In a diverse and inclusive community, Greenhill prepares and inspires students to lead authentic, purposeful lives.
GREENHILL VISION
We see our students joyfully reaching their full potential. We see our school thriving as an academically excellent, diverse, inclusive, and connected community. We see our world made more hopeful because of the Greenhill community.
GREENHILL CORE VALUES
Excellence | Integrity | Compassion | Courage
(from left to right) Taylor Chon ’25, Zoe Dzialowski ’24, and Alex Sharma ’25 enjoying the new Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center.
Dear Greenhill Community,
One of the most moving stories of Greenhill’s history is the destruction by fire of the Bernard Fulton Upper School building on March 30, 1987. Even though I didn't arrive at Greenhill for another 30 years, I feel a connection to that event through Ed Costello, Head of School at Durham Academy who hired me there in 2008, and Head of Upper School at Greenhill in 1987.
Ed watched the building burn in the early morning hours from the the Upper School building steps of the old farmhouse. Greenhill imprinted itself on Ed’s heart, and he carried a love of the school with him when he left. It was Ed, who became my dear friend and mentor, who convinced me (a bred-in-the-bone North Carolinian who had never set foot in Texas) that Greenhill School was something special. He was right.
The typical retelling of the burning of the Upper School usually includes our cheerleaders, who heroically festooned the campus with signs proclaiming, “Greenhill is not buildings. It’s PEOPLE!” It’s a fitting coda to the devastation the school faced in that moment and a reminder that what was most important about our school then is still the case now: Our true strength is our community and the people who comprise it.
The indomitable spirit of our cheerleaders is inspiring, but personally I am moved by a smaller footnote in the story. In From Humble Beginnings (written by Associate Head of School Tom Perryman ’81 and essential reading for any Greenhill community member), Greenhill Legend Christine Eastus noted that the loss of the Upper School stimulated the faculty and students to think about teaching and learning in new ways. The tragedy was, in one sense, liberating. “In a way, it freed us of . . . old ways of teaching,” said Eastus. She recalls a campus invigorated by the possibilities of reinvention.
People often ask me what my vision is for Greenhill; the past six years have helped sharpen my focus. “A school invigorated by the possibilities of reinvention” comes pretty close. I want Greenhill to be the innovative school. The dynamic school. A campus that teems with entrepreneurial ideas, where our ambition has a vibration you can feel, where invention is in the drinking water.
Greenhill is people—dynamic, creative, innovative people. And Greenhill’s people need amazing spaces in which to do their work. The 2023–24 school year was a banner year for
providing a space for our students and faculty to dream inspiring dreams and envision their future. The opening of the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center brought cuttingedge math and science classrooms; an innovation corridor with a two-story high bay, open space for project work, and a robotics lab; and a spacious lobby for students to enjoy a beverage from Catalyst Coffee or meet a friend to study.
This new building is already changing how our community interacts. Math, science, and innovation teachers for grades 5–12 are collaborating on curriculum, and the Design & Innovation program launched the What’s NEXT Fund, a program that allows students to pitch their idea to a panel of experts for a chance at receiving funding or mentorship opportunities. You can read more about the building and the ways in which people are using it on page 24.
We were grateful to open the building in time to give our seniors a few months in the new space. We wish the Class of 2024 the best of luck as they catapult into their next phase of
life. As I mentioned in my charge to the class at Commencement, we cannot wait to see the people they become as a result of what they have experienced and accomplished during their time on the Hill. Their graduation marks a time when they have accomplished so much . . . and a time when they are still becoming the people they are meant to be.
I hope that the summer provides our graduates—and each of us—time to reflect on the year we have just completed and to dream and plan for the one ahead. For those on campus next fall, if you find yourself in Catalyst Coffee, ask for “The Lee”: an iced latte with oat milk and one pump of honey. It will get your day started right.
My best,
Lee J. Hark
The Fredston Family Head of School
For details on moments like these and many more, visit our social media channels and www.greenhill.org/news for the latest and greatest happenings!
Facebook.com/GreenhillSchool @GreenhillSchool
FOUNDER'S
Founder’s
Murphy Group and the Dick Hall Group.
HOMECOMING | Our Y2K-themed Homecoming celebration brought back the unforgettable style and nostalgia of the millennium, capped off with an epic Hornet Football win.
HALLOWEEN | The Halloween Parade, a cherished campus tradition, was filled with fun and festive costumes for all!
HOLIDAY SINGALONG
| The Holiday Sing Along was the perfect way to end the fall semester and was enjoyed by students from all divisions!
GREENHILL GOES GLOBAL | From the flag parade to the student performances, every moment at Greenhill Goes Global celebrated the various cultures in our community.
GRANDPARENTS ʼ AND SPECIAL FRIENDS' DAY | Preschool,
and Middle School students were excited to host and perform for their guests on Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day.
divisions witnessed the historic solar eclipse on April 8 and had a blast learning about it from the academic fair exhibits
campus.
also hosted 17 undergraduate students from Bucknell University who were studying the sun’s corona and could only do so during totality. These students set up their equipment on the quad and hosted a booth at the Astronomy Fair so Greenhill students could learn from their studies and experiments.
Lower
SOLAR ECLIPSE | Students across all
on
Greenhill
Academic Highlights
Debate
The Greenhill Speech and Debate team won two national championships and matched school records at the state tournament.
Forty-three students qualified for the Texas Forensic Association State Tournament, matching last year’s school record. The team placed seventh in Team Sweepstakes out of 188 schools and finished in second place in Lincoln Douglas and World Schools debate.
At the Tournament of Champions, Kaden Alibhai ‘24, Sophia Li ’24, Emily Hu ‘24, and Sherry Zhang ’25 championed the inaugural World Schools Debate division.
Adam Kesselman ’24, Seth Lee ’24, Sarah Koshy ’26, Rory Liu ’26 and Gautam Chamarthy ’25 each reached elimination rounds in their respective events.
At the NDCA Championship, Kaden Alibhai ’24, Vivaan Gupta ’24, Angela Kamgang ’24, Varun Mukund ’25, and Aditi Vikram ’25 championed the World Schools Debate division.
Fourteen students qualified for the National Speech and Debate Tournament in June.
Sophia Li ’24 and Sherry Zhang ’25 were selected as members of the 2023-24 USA Debate National Team.
Sophia will be among the five students selected to represent the country at the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, and Sherry will travel with the team as an alternate.
Congratulations to all students for their excellent performance during the 2023–24 school year.
Middle School Quiz Bowl
Greenhill concluded its Quiz Bowl season by competing at NAQT’s Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. Greenhill sent four different teams to represent the school; only one other school in the nation sent as many teams asas the mighty Hornets.
Greenhill A was comprised of Arman Makhani '28, Tomal Khan '28, Adam Haq '28, and Adam Tawil '29. They finished the preliminary rounds with a 6–2 record, advanced deep into the playoffs, and finished tied for 21st.
Tomal was recognized as an All-Star by finishing with the 17th best individual performance in a field of almost 800 students.
Greenhill B was comprised of Wilson Heeringa ’28, Connor Kim ’28, Dylan Shah ’28, and Evan Huang ’29. They finished the preliminary rounds with an even record, a major achievement at the national level, and they swept all three games in the consolation rounds.
Greenhill C was comprised of Ansh Gandhi ’28, Reian Ghelani ’28, Ayaan Patel ’28, Rishi Kumbhani ’28, and Tiger Zhao ’28. This team of long-term Quiz Bowl legends and first-time national contenders performed well during both the preliminary and consolation rounds.
Greenhill D was comprised of Evan Tsai ’28, Blake Clark ’29, Colin Houpt ’29, Cam Dawson ’30, and Ella Bogdanow ’31. With each grade level in the middle school represented on this team, Greenhill D qualified for the playoffs by finishing the preliminary rounds with a winning record of 5-3. They finished 49th in a field of 160 mostly 7th and 8th grade teams.
Junior Classical League
This year, our JCL team made an impressive start at the DFW Area C competition, with 58 students winning a total of 91 ribbons and securing the first-place Certamen trophy. Out of these, 36 students advanced to the state convention at Anderson High School in Austin, TX. The team excelled, bringing home both the first place Sweepstakes Trophy and the first place Certamen trophy. Additionally, 20 students have qualified for the NJCL Convention, which will take place at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in July. Our Certamen team will represent the entire state of Texas as they compete for the Intermediate Certamen trophy.
Math Team
Four members of the Greenhill Math Team competed and placed in the 2024 Metroplex Math Competition at Fort Worth Country Day School.
Congratulations to the following:
• Justin Wu ’26 placed second in Precalculus and Calculus.
• Aditya Pulipaka ’24 placed first in Statistics and Calculus.
• Dibyadeep Saha ’24 placed third in Calculus.
• August Nguyen ’27 placed third in Algebra II.
MathCounts
Greenhill MathCounts team had an outstanding result at the Preston Trails—Northeast TX Chapter Competition, finishing in second place among the more than 30 northeast Texas schools and advanced to the State MathCounts competition.
Evan Tsai ’28 (7th place) and Tim Csallner ’28 (13th place) advanced to the Countdown round by virtue of their high individual scores. Bryan Kuang ’28, Ansh Gandhi ’28, and Anderson Tsao ’29 also all finished in the top quartile of players.
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the competition:
Official team: Evan Tsai ’28, Tim Csallner ’28, Bryan Kuang ’28, and Tomal Khan ’28
Individual competitors: Ansh Gandhi ’28, Tiger Zhao ’28, Adam Haq ’28, Dylan Shah ’28, Adam Tawil ’29, Anderson Tsao ’29, Jennifer Regal ’30, and Jennifer Lei ’30
Chinese Contests
Three Greenhill Middle School students, Fiona Ou ’31, Garrett Clark ’29, and Adam Tawil ’29 were named winners in the 2024 National Chinese Speech Contest. These students submitted videos of their speeches, which focused on the contest theme, “The Beauty of Chinese.” The videos submitted were grouped into four major groups and ten subgroups based on age and experience with the language and then judged by 230 Chinese teachers nationwide.
Marcus Gong ’31, Fiona Ou ’31, Lily Qiu ’31, and Emily Zhou ’31 participated in the 2024 North Texas TI Cup Chinese Speech Contest on April 27, where Fiona earned a second-place finish in the grades 3–5 Heritage Language category.
Jennifer Lei ’30 and Jennifer Regal ’30 were recently awarded first place in the inaugural CLASS National Chinese Talent Contest. Jennifer Lei ’30 submitted her drawing of a dragon in the arts category and Jennifer Regal ’30 submitted her dance into the dance category.
Hornet Highlights
Highlights of the fall, winter, and spring varsity athletics programs
At the SPC Winter Championships, our boys and girls swim teams made school history after winning SPC Championships.
Both teams clinched the title for their division—the boys team earned the 3A SPC Championship title, and the girls swim team claimed the 4A SPC Championship title. Overall, 13 school records were broken (two swimmers broke records in prelims then again in finals), five SPC records were broken, and swimmers earned 64 best times!
Photo credit: Sharon Ellman, Val Garcia-Tufro, Scott Peek Photography, and Ericka Williams
Recap of the 2023–24 School Year
Thank you to the Greenhill community for your tremendous support!
At the end of the fall season, boys volleyball earned a thirdplace finish in the conference. Girls volleyball finished sixth and received the SPC Sportsmanship Award. The field hockey team placed seventh, and Payton Blalock ’24 earned the SPC Individual School Sportsmanship Award. Boys cross country finished in seventh and the girls came in eighth.
Congratulations to our Girls and Boys Swimming Teams for each winning the Winter 2023–24 SPC Championships! Girls basketball earned third place in the conference and received the SPC Team Sportsmanship Award. Boys basketball finished fifth, while girls soccer and boys soccer finished fourth and eighth, respectively.
At the end of the spring season, the boys tennis team finished second in the conference. The boys lacrosse team tied for third place in the 3A division and finished runnerup in the Class C Texas High School Lacrosse League State Championship. Girls track and field finished fourth, with Nia Harrison ’26 earning gold in high jump and breaking the SPC record and Rian Kinsler ’27 placing second in the 100 meters and 200 meters. Boys track and field ended the tournament in seventh, and Alex Sharma ’25 finished fourth in the 200 meters. Girls golf placed fifth, and softball and boys golf finished sixth. Henry Zhong ’25 clinched the best individual overall score by one stroke. Girls lacrosse ended in eleventh place, and baseball’s run came to an end after the first round due to weather and field availability.
The Texas High School Lacrosse League awarded Greenhill boys lacrosse coach Rich Moses with North Class C Coach of the Year. Jadon Lee ’24 and Zain Crumedy ’24 were named All-State award winners, and Bradon Polk ’24 and Mateo Lanzillotta ’24 were named All-District award winners.
In each competition, our student-athletes exhibited passion and dedication, and Greenhill is proud of their commitment to their program and teammates.
