THE BRIDGE A P U B L I C AT I O N O F P H O E N I X C O U N T R Y DAY S C H O O L
Summer 2019
THE BRIDGE Phoenix Country Day School, Summer 2019
Andrew Rodin Head of School Gay Firestone Wray Chair for Leadership Roz Bolger Abero ’89 Assistant Head of School Katie Charles Director of Annual Giving & Stewardship Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99 Director of Alumni Relations Chris Hall Director of Communications & Marketing Tina Pitts Advancement Coordinator Lydia Rodin Advancement Events Coordinator and The Bridge Editor Largo Photography, Hinz Photography Feature Photography Other photography and articles: PCDS students, faculty, and staff
The Bridge is published twice each calendar year—winter and summer. An Annual Report on Philanthropy is also sent each fall. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please email The Bridge at communications@pcds.org. © 2019 Phoenix Country Day School. All rights reserved. This Page: Ava Rossides ’19 and Ida Jackson ’19 enjoy laughs with friends prior to graduation 2019.
Contents
ON THE COVER
Cindy McCain, with the help of Grant Woods, launches the Maverick Speaker Series. See page 8 for details.
ON THE BACK COVER
Two generations of Eagles: Clarissa Robinson ’88, Josie Robinson ’26, Lilly Robinson ’22, Brian Robinson, Ellie Robinson ’25
Inside this Issue: All the latest news from PCDS Upper School (US), Middle School (MS), and Lower School (LS), plus alumni features and philanthropy highlights. 2 Message from the Head of School 4 State of the School Breakfast 6 Louis Family Society for Planned Giving 8 Maverick Speaker Series with Cindy McCain 10 Spring Musical 12 Student Art 14 Athletics 19 Spring Snapshots 20 Robotics 21 MS Commencement 22 Speech & Debate 24 Retirement 25 Faculty News and Notes 26 Message from the Alumni Board President
27 2019 Outstanding Alumna of the Year 28 Athletic Hall of Fame 30 Alumni Spring Events 32 IMPACT 34 Erik Weihenmayer’s Visit 35 Save the Date: Alumni Holiday Party 36 College Destinations 38 PCDS Lifers 39 NCAA Eagle Athletes 40 Save the Date: Reunion Weekend 41
Class Notes
55 PCDS Connect 56 Philanthropy
PCDS MISSION PCDS prepares promising students to become responsible leaders and lifelong learners through an education that emphasizes intellectual engagement, independence, collaboration, creativity, and integrity.
SUMMER 2019 | 1
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Planning for Success
L
ike so many of you, I found myself captivated this summer by the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which was being played in France. Every four years, the nations of the world vie for dominance of the global soccer landscape. Traditionally, the United States has been the favorite. Since 1991, with the tournament’s inception, the Red, White, and Blue have been in command: four world championships in eight cycles, 40 wins versus only four losses, and a gaudy 138-38 goal advantage. Impressive, indeed. So their victory this year should not have come as a surprise, nor should it have stood out from their other successful campaigns. However, as I listened to the players and coaches speaking to the media after the final about this current squad, a theme stood out to me. Each in her own words, the team spoke of their journey like this:
We formulated a plan. We all rallied around the plan. We executed the plan. And we won. This process should not be earth-shattering to any of you, but I believe it’s worth paying attention to; far too often these days are we seeing things go awry because of a lack of foresight. And it’s certainly relevant to PCDS. Last spring, the Board of Trustees approved a Strategic Plan that looks five years into the future of our School. It creates a roadmap for our community to follow as we strive to bring our students the very best education the country has to offer: the education that they all deserve. The plan, which will be shared in its entirety this fall, turns the spotlight on seven critical issues, including a heightened dedication to Academic Excellence; a focus on the Arts; the growth of our Endowment; and our commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity.
Above: PCDS Board of Trustees. Back row, from left: Nick Firestone ’84, Lou Werner ’87, Head of School Andy Rodin, Charlie Shields, David Lewis. Middle row: Kiran Singh, Michelle Hosmar, Tracy Brennan, Darryl Berger, Charlene Whitfill, Margaux Rosen, Laurie Tutag-Wang. Front row: Mercedes Liljegren, Tracy Schwimmer, Taylor Burke, Jordan Rose, Tiffany Pondelik ’00. Not pictured: Don Dady, Adam Goodman, Donna Johnson, Tim Louis ’81
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Tracy Brennan President Charlene Whitfill Executive Vice President and Vice President Trusteeship
Andrew M. Rodin P ’19, ’19, ’25 Head of School Gay Firestone Wray Chair for Leadership
Above: In attendance for a winter board meeting were the following Advisory Trustees: Dan Donahoe, Bert Getz, Susan Bansak, Nick Sakellariadis ’69, Gay Wray, Nan Miller, Garth Wieger
Tiffany Pondelik ’00 President, Alumni Association Board Laurie Tutag-Wang President, Parents’ Association
David Lewis Vice President Finance/Operations
Advisory Trustees:
Lou Werner ’87 Vice President Advancement
I look forward to working with all of you to execute our 2019 Strategic Plan.
Andrew Rodin Head of School
Michelle Hosmar Vice President Facilities Planning
Charles W. Shields Vice President Finance/Investments
Ben Franklin, who likely would have been thrilled with his country’s most recent World Cup achievement, reminded us that “by failing to plan, you are planning to fail.” And much as it was with the Women’s National Soccer Team, failure for us is not an option.
