FWCD Falconer - Summer 2021

F O R T

Volume 12

W O R T H

C O U N T R Y

D A Y

Issue 2

FORT WORTH COUNTRY DAY

CONGRATULATES the

CLASS of 2021

FROM HERE These colleges

anywhere…

and universities listed represent the institutions where 86 FWCD seniors have been admitted.

FLY HIGHER

121

COLLEGES

to date where students were admitted.

$11.4+ MILLION

in scholarships and awards.

$2.6+ MILLION

in scholarship dollars utilized.

13

SENIORS

National Merit Scholars, Finalists, Commended and College Board Recognition Program National Hispanic Scholars

20

SENIORS

AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor and AP Scholar with Distinction

American University Arcadia University Arizona State University Auburn University Austin College Austin Community College Baylor University Belmont University Beloit College Binghamton University Blinn College Boston College Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University California Polytechnic State University Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Centre College Clemson University Colby College Colgate University Colorado School of Mines Creighton University Dartmouth College DePaul University Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Fordham University Georgetown University Harvard University Haverford College Hawai’i Pacific University Hendrix College Houston Baptist University Howard University Indiana University Bloomington Iowa State University Kansas State University Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Loyola University Maryland

Loyola University New Orleans Manchester University Marymount Manhattan College Miami University Middle Tennessee State University Millsaps College Mississippi State University New York University North Carolina A&T State University Northeastern University Occidental College Oglethorpe University The Ohio State University Oklahoma State University Oregon State University Point Park University Prairie View A&M University Providence College Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rollins College Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Seton Hall University Sewanee - The University of the South Skidmore College Southern Methodist University Southwestern University Stephen F. Austin State University Texas A&M University Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Texas Christian University Texas State University Texas Tech University Trinity University Tulane University University of Alabama University of Arizona University of Arkansas University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of California San Diego University of Central Florida

University of Chicago University of Cincinnati University of Colorado Boulder University of Colorado Denver University of Connecticut University of Denver University of Georgia University of Hawai’i at Mãnoa University of Houston University of Kansas University of Maryland University of Miami University of Mississippi University of Missouri-Columbia University of Missouri-Kansas City University of New Mexico University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Texas University of Notre Dame University of Oklahoma University of Pittsburgh University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of Tampa University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at Austin University of Tulsa University of Utah University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Washington Villanova University Washington and Lee University Washington University in St Louis Worcester Polytechnic Institute Yale University Institutions listed in red indicate where one or more senior(s) will attend.

LEADERSHIP TEAM Eric Lombardi Head of School

Volume 12, Issue 2

Chelsy Beninate Director of Fine Arts Trey Blair Head of Lower School Stephen Blan Head of Middle School Leigh Block Athletic Director Joe Breedlove ’78 Executive Director of Breakthrough Fort Worth Caroline Corpening Lamsens ’99 Director of Admission Nicole Masole Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion Tom Mitchell Chief Financial and Operations Officer Sandra Tuomey Director of Advancement Steve Uhr Director of Technology Peggy Wakeland Interim Head of Upper School EDITOR Shannon Rossman Allen ART DIRECTOR

The Magazine of Fort Worth Country Day F E AT U R E S

24 A Middle Schooler At Heart

After more than 30 years in the education field and 15 on the Fort Worth Country Day campus, Head of Middle School John Stephens is starting a new life chapter.

30 Falcons Take Flight

On May 14, the 86-member Class of 2021 celebrated an in-person graduation with family and FWCD friends and faculty in attendance.

It was a cherished, long-awaited moment of togetherness.

36 FWCD’s Community Hero

The values, character and ethos of those engaged in any aspect of the medical profession became crystal clear during this year. School Nurse Lori McCormack, RN, was Fort Worth Country Day’s hero … and superhero.

Lisa Koger CONTRIBUTORS Paige Farris Chisholm ’87 Rachel Donahue Yolanda Espinoza Caren Handleman Mel Hurst Danielle Jain Debby Jennings Reggie Johnson Renee Pierce Patrick Powers ’05 Sandra Tuomey Lisa Wallace Questions? Concerns? Comments?

IN EACH ISSUE 2

Letter from Head of School

3

Letter from Board Chair

4

Around Campus

8

Giving Back

10 Faculty Q&A 12 Athletics 18 The Arts 40 Alumni News 48 Alumni Profile 50 Class Notes 60 From the Archives

Contact Shannon Allen at shannon.allen@fwcd.com Send address changes to: Fort Worth Country Day Advancement Office 4200 Country Day Lane Fort Worth, Texas 76109 or email advancement@fwcd.com © FWCD 2021

The Falconer is published biannually for Fort Worth Country Day families, alumni and friends by the Advancement Office. Opinions represented may not necessarily be the position of the Board or administration. Fort Worth Country Day has an institutional commitment to the principles of diversity. In that spirit, FWCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or national origin in admissions, the administration of its educational policies, financial aid, athletics and other School-administered programs.

1

LETTER FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL

View from My Window The view from my window at the end of this academic year was fabulously different from that view a year ago. I saw Upper Schoolers signing yearbooks (above), Lower Schoolers enjoying Field Day, and Middle Schoolers having a final recess with their Head of Middle School John Stephens.

Throughout the summer, I saw a wonderfully busy campus.

Last summer, we were closed to all except for our Senior Leadership Team and Plant Operations and Grounds teams.

In summer 2020, there were no Fort Wonder Summer Camps or Falcon Sports Camps. This summer, we had 2,000+ children participating in Director of Auxiliary Services Michael Carmody’s incredible creations.

While there was no action out the window, the view into the conference room next to my office was all action in June 2020. Last summer, that space was something of a war room.

Many of the Senior Leadership Team were here navigating the challenges of preparing the School to open under COVID-19 protocols. We were learning about disease spread, about facilities hygiene, about air-handling technologies and the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP), along with many other outof-the-norm topics. We were also redesigning our classrooms and our schedules to accommodate the spacing requirements brought on by the concern of disease spread on campus.

2

THE FALCONER

A year later, we can be proud that our students and teachers made 2020-21 a remarkable year. With masks and six feet separating desks all year, and guided by an invaluable group of seven medical professionals, our JK-8 students started on schedule in August and only had four days of “Zoom school” with our “preemptive” campus closure after the winter holidays. Upper School students came to campus September 8 after starting the year on Zoom. Our fall athletics and arts efforts were most disrupted, but we were able to end the spring semester with some performances back indoors and competitions at full speed, including baseball, boys golf, softball, and track and field competing in the SPC Championships.

Most impressively, our Class of 2021 came out shining. After being exemplary in handling the challenges and patiently waiting for the thrills of spring, they graduated at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary in front of a full crowd of parents, relatives and friends. Our “One FWCD” theme guided our commitment to providing the safest and best learning experiences possible for our students, and our seniors guided us all to making that feeling a reality.

Go Falcons!

LETTER FROM BOARD CHAIR

As I reflect upon this past school year, I am reminded of the many obstacles we have faced as a community. Despite the unique set of challenges presented to the Falcon family over the last 16 months, I am also overwhelmed with gratitude for the students, parents, faculty and staff that have risen to the occasion to help us navigate these trying times. My current sentiments can be summarized through one of my favorite quotes by best-selling author Melody Beattie: “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

With this unprecedented school year behind us, I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to each of the many special members of our community.

To the FWCD faculty and staff, I extend to you my deepest appreciation for your incredible dedication to the School, especially given the challenges you have faced throughout the last year and a half. You have poured your hearts and souls into educating and coaching our students. Because of your passion and commitment to FWCD’s mission, I am reminded of a billboard I pass frequently in Fort Worth. The billboard reads: “Not all superheroes wear capes.” Sometimes superheroes whisper words of encouragement to worried students as they nervously adapt to environmental changes.

Some heroes listen intently while students voice their concerns and hopes for the future.

Some heroes work quietly behind the scenes to ensure the safety of every student and teacher that walks the halls of our special school. Whatever your contribution, this year would not have been possible without you.

Parents, your trust and faith in FWCD do not go unrecognized. We are privileged to have been entrusted with the care of your children and are immensely grateful for your confidence in our dedication to each student’s success. We are humbled and honored to continue to serve your families as we observe and support our student body’s humble triumph over a historic disruption to normative educational practices. Now more than ever, we look forward to watching your children as they learn, grow, flourish, and eventually embody our school’s mantra: From Here … Anywhere!

Finally, to the FWCD community as a whole, I thank you for your commitment to and passion for our exceptional school. Even during these turbulent times, we have partnered together to achieve our two highest goals for the year – ensuring the health and safety of our Falcon family while also remaining steadfast in our commitment to academic excellence.

While we have much to be grateful for and proud of, I recognize we have important work ahead as we do our best to “return to normal.” Thanks largely to each of you and the extraordinary circumstances we have overcome as “One FWCD,” I know we are returning to campus for the 2021-22 school year as a re-energized and united Falcon community, eager to deliver excellence across academics, the arts, and athletics.

And, as always, go Falcons!

Randy Eisenman ’93 3

Around Campus PEOPLE • HONORS • EVENTS • NEWS

4

THE FALCONER

AROUND CAMPUS

FWCD Names New Master Teachers The Endowed Master Teaching Chair designation is the highest distinction given by Fort Worth Country Day for faculty members who have a sustained record of teaching excellence. While all FWCD faculty adhere to the Principles of Professional Excellence, Endowed Master Teachers consistently go above and beyond expectations. The distinction is awarded in recognition of past accomplishments and in anticipation of future contributions to programs that promote teaching excellence.

New 2021 Endowed Master Teachers are Sarah Akhtar Smith ’91, Thomas M. Ryan Chair for Distinguished Lower School Teaching; Alison Robinson, Perry and Nancy Lee Bass Distinguished Teaching Chair in Upper School; and Sara Teegarden, James S. Garvey Chair in History.

Smith has taught first grade at FWCD since 2014. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in International Studies and earned her JD from The University of Texas School of Law. Throughout her career, Smith has taught kindergarten and served as a practicing attorney and Vice President of a local business.

Robinson has taught Upper School Spanish at FWCD since 1993. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Spanish and Cultural Anthropology. In addition to teaching Spanish IV, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP Spanish Literature and Culture, she serves as Modern and Classical Languages Department Chair; on the Curriculum and Summer Reading Committees; and has led student trips to Ecuador, Spain, and Washington, D.C. She has also supervised independent studies courses over the years.

Teegarden has taught Upper School history at FWCD since 2012. She holds an AB in Government from Harvard University and a JD from The University of Texas School of Law. In addition to teaching American Government and Civics and AP Comparative Government, Teegarden serves as Honor Council Advisor, Ropes Course Director, and the Washington, D.C. Trip Coordinator.

To learn more about FWCD’s Endowed Master Teachers, visit fwcd.org/masterteachers.

A Wonderful Summer Fort Wonder and Falcon Sports Camps were back in action this summer! With 2,051 enrollments, it was a recordbreaking year. Director of Auxiliary Services Michael Carmody assembled a dream team of 30 Fort Wonder Lead Counselors, Assistant Counselors, and Camp Administrators and a total of 230 camp staff and volunteers. Campers could choose from 33 Fort Wonder Specialty Camps, 21 Falcon Sports Camps, and 12 Wonderweek camps.

5

AROUND CAMPUS

Class of 2021 By the Numbers

86

seniors in the Class of 2021 More than

$11.6

million awarded in merit-based scholarships and awards More than

$2.7 13

million scholarship dollars utilized

National Merit Scholars, Finalists, Commended, and the College Board Recognition Program National Hispanic Scholars

20

AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honors, and AP Scholar with Distinction

121

different colleges and university acceptances

47

colleges and universities FWCD graduates will attend

56%

of graduates attending out-of-state colleges and universities

6

THE FALCONER

Two New Trustees Elected FWCD’s Board of Trustees elected new Trustees for a three-year term, beginning May 19: Georgina Moncrief Condrey ’94 and Claudia Coscia. Officers for the Board of Trustees for the 2021-22 academic year are Randy Eisenman ’93, President; Chris Rooker, Vice President; Elyse Stoltz Dickerson ’93, Vice President; Russ Fleischer, Treasurer; and Mary Hallman Smith ’03, Secretary.

Meet the new Trustees: Georgina Moncrief Condrey ’94 is a Fort Worth native and Fort Worth Country Day Original, having attended FWCD K-12. She earned her BA in Art History from The University of Texas at Austin, followed by post-graduate studies in decorative arts at Sotheby’s, New York, and an MA in Art History with Christie’s, New York.

Condrey’s passion for art history was fueled by the museums of Fort Worth and her first Art History class at Country Day. She has been a board member of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth since 2012 and continues to enjoy active participation in both the museums and commercial art world. Condrey and her husband, Cliff, are the parents of three children: Two are Falcons, and one attends All Saints’ Episcopal School.

Having three children with different learning styles, strengths and weaknesses, Condrey is focused on best supporting individual students’ needs, including those with ADD/ADHD. She has served on FWCD’s Admission Events Committee and currently serves on

FWCD’s Advancement Committee.

Condrey has been a Breakthrough Fort Worth Fancy Meal Chair and continues to enjoy involvement with the Breakthrough program, as well as other volunteer opportunities and leadership roles at both FWCD and in the extended community.

Claudia Coscia began the legal department of Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc., and has been Deputy General Counsel since 2009. She specializes in advertising law, intellectual property, corporate governance and transactions, and business immigration.

