2012 Spring FWCD Falconer by Fort Worth Country Day

F o r t

W o r th

C o u n t r y

D a y

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

Volume 3, Issue 2

Spring/Summer 2012

Congratulations

Class of 2012! SAVE THE DATE! 1972

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FWCD Homecoming – October 19, 2012

2012 Class Reunions

Plan to attend Fort Worth Country Day’s homecoming events, including the football game Friday night and the reunion class lunch at Joe T Garcia’s on Saturday. Check the FWCD Facebook page or the official school website at fwcd.org for details and more information! Contact Mary Lou Hilliard, alumni and special events coordinator, at marylou.hilliard@fwcd.org or 817.302.3292.

CONTENTS

Volume 3, Issue 2 • Spring/Summer 2012

Be part of their legacy.

28 CAMPUS NOtES 2 3 4 6 8

Message from the Head of School Message from the Board of Trustees President Parent Faculty Association Speaker Series Lower School A Celebration of Poetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Community Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 First Grade Celebrates Dr. Seuss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 First Graders “Buck the Ordinary” and Win . . . . . . . 9 Was that Benjamin Franklin?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Kindergarten Rodeo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 12 FWCD Stars! 14 Middle School Seventh Graders on the Prairie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Sixth Graders Go Greek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Big Bend Trip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Eighth Graders Make a Difference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Middle School Awards & Recognition. . . . . . . . . . . 17 Student Scholars Inducted into NJHS. . . . . . . . . . . 18 19 FWCD Hosts Duke TIP Academic Adventures Cover photo by Lisa Koger

20 Upper School Cum Laude Society Inducts New Members for 2012. . . ISAS Festival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Awards & Recognition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prom: April in Paris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Breakthrough Fort Worth: Making “College Knowledge” Possible for First-Generation Students 44 Performing Arts FWCD Budding Playwrights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supporting C.A.S.T. Highlights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yankees Lose the Pennant! Yankees Lose the Pennant! . . 49 Athletic News SPC Division I Soccer Champions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Year-End Major Athletic Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nine FWCD Athletes Enter the Next Level. . . . . . . . . . 51 Alumni News Welcome to the Alumni Association Luncheon. . . . . . . Former FWCD Faculty/Staff Reunion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring Fling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celebrate FWCD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Class Notes 55 Founders’ Day 56 Board Spotlight

20 20 21 22

44 46 48 49 49 50 51 51 51 54

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.org

34 36

39 features 24 The Nation’s Capital: A New FWCD Classroom

FWCD sophomores take an educational journey beyond the walls of the classroom—to Washington, D.C.—and experience, in practice, the concepts they’ve learned in their government and history courses.

Class of 2012 Takes Flight

The Class of 2012 celebrated their graduation with faculty, family and friends at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum on the campus of TCU.

34 Building Community

The Faculty Education Committee celebrates FWCD through a cross-divisional program that promotes community, communication, support—and fun!

36 FWCD Through the Eyes of a New Family

Anne and Orlando Carvalho and their three children, Katharine ’13, Caroline ’14 and Jack ’17, share what makes FWCD special.

39 From Question to Project : Learning to Problem Solve Motivates

Students to Explore

FWCD students and teachers embrace problem solving inside and outside of the classroom to create an environment that is engaging, collaborative and promotes evaluative thinking.

Get more from our issue on your smartphone! The snap below and at the end of selected articles in this issue allows you to access a layer of fresh content for Web-enabled smartphones. 1) Download Microsoft Tag Reader on your mobile at gettag.mobi. 2) Once the free app is up and running, aim your smartphone’s camera at the box below and snap it to see more content or watch a video. Snap here to access Fort Worth Country Day’s website.

Message from the Head of School Greetings FWCD Community, As another successful year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on some of the highlights as well as look forward to the future. All 96 members of the Class of 2012 walked across the stage at TCU’s Daniel-Meyer Coliseum on May 18, fully prepared for college and the future. The Lower School Principal of the class boasts six National Merit and Hispanic Day Chris Darner ’22 and Head Scholars and an additional 11 National Merit of School Evan D. Peterson Commended Scholars. The seniors earned awards and scholarships of more than $9.1 million to help pay for their college educations. The Class of 2012 also has nine scholar-athletes who will be taking their athletic endeavors to the next level in Division I, II and III; NAIA; and NJCAA sports. At the beginning of the school year, ground was broken for the Paul W. Mason Middle School Expansion. When Middle School students return to campus in August, they will be greeted by 10 new classrooms and a large student commons. With the fiscal year ending, I am proud to announce that the FWCD Fund achieved many of its goals this year. Under the leadership of Trish Thompson Sheats ’86 and Mo Sheats ’86, more than $900,000 in unrestricted money was raised, and we met our goal of $1.2 million in total giving. Our faculty and staff raised the bar to an all-time high participation level of 99 percent, thanks to the hard work of Shelley Rains, faculty/staff chair. Looking ahead to Founders’ Day 2013, FWCD will begin celebrating its 50th anniversary. A committee of faculty, parents and alumni, chaired by Cynthia Rimmer Prince ’87 and Frasher Hudson Pergande ’81, is planning a variety of events for the entire FWCD community, both current and past. This yearlong celebration promises to be an exciting and meaningful experience. In conjunction with our 50th anniversary is the opportunity for our next capital campaign. The board has received the Feasibility Study Final Report, which provided some interesting points and made some helpful recommendations that are currently in review. It appears that the climate and attitude of our community is upbeat and favorable for us to move forward. We have some decisions to make about campaign planning and timing, and we’ll let the School community know more about next steps as soon as possible. Questions should be directed to Russell Laughlin, board president; Sandra Tuomey, director of advancement; or me. Finally, as we break for the summer, I want to congratulate every student, parent, board member, alumni, faculty and staff member for a job well done. This Falconer provides a glimpse of many of the good things that have gone on this year, and you should be proud of your contribution. Fort Worth Country Day continues to be the best school in the country—thanks to you. Have a safe summer, and I look forward to seeing you in August! Warmly,

Volume 3, Issue 2 Spring/Summer 2012 Administrative Team Evan D. Peterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head of School Steve Stackhouse . . . . . . . Assistant Head of School Tom Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Financial Officer Joe Breedlove ’78 . . . . . . . . Director of Breakthrough Frank Gendusa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Athletic Director Rob Hereford . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head of Upper School Barbara Jiongo. . . . . . . . . . . Director of Admissions Shari Lincoln. . . . . . . . . . . . Head of Lower School John Stephens. . . . . . . . . . . . Head of Middle School Sandra Tuomey. . . . . . . . . . Director of Advancement Steve Uhr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Technology Shannon Rossman Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor Lisa Koger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Art Director Contributors Emily Bintliff Courtney Bourgeois Katherine Brookman ’13 Paige Farris Chisholm ’87 Yolanda Espinoza Mel Hurst Barbara Jiongo Renee Pierce Sandra Tuomey Lisa Wallace The Falconer is published biannually for Fort Worth Country Day families and friends by the Advancement Team. 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, sexual orientation, age, disability or national origin in admissions, the administration of its educational policies, financial aid, athletics and other school-administered programs. Send Falconer comments to shannon.allen@fwcd.org or 817.302.3244.

Evan D. Peterson Head of School

Message from the Board of Trustees President

FALCONER

Postmaster: Send address changes to Falconer: Fort Worth Country Day 4200 Country Day Lane Fort Worth, Texas 76109-4299 © FWCD fwcd.org

Fort Worth Country Day Community, Now is the time to reflect on the past year, to see what we’ve achieved, but also to build upon these achievements and continue on with our plans for a successful future. While I’m halfway through my tenure as board president, I’m constantly amazed by the Fort Worth Country Day community—our bright students; our dedicated faculty and staff; our giving parents and alumni; and our strong leadership through the Board of Trustees and Evan D. Peterson, head of School. Fort Worth Country Day is truly an exceptional school, a place that inspires the passion to learn, the courage to lead and the commitment to serve. As we continue planning and executing for the future of FWCD, students remain, as always, at the forefront of all we do as a community. The Paul W. Mason Middle School expansion will open this fall. The Middle School expansion addresses our problem of needing more space for our students; however, the benefits and significance are much more than that because this time frame is the second largest physical, social, emotional and academic period children undergo. Statistics show they perform best in an environment that fosters meaningful interactions. The “ideal middle school” requires we get bigger and smaller at the same time—therefore we must offer our exceptional educational opportunities to more students, but do so in smaller class sizes. As a result of the expansion, we are adding eight new faculty, 10 new classrooms and creating an average classroom size of 15 in grades six through eight. Constructing a facility that will accommodate the community’s growth for the future is a sound investment in bricks and mortar. For our students, FWCD leadership continues to focus on the strategic direction of the School, and what better time to do that than our 50th anniversary celebration, which begins March 6, 2013. This is the perfect opportunity to initiate the next phase of development and ensure the School remains successful in its strategic plan. Our school mission is supported by the enhancement of our campus facilities and continued growth of the endowment to ensure adequate resources to provide financial assistance to need-based students and retain and develop quality teaching staff. Financial sustainability remains a focus and highest priority for FWCD. The Finance Committee recommended a tuition increase that is the second lowest increase in 20 years and completed a thorough review of financial aid, revising the policy and establishing metrics for annual evaluation. This will be progressively more important as our student population grows and becomes even more diverse. In conclusion, I would like to thank Randy Gideon, past president of the board, for his tremendous service to FWCD. I also want to extend my appreciation to John Fant, John M. Geesbreght and Alicia Rattikin Lindsey ’78 who just finished their terms. I look forward to continuing to serve as your board president and making a difference at Fort Worth Country Day. Sincerely,

2011-12 Board of Trustees Russell Laughlin President John Fant Vice President Shannon Young Ray ’80 Secretary David Ekstrom ’75 Treasurer/Finance Chair Marshall Boyd ’85 Doug Bratton Michael Dike ’88 Rosalind Evans John M. Geesbreght Randy Gideon Judie B. Greenman Ann Barksdale House ’82 Jim Hubbard Alicia Rattikin Lindsey ’78 Dorris Morrissette Laura O’Brien Frasher Hudson Pergande ’81 Reed Pigman Tom Purvis ’77 Scott Sankary ’86 John Smitherman Mike Waltrip

Ex Officio Members Karen Davis Faculty Representative Evan D. Peterson Head of School Cynthia Rimmer Prince ’87 Alumni Association President Amy Robinson PFA President

Honorary Members Perry R. Bass (deceased)

L. Russell Laughlin Board of Trustees President

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Robert W. Decker (deceased) Sid R. Bass

FALCONER

PARENT FACULTY

Association FWCD Party Date Night

Each year, the Parent Faculty Association hosts a lunch for FWCD faculty and staff on parent conference day. This year, the theme was FWCD Brainiac Kitchen. The event chairs, Marcee Henderson and Barb Klein, asked SAGE to recreate a Babe’s Chicken menu of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and greens, complete with sweet tea in Mason jars and biscuits with honey on the tables. Each faculty and staff member was also given a personalized coffee mug with his or her name on it. The faculty and staff look forward to this special lunch every year, and this southern treat was no exception.

This year’s FWCD Party chairs Kim Boyd, Lynn McBroom, Dana Quisenberry and Michelle Sankary, wanted to throw a laid-back party where FWCD parents and friends could relax and have a good time. They definitely delivered by renting out Capital Bar in the West 7th Street development; hiring a great band and DJ; and bringing out food trucks that included Central Market, Superfly Pies, YES! Taco and Red Jett Sweets. Everyone enjoyed dancing and mingling in this casual atmosphere. This year’s event raised more than $12,000.

Lisa Koger

Faculty & Staff Appreciation Lunch

Why I Give. Barbara Jiongo

Tamara Roberts

Head of School Evan D. Peterson enjoys the southern buffet at this year’s PFA-sponsored luncheon.

Lauren Newton ’18 won $100 at Big City Bingo!

FALCONER

Tamara Roberts

The theme for Bingo! this year was Big City Bingo! Suzanne Sanders and Lisa Karpel, event chairs, decked out the Round and Square gyms in a New York City (NYC) theme, complete with a cute cut-out taxi cab and painted NYC skyline. More than 700 parents, students, grandparents and faculty members enjoyed the event, which featured a special NYCstreet menu catered by The Grill Kings. Those in attendance munched on New York-style hotdogs, hot pretzels and hamburgers. Chaka Cummings, assistant head of Middle School, and Shari Lincoln, head of Lower School, served as callers for the event, which raised more than $8,000 for the School.

Lisa Koger

Bingo!

Caroline Sanders ’23, Angel Jones ’23, Olivia Kersh ’24 and Leela Vallurupalli ’22 pose in Big City Bingo’s cut-out taxi.

fwcd.org

My career at Fort Worth Country Day began in 1986 as a contract employee evaluating students for kindergarten. My daughter, Meredith, enrolled in 1990. All three children, Meredith ’03, John ’12 and Maddie ’14 are Originals, and I am now completing my 21st year as a full-time employee. As director of admission, I truly do have the best job in the School, as I am able to see the students we admit grow and find their passions and purpose beyond life at FWCD. I give to the FWCD Fund, our annual fund, to show my appreciation for the exceptional education and the second family that FWCD has provided my family and me. I give to the Faculty Endowed SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

Scholarship Fund as well as the general Endowment Fund knowing that monies in these areas allow children who would otherwise be unable to afford the full cost of tuition to attend classes with my children. I also support the Falcon Club and C.A.S.T. because FWCD’s emphasis on the three A’s—academics, athletics and the arts—makes for a well-rounded individual. I have always said that it is the people inside the beautiful buildings and serene setting that make the FWCD experience so extraordinary, and that is why I give to Fort Worth Country Day.

FALCONER

SPEAKER SERIES

SPEAKER

Series

Each year, Fort Worth Country Day brings remarkable speakers to campus to share their experiences and help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience. Students, faculty, parents and alumni, alike, attend the speaker series, which this year included lectures and presentations from a World War II veteran, an author documenting her homeless youth, a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas board member, a senior economic officer in the U.S. Foreign Service, a Tarrant County judge, a State Reader’s Choice Awards author, a board-certified dermatologist and members of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of DFW.

Lt. Fiske Hanley World War II veteran and accused American war criminal, Lt. Fiske Hanley, spoke to seventh graders as part of their Living History interviews. Kate Nolan ’17 introduced Lt. Hanley, and the class was enthralled as he told of his capture and torture for five months in a Kempeitai Japanese prison camp. Lt. Hanley, whose son, Tom was Lt. Fiske Hanley, Kate Nolan ’17 and Tom Hanley ’74 in the FWCD Class of 1974, presented three books to the FWCD Library: “History of the 504th Bomb Group (VH) in WW II” and “Accused American War Criminal,” which he authored himself, and “The 20th Air Force Album.”