2023
ALL-CONFERENCE SPC FALL AWARD WINNERS
Boys Volleyball
Mason Chow ’24
Alden Kendall ’25
Girls Volleyball
Zoe Gillen-Malveaux ’25
Field Hockey
Zoe Dzialowski ’24
Football
William Black ’25
Bryson Watt ’25
2023–24
ALL-CONFERENCE SPC WINTER AWARD WINNERS
Boys Basketball
Dillon Watt ’25
Girls Basketball
Vivian Franklin ’25
Sibelle Zambie ’24
Boys Soccer
Liam Fagelman ’25
Girls Soccer
Hayden Goodman ’24
Alex Han ’27
Boys Swimming & Diving
JJ Arbuckle ’25
Oliver Ferris-Rojas ’27
Zachary Geller ’26
Seth Lee ’24
Henry Lipnik ’27
Daniel Walker ’24
Lucas Wang ’26
Justin Wu ’26
Girls Swimming & Diving
Josie Arbuckle ’24
Katherine Feng ’27
Avery Lonergan ’26
Sasha Wai ’26
2023
ALL-CONFERENCE SPC SPRING AWARD WINNERS
Baseball
Connor Lee ’26
Boys Golf
Grant Colocousis ’26
Henry Zhong ’25
Boys Lacrosse
Zain Crumedy ’24
Jadon Lee ’24
Brandon Polk ’24
Girls Lacrosse
Claire Koehler ’25
Softball
Samantha Hermann ’26
Boys Tennis
Wesley Cotton ’27
Safin Stefanos ’24
Girls Tennis
Sophie Schwartz ’24
Boys Track & Field
Alex Sharma ’25
Girls Track & Field
Jane Hark ’25
Nia Harrison ’26
Lyna Kamgang ’25
Rian Kinsler ’27
Lilly Williams ’27
Raelyn Young ’27
COLLEGIATE ATHLETES
CHEERLEADING
BASKETBALL
SWIMMING
The Greenhill Athletics Department is proud to send the following ten student-athletes to compete at the college level. Congratulations!
FIELD HOCKEY
FOOTBALL
SOCCER
LACROSSE/
Zoe Dzialowski Rhodes College
FOOTBALL
Zain Crumedy Elmhurst University
Hayden Goodman University of Puget Sound
Siena Richey Centre College
Devin Davis University of Tennessee
Josie Arbuckle UCLA
TENNIS
Sophie Schwartz Purdue University
Sibelle Zambie Lehigh University
Zoya Iyer Johns Hopkins University
Brandon Polk Butler University
Shaina Starr University of Texas
Arts Highlights
Greenhill students continue to excel in fine arts across all divisions.
Band
Greenhill Band premiered “Into the Hornet’s Nest,” a piece composed by Jorge Vargas, a musical tribute to Greenhill’s official and unofficial school mascots—the hornet and the peacock. This was made possible by the Cultural Arts Committee and was a collaborative effort between Vargas and the students. This composition is set to be published with “Commissioned by Greenhill School” at the top.
Theater
Fern Hignite ’25 wrote Space Case in the Writing for Stage and Film course last semester, which was submitted to the High School Playwriting Project. Fern’s play was one of the top 20 scripts that moved into the next round of evaluations conducted by Texas Wesleyan University’s Playwriting Class led by Connie-Whitt Lambert and was selected as a semifinalist.
Painting
Photography
Four consecutive contests resulted in three best in shows and numerous student awards.
• Blue Print Gallery: Best in Show Chloe Nguyen ‘25 (Blue Print Gallery Dallas Young Artist Exhibition: Chloe Nguyen ’25 was recognized as the winner of the sixth annual Dallas Young Artist Exhibition.
• A total of 11 Greenhill 2D Art and Photography students had their artwork displayed in the juried student art exhibit at the Blue Print Gallery.)
• Drexel National HS Photo Contest: Best in Show Pearce Barnes ‘24
• Fort Worth Country Day BW Photo Contest: Best in Show: Mason Chow ‘24
The Nucleic Acid Therapeutics journal featured a painting by Anika Mootha '24, and was published with the following description: “This issue’s whimsical cover, Eye on Gapmers, illustrates an in-vivo study to assess the efficacy and durability of antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) to modulate gene expression in tissues spanning the eye. This abstract watercolor painting depicts the mouse eye and gapmer ASOs. The keen observer and oligonucleotide aficionado may notice the accurate depiction of gapmers in the image with a central DNA segment in blue flanked by nucleotides of modified chemistry in green!”
Advanced Video Production
Students from Greenhill’s Advanced Video Production course submitted their films to festivals, with Grandma’s Cookies by Syrus Gupta ’26 and Derian Herrmann ’26 earning Runner Up at the Princeton Film Festival and The Bike by Antonio Velasquez ’26 earning Runner Up at the Pegasus 48 Hr. Film Race.
Employee Awards
Congratulations to the 2023–2024 Faculty Leader and Penny Nicholson Award Winner. These members of our community continue to demonstrate excellence and devotion in their service to Greenhill.
FACULTY LEADER
John Rortvedt
Assistant Head of Athletics and Assistant Director of Summer Programs: Athletics
John joined Greenhill in 2015 and served as the Athletic Office Coordinator for a year before he started coaching in Preschool and Lower School as well as the Middle School Football and Tennis teams. He has been involved in overseeing the logistics for our Hornets Sports Association and Sports Center Operations. He currently serves as the Assistant Head of Athletics during the school year and the Assistant Director of Summer Programs: Athletics during the summer.
“Being Greenhill’s Faculty Leader reflects the incredible support system I have been blessed with. My colleagues, students, and parents have been instrumental in my journey as a PE teacher. It is their unwavering encouragement, their trust in my methods, and their shared passion for creating a positive environment that have allowed me to stand here today. Receiving this award is a shared achievement, a tribute to the collaborative spirit within our PE department.
I consider myself fortunate because I get to witness the transformative power of physical education on a daily basis. Each day, I have the privilege of helping students
discover their potential in our adventure room, pushing their limits learning a new manipulative skill, engaging within a team dynamic, and developing not only physically but also socially and emotionally. The growth and positive changes I see in my students are my greatest rewards.
I want to pull from part of the Greenhill Vision Statement, ‘we see our students joyfully reaching their full potential.’ No doubt I am truly fortunate to see this play out each day. I am determined to continue my mission of shaping healthy, confident individuals to lead authentic, and purposeful lives through the power of physical education.”
THE PENNY NICHOLSON AWARD WINNER
Named in memory of an esteemed Greenhill colleague who served the business office for 15 years, the Penny Nicholson Award is given to a staff member who exemplifies such qualities as genuine love for Greenhill, self-motivation, humility, and many other extraordinary qualities of Penny Nicholson.
Isela Cabral
Assistant Director of Extended Day
Isela joined the Greenhill community in 1998 and has been an integral part of the Extended Day team for 26 years. She began her journey in Extended Day with prekindergarten and kindergarten students, then moved to working with Primer through second-grade students. Seven years ago, she moved from the classroom into a leadership position and became the Assistant Director of Extended Day.
“I always dreamed of becoming a teacher. As a little girl I can recall playing school as a little girl with my two younger brothers. Being in a classroom setting and working with an afterschool program allowed me to discover my second true passion for arts and crafts. Being able to share this love with all the children was truly amazing. Submitting lesson plans and brainstorming on units and different themes; turning classrooms into rainforests, oceans, castles, and even our very own Texas State Fair including Big Tex to name a few; and sharing all of this with the children as well as the parents was all very exciting for me.
When I was offered the position of Assistant Director, I frankly took a long time to accept, only because that meant leaving the classroom setting, which I loved. This is my 26th year at Greenhill and my seventh year as Assistant Director, and I must say that I have grown to love being a leader amongst my colleagues, but from time to time, I still miss being in a classroom full of children. I am very grateful that I was given the opportunity to start working at Greenhill and to be led by great directors like Cindy Page and DeBorah Henry who believed in me and increased the love for a profession I already loved.”
Equity & Inclusion
AT GREENHILL
DEAR GREENHILL COMMUNITY,
It is my pleasure to serve as Greenhill’s Director of Equity and Inclusion. I am always curious to learn what each person’s earliest memory is on the Hill. Mine goes back to my first visit to campus as a prospective student. My mom and I walked into the Three Chimneys building together feeling equal parts excited, curious, and nervous. My buddy arrived, introduced herself, and off we went. I don’t remember the schedule or what questions I asked my buddy. What I can remember are the people I met and how I felt after that visit. I knew this was a school community that made me feel motivated, intrigued, and welcome. Today, the feeling of being indelibly connected to this community is something I still experience daily when I arrive on campus. While the same people and experiences that shaped my initial impression may no longer be present at Greenhill, I can point to current colleagues, mentors, and programs that contribute to this same feeling of belonging, connection, and joy.
My hope for the work of the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) is that it helps facilitate authentic connections for and among students, families, and employees. This work requires individual, interpersonal, and institutional commitments. As individuals, we bring our own set of expectations and ideas about what equity and inclusion are based on our lived experiences. When we come together as a community, our individualized ideas and expectations interact with those of the rest of the community. At the institutional level, upholding the legacy of this work is rooted in the idea that a Greenhill experience implies having an environment in which we can each be full participants.
We are an intentionally diverse community that uses equity and inclusion as tools to engender a sense of belonging. This is our approach, one that we continuously evaluate and adjust, to help us live up to our commitment to this work.
Be well,
Monsie Muñoz ’05, Director of Equity & Inclusion
STUDENT LIFE
I recently had the privilege of meeting Joe Gonzalez, former Assistant to the Headmaster for Diversity Programs. Joe wore many hats while he was at Greenhill, and many of our current programs are a direct result of his work. He was the first person to officially hold a title that focused on DEI work at Greenhill in 1993. During our conversation, he shared that what he loves so much about Greenhill is that “Greenhill does not tell students who they should be. Greenhill encourages them to dream about what they can be.”
For me, the Student Inclusion Council (SIC) and the affinity groups in the Upper School embody Joe’s statement. Both groups have their roots in student advocacy and action. The SIC was the dream of an alumna that attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) several years ago. She insisted that students would be able to bring the work of the OEI to life in a way that truly resonated with the student body.
Affinity groups in the Upper School are student-created and student-led, always with the goal of creating safe spaces for students to explore and celebrate their identities. Adults also play an essential role in these groups as sponsors, offering their support and guidance to help our students use their voice to make an impact. This partnership between student leaders and adults enriches the entire community and shines a light on our commitment to equity and inclusion.
Current Student Inclusion Council Members
JJ Arbuckle (Class of 2025) 3 years
Paylin Barnes (Class of 2027) 1 year
Carys Diamond (Class of 2027) 1 year
Reyna Diamond (Class of 2024) 3 years
Jin Huang (Class of 2026) 2 years
Affinity Group Leaders
Affinity Group Adult Mentors
Sanjna Kalisetty (Class of 2024) 3 years
Hasan Makhani (Class of 2026) 2 years
Madi McClellan (Class of 2025) 1 year
Gigi Melucci (Class of 2025) 3 years
Ethan Strauss (Class of 2024) 2 years
Check out photos from our community sponsored affinity events this year for students and families.
FAMILY INCLUSION COUNCIL
One of my favorite groups to work with on campus is the Family Inclusion Council (FIC). Founded in the 2021–2022 academic year, the FIC collaborates with the Office of Equity and Inclusion to support Greenhill’s deep commitment to equity and inclusion, which sets students on a path to engage respectfully and purposefully as local and global citizens. Over the years, the group planned several E&I programs for parents that fulfilled a need expressed by the family community. Every initiative that the FIC undertakes incorporates the following three goals:
Advise the OEI and families at Greenhill 1
Refer parents to OEI and share information 2
First-year FIC member Kaaz Naqvi (parent ’35) shared why he joined this group and his hopes for what it can offer our community.
“What makes Greenhill truly special, is how it not only teaches valuable knowledge and skills, but also allows students to be part of a diverse community where different cultures, perspectives, and experiences come together in the pursuit of a shared belief in the importance of education. I decided to join the FIC because I wanted to do whatever I could to further Greenhill in its mission to help students understand and develop their sense of self and place in society.
I hope that the FIC can facilitate communication and understanding between the institution and the broader Greenhill community. The FIC can hopefully raise awareness of the efforts and actions the school takes to strengthen Greenhill as a place for all, while also giving the community a voice to be able to share their experiences with equity and inclusivity.”
One of our inaugural Council members, Maria Chahrour (parent ’29, ’32), shares how this Council supports her work as a community member and professional.
“I joined the Family Inclusion Council (FIC) because I strongly believe that diversity in our Greenhill community sparks exploration and fosters meaningful insights and relationships, and I want to contribute to these growth efforts. In my professional life, I focus on making human genetics research more inclusive. Current genomics datasets mainly represent European ancestry, which limits our understanding of human diversity and prevents us from capturing important medically relevant insights for specific populations. As a Greenhill parent and through the FIC, I aim to bridge my professional background and the experiences of our Greenhill families. Our efforts
Connect members of Greenhill where possible 3
and hope are to create conditions that foster a more inclusive environment that values and represents the diversity of our community and empowers our children to engage with society respectfully and meaningfully.”
As two inaugural members of the FIC complete their last year with the Council, we want to highlight their unwavering support as we launched this group. Their energy, passion, and commitment to this work make our community stronger. Thank you, Maria Chahrour and Marlo Melucci!
Finally, our incoming cohort members will join the FIC starting with the 2024 academic year. We welcome Tammy Ousley, Cynthia Sorto ’06, and Adrian Clarke.
Past Cohorts
2023–24 COHORT
From left to right: Marlo Melucci, Einat Sadka, Melody Akhavan, Kaaz Naqvi, Maryam Rizvi, Sara Hignite, Maria Chahrour
(not pictured: Yoon Chang, Kamini Mamdani)
EMPLOYEE INCLUSION COUNCIL
The Employee Inclusion Council (EIC) inhabits a unique and important space in our community. Over the years, the engagement of our employee community has been an essential component in both the sustainability and evolution of E&I work at Greenhill. The EIC is the latest iteration of this long-standing relationship and partnership between OEI and the employee community.
