Charlotte Latin School Parents’ Council Presents
Service Recognition Retirement Luncheon&
Program and Luncheon
Program and Luncheon
Tuesday, June 4, 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 4, 11:30 a.m.
SERVICE RECOGNITION AND RETIREMENT LUNCHEON
June 4, 2024
Welcome from Planning Committee
Renee Hobart, Laurie Larsh, and Carrie Query
Years of Service and Retiree Video
Special Thanks
Chuck Baldecchi
Awards Presentation
Inlustrate Orbem Awards
James McLelland ’17
Paulyne A. Flemm Award (US)
Sonja Taylor
Jane Bratton Spratt Awards (LS, MS, US)
Sonja Taylor
John Branch Stedman Award
Sonja Taylor
Steve Howard Excellence in Coaching Award
David Gatoux
Class of ’95 Support Staff Awards
Rob McArthur
Humanitarian Award
Rob McArthur
Kim Mullery Water Carrier Awards
Chuck Baldecchi
Closing Remarks
Chuck Baldecchi
35 YEAR HONOREES
TERESA EDWARDS
CATHERINE WILLIAMS
30 YEAR HONOREE
ERIC SMITH
25 YEAR HONOREES
CLARK HAWGOOD
SALLY PARSLEY
TIFFANY FLETCHER
KARI WIMBISH
20 YEAR HONOREES
SHANE BARTHRAM
ABIGAIL CUDABAC
LIZ DANNEMANN
STEPHEN STARNER
15 YEAR HONOREE
SABRINA HOWARD
10 YEAR HONOREES
NANCY ATWELL
MICHAEL BOCIAN
JAIME FLETT
MICHELLE GODFREY
DALE GREENE
DAWN HULL
LUKE IVEY
BETH LUCAS
DIANNE MACKEY
DAVID REYES RIVERA
DAVID TAYLOR
2024 Honorees
5 YEAR HONOREES
PAUL ALT
LAURA BALABUSHKA
CHUCK BALDECCHI
AMY BALLABAN
ALEX BECK
SARA BEST
BILAL BUTT
HUGO CARABALLO
DANIEL COOKE
ANDRE ELAM
CHRIS ESPOSITO
FLEKEDA GILLIAM
DAVID HALL
ALYSSA HARRIGAN
STACY MERCER
MEREDITH NUNN
ANDRIA QUINTERO
JENNA SINCLAIR
KATIE SUTTON
SAMARI TAYLOR
35 YEARS
Teresa Edwards
MS Learning Resources Family
Daughter, Parry Ernsberger ’03
Son, Bo Ernsberger ’09
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school? Walking, cooking, friends.
What is your favorite family vacation? Mountains.
What is your favorite kind of food? Anything that is not sweet.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. So many in 35 years! The MS end-of-year luncheon has always been entertaining. We love giving out our special awards!
What is something we might not know about you? Not much. I am an open book.
What do you love most about Latin?
The friendships I have here. Latin is truly my extended family.
35 YEARS Catherine Williams
Grade 1 Teacher
Family
Husband Keith, daughters Anna and Janie, pet Jack Russell Bailey.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Reading, Bible study, being with family, walking.
What is your favorite family vacation? Wrightsville Beach time.
What is your favorite kind of food? Italian.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
The day Parents’ Council surprised us and we had an entire day called “There’s No Place Like Latin” and we all received T-shirts and we had a full day of activities. The entire school participated.
What is something we might not know about you?
I am a native Charlottean and graduated from CCDS.
What do you love most about Latin?
The children and my fabulous team: my former TK-Kindergarten team and my current first grade team! They are tops!
30 YEARS
Eric Smith
Assistant Athletic Director
Family
Wife - Katie Smith (Grade 4 teacher), KidsAnnie Smith (junior), Nick Smith (freshman), Dogs - Lily and Rosie.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Golf, Fly fishing.
What is your favorite family vacation? Bald Head Island.
What is your favorite kind of food? Mexican.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. There are many. Meeting my wife here, seeing my children on their first days as a Latin student, watching both kids compete for Latin athletic teams.
What do you love most about Latin?
My family and most of my best friends are here.
25 YEARS
Clark Hawgood
Art Family
Gen (wife), McDade (son), Mina (daughter), Leo (cat), and Winnie (puppy).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Making art, running, working out, and spending time with family / friends.
What is your favorite family vacation? The beach.
What is your favorite kind of food? Any.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. Just connecting with students.
What do you love most about Latin?
The student connection.
25 YEARS
Sally Parsley
Kindergarten
Assistant TeacherWhat are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Traveling and reading!
What is your favorite family vacation? Cruising.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Southern fried chicken and vegetables.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
I could write a book about what the kindergarten teachers learn from their kindergarten students! It’s amazing what hilarious yet serious comments that we hear almost every morning! Such fun!
