SUMMER 2021
IN THIS ISSUE: STORIES OF INSPIRATION, INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE
THEN & NOW
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SUMMER 2021
4 Message from the Head of School 6 Thank You For Your Service! 8 The Lighthouse Performing Arts Center Shines on Campus 12 Q & A with Andrew Hays ‘11 13 Westminster Celebrates 60 Years 14 Wild Acre is Added to WorldWonder Nature Center 18 Adrianna Cuevas ’97 Writes to Preserve Family’s History 21 Emerald Scholars Graduate First Class 22 Family Continues Education Legacy at Westminster 24 We Are Warriors for Christ! 26 Westminster Athletics Has a Record-Breaking Year 28 The Kaplan Family: A Heritage of Faith and Love 31 Alumni Roll Call and Memorials
EDITOR: Ana M. Poveda ‘87, Director of Communications & Marketing ASSISTANT EDITOR: Ismeraly Torres, Assistant Director of Communications COVER PHOTO: Anna Alvarenga ‘22 performs “Duel of Fates” at the Middle School/High School Band Concert in the Lighthouse Performing Arts Center. Photo credits: Ian Poveda ‘17 SENIOR ADMINISTRATION Scott Jones, Head of School David Medder, Associate Head of School Rob Lundgren ‘76, Chief Financial/Operating Officer Caleb Lopez, Preschool/Elementary School Principal John Manoogian, Middle School Principal Alex Gonzalez, High School Principal WESTMINSTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Philip Floyd, Chair; Dr. Alexander Trujillo, Vice Chair; Mr. Paul Quentel, Treasurer; Mrs. Sandy Carson, Secretary; Mrs. Amy Boulris ‘81; Mr. Rick Cook; Mrs. Jennifer Coya; Mr. Derek Deville ‘91; Mr. Richard Gaschott; and Mr. Jay Parker. Then & Now is published by the Communications and Marketing Office of Westminster Christian School and is distributed to alumni, parents, students, and friends. We welcome your submissions and story ideas. Please send them to communications@wcsmiami.org.
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Gracie Chewning ’16 was invited to share a sunrise devotional with high school students on the People’s Dock at Deering Estate. Her message reminded students that God is still in control even during times of anxiety. Sunrise devotionals are held regularly throughout the school year for high school students.
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Dear Westminster family:
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ater in 2021, Westminster will celebrate its 60th anniversary. This milestone allows us to look back and to remember, and to give thanks to God for all He has done throughout Westminster’s history. This issue of Then & Now reflects on the past, highlights the activities of some of our alumni, and shares news about the challenges and successes of this highly unusual school year. We also hope to leverage this anniversary to build upon our foundation to secure a strong and sustainable future for Westminster and to fulfill our mission for at least another 60 years!
Scott Jones Head of School
The 2020-21 school year was challenging but amazing at the same time. Westminster was the first school in South Florida to open with on-campus, in-person instruction in August 2020. We concurrently offered live synchronous options through Westminster Connect for students who could not be on campus or who preferred to learn remotely. Our teachers embraced the challenge of teaching students on campus while simultaneously supporting students who were online. Though many schools put their arts and music programs on hold during the pandemic, we were able to offer our full fine arts program. The Lighthouse, our new performing arts center, was completed in November and we were able to offer Christmas concerts in this amazing facility as well as use it for the second half of the school year for weekly chapels and regular performances by our students. Be sure and check out the photos in this issue from performances in this new facility. There were certainly restrictions in place throughout the year which prevented us from offering some of our student activities. However, our athletics program was in full operation, had a record number of teams win regional championships, and Westminster athletes and coaches stole the show in the Miami Herald All-County Awards. We finished the school year with a live in-person graduation during which we honored our very first group of graduating Emerald Scholars. You will find a report on our new Emerald Scholars program in this edition. Westminster has been successful in achieving its mission this past year and for many years, in part thanks to the fine teachers who faithfully serve on our faculty team. All of our teachers had to stretch and learn new things during this year. This issue features an article about two of our outstanding teachers who come from a long line of educators and
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who honor this legacy by serving at Westminster. We also feature the Kaplan family, one member of which continues to serve on our staff, and their long involvement with Westminster. Many of our staff members have served Westminster for many years, even decades, and we highlight nine who retired this year in this issue. Looking back always includes our incredible alumni. This year we anticipate hearing more stories from our alumni about their experiences at Westminster (then) and their lives today (now). This issue of Then & Now features a story about an alumna from decades ago, Adrianna Cuevas ‘97, and an article about a more recent alumnus, Andrew Hays ‘11. Be sure to read about other alumni in the Roll Call section, and if you are a graduate of Westminster, please keep us informed of what you are doing by submitting an update for Roll Call or connecting with us and other alumni on Warrior Alumni Connect, our networking platform exclusively for Westminster alumni. Sixty years ago, a small group of dedicated Christian people at Shenandoah Presbyterian Church sensed a calling to start a small Christian school characterized by excellence and devoted to a biblical philosophy of education. In the founding charter, they stated that “we pledge our efforts toward the establishment of a School and an educational program propounding the highest of academic standards, so as to prepare covenant youth for purposeful Godliness in any vocation or entrance into leading institutions of higher education.” Today, we are beneficiaries of that faithfulness, dedication, sacrifice, and vision. As we reflect on all that God has done through Westminster these past six decades, I trust that we will be faithful and generous to further strengthen this fine school so that it will continue to be a Christ-centered institution of the highest standards, fulfilling the mission of developing ambassadors for Christ for generations to come.
Mr. Jones came to visit Mrs. Loveless & Mrs. Fosselman’s PK4 class during outdoor centers! It was so fun to watch him build the magnetic blocks with one of our students.
Thank you for being a part of the Westminster community.
Scott Jones Head of School
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Thank You For Your Service These outstanding employees retired at the end of the 2020-21 school year. Westminster Christian students and families were blessed by their service.
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Nancy Blaum K5 Teacher 26 Years of Service
Judy Carullo Schoolwide Receptionist 7 Years of Service
Ann Green Business Office 37 Years of Service
Lyle Green High School Personal Counselor 28 Years of Service
Lisa North Director of Admission 17 Years of Service
Virginia Rivera Elementary School Teacher 12 Years of Service
Juanita Rodriguez High School Teacher 21 Years of Service
Jim Vander Woude High School Teacher 21 Years of Service
Janet Wright ‘85 Middle School English Teacher 14 Years of Service
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“Words cannot express our gratitude for the impact you all have had at Westminster Christian School!” In honor of their years of service, these exceptional employees were recognized at the Spring Association Meeting in April where David Medder, Westminster’s associate head of school, shared these words, “Westminster is a better place because of the hours each of you has poured into the lives of Westminster students and families. You have viewed your time as a Warrior not as a job, but as a ministry to the students and families. Your impact has changed lives and shaped hearts, a gift that will carry on for years to come. Thank you for educating our students with love, compassion, and expertise.”
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The Lighthouse Performing Arts Center Shines on Campus
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n spite of the pandemic, the Fine Arts department at Westminster managed to safely host numerous events in their brand-new Performing Arts Center (PAC), the Lighthouse, during the 2020-21 school year.
“The ability to shine a light on the amazing God-given talents of our students in a venue like the Lighthouse is such a blessing,” said Donna Underwood, Westminster’s director of fine arts. “The Lighthouse and its many features make it easy for us to showcase our students and to bring glory to God through the arts.” The PAC features a state-of-the-art auditorium with seating for nearly 650 and provides a top-notch performance environment for Westminster's highly-esteemed, award-winning Fine Arts programs. It also offers classroom space, a two-story lobby to display student artwork, as well as practice and performance space for orchestra, band, choir, theater, dance and more. We are grateful for the generous support of school families, friends and donors who make facilities like the Lighthouse possible at Westminster.
