The magazine of
Greenhill School
The
SUMMER 2020 Digital Edition
A SUMMER TRIBUTE TO THE
Greenhill Class of 2020
IN A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER IN HISTORY.
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On the cover: A masked MICHAEL McGRUDER ’20 proudly shares his diploma with socialdistancing practices in place at the graduation ceremony.
In the spring, as a tribute to the Class of 2020, every senior’s name was stenciled on Brinkmann Field, and a special video was filmed to commemorate their mark on our community.
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Contents This magazine is a digital issue of The Hill with a special focus on the Class of 2020 and spring highlights.
4 Commencement 2020 14 Baccalaureate 2020 16 Togetherness in Distance 18 Matriculation list of the Class of 2020
20 Collegiate Athletes 22 Year-end award ceremonies
23 Fourth & Eighth Grade Awards
24 Parent Association Awards 25 Hooray Greenhill Fund! 26 Alumni Awards 27 Welcome New Administrators 29 Founders’ Giving Day 30 Welcome New Trustees 31 E. Pierce Marshall, Jr. ’86 is named Lifetime Trustee
Greenhill School 4141 Spring Valley Road Addison, TX 75001 972.628.5400 GREENHILL SCHOOL is a diverse community of learners that strives for excellence; values individuality; fosters a passion for learning; promotes the balanced development of mind, body, and character; encourages service; and instills a respect for others.
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We congratulate the
GREENHILL CL On Monday, July 20, 2020, in a long awaited, intricately designed, carefully orchestrated, socially distant ceremony like no other in Greenhill’s history, the Class of 2020 graduated. All participants wore masks, and each class member, accompanied by two guests, sat on Brinkmann Field with ample spacing for safety. In every school and college across the country, the Class of 2020 will be remembered for the unique, surprising, and creative ways of celebrating this milestone moment. This ceremony exceeded all expectations, and while it marked a change from tradition, the sentiments expressed at the ceremony were true and timeless Greenhill.
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LASS OF 2020 HEAD OF SCHOOL LEE HARK introduced the graduating class. Board Chair Holland Gary ’93 and Head of Upper School Trevor Worcester assisted in the distant awarding of diplomas by presenting them on a table as each student walked the stage. There was also an opportunity for a photograph with Mr. Hark. Josh Leffler gave the first senior address, followed by the presentation of senior awards. Drake Muller gave the second address. Mr. Hark spoke to the class about the challenging year and imparted his words of wisdom. “Your graduation from Greenhill is the end of one moment – one moment in a series of many moments to come in your life where hard work will be required. Where things won’t turn out as expected. Where you will be asked to rise to the occasion whether you feel ready to or not. It’s called ‘being an adult.’ And you will do it. I’ve seen you do it, over and over again. You are smart, you’re creative, you’re talented, and you’re hardworking. But most important, you’re resilient, and you’re brave. Retain that resiliency. Develop it. Sharpen it. Hone it. And stay brave. The world desperately needs brave people.” This event could not have happened 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 April Burns, senior advisors, and a huge number of faculty/staff volunteers who helped with event logistics. The ceremony was also live streamed over YouTube. Check our social media channels for a link to the video.
