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Class Notes
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1970s
Pete Geren ’70 was elected to the Fort Worth Club Board for a three-year term (2024-27).
Dee Kelly, Jr. ’78 released a fiction novel titled The Malachi Covenant. While Dee is better known for his work at Kelly Hart, the firm co-founded by his father and where he is a Partner, he has written other books under a pseudonym. Published by Forefront Books of Nashville and distributed by Simon & Schuster, The Malachi Covenant debuted in retail bookstores and in digital formats in late April. This book is the first he has undertaken with a publisher. Dee began writing in college while at The University of Texas as a history and
English undergraduate, but took a pause as he practiced law and raised a family. Dee and his book were featured in the Fort Worth Inc. digital newsletter in an article titled, “Dee Kelly Jr. Pens a Page Turner, and It’s Not a Legal Brief.”
1980s
Nancy Sumner Froman ’82 and her husband, Gregg, were featured in the Fort Worth Report for winning the eNewsletter’s February photo contest. Nancy and Gregg are musical performers who follow a routine when they perform: Set up their microphones and music stands, play songs from The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac, and always take a selfie. The duo’s band name is Yesterday, named after The Beatles’ song, and they began playing about 10 years ago. They got their start at a church talent show and now play a mix of ’60s and ’70s music at friend’s parties, the House of Neville Gallery & Gatherings, Boulevard Brew and Trinity Terrace.
Rush Olson ’86 served as the moderator for “What’s the Score? A Look Into the Exciting World of Sports Communication,” a luncheon and panel discussion on the world of sports communication with local experts. Sponsored by the Fort Worth Public Relations Society of America, the program took place in June at the Texas Rangers Golf Club. The panelists included TCU’s Associate Athletics Director for Strategic and Football Communications and Vice President of Communications, Broadcast and Marketing for Panther City Lacrosse Club. Rush has spent his career creating inventive content and marketing/PR strategies, with an emphasis on sports-focused projects. He worked for local rightsholder TV stations as well as the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars before launching his own company, Rush Olson Creative & Sports, more than a decade ago. With Mint Farm Films, he’s formulated big-picture strategic initiatives while also directing and writing television and video projects, including last year’s FC Dallas club profile on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
1990s
Maryum Saifree ’96 was selected as a recipient of the Harris Wofford Joint Service Award. The award, in its inaugural year, celebrates national service — specifically individuals who served in both the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps. Harris Wofford served in the Kennedy administration as Special Assistant to the President on civil rights and was instrumental in setting up the Peace Corps. Later, she helped establish and eventually led AmeriCorps. “My experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jordan and AmeriCorps volunteer in Seattle were transformational,” Mayum said. “I hope national service becomes more accessible to more people. It’s a luxury to have had enough of a safety net (thanks to my parents) to do both of these programs, right out of college. The experiences were not easy, but shaped my worldview in profound ways — and made me (hopefully) a less distanced, more grounded diplomat.”
James Hill ’97, a Board Member of the Tarrant Regional Water District and Director of the Center for Real Estate at TCU’s Neeley School of Business, was elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Board of Directors. He will serve the remaining portion of an unexpired term ending December 31, 2024. In his role as a Dallas Federal Reserve Board Member, James provided insight into the region’s economy in support of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy function. James is Director of the Center for Real Estate, where he also serves as a Professor in the Finance Department. Additionally, he is Principal of James Hill Consulting. James and his wife, Macy, are also the parents of current Falcons, George ’25 and Charlie ’27.
It was a mini FWCD reunion at the Charles Schwab Challenge in May for some Falcons. Bond Malone ’98, Katy Rhodes Magruder ’98, James Stein ’98 and Amanda Malone, FWCD Kindergarten Assistant, connected at the Colonial Country Club Golf Course.
Divaker Rastogi ’97 started a new job as the Director of Portfolio Strategy and Execution, U.S. Field Medical Immunology and Neuroscience, at Bristol Myers Squibb. In this role, Divaker supports Neuropsychiatry and GI portfolios in terms of proactive resource development, launch excellence, and development/execution of cross-immunology/neuroscience
KC Kent-Etezadi ’98 completed her master’s degree in genetic counseling at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She and 15 classmates are the second cohort to graduate from the school’s accelerated 18-month master’s degree program. She looks forward to practicing as a Clinical Genetic Counselor. KC is the daughter of former faculty member Barbara Kent.