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Thank You Donors Peggy & Enrique Acosta Ileana & Jorge Almirall Lisa & Manuel Alonso Valeska & Luiz Alvarenga Maria & Esteban Alvarez Madeline & Francis Amador Antonio & Ursula Arner Yelayne & Lewis Arrandt Ruth & Stephen Balestra Carolina Barboza-Maccarrone Annette & Jason Barket Jane & Alexandre Barrellier Michele & Patrick Battle Monique & Rafael Bennouna Zhar Maria & Juan Bolivar Amy ’81 & Mark Boulris Lourdes & Eric Boyer Kim & Tim Brigham ‘86 Seth Carlson Monique & Rafael Carneiro Sandy & Worth Carson Lisa & G. Lynn Chaffin Laura ’86 & David Charlton ‘87 The Circle’s Foundation Kimberly & William Comber Christine & Carlos Cubias Elaine & Mario Cuervo Penelope & Samuel Cunado David Dangerfield ‘71 Lourdes & Mark Danna Lori & Benjamin Davis Alisa De Moya Jillian & Chris De Moya ‘96 Jane & Anthony Del Rossi Elizabeth & John Deo Lisa & John DeRosimo Ethel & James DeRuiter Derek ’91 & Lesly Deville ‘91 Stephanie & Manny Diaz Elizabeth & Richard Dvorak Norma & Adib Eden Kim & Bruce Elliott Vanessa & Mario Fernandez WCS Fine Arts Association Mary & Roland Fongon Peter & Miriam Frometa Mario Fajardo Carrie & Edward Giordano Manya & Victor Glavach Alicia & Oscar Gonzalez Denise & Charles Gonzalez Rosemar Gonzalez-Perez Lena & Richard Hall Nancy Hector Hector & Adriana Hernandez Isaac & Lourdes Hilliard Mary Jevitt Cathleen & Scott Jones Frederick Kent Stacey & Drew Kern ‘90 Josefina & Robert Kuntz Patricia & Paul Knoch Susan & Keith Lane Margarita & Leo Leon Angel ’92 & Carter Logan Judy & Lee Lones Kelly & Raymond Lopez ‘92 Angela & Caleb Lopez Catherine ’77 & Raphael Lorie Kathryn & Ronald Loveless Cheryl & Victor Lugo Ody & Kenny Lugo Katherine & Robert Lundgren ‘76
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Casey Machin Roseanne Magid Lisa & John Manoogian Ashley Manso ‘12 Deborah & Cedric Mar Ana & Benjamin McCrery Sherry & David Medder Leah & Clifford Medina Maria & Alexander Mendez Lucelena & Santiago Mendoza The Miami Foundation JJ Mink Rita & George Montes Karen & Mark Muirhead National Christian Foundation South Florida Michelle & Marco Nicolini Yeline & Ike Ojala Ginger & Thomas Ostenson Kristi Paishon Teresa & Kevin Palczynski Jessica Palma ‘16 Dawn & Dario Palmer Lina & Carl Parker Naharit & Jay Parker Claudia & Dennis Pastrana Patrick Battle Memorial Fund Jose & Brenda Pedrayes Andrea Pena-Sureda Dorothea Perez Aglyn & David Perez Ethel & Greg Perez Persant Construction Cora & Steve Petrillo Lillian Pineda Laura Pons’10 Psalms of Life Inc. Kathy & Carlos Ramirez Cheryl & Evan Rees Mirtha Rodriguez Idania & Cesar Rodriguez Teresita & Rafael Rodriguez Elizabeth ’95 & Ronald Romaguera Melissa DeJong ’87 & Steve Salony Diana & Max Scagnetti Kim & Joel Schaffer Myriam & Jorge Scopazzo Karen & Thomas Shafer April & Kevin Shirk Claudia & Enrique Sierra Lisa & Scott Simmons Bonnie Sorensen Melissa & George Sprinkle ‘88 Steven Stout Ann Marie & Karl Sturge, Sr Janice Summerill Andrea & Corey Swenson Courtland Swenson Tena Admiraal Trust Thunder Electrical Contractors, Inc. Ixel & William Utset Jerry Van Dyke Rene Vargas Lelenia & Chris Vasallo Adriana & Ivan Vega Maribel & Robert Voges Mary Jane Waite Mari & David Wells Debra West Emilie & Craig Wierda Robert & Janet Wright ‘85 Hongwei & Zhongsheng Zhang Michael & Susan Zuccaro
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THEN & NOW
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Q & A with Andrew Hays ‘11 We recently had the chance to catch up with Andrew, reminisce on his favorite Westminster memories and learn about his career with SpaceX, one of the nation’s most innovative aerospace manufacturers and space transportation service companies. What led you to a career at SpaceX? After Westminster, I attended Baylor University and studied mechanical engineering. I earned my undergraduate degree in 2015 and a master’s degree in 2017. After my junior year, I worked as an engineering intern at FPL. I really enjoyed being back in Miami and loved the office there, but the job was more administrative. During grad school, I interned at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, which involved a lot of research and development, and testing and improving military-version hand-held, backpack-style drones. That type of R&D work was really cool and I really enjoyed it. It proved to be a big stepping stone to a full-time position with SpaceX. SpaceX has a facility in McGregor, TX, which is near Waco, and they would come to Baylor to recruit. So, I decided to apply for a few different positions at SpaceX and was really hopeful that I would get something. I thought I might want to go to Cape Canaveral for launch operations, at some point, so a job at SpaceX in McGregor would be an awesome job to start with, and, it has been!
Tell us about your job now. I’ve worked at SpaceX for four years now. I am currently a test operations engineer, which means I work as the Draco engine test director, and hypergol component test director. For the Draco engine, we basically test that engine – above and beyond – and develop and qualify the engine for flight. It is used in flight now for crew missions and operations at the International Space Station. 12
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In Texas, we basically get every engine that is coming through for flight and test it, making sure it works. We are also on standby for development testing for any needs that arise during flight. For components, it’s pretty similar. We test the components for flight and handle the development testing to make sure they work in all sorts of conditions.
What are some of your favorite memories from Baylor? A big part of college for me was playing on the men’s volleyball club team. We traveled and played other schools in the area. I played club all four years, and also coached the men’s team when I was in grad school. I also worked as a manager/practice player with the women’s volleyball team during my last two years in undergrad and during grad school. I was involved at Baylor in a lot of the same ways I stayed involved at Westminster – through sports and the relationships I built from these activities.
Tell me about your experience at Westminster? I attended Westminster for high school. It was only four short years, but it was an awesome four years playing sports, be it football, soccer or men’s volleyball. I was also involved with the Theater program and was around campus for everything. My senior year, I received the Warrior Award for School Spirit. I think it was mainly because I loved sports and I had a bunch of friends on different sports teams, so I went to as many sporting events as possible. I was friends with many of the coaches, too. At the time, Bryan Wolfe was there and I knew him from Immanuel Presbyterian. I was close
to him, the women’s volleyball coach, and Fernando, the men’s soccer coach, because I also helped manage the soccer team. Sports and theater were a big part of my Westminster experience. Working with Mr. Thomas on stagecraft and attending state competitions for drama with him and Mr. Adams was a lot of fun. I remember being a good student, grade-wise, but not a great student, conduct-wise. Basically, my friends and I were all class clowns. I really loved Dr. Martinez. She and I every now and then will still chat. Mrs. Maltby helped a lot with math, and as an engineer, I needed help with that.
What advice would you give to Westminster students? Find what you enjoy and run with it. I discovered my love for engineering in Physics class with Dr. Martinez, and I learned to build with my hands in stagecraft.
