T h e M ag a z i n e o f G r e e n h i l l S c h o o l
Spring 2012
TrailBlazing Spirit at Greenhill Homecoming 2011 Behind the Password Class Reunions
Greenhill School is a diverse community of learners that strives for excellence; values individuality; fosters a passion for learning; promotes the balanced development of mind, body and character; encourages service; and instills a respect for others.
Students participate in a seminar-style discussion in Genie Burke’s Cold War History elective. Read more about it on page 32.
Greenhill School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin in the administration of its educational policies and programs, admissions processes, financial aid programs, employment practices, athletic practices and other school administrative activities.
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The Hill | Spring 2012
www.greenhill.org
Departments 4
A Word from Scott A. Griggs Head of School
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Greenhill Fund: Providing Limitless Opportunities
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School News Briefs
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Fall Sports Recap
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2011 Founders’ Day Celebration
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Spirit Week and Homecoming 2011
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Feature
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In Gratitude for Grandparents and Special Friends
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Esteemed Faculty Leaders
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A New Schedule for our Middle School Community
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Behind the Password: Get to Know the Greenhill Website Portal
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Where do Greenhill Students Go to College?
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A Message from Clay Deniger ’86 President, Alumni Association
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Class Reunions
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Alumni News
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Alumni Class Notes
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In Memoriam
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Turning Points
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Why I Give
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2011–2012 Board of Trustees
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Greenhill School Advancement Office
Trailblazing Spirit at Greenhill 28
Trailblazing Spirit at Greenhill
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Eagle Scout Project Brings out the Best of the Greenhill Community
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Seventh Grader Inspires Seniors
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Video Production Program Spurs Phenomenal Student Initiatives
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Self-Starters – Alumni Profiles: Bob Freling ’77, Michelle Beck ’95,
Sabrina Mallick Peterson ’00, John Piermarini ’10 Greenhill School 4141 Spring Valley Road Addison, Texas 75001
www.greenhill.org
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A Word from the Head of School Dear Greenhill Community, Walking across campus last week and enjoying the warmer weather, I was struck by the vibrant energy on campus. At a time when spring fever typically strikes and student motivation lags, Greenhill students continue to exude enthusiasm for all of their endeavors. I attribute this dedication to the fact that Greenhill strives to instill a sense of initiative and self-advocacy in all of our students, values that originated with Bernard Fulton himself when he founded the School back in 1950. This issue of The Hill celebrates the School’s trailblazing spirit in all of its forms. Academically, our Upper School students set their own course of study through a wide array of elective courses, creating their own tutorial, or choosing a year-long Capstone research project. The range of their studies is impressive: we have one student writing a historical novel about China, a pair of students creating their first album, and yet another building computers out of recycled PC parts and donating the finished products to those in need. Our Lower and Middle School divisions lay the groundwork for this exploratory study by encouraging students to believe in their capabilities and by instilling a passion for learning they carry with them throughout their lives. Clubs and service initiatives provide an alternative to explore new subject areas and they provide an opportunity to involve peers. This year saw the introduction of 15 new clubs in the Upper School, ranging from Healthy Food Choices to the SOS Brigade, a club that studies anime, Japanese cartoons. Our focus on service provides students with a natural opportunity to expand beyond comfort zones or explore personal passions. One of our students, after winning a personal battle with cancer, pours his efforts into the Lance Armstrong Foundation, participating in races and raising funds through bake sales.
Our students absorb these characteristics of initiative and selfadvocacy not only because we teach them, but because our faculty embodies these characteristics as well. In fact, David Braemer, our current Head of Upper School, is leaving at the end of the school year to continue his own career growth as he becomes the Head of School at the Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee. In David’s nine-year tenure, his spirit and drive brought enhancements to the Upper School curriculum and encouraged a balance of productivity and fun in the division. We will miss David, but we wish him the best in his new endeavors. To read more about David, please see page 9.
On our athletic teams, motivation continues, largely through leadership of the team captains. But what is most impressive is that our students support not only the members of their own teams, they try to support all of our teams on campus. This year more than any other, I have witnessed and seen strong student attendance and raucous cheering at many different athletic events.
Just as David will be departing this summer, so too will the Class of 2012. Many of them have already selected a college or university to attend and I know that they are all dreaming about the opportunities awaiting them beyond the Greenhill campus. I eagerly look forward to hearing about how they have taken advantage of those opportunities, or blazed their own trails, in the years to come. I hope that you, like our students, have a strong finish to the spring and an energizing summer. As always, we thank you for all that you do for the School. Sincerely,
Scott A. Griggs Head of School
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www.greenhill.org
Greenhill Fund: Providing Limitless Opportunities Thank You to Our Parent Volunteers!
The Greenhill Fund is the School’s top giving priority because it directly supports Greenhill’s greatest assets – our students and our teachers. The partnership between Greenhill School and our families is one that ensures long-term growth and financial sustainability. This investment in our students’ future goes beyond tuition dollars and helps to make it possible for the School to provide superior faculty, state-of-the-art technology and dynamic programming. Each year, the collective efforts of the Greenhill Fund’s participants – parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty, parents of alumni and friends – provide the crucial funds that make a Greenhill education so extraordinary. We are sincerely grateful to all our donors, no matter the size of their gift, for their continued investment in Greenhill School. The dollars raised by Greenhill Fund are essential to bridge the gap between tuition income and the cost of educating each student. Thank you! As of February 10, 2012, Greenhill Fund has raised $1,530,394 of the $1,700,000 goal with 70% parents, alums, grandparents and friends participating. With just under $170,000 to go by June 30, we feel confident we will have another successful year. For more information, contact Anne Hudson, Director of Annual Giving, at hudsona@greenhill. org or 972.628.5512. www.greenhill.org
Melanie & Louis ’93 Okon, Pre-K and Primer Sarah & Will Jaudes, Pre-K Dee Dee Hoak, Kindergarten Anne & David Mann, Kindergarten Whitney & Rob Strauss, Kindergarten Barb & Nick Bomersbach, Kindergarten Melanie & John Ofenloch, Primer Amy & John Howard, Grades 1 and 3 Lisa & Howard Marc Spector, Grade 1 Deirdre & Rolf Brekken, Grade 1 Nicole & Erin Patton, Grade 1 Mary & Kenneth Lim, Grade 1 Ashley & Rick Scheer, Grade 1 Bonnie & Monte Hurst, Grade 2 Jenny Kirtland, Grades 2 and 4 Kate & Jon Kettles, Grade 2, Lower School Team Leaders Mike Merriman, Grades 2 and 4 Elly & Edward Shelswell-White, Grades 2 and 4 Joanna & David Greenstone, Grade 2 Stacey & Doug Baer, Grade 2 Julie & David Kronick, Grade 2 Kathryn & Scott Wheeler, Grade 3 Pilar & Jay Henry, Grade 3 Waverly ’86 & McCord Wilson, Grade 3 Randi Jacobs, Grade 3 Preethi Jayaseelan, Middle School Team Leader Lynn Bozalis ’82, Grade 5 Shelley Becker, Grade 5 JoAnn Brown, Grade 5 Flossie Heptig, Grade 6 Debra Morgan, Grade 6 Mary Oliver, Grade 7 Stacy Simon ’85, Grade 7 Dani Butowsky, Grade 8 Donna Cowman, Grade 8 Teresa Alexandrou, Grade 9 April McCormick, Grade 9 Ellen Ungerman ’81, Grade 9 Dana Golman, Grade 10 Bruce Sostek, Grade 10 Sandy Beckert, Grade 11, Upper School Team Leader Julie Fields ’83, Grade 11 Wendy Stanley, Grade 12 Shari Nelson, Grade 12 Nancy Carlson, Chair, Greenhill Fund Ellenore Baker, Vice-Chair, Greenhill Fund Peter Kraus, Development Co-Chair Baxter Brinkmann, Development Co-Chair Karla Barber, Board Chair
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School News Briefs Lower School News Visit our website for the latest news. www.greenhill.org/news
Find us on: www.facebook.com/GreenhillSchool
www.twitter.com/GreenhillSchool Kindergarten Teacher and Team Leader Rachel Baldwin
Kindergarten Teacher Rachel Baldwin Awarded TAEYC Teacher of the Year Congratulations to Kindergarten Teacher and Team Leader Rachel Baldwin, winner of the Texas Association for the Educators of Young Children (TAEYC) Teacher of the Year in September. Rachel was delighted to receive the award, crediting Greenhill and her colleagues, “I could not imagine a more perfect place to grow and develop as a teacher and as a person.”
Warren Frerichs Named “Teacher of the Future”
Middle School News Greenhill Middle School Students Excel on AMC-8 Exam Several of our Middle School students posted outstanding results on the AMC-8 – a national math contest – and will receive national recognition for their performances on the exam. A special congratulations to eighth-grader Hartley McGuire who posted a perfect score on the exam, which was also the first perfect score during the tenure of Dr. Grant Mindle.
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Honor Roll
Merit Roll
Hartley McGuire, eighth grade Sahil Mittal, eighth grade Kevin Wei, eighth grade Ryan Diebner, eighth grade Anurag Kurapati, eighth grade Harrison Heymann, eighth grade Tanisha Gupta, seventh grade Drew Singer, sixth grade Gene Park, sixth grade
Drew Singer, sixth grade Gene Park, sixth grade Rishi Vas, sixth grade Sudeep Bhargava, sixth grade Harris Wilson, sixth grade Harrison Heymann, fifth grade
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School Portion of Contest 1st Place – Hartley McGuire 2nd Place – Sahil Mittal 3rd Place – Kevin Wei and Ryan Diebner
Middle and Upper School Chinese Teacher Warren Frerichs
Middle and Upper School Chinese Teacher Warren Frerichs was selected by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) as part of the 2011–2012 Teachers of the Future program. As one of only 25 teachers nationwide chosen for the program, Frerichs will lead an online discussion forum designed to share innovative ideas and teaching techniques. Frerichs was featured in the People Newspapers in September.
www.greenhill.org
FBI Agent Tom Petrowski Speaks to Greenhill’s “Understanding 9/11” Class Scott Cotton’s Understanding 9/11 class welcomed a special guest speaker in November. Tom Petrowski, Supervisory Special Agent in the Dallas branch of the FBI, oversees the FBI’s counterterrorism efforts in North Texas. Mr. Petrowski’s lecture was featured in the People Newspapers in November.
Upper School News
Two Student Athletes Sign National Letters of Intent Seniors Claire Brandt and Cyerra Holmes each signed a National Letter of Intent in November and will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Claire, an All-American swimmer, signed with Texas A&M University to join their nationally-ranked program. Cyerra, an All-American lacrosse player, signed with Stanford University to join its nationally-ranked team. The November signing period included the following sports: baseball, basketball, golf, lacrosse, softball, swimming and diving, tennis and volleyball.
FBI Agent Tom Petrowski
Two Seniors Win DemandTec Regional Finals
Senior Named Regional Finalist in the 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology Senior Alice Jiang was selected as a Regional Finalist in the 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology in November. The Siemens Competition has become the most challenging and prestigious research-based high school contest in the country. Out of the 1,917 students who submitted projects to the Siemens Competition only five individuals and five teams in each of six regions advanced to the regional competitions.
www.greenhill.org
Seniors Sankalp Banerjee and Avi Kejriwal won the Regional Finals division of the DemandTec Retail Challenge, a nationwide math and science college scholarship competition for high school seniors. They each have received $2,500 for their regional finish and were featured in the People Newspapers in December. After the semifinals round, Sankalp and Avi finished ninth in the nation.
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School News Briefs Upper School News continued
Debate News
Sophomore Claims National Equestrian Championship Sophomore Mattie Willard won the national championship in the 14–16-year-old division at the 2011 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show at the Oklahoma State Fair.
Homecoming Spirit Raises Big Bucks for Breast Cancer Awareness From the mum ribbon sales, the bake sale, and the “Hornets for a Cause” bracelets sold through the Buzz and at the Homecoming events, G.I.V.E. raised $3,610 for Susan G. Komen. Thank you to all those who showed Homecoming spirit and Homecoming compassion.
World Class Athlete Ben Cohen Visits Greenhill and Donates $2,500 to True Colors
The Greenhill Debate Team proudly displays trophies won at fall 2011–2012 debate tournaments.
Greenhill Debate Team Excels Across the Country Over the Thanksgiving break, the Greenhill Debate Team competed at the Glenbrooks Invitational and the Northwestern University Round Robin in Chicago. At the Glenbrooks, the largest invitational tournament run by a high school in the United States, our students competed against 100 schools from over 25 states. Several of our students have been invited to select Round Robin events. Seniors Lyall Stuart and Azhar Unwala were invited to the Harvard Round Robin in policy debate. Junior Rebecca Kuang was invited to the Harvard Lincoln Douglas Round Robin. Junior Meg Ranganathan and senior Sankalp Banerjee were invited to the Pace Academy Round Robin.
England Rugby World Cup Champion Ben Cohen
England Rugby World Cup Champion Ben Cohen visited Greenhill in September as chairman of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation. With the central mission to combat bullying and homophobia, especially in sports, Cohen spoke at an Upper School assembly and met individually with student athletes about the vital role they can play in “standing up” to bullying. A few months later, he donated $2,500 to the club True Colors for ongoing efforts.
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In January, Lyall Stuart and Azhar Unwala won the 13th annual Montgomery Bell Debate Tournament in Nashville, one of the most elite invitationals in the U.S.A.
Student Helps Make Soldiers’ Dreams Come True
Barbara Currier Named Outstanding Tutor of the Year
As part of the program Operation Once in a Lifetime, senior Ryan Brown was featured on Channel 8 in July and again on KRLD Radio in September for his work to provide wounded soldiers with the chance to realize their childhood dreams.
Greenhill Legend and Math Teacher Barbara Currier was named “Outstanding Tutor of the Year” by community literacy center, Trinity River Mission. She is the recipient of the 2011 Donna Graham Tutor Award given by the center.
www.greenhill.org
Students Moving the Planet Beyond Fossil Fuels
Farewell to an Exceptional Colleague and Friend
In September, a group of Greenhill students led by senior Ivan Kumamoto joined together with the Organization of Young Environmental Activists (OYEA), consisting of high school students across the Dallas area, to take part in an international effort known as Moving Planet. The OYEA rally petitioned the City of Dallas for better and more extensive public transit, especially rail systems, to further push their demands for fossil fuel independence.
We share the news with mixed emotions that David Braemer has accepted the appointment of Head of School at the Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee, effective July 1, 2012. We are both very excited for David and disappointed to lose such an exceptional colleague and friend. David has had a profound impact on the Upper School during his nine-year tenure, the longest of any Upper School Head in Greenhill’s history. David has overseen the development of a dynamic curriculum with a traditional core program for freshmen and sophomores, and multiple elective options for juniors and seniors. As David is fond of saying, this program essentially ensures that no two students go through Greenhill on
Greenhill Students Excel in AP Math and Science Advanced Placement results from the 2010–2011 school year indicate that Greenhill Upper School students have excelled in all AP subjects, with a noteworthy performance in Math and Science exams: 70% of those who took the calculus tests received 5’s and 64% of those who took the science tests received 5’s. A trend in recent years has shown an increase in Greenhill students’ performances in these subjects. Out of all AP tests taken last year, 94% received a 3 or better, 76% received 4’s and 5’s, and 50% received 5’s.
exactly the same curricular path. David’s wonderful personal skills have made him a favorite among students and faculty alike. His focus on maintaining balance for our students has helped to create a climate in the Upper School that is both productive and fun. We know David will have great success as Head of School at Ensworth. His exceptional skills as a school leader will be missed, but it is a testimony to the quality of Greenhill employees that we continue to have other schools that actively recruit them as leaders. Congratulations to David as he takes this next, exciting step in his professional career. He and his family will be fondly missed.
