IS FORTY! Forty Years of Education with Character CARROLLWOOD DAY SCHOOL FALL2022EDITION
04 C O N T E N T S C O N T E N T S 06 10 12 14 16 17 18 20 22 A Note from the Head of School 40th Anniversary Kick Off Featured Patriot Family 28th Annual Red Carpet Gala Patriot Run Athletics The Arts at CDS College Counseling Calling All CDS Alumni Get Involved 21 Alumni Interview with Harris Sinsley ('12)
AYearto Reflect
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CDSHeadofSchool Sara Rubinstein I remember my dad turning forty, laughing in the family room when his friends brought him the obligatory bouquet of “Over the Hill” black balloons To a seven year old, it was an unfathomable age, some distant waypoint of adulthood I couldn’t appreciate In what now seems like no time at all, I was in front of a fortieth birthday cake, at a surprise party of my husband’s making. I didn’t feel over the hill and I didn’t feel panicked. I remember feeling excited and centered in a way that my 20 year old self never could have been, proud of the life and family Adam and I had built and exhilarated by new professional opportunities. I know pop culture tells us aging is something to be fought and feared, but that has never made sense to me. Fighting against the passage of time is not logical nor necessary. When I reflect on the now almost five decades of my life, despite natural ups and downs, each one has gotten better, brought new joys and challenges, more nuanced understandings of people and situations and a richer sense of purpose As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of CDS this year, we have the opportunity to reflect on the evolution of this school we all love, from its early childhood beginnings to its prolific growth into one of the largest and most competitive schools in the region. We have many reasons for joy as we celebrate all we have accomplished. And just in time for our 40th, the Board of Trustees in collaboration with faculty, staff, administration, and families, has composed a slate of new challenges in our strategic plan This plan is designed to chart our course over the next five years as we solidify our place as the destination school in Tampa Bay for families and faculty who want an authentic, entrepreneurial, independent education that prepares students for the interconnected world of today. Details of the plan will be released later this fall, but I am excited to share our revised Vission and Vision, as well as our newly crafted Value statements. Each word resonates with meaning for our program our insistence on our community of character first, our teachers’ commitment to not just preparing students but inspiring them, and our shared optimism and sense of responsibility for finding our way to leave this world a better place than we found it. Our mission tells you more about how we will achieve that vision. As an IB world school, we cultivate principled entrepreneurial thinkers for a global society by enriching the mind, strengthening the character, and inspiring the passions of our community.
Entrepreneurial Mindset We believe that there is more than one solution to every problem and that every solution is based in creativity, innovation, knowledge, and agency. Our community encourages growth, risk, reflection, and seeing possibilities out of every challenge.
Moral Courage As a school of character, we believe that problems and challenges should be met with integrity, honesty, accountability, confidence, and advocacy for self and others. At CDS, we believe in taking ownership of our decisions and growing from our mistakes as much as our successes.
OUR VALUES
Building Community Together We believe that we are better, stronger, and more resilient when we work and grow together. Our community is built on compassion, respect, engagement, and authenticity. Intercultural Respect and Understanding We believe that every member of the CDS community is a global citizen encouraged to see the world through multiple lenses to build mutual respect, empathy, and understanding. Only by embracing and working with, not despite, our differences can we change the world.
Build a community prepared and inspired to better the world.
Pursuit of Excellence
Character, creativity, connectedness are the cornerstones of CDS you have come to know and appreciate for the true preparation they provide to our students for future success and a life well lived. I encourage you to spend some time with our values. When we talk about that unique feeling you get on our campus, that sense that as a member of Patriot Nation, you are a part of something special, much of it stems from our shared expression of these values. As we launch this anniversary year, I look forward to seeing our community continue to live out that mission and those values. As I walk through campus, in every class, at every game, at every event, every day, I am inspired by how diligently our teachers and students work to make sure they are truly prepared and inspired to better the world With their collective talent, drive, and ability, I have no doubt that they are the generation to do it, and that is something to celebrate. Happy 40th, Patriot Nation. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the months and years to come.
As an IB World School, we cultivate principled entrepreneurial thinkers for a global society by enriching the mind, strengthening the character, and inspiring the passions of our community.
MISSION VISION
We believe in being ambitious and striving for success with purpose and character. We bring our best selves to our community, in academics, athletics, technology, and the arts. We resolve to make the most of every opportunity.
