FWCD Falconer - Winter 2021

F O R T

W O R T H

C O U N T R Y

D A Y

Volume 12 Issue 1

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Seniors Paloma Casanova and Humberto Zamorano Beyart were crowned 2020 Homecoming King and Queen during the Upper School Homecoming Spirit Week pep rally in Rosacker Stadium that took place on the Barrett Havran Track.

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LEADERSHIP TEAM

Volume 12, Issue 1

Eric Lombardi Head of School Bill Arnold ’86 Director of Strategic Projects Chelsy Beninate Director of Fine Arts Trey Blair Head of Lower School Joe Breedlove ’78 Executive Director of Breakthrough Caroline Corpening Lamsens ’99 Director of Admission Tom Mitchell Chief Financial and Operations Officer James Rains/Shelley Rains Interim Athletic Directors John Stephens Head of Middle School Alexis Stern Head of Upper School Sandra Tuomey Director of Advancement Steve Uhr Director of Technology EDITOR Shannon Rossman Allen ART DIRECTOR Lisa Koger CONTRIBUTORS Paige Farris Chisholm ’87 Rachel Donahue Yolanda Espinoza Caren Handleman Mel Hurst Danielle Jain Debby Jennings Stephen Milich Renee Pierce Patrick Powers ’05 Sandra Tuomey Lisa Wallace Questions? Concerns? Comments?

Contact Shannon Allen at shannon.allen@fwcd.com

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

22 Art Fun-damentals At a time when many schools are cutting back on the arts, FWCD supports and encourages arts exploration through the yearlong Art Fundamentals course, which introduces students to studio art, ceramics and photography.

26 Opening Doors for All The Bethea family made an important contribution to the School to foster connection: eight automatic ADA-compliant doors.

28 A 51-Year Adventure If you have been a student, faculty or staff member at FWCD, odds are you know Dan Bloch H’06. His School adventure began in 1969, and he has enriched the lives of so many.

34 Remembering Graham Brown FWCD’s fourth Head of School, Graham Brown built a legacy building upon the School’s founding principles and ideals to create FWCD’s time-honored core values.

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 16 The Arts 38 Alumni News 46 Class Notes

Send address changes to: Fort Worth Country Day Advancement Office 4200 Country Day Lane Fort Worth, Texas 76109 or email mel.hurst@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.

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LETTER FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL

View from My Window Of the first five FWCD Heads of School, I had the chance to meet all but Peter Schwartz H’98, our Founding Headmaster. In my first few months in the Head of School office, I had conversations with the other four, Ted Sanford H’98, Geoff Butler H’98, Graham Brown and Evan Peterson H’15 (pictured above). They were so eager for the School to thrive and for me to succeed. My time with Graham was on the phone in summer and fall 2015. He was in Florida as head of a K-8 school. I was sorry to learn recently that he passed away in November. As a community, we share our condolences with Mary, Graham's wife, and their children, Jennifer Kelly, Kimberly Robinson and Meredith Calkins.

FWCD’s fourth head (1996-2001), Graham’s biggest legacy to the School might be our six core values. I, for one, feel indebted that he set those in stone on his watch. When I think of what I would want our students and alumni to exemplify, it’s those values that make us all proud: Integrity.

Kindness. Courage. Respect. Responsibility. Scholarship.

(Read the feature story on page 34.)

They are an aspirational collection. To demonstrate all six traits day-in and day-out without slipping up would be impossible. The slip-ups, in fact, become opportunities at FWCD, opportunities to stop and consider the meaning of the values, their importance, and how to maintain them as shared aspirations in our community. They are guideposts and beacons.

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I imagine Graham formed a committee to create that list, which is now woven into the FWCD plaid. I am curious what other core values they would have considered. One value I think is overarching and absent from our collection is empathy. Empathy is hard to teach. It is hard to monitor. And yet, we want our students and children to exhibit the most empathy possible. The more people understand someone else’s circumstances and situations, the better our world is. Parents and teachers alike work hard to get the youngest children to start to be aware of others. As they grow up, we want those children to be able to read another person’s circumstances.

One of my favorite signs at FWCD is outside an Upper School classroom. It reads, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Aren’t we a better place when, before condemning someone for their beliefs, decisions or actions, we go to the extra effort of trying to understand their why?

I remain eager for us to aspire to infuse all of our core values and to bind them together with a sense of empathy that makes us even more proud of our students and alumni.

With sadness at Graham’s passing and with gratitude for his legacy to the School,

Eric Lombardi Head of School

LETTER FROM BOARD CHAIR

This year, I have the honor of serving as the Fort Worth Country Day Board Chair. I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself, describe the mandate of our Board, and share a bit about the Board’s current priorities.

I am deeply humbled to serve a school that I love so dearly and have had the privilege of experiencing as a student, alumnus, parent, and member of the Board of Trustees.

I attended FWCD from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating in 1993. My daughter, Avery, is a current FWCD seventh-grader. This is my eighth year on the Board of Trustees and my first year serving as Board Chair.

Throughout my years of Board service, I have received numerous questions about the Board’s role, so I would like to take a moment to summarize our objectives. The FWCD Board of Trustees’ mandate is to define and guard the School’s purpose, mission, philosophy, core values and inclusivity statement.

The Board ensures that these objectives are appropriate and significant to the School community and monitors the School’s success in fulfilling them. To achieve these goals, the Board focuses on long-range and strategic issues, including: • • • •

The overriding policies, philosophies and strategic plans of the School The financial stability and the financial future of the School The preservation and growth of capital assets and endowments The selection, support and evaluation of the Head of School

As I think about the Board’s priorities this school year, the image that comes to mind is of bifocals. As you likely know, bifocal glasses have two different lens prescriptions on the same lens, with the bottom section for seeing things close-up and the top portion for seeing things farther away. To me, this is the perfect metaphor for the Board’s current work. At times, we must focus on what’s right in front of us – like navigating the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic – and at times (hopefully the majority of the time), we look out over the horizon and address longer-term more strategic matters like our campus master plan, the growth of our endowment, and our approach to becoming a more inclusive community. In subsequent communications, I look forward to sharing our progress with you on these most important initiatives.

Go Falcons!

Randy Eisenman ’93 Board of Trustees Chair

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Around Campus PEOPLE • HONORS • EVENTS • NEWS

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AROUND CAMPUS

Second-Graders Take on Fashion Amelia Bedelia (FWCD Middle School Librarian Kim Gardner) hosted the Lower School’s sixth Second-Grade Idiom Fashion Show. Parents were in stitches as they viewed a video of their students taking wordplay to incredible heights as they walked the red carpet in the Lower School Atrium and at home, showing off the latest fashion trends.

Amelia’s pun-filled script is sure to have brought a smile to Peggy Parish’s face (author of the Amelia books). Fashions on the catwalk included bubble skirts, baggy jeans, 14-karat gold necklaces, wingtip shoes, gowns with trains, ruffled party dresses, ball gowns, moon boots, sport coats, hoop skirts, bell-bottoms, balloon and bell sleeves, 10-gallon hats, and boat-neck and turtleneck shirts.

Security Officer Retires with 21 Years of Service Longtime Security Officer Leo Desormier retired in September 2020 after 21 years of service. When Desormier came to FWCD in 2000, he was seeking employment as a maintenance manager or supervisor in fleet equipment and plant operations. His safety management acumen, commitment to excellence and work ethic landed him on the School’s Security team instead.

Though Security was a career change for Desormier, he approached it like any other job: with commitment and deep study. He typically worked nights and weekends at the School, and his role was to keep buildings and the campus as a whole secure.

His work ultimately paired him to a position with City Center Security and with the Bass Companies. Through City Center, he was trained by ex-Secret Service officers, gaining invaluable skills and expertise to serve the FWCD community.

“Leo was our regular connection for Falcon’s weekend romps around campus,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “We miss seeing him, but are happy for Leo having the chance to retire.”

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AROUND CAMPUS

Class of 2021 Scholars Thirteen FWCD seniors were recognized for their scholarship, including seven National Merit Semifinalists, two National Merit Commended Students, and five National Hispanic Scholars.

National Merit Semifinalists (pictured above) are Jack Ethridge, Mary Johnson, Oliver Cristobal, Janie Bradford, Paul Alexander, Henry Lynn and Andrew Nober. They were among 16,000 students across the U.S. and 1,441 from Texas who were named Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. These students have the opportunity to advance to the Finalist level and compete for $30 million worth of Merit Scholarships. This year, less than 1% of the 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) were named National Merit Semifinalists.

National Merit Commended Students (pictured top right) are Kelly Pham and Ella Li. They were among 34,000 students across the U.S. who were recognized for exceptional academic promise and placed among the top 50,000 scores of the 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 competition.

National Hispanic Scholars (pictured right) are Paloma Casanova, Oliver Cristobal, Isabel Garza, Ileana Rodriguez and Humberto Zamorano Beyart. Named by the College Board National Recognition Programs, they were among 6

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5,000 students across the U.S. who scored in the top 2.5 percent of PSAT/NMSQT test-takers nationwide and identify as Hispanic or Latinx.

AROUND CAMPUS

“Respect is a High Score” Wins T-shirt Contest Fourth-grader Caroline Hurley created the winning fourth-grade T-shirt design for the 2020-21 academic year: “Respect is a High Score!”

Dorrine DeChant, Visual Arts Teacher, and Theresa Fuss, Lower School Health and Wellness Counselor, teamed up for the interdisciplinary project that combines leadership and graphic design.

Hurley’s design is printed on T-shirts for the entire fourth-grade class to wear on designated days. “Wearing the shirt is a privilege for our fourth-grade leaders,” Fuss said. “Creating their design and remembering to wear their shirt when performing in leadership roles is their responsibility.

“We provide opportunities, and they rise to the occasion; it gives them a sense of pride,” she continued. “The T-shirt sets them apart from the rest of the students, and it reminds them of their important role in setting the example for the entire Lower School!”

FWCD’s Kindness Initiative FWCD students showed their commitment to kindness before the 2020 winter break. The FWCD Libraries and Upper School Student Council teamed up to sell Kindness Initiative T-shirts as a fundraiser for the Maudrie M. Walton Elementary School to help the school rebuild their library’s book collection following a fire. A total of 578 T-shirts were sold, and $7,650.82 was raised.

