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2018 BEACON
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a publication of miami country day school
MISSION STATEMENT
Miami Country Day School is a college preparatory learning community committed to educating the whole child. Through the core values of honor, respect, wisdom and compassion, we prepare students to be lifelong learners. We inspire our children to develop their intellectual, physical, aesthetic, social, emotional and spiritual potentials by valuing every student every day.
WWW.MIAMICOUNTRYDAY.ORG
contents 3 MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL 4 12, 13 AND 14 YEAR CLUBS 5-10 BACCALAUREATE 11-14 THE CLASS OF 2018 15-18 VALEDICTORIAN ADDRESS AND COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS 19-20 COLLEGE COUNSELING CORNER 21-22 SILVER KNIGHT AWARDS 23 HISTORY OF YOS DAY 24 FACULTY AWARDS 25-28
Portrait of a Graduate A MIAMI COUNTRY DAY
GRADUATE WILL:
BE INTELLECTUALLY CURIOUS AND AN INDEPENDENT THINKER DEMONSTRATE CONFIDENCE IN HIS OR HER ABILITIES AND RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF CHALLENGES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS EVIDENCE A COMMITMENT TO LIFELONG LEARNING AND READING IN HIS OR HER PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE DEMONSTRATE GOOD CHARACTER AND MAKE GOOD CHOICES PRACTICE HONOR, RESPECT, WISDOM, COMPASSION AND MINDFULNESS POSSESS A STRONG WORK ETHIC IN ALL ASPECTS OF HIS OR HER LIFE
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 29-30
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ASK AN ALUM BEACON COMMENCEMENT 2018
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A Message from the Head of School On behalf of the Board of Trustees, administration and faculty I want to welcome all of you to the Commencement for the Miami Country Day School Class of 2018. A very special welcome to Dr. Donna Shalala, our commencement speaker, and all of the friends and family who have traveled from out of town for this celebration. On behalf of the Class of 2018, I thank you for being here to help celebrate this milestone in their lives. In some ways I feel a little like a member of the Class of 2018 as I bring my 18 years as a Head of School to a close. As I’ve done for the last several years, I went back and did some research on what was happening around the globe when the members of the Class of 2018 announced their presence into the world 18 years ago. There were some really interesting things going on: In politics, the Supreme Court ended presidential candidate Al Gore’s efforts to recount Florida votes in the election and George Bush was declared President. Video game enthusiasts will remember that Sony released Play Station 2, which became the best-selling game console in history. In health, there was great panic as an outbreak of Mad Cow disease made its way across Europe. Many things happened in sports. Does anyone remember a relatively unknown American wrestler named Rulon Gardner? He was from a relatively unknown town in Wyoming. Gardner won the Olympic gold medal in wrestling by defeating Aleksandr Karelin, a Russian wrestler, who hadn’t lost in international competition in 13 years. Gardner, who was a major underdog, became an Olympic icon in one of the biggest upsets in modern Olympic history. The birth of the Class of 2018 ushered in some painful economic news with the burst of the Dot Com Bubble. In Miami, a six year old boy from Cuba named Elián González became the center of an international dispute. In the world of science, the human genome was finally deciphered. And - no doubt some of you remember watching the final episode of the first season of Survivor (along with 51 million other viewers). I’ve never watched an episode of Survivor, but I remember it well. Every week on Wednesday night, my sons Christian, Harrison, and their friends descended on the house to watch the show while devouring huge quantities of frozen pizza and chicken wings. I will always be profoundly grateful for Costco! Obviously, the Class of 2018 hasn’t unraveled the human genome, won an Olympic Gold Medal, or created an award-winning TV show. At least not so far. However, if you’ve had the opportunity to attend the recent awards ceremonies and Baccalaureate you know that this is an extraordinary group of young men and women who individually and collectively have created a remarkable list of accomplishments. The members of the Class of 2018 have performed thousands of hours of community service. They demonstrate a very strong sense of social justice and civic activism. They are attending colleges and universities as close as Miami, as far north as Canada, and as far away as England, Spain, and Switzerland. This class has the largest number of Silver Knight nominees in the school’s history, with two Silver Knight winners and one honorable mention. The Class of 2018 also boasts an unprecedented number of scholar athletes who will be playing sports in college. At Country Day, the heart of our mission is the education of the whole child. The successes of the Class of 2018 in academics, the arts, athletics, leadership, community service, and other endeavors are a concrete reminder of why this mission is so important and what happens when a school community makes it a reality. Thank you, Class of 2018. Finally, I want to also thank and congratulate all of the parents and teachers of our graduates. Without your efforts and sacrifices none of us would be here today. You should be proud.
HEAD OF SCHOOL
2018 CLASS OF
Luna Aros
Blaise Pronesti
Christian Tamayo
Alejandro Wills
Richard Anapolsky
Milan Bass
Daniel Cross
Daniel Dana
Nina Feola
Carly Garazi
Ava Hansen
Nyasia John
Polina Nestscheret
Gabriella Palmisano
Austin Pollak
Andre Rodrigues
Harrison Stier
Liam Weil
12 YEAR CLUB 13 YEAR CLUB
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14 YEAR CLUB
BEACON COMMENCEMENT 2018
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BACCALAUREATE
Baccalaureate is a very personalized ceremony that takes place the day prior to graduation. Whereas graduation is more formal in nature, Baccalaureate is focused on the students’ time at Miami Country Day School and heard through their voice and their perspective. Students will recount stories, thank those who were influential in getting them to this point, and share special final moments as a graduating class. The ceremony is bookended by their Kinder to College buddies serenading them and a final message from their Class Sponsor – two poignant touches to an already special ceremony.
SALUTATORIAN
TRUSTEE AWARD
RACHEL THOMAS ATTENDING THE
University of Pennsylvania
RYAN FINVARB ATTENDING THE
University of Pennsylvania The Trustee Award for General Excellence is awarded to the graduating senior who most exemplifies excellence in academics, citizenship, responsibility, and character to the highest degree. It was first awarded in 1981 with the school’s first graduating class.
