LATIN
MAGAZINE
Spring 2018
Charlotte Latin School
the
Arts issue
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Charlotte Latin School • Spring 2018
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Jean E. Davis, Chair Thad M. Sharrett ’89, Vice Chair Joycelyn C. Lavelle, Secretary John G. Norman, Treasurer William C. Adams Joanne O’Brien Beam Robert G. Calton III Lynn G. Crutchfield Adaora A. Eruchalu Heather S. Finke Debbie S. Frail ’88 Mike D. Freno Jonathan S. Halkyard Courtney P. Hyder Kelly L. Katterhagen Joy M. Kenefick Eric J. Lloyd A. Coy Monk, IV Denny Smith O’Leary ’90 Robert A. Schleusner, III Walker C. Simmons Robert Mitchell Wickham ’87
Arch N. McIntosh, Jr. Headmaster
EX-OFFICIO
Beth Lucas Director of Human Resources
Arch N. McIntosh, Jr., Headmaster Fletcher H. Gregory III, Associate Headmaster & Director of Finance Catherine Armstrong, Parents’ Council President Eric Madera ’01, Alumni Governing Board President
MAGAZINE
LATIN
2017–2018 SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Rod Chamberlain Associate Headmaster for Academic Affairs Fletcher Gregory Associate Headmaster and Director of Finance Mark Tayloe Head of Lower School
EDITOR Courtney Oates Director of News and Publications ASSOCIATE EDITOR Susan Carpenter Director of Marketing and Communications
Todd Ballaban Head of Middle School Lawrence Wall Head of Upper School
DESIGNER Tori Belle-Miller Graphic Designer
Fredrik Akerblom Director of Development Susan Carpenter Director of Marketing and Communications David Gatoux Director of Athletics
CONTRIBUTORS Kim Cobb P ’17 P ’20 Latin Parent Jocquin Fuller MS/US Band Teacher and Director
Mary Yorke Oates ’83 Director of Admissions Sonja L. Taylor Director of Diversity and Inclusion
José Posada ’18 and Lilly Omirly ’18 Latin Students Sally Gray Smith ’82 Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations
ALUMNI GOVERNING BOARD OFFICERS
Eric Madera ’01, President Charles Thies ’90, Past President
PARENTS’ COUNCIL OFFICERS
Catherine Armstrong, President Katharine Cowan, First Vice President Tiffany Orndorff, Second Vice President Alexa Cutter, Treasurer Sandy Erwin, Assistant Treasurer Lisa Hill, Secretary
BOOSTER CLUB BOARD
Mary Martha Beecy, President Jennifer McCabe, Vice President Amy Nielsen, Treasurer Noelle Vandiver, Secretary
LATIN ARTS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Patty Lambert, President Jan Johnson, First Vice President Marsha Song, Second Vice President Gigi Egge, Secretary Shannon Acks, Treasurer Nancy Stenersen, Membership Dawn Whitmore, Publicity Vivi Bechtler-Smith, Friends of Creative Writing Kelly Mattei, Friends of Music Dorie de Armas, Friends of Theater Melissa Witzel, Friends of Theater Jaime Nashbar Callicutt, Friends of Visual Arts
At-large Representatives Kim Cobb Rina Fitzgerald Mary Shumway Katrina Burton Jennifer Youse
Leslie Wickham Lisa Hill Renee Hobart Aileen Boltz
Published Spring 2018 by Charlotte Latin School for students, alumni, parents, grandparents, employees and friends of the School. Please send address corrections to: Development Office Charlotte Latin School 9502 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28277 Or by email to vrucker@charlottelatin.org Send Class Notes information to: Sally Gray Smith ’82 at 704.846.7253 ssmith@charlottelatin.org Feature Story Photography by Rusty Williams and St. John Photography Cover art by Agatha Stamatakos ’23
What′s 4 12 16
VISUAL ARTS
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KNIGHT-DICKSON LIBRARY DEDICATION
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CELEBRATE LATIN
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Inside
MUSIC THEATER SPOTLIGHT
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RETIREES ALUMNI IN THE ARTS ALUMNI NEWS
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CLASS NOTES
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DONT MISS THE CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE INSERT INSIDE!
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FHEADMASTER rom the
Dear Charlotte Latin community, I am the luckiest art patron that I know. Take a walk with me and I’ll show you what I mean. Entering my office each morning I see an impressive, ever-changing exhibition of student works gracing the walls and display cases in Fennebresque Hall’s reception area. From my conference room I see outdoor sculptures, currently surrounded by flowering bushes and trees. Walk anywhere on campus and you will see literally hundreds of pieces of student art – from our youngest artists to our seniors. A short walk from my office takes me into the divisions or to the Horne Performing Arts Center, where I can watch our talented thespians and technical theater students get ready for a performance. Walking through Middle School during club time, I can see students dancing in one of two different club offerings, “Dance and Shout” or “Just Dance,” and orchestra students playing in “Strings for Fun.” In Upper School or when we have Concert in the Quad, I can hear arguably professional-level musicians perform. Scroll through the pages of our website and you can read our acclaimed student-produced literary magazine, where I savor the
expressive poetry and prose of our writers. Each year our list of Scholastic Writing Awards is impressive, a testament to our commitment to the art of writing. Who needs Broadway, when we have such impressive performances right here on campus? I never cease to be impressed by our theatrical plays and musical productions, including the holiday concert series, Grandparents’ Day and the culminating event of the theater year - the One Acts. Much goes into these productions, and the work that goes on behind the scenes to “make the magic happen,” does not go unnoticed. There are costumers, set builders and designers, lighting experts, soundboard technicians and choreographers. There are framers and kiln firers, and 3D printers and cutters. Teachers, directors, conductors, editors. There are concerts, shows, receptions and many volunteers. Along our idyllic route, you’ll notice the statuary and sculpture which uniquely dots our campus. Did you know that the Torsionsphere outside my office was commissioned especially for our campus by Ike Belk, husband of founding board member, Carol Belk, and created by Italian sculptor Claudio Capotondi? Our other pieces include The Crater in the quad, the Lucky 8 outside the Science, Art and Technology building, the bronze hawk at the SAC, and the track athletes – the javelin thrower, hurdler, and 1st place finish – whose patinas reveal their permanence on campus. And of course, there are Laura’s and Anna’s Gardens and more. Clearly at Latin, art and education are fully intertwined.
MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to encourage individual development and civility in our students by inspiring them to learn, by encouraging them to serve others, and by offering them many growth-promoting opportunities.
I watch as our Admissions team and ambassadors tour prospective families. In addition to the verdant campus and impressive facilities, they – as if docents of a fine gallery – regularly tout this visible differentiator – our vibrant art program, which is bolstered by the steadfast support of the Latin Arts Association. My children each participated in the arts here in their own unique ways. And though I do not consider myself an artist, daily I pay supreme attention to the art of letter writing, of penmanship and the written word. I know these things, too, set Latin apart. Our School cultivates artists beginning the day of a kindergarten student’s first visit. Be it visual, performing or written, art is everywhere on campus, and every student is given endless opportunities to find his or her talents and allow them to flourish. Thank you for taking this imaginary walk with me around campus. Enjoy this glimpse into the Arts program at Charlotte Latin School. I know you will see something exquisite on every page.
Arch N. McIntosh, Jr.
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"My father always taught us that those who were fortunate enough to possess or earn wealth had a special responsibility to both use it wisely and to share it with those less fortunate. My advice is to throw the roses where you can smell them. Don't wait until you're dead and gone. Do it now."
– Irwin Belk (1922 - 2018) Charlotte Latin School is an independent, non-sectarian, coeducational, college-preparatory day school for students in transitional kindergarten through twelfth grade. Charlotte Latin School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or national origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid policies, employment practices, or other school-administered programs.
VISUAL ARTS
art is
e r e h w Every
“ TODAY WAS A GREAT DAY; I HAD ZERO MERMAIDS BLOW UP IN THE KILN! – Joann McDaniel, Lower School Visual Arts Teacher
C
olorful, creative, stunning, omnipresent. To walk anywhere on Latin’s picturesque campus is to see the commitment and interest in art. Art is everywhere. The visual arts program spans every grade level and represents a vast array of techniques and talent. Enter any art classroom on Latin’s campus, and you step into a different world – one full of possibility, energy and heart. Latin’s commitment to visual art is long-standing. The founding educators believed that art was important to a well-rounded classical education, but the means by which that education is delivered has come a long way. In the 1970s, one part-time art teacher traveled from classroom to classroom with a cart filled with supplies. Today, bustling art studios in state-of-the-art facilities in each division exude an unparalleled creative vibe.
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Our visual art curriculum is sequential. Students learn basic skills based on classical techniques and themes in Lower School and then build upon that foundation with the study of the masters in Middle School. By the time students reach the Upper School, “Students will have experienced a progression and a continuity where teachers can engage in individual dialogue and help guide their projects,” says Visual Arts Department Chair Richard Fletcher ’85. This progression is fluid and very intentional. In the younger grades, Lower School art teachers Joann McDaniel and Kaila Gottschling encourage the experimental. “We want them to get their hands on materials and learn the techniques,” said McDaniel. By exposing children to the techniques of famous artists such as Paul Klee, Vincent Van Gogh or Robert Indiana, and art in familiar books by authors such as Jan Brett or Grace Lin, the bridge from art studio to the classroom is formed. Art is everywhere.
VISUAL ARTS
By design, freedoms expand a bit along the Middle School hallways. Leeway in terms of artistic expression begins to emerge for student artists as well. In 6th grade, art projects align with the lessons in the Humanities. In 7th, students create with linoleum and implement technology and engineering into their projects. Middle School art teacher Anne Cammer expands the horizons of the entire 7th grade via an uptown Charlotte Art Scavenger Hunt where students are tasked to find a bit of ballet, Ben Long’s frescoes or a costume exhibit. Eighth grade studio art becomes a foray into the increasing independence they have ahead in Upper School. Middle School art teacher Clark Hawgood explains that this is when we begin to “pull them from their wagon.” Says Head of Middle School Todd Ballaban, “Upon arriving at Latin, I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful artwork that adorned our walls; seemingly wherever I went, my life was instantly more colorful and creative. Students who crave natural outlets for creative expression find a haven in the art room. Once the teachers help students find inspiration, students lead the rest of process: composing, executing techniques, making and critiquing art.” continued on page 8
“WE WANT THEM TO GET THEIR HANDS ON MATERIALS AND LEARN THE TECHNIQUES.” Spring 2018
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Mary Gale Godwin ’21
Abby Adams ’21 Elizabeth Lewis ’24
Martha Watson ’18 Marion Donald ’20
Emma Landry ’19
Matigan Simpson ’18
Caroline Wall ’21
Agatha Stamatakos ’23
Emily Holtzman ’19
Portrait of Vonnie by Emily Holtzman ’19
continued from page 5 In the Upper School, “A blank canvas may be the biggest obstacle,” explains Fletcher. Students must come up with original ideas and think for themselves. “The beauty is that there is no wrong answer. They’ve got to search and find a unique solution,” he continues. Encouraging students to explore and not to be intimidated by that blank canvas are hallmarks of Latin’s Visual Arts program. Students have the freedom to experiment with various media; they gain artistic confidence and an appreciation of the creative process. It is structured in a way that may appear chaotic, but Upper School art students understand the method. Open dialogue between students and faculty is paramount, and it peppers the process from concept development to project finale.
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VISUAL ARTS
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STUDENTS MUST COME UP WITH ORIGINAL IDEAS AND THINK FOR THEMSELVES. “THE BEAUTY IS THAT THERE IS NO WRONG ANSWER.”
“Mr. Fletcher’s gentle but intellectual critiques of my artwork motivate me to keep moving in unexpected directions. My art would not have developed at the rate or quality it has without the guidance of the whole fine arts department,” says artist and costume designer Emily Holtzman ’19.
The art classroom is a retreat for students of all talents and abilities. Providing students with the opportunity to experiment is “totally a function of the generosity in budget that we have,” Fletcher says. Charlotte Latin is committed to the visual arts and the freedom to experiment without limitations. Students are free – encouraged even – to make mistakes and learn from them.
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VISUAL ARTS
In the broader art community, Charlotte Latin has earned a reputation as a school that excels in regional and national art competitions. Charlotte Latin students participating in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition have garnered multitudes of regional honors in visual arts, including hundreds of Gold Key Awards, and numerous National Medals. Additionally, public exhibitions of Charlotte Latin artworks are com monplace at sites such as the Mint Museum, Spirit Square, the McColl Center Gallery and on billboards* in the Charlotte area. In 2015, the history of the Charlotte Latin Visual Arts Department was celebrated with the publication of The New Idea, a beautiful coffee table collection of stories and vibrant images. The introduction sums it up best: “The students who are enrolled in visual art are a normal mix of kids found in any school. They are kids who focus most of their academic energy on science, math, history, and English. And yet, as the hallways and corridors demonstrate, they have been able to create a body of artwork that is beyond the scale of what normal stu dents typically create. These students seem to find a way to overachieve in the art rooms. This stunning and enduring success is the legacy of the Charlotte Latin art program, and it distinguishes Charlotte Latin in the independent school universe.” Come in. The doors are always open. Shed the books and grab a smock. There is endless opportunity to create. At Charlotte Latin, art is everywhere!
