"Trojan Voice" Magazine, Spring 2025

Page 1


THE TVS MISSION

Trinity Valley School has four main objectives for its students: fine scholarship with its fulfillment at college; the development of wide constructive interests; intelligent citizenship; and spiritual and moral development which promotes lasting values.

Spring 2025 Volume XXXIV Number 2

Trinity Valley School | 7500 Dutch Branch Road Fort Worth, TX 76132 | 817.321.0100 | tvs.org

MANAGING EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

ASHLEY ROBINSON

COPY EDITOR

KATHRYN DAVIS ’89

DESIGN

SARAH RADICELLO | RADICELLO CREATIVE

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

MICHAEL BRANSCOM PHOTO+FILM

DAN BRYANT PHOTOGRAPHS

SZALAN ELLIS

JAKE FELTS

KIRSTEN GALLON PHOTOGRAPHY

MELISA GARCIA

MANDY KIRWAN

ASHLEY MCCOLLUM

ASHLEY ROBINSON

MARCY ROTEN

STEVI SCHUKNECHT

SUSIE URSPRUNG

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

LINDSEY BETSILL

MICHAEL CARLSON ‘03

DR. ALEXANDRA CHANNELL

TINA CLAYTON

BEN COURCHESNE

GERRY CUMPIANO

KATHRYN DAVIS ‘89

EILEEN FORD

MELISA GARCIA

CADEN GEORGE ‘25

GRACE GIBSON ‘25

KYLE KAHUDA

GEORGE N. KING, JR.

JULIE KNUDSEN

ERIN MACNABB

MARY BLAIR MAYFIELD ‘25

RUTHIE MAYFIELD ‘25

ASHLEY Mc COLLUM

COURTNEY Mc CRACKEN ‘25

BOBBIE Mc CURDY

BRANDON PALOMO

DR. MICHAEL ROEMER

STEVI SCHUKNECHT

SUSIE URSPRUNG

Trinity Valley School’s Trojan Voice is published twice a year. Please contact Ashley Robinson, Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications, with any questions, comments, or suggestions regarding this publication at robinsona@tvs.org.

Trinity Valley School is an independent, co-ed, college-preparatory, day school for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. © Copyright 2025 by Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX 76132-4110

ACADEMICS

CUM LAUDE SOCIETY | PAGE6

CLASS OF 2025 COMMENCEMENT | PAGE6

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY | PAGE7

CLASS OF 2025 COMPOSITE | PAGE12

BEYOND THE ARCHES | PAGE14

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS | PAGE28

INTENTIONAL AI | PAGE31

ALUMNI

ALUMNI AWARD HONOREES | PAGE57

2025 ACAC | PAGE64

CLASS NOTES | PAGE65

THE ARTS

VISUAL ARTS | PAGE36

ATHLETICS

BETTER TOGETHER | PAGE24 GIRLS’ SOCCER WINS SPC | PAGE26

COLLEGIATE SIGNING DAY | PAGE27

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

TWO SENIORS REFLECT | PAGE40

GLOBAL EDUCATION

A BOUNDLESS POSSIBILITY | PAGE42

INSIDE THE ARCHES

HEAD OF SCHOOL | PAGE4

WHEN TROJANS COME TOGETHER | PAGE20

A VIBRANT HUB | PAGE38

TROJAN FUELING STATION | PAGE45

RETIREMENTS | PAGE46

AUXILIARY PROGRAMS | PAGE48

PARENTS’ CLUB | PAGE50

UNIFORM RESALE | PAGE52

GALLERY NIGHT | PAGE54

ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN | PAGE56

#BOUNDLESSPOSSIBILITY

Welcome to the spring edition of the Trojan Voice !

We are excited to share how Trinity Valley School continues to bring our rallying cry— Boundless Possibility —to life. It has been a remarkable year of growth and achievement across our campus.

In this issue, you will discover some of the innovative work happening at TVS, including a spotlight on our AIRE team and their exciting exploration in the field of Artificial Intelligence. We are also proud to recognize our outstanding juniors and seniors who have been inducted into the Cum Laude Society and the National Honor Society. This spring, we celebrate the retirement of six dedicated faculty and staff members, whose combined 129 years of service have made a lasting impact on our School. We also cheer on four seniors who have committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level in baseball, football, and tennis—Go Trojans!

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to welcome our incoming Head of School, Ben Courchesne, who officially will join us in July. During the search process, Ben distinguished himself with his wide-ranging experience, student-first leadership style, and deep alignment with the mission and values of TVS. He has already begun making meaningful contributions by supporting the spring hiring process. A heartfelt thank you goes to the Head of School Search Committee, led by Laura Miller and Amar Tanna ’99, our partners at The Education Group, and all in our community who warmly welcomed Ben to campus. Your collaboration made this a truly inclusive process.

As my time as Interim Head comes to a close, I am filled with gratitude. This year has offered me a firsthand look at the many dynamic and inspiring ways students learn and grow at TVS. It has also been an enriching experience personally, and I leave with deep appreciation and many fond memories of this extraordinary community—students, families, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends alike.

Charliese and I thank you for the opportunity to be part of Trinity Valley School. I hope you enjoy this issue of the Trojan Voice

INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL

2024-2025 Academic Year

GEORGE N. KING, JR.

The TVS Head of School Search Committee, co-chaired by Laura Miller and Amar Tanna ’99, was particularly impressed by Ben’s diverse experience across academic, operational, student-life and athletic leadership at top-tier independent schools. We are confident that Ben’s dedication to student growth and well-rounded approach to leadership will help to bring Trinity Valley School into a new era of success, building upon our strong legacy and fostering a thriving learning environment for all students.

Ben, Audrey, Ronan, Alden, and Elle Courchesne

CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

The Cum Laude Society was founded in 1906 to honor superior academic achievement in secondary school. As stellar academic students, inductees must exhibit the characteristics of (from the Greek) Areté (Excellence), Diké (Justice) and Timé (Honor).

The president of the TVS chapter is Dr. Don Carlson.

Cum Laude students will be honored at the Senior Awards Assembly in May 2025

TVS CLASS OF

2025

59th Commencement May 17, 2025 5:00 p.m.

MacGorman Chapel & Performing Arts Center

5 SENIORS & 67 JUNIORS

TO THE ALBERT M. GOGGANS CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

MARCH 24, 2025

Izzy Bachim

Tappan Bailey

Logan Bettinger

Saifullah Bhatti

Adelyn Bibb

Ellie Booher

Jonathan Boothby

Olivia Carey

John Fulghum

Reid Garsek

Saaira Gatta

Julian Gerstle

Charlotte Goldman

Will Goldman

Isabel Gonzalez

Lucy Good

Maddy Grau

Savannah Green-Dias

Layla Lackan

Livia Langford

Hadley Langston

Hattie Lewis

Jayden Lopez

Luke Mayfield

Max McGuirk

Catherine McKnight

Claire McKnight

Ella McLawhorn

Charles Spake

Lylah St. Peter

Tejas Sukesh

Keshav Talati

Dalya Chandler

Kadence Chaney

Nathan Charette

Edy Cline

Sarah Connally

Blake Corder

Gabi Cowan

Ryan Crider

Noah Daniel

Kate Demchuk

Sydney Fewins

Nori Hamilton

Jake Hudman

Caroline Huseman

Ellis Jamison

Lucy Johnston

Clare Kale

Mamie Karpman

Claire Kauffman

Emma Khan

Jaxson Knight

Kate Mikulencak

Hasini Mukka

Haley Munshi

Hub Nickels

Alana Parker

Alex Ricketts

Sophia Schulman

Brooke Scully

Jason Shahi

Fiona She

Addy Thomann

Eli Trivedi

Sloane Unell

Benjamin Walker

Nicholas Watkins

Samuel Williams

Anna Willmann

Madeline Yorkston

Alli Zavaleta

SCHOLARSHIP

COURTNEY

Mc CRACKEN Scholarship refers to academic study and achievement, a characteristic each of you have exemplified. When I was listening to this speech at NHS last year, I was hesitant to consider myself a scholar. What could I have done that was important enough to align myself with the great thinkers of history?

So when asked to give this speech this year, I wondered what does it take to be a scholar? What is academic achievement? Is it taking 6 APs? Maintaining all A’s? Getting into a prestigious college? Or staying up past midnight to study?

Looking back at some of the great scholars throughout history, Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, Einstein, I noticed a couple attributes in common — passion and curiosity. Each of these individuals made observations about the world around them and questioned old ideas in order to reach new discoveries. They were not afraid to reexamine long-standing beliefs, such as the geocentric model of the universe, paving the path of progress.

When I think about curiosity, I’m reminded of one of my favorite childhood storybooks, Curious George. Many of you may not know about my obsession with Curious George. I read all the books and carried the stuffed monkey around everywhere I went. I even had a George themed birthday party complete with custom cupcakes. George’s endless questions and desire to explore often led him into trouble, but they also led to new understandings and experiences. That same sense of wonder is what drives scholars to continue pushing boundaries and expanding the frontier of knowledge today.

The renowned author, Thomas Friedman, who wrote The World is Flat put it this way. “Give me the kid with a passion to learn and a curiosity to discover and I will take him or her over the less passionate kid with a huge IQ every day of the week.” As his book’s title suggests, Friedman says, “the world is flat”. By this he means the global playing field is being leveled in a way that only those with curiosity and passion will be rewarded. IQ is important, but having a love for learning is what will take you far in life. Put another way, your CQ (curiosity quotient) and PQ (passion quotient) are together more important than your IQ.

To build on the importance of passion, I’d like to share a story from a mission trip I took to Costa Rica. Last spring, I traveled to San Jose to help build a home for a family in need. The oldest daughter, Kiara, loved going to school and chatted exuberantly about her friends and classes. Due to a lack of funds and teachers, students had to be rotated, allowing them to attend school only two days a week, which prevented Kiara from receiving a full-time education. After getting to know the families and kids there, I’ve learned to not take my education for granted.

While right now you may not be thankful for Mr. Price’s exams or Ms. Sellers’ essay requirements, I encourage you to recognize the blessing of scholarship. I also encourage you to pursue your passions with curiosity and dedication. True scholarship is not just about grades, test scores, or college acceptances—it’s about the lifelong pursuit of knowledge, the willingness to ask questions. So take time tonight to celebrate your accomplishments but also look forward to the journey ahead.

SERVICE

GRACE GIBSON

The National Honor Society describes the pillar of service as follows: “Service represents the choice of stepping outside oneself to meet the needs of others, fueled by an unwavering passion for a cause, heartfelt empathy for others, or driven by personal circumstances. It’s about performing selfless acts that transcend the ordinary, engendering transformative changes that resonate through our schools, ripple across our communities, and reverberate on a global scale. In the noble act of service, we sculpt a better world with our hands, our hearts, and our humanity.”

Each of the students here today have made a commitment to serve their community. This selfless draw to help others is something that TVS instills in students, myself included. NHS does the same, encouraging high schoolers to think beyond themselves. Personally, I have created countless memories through service opportunities. I’ve gone to Tennessee to build a ramp for Judy, an older woman who was struggling to get up the stairs in her house. It was a week of hard work, but we made

her life just a bit easier. I’ve gone to North Carolina to fix up the campgrounds that host summer camps for special needs children. I painted rocks, made another bridge, and painted their basketball court. All these little things make the camp more accessible and exciting for the campers, and we were happy to give our time. I’ve done things on a smaller scale, too, like going to the Tarrant Area Food Bank numerous times to sort donated food items. I’ve made dog toys at TVS for the Humane Society. But, it isn’t just me who has experienced the world through service; each of the students honored here today have, too. They have each seen need in our world and gone out of their way to help, just as the National Honors Society encourages.

Up until graduation, we are pushed to serve our community. Sixty hours of community service is a requirement to graduate, and many of you have already fulfilled these hours. However, I hope that service is more than a number to each of you. Sure, we have to complete a certain amount or there are consequences. But, this system, hopefully, sparks appreciation for the action itself, not just the 2, 3, or 4 hours of credit rewarded. Because, in the future, service won’t be a hard and fast requirement. But, we must all make the world a better place through acts of service. Don’t stop when you graduate just because you can. I’m a believer that however much you put into life is how much you get out. The more good you do, the more good will come your way. Not only that, but your acts will improve the world and the people around you.

And, service doesn’t only benefit the people you serve. It benefits you, too. Volunteer experiences will continue to challenge you as a young person, growing your skill set and your character simultaneously. For example, I didn’t know how to use a circular saw before I built that bridge for Judy, but now I do! At the same time, talking to Judy and hearing about her struggles with her health and mobility grew my sense of empathy. And, I’m sure each and every one of you can think of a service project that pushed your skill set and your character.

We are all incredibly lucky to go to a school like TVS which gives us the resources to serve. Not everyone has that chance. Remember that service is not a chore or a boring obligation. It is an exciting opportunity; a way to do what you can for the people around you.

LEADERSHIP

CADEN GEORGE

I would like to take a moment to talk about leadership—what it means in high school, and what it will mean as we move forward in our lives.

Leadership carries a lot of weight and can feel like something that is reserved for those in charge. But in reality, leadership is about how we influence others, how we guide those around us, and how we use our actions to inspire and bring out the best in people.

Leadership can manifest in a variety of ways. It might be evident in the classroom, in student organizations, or on sports teams. But it also happens in smaller, quieter moments—the way we support one another, help a classmate who is struggling, or encourage a friend to reach their full potential. True leadership isn’t about being the loudest or the most visible person; it’s about the impact you make, the way you lift others up, and how you help steer a group toward a common goal.

A strong leader knows how to listen, understands others' perspectives, and takes the time to truly connect with those around them. Leaders with

empathy recognize the experiences and emotions of others. When we lead with empathy, we create an environment of trust and support, where people feel safe to contribute and collaborate. This sense of understanding helps build the foundation for strong teams and fosters a culture of respect.

Good leadership is also leading with integrity, it's the ability to stand by your values and make ethical decisions, even when it’s difficult. An essential aspect of leadership is doing what’s right, even when no one is watching. That means being consistent in your actions, being honest, and upholding your principles. People follow leaders who are trustworthy and who demonstrate commitment to their beliefs and values, not just in words, but through actions as well.