Give us an update on your personal life. Courtney and I live in Waco. We met at Baylor and were married on May 23, 2020. We were not able to have the wedding that we had planned because of the pandemic. No one from our family could attend inperson. It was just the two of us, our pastor, the photographer, and my roommate. Our families watched on Zoom. We are planning a full ceremony some time post-pandemic.
60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future It’s time to celebrate! Please join us at one of these upcoming events as we honor the legacy of Westminster Christian School and the thousands of students and families whose lives have been shaped through the service and dedication of Westminster faculty and staff. Be sure to visit the Anniversary Celebration page at www.wcsmiami.org to stay up-to-date as these plans continue to develop.
1961 - 2021
Back to School Picnic & 60th Anniversary Celebration Kick-off
Friday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. Food, Fellowship and Fireworks Student Activities Center, Elementary Field
Homecoming Weekend
Friday, October 1 – Monday, October 4 • Friday, October 1 7:00 p.m. 60th Anniversary Celebration Reception WorldWonder Nature Center/Wild Acre • Saturday, October 2 11:00 a.m. Campus Tours 12:00 p.m. All Alumni BBQ 1:00 p.m. Homecoming Game Class Reunion Events: ‘71, ‘76, ‘80, ‘81, ‘00 Locations and Times TBD (Visit Alumni Reunions page at www.wcsmiami.org for updates) • Sunday, October 3 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Coaches The Lighthouse Performing Arts Center 6:00 p.m. •M onday, October 4 Westminster Golf Tournament Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start
Alumni Christmas Party
December 15, 22 or 29 (TBD) WorldWonder Nature Center/Wild Acre
Taste of Westminster
Saturday, January 29, 2022 Come mingle with friends and sample the cuisine of fine, local restaurants while bidding on unique auction items.
Questions about reunions?
Contact Amy Anderson Williams ‘80 at awilliams@wcsmiami.org. General inquiries can be sent to alumni@wcsmiami.org. THEN & NOW
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Wild Acre is Added to WorldWonder Nature Center
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an you imagine a school where students learn by playing with frolicking dwarf goats, study the habits of tortoises that live on campus, visit an aviary to watch birds fly to and fro, or count tadpoles in a pond? This and so much more is part of the Westminster experience for preschool and elementary students in the Wild Acre. Located just outside of the WorldWonder Nature Center, this lush oasis is teeming with areas for students to discover and learn. Under the direction of program director Mr. Doug Heetderks and his assistant, Mrs. Sharon Carper, students can traverse the bamboo forest to arrive at chalets where they can gather with friends to discuss their latest findings, or they can climb to the top of timber village or banyan tree forest and let their imaginations run wild! The Wild Acre is an extension of the WorldWonder program and provides unique opportunities for students to learn through exploration. WorldWonder is an experiential learning component of the life sciences curriculum at Westminster’s preschool and elementary. Students from preschool through fifth grade visit either the Discovery Barn, the Nature Center or Wild Acre for weekly on-campus field trips. The hands-on program inspires learning through exploration and instills an appreciation for God's creation by encouraging children to experience the thrill of touching, seeing, wondering and learning about the amazing world around them.
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Thank You to Our Generous Donors for Bringing the Wild Acre to Life! 2018-19 Elementary School Students Michele and Patrick Battle Bender Family Yanisley and Arnaldo Bomnin Briggs Family Buraglia Family The Circle’s Foundation Jose and Heidi Dans Manny and Stephanie Diaz Doerman Family Kristin and Dan Dolan ’87 Charles Foschini Family Ed and Carrie Giordano Susan Godoy Miguel and Evelyn Rodriguez Gonzalez Christina Hudson Sherrill and Mary Ann Hudson Keith Lane Jeff Lazzeri The Edward and Gale McBride Foundation Elaine and Douglas Medler ‘89 Emily Moghaddam and Family Munilla Family Foundation Reynaldo and Yanelis Perez Alfred and Maitee Quero Family Agnes and Peter Raffalski Evelyn and Miguel Rodriguez Scopazzo Family Lars and Nirvana Seagren Jose and Aubrey Heranandez-Solaun Kristy and Justin Sporrer St. Germain Family Diane & Andy Stewart Alex and Kiara Trujillo Lisa Chaffin-Wiegandt Family Wishart Family Zulueta Family THEN &
NOW
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ADRIANNA CUEVAS ‘97
Writes to Preserve Family’s History WITH
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MATILDA-ESQUE
FASCINATION
FOR READING, ADRIANNA CUEVAS WOULD MARVEL AT HER PARENTS’ BOOKSHELF. ADORNED WITH NOVELS SEVERAL YEARS ABOVE HER PRESUMED READING LEVEL, SHE’D SCAN THROUGH THE COLLECTION WITH HUNGRY, CURIOUS EYES AS HER FINGERS INNATELY GRAVITATED TOWARDS EDGAR ALLEN POE AND JACK LONDON.
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uevas recalls that her father, Gilberto Jose Cuevas, a math professor at the University of Miami, and her mother, Peggy Cuevas, a science teacher at Westminster Christian School, intentionally filled their home with all things books, reading and storytelling. Dinners were always followed by anecdotes, family trips to the library were habitual, and the desire to travel and discover new places was instinctive. “Both my mom and my dad were very curious people by nature. They always wanted to learn new things and have new experiences,” said Cuevas. Consumed by the same curiosity, when she wasn’t inspecting the peculiar illustrations of Edgar Allen Poe’s 1980 anthology, Cuevas says she was being transported to Jack London’s snowy Yukon.
Cuevas’ parents, Peggy and Gilberto Jose Cuevas, pose for a photo.
“As a kid growing up in sunny Miami, it seemed odd that I would want to read Jack London’s stories, but I think that his writing was my first clue of how books can take you to other places and show you new experiences,” explained Cuevas. She described her young mind as a hyperactive one that was always conjuring up stories. Her fourth-grade teacher at Westminster Christian School, Mrs. De Vos, was an author, and it was during one of her lessons that Cuevas says she learned how to transfer those stories to paper. “Mrs. De Vos would play Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’, give us blank pieces of paper, and have us draw the images that came to mind as we listened to the music,” described Cuevas. “It was the first time that my hyperactive imagination had been encouraged to take all those images and stories that were going on in my brain and put them down on paper.” Cuevas graduated from Westminster in 1997 and fondly remembers her years at the school.
Anne Fitz ’97 and Fayoola Eustache Wilson ‘97 smile for the camera on campus as Adrianna Cuevas lies on a bench reading a book. (Circa 1996)
“I was always reading. There’s even a picture of me on campus with my friends, Anne and Fayoola. It’s probably from 1996. They’re smiling at the camera and I’m lying on a bench reading a book,” she recalled warmly.
Cuevas’ mother also taught 7th and 8th grade science at Westminster from 1982 to 2000. After 15 years of working as a teacher herself, she says she finally gained the courage to write her first book. Her debut novel, The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez,
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“When my dad and his family arrived in the United States from Cuba, all they had with them was their language, their recipes and their stories. They couldn’t take anything with them when they left so we do not have, for example, family relics that have been passed down for generations. That’s why I’m always putting some aspect of my family in my writing,” said Cuevas. Her second novel, Cuba in My Pocket, is scheduled to be released on September 21, 2021, and is based on her father’s solo journey to the United States at just 12 years old. In the novel, Cumba’s family makes the difficult decision to send him to Florida alone after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 solidified Castro’s power in Cuba. was published in 2020 and, only months after its release, received the Pura Belpre Honor, an award for Latino/a writers and illustrators whose works best portrays the Latino culture.