*Adams Outdoor Advertising Art Pop Award Artist’s work to be displayed on a Billboard around Charlotte (3 of 15 Billboards went to Charlotte Latin students!)
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CHARLOTTE LATIN HAS EARNED A REPUTATION AS A SCHOOL THAT EXCELS IN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ART COMPETITIONS.
Neely Grace Tye ’21
Max Negrin ’28
MUSIC
t i y a l P
Forward
W
hat distinguishes the music department at Charlotte Latin School? Ask this of any music faculty, and they are loath to proclaim just one aspect. The list includes a culture of excellence. It boasts recognitions, state-of-the-art facilities, committed students and the support of arts patrons and administration. Invariably topping everyone’s list, however, is heart. “The music classroom is where we see kids become themselves,” says Latin Performing Arts Chair, Alicia Long. “It is a safe space, where students make music and bear their souls.” Latin’s music program had its humble beginning in 1971 when, much like our visual arts teacher at the time and her roving art
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cart, music came to the students by way of one teacher and a donated, rolling upright piano. While major enhancements have been made in facilities, staffing and programming since that time, our music program has excelled due to the dedicated efforts of decades of students, teachers and parents who had a vision that music would be made available to every student. Research has shown the huge social, cognitive and educational benefits that music brings to children’s happiness and learning. According to the Journal for Research in Music Education, students who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue further education.
MUSIC
“ Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. – PLATO
“We are making humans,” continues Long. Music educates the head and the heart and does so via real-time experiences, constant problem-solving and leadership opportunities. The Latin Arts Association, along with appropriations from Parents’ Council, supports music education at Latin. 2018 LAA President Patty Lambert says, “Music is often known as creative expression, but it is also much more than that. It transforms, it heals, it creates new pathways for those participating, including those who are simply listeners. Music education is about communication, goal-setting, creative and innovative thinking, and cooperation. Our students have the opportunity to build on these powerful, transferable skills that not only enrich their lives, but also follow them into adulthood. Arts education in students’ lives is beneficial to our future culture and to the world at large.” “Music tears down every barrier,” says orchestra teacher Sabrina Howard, who has been teaching at Latin for almost 10 years. Her love for her craft and her students is evident. “Students enter this building, and they can shed everything!” Whether they pick up a tuba in band or a violin in orchestra, Howard explains that students are making a commitment to the instrument to create music. It is tactile, and it is personal. “If someone is struggling, then we stop, and we help that student so we can all play,” says continued
Music Department Bottom row: Annette Morris, Pam Sweer, Alicia Long Middle row: Craig Estep, John Herrick, Dr. Michael Grant, Jocquin Fuller Top row: Irene Pointon, Laci Wargo, Sabrina Howard
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MUSIC
continued from page 13 Howard. Each contributor is necessary for the success of the group. Through these experiences student musicians gain confidence and start to learn that their contributions have value, no matter the size of their role. The commitment of Charlotte Latin’s music faculty in and outside of the classroom is unwavering. Often this means weekend travel to performances and competitions, holiday and spring concert seasons, after school lessons, musicals, pep bands and more. “We are passionate about how music affects students’ lives,” says Music Director, Craig Estep. “But the students own the program - the plaques on the walls say that.”
2018 Music Performance
Adjudications
UPPER SCHOOL CONCERT CHOIR traveled to Wake Forest for Music Performance Adjudications (MPAs) and performed grade VI music. Their scores were a 96 and two 99s, giving them Superior rating. MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT CHOIR traveled to Wingate University for MPAs and earned a Superior score for performance and a perfect score of 100 for sight-reading. They were also the highest-graded choir to participate at Middle School MPAs that day. The 6TH GRADE BAND traveled to Wingate University and received Superiors from every judge. This group was the only beginning band to receive a superior rating at MPAs. The 7TH/8TH GRADE BAND earned an Excellent rating on their stage performance and a Superior rating in sight-reading. The UPPER SCHOOL BAND earned StraightSuperior ratings on their stage performance and in sight-reading at MPAs in Lincolnton, NC. Orchestra MPAs were held in Winston-Salem, NC, at Atkins High School, March 14-15: • Upper School Orchestra performed in grade level V/VI and received a rating of Straight Superiors from all three judges. • 7th and 8th grade orchestra performed in grade level II/III and received a rating of Straight Superiors from all three judges. • Sixth grade orchestra performed in grade level I and received a rating of Straight Superiors from all three judges. 14
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“Music is the great equalizer,” says Estep. Whether you are simply a listener of music or a practicing musician, music is a part of life.
Veronica Leahy
We Knew Her When
By Jocquin Fuller
Veronica Leahy ’19, a saxophonist in the Latin Band, through her hard work and dedication, has become one of the most accomplished young musicians in the nation. After many years of success at the state level in All-State ensembles and spending summers at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Summer Jazz Academy studying with Wynton Marsalis and Ted Nash, Leahy earned a spot in the National Association for Music Education’s All-National Jazz Ensemble for the second year in a row as a featured performer and lead alto saxophonist. Not one to rest on her laurels, Leahy went through a rigorous audition process, and was named a 2018 finalist for the National YoungArts Foundation for Jazz, winning a cash prize and the opportunity to go to Miami and play in a jazz combo comprising seven of the finest jazz musicians in the country ages 15-18. While in Miami, she studied with world-class musicians Patrice Rushen and Jimmy Heath. Leahy earned the opportunity to perform in the “Grammy Band – Jazz Session” in New York City, performing at such venues as the Iridium Jazz Club, the Grammy nominee party, and the Grammy after-party. It was through that opportunity, that she was asked to join Jon Batiste and Stay Human on the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which aired in late January 2018. If by any chance you have missed Leahy via any of the performances or recognitions above, you are in luck, she has one more year at Latin. She’s a star who is constantly rising – one day soon, we are going to want to say “We knew her when.”
“WHY ARE THE TREES CRYING?”
The many roles of Matt Cosper T Artist and Teacher, Mentor and Friend By Kim Cobb
he answer to that question lies in the magic of Matt Cosper, Charlotte Latin’s Director of Theater Arts. Anyone who has been to an Upper School theater production at CLS has heard Cosper’s introduction, “It’s not theater until the audience is in the room.” His students would add that it’s not art until you step on stage and give them the gift of your performance. Cosper believes in the magic and profound importance of theater in our world. And as thoughtful as that sounds, his philosophy focuses on much more than the performance itself. It’s the 99 percent of time students spend off stage that is most important. “It is so much more than applause and awards. Theater is the essential human impulse that makes us get in a room together to exchange experiences and tell stories,” he says. If Cosper is right, and “acting is applied empathy” and “theater is a dry run for life,” the lucky students under his tutelage have a serious leg-up when they leave this stage. Working full-time as an actor and director before coming to Latin, Cosper admits thinking, “I’m not going to be an artist anymore.” Now, in his fifth year as Director of Theater Arts, Cosper still acts and directs, but says taking the job at Latin was, “the best thing that ever happened to me. I am actually
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THEATER SPOTLIGHT Upper School production of Into the Woods.
a better artist because I am a teacher, and I am a better teacher because I’m an artist. There is an awesome sense of responsibility that comes with being a teacher. It both humbles and energizes me.” Students get twinkly in the eyes when asked about him. Their mood lightens as they eagerly communicate all that Mr. Cosper means to them. His encyclopedic knowledge of theater provides awe, not intimidation. They describe him as “inspiring, fiercely intelligent, kind and funny….creative, passionate, engaging and slightly crazy” and most commonly “a kid at heart and weird!” “Before they get to know him, he’s this tall presence of a guy with a tiny backpack and an occasional beard,” says Matthew Jordan ’18. However, that trepidation soon gives way to familiarity and genuine regard. It is common knowledge among his students that he loves Looney Tunes, tacos and cats. Somehow he balances the roles of confidante and friend with that of experienced, respected mentor. One might dub Cosper “Head Coach of Varsity Theater” as he leads the biggest team that Latin fields. Between 100150 students participate in one of three Upper School productions each year. And make no mistake, this sport is anything but injury free. Just ask Ethan Holtzman ’18,
who dislocated his knee opening night of The Pirates of Penzance in 2017, popped it back in, kept performing, and went on stage the following night in a brace. The sports analogy stops there; there are no ‘cuts’ on Cosper’s team. Colleagues at peer schools may be aghast, but he refuses to exclude anyone from a production. Cosper says, “I want everybody in there. It’s more important to us at Latin philosophically that if you want to be a part of it, you will be a part of it. We’ll make room.” Most remarkably, Cosper adds, “I’m not so interested in stars or divas…it’s what students do with smaller parts.” Ask any one of those “stars” and they will tell you, the ensemble is the core. continued
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...AND I AM A BETTER TEACHER BECAUSE I’M AN ARTIST. THERE IS AN AWESOME SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT COMES WITH BEING A TEACHER. IT BOTH HUMBLES AND ENERGIZES ME. Spring 2018
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THEATER SPOTLIGHT
...artist, mentor, director, tree whisperer. Matt Cosper is that teacher. Additional components of Cosper’s philosophy are freedom and fun. Cosper encourages students to engage with the material and make their own decisions. “I want actors to direct their performance so I can direct the show,” he says. He also keeps things light, never taking himself or the work too seriously. “Genius is the recovery of childhood at will,” Cosper quotes the poet Rimbaud. “I think that is what the theater offers us. When we are playing, we get to live in the realm of the imagination,” continues Cosper. Proof of that perspective lies in how he engages his actors to help them develop depth and elaborate backstories for their characters, some of which are legendary. He requires his cast to inhabit their characters, but he doesn’t say how. Even when he thinks they are making a mistake, he wants students to experience the consequences of their choices. “To truly grow, they must sometimes suffer failure,” he tells, “which is essential to learning.” Cosper’s generous and inclusive culture leads to outstanding results. Head of Upper School, Lawrence Wall, says of the most recent production, Sondheim’s Into the Woods, “It would be hard to say which was the most demanding – the acting, the singing or the choreography of this intricate and dense amalgam of story lines.” Mr. Wall observes how Matt encourages even inexperienced students to give the stage a shot. “There are always numerous students who, even as seniors, find their way onto the stage,” says Wall, “thereby culminating their high school careers in deeply meaningful ways they could never have predicted.” Starring roles are given not only to seasoned veterans, but also to students new to the stage. Rather than a spirit of competition, the program at Latin has an atmosphere of acceptance. Holtzman finds that ‘theater kids’ are universally inviting and that there is a “mutual respect between athletic kids and artistic kids…athletes and actors have common denominators, we are not so different.” Jordan agrees. As a stand-out on both the Varsity Wrestling team and in the most recent musical, he says, “The theater community at Latin is made up of compassionate and sensitive students. Mr. Cosper has created a space for all students to feel welcome…I credit him for bringing us together.”
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Notwithstanding the excellence of any Upper School performance, that time on stage accounts for a tiny percentage of what students, teachers and parents appreciate most about Cosper’s unique perspective and program. “Theater gives us a safe space to look at what life is and figure it out,” says Holtzman. Cosper still believes in the magic of theater and the power it holds not just for the time spent on stage, but more importantly in pursuit of deeper connections with others. When Cosper recently cast Into the Woods, he characteristically made room for everyone, assigning some students the role of a tree. They were not, however, just inanimate objects. Each tree was a particular varietal. They had a name, an age, a family and a story. They had thoughts and opinions and, most importantly, an essential role to play, despite that they never spoke a word. So “why are the trees crying?” Perplexed by the display of emotion from these quiet cast members, a patron posed this question after watching them sob during the final curtain call of Into the Woods. She soon learned those happy tears were shed because of the incomparable bond formed behind the scenes and on stage. They have this show in common, but more importantly, they share: the confidante, artist, mentor, director, tree whisperer. Matt Cosper is that teacher: The one his students remember and are grateful for, who challenged them, and the one whose wisdom Latin theater students will draw upon for the rest of their lives.
Organizing chaos... into art Hired in 2013, Matt Cosper says he’s been “organizing chaos into art.” Cosper received a bachelor's degree in performance from Greensboro College and received additional training at David Gothard-Riverside Studios in London, Portland Center Stage, and New York Theatre Workshop. Before joining the Latin faculty, he founded several theater groups and won Charlotte Magazine’s BOB award for best playwright in 2013. He also worked with the Children's Theatre of Charlotte, the Oregon Children's Theatre, and Urban Ministries.
THEATER SPOTLIGHT
y d a Re s t i r fo eup s o l c Technical theater AT LATIN
D
id you know that Latin graduates who were involved in our technical theater include a Tony-nominated stage manager on Broadway, Julie DeVore ’06, and a Kennedy Center National Fellow in Stage Management, Ryan Gardner ’15? In fact, numerous Latin graduates matriculate at schools across the country and enter college with experience beyond their peers, quickly assuming leadership roles.