SENIOR ALUMNI AWARD
JOHN SAYFIE ATTENDING
Boston College Congratulations to John Sayfie ‘18 on receiving this year’s Senior Alumni Award. The Senior Alumni Award was established in 1996 by the MCDS Alumni Association to recognize a member of the senior class who has exhibited a commitment and concern for the well-being of the student body as well as the school community. Thank you John for your commitment to your peers and MCDS. Best of luck at Boston College!
BACCALAUREATE
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MCDS 2017 COMMENCEMENT
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KINDER TO COLLEGE SENIOR BUDDY
Kinder to College bridges the ages at Miami Country Day School. It allows the seniors to serve as mentors and big buddies to the youngest members of our community. The students meet throughout the year to develop a love of reading, art, community service, music, play and of course ice cream. The youngest members share priceless moments with seniors at the yearly winter sing-a-long. Seniors have moments to remember what recess felt like by playing duck, duck, goose and tag. Kinder to College unifies the youngest and oldest students in a meaningful and playful exchange.
Q&A WITH JOSHUA BALL, SENIOR KINDERGARTEN AND NICK COLLINS, CLASS OF 2018 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY YOU DID THIS YEAR WITH YOUR BUDDY? Joshua: Having ice cream Nick: The ice cream party and the All-School Sing A-Long HOW OLD DO YOU THINK YOUR BUDDY IS? Joshua: 18 Nick: Close, I am 17! WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR BUDDY NEXT YEAR? Joshua: I am going to miss Nick’s clothes! They always look so fancy. Nick: His cool hair! Nick, what is your advice to Josh as he continues on to first grade (and beyond) at Miami Country Day? Nick: Have fun and continue learning! WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR NICK AS HE GOES TO COLLEGE? Joshua: To just have fun – and eat treats! I love treats! Nick will be attending Florida Atlantic University in the fall to study Music Business. Nick is also hoping to tour with his band, Fifty Eight Hundred. Their self-titled album was released in May.
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CLASS OF 2018
VALEDICTORIAN RYAN FINVARB
SALUTATORIAN RACHEL MAXINE THOMAS
PRESIDENT JOHN ALI SAYFIE
Mahima Aggarwal Danielle Amoils Richard Anapolsky Leandro Geraldo do Nascimento Antonaccio, Jr. Salome Arango Luna Aros Sanjuanbenito Brandon Lucas Arriaga Nicolas Arriola Isabella Ballesteros Milan Bass Nicolas Benkemoun Remi Benkemoun Eric Charles Bernstein Aasiya Raushael Berry Maria Bordovskikh Stephen Patrick Brunetti, Jr. Lucia Bruzzi Cale James Kilvady Bulman Kenneth Charles Byers Arthur Gomes de Caravellas
Kurt Alexander Carlson Juan Martin Caro Jonathan Victor Choeff Nicholas Grev Austin Collins Yasmin Neves Oliveira Coutinho Daniel Cross Adriana Maria Curiel-Guinand Daniel Victor Dana Julius Romelo Delgado Savannah Dodd James Archer Dunbar Tristan Joseph Escalante Nina Colette Feola Julia Fernandes Noah I. Florin Carly Danielle Garazi Danielle Alexa Geathers Israel Goihman Jorden Albert Gross Samuel Mark Halpern Ava Nicole Hansen Jordan Matthew Hanson Zachary Bruce Hart John Thomas Hewitt, Jr. Benjamin Hirsch Horn Kian Hans Huyer-Andersen Rodrigo Iglesias-Rijnsburger Moises Iriarte MontaĂąo Nyasia Candace John Matthew Allen Kaye Evelina Andreyevna Khodykina Condrad Sebastian Krasuski
Bridgette Nicole Lewin Rashad Awesome Lyndell Heagle Rio King Lynk Ana Carolina Machado Rusconi Andrea Marie Malatesta Joaquin Malo Antonella Marcacci Valentina Marcacci Mia Shay Markofsky Mila Markovic Amanda Marie Martin Manuel Andrea Medici Evan Bernard Meiselman Victoria F. Mejjati Alami Camila Mesa Nebiyou Kassa Meshesha Gabriela Danielle Nayor Polina Nestscheret Christian Tyler Nguyen Gaetano Onorato Carlos Ignacio Ortega Gabriella Lorayne Palmisano Cristina Palop Rebecca Papi Luca Yonis Paravano Charles Sebastian Piussan Austin Gary Pollak Blaise David Pronesti Laura Ramirez Jaramillo Kenya Heaven Richemond Andre Abad Rodrigues
Sebastian Alejandro Rodriguez-Fermin Karen Rosenbloom Lila Reese Rosendorf Dean Saydkhuzhin Alexander Ernest Sayfie Sydney Ava Sazant Samantha Rae Scemla Brooke Deanna Schuchts Isabella Cristina Serralles Mia Rose Simmonds Zachary I. Smith Maxim Hayes Sochacki Harrison Joseph Stier Daniel Diego Strouse Christian Edmundo Tamayo Asha Adaeze Taylor Antonia Wigand Teixeira Victoria Torrego Rivera Alejandra A. Valdes Nicholas Villegas Yannick Uriel Waingarten Liam Jacob Weil Alejandro Wills Khalil Leonard Winder Michelle Amelia Yakobi Sirui Yu Daisy Pearl Zand
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LIST
( ) = NUMBER ATTENDING
Hampshire College 1 High Point University 4 (2) Hofstra University 2 Indiana University at Bloomington 16 (2) The University of Iowa 1 John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the CUNY 1 (1) Johns Hopkins University 1 Johnson & Wales University (North Miami) 1 Johnson & Wales University (Providence) 1 (1) University of Kansas 1 Lasell College 1 Les Roches International School of Hotel Management - Spain 2 (2) Long Island University 1 Louisiana State University 1 Loyola Marymount University 3 Loyola University Maryland 1 Loyola University New Orleans 1 Lynn University 2 Manhattan College 1 Marist College 2 Maryland Institute College of Art 1 University of Maryland, College Park 11 Marymount California University 1 Marymount Manhattan College 4 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1 (1) University of Massachusetts, Amherst 1 University of Massachusetts, Boston 1 Merrimack College 1 Miami Dade College 7 (3) University of Miami 27 (11)
Colgate University 1 University of Colorado at Boulder 3 (2) Columbia University 1 Concordia University - Montreal 2 (2) Connecticut College 1 University of Connecticut 2 Cornell University 2 (2) Curry College 1 Dartmouth College 1 (1) University of Delaware 1 University of Denver 3 DePaul University 1 Eastern Florida State University 1 (1) Eastern Kentucky University 1 (1) Eckerd College 1 Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland 1 (1) Emerson College 1 Emmanuel College 2 Emory University 2 Fairfield University 1 Flagler College 1 (1) Florida A&M University 1 Florida Atlantic University 9 (3) Florida Gulf Coast University 1 Florida Institute of Technology 3 Florida International University 18 (6) Florida State University 14 (3) University of Florida 19 ( 7) Fordham University 7 (1) The George Washington University 13 (2) Grinnell College 1 Hamilton College 1