FWCD Opening Day Numbers

1,080

Total Students (JK-12)

368

Lower School Students (JK-4)

341

Middle School Students (Grades 5-8)

371

Upper School Students (Grades 9-12)

145

New FWCD Falcons

87

New FWCD Families

65

New Legacy Students (someone in their family attended FWCD)

153

Full-Time Faculty

20

Alumni Faculty/Staff Members

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Giving Back

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GIVING BACK

Breakthrough Boutique – Online

By Caren Handleman When it became apparent that the summer 2020 Breakthrough Boutique would not open for in-person shopping, Co-chairs Abby McGehee ’21 and Abby Timmerman ’21 were determined to find a way to keep the boutique available to Breakthrough Fort Worth students. Their solution? Create a website for students to view items and pick out one or more outfits for a special event, school presentation, graduation or future job interview.

The Breakthrough Boutique was established in 2008 by Laurie Lindsay Tatum and Ginger Epstein, whose conversations with Breakthrough students made them aware of a need for appropriate attire for events outside of school. FWCD and community families were asked to donate gently used, wellcared-for, school and church clothing, initially for ninth-grade students. Over the years, the boutique has evolved to include clothing and accessories for middle and high school students who participate in Breakthrough Fort Worth.

In spring 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, Timmerman and McGehee sent a message to the community about the boutique’s online move, requesting donations. Bins were placed at the School’s Bryant Irvin entrance. They were amazed at the overwhelming response: More than 1,000 clothing items were received.

Filled with clothing racks, the McGehee living room became the reviewing, processing, photography and web studio. Every day, the girls sifted, sorted, evaluated and selected which items to include in the boutique inventory and which to donate to Goodwill.

For the website, three photographs of each item were taken: a close-up of the fabric, the front and the back, which allowed shoppers a full view. Timmerman and McGehee developed an efficient sequence with Timmerman taking the photographs and McGehee posting them to the website. They also photographed and posted groupings of clothing and accessories to serve as combination suggestions to inspire shoppers.

The online boutique was a great success. Breakthrough students were excited to have the opportunity to find outfits that would serve them in a variety of ways. The clothing selections were placed in shopping bags, complete with colorful tissue paper, which carried forward the “boutique feel” experience. With social-distancing protocols in place, students picked up their selections at the Fischer Dining Pavilion at the same time they picked up their Breakthrough school materials.

Despite the success of the online Boutique, both co-chairs look forward to seeing it return to its face-to-face program. “The inperson interactions with clothing selection is impactful both for the Breakthrough students and Boutique volunteers,” McGehee said.

Joe Breedlove ’78, Breakthrough Fort Worth Executive Director, said, “Consistent with the program’s motto that ‘we are young people who choose to make a difference,’ the Abbys decided not to let this pandemic be a setback, but be an opportunity to create something unique, special and efficient. Every new group of boutique volunteers brings its own sense of specialness, and they took the program to a new level.”

Breakthrough Boutique co-chairs serve a three-year term, beginning in their sophomore year. When the co-chairs reach their senior year, two new co-chairs, sophomores, are named.

Upon graduation, Timmerman and McGehee will turn the program’s leadership over to Katie Bruce ’24 and Hannah Cheng ’24. Their advice to the incoming chairs is “to continue improving the boutique experience, keeping current fashion and retailing in mind.” Timmerman added, “The three-year commitment is an opportunity to learn the breadth of leadership, in terms of building collaboration with other groups and developing volunteer opportunities.”

To learn more about Breakthrough Fort Worth, visit fwcd.org/breakthrough.

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Q& with Tricia Franks and Spen ce A How did you find FWCD?

I got involved at Country Day in 1991 when Tom Orr [Technical Director and Theatre Teacher] and I performed at the Hip Pocket Theatre in Fort Worth. I had been helping with costuming there, and he asked me to design his eighth-grade performance of Our Town. I then started working as a substitute theatre teacher and, later, was asked to teach an Acting One class.

My art teachers were amazing when I was growing up. I studied with the late Helen Silvestri and Bror Utter, both Fort Worth artists and educators. They taught me so much. I later spent 13 years at the Hip Pocket Theatre with Johnny and Diane Simmons [founders] and Sharon Benge, and spent time at Fort Worth Theatre under the direction of Bill Garber. When you are blessed by working with such incredible people and talent, you want to share that knowledge.

What do you love about teaching Middle School theatre?

Everything! I love seeing that shy fifth-grader grow up to be the lead as an eighthgrader and then move on to earn a role in the Upper School musical. It is truly the best. In my 30 years at FWCD teaching various fine art classes, I have enjoyed watching students learn new skills or discover talents they did not know they had.

I started directing the eighth-grade plays in 2000. When you think about blocking a play, you should be able to stop and freeze it at any point and have a tableau that looks interesting. Of course, getting the students to do that is not often easy.

I have always been impressed with the talent and confidence that our students possess.

How did you become a costume designer extraordinaire?

I learned to sew as a young girl and made most of my clothes in middle school.

Working in art and theatre and with my sewing capabilities, I was a natural fit for costume design. My favorite Upper School musical to design for was Pippin. It was the first opportunity I had to build almost all of the costumes. Of course, seeing my designs for Bruce Wood Dance Company on stage at Bass Hall and for Ballet Arlington’s Nutcracker were beyond exciting too.

What will you miss about FWCD? Upon retirement at the end of the 2020-21 academic year, I will remain connected to FWCD through my granddaughter Lili Moreno ’30. I also will teach art from my home studio. Don’t be surprised if one day you see me back as a substitute. I work with the best people here and have made friendships that will be lasting. I will miss the beautiful grounds, the students, and my fellow teachers and staff who have supported me over the years.

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FACULTY Q&A

n cer Smith What inspired you to teach?

The prospect of actually becoming a teacher was nowhere in the cards for me until about halfway through college. By the time I met the teacher who helped me reframe my sense of the teaching profession, I was on a trajectory to become an orchestral musician and soloist. I had played professionally through high school, so this all made sense. Neither of my parents finished college, so, in their minds, I would be doing well as long as I completed a degree in something. During core classes for my degree plan, a philosophy class jumped up and bit me, in a good way. The rest is history.

How do you develop strong writers?

Directing the Writing Center (WC) has provided an opportunity to expand a sense of academic community among students and faculty across traditional boundaries. Saying what you mean can be tough work, especially with the intellectual challenge posed by the writing prompts in many Upper School classrooms. FWCD has a long history of graduating college-ready academic writers, so I’ve enjoyed taking up the laudable work of Jon Shipley and Teresa Crafton in helping create a space for students to refine their skills under the guidance of faculty and student tutors. Sarah Blan has been an indispensable part of keeping the WC going; in addition to serving as a faculty tutor, she made it possible for WC tutors to help dozens of students during the pandemic.

What is your favorite book, and why?

This is a dangerous question, so I will dodge it entirely and throw out a most important book: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov dramatizes all the psychological and spiritual ills of the modern world, and it offers a remedy for them. It’s a bit daunting at first, but the book’s characters are tremendously bizarre yet strikingly probable. Family drama, justice, romantic love, identity, depravity, moral absolutes – it’s all there in the richest colors. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but it’s one that has the power to change the heart and the mind.

What makes the FWCD Upper School so special?

Young adults are already asking themselves some of the most important questions about their lives and the lives of others, and that tends to create some intellectual curiosity that makes teaching great texts and big ideas rewarding and dynamic.

FWCD’s Upper School comprises some of the most conscientious faculty who know their disciplines and care enough about their students’ success to challenge their potential. The division provides an opportunity to build relationships with families and work together to help students become their best selves.

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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.

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Photo courtesy of Angela Avitia ’21

ATHLETICS

FWCD Names Ninth Athletic Director Leigh Block will join the Falcon family as Fort Worth Country Day’s ninth Athletic Director effective July 1, 2021. Block comes from The Walker School in Marietta, Georgia, where he has coached, advised and taught English for 17 years, serving as Athletic Director since 2015. Block began his career, teaching English at Norcross High School in Georgia. For the last 20 years, he has embraced independent school life at Lancaster Country Day School in Pennsylvania and The Walker School. At these schools, he has been an English teacher (since 1994) and basketball coach (since 1995), and has had several administrative roles: English Department Assistant/Co-Chair (1997-2000), Assistant Athletic Director (2005-11) and Athletic Director (2011-present).

“Following a months-long search, a committee of coaches helped identify and attract to campus five dynamic finalists for the position,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “Leigh differentiated himself with his proven success leading athletic departments in schools like ours. His success has been the result of an incredible work ethic, humility, communication skills, organization, and, most importantly, heartfelt commitment to kids and coaches.”

“At The Walker School, we want our students to be involved in community service, the arts, athletics — all cornerstones of school life. I see these very same things to be true at Fort Worth Country Day, which is why I was drawn to the School,” Block shared. “If we want students to do that, we need to model that. That’s why I coached the middle school basketball B team the same season I served as a varsity assistant; it’s why I see every play our drama department performs; it’s why I volunteered to swap out one on-level 12th-grade English class a few years ago for two AP literature courses; it’s why, more often than not, I’m selling tickets, working concessions, or running clock at our games. In independent schools, we wear many hats, and I look forward to the many different hats I will wear at FWCD.”

A graduate of Clemson University, Block holds a BA in Secondary Education, English, and an MA in English from the University of Florida. With 15 years in athletic administration, Block also earned the Certified Master Athletic Administrator designation from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and served as Region President for four years. Three times, his colleagues selected him as Region Athletic Director of the Year.

To undertake an interview process during a pandemic is not easy, but it was done in true FWCD fashion — with fortitude and perseverance and an eye for what and who is truly best for the School. “There are a lot of thank yous to disperse.

Gratitude most importantly to our Athletic Department members of the search advisory team: DeAnn Hall, Yvonne Igodan, Aimee Jenkins, Lisa Parker, Sil Azevedo, Quinton Davis, Shane Jenke, Michael Settle ’99 and Mike Vincent,” Lombardi noted. “Joining in the process to interview our five finalists were parent representatives, Falcon Club Presidents Kristin and Trey Carmichael and President-elect Andy Edwards, and six members of the FWCD Board of Trustees along with students in the school, led by Elyse Stoltz Dickerson ’93. The group included Malathi Ravi, Merianne Roth, Hugo Del Pozzo, Brian Crumley ’92 and John Brookman ’80.

Some of Block’s proudest moments include that three times in his six-year tenure as Athletic Director, The Walker School won the Region Sportsmanship Award. He will leave The Walker School with the most wins in boys basketball, and also helped to lead the girls team to the state tournament for only the second time in the program's history.