If you can catch Jay Scott, Audio-Visual Tech Director, Technical Theater Teacher and Horne Performing Arts Center Manager, for a few minutes, ask him about the students he works with in technical theater. While Scott is an impressive expert when he talks about lighting, sound, props, costumes and much more, he beams when he talks about the students with whom he works. continued
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THEATER SPOTLIGHT
Last summer my family and I visited Julie DeVore at The Winter Garden Theater on Broadway and got a backstage tour. She was the Assistant Stage Manager at The School of Rock at the theater since its world premier in 2015. It was great to see her using what she first learned at Latin, as a professional. - Jay Scott
Ryan’s mother, Kelly Gardner, attributes his success at BC to his behind-the-scenes experiences at Latin, “We are so grateful for the skills and experiences Ryan received from Latin’s technical theater program. The skills Ryan developed at Latin showed colleges that he would add value to their programs on day one.”
ON THE TOWN Cast with Assistant Stage Manager Julie DeVore ’06
Latin Alumna Ryan Gardner ’15 is a junior at Boston College (BC) and quickly established himself there as a technical theater professional after his vast experience at Latin. “He is one of the top eight stage managers in college in the nation right now,” said Scott. In January, Gardner was named a Kennedy Center National Fellow in Stage Management. The honor is given for “excellence in stage management at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.” This spring he will represent the Northeast Region in Washington, D.C., as one of eight National Stage Management fellows at the Kennedy Center. Ryan gives much credit to the training and opportunities he had here, “The experiences that I had at Latin have shaped me into the person I am today. I appreciate Mr. Scott’s consistent efforts to help me develop into not only a great Stage Manager, but also a servant leader, creative problem solver and critical thinker. Latin served as an incubator – a place where I felt comfortable to experiment with ideas, set my goals incredibly high, and to fail often in order to succeed sooner. I learned to harness the power of focus, energy, teamwork, and heart and was able to find my passion for backstage theatre.”
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“LATIN SERVED AS AN INCUBATOR – A PLACE WHERE I FELT COMFORTABLE TO EXPERIMENT WITH IDEAS, SET MY GOALS INCREDIBLY HIGH, AND TO FAIL OFTEN IN ORDER TO SUCCEED SOONER." -RYAN GARDNER ’15
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THEATER SPOTLIGHT
“Once he got to college,” Gardner continues, “Ryan quickly moved into technical theater leadership positions. When I attend shows at BC, both theater department professionals and his theater friends ask me about his high school, because so few students bring the technical and leadership skills Ryan developed at Latin. I smile when I tell them that Ryan started his technical theater training with Jay in 4th grade! Many thanks to Jay Scott, Matt Cosper, and everyone in the Latin Performing Arts Department who invest in our students. It’s not just about the technical skills, but about the relationships and experiences Ryan formed at Latin that serve as a model he seeks to replicate in college.” Technical theater, while historically male-dominated, has been balanced at Latin between boys and girls. Currently, there are 22
students working with Scott, and most are girls. “Girls have really come on since about 2006, and I also think the success of several of our female alumni in the business have inspired them. They follow suit in college and then pursue their dream of working in the industry,” said Scott. “It’s great to have opportunity for everybody.” Much goes into Latin’s impressive productions, from musicals to Grandparents’ Day. Next time you’re in Thies Auditorium or Anne’s Black Box or in the SAC enjoying our student performers, take a minute to notice what isn’t so obvious – the intentional lighting, carefully-crafted scenery, clear and crisp sound, wellsuited costumes and clever props – that’s all thanks to the hard work of our technical theater stars and their leader, Jay Scott.
Bravo!
HAVE REALLY COME ON SINCE ABOUT 2006, AND I ALSO THINK THE SUCCESS “ GIRLS OF SEVERAL OF OUR FEMALE ALUMNI IN THE BUSINESS HAVE INSPIRED THEM.”
THEATER SPOTLIGHT
The 2018 Lower School musical was Seussical, Kids. The play is an amalgamation of many of Seuss’s most famous children’s stories. More than 100 fourth and fifth grade students participated in this production, the choreography of which is an immense undertaking. Nice work, Olivia!
An interview with dancer and choreographer Olivia Aldridge ’20 When did you begin working with theater and younger students? I first volunteered for this year’s Lower School musical, Seussical, Kids, because my brother was in the show, and I love working with kids. Mrs. Long needed an extra hand with the more than 100 4th and 5th grade students, so she asked me to help with the choreography. I realized that this was something that I was good at and really enjoyed. I hope to turn this into an internship in the future when I am a senior. How long you have been dancing? Your first memory of it at Latin? I started dance when I was four, but when I was in third grade, my mom started coaching Charlotte Latin’s dance team. Almost every day I would sit in practices and watch the older girls dance. I knew that dance team was something I wanted to do. I looked up to all of the older girls and couldn’t wait to be in their shoes. How have your directors, teachers and coaches encouraged your ambition? Because the world of performing arts is so small, working on shows or taking classes from teachers creates this special bond between the teacher and student. Through the years, I have developed such strong relationships with many of Latin’s incredible faculty members. When I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and try something new, they encouraged me without hesitation and gave me complete support. How has Latin supported you? Travel, exposure to other theater? I have participated in every musical production that was available to me since kindergarten. Over the summer, Mr. Estep let me know about an opportunity to audition for a show he was directing at Central Piedmont Community College, and I was cast. This was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to grow not only as a performer, but also furthered my experience in professional level productions.
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Another opportunity that was opened up for me was when the dance team traveled to New York to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this fall. Not only was dancing in the parade an experience in itself, we also got to see two Broadway shows. Latin alumna Sterling Masters ’03 is the current dance captain for the Broadway Musical Wicked, and she gave us a backstage tour before the show. What would you say to young students, or anyone really, who might want to do the same thing? Never be afraid to take risks or to step out of your comfort zone with something you are passionate about. You have been both behind the scenes with your choreography/directing and on stage with your dancing and acting. Do you have a favorite? Can you compare the experiences? I’ve always loved performing and try to find every opportunity I can to work on a new project such as a show or musical performance. However, the pride I felt while watching the kids I worked with for months perform on stage was indescribable. I was able to gain the understanding of what it is like on the “other side of the table” as I helped build the show from the ground up. Being in the show and being behind the scenes are completely different experiences, and I love them both. Will you pursue being a choreographer as a profession? I plan to pursue a degree in musical theater in college in hopes to perform for as long as possible. However, I also see myself in the future choreographing and directing musical productions.
THEATER SPOTLIGHT
A one-act play is just that – a play that has only one act. The origin of the one-act play may be traced to the very beginning of drama: in ancient Greece, Cyclops, a satyr play by Euripides, is an early example. According to CLS Theater Arts Director Matt Cosper, “When I started at Latin five years ago, One Acts typically consisted of transcribed Saturday Night Live sketches or short plays by established playwrights. We’ve been pushing for more original work. For the last two years, all of the material has been written by Latin students. That’s something I’m very proud of – seeing our students synthesize what they’ve learned and using those skills to find their own voices.”
ices vo n w o ir e h t g in d in f The One Act Plays By José Posada ’18 and Lilly Omirly ’18, Co-Producers, 2018 One Acts
One Acts is definitely not the most traditional type of Upper School performance that we have at Latin. With the fall play and the spring musical, rehearsals and performances follow much more of a formula. With One Acts, however, all of those prerequisites are thrown out the window. For the One Acts, we: • ask any and all students to bring their unique talents and innovative ideas as all are welcome. • try to provide students a platform to test out their scripts and watch as they are brought to life on stage. • invite suggestions from our senior directors on how to best manage many of the behind-the-scenes aspects and encourage creative collaboration for this very do-it-yourself production. Participating in the One Acts is a great way for upperclassmen and underclassmen to get to know one another. Each act is directed and written by seniors, who choose a cast, conduct rehearsals and read-throughs. The production is supported by the technical theater department, complete with props and sets. In an academic setting where work is everyone’s primary concern, there are few opportunities for different grade levels
to intermingle. One Acts allows students from all grades to collaborate on something that has nothing to do with school work. Predicting which types of students want to be part of One Acts is College Visit almost impossible. The show attracts students from all walks of life. This is one of the best aspects of the show. In fact, when we ran this year’s auditions, we were so excited to see not only theater kids, but also students who are more athletically and academically inclined. This unconventional bunch may seem odd from an outside perspective, but in its own bizarre way, it works. The sheer number of different kinds of people involved allows for One Acts to become a production that all students at Latin love and can relate to. This year’s One Acts were presented in Anne’s Black Box Theater in early April to a packed house. Before the renovation of the Horne Performing Arts Center and the addition of the black box, the One Acts were performed in Thies Auditorium. The intimacy of the Black Box setting, however, has served the One Acts production immensely. According to Mr. Cosper, “The Black Box is an exquisite space, and the One Acts benefit immeasurably by being performed in such a wonderful, malleable theatre.” The 2018 One Acts included almost 60 Upper School students led by 13 senior directors. In three performances, this talented camaraderie delivered satirical spoofs on beloved faculty, current comedic commentary on topics ranging from Chick-fil-a (Love at First Bite, written and directed by Matthew Jordan) to The Bachelor to Siri (aka in One Acts world – “Smiley”, written and directed by Jazz Zeng), and plenty of impressive imagination.
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CREATIVE WRITING
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THE BOOK BUDDY PROJECT ALLOWS OUR SEVENTH GRADERS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE YOUNGER STUDENTS. – Sallie Caddell Middle School English/ Social Studies
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long-standing and much-loved tradition at Charlotte Latin is the creative and collaborative Book Buddies program. Each fall, seventh grade students are paired with a buddy from the first grade and TK classes. In seventh grade English classes, the process begins with a review of classic children’s literature, focusing on suitable story lines for their young audience. In addition to reading mentor texts, these students master the narrative process, including plot and character development, dialogue, conflict and resolution. They also spend time practicing interviewing skills and honing story writing techniques. As the school year progresses and the buddies’ relationships grow, the student authors acquire plenty of information. The Middle School students learn as much as they can about their buddies’ families, hobbies and favorites and begin drafting their stories. “The Book Buddy project allows our seventh graders to build relationships with the younger students,” says project leader Sallie Caddell. “The seventh graders are writing for a genuine audience, which makes the writing even more personal.” As in the publishing world, a book is rarely finished in the first draft. Editors and publishers (also known as 7th grade English teachers) work with the young authors in drafts and rewrites to perfect the stories. When the manuscript is finalized, the illustration phase completes the contents, which are then combined in a hard bound keepsake.
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CREATIVE WRITING
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I LOVED GETTING TO KNOW CLAIRE OVER THE TIME THAT I WROTE THE BUDDY BOOK. SHE IS VERY SMART AND LOVES TO SHARE HER OPINIONS. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER SPENDING THIS TIME WITH CLAIRE AND WRITING A BOOK FOR HER TO ENJOY. HER SWEET SMILE AND GOOD ATTITUDE ARE UNFORGETTABLE. – Olivia Fuller ’23 Each April, the authors’ parents get a sneak peek preview at the fruits of this labor in an evening reveal. Then finally, the moment the young readers have long awaited arrives. The program culminates when the seventh grade students unveil for their little buddies an original book featuring the buddy as the main character! “The look on the Lower School students' faces teaches the Middle Schoolers about the impact writing has on the audience,” says English teacher Jake Jacobs. One first grade parent said, ““WOW! A book about my child and the things, people and places she likes most in first grade! SO WELL DONE! What an excellent product and relationship-building, learning activity! I am blown away! This is a precious keepsake indeed!” Adds first grade teacher Ginger McAdams, “Once we receive the books, as a class, we take one day to celebrate and read each book. It takes us 24 days, but the kids love getting to hear each other’s stories and see the illustrations. The way the 7th grade students are able to take the first grader’s interests, personalities, hobbies and turn them into a creative writing story, executed with an interesting plot and polished grammar and mechanics is astounding to me as a teacher.” 26
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CREATIVE WRITING
THE KNIGHT-DICKSON LIBRARY CHARLOTTE LATIN SCHOOL
DEDICATION - APRIL 9, 2018
The Knight-Dickson Library was formally unveiled on Monday, April 9, 2018, in honor of two of Charlotte Latin’s founding members - Alan T. Dickson and Robert V. Knight, Jr. The dedication ceremony included a luncheon and featured the School’s only living founder, Bob Knight. Mr. Knight shared thoughts about and memories of the founding of Charlotte Latin School. The late Alan Dickson was represented by his brother Stuart Dickson. Also in attendance were numerous special guests and family members of both gentlemen. When speaking of the genesis of Charlotte Latin School, Mr. Knight spoke with clarity and simplicity, “We didn’t have a building, we just had an idea!
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Photos: (1) Bob Knight and Mary Anne Dickson, widow of Alan Dickson, stand before the new Knight-Dickson Library Loggia signage; (2) Joanne and Stuart Dickson; (3) Mariah Pitt Waltemeyer ’77 speaks to Latin Alumni Parents and Grandparents Sue and Tom White; (4) Bob Knight with family members, daughter Ruth Knight Gammon ’77, son John Knight ’74, son-in-law Chris Gammon, granddaughter Sydnor Gammon ’07, daughter-in-law Denise Knight and granddaughter Helen Knight; and (5) Headmaster Arch McIntosh thanks members of the Upper School Concert Choir for performing the Alma Mater. Spring 2018
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2018
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CELEBRATE LATIN
More than 700 members from the Latin community attended Celebrate Latin 2018, held at Quail Hollow Club on January 27, 2018. The event raised more than $200,000 for Parents’ Council which in turn uses these funds to support needs of the School. Thank you for your support and thank you to our sponsors!
