Summer 2014
As Published In: SRQ
April 2014
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Contents Features
in this issue 4 A Message from the
8 IRREPLACEABLE
Head of School
ODA bids farewell to six exceptional members of the team.
5 A Letter from the
14 TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Chair of the Board
6 Highlights from
2013-2014
12 Faculty Achievements 24 Service at Out-of-Door 28 An Evolution of
College Counseling
30 ODA Students
Outperform the Nation on AP Exams 42 Athletics 45 The Arts 48 New Trustees 70 Banyan Bash 2014 72 Parent Association 79 Alumni Class Notes Editor’s Note The Banyan Magazine is designed for members of The Out-of-Door Academy family - students, faculty, parents, grandparents, and alumni - in an effort to share stories and celebrate our communities success stories. This magazine is published by the Advancement Office. If you have any comments or suggestions, please address them to: The Banyan Magazine, The Out-of-Door Academy, 444 Reid Street, Sarasota, Florida 34242 or call 941-554-3409. E-mail: oda-news@oda.edu
The Class of 2018 experienced an exceptional year with the iPad Program. Learn more about it and how it is expanding.
16 STEM STEM is a shift in traditional teaching methods, changing teaching and learning, and forcing students to ask “what if and why.” Hear from Out-of-Door’s own faculty on how STEM is being implemented throughout the curriculum.
18 WRITING MATTERS From the foundations built in the Lower School to the development in the Upper School, writing is a cornerstone of the academic curriculum at Out-of-Door.
22 AP EXAM SCORES RANK TOP IN THE NATION Students at The Out-of-Door Academy are passing collegelevel AP exams at a much higher rate than the state and national averages.
30
GLOBAL EDUCATION
The second year of the Chinese exchange program with Beijing High School No. 4 is explored.
32 GRADUATION AND COMMENCEMENT Excerpts from Graduation and Commencement speeches and view the list of college and university acceptances that the Class of 2014.
50 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Head of School: David Mahler Director of Communications: Shannon Drosky Associate Director of Communications: Susan Russ
Recognition of the Out-of-Door community’s generous support through donations to the Annual Fund, Banyan Ball, Parent Association, Restricted Giving, and more.
Main Phone: 941.349.3223 Admissions: 941.554.3400 Siesta Key Campus, Grades Pre-K-5 | 444 Reid Street ~ Sarasota, FL 34242 Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch, Grades 6-12 | 5950 Deer Drive ~ Sarasota, FL 34240
75 SPECIAL ALUMNI SECTION & CLASS NOTES
www.oda.edu
Featuring pictures, events, alumni profiles, and class notes.
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A Message from the Head of School Dear Out-of-Door Community, Frequently, I am asked, “What is the best thing about The Out-of-Door Academy?” My answer is always the same; it is our students that make ODA such an exceptional school. On a daily basis, our students live the Out-of-Door mission by striving for excellence in the classroom, on stage and in the studio, and on the athletic field. Indicative of the quality and strength of our student body, a record 98% of the Class of 2014 received an unsolicited merit-based scholarship. Furthermore, our seniors set all-time highs for total scholarship dollars and average award per graduate, and an unprecedented 100% of the senior class was admitted to at least one Phi Beta Kappa college or university. In their pursuit of the arts, members of the Class of 2014 were admitted to the most prestigious arts institutions in the world. Eight members of the class will compete as NCAA student-athletes this year, including three at the Division IA level. Finally, the outstanding character and leadership of this class resulted in The Out-of-Door Academy’s selection as the FHSAA’s Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award recipient for all 3A schools in the state of Florida. We could not be more proud of how our students, Pre-K-12, represent our school and serve as ambassadors of Out-of-Door, its mission, and our core values. One of our key strategies and priorities over the past several years has focused on expanding the quality and diversity of our admissions pool. Following all-time highs in both applications and tours, for the fourth consecutive year we opened the 2013-14 school year with the largest enrollment in our eighty-nine year history. Furthermore, we admitted a record number of international students representing thirty-nine different countries and territories from across the globe a clear indication that Out-of-Door’s reputation transcends the friendly confines of Sarasota and Manatee counties. Finally, last fall we welcomed our largest ever percentage of students of color to campus. Strengthening and diversifying our student body will continue to be a top priority to make sure that our school community reflects the many faces of a changing local, national and global demographic profile. As you will see, as you peruse this edition of The Banyan, the 2013-14 school year was a year of significant progress and accomplishment for The Out-of-Door Academy. As the infusion of technology continues to promote disruption across a rapidly changing, complex, and increasingly interdependent world, on campus we are cognizant of the significant challenges that this dynamic environment presents for our students and their future. As a faculty, we continue to strive to live our core values and fulfill a mission that has served our school since its founding in 1924. We also see the need to adapt and innovate the curriculum, and our entire Pre-K-12 program, in order to make sure that our students are exceptionally well prepared to confront the unforeseen challenges of the future. From a leadership perspective, we remain committed to strategy driven decision making and a model for continuous improvement as the focal points for Out-of-Door’s growth and development during such a dynamic and volatile time. Thanks to the inspiring efforts of all of the members of the Out-of-Door family, our school continues to grow, strengthen and change amidst a rapidly evolving, and increasingly competitive educational environment. Our faculty and staff work tirelessly to provide an exceptional experience for each and every child in our care. We are humbled and grateful for the legacy of over 100 years of service forged by this year’s retirees: Linda Dooley, Jane Hancock. Vicki Hosmer, Lisa Rosser, Linda Wallin and Rodney Woods. Parents, past-parents, grandparents, alumni and friends of Out-of-Door continue to propel us forward through their incredible philanthropy and an ongoing commitment to provide the best possible education for the next generation. Thank you for your continued support and for all that you do to make The Out-of-Door Academy such an exceptional, vibrant and caring community. Sincerely,
Check Out Our Head Of School Blog: www.oda.edu/headofschoolblog • My Favorite Day • Only at ODA • What is with the Beard, Mr. Mahler? • You Can’t Fake “Happy” • Hey, David, Take a Look at This
David V. Mahler Head of School
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• Irreplaceable
A Letter from the Chair of the Board Dear Out-of-Door Community, The 2013-2014 school year was yet another remarkable time in the life of The Out-of-Door Academy. There were many impressive accomplishments as we continue to provide a stellar college preparatory education for our students and serve our mission of excellence in academics, arts and athletics. In 2010, the Board of Trustees implemented a comprehensive Strategic Plan for our school. This document is extremely important because it drives our institutional planning and decision making. It outlines our key values, goals and implementation strategies. The administration, faculty and Board of Trustees have together worked very diligently over the past four years and I am pleased to say that this plan on the whole has been successfully implemented. We have now moved into the next phase of our Strategic Planning process. We opened our doors in August with record enrollment of 680 students and and as we look to the start of the 2014-2015 school year, we have wait lists at eight grade levels. This is a direct reflection of the outstanding work of our talented faculty combined with a terrific leadership team. Our financial picture continues to be strong. While we are enjoying our continued growth in enrollment, we have also completed detailed ten year budget projections to insure that we remain fiscally sound in the years ahead. Our endowment continues to grow which is vital for a not for profit educational institution. The Banyan Bash was a lovely evening under the full moon and also a successful fundraising event. This year’s Annual Fund contributions and parent participation levels were strong as well. The Annual Fund and Banyan Bash are critical to meeting our budget since tuition alone does not cover the expense of a college preparatory education. Thank you for your generosity in both of these areas. It has been an extremely busy year for Long Range Planning projects. A new two story varsity boys’ locker room was completed in October thanks to the generosity of the Grain Family. Renovation of the Middle School classrooms was approved. This work began in early June and will be completed for the opening of school in August. The key to achieving our mission, whether it’s construction, adding more faculty, or new technology, is fundraising. We are presently working diligently on our Capital Campaign. We have raised over $3.6M toward our goal of $6M. The Board has invested a great deal of effort and resources to ensure the success of this Campaign. In the upcoming months there will be many ways you can become involved and I hope you choose to do so. We cannot thank you enough for the tireless commitment of time and effort that you put into Out-of-Door. There are so many opportunities for you to become involved. Our school and the lives of our children are greatly enriched by your participation. In closing, we are extremely appreciative for everything you do to help make Out-of-Door the truly special place that it is. The accomplishments of 2013-2014 were outstanding and I look very forward to the upcoming school year. It is our 90th anniversary and there will be numerous opportunities to celebrate the traditions and successes of our amazing school. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I thank each of you for all that you do. Sincerely,
Mitzie Henson Chair of the Board
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Highlights from 2013-2014 Convocation The beginning of any school year at Out-of-Door does not seem complete until the annual Convocation ceremony. As a way to officially pass the torch of leadership to the senior class, the student body gathered to honor them and kick off the school year with the all‑school photo. The seniors sat with their kindergarten buddies while they were presented with thoughtful gifts from the student body. Unique songs and gifts brought tears to the eyes and smiles to the hearts of the entire audience. • Kindergarten, Class of 2026 – Song: This School Is Your School • Pre-Kindergarten, Class of 2027; First Grade, Class of 2025; and Second Grade, Class of 2024 – Song: You’ll Be Going to Graduation Soon • Third Grade, Class of 2023; Fourth Grade, Class of 2022; and Fifth Grade, Class of 2021 – Song: Home • The Middle School donated a goat to help feed families in honor of the Class of 2014. • Ninth Grade, Class of 2017, and Tenth Grade, Class of 2016, shared a colorful and tasty poem to the Class of 2014 and for their special ice cream social held later in the year in keeping with the tradition from previous years. • Eleventh Grade, Class of 2015, shared a video they created to honor the seniors. They also will be taking care of a puppy for the Southeastern Guide Dogs organization and will give the Class of 2014 the opportunity to name the puppy.
Use your QR code reader on your smartphone to view a video from Convocation.
One of the traditions of Convocation is Mr. Mahler’s gift to the senior class. This year, he gave the Class of 2014 a space in the Arts Center to produce a unique art project. Seniors helped each of their kindergarten buddies ring the victory bell to mark the end of the event. One of the traditions of Convocation is to support a local agency, All Faiths Food Bank, in their mission to help reduce hunger in our area. Thank you for everyone’s support. The school surpassed last year’s Convocation ceremony donation of 840 pounds. This year, the ODA community donated 1,135 pounds, which equals 1,362 meals. In honor of National Hunger Awareness Month, the entire student body held up orange cards for the all‑school photo.
Homecoming We are pleased to announce that we had a fantastic celebration of our community at Homecoming at the all-school picnic and football game. Many members of the Out-of-Door community, most dressed in navy and white in support of our team, came out to Thunder Stadium to enjoy great food, fun and games for the kids, and to cheer on the Thunder. This annual all-school event is a great opportunity for our entire Out-of-Door community to get together and show our school spirit. On Thursday, during school, the Lower School held a pep rally, featuring Thor, the Rollin’ Thunder pep band, and cheerleaders to get our Lower
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Use your QR code reader on your smartphone to view a video from Homecoming.
School students excited about the Homecoming festivities. On Friday, the Middle and Upper Schools held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Grain Family Locker Room, followed by a pep rally, contests between the different grades, and an exciting cheerleading routine. Friday night’s family picnic featured an inflatable bounce house and giant slide; hearty meals from Lee Roy Selmon’s and The Guerilla Chef; a bake sale to benefit the eighth grade’s trip to Washington, D.C.; the Thor Store; and more. The crowd enjoyed the football game and the picnic with students, families, and alumni. The Homecoming Court was honored in the middle of the field at halftime as well as the 10th reunion class of 2003. Saturday night, the theme for the Upper School Homecoming Dance was a “Vintage Carnival.” The event was a great success, and we hope our seniors enjoyed their last Homecoming dance at The Out-of-Door Academy. Out-of-Door would like to thank PNC Wealth Management for their sponsorship of the all-school family picnic.
Grandfriends’ Day On February 21, The Out-of-Door Academy welcomed over 200 grandparents and special friends on a picture-perfect day on the Siesta Key campus. Grandfriends enjoyed breakfast outside on the picnic tables and admired students’ artwork on display. The Grandfriends’ Day concert started off the day’s events in the new Kozel Family Amphitheater with musical performances by the fourth and fifth grades orchestra, band, and chorus, followed by the entire Pre-K-third grade ensemble. The students and grandfriends then spent time in the classrooms participating in interactive technology projects. The day concluded with Jump Rope for Heart, a fundraiser for the American Heart Association, in the Dart Athletic Pavilion. As a perfect ending to the day’s festivities, everyone was invited to join in the “lollipop dance” before students began the midwinter break. This year’s event was unique in that the teachers and students utilized technology in innovative ways to share projects and showcase the skills that the children are learning. The Pre-K and kindergartners showed their grandfriends the research project they recently completed. In first grade, the students drew a picture of their grandfriend and were then videotaped with an iPad while they talked about their grandfriend. Utilizing augmented reality and Aurasma, the picture was linked to the video, so grandfriends could scan the picture with an iPad and then watch the video of the student. The second graders used PowerPoint and the app StoryKit to create “then and now” history books about Out-of-Door. In third grade, the students interviewed their grandfriends and videotaped the interviews using computers. In the fourth and fifth grades, the students shared PowerPoint presentations on Native Americans in Florida, the Hour of Code programming completed in December, the app Oregon Trail, work completed on Writing Practice Online, and Wonder book chat projects. Fifth grade students also showcased their Geometry Cities created on paper, the associated Prezi, and the QR code created to make it easy for the grandfriends to view the Prezis. STEM students showed their grandfriends the bridges that they made. The students enjoyed showing what they have been learning, and the grandfriends were delighted to experience the interactive projects and get a glimpse into their students’ classroom work.
Use your QR code reader on your smartphone to view a video and photos from Grandfriends’ Day.
To subscribe to the e-Banyan, our monthly e-newsletter, email the Communications Team at communications@oda.edu.
To read more Out-of-Door news, visit www.oda.edu/news. 7 The Banyan
Irreplaceable Out-of-Door Bids a Fond Farewell to Six Exceptional Members of the Team
In his last video blog of the year, “Irreplaceable,” David Mahler, Head of School, shares his thoughts on the retirees. “Any good leader knows that the strength of their organization is singularly determined by the quality of the people who comprise the team. At The Out-ofDoor Academy, we are fortunate to have an incredibly talented group of dedicated faculty and staff who understand that our purpose is to go to the ends of the Earth for the young people in our care. Sadly, this June we bid a fond farewell to six outstanding members of the Out-of-Door team, who together have contributed over 100 years of service to our school. Linda Dooley, Jane Hancock, Vicki Hosmer, Lisa Rosser, Linda Wallin, and Rodney Woods, we cannot thank you enough for your inspiring service to Out-of-Door. While we all know that you are excited to reach the promised land of retirement, Out-of-Door will not be the same without you. You will be missed but your legacy of living our mission and changing the lives of generations of Out of-Door students will live on forever.”
Linda Dooley Linda came to Out-of-Door in 1988 when a member of the administration team called and asked her whether she would be interested in a position with the school. Her favorite memories are driving over the bridge onto Siesta Key on all the beautiful mornings and looking out of her office window at the trees on the Siesta Key campus. She also treasures the memory of watching her son graduate from eighth grade in 1996. Linda also remembers driving along a dirt road in 1993 to the property where the Uihlein Campus was going to be built and thinking to herself “No one is going to want to go to a school way out here.” She now knows she was wrong about that!
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When Linda came to Out-of-Door, the school was very small, with just Pre-K through eighth grade on the Siesta Key campus. She says the property was beautiful, with only two classroom buildings, an old house for Pre-K, the theater, and the old library that is now known as the cabin. Linda says that there have been many changes since then, but the one thing that has not changed is the sense of commitment and caring. The faculty and staff truly care about the students and about each other. At Out-of-Door, relationships are built that last a lifetime. In retirement, Linda plans to spend more time with her family and is looking forward to her new granddaughter who is on the way! She also wants to travel and play her beloved golf and is looking forward to some new adventures.
Jane Hancock Before arriving in Sarasota, Jane taught in an independent school for six years. A few people recommended The Out-ofDoor Academy to her, and she loved it immediately. She taught third grade for two years before moving into the kindergarten class. She shared a space with Kathy Dozier’s fourth grade class, where she and her students could hear Kathy and her class through the vents. The cafeteria was where the library is now, and it had shag carpet on the walls. She remembers watching the cabin being moved to its present location. The cabin was picked up and put on a flatbed truck and slowly moved down the street to Higel. When Jane arrived at Out-of-Door, the school was Pre-K through eighth grade. She watched as the school added a grade each year, which was sometimes very interesting when she observed kindergarten children and older students. She remembers going out to the site for the new Middle and Upper School in Lakewood Ranch, which was in its early stages. They drove on a dirt road to reach the future campus. Jane says there have been “oodles” of changes since then. Jane hopes that the successes that she has observed over the years continue. She says Out-of-Door is a wonderful school and David Mahler’s leadership along with that of the Board of Trustees as well as an amazing faculty have brought the school forward to the place it is today. She is pleased to know that as Out-of-Door has grown, the school constantly works to meet the needs of the students. Jane says no one particular favorite memory stands out in her mind. She remembers that the end of each school year was always her proudest time because her students had accomplished so much during that school year. One of the first things Jane did after retiring was turn off the alarm clock. In June, she went to the Turks and Caicos Islands
Thank you to the Parent
Association for the benches in honor of all our retirees. and was able to scuba dive while there. She loves to play tennis and has begun to play again now after giving her legs time to heal and undergoing therapy for them. She imagines “daytime” tennis will become a reality now. She also has several trips planned during the remainder of the year. One of the things she looks most forward to is having more time to spend with her family and friends, especially her granddaughter. Jane says she has loved working at Out-of-Door. It seems impossible to her that it has been 24 years. The years were joyful and went quickly for her. Jane says she worked with wonderful people during her time at Out-of-Door. She is proud to say that she worked at Out-of-Door because it was such a terrific place to be. It felt as though everyone involved with the running of the school was striving for excellence. Everyone is proud of their contribution to the students’ lives. The children and parents are wonderful. Jane said it was always a feeling of family and something she will miss.
Vicki Hosmer Vicki came to Out-of-Door after a longtime friend, Phyllis Keyser, who was teaching second grade at the time, told her about an opening for a third grade teacher. Vicki had been substitute teaching in the county for many years and decided that she would enjoy having her own classroom again. She applied for the third grade position, taught a sample lesson, and accepted the job when it was offered. Vicki says there are absolutely too many favorite memories at Out-of-Door to count. She fondly remembers so many awesome
Out-of-Door would like to thank Linda Dooley, Jane Hancock, Vicki Hosmer, Lisa Rosser, Linda Wallin, and Rodney Woods for their years of dedicated service and commitment to the school and its community. We will miss you! If you want to share a comment, please email oda-news@oda.edu or visit The Out-of-Door Academy Facebook page. 9 The Banyan
Out-of-Door happenings in her first year, which included the Wax Museum, Spirit Day, sixth grade graduation in the Siesta Key Chapel, the Kennedy Space Center trip, and Convocation. She says they are memories and traditions that the students from long ago still remember. Vicki says that the biggest change at Out-of-Door is the advancement in the area of technology. Teachers are encouraged and trained to ‘keep up.’ She thinks many of the children still know much more than she does! Also a huge change is the updating of the campus – especially Siesta Key. It is a magical setting. Vicki hopes and knows that the school will continue on its upward climb and knows that technology will continue to improve and the facilities will continue to be updated. The teaching staff will continue to be among the hardest workers Vicki has ever encountered in all the places she has worked. In retirement, Vicki and her husband, Pete, plan to spend more time with their grandchildren, Luke and Emma Rose. They hope to do some traveling, and Vicki will have time to more consistently work on the books for their business. She also plans to have clean cupboards in her kitchen. Vicki says it has been a wonderful 13-year ride as part of The Out-of-Door Academy. She worked hard and was able to stretch herself in many areas she never imagined! She met some wonderful and dedicated teachers and made many good and longlasting friends.
Lisa Rosser Lisa Rosser came to Outof-Door in 2004 along with her daughter, Veronica, who was entering seventh grade. They were relocating from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Lisa first volunteered in Victor Mongillo’s classroom, accompanying the choruses and Dr. Linda Vasilaki’s orchestra. In January 2005, she joined the team as the band director for grades four through six at the Siesta Key campus and later became a full-time music director for the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch. She remembers before the Arts Building was built sharing one music room with four other faculty members. “I was so very grateful when the Arts Building came to fruition, as it fundamentally changed the arts program for the better. Seeing the students use the Arts Center now as a place to congregate, rehearse, and generally call home has been most gratifying.” As the arts program grew, the course offerings did as well, and Lisa began teaching music appreciation, history of music, music theory elective, keyboard, and AP music theory. Some of her fondest memories were the trips to New York City
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with the students in Tri-M, the national music honor society, to experience Broadway performances and the Upper School chorus’ participation in a world premiere Sarasota Youth Opera production of “Little Nemo.” She is also very proud of the student-led a cappella group. Lisa has always been active in the music theater and accompanying a few shows with the legendary Bob True, as well as serving as music director for the Middle and Upper School musical productions. “Working with L’Tanya Evans as director was more fun than I can say!” When asked what she enjoyed most about being a teacher at Outof-Door, she shares, “It would have to be both my colleagues and the outstanding students. The teachers are passionate about their area of expertise and sharing that with the students. The students are friendly, fun, responsible, and incredibly hardworking. I have laughed so many times in chorus because my students figured out how to crack me up. And yet when a concert was approaching, no one would work harder than they would! I have had the opportunity to work with many talented musicians. I have also been extremely gratified when students start out in chorus because they need an arts credit and they end up with a lifelong love of music.” In retirement, Lisa will continue to have a private music studio and hopes to develop an online handmade jewelry business. In addition, she plans on publishing a book of her poems with her daughter’s illustrations.
Linda Wallin “I knew since I was in the seventh grade that I wanted to be an art teacher,” she says. “I don’t think a lot of people can say they knew what they wanted to be when they were in the seventh grade.” Linda grew up in Bradenton and attended Florida State University, where she received a degree in art education and visual arts. Linda’s three children, Tommy, Brett, and Megan, all attended Out-of-Door. She taught art at W.D. Sugg Middle School in Bradenton before taking a hiatus to raise her children, but that hiatus was coming to an end. During her daughter’s final year at Out-of-Door, Linda got a call from Out-of-Door inquiring about whether she was interested in filling a soon-to-be-open position as the art teacher. For 15 years, Linda developed fun and exciting projects for the students of Out-of-Door. She tried to ensure that the art projects were not only fun but also tied into the curriculum the students were working on in their other classes. One of her art philosophies involves mixing art and nature. For a few years, she included marine science lessons with her art lessons. She brought in shrimp and fish from the market for the students to work with for various art projects.
“The most rewarding part of my job is when a little kid says to you, ‘Wow! I can do art!’ and they light up,” she says. “Or, ‘I made green!’ Just little things like that. They can come in here and take some of the stress out of their day. They can talk and work freely and be creative.” Although teaching kept Linda busy, she still found time to kayak, walk the beach every Friday after school with colleagues, and garden at home. In retirement, she continues to do the things she loves and enjoys most.
Rodney Woods In 1997 Rodney was working for MetLife, selling life insurance and securities. However, he was missing teaching and immediately responded to an ad in the local paper for a teacher of Advanced Placement United States History at Out-of-Door. He was eager to get back into the classroom, and thought that he would be able to teach and continue with MetLife. Steve Bowers, who was the interim head at the time, interviewed him. Rodney recalls Steve as a charming, civilized and educated man, and they immediately warmed to
each other. The interview took place against the background of a dramatic thunderstorm at the Uihlein campus at Lakewood Ranch. By the time Rodney left, Steve had offered him a fulltime position. Rodney says he has so many good memories of the school that it is impossible to pick out one above another. His best memories, though, all relate to the students whom he always found to be bright, motivated learners. He says that is what made the job so rewarding and, quite honestly, so easy. Rodney came to the school when the high school was in its second year. The biggest change that he has witnessed at the school has to be “the rise of the school population and addition of buildings and facilities to accommodate it. My first day at ODA involved taking part in a “bonding” boat trip from Cortez to one of the islands. The whole school (all 32 of them) and teachers attended. I remember thinking, as we lazily made our way over the blue waters of the Gulf, that this was turning out to be a pretty good job!” Rodney plans to spend each summer in England, living in his 18th century cottage in Deal, Kent, and spending much more time with his sons and grandchildren. He plans to get on top of the maintenance of his house and garden, and spend some time on a few writing projects. Although he suspects that his wife is going to find him another job!
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waiting for something good.
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Faculty Achievements Lower School • Weeklong Orton Gillingham Training: Denis Aberle, Michalle Johnson, Caylyn Smith
• Faculty presenter, ESOL training: Katie Baraona • STEM Conference, National Science Teachers Conference: Lisa Cheney
• Lindamood‑Bell Learning Processes, Visualizing & Verbalizing for Language Workshop: Danielle Daddario
• Presenter at FCIS for e-portfolio: Grace Duffey • Began PhD program, Florida Art Teacher Convention:
The Out-of-Door Academy fosters a learning environment not only for our students but also for our faculty and staff. Professional development encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from college degrees to formal coursework, conferences, and informal learning opportunities situated in practice. Whether to foster an interest in lifelong learning, to maintain and improve professional competence, to enhance career progression, or to keep abreast of new technology and practice, faculty members take advantage of learning opportunities every day. This year, the entire faculty participated in the FCIS Annual Convention, and many of them made presentations. The NAIS Annual Conference also took place in Orlando this year, and many faculty participated and presented. Here are a few examples from this past year:
Jessica Dunda
• FCIS presenter – Scratch programming: Martha Gulacsy
• Communication Workshop: Nancy Harrison • Beginning PhD program in fall of 2014: Brittany Hiller • National PE Conference: Jeff Horr, Michael Young • Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, Visualizing & Verbalizing for Language Comprehension Workshop; Reading Fluency – Timothy Rasinski webinar: Renee Huntley
• National Council for Teachers of Mathematics Conference: Emily Latta
• Writers Workshop training: Renee Pitts, Kelly Raggo, Jane Runge, Nancy Harrison, Jill Jaiswal, Patty Young, Martha Gulacsy
• Kagan Workshop, began master’s coursework, Awareness of Sensory Integration and Making Adaptations in Your Classroom, FCIS presenter, 2014 Florida Creativity, SimpleK12 webinar: Differentiating Lessons Conference: Serena Robins
• FCIS School Visits and Collaborative Planning for Media Center setup: Kelly Rose
• Beginning master’s in gifted education: Caylyn Smith • Forty-hour course, “Teaching Music in the Cloud”; Itzhak Perlman violin and viola intensive master classes at USF, Statewide National Music Teachers’ Assoc. Convention in Tampa: Linda Vasilaki
• National STEM Conference, Engineering is Elementary Conference: Derek Wiberg
• 2013 summer core technology training: All Lower faculty 12School The Banyan
Martha Gulacsy Fourth and fifth grade language arts teacher “Professional development at Out-of-Door is unlike that at any other school where I have taught or been an administrator. Out-of-Door has generously allowed me to pursue my passion: writing and grammar. Because of this, I have attended many workshops where I have been able to delve deeply into my preferred subject area and use those strategies and talents that are most effective for teaching my favorite subject.”
Stephanie Sassetti Middle School science teacher “For my professional growth I took an online class at the end of the year on the educational design process through NASA and NSTA. It showed me the process that NASA uses to design and build prototypes and then how to bring this into the classroom. Currently, I am taking a course from Georgetown online on genetics and the Human Genome Project. In August I am enrolled to take a course titled ‘Genetics and Society: A Course for Educators.’ I am very excited as I have a personal tie to genetics and genetic diseases. I hope to bring this into my classroom as part of our STEM education.”
Middle School
Serena Robins Pre-K Teacher “As an early childhood educator, I believe the early years are the most critical for fostering children’s natural ability to think divergently. I interweave a multisensory, arts-based curriculum within our school core curriculum for our Pre-K population. I celebrate individual learning differences and nurture all the intelligences. “Having the opportunity to attend the USF Florida Creativity Weekend Conference–Building Connections (February 28-March 2, 2014) left me with a renewed sense of my own creativity, and when I applied some of the ideas and strategies in my classroom, that made a positive difference this year. “I came away refreshed and more in touch with the power of my own perspective, clarity, and knowledge. I explored and experienced different creative sources through music and movement, theater, and the visual arts that validated my passion and the importance of self-expression, creativity, and the integration of ‘the arts’ in an early childhood education curriculum. The act of singing engages body, emotions, and mind; song is a powerful tool for integrating new knowledge. As teachers we should be creating an environment where children’s creativity can thrive.”
