CSFeatures
a publication of Canterbury School of Florida
SUMMER 2018
BEAUTY IN BONAIRE SCUBA CREW JOURNEY Words of Advice
FOR THE CLASS OF 2018
Alumni Profile: MARC SAWYER '03 AND ASHLEY POLLARD SAWYER '05
50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION SUMMER 2018 |
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SUMMER 2018
CONTENTS 6
8 3
16
14
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
profiles 4
FACULTY PROFILE: JOE SIMBOLI Physical Education Teacher and Assistant Athletic Director
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ALUMNI PROFILE: MARC SAWYER '03 AND ASHLEY POLLARD SAWYER '05
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STUDENT PROFILE: CATHERINE HYDEN ‘18
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literacy
marine studies 16
BEAUTY IN BONAIRE
athletics 18
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL AND BEACH VOLLEYBALL
reflections 5
ANYTHING GOES
11
COSTA RICA TRIP
support
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CLASS OF '18 COMMENCEMENT
12
alumni
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GET YOUR KIDS TO LOVE READING
ANNUAL SPRING GALA
features
22
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CELEBRATING CANTERBURY'S 50TH
news & notes
20
ADVICE TO THE CLASS OF 2018
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CRUSADER CONNECTIONS
TOP 50 COUNTDOWN
Letter
CSFeatures a publication of Canterbury School of Florida SUMMER 2018
FROM THE EDITOR
CSFeatures is designed to give past, current and future Canterbury families and friends a snapshot of what our students, faculty, parent volunteers and alumni are doing on campus and beyond.
EDITOR & DESIGNER Amber Lavender
There's No Place Like Home Two years ago my husband, children, and I moved to St. Petersburg. I'd like to say that I took to the task of making our new life here with incredible grace, but that is simply not the case. It was not a seamless transition for me. We moved away from a city that most people could never envision as a hometown but more as a theme park destination. But for me, just about every street held some sort of latent memory. I can recall the history of the landscape, the evolution of the city's growth, and the location of every friend and family member in the community. My children were growing up with the children of my closest childhood friends. Lunch dates were frequent pastime luxuries that could be indulged at a moments notice. Reminiscing was our craft, and I took it for granted. Due to the hustle and bustle of getting our family settled in a new city, it took some time before I began to feel that something wasn't quite right. We were adjusting to new daily routines, to new routes and roadways, to our new house even, but we weren't making it our new home. I was in search of something, and I felt it was my responsibility to find it for the sake of my family.
Not long after this epiphany, I toured Canterbury's Hough Campus. It was laced with its own history, its own culture, and an almost tangible feeling of community. Children were laughing with friends they hadn't seen in an interminable three days, parents were engaged in lighthearted conversation with to-go-style coffee in hand, and teachers greeted families like old friends. There was a sense of warmth and connectedness. It was called Flag. It was the missing piece that I had been searching for, only I didn't realize it until that moment. It was community. It was like-mindedness. It felt like home. As we go into Canterbury's 50th year, we celebrate its unique history and community. Just like Flag: we laugh together, we catch up with one another, and everyone from the newest Crusaders to alums from years ago greet one another like old friends. We share a common history. We know this place is special. We know there is "no place like Canterbury." I am forever grateful for finding Canterbury School and for the people who have helped my family truly find our new home.
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Molly Smith
CONTRIBUTORS
Anne Ford
Paul Kostak
Pam Walker
Lucy Yeager
PHOTOGRAPHY
Elise Schreiner
Grey Street Studios
Jeremy Quellhorst
TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS! Tell us your thoughts on this issue of CSFeatures. Share your stories and pictures with us for the next issue. We reserve the right to edit your letters for length and clarity. Email: communications@canterburyflorida.org Contact ADMISSIONS: Colin Wyenberg, Director of Admission 727-521-5903 facebook.com/CanterburySchoolofFlorida instagram.com/canterbury_fl twitter.com/canterburyfl | @canterburyFL pinterest.com/canterburyFL youtube.com/canterburyflorida linkedin.com/company/canterbury-school-of-florida SUMMER 2018 |
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S TAF F PROFI LES
Joe Simboli
PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER, ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BY PAM WALKER
They say you can learn a man’s character by the words he uses in conversation. Coach Joe Simboli uses words like: hard work, role model, resilience, community, respect, involvement, and opportunity. Born and raised in Brockport, NY (a small upstate town), Joe Simboli spent his first 30 years living, working, and teaching in Brockport before moving to St. Petersburg in 2016. “My wife had a job opportunity here, and we were sick of the cold and gray weather. We stumbled across Canterbury and fell in love with the school, which solidified our move!” Coach Simboli left his job teaching grade 9-12 in a school of roughly 1700 students to join our Crusader
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faculty teaching Physical Education (PE) to our Hough PK3-4th graders. He loves the smaller classes and getting the opportunity to know the parents and students, which personalizes his approach to teaching. Especially now as the Assistant Athletic Director and Summer Camp Director, Coach Simboli gets to know not just the Hough Campus families but also the Knowlton Campus students and parents. “ I remember looking at the class of 2017 at graduation and loving the smaller sized grades. I cannot wait until the graduating class is full of students I have taught with families that I know!” Coach Simboli’s father, Jim, showed
him the side of sports and coaching that fueled his passion to teach PE. “My dad was a special education teacher and the varsity football coach. I interned my high school junior year, and knew right then that I wanted to teach. I have a strong passion for sports and being active, and I love teaching all kids (emphasis on ALL) that sports give you great opportunities to make friends. Being healthy and active is way better than sitting in front of a screen!”