Thank you
2018 sponsors
SUMMA CUM LAUDE Sterling Capital
MAGNA CUM LAUDE Ashley HomeStore BlueSky Capital Corp Choate Construction Company Dickens Mitchener Ellen & Charlie Harris Xenia Hospitality Group
CUM LAUDE Alair Homes Alphagraphics Brewer-Hendley Oil Company Crutchfield Capital Pollyanna & Christian Cunningham Jenn & Mike Freno Mikelle & Charles Girard Greg Ott Center for Physical Therapy Jane & Mike Harrell Knight Residential Group Laura Archibald Interior Design Lowry Insurance Sarah & Tim Monnin Moore & Van Allen The Norman Family Arlene & Patrick Novoa RIA Database Margaret & Carter Siegel Simonini Custom Homes and Renovations Stanwick Dunham Ashleigh & Kevin White Tammy & Alan Wise
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Winds in the east, there’s a mist coming in, like something is brewin’ and ’bout to begin.
Super cali fragi listic expiali docious!
Charlotte Latin’s Performing Arts Department has practically perfect news! For the first time in more than a decade, Charlotte Latin’s Performing Arts Department will present an ALL-SCHOOL musical in February 2019. The show will be Mary Poppins. The last all-school musical, The Wizard of Oz, was performed in 2005. “Since that time,” says Head of the Performing Arts Department Alicia Long, “the drama program has exploded and participation in musicals at each division level continues to be strong.” This is an opportunity to capitalize on relationships and resources among the divisions. All-school means exactly that! Participation will include students and faculty from all three divisions, grades 4-12, likely resulting in two casts and more ticketed shows. The show will be directed by Theater Arts Director Matt Cosper, with assistant direction from Middle School drama teacher Meredith McCarter and Mrs. Long. “I am thrilled about Mary Poppins.” said Cosper. “It’s a show I’ve wanted to direct for ages, and to collaborate on it with my colleagues in the Performing Arts Department is a dream come true. I have a feeling it’s going to be a very special experience for the entire Latin community.” Student leadership will be an important component of this production. “We anticipate a student assistant director, dance captain, Lower School dance captain, costume lead, and internship opportunities in the areas of marketing, ticketing and production management,” says Long. Will Latin participate in the Blumey Awards? According to the Blumey Awards regulations, Latin may be judged in certain categories with an all-school cast but will be ineligible for others. The goal is to provide the strongest possible experience for our students, and magical entertainment for our audience.
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. . . u o y k n a Th RECOGNITION
Buck Butler Upper School, 29 years
Libby Cathcart Lower School, 27 years
Frances Kohlmeier Lower School, 17 years
to our
retirees for your years of service to our School! Larry McNulty Upper School/ Middle School, 33 years
Irene Pointon Performing Arts, 30 years Spring 2018
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Alumni ALU
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Sterling Masters ’03
The most magical time of each year was rehearsing and performing in the Upper School musicals!
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY FINE ARTS COURSES OR EXTRACURRICULARS AT LATIN?
At CLS, I was in the Upper School Chorus all four years, as well as the Madrigals Junior and Senior year. I also performed in all four musicals: The King and I, Bye Bye Birdie, South Pacific, and Anything Goes. In Anything Goes, my senior year, I played the lead role of Reno Sweeney.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ART
I danced from the time I could walk. My mom, Jami Masters, is a dance teacher, so I literally grew up in her dance studio. It became a true passion of mine, and when I did my first musical at the age of 6 (Annie at Theatre Charlotte) there was no turning back. I knew at that age I was going to be on Broadway. After performing in National Tours of five different Broadway musicals, I joined the cast of Wicked on Broadway. I am currently performing eight shows a week at the Gershwin Theatre in NYC.
WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION?
My mom has always been my main inspiration. She taught me about passion and how to express myself through movement, which together is the reason I have been able to achieve my
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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, MUSIC THEATRE
sterlingmasters@gmail.com • Instagram: @sterlingmasters
PLEASE SHARE A FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT LATIN.
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goal of performing on Broadway. It’s incredible to see all of the children’s lives she has been a part of through her studio for almost 30 years now.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
I was 1 of 6 people accepted to the Musical Theatre program my freshman year. At 19, I was cast in my first Broadway National Tour and started my professional career. Wicked - Broadway; Dance Captain, Witch’s Mother, Featured Dancer; Wicked - National Tours; Dance Captain, Witch’s Mother, Featured Dancer; A Chorus Line - National Tour; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - National Tour; Dance Captain; Thoroughly Modern Millie - National Tour; Dance Captain Fosse - National Tour.
ALUMNI IN THE ARTS
jameypricephoto.com Instagram | Twitter | Facebook: @jameypricephoto
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TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ART.
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Jamey Price ’06
CENTRE COLLEGE (2010), HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES DEGREE
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I am a professional motorsport and automotive photographer based in Charlotte. I also work as the staff photographer for Charlotte luxury lifestyle magazine, QC Exclusive. I have always been a fan of car racing. I would go with my dad to the Indianapolis Formula 1 race pretty regularly and just found the whole experience to be extremely loud, colorful and exciting. I’ve tried to take my passion for the sport itself into how I cover races today. I still love racing and working with teams, drivers and automotive brands. It is really a dream come true. I have a full schedule this year of races around the world that I’ve been asked to photograph including the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, The 24 hours of Le Mans, the Macau Grand Prix of China and many, many more. I’ve also begun working as the assistant team photographer for the Carolina Panthers, so hopefully I will be photographing quite a few of the home games this coming year.
PLEASE SHARE A FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT LATIN.
Winning multiple conference championships in Swimming with Coach Howard.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY FINE ARTS COURSES OR EXTRACURRICULARS AT LATIN? Art classes with Mr. Thomason, Mr. Martin and Mr. Fletcher. I believe I did my first photography assignment under Mr. T. I just always enjoyed being able to have creative time and freedom through art.
WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION?
Many of the photographers from the past who covered racing inspire me. Their work with such little technological tools inspires me. I don’t aim to copy them, but their work has definitely been an influence.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), first place in the portrait category, and third place in the action photography category. Spring 2018
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ALUMNI IN THE ARTS
PLEASE SHARE A FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT LATIN.
My favorite memory at Latin was in 2009 when the JV football team completed a perfect season, winning all games and never trailing at any point. Best team ever. Props to Coach Smith.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY FINE ARTS COURSES OR EXTRACURRICULARS AT LATIN?
I sang tenor in Chorus every year at Latin and started private lessons in Grade 9. In Middle School I played Edmund in the production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, as well as participated in One Acts. In 2012, I attended a songwriting seminar that sparked my interest in writing music.
Grayson Foster ’12
graysonfoster.com • Instagram: @imgraysonfoster Spotify: Grayson Foster
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TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ART.
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY 2016, B.S. FINANCE WITH MINOR IN ACCOUNTING
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I create music of all kinds. While constantly A UM writing for my artistry, I also enjoy NI IN THE collaborating with other artists outside my main genres, creating new and exciting music for all listeners. Recently, I’ve composed some short podcast intro music and am currently working on scoring a short film. With five singles already released on all digital platforms, I plan on releasing new material all this year that will include live songs, music videos and much more.
WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION?
The artists/writers that helped shape and continue to shape my artistic influence are Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas), John Mayer and Jack Antonoff (FUN and Bleachers). Other than that I mostly get inspired by my friends. I’m constantly trying to impress my friends with songs because I value their opinion.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. I won a Hawkspy; that was pretty cool. 34
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Allison Edge ’93
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UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, DRAWING & PAINTING, B.F.A, 1997 • UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO, PAINTING, M.F.A, 2000 • THE NEW SCHOOL, TESOL (TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES), CTE, 2017
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PLEASE SHARE A FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT LATIN.
I loved so many art projects we did in Mrs. Pettijohn’s Lower School art classes, but making Muppet-inspired puppets was a a definite favorite. Mine was inspired by Kermit, Beaker, and Animal from The Muppet Show and movies. I knew even then we were lucky to have access to a big studio for creating art and using our imaginations.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY FINE ARTS COURSES OR EXTRACURRICULARS AT LATIN?
I took visual arts classes from Lower School until graduation every single grading period. From making puppets and designing Halloween costumes, to firing clay pots and honing my portraiture skills, art classes were a huge part of my life at CLS.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ART.
In his 1972 Ways of Seeing, John Berger foresaw a future in which bulletin boards would replace art museums. With the proliferation of Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest in the last decade, Berger’s prediction has arguably been realized. As these venues involve an inherent distortion of information between photograph, file, and even monitor calibration, origin of image becomes forgotten, if not obsolete. My paintings are based on personal and family photographs taken in the 70s and 80s, the era of Polaroid as well as other film cameras. These analog
devices are recalled in the dream-like quality of the images and the way they are painted. Distortion does occur, but only in the ways that my hand-eye translates a filmic photograph into paint on canvas. Film that was over-exposed or inexpertly developed at a K-mart translates into memories of Summer circa 1984.
WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION?
Many of my paintings are square, invoking the shape of Polaroids, wall calendars, or LP covers of that time. Imagery includes special occasions like family trips and holidays, since the pre-digital era required a more selective documentation of life, something more special than the cappuccino you just posted to your social media account.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
I have presented my work in solo exhibitions in New York City and San Francisco. My work has been included in group exhibitions in NYC, San Francisco, San Diego, Palm Springs, Raleigh, Washington D.C., Portland, London, Melbourne, and Tokyo. Two books, “Catholic #1” and “Future Dinosaur,” feature my paintings. Reviews of my exhibitions have appeared in The Washington Post, The Village Voice, AM New York, and Artweek magazine.
2018 • LATIN Magazine allison.edge@gmail.com • allisonedge.carbonmade.com • aedgeportraits.comSpring • Instagram: @kittomatic
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Alumni NEWS
OUT OF
Raleigh
David Morrison ’09, John Nichols ’99, Lauren Gardner ’99, Cary Dunlap Brege ’99
Mary Beth Wooten Sherman ’84 and David Huffstetler ’84
Los Angeles
Doug Ausbon ’75, Martha Dunlap Bader ’02, Kelly Livingston Taylor ’94 and Erin Livingston Webster ’96
Dylan Webb ’06, Director of Alumni Relations Sally Gray Smith ’82, Sarah Ewald ’04 and Tim Masters ’05
Katie McDowell ’14, Maggie Voelker ’14, Lizzie Chaconas ’14 and Ali Ozmeral ’14
Tahira Benjamin ’13, Cody Bonsignore and Maddie Durrett ’07
CLS alumni in LA
During the 2017-2018 school year, Director of Alumni Relations, Sally Gray Smith ’82, is focused on bringing Latin to different regions of the country. In September, she skipped up the road to Raleigh, and in January, she traveled to Los Angeles and San Francisco - with Chris Downing in tow! Next stop: New York City on April 25.
ALUMNI NEWS
THE BLUE Alek Sharma ’08, Elena Sharma ’10, Katherine McEachern Tse ’05 and Karen Ubell ’99
Manoj Lamba ’03, Jennifer Andresen Lamba ’04, Richard Walker ’02 and Belle Walker
Joseph Woodlief ’10, Will Evans ’10 and Brandon Lewis ’10
Carlton Fleming ’00, Beau Schwab ’02, Stephanie Schwab and Eric Sipperly ’11
Elizabeth Barry ’06, Ashley Sigmon Brown ’06, Mary Lewis ’13, and Sarah Barry ’14
San Francisco CLS alumni in San Francisco
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ALUMNI NEWS
COACH MCNULTY’S LAST HOME GAME - OCTOBER 27, 2017 Alumni gathered as Coach McNulty coached his last regular season game and it happened to be a WIN against Country Day!
Randall Masters ’07, Graham Miller ’07, Victor E Hawk, Patterson Maker Miller ’07 and Cathy Masters
Coach Mac, Coach Mac, Victor E Hawk and Coach Mac
Bart Noonan ’89, Jeff Conger ’90 and Charles Myers ’89
Lee Sigmon ’01, Siri Smith Thomas ’99 and Grimes Thomas ’99, Carson McNulty ’97 and Jennifer McNulty 38
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A lot of Coach Macs
ALUMNI NEWS - REUNIONS
Reunion WEEKEND NOVEMBER 3-4, 2017
In addition to alumni and their guests, the parties were also attended by Headmaster Arch McIntosh, Associate Headmaster Fletcher Gregory, Director of Alumni Affairs Sally Gray Smith ’82 and current and retired faculty and staff members Ken Collins, Jean Webb, Chris Downing, Bob Robinson, C.W. Stacks and Martha Owen.
