatever goal they set for themself. Ty was fascinated with the warm welcome from the Out-of-Door community and asked if he could come back to spend a day at the Upper School. Having been home-schooled, Ty felt that, at times, he had “missed out on a normal high school experience.” Out-of-Door extended an open invitation for him to come back, and we look forward to his visit.

The Out-of-Door Academy 35

Come join us for our annual family fun event on our historic Siesta Key Campus

Thunder Fun Day Saturday, November 14, 2015 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

The Out-of-Door Academy’s Siesta Key Campus 444 Reid Street, Sarasota, FL 34242

FOOD * FUN * GAMES * CRAFTS INFLATABLES * CHILI COOK OFF

FREE TICKETS Bring this postcard to the entrance to receive

20 FREE GAME TICKETS! Limit one postcard per prospective family.

Name: __________________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________ P R E S E N T E D B Y:

Thunder Fun Day Saturday, November 14, 2015 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

FREE ADMISSION BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Thank you to our corporate sponsors for supporting The Out-of-Door Academy.

www.oda.edu/CorporateSponsors

As an independent, college preparatory Pre-K - 12 school, The Out-of-Door Academy provides an environment in which students strive to achieve their highest academic goals and to build character through a balanced program of academics, the arts, and athletics.

The Out-of-Door Academy Historic Siesta Key Campus 444 Reid Street, Sarasota, FL 34242

www.oda.edu/TFD or contact us at: 941-554-3400

Ava Banks, ’24 and Claire Giraud, ’24 donate jelly to the annual All Faiths Food Bank food drive during Spirit Day in April 2015.

SERVICE AT OUT-OF-DOOR The Out-of-Door Academy 37

LOWER SCHOOL

Service: A Core Value in Action The Out-of-Door Academy participated in several school-wide service projects including: two major food drives at Convocation and Spirit Day benefiting All Faiths Food Bank, The Cardboard Challenge at the Siesta Key Campus sponsored by the Upper School Global Citizens Club, and over 60 Thanksgiving baskets of food to families in the Sarasota area.

UPPER SCHOOL Upper School students volunteered over 10,000 hours with 180 different agencies during the 2014-15 school year. Approximately 70% of these hours were served off campus. On campus, students volunteered at sporting events with concessions and helped run various school sponsored events like Thunder Fun Day and The Cardboard Challenge. Some of the agencies students volunteered with included All Faiths Food Bank, Suncoast Communities Blood Bank, Miracle League, Humane Society and Circus Sarasota.

The Caring Kids Club is a group of Lower School students committed to service and embodying altruism. During the 2014-15 school year, the Caring Kids Club along with the entire student body participated in giving back in many ways including Jump Rope for Heart, which raised money for children with heart defects. They donated hygiene products and other items for personal care packages which were delivered to the Resurrection House, a day shelter in Sarasota County. Students enjoyed donating money by dropping it into a funnel that ran two stories down to the ground, for the Pennies for Pencils campaign that helped a local public school purchase school supplies.

Several students participated in the Ringling Bridge Run, which supported the Sarasota YMCA. Also working with Publix Super Market Charities, students and faculty donated cans of food to erect a Canstruction® project in the shape of a Banyan tree celebrating Out-of-Door’s 90th Anniversary.

There were several student organized service opportunities including: Ben and Ian Martin created an afterschool lacrosse program at Visible Men Academy; Twelve people donated hair to Children with Hair Loss at an assembly; Garrett Luhman collected toiletries to send to troops oversees; Tess Farrell and Mia Hamill have continued the work of a friend with Harmonics for Haiti; The Senior Class organized several teams of volunteers consisting of 90 students and 25 faculty and staff to work at the Sarasota Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon.

Camela continued with her Service Learning project, the 10th Grade Easter Seals project. Students made several visits to a local chapter of the Easter Seals organization and interviewed students in the program. This year, the project culminated with all the participating individuals having a lunch at the Uihlein Campus and an unveiling of framed photos in the Arts Building gallery.

MIDDLE SCHOOL The Middle School participated in division and grade level projects throughout the year. Some of the projects included the resurgence of the Back Pack Program, which provided backpacks of food for local students who do not have food to eat on the weekends. The 8th Grade, in conjunction with the National Junior Honor Society, organized a Rice-Bowl Challenge, which raised money and awareness for the United Nations food program. Middle School Advisory groups purchased Christmas presents for local students as part of the Sarasota Adopt-A-Family program and 6th Graders participated with the Terra-Cycle fundraiser collecting used Capri-Sun pouches to raise money to provide clean water to poor areas around the world.

38 The Banyan

Canstruction® The Caring Kids Club, under the direction of Mrs. Angela Giorgianni-Mejicanos, completed a Canstruction® service project, which not only took skill but also a steady hand. Club members built the structure in the shape of a Banyan tree from canned foods donated by Out-of-Door students and their families. Prior to building, a few students personally wrote letters explaining the project and delivered the letters to the manager at the local Publix Supermarket. Publix Supermarket Charities graciously made a donation to help with the project. Giorgianni-Mejicanos was very deliberate with the colors and number of cans needed in order to create the vivid colors for the tree, sky, ground, and fruit.

Once the canned food was received, students from the club stayed after school to erect the Canstruction®. After two weeks of being on display, the Caring Kids Club dismantled the structure and delivered more than 700 canned food items weighing more than 800 pounds to All Faiths Food Bank in Sarasota.

of approximately 34,000 teams that participated globally this year. Cardboard Challenge is a collaboration of many agencies working to make change for children. Proceeds from concessions and Fun Pass sales were shared with the following non-profit groups: Give Kids the World, Imagination Foundation, Invisible Children, Legacy Scholarship Program, and “90 for 90”.

Giving Back - Back Pack Style Thanks to a generous donor, The Out-of-Door Academy’s Middle School revived the Backpack Program as a Middle School service project in collaboration with All Faiths Food Bank. On April 22nd, students in Kathy Dozier and Alyssa Mandel’s advisory packed food into bags that were sent to local area elementary schools. The packed food was placed in students’ backpacks so children who may have otherwise gone hungry have healthy food to eat over the weekend. Middle school students enjoyed the work and the opportunity to give back to the Sarasota community. Students assisted with packing the backpacks with healthy, kid-friendly food and nutrition information.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive On April 1st, The Out-of-Door Academy held its annual Spirit Day, a fun-filled day of organized games for the entire school, on the Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch. During Spirit Day, the student body is split into two teams, blue and white. In addition to students challenging one another in friendly competition of fun and games before Spring Break, they also participated in a Day of Service by donating peanut butter and jelly which benefitted All Faiths Food Bank’s Campaign Against Summer Hunger and feeds hungry children during the summer months when students are out of school. This year, peanut butter won by just under 600 oz. (about 30 jars). Thank you Angela GiorgianniMejicanos and Patrick Miller for overseeing these service projects for the Out-of-Door community.

Cardboard Challenge Out-of-Door was excited to host the Second Annual Cardboard Challenge on the Siesta Key campus on September 27, 2014. In an effort to capitalize on our location and tie into Marine Science classes, our theme for 2014 was “Under the Sea.” Camela Giraud, Out-of-Door Director for Collaborative Learning and Educational Outreach, spearheaded the event, in collaboration with students from the Global Citizens Club, faculty and staff and volunteers. Out-of-Door students as well as children in the community were invited to build arcade games out of donated cardboard and art supplies. Students from all three divisions participated in a range of ways including organizing the event, obtaining donated supplies, running the event, and documenting the day in photos and video. Out-of-Door was one

Hair Donation Benefitting Children With Hair Loss A group of students, led by Ashley DeBartolo, ‘18 planned a hair donation event on March 18 during Ovation. Students donated eight or more inches of hair to benefit Children With Hair Loss (CWHL), an organization that provides human hair for free to children with cancer and alopecia. A total of 12 people participated including two teachers, two Lower School students and eight Upper School students and a total of 96 inches of hair was donated. This was a great way to help children who have hair loss due to illness and disease. The group is planning another hair donation in 2016.

Jump Rope for Heart Jump Rope for Heart is an annual fundraiser that helps The American Heart Association in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Annually, The Out-of-Door Academy community has participated in this great event jumping rope while learning about the heart. More than $17,000 was raised this year and will help thousands of kids who are born every year with special hearts.

By participating in Jump Rope for Heart, our students are helping other children with heart defects.

Juvenile Diabetes Walk A group of 30 Middle School students raised funds and participated in the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Kids Walk for a Cure on April 18th.

Spearheaded by the National Junior Honor Society, the ODA Thunder team raised close to $4,000. Thank you to Phil and Stephanie Meyer for their work supporting the walk and special thanks to Will and Christina Schlotthauer for sponsoring the t-shirts that were worn by the students who participated.

The Out-of-Door Academy 39

Middle School Minimester SIXTH GRADE Sixth Grade minimester is an opportunity to come together for a special culminating experience that synthesizes classroom and collaborative learning. This year, art, science, and technology were joined together in order to show how special effects are created in movies in a behind-the-scenes interaction tour at Universal Studios while also learning how the world’s most technologically advanced theme parks are created.

From there, students went to Sea World to start their overnight marine science experience. Sea World educators led the educational components where students learned how the earth’s systems, such as the geosphere and biosphere, interact with each other in guided tours at both Sea World and Busch Gardens.

Students slept with the belugas and sharks that evening. Next, students traveled to Tampa’s Busch Garden, where they participated in the EndangerQuest program led by the Busch Gardens Educational Team. On Friday morning, students watched the tigers being fed.

During sleepover sessions, students were provided with challenges requiring problem solving and team building. Each piece of this invaluable trip provided opportunities for the students to interact with their peers and teachers and to demonstrate leadership and support in a variety of ways. The minimester concluded with a day of fun in the water at Adventure Island.

SEVENTH GRADE The core objectives of the Seventh Grade science curriculum encompass life sciences. As part of this overall theme the students studied Marine Biology. This included marine life (plants and animals), the ecosystems surrounding marine life, and the human affects on the marine ecosystem. Prior to going to Sea Camp at Newfound Harbor Marine Institute on Big Pine Key the students spent time investigating (comparing and contrasting the body systems) the different types of invertebrates and vertebrates of the world, and the interactions between them. This included dissection of worms and sharks. The students discussed ecosystems such as the coral reef and mangroves.

The last part prior to going on the minimester trip was to analyze how climate changes and humans impact those ecosystems.

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Sea Camp provided a hands-on experience for students to be a part of the ecosystem. While there, students snorkeled in the Coral Reefs and had first hand experience looking at the ecosystem here in Florida. Both while snorkeling on coral reef and in a classroom setting, students participated in various lab experiences to enhance their knowledge of marine life and human interactions. For example, students tested live Cassiopeia Jellyfish for stress levels based on water pollution. They swam with small sharks to observe their behaviors, and literally tore into algae to explore small marine life in a micro-ecosystem.

Not only does Sea Camp provide our students with an amazing opportunity for experimental learning in Marine Science, it also provides a wonderful team building and personal growth experience for students. Teachers were right there snorkeling and learning, enjoying a bonfire, and helping with a little homesickness at times, they had a chance to form bonds with one another outside the classroom experience. Sea Camp is an amazing experience that changes every year.

EIGHTH GRADE The Eighth Grade year culminates in a trip to Washington, D.C. With anticipation, the students looked forward to the trip because, for the first time, they were able to visit all of the historical monuments and sights that had been discussed throughout the course of the year including the: Holocaust Museum, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Capitol, Jefferson Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, FDR Memorial, United States Capitol Hill, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Washington Monument, and more.

Visiting all of these sights was packed into three fun-filled days.

Students enjoyed the trip because they were able to spend three days learning outside of the classroom and they enjoyed being with each other. The trip was a great bonding experience for the students, and it was a unique and exciting way to end the year.

As one student wrote in her journal, “The D.C. trip was the highlight of my eighth grade year. Seeing so many interesting things, while at the same time being with my friends was such a memorable experience and one I will never forget.”

Save the Date

MINIMESTER: MAY 4-6, 2016

Sam Emmons, ’15, Benjamin Edelman, ’15 and Joie Eckhard, ’15 prepare to receive their diplomas.

COMMENCEMENT

2015

Graduation 2015 AN OUTSTANDING YEAR FOR THE CLASS OF 2015

By Joe Runge, Director of College Counseling It is always a pleasure to opine on behalf of each graduating class as they exit a formative and defining experience that yields to a more autonomous and independent life venture. Fully, that is the task before faculty and the college counseling staff to afford the necessary academic skills and confidence to proceed through the next stage of their lives with confidence and competency. My heart is full with the Class of 2015, as they have provided great evidence of an ODA education and the requisite skills to maneuver through the next great chapter of their lives.

The Class of 2015 has acquitted themselves admirably through process, results, and burgeoning expectations. Allow me to offer readers a cogent, if not detailed, description of their exit-oriented options.

Statistically Speaking 100% of the Class of 2015 was admitted to a four-year college for the 11th consecutive year. Remember, when a secondary school can send at least 75% of their graduates to a 2-year or 4-year college/university, it is considered “highly selective” in the view of college admissions offices.

We are one of only a handful of secondary schools in the nation, and the only school in Sarasota to meet this metric year in and year out.

60/61 (98%) of our seniors were admitted to at least one Phi-Beta-Kappa college/university. Phi-Beta-Kappa being the oldest college honors society in the United States, and only 280 post secondary schools - of over 3,000 4-year colleges - have earned this recognition since 1776. These colleges are generally considered the best and most competitive in the United States.

Over 66% of the class will matriculate out of state, which is significant when the state average is less than 10%. This offers our community the knowledge that the college counseling program and philosophy of discovering the best school (inside and outside the classroom) is appropriate and working. There are so many wonderful college options, both inside and outside the state of Florida!

Merit Scholarships 49/61 seniors (80%) were afforded at least one unsolicited (they did not apply) academic scholarship when receiving their letter of admission. There were 134 scholarships offered to the class of 2015 and the average number of scholarships per student was almost 3. The total number of dollars awarded was $7,941,140, the second highest in the short history of ODA’s graduating classes with an average 4-year scholarship per recipient being $162,000.

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The scholarship process is reflective of accurate counseling, advocating, and the expertise of many years in the college admissions and college-counseling field. From year to year, we do not guarantee academic scholarships but attempt, as best we can, to match achievement with what certain colleges value in the evaluation/scholarship process.

Other interesting facts about the Class of 2015 • 75% of the seniors will be matriculating to private colleges while 25% will be attending public universities.

• Geo-demographic matriculation: North (33%), Southeast (23%), Midwest (5%), West (5%) and Florida (34%) A sampling of college acceptances: Georgetown University, Emory University, Swarthmore College, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, Trinity College, Bates College, Colgate University, NYU, Claremont McKenna College, Boston College, Brandeis University, Bucknell University, Pepperdine University, University of Florida, Lafayette College, Wake Forest University, Villanova University, UNC at Chapel Hill, Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, University of Miami, and Scripps College.

Emma Henson, Valedictorian Graduation Speech Excerpt - “These Are Real Things”

Our shared lessons are varied. Together we have learned about loss and levity. We have experienced incredible grief and incredible joy. This year I have learned that sitting down on the floor in the kitchen with a bowl full of brownie batter because you need a minute is an act of courage. I have learned that it is also an act of courage to reach down and help someone off of the floor when they’re sitting down in the kitchen with a bowl full of brownie batter because they need a minute. I have learned that if we ask early and often, we will find people to help us. I have learned that no matter how it feels, none of us has ever been nor will ever be completely alone.

I have a sneaking suspicion that we won’t fear time anymore, not because of physics so much, but because once we decide to measure days in the people around us, it won’t feel like something is passing or draining into the infinite. It will feel like we are decorating our lives with small moments, with beautiful things, with lovely stories, and with people who speak truths we have never heard of before. We will start to feel like we are infinite in possibility, because we will be measuring our lives in things that cannot ever end.

Class of 2015, in spite of everything, we have been something great to each other. I thank the world for giving us this little place and this small stretch of days because I know I will remember what has happened here, and who we have been to each other here. We have shared a thousand lessons about grace and love and sadness and work, that is to say, a thousand lessons about life.