"WE STUMBLED ACROSS CANTERBURY AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SCHOOL, WHICH SOLIDIFIED OUR MOVE!” Adjusting to PK3 - grade 4 graders from high schoolers wasn’t easy, but it did help Coach Simboli focus on teaching skills at a young age that will help carry his students through high school and beyond into life. “I have
4 Questions
WITH COACH SIMBOLI WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? My biggest fear would be letting down my family. I want to be the best role model for my boys and show them how to be gentlemen, how to respect women and that hard work always pays off. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST WEEKEND? I went to see my Yankees play the Rays at Tropicana Field. IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO A CANTERBURY PARENT WHAT WOULD IT BE? Get as involved as possible and experience all that we have to offer at Canterbury!
ARTS
NE W S + NOTES
Anything Goes The largest cast of students from grades 3 through 12 in Canterbury history set sail aboard the ocean liner S.S. American. Nightclub singer and evangelist, Reno Sweeney (Tori Lindenmeyer) travels from New York to England. Her pal Billy Crocker (De'Laun Wesley) has stowed away to be near his love, Hope Harcourt (Hannah Adams), but the problem is Hope is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (James Spencer). Students delighted the audiences with their take on this 1930s classic musical comedy.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOST ABOUT CANTERBURY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY? Meeting the people who made Canterbury what it is today, learning the history, meeting the people who come back to celebrate with us.
really focused on Hough Campus to teach sportsmanship. I did a unit lesson on why losing is okay and that things don’t always go your way and you have to adjust. Teaching high schoolers, I saw my students struggle a lot with losing or failure and they would come up with excuses or become dishonest. I’m hoping I can teach our Crusaders to learn at an early age to adjust to losing or failure because it happens in everyone’s lives.” Just watch Coach Simboli as he teaches a PE class or runs Summer Camp, and you will see how naturally he makes a difference in the lives of every student and family he interacts with. His unflappable personality and kind hearted spirit makes everyone feel welcome and an important part of our Canterbury community. SUMMER 2018 |
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A LUMN I PROFI LE
Marc Sawyer and Ashley Pollard Sawyer CLASS OF '03 AND '05 BY ANNE FORD nity to get an Ivy League education and fulfill a dream of being drafted,” he recalled. “I was really fortunate that I got to realize part of that dream when I was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and had a short stint in the minor leagues.” Ultimately Marc’s hardest decision was to walk away from the game he loved to focus on a future career.
From being the “new kid” on the first day of his freshman year to now sitting on the Board of Trustees, Marc Sawyer has taken his love of Canterbury to the next level. “The four years I spent on campus have had a lasting impact on my life and Canterbury holds a truly special place in my heart,” Marc reflected. “I was honored to be asked to represent the alumni community on the Board of Trustees and be a small part in helping to guide the school to a successful future.” Being the “new kid" at any school can be challenging, but entering high school with students who have been together for many years, (some since the beginning,) is a whole other story. It was overwhelming at times. Being immediately welcomed in as family and as if I had been there since Pre-K was really comforting,” Marc said. Soon after, Marc dove into Canterbury, sports playing baseball, tennis, and basketball and running cross country. Some of his favorite memories have come from the bus rides to and from games with friends and teammates. “Whether celebrating wins or lamenting losses, those bus rides were true bonding moments and are some of the longest lasting memories that I have,” he shared. Those memories also led to a very momentous occasion in Marc’s life. As many know, Marc is married to a fellow Canterbury alumna, Class of 2005, Ashley Pollard Sawyer. “Ashley and I really connected through our time playing varsity sports,” he began. “The athletes were always together, from bus rides to games, wasting time before practice and rooting each other on during games. We all became really good friends.” Then his senior year
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luck just had it that they were paired together in a personal fitness class. “That’s when I really turned on the charm,” Marc joked. After graduating from Canterbury, Marc continued his education at Yale University majoring in American Studies while pursuing a collegiate baseball career. “I always had the dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player. My entire life, starting at the age of 3, had revolved around baseball. It afforded me the opportu-
Today, Marc and Ashley live in St. Petersburg, FL where he is the Beverage Director for World of Beer, a chain of 65 restaurants that specializes in craft beer. This past October the couple welcomed their first child, Josie Leigh. “The day Ashley told me I was going to be a dad was one of the most emotional days of my life,” Marc started. “Earlier in the day, I learned that my grandmother had passed away after an amazing 97 years. I spent the day with my parents mourning our loss and arrived home just emotionally drained.” The
5 Questions WITH MA RC
WHAT WAS YOUR HAPPIEST MOMENT? How do I decide between seeing my beautiful wife, Ashley (shout out CSF class of ‘05), walk down the aisle at our wedding and witnessing our daughter, Josie, being born last October?
sadness wouldn’t last very long with Ashley’s good news though, “Later that night, as it was the night before Valentine’s Day, Ashley offered to give me my Valentine’s Day present early to help lift my spirits. She handed me a box and in it was a pair of baby shoes." Since then life has been an influx of diapers and coffee, according to Marc. “It’s incredible to see our daughter grow and learn on a daily basis. I’ve gained a whole new perspective on the world and ability to view things through her eyes. You also learn to just slow things down and enjoy every little moment.” Last weekend their big outing was to take Josie to the Florida Aquarium as “she is a true Florida baby and just loves all things water,” he shared. While Ashley spends her days with daughter Josie a new endeavor has since entered the picture, The Conscious Canvas - Healthy Living & Clean Beauty. Inspired by her daughter, Ashley’s mission is to help consumers switch to safer products and learn about better beauty alternatives. She recently joined with Beauty Counter who she feels is the cleanest, safest, and highest performing beauty brand that also aligns with her mission for The Conscious Canvas. These days, Marc strives to be the husband, father and son that his wife, daughter and parents can be proud of, guided by the lessons he learned growing up and from his time at Canterbury.