“I extend a very special thank you to Shelley Rains and James Rains for stepping in — and up to — the Interim Athletic Director roles,” Lombardi continued. “Their commitment, loyalty and love for the Falcons are evident in the work they do each and every day. They have had wonderful success bridging the gap between the School’s ADs.” 13

ATHLETICS

Celebrating FWCD Fall and Winter Student-Athletes When the 2020-21 school year began, no one knew what to expect related to workouts and competitions. Head of School Eric Lombardi and Interim Athletic Directors Shelley Rains and James Rains met regularly with the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) Athletic Directors and Heads throughout the summer, fall and winter to plan for various contingencies that allowed Falcons to take advantage of the time-honored athletics “A.” The fall season started in mid-August, with student-athletes coming to campus for Phase 1 of FWCD’s “Return to Play” plan. Falcons took part in conditioning while wearing masks and social distancing to mitigate risk.

The School moved to Phase 2, which allowed for more routine practices (with continued masking and distancing), and eventually progressed to limited competition, though SPC canceled the interscholastic fall season. The Athletic Department worked with local schools to put together a competition season. Even with uncertainties, FWCD rosters were full, and the committed Falcons remained positive.

In early January, winter season athletes were practicing and competing with health and safety at the forefront. A statement from SPC Commissioner Bob Windham revealed that Zone Championships would be viable alternatives to traditional SPC Championships.

Angela Avitia

Connor Brown

Miller Disney

Phillip Drez

Josh Guhl

Jake Hargrove

Henry Lynn

Henry Marlow

Alex Peeples

Beau Poitevent

Billy Serralta

Kynnedi Smith

“While we remain committed to providing our student-athletes a competitive experience at FWCD, circumstances with the virus in Tarrant County and at the School continue to inform our thinking,” Lombardi noted. “Community safety and health, which encompass our athletes, their coaches, and their classmates and teachers in the classrooms, are at the heart of our plans.

“We remain focused on providing a vigorous on-campus athletic program for students,” Lombardi continued. “Our athletes will continue to work with their coaches to develop and hone sport-specific skills.”

Among the athletes engaged in competition this year are 41 seniors. These students were not required to play, yet they made the commitment to lead the way and make the most of their final year in FWCD’s athletic program.

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ATHLETICS

Connor Bruce

Emi Carson

Cooper Collinge

Oliver Cristobal

Erin Fishman

Colin Fredian

Isabel Garza

Abbie Kate Henderson

Matt Horne

Josh Hurst

Briggs Kelly

Abby McGehee

Max Miller

Madeleine Mitchell

Reese Nelson

Emma Pyron

Lauryn Roberts

Ileana Rodriguez

Kendall Schlegel

Kegan Vestal

Abigail Woodcock

Josh Wyatt

Humberto Zamorano Beyart

Ayris Gratts-Cole

Faith Darrow

Kristen Gray

Caroline Korman

Andrew Nober

Audrey Scott

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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 AR TS

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Special Order – One Bass, Please

By Caren Handleman According to Rex Bozarth, Middle School Orchestra Teacher, bass players enjoy a greater number of opportunities to perform because there are few bass players. A modest statement from a talented teacher and accomplished musician. Bozarth, now in his 15th year at FWCD, earned his BA in Music Education and Master’s of Music in Bass Performance at the University of North Texas.

For a performer, having the right instrument is essential; high-quality instruments produce better sound with less effort. Over his career, Bozarth has purchased and sold five basses. Recently, he had a Lucien Hawkes bass, built in 1907 for the British Army Band. About 100 of these basses were commissioned with the requirement to have a big sound that could be heard over the brass instruments. It served Bozarth well in performances for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Fort Worth and Dallas Operas. However, it was large and unwieldy to move back and forth.

When he began looking for a smaller, more streamlined instrument, colleagues recommended Upton Bass in Connecticut, which specializes in handmade stringed instruments. Based on Bozarth’s description of his ideal instrument, the company recommended a Kloz bass, which is smaller than the Hawkes, but has a big sound. Upton Bass had access to a Kloz bass, built in 1780 by Matthias Kloz, and created a replica pattern that matches the original’s quality and sound.

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In this creative process, Bozarth specified the materials to use in building his bass, including the wood type, stain color, varnish and tuning keys. The bottom of the bass is made of hardwood; the top is a softer wood; both types are essential to producing the instrument’s sound. Bozarth selected spalted maple for the body and a dark stain, so it would have the appearance of the original German instrument. It took three months to construct, and he has had it for two years. It takes time to break in a stringed instrument, which gets better the more it’s played.

Bozarth’s love of music came from his father, who could play any instrument by ear. As a teenager, Bozarth played bass guitar and was in a band. He noted that performers need to be proficient in a broad range of styles, including jazz, classical and rock. As a professional, he was the resident bassist for 20 years at Casa Mañana, and performed at the Winspear Opera House opening and in the world premiere of Moby Dick, a musical by composer Dave Malloy.

He enjoys playing new works of music, especially when the composer is present during rehearsals and performances.

THE AR TS

FWCD’s Musical Carts To say FWCD’s return to learning in August 2020 required faculty to think outside the box is an understatement. Mask wearing, temperature checks, socially distanced classrooms, enhanced cleaning protocols, one-way traffic patterns in hallways, seating charts and more became the norm. In Lower School, all “specials” teachers were charged with coming into grade-level classrooms rather than using their own.

It was Lower School Music Teacher Karla Dunning who came up with the idea to use a mobile cart filled with music materials. “When I’ve taught in various scenarios traveling to classrooms in the past, it’s been easier to have some sort of permanent rolling set-up with everything I could need for all classes,” Dunning said, “because every lesson plan needs materials of some sort, and a good teacher needs materials for Plan B just in case! So I was watching my online music teacher groups for ideas. I was specifically looking for something with deep sides or drawers, because rolling across sidewalks can rattle everything, and a top that closes, because we sometimes need to go between buildings in rain.”

A friend ultimately shared a “rolling toolbox,” and Dunning presented the idea to Director of Fine Arts Chelsy Beninate and Head of Lower School Trey Blair and the Musical Carts of FWCD were launched with Julie Dean, Lower School Music Teacher, and Dunning.

Both Dunning and Dean are having fun with their carts, which they have named Banana Boat and Sparky, respectively.

The carts contain everything Dunning and Dean may need for class, including their technology, portable speaker, personal mic and amplifier. They also hold their own individual music kits that match the ones they made for the students. Those kits include pipe cleaners, scarves, pencils to use as drum sticks, and lots of picture cards to use when listening to music.

Dunning also carries around a few puppets that help explore voice ranges, musical storybooks and a tambourine. Dean brings a drum she fashioned for her third- and fourth-graders (read more on page 39).

Music has not been a technology-rich class in the past, but Dean and Dunning have learned to embrace technology in their teaching. “Other than using recordings and occasional videos, we had rarely used technology before this year,” they noted. “With our instruments and voices, we had all we needed for engaging musical experiences. However, this experience has taught us that technology is essential to connect with blended-learning students who are Zooming in from home.”

Both teachers have enjoyed the energy and eagerness for learning that the in-person and blended learners have displayed. “I think we are all a little more thankful to be able to be learning together,” they said. “ Our goals for the students haven’t changed — we hope to inspire them to be lifelong music makers, in whatever capacity they love. Our jobs right now are to give them the experiences and tools to take with them as they grow.”

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THE AR TS

Fall Play Takes Outdoor S ta “Pivot” continues to be a key word during the global pandemic, and FWCD’s Upper School Theatre Department did so brilliantly in October with the performances of 13 Don’t Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview. The scene was set by FWCD’s Technical Theatre crew of Jack Bradford ’24, Mitchell Crawford ’22, Josh Guhl ’21, Emma Hargrove ’23, Aidan Karsten ’21, Walker Smith ’21 and Mark Wong ’22 under the direction of Scott Theater Manager Eric Tysinger. The challenge: to create the physical world for the play while also providing adequate spacing for both the student actors and the audience.

To do this, students in the Theatre Tech class started at square one and developed a space. “We are so fortunate at FWCD to have equipment that can translate to outdoors,” Tysinger said, “and we have the hardest-working, most dedicated Plant Operations team that only wants the best for our students.”

The crew members brainstormed areas, lighting, power and more to create a venue that would allow for socially distanced seating in the greenbelt area near the FWCD Memorial Caring Bridge.

A 24-foot by 20-foot by 12-inch stage was built to provide an amphitheater-like space, and a portable lighting and sound system was used. “Ultimately, it was important that the tech theatre students were given an opportunity to really ‘do’ what they have been learning about in class,” Tysinger noted. “This included running lights and sound and managing the stage, just like in any other production.”

Much of the management process technology is computerbased, and the students were part of it all. “This was a studentdriven learning opportunity with no hired guns,” Tysinger said. “Walker Smith, who has an interest in sound beyond FWCD, understood the technical aspects of the sound system and spent time researching information to overcome many of the challenges we faced outdoors. This also provided us with a unique opportunity to understand what it means to take a show on the road. We had to put it all on a truck, take it to the venue, set it all up, run the show, and take it all back down.”

While the cast had been rehearsing (wearing masks) in small groups for about six weeks, the technical crew’s “Tech 20

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Week” was about three days for the set up and staging of the performances. The set took on the look of a small conference room or headmaster’s office.

On October 14, 2020, the 12-member cast of Christopher Baker ’23, Gracie Cross ’22, Evan Dickerson ’24, Sydney Cyprian ’22, Izzy Gutierrez ’22, Christopher Hoppe ’21, Olivia Kersh ’24, Nicolas Medaris ’23, Jaiden Patel ’23, Ava Scott ’23, Gavin Spikes ’24 and Landen Walker ’22, under the direction of Upper School Theatre Director Travis Guba, performed a dress rehearsal (wearing masks) of 13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview for FWCD senior students and faculty/staff members. The play centered on two college recruiters at a prestigious private university who needed to fill one last spot to keep their jobs and the 13 eccentric and slightly insane high school seniors interviewed.

Packed with wacky characters, including an amateur bodybuilder to a vigilante superhero and his nemesis, each applicant’s interview hilariously illustrated what NOT to do in a college interview.