Before working with Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc., Coscia was an Associate Attorney at Cantey & Hanger, LLC, and a teacher at Rosemont Middle School and H.V. Helbing Elementary School (1991-93) in the Fort Worth ISD. Coscia holds a JD from Baylor Law School and a Bilingual teaching certificate (K-4) from Texas Woman’s University. She earned a BA in Psychology and French, with a minor in Business from TCU. Coscia teaches a class at Business Boot Camp at Baylor Law School covering advertising and intellectual property law and provides advice and feedback to the law school regarding its transactional business law program. In addition, she mentors and provides externships for law students from Baylor and Texas A&M law schools.

Coscia has participated in many different aspects of FWCD life. She and her husband, Julio, have two FWCD alumni and a current FWCD student.

AROUND CAMPUS

2020-21 Scholarship Recipients The following students held these Named Scholarships at Fort Worth Country Day during the 2020-21 academic year.

Edward P. Bass Scholarship Sydney Airheart ’23 Andrea Andrade ’24 Shamya Freeney ’24 Beverly Anne Robinson Faculty Endowed Scholarship Nate Blan ’26, Gabriella Napier ’28 Reshma Niraula ’22 Alumni Endowed Scholarship Ayris Cole ’21 Kale Graves ’21 Kristen Gray ’21

Malone Scholars Program Priscilla Lambis ’25 Seth Mayhue ’23 Mary Grace McGann ’22 Gigi Schueneman ’26 Landen Walker ’22 Maya Witzel ’25 Peter A. Schwartz Scholarship Paloma Casanova ’21 Captain David Herr ’80 Memorial Scholarship Liz Hazelton ’22 Reilly Family Foundation/ Breakthrough Fort Worth Scholarship David Yun ’24

Ella C. McFadden Scholarship Xavier Willars ’21 Kate Morton ’21 Moritz Scholarship at FWCD Vianey Frias ’25 Betty Reese Memorial Scholarship Kelly Pham ’21 Gayle G. and Evan D. Peterson Scholarship Joshua King ’33 Joey Pollard Memorial Scholarship Adele Wilson ’21 Jillian Chandler Thompson Scholarship Bella Rugema ’27

Seven Seniors Named National Merit Finalist All seven of FWCD’s 2020-21 National Merit Semifinalists — Paul Alexander, Janie Bradford, Oliver Cristobal, Jack Ethridge, Mary Johnson, Henry Lynn and Andrew Nober — were named National Merit Finalists. Four of the seven reached the highest level of recognition, Merit Scholar, in this year's scholarship competition. Alexander received the National Merit Southern Methodist University Scholarship. Ethridge was awarded the National Merit Texas A&M University Scholarship.

Lynn was offered the National Merit University of Chicago Scholarship.

Nober received the National Merit BNSF Railway Foundation Scholarship. National Merit Scholars could earn one of three awards: the

2020-21 National Merit Finalists Jack Ethridge, Mary Johnson, Oliver Cristobal, Janie Bradford, Paul Alexander, Henry Lynn and Andrew Nober

National Merit $2,500 Scholarship, the Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship, and the Collegesponsored Merit Scholarship. They are

underwritten by approximately 420 independent sponsor organizations as well as by NMSC with their own funds.

7

Giving Back

8

THE FALCONER

GIVING BACK

Four Couples Unite What happens when you bring together Falcon parents who are energetic, imaginative and goal-oriented? Magic … and results!

The combined drives and talents of the 2020-21 FWCD Fund Co-Chairs are evidence of this statement. Recognizing the challenges the pandemic year would present, the Advancement Office approached Laura and Chris Rooker, who had chaired The Fund in 2016-17, with the idea of recruiting a dream team of former Fund Chairs.

“We knew that this Fund year had the potential to be quite difficult, like many things in 2020. Our first thought was to sit down with Katie and Rob Semple [’95], who had chaired The Fund most recently in 2019-20,” Chris said.

“We discussed previous Fund Chairs, their differences in philosophy, and the successes they experienced. More importantly, we discussed the passion and commitment each couple had for FWCD and their willingness to take on this task for a second time.”

The couples the Rookers and Semples asked to join them were Helen and Michael Todora, who had served as chairs in 2018-19, and Pam and Jamie Packer, 2017-18 Fund Chairs.

“At the end of the day, it was an easy decision to ask the Todoras and Packers to partner with us to form our team,” Chris noted. “After short conversations with each family, their passion was confirmed, and their commitment was solidified.” This second-time leadership is a first in Fund history.

In this unusual year, the couples recognized that they would not have a volunteer committee with whom to share the workload. Instead, their approach included utilizing alternative communication avenues and methods to ask for annual fund support. They devised new ways to promote The Fund through videos that appealed to different classes or individual donors and a matching gift challenge.

The matching gift challenge began in fall 2020. Leslie and John David Moritz, along with their daughters, Meg ’15 and Anna ’20, challenged the community to raise an additional $250,000 for FWCD through increased and first-time gifts to The FWCD Fund. The goal was met in early January 2021, so the Moritz family offered an additional $100,000 for new and increased gifts made by June 30. There was an overwhelming response from the FWCD community.

The four-couple group also earned a special nickname as they began their work. Board of Trustees President Randy Eisenman ’93 named the group Mount Rushmore. “We were reporting results early in the school year when he gave us the nickname. I can only assume that if we were to hit the annual fund goal, someone’s face should be carved into Mount Rushmore,” Chris mused. “However, we do ‘carve’ the names of our great donors onto a wall in the Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center. We call it the Keystone wall.

“There must have been those who did not believe we would hit the $1 million goal in a pandemic,” Chris continued. “We would heartily disagree with this notion.”

This year’s FWCD Fund total was $1,080,000 — the greatest amount raised in the history of unrestricted giving to the School. “We are deeply grateful to all members of the FWCD community for their ongoing and generous support of our School and want to recognize the tireless work of our Fund Chairs,” said Sandra Tuomey, Director of Advancement.

“Thank you, all!”

Falcon students are the beneficiaries of The Fund and serve as the inspiration for the non-stop work of the chairs. As a side benefit, the four couples have developed deeper friendships with one another.

FWCD Fund Chairs for the 2021-22 year are April and Paul Bleich, who know they can count on support from the four couples and the Advancement Team.

9

Q& with Karen Curella and Rita A How did you become passionate about language?

My upbringing was infused with foreign language and culture in the most mundane ways — great German desserts and Italian dishes, as well as foreign phrases passed down from my great-grandparents and grandparents. There were frequent family gatherings with 20+ cousins, and it was fascinating hearing relatives intersperse Italian and English effortlessly into conversations. Languages were keys that unlocked stories of my families’ lives and customs, expanding my world. My high school counselor tried to dissuade me from taking both French and Spanish, and I am so glad that I held firm and insisted on doing so. I learned both languages ‘the hard way,’ as study abroad was not possible for me except for a college mini-mester in Mexico. Even though I haven’t studied Italian formally, knowing French and Spanish have enabled me to understand and intuit quite a bit.

What did you love most about teaching at FWCD? In 39 years of teaching, I have been fortunate to have supportive administrators who endorsed Spanish and French caroling in neighborhoods; visiting a French bakery to learn how baguettes were made; starting an International Club; and making piñatas, moles, crêpes and French meusi in the name of helping the study of grammar and vocabulary come alive for the students. FWCD has always valued and supported the cultural components of language acquisition in many ways — through traveling abroad, visiting a local museum’s French art exhibit, presenting Hispanic folk dances at a neighboring school, and observing special days for other cultures during the school day. These activities have provided rich, lasting memories and sparked many students to continue their Spanish and French mastery well beyond their FWCD years.

Share some of your fondest FWCD memories. What do you miss about FWCD? One of the most inspiring things I have witnessed involved National Junior Honor Society students voting to send their annual bake sale proceeds to Cancer Cares, Boys and Girls Clubs, the Ronald McDonald House, tsunami relief in Japan, wildfire relief in West Texas, hurricane relief in Galveston, to name a few. My French students put in months of work to host the Mardi Gras festivities for Lower School students. They learn their lines for the play, create costumes, fashion props and prepare fun games. Over and over, I have seen my students’ willingness to give and do their best. These standards and mindset have endured for decades and undoubtedly hold true in a special way during the challenges of the pandemic.

I will always cherish my FWCD time and am grateful for the countless sources of inspiration, support and guidance from fellow teachers, staff, parents, students and administrators. It has been a rich, challenging and rewarding 32 years.

10

THE FALCONER

FACULT Y Q&A

Zawalnicki What led you to FWCD? After my husband passed away somewhat suddenly and it was becoming clear that our kiddos were all getting jobs in Texas after graduating from TCU, I began thinking about moving from St. Louis to Fort Worth. The College Counselor at FWCD at this time was a friend of the College Counselor at the private school where I worked [Whitfield School], so they recommended that I apply for a position at FWCD. I flew down for an interview in summer 2005. Bill Arnold [’86] interviewed me and showed me campus. I was hooked.

You’ve worn many hats at FWCD. What have you loved the most?

I started as the Upper School Administrative Assistant and later took over the Registrar and Community Service Program positions. In 2007-08, I created TEAM Service, which consists of Upper School students facilitating and planning grade-level service-oriented events and programs during the 2008-09 academic year. I wanted the students to have ownership and leadership related to service. Service is dear to my heart, and seeing young people embrace it inspires me to want to do more. I also became an ‘event planner,’ planning the School’s graduation, Awards and Recognition Assemblies, Cum Laude Induction, Eighth-Grade Step-Up, Parents’ Nights, Scholars Dinner, and more, starting with the Class of 2009 and ending with the Class of 2020.

Planning these special events was a joy for me. It was gratifying to watch on the day of the event from behind the curtain, so to speak, and see all the students and parents celebrate and enjoy the event.

What will you miss about FWCD? During my 16 years here, I have awakened in the morning and thought … ‘Oh good!

I get to go to school today!’ I enjoy the people I work with and the opportunities to walk with students through their four years of high school. I will miss the energy of and contact with the students … and the friendship of my peers. I know I will miss being here next year when the school year starts in ‘the good 'ol way’ ... seeing students in the Commons, and at service events, eating lunch with my friends, and helping to make things happen at our wonderful school.

How are you planning to spend your retirement?

I have a family full of kids and grands that have been asking when Nana is going to retire for quite some time now! So I will be at lots of games, performances, awards assemblies, etc., for my elementary, middle school, and upper school grands. I will be spending time seeing more of Texas than I have been able to yet. And of course, I'll be volunteering!

11

Athletics An integral part of the FWCD experience is participation in athletics.

FWCD Falcons demonstrate a high regard for sportsmanship, effort, health, fitness and school spirit.

12

THE FALCONER

Photo courtesy of Sodi Matthews

ATHLETICS

FWCD Names New Football Coach Keith Burns is FWCD’s new varsity Head Football Coach and Program Director. He began in this role on May 1. Following a nationwide search, Burns was one of three semifinalists chosen to be interviewed on campus. His impressive resume –– consisting of more than 30 years of experience coaching at esteemed colleges and universities, in the NFL, and at the high school level –– led to Burns’ selection. He comes to FWCD from the University of Texas at El Paso, where he has been serving as Senior Director of Recruiting and Player Personnel and Secondary/Safeties Coach.

“Keith’s range and depth of coaching experience and his enthusiasm for working with young athletes are the factors that set him apart,” said FWCD’s new Athletic Director Leigh Block. “He connects with parents, colleagues and players in meaningful ways, and will build on FWCD’s past athletic success stories while taking our football program to an even higher level.”

A graduate of L.D. Bell High School, Burns played at the University of Arkansas under head coach Lou Holtz and earned a BS in Physical Education. Some of Coach Burns’s coaching accolades include being named a three-time “Coach of the Week” while at Archbishop Mitty High School, an

award given by the San Francisco 49ers. As Special Teams Coach for the Oakland Raiders, he led his players to set a franchise record for blocked punts, and their special teams were ranked 10th out of 32 NFL teams. In his college coaching days, Burns was a finalist for the Broyles Award, which annually honors college football’s top assistant coach.

While his college career allowed him to coach numerous future professional players, Burns shared that the highlight of his career thus far has been coaching at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California.

“We went to the Northern California State Playoffs all four years and the finals twice. It was the most fulfilling job I have had thus far,” Burns said. “The purity of high school football is what makes it so special. There is no better feeling than riding the school bus after a victory or helping to ease the pain of a defeat. These life lessons are what help shape a young man, and I consider it a privilege to influence and impact their life.”

Head of School Eric Lombardi said, “All of our athletic staff are true experts in their sport and devoted to educating and role modeling for students. Coach Burns knows he is inheriting a program with a record of significant success, including three Southwest Preparatory Conference 3A championships within the past five years. That Coach Burns rose to the top of our candidate pool means Falcon Nation has much to be excited about.”

Four FWCD Athletes Commit to Play in College In April, FWCD and the Athletics Department recognized four senior student-athletes who have committed to taking their sports to the next level. Laney Bagwell will be a member of the women’s crew team at Colby College. Henry Lynn will be running cross country and participating in track and field at the University of Chicago. Reese Nelson will be swimming for Washington and Lee University. Ileana Rodriguez will play field hockey at Haverford College. Congratulations to these student-athletes as they compete at the next level.

13

ATHLETICS

Five Teams Advance to SPC Championships

By Paige Farris Chisholm ’87 The Falcons had a fantastic spring season. There was a lot to celebrate for every single team, including teams making it to the SPC Championships. Baseball, boys golf and softball all made it to the championship round, and track sent 17 athletes to the Championship meet. One runner was crowned SPC Champion in two events. Other sports celebrated key victories and recognitions for their programs.