“My parents were always incredibly selfless and have given me countless opportunities to further my education and athletic career. They also taught me to have a strong work ethic, be humble and always show respect to others.” He continued, “Canterbury excels at providing its students with the tools necessary to succeed in any future endeavors. The faculty and staff were masters at instilling a confidence in me to take on any challenge that I am faced with.” When asked which teacher made the biggest impact in his life it was impossible to select just one, “So many people had such positive impacts on my life. From Mrs. Hehn expertly guiding me through the overwhelming college selection process, to Coach Smith supporting my desire to play multiple sports in one season, to Mrs. Mathews creating a specialized curriculum for my desire to continue my education in Latin, or Mr. Johnson instilling a sense of school spirit.”
WITH CANTERBURY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR HOW DO YOU THINK YOU AND ASHLEY WILL CELEBRATE YOUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY? In an exotic locale, hand in hand, with my wife Ashley and celebrating with our daughter and other future kids and grandkids. WHAT DEFINES YOU TODAY? Besides being a good husband, father, and son… my love of all things Tampa Bay sports and FSU. WHAT DO YOU WORRY ABOUT? That I will never have the chance to root for a relevant NFL team again. #GoBucs WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST REMAINING GOAL IN LIFE? On the lighter side, I want to complete my sports bucket list. I have a growing list of sporting events to attend once in my lifetime. Almost halfway there!
It is no surprise that Marc is dedicated to Canterbury as so much of his life in the grand scheme of everything has been shaped by just four little years. “It has been truly incredible to witness the growth of the school over the past 15 years since I graduated. From the athletic fields to the Marine Studies Center and numerous other additions, it’s true testament to the school’s desire to provide our students with the best environment to facilitate their learning.” SUMMER 2018 |
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S T UDE N T P ROFI LE
Catherine Hyden CLASS OF 2018
BY PAM WALKER 2018 SENIOR PARENT “Check out the video I found on YouTube, Mom!” Parents everywhere have come to be wary of these words due to the concerning content that can be found online. However, class of 2018 graduate, Catherine Hyden, are changing the perception that everything on the internet is dangerous, especially for our children. Catherine started her YouTube channel in January of 2017 after convincing her mom that she was serious about sharing her thoughts and insights with the world and that it would be safe. Hyden grew up watching YouTube as her form of TV. “I love watching the videos and knew it would be something I would have fun with!”
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Once she convinced her mom to let her create a channel, she used her iPhone to record herself. She edited the video and posted it from her phone. Although she says the first video wasn’t her best, it was the start of a very popular channel focusing on mental and physical health and wellness, feeling good and looking good. She posts weekly, every Saturday, and has gotten up to 40,000 views. Catherine’s favorite video is about how it feels to have anxiety and depression, and at this publishing it has over 23,000 views. This video in particular has resonated with young adults and teens across the globe, helping others who used it as a way to start a conversation with their parents. Through her vlog, (video blog), Catherine has given a voice to young adults struggling with breaking the stigma of anxiety and
depression. An organization in the UK found her video and have asked for the rights to add it to an online course focusing on mental illness. “You never do something expecting to change the world. There are viewers from Brazil, China and Canada. This was the video that made me say, maybe I’m good at this!” The comments tell the real story; “This is the most relatable thing I have seen in my life..”, “Thank you so much for sharing this, I haven't been able to explain how I feel to my parents…”, “I love you for this ..i was just told i had depression and anxiety and it’s been sooo hard to deal with .” all people who have found refuge and solidarity in Catherine’s portrayal of her struggles. Catherine’s work on her YouTube channel has earned her the Pathshaker award, shining a light on
upcoming innovators. The folks at pathshaker. com reached out to her asking her about her channel and asked if they could write an article about her. They recognize her for “ Her passion for inspiring others to improve their mental and physical health radiates throughout her channel. From fashion look-books to motivational videos, her content empowers viewers.” Pathshaker goes on to say; “Through positivity and creativity, Catherine believes anything is possible. Her bubbly personality and “life is what you make it” attitude evokes feelings of warmth and allurement. “ As a mom of young adults navigating this world of expectations and continual stress, I’m incredibly thankful for the message Hyden is sending of encouragement and empowerment. Her resilience and drive helps pave the way through the struggles of the teenage years.
4 Questions WITH CATHER I NE
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR 7TH GRADE SELF? “I would tell my 7th grade self to have higher standards. I was friends with people and interested in people that were not good relationships for me. Don’t settle for relationships that are bad for you. Be in relationships that are good for you and with people who like you just the way you are. And stay focused in school! Everything counts! WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TIME AT CANTERBURY? Actually, senior year, at one of the football games. Everyone was dressed in blue and gold and we were all on the field doing cheers with the cheerleaders. I remember thinking this was the experience that I had always wanted for school, and we didn’t have to be part of a bigger school. It was so great to see everyone and to know them on the field and in the stands. We had such spirit and were going crazy with school spirit. WHAT IS THE HARDEST TEST YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN? The hardest test I've ever taken was definitely the first (and only) test I took in Mr. Wyness' AP Physics class. I then dropped down to regular physics. The concepts were just so foreign to me and even though I thought I had grasped them, Mr. Wyness' tricky questions proved that I had not. WHAT IS ONE GOAL YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE FUTURE? I really want be happy in the future. Not to say I'm not happy now, I definitely am, but I want to continue to be as happy as I possibly can, that is my goal. To some people, this goal may seem silly, but I believe that happiness is the key to everything else. It's difficult to live a satisfying life if you aren't happy. I've struggled with mental illness, specifically depression and anxiety, for years now, and continuing to be really, truly, deeply happy, would prove to me that I've overcome that struggle. This is significant to me because it would prove that even after all the battles I've had with my own brain, I came out on top as a happy, positive person, not just for me, but for others too. SUMMER 2018 |