“It was very interesting to take someone’s real life and put it in a fiction book because I did change some elements of his story, but I constantly had my father fact-check the important details because I wanted to remain faithful to his experiences,” explained Cuevas. “It means a lot to me now that I was able to preserve his history in this way.” Cuevas’ father passed away last year, shortly after reading the final version of Cuba in My Pocket. “I wanted him to see it published, but that’s not the case so I was really glad that he at least got to read it,” said Cuevas. Her hope now is that her father’s story inspires others to welcome and care for people in need, that it takes them on a journey through her family’s Cuban-American history and, most importantly, that they enjoy reading it as much as her father did. “He cried after reading it. He was so proud.”
The novel is a contemporary fantasy about a Cuban-American boy named Nestor Lopez who must use his secret ability to communicate with animals to save the inhabitants of his town when they are threatened by a tule vieja, a witch that transforms into animals. For this story, Cuevas says she drew inspiration from her son and his love for zoology as well as a myriad of personal experiences. The novel is also brimming with Cuban-American elements which Cuevas describes as an homage to her family history. She hopes this aspect of her writing will inspire young Hispanic readers. “I think kids need more books about the joys of their culture. It’s important for students to see themselves in a story and for those characters to be portrayed as heroes of that story,” she added. Cuevas further explained that it is equally as important that her writings work to preserve her family’s culture and history.
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Cuevas says she draws on personal experiences for ideas for her books, including memories with her husband and son, pictured here.
Cuevas’ 1997 senior portrait.
Emerald Scholars Program Graduates First Class
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or the first time ever, the Class of 2021 included 14 students who graduated as Emerald Scholars. These students represent some of the high school’s most driven and brightest students.
Emerald Scholars participate in Westminster’s most ambitious courses and seek opportunities for enrichment through internships, independent research, service projects, and more. To graduate as an Emerald Scholar, students take a minimum of 12 AP Courses, complete the AP Capstone Program or PLTW Engineering Program, as well as meet GPA, service project and internship requirements. Besides graduation honors, students receive a custom emerald and gold charm or pin along with a keepsake box. Program graduates will be attending some of the nation’s top universities. Congratulations to Maia Alvarez Ramirez, Ashley Arango, Elizabeth Dolan (daughter of Dan Dolan ’87), Kayla Dumas, Andrea Escobio, Landon Glavach (son of Landon Glavach ’90), Anthony Pastrana, Daniel Portuondo, Teresa Somoza, George Sprinkle III (son of George Sprinkle, Jr. ’88), Emily Sturge, Natalie Talarico, Aria Upton, and Kevin Zhang.
Maia Alvarez Ramirez University of Florida
Ashley Arango Florida State University
Elizabeth Dolan Washington University in St. Louis
Kayla Dumas (Valedictorian) University of Florida
Andrea Escobio University of Pennsylvania
Landon Glavach University of Florida
Anthony Pastrana Georgia Tech
Daniel Portuondo University of Florida
Teresa Somoza University of Florida
George Sprinkle III Clemson University
Emily Sturge University of Florida
Natalie Talarico University of Florida
Aria Upton University of Southern California
Kevin Zhang (Salutatorian) Johns Hopkins THEN & NOW
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Theodora Dansby Johnson, far left, graduates from Florida A&M University. (Circa 1937)
Anastasia Casimir, left, holds a photo of her relative, Theodora Dansby Johnson, while Dawn Palmer, right, holds a photo of her great-grandfather, Theodore Dansby.
Family Continues Education Legacy at Westminster Christian School
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n a brightly lit room with images of characters from classic American novels accessorizing the walls, Dawn Palmer stood up from her desk, positioned to the front, left-hand side, directly adjacent to her whiteboard, and addressed the class. “Let’s come up with adjectives for each of these characters,” she said.
Draped over the wall just behind her students were several long, wide pieces of white paper. At the top of each one, were different names from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. As students diligently jotted down adjectives for Boo Radley, Atticus, Scout, Jem and Dill, Palmer walked around the room and surveyed their work, occasionally providing hints for new words.
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For nearly 30 years, Palmer has been an educator. She’s taught in elementary schools in both Miami-Dade and Broward County, and at the collegiate level. Currently, she’s an English teacher at Westminster Christian School. “It’s an absolute blessing to work here,” said Palmer who has worked at Westminster since 2016. While 30 years on the job can make for a lengthy resume, she’s not the only one in her family with a lot to say about education. For Palmer, it’s a family trade. After earning a master’s degree in education, her great-grandfather, Theodore Dansby, became one of the first Black principals in South Florida.
Sondra Julien, Palmer’s mother.
“This was in the 1930s so segregation was still prevalent,” said Palmer. “He was selected to open a school for Black students in a Black community. Then, they would ask him to leave to open another school in another Black community, or to be a principal at a newly opened school.” Over time, he served as a principal in schools in Miami, Key West, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Leesburg and Live Oak. After retiring from the public school system, Dansby became the head of student loans, welfare and college placement for Edward Waters College, Florida’s first independent
“My mother and stepfather are both educators and, growing up, I saw how much time they invested in their students. They’d work all day and all night, practically,” said Casimir. “So, I said to myself, ‘Teaching is not for me.’” Casimir subsequently started the pharmacy program at Florida A&M University, but quickly realized that God was steering her in a different direction.
Anastasia Casimir helps a student with a math problem during class.
institution of higher learning as well as the state’s first institution established for the education of Black people, until his death in the 1970s. “He worked really hard to help students find the financial aid they needed to pay for a college degree because he believed so much in the importance of higher education,” said Palmer. Dansby cared so much that he paid for four of his nieces to attend college, two of whom became educators. “My great-grandfather really believed in people and in their potential,” added Palmer. While the professional world knew Dansby as a leader in education, to his family he was much more than that. “He was our patriarch,” said Palmer. Dansby’s devotion to education and higher learning ignited a passion that would transcend generations. Theodora Dansby Johnson, Palmer’s grandmother, was both a jazz singer and an educator. When she wasn’t belting out notes on stage, she was working as a music teacher for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. After more than 30 years she retired, but that didn’t stop her from doing what she loved. Johnson continued to teach music at Christ
the King Preschool and, in the evenings, at Florida International University. Today, her family remembers her as a “loving soul” who made an impact on countless people, including her great-granddaughter, Anastasia Casimir. “She had such a passion for music and theater. She was probably my favorite person of all time,” added Casimir. Palmer’s mother, Sondra Julien, also has an impressive resume in education. She was a teacher in Miami-Dade County, she served as an administrative assistant to Miami-Dade College’s vice president, and, some time after that, she became the director of community services and continuing education at Broward Community College. “My mother really valued education as well and I think that aspect of her was very evident, not only in the way she raised my siblings and me, but also in everything she was able to accomplish professionally over the years,” said Palmer. Now, Palmer and her daughter, Anastasia Casimir, continue their family’s legacy at Westminster Christian School. Casimir, now a fifth-generation educator, teaches math and engineering at Westminster; although, she says she wasn’t always so sure about pursuing a career in education.
“I’d been tutoring students in math from the middle school level to the college level for years and I absolutely loved it,” explained Casimir. “Finally, one day, my stepfather said to me, ‘I think God is calling you to be a teacher.’” Casimir’s stepfather was an adjunct professor for remedial math at Miami-Dade College. At just 12 years old, Casimir would sit in on her stepfather’s lessons. She says she’d then come home and show her parents all that she had learned while listening to her stepfather. “I was always so impressed by how gifted she was in math,” said Palmer. Eventually, Casimir decided to follow in her family’s footsteps and, now, she admits that teaching was the right career path for her all along. “I love it. It can be tough at times, but I love teaching math and I love to see small lightbulbs go off in my students. It’s a great feeling when they’ve finally grasped a mathematical concept that they thought they would never understand,” explained Casimir. Both Palmer and Casimir agree that working at Westminster Christian School, an institution that encourages both the academic and spiritual growth of its students, has been the best place to continue their family’s legacy. “Not only am I doing what I love, but before I start any of my classes, I get to pray for my students and the students pray for me sometimes, too. It doesn’t get any better than that,” said Palmer. THEN & NOW
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WE ARE
WARRIORS FOR CHRIST!