Baseball

Baseball was crowned the SPC Runners-up and the North Zone Champions. The overall program celebrated an amazing season from top to bottom. Both Middle School teams went undefeated with an overall record of 16-0-1. The Upper School program had an impressive record of 20-6-2. Three seniors graduated, Cooper Collinge, Josh Guhl and Max Miller. These players will be missed, but the future continues to look very bright for Falcon baseball.

Boys Tennis

Boys tennis enjoyed their season and saw some impressive wins.

This year, freshmen Marco Olmos and Benjamin Hoppe brought new energy, elevating the singles lineup to the next level. Line one doubles, formed by Mitchell Crawford ’22 and Holt Smith ’23, had a great season with the most varsity wins for the team.

Seniors Christopher Hoppe, Paul Alexander and Jack Ethridge had a great season, leaving behind a great legacy for the team to follow. With the success of the JV and Middle School programs, the team is optimistic about its future.

Boys Golf

The FWCD boys golf team had its finest year. In seven tournaments, it never finished out of the top five. The team defeated rivals Trinity Valley School and St. Mark’s School of Texas in head-to-head matches, won the North Zone Championship, and were the Runners-up in an exciting backand-forth SPC Championship match at Texas Rangers Golf Club in Arlington.

Standout players were sophomore Connor Henry (with a tournament scoring average of 75.7); seniors Xavier Willars, Aidan Karsten, Briggs Kelly and Beau Poitevent; and junior Jackson Bobo.

In the North Zone Championship at Bear Creek, Willars was tournament medalist (-1), and the Falcons shot an historic team score of 291, winning the tournament by eight shots. Also achieving All-Conference Honors were Henry, Bobo and Kelly.

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THE FALCONER

Boys Track

Boys track had an outstanding season with several impressive finishes. Ten runners qualified for the SPC Championship meet, covering seven different events. The Falcons earned AllConference Honors in the 4x100 relay, 4x400 relay, and the 400m. A new FWCD record was set for the 4x200 relay by Paul Ray ’23, Alex Kelly ’23, Jeremy Henderson ’23 and Ayris Cole ’21. Seniors Cole, Henry Lynn and Andrew Nober will be greatly missed. They have left an impressive legacy for the younger runners to follow.

ATHLETICS

Girls Golf

Girls golf had a great season with three juniors and two freshmen. The team had a tournament early in the season, which helped the girls get back into the swing of things. After practicing hard and preparing for the second tournament, Olivia Neve ’22 shot her best-ever tournament round of 85 at Squaw Creek Golf Course. The team played in a fun scrambleformat tournament and, to round out the season, they played in the SPC North Zone tournament at Bear Creek Golf Club.

The team finished in third place, with Neve finishing top 10 and earning All-Conference Honors. With all the players returning, next year looks to be even better.

Girls Tennis

Girls tennis enjoyed great numbers this year with great talent.

The players worked hard at practice, and it showed with their winning record. During the season, the team celebrated several exciting team wins and some incredible individual wins. The coaches are super excited for the future since the team won’t be losing any players to graduation.

Girls Track

Girls track had an incredible season. Rachel Nelson ’23 was crowned SPC Champion in the 100m and 200m and broke the FWCD record in the 400m. Sutton Howard ’23 was the SPC Champion Runner-Up in shot put and discus. Prior to the championship, she was undefeated. Nasya Williams ’24 broke FWCD records in the 100m and 200m. The 4x100 relay of Sadie Schuster ’22, Nelson, Williams and Kylie Carter ’24 was crowned North Zone Gold Medalists. The team is sad to lose graduating senior Faith Darrow but is excited about the future.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse enjoyed a great season under new Head Coach Patrick Diamonon. The team had some great wins, including an exciting win at home against Trinity Valley School. The game was close to the end, and the Falcons were victorious, 9-7. They concluded their season with two Falcons earning post-season awards. Rogan Crumley ’22 earned the Texas High School Lacrosse League (THSLL) Class C All-State Middie Award, and Mac Toomey ’22 earned THSLL Class C North District Honorable Mention Defense Award. Crumley finished the season with an impressive 34 goals, four assists, 86 ground balls, and eight forced turnovers. He scored at least one goal in all 13 games this season. Toomey had 18 forced turnovers, 43 ground balls, and one goal during the season.

Softball

It had been 10 years since the softball team last found themselves in the SPC Championship game (which they won in 2011), so it was a great feeling to finally be back in that game. The team went from zero wins in 2019 to a winning record in 2021, which included an undefeated North Zone record. Three players were recognized as area leaders in batting average. The challenge for the leadership this year was for the team to gel quickly, as over half of the starting lineup consisted of freshmen. Senior Emily Lynn led the team, and the team chemistry anchored the season’s success.

The dugout was never quiet and kept the rest of the team in the ballgame every game. While the team was disappointed in the outcome of the championship game, the future looks bright, and every player has already set a goal to get back to that game.

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ATHLETICS

2021 Major Athletic Awards Upper School students were honored in a ceremony at Doxology Church on May 13. The following studentathletes received awards and acknowledgement for their commitment to athletics during the 2020-21 academic year.

Outstanding Freshman Athletes Jackson Brockway ’24 Kylie Carter ’24

Outstanding Sophomore Girl Athlete Award Sutton Howard ’23

Richard Steed Award Macie Mallick ’22 This award is given annually to the outstanding junior girl athlete(s) who, in the opinion of the coaches, displayed athletic talents that contributed the most to the entire FWCD athletic program.

Jeremy Henderson ’23

Barrett Havran ’98 Outstanding Sophomore Boy Athlete Award This award is given annually to the outstanding sophomore boy athlete(s) who, in the opinion of the coaches, displayed athletic talents that contributed the most to the entire FWCD athletic program.

Bill Curtis Award Sawyer Parker ’22 This award is given annually to the outstanding junior boy athlete(s) who, in the opinion of the coaches, displayed athletic talents that contributed the most to the entire FWCD athletic program.

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Billy Serralta ’21, Faith Darrow ’21, Beau Poitevent ’21

Dr. Lawrence P. Kleuser Memorial Trophy

This award is given annually to the senior boy(s) and the senior girl(s), who, in the opinion of the Headmaster, Upper School Division Head and the Athletic Director, have in athletic endeavor displayed the qualities of character, sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and team spirit, and who, in so doing, have contributed to the general excellence of FWCD.

ATHLETICS

Ayris Cole ’21

Audrey Scott ’21

Emily Lynn ’21

Max Miller ’21

William A. Landreth, Jr. Award

Class of ’70 Award

Don Welch Memorial Trophy

Class of ’72 Award

This award is given annually to the outstanding senior boy athlete(s) who, in the opinion of the coaches, displayed athletic talents that contributed the most to the entire FWCD athletic program.

Henry Lynn ’21

This award is given annually to the outstanding senior girl athlete(s) who, in the opinion of the coaches, displayed athletic talents that contributed the most to the entire FWCD athletic program.

Ileana Rodriguez ’21

Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Award

This award is given annually to the senior boy(s) and the senior girl(s) who, in the opinion of the Headmaster, Upper School Division Head and the Athletic Director, epitomize the ideal “Scholar Athlete” by demonstrating academic excellence and outstanding athletic performance while attending FWCD.

This award is given annually to the senior girl athlete(s) who, in the opinion of the coaches, has demonstrated consistent improvement in their athletic performance during their career at FWCD.

This award is given annually to the senior boy athlete(s) who, in the opinion of the coaches, has demonstrated consistent improvement in their athletic performance during their career at FWCD.

Billy Serralta ’21

Falcon Club 12 Season Award

Established by the Falcon Club in 2020, this award is given to senior athletes who earn the Will Stansbery Award during all four of their high school years at Fort Worth Country Day, for a total of 12 seasons of participation on an athletic team. This award is dedicated to the Class of 2020.

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The Arts

The City of Fort Worth is internationally known for its vibrant arts scene.

At FWCD, we inspire innovation and excellence through our celebrated ballet program, visual arts classes, choral programs, band, orchestra, drumline, performing arts and technical theatre.

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THE ART S

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THE ART S

Stumbling Along: A Musical Theatre Concert “Necessity is the mother of invention.” This quote is attributed to ancient Greek philosopher Plato and was never a more true sentiment than in 2020 and 2021. Travis Guba, Upper School Theatre Director, cited it in his note in the Stumbling Along: A Musical Theatre Concert program.

The pandemic posed a problem that required creative and courageous efforts to solve.

As a result, the spring Upper School musical was an evolving student-led initiative that required creativity right up to and through the three performances (February 22-24).

“There is an undeniable joy in generating new ideas and figuring out how things will work with the many unknowns we have encountered along the way,” Guba noted. “These young artists have been engaged in a collaborative effort to create their own show and rose to the challenge given to them.

How wonderful it has been to see them working together and figuring it out.”

A cast and crew of nearly 35 took on this endeavor, starting with Student Director Janie Bradford ’21 weaving together a story that included songs from such musicals as A Chorus Line, The Last Five Years, Catch Me If You Can, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Songs for a New World, Hairspray, A Little Night Music, Little Shop of Horrors, Kiss Me, Kate, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, Cinderella, Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, Baby, and Singin’ in the Rain. Mary McGann ’22 then set out to design a poster and program cover to accurately reflect how the individual performances came together. Under the direction of Ballet and Theatre Teacher 20

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Natalie Bracken ’05, student choreographers Bradford, Sydney Cyprian ’22 and Grace Sapienza ’22 worked hard with the performers to perfect their dance moves.

It was Student Technical Directors Aidan Karsten ’21 and Josh Guhl ’21, Head of Audio and Audio Engineer Walker Smith ’21, Head of Lighting Mark Wong ’22, the Technical Crew of Jack Bradford ’24 and Mitchell Crawford ’22, and Stage Manager Emma Hargrove ’23 that had their work cut out for them as the performances had a limited live audience in the Sid W. Richardson Round Gym and were livestreamed on FWCD’s YouTube channel.

Right before the first show, Eric Tysinger, Scott Theater Director and Tech Theatre Teacher, noticed an electrical arcing noise from one of the lighting cables. It was necessary to replace the cable quickly, and, just minutes before the curtain went up, all was ready. Each performance was tweaked from behind the scenes to enhance the livestream experience. All who attended in person were supportive and happy to see FWCD performing arts in action.

The student cast and crew approached the rehearsals and performances with positivity and support of one another.

Their spirit was infectious and brought the audiences, in-person and online, a spectacular revue of classic and contemporary songs from the canon of musical theatre — there was something for everyone. The students demonstrated a clear passion for the arts, engaged the audience in their joyful creativity, and celebrated one another and their gifts.

THE ART S

Black & White Images Exhibition Features 11 FWCD Students

Stumbling Along Cast List Janie Bradford ’21 Allie Cross ’24 Gracie Cross ’22 Sydney Cyprian ’22 Baylee East ’21 Eliana Garcia ’23 Jazmine Gomez ’22 Kale Graves ’21 Izzy Gutierrez ’22 Reagan Hall ’24 Emma Hargrove ’23 Christopher Hoppe ’21 Olivia Kersh ’24 Rocco Leoni ’23 Ella Li ’21 Kate Malonis ’23 Nicolas Medaris ’23 Aramis Moreno ’22 Malinda Murphey ’22 Nick Pakis ’22 Lilly Peacock ’23 Gabby Pettit ’21 Banner Robinson ’22 Grace Sapienza ’22 Ava Scott ’23 Sadie Schuster ’22 Sadie Thompson ’24 Landen Walker ’22

FWCD’s Black & White Images Competition and Exhibition featured the work of 11 Fort Worth Country Day students, including Riley Davenport ’21, who earned first place in the Experimental category for Negatives; Davis Ryder ’22, who placed third with Heaven Help Us All Respect Every Person in the Photojournalism category; and Paxtin Stimson ’22, who earned third place for Suffocated in the Photo Essay category. This year marked the 33rd anniversary of Black & White Images.

Black & White Images received 432 entries from 16 of the finest photography programs in the DFW metroplex, totaling 507 images across eight categories. The exhibition features 139 entries, with 32 entries receiving awards. This year’s adjudicator was Letitia Huckaby, a photographer who creates multimedia artwork combining

photography and textiles to depict both family narratives and African American history. Letitia is the mother of Halle ’27 and Rising ’24. Together, Letitia and her husband, Sedrick, are the artists behind Huckaby Studios.

“Due to pandemic circumstances, this year’s exhibit moved completely online,” said Sil Azevedo, Upper School Photography Teacher. “We were encouraged by the participation of so many students and by the high level of the entries, even in a year with so many changes and challenges. It shows that art always finds a way. We are thrilled to carry on with the Black & White Images legacy and look forward to returning to our traditional format in the future.”

Visit fwcd.org/bwimages to view the gallery.

Riley Davenport ’21 earned first place in the Experimental category for Negatives.

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THE ART S

2021 Major Fine Arts Awards Upper School students were honored in a ceremony at Doxology Church on May 13. The following artists received awards and acknowledgement for their commitment to the arts during the 2020-21 academic year.

VISUAL ARTS

Siegel Art Award for Art History Mary Johnson ’21

Evelyn Siegel H’99 was a 16-year FWCD faculty member and former Visual Arts Department Chair. This award was established in her honor and is given to the art history student who displays a passion for the subject and who has excelled in their coursework.

Photography Award Kendall Lehman ’22

This award honors a photography student for their outstanding passion, dedication and artistry.

Koeppe Award for Painting and Drawing Isabel Garza ’21 Named for Lelia Koeppe, an FWCD faculty member for 36 years and former Visual Arts Department Chair, this award honors the student who demonstrates exceptional creative and technical ability in painting and drawing.