Liz Murray The Parent Faculty Association Parent Speaker Forum featured guest speaker Liz Murray who spoke to parents, faculty and staff from All Saints’ Episcopal School, Fort Worth Academy, FWCD and Trinity Valley School in the FWCD Scott Theater. Murray told her compelling story of being raised by drug addicts, to being homeless and finally completing high school and attending Harvard University. Murray’s story has been turned into a Lifetime movie, and she now spends her time traveling around the country telling her story of survival.

Author Ben Mikaelsen winner of several State Reader’s Choice Awards, spoke to grades 4-7. Mikaelsen lives in a log house in Bozeman, Montana, with a 700-pound black bear, Buffy, that he adopted and has raised for more than 25 years. He writes outdoor adventure and survival stories for young readers. Mikaelsen shared background with FWCD students on the ideas for his stories and his experiences growing up in Bolivia and the United States.

The Hon. Glen Whitley

What shocks and quiets a theater full of Upper School students? Slides that depict the national debt of $114.5 trillion in tangible terms they can relate to––double the height of landmark New York skyscrapers. It was a definite attentiongrabbing presentation by Elton Hyder ’71 on Friday, April 13. A Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas board member, Hyder detailed the Dallas Reserve’s relationship to the other 11 districts, talked about their collective purpose and outlined the Reserve’s 100-year history. His speech was intended to influence student thinking about the financial decisions they will face as adults and included a timely reference to the students’ approaching life choices. “If you spent $1 million per day since AD 1, you would have spent just under $735 billion by now,” he said. “Interestingly, that is equal to a looming financial bubble facing the United States today––the amount owed to the nation in unsecured student loans.” FALCONER

Ben Mikaelsen

A career member of the U.S. Foreign Service, Baron Lobstein ’89 completed his work in May as the senior economic officer on the Russia Desk at the Department of State, where he coordinated the department’s economic policy toward Russia. From 2010 to 2011, he served as an economic officer at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, with a focus on Russia’s industrial, innovation and anticorruption policies. From 2008 to 2010 at Embassy Moscow, he coordinated U.S.-Russian cooperation on public health and environmental protection policy, including launching bilateral working groups on those issues. As part of the Alumni Speaker Series, he spoke to FWCD students, alumni, faculty, staff and others in the community about his experiences overseas and with the government. The U.S. Department of State brought Lobstein to FWCD with the Hometown Diplomat Program, which brings employees back to their home states to promote the department and its work. In May, Baron began a one-year assignment to the Russia directorate of the National Security Council (NSC). He is responsible for supporting the president and NSC officials on economic issues relating to Russia.

Elton Hyder ’71

Baron Lobstein ’89

fwcd.org

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley visited with 10thgrade students and explained his duties as presiding officer of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, as well as the diverse responsibilities carried out by Tarrant County. He informed students that the county is responsible for law enforcement of unincorporated areas, maintains the justice centers and records (birth and death certificates, deeds, etc.), and administrates numerous criminal and civil courts. SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

Vicky Serralta Dr. Victoria Serralta, mother of Billy ’21 and Johnny ’15, spoke to the Upper School spring sports teams about the use of sunscreen and the destructive effects of sun exposure. The students viewed pictures of sun-damaged skin and melanomas, and learned that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer, and one person an hour will die from the disease. Dr. Serralta answered questions about tanning beds, exposure on cloudy days and gave prizes to students for participating in the discussion.

Alia Salem Upper School Diversity Day featured speakers from the Islamic Speakers Bureau of DFW. Alia Salem began the presentation by asking anyone in the audience to stand whose parents or grandparents were not born in the United States. More were standing than sitting. It was a concrete representation of how diverse our community is. The students rotated to different classrooms to hear and interact with the presenters. The day was topped off with Indian dancing by Kashmira Nana ’12 and Ami Jani ’06 and delicious food prepared by a group of FWCD moms, headed by Robica Sadiq. Photos by Lisa Koger FALCONER

LOWER SCHOOL

LOWER

School

Tiffini Crum

Ask Rebecca Bell, Lower School art teacher, what she thinks of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, and she’ll respond with a Texas-size grin. Her first-grade students won the Champion Award in the elementary school division of the StarTelegram Stock Show Art Contest. Open to students ages 5-19, the competition showcases students’ artistic abilities, as well as provides an opportunity to win awards and cash prizes. Bell’s students garnered a ribbon, a trophy to display in the Lower School office for the next year and a $1,000 check for art supplies. Based on the show’s 2012 theme, “Buck the Ordinary,” Bell’s students channeled their creativity using the theme to create pictures of goats dressed in costumes ranging from princesses to storybook characters. The project introduced students to the mixed mediums of drawing and paint. They utilized texture boards, looked at visual references for goats, and created backgrounds and outfits around them. The final works were displayed on campus for Grandparents Day.

Catherine Belton ’22 with her hero, Chef Walter Kaufmann.

For the Lower School’s fifth Poetry Explosion program, second-grade students memorized and brought to life poems by famous and lesser-known poets either alone or in small groups. During the two weeks of rehearsals, students wrote and published all types of poems and gained a genuine appreciation for poetry and language in general. In addition to learning new vocabulary words, students gained an understanding of language patterns and the different types of poetry that exist.

Lisa Koger

A Celebration of Poetry

Lauren Thompson ’22

Second graders showed some artistic flair in this year’s Community Heroes projects. Rebecca Bell, Lower School art teacher, guided the students through a series of project steps that included selection criteria discussions and a research phase that involved meeting, interviewing and photographing their heroes. The students then took their heroes’ photographs, turned them into line drawings and transferred them to canvas for the final painting step. The final works were ceremoniously unveiled for family and friends at an evening art reception in the Fischer Dining Pavilion on January 31 and remained on display for the entire School to enjoy through February 10.

FALCONER

fwcd.org

“I love this age group because they are not afraid to take risks,” she added. “I craft a classroom for open expression, and they embrace it. That in itself is a win!”

Famous Americans Benjamin Franklin, Walt Disney, Sandra Day O’Connor and Rosa Parks, among others, made an appearance on the FWCD campus March 1, in the Fischer Dining Pavilion. The 82 members of the fourth-grade class went all out to show how much they’ve learned about their famous Americans since starting the project in November. The annual assignment, which spans many disciplines, including art, computer, library and language arts, has students reading the associated biography, conducting online research, creating a display board summarizing their learning and writing a final report. The culmination of the four-month project was an evening in Fischer Dining Pavilion with the students portraying their Famous Americans. Lisa Koger

Lisa Koger

Stephen Levy ’12 reads to Alison Gee’s first-grade class on Read Across America Day.

“What I love most about the portraits is how imaginative the students were,” remarked Bell. “Each drawing was individual, but as they related to each other, it became a wonderful collage. Inspired by the collection, I decided to enter a group for the classroom competition.

Was that Benjamin Franklin?

First Grade Celebrates Dr. Seuss “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go,” wrote Dr. Seuss in “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!” The first-grade class honored Dr. Seuss by wearing crazy socks with their uniforms as they celebrated his birthday and participated in Read Across America Day sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA). Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. NEA’s Read Across America also provides NEA members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year.

Back row: Connor Henry, Abbie Klein, Caroline Klein, Riley Hawkins, Rebecca Bell Front row: Paxton Matthews, Lauren Mitchell, David Maberry, Temi Fabuyi, Kacey Chapman

Karina Cedillo ’20

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Lisa Koger

Community Heroes

Lisa Koger

First Graders “Buck the Ordinary” and Win

Hamilton Lee ’20 as Chief Joseph

The patriotism continued at the fourth-grade State Float Parade in May. The culmination of a month-long U.S. History project, the parade featured decorated wagons to highlight different aspects of the students’ assigned states. From the Sears Tower to the St. Louis Arch to the Idaho potatoes, the floats were a great way to end their year of studying American history. FALCONER

LOWER SCHOOL

For the past 43 years, FWCD kindergarten students have taken on the roles of cowboys, clowns, horses and cows to entertain their classmates and parents in the Kindergarten Rodeo. This year, for the first time, Stacey Cherry and Caroline Lamsens’ classes rehearsed in front of the senior class. As part of the “Building Community” charge (see page 34), the Faculty Education Committee recommended that seniors get a special viewing. “It’s a great way of bringing them full circle,” said Shari Lincoln, head of Lower School.

Above: Scott Cooper, Bryce Evans and Carolina Murrin Right (l-r): Truman Roth, Benjamin Hoppe and Olivia Kersh show off their roping skills. Far right: Michael Tapp is a rodeo clown. Bottom: Kindergarten Associate Mallory Hull prepares Eloise Senter to race around the barrels. Webb Mooring is waiting in the wings.

The Class of 2012 cheered and laughed as the Class of 2024 rode their stick horses, roped “cattle” and lassoed each other in the rodeo. “It was so cute and brought back so many memories. It was fun to think we were once that young and doing the same thing,” said Shelby Roberts ’12. “And it was funny when they were singing the songs. We still knew the words and remembered the clapping and hand motions,” said Meaghan Houston ’12. “It was great to see Mr. [Dan] Bloch up there too!”

Photos by Tiffini Crum

Whit Maddox ’12 said, “The Kindergarten Rodeo defined our time in Lower School.” Houston added, “Seeing this program put the K Rodeo in perspective for me. I remember thinking how big the atrium was and how big everybody looked when I was a kindergartener, but today, I realized how small we were and how small the room is.” The 43rd Kindergarten Rodeo was presented to classmates, parents, grandparents and friends on January 26 and 27.

FALCONER

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FALCONER

Hasan Shah ’16 sang “Say.”

The Lower School variety show, which took place on March 9, celebrated its 39th year. The show highlighted the talents of 38 performers from third and fourth grades in 19 acts. The acts included dancing, gymnastics, singing, violin music, piano playing, and even hula hooping! The show has evolved over the years; the first one was in the Lower School Library on the fireplace hearth, which served as the stage. The show moved to the atrium and later to the theater where it remains today. Variety show committee members this year were Joni Heinzelmann, third-grade teacher/show chairman; Angeles Casanova, Lower School Spanish teacher; Nicole Misiraca, third-grade teacher; Jeff Rozanski, second-grade teacher; and Edwena Thompson, fourth-grade teacher.

Talent abounds in both the Lower and Middle schools at Fort Worth Country Day.

Lisa Koger

Tiffini Crum

FWCD

The Middle School hosted its talent show on Friday, April 6 with 20 performances, including dancing, piano playing and singing. “All the performers did a great job, and our student body was extremely supportive by cheering and clapping loudly after each act,” said Anne-Lise Woods ’85, Student Council sponsor and show organizer. “The talent show is something the students look forward to every year.”

Tiffini Crum

Madison Smith ’20 danced to “Breakaway.”

Lisa Koger

Kristin Robinson ’16 played the guitar and sang “The Only Exception.”

Lisa Koger

Abigail Anton ’20, Julia Hanson ’21, Abby McGehee ’21, Lilli Aitelli ’21 sang and danced as the FWCD Cowgirls.

Harris Podell ’18 performed “The Pink Panther” on the saxophone.

FALCONER

Kennedy Smith ’20 sang “Beautiful.”

Lisa Koger

Tiffini Crum

Third graders Jordan Diamond, Emily Frantz, Perrin Williams and Abbie Kate Henderson danced to the Neon Girls.

Tiffini Crum

Lisa Koger

Fourth graders Lily Melcher and Julia Petsche performed “What is this Feeling?” from “Wicked.”

Catherine Harris ’19 sang “Gimme Gimme.”

Spencer Grubbs ’20 performed “Minuet No. 1” by Bach. Bailey Melton ’20 danced to “Party, Party, Party.”

fwcd.org

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FALCONER

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MIDDLE

School

Sixth Graders Go Greek

enjoying it and learning from it ever since.

For 15 years Mother Earth, a.k.a. AnneLise Woods ’85, has led sixth-grade Greeks in their annual parade around campus.

Foster said: “The students get a feel for survival and an appreciation for the many different conditions in the desert. They are surprised to see wild orchids and maidenhair ferns growing there. It’s good for the kids to see that even though the desert might look desolate, when you examine it, you see that it’s rather extraordinary.”

The parade and luncheon are the culmination of sixth graders’ study of Greek history and culture. Each student chose a god or goddess to portray and created an art piece that was used as a centerpiece at the luncheon. The students watched “Clash of the Titans” and then enjoyed a traditional Greek buffet of grape leaf rolls, gyros, chicken satays, hummus, tabouli and baklava.

Lisa Koger

Savana Blahitka said: “We liked parading by the Lower School. We all remember these parades. The food was interesting, and the flip books were fun.”

Upper School Science Teacher Perri Carr examines a snake found on the prairie with seventh graders Brad Chilcoat, Jackson Christian, Brodie Hyde and Robert Patton.

Each student was photographed in Woods’ throne, and Greek dancing in the Parthenon (a.k.a. Martin Campus Center) completed the Greekfest.

Seventh Graders on the Prairie Thanks to a grant for prairie restoration from the Texas Healthy Habitats, Fort Worth Country Day Upper School students have an opportunity to survey the plants and animals on campus and reseed native plants.

This memorable FWCD tradition began when then-Science Teacher Sharon Foster H’05 received a call from Robert and Suzanne Ward, parents of Cathey Ward

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Eighth graders Laurie Bruner, Isabel Gray and Kristin Dickerson

Rimmer ’73, suggesting that a school trip to Big Bend would be a perfect opportunity to teach about the desert. Foster liked the idea and took her first group of students in November 1968. The trip now takes place each spring, and eighth graders have been

Schofield explained a new tradition of donating leftover meat and vegetables to the Terlingua Crisis Center, another way FWCD students give back and practice FWCD’s Core Values.

Mike Perez

Station two was a guided tour of the prairie led by Upper School students Devon Loth ’12, Karina Hudak ’12, Erin Bennett ’12 and Upper School Science Teacher Perri Carr. Observing prairie plants, animals and limestone outcropping were highlights of the tour. The last stop was a service station where students mulched trails to prevent erosion and pulled the invasive plants, Johnson grass and Brassica. While working on the paths, the students found a nest of rat snakes. Luckily, they knew from their studies that the snakes posed no danger to them because rat snakes are constrictors that feed primarily on rodents and birds.

Middle School Science Teacher Debbie Schofield, a 15-year veteran of the eighth grade Big Bend trip, said she has three favorite memories of this year’s trip: wading into the Rio Grande, finishing the South Rim hike and sitting quietly at Cattail Falls with the students listening to the water and a canyon wren. Seventy-seven students and 14 adults attended this annual pilgrimage to Big Bend National Park. Two chaperones, Janet Maberry Dickerson ’78 and Beth Runyon Gideon ’78, had also made the trip as eighth graders.

Sixth Graders Visit the State Capital Sixth graders Clark Sheats and Dilan Nana enjoy a traditional Greek buffet.

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Chaka Cummings

The second Seventh Grade Prairie Day was observed Monday, April 30. FWCD seventh graders learned about the wildlife, plants and geological structures found in the School’s oncampus prairie by rotating through stations. The first station was a presentation by Mike Perez, a park naturalist for the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, about prairie wildlife. Perez brought snakes and insects for a hands-on learning experience.