What is something we might not know about you?
I play the piano and I was a college cheerleader in a small college.
What do you love most about Latin?
The wonderful and funny kindergarten teachers that I’m surrounded by each and every day. I count it a joy!
25 YEARS
Tiffany Fletcher
Upper School English Teacher, Grade 9 Advisor, Blue Review Advisor, Sisters Advisor
Family
Spouse: Richard Fletcher. Sons: Mac (rising Grade 11) and Theo (rising Grade 9). Doggos: Memphis and Pearl.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Reading, knitting, needlepoint.
What is your favorite family vacation? Our yearly summer trips to Kiawah, SC.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Cake. (Most specifically: frosting.)
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. When my 3rd grade son thought he heard his name called for Homecoming King during an all-school Pep Rally in the SAC and went down on the court to stand in the middle of the giant 12th graders whose names were really called.
What is something we might not know about you? I once taught conversational English in Indonesia.
What do you love most about Latin? It’s a second home to my family.
25 YEARS
Kari Wimbish
Grade 6 History Teacher, Grade 6 Team
Lead, Model UN Coach, MS Environmental
Club Sponsor, Arts and Science Council
Liaison
Family
Husband Dan; sons Tai (19) and Sam (16); dog Lily (3?).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
I love a good road trip; working at my own slow pace towards a rabbit-resistant, lowmaintenance perennial garden; reading, especially memoirs; watercolor painting.
What is your favorite family vacation? We look forward to yearly trips to Saint Augustine, FL. for a big, fun gathering of siblings, parents, and cousins.
What is your favorite kind of food? I could eat Mexican food every day.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
When I started at Latin, I had never had a passport, but within the year I found myself in Athens, Cairo, and Jerusalem thanks to the Latin professional development program. That life-changing trip instilled an energy and excitement about teaching history that continues to this day.
What is something we might not know about you?
My two guaranteed mood-improvers = 1) book + coffee + couch + dog.
2) bluegrass/jam band + sunshine + friends/family.
What do you love most about Latin?
I love that there’s always something to look forward to, whether it’s the culmination of a big project, a trip with colleagues or students, community events, or the many, many senior year activities. People work hard to make these experiences special, and I appreciate the dedication and enthusiasm of our teachers, coaches, staff, and administrators that make each school year extraordinary.
20 YEARS
Shane Barthram
HVAC Technician, Head Coach Boys and Girls Soccer
Family
Wife Dianna, daughter Racheal, and son Aiden.
Two French bulldogs Tilli and Rosie.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Playing and watching soccer, pickleball and trying to play golf. I also enjoy traveling with my family and attending music concerts.
What is your favorite family vacation? Anywhere in Europe.
What is your favorite kind of food? Indian cuisine.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. Watching the Varsity Girls Soccer Team win state title at PD.
What is something we might not know about you?
I’m a very good cook.
What do you love most about Latin?
The fact that I can come to work each day and make a difference with a smile on my face.
20 YEARS
Abigail Cudabac
Upper School Academic Dean
Family
Husband: Chris Cudabac. Two children: Rosie is 16, Helen 13. We have two cats: the incredibly anxious Boris, and the increasingly ill-named Kitten – she’s four years old, but will always be kitten-sized.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
I am a member of the choir at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. I serve on the board of Charlotte Choir School, and my children are in the choirs. Kind of an odd one, but I’m on the proofreading team for church leaflets weekly. Beyond that, I try to keep enough time to see my family some, serve as sous-chef more often than chef for family dinners, read a book every now and again, and the like.
What is your favorite family vacation?
I’ll always pick the mountains before the beach.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Just right now, it’s usually the kind someone else has made!
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Perhaps the first hard-hat tour I took of the Inlustrate Orbem building under construction. I’m not an architect in part because I have a hard time taking a floor plan and imagining what something will look like when it’s finished, so seeing the interior rooms taking shape was a bit of a revelation.
What is something we might not know about you?
That when I was growing up in Charlotte and the Arboretum was under construction, I had a running joke with my family that Charlotte has a bad habit of naming things for what used to be there.
What do you love most about Latin?
Great relationships with colleagues over the years.
20 YEARS
Liz Dannemann
Lead Kindergarten teacher
Family
Brian, husband of 26 years, Latin Lifer sons Tim ’19 and Jack ’22, golden retrievers Dixie and Rex.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Cooking, crossword puzzles, walking, gathering with friends who are like family.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Ireland! It was by far the best family vacation we have taken. The scenery, people, and history there were amazing.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Hard to pick just one! Being from New Orleans, I gravitate towards seafood and Creole/ Cajun dishes.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
I don’t think it is just one. It is a collection of memories. From the hundreds of children I have taught to being here when my own children were here. From the instant I was hired at Latin, I was welcomed with open arms.
What is something we might not know about you?
I was a gymnast for 15 years before college.