Siegel Art Award for Ceramics Humberto Zamorano ’21 This award was established in honor of Evelyn Siegel H’99, FWCD faculty member and former Visual Arts Department Chair, and is given to the ceramics student who has a keen sense of craftsmanship, a strong work ethic, and a passion for creating art in clay.

Distinguished Artist Book Award Mary Johnson ’21 This award is given to an accomplished senior artist. Nomination criteria include the student’s effort and achievement in the visual arts, the student’s overall academic achievement, and the student’s creativity and talent.

PERFORMING ARTS FWCD Leadership and Musicianship Award – Choral Landon Barker ’22 Ryan Lew ’22 Outstanding Vocalist Award – Choral Jessica Tomasic ’23 Nick Pakis ’22 Emerging Artist Award Madison Aust ’23 (Ceramics) Lillie Turner ’22 (Painting and Drawing) Femi Adedokun ’22 (Photography)

This award honors the first-year painting and drawing, ceramics and photography students who have demonstrated dedication and passion in the classroom, and who go above and beyond in creativity and productivity.

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FWCD Leadership and Musicianship Award – Band Liz Hazelton ’22 Outstanding Instrumentalist Award – Band Isabella Gutierrez ’22

THE ART S

Outstanding Senior Award – Theatre Aidan Karsten ’21 Janie Bradford ’21

Etoile Award Janie Bradford ’21 Baylee East ’21 Mary Johnson ’21 Ella Li ’21 This award is presented to that senior student who has participated in the FWCD ballet program every season.

FWCD Leadership and Musicianship Award – Orchestra Blaine Barker ’23

Gayle Corkery Award Isabella Gutierrez ’22 Kendall Lehman ’22

Theatre Department Core Values Award Sydney Cyprian ’22 Gracie Cross ’22 Josh Guhl ’21

Presented in honor of Gayle Corkery, the founder of Fort Worth Country Day’s Ballet Department, this award is given to that junior ballet student who best combines academic excellence with outstanding dedication to the ballet program.

Ted Sanford Award Gabby Pettit ’21

Outstanding Instrumentalist Award – Orchestra Xavier Willars ’21 Outstanding Undergraduate Award – Dance Kaylee Chisholm ’22

Ted Sanford H’98, Fort Worth Country Day’s second Headmaster, broadened the School’s emphasis on the arts. This award is presented to the outstanding senior ballet student.

Outstanding Undergraduate Award – Theatre Jazmine Gomez ’22 Landen Walker ’22

Richie Garvey ’07 Technical Theatre Award Walker Smith ’21 Richie Garvey ’07 spent his four years in Upper School learning every aspect of technical theatre and earned School awards pursuing his passion. This award is given to the senior student who excels in tech theatre and whom others look to for leadership, knowledge, skill and dedication to tech theatre.

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A Middle Schooler At Heart Fun … practical joker … Cheesehead … motivator … good sport … storyteller … friend … encourager … father …

These are just a handful of the words from colleagues, students, teachers and parents that describe Head of Middle School John Stephens. After more than 30 years in the education field and 15 on the Fort Worth Country Day campus, Stephens is starting a new life chapter.

“When my family moved to Fort Worth, I assumed that this would be a six- or sevenyear chapter, like every chapter that preceded it,” he shared in a February letter to the community announcing his departure. “Fifteen years later, I feel proud of the opportunities I have been given and the things I have been able to be a part of.”

A kid at heart, Head of Middle School John Stephens was in touch with his inner middle schooler every day and especially enjoyed the Fifth-Grade Ride-A-Thon.

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A Wisconsinite, Stephens earned a BA in History from Lawrence University, an MA in History from Xavier University in Ohio, and began his career teaching at the University School of Milwaukee as a full-time substitute, creating and conducting lesson plans for all subject areas in grades 1-12 and coaching high school varsity hockey and baseball. He then taught seventh grade at Cincinnati Country Day School for seven years before being named Head of Middle School at Augusta Preparatory Day School in Georgia in 2000. Head of School Evan D. Peterson H’15 (2002-15) brought Stephens to FWCD for the 2006-07 academic year.

“I came from a family of educators. My mother was a college professor, and my father taught for over 55 years at a school very much like FWCD. Both of my sisters are private school teachers as well,” Stephens shared. “When I got out of school, I was actually going to do anything but teach. After a stock market crash and a few years of sales in Chicago, I had the opportunity to teach and coach at my alma mater, the University School of Milwaukee. I went there from nursery school through high school. It was there that my teaching career took off.”

(Clockwise) Jack Carmichael ’22 dressed up as the Head of Middle School for Halloween. Stephens sling-shotted water balloons at students on the last day of recess this year. An apple-pie connoisseur, Stephens would enjoy taste-testing all versions of his favorite dessert in various Middle School faculty bake-offs and during Pi Day.

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Charming the FWCD Community

come to school,” while Caroline King ’25 called him a “role model.”

Some might say the rest is history, that the quintessential middle school boy, a kind-hearted jokester, won over the entire Fort Worth Country Day Mason Middle School community quickly. He wore green and yellow — Greenbay Packers colors — to school to elicit banter from the Cowboys fans, he dressed up for Halloween and other holidays, he stood out at carpool waving to parents and giving high-fives to students, he played practical jokes on his faculty team during meetings, he made children want to come to school.

Stephens’ reach was broad and meaningful when it came to relationships.

Kathy Welch has worked closely with Stephens since 2014, serving as Middle School Registrar. “John has a very special place in my heart, both personally and professionally. He is the brother I never had in the way he protects me, teases me, embarrasses me, and held me up gently when I dealt with profound grief,” she said. “He is an excellent motivator. He encourages people to step up their game, push for excellence, bring something special to the table, and find their personal ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if ’ moment.”

“In John, the Fort Worth Country Day community loses incredible wisdom, devotion to middle school students, parents and faculty, and a man of great kindness with an amazing sense of humor,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “His legacy lives on through so many programs and the Middle School Expansion, but he forever will be remembered for his faculty legacy. He has built a phenomenal team of educators.”

For Head of Lower School Trey Blair, there is not enough space to answer how much Stephens has influenced him.

“Simply put, John is a friend. I can go on and on about mentoring, teaching and coaching someone like myself into the profession, but at the end of the day, John is a really good friend,” Blair said. “He has always been there for me, whether I have asked for help or not, and I hope I can always be there for him.

“My favorite memories are easily the little jokes or silly things that John and I would find funny during meetings,” Blair continued. “I know many senior admins have probably had moments where they look over at the two of us and think, ‘What are these two doing?’ Just like the students we teach in Lower and Middle School, John and I often had to be separated so we weren’t distractions to everyone else.”

Jack Carmichael ’22 recalls a Green Bay Packers flag flying on the Middle School Circle flagpole following a Packers win over the Cowboys. Stephens was seen ushering students into school during carpool wearing his Cheesehead hat. That Cheesehead made multiple appearances each school year. Will Bloemendal ’27 shared that “Mr. Stephens made kids want to

The Paul W. Mason Middle School Expansion was a labor of love for Head of School John Stephens, seen here at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Adding a Footprint Stephens leaves a legacy of accomplishments at FWCD. In 2011-12, he envisioned, designed and oversaw the building of the new Paul W. Mason Middle School Expansion with Peterson and Assistant Head of School Steve Stackhouse.

Much of Stephens’ educational philosophy centered on the Six Cs of the 21st-century: creativity, character, critical thinking, communication, cosmopolitanism/cross-cultural competency and collaboration. The expansion took these characteristics into account, serving as a tool to achieve something bigger, better and different. The look of the building and the flexibility it allows for collaborative learning makes teaching and learning at FWCD even more engaging.

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Fostering Meaningful Relationships Welch enjoyed hearing Stephens speak to the students. “If a student is in trouble, he can be stern but not scary, kind but not wimpy, an enforcer without using shame, then an encourager to make better decisions next time,” she said. “He just has a way with all people.”

Big Bend was a time to connect for students and faculty.

Pictured here are Steve Stackhouse, Robin Willis and John Stephens.

Further innovation came to the Middle School through the 1:1 iPad program in 2013-14 and the Awesomeness Initiative, launched in January 2017, which added engagement to the Middle School’s curriculum through non-graded elective courses that fuel students’ passions.

While excited for the iPad program, Stephens sensed some apprehension among faculty. He worked with Director of Technology Steve Uhr to ensure that both technical support on campus and professional development opportunities were readily available to faculty so they felt prepared and comfortable in the classroom.

The Awesomeness Initiative (AI) was a collaborative effort with the entire Middle School team of teachers, staff and administrators. Recognizing that he was asking teachers to take on an elective course, Stephens put on his “teacher hat,” teaching AI courses alongside his faculty, including a much sought-after beekeeping class, over the years as well.

While the expansion, iPad initiative and AI classes are visible reminders of Stephens’ contributions to the School, he is most proud of the Middle School culture and the relationships that make this culture possible. “It’s always been important to me to do the best job I can. I think I’ve done that in assembling a group of faculty that are committed, love the kids, and have fun with the job,” he said. “This collection of Middle School teachers and staff is the best I have ever seen. They love their subjects, and they love our goofy Middle School kids. They regularly sacrifice their time and energy to show they believe in our students. As a result, the students enjoy and adore their teachers.”

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Shari Lincoln has had the opportunity to teach in the Middle School with Stephens as her supervisor and to serve as Head of Lower School and work side by side. “John and I actually go way back. We met at a weeklong conference for aspiring middle school heads in the late ’90s in the northeast,” Lincoln said. “It wasn’t until he interviewed on campus for the Head of Middle School job that we chatted and remembered that we had met before [Lincoln was serving as Assistant Head of Middle School when he interviewed.] I had the privilege of working with John for one or two years before I was asked to head the Lower School.

“The bottom line is that John has been a wonderful teacher, mentor, listener and humorist,” Lincoln continued. “He taught me the value of laughter, especially when doing a challenging job. When I decided that I wanted to return to teaching, John was the first to share that a position had opened. I am eternally grateful that he allowed me to return to the classroom and continue to spend my days at the school I love.”

The culture does not end with the faculty — it very much involves the parent community. “Together, with parents, the faculty and administration turned the Middle School into ‘a safe place to fail,’ Stephens said. “I think a lot of administrators allow themselves to be drawn into choosing whose ‘side’ they are on between parents and teachers. Maybe it is because I grew up with so many of both, but I think that is faulty thinking. We are all here for the kids. I think the Middle School took a significant step forward handling discipline situations. We stopped reporting minor-level stuff to parents because it was normal middle school skinned-knee stuff, and on bigger stuff, we explained to parents how we hoped to turn the mistake into a learning experience.

“FWCD parents are passionate about their kids. If they know you care about their kids as well, they are wonderful partners and a lot of fun,” Stephens continued. “I have never been in or seen a community where the parents have been more

“The bottom line is that John has effusively supportive, encouraging and trusting than I have experienced here. Most interactions feel like friends working on a common project. All these traits have made Fort Worth and FWCD an incredible community.”

Stephen Blan, who Stephens hired in 2016 to teach history, served as Assistant Head of Middle School for two years and is assuming the Head of Middle School role in 2021-22.

“John is a wonderful mentor and friend. I appreciate the unfailing belief that he has in his students and teachers. That belief has empowered students and teachers alike to be better versions of themselves,” Blan said. “When I was teaching, John encouraged me to not put limits on my creativity with regard to how to provide meaningful and engaging experiences for my students. This brought a great deal of enjoyment to me professionally and, hopefully, to my students as well. As an administrator, John has allowed me to learn alongside him, and the trust he has given me allows me to confidently continue to push the Middle School forward.”

Stephens admits he will miss the playful bantering and watching the maturation and the future, amazing successes of “the goofball Middle School kids.”

been a wonderful teacher, mentor, listener and humorist.

” ~ Shari Lincoln

Leaving Fond Memories Aaron Hoover has been teaching history in the Middle School since 2003. “One of my favorite memories of John involves the first year he went to Big Bend with us in 2007,” Hoover noted. “Some alumni thought it would be funny to pack John’s ancient backpack with rocks before hiking to the South Rim.” Stephens did not discover the added weight until reaching their destination, as the alumni had hoped, and he was such a good sport.

One memory Blan will always have on his mind is of Stephens throwing water balloons at students on the last day of recess this year with a giant slingshot. “That’s exactly how he would want to spend his last recess,” Blan shared. “Whether it be while working or learning, John has always made sure he and others had fun doing it.”

Stephens’ children, Hannah Stephens Genua ’13, Amanda Stephens ’15 and Jack Stephens ’18, weathered the storm of a middle-school-principal-for-a-dad, or was it the other way around? “I think I secretly loved having my dad as my principal … even though I had to act like he was a big dork at school! It made going to school in such pivotal years of my academic growth more comfortable knowing that he could, in a way, oversee what I was going through in my day-to-day.

The fact that he was always around to sign my late permission slips didn't hurt either,” Amanda said. “I'm so proud of him because I know he made a lasting impact and ultimately changed the School for the better. I think he set an example to those around him of what a good leader looks like, which is something Country Day tries to instill in their students.”

What will Stephens miss? “The people, the community, wonderful kids, supportive parents, daily interactions with all these people,” he said. “FWCD has been a wonderful, supportive community. Who gets to go to work every day and say they played Knockout at recess?”

A favorite Awesomeness Initiative class featured John Stephens the beekeeper.