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L IT E RAC Y
Get Your Kids to Love Reading BY MOLLY SMITH, UPPER SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL My oldest son (Canterbury, Class of 2017) was in Mimi Bridge’s first grade class when beloved Hough Campus librarian Martha Little passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a little woman (literally, of short stature), but her personality was larger than life. Her love of books was evident to everyone who knew her. Ask anyone, and you will hear lovely memories of how inspirational she was to us all. Most of us still cannot talk about her without getting a lump in the throat. After her passing, Canterbury students wrote memories about Mrs. Little for a scrapbook. My son wrote, “I’ll never forget Mrs. Little, because she taught me how to love reading.” I keep going back to that line, "she taught me how to love reading.” As if we should teach the love of reading as Ms. Alderson might teach the Pythagorean Theorem, or Ms. Fauver might teach the difference between temperature readings in Fahrenheit, Celsius and Kelvin. How do we DO that, as parents and teachers? How do we get our students to love reading, both for school and for fun? I read an article years ago that was tailored to anxious parents of preschoolers worried if their children were really ready for Kindergarten. The author said that only two things really matter for a child preparing to enter Kindergarten: Does the child have rules at home? and Do you read to your child at home? (http://www.nea.org/ home/59838.htm) Toddlers love to imitate, which is why they love pushing toy lawn mowers and “helping” to sweep when they watch parents do those tasks. Why is reading any different? If YOU read, you model that behavior for your child, whether your child is a year old or 18-years-old. Why not read to your child, with your child or next to your child? Prioritizing reading is like making time for worship,
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writing thank-you-notes, or eating together as a family a priority. I was asked to join a book club when my youngest son was not quite four months old. As excited as I was to have a standing monthly dinner party with eleven dear friends (including some CSF moms), I hesitated to say yes right away, wondering, “Do I have time to read a book every month?” at a time when my bedside reading consisted of What to Expect: The First Year (Murkoff). Looking back, I believe that saying “yes” was not only a gift to myself, but to my children as well. They see me reading fiction, non-fiction, classics, poetry. They hear me laugh out loud and see tears streaming down my face. We sometimes read the same books, and can share our feelings about strong protagonists, surprising storylines, and despised characters. They see me giving myself the gift of time to read for pleasure.
HOW DO WE DO THAT, AS PARENTS AND TEACHERS? HOW DO WE GET OUR STUDENTS TO LOVE READING, BOTH FOR SCHOOL AND FOR FUN? Where do I start? Start with Canterbury’s summer reading list. Take a trip to the public library. If your child does not have one already, consider signing her up for a library card. If you haven’t been to the library in awhile, check it out -- you can even reserve or renew titles electronically. Or, just go wander in the stacks and lose yourselves in a world of books for a few hours. If you prefer to buy books, consider independent bookstores -- Haslam’s in St. Pete, or Inkwood Books in Tampa. The selection is great, and staff
Young Girl Reading, or The Reader (La Liseuse), Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Circa 1770. National Gallery of Art East Building.
recommendations can help you and your child find books that go beyond any Amazon recommendations. Share some of your favorite books from childhood, college, or early adulthood. Did you love Charlotte’s Web? The Joy Luck Club? To Kill a Mockingbird? Cold Mountain? The Vampire Lestat? Ask your child to read the book so that you can talk about it both while they read as well as after they finish (even if you need to reread it first to refresh your memory). Spend time reading as a family for at least thirty minutes to an hour each night at least two or three times a week with no phones, TV, Netflix, or computers. You will be surprised how peaceful it can be and how much everyone will come to look forward to that time as a family. Why wait until evening? This works great on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, too. RECOMMENDATIONS Classics to read to children (of any age): • Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. A beautiful story of a young boy and his dogs. • The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. A magical, illustrated tale for all ages. • The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. You will cry... a beautiful analogy of the love of a parent. • Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. In contrast, you will laugh at these clever poems. • Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry. A coming-of-age story of a boy confronting his fears. • The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery
•
Williams. Another tearjerker... the love of a child is strong. Any classic series (Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, Harry Potter, The Last Olympian, etc.) Why not have older children read to younger ones? Talk about what you loved about these books as a child, or about what surprised/amused/saddened you in those books.
Fiction: • All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. A page-turner about a blind French girl and a German boy in occupied France during World War II. Beautifully written with amazing imagery. • Room by Emma Donoghue. A tough read, but cleverly written (a la Gone Girl) from the perspective of both mother and child. For a parent, reading between the lines is the hard part. • The Good Lord Bird by James McBride. Historical fiction featuring abolitionist John Brown. • Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. Hauntingly beautiful tale of President Lincoln’s loss of his beloved son and the imagined world of the afterlife, told in a unique way.
R E F LE C T IONS
NE W S + N OTES
Costa Rica Trip
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SUMMER TRIP
Non-Fiction: • The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. This is a great book to read together and discuss with tweens or teens. It is an amazing story of beating the odds despite hardships in the Great Depression. • Mountains beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. You will want to move mountains after reading this book! Great reading (and discussion material) for teens and parents alike. • Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King. The true story of a civil rights case in Lake County, Florida. • Disrupters: Success Strategies from Women Who Break the Mold by Patti King Fletcher. This book is written by a business partner of Heather Boggini (mother of Anthony Boggini, CSF Class of 2017). Mothers and daughters can read and discuss the opportunities for 21st century women in business, technology and management. SUMMER 2018 |
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Spring Gala
Canterbury teachers get in the spirit of the night at the photo booth.
Some gala guests show their Canterbury spirit by committing to a character.
Parents attending the gala dress in Wonderland inspired attire.
Gala co-chairs inspired us with their dedication to the cause and the theme.