1992
The Story of CARROLLWOOD DAY SCHOOL
1982 1984 1986 With Mary Kanter as Head of School and a curriculum built on a passion for instilling values, a love of learning, and an understanding of our place in the world, pursuing the International Baccalaureate certification seemed a foregone conclusion. With a strong emphasis on education with character, CDS quickly gained national and international recognition as a 2003 and 2017 National School of Character, 2004 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, and in 2005, became an IB World School CDS was the first school on the west coast of Florida authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme and is currently the only school on the west coast of Florida to offer the continuum of Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Program (DP.)
The year was 1982 and Carrollwood was bursting at the seams with young families Having recently relocated to Tampa, Kathy Gentner, a passionate early childhood educator opened a small storefront preschool in a strip center on Gunn Highway. From the very beginning, Carrollwood Day School was guided by an unwavering commitment to innovation and doing what was best for children. It didn’t take long for many to see what a special place CDS was and the growth of the program took off In 1984 the Kindergarten program was added to the curriculum and the little schoolhouse on Casey Road (that still serves as our Early Childhood Campus) was built. Two years later, in response to strong parent requests, CDS opened a full elementary school on the rustic grounds of Hiawatha Day Camp in Odessa. Surrounded by nature, students, faculty, and staff alike thrived and the feeling of being at the beginning of something special was palpable. By 1992, the Odessa campus expanded to add middle school classes, mainly because the students who had been Patriots since preschool, were growing up and didn’t want to leave.
It was 2005 and time for something big.
The Patriot Nation, in just twenty years, had created a community like no other in the middle of Carrollwood. One intent on building a faculty, staff, and students prepared and inspired to better the world One would think at this point, CDS would take a break and coast for a little while, but that’s the thing about Carrollwood Day School and its faculty and staff, we always listen to our community of parents and students. With an ever changing world and students who were showing us that there was no limit to what they could do, there was more to be done to make CDS a destination school in Tampa Bay.
2005 Part of the vision for CDS was to expand all the way through high school. But that would not be possible on the Odessa campus. The Board of Trustees rose to the challenge and through their dedication and countless hours of hard work, together with the generosity of current and past parents, CDS was able to acquire our Bearss Avenue campus. CDS would now have a permanent home that would finally enable the addition of a high school division.
In hindsight, the six years between 2006 and 2012 seemed like unbelievable growth and change at CDS, but at the time it was what our faculty, staff, students, and parents were working on together CDS moved into the new campus on Bearss Avenue, welcomed the very first 9th and 10th grade classes, became an IB school for the middle and upper school students, graduated its first class, then celebrated its first IB graduates, renovated the existing building to house the middle and upper school students, and added a brand new elementary school.
2013 2016 2018 2013 had us saying a heartfelt goodbye to our Head of School, Mary Kanter after 15 years of dedicated leadership Ryan Kelly, who had joined CDS as principal of the high school division in 2008 was named the new Head of School. With the influx of talented student athletes CDS knew the next big push was to give them somewhere safe to play. The current football/soccer field affectionately called the potato patch, that had given us our first female football kicker and CDS Booster Club, was no longer suitable for the caliber of athletes coming to CDS Therefore with a dedicated group of supporters, in 2016, CDS opened its gates and doors to the Hayes Family Gymnasium and the Wagner Athletic Complex, where our Patriots still play today. As the future came knocking with new endeavors in innovative education and careers in entrepreneurship, CDS saw the opportunity to support the next generation of Patriots with an investment in excellence In 2018, armed with the dream of the Center for Innovation and a strong team of supporters, similar to those parents who years earlier supported the preschool, CDS started planning, fundraising, and building the largest project in our history. For the next three years, and under the new 2020 Head of School, Sara Rubinstein, CDS pushed through every challenge building over 40,000 square feet of new construction and renovating over 32,000 square feet could bring, as well as a pandemic, with the knowledge of what this project would mean for our students and families. And in September 2021, CDS welcomed the entire student body to the ribbon cutting of the brand new Center for Innovation.
This brings us to today. The CDS community is eagerly anticipating the first day of the 2022 2023 school year knowing we have not only survived the challenges of the past couple of years, but we have thrived We are 1 of only 3 secondary schools in Florida that is a member of the prestigious Cum Laude Society, the ultimate hallmark of academic excellence. We are starting our inaugural year in the international network Round Square where we will connect our faculty and students to schools around the world to promote intercultural understanding and respect. We have watched our graduates go on to amazing universities and then careers where they are changing the world one day at a time. Most importantly, we are celebrating forty years of living our mission and vision of building a community prepared and inspired to better the world Thank you to everyone from 1982 2022, who has shared in our story. We are so proud of how far we have come and can't wait for the next chapter.