I
n 2006, Anne Langhorne Jeffrey ‘06 convinced the school community that the superintendent had decided to change the school mascot from the Warriors to the Wombats. This clever senior prank caused quite a stir among teachers and students who were shocked by the change. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief when the ruse was finally revealed.
Now, as Westminster embarks on its 60th anniversary, we again affirm, “We are the Warriors!” We are Warriors for Christ, based on Ephesians 6:10-20, which admonishes us to “put on the full armor of God.” In recent years, the use of a mascot or physical representation of our Warrior had become passé. Instead, the “W” and the “the dub” had become popular among students. This natural development of our mascot over the years has provided us with an opportunity to reflect on how to best honor our past and shape the future for current Warriors and for those to come. Together with athletics and student leadership, we present the newly redesigned Warrior mascot. The Westminster Warrior reflects the school’s mission and core values, and stays true to the vision of our founders.
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Look for the Westminster Warrior at school events and anniversary celebrations! We will be holding a contest to name the Warrior during the first few weeks of school. The Warrior’s name will be announced at Homecoming. Send your ideas to alumni@ wcsmiami.org. All submissions are welcome!
THE ARMOR OF GOD
The Westminster Warrior “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16
HELMET OF SALVATION
In addition to all this, take
up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Take the helmet of salvation and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
BELT OF TRUTH
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19
Pray also for me, that
SHIELD OF FAITH
whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
FEET FOR THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
— Ephesians 6:10-20
THEN & NOW
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Westminster Athletics Has a Record-Breaking Year
D
espite the many challenges presented this year, Warrior Athletics had a banner year! A record six teams won Regional championships and advanced to their state tournament finals, and one team brought home the State title. To end the year, Westminster athletes and coaches simply stole the show at this year’s Miami Herald All-County Award Ceremony. What an incredible example of our students’ and coaches’ commitment to excellence. Glory be to God!
A
D
E
B
F
C
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WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
K
2020-21 1A-4A Boys’ Major Sports Award Recipients 2020-21 1A-4A Girls’ Major Sports Award Recipients Overall Athlete of the Year Award Westminster athletes represented four of the nine athletes nominated in this category, and Westminster took both top spots! H – Saskia Hernandez ‘21 L – Sal Stewart ‘22 Girls’ Volleyball Player of the Year H – Saskia Hernandez ‘21 Baseball Player of the Year L – Sal Stewart ‘22 Softball Player of the Year M – Hailey Donovan ‘21
H
I
L
M
Coaches of the Year E – Scott Doan – Softball K – Josh Kirk – Boys’ Soccer I – Antonio Boada – Girls’ Soccer D – Julie Doan Kurenuma – Girls’ Volleyball Regional Champions G – Baseball C – Girls’ Soccer K – Boys’ Soccer F – Girls’ Volleyball A – Girls’ Beach Volleyball J – Softball State Champions A – Girls’ Beach Volleyball Individual Athletes Who Advanced to States: Track and Field B - Ty Walker ’22, Jayden Higgins ’21, Gabe Dozier ‘21 Swimming N – Mario Solorzano ‘23
J
N
Wrestling Ethan Ardavan ’22 (not pictured)
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THE
KAPLAN
FAMILY: A Legacy of
Faith and Love
FROM THE DAY WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1961, MANY FAMILIES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SCHOOL’S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AS BOTH AN ACADEMIC AND SPIRITUAL LEADER IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THE KAPLANS ARE ONE OF THOSE FAMILIES.
T
he school’s first yearbook, published in 1965, features a seventh-grade class of 24 students. Among the array of black and white images is a picture of Harry “Chuck” Kaplan ‘70. His brother, Bruce Kaplan ‘74, can be found among the third-grade class, followed by a picture of Stephen Kaplan ‘75 in the second grade. Terryce Kaplan ‘76, the youngest of the siblings later became a teacher at Westminster, along with her husband, Steve Gilchrist.
The Kaplan family on vacation in Alaska. First Row: Kaila Vega and Juliette Vega. Second Row: Vicki Kaplan, Samantha Kaplan ’11, Vanessa Kaplan, Julia Kaplan, Janell Kaplan, Quinn Kaplan, Bruce Kaplan ’74, Nicholas Vega and Krista Vega ’01. Third Row: David Kaplan ’09, Michael Kaplan ’06, Greg Kaplan ‘04, Ari Kaplan and Hector Vega.
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Their father, Mr. Harry Kaplan, became one of the school’s first board members in the early 1960’s. He remained on the Board of Directors for 10 years and was especially involved in interviewing and hiring teachers. The family also faithfully served at Shenandoah Presbyterian Church where Westminster Christian School first opened its doors. Bruce Kaplan says he distinctly remembers his years as a student at Westminster. He recalls participating in several athletic teams where he says he learned life-long lessons about hard work, perseverance and dedication.
“I carried many of those lessons over to my career and I am very grateful for that,” shared Bruce, who worked for the Miami-Dade Police Department for 35 years before recently retiring. Bruce says Westminster’s staff also made a lasting impression. Even today, he describes them as dedicated individuals with a passion for their students. “They really cared about me and my fellow classmates. Some of my fondest memories include a teacher or a coach from the school,” added Bruce. After graduating high school, Bruce says he knew that one day his children would also attend Westminster. Bruce met his wife, Vicki, at their church, Shenandoah Presbyterian. After marrying in 1981, Bruce and Vicki had five children: Krista ‘01, Greg ‘04, Michael ‘06, David ‘09, and Samantha ‘11.
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he received both at home and at school made all the difference. “The biblical foundation established by the teachers and coaches, and the love and care that they have for their students, sets Westminster apart from any other school,” said Greg.
“It was definitely a financial sacrifice to have them attend Westminster,” said Vicki, “but I’d do it all over again if I had to.” Growing up, Vicki attended public schools and, at first, was unsure about the benefits of a Christian education, but after having all of her children attend and graduate from Westminster, she now argues that nothing compares to a God-centered academic environment. “There is an immeasurable benefit of having your children surrounded by professionals and intellectuals who teach through the eyes of ‘God as the Creator’ and, because of that, I always felt very supported by the school. I knew that what I was teaching my children at home was being reinforced in the classroom. I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world,” she added. In 2001, Vicki became the administrative assistant to the middle school principal, a position she still holds today. “Westminster has become an extended family. It’s been wonderful to work here and to be near my children while they were attending,” added Vicki.
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When the Kaplans weren’t attending Dinner Theater performances, they were participating in the Art Fair, playing softball, at volleyball practice, at the baseball State championship, competing in soccer tournaments, or conditioning for football season. “My children were all very involved in different activities and sports at the school and, because Westminster is smaller in size, they were given lots of opportunities to shine and succeed,” said Vicki. Her son, Greg ‘04, can personally attest to that. Even after suffering a growth plate fracture while playing baseball, the family says God used the people at Westminster to steer him in the right direction. “I played baseball for 13 years, but in ninth grade I had to stop. It seemed shattering at the moment, but it led me to spend a lot of time in the athletic training room doing physical therapy. As it turns out, I went on to become a physical therapist and athletic trainer,” added Greg. While the news of an injury can discourage any athlete, Greg says that the support
John Manoogian, Westminster’s middle school principal who’s known the Kaplans for more than 20 years, said, “The Kaplan family should be on the Mount Rushmore of influential families that have made Westminster Christian School the spiritual and academic institution it is today. For generations, the Kaplan family has been an inspiration and example in the classroom, on the athletic field, on our staff and in our hearts.” David Medder, the associate head of school at Westminster, said, “For 60 years the Kaplan family has poured into the mission at Westminster and we are better because of it. They have led by integrity, involvement, and a passion for knowing Jesus.” Now that the second generation of Kaplan siblings have families of their own, they say they lean on what they learned at Westminster to nurture and guide their children in the faith. They say they work to make God a priority in their lives and to surround themselves with others who love Jesus. As Bruce said, “When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can’t lose!”