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S U P P OR T
NE W S + N OTES
A Knight in Wonderland
WHAT I LEARNED AS A GALA CO-CHAIR BY SUSAN OCHSTEIN GALA CO-CHAIR When Jill Williams and I agreed to chair the 2018 Canterbury Gala last summer, two questions initially came into my mind: how will we get enough quality auction items, and will we get enough sponsors to help make this a banner year? This is Canterbury’s biggest fundraiser, and we did not want to let the school down. Fast forward to today, and I must say, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generosity within our Canterbury community and in the St. Petersburg community as a whole. Because of them we far exceeded our goals for both sponsorships and donations this year! Asking is never easy. The fear of rejection is on everyone’s mind, but the response we received from the local community was astounding! Sure, we got written and verbal rejections. But at the same time, we saw many businesses eager to support their community mem-
bers. One local, well-known business owner said, “Susan, I was a student at Hough when I was a young girl. I will always have a special place in my heart for Canterbury. I am more than happy to help!" Many of the businesses we reached out to were excited to hear from us, some actually called us to say, “We would love to help, what do you need?” When I asked an alumna parent who runs a very successful business in St Pete if she would sponsor, her response was, “Of course, I love Canterbury!” No hesitations. No “I’ll think about it.” No “Let me get back to you.” The Canterbury family has also given us overwhelming response of love and support. Parents, as well as Board of Trustee members, have been beyond generous by donating anything and everything: from restaurant gift cards and lovely themed baskets to grand vacation homes located in some of the most
beautiful destinations in the world! We have seen a large number of requests to sponsor the Gala. Many sponsors see this not only as an opportunity to help the school but to also to help promote their businesses. Which is great, as we embrace the opportunity to support our community. The support also doesn’t stop there as we have seen sponsors getting involved, not for recognition, but because they want to ensure our own faculty can attend the gala. That being said, this coming year's gala will be special because we'll be celebrating Canterbury's 50th anniversary! It will once again be held at the Vinoy Renaissance Hotel on February 22, 2019 where we will offer you further opportunities to contribute to the school we love and cherish, while also promising a night of fun and laughs with our Canterbury family. We look forward to seeing you there!
SUMMER 2018 |
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N EWS + NOTES
FEATU R E
50th Anniversary BY LUCY YEAGER MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER AND ALUMNA
In 1985 Canterbury's Knowlton Campus consisted only of the central academic buidling that currently houses administration, the central hallway, science labs, and cafe.
A classroom photograph of fourth grade teacher, Mr. Connelly from the 1971 yearbook.
Happy 50th Anniversary! An institution like Canterbury approaches its 50th anniversary with joy and thanksgiving in stark contrast to how most people might approach their own big “5-0”. Institutions typically move forward, plowing through tough times and building on better times. In that spirit, Canterbury is always looking forward to the next chapter and challenge, which is how we have grown and thrived to see our 50th! At this great milestone, we might just want to take a look back over our shoulder to our school’s history. Only with an understanding of where we started and how far we have come can we really celebrate this year.
promising to meet the demand of local families for expansion into high school grades. In 1977, less than a decade after our founding, Headmaster Reverend Canon Louis H. Hayden presided at the commencement of our first graduating class. Father Hayden’s reflections at that time reveal the heart of this institution, then and now:
Our founders created Canterbury so families could choose a school “...geared toward quality education and individual attention to each student”, a telling phrase that comes from a newspaper article run locally in 1968 (The Evening Independent, August 12, 1968). Isn’t it amazing how true to that vision we remain; we could use the same description in 2018! Canterbury’s first head-
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master, Father Maurais, who had been an assistant headmaster and chaplain for Berkeley Preparatory in Tampa, took the helm of this preparatory school, grades Pre-K through six, in August, 1968. The fact that our kindergarten classes were at capacity in the inaugural year demonstrates how well our Board of Trustees understood the St. Petersburg community. Cute plaid uniforms and Flag were a part of our culture from the beginning, as were abiding teacher-student relationships. Our founders understood that getting the heart of Canterbury right was critically important; building the census and physical plant would follow quite organically. By 1971, Canterbury had expanded to the campus of St. Peter’s Cathedral in order to accommodate greater numbers of students, including waiting lists for most of the lower grades, and to create 7th and 8th grades. By 1973, Canterbury was truly flourishing under the leadership of Headmaster F. Lowell Curtis,
“With God’s help, Canterbury can be a place where community is experienced, where students and faculty can live together without fear of each other, and learning will be a creative exchange of experiences and ideas. The chances are that students who have experienced such community living in these formative years will have a desire to take this communal feeling into the world in which they live.” Our 21st century students, faculty, staff, and families know that community truly is the spirit of Canterbury; our philosophical foundation is as strong as ever! As the upper school developed, a full array of extra-curricular activities were
added. Athletics are central to any high school experience, and Canterbury found an opportunity to shine in girls’ and boys’ basketball. In fact, our Homecoming tradition originally was centered on basketball games, which is why we still have Canterbury Spirit Days in January, the culmination of the basketball season. We also had an early football program in 1974 with no field, uniforms, or trainer, yet we ended the season with a 2-2 record, which was described as “Herculean” in the local paper. The same article (The Evening Independent, October 22, 1974) summarized Canterbury’s athletic program and philosophy this way: “A student can compete in soccer, volleyball, track, basketball, wrestling, swimming and football...girls’ softball…And it is doing all of this with only 90 students and a dedicated staff.” Since the school was based out of a church, we had no athletic facilities. The Evening Independent (February 25, 1978), however, recognized the innovation and determination of our scholar athletes: “For six years Canterbury School claimed one of the most physically fit student bodies in the county. Each member of