ALL ALUMNI KICKOFF CELEBRATION
Liza Fortenberry ’10, McCallie Jones Winstead ’10, Kristin Horton ’10, Mercedes and Lee Horton
Friday night
Leslie Edwards de Oliveira ’97, Winston Irwin Marosek ’97, Mary Dickson Gorman ’00, Sallie Dickson Caddell ’97, Abby Rivenbark Brown ’97 and Janae Whiteside ’97
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Sally Gray Smith ’82, Mariah Currin ’82, Donna Roberson Willis ’82, Windsor Heath McFadden ’82, Kathy Evans Dockery ’82, Suzy Minor Johnson ’82, Mary Catherine Archer Chesney ’82, Sallie Vee Wooten ’82 and Bobby Meyer ’82 Allison Sugg ’84, Amy Gerdes Philipp ’84, Janet Miller Rogers ’84 and Sky Broome ’84
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REUNION WEEKEND - NOVEMBER 3-4, 2017 ON CAMPUS WITH
Richard Walker and the Class of 1977
Charlotte Latin School alumni kicked off Reunion Weekend 2017 by welcoming Richard Walker ’02 to campus on Friday, November 3. Upper School students enjoyed hearing from him as he shared his experiences working on spaceships with Planet Labs and Space Exploration Technologies. Mr. Dubick’s students also enjoyed Walker’s presence and expertise as he sat in on engineering classes throughout the day. On Saturday, Walker had another opportunity to speak to alumni and parents of alumni as he shared his experiences building a high-tech blood delivery system in Rwanda.
Beth Cropper Jackson ’02, Mike Jackson ’02 and Richard Walker ’02
Before this Lunch+Learn, the Class of 1977 proudly painted the CLS rock and celebrated having achieved the highest participation in the Latin Fund of all the alumni classes.
Richard Walker ’02 and Mr. Dubick
CLASS REUNIONS CLASS OF 1977 40-YEAR REUNION Home of Ruth Knight Gammon ’77 CLASS OF 1982 35-YEAR REUNION Home of Jamie Kiser ’82 CLASS OF 1987 30-YEAR REUNION Home of Janet Brown Fisher ’87 CLASS OF 1992 25-YEAR REUNION Home of Drew Brashear CLASS OF 1997 20-YEAR REUNION Mayobird CLASS OF 2002 15-YEAR REUNION Home of Blair Shwedo ’02
Class of 1977 leaves its mark on the rock.
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Reunions
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ALUMNI NEWS - REUNIONS
Class Reunions
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’77
’77 Mariah Pitt Waltemeyer ’77, Allison Copeland ’77 and Elen Try Bennett ’77
Beth Davis Hood ’77, Tommy Cobb ’77 and Ken Gwynn ’77
’77 ’77
Class of 1977
Anne Marshall Sykes ’77 and Dr. Collins
’82 ’82
Jamie Kiser ’82, Jeff Alphin ’82, David Stedman ’82 and Jim Huffstetler ’82
Rick Harkey ’82, Mary Catherine Archer Chesney ’82, Windsor Heath McFadden ’82 and Aubrey Stone ’82
’82 Billy Tourtellot ’82, Emily Calhoun Hensley ’82, Suzy Minor Johnson ’82, Kathy Evans Dockery ’82, Nelson Pharr ’82 and Margaret Glover Schrimsher ’82
’82 Spring 2018
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Class of ’82 and friends
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REUNION WEEKEND - NOVEMBER 3-4, 2017
’87 Jennifer and Arch McIntosh, Cathy Fletcher Himan ’87 and Bobby Chesney ’87
’87 Andy Clark ’87, David Hall ’87 and Kent Jones ’87
’87
’87 Class of 1987
Mitchell Wickham ’87, Leslie Wickham and Ralph Hunter ’87
’92 Jill Brashear, Bill Watson, Amy Hawfield Watson ’92, Kess Connelly Clark ’92 and Bryan Mermans ’92
Tricia Guyoski Hathcock ’92, Sarah Enszer Powell ’92, Hanna Schellpfeffer Trumpower ’92 and Rian Webb Schill ’92
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Class of 1992
’92
’92
’92 40
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Drew Brashear ’92 and Alec Berrong ’92
ALUMNI NEWS - REUNIONS
’97 Class of 1997
’97 Bridgette Martin Hard ’97, Sarah Farmer Mott ’97, Patrick Hard ’97 and Carter Robinson ’97
’97 Robbie Turner ’97, Dave Powell ’97, Jennie Owen Livingstone ’97 and Ben Vandiver ’97
’02 ’97
Emily Shwedo, Ruth Van Dyke Wyatt ’02, Chris Downing, John Wyatt
Marni Rothert ’97, Brooke Shantz White Spangler ’97, Bennett Spann ’97 and Veronica Ospina ’97
’02 Ana Neacsu, Patrick Horrigan ’02 and Jean Webb
’02 Class of 2002
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ALUMNI NEWS
BOOK DISCUSSION On November 9, 2017 and March 1, 2018, alumni parents and alumni gathered at Myers Park Country Club for book discussions led by Upper School English teacher and alumni parent Maria Klein. The chosen books were Simon Van Booy’s, The Illusion of Separateness and Amor Towle’s A Gentleman in Moscow.
Rhoda Juckett and Maria Klein
Lillian Chapman, Dale Michelle and Parkie Thomas
Jean Asinger, Yvonne Rayburn, Dottie Barnhardt and John Asinger
HOLIDAYS WITH THE HAWKS On Tuesday, December 19, Coach Chris Berger ’89 hosted the annual alumni basketball game. Charlotte Latin Athletic Hall of Fame Coach Jerry Faulkner was his special guest.
Latin Basketball alumni
42 LATIN Magazine • Spring 2018 Front row: Raphael Sebastian ’16, Caleb Jordan ’16, David Baynard ’17, Ben Scott ’17 Back row: Jackson Farr ’17, Will Gardner ’17, Tommy Whitmore ’14, Mason Ledonne ’14
Latin Athletic Hall of Famers Anthony Morrow ’04 and Coach Jerry Faulkner
Chase Estep ’03 and Brian Richards ’96
ALUMNI NEWS
5 AND 10 YEAR REUNIONS The Class of 2007 and the Class of 2012 enjoyed celebrating their milestone reunions on December 23. Both classes gathered at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and had a surprise visit from the new and improved Victor E Hawk!
Michael Parks ’07, Sydnor Gammon ’07, James Gallagher ’07, Brent Price Gallagher ’07 and Molly McCrory Schultz ’07
Dr. Collins and Cowden Rayburn ’07
Lizzie Rowan ’07, Meryl Golder ’07 and Sana Klein ’07
Tyler Harris ’07, Mari and Alex Li ’07, Victor E Hawk, Caroline Hawkins ’07, Bill Stafford ’07 and Alexis Smith ’07
Class of 2007
Fitz Ellerbe ’12, Grayson Foster ’12 and Mary Asimos ’12 Amma Okwara ’12, Victor E Hawk and Aseda Ghartey-Tagoe ’12
Sarah Black ’12, Charlie Shea ’12 and Aashna Desai ’12
Tyler Cooney ’12, Drew Papadopulos ’12, Claire Pace ’12 and Will Armstrong ’12
Class of 2012
Spring 2018
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Maria Klein and Roman Berens ’12
ALUMNI NEWS
12TH ANNUAL YOUNG ALUMNI HOLIDAY PARTY On Friday, December 22, the Alumni Association hosted the 12th annual Young Alumni Holiday Party for the Classes of 2007 through 2014. This gathering at Angry Ale’s has become a much-anticipated alumni tradition.
Chiefs Etheridge ’13, John Robinson ’14, Matthew Wingard ’14, Zach Brouse ’14 and Tommy Whitmore ’14
Thomas Ashcraft ’10, Sam Myers ’10, McCallie Jones Winstead ’10, Chase Carbone ’10, Sarah Turner Wells ’10, Davis Austin ’10 and Paul Paschal ’10
Davis Hanson ’14, Davis Ethridge ’14, Nick Gardner ’14 and Drew Hanff ’14
Ann Eubank ’14, Sophie Lovett ’14 and Caroline Seaton ’14
Chris Downing, Steven Kasay ’13 and Michael Chadwick ’13 46
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Elizabeth Feld ’14, Lea Kokenes ’14 and Caroline Hensley ’14
POST-HOLIDAY LUNCH
ALUMNI NEWS
College-age alumni were invited back to campus on January 3, 2018, for a Q Shack lunch with favorite teachers.
Julia Cantalupo ’16, Sarah Jordan ’16, Dr. Collins and Christina Glaser ’16
Tyler Henry ’16 and Andrew Fish ’16
Chuck Edwards ’94, Rachel Calloway ’14, Griffin Smith ’14, Frank Marshall ’14 and Sebastian Nabatoff ’15
Jody Jennings and Michelle Charles ’17
Amy Zinn and Cannon Clough ’14
Roman Berens ’12, Carol Webb-G and Carson Clough ’12
On March 15, the Alumni Governing Board hosted the inaugural CLS Alumni Professionals Networking event, HAWKS ON TAP. Alumni were invited to enjoy nibbles and drinks while networking with other Hawks. Byron Revels ’06, EVP of Growth Strategy at Proactive MD, was the featured speaker.
Sana Klein ’07, Logan Blough ’08, Hilary Barr ’08, Cameron Ball ’08, Jimmy Roche ’07 and Jenna Branner Rude ’08
Michael Parks ’07 and Byron Revels ’06
ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES
Class Notes 1974
Adeline Couch Talbot atalbot@studiotraveler.com CALLIE CLARKE CLAYTON writes, “I moved back to Charlotte from Raleigh a year ago to help my younger sister as we care for my parents in this season of their lives. It was a tough move. I hope to be back in the RDU area soon because I left behind my children and my seven grandchildren (1 boy and 6 girls!) who remain in that area. I’ve been selfemployed and working from home for more than 15 years, providing me a lot of flexibility to love on others - and for that, I’m also very grateful."
1974
Congratulations to JOHN KNIGHT, whose daughter, Helen, will be graduating from Johns Hopkins Medical School in May 2018.
ADELINE TALBOT and her husband, David, moved to Beaufort, North Carolina, this past May, when David traded in his years of leading a practice for “just being a plain old doctor” - still plenty busy but much more manageable and all round very happy-making. Per Adeline, “We love it. Our daughter, Mary, soon to be 24, continues to love Philadelphia and her work at Vanguard Investments.” SHERRIE HENDRIX WEST writes, “I am still in New Bern, but spend quite a bit of time at our house near Swansboro, and as much of that as possible on the beach! I am retired from teaching, but went back teaching part-time in the Gifted Education program. I help as much as possible with my two granddaughters who live in Swansboro. They are 9 and 5 and of course, as their MiMi, I think they are pretty special!”
Congratulations to Ernie and BETH GOODE REIGEL whose daughter, Rebecca Jane Reigel Ponton ’04, gave birth to a third child, Robert Arnold Ponton IV, on February 19, 2018. He joins big sisters, Ellie and Jane. See Class of 2004 notes for photo.
1977
Carol Lomax Fortenberry carol@fortenberrylambert.com Elen Try Bennett elenbennett@gmail.com
JANE BLANCHARD COX writes, “I recently moved to a smaller home in my neighborhood in Indianapolis. I am now finished with renovations and love it. My twins graduated from college - Phillip from UNC and Caroline from Miami University of Ohio. Both are now working in their chosen fields. Caroline is in Indianapolis where she works in marketing at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Phillip is in New York working for an advertising firm. I am still working as a pediatric audiologist at St. Vincent Hospital - which I love. My mom is doing great (at 94!) and lives in a retirement community in Charlotte. We get together often, and I travel to Charlotte every 6 to 8 weeks.”
DR. PAUL RUTTER, Director of the Evening College for the University of Mount Olive, now oversees four campuses located in Smithfield, Goldsboro/SJAFB, Fayetteville and the main campus in Mount Olive. If anyone dares to go kayaking in the famous Three Sisters’ Swamp on the Black River in Pender County, let Paul know. He guides groups through it and so far, everyone has made it to the end. Paul writes, “I walked the Camino de Santiago in France and Spain this past October - I was in Barcelona when they voted to separate - then ran the Marine Corps Half Marathon the day after I returned. I plan to celebrate my 60th birthday running the Edinburgh Half Marathon.”
We extend our sympathies to Jane and her family for the loss of her husband, Phillip, on January 9, 2016. After retiring from FedEx in 2014 , BAXTER PHARR has been living in Buena Vista, Colorado, with beautiful views of 14,000 ft. peaks. In his free time, he broadcasts a weekly radio show called “Pursuing Personal Peace” and enjoys skiing, whitewater kayaking, hitting the local hot springs, mountain biking and gardening organic fruits and vegetables.
1976
If you are interested in being the Class of 1976 Class Agent, please contact Sally in the Alumni Office at ssmith@charlottelatin.org.
Baxter Pharr ’74 is enjoying life in Buena Vista, Colorado.
1975
Jean Trice Deason jtdeason@bellsouth.net Paul Rutter ’77 walked the Camino de Santiago in October 2017. 48
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ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES
1978
Robin Waters Griffith robingriffith@carolina.rr.com
1979
Craig Summerville csummerville@windstream.net KATHY BAKER GUADAGNINO and her family live in Boca Raton, Florida, where she is the head women’s golf coach at Florida Atlantic University. In February, FAU hosted a Winter Warmup and Kathy met Dartmouth golfer Moon Cheong ’17. See Class of 2017 notes for photo.