ROLL CALL 1970
John Freer ‘71 shared, “Some of us from the class of 1971 meet on Zoom every couple of months. It’s fun to see people from 49 years ago.”
1972
Ellen Baker Whiting ‘70 took the trip of a lifetime to Australia to visit her brother. She went with her sister and brother-inlaw and visited Fiji, Australia, Tasmania, and Hawaii. She shared, “After my trip to Australia to visit my brother, I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive uterine cancer called carcinosarcoma. I have completed all treatments (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) and pray that all cancer has been eliminated. The prayers of my friends and family have helped get me through this trial. God’s in control and God is always good.”
1971
David Dangerfield ‘71 retired at the end of April 2019 from full-time pastoral ministry after serving Advent Lutheran Church, Boca Raton and St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Port St. Lucie. Dave serves on the boards of Sarah’s Kitchen, a feeding ministry serving St. Lucie County and Alzheimer’s Community Care serving Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. Dave and his wife Kathy live in Jensen Beach and enjoy being grandparents to their six grandchildren, traveling, playing golf and a variety of outdoor activities.
Dwayne Guthrie ‘72 started his own consulting firm, DP Guthrie, LLC. He lives in Mesa, AZ.
Karl Oltz ‘72 is enjoying retirement in Lakewood Ranch, FL.
1973 On October 10, 2020, Nery Manzano ‘73 and Mark Davenport ‘74 were married in Miami, at a small private ceremony. While they did not really know each other in high school, Nery and Mark positively took note of each other at the “All 70’s Reunion” back in 2014; first during the Homecoming football game at WCS and then at the Reunion Dinner later that evening at the Riviera Country Club. For the past six years, despite Mark living in Atlanta and Nery calling Miami home, the couple had been flying back and forth sharing any moment they could together. Mark shared, “I have to say that the surprise and joy of Nery’s and my finding each other at the reunion is an example of how God’s plans and timing rarely align with our own. And because it happened in that special context, we’ve enjoyed the love and encouragement of WCS friends as our relationship grew.”
1975 Martha Purdum Bellomy ‘75 lives in Ft. Worth, TX.
1977 Chris “Hawk” Moore ‘77 retired for the second time after spending 27 years in the US Air Force and 10 1/2 years at The Citadel. Hawk and wife Jill moved at the beginning of COVID from SC to Viera, FL. Hawk volunteers at Valiant Air Command Warbird museum while looking to start a third career.
1978
Lisa Fuge Cason ‘78 is “feeling blessed to have been married for 37 years and to have raised four awesome “kids” that are all amazing married adults! We welcomed our third grandchild (first girl!) on Nov. 19, 2020. After 19 years at the same school in the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools, I changed locations this year and moved over to the brand new WSFCS Virtual Academy, where I teach first grade and serve as a mentor to new teachers.”
THEN & NOW
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Betsy Reynolds Mark ‘78 shares, “My husband Jim and I decided to act like millennials and take a gap year. Since we both turned 60 in 2020 we thought it was time to enjoy life a little. We left for Madrid in February and planned to be in Europe much of the year. We kept a close eye on the spread of Coronavirus while in Spain. When the pandemic was declared and the President issued the travel restrictions, our kids convinced us we needed to get home. We are terribly disappointed at the interruption of our trip of a lifetime. However, so many people’s health and livelihoods are at risk that we know we are blessed to be home and well. Having been in eldercare since 2003, we have some perspective on what Jim refers to as ‘our fourth quarter.’ Most of our clients have told us that their favorite decade was their sixties (not THE sixties). Their kids had launched and they had the health and the means to travel and enjoy life. We intend to do just that and as soon as we get the all clear we will head out again. If you want to check out our trip blog it is: http://lavidaviajera.net/” Grant Slayden ‘78 enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school. He later earned a commission, and attended the University of Florida, graduating with a BA and JD. Serving in Japan, Korea, and twice commanding the ground-based air and missile defense of Washington, DC, Grant retired as a colonel after 32 years of service. Grant currently serves as the Trial Court Administrator for the Second Judicial Circuit, comprising state and county trial courts in Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla Counties with 14 court facilities and 37 judicial officers. Grant is married to Kristine Ellyn Jenkins, the Chief of Resource Planning for Florida’s Judicial Branch. Grant and Kris raised four children: Trevor is a deputy clerk for the Maryland Courts, Julia is an environmental engineer for ExxonMobil in Wyoming, Emily is in sales in Florida, and Tessa teaches for the Fairfax City Schools in Virginia.
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1980 Martha Glass Cribs ‘80 is an instructional coach for the Savannah-Chatham County Schools.
1981 Rick Hooper ‘81 has been elected as the chairman of the Georgia Association of Manufacturers. GAM works on behalf of all Georgia manufacturers to enhance their competitiveness in a global marketplace. Rick is employed by Shaw Industries where he serves as its vice president, chief legal & advocacy officer. He and his wife Sandee live in Dalton, Georgia where they raised their three children.
1982
Jim Kern ‘82 shares, “As of this year, my son Jimmy ‘18 is a junior at Florida State University studying business entrepreneurship. My daughter Sarah ‘15 is working for the family business as a project manager. We are healthy, happy, and blessed beyond belief to spend time with one another any chance we get.”
1983
Jenni Gold ‘83 shared, “Thinking back to 2019 and even 2020 through the pandemic God has provided many opportunities! First my award-winning film ‘CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion’ starring Ben Affleck, Jamie Foxx, Marlee Matlin, and a host of others premiered on TCM and I was honored to co-host for two days with Ben Mankiewicz. Then it was chosen by the US State Department to represent America in the American Film Showcase. So even during the pandemic, I kept busy screening and speaking virtually in places like Prague! Today the film can be seen on all streaming platforms. Also, the Christian comedy that we produce ‘Can I get a Witness Protection’ is now available on Amazon and I just released a children’s book, titled “Lucky,” which will soon be made into a feature. Currently, I’m in post-production on a feature film that I directed, and since Gold Pictures is a full-service development, production, and post company, soon we will be launching an entertainment-related start-up. I know that: ‘All things work together for good... Romans 8:28’ and so we are looking forward to new opportunities to bring good stories to life and glorify God. Learn more at www.goldpictures.com.”
1984 Michael Erwin ‘84 is a retired fire chief. Robin Bryan-Schue’s ‘83 daughter Victoria ‘21 is one of the cheer captains at Westminster.
1985
1994 Michael Nimer ‘85 is a pastor of Calvary Chapel of Lexington, SC.
1987 Karla Wolaver Sheridan ‘87 has been an elementary educator in Brevard County Public Schools for 20 years. Her daughters attend Titusville High School in the 9th and 11th grades. She has been happily married to Douglas for 23 years.
Maura Parsons Benson ‘94 lives with her family in Chicago, IL.
1996
company doing customer service and then moved up to sales for only Latin America. I decided to put my international business degree and master’s to use and so I became the global director for a company in Lausanne, Switzerland and then three years later a company in Vienna, Austria for four years until finally deciding to open my own company. I got married two years ago and we have a one-yearold baby girl. We moved back south to Palmetto Bay from Brickell to raise our family. I am looking forward to sending my kids to Westminster, which was one of the best experiences of my high school career.”