One of the latest additions to the group, Joe Meagher, Upper School Design & Innovation Teacher, shares why he joined the EIC and his hopes for the work this group will do in our community.
“As a parent and teacher, I want to do whatever I can to help advance the mission of Greenhill. Bringing my previous experiences to bear, I can talk about how the industry manages DEI initiatives. Hopefully, this can help us all improve as we do the work to include diverse perspectives in our community.
I hope we create a workforce that is as diverse and inclusive as our students. Furthermore, I hope to advance the connections among employees. Additionally, I hope to learn about the experiences ofmy coworkers in their daily lives.”
Employee Inclusion Council
2023–24 COHORT
Top row, from left to right: Suzanne Yaffe, Joe Meagher, Jenn Jarnagin, Jaye Andrews
Bottom row, from left to right: Grace Kiang, Monsie Muñoz '05, Shehnaz Makhani, Margo Hall
Faculty Equity Literacy Goals
Creating an Equity Literacy Goal (ELG) is an opportunity for faculty at Greenhill to engage in a structured goal writing process to guide their professional work using an E&I lens. The ELG process strikes a balance between faculty autonomy, divisional collaboration, and institutional support and accountability.
At the beginning of the academic year, faculty began with the central question: What part of your E&I practice do you need/ want to improve the most? Working in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), they created a goal and workshopped an artifact to use this year to accomplish their ELG.
Meredith Newman, fifth-grade math teacher, shared her experience with the ELG process and the impact she hopes it will have on her teaching practice and on the learning experience for her students.
“While working through the goal setting process, I recognized that I could integrate equity literacy practices into our 5th grade math curriculum by incorporating real-world data in math lessons during our Data and Representations unit.
Analyzing real-world data often points to demographics that frequently coincide with historically inequitable practices. By attending the People of Color Conference (PoCC), it was my hope to learn how to support students in engaging with data in a respectful way while being mindful of my own biases as a teacher.
I walked away from PoCC with knowledge that will support me in developing equitable, inclusive and thoughtful practices regarding conversations about data, and demographics. Hopefully, this work will allow students to begin using what they learn in the classroom to celebrate cultures, as well as propel and implement change. It is my sincere hope they feel empowered by their learning and, as a result, fulfill Greenhill’s mission of inspiring students to lead authentic and purposeful lives by learning how to interpret data and have academic conversations that allow for a celebration of what everyone brings to the table.”
Going through this process generated thoughtful, intentional goals from our faculty. Looking forward to the next academic year, these goals will inform the way that Greenhill supports faculty in creating an academically excellent, diverse, inclusive, and connected community for our students.
Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center
The Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center opened its doors on Tuesday, March 17, 2024. The building was brimming with excitement as students and faculty explored the new space, found their classrooms, and started teaching and learning.
The opening of the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center marks the completion of one of the central components of the Growing Stronger Together Campaign, a five-year, $85 million campaign that is the largest and most transformational in Greenhill's 74-year history.
About The Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center
Designed by architects from Bohlin Cywinski Johnson (BCJ), the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center houses Middle and Upper School math, science, and innovation classes and faculty. This 65,000-square-foot facility includes flexible math and science classrooms, a large central commons, an innovation corridor with collaboration space, a production studio and fabrication lab, computer science and robotics labs, and a coffee
shop. There is also a variety of gathering spaces and collaborative learning areas to facilitate relationships between departments and divisions, foster teamwork, and build connections (learn more about the features of the building on page 40).
The Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center is located on the site of the former Agnich Science Building, which served three generations of Greenhill students from 1964 to 2021. To honor the Agnich Science Building, the new building includes an interior courtyard that provides natural light and serves as an area for hands-on learning.
A gathering was held on the evening of Wednesday, March 27 to celebrate the grand opening of the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center. Attendees heard remarks from leadership donors Ralph de la Torre and E. Pierce Marshall, Jr. ’86, as well as Middle School Science Teacher Gretchen Pollom.
During the program, Fredston Family Head of School Lee Hark said, “Standing here in this amazing new building, it’s easy to see that together we have accomplished something truly extraordinary. Not only have we built a beautiful and inspiring new facility to house these essential academic programs, we have created something that will impact generations of Greenhill students and faculty.”
In 2019, when the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center was still just an idea, Hark asked Assistant Head of School/Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operations Officer Kendra Grace to lead the project. Five years later,
at the grand opening celebration, Grace said, “As I look back, what strikes me most is how incredibly rewarding and fulfilling this experience has been. When you have a team that is united behind a single purpose—to build the most thoughtful, sustainable, and inspiring STEM & Innovation center imaginable for the education of our students—the bumps in the road that could derail a project become opportunities to problem-solve and build resilience . . . qualities we try to teach and instill in our students everyday.”
Growing Stronger Together Campaign Steering Committee
Thank you to the Campaign Steering Committee, led by Campaign Chair Michelle McKinney Frymire, for their support in helping Greenhill reach this tremendous milestone.
Michelle McKinney Frymire
Campaign Chair 2021-present
Roy Kim ’88
Board Chair 2023-2025
Augusto Sasso
Board Chair 2021-2023
Campaign Chair 2020-2021
Holland P. Gary ’93
Board Chair 2019-2021
Leslie Benners
Ralph de la Torre
Tom Fenton
Kasey Lemkin
E. Pierce Marshall, Jr. ’86
Nworen Moeenuddin
Laura Ley Staub ’01
Rajesh Swaminathan
Jay Watt
Lee J. Hark
The Fredston Family Head of School
Kendra Grace
Associate Head of School, CFO/COO
Aaron White
Chief Development Officer
Reflections on the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center
At the end of the 2023–24 school year, after spending two months in the building, students and faculty were invited to share their thoughts and feelings about the new space. Read what they had to say on the next page.
It has been exciting spending time figuring out how to best utilize all the new space and materials in the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center over the last two months. I’ve really enjoyed making use of the dry erase board space on the walls and on the desks. For example, when reviewing for APs, students were writing on the boards and desks, collaborating with one another and having fun with math. The desks also remind me of tessellations, and we’ve been able to create the optimal learning experience everyday based on the learning objectives of each class by moving the desks around and arranging them in different ways.
- Jessica Chu, Director of Service Learning & Community Engagement and Upper School Math Teacher
I really like how many different spaces there are to study and work—the staircase, the tables in the Marshall Family Commons, and the hightops all around the courtyard. We also have a lot of new resources and equipment that we can use in classes. For example, in biology, we had the opportunity to do a gel electrophoresis lab where we sampled our own DNA to find out if we were morning or night people.
-Neha Bachu ’25
I love that Advanced Computer Science and Robotics are one of the first things that you see when you walk into the new building because of the big windows— you can see every project that students are working on. Anyone can get involved, and I now have access to speak with so many faculty members and show them the cool things that are happening in the Innovation Lab. It’s amazing that we have this space to enjoy and create new ideas together. I’m so happy that I got to experience this new building, and I’m sad I don’t get to enjoy it for longer since this is my last year here.
- Santiago Lopez ’24
I was taught biology in the Agnich Science Building when I was a student at Greenhill, and now I have the privilege of teaching biology in the new Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center. The new building is an incredible space. Just this week, I was in awe of the science lab as we wrapped up our fetal pig dissections because everyone could comfortably participate in the lab activities. The lab’s spaciousness allowed us to effectively differentiate activities: students who wanted to actively dissect were in one area, while those who preferred learning anatomy without dissecting were in another.
- Winfred Parnell ’99, Upper School Science Teacher
My favorite part of the science building is the Innovation Lab. We have a new machine shop and high bay as well as access to a lot of wonderful resources to work on projects. We also have a great Innovation faculty team that I’ve been able to learn so much from. In my Design of Interactive and Immersive Art class, I’m working on a project that I call “The Hive.” It’s a large-scale art installation that lights up based on sensors, and it’s going to be installed in MPAC soon for everyone to see!
- Shreya Ram ’24
Working in the new VSI Building has unlocked many possibilities for my students’ learning. In many ways, the subtle details have wielded as much of an impact as the striking architecture. Seemingly small things such as working in a room where a whisper doesn’t echo, having a place to store student work, and being in close proximity to the entire Middle School science department have made a big impact. From walking around with fifth grade and talking about how elements of sustainability have shown up in the native landscaping and eco-friendly construction choices to using the courtyard to test solar ovens when the afternoon sun intensely warms the area, I am grateful for the all those who worked hard on this project and the opportunities it has provided my students and me!
- Megan Bret, Middle School Science Teacher
The new spaces have encouraged me to study at school because there’s so much natural light and it creates an ambience that can’t be replicated anywhere else on campus. It’s also much easier for me to focus in the classrooms in this building. They’re bigger, the equipment is better, the white boards are nice, and we have great lighting.
- Rory Liu ’26
The Innovation Lab is really exciting because it has a lot of space for me to build stuff on a larger scale. Recently, I worked on a Tesla coil. It was a lot easier to work on it in the new building because the tools that I need are more easily accessible, so I’ve been able to cut wood more easily, and because there’s more space, I can store my project and it doesn’t have to constantly be moved around to accommodate classes and my classmates’ projects.
- Georgia Rose Tomecko ’27
Working in the Marshall Family Commons makes me feel productive because of the architecture. All of the natural lighting, the skylights, the courtyard, and the greenery in the middle of the building is really nice. It’s also convenient because the teachers are in one place so it's easier to find them and talk to them.
- Andrew Cai ’25
Teaching in the new Innovation Lab has been an amazing opportunity. My team is now able to teach in a shared space, which has allowed for more cross-divisional collaboration. I am able to support all of my students, both Upper and Middle School, because they have equal access to me, and my desk is located more centrally for all my students. We’ve even been able to welcome Lower School students to Middle and Upper School classes to share the projects that we’re working on, creating a stronger connection to the Lower School.
- Luna Kim, Middle and Upper School Innovation Teacher
The STEM building has been one of the most wonderful experiences that I’ve ever had. I’ve never been so excited to enter a building before. I have three classes in the building— coding, science, and math. My favorite is science because we’re working on our bridge projects right now, and it’s been nice to have so much space to work on my project.
- Marcus Gong ’31
It has been a delight to work with students in the Math Lab. Having a dedicated space for students to come work on their math skills has been useful and has offered a great place to build community among Upper School and Middle School students and teachers. While the teachers are present and assisting students, it’s been a pleasure to witness Upper School student-tutors support and lead our Middle Schoolers in developing their mathematics understanding. As an educator, I have also benefitted from being able to connect with Upper Schoolers and ask them about their perceptions and reflections of their Middle School math experiences and how we can work to improve the experience for all.
- Meredith Newman, Middle School Math Teacher
I love the classrooms on the upper level. There are also some really nice working spaces in the building. One of my favorite things about the new building is the view from the classrooms on the second floor. When SPC was happening on campus in the spring, I could see it from the windows in my classroom, so I was able to watch some of the games, which was really fun!!
- Ian Bhatia ’29
I like how there is a lot of space in this building, and how modern it is. I also like how there’s outdoor spaces like the courtyard and that we get to stretch our legs and walk outside to go from the Middle School to our math, science, and coding classes. Science is my favorite class because there’s so much space in the rooms, and Mrs. Pollum has had us investigating the building as well as the outdoor spaces and plants.
- Bailey Thomas ’31
In chemistry, we’ve been able to do endothermic and exothermic reactions because we have the equipment and safety regulations in place for them. Having math, science, and innovation in one place rather than being spread out in multiple buildings on campus has been great.
- Sanay Nesargi ’26
Construction Progress
Anticipation and excitement for the opening of the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center steadily grew as students, faculty, and families watched the building come together over the course of two school years.
MAY 2022
OCTOBER 2022
2022
OCTOBER 2022
NOVEMBER 2022 MARCH
MARCH 2023
APRIL 2023
NOVEMBER 2023
JANUARY 2024
JULY 2023
APRIL 2023
NOVEMBER 2023
JANUARY 2024
Floor Plans
FIRST FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
Features of the Building
Marshall Family Commons
The Marshall Family Commons serves as a gathering space for the campus. Students mingle, work together, and create connections with faculty in the main lobby area, which includes the commons staircase, the commons lounge, and coffee shop.
Catalyst Coffee & Community Space
The Catalyst Coffee Shop & community space provides a welcoming entrance to the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center. It serves as a light-filled gathering space for students and faculty with views onto the Foote Quad and the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center and Innovation Lab near the lobby.
Interior Courtyard
The interior courtyard is nestled near the center of the building, bringing natural light to the Marshall Family Commons and surrounding classrooms on both floors. This courtyard provides space that offers hands-on education to students from all divisions. It serves as a bridge between generations as it honors the courtyard in the original Agnich Science Building.
Math Project Space
The math project space is a dedicated area for long-term, complex, collaborative math projects and experiments. Students use this space to engage in projects over a longer period of time, deepening their learning and strengthening their skills.
Extended Experiments Space
The extended experiments space is a dedicated room for experiments that require longer than a class period to demonstrate results. These multi-phase experiments enhance the learning process for students and offer greater opportunity for individualized learning through capstones and other extended projects.
Science Labs
Science labs are large, flexible spaces where Middle and Upper School science courses take place. Students learn the fundamentals of these subjects through an experiential curriculum in spaces designed to accommodate all labs and learning opportunities.