the Canterbury community participated daily in a rigorous test of strength and endurance, a test which consisted of climbing to and from the third floor of St. Peter’s Cathedral at often breathtaking speeds.” When alumni visit our Knowlton campus today, they are literally stunned by the amazing physical plant our current students enjoy. Alumni do not begrudge the students’ easy access to fields, a proper training room, or the Kenyon Fieldhouse; however, they often have a special pride in having competed as Crusaders back in the day. In September, 1977, Canterbury opened an exciting chapter by moving grades 7-12 to the campus of Eckerd College. In a symbiotic agreement, Canterbury students suddenly had the terrific fortune of daily access to a collegiate theater, library, gym, and other amenities, plus the liberal arts vibe of a college campus. It was an amazing environment in which to grow Canterbury’s college preparatory upper school curriculum and culture. During this time, the Hough Campus was thriving, and Canterbury also
ran a “Beach Campus” for the lower grades at St. Alban’s. When Eckerd regained its financial footing and launched a capital expansion in 1983, Canterbury used the end of our Eckerd lease as the impetus for our next awesome adventure: building a campus for our upper school. It might be fair to compare this era as Canterbury’s teenage years, full of bravado and not a little angst. Grades 7-12 spent the ensuing year and a half at a temporary location, tenants of a somewhat decrepit building adjacent to the St. Pete Catholic campus. Those years were marked by some hardship, especially in the physical aspect, like no heat, no dedicated space for chapel or theater, no venues for athletic competition, a lack of institutional identity, etc., and also by hope for an exciting future at our new campus. Somehow, the faculty and staff moved the entire upper school to our Knowlton Campus over Spring Break in 1985. The Knowlton Campus at that time only consisted of our central academic building where the current administration, central hallway, science labs, and Cafe are now located. SUMMER 2018 |
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Beauty in Bonaire
CANTERBURY'S SCUBA CREW TAKES ON THE CARRIBEAN
BY PAUL KOSTAK MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL The word paradise is a common phrase to describe Bonaire. Crystal clear water, numerous beaches, and almost ninety scuba dive sites surround the small island of Bonaire and the islet Klein Bonaire. Five students and five adults of the BSA Venturing Crew 210 had the amazing privilege of visiting Bonaire in June. Crew 210 is a co-ed unit of
completed eleven to twelve dives in six days. This trip more than doubled the total amount of dives that most of us have ever done. Plus, we got
Boy Scouts of America, is charted by Canterbury’s Marine Studies program, and is open to all students, even students from outside of Canterbury. The Crew organizes about five dive trips every school year and a larger, multi-day, international trip during the summer. They also helped me get SCUBA certified last year ,and I have not been able to stop diving since.
to complete them in a location that many in the SCUBA community can only dream of visiting. The Crew each had the opportunity to get special certifications by taking either a lionfish tracking course or reef fish identification course, and we all were certified in coral restoration. In the lionfish tracking course, we learned how to hunt lionfish, which are invasive and destructive to reefs. We were able to sample lionfish ceviche from a lionfish that was caught
On this trip, Crew 210 participants
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on one of our dives. The group was able to take part in a night dive and a couple of night snorkel excursions, where the only visibility was from flashlights. We dove on one of the highest rated wreck dive sites in the Caribbean, the Hilma Hooker, and saw lionfish, some huge spiny lobsters, multiple moray eels, and beautiful coral at every dive site. The views and the number of fish and coral on the dives were phenomenal, but we were also completing community service with our coral restoration work. A major part of our trip and what is done around Bonaire is coral restoration. The dive shop at Harbour Village, where we stayed, has its own coral nursery. We spent time cleaning the coral “trees”, clipping coral that had grown too large for the trees, and then learned how to transplant the clippings so the coral can be added back to the reef.
ing card and rally cry for everyone that traveled to Bonaire. While surrounded by some of the top rated dive sites in the Caribbean, Bonaire also is home to a donkey sanctuary which has over 700 donkeys. The sanctuary provides food and a safe place for the donkeys to live as well as care for any sick or wounded donkeys in the community. We were able to drive through the sanctuary with the students in the back of the truck feeding them carrots and hay. It was definitely an afternoon I will always remember. The donkeys
had no fear and would completely surround the truck. The trip was an incredible experience, and I am already looking forward to upcoming dives this school year. If you're interested in getting certified to SCUBA dive or want to join the Crew, contact Ms. LoDico. If you would like to learn more about the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) Project, please check out their website (www.coralrestoration.org).
“DONKEY!!” While not something you would expect on a school SCUBA diving excursion, it became a bit of a call-
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ATH LETIC S
Boys Varsity Basketball 2018 District Champions
On February 16, 2018, Canterbury's Boys' Varsity Basketball team won the 2A district championship title on their home court. The team proudly held their newly-acquired trophy over their heads in celebration as they posed to capture the moment with friends and fans. Coach Jimmy McSorely notes that the support of Crusader fans encouraged them as they battled for the final win of the season. He tweeted, "We have had valleys, we have had peaks. We tried to put out a product that was fun and energetic but that would have been for nothing without fans!" McSorely ended the season noting that these Crusader athletes "are a great group of kids."
Beach Volleyball
A New Tradition
With the help of BeVolley Director, and former professional volleyball player, Paula Roca, Canterbury began its first Beach Volleyball team in history. With few other schools competing in Pinellas County, Canterbury joined the SSAC (Sunshine State Athletic Conference) and competed against schools in Manatee and Pinellas County. It's a young squad of high school and middle school players, but they look to continue this tradition and improve upon last year's success.
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R E F LE C T IONS
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Commencement 2018
PROUD TEACHER SEÑOR GOMEZ CONGRATULATES SENIOR HANNAH ADAMS . Crusaders capture their final memory as seniors at Canterbury.
Board of Trustees President Steve McMullen and Head of School Mac Hall stand with senior Grant Dobbs as he receives his diploma.