Dr. Linda Vasilaki Lower School Music Director “I took a wonderful course online this past year called ‘Teaching Music in the Cloud.’ It was amazing and challenging and opened up a whole new world for music teachers. I love using the whiteboard with the students, and I use much of what I learned in the course with them. Summer camp was my lab – I tried out a lot of the tricks, and they worked!” During the 2013-2014 school year, Dr. Vasilaki enrolled in this 10-week course, designed and taught by Dr. Jim Frankel of Music First. It was Dr. Vasilaki’s first experience with a MOOC (massive open online course), and there were nearly 600 students enrolled. Dr. Vasilaki was honored to be accepted into the course and learned firsthand about the incredible opportunities for music learning that cloud-based tools afford music educators. Teachers from all over the world shared their expertise and experiences and are still in touch with new and helpful ideas for teaching music. The best part of the course, from Dr. Vasilaki’s point of view, was learning how easy and practical it is to access our tools from any computer or iPad, as opposed to the “old-fashioned way” of having to invest in and download an expensive music program, computer by computer. “The students are responding well to the things I learned in the course, and I am excited about incorporating more online learning in the music classroom.”
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Great Books Training – a process called Shared Inquiry, which focuses on close reading of text and discussion: Middle School faculty
• Kagan Training, Cooperative Learning: Danielle Goldsby, Michelle Corley, Bruce Latta
• Bootstrap – for teachers of mathematics on incorporating computer programming into mathematics instruction: Middle School mathematics faculty
• Conferences for academic disciplines: Joanna
Johnson, Joanne Barrett, Maggie Dooley, Yadira Kirschner, Danielle Goldsby, Alyssa Mandel, Stephanie Sassetti
• STEM conference: Stephanie Sassetti • Graduate school programs: Sean Ball, Bruce Latta, Kathy Dozier
• Presentations at conferences: Barrett, Johnson • Reading/Literacy: Michelle Corley • Participated in FCIS evaluations: Joanne Barrett, Kathy Dozier, Bruce Latta, Maggie Dooley
• Administrative training: Bruce Latta • FCIS Conference participation: All Middle School faculty
• CPR: All Middle School faculty
Upper School • AAHPERD National Wellness Convention: Stone • Marine Education Workshop: Kimberly Walsh • The EE Ford Summer Teachers’ Colloguium: Joseph Madres
• AP Workshop: Ken Sommers • AP Summer Institute in European History: Ellen Zitani • ISM training for Schedulogic: Adam Seldis, Josh Singer, Mary Ann Mullen
• Presenter at NSTA STEM Conference: Joanne Barrett • ISTE Annual Conference: Joanne Barrett • 2013-2014 Blended Certificate Program: Camela Giraud
• Graduate school completion: Shelley Stone • FCIS Conference participation: All Upper School faculty
• NAIS Conference: Many Upper School faculty attended
This past year, The Out-of-Door Academy launched an exciting new learning opportunity for the Class of 2018 that represented a dramatic leap forward in their education by implementing an iPad Initiative for all eighth grade students. All members of the Class of 2018 experienced a much more customized and individualized learning environment, where they completed most of their academic coursework using iPad technology. David Mahler, Head of School shares, “The iPad Initiative is one part of a larger strategic vision for the evolution of the academic program at The Out-of-Door Academy. As a school, we want our students to be exceptional thinkers, creators, and communicators. Students need to be prepared for life and work in the 21st century, a goal that demands a different approach to teaching and learning.” Out-of-Door teachers have been working with iPad technology over the past three years, and through trial and error we have learned its strengths and limitations. We have seen firsthand the deep and diverse learning that iPads support, and the faculty is excited about the new learning opportunities iPads offer to our students. Bruce Latta, Head of the Middle School, explains, “We see the iPad as a vital tool to catalyze our move away from traditional textbooks and toward a program of individualized instruction, collaborative projects, and customized curriculum. This is one step in a multiyear process that will provide students with an education that is student-centered and dramatically different from what we experienced in middle school.”
Technology Innovation and
In preparation for the initiative, each member of the eighth grade team received his or her own iPad, and they met weekly to explore and research best practices, revise the curriculum, and discuss ways in which they can utilize this new technology across all the academic disciplines. This process continued throughout the year. Mr. Latta explains, “It was a lot of work, but it’s worth the effort because we all agree that ultimately it will provide a transformational educational experience for our children.” Whenever you roll out a new program, there are surprises. This was true in the case of the iPad Initiative. Fortunately, Mr. Latta shares that the surprises were pleasant. “The first surprise had to do with organization, which is one of the challenges that vex students in middle school. In particular, they often have difficulty keeping track of paper and notebooks. For the most part, the use of iPads did away with these problems. Teachers did not have to ask ‘Where is your notebook?’ If a student took notes, it was on the iPad, and it required only a search to find the document in question. Ultimately, the challenge for students was not keeping track of paper, it was remembering to recharge their iPads at night.
“The second surprise was that one of the main concerns about iPads in the classroom turned out to be a false assumption. The operational theory among education circles was that iPads were great for consuming content (i.e., reading and viewing), but they would be inadequate for creating content (i.e., writing, editing, and video filming and editing), which required a computer and other equipment. We learned that iPads work well. In most cases, students created content to show that academic content and communication skills were learned. The goal was not to make a polished video with elegant transitions. Instead, it was to show a concept or skill effectively and efficiently. In fact, the apps used, which have limited bells and whistles, helped keep students focused on the academic task. If something required greater polish, computers were available to students to do the work.” As the Class of 2018 moves up into the Upper School, so does the iPad Initiative. Noël Dougherty, Head of the Upper School, worked with her faculty throughout the year to prepare for the transition in the Upper School. She shares her thoughts about the program: “As Mr. Latta identifies, there are always surprises when one pilots a program. From the perspective of the Upper School, we are eager to extend the program into the ninth grade. The Upper School is delighted to be extending the eighth grade iPad pilot into the ninth grade as a continued initiative to utilize iPads in the classrooms as tools for learning. The ninth grade teaching team has been busy all year attending lunches and workshops run by our resident experts, Joanne Barrett
[ iPad Initiative One Year Later
]
and Camela Giraud. In addition, we have benefited from eighth grade teachers’ sharing their experiences. Finally, we benefited from a three-day workshop in June, during which the collaboration among faculty assisting each other with the technology and content design was overwhelmingly exciting. Of course, what is perhaps most impressive is the innate level of comfort our Upper School faculty have with iPads and technology in general. Thus, we must take a moment to recognize how fortunate we are to have such wonderful resources at our fingertips. We embark on this journey with high hopes to continue the great work of the Middle School faculty.”
Upper School Embraces New Curriculum & Blended Learning This spring, Upper School students learned about the exciting changes in course offerings and registration for next year. The Upper School faculty, and in particular the innovative department heads, have been engaging in comprehensive discussions about curriculum design. Each department was invited to scrutinize the current curriculum and explore what top‑tier schools across the nation and Florida are doing. The mission is to make our curriculum relevant for our students in the complex, changing landscape of secondary and postsecondary education. With recent news articles from The Wall Street Journal and Forbes alluding to the number of careers a millennial will have in a lifetime and how several of these don’t exist yet, it raises striking challenges for educators. There are two very exciting projects for fall 2014: several blended course offerings and changes in the history curriculum. Mrs. Dougherty shares, “Thank you to all of the faculty for all of their hard work. At Out-of-Door, we are thinking about learning, the learning that students do here at Out-of-Door and the learning that students will do for a lifetime. They say that millennials will have seven to nine careers in a lifetime and two to three of them don’t even exist yet. So, how do we prepare students for careers that they don’t even know they want yet? This is the challenge that we have as educators, and the enhancements to our curriculum reflect this.” Of particular interest is the addition of new courses utilizing new technology. Many new courses will be available, and there will be experimentation in the design of courses. There will be a selection of classes called “blended classes,” which are driven by trends in course design to prepare students for college. A national and global trend that we are watching shows that by 2019 half of all high school courses will be online. “Blended learning” means that there will be a combination of meeting in class as a group and also using asynchronous learning methods. Asynchronous learning uses online resources and eliminates physical meeting constraints. Meeting times are reserved for discussions, labs, projects, solving problems, and individualized instruction. Learning is more self-directed and therefore requires more independence, problem solving, and meeting challenges individually.
S cience T echnology E ngineering M ath By Stephanie Sassetti Miller, Middle School Science STEM is a shift in traditional teaching methods. It changed teaching and learning from textbook‑based lecture with standard one‑answer labs to science practiced outside the four walls of the classroom. It gives the students the “aha” moments as well as leading to the “what if and why.” At ODA we have always focused on a strong liberal arts curriculum infused with inquiry‑based science supported by core science content. All our labs are based on project management that starts with a real‑life question. This leads to an information gathering phase based on science and math concepts taught in the classrooms. From there students enter a design phase where they collaborate and communicate their ideas to each other and analyze the information making choices to fit their needs, often adding an art component to the mix. Once the build phase has been completed, the engaging learning really begins. The students begin to test their ideas and often come across problems that no one would have predicted. The problems then cause them to analyze and apply what they learned in order to fix the problem, often turning to the math equations, not only to solve them, but also to apply the relationships. For example, “if I keep my mass the same and increase the force, then acceleration should increase because F=ma” or “If I need this plant to grow, then I need to increase the temperature of the water.” This type of analysis is shown in all projects from rubber-band cars to roller coasters to Rube Goldberg and the hydroponic garden. And thanks to the Parent Association, we were able to purchase Vernier products, which enhanced our data collection. Once they were finished, students reflected on the what and why. Stumbling blocks and mistakes were embraced. They learned it was not the end result that mattered but the journey they took to get there. I cannot begin to tell you all the concepts that I saw during this process–students learned more than they would have from any textbook or lecture I could have given. It was engaging and motivational; students wanted to come to class, often staying until 4 or 5 p.m. to work on a project. Classes would help other classes, and students reached out to each other during breaks and after school to share ideas or lend a hand. It really did more than
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just teach a science concept – it worked to build the seventh and eighth grade community as a whole. They shared their success and often their frustrations – but they all somehow came together to make it work and had a lot of laughs along the way. I am very excited about this upcoming year – not only to see the challenges and excitement of the students but also to enhance the program by jumping onboard with math and technology to add programming into the mix with a unit on robotics and creating graphs and tables of data.
Derek Wiberg, the STEM teacher at the Lower School, shares some thoughts on the value of STEM curriculum. “The ‘Next‑generation Standards’ have a focus on eight main themes/goals that students should become secure, practiced and comfortable with. Briefly these are: • Asking questions • Developing and using models • Planning and carrying out investigations • Using mathematics • Constructing explanations • Engaging in argument from evidence • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information But an inquiry-based STEM curriculum in the Lower School has a broader focus: grow and retain a curiosity that has developed an appreciation for the skills that each discipline brings to the process of problem solving.
In the News ODA Students Solve Through Innovation Article published in the Observer written by Yaryna Klimchak, Community Editor “The goals may vary with grade levels and resources, but the aims of this program are to grow a program that contributes to STEM literacy. This has been defined by the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) as:
• Knowledge, attitudes, and skills to identify questions and
problems in life situations; explain the natural and designed world; and draw evidence-based conclusions about STEMrelated issues
• Understanding of the characteristic features of STEM
disciplines as forms of knowledge, inquiry, and design
• Awareness of how STEM disciplines shape our material, intellectual, and cultural environments
• Willingness to engage in STEM-related issues and with the
ideas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as a constructive, concerned, and reflective citizen
“The goals of the Lower School’s fourth and fifth grade STEM program are to initiate an attitude of inquiry, based on the foundations of:
• Science’s questions • Engineering’s problem solving • Mathematics’ proofs • Using technology as the tool (or goal of development)
“The culminating fifth grade project was a class-wide Rube Goldberg activity to synchronize with the ‘Simple Machines’ unit and study of Da Vinci’s work. The students had to create a continuous motion device that encompassed the whole classroom and required them to use all lab stations to trigger an event that would allow me to turn off the lights from the opposite side of the room. Very inventive and definitely frustratingly eye‑ opening. Only one class successfully got it to happen in one continuous event!” Derek Wiberg is continuing his training this summer to both use and teach a curriculum out of Boston’s Museum of Science called Engineering is Elementary (EiE). In addition, those in the STEM program are looking at other trends to keep pushing the STEM initiative up the ladder. A few include a national program called PLTW (Project Lead the Way), Tinkering, and Maker Spaces. All offer alternate approaches to the classic read-andrecite scenarios by pushing for mastery and skill development around logical, engineered problem solving.
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The Out-of-Door Academy fifth graders bustle into their new science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) lab with binders in hand and ready to learn. Their new STEM lab teacher, Derek Wiberg, is enthusiastic as he projects information on one of the new Mimio projectors that the school has installed in all the classrooms. The projector reads in bold letters, “Why am I having you tie knots?” Wiberg’s main goal for the class is for children to use problem-solving techniques to figure out how things work. He projects a picture of a knot that students are required to make. His goal is for children to figure out how to tie the knot and be able to teach others how to make it as well. For extra encouragement, Wiberg has arranged for the first grade class to come in the following day. The fifth graders will teach the first graders how to make that same knot through presentations they make with iMovie on their new MacBook Pros. Wiberg says he is “a kid at heart” and loves joking with his students. Prior to becoming a teacher, Wiberg was a software designer for a number of companies. While working at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, he would frequent the New England Aquarium on lunch breaks. He began to volunteer and do other work with children at the aquarium and realized “I like this stuff.” He went on to receive his master’s in mid-career math and science from Harvard University. Since then, Wiberg has taught at middle and high schools. He moved to Sarasota, leaving his position at Conrad Schools of Science, in Delaware, where he was department chair. He brings enthusiasm to the job and says the new STEM classroom is a great space for children’s learning. “They picked me, but I wanted to pick where I wanted to be, too,” Wiberg says. “What I am loving here is the collaboration.”
I am not teaching writing, but I am teaching writers. From the foundations built in the Lower School to the development in the Upper School, writing is a cornerstone of the academic curriculum at The Out-of-Door Academy. It is so important for children to articulate their thoughts and ideas through writing. With the Writing Workshop, which has been adopted from Columbia University by the Lower School, the Lower School teachers are teaching their students to understand that writing is a process. It is important for the students to understand sentence structure and to learn to apply concepts effectively during the writing process. They are learning by writing and developing their skills. Students should be given plenty of opportunities to write not only in class but out of class as well. They should be writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. Students are already instant messaging, blogging, and emailing. As teachers of writing, we need to also gear our instruction to what makes sense in the outside world. Writing needs to grow with each child, and it is our hope that our students realize the importance of writing after an intense year with the Writing Workshop. We are focusing on the goal of fostering lifelong writers. Lower School writing teacher, Martha Gulacsy: “Teaching how to write effectively is one of the most important lifelong skills I can impart to my students. Through the years when teaching writing, I’ve selected resources and support materials that have not only aided me in teaching how to write but are also ones that I had hoped to be the most effective in helping my students learn to write. As many of you know, my passion is writing, and when presented with the opportunity to attend the Teachers
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College Summer Writing Workshop a few years ago, I jumped at the opportunity. Finally, here was a program that I could use to ignite that passion for writing in my students. After several years of experimenting with writing programs,my students are enthusiastic about writing. They covet their small moment pieces that they guard in their decorated writers’ notebooks. Eager to share what they have written, my students have often been disappointed when they had to close those notebooks and move on to their next class. Excited about writing? Capturing my passion? Yes, I do think that many are, and as our students leave the Lower School campus for the Middle School, it is my hope that they are taking that lifelong gift with them.” That passion for writing and the foundation of skills continues in the Middle School. Michele Corley, Middle School English teacher, uses a large amount of writing for the students to refer to, and they must use evidence from the text to support the statements they make. Sometimes students want to bring in other details or arguments, but Ms. Corley focuses on using the text
“I am not teaching writing, but I am teaching writers.” –LUCY M. CALKINS
Emma Henson and Morgan Woods ’15 Follow Their Passion for Writing
“I love writing because I could never not write.” – Emma Henson The pure love and passion that Emma Henson and Morgan Woods, two juniors at The Out-of-Door Academy, exhibit for their craft and art is awe-inspiring. By following their passions, they have both found personal happiness in their work as well as accolades from the literary community. Emma Henson recently won a 2014 Scholastic Regional Gold Key for her short story “A Definable Difference” and was a 2014 Scholastic National American Voices Medal winner for her flash fiction “Nine Letter’s War.” This year there were 255,000 submissions and 1,800 Gold Medal winners, of which Emma was one. On June 6, students and their families gathered at Carnegie Hall to honor the national medalists at the 2014 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards national ceremony. Both Morgan and Emma applied to the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio at The University of Iowa, Morgan for Poetry in Session Two (July 6-19) and Emma for Fiction in Session One (June 15-28). Iowa’s Writing Workshop, which was established in the 1930s, is the preeminent creative writing workshop in the country. The application process was rigorous and the admission extremely selective, and we are thrilled both young women were accepted. While both Emma and Morgan have loved to write since they were very young, the opportunities through the English department at Out-of-Door have paved the way for their writing. Emma took creative writing electives with Mr. Andy Lemieux, and Morgan did independent study on the history of poetry as well as wrote her own poetry with Mr. Lemieux. Morgan remembers Mr. Lemieux’s visiting her eighth grade English class to share some information about poetry and creative writing. His visit inspired her to follow her passion, to not be afraid, and to dig deeper into writing. Mr. Lemieux shares that he wants students to realize that writing can be fun and “to take a chance, express yourself, and find your voice.” Emma and Morgan are the coeditors of Calliope, the Upper School literary magazine. After the magazine’s long hiatus, their goal is to publish the literary magazine this year and revive the long-standing tradition. Their advice to young writers is to read and write all the time and to not be afraid to write. Morgan shares that writing to her is a “preservation of the vision and stream of consciousness I have – visions that are in my mind on paper.” Emma goes on to share that “writing the things that are in my head down makes them real – it makes me real.” They both smile and agree – “a soul echo.” Morgan Woods thanks the English faculty, especially Mr. Lemieux, for “inspiring me to want to do something with poetry and helping me discover so much poetry.” Emma Henson adds, “Everything he does is of value to me and my writing.” The Upper School English department is committed to stretch young writers and bring opportunities to all the students at Out-of-Door. At the end of April, a renowned poet, David Axelrod, will be visiting the students, thanks to the support of the Parent Association. The school has aspirations to bring in writers from all over the world in the future.
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for evidence. This forces students to have true evidence, rather than just opinion, to support statements. Ms. Corley was pleased to recently read that the SAT writing was going more toward textual support rather than opinion. She feels that Out-of-Door is truly in line with what students need in the future. During the two years that Ms. Corley has been in the Middle School, the students have participated in the Sarasota Film Festival Classroom Critic, where the students review a film. Each year, an Out-of-Door student has won the contest for the best review. Ms. Corley also uses journal writing as well in her English classes. She has found that the reluctant writers are likely to write more if they can do so in a place where their spelling and capitalization or punctuation are not graded. She personally feels that the journal is almost sacred, but she uses it as a way to get to know the student better and learn about their interests and outside activities. It is also a way to assess what students might need in their writing mechanics in class. Ms. Corley comments on especially good writing in the journal or makes suggestions for plotting if the student is writing a story, and she dialogues with the students individually by asking questions. Kathy Dozier, who has taught at Out-of-Door for over 20 years, shares that “as long as I have taught at The Out-of-Door Academy, writing has been an important component of the English curriculum.” Several years ago, the Middle School created a class, which was aptly titled Writing Workshop. Meeting three times a week and in addition to the English class, this class enabled students to explore various aspects of writing, from expository essays to short stories. Recently, this class was melted back into the English curriculum. Currently, the eighth grade’s writing includes essays, which relate to the novel being read in class; timed writings; poetry; and an in-depth research paper. Ms. Dozier hosts a poetry project where the students present their poems to an audience in a simulated coffeehouse created in her room each year. She comments that “one of the aspects of the eighth grade writing curriculum that I enjoy the most is poetry because I am always surprised and pleased with the depth of understanding and passion these students create and display in their poetry.” The students really use writing across the curriculum. Because Ms. Corley teaches English and history, students are getting writing instruction in both classes. Many of the teachers use writing in a variety of formats (PowerPoint presentations, script writing for an iMovie presentation, quizzes, reports, etc.) so that students can gain experience with different genres. All of this knowledge and understanding creates a deeper passion as well as intuition for great writing and serves students well as they move into the Upper School. The English program in the Upper School at Out-of-Door has grown both critically and creatively. There has been a concerted effort to define the specific skills required of students entering the Upper School, as well as how those skills will be enhanced within each grade level across the English curriculum. In the past two
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years, the English department made a considerable investment of time detailing not only how much writing was assigned across each department but also which rhetorical modes were employed. The result of this process, explains Andy Lemieux, Upper School English Department Chair, “has been to raise the bar by asking our students to write in a variety of modes and for a variety of purposes; to revise through a variety of approaches; and to find more opportunities for creative as well as critical writing in assessing students’ writing.” Last year the Upper School English faculty engaged in an invaluable on-campus English workshop for a day. It provided the opportunity for the faculty to share with each other their own process for teaching writing to students. Additionally, the Upper School English department has expanded, and as a result a variety of English electives have been added to the curriculum, and the department is in the beginning stages of planning for a Writing Center for 2015-2016. In addition to having each member of the department staff the Writing Center, members of the National Honor Society will assist as well. To increase students’ enthusiasm for poetry, Andy Lemieux has been visiting Kathy Dozier’s eighth grade classes for a number of years to read poetry and engage students in poetry‑writing exercises. He and Ms. Evans, Chair of the Art Department, have also worked with students to encourage creative writers in hopes of producing a yearly school literary magazine. The literary magazine club, Calliope, has been gaining momentum the past few years and had a small production this past year, with the goal of turning Calliope into a fully representative school literary magazine for 2014-2015. The Writing Board, which Camela Giraud and Andy Lemieux began in 2012-2013, was an experiment in interdisciplinary collaborative writing within the 10th grade curriculum. Terry Beeman from science, Audrey Gaffney from math, and Ken Sommers and Katie Dobosz from history all participated in the project. Each faculty member created a writing assignment for the sophomores, and each assignment was discussed with regard to what they were looking for in terms of expectations before they divided up and graded the assignments. The goal was to help faculty and students realize writing is important in every discipline, and though there may be slight variations with regard to how students are asked to write for a particular subject, all faculty agreed that they need to be invested in challenging our students to be better, more effective writers. The writing program at Out-of-Door continues to strengthen and has proven very valuable to the students in their overall education experience at Out-of-Door. We thank the fantastic English teachers at all levels for their dedication to the students. Lucy M. Calkins – Robinson Professor in Children’s Literature and Robinson Professor in Children’s Literature, Director of the Literacy Specialist Program, and Founding Director of the Reading and Writing Project
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Students Published in the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans The Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans is a forum that recognizes writing excellence in students from kindergarten through grade 12. Authors are selected for their writing expertise, and only the finest poems from student writers are selected. Out-ofDoor would like to congratulate the following fourth and fifth graders whose poetry was selected to be published in the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans: Samantha Alves Chelsea Ball Tyler Beasley Hayden Bizick Dylan Black James Carrion Amanda Colditz Tyler Colditz Alexis Currier Celine DeAngelo Shelby Fulton Mateo Giacinti Quinn Isaac Milan Jaiswal Tiffany Jakubickova Arianna Kapreilian Charlie Kempton Olivia Lawson Logan Leyva Lily Mannelin Grace Mannion Grant Massey Steele Miller Tyler Morgan Jake Naese Daniel Polgar Alyssa Robbins Kaitlyn Robbins Hugh Schimberg Sasha Silverman Heather Squitieri Jakub Svoboda Reece Whatmore Ansley White
Chinese Exchange Students
Experience
Out-of-Door and Sarasota
When Head of School, David Mahler, was first contacted about a potential partnership with Beijing High School No. 4, who would have known how much this relationship would have grown and strengthened over the course of two years. Out-of-Door was again incredibly impressed by the academic strength and personal character of each Chinese exchange student selected to come to Out-of-Door. The exchange students were given a full 10th grade schedule upon arrival. Once they started attending classes, they begged to be allowed to take more classes in place of their scheduled study halls. As they were offered overviews of the Upper School classes and the dynamic instructors leading them, they had a difficult time deciding which courses they most wanted to take. All five students were fully engaged in the experience as they joined and led class discussions, taught Mandarin, and fully immersed themselves in the American culture. When asked what they thought was different about an Outof-Door educational experience, Jeffrey eloquently shared, “In China, the teacher builds a road and students just walk on it. Here at Out-of-Door, students find their own road with teachers as their guide.” All the students enjoyed the integrated discussions in class and the flexibility and independence they had. They shared that the students’ attitude for learning is quite different here. Rather than studying only for the test, at ODA students truly study for themselves. “They learn in order to get knowledge, not just for the test,” Cheyenne shares.
However, it wasn’t just Out-of-Door courses that these students were eager to experience. In fact, their appetite for learning and excellence was clear at every juncture. On their trip to Mote Marine Aquarium, it was difficult to get them to return to shore after nearly an hour of a bounty-less tidal walk. The students said, “It is so beautiful here.” While looking at a tankful of cuttlefish in the main room at Mote Marine Aquarium, they had to be prompted several times to leave the tank so the line of curious visitors piling up behind them could look at the fish. While visiting Myakka State Park, the students took many pictures of wide‑mouthed alligators and gazed at a soaring bald eagle above the lake. The exchange students visited the Lower School campus to talk with students in classrooms and to participate in assembly. In art class, the exchange students taught the Out-of-Door students how to write their names in Chinese. In assembly, the Lower School students sang a song called “After School” to them in Chinese and English – it was beautiful! They also shared Out-of-Door’s international culture with the exchange students. The exchange students told the Lower School students about their culture and Chinese traditions and shared Chinese stories with the children. The Lower School students presented the Chinese students with glass art gifts that they had made in art class. It was a really exciting and enjoyable time. Thank you to Camela Giraud and Shumin Yu for making it happen!
“In China, the teacher builds a road and students just walk on it. Here at Out-of-Door, students find their own road with teachers as their guide.”
The students participated in a wide range of classes, and some of their favorite experiences were doing molecular drawing in AP chemistry with Ms. Beeman, speaking Spanish for the first time with Mrs. Gomez, learning brand‑new concepts in AP calculus with Mrs. Gaffney, and researching seabirds in marine science with Mrs. Walsh. Jeffrey shares his favorite class was international community and development with Mr. Sommers. He shares, “Five of us worked together to find solutions and help Haiti, a country that is so far away.” They also enjoyed history class with Mr. Bernsen, who they all agreed is very smart and has so much knowledge of history to share. Overall, these five students bonded with the Out-of-Door community. They all excitedly said, “We have a home here now!”
After the assembly, the Out-of-Door students were mesmerized by the exchange students as they played beautiful classical Chinese pieces on a violin and a piano. One of the exchange students even borrowed one of Out-ofDoor’s violins on the spur of the moment! The Lower School students thoroughly enjoyed meeting the exchange students and learning about their school and their culture. More than once, members of the Out-of-Door community were reminded how fortunate we are to experience seeing Sarasota with fresh eyes. These are the eyes of some of the most promising young minds from China who have come to Out-of-Door to experience our school and our environment. The Out-of-Door community has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these exceptional young people and is grateful for the powerful shared experience that the exchange offers.
The Out-of-Door Academy earns the Orange Peel Award
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SERVICE
at Out-of-Door “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead The Out-of-Door Academy community was very active this year in the area of service. Students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of Out-of-Door conducted numerous food drives and fundraising efforts, and performed many acts of kindness and caring for others.
• Each Lower School homeroom decorated pumpkins and donated them to the Palmer Ranch Healthcare facility to spread Halloween cheer.
• During the Keep Sarasota Beautiful trash pickup, fifth graders picked up a large amount of garbage along Higel. Out-of-Door’s Siesta Key neighbors were most appreciative.
• The Lower School physical education department sponsored the Jump Rope for Heart campaign raising, thousands of dollars for the American Heart Association.
• The Lower School music department visited Bay Village on many occasions to play for the residents. • The Lower School art department created ceramic bowls for the All Faiths Food Bank Bowls of Hope soup event. • The third graders invited their friends from Gocio Elementary to view the 5-a-Day play and to be taught about proper nutrition. • The Caring Kids Club was formed, and the students and parents completed activities that accompanied the all‑school projects
mentioned above. The club made Thanksgiving centerpieces to be placed in Thanksgiving baskets for Gocio Elementary and holiday cards for residents of Palmer Ranch Healthcare facility. They also played Valentine Bingo with the residents of the Palmer Ranch Healthcare facility, and created Blessing Bags for the homeless.