Rich and TASSE ALEXANDER LITTLE are empty nesters living in Charlotte and the proud parents of four ASU Mountaineer sons. Ben graduated from Appalachian in May 2017 and is in graduate school in South Carolina. Sam is a junior at Appalachian State University majoring in Physics. Will, a 2014 graduate of ASU, did his Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He is a member of the National Guard and is employed by RB Pharr. Finally, Jake graduated from Appalachian in 2015 and works at Alpine Ski Center in Banner Elk, North Carolina, while also working as Director of Marching Percussions at Appalachian.
1980
Angus McBryde angus.mcbryde@gmail.com
De Thomas ’84 is lead singer of The 16th and T Band.
DE THOMAS BLUMBERG is the lead singer of a fun, rock, ‘y’all-ternative’ band in Washington, D.C. The 16th and T Band has been together for more than 20 years and has a large fan base in Washington, D.C., Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Maryland. We love 2nd generation Latin friendships! Spencer Hurteau ’10, son of CISSY CURRIN, and Ian Stewart, son of Robb and DANIELLE SANDBO STEWART, enjoyed a winter ski trip.
1981
Annie Gray Roberts agrayinnc@aol.com
1982
If you are interested in being the Class of 1982 Class Agent, please contact Sally in the Alumni Office at ssmith@charlottelatin.org. SUZY MINOR JOHNSON and her husband, Clark, enjoyed their annual visit to see Charles and SUSAN MICHAUX DALTON in Telluride, Colorado. One of this trip’s highlights was running into former Carolina Panther, Esera Tuaolo.
The sons of Tasse Alexander Little ’82, Ben, Sam, Will and Jake, celebrate Will’s graduation from Basic Training with the National Guard.
1983
Deanie Albright Hanley dalbrighthanley@verizon.net
1984
Janet Miller Rogers Janet37@me.com Sky Broome skybroome1@gmail.com
Clark Johnson and Susan Michaux Dalton ’82 enjoyed a chance meeting with Esera Tuaolo in Telluride.
Hank and Catherine Rencher Mabry ’84 have two children, Cate and Fil.
The sons of Cissy Currin ’84 and Danielle Sandbo Stewart ’84 enjoyed skiing together. CATHERINE RENCHER MABRY and her husband, Hank, still live in Columbia, South Carolina, where she enjoys working parttime for Shives Funeral Home in community outreach. Their oldest child, Cate (23), graduated from Clemson University in May 2018 and is currently in graduate school at The Creative Circus in Atlanta where she is studying copywriting. Their son, Fil (21), is a junior at Clemson University studying Agricultural Business and Mechanization.
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1985
1991
Libby Tate Gordon Libbygordon4@gmail.com
Kathryn Barnhardt Van Nort kvannort@yahoo.com
Jorn Bleimann rinnovations@msn.com
Sally Gallagher Lindsay Sglindsay73@gmail.com
In February, Charlotte-area gals from the Class of 1985 enjoyed a mini-reunion, though they missed FIZ ANDERSON CRAIG and KENNA CLONINGER JORDAN.
BRIAN BLANCHFIELD is the author of three books of poetry and nonfiction, most recently Proxies: Essays Near Knowing, which received a 2016 Whiting Award from the Whiting Foundation and was recently reissued in the U.K. He is Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Idaho. Brian and his partner, John, make their home in Moscow, Idaho.
Lyde Spann ’94 (see right) LYDE SPANN was recently published in Ariana Huffington’s Thrive Global (www.thriveglobal.com), as one of their 99 Limit Breaking Female Founders. See right.
Blair Carriker Donald ’85, Ginny Carson Cobb ’85, Wendy Diamond Warne ’85, Libby Tate Gordon ’85, Margo Fuller Wells ’85, Elizabeth Booth Bivens ’85, Missy Herring Banks ’85, Lucy Thompson ’85, Flora Robinson Warbington ’85, Beth Bryson ’85 and Betsy Plumlee Parkhurst ’85 reconnected in February 2018.
1986
Laurie Barreau Williams lauriebwilliams@hotmail.com
Brian Blanchfield ’91 and his partner, John, live in Moscow, Idaho.
1992
1987
Kess Connelly Clark kess.connelly@yahoo.com
1988
Ed McMahan emcmahan@falfurriascapital.com
Andy Clark amclark@carolina.rr.com Debbie McMahan Frail dsfrail@gmail.com
1993
1994
1989
Tino Bleimann tinobleimann@bellsouth.net
Katherine Dickson Crockett Katherinecrockett12@gmail.com
Beth Anderson Pence bpence@me.com
There was a mini Class of 1994 reunion - with MARK CROCKETT, BYRON BURNS and CHARLEY LEW - at the recent Big Head Todd concert in Charlotte. Also spotted: Dora Ann Kitchin ’93 and Jennifer Holloway ’93.
1990
Anna Litaker Reimers Anna.reimers@gmail.com Denny Smith O’Leary dennyoleary@me.com Denise Nasekos Pettus Dnpettus72@gmail.com
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If you are interested in being the Class of 1975 Class Agent, please contact Sally in the Alumni Office at ssmith@charlottelatin.org.
Spring 2018
Mark Crockett ’94, Byron Burns ’94 and Charley Lew ’ 94 enjoyed the Big Head Todd concert.
from Ariana Huffington’s Thrive Global, January 2018
>
Between the rise of the #Me2 movement and a strong economy, 2017 was a good year for women in the business community as a study also found the rate of women entrepreneurs saw the biggest increase in almost two decades. Relatively few women-owned firms smash through the $1 million barrier and one of them happens to be the female pioneer and former head of eCommerce for the retailer Zara: Lyde Spann, Founder and CEO of netamorphosis, an award-winning digital agency whose data-driven approach has helped more than 60 retailers grow traffic and drive revenue by more than 70% a year.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Lyde Spann
Connecting the Dots
Lyde is regarded as a pioneer within the digital industry; known for leading and developing dynamic eCommerce and omnichannel operations for some of the most ambitious organizations in the world. To read more go to: www.charlottelatin.org/lydespann I am often asked particularly by our younger job candidates, what inspired or motivated my career, and led me to create netamorphosis (netamorphosis.com). I pay tribute to several themes for my drive, ambition and ultimately capability to connect the dots that led to neta, many for which Charlotte Latin most definitely deserves credit. #1. Adaptability - As we tend to hire individuals recently out of university, we often seek travelers; those individuals who have lived, studied or worked abroad, experienced another culture, and cultivated a different perspective. It is vital that our team members have lived outside of their comfort zone(s) and have been able to ‘adapt’; as we ultimately embed ourselves into our client’s companies and organizations for periods of formative growth and company transformation. Our inherent capability to integrate is therefore fundamental to the work that we do. While there are many wonderful things about receiving a private school education, such as Charlotte Latin, exposure to foreign culture is not always “a given.” I was able to participate on two trips while I attended Latin: a spring break trip to Paris and Rome when I was a freshman and New York City when I was sophomore. I vividly recall each of these experiences, and now that neta works with companies in Mexico, Spain, Italy, France, Sweden, the UK, India and Demark, our success in translating brands, products and services to their native country, has led to some of our most rewarding work to date. These first trips abroad have also remained fresh in my recent memory given the fact that I traveled to both destinations with my friend, Sunny Harris. Sunny was my roommate on each of these trips, and she and I enjoyed cultural learning and our fair share of laughs. Given these formative shared experiences, hearing the recent loss of Sunny was devastating, but I will forever cherish these formative memories that have served as inspiration for ultimately creating neta. Sunny also drove my brother, Bennett, and me home from school.
Without a doubt Sunny's joie de vivre and generosity certainly made the ride home that much more fun, which leads me to the 2nd component. #2. Relationships and collaboration – The ability to relate to others, communicate as a team, and to empathize is really what drives our clients’ success rate (measured by company and digital channel/footprint growth). While in many cases, I’m more of an introvert, I have a very direct communication style, which I’ve found over the years to be both a blessing and a curse. One of the biggest surprises that has resulted at neta, is the longevity of our client partnerships, which on average is 2.7 years; and inversely our open communication style is a fundamental component of both our client relationship and our internal management/collaboration style. #3 Value system - Many of my friends from Charlotte Latin remain close friends today, and the values of my peers from my days at Latin mirror the value system that attracts likeminded individuals to netamorphosis. We currently serve as Chief Marketing Officer for Newport Academy, a residential teen treatment and rehabilitation center. Newport Academy treats teens who may be struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse addiction. Our work in furthering the clinical and therapeutic modalities for restoring and empowering teens and their families has been personally very meaningful to me, especially when I consider how fortunate I was to have as caring and as supportive of a learning environment as Latin. Every day, as I work with Newport Academy, I am grateful to Latin for fostering and instilling such important values that shaped my personal development, at such a fundamental time.
Lyde would like to support internships for Charlotte Latin graduates in college - and career opportunities for recent college graduates. For more information on netamorphosis, visit netamorphosis.com/ and netamorphosis.com/join-us/ Spring 2018
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ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES
1996
1998
Peggy Kane Thies peggythies33@gmail.com
Talia Caligiuri Fann Talia.caligiuri@gmail.com
Holly Ivanoff Graham hollyigraham@gmail.com
Lauren Bowman Llamas Lauren.llamas@duke-energy.com
Congratulations to AMY POULIN BRAIM who writes, “After moving four times all over the country to complete my education and training, my husband, Tony, and I welcomed our first child, Cayden Anthony, on April 4, 2017. I am an equine surgeon working as a Technical Services Veterinarian covering the Southeast region with Zoetis, the largest global animal health company.” The Braims live outside of the metro Atlanta area where Tony is a physical therapist.
SCOTT TURNER SCHOFIELD writes, “Hey 98’ers! I refuse to believe it is our 20 year anniversary. Or maybe 20 doesn’t mean what I thought it did. Yeah, that’s it. In reverse order of importance, this is my life right now: - The City of Santa Monica commissioned me to produce an e-course aimed at gyms and pools, to train staff on how to respect transgender people in locker rooms and keep everybody safe. It releases nationwide in time for summer vacation. - The film of my one man show, Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps, will be shot this June. It has toured the world for 10 years: honoring trans people, supporting those who love us, and approaching those who don’t (yet) with love and education. Find out more at 127steps.com
Cayden Anthony, son of Amy Poulin Braim ’96, was born on April 4, 2017.
1997
Ben Vandiver bhvandiver@gmail.com Kudos to DAN MALLORY who works under the pseudonym, A.J. Finn, and whose first novel, The Woman in the Window, is a New York Times bestseller. In March 2018, A.J. was in Charlotte alongside author Chris Bohjalian, as the two were the featured authors at Queens University’s Book and Author Luncheon.
- The two best things to ever happen to me took place this year. The less important one is that I got to do my first starring role in a major motion picture. The Conductor, about Antonia Brico (the first female orchestra conductor) has worldwide release at the end of the year; I play the jazz musician who loves her. - But the best thing - in my life, not just recently - was marrying my partner Terra Naomi. She’s a singer-songwriter you’ve heard on Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. She’s releasing a new album this year. We split our time between Atlanta, Los Angeles, and wherever our work takes us.
Scott Turner Schofield ’98 and his wife, Terra Naomi split their time between Atlanta and Los Angeles. RACHEL YARMEY BREMER and her husband, Ric, have been living in London for almost 11 years. Their children, James (8) and Anne (5), love their neighborhood and school and have partly British and partly American accents! Rachel works at ASOS, an ecommerce fashion site, as the Global Communications Director, where she is responsible for PR and influencer teams and the ASOS magazine. Ric has been at Fisher Investments since 2002 and is a director in the London office. Rachel says, “We get back to the U.S. every Christmas and travel as much as we can.
Thanks for supporting me in all this work!”
Rachel Yarmey Bremer ‘98 and her family live in London.
KATIE STAFFORD married John Putro on August 4, 2017, in Charlotte. John is originally from Michigan and is a Global Product Manager at BASF. Kate works at Childress Klein in Uptown Charlotte. Kate and John reside in Fort Mill, South Carolina, with their two children, Julia (8) and Jackson (6).
A.J. Finn’s The Woman in the Window
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A.J. Finn/Dan Mallory ’97
ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES MICHELLE ASHCRAFT SHAFFER and her husband, David, welcomed Rainey Gladstone on May 19, 2017. He joins big brother, Vinnon Davies.
1999
Karen Ubell Karen.ubell@gmail.com Regan White reganmwhite@gmail.com TENAE WILKINS DOWNING is Charlotte Latin’s head coach for the boys and girls Middle School Track and Field team for the spring 2018 season. She had worked as the assistant sprinting and relay Middle School coach the previous three seasons.
Jon Overcash ’99 and his family enjoy life in South Australia. We have a label that we’ve done in conjunction with Brie’s brother. It has been the official wine for Jetstar (Qantas’ budget airline) for four years and has sold more than 3.5 million ‘airplane bottles.’ It's also sold in Dan Murphy’s throughout Australia *wink wink*.
Rainey Gladstone and Vinnon Davies are the sons of Michelle Ashcraft Shaffer ’98 Congratulations to MEGAN BYNUM who married Amy Harvey on May 6, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee. Megan also earned her doctorate in education from Trevecca Nazarene University. Her dissertation was centered on the clinical education of athletic training students. Megan has worked for Cumberland University for the past five years as the Clinical Education Coordinator/ Instructor.