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FEATU R E
Dr. Kanika Tomalin
A DV I C E TO THE CL AS S O F 2018 PA RE N T O F KAI (CL AS S O F 2 0 1 9 ) AND NIA (C LA SS OF 2022) Congratulations, Crusaders! Canterbury School of Florida Class of 2018... You are fabulous, yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars... your futures are the blue center light about to pop...and, we cannot wait to go “ahhh!” Because your pop... oh, it will be brilliant, awesome in fact. When we hear and see that pop, it will be you lighting the world. Being a Canterbury Mom means my children have been blessed with the best education our community offers since they were fouryears-old. It means that more [people] than I could possibly [name] have loved them, most of their lives… all of our children… as we do. In ways we know and ways we may never see. And for that, we are forever grateful. So, as a Canterbury Mom this is a special speech for me. I am honored to stand before you today, educators, on behalf of all these parents and loved ones to say thank you! And, to tell you, graduates, how proud we are of each of you. You are well on your way. You will make a difference in the world. The character, integrity, and honor associated with being a Canterbury Scholar tells us this about you. Whether you’ve been a part of this family for 14 years or 14 months - you are prepared to make our world a better place. Thanks in advance for all you will do. Because it will be huge. A great many things… and, it will be amazing. As you make your marks on the world that waits for you, I hope you’ll consider this small request. Be an explorer, not a colonizer. A collaborator, not a conqueror. Consider, then master the differences between the two, guided by a compassionate awareness of the world and the way we share it. Historically, when someone has discovered a new land he or she plants a flag to lay claim
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to that place and let all others know they’ve been there. Now, you could plant flags everywhere you go: banners that broadcast your brilliance... or, you could plant seeds. Seeds of hope, seeds of change, seeds of courage, and character... and water them with your work, letting the flowers of your efforts, the blossoms of your brilliance tell your story, stake your claim, be your flag. There’s no better legacy than impact. Make a difference and the whole world, even if it’s one person at a time, will notice that you were here. Let the difference you make be your flag. As you encounter new experiences, new people, places and things, always bring your best. Always offer all you have and all you know, but, always remember that we know nothing... given all there is to learn. Go into these new experiences with an open mind, and an open heart, ready to learn as much as you have to offer and you will always grow. When you encounter difference… whether it be a different belief, experience or goal, stand fast in the principles that have brought you to that place, but be free to abandon the fears that might keep you there. And, you will always grow. Diversity of opinion, thoughts and beliefs, they’re all okay...in fact, they are required for growth. People do not have to think, feel, live and pray as we do to be right and worthy of the space they occupy. There is no responsibility to conform. Or even agree. We are equally endowed with the divinity of life inherent in this shared experience. By that grace, we are all worthy. But, there is a responsibility to respect. A responsibility to love, to lead when example is necessary and helpful, to be kind. And, a responsibility to listen. Especially to listen. Because you listen you have already heard
such wonderful things so far in your lives… explore the world and be sure to hear much more. Many more languages, many more
“BE AN EXPLORER, NOT A COLONIZER. A COLLABORATOR, NOT A CONQUEROR. CONSIDER, THEN MASTER THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO, GUIDED BY A COMPASSIONATE AWARENESS OF THE WORLD AND THE WAY WE SHARE IT.” lessons, much more laughter, much more love. And, as you listen, know that we filter our world through a privileged lens for which you should never feel guilt, but always show gratitude. And, the best way to show that gratitude may be giving to others, in keeping with the gifts you receive. Becoming a graduate of the Canterbury School of Florida makes you one of the world’s most privileged citizens. Not only of our city, state or our nation...not even our continent or hemisphere, but, one of the most privileged people in THE WORLD! That truth, is special, without question. But, it doesn’t make you better. It doesn’t make you worse. It makes you privileged. And, with great privilege comes great responsibility. Sometimes challenges make us question our privilege… all of us. When we’re having a hard day, or something we really care about doesn’t go our way, or we see other people enjoy favor that is not ours to count, we can’t imagine ourselves as advantaged in the ways that matter most. But, remember this, while there will always be people who enjoy greater privilege than you, you are
definitely walking in the grace of privilege greater than that of many others. This is almost always true, no matter our circumstances. I’ve had to remember this myself as I adjust to the challenges of life as a single mother after the sudden passing of my husband two years ago… it’s a role I never saw for myself, and on most days it feels everything other than privileged. But, on a recent trip to Africa, an inspiring reminder of the role perspective plays in privilege helped me forever understand. My family and I spent time at a school in rural Uganda called Hope North. Many of the principles of honor, character and academic excellence at that school reminded me of our own beloved Canterbury. And, while there was much about our schools that was the same: a daily flag ceremony; an emphasis on art and culture; talented student body and commitment to the surrounding environment, there were also striking differences. The students of Hope North are former child soldiers, orphans, and victims of the long-standing civil war in Uganda. The school exists to help the students achieve peace and success through education, inspiration and personal development. But, what they have in hope… they lack in all other resources. Their uniforms were worn, torn and tattered with the test of time. Their classrooms and dormitories, stark structures with the barest essentials. Their annual treat for academic excellence: a bottle of Coca-Cola (one Coke) and a small piece of chocolate. No individualized lockers, or books, or even personalized supplies of paper and pencils. Just the opportunity to gather safely every day and learn. By every measure of our standards we would see this school as challenged… a place where resources are scarce and obstacles are plentiful. I remember a young boy, maybe four years old, met us dressed in his Sunday best. He wore shoes three sizes too small but was grateful and as proud as can be to have shoes at all. The children of Hope North were the students… but, my family left with the lesson. Even given the challenges of their circumstances these students were all hopeful, confident and optimistic about their futures because they had an opportunity to learn in a safe and clean environment. They had clean water to drink. A safe place to sleep. They considered themselves the privileged ones... compared to the lives they’d left behind in a war-torn countryside where young children are kidnapped in the middle of the night
and forced to fight with guns that weigh as much as they do. Yes, they were grateful for the privilege of life. And the opportunity to learn. It’s a reminder that privilege comes in many measures and we are all graced with lots of it. If those young people could recognize their privilege, surely we can recognize ours. It is our responsibility then, to do so and advance the opportunities of others when and how we are able. When we use our advantage to bring opportunity to others, in a way that is not based on obligation or
remember to love and help yourselves. Throughout your lives, run as fast and as far as your dreams demand… but, if life ever knocks you down and you find your feet won’t run the way you need them to, remember the life and sentiment of inspiring artist Frida Kahlo. She suffered with illness her entire life… Polio left her bedridden as a child and challenged as an adult. And, when her body wouldn’t work in a way that matched her spirit, she had this to say about this defining, but never determining circumstance of her life: “For what do I need feet, when I have wings to Fly?”