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Your graduation from Greenhill is the end of one moment – one moment in a series of many moments to come in your life where hard work will be required. Where things won’t turn out as expected. Where you will be asked to rise to the occasion whether you feel ready to or not. It’s called ‘being an adult.’ And you will do it. I’ve seen you do it, over and over again. You are smart, you’re creative, you’re talented, and you’re hardworking. But most important, you’re resilient, and you’re brave. Retain that resiliency. Develop it. Sharpen it. Hone it. And stay brave. The world desperately needs brave people. — LEE HARK, Head of School
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As we all head our own separate ways and join new communities all over the world, we each have the power to create that sense of camaraderie once again… simply by doing what we have done here at Greenhill – making the effort to connect with people who are different from us, whether in background or in personality or in passions. And as we do that, we can strengthen the communities that we are all about to join and bridge some divides in a world that desperately needs a little more unity.” — JOSH LEFFLER, excerpted from his Senior Address
It is the lessons that we learn from our mistakes, the timeless values we’ve gained, and the countless memories created that not only help us achieve our goals, but ultimately help us bring about change and become productive members of society. We, too, can use the tools that Greenhill has provided us to advance our society and leave our mark on the world. Class of 2020, it is our turn to make our voices heard. It is our turn to generate positive change. It is our turn to lead in this bright future. But to do that, we must never forget our past.” — DRAKE MULLER, excerpted from his Senior Address
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2020 Graduation Awards JOSH LEFFLER | Valedictorian The Valedictorian is the graduating senior who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average during the course of their Upper School years at Greenhill School. “Josh has excelled across the academic disciplines. Selected in 10th grade to take AP Biology, this student has enrolled and succeeded in 8 AP courses and one post-AP course across five disciplines in Upper School. Looking at his transcript, it is a sea of A’s and A+’s indicative of the highest achievement. His former English teacher noted: “Because he understands the value of stepping out in front, he is aware that taking intellectual risks pays dividends—his contributions always elevate the work of everyone else.” As a top-ranked debater, he has gained an inordinate amount of knowledge on a wide variety of topics and mastered skills that he has easily transferred into each of his classes.”
ATIRIYA IYER | Salutatorian The Salutatorian is the graduating senior who has achieved the second highest cumulative grade point average during the course of their Upper School years at Greenhill School. “A deep thinker and an expert problem solver” is how one science teacher describes Atiriya. Exemplary in science and math, she enrolled in eight AP courses in junior and senior years, and five of those were in those two disciplines. Her BC Calculus teacher noted that “her insight and accuracy are remarkable”, and after her stellar finish in that class during junior year, she went on to excel in our post-AP math course, Vector Calculus and Differential Equations this past year. Further, Atiriya’s work in our humanities courses was top notch, as one of her English teachers indicated “her written responses extend beyond what is required, as she follows an idea and develops it further.” Her mastery in the Chinese language, her skill to complete a portfolio for AP 3D Art, and, her ability to excel in all disciplines contributed to incredible achievement in the classroom and this deserving award.”
YOU CAN STILL WATCH IT LIVE! The entire Commencement Ceremony was broadcast live stream on YouTube for friends and family unable to attend. Kind words and cheers filled the chat feed. Check out our social media channels for the link to watch it.
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MICHELLE LIANG | The Estelle Dickens Service 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 over-four decades of service given to Greenhill by beloved teacher and administrator Estelle Dickens. “Michelle has effortlessly served the Greenhill community across a wide range of activities. Regardless of the club, competitive league, or artistic endeavor, she exudes humility, grace, and brilliance. A friend once noted that “she loves the things she does and she loves the people around her.” Whether she is performing for our Dance Company, competing in multiple local, state, and national Latin contests, contributing to the victories of Motorhead Robotics for four years, expressing her passion for anime for the SOS Brigade, or seeing her film be accepted into SXSW, she represents Greenhill so incredibly well. One faculty member noted, “She grows learning communities and inspires those around her – [those are] gifts that cannot be taught.”
VEDA VELAMURI | The 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. “Veda has shared her gifts and time to a myriad of causes, both on and off campus. During 10th grade, she was one of ten dedicated youth volunteers to be part of a Nature Bound trip with the Dallas Zoo Youth Volunteer Program. But the majority of her time has been spent with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Since 9th grade, she has been a Discovery Corps Volunteer, and because of her dedication and service to the museum, this past year she was named a Discovery Corps Lead Volunteer and named as one of the outstanding volunteers of the year for the Perot Museum. In 2019 alone, she logged more than 350 hours there. The respect earned from her peers and faculty clearly transcends the walls of Greenhill to the greater community, and I suspect that will continue for her. “
ADAM MEHDI | The 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 principles of honor, respect, and compassion. The award is named for Greenhill’s second Head of School. “Positive energy, engaging demeanor, dedication to discovery, integrity.” These are recurring themes and comments from every faculty member who had the pleasure of teaching Adam. Even more specific, one of his former English teachers wrote, “he provides a true model for both scholarship and citizenship, and I know I am a better person for having worked with him”. This aura and karma of goodwill happens in any encounter with this student. His college counselor remarks, “Possessing a seemingly endless supply of warmth, smiles, and positive energy, he is unfailingly respectful and inclusive, doing everything in his power to make those in his shared space feel welcomed, heard, and valued. His ability and willingness to think outside of himself and to care about and for others, whether on campus or off, is the tonic for the toxicity of today’s world.” And amongst his peers, as one friend remarked, “he is one of the most genuine people I know.” A needed tonic indeed. *All quotes are attributed to Trevor Worcester, Head of Upper School, spoken from his perspective and the citations of teachers’ remarks at the Commencement Ceremony.