Big Bend Trip

Reflecting on their trip to Big Bend, Isabel Gray ’16 and Austin Westermann ’16 agreed that the trip gave the students a broader understanding of each other and of their teachers. They expressed deep appreciation for the adults who went on the trip, some year after year. Their favorite memories included vibrant sunrises and sunsets, the dance on the last night with Math Teacher Robin Willis serving as DJ and that bonding “moment of realization that everyone was tired and sore, students and teachers alike.”

In February, the sixth-grade class took its annual trip to Austin, which included a tour of the University of Texas campus, as well as the Austin State Capitol and the Bob Bullock Museum. On the return trip home, the group took in a tour of TCU’s campus, including the school’s athletic complex.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School Awards & Recognition Christine Collins Memorial Award Allie Arnold ’18

Eighth Graders Make a Difference

Lisa Koger

The Christine Collins Memorial Award is awarded annually in memory of Christine Collins. Christine started at Fort Worth Country Day as a kindergarten student in 1993, and she loved school and all it had to offer. She died from a brain tumor as a sixth grade student. This award was established by her family and friends in her memory.

Randall Felton; Margot Berry; Jordan Upchurch (standing); Tallia Bailey (front); Michael Hogg, Rocky Top Therapy Center executive director (hunched); Savannah Norman (front); Elliot Goldman, founder of the “Greatest Gift Catalog Ever”; Patrick Nolan (standing, back); Katherine D’Souza; Jack Sankary (standing, back); Nina Cloven; Matthew Williams (standing, back); Reagan Parker; Natalie Clifton (standing, back) and Katie Park present a check to Rocky Top as part of a community service and philanthropy learning project called Falcons for Fort Worth.

With a grant from Once Upon a Time… and support from FWCD parent Elliot Goldman, founder of the “Greatest Gift Catalog Ever,” FWCD eighth graders dispersed $7,700 to 12 local nonprofit organizations. The check presentation ceremony in March concluded a community service and philanthropy learning project started in October called Falcons for Fort Worth. The program was developed to help instill the values of philanthropy in today’s students— values of generosity, involvement and responsibility they will carry with them into adulthood. Kellie McLarty, Middle School counselor and community service and learning coordinator, stated that the goals for Falcons for Fort Worth were four-fold: 1) students will understand what a 501 (c)3 nonprofit is and how it operates; 2) students will understand how foundations operate; 3) students will understand the role of nonprofits in the Fort Worth community; and 4) students will understand the decisionmaking process of a nonprofit board of directors.

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The first step in the Falcons for Fort Worth project involved student training, taught by McLarty and Chaka Cummings, Middle School assistant head. They covered topics such as “The Silos of Service,” “An Overview of Nonprofit Operations” and “Why Serve? How Passion and Compassion Can Influence Your Giving and Service.” Representatives from various nonprofits in Tarrant County then visited the eighth graders on campus and shared the services their agencies offer. Students were encouraged to ask questions and engage the guests in meaningful dialogue to better understand the inner-workings of each agency. After training and education, the students’ task was to decide how to allocate the funds donated by Once Upon a Time… Each of the five advisories had approximately $1,500 to give, and students worked together within their advisories to decide how to divide funding and to which nonprofits they wished to donate the funds. On March 22, students, faculty, Goldman and representatives from 12 different

nonprofits met to celebrate the process of the project and to allocate the funds (see box). As an additional part of the program, students were further encouraged to participate in community service for the nonprofit of their choice to enhance understanding of its operations and services provided. Fort Worth Country Day eighth graders are inspired by the generosity and philanthropy of foundations such as Once Upon a Time… and community leaders such as Goldman. Fund Distribution ACH Child and Family Services. $103 Alzheimer’s Association. . . . . . . . $660 Cancer Care Services. . . . . . . . . . $355 Child Study Center. . . . . . . . . . . $808 Gill Children’s Services. . . . . . . . $100 Meals on Wheels. . . . . . . . . . . . . $210 Mental Health Association of Tarrant County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $225 Rocky Top Therapy Center. . . . $1,870 Ronald McDonald House. . . . . . $330 SafeHaven of Tarrant County. . $1,195 Tarrant Area Food Bank . . . . . . . $770 Union Gospel Mission . . . . . . . $1,074 fwcd.org

Karen Collins, Allie Arnold ’18, Head of School Evan D. Peterson and Assistant Head of Middle School Chaka Cummings

The Christine Collins Memorial Award honors that sixth grade student whose determination, perseverance and hard work exemplify the commitment that Christine exhibited in her life. Equally important is that the recipient’s heart mirrors Christine’s as seen through the qualities of kind-heartedness, empathy, compassion and sensitivity to others.

Kathryn Kibbie Citizenship Award Jacob Rains ’16 The Kathryn Kibbie Citizenship Award is presented annually to the Robin Willis, Head of Middle School student who is chosen by the John Stephens, Jacob Rains ’16, faculty as the outstanding Kathryn Kibbie Laird, Head of School Evan D. Peterson and Assistant Head citizen. It is the most distinguished award given of Middle School Chaka Cummings by the Middle School because it represents the highest values of honesty, trustworthiness and concern for others. The Kathryn Kibbie Citizenship Plaque hangs in the Middle School and will carry the name of this year’s outstanding citizen.

Rosacker Athletic Award

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Grade-Level Top Scholars

The student-teacher relationship is key to fulfilling the purpose of the School—inspiring the passion to learn. This relationship, coupled with the support of parents, often creates outstanding scholars. The Outstanding Scholar Award is given to an individual at each grade level who has earned the highest cumulative GPA for the year. Outstanding Scholar in Fifth Grade: Abby Shaffer Outstanding Scholar in Sixth Grade: Griffin Grubbs Outstanding Scholar in Seventh Grade: Jared Imber Outstanding Scholar in Eighth Grade: Reagan Mulqueen In the Middle School, the curriculum gets incrementally more challenging as the students grow and advance through the grades. Recognizing this, the Middle School would like to further recognize Reagan Mulqueen ’16 for her academic diligence, consistency and genuine pursuit of excellence by naming her this year’s Top Scholar. Her name will be engraved on the Top Scholar plaque, which hangs in the Middle School office. Photos by Tiffini Crum

Adele Elkind ’16 and Brandon Evans ’16 The Rosacker Athletic Award, named in honor of Col. R.C. “Rocky” Rosacker H’00, former FWCD athletic director, is given annually to the most outstanding Middle School boy and girl athletes, who display character, sportsmanship, leadership and athletic excellence.

Head of Middle School John Stephens, Reagan Mulqueen ’16, Head of School Evan D. Peterson, Jared Imber ’17, Griffin Grubbs ’18, Abby Shaffer ’19 and Assistant Head of Middle School Chaka Cummings

FWCD Year-End Awards

Middle School Athletic Coordinator James Rains, Brandon Evans ’16, Adele Elkind ’16 and Head of Middle School John Stephens

To see the complete listing of end-of-year awards for Lower, Middle and Upper schools, go to https://www.fwcd. org/podium/default.aspx?t=152576 or snap this tag with your smartphone. (For instructions on downloading the free app, see page 1.) Get the free mobile app at

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

Student Scholars Inducted into NJHS Forty FWCD sixth-, seventh- and eighthgrade students were recognized and inducted into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) on May 9. Established in 1929, NJHS recognizes outstanding middle-level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship. NJHS chapters are in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

2011-12 NJHS Officers Reagan Mulqueen ’16 . . . . . . . . . President William Newton ’16 . . First Vice President Harry Thomas ’17 . . Second Vice President Margot Berry ’16. . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary DJ Williams ’16. . . . . . . . . Parliamentarian Dana Guthrie ’17. . . . . . . . . . . . . Historian Jared Imber ’17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer

NJHS Members 2011-12 Eighth Grade Members: Katie Anderson, Margot Berry, Andrew Burgos, Caroline Cameron, Noah Cody, Marshall Dike, Molly Englander, Erin Ford, Matthew Frantz, Braden Horton, Michael Jacobson, Ketrick Karsten, Whitney Kelly, Emma Lattimore, Aaron Lax, Ivy Lee, Matthew Lee, Reagan Mulqueen, Branson Nelson, William Newton, Sarah Nolan, Savannah Norman, Kristin Robinson, Regan Rosenthal, Jack Sankary, DJ Williams and John Wittman Eighth Grade Inductees: Laurie Bruner and Austin Westermann Seventh Grade Members: Nicholas Aufiero, Colton Baird, Will Brumley, Dana Guthrie, Jacqueline Housewirth, Jared Imber, Will Jones, Annalee Kerrigan, Shashank Kovuru, Juliebeth LeBus, Olivia Lincoln, George Marlow, Jack McConnell, Sarah Jane McDonald, Thomas Mullins, Ben Nober, Walker Payne, Spencer Pergande, Anne Phillips, Chloe Pyron, Sarah Sawyer, Gabrielle Schlegel, Reagan Smith, Harry Thomas, Robert Todora and Joanne Wu Seventh Grade Inductees: Matthew Aufiero, CeCe Brants, Christopher Cooper, Samanna Maberry, Logan Tinley and Conner Williams Sixth Grade Inductees: Michael Anderson, Ben Belton, Lexa Brenner, Samantha Burke, Michael Chan, Samuel DeRobertis, Zoe DeRobertis, Joseph DeSantis, Sidney Diamond, Matthew Dickerson, Ainsley Dobson, India Fore, Alex Gibbs, Griffin Grubbs, Jinee Hira, Helen Holloway, Christina Kelly, Margaret Lattimore, Brenden McCormack, Kacey Melton, Westen Mulqueen, Philip Murrin, Dilan Nana, Lauren Newton, Brendan O’Connell, Grace Palmer, Megan Park, Hannah Peeples, Harris Podell, Camden Relyea, Emma Rooker and Meredith Thomas Forty students, pictured below, were inducted into National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) in May. NJHS is one of the nation’s premier organizations established to recognize outstanding middle school students, and serves to honor those students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginnings in 1929.

Lisa Koger

FWCD Hosts Duke TIP Academic Adventures Who wouldn’t be excited to create several motion art productions, play math games from around the world or learn the principles of GPS-based measurements using a GIS interface to analyze weather? These are just a few of the fascinating courses offered in Fort Worth Country Day’s Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) Academic Adventures courses.

Admission Kathy Lott contact Duke TIP about sponsoring it on the FWCD campus. So in October 2010, Lott and Stacy Sanford, Lower School science teacher, visited Duke to see an Academic Adventures course in action. Next, a Duke representative made a site visit to FWCD and liked what she saw. Contracts were signed, and FWCD was made an official Duke TIP school.

FWCD is one of only two Duke TIP Academic Adventures sites in Texas. Students in fifth and sixth grades who have been identified by Duke TIP are accepted into the program, which is hosted at FWCD on one Saturday in the fall and one in the spring. FWCD’s first offering was Fall 2011: six courses, attracting 92 students. The School then expanded to eight courses in the spring session, with 120 students participating. Duke will allow FWCD to grow its program as large as it wants, but class size will remain at 17.

The cost of the program is $150, and financial aid is available. Teachers are recruited from various schools in the area; the students themselves come from dozens of cities within a 150-mile radius of Fort Worth, including Denton, Plano, Dallas, Irving, Wylie, Weatherford and Frisco. Praising the program, one parent said: “My son took the Animation class and loved it. We watched his video and were really impressed with what he learned in such a short period of time. It is also a skill set that he can use in future classes.”

The idea to bring Duke TIP to FWCD came out of regular brainstorming meetings the admission office had with department chairs, college counseling and athletics to discuss new ideas for recruitment and marketing. Sharon Hamilton, Science Department chair, and Tom Delaney, Visual Arts Department chair, taught Duke TIP courses to seventh and eighth grade students in the past and suggested that Associate Director of

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fwcd.org

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The Duke TIP program provides Fort Worth Country Day with an opportunity to identify prospective students who would be qualified applicants, promotes FWCD in the broader community and provides outreach programs to eager and qualified young people. Lott believes that with increased teacher and student interest, the sky is the limit! FALCONER

UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER

School

Senior Awards & Recognition Outstanding Senior Theater Award Peter Bowden Maddie Hill

Cum Laude Society Inducts New Members for 2012

Richie Garvey Technical Theater Award Tara Gordon

The Cum Laude Society welcomed 20 new members during an induction program on April 10. New members were presented with certificates and pins during the ceremony. This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Bob Kline.

Outstanding Computer Science Student Award Erick Ritter

Tom Delaney, Visual Arts Department chair, addresses his students before the art critique.

Lisa Koger

ISAS Festival

Juniors (Back row): Alexander Allsup, Cade Fuller, Morgan Pergande, Stanley Brown and Ethan Rohrbach (Front row): Catherine Parker, Kaelyn Scoville, Sara Shah, Hilary Rattikin and Meghann Kasal

Outstanding Students of the Sciences are Allison Hunt, Yun Jae Sohn, Alexander Gates, Margaret Lee, Cameron Fraser, Shree Bose and Phillip Diffley.

Senior English Student Errett Williams

Photography Award Audrey Laker

Writing Beyond the Classroom Award Maddie Hill

Koeppe Award for Painting Marylynn Smitherman

Senior French Student Kate Wall

Dr. Randy Tierce, director of performing arts and department chair, took 14 faculty members and 150 enthusiastic and talented Upper School students to the annual ISAS Arts Festival at Greenhill School in Dallas on March 29. The ISAS Arts Festival is a celebration of sharing and learning with critiques by professional performers and artists. Performances included one-act plays; scenes; monologues; improv; musical and ballet showcases; and solos and selections by the FWCD band, choir and strings. Exhibits included video, 2-D and 3-D art and photography.

Senior Latin Student Colton Siegmund Senior Spanish Student Audrey Laker Senior History Student Stephen Levy Francesca Roberts History Chairman’s Award Maddie Hill Kat Hyde Senior Mathematics Student Margaret Lee Mathematics Chairman’s Award Stephen Levy Peter Bowden Outstanding Students of the Sciences Shree Bose Phillip Diffley Cameron Fraser Alexander Gates Allison Hunt Margaret Lee Yun Jae Sohn

Lisa Koger

Lisa Wallce

Senior Art Student Yun Jae Sohn

Seniors (Back row): Erick Ritter, Phillip Diffley, Dane Dyslin and Mariano Aufiero (Front row): Lauren Haley, Emily Englander, Claire Buechele, Riley Genua, Callie Strock and Kate Wall

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Falcon Quill Award Shree Bose Jalyn Gordon Lauren Haley Errett Williams

Lisa Koger Lisa Wallce

Lisa Koger

Originally modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude Society honors scholastic achievement and is limited to 10 percent of the junior class and 20 percent of the senior class, elected over two years. Additional selection criteria includes good character, honor, integrity and academic course load.

Haley Stratton ’12 and Cameron Slife ’12 perform at ISAS.