Being a good leader comes with being adaptable. In high school, we all experience change— whether it’s adjusting to a new class schedule, handling unexpected challenges, or navigating new responsibilities. Great leaders embrace change and remain flexible. Adaptability means staying calm and open-minded in the face of challenges and being willing to adjust strategies when necessary. As we move forward, we will encounter new and unforeseen challenges, and it will be our ability to adapt that will help us lead through them.

Collaboration is also a crucial aspect of leadership. The best leaders know that everyone has something valuable to contribute. They encourage collaboration, listen to different ideas, and help bring people together to work toward shared objectives. A leader who fosters a collaborative environment not only improves the team’s results but also strengthens the bonds within the group.

Leadership often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. It takes courage to speak up when something isn’t right, to take on new challenges, and to lead even when we’re unsure of the outcome. It requires us to act with conviction and take responsibility, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.

As National Honor Society members, we have already demonstrated excellence in scholarship, service, and character. But leadership is the next step. Excelling individually is great, but to use our skills, qualities, and abilities to guide and inspire others creates a legacy of leadership that extends beyond personal success.

CHARACTER

RUTHIE MAYFIELD It was just last year that I was listening to these same words in this same spot, and now I get to be a part of tonight’s ceremony and induct my brother.

So I am very glad to be here tonight. But I am here to speak to you all a little bit on the fourth pillar of the NHS: and that is, character.

The National Honor Society says: “Character lies not in public acts of virtue or visible mistakes, but in the consistent commitment to ethical and compassionate decision-making that positively affects both oneself and others.”

That’s a mouthful and also seems like a tall order. By this definition, character is constituted by aggregate acts of selflessness, altruism, and helpfulness. This isn’t always the easiest or the most natural thing to do as a human, but notice it doesn’t necessarily say that you have to be perfect at helping others, you only have to try.

So for example, if you’re swamped with homework, practice, rehearsal, and all the things we know a TVS student does on a daily basis, and you’re

trying to be nice but the stress spills over, give yourself some credit.

Just the intention of being noble establishes character. This pillar is also largely based on what others can’t see - what you do when no one is watching. What kind of person you truly are. But I think this also means doing good when you think no one cares, or when you do something kind just for the sake of being a good person.

I believe any of these upperclassmen would encourage a friend backstage before a performance, share DBQ strategy with their APUSH class, or pick them up during a timeout in the fourth quarter, all without seeking recognition or thanks for it afterward.

I encourage the people on this stage to recognize that they have been chosen on the basis of and on the potential of who you truly are.

Doing service hours after you’ve met the minimum requirement, going above and beyond in a class discussion, simulation, or project, or sharing notes with a friend who was absent for class are all ways these inductees have been people of character. That’s a powerful thing, having something that can never be taken away. I encourage the people on this stage to recognize that they have been chosen on the basis of and on the potential of who you truly are. Others see your core in a positive way, and feel lucky that you have people around you to know you so well.

I’m not just trying to believe the best of everyone here and make this a happy-go-lucky speech. I've been around some of these people for the past 12odd years. We’ve shared classes, clubs, and favorite teachers. We’ve shared teammates, common struggles in AP classes, and even parents! We’ve shared a community and gotten to know each other’s character even if we’re not the best of pals!

So, whenever you think your efforts, your diligence, and your attempts at acting with character go unnoticed, know you’ve really made an impact on your peers. I hope you all continue to be people of character.

CONGRATULATIONS

FIRST ROW (L-R)

Mallory Turner

Aubrey Chiarelli

Courtney Ssentamu

Rowan Regan

Maddi Reaves

Courtney McCracken

Jessica Lucas

Sophia Schulman

Kaylee Shaw

Mary Fahy

Grace Gibson

Lily Ross

Bea Lee

Carly Gonzales

Mae Blouin

SECOND ROW

Neal Shrestha

Carson Ng

Hannah Timson

Eleni Barlow

Kate Demchuk

Ruby White

Olivia Parks

Maddie Spence

Zoe Davis

Ellie Booher

Olive Andrews

Ruthie Mayfield

Mary Blair Mayfield

Johanna Ivy

THIRD ROW

Luke Eubanks

Ben Ngishu

Reed Strickland

Benton Cantey

Stella Klein

Margaret Aldrich

Laura Callen

Claire Cammack

Logan Cain

Gregory Cherry

TVS CLASS OF 2025!

Lexie Roberts

Kelton Finley

Caroline Roark

Sami Bismar

Sophie Sable

Hailey Murrin

Hardie Tucker

Jimmy Rosell

FOURTH ROW

Riley Stayton

Wyatt Horton

Emerson Johnson

Beckett Drennan

Finn Drennan

Ava Casto

Georgia Hoskins

Gray Ballweg

Michael Kustov

Kane Aldrich

Caden George

Collier Ursprung

Evan Hurtado

Ethan Ta

Philip Pritchett

Sameer Bhatti

BACK ROW

Jayden Lopez

Will Hegi

Grant Harlin

Jace Kirwan

Hughes Bowerman

Will Bekish

Hudson Lewis

Robert Masterson

Gage Aasletten

AJ Deem

Preston Barretto

Owen Martin

Sean Perryman

Alex Siede

Preston Brown

Mac Henry Unruh

Gerard Randolph

Tejas Sukesh

#BOUNDLESSPOSSIBILITY BEYOND THE ARCHES

JULIE KNUDSEN, HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL, DR. ALEXANDRA CHANNELL , HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND KYLE KAHUDA , HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

At Trinity Valley School, we believe that education extends far beyond the classroom walls and the iconic arches that frame our campus. From the youngest Trojans in Lower School to our Upper School scholars, we are committed to opening doors to a world filled with limitless possibilities. Through virtual connections, community service, and academic competitions, our students are encouraged to explore new ideas, engage with diverse perspectives, and make a lasting impact on the world around them. This issue of Trojan Voice highlights the many ways our students are venturing beyond the arches, embracing opportunities that inspire growth, creativity, and a sense of global citizenship.

LOWER SCHOOL

There is a big world beyond the arches of Trinity Valley School - a world filled with opportunities, experiences, and perspectives waiting to be explored! While our youngest Trojans begin their journey from the comfort of our own campus, we are committed to broadening their horizons and introducing them to new ideas. With our innovative morning announcements and monthly assemblies as a vehicle for virtual connection and global exposure, we bring the world to our students.

Each Tuesday, we embark on Travel Tuesday where virtual technology allows us to visit places we could not otherwise experience. In the first weeks of school, the students marveled at how I could return from Paris and Hawaii even before lunchtime! Through Travel Tuesday, we have had the privilege of visiting the iconic New York City Library to see the Library Lions, dropping by the Strong National Museum of Play - home of the Toy Hall of Fame, and discovering the National Center for Illustrated Children’s Literature in Abilene, Texas. We even got to pop by Fremont, California, which has been described as the happiest city in the United States!

Special Guest Thursdays have further expanded our students’ worldviews, bringing in professionals from both near and far. One especially memorable experience was a virtual visit to the

Fort Worth Zoo where Kaleigh, a zookeeper, shared fascinating insights about the penguins she cares for. As we watched the penguins play in the background, the students were captivated by the descriptions of the penguins’ personalities and her stories of their playful behavior.

Author and illustrator Daniel Miyares first joined us virtually as a Special Guest on morning announcements, then in person for our annual Author Visit on campus. Our virtual connection provided an introduction to Mr. Miyares’s journey to becoming a published author as well

Saturday, January 25, five TVS mathletes (Ayo Agboola, Victoria Nguyen, Neal Shrestha, Tejas Sukesh, and Angela Zhou) performed well on individual contests and secured a perfect score on the team test to win the Metroplex Mathematics Contest Sweepstakes and Team Awards.
TRINITY VALLEY

This page top to bottom: Lower School families came to school early to Power Up with Picture Books during Read Across America week.

Pictured: The Chandraprakasam Family; Crazy Sock Day during Read Across America week; Zookeeper shares insights about the penguins at the Fort Worth Zoo during Lower School announcements.

Opposite page: Middle Schoolers sent letters and supplies to schools in California that were destroyed by the wildfires.

as a glimpse into several of his engaging stories. While visiting our campus this spring, Mr. Miyares inspired our students, empowering them to recognize their many talents, express themselves through art, and never give up on their dreams.

Read Across America Week was filled with exciting celebrations of literature, including virtual guest readers from all across the United States each morning. These talented educators joined us from Oklahoma, New York, North Carolina, and Oregon, sharing a beloved book and strengthening a love of reading in our students. Students giggled at the Southern accent they heard in Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale by Helen Ketteman and James Warhola, and they were reminded to get outside and play after reading The Couch Potato by Jory John.

Finally, our December assembly focused on the character value of Service, where TVS alumna Catherine Anderson ’20 shared the many powerful experiences she had while volunteering in our Fort Worth community and other places in the world. Catherine, the 2020 recipient of the TVS Navin Narayan Community Service Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, spoke about her work at Como Community Center and Camp Barnabas, a camp for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Her inspiring stories demonstrated to our students how they, too, can make a difference in the world through service, extending their impact far beyond the arches of our School.

As we continue to nurture the curiosity and potential of our students, the experiences and lessons that unfold remind us that learning is not confined to physical boundaries. Each virtual visit, special guest, and shared story helps our students understand that their influence and opportunities reach far outside our campus. Just as the arches welcome students to Trinity Valley, they also symbolize the beginning of a journey— one that encourages our Trojans to look ahead, to explore new places, meet new people, and ultimately, make a difference in the world.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

TVS Middle School Community Service Project: Supporting Schools Impacted by the California Wildfires

Over the past semester, the Middle School Community Service Committee brainstormed ways to inspire and impact the community beyond our TVS arches. This year, student committee members coordinated a Middle School-wide community service project to support the schools impacted by

the California wildfires. The tragic wildfires ravaged much of the Los Angeles area and resulted in the temporary closures of hundreds of schools, with at least a dozen completely destroyed in the blazes. Students hoped to help restore a sense of normalcy by providing immediate practical resources while also offering much-needed emotional support.

Each grade level symbolically adopted two schools that were either completely or mostly destroyed by these fires. In the first week of this project, advisors guided students through a review of the wildfire aftermath in California and helped them learn more about the school that their group would “adopt.” In the second and third weeks of this project, students participated in the service acts of creating cards of encouragement and support for students and faculty, as well as collecting gently used school supplies and books for donation. The eight affected schools that students “adopted” were: St. Mark’s School, Pasadena Waldorf School, Village School, Palisades Charter High School, Westside Waldorf School, Palisades Charter Elementary, Marquez Charter Elementary, and Odyssey South Charter School.

The message our students hope to send to the schools and students impacted in California is: Even though we’re far away, we hope you're staying safe and we are thinking about you.

We are so proud of our Middle Schoolers for so tangibly and compassionately demonstrating care and intention beyond the arches!

UPPER SCHOOL

In the Upper School, our classrooms are the focal point of the educational experience. Students explore a more diversified and specific curriculum year by year over their time in our division, nurtured and led by our professional, dynamic team of subject experts. While the learning environment inside those classrooms is robust and engaging, sometimes students have a desire to stretch beyond our TVS walls in one or more disciplines.

Accordingly, our faculty have built a rich selection of competitive academic programs that take students “beyond the arches” and into the broader community of scholars and students with similar motivations.

Certamen

Founded in 1936, Certamen is a fast-paced, quiz-bowl-style competition organized by the National Junior Classical League. Students compete in tournaments across the DFW area with opportunities to qualify for state and national championships. Recently, TVS has revived its Certamen program, quickly establishing itself as one of the strongest teams in the region. Beyond testing students’ knowledge of the Classical world at an advanced level, Certamen fosters essential skills like teamwork, as players collaborate and specialize in content areas; leadership, as experienced members mentor younger teammates; and confidence, as students learn to compete under pressure. Engaging in these

challenges outside of school helps students apply their knowledge in dynamic, real-world settings, better preparing them for further study and lifelong independent learning. Additionally, it connects participants with the wider Classics community, creating opportunities for intellectual growth and camaraderie far beyond what is possible in a classroom.

Competitive Coding and First Tech Robotics Teams

Upper School students with an affinity for computer science and engineering and a desire to go beyond the curriculum have two options “beyond the arches.” The Competitive Coding program challenges students to solve complex algorithmic problems under time constraints, strengthening their logical thinking and problem-solving skills. By competing individually and in teams, students collaborate while developing resilience and the ability to think under pressure. The team competes in events in DFW as well as occasionally in other parts of the state. The Robotics program provides students with hands-on experience in designing, building, and programming robots (controlled and autonomous), fostering problem-solving and teamwork skills. By tackling real-world engineering challenges, they develop critical thinking, resilience, creativity, and confidence – qualities essential for success in any field. As a new program in the Upper School this year, the team is preparing to compete in the First Tech Robotics program beginning next year.

Junior World Affairs Council

Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC) is a yearlong extracurricular club encouraging participants to remain current in their knowledge of international events. The focus is on the complexities and nuances of politics, economics, demographics, turmoil, and crises as they happen. Students learn to research documents sophisticated enough for graduate schools, from the State Department, CIA factbooks, BBC, The Economist, The Manchester Guardian, Reuters, United Nations reports, and online national archives of different nations. The exciting moment each year is the regional competition at UTA, where four-person teams answer 100 in-depth questions on world affairs, such as: "Who is the outgoing oil minister of Azerbaijan?" The winning team goes to Washington, D.C. for the national finals. In the regional competition of over 100 schools, Trinity Valley has placed two teams in the top 10 every year for a decade.

This page top to bottom: TVS Choir seniors Sophie Sable and Kate Demchuk at the 2025 Texas Private School Music Education Association (TPSMEA) All State Choir; TVS competitive Latin Certāmen teams compete in the magna saltātiō.
Opposite page: Visiting author and illustrator Daniel Miyares with Mrs. Campos’ fourth-grade class and art teacher Laura St. John

Mathletes

The TVS Mathletes is a student-led group for those who enjoy the challenge of problem solving at a competitive level. While the team participates in various contests, the primary focus is on the joy of mathematics and the creativity it fosters. Students benefit from the camaraderie of working alongside peers who share their passion while gaining exposure to diverse problem-solving strategies. Through collaboration and competition, they develop resilience, logical reasoning, and mathematical intuition. This year, approximately 18 students have participated in a variety of activities: Arete Labs Online Weekly Contests in the fall, Texas Math League Contests (October - March), the American Mathematics Competitions, and the Metroplex Mathematics Contest. These experiences cultivate perseverance and adaptability –skills essential for success in further studies and beyond. By engaging with complex problems in a dynamic environment, students not only strengthen their mathematical abilities but also develop the confidence to tackle challenges in any field.