2021 2022
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Family
An interview with Jill Bondurant
Bondurant BInterview ondurant Family Interview
What first drew you to CDS?
All of my mother’s friends sent their kids to CDS for preschool and elementary school. They said we had to send our children there. The ECC was an amazing place. But when we walked on the Bearss Avenue Campus and met the older students, who could look us in the eye, and hold an intelligent conversation with adults they had not met before, we knew we wanted our children to grow up to be just like them.
What year did your family start at CDS? Our family started here at CDS in 2006 Mary ('21) started in PreK 3 and was a lifer at CDS She currently attends Villanova University JD started when he was 3 years old and currently is a 12th grader
List your involvements at CDS over the years: Room Rep ECC and Elementary , Annual Giving Grade Level Rep Elementary, Marketing Committee Board Rep Rep coordinator at the ECC Substitute teacher ECC PTO VP & President Chair of Barnes & Noble Book Fair, Chair of Committee on Trustees for the Board Gala volunteer, Paint the Campus Pink volunteer, Lunch volunteer, Patriot Run volunteer, Playground volunteer ECC Board member, Executive Committee of Board, Strategic planning committee, Capital Campaign steering committee I have served in many roles at CDS over the years. I started from volunteering as a parent in the classroom, being involved as a substitute teacher, to leading our PTO and serving on the Board of Trustees
Once we moved to the Bearss Avenue Campus, CDS became the community where we were raising our children Everyone you saw on campus genuinely cared about our children, whether it was their teacher or any other person we came in contact with. Everyone wanted to be there for the students and families. It always felt warm and welcoming.
What have you liked best about being a part of the CDS Community?
How would you describe the growth at CDS throughout the years?
The most important part of CDS, the feeling of a family working together to prepare our children for life after high school, has not changed. Obviously, our numbers have tripled in the last 16 years, and our facilities have improved in ways that improve the student experience. But, the part that has and continues to motivate us to keep giving is the heart of amazing teachers who are dedicated to their students. I have a unique perspective now, working at school. I get to see all of the little things the teachers and administrators do every day with their students in mind Things that cannot be listed, that all add up to make this place the amazing school it is We wouldn’t do it any differently if we had to do it all again
Your family has supported the Annual Giving Program for 16 consecutive years as well as multiple capital campaigns, dating back to 2011 with the Blueprint for the Future Campaign which built the Elementary School on the Bearss Avenue Campus. Tell us why supporting CDS is important to your family.
We never even considered not participating We believed in the teachers and the vision and wanted to support them and be a part of it
It has always felt like a family From the very beginning, at the ECC, it felt like an extension of our family
Carrollwood Day School's Annual Red Carpet Gala28th 28th 28th
hank you to our Title Sponsor, Parks Lincoln ampa | Wesley Chapel, and the Mullane Family r supporting this event for the past fo heir kindness and leadership as sponso ppreciated. To all our Gala sponsors an ho attended, thank you for your gene Much gratitude to our wonderful CDS c as well as the faculty and staff, for the d teacher experiences, silent auction item our wine wall and the wonderful live au items. Special recognition to our Gala Chair, Angela Teague, for her time and dedication, as her vision made this year’s event unique and remarkably successful ate this, our Give from the Heart initiative was r the elementary playground project.
The efforts of the Gala Committee and PTO Leadership, as well as the Classroom Representatives who worked tirelessly gathering donations for the elaborate classroom baskets, are also to be commended
nce 1994, the annual gala has been a key fundraiser at Carrollwood Day School. 2022, the 28th Annual Red Carpet Gala was an enormous success raising over 284,000. The 007 themed event was held on Saturday, March 5th at the Glazer Family CC and featured the live auction, casino play, 360 photo booth, open bar and food ations. Everyone enjoyed a fun filled evening while supporting Carrollwood Day chool students.
Mark your calendar as we h 40 years of Education with Character at CDS ith thi ’ G l lebration in 2023!