The Upper School students volunteer more than10,000 hours per year, contributing time and effort to a wide array of organizations, countries, and causes. Interestingly, the sophomore class accounted for approximately one-third of the Upper School volunteer hours this year. The Upper School students go far above and beyond what is required of them by Out-of-Door, and they are passionate about the activities in which they choose to participate. That is the key to having the students interested and fully engaged. Patrick Miller, Director of Middle School and Upper School Community Service, says the key to getting the students really involved is to “find their passion. If they find what they are passionate about, they will continue to help in that area.” The students volunteer in organizations including but not limited to churches, animal shelters, coaching/teaching, tutoring, museums, YMCA, blood drives, hospitals, missionary work overseas, and many other efforts. They also give back at Out-of-Door, as approximately 35% of the total Upper School volunteer hours are at Out-of-Door functions. This percentage is a change from just a few years ago, when the internal volunteering percentage was 60%. This shows that the students are becoming increasingly more engaged in the community and in more external opportunities. The 35% internal volunteering percentage will likely remain stable going forward, as those hours are critical to Out-of-Door and its numerous events, and it allows the students to cooperate and to work with other students. In particular, the Upper School students thoroughly enjoy Thunder Fun Day and helping with the younger children’s games.
Service in action All‑School Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive Community service is a core value at Out-of-Door, so in addition to the games at Spirit Day, we continued the tradition of giving back to the community by hosting a Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive in support of the Campaign Against Summer Hunger. There are more than 21,000 Sarasota County students (50%) on free and reduced lunch during the school year. During the summer, when school is out, those kids – and their siblings and families – may go without regular meals. The Blue Team brought peanut butter and the White Team brought jelly. The Out-of-Door community donated more than 1,000 jars of peanut butter and jelly at Spirit Day, with jelly winning the race by a slim margin of 12 jars. We also had monetary gifts donated to the campaign to augment the peanut butter and jelly collection.
Third Grader Ryan Case “Pays It Forward” Out-of-Door third grader Ryan Case, Class of 2023, epitomizes the growing trend of paying it forward that is spreading throughout our world. In lieu of birthday presents this year, Ryan asked people to donate the money they would have spent on gifts to help people in need. He was inspired by a similar generous gesture made last year by his classmate, Benny DeFelice, Class of 2023, who requested that people give physical donations to two organizations in town rather than give him birthday presents. Benny’s efforts benefited the Resurrection House and Mothers Helping Mothers. Ryan chose to donate his resources to six area organizations: All Faiths Food Bank, Easter Seals, the Manatee County Animal Shelter, the Miracle League of Manasota, Southeastern Guide Dogs, and Visible Men. All Faiths Food Bank came to the Lower School Thanksgiving Assembly and presented Ryan with a recognition award and a baseball cap for his contribution. They also presented the Orange Peel Award to Out-of-Door for the food that was collected at Convocation this year and donated to All Faiths.
Relay for Life 2014 The Out-of-Door Uihlein Campus hosted Relay for Life again this year. This was an all-school event, and many members of the Out-of-Door community came out to volunteer, enjoy the activities and camaraderie, and support this fantastic event that benefits the American Cancer Society. The relay raised approximately $70,000 for the American Cancer Society. Approximately 75% of the Upper School students volunteered at the relay. Through the ODA Relay for Life activities, the community honored many people whose lives have been touched by cancer, and raised money and cancer awareness. In the Lower School,
26 The Banyan
the fifth graders organized the Cookies for a Cause bake sale, the students decorated luminaria bags to honor people touched by cancer, and many students, faculty, and staff participated in a dress-down day. In the Middle School and Upper School, there were bake sales and a dress-down day. There was also a fundraiser at Jumpin Fun, with part of the entrance fee donated to the relay. Tammy Karp developed a slide-show presentation with photographs of loved ones touched by cancer that was shown at the relay, and cancer survivors were invited by community members to join in the activities.
Thanksgiving Baskets for Families of Gocio Elementary The Out-of-Door community participated in an all‑school effort to provide Thanksgiving baskets for Gocio Elementary families. Each Middle School and Upper School homeroom collected enough food for a complete Thanksgiving meal. School-wide, Out-of-Door provided dinners for more than 50 families. The Lower School also collected food and paper goods to provide complete Thanksgiving meals for 59 Gocio families. Outof-Door Lower School students and faculty visited Gocio to present the baskets and celebrate the holiday. This effort also included a Lower School pumpkin sale with proceeds going to help purchase the turkeys for the Thanksgiving baskets for Gocio Elementary, and some students donated money toward the purchase of turkeys. The Caring Kids Club also joined in to make Thanksgiving centerpieces to include in the baskets.
Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Program Students brought in cans of food for the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Program. The cans were placed in class-labeled bins, and earned Thunder Cup points for the class that brought in the most.
Collaboration, Innovation, and Community: Cardboard Challenge When Camela Giraud, Director of Collaborative Learning and Educational Outreach, brought the idea of the Cardboard Challenge to the students in the Invisible Children club, she never imagined what a great collaborative project it would become for the school community. Below is an excerpt of an article written by Sarah Karp, Class of 2015 about the Cardboard Challenge – “From a Young Boy Playing with Old Boxes to a Worldwide Event.” It all started with a little boy named Caine who won a plastic toy and used it to create his own arcade game. This event has now turned into a worldwide revelation.
A few years ago, a filmmaker discovered Caine’s arcade, an arcade made out of cardboard boxes, when he went to buy a new door handle for his car at an auto parts store. The filmmaker bought a fun pass to play the games and loved the idea so much that he decided to make a film about it. As soon as the film went viral, people all around the globe wanted to experience Caine’s arcade themselves. People traveled to play Caine’s arcade, and eventually some decided that the event was worth transforming into a global day when kids make their own arcades. This movement turned into a foundation called the Imagination Foundation. The day is called the Cardboard Challenge. The Imagination Foundation encouraged groups around the world to hold a Cardboard Challenge as part of a Global Day of Play on Saturday, October 5, 2013. Congratulations to all the students, faculty, and families involved in the Global Day of Play. The event and project truly exemplify the spirit of the ODA community and the power of collaboration and innovation.
Out-of-Door Receives the Orange Peel Award Out-of-Door was recently recognized by All Faiths Food Bank for its outstanding efforts in support of Hunger Action Month. The school received an Orange Peel Award and funding for food assistance programs. All Faiths visited the school to present the award and will recognize the school’s work in the community. At Convocation, the school community donated 1,135 pounds of food, which equals 1,362 meals. The students and faculty participated in an all-school photo of Out-of-Door “going orange.” Thank you to everyone who donated food and helped Out-of-Door exceed last year’s results. The funding award will be donated to Gocio. Congratulations and a sincere thank-you to Angela Giorgianni-Mejicanos and Michele Corley for their dedication and hard work in coordinating the efforts.
Facial Hair February On the Out-of-Door calendar, February is marked with Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and Midwinter Break, but this year the Upper School introduced a monthlong fundraising event called Facial Hair February organized by senior Josh Simon. Male juniors, seniors, and faculty members were encouraged to make a donation of $40 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Funds were earmarked specifically for male cancers. Participants were encouraged to sport well-groomed facial hair for the month of February. The event started Friday, January 31, in morning assembly with a group picture of clean-shaven faces. The event concluded before break on Friday, February 21, with a group photo marking facial hair progress.
“if you feel that there is some good that you can do for someone else – don’t give up on your passion. Where
there is a will, there
AP Literature Class Reads to Children in Sarasota Memorial Hospital The seniors in Mr. Lemieux’s AP literature class brought literature and smiles to the children in the pediatric unit of Sarasota Memorial Hospital on October 31, 2013. The students dressed festively in costumes to read “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” to the patients. They also presented them with Halloween gifts in order to brighten their day.
Campus Conscious Group Launches Initiative The student-driven Campus Conscious group has been working hard to implement initiatives that will work both to keep the Upper School campus clean and to promote an increase in recycling. The group met with Dan Dennehy, Director of Campus Development and Facilities, twice so far this year, and their
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vision has been to create an advisory awareness area for each advisory group. David Grain, Ashley Munroe, Jansen Humphrey, and Sara Gregory presented the Campus Conscious group’s initiatives and launched their program at an ovation assembly. Advisory groups were assigned areas of responsibility on campus. Following the group’s presentation at Ovation, advisors and advisory groups were provided with gloves and garbage bags and asked to collect trash they found in their assigned locations. They were also asked to inform the Campus Conscious group of any shortage of trash bins or recycling bins. This initiative was implemented to promote awareness and the desire to keep our campus clean and, ultimately, to help everyone become more conscious and aware of how the entire campus is maintained.
is a way!” – JOSH SIMON
Second Graders Send Valentine’s Day Hugs to Soldiers As part of the national Hugs for Soldiers program, the Out-ofDoor second graders created beautiful Valentine’s Day cards with heartfelt messages to send to our troops overseas. The children enthusiastically embraced this opportunity to thank the soldiers for their service and sacrifices for the United States. They creatively cut out heart shapes, colored, added drawings, and glued Valentine’s decorations onto the cards. We are sure the men and women serving overseas thoroughly enjoyed receiving the cards and reading about where the children live and attend school.
Visit www.oda.edu/news; Keyword: service
AN EVOLUTION OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
J
oe Runge’s tenure as the Director of College Counseling began 10 years ago. In that time
frame, the college-counseling program has evolved from a one‑person office with limited administrative support to a comprehensive operation with an associate director of college counseling (Mr. Jacob Harding), a college counseling specialist (Mrs. Kim Chait), and a director of financial assistance (Ms. Monica Baldwin). Their goal is not only to meet the expectations of The Out-of-Door community but also, within the college counseling philosophy, to exceed expectations of those who choose to attend an independent Cum Laude Society secondary school.
28 The Banyan
Upon his arrival, Mr. Runge’s effort to counsel students at The Out-of-Door Academy was challenging. Three issues were apparent. One, the vast majority of students who sought postsecondary education remained in state, rarely entertaining the thought of pursuing anything beyond Florida’s borders. Two, the vast majority of senior students were unprepared for the college application process, often inquiring about the dates, deadlines, and tests required for admission to college sometimes as late as December of their senior year. And three, most students within the school had limited information on how to leverage their achievement into a possible grant/scholarship to discount the high tuition payment at private colleges, both in state and out of state. During his first year, Mr. Runge decided to reinvent the college‑counseling process at The Out-of-Door Academy. Throughout his career as a college counselor, he had become well versed in what is considered a longitudinal/developmental college‑counseling process, a model which Mr. Runge aspired to bring to the school. Where most secondary schools initiated the college‑counseling process in the fall of the senior year of high school, if not the second semester of the junior year, Mr. Runge thought it essential to begin the process in developmental form beginning in middle school. In this manner, the college‑counseling office could begin to discuss with younger students the finite details of what colleges value in the admissions process. Mr. Runge viewed it as an opportunity to “see” where a student may be gaining an opportunity long before it was too late to counsel and advise that student late in his or her academic tenure. The intention was to discuss curriculum design, degree of rigor, and grade stratification over four years. This included starting strong in one’s freshman year, sequencing core academic disciplines, extracurricular activity designation, essay development, interviewing with colleges, standardized tests and strategy, college visitation, and developing an early relationship with one’s college counselor so that, in the end, the counselor could write and scribe a well‑developed letter of support (recommendation). As many can appreciate, the college counselor’s recommendation may be the most vital piece of the application process, offering the opportunity to manage and massage the presentation of objective numerical criteria by including the subjective humanistic nature of each student. As the years passed, it became increasingly important for the college‑counseling office to afford even more direct and impactful information. Thus, a college‑counseling class and college retreat were implemented for seniors, and spring educational seminars (essay writing, interviewing techniques, crafting a resume of activities, filling out actual college applications) were added in the junior year to enhance the five-year developmental program. In an effort to best prepare students, Mr. Runge felt it was necessary for them to know how to maneuver through the college admissions process before they submitted their first application. The college‑counseling office desired an outcome in which the students understood just as
29 The Banyan
much about the application process (technical, objective, and subjective components) as the college‑counseling staff does. Accompanying the student education component of the college‑counseling program has been an effort on behalf of the staff to “strongly advocate” for students before, during, and after application submission. Mr. Runge and Mr. Harding continue to visit many colleges throughout the United States to create and maintain contacts with their college admissions counterparts. When appropriate, the counselors even visit colleges in person to discuss ODA applicants who may be borderline in the admit/ deny process. This affords every opportunity for the admissions committee to match a face with the application for admission in a more intimate manner. Thanks largely to Michael Salmon and Kim Chait, Out-of-Door is a part of the Tampa Bay Case Studies program. This annual event (actually hosted by ODA in 2014) gathers directors of admission from all over the United States to present actual admissions cases to the audience members and to exhibit the challenges inherent in making a final decision on a student’s admission. It is the second‑largest case studies program in the nation and is offered strictly to junior students/parents only. Moving forward, the college-counseling office will be implementing two new programs. In the 2014-2015 school year, a college tour for students in grades 10 and 11 will be offered, giving students the opportunity to visit public and private colleges in the state of Florida. The following year, an ODA‑based college fair for all grade‑level students, as well as students from other local area secondary schools, will be instituted. The college‑counseling office continually attempts to be in the vanguard of contemporary college counseling and admissions changes despite a higher education environment that is hyperfluid and very unpredictable from year to year. Over the years, it has been the department’s ultimate goal to treat each individual in the process with dignity and respect and to give that person an opportunity to attain an optimal postsecondary education that fits both inside and outside the classroom. This is a goal for which they will continue to strive even as the department continues to evolve.
Out-of-Door Students Outperform the Nation on AP Exams AP Scores | Joe Runge, Director of College Counseling
S
tudents at The Out-ofDoor Academy are passing college-level AP exams at a much higher rate than the state and national averages, thanks to their hard work and discipline and the efforts of the faculty.
% of Total AP Students with Scores 3+
AP/college credit from their secondary‑school experience that they actually start as sophomore‑level candidates as they maneuver and matriculate into their freshman year. This affords some students the ability to graduate from college in three years or enables them to start graduate‑level work in their senior year of college.”
Ninety-five percent of Out-ofDoor students scored a 3 or above on the AP exams. Last year, Out-of-Door’s Advanced If we look at the Calculus AB Placement passing rate was 95%. The Out-of-Door Academy Florida Global and BC exams, all 10 students Secondary schools are generally who took the exam scored a top considered very selective once the AP passing rate reaches 80%. The AP exams are scored on score on the exam. The Florida average was 1.56 and 1.40, respectively. Audrey Gaffney, who has been teaching calculus a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis (essentially A, A-, B, C, F), and one needs AB and BC for 15 years, has an average of 4.8 for all her to achieve at least a 3 to pass any AP exam. Out-of-Door’s students. She credits the success to their hard work, discipline, students also had a “high passing” rate (number of 5 and 4 and preparation. The students arrive at school early every two scores) on 65% of the exams taken. weeks to take cumulative tests in preparation for the AP exam. The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program provides She goes on to explain that the students work in groups and willing and academically prepared students with the collaborate to master the concepts and always come to class opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in prepared. Most important, she explains, “the math department high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or works together to coordinate a strong vertical AP curriculum both for successful performance on the AP exams. starting in Middle School, ensuring that students understand “The AP passing rate is inordinately important, as it reveals the language of calculus early in their learning process. I to college admissions committees just how good a secondary credit our entire math department for preparing our students school is and reflects positively on both the faculty and to excel and succeed in the AP program and college‑level student quality,” explains Joe Runge, Director of College math classes.” Counseling. “The average AP passing rate for schools The AP studio art course, taught by Leslie Garasic, offers nationwide is approximately 48 to 50% on all exams taken. another example of the growth and strength of the Out-ofThe AP passing rate for Florida schools is significantly lower. Door AP program. Leslie started the AP studio art class with A 95% AP passing rate is one the very highest in the United only three students. Since then, the program has grown to States. an average of 10 to 15 students each year. Leslie shares, “AP courses and the passing of each respective exam are “Relative to the size of the school, this is a large percentage, important to colleges for two reasons,” Runge continues. as many schools twice the size of Out-of-Door do not have “One, it exhibits that a student is already capable of managing that many students in their AP program.” She credits the college‑level work (as AP courses are college‑level classes) growth and success to the students, “Our students are just that before arrival, which is beneficial in the application review amazing! They truly live up to our mission.” process. Second, some students accumulate so much
An Insider’s Look into the College Admissions Process
The 3rd Annual Tampa Bay Case Studies Program hosted by The Out-of-Door Academy took place on Sunday, January 12, 2014. Seven schools from the Tampa Bay area worked together to create this valuable program for junior students and their families. Over 600 students and families from Academy of Holy Names, Berkeley Preparatory School, Canterbury School of Florida, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, Shorecrest Preparatory School, Tampa Preparatory School, and The Out-of-Door Academy came to Out-of-Door’s Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch to learn from and meet with 55 college representatives from all over the country – including Boston College, Emory University, Davidson, and University of Miami. The program provided families a unique opportunity to learn about the college admissions process. From GPA and course schedule to geographic and socioeconomic diversity, so many variables go into the decision to admit a student. Students and parents shared that they learned a lot from the program. After the opening session, students and parents met in small groups to play the role of college admission officers trying to decide which one of three fictitious candidates should be admitted to a prestigious university. The decision was announced at the closing session, and interestingly, the responses were mixed. Many participants were surprised by the decision and continued the discussions about the three candidates. It was truly an engaging and informative program. While students have heard many of the same things from the college‑counseling office, this program and the college admissions officers endorsed the information. The program ended with a college fair with the colleges in attendance. The intimate setting of the college fair allowed students a chance to really get to know the colleges and vice versa.
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Read more and access videos at www.oda.edu/news Keyword: An insider’s look into the college admissions process
Graduation 2014
A Season of Firsts By Joe Runge, Director of College Counseling The Class of 2014 stands on the precipice of completing their studies at The Out-of-Door Academy and collectively have acquitted themselves in fine fashion. This class presents a “Season of Firsts” as well, breaking new ground in several statistical categories not previously reached by past classes. Allow me to articulate and interpret the three pillars of the academy (academics, athletics, and the arts). Academically, the Class of 2014 has achieved great success. For the first time in the history of graduating seniors, 100% of the student population gained admission to at least one Phi Beta Kappa college or university, (Phi Beta Kappa is the most prestigious honor a college can earn. Since 1776, only 280 colleges and universities of the approximately 4,000 four-year schools in the United States have earned this honor, which requires a rigorous process. Phi Beta Kappa is considered the hallmark of academic excellence for any college or university in the United States.) This is considered a rare benchmark, and less than 1/10th of 1% of all secondary schools in the United States achieve this standard on an annual basis. In addition, 53 of 54 seniors (98%) earned at least one unsolicited academic merit‑based scholarship to college. This is the highest percentage in the history of the school. The total amount offered to the 53 students was $8,245,376. This amounts to an average of $155,573 per student granted over a fouryear period. The total number of dollars awarded is also the highest in school history, surpassing the Class of 2013’s total of $7,124,598. This is the highest percentage in the state of Florida and one of the very highest in the United States. In the Class of 2014, 100% will be matriculating to fouryear colleges or universities continuing a 15-year trend of all graduating seniors being accepted to and matriculating at fouryear schools. Even more important, the vast majority of seniors will be matriculating to their “first” choice of college.
“No one is in charge of your happiness except you.” –Ellie Kimmel 32 The Banyan
Athletically, there will be eight students continuing their athletic careers at colleges throughout the United States. This constitutes 15% of the graduating class, a new high for The Out-of-Door Academy. There will be three students venturing on to Division I schools (Joseph Plechy, swimming; Jeremy Herrin, sailing; and Bryan Kirshe, football) and five students going on to Division III schools (David Grain and Drew Fineberg, football; Andrew Romano, lacrosse; and Daniel Pivonka, tennis). A job well done by our student athletes, who collectively had an academic average of 3.23 and an SAT average of 1082. Artistically, the Class of 2014 had a “first” as well. Led by Joseph Madres and Paula Kozak, the Class of 2014 experienced their first gallery opening at Two Columns Gallery on Ringling Boulevard. There were six artists featured (Emma Holland, Peter Runge, Jenna Landis, Julia Bellanger, Maria-Francesca Massaro-Gugliemo, and Abbey-Michelle Graham) for a two‑hour viewing, which was well attended by faculty, students, parents, and artists from throughout the Sarasota region, as well as faculty from Ringling College of Art and Design. The artwork included painting, photography, pen/ink, ceramics, color, and graphite designs. Peter Runge and Emma Holland sold five pieces for a total of $500. In addition, the Class of 2014 students were accepted to the following art schools, some among the most competitive in the United States: Rhode Island School of Design, Pratt Institute, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Parsons The New School of Design, Ringling College of Art and Design, Maryland Institute of College and Art, University of the Arts, Otis College of Art and Design, Emerson College, Temple University – Tyler School of Art, and Texas Christian University. The applied arts faculty at The Out-of-Door Academy, including Paula Kozak, Joseph Madres, and Leslie Garasic, (led by Department Chair L’Tanya Evans), should be applauded for their inordinate efforts to assist in developing and promoting the arts component of the school. As a final comment, it was a sincere pleasure to work with the Class of 2014. The college‑counseling staff would be remiss if we didn’t mention the great character and discipline of our most recent class to graduate. They afforded us humor, ambition, collegiality, and a beautiful sense of perseverance toward the future. As always, we are humbled to work with students and be a part of offering them a “first look” toward their future!
David Mahler Congratulations to each and every member of the Class of 2014; as a faculty we could not be more proud of all that you have accomplished. As you leave us remember that: We Love You We Will Miss You Your legacy at ODA is secure because The Out-of-Door Academy Class of 2014 is not only colorful, complex, and different – you are also unforgettable and irreplaceable.
Quinton Fitzgerald Graduation Speech Excerpt “Whatever candy we truly are, one thing is for certain. Just as there is a seemingly endless variety of candy, there is seemingly no limit to what our class has done and can do. There are a plethora of different activities in which the members of our class partake. We have national‑level swimmers, amazing artists, tremendous thespians, awesome athletes, and so much more. All of us are different. All of us have something distinctive that makes up the ingredients that make the delicious sweets we are. Together we make up the class of 2014!”
Ellie Kimmel Graduation Speech Excerpt – “The 7 Cardinal Rules of Life” “1. Make peace with your past. Winston Churchill said, ‘Success in never final. Failure is never fatal.’ 2. Ignore what others think of you. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.’ 3. Time heals almost everything. 4. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 5. Do not compare your life to others’, and do not judge them. 6. Stop thinking so much. 7. Smile. As my dad always says, ‘Keep smiling; it makes the world wonder what you are up to.’ Remember one thing if nothing else. In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.”
33 The Banyan
Awards
Achievement Award Awarded to Abbey-Michelle Graham, the graduating senior who has shown tremendous growth and development in her time at The Out-of-Door Academy. Petrik School Service Award Awarded to Joshua Simon, the graduating senior who best exemplifies the spirit of service to the school as demonstrated by Gerd and Feli Petrik. Dobosz Family Spirit Award Awarded to Emma Holland, the graduating senior who embodies the spirit of The Out-of-Door Academy. Through action and deed, she represents on a daily basis the core values that we hold to be important. Faculty Cup The faculty and staff honor Quinton Fitzgerald as the recipient of the Faculty Cup.
Jeff Shamp
“There is seemingly no limit to what our class has done and can d0.” –Quinton Fitzgerald
Graduation Faculty Speech Excerpt – “An interesting Life” “I would like to share with you advice on qualities and traits of humans to avoid. Pitfall #1. The belief in futility. We can make change in our society and the people around us, in both big and small ways, but we must first dare to believe it. Pitfall #2. The desire for immediacy. The desire for expediency will drag you down the rabbit hole of pursuing only the quick, easy, and superfluous endeavors in life. Practice delayed gratification, learn to wait, and you will relive that congratulatory excitement in all walks of life. Pitfall #3. Timidity toward peers. Have the courage to call out your peers early and often; it is not disloyalty, it’s being a good friend. Pitfall #4. Complacency. You will not be judged by the money you made or spent. You will be judged by who you were, by what you stood for, and who and how you loved. We live in an interesting time, Class of 2014; there is no avoiding or ignoring that fact. Your generation will face some of the most serious challenges ever posed to humanity. You all will be required to rise to that most serious of occasions and troubling if not impossible of choices. Elude these four pitfalls of modern life and you will not only live in an interesting time, but you will lead an interesting life.”
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For a full list of 2013-2014 award recipients, visit www.oda.edu/2013-2014awards
A Cum Laude Society School
Congratulations to the Class of 2014!
100% Matriculation to four-year colleges and universities
100% accepted
Over $8.3 million
to Phi Beta Kappa schools
in total scholarship dollars awarded
98% of Class
Over $155,000
received unsolicited merit/ academic scholarships
Average four-year scholarship per recipient
Fifty-four members of The Out-of-Door Academy Class of 2014 were admitted to over 300 different colleges and universities throughout the United States. Visit www.oda.edu/classof2014 to learn more about the Class of 2014.
www.oda.edu/classof2014
To view more information about the Class of 2014, scan the QR code with your smartphone.
Class of 2014
Kelli Gabrielle Bagwell
Julia Antoinette Bellanger
Jordan Rachel Brown
Marcus E. Buffett
Florida State University
Florida Gulf Coast University
University of Michigan
University of Southern California
Emily Bremer Camire
Natalie Simone Chait
Claire Armstrong Cornetet
Brenna Lee Corry
Villanova University
University of Rochester
Michigan State University
The University of Arizona
Ronald Richard Drzewucki III
Amanda Denise Durfee
Colby Mathias Elliott
Drew Sanford Fineberg
Florida State University
Boston University
Adelphi University
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
100% Matriculation
Over $8.3 million
and universities
in total scholarship dollars awarded
to four-year colleges
Quinton Reilly Fitzgerald
SimonĂŠ Zuri Ford-Hars
Jonathan Chase Furman
Zoe Brett Genkin
University of Notre Dame
Saint Leo University
University of Redlands
Florida State University
Carla Gonzalez-Vazquez
Abbey-Michelle Kiana Ivey Graham
David Jonathan Grain, Jr.
Kevin Laurence Grathwohl
Mount Holyoke College
Saint Michael’s College
Williams College
Lehigh University
Sara Elisabeth Gregory
Jeremy Lamar Herrin
Emma Claire Holland
Jansen Barbra Humphrey
New College of Florida
Old Dominion University
Texas Christian University
Elon University
Ronald Clarence Jansen III
Taylor Suzanne Karp
Ellie Nicole Kimmell
Bryan Henry Kirshe
Rollins College
Boston University
Northeastern University
University of Kentucky
Jennifer Allison Landis
Nikki Amber LaSalla
Taitum Henry Lystad
Maxwell Stanton Mann
University of Miami
Emerson College
University of Colorado at Boulder
Florida State University
Maria-Francesca Massaro-Guglielmo
Lauren Ashley Maxey
Jay Grant McHargue
Ashley Louise Munroe
Winthrop University
Rollins College
Colorado School of Mines
Boston University
Joshua Mario Osborn
Francesca Marie Perrone
Daniel Joseph Pivonka
Joseph Michael Plechy
Southeastern University
Barnard College
Lake Forest College
Florida State University
Maxime W. Provost
Cassandra Ratzlaff
Andrew Thomas Romano
Peter Runge
Florida State University
New College of Florida
Emerson College
Ringling College of Art & Design
38 The Banyan
Kyle Schweizer
Adil Shariff
Joshua Emerson Simon
Robert W. Starkovs
The University of Tampa
University of Maryland, College Park
Berry College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Lauren Alexis Stewart
Charles Maxwell Taylor
Janum M. Trivedi
David W. Whelan
New College of Florida
DePaul University
University of Michigan
Rollins College
Caroline M. Whitten
Sarah Diana Wilcox
Florida State University
University of South Florida
Lower School Graduation Commencement Speeches Wendy Pearre, Head of Lower School To The Class of 2021 – with a little help from Dr. Seuss
“You’re important and special Believe me, it’s true! No one in the world Is exactly like you. To the Class of 2021 Today is your day! Bigger boats are waiting, So take care of each other as you make your own way. And remember to: Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT TO YOU: THE CLASS OF 2021!”
To view Mrs. Pearre’s entire speech, visit www.oda.edu/news Keyword: Class of 2021 Fifth Grade Graduation Sabine Timol This Is Just The Beginning
“Time, time, time. Teachers say ‘Use your time wisely.’ They mean it, and not just in the work way. There are many different meanings, but the one that is one of the most important is that our time is limited, and we shouldn’t waste it; especially not by living someone else’s life. We should spend our time wisely learning, living, and growing into the best individuals that we can be. That is something to remember. I was scared going into fifth grade. I didn’t know what to expect. Would I fit in? Was I ready for the work? But now … I’m sad to leave. I’ll miss the Siesta Key campus. Our friends are our family. The Class of 2021 has inspired me to be the best person that I can be … me. Thanks, everyone, for attending today and seeing us on to the next chapters of our lives.”
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Middle School Graduation Kippie Crouch, Middle School Athletic Director “Your time in the Middle School has laid a solid foundation
for your high school career. Your teachers have taught you how to learn, helped you strategize and problem solve, and helped you set and meet goals. Your parents have been your loudest cheerleaders, have championed your causes, and have provided you the stability for your success. This year you went to Leadership Camp, Washington, D.C., and participated in a number of community service opportunities. You provide leadership and support for one another. You understand the importance of belonging for yourselves, each other, and the Middle School community. You have grown as individuals, developed compassion for others, and learned that mistakes provide the path to becoming caring and productive citizens. Here is what you leave behind … 1. You leave us all better educated and better educators. You have taught us a few things – some of the things we could have done without, but others we will truly treasure. You have challenged each of us, teacher and student, to continue to grow and learn. 2. You leave us an expectation of excellence. You have ‘raised the bar’ for the classes that come behind you. We will ask more from students because you have demonstrated what can be achieved.