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Falcons Take Flight – C

By Caren Handleman

One of the most meaningful high school rituals is graduation. On May 14, the 86-member Fort Worth Country Day Class of 2021 walked across the stage of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary MacGorman Auditorium and received their diplomas. A major milestone held in person, with family and FWCD friends and faculty in attendance, it was a cherished, long-awaited moment of togetherness after a year of separation.

As with all graduations, the faculty processed, followed

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by the soon-to-be graduates. Both excited and solemn, families eagerly looked for their students’ entrance, all of whom had decorated their mortarboards, some with their fall 2021 college and university destinations, others with quotes and artistic displays. “You have been through a lot.

You have experienced more challenges in the last year-anda-quarter of school than any of us would ever have wanted for you,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “Savor the moment and relish in your accomplishments, individually and as a class.”

Class of ’21 Graduation

Photos by Glen Ellman

(Above) The Class of 2021 proudly pose at graduation.

(Left) Connor Brown, Paloma Casanova and Xavier Willars take in all the pomp and circumstance of the evening.

(Bottom) The 86 members of the Class of 2021 display their college destinations.

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The class’s accomplishments are many, including: • More than $11.6 million in merit-based scholarship and awards earned; over $2.7 million will be utilized • 13 National Merit Scholars, Finalists, Commended, and the College Board Recognition Program National Hispanic Scholars • 20 AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honors, and AP Scholar with Distinction • 1 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Candidate (the only in Fort Worth and 1 of 140 in Texas) • 1 Morehead-Cain Scholar and 1 Semifinalist • 4 student-athletes signing to continue their athletics pursuits • 580 college applications submitted • 121 colleges and universities where students were admitted • 47 colleges and universities that FWCD graduates will attend • 56% of graduates will attend out-of-state colleges and universities Each of the evening’s speakers shared meaningful and thoughtful remarks for the graduates’ consideration. Speakers included Randy Eisenman ’93, FWCD Board of Trustees

President; Valedictorian Paloma Casanova, Ethan Hickman, class speaker; Salutatorian Andrew Nober; Sara Teegarden, Upper School History Teacher; Alexandra Stevens ’85, Alumni Association President; and Head of Upper School Alexis Stern.

An FWCD tradition since 2014, each graduating class leaves a gift to the School. This year’s gift was designated for Upper School accessibility. To date, $4,719 has been collected.

“Let our generation be identified as caretakers, as friends to all, as good people who stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves,” Casanova said in her valedictory address. “Our first step in demonstrating these values is seen through our class gift, a donation toward making accessibility improvements to the Upper School to support members of our community with physical disabilities.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the faculty stood and made their way out of the auditorium, followed by the newest Falcon alumni. The range of emotions, from joy to sadness, mixed with excitement and anticipation for the next phase of their lives, was on everyone’s faces – alumni, faculty, families.

As everyone gathered in the foyer and on the patio, the conversations were lively and animated, sharing memories and

Paloma Casanova, Valedictorian A National Hispanic Scholar and FWCD’s first MoreheadCain Scholar since 2013, Paloma Casanova joined the Falcon family in fifth grade.

She will attend Yale University in the fall and plans to pursue the pre-med track with a concentration in neuroscience and psychology.

The holistic nature of FWCD’s approach added meaning and enrichment to Casanova’s eight years at the School. “The opportunities granted by this mindset have shaped me into the person I am today,” she said.

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Casanova fell in love with the arts, specifically FWCD’s Theatre Department and performed in five different productions. Ballet was her athletics passion. A Cum Laude member, Casanova fostered her intellectual curiosity, crediting many of her Upper School teachers with engaging her heart and mind inside and outside of the classroom.

Involved in several extracurricular activities, Casanova committed herself to Student Council at Country Day and served in some capacity for all eight years of her FWCD tenure. She cultivated her servant’s heart through TEAM Service and the community service-related initiatives the organization has undertaken in typical years and during the pandemic. “Giving back is important for community and individual growth,” she said. “This club allowed me to make an impact on a greater scale.”

making arrangements to stay in touch.

It was a fitting and heartfelt conclusion to the years of working together as students, artists and athletes and to this year as One FWCD. For more information about the Class of 2021 graduation, including additional stories, slideshows and videos, visit fwcd.org/graduation.

(Above) Faith Darrow, Emma Pyron, Angela Avitia, Emi Carson and Caroline Korman display their decorated mortarboards.

(Left) Jack Ethridge, Christopher Hoppe and Nate Webster share their graduation excitement.

Andrew Nober, Salutatorian A National Merit Scholar and FWCD Cum Laude member, Andrew Nober is an FWCD Original. He will attend Harvard University in the fall.

Nober embraced FWCD’s time-honored 3A’s — academics, arts and athletics.

He excelled in academically rigorous classes, cross country and track, and in band.“For me, the 3A’s meant that education was not limited to just what happens in the classroom. While I learned a lot from regular instruction, I do not feel like my experience at FWCD would have been complete without six years of band or athletics,” he said.

“FWCD gave me an excellent academic education, but I feel that focusing on all 3A’s instead of just one is what makes me feel prepared for college and beyond.”

Nober earned the prestigious Eagle Scout rank. For his final project, Nober worked with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Center in Dallas to help build two large library carts so the staff could transport books from facility to facility.

He also devoted hundreds of service hours as a Teen court lead attorney. As a prosecuting attorney, Andrew goes through all of the actions customarily conducted during an actual trial.

The goal is to try to get his defendant assigned to as many community service hours as possible to help students who do not contest their infraction mitigate fees that they would otherwise have to pay as a result of their actions.

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Words of Wisdom “Remember that

“Fort Worth Country Day

is unique in that it provides an educational journey from kindergarten through 12th grade on one singular campus, meaning that students interact with each other many

”

times.

~ Ethan Hickman ’21

being educated brings with it the responsibility of thinking critically and imagining creatively; being educated requires us to receive and offer knowledge to others; being educated means realizing that there will always be something left to learn, and that we will never know everything there is to know, as education does not confine itself to a scholarly setting but encompasses infinite facets that are seen through life. So, let’s all adopt the definition of education and apply it to our own worlds, our own lives.

”

~ Paloma Casanova ’21

“So now, Class of 2021, I leave you with this closing call

to action — seek meaningful relationships with the people who represent key aspects of the person you wish to become.

Share your unique gifts and talents, sharpen your mind, and always surround yourself with people who inspire you to discover and unleash your infinite potential. As Falcon graduates, never forget that from here, you can go anywhere … especially if you choose wisely.

~ Randy Eisenman ’93

”

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“After tonight, all 86 of you may never be in the same place

at the same time again, but you share a lifelong bond — your alma mater, Fort Worth Country Day. The campus is forever your home, the Country Day community is your family, and this family can be a tremendous support system for you when you need it. ~Alexandra Stevens ’85

”

“I was in law school when I discovered a skill that became

not only critical to my survival for those next three years, but also a constant in a chaotic world of facts and nuances.

It brought me clarity, would allow me to harness all the information I was learning, to organize it and digest it, and use it to formulate arguments. It had structure, but the structure was still malleable; it could adapt. I could accumulate a massive amount of information and synthesize it for understanding in a larger context over a long period of time. It was an outline.

”

“How lucky we were to

have each other in what was the strangest senior year in Country Day history.

”

~ Andrew Nober ’21

~ Sara Teegarden 35

FWCD’s

Community Hero The values, character and ethos of those engaged in any aspect of the medical profession became crystal clear during this pandemic year. School Nurse Lori McCormack, RN, was Fort Worth Country Day’s hero … and superhero, for anyone who didn’t already know it. Her strong medical ethics, advanced problem-solving skills, and patient and family advocacy skills were put to the test as she spent the entire 2020-21 academic year as the School’s frontline COVID-19 advocate and nurse.

Shifting her home base from an office outside of the Sid W. Richardson Round Gym (Katie Jordan ’09 took over caring for student boo-boos and dispensing medications) to a converted Greenroom (formerly known as the Black Box Theater), this space was FWCD’s COVID-19 hub. It was here that Nurse McCormack, by herself and in layers of personal protective equipment, tended to students, faculty or staff who presented symptoms or became ill and completed contact tracing to ensure that anyone in contact with the virus could properly quarantine, each and every day. This virus was isolating to all … those in the FWCD school community, in Tarrant County, in Texas, and worldwide. At FWCD, Nurse McCormack was the most isolated of all, taking the Florence Nightingale Pledge that she took when she earned her nursing pin at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1992 seriously and to heart.

Serving as a member of FWCD’s Medical Advisory Team; liaison with Tarrant County Public Health; FWCD COVID-19 Decision Tree writer and editor and redrafter; and the School’s lead contact-tracer on a team of six comprising Ed Chisholm, Stacy Bourne ’02, Jordan, Cindy Allen and Laura Terry, McCormack managed her job tasks with a critical eye toward mitigating risk while exuding care, compassion and empathy. On top of all these tasks,

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McCormack also took and made phone calls and wrote emails and texts daily, including weekends, to and from parents, faculty and staff related to quarantine, virus symptoms, the after-effects of the illness, and mental health issues related to fear of the virus or lingering symptoms after recovery.

“We should have more absences this year than ever before as parents keep mildly symptomatic children home,” wrote Head of School Eric Lombardi in his December 2020 Notes from the Head eNewsletter. Lombardi anticipated that Nurse McCormack would have more phone calls related to helping parents navigate symptoms, quarantining and testing. In early March, her estimate of contact-tracing calls was at an astounding 5,000.

Later in March, McCormack was honored as FWCD’s Community Hero by the second-graders. The Community Heroes project, which integrates visual arts, language arts and social studies, allows second-grade students to celebrate everyday heroes in the community. Students select their community members and conduct interviews to better understand and connect with their heroes’ work. The art comes in when students photograph and then paint their heroes’ portraits. The final project showcases the community heroes’ stories through the students’ eyes.

With risk-mitigating protocols in place to keep people distanced and safe from the virus, students did not have the same access to community members. So the Department of Fine Arts team came up with a different take on the project: They focused on McCormack only. Instead of conducting a formal interview with her, the students wrote notes about her. All the messages started with “I am grateful for Nurse McCormack because ….”

About Lori McCormack, RN Nurse McCormack came to FWCD in 2010. At the time, she had more than 17 years of experience working in the Emergency Department at Cook Children’s Medical Center and Texas Health Cleburne Hospital, where she was the Emergency Department Charge RN. She holds a BS in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington and a BS in Health Education with a concentration in Community Health Education from Texas A&M University.

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Each class brainstormed different ways that Nurse McCormack helped FWCD, and they picked what they wanted to write about. Some also wrote about personal experiences.

Finally, they used a photograph of McCormack to inspire their artwork.

“This project has always been a celebration of the heroes that enrich the community. This year, focusing on a hero at FWCD, Lori McCormack, was the obvious choice,” said Lower School Art Teacher Rebecca James. “There are not enough words to describe how indispensable she is. The secondgrade students loved creating her portrait and had great anecdotes to share regarding their experiences of care with Nurse McCormack.”

The notes and drawings were hung in the Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center in March. McCormack walked through the gallery and was overwhelmed.

Also special about this showing was that parents were invited to come to campus for the first time all year to view the exhibition. They were invited by classroom and had to RSVP for staggered time slots to walk the gallery with their students.

Created in 2010 by now Upper School Art Teacher Holly Clifford, Community Heroes is an interdisciplinary project that celebrates those who make a community work — teachers, coaches, caregivers, cafeteria workers, doctors, pastors, nurses, restaurant servers, firefighters, police officers, garbage and recycling collectors, engineers, building inspectors and more.

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In addition to the art display, McCormack was surprised by random acts of kindness throughout the year, cards, small gifts, treats, notes of appreciation, and more from colleagues, friends and families. At the end of the year, the Lower School faculty and staff shared a special video with her: Former Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Troy Aikman thanked Nurse McCormack for her dedicated service. McCormack, an Aikman fan, nearly passed out from excitement. In addition to this surprise, Catherine Collins-Vecino, Jennifer Giroir, Nicole Masole, Sara Teegarden and Lisa Wallace reached out to FWCD faculty and staff to donate toward a monetary gift for McCormack. They presented it to her, along with flowers in a ceramic vase made by Jerry Mahle.

“It is safe to say that this year has been a year of everyone wearing many hats and doing far more than we ever have before. We all deserve praise and recognition and, frankly, a nice long summer break,” the group shared in their email. “But one of us, in particular, has had to manage far more than we ever imagined. We took up the collection so that Nurse McCormack truly understands how much the faculty and staff appreciate what she has done for us this year. We wanted her to know that we SEE her hard work and sacrifice and FEEL her hard work and sacrifice.”

Humbled by the attention, McCormack shared, “The Community Hero exhibit, as well as the outpouring of love and support I’ve received sustained me through the challenge we have all faced this year. Despite being isolated from the rest of campus, I never felt alone thanks to the compassion of the FWCD family.”

Friday, October 15

Saturday, October 16

• Campus tours

• Painting/Drawing and ceramics class

• Alumni and current/former faculty/staff reception

• Alumni Games for volleyball and field hockey

• Falcon Alley • Halftime recognition for Homecoming Court, college athletes from the Class of 2015 and 2016, and Coming Home Court for the Class of 1970, 1971 and 1972.

• Class of 1970 and 1971 celebration party • Gathering for all alumni at Bonnell’s after the football game

• Special recognition brunch for the Class of 1970 and 1971 in the Sid W. Richardson Round Gym • Reunion parties for classes ending in 0, 1, 5, 6

Join the Falcon fun!