Twelve Students Named National Merit Semifinalists and Seventeen Named National Merit Commended Students Congratulations to our seniors named Semifinalists and Commended Students in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program: Semifinalists Jeremy Arata Sankalp Banerjee Shannon Chang Russell Houston Natalie Koonce Daniel Matyas Madeline Nelson Rachel Packer Aliysa Patel Nicole Roberson Jordan Rudner Noelle Smith
www.greenhill.org
Commended Students Claire Brandt Nand Dalal Isha Elhence Shelby Friedman Austin Gerber Alison Glazer David Herman Alice Jiang Avi Kejriwal Amy Li Lekshmi Nair Mashal Noor Michael Partlo Susannah Rodrigue Neal Sharma Lyall Stuart Hannah Walsh
David Braemer, Head of Upper School
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School News Briefs Fine Arts News Twelve Musicians Earn a Place in TPSMA All-State Group and in the ATSSB All-Region Band
Congratulations to Photography
The following musicians auditioned for and earned a place in one of the Texas Private School Music Association (TPSMA) All-State groups:
Teacher and 2011–12 Faculty Leader
Angie Kang, sophomore – flute Jieyi Cai, junior – flute Denny Chung, senior – clarinet Calvin Berg, junior – clarinet Liz Livingston, junior – tuba Kyrene Moe, freshman – violin Kevin Wang, junior – viola
Observer MasterMind Award. He was
Charlie Wang, sophomore – cello Peyton Steurer, sophomore – soprano Jeremy Arata, senior – tenor Neal Sharma, senior – tenor Barclay Stephens, senior – bass
Upper School students: Angie Kang, sophomore – 1st chair flute, Symphonic Band (All-Area Honors) Jieyi Cai, junior – 4th chair flute, Symphonic Band (All-Area Honors) Alice Jiang, senior – 6th chair flute, Symphonic Band Ashley Lee, freshman – 5th chair flute, Concert Band Calvin Berg, junior – 6th chair clarinet, Symphonic Band (All-Area Honors) Denny Chung, senior – 7th chair clarinet, Symphonic Band (All-Area Honors) Borren Moe, junior – 2nd chair alto saxophone, Symphonic Band (All-Area Honors) Liz Livingston, junior – 4th chair tuba, Symphonic Band (All-Area Honors) Middle School students: Bradley Aptilon, eighth grade – 5th chair French horn, Symphonic Band Shivani Daftary, seventh grade – 3rd chair flute, Concert Band Ali Babool, eighth grade – 5th chair trombone, Concert Band Geli Kane, seventh grade – 1st alternate flute, Concert Band
The Hill | Spring 2012
Frank Lopez for winning a 2011 Dallas among only three artists selected from 45 nominations. Mr. Lopez’s work was featured around the Metroplex in the fall, as he exhibited in the “29th Annual Art in the Metroplex Competition” at TCU’s Moudy Gallery, and as he spoke
Twelve musicians were also selected to the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) All-Region Band. Six students were awarded All-Area Band Honors due to their high ranking and auditioned in January for a spot on the ATSSB All-State Band.
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Art Teacher Frank Lopez Wins MasterMind Award
at the local “Pecha Kucha” artists’ forum in late September.
Art Teacher Tony Schraufnagel Shows Work at New Gallery’s Inaugural Exhibit
Art teacher Tony Schraufnagel showed his work above at the Reinhardt Co-Op Gallery.
Art teacher Tony Schraufnagel showed his work at the inaugural exhibit of the Reinhardt Co-Op Gallery early this year. The gallery is dedicated to displaying and promoting the work of local artists and craftsmen. The gallery also encourages artists displaying their work to teach classes to the public with a special emphasis on youth programs.
www.greenhill.org
Students Earn Selections to Region 20 Orchestra String musicians were honored in October with selections to one of three Region 20 Orchestras. The 15 honorees were selected from over 800 students from public and private schools throughout the Dallas area. Upper School Students High School Honors Orchestra Kyrene Moe, freshman – 1st violin 11th chair Bryce Halloran, sophomore – viola 15th chair Middle School Students Junior High Symphonic Orchestra Rebecca Brandt, seventh grade – 1st violin 1st chair (concertmaster) Abigail Grindstaff, eighth grade – 1st violin 20th chair Kevin Wei, eighth grade – 2nd violin 2nd chair (raw rank 6th) Joseph D’Apice, eighth grade – cello 1st chair (principal) Sidarth Subramanian, seventh grade – cello 2nd chair Dallas Dillon, eighth grade – bass 1st chair (principal)
Middle School Students Middle School Concert Orchestra Nicholas Nguyen, sixth grade – 2nd violin 3rd chair Joanna Quan, sixth grade – 2nd violin 10th chair Britney Johnson, eighth grade – 2nd violin 19th chair Isabelle Thompson, sixth grade – viola 12th chair Getty Hesse, seventh grade – cello 1st chair (principal) Kirk Oliver, seventh grade – bass 1st chair (principal) Adam Meyer, sixth grade – bass 9th chair
Nationally-recognized author and illustrator Jerry Pinkney
Nationally-recognized author and illustrator Jerry Pinkney visited campus in November, meeting with Pre-K through 4th graders, middle school art and AP art students. Pinkney has been awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal on five occasions, including a 2010 award for his
Senior Cellist Performs on NPR’s “From The Top”
work on The Lion & The Mouse. He has
Senior cellist Russell Houston was selected to record for NPR’s From The Top, one of the most popular classical music programs on radio. He was flown to Santa Fe, NM in October to record a live show at the historic Lensic Theatre. He performed “Requiebros” by Gaspar Cassadó and it was broadcast on December 31, 2011 on WRR 101.1.
Scott King Award five times and has
In the Fall 2011 issue of The Hill, we apologize for not giving printed recognition to the following award winners of 2011: Helen Misura Award Presented to a fourth grader in recognition of outstanding leadership, scholarship, citizenship and sportsmanship. Michelle Lee Ross Rubin
www.greenhill.org
Author and Illustrator Jerry Pinkney Visits Greenhill Campus
also been recognized with the Coretta garnered four Best Illustrated Awards by the New York Times, including Little Red Hen in 2006.
Ronnie Freeman Award Presented to an eighth grader who has attended Greenhill for four years and has maintained the highest standards of scholarship, citizenship, leadership and participation in school activities. This is the highest honor to be attained in Middle School. Sohum Daftary Sera Tuz
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Fall Sports Recap Boys Volleyball The Greenhill boys volleyball program recorded its second straight Southwest Preparatory Conference crown after defeating St. Mark’s School of Texas in the championship match. The Hornets – who finished 31–2 overall – defeated the Lions in four sets for the second consecutive season in the championship match, which was held in Phillips Family Gymnasium. This past season, the Hornets had three all-conference award winners in Austin Hartline, Neal Sharma and Matthew Rodriguez. Hartline garnered all-conference accolades for the third consecutive season, and Sharma was recognized for the second straight season. Rodriguez was a first-time winner of All-SPC laurels.
The Greenhill boys volleyball team won its second straight SPC Conference title.
Girls Volleyball The Greenhill girls volleyball program posted a third-place showing at the SPC Championships defeating St. John’s School in its final match. The Hornets notched a 26–10–1 overall record during the 2011 fall campaign and have posted 47 victories in Head Coach Tatiane Deibert’s two seasons. Seniors Hannah Orth and Karina Rambeau each garnered all-conference recognition for the first time in their volleyball careers. Orth was the team’s leader in digs while Rambeau was the Hornets’ top offensive player. In addition to their third-place showing at the SPC Championships, the Hornets also finished second at the Prince of Peace Tournament and third overall at the Prestonwood Christian Tournament.
Keith Nannie Records 700th Victory Head Volleyball Coach Keith Nannie reached a milestone this past season as the long-time Greenhill leader recorded his 700th victory on October 13, 2011 on the road at St. Mark’s School of Texas. During his tenure at Greenhill, Nannie has guided the Hornets to 11 conference crowns and 13 seasons of 30 or more victories. Head Volleyball Coach Keith Nannie and the boys volleyball team
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www.greenhill.org
Field Hockey The Greenhill field hockey team recorded a 15–9–1 overall record during the 2011 fall season, including a sixth-place showing at the SPC Championships. The Hornets posted numerous big victories this past season over Trinity Valley School, The Oakridge School and The Hockaday School. Juniors Stephanie Seale and Fallyn Sheff were each recognized as first time all-conference award winners for their defensive efforts. This past season, Head Coach Heather Farlow also recorded her 100th career victory following a 2–0 win over Holland Hall School.
Boys Cross Country The Greenhill boys cross country program recorded three top-eight finishes this past season, including a sixth-place showing at the SPC Championships. Junior Ryan Duffy finished eighth overall at the SPC Championships en route to securing his second consecutive all-conference honors. Travis Bryan recorded an 11th-place showing in the conference meet and earned all-conference laurels for the first time in his career.
Girls Cross Country The Greenhill girls cross country program recorded five top-10 showings during the 2011 fall season, including a third-place finish at the Marcus II Invitational. Senior Madeline Nelson recorded a 12th-place finish at the SPC Championships and earned all-conference honors for the first time in her career.
Football The Greenhill football program continued to make strides in their rebuilding process under second-year Head Coach Jeff Hollway. Senior quarterback Nick Brienzi led the Hornets to a 56–27 road victory over Southwest Christian School after throwing four touchdown passes to senior captain Devin Bullock. Following the season, Brienzi and Bullock were recognized with all-conference honors for the first time in their gridiron careers.
www.greenhill.org
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Fall Events
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Sixty-one Years Ago . . . 2011 Founders’ Day Celebration Excerpt from In the Classroom, a blog entry by Tom Perryman ’81, Assistant Head of School Founders’ Day is my favorite day of the school year. It is the day that, to me, is so beautifully “Greenhill” in a nutshell. It’s the one day set aside to celebrate our roots, our birth from an idea and a mission that is as noble today as it was unique back in 1950. It is a day to tell our “family story” and remember the heroic deeds of those who have gone before us. And after 12 such days now, it feels to me as deeply ingrained and as much a part of the fiber of the School as any of our time-honored traditions. Greenhill welcomes two new Heart of the Hill Heroes: Lorene Richardson, our longest-tenured employee at 45 years, and Dr. George Birdsong ’75, the first student of color at Greenhill in 1967.
For those of you who have never attended a Founders’ Day assembly, each year the gathering allows the whole community to share virtually the entire range of human emotions and experiences:
Head of School Scott Griggs congratulates Assistant Head of School Tom Perryman ’81 on his 25-year tenure and Legend status.
• hospitality as we welcome our newest students and employees • veneration as we acknowledge the commitment of our Legends and the master craftsmanship of our Faculty Leaders • friendship as we lock arms and join together to sing that oldie-but-goodie learned in first grade: “Best Friends” • sadness as we remember the horrors of September 11, 2001 • common purpose as we sing “Hail to Greenhill” • pride as we are led through the ceremony by the wisdom and gifts of students in Lower, Middle and Upper Schools • accountability as we are charged before setting forth to find ways to bring peace to our world. And this year’s ceremony took each of these components to new levels. Read Tom Perryman’s full blog entry here: http://greenhillintheclassroom.com/2011/09/
Seniors put their arms around each other and sing their hearts out to “Best Friends.”
www.greenhill.org
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WE’VE GOT SPIRIT! Spirit Week and Homecoming 2011 The Greenhill community came together during Spirit Week with palpable and contagious enthusiasm. Culminating on Friday with Homecoming, we proved that our school spirit and sportsmanship are at an all-time high.
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www.greenhill.org
Monday, October 24 (Middle School/Upper School conferences) Cheerleaders taught cheers to Lower School students Students were greeted in various buildings by fantastic cartoon cutouts and images, created by Upper Schoolers as the theme of the Homecoming dance.
Tuesday, October 25 Pajama-clad students gathered in their HOH groups to gear up for Homecoming, decorate our sidewalks, and make decorations for breast cancer awareness throughout the Homecoming festivities.
Wednesday, October 26 Twin, triplet and quadruple costumes were spotted around campus while seniors adopted a lacrosse gear theme of backward hats, sleeveless jerseys and crazy fluorescents in full effect.
Little ones from CDC through the 4th grade gathered on the steps of the Lower School to join in a pep rally with the varsity cheerleaders and the Middle School band.
www.greenhill.org
Seniors gathered at the annual senior breakfast where they mingled with alums, heard good advice from speaker Matt Prescott ’03 and received their Class of 2012 sweatshirts. GIVE (Greenhill Involves Volunteering Everyday) held their “Pink” bake sale, once again bringing together breast cancer awareness with Homecoming week.
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Friday, October 28 Green and gold galore! From mums and garters to spirit ribbons to painted faces and gold tights, the student body was decked out from head to toe proclaiming pride in the Hornets.
Thursday, October 27 All students and employees received spirit ribbons that they donned proudly the following day. Cartoon characters such as Gumby, Burt and Sponge Bob roamed the campus. Upper Schoolers enjoyed a cook-out for lunch and then cheered on their fellow female athletes playing Seniors against Juniors in the annual powder puff game refereed by David Braemer. Who won? Seniors!
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The whole school gathered for the Homecoming Pep Rally that proved to be an inspiring and energizing show of school spirit. Senior Tre Hall emceed the event and the cheerleaders kept everyone’s energy levels on high. Each fall sports team had a chance to shine in the spotlight with skits that ranged from dance-offs to word scrambles to physical challenges, some resulting in showers of chocolate sauce.
www.greenhill.org
Congratulations to all members of the Homecoming court: seniors Elizabeth Aguebor, Reagan Alhadef, Devin Bullock, Russell Grindstaff, Tre Hall, Ivan Kumamoto, Max McKamy, Myra Noshahi, Hannah Orth and Noelle Smith.
Greenhill families, faculty and alums feasted on Babe’s Fried Chicken and mingled on the basketball slab amidst a vibrant fall sunset.
www.greenhill.org
Jackie Wright Cowgill ’51, Greenhill’s first female student and graduate returned to campus for her 60th high school reunion. Our honored guest performed the coin toss to commence the football game.
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Halloween Riding on the excitement and energy of a buzz-filled Homecoming weekend, Monday brought Halloween to Greenhill, coasting on a continuum of fun fall events.
BABY BLUE – The Smurfs of the Child Development
WHERE’S WALDO – “Where’s Waldo?” was the word on the street, rendering
Center (CDC) parade through campus, showing off cuteness at every turn.
some VIPs incognito. We challenge you to identify the real Waldo.
THE JACKSON TWO Two seniors salute the duality of The King of Pop.
PRIMER PUMPKINS – Members of the administration team up with primer students to carve pumpkins.
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In Gratitude for Grandparents and Special Friends On the cusp of a Thanksgiving holiday, we welcomed our students’ grandparents and special friends to campus for a day in their honor. As the foundations of our families who have made us who we are today, it seems only fitting that we celebrate our relationship with them so close to the most important day of gratitude of the year. Nearly 800 smiling, happy grandparents and friends – the largest crowd to date – arrived on Greenhill’s campus on Friday, November 18, 2011 to spend the afternoon with their young ones. Previously held in the morning on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break, this year’s date took into account the weeklong vacation and gave families the opportunity for more time together.
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The support we receive from the Greenhill grandparent population is remarkable. Their commitment and dedication to our families is evidenced in countless ways, through volunteer efforts and financial support. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in grandparent giving that continues to grow every year. Last year we had over 150 grandparent donors with an average gift of over $500. This proves that our grandparents have a vested interest in their grandchildren’s education. This year they also demonstrated their commitment to learning by donating 181 books to the Library ($3,620), the most books ever donated on a Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day. And so, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we say thank you. Thank you to our grandparents who give so much, to over 60 parent volunteers who made the day run seamlessly, to our volunteer co-chairs, Janine Pitts and Alyssa Fiedelman and Parents’ Association President Camille Owens, to our grandparent giving co-chairs Marilyn and Zeck Lieberman, to the Advancement Office for orchestrating all logistics, and to our teachers for opening their classrooms and sharing the Greenhill experience with our special visitors.
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Esteemed Faculty Leaders From Left, Aaron Timmons, Andy Mercurio and Frank Lopez congratulate each other on their honors.
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Every year Greenhill honors exceptional teachers with the Faculty Leaders program. The program, which started in 2002 highlights one of the most fundamental values that the Greenhill community upholds – our commitment to the highest caliber of teaching. In the words of Founder Bernard Fulton, “… the quality of the human relationships in the classroom controls to a great degree the quality of the learning of the pupils. Therefore, the personality of the teacher is carefully considered as a primary factor in pupil guidance and is a major quality demanded of those teachers invited to join the faculty of the School.”