“...YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO DECIDE WHAT THE QUALITY OF YOUR CHARACTER WILL BE AND WHETHER OR NOT THE ROLE YOU PLAY IN SOCIETY WILL BE A POSITIVE ONE.” -NICK PEARCE Nick Pearce, Senior Speaker Graduation Speech Excerpt - “2015: Years of Years”

On the whole, I would say that without a doubt my high school experience at ODA was a net positive, with the good things outweighing the bad, and honestly, I think that is the most you can ask from such an interesting period in one’s life. This success was due in no small part to the efforts of the teachers, the administrators, and the faculty of this school and, the efforts of all of our parents and loved ones, so I think I speak for all of us when I say, “Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”

Helen Keller once said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

If someone were to ask me what was the most important idea I learned during my time in high school, I would have to answer this: “You can be whatever kind of person you want to be.”

No, I do not mean that you can be an astrophysicist/underwater basket weaver/Croatian poetry enthusiast (although you can be just that if you want). And no, I also do not mean that you can do whatever you want with your life, because of course there is always an infinite number of forces in the universe deciding what will happen other than your own personal will, so sometimes things won’t work out the way you had hoped. What I am actually talking about, and what I think is far more important than either of those things, is the fact that you have the freedom to decide what the quality of your character will be and whether or not the role you play in society will be a positive one.

The Out-of-Door Academy 43

David Mahler, Head of School Graduation Speech Excerpt - “Pecha Kucha”

• 4 is the number of your classmates who performed in the top 1% of the SAT worldwide • 13 is the number of first generation college bound students in the class of 2015 • 21 is the number of FHSSA district and runner-up trophies earned in your 4 years at the Upper School (all time record) • 50 is the number of musical and theatre performances you participated in over the past 4 years • 108 is the total number of years Lifers (attended from Pre-K to 12th) spent at the Siesta Key and the Uihlein Campuses • 159 the total number of AP exams you took with a 95% passing grade - highest in the state of Florida • 467 is the total number of college applications filed by the class of 2015 • 10,659 is the number of community service hours accumulated over the past 4 years (all time record) • 7.9 million is the total value of academic and merit-based scholarships awarded to the Class of 2015 (2nd highest in school history)

CLASS OF 2015 AWARDS Achievement Award Mariah Korzenok The Petrik Community School Service Award Amy Cutmore The Dobosz Family Spirit Award Reanna Gregory Faculty Cup Morgan Woods and Catherine Williams Natl. Achievement Scholarship Program Award Winner Catherine Williams Math Aces Award Mark Sulimirski Griffin Award for Excellence in Musical Arts Catherine Williams Griffin Award for Excellence in Visual Arts Reanna Gregory Griffin Award for Excellence in Performing Arts Cameron Harris Robert P. True Award Taylor Albano and Bianca Tengerdy Head’s Choice Art Award Kaitlyn Eckart Sportsmanship Award Lisa Hoffman and James Kuebler

44 The Banyan

Noël Doughtery, Head of Upper School Graduation Speech Excerpt - “There Are No Bookends”

Literally bookends confine, contain, hold together a series of books. Figuratively we often talk about bookends as defining a series of events. Birth and death are the most obvious bookends in all of our lives. First day of class freshman year and senior graduation are another set of bookends. So today, this event--- is technically a bookend.

So you have clearly made contributions to our ODA bookshelf, all of which are stacked up against one bookend…but my point today is that there is no closing the bookend for YOU, Class of 2015 …because we want nothing more than for you to carry our continued love, support, friendship, and admiration with you as you travel beyond our community. We don’t want you to shelve the lessons you learned these past four years between bookends and let dust collect on them. These are lessons about teenage persistence, the art of empathy, the importance of balance, and the vital need to question…always question the world …AND these lessons, books need to go with you to college and beyond.

We recognize you have added some practical titles to our ODA bookshelf, • Senior Prank Done Right – A User’s Guide!

• Three-pete Thundercup: A Tale of Dominance • Dante’s Inferno, the 10th circle (subtitled: Understanding Temperature Fluxes in the Arts Building) And some humorous titles: • Into the Woods…Is there life after Woods?

• And from 9th grade: How many Scipios does it take to beat Hannibal?

• Soviet Union Resurgence – The Rise of the Seniors • And one of my personal favorites, The English to English Translation Dictionary… Understanding Mr. Seldis

A Cum Laude Society School

Congratulations to the Class of 2015!

100% ACCEPTANCE to four-year colleges & universities

98% ACCEPTED to Phi Beta Kappa schools

100% ACCEPTANCE

to four-year colleges & universities

80% OF CLASS

98% ACCEPTED received unsolicited merit/academic scholarships to Phi Beta Kappa schools

OVER MILLION 80% OF$7.9 CLASS

received merit/academic scholarships inunsolicited total scholarship dollars awarded

OVER $7.9 MILLION

OVERdollars $162,000 in total scholarship awarded Average four-year scholarship per recipient OVER $162,000 Average four-year scholarship per recipient Sixty-one members of The Out-of-Door Academy Class of 2015 were admitted to over 300 different colleges and universities throughout the United States. Visit Sixty-one members Class of 2015 were admitted to Sixty-one membersofofThe TheOut-of-Door Out-of-DoorAcademy Academy Class of 2015 were admitted to www.oda.edu/classof2015 to learn more about the Class of 2015. over 300 different colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Visit over 300 different colleges and universities throughout the United States. Visit www.oda.edu/classof2015 to learn more about the Class of 2015. www.oda.edu/admissions to learn more about the Class of 2015.

To view more information about the Class of 2015,

To view more information about the Class of 2015, scan the QR code with your smartphone scan the QR code with your smartphone SiestaSiesta Key Key Campus: | Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch: 6-12 | Sarasota, |FL | 941-554-3400 | www.ODA.edu Campus:Pre-K-Grade Pre-K-Grade 5 5 | Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch: Grades 6-12 Grades | Sarasota, FL | 941-554-3400 www.ODA.edu

176196

www.oda.edu www.oda.edu/classof2015 www.oda.edu/classof2015

The Out-of-Door Academy 45

Class of 2015 100% ACCEPTANCE to four-year colleges and universities

OVER $7.9 MILLION in total scholarship dollars awarded

Taylor Albano

Abby E. Bannar

Merrimack College

Denison University

Jenna M. Bloch

Noah J. Blumenthal

Jade H. Bond

Alexandra Claire Bradbury

Florida State University

Brandeis University

Eckerd College

DePaul University

Natalie Ally Karin Buffett

Kimberly Lynn Comito

Monica T. Costa

Amy Cutmore

Southern Methodist University

American University

University of South Florida

Rollins College

No Photo Submitted

John Arman Delgado

Yuehao Deng

Tara Densmore

Riley Doyle

Emory University

Loyola Marymount University

Drexel University

Auburn University

Kaitlyn Ashley Eckart

Hana Joie Eckhard

Benjamin S. Edelman

Samantha Nicole Emmons

Colgate University

Pepperdine University

University of Miami

Endicott College

Blake Frey

Federico A. Frias

Cameron Graham

Nicholas J. E. Grano

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fordham University

Mount Holyoke College

Bates College

Reanna Gregory

Robert Lee Gregory

Cammy Harris

Emma Embrey Henson

High Point University

University of North Florida

Northwestern University

Claremont McKenna College

Lisa Ann Hoffman

Austin Hoppe

Megan Elizabeth Jones

Savannah Nicole Jones

Furman University

Hillsborough Community College

Florida Southern College

Florida Gulf Coast University

Carson Riley Jungers

Sarah A. Karp

Mariah Ann-marie Korzenok

James Daniel Kuebler

Florida State University

Northeastern University

Stetson University

Texas Christian University

Katelyn Marie Lang

Annika Lange

Florida State University

Matthew J. Leonard

Desmond Lindsay

University of Florida

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Danielle Lombardo

Francisco J. Marcano-Santos

Angus Martin

Margaret Mary McGaharan

Elon University

Texas Christian University

American University

Flagler College

Christian Nold

Nicholas J. Pearce

Dennys Pelegrin

Meg Phillips

Florida State University

Boston University

Arturo University of Florida

University of Florida

Scarlett Raven

Rachel Taylor Rodgers

Nicholas A. Romano

Jacob Romine

Emmanuel College

The University of Tampa

Boston University

Eckerd College

Madison Brooks Shaw

Mark Edward Sulimirski

Oliver Fausto Tannheiser

Bianca Franciska Tengerdy

Texas Christian University

Boston College

University of Vermont

Florida Gulf Coast University

Jordan N. Towsley

Christine Adele Turner

Olivia Lane White

Thomas Grosvenor Wiles

Smith College

University of Mississippi

Furman University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Catherine A. Williams

Thomas Caleb Williams

Morgan Woods

Katherine C. Young

Swarthmore College

University of New Haven

Bates College

St. John’s College

Middle School Graduation Kat Gaukhman, Student Speaker Graduation Speech Excerpt

At ODA, you’re encouraged to be yourself. No one feels intimidated and no one likes to intimidate. At the end of day, everything turns into a laugh, no matter how chaotic the situation seems at the time.

Motivation is the key to success. Everywhere I look, I feel motivated. Just a step into the Arts Building and you can see the magazine-worthy photographs taken by 16 year old students! If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is.

To the parents, where do we begin. We literally could not have made it through the year without you, mostly because you pay our tuition, but anyway, we want to say thank you for the encouraging words you always give us, and for the little snacks you make us to help us with our homework, and for coming to our sports games, and for buying us our instruments. Thank you for showing us the real world. It doesn’t always seem like we are grateful, but we are.

I’ve met some lifelong friends here who have never left my side, and I know that they never will. There is not one student in the class of 2019 who does not have potential to go far in life. I can’t wait to see how much we will accomplish. I see dreams turn into realities all the time. If you continue this, you’re destined to live the life you want.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS Academic Award Adelaide Mahler Achievement Hannah Bizick Art Maeve Cappar Music Ethan Ball Service Kinsey Newhams Sportsmanship Ethan Ball and Mia Hamill Duke TIP Maram Faqqouseh, Erin Luhrsen, Nick Morgan, and Ashley Sciame Faculty Cup Adelaide Mahler

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Lower School Graduation Ansley White, Student Speaker Graduation Speech Excerpt - “The Climb”

Last summer, I went on a hike in Yosemite. It started out easy, flat, and dusty. As we kept walking, things slowly got harder. There were small but steep hills and rocks that we would either hop on or avoid. We almost ran out of water, but we kept on going. We would climb, walk, and rest. The whole time I had my cousin by my side, and we kept each other going. I remember the final stretch, when our legs felt like rubber. Looking up at the last hill, the steepest, highest hill, we didn’t think we could make it. We did it anyway.

I believe that hike was like my years at ODA. The beginning was like Pre-K and Kindergarten where all we cared about was sitting next to our best friend. Everything was easy, and we didn’t have a single thought that there was a problem somewhere in the world. The hills stood for the problems we faced, and the rocks for the problems we avoided. As we hike up the hill, we climb up the grade levels. Everything gets a little bit harder, but we keep going.

The whole time at Out-of-Door, I’ve had my friends by my side, just like my cousin was on my hike. The final stretch of the hike stood for the Fifth Grade. It was hard, fun, and exciting. We reached the top of the mountain, and that is the last day of school. We look down and see the kids come up the grade levels. The Fourth Graders we once played with at recess are now Fifth Graders, the heads of the campus, (which is kind of a scary thought), and they will learn the things that we learned. We will now walk down the hill, all the way to the bottom, all the way to middle school. We don’t know what will happen, just that we will make the best of it, help each other, and will always keep our friends close by.

Tanna Horner, Head of Lower School Graduation Speech Excerpt - “Let Your Light Shine”

When I think of the class of 2022, they were a bright beam on our campus.

They were the bright spot that began my mornings with smiles and hugs at drop off and a ray of light as they ended my day watching their sportsmanship in intramurals through my office window.

The Out-of-Door Academy 51

Jacob Harding preparing students for the future.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Darryl Calkins, the newest member of the College Counseling Team.

Collaboration in the College Process

It all starts with, “when I was in high school…” From there it can cycle in to any number of discussions. “When I was in high school we applied to the state school closest to us, and that was it.” “When I was in high school I didn’t even have a guidance counselor.” “When I was in high school, I didn’t have time for college application ‘x-factors,’ I was too busy working a part-time job.” We have even joined in, sharing the errs of youth, “when I was in high school, I applied to schools by their football team’s success.”

Indeed, things were different. But the world has changed. The college landscape is worlds apart from the process even 6 years ago-- before smartphones ruled the world. And, it is constantly evolving. Admissions numbers are at record highs, standardized tests are changing, close to 1 million internationals will call a US college home next year, and we attempt to rationalize the college experience as something we can truly “know.” In an attempt to better understand what our students are going through we project our own experiences or perhaps one of their sibling’s experiences to their process. This is a mistake.

For those of you have heard Jacob present on any topic regarding college, he always makes it a point to talk about “best fit.” What attracted both of us to ODA was the notion that there are 3,000 schools out there and there are many great institutions for our students and it is our job to find the best fit across the board. Best fit means so many things: right size, right feel, and most importantly, right cost. We are going to share something with everyone, gather ‘round now as it seems to be a secret: college is what you make of

it. This is crazy, right? Getting accepted to Harvard or Yale doesn’t guarantee anything, not even a diploma. If the Ivies guaranteed success their acceptance rates would not be 5%-- they would be 0.0005%.

The College Counseling Office is a resource. Ultimately we help narrow down that number from 3,000 to one. But ultimately the best fit is a relationship between the student and the college.

College counselors, advisors, teachers, parents, friends, and siblings can influence the short list. The College Counseling Office helps a student present themselves in the most comprehensive, compelling way so that their authentic self is transmitted from paper to perception. The application review process is meant to be holistic so that a college admissions officer is able to imagine the student on their campus, in their classrooms, labs, dining halls, residence halls, athletic teams, clubs, organizations and eventually alumni functions. That is what best fit is all about.

The collaborative process at ODA allows the college counseling team to utilize the depth and breadth of knowledge the community has about each of your sons and daughters. We help your children identify those colleges and universities that will most effectively help them continue to transform into successful, happy, productive young adults. We help them find their voice to talk about themselves in meaningful, interesting and honest ways while also making certain that academic, athletic and co-curricular choices align best with those colleges and universities that students see as their best fit.

Jacob Harding and Darryl Calkins, Co-Directors of College Counseling

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TOP 1% WORLDWIDE Class of 2015

Four Out-of-Door seniors scored in the 99th percentile of the SAT. Emma Henson, Cammy Harris, Nicholas Pearce, and Tara Densmore all earned scores that placed them in the top 1% of test takers worldwide. Congratulations to Emma, Cammy, Nick, and Tara on their success!

Below are some statistics for our class of 2015 from our college counseling office: •

Our seniors submitted 596 applications, which is an all time high at Out-of-Door.

This averaged out to be approximately 9.5 applications per student.

• 60% of our seniors applied to at least one school via Early Action (non-binding) application • 91% of those who applied Early Action were admitted to at least one of their schools • 13 Seniors applied to a school via an Early Decision (binding) application • 93% of those who applied Early Decision were admitted • 66% of our seniors will matriculate out-of-state • 75% will matriculate to private colleges or universities

The Out-of-Door Academy 53

A rts UIHLEIN CAMPUS The visual and performing arts at The Out-of-Door Academy fosters artistic excellence, interdisciplinary learning, socially engaged performance, and the spirit of collaboration. We aim to stimulate and provoke students, encouraging the development of independent and challenging thought as expressed and inscribed in the visual and performing arts. In addition to involving the students intellectually, personally, and emotionally, the visual and performing arts department strives to provide all students with numerous opportunities for meaningful self-expression, creative exploration and collaboration.

During the 2014-2015 academic year we had two nominees accepted into the Florida Honors Orchestra program. Violinists Ethan Ball and Catherine Williams, were nominated based on their commitment level to their school’s music program and musicianship. The Advanced String class has also studied a jazz fiddle series, focusing on improvisation. This portion of the class allowed them to take their musicianship to a whole new level.

