Spring 2015 • Volume 24, Number 2
Canterbury Unv ei ls
Parent University story on page 11
2014-15 School Administration Head of School Mr. Tony Paulus
Mission The Canterbury School is dedicated to academic excellence within a caring and supportive community, emphasizing character, leadership and service.
Lower School Director Mrs. Chérie Gluhm Intermediate and Middle School Director Mrs. Jacqueline Lentini
EDUCATION
Upper School Director Ms. Marge Dougherty Director of Admission Ms. Julie Peters Director of Development Mrs. Jeri Goetz Director of Finance & Operations Ms. Susan Ryan Human Resources Manager Mrs. Karen Cox
Table of Contents Spring 2015
Founders’ Day
PAGE 5
Tony Paulus: A Lasting Legacy
PAGES 6-7
Editorial Board Editor Nicole Allbritton Creative Designer Christine Intartaglio Writers & Contributors Nicole Allbritton Jeri Goetz Chauncey Goss Katrina Keene Isabel Leigh ’15 Joy Mendoza ’02 Tony Paulus Christine Vogensen Photography by: Nicole Allbritton Katrina Keene Isabel Leigh ’15 Lou Ann Ozboyaci Maxx Pollack ’15 Bob Thompson Christine Vogensen
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Science Night
PAGES 8-9
“It’s All Greek To Me”
PAGE 10
Parent University
PAGE 11
Humans of Canterbury
PAGES 12-13
Canterbury Alumni Through the Years
PAGES 16-25
A Final Farewell Dear Canterbury Family, As Marnie and I bid a fond farewell, above all else I want to thank the people of Canterbury School. First and foremost, I want to thank our faculty and staff, who have been unwavering in providing our students with an excellent education, and who have clearly been the anchor and steadying force in our School’s history. Thanks to our students, who have been among the very best with whom I have worked, and who, through the enactment of our Mission will leave their lasting legacy on our world. Thanks to our Board of Trustees, who have enthusiastically responded to our Strategic Plan and have steadily enhanced their collective performance. To our parents, thanks so much for entrusting your students to us and for your support. And thanks to our 1,000+ alumni whose support of Canterbury will become increasingly important in the future. As I reflect on the past seven years, I am proud of our collective achievements, which have often been the product of effective planning and implementation. When I first arrived, the overriding questions our parents had about our programs were, “What are you doing, and why do you do it?” We provided answers to both by developing our comprehensive curriculum templates. It is teachers who deliver the academic program to our students, and to achieve this goal, our administration and faculty created and implemented the Comprehensive Teaching Excellence Program. Our athletic program has had an up-and-down history. I formed an Athletic Task Force, which developed five goals, a department philosophy and one aspiration, to re-institute our football program. We implemented each, and as a result our athletic program has experienced incredible improvement over the past four years. I am particularly proud of the growth we have experienced in technology. Utilizing the resources provided by our Edward E. Ford Foundation grant, we systematically enhanced our commitment to technology. Awarded with grants from both Steelcase Education Solutions and Office Furniture and Design Concepts of Fort Myers, we have our state-of-the-art Cougar Den in our Middle School, our Science Discovery Center in our Lower School, which is supported by grants from the Benedict Foundation, the Parents' Association and other generous donors; and we have appointed our Director of Innovation. As technology will play a key role in our students’ lives, so, too, will our commitment to globalization, which we have addressed through the implementation of Bridges, our international partnership program with schools in Turkey and the Dominican Republic. Key to all of these initiatives was the design and implementation of our overarching 2013-2016 Strategic Plan and Strategic Financial Plan. This fall, Canterbury School ran a highly inclusive Head of School search process. Its success is evident as Canterbury School and our Board of Trustees are poised to provide full support for our 14th Head of School, Richard Kirschner. In June, Marnie and I will be leaving Florida to relocate to our native state of California and to Jackson Hole, WY. As your Head of School for the past seven years and Canterbury’s historian, Marnie and I hope that Canterbury School will set the following four major goals: sustained headships, increased enrollments, debt reduction; and increased faculty and staff salaries, benefits and perquisites. In addition to remaining dedicated to academic excellence, a renewed and reinvigorated commitment to these initiatives will help position Canterbury for success in its next 50 years. We wish you all the very best of luck!
Marnie and Tony Paulus
Sincerely,
Tony Paulus
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Dear Canterbury Family, As most of you know, this academic year is Mr. Tony Paulus’ last year as Head of School. In order to facilitate a smooth transition to a new Head of School, the Board of Trustees asked me this past summer to chair a search committee that was tasked with finding a new leader. Assembling a team of parents, board members, faculty and alumni to serve on the committee, everyone believed in the importance of finding the right candidate for Canterbury. Enlisting the aid of professional search firm Resource Group 175, we worked closely with representatives Linda Gibbs and Tom Olverson to identify our next Head of School. Throughout the fall semester, after interviewing numerous candidates, we selected five individuals to visit Canterbury and speak with board members, students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni.
Chauncey Goss
As chair of the search committee, I would like you to know that your feedback was invaluable. As a committee, we read every feedback form and took into consideration every comment that was provided to us about each candidate. This process was not about a few individuals selecting our next Head of School. Instead, our goal was transparency and inclusivity, encouraging everyone to have a voice in the process. I believe, as a community, that we made the right decision in selecting Mr. Richard Kirschner as Canterbury’s next Head of School. Growing up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Kirschner graduated from the Landon School before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Princeton University. He then went on to earn a juris doctorate from the J. Reuben Clark Law School in Provo, UT. Working briefly as a lawyer, he discovered his true passion lies in education. Before serving as Head of Upper School at Oak Hall in Gainesville, FL, Kirschner worked as a teacher, coach and administrator in various independent schools through the mid-Atlantic area. Since his appointment at Oak Hall in 2009, he has increased enrollment while reducing student attrition. Married for 24 years, he and his wife, Wendy, have three sons: Jake (18), Alek (16) and Cade (12). As Canterbury continues to celebrate its 50th year in the Southwest Florida community and the accomplishments achieved under retiring head Tony Paulus’ tenure, we hope you will take the time to meet Mr. Kirschner and his family at Canterbury’s annual Extravaganza. He will begin full-time in July 2015. Sincerely,
Chauncey Goss, Chair, Head of School Search Committee Parent of Porter ’14, Oliver ’17 and Zander ’19
2015 Extravaganza 50th Blue & White Gala April 25, 2015 · 6 – 11 p.m. · Murphy Sports Center Join us for the 2015 Extravaganza 50th Blue & White Gala! As Canterbury’s signature fundraising event, Extravaganza benefits our school’s commitment to need-based financial aid, and the enrichment of academics, arts and athletic offerings.
For more information, visit www.canterburyfortmyers.org. 4
Canterbury Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Founders’ Day Canterbury School kicked off its year-long 50th anniversary celebration on Thursday, October 9, with Founders' Day. Members of the Canterbury community joined in on the festivities as Head of School Tony Paulus welcomed everyone in celebrating the momentous occasion. “Welcome to all of you who have meant so much to Canterbury School … From day one, my focus has been on strengthening the 3 A’s: academics, athletics and the arts, and extracurricular activities. As we look to the future, Canterbury School is well-positioned for the next 50 years,” he said. Paulus’ wife, Marnie, spoke about the numerous interviews performed with those close to Canterbury. From faculty to alumni, Mrs. Paulus has worked with various members of the Canterbury community to compile stories for what will become a fulllength e-book, which is planned for release in April 2015. Closing the morning presentation with an exciting and spirited “GO COUGARS,” was alumna and Canterbury School Alumni Association board president Lea Pascotto. Graduating from Canterbury in 1995, Pascotto remains an integral part of the
Canterbury community. “I am proud to say I am a Canterbury Lifer through and through. Even from a young age, our teachers were our mentors. We learned perseverance and I gained great confidence because of the teachers here at Canterbury,” she said. Attendees enjoyed tours of the school before witnessing a special ceremony at Harper Field. Four seniors from the class of 2015 participated in the burial of Canterbury’s 2014 time capsule, which included a current About Canterbury magazine, a newspaper, Time magazine, letters from Lower School students, a flash drive, House t-shirts and Canterbury memorabilia. The day ended with attendees gathering in the Performing Arts Center, enjoying lunch and reminiscing over old photos and yearbooks. Laughter and comments could be heard from those who spent many years at Canterbury, each with a gleaming smile.