“When we began this process, we had to ask ourselves, “What is our priority?’ Theater is about community — a community of actors working to create a performance to present to the larger community. Every night is its own special event to be witnessed. Most schools and theaters are opting to do something via Zoom or streaming, but that did not feel complete to me. I thought it was essential to try to make it a live event, and we were blessed to be able to pull it off,” said Guba. “The actors stayed positive, adhering to the safety guidelines but also made it seem natural. There were so many times when I would forget they were wearing masks! They were that committed. I was proud of their work and their tenacity. I think the cast was grateful to spend time together and collaborate.”

For Tysinger, the dress rehearsal revealed challenges to overcome for the technical crew. “A fun thing we learned during our dress rehearsal was that the wind was going to be a bigger force than we anticipated,” he said. “The crew leapt into action with their problem-solving skills, and we were able to batten down the hatches for the remainder of the run. Aidan Karsten and Josh Guhl saved our plants by securing them to

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S tage the stage, and Walker Smith did some quick programming to reduce wind noise in the actors’ microphones. That team effort and collaborative spirit are what I love about theatre.”

The weather was on the play’s side opening night. The students performed under the stars and among the elements.

“It was vital for us to offer the performance opportunity to our students, yet it was equally as important to mitigate risk to the highest extent,” said Chelsy Beninate, Director of Fine Arts. “Sanitizing chairs in between scenes; creating masks for the actors by taking photos of their faces and imprinting them on cloth masks; and ensuring that our limited audience wore masks, sat in assigned seats and socially distanced made us feel that we were doing all we could for the safety of our community.

“Providing an experience for live theater during a pandemic was exciting,” Beninate continued. “While we hope to return to our world as we once knew it, we have learned that performing outdoors is something we will not abandon in the future.”

The cast and crew performed on October 15, 17 and 18. “It has been important to us in the Theatre Department to do everything we possibly could to achieve live performances,” Tysinger noted.

“I love that we are always pushing ourselves.

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Art damentals un

F

By Caren Handleman

At a time when many schools are cutting back on the arts, Fort Worth Country Day continues to support and encourage students to explore and experiment in all aspects of the arts.

Recognizing the value and importance of the arts in developing creativity, organizational know-how, problem-solving skills, and the ability to look at everyday objects with new appreciation and vision, FWCD reestablished the Art Fundamentals course to introduce students to studio art (drawing and painting), ceramics and photography, in a yearlong, hands-on course, typically taken during freshman year. Team-taught by Holly Clifford (studio art), Jerry Mahle (ceramics) and Sil Azevedo (photography), the course provides two essential functions: allowing students to have hands-on exploration of each art form and working with each faculty member, who refer to the course as Art Fun-damentals.

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Course Structure Providing the foundation for FWCD visual arts courses, this class is a prerequisite for the specialized Ceramics, Painting & Drawing and Photography courses. Students are introduced to each discipline, which leads to a common vocabulary and hands-on design experiences. The textbook: a sketchbook for students to record their notes, drawings and design exercises.

Divided into four segments, the first is a series of teamtaught lectures by the three faculty, focusing on the elements and principles of design. During this section, instruction concentrates on what makes great design in art and a sampling of art history, including artists past and present. For the remainder of the course, students split into three groups, each rotating through the hands-on portion of the course, Painting & Drawing, Ceramics and Photography.

The course format allows students to experiment and build confidence before committing to one specific area. Some students spend a couple years in one area, then decide to venture into another, a change that is easier when students and teachers know one another.

Each faculty member is a talented artist who continues developing their talents and skills and participating in professional activities, which means FWCD students learn under true professional artists who know their media and are well-versed in current practices.

Holly Clifford

Painting & Drawing Working in watercolor, drawing and mosaics, Clifford shared that her current focus is still life, primarily with plants as the subject matter. Since joining FWCD in 1998, she has taught art for grades K-12 and enjoys when students return to share their artwork and experiences with art through travel and museum visits.

She finds it especially fulfilling when students make connections with something they experienced in her class and can bring a new perspective to what they see. “I enjoy seeing my students run away with projects and blow me away with their skill, progress and personal successes,” Clifford said. “I think the Art Fundamentals course is a great way for kids to unplug and be alone with their thoughts and creativity. It is a respite.”

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Jerry Mahle Ceramics

Mahle joined FWCD in 1998 and shared that the quality of the visual arts program, both in terms of teachers and facilities, is comparable to what a student would experience at a well-funded program at a small college. For the ceramics program, this means students have access to all types of kilns and can make their own glazes, which allows them to investigate and experience the physics and chemistry of ceramics.

When asked about the importance of visual arts to students, Mahle said, “Art allows you to find ways to explore your creativity, and that self-expression can seed different parts of your life.” He also acknowledged the vital role of Evelyn Siegel H’99, the art teacher who shaped FWCD’s art program.

When creating his personal art, Mahle uses the same materials his students use. This allows him to be familiar with challenges students face when creating ceramics; he shares that he learns a great deal from them.

Sil Azevedo

Photography Azevedo said the Art Fundamentals course allows the faculty to work closely with colleagues and appreciate each other’s crafts and teaching styles.

Until this year, the course started with film photography and darkroom

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development processes. However, COVID-19 safety guidelines limit working in confined spaces, and the darkroom is closed. As a result, Azevedo revamped the course to focus on digital photography. He emphasizes lines, textures, design and reflections as elements of composition, important in both film and digital photography. He has been pleased that students learn how to use the camera to see things differently and creatively within two or three assignments.

This class is often the first contact most students have with photography as an art form. For those who fall in love with it, photography can become a lifelong pursuit that brings great satisfaction in terms of creativity.

At age 7, Azevedo was given a Kodak Instamatic camera and has been in love with photography ever since. His first career was as an architect, and then he became a professional photographer. When asked to create a photography program at a Dallas independent school, he discovered teaching to be his true calling. For his personal photography, Azevedo uses both film and digital and favors black-and-white photography.

Arts Education FWCD’s curricula give equal importance to academics, arts and athletics. The continued investment of arts education for students, both in terms of professional arts faculty and allowing time in student schedules for all forms of artistic expression, means Falcons are well-rounded. When they see a painting, photo or vessel, they can appreciate the skill required, understand the design process and the importance of art in our lives. The collaboration among the teachers that I have witnessed has been amazing, and the students are enjoying the opportunity this course has offered,” said Chelsy Beninate, Director of Fine Arts. “I cannot wait to see what evolves out of the endeavor. I continue to be in awe of the flexibility and creativity of our faculty. There is a peace in the space in which the students learn. I office out of that same space and the calm, peaceful atmosphere allows students to truly soar. Their faces light up when they enter the space.

I long for the time when we can again share this space all together.”

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Opening Doors for All Campus Center), Moncrief Library, Head of School entrance, and the Upper School Science Building (on the south end by the Upper School entry).

Confined to a wheelchair at the age of 7 by an accident that paralyzed him from the waist down, McHenry never let that define him. McHenry’s family was unable to care for him and placed him in Good Shepherd Lutheran Home. “Never did he ever complain or criticize or question why,” Jennifer said. “He always talked about the people in his life, how his curiosity allowed him to grow, and he never said ‘I can’t.’”

For FWCD parent Jennifer Bethea and her son, Brock ’23, connection is a centerpiece of their family values. They strive to break down barriers. “We can enrich each other’s lives by being connected to people,” Jennifer said. “When we have barriers, even those that appear to be small to us, it can really cause us to lose those connections … and we all lose when that happens.” Their commitment to connection comes from an inspiring man in their lives, Ken McHenry, Jennifer’s stepfather and Brock’s grandfather.

It was with him in mind that they thought of a meaningful way to foster connection at FWCD. The Bethea family made a donation to the School for the installation of eight automatic doors that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Those doors were installed in the Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center (north side), the Sid W. Richardson Round Gym (main entrance near the Martin 26

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Ken traveled the world to compete as an athlete in the Paralympics. He was the fastest wheelchair racer in the world at one point, as well as played tennis, basketball and ping pong. His mantra when times were tough, according to Jennifer: “‘Remember, you need to take care of each other’... and he was talking about those beyond our family; he meant all the people who cross our paths every single day in life.”

Being on campus with Brock over the years, Jennifer observed occasional instances where mobility-impaired students or visitors were challenged getting around campus, unable to access areas, or needing assistance to access. “My father simply never accepted that these types of barriers should limit him; however, the barriers around us are real,” Jennifer said. “As he continued to increase his dependency on others due to his declining health, it became apparent we could help break down some of these barriers for others.

“Knowing FWCD has been on a journey to embrace inclusion, last year, even before my father passed away, I thought ‘Now is the time,’” Jennifer continued. “But it was a little scary; I knew that any investment would be a large donation for the family. Would the School be willing to accept a donation that was dedicated to increasing access for those with mobility needs, even though this is not a big portion of our school population?”

Sadly, McHenry passed away in January 2020. “What I miss the most about him are the jokes he would tell around the dinner table or in the car,” Brock added. “He was sure to lift your mood even if you were having the worst day.”

With this gift, Jennifer’s goal is to enrich others’ lives through connection as well. “A student who comes to enroll but is uncomfortable because they can’t get into a building without someone helping them; a parent or grandparent that can’t make it to the play or game because it is too difficult to get inside; a student from another school not being able to enter for the competition; a staff member that is injured and struggling to get into the building alone safely; these things can be avoided,” Jennifer said.

For Brock, the gift of the doors is a way to share his grandfather’s kindness. “He would help anyone as much as he could, and I think that if he had the same opportunity to donate this gift, he would,” Brock said. “It helps the School and community become more inclusive and welcoming.

Hopefully, the gift, in the future, inspires others in the community to give something toward making the School a better place for everyone.”

It turned out to be just the right time. When Jennifer approached Head of School Eric Lombardi about the gift, she was connected with Sandra Tuomey, Director of Advancement, and Tom Mitchell, Chief Financial and Operations Officer. FWCD’s Board of Trustees’ Building and Grounds Committee had been in ongoing discussions about some of the same accessibility opportunities to make the campus more welcoming and inclusive.

“My grandfather accomplished so many things throughout his life, despite being challenged with his disability. He lived the best life he possibly could and made sure that he was happy wherever he was,” Brock shared. “His inspiring attitude makes me remember that if I can put my mind to it, I can achieve almost any goal.”