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Faculty are nominated by their peers and final selections are made by the administration to honor those who model their commitment to excellence in education. Among the duties of faculty leaders are mentoring colleagues, speaking at various gatherings, and meeting with prospective faculty members. This year, Frank Lopez, Andrew Mercurio and Aaron Timmons were selected. At a Parents’ Association meeting at the beginning of the year, each addressed the parent community, exuding admirable devotion and passion for their chosen profession. Each spoke from the heart with two collective and resounding messages: they love what they do and they love Greenhill.
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Frank Lopez Upper School Visual Art Frank has made most of the choices in his life holding fast to a love of the still image. He took his first photograph when he was eight years old of horses on a prairie in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, and ever since then Frank has seen the world through the eyes of an intimate environmentalist seeking cultural and poetic significance in his work. Frank has a particular interest in historic photographic alternative processing such as Pinhole and 1950s-esque folding cameras, yet he also enjoys the digital archival printing process and of course, his iPhone. During his job interview at Greenhill, Mr. Griggs asked Frank why he wanted to work here. He replied, “I want us to be the best. I want to build a program that allows students to see and experience their lives in a different way, to learn to use their voice in imagery.” In the six years that he has been here he has done exactly that with the goal of building a broad, rich and exceptional photography program. The arresting work of Frank and his students adorn the walls of many campus buildings, inspiring art enthusiasts across our community.
“Working at Greenhill is my favorite job I’ve ever had, but I can’t really call it a job. It’s more of a devotion – a calling.”
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“I had no intentions of staying in Dallas for long and I still miss Boston. But 14 years later I’m still here. Why? Because Greenhill is a place of daily miracles. Greenhill is why I have stayed – and considering how much I love Boston, that’s a small miracle unto itself.” Andrew Mercurio Upper School English Andy proudly asserts his Boston accent that is somewhat scarce in the D/FW Metroplex. Following in the footsteps of his father, mother, godfather and cousins, he recognized teaching as a vocation from a young age – the “family business” as he calls it. He moved to Dallas on the heels of an ex-girlfriend immediately after graduating from Bowdoin College, but his relationship with Greenhill proved to be the one that lasted. “I met the improbably kind and genuine person who is Tom Perryman, and ended up taking a job as a Lower School intern to get teaching experience.” Fourteen years later, while still wistfully missing an authentic Boston cannoli, Andy’s devotion to Greenhill and his students is evident in everything he does. In his address to parents Andy read Walt Whitman’s poem “Miracles” with the point that Greenhill is a place of miracles, “… where students can regularly provide indescribably powerful moments of inspiration, love, and compassion; . . . where the classroom is held as a sacred place to facilitate true discovery, allowing us to communicate across time and space as we look further into ourselves. . . . ” In his simultaneously wry and sincere tone, Andy remarks, “To me, Greenhill is family. Literally. I met my wife here, I have a son in Pre-K and I go to parent meetings.”
Aaron Timmons Director of Debate In a deep and commanding voice that reverberates around the room, Aaron shares how he discovered his affinity for debate. “I was in the fifth grade when middle schoolers from a competitive speech class came to talk to us. I quickly realized that I could win trophies and get out of class simply by talking.” He started participating in competitive speaking activities in seventh grade, joined the debate team in high school, and brought his love for persuasive speech all the way through his life into teaching. Aaron first met Greenhill as a rival while teaching at Newman Smith High School. Greenhill is now his fourth school and he’s in his 19th year. “Who I am depends on where I am on campus,” he says. “On the lower end I’m Joshua’s daddy. In the Middle School, I’m Mr. Timmons and in the Upper School I’m the Debate Coach.” Aaron continues, “I like the feeling of being here – especially when your child can run up and give you a hug during your work day. I’m constantly reminded that Greenhill is a fantastic place to be, but it’s not a perfect place. There are people who will listen to your thoughts and ideas for improvements and really listen – constantly making the Greenhill experience better for everyone.”
“There’s a transformative nature to the students’ learning process. If put in a situation, they’re able to rise to the occasion and exceed expectations.”
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A New Schedule for our Middle “I see so many exciting things. The advantages we predicted are coming true, but I’m seeing deeper insightful outcomes such as strengthened academic instruction, an emphasis on community time, a focus on student choices which builds confidence, a slower pace for a less stressed student, time for character education, arts, and electives, and a greater focus on the development of the whole child. Yet, I also understand that change is never easy. We’re listening to all feedback and we plan to address the need for adaptation and evolution as appropriate.” Susan Palmer, Head of Middle School
How I Spend My 15 Minutes Remarking on the 15-minute extension of class periods, Middle School teachers share their reflections. “To me it does not feel like additional time at all. Finally, there is enough time to give the class a rhythm with an opening activity, review activity, elaboration phase, settling-in period and closing activity. I have time to explain homework without having to hurry through it. I love the 55-minute classes. To me it is just the right amount of time.” Natascha Tworke MS History
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“I LOVE the extra 15 minutes! It is wonderful to have the time for everyone to finish an activity before I have to go over it with the class. I don’t feel that I have to rush them through. My pacing for the trimester is about the same. I’m not any farther ahead, just more satisfied with their understanding.” Joan Romanosky MS Modern/Classical Language
“Finally, time for reflection! An activity as simple as turning to the next student and sharing the most important thing learned that day is reflection in action, fifth grade-style. A simple pair-share allows the students to consolidate information, more firmly ‘seat’ it, and bridge to the next day’s learning.” Barby Gregory MS History
“In the eighth grade class, the increase in time allows for more reflection and bottom-up processing. It gives me the chance to allow the students to sort through and organize data that I felt compelled to organize for them previously. This means that they will remember it better, and they will likely come away with a much stronger understanding.” Warren Frerichs MS Modern/Classical Language
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School Community This year brought big changes to the Middle School. A new schedule now includes: • A commitment to best practices of teaching and learning in middle schools as well as our own Middle School Exemplars.
• Reduced student load. Teachers teach four sections instead of five, reducing their student load and allowing them to more effectively know and meet each student’s individual needs. • Opportunities for collaboration. Most courses are taught by more than one teacher. • Fewer transitions for students during the day, with five academic courses instead of six.
• Scheduled community time that allows the entire division to be together as a group for assemblies, speeches, character education, leadership practice and recognition. •
Longer class periods provide more depth of study, reflection time and slow the pace of the day. Class periods have lengthened from 40 to 55 minutes, increasing academic time for each course from 200 minutes per six-day rotation to 275 minutes.
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An additional English teacher at each grade level reduces section size in that discipline to ensure individual attention to the development of writing skills. English classes incorporate both Literature and Composition.
• Flex time for study hall, advisory, recess and clubs during each A–F rotation. • Dedicated time to wellness – social, emotional and character development. • Sixth, seventh and eighth grade math classes target individual needs and developmental levels. • Fifth grade language carousel rotates one trimester each of Chinese, Latin and Spanish. Sixth graders then choose one of the languages for three years of Middle School study.
“I have had a lot of students bring in science-related items to share with me, and sometimes we are able to use the extra time to share those with the entire class. That has been a lot of fun for some of the classes … we’ve had fossils, a rock covered in salt from the Dead Sea, and a dove’s heart from a hunting trip to name a few.” Kelley Stephan MS Science
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“With our new schedule, students now have more opportunities to come to the board to work problems and more time to practice the skills introduced in class to confirm their understanding of these topics. We have time for students to work together and learn from one another, time to explore topics in greater depth, and time for students to reflect and internalize the day’s lessons.” Grant Mindle, Ph.D. MS Math
• Technology elements include netbooks available for each grade level and 21st Century Communication Classes for grades 5 and 6. Students in
grades 6, 7 and 8 may bring laptops to school.
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Trailblazing Spirit at Greenhill
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What are the best qualities of a Greenhill student, teacher, alumnus? The answer to that question is as varied and diverse as the vast spectrum of differences we celebrate in our community. There will never be one answer, yet let us note our common values. We are committed to instilling and exhibiting our core principles of honor, respect and compassion. We are a united group of individuals, standing together and for our own convictions simultaneously. Our history is defined by innovation and achievement, and we strive to emulate the trailblazing spirit of our founders.
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W
e are individuals within a strong community of varied voices. Our students have something to say and they are given the opportunity to say it. But there’s something that goes beyond expected encouragement between teachers and students. At Greenhill, foundations are laid at every age to instill and promote such values as motivation, initiative, self-advocacy and perseverance. Teachers embody these values themselves and foster them in their students through every outlet on campus and beyond. What is the goal? We become autonomous independent learners with fire in our eyes – and that fire burns within us throughout our lives. Susan Palmer, Head of Middle School writes in her blog, In the Classroom, “It is hard to find a shortage of motivation at Greenhill. Each day, I am impressed and gratified to find both students and faculty taking on new responsibilities, trying out new strategies or methods of teaching and learning, and looking for new ways to contribute to the community. And motivation does not just pertain to the new and different. Many members of our community are motivated to complete daily responsibilities at a consistently high level. They get up every morning determined to make the very best of the day.” The qualities that Mrs. Palmer describes are not limited to our students’ and teachers’ habits in the classroom. They radiate outward and onward from origins within each of us. There is no question that these qualities start at home with family values, yet at Greenhill we foster and elevate these values to become a significant part of who we are. Let us now take a look at what this means, inside the classroom and beyond.
“In the Upper School we want our students to develop a strong sense of self. As students in the classroom and people of the world – we want them to find their voice and learn to use it effectively.” David Braemer Head of Upper School
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IN THE CLASSROOM Upper School “In the Upper School we want our students to develop a strong sense of self,” explains David Braemer, Head of Upper School. “As students in the classroom and people of the world – we want them to find their voice and learn to use it effectively.” In preparation for college, the Upper School curriculum lays a strong foundation for self-advocacy by encouraging students to find and cultivate their own path. Ninth and tenth grades focus on a core set of courses, but by eleventh and twelfth grade, students are given the freedom to make many of their own choices and challenge themselves accordingly. Tutorial sessions are often set up between teachers and students as a way of pursuing individual interests that go beyond the offered curriculum. These are interdisciplinary student-initiated pursuits, practiced during rotating and off-periods in a one-on-one atmosphere. Chinese Teacher Warren Frerichs has experienced a high level of interest from students for continued study in Chinese. Senior Sankalp Banerjee had learned aspects of Chinese from his heritage and life experience, but Mr. Frerichs worked with him in a tutorial to fill in the gaps. “It was an enriching experience for both of us,” says Mr. Frerichs, “Sankalp exemplifies an ideal balance of outstanding intelligence
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For his Capstone project, senior Nand Dalal is working with Science Department Chair Jeff Funkhouser as well as Dr. David Lary at The University of Texas at Dallas, investigating stratospheric ozone and its degradation. Nand’s specific role is to analyze data sets that Dr. Lary’s team has developed and provide input into their larger project of evaluating how ozone concentration has changed over time in the and self-directed motivation.” History Teacher Becky Daniels is working with sophomore Shruti Rao on a tutorial dealing with the conflict between religious beliefs and actions. Mrs. Daniels further explains, “One theme will be to explore conflicts between stated religious beliefs and actions that conflict with those beliefs, for example in the context of a Holy War. Another theme will be to examine the rationale that has been used to justify genocide. We will look at the ways that leaders have drawn the line between right and wrong, and the origins of ethical/moral beliefs.” Seniors can also pursue their preferred direction with Capstone projects, designed to mimic a college senior thesis program. “It gives seniors a chance to focus on an individual pursuit or passion,” says Mr. Braemer. Before their senior year, a student may present such ideas as an interdisciplinary study, research project, performance or scientific experiment.
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The student must get it approved for the equivalent of class credit and work with an advisor throughout the process. Again we hear from Mr. Frerichs who is advising a Capstone project of senior Mashal Noor, “Mashal is exploring how calligraphy operates in Chinese and Arabic cultures as an expression of spiritual intent. In these cultures, calligraphic style is an indicator of many things, such as personal wellness and tranquility of spirit.”
stratosphere. Mr. Funkhouser says, “Nand’s work requires the integration of chemistry and physics that he has learned at Greenhill, as well as significant new learning in programming for both the data analysis software he’s using and the HTML code he needs to use to publish his results to Dr. Lary’s team.”
For his Capstone project, senior Jerry Webb is building computers out of as many recycled PC parts as possible. Once these computers are completed, they will be donated to underprivileged groups in the community. Senior Haley Eazor is writing a historical novel about ethnic groups in China and senior musicians Nick Das and Will Kraus are working together to write and record their first album.
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We would not be seeing such success in independent exploratory education if we didn’t have such an exemplary high caliber being set by our faculty. The Capstone mentors are clear examples of sheer dedication, pushing the envelope of classroom study. Let’s also go back to Susan Palmer’s blog entry where she describes motivation at work in Genie Burke’s Cold War History elective: “Last summer, Genie Burke received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Greenhill Trustee Grant program to travel to Cambridge for the Churchill Seminar. As she read and explored in the Churchill College archives, Genie developed a plan for her Greenhill students. She asked them to read several original documents relating to the early years of the Cold War and to prepare for a Socratic seminar based on their understanding, analysis and synthesis of these documents. I sat in the back of the class on seminar day and could barely keep from either applauding or joining in. First, you need to know that Genie spoke not a word. Her students, seated in a circle, began with questions and proceeded to express their positions based on the evidence. Genie silently took notes as the conversation moved from student to student in an atmosphere of civil exchange. The levels of questions contributed to an ever-deepening understanding of the issues and Churchill’s role on the world stage even after World War II. The seminar was a powerful display of intellectual engagement. What motivated this excellent moment in the life of Greenhill? Grades, maybe, but I don’t think that is the whole story. Aside from being motivated by autonomy, mastery and purpose herself as she sought greater understanding and knowledge last summer, Genie provided her students with the opportunity to become experts, to direct the conversation themselves, and to connect history to world events outside the scope of their reading. A perfect storm of motivation.”
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Summarizing Upper School goals, David Braemer notes, “We want to create an environment where students can pursue excellence within the context of the balanced program. It’s about creating a balance that’s right for the student and he or she has an active hand in figuring out what that path is.” Eighth through Twelfth Grade Learning Specialist Honelynn Parker continues the point, “The true litmus test is when we hear from our new students, recently coming from other schools. They tell us that they’ve never been so encouraged or expected to meet with teachers and share their ideas, interests and goals.”
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Middle School “Ask any ninth grader to look back a year and define a core exemplar that he or she learned in Middle School,” says Honelynn Parker. “They would say it was to be your own advocate – to assert yourself, ask the right questions, learn to problem solve, and achieve the results you need.” Self-advocacy is one of the Middle School Exemplars woven into the curriculum and modified toward the growth and development sought within the four years of fifth through eighth grade. We hear again from Susan Palmer, Head of Middle School, “Throughout our classes, clubs, advisories, and extra-curricular activities, we encourage students to ask for what they need, phrase their thoughts clearly and appropriately, and follow through with their requests. Teachers are encouraged to ask clarifying questions and to get clear feedback from their students.” Third through Seventh Grade Learning Specialist Janet Arnold affirms, “From a young age, if a student is given the right reinforcements, they begin to believe in themselves and their ability to learn something new. That provides the incentive for them to tell a teacher when they don’t understand or when they need more help. It is often a difficult thing for them to do, and it takes confidence. Yet, learning to say when you don’t understand and learning to ask the right questions is the way we all move forward and succeed in our efforts.”
“Ask any ninth grader to look back a year and define a core exemplar that he or she learned in Middle School. They would say it was to be your own advocate – to assert yourself, ask the right questions, learn to problem solve, and achieve the results you need.” Honelynn Parker Eighth through Twelfth Grade Learning Specialist
From this encouragement, Middle School students often emulate the actions of their leaders in the Upper School. They start their own clubs and suggest their own activities. A few friends in the fifth grade got together with an idea for a club called Sports Nation. They created a proposal, detailed several activities, and even secured their own sponsor without much help. “A club was born,” declared Mrs. Palmer. Other club initiatives have ranged from a Harry Potter-inspired Quidditch club to a TV-inspired Glee club. “Anything you offer, students will come,” continues Mrs. Palmer, “from Middle Schoolers writing for the Evergreen to initiating Science Olympiad participation.” The Middle School values of self-advocacy are even folded into the books they read. In The Giver by Lois Lowry, covered in sixth grade, 12-year-old Jonas is faced with a decision of whether to step out against societal norms in order to live a richer, more genuine life.