Texas Private School Music Educators Association

TVS musicians (voice/choral and orchestra) have opportunities to audition and represent our School in various competitions and festivals organized by the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA).

Orchestra students participate in the TPSMEA Solo/ Ensemble contest each year; this year, TVS had 23 Superior-ranked soloists across all divisions, and the Upper School Orchestra ranked Superior as well! The solo contest is a wonderful opportunity for each student to take the spotlight and perform alone to display his/her technique. Students in Choir and Orchestra also audition for the TPSMEA and High School Regional and State Choir and Orchestra each year. This year all TVS orchestra students that auditioned were accepted and attended the clinic/ concert, and a large number had similar success in the choral program. It is extremely beneficial for students to practice and perform together alongside their colleagues from other schools, as well as to have the opportunity to learn from a new conductor. Learning how to balance the requirements and deadlines for the auditions can be difficult, but students learn time-management skills and greater musicianship as they organize their schedule to prepare for the audition and the concert repertoire.

In addition to the strong foundation built within the classroom, these "beyond the arches" opportunities offer students the chance to grow, excel, and represent Trinity Valley in meaningful ways. From developing key skills to showcasing their talents, our Trojans are prepared for success both inside and outside the classroom.

#BOUNDLESSPOSSIBILITY WHEN TROJANS COME TOGETHER

ASHLEY M c COLLUM, COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT

We started this school year with our new rally cry, #BoundlessPossibility. And nowhere is there more #BoundlessPossibility than when Trojans come together, work together, and serve together. The Friday before MLK Day, Trojans from kindergarten through 12th grade came together to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., honor his legacy, and celebrate him through a campus-wide community service project.

In the School-wide assembly prior to the service project, Sebastian Womack ʼ34 eloquently reminded us Dr. King’s “dream was for all of us to live, learn, and grow together, side by side.” And that is exactly what all our Trojans did on our MLK Day of Service. The older students paired up with their younger buddies, learned from three of their fellow students - Kaylee Shaw ʼ25, Eden Franks ʼ30, and Sebastian Womack ʼ34

This page: Dr. Alexandra Channell, Head of Middle School, Eden Franks ’30, Julie Knudsen, Head of Lower School, Sebastian Womack ’34, Kaylee Shaw ’25, and Kyle Kahuda, Head of Upper School
Opposite Page: Zadie Rea and Lizzy Settle, TVS Buddies

who all spoke in the assembly - and then grew together as they worked side by side decorating bookmarks. Those bookmarks were then paired with books donated by Trinity Valley School to the Buratto Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that provides books to children in Fort Worth with reading challenges and with limited access to resources.

“[Dr. King] believed in the value of serving others which is why many people choose to honor his legacy by engaging in community service.”

- Eden Franks ’30

The Buratto Family Foundation was founded in 2022 by Alan and Nick Buratto as a gift to Sue Buratto, their wife and mother respectively. Alan was the choir director at TVS from 2003-2023. Nick was a former student of Trinity Valley School, and his mother Sue was extremely passionate about childhood literacy and fostering a love of reading for children.

“[Dr. King] worked hard to bring people together and make sure that everyone could live in a world full of love, peace, and equality. His dream was for all of us to live, learn, and grow together, side by side. As we remember Dr. King’s legacy, we are challenged to think about how we can make a difference, too. We can stand up for what’s right, be kind to others, and help create the kind of world he dreamed about.” - Sebastian Womack ’34

So, as our students were creating these bookmarks for underprivileged children in our community, they were also contributing to the legacy of a former Trinity Valley School family. This one day, this one community service project, really came full

circle for the TVS community and truly showed the #BoundlessPossibility Trojans have when we come together. What a great way to remember, honor, and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

BETTER TOGETHER:

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP IN TVS ATHLETICS

Success in athletics does not happen in a vacuum - it takes a team, both on and off the field. At Trinity Valley School, we are Better Together, and the strength of our athletic programs comes from the partnerships that support and elevate our student athletes. From dedicated parents and coaches to academic leaders and essential staff, everyone plays a role in shaping a well-rounded, competitive, and thriving athletic community.

Our student-athletes are Better Together within their teams as they work toward a common goal and shared vision. This was on full display at the Winter SPC Championships, hosted in Fort Worth from February 13-15, 2025. We are incredibly proud of all our soccer, basketball, and swimming athletes! Hats off to our girls' soccer team for playing as one cohesive unit to secure their third consecutive SPC 3A Girls’ Soccer Championship title. These athletes understand that success isn’t achieved alone: they rely on each other, demonstrating the same teamwork and unity that defines all of our TVS teams. Their victory is a testament to the power of working together!

We are Better Together as we partner with the Trojan Booster Club, a key supporter, providing enthusiasm and resources that support our athletic teams. To date this school year, $185,000 has been invested to enhance the student-athlete experience and strengthen the sense of community. This funding has provided athletes with upgraded gear and equipment, including team warm-ups, backpacks, lacrosse helmets, PowerBreezer Cooling System, and more! Facility improvements have also been a priority, with enhancements such as added and re-turfed baseball and softball bullpen mounds, a state-of-the-art track and cross-country timing system for hosting meets, and the most recent installation of

a comprehensive safety netting system on our practice fields. And we are all looking forward to the addition of the new Spirit Store, thanks to the Churchill family!

STUDENT VOICE:

What does Better Together mean to you in TVS Athletics?

“To me, the phrase Better Together means that we are better as a team and that together we can all grow stronger. This is something that I have seen in every sport at TVS.”

- Graham Kennedy, Grade 10

“These are team sports we’re playing; don’t be focused on just self-improvement but also peer improvement. Get better as a whole.”

- William Lynch, Grade 10

Athletics has partnered with the TVS Technology Department to equip all coaches with TVS email addresses, Canvas accounts, and FACTS accounts, ensuring seamless and efficient communication with TVS families and student-athletes. With 15 full time PE/Athletics staff along with close to 100 coaches joining us from across Fort Worth, we are incredibly fortunate to benefit from their knowledge and experience, which play a crucial role in the growth and development of our athletes. Our coaches not only see and know each athlete individually but can now stay closely connected with the community, keeping parents and players informed and engaged with everything happening on their teams!

Athletics partners with academics to help student-athletes excel in the classroom just as they do on the athletic fields. Through regular check-ins with teachers, using sports as a motivator, and collaborating with academic services, we ensure that student-athletes receive the support they need to thrive. By recognizing and adapting to different learning styles, our coaches work alongside fellow educators to provide guidance that helps each athlete succeed both academically and athletically. This partnership reinforces

“Better Together makes me think about how we win as a team and lose as a team. We're one team, and everyone has to put forth full effort and commitment to achieve success. Success doesn't always mean winning games or meets. To me, it means that you gave everything you had for your team. When each of us brings our all, we create something stronger than any one of us could alone. That's what being better together is all about, showing up for each other, pushing through challenges together, and knowing that our combined effort makes us unstoppable.”

- Vivian Cline, Grade 7

“Being Better Together in TVS athletics has taught me that when I am playing in a difficult game, that I can't do it alone, and I need my teammates and coaches around me to support me.”

- Charlie Bulaich, Grade 11

“In TVS Athletics we are Better Together because we are a team. We are team members who help each other to be better in sports by competing, helping, and offering advice. Most importantly, we help each other when we fall down. We encourage each other to keep trying, even if it’s hard. We are there for each other at our highs and our lows. We work together to achieve things that we couldn’t have achieved alone. We are a team. That’s why we’re Better Together in TVS Athletics.”

- Quinn Bales, Grade 7

This top to bottom: Cheerleaders with their new gear; Upgraded lacrosse helmets Opposite page top to bottom: New safety netting on our practice fields; Re-turfed baseball bullpen

the idea that true success comes from a balanced approach, one where students are challenged, supported, and inspired in every aspect of their journey.

Even the Dining Hall, Technology, and the Business Office have joined forces with Athletics to create a system that fuels our athletes for peak performance. This past fall, The Fueling Station opened (located between the two gyms), offering healthier options to ensure our athletes are properly fueled before competition. Soda has been replaced with water, electrolyte drinks, and protein shakes, while candy has given way to sports waffles, yogurt, and hummus with pita chips. Instead of cookies, athletes now have access to granola bars, fruit, and protein bars. By providing smarter, performancefocused nutrition, we are helping our athletes fuel their bodies the right way, so they can perform at their best and deliver stronger results for their teams. Piloted in the winter and officially rolled out to Middle School and JV teams this spring, Athletics has partnered with Chef Erin Nesbitt to provide pre-game meal options for athletic events later in the evening. With athlete performance as the priority, the Dining Hall now offers four performance-based meal options, allowing athletes to choose the fuel that best supports their needs. This initiative ensures that every athlete has access to nutritious, energy-sustaining meals, helping them stay strong, focused, and ready to compete at their highest level.

At TVS, Athletics is more than just competition, it’s a community effort. And this year, we’ve seen firsthand that we are truly Better Together as we embrace our Boundless Possibility

TVS GIRLS’ SOCCER COMPLETES THE SPC 3A 3-PEAT!

Trinity Valley Girls’ Soccer completed the SPC 3A Championship 3-Peat in the winter SPC competition with a 3-0 win over the AWTY Rams from Houston.

The Trojans, after an undefeated North Zone slate (including wins over both 4A championship game participants Hockaday and St. Stephen’s), entered the tournament as the #1 seed and a Thursday first round bye. On Friday, the girls would take on Country Day at the Falcons’ home field, as they were the host of the Girls’ 3A Soccer Tournament. The Trojans made quick work of the Falcons defeating the hosts 5-3, led by four (4) goals by Audrey Deem in the game. Later that night, the girls learned they would be taking on an unfamiliar opponent, the AWTY Rams.

The first half of the Championship game gave credence to why the #3 seed Rams were in the Championship themselves as both teams entered halftime 0-0. But the second half showed why the Trojans were the twotime defending champions and the favorite in the tournament.

Second half goals from the three team captains, Courtney McCracken, Charlotte Goldman, and Rowan Regan sealed the game as the Trojans ran away with their 3rd straight championship.

CLASS OF 2025

COLLEGIATE SIGNING DAY

Jayden Lopez | University of the Ozarks | Baseball AJ Deem | The University of Utah
Ben Ngishu | Hillsdale College | Football

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS OFFER #BOUNDLESSPOSSIBILITY

In 2022, the College Counseling department at Trinity Valley School engaged in a process of writing the following mission statement and guiding principles to outline the activities and direction of our work:

Mission: College Counselors at Trinity Valley School guide and support students as they prepare to further their education in a context that aligns with their individual talents, interests, and goals.

Guiding Principles:

• We take an individualized approach and respect the diverse needs of our students and families.

• We partner with families through ongoing communication so they are empowered to engage in an informed college admissions process.

• We align our work with ethical standards and best practices to support a student-centered process.

• We continually seek knowledge about an ever-changing admissions landscape.

As part of our effort to empower families to make informed decisions in the college admission process, TVS College Counseling annually hosts over 50 programs and events which range from parent coffees to meetings with specific grade levels in the Upper School to a few annual signature programs. What is a signature program? These are programs that we believe add unique value to the experience of our Upper School families, and which allow us to more fully educate our community on current trends and topics in college admissions. In each case, these programs allow us to invite college admissions professionals to interact with our community, bringing their valuable perspectives and allowing them to learn a bit about TVS as well!

Fort Worth Case Studies and College Fair

Each spring, Fort Worth independent schools collaborate to present an engaging Saturday-afternoon event, inviting parents and students to step into the role of admissions counselors for a day. Participants have the opportunity to read mock application files

and share in small group discussions, simulating the admissions committee review process. Together, they deliberate on which students to admit, deny, or place on a waitlist. Guided by experienced university admission counselors, these discussions provide valuable insights into the admissions process, enriching participants' understanding of what it takes to navigate college applications successfully. This program is followed by a large college fair open to students in grades 9-11 and their parents/guardians. This year’s Case Studies and College Fair took place on Saturday, April 5.

College Colloquium

Every January, we invite college enrollment leaders to come to Trinity Valley and share their expertise with our Upper School families. This has been an annual event for almost a decade, and over the years have hosted vice presidents/provosts for enrollment, or deans of admission from many colleges and universities around the country. While in Fort Worth, our guests spend 24 hours with us, participating in an evening panel discussion and offering breakout sessions to parents and students. The following morning, they meet with select groups during the day which often include the 11thgrade students, Upper School faculty, parents/guardians and TVS administration. The presenters address a

January 2025 College Colloquium speakers Gil Villanueva, Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Rhodes College; Karen Kristof, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Admission at Colorado College; and David Tofel, Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Admissions at Texas A&M University

range of topics which change annually, but which always include current trends in college admission as a point of discussion. While we market this event primarily to our Upper School families, anyone in the TVS community is always welcome!

The Junior TOE Trip!

In the world of college counseling, the spring of the 11thgrade year is a critical time. It is when students typically venture out on several college visits in an effort to determine where they would like to apply, take their SAT or ACT exams, and finish what is the most challenging academic year they have encountered to that point. In February each year, we partner with the TVS TOE program to take our juniors on a two-day experience focused on both getting away together in nature and engaging in practical preparation for their college admission process. This program involves crafting a resume, hearing from college admission counselors, learning about requesting a letter of recommendation from their teachers, and opening and starting work on their Common Application account. In

between working sessions, students hike, play recreational games, and spend time outdoors. This year, because of the weather, our Junior TOE Trip was held on the TVS campus, but it was still a joyful and productive time! We are grateful to our TOE partners who facilitate an amazing program with us.