GOLD SPONSOR360 PHOTO BOOTH Todd R. Wagner Foundation The Wagner Family FOR YOUR EYES ONLY SPONSOR Periodontal Health Center RITE Technology VESPER SPONSOR The Elliott Family Lincoln Lending Group The Coto Family ONICX Group Dhvanit and Saloni Patel Sam's Beach Bar The De La Osa Family Tint World Michelle and Todd Simms CASINO ROYALE Hepner Architects, Inc Len and Zeina Babbitt Hales Blackbrick Restaurant TOMORROW NEVER DIES DJ The Wood Family SILVER SKYFALL SPONSOR iConstructors FLIK MarshMcLennen Agency PRESENTING SPONSOR Parks Lincoln of Tampa Wesley Chapel GOLDFINGER SPONSOR The Caplan Family QUANTUM OF SOLACE WINE WALL SEM Suncoast Equity Management Beth Dopking Neal Coldwell Banker Realty Stacy O'Brien DR.NO SPONSOR Puleo's Concrete and Carja Construction, Inc. The Dosher Family Bay Area Endocrinology Florida Kidney Physicians Keystone Dental Excellence Valley Bank The Brynjolfsson Family The Torres Family YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE DESSERT The Bondurant Family The Cáceres Family The Chavez Family FACTS Management The Fisher Family Bernardo Gonzalez and Mariely Reynoso Lissette Gonzalez and David Lopez The Teague Family Jennifer Wiggins, REALTOR®, Smith & Associates Real Estate The Cullen Family NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN The Babb Family The Baz Family The Bergin Family Quorum Services Inc The Chavarriaga Family The Clarke Family Carrie Cohen Coaching Tower Radiology The Cooperman Family Mark and Dawn Wilson The de Moya Family The DeBosier Family United Vein Center with Dr. Gamal Wazni Founder and CEO Qvita The Dilkhush Family The Echeverry Family The Esguerra Family The Flury Family The Galbraith Family The Gonzalez Family The Grimsich Family The Harff Family The Hasselbach Family Hessling The Heugel Family Eileen and David Hinton The Hunt Family The Kasenetz Family The Lee Family Office Dynamics Poprawski Lin Family Dorm Hotel The Liu Family Chuck Maddox The Massey Family Gillie and Deena McCreath Liz and David Miller Lori Ann and Neil Miller Trane The Namagiri Family The Nelson Family The Neuner Family Burning Down Candle Dr and Mrs Ajay Patel The Parita Patel Family Ketan and Simul Patel The Patterson Family The Penake Family The Mercado Pereira Family Club Pilates The Riedel Family Michelle and Michael Robinson Maxi Brito and Jose Rodriguez The Royer Family Sara Rubinstein and Adam Rifenberick The Ruffkess Family The Schnabel Kuehn Anandan Family The Schweitzer and Frankel Families Elegant Living Dr Shalin and Mrs Neha Shah The Shepherd Family The Siemiet Family Rose and Brad Snyder The Stokes Family The Thorn Family Business Lo The Walsh Family Fielders Choice logo MTM Squared The Wilcher Smith Family The Wilson Family Rebecca Wilson and Nelson Miranda The Zager Family The Mcrory Family The Song Family IN KIND SPONSOR The Burning Candle Company Noble Crust Signature Drink Bryan Glazer Family JCC March 5 19 26 12 27 6 20 13 4 18 11 25 8 1 22 29 15 9 2 23 30 31 16 10 3 24 17 7 21 14 28 S M T W T F S Save the Date Sponsors Saturday, March 4, 2023
The 2021 Patriot Color Run was a huge success thanks to our amazing community and sponsors. Patriot Run EVENT SPONSOR The Caplan Family Sponsors GOLD SPONSOR Babbitt Family Jet Hq Morales Family Griffin McVety Leinen Family Under the Lights Flag Football IN KIND SPONSOR Glory Days Carrollwood Hawkins Photography Compass Group - FLIK Dining SILVER SPONSOR Bondurant Family Cáceres Family de Moya Family Mandelbaum Trichler Law Center Trichler Family Remington Family Stevenson Family Tint World Automotive Styling Centers Simms Family Wesley Chapel Laser & Aesthetics Manish Shah Family Forno Nardona Wood Fired Pizza Ovens Thuemler Family Rodriguez Brito Family 14 | FALL 2022 TALON $18,930 raised 367 registered runners
Save the Date Join us for a CDS tradition and a morning of fun! We are so excited to bring the CD community together for our annu Patriot Run on Saturday, October In addition to the exciting races, a activities include a DJ, activities, a We can't wait to welcome everyo to campus this Fall to continue on Patriot Tradition!
ATHLETICS 16 | FALL 2022 TALON
In recent years, we have added Girls’ Flag Football, Girls’ Beach Volleyball, and Boys’ Lacrosse to our athletic program Since 2015, the CDS Patriots have captured 2 Team State Championships (Girls Volleyball & Girls Basketball), 8 Individual State Championships (Wrestling and Girls Track), 3 State Championship Runner Ups, 10 Regional Championships, 42 District Championships, and coveted awards for sportsmanship and academic performance
Starting from humble beginnings back in 2006, Carrollwood Day School’s athletic program has experienced a rapid ascension to success. In just 16 years of high school athletics, CDS now hosts 55 teams at the Middle and Upper School levels and a developmental athletics program in the Lower School.