Trailblazing Spirit at Greenhill
“In Middle School, we lay the foundations for students to take a more autonomous approach to learning,” says Mrs. Arnold. “By the time they reach Upper School, they have the confidence to ask, to advocate for themselves, and to know what good questions are.”
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“In the midst of conflict, we also teach students to be courageous bystanders. We teach them how to stand up in the crowd and use assertive language Lower School As the highest grade in the Lower School, fourth graders start to see themselves as leaders, which lays the groundwork for the values of initiative, motivation and advocacy to be exercised in their studies. In the fourth grade humanities class, students study such historical events as the American Revolution and the Civil Rights Movement. A key part of these lessons is about productive protest and how to effect change. Students pick a real cause and write a letter advocating for change. These letters are then sent to real people. Head of Lower School Michael Simpson remembers one unique consequence of these letters. “One year, a letter was sent to a manager from the Department of Public Works of Dallas. It was circulated around his office and no one could believe that it was written by a fourth grader. He was so impressed that he visited the School and spoke to the class.” Another lesson takes place on the playground. A commonly heard axiom is, “you can’t say you can’t play,” based on combating exclusion and cliques in play. Children are encouraged to speak directly to each other, standing up for themselves and each other against exclusion, bullying or wrongdoing. The Eye-to-Eye conflict resolution program also underlies principles of self-advocacy. In a three-step action program, children learn to identify the conflict,
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communicate effectively with involved parties, and find a solution. “In the midst of conflict, we also teach students to be courageous bystanders,” says Michael Simpson. “We teach them how to stand up in the crowd and use assertive language toward resolution. In the case of tattling, the first question would be, ‘so what did you do about that?’” Though they may still be children, it is in the Lower School that students start to develop their view of the world, understanding and defining themselves as members of a local community, a state, a nation and ultimately our world. After the earthquake in Haiti, three fourth graders came to Mr. Simpson with a desire to aid the cause. “I guided them to discern what it would take to lead a fundraiser and identify all steps of the process,” Mr. Simpson explains. “I wanted them to learn that you can’t just ask people for money, you have to educate and persuade others toward your cause.” In the end, the kids pulled together a successful fundraiser and sent $1,740 to the American Red Cross for victims of the earthquake. A year later altruistic spirits were refueled when a group of third graders, undoubtedly inspired by their peers’ success, led a week-long bake sale with over $2,000 in proceeds going toward victims of the tsunami in Japan.
toward resolution. In the case of tattling, the first question would be, ‘so what did you do about that?’” Michael Simpson Head of Lower School
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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Clubs We see daily examples of students taking the values and learning methods they’ve practiced in the classroom and applying them with a self-starter spirit to extracurricular activities. Clubs are born through initiative. If a student has an idea paired with the perseverance to see it through, he or she has the power to make something happen. Dean of Students Art Hall affirms that the momentum this year is strong: “On average, we see about ten new clubs created per year, but this year has seen the most with around 15 startups. Some fizzle out as students graduate, but many are sustained through the years.” Mr. Hall says that they try not to discourage club ideas no matter how “out there” they may sound. “The spirit of clubs is about creating a sense of belonging and fostering connections among peers. They come to me asking permission and when they get a go-ahead, they turn to each other and go, ‘yes!’ They feel empowered and we want to guide that along with positive reinforcement.” Club ideas range from serious concerns to “let’s have fun.” True Colors (see sidebar) focuses on uniting the gay and straight communities and a new club this year, Healthy Food Choices, supports female consciousness and self-esteem, encouraging a healthy diet to move toward improved self-awareness. The Scrabble Club and Stock Market Club are self-explanatory while the SOS Brigade, another new club, is about studying anime, or Japanese cartoons.
Service Service initiatives at Greenhill are one of the most remarkable ways that we see students not only making a difference in the community, but practicing the motivation and perseverance necessary for the job. Participation in community service is such a
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The club True Colors was started last year by then-juniors Dawson Ray and Shelby Friedman. Dean of Students Art Hall gives the background story: “There was talk over the years about starting a network to support the gay/ lesbian/bi-sexual/transgender community, but student leaders were reluctant to stand up. Many students wanted to support it, but didn’t want people to think they were gay or anything else.” Ultimately Dawson and Shelby stepped out proudly and strongly. Dawson explains, “After seeing the support we got from The Day of Silence, Shelby and I decided we may have enough interest among the student body to start a club. Two days later we asked Mr. Legacy and Mr. Mercurio if they would be interested in being sponsors and we made it happen.” Mr. Hall remembers, “They didn’t listen or care about the voices around them and decided they would start the club regardless of anyone’s involvement. It was my job to make sure we gave them as much support as they needed, and the club has been a huge success.” A key to the club’s success is the focus on uniting and breaking down barriers. “It’s a gay/straight discussion group,” says Dawson. “We discuss broad topics like pop culture, legal issues, language, sports, etc., often taking cues from what’s going on in the world around us.”
large effort that an entire issue of The Hill was devoted to the subject in the spring of 2011. Between service-learning classes, required service credits, the GIVE service leadership council, and Greenhill’s annual Community Service Day, there is no question of the value and importance that Greenhill places on service. This resonates in the hearts and minds of our students and many stand out for their efforts. (See profiles on pages 38–41.) Ninth-grader Griffin Olesky was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the fourth grade. Before going into the surgery that cured him, he received a letter from Lance Armstrong and since then he has been devoted to supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation. For the last four years, Griffin has participated in Team Livestrong races, running and cycling. Together with his cross country team, he held a bake sale early this year with all
proceeds going to the foundation. “People really went above and beyond,” said his mother Stacy. “Many gave much more than the cost of a single item.” Before the start of the school year, a group of seventh graders were deeply touched by the July tragedy of the Berry family in Houston, where two parents were killed in a car accident, leaving behind three orphaned and injured children, two of them paralyzed. The students joined fundraising efforts for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and were able to send along significant support. “It was a great example of students teaming for a cause,” says Sally Rosenberg, Director of ServiceLearning and Community Service. “Usually Bar and Bat Mitzvah efforts are individual, but they effectively came together and saw the results of what they could do with joined forces.”
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Athletics How are these ideals reflected on the field, on the court, and in physical education? Motivation and perseverance are driving forces of any athlete in their will to improve performance, yet team captains are in an especially influential position to stand up and make a difference. Within each sports season a captains’ committee meets to discuss key principles, issues and goals. “The team captains are strong this year,” says Head Football Coach Jeff Hollway. “We have some really gifted athletes who have the potential to add a great deal of value to their teams.” Coach Hollway, along with other coaches, hopes to guide their captains to greater leadership capacity. “In these meetings we discuss relevant topics of the season – what’s going on, what it means to be a leader, and how to pass the torch to future leaders.” Hollway often tells his players, “It’s not my team, it’s my program. It’s your team and you have to decide what that means to you.” Hollway is currently working on expanding their scope to tap into Middle School talents. “We’re reaching out to every coach and advisor in the Middle School to identify their top leaders in athletics, in advisories, in classes, etc. I’m really interested to see where the crossover is, between athletic and academic leadership.” With the idea of identifying future talent and fostering it along the way, the coaches are building a network of support and leadership among all athletes, from the early years onward. During Homecoming week in the fall, team leadership, motivation, spirit and pride came together to unite the student body in a profound and memorable way. In his In the Classroom blog entry Math Teacher and Coach Darryn Sandler ’95 relates how two senior football players, Devin Bullock and Mikey Stanley, demonstrated positive sportsmanship regardless of their personal gain:
Mr. Sandler also described a second message from these seniors where they encouraged their classmates to not only support football, but to go out and cheer for all games, such as volleyball and field hockey throughout the week. “This was the first time that I have ever heard the captains of one of our athletic teams ask the student body to support the other teams on campus. Mikey and Devin conveyed why Greenhill is such a special place to be a student, an employee, and alum: At Greenhill, we value the entire community. Mikey and Devin encouraged the students to have pride in all of our students and teams … With such great leadership from the senior class, we have reached a time in which school spirit is at the best I have witnessed during my 21 years at Greenhill as a student, alum and faculty member.” In the inspiring words of Coaches Sandler and Hollway, we witness the admirable efforts of our students, but just as importantly, the dedication and leadership of the coaches themselves. “Our head coaches are second to none,” says Earl Dorber, Head of Athletics and Physical Education. In fact, it has been a constant goal of Coach Dorber to elevate and improve his coaching staff throughout the last decade. A few times every season, Coach Dorber gathers all coaches for a cross-disciplinary discussion. “Most people don’t realize how different sports can be from each other,” he says. “It’s difficult to ever make sweeping policy statements across the board because you’re comparing apples to bananas. But we learn from each other, from our shared experiences, and we have a better understanding of everything because of it,” Dorber continues. “And we’re proud to look around and call each other colleagues. There’s a real community aspect to what we do.”
“We always hear the captains of their respective teams get up at our typical assemblies and thank the students for coming out to support them after a big win. The only difference is that the football captains did not do this following a big win. I would argue, though, that these young men are winning. They go all out every week, giving everything they have with fewer people on their roster than any of their opponents. Coach Jeff Hollway is teaching these boys about leadership, work ethic, commitment, teamwork and dedication. Members of the football team are not walking around with a defeated attitude or bringing down the morale of the Upper School. They are cherishing their time in football and with each other while trying to find ways to build the spirit and pride of the Greenhill student body.”
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ONWARD ... So what do all these examples and anecdotes mean? Does this focus on initiative, motivation, drive, momentum, trailblazing spirit and self-advocacy represent some of the best qualities of the Greenhill community? Absolutely. Are our students better prepared to take on life’s challenges armed with these values? We think so. Do our faculty members exemplify and perpetuate these values to the benefit of their students and each other? Definitely. Are there more examples among our students and alumni of these values set forth in their lives beyond Greenhill? Read on to find out.
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Trailblazing Spirit at Greenhill
Eagle Scout Project
Brings out the Best of the Greenhill Community An Eagle Scout project of sophomore Brandon Ryan has not only become a prominent public memorial in downtown’s West End, but has involved and enriched the Greenhill community in profound ways. Starting in January of 2011, Brandon’s initiative to build a memorial park outside the Dallas Holocaust Museum was inspired by his desire to honor Holocaust survivors. Working closely with the director of the downtown museum and the well-known designer of Woodall Rodgers Park, James Burnett, Brandon set out to transform a designated section of asphalt outside the building. First he had to secure building permits by presenting his project to the neighborhood committee and landmark commission. Once he secured approval, he got a donation of bulldozing services to rip up the asphalt. The next day, he and a group of ten Greenhill friends set out to clear the land and start the project. Throughout the spring and summer, Brandon wrote grant proposals to obtain trees, received donations of landscaping supplies, (a special thank you to the Ablon family’s Soil Building Systems) and raised close to $2,000 in fundraising efforts. When the park was complete in August, he watered the trees every day for two months due to the drought.
The final piece of the project included a sculpture as the centerpiece of the park. Adapting Mr. Burnett’s design, Brandon teamed with senior twins Austin and Bronsin Ablon, who designed and built the steel sculpture. Throughout this process, they were steadily supported by Art Teacher Tony Schraufnagel. “We could not have done the sculptural aspect of the project without [Mr. Schraufnagel’s] guidance and participation,” says Brandon’s mother Debbie Ryan.
Austin and Bronsin Ablon will be using this sculpture in their art portfolio for college applications, a rare accomplishment considering the sculpture’s permanence and high-profile location. And Brandon Ryan became an Eagle Scout on January 19, 2012. A special thank you to all who supported this project. Find a complete list of donors and volunteers under News and Media, www.greenhill.org.
September 11, 2011 was sculpture installation day and the dedication of the DHM/CET’s (Dallas Holocaust Museum/ Center for Education and Tolerance) Garden of Remembrance and Tolerance took place on Sunday, November 20, 2011.
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Seventh Grader inspires Seniors On a crisp fall morning in 2011, a petite seventh grade girl became a leader amongst seniors. Lauren Stock stepped forward in a lecture hall filled with soon-to-be 18-yearolds to educate them about their potential to save lives. Last year Lauren started a program called High School Heroes in which she encourages students who turn 18 to become a potential stem cell or bone marrow donor. How did this come about? In 2008, when Lauren Stock was in fourth grade, she never thought her life would be changed forever by blood cancer. “During the summer of 2008, my mom developed a rash, and a sinus infection that wouldn’t go away. She had always been healthy, and my parents went from doctor to doctor, to make sense of the symptoms she was having.” Six months later, Lauren learned that her mother had a very rare type of blood cancer, T-cell lymphoma. After 600 hours of chemotherapy and extended hospital stays, the diagnosis was clear. Lauren’s mother needed a stem cell transplant to survive. “I didn’t know anything about stem cell transplants and neither did the rest of my family.” They learned that
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they needed to find a perfect match from a stranger and so the family organized a bone marrow donor drive. On March 29, 2009, over 1,000 people lined up outside of the family’s booth at NorthPark Center to be registered for the National Marrow Donor Program and to support the cause. About 800 potential donors were registered. Lauren explains, “All it took was an easy cheek swab to get registered.* Everyone wanted to help. We had hundreds of volunteers sign up and we raised thousands of dollars.” One month later, Lauren’s mother received her stem cell transplant at MD Anderson in Houston and now, “two and a half years later, my mom has fully recovered and is healthier than ever.” Lauren’s devotion to the cause is inspirational, not only through her personal story, but through her resolve to continue efforts. “Unless someone leaves an impact on you, you don’t really realize or remember how you can make a difference,” she says. Working with her mother’s friend, Amy Roseman, a Greenhill parent and the first DKMS donor recruiter in Dallas, Lauren is hoping to make
DKMS Americas, the world’s largest bone marrow donor center, as well known in the U.S. as it is in its headquarters in Germany (DKMS is a German acronym for Bone Marrow Donor Center). “My mom getting sick changed my world and really made me want to make a difference. Everything I do, I owe to my mom and her donor, Keith Alperin. He saved her life and he is my hero forever.” *If you are 18 and older, consider registering today. It takes a cheek swab to get registered, yet it is a lifetime commitment to be a donor, as your name is kept in the database from the age of 18–61. Go to dkmsamericas.org/register or contact Greenhill parent Amy Roseman at amy@dkmsamericas.org.
Trailblazing Spirit at Greenhill
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Trailblazing Spirit at Greenhill
Video Production Program Spurs Phenomenal Student Initiatives Evergreen writers share two stories of peer’s achievements in film Recent Graduate Creates Endowment Fund for Film by senior Jordan Rudner, Editor-in-Chief of The Evergreen It costs $3,000 to buy a new video camera for Greenhill’s Video Production program. Of the 19 cameras, 10 tripods and 17 lights used by the students in the Video Production classes, roughly 60% actually come from the personal collection of Corbin Doyle, Middle and Upper School Visual Arts Teacher. Yet those numbers will soon change as a result of a new endowment fund established by recent graduate Ryan Kline ’11.
Ryan turned to the film program specifically because of the meaning it held for him as an Advanced Video Production (AVP) veteran. Mr. Doyle’s leadership was also a major contributing factor. “Mr. Doyle taught me so much over the course of the time that I knew him, both about film and about life,” Ryan said. “He’s been a big mentor for me, and I think he defines what the program is all about.”
Last spring, Ryan began making plans to establish an endowment fund specifically for the Video Production program. The fund, named the Corbin Doyle Video Production Endowment Fund, has the goal of raising $100,000 to augment and expand the program. Currently, the fund has reached a quarter of its goal, with just over $25,000.
As with any similar fund, the new endowment works as follows: each year, the money in the fund collects a certain amount of interest. Recipients don’t touch the principal investment, yet they are allowed to spend a given percentage of the generated interest as set by the Board of Trustees. Ryan was inspired to raise money for the film program as a result of his own experiences working with Mr. Doyle. Mr. Doyle only found out about the endowment fund after it had already been established. Once he heard about the gift, it affected him greatly. “I don’t think I get touched very easily, but that was pretty touching, and so extremely generous. A gift like this is a very special thing,” he said.
Ryan created the endowment fund in order to give a long-term gift to the program. “I knew from the beginning of my senior year that I wanted to give something back to Greenhill, a school that has given so much to me over 14 years,” he said. “I wanted to do something that would last long after I had left the school.”