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DRAKE MULLER | The 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 principles of honor, respect, and compassion. The award is named for Greenhill’s second Head of School. “Drake is consistently described as a “thoughtful, genuine, intelligent, and respectful student.” Regardless of the setting, he is a positive influencer. In the classroom, he is described as a natural leader, one who has a unique ability to actively listen and engage with his peers in a civil way. In the studio, he works on his photography portfolio with drive and determination, and a steadying presence and powerful voice. On the court, he excels at his game as he consistently encourages his teammates. One of his peers wrote: “He is a selfless person and is always there to help others when needed.” He has built relationships across this community, mentoring our younger students, modeling our core principles of honor, respect, and compassion, and leaving a legacy to emulate. How fitting that he gave one of the addresses to his class.” ALEXANDRIA KING | The Board of Trustees Award The Board of Trustees Award, presented to the senior who has met the challenge of Greenhill with perseverance, courage, and humor. “Alexandria models perseverance, courage, and humor like no other student in my time in education. Throughout her journey, challenges, obstacles, and lifechanging events presented themselves to her, and for most adults, those challenges would be insurmountable. But Alexandria persevered with irreplaceable courage and lasting humor and warmth. One faculty member noted, “She has continued to put the school and her various causes first, doing everything in her power to make sure her commitment to them has remained high, her passion undiluted, and her work top-notch. She has gifted us with unforgettable and inspiring life lessons through her grace, kindness, dedication, selflessness, and resilience”. Another faculty member remarked, “It is that she has persevered with impeccable academic performance, significant commitment and leadership in the student community, and never-failing grace and care for others, even while she has known pain and uncertainty.” A remarkable young woman, poised to make a difference and share her gifts with her next community.” KAITI NESS | The Senior Leadership Award The Senior Leadership Award is given to the member of the senior class who best demonstrates the qualities of leadership. The origin of this award was the D. Harold Byrd and Jennie Stuck awards, which honored male and female leadership. “She challenges me to be my best self.” This quote demonstrates how Kaiti engages in bettering our school across all sides of the Greenhill triangle: academically, artistically, and athletically. Many peers and faculty remark how her selflessness and willingness to put her team or group ahead of her own self-interest, garner the respect and admiration a leader needs to be effective. Her efforts are rooted in the pursuit of community, humbly moving each class, each team, each group forward. One faculty member said, “Back in 1950, she would have boldly signed up to help Bernard Fulton launch a new and ambitious school committed to academic excellence and care for the wellbeing of those inside and outside the community. And if she had been one of those founding teachers, she would have been one who refused to take pay in the first year of service!” Kaiti has been president of the Honor Council, captain/co-captain of the cross country, basketball, and track teams. She leads with impeccable integrity and the moral compass we need in the future.”
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JOSH LEFFLER | The 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 ideals of Greenhill School. The award is named for the founder and first Head of School. “Josh embodies an exemplary humanitarian spirit and is selfless and intrinsically motivated to help improve the lives of those around him.” That is how one faculty member characterized this year’s recipient, and it is a fitting description for this student. Regardless of your encounters with this student, he puts your needs ahead of his own. Need help in a class? He’s there for you. Want to strategize on how to make our core principles more present? He can do it. Need an ambassador for the community – on or off campus? He’ll be there for you. The level of engagement and achievement he has modeled throughout his time at Greenhill transcends our expectations and is truly representative of our mission. And if you needed one more piece of evidence to demonstrate the embodiment of Greenhill, I’ll remind you of what he said moments ago in his address to the class: ‘And as we make the effort to connect with people who are different from us, whether in background or in personality or in passions, we can strengthen the communities that we are all about to join and bridge some divides in a world that desperately needs a little more unity.’ Need someone to help bring unity to a community? Josh can do it.”