Dane Gass is very excited about his work with students in the film program. His electives have grown in popularity and students are learning interesting and amazing techniques. For example, in the Electronic Field Production course students learned how media messages create meaning, identified different “tools of persuasion” used within video production, and created unique media messages (videos/short films) for specific audiences.

In the Introduction to Film course, students developed an understanding of the processes, techniques, technical skills, and applications used to create film. They also demonstrated originality and creativity in developing ideas through various stages of filmmaking. Students in the Elements of Film elective developed an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts that influence motion pictures. They promote an appreciation and understanding of film as a complex art form. In middle school, students working with Mr. Gass and WODA developed foundational skills (shooting, editing, writing, voice recording) in media production. They also analyzed broadcasts for both television and radio and produced educational shorts This is Our School in collaboration with the Head of Middle School.

The theater department had a fun and exciting season producing two musicals and an adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It

54 The Banyan

focusing on Rosalind’s character entitled, Love As She Likes It. The middle school presented Into the Woods, JR., based on the first part of the recently released Disney film. ODA’s show ended happily ever after, and showcased the middle school talent. The upper school musical, The Wiz, was the urban adaptation of Frank L. Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this show was fun, energetic, and colorful.

The year of visual and performing arts closed with an impressive Arts Day in May, which highlighted all students who participated in the visual and performing arts at Out-of-Door.

SIESTA KEY CAMPUS The Lower School Visual Arts program was busy too! All grade levels participated in the national, annual Bowls of Hope charity event, raising more than $3,000 for the All Faiths Food Bank.

Our third grade students wrote to Mrs. Dunda’s friends at the International School in Nantong, China, where we explored how we are very alike and different from art students in China. Every month, we created and presented seasonal cards to residents of Bay Village Retirement Center, where Dr. Vasilaki’s students played music on the last Saturday each month. The International Day of Peace was observed by designing and participating in the International Pinwheels for Peace art installation.

We participated in The Art Center of Sarasota’s iConcept Fashion design exhibit, featuring an outfit created by fifth grader Cate Paxton. We had a fantastic Lower School Arts Day filled with music and tons of art and collaborative projects. Our motto, Art with the Heart, helped find ways to support one another on campus and abroad. We learned the 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey, these habits correlated well with the Out-of-Door Core Values and created an environment of caring. Our artists at Out-of-Door are very special, encompassing thoughtfulness and a heartfelt dimension to their work. They are always striving to help others and to learn how to make a difference on and off campus.

As students pass through the Out-of-Door Academy’s Lower School art program, they will leave with a sense that all artists are unique, special, and valued.

The Strength of Our Music Program

Out-of-Door fosters an appreciation for music throughout all grades, leading many students to develop a life-long passion for playing and performing. The program promotes success in a nurturing environment that helps develop self-esteem, gives students freedom to learn from excellent instructors and fellow students, and encourages them to take pride in their accomplishments.

The success of the music program is evident in the accomplishments and awards that our faculty and students have received. Dr. Linda Vasilaki, Lower School Music Teacher, was awarded the FMEA Music Education Service Award at the 2015 Florida Music Educators Association Conference. In addition, violinists Catherine Williams and Ethan Ball received top recognition in the state by being nominated to play in the prestigious Florida Honors Orchestra. Balancing a strong academic schedule and rigorous rehearsals, Williams and Ball represented Out-of-Door successfully at the Tampa Convention Center in a concert with the top student musicians from around the state.

classical music with their peers for over fifty years. We are proud to announce that in 2014-2015 we had the largest enrollment of students who perform both in our school’s music program and Youth Orchestra Program.

Another example of collaboration and public performance opportunities is the performance and rehearsals with the Visual & Performing Arts Program at Booker High School. The performance was a huge success, and the level of talent and musical maturity amongst the musicians at Booker spread like wild fire! Nathan Frantz, Booker’s orchestra director, was considered a breath of fresh air by the Out-of-Door faculty and students, and they enjoyed watching him and learning from him. Our students adapted very well to all of his suggestions and enjoyed the entire experience.

These achievements stem from a combination of personal talent and a strong educational foundation. Beginning in the Lower School, students participate in unique opportunities to learn and explore music in a fun, encouraging environment. From learning music theory to chorus, band, and orchestra and the integration of the Suzuki Talent Education program, introduced by Dr. Vasilaki, the Out-of-Door faculty truly inspire a love of learning and creativity.

As students progress to the Middle and Upper Schools, the core curriculum and elective offerings foster artistic excellence, interdisciplinary learning, socially engaged performance, and the spirit of collaboration. The faculty strives to stimulate and stretch the students, encouraging the development of independent and challenging thought as expressed and inscribed in the performing arts. From advanced chorus and strings to music history and theater, students have the opportunity to develop and enhance their passion for creativity. Many thanks to the entire arts faculty for their devotion to the students and for continuing to instill in them a love of music and performing.

Students have many opportunities to share their music with others through events at Out-of-Door: public concerts, plays, and collaborations with community organizations. These and other vehicles of expression give students a sense of pride and ownership in the program, and give the community an opportunity to experience and enjoy these talented student-musicians.

ODA orchestra students have maintained a strong association with the Sarasota Orchestra’s Youth Orchestra, which has been providing instruction and the opportunity for students to perform

The Out-of-Door Academy 55

Athletics By The Numbers OUT-OF-DOOR ATHLETICS Consistent with The Out-of-Door Academy’s mission, philosophy, and core values, the Athletics program strives for excellence, which demands from our student-athletes commitment and discipline on a daily basis. More than 597 roster spots were filled across 13 sports during the 2014-2015 seasons. Teamwork, sportsmanship, and the display of our core values are integral ingredients in our teams for success. Student-athletes bring the same dedication to athletics that they take to their classrooms and performance venues.

In return, student-athletes are well prepared for growth and improvement, competition, team success, and life.

INDIVIDUAL STATE

INDIVIDUAL REGIONAL

TEAM REGIONAL

TEAM DISTRICT

ALL-STATE

CHAMPIONS

CHAMPIONS

CHAMPIONS

CHAMPIONS

ATHLETES

11

18

5

21

21

56 The Banyan

18

22

VARSITY TEAMS

JUNIOR VARSITY TEAMS

The Out-of-Door Academy has a rich and growing tradition in athletics. Student-athletes won state titles, teams earned district and regional championships, and many of our student-athletes are competing at the collegiate level. During the 2014-2015 academic year, Thunder athletes added to that rich tradition by accomplishing achievements for the first time.

DESMOND LINDSAY Baseball player Desmond Lindsay was the first ODA student athlete to receive a Division 1A baseball scholarship. Desmond received a full scholarship to the University of Use your QR reader on North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He your smartphone to view Desmond Lindsay’s draft was also selected 53rd overall by the day highlights.

New York Mets organization in the 2015 MLB draft. Desmond was ranked 65th nationally by Max Preps and 54th nationally by Perfect Game signed with the Mets in June, 2015. The Out-of-Door Academy is very proud of Desmond and looks forward to following his baseball career.

KIMMY COMITO Lacrosse player Kimmy Comito was the first ODA student athlete to receive a Division 1A lacrosse scholarship. She will be playing for American University in Washington DC. Recruited by several 1A schools, she fell in love with the campus and felt at home with American's coaching staff. Kimmy had 44 goals and 10 assists in 8 games during lacrosse season. Kimmy has also been an accomplished academic student during her four years at The Out-of-Door Academy. As a freshman, she was a member of the distinguished Head of School’s List, and earned a spot on the Honor Roll every year since. A member of the National Honor Society, Comito was named to the 2014 U.S. Lacrosse Girls All-Academic Team. While she has seen success across all academic disciplines while in high school, Comito looks forward to pursuing a college degree in the field of communications.

JOIE ECKHARD Joie Eckhard signed her Letter of Confirmation to attend and be a member of Pepperdine University's Women's Swimming and Diving Team. Michael Salmon, Joie's swim coach, recognized her as one of the school’s leaders balancing academics and athletics at the school. He said, "The Out-of-Door Academy is proud to recognize Joie Eckhard and her wonderful achievements as a student-athlete. Her signing with Pepperdine University is the culmination of hard work and dedication on behalf of Joie and her family. The quintessential student-athlete, she excels in the classroom and the pool. She is the real deal!”

ATHLETICS AFTER ODA Nick Grano (Golf) Bates College (Division III) Abby Bannar (LAX) Denison University (Division III) Kimberly Comito (LAX) American University (Division I) Joie Eckhard (Swimming) Pepperdine University (Division I) Austin Hoppe (Baseball) Hillsborough Community College (JC) Megan Jones (Tennis) Florida Southern College (Division II) Jacob Romine (Baseball) Eckerd College (Division III) Tre Gregory (Track) University of North Florida (Division I) Morgan Woods (Tennis) Bates College (Division III)

The Out-of-Door Academy 57

THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY SINCERELY THANKS OUR INAUGURAL CORPORATE PARTNERS

Corporate Partnership Program During the 2014-2015 school year, The Out-of-Door Academy introduced its Corporate Partnership program. This program provides Out-of-Door an opportunity to collaborate with organizations that believe in our mission and serve the Sarasota community and beyond. Resources from the Corporate Partnership program are utilized to enhance the educational opportunities for all Out-of-Door Academy students.

KARP FAMILY FOUNDATION

University Ears, Nose, Throat Associates of Sarasota, FL Drs. Dan & Rhonda Deems

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR 2015-16, PLEASE VISIT WWW.ODA.EDU/CORPORATEPARTNERS OR CONTACT TERRI MEDINA AT TMEDINA@ODA.EDU OR 941-554-3403 58 The Banyan

Madison Romito ’25 and Sophia Cusumano ’25.

2014-2015

GIVING REPORT

2014-2015 Report On Philanthropy ANNUAL FUND: CELEBRATING 90 YEARS Thank you to the many generous Annual Fund donors who supported The Out-of-Door Academy this year. Over $652,000 raised!

The Out-of-Door Academy’s Annual Fund underwrites all the things that make Out-of-Door extraordinary: experienced and inspiring faculty members, an innovative curriculum, exceptional performing and visual arts, 35 athletic teams, and 21st Century technology.

Each year we strive to achieve 100% participation in our Annual Fund, with gifts ranging from $25 to $25,000. When you make a gift to the Annual Fund, you join hundreds of alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty/staff, and friends who support the Out-of-Door Annual Fund each year.

Your support provides…

• Professional development and funding for graduate work for faculty and staff • Competitive coaching stipends to attract the best and brightest coaches to ODA • Costumes, set design, performance rights for theatre productions • Upgraded technology for both campuses Because tuition alone does not meet the full cost of an Out-of-Door education, your gifts ensure that our school continues to thrive. Annual Fund gifts fund immediate needs in the fiscal year in which they are given. Meeting the Annual Fund goal each year is the school’s most important ongoing fundraising priority.

CELEBRATING

90

90 YEARS

The Out-of-Door Ac ademy th

AN NI VE RS AR

Y

CELEBRATION 1 9 2 4 -2 0 1 4

2014-2015 ANNU AL FUND

Every gift of every size has an impact, and the collective generosity of our community is what makes the Out-of-Door program so exceptional. The Annual Fund supports every student at The Out-of-Door Academy. Thank you for your support!

LEADERSHIP SOCIETY Founder’s Circle ($25,000+) Mr. & Mrs. Larry Fox John & Teena Humphrey

Chairman’s Club ($20,000-$24,999) Dawn & Paul Holland

Banyan Tree Society ($15,000-$19,999) Mr. & Mrs. Ales Graf Mr. Derek Han Mary & Dave Peirce

60 The Banyan

ODA Benefactors ($10,000-$14,999) The Abrams Family Anonymous The Bradbury Family Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Green, Jr. Ms. Ashley D. Kozel Scott & Jill Ramsey Mr. & Mrs. Steven Seymour

Headmaster’s Council ($5,000-$9,999) Ms. Kendall Barmonde Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Beck Bill & Mary Ann Becker Mr. Helio BC Beltrao Kitty & John Cranor Greenhouse Fabrics Dr. & Mrs. Robert Eckart

Ehrhart Family Foundation Mr. Steven R. Eichenbaum Lynn & Foster Friess Gelbman Family Foundation Dr. Lisa & Mr. David Grain Brent & Kristan Hamill Kenneth D. Henson M.D. & Mitzie P. Henson Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Kints Donna & David Koffman Mary Jo & Bob Naylor Dr. Stephen Patrice & Dr. Sharon Morris-Patrice Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Pendery Mr. & Mrs. C. Reed Savidge Savidge Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth T. Sommers Steinwachs Family Foundation Cindy & Mike vonWaldner Susan & Stephen Wahl

ODA Leaders ($2,500 to $4,999) Anonymous Stephanie & Michael Appleby Todd & Susan Bannar Mr. & Mrs. Mike Beasley Mr. & Mrs. Barry Berkowitz The Bizick Family Mr. Jeffrey D. Bomberger Courtney & Tony Bonacuse Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Buffett Joseph & Sandy Clarke Rob & Jacqueline Crisci Ariane & Bob Dart Bill & Tracy DeRamo Alexei & Nicole Dovgopolyi Rod & Kerri Dowdell Troy & Carolyn Eaden Janice & Jim Eakle Jennifer & Christopher Feeney

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Fineberg James & Rosalie Fitzgibbons Stan & Halie Fulton The Alfred & Ann Goldstein Foundation Chris & Tally Harris Maria & Allen Heise The Khazanchi Family Mr. & Mrs. John Kittle Dr. & Mrs. William Lahners The LaSalla Family Michelle & Tim Lea Mr. & Mrs. David Lozier Julie & Jeff Luhrsen Jennifer & Gary Macleod Mr. & Mrs. David V. Mahler Mr. & Mrs. Michael Milazzo Tracee Murphy & The Lattner Family Foundation Don & Cyndi Paxton Ms. Johanna Gustafsson & Mr. Christopher Pinckney Joseph & Kelly Romano Mr. & Mrs. Ashok Samuel Kat & Florian Schuetz Macrae Family Foundation Mrs. Terri Vitale & Dr. Christopher Sforzo Ann Marie Davis & J.B. Shaw III Amy & Ken Sussman Mrs. Anne O. Swain Chris & Martina Timol Mr. & Mrs. James K. Vickery, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Kevin T. Wells Stacy & David White White Family Foundation Fund of Gulf Coast Community Foundation Dr. Frederick Yturralde & Dr. Jennifer Goodman

PATRON SOCIETY 1924 Club ($1,924 - $2,499) Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Cassidy, Jr. Larry & Maria Colditz Rhonda & Dan Deems Mr. Seth Farbman & Ms. Carola Delmarle Katie & Peter Hayes Rabbi & Mrs. Geoffrey M. Huntting Karp Family Foundation Dr. Michelle Mallitz & Mr. Craig Mallitz Dr. & Mrs. Kevin M. McGaharan

Tom & Alison Murphy Fred & Sonia Romano Mr. & Mrs. Tom Tengerdy Stephen & Liz Watson Mr. & Mrs. James Whatmore

Circle of Patrons ($1,000 to $1,923) Mr. & Mrs. Sean Abrams Anonymous (3) Mr. Steven R. Avery Fran & Jamie Becker Mrs. Blair Sullivan Berrigan ‘95 Jake & Nicole Birmingham Mitch & Colleen Blumenthal Mr. & Mrs. John K. Cannon Dr. & Mrs. Robert Carlson Bruce & Cindy Cassidy Mr. & Mrs. Steven A. Cecil Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Cogan Mr. & Mrs. James Currier Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Dennehy Dr. & Mrs. Robert & Stacey Edelman Mr. & Mrs. Darrin Fedder Dr. Federico Frias & Mrs. Claudia Imbert Mr. Kevin M. Gallagher Gap Foundation Matching Gift Mr. & Mrs. Stephan F. Gardinier Jeff & Jane Giacinti Elizabeth & Joseph Giuliani Mr. & Mrs. Bijan Gorji Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grano, Jr. Ms. Gertrude Hajduk Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hall Andrew & Kim Hill Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hoffman Christopher & Kassandra Hugill Mr. Todd Kaplan & Dr. Melissa Schindel-Kaplan Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation Shelley & Charlie Lafoe Dr. & Mrs. Eric Larson Gary & Lori Lawson Mr. & Mrs. Tom Leonard Mr. Robert J. Lewis Liz & Sam Logan Palmer & Zsofia Long Mr. & Mrs. Federico Matheu James P. & Mary S. McArdle Charitable Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation, Inc. Tim & Lynn Morris