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University of Alabama at Birmingham 1 The University of Alabama 3 American University 4 Arizona State University 1 The University of Arizona 5 Auburn University 1 (1) Babson College 5 (3) Bard College 2 Barry University 4 (1) Becker College 1 Bentley University 5 (2) Bethune-Cookman University 1 Boston College 8 (2) Boston University 2 Brandeis University 1 California College of the Arts 1 California Institute of the Arts 1 University of California, Los Angeles 3 (1) University of California, San Diego 2 University of California, Santa Barbara 4 University of California, Santa Cruz 3 (1) Cardiff University 1 Carleton College 1 (1) Carnegie Mellon University 2 (1) Case Western Reserve University 4 The Catholic University of America 1 University of Central Florida 8 Chapman University 1 College of Charleston 1 University of Chicago 1 University of Cincinnati 1 Clark University 1 (1) Clemson University 1 (1)
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COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LIST
Michigan State University 2 (2) University of Michigan 5 (4) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 1 Monmouth University 1 (1) Muhlenberg College 1 New College of Florida 1 University of New Haven 1 New York Film Academy 1 (1) New York University 8 (7) Newcastle University, United Kingdom 1 (1) The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 3 University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1 University of North Florida 2 (1) Northeastern University 10 (1) Nova Southeastern University 4 Otis College of Art and Design 1 Pace University, New York City 1 University of the Pacific 1 Pennsylvania State University 7 (1) University of Pennsylvania 2 (2) University of Pittsburgh 1 Pitzer College 1 Pratt Institute 1 Providence College 2 Purdue University 1 Reed College 1 Rice University 1 Ringling College of Art and Design 1 University of Rochester 1 Roger Williams University 1 Rollins College 4 (1) Rowan University 1 (1)
( ) = NUMBER ATTENDING
University of Vermont 1 Villanova University 4 (1) Virginia Tech 1 University of Virginia 1 Wake Forest University 2 (1) Washington and Jefferson College 2 Washington University in St. Louis 1 University of Washington 1 Wentworth Institute of Technology 1 University of West Florida 1 West Virginia University 1 Wheaton College MA 1 Whittier College 1 College of William and Mary 2 (1) University of Wisconsin, Madison 3 Xavier University 1
Rutgers University 2 Ryerson University 1 San Diego State University 1 University of San Diego 1 University of San Francisco 1 Sarah Lawrence College 1 School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1 School of Visual Arts 1 Seton Hall University 1 Simmons College 1 Smith College 1 (1) University of South Carolina 2 (1) University of South Florida, Tampa 3 University of Southern California 4 (3) University of Southern Maine 1 Southern Methodist University 1 Spring Hill College 1 Stetson University 1 Stonehill College 2 Suffolk University 5 Syracuse University 6 (3) Tallahassee Community College 1 The University of Tampa 1 The University of Texas, Austin 1 The New School - All Divisions 2 The New School - Parsons School of Design 2 (1) The Ohio State University 3 Tulane University 10 (3) University of Leeds 1 University of Southampton 1 Vassar College 2 (1)
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VALEDICTORIAN
COMMENCEMENT 2018
Ryan Finvarb, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton
The following is an excerpt from Ryan’s Valedictorian Address. For a complete version, visit the Beacon online at miamicountryday.org/beacon. “Whatever you do, do NOT apply to Wharton. You’ll never get in.” Words uttered by none other than Penn Alumni, current Penn students, past Wharton applicants, my grandparents, and even my own college counselor – don’t worry Sardina, I knew it wasn’t personal! Quite unbelievably now, these are the exact words that I wrote to begin my college admissions essay for Wharton. I had committed college suicide, and the only consolation I had was that I could change my other applications. When I reflect back on the decision to begin my application to Wharton this way I imagine an analogous approach to other things in life like a first date or job interview and I cringe a lot on the inside. “You know, I don’t really think you’re going to hire me, but I put on a suit so I’m going to do the interview anyway.” or worse, “I don’t really think this relationship is going to work out, but let’s just wing it – I mean maybe I’m wrong, probably not, but still, I mean I guess. Here I am, at the point of no return. What do I have to lose?” I know these discouragements were meant to protect me from the grave disappointment associated with defeat. These proverbial words of wisdom were expressed to ensure that I’d survive to succeed unscathed, but I have a different perspective….since I was going to reach anyway, what I did was I assembled those people cautioning me to break my fall, should I have failed. I’m the Valedictorian of the Class of 2018. I know I’m expected to talk to you about how I’ve done some incredible things that exceed everyone’s expectations, that I am loved by my mom and dad who infused me with a never surrender attitude, that I leave my legacy to my brother and sister here with you to transcend my accomplishments, as well as, the ambition and sacrifice of the generations that paved the way for me. My mentors: Mr Hayes, if there was anyone I could truly count on for anything – it was this viral, no virile guy! Ms. Sardina, who transformed me as a writer and as a person. She taught me the essentials of forming a cohesive argument; she exposed me to the harsh realities of the real world; and she challenged me to step away from outside influences to develop my own political views. Mr. Hutsko, who introduced me to the world of mathematics and its infinite (get it?) distinctions. He made it fun and allowed my curiosity to flourish, constantly trying to satisfy my insatiable desire for more. Ms. Aronson, who forced me (in newtons) to appreciate the physical world mathematically because it’s relevant...Einstein would certainly be proud. Mr. Konen, who reassured me that learning doesn’t have to be conventional; in fact, creativity and imagination are as essential as knowledge when the goal is to convey the message. And Dr. Conea, the bibliophile, who demonstrated to me the seductive nature of knowledge through her contagious love of learning. For this and so much more, I am humble and eternally grateful. Whoof, okay, we’re passed that. Now, who cares? Seriously? I have done exactly what was prescribed to receive the honor bestowed upon me today. So instead of cataloging my accomplishments, let’s chat, shall we? (continued at miamicountryday.org/beacon).