Helen Fulton Awards The Helen Fulton Awards are named in honor of 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 because seniors nominate their peers whom they believe embody these characteristics and then the winners are chosen by a faculty vote. Nine students were chosen to receive this award.
GRIFFIN BENNERS
MOHAN DESAI
VARUN GANDE
JEFFREY HARBERG
ATIRIYA IYER
JACK McDONALD
SOLA OMONIJE
CAROLINE SASSO
AMBER SYED
*All quotes are attributed to Trevor Worcester, Head of Upper School, spoken from his perspective and the citations of teachers’ remarks at the Commencement Ceremony.
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In the words of Civil Rights icon and Social Justice warrior Rep. John Lewis: ‘You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone – any person or any force – dampen, dim or diminish your light. Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant.’ Graduates, Class of 2020, may you always be the light and help to make the path for all more abundant.” —TREVOR WORCESTER Head of Upper School
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BACCALAUREATE
Baccalaureate The Greenhill Baccalaureate Service went virtual this year in the form of a video, yet still provided graduating seniors a final opportunity to reflect upon their time and contributions to this community. In a compilation of pre-recorded pieces, senior class leaders offered an invocation, anthems, readings, and benedictions to express their unique and challenging year, and their gratitude to Greenhill experience, values, and beliefs.
Go Ye Now in Peace (performed together virtually) GREENHILL SINGERS & SINGERS ALUMNI
History teacher Adrian Martinez gave the keynote address by intrically describing the moments of his day at Greenhill that feed him as a teacher. The reason he is fulfilled every day and doesn’t miss one day of being an attorney? His students, of course.
KAITI NESS
VARUN GANDE
MELINDA XU CHIRAG BACHANI
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ELLI DASSOPOULOS
JEFFREY HARBERG
PRANAV MUKUND (Class of 2022)
CHRISTOPHER DYCUS (Class of 2022)
ADRIAN MARTINEZ
Why did I leave the practice of law to become a teacher? Why do I feel extraordinarilty blessed to be at Greenhill? It’s because of you, my students. It’s all the seemingly insignificant moments that make every day here better than any day as an attorney. You have let me into your lives and allowed me to share in your joys and successes. This class made me feel like I really belonged here. I’m going to miss you more than you know. Thank you for the last four years.”
JACK McDONALD
— ADRIAN MARTINEZ, BACCALAUREATE SPEAKER
ANAIS ZHANG LEE HARK, Head of School
KAYLEE CHIEN (Class of 2021)
JONAH LEE
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CONNOR LIANG
Togetherness in Distance A celebratory, socially-distant car parade marked a strong salute to the Class of 2020 upon finishing academic work. On Saturday, May 23, seniors and their families decorated their cars, gathered in a line up, and paraded through the Upper School parking lot. Swag bags were distributed, and each senior had the opportunity to pose for a photograph with our Hornet! Faculty lined the parade route and held signs of support and encouragement in #GreenhillTogether spirit. STINGERS UP! GO HORNETS!
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And they’re off... THE MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2020 have decided to attend these colleges in the United States and abroad. Barnard College (2) Baylor University (2) Benedictine University Boston College Boston University Case Western Reserve University Chapman University (2) College of Charleston College of William and Mary College Universitaire de Sciences Po Collin College Connors State College Cornell University (2) Dartmouth College (2) Davidson College Duke University East Carolina University East Texas Baptist University Fordham University Harvard University Howard University Johns Hopkins University (3) Lawrence University
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Lehigh University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Mountain View College New York University (2) Northeastern University Northwestern University (2) Oklahoma State University Pepperdine University Rice University Ringling College of Art and Design Rochester Institute of Technology Roger Williams University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology San Diego State University Scripps College Southern Methodist University (6) Stanford University Syracuse University Texas Christian University The College of Wooster The University of Texas at Austin (6) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Trinity University Tulane University of Louisiana University of Arizona University of California at Los Angeles (2) University of Chicago (4) University of Denver (2) University of Kansas University of Miami University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (4) University of North Texas University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh (2) University of Richmond University of Southern California (7) University of St Andrews University of Wisconsin at Madison (3) Vanderbilt University (2) Wake Forest University Washington University in St Louis (8) Williams College Yale University
#GreenhillSeniors In the spring of 2020 when these classmates couldn’t be together to support one another, seniors Jeffrey Harberg and Alexandria King started an Instagram account to celebrate college decisions among the class.