3. And US – you take all of us with you into high school. Each of us resides somewhere in your heart or in your head. When you feel alone, remember this moment – the people sitting around you, the individuals gathered in this place. Remember, we are here to celebrate you. When you find yourself in a jam, come and ask one of us for advice or ask yourself what advice we might give you. Dream your own dreams, follow your own passions, but take us with you. Be proud of where you’ve been and where you’re headed. Believe in your abilities – you are well prepared.”
Melanie Saltz “I think it’s safe to say that we have all changed immensely over these past few years. No student in this room is the same as they were at the beginning of middle school, or even at the beginning of this school year. Being mature and responsible is not something that we learn on our own, but something that we are taught. Our class has learned from not only our teachers and our parents, but from each other. We are no longer those small, immature kids who depend on their parents for everything. We have all grown into responsible, mature young ladies and men, who are becoming more independent by the day. The memories we have made here and the knowledge we have acquired will follow us for the rest of our lives and will help us to make better decisions in the future.”
3. You leave us an enhanced sense of humor – as a group, you are very funny. It has been wonderful to see you laughing with one another, sometimes hysterically. You have shown us the lighter side of life. You have given your teammates, classmates, cast mates, group members, teachers, and friends the opportunity to share a chuckle with you, for you, and even at you. Next, what you take with you into Upper School … 1. Luck in everything you do. You are prepared to excel and create your own luck. Luck can be found at the intersection of preparation and opportunity – so open your eyes, your ears, and your hearts to find the opportunities that will allow you to create your own path while positively impacting those around you. 2. Permission to make mistakes, even some big ones. Remember, you are not really making mistakes, you are ruling out possibilities. Think of all the lessons you will learn! Be honest with yourself and with others. And be careful with yourself and with one another.
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The Out-of-Door Academy 41
506
ATHLETES
42 The Banyan 301 29
HISTORY 28 26 24 19
RE
19 ALL-S
20
junior varsity teams
18
1996
AT TATE
5
NA REGIO
CT DISTRI
17
• The track team ran laps around the lake and had their high‑jump pit in the Quad and the long jump in what is now the road to the tennis courts.
ATHLETES BY SPORT
• Athletic facilities consisted of two ball fields and a gym.
35
• School colors were green and white.
20
52
• There was one JV team – volleyball.
55
• The baseball team was co-ed.
62
• Cross‑country had two runners.
82
• The swim team had one swimmer.
92
• 7 sports – 9 teams
13
SPORTS
Athletics by the #’s INDIVIDUAL ONS CHAMPI STATE
9 17 INDIVIDUAL ONS L CHAMPI GIONA
HLETES
205 TEAM
L CHAMPI
TEAM
CHAMPI
ONSH
ONSH IPS
IPS
varsity teams
% of ODA student athletes who will participate in intercollegiate sports
The Out-Of-Door Academy Receives Prestigious Fred E. Rozelle
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2011
2012
2014
• Women’s lacrosse is 12-2 and wins district championship.
• Mara Falahee scored 1,000 points for the women’s basketball team while at ODA.
2010
• Women’s tennis won a total of 4 regional championships, 5 district championships, and 8 individual state titles.
• ODA adds men’s and women’s Lacrosse.
2009
Thank you to all of our student-athletes, coaches, and parents for the outstanding manner in which you represent The Out-of-Door Academy’s mission and our core values of respect, integrity, service, excellence, and responsibility. A representative from the FHSAA will present the Class 3A Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award trophy to the student body when classes resume in August.
• Jamie Onufrak received first football scholarship to Univ. of Alabama Birmingham.
2006
• Baseball wins 1st of 3 district championships in 5 years: 2009, 2011, 2013.
2005
• Football wins regional championship.
• David Rodriguez scored in NCAA March Madness Tournament for Vanderbilt.
2001
• ODA adds football.
1999
• Jordan Kean throws 3 no‑hitters. Becomes the 1st to win scholarship to Division 1A school – Nebraska.
• Lara Ahmes & Gretchen Haynor are first state champions: doubles tennis.
1998
• Men’s tennis wins first district championship.
• Ashley Palmer is first All ‑State Athlete: cross-country.
“Every chance we get, we emphasize to our studentathletes that the heart and soul of high school athletics is sportsmanship. Honoring these special schools with a Rozelle Award is our way of telling them, and their outstanding student-athletes, that they have done things the right way,” said FHSAA Executive Director Dr. Roger Dearing.
“This is a wonderful award, and I am sure you are proud to have a program that supports great sportsmanship. Again, congratulations to you and your school. As a former principal, I know how important this award is; it says volumes about the leadership at your school,” said Dr. Peggy Jones, FHSAA Associate Executive Director.
• Caroline Dailey wins 1st of 3 consecutive state championships in women’s tennis: 2009, 2010, 2011
In recognition of the vital role good sportsmanship plays in shaping today’s student-athletes, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced the recipients of this year’s Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Awards. The award, presented annually since 1991, is named in honor of FHSAA Commissioner Emeritus Fred E. Rozelle. It is presented to one school in each enrollment classification whose total sports program best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship as demonstrated by its coaches, players, and spectators. The award honors eight high schools out of almost 800 member schools that demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship during the 2013-2014 regular season and FHSAA State Series.
Athletics after Graduation The Out-of-Door Academy is proud to announce the senior student-athletes who will be pursuing collegiate athletics next year. Drew Fineberg: Hobart and William Smith Colleges – Football David Grain: Williams College – Football Jeremy Herrin: Old Dominion University – Sailing Bryan Kirshe: University of Kentucky – Football Daniel Pivonka: Lake Forest College – Tennis Joe Plechy: Florida State University – Swimming Andrew Romano: Emerson College – Lacrosse Other members of the Class of 2014 will continue their passion to play the sport of their choice at college. Out-of-Door is proud of our students who will be staying active in and out of the classroom. Joe Runge, Director of College Counseling, stresses the importance of staying involved in college. “Don’t make the mistake of believing that the college experience will automatically happen to you … one must aggressively pursue relationships, activities, the academy, and that which he or she is most passionate about. If you get caught sitting on the sidelines, many opportunities will pass that can ultimately assist in one’s development as a person and a contributor to the human condition.”
The R.I.S.E.R. Award Program Athletics play an important part in the life of The Out-of-Door Academy and its students. Young people learn a great deal from participation in interscholastic athletics. Lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, competition, and how to handle “success with grace” and “failure with dignity” are integral parts of the ODA athletic program. The R.I.S.E.R. Award program, started in 2013, hopes to recognize those student-athletes who consistently demonstrate the school’s five core values: respect, integrity, service, excellence, and responsibility. Kippie Crouch, Athletic Director, shares her vision for the program: “Athletic teams are made of players of various shapes, sizes, and skills. Some players will be tagged as starters and others as substitutes. The important thing to remember is that all athletes on a team make contributions to the team’s successes by embracing their individual roles, improving their own play, and pushing teammates to get better at their craft every day. While not all players score touchdowns, the winning baskets, the go-ahead goals, every teammate plays a role in the team’s system of play.”
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The R.I.S.E.R. Award recognizes those young men and women who
• put their teams first; • demonstrate an ethical approach to sport; • are thoughtful toward opponents, officials, teammates, fans, and coaches;
• ask themselves to be the very best player and teammate; and
• assume leadership roles on their teams. Brett Timmons, Athletic Director, shares the inception of a new recognition program: “In looking to find a way to honor those individuals who may not receive the recognition through praise on-the-field competition, we felt, in the athletic department, that we needed to create an award to honor those students who don’t appear on the stats sheet but exemplify the true fabric of our institution.” The R.I.S.E.R.s are the players upon whom the THUNDER are able to build teams and programs. The importance of such recognition hammers home the point that everyone has value and can add value. You don’t have to be a great athlete to have the ability to RISE[R] above the competition.
Arts after Graduation The Class of 2014 all share unique gifts and talents in a myriad of academic, athletic, and artistic avenues. At The Out-of-Door Academy, the arts stand as a pillar of our mission, and we are proud of these students who will take their talents to the next level as they enter the collegiate level of arts. Their accomplishments in the visual and performing arts have made a lasting impression on our school and our community, and we are very proud of them as they move into the next phase of their lives and follow their dreams. The following seniors have indicated that they will be continuing their education in the arts at college. Colby Elliott – Adelphi University
Maria Massaro-Guglielmo – Winthrop University
Abbey-Michelle Graham – St. Michael’s College
Andrew Romano – Emerson College
Emma Holland – Texas Christian U.
Peter Runge – Ringling College of Art & Design
Nikki LaSalla – Emerson College
Caroline Whitten – Florida State University
Out-of-Door is proud of our students who will be staying active in and out of the classroom.
Abbey-Michelle Graham Saint Michael’s College Major in Performance – Oboe “Music has been part of my life since I was small. To give it up now would be a waste and an insult to all the people who helped me in my musical career. It’s thanks to them that I’m where I am today; without their guidance and support I would have never continued with my musical instruments. Also, without my parents I would never have kept up with my practicing; they supported me and helped me throughout my whole life. I am blessed to have such great people in my life that love music as much as I do.”
Emma Holland Texas Christian University College of Art – Graphic Design “Art has been a creative outlet for me over the years. Until junior year I considered art to be something that I did just as a hobby. I then wanted to find the most effective way to continue my study in the arts and was particularly interested in graphic design, as it would use my background in drawing and expand my knowledge through computer design, typography, and marketing techniques. Art has given me the opportunity to express myself and my opinions in innovative ways, and I cannot think of a better way to spend the rest of my life.”
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Nikki LaSalla Emerson College Major in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, and either a double major or minor in Theatre Studies – Acting “My entire life I’ve been surrounded by books and musicals; my mom brought me to my first theater production when I was only two and had been reading to me since I was born (and probably even before that). It always made sense to me that I was either going to be on stage or the name at the bottom of a novel, so for me, picking my major in college was easy. Writing and drama both bring light to human nature, which shocks and delights anyone who crosses paths with them. I’m so drawn to story and the relationships that, as human beings, we create and nourish. That’s what I want to show in my work, and that’s why I’ve always wanted to pursue this career.”
Maria-Francesca MassaroGuglielmo Winthrop University – Major in Graphic Design “I was going to attend an arts college initially; however, my parents and I decided that a liberal arts college would be a better choice; just in case I changed my mind, I would have more options. My mom is an artist, and she and I always did arts and crafts together when I was younger. She owns her own
ad agency. She told me her mother, my grandmother, told her that she should pursue graphic design so she could keep her love of art. She passed on that information to me. I’ve always loved art. I want to do graphic design so I can keep my love for art going and also make money. What really made me want to pursue it was my meeting with Maryland Institute of Art and Ringling when they came and they showed me the work that their students were doing. I saw that they were doing so many different and unique works. Seeing the work of graphic arts students from the schools is what solidified my interests in graphic design.”
Andrew Romano Emerson College – Major in Marketing Communication with a minor in Music Performance “Emerson College is a unique school that focuses mostly on the arts. After I visited the campus I knew it was a great pick for me. From the unique students to the fantastic location in downtown Boston, Emerson took away any interest I had for other schools.”
The Arts
The arts are alive and thriving at Out-of-Door. Creating artwork in various media; performing in concerts, musical competitions, and plays; and participating in Sarasota’s vast offering of artsrelated events are just a few activities that the Out-of-Door community enjoys. The musicians at The Out-of-Door Academy have the opportunity to showcase their talent through the concert series in the final weeks of the semester. Dr. Linda Vasilaki, Music Department Head, equates music concerts to sports. “A performance is similar to a tennis match. After numerous coaching and practice sessions, tennis players look forward to a game and performing well for their team. It is the same with music. After many lessons and rehearsals, the concert date is eagerly anticipated. It is normal for performers to get a little anxious as their concert approaches, because they want the performance to go well. There is nothing more thrilling than being able to perform expressive music with wonderful friends or as a soloist for an appreciative audience.” “For all musicians, the process of preparing for a performance is essential. Patient and thorough preparation, individually and as a group, dictates everything,” says Pat Miller, Upper School music teacher. “They have spent up to four months preparing for a single performance. The members learn how to work as an ensemble, knowing what their fellow performers are going to do before they do it, and also trusting that everyone will be prepared and ready to go.” One major highlight this year at Arts Day was the beautiful performance of “Nokutan” by the Advanced Strings group. “Nokutan” was the first formal composition written by Out-ofDoor’s own Nicholas Murphy '17. Mrs. Nicole Young, Upper School Orchestra Director, said, “The piece is thoughtful, expressive, and harmonically intricate for a musician his age.” The audience was mesmerized by the performance, and Out-ofDoor and Nicholas’ music teachers are so proud of him.
Seniors Peter Runge and Emma Holland created this senior mural.
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Recognition Students frequently perform and compete in musical events and receive recognition on both local and national levels. Cellist Shannon Ross '18 and oboe player Abbey-Michelle Graham '14 competed in the 2014 Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (AMICCO) Young Artist Competition on Anna Maria Island on January 18, 2014. Three Out-of-Door music students performed with the Honors Band and Orchestra at the annual Music Educators Conference in Tampa in January. Caroline Whitten '14 performed on the violin with the High School Honors Orchestra, and Zijiao “Emily” Liu '18 performed on the violin with the Middle School Honors Orchestra. Catherine Williams '15 performed on the flute with the High School Honors Band and was also accepted into the High School Honors Orchestra on violin. Leslie Garasic, visual arts teacher, entered the drawings of Emma Holland '14 in the Artimus Art Competition, and Emma placed in the top 10 finalists.
Dr. Linda Vasilaki On the renovation of the Siesta Key campus to include two new music spaces “Our two new music rooms added just the ‘spice’ that was needed in our music program. The opened‑up space in the original room is fantastic for using the Orff (xylophones) instruments and percussion instruments. We spread out, try out our folk dance and choreography routines, and often take cues from special online programs via the whiteboard as we learn new songs, dances, show choir moves, and interactive music theory games. “The orchestra loves the space in the new music room. They have a ‘home base’ with assigned seats and a place to safely store their instruments and music notebooks when they arrive in the morning. They realize the new room is mainly used by ‘grown-up or advanced’ players, and they feel honored to be considered thus. Many times during the course of a music class, I take my general classes (grades Pre-K through third grade) into the ‘NEW’ music room, so that they can experience such things as reading music using the music stands or using different tools for enrichment, such as the beautiful electric piano and the baby grand piano built in 1921. The students respect the orchestra room and realize that their hard work and good behavior earn them the privilege of using the advanced students music room. “We all work together to take good care of our new music rooms, and the students feel that they are in a very special place when they come to music class.”
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“What is so inspiring is it was intended in 1924 to be a school where arts were center stage alongside health and wellness, and that remains true today.” – Jessica Dunda
Art with the Heart Jessica Dunda joined the Out-of-Door community this year as the Lower School art teacher, and she has brought with her some tremendous service programs that the Lower School students have enjoyed. “Art with the Heart” is the class motto. One project that the community enjoyed was the student artwork notecards. Students’ artwork is scanned and professionally printed on notecards and sold in various outlets. The students were invited by the Art Center of Sarasota on the ODA Unconventional Exhibit opening to set out the cards and raise awareness of the student‑centered project. They are looking to expand and create an online startup classroom on etsy.com to teach inventory, packing, shipping, receiving and profit statements. All proceeds benefit UNICEF TAP, so our students are also learning valuable service skills through art for advocacy. Mrs. Dunda shares that the students enjoyed this project. “They love to see their art in a functional way.” Other service projects that take place throughout the year are the Bowls of Hope and the International Art Project. This year, we had 100% family participation in third grade for the Bowls of Hope Project! Mrs. Dunda and her students sent about 30 pieces of original art to various international schools to decorate their walls through the International Art Project. They also participated in the international Pinwheels for Peace and Embracing our Differences projects. Mrs. Dunda shares, “This was a great way to incorporate writing into the curriculum for leadership building.”
Visit www.oda.edu/news Keyword: Visual & Performing Arts for more stories, videos, and pictures about our amazing students and faculty.
New Trustees 2014‑2015 Board of Trustees 2013-2014 Chairperson Mitzie Henson Vice Chairperson Ann Grano Secretary Tally Harris Treasurer Ron Gelbman Tom Buffett John Cannon John Cranor Rhonda Deems Lisa Grain Teena Humphrey Ann Kittle Ashley Kozel Julie Luhrsen Dave Mason Mary McCabe Peirce Tracee Murphy Ken Pendery Florian Schuetz Larry Thompson Terri Vitale Michael vonWaldner Emeritus Gerd Petrik Reed Savidge Brendra Uihlein Ex-Officio David V. Mahler
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Larry Fox Mr. Fox began his career in 1978 as an industrial engineer trainee at Hobart Corporation. In 1979 he taught himself to program computers and founded Micro Manufacturing Systems (MMS) to develop and sell ERP software to the manufacturing industry. MMS became Symix Systems and was the leading provider of ERP software for the mid-market manufacturing market. In 1991 Mr. Fox led the team that took Symix public and positioned the company for accelerated growth. Mr. Fox retired as CEO in 2000, at which time Symix had more than 1,000 employees and revenue of over $125 million. Symix’s software is currently in use in over 10,000 manufacturing facilities around the world. In 1997 Mr. Fox led the acquisition of Alkon Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of process control equipment for the ready‑made concrete industry. In 2000 Alkon merged with Command Data, Inc., to form Command Alkon. Mr. Fox became Chairman of Command Alkon until its acquisition in 2005 by a European‑based private equity firm. Mr. Fox and his partner, Fred Cochran, formed Insula Properties, LLC, in 2009 to acquire distressed multifamily properties in Florida. The firm now owns more than 2,500 units in the Southeast. He earned a BS degree from The Ohio State University in 1978 and an MBA from the University of Dayton. He currently lives in Sarasota, Florida, with his wife and three children. Mr. Fox has also been recognized for his business accomplishments, receiving numerous awards, including Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business Young Professional Achievement Award and The Buckeye Boys Ranch Business Person of the Year. He has been recognized by the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Small-Business Entrepreneur of the Year programs. A three-time honoree as an Inc. 500 “Fastest Growing Company,” he also has been recognized as the CEO of one of Forbes magazine’s “Best Small Companies in America.” Mr. Fox has been active in the community and in professional organizations. He is the former Chairman of the Columbus chapter of YPO and a member of the YPO International Board of Directors. He has served on the boards of United Way of
Franklin County, the Boys & Girls Club of Columbus, the National Society to Prevent Blindness, and the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Fox served six years as Treasurer and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Columbus College of Art and Design. He was also appointed by the mayor to a six-year term on the Columbus Development Commission. Mr. Fox has two children at Out-of-Door, one a rising first grader (Class of 2026) and on a rising fourth grader (class of 2023).
Donna Koffman Donna Koffman received her BS in marketing from Texas A&M University in 1990 and worked for Ralston Purina in Houston and the Gulf Coast region. In 1994, she married David Koffman and moved to upstate New York, where they lived for 10 years before moving to Florida. While living in New York, they started their family. Their children are Sydney (Class of 2016), Xavier (Class of 2019), and Harrison (Class of 2020). Also during this time Mrs. Koffman became very involved as a volunteer for a number of organizations throughout the Southern Tier Community. She served on the Tri-Cities Opera Board of Directors and the board for the Discovery Center Children’s Museum and chaired and hosted many charity balls and galas. In December 2004, they moved to the Sarasota area and bought a home in a historic neighborhood by the Ringling Museum. Their kids attended Temple Beth Sholom Preschool and Goldie Feldman Academy. While at Temple Beth, Mrs. Koffman served on the school board and volunteered in many capacities. They joined the ODA community in fall 2010, and since then Mrs. Koffman has served as an Annual Fund GradeLevel Chair for two years, acted as Ambassador for incoming families for two years, and was Chair of the 2013 Spring Luncheon. During the 2014 school year, she sat on the PA Board as Ambassador Liaison for Middle School Families, served on the advancement committee, and chaired the 2014 Banyan Bash. Starting in fall 2014, she will be serving on the Parent Advisory Board as Vice President of Upper School Education. Outside of ODA, Mrs. Koffman is currently serving on the UN Women Gulf Coast Chapter Board of Directors and cochairs the only high school division of UN Women in the nation, the Gulf Coast Learners to Leaders Program. Over the next year she is looking forward to becoming more involved in the Child Protection Center of Sarasota and the Animal Rescue Coalition. During her spare time, she loves attending her children’s school and sports events, reading, and traveling with her husband and her family.
Q
What Is the Gavin & Harrison Legacy Society?
A
In 1924, The Out-of-Door Academy’s founders, Fanneal Harrison and Catherine Gavin, sought to establish a uniquely progressive school committed to high academic standards and nourishing the minds, bodies, and spirits of children. 90 years later, Out-of-Door remains inspired by their vision. By joining the Gavin & Harrison Legacy Society, you are honoring our school’s founders and helping sustain their vision for The Out-of-Door Academy today and in the future. The society is composed of donors who include The Out-ofDoor Academy in their wills or other estate plans. Their gifts provide essential financial support for all aspects of the academy. Common types of gifts that qualify for membership include: » Bequests (gifts made through your will or living trust) » Charitable gift annuities » Gifts of retirement plan assets after your lifetime » Charitable remainder trusts
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY For more information, contact: Lauren Hersh (941) 554-3437 | lhersh@oda.edu www.oda.edu/legacysociety
Annual Report on Philanthropy 2013-2014 Out-of-Door Through the Eyes of Thor Over $676,000 raised! Thank you to the many generous Annual Fund donors who supported The Out-of-Door Academy this year. Over $676,103 raised! The Out-of-Door Academy’s Annual Fund is an opportunity for alumni, parents, faculty/staff, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends to play a critical role in supporting our school’s mission to provide an environment in which students strive to achieve their highest academic goals and to build character through a balanced program of academics, the arts, and athletics. The Annual Fund underwrites all the things that make Out-of-Door extraordinary: an innovative curriculum, exciting performing and visual arts, 35 sports teams, state-of-the art technology, and experienced and inspiring faculty members. Because tuition alone does not meet the full cost of an Out-of-Door education, your gifts ensure that the school thrives. Annual Fund gifts are spent on immediate needs in the fiscal year in which they are given. Meeting the Annual Fund goal each year is the school’s most important ongoing fundraising priority. In a very tangible sense, gifts to the Annual Fund provide an exceptional 21st-century education for each ODA student. Every gift of every size has an impact, and the collective generosity of our community is what makes the Out-of-Door program so exceptional.
Visit www.oda.edu/AnnualFund to view the entire Out-of-Door Through the Eyes of Thor video series. The Annual Fund supports every student at The Out-of-Door Academy. Thank you for your support!