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Siegel Art Award for Art History Yun Jae Sohn Colton Siegmund Siegel Art Award for Ceramics Christopher Burton SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

Flight Editors Award Claire Buechele Emily Englander Callie Strock Flight Award Riley Genua Shelby Roberts Class of ’75 You Make Me Smile Award Stephen Hwang

Rhode Island School of Design Book Award Noelle Miller Ted Sanford Award Brittany Alexis Lauren Haley Karina Hudak

Andrew Cordell Community Service Award Brittany Alexis Ashley Escobedo Lauren Haley

2011-12 Scholarship Recipients Vicki and Edward P. Bass Scholarship Ashley Escobedo ’12 Ileana Estrada ’12 Kaitlyn Frantz ’13 Beverly Anne Robinson Faculty Endowed Scholarship Victor Flores ’13 Ashlin McCormack ’20 Brenden McCormack ’18 Malone Scholars Program Kaelyn Scoville ’13 Jeff Avena ’15 Ricky Rodriguez ’14 Matthew Frantz ’16 Krista Madrid ’14 Peter A. Schwartz Scholarship Breanna Tuck ’13 Louis Barnett Math Award Margaret Lee ’12

Etoile Dancer Award Brittany Alexis Ginny Greene Lauren Haley Karina Hudak

R.D. Varnell ’88 National Merit Award Shree Bose

FWCD Leadership and Musicianship Award–Orchestra Cameron Slife

Headmaster Heart and Hustle Award Abby Cox

Outstanding Instrumentalist Award–Orchestra Haley Stratton Allan Hall

Humanitas Per Disciplinam Award Jennie Yoon Kevin Murphy

Reilly Family Foundation/ Breakthrough Fort Worth Scholarship Stephen Hwang ’12

FWCD Leadership and Musicianship Award–Band Antonio Mireles

Alumni Association Award Marylynn Smitherman

Alumni Endowed Scholarship Mariano Aufiero ’12 Abby Cox ’12 Elise Chernosky ’12

Campus Award Lauren Haley

FWCD Leadership and Musicianship Award–Choral James Chilcoat Outstanding Vocalist Award– Choral Ryder Nguyen

Falcon Award Peter Bowden

See page 49 for the Upper School Athletic Awards

Christine Collins Award Jack Baker ’17 Captain David Herr Memorial Scholarship Stanley Brown ’13

Ella C. McFadden Scholarship Erin Parker ’12 Oliver Salonna ’12 Jillian C. Thompson Scholarship Akeira Warner ’14

To see the complete listing of end-ofyear awards for Lower, Middle and Upper schools, go to https://www.fwcd.org/ podium/default.aspx?t=152576 or snap this tag with your smartphone. Get the free mobile app at

http:/ / gettag.mobi

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PROM April in Paris Kate Wall ’12, Jalan McFarland ’13, Abby Cox ’12, Tara Gordon ’12, Brittany Alexis ’12, Riina Pinto ’12 and Yatisha Hira ’12

Flash Photography

On April 28, Fort Country Day 2012,Worth Fort Worth Country welcomed spring with with its “April in Paris” Day welcomed spring its “April in themed Junior/Senior Prom. Prom. HostedHeld at the Paris” themed Junior/Senior at Modern Art Art Museum and sponsored by the the Modern Museum, an appropriate Class of 2012 the dance location for theparents, memorable night,provided the an entertaining for the FWCD dance provided evening an entertaining evening upperclassmen their dates. and The their dance for the FWCD and upperclassmen took in the was lobby of the Modern, dates.place The dance held in the lobby with separate area pictures,area drinks of thea Modern, withfor a separate for and snacks. Keeping with theKeeping theme, with the pictures, drinks and snacks. students were fries the theme, theprovided students with were French provided with and petit fours. French fries and petit fours.

Flash Photography

by Katherine Brookman ’13

Alex Morrissette ’12, Cheryl Haston ’13, Jenna Lee ’12 and John Kouris ’12

John Jiongo ’12 and Elise Chernosky ’12

“I thought the event was very well done and the venue was perfect for the theme,” Madi Bass ’13 said.

Flash Photography

Julian Van Beest ’13, Paige Bogle ’12, Karina Hudak ’12, Zane Lincoln ’14, Sydney Darrow ’12, Coleman Walker ’15, Marylynn Smitherman ’12 and Gavin Behr ’13

The party included a photographer, who hosted a photographer, who provided guests with props such as masks, flags and picture frames so they could take pictures with their dates and friends. The couples also got their pictures taken during the dance, courtesy of Flash Photography. A DJ played music for the music students, There was a DJ to provide for who the were decked in pearls to fit students, whoout were deckedand outberets in pearls with the French theme. and berets to fit with the French theme.

Lisa Parker

“The dance was so well planned and the moms worked so hard to make the night special. The Modern Art Museum was a beautiful setting that made the night even more amazing,” Shelby Roberts ’12 said.

Lisa Parker

Dinner was provided for the seniors and their dates at the museum, while juniors and their dates enjoyed dinner at various restaurants around town.

Ryder Nguyen ’12, Devon Loth ’12, Tara Gordon ’12 and Jacob Edwards ’13

Seniors Jennifer Truong, Alexander Gates, Kunal Patel, Shree Bose, Margaret Lee, Ryder Nguyen, Ryan Reesing and Kashmira Nana

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Flash Photography

Prom 2012 was a memorable experience for all who thoseattended. who attended.

Flash Photography

“The gift bags were nice and the location couldn’t have been better,” Nithin Reddy ’13 said.

Flash Photography

At the end of the dance, attendees were given gift with bags gift containing shirts andshirts provided bags containing pictures of themselves and their dates. and pictures of themselves and their dates.

Seniors Noelle Miller, Ginny Greene, Francesca Roberts and Errett Williams

Juniors Madi Bass, Fallon Appleton, Claire Hill and Mattie Karsten

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Juniors Jackson Hull, Catherine Parker, Caroline Rattikin, Hunter Williams and Clare Wilson

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recapped their favorites: “The monument highlights were probably the visits to FDR, Jefferson, Lincoln and Iwo Jima,” he recalled. “Students also enjoyed the excursions to the Colombian, French and Saudi Arabian embassies; the Newseum; Holocaust Museum; and Capitol Hill.” A last-minute addition to the trip was a special email box for participants to send highlights and pictures back to campus. Alden Griffin contributed several shots and conveyed excitement for a new destination. “The MLK Memorial is the newest of the monuments in D.C., and we had the chance to check it out first hand,” she reported. The group also went to Hotel Washington where Martin Luther King wrote his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Back row: Catherine Murray, Hannah Kelly, Isabella Chieffalo, Elizabeth Lindsey, Samantha Hubbard, Elizabeth Wilkinson, Sam Berry, Michael Bowman Front row: Margaret Philpott, Griffin Young and Alden Griffin pose in front of the Texas column at the WW II Memorial.

Faculty members are pleased with the success of the first trip. “Our hope was that the sophomores would come away with a better understanding of the political process, the role of the United States in world affairs, as well as a greater appreciation for the service and sacrifice of previous generations of Americans from Founding Fathers to presidents to unknown soldiers,” Barker said. “Judging from the comments and reactions we heard and observed that goal was achieved.” When asked about the parts of the trip that were most meaningful for them, the sophomores’ responses were as varied as the places they visited. “I enjoyed Arlington Cemetery and seeing JFK’s burial site there,” stated Lauren Wagner. “I liked the Lincoln Memorial,” said Maddie Jiongo. “I loved

The Nation’s Capital A New FWCD Classroom By Renee Pierce Occasionally an educational journey takes students beyond the walls of the classroom. Tuesday, May 8, marked an exciting venture for Fort Worth Country Day’s sophomore class as they departed on the highly anticipated inaugural Washington, D.C., trip. Designed to be a new tradition in the Upper School, the class trek to the nation’s capital was an experiential learning opportunity that allowed students to see in practice the concepts taught in their government and history courses. Utilizing a variety of historic locations as onsite classrooms, students toured the city in workshop groups of 15-20. They studied the political structure of the city, reviewed the significance of popular and lesser-known monuments and deliberated the national impact of events represented in the city’s memorials.

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The group rests on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Photos by Lisa Wallace The trip was put together by Close Up Foundation, a nonpartisan educational organization that offers high school students an indepth view of the democratic process, by interactive participation. The Parent Faculty Association, Luther King Capital Management and some FWCD families made financial donations toward the trip. The schedule was brisk. In just four-and-a-half days, students explored core sites, including the White House, Union Station, the Kennedy Center and the National Archives. Their tour of Capitol Hill took some to the House and Senate Chambers, Library of Congress as well as to meetings with national delegates. They also collectively toured nine major museum centers, a dozen service and civic memorials, and more. Trip leader and Upper School History Teacher Dean Barker fwcd.org

Alexandra Barber and Haley Wall at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

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Samantha Hubbard, Madison Nelson, Heather Harvison, Isabelle Potts, Hannah Kelly and Darby Loth view the 9/11 exhibit at the Newseum.

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getting to know more people in our grade,” added Caroline Carvalho.

The students were really moved by the 9/11 exhibit and display of newspaper headlines from around the country. Seeing the twisted radio antenna that once sat atop the World Trade Center brought home the violence of the attack, as did the wall of newspapers and the interviews being played.

Aria Sanders said she was particularly moved by the World War II Memorial, and Reign Parker added that her favorites were the Newseum, Washington’s most interactive museum, and the National Gallery of Art. McKenna Breedlove enthusiastically supported Parker saying, “I honestly didn’t think the National Gallery of Art was going to be so fun, but now I can definitely say I learned a lot, and it is a very interesting museum. I highly recommend going to anyone who visits D.C. and likes art.” All the girls agreed the trip was a worthwhile learning opportunity and a special moment in time to take with them when they graduate. That connected feeling is an important part of the students’ experience. Reinforcing their academic knowledge is the primary focus of the trip, yet enhancing their personal growth and class unity is another priceless goal.

Lisa Wallace Yearbook/Newspaper Adviser

History teachers Brian Farda, Bill Arnold, Dean Barker and Nate Kogan at the start of their quest to find the parking garage, column 32D, where Bob Woodward met with Deep Throat. All 10th graders we required to read “All The President’s Men.”

Students have always considered school trips to be a highlight of their FWCD education. As students grow in the program, they look forward to each class opportunity that awaits them. For our older Falcons on the cusp of adulthood, Washington, D.C., became an obvious choice. Legislatively, the trip was an important capstone to their 10th-grade government class, and the region’s rich legacy serves as an unforgettable introduction to the U.S. history they will study in their junior year. On a personal level, experiencing D.C. allowed students to gain a tangible appreciation for their responsibility as citizens and the historical value of leadership in shaping our country. Being there together enabled them to have a collective journey and create associations that they can build upon–– an advantage unique to independent programs like FWCD and one that simulates the affiliations they will soon form in college. Results like that require a big classroom and none is as uniquely qualified as our nation’s capital. Barker agrees, and for all future FWCD sophomore classes he confirms, “We look forward to an even better experience next year.”

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McKenna Breedlove and Aria Sanders stop in front of Ben’s Chili Bowl.

Bill Arnold tours the Korean Memorial.

Deep Nana and Ryan Hunt lead students in a workshop preparing bills to vote on at the Mock Congress.

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Glamourcraft

Class of 2012 Takes Flight 28

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Lisa Koger

These new Fort Worth Country Day alumni worked many hours for this bittersweet moment, fulfilling eight Upper School semesters of rigorous academic classes, logging 7,500 hours of community service and receiving more than $9.1 million in meritbased scholarships and awards. Along the way, they had many memorable times together spanning Kindergarten Rodeo, Lower School Halloween and state parades, Middle School trips to Vicksburg and Big Bend, the 2011 Snowmageddon, plus a remarkable array of Upper School and senior-year activities. Through the past four years, they also endured constant campus construction and a two-day hiatus from classes for an Upper School power outage, which they paid homage to by giving light bulbs as their parting gift to Head of School Evan D. Peterson.

Tiffini Crum

Matt Beasley, Mariano Aufiero, Kevin Murphy, Harrison Genua and Kunal Patel

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Valedictorian Margaret Lee ’12 reminisced about her 13 years at FWCD with her classmates.

Patrick Williams and Jennie Yoon

Lisa Koger

Glen E. Ellman

Upper School Mathematics Department Chair David Hoppe gave an inspiring address, sharing funny life experiences and charging the graduates to go out into the world, meet new people, challenge them and be challenged by them. Valedictorian Margaret Lee ’12 credited the class for being part of her accomplishments and thanked them for supporting her. As mid and late arrivals to the Falcon family, classmates Errett Williams ’12 and Maddie Hill ’12 praised the closeness of the FWCD community and the School’s many traditions.

Errett WIlliams and Maddie Hill flying their Falcon wings.

Tiffini Crum

Allan Hall and Tate Hanchin smile excitedly for the camera.

The graduation ceremony took place on Friday evening, May 18. Greeting the audience of Falcon families and friends, Morgan Pergande ’13 asked everyone to honor the Class of 2012. Seniors entered the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum at Texas Christian University in procession with faculty and staff, as the FWCD band played “Pomp and Circumstance.” Salutatorian Peter Bowden ’12 touted this turning point as the first time their beliefs and characters would be thoroughly tested. Board of Trustees President Russell Laughlin recapped the significant growth of the School during the students’ final four years.

Peterson simply enjoyed the evening with students––shaking hands, joking and hugging his way through the line of graduates as he traded diplomas for a barrage of bulbs and light sources. And finally, after commending their triumph, Head of Upper School Rob Hereford turned the tassels so our 2012 Falcons can soar.

Glen E. Ellman

With diplomas in hand, the tassels were turned and so began the next chapter in the lives of each graduate in the Class of 2012.

Jake Vinson, Taylor Washuta, Blake Waltrip, Upper School Teachers Christy Alvear and Dean Barker, Whitt Maddox, Hunter Vick and Stephen Levy

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Valedictorian–Margaret Lee Rounding out her FWCD experiences, Lee earned a spot the past four years in the band, playing first chair alto saxophone this year, and she’s been active in soccer, track and cross country. Her volunteer service includes activities in TEAM Service, the SIS Program and Project SOS (Save Our Sharks). Asked about who helped her excel, she readily responds, “FWCD teachers were great, and I liked them all. My math and science teachers were probably my favorite motivators. One standout is my physics teacher, Mr. [John] Cordell. He worked with me a lot with physics and psychology questions outside of class. Another one of my favorite teachers was Mr. [Dan] Foust. I loved coming to his class every day sophomore year and solving the problem of the day.” In her overall experience at FWCD, Lee says she has so many wonderful memories to count. Limiting her remarks to one thought, it’s for her classmates: “I wish everyone good luck,” she said, “and I want to thank you for being a wonderful family for the past 13 years.”

Tiffini Crum

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Back row: Marylynn Smitherman, Tara Gordon, Abby Cox, Coach Aimee Jenkins, Coach Shelley Rains, Erin Parker, Ashley Escobedo Front row: Lauren Haley, Paige Bogle and Emily Englander

Elise Chernosky flashes a hint of where she’ll be attending this fall.

