Retired Faculty - Where Are They Now?

ALUMNI NEWS

By Debby Jennings

Melodee Halbach

US/MS Theatre 1998-2019

Although she finds time to travel monthly for pleasure or to see grandchildren, walks two miles daily, and does yoga and strength training, Melodee claims she is not retired. She is free from a day-to-day school schedule but has been tapped as the Artistic Director for the Slaughter Family Arts Awards (SFAA) since 2020. J Mack Slaughter ’02 and his wife, Rebecca Shaw Slaughter ’02, approached her to help build a nonprofit arts program that supports students through scholarship and performance opportunities. Later, Joe Westermann ’19 asked her to help launch the SFAA Summer Spotlight Series. This series produces a student-directed musical annually to support emerging artistic talent in Fort Worth. In 2021, the series had 35 students from eight schools direct, choreograph, and design sets and costumes for A Chorus Line High School Edition. They raised nearly $40,000 and were able to rent Casa Mañana for the performances. This summer, the musical was Legally Blonde.

Melodee slso finds time to read. She reads at least five fiction books at a time; belongs to a book club; devours magazines like The New Yorker, Vanity Fair and Vogue; and is a devotee of The New York Times. She is also writing grants to support SFAA and the Spotlight Series.

When asked what she misses most about FWCD, Melodee shared, “My beloved students.” Her words of advice: “There are many adventures out there. Don’t be afraid to take them.”

Evan Peterson

Head of School 2002-15/US Head 1986-92

Evan and Gayle live in Nebo, North Carolina, in the mountains near Asheville in a log cabin. Evan credits Gayle with the home design, which has been highlighted by the log cabin company in magazines and is offered as a model aptly called “The Peterson.”

Evan continues to be an avid fisherman. He has traveled to Belize to fly fish for bonefish, Vermont for northern pike, and the streams of North Carolina. He plays golf and volunteers in his church’s soup kitchen. Evan and Gayle also drive between northern Virginia and Nashville to see their three granddaughters.

Evan Peterson, FWCD Head of School 2002-15, Upper School Head 1986-92

Three years ago, Evan established TEC Consulting, which offers executive coaching for new independent school administrators and conducts board governance retreats. He serves on his college Board of Trustees and is working to help them start an independent school to better prepare students in West Virginia for college.

Evan is grateful for the caring support of the students, parents, and the Board as he fought throat cancer and when his father passed away and the Board gave their annual donation to the School in memory of his father. He is proud of the buildings erected during his FWCD tenure, especially the Fisher Dining Pavilion. He fondly recalls the ISAS Arts Festivals; SPC tournaments; and working with great people like John Stephens, Steve Stackhouse, and Cindy Allen.