Megan Bynum ’98 married Amy Harvey on May 6, 2017.
My mom moved out here in July and is settling into life in Australia. So we have a free babysitter now! And I received Aussie citizenship and will finalize it when the local council has its next ceremony. All in all life is very good for us recently, and we will ride that wave as long as it continues.” Tenae Wilkins Downing ’99 enjoys working as the head coach for Latin’s Middle School Track and Field teams.
Congratulations to CHARLIE EARP and his wife, Cheryl, who welcomed Fletcher Conine on February 24, 2018. The Earps live in Charlotte where Charlie is Senior Vice President at M3 Global Research.
JON OVERCASH writes from Down Under where he and his family are “kicking goals” the Aussie version of kicking butt. “My wife and I are working on extension plans for our house in Willunga, South Australia, making it into a family home that we can be in for the next how ever many years. I’ve been working at Coriole Winery in the cellar door for two years. I am the cellar door supervisor and won one of four cellar door ‘star’ awards in our region of McLaren vale last year. I'm lucky to be at a gorgeous location with the best staff of people I’ve ever worked with. My wife Brie recently took on the role of senior winemaker at South Australia Wine Company, which is owned by Cassela (Yellowtail wines). She’s currently getting into vintage (harvest time) and will be working 14to 17-hour days, six days a week, into April or May. And then a getaway to Bali! (continued)
Congratulations to Katie Stafford ’98 and John Putro who were married on August 4, 2017.
Fletcher Conine, the infant son of Charlie Earp ’99, makes former Lower School nurse Ruthie Earp one proud grandmother.
ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES
2000
Reagan Kenwell reagankenwell@gmail.com Congratulations to MATT “SMOKEY” CLOUD who writes, “War for the Planet of the Apes won for Dialogue and ADR on February 18, 2018, at the 65th Golden Reel Awards, given out by the Motion Picture Sound Editors. After three movies, eight years and countless hours of screeching chimpanzees, throbbingly guttural orangutans and aggressive gorillas, it’s an honor to be recognized for all the hard work. Now, with Disney in the process of purchasing Fox, Steve Rowell and I can finally fulfill our destiny of taking over Hollywood through a bloodless coup.”
Congratulations to Matt “Smokey” Cloud ’00 (right) who won a Golden Reel Award in February 2018.
Congratulations to NICHELLE WYNN SUBLETT who won the Official Mrs. North Carolina 2018 pageant on November 11, 2017, at the Charles Mack Citizen Center Theatre, in Mooresville, North Carolina, in front of a sellout crowd. Nichelle competed as Mrs. Queen City in the pageant. A Physician Liaison for Atrium Health, Nichelle is married to Harold Sublett, Jr., and they reside in uptown Charlotte.
Jenelle Williams ’00 enjoyed meeting ABC News’ Matt Gutman in November when she flew to Denver to manage 2014 Olympic Silver Medalist Gus Kenworthy at a Nightline shoot.
JENELLE WILLIAMS has worked for GMR Marketing, the agency of record for Global Olympic sponsor, Proctor and Gamble, for seven years. She handles strategic consulting and athlete, brand and customer team management for P&G’s Olympic programs. Jenelle has been on-site at the past four Olympic games including London 2012, Sochi 2014, Rio 2016 and most recently PyeongChang 2018. Jenelle shares, “In the lead-up to the Olympics, I’ve managed athletes like Allyson Felix, Alex Morgan, April Ross and David Wise to name a few, for brands like Bounty, Always and Pampers. I was on-the-ground in PyeongChang for five weeks managing contractual appearances for P&G’s global portfolio of athletes which includes Lindsey Vonn, Gus Kenworth, Jamie Anderson, Michelle Kwan and many others.”
According to Frederick C. Galle III, Director of the Mrs. America Organization and CoExecutive Director for Mrs. North Carolina, “Nichelle is a former Cheerleader and Cheer Captain for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Nichelle obtained her Master’s Degree in Medical Science from Hampton University and was inducted into the Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society. Nichelle is an active volunteer and is a terrific role model for all the married women of North Carolina with her positive, goal oriented attitude. She serves her community through her efforts as a six-year board member of RAIN and founder of StandUp Charlotte. She plans to bring awareness to infertility and pregnancy loss which affects one in six couples. We are very excited to share her with all of North Carolina and she is a very strong contender at the Mrs. America 2018 Pageant next August in Las Vegas Nevada.” The Mrs. America and Mrs. World pageant system is the second largest pageant organization in the world. The first Mrs. America was crowned in 1938 and has become an American institution while leading the celebration and empowerment of the more than 90 million married women in the United States.
Nichelle Wynn Sublett ’00, pictured with husband, Harold Sublett, was crowned Mrs. North Carolina 2018. January 18, 2018. Kate is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Columbia University, but recently accepted a position at Dartmouth in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. Brian works in electronic trading in the financial services industry. Kate writes, “We are looking forward to moving up to Hanover this summer. Let us know if you’re in the area!”
Congratulations to KATE NAUTIYAL BULTHUIS and her husband, Brian, whose son, Charlie, was born on October 12, 2017. He joins big sister Allie who turned two on 54
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Kate Nautiyal Bulthuis, husband Brian and daughter Allie welcomed Charlie on October 12, 2017.
ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES JOHN BETHUNE has been married for nearly seven years to Dr. Keri Bethune, Ph.D., BCBAD, who teaches at James Madison University in the Exceptional Education Department. Keri and John live in the Shenandoah Valley with their two children, Leo (4) and Noa (2). John has worked as a nurse for more than three years in the Emergency Department of Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital and has recently become the Staff Development Educator. Congratulations to Greg and LISA MOORE BADEN who welcomed baby Elisabeth Grace on February 1, 2018. Per Lisa, “To add to the excitement, we moved from Charleston back to Charlotte at the end of February. All are happy nesting again in Hawk territory, closer to Grandma Moore and fellow Latin alums.
A good group of guys from the Class of 2001 got together over Christmas 2017.
Enjoying a Class of 2001 mini-reunion are Back row: Justin Hannon ’01, Andrew Teden ’01, Brandon DeCurtins ’01, Lee Sigmon ’01; Middle row: Matthew Rankin ’01, Andrew Schaeffer ’01, Brick Bryant ’01, Reed Gaskin ’01, Tommy Poulos ’01 and Front row: David Nunn ’01. Not pictured: J.P. Tsahakis ’01 and Thomas Porter ’01
2002
Tripp Cockerham Tripp.cockerham@gmail.com Patrick Rivenbark Patrick.rivenbark@gmail.com
Elisabeth Grace, daughter of Lisa Moore Baden ’00, was born on February 1, 2018.
Congratulations to PAT FINN and Alyson “Aly” Myers who were married October 5, 2017, on the island of Mallorca, Spain. Jamie Hall ’99 officiated. Aly is employed at TIAA as a Senior Mortgage Loan Consultant and Pat is a Criminal Defense Attorney at the Law Office of Lisa A. Dubs in Hickory, North Carolina. The couple, and their goldendoodle Ollie, just bought their first house in Mountain Island Lake in Charlotte.
Aly and Pat Finn ’03 live in Charlotte with their goldendoodle, Ollie
Congratulations to CARMEN SCHMITT LEYTON and her husband, Craig, whose daughter, Harper, was born on March 16, 2017. The Leyton family, which includes big brother Colton (3), lives in Charlotte.
Congratulations to Rachel and PATRICK RIVENBARK, who welcomed their son, Isaiah Vincent, on November 2, 2017. Isaiah joins big sister, Dylan.
2001
Stephanie Hannon Stephanie.hannon29@gmail.com Congratulations to J.P. TSAHAKIS and his wife, Stephanie, whose son, Paul John, was born on September 17, 2017. Per J.P., he wants to be a future Latin Hawk!
Harper and Colton are the daughter and son of Carmen Schmitt Leyton ’03.
Isaiah Vincent Rivenbark, son of Patrick Rivenbark ’02, was born on November 2, 2017.
2003
Mary Holland Rankin Griffin mhrankin12@gmail.com Hunter Miller Miller.hunterl@gmail.com Katie Moody klmoody16@gmail.com Paul John Tsahakis, son of J.P. Tsahakis ’01, was born on September 17, 2017.
Mary Hunter, daughter of Hunter Miller ’03, was born on December 27, 2017.
Congratulations to Catherine and HUNTER MILLER, whose third daughter, Mary Hunter, was born on December 27, 2017. She joins big sisters Ann (2) and Carolyn (4). Carolyn is especially excited about attending kindergarten at Latin next year!
ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES
2004
Lizz Clegg Gregg liclegg@gmail.com Shelton Metcalf Shelton.metcalf@gmail.com
KATHLEEN McDOWELL NOWICKE and husband Jimmy welcomed their second son, Bowden, in July. Big brother James Jr. (2) is still adjusting. The family moved from Houston to St. Louis in September, where Kathleen works for World Wide Technology leading healthcare digital transformation strategy.
Congratulations to KRISTINA MAHONEY and Steve Wall who were married on December 2, 2017, in Colorado. The couple currently resides in Denver, Colorado.
Meredith Trusty ’05 and Tyler Riggins were married on December 2, 2017.
Bowden and James are the sons of Kathleen McDowell Nowicke ’04.
Congratulations to MEREDITH TRUSTY who married Tyler Riggins on December 2, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina. KENT CALDWELL and PATRICK FITZPATRICK were ushers, and LAURA MANNS, Mallory Nanny ’06 and KATHRYN STEELE were among the bridesmaids. The Riggins live in Charlotte.
REBECCA JANE REIGEL PONTON and her husband, Rob, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Robert Arnold IV, on February 19, 2018. Big sisters, Ellie and Jane, are excited to spoil their baby brother. Kristina Mahoney ’04 married Steve Wall on December 2, 2017. Congratulations to Collin and BLAIR DARGUSCH DAVENPORT whose daughter, Charlotte Elinor Davenport, was born on December 11, 2017, with a full head of hair! The Davenports have been living in Alexandria, Virginia, for the last three years. Blair is a licensed architect working at a firm in D.C., and Collin is the Legislative Director for a Virginia Congressman.
Ellie and Jane Ponton, daughters of Rebecca Jane Reigel Ponton ’04, are excited to have a baby brother, Robert Arnold Ponton IV.
2005
William Hodges whhodges@gmail.com Patrick Fitzpatrick p.fitzpatrick27@gmail.com
Charlotte Elinor is the daughter of Blair Dargush Davenport ’04.
Mallory Nanny ’06, Laura Manns ’05, Kent Caldwell ’05, Kathryn Steele ’05 and Patrick Fitzpatrick ’05 celebrate with Meredith Trusty ’05 on her wedding day.
ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES
2006
Mary Salem Gregory Marysalem.gregory@gmail.com Ashley Sigmon asigmon@gmail.com Mark Ashcraft Mark.ashcraft@ally.com
ELSA ISAK graduated from UNC Medical School and is in her first year of residency at Prentice Women’s Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the OB/GYN unit. LYNSEY GAUDIOSO graduated from Yale Law School and was admitted to the California Bar. She is working on housing policy at Public Advocates in San Francisco.
Lt. JAMES K. PETTIT III is proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps and is currently deployed to the Middle East.
2007
Brent Price Gallagher Mbp1024@gmail.com Maddie Durrett madisondurrett@gmail.com Stuart Kessler Stuart.a.kessler@gmail.com
TRACY SNELL BAJAN and her husband, Greg, who joyfully welcomed son Charles Henry to the world on August 19, 2017. Charlie, born five weeks ahead of his due date, weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces. Proud uncle is Sean Snell ’04.
Madison McDermott Frank ’06 and husband, Ryan, at the Maryland Court of Appeals Swearing in Ceremony.
MADISON McDERMOTT FRANK was admitted to the Maryland Bar and is a prosecutor in Baltimore, Maryland. Madison shared that a group of Latin ladies gathered at the Duke Mansion recently to shower PAIGE FORD. Lt. James K. Pettit III ’06 serves with the U.S. Marines in the Middle East. BRIAN SCHUSTER writes, “My wife and I recently welcomed our second son, Weston Michael. He was born on February 2, 2018, and his older sister, Evelyn Patricia (2), couldn't be happier. The whole family is adjusting well. After eight years in Indianapolis, the family is moving to Cary, North Carolina, this summer and plan to start house hunting soon. “I’ve actually kept up with quite a few Charlotte Latin Alumni over the last eight years. Due to work in the cryptocurrency industry, I've reconnected with MACLANE WILKINSON, founder of NuCypher and Fletcher Gregory ’04, Vice President at Bridge Growth Partners. It's been nice to reconnect with old classmates around the country.
Jamie Esposito Hubbard ’06, Madison McDermott Frank ’06, Mary Scott Kennedy ’06, Alison Blake ’06, Paige Ford ’06, Tricia Bates ’06, Elsa Isak ’06, Lynsey Gaudioso ’06, Paige Wilcox ’06 and Jessie Miller Weisner ’06 gathered at the Duke Mansion in Charlotte.
Charles Henry, son of Tracy Snell Bajan ’07, was born on August 19, 2017.