On a parallel path with the championship success has been the addition of state of the art athletic facilities In 2016, Carrollwood Day opened the Wagner Athletic Complex featuring a brand new multipurpose stadium, which is home to our football, baseball, flag football, lacrosse and soccer teams Also opening that year was our Hayes Family Gymnasium, which is home to our volleyball and boys and girls basketball teams. Our success on the field and with our facilities has also helped pave the way for CDS student athletes to take their talents to the next level in college. In just the past three years alone, we have 24 scholar athletes competing in college, with more in process. There’s no doubt that the hard work and effort by countless student athletes, coaches, administrators and parents have helped propel CDS Athletics to these tremendous heights.
MUSIC MUSIC
In the upper school, we congratulated graduating senior, student artists, Angelina B. for her 1st place finish in Water Media for her piece, The Kintsugi Cracks in the Annual 14th Congressional District and Next Generation High School Art Competition at the Tampa Museum of Art Congratulations also go out to CDS long time upper school and photography teacher, Seth Firestone, who was the only instructor to receive recognition for Water Media Art Teacher
flourishing with culture and history
40 years of laughing, smiling, and applause
TTHEATRE HEATRE
evoking the creative side Music and CDS have always gone hand in ahnd. As a strong part of the IB curriculum starting in the primary years, CDS music teachers have used the music program to teach who we are, where we are in place and time, how the world works, and understanding of culture and history.
For the past forty years, CDS has brought musicals to the stage even before we had a theatre! From Beauty and the Beast to the Wizard of Oz, CDS Patriot performers have graced the stage and left an indelible mark on our hearts With the addition of Theatre Director Colleen McEvoy and her love of all things Broadway, you never knew if there would be explosions, lasers, or even a performer walking on the ceiling
Our elementary actors had the audience laughing and smiling through the entire production For the first time ever, the middle school had its own musical production, independent from the upper school Our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders did a fabulous job in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and even had Snoopy singing and dancing for his supper With Lucy giving advice, Sally arguing with the teacher for a grade, and Linus loving his blankie, the CDS middle schoolers showed they could hold their own on the stage Upper school wowed us with two unbelievable productions The Diploma Programme thespians showcased their acting skills in Miracle Worker, the Helen Keller story, and after a two year wait, the entire upper school put on the unforgettable, Matilda We can’t wait to see what theatre direction, Colleen McEvoy, has up her sleeve for the 2022 2023 season
VISUAL VART ISUAL ARTS
The 2021 2022 school year at CDS was no exception. After a quiet year and a half during COVID, our thespians took to the stage with musicals at every divisional level that showed off their dancing and singing talents. The elementary school students brought the beloved story of Junie B Jones to life Actors from grades 2 5 showcased this comical story about a sassy little elementary school student and her classmates as she sings and dances her way through the first grade
From the ECC through our 12th graders, CDS’ visual arts program has always held a special place in our hearts From the handprints of our littlest Patriots to the thought provoking art of our Diploma Programme artists, art has been a fixture at CDS since the beginning In the Spring of 2022, was the pavilion set up with art from our littlest Patriots for their very own art show and the elementary courtyard and multipurpose room became a showcase of pottery and paintings during the Elementary Spring Fling. CDS was thrilled to announce that one of our middle school artists created award winning artwork for the Hillsborough County “Drop Savers” poster contest and as a result, CDS was awarded reusable water bottles with his artwork on it for his art class.