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Donna Shalala
Donna E. Shalala, Former President of the University of Miami, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from 1993 to 2001, and current Congressional candidate.
Donna Shalala’s advice for the Class of 2018: Make each day count on your campus. Take a chance on new friends. Make each day count by having the courage of your convictions and the courage to keep an open mind. Make each day count by making a contribution to the world. Look for solutions not blame. Do nothing. Sometimes it’s better to take a deep breath and wait for things you can’t control to sort themselves out. Think before you blink.
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Learn at least one more language.
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David Benjamin ‘98, Alumni Board President, with Kelly Creeden ‘93
L.B. SOMMERS ALUMNI AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY SERVICE KELLY CREEDEN’S REMARKS:
All I ever wanted to do for as long as I can remember is help people and create positive change in the world. That’s it. It started here at Country Day and after I left here it manifested in incredible ways. Ways, I can tell you without hesitation, I didn’t even know were possible. For example, the reason I decided to help bring We Days to the United States was because of my experience at Country Day. As you heard, when I was a junior in high school, I became interested in the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When I shared my interest, I was very fortunate to have friends, parents and a teacher who said if this is something you care about…go do something. Make a difference. To ready Kelly’s remarks to the Class of 2018, visit the Beacon online at miamicountryday.org/beacon.
The L.B. Sommers Alumni Award for Distinguished Community Service honors an alumnus or alumna who embodies the characteristics of a Portrait of a Graduate while serving the community in a spirit of honor, respect, wisdom, and compassion. It is awarded to individuals who have embraced the Culture of Philanthropy and generously give their time, treasure, and talent to community causes about which they care deeply. This year’s recipient, Kelly Creeden, graduated from Miami Country Day in 1993. Her passion for giving back stemmed from her experiences and leadership at Country Day. During the spring of her junior year, she co-founded S.A.F.E. (Stop AIDS Fast Through Education) club with two of her classmates and hosted an assembly with a HIV+teenager. Her passion extended into her senior year, when she created and hosted the first AIDS Dance-a-thon. The event raised $30K for AIDS research. After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in English, she worked for numerous organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the International Museum of Women, the Skoll Foundation and WE Charity. While with the Skoll Foundation, she led the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship in Oxford, England. This annual event unites social entrepreneurs with key partners to create large-scale social change. At WE Charity, she helped build schools in Kenya, clean water projects in Ecuador and was responsible for bringing the first WE Day to the US. WE Days are stadium-size events celebrating the power of young people to take action on issues they care about. There are now five WE Days in the US and more than 1 million youth involved. Her most current endeavor involves her work with the Seattle Seahawks. She was recruited by Head Coach Pete Carroll five years ago to lead his business and philanthropic efforts. She never imagined that doing the work she loves would have resulted in a Super Bowl ring. In addition to working with Coach Carroll, she also works with Seahawks players on several key initiatives including their social justice efforts. Part of that effort included the launching of the Seahawks Players Equality & Justice for All Fund, a $1M fund that provides grants to organizations that are addressing equality and justice. The fund was the first of its kind in the NFL.
Donald Ball’s Commencement Remarks We join together today to celebrate the Class of 2018 and all the good that you have achieved. Your many acts of kindness, courage, compassion, curiosity and intellectual risk-taking. Your love of learning, your passion for discovery, your respect for differences and your tremendous school spirit. I have witnessed the power of these moments every day this year. It is also a celebration of all the challenges that you faced and the personal strength and confidence you gained from overcoming obstacles, the choices you made to respond to the unexpected with agility and conviction and your dogged pursuit of what inspires you no matter the difficulty. A lot can happen during the arc of a year. I am proud of all of you for embracing your journey. As EE Cummings wrote, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” Today, this moment, is a milestone. You are about to cross a threshold.
UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR Donald Ball Addresses the Class of 2018
You have had many firsts before now. Your first birthday which you may not remember but you’ve seen the pictures, the first words you read, the first time you rode a bicycle and swelled with joy and pride, the first essay you wrote, your first public speech or performance and how excited and nervous you felt, the first time you dared to dream and made it come true. Parents, you also had many firsts as well. The first time you held your child’s tiny hand and your heart exploded with love, the first time you dropped them off at school and how excited and nervous you felt, the first time they ran off to play with their friends, the first time they drove you to school, and the first time you knew your child was ready to face the world on their own.
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Today, this moment, is another unique step in the journey of becoming and I stand in awe of all that has come before. Enjoy this moment. Be proud of how brave you and your parents have had to be to arrive here and celebrate who you have become. Together.
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COLLEGE COUNSELING CORNER The Perfect Fit: Inside College Counseling at Miami Country Day
When Mr. Walter Pineda, the Associate Director of College Counseling, was asked to describe the role of a College Counselor at Miami Country Day School in 30 seconds, he responded, “You are a cheerleader, a guide, a mentor, a sounding board, a mediator. You are whatever is necessary at whatever moment in time for a parent, student, or anyone else participating in the [college admission] process.” Together with Mr. Pineda, the College Counseling team consists of Marnie Allen, Director of College Counseling, and Marisol Sardina, Associate Director of College Counseling, who combined have over 65 years of service and work experience at Miami Country Day. The College Counseling Office (CCO) assumes many roles as they guide students and families during the college admission process. “[We work with families] to find the college in which their children will be happy and productive. We are looking for best matches – best fits,” adds Ms. Allen. The mission of the CCO is just that: “to facilitate the college admission process so that students are able to matriculate to a college that best matches their interests and skillsets.” Individualized and personalized guidance is the hallmark of the CCO. As the college matriculation process becomes more competitive and unpredictable, the more this philosophy of being hands on and student/family oriented maximizes opportunities for admission. “We are fortunate with the various connections we have with students; we interact with them in different ways,” says Mr. Pineda. “We are also teachers, club sponsors and coaches, so we develop a well-rounded understanding of who they are.” “Approximately 200 colleges visit Miami Country Day School each fall. We try to get our students to go to a variety [of colleges],” states Ms. Allen. Students attend certain college visits more than others, but the CCO sits down to speak with every representative. Because the college counselors get to know students in and out of the office, they can make suggestions of colleges where students will succeed. “We also tell parents if there’s a school you want on your child’s list and your child might not be receptive, ask us to discuss it with them as well because sometimes a different approach will help put a school on the list,” says Ms. Allen.