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Tony Paulus:
A Lasting Legacy For the past seven years, Tony Paulus has led Canterbury School through many highs and lows. While each year has brought new challenges, Mr. Paulus faced them head on with passion and dedication. Proud of his achievements while at Canterbury, he is prepared to help Mr. Richard Kirschner transition into the position as the next head of school with the hope that he will take Canterbury to the next level. Mr. Paulus remembers fondly the veteran Spanish teacher, Nisla Tolp, who wished him a long and prosperous tenure, and added her wish to be that he would retire from Canterbury. What has been your biggest challenge these past seven years? It has probably been trying to restore a sense of confidence in the school. When I arrived at Canterbury, on July 1, 2008, it was not in a good state. I feel as if through my leadership, we’ve laid a good foundation; however, I’ve learned that when managing a significant debt, there are constraints on what you can and cannot do. Rewarding and retaining faculty is something I wanted to do more of; however, with limited resources, it made it much more difficult than I had hoped. What do you hope your legacy will be at Canterbury? I laid a foundation for future success in the following ways: · Strengthened faculty and administration. · Clearly articulated and significantly strengthened overall programs in academics, athletics and the arts. · Enhanced fundraising. · Strengthened sense of School’s self-confidence. · Established Bridges, a program of international partnership. · Significantly strengthened our commitment to technology with the Edward E. Ford Foundation grant, opening of the Cougar Den in our Middle School, provided by grants from Steelcase Education Solutions and Office Furniture and Design Concepts of Fort Myers; opening the Science Discovery Center in our Lower School, which is supported by grants from the Benedict Foundation, the Parents' Association and other generous donors; and the appointment of our first Director of Innovation. I was educated at one of the finest schools in the country, Deerfield Academy. As a result of that background and my evolving professional career, I have been given the opportunity to run excellent schools in this country and abroad. At Canterbury, I believe that I helped create a model of what an excellent school looks like.
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The board of trustees is evolving, and if the board continues to function at its highest level, this will be a wonderful legacy to leave. I’ve said from the beginning that academics, the arts and athletics should all be at the highest level, and I believe I have helped to implement goals to accomplish this. How has Canterbury changed in your seven years? On the first Back-to-School-Night, I remember explicitly saying that there is a covenant between the school and our parents. Over time, the parents have come to entrust their children to us and I believe we have truly honored that covenant. In my seven years, I feel I have worked hard to break down barriers between our four schools, which has allowed for better communication. Our programs, the curriculum, athletics, arts and extracurricular activities have grown stronger each year. With the help of Melissa Wilson, we’ve shifted our students’ way of thinking about college to going to school out-of-state. We are now a school that is positioned at the highest level. What has been your proudest moment? In my fall 2013 Leadership class, the students came together to create and execute the House System. Their level of leadership was truly amazing. I couldn’t have been more proud of a group of students. Where do you hope to see Canterbury in 50 years? My hope is that the average tenure for a Canterbury Head of School will rise from its current 3.8 years to 7-10 years. I hope that Canterbury will become a school that will be comparable to any independent school in the country. I also hope we will be at the forefront of technology and global education. With retirement around the corner, what do you plan to do in your free time? I plan to exercise daily in the Grand Teton National Park. As an avid bike rider, I’ll probably try to clock 17 miles/day or so. My hope is to climb the Grand Teton again
and do some kayaking and swimming. I will return to my writing. While I am in need of some down time, I don’t know how long that will last as in all likelihood I will look into doing some independent school consulting, or possibly even serving in an interim headship role. I had a particularly influential grandfather, so I look forward to perpetuating his example with the next generation. What will be the first book(s) you will read for pleasure? I want to re-read my former student, Lily King’s highly-acclaimed book, “Euphoria.” I also plan to read “After the Wind” by my friend, Lou Kasischke and write a review of it. If you could give the next Head of School one piece of advice, what would it be? My intentions are to position Mr. Kirschner and Canterbury School for success. I know Rick will connect with people on a genuine level. If he is able to work closely and effectively with the board of trustees, and both parties assume their appropriate roles, the school will flow and flourish. I would tell him to stick to the Strategic Plan and Strategic Financial Plan and address the school’s debt, as well as reward the faculty and staff.
What is one thing you wish you could change about Canterbury? That’s easy – the debt. Under the leadership of Susan Ryan, our Director of Finance and Operations, we have a great plan in place to help Canterbury address its debt. Through generous gifts, and by paying more principle than interest, my hope is that we can make our debt more manageable and one day, be debt free.
Canterbury Connect Looking for a business with a Canterbury connection? Canterbury Connect is a fast and easy way to do business with fellow Canterbury parents, alumni and supporters! Providing hundreds of business listings, Canterbury Connect is a great way to do business and support those who support us. Canterbury Connect offers complimentary business listings for our parents, faculty/staff, alumni and sponsors/supporters ($500 or greater). You can find Canterbury Connect online or the printed version in your Parent Directory binder.
www.canterburyfortmyers.org/CanterburyConnect 7
Celebrating Excellence at
Science Night It was a night of celebration as members of the Canterbury community honored Canterbury’s young scientists at the 2014 Science Night. This year, there were 81 projects with topics ranging from the effects of organic foods on athletic behavior to effectiveness of childproof containers to plant growth. Head of School Tony Paulus said, “The success of Science Night is due to the efforts of many people: first and foremost, congratulations to our 115 student researchers and inventors (17 percent of our entire student body), who have actively participated in the process of science research with your 81 projects reflecting important qualities such as curiosity, creativity, patience, perseverance, critical thinking and team collaboration.” Canterbury senior and president of the Science National Honor Society Varun Varshney ’15 provided words of wisdom to students and parents, saying, “No matter what happens later tonight with the awards, be proud of what you have already accomplished. There is no failure in science, only success.” Guest speaker Dr. Jerome Jackson, an acclaimed ornithologist and professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, presented the audience with stories about his research and what it means to be a scientist. “Being a scientist means opening your
Junior Division 1 Place Myesha Choudhury ’19 st
eyes, asking questions, testing a hypothesis and looking at the results,” he said. Jackson went on to encourage students to “follow your dreams and be what you want to be.”
Special thanks were given to Canterbury’s science research and Independent Science Research teams, the 47 esteemed judges, the Academic Support Committee volunteers Mrs. Laura Fay, Mrs. Faria Choudhury and Mrs. Ruth Weintraub, and to Canterbury parents.
Science Night Totals: 15 Student Researchers in 1 grades 3-12 (17% of the student body) 81 Projects 47 Judges 49 Winners from the Junior and Senior Divisions advance to the Thomas Alva Edison Science and Engineering Fair at Alico Arena on February 7, 2015. 1 Science Department whose faculty is dedicated to supporting and encouraging student curiosity and innovation. 8
Congratulations to all of Canterbury’s Science Night participants for your hard work and dedication!