What do you love most about Latin?
I have the best team in the world! I work with a group of strong, funny and compassionate women. My TK/K team is more than just colleagues – they are my friends and work family.
20 YEARS
Stephen Starner
Co-Director of FacilitiesFamily
Spouse: Eleanor Starner. Children: Sara Grace, Samuel, Lillie.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Woodworking, gardening/landscaping, beekeeping.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Pipe Stem State Park for Easter every year.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Filet mignon.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. Getting to see my kids around campus and getting hugs from them.
What is something we might not know about you?
I enjoy 3D printing and aeronautical hobbies.
What do you love most about Latin?
Community.
15 YEARS
Sabrina Howard
Director of Orchestras (5-12)
Family
Son, Sam (2024 CLS graduate); Rescue Collie, Raven and Demon-Possessed cat, Charlotte.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
I love to read anytime but especially in the summer on the screened-in porch, drinking good coffee, and cooking.
What is your favorite family vacation?
My family has been visiting Hilton Head Island for as long as I can remember. It’s a very special place for us and provides a place of beauty and rest anytime we can escape.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Mexican ... any day of the week or all days of the week! Ice cream is a close second.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Over the last 13 years, I have had the opportunity to make lasting memories watching Sam grow up on this campus. The past eight years I have had him in my class and that has truly been something special. Creating music and being able to share that experience with your own child is priceless!
What is something we might not know about you?
I love to watch old black-and-white movies.
What do you love most about Latin?
I love the community of people that I work with each day and the ability to form one-on-on relationships with all of my students. I am blessed to have many of these students for up to 8 years. I also have the best teaching partner ever with Laci Wargo ... we are the Strings Dream Team!
10 YEARS
Nancy Atwell
Lower School Librarian, Varsity Cheer Head Coach/Head of Cheer Program
Family
Alan - Husband of 30 years, Caroline - CLS Class of 2014, James - CLS Class of 2016, William - CLS Class of 2020, Doodles Sampson and Mac.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Visiting my adult children, watching lots of sports (especially Wake Forest and Carolina Panthers), reading, walking, travel.
What is your favorite family vacation? Beach weeks at Seabrook Island, SC.
What is your favorite kind of food? Pasta!
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
As a parent, I loved watching each of our children graduate and celebrating their accomplishments.
As a faculty member, my proudest moment was celebrating with the LS faculty on the last day of the 2020-21 school year after successfully executing divided classrooms, hybrid teaching and social distancing for the whole year.
What do you love most about Latin?
I love our beautiful campus and amazing facilities, but most of all I love our community – the students, families and colleagues I have the privilege to work with every day. I am also incredibly grateful for the faculty and staff (current and former) that helped to raise our children!
10 YEARS
Michael Bocian
Co-Director of Facilities ServicesFamily Wife Katrina, Daughter Abby, Son Adan
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school? Working out.
What is your favorite family vacation? Massanutten, Virginia.
What is your favorite kind of food? Mexican.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. Pranking Major Greene.
What is something we might not know about you? I was in a small aircraft that crashed in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming. The walk out was worse than the crash!
What do you love most about Latin? My coworkers.
10 YEARS
Jaime Flett
First Grade Assistant Teacher
Family
Spouse Adam; daughters Kayla, Allie, Julia; dog Miller.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Cooking, gardening, reading.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Costa Rica.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Cheeseburgers with blue cheese.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Dressing up as Victor E. Hawk for Wall Card Day and Field Day!
What is something we might not know about you?
My family and I were stuck in a tiny elevator for 45 minutes in Spain. I laugh at it now, but I certainly didn’t at the time.
What do you love most about Latin?
Hands down, my colleagues! I feel so blessed to work with them!
10 YEARS
Michelle Godfrey
Executive Assistant to the Head of School Family
Bobby and I met in college in Clemson, SC. We got married on 7.7.7., have a son, RayRay (Gr 7), and 3 snuggle bugs (Iggy, Lupe & Tito) who keep us on our toes.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
I’m happiest when surrounded by my people & my pets - whether at the beach, the baseball field, or the back porch. Simple things ground me like music by an outdoor fire, a fuzzy sweater and a puzzle, family movie nights, or a glass of wine by the water.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Tough call - top three?
1. IOP every summer on repeat. 2. Seeing NYC for the first time while watching a little boy’s baseball dreams come true. 3. Bucket list since my wedding day –lobster diving in Islamorada, FL!
What is your favorite kind of food?
Gas station. Those who know me best will vouch: pork rinds, powdered donuts, dill pickles, sour candy – what’s NOT to love?
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. 10 years ago, I was sitting across the table from Headmaster Arch McIntosh at New South Kitchen. He’d just offered me a job, and then, reaching across the table without really waiting for my response, he asked me if I was going to eat that deviled egg on my plate. Looking back, I’m not sure if I ever said yes to the egg, but I sure am glad I said yes to the job offer!