Want to help plan your reunion party or be more involved? Email alumnirelations@fwcd.com 39

Alumni News

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ALUMNI NEWS

Alumnus Reflects on FWCD Days at Cum Laude Induction Alumnus and Artist John Holt Smith ’87 (pictured left) was the featured speaker at the 2021 FWCD Cum Laude induction that welcomed eight seniors and nine juniors into the distinguished honor society. Following his introduction by Upper School History Teacher Bill Arnold ’86, Holt Smith shared, “Mr. Arnold had it mostly right. I’m known more these days as Mrs. [Sarah Akhtar] Smith’s [’91] husband. I’m also known, especially to some of you, as the father of Holt [’23] and Wyeth [’26]. I can assure you that both of these titles are upgrades.”

Holt Smith spoke about his FWCD days, his passion for art, and how the School created a strong foundation for him. He shared a projected image of his Limerock Sequence image, an 8-foot by 30-foot painting seen in the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport after travelers clear customs.

“I started becoming an artist here at Country Day. I began to take my work, my thoughts and ideas a little more seriously here,” he said. “That painting started as an idea that I had at Country Day when I was 16 years old sitting in a classroom being taught by Dr. Cordell, not your Dr. [John] Cordell, but my Dr. [Andy] Cordell. We were being taught about spectroscopy.

“The idea for that body of work came to me that day,” he continued. “It would take 15 years to develop the technology to generate the images that I used to paint those paintings.

Change, real change, and innovation come when young men and women value their ideas and dreams and cultivate them, and put them out in the world. You are ready.”

FWCD Pays Tribute to a Legend FWCD’s Alumni Association celebrated Dan Bloch H’06 and his 51 years as an FWCD educator during Alumni Virtual Reunion Weekend, April 16-17. To commemorate his service, Head of School Eric Lombardi announced that Dan’s classroom, where he had spent more than 20 years teaching, will be forever known as the Dan Bloch H’06 5th-Grade Science Lab (The Bloch Lab). Visit fwcd.org/ alumni to view the video program, which includes a bit of banter and a special tribute video featuring faculty, alumni and more.

Head of School Eric Lombardi welcomed Dan Bloch H’06 back to campus during an April Zoom program and surprised him by announcing his old classroom forever will be known as The Bloch Lab.

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ALUMNI NEWS

Alumni Author Shares Her Story Another FWCD Alumni Association Virtual Reunion Weekend program featured best-selling author Kat Albers Kronenberg ’85. She delighted her Zoom audience of parents and children with a spirited reading of her picture book, DREAM BIG. Kronenberg’s vision began with a smile she calls “A U-Shaped Bridge” that can connect us to everything — our head to our heart, our lives to one another, and our dreams to the hope of something greater. With the tragic loss of both parents, two siblings, a quest for meaning, and the example of incredible mentors, Kronenberg created her LIVE BIG SERIES. View a video of her reading at fwcd.org/alumni.

Lights … Camera … Action … FWCD Entertainment Alumni Share Experiences FWCD’s Alumni Association kicked off its Virtual Reunion Weekend on April 16 with Lights … Camera … Action…

An FWCD Alumni Entertainment Panel. Moderated by Rush Olson ’86, the panel featured Alan Cross ’86, Writer; Endyia Kinney-Sterns ’94, Executive, Producer and Creator; Lilliana Vazquez ’98, Host and TV Personality; and Carlson Young ’09, Director, Writer and Actor.

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Their discussion ranged from the value of forward thinking, the challenges of adapting to technology changes in their fields, and recognizing how their FWCD education taught the value of balancing multiple tasks while pursuing academics, arts and athletics. For Falcons who are considering careers in the entertainment industry, they offered advice about building professional networks, making connections, and the

importance of having passion for what you want to do and what you want to accomplish.

To learn who met Oprah Winfrey in a restroom, who some of the nicest celebrities are, and how FWCD shaped these professionals’ careers, visit fwcd.org/alumni to view the program video.

ALUMNI NEWS

Make an Alumni Association Awards Nomination The FWCD Alumni Association will celebrate alumni in April 2022 at its first Alumni Awards celebration since 2018. These awards celebrate FWCD Falcon alumni who have made an impact in their profession, community, or the world at large and have shown extreme dedication to Fort Worth Country Day. Visit fwcd.org/alumni to view past award recipients and make a nomination by November 1. Stay tuned for more information about the celebration in April.

Honorary Alumnus/a

iThis award honors persons who have made outstanding commitments to Fort Worth Country Day even though they did not attend the School as students.

The award was established in 1998, and its charter class includes three former Headmasters. This is the highest honor bestowed by the Alumni Association.

Distinguished Alumnus/a

Established in 1998, this award honors an alumnus/a who has achieved prominence in their particular field or career and brought credit to themselves and, in turn, to Fort Worth Country Day.

Service to Humanity Award

Established in 2001, this award is presented in recognition of extraordinary and selfless service to others, by vocation or avocation, in the local, national or international community. Recipients shall stand for altruism and as inspirations for Fort Worth Country Day alumni and others.

Jean Webb Service to Alma Mater Award

Established in 2001 in honor of Jean Webb H’01 in recognition of her 35 years of service to students and alumni of Fort Worth Country Day, this award honors the alumnus/a who has shown extraordinary and lengthy service to the alma mater – the product of love and loyalty.

Falcon Star Award

Join FWCD Connect is here! As a member of the Fort Worth Country Day Alumni Association, you are a part of a group of 4,000+ alumni spread across the globe. Graduates of FWCD continue to distinguish themselves as top professionals and leaders in their industry.

Through FWCD Connect, a unique virtual community, FWCD alumni have made themselves available to offer the exact resources you’re looking for in one convenient location. Log in today at fwcdconnect.com to build professional, personal and purposeful relationships with Falcons all over the world. Through this professional network, FWCD alumni are willing to answer the call of other Falcons, providing career advice for those who ask.

The goal of FWCD Connect is for Falcons to build meaningful connections with other professionals, connect with friends, and serve as a mentor to both graduates and current students.

Join today at fwcdconnect.com and follow FWCD Alumni on all social media platforms to learn more about upcoming events!

This award was established in 2002 and is presented to alumni who are distinguished visual or performing artists, musicians, patrons of the arts, or art or music educators who have achieved prominence in a chosen field of the arts.

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ALUMNI NEWS

Retired Faculty –

Where are They Now?

By Debby Jennings

Jackie Rea

PE/Athletics 1973-92 During her 19 years at FWCD, Jackie taught Lower School PE and coached Middle School volleyball, soccer, softball, and Upper School girls varsity track. She coached track before the School had a physical track.

The team would drive to TCU for practice.

Jackie retired from teaching to travel around the U.S. with her

Butch Traeder H’16

Athletics 1979-2019 Butch has made quite a recovery since his October 2015 pulmonary embolism. He now has an apartment within walking distance of FWCD and spends time taking online WWII history courses, playing online Gin Rummy, and competing in an online chess league. For exercise, he participates in Boxing for Parkinson’s, a program developed by Fort Worth boxer Paulie Ayala.

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husband, Glenn. They owned a motorhome and managed to travel to all 50 states working (selling competition shotguns, shooting traps, and sporting clays) and for leisure. The couple has fond memories of their time on the road and especially liked Door County, Wisconsin. Later, they moved to Pecan Plantation in Granbury, where they played golf, rode their horses, and played duplicate bridge.

After 21 years in Granbury, they moved to The Stayton, a Fort Worth retirement community. After 62 years together, Glenn passed away in 2013. Jackie remains at The Stayton, where she plays bridge and reads to kindergarten children in a Fort Worth Opera-sponsored program.

Jackie says her fondest memories of her years at FWCD are Lower School Field Day and the SPC tournaments.

Butch loved his FWCD coaching years, and he enjoys talking about his students. He came to FWCD with a plan to stay only one year and then move to Colorado, but the girls on his teams talked him into staying. Butch’s standout memories involve the 1980 girls volleyball team, led by Nancy Whitson Martin ’81. They lost their first game but won the next 30.

He also remembers Dr. Tracy Carrington ’95 telling him she wanted to break a 6-minute mile. They trained together, and, at the last meet of her eighth-grade year, she ran a 5:57 mile.

Butch believes the whole FWCD family has helped him recover. Ed and Paige (Farris) Chisholm ’87 oversee his scheduling and financial affairs, and Elyse Stolz Dickerson ’93 frequently gives him rides to his doctor appointments.

Butch shares his words of wisdom, quoting something from his coaching days: “As long as you feel pain, you know you are alive.”

ALUMNI NEWS

FWCD Boasts Many on Top 400 List Congratulations to the nearly 100 Fort Worth Country Day community members named Fort Worth Inc.’s 2021 400 Most Influential People in Fort Worth. The magazine launched The 400 in its July 2018 issue of Fort Worth Inc., and it keeps getting better year after year. The 400 are identified as Tarrant County community members who wield significant influence in industry, philanthropy, nonprofits, government and public policy, economic development, professional services, education, civic affairs, arts, religion, sports, and media, or within their own spheres.

Below is the listing of FWCD community members who were honored.

Keith Argenbright Robbie Baker Laura Baldwin ’90 Richard Barajas Ed Bass Lee Bass ’74 Mercedes Bass Ramona Bass Sasha Bass Sid Bass Gus Bates Mike Berry ’76 Greg Bird Andrew Blake ’93 Jon Bonnell ’89 Victor Boschini Doug Bratton Zareen Khan Brendel ’97 Mike Brennan ’88 Flora Brewer Roy Brooks Jon Brumley Bill Buechele Todd Burnette Bill Burton Stephen Butt Wade Chappell ’97 Brian Crumley ’92 Richard Connor Stephen Coslik Elyse Stoltz Dickerson ’93 Michael Dike ’88 Jeremiah Donati Jim DuBose ’75 Randy Eisenman ’93

Stuart Flynn Kay Fortson Brandom Gengelbach Charlie Geren ’67 Pete Geren ’70 Randy Gideon John Goff Elliot Goldman ’90 Jason Harvison Dak Hatfield Albon Head Tyler Head ’94 Brad Hickman Gloria Moncrief Holmsten ’00 Robert Howard Jim Hubbard Karen Hixon Johnson Mark Johnson Craig Kelly ’81 Dee Kelly, Jr. ’78 Bryan King Luther King Scott Kleberg John Kleinheinz Marsha Harrison Kleinheinz ’79 Les Kreis ’90 Todd Morris Liles ’83 Eric Lombardi Mary Ralph Lowe Jacques Marquis Kit Tennison Moncrief ’70 William A. “Tex” Moncrief Louella Martin Bill Meadows Terry Montesi

Paxton Motheral Steve Murrin Will Northern ’03 Bobby Patton Linda Pavlik John Pergande Nizam Peerwani Stacey Pierce Reed Pigman, Jr. Betsy Price Tom Purvis ’77 Todd Rainwater ’90 Neil Randel Jack Rattikin, Jr. Bob Ravnaas Davis Ravnaas ’03 Geoffrey Raynor Austin Reilly ’04 John Roach Stella Robertson John Robinson John P. Ryan, Jr. Bob Scully Bob Semple Mitch Snyder Robert Sturns F. Howard Walsh III ’92 Rick Wegman Sharen Wilson Glen Whitley Martha Schutts Williams ’70 Kimbell Fortson Wynne ’76 Mitch Wynne ’76 Brian Zimmerman

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ALUMNI NEWS

Alumni Share in the Joy of Rice Babies First grade has been “birthing” Rice Babies for 29 years. The idea came to Sheri Fuller with Rachel Stepp Lackey Fort Worth Country Day by way of ’07 in fall 1995 teachers in New Orleans who presented about their success with the event at an Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) conference, according to First-Grade Teacher Sheri Fuller. The Class of 2032 had 29 children of FWCD alumni.

Many of the parents of these first graders made their own rice babies many years ago!

A longstanding tradition in the Lower School, the Rice Babies project is a rite of passage for all Fort Worth Country Day first-graders. A typical fall FWCD event for the students, this year’s COVID-19 protocols put a hold on the project. With the lifting of some of the strictest social distancing and visitor protocols at the end of the school year, students and parents created rice babies on May 21. Students bring rice to school equal to their birth weight and create their very own sock baby filled with rice. Parents and teachers helped students funnel rice into tea-dyed socks and then added wiggly eyes, a pacifier, and a belly button.

The students then swaddled the babies in blankets, many of which were the first-graders special “blankies” when they were babies themselves. The lesson teaches first-graders about caring for others and introduces math concepts of weight, measurement, time and dates, and birth order in a family.

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Rachel Stepp Lackey ’07 with Weston Pinckard ’32 and Garrison Pinckard

Regan Landreth with Will ’32 (son of W.A. Landreth ’01)

Cullen Christopher (son of Craig Christopher ’92), Sam Tatum ’32 (son of Stephen ’01 and Carly Mills Tatum ’00), and Eli Robnett ’32 (son of Leslie Ritchie Robnett ’00)

ALUMNI NEWS

Class of 1980 Gives Back

Carolyn Forswall Dollahite ’02 with Serena Dollahite ’32 (also daughter of Henry Dollahite ’02)

Gloria Moncrief Holmsten ’00 with Kit Holmsten ’32

Catherine Powers Bevan ’01 with Natalie Bevan ’32

Stephen Tatum ’01 with Sam Tatum ’32 (also son of Carly Mills Tatum ’00)

Doug Mills ’02 with Harriet Mills ’32 and Maria Mills

Whitney Baggett Creel ’04 with Kolt Creel ’32

Reunion-year get-togethers are important moments after attending FWCD. The Class of 1980 did not get to celebrate its 40th reunion in the manner they would have wished.