Junior Division 2nd Place Emily Javedan ’20
Junior Division 3rd Place Kinley Gomez ’21
Science Night 2014 Awards Senior Division
Junior Division
First Place - Jay Chandar ’17 Second Place – Sanim Choudhury ’15 Third Place – Emily Schwartz ’17
First Place – Myesha Choudhury ’19 Second Place – Emily Javedan ’20 Third Place – Kinley Gomez ’21
Attending the Thomas Alva Edison Regional Science Fair Sophia Ackerman ’18 Sophia Ahad ’16 Ahmed Ahad ’15 Jack Arnheiter ’16 Maxine Arnheiter ’18 Emilee Cato ’17 Jay Chandar ’17 Sanim Choudhury ’15 Olivia DeLuca ’18 Feliza Engelhard ’18 Hannah Fay ’16 Kelly Fay ’15 Caroline Henning ’16 Natalie Henning ’16 Manuel Hernandez ’16 Melissa Marchese ’17 Gavin Meade ’16 Sean O’Connor ’18 John Peller ’15 Evelyn Pizzolato-Murray ’16 Travis Rembrandt ’18 Emily Schwartz ’17 Niki Singh ’15 Ian Tardif ’16 Sam Turner ’16 Varun Varshney ’15
Attending the Thomas Alva Edison Regional Science Fair Lema Abuoqab ’20 Maya Allione ’21 and Aurora Badia ’21 Spencer Berry ’20 Ian Bledsoe ’20 Daniel Blitz ’20 Ryan Carreiro ’20 Myesha Choudhury ’19 Lili Engelhard ’20 and Lili Pickett ’20 Kinley Gomez ’21 Andres Hernandez ’20 Emily Javedan ’20 Maverick Kennedy ’19 Ingrid Leigh ’20 and Jasmily Santana ’20 Mark Leone ’20 Luke Long ’19 Emma McThenia ’20 Arjun Singh ’19 Ben Talmage ’20 Josh Wallace ’20 Ricky Youschak ’19
(Grades 9-12) Best IN Fair
Honorable Mention Adele Devito ’17 Anna Kucera ’18 Nora Meade ’18 Emma Neill ’18 Kelly O’Connor ’18
(Grades 6-8) Best in Fair
Honorable Mention Lou-isa Cadiou ’19 Jay Chavakula ’21 Gabriella Cifarelli ’19 Marina Curry ’20 Gianna Devito ’19 Mateo Devito ’20 Jason Puwalski ’20 Katie Rheaume ’20 Colton Smith ’19 Jessica Snyder ’19 Chloe Thomas ’20
Photos to the right from the top : Senior Division 1st Place – Jay Chandar ’17 Senior Division 2nd Place – Sanim Choudhury ’15 Senior Division 3rd Place – Emily Schwartz ’17 9
Kelly Fay ’15 Turns Personal Struggle into
Words of Encouragement “ Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Winston Churchill
No one wants to admit they have a problem, especially a child who experiences difficulty learning in school. Children who struggle with learning disabilities often experience teasing or bullying, which unfortunately can lead to self-doubt and depression. In an attempt to change the way students with dyslexia feel about themselves, as well as function inside and outside of the classroom, Canterbury senior Kelly Fay published her very first children’s book titled, “It’s All Greek To Me.” “My children’s book centers on my personal struggle with dyslexia. I always felt my dyslexia made me stick out like a sore thumb. I could never understand why words and numbers floated on a page or blurred with movement. I was terrified that others would judge me for my disability … Dyslexia is a brain-based learning disability which means you have trouble processing words and/or numbers,” she explained. When tasked in English class with an extra credit assignment focused on overcoming a
personal struggle, Kelly chose to write about her ongoing battle with dyslexia. Pleased with her story, former English teacher Craig Phimister encouraged her to send copies of her story to various publishing firms. “After months of little response or feedback, I asked my mom if we could attend the Writer’s Digest Conference in Hollywood, CA, in late October 2012 so I could pitch my book and find an agent,” she said. In speaking with numerous independent authors, they suggested that she self-publish her book. Contacting Amazon’s publishing firm for e-books and print books, Create Space, Kelly made a deal with her parents that if she raised enough money to selfpublish, they would help her open an account. “It took me 15 months of saving and scrimping, but I finally collected enough money to publish my book,” she said. When asked how she felt having her first book published at such a young age, her excitement was evident. “I am extremely excited about publishing my first book! This has been a three year journey that is finally coming to fruition,” she said. Recognizing that many famous individuals struggled with dyslexia, including Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and Winston Churchill, Kelly viewed this as an opportunity to tell others that “anyone living with dyslexia is brave and magical.” Instead of feeling ashamed, she is proud to say, “My dyslexia may slow me down, but it’s not going to stop me from being the best person I can be.” “It’s All Greek To Me” won’t be the last time we hear from Kelly. Currently, she is working on two additional children’s books. One is centered on her grandmother’s red caboose and the other tells the story of her first time away at summer camp in Richmond, NH. While she is unsure of what the future holds, she does hope to one day transition to young adult and science fiction genres.
“It’s All Greek To Me” is available for purchase at www.amazon.com. 10
Canterbury Unveils
Parent University By Katrina Keene, Director of Innovation
As plans for Canterbury’s technological integration move forward, there is no doubt that the push for transformational teaching and learning is occurring at an ideal time. With the implementation of a new Director of Innovation, new technological tools and teachers who are motivated to apply best teaching practices, comes the need for a plan to carry Canterbury to the next level. The plan to implement Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) was born out of the thirst from teachers and students for an increase in technology usage in the classroom. While mobile carts of iPads, Chromebooks and Laptops, as well as an optional BYOT program were all in place, the desire and option to place technology into every class was happening at rapid speed! With few carts available, and students craving a 21st century approach to learning, a BYOT plan of action for the 2015-2016 school year was created. This newly required program is the next logical step in Canterbury’s Technology Plan progression. While a BYOT program benefits Canterbury internally, it also serves as a reminder that Canterbury is dedicated to providing updated technological instruction, much like many of the surrounding counties and private schools in the area. According to the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), more than half of Florida schools implemented a BYOT program in the last five years (FCIS, 2014). I knew that the BYOT plan couldn’t stop at bringing more technology into the school. There was still a missing piece. With an increase in technology comes the need to provide professional development for teachers and parents. Just as educators strive to stay ahead of the game with technology, parents are eager for up-to-date information on technology so they can be a part of their child’s education. The launch of Parent University in the spring of 2015 is the missing piece to the transformational puzzle. Canterbury School understands that with the launch of BYOT,
there will be excitement, questions and possible anxiety as to how this program will function throughout the school. Parent University provides parents with insight and understanding of the exciting changes, and serves to inspire parents to become advocates for 21st century learning. Parent University encompasses topics such as Infrastructure, Current Technology Integrations, Google Apps, Hardware/ Software Choices, Current Technological Trends in Schools, History and Supporting Research in Technology Integration, Responsible Use, Internet Safety, Apps in Education and Social Media in Today’s World. Canterbury is prepared to bring teachers and parents into the world that students have been living in for the past 10 years. With training, patience, time and understanding, Canterbury will be a leader in technology use and integration, bringing exciting technological challenges to the classroom.