Salutatorian–Peter Bowden Let me entertain you! Although Peter Bowden is no stranger to academic achievement, this funny character is a true thespian at heart. His favorite memories at FWCD revolve around the theater and little-known traditions like going to Ol’ South Pancake House after opening night. He is the son of Brian and Lizabeth Bowden, both graduates of the Class of 1974. Ironically, Brian was the salutatorian of his graduating class.

Tiffini Crum

One of the many light bulbs donated to the School by members of the senior class.

Lisa Koger

Lee is proof positive that it’s the quiet ones to watch. With a sweet, unassuming nature, she eagerly pursued honors and AP classes in all core subjects at FWCD, receiving praise for her consistent strength in insight and analytical skills. She’s been High Honor Roll all four years of Upper School and was the recipient of the Emory Book Award. Her many math and science achievements include

Mathematics Undergraduate Award, Barnett Mathematics Award, Senior Mathematics Student, Outstanding Students of the Sciences, first and second place in the annual Mandelbrot Competition and the Rensselaer Medal.

Tiffini Crum

At Margaret Lee’s core beats an academic heart where math and science rule. In fact, her proudest achievement to date was placing third last summer in the American Society of Mathematics National High School Championships. Her partiality is a testament to her passion for the subject, especially considering that she is also a National Merit Finalist and a junior inductee into both the Cum Laude Society and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Society. She received acceptances from top universities Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, University of Oklahoma, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Harvey Mudd College, and California Institute of Technology (her chosen school).

Brittany Alexis, Taylor Smith and Jayln Gordon proudly display their mortar boards.

fwcd.org

A founding member of the blues-rock band Albatross, Bowden has built a resume that already boasts 14 performances that span FWCD Theater, Sceneshop at Arts Fifth Avenue, Casa Mañana and the ISAS Fine Arts Festival. His prized honors include a Schmidt and Jones Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role, which he received for his portrayal of young Joe Hardy in the musical “Damn Yankees.” His enthusiasm for performance significantly guided his writing talents when he was named a finalist in the High School Playwriting Project for his script, “Cornered.” Even his participation in this spring’s Calculus Bowl at UTA was swayed by role-playing when he and fellow FWCD team members earned the Spirit Award for their costumed depiction of math geeks.

SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

In addition to theater distinctions, Bowden’s academic and civic achievements are lengthy. He was junior class president, and, in his senior year, he was the student body president. This year, he earned the Mathematics Chairman’s Award; Theater’s Outstanding Senior Award; and the School’s highest distinction, the Falcon Award. He’s fulfilled an array of honors and AP classes and was commended for his thoughtful approach to problems and positive contributions to class discussions. His volunteer service commitments include Healthy Habitat, the Tarrant Area Food Bank and Fort Worth Music Outreach. Well known among students for his comedic nature, Bowden has no problem laughing at himself. “One of my best moments at FWCD was fourth-grade field day,” he remembered. “Running is not my strength, and I won a medal for second place in one of the races. There were two of us.” As he ventures from FWCD’s William E. Scott Theater to Dallas’ Theatre Three production this summer of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” then to Brown University and beyond, there is no doubt Bowden will continue to show his Falcon family that life is one big stage to be conquered.

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Building Community

By Emily Bintliff

“Building Community” was the theme chosen by this year’s Faculty Education Committee (FEC), a far-reaching goal involving not only FWCD faculty, but also its staff and students. Debby Jennings, FEC chair, praised her committee for thinking of ways the FWCD community “can celebrate the things we do well and have fun at the same time in a cross-divisional program of community, communication and support.” With so many new teachers arriving each year (13 at the start of the 2011-12 school year), there is the potential to lose connectedness and the continuation of traditions, Jennings said. “One of FWCD’s strengths has always been its sense of community, where all faculty and staff are known, respected and included. We want to ensure that never changes,” she stated.

laughter-filled evening at Cat City Grill hosted by Melodee Halbach. Attendees were asked to introduce themselves and share something personal that the others likely did not know. If not for the dinner, who would know that Lynnette Burleson starred in an infomercial filmed in San Francisco with a Hollywood director for a GPS-like product called Navmate? Or that Dan Jones studied at the Merce Cunningham School of Dance in New York City for two years? Those are just a few of the many interesting tidbits that were gleaned from Dinners for Ten. December and April found the faculty and staff enjoying Mix-it-Up Lunches.

Room representatives supervised Lower School students in order to facilitate campus-wide participation of faculty and staff. Colleagues from all areas of the School enjoyed eating and visiting with each other while playing games of trivia for prizes donated by the Advancement Department. The regular lunch menu was served, along with a special dessert at both luncheons.

calligraphy to concussions, as well as antiques and accessories. Faculty and staff laughed, learned and came away with a greater appreciation of the knowledge and skills of their colleagues. The FEC also recommended that seniors participate in a communitybuilding exercise: a special viewing of the Kindergarten Rodeo. “It’s a great way of bringing them full circle,” said Lower School Division Head Shari Lincoln. The Class of 2012 loved seeing the kindergarteners ride their stick horses, rope “cattle” and lasso each other in the rodeo. “It was so cute and brought back so many memories. It was fun to think we were once that young and doing the same thing,” said Shelby Roberts ’12. “And it was funny when they were singing the songs. We still knew the words and remembered the clapping and hand motions,” said Meaghan Houston ’12. “It was great to see Mr. [Daniel]Bloch up there too!”

In-service workshops on January 2 were experiential with the goal of getting the entire community involved. Showcasing the talent of the faculty and staff, 20 different workshops were offered in classes ranging from line dancing to lacrosse,

The first idea to be implemented was called Dinners for Ten. Five members of the FEC were asked to host dinners in their homes or a restaurant. Then 10 members of the FWCD community were randomly selected to attend each dinner. Some of the highlights of Dinners for Ten were a Hawaiian Luau at the home of Laura and Stephen Stackhouse and a

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Lisa Koger

The “Building Community” idea was pitched to Head of School Evan Peterson and the division heads, and the challenge was sent back to the committee with the message: “It sounds good, but how are you going to make it work?” Well, make it work, they did!

Lynnette Burleson, Dan Jones, Molly Risewick-Zeno and Laurie Fields share a laugh over dinner.

fwcd.org

Boots and jeans were appropriate attire for faculty and staff who attended the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on January 29. Each faculty and staff member and a guest were treated to a fajita dinner at the Community Arts Center, then sat as a group at the rodeo. More than 200 attended, and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a bit of Cowtown culture. Finally, the mini-buddy program was possibly the biggest hit of all, according

SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

each pair was charged with meeting at least twice to get to know each other and his or her job. HVACR Technician Mike Mancini was paired with Lisa Wallace, yearbook and newspaper adviser. Mancini said he was especially impressed by all the activity in Wallace’s classroom and her ability to keep things organized. He was also envious of Wallace’s direct role in documenting FWCD’s history on a daily, monthly and yearly basis. Wallace said of Mancini: “With Mike as my buddy, I entered closets, basements and locked gates that I have passed by and parked next to for 12 years, never knowing what was inside. I learned of the pride that went into the maintenance of the equipment and the man who takes care of it.” “Buddies” Barbara Meyers and Denver Edmunds

to FEC Coordinator Dorrine DeChant. Every faculty and staff member was randomly matched with a “buddy,” and

Because of the buddy program, friendships blossomed and a greater appreciation was formed for each person’s role in making FWCD a premier school. It can be said without a doubt that “Building Community” was a project that worked for FWCD on all levels.

The FEC is an excellent way for new faculty members to get involved in the life of the campus. Chaired by Debby Jennings, the members are appointed for two years and represent all areas of the School. Members for 2011-12 were Andreanne Annis, Stacey Cherry, Dorrine DeChant, Chuck Maddux, Kristin Vaughn, Stephen Dickey, Melodee Halbach, Aimee Jenkins and Kathy Lott.

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Education

FWCD through the Eyes of a New Family By Emily Bintliff In May 2010, as Anne and Orlando Carvalho arrived from Philadelphia to visit Fort Worth Country Day, a sudden spring thunderstorm developed. Running into the Schwartz Administration Building, they were soaked. As they laughed and dried off, they were warmly welcomed by Admission Associate Yolanda Espinoza and Kathy Lott, director of financial aid and associate director of admission. The Carvalhos knew instantly they had found the school they wanted their children to attend. In spite of the rain, FWCD’s tree-lined grounds and the beauty of its college-like campus reminded them of home. The friendly welcome was an added bonus. Orlando earned a degree in math from Fairfield College and an MBA from the University of Maryland. He climbed up the ranks in engineering and management at RCA; GE; Martin-Marietta; and, finally, Lockheed Martin. Anne was a dental hygienist for 23 years, but has been a stay-at-home mom and volunteer for eight years. Orlando’s 32-year career in the aerospace industry had taken him to Washington, D.C., but the family had always been able to remain in Philadelphia; they never relocated until Texas beckoned. With Orlando’s promotion to executive vice president and general manager of Lockheed’s F-35 program, the family discussed whether it was more important to move together to Texas or to keep the children in the schools and with the friends they had grown accustomed to. Once they found FWCD, there was no doubt in their minds what they were going to do—move to Fort Worth. Just what exactly were the Carvalhos looking for in a school? The

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girls, Katharine ’13 and Caroline ’14, were attending a Catholic girls’ school in Philadelphia. Anne and Orlando originally assumed the girls would continue their education at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, while Jack ’17 would attend St. Mark’s School of Texas. The family would live in Southlake as a compromise. The entire family was willing to make the necessary commutes, until Katharine discovered FWCD online. It was at her suggestion that her parents visited that rainy day in May, allowing the family to truly be together—work, home and school all within minutes of each other. Orlando said: “When everything about a school feels right, you know you don’t have to look any further. We quickly realized that FWCD answered the need of a college-prep environment and answered it well. Everyone we asked spoke highly of the School. It’s a beautiful campus, and everyone we met was so friendly and generous.” After the Carvalhos discovered the Mira Vista community, the deal was sealed. Good impressions of FWCD continued as the three children came to Fort Worth later in the month for their classroom visits with their student ambassadors. Jack said that Brennan Woods ’17 was a great ambassador, introducing him to all his classmates and making him feel extremely comfortable. Katharine was matched with Kaelyn Scoville ’13 and Caroline with Mary Claire Ekstrom ’14. Both girls received the same welcoming feeling from their ambassadors, and Anne complimented the student ambassador program by praising the communication she received from the ambassadors prior to the children’s visits. Howdy Week also provided an excellent introduction to FWCD, according to Anne and all the children. By Homecoming the girls were well-entrenched in FWCD with dates and mums—an eye-opening Texas tradition! fwcd.org

They are also impressed with the independence afforded FWCD students, especially in Upper School. Anne and Orlando feel the children are receiving a “more mature” education at FWCD because of that. There are several opportunities during the day to complete homework, meet with teachers for extra help or with friends to discuss assignments, or even to grab a bite to eat. And speaking of food, the consensus among the Carvalhos is that the food in Fischer Dining Pavilion is great, ample and full of wonderful choices. Katharine thinks she will be better prepared for college after spending two years at FWCD than if she had stayed at her school in Philadelphia. “The class selections are so much more extensive at FWCD,” says Katharine. “I’m going to be able to take several AP courses next year, and my old school only offered one.” Caroline adds: “The curriculum is similar to what we were used to in Philadelphia, but the co-ed environment adds so much to learning.

Chakka Cummings

The entire Carvalho family agrees that the education the children are receiving at FWCD is better than what they experienced in Philadelphia, not only because of the curriculum, but also thanks to the teachers and administrators. Anne said: “We came to FWCD expecting a college-prep curriculum, and, of course, we got that, but we did not expect the teachers and administrators to be so hands-on. Mr. [John] Stephens and Mr. [Chaka] Cummings in Middle School really know how to handle boys, keep their attention and help them reach their potential.” Anne and Jack also singled out Middle School Spanish Teacher Valerie Montgomery ’01 for her help in getting Jack to the level he needed to be in Spanish. “The teachers are available to the students. They want every child to succeed,” Anne said. Jack echoed the sentiment saying: “Señora Montgomery has helped me bring my grade up 20 points in Spanish. I couldn’t have done it without her extra attention.” Seventh graders Katherine Walters, Caroline Parker, Jack Carvalho and Anna Brett Hyde

Just hearing a boy’s point of view on a subject, especially one like history, is something I wasn’t used to, and I think it’s so much fun and exciting!” Katharine singled out Upper School History Teacher Dean Barker as a teacher who has helped her become a better student. While Barker says of Katharine: “Katharine works very hard and asks good questions. She seems to be well-liked and certainly respected by her classmates. I see that particularly when we are doing group work.” One of Caroline’s favorite teachers is Math Teacher Paula Weatherholt. According to Weatherholt, Caroline started the year as a shy and not very confident student. Now she says: “Wow, how different Caroline is! She has made many friends. You can hardly tell that she’s a new student any longer. She is speaking up in class and even helping others around her with their assignments. Her grades continue to improve but mostly her smiles are getting bigger and bigger each day. I’m so happy to see her with her friends and taking chances. She is a very special young lady.”

Getting Involved

James McKeachie ’13, Katharine Carvalho ’13, Caroline Carvalho ’14, Kaelyn Scoville ’13 and Hunter Williams ’13

SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

Few new families join the FWCD community and make the immediate impact on all aspects of campus life that the Carvalhos have. Anne laughingly remembers arriving in Fort Worth on August 11, book-sale day. The check-out lines were long in the library, but rather than complaining about the time spent waiting, Anne used it as an opportunity to visit, network and meet other parents. She said that she couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to FWCD. FALCONER

Kimberly Ferguson, past Falcon Club president, said about Anne: “When we were at SPC in Houston this winter, I met Anne at the Falcon Club parent event. She introduced herself, and we started talking about sports and what her children play, how she likes FWCD and Fort Worth. She mentioned that she loved to volunteer, and, knowing that we were going to get the Feeder on the Fly up and running for spring, ‘volunteer’ was a great word to hear from such a nice new parent. I contacted Anne as the home games started in the spring. She helped me several days, driving the Feeder on the Fly, selling cold drinks and snacks. Anne also volunteered to help me all day Thursday and Friday with SPC. She wanted to get involved in her children’s new school. I feel lucky our paths crossed. Anne is a wonderful Falcon Club volunteer!” The Carvalho children are also enjoying the array of activities and opportunities that FWCD offers. Katharine and Jack are budding thespians. Katharine sang in the chorus of “Damn Yankees” and is looking forward to next fall’s play. She was also on the SPC Championship soccer team, playing back-up goalie and, this spring, served as lacrosse manager. Katharine, more so than the other children, has embraced Fort Worth’s western culture. She often wears her now well-worn cowboy boots to school with her jumper.

Anne Carvalho helped with Feeder on the Fly during the SPC tournaments.