What is something we might not know about you?
My nickname around family is Chick. What do you love most about Latin?
Sharing this experience with my son. What a ride these 10 years have been!
10 YEARS
Dale Greene
Director of Safety and Security Family
I have been married to Connie for 37 years, our children are Christopher (wife is Kaleigh) and Victoria (husband is Nathan), our granddaughters are Riley, Maddie, Emma, and Stella. We have two dogs named Cooper and Bella.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Collecting and restoring antiques, travel, and reading biographies.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Several stand out, trips to Disney and trips to Israel.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Fish and BBQ are at the top. Great southern comfort food.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
I committed to Latin after retiring from the Police Department when I saw “Honor Above All’ everywhere on campus.
What is something we might not know about you?
I love three ROCK and ROLL icons, KISS (first show was the Destroyer tour 1976, I was standing on the floor of the old Charlotte Coliseum, 13 live shows total). The other two that I would have loved to see in concert, were the Beatles and Elvis. Lastly, once upon a time, my hair was not GREY.
What do you love most about Latin?
All the people.
10 YEARS
Family
Dawn Hull
Lower School Nurse
Children Josh, Ian, and Addie; Sam (dog) and Romeo (cat).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Hiking, reading, watching soccer.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Spending time at the Outer Banks with my kids and dog.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Watching the girls soccer team win the State Championship in 2023.
What do you love most about Latin?
The sense of community.
10 YEARS
Family
Luke Ivey
Upper School History Teacher, Assistant Coach - Varsity Cross Country, Head Coach - Boys MS Lacrosse, Advisor - Mosaic, Geography, and WorldQuest/Model United Nations Clubs
I’ve been married to my wife Ellie since 2018. We have two children who currently attend the Nest: our son Reilly (9/27/2023) and our daughter Clara (9/16/2021).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Running / lifting / vintage sports memorabilia / antique books / art history and digital media / skateboarding / Americana and folk / international affairs / American football / Leicester City FC / Charlotte sports / World War I / bourbon.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Upper Peninsula of MI and Canada Lake, NY.
What is your favorite kind of food?
I’m well known for my ability to forage for snacks on campus. I’m told C.W. Stacks had a similar gift.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Freeing a hawk trapped in the softball batting cage with Coach Berger and Coach Taye during XC practice one afternoon. / Tearing my knee up immediately after starting at Latin in 2014 and having to be taken to and from surgery by Dick Sipperly and David Gatoux since I knew no one in Charlotte at the time. / My lacrosse players reading a book to my daughter on the sideline when I had to take her to practice.
What is something we might not know about you?
I collect football cards from the 1940s and 1950s.
What do you love most about Latin?
I love being able to make a career by being passionate about things that I care about deeply and sharing that passion with others – and doing so alongside dedicated friends and colleagues.
10 YEARS
Beth Lucas
Director of Human Resources
Family
Husband: Charlie; Kids: Sophie (27), Hardin (26) & wife
Charlotte, Pearse (21), Nicholas (7). Zoe (4 year old French spaniel), Razz (17 year old Hanoverian mare).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Equestrian, foodie, golf, time with friends and family.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Anywhere we are together!
What is your favorite kind of food?
All kinds! Depends on the season.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Hosting faculty and staff events where we can all have fun together like back to school parties and summer cook outs.
What is something we might not know about you?
I taught an HR Management class in the graduate school program at UNC School of the Arts.
What do you love most about Latin?
Seeing my son on campus, and his friends, and coworkers children. It is such a joy!
10 YEARS
Dianne Mackey
Preschool
TeacherFamily
Husband Carl Mackey,
Son Christian (2014 CLS graduate),
Daughter Rachel (2016 CLS graduate),
Son Mathew (2020 CLS graduate).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Reading, running .
What is your favorite family vacation?
Week at the beach (Kiawah).
What is your favorite kind of food?
All spicy foods.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
When my oldest son Christian was in middle school I fell asleep in the carpool line. Allegedly I had the carpool line backed up all the way on Providence Road. A parent came, banged on the window, and woke me up!
What is something we might not know about you?
I have six brothers and four sisters (well, three now, my youngest sister Curlan died couple of months ago).
What do you love most about Latin?
I love that my children attended this school. I have fond memories of them being here.
10
YEARS
David Reyes Rivera
Custodian,
PACFamily
Yaritza, Kaylee, Jayden & Kaleb and the new addition Cookie.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Having time with my family.
What is your favorite family vacation? Go to Carowinds.
What is your favorite kind of food? Puerto Rican food.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. Meeting NBA players.
What is something we might not know about you?
I am a shy person, but sweet guy.
What do you love most about Latin? The community.
10 YEARS
Family
Wife = Bri, son 1 = David, son 2 = Ryan, dog = Crosby.