According to Ryan, naming the endowment after Mr. Doyle was an easy choice, as it was he who had founded the video program in the first place, and he who has kept the program going ever since. “Without [Mr. Doyle’s] efforts, the video production program would not be nearly what it is today,” Ryan said. “And I would not have been exposed to the experiences that helped me realize my goals as a filmmaker.”
Ryan created the endowment fund in order to give a long-term gift to the program. “I knew from the beginning of my senior year that I wanted to give something back to Greenhill, a school that has given so much to me over 14 years. I wanted to do something that would last long after I had left the school.” Ryan Kline ’11
For information about contributing to the endowment fund, please contact Julie Diaz, Chief Advancement Officer at diazj@greenhill.org.
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Film Student Combines Passion with Service by sophomore Ben Weinberg, Assistant Sports Editor of The Evergreen For junior Brian Broder, community service is anything but a hassle. Brian, founder of Filming for a Cause, has been making promotional films for non-profit organizations in the Dallas area since last winter. The organizations post and share these videos through Facebook and other forms of social media in order to spread awareness about themselves and their causes.
Since first starting in February, Brian and Filming for a Cause have made four films for the Vogel Alcove. He also filmed Greenhill’s work at the Vogel Alcove on Community Service Day last spring at the request of Sally Rosenberg, Director of Service Learning and Community Service. In total, Filming for a Cause has made six films, with two more in the works.
“I had an interest in connecting community service and film,” Brian said.
Brian is not the only student interested in merging his passion for film with community service. Juniors Remy Fine, Andrew Fields and Ashkan Jahangiri have all worked with Filming for a Cause on different promotional films. Ashkan helped film a joint project involving Neiman Marcus and the Vogel Alcove; Remy worked on the SMU Sleep in a Box project; and Andrew helped on a project for Educational First Steps.
His grandparents’ connections to the Vogel Alcove, a shelter for homeless children located in downtown Dallas, gave him the chance to do so. With their help, Brian contacted the organization, which had him film an event hosted by the Vogel Alcove and the Jason Kidd Foundation last February “Brian’s work has been terrific,” said Karen Hughes, President and CEO of the Vogel Alcove.
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The students involved with Filming for a Cause have gained much of their experience in film at Greenhill. All of the students who
“I had an interest in connecting community service and film.” Brian Broder, junior
have worked with Brian on his projects are active in the Advanced Video Production (AVP) class, taught by Corbin Doyle, Middle and Upper School Visual Arts Teacher. “Mr. Doyle has encouraged me a lot,” Brian said. “He’s been really helpful in critiquing my films and telling me what he thinks would be beneficial.” “He’s a go-getter,” Mr. Doyle said. “If he didn’t have his willingness to learn, I don’t think this would be happening.” Greenhill’s Video Production program has given Brian a solid background and experience in film, but according to Mr. Doyle, it is Brian’s independence and work ethic that have allowed his project to take off.
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Trailblazing Spirit at Greenhill
Self-Starters
The following four alumni stories illustrate how the trailblazing spirit of Greenhill runs much deeper than grades and diplomas. It stays with you throughout life and can lead to tangible careers that tap into entrepreneurial energy and perseverance.
Bob Freling ’77 Bob Freling never imagined he would be leading a global revolution in alternative energy sources when he was an upper school student. He recalled making the decision to attend Greenhill after spending time with Phil Foote and made the move from St. Mark’s School of Texas. Though the time he spent on campus was short, he has strong ties to his experience, crediting Jim Hendrix as “one of the best teachers” he ever had. He immersed himself in language while sitting in Joe Gonzales’ Spanish class. “[He] helped nurture in me a love of foreign languages that has shaped my personal and professional life.” Bob graduated from Yale in 1982 with a degree in Russian Studies and completed his Masters in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. He subsequently received a scholarship to study abroad in Taipei, Taiwan. While in Taiwan, Bob worked as a Chinese-English translator and was initially engaged in the early ‘90s to coordinate a rural solar electrification project in Gansu, China. “It is so important to travel, and to open your eyes to things that you are not normally exposed to,” said Bob. “That is really what happened in my case. I had a glimpse of what life was like in a setting where electricity was not available.”
Bob said his work has blessed him with the opportunity to impact people in many different ways: from providing basic lighting to generating power for schools and clinics and clean water. One of his current projects is in Benin, West Africa where his team is empowering women, helping them grow food and generate income using solar-powered drip irrigation. “The ability to look at the world and see where the gaps are, to have an intuitive sense of what’s missing and what can be done to fill those gaps, is really what is important when you are doing work like this,” said Bob. “It takes belief in the power of one individual or group of individuals and the determination to keep it going in spite of setbacks and rejections.”
“The ability to look at the world and see where the gaps are, to have an intuitive sense
The work that Bob and his team do can be extremely challenging based on the terrain, the location, the access to resources. But he believes that the risk is worth the result. “When things get tough, it always helps to reflect on the times I’ve spent visiting rural villages and seeing the positive impact that even modest amounts of electricity can have on the lives of the local community,” he said. “Seeing results on the ground has helped to sustain our efforts through all the years I’ve been doing this.”
of what’s missing and what can be done to fill those gaps, is really what is important when you are doing work like this. It takes belief in the power of one individual or group of individuals and the determination to keep it going in spite of setbacks and rejections.” – Bob Freling ’77
He was appointed as the Director of International Programs for the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) in 1995. Bob’s work for SELF in that capacity, and subsequently as Executive Director, has taken him around the world, including the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, India, the Solomon Islands, Bhutan, Tanzania, Nigeria, Benin and Rwanda.
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Michelle Beck ’95 Michelle Beck lists perseverance as one of the most important personal qualities to have when starting your own business. Though her career has changed paths and directions many times, she has created a business that started as a dream and a vision more than five years ago. This perseverance has led her to become a pioneer in behavioral therapy and she has developed a program to use an Apple iPad as a family-learning device. Michelle currently serves as a consultant with Pumpkin Littles LLC. She specializes in behavioral intervention techniques and academic-based educational tools for children and teens ages two to 16 years old. Her focus is autism, ADHD/ADD, and developmental, speech, and learning disabilities and delays. While a student at Greenhill, she began to perceive and understand the differences between each student in the ways that they learn and study. She recalled the way that Upper School teacher Jack Oros made math classes interesting, even when she did not think it was her strongest subject. “The teachers took time to meet with students when we needed extra help,” she said. “Mr. Oros’ method of teaching was a great example for me in consultations of how something that seems hard as a child in education can end up being a great influence and even an asset or talent as an adult.” After graduating from the University of Michigan in 2003, she pursued and completed a Dual-Masters degree from NYU in Early Childhood and Special Education in 2005. Michelle spent years teaching in the New York City Public Education System, and was involved with the NYC Teachers Union. She also spent time working in the mental health field in California.
While in New York in 2007, she began consultations with a small group of clients. In 2008, she returned to Dallas to create Pumpkin Littles LLC, and opened the first office in August of that year. “All children are unique in their learning styles and every child is capable of learning anything,” said Michelle. “My goal is always to provide the best therapies, guidance, knowledge and options for parents. Pumpkin Littles’ everevolving model has done this and becomes more of a success each and every day.”
“The best practice for me has been strength, perseverance
Working with children and families can be challenging, especially when children have special needs. Michelle has learned that flexibility, compassion and empathy are important qualities for anyone who runs their own business. The company has grown since then and now has a larger space which has been remodeled and includes other support services for families. “The best practice for me has been strength, perseverance and a constant search for more knowledge and training,” said Michelle. “I am proud that I have started something here in Dallas that doesn’t exist in any other part of the country, and I love every day that I am able to watch this creative endeavor grow.”
and a constant search for more knowledge and training.” – Michelle Beck ’95
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Self-Starters Sabrina Mallick Peterson ’00 “Fasten your seatbelt!” That one, simple phrase describes most of Sabrina Mallick Peterson’s life since graduating from Greenhill in 2000. She left the Hill and headed to Princeton University, graduated with a degree in Politics, and hit the ground running. After six years of working in finance in New York City, she formed her own consulting group and began splitting her time between New York and Dallas. The influences of her Greenhill teachers have followed her through various positions and cities, and still play an active role in her life today. “Mark Crotty and his wife, Sally Smither Crotty, had a huge impact on me. Mrs. Crotty gave us a composition book and would tell us to write ten pages about anything. She taught us how to think, how to be creative, and that we were all OK just the way we are,” she said. “And 18 years later, I’ve kept the habit of writing ten pages a week, documenting the trials, triumphs, inspiring and awkward moments of everyday life.” Early in 2011 while in New York, Sabrina made a connection with an entrepreneur. Within two weeks, she had interviewed, accepted the position, and moved back to Manhattan full-time as the second hire at the company, Pure Growth Partners. They are now a team of nearly thirty. In her current position, Sabrina works to create and incubate companies from the ground up. She describes it as the “intersection of celebrity, venture capital and philanthropy.” She just helped to launch their first company/brand, Street King (SK) with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The product is the cleanest, best tasting energy shot on the market, and for each shot sold, a donation is made to feed a child in need through the United Nations World Food Programme. Sabrina helped in every aspect of the product. She visited the lab to manage the development of the shot, spent time working
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Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (rapper, actor and entrepreneur) poses with Sabrina Mallick Peterson ’00.
on packaging and distribution, and then developed a nationwide marketing program including taxi advertising, NASCAR and viral commercials with Mike Tyson. SK has been a brand on the market for a few months now, primarily in Los Angeles and New York with plans to roll out nationally. 7-11 and GNC have picked up the shot and SK has been approached by well-known distributors who normally do not touch start-up brands. “This is the most fun, creative, exhilarating and emotional professional experience I’ve ever known,” said Sabrina. Though she does not always know her next move, she embraces the lessons that have presented themselves along the way. Keeping a sense of humor, staying patient, and knowing more things will go wrong than right, are some of the qualities that she thinks are important for starting your own initiatives. She encourages current Greenhill students to ask questions, to be solution-oriented, to seek out mentors and to stay positive.
“Greenhill taught us that we could do anything we put our minds to. We were encouraged to be creative, to do things differently and to be open-minded to the world,” she said. “Success is not linear. You will take a step forward, fall down on your face, take five steps back, have an existential crisis, consider moving to islands to surf and drink out of coconuts, and oscillate between confidence and total lack thereof. And it’s OK. Just keep moving and fasten your seatbelt.”
“Success is not linear. You will take a step forward, fall down on your face, take five steps back, have an existential crisis, consider moving to islands to surf and drink out of coconuts, and oscillate between confidence and total lack thereof. And it’s OK. Just keep moving and fasten your seatbelt.” – Sabrina Mallick Peterson ’00
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Trailblazing Spirit at Greenhill
John Piermarini ’10 At just twenty years old, John Piermarini is making a name for himself in the Dallas fashion world. And he’s working on the rest of the world. After graduating from Greenhill, he pursued his passion and opened his own store in Uptown Dallas. The store just recently celebrated a year of business, but John’s passion began years ago while he was in Upper School. “I’ve always been a free thinker, and I feel as though Greenhill nurtured that quality and helped me become even more free in my thought process,” he said. “Greenhill was also very open to different perspectives when it came to the classroom. I learned so much more about life in general, especially how to open myself to other ideas and perspectives.” During his time in Upper School, John began designing and executing his own clothing. As a sophomore, he created a wedding dress for a friend. He worked New York Fashion Week – assisting in the production of several shows, interning with a pattern maker for a local design house and beginning a friendship with Abi Ferrin, which has now turned into a line called Abi & John.
John is in the store every day, acting as manager, sales clerk, buyer, designer and merchandiser. He’s fully aware of the challenges that he faces as a young entrepreneur, but embraces the opportunity to follow his dreams. “Obviously, there are some not-so-fun parts of starting any business, but being completely honest, I forget all of those challenges the moment a customer puts something on in the store and walks out of the dressing room feeling more beautiful and confident than they have in a long time,” said John. “Many people did not want me to start my own business, and many people challenged what I wanted to do. If I would have listened to them I would have never been able to get to the point I’m at today.”
“Many people did not want me to start my own business, and many people challenged what I wanted to do. If I would have listened to them I would have never been able to get to the point I’m at today.” – John Piermarini ’10
John seeks out lesser known designers and international brands for his store. He visits markets across the country to find those up-and-coming designers that have not yet been discovered. He wants to give a chance to an unknown, in the same way that Dallas has embraced him. He challenges students who have a dream, to follow it and find a way to make it happen. “For me, the reason why I am where I am is because of the passion I have for the clothing industry,” said John. “I’ve loved every single step of this journey to where I am today, that’s how I know I made the right decision.”
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Behind the Password Get to Know the Greenhill Website Portal
From the homepage, there are four login entry points catering to your Constituency Group.
There is another login access button down here.
Did You Know That You Can: Login page looks like this.
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Download hi-resolution photos taken at various events
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Download videos of student performances and other noteworthy events
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View and download useful forms as well as your child’s classroom information
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Reconnect with former classmates, teachers or old friends via alumni pages and the Online Directory
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Need Help? If you do not have or know your username or password, or if you are having trouble using the new portal system, please contact the Help Desk. help@greenhill.org
972.628.5999
Alumni see this portal page. Parents see this portal page.
Alumni can access class year information via “My Groups.�
Quickly learn about the latest events for parents and find out how to volunteer.
My BackPack provides easy access to such things as billing info, grades, comments and attendance.
The Directory is just one of the many useful features on the portal. You can search the directory and find addresses, phone numbers, etc. (Erased in this demo for privacy.)
The Media Gallery is an exciting page where you can browse and download snapshots of the year.
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“Where do Greenhill students go to college?” By College Counseling
The College Counseling Office answers this question frequently. Prospective students and families, juniors embarking on the college process, even curious Addison neighbors want to know the typical outcome of a Greenhill education. But while Greenhill students matriculate into the most well-respected colleges and universities in the country (and the world!), in the college office, we’re pleased that this isn’t an easy question to answer. College Counseling at Greenhill is committed to honoring the School’s mission: to support a diverse community that strives for excellence and to value the individuality of each student. Much of our work with students and families in the winter and spring of junior year is geared toward helping students honor their unique interests and goals to help them find colleges that are just right for them. It’s hard to identify “typical” choices because our college counseling program is geared to the particular needs of each student and family.
It’s a big job for us as counselors to stay informed about such a wide array of opportunities, which is why we are grateful for “Much of our work with the chance to visit colleges each year and to students and families host the almost 200 college visitors who stop in the winter and spring of by Greenhill to meet with seniors each fall. We believe that firsthand knowledge allows us to junior year is geared stay abreast of changes in the dynamic arena toward helping students of college admissions to help guide students toward exciting new opportunities. Ultimately, honor their unique interests our favorite part of the day is having the chance and goals to help them to work so closely with students, to learn find colleges that are about their unique interests and abilities and to just right for them.” support them in finding just the right place to continue on their intellectual journey. We like College Counseling Office to think that is the “typical” destination of a Greenhill student.
Happily the choices that seniors ultimately make reflect their individuality. The Class of 2011 matriculated at more than 60 different colleges and universities that encompassed some of the most selective research universities and liberal arts colleges in the nation, as well as art schools, universities abroad, cooperative education programs, colleges committed to issues of social justice, Big 12 schools, engineering schools, special scholarship programs, and a wide array of other avenues that will allow them to achieve their specific goals and dreams.