Name
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Collegiate Athletes Greenhill Athletics Department is proud to send the following 12 student athletes to compete at the college level. Congratulations!
GRANT BULMASH Basketball Johns Hopkins University
MADDIE HATFIELD Cross-Country East Carolina University
DIVYA INAGANTI Soccer Johns Hopkins University
EMMA KAISER Lacrosse Lehigh University
LINDSEY MAXWELL Lacrosse Vanderbilt University
LILLY MCLENDON Softball College of Wooster
DRAKE MULLER Basketball University of Denver
KAITI NESS Cross Country Johns Hopkins University
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GREENHILL COACHES did a 2020 challenge as a tribute to the class, covering 2,020 miles in #GreenhillTogether spirit!
SOLA OMONIJE Volleyball Davidson College
CALEB SMITH Track Howard University
BROOKE WEBSTER Basketball East Texas Baptist University
KIONCE WOODS Basketball Connors State College
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Year-End Events Culminating ceremonies went virtual this year but still pulled at the heartstrings, closing a unique and challenging academic year with sweet faces and sentiments.
FOURTH GRADERS spoke about favorite memories and values in their farewell ceremony and sang “A Million Dreams� as a whole class. EIGHTH GRADERS commemorated the year with insightful student speeches and performances.
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Congratulations to...
SAMANTHA ENGBERG
BAILEY FISHER
SHIVAM SRIVASTAVA
RECIPIENTS OF THE HELEN MISURA AWARD Helen Misura was one of the founding members of the Greenhill faculty 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 a fourth grade boy and girl who demonstrate outstanding leadership, scholarship, citizenship, and sportsmanship.
PAYTON BLALOCK
ZAIN CRUMEDY
RECIPIENTS OF THE RONNIE FREEMAN AWARD 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 an eighth grade boy and girl who have attended Greenhill for four years and have maintained the highest standards of scholarship, citizenship, leadership, and participation in school activities. It is the highest honor attained in Middle School.
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PARENTS’ GREENHILL ASSOCIATION ALUMNI
Parents’ Association Award Winners We would like to thank P.A. President Kaitlin Prieur for her tireless efforts in a very different and challenging year! We would also like to welcome incoming P.A. President Jennipher Rice! In her final letter to the parent community in May, P.A. President Kaitlin Prieur said, “It is a bittersweet feeling to be coming to the end of a year full of highs and lows, but I am so happy to have had this wonderful opportunity. And, although the year didn’t turn out quite as we expected, it didn’t deter our amazing community from supporting our school and each other even as we had to do so remotely. I wish everyone a wonderful summer and look forward to when we can come back to campus and celebrate GreenhillTogether.”
A volunteer appreciation luncheon was held virtually in May, where awards were given to the following dedicated individuals. The MARGOT MCGUIRE AWARD honors volunteers who, outside the dictates of a Parents’ Association 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 our Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day co-chairs, Kristin Engberg and Jen Falk. The PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION SERVICE AWARD recognizes parents who have provided outstanding service to Greenhill throughout their involvement with the Parents’ Association: Preeti Jayaseelan, Dana McLendon, Carola Rayburn, and Vicki Truitt (2009 Award Winner).
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KRISTIN ENGBERG
JEN FALK
PREETI JAYASEELAN
DANA McLENDON
CAROLA RAYBURN
VICKI TRUITT
Hooray Greenhill Fund donors! WE DID IT! WE ACHIEVED OUR GOAL!
(c) John Derryberry
$1,810,893
for the 2019-2020 year!
#1
Despite this incredibly challenging year, GREENHILL FUND met goal several months before our fiscal year close! We are grateful for the support of our community. Whether we learn virtually or in the classroom together, each of you have helped improve, augment, and transform the unforgettable experience of a Greenhill education.
MOST DOLLARS RAISED IN GREENHLL FUND HISTORY!
THANK YOU to our incredible community of volunteers and donors who made this happen!