Jack enjoyed performing in the seventh-grade play, “Alice in Wonderland,” where he was cast as the March Hare. He also played volleyball, soccer and baseball, and is considering a run for Student Council. He hopes to be able to serve the FWCD students and thinks he can bring new ideas to the School. Jack enjoyed the recent seventh-grade Vicksburg trip, especially the time he got to spend away just getting to know his classmates. At the recent Middle School Awards Ceremony, Jack won the Core Value “Courage” Award, which was voted on by his classmates. Caroline is a distance runner who participated in the two-mile

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race at SPC and was named Most Improved Runner on the team. She also played soccer and ran cross country. She credits coaches Alee Sable and Ken Allen for encouraging her to strive to reach her full potential in track. Caroline also hopes to run for Student Council, and she is looking forward to being part of the Counseling Advisory and Wellness Team. Ginger Robinson, Upper School counselor, Caroline ran the two-mile at SPC. is looking forward to having Caroline on her team next year. Says Robinson: “Caroline has a continual smile on her face! She was a little more anxious about the move than Katharine, but she realized that she was going to have to get involved and make an effort to find some friends, and that is just what she did. Caroline has been running track and has found her niche in the program. Everyone who spends time with her can easily see what a kind, tender-hearted young lady she is. Caroline knows exactly who she is, and how she will choose to make ‘healthy choices’ throughout her years in high school. She is deeply respected by all who know her at FWCD!” The Carvalhos have a busy summer ahead of them—trips back to Philadelphia to see friends, Spanish tutoring, and FWCD soccer and volleyball camps. Friends visiting from Philadelphia over Memorial Day weekend were shocked to find that the newly converted Texans don’t ride horses to school, but they were not surprised to hear from the Carvalhos that football is “king” in Texas and at FWCD, another bit of Texas culture that the Carvalhos have embraced. Orlando sums up the feelings of the whole family when he says: “I believe we have become Texan. We love the culture, the great cuisine, and most of all the tremendous friendliness of the people. We all have our requisite cowboy boots, enjoy attending rodeos, and who can beat the weather? Coming from the colder northeast, the relatively mild winters and longer summers are much to our liking. In the end, good people, good food and good weather— what more could anyone ask for?” The feeling at Fort Worth Country Day is that a better family couldn’t be asked for either. Welcome to Fort Worth Country Day, Carvalhos. We’re glad you’re here!

fwcd.org

From Question to Project Learning to Problem Solve Motivates Students to Explore

Lisa Koger

By Renee Pierce Fort Worth Country Day’s reputation for consistently excellent and involvementbased academic programs is well deserved. With a first-rate faculty leading the way, the School has long been a frontrunner in the field of active learning with lessons that engage students in collaboration, evaluative thinking and promote their interest in problem solving. Educationally, it’s paying big dividends for students in and out of the classroom, and projects like the award-winning cancer research that Shree Bose ’12, 2011 Google Global Science Fair winner, conducted is a shining illustration. Using their cognitive skills, students are embracing new interests to develop everything from studies in communications to catapults to gaming apps. SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

Taking on big projects early is Coleman Fortson ’18. Still in Middle School, he wanted to know more about how computer games were made. Initial result: His Action Pepper! game for iPhone, iPod and iPad users was released in February via RippleWave Productions. Coleman’s desire was to create a nonviolent game, so he chose a healthy, friendly green bell pepper to block flying bananas. For the music, he opted for energizing classical selections, including “Wizards in Winter” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and “300 Violin Orchestra” by Jorge Quintero.

How do I do that? For many Fort Worth Country Day students, the answer is research, collaborate, compile a test sample, evaluate results and determine how to improve.

Designed for young users, Action Pepper! fosters the development of eye-hand coordination and sports easy A/B controls. The initial draft started with only two levels. Coleman has grown the game to 20 and is still updating with new levels and surprise features. FALCONER

Working with an app developer center, Coleman initiated his app idea, and by the end of December, his parents, Lisa and Ben Fortson ’78, had helped him register to be a developer. Over the next week, he began the coding and testing process to prepare his app for submission to the app store. When he was ready to submit it, he shocked both his parents by asking for highly personal information such as their checking account information, routing number and Social Security numbers. Alarmed, Ben adamantly said no, and Lisa had to step in, smooth the waters and help

We were most interested to learn that younger girls utilized Twitter more, and the use of Facebook progressed upward with age. Margaret Lee ’12 While registering and getting the app approved took more than a month,

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Seniors Shree Bose and Margaret Lee created a poster summing up their findings related to communication variances between age groups, genders and methods for their Statistics course. The poster was entered in the annual American Statistical Association Poster Contest.

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developing Action Pepper! only took Coleman about 12 hours. He admits that he works quickly on his computer and credits his mother with advancing his skills for rapid navigation of Web pages. “She wants my computer time to be balanced with the rest of life, so I’m limited to an hour a day,” Coleman said. “I have to work fast.”

entered in the annual American Statistical Association Poster Contest.

Unphased by the time limits, Coleman has decided this is just the start of his app pursuits. He’s currently working on a new game app that he hopes to launch in August and is excited to expand his knowledge and skills.

Recently awarded an Educational Seminars Alumni Small Grant via the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. State Department, Carlson is utilizing the funding to work with Middle School history teachers to expand the ancient archeology unit to a multi-level interdisciplinary activity. Activities will give students the opportunity to explore how real-world studies include elements of science, math, reading and writing.

Embraced by the FWCD faculty, problemand project-based learning is an essential focus for teachers who believe strongly in its benefits for the students. New Middle School/Upper School Latin Instructor Bryan Carlson is among them.

More often, it’s class assignments that motivate students to integrate their interests with problem-solving techniques. Seniors Margaret Lee and Shree Bose utilized their skills in design and assessment to fulfill a project for statistics class. They conducted a study on the variances in communication between age groups, genders and methods.

Both agreed that their favorite part of the project was working together to construct the study and evaluate the results. “Collaborating made it fun and added more dimension because there was more than one perspective,” Lee affirmed. Their findings were demonstrated on a poster that they fwcd.org

Bryan Carlson, Middle School/Upper School Latin instructor, and John Cordell, Upper School physics teacher, provide feedback to juniors Alex Allsup, Stanley Brown and Alikhan Karimi on their catapult.

long before his passion for developing problem-solving skills led him to create a mock archeological site for his seventhgrade Latin students. Using 3,200 pounds of soil and myriad recreated artifacts, he established an ancient civilization for them to discover and study just outside the Middle School.

After brainstorming what they wanted to know and researching how to obtain information, the girls randomly selected 61 test subjects and conducted trials in four methods: talk, text, Facebook and Twitter. Their self-designed testing factored in grammatical and typographical errors, text speak, time to construct messages, word counts and usage methods. Overall, they discovered the worst grammar was found in tweeting; the majority of typos were unsurprisingly in texts; and word counts were highest among females. “We were most interested to learn that younger girls utilized Twitter more, and the use of Facebook progressed upward with age,” acknowledged Lee. “Also, our results were similar to comparable national studies we found,” added Bose.

Tiffini Crum

Coleman’s infatuation with computers started early, and his drive to create his own game began in fourth grade when he researched the topic and explored the steps for building one. His interest intensified during a Stanford summer camp when he discovered Xcode and learned to use the developer tools online.

Coleman finish his submission. “Looking back, it’s funny,” related Lisa. “We had no idea that type of information would be required, so it seemed crazy when Coleman asked for it. Now we know that as soon as your app is approved, it’s ready for sale and you have to be set up to receive deposits for the purchases immediately. The approval process took several weeks, and I started seeing deposits shortly after receiving the text that it was approved and ready for sale in the Apple App Store.”

“The students loved it,” Carlson said. “Among my favorite aspects of the project were how some of the students’ assessments varied from my intended results and the different paths they took to reach the same conclusion.”

The grant opportunity is open to alumni of the exchanges, training and study abroad programs administered by the American Councils for International Education. Carlson qualified through his participation in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange last summer, which took him to archeological sites in Italy.

Now he’s expanding to a dual-class project, where eighth-grade history students create a dig for fifth-grade students to explore. Carlson’s vision is that the project could become another traditional learning experience in the FWCD program, one the students participate in as fifth graders and look forward to managing as eighth graders. He has also discussed the project with Visual Arts Department Chair Tom Delaney, who could ultimately involve his art students with a study in ancient art forms and projects to create artifacts for the dig.

Bringing the excitement of his experience back to the classroom, he decided to invest in some ancient coin samples for his students to view last fall. It wasn’t

That’s not the only thought-provoking assignment he’s introduced. This spring, Carlson initiated a catapult contest for Upper School physics students that

Lisa Koger

His plans do not stop there. “In time, I want to figure out how to include inapp purchases so gamers can buy add-on options while playing,” he said. “I also want to build more secret features into the higher levels.”

Seventh graders Riley Hamburg and Robert Patton remove dirt while Robert Todora measures the depth of the dig.

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scored on principles of distance, accuracy and reliability. The structure had to successfully launch five times. He also encouraged students to collaborate with theater tech students in designing their catapults. “Constructing a working catapult is quite challenging,” he said. “While nine teams entered, only three made it through the research and design phases and were able to arrive on competition day with working catapults.” He added that two units suffered damage in the testing phases, but all three teams were able to complete their required five shots. Two teams scored direct hits on a target that was only 30 cm square, and the winning catapult made a shot of more than 20 meters. Projects like these motivate Carlson as much as they do the students. “I’m a problem solver,” he explained, “and I’m passionate that young people understand and retain more when they learn how to examine and figure things out. Interactive projects that promote thinking skills and collaboration are one of the most important tools we can use to educate our students.” With each interest they explore and problem they tackle, our young Falcons are proving him right. FALCONER

Breakthrough Fort Worth

Fort Worth Country Day

Making “College Knowledge” Possible for First-Generation Students By Renee Pierce

Final destination: University of Oklahoma ... by way of Austin College in Sherman, Texas The journey may not sound exciting, but for 32 Breakthrough students, February 3 was a great day of exploration. It was their opportunity to compare notes from their college admissions workshops with the tangible experience of touring campuses, and, like many of their hands-on lessons in Breakthrough, they loved it. As the bus trekked north from the Fort Worth Country Day campus, College Counseling Associate Director Abby Noel and Breakthrough Student Services Coordinator Alessandra Carrasco led students in a practice class to prepare them for the questions they would ask tour guides. At Austin College, they received an admissions presentation about the benefits and offerings of a liberal arts college. Students and chaperones were amazed that 70 percent of the college’s students study abroad. After touring campus, students were treated to lunch in the dining hall, an activity that gives them a feel for the pulse of the campus and its student body. On the University of Oklahoma campus, students had a behind-the-scenes visit that included campus folklore, stories of haunted buildings and an inside look at a residence hall. Later, they met with two former Breakthrough student teachers who

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talked about their student experiences and feelings about the university. Breakthrough Program Director Anna Hamilton added: “It [Oklahoma] was the best tour we’ve had. The admissions presentation was great. Rather than tour us as one group, they took time to break students up into three small groups, providing a more attentive experience and the opportunity to make more meaningful admissions contacts. It was a fresh approach, fun for the students and very well done.” Only in its third year, the regional colleges day tour has become an important component of the Breakthrough high school series. When the Breakthrough team initiated a strategic plan three years ago to expand services with new high school programming, college admissions was the natural focus. The majority of Breakthrough students are first-generation college students. They and their families are without the “college knowledge” necessary to successfully pursue the admissions process. Breakthrough fills that gap with readiness workshops designed to introduce students to the steps of application, teach them how to research schools and funding options, as well as provide them access to special activities like the college day tour. Joe Breedlove ’78, the program’s longtime director, believes strongly in the touring

segment and the program itself. “Taking the students on campuses really drives home the broad array of lessons they learn in class. They feel the energy of campus life, meet actual students and admissions staff, and begin to envision themselves going to college,” he said. “It’s a powerful experience, and one they need more than they realize. In non-affluent households, like those served by Breakthrough, touring colleges is low on the list of spending extras, if it makes the list at all.” The tour is an earned opportunity. First, students must fulfill an array of workshops in the CREW series. An acronym for College Readiness in Every Way, CREW establishes ninth- and 10thgrade students on a college-preparatory track, introducing them to the college admissions process. Students learn the value of course selection, how to evaluate extracurricular activities and steps to ensure their goals are SMART: specific, measurable, action-based, realistic and timely. In addition to touring, group activities include a mock college fair and a mock admissions committee to assess actual applications. The touring activity creates a momentum for the next and newest series in the six-year Breakthrough lineup, Keys to College (K2C). In this series, students focus exclusively on college admissions. Eleventh graders research schools and funding; explore the many types of colleges; and develop their top 10 list of fwcd.org

schools, categorizing each with a criteriaassessed acceptance rating of either reach (fulfills minimum), match (meets/ surpasses) or safety (exceeds). In addition, they compile their resume and build an application portfolio. As students near senior year, they fulfill college and funding applications and participate in one-on-one sessions with Hamilton; Carrasco; and newest member of Breakthrough FWCD, Eric Mosley. Working with one of these leaders, students will review their portfolios and receive guidance in assessing their progress, planning their next steps and navigating challenges. As host school, FWCD is an influential partner in developing the new high school initiatives of the past three years. FWCD students involved in the program provide insight from their own counseling experiences, and the FWCD college counseling team has been a great afterschool mentor to Breakthrough staff for questions about structuring activities. Ensuring “college knowledge” is an important new strategic step for the Breakthrough program. By providing the high school component, Breakthrough’s FWCD family and many donors are making it possible for students to learn that on the journey into higher learning, knowledge rules.

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PERFORMING ARTS

PERFORMING

Arts

FWCD Budding Playwrights Five Fort Worth County Day students “wordsmithed” their way to a win at the 2012 High School Playwriting Project, sponsored by Circle Theatre and Fort Worth Theatre. Stephen Hwang ’12, Arden Terry ’14 and Peter Bowden ’12 were contest finalists and Coleman Walker ’15 and Haley Pigman ’13 were named semifinalists.

Tiffini Crum

The students were honored in April at an awards ceremony and special reception in Circle Theatre’s Sundance Square space, along with their teacher, Melodee Halbach, director of theatre. Friends and family were treated to staged readings of the finalists’ plays, which included Hwang’s “The Best Friend,” “Terry’s “Where Is Waldo” and Bowden’s “Cornered.” Awards were presented following the performance.

Fifth-grade choir members (top row): Rachel Patton, Catherine Harris, Alauna Pete, Lauren Hughes, Julia Hayes Middle row: Alexander D’Souza, Joe Atkinson, Ellie Horton, Jessica Schaffer, Isabella Coslik Front row: David Buis, Boyd Bailey, Julia Atkinson

Arden Terry ’14, Haley Pigman ’13, Coleman Walker ’15, Peter Bowden ’12 and Stephen Hwang ’12

Kashmira Nana ’12 performed with the Upper School orchestra.