Math Lab
The math lab serves as a dynamic learning space where students can seek help from teachers or more experienced peers. The lab fosters a creative, collaborative approach to problem-solving, deepening understanding and encouraging discussions around math.
Math Classrooms
Math classrooms are spacious, light-filled rooms where algebra, geometry, calculus, and all other math courses take place, allowing for student collaboration and experiential learning opportunities.
Faculty Workspace
The faculty workspace serves as a hub of connection, collaboration, and inspiration as colleagues from across departments and divisions work side-by-side in a shared office space.
Faculty Reception
A welcoming space located near the top of the commons staircase, the faculty reception area serves as the entrance to the faculty workspace and conference rooms.
Faculty Meeting Spaces
Faculty conference rooms, breakout rooms, and booths offer teachers small-group collaboration opportunities or a quiet area for focused work.
Innovation Corridor
The Innovation Corridor is a hub for the new Design & Innovation Lab programming and industry-relevant student work. It includes a collaboration space, production studio, fabrication lab, robotics studio, computer science rooms, and high nay. All students in grades 5–12 have the opportunity to engage in real-world problem solving within these walls. A lab manager assists students working on individual projects, teaching them how to use the equipment and helping them explore their passions.
Collaboration Space
The collaboration space is a flexible area for teamwork and collaborative thinking. With writable walls and configurable furniture, students can engage in design thinking, in-depth research, strategic planning, and client meetings.
Fabrication Lab
The fabrication lab is where student work literally takes shape. Hand tools, laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC machines help students move from simple prototypes to fully functioning solutions for themselves and their industry clients.
Exploratory High Bay
The high bay in the Innovation Lab provides dedicated space for students to work on larger and longer-term complex projects. Whether students are designing and building robotic equipment or working on converting an automobile to autonomous, in this space, students are inspired to push boundaries and explore.
Plaza
The plaza is the outdoor extension of the Innovation Corridor. With floor-to-ceiling doors, the space allows students and faculty members to easily move the classroom outside. Testing prototypes, experimenting, and other engaging activities all take place in this space. The plaza also serves as a gateway to the athletic fields and parking areas on the western side of campus. The area is traversed daily by students, employees, families, and guests.
Production Studio
The production studio is a central hub for the Design & Innovation Lab. Flexible design of the furniture and equipment allows students to bring all of the pieces of their solutions together. Whether they are assembling their custom-printed circuit board at one of the five electronics workstations, integrating the motor drive to their 3D printed autonomous machine, or putting the final touches on their conceptual prototypes for UX testing, this space supports all students whether they are in a class or just wandering in to explore during their free time.
Robotics Lab
The robotics lab is designed for the assembly and integration of various robotic systems. Initially, this space supports US First competitions and Greenhill robotics teams. In the future, Currently, this space will also support the expansion of the robotics program.
Architectural Features
Mass Timber
The Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center incorporates a mass-timber structure, not only in the columns and beams, but also in the ceiling and floor. This sustainable building material mirrors other buildings on Greenhill’s campus, such as the Montgomery Library. It is best featured in the Marshall Family Commons.
Exterior Walls and Glass
The brick wall on the south face of the building has a mathematical constant encoded to create texture and a series of openings for air and light. The bird frit pattern, designed to prevent bird strikes, was determined by a specific number sequence, that despite its simple rules, has applications in fractals, set theory, and vector graphics.
South Classrooms
The south classrooms are located between the existing Phillips Family Athletic Center and the Levy Middle School. They feature a charred wood siding and exterior circulation like other spaces on campus. The south-most wall of this wing incorporates a mathematical constant in the design of the brick.
West Elevation
The sawtooth roof line that is visible on the west side of the building brings daylight to interior spaces and provides a roof line that can support future solar panels. The shaped window frames with vertical shading fins will control solar heat gain and glare in the classrooms. The gateway from the parking lot to the plaza provides access to the rest of the Greenhill campus.
Water Tank
The water tank outside of the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center was restored to collect stormwater to irrigate the building's landscaping. Seniors have painted the exterior of the tank for decades, and this beloved tradition will continue, uniting the past and the present.
Storm Shelter
The storm shelter under the building is designed to protect the building’s occupants in the event of severe weather. It is 5,842 square feet in size; has capacity for more than 1,000 people; and includes running water, toilets, showers, and fresh air flow. The shelter will withstand the weight of the building, and its construction required digging 12 feet down into solid limestone.
DESIGN & INNOVATION
What’s NEXT Pitch Night
In the fall, the Design & Innovation team announced the What’s NEXT Pitch Night—an opportunity for Middle and Upper School students to bring their ideas to life by creating connections with industry experts and winning monetary support. Students worked with Design & Innovation team members all year to develop their business plan, flesh out their ideas, and prepare a presentation for Pitch Night. What's NEXT projects should be New, Experimental, Xpansive, and Trailblazing.
At the What’s NEXT Pitch Night, ten projects were pitched to a panel of business leaders in the hopes of securing venture capital funding and mentorship. At the end of the night, seven out of the ten projects received a monetary award. The other three projects were offered mentorship support to further develop their ideas and return to Pitch Night in 2025. See below for this list of panelists and to learn more about the student projects that were presented.
Panelists
Christine Beauchamp
Senior Vice President North America Stores Amazon
Kendra Grace
Associate Head of School, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer Greenhill School
Lee Hark
The Fredston Family Head of School Greenhill School
Grant Herlitz
Founder and Principal High Opportunity Neighborhood Partners
Manoj Kutty
Founder and Chief Executive Officer GreenLight Credentials
Chris Marlett
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of Board, Director MDB Capital Holdings
Pitch List
WARP
Oliver Morales ‘27
Warp is a solution for automatically recording high engagement moments of live streamed events and saving them for later viewing.
Award: $5,000
EVERGLOWE
Jennifer Regal ‘30
Everglowe is a business proposition to develop and market a safe alternative skin care brand for kids.
Shelter Aid is a non-profit organization connecting gently used shoes with homeless shelters fulfilling a critical need for individuals and families.
Award: $7,000
FIT CHECK
Vikram Sampath ’27, Josh Schnitzer ’27, Johnny Sewak ‘27
Fit Check is an app concept that allows users to take photographic inventory of their wardrobe and create clothing suggestions for the day based on weather conditions, trends, and mood.
Award: Mentorship and guidance
FIELD LEVEL
Khalil Iyer ‘31
Field Level was a pitch for a young adult-focused podcast around sports. Currently Khalil has 14 episodes that have dropped and he is looking to expand.
Award: $2,000
FREE-START
Hank Utay ’26, Ella Sadka ’26, Rahul Singhal ‘27
Free-Start is a business plan to insure the financial investments of bootstrapped startup companies. The concept relies on the development of a risk assessment tool and the data that only 1 of 10 startups fail in the first 12 months.
Award: Guidance and market research assistance
THE FUTURE OF HYDRATION
Isabel Tanner ‘26
The future of hydration is the development of a water bottle and cap that “inkjets” customizable volumes of electrolytes into a user’s water bottle based on their specific needs post workout.
Award: $3,000
MAGIC MURDER
Reyna Diamond ‘24
Magic Murder is a card game based on the game of Mafia. Its goal is to improve play for all users.
Award: $3,000
BABIES ON BOARD
Kaavya Sampath ’25, Vihaan Padne ’27, Fernando Gupta ‘25
Babies on board is the development of an automatic tensioner for the installation of a child car seat.
Award: Mentorship and guidance
What’s NEXT Fund Donors
Christine Beauchamp
Karlyn & Grant Herlitz
Debbie & David Johnson ‘67
Cristin Kahale
Terri & Chris Marlett
In conjunction with the construction of the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center, the School also launched the Design & Innovation Lab at Greenhill School. Led by Director of Design & Innovation Lab Matthew Abbondanzio, an engineer and designer with over 25 years of professional experience, the Design & Innovation Lab program is teaching students human-centered design and professional engineering skills while performing work for industry clients. The program is housed in the innovation corridor, which is equipped with the latest technology and tools to support student learning.
The Design & Innovation Lab team includes
Matt Abbondanzio, Director of Design & Innovation
Luna Kim, Middle & Upper School UX/UI Teacher
Joe Meagher, Middle & Upper School Computer Science and Innovation Teacher
Don Myers, Middle School Innovation Teacher
Taylor Reynolds, Innovation Lab Coordinator
The Karim Family
As we started looking at schools for our children in the Dallas area, Greenhill became our top choice due to its community feel—it felt like home. We absolutely love that our children are able to learn in a wonderfully diverse and inclusive community while having access to some of the best curriculum, faculty and staff, and now a cuttingedge STEM building.
We are seeing our kids grow up with their peers and create friendships that will last for a lifetime. We are on this journey along their side and enjoy getting to be a part of such a genuine community that celebrates the power of difference. When we walk around campus, we are so proud to see a school filled with future leaders. It makes us confident that the students will help us leave the world in a better place.
When the opportunity to participate in the Growing Stronger Together Campaign was presented to us, we were very impressed with the vision Greenhill has for the future. The investments being made today will bear fruit for our community as the years progress. We feel passionately that innovation is more important today than ever before, and being a part of this initiative is a great feeling for our family and for the future of Greenhill.
—Naveen & Aly Karim
Aahil ’34, Akhil ’38
$10 million and up de la Torre Family Foundation
The Marshall Heritage Foundation
$5 million to $9.99 million
David A. Fredston
$1 million to $4.99 million
Debby Ackerman
Alex & Lindsay Davis
Greenhill Parents' Association
Cate & Imran Khan
Todd & Kasey Lemkin
Lu Family Foundation
Keh-Shew & Oan-Yu Lu,
Alice & Kevin Chou
Nworen & Shawn Moeenuddin
EmmaLee & Jim Mutrie
Vaughn O. Vennerberg II
Anonymous
$500,000 to $999,999
Stephanie Cohen & Erik Glover
Angela & Hesam Hosseini
Rusty & John Jaggers
Janet Xu & Jet Li
Elan & Augusto Sasso
Randi & Boaz Sidikaro
Lori & Chuck Whitten
Anonymous
$250,000 to $499,000
DeeDee & Thaddeus Arroyo
Michelle & Michael Barnett ’90
Miriam Lewis Barnett & Mitch Barnett
Victor & Sheli Barnett Spigelman ’82
Christy & Adam Blumenfeld ’89
Jamie & Jessie Bomer
The Carona Family
Jennifer
Tricia
The
Pilar
Hoblitzelle
The
Lisa
$100,000
Julie
Next Steps Athletics Enhancements
The second phase of the Growing Stronger Together campaign is under way. This phase of the campaign includes:
• Athletic Performance Center
• Community celebration space & redesigned gathering areas
• Regulation-size turf field
• New, relocated tennis courts
To learn more, please scan the QR code or contact Aaron White, Chief Development Officer, at whitea@greenhill.org.
We congratulate the Greenhill Class of 2024!
On Monday, May 20, the Class of 2024 graduated from Greenhill School at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
Head of Upper School Trevor Worcester welcomed the graduating class and families to the commencement ceremony. Ravi Vasan and Sophie Schwartz delivered the senior addresses with musical performances by the Greenhill Singers interspersed between them.
Fredston Family Head of School Lee Hark, Board of Trustees Chair Roy Kim ’88, and Senior Class Dean and Upper School Spanish Teacher Stephanie Almanza awarded diplomas to the students as they walked across the stage.
To conclude the ceremony, Mr. Hark delivered his charge to the Class of 2024 and ended by acknowledging Dean of Students Jack Oros on his 35 years of service to Greenhill. The newest Greenhill graduates then recessed out of the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall to celebrate and take pictures with their families and friends.
This event would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of Assistant Head of Upper School Rebecca Shuman, Dean of Students Jack Oros, Head of Upper School Trevor Worcester, Senior Class Dean Stephanie Almanza, senior advisors, and faculty and staff volunteers.
“Have patience and maintain perspective. We at Greenhill are even more interested in the people you will become than the people you are now as a result of what you experienced, endured, and accomplished during your time on the hill . . . Remember this moment. Remember being in a room full of people who are deeply invested in your success. Remember this moment as a time when you’ ve accomplished so much, and a time when you knew you had so much left to do.”
—LEE HARK, THE FREDSTON FAMILY HEAD OF SCHOOL, EXCERPTED FROM HIS CHARGE TO THE CLASS OF 2024
“For the first time in our lives, we will be on our own paths. Paths that we will forge ourselves, down to every little decision. But, Class of 2024, as scary as that might seem, we are more than prepared to take on the next chapters of our lives. Our unique education that tested our critical thinking skills, our problem solving skills, and at times our empathy, will do us well . . .
Growing up surrounded by diverse faces, minds, and souls has readied our intuition and is an experience that each and every one of us should be proud to have accomplished.”
—RAVI VASAN, EXCERPTED FROM HIS SENIOR ADDRESS
“In many ways, the world that awaits us looks dramatically different than it did five years ago . . . despite these changes and challenges, I can confidently say we are ready for the world ahead. Because at Greenhill, we weren’t taught what to think, but rather how to think. From chemistry labs to English seminars to engineering projects, we collaborated on problems that challenged us to think beyond the textbooks and beyond our comfort zones . . . Through educational opportunities, we worked with a diverse group of peers to hone our understanding through collaboration and discourse. Amid these intellectual discoveries, we discovered something even more profound: ourselves. All 115 of us on this stage today are distinctly accomplished and uniquely qualified.”
—SOPHIE SCHWARTZ, EXCERPTED FROM HER SENIOR ADDRESS
Senior Awards
Jeannette Yang | Valedictorian
The Valedictorian is the graduating senior who has earned the highest cumulative Upper School grade point average.