2000s
Amy Bradshaw Kelly ’01 is featured in an art exhibition at J Peeler Howell Fine Arts Gallery titled Wild Thyme through August 31. Amy is one of five women artists featured. The exhibition explores themes and stories rooted in the artists’ respective cultural backgrounds and juxtaposes vibrant compositions inspired by the diversity among South Africa, the Philippines, Texas, and the Atlantic coast. The paintings include meditations on the self, nature, cosmopolitan travel and childhood anecdotes. Visit amykellyart. com to see more of Amy’s pieces.
2010s
Kat Hyde ’12 wrote the children’s picture book titled, The Last First Tooth. The book is about the rite of passage for all ages of losing a tooth. An author and educator Kat wanted to recognize all the emotions children might have around losing their teeth. Her own personal experience was the inspiration for the story. “I’ve had a missing tooth my entire life, and I often invented fun stories to explain why,” Kat shared. She also draws inspiration from her background as a teacher and coach. “It was important to me that the children’s experiences in the story are validated—none are right or wrong, each is as special as the children themselves,” she said. “I also wanted to have a lot of fun in the story. Devon [the main character] is a bit of a worrier, but she surrounds herself with all these amazing friends who love and support her but also challenge her. It’s my wish for all children to have such fun and supportive friends, and for all children to love themselves exactly as they are.” Visit Kat’s website at kathyde. com.
Haley Stratton Ritter ’12 started a new job as a Restoration Ecologist at ERO Resources Cooperation in Lakewood, CO. She has seven years of professional experience as an ecologist, with a passion for botany, pollinator, and riparian restoration, and extensive experience conducting fieldwork for biological resources She also has a special interest in pollinators and has worked on a variety of projects focused on pollinator conservation and habitat protection.
Austin Meadows ’13 began a new job as Vice President at Culver Investment Partners.
Joe Westermann ’19, Avery Pate ’19 and Walker Smith ’21 were part of the Spotlight Cast & Crew show The Little Mermaid in FWCD’s Scott Theater in June. They joined FWCD Technical Director Eric Tysinger and former Director of Theatre Melodee Halbach. The mission of Spotlight Cast & Crew is to provide a musical theatre experience that is directed, choreographed, designed (lighting, sound and costume) and performed by students in grades 8-12 in the greater Fort Worth area. The objective is to provide an annual three-week intensive in the summer at no cost to any of the students involved.
John Wittman ’16 recently earned his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. He took the Bar Exam in July and will begin working for Akin, Gump as a Contracts and Transactions Associate. He is pictured with his siblings, Erin Wittman Lincoln ’01, Michael Wittman ’14 and Katherine Wittman Nelb ’05.
Julián Cedillo ’17 was featured in a Dallas Observer article titled “Julián Cedillo, aka WACHO!, Makes Traditionally Spanish Cumbia in English.” Julián is reimagining traditional Spanish language music and releasing what he calls “hybrid cumbias” in English. Making cumbia music in English allows Julián to introduce the style to those who do not speak Spanish. He has adopted the stage name WACHO!, which comes from the Spanish word “guacho” and is slang for “dude” or “bro.” In addition to recording his own music, he is also producing.
Rachel Ellman ’19 finished her combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program in dietetics at Texas Christian University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in May 2023 and her master’s degree in May 2024.
Mark Taylor ’19 graduated from the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business. He accepted a position as a Small Business Property and Casualty Sales Executive at Roach Howard Smith & Barton, an independent insurance broker providing insurance solutions for companies, families and individuals. Mark will work out of the Fort Worth office.
2020s
Kenzi Carter ’20 celebrated her final season playing basketball as a Green Wave in March. Over the course of her college career at Tulane University, Kenzi played in 56 games as a guard/forward.
Christopher Edwards ’20 helped lead the Yale University men’s soccer team to win the first-ever Ivy League Tournament securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament where they made it to the second round. Christopher was awarded Second Team All-Ivy at the end of the season.
Natalie Collins ’20 graduated cum laude from the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish. She is excited to continue her education at St. Edward’s University in Austin, where she is earning her M.A. in Counseling, with the goal of becoming a Clinical Mental Health Counselor.