INTENTIONAL AI: SPARKING CURIOSITY

AND ENCOURAGING AUTHENTICITY

Innovation is an intentional commitment to consistently reflect and thoughtfully iterate based on a future-focused vision. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence over the past few years has required a commitment to this principle, but even as technology evolves, some of the most important skills to be able to leverage it successfully are distinctly non-technical: curiosity, critical thinking, analysis, collaboration, and communication. Our faculty are building these skills with our students daily, with and without the use of technology.

At TVS, our teachers inspire the joy of learning in our students and spark their curiosity. Whether students are building new worlds out of recycled items in STEAM, exploring ancient civilizations in humanities, or diving deeper into the classics in Latin, students are developing the skills to be lifelong learners. The conversations happening in our classrooms around literature, ethics, and philosophical questions build students’ perspectives, critical thinking, and ability to engage authentically with others. Our teachers continue to help students develop their passions and their voice - this authenticity will only grow in importance as AI use increases.

in student clubs, and on the athletic fields. These are skills Trinity Valley School has been developing for years which will become increasingly critical as they can not be replaced by AI.

Trinity Valley School’s faculty and staff dove into professional development in the summer of 2023 when over 40 teachers committed to a four-part webinar series to help them start thinking through the impact of AI on our students, instruction, and our world. The administration also reviewed our honor code and updated the policy on unauthorized assistance to include generative AI tools as a source of assistance that must be approved by the teacher.

"Creative problem-solving is a core component of all of our instruction. Our students’ ability to work well with others is developed in collaborative projects, in student clubs, and on the athletic fields. These are skills Trinity Valley School has been developing for years which will become increasingly critical as they can not be replaced by AI."

Faculty and staff had received guidance earlier in the year to protect student privacy by not including any personally identifiable information when using AI. Necessary precautions and considerations were also given about using free and commercial AI tools that train on our data. Many of our faculty started to grapple with what AI means for instruction and what skills it makes even more important moving forward.

Education at TVS has always been more than learning the content. Creative problem-solving is a core component of all of our instruction. Our students’ ability to work well with others is developed in collaborative projects,

That fall, we returned to convocation with the theme “Thinking Like a Futurist” and a challenge to imagine what our world would be like in 2030. We reflected on the fact that the seniors who had just graduated were in kindergarten when the first, heavy, large-bezeled iPads came out, and now the iPad is a powerful, regular part of

the workflow, not only in schools but in many industries and creative spaces. We looked at an AI generated image of “a ripple effect of question marks” to symbolize all of the questions that would create more questions, which would create more questions as AI continues to develop.

Initial use of AI tools in whole-group settings began. For example, in Lower and Middle School Spanish classes, students would write stories describing a character in Spanish. Then the description would be fed into Adobe Firefly by the teacher and the class would discuss in Spanish how the image matched and did not match their description. This use of AI built analytical skills, creativity, and conversational skills, and taught another critical lesson - what is generated by AI is not always right!

"By fall of 2024 the ripple effect of question marks was a clear visual on how far AI image generation had come in a year."

Our AI Research and Exploration (AIRE) Team also began meeting to discuss AI in the fall of 2023 and would eventually work towards a document that outlines when AI can and cannot be used at TVS. However, after evaluating that document, the team recognized that while it gave some clear “no’s”, it left a great deal of ambiguity on the use cases that were approved. It also did not provide the structure or language our students and faculty needed to develop the skills for using generative AI well.

By fall of 2024, the “ripple effect of question marks” was a clear visual on how far AI image generation had come in a year. Inspired by the work of The Kinkaid School in Houston, the AIRE team shifted to a menu of acceptable use of AI in late 2024 and shared this document with faculty for feedback. The language in the menu helps students and faculty clearly articulate what roles AI can and cannot play in their classes and helps teachers and students reflect on the skills they will need to develop to use AI well in the future.

Lindsey Betsill, EdTech Innovation Specialist, created an advisory lesson for Upper School students that provided space for students to talk about the positives they see about generative AI, as well as the downsides and their concerns. Anchored in the four pillars of the TVS mission, students discussed questions about AI in the context of fine scholarship, wide constructive interests, intelligent citizenship, and spiritual and moral values.

Following these conversations, student focus groups met by grade level to further discuss and give feedback on the Generative AI Responsible Use Menu. Incorporating student voice into these conversations is key - our students brought the menu item for “AI as a Study Tool” to the table - recognizing that their primary use of AI was not represented in the original menu.

Students recognize AI's potential as a study tool for summarizing texts, generating practice problems, and explaining concepts when teachers are unavailable, with one student expressing “I wish that my teachers knew that I use AI because I want to learn and understand more, not because I want to replace my learning.” Other themes students brought to these conversations include concerns around academic integrity and the accuracy of AI, a desire for clear boundaries, the importance of teachers considering the impact of AI on their subject areas, and helping students to learn to use AI thoughtfully and effectively. Our students expressed that there is a level of content and skill knowledge required to use AI well, and they expressed a desire to make sure current and future students realize this will be key. Next year we plan to include young alums in these conversations to help us better prepare our current students for the future.

Teachers have also started to use FlintK12 with Middle and Upper School students. Flint is an AI tool designed for education - using Flint allows us to help our students develop the ethical thinking and practical skills to understand and leverage generative AI well. Students and teachers can create activities geared toward specific content areas to provide practice, reinforcement, and spark new lines of thinking. Spanish students have used Flint to prepare and improve their spoken presentations about Spanish art. Seventh graders have engaged in a webquest about the Alamo preceding the Texas History TOE Trip, and in science classes, students have engaged with AI versions of historical figures such as Watson and Crick to help demonstrate and improve their understanding of academic concepts.

AI is a significant factor in our students’ present and will continue to be in their future. TVS will continue to reflect, iterate, and grow our approaches as we consider the impact of generative AI on our students, our instruction, and our world.

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Students must disclose AI usage. Copies of chats must be submitted

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Adapted by Trinity Valley School from The Kinkaid School, Woodward Academy, Vera Cubero’s work for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and from The AI Assessment Scale of Drs. Leon Furze, Mike Perkins, Jasper Roe, and Jason MacVaugh
Adapted by Trinity Valley School from The Kinkaid School, Woodward Academy, Vera Cubero’s work for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and from The AI Assessment Scale of Drs Leon Furze, Mike Perkins, Jasper Roe, and Jason MacVaugh.
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Adapted by Trinity Valley School from The Kinkaid School, Woodward Academy, Vera Cubero’s work for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and from The AI Assessment Scale of Drs Leon Furze, Mike Perkins, Jasper Roe, and Jason MacVaugh

TVS VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM

The Trinity Valley School Visual Arts program is designed to foster the growth and success of each individual student. In fine arts classes, students are taught diverse, complex technical skills which in turn provide them tools to engage in constructive problem solving in all facets of their lives. The creative team at TVS employs both traditional and non-traditional methods to expand and enrich each student’s intellectual and academic capabilities.

TVS students gain experience in technical skills while working daily in the art studio. This is followed up with intellectual analysis and critical feedback with their teachers, peers, and art professionals. Such feedback is vital as the students decipher their work and how it relates to the world in which they live. It also aids their acquisition of new vocabulary and ability to articulate within each creative discipline.

A VIBRANT HUB

OF #BOUNDLESSPOSSIBILITIES

Almost a year after the completion of renovations to both our Lower School and Middle/Upper School libraries, the positive impact on students and faculty has been remarkable.

In the Lower School, students are swept away into a reading adventure upon entering a much more expansive library space with not only new shelving and seating but also unique and artful additions like a book tree, wall mural, and starry sky. Multiple areas can accommodate individual classes, so the space is well suited to provide a comfortable and inviting environment for the wonderful library lessons Ms. Murphy teaches each week.

The updated Middle School/Upper School library, which features three glass-enclosed student workspaces,

provides much-needed areas for focused study and group collaboration. Academic support offices within the library allow students to access guidance and resources easily, fostering a more connected and supportive learning space. Additionally, the expanded seating and new workspaces have been embraced by students, offering them more opportunities to study, read, and work both independently and in groups. Furthermore, the reimagined shelving system allows us to maintain an extensive book collection, ensuring that both Middle and Upper School students continue to have access to a wealth of resources that spark unique interests and provide supplemental support for academic coursework. The library has become a truly vibrant hub of learning, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence and student success.

TROJAN OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE:

TWO SENIORS REFLECT ON ITS IMPACT

Ruthie

TOE was always the best day of the year. I remember looking forward to third grade because that meant I finally got to go on a TOE trip.

I’m a summer camp girl, so I love the outdoors and adventure, but getting to experience it with classmates and teachers was a whole new level of fun. Kayaking, rock climbing, belaying, hiking, identifying plants, sleeping at school even though it was freezing, and making friends with Upper School leaders are all very vivid memories in my mind. They were that important and exciting for me as a kid.

And to be honest, I still feel the same way about volunteering as a TOE student leader. I’m pumped the night before, and on that trip I get to be with friends in my grade and make connections with younger students or teachers whom I may or may not know.

The interpersonal part of it is important to me, but so is the strictly personal. I love being unplugged from technology, feeling present in nature, moving my body, and feeling

MARY BLAIR AND RUTHIE MAYFIELD, CLASS OF 2025

fulfilled and tired at the end of the day. The lessons of perseverance, teamwork, independence, and appreciation for nature have become a very valuable part of my character.

Through TOE, I have a greater appreciation and concern for our environment, I can overcome challenges, I can go with the flow and adapt to various situations, and I know a lot of great team-building games to play with a group!

The joy I've found in outdoor experience and education, and the lessons I've learned from it, have created an enduring love for it. I want to make sure that enjoying the outdoors is a lifelong endeavor.

When I look back on the three TOE trips that had the biggest impact on me, I choose my first third-grade trip, the DC trip of course, and being a leader on the seventhgrade trip.

The third-grade trip as I said was so anticipated, so every moment lives rent free and vivid in my mind. One of the TOE leaders in my group actually remembered me when we met seven years later at an outdoor camp in Missouri, where she was a leader!

It's amazing to visit the nation's capital, but we also had a different experience than most. Due to Covid, our class had to wait until the end of ninth grade to visit DC. Rather

than going at the beginning of eighth grade, we had two more years of maturity, according to the leaders, and by the end of ninth grade we were given more privileges to walk around, stay up later, and such. It was nice to hear that since it was so waited for. I enjoyed the camping part the best and Manidokan because of how beautiful everything was. It totally makes me want to live there when I’m older.

Also due to Covid, I didn’t get to go on the seventh-grade TOE trip, but as a sophomore I was able to be a leader. It was amazing hanging out at Enchanted Rock, and I got to know Mr. Jacobs, a geologist who also worked with my archaeology class. That was a cool connection. I had never been a leader for more than a night, so it was a big

MaryBlair

For me, the TOE program has always balanced out the other aspects of life at Trinity Valley School. Whereas most of the year is spent hustling in classrooms, sports fields, and on the on stage, TOE trips allow us to step back and learn from a broader perspective. By taking their attention away from homework, deadlines, and devices, students can reach their classmates in a meaningful way and truly get to know them.

Students have also taken the opportunity to lead TOE trips as an activity credit. This helps students get out of the classroom while also receiving an activity credit. For spending a combined seven overnights on TOE trips, one out of eight activity credits may be earned.

Leading student TOE trips is one of the hidden gems at TVS. While everyone gets to experience TOE, the opportunity to lead a TOE trip for the younger community offers so much more. When leading a TOE trip, you get to relive all the experiences of life at TVS. Whether it is the third graders talking about their roles in Charlotte's Web, the sixth graders mentioning their science project, or even just their familiar games and conversations, becoming a leader reminds you of the little milestones and connects the community.

deal. Today, the seventh graders whom I led are some of my close friends as freshmen. I also remember when it started raining while we were caving, which would’ve seemed terrifying, but the leaders had it under control and it ended up being really beautiful and fun. I’m going back this spring, and I can’t wait to visit again.

TOE also allows students to discover new interests that are outside of everyday classes and sports, pushing the participants to get the bigger picture. This has been TOE’s biggest impact on me as I have learned that putting all my effort into academics does not necessarily lead to success. Rather, the dynamic lessons learned through TOE allow me to see success in a different light. These lessons include creating lasting connections with people and taking advantage of the simple moments.

My top three favorite trips have to be the third-grade campus trip, sixth grade, and the Washington D.C. trip.

A

BOUNDLESS POSSIBILITY OF CONNECTIONS!

DR. MICHAEL ROEMER , DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL EDUCATION AND TINA CLAYTON , FIFTH-GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS

What do you know about Denmark? Its capital? What the flag looks like? Maybe you know that it’s a constitutional monarchy with a prime minister? Maybe you know that it’s part of Scandinavia? (Read the article to find the answers! *)

Or, maybe you don’t know any of this. Chances are, if you ask TVS students who have been at have been at Trinity Valley School for a few years, they do know Over the past 13 years, we have established lasting partnerships with a number of schools and universities, including several Danish universities. Since the fall of 2012, we have had 25 International Assistant Teachers (IATs) from Denmark who have taught in all three divisions, including classes in language arts/ English, math, science, art, history, music, and P.E. (there are two here now as I write this!). Our current seniors likely have learned from a Danish AT at least three to four times if they started at TVS in the Lower School. While they might not remember everything they learned in those lessons, they are likely to have positive feelings about Denmark based on the wonderful people who taught them.

One of my favorite offshoots of our unique IAT program – TVS is the only school in Texas that I know of to provide these opportunities annually for our community – is a fifth-grade Virtual Learning Exchange (VLE) between the students of Tina Clayton and Signe Betzer (IAT at TVS in the spring of 2019). Ms. Betzer was a remarkable addition to our community in 2019, and she has made it her priority to continue connections with TVS. She helped arrange for our eighthgrade American Studies teachers, Dr. Ed Wood and Ryan Ellis, to spend time in schools and at her university in Denmark in 2020 for professional development. Although their trip was cut a few days

Opposite page: Ed Wood and Ryan Ellis with Danish Assistant Teachers Signe Betzer and Christina Sørensen when Ed & Ryan were visiting schools and universities in Denmark in March 2020 for PD.