Leadership Society
ODA Benefactors
Founder’s Circle
($20,000-$24,999)
The Abrams Family The Dixon and Frazier Families Global Financial Private Capital, LLC Greenhouse Fabrics Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Green, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hall Mr. Derek Han Mr. Mark Horan & Ms. Jinx Howe Donna & David Koffman
Dawn & Paul Holland The Ramsey Family
Headmaster’s Council
($25,000+) Mr. & Mrs. Larry Fox John & Teena Humphrey Ashley D. Kozel Charitable Fund of Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Chairman’s Club
Banyan Tree Society ($15,000-$19,999) Mary & Dave Peirce
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($10,000-$14,999)
($5,000-$9,999) 2014 Giving Challenge Bill & Mary Ann Becker Mr. Helio M.C. Beltrao
The Bradbury Family Taber & Celeste Chadwick Kitty & John Cranor Dr. & Mrs. Robert Eckart Jennifer & Christopher Feeney Mark & Patricia Felsmann Tonya Garrison Gelbman Family Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Adam Getzels Dr. Lisa Grain & Mr. David Grain in memory of Trey Malone Kenneth D. Henson M.D. & Mitzie P. Henson Julie & Jeff Luhrsen Mary Jo & Bob Naylor Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Patrice Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Pendery
Joseph & Kelly Romano The Savidge Family Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Savidge Mr. & Mrs. David Scott Ms. Terri Vitale & Dr. Christopher Sforzo Steinwachs Family Foundation Cindy & Mike vonWaldner Susan & Stephen Wahl
ODA Leaders ($2,500 to $4,999) Anonymous Todd & Susan Bannar Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Beck The Bizick Family Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Buffett Laura & David Camire Rob & Jacqueline Crisci Ariane & Bob Dart Rhonda & Dan Deems Home by DeRamo Inc./ Bill & Tracy DeRamo Rodger & Kerri Dowdell Troy & Carolyn Eaden Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Emmons in memory of Taylor William Emmons Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Fineberg James & Rosalie Fitzgibbons Stan & Halie Fulton Mr. & Mrs. Brent Hamill Tally & Chris Harris Maria & Allen Heise in honor of Henrietta Behney Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hoffman Bill & Christine Isaac Ms. Cindy Johnson The Karp Family Foundation The Khazanchi Family Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Kints Mr. & Mrs. John Kittle Christine and James Kuebler Dr. & Mrs. William Lahners The LaSalla Family Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Linam Robin & Heather Macdonald Jennifer & Gary Macleod Mr. & Mrs. David V. Mahler Mr. & Mrs. David J. Mason James P. and Mary S. McArdle Charitable Fund of The Pittsburgh
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Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Kevin M. McGaharan Ms. Tracee Murphy & the Lattner Family Foundation Dr. Gregory & Libby Neily Cyndi & Don Paxton Linda & Peter Ross Linda & Jerry Ruschau Kat & Florian Schuetz Ann Marie Davis & J.B. Shaw III Mr. & Mrs. Kawalvit Singh Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth T. Sommers Amy & Ken Sussman Mrs. Anno Swain United Technologies Matching Gift Program Ms. Karen V. Vale Stacy & David White White Family Foundation Fund of Gulf Coast Community Foundation Dr. Jennifer Goodman & Dr. Frederick R. Yturralde
Patron Society 1924 Club ($1,924 - $2,499) Stephanie & Michael Appleby Mr. & Mrs. Mike Beasley Dr. & Mrs. Richard H. Brown James & Janice Eakle Rabbi & Mrs. Geoffrey M. Huntting Shelley & Charlie Lafoe Michelle & Tim Lea Kimberly & Jeffrey Saltz Mr. Richard Spilka & Mrs. Veronika Spilkova Mr. & Mrs. Tom Tengerdy Mr. & Mrs. James K. Vickery, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Wells Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program
Circle of Patrons ($1,000 to $1,923) Dave & Carolyn Alves Ms. Isabelle Amdur Anonymous (6) Mr. Steven R. Avery Fran & Jamie Becker Mr. & Mrs. Barry Berkowitz
Colleen & Mitch Blumenthal Courtney & Tony Bonacuse Mr. & Mrs. John K. Cannon Dr. & Mrs. Robert Carlson Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Carrion Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Cassidy, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Steven A. Cecil Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Chapman Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Cogan Larry & Maria Colditz Community Foundation of Sarasota County Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Dennehy Mr. Matthew DePalma Dr. Robert and Mrs. Stacey Edelman Mr. & Mrs. Brian Frey Jane & Bob Friday Ms. Debbie Furman & Mr. Jim Young Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Garcia & Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Mr. & Mrs. Stephan F. Gardinier Jane & Jeff Giacinti Elizabeth & Joseph Giuliani Mr. & Mrs. Bijan Gorji Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grano, Jr. Mr. Gary Hansell Ms. Cathy Hansell Katie & Peter Hayes in honor of Anno Swain Mr. Brian Hudson & Mrs. Tatiana Palnitska Hudson Shelley & Wayne Ives Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Jones Mr. Todd Kaplan & Dr. Melissa Schindel-Kaplan Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation Lake Highland Preparatory School in honor of David Mahler Lands’ End Ms. Valerie Leatherwood Don & Sharon Lerner Liz and Sam Logan in memory of Robert Buzzelli Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Long Mallitz Investment Group, LLC Mrs. Margaret March-Kramer & Mr. Michael Kramer Mrs. Hope McCampbell-Wenk & Dr. Scott Wenk
Timothy & Catherine Morris Melissa & Hakim Morsli Mr. & Mrs. T.J. Pearce Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Polidoro Barbara & Raymond Poole Kip & Angela Radigan Ms. Cara Radovich Mr. & Mrs. Eric Robinson Mr. & Mrs. Fred Romano Dee & Chuck Romito Jeffrey & Utahna Smith Ms. Elizabeth Steele Mrs. Blair Sullivan Berrigan '95 Mr. Martin Svoboda & Mrs. Karolina Svoboda Dr. Larry R. Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Christian Timol Mr. Samuel D. Updike Mr. & Mrs. James Whatmore Ms. Ella Wiggins
Blue & White Associates ($500 to $999) Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Alvarez Knox Family Foundation, Karen & Cass Anderson Anonymous (2) Stacie & Rob Baer Philip & Leslie Biegelsen Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Jake Birmingham Dr. Pedro Briceno & Dr. Tonantzin Matheus Nancy & George Castro Mr. & Mrs. Mark Chait Drs. Alina & Cristian Chiritescu Jane Clayton, MD Dr. Louis Cohen & Dr. Rebecca Cohen Mr. Mike Connors Karen & Doug Constant Ms. Lee-Ann Corry Laura & Jay Crouse Mr. & Mrs. James Currier Mr. Stan W. A. Dohan Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Dooley Alexei & Nicole Dovgopolyi Patrick & Laurie Doyle Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Dozier Ms. L’Tanya Evans
52 The Banyan
Fidelity Foundation Matching Gifts to Education Program Ms. Linda Harradine & Mr. Jim Fiumefreddo Dr. Chris & Rebekah Gelvin Rabbi Brenner Glickman & Rabbi Elaine Glickman Robert, Jr. & Penny Gregory Ms. Sheryl Gofman & Mr. Walter J. Hajduk III Mrs. Kathie Hayes Linda & Rodney Hollingsworth Mr. & Mrs. Rod Hollingsworth Heather Holst-Knudsen & Mr. Gary Stanton Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Hugill Humana Matching Gifts Shari & Ronald Jansen Krista & Brian Jones Michelle & Edward Kapreilian Terry & Alissa Kennelly Dr. & Mrs. Robert Knego Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kornacki Ms. Lissa Murphy & Mr. James LaClair Dr. & Mrs. Eric Larson Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Latta Gary & Lori Lawson Mr. Andrew Lemieux Tiffany & Peter Liashek Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Linse Lena & Martin Lothman Gerald Luhman II & Loretta F. Luhman Terri & Peter Mann Ms. Joyce Martin The McCann Family Patrick & Hilary McMahon Mr. & Mrs. Richard Munroe Mr. & Mrs. Sean Murphy Brian & Laurie Naese Mr. & Mrs. Robert Naylor III Dr. & Mrs. Morgan O’Donoghue Anna & Gregory Pacitti Mr. & Mrs. William Paterson Mr. & Mrs. James Perry Sarah & Roy Phillips Ms. Sara Popovich Renee & Marc Preininger Dr. & Mrs. Fabian A. Ramos Mr. & Mrs. Francis C. Rienhoff
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Runge Ms. Rosemary Ruppert Mr. & Mrs. Scott Rutledge Mr. James M. Schaeffer Dr. Joel P. & Jackie Schrank Mr. & Mrs. G. Randall Seftas Larry & Rachel Silverman Scott & Ronni Silverman Mr. & Mrs. Gerard K. Stone Dave & Magalie Szabo Mr. & Mrs. Mark Wheeler Patricia Wilson & Chip Woods Tracy & Robert Wyatt
Out-of-Door Supporters ($250 to $499) Mr. Craig Aberle Anonymous (6) Ms. Vaughn Babcock Dorrian '96 David & Cathy Black Mr. Robert F. Bole, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Tim Brewer Chris & Lori Bruder Mr. & Mrs. Chris Burns Mr. & Mrs. Andy Cappar Mr. & Mrs. Brad Clatt Melanie & Matt Coakley Carl & Ann Cogan Ron & Christy Comito Mr. & Mrs. Paolo Costa Mrs. Eleanor M. Darlington Pamela & Glenn Davis Mr. & Mrs. Jim Delgado Ms. Karen Dickerson Debbie & Peter Douglas Mr. Wolfgang Ebenbichler & Mrs. Leslie Casanova-Ebenbichler Jon & Luana Eckhard Mr. & Mrs. Brian Ellerson Mr. & Mrs. Victor Falck Mr. & Mrs. Christian M. Fischer Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Gaffney Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Gardner Ms. Danielle Goldsby Dr. & Mrs. Adam S. Greenberg Debra & John Gregory Ms. Jane Hancock Dr. & Mrs. Gregory Hanes Mr. Jacob Harding
Shari & Bruce Hiller Mr. and Mrs. Brock Horner Ms. Marnie Howell Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jordan Joan & Bill Kayser Mr. & Mrs. Danny Kessous Ms. Susan Kimmell Philip & Shirley Lascelle Mr. & Mrs. Trevor Layton Mr. & Mrs. Steven R. Lenz Mr. & Mrs. David Luria Mr. & Mrs. Dayne Maasdorp Bix & Gretchen Mannion The Massey Family Dr. Lisa Merritt Lee & Bobbi Miller Matt & Tina Miller David & Suzanne Moore Kelli & Scott Nold Beverly & Richard Oetting Mr. & Mrs. James P. Olson Mrs. Wendy Pearre Ms. Sharon F. Petrik 2000 Dr. Ken & Chris Pfahler Mr. & Mrs. Doug Phillips Mr. Neil Phillips & Mrs. Shannon Rohrer-Phillips Brent & Marisol Proctor Ms. Tara Raven Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Reyneke Beth & Bob Rulof Mr. Michael Salmon Mr. & Mrs. William Schlotthauer Mr. Joseph & Dr. Maria Sciame Mr. & Mrs. Adam Seldis James B. & Lillian T. Shaw Rick & Barbara Shaw Karyn & Tony Squitieri Derek & Toni Swartzendruber Mr. & Mrs. Craig Szmania Nancy & Jim Trivisonno James & Romy Viard Ms. Kimberly Walsh & Mr. Derek Wiberg Ms. Deborah Waterman Philip & Kathy White in honor of Jay & Laura Crouse Drs. Richard & Phyllis Yonker
53 The Banyan
Maureen & Chris Young Mr. & Mrs. Robert Zaleski
Friends of Out-of-Door (up to $249) Ms. Denise Aberle Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Alvarez Mr. & Mrs. Adam M. Amdur Anonymous (13) Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Armor Sandy & Steve '60 Ayers Lisa Bagwell & Larry Lieberman Ms. Monica Baldwin Debbie & Sean Ball Mr. Charles A. Balliette '00 Mr. & Mrs. Sekou C. Bangoura Ms. Kathleen Baraona The Barnette Family Mr. & Mrs. John Barrett Dr. Robert & Irene Barylski Ms. Theresa Beeman Mr. Chris Bernsen Jason & Katherine Bitsoff Mr. & Mrs. Glen Bleau Mr. & Mrs. Steven Bond Mr. Jeffrey Bowers The Bregg Family Dr. & Mrs. Reinhard Bschorer Mr. Joseph Cacka & Ms. Carolina Procel Mr. Michael P. Calamaras '06 The Case Family Mr. & Mrs. Michael Chalhub Wendy & Larry Chamberlin Mr. & Mrs. Randal S. Cheney Katie & Eddie Cintron Ms. Rita Cohen Ms. Michele Corley Mrs. Sydney Buffum Crampton '69 Ms. Kippie Crouch Melanie & Scott Custer Julie & Ian Cutmore Ms. Daniele Daddario Mr. & Mrs. Lloydman Martin DeFelice Sandra & James DeTorres Mr. Peter N. Dobosz '04 in honor of Bob True Ms. Linda Dooley Mr. & Mrs. Matt Dougherty
2013-2014 Leadership Annual Fund Co-Chairs Teena Humphrey, Upper School Linda Ross, Middle School Florian Schuetz, Lower School
Grade-Level Chairs Christina Cassidy, Pre-K Zsofia Long, Pre-K Justine Amdur, kindergarten Christine Robinson, kindergarten Linda Harradine, first grade Ellen Steinwachs, first grade Alison O’Donoghue, second grade Jamie Becker, third grade Jennifer Fox, third grade Geoffrey Frazier, fourth grade Terri Vitale, fourth grade Lori Lawson, fifth grade Susan Bannar, sixth grade Donna Koffman, sixth grade Heather Macdonald, seventh grade Florian Schuetz, seventh grade Jennifer Macleod, eighth grade Noreen Polidoro, eighth grade Linda Ross, eighth grade Christy Comito, ninth grade Rhonda Deems, ninth grade Roberta Tengerdy, ninth grade Karen Dickerson, tenth grade Michael Dixon, tenth grade Jennifer Frey, eleventh grade Robin Lindsay, eleventh grade Kelli Nold, eleventh grade Patty Wilson, eleventh grade Teena Humphrey, twelfth grade
International Chair Florian Schuetz
New Parents Chair Jill Ramsey
Grade-Level Chair Coordinator Chris Hill
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Dowdy Mr. & Mrs. Jason Drosky Ms. Grace Duffey Mrs. Jessica Dunda Ms. Sandra Elliott The Erda Family Ms. Nicole Fafalios Ms. Carol Falck The Famiglio Family Mr. & Mrs. Rashid Faqqouseh Joe & Kristen Farrell Mr. Kevin Fitzgerald Jennifer & Jeff Flanders Mr. Kevin M. Frey '10 Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Friedman Ms. Deborah Frye Ms. Shelly Gallagher Mr. and Mrs. Michael Garasic Mr. Travis W. Garner '01 Mr. Dane Gass Lisa & Larry Genkin Mr. & Mrs. Terry Geringer Jill Taffett & Janine Gevas Camela & Robert Giraud Mr. & Mrs. Michael Goes Judith & Herbert Gofman Robert & Susan Goldstein Mr. Jonathan Gonzalez & Ms. Kaitlin Kamrowski Mr. & Mrs. Paul Grimond Mr. & Mrs. Adam Gulacsy Ms. Noelle Haft Linda & Edgar Halderman in memory of Pinkie Hemstad
54 The Banyan
Ms. Lindsay Landeche HarNess Nancy & Robert Harrison Mr. & Mrs. David Hawkes Mr. & Mrs. Kent A. Hayes '03 Ms. Anne Head Mr. & Mrs. Brian Hersh Joyce & Alan Hersh Ms. Brittany Hiller Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Horr Mr. & Mrs. Peter C. Hosmer Ms. Renee Huntley & Mr. Philip Klotz Mr. Joshua Israileff '06 Ms. Jill Jaiswal Mrs. Michelle Johnson Ms. Joanna Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Don Juravin Ms. Elizabeth M. Kieffer Mr. & Mrs. Bruce King Ms. Yadira Kirschner Ms. Paula Kozak Ms. Sherri Vitale & Mr. Thomas Krug Arthur & Beverly Kunberger Mr. & Mrs. Ted C. Lang III Mr. Paul LeBras Mr. & Mrs. George Leicht Jamie & Allison Lerario Ms. Robin Lindsay Ms. Melinda Lloyd Ms. Cheryl Lorge Kim & Shannon Lugannani Martin & Shelli Maag Mr. Joseph Madres Ms. Alyssa Mandel & Mr. Brian Gomien Mr. & Mrs. Willam F. Mannion
Mr. Thomas Marino Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Martin Mr. & Mrs. Todd Martin Angela Massaro-Fain & John Fain Mr. Sean McDonald Mrs. Angela Giorgianni Mejicanos and Mr. Julio Mejicanos Mr. & Mrs. Philip Meyer Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Miller Ms. Alex Miller Mrs. Stephanie Sassetti Miller Dr. David Millie & Dr. Laura Kunberger The Betsy Mitchell Donor Advised Fund at The Community Foundation of Sarasota County Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mullen Mr. & Mrs. Greg Murphy Ms. Beth Myers Mr. Michael Newhams Trish Nicholson Jayne & Harry Owen Dr. & Mrs. Vincent Pantone Mr. & Mrs. Rajesh Patel Ms. Lisa Peirce Mr. & Mrs. Denis Pelegrin Ms. Elvira Pena Dr. Maria Perrone & Dr. Vincenzo Perrone Heidi & Paul Phillips Mr. & Mrs. William J. Pitts Renata & Mike Pivonka Dr. Nicole A. Poirier Mr. & Mrs. Paul Raggo Alison & Joe Rini Ms. Aimee Robben Mrs. Serena Robins Gerald & Phyllis Robinson Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rodgers Todd & Karen Romine Avis & Ronald Romm Mr. & Mrs. Bill Rompf Dr. Kelly Rose & Mr. Eric Rose Dr. Lisa Rosser & Dr. Rick Rosser Ms. Susan B. Russ Mr. & Mrs. Barron Schimberg Carolyn & George Schlotthauer Carie & Andrew Schoenfeld Peter & Erika Schuetz Mr. Jeff Shamp
Ms. Kathina Sheets Ms. Rosemary Shofe Mr. & Mrs. Donald Simon Mr. Joshua Singer Mrs. Allison Small & Dr. Howard Small Mr. & Mrs. Scott Smalley Ms. Caylyn Smith Mr. & Mrs. Earl Snyder Mr. & Mrs. Leopoldo L. Sosa Johanna & John Souza Mr. & Mrs. William D. Speaker Mr. & Mrs. Richard Starkovs Judi & Patrick Steele Ms. Robin Storm Ms. Tammy Strot Mr. & Mrs. Adam Sulimirski Ms. Jacqueline Svilokos David & Ruth Teitel Mr. Brett Timmons Mr. & Mrs. Mark S. Trumbull Mr. & Mrs. David Tyson The VanSuch Family Dr. Linda Vasilaki & Mr. Yuri Vasilaki Ms. Kay Wagner Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Walker Ruth & Jack Walsh Dr. Christina Warner & Dr. John Warner Cami & Jeff Wenger Mr. & Mrs. Wilmer Wenger Mrs. Dorothy Williams Mr. & Mrs. Roger Williams Ms. Mary Jane Wood Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Woods Mr. & Mrs. Michael Young Mr. & Mrs. Scott Young Mr. & Mrs. Oliver J. Young Ms. Shumin Yu Ms. Cheryl Zaccone Dr. Ellen Zitani
55 The Banyan
Annual Fund Donors Trustees
$130,190.27 100% participation Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Buffett Mr. & Mrs. John K. Cannon Kitty & John Cranor Rhonda & Dan Deems Gelbman Family Foundation Dr. Lisa Grain & Mr. David Grain Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grano, Jr. Tally & Chris Harris Kenneth D. Henson, MD & Mitzie P. Henson John and Teena Humphrey Mr. & Mrs. John Kittle Ms. Ashley D. Kozel Julie & Jeff Luhrsen Mr. & Mrs. David J. Mason Ms. Tracee Murphy & the Lattner Family Foundation Mary & Dave Peirce Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Pendery Kat & Florian Schuetz Ms. Terri Vitale & Dr. Christopher Sforzo Dr. Larry R. Thompson Cindy & Mike vonWaldner
Parents
$436,028.78 78% participation
Class of 2014 59% participation Anonymous Lisa Bagwell & Larry Lieberman Dr. & Mrs. Richard H. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Buffett Laura & David Camire Mr. & Mrs. Mark Chait Greenhouse Fabrics Ms. Lee-Ann Corry Ms. Sandra Elliott Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Fineberg Mr. Kevin Fitzgerald Ms. Debbie Furman & Mr. Jim Young
Ms. Tonya Garrison Lisa & Larry Genkin Dr. Lisa Grain & Mr. David Grain Debra & John Gregory Dawn & Paul Holland John and Teena Humphrey Shari & Ronald Jansen The Karp Family Foundation Ms. Susan Kimmell The LaSalla Family Terri & Peter Mann Angela Massaro-Fain & John Fain Mr. & Mrs. Richard Munroe Dr. Maria Perrone & Dr. Vincenzo Perrone Renata & Mike Pivonka Dr. Nicole A. Poirier Joseph & Kelly Romano Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Runge Mr. & Mrs. Donald Simon Mr. & Mrs. Richard Starkovs
Class of 2015 77% participation Anonymous Todd & Susan Bannar Colleen & Mitch Blumenthal Mr. & Mrs. Steven Bond The Bradbury Family Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Buffett Ron & Christy Comito Mr. & Mrs. Paolo Costa Laura & Jay Crouse Julie & Ian Cutmore Mr. & Mrs. Jim Delgado Patrick & Laurie Doyle
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Eckart Jon & Luana Eckhard Dr. and Mrs. Robert and Stacey Edelman Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Emmons Mr. & Mrs. Brian Frey Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grano, Jr. Robert Jr. & Penny Gregory Mr. Derek Han Tally & Chris Harris Kenneth D. Henson, MD & Mitzie P. Henson Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hoffman Krista & Brian Jones The Karp Family Foundation Christine and James Kuebler Mr. & Mrs. Ted C. Lang III The LaSalla Family Ms. Robin Lindsay Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Martin Dr. & Mrs. Kevin M. McGaharan Kelli & Scott Nold Mr. & Mrs. T.J. Pearce Mr. & Mrs. Denis Pelegrin Heidi & Paul Phillips Ms. Tara Raven Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rodgers Joseph & Kelly Romano Todd & Karen Romine Rick & Barbara Shaw Mr. & Mrs. Adam Sulimirski Mr. & Mrs. Tom Tengerdy Philip & Kathy White Patricia Wilson & Chip Woods Maureen & Chris Young
Class of 2016 78% participation Anonymous (4) Mr. Steven R. Avery Mr. & Mrs. Sekou C. Bangoura The Bregg Family Chris & Lori Bruder Home by DeRamo Inc./ Bill & Tracy DeRamo Ms. Karen Dickerson The Dixon and Frazier Families Global Financial Private Capital, LLC Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Dowdy
56 The Banyan
Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Garcia & Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Mr. & Mrs. Terry Geringer Mr. & Mrs. Michael Goes Mr. & Mrs. Paul Grimond Ms. Sheryl Gofman & Mr. Walter J. Hajduk III Mr. Derek Han John and Teena Humphrey Ms. Cindy Johnson Donna & David Koffman Mr. & Mrs. David Luria Mr. & Mrs. Todd Martin Mr. & Mrs. Greg Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Robert Naylor III Mr. & Mrs. James P. Olson Ms. Elvira Pena Sarah & Roy Phillips Barbara & Raymond Poole Kip & Angela Radigan Mr. & Mrs. Paul Raggo Kimberly & Jeffrey Saltz Mr. & Mrs. David Scott Mr. & Mrs. Kawalvit Singh The VanSuch Family Cami & Jeff Wenger
Class of 2017 68% participation Anonymous Mr. Helio M.C. Beltrao Mr. & Mrs. Barry Berkowitz Mr. & Mrs. Jake Birmingham Mr. & Mrs. Glen Bleau Mr. & Mrs. Steven Bond Laura & David Camire Mr. & Mrs. Andy Cappar Mr. & Mrs. Randal S. Cheney Ron & Christy Comito Greenhouse Fabrics Rhonda & Dan Deems The Dixon and Frazier Families Global Financial Private Capital, LLC Troy & Carolyn Eaden Jon & Luana Eckhard Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Fineberg Jennifer & Jeff Flanders Mr. & Mrs. Stephan F. Gardinier Mr. & Mrs. Bijan Gorji
Mr. Derek Han Ms. Cathy Hansell Mr. Gary Hansell Ms. Lindsay Landeche HarNess Nancy & Robert Harrison Dawn & Paul Holland Terry & Alissa Kennelly Mr. & Mrs. Danny Kessous Don & Sharon Lerner Gerald Luhman II & Loretta F. Luhman Mr. & Mrs. Dayne Maasdorp Robin & Heather Macdonald David & Suzanne Moore Mr. & Mrs. Sean Murphy Jayne & Harry Owen Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Patrice Mr. & Mrs. T.J. Pearce Barbara & Raymond Poole Dr. & Mrs. Fabian A. Ramos Mr. & Mrs. Bill Rompf Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Runge Ms. Rosemary Ruppert Mr. & Mrs. William Schlotthauer Mr. & Mrs. G. Randall Seftas Scott & Ronni Silverman Mr. & Mrs. Scott Smalley Mr. & Mrs. Tom Tengerdy Nancy & Jim Trivisonno Maureen & Chris Young Mr. & Mrs. Oliver J. Young
Class of 2018 73% participation Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Alvarez Dave & Carolyn Alves Anonymous (2) Stephanie & Michael Appleby The Barnette Family Dr. & Mrs. Reinhard Bschorer Dr. & Mrs. Robert Carlson Mr. & Mrs. Steven A. Cecil Taber & Celeste Chadwick Mr. & Mrs. Michael Chalhub Drs. Alina & Cristian Chiritescu Ms. Karen Dickerson Alexei & Nicole Dovgopolyi Rodger & Kerri Dowdell Dr. & Mrs. Robert Eckart Joe & Kristen Farrell
Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Walker Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Wells Ms. Shumin Yu
Jennifer & Jeff Flanders Shari & Bruce Hiller Krista & Brian Jones Michelle & Edward Kapreilian Mr. & Mrs. Bruce King Lena & Martin Lothman Julie & Jeff Luhrsen Mr. & Mrs. Dayne Maasdorp Jennifer & Gary Macleod Mr. & Mrs. David V. Mahler Mr. & Mrs. Todd Martin Dr. Lisa Merritt Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Miller Mr. & Mrs. Richard Munroe Mr. & Mrs. Greg Murphy Dr. Gregory & Libby Neily Anna & Gregory Pacitti Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Polidoro Mr. & Mrs. Fred Romano Linda & Peter Ross Mr. & Mrs. Scott Rutledge Kimberly & Jeffrey Saltz Scott & Ronni Silverman Mr. & Mrs. Christian Timol Susan & Stephen Wahl
100% 100%
Tally & Chris Harris Mr. Brian Hudson & Mrs. Tatiana Palnitska Hudson Bill & Christine Isaac Donna & David Koffman Shelley & Charlie Lafoe Dr. & Mrs. Eric Larson Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Latta Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Linam Robin & Heather Macdonald Mr. & Mrs. David V. Mahler Mallitz Investment Group, LLC Mr. Thomas Marino Mrs. Hope McCampbell-Wenk & Dr. Scott Wenk The McCann Family Mr. & Mrs. Philip Meyer Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Miller Ms. Beth Myers Mr. Michael Newhams Mr. & Mrs. Rajesh Patel Cyndi & Don Paxton Sarah & Roy Phillips The Ramsey Family Linda & Jerry Ruschau
Class of 2019 85% participation Mr. Craig Aberle Ms. Denise Aberle Anonymous Stacie & Rob Baer Debbie & Sean Ball The Bizick Family Mr. & Mrs. Glen Bleau Mr. & Mrs. Andy Cappar Nancy & George Castro Melanie & Matt Coakley Mr. & Mrs. Jim Delgado Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Dennehy Mr. & Mrs. Rashid Faqqouseh Stan & Halie Fulton Ms. Shelly Gallagher Ms. Sheryl Gofman & Mr. Walter J. Hajduk III Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hall Mr. & Mrs. Brent Hamill
Participation by Class
100%
75%
50%
25%
Grades: Pre- K
57 The Banyan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Mr. & Mrs. William Schlotthauer Kat & Florian Schuetz Karyn & Tony Squitieri Mr. Martin Svoboda & Mrs. Karolina Svoboda Mr. & Mrs. Craig Szmania James & Romy Viard Mr. & Mrs. James K. Vickery, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. James Whatmore Mr. & Mrs. Mark Wheeler Tracy & Robert Wyatt
Class of 2020 84% participation Anonymous (3) Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Armor Todd & Susan Bannar Mr. & Mrs. Chris Burns Nancy & George Castro Katie & Eddie Cintron Mr. & Mrs. Brad Clatt Dr. Louis Cohen & Dr. Rebecca Cohen Rodger & Kerri Dowdell Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Dowdy James & Janice Eakle Mr. & Mrs. Rashid Faqqouseh Jane & Jeff Giacinti Rabbi Brenner Glickman & Rabbi Elaine Glickman Mr. & Mrs. Bijan Gorji Shelley & Wayne Ives Ms. Jill Jaiswal The Khazanchi Family Donna & David Koffman
58 The Banyan
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kornacki Ms. Lissa Murphy & Mr. James LaClair Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Latta Michelle & Tim Lea Kim & Shannon Lugannani Julie & Jeff Luhrsen Mrs. Angela Giorgianni Mejicanos and Mr. Julio Mejicanos Dr. David Millie & Dr. Laura Kunberger David & Suzanne Moore Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Morgan Timothy & Catherine Morris Mr. & Mrs. Robert Naylor III Mr. & Mrs. James P. Olson Mr. James M. Schaeffer Mr. Joseph & Dr. Maria Sciame Ms. Terri Vitale & Dr. Christopher Sforzo Mr. & Mrs. Earl Snyder Amy & Ken Sussman Derek & Toni Swartzendruber Ms. Ella Wiggins Mr. & Mrs. Oliver J. Young
Class of 2021 80% participation Dave & Carolyn Alves Debbie & Sean Ball Mr. & Mrs. Mike Beasley The Bizick Family David & Cathy Black Larry & Maria Colditz Mr. & Mrs. James Currier Mark & Patricia Felsmann Stan & Halie Fulton
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Gardner Mr. & Mrs. Rod Hollingsworth Bill & Christine Isaac Michelle & Edward Kapreilian Ms. Ashley D. Kozel Mrs. Sherri Vitale & Mr. Thomas Krug Dr. & Mrs. William Lahners Gary & Lori Lawson Ms. Valerie Leatherwood Bix & Gretchen Mannion The Massey Family Ms. Alex Miller Brian & Laurie Naese Dr. & Mrs. Morgan O’Donoghue Dr. Ken & Chris Pfahler Ms. Cara Radovich The Ramsey Family Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Reyneke Mr. & Mrs. Barron Schimberg Larry & Rachel Silverman Mr. & Mrs. Kawalvit Singh Karyn & Tony Squitieri Mr. & Mrs. Christian Timol Mr. & Mrs. James Whatmore
Class of 2022 85% participation Anonymous Courtney & Tony Bonacuse Mr. & Mrs. Tim Brewer Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Carrion Melanie & Scott Custer Mr. & Mrs. Matt Dougherty The Dixon and Frazier Families Global Financial Private Capital, LLC Jane & Jeff Giacinti Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hall Ms. Jill Jaiswal Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jordan Dr. & Mrs. William Lahners Mr. & Mrs. Trevor Layton Michelle & Tim Lea Tiffany & Peter Liashek Ms. Lucie Marino Mr. Thomas Marino Ms. Alex Miller Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Morgan Melissa & Hakim Morsli Mr. Michael Newhams
Cyndi & Don Paxton Ms. Lisa Peirce Mr. & Mrs. James Perry Mr. & Mrs. Eric Robinson Carie & Andrew Schoenfeld Ms. Terri Vitale & Dr. Christopher Sforzo Jeffrey & Utahna Smith Mr. Martin Svoboda & Mrs. Karolina Svoboda Derek & Toni Swartzendruber Mr. & Mrs. Craig Szmania Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Wells Stacy & David White
Class of 2023 95% participation Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Beck Fran & Jamie Becker Courtney & Tony Bonacuse Dr. Pedro Briceno & Dr. Tonantzin Matheus Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Carrion The Case Family Ariane & Bob Dart Mr. & Mrs. Lloydman Martin DeFelice Mr. Matthew DePalma James & Janice Eakle Mr. Wolfgang Ebenbichler & Mrs. Leslie Casanova-Ebenbichler Mr. & Mrs. Christian M. Fischer Mr. & Mrs. Larry Fox Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Gardner Dr. Chris & Rebekah Gelvin Jill Taffett & Janine Gevas Camela & Robert Giraud Elizabeth & Joseph Giuliani Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Green, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Gregory Hanes Heather Holst-Knudsen Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Kints Dr. & Mrs. Robert Knego Kim & Shannon Lugannani Martin & Shelli Maag Mrs. Margaret March-Kramer & Mr. Michael Kramer Mr. Thomas Marino Dr. Gregory & Libby Neily Dr. Ken & Chris Pfahler Mr. Neil Phillips & Mrs.