Pigman’s play is titled “The Adventures of Zeon Zow!” and Walker’s is “The Cat’s in the Cradle. The Theatre Department’s program promotes playwriting early, Halbach said. Students write a group play in seventh grade and then write individual plays from eighth grade through their senior year. “We have been entering the Playwriting Project as long as I can remember,” Halbach said, “and have won finalist or semifinalist each year. Our students are great writers: witty and really quite talented. I’m so proud of them.”

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Lisa Koger

Six schools participated in this year’s contest, including FWCD, Nolan Catholic High School, Haltom High School, Southwest Christian School, Aledo High School and Trinity Valley School. In total, 66 scripts were submitted for review. The only other school to boast winners was Haltom High School.

John Wittman ’16, Michael Chan ’18 and Reagan Smith ’17

Every year, the Freshman Theater Arts class performs original scripts to the International Thespian Society and Drama Club. This year’s scripts, voted on by their peers, were “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Coleman Walker, a semifinalist in the High School Playwriting Project sponsored by Fort Worth Theatre and Circle Theatre and “Hopes of Spring” by Katherine Haley. The students directed their own pieces. From left: Freshmen Mary Geren, Eleni Michaelides and Connor Reese in “Hopes of Spring” written and directed by Katherine Haley.

fwcd.org

Samuel DeRobertis ’18 and DJ WIlliams ’16 Photos by Glen E. Ellman

Ben Phillips ’13, Phillip Diffley ’12, Lauren Haley ’12, John Kouris ’12 and Stephen Hwang ’12 perform in Swan Lake

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PERFORMING ARTS

Supporting C.A.S.T. Highlights Photos by Lisa Koger

Creative Arts Students and Teachers, better known as the Supporting C.A.S.T., provides financial support for extracurricular activities for the creative arts for grades K-12. During the 2011-12 school year, C.A.S.T. contributed more than $14,000 in financial assistance for arts opportunities in the Lower, Middle and Upper schools. Students in ballet, band, drama, orchestra/ music/choir and the visual arts enjoyed lectures, performances and workshops by well-known local and national artists. Here are some of the highlights:

Sheryl Meyers, professional makeup

artist, delighted and entertained classes with lessons in applying makeup to show youth, middle age, old age and extreme old age (using latex). Meyers has been a makeup artist for 30 years. She graduated from high school with a cosmetology license, then attended Brigham Young University where she majored in fashion design with an emphasis in costuming. While in college, Meyers worked with a costume designer who designed for the Utah Olympics and with Hair/Wig Artist Karl Wesson who has won two Emmy Awards. Meyers worked on several movies in Utah and has worked in theater doing makeup, wigs and costumes.

The Quebe Sisters Band, a trio of siblings from Fort Worth who are nationally recognized for their singing ability and virtuosic fiddle playing in the western swing style, entertained FWCD students on February 7. Fronted by the Bob Wills-style triple-fiddle work of Grace, Hulda and Sophia, the band was anchored by the rhythm guitar of the sisters’ longtime associate, friend and mentor, Joey McKenzie. The steady, but driving, pulse behind their music was provided by Drew Phelps, bass fiddle player and former student of FWCD Strings Director Rex Bozarth. The sisters who began singing together in 2005, play by ear in the tradition of Western swing. Students enjoyed tunes such as “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie,” “Roly Poly” and “Every Which Way.”

Nancy Lamb, figurative painter of local and national acclaim, worked with the painting and drawing students as a culmination to their figurative studio work in ink and charcoal. Discussing her own work, process and motivations, Lamb reviewed student work and provided feedback and inspiration. Lamb is a supporter of FWCD visual arts, visiting often for a variety of projects and recently served as a juror for the Private School Invitational Middle School Art Show.

Neil Patrick Stewart ’96 writer,

director, actor and teacher, worked with Upper School actors on exercises and elements from his personal approach, “The Generous Actor.” Stewart’s wife, Monica Raymund, was also on hand for one day of the workshop, treating students to a Q&A session about what life is like on the set of a television show. She plays Dana Lodge in “The Good Wife” and will star in a new series on NBC titled “Chicago Fire.” Raymund received her acting training from the Juilliard School, and Stewart earned an MFA in acting from The American Repertory Theater at Harvard University. Makeup Artist Sheryl Meyers shows Kaitlyn Frantz ’13 how to age for the stage.

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fwcd.org

Pat Gabriel, Fort Worth-based realist painter, worked with the Upper School painting and drawing students demonstrating oil painting techniques. He works from original pictures depicting local traffic patterns, neighborhoods and industrial parks. Noted for his colorist approach to everyday scenes in palettes inspired by twilight and dawn light, Gabriel provided the perfect capstone to a recent student project. As part of the “urban-life” project, art students visited local museums and downtown Fort Worth for inspiration. They then developed printmaking and painting projects based on the theme. SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

Caitlin Carter is a Bob Fosse-trained dancer who visited FWCD in November for a weeklong audition workshop that included dance, music and acting. She worked with the students on their “Damn Yankees” auditions and introduced them to the Fosse dance style. Carter’s Broadway career spans more than 10 years and includes the shows “Ain’t Broadway Grand,” “Victor/Victoria,” “CHICAGO,” “Swing!” and “Bells Are Ringing.” FALCONER

PERFORMING ARTS

ATHLETIC

News

Glen E. Ellman

Director of Theatre Melodee Halbach noted that this musical had large senior and freshman class representation and the most dancing boys ever. The Theatre Department tries to alternate classical with current shows. Halbach said “Damn Yankees” was the first Bob Fosse show she has directed in her 13 years at FWCD. Peter Bowden ’12 and Kirstin Mullins ’13 perform “Whatever Lola Wants” from the musical “Damn Yankees.”

In addition to the entertaining performance on stage, an important event was taking place off stage, Halbach said.

The senior class mentored the freshmen, sharing wisdom garnered from years of participating in the Theatre Department. Some had one freshman that they helped, but many guided small groups. As the seniors spoke about their time in theater, they all spoke warmly about the “family” they have grown to know and love. The Schmidt and Jones Awards 2011-12 Nominees BEST MUSICAL Damn Yankees! BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Peter Bowden ’12 Stephen Hwang ’12 BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Maddie Hill ’12 BEST ACTRESS IN A MINOR ROLE Mary Geren ’15 BEST FEMALE ENSEMBLE PERFORMER Haley Pigman ’13 Glen E. Ellman

Top row: Coach Tarik Guendouzi, Katharine Carvalho ’13, Haley Harvison ’14, Megan Murphy ’14, Elizabeth Pruitt ’13, Eliza Wagner ’14, Katelyn Tierney ’15, Beth Ann Herd ’14, Haddy Self ’13, Taylor Ray ’13, Coach Merrick Bean ’02 Middle row: Vanessa Fernandez ’13, Claudia Boyd ’14, Annalyn Kumar ’15, Meghann Kasal ’13, Bailee Wallace ’14, Lauren Wagner ’14, Lauren Phillips ’15, Megan Ray ’13, Isabella Burnette ’15, Kate Laughlin ’15, Mary Geren ’15, Devon Davis ’15, Alden Griffin ’14 Seated: Kat Hyde ’12, Erin Parker ’12, Claire Buechele ’12

Outstanding Freshman Athletes Melody Rodriguez and Sawyer Stratton Awarded annually to the outstanding freshman athletes who display athletic talents that contribute to the FWCD athletic program.

Barrett Havran ’98 Award J.R. Gideon Awarded annually to the outstanding sophomore boy athlete who displays athletic talents that contribute to the FWCD athletic program. Dr. Bill Curtis ’67 Award Morgan Pergande ’13 Awarded annually to the outstanding undergraduate boy athlete whose athletic talents contribute to the FWCD athletic program. FALCONER

fwcd.org

The team was led by three seniors, Claire Buechele, Kat Hyde and Erin Parker. Over the course of their four years on the varsity squad, the team won two championships (’10, ’12), was runner up in 2009 and third place in 2011.

Year-End Major Athletic Awards

Outstanding Sophomore Athletes McKenna Breedlove and Maddy Stripling Awarded annually to the outstanding sophomore athletes who display athletic talents that contribute to the FWCD athletic program.

SPC Division I Soccer Champions Girls’ soccer celebrated a near-perfect season, bringing home the Southwest Preparatory Conference Division I Championship trophy. The Falcons beat Kinkaid of Houston 1-0 in the championship game. The team beat St. Mary’s Hall of San Antonio in the first round 5-0, followed by a win in the semifinals against John Cooper of The Woodlands, 1-0. The team was undefeated in conference play and posted 10 shutouts in conference and tournament play. The Falcons outscored their opponents 50-8.

Russel Laughlin

Playing before sold-out crowds, the FWCD Theatre Department hit a home run with the musical comedy, “Damn Yankees.” The 46-member cast sang and danced its way into the hearts of the audience (cue: “You Gotta Have Heart,” one of the audience favorites). Set in the 1950s, the story takes place in Washington, D.C., when the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball, and incorporates the age-old Faust theme of making a deal with the devil. Joe Hardy, a Washington Senators fan, played by Ben Phillips ’13, is tempted by the devil, Mr. Applegate, (Stephen Hwang ’12) and his handmaiden, Lola (Kirstin Mullins ’13). A young Joe (Peter Bowden ’12) wins the pennant for the Senators and returns to his wife Meg (Ginny Greene ’12).

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Richard Steed ’83 Award Haddy Self ’13 Awarded annually to the outstanding undergraduate girl athlete whose athletic talents contribute to the FWCD athletic program. Class of ’72 Award James Chilcoat ’12 Awarded annually to the senior boy who demonstrates improvement in athletic performance. Don Welch Memorial Trophy Abby Cox Awarded annually to the senior girl who demonstrates improvement in athletic performance. William A. Landreth Jr. ’67 Award Cameron Fraser Awarded annually to the outstanding senior boy whose athletic talents contribute to the FWCD athletic program. Varsity Awards Claire Buechele, James Chilcoat, Tara Gordon, Kat Hyde and Erin Parker Presented to the athletes who have lettered on 12 (or more in this case) varsity teams.

Lisa Koger

Yankees Lose the Pennant! Yankees Lose the Pennant!

Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Award Mariano Aufiero and Claire Buechele Awarded annually to the senior boy and/or girl who epitomize the ideal scholar-athlete by demonstrating academic excellence and outstanding athletic performance. Class of ’70 Award Kat Hyde and Erin Parker Awarded annually to the outstanding senior girl athlete(s) whose athletic talents contributes to the FWCD athletic program. Dr. Lawrence P. Kleuser Memorial Trophy Tara Gordon and Kevin Murphy Awarded annually to the senior boy and/or girl who display the qualities of character, sportsmanship, enthusiasm and team spirit and contribute to the general excellence of FWCD. FALCONER

ATHLETIC NEWS

ALUMNI

News

Tiffini Crum

Scott and Cynthia Rimmer Prince ’89

DeMar McGuire Sciuto ’99 and Frank Sciuto

Lisa Koger

Welcome to the Alumni Association Luncheon Each spring, the FWCD Alumni Association hosts a lunch to welcome the current FWCD seniors as alumni. The event takes on a new format each year, and this year was no different. With the popularity of the food trucks around town, the Alumni Association brought in the YES! Taco truck and treated seniors to a picnic-style lunch on the lawn outside the Schwartz Administration Building and Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center. The seniors enjoyed the special meal, as they completed surveys about their time at FWCD.

Nine FWCD Athletes Enter the Next Level

The setting in the Upper School Commons was festive as Athletic Director Frank Gendusa introduced the four baseball players. Gendusa praised each of them as versatile athletes with determination and a strong work ethic. According to the coaches, each player has the heart of a champion and has been a team leader while playing for FWCD. Taylor Smith was introduced by Coach Tarik Guendouzi who thanked Taylor’s coaches and teachers on her behalf for their support as Taylor excelled as a

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member of the U.S. National Soccer Team. She also was a two-time NSCAA Youth All-American (2010-11). Finally, Coach Paige Farris Chisholm ’87 introduced Tara Gordon, her niece. Coach Chisholm proudly told how Tara began playing field hockey at an early age and worked hard to reach her goal. Chisholm said: “She takes nothing for granted. The road has not been easy and yet she has risen above adversity and achieved great things. She has truly been an inspiration to me and her teammates.” On the April 11 National Signing Day, two more FWCD student-athletes committed to participate at the college level. Erin Parker will be a member of the softball team at Rhodes College. She is currently the leading hitter on the FWCD team, hitting .588. She was also a member of the SPC Division I Championship softball team in 2011. Head Softball Coach, DeAnn Hall said: “Erin is a versatile player who will impact the Rhodes softball program immediately, both offensively and defensively. Her work ethic, leadership and personality will be greatly missed at FWCD!”

Oliver Salonna will be rowing for Boston University. He currently holds the state record for fastest junior on an indoor rowing machine (ergometer) and is the defending state and central American singles and doubles champion. He will defend both titles in the near future. Jules Slim, coach of the Dallas Rowing Club juniors, heaped praise on Salonna saying: “He is a game-changer in every sense of the word. He simply has no quit. He elevated our program to new heights and raised the bar for men’s rowing in Texas for years to come.” Meaghan Houston had previously signed with Furman University to play softball. (see Fall/Winter 2011 Falconer). Each athlete was presented with a personalized pen set in a wooden box to sign their letters. Parents, friends, teachers and classmates cheered as each letter was signed. The athletes were then honored at receptions in the Schwartz Room. Pictured above: Matt Beasley, Oliver Salonna, Daniel Steinbrenner, Reid Meyer, Taylor Smith, Thomas Boucher, Erin Parker, Meaghan Houston and Tara Gordon

fwcd.org

Spring Fling The Second Annual FWCD Alumni Spring Fling took place March 31 at Chimy’s Cerveceria. Alumni from all decades mingled and watched the first game in the Final Four Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship. Tiffini Crum

This year on the three National Signing Days, one of the largest groups of FWCD seniors signed letters of intent to participate in college athletics. On February 1, six FWCD seniors committed to play for Division I, Division II, NAIA and NJCAA schools. The signees were Tara Gordon, Northwestern University, field hockey; Taylor Smith, UCLA, women’s soccer; Reid Meyer, Texas Tech, baseball; Daniel Steinbrenner, Arkansas Tech, baseball; Matt Beasley, Wayland Baptist, baseball; and Thomas Boucher, Metropolitan Community College at Longview, baseball.