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“Ultimately, our favorite part of the day is having the chance to work so closely with students, to learn about their unique interests and abilities and to support them in finding just the right place to continue on their intellectual journey.� – College Counseling Office
The College Conversation This is the first of a recurring column that will discuss the concepts and philosophies behind Greenhill students and the college application process. We are looking forward to featuring interesting topics for discussion in upcoming issues. Visit us on the web: www.greenhill.org/collegecounseling Directors: Marie Bigham bighamm@greenhill.org Jennifer Kincaid kincaidj@greenhill.org J.R. Neiswender neiswenderj@greenhill.org
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Fall Alumni Events
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A Message from Clay Deniger ’86 President, Alumni Association
Greenhill School 2011 – 2012 Alumni Board Officers Clay Deniger ’86 President Mark Platt ’87 Vice President Waverly Ware Wilson ’86 Immediate Past President Executive Committee Chris Clark ’89 Operations Chair Macey Small Davis ’94 Programming Chair Julie Ray Fields ’83 Service Chair Sabrina Mallick Peterson ’00 Advancement Co-Chair Nicholas Schanbaum ’00 Advancement Co-Chair Board Members Sheli Barnett ’82 Michael Baum ’89 Scott Beck ’92 Jennifer Bell-Garcia ’04 Taylor Burks ’03 Barbi Kreisler Cohen ’91 David G. Crooks ’87 Joey Music Daniel ’92 Angela Adkins Downes ’87 Jeff Fiedelman ’87 Will Fulton ’68 Holland Gary ’93 Allison Grossman ’97 Sheri Capen Hall ’87 Rachel Davidoff Ladin ’91 John Lesikar ’03 Larry Ley ’68 Zach Luterman ’90 Mark McKay ’89 Shannon Harris Ming ’94 Janie Morris ’95 Scottie Pearson ’87 Debra Goldstein Phares ’88 Matthew Prescott ’03 Michael Seeligson ’02 Ben Setnick ’93 Andrea Whitman Steiger ’03 Heather Hunter Stobaugh Robin Finkelstein Stone ’93 Michael Waldman ’98 Rick Weisberg, M.D. ’95
Dear Fellow Hornets, The fall is always a busy but exciting time for Greenhill alumni. In late October 2011, Alumni Weekend provided a chance to reunite and share memories from days on the Hill. More than 1,000 people were on campus to enjoy the traditional fried chicken family dinner before the Homecoming football game. We honored our 118 seniors in the Class of 2012 during the halftime presentation. The following evening, the classes of 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 2001 and Legacy Hornets (Classes of 1951–1980) enjoyed reunion dinners (and late night parties!) throughout the city. Although the School continues to grow, we continue to celebrate the traditions that we hold so dear. In late summer, we held our Alumni Volleyball game, which had a record number of alumni players. The monthly networking luncheons continue: September featured our two local alumni mayors, Addison Mayor Todd Meier ’69 and Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne ’88, and the luncheon in October was hosted by Greenhill parent Jay Jerrier at his restaurant Il Cane Rosso, which specializes in delicious Neapolitan pizza. The alumni office traveled with faculty to New York in October and reconnected with more than 80 alumni during the three-day trip – including an evening reception in Brooklyn at Beer Table, owned by Justin Phillips ’95. The drive to create a community of autonomous thinkers continues in the classrooms at Greenhill. Many alumni, some of whom are profiled in this issue, exemplify a trailblazing spirit that was nurtured during their time as students at Greenhill. Whether in business, community leadership or pioneering new ideas, these alumni make us proud with their passion and hard work. Spring is here and we want you involved! We went on the road to the San Francisco area in February and had a great turnout. In April, we will be hosting a reunion in the Houston area. Monthly networking luncheons, Annual Alumni Golf Tournament and Family Fun Day are coming up so check our website and our social networks for more details. For more information, please contact Katie Young at youngka@greenhill.org or visit the Greenhill alumni website at www.greenhill. org/alumni. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@alumnigreenhill) – these are great ways to stay connected to the School and to fellow Hornets living in your area. With Hornet Pride,
Clay Deniger ’86 President, Alumni Association
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Class Reunion – Legacy Hornets
Alumni from the 1970s
“The Montgomery Library was the backdrop for a new tradition this past Homecoming. The Legacy Hornet dinner celebrated the past and present by recognizing the importance of the first three decades of Greenhill graduates. These graduates helped create the traditions that are still enjoyed today. The food was delicious and everyone enjoyed being with Scott Griggs and the Advancement Staff, especially Whitney Strauss and Katie Young who helped make this wonderful event happen. Past graduates came from far and wide. Each of the grads spoke, sharing fond memories and expressing a desire for this new tradition to grow. So let us mark our calendars for next year’s Homecoming, October 6, 2012, and make this bigger each year.” – Molly Fulton Seeligson ’60
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From Left to Right Dorothy and Steve Davis ’57 Larry Ley ’68, Monty Montgomery ’68, Molly Fulton Seeligson ’60, Mickey Stuart ’67 and Will Fulton ’68 Sharla and Tom Sloan ’52 Jackie Wright Cowgill ’51 and Head of School Scott Griggs
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Class Reunion – Class of 1976
The Class of 1976 reunion attendees Doug Box, Valerie Skinner, Max Jaffe and David Nelson
“Come when you can, stay as long as you like was the theme for the night as the Class of 1976 met at the home of Valerie Holloway Skinner for their 35th reunion. Ann McDonald Drumm was instrumental in getting 18 classmates to travel from as far away as California (Laurie Siperstein-Cook), New Mexico (Sasha Pyle), and Arizona (Nancy Rozelle O’Bryan) to join more local folks from Houston (Craig Lidji), Tyler (Don Taylor), Duncanville (Selmore Haines), Rockwall (David Nelson) and Dallas (Doug Box, Peter Aberg, Leonard Epstein, Shelley Hoffman Glazer, Max Jaffe, Dan Butler, John Wheeler, Jennifer Roberts Smith and Stacy Notley) to enjoy Sasha’s renowned margaritas and a delicious buffet from Blue Mesa.
Craig Lidji, Ann McDonald Drumm, Max Jaffe, Sasha Pyle, Nancy Rozelle O’Bryan and Peter Aberg Judy Butler, Dan Butler, Selmore Haines, John Wheeler and David Drumm
A senior year Cavalcade was the source of much laughter as the tight-knit group reconnected over shared Greenhill experiences and cemented friendships begun over three decades ago. The evening ended with promises from many to reconvene again soon. Did anyone write down Sasha’s recipe?” – Valerie Skinner ’76
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Class Reunion – Class of 1981
“Friday night after the football game, the Class of 1981 went to Jay Levy’s house for a casual get-together of alumni and spouses. A Saturday night party was held at Diane Tobias Laner’s home. The catered event was organized by Brenda Houston and Diane Laner. In addition to a great menu, we served our Class of 1981 signature drink, The Green Hornet. Those who attended included: Deirdre Reishus Lauderbaugh, Kathi Ravkind Wenrich, Susan Bauman, Chell Newberry, Lori Levine Alhadef, Valencia Drake McKinzie, Anita Fonberg Chanon, Brenda Houston, Laurie Friedman Miller, Kama Boswell Koudelka, Jay Levy, David Hudson, Matt Pizette, Diane Tobias Laner, Ed Weinberger, Mark Bernstein, Rob Stone, Alan Peppard, Pam Beck Pluss, Mike Matyas, Mark Mayer, Allison Silberberg, Leland Harris, Tom Perryman, David Bock, Cathy Steinberg Glick, Mike Metzger and Mary Rogers Rhoades.
Left to Right, Back Row: Diane Tobias Laner, Matthew Pizette, Allison Silberberg, Mark Bernstein, Mary Rogers Rhoades and Jay Levy Left to Right, Front Row: Kama Boswell Koudelka and Susan Bauman
We were happy to have former faculty guests as well: Christine Eastus, Sue Roman, Ian Rule and Elaine Velvin. The last people left at 2:00 a.m. so we definitely had a good time!” – Diane Tobias Laner ’81
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www.greenhill.org
Class Reunion – Class of 1986
The Class of 1986
“We started on Friday night at the Alumni Homecoming Dinner on the Greenhill campus. It was nice to have our families together and to see our favorite faculty and staff members. The party in the Middle School rotunda was great. Afterwards, many of us headed to the Barley House where Richard Winfield hosted us for the night. Thanks to Richard for his hospitality! On Saturday night, Pierce Marshall opened his home in Dallas for a wonderful party. It was a nice time to catch up and relive some of the memories from the Hill. Pierce was playing some classic movies from our time in Upper School, and there was a DVD floating around of a memorable talent show. We were thrilled that so many of our classmates made it back to Dallas for this special weekend. Even those who could not make it back were included via Skype and Facebook. What would we do without social media to connect us all! Time will race by and our 30th Reunion will soon be upon us. Keep it in your calendar and plan on joining us in 2016!”
Richard Latin, Julie Kuntz and Julia Erwin-Weiner Julia Erwin-Weiner, Alison Murdock, Waverly Ware Wilson and Stacey Stiffel Paddack Lael Iozzo Brodsky, Lisa Fechtel Brown, Sue Roman and Eric Himel Clay Deniger, Abram Castro, Chip Hunter and Chad Dunston
– 1986 Reunion Committee
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Class Reunion – Class of 1991
The Class of 1991
“The Class of 1991 had a wonderful time during our reunion this October. We started the night at the football game, where a lot of us met up and reconnected at the alumni reception in the Rotunda. Of course, we were sad to see the Rangers lose, but we still had a great time reconnecting with each other and a few of our favorite teachers, Dr. Currier, Ms. Roman and Ms. Eastus. Our big event was Saturday night at Times Ten Cellars in downtown Dallas. We had a beautiful private room with great wine, great food and a fabulous turn-out. Many class members who could not attend were missed dearly, but we know they were with us in spirit. ’91s and their spouses traveled from as far as Northern California as well as the East Coast. Most of us had not seen each other since our tenth reunion and we all decided that we had so much fun, we would all try to do it again for our 25th!”
Barbi Kreisler Cohen and Ashley Leake Taura Null, Barbi Kreisler Cohen, Barbara Currier, Emily Sentilles, Kerri Lee Shulman and Dwayne Henderson
– Kerri Lee Shulman ’91
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Class Reunion – Class of 2001
The Class of 2001
“The Class of 2001’s 10-Year Reunion was a great success! Sfuzzi in Uptown Dallas was the setting for a warm get-together of old friends who live close by and far away. The atmosphere was relaxed and the food, drinks and company were even better. Some of our classmates who traveled from across the country to be there include Kent Siri, Iliza Shlesinger, Michelle Friedman, Tracy Rakusin, Lori Henika and Kelly Briant Ellis. A few of the hometown Hornets who made it were Josh Freeman, Jamie Katzen, Byron Sanders, Sarah Luxen Junkin, Anne Mack, Lydia Albury Jones, Aaron Brown, Nikki Lyons, Alex More, Jamie Larsen Morgan, Laura Becker, Lauren Hradsecky Blitzer, Brent Chaney and John Evans. It was truly a blast to see old faces and rekindle friendships. Thanks to Sfuzzi for accommodating us, and special thanks to Whitney Strauss and Katie Young in the Alumni Office for organizing the event! We are already looking forward to the next excuse to get together.”
John Evans, Lydia Albury Jones and Byron Sanders Jamie Katzen, Sara Luxen Junkin, Iliza Shlesinger and Kent Siri
– Jamie Katzen ’01
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Alumni News Alumni Volleyball The 13th Annual Alumni Volleyball Game brought out lots of former players to challenge the Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys squads in mid-August. The Alumni Girls played well but could not beat the Varsity Girls. However, the Alumni Boys came out in full force, with alumni from the classes of 1993 to 2011. Through four matches, the alumni held on and won again this year. It was great to see former players and their families attend this annual event.
Brittany Johnson ’09, Catherine Lark ’09, Ragini Bhushan ’09 and Nupi Bhushan ’09
Top: The Alumni Boys Volleyball team, Bottom: The Alumni Girls Volleyball team
Fall Speaker Series Luncheons The Greenhill Alumni Board hosts monthly speaker lunches to offer opportunities for personal development, professional development and interpersonal connections to members of the Greenhill alumni community. In September 2011, the featured speakers were Greenhill graduates, Mayor Beth Van Duyne ’88 of Irving and Mayor Todd Meier ’69 of Addison. The conversation began with a few questions about how Greenhill helped shape their careers in public service, and then the discussion turned to a dialogue about the challenges both mayors face in the areas of economic development, transportation, changing demographics and providing quality municipal services. It was a proud moment for Greenhill to host these two elected officials and to hear first-hand how they are making a difference in their communities. The program was moderated by Macey Small Davis ’94, a government affairs consultant and owner of The Davis Advocates, LLC.
Elizabeth Barnwell Meier ’04, Brennan Meier ’03 and Addison Mayor Todd Meier ’69
Our October Luncheon featured Jay Jerrier, current Greenhill parent and owner of Il Cane Rosso, a new and popular pizza joint in Deep Ellum. Jay shared his story about leaving his corporate job behind to start a mobile pizza truck. After the success of the mobile pizza oven, two Greenhill parents invested with Jay and he opened his Deep Ellum restaurant, which may soon expand into other areas of Dallas and Fort Worth. Jay’s restaurant has hosted many Greenhill parties and he has also catered Greenhill campus events, birthday parties and holiday gatherings.
Macey Small Davis ’94 was moderator for Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne ’88 and Addison Mayor Todd Meier ’69
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Brett Lacher ’04, Brett Holloway ’06, Michael Manes, Evan Lacher ’07 and Michael Dworkis ’04
New York Visit In mid-October 2011, Greenhill brought the alumni experience to New York City. Over a four-day visit, more than 80 alumni congregated at events that were held across the city. Our Head of School, Scott Griggs, attended with Whitney Strauss and Katie Young from the Alumni Office, and Julie Diaz, our Chief Advancement Officer. We kicked things off with a dinner at Trattoria Dell’Arte in the Theater District. Later in the trip, we ate lunch with some of our youngest alumni – those still in college at Columbia and New York University. We were most excited for the reception held at Beer Table, a bar in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn owned by Justin Phillips ’97. We had a great time that evening, catching up with old friends while we sampled Beer Table’s unique beer list, along with pickled peanuts, roasted cauliflower and caramelized bacon.
Michelle Kleinman ’05, Tisha Vaidya ’05 and James Rahardja ’05 Blair Golman ’07, Timmy Johnson ’07, Bellamy Grindl ’04, Alyssa Teichman ’05 and Hibah Yousuf ’05
Our alumni shared great stories about their time at Greenhill and we learned more about their current pursuits. Michael Manes, a Greenhill Legend and current Head of Fine Arts, made the trip with us and reconnected with his former students.
Alumni Happy Hour November 23, 2011 The Fan Sports Lounge, Dallas Kristina Norderhaug ’07, Keeya Jones ’07 and Andrea Schpok ’07
There is a large network of Greenhill alumni living and working in the New York and New Jersey area. We hope to come back and visit soon. For those of you living in the area, join us at the Greenhill Alumni of New York area group on Facebook.
Jonathan Tobolowsky ’00, Michael Tobolowsky ’06 and Robert Tobolowsky ’07 at The Fan Sports Lounge
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Alumni News Alumni Holiday Party Greenhill alumni, faculty, staff and friends gathered in Montgomery Library on December 17, 2011 for the annual Alumni Holiday Party hosted by Head of School Scott Griggs. Clay Deniger ’86, president of the Alumni Association, welcomed the group and introduced Scott Griggs, who gave a brief update on the state of the School while guests enjoyed a lavish spread of holiday treats and drinks. Top Right: Michael Seeligson ’02, Caitlin Seeligson, Aaron Timmons, Molly Fulton Seeligson ’60 and John Seeligson Right: Joi Windham ’07, Toi Windham ’07, Kamron Hakemy ’09 and Jake Levinger ’09
Alan Lesselyong ’98, Mary Tapia and Nick Schanbaum ’00
Taylor Burks ’03, Jon Aisner ’03, Matt Prescott ’03 and John Lesikar ’03
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www.greenhill.org
The alumni team included: (Front row) Mark Platt ’87, Joel Cohen ’86, Trey Johnson ’87, Clay Deniger ’86, Hunter Jumper ’08, Michael Sheinfeld ’10; (Back row) Louis Zweig ’82, Mike Silverman ’80, Jimmy Webb ’05, Ryan Fuchs ’98, Mark Huffman ’09, Steve Rogers ’09, Taylor Burks ’03, Zach Galant ’08 and Sean Altman ’09
Alumni Soccer
The tradition continued again on Brinkmann Field at the Alumni Soccer game on Saturday, December 18. The game was moved up this year to accommodate the student schedules but we had a great turnout including graduates from classes in the 1970s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s and ‘10s. Parents, families and friends watched from the stands as the alumni faced a team made of both Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity players.
www.greenhill.org
Players from five decades of classes gather on the field. Mark Platt ’87 runs alongside a current student during the alumni game.