This page: 5th graders typing messages to Signe’s current students in Denmark.

short by the COVID-19 pandemic, they made new connections, experienced new teaching pedagogies, and grew to appreciate Denmark even more. Last year, Ms. Bezter, Ms. Clayton, and I collaborated to design an ongoing VLE that gave students at both schools – Silkeskole and TVS – the opportunity to think about who they are and what is important in our cultures and to learn about theirs. The exchange was such a success that they are repeating it this year with a new group of fifth graders!

For a more detailed account of this exchange, here are some highlights straight from Ms. Clayton and her students.

Fifth-grade students are excited to write an introduction about themselves and help the Danish students understand what life is like in Fort Worth, Texas. Their perspectives grow immensely to view the world through a different lens during

the year-long exchange program. One highlight was students creating videos to explain the Gump Day tradition at TVS. The students honed their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through a real-world connection. Fifth graders researched and asked questions about the traditions related to Fastelavn. We compared and contrasted Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Fastelavn in ways that cannot happen without this type of connection. We are fortunate to have Dr. Roemer’s direction in providing this valuable experience.

One of our recent (January 27 - March 7) IATs, Ms. Metzele, actually grew up in Germany where Fastelavn happens every year, too. She showed us costumes from her childhood and shared her personal experiences in Germany and Denmark.

Odette [5th grader] said, “I like how we’re able to learn about the different holidays and events that they have. I enjoyed listening to how they speak differently. It was just very fun in general. I definitely think it was a great thing to do.”

Caleb [5th grader] said, “I loved talking to the Denmark kids because it helps me as a kid to learn about what they do in their daily life adventures. It has been an amazing journey talking to these kids. I think it is great to learn about different lifestyles, and what better way to do it than with these amazing people. They have been so nice to give us their time so we can ask questions and learn about them. I am grateful for that.”

What I love most about these Virtual Learning Exchanges is that they involve the entire grade, and when they take place repeatedly throughout the academic school year, students learn more from each other (and about themselves) and begin to form friendships, break stereotypes, and recognize similarities across cultures and continents. Best of all, it is just a normal part of a TVS education and something that better prepares our students for their futures in an increasingly interconnected world.

*Answers: Copenhagen; red with a white cross (the world’s oldest flag still in use); King Frederik X & PM Frederiksen; the southernmost Scandinavian country; one other fun fact is that Lego is a Danish company, and “lego”, loosely translated in English means “play well”—leg godt)

TROJAN FUELING STATION

The Trojan Fueling Station, formerly the Athletics Breezeway Concession Stand, has undergone significant improvements since being taken over by the Dining Hall this past fall.

NEW ENHANCEMENTS INCLUDE:

Healthier Menu: Now includes whole and cut fruit, dried fruit, nuts, granola, and Greek yogurt— supporting student health, athletic performance, and mental well-being.

Educational Integration: Teacher Brian Johnston’s Selective for 7th & 8th graders incorporates TVS items to encourage trying new foods.

Modern Payment Options: Square for credit card purchases and key card scanning speed up service time.

Student Involvement: Upper School students can now earn school service hours by volunteering at TVS at the Fueling Station.

RETIRING FACULTY & STAFF

35 YEARS

FACULTY EMERITUS

SHERRY DUNCAN, NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR

Sherry has been an integral part of the TVS family since 1990. Her dedication to the School is renowned, and everyone here has enjoyed, benefited from, and sincerely appreciated her can-do, cheerful attitude. During her time at Trinity Valley, she has served as the School’s network administrator, Student Council co-sponsor, cheerleading cosponsor, registrar, worked in Admissions and Development, and more! She was even our Founding Headmaster Mr. Seleny’s assistant. Her signature boundless energy and bright smile bring joy to campus each day. She could fill many books with her Trinity Valley stories and memories, from hilarious to poignant and everything in between, all of them rich and meaningful.

25 YEARS

FACULTY EMERITUS

33 YEARS

FACULTY EMERITUS

FRANCES DODSON, WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT CHAIR

Frances is a dedicated educator who has touched the lives of hundreds of students since 1992. She has taught Spanish and French in Lower School, Middle School and Upper School with equal enthusiasm for the littlest language learners to the senior AP French students. She has served as an AP French Reader since she was appointed in 2005. Frances’s latest professional focus is her certification as an AP French teacher for the Virtual High School. Her students carry her influence from the classroom to France where they have enjoyed homestays and educational tours with her. Frances possesses a world view and a global awareness that influences her approach to the daily activities of her language classroom. Memorable Mardi Gras celebrations and sponsorships of French Club and Ciné Français are examples of her dedication to teaching the whole student.

AMY ROSS ’97, LOWER SCHOOL SPANISH TEACHER & LIBRARY ASSISTANT

Our Lower School Spanish teacher, Amy Ross, is truly “one to know,” or as she might say, ”una persona por conocer.” A few of her daily specials include bundles of enthusiasm for her students, a witty sense of humor, and an inventive and creative mind - all of which explode with genuine love. As our current Pre-K and kindergarten Spanish teacher, passion and devotion to her students burst through the seams of our rooms and hallways! A colleague and friend to Trinity Valley, Amy also serves the School well as a wonderful assistant in the Lower School Library. Amy’s daughters, Ruby and Lily, are 13-year TVS students and her mother, Sherry Duncan, is our adored computer wizard here at TVS. As one can see, Amy’s ties run deep in the TVS community.

20 YEARS

MAGGIE KNAPP, MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

If you were eavesdropping when a student requested help in the MS/ US Library, you would quickly observe that librarian Maggie Knapp views each question as an opportunity to encourage students to dig beyond simple answers. Maggie’s eyes light up at the chance to work with students individually or in a classroom setting, developing skills in evaluating websites, or discussing why authoritative critical articles might be found more easily in a database rather than with a search engine. Maggie embraces the exploration of digital access without letting go of the power of physical books. With great delight in the learning process, Maggie helps students find just the right book or ebook, locate a blog post, make a simple screencast or explore the graphic power of Word Cloud generators and Adobe designs. Maggie has an abundant willingness to try new things, and she rarely turns down the opportunity to be a part of a committee, participate in a TOE activity, or step up to help a colleague or student.

6 YEARS

10 YEARS

LYNDA WOOD, UPPER SCHOOL MATH TEACHER

When Lynda Wood arrived to teach math at Trinity Valley School, she came with rich and invaluable experience and skill from her many years teaching in Arlington. Lynda is the sort of teacher who long ago learned that one can have high expectations for performance and deportment yet simultaneously project nearly endless support for students and genuine interest in their lives. Warm and genuine, Lynda gathers ready and loyal friends among her colleagues, mentees, visiting international teachers, and everyone else. She has been a steady and invested advocate for her advisees and many other students during their time in the Upper School and beyond and will undoubtedly continue to be just that! While Mrs. Wood came to us rather late in her career, what a gift that time has been to us all.

ELIZABETH CARLOCK, PRE-K ASSISTANT TEACHER

Mrs. Carlock brings a ray of sunshine into every room she enters! Her bright smile and gentle nature put others at ease while also making them feel like the most important person in the room. A master teacher, Mrs. Carlock inspires her young students, instilling a confidence in them as she encourages them to try new things and reach new heights. Mrs. Carlock’s warmth, kindness, and care for others have influenced the Lower School community in the best of ways, and she will be dearly missed!

#BOUNDLESSOPPORTUNITY THROUGH AUXILIARY PROGRAMS

TVS Auxiliary Programs play a vital role in student engagement, contributing significantly to a thriving campus environment. These programs go beyond the traditional classroom setting, offering students meaningful opportunities for academic and personal growth. No need to look elsewhere – our auxiliary programs provide everything students need to engage in activities that support their development and well-being.

Our programs focus on physical health and wellness, with a variety of outdoor activities that promote fitness and encourage teamwork. One example is our Cowtown Running Club, where students work towards completing a 5K or 10K at the Cowtown Marathon. Club participants train twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for two months, building friendships as they run along the campus trails.

We also collaborate with outside vendors to bring unique programs to our students. For instance, we collaborate with SPARC Business Academy to offer financial literacy programs like My First Piggy Bank . Through fun math games and hands-on activities, students learn essential financial concepts such as earning, saving, spending, and donating. They also explore the fundamentals of philanthropy and complete a personalized piggy bank to take home.

At Trinity Valley, we have an on-campus garden where students, under the guidance of Mrs. Tommee, our faculty member in charge of the Garden Club, work together to cultivate their green thumbs. Through hands-on learning, they explore sustainability and nature. The students take pride in caring for the garden, planting flowers and plants that not only beautify the space but also make it a welcoming environment for the entire community to enjoy.

The arts and creative expression are also at the heart of student engagement at TVS. Our Dance program, led

Pre-K to 12th grade. Every semester, students collaborate on a performance that showcases their creativity. This year, we were especially excited to present Snow White, featuring solo and duet performances from our Level 4-5 dancers. Families joined us in celebrating the dedication and talent of our dancers on April 17, 2025.

Through these programs and initiatives, TVS provides a holistic approach to student engagement, enriching the campus experience and supporting growth in many areas of life. We welcome you to join us for the fall, spring, and summer terms as we continue to offer even more opportunities for students to connect and grow.

Opposite page: Members of the Cowtown Running Club at the Cowtown Marathon
This page clockwise from top left: Dancers with Courtney SebastianDotson; Garden Club with Mrs. Tommee; My First Piggy Bank with SPARC Business Academy

PARENTS’ CLUB SPRING UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Parents’ Club launched the spring semester by bringing parents together at our second bi-annual All-Parent Open Board Meeting. Highlights of the evening included a summary of the Head of School search process from Amar Tanna ’99 and Laura Miller, a presentation on the 2023-2024 Feasibility Study by Gerry Cumpiano and David Nolet , and reports from all three Division Heads and Athletics. This event reflected our focus this year on increasing communication and fostering community building, both within the parent community and between parents and the School.

In January, the Parents’ Club Speaker Series hosted TVS parent and adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Adele Reeder Hollander, who spoke on “Healthy Technology Use from an Adolescent Medicine Perspective.”

In February, our fourth and final speaker of the year, psychologist Dr. Kristen Ohlenforst, spoke on “Parenting During Times of Stress ” and shared copies of the cleverly engaging children’s book that she coauthored, Moose the Worry Mutt Goes to Doggie Day Care Speaker Series chairs Robbie Clarke and Katie Yang curated a fantastic line-up of speakers this year, and are already working to secure interesting and engaging speakers for 2025-2026.

Gallery Night 2025 was an extraordinary success, drawing an impressive crowd of more than 250 parents and achieving more than double the fundraising total of previous years. The “Art in Bloom”-themed evening chaired by talented volunteer duo Kristen Hidalgo and Julie Harvick showcased a collection of artwork by TVS students and professional artists,

including contributions from our own TVS Interim Head of School George King and his brother, Barry King. The event also featured a live artist in action, former TVS student Isabella Breedlove, and a special selection of silent auction items. The record-breaking proceeds will bolster the Parents’ Club operating budget for the upcoming school year and fund impactful initiatives through the Grants for Greatness program, enriching the TVS experience for all. See Gallery Night pages for photos!

The Parents’ Club is thrilled to announce the incoming 2025-2026 slate of PC Board Chairs , which will be formally welcomed on May 6th. This year’s nominations process received an enthusiastic response, resulting in a slate of 42 parents, many of whom are new to the Board. Whit Wolman will serve as the Parents’ Club president— the first male parent to hold this position in 30 years and the 26th male president in our history.

This spring, the Parents’ Club formed a TVS Spirit Committee to enhance school spirit and foster cross-divisional engagement. Led by parent volunteer Margaret Lane, the committee is helping organize spirit-building opportunities in support of Spring SPC and engaging Lower and Middle School students through activities such as poster-making, the reintroduction of spirit ribbons, and athletic team send-offs. Recently, the committee surprised faculty and staff with a “Spirit Attack,” showering division offices and Central Administration in a show of appreciation with blue and white balloons, decorations, and snacks.

On April 25, TVS hosted our inaugural Trojan Day for the Lower School! As part of this fun, new revamp of Field Day, students were divided into two teams - BLUE and WHITE - with a mix of students from each grade. Siblings will be on the same team, and students will remain on the same team for the duration of their time in Lower School. The 2025

LOWER SCHOOL'S TROJAN DAY!

champion will be announced and recognized on the Trojan Day banner in the North Gym until next year's Trojan Day! The Spirit Committee decorated the campus had Middle & Upper Schoolers make banners and posters cheering on their Lower School Buddies. Go Trojan Nation and thank you to Ashley Hedrick and Tim Mulvaney !

This spring, TVS launched the official TVS Parents’ Facebook Group. As a dedicated subgroup under the main TVS Facebook page, the purpose of the group is to facilitate communication, connection, and information sharing. All current TVS parents are encouraged to join!

Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our community, the Parents’ Club awarded TWO rounds of Grants for Greatness this year, funding an impressive range of initiatives across all three divisions of the School. The Grants for Greatness committee, chaired by Abigail Bebee and Noel Nolet , reviewed 20 proposals from faculty and staff and approved 14 grants:

• An audiometer for the nurses’ office

• Interactive world atlases for Middle School history classes

• Large compost tumblers and a hydroponic tower for Middle School and the TVS garden

• A sound system for the Middle and Upper School choir room, in partnership with the Arts Booster Club

• Funding support for a TVS Virtual Tour admissions video

• Family Math Night interactive workshop for Lower School families

• Choral risers for Lower School music classes

• A new yearbook camera and lens for the Upper School

• New lighting for the Middle School theater classroom, in partnership with the Arts Booster Club

• A Trojan Transitions program to support seniors as they prepare for college life

• Professional development on student learning differences for Lower School teachers

• A class set of Blue Gel Electrophoresis systems and a miniPCR Thermal Cycler for DNA-based labs in Upper School biology classes

Built over the years by dedicated Parents’ Club volunteers who identified community needs and adapted to fill them with creativity and care, TVS Uniform Resale has emerged as an extraordinary example of the resilience of the Trojan spirit. Earlier this year, when Trinity Valley’s uniform supplier ceased operations, Uniform Resale became the sole source of uniforms for families. Volunteers ( Maria Capua, Katherine Wolman, Jamie St. Peter, Tara Bibb) stepped up to meet the needs of our community until a new supplier was established, turning a potential crisis into a demonstration of the strength and generosity of the Trojan community. Uniform Resale is not just about providing uniforms; it is about fostering community and a true reflection of what makes TVS extraordinary.