Melissa & Hakim Morsli Dr. J. Gregory & Libby Neily Peter & Melanie Nelson Mr. & Mrs. TJ Pearce Ms. Tara Raven Mr. & Mrs. Jim Riley Mr. & Mrs. Eric Robinson Dee & Chuck Romito Sack Family Foundation of Gulf Coast Community Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Kawalvit Singh Jeff & Utahna Smith Society for Science & the Public Ms. Lisa Steele ‘63 Mr. Martin Svoboda & Mrs. Karolina Svoboda Dr. Larry R. Thompson Mr. Samuel D. Updike Mr. & Mrs. Donald Urfer Dick & Lorraine Vitale Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program Mrs. Hope McCampbell-Wenk & Dr. Scott Wenk

Blue & White Associates ($500 to $999) Anonymous (6) Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Alvarez Rob & Stacie Baer Mr. & Mrs. Philip Biegelsen Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Bliss Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Bogumil Ms. Cheryl A. Bradshaw Dr. Pedro Briceno & Dr. Tonantzin Matheus Dr. & Mrs. Richard H. Brown Chris & Lori Bruder Ms. Kerry Johnson & Mr. Stephen Bunker Mr. & Mrs. Andy Cappar Robert & Julie Carlson George & Nancy Castro Taber & Celeste Chadwick Denise & Louis Colosimo Laura & Jay Crouse Mr. & Mrs. Patrick DiPinto Patrick & Laurie Doyle Mr. & Ms. Thomas A. Dozier Mr. Ron Drzewucki Jr. Mike & Kathy Dyer Mr. & Mrs. Brian Ellerson Linda Harradine & Jim Fiumefreddo Rabbi Brenner Glickman & Rabbi Elaine Glickman Robert Jr. & Penny Gregory

Ms. Cathy Hansell Mr. Gary Hansell Rodney & Linda Hollingsworth Mr. & Mrs. Rod Hollingsworth Carl & Amy Hurlebaus Shelley & Wayne Ives Mr. Tarun Jaiswal Krista & Brian Jones Michelle & Edward Kapreilian Terry & Alissa Kennelly Knox Family Foundation, Karen & Cass Anderson Lissa Murphy & James LaClair Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Latta Mr. Andrew Lemieux Gerald Luhman, II & Loretta F. Luhman Martin & Shelli Maag Ms. Laurel MacDonald Sue & Mark McCann Merck Matching Gift Matt & Tina Miller David & Suzanne Moore Mr. & Mrs. Sean Murphy Brian & Laurie Naese Mr. & Mrs. Robert Naylor III Dr. & Mrs. Morgan O’Donoghue Anna & Gregory Pacitti Monique & William Paterson Mr. & Mrs. James Perry Ms. Sharon F. Petrik ‘00 Mr. & Mrs. Doug Plattner PNC Wealth Management Ms. Sara Popovich Kip & Angela Radigan Fabian & Katiuska Ramos Mr. & Mrs. George W. Rauch IV Mr. & Mrs. Francis C. Rienhoff Kimberly & Jeffrey Saltz Mr. James M. Schaeffer Mr. & Mrs. Daryl Schaal Rick & Barbara Shaw Scott & Ronni Silverman Scott & Julie Smith Mr. Richard Spilka & Mrs. Veronika Spilkova Mr. & Mrs. Gerard K. Stone Dave & Magalie Szabo Nancy & Jim Trivisonno Mrs. Brooke Diesel-Veith & Dr. Cary Veith Ms. Kimberly Walsh & Mr. Derek Wiberg Scott & Maureen Watson Mr. & Mrs. Wilmer Wenger Tracy & Robert Wyatt

The Out-of-Door Academy 61

Out-of-Door Supporters ($250 to $499) Anonymous (6) Mr. Craig Aberle Ryan K. Ballance Mr. & Mrs. Ken Banks Mr. & Ms. John Barrett Jason & Katherine Bitsoff David & Cathy Black Mr. & Mrs. Tim Brewer The Carlson Family Mr. & Mrs. Mark Chait Elizabeth & Paul Chren Katie & Eddie Cintron Melanie & Matt Coakley Carl & Ann Cogan Michelle Colburn David & Molly Conger Karen & Doug Constant Mr. & Mrs. Paolo Costa Ms. Andrea Csendesne Ian & Julie Cutmore Pamela & Glenn Davis Ms. Karen Dickerson Mr. & Ms. Kevin Dooley Mr. & Mrs. Matt Dougherty The Douglas Family Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Dowdy Ms. Grace Duffey Jon & Lu Eckhard Sonia & Alfonso Espinel Ms. L’Tanya Evans The Famiglio Family Mr. & Mrs. Christian M. Fischer Mr. & Mrs. Brian Frey Ms. Deborah Frye Mr. & Ms. Daniel Gaffney Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Gardner The Gelvin Family Camela & Robert Giraud Dr. Adam & Mrs. Idil Greenberg Dr. & Mrs. Gregory Hanes Mr. Jacob Harding Mr. & Mrs. W. Gibson Harris II Ms. Betsy Harshaw-Simmons Ms. Denise Hoff Mr. & Mrs. Brock Horner Ms. Marnie Howell Dominic & Elizabeth Jones Ms. Joan B. Kayser Ms. Yadira Kirschner Ms. Paula Kozak* Dr. Xuheng Kuang & Dr. Yanrong Fu Ms. Susan Landsman Mr. & Mrs. Steven R. Lenz Ms. Melinda Lloyd

62 The Banyan

James & Andrea Malcolm Bix & Gretchen Mannion Mr. & Mrs. William F. Mannion The Massey Family Dr. & Mrs. Angus McLean III Lee & Bobbi Miller Dr. Eva Berkes & Dr. Nicholas Monsul Morgan Stanley Mr. & Mrs. Gino Morra The Newlin Family Kelli & Scott Nold Beverly Oetting Mr. & Mrs. James P. Olson Doug & Shari Phillips Brent & Marisol Proctor Ms. Cara Radovich Leonard & Tanja Reyneke Beth & Bob Rulof Mr. Michael Salmon Mr. & Mrs. William Schlotthauer The Sciame Family Mr. & Mrs. Adam Seldis James B. & Lillian T. Shaw Jennifer & James Siciliano Karyn & Tony Squitieri Derek & Toni Swartzendruber Mr. & Mrs. Dave Thomas Russell & Amy Towery Mr. & Mrs. Richard Trueblood Mr. & Mrs. Cliff Walker Ms. Deborah Waterman Mr. & Mrs. Mark Wheeler Philip & Kathy White Thomas & Dorothy Williams Patricia Wilson & Chip Woods Michael & Tiffany Yates Drs. Richard & Phyllis Yonker Maureen & Christopher Young

Friends of Out-of-Door (up to $249) Ms. Denise Aberle Mr. & Mrs. Charles Alario Mr. & Mrs. Michael Albano Mr. & Mrs. Adam M. Amdur Anonymous (16) Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Armor Sandy & Steve Ayers SK ‘60 Ms. Monica Baldwin Debbie & Sean Ball Mr. & Mrs. J. Russell Ball Mr. Charles A. Balliette ‘00 Mr. & Mrs. Sekou Bangoura Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Banks Ms. Kathleen Baraona The Barnette Family

Dr. Robert & Irene Barylski Ms. Theresa Beeman Mr. Chris Bernsen Dr. Stephen Berkes Ms. Stefanie Betz Joannie & Jeffrey Bloch Mr. & Mrs. Steven Bond Mr. Jeffrey Bowers Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Bregg Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Briggs Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Bruning Ms. Gabriella Bucci Mr. & Mrs. Randal S. Cheney Linda & Jerry Chessler Mr. & Mrs. Michael Chalhub Wendy & Larry Chamberlin Katie & Eddie Cintron Mrs. Carrie Collins ‘99 Ron & Christy Comito Ms. Michele Corley Ms. Kippie Crouch Melanie & Scott Custer Ms. Daniele Daddario Mrs. Debra Davis Mr. & Mrs. Lloydman Martin DeFelice Mr. & Mrs. Jim Delgado Starlette & Kent Denslow Mr. Matthew DePalma Mr. Peter N. Dobosz ‘04 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Dooley Mr. Charles Doyle & Ms. Julie Mulhatten Mr. & Mrs. Jason Drosky Ms. Jessica Dunda Mr. John J. Dweck ‘04 Mr. Wolfgang Ebenbichler & Mrs. Leslie CasanovaEbenbichler Mr. Paul Elmendorf The Erda Family Ms. Nicole Fafalios Ms. Marya Fairchild Ms. Carol K. Falck Ms. Caitlin Farnsworth Joe & Kristen Farrell Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Friedman Mr. Kevin Frey ‘10 Jane & Bob Friday Ms. Susan D. Gabriel Mr. & Mrs. Michael Garasic Mr. Travis W. Garner ‘01 GE Foundation Miss Zoe B. Genkin ‘14 Mr. & Mrs. Terry Geringer Judith & Herbert Gofman Robert & Susan Goldstein

David & Fern Grace Dr. & Mrs. Joshua Green Mr. & Mrs. Adam Gulácsy Ms. Sheryl Gofman & Mr. Walter J. Hajduk Nancy & Robert Harrison Ms. Lindsay Landeche HarNess Mr. & Mrs. David Hawkes Michael & Tricia Hayes Ms. Danielle Hayward Ms. Anne Head Mr. & Mrs. Brian Hersh Ms. Sarah Higham Mr. Christopher S. Hill Drew Hill ‘23 Ms. Brittany Hiller The Hitchcock Family Dr. & Mrs. Robert Knego Heather Holst-Knudsen Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Horr Ms. Renee Huntley & Mr. Philip Klotz Ms. Jill Jaiswal Ms. Joanna Johnson Joe & Sue Kennelly Ms. Elizabeth M. Kieffer Mr. & Mrs. Bruce King Arthur & Beverly Kunberger Mr. & Mrs. Ted C. Lang III Mr. Paul LeBras Mr. & Mrs. George Leicht Ms. Robin Lindsay Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Linse Sandra Loevner Ms. Cheryl Lorge Kimberly Lugannani SK ‘82 Mr. Joseph Madres Ms. Alyssa Mandel & Mr. Brian Gomien Mr. & Mrs. Todd Martin Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Martin Cathy & Nef Mascorro Mr. Daniel Mason Laura & Mark Mattia Mrs. Angela Giorgianni Mejicanos & Mr. Julio Mejicanos Lisa Merritt MD Mr. & Mrs. Philip Meyer Dr. Laura Kunberger & Dr. David Millie Mr. & Mrs. Cory Militzer Ms. Alex Miller Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Miller Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Miller Mr. & Ms. Stephen Mullen Mr. & Mrs. Richard Munroe

Mr. & Mrs. Greg Murphy Mr. H.T.A Nevill SK ‘56 Mr. Michael Newhams Ms. Trish Nicholson Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Opstal Mr. Karl Ordetx & Dr. Kirstina Ordetx Mr. Adam Palermo SK ‘97 Ms. Lisa Peirce Fiordaliza & Denis Pelegrin Ms. Elvira Pena Elizabeth Pendery ‘06 The Pfahler Family Paul & Heidi Phillips Shannon Rohrer-Phillips & Neil Phillips Mr. & Mrs. William J. Pitts Christopher Poole ‘17 Zachary Poole ‘16 Polycom, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Paul Raggo Mr. & Mrs. Paul Redington Mr. & Mrs. H. Charles Rienhoff Alison & Joe Rini Mrs. Serena Robins Gerald & Phyllis Robinson Richard D. Rodgers & Pamela Taylor Rodgers Todd & Karen Romine Avis & Ronald Romm Dr. Kelly Rose & Mr. Eric Rose Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Runge Ms. Susan B. Russ Mrs. Stephanie Sassetti Mr. & Mrs. Barron Schimberg Carie & Andrew Schoenfeld Mr. Kyle Schweizer ‘14 Natalie & Randy Seftas Ms. Kathina Sheets Ms. Rosemary Shofe Mr. & Mrs. Beaver Shriver Mr. Joshua Singer Mrs. Alli Small & Dr. Howard Small Ms. Caylyn Smith The Snyder Family Mr. & Mrs. Leopoldo L. Sosa Mr. & Ms. William D. Speaker Judi & Patrick Steele Mr. Edward Stiles Ms. Robin Storm* Jim & Javonna Strafuss Miss Maria E. Sulimirski ‘09 Diane & Adam Sulimirski Ms. Jacqueline Svilokos Mr. & Mrs. Paul Svilokos

Mr. Russell Dunn & Ms. Catherine Sykes Don & Linda Tase ‘SK alum David & Ruth Teitel Mr. Brett Timmons Mr. & Mrs. Erik Timothy Emma & Mark Trumbull Mrs. Michelle Ulrich The VanSuch Family Dr. Linda Vasilaki & Mr. Yuri Vasilaki Ms. Kay Wagner Cami & Jeff Wenger Mr. & Ms. Roger Williams Mr. & Mrs. Michael Young Mr. & Mrs. Oliver J. Young Mr. & Mrs. Scott Young Ms. Shumin Yu Ms. Cheryl Zaccone Dr. Ellen Zitani

TRUE BLUE SOCIETY 10+ Consecutive Years of Giving to the Annual Fund Anonymous Knox Family Foundation, Karen & Cass Anderson Debbie & Sean Ball The Bizick Family Mr. & Mrs. Tim Brewer Dr. & Mrs. Richard H. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Buffett Mr. & Mrs. John K. Cannon Mr. & Mrs. Andy Cappar Mr. & Mrs. Mark Chait Mr. & Mrs. Randal S. Cheney Ms. Lee-Ann Corry Kitty & John Cranor Ian & Julie Cutmore Pamela & Glenn Davis Rhonda & Dan Deems Debbie & Peter Douglas Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Dowdy Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Dozier Ms. Grace Duffey Troy & Carolyn Eaden Ms. L’Tanya Evans Ms. Nicole Fafalios Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Fineberg Ms. Deborah Frye Mr. & Mrs. Stephan F. Gardinier Gelbman Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grano, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Adam Gulácsy Mr. Derek Han Tally & Chris Harris

2014-2015 ANNUAL FUND VOLUNTEERS CO-CHAIRS Teena Humphrey Chair Upper School Susan Bannar Chair Middle School Chris Hill Chair Lower School

GRADE LEVEL CHAIRS Pre-K Ali Murphy

6th Karyn Squitieri

Kindergarten Lauren Hersh Zsofia Long

7th Susan Bannar Donna Koffman

1st Justine Amdur Tina Miller

8th Heather Macdonald

2nd Linda Harradine Ellen Steinwachs 3rd Alison O’Donoghue 4th Jennifer Fox Chris Hill 5th Christine Robinson Toni Swartzendruber Terri Vitale

9th Jennifer Macleod Vicki Rutledge 10th Rhonda Deems Nicole Birmingham Roberta Tengerdy 11th N/A 12th Jennifer Frey Robin Lindsay Kelli Nold

The Out-of-Door Academy 63

Nancy & Robert Harrison Kenneth D. Henson M.D. & Mitzie P. Henson Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Horr Ms. Marnie Howell Ms. Renee Huntley & Mr. Philip Klotz Ms. Joanna Johnson Ms. Yadira Kirschner Mr. & Mrs. John Kittle Mr. Paul LeBras Mr. Andrew Lemieux Mr. & Mrs. Steven R. Lenz Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Linse Liz & Sam Logan Ms. Cheryl Lorge Julie & Jeff Luhrsen Mr. & Mrs. David V. Mahler James P. & Mary S. McArdle Charitable Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation Mrs. Angela Giorgianni Mejicanos & Mr. Julio Mejicanos Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Miller Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mullen Mr. & Mrs. Sean Murphy Mr. Michael Newhams Mr. & Mrs. James P. Olson Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Pendery Heidi & Paul Phillips Mr. & Mrs. William J. Pitts Mr. & Mrs. Paul Raggo Ms. Audrey Robbins Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Runge The Savidge Family Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Savidge Barbara & Rick Shaw Ms. Rosemary Shofe Mr. & Mrs. Leopoldo L. Sosa Mr. & Mrs. William D. Speaker Judi & Patrick Steele Mr. & Mrs. Gerard K. Stone Mr. & Mrs. Adam Sulimirski Mrs. Anne O. Swain Dr. Linda Vasilaki & Mr. Yuri Vasilaki Mr. & Mrs. James K. Vickery, Jr. Cindy & Mike vonWaldner Ms. Kay Wagner Ms. Deborah Waterman Mr. & Mrs. Roger Williams Patricia Wilson & Chip Woods Mr. & Mrs. Michael Young