“Jeannette has clearly excelled across all academic disciplines. She has enrolled and successfully completed nine AP courses and one post-AP course—achieving an A+ in all but three of those high-level courses. Faculty members remark how Jeannette demonstrates a strong command of course material and has an admirable dedication to enhancing her understanding of the material. What’s also incredible are the accomplishments outside the traditional academic realm she not only engages in, but thrives in. Nationally accomplished dancer and debater, Teen Court volunteer, co-president of the East Asian Affinity Group—Jeannette excels in every arena she enters. And yet, the most telling information comes from a peer, who noted ‘her authenticity makes me most comfortable around her . . . Jeannette pushes me to be the best version of myself.”
Sophia Li | Salutatorian
The Salutatorian is the graduating senior who has earned the second-highest cumulative Upper School grade point average.
“A leader in this class.’ ‘Excellent at collaborating.’ ‘Happy awe.’ Those are just a few descriptors from the faculty who have taught or engaged with Sophia. Over the course of Upper School, Sophia has successfully completed seven AP courses and one postAP course, earning an A or A+ in all of them. This stellar academic work often extends beyond the classroom, as she has been a part of our Evergreen staff for four years, earning national awards for her writing. Even higher accolades have come from her time with Greenhill Debate, as Sophia was a part of the first ever National Championship for World Schools at the Tournament of Champions in April and has been a co-captain of the USA Debate Team. Sophia collaborates, leads, and achieves in all disciplines at the highest level.”
Safin Stefanos | Estelle Dickens Service to Greenhill Award
The Estelle Dickens Service to Greenhill Award is presented to the senior who has given the most outstanding service contribution to Greenhill School. The award commemorates the more than four decades of service given to Greenhill by beloved teacher and administrator Estelle Dickens.
“Safin has made valuable contributions to the Greenhill community. With a passion for and high achievement in both math and computer science, he gives back by serving as an indispensable tutor in the MathLab, offering assistance in nearly every Hornet Block and many free blocks. Safin's commitment to supporting his peers is evident, as students consistently express their disappointment on days when he is unavailable, a testament to their trust and respect for him. As a member of the Computer Science Club, Safin goes above and beyond to assist other students with their computer science homework. Furthermore, his leadership on the YouTube team in the Teaching CS Club showcases his desire to share his knowledge and passion for computer science with his peers. In addition to serving his peers and his school, Safin is a four-year letter winner for the varsity tennis team, and all-SPC this year.”
Reyna Diamond | Kate Cecil Award
The Kate Cecil Award is given to the senior who renders the most outstanding service to the Dallas community. The award is named in honor of Kate Cecil, a member of the faculty for seventeen years.
“Reyna has intentionally focused on a particular need in the greater Dallas community: people who are unhoused, hungry or food insecure. While the number of hours logged in our system is over 200, it is well known that she has chosen not to log all the hours of service she have given for these causes. The two organizations that have benefitted the most from this recipient are Metrocrest Services and North Texas Food Bank. In fact, Reyna was appointed to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) Youth Council, and co-founded an NTFB chapter at Greenhill. To be sure that others are aware of these causes, during her junior and senior years she created lesson plans for the Middle School around teaching students about food insecurity as well as giving them actions they can take to lessen hunger in the DFW community. Reyna is already living and modeling an authentic, purposeful life.”
Santiago Lopez | Phillip G. Foote Award
The Phillip G. Foote Award is given to the senior who is considered by the faculty to epitomize the qualities of citizenship in the Greenhill community. These qualities are rooted in the school’s core values of excellence, integrity, compassion, and courage. The award is named for Greenhill’s second Head of School.
“Santiago is the embodiment of citizenship. In classes, teachers rave about his willingness to help others, and how he is ‘respectful and considerate to those around him, which has earned him the respect and admiration of fellow classmates and teachers.’ Teachers also note the consistent smile and ‘thank you’ before, in, and after each class. Santiago is involved in all facets of Upper School life: he played in two different sports this year, is a student leader in the Latinx Student Union, and most noticeably serves and leads in tech theater. In that realm, not only is Santiago passionate about each production he is working on, but he has also mentored Middle School students with his patience and knowledge. Those qualities have made him a perfect Heart of the Hill mentor to all the Lower School students, too. And what else could possibly bring joy to the community than Santiago learning how to play the accordion, thus winning the wager to have a certain English teacher accompany him in front of the Upper School. Santiago Lopez is always spreading joy across campus.”
Dhilan Patel | Board of Trustees Award
The Board of Trustees Award is given to the senior who embodies the mission and core values of Greenhill School.
“Where to begin with Dhilan? Let’s start with the core value excellence: Dhilan actively seeks out challenging courses and dives in. AP classes or post-AP classes, GOA or Greenhill, he seeks out the higher level. One English teacher wrote, ‘His energy is contagious, and others follow his lead. I truly appreciate Dhilan's excitement and readiness to be in the intellectual pursuit.’ How about integrity: he is honest and trustworthy, above reproach, has a generous spirit, and exhibits a strong character every day. Even though Dhilan will not be here next year, he happily took my request to interview candidates for two new key administrative roles and provided detailed feedback on all of them. An authentic, purposeful life: Dhilan has always been clear-headed on the path ahead, and true to form, he is following it. What’s even more joyful is that Dhilan rounds out that singular focus with so many other activities: a passion for dance, commitment to drumline, and an incredible ambassador for Greenhill. And those conversations about sports— TCU is lucky to have him.”
Payton Blalock | Senior Leadership Award
The Senior Leadership Award is given to the member of the senior class who best demonstrates the qualities of leadership.
“Payton has a vast resume of leadership to her credit. What’s incredibly powerful, though, is that the titles are not for display only; there’s incredible service embedded in each role she takes on. As a captain for the field hockey and soccer teams, Payton not only showcases her athletic prowess but also fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring every team member feels valued and supported. As one of the Executive Editors of the Evergreen, one faculty member noted, ‘Payton's leadership demands an extraordinary amount of time and energy, yet she navigates it with ease, displaying a strong management style, attention to detail, and the ability to foster a collaborative spirit among staff members.’ As Student Council Secretary, Payton advocates for her peers for various stakeholders, always looking to leave this community better than when she arrived. Suffice it to say, Payton has led in the Upper School with grace, presence, humility, and courage, and I have no doubt we will hear of much more impact in the years to come.”
Josie Arbuckle | Bernard L. Fulton Award
The Bernard L. Fulton Award is the highest honor given in the Upper School and is presented to the senior who best embodies the mission and core values of Greenhill School. The award is named for the founder and first Head of Greenhill School.
“‘Unparalleled spirit of generosity, compassion, and determination.’ Josie not only excels in many parts of our community, but she does so with the respect and admiration of peers and adults alike. In academics, Josie uses her collaborative prowess in group settings to create a welcoming environment. One teacher wrote, ‘The energy Josie puts out into the world is steady, focused, and intentional . . . she stands out as a leader, weaving her thoughts and those of her peers together into a beautiful tapestry. Josie's classmates listen attentively because they know that she is also listening with great interest to what they share.’ In addition to the academic weaves of the tapestry, Josie has been a respected leader: co-vice president of the senior class, co-president of the Christian Student Coalition, and captain of the SPC champion swim team, on which she achieved nine school records in her career. There is no clearer embodiment of our mission and core values than Josie, who brings heart and soul to everything she does.
Helen Fulton Award
The Helen Fulton Award is named in honor of Helen Fulton, founding faculty member and wife of Greenhill’s founder, Bernard Fulton. Helen Fulton was a life-long learner, exemplary citizen, and a well-rounded, balanced individual. This award is unique in that seniors nominate their peers who they believe embody these characteristics, and the winners are chosen by a faculty vote. Fourteen students were chosen to receive this award.
Pearce Barnes Mason Chow Susannah Fagelman
Shreya Ram
Sophie Schwartz Natalie Stachowiak
Jnana Velamuri
Ravi Vasan
Ellis Yang
Sanjna Kalisetty
Jadon Lee
Seth Lee Iyad Mohammed Anika Mootha
Baccalaureate
Greenhill’s Baccalaureate was held at Temple Emanu-El on Thursday, May 16 and provided graduating seniors a final opportunity to reflect on their time at Greenhill, remembering with a sense of gratitude, humility, and larger purpose. Senior class leaders offered an invocation, anthems, readings, and benedictions to express their gratitude and commitment to the Greenhill experience, values, and beliefs.
Retired Upper School Math Teacher and Junior Class Dean Cathy Falk was chosen by the seniors to deliver the keynote address. She thanked the Class of 2024 for bringing their purposeful and authentic selves to Greenhill and spoke of her wishes, hopes, and dreams for the graduating students.
Senior Traditions
WATER TOWER | The Class of 2024 kicked off the school year by leaving their mark on the Water Tower.
OUR HEART OF THE HILL | Our Heart of the Hill groups gathered for the last time to fly kites and bid the seniors farewell on the Shirley Family Track and Field.
SENIOR SWEATSHIRTS | The alumni board presented seniors with their iconic senior sweatshirts during Homecoming week.
COLLEGE CHALK | From marking the water tower at the start of the year to decorating the sidewalks with their college logos at the end, our seniors have left a lasting legacy on campus.
And they’re off!
The members of the Class of 2024 will attend these colleges in the United States and abroad.
American University
Austin College
Austin Community College
Babson College
Baylor University
Boston University
Butler University
Centre College
Cornell University (2)
Dartmouth College (2)
Drexel University
Duke University (4)
Elmhurst University
Elon University
Emory University (2)
Indiana University (4)
Johns Hopkins University
Lehigh University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mercer University
Miami University (Ohio)
Montana State University
New York University
Northeastern University (5)
Pepperdine University
Pomona College
Purdue University (3)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rhodes College
Rice University (4)
Southern Methodist University (5)
Stanford University
Syracuse University (2)
Texas Christian University
Tufts University (2)
Tulane University (3)
University of British Columbia
University of California-Berkeley
University of CaliforniaLos Angeles
University of Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Georgia
University of Houston
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign
University of Miami (3)
University of Michigan (2)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Notre Dame
University of Oklahoma (2)
University of Pennsylvania
University of Puget Sound
University of Tennessee
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Austin (21)
University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas at Tyler
University of Utah
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin
Vanderbilt University (2)
Washington University in St Louis (2)
Yale University
Senior Capstones
In the spring, eight students presented Capstone projects reflecting months of collegiate-level field research. These varied and involved projects evoke an earnestness for exploration and intellectual curiosity.
Data Analytics As a Game Changer | Andrew Mann
“’If you challenge conventional wisdom, you will find ways to do things much better than they are currently,’ Bill James, Moneyball. Over the past twenty years, baseball teams have been using analytics to identify breakthrough statistics to gain an advantage over the competition. However, the technology used to find trends in the data has drastically changed, as now teams use cameras to capture over 10,000 unique data points in each game. Join me in learning how math and science apply to real-life situations and have changed the way baseball is played.”
Cuatro Poetas: Translating the Influential Poetry of Four Women | Anika Mootha
“Mistral, Castellanos, Burgos, Avellaneda. While these poets may not immediately resonate, their feminist poetry has catalyzed social movements striving for greater equity. By translating their literary works into English, I have worked towards interpreting their thoughts through a different lens and answering the question: when translating poetry, should one prioritize fidelity to literal meaning or to the structural integrity of the original? My aim is to provide a renewed understanding of the translation process and a deeper appreciation for the impactful legacy of these female poets across history and the globe.”
Analyzing the Misconception Surrounding the Caste System | Nikky Nandipati
“What do you think of when you hear of the ‘caste system’? If you’re reminded of the typical textbook pyramid chart, then you have the entirely wrong idea. The true, original idea of caste, or varna, was never a strict system based on who you are born to, however millennium after millennium of convoluted history has produced today’s iteration which more closely resembles that pyramid hierarchy. What was once a loosely defined idea has since been fallaciously converted into a rigid, classist structure that dominates every part of Indian society. Through my project, I will identify the origins of the ‘caste system,’ tracking its evolution, and evaluating its impact in the present day.”
Perspectives Unveiled: The Media’s Lens on Korean Americans Amidst the 1992 LA Riots | Ayne Park
“Do you believe everything you see on TV . . . and I’m not talking about fake news. From publishing money-making narratives to deciding which snippets of an interview to air, news outlets mold the stories around us—even if they seem to be based on pure facts. For my capstone, I researched how the portrayal of Korean Americans in the media during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots affected their perception in America, covering topics from the model minority myth to the Black-Korean conflict. I will answer the question: ‘If you hear conflicting stories from different perspectives, can there be an inherent truth?’ Through my presentation, I hope to inspire students to research history from beyond the mainstream perspective.”
Trades In Congress: An In-Depth Glance at Politicians and the Stock Market | Thomas Rowley
“Do you trade stocks? You might, or perhaps you know someone who does. It’s enticing, the ability to make a quick buck when the phrase ‘money makes the world go around’ resonates in the minds of modern Americans. Almost everything around us, from our computers to our cars, is developed and produced by publicly traded companies. But more importantly, market competition allows companies to exist, driving product differentiation. How good do you think our goods would be if companies had no incentive to keep innovating? When lawmakers purchase stocks, markets can be impacted, especially if certain companies are favored by the government. On top of this, politicians have outside knowledge, inherently making them better investors. My presentation will discuss politicians’ involvement in, and possible abuse of, the stock market and more importantly how it can affect your representation in government.”