Ex officio:
Darryl Berger Taylor Burke Don Dady Nicholas S. Firestone ’84 Adam Goodman Donna Johnson Mercedes Liljegren Tim Louis ’81 Jordan Rose Margaux Rosen Tracy Schwimmer Kiran Singh
Beverly Bradway Susan J. Bansak Daniel J. Donahoe III Bennett Dorrance Susan Garrity Samuel Garvin Bert Getz Donald R. Loback Nan P. Miller Jahm Najafi Ellie B. Nolan Frederick M. Pakis Nicholas J. Sakellariadis ’69 Jonah Shacknai Shoshana B. Tancer Garth Wieger Gay F. Wray
PCDS is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), which sets forth guidelines for independent school governing boards. To view the Principles of Good Practice, visit www.pcds.org/admissions/the-independent-school-difference.
SUMMER 2019 | 3
Top: Head of School Andy Rodin moderates a Q&A with student panelists. From left: Ryan Horlick ’20, Ujji Bathla ’22, Alex Tam ’19, Sydney Hott ’20. Bottom row: Tim Louis ’81 and Tracy Brennan; Kiran Singh, Amanda Crisalli, Valentina and Anand Acharya; Tim Riester and Gay Wray
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SECOND ANNUAL
STATE OF THE SCHOOL BREAKFAST APRIL 9, 2019 This past April, we welcomed members of the Honorable Mae Sue Talley Society—comprised of donors whose lifetime giving is $25,000 and above—to the second annual State of the School breakfast. This year’s event took place on Founders’ Lawn on the PCDS campus, and featured a student panel and an address by Andy Rodin. Upper School students spoke about what they believe makes PCDS special, and this year, Mr. Rodin focused on some highlights from our forthcoming strategic plan, to be fine-tuned and released in the 2019-20 school year to the greater PCDS community. In addition, Trustee Tim Louis ’81 invited the Talley Society to consider joining him and his wife Amy in becoming members of the Louis Family Society for Planned Giving. We are grateful to the generosity of so many past and present families and alumni who have helped shape our School!
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Louis Family Society FOR
PLANNED
GIVING
The Louis Family Society for Planned Giving recognizes members of the extended PCDS community who have included the School in their estate plans in some fashion, ranging from a bequest intention to a trust arrangement. Special thanks to the following individuals, whose commitment makes them founding members of this new society. Rosalind Bolger Abero `89 & Inaudi Abero Tracy & Bill Brennan
Cristina & Shane Lewis Amy & Tim Louis `81
Hathaway & Galen Brewster
Carolyn Polson O’Malley `65 & Mark O’Malley
Judy Mitchell & Lance Coon
Lydia & Andrew Rodin
Elaine & John Crabb
Mary & Paul Schweikher
Donna & Stephen Johnson
Tracy & Marc Schwimmer
C. Ryan Joyce
Shoshana & Robert Tancer
Jean & Robert Kosower
Lea & Lou Werner `87
Dorian Elder Kuper `73 & Tom Kuper 6 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Ways to Leave a Legacy GIFTS FROM YOUR WILL OR TRUST The most popular way to make a planned gift is with a simple bequest to PCDS. Through your will or other estate plans, you may name PCDS as the beneficiary of a portion of your estate or of particular assets in your estate.
GIFTS FROM A RETIREMENT PLAN Donate assets subject to taxation and leave more to your family.
GIFTS FROM YOUR DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS Make an outright gift from your donor-advised fund or name PCDS as the ultimate beneficiary of the remainder in the fund.
GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE Make a significant gift to PCDS even without a large estate by naming PCDS as the beneficiary of your life insurance.
GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE Donate a valuable asset in exchange for powerful tax benefits.
LIFE-INCOME GIFTS There are a variety of tax-advantaged life-income gifts that you may wish to consider, including Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Gift Annuities. Please consult with your tax advisor or estate attorney about tax implications and which options are best for you.
r
For more information or to let us know you have arranged for a planned gift, contact: Roz Abero ’89, roz.abero@pcds.org, 602-955-8200 x 2221
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An Evening with Cindy McCain Kicks Off Trailblazing Series Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods moderated a conversation with Mrs. McCain about family, character, and civil service
Hosting an annual speaker series for our School and the greater community has been a goal of PCDS for several years now. So, when William (Fritz) Henze ’67 stepped up in the summer of 2018 to say that he’d like to help launch an annual series, a committee was quickly assembled with the objectives of both crafting a name for the series, and batting around names for a possible inaugural speaker.
presidential campaign: “If you haven’t had the opportunity, especially to the students in the room, to read John’s speech, I suggest you pull it up. He framed what our country was: ‘we can agree to disagree, we can fight like cats and dogs, but remain friends.’ It was about honor, courage, and dignity for both presidential candidates.”
Mrs. McCain and Mr. Woods Less than a year later, the Maverick were united in their thinking that Speaker Series kicked off on an audacious spirit can make a Wednesday, February 20, 2019 difference in any community. in front of over 600 guests— “John McCain defines this series, current students, parents, faculty MAVERICK. He was the embodiand staff, as well as alumni and ment of service to a cause greater PCDS neighbors—to hear former than yourself,” proclaimed Mr. PCDS trustee Mrs. Cindy McCain Woods. This message resonated Cindy McCain (P’03, ’04, ’10, G’10) (P’03, ’04, ’10, G’10) speak about with so many of the audience her own, her husband’s, and her members, particularly because it family’s life journey. Hosting Mrs. parallels an underlying principle McCain made perfect sense, after all, for the series had of our own School’s educational responsibility to its students. been aptly named in honor of her late husband, Senator John Other topics that were touched on that night included disMcCain. The Maverick Speaker Series, formally known as the cussions around human rights, the climate, and education. At Senator John McCain Memorial Speaker Series at Phoenix the end of the evening, Mrs. McCain expressed her gratitude Country Day School, was created to host visionaries and for launching this special series, “My husband would have trailblazers who—like the late Senator John McCain—have been so honored to have this, and I’m so glad that it’s here blazed their own trails in the world. at PCDS. What a wonderful opportunity for you to have your Mrs. McCain was joined on stage that February evening— children at this wonderful school. It certainly provided the in a transformed Najafi Gym—by her family friend and opportunities that our children have now. I hope you underformer Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, who served stand that and respect it.” as the moderator. Conversation topics generally centered around humanity, the importance of individual character, Thank you, Mrs. McCain for your family’s service to our and the need for optimism and civil service. This included a country and our world. n discussion around the importance of debating and disagreeing respectfully. Mrs. McCain highlighted her husband’s To view the full conversation with Grant Woods and Cindy McCain, visit pcds.org/maverick message in his 2008 concession speech after a hard-fought
“My husband would have been so honored to have this and I’m so glad that it’s here at PCDS.”