The CDS music program finished the 2022 2023 school year strong with grade level performances in the elementary school during Spring Fling, a middle school and upper school concert, and an evening of DP entertainment Our music teachers in each division did a fabulous job of incorporating various cultural music backgrounds in every performance and in the classroom. Our Diploma Programme musicians stretched themselves outside of their musical comfort zones to produce creative and impressive pieces offering growth for their meaningful future We are proud to share that one of our Upper School student musicians, TC Le, was invited to Grammy Camp over the summer to learn electronic music from the best in the music industry
From a scholarship perspective, we are incredibly proud to say that 98% of the senior class qualified for either a merit based or athletic based scholarship, which is another school record
of the class of 2022 was admitted to a four year college or university ofexcellenceincollegecounseling 40 years STATS 100% 98% of the senior class received at least one, unsolicited academic/ merit based scholarship $151,596 was the average 4 year merit award per student offered in the class of 2022 of the students in the class of 2022 who received either the Academic Scholars or Medallion Scholars award through the Florida Bright Futures scholarship program was the average SAT score, and 26.25 was the average ACT score for the class of 2022 6 4 9 80% students are participating in NCAA Division 1, 2, or 3 athletics (basketball, football, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling) students were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists, a new school record students were selected as National Merit Scholarship Commended, National Hispanic Scholar, or National African American Scholar of the class of 2022 will be attending an out of state college or university, representing 19 states plus the District of Columbia 1325 of seniors were admitted to at least one Phi Beta Kappa institution, comprising the top 290 schools in the United States 98% 44%
College Counseling CDS' 1st Graduating Class In 2009
All students in the senior class were admitted to at least one 4 year institution, and 98% of all seniors were admitted to at least one Phi Beta Kappa institution, representing the top 290 schools in the country Members of the class of 2022 were accepted to 57 institutions in the top 100 National Universities list as ranked by U S News and World Report 44% of our seniors will be attending an institution outside the state of Florida with 19 states plus the District of Columbia represented. For the first time in school history, we have an attending student in all the regions of the United States (West, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast).
The class of 2022 was incredibly successful in the college admission process, and achieved some of our greatest outcomes in our school’s history The senior class submitted 862 applications this fall
In total, the class of 2022 received over $13 6 million in unsolicited scholarships plus an additional nearly $500,000 in FL Bright Futures scholarship 80% of the class qualified for either the FL Academic Scholars level or the FL Medallion Scholars level of Bright Futures Since 2018, the counseling department has adopted a five year developmental program to provide support in the college admission process. Our staff begins meeting with students individually in eighth grade, while gradually releasing valuable college admission related information in each grade level of high school in an effort to provide clarity to a potentially complex procedure Between the grades of eight and ten, college counseling will highlight the college counseling portion of the process, providing an introduction to the college admission process while focusing on items ranging from the value of course selection to constructing each student’s academic and social resumes In grades eleven and twelve, the messaging shifts to college admission related topics inclusive of college choice while compiling the most comprehensive and detailed applications possible for each student. This model allows our staff to develop a relationship with each student and their family, aligning their aspirations with their best competitive fit institution. In September 2021, college counseling moved into the Dr. Shalin and Neha Patel College Counseling Center, a state of the art facility which houses our college counseling offices, conference room, and lobby space to best serve our students and families.
From a standardized testing perspective, the class of 2022 performed admirably, with an average SAT score of 1325, which is a new school record, and a 26 25 average ACT score, the second highest in school history Our seniors were also recognized by the National Merit Scholarship corporation, to an extent that is unsurpassed by previous classes Two students qualified as National Hispanic Scholars, and another senior was named as a National African American Scholar. One senior in our class scored among the top 34,000 PSAT takers in the United States and earned National Merit Scholarship Commended status. Finally, a school record six students were chosen as National Merit Scholarship Finalists in the class of 2022, reflective of their status as one of the top 15,000 PSAT takers in the country.
The class of 2022 displayed passion and enthusiasm for the college admission process that is unmatched by previous classes. It was common to see students cheering for each other as a new slide appeared on our accepted student slideshow, and the genuine excitement that our seniors displayed for their peers as they made their college selections.