At the heart of Uniform Resale’s mission is a commitment to affordability and accessibility. Families can purchase gently used uniforms and spirit wear for just $10 per item, ensuring that high-quality, affordable attire is conveniently available on campus. The store is entirely dependent on the generosity of the TVS community, with inventory made up of gently used donations that give used items a second (or third!) life.

Not only does Uniform Resale serve the clothing needs of our community, but it also serves as the only source of Parents’ Club income beyond the annual Auction or Gallery Night fundraiser. All proceeds directly impact students and support faculty and staff through Parents’ Club events, programs, and Grants for Greatness projects. The store’s contributions extend even further, stocking the nurse’s office with clothing for student emergencies and helping reunite lost and found items with their rightful owners.

Uniform Resale’s impact reaches beyond the TVS campus. Any items not suitable for resale are thoughtfully donated or recycled. Over the past 10 months alone, hundreds of nonTVS branded clothing items have been donated to LVTRise, a local non-profit organization supporting underserved families. Additionally, more than 1,200 pounds of unusable uniforms and spirit wear have been diverted from landfills through textile recycling, reinforcing the store’s dedication to sustainability.

The store has come a long way from the School’s attic, where uniforms were piled in bins and parents sifted through stacks of clothes to find what they needed. Thanks to the dedication and creativity of many parent volunteers over the years, it has transformed into a well-organized and efficient operation.

In 2021, Heather Breiter, Maria Capua, and Susie Ursprung modernized the process with email ordering, oncampus delivery, and a waitlist system. The following year, Kristin Tucker and Tonya Cammack improved the instore experience with clear labeling, sizing guides, and dress uniform photos sorted by division. Tracy McLawhorn and Lauren Cunningham took the reins in 2023 and introduced a streamlined invoicing and billing system for in-person and virtual sales. This year, Tara Bibb, Jamie St. Peter, and Katherine Wolman have reimagined the store’s layout and organization, laying the groundwork for exciting future growth.

The TVS Uniform Resale Store is more than just a place to purchase uniforms—it is a point of connection for new families and a hub of community spirit, environmental responsibility, and ingenuity. By meeting families’ needs with care and creativity, the store exemplifies the best of the TVS community.

Opposite page: Maria Capua, Katherine Wolman, Jamie St. Peter, and Tara Bibb
This page: Sorting and selling uniforms at the the Uniform Resale Shop

PRESENTED BY:

Thanks to your generous support, we were able to generate revenue of $108,000 at the TVS Gallery Night on March 8! We are so grateful to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, purchasers, and attendees.

ART IN BLOOM took us on an art walk through all four seasons of the year and helped us make a tremendous difference at TVS through Grants for Greatness for teachers, coaches, and staff.

Live artist and former TVS student
Isabella Breedlove

TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL’S ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN: SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY IN SEEN AND UNSEEN WAYS

At Trinity Valley School, we take pride in providing an exceptional education that nurtures both the academic and personal growth of every student. A key element that allows us to maintain this high standard is our Annual Giving Campaign. Every year, this vital campaign serves as a foundation for so much of what makes Trinity Valley such a unique and thriving community. From professional development and upgraded technology to enhanced athletic opportunities and physical campus upgrades and so much more, the impact of the campaign can be seen in every corner of our campus. This year, we have set an ambitious goal: to raise one million dollars by the end of June, and we need your help to make it happen.

Supporting Teachers Through Professional Development

The heart of Trinity Valley School is its dedicated faculty and staff. To ensure that our teachers continue to grow professionally and remain at the forefront of educational excellence, the Annual Giving Campaign helps fund a variety of professional development opportunities. Attending workshops and conferences, pursuing advanced certifications, and other opportunities help our educators stay inspired and equipped with the latest teaching strategies and research. When our teachers grow, our students grow, and the entire community benefits from a more innovative, engaging, and enriching learning experience.

The Unseen Impact of Annual Giving

While some of the benefits of the Annual Giving Campaign are visible in new facilities and programs, there are countless unseen ways in which your generosity supports the School. Annual gifts help bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of providing a world-class education. These funds

are used to maintain the excellence of our academic programs, sustain financial aid for families in need, and ensure the overall success of our School. Each gift, whether large or small, has a lasting impact on the daily lives of our students, teachers, and families.

Reaching Our Goal of One Million Dollars

Achieving our Annual Giving goal of one million dollars will allow us to continue supporting our teachers, enhancing our facilities, and ensuring that every student has the resources needed to thrive. But we can’t do it without your help. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. Your contribution to the Annual Giving Campaign helps us reach our goal and ensures that Trinity Valley School remains a place where excellence is nurtured and futures are shaped.

We invite every member of the extended Trinity Valley family—parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends—to join us in making this vision a reality. Together, we can continue to provide the best possible education for our students and create a lasting impact for years to come.

Let’s reach that million-dollar milestone by June 30 and make a difference for the entire Trinity Valley School community!

To donate, use this QR code or contact Gerry Cumpiano at 817-321-0100.

TVS ALUMNI AWARD HONOREES 2025

THE JUDITH SULLIVAN KINSER ’76 TVS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS / ALUMNA AWARD

Given to one or more alumni embodying the TVS mission and recognized for their professional, personal and community contributions beyond TVS.

STEPHANIE MCWILLIAMS BYRD ’91

Stephanie Byrd joined the Trinity Valley School family as a third grader in 1981 when her family moved to Fort Worth. Stephanie is grateful to the TVS faculty and staff and to her fellow students in the Class of ’91 for a truly meaningful as well as educational experience as a Trojan.

Her academic career continued at Vanderbilt University, St. Mary’s University School of Law, and Baylor University, where she completed a master’s degree in Church-State Studies. It was at Baylor that she became interested in the great British abolitionist, William Wilberforce. She wrote a master’s thesis on Wilberforce‘s tireless efforts to abolish the slave trade and published a book, Amazing Dad, sharing excerpts from letters he wrote to his children.

While raising her own three kids, Stephanie applied her legal training and developed as an administrative leader helping a Fort Worth-based hospice expand into three cities across Texas.

Through the years, Stephanie became moved by the plight of human trafficking victims and joined Unbound Now, one of the largest anti-human trafficking organizations in Texas and in the nation. She started as a volunteer in 2014 and became North Texas Regional Director in 2017, where she had the opportunity to develop the Underground, Tarrant County’s first drop-in center for trafficked and exploited youth. In 2020, Stephanie joined the Headquarters team as Director of Strategic Growth to support the organization’s development, and in 2022 became Unbound Now’s Chief Operating Officer. Unbound Now’s 110 staff across 46 counties in Texas and 10 parishes in Louisiana proactively identify child and adult human trafficking victims and support their restoration to a life outside trafficking.

Stephanie and her husband Brian have three grown children: Allison, Austin, and Wyatt, all of whom are 13-year Trinity Valley students.

THE TVS ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

Given to one or more alumni for outstanding service to TVS and to the Trojan Alumni community.

CHARLEY MCCLUER ’72

Charley McCluer grew up in Fort Worth and joined Trinity Valley School in 7th grade. He had the good fortune to attend classes at both the Hemphill and McCart campuses. He has many fun stories about the Hemphill campus: One includes flying erasers and broken windows; PE coach Mike Justice having them do training runs down city streets on the southside; playing chess with Mr. Seleny during study hall.

While at Trinity Valley, Charley played multiple sports including football, soccer, and track. He played both sides in football, making All District his senior year. The Trojan soccer team was the first varsity soccer program in the county. He continued playing soccer for the University of Texas and on adult soccer teams in Fort Worth.

Charley graduated from Trinity Valley School in 1972. His class had 19 graduates. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1976 with a BS in biology and then attended dental school at Baylor College of Dentistry (now known as Texas A&M College of Dentistry), graduating in 1979.

Charley returned to his hometown to start his dental practice in 1980. He immediately got involved in organized dentistry. He has served his local dental society in many ways, including being elected to the Judicial Committee in 1987 and president in 1993. He also represented his district for many years as a delegate to the Texas Dental Association. In 1993, Charley was the FWDDS recipient of the Young Dentist of the Year and was honored to be named the Texas Dental Association Young Dentist of the Year that same year. The Fort Worth District Dental Society gave him its Distinguished Service Award in 1996. In 1989, he joined the Academy of General Dentistry and served as its president in 1992. He earned his Fellowship from the AGD in 1997. Charley has volunteered his dental skills to programs such as Save A Smile and Give Kids A Smile. Most recently he performed a full-mouth rehab on a young vet who was unable to receive care through the VA.

Charley’s other main volunteer focus has always been service to Trinity Valley School. He served as president of the Alumni Board from 1994-1996 and was next elected to the Trinity Valley School Board of Directors in 1996 where he served for 10 years. While on the Board, he was Endowment Chairman for several years. Additionally, Charley and his wife, Carol, were active on the capital campaign helping raise funds for the move from McCart to our current Dutch Branch campus. Fast forward to 2022 and he is once again on the TVS Alumni Board.

In 1981 Charley married Carol. They have two daughters, both 13-year students at TVS. Cami ’01 married Gus Gildner and their three children (James, Myra and Anders) are third-generation Trojans. Maddie ’05 married Joe Dickerson and they have two daughters, Carter Fay and Charlotte Jean (Charley Jean).

TVS ATHLETICS CIRCLE OF HONOR

A collaborative effort of Trinity Valley’s Alumni Association and the Department of Athletics, the Circle of Honor recognizes one or more former student-athletes, TVS coaches, or TVS teams whose accomplishments and impact exemplify Trojan Athletic excellence.

BRITTANY RINGEL WALTON ’01 / VOLLEYBALL & BASKETBALL

Brittany joined Trinity Valley her freshman year in 1997 and experienced both the McCart and Bryant Irvin campuses. Her brothers both joined TVS in seventh grade, Jordon '03 and Eli '05.

In high school, Brittany was recognized as the Gatorade Player of the Year for volleyball in the state of Texas in 2000-2001. Brittany was named the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Player of the Year for volleyball in 1999 and basketball in 2000. Her senior volleyball season, she hit .567 with 397 kills and 108 blocks. She was also a four-year basketball letter winner for Trinity Valley, scoring 2,018 career points. Brittany was named to the All-South Zone and AllSouthern Prep Conference volleyball and basketball teams from 1998-2001. The volleyball team won back-to-back SCP Division I Championships in 1999 and 2000 and played public schools. The basketball team won the SPC Division I Championship in 2000.

After high school, Brittany decided to attend UCLA. She was a dual sport athlete, majored in Political Science, and was part of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Brittany was a three-year starter for the Bruins during the height of the PAC-10 volleyball (as it existed at that time). The volleyball team reached the NCAA Regional Final (5th place) in 2001, 2003, and 2004. As a true freshman, Brittany saw action in 21 matches. She was a threetime Honorable Mention Pac-10 All-Academic team Selection and Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, she was named to the All-Tournament team at NCAA Regionals in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Not ready to leave gorgeous Westwood, Brittany stayed for a fifth year and focused solely on basketball that season for the storied John Wooden program. The women’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2004 and won the PAC-10 Championship in 2006.

For law school, she made the smooth transition from Los Angeles to Waco to attend Baylor Law School and to be closer to her family. She graduated in 2009 and has practiced for 16 years in Houston. She manages litigation for the Americas for a $24 billion market cap chemical and plastics company, LyondellBasell. She started her career at a Houston litigation boutique, Beirne, Maynard & Parsons before going in-house as commercial counsel with Siemens Energy in 2014-2018. Brittany served as the President of the Houston Young Lawyers Association from 2015-2016. In 2024, she was recognized as Senior Counsel of the Year for a Large Legal Department by The Texas Lawbook and the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Houston Chapter.

Nate Walton and Brittany married in Almont, Colorado in 2016 in the Kilpatricks' riverfront backyard. Nate and Brittany live in Houston and are proud parents to three lively and competitive children: twins Henry & Catherine (7) and William (6).

TVS HONORARY ALUMNUS / ALUMNA

Given to a member or members of the Trinity Valley School community in recognition of faithful and distinguished leadership, service, and generosity to TVS and the Alumni Association.

SUZI AND GERRY KRAMER

Gerry came into this world on March 7, 1946, at Keidel Memorial Hospital in Fredericksburg, TX. His father was a lineman for a rural electrification company. His mother was a seamstress. German was Gerry’s first language. Before first grade at St. Mary’s School, the only English he heard was from his great-aunt Alice. Gerry used to run home from school and his mother had to bring him back. Finally his first grade teacher had to lock the door to keep him inside. Because of the tireless efforts of Sister Leona Marie, he and his German-speaking classmates were fluent in English by Christmas. At age 10, Gerry worked at the bowling alley setting pins. That summer he contracted polio that was diagnosed as the summer flu. He had yet another job picking peaches, plums, and blackberries. The result of the polio was a spinal curvature that warranted two spinal fusions in the sixth and eighth grades during which he spent seven months on his back recuperating. By the ninth grade he was mowing lawns and tilling gardens.

During high school Gerry worked in a grocery store for 28 hours a week at 50 cents an hour. At graduation, he was the highest ranking boy; therefore, he received a half-tuition scholarship. At St. Edward’s University, he worked in the cafeteria to help with expenses. Also, he needed employment in the summers. His former seventh-grade teacher helped him find a summer job at the Gillespie County Fruit Growers in Stonewall. President Johnson’s ranch was just around the corner. Gerry ran the retail market because there were so many tourists who risked getting their hands caught in the graders.

Gerry’s parents were supportive and valued education. When they were in school, there were no high schools in the area. His mother graduated from the seventh grade as valedictorian of Morris Ranch School. His father finished the sixth grade at a county school. His graduation from St. Edward’s was especially important to them. However, they were a little disappointed that he was moving to Fort Worth to teach at a boys’ school called Trinity Valley School. Of course, Gerry told them that he was only staying five years, but he ended up staying 39 years. When his mother came to his retirement event, she asked him, “Why not stay 40?”