(From left) Ken McHenry was a force of nature and would not let his paralysis stop him or take no for an answer. He competed in the Paralympics and was the fastest wheelchair racer in the world at one point. In this photo, he is posing with his self-designed motorcycle. Brock Bethea ’23 idolized Ken and was inspired by his grandfather’s many accomplishments and his positive and happy attitude. Brock ’23; Ken; Ken’s wife, Erma; and Jennifer Bethea, Ken’s stepdaughter, enjoyed spending time together at sporting events. Brock is proud to honor his grandfather through a gift that can make FWCD a better place — and accessible — for everyone.

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A 51 By Renee Pierce

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1 -Year Adventure “I knew when I met you, an adventure was going to happen.” ~ Winnie-the-Pooh

Since joining Fort Worth Country Day in 1969, Middle School Science Teacher Dan Bloch H’06 has journeyed through a long and memorable FWCD adventure. With 51 years of FWCD student classes to embrace and inspire, saturated and enriched by an abundance of students, peers, parents and School growth, Bloch’s personal favorites are the learning moments that stay with students. From spaghetti towers and mousetrap cars to football on the River Crest Country Club golf course, lessons at the duck pond, Fossil Rim trips, terrariums of turtles, and a python named Snavely, Bloch has given his all to connect with students and make learning an inspired activity.

A Good Teacher Preferring to focus more on his student impact, Bloch shared his deeply rooted philosophy: “A good teacher models learning and inspires children to want to learn. The point is to help them become people who want to learn and continue to develop that on their own.”

Always believing that the material was less critical than leading students to discover their personal learning style, Bloch let the students’ exploration guide the class. Former Head of Lower

School Ann Buis expanded on that: “Dan didn’t rely on textbooks to teach students. He let the kids right in the middle of whatever he had for them.

His legacy is that he understands how kids learn and how to let them learn through their own deductions and connection to the lesson.”

Colleagues agree that Bloch was ahead of his time in connecting with students. Former Head Librarian Debby Jennings shared, “Dan brought some innovative ideas for Lower School teachers at the time. The walls of his classroom never bound his lessons. He fully embraced the campus as part of the learning space, and you would see his students outside collecting specimens and reading on the lawn.”

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Former Upper School Science Teacher Sharon Foster H’05, who also served as Bloch’s Department Chair, applauded his work with students. “Dan did a great job with hands-on teaching and bridging students from Lower School to Middle School.

Students cared for and observed living critters in his class.

They dissected and analyzed owl pellets, lamb hearts, insects and more,” she noted. “I appreciated that they learned the native wildflowers of Texas, studied pond water, and examined many things that grew on campus. Dan knew how to help students explore and want to learn more.”

Huck Newberry ’77, a student in Bloch's first homeroom class, said he was invested from the start. “With his mustache, loosened tie, rolled-up sleeves under his sport coat, and driving ~ Dan Bloch H’06 a motorcycle, we weren’t sure what to think at first,” he said. “That changed. Having a teacher quarterback football with students during recess was unheard of, but Mr. Bloch did. He came to games, gave us nicknames, spent time connecting with us. He read to us and talked about other places, making you think through how to live there. He was great at teaching you how to think differently. Being in his class was almost like being in a museum school today.”

Bloch’s former students can attest to that. FWCD Trustee and current parent Mary Hallman Smith ’03 recalled, “Experiments, studying specimens, exploring campus plant life, reading, playing songs – he knew how to make learning fun, so we wanted to know more.”

For Bloch, engaging in the students’ interests was a way to connect. “If you don’t know your students and what motivates them, you cannot teach to their strengths.”

“If you don’t know your students and

what motivates them, you cannot teach to their strengths.

”

Fondly remembering him reading A.A. Milne’s Winnie-thePooh in class, McKenna Breedlove ’14 shared, “Mr. Bloch was amazing! He always pushed us to be better and figure things out on our own, yet reminded us he’s always there to help. His class was a safe place for a fifth-grader new to middle school, and he was a true gift to all who have passed through his fifth-grade science class.”

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His daughter and part-time Lower School Spanish Teacher Valerie Bloch Montgomery ’01 emphasized his capacity as an educator. “While not his first choice, Dad grew into being a science instructor because a good teacher can teach anything, and that is what he was, has been, and continues to be,” she said. “He embraced the subject and used it to foster creativity and a love of learning.”

A Force for His Community While Bloch’s view is that plenty has been covered about his history with the School, like the Pooh character he read to his students, he invested himself in his FWCD journey and community. He started out teaching multiple subjects as a Fifth-Grade Homeroom Teacher in Lower School, served as a Department Chair in 1991-92, taught Technical Theatre, helped guide yearbook and Quill students, and chose to focus on science when fifth-grade moved to Middle School in 1995. Bloch helped anchor the Kindergarten Rodeo every year as its chief banjo player, and he coached – football, basketball, baseball, track and tennis. Through the decades, he served as Middle School Parent Faculty Association Representative, volunteered for faculty orientation training, helped initiate and lead student trips to Fossil Rim and Big Bend, assisted Faculty Education Committee programs, and aided many new parent and step-up events, all while facilitating learning moments.

Underscoring Dan’s broader FWCD impact, Head of Middle School John Stephens related to his father’s 54 years of teaching at the same school. “I recognize the level of devotion to the students that is necessary to achieve that successful goal.

They are enduring stars for schools. They know how things have evolved and why and what things are important for the students, the school, the families, the faculty,” Stephens noted. “They know the families – students, parents who were students, alumni, the school team.”

Valuing Bloch’s influence with families, former Head of School Evan Peterson H’15 added, “Dan was a great ambassador to new families, outlining what Middle School was all about, what to expect and not to panic.”

Former Middle School colleague Laura Terry confirmed his success with parent meetings: “Dan talked about students so earnestly that parents came away knowing that Dan knew their kids – what motivated them, what made them hesitant, what they added,” she said.

Head of School Eric Lombardi shared that Bloch’s care for students stayed with them as alumni. “I like hearing Dan talk about past students. He remembers something about each of them, and alumni know they were known by him when they were here.”

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(Clockwise from top) Dan Bloch H’06 has played the banjo in every Kindergarten Rodeo since the first one in 1969. Pictured here, he enjoys playing for students at the 13th K-Rodeo. Dan was a committed science teacher, a Falcon sports fan and a fun faculty member who dressed up for Middle School Halloweens. Dan was celebrated in 2009 for 40 years of service at FWCD. His wife, Cheryl; daughter, Valerie Bloch Montgomery ’01; and son-in-law, Jeff Montgomery, were on hand to honor him.

Opposite page: One of Dan’s favorite FWCD memories was playing in the 50th K-Rodeo when Eliana Montgomery ’31, his granddaughter, was a kindergartener.

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A Lasting Impact Bloch’s legacy at FWCD is lasting. He worked with passion to help grow students, evolve the School, advance core values (with both students and faculty), mature Country Day educators, and keep and respect FWCD traditions for all to appreciate.

“Dan’s incredible loyalty to the School and longevity are truly remarkable,” reflected Middle School English Teacher Shari Lincoln. “He’s worked through many changes and every FWCD Head of School. Dan has taken it all in stride and maintained the attitude that ‘Changes come and go, but I’m here for the kids.’”

Former Lower School Music Teacher Christine (Derber) Leuck added her sentiments: “When you consider the thousands of students Dan has influenced in his 51 years of teaching, it’s a tremendous impact. He was very passionate about developing students, and his love for connecting with children helped him add great ‘flavor’ to FWCD’s K-Rodeo tradition.”

Middle School Science/Math Teacher Michael Parker correlated Dan’s student-centered approach and the journey it led him through to his tradition of reading Winnie-the-Pooh to his students. “The irony is that the characters sort of come to life in who Dan is as an educator. He can sometimes be Eeyore with faculty, has the inquisitive mind of Christopher, leans to the insightfulness of Pooh with the students, and is wise like Owl,” Parker said. “In students, he draws out the explorative nature of Piglet and attracts their Tigger, bounding with energy, ideas and questions. Like the story he read them, Dan knew getting the kids hooked on exploring and questioning meant there was a good chance they would embrace that practice and develop into lifelong learners in the process. That is his footprint.”

Bloch is one of the teachers on whose shoulders Fort Worth Country Day’s reputation for world-class teaching and kid-connecting was built. “Dan has a legacy that will be unmatched in terms of the sheer length of his time here and the number of students he has impacted,” Lombardi said. “We look forward to celebrating that impact and the fact that Dan still has a lot to give to FWCD, enhancing alumni gatherings and investing with his wife, Cheryl, in being proud Country Day grandparents.”

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k Remembering Graham Brown In his term as FWCD’s fourth Head of School (19962001), F. Graham Brown left a lasting legacy through his commitment to FWCD’s founding principles and ideals and the creation of its core values: integrity, kindness, courage, respect, responsibility and scholarship. He believed firmly in elemental values that would guide students throughout their tenure at the School and beyond. “In 2021, we can say Fort Worth Country Day’s core values play a significant role in our school life, day-in and day-out,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “We have much to be grateful for in Graham’s contributions to the success of our school.”

Brown passed away peacefully at his home on November 4, 2020, at the age of 75. His wife of 53 years, Mary, and their children and grandchildren were by his side in their home in Sanibel, Florida, a place they had fallen in love with early in his career.

A graduate of Hobart College (Geneva, New York), Brown chose to pursue a career in education. He spent his early years teaching and coaching in Connecticut and later, at his high school alma mater, Kingswood-Oxford School. He earned a master’s degree in education at Trinity College (Hartford, Connecticut) and took on the Associate Director of Admission and Co-Head of Middle School role at Kingswood, just a few years after beginning to teach.

In 1983, he accepted his first Headmaster position at Canterbury School in Florida, where he and Mary became enamored with Sanibel Island, a place they would call home for more than 30 years.

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Over the course of Brown’s career, he served as Headmaster at a number of schools throughout the country, including Staten Island Academy (Staten Island, New York), The Knox School (Long Island, New York), Chatsworth Hills Academy (Los Angeles) and The Academy at Ocean Reef (Key Largo, Florida) and, of course, Fort Worth Country Day. He also did a stint as Director of Development and Marketing at Kent Denver School (Englewood, Colorado)..

At FWCD, under Brown’s leadership, the School continued its growth and development as a school of significance, including maintaining a strong commitment to the ideals of his predecessors in leading the School. He honored FWCD service by establishing Club Viginti, which recognizes faculty and staff who have dedicated more than 20 years of their career to FWCD. Today, there are 85 living members of Club V. In 2021, five new members will be inducted into this distinguished organization. All members’ names hang on plaques on the side of the Sanford Arts Wing.