CLASS OF 2022 ACCEPTANCES U.S. News & World Report Top 100 National Universities Bold = Matriculating; # = number of admitted students; * = first admit was less than 3 years ago #1: Princeton University* #6: University of Chicago* #9: Northwestern University* #14: Brown University* (2) #14: Vanderbilt University* #14: Washington University St. Louis* #19: University of Notre Dame* #20: University of California Los Angeles #21: Emory University (3) #23: University of Michigan #25: University of Virginia (4) #27: University of Southern California (2) #28: New York University #28: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill* (2) #28: University of Florida (18) #28: Wake Forest University (5) #34: University of California San Diego (3) #34: University of Rochester (2) #36: Boston College #38: College of William and Mary* (3) #42: Tulane University #42: Boston University (5) #48: University of Georgia (7) #49: Lehigh University #49: Northeastern University (2) #49: The Ohio State University #49: Purdue University (4) #49: Villanova University CLASS OF 2022 ACCEPTANCES U.S. News & World Report Top 100 Regional Universities Top 10 Regional Universities (North) #4: Loyola University Maryland #10: Ithaca College #53: Florida State University (26) #55: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute #55: University of Miami (13) #59: Syracuse University #59: University of Maryland College Park (5) #59: University of Pittsburgh #59: University of Washington (2) #63: George Washington University (7) #63: Penn State University #63: Rutgers University #63: University of Connecticut #68: Fordham University (6) #68: Indiana University (2) #68: Southern Methodist University (6) #68: Texas A&M University #75: Baylor University (5) #75: Clemson University (10) #75: Loyola Marymount University #75: Virginia Institute of Technology (2) #79: American University (3) #79: North Carolina State University (5) #83: Texas Christian University (2) #93: University of Denver (3) #93: University of San Diego (2) #99: Auburn University (8) #99: University of Colorado Boulder (6) #103: Drexel University (7) #103: University of South Florida (44) #103: University of Tennessee (6) Top 10 Regional Universities (South) #1: Rollins College (7) #3: James Madison University #5: Stetson University (15) #8: Florida Southern College (3) #9: College of Charleston (2) #10: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (3) Top 10 Regional Universities (Midwest) #1: Butler University (5) #5: Xavier University Ohio (3) Top 10 Regional Universities (Midwest) #1: Trinity University Texas CLASS OF 2022 ACCEPTANCES U.S. News & World Report Top 100 Liberal Arts #9: Middlebury College* #11: United States Military Academy* #11: Washington and Lee University* #13: Davidson College* #13: Hamilton College* #17: Colgate University* #22: United States Air Force Academy #22: University of Richmond (2) #30: Bryn Mawr College* (3) #30: Kenyon College #38: Bucknell University #38: Lafayette College #42: Denison University #46: Furman University #50: Union College* #54: Gettysburg College #54: Rhodes College (3) #54: Spelman College #59: Centre College* #67: Wofford College #82: New College of Florida #85: Allegheny College* STATS of seniors applied to at least one school in the Northeast 76% 41% 34% 64% of seniors applied to at least one school in the West of seniors applied to at least one school in the South (outside of FL) of seniors applied to at least one school in the Midwest of seniors applied to at least one school in Florida 88% 127 11 12 9 1 2 10 1 12 13 16 1 18 6 2 15 8 16 1 21 2 13 10 8 1 1 3 Class 2022 OVERALL ACCEPTANCES BY STATEof
ALUMNI, MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Friday, August 26, 2022 40th Anniversary Kick-O Celebration Football Ta y, October 7th & Saturday, October 8th ecoming Weekend Home for the holidays? Come back to campus for the Win Social! Calling all soccer alumni! Get bac the field for our alumni soccer ga and join us for the Winter Social Interested in joining our Alumni Council? Contact Ashley Gerb Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement, for more information! agerb@carrollwooddayschool.org Join us for a Booster Tailgate to launch the new school year celebrating 40 years of education with character! Watch the CDS Varsity Football team battle the first game of the season against the Madison County Cowboys. Thursday, December 22, 2022 Alumni Winter Social and Soccer Games Friday, November 4th Sunday, November 6th Fall Musical Were you in the theater program as a student? Come back this fall for The Little Shop of Horrors Show! Saturday, March 4, 2023 CDS Annual Red Carpet Gala Get your paddles ready for a night of dancing, drinks and fun at the CDS Ruby Gala on March 4 as we celebrate 40 years of Education with Character! I am so excited to have joined the CDS Family and have the opportunity to work with such an incredible alumni base! I look forward to connecting with everyone! ASHLEY GERB 20 | FALL 2022 TALON
Is there a specific faculty member that you remember stands out? Why? What do you do for work? Where do you work? Where did you go to college? What did you earn a degree in? Post-graduate degrees?
My class had only 30-something students, and we were caught in the middle of CDS growing to become the well established and all encompassing education they offer today.
Growing up, and while at CDS, I interacted with so many intelligent and passionate people including students, teachers, and parents. I would like to think that my experience at CDS prompted me to strive for a job that required a high degree of intelligence and passion for continued learning I work at Culp Elliott & Carpenter, P L L C in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am a transactional attorney largely specializing in corporate and tax work. My work includes mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, and tax efficient strategies to minimize taxes, preserve wealth, and manage risk I like to tell people, we do everything in the corporate lifecycle from creation, through continued operations and the growing pains that come along with it, and hopefully to the point of sale What are you passionate about in your current role?