1993
Pauline Rogers Hahlen ‘93 lives in Lexington, SC with her husband Terry and four children: Joel (20); Riley (17); Jesse (15) and Josiah (12). She is a cake decorator at the local Publix, and is also very involved with the Alzheimer’s Organization where she helps fundraise for a cure. She shares, “This organization is very close to my heart because my mom Anina lost her battle to Alzheimers five years ago and my friend Marianne this past March.”
Brian Martino ‘96 and wife Paola were fortunate to be able to work from home with their two sons: Luca (5) and Noah (8 months) during the height of the pandemic. He shared, “I know this has been a challenging time for everyone across all industries and I hope everyone in the Westminster Family is staying safe and healthy. Although it’s been challenging at times for my family, we came to realize maybe this was the pause our family needed. I have been fortunate to be home to witness the milestones of Noah crawling, walking, climbing and saying more words and Luca having class via zoom. Moments I otherwise would have missed if I were on my normal schedule which consists of office time, travel and meetings. I hope everyone found the silver lining during this pandemic. It’s reminded me family is most important.”
Melanie Price Pendray ‘97 and Sean Pendray ‘88 live in Palmetto Bay with their two children.
1998 Kimberly McReynolds Gorrin ‘98 shared that her son James ‘29 will be joining her daughter Madison ‘26 at Westminster for the 2021-22 school year. “So happy to have them both together.”
1999
1997
Philip Harmon ‘93 lives with his family in Naples, FL.
Javier Azucena ‘97 has been working in the recycling business for over 15 years supplying second-hand fiber to paper mills all over the world to manufacture pulp and paper products. “I started in an American
Monica Pappas Snyder ‘99 and her husband Bryon and their three children Cameron (20), Isabelle (6) and Rayne
THEN & NOW
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(6) live in Miami. Monica is the clinical director at Wellspring Counseling and Bryon is the assistant operation manager for Dadeland Macy’s. They are members at Old Cutler Presbyterian Church.
2003 Eric Batule ‘03 shares, “We have a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old, and one on the way. I am an air traffic control operations specialist, serving on a small specialized HQ team that audits air traffic facilities all over of the country.” The family lives in Senoia, GA.
2005
Yvette Rodriguez-Arce ‘99 is a clinical nurse manager at the University of Miami Bascom Palmer of Naples. She earned a master’s degree in nursing education in 2018. She shares, “I am blessed beyond measure as a mother of two beautiful boys Lucas and Isaac, ages 6 and 9, and have been married for over 15 years to Rene Arce.”
2000 Sergio Fernandez del Pino ‘00 purchased a new home in August 2020. He and his family live in Olathe, KS.
Carlos Tudela ‘00 lives with his family in Miami, FL.
2002
William “Billy” Garner ‘05 owns and operates a pet food store in Pinecrest since 2013.
2006
Kathleen Adams ‘06 shares, “I started a new job as a Sociology and Political Science professor and moved to Columbus, GA in January, got married in February, and we bought our first home in December!”
2007
Katie Kerestes de la Fe ‘02 is the principal at King’s Christian School. She lives in Miami with her husband and three sons, Dante (12), Deacon (10), and Dash (6).
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Jessica (Dietrich) Warren ‘07 and husband Ben welcomed the birth of their
daughter Frankie on September 6, 2020. The couple lives in Miami where Jess works as a nurse and Ben is Westminster’s athletic director.
2008 Christopher Fundora ‘08 shared, “My wife Kasia (Jezequel) and I have a deep love for Westminster. We met for about 30 seconds in the 9th grade before her family moved to New Jersey. I literally took her seat in her classes as I started and she moved. Our mutual friends from WCS encouraged us to connect in college (Kasia went to Gordon College and I went to BU) which didn’t take convincing for me! We became friends, started dating and got married in 2015. We have two little girls: Lyla Isabel Fundora (2018) and we welcomed our second daughter Arden Josephine in October 2020.
early October 2020.”
Stephanie Kearns Ginn ‘08 lives with her family in Atlanta, GA.
Kailey Swindal ‘08 is engaged to be married in December.
2009
Madeleine Bezold ‘09 earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Miami in 2013 and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the medical school at Vanderbilt University in 2015. She worked for a few years in Shreveport, LA at an LSU affiliated hospital and is currently working as a speech-language pathologist for the Acute Rehabilitation Department at Orlando Regional Medical Center, a level one trauma center and certified stroke center in downtown Orlando. She is a certified brain injury specialist and her work revolves around rehabilitating the swallowing function and cogntivecommunication abilities of folks who have had strokes and traumatic brain injuries. She shares, “I love my work, I enjoy frequenting the theme parks with my sister who lives with me, and I hope to buy my first home this summer. I still look back fondly on my time at WCS, the opportunities going to this wonderful school provided me, and the lifelong friendships I made there!”
Cassandra Fernandez de la Fe ‘09 started a family. Her son, Steven Javier de la Fe, was born on Superbowl Sunday on February 2, 2020.
Brittany Hays Nichols ‘09 and her husband CPT Michael Nicholas, US Army, welcomed their first child into the world. David Williams Nichols was born on October 13, 2020 and has added nothing but joy into their lives. Sarah Pybas East ‘09 married Blake East in December 2019 in Key Largo, FL. They currently live in Atlanta, GA where Sarah works for Marriott International as a senior event manager and Blake as a superintendent for JE Dunn Construction.
2010
Kevin Fennell ‘09 and Hannah Sielk were married on February 20, 2021. Fennell’s groomsmen included David Corral ’09, Michael Sabates ’09, Ryan Ronda ’05, and Chris Barbato ’14.
Cameron Cabrera ‘10 and wife Catherine welcomed the birth of their daughter Charlotte Maren on August 31, 2020. The family lives in Pine, CO.
Emily Dominguez ‘10 is an attorney and lives in Miami. Jacquelyn Rodriguez ‘10 recently moved back to Miami with her husband. The couple lives in Miami Beach.
2011
Andrew Hays ‘11 shares, “married Courtney Reznicek in May 2020 and we bought our first house together in Waco, TX.” Bijan Ghaemmaghami ‘11 moved to the Netherlands after graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2014. There he attended Erasmus University where he earned a master’s degree in human learning and performance psychology. He is currently working full-time as a research master’s student within organizational psychology and as a scientific researcher with the University of Gronigen, Behavioral & Social Sciences Faculty. Congrats to Rachel Kniseley Hatfield ’11, Bryan Hatfield and their daughter Norah as they welcome new baby boy, Remedy “Rem my” James on November 16, 2020! Rachel shared, “James, after my Grandad, who cried after every prayer and was the wisest, most godly man I knew. Our prayer is that he would point people to Christ, who is our Remedy and only cure for this broken world.”
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2012
Jessica Forbes ‘12 graduated from Nova Southeastern University Medical School in May 2021. Only a few days later, she was a beautiful bride marrying the love of her life, Taylor Kaprive. The couple will live in Viriginia while Jessie completes her medical residency in dermatology. Ashley Miller ‘12 graduated May 5 from Clemson University with a master’s degree in human resource development with a 4.0 GPA, and as a member of four honor socities. Taylor Trezona ‘12 moved to Thomasville, GA at the beginning of 2020. She worked at Baptist Hospital for three years, and now works at a women’s center as an ultrasound tech.
Alex Forjan ‘12 and Natalia Rodriguez ‘13 met at WCS and began dating the summer before his senior year/ her junior year.