QUESTIONS ABOUT GREENHILL FUND? Robert Clements Director of Annual Giving clementsr@greenhill.org 972.628.5681
LEARN MORE AT
greenhillfund.org greenhill.org
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2020 Alumni Awards The Greenhill School Alumni Board is pleased to announce the 2020 Alumni Awards. Karen Rupert Toliver ’84 has been named the 2020 Distinguished Alumna and Christopher I. Clark ’89 has received the inaugural Alumni Service Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor the School bestows upon a graduate. The Alumni Service Award, new this year, honors a graduate for outstanding service and dedication to the school.
KAREN RUPERT TOLIVER ’84 2020 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA OSCAR WINNER KAREN RUPERT TOLIVER ‘84 is the Executive Vice President of Creative for Sony Pictures Animation. She is producer of the 2020 Academy Award-winning animated short film, Hair Love, directed by Matthew A. Cherry. Karen was an active member of the Greenhill Fine Arts department, performing in musicals and with the Greenhill Singers and attending the ISAS Fine Arts festival annually. According to classmate Michael Davis ’84, “Karen always seemed to have it together at Greenhill and had a circle of very close friends. I admired her greatly for her intellect, poise, and affability. It is no irony that Hair Love would be her conveyance into history. Her journey is such a poignant example of the diversity that Greenhill enables, and her story is not unique. Karen’s story is one of transforming isolation and using it to fuel her ascendancy to make films that give sanctuary to millions. The ability to communicate with precision is something we learned at Greenhill.” The Distinguished Alumni Award is designated for alumni whose personal and professional endeavors have achieved prominence in their field. The award honors a graduate whose outstanding character, accomplishments, and service embody the characteristics and spirit of Greenhill’s mission of service and leadership in our diverse global society.
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After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Karen moved to Los Angeles and began her career as an assistant at Walt Disney Pictures working on the Mighty Ducks franchise. In her current role, Karen is responsible for the creative supervision of upcoming features for the studio, from inception to script, and through production. She is also in charge of recruiting key storytelling talent and discovering and acquiring new creative material and intellectual property aligned with Sony Pictures Animation’s vision including original concepts, books, comics, video games, shorts, websites, and toys. Karen also has extensive experience in production and development, including 10 years at Fox Animation. In addition, she spearheaded the original feature Ferdinand, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. She served as a production executive at Walt Disney Animation Studios on films such as Brother Bear, Chicken Little, and Meet the Robinsons. Karen resides in Los Angeles with her family.
Recipients were selected by a committee of Greenhill Alumni Board members and School administrators from nominations submitted by the Greenhill community. Due to the rescheduling of Alumni Weekend this past spring, the awards will be presented in the fall.
CHRISTOPHER I. CLARK ’89 2020 ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD CHRISTOPHER I. CLARK ’89 began his service career at Greenhill as an alumni board member in 2003. He served in various leadership positions including Alumni Board President for two years. Chris led the board through his work on various committees: Operations, Nominating, Greenhill Fund Alumni Chair, Vice President, and Alumni Liaison. Chris developed the first full alumni board bylaws and served as counsel, assisting in the revisions of the bylaws for the last ten years. He joined the Board of Trustees in 2006 and during that time, he served on every Board committee. He also chaired the Audit and Risk Management committee where he was instrumental in shepherding efforts to improve campus security.
The Alumni Service Award is designated for alumni who demonstrate a strong loyalty to Greenhill, exceptional contributions of time and effort, and a personal commitment to the advancement of the School’s mission.
Former Board of Trustees Chair Bruce Sostek said, “Chris’ thoughtful, insightful, and fair-minded approach to some of Greenhill’s most significant issues, together with his unstinting generosity and unwavering support for our school in so many ways, represent only a few of his many exceptional contributions to Greenhill.” In addition to chairing the annual campaigns, Chris is a longtime supporter of the Greenhill Fund. He has made consecutive gifts for the last 28 years in addition to his generous support for special capital campaigns and fundraising efforts. He has spent hours on campus attending board meetings, call-a-thons, football pre-game meals, speaking at alumni events or Upper School career day presentations, serving on reaccreditation committees, celebrating at Homecoming gatherings, connecting during Alumni Weekend events and supporting the most recent strategic planning process. Chris is the Office Managing Partner of Fox Rothschild LLP’s office in Dallas, and is also the head of the Dallas office Commercial Real Estate Transactions practice. He is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, where he was a varsity letterman in football, and earned his law degree, cum laude, at SMU’s Dedman School of Law. He is a member of the Dallas Bar Association and the Dallas Asian-American Bar Association.