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It’s Almost Tee Time! Nothing is better than enjoying the great outdoors with a round of golf. Don’t miss your chance to sign up to play in or to sponsor the 2nd Annual Greenhill Alumni Association Golf Outing. Join us on March 22, 2012 at Brookhaven Country Club. Start with lunch before a 1 p.m. shotgun start! The event includes a round of golf, lunch, after-golf social, gift bag, dinner and prizes including a chance to win a new car. Visit www.greenhill.org/alumni for more information or contact Katie Young at youngka@greenhill.org or 972.628.5521.
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Plan to Attend Upcoming Alumni Events! The Greenhill Alumni office works year-round to bring alumni together and strengthen their relationship with the School. We are on the move, visiting and celebrating with alumni across the United States. If you are interested in attending any of these events, please contact Katie Young at youngka@greenhill. org or 972.628.5521. You can also send Katie updates when you move, so that you will continue to receive invitations to events near you! Alumni Golf Tournament at Brookhaven Country Club, Dallas – March 22, 2012 Houston Alumni Gathering – TBA, Early April Family Fun Day – May 5, 2012
Visit our website and our social media outlets for details. www.greenhill.org/alumni www.facebook.com/greenhillalumni www.twitter.com/alumnigreenhill
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To submit information for class notes and alumni news, contact: Katie Young Alumni Relations Coordinator alumni@greenhill.org 972.628.5521 phone 972.628.6521 fax Find us on:
Can you identify the children in this 1952 photo? (See class notes for 1962.)
1962 Robbin Simmons wrote, “I just came across this slide (see above photo) that’s been in storage for over 50 years! It’s my Greenhill class, second grade I think, probably taken at the beginning of the 1952 school year. We are in the parking lot of my dad’s clinic in Richardson. I can’t name everyone, maybe others can. I see Rick Harnden ’63 wearing glasses standing on the far left. The tallest girl, blonde with pigtails in the back, is June Hunt Wright. She’s standing next to me (on my left). I’m in the middle in the back. That’s my brother, Ray Simmons ’65, in the colorful horizontal striped shirt standing in the center. I can’t identify the others with certainty. (We invite alumni to identify themselves or others by emailing Katie Young at youngka@greenhill.org.) I started the school year (1952–53) in the second grade and was transferred to third grade shortly thereafter by our teacher, Mrs. Tom Moore. I recall the day she pushed my desk across to the third grade half of the room. She made us keep an astronomy scrapbook of the constellations and the planets. We each had big sample books of wallpaper and drew on the backsides of the heavy pages. She was a great teacher that stimulated our young minds in numerous and amazing ways. She also made us learn some conversational Spanish ‘just for fun’.”
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1966 Father Scott Wilson continues as the priest of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Weatherford, Texas. He also serves to train other Episcopalians across Texas in sharing their Christian faith with others, and chairs the committee that prepares the curriculum and training for the children and teens at the diocesan summer camp. He and his wife Lana have four children and 11 grandchildren, the farthest away living in New Zealand.
1971 Ann Goldfarb Katz celebrated the wedding of her son, Josh Katz, last summer. He had a traditional Japanese wedding in Japan with his wife, Hitomi Yoshida.
1974
the evening Gala. Janet is involved in various civic and charitable organizations including Meadows Museum and Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University’s Taskforce for International Initiatives, the Latino Cultural Center, the World Affairs Council and the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations. She is also a member of the Charter 100, Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce and the Dallas Architecture Forum. In 2007, Janet founded a nonprofit organization to honor internationally acclaimed Spanish pianist Joaquín Achúcarro and to benefit the careers of young pianists. She also serves as Founding President of the Dallas Chapter of the Spain-Texas Chamber of Commerce. In recognition for her efforts to build these bridges between Spain and the U.S., the Spanish government named Ms. Kafka Honorary Consul of Spain in 1997, a post that has allowed her to promote and advocate for Spain on a cultural level as well.
Janet Pollman Kafka was selected by Northwood University as one of eight women honored on November 4 and 5 at the Distinguished Women’s 42nd Annual Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas. This special annual award of excellence is given for the contributions made by women in our global society. The Distinguished Women’s Award was bestowed at a two-day event celebration in which the honorees received a unique bronze medallion and a citation at
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Alice Barnhart, daughter of Ed Barnhart ’87, crawling through Angkor Wat last August.
1977
1985
Bill Keffer wrote, “After serving as State Representative from 2003–06, the redistricting and retirement of State Representative Will Hartnett has created the opportunity for me to return to Austin as State Representative for HD 114. This now includes all of Lake Highlands and North Dallas, a large portion of which includes many Greenhill families. You can find out more at www.billkeffer114.com.”
Will Loconto has been nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media Award for his work on the score of id Software’s newest video game, RAGE.
1981 Mark Mayer married Sheri Davis in San Diego, California on July 1, 2011. Fellow classmates Tom Perryman, Brenda Houston, Jay Levy and Kathy Levy attended the wedding.
1987 Brad Blonkvist wrote, “My son Pete placed second in the annual Stamford, Connecticut writing competition for third graders. Pete is 9 and my daughter Christie Lauren is 7. We have had a busy year visiting Disneyworld, West Texas and Dallas. Miss everyone.”
Mila Hermanovski wrote, “I am working on Star Trek 2 as a costumer through next spring! It’s a dream job (that pays the bills), in that I am designing the looks of the futuristic civilians on Earth. It utilizes the best of all my experience: fashion, styling and costuming. As one can imagine, it is a massive costume department and there is so much creativity happening all around me. Overall, it is very inspiring. Second, I am working on a Fall 2012 collection to be shown in February. I have two runway shows scheduled so far, one in Las Vegas and one in Palm Springs. And last, but certainly not least, watch me on Project Runway All-Stars, premiering officially on Lifetime! It is an entire season and sure to be entertaining. I will say, all of us who competed were very impressed with what we turned out the second time around in very little time, which is classic Project Runway style! Ed Barnhart wrote, “I can report that my daughter Alice (who shares my birthday of October 29th) just turned 1 year old. In her first year of life she traveled to Mexico, Singapore and Cambodia. Above is a photo of her crawling through Angkor Wat last August. I continue as the Director of Maya Exploration Center and will be personally leading travel courses in 2012 to Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Indonesia. Greenhill alumni are welcome to join me on any of those adventures. To learn more, people can log on to our website, www.mayaexploration.org.”
1983 Jeff Patton wrote, “In August 2011, I left my position as Director of Marketing Business Development for Anglosphere Countries with Groupe SEB, living between Dijon, France and New York, New York and joined GE as GM of Consumer Marketing for the Lighting Division based in Cleveland, Ohio. Thus I traded in my access to the best of Burgundy wine, Dijon mustard and French culture for the States’ best symphony, heart center and kind people.” Pete and Christie Lauren Blonkvist, children of Brad Blonkvist ’87
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To submit information for class notes and alumni news, contact: Katie Young Alumni Relations Coordinator alumni@greenhill.org 972.628.5521 phone 972.628.6521 fax Find us on: Graham Bitner, son of Melissa Zahn Bitner ’91, became a big brother in 2011.
1989
1990
Chris Clark was recently elected a shareholder in the Dallas law firm of David, Goodman & Madole, where Chris’s practice focuses on commercial real estate transactions, as well as lending and general business transactions. Chris joins alums Clint David ’77, the founder of the firm, and David Crooks ’87, as shareholders of the firm. Chris was also voted by his peers as one of the Best Attorneys in Dallas in 2011, in the June 2011 issue of D Magazine.
Joshua Shannon lives in Washington, D.C., and is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Art History and Archaeology Department at the University of Maryland. He wrote, “My wife, Rona Marech, and our kids went away for a wonderful weekend in the snow recently. We have two children: Jasper (age 3) and Mae, born on August 25 (between our earthquake and our hurricane!).”
1991 Melissa Zahn Bitner and her husband, Andy, welcomed their second son, Alex Harrison Bitner, on August 29, 2011. Melissa wrote, “Andy and I were so excited to have another little boy and Big Brother Graham is enjoying his little brother (or at least trying to understand the concept of having a sibling).”
Joshua Shannon ’90 with wife, Rona Marech, and children, Jasper and Mae
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Robyn Cort Quattrone wrote, “My husband David and I live in the Washington, D.C., suburbs with our two boys, Leo (age 7) and Nathan (age 5). Leo and Nathan attend The Langley School, which is similar to Greenhill in almost every way, except that it only serves students through the eighth grade. I am a partner at the law firm of BuckleySandler LLP which primarily serves clients in the financial services industry. My husband is the Chief Technology Officer at Cvent, Inc. in McLean, Virginia.”
Danielle Brutsche wrote, “I live in New Orleans and love it. I work for the New Orleans Public Library (always was a bookworm, still am!) and am keeping very busy fixing up an old house that my boyfriend and I bought.” Duane Henderson has returned to the United States after a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. Rachel Davidoff Ladin wrote, “I am living in Dallas and so happy to be sending both of my children to Greenhill this year. Brent is in third grade and Alex is in kindergarten. Both are very active in sports! Brent loves to ask me if I did “that” when I went to Greenhill so many years ago, and if I remember all the special activities and field trips that he now goes on.”
Duane Henderson ’91 was deployed for a year in Afghanistan.
www.greenhill.org
1992 Jason Ginsburg wrote, “After 18 years in Los Angeles, I moved to New York City in April. My wife and I sold all our furniture and both our cars. We basically only kept our DVDs, our TV and our cat. The timing of the move allowed me to attend the On-The-Road reunion in Los Angeles in March and then attend the reunion in NYC in October! I look forward to meeting more New York Hornets in my new home. I write for the computer screen by day and for the other two screens by night.”
on his sixth year of teaching high school art. Marley (age 4) will be starting kindergarten next fall. She just completed her first season of soccer and loves taking gymnastics class. Miles (age 3) has just started his first gymnastics class and also played his first season of soccer.” Brad Bernstein wrote, “We are thrilled to announce the birth of Seth Aaron on May 3, 2011. Seth is joined by his proud big sister, Farryn, who is 2 years old and recently started pre-school last September.”
1994
1996
At the end of the legislative session, Texas State Representative Eric Johnson was the sole member of the Texas Legislature chosen to participate in the 2011 Emerging Leaders Program by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. He was also awarded the 2011 Achievement Award by the Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program. In September 2011, the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce named Rep. Johnson one of the 2011 Five Outstanding Young Texans. In October 2011, the Dallas Regional Chamber bestowed upon Rep. Johnson their first annual Courage in Public Service Award.
Sharon Stewart Schweizer wrote, “In October 2010, Chas and I were blessed with healthy twin girls, Ashley and Catherine. We also have two older children, Tyler (age 6) and Jessica (age 4). I continue to work full-time at Microsoft as a senior software developer on the Xbox LIVE team.”
1995 Shanti Majefski wrote, “As far as my professional life goes, I have been working for Early Childhood Intervention providing Infant Mental Health services for over eight years, as well as growing my private practice for the last three years. In January 2012, I will be expanding my private practice and moving to a new location in Allen, Texas. I will be kicking off the New Year with Your Life Counseling Center, which will offer individual, family and group counseling to address social, emotional and behavioral issues in children, adolescents, women and families. I will also offer Social Skills groups that address a variety of needs for children ages 3–18. I’m very excited to be expanding my practice. My website is www. yourlifeallen.com. On a personal note, my husband and I celebrated our seven-year anniversary back in September. Thomas is
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About a year ago, Gavin Manes began serving as the emcee for Elote Tulsa’s Luchador events. Beth Downing wrote, “He dons a tuxedo, picks up a microphone and does color commentary for live masked Mexican wrestling. The wrestling usually takes place at Elote Café (in the bar), but twice a year, they move it out to the downtown street for a party that hosts more than 4,000 attendees. The restaurant is owned by a fellow entrepreneur and friend, Libby Auld, so he gets to do something completely outside of digital forensics and help out another small business owner.” Marissa Lifshen married Daniel Steinberger on May 29, 2011 at a beautiful outdoor ceremony outside of Baltimore, Maryland. The wedding was officiated by Marissa’s uncle, Rabbi Leonard Lifshen, who had also officiated at her parents’ wedding 38 years earlier. The couple honeymooned in Paris and Nice before returning to their home in Arlington, Virginia. Daniel works as a producer for ABC News while Marissa is enjoying her job as a Lead Educational Adviser at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation mentoring high-achieving, low-income students from across the country.
Kari Feinstein Ceitlin ’97, founder of Enlighten
1997 Kari Feinstein Ceitlin wrote, “In 2011, I celebrated the seventh anniversary of Enlighten, a business I founded in 2005 with the purpose of helping others look and feel their best. I have been blessed with incredible support from friends in the Greenhill network, my family and patients, plus exciting local media coverage. The 33TV, Daily Candy Dallas, Pink Memo, D Magazine and People Newspapers have helped to shine a spotlight on the services we offer and some of the dramatic before and after results. My sister, Abby Feinstein, joined the Enlighten team this year. Beyond the satisfaction of running a thriving business, I also feel incredibly fortunate to have found a balance between my career and my life at home raising our two sons with my husband, Jay.” Jason Cleveland is engaged to marry Kelly Ayala. Brian Hubler, his wife of two years, Mollie Hightower, and two old friends from college drove from England to Mongolia this summer in a 1.2-litre Fiat Panda as part the Mongol Rally, a loosely organized challenge for charity. Their 11,000+ mile route crossed the Balkan states, Iran, all but two ‘Stans’ and a piece of Siberia before a final stretch of 1,000 road-less miles across wild Mongolia. What remained of their Fiat was sold for charity at the end of their 50-day trip. Despite some hardships and broken axles en route, they would recommend the trip to others. Beth Downing will serve as President of the Tulsa YWCA for 2012.
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2002 Michael Seeligson married Caitlin Brumett at Founders’ Place on the Greenhill School campus on May 28, 2011.
To submit information for class notes and alumni news, contact: Katie Young Alumni Relations Coordinator alumni@greenhill.org 972.628.5521 phone 972.628.6521 fax Find us on:
1998 Ryan Fuchs married Saretta Zanjanchian on October 8, 2011 in Cancun, Mexico. Fifty-four friends and family members made the trip to attend, and it was a great time all around, especially considering that the weather cooperated.
1999 Sarah Leiseca wrote, “Robert Wimberley and I were married on October 15, 2011 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It was a fabulous vacation with a wedding celebration plopped in the middle of it, which made last fall really something special.”
Blake ’01 and Laura Ley Staub ’01 with their son, Grant Henry Staub
2001 Laura Ley Staub wrote, “Blake and I are so happy to announce the arrival of our first child, Grant Henry Staub, born November 2, 2011. Grandparents Georgia and Larry Ley ’68 and Lynn & Jay Staub, aunts and uncles Carolyn Ley Thomas ’97 and her husband Jake, Jackie and Brandon Staub ’03, Shana and Derek Staub, and Brittany Staub ’03 were all in Houston to help welcome Grant into the world.” Michelle Friedman moved to London in 2007 to get her Masters at the London School of Economics, and then took a position at the World Bank. She moved to Washington, D.C., in 2009 and is working on the development of the private sector in Haiti for the Inter-American Development Bank, traveling around, and enjoying her life and her friends in Washington, D.C. She recently visited her friend and fellow alumna, Iliza Shlesinger, in Los Angeles. Jennifer Hanson Isaacs wrote, “Our family currently lives in Pinehurst, North Carolina where my husband Rusty is stationed at Fort Bragg. On August 25 we welcomed our second child, James, who joined big sister Chloe (age 2). Rusty deploys shortly to Afghanistan, and I am keeping very busy with our adorable children and am graduating this December with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Math. We welcome any visitors to North Carolina!”
Chuck Briant ’99 and his son James, who turned 1 on December 31, 2011.
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Iliza Shlesinger wrote, “I am not really famous, but getting there! I’m hosting a comedy dating show that is on five nights a week. Check your local listings!”
Gerald Massoud wrote, “I just graduated from the University of Houston with my masters in music and will soon determine where I will be attending school for my DMA (doctoral arts in music). I spent the fall of 2011 preparing for a month-long trip to China. I was working with Tapestry, a tap dance company out of Austin, Texas. They do a show called The Souls of Our Feet, and it features scenes from classic tap routines to modern jazz tap. I was the bassist for the tour and lived in Shanghai for a month. We traveled around the area performing in huge halls, concert venues, on the street and in universities as well as private performances.”