David Taylor
I&D Teacher (Middle School Engineering and Computer Programming)
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Friends and family, CLT FC and Pittsburgh Penguins, woodworking and making projects, traveling.
What do you love most about Latin?
Working and collaborating with the students, peers, and CLS community as a whole, especially when it involves the CLS Fab Lab.
5 YEARS
Paul Alt
Middle School & Varsity Soccer Coach; US Substitute Teacher
Family
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Family, soccer, swimming.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Torch Lake, Michigan.
What is your favorite kind of food? Mexican.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. Watching my sons and nephews compete (soccer/basketball/football/track) for the Hawks!
What is something we might not know about you?
Lee Horton used to kick me off the soccer fields when I was a 12-Year-old public school kid, I hold no grudges.
What do you love most about Latin?
Family/Community/Team.
Wife Emily, sons Henry (Grade 9) and William (Grade 7), dogs Baylee and Brutus.5 YEARS
Laura Balabushka
Grade 3 Math, Science, Social Studies Family
My husband Nick and I met in New York City almost ten years ago, and we moved to Charlotte together in 2018. We have a 5-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Ava, in Kindergarten this year, and our 3-year-old son, Jack, is in the Nest.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
I love to read, dance, swim, take walks, and I will go to the beach any chance I get!
What is your favorite family vacation?
Last summer we took our kids to Disney World for the very first time. Watching Ava meet the princesses and Jack meet his idols, Woody and Buzz, was truly magical!
What is your favorite kind of food?
Italian! Pasta all day every day.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
My favorite Charlotte Latin memory is watching the Grade 5 volleyball tournament. Our students work so hard for weeks; learning skills, overcoming fears and setbacks, and figuring out how to work together as a team. Many even gave up their morning recess to get some early morning extra practice in with Coach Cerbie! Tournament day is full of excitement, nerves, and some epic uniforms. The winning team is never the most skilled, but instead is the team that worked together the best and respected each other. And that is one of the most important lessons our kids learned.
What is something we might not know about you?
I used to coach synchronized swimming in high school.
What do you love most about Latin?
I love seeing the interactions between kids of all ages, whether they are planned or unplanned. Upper School students come into our Lower School classrooms to teach leadership lessons or to give presentations, and then we see those same students at basketball games, prep rallies, and on the way to lunch. Middle School and Upper School students become incredible role models for our Lower School students.
5 YEARS
Chuck Baldecchi
Head of School Family
Spouse: Erin, children; Bella ’21, Alex ’23, Cade ’25; dogs: Ida and Frodo.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Sailing, skiing, cooking, traveling.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Spending time in Sherwood Forest, MD.
What is your favorite kind of food? Italian, wings, steak.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. Bella and Alex’s graduations.
What do you love most about Latin? The community.
5 YEARS
Amy Ballaban
Grade 4 Lead Teacher
Family
Todd, Keegan (10 years old), Fisher.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Outside of school you can find me spending time with my family, curled up with a book, on my yoga mat, on the tennis court, or traveling to explore new destinations!
What is your favorite family vacation?
My favorite family vacation is one where we find a balance of exploring new cultures/experiences/adventures and relaxation. OH! And good food, too!
What is your favorite kind of food?
My favorite kind of food is the one that brings me home.....NY Pizza, NY Bagels!
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
My favorite Charlotte Latin memory was having my son, Keegan, in the same grade as me this year and hearing sporadically throughout the year how “fun” it’s been for him. It’s a unique memory we will cherish forever.
What is something we might not know about you?
Something you might not know about me is that when I lived in Hawaii, I went skydiving over the North Shore of Oahu. I had the coolest instructor strapped to my back. I asked him to do the craziest things he could when we jumped, and we did all sorts of flips and tricks before he pulled the parachute for a safe landing. The views were incredible from 10,000 feet!
What do you love most about Latin?
What drew us to Latin and what still holds true in many ways is the sense of community that Latin has at its core. From the day-to-day happenings to dealing with family crises, there are so many in the community that have held my family and me up in various ways.
5 YEARS
Alex Beck
Experiential Education Coordinator, Ultimate Club Coordinator
Family
My wife Natalie, my two children Kipton and Tinsley, my dog Paprika, 3 cats and chickens.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Log rolling, gardening, traveling, my kids’ sports.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Washington State in Sequim.
What is your favorite kind of food? Tacos.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Argentina winning the World Cup aka The Beck Advisory winning the World Cup.
What is something we might not know about you?
My last name was modified and given to my family by the the US Government. It was during the immigration and registration at Ellis Island due to, what I am told, was their inability to pronounce it.
What do you love most about Latin?
The students and faculty camaraderie.