Mrs. McCain spoke separately in a smaller, casual setting to US seniors. Facing page, back row: Michael Rosenthal ’19, Michael Slate ’19, Lanie Walkenbach ’19, Max Montrose ’19, Maddie Wilmink ’19. Seated: Zoe Bienert ’19, Cindy McCain, Bella de Roos ’19, Kassra Tehranchi ’19
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STUDENT SECTION
Wizard of Oz: Spring Musical By Allie Dever ’20
There are many words one could use to describe the classic story of the Wizard of Oz: timeless, nostalgic, whimsical. It’s a universal tale that manages to connect generations of people—from all over the world—through their love of Dorothy’s adventures in Oz and the lessons she learns along the way. Dorothy’s responsibility to her audience, as the human vehicle to connect to and enter this fantastical story—a world that begins in a humble, rural home in Kansas and, after a life-altering tempest, ends in the wonderful land of Oz—was a uniquely magical experience for me. Rehearsals
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were my favorite part of the entire process because they were entirely collaborative, as we all worked to find different—and the best—ways to bring all of our characters to life. Never once did I leave rehearsal without a smile on my face. It’s not often that you’re in an environment full of so much love. It was a space where our imaginations were limitless. It was a place where we could escape into a different world. Everyone involved with these productions works so hard —the actors, the crew, the orchestra, the costume crew— that it is truly an incredible feeling when it all finally comes together, as it did so harmoniously for our spring musical.
My favorite part of Oz was the dance number called The Jitterbug. It was an upbeat, physically demanding number, and I quickly learned how difficult it was to both sing and dance at the same time. But all the strenuous time and work we put into that number—and into the show as a whole— made for the best memories, and the most rewarding and fulfilling experience. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities that our School’s theater department has provided me, and I look forward to contributing to our theater’s magic for years to come. n
Above: Kevin Wang ’20 (Scarecrow), Lucas Oland ’22 (Tin Man), Bennett Montrose ’21 (Lion), Allie Dever ’20 (Dorothy). Below: The PCDS Oz cast performed—along with 25 other schools—on ASU’s Gammage stage during a showcase celebration of high school musical theater.
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STUDENT ART
Scenes from Arts Walk 2019
Top row: Shea Tomlin ’19; Brooke Vella ’27, Mady Nakaji ’27, Camila Acharya ’27; Ferris wheel. Middle row: LS Pac-Man; MS eye projects; MS ceramic food projects. Bottom row: LS art; One-act play with Lucas Oland ’22, Sydney Hott ’20, Alain Kouchica ’20, Sam Roland ’19; One-act teacher play with Keith Burns, Kelsey Knutson, Ryan Joyce, Colin Reynolds
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Sketch by Maddie Wilmink ’19
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AUDREY LECLAIR AZ Central Girls’ Athlete of the Year, State Champion Long Jump (track), State Champion High Jump (track), All Conference First Team (softball), All Region Offensive Player of the Year (softball), All Region First Team (softball), All Conference Honorable Mention (basketball), All Region Defensive Player of the Year (basketball), All Region First Team (basketball) Audrey will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall of 2019. She was recruited to play softball for the Wolverines.
ATHLETICS
Winter and Spring Athletic Award Recipients Congratulations to the following US students for athletic awards in winter school sports.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Division Recognition:
Division Recognition:
All Conference Honorable Mention: Audrey LeClair ’19 All Region Defensive Player of the Year: Audrey LeClair ’19 All Region First Team: Audrey LeClair ’19, Natalie Lewis ’20 All Region Second Team: Hannah Miraglia ’19 All Region Honorable Mention: Mira Kaibara ’20, Sanya Mittal ’21 All Section Coach of the Year: Sean Newland
All Conference Honorable Mention: Jakob Feng ’19 All Region Offensive Player of the Year: Jakob Feng ’19 All Region First Team: Jakob Feng ’19 All Region Second Team: Daniel Gomez ’20, Ty Rodin ’19 All Region Honorable Mention: Griffin Freret ’20, Jake Rodin ’19
State Playoff Qualifier
State Playoff Qualifier
Internal School Awards: Coaches’ Awards: Audrey LeClair ’19, Natalie Lewis ’20, Hannah Miraglia ’19 Eagle 4-Year Award Winners: Audrey LeClair ’19, Hannah Miraglia ’19, Audrey Novoa ’19
Girls’ JV Basketball Internal School Award: Coaches’ Award: Rachel Cooper ’21
Jakob Feng
Internal School Awards: Coaches’ Awards: Jakob Feng ’19, Jake Rodin ’19, Ty Rodin ’19 Eagle 4-Year Award Winners: Jakob Feng ’19, Michael Slate ’19, Ty Rodin ’19, Phillip West ’19
Boys’ JV Basketball Internal School Award: Coaches’ Award: Chris Santos ’21 Sean Newland
GIRLS’ SOCCER Division Recognition: All Region Defensive Player of the Year: Ryan Schumacher ’21 All Region First Team: Kate Cereghini ’20, Ryan Schumacher ’21 All Region Second Team: Hailey DeMark ’22, Ali Garvin ’19, Lauren Garvin ’19 Ryan Schumacher All Region Honorable Mention: Emme Kate Hackett ’22, Ava Rossides ’19, Charlotte Sevrain ’22
Internal School Awards: Coaches’ Awards: Ali Garvin ’19, Lauren Garvin ’19, Ava Rossides ’19 Eagle 4-Year Award Winners: Sonnet Richmond ’19, Ava Rossides ’19
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ATHLETICS Congratulations to the following US students for athletic awards in spring 2019 school sports.