64 The Banyan

ANNUAL FUND PARTICIPATION BY GRADE PRE-K: 74% K: 82% 1ST: 85% 2ND: 83% 3RD: 71%

BANYAN BALL PADDLE RAISE DONORS Lead Donor $90,000 Matching Gift Anonymous

$10,000+ Mr. & Mrs. George Argyros Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Mark Mahler Mary & Dave Peirce The Ramsey Family

4TH: 94% 5TH: 72% 6TH: 73% 7TH: 75% 8TH: 71% 9TH: 67% 10TH: 65% 11TH: 68% 12TH: 82%

ANNUAL FUND PARTICIPATION BY GROUP Board of Trustees: 100% Faculty / Staff: 100% Parents: 76% Alumni: 2% Parents of Alumni: 4% Grandparents: 11%

$5,000+ Kitty & John Cranor Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Garcia Dawn & Paul Holland Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. LaCivita Mr. & Mrs. David V. Mahler Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Pendery

$2,500+ Ariane & Bob Dart

$1,924+ Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Emmons Kenneth D. Henson M.D. & Mitzie P. Henson Mr. & Mrs. John Kane-Hartnett The Karp Family Foundation Donna & David Koffman Cindy & Mike vonWaldner

$1,000+ Mr. & Mrs. Paul Archacki Mr. & Mrs. David Chessler Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Cogan Mr. & Mrs. James Cornetet Laura & Jay Crouse Rod & Kerri Dowdell Mr. & Mrs. Scott Doyle The Famiglio Family Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Fineberg Mr. & Mrs. Ales Graf Mr. & Mrs. John Hermansen Dr. & Mrs. William Lahners Ms. Mary Lynn Logli Gerald Luhman, II & Loretta F. Luhman David & Susan Macrae Mario & Amie Oliva Mr. & Mrs. H. Charles Rienhoff Allison & Peter Scanlan Russell & Amy Towery

Stacy & David White Dr. Frederick R. Yturralde & Dr. Jennifer Goodman

Kat & Florian Schuetz Cassandra & Norman Shea Patricia Wilson & Chip Woods

Karyn & Tony Squitieri Stephen & Liz Watson Drs. Richard & Phyllis Yonker

$500+

$250+

$90+

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Abernathy Stephanie & Michael Appleby Suzanne & Adam Armbruster The Bizick Family Mr. & Mrs. Peter Calamaras Laura & David Camire Denise & Louis Colosimo Mr. & Mrs. V. William DeRamo Stan & Halie Fulton Dr. Lisa Grain & Mr. David Grain Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grano, Jr. Brent & Kristan Hamill Chris & Tally Harris Mr. & Mrs. Tramm Hudson Michelle & Edward Kapreilian Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation Palmer & Zsofia Long Mr. Christopher Pinckney & Ms. Johanna Gustafsson Fabian & Katiuska Ramos

Mr. & Mrs. Morgan Bentley Mr. & Mrs. Andy Cappar Mr. Rick Crittenden & Ms. Corinne Knibbs Rhonda & Dan Deems Mr. & Mrs. Matt Dougherty Mr. & Mrs. Brock Horner Mr. & Mrs. Lance Jones Mr. & Mrs. John Kittle Michelle & Tim Lea Ms. Valerie Leatherwood Mr. & Mrs. Steven R. Lenz Tom & Alison Murphy Ms. Kim Nettles Mr. & Mrs. Dino Oliva Doug & Shari Phillips Mr. & Mrs. George W. Rauch IV Mr. & Mrs. Jim Riley Mr. & Mrs. Daryl Schaal Mr. Toby Skelton & Ms. Nadine Saunders

Mr. Charles A. Balliette ‘00 Mr. & Mrs. Ken Banks Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Beck Jason & Katherine Bitsoff Courtney & Tony Bonacuse Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Bruning Mr. Michael P. Calamaras ‘06 Ms. Kippie Crouch Pamela & Glenn Davis Mr. & Mrs. Jim Delgado Stephany & Mark Dobosz Mr. & Mrs. Jason Drosky Ms. Cathy Hansell Nancy & Robert Harrison Ms. Renee Huntley & Mr. Philip Klotz Dr. & Mrs. Eric Larson Bix & Gretchen Mannion Mr. Joseph Meszaros ‘05 Mr. & Mrs. Sean Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Vahid Najmolhoda

Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Opstal Ms. Tara Raven Mrs. Laura Roberts & Mr. Alan Roberts Sally & Brad Schule Ms. Rosemary Shofe Mr. & Mrs. Leopoldo L. Sosa Mr. & Mrs. Gerard K. Stone Diane & Adam Sulimirski Mr. & Mrs. Tom Tengerdy Ms. Deborah Waterman Mr. & Mrs. Michael Young

*deceased

Alena S. ’22 and Madeline F. ’22

The Out-of-Door Academy 65

RESTRICTED GIVING Athletic Donations Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Emmons Mr. & Mrs. Richard Munroe

Birthday Book Club Mr. & Mrs. Sean Abrams Mr. & Mrs. Adam M. Amdur Mr. & Mrs. KenBanks Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Beck Fran & Jamie Becker Jason & Katherine Bitsoff Ms. Sarah Bosek Mr. Scott Brownlee & Mrs. Nancy Hostetler Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Bruning Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Carrion Elizabeth & Paul Chren Ms. Jennifer Ciesar Joseph & Sandy Clarke David & Molly Conger Karen & Doug Constant Toni & Jeff Cusumano Ariane & Bob Dart Mr. & Mrs. Lloydman Martin DeFelice Mr. & Mrs. John Desideri Mr. & Mrs. Patrick DiPinto Mr. & Mrs. Brian Ellerson Ellie & Victor Falck Jennifer & Christopher Feeney Ms. Linda Harradine & Mr. Jim Fiumefreddo The Frazier Family The Gelvin Family Cheryl & Chris Goss Mr. & Mrs. Ales Graf Dr. & Mrs. Gregory Hanes Maria & Allen Heise Mr. & Mrs. John Hermansen Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hersom Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Horr Ms. Jill Jaiswal Dominic & Elizabeth Jones Mr. & Mrs. David Luria Matt & Tina Miller Glynis & Matthew Miller Dr. Eva Berkes & Dr. Nicholas Monsul Melissa & Hakim Morsli Dr. & Mrs. Swaroop Muppavarapu Tom & Alison Murphy Ms. Tracee Murphy Ms. Jean Palmerton

66 The Banyan

Jesus B. Perez, MD & Mrs. Margiet Perez Mr. Christopher Pinckney & Ms. Johanna Gustafsson Mr. & Mrs. Doug Plattner Ms. Sara Popovich Mr. & Mrs. Michael Prete Brent & Marisol Proctor Mr. & Mrs. George W. Rauch IV Mr. & Mrs. H. Charles Rienhoff Mr. & Mrs. Jim Riley Mr. & Mrs. Eric Robinson Dee & Chuck Romito Mr. & Mrs. Ashok K. Samuel Mr. & Mrs. Daryl Schaal Ms. Terri Vitale & Dr. Christopher Sforzo Ann Marie Davis & J.B. Shaw Mr. & Mrs. Beaver Shriver Mr. Toby Skelton & Ms. Nadine Saunders Mr. Richard Spilka & Mrs. Veronika Spilkova The Steinwachs Family Dave & Magalie Szabo Emma & Mark Trumbull Ms. Karen V. Vale Ms. Kimberly Walsh & Mr. Derek Wiberg Stacy & David White Mr. Christopher Yancey & Ms. Susan Archibald Michael & Tiffany Yates Dr. Frederick R. Yturralde & Dr. Jennifer Goodman

Pictured left to right: David Mahler, Linda Wallin, Oliver Giraud ’23, recipient of the Cindy Schember Memorial Scholarship Fund, and Steve Schember.

“I SUPPORT THE OUT-OF-DOOR ANNUAL FUND BECAUSE OF THE EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS AND UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES THAT BENEFIT MY CHILDREN.” – SUSAN BANNAR, MOTHER OF ABBY ’15 AND CHASE ’20

Cassis Memorial Fund Greg & Lynnette Cassis

Cohen Memorial Fund Mr. & Mrs. Mike Cooper Dr. Stan Pastor Tom & Michelle Tunnell Mr. & Mrs. Paul Ratzlaff

Dobosz Spirit of ODA Award Stephany & Mark Dobosz

Financial Assistance Cindy Schember Memorial Scholarship Fund

Music Donations Tervis Tumbler

In February 2015, Mike & Katie Emmons donated a baseball scoreboard. As a thank you, Out-of-Door provided an autographed baseball bat to the Emmons and their foundation.

ARTS ALLIANCE The Arts Alliance (formerly known as the Arts Guild) had a very exciting and productive year. We were able to raise funds to enhance the arts programs on both campuses, and continued to develop exciting partnerships with the Sarasota arts community at large. The funds raised allowed the Arts Alliance to help underwrite bringing Florida Studio Theatre to our lower school.

The entire Siesta Key campus spent months creating a play, which was performed for our parents and again at Grandfriends’ Day, telling the story of our school’s illustrious history to celebrate Out-of-Door’s 90th anniversary.

Restricted Giving

We were also able to bring the distinguished FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training to the full high school student body to perform their adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The actors then held an engaging talkback with our students after the show. In addition to these exceptional experiences for our students, the Arts Alliance purchased a 3D display case that will professionally showcase student art in our Arts Center at the Lakewood Ranch campus.

This coming year, the Arts Alliance looks forward to building on the partnerships it has developed with Asolo Repertory Theatre, The Sarasota Museum of Art, and Florida Studio Theatre. Through the generous contributions of our membership, we will also continue to provide some of the extras that enhance our students’ experiences in our thriving arts programs. It is an exciting time to be a part of the Arts Alliance. I invite each of you to come enjoy a musical performance, a theatre performance or tour the dynamic artwork on display on both of our campuses. We have some extraordinary talent amongst us!

Sincerely, Tally Harris

Arts Center at night

Sierra VanSuch ‘16, AP Photography

The Wiz

MEMBERS Masterpiece The Ramsey Family Bravo Member The Harris Family The Schuetz Family Applause Member The Mahler Family Debut Member The Ebenbichler Family

Katie Eckart, 2015 Head’s Choice Award

Myra Singh ‘16, AP Photography

The Out-of-Door Academy 67

MEMBERS Restricted Giving THUNDER ATHLETIC CLUB The Thunder Athletic Club (TAC) is a comprised of volunteer parents, family and friends who support Out-of-Door Athletics through volunteer and fundraising projects.

Currently, The Out-of-Door Academy fields 35 Middle and Upper School teams in 13 sports. Since the varsity athletic program’s inception in 1996, Thunder teams have won an impressive 18 team district champions, 5 team regional champions, 9 individual state and 22 individual regional championships. The volunteer support of TAC has been instrumental in this success, and as participation increases, so do financial and volunteer athletic needs.

The TAC raises funds through the sale of annual memberships, season passes, and Thunder merchandise, hosting the annual Thunder Golf Tournament, as well as operating the Thunder Dome, stadium and baseball concession stands. In addition to financial assistance, TAC provides volunteer assistance for various athletic duties, such as helping with ticket sales, scorekeeping, game announcing, and more.

The TAC raised over $75,000 during the 2014-1015 school year and was able to sponsor: • Thunder Dome Scoreboards • Travel Tents • Soccer Kick Wall • Tennis Windscreens • LAX Helmets • Baseballs for The Taylor Emmons Tournament • Tube Thor • Record Boards • The Athletic Ceremony Thank you for your support.

Please consider joining the TAC and becoming a part of a winning team!

68 The Banyan

The Albano Family The Ballance Family The Barlow/McNally Family The Berkowitz Family The Birmingham Family The Bloch Family The Bogumil Family The Brickner Family The Cappar Family The Carlson Family The Castro Family The Chadwick Dockery Family The Coakley Family The Colburn Family The Colditz Family The Cornetet Family The Crouse Family The Dodge Family The Douglas Family The Dowdy Family The Dyer Family The Edelman Family The Emmons Family The Hamill Family Gary Hansell The Holland Family The Humphrey Family The Karp Family The King Family The Koffman Family The Kuang Family Dax and Beth LaGasse Don and Diane LaGasse The Lahners Family The Lozier Family The Luhrsen Family The Maasdorp Family The Mahler Family The Markowski Family The Merritt Family The Millie Family The Morra Family The Paxton Family The Poole Family The Robinson Family The Schlotthauer Family The Schuetz Family The Sforzo-Vitale Family The Snyder Family The Straffuss Family The TengerdyFamily The VanSuch Family The Wahl Family The Wenger Family

Restricted Giving THUNDER GOLF OUTING The Thunder Golf Outing was held on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club and coincided with Homecoming Weekend. Teams competed in this annual sporting event fundraiser, all vying for the coveted Petrik Cup, while raising money for the Thunder Athletic Club (TAC). The TAC is a group of volunteer parents and friends who support Out-of-Door athletics, physical education, and faculty/staff wellness through volunteer and fundraising projects. Out-of-Door extends a sincere thank you to Teena Humphrey for chairing the tournament.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE 2014-2015 THUNDER GOLF OUTING DOUBLE EAGLE PACKAGE Avery Dodge First Watch Restaurants John & Teena Humphrey

EAGLE PACKAGE Dr. Louis Cohen The Feeney Family The Karp Family Foundation Marygrove Roll Screens The Radigan Family

BIRDIE PACKAGE All Glass & Windows Gallagher & Hagopian, PL Brooke Diesel-Veith Cary Veith

The Out-of-Door Academy 69

Restricted Giving PARENT ASSOCIATION 2014-2015 was an incredible year for the Parent Association. As you may know the Parent Association is comprised of 100% parent volunteers. We have an amazing committee of dedicated parents that meet throughout the year to organize and support our school events. Our mission statement is to “Support, promote and strengthen the school community.” That mission statement was put to the test with the untimely loss of a much-loved student and two longtime Out-of-Door teachers. We witnessed a community that rallied together to support not only the children but the faculty and affected families. I can honestly say I am truly honored to be a part of this “family” with all of you.

We started off the 2014-2015 school year with several “Back to School” coffees giving everyone a chance to catch up and get reacquainted after a long summer apart. This also provides the opportunity to see what events you may like to volunteer for or attend in the upcoming year. So if you haven’t been before, please come out this upcoming school year. We would love to see you!

Installation of the 2015/2016 Parent Association Board was recognized at the PA Spring Luncheon (not in order) President, Daria Spina; Treasurer, Susann Chalhub; Secretary, Karen Eckart, LS Vice Presidents: Jamie Becker (not pictured), Courtney Bonacuse, and Beth Wild; MS Vice Presidents: Michelle Lea, Kim Lugannani, and Stacy White; US Vice Presidents: Donna Koffman and Vanessa Opstal

The 2014-2015 Thunder Fun Day was moved to the Lower Campus in honor of the schools 90th year. Thunder Fun Day is an all school event designed to bring the students and families together from both campuses for a day of fun games, challenging obstacle courses, arts and crafts, great food and of course the coveted title of the Chili Cook off championship. Although this event is not focused on fund raising, it’s the Parent Associations primary source of funding all of our events and school community contributions.

I want to personally thank all of our corporate and family sponsors who support this event year after year, our teacher and student volunteers who selflessly donate their time to this event and huge thank you to Valerie Leatherwood who continually takes on the enormous task of chairing this event and its many moving parts.