Survival of Leukemia Cells | Pooja Sanghvi
“Imagine a microscopic battleground within the human body, where cells in the bone marrow uncontrollably grow and stop the ability to fight disease or infection, disrupting the balance of health and stability. What fuels this endless growth? My capstone is aimed at discovering how leukemia cells grow, and what nutrients and metabolites they rely on. My presentation covers what leukemia is, what kinds of cells leukemia grows in, and why it's necessary to understand how the cells grow. I also cover the experience of working in a lab and the new perspective I've gained from this experience.”
“Every time you browse the internet, you are influenced in some way, and this influence starts with the first piece of information you receive: the headline. My project delves into the unseen biases in titles that shape how we process the information in front of us. Using machine learning, I analyzed news article headlines and created a tool to allow individuals to navigate the ever-evolving media landscape in a more informed manner. Whether you are a student interested in modern journalism or technology, I hope to show you how to form an opinion less biased by news corporations and help you better understand what information you consume through my presentation.”
“Have you ever wondered how to build a personal brand aimed to help empower? Dive into the world of personal brand development and social media influence as we uncover strategies for making a lasting impact both online and in your community. Discover the secrets to crafting compelling stories, fostering authenticity, and building strong connections with your audience. Learn how to leverage social media platforms to amplify your message and reach your goals effectively. By exploring the intersection of sports, mentorship, and social media, my capstone is working to uncover the power of inspiring the next generation of female athletes. With insights into addressing the dropout rates of girls in sports and fostering a positive perspective on athletics, you'll leave with actionable strategies to make a difference in your community. Whether you're an entrepreneur, sports enthusiast, or social media aficionado, this presentation offers valuable insights and practical takeaways to fuel your passion and drive toward impactful change. Join in on a journey of empowerment, inspiration, and impactful brand building!”
Fourth-Grade Farewell
During the Lower School end-of-year ceremony, fourth-grade students reflected on lessons they had learned, reminisced about fond memories, and enjoyed performances from their peers in the other Lower School grades.
Following the ceremony, families filled the Michael Manes Grand Lobby and MPAC patio to celebrate their students’ achievements.
Helen Misura Award Recipients
Helen Misura was a founding faculty member of Greenhill in 1950 and served as the first Head of Lower School from 1950–1969. Upon her retirement in 1969, the school established an award in her honor, given to fourth-grade students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, scholarship, citizenship, and sportsmanship.
Congratulations to our 2024 recipients
Elsa Gamble Aiden Provenzano
Eighth-Grade Recognition
Eighth-grade students gathered on the morning of their Eighth-Grade Recognition Ceremony to enjoy brunch together in the Crossman Dining Hall.
Then, during their culminating ceremony in Rose Hall, students commemorated the year with insightful speeches about lessons learned during Middle School before meeting their families to celebrate the end of the year.
Ronnie Freeman Award Recipients
A friend of Greenhill’s founders, Ronnie Freeman was a Middle School student in the 1950s who, before she died of spinal meningitis, showed tremendous resiliency, perseverance, and courage. This award is given to the eighth-grade students who maintained the highest standards of scholarship, citizenship, leadership, and participation in school activities. It is the highest honor attained in Middle School.
Congratulations to our 2024 recipients
Wilson Heerings
Grace Helms
Ayaana Joshi
Tomal Khan
RETIREMENT
Jack Oros
Dean of Students
When did you start working at Greenhill? Fall 1989. I spent one year at DISD, eight years at Winston, and then joined Greenhill in 1989.
What is your favorite memory? One of my favorite memories was the campus-wide Chili Cook-Off fundraiser that happened in my first few years at Greenhill. I was on the winning team with Rebecca Shuman, Sally Rosenberg, Elaine Velvin, and Pam Hopkins.
Favorite Greenhill tradition? My favorite Greenhill tradition is Heart of the Hill (HOH). The tradition started in 1997 to create connections as the school was growing larger. HOH is a chance for me to see and interact with students from all four divisions and watch them grow.
What are the most challenging and/or funniest moments you've experienced in the classroom? Once, a student from the class of 1995 left the class to use the restroom and was gone longer than he should've been, so I went to find him. While I was looking for him, he returned to the classroom and hid under my desk. I was frustrated that I couldn’t find him and went back to class. There, I stood in front of my desk and asked the rest of the students, “Where is Jason?” No one said anything. Then, Jason peeked his head out and said “BOO.” My students know that I do not get angry, but in that moment, I could feel the blood rising to my head and blew up. I ended up kicking him out of class that day. Looking back, it is one of the funniest moments I’ve experienced at Greenhill.
Was there someone who had a strong influence on you at Greenhill? What did you learn from them? Barbara Graves was a team leader who really supported me, saw my potential, and was a great colleague and mentor.
And then there’s Rebecca Shuman. Rebecca is Rebecca. She and I have been attached at the hip since the day that she started working at Greenhill. We finish each other’s sentences and we know, without talking, what needs to be done. The hardest thing for us is being apart, so next year is going to be tough because we won’t have each other to rely on during work every day.
How has your time at Greenhill been different than what you’d imagined? The most surprising thing is the joy that I feel coming to work every day. When I was in engineering in college and not doing well, I called my dad and said, “I hate this. I’m failing electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. I can’t do this. I want to switch to education.” He told me, “Do what you love. Do what you want to do. I’ve been a city bus driver for years and I love going to work every day. Find something that you love.” And I did.
What will you miss the most?
1 – The students.
2 – The faculty.
3 – The feeling of excitement to come to work every day. For 35 years, I’ve never dreaded getting up and going to work. It’s my calling; it might not have been what I set out to dowhen I went to college, but it’s what I was meant to do.
An anonymous donor to the Growing Stronger Together Campaign chose to name the social staircase in the new Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center after Jack Oros to honor his 35-year legacy at Greenhill. The stairs are now called The Jack Oros Staircase.
Alumni Association Board EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Laura Ley Staub ’01 President
Lee Szor ’03 Vice President/Governance Chair
Aaron Brown ’01
Kent Siri ’01 Advancement Co-Chairs
Mark Wettreich ’98 Service & Community
Meredith Small Wallace ’97
Sohail Yousuf ’98 Programming Co-Chairs
Clayton Lougée ’03
Immediate Past President
BOARD MEMBERS
Elizabeth Bodzy ’10
Matthew Bodzy ’04
Katie Broder ’10
Courtney Capshaw ’06
Lauren Mahomes Cerney ’08
Samantha Kurz DeVito ’07
Matthew Jones ’14
Kent Siri ’01
Stephen Katzen ’04
Jason Klein ’04
Nick Macknight ’06
Asad Meghani ’10
Ravi Narula ’14
Jared Sandler ’07
Alan Sostek ’10
Matthew Udomphol ’07
ALUMNI PRESIDENT LETTER
DEAR FELLOW HORNETS,
As my tenure as Alumni Board President ends, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude and nostalgia for the incredible journey we've embarked on together in the past two years.
Reflecting on this time, I am filled with pride in what we've accomplished as a community. From the spirited homecoming celebrations to the heartfelt reunions during Alumni Weekend that brought together friends separated by years and miles, each event was a testament to the enduring bonds forged within the halls of our alma mater.
I am inspired by the passion and dedication of our alumni, whose active participation has been instrumental in making these events both memorable and successful. We saw many alumni engaging with students in the classroom, on the volleyball court, and even on a panel during the eighthgrade Washington, D.C. trip. We visited alumni in eight cities, reconnecting and learning how our alumni are living our school mission every day, around the world!
It’s been a joy to witness the enthusiasm and dedication of our alumni as we came together to support our school in many ways this year, and pave the way for future generations of graduates.
As I pass the torch to the next president, I am reminded of the strength and resilience of our alumni network. Together, we’ve built something truly special, a community where lifelong friendships are nurtured, where memories are cherished, and where the spirit of our school lives on.
I am grateful to our board for an incredible year of alumni events and initiatives. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president.
With Hornet Pride, Laura Ley Staub ’01
Alumni Common Threads
AUSTIN
REUNION EVENT, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
The Greenhill alumni reunion in Austin was a delightful gathering filled with laughter, reminiscences, and renewed connections. We gathered with a small group of alumni near the UT campus for coffee on the Drag during the day. In the evening, our reception included alumni spanning 50 years. It was wonderful to connect generations of Greenhill grads.
NEW YORK
ALUMNI REUNION
OCTOBER 17–19, 2023
We hosted alumni gatherings around New York City on a two-day trip in October. The first stop was in Brooklyn for an evening gathering at Threes Brewing. The next day, we connected with alumni attending Columbia University followed by a midtown social event for nearly 100 alumni.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
REUNION EVENT
NOVEMBER 8, 2023
During the annual eighth-grade Washington D.C. trip, we hosted an alumni panel and an evening reunion for local grads. The evening was made even more special by the presence of several Middle School faculty legends, fostering connections across generations of Greenhill community members.
ALUMNI FILM SCREENING AND CLASS VISIT
ARTHUR TAPIA ’ 98
JANUARY 8, 2024
Greenhill alumnus Luis Arturo Tapia ’98 shared his career journey and valuable advice with film students throughout the day in January. Later, members of the entire Greenhill community gathered in Rose Hall to witness the premiere of Tapia’s latest documentary, “Mother of Buffalo.”
CALIFORNIA
REUNIONS IN LOS ANGELES AND THE BAY AREA
JANUARY
30, 2024
Our visit to the Bay Area started with an alumniled tour of the Google offices. Later that day, we connected with more than 40 alumni—some of whom had just moved to the city.
The next morning, we headed to Los Angeles where we met a small group of graduates for lunch in West Hollywood with Film Production teacher and Greenhill Legend Corbin Doyle.
The evening social event was packed with more than 80 graduates including one alumnus who drove in from San Diego and another who was visiting from Dallas. With a diverse crowd who graduated between 1978 and 2023, it was a great chance to make connections.
ALUMNI WEEKEND
APRIL 19–20, 2024
Greenhill Alumni Weekend 2024 was a resounding success, drawing alumni from across generations to reconnect and celebrate. From the lively family Alumni Lawn Party to the heartwarming Singers Reunion, each event fostered a sense of camaraderie and nostalgia among attendees. The retirement reception honoring Faculty Legend Jack Oros provided a touching tribute to his 35 years of dedicated service.
ALUMNI HORNET HUSTLE
FAMILY RUN EVENT
MAY 11, 2024
The 5th annual Greenhill Hornet Hustle kicked off Saturday, May 11 with more than 100 enthusiastic participants from the community coming together for a day of fitness and fun.
Thanks to our sponsor, Sevin Burke Group for Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty, all proceeds benefited the Greenhill Fund, supporting every student and faculty member on campus.
Alumni Awards
The Greenhill School Alumni Board announced the 2022 Alumni Award winners in the fall. These awards celebrate alumni achievements, honor their legacy of excellence, and encourage and inspire future alumni.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is John Eisenberg ’75 and the Alumni Service Award honoree is Pamela Beck Pluss ’81
The Distinguished Alumni Award is designated for alumni who achieved prominence in their field through their personal and professional endeavors. The award honors
a graduate whose outstanding character, accomplishments, and service embody the characteristics and spirit of Greenhill’s mission to prepare and inspire our students to lead authentic, purposeful lives.
Established in 2020, the Alumni Service Award honors a graduate for outstanding service and dedication to Greenhill School.
Honorees demonstrate loyalty to Greenhill, exceptional contributions of time and effort, and personal commitment to advancing the School’s mission.
John Eisenberg ’75
Distinguished Alumnus
John Eisenberg ’75, author and longtime sports columnist, has written 11 best-selling books, including his most recent release, Rocket Men: The Black Quarterbacks Who Revolutionized Pro Football, a history of Black-quarterbacks in the NFL.
John has been writing books since 1996 about topics including the NFL’s tenuous early years, the history of the Baltimore Orioles, his experience as a young fan of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s, the tragic breakdown of the horse Barbaro, and an outrageous North-South horse race that captivated the nation in 1823.
During his years at Greenhill, John was an Evergreen newspaper staff member, athlete, and student council representative. John graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and began his journalism career at the now-defunct Dallas Times Herald in 1979. He joined the staff of The Baltimore Sun in 1984 where he won nearly two dozen writing awards over a quarter-century. In addition to the hometown Orioles, Ravens, and Terrapins, he covered major events like the World Series, the Masters, Final Four, the World Cup, Super Bowls, and the Olympics. His work for The Sun took him to 41 states and 10 countries.
John left newspapers in 2007 to focus on his books, but continued to write daily about Baltimore sports including a stint as the Ravens columnist from 2012 through 2022. He has also written for Sports Illustrated, Smithsonian Magazine, and Details, and taught an upper-level sports journalism class at Towson University.
John lives in Baltimore with his wife of 38 years, Mary Wynne Eisenberg. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.
Pamela Beck Pluss ’81
Alumni Service Award Honoree
Pam Beck Pluss ’81 served the Greenhill community for nearly 20 years, volunteering across campus, holding leadership roles, and enhancing the arts experience for all students through the Cultural Arts Committee.
As a student, Pam was an active artist and athlete, attending the ISAS Fine Arts Festival and playing volleyball, soccer, softball, and track. She was named the Helen Misura Award winner in 1973. Pam, whose heart is drawn to service, found an opportunity to reengage with her alma mater when her two children, Molly ’13 and Henry ’15, became students at Greenhill. She served as a room parent, senior class head parent representative, and Parents’ Association Parliamentarian. Following in her mother’s footsteps, in 2005 she became the Parents’ Association President, leading parent volunteers throughout the school year.