BASEBALL State Playoff Qualifier
Eagle 4-Year Award Winners: Allison Hunter ’19, Audrey LeClair ’19, Maddie Wilmink ’19
Division Recognition:
TRACK & FIELD
All Region Offensive Player of the Year: Cameron Miller ’20 All Region First Team: Dylan DeFilippis ’20, Daniel Gomez ’20, Gabe Korer ’19 (position player), Cameron Miller ’20, Cole Sorosky ’22 All Region Second Team: Cameron Miller John Moore ’20, Gabe Korer ’19 (pitcher and catcher)
State Champion Long Jump: Audrey LeClair ’19 State Champion High Jump: Audrey LeClair ’19 Third Place 300 M Hurdles: Jackson Sigalove ’20 Fifth Place High Jump: Ty Rodin ’19 Seventh Place Long Jump: Ty Rodin ’19 Ninth Place Javelin: Azin Askari ’19 Thirteenth Place 3200M: Claire Linos ’21 Thirteenth Place Discus: Jake Rodin ’19
Internal School Awards:
Internal School Awards:
Coaches’ Awards: Dylan DeFilippis ’20, Daniel Gomez ’20, Gabe Korer ’19 Eagle 4-Year Awards: Bryce Faber ’19, Gabe Korer ’19, Justin Racine ’19
Coaches’ Awards (Boys): Jackson Sigalove ’20, Jake Rodin ’19, Ty Rodin ’19 Coaches’ Awards (Girls): Azin Askari ’19, Audrey LeClair ’19, Claire Linos ’21
SOFTBALL
GIRLS’ TENNIS
Division Recognition:
Semifinalists at State Playoffs Section VII Champions
All Conference First Team: Audrey LeClair ’19 All Conference Second Team: Natalie Lewis ’20 All Region Player of the Year: Audrey LeClair ’19 All Region First Team: Audrey LeClair ’19, Allison Hunter ’19, Natalie Lewis ’20, Piper Priem ’22 All Region Second Team: Sabrina Bailey ’22, Sydney Hott ’20, Noemi Hernandez ’21 All Region Honorable Mention: Lucy Negatu ’21
Division Recognition: All Section Doubles Players of the Year: Katie Bartolino ’21, Kiran Tuli ’21 ATCA DIII Second Team Singles All State: Daniela Castro-Martinez ’23 All Section Coach of the Year: Jerry Keever AZ Republic Tennis Coach of the Year: Jerry Keever
Internal School Awards:
Internal School Awards:
Coaches’ Awards: Allison Hunter ’19, Audrey LeClair ’19, Natalie Lewis ’20,
Coaches’ Awards: Katie Bartolino ’21, Daniela Castro-Martinez ’23, Kiran Tuli ’21
From left: Girls’ Tennis Elena D’Avanzo ’20, Daniela Castro-Martinez ’22, Elsa Jackson ’22, Katie Bartolino ’21, Kiran Tuli ’21, Dylan Weiss ’21, Marisa Greenberg ’21. Not pictured: Cristina Glascock ’20, Kirtana Roopan ’22; Doubles players Tuli and Bartolino; Boys’ Tennis doubles players Emami and Wendt
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Boys’ Tennis Justin Horlick ’22, Alex Tam ’19, Ashton Kroeger ’22, Eric Emami ’21, Sam Roland ’19, Sam Tepper ’22, Bradley Greenberg ’19, Bobby Wendt ’19
BOYS’ TENNIS Division III Runner-up State Champions Section VII Champions
Division Recognition: Division III Singles State Champion: Ashton Kroeger ’22 AZ Republic All Arizona Team: Ashton Kroeger ’22 All Division Player of the Year: Ashton Kroeger ’22 All Section Singles Player of the Year: Ashton Kroeger ’22 ATCA DIII First Team Singles All State: Ashton Kroeger ’22
Jerry Keever
All Section Doubles Players of the Year: Bobby Wendt ’19, Eric Emami ’21 ATCA DIII Second Team Doubles All State: Bobby Wendt ’19, Eric Emami ’21 All Section Coach of the Year: Jerry Keever AZ Republic Tennis Coach of the Year: Jerry Keever
Internal School Awards: Coaches’ Awards: Bradley Greenberg ’19, Ashton Kroeger ’22, Alex Tam ’19 Eagle 4-Year Award Winners: Bradley Greenberg ’19, Sam Roland ’19, Alex Tam ’19, Bobby Wendt ’19
Ashton Kroeger
ATHLETICS GOLF
END-OF-THE-YEAR US ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT OVERALL HONORS
Division III State Playoffs Qualifier Ninth Place in State Tournament Fourth Place in Metro Region Tournament
Internal School Awards: Coaches’ Awards: Benjamin Marsden ’21, Michael Rosenthal ’19, Bikram Takhar ’19 Eagle 4-Year Award Winners: Michael Rosenthal ’19, Bikram Takhar ’19
Most Outstanding Female Athlete: Audrey LeClair ’19 Most Outstanding Male Athlete: Ty Rodin ’19 Female Eagle Award: Azin Askari ’19 Male Eagle Award: Jake Rodin ’19
Middle School Eagle Sports Awards: Female Winner: Ella Brenes ’23 Male Winner: Jayce Huskey ’23
MS Results Mountain Valley League Mountain Valley Athletic League and Great Hearts League Champions 7/8 Boys’ Flag Football 5-8 Co-Ed Tennis 7/8 Boys’ Soccer 5/6 Boys’ Soccer 7/8 Girls’ Blue Basketball 5/6 Girls’ Gold Basketball 5-8 Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming & Diving
Mountain Valley Athletic League Runners-Up: 7/8 Girls’ Gold Volleyball 5/6 Girls’ Blue Volleyball 5/6 Girls’ Soccer 5/6 Boys’ Blue Basketball
Cactus Christian Schools League Runner-Up 6/7/8 Girls’ Blue Basketball
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Internal School Awards for Winter Sports:
Internal School Awards for Spring Sports:
6/7/8 Softball Coaches’ Awards: Grace Whalen ’23, Katie Hendrickson ’24
6/7/8 Girls’ Blue Basketball Coaches’ Awards: Jadynn Jones ’23, Niahm Campbell ’23