MOLLY McCRORY and Scott Schultz were married on November 18, 2017, in Charlotte. Their wedding party included PATTERSON MAKER MILLER, GRAHAM MILLER, BRENT PRICE GALLAGHER and MARY RIVES BARNHARDT BATCHELOR. They live in Jacksonville, Florida, where Scott is in his third year of orthopaedic surgery residency with the University of Florida. Molly works remotely for Charlotte-based Saussy Burbank as their Director of Sales Operations.
“I’m still close friends with a lot of my classmates from the Class of 2006. I’ve recently seen SCOTT HARDAGE, ALEX FERGUSSON and LAUREN SUMMERVILLE. And finally, Daniel Beyer who left CLS in 2004, has remained my closest friend since we first met in 2003. Even almost 15 years later, we still talk on a daily basis.” Brian Schuster ’06 and his wife have two children, Weston Michael and Evelyn Patricia.
Molly McCrory ’07 married Scott Schultz on November 18, 2017. Spring 2018
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ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES Always good to hear from NICK COMA who writes, “I recently moved to Philadelphia where my moving to a city usually attributes to a sports team making it to the championship game. Last year I was in Chicago and the Cubs won the World Series, this year it was the Eagles winning the Super Bowl. Coincidence? I think not.
2008
Obi Okwara obinnayaokwara@gmail.com KORDE ARRINGTON TUTTLE recently presented his play, graveyard shift, at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta’s Tony Awardwinning, national theatre. As a finalist for the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition, Korde was one-offive playwrights invited to present a reading of his play, during Kendeda Week. In January, graveyard shift was included in the seventh annual Roundabout Underground Reading Series for emerging artists. Korde lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he is a playwrightin-residence at Lincoln Center Theatre and a member of Ars Nova’s Play Group.
Owen Swetenburg ’07, Korde Tuttle ’08, Obi Okwara ’08 and Jasmine Isley ’08 enjoyed connecting post-show in Atlanta.
Liza Price ’09 and Ryan McNair were married on January 13, 2018. Congratulations to LIZA PRICE who married Ryan McNair at The Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 13, 2018. Several Latin alumni were in attendance including members of the wedding party, Emma Price ’13, MORGAN HOLT, Leah Davis Benfield ’07, JENNY ROCHE, and Mason Ellerbe ’07. Other guests included CAROLINE BARRINEAU, JESSICA WERNIKOFF, MEGGIE TRUSTY, CROSBY CORDELL, SARAH WOJCIK, JOHN GRANTHAM, ANDY METZGER, Logan Blough ’08, Jim Roche ’07, AUSTIN MEDALL, PATRICK CLAPP, Eve Davis ’13 and Vic Davis ’13. Liza and Ryan live in Charlotte where Liza works in Advisory Consulting at Deloitte and Ryan works in Healthcare Consulting at Premier, Inc.
I started a new job as an art director at an advertising agency. I write scripts for commercials, attend, direct, and set up photoshoots, and I also get to design various print and digital pieces. Benefits to working in advertising: Having a wet bar in my office (yes... like Mad Men) and having very flexible work hours. I have been enjoying walking by the Liberty Bell every day to work, and loving the gritty personality and character that Philly has. It has also been really fun being the subject matter for some commercials and other video work. To name a few, I have hand modeled several times for various phone case ads, and I dressed up as a Kangaroo for a Reyka Vodka ad that will be used on social media. Other small tidbits: I recently trained Siri to refer to me as ‘Lord Vader,’ I have been building my own PC now from scratch, and cheesesteaks are pretty awesome.”
2009
Catie Faison Catie.faison@gmail.com Meggie Trusty Meggie.trusty@gmail.com Congratulations to EMILY ZUEHLKE who writes, “On July 22, James Heuser and I had an amazing wedding celebration on the coast of Maine, complete with a lobster bake and sunset cruise with our families and a few friends. Charlotte Latin was well represented as it always is when my family is together! My brother, Andrew ’13, was a groomsman and my parents - Upper School faculty and staff - hosted. James and I are busy with work he works in the NHL and I’m a healthcare consultant at Optum.”
Emily Zuehlke ’09 married James Heuser on July 22, 2017. 58
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A cast of Hawks turned out for the wedding of Liza Price ’09 and Ryan McNair.
True or False: Megyn Kelly never leaves the house without Nick Coma ’09.
ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES
2010
Effe Ghartey-Tagoe effegharteytagoe@gmail.com Rachel Kokenes Kokenes@email.unc.edu Will Tome Tome.w@husky.neu.edu
2011
Michael Grace Michael.r.grace@yale.edu Noland Griffith nolandgriffith@gmail.com Mary Padgett Hawkins marypadgetthawkins@gmail.com Jalen Ross Jalen@email.virginia.edu Ann Louise Seaton Alseaton13@gmail.com CLAIRE GIBSON lives in Santa Rosa, California. As the sustainability coordinator at Marmot, she leads the charge to work with greener factories, use safer chemicals and select more durable fabrics. Congratulations to MICHAEL GRACE and Sarah Rosales who were married on April 1, 2017, in New Haven, Connecticut. They met while studying at Yale and now live in Tucson, Arizona, where Michael is pursuing a Ph.D. in Optical Physics.
Will O’Brien ’10 married Rachel Finney on July 15, 2017.
Congratulations to WILL O’BRIEN and Rachel Finney who were married on July 15, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Rachel’s hometown of Gloucester, Virginia. Both Rachel and Will graduated from Wofford College and now live in Charlotte. Will is a Financial Advisor at UBS, and Rachel is a second grade assistant teacher at Charlotte Latin, who also coaches Middle School field hockey and lacrosse.
ROMAN BERENS is in his second year of the Ph.D. program in physics at Columbia University. BECKY GE graduated from Boston University and is currently studying Business Analytics in Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. She enjoyed a trip home to China over the winter holidays.
2013
Ashley Finke asfinke@me.com Jacob Nabatoff jacobsnabatoff@gmail.com Chris Paschal Chris.paschal@me.com Ellie Sheild Ellie.sheild@gmail.com Congratulations to TAHIRA BENJAMIN who graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in Communications and French in May 2017. She lives in Los Angeles, California, where she started her own marketing consulting firm, Optics Consulting, for small businesses and personal brands.
2014
Mason Ledonne Mason.ledonne@tcu.edu Griffin Smith Tgsmith9@live.unc.edu Mary Page Welch Welchm18@wlu.edu RUSTY REIGEL was a captain of the Davidson College men’s basketball team, which welcomed another Hawk, freshman Bates Jones ’17. Michael Grace ’11 married Sarah Rosales on April 1, 2017.
2012
Jay ’09, Christopher ’12 and Matthew ’15 O’Brien were groomsmen in their brother, Will’s wedding.
Ryan Carter carterra@email.wofford.edu Aseda Ghartey-Tagoe Essie.a.ghartey-tagoe@vanderbilt.edu Chris Jones Cjones41693@yahoo.com Kathryn Watts Kathrynwatts2016@u.northwestern.edu
Rusty Reigel ’14, Donay Fullwood, Will Reigel ’08, Coach Chris Berger ’89 and Bates Jones ’17.
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ALUMNI • CLASS NOTES
2017
2015
Anna Jones annajon@live.unc.edu Gray Smith gms@live.unc.edu Matthew Swimmer Swimms15@wfu.edu Congratulations to RYAN GARDNER who received the Excellence in Stage Management Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 1 competition for stage managing Boston College Theatre Department’s production of Chicago. After being selected from more than 30 other college stage managers in New England, Ryan went to Washington, D.C., in April, to represent the Northeast region as one of eight National Stage Management fellows at the Kennedy Center.
DAVID BAYNARD, JOE GITLIN and BENNETT JONES are freshmen at Clemson University. In February, the three forensics alumni served as volunteer judges at a tournament at Southside High School in Greenville, South Carolina. Mr. Landrum Henderson, Baird Charlotte Office Financial Advisor, Harrison Fertitta ’17, Mr. Lawrence Wall, Head of Upper School
David Baynard ’17, Joe Gitlin ’17 and Bennett Jones ’17 enjoyed reuniting with Upper School Director of Forensics Jonathan Peele.
Congratulations to MOON CHEONG, a freshman golfer at Dartmouth, who earned medalists honors at the FAU Winter Warmup to start her 2018 spring season.
Ryan Gardner ’15 is an award-winning stage manager in Boston College’s theatre.
2016
Austin Acks austinacks@aol.com Duncan Keeley Keeleyd20@hsc.edu E.C. Myers Ecmm97@gmail.com Gabby Smith Gnsmith4@gmail.com
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Moon Cheong ’17, a freshman golfer at Dartmouth, celebrates her medalists honors with FAU golf coach, Kathy Baker Guadagnino ’79.
In Memoriam
Congratulations to HARRISON FERTITTA who, in May 2017, received The Robert W. Baird & Co. Business Scholar Award. The Baird award was established in 2013 and commits $2,000 per year for five years to Charlotte Latin to be split evenly between student recipient and School. The 2017 award recognized Fertitta for his strong work ethic and motivation to excel. Fertitta is finishing his freshman year at the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame. At Latin, Harrison was Student Council Senator, in the Junior Classical League and on the Debate Team. He played Varsity, Club and Indoor soccer. He also has worked a landscaping job during the summer and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Blessings in a Backpack and Club Sandwich. Harrison’s stellar GPA at Latin and test scores, heavy course load and college program acceptance, involvement in student leadership and clubs, athletic leadership and prowess, and student service were all considerations which led to his selection. Lawrence Wall, Head of Upper School, describes this student, “Kind and gentle by nature, but also strong in determination and personal integrity, Harrison Fertitta is unforgettable in my career.”
Karl Martin Waters IV ’06 January 10, 2018
Amanda L. Noblet ’97 September 22, 2017
Marcus Brown Prince IV ’79 January 22, 2018
Tyler Patrick D’Allaird ’17 December 2, 2017
Sara “Sunny” Harris Hutchinson ’93 February 19, 2018
CLS
Core Values
HONOR ABOVE ALL
LOOKING Ahead We’ve collected a few important dates for you to remember in the coming months. For a complete schedule of School events, please refer to MyLatin. You may also be interested in the following online calendars: Arts Events: www.charlottelatin.org/arts/calendar Athletics Events: www.charlottelatin.org/Athletics April 30..........................................Upper School Orchestra/Band Concert May 2................................................................Grades 6-12 Choir Concert
Charlotte Latin embraces the development of personal honor as a lifelong pursuit in the building of character and we require adherence to the Honor Code is required from all members of the School community. We honor one another and our personal gifts and accomplishments.
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE The quest for excellence that has characterized Charlotte Latin since its founding extends to all aspects of school life, and is viewed as the effort to do one’s best and to seek to improve continually. This quest embodies the boundless spirit that characterizes our school community, and it is grounded in our commitment to create an exceptional environment for teaching and learning.
LEADERSHIP Charlotte Latin encourages the development of leadership as a lifelong characteristic of our students and adheres to the concept of service to others (servant leadership) as the ideal model that best meets the needs of our school community, our nation and the world.
RESPECT FOR ONESELF AND OTHERS Respect is the foundation of the Charlotte Latin School community. We celebrate differences that include diverse people, cultures and perspectives.
May 5...............................................................Chamber and Piano Recital
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
May 9.................................................Grades 7-8 Orchestra/Band Concert
Each person at Charlotte Latin is accountable for his or her actions. We all share responsibility for the welfare of the greater School community.
May 12............................................................................May Day Play Day
MORAL COURAGE
May 14 ....................................................Grade 6 Orchestra/Band Concert May 16 ........................................................... Grade 5 Combined Concert
Charlotte Latin leads by example and our members are willing to do what is right and true through the courage of their convictions in spite of possible consequences or the opinions of others. Morally courageous people are willing to admit their mistakes, to address injustice and to uphold the principle of “Honor Above All.”
May 18 ......................................................................Middle School Dance May 20 ............................................................................... Baccalaureate May 22...........................The Hawkspy's Dinner and Awards Presentation May 25.............................................................................Commencement May 29 ..............................................................Memorial Day - No School June 1 ..............................................Middle School Moving Up Ceremony June 1 ..............Dismissal of Grades 1-7 at 12:30 p.m. (TK-K at 11:45 a.m.) August 20-21 ..............................................................Student Orientation August 22 ..............................................................First Full Day of School September 3 ..............................................................................Labor Day September 10 .......................Rosh Hashanah - No School; Offices Closed September 19 ..............................Yom Kippur - No School; Offices Closed
CLS
Beliefs
Everyone can learn and is encouraged to learn through as many opportunities as the School can provide. Honor is one of the most fundamental values, and upholding the Honor Code is a valued tradition. All students have unique talents and capabilities and have something to give to the community. Faculty and staff are always encouraged to continue their studies and their professional growth with the aid of staff development funds. Parents are an active and important part of the life of the School. All students will act in a manner consistent with the customs and courtesies of the School and the School Community. The School continues to review and update its programs in all areas. Teachers interact with students in a way that develops healthy relationships in a professional manner. The general campus – through its gardens, its statuary, and its buildings – promotes an atmosphere of peace and harmony. The leadership of the School shall be carried out in an atmosphere that encourages and supports these beliefs.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT #3031 CHARLOTTE, NC
9502 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28277-8695 704.846.1100 www.charlottelatin.org