5 YEARS
Sara Best
Lower School Educational Technologist, LS DEI Committee Member
Family
Spouse: Weston.
children: Nolan 11, Ellie 9; dog: Moxie.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Family vacations, watching our kids’ sports, traveling the globe, gardening, designing, and playing with our dog.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Anywhere with a beach or mountains.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Spicy!
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Touchdown Tailgate is always a favorite for our family. It’s a fun community building event at the beginning of the year!
What is something we might not know about you?
I’ve lived in 5 countries: United States, Egypt, Thailand, Kuwait, and Malaysia. Our two kids were born in Malaysia.
What do you love most about Latin?
The variety of activities and whole school events students and families can get involved in.
5 YEARS
Bilal Butt
Director of Speech and Debate, US DEI Committee, MS Mosaic Family
I am married to US English Teacher Megan Butt. We have no pets or children at the moment, but we hope to grow our family in the near future.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
I really enjoy watching good television and movies. Big fan of science-fiction, murder-mysteries, thrillers, and anything with a good plot twist. I also enjoy playing video games, anything action/adventure/RPG. I don’t have time to read as much anymore, but when I get the chance, but I really enjoy high fantasy or sciencefiction books like Name of the Wind or Artemis.
What is your favorite family vacation?
We take a trip to Sunset Beach with our family every summer for a week, and it’s usually a highlight because it’s a lazy vacation, which is my favorite kind.
What is your favorite kind of food?
I love Asian street food – Korean, Japanese, Pakistani, Indian, etc.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
My favorite Charlotte Latin memory was my first debate tournament with 6th graders at Duke University. I had been coaching juniors and seniors for about 6 years prior and had limited experience with middle schoolers, but they really surprised me with their tenacity. I knew I was in the right place because of them.
What is something we might not know about you?
I can speak 4 languages fluently with a pretty high proficiency in a 5th language. (Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, English, some Spanish).
What do you love most about Latin?
This is so cliché, but I really love the community. The people I work with are some of the best people I will ever meet. It brings me great joy to be able to spend my days working with them and they make work feel like a party every day.
5 YEARS
Hugo Caraballo, Jr.
Upper School Spanish Teacher, Upper School DEI Coordinator, Faculty Advisor to CLS Letters
Family
Spouse: Claire Shea; pets: Charlie (dog).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Some of my favorite hobbies and pastimes outside of school include cheering on my beloved Atlanta Braves, frequently traveling to new destinations, binging intriguing murder mystery podcasts, and taking relaxing daily walks. You can often find me sporting my Ronald Acuña jersey while analyzing the Braves’ playoff odds or plotting my next international travel adventure. Whether exploring a new city, visiting my favorite local trails, or catching a game, these little escapes keep life exciting!
What is your favorite family vacation?
My favorite vacation destination is Mexico City. I love immersing myself in the rich culture there – especially the art scenes, diverse cuisine, and the warm hospitality of its people. One of my favorite memories is taking a food tour and sampling authentic dishes like mole poblano and churros with hot chocolate while talking to the chefs about the love they put into their craft.
What is your favorite kind of food?
My ultimate comfort food has to be pizza! I love experimenting with fun topping combinations, from classic pepperoni or veggie to more adventurous options like Thai chicken or Philly cheesesteak pizza. Even just the aroma of pizza baking instantly puts me in a good mood. Pizza is one dish I could truly eat anytime, anywhere and never get bored. It’s the perfect food in my book!
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
My favorite school memory is Mosaic Night. I loved seeing our community come together to proudly celebrate student backgrounds, cultures, and identities through dance, music, poetry, food, and more. Seeing students feel recognized and valued for who they uniquely are brings me joy.
What do you love most about Latin?
What I cherish most about Latin is the caring, kind, and supportive school community – my colleagues and students alike. People here genuinely look out for one another and build each other up. My students inspire me every day with their compassion and drive. My colleagues are always willing to lend a helping hand or offer guidance when needed.
5 YEARS
Daniel Cooke
MS Physical Education, Baseball Head of Program, Varsity Baseball Head Coach, Middle School Football Head Coach
Family
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Golf, any sports events/activities, hanging out with friends and family.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Barbados in Summer 2022.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Steak.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
15-9 record in 2022 season. Winning 12 out of our last 14 games in Varsity Baseball.
What is something we might not know about you?
Never lost a high school football game in my high school career at Independence High School in Charlotte (2001-2005).
What do you love most about Latin?
That my kids also love going to school here.
Angela Cooke, Emma Cooke (9), Bennett Cooke (3).5 YEARS
Andre Elam
Network/Systems Administrator
Family
Spouse: Linda; children: Aniya and Samora; pets: Millie, Milo and Mia.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
I love to cook.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Our favorite family vacation is getting away to the mountains.
What is your favorite kind of food?
My favorite kind of food is East Indian food, particularly chicken saagwala.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
My favorite Latin memory was the acceptance of my daughter into Latin.
What is something we might not know about you?