59 The Banyan
Shannon Rohrer-Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Eric Robinson Ann Marie Davis & J.B. Shaw III Ms. Karen V. Vale Susan & Stephen Wahl
Class of 2024 84% participation Anonymous (4) Ms. Monica Baldwin Mr. & Mrs. Mike Beasley Mr. & Mrs. Tim Brewer Mr. Joseph Cacka & Ms. Carolina Procel Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Cassidy Jr. Karen & Doug Constant Rob & Jacqueline Crisci Mark & Patricia Felsmann Jennifer & Jeff Flanders The Dixon and Frazier Families Global Financial Private Capital, LLC Stan & Halie Fulton Camela & Robert Giraud Dr. & Mrs. Adam S. Greenberg Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Hugill Mr. Todd Kaplan & Dr. Melissa Schindel-Kaplan Ms. Ashley D. Kozel Mrs. Sherri Vitale & Mr. Thomas Krug Jamie & Allison Lerario Mr. & Mrs. David Luria Brian & Laurie Naese Dr. & Mrs. Morgan O’Donoghue Carie & Andrew Schoenfeld Kat & Florian Schuetz Karyn & Tony Squitieri Dave & Magalie Szabo Dr. Christina Warner & Dr. John Warner
Class of 2025 92% participation Anonymous (4) Mr. Stan W.A. Dohan Jennifer & Christopher Feeney Ms. Linda Harradine & Mr. Jim Fiumefreddo Dr. Chris & Rebekah Gelvin Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Green, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Robert Knego Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Long Patrick & Hilary McMahon
Melissa & Hakim Morsli Ms. Sara Popovich Alison & Joe Rini Dee & Chuck Romito Mr. Richard Spilka & Mrs. Veronika Spilkova Steinwachs Family Foundation Ms. Kimberly Walsh & Mr. Derek Wiberg Stacy & David White Mr. & Mrs. Robert Zaleski
Class of 2026 100% participation Mr. & Mrs. Sean Abrams Mr. & Mrs. Adam M. Amdur Anonymous (3) Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Beck Courtney & Tony Bonacuse Mr. & Mrs. Randal S. Cheney Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Cogan Rob & Jacqueline Crisci Melanie & Scott Custer Ariane & Bob Dart Mr. & Mrs. Matt Dougherty Mr. & Mrs. Brian Ellerson The Famiglio Family Mr. & Mrs. Larry Fox Mr. Jonathan Gonzalez & Ms. Kaitlin Kamrowski Maria & Allen Heise Mr. & Mrs. Rod Hollingsworth Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Horr Mr. & Mrs. Don Juravin Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Kints Dr. & Mrs. Robert Knego Mr. & Mrs. Trevor Layton Matt & Tina Miller Dr. & Mrs. Vincent Pantone Mr. & Mrs. William Paterson Mr. & Mrs. Doug Phillips
Mr. Neil Phillips & Mrs. Shannon Rohrer-Phillips Brent & Marisol Proctor Ms. Aimee Robben Mr. & Mrs. Eric Robinson Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth T. Sommers Mr. Martin Svoboda & Mrs. Karolina Svoboda Dave & Magalie Szabo Mr. & Mrs. Mark S. Trumbull Dr. Jennifer Goodman & Dr. Frederick R. Yturralde
Class of 2027 100% participation Anonymous (3) Mr. & Mrs. Mike Beasley Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Cassidy, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Chapman Mr. & Mrs. Victor Falck Jennifer & Christopher Feeney Mark & Patricia Felsmann Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Friedman Mr. & Mrs. Brian Hersh Mr. & Mrs. Rod Hollingsworth Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Horr Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Jones Jamie & Allison Lerario Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Long Mrs. Margaret March-Kramer & Mr. Michael Kramer Patrick & Hilary McMahon Dr. & Mrs. Vincent Pantone Mr. & Mrs. Doug Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Reyneke Dr. Kelly Rose & Mr. Eric Rose Mr. Richard Spilka & Mrs. Veronika Spilkova Ms. Ella Wiggins
Grandparents $62,525 9% participation
The Abrams Family Ms. Isabelle Amdur Anonymous (5) Bill & Mary Ann Becker Wendy & Larry Chamberlin Carl & Ann Cogan
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Ms. Rita Cohen Mrs. Eleanor M. Darlington Sandra & James DeTorres The Erda Family Ms. Carol Falck James & Rosalie Fitzgibbons Jane & Bob Friday Judith & Herbert Gofman Ms. Noelle Haft Ms. Anne Head Joyce & Alan Hersh Linda & Rodney Hollingsworth Joan & Bill Kayser Sue & Joe Kennelly Ms. Elizabeth M. Kieffer Arthur & Beverly Kunberger Philip & Shirley Lascelle Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Linam Mr. & Mrs. Willam F. Mannion Ms. Joyce Martin Lee & Bobbi Miller Mary Jo & Bob Naylor Trish Nicholson Beverly & Richard Oetting Mary & Dave Peirce Mr. & Mrs. Francis C. Rienhoff Gerald & Phyllis Robinson Beth & Bob Rulof Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Savidge Carolyn & George Schlotthauer Dr. Joel P. & Jackie Schrank Peter & Erika Schuetz James B. & Lillian T. Shaw Johanna & John Souza Ms. Jacqueline Svilokos Mrs. Anno Swain David & Ruth Teitel Ruth & Jack Walsh Mr. & Mrs. Wilmer Wenger White Family Foundation Fund of Gulf Coast Community Foundation Mrs. Dorothy Williams
Alumni
$7,703.08 2% participation Steve Ayers ‘60 Ms. Vaughn Babcock Dorrian '96 Mr. Charles A. Balliette '00
Ms. Kathleen Baraona Mr. Michael P. Calamaras '06 Mrs. Sydney Buffum Crampton '69 Mr. Peter N. Dobosz '04 in honor of Bob True Jennie Lascelle Famiglio Mr. Kevin M. Frey '10 Mr. Travis W. Garner '01 Mr. Kent A. Hayes '03 Katie Hayes Mr. Joshua Israileff '06 Liz Logan Ms. Kim Lugannani Mrs. Sherry Luria Mrs. Suzanne Munroe Mrs. Shannon Olson Ms. Sharon F. Petrik '00 Ms. Elizabeth Steele Mrs. Blair Sullivan Berrigan '95 Mr. David Tyson
Parents of Alumni $115,375.83 15% participation
Mr. Craig Aberle Ms. Denise Aberle The Abrams Family Family Foundation, Karen & Cass Anderson Anonymous (2) Mr. Steven R. Avery Mr. & Mrs. Sekou C. Bangoura Mr. & Mrs. John Barrett Dr. Robert & Irene Barylski Mr. & Mrs. Philip Biegelsen Mr. & Mrs. Glen Bleau Dr. & Mrs. Richard H. Brown Mr. & Mrs. John K. Cannon Mr. & Mrs. Mark Chait Jane Clayton, MD Mr. & Mrs. Paolo Costa Kitty & John Cranor Laura & Jay Crouse Julie & Ian Cutmore Rhonda & Dan Deems Ms. Linda Dooley Debbie & Peter Douglas Patrick & Laurie Doyle Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Dozier
Ms. Grace Duffey Troy & Carolyn Eaden Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Emmons Mr. & Mrs. Brian Frey Ms. Debbie Furman & Mr. Jim Young Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Gaffney Mr. & Mrs. Stephan F. Gardinier Ms. Tonya Garrison Gelbman Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Terry Geringer Robert & Susan Goldstein Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grano, Jr. Debra & John Gregory Nancy & Robert Harrison Katie & Peter Hayes Mrs. Kathie Hayes Kenneth D. Henson, MD & Mitzie P. Henson Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hoffman Mr. Mark Horan & Ms. Jinx Howe Mr. Brian Hudson & Mrs. Tatiana Palnitska Hudson Rabbi & Mrs. Geoffrey M. Huntting Shari & Ronald Jansen Ms. Susan Kimmell Mr. & Mrs. John Kittle Mr. & Mrs. Ted C. Lang III Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Linse Liz and Sam Logan in memory of Robert Buzzelli Mr. & Mrs. David J. Mason James P. and Mary S. McArdle Charitable Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation The Betsy Mitchell Donor Advised Fund at The Community Foundation of Sarasota County Timothy & Catherine Morris Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mullen Ms. Tracee Murphy & the Lattner Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Pendery Mr. & Mrs. William J. Pitts Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Polidoro Renee & Marc Preininger Dr. & Mrs. Fabian A. Ramos Avis & Ronald Romm Dr. Lisa Rosser & Dr. Rick Rosser Ms. Rosemary Ruppert
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Linda & Jerry Ruschau The Savidge Family Mr. & Mrs. Kawalvit Singh Mr. & Mrs. Leopoldo L. Sosa Judi & Patrick Steele Mr. & Mrs. Adam Sulimirski Mrs. Anno Swain Dr. Linda Vasilaki & Mr. Yuri Vasilaki Cindy & Mike vonWaldner Ms. Deborah Waterman Cami & Jeff Wenger Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Woods Drs. Richard & Phyllis Yonker Mr. & Mrs. Michael Young
Faculty & Staff $29,090 100% participation Denise Aberle Elizabeth Armor Monica Baldwin Sean Ball Katie Baraona Joanne Barrett Theresa Beeman Chris Bernsen Jeffrey Bowers Tim Brewer Angel Cappar Kim Chait Dennis Chapman Lisa Cheney Michele Corley Kippie Crouch Daniele Daddario Pamela Davis Daniel Dennehy Linda Dooley Margarita Dooley Matt Dougherty Noel Dougherty Marie Dowdy Kathy Dozier Shannon Drosky Grace Duffey Jessica Dunda Sandy Elliott L’Tanya Evans Nicole Fafalios
Julie Fineberg Deborah Frye Audrey Gaffney Leslie Garasic Dane Gass Camela Giraud Danielle Goldsby Martha Gulacsy Jane Hancock Jacob Harding Nancy Harrison Dave Hawkes Lauren Hersh Brittany Hiller Tanna Horner Jeffrey Horr Vicki Hosmer Marnie Howell Renee Huntley Jill Jaiswal Joanna Johnson Michelle Johnson Yadira Kirschner Paula Kozak Bruce Latta Emily Latta Paul LeBras George Leicht Andrew Lemieux Cheryl Lenz Virgene Linse Melinda Lloyd Cheryl Lorge Joseph Madres David Mahler Alyssa Mandel Sean McDonald Angela Mejicanos Philip Meyer Patrick Miller Stephanie Sassetti Miller Mary Ann Mullen Aimee Murphy Laura Murphy Robert Naylor III Michael Newhams Wendy Pearre Lisa Peirce Renee Pitts
Kelly Raggo Serena Robins Kelly Rose Lisa Rosser Jane Runge Joe Runge Susan B. Russ Michael Salmon Adam Seldis Jeff Shamp Kathina Sheets Rosemary Shofe Don Simon Joshua Singer Allison Small Caylyn Smith Ken Sommers Lupe Sosa Mary Beth Speaker Shelley J. Stone Robin Storm Tammy Strot Brett Timmons Linda Vasilaki Kay Wagner Kimberly Walsh Deborah Waterman Derek Wiberg Frances Williams Mary Jane Wood Rodney Woods Mike Young Nicole Young Patty Young Shumin Yu Cheryl Zaccone Ellen Zitani
Corporations, Foundations & Friends of Out-of-Door $19,475 Anonymous (2) Jason & Katherine Bitsoff Mr. Robert F. Bole, Jr. Community Foundation of Sarasota County Mr. Mike Connors Fidelity Foundation Matching Gifts to Education Program
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Dr. & Mrs. Adam Getzels Linda & Edgar Halderman Humana Matching Gifts Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation Lake Highland Preparatory School United Technologies Matching Gift Program Mr. Samuel D. Updike Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program
Annual Fund 110% Club Donors who increased their gift by 10% or more Mr. Craig Aberle The Abrams Family Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Alvarez Anonymous (3) Stephanie & Michael Appleby Lisa Bagwell & Larry Lieberman Mr. & Mrs. Mike Beasley Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Beck Fran & Jamie Becker Ms. Theresa Beeman Colleen & Mitch Blumenthal Mr. & Mrs. Steven Bond The Bregg Family Nancy & George Castro Taber & Celeste Chadwick Drs. Alina & Cristian Chiritescu Carl & Ann Cogan Larry & Maria Colditz Karen & Doug Constant Ms. Lee-Ann Corry Pamela & Glenn Davis Mr. & Mrs. Jim Delgado Home by DeRamo Inc./ Bill & Tracy DeRamo Ms. Linda Dooley Alexei & Nicole Dovgopolyi Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Dowdy Mr. & Mrs. Jason Drosky Jon & Luana Eckhard Ms. Sandra Elliott Ms. L’Tanya Evans Mr. & Mrs. Rashid Faqqouseh Joe & Kristen Farrell Jennifer & Christopher Feeney
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Fineberg Mr. & Mrs. Larry Fox Mr. & Mrs. Brian Frey Mr. Kevin M. Frey 2010 Jane & Bob Friday Stan & Halie Fulton Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Gaffney Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Garcia & Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Camela & Robert Giraud Ms. Danielle Goldsby Dr. Lisa Grain & Mr. David Grain Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Green, Jr. Greenhouse Fabrics Mr. & Mrs. Paul Grimond Ms. Noelle Haft Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hall Ms. Jane Hancock Tally & Chris Harris Mrs. Kathie Hayes Katie & Peter Hayes Mr. & Mrs. Brian Hersh Ms. Brittany Hiller Linda & Rodney Hollingsworth Heather Holst-Knudsen Mr. and Mrs. Brock Horner Mr. Brian Hudson & Mrs. Tatiana Palnitska Hudson Shari & Ronald Jansen Mr. Todd Kaplan & Dr. Melissa Schindel-Kaplan Ms. Susan Kimmell Ms. Yadira Kirschner Donna & David Koffman Ashley D. Kozel Charitable Fund of Gulf Coast Community Foundation Mrs. Sherri Vitale & Mr. Thomas Krug Christine and James Kuebler Ms. Lissa Murphy & Mr. James LaClair Shelley & Charlie Lafoe Mr. & Mrs. George Leicht Mr. Andrew Lemieux Ms. Robin Lindsay Ms. Melinda Lloyd Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Long Julie & Jeff Luhrsen Mr. & Mrs. David Luria Mallitz Investment Group, LLC Terri & Peter Mann
Mr. & Mrs. Willam F. Mannion Ms. Lucie Marino Ms. Joyce Martin Angela Massaro-Fain & John Fain The McCann Family Patrick & Hilary McMahon Melissa & Hakim Morsli Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mullen Mr. & Mrs. Richard Munroe Mary Jo & Bob Naylor Mr. & Mrs. Robert Naylor III Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Patrice Mrs. Wendy Pearre Ms. Lisa Peirce Mr. & Mrs. Denis Pelegrin Mr. Neil Phillips & Mrs. Shannon RohrerPhillips Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Polidoro Dr. & Mrs. Fabian A. Ramos Mrs. Serena Robins Mr. & Mrs. Eric Robinson Mr. & Mrs. Fred Romano Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Runge Mr. Michael Salmon Kimberly & Jeffrey Saltz Mrs. Stephanie Sassetti Miller Dr. Joel P. & Jackie Schrank Ms. Terri Vitale & Dr. Christopher Sforzo Ann Marie Davis & J.B. Shaw III Scott & Ronni Silverman Mr. & Mrs. Kawalvit Singh Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth T. Sommers Mr. & Mrs. Leopoldo L. Sosa Mr. & Mrs. William D. Speaker Mr. & Mrs. Gerard K. Stone Mr. & Mrs. Adam Sulimirski Dave & Magalie Szabo Mr. & Mrs. Craig Szmania Mr. & Mrs. Tom Tengerdy Nancy & Jim Trivisonno United Technologies Matching Gift Program James & Romy Viard Mr. & Mrs. James K. Vickery, Jr. Ms. Kay Wagner Susan & Stephen Wahl Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Walker Ms. Deborah Waterman
Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Wells Stacy & David White Mr. & Mrs. Roger Williams Maureen & Chris Young
True Blue Society 10+ Consecutive Years of Giving to the Annual Fund Anonymous Debbie & Sean Ball Mr. & Mrs. Tim Brewer Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Buffett Mr. & Mrs. John K. Cannon Mr. & Mrs. Andy Cappar Mr. & Mrs. Randal S. Cheney Ms. Lee-Ann Corry Kitty & John Cranor Pamela & Glenn Davis Rhonda & Dan Deems Mr. & Mrs. Michael Dixon Ms. Linda Dooley Debbie & Peter Douglas Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Dowdy Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Dozier Ms. Grace Duffey Troy & Carolyn Eaden Ms. Sandra Elliott Ms. L’Tanya Evans Ms. Nicole Fafalios Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Fineberg Ms. Deborah Frye Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Gaffney Mr. & Mrs. Stephan F. Gardinier Ms. Tonya Garrison Gelbman Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grano, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Adam Gulacsy Mr. Derek Han Ms. Jane Hancock Tally & Chris Harris Nancy & Robert Harrison Kenneth D. Henson M.D. & Mitzie P. Henson Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Horr Mr. & Mrs. Peter C. Hosmer Ms. Marnie Howell
Mr. Brian Hudson & Mrs. Tatiana Palnitska Hudson Ms. Joanna Johnson Mr. & Mrs. John Kittle Mr. Paul LeBras Mr. Andrew Lemieux Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Linse Liz and Sam Logan Ms. Cheryl Lorge Mr. & Mrs. David Luria Mr. & Mrs. David V. Mahler James P. and Mary S. McArdle Charitable Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation Mrs. Angela Giorgianni Mejicanos and Mr. Julio Mejicanos Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Miller Mr. & Mrs. Sean Murphy Mr. Michael Newhams Mr. & Mrs. James P. Olson Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Pendery Heidi & Paul Phillips Mr. & Mrs. William J. Pitts Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Polidoro Mr. & Mrs. Paul Raggo Dr. Lisa Rosser & Dr. Rick Rosser Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Runge The Savidge Family Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Savidge Barbara & Rick Shaw Ms. Rosemary Shofe Mr. & Mrs. Leopoldo L. Sosa Mr. & Mrs. William D. Speaker Judi & Patrick Steele Mr. & Mrs. Gerard K. Stone Mr. & Mrs. Adam Sulimirski Mrs. Anne O. Swain Dr. Linda Vasilaki & Mr. Yuri Vasilaki Cindy & Mike vonWaldner Ms. Kay Wagner Ms. Deborah Waterman Mr. & Mrs. Roger Williams Patricia Wilson & Chip Woods Mr. & Mrs. Michael Young
NOTE: Annual Fund donors are celebrated in every constituency group they represent.
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Restricted Giving Thunder Athletic Club The Thunder Athletic Club (TAC) is a group of volunteer parents and friends who support Out-of-Door athletics, physical education, and faculty/staff wellness through volunteer and fundraising projects. Currently, The Out-of-Door Academy fields 35 Middle and Upper School teams in 13 sports. Since the varsity athletic program’s inception in 1996, Thunder teams have won an impressive 15 district and regional championships in addition to 51 district, 10 regional, and 8 state individual championships. The volunteer support of TAC has been instrumental in this success, and as participation increases so do financial and volunteer athletic needs. TAC raises funds through the sale of annual memberships, season passes, and Thunder merchandise, as well as hosting the annual Thunder Golf Tournament. In addition to financial assistance, TAC provides volunteer assistance for various athletic duties: helping with ticket sales, scorekeeping, game announcing, and more. TAC also sponsors the “Team Parent Program” in which parents volunteer to assist the coaches with such duties as organizing ticket takers at games, planning pregame meals and snacks for the teams, sending weekly email updates to parents, and hosting the end-of-season team party. Through events, the sale of TAC Passes, and Thor Store sales, TAC raised $54,702 during the 2013-2014 school year, and was able to help sponsor the following:
• • • • • •
Thunder Golf Outing at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club Athletic Banquet High Jump Whirlpool for Training Room AED for Thunder Stadium
• • • • •
Lacrosse supplies Hi Pod System Volleyball pole and net system Swim record board Petrik Thunderdome boards
Thor Signs
Thank you for your support! Please consider joining the Thunder Athletic Club and becoming a part of the winning team!
Thunder Athletic Club Members The Ballance Family The Berkowitz Family The Birmingham Family The Bloch Family The Bregg Family The Buffett Family The Burns Family The Camire Family The Castro Family The Chadwick Family The Coakley Family The Cornetet Family The Costa Family The Crouse Family The Dodge Family The Douglas Family
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The Eakle Family The Edelman Family The Eichenbaum Family The Feeney Family The Fitzgerald Family The Grain Family The Hamburger Family The Hamill Family The Hansell Family The Harris Family The Herrin Family The Holland Family The Humphrey Family The Johnson Family The Kennelly Family The Khazanchi Family
The King Family The Kirsche Family The Koffman Family The Lerner Family The Luhman Family The Maasdorp Family The Mahler Family The Mann Family The McCann Family The Millie Family The Morgan Family The Paxton Family The Phillips Family The Poole Family The Ramsey Family The Robinson Family
The Ruschau Family The Schaeffer Family The Schlotthauer Family The Scott Family The Sforzo Family The Smalley Family The Snyder Family The Sussman Family The Swartz Family The Tengerdy Family The VanSuch Family The Vlcek Family The Weber Family The Woods Family
Thunder Golf Outing 2014 Thanks to the leadership of Teena Humphrey, the Thunder Golf Outing raised over $18,715 in support of the Thunder Athletics program. Held in April on the Cypress Links Course at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club, this year’s Petrik Cup winners were Bob Falahee, Jim Onufrak, Mike Emmons, and Keith Reeves. The Petrik Cup began as an annual sporting event fundraiser, for which the Petrik family was the lead sponsor. Don’t miss your chance this year to add your name to the list of champions at next year’s Thunder Golf Outing, to be held on October 11 during Homecoming weekend.
Thank You to Our Thunder Golf Outing Sponsors Double Eagle First Watch Restaurants Lisa & David Grain John & Teena Humphrey Willis A. Smith Construction Eagle Louis H. Cohen, MD Avery Dodge Steve Eichenbaum The Karp Family Foundation Marygrove Roll Screens Snyder Law Group The Taylor Emmons Memorial Foundation
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Restricted Giving Arts Guild In 2004, a small yet passionate group of parents organized the Arts Guild to formalize, broaden, and strengthen the parent volunteer base for the arts and to raise funds for the “extras” that contribute to the excellence of Out-of-Door’s arts programs. In Head’s Choice Winner for 2014 partnership with the school’s Advancement Office, the Arts Guild Maria-Francesca Massaro-Guglielmo ‘14 has raised over $65,000 to date. Recently we were able to fund: • Sybarite 5 string quintet performances • Visit to SMOA and talk with visual artist Lisa Hoke • Asolo Rep’s touring performance of“Romeo & Juliet” • Florida Studio Theatre performances Masterpiece • Visits by musician Dave Moran to Lower Avery Brunson Dodge School Mr. Steven R. Eichenbaum • Purchase of a cello and a string bass
Arts Guild Members
The LaSalla Family
The Woman’s Exchange
Bravo Benderson Development Co. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Durfee
Ovation Debbie Furman & Jim Young Dr. & Mrs. Fabian A. Ramos Dr. & Mrs. Florian Schuetz
Applause Laura and Jay Crouse Mrs. Leslie Casanova-Ebenbichler & Mr. Wolfgang Ebenbichler Teena & John Humphrey The Karp Family
To continue providing these enriching items and experiences for Outof-Door students, please consider becoming a member of the Arts Guild in one of the five levels of membership. All members receive recognition in the programs at all art displays, musical performances, and dramatic productions. NEW! Introducing our Woman’s Exchange Consignment Program. Visit www.oda.edu/ exchange to learn how your donations of gently used clothing, furniture, and other items can benefit the arts at The Out-ofDoor Academy. Our consignment code is 4946. Thank you to the Woman’s Exchange.
The Munroe Family
Debut The Hill Family
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For more information, contact Tally Harris (650-2898) or Lauren Hersh, Director of Annual Giving (554-3437, lhersh@oda.edu). Thank you for your support!
Restricted Giving Athletic Donations Mr. Steven R. Eichenbaum Florida Orthopedic Specialists and Sports Medicine Christine & James Kuebler Ms. Alana Martinez
Birthday Book Club Mr. & Mrs. Sean Abrams Mr. & Mrs. Adam M. Amdur Anonymous Fran & Jamie Becker Mr. Joseph Cacka & Ms. Carolina Procel Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Carrion The Case Family Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Cassidy, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Chapman Larry & Maria Colditz Karen & Doug Constant Mr. & Mrs. James Currier Ariane & Bob Dart Mr. & Mrs. Lloydman Martin DeFelice Mr. & Mrs. Victor Falck The Famiglio Family Jennifer & Christopher Feeney Mark & Patricia Felsmann Mr. & Mrs. Christian M. Fischer Ms. Linda Harradine & Mr. Jim Fiumefreddo The Frazier Family The Gelvin Family Dr. & Mrs. Adam Getzels Cheryl & Chris Goss Dr. & Mrs. Gregory Hanes Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Harrell Maria & Allen Heise Mr. & Mrs. Brian Hersh Heather Holst-Knudsen Ms. Jill Jaiswal Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Jones Dr. & Mrs. Robert Knego Ms. Ashley D. Kozel
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Dr. & Mrs. William Lahners Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Long Patrick & Hilary McMahon Regan Stacey & Jim Miller Matt & Tina Miller Melissa & Hakim Morsli Tom & Alison Murphy Ms. Jean Palmerton Mr. & Mrs. William Paterson Mr. & Mrs. James Perry Dr. Ken & Chris Pfahler Ms. Sara Popovich Brent & Marisol Proctor Mr. & Mrs. Eric Robinson Dee & Chuck Romito Carie & Andrew Schoenfeld Ms. Terri Vitale & Dr. Christopher Sforzo Jeffrey & Utahna Smith Mr. Richard Spilka & Mrs. Veronika Spilkova The Steinwachs Family Derek & Toni Swartzendruber Dave & Magalie Szabo Ms. Karen V. Vale Stacy & David White Dr. Frederick R. Yturralde & Dr. Jennifer Goodman
Cassis Memorial Fund Greg & Lynnette Cassis
Dobosz Spirit of ODA Award Stephany & Mark Dobosz
Financial Assistance Anonymous Dawn & Paul Holland Radical Media
Lacrosse Program Funding Drs. Rhonda and Daniel Deems
Summer 2013 Renovations Siesta Key Campus Classrooms When teachers, students, and parents arrived for the start of the 2013-2014 school year, they were amazed at the transformation of the three-story building. The classrooms were all fully remodeled with new large windows, custom cabinetry and back pack holders, new tables that seat two students at a time, and new chairs that are designed for student comfort. There were all-new projectors, mobile teacher lecterns, and rolling bookcases that allow the rooms to be flexible while giving the students and teachers the feeling of more space. In addition, we upgraded the air-conditioning system to be more efficient.
Art and Music We doubled the size of both the art and music spaces. The Art Studio was relocated to the north side of campus near the Glendy Huene Library/Media Center and is double the size of the previous space. It has all-new cabinetry and a ceramics/kiln room that will allow for more projects and displays. The music rooms have also doubled in size. There are now two separate spaces, one for instrumental (where the old art room was) and one for chorus. There is also a new private practice room with a soundproof door for one-on-one lessons.
Learning Center The Learning Center was moved to the south side of campus. The space and furniture are all brand new and a great place for one-on-one and small group lessons. This area adjoins the new conference room (formerly Mrs. Runge’s room) which is being used for tutoring as well as school business.
Nurse/Health Center The Health Center was moved to the space that previously housed the third grade classrooms and is centrally located with easy access for parents when necessary. The additional space now accommodates more students and allows them to have more privacy and more space for them to rest. The updated Health Center also provides additional storage space.
Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch Outdoor Sports Pavilion The new Sports Pavilion is nestled between the Petrik Thunderdome and the Middle School. It is a 30-foot-tall steel pavilion over a brand-new basketball and volleyball court. With all-new landscaping, this has become a very popular destination before and after classes.
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Ribbon Cuttings
Grain Family Locker Room Out-of-Door held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Homecoming for the new Grain Family Locker Room on the Uihlein campus at Lakewood Ranch. The Grain family generously donated the funds to construct a beautiful, spacious locker room for the male Out-of-Door athletes, and it is greatly appreciated! Students and athletes will enjoy fully remodeled locker rooms with all new carpeting, ceilings, restrooms, and showers. Even more exciting, the varsity girls and boys are enjoying their own exclusive lockers that would be the envy of any college campus. Designed and built by Wenger, supplier to professional stadiums and colleges, the new lockers are fitted out in ODA blue with wood backs and individual, built-in seats.
Kozel Family Amphitheater This new 200-seat theater is a solid concrete, open-air seating arrangement that surrounds one of our beautiful banyan trees. The theater is faced with stone and has a wood stage. It sits under the spreading branches of the banyan and other mature landscaping so that it is almost always in shade. It has become an instant landmark and popular place for outdoor classes and performances. It will be enhanced by a well-lighted walkway that will be mostly covered and, we hope, a great place for displaying student art and history.
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Banyan Bash Sponsors Thank you for your generous support of the Banyan Bash!
Grand Banyan Sponsors ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design PNC Wealth Management
Senior Banyan Sponsors First Watch Restaurants and The Pendery Family Unique Air & The Montgomery Family
Green Banyan Sponsors The Feeney Family Greenhouse Fabrics – The Cornetet Family The Isaac Family Mary & David Peirce The Ramsey Family
Young Banyan Sponsors Kitty & John Cranor FleischmanGarcia Architecture Planning Interior Design Florida Digestive Health Specialist - Dr. Arun Khazanchi Florida Orthopedic Specialists and Sports Medicine/ Christopher Sforzo, MD The Karp Family Foundation Sharon & Stephen Patrice University Ear, Nose & Throat Associates/ Drs. Dan & Rhonda Deems Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc.