Steve Brock ’84 and Bill Jones ’84

Former FWCD Faculty/Staff Reunion The Alumni Association and Club Viginti hosted the third Former Faculty/Staff Reunion on April 19. The reunions give former faculty and staff an opportunity to renew friendships as well as visit campus. Former faculty and staff were joined by current faculty, staff and alumni. This year’s reunion took place in the Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center. Claire-Lise Knecht H’06, original faculty member, represented Club Viginti in welcoming guests. Cynthia Rimmer Prince ’87, Alumni Council president, gave an overview of plans for FWCD’s 50th Celebration which begins on Founders’ Day in 2013. Assistant Head of School Steve Stackhouse described the Middle School expansion and several changes in the Lower School that include the redesign of classrooms, the foreign language rooms and Lower School offices. The next Former Faculty/Staff Reunion is planned for fall 2013 during the School’s 50th anniversary. SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

Alumni Council members Cynthia Rimmer Prince ’87, Chloe Bade Anderson ’05, Bill Jones ’84, Liz Stapp Fleischer ’84, Tasa Lefler Anderson ’88, John Thompson ’93, DeMar McGuire Sciuto ’99, Sharon Maberry Cooper ’86, Robert Chu ’93, Paige Farris Chisholm ’87, Mary Hallman Smith ’03, Alexandra Stevens ’85 and Joe Breedlove ’78 all came out in support of this fun event. For the past two years, the FWCD Alumni Association has set a goal to reach out to more alumni. The Spring Fling was established as an event that would appeal to all ages. Alumni and present and former faculty enjoyed reminiscing about their time together at FWCD. FALCONER

CLASS NOTES

CLASS

Notes

To submit information for Class Notes and Alumni News, contact Mary Lou Hilliard, alumni relations coordinator, at marylou.hilliard@fwcd.org or 817.302.3292.

Join us on

Baron Lobstein ’89 began a one-year assignment to the Russia directorate of the National Security Council (NSC). He is responsible for supporting the president and NSC officials on economic issues relating to Russia. Previously, Lobstein served as senior economic officer on the State Department’s Russia Desk for one year and three years at the American Embassy in Moscow in a series of positions relating to environmental protection, health policy and economic affairs.

1990s

Jennifer Gaines Drez ’90 and FWCD parent Robin Bumstead wrote and published “Goodnight Cowtown,” a children’s book about Fort Worth. Artist Lisa Carrington Voight ’92, illustrated the book. The text, combined with the vibrant illustrations, gives a deeper look inside Fort Worth’s world-renowned museums, sports teams, historical landmarks and favorite spots. The book is available at goodnightcowtown.com, as well as various local retail establishments. It appeals to children of all ages, visitors wanting a memento of their time in Cowtown and anyone who has emotional ties to Fort Worth. Allison Carpenter Yoder ’93; husband, Pete; and son, Will, welcomed baby Andrew George on September 7, 2011. (photo right)

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Kevin Donahue ’02 and Allison Johnson were married on June 4, 2011 in Oxford, MS, where they both attended the University of Mississippi and met while Kevin was a cheerleader and Allison a Rebelette. The ceremony took place at the home of their cheerleader/Rebelette sponsor. Falcons in the wedding were J. Mack Slaughter ’02 and Matt Slataper ’02. After a honeymoon in the Turks and Caicos the couple is back in San Antonio, TX, where Kevin is completing the final year of his joint JD/ MBA degree at St. Mary’s University, and Allison works as a graphic designer. (photo above)

Neil and Monica live in Los Angeles where Monica is currently appearing on the TV show “The Good Wife.” Neil is the author of the book, “Fact. Fact. Bullsh*t!: Learn the Truth and Spot the Lie on Everything from Tequila-Made Diamonds to Tetriss’ Soviet Roots-Plus Tons of Other Totally Random Facts from Science, History, and Beyond!,” which can be found at Barnes & Noble, Urban Outfitters and amazon.com.

Melissa LeBus O’Neill ’97 and husband, Ryan, welcomed Alice Katherine O’Neill on November 17, 2011. (photo left) Major Joe Kosek ’97, is engaged to Lisa Velte, of Seattle, WA. Kosek is currently stationed at Fort Carson, CO. At the end of March, he deployed with his unit to Afghanistan for a nine-month tour—his second in Afghanistan. Upon Kosek’s return, the couple will marry at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus, where they both graduated, in spring 2013. Kelly Decker ’98 and her husband, Olyn Poole, welcomed a baby boy, William Olyn Poole, on April 16. Decker, senior associate at Decker Jones, was also honored by “Fort Worth Business Press” in its 40 Under 40 issue.

Rachel Stepp ’07 married Brooks Minckard in Fort Worth January 14. The couple honeymooned in St. Lucia. Falcons in the wedding included Mary Ellen Stanley ’07, Julia Jennings ’09, Megan Felton ’11, Sonny Stepp ’11, Joe Pate ’11 and Greg Caraway ’11.

Courtney Crummel Summers ’99 was hired by DFW-based Consuro Managed Technology as marketing director. Summers previously worked at Concussion, a Fort Worth-based advertising agency.

2000s Jonathan Nesvadba ’00 is director of the Music Department at Miso Music, which was featured on an episode of “Shark Tank.” The company’s CEO pitched its iPad and iPhone app, which teaches people how to play musical instruments online. The app was No. 11 for the iPad during the show’s airtime and the No. 2 music app for the iPhone the following weekend. Nesvadba approves all musical content in the app before it is added to the store. Right now, there are more than 1,000 pop/ rock songs, classical pieces and music lessons available either for free or 99 cents. He also teaches the programmers music lessons so they can be prepared for future projects, which will include iPads and other mobile devices replacing textbooks and sheet music. FWcd.org

Photo provided by Andrea Polito Photography.

1980s

Neil Patrick Stewart ’96 married Monica Raymund June 11, 2011, in Beaver Creek, CO. Falcons at the wedding included Cornell Woolridge ’96 and Emily Stewart Lakdawalla ’92. Former Director of Admission Karen Stewart and former faculty from the FWCD Theatre Department Pam Chernick and Les Hofheinz also attended.

Clayvia Yates-Ford ’02 and her husband, Ataleo, welcomed a 6-pound 4-ounce baby girl, Atalia Joy Ford, on December 27, 2011. The Fords reside in Fort Worth. (photo above) David Carr ’03 seems to have hit it big with his first entrepreneurial tech product “Twine.” He and his partner introduced it on Kickstarter.com. The site uses the Internet to allow people to seek development funds or pre-orders to help new products and projects get started. They introduced Twine over Thanksgiving, seeking pre-orders totaling $35,000 to start production. At the end of the funding period, they had generated $556,00 from Kickstarter. More information about the product and additional information is available on

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Morgan Mallick ’04 and Thomas West ’05 were married August 6, 2011, at Saint Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth. They honeymooned in Switzerland for two weeks before returning home to reside in Fort Worth. Morgan is pursuing a graduate degree in social work at UT Arlington, and Thomas is in commercial real estate.

Send in your news for Class Notes! Contact Mary Lou Hilliard, alumni relations coordinator, at marylou.hilliard@fwcd.org or 817.302.3292. FALCONER

CLASS NOTES their company website supermechanical. com/twine/. The product has attracted the attention of several corporations and tech-savvy individuals, including Mark Zuckerberg. David and his fiancé, Ashley Allen ’04, will be moving to Austin at the end of May.

Caroline V. Dugan ’08 and Sarah Nieswiadomy ’08 were spotted at Aggie Ring Day! (photo above)

Chazz Robinson ’08 was accepted to be a 2012 Teach For America corps member in Dallas/Fort Worth. Teach For America is a highly selective program that recruits and trains top graduates to be full-time teachers in a low-income neighborhood for two years. Ross Neuenfeldt ’07, is appearing in the movie “Shady Lady” as 1st Lt. Doug S. Craig. The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May. “Shady Lady” is the epic story of a B-24 Liberator bomber aircraft called Shady Lady that took off from Darwin, Australia, on Friday, August 13, 1943, on the world’s longest-ever attempted bombing mission. Shady Lady survived intense tropical thunderstorms, serious turbulence, heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire and was chased by Japanese Zero fighters, but never made it back to base. After 16 hours and 35 minutes in the air, Shady Lady ran out of fuel and crash-landed in a salt-pan, in the remotest part of Northern Australia.

Read more about the movie at www. factnotfictionfilms.com/shadylady.

Annalee Hurst ’09 performed at Joe’s Pub in New York City with Jamie Lawrence in “No Time Like the Present,” a cabaret directed by Nora York. She is currently in the webseries CAPS.

Five Years of Service

Celebrate FWCD

Stay Connected! As a member of the FWCD community, you share a bond with your former classmates and teachers. It is an honor to be an FWCD graduate, and we want to ensure you are using our resources to your advantage. The FWCD website is a great tool to help you stay connected to your friends and the School. Benefits of the FWCD website: • Connect with former classmates, friends and faculty • Locate business opportunities • Discover ways to get involved with the School or Alumni Association. Please email marylou.hilliard@fwcd.org to update your contact information so you can be informed about Falcon news and upcoming events.

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Parents, faculty, staff, students and alumni are already hard at work planning for Fort Worth Country Day’s 50th anniversary. This golden anniversary, which kicks off on March 6, 2013 at the School’s annual Founders’ Day celebration and runs through Founders’ Day 2014, will have something for everyone. Frasher Hudson Pergande ’81 and Cynthia Rimmer Prince ’87 are the 50th anniversary co-chairs, leading a committee of individuals who are eager to create the most memorable events.

50th Anniversary Committee Members Jennifer Berry Anderson ’87 Tasa Lefler Anderson ’88 Andreanne Annis Joe Breedlove ’78 Ting Wang Bresnahan ’94 Anjie Landreth Butler ’94 Paige Farris Chisholm ’87 Mary Rabalais Collins ’83 Bill Curtis Leslie Daly Tom Delaney Julie Diamond Jennifer Gaines Drez ’90 David Ekstrom ’75 Dan Foust Susanna Brooks Gorski Tina Harrison Gorski ’01 Gynna Harlin Mary Lou Hilliard Joni Horton Debby Jennings Dan Jones

Bill ’67 & Gail ’69 Landreth George LeBus Michelle Marlow Huck Newberry ’77 Anne Hargis Olson ’07 Dina Paul Ed Nelson ’89 Evan Peterson Jeff Rattikin ’82 Tamara Reese Shannon Ricca Amy Boyd Ryan ’80 Stacy Sanford Eddy & Lynny Sankary Scott ’86 & Michelle Sankary Trish Thompson Sheats ’86 Steve Stackhouse John Thompson ’79 Sandra Tuomey Jean Webb Jenny Westermann Robin Willis fwcd.org

Emily Bintliff, Silvestre Castro, Teresa Crafton, Anna Hamilton Mike Mancini, Jeanette Matthews Randy Shaw

10 Years of Service Pepper Ackers ’92, Andreanne Annis, Robert Booth, Paige Chisholm ’87, Betty Darden, Dorrine DeChant, Laurie Fields, Tara Forrest, Judith Garrett, Ronny Harkey, Marsha Rapfogel ’71, Mary Weir, Robin Willis

15 Years of Service

Founders’ Day 2012 FWCD celebrates Founders’ Day each year to honor the School and its faculty and staff. Each year, faculty and staff are honored for being part of the FWCD family for five or more years, and 20-year members are inducted to Club Viginti. Thirty-three FWCD faculty and staff were recognized for their service this year. Founders’ Day also brings a guest speaker to share memories of the School. Cully Wiseman ’97 returned to campus to speak about his educational journey. He admitted to not being the most outstanding Cully Wiseman ’97 student, especially in Middle School, but eventually found his way with the help of teachers like Sharon Foster H’05, Dan Jones and James Aldridge. He reminded students not to give up if they are struggling because the FWCD faculty care enough to help you achieve your goals. Photos by Lisa Koger

Lidia Arenas, Joan Massey, Stephen Stackhouse, Anne-Lise Woods ’85

20 Years of Service Club Viginti Initiate Kay Robinson

25 Years of Service Ed Chisholm, Christine Derber

30 Years of Service Bobbi Westendorf

35 Years of Service Ellen Fanning, Joe Murph, Jon Shipley

SPrinG/SUMMER 2012

Thirty-five year service members: Ellen Fanning, Joe Murph and Jon Shipley

FALCONER

BOARD

Spotlight

John Geesbreght, M.D., FACEP

John Fant

Alicia Rattikin Lindsey ’78

John Geesbreght was elected to the FWCD Board of Trustees in 2006. However, he and his wife, Priscilla, have a longstanding relationship with the School, as three of their children—Alex ’92, Andrew ’98 and April Cushman ’99—are alumni. The couple also currently have three grandchildren in the Lower School: Vivian ’24, Joseph ’23 and John ’22.

For John Fant, Fort Worth Country Day runs in the family. He and his wife, Terri, are the proud parents of three FWCD alumni: J.T. ’04, Samantha ’05, and Kelly ’09.

An FWCD alumna herself, Alicia Rattikin Lindsey ’78 has a deep appreciation of the School and its offerings. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2006 and since has served as a member of the Trustee and Leadership Committee from 2006-12, as its chair from 2007-10, on the Executive Committee from 200710, as well as the Building and Grounds Committee from 2006-07.

As a board member, John committed himself to the high-quality education FWCD provides and shared a wealth of knowledge from his professional and community involvements. During his tenure, he served on the Finance Committee from 2006-08 and the Advancement Committee from 200812. John, an ER physician for more than 30 years, is the CEO of Emergency Medicine Consultants Ltd., which provides emergency physician staffing coverage for multiple Texas facilities. He is also the medical director for the Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth Emergency Department.

FALCONER

John’s tenure on the Board of Trustees began in 2006, though his service to the School is time-honored, as both a parent and trustee. He served on the Building and Grounds Committee from 1999-2000, the Strategic Planning Committee in 2003, the Advancement Committee from 2002-05, and the Trustee and Leadership Committee from 2006-12. He also served on the Executive Committee as its vice president. John is general counsel for Keystone, Inc., an investment firm in Fort Worth, and serves on a number of corporate and charitable boards, thereby bringing a host of experience and knowledge to the FWCD Board of Trustees.

Alicia also gives of herself as a parent. She is the mother of Elizabeth ’14 and finds herself active in the Parent Faculty Association, having served on its board as well as several committees. She also assisted the School as a parent ambassador and a chair of the New Family Committee. Alicia is self-employed and works with several companies in Fort Worth as an accountant and consultant. Active in the community, she involves herself with Jewel Charity, Junior Canwick, Canwick Club, Junior League of Fort Worth and First United Methodist Church, to name a few. Alicia and her husband, Steve, who is a director at Thomson Reuters, are also the proud parents of two FWCD graduates: Stephen ’07 and Jennifer ’10.

fwcd.org

CONTENTS

Volume 3, Issue 2 • Spring/Summer 2012

Be part of their legacy.

28 CAMPUS NOtES 2 3 4 6 8

20 20 21 22

44 46 48 49 49 50 51 51 51 54

Contact Sandra Tuomey, director of advancement, at 817.302.3223 or sandra.tuomey@fwcd.org

F o r t

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C o u n t r y

D a y

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

Volume 3, Issue 2

Spring/Summer 2012

Congratulations

Class of 2012! SAVE THE DATE! 1972

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FWCD Homecoming – October 19, 2012

2012 Class Reunions

CONTENTS

Volume 3, Issue 2 • Spring/Summer 2012

Be part of their legacy.

28 CAMPUS NOtES 2 3 4 6 8

20 20 21 22

44 46 48 49 49 50 51 51 51 54

Contact Sandra Tuomey, director of advancement, at 817.302.3223 or sandra.tuomey@fwcd.org