Ms. Sardina advises students and parents to be open minded about where they apply. “The best {scenario} is when a student is willing to look beyond the big name schools. An example is Rowan University in New Jersey; it’s a great engineering school. I heard about how much [financial aid] they give to students, how successful their students are…we actually have a student going to Rowan this year.” This family made a visit to the Rowan campus based upon Ms. Sardina’s recommendation. Finding the best fit for students not only involves a rapport with families and students but also understanding and researching individual priorities and agendas of college admission departments.
Marnie Allen with Myles Berlowitz ‘19
“We have solid relationships with [many] people on the other side. They are pretty honest with us. The competition is fierce. It’s not because the student could have gotten better grades, higher scores, or been in more activities,” Ms. Sardina shares. “At the end of the day, it is what the institution needs and what they want, what they’re looking for and it varies year to year,” says Ms. Allen. In 2018, some trends on the forefront include socio-economic diversity and admission of international students based upon the current political climate. In fact, in a recent 60 Minutes report, the President of Princeton University, Chris Eisgruber, noted, “We want our students to go out in the world and have an impact in a multicultural and diverse society and to produce those kinds of students, we need to have a diverse student body on this campus.” As year-to-year trends come and go, the bottom line for getting accepted into a great school is good grades. “That’s the gatekeeper,” says Ms. Sardina. “If there is one factor, that would be it. The transcript is the key,” Ms. Allen confirms. A student’s transcript is consistently important in the college admission process. The CCO begins their work with an orientation and review of mid-semester grades in 9th grade. The program and personal interactions between the office, students, and their families becomes more personalized in sophomore and junior years.
Bordovskikh’s story and dreams of going to New York University started in 9th grade in Mrs. Dorn’s class with her “My Shield” project. “It gives us a perspective on what we want to do in the future and what we want to accomplish. I remember I listed my long term goals and short term goals. My long term goal was to move to New York and attend one of the colleges there, specifically New York University. My short term goal was to become a part of Best Buddies. I now have a buddy and she is my best friend. Also, I raised over $50,000 by organizing different charity events.” Bordovskikh will attend the Tish School of the Arts at New York University in the fall. Each college counselor also writes letters of recommendation. They each shared how they try to find the perfect word to describe a student, a quote from a book the student has read, or a lyric from a song the student likes. The personal relationship Ms. Allen, Ms. Sardina, and Mr. Pineda have with each student gives parents the peace of mind that their college choice will be the right one. Thank you to Ms. Allen, Ms. Sardina, Mr. Pineda, and Ms. Bordovskikh for taking time to speak about College Counseling at Miami Country Day. For more information on the office, please visit www.miamicountryday.org/college-counseling. Celebrate with us as we congratulate our students on their many accomplishments in 2017-2018. For a full listing of our academic and athletic awards winners, visit the Beacon online at miamicountryday.org/beacon.
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Maria Bordovskikh, attending NYU this fall
“I’m thankful that Ms. Allen told me it is going to be hard to get into college,” says 2018 graduate and Independent Schools of South Florida Star Student, Maria Bordovskikh. “For me, the most important thing [I learned] from Ms. Allen is, how am I going to stand out? For me, it was my photography and [the global organization] Best Buddies. I didn’t do Best Buddies or photography just to submit it for a college application. In order to submit something and succeed, you have to love it.” The advice that Bordovskikh shares rings true for all students. How will you differentiate yourself? How will you find activities outside of the classroom that you are passionate about and will be coveted by a college?
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THE 2018 SILVER K
The Miami Herald’s Silver Knight Award honors outstanding high school seniors for their academic excellence and passion for community service. Students are evaluated based on the following criteria: community service, achievements, and character. Two major factors to be weighed are consistency and lasting impact of service. Other factors include independent thinking, creative problem solving, leadership in getting others involved, and perseverance in overcoming challenges. Students must show achievement in one of the fifteen categories: Art, Athletics, Business, Digital and Interactive Media, Drama, English Literature, General Scholarship, Journalism, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Science, Social Science, Speech, Vocational Technical, and World Languages. Over one hundred public, private, and parochial schools in Miami-Dade County compete for this prestigious award.
Upper School English teacher, Mrs. Carolyn Dorn, is Country Day’s Silver Knight Coordinator. She has been assisting the nominees with the application process, qualifications, and other requirements associated with the award since 1992. During the 2017–2018 school year, a record six MCDS students were recognized for their community service projects: Danielle Amoils (Art), Isabella Ballesteros (Digital and Interactive Media), Danielle Geathers (Athletics), Blaise Pronesti (Business), Sydney Sazant (Social Science), and Rachel Thomas (Science). Both Danielle Geathers and Rachel Thomas won a Silver Knight in their respective categories while Danielle Amoils received an Honorable Mention. Congratulations to all of our Spartan nominees! Since 1992, there have been 10 MCDS Silver Knight winners and 26 MCDS Honorable Mentions. The Silver Knight Awards program was instituted at The Miami Herald in 1959 by John S. Knight, past publisher of The Miami Herald, founder and editor emeritus of Knight-Ridder Newspapers and 1968 Pulitzer Prize winner.