For more information about Canterbury School’s BYOT plan as well as Parent University dates and training opportunities, please visit our website at www.canterburyschoolfortmyers.org
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Humans
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of Canterbury When I was approached by the Director of Strategic Communications, I thought that my dreams of becoming a female James Bond were finally coming to fruition. I was going to be a spy and it was going to be awesome. Sadly, this was not the case, and I was going to have to be recruited by the CIA/ MI6 later on in my life. The Director (don’t tell me that doesn’t sound spy-like) wanted me to write an article about a project I was working on called Humans of Canterbury. She wanted me to talk about my inspiration, my goals and the project’s reception. I was shocked, because I had simply contacted the people in charge of the school website to see if they would put a link to my blog on their page, and now I was going to have to write 700-800 words about something I had no idea people would like. Thus, to answer the first question, I was actually inspired by Facebook. Well, not Facebook exactly, but what the social network held. I discovered perhaps by accident, a page named Humans of New York and I immediately fell in love. From these photographs of fabulously interesting people I was able to not only learn a bit about the vibe of New York City, but also about how humanity copes with love, loss, adventure and everything in-between. I have always been inspired by photojournalists, especially after attending a lecture by a war photographer, but this photographic census of everything interesting about New York was a whole different creature. At first, Humans of New York was just something I looked at on occasion. However, throughout the years, I thought of making one of my own, but had neither the desire nor the incentive to actually follow through. Then, I took a Leadership class with Mr. Paulus, and everything changed. One of the requirements for this class was that I had to make a series of goals. That’s when I realized that I could finally put my own spin on the Humans of New York Facebook page I so adored, so I got out my camera and started taking pictures. My technique was hurried and unplanned at first, but I soon learned that by organizing my ideas and my photos, it would make my adventure all the easier.
By Isabel Leigh ’15
Originally, my plan was to post the photos on my blog (Bell Reviews on Life), thus raising publicity for my own work in addition to displaying the people within my school. I named the posts Humans of Canterbury, and despite everything I had expected, they were a massive success. I was getting texts from my friends at Fort Myers High about how much they liked my posts. Honestly, I was surprised; nobody had paid as much attention to my blog since one of my classmates set up a program that refreshed my page nonstop, giving me upwards of 1,000 hits in one day. But these views were for real, and after a few recommendations, I decided to make this small project into a larger one, and that called for a Facebook page. Granted the people of Canterbury are not nearly as wild as those of New York. But I was able to find interesting people and fascinating stories. I learned about fashion, independence and identity. In fact, this entire adventure has been a learning process. I learned about how different people respond to photography, how to be spontaneous, and how to take surreptitious photos in the hallway. I learned that it was possible to balance a graduated cylinder on your head, about the dichotomy of fashion in the Lower and High Schools, and how Dr. Gluhm got a piece of graphite stuck in his hand. I have learned about Gryffindors, shoes and math tests. I have also learned a small lesson in humility. Ha! You scoff, because I know you are reading this in a magazine, and yes I wrote this article about myself, but this project has never been about me. It has been about the humans I photograph and their stories, and I am just the girl behind the camera. In fact, the only photograph that includes me that you will find on my page is the profile photo, and even then my face is behind my little point-and-shoot that has served me so well.
So here’s to the Humans of Canterbury, to the dreamers and the nonbelievers, to the overworked and the over-partied, to the fashionista and the ‘I woke up like this!’ Because this is about you, be proud, be wild and be exciting. Inspire others not to be like you, but to be different. Keep traveling; keep adventuring.
SMILE. 13
Canterbury Made the Difference for Mueller Family By Joy Mueller Mendoza ’02
When we were young, my parents always emphasized that education was the path to a better future. While working blue collar jobs, they lent a helping hand and watchful eye throughout our lower and middle school years to keep us on track in advanced programs. After researching the best high schools in the area, Canterbury School was certainly at the top of the list, but with five children and modest incomes, it didn’t seem feasible. However, thanks to the benevolence of many donors in the past, Canterbury welcomed each of my four brothers and myself into their community with substantial scholarships (both need-based and merit-based), making attendance possible. I know that Canterbury changed the course of our lives. It’s a place like no other. It's not just a school, it’s a family. For those who attend Canterbury, the school challenges each individual to be better, dig deeper and give more. The teachers give as much as they demand. The faculty invest themselves in the success of the students, and each student comes away better equipped to take on the challenges of the future. Thanks to the gifts of many individual donors, my brothers and I spent 23 collective years as a part of this community. As a way to honor the school and our parents, we decided to start the Mueller Family Endowment Fund last year. Starting with $25,000 in gifts, we will continue to give to the fund over time, which will be used to finance scholarships for years to come. We know firsthand the impact these scholarships can have and are excited to see lives changed. It is our hope that someday, someone else may be inspired to give back. For all who think that your gift doesn’t matter, remember that no matter how large or small – it does make a difference.
Interested in starting an endowment fund? Contact Canterbury's Development Office at 239-333-3294. 14
<<< The Mueller Family during Thanksgiving 2014. Back row L-R: Karl, Andrew, Joseph, Marlon, Matthew and Jessica. Middle row L-R: Jenn, Nicole, John, Mary and Joy. Front row L-R: Reese, Jack, Jacob, John and Lilly
Karl Mueller ’91 is a website designer for AutoTrader and owner of WebologyWORX, a website design firm. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Jenn, and their 9-year-old son, Reese. Joseph Mueller ’99 is a mechanical engineer for Nissan, working on crash safety testing. He is currently on a two year assignment in Nashville, TN. Andrew Mueller ’00 is a mechanical engineer for Draper Labs, working on electronics packaging for the defense and biomedical industries. He and his wife, Nicole, are new parents to 3-month-old, Jack. Joy (Mueller) Mendoza ’02 is an account manager for Covidien, selling ventilators and anesthesia equipment into ORs and ICUs. She lives in Fleming Island, FL with her husband, Marlon, and their 1-yearold son, Jacob. Matthew Mueller ’05 is a software designer for NavAir, creating flight simulations for the Navy. He lives in Lusby, MD with his wife, Jessica, and their children, John (4) and Lilly (2). John and Mary Mueller currently live in Fleming Island, FL and work part-time as ministers. They spend most of their days traveling between the homes of their children, working on home improvement projects, cooking and caring for grandchildren.
Give today at www.canterburyfortmyers.org/support 15
Canterbury Alumni
Doctors, lawyers, scientists and entrepreneurs – these are just a few of the many professions held by more than 1,000 Canterbury alumni. Serving as shining examples of Canterbury’s mission to promote academic excellence, character, leadership and service, our alumni have gone on to attend top universities throughout the nation and pursue careers at the highest level. To celebrate Canterbury’s 50th anniversary, we have provided a snapshot of 25 outstanding alumni who demonstrate the mission and value of Canterbury in their professional and everyday lives. We know there are many more who exemplify what it means to be a Canterbury alum, so we encourage you to submit their information. If you would like to see a Canterbury alum profiled in one of our many publications, send their name and contact information to
Elisabeth Hon Hunt ’99
alumni@canterburyfortmyers.org.
Elissa Rosen ’01
Elizabeth Siegel Faucher ’02
Amy Fox ’96 Eden Haverfield ’95
Eric Zwick ’03
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Mason Goss ’86
Chloe MorroniSpiewak ’94
Chelsea Morroni ’91 Kerry Jenkins ’91
Barbara Vickers ’96 David H. Savage Jr. ’88 Bahar Shah ’09
Samantha Robbins ’12 Emily Spear Ramsay ’05
Kevin Lucas ’94
Russell Lewis ’89
Cheryl Johnson ’08
Noel Bakhtian ’01
Abby Dosoretz Pezzi ’05
Rebecca Butcher ’95
Brooke Youngquist Sweat ’04
Scott Staerker ’81
Not pictured: Jaya Velamakanni ’03 and Justin Levine ’99 17
What is your current profession?
“I am an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Florida. We investigate the structures and activities of pheromones, chemicals that organisms use to communicate with each other. One of the challenges is recruiting talented students to join my lab and creating an environment where they can work at their full potential. The reward is that we can investigate interesting scientific questions and make new discoveries.”
“I am an associate at Nixon Peabody, LLP. I work in the Tax Syndication Group advising financial institutions on renewable energy investments from a tax credit perspective.”
“I work for the Maryland Energy Administration and am the Director of Energy Policy, Planning and Analysis. My team works with federal, state and local governments; industry experts; environmental advocates; and businesses to develop effective energy policies that help advance energy efficiency, renewable energy and alternative transportation.”