“Although he was new to FWCD, Graham Brown realized that the School’s stature and achievements were the result of a committed, talented faculty. He took steps to recognize those who had devoted themselves for more than 20 years to the success of FWCD and its students,” said Debby Jennings, former FWCD Head Librarian and charter Club Viginti inductee in 1996, during her 21st year of service. “This public recognition was welcomed by the faculty and the annual Club Viginti dinner is something we all look forward to sharing. It has improved morale among faculty and staff. To this day, Club V, as it is affectionately known, is viewed as a unique honor.”

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“We have much to be grateful for

Of great significance, during Brown’s tenure, the U.S. Department of Education recognized the Bass Upper School as Fort Worth’s only 1997-98 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The Upper School was selected from thousands of public and private school applicants as a national Exemplary School of Excellence, one of the highest achievements in education at the time.

“What many don’t also know is that, in addition to this honor, FWCD was one of eight schools nationally to receive recognition: Special Honors in Arts Education,” Wakeland continued. Kim Thomas [’99], then Student Body President; Leila Koeppe, Fine Arts Chair; John O’Reilly, Head of Upper School; and I traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept these awards on November 13, 1998. It was such a proud moment for me, personally and professionally, and for the School as whole.”

in Graham’s contributions to the success of our school. ~ Eric Lombardi

“Graham Brown was intentional about submitting the application for this honor. He allowed time for faculty and staff, K-12, to meet together to research the questions on the application and participate in the process,” said Assistant Head of Upper School Peggy Wakeland. “The process was rigorous. It was truly an all-Upper School effort. Geoff Butler [H’98, FWCD’s third and previous Headmaster] returned to campus to help us answer questions.

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”

From a facilities standpoint, on Brown’s watch, the School remodeled and renamed the original “Building A” to be the Upper School Science Center. Trustees Plaza, the brick path lined with water features and oak trees running between the Head of School’s Office and the Science Center, was dedicated at FWCD’s 35th-anniversary celebration. Trustees and all three of Brown’s predecessors, Peter Schwartz H’98, Ted

Sanford H’98 and Geoff Butler H’98, were in attendance.

Brown was also committed to beautifying the campus grounds by endorsing an aggressive landscaping program.

Some of the most visible marks that Brown left on FWCD involve the adoption, in 2000, of Fort Worth Country Day’s core values and its commitment to health and wellness education relating to information and responsible actions through a more comprehensive program that continues to be built upon today.

Darden cited the School’s unity during the transition process as an exceptionally proud moment. “It is a true testament to the strength of FWCD that in a time of transition, the Board leadership, the faculty, the alumni, parents and especially the student body all pulled together to move forward,” she said.

Brown will be long remembered for his leadership and contributions. He recognized the importance of teaching excellence and faculty dedication, which continue to be hallmarks of FWCD education, valued by the FWCD community and beyond.

Brown let the Board of Trustees know in September 2000 that he would leave FWCD, effective June 1, 2001. “This decision is made after countless hours of consideration during the last months,” he wrote in a letter to Board President Kim Williamson Darden ’75. “I deeply enjoy Country Day, its students, faculty, parents, alumni and Trustees, but I wish to seek leadership positions near our home in Florida or closer to our children. Please know in the months ahead, I shall continue to focus on the continued development of our exceptional school and shall serve in any way possible to provide for a smooth transition.”

(From left) Jean Webb H’01 Cameron and Huck Newberry ’77, and Joy Ann Havran welcomed Mary and Graham Brown into the FWCD fold in 1996. Laura Bonnell Alexander ’88, Graham, Marlene Shaw and Sharon Foster H’05 connect during a School event.

Though Graham loved Florida, he embraced his inner Texan and donned a cowboy hat on occasion.

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Alumni News

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ALUMNI NEWS

Marching to a Different Drum Beat FWCD third- and fourth-graders are marching to the beat of 120 drums this year! Music Teacher Julie Dean reached out to FWCD alumnus, parent and local chef Jon Bonnell ’89 to help craft drums so her students each have their own.

“I got the idea to make these drums years ago from a supplemental teaching book published by a music teacher I saw at a session at TMEA [Texas Music Educators Association],” Dean said. “After my first year here, I made a classroom set and used them to keep the kids engaged. It has been a couple of years since I pulled them out.”

Since classroom instruments are offlimits this year, and students cannot sing or play their traditional music games right now, Dean knew she needed — and wanted — something special to engage students as they explore music literacy. She decided to make a drum for each of the thirdand fourth-grade students. To do so, Dean needed large vegetable cans and

immediately thought about reaching out to SAGE Dining Services, FWCD’s food service provider, but SAGE had not started making food before the start of school. She then thought of Bonnell and his restaurant, Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine.

Dean was able to collect all the cans she needed — 121 in total — thanks to Bonnell. To fashion the instruments, she added some foam for the heads of the drums, duct tape, drum sticks, small cutting boards (aka beat boards), and miniature tambourines to create "kidstix" stations. “These kidstix stations provide multiple timbres of sound,” Dean shared.

Bonnell was elated that Dean connected with him and was able to get her all the cans she needed in just a few weeks. “My first thought was that she talked to the right guy!

Luckily, we are in the perfect position to be able to get this number of large cans in a hurry,” he said. “Since the pandemic, our curbside meals have been popular, and many of those have an item that comes in a can. Our Buffalo Bros locations also use this size of can for one of the ingredients in our pizza sauce, so I knew we could fill this order in very little time. Before the pandemic, we would not be able to find this many cans in this short amount of time.”

Ricky ’30, Bonnell’s son, is a recipient of one of these drums. “It is fun to see this effort and project coming full circle,” he noted. “FWCD has been such an influential place for me and my family since the ’70s. I can’t imagine a better place to support.”

Falcon Whiskey Tasting Rush Olson ’86 and Belfour Spirits put on a fantastic whiskey tasting event on December 2, 2020, via Zoom. Representing Belfour Spirits, Vice President Dayn Belfour shared how the company started and what it takes to make it in the craft distilling industry. Dayn’s father, Ed, founded the company after his Hall of Fame Hockey career, which included winning the Stanley Cup in 1999 with the Dallas Stars. Dayn taught all FWCD alumni how to make a proper Old Fashioned with their distillery’s options during the presentation.

Rush Olson ’86, Ed Balfour and Dayne Balfour

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ALUMNI NEWS

Jennifer Thompson Brown ’95

By Middle School, Jennifer Thompson Brown ’95 knew she wanted to be an attorney and develop public policies that improved the lives of others. “I watched 60 Minutes and C-SPAN with my dad, Isiah Thompson, Jr., as much as I could and asked lots of questions,” Brown said. “I remember telling him at a very young age that I wanted to be involved in shaping government policy.” She attributes the strong academic foundation she received at FWCD as one of the major contributing factors to her career success.

while also working as a football equipment manager to help cover tuition and living expenses. She went on to earn a JD at Tulane University School of Law, where she was an active member of the Legislative and Administrative Advocacy Clinic, examining how bills become law and how agency rules are promulgated. Following graduation, she embarked on her public policy career, working for state legislators and agencies, including the Texas Comptroller, the Texas General Land Office and the Texas Education Agency.

Brown was recently promoted to Senior Washington Counsel for the American Medical Association (AMA), the nation’s largest professional association of physicians. Her office is located in Washington, D.C. “The bulk of my time is spent researching the law and/or federal regulations and then working with my AMA colleagues, congressional staffers, and staff within the administration to develop robust health care policies that support our physicians and their patients. Making clear, concise arguments to support our position is key.”

In 2011, Brown and her husband, Lawrence, moved to the Washington, D.C. area to further their legal careers. “I have always wanted to practice law and be immersed in federal policy in D.C., so I stepped out on faith believing that we would both get jobs … and indeed we did,” she said.

Brown credits many FWCD teachers with providing her a solid skill set. “Ms. [June] Van Buskirk [H’09], Ms. [Pat] Singleton and Ms. [Merle] Holland taught me the value of time management; Ms. [Sharon] Foster [H’05] and Mr. [Chuck] Hubbard taught me perseverance; and Ms. [Norma] Wilkerson [H’07] taught me how to organize my thoughts for effective writing,” she shared.

She honed her skills in drafting persuasive arguments in Debate Club with Ms. [Ann] Arnold in Middle School and Upper School and participated in Model United Nations Club.

“FWCD taught me how to properly research my topics in advance, organize my thoughts, and calmly, yet quickly, craft succinct policy arguments while under time pressure,” Brown noted. “Those skills have helped me at every step of my career.”

Brown triple-majored at Rice University, earning a BA in Political Science, Policy Studies, and Managerial Studies, 40

THE FALCONER

An FWCD “Original,” Brown is also the daughter of Edwena Thompson, who taught in the Lower School for more than 20 years. “FWCD really supported my family when my sister, Jillian C. Thompson ’01, a member of FWCD’s chapter of the Cum Laude Society, died of cancer during her senior year,” Brown said. “Our family continues to support the School through the Jillian Chandler Thompson Memorial Scholarship for minority students.”

Brown and Lawrence live in Virginia with their two sons, Abraham (5) and Andrew (4). “Being a health care attorney in our nation’s capital has always been fulfilling. I love prepping our physicians to testify for a Congressional hearing on Capitol Hill or engaging with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on a regulatory issue,” she said. “However, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone in ways that we did not anticipate. Now, more than ever, my original purpose of creating a healthier nation is inextricably linked to also ensuring the health and well-being of those around the globe. This pandemic has shown us … we are all connected.”

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ALUMNI NEWS

Retired Faculty –

Where are They Now?

By Debby Jennings

Janice Richardson Kindergarten 1988-2005 When she first retired, Janice worked part-time as a teacher mentor, Spanish tutor and reading tutor. She also enrolled in the Texas Master Gardener program. A TCU alumna, Janice enjoyed football games with her husband, Pat, for years.

When Pat passed away in 2018, Janice began to travel to visit grandchildren, and she took trips with her children to Hawaii, Ireland, Spain and Mexico. She has 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Janice’s constant companion is Callie, a rescue Belgian Malinois dog.

At FWCD, Janice had a tradition she shared with Pat. He painted rocks for her students, all in unique designs and signed.

Janice said when she meets former students or parents, they comment on how the rocks remain a treasure.