R KNIGHT AWARDS
ISABELLA BALLESTEROS
Nominee, Digital and Interactive Media
DANIELLE AMOILS
BLAISE PRONESTI
Nominee, Business
DANIELLE GEATHERS
SYDNEY SAZANT
Nominee, Social Science
RACHEL THOMAS
Winner, Athletics
Winner, Science
As a passionate artist, Danielle has worked to equip children in South Africa with art supplies, clothing, and athletic equipment. She strives to help children find their voice through art. Danielle also works with the H.O.P.E (Help Other People Endure) Foundation to help feed children in South Africa. Danielle serves as a mentor for Achieve Saturdays, an Achieve Miami program, which is part of Teach for America. She is also an active member of the National Council of Jewish Women — Teens, which strives to improve the quality of life for women and children.
Danielle’s love of sports strongly relates to her fascination with science, technology, engineering, and math. When Danielle was a child, she watched the movie “Ice Princess” many times, wanting to study how the main character was able to accomplish triple axel jumps. As a result, Danielle began teaching STEM subjects through athletics at Gwen Cherry Park with focuses on nutrition, collision, momentum, angles, and forces. She is also the author of “Don’t Touch My Hair,” a book that encourages girls of color to love and embrace the texture of their natural hair.
Rachel partnered with the Melanoma Research Foundation and the Miami Marlins Melanoma Research Foundation Night. Over the course of three years, she has raised more than $20,000 for Melanoma research. Additionally, Rachel works on public service announcements, informs her peers, reaches out to local doctors, and goes door-to-door selling tickets to the Marlins Melanoma Reach Foundation evening. Rachel’s commitment to this effort stems from personal experience, as her cousin passed away from Melanoma. Rachel has been awarded the Director’s Service Award from the Melanoma Research Foundation for Outstanding Service, recognized for her work by the Miami Marlins, is a member of the National Science Honors Society, and is the Class of 2018’s Salutatorian.
To read more about our 2018 Silver Knights, visit The Spartacus online at https://www.thespartacus.com/3821/showcase/silver-knight-night-victory/.
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Honorable Mention, Art
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THE HISTORY OF YOSDAY
Years of Service Day was created in the early 2000’s when Dr. Davies asked the Faculty and Staff Affairs Committee (now known as FASTAC) to create a meaningful event that honored employee years of service to MCDS. He wanted it to become a touchstone of the school year and a moment for colleagues to honor and celebrate with each other. He gave the committee free reign and his vision evolved into what we lovingly now refer to as YOSDay!
1 YEAR
5 YEARS
10 YEARS
20 YEARS
Laura Abreu-Grondin Aristides Atoa Donald Ball Myria (MJ) Baum Yvette Cintron Jacqueline Gerry Hollye Gomez Charles Gracy Chantell Lopez Christine Luz Nada Nassif Cristina Pla-Guzman Laura Rodriguez Mark Runge Kelvin Sealey Miriam Soto Nolan Sutker Allen Tongue Emilia Veve
David Batcheller Barbara Byrne Karen Davis Karin Stirk-Davis Julio de Aracama Alyson Greenfield Sha’Quan Johnson Alicia Matho Ria Maxwell Christopher Polite Jackie Smith Marra Smith
Michelle Cordero Chris D’Angelo Kristina Long Russell Mofsky Maria Novas Ingrid Palmisano
Jennifer Sennett
25 YEARS
15 YEARS
Susan Glick Judy Mistor
Tabitha Charles Juliette Fulton Tanya Hayes Jose Oronoz Terri Pasqualin Meribeth Shank Jane Tiffin
30 YEARS Yvonne Moyer Bryan Parizo
FACULTY AWARDS EDWIN B. COLE EXEMPLARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2018 Michael Hutsko
Upper School Mathematics When the late Ed Cole retired as Board president in 1989 after successfully leading the Board for 12 years, the Edwin B. Cole Exemplary Teacher Award was established to acknowledge and honor his service to the school. The administration of the school was charged with recognizing a member of the Miami Country Day faculty at graduation whose service and presence in the school community reflect those qualities and characteristics modeled so well by Ed Cole during his tenure as board president. Those qualities included dedication to Country Day, excellence in leadership and going beyond the expected criteria of one’s job. This year’s recipient, Michael Hutsko, has inspired countless students during his 17-year tenure at Miami Country Day. All of his colleagues would agree that he is a great teacher, but more importantly, his students would as well. An avid poker player, he is not above using lessons from card games to teach probability and statistics. He is deeply passionate about his subject and shares this passion with his students. His students routinely score 4’s and 5’s on their Advanced Placement exams. Because of his ability to inspire his students, he was honored with the Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction Award. He is a role model for what it means to be a lifelong learner, something he instills in his students as well.
Gisela Alexander
Revenue Accountant, Business Office This award gratefully acknowledges a staff member for the countless hours, behind the scenes contributions, and outstanding performance devoted to the smooth, continuous operation of Miami Country Day School.
The American Poet Laureate, Billy Collins observed, “Anybody can pretend to be serious. But you can’t pretend to be funny.” Mr. Hutsko has a wonderful sense of humor and has never had to pretend to be funny, as it simply comes naturally to him. It is but one more of his many gifts.
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HARRIET TEPLICKI SERVICE AWARD
In addition to his work in the classroom, he is engaged in many other activities and programs at Country Day. He has served as a class sponsor and sponsor for Mu Alpha Theta, the Math Honor Society. Our school has benefited greatly from his passion for chess. He helped introduce the chess program to our school and he is a nationally recognized chess tournament director. In addition to organizing and directing tournaments at MCDS, he is invited to work at National tournaments around the country. He is the equivalent of Price Waterhouse for scoring our Homecoming competition! In addition, he is also a champion tennis player in local South Florida leagues.