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After nine years together, Alex decided to propose at Westminster, the place where their relationship began and a place they both love. He proposed at the bench where they would meet every day after school to wait for her parents to pick her up. “We had not been back to this bench since we both graduated and I always envisioned that I would someday propose to her there,” said Alex. This special moment was captured by Jon Fernandez ‘15.
2013
Maria Baltodano ’13 and Joseph Hassun ’08 were married on February 6, 2021 in the Church of the Little Flower and held the reception at the Biltmore Hotel. The couple will live in Miami. Jos “Skip” de Kanter ‘13 shared, “I started my bachelor’s degree in cyber security at Miami Dade College. I’m currently on the pathway to take my CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA Security+, OSCP, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Linux+ certificates to improve my chances of getting hired. I plan on moving out of state to find work, preferably somewhere cold like Colorado. I am the vice president of North Cyber Security Club at MDC. I host seminars on fundamental security threats within the cyber security industry, and bring in prominent figures within the industry to talk to the students. I have written articles that I have received royalties for on the Medium.com blog platform under the name J.S. Praecordia, with one article
being read over 5,000 times throughout the world. I have finally achieved a milestone in my life by completing 100 skydives out of a perfectly good airplane. I absolutely love it and I have made some great friends from the sport. I was hired as a fitness instructor at TruFusion in Coral Gables, teaching indoor cycling and suspension training classes with the TRX system. I am balancing working in the retail industry as a geek squad agent at Best Buy and going to school at the same time.” Courtney Kirtland ‘13 shares, “Since graduating from WCS, I’ve done a ton of things including working with ESPN West Palm. I currently work as a sales representative for Avion Pharmaceuticals! I’ve also recently bought my first home!
2014 Paola Torres ‘14 started medical school at NSU Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale.
2015
Daniel Dvorak ‘15 is working as a project engineer at 3M’s rock granule manufacturing plant in Pittsboro, NC.
Gigi Figueroa ‘15 started her first year of dental school at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry in August 2019.
under the COVID-19 department, helping test samples for COVID using real-time PCR.
Adrian Mayans ‘15 was named to Forbes Top 30 under 30 for his work as co-founder of LUCID Drone Technologies. He shares, “Honored to be on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list. The three of us have been through war – countless ups and downs, early mornings and late nights. It’s a blessing to be acknowledged for our relentless pursuit.”
Alex Sirven ’16 graduated from FIU in May 2020 with a bachelor’s in biology and a minor in psychology. While she completed her undergraduate degree she became involved with Our Grounds (www. ourgrounds.org), a non-profit that runs a coffee shop in Kendall to provide vocational training, education and employment opportunities to adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. These adults have an opportunity to learn and be employed in an educational and inclusive environment, while learning new skills from therapists, restaurateurs and other professionals in our community.
2016 Sophia Dueñas ‘16 graduated cum laude from NYU in 2020, earning the University Honors Scholar/Founders’ Day Award for top-ranking Baccalaureate candidates. She is currently attending law school at USC. Anna Giacosa ‘16 graduated from Boston College in May 2020 with a degree in accounting in finance and consulting. She began working at Wells Fargo Private Bank as a wealth planning analyst in July. Kelly Rico ‘16 graduated from FSU in fall 2020 with a degree in editing, writing, and media. She is pursuing a master’s in sport administration at the University of Miami. Kevin Rodriguez ‘16 started his full-time job with Boston Consulting Group as an associate in Atlanta. Nastassja Sardinas ‘16 graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and is currently working at CBS Laboratories
The organization and shop were founded by occupational therapist Vanessa Vila, sister to Monica Vila ’16. The idea for the coffee shop came about when she realized that adults with disabilities have few opportunities for employment. “This is an underserved community and I love working with them as they train and develop news skills,” said Sirven. “These adults are more than capable once given the opportunity and training.” Sirven is currently in the application process for medical school, with the goal of enrolling in fall 2021.
2017 Ashley Castano ‘17 was a Dean’s Ambassador for the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions during her senior year. Ashley graduated with a degree in health science and aspires to be a physician.
Isabella Cina ‘17 shared, “I started a new job as a registered behavior technician doing ABA therapy with kids with autism. I absolutely love it and hope to make it my future career. I will be graduating from the University of Colorado-Boulder in May 2021. I also recently got a new kitten, Phoenix.”
Enrique Lastra ‘17 graduated from BIMM Institute in London, England with a Bachelor Honors degree in songwriting. He shares, “Played loads of shows and released music on Spotify in 2019; working in Los Angeles to release a new album.” Ian Poveda ‘17 graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Spanish and a minor in Chemistry. He was selected to give the class address at the Chicano Latino Student Affairs Commencement Ceremony. He will begin his career as an e-commerce analyst with Knowde, a successful start-up that has developed the first marketplace for chemicals, polymers and ingredients. Sophia Poveda ‘17 graduated magna cum laude from the Stonehill College Moreau Honors Program with a major in economics, and double minor in political
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science and business. She was selected as the 2021 Stonehill Edward E. Martin Women’s Senior Scholar-Athlete and was selected to give the 2021 class address at her commencement. Sophia will be moving to Charlotte, NC in August to begin a career in consulting with Accenture. Michael Riley ‘17 was accepted as a transfer student at Columbia University in NYC after spending his first two years of college at Seton Hall University in NJ. He will graduate with a BA in Economics in 2021.
Valentina Saavedra ‘17 graduated Magna Cum Laude from Duke University with a double major in Linguistics and International Comparatives Studies and a minor in Korean in May.
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WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Beth Tutan Kundert ’74 of Dunwoody, Georgia passed away peacefully on June 2, 2021 at age 64 from complications of type-1 diabetes.
Alexia Fleites ’18 started Once a Month Miami, an organization that provides homeless women with menstrual and sanitary products. She is currently an honors pre-med student at FIU. To learn more about her project, visit https://alexiafleites.wixsite.com/ onceamonthmiami.
2019 In just four years, Miranda Torres ‘17 graduated magna cum laude from FSU in April 2021, earning a M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications & Management, with a certificate in Multicultural Marketing Communication. She completed internships with Bowstern Marketing Communications, The Mayfield Group and Jackson Memorial Hospital. She was a staff writer and part of the social media team for HerCampus Magazine, a brother in the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, and a member of the Florida Public Relations Association. Her proudest achievement was to participate in Dance Marathon all four years as a dancer, a marketing and social media coordinator and this year serving in the executive team as the marketing and publishing chair, organizing a successful marathon against all odds. She will be working as a communications assistant with Feeding Florida and is also the communications coordinator at RBW Logistics.
MEMORIALS
Alejandra “Chama” Silva ‘19 was named Female Rookie of the Year at Nova Southeastern University for her accomplishments as a member of the women’s soccer team. She shared, “My first year of college at NSU playing soccer went fantastic. I started every game and contributed one goal and three assists for my team. We also won the Regional Championship.”
Charles Andrew Aramburu ‘92 passed away on May 4, 2020. His classmate Chris Bello ‘92 described him as “an all-around good guy that got along with all groups and cliques back in high school. Was a really unique guy and character.”
2020
Isabella Morales ‘20 is attending the University of Miami, where she serves as the television station news anchor.
James Myrtetus ‘20 is exceeding his expectations in college, in particular in his math course.
Todd M. Johannes ‘94 of Gainesville, FL passed away on June 17, 2018. He is survived by his father Michael Johannes.
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CONTACT alumni@wcsmiami.org to request your login credentials or to update your contact information. THEN & NOW
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6855 S.W. 152 Street Palmetto Bay, FL 33157
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The beautiful stained glass “W” is located just outside of the Hazel M. Ross Media Center between the high school and middle school campus. This piece of art was designed and created by Francisco Urrego and was a gift from the Class of 2019. It has become a popular backdrop for senior photos.
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