6/7/8 Baseball Coaches’ Awards: Ben Lewis ’23, Tim Moriarty ’23
6/7/8 Girls’ Gold Basketball Coaches’ Awards: Ava Goodman ’24, Sophia Crisalli ’24
Girls’ Tennis Coaches’ Awards: Gabi Hayden ’25, Mikayla Yue ’24 Boys’ Tennis Coaches’ Awards: Tyler Tam ’23, Jacques Sevrain ’24 5/6 Girls’ Soccer Coaches’ Awards: Zoe Oland ’25, Kate Bachus ’25 7/8 Girls’ Soccer Coaches’ Awards: Audrey Schaub ’24, Sanya Somani ’24 Cross Country Girls’ Coaches’ Awards: Lara Shennib ’25, Darian Tedesco ’26
5/6 Girls’ Gold Basketball Coaches’ Awards: Madison Gordon ’26, Erin Patterson ’26 5/6 Girls’ Blue Basketball Coaches’ Awards: Adelle Ekpo ’26, Ellie Robinson ’25 5/6 Boys’ Soccer Coaches’ Awards: Jake Gregory ’25, Finley Bockrath ’26 7/8 Boys’ Soccer Coaches’ Awards: David Ocampo ’24, Adam Burns ’23
Cross Country Boys’ Coaches’ Awards: Zachary Daitch ’24, Mateo Brenes ’24
Diving Coaches’ Awards: Sierra Goldstein ’24, Maya Allmendinger ’23
7/8 Basketball Coaches’ Awards: Skylar Florey ’23, Aiden Miller ’23
Swimming Coaches’ Awards: Richard Humphreys ’23, Julia Lotz ’25
Gold 5/6 Basketball Coaches’ Awards: Aarush Atmakuri ’25, Dylan Chen ’25
6/7/8 Boys’ Basketball Coaches’ Awards: Skylar Florey ’23, Jayce Huskey ’23
Blue 5/6 Basketball Coaches’ Awards: James Jones ’26, Logan Rose ’25
5/6 Boys’ Basketball Coaches’ Awards: James Jones ’26, Eddie Vartughian ’25
STUDENT SECTION
Some Spring Activities
Left: LS Concert. Right: MS Spelling Bee champion Manya Madala ’24, and runner-up, Elsa Termansen ’26 with MS English teacher Brian Mensinger
Left: 7th grade trip to Boston. Right: Ava Goodman ’24 stands in front of her seventh grade bridge project on celiac disease
Left: LS helping to make a difference in our community. Right: Brent Stein ’19 during a mock business interview with Shana Siegel as part of the senior elective, “All the Things you Should Know Before You Leave Here” taught by Head of School Andy Rodin
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STUDENT SECTION
Blue Tide Robotics 2019 season recap by team leader David Machbitz ’20
This year, the US Robotics Team, Blue Tide Robotics, was fortunate enough to compete in an international robotics competition: First Robotics Competition. The nonprofit company, FIRST, seeks to “inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators” by creating sophisticated robotics challenges for high school students to solve. These challenges take the form of competitive games, where teams of robots compete on a field against each other. The goal is to score the most points possible within a duration of time. For the 2019 season, the game was called Deep Space and had a space theme. Staying true to the theme, robots scored points by collecting balls and disks—otherwise known as cargo and hatch panels, respectively—and placing them in rockets. Every team across the globe was given exactly six weeks to design and build a robot to compete in the competition. Blue Tide Robotics also competed in two other events this season: the Arizona North Regional at Northern Arizona University and the Arizona West Regional at Grand Canyon University. At our first regional event, we ranked lower than we had hoped. Unsatisfied with our performance, the team worked diligently during spring break to completely redesign one of the mechanisms on the robot. Using Solidworks—a 3d modeling program used for professional engineering—and
laser cut plastic, we were able to manufacture a mechanism that could pick up cargo balls and hatch panel disks at a much more efficient rate. Our hard work most certainly paid off, as we ranked number 11 out of 42 teams at the Arizona West Regional. Our robot performed well enough to become an Alliance Captain during the semifinals, a feat Blue Tide Robotics has not experienced since its founding in 2008. As a team, we’ve experienced some challenging seasons. A disadvantage of our team has been its size. While many teams have upwards of 50 active student participants, our team currently has about 20 dedicated student participants. Year after year, the team has worked to overcome its challenges and is always setting new, more ambitious goals for our future. As mentioned, during this past season, Blue Tide Robotics attended the First Championship (an international championship in Houston) for the first time in our team’s history. Our goals for the 2020 season: return to that international championship, further increase student engagement, and provide meaningful experiences in STEM while we continue to align ourselves with the missions of PCDS and FIRST Robotics. We plan to execute that by fostering a collaborative, welcoming, and lively student-driven environment. n
One of the mechanisms for the robot