In December we held our annual luncheon at the beautiful Laurel Oak Country club. The afternoon was filled with holiday shopping, abundant raffle items, delicious food and of course wonderful company. We were all treated to the whimsical vocals of our Out-ofDoor alumni, Maria Sulimirski Lane, who flew in from New York just for our event. Jen Chessler and Rene DiPinto did an amazing job of chairing this event. Both new parents to the Out-of-Door family, they knocked our expectations out of the park with their creative ideas bringing us a record number in attendance.

Our annual Spring Luncheon was held at the coveted Sarasota Yacht Club. We were literally bursting at the seams with attendance.

As in true tradition, we were happy to honor the senior parents and delight at the insights of our kindergarten students as they bid adieu to their senior buddies with well thought out advice for their first year of college. Our beautiful and very pregnant, Beth Wild along with her committee members: Mary Morra, Christina Cassidy, Kate Bitsoff, Zaneta McGaha, Rimi Khazanchi, Kelli Nold and Leslie Casanova turned the room into a nautical wonderland. A great time was had by all. Congratulations Beth and family on the birth of your adorable baby girl and the newest member to our Out-of-Door family, Bianca Pearl Wild.

Thanks to all of your generous donations of time, love and support of our events such as the luncheons and Thunder Fun Day we were able to honor the faculty and staff throughout the year. They were blown away by the soups and sweet treats made straight from your kitchens, the festive Taco truck that came to both campuses to offer lunch and all of the other wonderful gifts of appreciation. The next time you are at the Lower Campus, please take a minute to admire the Banyan Tree that was planted with the funds from all of your generosity. It’s each and every one of you that make The Out-of-Door Academy such a special place for our children to call home.

Daria Spina Parent Association President

70 The Banyan

WITH YOUR GENEROSITY, THE PARENT ASSOCIATION WAS ABLE TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: SIESTA KEY CAMPUS • Funding for the Marine Science program • Dedication of a Banyan Tree to honor our 90th year • Butterfly Garden and supplies in memory of Nurse Robin Storm • Kiln for the Visual Arts program

UIHLEIN CAMPUS • STEM Center – Lakeside outdoor seating • Middle School organic garden supplies • Part II of Ruta Sepetys series for Upper School

PA Holiday Luncheon Co-chairs Jen Chessler and Rene DiPinto

PA Spring Luncheon Chair Beth Wild

ALL SCHOOL • Benches and engraved bench plaques to honor our three retiring faculty

COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES • Back-to-School Coffees at both campuses • Room/advisee parents • Thunder Fun Day • Holiday Luncheon • Holiday thank you gift for all faculty, administration, staff, bus drivers, and maintenance crew • Teacher Appreciation Luncheons and gifts on both campuses throughout the school year • After Prom • Spring Luncheon • Banyan Day at the YMCA Water Park for Pre-K through Fifth grade (last day of school)

MANY OF YOU ALSO HELPED BY VOLUNTEERING AT THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: • Midde School Pumpkin Carving • Book Swap on Siesta Key • 100 Days Dinner • Book Fair on Siesta Key • Spirit Day • Eighth Grade Dinner • Senior Dinner • Arts Day • Grandfriends’ Day

The Out-of-Door Academy 71

SPONSORS GREEN BANYAN

Banyan Ball

The Argyros & Famiglio Families The Feeney Family

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!

Greenhouse Fabrics

Over 300 guests gathered at the Siesta Key campus on Saturday, March 14th for Banyan Ball 2015, Where It All Began. The theme of celebrating our history was pervasive throughout the evening as guests enjoyed the wonderful ambiance of our historic Lower School campus. Upon arrival, attendees were enthralled by the simple elegance of the decor including chandeliers, hanging lights, and candles. Guests enjoyed the Blue Stone Circle Band and cocktails under the Dart Family Pavilion.

David Mahler, Head of School and Mitzie Henson, Chair of the Board of Trustees recognized past event chairs, past trustees and this year’s chairs, David & Elizabeth Mahler. From there, guests made their way under the spectacular clear top tent for dinner and dessert catered by Fête Catering. The entire event, including the live auction and paddle raise in honor of the school’s 90th anniversary, was a record-breaking success in support of the future of The Out-of-Door Academy. A fireworks display in celebration of this momentous occasion was one of many highlights from the evening.

Following the fireworks, guests danced late into the night. Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers and attendees for making this year’s Banyan Ball such a great success.

Mary & David Peirce Drs. Stephen & Sharon Patrice YOUNG BANYAN Mr. Georgy Ivanushkin Tom & Alison Murphy BABY BANYAN The Bradbury Family Breakthrough Results Proud Parents of Samantha Chessler Kitty & John Cranor CS&L CPAs Ariane & Bob Dart

Save the Date BANYAN BASH: MARCH 12, 2016

Executive Health Sarasota Dr. Kenneth Henson Gelbman Family Foundation David & Lisa Grain John & Teena Humphrey Ashley Kozel Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Chris Pinckney & Johanna Gustafsson Oasis Outsourcing Sotheby’s International Realty Roberta Tengerdy Steinwachs Family Foundation Trade Mark Interiors, Inc. Tracee Murphy Mike & Cindy vonWaldner Peggy & Art Wood

Use your QR code reader on your smartphone to view a video from The Banyan Ball, celebrating our 90th Anniversary and including the spectacular fireworks.

72 The Banyan

Thank you for your generous support.

Banyan Ball 2015

Ms. Shumin Yu

John Dweck, ’04, Wendy Petrik Carroll, ’04, Dan Byers, ’04 and Porter Harris, ’04 celebrate homecoming and their class reunion.

ALUMNI: STAY CONNECTED

Letters From The Alumni Council Dear Out-of-Door Alumni,

Dear Out-of-Door Alumni,

2014-2015 was a great year for the ODA Alumni Association. We have been actively engaging with ODA’s students and alumni through multiple avenues.

As we continue to build our foundation it is important to remember why we value the Alumni Association and why it is important to stay connected.

It has been a pleasure participating with and getting to know many of our fellow ODA graduates. It has been more then a decade since the class of 2004 parted ways and the opportunity to reach out and reconnect with old friends and classmates has been one of the greatest I have had. We all made memories in high school that will be with us for the rest of our lives, but that doesn’t have to be the end of it. The Alumni Association is more then just a way to reconnect with old friends it is also a way to continue our growth and give back to the institution that shaped our lives. With a new batch of recent graduates to add to our numbers and all graduates returning to start their lives and families, I invite you to join us in continuing to make the ODA Alumni Association the best it can be.

Staying connected is one of the most important aspects of our association. We are blessed with the opportunity to be part of a powerful network of family members, board members, friends, colleagues, and teachers no matter where we go in life. Many at The Out-of-Door Academy, have been supported by this very network when they looked for a summer internship, submitted a college recommendation, or applied for a career. However, staying connected means more than just networking, but having a true impact on a fellow alum’s life and well-being. The ODA Alumni Association has been able to support those who needed our help when hard times came upon them and we have been able to mentor young students looking ahead to the future.

Equally as important, the Alumni Association has the power to give back to the institution that gave us an advantage in life.

Through our education, relationships, and resources at ODA, students are able to have a competitive advantage when trekking out into the uncertainty of college and career. The advantages given to us while at ODA are a collective effort of those families, alumni and faculty that have given time and money to enhance and enrich our lives. It is vital that we too give back and support those who will come after us for generations and generations.

To stay involved, attend our events and connect with us on social media. The ODA Alumni Association holds annual events, reunions, community service days, and other events to bring value to members and the Out-of-Door family at large.

Cheers, Michael P. Calamaras, ‘06 President, Out-of-Door Alumni Association m.calamaras@gmail.com

76 The Banyan

John Dweck, ‘04 Vice President, Out-of-Door Alumni Association johnjdweck@live.com

PLEASE STAY CONNECTED! Facebook Page & Group ODA Alumni Association www.facebook.com/outofdooralumni Director of Alumni Relations Virgene Linse vlinse@oda.edu 941-554-3429

Alumni Gathering & Events SOCIAL EVENTS

One of the best ways to stay connected with former classmates and meet new friends is to attend the many events that take place throughout the year for The Out-of-Door Academy’s Alumni Association. In 2014-2015, the Alumni Association hosted a variety of events, including the Homecoming Alumni Tent, Reunion 2004, Alumni Holiday Party, Inaugural Alumni Soccer match against the high school soccer teams, and the Siesta Key reunion luncheon. Please follow us on Twitter @outofdoor, Facebook/outofdooralumni, and subscribe to the e-Banyan to get the most upto-date information about upcoming events.

CLASS OF 2004 REUNION

The Class of 2004 celebrated their 10-year reunion in October, 2014. The reunion began during the Homecoming festivities in the Alumni Tent. The next morning a few alumni participated in the Thunder Golf Outing. It was wonderful to see members of the Class of 2004, including Dan Byers, John Dweck, Porter Harris and Wendy Petrik Carroll.

HOLIDAY PARTY

In December, 2014 over 50 alumni gathered for an Alumni Association Holiday Party.

Many alumni had just arrived in Sarasota to spend the holidays with their families. The event was held at Libby’s Café + Bar with great food. Out-of-Door’s faculty and staff were thrilled to see so many alumni at the event. A great time was had and everyone was in a festive spirit.

SIESTA KEY ALUMNI LUNCHEON

All Out-of-Door alumni are important to us and every year we host a luncheon to honor students, that went to the Out-of-Door School or Out-of-Door Academy on the Siesta Key campus. Since 2014-2015 was our 90th year anniversary, it was especially important to reach out to as many Siesta Key alumni as possible. It was such a pleasure to have Harriet Stieff and other Siesta Key alumni join us this year. Harriet attended ODS from 1925 to 1937. She is so gracious and has a remarkable memory. Out-of-Door has grown and thrived through these 90 years, our history would not be rich today without the invaluable information that individuals like Harriet Stieff has bestowed upon us. The Out-of-Door Academy celebrates and honors each and every person who made ODS/ODA what it is today.

CLASS OF 2015 SENIOR CLASS AGENTS

Ten seniors, from the class of 2015, were chosen by the faculty to be the 2015 class agents for The Out-of-Door Academy’s Alumni Association. Natalie Buffett, Amy Cutmore, Reanna Gregory, Nicholas Grano, Austin Hoppe, Jimmy Kuebler, Katelyn Lang, Madison Shaw, Catherine Williams and Morgan Woods were selected to represent the Class of 2015. Class agents are part of the Alumni Council, which is the governing body for the Alumni Association. Class agents are responsible for establishing and maintaining contact between their classmates and The Outof-Door Academy community, keeping alumni informed, and involved by encouraging their active participation.

A luncheon was held on March 12, 2015, at the Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch to welcome the class agents. David Mahler, Head of School, congratulated the seniors and urged them to be a strong link between their classmates and the school. Michael Calamaras ‘06, President of the Alumni Association, welcomed them to the association and shared with them how important it is to keep in touch and to give back to Out-of-Door. The new class agents received a certificate and a gift.

They are excited to be a part of the Alumni Association and to represent the Class of 2015 in the future.

INAUGURAL ALUMNI SOCCER GAME Our alumni are always interested in coming back to their alma mater. Two alumni of the Class of 2011, Michael vonWaldner and Jeffrey Young organized a game between the alumni and current ODA soccer teams. They worked with Mrs. Linse, Director of Alumni Relations, Coach Young, and Coach Leicht to schedule a game in December during the holiday break. The game was held on the Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch with 12 players on each the alumni and Thunder soccer teams. It was a lively competition and the alumni brought home the victory. The Thunder soccer team did a great job of giving the alumni a huge workout, and the alumni remembered how much they gained from being involved in high school athletics.

The Out-of-Door Academy 77

1

SIESTA KEY ALUMNI JANE ATKINS CLARKE Attended ODS 1937-38 Jane came with her family to see if her older sister Betsy would do better in the Florida weather than Connecticut. Jane, Betsy and her younger brother Winthrop attended ODS for only a year, but Jane’s fond memories are strong. She remembers calling the principal MiMi. The library was a very special place on campus and geography class was held in the library with Mr. Hartwell. She loved the cabins, swimming in the Gulf, the birds, ducks and turkey. Jane remembers reading Trial by Jury

by Gilbert and Sullivan, and being Cinderella in a play. Her fondest memories were of the faculty and how close she was to each one. She loved coming to ODS everyday. Jane Atkins Clarke is 92 years old and lives in Sanford, CT. (1)

NANCY BURNS

2

4

3

5

were always in a dining room and the students never knew when they would be called on to say grace! It was a very effective way to quiet down a room of children! ODS was a very positive experience and she has such wonderful feelings after all these years. Nancy visited the campuses last winter and loved seeing the new campus and the continued dedication to educate the total child. Nancy live in Eaton N.H. and has 8 grandchildren. She will be coming to the Key next winter. (2)

MARILYN TIMM MICHIE Attended ODS 1946-47 Marilyn is retired and enjoys life in Florida.

She enjoys traveling and visits from her children and grandchildren. She recently went on a guided tour of the West Wing of the White House and was impressed. Marilyn enjoys reading, cooking, and being with her good friends. She fondly remembers riding horses on the beach and pre-lunch swims. These were daily events of her ODS experience.

ODS 1940-41

LLOYD TINKER

After graduating from Rosemary Hall, Nancy went to University of New Hampshire. Her summer employment was always as a counselor at Waukeela Camp for girls. She married in 1954 and had five children. Later in life she became part owner in Waukeela and was the Director. Her love of Out-Of-Door education started at ODS! While attending ODS she loved being able to bike to school, wear shorts and have lessons OUTSIDE. She swam and played sports every day. There were 3 students in her class and she was the only girl! She remembers Harlee Neal, Tim Kantor, our teacher Mrs. Peirce, and music lessons with Fraulien Huebner. The lunches

Attended ODS 1960-62 When Lloyd completed high school, he joined the military and went to Vietnam. He later received a degree in Political Science and English from Johns Hopkins University. He worked for the FBI for a few years and then became a writer and editor. He has three sons and two granddaughters. Lloyd’s favorite memories include hiding out in the tree next to the library, eating lunch across the street by the water, jumping off the pier and swimming in the Gulf everyday. Lloyd resides near Baltimore, MD and loves to fish and boat on the Chesapeake Bay.

BRAD MCCOURTNEY Attended ODS 1955-64 Brad lives on Siesta Key and enjoys being a photographer. He attended ODS from kindergarten to eighth grade. Brad enjoyed seeing his sons attend ODA as well. He remembers having his dog with him at school and sometimes under his desk. He would feed the pelicans at lunch and liked taking care of the horses. He enjoyed riding horses to the village from the stables on the ODS campus.

Brad fondly remembers Mr. Black the bus driver who took students on long field trips and helped all the children make things like stools and fishing poles. His photo above shows a stool he made with Mr. Black that he still uses to this day. He attended summer camp with Frank Meyer at Myakka and he enjoyed writing for the school newspaper, the Sandspur. (3)

LAUREL PATTERSON FARLINGER Attended ODS 1960-62 Laurel is married with two children and four grandchildren. Laurel graduated from nursing school in 1975 and worked as an ob/gyn nurse for 26 years in Tampa. Laurel remembers swimming and playing in Big Pass. She loved the ODS track and swim meets. Laurel is still friends with five people that she met in the first grade at ODS. Her hobbies are gardening, reading, painting, scuba diving, spending time with her grandchildren, and traveling. (4)

Class Notes The Out-of-Door Academy 79

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8

7

9

10

GINA NORTH CURBO

MARK GOLDMAN

LEA MEI

Attended ODS 1976-77

Attended ODS 1974-81

Attended ODA 1991-97

Gina studied Computer Science at Loyola University in Chicago. She worked primarily in the computer/IT field and recently landed her dream job working in institutional research/ analysis of healthcare data at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas. Gina is married to Tommy Curbo and has three grown children and adorable grandchildren; she also has a wonderful Shiba Inu dog. Gina loved the small classes and the learning environment provided at The Out-of-Door School. She has very fond memories of Mrs. Bertok the English teacher and her use of diagramming sentences. Gina also enjoyed the small but intimate library and how it was set among the trees. Since high school Gina has worked on her family history.