Instead, the class came together virtually in fall 2020 and again in spring 2021. To encourage a bigger impact for FWCD, Jim Fleming ’80 stated he would give an additional $60,000 to FWCD, based on an increase in participation of his classmates giving back to the School. In his message, Fleming posted a photo of himself (below) on social media, sharing

that he was moving “off the grid” and noted that he would not be shaving or cutting his hair while he was isolated, but he would try to throw in a shower once a week.

Fleming’s classmates were up to the challenge! Traditionally, the Class of 1980’s participation is close to 10%.

Acting on the extra incentive and rallying together during a tough year, the class more than doubled their participation to 27% — the highest percentage of gifts from a class (not including the Class of 2021 seniors).

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ALUMNI NEWS

Matt Kleberg ’04 Amid the pandemic, Matt Kleberg ’04 and his wife, Elizabeth, and their two young sons, returned to Texas for three months and felt called home. In September 2020, after seven years in Brooklyn, they said goodbye to friends and the city to put down roots in San Antonio. Both artists, Matt and Elizabeth felt the time was right to begin their next artistic and family endeavors.

“There was not much precedence for art as a vocation in my family,” Matt shared. “I didn’t become an artist by thinking I would be an artist as a kid. I was just a guy who loved learning.”

FWCD provided Matt with the ability to experience the 3A’s and a positive social experience beginning in kindergarten.

“I loved all three divisions and had great experiences across the board,” he noted. “The teachers were phenomenal and fostered a great environment to try new things in all areas. I just felt like there was an openness to follow your interests, whatever they were.”

So many teachers made an imprint on Matt’s life. He cites Barbara Meyers, Sheila Pryor, Melissa Williams and Norma Wilkerson H’07 as memorable teachers. “I was a precocious kid. In Mrs. Meyers’ class, I can remember interrupting and asking questions. I was amazed by all the animals she talked about,” Matt said. “The teachers, thank goodness, saw my energy and enthusiasm as a positive.”

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“The deeper I went into theology, the more I realized the answers were increasingly elusive,” Matt continued. “Art had room for doubt and uncertainty and that resonated with me. I began to embrace the mystery of art.”

Matt’s senior thesis show consisted of various portraits, including UVA President Ernest Mead, an important mentor who told Matt to give art an honest try. After earning a BA in Studio Art, Matt took a part-time publishing job while painting portraits. Two years later, art became his full-time job — in 2010, he began to regularly show his work in galleries in Virginia and Connecticut. This early work was figurative with some abstract elements.

Reaching a stasis, Matt went back to school in 2013 for his MFA at Pratt Institute (New York City). “With art, you have to shed some skin to evolve,” he said. “Doing this on my own would have taken 10 years. My schooling helped me take my art to a new level. I had lucky breaks while in grad school and after, which allowed me to show my work in some of the top galleries in New York.”

Matt’s art now consists of large, colorful abstract paintings that look architectural. Arches are a consistent theme, leading viewers to wonder what is beyond the door or curve ahead.

While they are empty, they are anticipatory.

Because of Lelia Koeppe, art became a way for Matt to connect with engaging ideas and to have conversations with previous makers and thinkers. “She taught me how to take art seriously … to give myself permission to do something unconventional,” Matt said. Fort Worth Artist Ron Tomlinson served as a mentor to Matt outside of school.

Matt is thankful for his family's support: his parents Julie and Scott, follow Falcon siblings Sarah Kleberg Friedman ’06 and Elkin Kleberg ’10, and his sister Julie Kleberg King ’12, who graduated from All Saints’ Episcopal School. “My parents found Ron for me while at FWCD,” he said. “They were concerned about how I would make a living as an artist,” he said. “I’ve just been blessed … by good teachers, with lucky breaks … by important advocates. But it could all fall apart tomorrow.”

When it came time to choose a college, Matt was drawn to the University of Virginia. His focus: religious studies. “I was a kid who always had those ‘big’ questions and was looking for those ‘big’ answers. I wanted to read and write and mine for answers,” he said. “I continued to take art classes as well.

This year, Matt had his first international exhibition in Brussels, titled “Blind Leading the Blind.” He is represented

by Hiram Butler Gallery (Houston), Sorry We’re Closed Gallery (Brussels), and Barry Whistler Gallery (Dallas). View his work on Instagram @Matt_Kleberg.

THE FALCONER

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Class Notes

Do you have great news to share with fellow FWCD alumni?

To submit information for Class Notes and Alumni News, email alumnirelations@fwcd.com.

1960s

Mikey Abrams ’95 was picked as the best Real Estate Agent in DFW by Voice. Mikey started as a realtor in 2015.

Class Agents 1967 – Bill Curtis curtis@acm.org 1967 – Bill Landreth blandreth@liferoy.com 1968 – Paul Stouffer pstouffer@sbcglobal.net 1969 – Steve Geis stgeis@hotmail.com 1969 – Gail Widmer Landreth gaillandreth@sbcglobal.net

1970s Class Agents 1971 – Terry Siegel htsiegel@bvc.com 1972 – Richard Garvey richard@jagee.com 1976 – Brad Nowlin brad@bradnowlin.com

1980s Class Agents 1981 – Martha Cox marthaccox@yahoo.com 1981 – Dan Tatum danltatum@live.com

Eddie Hartwell ’89 was featured in a Throwback Thursday SB Nation article by Lisa Kelly. The article is titled “Throwback Thursday: Former Notre Dame Baseball Player Edwin Hartwell.”

1990s Class Agents 1992 – Craig Christopher craig@tarranttech.com 1995 – Alison E. McManus amcmanus@post.harvard.edu 1997 – Zareen Khan zareen@briggsfreeman.com

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2000s

Elyse Stoltz Dickerson ’93 will serve as a “Navigating the Boardroom and Beyond” panelist at the 360 West Women’s Leadership Symposium on September 9. The session features Fort Worth area leaders who will share their journey to the C-suite — successes and failures along the way. This panel will address issues of race and culture in the workplace to empowering performance through giving and receiving feedback.

The 360 West Women’s Leadership Symposium is part of an ongoing effort to bring leadership-focused opportunities to professionals in the Fort Worth area. This half-day symposium allows attendees to hear from industry experts, entrepreneurs, political leaders, C-suite executives and influencers focusing on women in the workplace, all within a space designed to build professional skills, network, open conversations, and create a collaborative movement.

Endyia Kinney-Sterns ’94 was featured on Variety when she took her new position at Wayfarer Studios.

Class Agents 2001 – Craig P. Barbolla craig.barbolla@gmail.com 2001 – Susanna Gorski Bartolomei sgorski323@gmail.com 2002 – Ashley Stein astein@briggsfreeman.com 2003 – Will Northern will@northernrealtygroup.com 2004 – Kate Strickland Jennings kjennings610@gmail.com 2006 – Rachel Holt Hausser rachelhausser@gmail.com 2007 – Anne Hargis Olson christina.roxanne@gmail.com 2007 – Stephanie Stouffer stephaniestouffer@gmail.com 2009 – Mary Dambro marydambro@mac.com 2009 – Brittany Jenkins brittanyajenkins07@gmail.com 2009 – Margaret Harper mpalmerharper@aol.com

Patrice Rankine ’01 got married in March 2021 and completed her pediatrics residency at Louisiana State University Shreveport. She started a Pediatric ICU Fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson in July.

During residency, Patrice was Chief Resident; inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society; and named Outstanding Intern (2018-19), Outstanding Resident (2020-21), and American Board of Pediatrics InTraining Exam Outstanding Resident (2020-21).

CLASS NOTES

Falcon Weddings Katy Rhodes ’98 married Mark Magruder on October 31, 2020. The wedding took place in Katy’s parent’s backyard in Fort Worth. The original plan was to get married in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but the couple shifted their plan during the pandemic. Kelly Kuperman Meyers ’99 was the Matron of Honor.

Katy’s step-daughter, Megan Magruder ’23, started at FWCD as a sophomore last fall.

Whitney Horton ’05 and Tyler Goldthwaite ’03 were married on May 29 at a private residence on Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort Worth. Falcons in the wedding included Lauren Brants Adams ’05, Andrea Severin Goin ’05, Courtney Carpenter Hillard ’05, Allison Tabor ’05, Chloe Bade Anderson’s ’05 daughter, Fiona (as flower girl), Chris Goldthwaite ’01, Will Northern ’03, Frank Darden ’03, Crawford Rodgers ’03, Joel Horton ’15, and Cameron Horton ’10 (plus many other Falcons in attendance). Tyler and Whitney were friendly in high school, but never dated until friends helped them reconnect in 2018 when Whitney moved to Dallas.

After the wedding, Tyler and Whitney moved back to Fort Worth, where Tyler is working as a lawyer at Cantey Hanger, and Whitney is a Director of Finance at Alcon. They are excited to be back in Fort Worth near so many friends and family members.

Patrice Rankine ’01 married Michael Tornes on March 21 in Oklahoma City, where Patrice and Michael met when she was in her third year of medical school, and he was finishing his PhD in Organizational Communication at the University of Oklahoma.

Falcons in attendance were Catherine Powers Bevan ’01, Foster Cranz ’01, Bridesmaid Emily Williams ’01, Tyler Childs ’01, and Will Ellis ’01. Molly Thompson Campa ’01 attended the ceremony via Zoom.

Shelby Sanford ’15 married Kyle Langford on February 27, 2021. The ceremony took place at Robert Carr Chapel, with the reception at The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth. The couple resides in Nashville. Falcons in the wedding party included Kennedy Smith ’15.

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CLASS NOTES

2010s

Olivia Garcia-Hassell ’03 has started a new business after teaching art in Fort Worth ISD for 11 years. At The OG Art Teacher, Olivia teaches private sessions and takes commissions. She teaches in-person or virtual sessions, all ages, all abilities. Olivia’s website is theogartteacher.com/home.html.

Kate Strickland Jennings ’04, a Licensed Professional Counselor, has turned her counseling Instagram page, @thebugandbee, into a new storefront business. The Bug and Bee now has a brick-and-mortar office in Fort Worth.

The business focuses on child therapy and helping children be successful.

Barron Parker ’09 and his spouse, FWCD Kindergarten Teacher Sarah Parker, recently purchased a new home. Robby LeBus ’10 was their realtor, and Cameron Horton ’10 brokered the mortgage.

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Class Agents 2010 – Claire Davidovich clairedavidovich@gmail.com 2010 – Ashley Uptegraft auptegraft10@gmail.com 2011 – Alex Manson Klinedinst laklinedinst29@gmail.com 2011 – Kate Petsche kate.aep@gmail.com 2011 – Nayelly Dominguez ndominguez@smu.edu 2013 – Jonny Clum clumjonny@gmail.com 2013 – Oliver Newberry oliver.newberry@utexas.edu 2015 – Connor Cassady connorcassady@sbcglobal.net 2015 – Madelyn Luskey madelyn.luskey@gmail.com 2015 – Shelby Sanford shelby.e.sanford@vanderbilt.edu 2016 – Delaney Fleming

delaney.fleming97@gmail.com 2016 – Branson Nelson branson.nelson5@gmail.com 2016 – Jacob Rains jrains22@gmail.com 2018 – Sam Carlile fwcd@samkc.me 2018 – Kacey Melton kcmelton@umich.edu kmelton0000@gmail.com 2018 – Kathleen Clum kathleen.clum22@gmail.com 2018 – Maggie Brants margaretbrants@gmail.com 2019 – Alexandra Galloway alexandragalloway@icloud.com 2019 – Sarah Clark clarksarah160@gmail.com 2019 – Megan Lammons meganlammons18@gmail.com

Alex Reeb ’11 is attending the University of Kansas for his general surgery residency.

Taylor White ’11 wrote a short story titled, “The Wilting House on the Mountain.”

The story was published in a collection with other stories in the book, Duplicitous: A WriteHive Compilation.

Kate Wall ’12 is a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Texas Science Center at Houston. She also recently was given a SMART Scholarship Award Recipient. The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship program is one of the Department of Defense’s STEM initiatives.

Marquel Norton ’10 is a Counseling Psychology PhD student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His proposed project includes researching Black queer and trans folx experiences of loneliness and solitude.

Alex Espinoza ’11 began a new position as a Recruiting Specialist with SHI International on June 1. In this role, he will join one of the global leaders in solving complex IT challenges.

Ketrick Karsten ’16 is engaged to Grace Hodo. The couple is planning to have their wedding in Round Rock in early 2022.

CLASS NOTES

Jessica Sustaita ’16 was the keynote speaker at Breakthrough Fort Worth’s Fancy Meal Celebration in June. A Breakthrough graduate, she also gave back to the program, dedicating two summers as a volunteer Teacher’s Assistant, two summers serving as a Teaching Fellow, and one interning as a Summer Executive Assistant. Jessica is now a student at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She is interning with the International Rescue Committee and working with its SAFE Department, which focuses on providing legal representation to those facing deportation.

Nicholas Aufiero ’17 has been playing on the club soccer team all four years at The University of Texas at Austin and has traveled to Phoenix and Foley, Alabama for nationals. The team recently had a volunteer event at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.

This summer, Nick worked as a Site Reliability Engineer at LinkedIn. His role involved making sure that LinkedIn was up and running fast enough for the millions of users worldwide.

Chris Smith ’17 and the UCLA Bruins took on Gonzaga in the Final Four of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Chris missed the game due to injuries, but was a vital part of the team’s overall success this year.