My job is incredibly rewarding I could not imagine doing more mentally stimulating and constantly changing work Not only do I get to be a crucial component of companies negotiating deals, but my job is constantly changing and evolving along with changing tax laws. My job is anything but routine and requires innovative solutions to complex problems. It can be incredibly rewarding to help family owned businesses achieve their goals, to provide counsel to clients facing uncertainty with tax related issues, or to facilitate a significant merger or acquisition. My job affords me the opportunity to work with successful and intelligent individuals that have found success in their business and personal endeavors, or are attempting to do so I am also faced with constant complex tax matters that require analytical and research skills above and beyond what most attorneys can offer This requires me to be constantly on top of evolving laws and issues, and create the opportunity for me to create new and innovative solutions
INTERVIEW WITH ALUMNUS,
Harris Sinsley '12
I love trying out new restaurants, breweries, or anywhere fun with my wife and friends Traveling the world has always been a hobby of mine and a significant component in my education after CDS I try to golf when I can, emphasis on try I enjoy being active and outside, working out or spending time in the mountains hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Lastly, as with many people my age, I still love video games at the end of the day or on the weekends. Any additional comments or information you would like to share?
I went to the University of Wisconsin Madison for undergrad with a dual major in Legal Studies and International Studies with a focus in Politics and Policy in the Global Economy I then attended the University of South Carolina School of Law and the Darla Moore School of Business as a dual J.D./ International MBA student, also graduating with a certificate in Data Analytics I studied and worked along with barristers at Gray's Inn in London for a brief period through a unique study a unique study abroad experience offered by my law school What do you like to do for fun?
Dr Cynthia Hallett has stood out as the most memorable teacher I had To this day, my brain automatically associates the word “onward” with “to knowledge”, an exclamation stated at the beginning of each class. I credit Dr. Hallett with many things, including introducing me to works of literature that I may not have fully appreciated at the time, and for helping me to develop my writing, but most of all for having unfaltering confidence in me As I stated above, I was not always the easiest student to deal with and was not the best at always giving my studies the attention they required I certainly did not make it easy on Dr Hallett, but throughout it all Dr Hallett saw something in me that I am not sure I fully recognize to this day I am not sure I would have applied myself to my continued studies, nor had the patience to read endless books, articles, statutes, and cases, and draft nuanced and intricate agreements, if not for Dr Hallett
I think my experience at CDS was very different than it is for most high schoolers, including the current students there My class had only 30 something students, and we were caught in the middle of CDS growing to become the well established and all encompassing education they offer today My first few years were spent in temporary buildings, we did not have any of the facilities that are there now I was part of many of the growing pains for the high school at CDS. My freshmen year was the first year we had a full 11 man team, my sophomore year I was on the first baseball team, we were one of the first (if not the first) senior class to have a full year in the big building, we were the fourth class to graduate from CDS, and one of the first fully IB classes to graduate I was not the best at sports, I sometimes found difficulty in being a star student which many of my teachers would agree with, and I had to work through trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life Through it all, CDS was a good place to try to figure all of that out It is incredible to go back and see how far the school has come. What was your experience like as a student at CDS? Can you name a specific memorable experience you’d like to share?
WHY VOLUNTEER?
Erma Bombeck
The PTO functions in three different aspects: events and services related to parent/family support, activities related to teacher/classroom support, and programs and events supporting the school overall Within these PTO functions, there are many opportunities to participate
Parent volunteers are critical to the success of Carrollwood Day School and its students. Since our founding in 1982, our school has been able to thrive and excel due to the generosity of parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff, foundations, and grants. As with all independent schools, CDS relies on a combination of tuition revenue and private support to meet annual operating expenses, as well as long-term strategic needs
“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another.”
Get Involved 32 | FALL 2022 TALON
Fr pa st C Pe fo th
The Patriot Booster Club is an organization of parents, alumni and friends who are building a quality athletic and physical education program at CDS. In cooperation with the Athletic Director, the Boosters provide support for all athletics, including sponsored events, intramurals, middle school sports teams, and JV and varsity sports teams.
813.920.2288 813.963.2388 #CHC110458 1515 W. Bearss Avenue Tampa, FL 33613 12606 Casey Road Tampa, FL 33618 BEARSSAVENUECAMPUS EARLYCHILDHOODCAMPUS follow us #WEARECDS The Talon is published by the CDS Marketing Department EMAIL: nragan@CDSPatriots org MAIL: 1515 W. Bearss Avenue Tampa, FL 33613 PHONE: 813 920 2288 TALON SUBMISSIONS We want to hear from YOU! Photos or stories sent to the editor should be sent with the writer's name, graduation year and email Submissions may be edited for length and clarity Email to nragan@CDSPatriots.org