At Trinity Valley, Gerry taught Modern European History, Western Civilization I and II, U.S. History, Government, Sociology, Geography, German, Drama, and English. In the early years in his twenties when he taught PE, he played softball with the boys. He always pitched so that he was on the winning team. In 1970 Mr. Seleny assigned him the job of Principal of Kindergarten through Seventh Grade. Gerry had just turned 24. That summer was his first trip on an airplane and his first tour of Europe with 16 students and Mr. Seleny. Through the years, Gerry was to travel 20 times to Europe with tours, exchange groups, and later relatives and friends. Besides being teacher and Lower School head, Gerry served as interim head of school and associate headmaster. Gerry is quite proud of The Gerald Kramer Financial Aid Award for Children of TVS Alumni and of being the first recipient of the Stephen Seleny Distinguished Faculty and Staff Award.

His faith has always been an important part of life. He first taught religion when he was still in high school. For 33 years on Sundays, Gerry taught religion at St. Patrick Cathedral and trained altar boys. In 1989, Bishop Delaney appointed him to be in charge of Latin Mass for the diocese. Additionally, he trained and taught the altar boys Latin. He held this position for 26 years.

For Suzi to become acquainted with Trinity Valley, she had to get to Texas. Wallace Bir, a chemical engineer, and Mary Jo Bir, an English and Spanish teacher, brought her into the world on April 12, 1947, in New Albany, Indiana. A job in Delaware and then Ohio brought the small family to yet another transfer to Texas City, Texas, where her father worked on some of his many polymer and plastic manufacturing patents. Suzi attended Texas City High School. Then she attended North Texas State University where in 1969 she graduated majoring in Spanish, with a minor in French, and qualified for her Texas Teacher Certificate. In college, Suzi worked in the Foreign Language Laboratory and then as a part-time secretary to the professor in charge of the Language Learning Center. She did her student teaching in Fort Worth at Southwest High School. She was hired by Fort Worth ISD to teach Spanish and French at Leonard Middle School. The school was on a modular 25-minute blocked scheduling which allowed her to be in charge of instruction to 350 students during the school week. She was enlisted to write and execute a new language program for the sixth grade that she named Adventures In Languages. Twenty-five years later, it was renamed AIL. The only reason that she knows this fact is that she met a teacher at an event and asked her what she taught at Leonard. She answered, “AIL.”

Suzi asked, “What is AIL?”

The teacher answered, “Adventures in Languages.” What a surprise!

Suzi’s roommates all worked in education. Two worked for Fort Worth ISD. One, Bea Rodriguez (later Reyelts), worked for a private school called Trinity Valley School. One Friday night Suzi went along with Bea to a Trinity Valley football game. There Bea introduced Suzi Bir to Gerry Kramer. Suzi and Gerry married on August 14, 1971. In 1974, Mr. Seleny hired Suzi to begin the Spanish program for kindergarten through twelfth grades. She taught Spanish to all grades of students and also taught French II. Suzi’s dream was to provide language learners with the tools that they would need to be immersed or to study abroad or to take college courses with confidence and without fear. She also saw the need for students to own the methodology for learning a language so that they could learn a third or fourth language. Besides being a teacher, it was Suzi’s great honor to chair the World Language Department. She was recognized as Dillard’s Teacher of the Week in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She served as Vice-president and then President for the Lone Star Chapter of the American Association of the Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.

Gerry and Suzi are proud parents of five wonderful children: Mary Theresa, John, Julie, Mark, and Monica. Mr. Seleny was with Gerry for each birth. They all are alumni of Trinity Valley. For 25 years, from the time Mary Theresa started kindergarten until Monica graduated, there was a Kramer student at TVS. Suzi and Gerry are extremely proud of their children. Each of them is independent, confident, and driven. Each of them has goals and dreams that are being fulfilled. There are 10 beautiful grandchildren who are making their own way.

When the Kramer children were much younger, the parents would rush home after school. The kids would jump and play with Dad while Mom cooked. They took trips together, fished, had picnics, and had fun. In the seventies when Gerry was getting his Master of Liberal Arts at TCU, they had a system: Gerry would cook supper while Suzi typed his papers on an old typewriter with the white-out at the ready. In the nineties the children were older and it was Suzi’s wish to get her Master of Spanish at UTA. She went to evening classes and the youngest “cooked” sandwiches for supper for Gerry.

Suzi and Gerry are grateful to be recipients of the Honorary Alumni Award.

THE STEPHEN SELENY AWARD FOR TVS DISTINGUISHED FACULTY

Given to one or more members of the TVS faculty or staff in recognition of their contributions to sustaining the mission and educational philosophy of Trinity Valley School.

JAMES SCOTT

James Scott is a native of Carthage, Texas, thus his love for fishing and farming. His elementary school years were spent on a children’s home in Thomasville, North Carolina, and on the campus of the University of Missouri. His family returned to Texas in time for James to attend secondary school and to be focused passionately on baseball. He attended Lake Highlands where he led the junior varsity in fielding percentage and batting average. However, his top speed of 5.2 in the 40 was the slowest on the team. When the varsity baseball coach informed him their “small ball” offensive setup required going under 5.0 in the 40 to make varsity, James sought to gain running strength through cross country that fall.

In that first year of running, his 800m time was 1:57.5, his 1600m time was 4:26.2, and his 3200m was 9:45. When Lake Highlands won the (now 6A) UIL state championship in cross country, the varsity baseball coach greeted James as the team got off the bus from Austin: “You did an outstanding job down there! Why don’t you go ahead and run track this spring?”

His senior year James was top ten in Texas (6A) in every distance event. He was offered full rides to University of Hawaii, Eastern New Mexico, and Howard Payne University. Northern Idaho, Sam Houston, and UNT (then NTSU) each offered a half. Baylor offered only a walk-on spot and an unpaid-for room in the athletic dorm. James accepted that, his room turning out to be near a fellow freshman and future linebacking legend named Mike Singletary.

James met another freshman who directly aided his track and field life. A lot of improvement was needed to compete in NCAA D1. His dorm-mate Todd Harbour was high school national champion in the 800m. James spent five years (with redshirt) trying to stay with him. It was a fortuitous choice, because Harbour (as of this writing) is the fastest all-time NCAA-competing American miler (3:50.36).

Baylor Head Coach Clyde Hart had been the 22-year-old coach of the Little Rock Nine during that tumultuous 1957 episode. Thereafter, in his 40 years as Baylor head coach, Clyde Hart reserved most track scholarships for underprivileged, hard-working young people of color. He made an exception for James, letting him finish his senior year on full ride. James was happy to complete college with a 3000m steeplechase PR of 9:01, third in the (then) Southwest Conference and eleventh among all American citizen collegiates that year. The collegiates from Kenya were another matter.

James ended up moving to Kenya. He taught at Mombasa Baptist High School, under a national syllabus supplied to Kenya by Cambridge University. The equatorial Indian Ocean coast was hot and humid all year, so James did not have to worry about local Kenyans beating him in a distance race. Instead, he fell in love with the people: African, Asian, and European. He lived a mile from the turquoise-water, white-sand beaches where Sports Illustrated had just completed a major photoshoot, but James spent all his spare time in the villages of the poorer folk, and on the playing fields with his students. He did not want to leave, but his non-renewable contract ended after two years. Somewhere along the way he began work on an M.A. thesis with a focus on the East African role in World War I and the resulting trauma suffered by a local Kenyan people-group. He recorded interviews with many elderly having memories of World War I, none of them English-speaking. He received timely assistance

from Dr. Richard Leakey. The greatest thrill in his life came from researching the British National Archives (formerly Public Records Office), the Imperial War Museum, and the Rhodes House Collection of the Bodleian Library at Oxford, and discovering confirmation of the most obscure events, places, and names mentioned by the Kenyan elders in the interviews.

James had majored in history in high school, testing out of 12 hours for college. He received a B.A. at Baylor, gaining the prestigious Guittard Fellowship for the M.A. His thesis on Africa completed the effort. He spent a year in graduate school at Vanderbilt before it cancelled its African history program, then a year at Southwestern Seminary (where various TVS graduations have taken place) studying under an old Scottish professor and RAF hero of World War II who had just spent 40 years in the Middle East. Later, James would spend two years on a research degree in the graduate school of Kings College London.

While teaching history at Eastfield College in Mesquite, James interviewed at Trinity Valley School on Kite Day, 1989. After 10 minutes of hearing Mr. Seleny speak about history, children, and his views on education, James wished to be nowhere else.

Thirty-six years later he still wishes to be nowhere else.

James Scott is an institution at Trinity Valley School. An energetic and enthusiastic educator, he is famed for his broad knowledge of world history and captivating storytelling. James has numerous graduate undergraduate and graduate degrees, from European History at Baylor to the British Empire at Vanderbilt and church history at Southwestern Seminary. He received his teaching certification after a rigorous study at Texas Woman’s University. As mentioned above, he completed graduate study at King’s College London, focusing on the “Twilight of the British Empire.”

In addition to his extensive and peripatetic education, James is an avid volunteer within his own community as well as abroad. He has repaired churches along the Rio Grande, worked with troubled youth in Australia, built homes and schools in Venezuela, volunteered with doctors in Honduras, and examined schools in Japan in a Fulbright program. His two years teaching underprivileged children in Africa stimulated his love of Anglophone Africa and fascination with the later British Empire. At home, he volunteers for an organization that aids feral cats in Texas.

He believes in the gift of his time and skills to others, and has made a tangible impact on the lives of people throughout the world, inspiring his own students and colleagues to do the same.

At Trinity Valley, James teaches a myriad of Upper School classes covering Asia through the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. His students often sit transfixed as they listen to him regale them with tales of the abdication of Edward VIII or the rise of the Shogunate in Medieval Japan. His knowledge is encyclopedic and more entertaining than a Hollywood film. His vast wisdom and sensational style make him a favorite amongst students and faculty alike.

James is a constant at sporting events and extracurricular activities at the School. He coaches cross country, track and field and attends every Upper School TOE event. The faculty awaits his sensational reviews after every TVS Upper School theater players' performances. A James Scott editorial means an entertaining read.

James is beloved at TVS. The 1993 Trojan Walls yearbook was dedicated to him and to Mary Mac Elliott. In 1993 he was named Teacher of the Week for Tarrant County in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. In 1999 he was a Fulbright teacher in Japan. In 2008-09 he was the first recipient of the TVS Athletic Department’s Dennis Fleming Award. He was TVS Faculty Member of the Year for 2014-15. For 22 years he has been selected by the College Board as a “Reader” of the Advanced Placement European and World History Examinations, including eight years as a “Table Leader” overseeing university professors.

James’ tenure at Trinity Valley has seen many changes, but his enthusiasm and smile has not been one of them. Walking through the halls in the morning, students see his face amongst the students and feel his welcoming personality. James is a legend in his own time.

TVS ALUMNI CELEBRATION & AWARDS CEREMONY

ALUMNI NOTES

If your email and home addresses are not current with TVS, please update them ASAP by emailing Kathryn Davis at davisks@tvs.org or calling 817-321-0118.

Thank you for staying current with the School!

CLASS OF 1968

Barney Holland reports, “I was glad to hear from Bill McKinney that he is doing well. In our class of very smart young men, Bill is the only real rocket scientist! My son, LtCol. Clayton Holland ’02 , is now Commanding Officer of the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron One (VMU-1), Yuma, AZ, and I visited him there not long ago. Our now 97-year-old company is out of the fuel business but thrives developing commercial real estate. Since my previous Alumni Notes, we have leased lots in our N. Main St. & N.W. 28th St. block to Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, and both are doing a great business in the Stockyards District. On the north half of our block, we are co-developing a Hampton Inn & Suites that is to open in late 2026. After 10 years of condo-living at the Omni Residences, Anne and I have come back to earth and live in west Fort Worth.”

CLASS OF 1972

John Cosby writes, “I have retired as Vice-President from Berkley Entertainment/Sports after 20 years. We provided insurance for professional sports teams (NFL, MLS, Lacrosse, US Tennis, WWE, Kentucky Derby) plus insurance for the film/TV productions - mainly CBS/Paramount, Bravo, MTV, HGTV, TBS, Disney and A&E. The highlight of my career was meeting Mark Cuban (filming Shark Tank), George Strait, ZZ Top, David Copperfield, Tom Cruise, Kevin Costner (filming Yellowstone) and Chuck Norris. The constant traveling to Chicago, New York, Nashville and Los Angeles finally caught up with me. I have moved back to Fort Worth to be closer to family. Now I'm enjoying pickleball, softball and golf in my spare time.” Condolences to the family of Roger Woerner, who passed away in September 2024 after a long illness. John Cosby shares, “Roger played football for TVS then graduated from Stephen F.

Austin University with a forestry degree. After college he started working for TX Utility for several years, owned a franchise - Lawn Doctors - and finally spent the last 20 years teaching special needs kids. He lived in the same house where he grew up in the Meadowbrook area of Fort Worth. Roger leaves behind his wife, three sons, two daughters and 11 grandkids.”

CLASS OF 1976

Tim Rost shares, “After 37 years and 6,000 babies - I am retiring from my OB/GYN practice. Lots of fun, some tears, but it's time to step away and spend more time with my family - wife, five kids and three grandchildren. I practiced signing my name as a doctor in the 7th grade and now I've come full circle. Hope to see lots of my classmates in 2026 when we celebrate our 50-year class reunion.”

CLASS OF 1978

The Class of 1978 lost one of its own on March 14 with the passing of Shelley Sewell McDonald . We send our love to Shelley’s family, especially her brother Alan ’76.

CLASS OF 1979

With sincere apologies to the Class of 1979 and especially to its loyal class rep, Mike Atkinson , here are the Class Notes submitted in plenty of time for inclusion in the fall 2024 magazine. I (Kathryn) misfiled them unintentionally and upon realizing the error, promised Mike that I would include this information in the spring magazine. Cheers to the Class of 1979!