Baby Banyan Sponsors All Glass & Windows, Inc. The Bradbury Family Pam & Richard Brown Bruce & Cindy Cassidy City Wide Cleaning Services CS&L CPAs Ariane & Bob Dart Dr. Robert & Mrs. Stacey Edelman David & Lisa Grain Cathy Hansell, Breakthrough Results, LLC Henson-Personal Cardiology and Internal Medicine John & Teena Humphrey Donna & David Koffman
The Kozel Family The LaSalla Family Si McAninch, DDS, PA The Murphy Family Oasis Outsourcing, Inc. Don & Cyndi Paxton Dr. & Mrs. Fabian Ramos Ringling College of Art and Design Steinwachs Family Foundation Trade Mark Interiors, Inc (Tracee Murphy, ASID) Mike & Cindy vonWaldner Wye River Group, Incorporated
The Out-of-Door Academy’s
BANYAN
BASH growing our family tree
Saturday, March 15, 2014 | Uihlein Campus www.oda.edu/banyanbash Event Co-Chairs: Jamie Becker Donna Koffman Online Auction Committee: Elizabeth Mahler, Chair Deb Beck Susann Chalhub Karen Eckart Jennifer Fox Ashley Kozel Michelle Lea Jill Ramsey Michelle Snyder
Upon arrival, attendees were enthralled by the transformation of the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch, which was illuminated with thousands of lights. From there, guests made their way into the Quad, which was transformed with lights and café‑ style seating. Supporters traversed the Quad toward the Wood Family Amphitheater, where they danced to the music from a fantastic live band, None Other, and generously bid during the live auction and paddle raise. Guests were treated to some of the finest cuisine in Sarasota from our generous restaurant vendors at the event underneath the stars on a gorgeous evening. Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this year’s Banyan Bash such a success. Together we raised $350,000 in support of the people and programs that make Out-of-Door such an exceptional school.
Parent Association The Out-of-Door Academy Parent Association is a purely volunteer organization comprised of all the families in our community. This past year, we were successful in fulfilling our mission to support, promote, strengthen, and enhance our community by organizing and sponsoring many communitybuilding events and by volunteering in many school-sponsored events as well. Participating in Parent Association events is a wonderful way to meet other families and become involved in our community. Back-to-School Coffees, held on all campuses in early September, provided an opportunity to welcome new families to our community, to welcome back existing families, and to share the exciting activities planned for the school year.
Thompson. It was a festive and joyous afternoon and the perfect start to the holiday season! The annual Lower School Movie Night held under the stars on the Siesta Key campus in January was a perfect winter evening. Families huddled in sleeping bags and blankets to watch Monsters, Inc. Thank you to Liz Bentley, Lesley France, and their families for making the evening a resounding success!
Our yearly events concluded with the annual Spring Luncheon Our annual Thunder Fun Day, held in November, is an all-school held at The Francis which focused on recognizing our senior event that was initiated to provide a fun, family celebration in parents who have paved the way for the success of all our a fairlike atmosphere. Usually held at our Uihlein campus and children. Guests were treated to a fashion show hosted by Petrik Thunderdome, this event will be moved to the Siesta Key L. Boutique, fantastic vendors, and an orchid sale underwritten campus this year in celebration of the school’s 90th anniversary. by Better Gro Farms. While fundraising is not the focus of the Parent Association, the Each of you is personally responsible for the success of the Outsuccess of this event has provided the Parent Association with an of-Door Academy Parent Association. As the president of the opportunity to support the school and faculty fiscally. Thanks to Parent Association for the past three years, it has been my honor the continuing dedication of our corporate and family sponsors, and pleasure in having the opportunity to work with and meet many of whom have supported this event since its inception, as so many members of our community. You and your families are well as our parent, teacher, and student volunteers, this event what make our community so strong and such a special place. has grown to become the “must do” event in the fall, raising Thank you for all of your time and support in growing and thousands of dollars and bringing hundreds of families together strengthening our school community. to, among other things, play games, challenge one another on Valerie Leatherwood the obstacle course, win a cake on the “cakewalk,” and listen to Parent Association President music performed by our students. Over the years, the event has grown to include a chili cook-off, an “Amazing Race” fashioned in the Thunder Fun Day Sponsors 2013 spirit of the television program, and a fall flower sale. In December, the annual Holiday Luncheon, held at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club, broke last year’s attendance and fundraising records, thanks to the efforts of our volunteers. Guests were treated to an informative presentation by Board Member Larry
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Thanks to the generosity of the Out-ofDoor community, the Parent Association raised over $20,000 and was able to support the following: • Benches for students honoring our six retirees • Funding for the Marine Science Program • • • • • •
to purchase more tanks and specimens A four–square court on the Siesta Key Campus New coral reef tank for the Lower School Marine Science Program Community Care Club funding for 2014-2015 Internet safety speaker for the Middle School Poetry speakers for the Upper School New equipment for WODA and new television production electives for the Uihlein Campus
Community-building Activities • Back-To-School Coffees at both campuses • Room/advisee parents • Thunder Fun Day • Holiday Luncheon • Holiday thank-you letter and Target gift • • • • •
card to ALL the teachers, administration, staff, bus drivers, and maintenance crew Lower School Family Movie Night Teacher Appreciation Luncheons and gifts on both campuses throughout the school year After Prom Spring Luncheon Banyan Day at the YMCA Water Park for Pre-K -through fifth grade (on last day of school)
Many of you also helped by volunteering at the following school activities:
Parent Association 2014-2015 Executive Board: Michelle Lea, Tammy Karp, Stacy White, Daria Spina, Jamie Becker, Donna Koffman, Courtney Bonacuse, and Christina Schlotthauer
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• • • • • • • • •
MS Pumpkin Carving Book Swap on SK 100 Days Dinner Book Fair on SK Spirit Day Eighth Grade Dinner Senior Dinner Arts Day Grandfriends’ Day
Financial Report* 2013-2014
Revenues – $14,998,000 Other – 7%
Fundraising – 7%
Tuition & Fees – 86%
Expenditures – $15,175,000 Other – 26%
Debt Services – 3%
Tuition Assistance – 11% *Based on unaudited financials
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Salaries & Benefits – 60%
Out-of-Door Alumni 2013-2014 Letter from the Alumni Council Dear Out-of-Door Alumni, Just a few short (11) years ago, I graduated from high school. I had attended Out-of-Door since the first grade and spent the better half of my life commuting to and from the Siesta Key and Lakewood Ranch campuses. I still relive many of my memories from my time on campus: like the time when Mr. Newhams gave this heart-gripping speech at our class’ senior dinner or when I watched the opposing White Team cross the obstacle course finish line on Spirit Day. Good or bad, these memories and strong emotions tend to come hand-in-hand with one simple word: Thanks. I am thankful for every moment, for each teacher, and for every memory that I made at Out-ofDoor. Upon moving back to Sarasota in 2011, I visited the school and asked David Mahler if there was anything I could to do help. His answer was simple: “Stay connected.” Later that year, the ODA Alumni Association (OAA) was revitalized. The OAA’s mission is to provide a social and professional network and a direct connection back to the school for all Outof-Door Alumni. The association is governed by a council consisting of 10 alumni and ODA’s Director of Alumni Affairs, Virgene Linse. Currently the council has three primary positions: President – Kent Hayes Vice President – Michael Calamaras Secretary – Erica Morse Today, the OAA manages four annual events, coordinated the development of class reunions, volunteers on special community service days, and finds additional ways to give back to the school and its students. In the spirit of Out-of-Door’s 90th anniversary, we invite you to become a part of the ODA Alumni Association. Please join us at our next event, follow our group on Facebook, and contact vlinse@oda.edu for more information about our upcoming meetings. Please continue to make new memories with ODA by getting involved. Please stay connected. Kent Hayes, Class of 2003 President, Out-of-Door Alumni Association
“The ODA Alumni Association has done tremendous work this past year. We have actively engaged the graduating seniors and assisted with alumni events not only here in Sarasota but in other cities as well! As a group, the Alumni Association will continue to grow and build upon its successes to form a powerful network of individuals and families from which they may find life and career guidance through networking, and the ability to maintain relationships with classmates and teachers of their alma mater. Like all alumni associations, we hope that we can really give back to a school that helped give us a great education.” Michael Calamaras '06, Vice President, ODA Alumni Association
Alumni Gatherings
Save theOctoberDate 10-11, 2014
10.11.14
Homecoming Weekend
Out-of-Door’s Annual Thanksgiving Alumni Party
More than 25 Out-of-Door alumni and faculty gathered at the Sarasota Raquet Club - Seredipity for the 4th Annual “Night before Thanksgiving” party. We were so excited to welcome back so many alumni, especially from the most recent graduating class, for most of whom this was the first time they had been home since heading to college. ODA faculty were also excited to reunite with former students. A great time was had by all!
Alumni Association Holiday Party In December, over 65 alumni gathered for an Alumni Association Holiday Party. Many alumni had just arrived in Sarasota to spend the holidays with their families. The event was held at the L-Bar at Libby’s Café + Bar with tons of great food. Out-of-Door staff were thrilled to see so many recent alumni at the event. A great time was had by all and put everyone in a festive spirit!
For more pictures and captions, visit
www.oda.edu/alumni
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Alumni Gatherings Class of 2003 Reunion The Class of 2003 celebrated their 10-year reunion on October 18, 2013. The reunion kicked off with a gathering at O’Leary’s on the waterfront. The next morning a few alumni went to Tree-Umph and conquered the ropes course. On Saturday night, everyone met at the Oasis Café to celebrate with former teachers and Out-of-Door’s Head of School, David Mahler. It was wonderful to see so many members of the Class of 2003, including Lofton Alvarez, Kent Hayes, Chloe Lipp, Michael Mei, Lesley (Merrill) Collins, Rachel Morris, Shannon (Neill) McCoy, John Regan and Jordan Minges.
Kent Hayes '03, President of the Alumni Association, said, “ODA is the foundation for so many aspects of my life. Learning, socializing, growing, succeeding. This school has taught me so much. I will continue to give back with the hope that other students who are graduating today will feel the same way 10 years down the road. The 10-year reunion was outstanding. More than 40% of our class returned to Sarasota to celebrate the milestone. It’s amazing to see where people are now. We have alumni who are making movies, creating phone and computer applications, trading on Wall Street, etc. It is no surprise that they have achieved so much, but it is really fun to realize ‘I know them and they are a BIG deal.’”
The best part of the 10year reunion was seeing the members of the class of 2003 and what path each has chosen. They have all had different experiences, are living in different regions of the United States, and are working in various industries with great success.
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Alumni Gatherings New York City Alumni Reunion
Out-of-Door held its first off-site reunion this May in New York City. Hosted at Bondurants, owned by Ryan Sullivan '01. The alumni enjoyed gathering with Head of School, David Mahler. Alumni in attendance were Ryan Sullivan '01 and his younger brother, Kevin '04, Maria Sulimirski '09, William Crouse '07, Michael vonWaldner '11, Gabrielle Balit '09, Lesley Merrill Collins '03, Sam Rega '04, Jordan Keen '04, Vicki Haddow '03, and Philip Crouse '02.
Alumni Social Events One of the best ways to stay connected with former classmates and meet new friends is to attend one of the many events that take place throughout the year. This year, the Alumni Association hosted a variety events, including a Fall Dinner hosted at Cafe Baci, beach get-together at Siesta Key Beach, kickball game at Siesta Key campus, Homecoming Alumni Tent, Reunion 2003, and a Siesta Key Alumni Gathering on the Siesta Key campus. Please follow us on Twitter @outofdoor, Facebook/outofdooralumni, and subscribe to the e-Banyan to get the most up-to-date information about upcoming events.
Class of 2014 Senior Class Agents Selected Six seniors were chosen by their teachers to be the 2014 class agents for The Out-of-Door Academy’s Alumni Association. Colby Elliott, Emma Holland, David Grain, Taylor Karp, Quinton Fitzgerald, and Nikki LaSalla were selected to represent the Class of 2014. Class agents are part of the Alumni Council, which is the governing body for the Alumni Association. Class agents will establish and maintain contact between their classmates and The Out-of-Door Academy community, keeping alumni informed and involved by encouraging their active participation. A luncheon was held on March 12, 2014, at the Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch to congratulate and welcome the class agents. David Mahler, Head of School, congratulated the seniors and urged them to be a strong link between their classmates and the school. Kent Hayes '03, President of the Alumni Association, welcomed them to the association and shared with them how important it is to keep in touch and to give back to Out-of-Door. The new class agents received a certificate and a gift. They are excited to be a part of the Alumni Association and to represent the Class of 2014 in the future.
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Class Notes Siesta Key Alums Dave Tyson
Bob Lonsdale
Katie Erhart Hayes
Dave attended ODS from the fall of 1939 to the spring of 1946 for grades one through seven. His older brother, Blair, also attended ODS, grades five through 10. After ODS, Dave was off to Bolles in Jacksonville because ODS had no higher grades at that time. Dave and his wife, Henrietta, are both retired teachers. Henrietta taught middle school science in public school, and he taught math for 40 years at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania. They have two children, and they are busy in their professions and being retired. Memories of ODS: “Doing somersaults off the dock; visiting fiddler land in the little inlet near the Lower School buildings; climbing the many trees with Bobby Finney; gathering in Fraulein Heubner’s “Shubert House” and watching her gather thumb and two fingers together to get the maximum effect with the first three notes of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp Minor (what a treasure she was for us); getting to ride Pearl Harbor in our horse show near the library (our instructor was Miss Valle, or something like that); speaking French in Miss Stringer’s (or was it Springer?) class; biking to school along the bayou (which isn’t there anymore); Biking everywhere on the key; the little one room grocery store (the only store on the key) where I could get a b-b-bat (toffee on a stick) for a penny; Getting to be Lou Gehrig in a stage production and one of the three kings (“myrrh is mine, it’s bitter perfume”) in another (for a short time I thought there was some kingdom by the name “Orientare”); as a first grader being trusted with a hammer and nail to secure a step on the classroom building ... and much more.” Over these many years, Dave has often wondered where the others in his small class have spent their years. Those he remembers best are Bobby Finney, Geoff Clifford, Dayton Howe, and David Wyckoff. Those years produced fond memories for Dave and his brother.
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Bob attended ODA for three years three years — sixth, seventh, and eighth grades from 1958 to 1960. These were great years! Bob commuted to school by boat; played on ODA’s first football team, which was undefeated; and developed lifelong friendships, including with Jim Rutledge, Steve Ayers, and Carl Luer, just to name a few. Prior to attending Tulane and University of Florida, he attended one of the nation’s best prep schools for boys, Andover. He completed his education in 1969 from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in business and finance. After college and the National Guard, Bob secured a position with Merrill Lynch here in Sarasota, a career as a senior vice president and financial advisor that extended 35 years. During those years, Bob served as a member of ODA’s Board of Directors off and on for more than 15 years. The changes that the school went through were dramatic, to say the least. There were many good times for the board and some difficult times too. All of which led to more great friendships with fellow board members such as David Band, Art Wood, Gerd Petrik, Reed Savidge, Ken Pendery, Peter Hayes, and the list goes on. Bob enjoys his retirement with his wonderful wife, Kristy, their King Charles Cavalier, Princess (who was purchased at the Banyan Ball in 2009), and of course spending time with his daughter, Alexandra.
Katie grew up on Siesta Key and attended the Out-of-Door School from kindergarten through ninth grade (1960-1970). She attended Riverview High School and Georgetown University, where Katie met her husband, Peter Hayes. In 1980, Peter founded Tandem Construction, a local general contracting company located in Lakewood Ranch, where they are both employed. They have lived on Siesta Key since 1982, and they have three children, Susannah (31), Kent (29), and Kelsey (23), who are all graduates of The Out-ofDoor Academy. Kent and his wife, Lauren, and Kelsey all live here in Sarasota. Susannah is a second grade teacher in Somerville, Massachusetts, and she and her fiancé, Nathan Kitler, will be married at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in November of this year. Katie has two nephews, Luke and Tanner Luria, who are current students at Out-of-Door. Katie has been on the SPARCC Auxiliary Board for several years and is an active member at St. Boniface Church. Katie feels lucky to live here on Siesta Key with most of my family within a mile or two – we have family gatherings regularly and appreciate the special bonds we all share ... Out-of-Door is one of them!
Class Notes Siesta Key Alumni Reunion In February, the Lower School campus welcomed some alumni to join us for a reunion in the old library. Eight Siesta Key alums from the 60s, 70s, and 80s enjoyed lunch and reminisced, shared stories, and looked through old yearbooks. Elizabeth Mahler was present to help share in the fun and answer any questions they might have about the past, as she is our school historian. It was a delight to hear what the school was like while they studied on this campus. We laughed together as each one shared his or her memories. The following alumni were able to attend: Steve Ayers, Katie Hayes, Kim Lugannani, Marla Avian Featherstone Scott, Jill Anders, Aaron Bellamy, Bill Dillard, and Kim Madden. Steve Ayers '60 The real “take away” from this luncheon for me was that ODA continues to get better and better, the kids get smarter and smarter, and our alums go on to be upstanding, and outstanding, productive citizens. Katie Hayes (1960 - 1970) Out-of-Door has always been and continues to be a very special place and a community of very special people. Kim Lugannani (1977 - 1983) It is always like time has never passed when seeing my friends from that time, no matter how many years go by. My children attend ODA and it is wonderful to experience ODA through their eyes.
Suzanne MUnroe
Suzanne went to ODA 40 years ago and now her daughter graduated from ODA this year! Suzanne volunteers and gives back to ODA in so many ways.
Sydney “Buffy” Buffum Crampton Sydney graduated from eighth grade in 1969 from Out-of-Door. Her daughter, Elizabeth Crampton '05 is getting married to a fellow Swarthmore College student, Sam Jenkins in January 2015 at the Manasota Beach Club (MBC) in Englewood on Manasota Key. She is currently working in Philadelphia and her financé has a job in Washington D.C. Sydney wants to reach out to her classmate, Abigail Shearer Robinson, to help her plan this gala event. “A shout out to my other classmates – please come to MBC to visit very soon. We have beach front cottages (with kitchens) available all summer with meal plan options during the season. It’s time to revisit ‘old’ Florida.”
Liz Logan
Marla Avian Featherstone Scott (1972 - 1981) For me, walking onto the old campus is like walking through the looking glass. A flood of old feelings and memories almost overwhelm me. I just love my visits back to ODA and the Siesta Key campus; it feels like I am HOME. I hadn’t seen Jill Beatty since we left ODA in 1981, but those years just melted away as we laughed and reminisced at lunch, in the old library. We were two teen girls giggling about “everything” again. Out-of-Door School is a huge part of my childhood and I am so thankful I went there. The memories of ODA are not only in my mind, they live in my heart! Jill Anders It was so great to be back at ODA. So nice seeing old friends and looking around the campus after all these years remembering old times. I only went to school there for a few years, but I have a lifetime of wonderful memories! We are planning more events for the near future. Please contact Virgene Linse, vlinse@oda.edu, to be added to the invitation list.
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Liz attended ODA from 1973 to 1982 (kindergarten through ninth grade). That was back when ODA merged with Prew High School, which she also attended. They live in Sarasota part of the year and travel to their Snowmass, Colorado, home frequently with their three dogs and sometimes their grown boys. She enjoys reading, volunteering for the Humane Society, and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible! “I am always reflecting on the wonderful memories I had at ODA!” her two sons also attended ODA, Sam and Max. “They also share their memories of ODA.”
Class Notes Mark Goldman
Ashley Sears
Russ had been living in Sarasota and Tampa upon graduation working as a registered nurse on the cardiac floor. He is currently on the east coast of Florida enjoying the surf.
Vaughn Babcock Dorrian
Mark attended Out-of-Door from 1974 to 1981. “It is difficult to imagine another situation that could have been so much fun and such an amazing education as The Out-of-Door Academy. We swam with sharks; we had parties on the beach; we were mentored by the most successful parents in Sarasota; and we made friends that we love to this day. It was an education less about career paths and more about finding our gifts. Yet, after graduating ninth grade, I moved to what was considered another great school and tested out of everything that my class was doing. I believe parents who give their child a superior education and a world full of love and happiness will have few regrets in life.” Mark is the AKBD President of Pennville Custom Cabinetry: Cabinetry from the heart of America Since 1956.
Anthony Oliva
Ashley attended Out-of-Door from 1980 to 1983. She is currently living in Sarasota and works for VWR International, a laboratory supply company based out of Philly. She works on their recruitment team and is able to work from home. Ashley is passionate about animal rescue and ALZ research, and she just started paddleboarding and loves it. Her favorite memory of ODA are the “teachers who had such kindness and passion that I still smile when I think about them: Dr. Kissen, Mrs. Vance, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Easton, Coach Brady, Coach Young Mrs. Casey, Mrs. Johnson.” She also fondly remembers the Boar’s Head Pageant held annually at Christmastime.
Haley Pack Flores Haley attended Out-of-Door through eighth grade – 1992. She completed her bachelor’s in hospitality management and is currently employed at Baptist Hospital in Miami as supervisor of warehousing and logistics. Haley is married and the mother of three little girls: Linnea, 10; Alana, 6; and Giada, 3. (See Pack Family Picture on page 83.)
Roxanne & Russell Gaudiel
Anthony attended Out-of-Door from 1982 to 1990. He is married to Bri Oliva (Saba) and lives in Sarasota, where he is a project manager for B.W. Saba Construction. He has three children: Emma (3), Anthony (2), and Logan (4 months). Anthony has fond memories of Spirit Day when it was the Green and White teams and of the lasting friendships that he still has today.
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Rox and Russ attended ODA from Pre-K to 8th grade in 1988 through 1998. After ODA, Rox went to Princeton University and upon graduation played professional hockey in Montreal for one year. Since retiring from hockey, Rox is working as a technical business analyst/database developer at Fortress Investment Group in NYC for her day job. By night, she is working on her own start up company, www. AthletesOn.ly, which is a mobile app to help athletes find and play together.
Vaughn attended ODA from 1985 to 1992 (first to eighth grades). She graduated from Sarasota High School and went to UCF and studied communications and minored in fashion merchandising through FSU, which led her to New York City. Vaughn worked in fashion PR until 2004 when she had her first child and decided to stay at home with her kids. She has three: Elle, 10; Georgia, 7; and James, 5. We live on the Upper East Side with my husband Michael, who was born and raised a New Yorker. Vaughn launched a specialty food company, Hummingbird Fine Foods. www.hummingbirdfinefoods.com Vaughn often thinks back fondly about her time on the Siesta Key campus. She has tried her best to find that same environment and educational experience for her children. She felt that she learned more from her days at ODA than any from other school experience. She learned great study and organizational skills at ODA, and these skills have carried over into starting her new business. The teachers and faculty were all so amazing. Now that she has children in school, she appreciates her ODA experience all that much more. Her parents, Vose, and Cheryl Babcock, and brother, Vose all look back on our time at ODA with such great fondness.
Emily Lerner Stroud
Emily attended ODA from 1991-1992 with Vaughn Babcock on Siesta Key. She lives in Sarasota with her husband, Robert Stroud, who is an attorney at Blalock Walters, and has two children who attend Southside Elementary. Emily started a business two years ago called Hayden Reis (named after her children). Hayden Reis is a line of designer beach bags and accessories made of sailcloth. www.haydenreis.com
Class Notes Rhett Garner
Rhett attended ODA from 1986 to 1995, and as he recalls his time at ODA, all sorts of great memories come to mind. Some of them are of the campus and the classes, but most of them are of his friends and teachers. Looking back, he feels that ODA was the best educational experience he could have asked for as a kid. He is glad to see ODA doing so well, and giving more students great memories. After graduating high school and college, Rhett started work in the financial services field. He spent the first part of his career brokering investment and insurance products as a financial representative. He married Ashley Dobel. He was promoted to management, they moved to Delaware after Ashley finished her master’s degree. They now have a baby boy, Charlie (almost 2 years old) – aka “Little Buddy.” Rhett has been in financial services for nearly 10 years. In addition to becoming insurance and securities licensed, he became a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) and a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®). Rhett completed the course curriculum for the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, and he is working on a Master of Science in finance. This year, Rhett accepted a position as a senior account officer at JP Morgan Private Bank.
Ashley Melissa Palermo
Ashley attended Out-of-Door from 1989-1996. Ashley is currently living in Charlotte, North Carolina, and working at Carmel Country Club until her boyfriend Scott’s baseball season is done. They both plan on moving back to Sarasota! She is very excited to return to her roots. Ashley loved her years at ODA, and is very grateful for that experience.
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Maria Gaudiel Jakes
Maria attended ODA from 1988-1997 from kindergarten through eighth grade. She went on to attend VHS and graduated in 2001. Maria auditioned for a production of Disney On Ice her senior year and “made the cut.” Shortly after graduation she joined the ice show and toured with Disney On Ice for 11 years across 34 countries performing in the ensemble. Maria took a brief break from performing in 2003 and attended FGCU, but she missed being on stage and went back on tour in 2004. While on tour, Maria met her husband, Michael. They eloped in 2011 in St. Thomas and currently reside in Denver, Colorado. Michael is the company manager and Maria is the office manger for Disney On Ice presents Princess and Heroes and for EAT Concepts, and Maria coaches figure skating at the University of Denver. EAT Concepts is a holding company for several small businesses.
Megan Wallin Brockway
but rather her character and leadership abilities. These traits are directly attributable to the learning environment fostered by ODA and its outstanding faculty. She lives in Sarasota with her husband, Matthew Brockway, on Siesta Key. Matthew is an attorney at Icard Merrill and practices in the areas of land use and real estate law as well as intellectual property law.. They got married in the Bahamas in May 2014. She is a professional beach volleyball player and publisher of SpikeKey Beach Magazine, an annual magazine and its accompanying website, www.SpikeKey.com, dedicated to beach volleyball and the beach lifestyle.
George Veale
George attended Out-of-Door from 1986 to 1998. George is a professor at Simons Rock College and a freelance costume designer. He teaches costume design and fashion history. He works in the theater and film department. George’s favorite memories would be making a life rope in art class and spending time in Mr. Mulgrew’s class.
Eric Liss Megan attended Out-of-Door from Pre-K to her eighth grade year in 1997. ODA influenced her immeasurably; the most profound effect was the gift of selfconfidence. At ODA students learn to speak and perform in front of crowds, express their opinions articulately, think critically and logically, and surpass academic benchmarks and expectations. Megan expressed that her experience at ODA helped her in many ways, to attain leadership roles, learn through discovery, become self-motivated and driven, and excel in both academics and athletics. Megan accepted a full athletic scholarship to play volleyball at Michigan State University. She was elected captain her junior and senior years and was inducted into the hall of fame. She felt it wasn’t just for her athletic talents
Eric’s experience at ODA was such a great time, and he has so many positive memories. He attended ODA from 1990 to 2000 from kindergarten through eighth grade. Eric just finished his medical internship year at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, Virginia, and he is currently in Charlottesville, Virginia, working as a ophthalmology resident at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Eric hopes to move back to Sarasota in about four to five years, and he definitely plans on sending his (future) children to ODA.
Class Notes Molly Klauber Biter
feels that ODA provides every opportunity imaginable; all you have to do is choose.
Kaye Warr '99
Landon pack '99
Molly was recently married to Lieutenant Commander Ethan Biter. She has moved to Jacksonville, where her husband is currently stationed. She will continue to operate Go To Girl while there. Go To Girl has been her fulltime job for the past 3.5 years. Molly has also supported nonprofits and small businesses with various reinforcement services. www. mygotogirl.com
lakewood ranch ALUMNI Carrie Smith Collins '99
Carrie has been married for seven and a half years and they built a house in Sarasota. Carrie recently switched professions to be the third generation in their family business (Aladdin Equipment Co., which manufactures pool and spa parts sold internationally). Carrie is keeping her sports medical and athletic training licenses up to date. She will be ready for any opportunity that may arise in the future. Carrie said she had so many wonderful memories from ODA. She would like to say a big thank-you to all of her teachers. Being in the first graduating class is not comparable to any other. The class choices allowed her to pursue her interests. Carrie loved being able to participate in every season of sports. She
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Pack Family Landon completed his Bachelor of Science degree from Kettering University with a double major in electrical and mechanical engineering with a minor in manufacturing engineering. Landon is employed with Advanced Automation, Inc. in Greenville, South Carolins, where he works as a controls engineer and travels a great deal. He is an avid outdoorsman. He remembers fondly the inspirational and supportive ODA Faculty: Robert Mulgrew, Tim Shaffer, Carmen Gauthier, Shelley Stone, and Rodney Woods.
Kaye has recently relocated to New York, and is living in Queens. She is working in Midtown Manhattan for a steakhouse doing the accounting and HR. Until recently, she has been contributing articles for Edible Sarasota. Kaye stated that she sees quite a few people from ODA, both in New York and in Sarasota, and everybody seems to be doing great! She attended ODA as part of the original graduating high school Class of 1999, and her fondest memories involve the classes. “We were so blessed to have such wonderful educators as Mr. Mulgrew, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Newhams, Monsieur Genesee, and Mr. Schaefer.” She has fond and lasting memories.
Charlie Balliette '00
Ben Sprout '99
The past five years Ben has been living in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He is working as a game artist at a studio owned by Sony called Guerrilla Games. The team he works on is currently in preproduction for a new, unannounced project for the PlayStation 4.
Charlie returned to Sarasota this summer. What he started 14 years ago as he left for college turned into nine years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps. It wasn’t expected or planned. September 11, 2001, is a day Charlie will always remember as defining his 20s and the reason for his life’s path.