– Elizabeth Siegel Faucher ’02
– Rebecca Butcher ’95
– Kevin Lucas ’94
“I'm a patent attorney in the Electrical and Computer Technologies practice group at the firm of Wolf Greenfield in Boston, MA. We specialize in intellectual property law and have clients all over the world in many diverse technology areas. I prosecute patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, counsel clients in building patent portfolios and managing patent issues that affect their business, as well as patent litigation work and post-grant contested proceedings involving the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. One of the challenges is quickly learning the intricate, technical details of inventions in widely different technologies, which for me is one of the greatest rewards of this profession.”
– Elisabeth Hon Hunt ’99
“I am the women's basketball coach at Oberlin College. The biggest challenge is recruiting to a highly-selective liberal arts college. The reward is mentoring and coaching future leaders.”
– Kerry Jenkins ’91
“I am a professor of finance and entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business… Balancing the tenure hunt with a desire for work-life balance all strike me as potential challenges. The research is very fun… I love presenting, writing and trying to improve our understanding of policy.”
– Eric Zwick ’03 18
– Jaya Velamakanni ’03
“I am a fellow in regional anesthesiology at Emory University. I helped create this new fellowship, which was a big challenge. The best reward is helping sick patients get through surgery with less pain. I also enjoy teaching the residents how to perform the nerve blocks.”
“I am a second year graduate student at Radford University in Virginia, working on my Master of Arts in criminal justice as a McConnell Scholar. I am also working to obtain my certificate in crime analysis. My scholarship requires that I maintain a 3.7 GPA and complete 20 hours of research a week under my advisor and mentor. I enjoy working with my mentor by helping her publish research articles and assisting her in teaching undergraduate research methods.”
– Cheryl Johnson ’08
“I do sustainability work for the apparel industry. In simple terms, I am trying to make the fashion and textile industry more sustainable from an environmental and social perspective.”
– Emily Spear Ramsay ’05
“I am a television news anchor and reporter for WZVN-TV and WBBH-TV in Fort Myers. I have been a journalist for nearly two decades and have worked at numerous TV stations across the country. As journalists, we are entrusted to educate the public, which in turn, can change lives. That is very challenging and rewarding at the same time.”
– Chloe Morroni-Spiewak ’94
“I am currently a software engineer 2 at Microsoft. Some of the biggest challenges include the notion that if I make a mistake in my work, I can disrupt over hundreds of thousands of people. However, it is rewarding to be able to walk into a store and look at a product and know that I helped make that.”
– Bahar Shah ’09
“I am an entrepreneur. I own and operate nightclubs, restaurants, bars, an automotive leasing company, lending company and more.”
– Justin Levine ’99
“I am a pediatric anesthesiologist and a member of the pediatric pain management team at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Anesthesiology is a very challenging specialty because of the responsibility you assume by anesthetizing a patient…Another challenge is watching a patient who we treat, and who is sick, remain that way or worsen despite the best of care. As for rewards, working with children is always a bonus. Children have a resilience of spirit and a desire to be happy.”
– Barbara Vickers ’96
“I am a professional beach volleyball player on the USA National Team. My teammate and I travel the world representing the USA on the FIVB World Tour. We are dedicated and determined to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio…There are a few challenges including traveling, being away from our families, missing special occasions and living in hotels. We will be traveling and competing for the next two years earning our spot to Rio.”
– Brooke Youngquist Sweat ’04
“I’m a senior editor and the southern bureau chief of NPR News. I plan, coordinate and edit our news coverage across 14 southern states and work closely with 65 public radio newsrooms. I also travel across the southeast conducting training sessions with hundreds of public media reporters, and I fill in at NPR’s headquarters as national editor for the National Desk. I’ve also spent time at All Things Considered as the program’s lead editor. I’m currently heading up a team of NPR and station leaders to examine better ways for the public radio system to work together in this rapidly changing journalism landscape.”
– Russell Lewis ’89
“I am a part-time operations controller for United Airlines. I handle everything with United flights operating in and out of our city…I also work at Savage Marketing/Bears Productions. It is an ad agency and TV/Radio production company. We can write, produce, negotiate and place everything from short TV commercials to documentaries using our in-house, state-of-the-art equipment.”
– David H. Savage Jr. ’88
“I work for BP America in Houston, serving as the exploration manager for New Access in Unconventionals. It’s a fastpaced, challenging job overseeing a team of geologists, geophysicists and engineers who evaluate the technical data in support of new horizontal drilling and fracking projects across the globe. Recommending multi-billion dollar overseas new venture opportunities is exciting and rewarding.”
– Scott Staerker ’81
“I am an American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG)-certified clinical molecular geneticist. I have a Ph.D in human genetics and specialized training in molecular diagnostics. I work as a laboratory director at Invitae, which is a clinical diagnostic laboratory that focuses on personalized medicine and genetic testing for rare human genetic diseases.”
– Eden Haverfield ’95
“I'm just starting my final year of a science and technology policy fellowship in Washington D.C. The last two years were spent serving as an energy policy advisor to a Senator and as a technical lead at the Department of Energy (DOE) on projects such as the Wave Energy Converter Prize and the Technology Incubator for Wind Energy Innovations. In September, I started working on energy-water nexus strategy for DOE's Office of International Affairs.”
– Noel Bakhtian ’01
“I currently work as a radiation oncologist. I think treating cancer is always a challenge. Cancer encompasses so many different diseases and the hardest part is helping each patient deal with cancer in their own way. The biggest reward is in being there for a patient when they need you during difficult times.”
– Amy Fox ’96
“I am a medical doctor (specialty Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Public Health) and an epidemiologist. I do clinical SRH and maternal health work, teaching and training, research and policy work, and advocacy. I work for University College London (Institute for Women's Health/Institute for Global Health), the University of Botswana, and the University of Cape Town. I also do advisory work for many organizations such as UN bodies, national Ministries of Health in Africa and SRH/maternal health NGOs.”
– Chelsea Morroni ’91
“I am the associate headmaster and middle school director at Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill. I teach American government and coach varsity soccer and varsity baseball. It is a joy to work with young people and their families each and every day.”
– Mason Goss ’86
“I am currently attending the United States Naval Academy and in two years, will be commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. My challenges come from a rigorous academic schedule and need for time management. My rewards are knowing that in a few years, I will be taking care of young sailors and marines who fall under my leadership.”
– Samantha Robbins ’12
“I am an internal medicine physician. My particular specialty is hospital medicine and I work at the Denver Health Hospital. It's an academic hospital so I work with teaching the resident doctors. Denver Health is a rewarding place to work, but certainly not without challenges. Most of our patients don't have insurance, often are homeless, and struggle with drugs and alcohol.”
– Elissa Rosen ’01
19
How did Canterbury help you get to where you are today?
“Canterbury offered me an environment where from a very early age I felt comfortable and supported as I expanded my intellectual and social horizons. We were given responsibility at an early age and expected to respect it…Academically, the school allowed me to complete classes earlier than the standard schedule… I also managed a flexible schedule my junior and senior years at Canterbury. That served me well in college where the credits freed up my ability to take more electives and explore areas outside my major, and the experience balancing class work and extracurricular activities helped me navigate college.”
– Kevin Lucas ’94
“It exposed me to opportunity. I was always a good student but Canterbury showed me that there were opportunities in places that I wouldn't have otherwise looked.”
– Kerry Jenkins ’91
“At Canterbury, I learned the importance of strong relationships. I value the friends and mentors I've been lucky to maintain since high school.”
– Jaya Velamakanni ’03
“It provided a foundation for success. Honestly, I don't know where I would be if I never left the public school system. Treating students as young adults, rather than a number in a classroom at an early age is something special - if I didn't have that in my early stages, I don't think I would have matured so quickly in life.”