I am an avid DIYer. I love designing, repairing and remodeling projects.
What do you love most about Latin?
The thing I love the most about Latin is Latin’s commitment to excellence.
5 YEARS
Chris Esposito
IT Service Desk Manager
Family
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Photography, model railroading, animal rescue, music.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Back home to NYC!
What is your favorite kind of food?
Pizza!!
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
ATLIS Conference 2023!!
What is something we might not know about you?
I am a published photographer and author with two books and currently working on my third.
What do you love most about Latin?
The People!!!
Wife: Amy. Kids: Lucia, Lorenzo, Giovanna, and Santino.5 YEARS
Flekeda Gilliam
Academic Affairs Assistant Family
James (spouse), Dominique & Karina (children), Micah & Pepper (fur babies).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Reading, dancing, trying new good foods, going to Beyonce’s concerts, sleeping, laughing with my really good friends.
What is your favorite family vacation?
All vacations are my favorites.
What is your favorite kind of food?
My mom’s red velvet cake.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
When my oldest daughter graduated.
What is something we might not know about you?
I am a member of the Beyhive!
5 YEARS
David Hall
US Faculty - AP Economics Teacher / Stock Club
Family
Wife - Barbara; daughter - Kaitlin (18); son - Tyler (13).
Cats: Midnight (found her in a dumpster in Hilton Head in 2016), Beau (found him in my neighborhood last Spring Break).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Running, lifting, biking, playing with my kids, Reading Stephen King novels, Listening to music (singing along with it and working on my dance moves).
What is your favorite family vacation?
Hilton Head Island or San Diego theme parks and climate.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Filet mignon.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
It was the fact that I was at the bottom of my class at the end of Grade 6 struggling with dyslexia and ADHD. I became a workaholic during Grade 7 and was able to graduate second in my graduating class. I’m most proud of that because it took a ton of effort and persistence to study well past midnight every night for 5 years to overcome my innate challenges. Anything is possible with hard work and consistent dedication.
And winning the State 400 meter and 800 meter during my junior and senior year.
What is something we might not know about you?
1: I have a real hard time sitting still!
2: My grandfather interviewed Hitler (as a reporter for The New York Times) and was immediately placed under house arrest in Denmark for over a year during the war. That’s where he met my grandmother (who was Miss Denmark at the time). They married and would never had met had my grandfather not been under house arrest. So as much as I detest Hitler and everything he stood for, I wouldn’t be here if my grandfather never interviewed him.
What do you love most about Latin?
It’s very simple....the Latin community. The community of faculty that I both love and respect and the community of students that I really start missing by mid-July each summer. Since I became a student here in 1975, it has been the culture and community that keeps me coming back.
5 YEARS
Alyssa Harrigan
Grade 8 English Teacher and Advisor Family
I have been married to my husband Noyes for 17 years. Our son Owen is heading to high school next year. We also have two slightly crazy dogs (Duke & Nala) who keep us entertained.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Outside of school I love to read, hike, birdwatch, and spend time with my family.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Enjoying being outside with my family is my favorite type of vacation. We especially loved our trips to Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon.
What is your favorite kind of food?
My favorite food is anything someone else prepares. :)
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
The Grade 8 community service project and Target shopping day have been my favorite CLS experienes.
What is something we might not know about you?
Even though I grew up in New Jersey, I was born in Charleston, SC.
What do you love most about Latin?
The Middle School team--everyone is so willing to help each other out and do what’s best for students. It’s a great place to work!
5 YEARS
Stacy Mercer
Upper School Math Teacher, Varsity Cross
Country Assistant Coach Family
My husband is Jason Mercer and we have two children, Maddie and Phelps. Maddie and Phelps are Lower School students here at Latin. Our family has two super fun dogs, Gus Gus the Great and Winnie the Wonderful!
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
I love to run, bike, and swim, especially when I get to do those things with friends, family, and the cross country team.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Anywhere that we can be outside and active – we do not sit still very often! Now that my kids are getting older I’ve got my eye on one of those trips where you bike from town to town.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Steak and chocolate!
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
All of my runners know that my mantra is “Dig Deep” during my races. I share it with them and encourage them to find their own, but they are welcome to use mine. Before the state track meet last spring four of the girls took out a pen from their bag and wrote “Dig Deep” on their hands, and then circled together with their hands in the middle and took a picture. It just felt special. Then they all went out onto the track and crushed it, it was just amazing.
What is something we might not know about you?
Oh goodness, I’m a pretty open book, but maybe this: My maiden name is Potter and I LOVE all things Harry Potter!
What do you love most about Latin?
I love my job so much. I work with the best group of teachers, coach the most amazing runners, and get to teach the nicest and most caring students. I am truly thankful and amazed that this is my job.