Getting the opportunity to live and work abroad has been the experience of a lifetime for Ben. It lets him travel around Europe, learn new languages (he now speaks Dutch), and meet people from all over the world, as Amsterdam is an international hub. This city gets tons of visitors despite its being relatively small compared to other top tourist destinations. He loves living in Amsterdam!
Charlie had the privilege of being stationed overseas (his photo was taken in Kyoto, Japan) as well as a bitter-sweet trip to Afghanistan. He is enjoying being home in America as well as Sarasota. He has missed his grill, college football, and riding in his Jeep Wrangler with the top down on spring days. Those and other simple pleasures are waiting to define his 30s.
Class Notes John Crouse '00
John is living in Austin and working as a paramedic. He teaches wilderness first aid for the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute. He is finishing his prereqs for his RN certificate and will start the RN program in the fall of 2014. His intention is to join his mom in some international medical relief efforts as well as get more professional flexibility. John also is excited to be going back to work for Camp Rockmont this summer as their catalyst program director, which is a new program designed to give 16-year-olds an opportunity to recognize their independence and begin to question what it means to be a man in today’s world. “It’s a really cool overlap with what my father did for me when I was 16, not to mention the fact that I will get to go camping all summer!”
Martin Kurzner '00 Martin is a Realtor with EWM International, a real estate firm in South Florida. He works out of one of the Fort Lauderdale offices. He attended Lynn University and University of Central Florida. Martin remembers Spirit Day. It was always fun.
Jordan Letschert '00
A new generation of Sarasota businessman: Sarasota native Jordan Letschert attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where he earned a reputation for academic excellence and professionalism while pursuing a degree in hospitality management. After he graduated, he became the general manager of Café L’Europe, a 30-year-old 300-seat French restaurant in Sarasota. When
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Jordan Letschert was general manager, Café L’Europe was named the Best Restaurant in Sarasota in Profiles of Distinction. In 2005, Jordan Letschert opened his own establishment, Fred’s Restaurant, which quickly expanded to two locations in Sarasota with a total of 550 seats, as well as a 500-seat ballroom and a catering operation. Fred’s quickly achieved regional fame and garnered excellent reviews. In addition, it was engaged as the hurricane relief caterer for Florida Power and Light. When hurricanes struck southwest Florida, Jordan and a crew of 15 served about 2,000 meals daily to the utility’s emergency crews. Jordan made a dramatic departure from his career path in 2008 when he joined the police force of Richardson, Texas. He graduated as salutatorian of his class at the Texas Regional Police Academy. For three years, he served the citizens of Richardson with distinction and was awarded several commendations. In 2011, Jordan returned to Sarasota and embarked on a new career as an entrepreneur, partnering with his brother, Trudo, to form TTJ Investments, LLC. TTJ Investments initially concentrated on purchasing foreclosed residential properties, performing whatever repairs and renovation work were necessary, and selling them on the open market. The company has also invested in a Crunch Gym franchise and is developing plans to open as many as 15 gyms in southwest and central Florida. Thus far five gyms have already opened. In addition, Jordan and his brother Trudo (also an alum) have acquired a partnership in the Galleon Resort and Marina, a well-known fixture in Key West, Florida.
Alexandra Lonsdale '01 Alexandra attended ODA for 10 years from 1990 to 2000 during her Pre-K through eighth grade years, starting at the Siesta Key campus and finishing at the LWR campus. Alexandra graduated University of Florida in 2008 with her master’s degree in elementary education. After teaching middle school for four years, she is currently working as a kindergarten teacher in Dunedin, Florida at a charter school focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The kindergarten class was most recently named second-best in Pinellas County. She is enjoying her new teaching experience.
Betsy Bowers Wild '01
After graduating from Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena, California, Betsy began working in the world of fashion apparel and screen-printed goods. She has since become creative director and partner at Tiltworks Inc. located in Asheville, North Carolina, a product development company specializing in screen-printed T-shirts for companies such as Disney, Hard Rock, and Universal Studios. In the past few years Betsy has transitioned back to Sarasota, Florida, where she lives with her husband, Stefan Wild. Betsy is also growing her ceramic sculpting business and is beginning to dip her toes into the gallery world. Feel free to check out some of her work at betsybowers.com.
Travis Garner '01
Travis works with Symmetry Financial Group and lives in Lakewood Ranch with his wife, Amy, and their two children, Selkie (2) and Uhtred (6 months). Travis started school at ODA in Pre-K, and one of Travis’ favorite memories growing up at ODA was the unconventional marine biology class taught by the beloved Dixie Vance in a little wooden shack on the Siesta Key campus.
Susannah Hayes '01 Susannah attended The Out-of-Door Academy from 1991 to 2001. She began her ODA career in third grade and graduated in 2001. My mother attended ODA as well. After graduating in 2001, Susannah attended Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts,
Class Notes Kent Hayes '03
and received my BA in English in 2005. She briefly returned to Sarasota before moving to Somerville, Massachusetts, and earned a masters in education in regular and special education (K-8) at Lesley University. Susannah is currently teaching second grade at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School in Somerville and preparing for her upcoming wedding to her college sweetheart, Nathan Kitler. The wedding will take place on November 23, 2014, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.
Cass Anderson '02
Cass co-founded guyism.com, which was acquired by Woven Digital last February, and he has now come on board as director of marketing for Woven. Prior to co-founding Guyism, Cass specialized in social media-based audience acquisition for AOL, IGN, IAC, and Kaleidoscope, a division of Interpublic Group. In his time consulting, Cass has worked content strategy for AOLTV, MovieFone, UGO, 1UP, College Humor, Gatorade, and Nike, among others. Cass has lived in New York City for about six years, with his Bernese Mountain Dog, Millie Grace, and his fiancee. Cass is marrying Lindsay Goldberg '05. Their wedding date is January 3, 2015, in Sarasota! Many members of Cass’ Upper School class of 2002 will be in the wedding party. Phil Crouse and Chris Duffy are his co-best men, along with Robert Kavanaugh and Ryan Sullivan as groomsmen. It will be a pretty big ODA affair.
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After graduating from the Out-of-Door Academy, Kent attended Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He graduated with a degree in Business Management in 2007 and immediately entered the workforce. He held two business development positions in the technology/healthcare fields. In 2011 Kent returned to Sarasota, Florida, to take a position with Tandem Construction as their construction services coordinator. In 2012 Kent married his longtime girlfriend, Lauren Tanner. They own a house near Siesta Key with three cats and a dog. Kent is heavily involved in the local community. He sits on several boards and committees for community organizations that serve Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Kent is the current president of the Alumni Council for The Out-of-Door Academy.
Kara Sosa Fredrickson '03
Kara attended Out-of-Door from Pre-K through 12th grade. Kara graduated from Smith College and Barry University School of Law. She is a litigation attorney at Shapiro, Fishman & Gaché, LLP, and currently lives in Tampa, Florida. This past October, Kara married Blake Fredrickson. Blake is also an attorney and practices in the field of complex civil and commercial litigation.
Michael Cummins '04
Shannon McCoy Neill '03
After getting married in December 2012, Shannon was beginning what would be many adventures for herself and her husband, Brian. Immediately after the wedding, they spent the following year and a half traveling and living in various places, including the Caribbean and Central America, as well as driving 20,000 miles around the US, seeing all the incredible sites and cities this country has to offer, and more important spending several months of the 2012-2013 ski season in beautiful Lake Tahoe, California and the 2013-2014 season in stunning Breckenridge, Colorado. Shannon and Brian have currently come back to Sarasota for the time being to prepare for our next big adventure, the arrival of their first child in October! Although their traveling may have to be put on the back burner for the time being, they are overjoyed to eventually show their son the world, or at the very least, give it to him.
Michael is currently working at Google in Mountain View, California. He is part of the SaaS sales team in a sales engineering position for Google Apps for Business. He loves his new job and couldn’t be more thrilled about where life has taken him! He is really working two jobs, because he is also halfway through graduate school (MS Internet Marketing). His current project is an IT crowdsourcing start-up that helps bring efficient and highly scalable IT solutions focused around cloud-based consulting. Michael attended ODA from 2002 to 2004. One of his favorite memories was that he was issued a computer and had Wi-Fi access. He would walk a few miles back to campus after school. In the first few months of school, he would search interwebs, jam to music, and chat with friends in Cali. Everyone at ODA was very welcoming. He joined our school halfway through his sophomore year from 3,000 miles away. It could have been a difficult transition, but it was great. If any of the alumni at the ODA are interested in Google or the tech field, feel free to contact me.
Class Notes Peter Dobosz '04
Peter attended Out-of-Door for nine years beginning in third grade. Peter has spent the last four years as a costuming inventory manager for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. He recently transitioned to the Magic Kingdom Park as a Costuming Guest Service Manager for Entertainment. When he’s not making magic and creating memories, Peter continues to enjoy playing the piano and organ at local churches and relaxing by the pool. Peter and his wife, Melissa, are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary in October 2014 and have a home in Windermere, Florida, just behind the Magic Kingdom Park.
Sam Rega '04
Sam is the video editor at Business Insider, where he edits video and produces documentaries and animated news stories. Sam works in the Manhattan Office.
Emily Krouse '05
Emily graduated from Syracuse University College of Law in May 2013. She successfully passed the New York State bar exam. She was sworn in as a member of the New York Bar on June 25, 2014. She lives in Toronto, Ontario, and is a corporate lawyer at a law firm in downtown Toronto.
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Brian Bercaw '05
Brian has been working at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, Florida, for almost two years. He currently works as a patrol deputy in East Orange County. Beyond his patrol duties, Brian works on a crime prevention task force, which utilizes unmarked patrol cars and surveillance work to counter burglary and robbery crimes. He plans on pursuing a position with the Criminal Investigations Division (detective) with the Sheriff’s Office in the near future. Brian will be getting married to his fiancé, Lauren, in March 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida. His favorite ODA memories are all the great times he experienced playing baseball, basketball, and soccer with great friends.
with two bachelor of Science degrees, one in civil engineering and one in architectural engineering as well as a business administration minor. Upon graduating, he moved back to Sarasota and started a career with MetLife & MetLife Securities. He now has his own practice affiliated with MetLife Premier Client Group in the business markets, focusing on group benefits, qualified retirement plans, and asset management. Michael has stayed involved locally as the vice president of the ODA Alumni Association, the incoming chair elect of the Young Professionals Group of Sarasota, a kukkiwon-certified black belt Tae Kwon Do instructor, and hosting fundraisers with his philanthropy groups Bros 4 Cause and Bros 4 Bras.
Katie Dobosz '06
Hannah Bowers '06
Hannah is an ABD doctoral candidate at the University of New Mexico. She has authored a chapter in an American Counseling Association‑approved textbook and co-authored several journal articles. She continues to practice as a marriage and family therapist in the Albuquerque community and is working toward becoming a certified school counselor. Her research interests focus on school, family, and community collaboration. Hannah has so many wonderful memories from ODA, it is hard to pick just one. She fondly remembers doing the chicken dance at International Day during Pre-K with Mrs. Duffey and Mrs. Pitts.
Michael Calamaras '06 After graduating from The Out-of-Door Academy in 2006, Michael attended the University of Miami, where he graduated
Katie is pursuing her Master of Science degree in global affairs at New York University, concentrating in peacebuilding. Through this program, she is spending two months this summer working in East Timor as a volunteer graduate consultant for Ba Futuru, a peace education NGO. She will be finishing the last year of her degree when she returns to New York City.
Chris Hayes '06
Over the last year Chris has been attending graduate school at Georgetown University and coaching for their football team. During that time, he has attended many Nationals games, worked operations at FedEx Field, and even announced a Georgetown girls basketball game. His ODA life has been similar to
Class Notes Lebron James’. He went to ODA as a student and then took his talents to South Beach, University of Miami. After four years, Chris returned home to work at ODA. As we speak, Lebron is still a free agent.
Julia Rega '06
Julia is a senior graphic designer at the Jewish Federations of North America in New York City. She also continues to work on her own art and this spring had her first solo exhibition of botanicals at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Florida.
Jenny Hepp '07
Jenny is currently living in Atlanta, Georgia, working for Safeco Insurance as their Georgia Agency Specialist. She has been with the company for three years this coming September. This is her second position with the company since starting in 2011. She would eventually like to make my way back down south and handle the Tampa Bay territory. Jenny is also a Pure Barre instructor at the Johns Creek studio. She has been teaching for two years after falling in love with the Sarasota studio in 2011.
Liza Kane-Hartnett '08 Liza is living in Denver and has been since moving out here to go to University of Denver after graduating from ODA. She graduated from DU in June 2012 with a BA in history, with distinction, and minors in both international studies and political science. She has been working for a NGO called
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Oceans Beyond Piracy, which focuses on combating piracy off the coast of Somalia, since December 2012. As successful pirate attacks have declined, they have shifted some of our work to focus on maritime infrastructure and capacity building. She has recently been promoted from project assistant to project coordinator. They are starting a new project that focuses on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Somali waters. The IUU Fishing project, which launched on April 1, is meant to be an extension of our counterpiracy work by enabling the Somalis to manage their own resources to provide greater economic opportunity and decrease one of the initial justifications for piracy in the Somali communities. Liza does plan on applying to graduate school within the next year and plans to study international relations, with a focus on international security and development. Liza accumulated many memories over 13 years. She remembers kickball with Mr. Carey, Spirit Days (Go White!), the Halloween dance, the Senior Retreat, and our trip to Key West. Although basketball wasn’t my sport in the same way that softball and volleyball were, my junior and senior seasons under the watch of Coach Carl Williams were very memorable. Liza also mentioned some teachers as well. She enjoyed her kindergarten experience with Mrs. Linse and Mrs. Cave, and she has always appreciated and respected Mrs. Dozier, Mr. Carey, Ms. Evans, both Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty, and Mr. Lemieux. Mrs. Dozier had the most significant impact on my life, because She has known her for so long, and she taught Meghan and Jesse as well.
James Landis '08 James graduated from the University of Miami in the School of Business. James lives in New York City. James just secured a new position at GE Capital. He is now in corporate finance as a business analyst.
“After graduating from the University of Miami in 2012 and completing a formal two-year GE Capital training program, I have decided to stay with GE fulltime in New York City. Even after enduring one of the worst winters in the past decade this past winter, I have to admit that there really isn’t a better place for a young professional to experience and grow his or her career. New York is not only the financial hub of the world, but also offers opportunities in countless other industries. With endless fun things to do outside of work and plenty of opportunities to network and meet people from all around the world, living in New York City for at least a few years should be on everyone’s bucket list.”
Logan McCann '08 Logan is currently in Chicago in the IT department for BorgWarner. He is most excited for the release of an iPhone App that he has been working on. It is a social media app for taking photos and it should be released August 30.
Kyle Pack '08 Kyle will complete his MBA from Stetson University in June after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a bachelor’s degree in aviation science and a minor in aviation law. Kyle is currently working as a freelance flight instructor in the Orlando area, specializing in advanced students. Upon completion of his graduate work, Kyle hopes to remain in Florida and is seeking a position where he can use his skills and love of both aviation and business. He remembers fondly the inspirational and supportive ODA faculty especially Mr. Joe Runge and Senora Gomez. (See Pack Family Picture on page 83.)
Class Notes Sekou Bangoura, Jr. '09
Zach Balit '10
Sekou is spending 8 weeks in Italy playing ATP Challengers from May to July 2014. He is doing great things in tennis.
Zach is taking a fifth year next year because he has another year of eligibility to play on the golf team at the University of Wisconsin. He will be graduating in May 2015 and then might pursue a golf career or a job in finance after college.
Graham Douglas '09
He graduated from the University of Richmond in May with a BS in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in Chinese. Cameron’s younger brother, Kevin, is going into 10th grade this next year. “We have been and always will be an ODA family. My education at ODA prepared me very well for college and the experiences I have had since graduation.”
Chelsea Firth '10
Westanna Carleton '10 Graham works for GE Capital in asset based lending and portfolio management in Manhattan. Graham’s memories of ODA include the opportunity to go on mini-mesters, where students spent time with friends and teachers in a different environment and really have a good time while learning a lot. Spirit day will always be one of the greatest!
Alex Aberle '10
After attending ODA from 2006 to 2010, Alex moved to Paris to study at NYU’s Paris campus for his freshman year. After living in France, Alex spent two months traveling all over Europe and Asia before moving back to New York City, where he currently resides. Alex recently graduated from NYU with a major in urban design/architecture studies and with minors in French language and computer programming. During his undergraduate tenure at NYU, Alex developed the website LongTermCareFYI.com and later served as the content ,anager for this website as well as AnnuityFYI.com. Always needing to shake things up, Alex left his job as content manager, and got his real estate license during his junior year. He now works at Citi Habitats in the West Village in New York City as a successful rental and sales agent.
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Westanna Carleton graduated from Boston University’s College of Arts and Science from the School of International Relations with a major in Latin American Studies. As a member of BU’s Division 1 rowing team, Westanna won consecutive conference championships and went on to compete at the NCAA level. In 2014 she was named to the NCAA all-regional team. Fluent in Spanish and an avid traveler, Westanna has spent her summer months in Latin America and Europe. Washington, D.C., is where she will focus her career. She is currently out of the country.
Cameron Deems '10
Cameron is now working with the management training program for Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers out in Las Vegas. He is excited to be a part of the Fyzical team. This is Cameron’s first job after graduation.
Villanova University gave her the best four years. She graduated with a biochemistry major and a double minor in chemistry and psychology. She is a member of Alpha Phi Sorority and now has many amazing sisters. Through Villanova, she became very involved in campus ministry. She participated in three fall/spring break outreach trips and had the chance to lead one trip. These trips range from building homes to community outreach. These trips took her to places such as Georgia, Guatemala, Belize, and the Dominican Republic, where she was trip leader. She now plans to go to graduate school at Boston University, where she will receive her master’s in health care emergency management. This degree provides action and preventive planning for natural and man-made disasters. After her master’s program, she will begin the job search. Chelsea also completed the Philadelphia Marathon.
Sara Freund '10 Sara graduated from Syracuse University where she majored in writing and rhetoric with a minor in European history. She loved going to college at Syracuse; its hard for me even to put into words. She joined Kappa Alpha Theta her freshman year, and it was incredible to be surrounded by such driven, hilarious, intelligent, and true friends. Syracuse is an amazing school, and I will always think of it as home. She will always be an Orange basketball fan!!
Class Notes Master of Architecture program. She is eager to begin this new chapter and is looking forward to further realizing and developing her professional ambitions.
Colleen McGrath '10 One thing she will always be grateful for is the outstanding study abroad program Syracuse provides. In the fall semester of her junior year she studied in Madrid. She traveled to 10 different countries and 22 cities in four short months. It was that opportunity that helped her realize how much she loved traveling, writing, global politics, new cultures, and different foods. Sara is now pursuing a master’s of science in journalism at the Medill School of Northwestern University. Three professors at Syracuse inspired and pushed her to take my ideas, arguments, and writing further. She is excited to be living in Chicago; it is already her favorite city! Her parents are from Chicago and her mom also attended Northwestern. After Sara graduates next year, her dream would be to work for National Geographic or at one of the New York Times’ foreign bureaus. She knows for sure that she wants to travel and write!
Colleen loved her college experience at Rollins College. She was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and she completed a bachelors degree in elementary education. She plans on getting her master’s in elementary education with a reading specialization. After her master’s, she will become a teacher and would like to teach first grade! Out-of-Door gave her the skills to succeed at Rollins, especially her writing skills.
Andrew McInnis '10
Violette Levy '10
After graduating from ODA in 2010, Violette continued her education at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts Additionally, she spent her junior year abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she focused on Scandinavian and European architecture, expanding both her skills and interests in the field. Violette graduated this spring with a major in architecture studies, which culminated in the completion of her senior thesis focused on the Modernist approach to master planning. In the fall, Violette will be continuing her education at the University of Pennsylvania’s
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While attending Washington & Jefferson College Andrew received grants to travel and do research in Ecuador and Fiji and also study abroad in Australia. He graduated May 17th with a duel major in Biology and Environmental Studies. Andrew was accepted into the Peace Corps and worked in Ecuador within their environmental sector. He thanks all his ODA teachers.
world of British parliamentary college debate. Debates ranged from economic issues to animal rights to sports, and as a team, we often traveled to other colleges for tournaments and often found ourselves saying “inherent” and “status quo” and quoting John Locke. She learned from her time on the debate team that she wanted to pursue environmental law. She has always had an inclination toward environmental concerns, but debate showed her a path that allows her to advocate for environmental issues while understanding the importance of approaching a problem from multiple perspectives. The second experience that shaped her college years was the time she spent abroad in Mendoza, Argentina. Those were the most memorable four months of her life. She lived with a wonderful host family, traveled, took classes, and most important, took full advantage of speaking Spanish wherever she went. The last part made all the difference and allowed me to feel at home in Argentina. Marjorie is currently living in Buffalo, New York, and working as a camp counselor for the summer. She plans to take the LSATs in the fall and eventually apply to law school. She looks forward to becoming an active member of her new community in Buffalo, while also remaining part of the ODA family and community of Sarasota.
Anika Pack '10
Marjorie Mitchell '10 There are two experiences that shaped Marjorie’s college experience. As a first-year student at William Smith College, she wanted to try something challenging that would also allow her to make friends. So naturally she signed up for a lot of different clubs. It was not until after a chance encounter with a member of the HWS debate team that she found what she was looking for. Suddenly, she was immersed in the
Anika recently graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, receiving the Peter Gould Award in Geography from Colgate University
Class Notes with a bachelor’s degree and double major in geography and Spanish. Anika is spending the summer in Toronto submitting resumes and is entertaining the possibility of grad school in postgraduate geography with an eye toward GIS systems. She remembers fondly her inspirational and supportive ODA faculty especially Mrs. Laura Murphy.
of comprehensive instruction necessary to help her become an independent thinker and effectively communicate her ideas.
Brandon Calamaras '11
Veronica Rosser '10
Veronica graduated this past May with a BFA in animation and illustration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work was recognized when her stop-motion animated short film was screened at the Gene Siskel Theatre along with other graduating BFA and MFA students. Veronica enjoyed her four years in Chicago. She had amazing teachers and met many friends. She plans to relocate to Seattle, Washington, this fall to pursue a career in illustration and animation.
She is grateful for her time at ODA, particularly for the teachers who encouraged critical thinking and writing skills. The class size and structure at ODA allowed for the kind
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Nick is a rising senior at Macalester College. His major is media and cultural studies. “Academically I was very prepared for the college scene.” Nick is currently working at a summer camp as a cooking instructor and will be looking for a job shortly as a camp professional or in the child care profession.
Wesley Kean ‘11 Brandon is currently pursuing an MBA in marketing at the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. Brandon stated that being a part of the accelerated management program has pushed him beyond his limits, but his time at ODA prepared him well for this challenge. With an undergraduate degree in economics and an MBA in marketing, Brandon is looking forward to new experiences and opportunities in the coming years.
Austin Ferro '11
Dylann Turffs '10
Dylann graduated from the University of Miami with degrees in psychology and English with a focus on creative writing. During her time at The U, she enjoyed working with special needs kindergarteners as a teacher’s assistant, participating in the yearly poetry and literary festivals, scuba diving on nearby reefs, and frequenting the swamps and hiking trails of Everglades National Park. She currently works for a Miami bookstore helping to establish a local publishing press and is working on a children’s novel.
Nick Cantino '11
This year Austin started his senior year at Skidmore College, where he will be earning his degree in neuroscience. Currently, he is working under the summer collaborative research program at Skidmore, where he researches neurodegenerative disorders. His research mainly revolves around a debilitating genetic disorder, spinocerebellar type 1, and how mitochondria are involved in disease progression and etiology. “I love my time in the lab and plan on applying to PhD programs or research assistant positions next fall.” He has also been playing collegiate polo for the Skidmore team, where this year they played in the regional finals against Cornell. “Even though I don’t frequently see many ODA alumni, my time there is greatly missed.”
Wesley is at Georgia Tech pursuing undergraduate studies in Operations & Supply Chain Management with a Minor in Engineering Management. He has made either Dean’s List or Faculty Honors (4.0 GPA) every semester. In April, he was selected from his entire Georgia Tech Junior class to receive the annual “Outstanding Leader” award for the Scheller College of Business. Earlier this year, he was accepted into the prestigious Denning Technology and Management Program. Pictured here with his sister, Anna, also at Tech and a rising Sophomore (she received Dean’s List Spring semester) and is a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
Brian Ragone '12
(Pictured with his brother Chris.) Brian has finished his sophomore year at Amherst College and he is truly grateful for the education that Amherst offers inside and outside the classroom. Much like The Out-ofDoor Academy, he benefits from small classes, approachable professors, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. He has extended his interest in math
Class Notes into a declared Mathematics major; many thanks to the influential teachers and professors in the Math department throughout his high school and college years. Athletically, the Lord Jeff’s Varsity Football team has earned an accumulative 13-3 record the past two years, and a notable 2-0 record against Amherst’s rival, Williams College. Additionally, he is a member of the Finance Club at Amherst, but the majority of his time is spent in Frost Library trying to figure out challenging math problems for the ensuing weekly problem set; for instance finding the determinant of a 5x5 matrix, which has been the most tedious of tasks in my college work.
Kate Douglas '12
Kate is going to the University of Melbourne in Australia this summer for six months to study abroad. She is excited about the adventure ahead.
Joseph Grano '12
Joseph is currently studying abroad in Adelaide, Australia, for the month of July and is returning in August. He is taking courses and earning credits. Joseph is working on a double major in finance and marketing from Butler University. He has started his own business called TripSlips. This is a product that he presented to the Real Business Experience Class at Butler and has grown the business quite successfully. His current role in the business is chief marketing officer, and he will continue the business throughout the holiday season. The product is a Butler Universitythemed slipper with a “B” on the back to symbolize Butler or Bulldog. More information can be found at indytripslips.com. One of Joseph’s favorite memories at ODA was the making of his sixth grade stone!
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Audra Pack '13
the time, and seeing the same people five days a week – these are what he felt were annoying. However, the huge contrast that Wyatt underwent at NYU, being a part of a 22,000‑person school, brought him a newfound appreciation of the close-knit culture at ODA
Brittany Wenger '13 Audra completed her freshman year at Wofford College with honors. She secured a position as RA for sophomore year, is a Wofford tour guide and is a member of Alpha Phi Omega fraternity (yes, fraternity). Audra plans to major in applied psychology and possibly a double major in Spanish. She recently returned from a trip with Students Helping Honduras, where she helped other college students from around the country build schools in a remote village outside San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Audra is working as an adventure camp counselor for the summer with the YMCA at Potter Park, Sarasota. She remembers fondly her inspirational and supportive ODA faculty especiallu Noël Dougherty & Margarita Dooley.
Wyatt Page '13
After graduation, Wyatt’s first year at NYU brought new academic challenges in terms of material and grading structure. The majority of his classes were graded on a curve, which he found out can hurt you just as much as it can help you. Overall Wyatt feels as though he became a stronger student, and he is looking forward to overcoming new challenges he will face in his sophomore year. Wyatt felt ODA did as much as any college prep school could do to prepare him for college; however, there are some definitive differences between college and high school that is difficult to be prepared for. Going to college has an interesting way of making him appreciate the once-annoying things in high school. The constant heckling from teachers, being watched closely all
Brittany, now a freshman at Duke, is an enthusiastic, articulate young woman who is so well versed in the science she studies that it can be tough to follow her rapid technical explanations.” (From a feature on TED’s Explore ideas worth spreading, every weekday. This college freshman is a cancer detective: A Q&A with Brittany Wenger. Brittany’s work and research in computer programs that improve the accuracy of tests for breast cancer and leukemia has been honored by the Intel Science Talent Search, the Google Science Fair, and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and she was named one of Time Magazine’s 30 under 30. Brittany’s breast cancer test, which has its own app, is now in beta tests with two cancer research centers. Brittany was also Listed as one of the 25 Most Impressive High School Graduates in America in 2013 by the Business Insider and featured on CBS National News. She has visited President Barack Obama, sat on a roundtable hosted by Rep. Kathy McMorris Rogers and the Energy & Commerce Committee for a discussion on how to get more women to pursue STEM careers, addressed the Royal Society of Medicine in London about using artificial intelligence to teach computers to diagnose cancer, and spoke at TEDxWomen, where she explains her award-winning breast cancer research. Brittany has been studying at Oxford this summer and will be going into her sophomore year at Duke University, where she will continue her research.
444 Reid Street | Sarasota, FL 34242
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The Out-of-Door Academy th
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Wednesday, August 20 | First Day of Classes Friday, September 19 | Convocation Friday, October 10 | All-School Picnic & Homecoming Game Saturday, October 11 | Thunder Golf Outing Saturday, November 8 | Thunder Fun Day Friday, February 20 | Grandfriends’ Day Saturday, March 14 | Banyan Ball Thursday, April 2 | Spirit Day Saturday, May 2 | Arts Day Saturday, May 30 | Commencement
w w w. o d a . e d u / 9 0Ye a r s