“Canterbury had a way of making anything possible. You want to play violin in the orchestra? No problem. You want to be a setter on the volleyball team? Go for it. You want to be class president? Do it. It was a safe, but encouraging, place to grow up… a very well-rounded education.”
– Elizabeth Siegel Faucher ’02
“Canterbury prepared me for the rigorous guidelines that are present in higher education. Many students in my cohort have never learned the rules of writing or how to do a literature review. While Canterbury was challenging, it prepared me for the challenges of graduate school.”
– Cheryl Johnson ’08
“Being at Canterbury for roughly 14 years had a big impact on my life. It helped shape how I view the world, how I problemsolve, and instilled a work ethic at a young age. The small class sizes and ability to immerse myself in everything from sports to AP classes to volunteering, allowed me to expose myself to diverse experiences. Further, I had to learn how to manage my time to be involved in all of these activities without sacrificing my coursework. I had a wonderful group of friends while at Canterbury, which also helped give me confidence in myself and my abilities. Growing up in this enriching environment taught me that I could accomplish anything I wanted with hard work and dedication.”
– Emily Spear Ramsay ’05
– Justin Levine ’99
Canterbury Social Media As students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni, we know it is important for you to stay connected to Canterbury. From class projects to sporting events, to science experiments and theater plays, our students are always on the move and you want to know about it! Whether you “Like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, watch us on Instagram or connect with us on LinkedIn, we’ve got you covered when it comes to Canterbury news, contests, events and much more! · Facebook: CanterburyFortMyers · Facebook Alumni: CanterburyFortMyersAlumni · Twitter: @CanterburyFtMy · Instagram: canterburyschoolfortmyers · LinkedIn: Canterbury School Fort Myers Alumni 20
“Canterbury prepared me academically for my work today, in that I was always challenged and strove to learn more. But it also taught me leadership skills and how to take initiative. I learned about the importance of giving back to the community and that it's possible to make a positive impact in the world.”
–Abby Dosoretz Pezzi ’05
“Canterbury School taught me proper communication skills and how to work together as a team. Our small class size automatically presented many opportunities to work collaboratively. It taught me how to keep a child-like curiosity about everything. I have been able to do so many interesting things because Canterbury taught me how to stay focused in unfamiliar surroundings. This kind of curiosity helped me develop multi-tasking skills that have been crucial to my success and happiness.”
– David H. Savage Jr. ’88
“In order to succeed, you must have an unrelenting drive. That drive was instilled in me from day one at Canterbury. Plus, the small class sizes and individual attention helped provide a superior education.”
– Chloe Morroni-Spiewak ’94
“More than academic content, I truly learned valuable life skills during my time at Canterbury. When I started college, I was amazed at how many of my peers had bad time management skills, or weren't able to work well in group projects, or struggled with being able to raise their hand in a crowded lecture hall and ask a question. Canterbury prepares its students to truly be able to hit the ground running and find out what your passion is and pursue it…I was able to go to MIT and discover a passion for software development because of the resources and experiences I was exposed to during my time at Canterbury.”
– Bahar Shah ’09
“By instilling me with curiosity about the world, teaching critical thinking skills and encouraging multi-tasking.”
– Chelsea Morroni ’91
“Canterbury gave me the confidence to succeed, push myself and sort out solutions to problems. The school also taught me that it’s okay to fail. There’s nothing wrong with trying something and perhaps it’s not the best way to do it. What my teachers fostered in me was a message. Learn from your mistakes. Get better for the next time. There’s always a next time. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Think creatively. Think in a way someone doesn’t expect. Work your problems to find solutions.”
– Russell Lewis ’89
“Canterbury taught me the importance of a strong work ethic. Becoming a professional beach volleyball player is not easy, but my time at Canterbury prepared me for the grueling grind. I knew I would have to put in extra time on the sand and in the weight room, constantly be a student of the game, watch more film, etc. and I was absolutely confident I would be successful.”
“Canterbury gave me a good foundation. The teachers were always supportive and made me believe in myself. Canterbury also showed me that hard work pays off, and that is a lesson that carried me through my years in medical school and in residency.”
– Amy Fox ’96
– Brooke Youngquist Sweat ’04
“The biggest gift Canterbury gave me was self-confidence. The small class sizes, low student-to-teacher ratios, academic resources, and opportunities to explore my whims and passions in various sports and extracurricular activities allowed me to ‘learn by doing.' Canterbury was special in that the faculty encouraged students to explore beyond their comfort zones…Simply put, Canterbury helped me and my classmates discover who we were as people and provided us a vision of what we could be as we took that next step into the college ranks.”
– Scott Staerker ’81
“Canterbury helped me to identify the field of study that motivated me. The school provided a nurturing and caring environment that promoted my love of science, and allowed me to build confidence in myself and in my abilities.”
– Eden Haverfield ’95
“For me, the two most valuable Canterbury lessons were: 1) loving to learn - Canterbury provided the fun, supportive environment that shaped the rest of my academic career, and 2) the ability to multi-task.”
Name one thing that your classmates may not know about you. “I recently learned how to genetically modify a nematode (roundworm) by injecting its gonad with DNA using a microscopic needle.”
– Rebecca Butcher ’95
“I'm an ordained minister.”
– Mason Goss ’86
“When I left Canterbury, I not only committed to four years of training and academics at USNA, but I also committed to five years of military service upon graduating from this institution.”
– Samantha Robbins ’12
– Noel Bakhtian ’01
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As a student, was there a particular teacher who impacted your learning experience in a positive way?
“There are many teachers who helped to prepare me for college. Mrs. Der Hagopian taught me how to analyze primary historical texts. Mr. Hamway taught me how to write short essays. Mr. Sinopoli gave me a great foundation in calculus. Dr. Glass pushed me to participate in activities like debate and science fair that I probably would not have done otherwise, but that helped me to grow as a person.”
– Rebecca Butcher ’95
“My chemistry teacher was Dr. Peter Clancy, who also did some advanced math coaching. He made an impression on me as probably the only person I really knew who had spent time as an engineer… I remember he once showed me his dissertation, and it opened my eyes to the possibility of pursuing engineering or hardcore science as an end in itself…Even though I eventually, and quite surprisingly, ended up in a career that still involved a law degree, my work in the field of patent law is heavily technical.”
– Elisabeth Hon Hunt ’99
“I had a number of influential teachers while at Canterbury. I remember Dr. Frank Gluhm teaching our 5th grade science class and an early lesson he gave on relative motion…My interest in math and science was always high, but Dr. Gluhm was the first teacher to really engage with me on these concepts. Early in 6th grade, Dr. Gluhm convinced Ms. Phyllis Hatcher to tutor me one-on-one in math rather than taking the standard class. Ms. Hatcher and I worked through the Algebra I and II curriculum over her lunch period for the entire year…Ms. Hatcher was a catalyst for my success in high school and college, and I am forever grateful for her kindness and compassion.”
– Kevin Lucas ’94
“Dr. Georgiadis, Mr. Hamway, Mr. Walker, Mr. Yergey and Mr. Miles all come to mind for different reasons. They were wonderful role models and very enthusiastic about the material; they were willing to go out of their way to help, both in and out of the classroom.”
– Eric Zwick ’03
“Mr. Yergey was an exceptional US history teacher. He cared a lot about each of us, and instilled in us a pretty solid appreciation for learning. Dr. Glass was incredible in her passion to help her students excel in whichever field we chose…Mr. Hamway was an amazing motivator, who always pushed his students to produce the highest quality work.”
– Jaya Velamakanni ’03 22
“Betsy Glass and Dominick Sinopoli stand out as the teachers who encouraged my interest in science, math, medicine and research. They went above and beyond to help me prepare science fair projects and pass AP exams. They also really cared about me as a person.”