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Welcome New Administrators
Welcome Marcus Ingram
Welcome Rhema Stradford-Dai
We are pleased to welcome Director of Equity and Inclusion Marcus Ingram, Ph.D. He brings to Greenhill a strong background in developing and implementing strategic inclusion initiatives; robust leadership experience; and an innate ability to build relationships.
We are pleased to welcome Head of Preschool Rhema Stradford-Dai as Head of Preschool. Rhema served as the Principal of Aspire Public Schools, a charter school in Sacramento, California. She brings to Greenhill deep leadership experience, a strong background in early childhood education, and a love of young children.
Most recently from George School in Pennsylvania, Dr. Ingram partnered with the Head of School to formulate an inclusion strategy that now guides the school’s policies and procedures. In so doing, he is credited with enhancing the understanding of the school’s commitment to equity and inclusion. Signature accomplishments include conceiving and launching the Student Inclusion Committee, reimagining a Faculty-Staff Inclusion Committee, and leading a mixed-methods research study that yielded a blueprint for the school’s inclusion agenda. Prior to joining George School, Dr. Ingram served in higher education both domestically and abroad at Wake Forest University, the University of Virginia, and University of the Free State in South Africa. Colleagues describe him as “courageous, pastoral, and a wonderful storyteller,” a “joyful colleague with a delightful sense of humor,” and someone with a “towering intellect.” He is also known as a tenacious and effective change agent and leader. We welcome Dr. Ingram, his partner Dineo Gaofhiwe-Ingram and son Kago, who will be entering kindergarten this fall.
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Over her many years of experience as a teacher and an administrator, Rhema has had an immediate impact on every school she joins. In addition to Aspire, Rhema was the founding Head of School and Chief Administrative Officer of Empowerment Academy Charter School in New Jersey, where she offered instructional leadership for a new school serving more than 200 students in kindergarten through second grade. In this role, she translated the vision for the school into specific and measurable development plans; facilitated the implementation of strategic academic initiatives; planned capital projects; and partnered with the faculty members to create a warm, structured, and responsive classroom environment. Rhema has also served other schools in New York and in China where she gained experience. Rhema earned a B.A. in political science from Hofstra University and an M.S. and Ed.M. from Bank Street Graduate School (New York). She has started her doctoral work in transformational leadership. We welcome Rhema and her husband Ming to the Greenhill community!
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT ON
FOUNDERS’
GIVING DAY greenhillfund.org
Greenhill Fund keeps Greenhill together. Never has it been more important to make your gift for the future of our school. We invite you to join us for our second annual Greenhill FOUNDERS’ GIVING DAY on Friday, September 11, 2020. Last year, our community raised over $250,000 in just one day. This year, we are asking you to pledge or give on or before Founders’ Day to help our school through the challenging year behind us and ahead of us. Our faculty and staff have worked diligently all summer to prepare for this school year. From remote learning technology to new drinking fountain dispensers, sanitation equipment, and personal protective gear, we are ready to tackle whatever this year brings. Faculty have trained all summer in best practices for remote learning, and we are able to introduce a new Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion to enhance our cultural competency curriculum. Only with your support are these resources and opportunities possible. Make your pledge or gift by Founders’ Day to show that we are GREENHILL TOGETHER!
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Welcome New Trustees
MEGAN (BAUMOEL) CONSIDINE ‘97 Parent, ‘26, ‘29 Megan ‘97 and her husband, Michael, are parents to two Greenhill students, rising 7th grade daughter Dylan and rising 4th grade son Emmett. Megan has been with The New York Times for over 13 years as a Managing Director focusing on marketing and recruiting. Megan has a background in advertising and digital marketing and is an active volunteer with the Parents’ Association, including 2019-20 Treasurer and Online Auction Chair.