Standing, left to right: Cameron Pickle ’20, Tajh Redden ’21, Ethan Cohen ’20, Caden Mikkelsen ’20, Kaleab Afework ’19 (previous captain), David Machbitz ’20 (team captain), Mattia Saladini ’20, Indy Kwatra ’20, Tom Higgins ’21. Kneeling: Aaron Bracher ’21. Seated: Elle Lazarski ’22, Calin Lane ’21, Alex Haberman ’20, Dominik Deciga ’20. Not pictured: Caleb Humphreys ’23, Richard Humphreys ’23, John Moore ’20, Amir M’saad ’20, Tyler Muranaka ’22, Kyle Odden ’22, Julia Padron ’22, Ethan Rosenfeld ’20, Dylan Stringer ’20, Ethan Zimmerman ’20. Mentors not pictured: Jason Black, Mike Bushroe, Dr. Michael Caplan, Gary Chase, Dave Higgins, Nathan Lewis
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STUDENT SECTION
MS Commencement 2019 Class of 2023
“Congratulations! I am certainly impressed with all your accomplishments—inside and outside the classroom. You have worked so hard, and I am incredibly proud of the kind, wonderful human beings that you have become. I wish you much luck and happiness!” Ben Sullivan , MS Division Head
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STUDENT SECTION
Speech & Debate Results Team results between January-June, completing the 2019 season
UPPER SCHOOL At the national tournament, PCDS received the Speech School of Excellence award for placing in the top-20 schools overall in speech events. This is the fourth straight year earning a national team award, and the third time they have placed in the top-20. This year, the tournament hosted over 1,350 schools. Twelve students represented PCDS: Sophia Corridan ’19, Bella de Roos 19’, Ryan Horlick ’20, Alain Kouchica ’20, Arthi Macherla ’20, Michael Bendok ’21, Pierce Florey ’21, Darwin Harriss ’21, Ethan Lambert ’21, Neil Patil ’21, Samuel Steiner ’21, Yash Wadwekar ’22.
The National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament National Assistant Coach of the Year: Michael Tristano 4th Place Overall in Poetry Reading: Alain Kouchica ’20 Semifinalist Round Qualifier/12th Place in Duo Interpretation: Bella de Roos ’19, Ethan Lambert ’21 Semifinalist Round Qualifier/17th Place in Impromptu Speaking: Arthi Macherla ’20 Quarterfinalist Round Qualifiers/Top-30: Sophia Corridan ’19 – Programmed Oral Interpretation
Tournament of Champions 3rd Place in Congressional Debate (Presiding Officer): Michael Bendok ’19
Arizona State University Hugh Downs School of Human Communication Invitational Fourth Place Team 2nd Place Impromptu Speaking: Pierce Florey ’21 5th Place Humorous Interpretation: Yash Wadwekar ’22 6th Place Duo Interpretation: Bennett Montrose ’21, Emory Murff ’21
AIA Division I State Championship
Arthi Macherla ’20 – United States Extemporaneous Speaking
Team: State Runners-Up
Neil Patil ’21 – Informative Speaking
Programmed Oral Interpretation Champion: Sophia Corridan ’19
Harvard National Tournament 2nd Place Overall in Programmed Oral Interpretation: Sophia Corridan ’19 2nd Place Overall Speaker in Junior Varsity Public Forum Debate: Sammy Marks ’22
Original Oratory Champion: Sophia Corridan ’19
Humorous Interpretation Champion: Yash Wadwekar ’22 Prose Interpretation Champion: Yash Wadwekar ’22 Poetry Interpretation Runner-Up: Kira Liljegren ’20 Programmed Oral Interpretation Runner-Up: Ethan Lambert ’21 Congressional Debate Runner-Up: Yash Wadwekar ’22
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Arizona NSDA District Tournament Team: Overall Congress Division & Speech Division Champions Duo Interpretation Champions: Ryan Horlick ’20, Alain Kouchica ’20
Duo Interpretation National Champions: Devan Amin ’23, Miles Sabeeh ’23 Extemporaneous Speaking National Champion: McKinley Paltzik ’23 (Two years in a row!)
Humorous Interpretation Champion: Alain Kouchica ’20
Humorous Interpretation National Runner-Up: Miles Sabeeh ’23
Congressional Debate House Champion: Michael Bendok ’21
Storytelling National Runner-Up: Miles Sabeeh ’23
Jackrabbit Jamboree at Mesa High School
Extemporaneous Speaking National Runner-Up: Harrison Whitfill ’24
Team Champions Congressional Debate Champion: Michael Bendok ’21 Public Forum Debate Champions: Kassra Tehranchi ’19, Pietro Ori ’20 Programmed Oral Interpretation Champion: Sophia Corridan ’19 Extemporaneous Speaking Champion: Pierce Florey ’21 Humorous Interpretation Champion: Yash Wadwekar ’22
MIDDLE SCHOOL Tournament results between January-June 2019.
Impromptu Speaking National Runner-Up: Niamh Campbell ’23 Original Oratory National Runner-Up: McKinley Paltzik ’23 Prose Interpretation National Runner-Up: Brianna Graham ’23
The University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions First Place Team Duo Interpretation Champions: Abby Caplan ’23, Brianna Graham ’23 Extemporaneous Speaking Champion: McKinley Paltzik ’23
The National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament
Dramatic Interpretation Champion: Aaron Wang ’23
School of Outstanding Distinction in Speech & Debate (Awarded only to the top-3 teams in both Speech & Debate events) Fourth year in a row!