– Elizabeth Siegel Faucher ’02
“The one professor who had the biggest impact on my learning experience was Dr. Glass. She encouraged me to pursue my own research within the criminal justice field, and even pushed me to take a graduate level class at FGCU when I was in 10th grade. It was because she saw the interest in me that I am proficient in research techniques and am excelling in graduate school.”
– Cheryl Johnson ’08
“One in particular that stands out is Ms. Wilbur. She taught French in Middle and Upper School. I was always in awe of how much preparation she would put into each 50-minute period. It was obvious to anyone that knew her that Ms. Wilbur was incredibly invested in her students learning. I not only enjoyed learning French with her, but also getting to know her as a person. She always made class fun and challenging at the same time, and I look back at my learning experience at Canterbury with fond memories, in part, because of her commitment to teaching.”
– Abby Dosoretz Pezzi ’05
“I owe so much to Dr. Glass for helping me discover my passion for science research and really allowing me to accomplish so much. Mr. Loughran is a man who made coming to school fun for everyone and whose passion for everything is just contagious. Mr. Ndiang'ui helped me conquer my fear of public speaking and I do not think I would be the confident speaker I am today if it were not for him and Model UN. I don't even know how to express my appreciation and gratitude for Mr. Walker who is the reason I majored in math at MIT…From spending extra time at school for review sessions to signing up to chaperone a trip, all of the teachers gave up so much of their time and focus to really help us become the best people we could be.”
– Bahar Shah ’09
“Dr. Glass and Mr. Hamway played a large role because they loved what they taught, loved the students, and had something to offer besides what was in a textbook. I have vivid memories of their lessons and hope that my children will be lucky enough to have educators throughout their life like the ones that I had at Canterbury. (Same goes for Mrs. Bacon, Mr. Armstrong, Ms. Bailey, Mr. Grey, Ms. Hatcher and Dr. Gluhm.)”
– Barbara Vickers ’96
“I remember many of my teachers from my time at Canterbury - Spanish with Señora Tolp, science with Mr. Melamet, Ms. Hatcher’s math classes and social studies with Mrs. Bacon. The teachers taught at Canterbury because they cared about what they did and they wanted to be there. Here’s what I still love about my teachers. At least seven of them from the 1980s still work at Canterbury now…they chose to stay because of their belief in the mission and values of Canterbury. They stayed because they know they can make a difference and continue to shape the kids of tomorrow.”
– Russell Lewis ’89
“Dr. Gluhm brought his veterinary experience into the classroom with anatomy and physiology class. I still think fondly of him today. His enthusiasm and curiosity about everything in general taught me to be comfortable in approaching things with curiosity to learn and expand outside our normal boundaries…Applying that same wonderful energy to everything opens many doors.”
– David H. Savage Jr. ’88
“There were a lot of memorable teachers who helped me along the way. I still always remember Mrs. Steinberg, my middle school English teacher, who not only pushed me in school, but was one of my inspirations for eventually taking up distance running. She was great!”
– Elissa Rosen ’01
“There were so many who shaped my personal and academic growth, but two teachers stand out. Kathy Flannigan was the first educator to point out my interest in science…Having heard my stories of outdoor discovery, she predicted that I would grow-up to have a career in science. In some way, I think her comments allowed me to realize at an early age that I could make a career out of my outdoor science interests…The second educator was Laura Gizzi…She was very active as our class “sponsor” during my high school years and through those interactions, I learned an appreciation for the diversity of views and perspectives we see in the people around us…I’ll always be thankful for the time she spent coaching a bunch of high school kids about having respect for others.”
“I was very science-oriented from an early age, and beginning in middle school, I sought out as much exposure to different disciplines of science as possible. This type of personal attention and education was possible, and my interest in science was nurtured and encouraged by Dr. Betsy Glass… She helped me uncover my love of science, discover the field of genetics and excel at independent science research…It was this exposure to science at a young age that was cultivated throughout high school and helped shape the direction I chose for college and post-graduate education. Dr. Glass had a huge impact on the direction of my career.”
– Eden Haverfield ’95
– Scott Staerker ’81
“I still tell people that fourth grade was my favorite. It was my first year at Canterbury and Mrs. Harrison found the perfect balance between challenging and fun. That's the first year I remember actually enjoying spelling and history, not wanting math class to end and just loving to learn.”
“Betsy Glass provided endless support, encouragement, kindness and tolerance; inspired a love of science and rationality; helped me to understand the motto of ‘trying is winning regardless of the outcome;’ taught me that I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to; and to have high and unwavering expectations of me-as a student and as a person.”
“The list is endless. Numerous administrators were my constant mentors and supporters, but Middle School teachers like Ms. A and Ms. Speier were the ones who gave me the spark to love learning and develop good study habits, which carried me through the Upper School and into my military career.”
– Chelsea Morroni ’91
– Noel Bakhtian ’01
– Samantha Robbins ’12
Are you looking for an opportunity to expand your child’s learning experience throughout the summer? If so, check out Canterbury’s Summer Camps! With a variety of courses to choose from, your child will receive personal instruction to help enrich and broaden their knowledge. Canterbury is also excited to announce that Carolyn Monteiro is the new Director of Summer Programs! She can be reached via email at cmonteiro@canterburyfortmyers.org.
2015
To learn more about Canterbury’s Summer Programs, visit www.canterburyfortmyers.org. 23
What were some of your most memorable moments as a student at Canterbury?
“I enjoyed the small classes, and getting to know the students and teachers on a personal level. Many of our teachers were also coaches and instructors for other activities, and my classmates and I attended Canterbury for many years, allowing us to learn and grow together.”
– Kevin Lucas ’94
“One of my fondest memories is graduation day. The small class size allowed each graduate to shine, as our accomplishments were read aloud. As president of the board of trustees, my late mother, Annette Morroni, was the one who presented me with a rose and moved the tassel on my cap. I associate all of my time at Canterbury with my mom. She dedicated much of her life to making the school the success it is today.”
– Chloe Morroni-Spiewak ’94
“One of my most memorable moments was winning two state championships with the volleyball team. Another memorable moment was being pushed beyond my limits in the classroom. This has played a tremendous role in my life as I set and pursue ambitious goals.”
– Brooke Youngquist Sweat ’04
What are some of your greatest accomplishments since graduating from Canterbury?
“Canterbury was such a warm, welcoming and fun environment for learning. It was also a much smaller place than it is today. Students of all ages used to mingle in the tiny locker area in what was then the center of the school’s lone building. Then the school grew, adding classrooms and an actual gym where we could play basketball and volleyball indoors rather than dodging the afternoon raindrops!”
– Russell Lewis ’89
“The general camaraderie of a small, tightknit class over the years is my fondest memory. Friendships crossed grade boundaries and everyone seemed to have a nickname or two. Our graduation ceremony at South Seas Plantation on Captiva was a special experience.”
– Scott Staerker ’81
“As a K-12 grade student at Canterbury, I saw a lot of growth in 13 years…Despite the growth of the school, there was always a close feeling of community, friendship and support. My memorable moments include school-wide field days in Lower School; the eighth grade trip to Washington, DC; and relaxing in the Upper School lounge.”
– Eden Haverfield ’95
“Starting as an employee of one of my first companies and buying it four years later.”
– Justin Levine ’99
“Receiving a dual-degree from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master’s degree in economics from Tufts University. I have worked as a legislative director on Capitol Hill, as well as managed a variety of political campaigns. I recently served as a panelist at Yale's Women's Campaign School which was a rewarding experience.”
– Abby Dosoretz Pezzi ’05
“I am a highly decorated journalist. I’ve won nearly two dozen awards, including an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow, two of the most prestigious honors in journalism. My work has been featured on network television, including CNN, ABC, CBS and The Weather Channel. I also had the opportunity to interview President Obama one-on-one during his re-election campaign in 2012.”