5 YEARS
Meredith Kempert Nunn ’98
Director of Alumni Relations and Giving Family
Daniel ’97 (also a Hawk!) , Sara Margaret, and Mac.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Tennis, reading, baking, and taking long weekend walks.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Atlantic Beach.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Any kind of seafood.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
As a student, I can still remember Tom Dubick’s Cardboard Box Regatta at Lake Latin like it happened yesterday. Andy Henson ’98 and I quickly learned we did not have a future in engineering.
As a parent, I love coming back to campus with my kids to watch the plays and all sporting events.
What is something we might not know about you?
I was named after Meredith, New Hampshire – a small town located on Lake Winnipesaukee. My mom spent her summers there with her family and it holds a very special place in all of our hearts.
5 YEARS
Andria R. Quintero
Lower School Assistant Head Family
Rafael (spouse), Andrew (son), Ashley (daughter), Javian (grandson–6), Cypress (grandson–1), Kalyani (granddaughter-4), Cataleya (granddaughter–2), Luna (fur baby–9).
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Spending time with family, reading, learning/researching, loving on the grands, loving on my dad, and being with friends.
What is your favorite family vacation? Valencia, Spain, and Puerto Rico.
What is your favorite kind of food? Latin.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Celebrating my 60th birthday with the LS faculty, students, and cheerleaders!
What is something we might not know about you?
I am a diehard supporter of PBS/Thirteen channel and public radio stations.
What do you love most about Latin?
Witnessing the joy, curiosity, and wonder in our students on their learning journey.
5 YEARS
Jenna Sinclair
TK-8 World Language Department Chair, Middle School French Teacher
Family
I live in Charlotte with my husband Jack, my 2-Year-Old daughter Audrey, and our 10-year-old Border Terrier Rosa.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Running, attending sporting events, reading, watching tv and movies.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Beach, mountains, culture, city, snow, sunshine – all of the above!
What is your favorite kind of food?
Sushi.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory. Both Nest parades with my daughter
What do you love most about Latin?
Colleagues and friends who have supported me through the pandemic, pregnancy and new motherhood, and who push me and the school to continue to reach for our full potential.
5 YEARS
Katie Sutton
Director of the Latin Fund
Family
Husband Daniel, son Franklin (3).
Fritz, our one-eyed Labradoodle, and Beau, our very naughty Bichon.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Entertaining my toddler, being outside, exercising, serving on the board of AFP Charlotte, and catching up with friends and family – ideally at happy hour on a patio somewhere.
What is your favorite family vacation?
We met my brother and his family at the beach last summer, and since they live in Ohio, it was the first time our children met in person. It was so special, and so much fun.
What is your favorite kind of food?
Tex-Mex or sushi.
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
There are too many to count, but they all involve Franklin at the Nest.
What is something we might not know about you?
I was born in Melbourne, Australia, and all of my extended family lives there.
What do you love most about Latin?
The people: from parent volunteers to colleagues to my son’s teachers, I feel supported and motivated every day.
5 YEARS
Samari Taylor
Night Custodial Manager/Courier
Family
What are your hobbies/interests outside of school?
Working out and spending time with family, and going to basketball games with my buddies.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Always the beach trips! Sun and fun.
What is your favorite kind of food?
You could never go wrong with pizza!
Describe your favorite Charlotte Latin memory.
Being invited by one of the kids and their parents graduation party.
What is something we might not know about you?
That I’m a comic book collector.
What do you love most about Latin?
What I love most about Latin is being able to watch educators help students learn and discover the world around them and the diverse cultures that comes with it.
Wife Nez Taylor, daughters Tori Taylor, Sky Taylor, sons Shamari and Myles.CRITERIA FOR SERVICE RECOGNITION
All members of the Charlotte Latin School staff working a minimum of 20 hours per week are recognized in five-year increments beginning with five years.
For the purpose of this program, the year commences in September and includes anyone who is in the employ of the school no later than January 31 of the following year. Staff members commencing employment after January 31 become eligible for recognition the following school year.
In the event that an interruption in service occurs, total years of service are cumulated. Years spent on leave or outside the employ of the school are not included in the total. Excepted from this and qualifying for inclusion in years of service are sabbatical, exchange program, and/or other school-sanctioned programs.
HONOREE GIFTS
35 Years
Oil Painting
30 Years
Tiffany & Co. Award
25 Years
Pewter Tray
20 Years
Captain’s Chair
15 Years
Decanter Set
10 Years
Rosewood Box
5 Years
Coaster
Goodbye to Our Retirees!
Marsha Ashcraft Lower School, 26 years
Jeff Knull Upper School, 32 years
Pam Sweer Performing Arts, 7 years
Lynn Hellmuth Lower School, 18 years
Annette Morris Lower School, 7 years
Thank You
… for your incredible service to Charlotte Latin School.
Your colleagues, students, and friends bid you a fond farewell and extend their best wishes for your retirement.
Artwork by Lydia Berens ’24