The Class of 1979 held its 45th reunion on May 31 and June 1, 2024. The turnout was great with classmates Muki Daniel Jerneloev coming in from Sweden, Gail McAdam Rothlin coming in from Switzerland, Chip

1. 1972 John Cosby and coworkers in front of Shark Tank Productions 2. 1972 John Cosby in front of Columbia Pictures Studios 3. 1974 Reunion Nichols, Winterringer, Sherrill, Dyess 4. 1974 Reunion attendees 5. 1976 Tim Rost 6. 1979 Reunion 7. 1979 Reunion

Andre coming in from Austin, and Blake Haley coming in from Oklahoma. This was the class’s first reunion in 15 years, so there was a lot of catching up to be done. The festivities kicked off Friday night May 31 at Joe T’s to settle back into the old routine like we were in high school again. Fortunately, no one was doing shots or dancing on the tables like in the old days. Saturday night’s events were held at Local Foods Kitchen where the classmates sat down at one long table, like we did in the cafeteria when we were in school, and dined on farm to table cuisine. We were blessed to have in attendance both nights Mr. and Mrs. Kramer as well as Mrs. Mary Mac Elliott. It is sad, but there are not many teachers and administrators left from our era.

As I was organizing this event, I did get a certain sense of reluctance to attend the reunion from some of the people in the class. For some classmates, it had been years since they had interacted with the class and were unsure how they would be received. As the weekend was concluding, I had people coming up to me saying that they were so happy that they came and were able to reconnect with so many. As I reflected on this, it was like a John Hughes movie. Everyone is different in their own way, but as we have grown up, those things that bothered us or made us different in high school, don’t seem to matter anymore. We all have that common unity of having graduated from one of the finest schools in Texas, and we are all successful in our own right.

Update: Martha Hicks started organizing quarterly mixers which began in September 2024, and our most recent was held in March at the Poop Deck on Bluebonnet Circle. We have been averaging 15 people per event, and they have been well received. I believe our next will be in June with the location TBD. We have also included some people from the Class of 1978 that said they wanted to come and be a part.

I say all of this for those that did not or were not able to attend the reunion last June, you were sorely missed and hope you will be able to make the next reunion or mixer.

CLASS OF 1981

John Fahy writes, “Effective June 2025 I will serve as Chair of the State Bar of Texas Business Law Section, which has almost 5,000 practicing business lawyers. The SBOT Business Law Section is dedicated to improving the practice of business law in Texas by providing training and

resources and providing support for its various committees covering all aspects of business law. I previously chaired the Section's Securities Law Committee.” Emily Dafcik Watt shares, “I now have three grandchildren. Twin boy (W.R.) and girl (Leslie), age 2, and Georgia, who is 5 and in Pre-K at TVS. Hopefully the twins will be Trojans as well! We are a three-generation TVS family - their dad is Billy Bob ’10. As for me, I just hit my 37-year anniversary at American Airlines. Best of all, I got to attend my first TVS Grandparents’ Day in November!”

CLASS OF 1983

Keith Hajovsky says, “I am planning to become homeless again and do some more long-term traveling/ living around the world, starting with South America during the second half of this year, perhaps around Asia in the spring of '26. Wes Dauphinot ’87 and I made it to the top of Kilimanjaro back in August 2023. It was tough and a wee bit cold, but overall, it was a really great experience for both of us. I am sharing a photo with David Hickey in San Miguel.” Speaking of, David Hickey reports, “Jo and I are living in San Miguel while also traveling the world! I vote that the next reunion is in San Miguel!” Our condolences to Angela Moffet on the death of her father in March. Here is a beautiful tribute: https://www. legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/kennethmoffet-obituary?id=57650979 Please send condolences to angelamoffet@gmail.com. Dixon Osburn shared a photo with David Hickey in San Miguel. Shannon Thomas Worrell writes, “Trace and I still live in Fort Worth and have a wonderful grandson, Jack Crudup! Our son Charles is engaged!”

Sandra Standefer says, “Class of 1983 - let me know if you plan to be in Fort Worth or Dallas over the next few months. We would love to get a group lunch or dinner together!”

CLASS OF 1985

Kelly Thomas Purselley shares, “I am the Founder of Edensong Ministries which is dedicated to sharing the fierce love of God with weak, weary and wounded women. I work with women who have suffered high levels of childhood abuse and trauma. I offer a class called BLoved in the community and in the jails which helps women heal and draw into greater intimacy with the Lord. Ally and I are in Bedford. She is doing well and running after the Lord hoping to attend Upper Room’s School of Ministry in

the fall. We are expecting a new granddaughter, Calloway Rae, in May. Morgan, Corbin and Landry are doing very well and living in San Antonio.”

CLASS OF 1987

Cyrena Lawrence Allen has an exciting update! “Our daughter Berkeley ’17 and her husband Montgomery (Monty) Smith just welcomed a precious baby girl to the family! Hampton Elise Smith arrived a few weeks early, but is healthy, sweet and doing great! We are thrilled they are living in Fort Worth now. They married last year in a beautiful ceremony in Telluride, CO, which was made even more special by them asking our son Bainbridge ’15 to officiate! Another special TVS bonus - our lifelong friend and classmate Mark Jones is now the pediatrician for a second generation of children in our family!” [find photos with Class of 2017] News from Jon Engelke: “I guess it’s been a couple decades since I made an update, so here goes… My kids are TVS alums. Devin ’15 and Zander ’20 are up in Rochester, New York and are doing well with their careers. I moved to Austin and got remarried a couple years ago to Abby Tomlinson. We’ve got a place up in Cloudcroft, New Mexico where we are approaching spending 50/50 between there and Austin. I’m going on 30 years with the same engineering company dealing with large transportation projects across North America. Abby and I travel a good amount: this past November to the far north to see polar bears, arctic hares, foxes and northern lights, and in February south of the Antarctic Circle to see penguins, seals, whales, and icebergs. For the polar bears we flew to Winnipeg and then took a two-day train ride north to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada and spent a week. The train serves as basically the only connectivity between the communities along the 1,100-mile route. There were several stops due to an ATV or horse-drawn carriage being stopped on the tracks so someone could get on or off the train. The train and “hotels” are tricky to arrange (basically must be booked a year in advance). Once in Churchill there is an extreme amount of polar bear safety to learn as in-town bear encounters are frequent, including a siren every night at 10pm to make sure you’re off the streets. There are several ways to safely observe the polar bears; we chose locals to drive us around the area to spot the bears and get very close. The other way was to be in “armored jacked-up school buses” where you could look down on the bears but could not get off the bus to be at their level. For the penguins we took four planes to get to Ushuaia, Argentina to board a 132-passenger

ship operated by G Adventures. From there, two days to cross the Drake Passage to get to Antarctica. The ship was ice-hardened and small enough to make it through very narrow channels. Twice-a-day excursions either by small zodiac boats to shore or kayak paddling through the ice and over the whales. We camped one night on land in a little tent (TOE experience was useful!). The water, icebergs, and scenery are beyond description – simply an amazing experience. Word to the wise – if you have an interest in Antarctica – use a small boat like we did. There are international rules about what passengers can and cannot do based on the ship size; with the larger ships all they could do was cruise past Antarctica, they could not get off their ship.” Kathy Holstein Wetsell updates us: “Two years ago, while planning my oldest daughter's wedding, we got a new puppy named Rosie. Her friendly nature has led to training her to become a therapy dog. We have started by visiting a local nursing home and it's a great opportunity to brighten the residents' day, and mine, to be honest!”

CLASS OF 1988

Molly Guynn Ogden says, “Dan and I now live very happily on Quail Run right next door to Ashlee Johnson (former Trojan ’88) and a few doors down from Walter Stucker ’81. We just added onto our house and we love it!! We have a pet rabbit Hercules who is nine years old and the most wonderful pet I’ve ever had! My daughter Emily Moon (former Trojan ’19), who also went to TVS, has graduated from Emory University and is now working at Pierre Frey, a French fabric company in Atlanta, Georgia. I am so proud of her and love that we can talk designer language together. I’m still working as an interior designer after 30 years of having my own design firm. I am so very happily married with two stepdaughters, Aidan and Abby, who I adore!!”

CLASS OF 1989

Carter Crum reports on his children: “Carl is at Caltech, freshman year, and plans to study applied physics. He had an exciting start. He made the varsity water polo team in the fall, and then got evacuated when the Pasadena fires hit in the winter. For the summer, he landed an internship in a nanomaterials lab on campus where the professor rolls in on her roller blades! Wilson is still living his best life at UCLA, majoring in business economics and a minor at the film school. He invites his little brother over from Pasadena to some parties in Westwood now and then. He

8.
Class of 1979 Reunion 9. Class of 1979 Reunion 10. 1981 Emily Dafcik Watt with son Billy Bob '10 and granddaughter Georgia '38 11. 1983 Keith Hajovsky and Wes Dauphinot '87 on top of Kilimanjaro 12. 1983 David Hickey and Keith Hajovsky in San Miguel de Allende 13. 1983 Dixon Osburn with David Hickey in San Miguel 14. 1983 Shannon Worrell with grandson Jack
15. 1983 Shannon and Trace Worrell 16. 1983 Shannon and Trace Worrell 17. 1983 Charles Worrell with fiancée Mary 18. 1985 Kelly Thomas Purselley with from front daughter Ally, granddaughter Landry, and daughter Morgan 19. 1985 Kelly Purselley's daughter and son-in-law, Morgan and Corbin, with granddaughter Landry 20. 1985 Ally Purselley 21. 1987 Jon Engelke - Antarctic

was also evacuated during the recent fires. Since living in LA, he has collected two tattoos and a goatee. Daphne is two years down and three to go on her PhD. She’s on her way and loves her research.” Doreen Schussler Landrum updates us from Austin: “Both our kids are moving on to the next stage of their lives this year. Ellie (22) graduated from CU Boulder and will be starting med school in Fort Worth in the fall at TCOM. Jack (25) finished US Air Force fighter pilot training at ENJJPT and will be flying F-16s (his dream assignment). Erik and I just celebrated 29 years of marriage - a lot to celebrate! The picture is all of us at Jack’s ENJJPT graduation in March.”

CLASS OF 2001

Cami McCluer Gildner writes, “I continue to practice criminal defense in downtown Fort Worth. I serve on the Board for the Tarrant County Defense Lawyers Association. My three children, James ’32, Myra ’34 and Anders ’36, are all Trojans.”

CLASS OF 2004

Jeff Arrington and wife Kristen have big news: “Our son John Ryan Arrington was born on January 7th.”

CLASS OF 2006

Simon Gooch shares, “My wife Bess and I celebrated our son Hank's 1st birthday April 11, 2025.” Laura Jo Clarke Klein has news: “The Klein family welcomed our third child, Conrad, in November 2024, joining older siblings Charlie and Margot. I continue to work as a general dentist in Fort Worth.”

CLASS OF 2008

Matt Johns says, “I recently closed the book on my 14year public relations and advertising agency career. I now work in corporate affairs for a Spanish company called Cintra and spend my free time playing music at any venue in Dallas/Fort Worth that will have me.”

CLASS OF 2009

Megan Stamm Vinson reports, “We welcomed our baby girl, Darla, in January of 2024 and are expecting a boy in July 2025. Thomas is the Criminal Investigations Lieutenant in Abilene and I am currently staying at home to raise our children.” Casey Fowler Worthington writes, “We welcomed our second son, Parker Cole Worthington, on July 26, 2024.”

CLASS OF 2010

Eli Bogle updates us: “My wife, Meridith, our daughter, Elizabeth (2 y.o.), and I moved back to Fort Worth from Houston in August. Shortly after, we welcomed our son, Grant William, on November 13, 2024.”

CLASS OF 2011

Larissa Bogle Marple gave Elizabeth and Grant a cousin: “Austin and I welcomed our first son, Holden Lee Marple, on December 27, 2024!”

CLASS OF 2012

Katie Sheets Connolly shares, “My husband and I welcomed our first child, Nolan Matthew Connolly, into the world on March 9, 2025!”

CLASS OF 2017

Mia Rajan has big news: “I recently matched into psychiatry residency at LSU New Orleans where I will complete training for four years as a psychiatrist. Geaux Tigers!” (See 1987 entry for news on Berkeley Allen .)

CLASS OF 2018

Allison Byrd reports, “I briefed the White House Domestic Policy Council on policies to address the scourge of human trafficking, particularly ones that will champion state and local efforts. This briefing came about through fellow Fort Worth friends working in the DMV. All roads lead to Fort Worth!” Jackson Key is about to be in the happiest place on Earth! He shares, “I am graduating with my master’s in architecture from Columbia University in New York City this May, and will be moving to Orlando, Florida to join Walt Disney Imagineering.”

CLASS OF 2022

Caroline Pierce's mother writes, “Caroline has been selected as the Student Member of the Southern Methodist University Board of Trustees for the 2025–2026 term. As Student Trustee, she will serve as a full voting member of the Board and represent the student body. She will also chair a committee composed of the Student Representatives to the Board and the Student Body President. Each year, only one student is chosen to serve as Student Trustee, and Caroline is honored and excited to serve in this role.”

22. 1987 Jon Engelke - Dogsled 23. 1987 Jon Engelke - Penguins 24. 1987 Jon Engelke - Polar Bear 25. 1987 Jon Engelke - Polar Bear 26. 1987 Jon Engelke and wife Abby 27. 1987 Kathy Holstein Wetsell with Rosie 28. 1998 Molly Guynn Jones 29. 1989 Landrum family
30. 1989 Wilson, Daphne, Carl Crum 31. 2008 Matt Johns 32. 2006 Simon and Hankins Gooch 33. 2006 Klein family
2009 Worthington family
2010 Bogle family
2010 Grant Bogle
2011 Marple family
38. 2011 Holden Marple 39. 2012 Nolan Connolly 40. 2017 Berkeley Allen marries Monty Smith
41. 2017 Berkeley Allen & Monty Smith wedding party and family 42. 2017 Hampton Elise Smith 43. 2018 Allison Byrd

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TO PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If this magazine is addressed to a TVS alumnus/a who no longer uses your home as a permanent address, please e-mail his or her address to hansend@tvs.org

TVS shines through its collaborative spirit, where parents, faculty, and students come together to foster an environment of care, encouragement, and shared success. Rooted in the visionary leadership of founding Headmaster Stephen Seleny, TVS has enhanced generations, building an enduring legacy made possible by the generous support of the TVS Annual Fund.

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