Humorous Interpretation Champion: Niamh Campbell ’23
Original Oratory National Champion: Katie Eckermen ’23
Original Oratory Champion: Misha Ghafouri ’23
Ridge High School Invitational in Basking Ridge, NJ
Poetry Interpretation National Champion: Katie Eckermen ’23
Sixth Place Team
Declamation National Champion: Niamh Campbell ’23
Declamation Champion: Niamh Campbell ’23
Humorous Interpretation Champion: Miles Sabeeh ’23
SUMMER 2019 | 23
FACULTY NEWS AND NOTES
Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
Ms. Evelyne Macrodimitris (Ms. Mac) Retires After 27 Years By Jaden Grossman ’21
T
here are nearly 6,000 students that Ms. Mac has influenced over the past 27 years as our LS librarian. Although she could be described in many positive ways, she is most known for her warmth. She emanates this infectious light that radiates and comforts all in her presence. Throughout the years, Ms. Mac’s students have viewed her as a perfect role model and mentor. She has devoted her life to sharing her passion for reading and literature. Her students would always look forward to the opportunities she provided to explore the world—and beyond—through her reading and storytelling. She would provide answers to literary mysteries or perspectives on storybook characters as they developed from story to story. There is not another individual, that
I can think of, who has been more invested in her job, or who has been more devoted to building and teaching a love for literature. Ms. Mac started her position as the LS librarian in 1992. Since then, she has created quite a legacy for herself. She has left an indelible mark on her students, her counterparts, and has made a positive impact on the entire PCDS community. Her spirit—and light—will continue to warm the lives of future eagles who will be lucky enough to hear the stories of Ms. Mac and all she offered to our literary worlds. We are forever grateful and will miss her dearly. Thank you for everything, Ms. Mac. n
Veteran LS teacher, Cindy Davis, shares that we will always remember Ms. Mac through one of her favorite quotes:
“You’re never lonely with a storybook friend.”
24 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
FACULTY NEWS AND NOTES
Celebrations Accounts Payable Supervisor Anabel Ayala, now Anabel Ayala Perez, wed Carlos Perez on March 16, 2019, at the Dream City Church in Phoenix.
PCDS FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS Each year PCDS recognizes its outstanding faculty and staff for their work within our community. One of the ways our School recognizes excellence is through endowed chair awards.
This year’s recipients were as follows: Brent Root, MS Science The Dorrance Family Chair for Science Presented in 2019 and has a three-year term. Joanna Wisniewska, LS (fourth grade team) Shawn Ducusin, LS (fourth grade team) Karen Cuculic, LS (fourth grade team) The Loback Family Chair for History Presented in 2019 and has a three-year term. Julie Larrea, MS English The Spence T. and Ann Olin Foundation Chair for English Presented in 2017 and has a three-year term. US art teacher Hallie Mueller is making incredible strides in her recovery process after a harrowing accident during a rock climb back in the fall of 2018. Remarkably, she ventured back on campus in February of this year to slowly resume her teaching schedule. By the spring, Ms. Mueller could be seen walking around campus while sharing her love of the arts with all her students. Despite her miraculous progress, she is still pushing through a challenging recovery process, and we are cheering her on.
Earlier this year, US English teacher Nishta Mehra had a book published by Picador. Brown White Black: An American Family at the Intersection of Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Religion received a nod in the New York Times Book Review on February 12, 2019.
Nick Klemp, US Math and Speech & Debate Coach Rex Allison Chair for Excellence in Teaching Presented in 2019 and is named annually. Eric Neufer, Technology Korzay-Tashman Staff Award Presented in 2019 and has a two-year term. Awarded to a staff member who serves the PCDS community in an extraordinary fashion. An embodiment of core values such as integrity, loyalty, and hard work. This staff member works selflessly and tirelessly to ensure our School is the best it can be. Matt Guthrie, US History and English Korzay-Tashman Faculty Award Presented in 2018 and has a two-year term. Awarded to a faculty member(s) who routinely displays a commitment to our School and to our students that extends far beyond the classroom. Whether out on the athletic fields, traveling to foreign countries, or quietly between classes, this outstanding faculty member is someone to whom students feel a deep connection, and someone they will fondly remember for the rest of their lives—a leader among leaders and an inspiration to others.
SUMMER 2019 | 25
MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
ALUMNI association ALUMNI BOARD Executive Board Tiffany Westlie Pondelik ’00 President
Dear fellow Eagle Alumni, This has been quite a year of growth for the Alumni Association. With the launch of our Alumni IMPACT initiative, we asked our alumni to Engage, Connect, and Give Back to our alma mater. Wonderful ENGAGEment occurred this spring at regional events in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as closer to home via our Alumni Masters’ Lecture, Alumni Spring Weekend, and Golden Circle. Many of you CONNECTED this spring through PCDS:Connect, and we are so grateful to all of you who have GIVEN BACK by donating to our Alumni Scholarship Fund. I’m so proud that in 2018-19 alumni heeded the call with record breaking event attendance and philanthropic giving. I am honored to have begun my tenure as President this year and look forward to welcoming new faces on campus or at alumni events throughout the country in the years to come. As always, please let the Alumni Board know if you are interested in connecting with PCDS graduates for work or internship opportunities, or if you would like to share your gifts in any other way! Go Eagles!