Charles Smith ’02 and Kelley Hampton ’01 at a wedding in Philadelphia
Charles Smith has joined the Department of Transportation’s Office of General Counsel as a trial attorney in the division responsible for promulgating and enforcing aviation laws and regulations. He and Kelley Hampton ’01 recently attended a Georgetown classmate’s wedding in Philadelphia. Carla Kinney Childs married Joshua Childs on July 2, 2011 at Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas in a wedding full of Greenhill alumni including: Jennifer Kinney ’99, Celeste Sanders ’00, Byron Sanders ’01, Lauren F. Jones, Lindsey Washington and Brandon Kinney ’04. Carla teaches at Greenhill School and several of her current and former students also attended the wedding.
www.greenhill.org
Brandon Staub ’03 married Jaclyn Karas Staub last July. Also pictured, Brennan Meier ’03, Lee Szor ’03, Blake Staub ’01, Laura Ley Staub ’01 and Brittany Staub ’03
2003
2004
Travis Blakeley has been named Assistant Coach/Player Development for the 2011–12 Texas Legends season. Travis, the grandson of famed University of North Texas Coach Bill Blakeley, has risen quickly up the coaching ranks. He was the Legends Director of Player Personnel in the 2010–11 season and helped the Legends acquire an NBA D-League record: seven former NBA first-round draft picks in the Legends inaugural season. He maintains a role in the business side of the franchise as well, as a Senior Director of Business Development.
Jared Scheib wrote, “I attended the North American premiere of my feature documentary, The Mayor, at the Lone Star International Film Festival in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square in November. The film received a stellar review in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, calling it the ‘most affecting film’ of the festival. I was happy that Corbin Doyle and other teachers and friends from Greenhill were able to make it. This all followed the world premiere in Israel in May at DocAviv (Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival), which I also attended. For more information, check out www.themayormovie.com.
Brandon Staub and Jaclyn Karas Staub were married on July 30, 2011 in the Berkshires in Lenox, Massachusetts. The bridal party included several Greenhill alumni, including Brennan Meier, Lee Szor, Blake Staub ’01, Brittany Staub and Laura Ley Staub ’01.
As for leisure, I made it up to San Francisco for a Napa Valley wine tour with Brett Lacher ’04, Michael Dworkis ’04, Sophie Levy ’07 and Daniel Gross ’04.”
2005 Shawn Hiner-Leamon is living and working in New York City for Bernstein Global Wealth Management. In his free time, he has started running and ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., on October 30, 2011 in 3:27:06. He looks forward to running more marathons in the future.
Additionally, I directed my first play, Wrestles With Machista, in Los Angeles in August. It was wonderful to direct actors again after almost five years of documentary work. I’ve also continued to run and grow a fine art startup where I manage and distribute the artwork of my friend, Cecelia Webber, who has gained a lot of international attention with her human flower art. It’s been quite a learning experience. Life is busy, but it’s all very exciting! Shawn Hiner-Leamon ’05 ran the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2011.
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To submit information for class notes and alumni news, contact: Katie Young Alumni Relations Coordinator alumni@greenhill.org 972.628.5521 phone 972.628.6521 fax Find us on:
2006 Lindsey Davis wrote, “I am living in Washington, D.C., and working for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) doing HIV/AIDS work. One of the cool parts of my job is the travel. In February 2011, I spent several weeks in Afghanistan supporting the Health & Education Offices at the USAID Mission in Kabul. Last October I was in the newly independent South Sudan helping the HIV/AIDS Team there on a couple projects. It’s kind of cool to be in the newest country in the world!”
Lindsey Davis ’06 with Somali women at a training center in Nairobi, Kenya
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Christina Marmol ’08, Greg Lyons ’08 and Johanna Lambert ’08 in November 2011
Maggie Sinak wrote, “I’ve recently taken up running. On October 22, I ran my first race – a 10K in the beautiful Prospect Park, Brooklyn – and am currently training for my next large event, a 25K trail race in Staten Island. The practice of running has become a very important aspect of my life; physically and mentally. My newest goal is to raise $5,900 and run the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon in Madrid (Maraton de Madrid) on April 22, 2012. But, even if you’re not capable of donating, I am still hoping you will check out the link and support my running and fundraising efforts! (http://pages. teamintraining.org/nyc/madrid12/msinak) In the next five months, I will be racing a 25K, starting my marathon training, moving across the country to Summerlin, Nevada with my honey, reaching my fundraising goal of $5,900, and going on a national and Canadian tour with ‘Mythbusters: Behind the Myth.’ This means that during my training, I will have the opportunity and pleasure of running in 30 different cities across America and Canada. Throughout the season I will be updating you on my TNT training, your fundraising accomplishments, my personal running journey and the tour!”
2008 Courtney Webb, a senior goalkeeper for the SMU women’s soccer team, earned second team Academic All-Conference USA honors for the second consecutive season. A civil engineering major, Webb started 19 of 20 games during her senior season where she posted a 10-8-1 overall record. The SMU senior recorded four shutouts to go along with a 1.03 goals against average. Christina Marmol, Greg Lyons and Johanna Lambert reunited at the HarvardYale football game in November 2011.
2009 Phillip Hiner-Leamon, a junior defensive end at Trinity University, was a first team All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference award winner after recording 44 tackles (23 solo) and a team-high 6.0 sacks. HinerLeamon helped the Tigers post a 10–0 regular-season record, including an SCAC conference title, before falling to McMurry University in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships.
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2011
Rebecca Matyas ’09 spent fall and winter in Alcala de Henares, Spain.
Andres Ramirez, a junior on the Hendrix College cross country team, garnered AllSouthern Collegiate Athletic Conference honors for the first time in his career. The former Greenhill runner finished 13th overall at the SCAC Cross Country Championships en route to helping the Warriors post their highest team finish (fifth) since joining the conference in 1992. Rebecca Matyas wrote, “I am currently studying abroad in Alcala de Henares, Spain, about an hour outside of Madrid. I am studying Spanish literature, grammar and culture in the University of Alcala de Henares in classes with Spanish students. In my spare time I am traveling and hiking all I can! The attached photo is of me hiking in Somosierra, just outside of Madrid. Visit my blog at http:// rebeccamatyas.tumblr.com/ for more info about my adventures.”
Cameron Burk wrote, “There are not too many similarities between life in Bloomington, Indiana and life in Dallas, Texas. Transitioning from a school of 1,200 students to one of 40,000+ was the biggest culture shock of my life, but I am loving every minute of it. I’m majoring in Sports Marketing and Management, but I’m going to take advantage of the Kelley School of Business as much as I can. My classes range from 20 to about 400 students, so I’ve gotten a taste of everything! Recently, I joined Max Chanon, Jonathan Fine, and the rest of our pledge class in participating in Indiana University Dance Marathon – an event that raises money and awareness on behalf of Riley Children’s Hospital. We were with thousands of other students and couldn’t sit or sleep for 18 hours! It was an amazing experience as we played games, played with the kids, and learned a whole dance routine during the 18 hours! It was the most successful IUDM in its 21-year history, raising more than $1.8 million. I’ve had a great start to my college career and I’m loving IU!” Amanda Garcia is serving as Director of Services for the Congress of the South 40 at Washington University in St. Louis. This past fall, she organized a campus visit by actor and activist Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Allison Silberberg (former student ’81) led a makeover of the Alexandria, Virginia homeless shelter last July.
Former Students As Chair of the Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC) in Alexandria, Virginia, Allison Silberberg (former student ’81) led a city-wide effort called “All Hands on Deck” to do a makeover of the city’s homeless shelter on July 12, 2011. EOC members solicited donations of furnishings and supplies from the community. Home Depot, the project’s largest donor, provided paint, blinds, flooring, lighting and landscaping, as well as on-site volunteer expertise. More than two dozen donors participated. More than 100 volunteers, including 40 Home Depot experts, EOC members and a dozen shelter residents, remodeled the shelter – an example of civic engagement at its best. Allison wrote, “Together, through ‘All Hands on Deck,’ we are reaching out to the most vulnerable in our midst and showing how the whole community cares deeply and wants to see everyone do better, especially during these tough economic times. We are also raising awareness about unmet social needs in our community.” (For more info: www. allisonsilberberg.com.)
Jonathan Fine ’11, Cameron Burk ’11 and Max Chanon ’11 attend Indiana University together.
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In Memoriam Dr. George Boswell Father of Brianna Boswell Brown ’78 and Kama Boswell Koudelka ’81 December 6, 2011 Elizabeth Cowles Mother of Jan Cowles Sendker ’85 October 18. 2011 Nancy Cox ’69 September 15, 2011 Elfrieda Goodman Mother of Jeff Goodman ’87 and Elliott Goodman ’89 and Grandmother of Hayden Goodman, Kindergarten December 9, 2011 Stanley Hickman Father of Dana Johnson ’86 January 3, 2012 Catherine Hollingsworth Mother of Chris Hollingsworth ’75 November 7, 2011 Dr. Sol Lurie Father of Melanie Rubin ’85 and grandfather of Brent Rubin ’14, Jillian Rubin ’17, Beckham Myers ’17, Ross Rubin ’19 and Anna Myers ’19 December 30, 2011
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Carroll Malone ’56 October 20, 2011 Joanne Phelps Mother of Chris Phelps ’70 October 3, 2011 Tyler Rowland ‘08 February 1, 2012 Dr. Gerald Sigman Father of Lisa Sigman Paquette ’91 and Amy Sigman ’87 July 16, 2011 Harold Star, Jr. Father of Meri-Kay Star ’73 and Harold Star, III ’70 October 12, 2011
In Memoriam Edith Eileen Zuttermeister Edith Eileen Zuttermeister, better known by many as “Grandma Z,” passed away on October 30, 2011. Grandma Z was the mother of Lynn Nikaidoh, an active Parents’ Association member in the ’90s, and grandmother of Kimi ’00 and Ken ’03. Mrs. Z was on the Greenhill campus almost daily as a Lower School sub for around 15 years. She was devoted to her family and became a third parent to Kimi and Ken, supporting them in all their interests, victories and defeats. She was known for her baking, compassion, open-mindedness, gracious hospitality and notes of encouragement to friends and public figures alike.
Margaret Wells Mother of Chris Wells ’91 September 7, 2011 Edith Eileen Zuttermeister Grandmother of Kimi Nikaidoh ’00 and Ken Nikaidoh ’03 October 30, 2011
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Turning Points Weddings
Caitlin Brumett Seeligson and Michael Seeligson ’02 (Left)
Sheri Davis and Mark Mayer ’81 July 1, 2011 Carla Kinney Childs ’02 and Joshua Childs (Left)
Marissa Lifshen ’96 and Daniel Steinberger May 29, 2011 Saretta Zanjanchian and Ryan Fuchs ’98 October 8, 2011
Jaclyn Karas Staub and Brandon Staub ’03 (Below)
Sarah Leiseca ’99 and Robert Wimberley (Below)
Sarah Leiseca ’99 and Robert Wimberley October 15, 2011 Carla Kinney Childs ’02 and Joshua Childs July 2, 2011 Caitlin Brumett Seeligson and Michael Seeligson ’02 May 28, 2011 Leot Chen ’03 and Vaughn Taylor December 10, 2011 Jaclyn Karas Staub and Brandon Staub ’03 July 30, 2011
Saretta Zanjanchian and Ryan Fuchs ’98 (Above)
Births Tiffanee Siri Ellman and Richard Ellman ’89 Son, Greyson Kade Ellman – October 20, 2011 Rona Marech and Joshua Shannon ’90 Daughter, Mae – August 25, 2011 Melissa Zahn Bitner ’91 and Andy Bitner Son, Alex Harrison Bitner – August 29, 2011
Alex Harrison Bitner (Left) Jaime Parker Tunis (Right)
Jillian Bernstein and Brad Bernstein ’95 Son, Seth Aaron Bernstein – May 3, 2011 Rebecca and Ian Thompson ’96 Daughter, Cora Terese Thompson – November 11, 2011 Michelle Poliak-Tunis ’00 and Jeremy Tunis Daughter, Jaime Parker Tunis – November 22, 2011 Jennifer Hanson Isaacs ’01 and Rusty Isaacs Son, James Isaacs – August 25, 2011
Greyson Kade Ellman (Right) Cora Terese Thompson (Above)
Laura Ley Staub ’01 and Blake Staub ’01 Son, Grant Henry Staub – November 2, 2011
Grant Henry Staub (Left)
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Why I Give Barbara Currier, Ph.D. Upper School Math Teacher Barbara Currier came to Greenhill in the fall of 1984, newly relocating to Texas from France where she had been teaching at the American School of Paris. She served as Mathematics Department Chair from October 1991 until June 2007. In 2005–2006, Barbara served as a Faculty Leader, and in 2009 she joined the ranks of Greenhill Legends for her 25 years of service. In addition to teaching Upper School math (Calculus AB, Honors Algebra II and Vector Calculus/Differential Equations), she has been active in the math team world, coaching the Upper School Math Team and serving as the current Chair of the National MathCounts Question Writing Committee. She has used her skills to be a College Board consultant for about twenty years, speaking often at workshops and summer institutes about teaching AP Calculus. Also the mother of alumnus Tommy ’07, Barbara believes there is nothing better than working with Greenhill students, “Teaching at Greenhill is so much more than my job – it is one of the central parts of who I am.” Because she believes wholeheartedly in the mission of Greenhill, she also feels the importance of doing her part and supporting the School. “I feel fortunate to teach here and have been treated well by Greenhill. We deliver a fantastic product and tuition doesn’t cover it. As faculty, it is in our best interest for the school to be financially viable and sustainable.”
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Greenhill School 2011 – 2012 Board of Trustees Officers Karla R. Barber Chair Gilian Lempel Baron Assistant Chair/Secretary T. Curtis Holmes, Jr. Finance Chair/Treasurer
Former Board Chairs Electing to Serve Ex-Officio Sally R. Estes Trustee since 1976 Irvin Grossman Trustee since 1973 Michael J. Halloran Trustee since 2002
Trustees Debbie Andres Richard G. Andrew Ellenore Baker Barry Barnett Sandra J. Beckert J. Baxter Brinkmann Peter S. Brodsky Nancy P. Carlson Clayton K. Deniger ’86 Gary Fernandes Laura Forson Holland Gary ’93 Scott A. Griggs, Head of School, ex-officio Gail Griswold David J. Haemisegger Preethi Jayaseelan Oscar A. Joyner ’93 Ann Frances Jury Nancy Kasten Peter Andrew Kraus Laurence H. Lebowitz Zeck Lieberman, M.D. Malia Litman E. Pierce Marshall, Jr. ’86 Sandra Kim Moon Camille Owens Milton Packer, M.D. Guillermo Perales Alan Jay Perkins Pam Beck Pluss ’81 William E. Rose ’85 Steven Rudner Molly Fulton Seeligson ’60 Patricia A. Smith Mark Solomon Bruce Sostek Arlene Switzer Steinfield Moyez S. Thanawalla Mike Weinberg ’82 Waverly Ware Wilson ’86
Rusty Jaggers Trustee since 1994 David L. Johnson ’67 Trustee since 1987 H. Ronald Nash Trustee since 1987 Lifetime Trustee Daniel T. Phillips Trustee since 1997
Greenhill School Advancement Office Scott A. Griggs Head of School Julie Diaz Chief Advancement Officer Alli Busby Director of Advancement Services Mel Curtis Administrative Assistant to Chief Advancement Officer
The Hill Magazine is published two times a year by the Advancement Office of Greenhill School. For comments or story ideas, contact: Emily Wilson wilsonemi@greenhill.org 972.628.5488
Anne Hudson Director of Annual Giving Kristy Joiner Database Coordinator Theresa Jones Events Manager/Parents’ Association Liaison Joe Monaco Web and Media Services Manager Kerry Shea Director of Marketing and Communications Whitney Strauss Director of Alumni Relations and Major Gifts Emily Wilson Communications and Public Relations Associate Katie Young Alumni Relations Coordinator
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Greenhill School Upcoming Events Commencement
Founders’ Day 2012
Homecoming 2012
Sunday, June 3 4:00 p.m. Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
Tuesday, September 11
Friday, October 5