When asked what she remembers most about FWCD, she cited the Kindergarten Rodeo and a faculty/staff buddy program. Her buddy was Upper School Chemistry Teacher Dr. Jim Aldridge H’14. She spent a day observing him, and he spent one with her. She laughed as she remembered his reaction to kindergarten.

June McGee School Nurse 1993-2011 June retired after 18 years at FWCD to regularly be there for her daughter, Tara, and grandchildren. Five years ago, June was asked to raise her grandson. “Mama June” became full-time mother to Samuel, a 16-month-old. Her own three children fully grown, June and her husband, Steve, essentially started over as parents. Once Samuel started Pre-K, June volunteered at his school. Samuel is now a happy first-grader.

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THE FALCONER

June now has a bit more time to enjoy leisure activities with Samuel in school. She is an avid bridge player, active in her church, and volunteers when she can. June’s oldest son, Jay, is engaged, so she is helping to plan a wedding in Tacoma, Washington, where Jay is stationed with the U.S. Army.

June’s fondest FWCD memories include the friendships she developed with faculty and staff and the relationships she built with students who “got her humor.” When asked to share advice, June said, “Enjoy the moment; plans change, and you never know how things will turn out.”

Les Hofheinz US Theatre 1993-2002 After leaving FWCD in 2002, Les helped a friend restore an 1850 Victorian house in Maine. He also directed a high school show at The Stonington Opera House on Deer Isle. In Fort Worth, he worked as a remodeling contractor, setting up a woodshop and starting a custom woodworking business. In 2006, he promoted his services to the Amon Carter Museum.

After a few projects as a freelance contractor, Les was hired as Exhibition Carpenter and member of the art handling/ installation team. He’s been building for and installing exhibitions ever since. He has handled many priceless art objects with his own (gloved) hands, including Nighthawks at the Diner. (It was heavy!) He has also had adventures accompanying art on cross-country courier trips. Les will celebrate 15 years at the museum in February 2021. He rides his bike at every opportunity and enjoys collecting rare, hardto-find bicycles.

Thinking back on his years at FWCD, Les remembers it as the most demanding job he’d ever had with plentiful rewards.

He still feels that he learned more from his students than he taught them.

ALUMNI NEWS

FWCD Author Visit Part of the Alumni Association’s virtual event circuit this year includes highlighting some of FWCD’s authors. LeeAnn Elwood McLennan ’85 spoke to alumni in late August 2020. McLennan wrote the book trilogy series Supernatural about a young woman who wanted to reject her family heritage of being a superhero to live a “normal life.” If you are an author and would like to discuss your work with other FWCD alumni, please contact the Alumni Relations Office at alumnirelations@fwcd.com.

Spring Reunion Weekend April 16-17

FWCD is working hard to bring alumni the best experience possible. With COVID-19 still very much part of the 2021 narrative, the School continues to put the health and safety of the campus and broader Fort Worth communities first.

We are pivoting once again, and unfortunately, will not be hosting in-person events on campus this spring. However, this does not mean we cannot engage and interact with each other! April 16-17 will be filled with many virtual events, including mini-reunions and much more. The Alumni Awards Dinner and the baseball/softball Alumni Games will shift to spring 2022. The in-person 50th Reunion for the Classes of 1970 and 1971 will take place as soon as COVID-19 protocols allow for small group gatherings.

Thank you for your continued support and your help in keeping FWCD safe. FWCD wants you back on campus as soon as possible — when it is safe to do so. The best way to stay connected and up-to-date with FWCD alumni information is FWCD Connect. Join today at fwcdconnect.com.

Class of 1980 Virtual Reunion With the cancellation of all in-person alumni, student and school events at FWCD because of the risks related to COVID-19, the Class of 1980 decided they still wanted to connect and hosted a virtual reunion instead. The evening was a success. Colonel Parker Schenecker ’80 was the emcee for the evening, as each class member shared their updates and reminisced about their days at Fort Worth Country Day. Former faculty members Dan Bloch H’06, Mike Strozeski, Sharon Foster H’05 and Head of School Eric Lombardi also joined in the fun. It was a lively group … some even donned their old FWCD uniforms!

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ALUMNI NEWS

IN MEMORIAM Charlie Moncrief Charlie Moncrief passed away on January 6, 2021. Charlie is the beloved husband of Kit Tennison Moncrief ’70; father of B.B. Moncrief ’90, Michelle Moncrief ’92, Gloria Moncrief Holmsten ’00, Adelaide Moncrief Royer ’02 and Celia Moncrief Browning ’02; and grandfather to current Falcons Monty Holmsten ’30, Kit Holmsten ’32 and Shirley Royer ’33.

The Moncrief family, long connected to the School, has served the Falcon community through their gifts, which have enhanced the education for all Country Day students.

FWCD’s William A. and Elizabeth B. Moncrief Library is named for Charlie’s grandparents. The Moncrief Foundation provided the generous founding gift, which inspired 70 additional donors to make this building a reality. Dedicated on November 9, 1994, the Moncrief Library has been an

THE FALCONER

In 2014, Charlie visited FWCD as Secretary of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. He presented a resolution on behalf of the organization in honor of the School’s Kindergarten Rodeo and its longevity, which celebrates 52 years in 2021.

Charlie had a great affinity for not only the Fort Worth and FWCD rodeos, but also for the School in general. “I have always thought of him as an honorary alum because his wife, children, and many grandchildren graduated or currently attend and continue to support the School,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “It brings me special joy to see a grandparent interact with their grandchildren, and I am grateful I was able to witness the special relationship Charlie had with his grandchildren on Grandparents’ Day at FWCD.” The family’s continued support and involvement will forever serve as a touchstone in the School’s education priorities.

Nick Martin

COVID-19 year, it has served as a space for Upper School’s socially distanced study hall.

One of Fort Worth Country Day’s finest supporters and benefactors, Nick Martin, passed away on January 1, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lou, a former Trustee. FWCD’s Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center bears the couple’s names.

Nick’s ties to FWCD also include stepchildren, Cynthia Parker MacDonald ’83, Julie Parker McBride ’79 and David Parker ’77; grandchildren, Ben Parker ’18 and Barron Parker ’09 (married to Sara Roush Parker, FWCD Junior Kindergarten Teacher); and a great-grandchild, Wyatt Campbell ’33.

FWCD’s state-of-the-art Martin Campus Center houses a 2,000 square-foot commons used for a variety of School activities, visual arts exhibitions and special events. The expansive area allows outdoor activities to spill out of the room and anchors a landscaped path through the interior of campus. In addition to its stunning aesthetics and central location, the building has been one of the School’s most versatile and useful in its 10 years. For instance, in our 44

educational cornerstone on campus for Middle School and Upper School students since it opened.

“Personally, my time with Nick was almost always connected to the Martin’s celebrations of grandchildren who attended Fort Worth Country Day,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “His smile on those occasions was as big as any proud grandparent’s. Nick brought soft-spoken joy to all of our conversations. He was exceptionally proud of his family and eager to make not only their school experience better, but also to have those experiences be better for all in the FWCD community.”

ALUMNI NEWS

William P. Hallman, Jr. William Hallman, past parent and former FWCD Board member and Board President, passed away on November 30, 2020. Bill is the husband of Nancy; father of FWCD alumna and current parent Mary Hallman Smith ’03, alumna Lee Hallman ’98 and son Will Hallman; father-in-law to FWCD parent Dwayne Smith; and grandfather to Austin Smith ’31, Emily Smith ’33 and Henry Smith (age 3).

At Fort Worth Country Day, Bill served on the Board from

Olive Pelich Fort Worth Country Day suffered a profound loss with the passing of Olive Pelich on January 15, 2021. She was 90 years old. Olive served FWCD right from the start in 1962 through 1970 with Founding Headmaster Peter A. Schwartz H’98, specifically as Founding School Secretary and Admissions/Registrar. The two worked closely as the School was forming.

According to a “History of FWCDS” Research Project Questionnaire in the FWCD Archives, Olive was hired to help the School’s professional fundraiser. After Schwartz interviewed her, she was named the School Secretary. Although FWCD existed only on paper in fall 1962, the paperwork was piling up. Olive, who had been keeping notes on pledge cards, moved into an office on West Freeway and, later, worked out of her own apartment throughout 1962 and into 1963. She wore many hats: answering the telephone, replying to Schoolrelated questions, keeping Board members informed, recording Board minutes, and conducting admission testing.

From Fort Worth, she supported Schwartz as he finished in his role as Headmaster at Pembroke Country Day in

1989-96 when Lee and Mary were in school. During his Board tenure, he took on leadership roles as both Treasurer (1991-92) and President (1992-95). “Service and giving back were ingrained in Bill,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi.

“We are so grateful for his long-standing commitment to our school and for his enduring legacy here.”

Bill’s contributions of time and wisdom did not stop with the School. In the greater Fort Worth community, he was Chairman Emeritus of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association and a Board Member, Past President and Past Chairman of the Fort Worth Art Association (Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth). He was instrumental in the development of two major arts venues in Fort Worth: the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

1963. Olive would keep him apprised of the School’s latest happenings as building plans were finalized, as student and faculty applications were submitted, and as the Board convened. After students completed admission testing, she sent results to Schwartz in Kansas City. He would, in turn, send his acceptance letters to Olive to type and mail.

When Schwartz and his wife, Alice, arrived in Fort Worth on June 12, 1963, the School office was in the Headmaster’s home until buildings were open. “Mrs. Schwartz functioned as the Headmaster’s secretary, and Mrs. Swenson [Pelich] did everything else,” Schwartz wrote in a “History of CDS” Archives document. “Her [Olive’s] most important task was straightening out the Headmaster on the persons and personalities closely connected with the school. He had to learn the names of parents and their children and their relationship to other people — grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts. Fortunately for him, she was a mine of information and was able to save him from many a blunder.”

Cindy Allen, Executive Assistant to the Head of School, and Eric Lombardi, Head of School, share a cherished memory of Olive’s trip to their office in January 2016. “She spoke so fondly of her time at FWCD, including chaperoning many senior trips to Mexico,” Lombardi said. “FWCD did not magically become the amazing school it is. That process began with incredible people like Olive being involved from day one.”

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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.

Elvin “E.B.” Lutz ’91, a Graphic Designer, was nominated for two 2020 Lone Star Emmy Awards: Promotion — Program and Graphic Arts. E.B won the Lone Star Emmy for Promotion — Program for his work on KERA Kids Network IDs.