LOUIS GENNARELLI Parent ’29 Louis and his wife, Roberta Rossato, are parents to rising 4th grader Benedetta. Louis is Managing Principal at LVG Investments. He has 30 years of experience in commercial real estate acquisition, asset management, development and redevelopment, and a background implementing in-depth business plans to add value to underperforming assets.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES (2019 – 2020)
30 The Digital Hill | Summer 2019
LESTER LEVY, JR. ‘79 Parent, ‘25 Lester ’79 and his wife, Brett, are parents to rising 8th grader Lila, and children Grant and Ella-Rose. Lester is the CO and CEO of NCH Corporation, a family-led venture now more than 100 years old, and an officer and/or director of several of NCH’s subsidiaries. Lester has been an active alumnus, and he and Brett have sponsored several fundraising events for the school.
CLAYTON S. LOUGÉE ’03 Clayton is a Greenhill class of 2003 graduate and a legacy; his father David was class of 1969. Clayton is Thomson Reuters’ Director of Customer Experience Strategy. Clayton joined the Alumni Board in 2015 and served as Vice President from 2018 - 2020 and Advancement Chair from 2016-2018. He is a board member in several local organizations including SPARK!, The Dallas Regional Chamber’s Leadership Programs Council, and Young Professionals Advisory Council.
Head of School Lee Hark and the Board of Trustees are pleased to announce Greenhill School’s newest inducted Lifetime Trustee, E. Pierce Marshall, Jr. ’86.
E. PIERCE MARSHALL, JR. ’86 Lifetime Trustee
Pierce’s heartfelt devotion to and influence in the Greenhill community are noteworthy. He was named Distinguished Alumnus in 2017 and has served Greenhill for almost 25 years, initially joining the Board in 1996, and later assuming leadership roles of Audit Committee Chair, Development Committee Co-Chair, and Chair of Greenhill’s largest capital campaign to date, the Building Community Campaign, which raised $54.5 million. Currently, he serves on the Campus and Facilities task force for the 2020 Strategic Plan and is Co-Chair of the Architectural Selection Committee for a future Science & Innovation Building. Throughout the Building Community Campaign, Pierce dedicated himself to fulfilling the vision of our founder, Bernard Fulton, and completing the master planning on the east side of our campus. He immersed himself in the process – interviewing architects, visiting other performance spaces around the country, negotiating contracts, constantly interacting with the general contractor, and personally contacting potential donors. Pierce, his family (daughter Megan Marshall ’16 is a senior at Pomona College), and his family’s foundation (the Marshall Heritage Foundation) are credited with the leadership gift of the campaign and the single largest gift in Greenhill’s history. At the grand opening of the Marshall Family Performing Arts Center in 2016, Pierce said, “We are fortunate to now have a place where our students can truly discover their passions and talents, beyond their strict pursuit of academic excellence. I am thrilled that we have created these incredible facilities to match our students’ remarkable artistic capabilities, both in the near term and far into the future.” In 2017, when he received the Distinguished Alumni Award, then-Alumni Board President Michael Waldman ’98 said, “Pierce exhibits integrity and a demonstrated commitment through an interest in bettering the lives of Greenhill students for decades to come. His deeds and actions reflect the importance of his education, pride, and loyalty to Greenhill.” “Pierce has always credited Greenhill with playing a pivotal role in his life,” shared Lifetime Trustee Rusty Jaggers. “His selfless commitment to his alma mater demonstrates his love of the school and his desire to ensure that the Greenhill experience endures for generations to come.” Lifetime Trustee Molly Fulton Seeligson ’60, joins Rusty in confirming Pierce’s dedication to Greenhill. She said, “Pierce’s leadership has shaped Greenhill for decades by reaffirming the mission of the school’s founders, my parents, Bernard and Helen Fulton. And, like my parents, he is always looking ahead to make sure that we are preparing our students for the future. This combination of leadership and vision will serve him well as a Lifetime Trustee.” The Greenhill community is incredibly grateful for the contributions Pierce has made to the campus, the culture, and the opportunities for students for decades to come.
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THE MAGAZINE OF GREENHILL SCHOOL SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION | SUMMER 2020
WE HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT SUMMER! SAVE THESE IMPORTANT FALL DATES! TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 | First day of School FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 | Greenhill Founders’ Day & Giving Day
4141 Spring Valley Road Addison, TX 75001 972.628.5400 www.greenhill.org