In her first at-bat for Nova Southeastern University, Samantha Burke ’18 hit it out of the park. She kicked off the 2021 season for NSU with a two-run homer against Florida Tech on April 1.

Griffin Grubbs ’18 completed a summer neuroscience internship at New York University. She will be a senior at Vanderbilt University this fall.

2020s Class Agent 2020 – Stephanie Cook smcook350@gmail.com

CJ Landrum ’18 and the Georgia Bulldogs advanced to the Women’s College World Series. This is the fifth appearance for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were eliminated from the tournament after losing to the eventual 2021 Softball Division I Champions, the University of Oklahoma Sooners. Falcons in attendance to cheer CJ on included Coach DeAnn Hall, Adele Elkind ’16, James Rains, Jackie Rains, Shelley Rains, Katie Bruce ’24; Emily Klein ’24; and Liz Hazelton ’22.

Ozzie Fleischer ’20 had a great first season at Tufts University.

The Jumbos’ season came to a close with 53

CLASS NOTES

Welcome to the Nest!

Do rubber duckies dream of growing up to be FWCD Falcons?

We think so. Please let us know when your family increases so that we can welcome another Falcon into the nest!

Lee Hallman ’98 had a new baby girl, Willa Elizabeth. Willa was born on May 20, 2021.

Claire Florsheim Midkiff ’01 and her spouse, Herd, welcomed a daughter, Laurel Ann, on December 30, 2020.

Laurel is the little sister of proud big sister, Caroline ’29, and Charlie, who is in heaven.

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Geof LeBus ’02 and his spouse, Meg, welcomed their son, George Franklin LeBus VI, on August 19, 2020. Big sister June is excited! Geof currently is practicing Orthopaedic Surgery in Fort Worth.

Chloe Bade Anderson ’05 and Thomas Anderson ’05 welcomed their son, Logan Gabriel, on February 7, 2021.

Harrison Jones ’05 and his spouse, Cailtin, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Lola Hill, on May 19, 2021.

Kim Johnson Raemdonck ’05 and her spouse, Dieter, welcomed their new baby boy, Jackson Hugh, to their family on May 19, 2021. Big sister Stayton is very excited!

CLASS NOTES

a loss in the Region Championship game against SUNY Cortland. Ozzie ended the season with a .440 on-base percentage.

Justin Hardin ’06 and his spouse, Mary Martha, welcomed their son, Willing Tillery, into the world on August 1, 2020.

Sarah Nieswiadomy Osuorji ’08 and her spouse, Obinna, have a new little boy in their family. Oliver James was born on January 15, 2021.

Ned Newton ’20 spent a week in San Antonio building a pontoon raft. After it passed inspection and was licensed, he drove to Shreveport, where he and a few of his Washington and Lee University classmates entered the Red River. They filmed a documentary about floating down the Red and Mississippi Rivers from Shreveport to New Orleans.

Whit Richardson ’06 and his spouse, Lindsay (FWCD Kindergarten Teacher), welcomed their second daughter, Lane Tatum, into the world on February 13, 2021. Big sister, Sloan, is over the moon!

Julian Van Beest ’13 and her spouse, Chandler, welcomed their daughter, Elton Remi, to the world on January 13, 2021.

Have an interesting story to share with the FWCD community?

Lauren Reynolds Brann ’07 and her spouse, JR, welcomed James Robert III into the world on April 7, 2021.

Email us at alumnirelations@fwcd.com

Allie Stewart ’20 and her Angelo State University soccer teammates won the Spring 2021 Lone Star Conference Championship. The team went undefeated this season.

The Class of 2021 celebrated its Commencement Exercises on May 14 at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Read the feature story on page 30.

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CLASS NOTES

GRADUATIONS Courtney Corbeille Krauss ’06 graduated from Texas Christian University on May 8.

She received a Master of Arts in Teaching with Honors.

Courtney served as a super-sub for FWCD during the 2020-21 academic year while finishing her degree. She will formally join the FWCD community as First-Grade Assistant and JV Cheer Coach in the fall.

After FWCD, Cheryl Haston ’13 completed her undergraduate degree at TCU. She recently earned her MD from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.

Reagan Smith ’14 graduated from Samford University in 2018 and recently graduated from Baylor University Law School, earning her JD 56

THE FALCONER

with cum laude honors. After passing the bar exam, Reagan will work for The Hale Law Firm in Dallas and specialize in elder law.

Haley Wall ’14 has completed her Master of Public Administration degree at The University of Texas at Austin. Haley also recently completed her Certified Public Accountant certification. She is now working as a Financial Services Assurance Associate for PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Joseph Breedlove III ’17 finished his undergraduate degree at the University of Tulsa. While in college, Joseph played football for the Golden Hurricanes as a wide receiver.

Mia Diaz ’17 finished her undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma.

Jared Imber ’17 graduated from Tulane University, receiving a BS in Cell and Molecular

Biology and a BA in Spanish with summa cum laude and departmental honors. Jared worked as a tour guide and intern in the Office of Undergraduate Admission, served as a student-director for New Student Orientation, and participated in Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity. He also spent time in the Wang Lab studying cell death mechanisms involved with age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of central vision loss. Jared successfully defended his honors thesis based on this research. In the fall, Jared will attend McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Will Jones ’17 graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts, with a BS in Psychology.

This fall, Will will be a first-year medical student at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Karena Kett ’17 graduated from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) with a BA in Biochemistry and Business Management. While in college, she was involved in many activities, including Alpha Gamma Delta. Karena also held leadership positions and has

CLASS NOTES

been the Director of Case Western’s chapter of Camp Kesem, a national organization dedicated to supporting children through and beyond a parent’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. Karena dedicated the past two years to research in the CWRU Levine Lab in the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology School of Medicine. She studied opioid receptors in human T cells. Karena will attend Baylor College of Medicine in Houston to pursue her MD.

Teddy Margo ’17 finished his degree in the Honors Biology program at Texas A&M University. He graduated with a 4.0 and summa cum laude honors. At TAMU, Teddy also played volleyball.

He is heading to San Antonio for medical school.

Auril Maxwell ’17 graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California. While at USC, Auril was a member of the Tri Delta sorority.

Sarah Jane McDonald ’17 graduated from Elon University. As part of the graduation festivities, she was asked to give the opening prayer at the baccalaureate service. Sarah Jane also was awarded the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship. The scholarship program supports the study of 15 critical languages and provides fully funded, group-based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to increase language fluency and cultural competency.

Anna Puff ’17 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin.

Anna was part of the Liberal Arts Honors program and received a BA in Government with a minor in Philosophy of Law. While at UT, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta.

Anna is attending Baylor University Law School in the fall.

Mia Pulido ’17 graduated from Texas Christian University with a BS in Nursing.

While in college, she was a member and held leadership

positions in her Tri Delta sorority, Student Nurses Association, Harris College Mentors, and Global Medical Training. She is moving to Birmingham, Alabama, where she is a Pediatric Nurse in the Orthopedic/ Neurology unit.

Chloe Pyron ’17 graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Communication.

Chloe will begin her career as a Graphic Designer at a branding agency in Los Angeles.

Gabrielle Schlegel ’17 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Advertising. She is also part of the Texas Alpha chapter of Pi Beta Phi at UT. Ann Staniford ’17 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture with a BS in Interior Design and a minor in Interior Architecture. She will be working full-time as a designer at the Gensler architecture firm in Houston. During her time in college, Ann was a member of Pi Beta Phi.

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CLASS NOTES

IN MEMORIAM

Ashley Truong ’17 graduated from Trinity University earning her undergraduate degree.

Olivia Woodson ’17 completed her undergraduate degree at Texas Christian University.

Joseph Earl Breedlove, Sr. Robert Sherman Capper, MD Edward Randall Hudson, Jr. Taylor Dickson Jennings Irvin ’06 Joanne Wu ’17 graduated from Emory University with a BS in Anthropology and Human Biology.

While in college, she wrote for the Emory Spoke, a satirical news organization, and was the fundraising chair for Active Minds, a mental health advocacy group. Joanne also was inducted into Lambda Alpha, the national anthropology honor society.

After graduation, she moved to North Carolina to work as a Medical Assistant at an internal medicine practice as she applies to medical school.

Vance Lambert ’79 O.P. “Paul” Leonard, Jr. H’13 James J. Meeker J. Mark Palmer, MD Jeremey Puls ’05 William Reynolds ’04 Edmund W. Schenecker ’79 Kay Stansbery Evelyn Walraven Charles Watts, Sr. Patricia Burr Zeigler

Spring Alumni Weekend — April 22-23 Let’s celebrate, Falcons!

Join the Alumni Association for the first Spring Alumni Weekend!

Activities include …

• Alumni Awards Dinner • Tennis and pickleball tournament • Panel discussion • FWCD admission seminar • Field games and food trucks • Alumni Games for baseball and softball • Class of 1972 50th Reunion Party The best way to stay informed about this event and up-to-date with FWCD alumni information is through FWCD Connect. Join today at fwcdconnect.com.

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CLASS NOTES

IN MEMORIAM James J. Meeker, Founding Trustee The story of Fort Worth Country Day is an inspiring one: In 1962, a group of committed parents and community leaders came together with a vision to create a premier, independent school in Fort Worth that would ensure their children had every opportunity to succeed in school, college and life. Trailblazer James J. Meeker passed away at his home in New Mexico on January 24, 2021.

James was one of 16 Founding Trustees and served as Board Secretary. Together, this group saw a compelling need for a private school that could foster students’ intellectual, physical, emotional and ethical development in a college-preparatory setting. Quite simply, they wanted to prepare their children to be the future leaders of the community.

The School is grateful to James and his fellow Founding Trustees for their vision, dedication and energies, which resulted in the establishment of our exceptional school. His legacy lives on through the generations of FWCD students and alumni who have and will become community volunteers and civic and business leaders in Fort Worth, the state of Texas, and the nation.

O.P. “Paul” Leonard, Jr. H’13, Founding Trustee One of Fort Worth Country Day’s Founding Trustees, O.P. “Paul” Leonard, Jr., passed away on May 21, having recently celebrated his 95th birthday with his wife of 73 years, Nancy. During the School’s 50th anniversary celebratory year, Mr. Leonard was given the Honorary Alumnus Award, the Alumni Association’s highest honor, and became a member of the Class of 2013.

Paul had a large and loving family, who are deeply rooted in Fort Worth and Fort Worth Country Day’s history. Falcon family members include Daniel Leonard ’70, David Leonard ’71, Louise Leonard Keffler ’72, and Laura Leonard Hallum ’84 (four of Paul and Nancy’s five children); Martha Oswald Motheral ’99, Adelaide Hallum Church ’08, Raleigh Hallum ’10 and Obie Hallum ’13 (grandchildren);

and Margery Motheral ’33 (great-granddaughter). Paul also forged significant, meaningful friendships over the years: Those who knew him said he never met a stranger.

A pillar of the community, Paul was entrepreneurial like his father, Obadiah Paul Leonard, who co-owned Leonard’s Department Store (1920-70) and more retail spaces, spanning six city blocks, in Fort Worth. A commitment to innovation and excellence was a mainstay for Paul. Luckily, that commitment extended to helping establish FWCD. On November 20, 1961, Paul was one of 25 Fort Worthians present to hear Alan Lake Chidsey speak. Chidsey was Founding Headmaster at St. John’s School in Houston and, at the time, one of the best-known figures in private school education in America. Chidsey had been invited to share his perspective on independent schools, including how to establish such a school in Fort Worth. Months later, a Board of Trustees for Fort Worth Country Day was formed. Paul served on that Founding Board from 1962-65 and was Vice President in 1963-64.

Fort Worth Country Day would not be the exceptional school it is without Mr. Leonard’s vision as one of 16 Founding Trustees.

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From the Archives

AP to PA was an annual spring trip to Port Aransas for students in AP Biology. It was led by Upper School Biology Teachers Sharon Hamilton and Norma Wilkerson H’07, Sixth-Grade Science Teacher Elizabeth Medary, and Chief Naturalist Bill Voss H’11.

The group collected fish and crab on board the UT vessel, the RV Katy, went seining for oysters in the bay, and visited Goose Island State Park. The tree pictured is a Texas Champion Live Oak and is more than 1,000 years old. Commonly called “The Big Tree,” it has been fenced off in recent years, but as you can see it was once open for climbing.

Seniors in the Class of 1987 posing include Van Nguyen, Charlie Gibbs, Rachel Clark, Lisa Gluck Karpel, Scott Wysong, Alan Bradshaw, Lisa Bond, Jana Jones Smalley, Jason Wong, Scott Parrish, Sandy Mack, Melissa McAdams and Son Nguyen.

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Be part of their legacy.

The Peter A. Schwartz Legacy Society Fort Worth Country Day established the Peter A. Schwartz Legacy Society to honor and recognize those individuals who have made planned or estate gifts to Fort Worth Country Day.

Contact Sandra Tuomey, Director of Advancement, at 817.302.3223 or sandra.tuomey@fwcd.com

4200 Country Day Lane Fort Worth, Texas 76109-4299 Address Service Requested

Parents: If this issue is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the FWCD Alumni Relations Office of the correct new mailing address by contacting us at alumnirelations@fwcd.com.

FWCD has built something big for you! Check out the official way to network online with FWCD alumni at fwcdconnect.com.

Use this new tool to: • Search the Directory • Join Groups • Post Jobs • Be a Mentor. Find a Mentor • View Upcoming Events

Connect today! Go Falcons!

Questions? Contact alumnirelations@fwcd.com