2000s

Andrea Luttrell ’96, wrote an article for The New York Times about the difficulties of taking care of children as a single parent during a global pandemic. The article is titled “Single Parenting in a Pandemic: How the crisis has dredged up one mother’s old regrets and worries about money.” She is Southern Methodist University’s Campaign Communications Lead Writer.

Walter Clarke ’00 and Amy Anthony Graham ’02 started working together at Hilltop Holdings. Walter has been working as the Director of FP&A since 2017, and Amy recently started as the Corporate FP&A Manager.

1960s 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

Jay Herd ’79 was interviewed on NBC DFW about the record number of babies delivered at Women’s Hospital at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center in August 2020: 581 in total. Another alumna delivering babies at Baylor Scott & White is Catherine Powers Bevan ’01.

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Daniel Owens ’03 has accepted the position of Senior Visual Designer at Amazon, working in Marketing/ Advertising for Amazon Fresh.

Kate Strickland Jennings ’04 started a counseling Instagram page, @thebugandbee. The page focuses on raising children with strong-willed attitudes.

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

Class Agents 2001 – Craig P. Barbolla cpb@mcdonaldlaw.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

James Stein ’98 and his family moved back to Fort Worth from Chicago.

Their son, Jack, is an FWCD firstgrader. Their 4-year-old daughter, Coco, will start at FWCD next year as a kindergartener.

Kathleen Kelly ’04 is finishing her education in Baltimore to become a surgeon. She is working for Dr. Andrew Lane, Professor of Otolaryngology and Director of the Hopkins School of Medicine’s Division of Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery.

Dr. Lane was featured in the Baltimore

CLASS NOTES

Sun about COVID-19 research related to the importance of covering your nose. Kathleen is the daughter of former FWCD faculty member Eileen Kelly.

comedy short films: High Horse and Fin.

Whitney Horton ’05 and Tyler Goldthwaite ’03 were engaged in August 2020. The couple has set their wedding date for May 29, 2021.

Matt Kleberg ’04 is a thriving artist who trained at the University of Virginia and the Pratt Institute, New York. He recently left his studio in the Brooklyn Navy Yard to return to Texas, settling in San Antonio. On January 16, 2021, Matt was a guest on a Kimbell Art Museum webinar.

He paints large, colorful abstract paintings that are typically layered oil stick, pen, or crayon on paper, and reference local architecture and signage, as well as Byzantine and Sienese painting, Mexican and Turkish textiles, and myriad other works, classical to modern.

Lauren Hunt Brogdon ’05 appeared as a guest on HYLA Hylights Podcast to talk about the complex world of litigation. Lauren is a Senior Associate at Norton Rose Fulbright, LLP in Houston. She discusses her practice, the transition from fresh-faced first-year litigation associate to a battle-hardened senior, and navigating the world of motherhood while being a full-time attorney.

Callie Young ’09 is making her directorial debut in the movie, The Blazing World, which was selected for the Sundance Film Festival and featured in the Dallas Morning News.

The Blazing World focuses on Margaret, who has been plagued with dreams of a strange world since she was a little girl. After a mysterious man with a map visits her, she decides to give in to the incessant calls of “The Blazing World.”

2010s

Courtney Corbeille Krauss ’06 and her spouse, David, were featured on HGTV’s “House in a Hurry.” They recently moved across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Courtney is now a super sub at FWCD.

Filmmaker Lee Hurst ’09 visited campus virtually this past fall. She spoke with Lisa Wallace’s publication students. Lee has two upcoming dark

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

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CLASS NOTES

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

Erin Sauerhage ’11 is a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. She started cheering for the Cowboys in 2018. Erin also works as a Sales Executive for Alamo Title Company DFW.

Taylor Smith ’12 is playing professional soccer in the National Women’s Soccer League and was recently traded from the OL Reign in Tacoma, Washington, to the North Carolina Courage in Cary, North Carolina.

Sarah Jane McDonald ’17 was awarded the Charles D. Johnston Ministerial Scholarship from Elon University. This scholarship, 48

THE FALCONER

from the Department of Religious Studies, amounts to a full-tuition scholarship for her senior year. It is the department’s highest scholarship award, designated for one outstanding rising senior. The funds were awarded on a competitive basis and are a reflection of excellent GPA, level of academic achievement, involvement in the department, and the caliber of undergraduate research. Sarah Jane is a Multifaith Scholar and Isabella Canon Leadership Fellow and completed the SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience), for which she earned a scholarship to do research.

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

Kenzi Carter ’20 played in her first college basketball game for Tulane University on November 25, 2020.

Tulane was playing against Nicholls State University.

Austin Holcomb ’20 joined the U.S. Marines and has started bootcamp.

He is enjoying the new challenges that come with his training.

GRADUATIONS Ariana Gilley ’16 graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is working as an English as a Second Language Teacher at Great Hearts Lakeside School in Fort Worth.

Katie Nelson ’16 graduated in June 2020 with Honors from the University of St Andrews with a degree in International Relations. During her senior year, Katie continued to lead the women’s football (soccer) team as President, capping off four years as a starting center-mid, capturing the Scottish Division 1 league championship going undefeated in league play, and being voted Team of the Year for all of St Andrews by the Athletic Sports union out of more than 150 other teams. Since departing Scotland, she has matriculated at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in Security Policy Studies with a focus on Science & Technology. Katie is also working part-time for the Commercial Spaceflight Federation in Washington, D.C., while she studies full-time.

Have an interesting story to share with the FWCD community?

Email us at alumnirelations@fwcd.com

CLASS NOTES

Falcon Weddings

Regan Rosenthal ’16 graduated from Louisiana State University with a BS in Coastal Environmental Science.

During her time in college, she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.

Regan is attending Duke University to earn a master’s degree in Environmental Management.

IN MEMORIAM F. Graham Brown Tim Bull

Andrew Vernon ’05 married Madeleine Cullins on October 26, 2019, in Dallas. Falcons in the wedding party included Rebecca Vernon ’02, Collin Bird ’05, Mark Davidovich ’05, Alex Leonard ’05, and Thomas West ’05. The band playing at the reception was Andrew’s old college band, the Tennessee Tallboys.

Ashley Miles ’09 married Isaac Manning on March 14, 2020, in Fort Worth. The ceremony was at University Christian Church, with the reception taking place at River Crest Country Club. Falcons in the wedding party included Cara Darden ’09, Alicia Kelly ’09, Annie Philpott ’09, Melissa Raulston ’09, Taylor Basped ’08, Elizabeth Boswell ’81 and David Miles ’08.

Nancy Carter Ervin Cruce Arch Burton Gilbert William P. Hallman, Jr. Guy Holland ’83 Merle Holland Nick Martin Charlie Moncrief Olive Pelich Helen Bell Rosenthal Dean Schreier ’86 Audra “Nicole” Donnelly Smith ’90

Barron Parker ’09 and Sara Roush (FWCD Junior Kindergarten Teacher) were married on July 25, 2020. The couple was married in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, at Amangani. Jackson Hole is where Barron and Sara met each other and got engaged. Though they canceled their reception because of pandemic risks, the Falcons who were in the wedding party were groomsmen Robby Lebus ’09, John McColm ’09, Harry Hood ’09, Drew Reeb ’09, Jack George ’09, Lowell Boswell ’08; bridesmaid Wesley Reese ’10; and best man Ben Parker ’18. Barron’s father, David Parker ’77, was also in attendance.

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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!

Larry Luk ’99 and his spouse, Lacey, had their first baby. Leo was born on October 24, 2019. Larry currently works as a graphic designer in Atlanta.

Mary Powers Louden ’03 and Taylor Louden ’03 had their third baby on October 6, 2020. His name is Chase Leo. Big brothers Ryan ’33 and Colin are excited!

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Whitney Baggett Creel ’04 and her spouse, Todd, had a baby boy on December 14, 2020. Their son’s name is Krew Sewell. Big brothers Kolt ’32, Kase and Kix are excited to welcome their new brother!

Colin Douglas ’06 and spouse, Neely, had their first child, a baby girl named Royal Davis, on August 29, 2020.

Colin is an Upper School History Teacher and History Department Chair at FWCD.

Alison Wamsley Burgett ’08 and her spouse, Dan, with big sister, Hailey Beth, welcomed a new baby, James Allen, to the family on March 5, 2020.

James Allen is named after Alison’s dad, Allen, who passed away in 2014 and worked at FWCD in security for many years. The Burgett family currently lives in Tyler.

Will Collins ’09 and his spouse, Hannah Jane, welcomed their daughter, Emilie Christine, on April 29, 2020.

CLASS NOTES

Join FWCD Connect Thompson Purvis III ’09 and his spouse, Lauren, welcomed their son, Thompson Earl Purvis IV, to their family. He was born on November 11, 2020, at 11:11 a.m.

Courtney Reimer Arnold ’11 and Taylor Arnold ’11 welcomed their first child. Rennie Allison was born September 1, 2020, in Houston. Proud grandparents are Debby Arnold, FWCD Middle School Spanish Teacher, and Bill Arnold ’86, FWCD Upper School History Teacher and Director of Strategic Projects.

Shannon O’Brien Loftis ’11 and her spouse, Reed, welcomed Anne “Annie” Elizabeth to the world on December 30, 2020.

Jenna Lee Cross ’12 and her spouse, Josh, welcomed Grayson to the world on July 14, 2020. Jenna is working at Alcon as a Quality Control Microbiologist and her husband is a Hardware Repair Technician for Dell.

The happy family is living in North Fort Worth.

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!

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From the Archives

Geoff Dickenson ’89, Rick Stevens ’88 and Clayton Jones ’89 played together in the Upper School orchestra under the direction of Vivian Potts.

That larger group was then divided into two groups: Lab Band, directed by Preston Thomas and Frank Brown, and Chamber Orchestra, led by Potts and Martha Stitsell. Lab Band consisted of all of the jazz instruments and percussion, and the Chamber Orchestra featured the string instruments and most of the woodwinds. The orchestra, sitting in the now sealed up orchestra pit, played for all of the Upper School musicals, and performed Pomp & Circumstance at graduation. There’s an orchestra record, and Rick’s sister, Alexandra Stevens ’85, has a copy. The orchestra and band groups also traveled for competitions to ISAS Arts Festivals and Colorado Springs, and even toured Europe in the summer of 1986.

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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

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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

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