Deeply devoted to the arts and their transformative impact on students, she joined the Cultural Arts Committee in 2001, which creates opportunities for Greenhill students to experience a wide variety of engaging arts experiences both on campus and around Dallas.
In 2005, Pam was elected to the Board of Trustees, where she supported strategic board initiatives and served in leadership roles for more than five years. She also chaired the parent ISAS Fine Arts Festival host committee when the festival was held at Greenhill in 2013.
Today, Pam continues to serve the Dallas community in volunteer and leadership roles at organizations including Bridge Lacrosse, Temple Emanu-El, and Aurora Dallas.
Pam received her MBA from SMU, and she holds a BA in mathematics from Colorado College. An avid tennis and pickleball player, Pam lives in Dallas with her husband Steven.
Wes Kittleman Award
Established by alumnus Johnny Chilton ’78 and his wife, Alexandra, the Wes Kittleman Impact Award is named in honor of Wes Kittleman, former Upper School faculty member. It is awarded annually to one member of the Upper School full-time teaching faculty. Nominated by the senior class and voted on by the Upper School student body, this award recognizes an outstanding member of the teaching faculty in the Upper School who is known for excellence and dedication in their positive and transformational impact on students.
Jack Oros | Dean of Students
In nominating Mr. Oros, seniors wrote:
“While Mr. Oros has the formal title of Dean of Students, everyone knows he is much more to the student body. He is a friend, a confidante, a support system, a tutor, and always has the best snacks . . . He is a lifesaver, and high school would not have been the experience it was for any of us if Mr. Oros was not running around behind the scenes.”
“Mr. Oros is the heart of Greenhill. He is always supportive of his students or advisory, with advice, snacks, help with math, and a friendly face. He singlehandedly brightens people’s days by spending time making baked goods and bagel chips every week. He genuinely cares for his students, taking time to meet with them and offering help to anyone that comes his way.”
“I think we often underappreciate the sheer amount of work he does for us, from baking us brownies, making sure we have bagels every week, setting up ping pong tables, and just being everyone’s biggest cheerleader. I’ve been on Student Council all four years of high school, and he’s there every meeting making sure all our concerns are heard and going out of his way to help us make stuff happen. There’s nobody who cares more about us than he does, and I think he truly deserves some recognition for his hard work, time, and genuinely amazing character.”
Photo credit: Robert Jackson
Turning Points
WEDDINGS
Hayden Schottlaender ’08 and Julia Schottlaender
November 5, 2022
Melanie Andrews Wunderlich ’13 and Zac Wunderlich
March 25, 2023
Seema Bhatt Prey ’00 and Casey Prey
April 8, 2023
Tommy Currier ’07 and Becca Currier
1 9 10 11 12 2 3 4 1 2 5 3 6 9 12 10 11 13 14
April 22, 2023
Margot Beauchamp Levrant ’11 and Leff Levrant
June 25, 2023
Jonathan Fine ’11 and Clara Seddelmeyer ’11
July 1, 2023
Rebecca Weitman Rosen ’09 and Richard Rosen
August 26, 2023
Stephanie Arbetter Davidson ’08 and Alex Davidson
October 14, 2023
Emily Margolis Kirschbaum ’14 and Brian Kirschbaum
October 14, 2023
Sarah Brajtbord ’07 and Jake Fahey
October 14, 2023
Stephanie Fishman Jordan ’09 and Alvin Jordan ’07
October 22, 2023
Molly Mack Carbeau ’08 and Charles Carbeau
October 28, 2023
Joseph Middleman ’14 and Jade Conway
November 4, 2023
Lily Marrs Picone ’12 and Frankie Picone
November 11, 2023
Fallyn Sheff Holleran ’13 and Jason Holleran
November 18, 2023
Matt McCrary ’07 and Jessie Kelly
November 25, 2023
BIRTHS
Olivia Kinney Klug ’12 and Sam Klug
December 2, 2023
Katie Broder Richless ’10 and Kyle Richless
December 2, 2023 13 14 15 16 5 6 7 8 4 8 16 15 7
Cameron Chukwuemeka Capps
January 31, 2023
Stephanie Osimiri ’04 and Jason Capps
Reese Caroline Goldblatt
January 29, 2023
Elizabeth Bodzy ’10 and Drew Goldblatt
Henrik Maximilian
Julius Behnsen
April 23, 2023
Maya Wodnicka ’98 and Dirk Behnsen
Troy Garcia Streicher
July 3, 2023
Jennifer Bell-Garcia ’04 and Beau Streicher
Hugo James Doolin Govenar
July 20, 2023
Rachel Walker Govenar and Alexander Govenar ’08
Elise Adaline Ferrer
August 14, 2023
Yvette Ferrer ’07
Luca Boyd Blezinger
September 6, 2023
Sarah Masood Blezinger ’04 and Andrew Blezinger
Helen Margaret “Nell” Parry
September 12, 2023
Maggie Fulton Parry ’07 and Mike Parry
Theodore “Teddy” Averill Stevenson
September 13, 2023
Taylor Averill Stevenson ’08 and CJ Stevenson
Calvin Lawrence Burk
October 16, 2023
Jayme Burk and Cameron Burk ’11
Leo Ray Asen
December 4, 2023
Elizabeth Fields Asen ’09 and Josh Asen
In memoriam
Marie Aidala
December 15, 2023
Grandmother of Samantha Aidala ’25 and former student Ava Aidala
Ruth Andres
April 7, 2023
Grandmother to Louis Andres ’12, Miles Andres ’14, and Elise Andres ’17
David Wilkes Alexander ’75
July 31, 2023
David Aptilon
July 13, 2023
Father to Bradley Aptilon ’16 and Brandon Aptilon ’18
Mitch Barnett
March 24, 2024
Father of Darren Barnett ’78, Sheli Barnett ’82 and Michael Barnett ’90, Grandfather of Ritter Barnett ’31 and Brandt Barnett ’33
Scott Barnes ’12
February 23, 2023
Seema Bhushan
December 18, 2023
Mother of Noopur Bhushan ’09 and Ragini Bhushan ’09
Jim Bland
December 16, 2023
Father of Meridyth Griffin ’94, Grandfather of Jude Griffin ’22
Peter Blanchard
August 7, 2022
Husband of Sofia Mortada Blanchard ’82
Ted Bogart
March 14, 2024
Father of Anne Bogart Kam ’95
Betsy Bramson
August 5, 2023
Grandmother of Jeff Oldham ’93, Ginger Goldman ’96, Besty Beckert ’03 and Brent Beckert ’06
Robert Broder
February 21, 2023
Grandfather of Katie Broder Richless ’10 and Brian Broder ’13
Genie Burke
May 19, 2024
Former Faculty
David Buxton ’66
May 26, 2023
Joe Camp
March 15, 2024
Former Trustee
Father of Joe Camp, III ’79 and Brandon Camp ’89
James Cowles
June 12, 2022
Father of Jan Cowles Sendker ’85
Michael Davidoff
July 23, 2023
Father of Rachel Davidoff Ladin ’91, Lauren Davidoff Brownstein ’96, grandfather of Brent Ladin ’21 and Alexandra Ladin ’24, Natalie Davidoff ’28
Bill Estes
April 2, 2024
Former Trustee
Father of Kris Estes ’80 and Riss Estes ’83
Laurie Lewin Evans ’65
December 8, 2023
Jodie Ganz
February 27, 2023
Mother of Andrew Ganz ’02
Berta Goetz
February 26, 2023
Mother of Dan Goetz ’80
Alan Gold
March 13, 2024
Grandfather of Katie Broder Richless ’10, Brian Broder ’13, Caroline Gold ’13 and Matthew Gold ’17
Doris Gonzales
October 18, 2023
Former Faculty and Spouse of Greenhill Legend Joe Gonzales
Eleanor Goodman
January 31, 2023
Grandmother of Oliver Steinberg ’19
John Harding ’05
December 2023
Justin Harkey ’06
November 19, 2023
Karen Harkey
June 1, 2022
Mother of Jason Harkey ’98 and Justin Harkey ’06
Carolyn Henderson
March 16, 2024
Mother of Eric Henderson ’90 and Erin Henderson Moore ’01
Gary Hoffman
January 25, 2023
Father of Julie Hoffman Fishman ’87 and Russell Hoffman ’89
Helen Howard
May 12, 2022
Grandmother of Lauren Pully ’07
Fredda Isenberg
June 20, 2023
Grandmother of Ashley Isenberg ’19 and Hayley Isenberg ’15
Hilton Israelson
May 19, 2023
Father of Alana Israelson Unterberg ’94 and Carla Israelson Weinstein ’95
Andy Jacobs ’77
December 24, 2022
Theresa Jones
June 17, 2023
Former Director of Special Events and Parents’ Association Liaison
Jack Kasten
August 16, 2023
Grandfather of Lili Stern ’18 and Jacob Stern ’11
Wilma Keller
August 30, 2023
Mother of Jacque Keller ’69, Sharon Keller ’70 and Jon Keller ’74
Jane Kittleman
November 12, 2023
Former faculty member, wife of former faculty member Wes Kittleman, mother of Wes Kittleman, III ’70, Tom Kittleman ’72, and John Kittleman ’79
Ming Lai
March 26, 2023
Father-in-law of Mark Platt ’87, grandfather of Abigail Platt ’22 and former student Max Platt
Margie Levin
November 9, 2023
Mother of Steve Levin ’71, grandmother of Rachel Levin ’01 and Todd Levin ’05
Nicole Lidji
March 8, 2023
Mother of Alan Lidji ’69, Brian Lidji ’71, and Craig Lidji ’76, mother-in-law of Allison Rosen Lidji ’04, great-grandmother of former student Caroline Lidji
Peter Lorraine
August 13, 2023
Father-in-law of Rachel Lorraine ’00, grandfather of Deacon Lorraine ’31 and Annabelle Lorraine ’36
Theodore Mack
August 6, 2023
Grandfather of Brooke Allen ’18 and Zoe Allen ’18
Allen Majefski
March 26, 2024
Father of Shanti Majefski ’95, grandparent of Miles Martinez ’27 and former student
Marley Martinez
Loretta Massad
June 20, 2023
Grandmother of Eugene Massad ’14
Sherrie Matyas
August 23, 2023
Mother of David Matyas ’86 and Michael Matyas ’81, grandmother of Rebecca Matyas Garbose ’09 and Daniel Matyas ’12
Gene McCutchin ’52
May 8, 2023
Fred Merrill ’57
August 27, 2023
Arthur Mitchell
April 27, 2023
Father of Amanda Mitchell ’01
Rex Mooney
July 19, 2023
Former Faculty
David Munson
July 15, 2023
Father of David Munson, Jr ’78
Randy Thompson Murphy
May 19, 2023
Former Faculty
Mother of Amy Thompson ’88
Dot Neustad
May 20, 2023
Grandparent of Kate Schwartz ’12 and former student Elizabeth Schwartz
Mary Casey Newton ’83
February 16, 2024
Kevin Norton
May 9, 2024
Father of Eryn Norton ’08, Nicole Watson ’10, and Julia Norton ’14
Polly Olsson
April 19, 2023
Mother of Margaret Berry ’16 and Jack Berry ’20
John Olsson
February 7, 2022
Grandfather of Margaret Berry ’16 and Jack Berry ’20
Thomas Overton ’54
November 24, 2023
Sonia Philipson
February 5, 2023
Grandmother of Ben Krakow ’16 and Eli Krakow ’18
Mallori Polk ’79
June 19, 2023
Winton Porterfield ’82
January 25, 2024
Martin Posner
July 3, 2023
Father of Robin Posner Corbin ’80
Penny Powell
January 29, 2024
Former Faculty
Mother of Joanne Powell ’76, Nancy Powell ’80, and former student David Powell
Chana Robinowitz
June 17, 2023
Grandmother of Anna Robinowitz ’20
Sharon Roth
October 29, 2023
Mother-in-law of Cindy Frankel Hirsch ’83, grandmother of Lane Hirsch ’16 and Mia Hirsch ’17
Chris Schultz ’65
July 10, 2023
Paul Seidel
February 10, 2023
Father of Jack Seidel ’80, grandparent of Laurie Seidel ’07 and Lindsay Seidel Fleming ’10
Linda Sleeper
July 20, 2023
Mother of Austin Sleeper ’01
Ann Smallwood
September 3, 2023
Grandmother of Josh Ernst ’05 and former student David Ernst
Julian Smith
April 14, 2024
Greenhill Legend
Renee Stanley-Levitt
May 25, 2023
Grandmother of Daryl Stanley Sosland ’06, Paul Stanley ’09 and Michael Stanley ’12
Peggy Sterling
November 9, 2023
Mother of McKinley Sterling ’06
Seymour Thum
April 30, 2024
Father of Brian Thum ’80, Andrea Thum
Solomon ’82, Sharon Thum Bowers ’84, and former student Michael Thum
Jonathan Uhr
February 15, 2024
Father of Jacqueline Guise ’73 and Sarita Uhr '74
Arthur Ungerman
June 27, 2023
Father-in-law of Ellen Ungerman ’81, grandfather of Sloan Ungerman ’15 and Samantha Ungerman ’20
David Winston
February 6, 2023
Husband of Taylor Winston ’80
Only Greenhill Alumni related to the deceased are listed. We do not typically llist non-Greenhill-related relatives.