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ALUMNI SPOT LIGHT JORDAN C. HACKMEIER Class Year: 2010 College/University: Florida State University I graduated from Florida State University in 2014 with a major in Business focusing on Risk Management & Insurance. Along the way I created a company that produced over $2,000,000 worth of Electronic Dance Music concerts. This eventually led me to an opportunity in NYC at Morgan Stanley’s headquarters. After a year as an analyst I realized the corporate environment was not for me. Excited with the opportunities to work with my father in our family’s Insurance Brokerage, I moved to Miami Beach in 2016. It was while working in our Insurance Brokerage, where a majority of our clientele are physicians, that I uncovered an opportunity in the Healthcare space. I created EZLabz, an on-demand concierge lab work service. We send Licensed and Insured nurses to your home or office to take your blood work and deliver it to the appropriate lab. This removes the need of going to Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp ever again. Any current students or alumni interested in finding out more about EZLabz should visit our website www.EZLabz.com or feel free to contact me at alumni@miamicountryday.org for advice! PLEASE SHARE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MOMENTS, EXPERIENCES, OR MEMORIES FROM YOUR TIME AT MIAMI COUNTRY DAY. My favorite experience at MCDS had to be break time where we all had an opportunity to mingle with all our fellow classmates from every grade and eat Gene’s Cuisine’s undercooked cookies. WHAT IS ONE EXPERIENCE FROM MCDS THAT YOU’VE TAKEN WITH YOU AND HAVE REFERRED BACK TO AS A RESOURCE OR GUIDE IN YOUR ADULT LIFE? When I transitioned from Middle to Upper School, I found out how tough it was to get into AP/Honors classes. I quickly came to realize that nobody, but myself, could give me the opportunity to get placed into these courses. From that experience, I learned that I have to work smarter and harder than everyone else around me. I have carried this mindset with me ever since and even though it was difficult at the time, I realize how important it was to learn to be self-reliant. This has served me well in all facets of my professional life. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER FUTURE MCDS ALUMNI? I have to quote my father on this one: “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Nobody is going to make something happen other than yourself. So go out there and make it happen.
The mission of the Miami Country Day School Alumni Association is to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between Miami Country Day and its alumni to perpetuate a sense of pride in and commitment to the outstanding education that Miami Country Day provides and to promote its outstanding alumni through communication, service and leadership. To learn more, contact Christine Chancy ’08, Director of Alumni, at chancyc@miamicountryday.org.
ALUMNI SPOT LIGHT SCOT DRUCKER Class Year: 2000 College/University: University of Florida/ University of Tennessee After MCDS, I went on to study and play collegiate baseball at the University of Florida and the University of Tennessee. I graduated from Tennessee with a major in Sport Management and a double minor in Business and Chemistry. Post-graduation, I was drafted professionally by the Oakland Athletics, played for the Detroit Tigers and finished my career in Taiwan. After 9 years of professional baseball, I retired and became a sports agent with Paragon Sports International. At Paragon, I negotiated multi-million-dollar contracts and numerous marketing deals. We represented amateur athletes for the draft and advised professionals through arbitration and free agent deals. Currently I am a Real Estate Advisor at Compass with my business partner and fellow MCDS alumnus George Schechter ’98. We have collaborated to create GSD Advisors which is a division within Compass’ sports and entertainment sector. We also assist our clients with real estate transactions. Any current students or alumni interested in working in sports or real estate, feel free to contact me at alumni@miamicountryday.org! PLEASE SHARE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MOMENTS, EXPERIENCES, OR MEMORIES FROM YOUR TIME AT MIAMI COUNTRY DAY. Where do I start? From Coach Sennett pouring hours of coaching into a very talented baseball team, to giving Ms. Sardina (Now Mrs. Sardina-Konen) a tough time during her first year at MCDS. There are too many memories to just pick one. Fast forward to my current involvement with the school as an Alumni Board member and an Athletic Steering Committee member, it has been wonderful to see the growth of the campus and the school as a whole. WHAT IS ONE EXPERIENCE FROM MCDS THAT YOU’VE TAKEN WITH YOU AND HAVE REFERRED BACK TO AS A RESOURCE OR GUIDE IN YOUR ADULT LIFE? I have always had a sweet spot for MCDS and attribute my ability to persevere in school and on the field to my experiences at Country Day. Prior to becoming a student at MCDS, I was satisfied with “getting by” with A’s and B’s. But once I became a Spartan, I was immediately challenged in the classroom. I owe my work ethic to all the studying I had to do, along with the teachers that pushed me to do better and are still teaching there today. The rare turnover at MCDS is amazing as well.
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WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER FUTURE MCDS ALUMNI? Make sure you come back, visit, and connect with old teachers, friends, and colleagues. You may not realize it right when you graduate, but MCDS has a lot to offer through their extended family. Whether its job opportunities, business connections, or just plain networking, there are many great reasons to be involved with Country Day.
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ALUMNI SPOT LIGHT ANDREW TRIPODO Class Year: 2008 College/University: Kenyon College, NYU After graduating from Kenyon College with a major in Political Science, I joined Teach For America and began teaching high school history and English in a large public school outside New Orleans. After two years, I knew education was my field, but I also knew that I wasn’t done studying the political and social questions at the heart of every government and society, so I enrolled in a graduate program in American Political Theory at New York University. After graduating in 2016, I became the History Curriculum Specialist for Democracy Prep Public Schools, a Harlem-based network of charter schools. Now I’m back in Miami, managing the nonprofit Knowledge of Careers – an after school program that teaches the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and business to low-income students across Miami - and teaching at Cushman High School. In addition, I’m part of a team of MCDS alumni that are putting together the first edition of a city-wide student newspaper, which will allow students from schools all across Miami to submit their writing for publication by The Miami Times, the historic Miami newspaper run by alumnus, Garth Reeves ‘07! Any students or alumni interested in teaching, starting a nonprofit, or applying to graduate school in the social sciences, please feel free to reach out to me at alumni@miamicountryday.org. PLEASE SHARE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MOMENTS, EXPERIENCES, OR MEMORIES FROM YOUR TIME AT MIAMI COUNTRY DAY. It was quiz time for seniors in Mr. Konen’s Marine Biology class, and people were low energy. Then…’BAM’ screamed Konen, as he cut down and through rows of desks, like an Olympian training for a quiz-passing competition. I remember thinking that I could’ve gone faster, then he was upon me and I thought of nothing but underwater life. Turns out there’s a lot of it, more than can fill a teenage human’s brain. As mini sharks swam in their aquarium next to me, my confidence sank. WHAT IS ONE EXPERIENCE FROM MCDS THAT YOU’VE TAKEN WITH YOU AND HAVE REFERRED BACK TO AS A RESOURCE OR GUIDE IN YOUR ADULT LIFE? I went from being a very shy and reserved student who was unsure of his abilities to somebody much more confident in their intellectual capabilities. I developed a certain boldness and personal confidence that has served me well. That development was the result of the MCDS culture and several specific teachers. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER FUTURE MCDS ALUMNI? Confidently pursue your passions, but not brashly.