She likes to travel and research all she can about her family. Gina likes quilting when possible and she has studied a multitude of languages including Latin, Polish, and Japanese.

She is particularly enamored with the Japanese culture, the language, flower arranging, and the art of wearing the kimono. (5)

After graduating from Miami University in 1988, Mark moved to Portland, Indiana where he became President of Pennville Custom Cabinetry. He and his wife Michele have a 2-year-old daughter, Natalie, and are both very active in their community. Mark is currently serving as President of the Board of The John Jay Center for Learning and he is the Vice Chairman of Indiana’s State Workforce Innovation Council. “Out-of-Door” really describes his grade school experiences.

Mark remembers having classes outside, and sometimes he rode his bike or took a boat to school. He climbed the big trees and cultivated so many great outdoors memories. Mark enjoys road bikes, sailboats and waterskiing. He loves to entertain and volunteers in his community.

Being in the cabinet business, he has a great kitchen and loves to cook. (7)

After graduating from high school, Lea went to the University of Tennessee where she graduated in 2005 with a degree in Psychology.

She attended the University of Tampa where she earned a second Bachelors in Education in 2009. Lea is currently the Director of Development and Communications for United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest, FL, Inc. Lea has many wonderful memories of ODA, but one in particular happened in 4th grade, when Mrs. Dozier dressed as Paul Revere and rode on a horse on campus. Lea enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Traveling is one of her favorite things to do! (9)

SKYLAR RUPP Attended ODS 1975-79 Skylar graduated from Grinnell College with a BA in Anthropology. He is married and has a 16-year-old son. His trips to France were some of Skylar’s favorite memories as well as the trips to Big Pine Key. Skylar has a passion for cooking, orchids, and gardening. He enjoys outdoor adventures such as hiking, kayaking, and backpacking. (6)

BLAIR BERRIGAN SULLIVAN Attended ODA 1984-95 Blair attended Cardinal Mooney High School after leaving ODA and then received her BA and MA in Accountancy from the University of Georgia. She joined Deloitte Tax LLP in 2004 and has had several careers all within one great firm: traditional tax compliance/consulting for private enterprises and ultra high net worth taxpayers, campus recruiting for the Southeast tax practice, and now consulting the largest accounts on implementing standard tools, processes and project management to drive efficiency and improve financial performance.

She married Michael Berrigan in 2011 and welcomed their first child, Avery Jane Berrigan, in May 2014. Blair enjoys travel, yoga, cooking and spending time with family and friends. (8)

Class Notes 80 The Banyan

ADAM PALERMO Attended ODA 1990-97 After leaving ODA in eighth grade, Adam moved to Vermont and attended high school in Colchester. He went on to attend Culinary School at Paul Smith’s College where he was selected to spend a semester abroad in France cooking with the best of the best. Adam also worked in a vineyard and learned all the ins and outs of the wine industry. Spirit Day was by far one of Adam’s favorite memories. He recalls the camaraderie, respect and team work was great, the competitive games were fun, and each Spirit Day was played in honor of those who came before. Adam loves spending time outdoors, whether it’s snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, or riding his motorcycle. He has traveled and explored many parts of the country, yet his thirst for new adventures will never be quenched. (10)

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UIHLEIN CAMPUS ALUMNI CLASS OF 1999 LEIGH DALTON HAMNER Leigh has a BA in English from the University of South Florida, and taught middle school Language Arts fulltime prior to the birth of her son, Benjammin. She returned to work at her previous school in 2015 as a K-8 substitute teacher. Leigh enjoys being back in the classroom while still being home with her son Ben. She fondly remembers going to the library with Mrs. Huene. The class would sit on the rug by the fireplace while Mrs. Huene read stories; she was such a great storyteller. She remembers the Thanksgiving Feast. The children and teachers would dress up as either a pilgrim or a Native American and eat a Thanksgiving meal with sea shells. All such special memories! Leigh loves spending time with her family - husband Clay, and their 2-year-old son. She enjoys the outdoors and their family does a lot of camping. She likes gardening and curling up with a good book. A day at the beach or on the boat fishing isn’t exactly terrible either! (11)

KAYE WARR Kaye has her own column in SRQ Magazine and on SRQ Daily. She is also a contributing author for Edible Magazine. Kaye has lived and worked in New York, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, but she always comes home to Sarasota. Kaye remembers that as the high school campus was being built, the older students had school at the Siesta Key Chapel.

Those days were incredibly fun and she bonded

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with her classmates. Kaye moved to Florida in 1996 and her very first friend in America was Stephanie Brown on the Lower School Campus. Stephanie is still one of her closest friends. Kaye loves to travel, read, write, and eat. She has visited 20 of the 50 states and she isn’t going to stop until she sees them all especially North Dakota. (12)

CLASS OF 2000 CHARLIE BALLIETTE Charlie received his degree from Ohio State in 2004. He spent nine years as a helicopter pilot in the United States Marine Corps before returning to Sarasota. Charlie was a coach for the ODA baseball team in 2014-15 and will continue to coach next season as he pursues his Masters Degree. His favorite memory at ODA was the class trip to New York. They toured NYU and Columbia University and observed the skyline from the observation deck of the Empire State Building at night. Charlie enjoys golfing as often as he can as well as playing club softball and soccer. (13)

JOHN CROUSE VII After John graduated with a degree in Theology from Boston College in 2004, he traveled and worked in Thailand as a sailboat captain in the Caribbean for ActionQuest. He also mentored young men as the Assistant Director at Camp Rockmont. As a paramedic in Austin, Texas, John responded to emergencies. He has educated hundreds of students in wilderness first aid with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Wildness Medicine Institute.

He just completed the prerequisites for an RN program in Texas. John recalls fondly riding his bike down Higel Avenue to school,

taking Latin class with Mr. Mulgrew in the old wooden school library, going to Washington, D.C. with Mrs. Dozier and Mr. Ball, climbing on the statue of Einstein, having a buddy in 1st grade and then becoming a buddy in 8th grade.

John enjoys camping and sailing little boats or big yachts. He also likes visiting his brothers in New York City and Charleston and exploring new sights and sounds with them is always a priority. Of course, John loves coming home to Sarasota for the holidays to see the life-long friends he made at ODA. (14)

JORDAN LETSCHERT After ODA, Jordan pursued a degree in Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. He served as a Texas Police Officer from 2007-2011 and returned home to Florida. Jordan started an investment company and is a partner in businesses such as Crunch Fitness, The Galleon Marina, a few tech companies, and TTJ Investments. Jordan is one of 200 current and former officers who filed an Amicus Brief with both the 11th Circuit court of Appeals as well as the Supreme Court of the United States in favor of marriage equality nationwide. Jordan always enjoyed PE, all sports, and spending time with Coach Stone.

Jordan loves the outdoors, fitness, his friends, and family. Jordan is committed to helping gain equality for the LGBT community locally as well as nationally.

CLASS OF 2001 BETSY WILD BOWERS After graduating from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Betsy began working in the world of fashion apparel and screen printed goods. Now she is the Creative

Class Notes The Out-of-Door Academy 81

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Director and Partner at Tiltworks Inc. Tiltworks is a product development company specializing in screen printed t-shirts for companies such as Disney, Hard Rock, and Universal Studios.

Betsy couldn’t be happier to be living in beautiful Sarasota, Florida with her husband Stefan, son Max, and their wild menagerie. She is also growing her ceramic sculpting business and is beginning to explore the gallery world.

Check out some of her work at betsybowers. com. Betsy’s most recent adventure is one in parenting. She and her husband welcomed their son, Max Wild into the world in January 2015.

He is such a joy and a real entertainer! Max is very excited to attend ODA one day soon. (15)

CRISTIN LAVELLE GOERKE Cristin earned her Masters of Public Administration from NYU and has worked at a hospital for five years. She is now a mom to a beautiful little girl and she is expecting her second baby in the fall. Her family lives in New York, New York. Cristin recalls ‘Pancake Fridays’ in Mr Mulgrew’s Latin Class. Every Friday, Ryan Sullivan brought his waffle maker to school and the class reviewed Latin vocabulary over brunch. (16)

CLASS OF 2002 PHILIP DAVID CROUSE After ODA, Philip attended Washington University in St. Louis and graduated in 2007 with a major in Political Science and Entrepreneurship. He worked at Deloitte Consulting from 2007 to 2010 when he left to pursue his MBA at Columbia Business School.

While at Columbia, Philip founded Tiny Kitchen Brands, which is an organic beverage company that works with emerging restaurants

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throughout the world. The company’s first brand is Cup & Compass (www.drinkcnc.com), which is a line of organic lemonades, limeades and iced teas. Tiny Kitchen Brands is launching a line of organic, craft sodas later in 2015.

Philip works and lives in Brooklyn with his wife Hannah who is an artist. (17)

BENNET HAMMER Bennet recently graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a PhD in Information Systems with a concentration in Information Security. Bennet’s work has been presented at various conferences in the United States and published in the conference proceedings. (18)

JESSICA SAVIDGE Jessica graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English: Literary Studies and a minor in Corporate Strategy: Managerial Studies. Jessica received her Juris Doctorate with honors from Barry University School of Law in 2010. While in law school, Jessica served on Law Review and the Moot Court Honors Board, and she earned the highest grade in several classes, including Legal Research and Writing, Family Law, Death Penalty Seminar, Criminal Justice Administration Seminar, International Business Transactions, and International Law. For the past five years, Jessica has worked as a staff attorney researching and writing for circuit judges at the Thirteenth Circuit in Tampa, Florida, The Ninth Circuit in Orlando, Florida, and most recently, at the Twelfth Circuit Association, and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. In her free time, Jessica enjoys reading and spending time with her family, friends, and her Westie named Joey. (19)

Class Notes 82 The Banyan

CLASS OF 2003 KENT HAYES Kent received his degree in Business Management from Bentley University in Waltham, MA. He spent four years working with startups around the Boston Area and then returned home to Florida to support his family’s business. Kent and his wife purchased their first home in 2012 and enjoy living in Sarasota.

Kent recalls many memorable moments from his twelve years at ODA. He remembers everything from school dances to Jump Rope for Heart competitions to the 100 Days Dinner with Mr. Newhams and Ms. Holland. One of his all-time favorite memories was when the Latin class held chariot races. Kent helps his father and partner manage their construction business. On the side he spends time on a few community boards in Sarasota, plays several social sports including softball, kickball, and golf. Kent also served on the Alumni Council at ODA for the past few years and has particularly enjoyed reconnecting with the school. He and his wife Lauren are expecting their first child this Thanksgiving. (20)

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CLASS OF 2004

ASHLEY HAWKINS

MEAGAN LANNIGAN

ALEXANDRA LONSDALE

After High School, Ashley graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design. She started her career in interior design at an architecture and interior design firm in Sarasota. There Ashley gained experience in commercial and high-end residential projects. She started her own interior design firm in 2014. Ashley Hawkins Interiors is a residential design firm asisting clients with a wide range of design services. What Ashley loved most about her time at ODA is the lasting friendships she cultivated. Her ODA education and connections have provided her many opportunities. (23)

Meagan graduated from Florida State University with a Business Degree. After many moves around the country, she landed back home in Boston. She lives with her fiancé and puppy.

Meagan works in sales for a High Tech company and enjoys spending her free time on the water, hiking in the mountains or traveling. (25)

Alexandra graduated in 2008 with a M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Florida and has been teaching in a charter school for the past six years. Recently, she accepted a position to come back and teach at her alma mater, ODA. Alexandra is so excited to be returning to ODA! One important memory for Alexandra was Spirit Day in 2000. It was her 8th grade year and it was the first time her class was able to run the obstacle course on Spirit Day. As much as she feared it, it empowered her. It was a great accomplishment to hear cheering voices and being congratulated by friends. The most endearing part was going home at the end of the day as the winning team. Alexandra refers back to that day each time she finds a milestone moment in her own classroom. Alexandra enjoys gardening, reading and traveling too! (21)

CLASS OF 2005 BRIAN BERCAW Brian earned a degree in Criminal Justice and Spanish with a focus in legal studies at the University of North Florida. He recently married his girlfriend Lauren. Brian currently works at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, FL as a Deputy Sheriff and has been with that office for the past three years. Brian’s favorite memories are all the Spirit Days spent with his close friends. He enjoys traveling with his wife and spending time with their Labrador, Champ. (22)

CORTNEY KELLER Cortney attended the University of South Florida where she received her Bachelors Degree in Communication. She was a member of the Delta Gamma Fraternity and a Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. Cortney currently is in graduate school at Saint Leo University working towards a Masters in Business Administration. She lives in Tampa, Florida and works as a legal assistant for Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, LLP in the Healthcare Practice. She fondly remembers having Ms. Joanna Johnson in homeroom. She was so funny and enforced the dress code, noting they may have been the best dressed class that year thanks to her! In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family and relaxing in the Florida sun. (24)

PATRICK MCARDLE Patrick earned a B.A. in English with Honors from Davidson College. He also graduated summa cum laude from the Stetson College of Law. Patrick is now practicing personal injury law in Sarasota. His career highlights include being on the winning side in a Florida Supreme Court opinion, and helping to win a sevenfigure trial case. Patrick recently got married and honeymooned in the Bahamas. Patrick has many sports memories in high school from basketball to baseball. He loves going to Lido beach with his wife after work, eating great food, and reading constantly.

JOE MESZAROS Joe attended the University of North Florida and graduated with a degree in Business. Once he returned home to Sarasota, he opened his property management company and has been working on building out his business. His most favorite memories at ODA would have to be Spirit Day and going on minimesters to D.C. and West Virginia. Opening and operating a business was no easy task for Joe and limited his free time, however he has been fortunate enough to travel each year. He enjoys spending time with his wife Amanda. (26)

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JULIE MISHNER Since graduating ODA, Julie pursued a B.A. in History and M.A. in International Relations at Florida State. She lived in Israel for the past four months and recently moved back to Florida. She currently lives in St. Petersburg and works at Jabil Circuit. Julie’s favorite memories are the minimesters. She spends a lot of time at the dog beach with her dog and also enjoys exploring craft breweries in downtown St. Petersburg.

ASHLEY OSENGA After graduating from ODA, Ashley attended the University of Tennessee. She missed Florida so much that she returned to finish her degree at St. Leo University. While attending St. Leo she met her fiancé who played football for the Florida Gators. After college her fiancé was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and Ashley relocated to Raleigh, NC with him. They welcomed their first daughter in May 2014. Ashley is a realtor, specializing in new construction and has sold over 20 million in sales in 2014.

Ashley remembers all of the great teachers at ODA, but especially Mr. Harris. He taught her how to build things in his classes. She learned a lot, yet still finds it difficult to piece together furniture from Ikea. (27)

PAMELA POMEROY After graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in Accounting, Pamela moved to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She spent a few years traveling the Caribbean and living on “island time” before settling in Clearwater. Now Pamela works as an office manager, handling accounting and HR for a natural foods grocer. Pamela’s

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favorite memory is receiving life lessons in Mr. Kennon’s physics class. She spends her free time traveling from surfing in Hawaii to concerts in Spain! (28)

THOMAS ROGERS After graduating from ODA, Thomas went on to pursue a Degree in General Business at Stetson University. In 2009 he began working for Risk Services, LLC and is currently managing an alternative market insurance program for AmTrust Financial Services. (29)

PAUL TERMINELLO Paul played college basketball for Flagler College for two years. He transferred to the University of Central Florida and graduated with a degree in Finance and a minor in Computer Science. Since graduating UCF, Paul has worked in the IT field holding different roles with multiple firms. He currently works as a Senior Analyst on the Data & Analytics team for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Tampa, Florida.

Paul still resides in Sarasota with his girlfriend in a home he purchased a few years ago. Paul’s favorite memory was winning the Conference Basketball Championship against rival Bradenton Christian. ODA basketball had never won a conference basketball championship before and they beat the number 3 ranked team in the state. He remembers playing amongst a soldout crowd, something he will never forget. Paul enjoys reading and gardening. He also enjoys traveling. He is going to Alaska on a whale watching trip in a few months and plans to take a lot of photos. (30)

Class Notes 84 The Banyan

CLASS OF 2006 HANNAH BOWERS This past spring, Hannah graduated from the University of New Mexico with her PhD in Counselor Education and she was honored as a distinguished graduate. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Purdue University.