– Chloe Morroni-Spiewak ’94
“My greatest accomplishments include driving a nuclear submarine, flying in a T-34 trainer jet, driving a variety of warships and meeting a number of distinguished active duty and retired, high-ranking military officials.”
– Samantha Robbins ’12 24
What advice would you give to current students about maintaining Canterbury’s mission? “Keep pushing yourself to do more in whatever endeavors you choose to pursue. When you're offered a challenge that's daunting or outside your comfort zone, commit to it, and do everything you can to knock it out of the park…Always make time for the relationships with people in your life. Keep planning for and working toward the future, but make sure you're also truly experiencing the present as it unfolds.”
– Elisabeth Hon Hunt ’99
“Don’t worry too much about which school you get into. Just plan to do the best you can with the resources made available to you. Work hard and make the most of the coursework and extracurriculars. Focus on the ones that challenge you and make you happy.”
– Eric Zwick ’03
“Get out and volunteer! Service is a wonderful way to give back to the community. Also, international travel is a great way to bring perspective to your life and to expand your horizons.”
– Emily Spear Ramsay ’05
“Canterbury is a breeding ground for success. Take advantage of the superior educators, athletic programs and extracurricular activities.”
– Chloe Morroni-Spiewak ’94
“Find what you’re passionate about and work it into your daily life. When you are surrounded by the things you love and doing the things that you are interested in, everything else just falls into place and you are the best version of yourself as a result.”
– Bahar Shah ’09
“The best advice that students should take away from their time at Canterbury is to be themselves. Don’t be afraid to try new challenges, to fail, to laugh, to cry, or to have fun…Open yourself up to new experiences and challenges. Follow the crowd or not. Don’t be afraid to branch out on your own. Be curious.”
– Russell Lewis ’89
“There were many things in life, both personal and academic, that I never thought were possible. But if you put your mind to it and work hard, I really believe you can make anything you want a reality.”
“It’s important to study hard and get good grades. It’s also important to remember to be kind to others and help those who are less fortunate. Service is an important part of the Canterbury mission.”
“Focus on teamwork within your student body and be grateful for everyone's diverse skill sets. Learn how your instructors think and adapt to their teaching style to get the most out of your classes. Serve and protect your school… Reward your instructors for a job well-done and speak up if you think there is something that needs improvement. Be specific about what you like, don't like and expect, and always keep a positive outlook when giving feedback.”
“Service to others is essential in our ever-changing world. Think of others and not self.”
– Elissa Rosen ’01
– David H. Savage Jr. ’88
“Learn to value differences of opinion and cultures as early in life as possible. Learn something new about a different culture…Knowing what motivates people goes a long way in avoiding conflict and resolving issues in a constructive way. The earlier you can understand your own personality tendencies and recognize how diverse the views of the people around you can be, the easier time you’ll have working with people.”
– Scott Staerker ’81
– Amy Fox ’96
– Mason Goss ’86
“It’s not only about academic excellence; character and leadership are just as important. Never forget that.”
– Justin Levine ’99
“Develop a wide variety of life skills. Take classes you enjoy, as well as a few that push you out of your comfort zone. Talk to as many people and teachers as you can; Canterbury has a diverse student body from which you can glean so many life lessons and perspectives.”
– Samantha Robbins ’12
“Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you…Enjoy being in a small school where everyone has the chance to shine and your teachers are dedicated to your success!”
– Barbara Vickers ’96
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’03 ’96
Class of 1996 On August 31, 2014, Aaron Davis ’96 married Madison Rose. The wedding occurred in Santa Barbara, CA, and they are currently living in San Diego, CA.
Class of 2003 Michael Ehrhart ’03 and his wife, Jessica, moved to Tampa in 2013 to follow his career working in the geospatial engineering field. He recently started an engineering office in Tampa for the New Jersey-based firm, Maser Consulting P.A. Also, in late May 2014, Michael and Jessica welcomed their first child, Anderson Robert Ehrhart.
A baby has arrived! Kelsey Johnson ’96 gave birth to a baby girl in February 2015. Congratulations, Kelsey!
’97
Class of 1997 Alanna Gluhm Gehring ’97 and her husband, David, welcomed a baby boy, Gavin, on August 29. Big brother, Ethan, is getting used to having Gavin at home.
’05
Class of 2005 Zachary C. Williamson ’05 graduated from Florida State University School of Medicine with a M.D. in May 2014. In June 2014, he married Brett W. Cohen and moved to Philadelphia to begin an internship in internal medicine. This summer, he plans to move to Boston for an ophthalmology residency at Tufts/New England Medical Center.
’06
Class of 2006 Congratulations! Brittany Petrescu Sizemore ’06 married Corporal Christopher Sizemore on March 15, 2014.
’02
Class of 2002 After leaving her position as the quality control manager for an aluminum extrusion plant, Morgan (Macdermott) Boyd ’02, is incredibly grateful she’s able to stay home with her kids, Fiona (4) and Hugo (2 ½), right now. The family resides in Tarpon Springs, FL close to two adoring grandmothers!
26
Sam Rosenberg ’02 is a captain in the United States Army and a Downing Scholar at Georgetown’s Security Studies Program where he is a M.A. candidate. He and his wife, Marina, currently reside in Washington, DC.
Alumni News
’07
Class of 2007 A summer wedding awaits Sarah Hoffman ’07 and fiancé Josh Anderson ’04 as they plan to marry in June 2015.
Joanna Guglielmo Jobe ’07 was married on June 22, 2013, to Steven Jobe at Saint Andrew's Catholic Church in Cape Coral, FL. One of her bridesmaids was Kendahl Voelker ’07, also from the same graduating class. Joanna is a third grade teacher in the Lee County School District in Cape Coral, and her husband is a Cape Coral firefighter and EMT. They recently bought a house and are ready to start a family in the future. Right now, they are enjoying their little dog, Bernardo.
’08
Class of 2008 Caroline Zapiec ’08 is the newest attorney to join the team at Martin Law Firm. She received her juris doctorate degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and her focus is personal injury litigation.
’09
Class of 2009 Sean Alexander ’09 graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2013. He is a fire direction officer for Alpha Battery, First Batallion 10th Marine Regiment. Recently, his battery supported Operation Rolling Thunder, firing more than 1,000 artillery shells and 5,000 small arms munitions. He is currently stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC.
Cougar Athletic Club Cougar Classic
Fore! Get your golf clubs ready for the 4th Annual Canterbury Athletic Club Cougar Classic. Sunday, May 17, 2015 7:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast Crown Colony Golf & Country Club For more information, contact Frank Turco at fturco@canterburyfortmyers.org
It’s been an exciting year for Alexander Kovensky ’09! Graduating from The Basic School in January 2014, he moved to Pensacola to check into the Marine Air Training Support Group before beginning Introductory Flight Screenings. Moving to Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, he relocated to Primary Flight Training at the Naval Aircraft Station at Whiting in Milton, FL where he finished ground school. Since Primary lasts six months, he is currently focused on learning to fly the T-6.
’11
Class of 2011 Alexis Macdermott ’11 is in her last semester as a senior at Duke University and is the campus representative for Coke Zero during Coke’s national March Madness campaign! While majoring in psychology and economics, Alexis is teaching a House Course on the ethics of missionary work: How We Do Mission, and will take the class to Costa Rica for Spring Break ’15. Having been selected as a duchess in the Court of Edisonia, Alexis will return to Fort Myers during this season’s Edison Pageant of Light.
’12
Class of 2012 Megan Dunn ’12 made the Dean's List last semester at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University.
’13
Class of 2013 Lindsay Cleary ’13 spent the fall semester at the University of Limerick in Ireland. She is studying to be a psychiatrist. The second semester, she will be back at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. She is enjoying her college experience.
Do you have news to share? Email your class notes to
alumni@canterburyfortmyers.org
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