2023–24
Greenhill Fund
Our incredible community of alumni, faculty, and families helped us exceed our goal of $2.5 million for the Greenhill Fund this year. As our top annual fundraising priority, the Greenhill Fund provides 5% of the entire school budget and is an investment in our faculty and students’ success. Every gift provides unrestricted operational support for academics, arts, athletics, design and innovation, technology, and financial aid, helps recruit and retain excellent faculty and staff, and maintains our 75-acre campus. Ultimately, the Greenhill Fund helps us be authentically Greenhill. Thank you for making a difference for our students!
We are grateful for our 2023–2024 Greenhill Fund Volunteers!
BOARD CHAIR
Roy Kim ’88
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
Karlyn Herlitz
GREENHILL FUND CHAIRS
Christine Martell ’02
Stephanie Stone
Questions about Greenhill Fund?
GRADE CAPTAINS
Heather Arnold
Chris Barjum
Stacey Beatey
Ana Cooper
Kristin Engberg
Clayton Frenzel
Michelle Garza ‘95
Chad Goldberg
Katie Herrmann
Naveen Karim
Mili Khanderia
Sunny Knocke
Rachel Ladin ‘91
Clayton Lougée ‘03
Amanda Martin
Sandy Millimet
Nidhi Sharma
Geetika Tiwari
Contact Robert Clements, Director of Annual Fund & Major Gifts, clementsr@greenhill.org, 972-628-5681.
Why I Give
Anne Mann (Travis ’22, Elizabeth ’24, Andrew ’24) joined the Greenhill community in 2007. She is serving as the senior parent chair this year and has previously served as a Greenhill Fund Grade Captain, Upper School New Families Coordinator, and Greenhill Cares Coordinator.
ANNE MANN
What first attracted you to Greenhill when your children were starting school? While researching schools in Dallas, Greenhill stood out because the School is co-ed and diverse, offers small classes, and has a balanced focus on academics, athletics, and arts. Over time, we came to appreciate the partnership that we built with the faculty and the relationships that we formed with other families through the classroom, sports, and other activities.
Who are the people at Greenhill that have impacted your family? There is not enough space for that full list! We have been fortunate that our kids have interacted with and been influenced by wonderful teachers, coaches, and staff. It is these people who have kept us at Greenhill for 17 years. We have been blessed by teachers and staff who welcomed nervous prekindergarten students; taught by doing and exploring; wore glasses in support of our daughter when she wore hers for the first time; taught them how to write and present; made the library fun and taught them how to research; helped navigate friendships and relationships; taught them to try new things like musical instruments and languages; encouraged a passion for the arts; built strong team cultures and work ethic within cross-country and soccer; steered Capstone projects; encouraged leadership; celebrated their accomplishments and pushed them out
of their comfort zone; guided them through the college admissions process; baked brownies; and helped build their confidence and independence.
What will you remember most fondly about Greenhill after your children graduate? All our kids changed so much from prekindergarten through senior year. We would periodically revisit our school choice and assess if each child was in the right place. We were surprised that each time the answer continued to be a yes. Greenhill focused on each of our kids as individuals. They have different skill sets and interests that motivate them. We appreciate that our kids had the opportunity to explore and experiment, and that they were supported along the way. Each found their place, friends that they connected with, and teachers who had a sincere interest in their learning and success. We are grateful that they can and will always share this connection of being a Hornet.
What inspires you to volunteer and donate to Greenhill? I enjoy being engaged on campus, meeting and working with various people at Greenhill, and being helpful and additive to the teachers and the students. The teachers, coaches, and faculty deserve our gratitude and respect because they are making such an impact on our kids every single day.
Award Winners PARENTS ’ ASSOCIATION
The School would like to thank PA President Jennifer Stinchcomb for her dedication to bringing our community together this year and welcome incoming PA President Karen Johnson!
At the year-end volunteer appreciation luncheon, Jennifer said, “Together, we have made an impact within our community. Through your commitments, we have supported our teachers with their classroom projects, built community spirit through Hornet Hangouts and community service projects, served our students in the cafeteria, re-stocked library shelves, helped keep our campus beautiful and fruitful through the sustainable garden project, and so much more. I hope that when you gave your time to Greenhill, you received so much more in return and hopefully created new friendships along the way. Each of you has truly made an impact at Greenhill this year. Thank you!”
The Margot McGuire Award honors volunteers who, outside the normal responsibilities of a PA leadership position, have made the greatest contributions over the course of a current school year. Recipients of the Margot McGuire Award must exhibit strong character, set a positive example for those around them, and go above and beyond to contribute to the Greenhill community. The Parents’ Association presented the Margot McGuire Award to Lenore Diamond and Sarah Kaplan-Bogdanow
The Ann Perryman Award recognizes parents of graduating seniors who have provided extraordinary leadership and service to Greenhill through the Parents’ Association. The Parents’ Association presented the Ann Perryman Award to Anne Mann and Dorota Stachowiak.
The Parents’ Association Service Award recognizes parents who have provided outstanding service to Greenhill throughout their involvement with the Parents’ Association.
The Parents’ Association Service Award was given to Allison Feinstein, Molly Ingle, and Kate Kettles.
Pictured above: (from left to right) 2024–25 PA President Karen Johnson and 2023–24 PA President Jennifer Stinchcomb
Pictured above (from left to right): Kate Kettles, Anne Mann, Dorota Stachowiak, Allison Feinstein, Lenore Diamond, and Sarah Kaplan-Bogdanow (not pictured: Molly Ingle)
Lucinda Carter
Lucinda Carter joined Greenhill School in the summer of 1971 as a Middle School language arts teacher. She assumed the role of Head of Middle School in 1978 and served in that position until she retired in 2006. During her 35 years at Greenhill, she made her mark on the School in myriad ways, including codirecting the first ever spring musical and three more with fellow teacher, Sheryl Ellis, writing a musical documentary about Greenhill’s 25-year history in 1975, and instituting “Teacher Recognition Day”—a final gathering of Greenhill employees at the end of the school year.
Lucinda and her husband Lyne chose to add Greenhill to their will many years ago because they believe in the School’s mission and values and want to ensure that future generations of students benefit from the same learning environment and inclusive community that Lucinda enjoyed and nurtured during her tenure. Named for Greenhill’s founders Bernard and Helen Fulton, the Fulton Society, formed in 2001, ensures that a Greenhill education will be available to students for generations to come. It recognizes those individuals who reinforce Greenhill’s legacy by naming the School as a beneficiary of their estate and gift plans. The Carters are charter members of the Fulton Society.
Lucinda Carter’s journey into teaching wasn’t just a career choice; it was a calling influenced by her father, mother, brother, and aunt who were all educators. Equipped with degrees in K–8 education and liberal arts, Lucinda pursued her path with a passion for both teaching and the fine arts.
Joining Greenhill was a serendipitous moment for Lucinda. Drawn by the school’s focus on collaborative instruction and team teaching, Lucinda found a perfect fit where she could leverage her dual passions. She was inspired by Bernard and Helen Fulton’s pioneer spirit and their child-centered philosophy. She believed in excellence in education, and she felt at home in Greenhill’s familyoriented atmosphere.
Lucinda believed in the power of collaboration and found great joy when teachers, students, and parents came together to bring integrated studies to life. For the development of interdisciplinary projects like Medieval Day, Renaissance Day, Greek Day, and Shakespeare Day, Lucinda encouraged collaboration to create a vibrant tapestry of learning experiences in the Middle School.
In the same vein, Lucinda and the Middle School faculty began every school year with a lively assembly to establish a motivational theme for the year. The assembly helped excite students about learning and motivated their school spirit. Creativity and collaboration permeated every aspect of Lucinda's leadership and teaching.
Throughout her years at Greenhill, Lucinda inspired generations of students and teachers to pursue excellence in learning and to make a positive difference at Greenhill and in the world. However, she views her legacy at Greenhill not as a singular achievement, but as a collective endeavor shaped by the contributions of many dedicated individuals.
As a retiree of Greenhill, Lucinda continues her passion for teaching by getting to know and encouraging Greenhill’s “Carter Associate Teachers” and conducting a yearly class with them.
As members of the Fulton Society, Lucinda and Lyne are supporting Greenhill for many years to come. They encourage all who love Greenhill to do the same.
WELCOME NEW TRUSTEES
Lauren Harris
Parent, ‘28, ‘33
Lauren and her husband
Chris are parents of rising ninth-grader Anthony and rising fourth-grader
Elizabeth at Greenhill, as well as Hunter who is a rising sixth grader at their neighborhood school. She is the Senior Vice President and Head of B2B for Global Payments. Her husband Chris is the Senior Vice President and Head of National Joint Ventures at CMG Financial. Lauren holds a B.A. in English from Florida State University.
Darlise Harrison
Parent, ‘26, ‘28
Darlise and her husband
Nico are the parents of rising eleventh-grader Nia and rising ninth-grader Noelle. Darlise previously worked as a producer for BET and at ABC on the Production Staff of the Emmy award winning soap opera, “All My Children” and the ABC news station in Philadelphia. She currently serves as a Board Member of the Dallas Mavericks Foundation. Her husband Nico is the General Manager of the Dallas Mavericks. Darlise holds a B.A.in Liberal Arts from Hofstra University and a graduate degree in broadcast journalism from Indiana University.
Kathleen Kirby
Parent, ‘32, ‘36
Kathleen and her husband
Scott are parents of rising fifth-grader Sean and rising first-grader Logan. She is an avid volunteer in the Dallas community and her philanthropic endeavors extend to Cattle Barons Ball, Crystal Charity Ball, American Heart Association, Dallas Arboretum, Perot Museum, YearUp, and North Texas Food Bank. Her husband is the CEO of United Airlines. Kathleen holds a B.S. in Business Marketing Management from Oregon State University.
Todd Lemkin
Parent, ‘29, ‘32, ‘32
Todd and his wife Kasey are parents of rising eighth-grader Ryder and rising fifth-graders Dublin and Forest. He is Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Canyon Capital Advisors while also serving on the Board of Governors of Cedar Sinai Hospital and as a Director of Atlas Crest Investment Corporation. His wife Kasey is the CEO and Co-Founder of Partlow Boots. Todd holds a B.A. in English from the University of California Berkeley.
Lee Szor ’03
Parent, ‘35, ‘37
Lee and his wife Sarah are parents of rising second-grader Reese and rising-Kindergarten student Ben. He works as Senior Employment Counsel at Instacart. Lee will begin serving as the president of the Greenhill Alumni Association this summer. His wife Sarah is the Senior Director of National Events at Componere Fine Catering. Lee holds a B.A. in finance and legal studies from Tulane University and a J.D. from The University of Texas at Austin.
Meredith Small Wallace ’97
Parent, ‘33, ‘34, ‘36
Meredith and her husband Scott are parents of rising fourthgrader Bud, rising third-grader Ashley, and rising first-grader Holt. Former Owner/Architect at Wallace/Johnson Studio, Meredith currently serves as Chair of the Board at the da Vinci School and is a member of the Greenhill Alumni Association Board. Her husband Scott is President at Wallace Capital Management. Meredith holds an A.B. in comparative literature from Princeton University and an M.F.A. in interior architecture from Parsons School of Design.
Greenhill Board of Trustees
2023–2024
OFFICERS
Roy S. Kim ’88
Grace Smith
Kenji Hashimoto
TRUSTEES
Debby Ackerman
Cheryl Alston
Joe Chu
Chris I. Clark ’89
Lenore Diamond
Ian Edmonds
Michelle Frymire
Holland P. Gary ’93
Louis Gennarelli
Lee J. Hark, ex-officio
Karlyn Herlitz
Karen Johnson
Cate Khan
Nauman Khan
Rachel Ladin ’91
Lester Levy, Jr. ’79
Doug MacMahon
Kamini Mamdani
Marlo Melucci
David Muller
Adriana Perales
David Podolsky
Augusto Sasso
Hardeep Sehgal
’01
II Michael Waldman ’98
FORMER BOARD CHAIRS ELECTING
TO SERVE EX-OFFICIO
David L. Johnson ’67, Trustee since 1987
H. Ronald Nash, Trustee since 1987
Bruce Sostek, Trustee since 2009
LIFETIME TRUSTEES
Rusty Jaggers, Trustee since 1994
E. Pierce Marshall, Jr. ’86, Trustee since 1996
Molly (Fulton) Seeligson ’60, Trustee since 2009
Daniel T. Phillips, Trustee since 1997
The Hill in print is published once a year by the Communications and Advancement Offices.
Please look for our digital annual report in the fall.
COMMUNICATIONS
Kerry Shea, Director of Marketing & Communications
Autumn Bernhard, Website & Digital Communications Specialist
Sara Ellis, Digital Content Specialist
Mashal Noor ’12, Creative Manager
ADVANCEMENT
Aaron White, Chief Development Officer
Robert Clements, Director of Annual Fund & Major Gifts
Clint Dawley, Director of Advancement Services
Amanda Garman, Director of Parent Engagement & Community Events
Contact Mashal Noor noorm@greenhill.org 972.628.5488
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Be sure to visit www.greenhill.org for the latest school news, photo galleries, sports scores, and more! For an online version of this magazine, visit www.greenhill.org/thehill
4141 Spring Valley Road
Addison, Texas 75001
greenhill.org
If you received duplicate copies of The Hill magazine, or a copy for your child who has established a separate or permanent address, please let the School know by emailing us at joinerk@greenhill.org.