“THE ONLY PEOPLE FOR ME ARE THE MAD ONES, THE ONES WHO ARE MAD TO LIVE, MAD TO TALK, MAD TO BE SAVED, DESIROUS OF EVERYTHING AT THE SAME TIME, THE ONES WHO NEVER YAWN OR SAY A COMMONPLACE THING, BUT BURN, BURN, BURN LIKE FABULOUS YELLOW ROMAN CANDLES EXPLODING LIKE SPIDERS ACROSS THE STARS AND IN THE MIDDLE YOU SEE THE BLUE CENTERLIGHT POP AND EVERYBODY GOES “AHHH!” pity, but instead, duty, strength and honor our world exponentially expands in the way of truth and right. And, sometimes, you might find, that even with all of your preparation and good fortune, with all of your kindness of heart, talent and well-intentioned honor that you will be the one in need of help. You will need someone to exercise their privilege on your behalf. Welcome that love and light with the beauty and purpose of its intention. Asking for and accepting help when you need it is not defeat. It is the pathway to victory. Accept love from others and always
When your feet fail to carry you all the places you would go. And, at times they might… just fly Crusaders… fly! Go for it, take off, worry not about your feet and float like a feather on the breath of God to your destinies... like exploding spiders against the stars... like fabulous roman candles that light this world afire. Your light, the one within, will guide you always. I know this, because I know you… even those I’ve never met. I know the people this school does yield… even if you don’t know it yet. You. will. be. great. SUMMER 2018 |
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Crusader Connections ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES
ABBY (JAY) BENNETT ’08 Canterbury Lifer, Abby Jay Bennett '08, married Ben Bennett December 9, 2017 in Tampa, FL. Abby is the daughter of longtime Canterbury staff members Melanie Smith Jay and Stephen Jay.
SAM FAUCETTE ’14 Sam Faucette IV '14 married fiancee, Courtney Edward December 30, 2017.
LIZZ (JENSEN) DE LA TORRE '07 Lizz Jensen married Joshua De La Torre May 19, 2018 at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Lizz is an art teacher at Gulf Beaches Elementary. De La Torre's brother, Dorian Velez, is also a graduate of Canterbury.
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EVAN PLASKETT ’91 is celebrating 20 years with Delta Airlines where he manages International Network Planning.
ALEXANDRA FEINBERG ’10 After 4 years in the Financial Services industry, Alexandra has decided to pursue her CPA and Master's in Accounting from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Finance from Wake Forest University in 2014. She is currently on the audit track and looking to pursue a fulltime opportunity in New York City or Charlotte.
EMILY MCMULLEN ’14 and fiancé Jeffrey Farrell were engaged June 23. The couple lives in Plant City where Emily teaches science at Geneva Classical Academy.
JOHNNA (WEBB) BRADDOCK and husband Vance welcomed daughter Owen Violet into the world on March 21, weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz. and stretching 20 inches long. Johnna is a middle school alumna and currently teaches Art and Design Technology at Canterbury.
50
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Anniversary Countdown
THE 50 BEST THINGS ABOUT C A N T E R B U RY . . . 01 The Canterbury Community
26 PK4 / Grade 4 T-Ball Game
02 Teachers
27 Homecoming Hall Decorations
03 Space Day
28 Extra Curricular Support
04 Marine Studies Days
29 International Studies Trips
05 Friday Farmer's Market
30 Pep Rallies
06 Sally House Chapel
31 Lower School Teacher Skits
07 Character Education
32 Lower School Book Fair
08 One School One Book
33 Upper School Treats
09 Volcano Day
34 Knight Day
10 Christmas Concerts
35 Powder Puff Football Game
11 Marriage of Q & U
36 Alumni Traditions
12 College Counseling
37 Senior Dinner
13 Canterbury Cup
38 Summer Camps & Programs
14 Johnny Appleseed Day
39 Dress Down Days
15 Character Education
40 Grade 3 Invention Convention
16 Service Learning
41 “Thank you” Song at Chapel
17 SCUBA Venture Crew
42 Miniterm
18 Senior Investiture
43 Gala Sign-Up Parties
19 Academic Honor Society
44 Senior/Grade 5 Buddies
20 AP Scholars
45 Cross-curricular Learning
21 Regional & State Championships
46 Harvesting/Planting Marsh Grass
22 Middle School Kindness Challenge
47 Overnight Class Trips
23 Parent Volunteers
48 Honor Books at Flag
24 Marine Quest
49 College Guidance Parent Coffees
25 Veterans Day Celebration
50 Pink-shirt Thursdays
TEACHERS
02 SPACE DAY Each year, grade 1 students launch into a unit space culminating in a day-long event in a makeshift mission control center.
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SCUBA CREW This Crew recently enjoyed a diving trip to Bonaire where they worked on coral reef restoration and learned about lionfish tracking and reef fish identification.
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Save the Dates! KICKOFF EVENT TEE IT UP GOLF TOURNAMENT HOMECOMING FALL THEATER PRODUCTION LESSONS & CAROLS PARENTS' ASSOCIATION GALA CANTERBURY CUP SPRING THEATER PRODUCTION END-OF-THE-YEAR BIRTHDAY PARTY
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FRIDAY 09.14.18 MONDAY 09.24.18 FRIDAY 10.26.18 THURSDAY 10.18.18 - SATURDAY 10.20.18 TUESDAY 12.4.18 FRIDAY 02.22.19 SATURDAY 04.06.19 THURSDAY 04.25.19 - SATURDAY 04.27.19 SATURDAY 04.27.19