Hannah loved Spirit Day! Go Blue! They were always a blast! (31)

MICHAEL CALAMARAS Since his time at ODA, Michael graduated from the University of Miami with dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Civil and Architectural Engineering as well as a Minor in Business Administration. Subsequent to his time at “The U” Michael worked for MetLife as a Business Advisor where he earned his Series 6, Series 7 and Series 66 Securities Licenses, also his Life, Health & Variable Insurance Licences and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) designation. Michael presently is at TriNet and is an Emerging Markets Regional Consultant focusing on helping start-ups and small to midmarket businesses reach their strategic goals.

He is engaged to his beautiful fiancé, Kelly, and they are very excited to start their lives together. Some of his favorite memories from his time at ODA include the lunch time games of kickball and football in the Quad, ‘Lockins’, participating in the Jazz Band, the band trips and the white water rafting minimester on the Chattanooga River. Michael spends his spare time working out, relaxing, and staying involved in the community through the Sarasota Young Professionals Group. (32)

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KATIE DOBOSZ

CLASS OF 2007

Katie just completed her MS in Global Affairs with a concentration in Peacebuilding at New York University in May 2015. During her twoyear degree program she had the opportunity to live in Timor-Leste for two months working with a peace education non-governmental office (NGO), and traveling to Cuba. Katie also interned with Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding. She studied the need for police-youth programming in the Bay Area of California. Katie’s thesis was on the integration of peace education, peacebuilding and the creation of a preliminary peace education curriculum. Katie was selected and honored to sing the National Anthem at her graduate school commencement ceremony at Madison Square Garden in May. Katie will be leaving NYC to teach 7th grade Global Studies at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Jackson, MS this fall. Katie’s fondest ODA memories will always be the fun, yet hard work put in to the theatre productions with Mr. True!

Additionally, she loved coming back to teach at ODA from 2011-2013 with her former teachers and fellow ‘06 alumnus, Chris Hayes. (33)

ALEXA FERRO

CHRISTOPHER HAYES Chris is currently a graduate student at Georgetown. Chris worked for the football team at Georgetown last year as a linebacker coach. He currently is an intern with an athletic website company. He is experiencing different internships and hoping to find a place to call home soon. (34)

Since ODA, Alexa graduated from Flagler College with a degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish. She moved to Wisconsin to pursue a career in higher education at Viterbo University. She resides in Wisconsin and works in Chicago part-time. Alexa’s favorite memories at ODA include all of the amazing teachers who inspired her to be the strong and independent person she has become.

On the Lower School Campus, visiting the library with Mrs. Huene was a treat. She inspired her love for literature. On the Upper School Campus, it was Mr. Harris would give us ‘twisters’ in chemistry class to avoid bad luck on Friday the 13th or any 13th of any month. He made chemistry fun! Alexa’s hobbies include gardening, yoga, dance, long walking her dog and going to the movies with her fiancé.

CLASS OF 2008 OLIVIA BOWERS

Since her time at ODA, Olivia completed her B.A. in English at Davidson College in 2012. After working as a legal assistant for a year, she joined the class of 2016 at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. Olivia worked as a legal extern for the University of Florida’s Student Legal Services, and served as community service chair for Family Law Society. This summer, she is working as an extern for the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, based in Tallahassee. There are too many great memories to choose just one, but

Olivia certainly enjoyed playing with the ODA Volleyball team. Olivia spends her spare time with friends and family, seeing bands and plays when possible. As a Gainesville resident now, she enjoys hiking in Payne’s Prairie. (35)

RACHEL WEINER

Rachel recently earned her Masters of Science Degree in Nursing from Regis College in Weston, MA. Last month Rachel passed her boards and is now a Certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in Pediatrics. She has been a Registered Nurse since 2014. (36)

CLASS OF 2009 NATHAN KALIN

Nathan attended college at University of Miami (FL) and graduated with a Bachelors in English Literature & Creative Writing in 2013. Since graduating, Nathan returned to Sarasota and works as Marketing Director for Cruise Car, Inc., a local start-up company.

Recently, he opened his own web and graphic design company, Ekko Group, and has been working as a consultant in those fields as well. Nathan’s best memories of his years at ODA are of Spirit Day, Turkey Bowl and Senior Skip Day! Nathan enjoys reading and loves everything from fiction, to pop-culture to self-improvement books. He listens to podcasts every morning as a way to continue his education and knowledge base. Nathan currently volunteers as a mentor for a program called Take Stock in Children (TSIC) which gives socially impoverished individuals the opportunity to attend college. (37)

Class Notes The Out-of-Door Academy 85

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CHRISTINE LAFRANCE

Christine attended Boston College, earning a B.S. cum laude in Finance and Marketing.

During her time at BC, she was a campus tour guide, orientation leader and avid Superfan (go Eagles!). One of her favorite college experiences was the semester she spent living with a host family in Madrid, Spain and traveling Europe. Since graduating college in 2013, Christine has been living in Boston’s North End and working for Fidelity Investments. While living in Boston, she started running and is currently training for her 5th marathon. Christine’s favorite memories at ODA include the class’ trips to West Virginia and Key West. Through these unique experiences, she formed strong friendships that she still has today. Christine looks forward to reuniting with some of her ‘09 classmates Gaby Balit, Aliena Shea, and Maria Sulimirski in Amagansett, New York this summer! Although her family has relocated to Chicago, her ODA experience has stayed with her, and for that Christine would like to thank ODA’s incredible teachers and staff! (38)

IVAN ROSS

Since his time at ODA, Ivan attended Villanova University just outside of Philadelphia where he graduated with degrees in Comprehensive Sciences and Nursing. Ivan returned to Florida and is working as a registered nurse at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa in their Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Ivan remembers: the class trips to Philadelphia, Key West, and especially the whitewater rafting trip to West Virginia, and also building a trampoline overnight in the middle of the library for the senior class prank! Ivan loves to cook, shoot trap, and build bikes from scratch. (39)

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CLASS OF 2010 ALEX ABERLE

After attending ODA from 2006-2010, Alex moved to Paris to study at New York University’s Paris campus for his freshman year. After living in France, he spent two months traveling Europe and Asia before moving back to New York City where he currently resides. Alex recently graduated from NYU with a major in Urban Design/Architecture Studies, and with minors in French Language and Computer Programming. During his undergraduate tenure at NYU, Alex developed the website LongTermCareFYI.com and later served as the Content Manager for this website as well as AnnuityFYI.com. Always needing to shake things up, Alex left his job as Content Manager, and got his real estate license during his junior year. He presently works at Citi Habitats in the West Village in NYC as a successful rental and sales agent.

MIKE AUCHTER

Mike studied at the University of North Carolina’s School of the Arts, School of Design and Production with a major in Scenic Technology. He is currently working for several companies in multiple capacities, including but not limited to, logistics planning and operations. One of his jobs took Mike to Pittsburg, PA where he installed the stage for the Rolling Stones “Area Code” tour. In August, he will be joining the National Tour of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” as their head rigger. Mike has memories of driving over the south bridge every morning to get to school. That was a pretty cool way to grow up. When work permits, you may find Mike camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. (40)

Class Notes 86 The Banyan

KEVIN FREY

Kevin graduated from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in the spring of 2014, where he studied Organizational Management and Marketing. Currently he is living and working in Atlanta for Booz Allen Hamilton, a provider of management and technology consulting services to the US government. More specifically, he is supporting a project for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Kevin definitely finds it interesting! Kevin recently came back to Out-of-Door for the 2015 commencement as his younger brother (Blake) graduated. It was a pleasure to be back on campus and reconnect with many of the ODA family. There are many memories Kevin enjoyed. He remembers all of the Thunder Cup activities and the intensity of the competition between each of the grades working towards winning the Thunder Cup. When Kevin has time he enjoys traveling and visiting friends. He enjoys running and has completed several half-marathons in the last year. Most recently, he completed the Publix Georgia Marathon, a charity event, along with a team of seven. The team raised over $10,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Kevin looks forward to seeing everyone at the alumni events during the holidays! (41)

41 HILLARY HAWKINS

Hillary graduated from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, with a degree in Marketing Communication. She graduated early and spent her last semester at Emerson’s Los Angeles program and interning at Warner Bros. Records in the publicity department. She has 30 artists on her roster of rock and hip-hop artists (including Jason Derulo, Nico & Vinz, Wu-Tang, Neil Young, Flaming Lips, Bebe Rexha, Andra Day and many more). Hillary had the opportunity this year to be backstage during The Rolling Stones Zip code Tour concert in San Diego when WBR artist, Gary Clark Jr. opened the show and she reports that Mick Jagger definitely still has the moves!

Hillary has many memories from her Pre-K to senior year. Her teachers and great friends made each experience special. Some of those ODA moments were Spirit Day, dressing up for Spirit week, the volleyball games, the Wax Museum and being Britney Spears, Mrs. Keyser’s Reading Rainbow and ‘Friday’ song, class trips to Sea Camp, NASA, Washington, D.C., and New York, Prom, Jump Rope for Heart, and driving to school with her older brother and sister. Hillary’s hobbies include hiking, exploring a new city, taking road trips, trying new recipes, yoga booty ballet, boating, the beach, tubing, antique shopping, and camping. She has a lot of adventures on her bucket list, but she is happiest doing anything that involves her family and friends. (42)

VIOLETTE LEVY

Violette graduated with High Honors from Mount Holyoke College. She will be attending The University of Pennsylvania for graduate school.

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ANDREW MCINNIS

ALISON WEINER

While attending Washington & Jefferson College, Andrew received grants to travel and do research abroad in Ecuador, Fiji, and Australia. Andrew graduated in May with a dual major in Biology and Environmental Studies. He has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will be working in Ecuador within their environmental sector. Andrew thanks all his ODA teachers for such a great education.

Alison graduated cum laude from Villanova University in May. She is now a doctoral candidate at William James College in Boston (formerly the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology) working towards earning her Psy.D. in forensic psychology. (44)

CLASS OF 2012 AMANDA ARBEIT

VERONICA ROSSER

Veronica Rosser graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a BFA. Her animated film short was screened at the Gene Siskel Theatre in Chicago as part of graduation.

Veronica plans to pursue a career in animation and illustration.

CLASS OF 2011 BRANDON CALAMARAS

Since graduating from ODA, Brandon received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Rollins College and has completed his first year of graduate school at the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. Brandon plans to graduate in 2016 with his MBA. He wants to enter the video game and technology industries and pursue his passion. Brandon has too many favorite memories from ODA to simply pick one. From the classroom, to Spirit Day, and the productions in theater. He loved every minute of being a student at ODA. Brandon has very little free time between classes and homework, but he enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and taking bike rides with his friends. (43)

In the fall of 2015, Amanda will be a senior at Tulane University, New Orleans. She is majoring in public health and tropical medicine and currently working on her application to graduate programs for the Fall of 2016. Amanda is currently a member of Tulane’s Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority, and volunteers often throughout the New Orleans community. She is an intern for a non-profit initiative run through Ochsner Health System called EAT FIT NOLA. She recently started her own food instagram account called hungryboutit and has had some of her photos published on www.nola.com, the Times Picayune, WGNO News, and from restaurants around the city. This past fall she was able to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark and travelled Europe - seeing 12 countries and over 20 major cities. One of Amanda’s most favorite memories from ODA was playing tennis after school every day on the beautiful courts. She misses playing in tournaments, getting to know her teammates, and learning so much from Coach Dougherty.

Living in New Orleans these past few years has turned her into a food and music fanatic. She enjoys trying new restaurants, listening to live music, and photography. Studying abroad sparked her love for travel. Amanda hopes to one day travel the world and cross off all of the places on her constantly growing bucket list. (45)

Class Notes The Out-of-Door Academy 87

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TUCKER KITTLE

Tucker is attending Stetson University in Deland, Florida and will be graduating next year. He has enjoyed his college experience.

Playing capture the flag during PE with Coach Young and Coach Horr is one of Tucker’s favorite memories. (46)

MARINA KYTE

Marina is a rising senior at High Point University where she is pursuing a degree in Interior Design. She joined Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and enjoys those friendships very much. Most recently she interned with Neal Communities.

Marina’s favorite memories of ODA were being on the swim team. Marina just returned from studying abroad in Florence, Italy. During her five months abroad, she traveled to 14 countries and 48 cities. Marina fell in love with traveling and all that Europe has to offer. (47)

CLASS OF 2013 ALYSSA MASON

Alyssa just finished her sophomore year at the University of Florida (UF). She is currently in Madrid, Spain studying for the summer.

She loves attending UF and she enjoys spending time with new friends. Alyssa fondly remembers being a part of the band with Mr. Miller, participating in all sports, and being an active member in school plays.

but one was winning soccer districts and participating in various sports. She enjoyed all her experiences with the school plays. She holds dear the amazing relationships she built with her ODA teachers.

CLASS OF 2014 ABBEY-MICHELLE GRAHAM

Abbey is pursuing a degree in Music at Saint Michael’s College. Her favorite memory at ODA was PE class with Coach Young and Coach Horr. She has a lot of other memories, but PE class was always her favorite activity at school. Abby loves to write, draw, take pictures, sing, and play her instruments. (48)

53 BENJAMIN SPROUT ’99 (49) ALEX GARDINIER ’09 (50) SAM LOGAN ’10 (51) QUINTON FITZGERALD ’14 (52) PETER RUNGE ’14 (53)

Keep Us Posted When Life Changes! communications@ oda.edu

MELANIE MASON

Melanie has completed her sophomore year at the University of Florida. It has been more than she could have ever hoped for. She is currently spending the summer studying in Europe in Valencia, Spain and Cambridge, England. Melanie has many favorite memories,

Class Notes 88 The Banyan

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2015-2016 MAJOR DATES & CLOSINGS Sunday, August 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Parent Reception Monday, August 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open House, Grades PreK-5 / Conference Day, Grades 6-12 Tuesday, August 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conference Day, Grades PreK-5 / New Student Orientation, Grades 6-12 Wednesday, August 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Day of Classes Grades PreK-12 Thursday, September 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LS Back to School Night Monday, September 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Labor Day; No School Wednesday, September 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MS & US Back to School Night Wednesday, October 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . US Dessert Theater Opening Night Friday, October 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Convocation / All-School Picnic & Homecoming Game Saturday, October 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thunder Golf Outing Thursday, October 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fall Parent Conferences; No School Monday, November 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faculty Professional Day; No School Wednesday, November 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . US Drama Production Opening Night Saturday, November 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thunder Fun Day Friday, November 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thanksgiving Break begins at end of day Monday, November 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classes Resume Friday, December 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PA Holiday Luncheon Friday, December 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday Break begins at noon Monday, January 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faculty Professional Day; No School Tuesday, January 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classes Resume Monday, January 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Luther King Jr. Day; No School Thursday, January 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MS Drama Production Opening Night Tuesday, February 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MS & US Broadway Night Friday, February 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Winter Break begins at the end of day Monday, February 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classes Resume Saturday, March 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Banyan Bash Thursday, March 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring Parent Conferences; No School Wednesday, March 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jazz Under the Stars Friday, March 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Good Friday; No School Friday, April 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spirit Day / Spring Break begins at end of day Monday, April 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classes Resume Wednesday, Apri 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . US Musical Opening Night Friday, April 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lower School Arts Day Saturday, April 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prom/After-Prom Friday, May 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PA Spring Luncheon Saturday, May 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Middle and Upper School Arts Day Monday, May 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Memorial Day; No School Thursday, June 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Last Day of Classes Grades PreK-12 Friday, June 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lower School Graduation & Middle School Graduation Saturday, June 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commencement

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MEMBERS OF THE OUT-OF-DOOR COMMUNITY POSE FOR AN ARIAL PHOTOGRAPH ON THE LOCATION OF THE NEW STEM/STUDENT CENTER DURING THE 2014 CONVOCATION.