ALUMNI SPOT LIGHT WARREN IFERGANE Class Year: 2008 College/University: Indiana University (MBA) I currently manage and founded ICG10 Capital, constantly funding bridge, fix-and-flip, construction, and rental loans for real estate investors. After 6 years in private equity, I decided to leave and start my own firm. I have managed over $1B of real estate investments. In addition, I have obtained my MBA degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and published the No-Nonsense Guide to Real Estate. If any current students are interested in entrepreneurship and finance, feel free to reach out to me: alumni@miamicountryday.org. PLEASE SHARE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MOMENTS, EXPERIENCES, OR MEMORIES FROM YOUR TIME AT MIAMI COUNTRY DAY. Miami Country Day School was a very different place when I first came. I was in 2nd grade, and the school centered on a “Quadrangle” of classes, the field was unstructured and had real grass, and the classes were much smaller! At the time, I came from France and didn’t know a word of English. But everyone was so kind, and I have very fond memories of those early years. WHAT IS ONE EXPERIENCE FROM MCDS THAT YOU’VE TAKEN WITH YOU AND HAVE REFERRED BACK TO AS A RESOURCE OR GUIDE IN YOUR ADULT LIFE? You know, most people tell you that school prior to college doesn’t matter much. Indeed many argue even college doesn’t dictate how successful you’ll be. MCDS taught me a great deal about competition, work ethic, and curiosity. This work ethic has carried through my executive positions in private equity, and even today, starting a private lending business. Learning to learn is the most useful trait. Adaptation is true intelligence and a requisite skill for any entrepreneur, and MCDS laid that groundwork for me.
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WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER FUTURE MCDS ALUMNI? First off, don’t take everything too seriously. Work hard, yes, but also enjoy yourself. Time goes by quickly. Second, you’ll have the urge to go to a top university, maybe get a job at a bulge-bracket firm, and get paid very well. At one point, you will be capped and realize starting your own firm is the only way to make real money. I would highly recommend working at a startup instead in your twenties. You’ll learn much faster how to build your empire.
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ASK AN ALUM
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WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA? I love the city that it’s located in (not during the winter though). Philadelphia is no Miami, but the diversity, energy, culture, and rich history present makes it an easy place to call a home away from home. Being there when the Eagles won their first Super Bowl in years and other events such as that made my appreciation for the city grow quite strong. DO YOU CONSIDER UPENN TO BE A GOOD MATCH FOR YOU? I do question sometimes if staying closer to home and family would have been a better choice for me in terms of finances and support, but I do think I am receiving an excellent education with some amazing professors and mentors at the University of Pennsylvania. The work is difficult but the friends and community I’ve found at Penn lead me to believe that it is a good match for me. WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING? I am majoring in the Biological Basis of Behavior, an interdisciplinary study of neuroscience that combines biology and the behavioral sciences, with a concentration in pre-medicine and a minor in both Hispanic Studies and Africana Studies. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE CLASS OR OUTSIDE PROJECT DURING YOUR FIRST TWO YEARS AT UPENN? My favorite classes at Penn thus far are a tie between the Beyoncé class I took this past semester with the amazing social critic and professor of English and Africana studies Salamishah Tillet. Everyone knows my love for Beyoncé is real, and to take a class on her that challenged students to think about her representation in America in a critical manner was great. The other class was Race, Science, and Justice, taught by the brilliant Dorothy Roberts. Her class opened my eyes to the insidiousness of the medical field’s racist history and ideas about the non-biological basis of race.
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HAVE YOU BEEN BACK ON THE MCDS CAMPUS SINCE YOU GRADUATED? DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ANY OF YOUR FORMER TEACHERS? Yes, I’ve been back on the MCDS campus quite a few times to visit old friends, teammates, coaches, and teachers. I’m still very close with many of the girls on the women’s basketball team and my college guidance counselor and former English teacher, Ms. Sardina. DO YOU THINK YOU WERE PREPARED FOR YOUR COLLEGE COURSES AND COLLEGE LIFE IN GENERAL? Academically, I felt very prepared going into college. I had taken multiple AP classes and had done pretty well in them. Being a first-generation college student however, there was not much that could have prepared me for college life in general. There were so many things that I had to learn on my own and handle without any type of guidance or knowledge. It’s almost as if there are certain secrets that everyone who was fortunate enough to have their parents or older siblings attend college before them just kind of knows that I didn’t. I am getting better at handling it though. WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER PLANS? Right now I am back working at a retail store and I plan on doing some volunteer work at Jackson Memorial. I’ve been admitted to a study abroad program in Madrid, Spain and am waiting to hear back from the scholarships to help attend such an opportunity. WHEN YOU THINK OF MCDS, WHAT ARE SOME WORDS OR PHRASES THAT DESCRIBE THE SCHOOL? Spirit. And pride. My best memories of Country Day come from playing on the women’s basketball team so when I reflect on my experience there, I tend to remember the crazy school spirit and pride. Especially seeing the girls and all of the sports team and students in general continue to excel and be amazing.
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Five-Minute Interview with Marsha Edwards ’16
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AS SEEN IN THE MIAMI HERALD AND THE MIAMI SHORES EGRET.
MIAMI COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 601 N.E. 107 STREET MIAMI, FL 33161
UPCOMING EVENTS 2018-2019 Thursday, October 11, 2018 The John Davies Cultural Arts Series Thursday, October 18, 2018 Homecoming Football Game *Football schedule TBA Friday, October 19, 2018 Alumni Toast to Friendship Saturday, October 20, 2018 5K Walk the Walk, Family BBQ & Spartan Family Day, Reunion Parties for the Class of 1988, 1998 & 2008 Thursday, January 24, 2019 The John Davies Cultural Arts Series Author, Peter Reynolds Friday, February 22, 2019 Grandparents’ Day More details to follow!
www.miamicountryday.org
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