Elizabeth Reahard Oviedo ’04 Vice President Sarah Nixon Wolfswinkel ’00 Secretary Board Members Clarissa Simek Robinson ’88 Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91 Colby Kant Harris ’95 Jon Corcoran ’98 Sarah Vieh Dworkin ’98 Aylin Tashman Kim ’99 Gilbert Armenta ’00 Sasha Pasulka ’00 Ali Hicks LeClair ’01 Eric Fram ’09 Matthew Prusak ’11 Michael Rosenthal ’19 Maddie Wilmink ’19
Tiffany Westlie Pondelik `00
THANK YOU, CLARISSA The PCDS Alumni Association extends its gratitude to Clarissa Simek Robinson ’88 as she concludes her final term on the Alumni Board after 25 unprecedented years of service. Since she began her tenure on the Alumni Board in 1994, Clarissa served under five Alumni Board Presidents, and she filled the office of President herself from 2006-2012. When asked to reflect on her time on the Alumni Board, Clarissa shared, “It has been an honor to serve in this leadership capacity. I’m so proud of how alumni engagement has grown during my many years at the helm, and I look forward to supporting the PCDS Alumni Board’s mission of engaging, connecting, and giving back to Phoenix Country Day School in my Board retirement!” Clarissa—we are so grateful for your commitment to our alma mater and look forward to your continued involvement in the PCDS Alumni Association (with no board meetings)! 26 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
CLAIM TO
FAME
2019 Outstanding Alumna of the Year:
Dr. Kimberly Yamanouchi ’74 Each year, Phoenix Country Day School recognizes a member of its growing alumni base for his or her impact on the School and the world beyond. This year, we were proud to honor Dr. Kimberly Yamanouchi ’74 as the 2019 Outstanding Alumna of the Year. Dr. Yamanouchi was one of the first students to attend Phoenix Country Day School, having started in the first grade shortly after our School opened its doors. At PCDS, she was a student leader whose interests ranged from athletics to publications to the arts. She graced the stage for many theater performances and took advantage of all that our young School had to offer. After PCDS, Dr. Yamanouchi earned bachelors’ degrees in biological sciences and psychology from Southern Methodist University before earning both a medical degree and a master’s in public health from Tulane University. Notably, she was one of the first female graduates of PCDS to become a
“My 12-year journey at Phoenix Country Day School was transformative. It was at PCDS that my love for learning started and continues to this day. Now in my seventh decade, I am a perpetual student! I am forever grateful to my parents who believed that an excellent education is the finest gift you can give to your child. It’s a lasting legacy that can never be taken away no matter what happens in the future. An outstanding education is priceless. I am truly blessed to have matriculated at Phoenix Country Day School almost 57 years ago. It has been a wonderful odyssey of education. I look forward to future adventures!” Dr. Kimberly Yamanouchi ’74
Dr. Kimberly Yamanouchi ’74 accepting her award at the 2019 Outstanding Alumna of the Year luncheon.
physician, enjoying a trailblazing career as a highly regarded anesthesiologist. Dr. Yamanouchi also served as an associate professor of anesthesiology and pain management at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas for almost 25 years. Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Yamanouchi has always dedicated herself to supporting her community. She serves on the boards of Camp John Marc, the Dallas Summer Musicals, and Children’s Health System of Texas, and she has held leadership roles with St. Mark’s School of Texas, Chi Omega Fraternity, Children’s Medical Center, and The Salvation Army, among others. Dr. Yamanouchi is also active with SMU, and in 2015, the Junior League of Dallas honored her as Sustainer of the Year. In addition to her remarkable accomplishments both personally and professionally, Dr. Yamanouchi has been a supportive and active member of the Phoenix Country Day School alumni community since graduating in 1974. n
PCDS Athletic Hall of Fame The PCDS Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding alumni athletes and coaches who made a significant impact on the PCDS athletic program, have been recognized locally, regionally, statewide, and in some cases, nationally, and represents the highest values of our School’s athletic program: character, leadership, and dedication. This year, we welcomed two teams, one individual, and one coach into the Hall of Fame.
ALISHA BLISCHOK DURYEA ’04 Varsity softball ace pitcher 2001-2004 Player Stats/Awards at PCDS: • 2A All State junior and senior year • 2A All Region all 4 years
• All AZ Tournament Team (AIA 2A) junior and senior year
• 2A Metro MVP all 4 years
• Member of .350+ Club for 3 years
• Average strikeout percentage +34% all 4 years with a 40% strikeout rate in junior year season
After PCDS, Alisha played varsity softball at Babson College.
Director of Athletics Shane Lewis, Associate Athletic Director Bob Kosower, Alisha Blischok Duryea ’04, and Coach Paul Schweikher
28 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Alisha Blischok Duryea ’04 pitching a strike during her senior year at PCDS
MIDDLE SCHOOL YEAR IN PHOTOS JERRY KEEVER, COACH, VARSITY TENNIS Coach Jerry Keever has led the PCDS tennis program since 1994. During his tenure, he has garnered nearly 700 wins, 29 Region Championships, 8 State Champion Runner-ups, and 7 State Championships, along with 4 Coach of the Year awards. He has also coached 15 girls’ singles and doubles state champions as well as 6 boys’ singles and doubles champions. His is truly a PCDS athletic legacy!
2009 VARSITY BOYS’ TENNIS STATE CHAMPIONS (AIA 2A) Coach Jerry Keever (on left) with members of his 2009 tennis teams holding their state championship trophies: Leah Stofko ’12, Arianna Rose ’09, Alex Diones ’10, and Peter Brown ’10
Boys’ Varsity Tennis at the State Championships in 2009 with Coach Jerry Keever (far right)
Girls’ Varsity Tennis at the State Championships in 2009
Brian Baker ’10 Jehan Bista ’12 Peter Brown ’10 Alex Diones ’10 Tyler Drew ’10 Cole Goodyear ’10 Spenser Gwozdzik ’10 Kevin Heath ’12 Rohit Kothur ’12 Daniel Niv ’12 Themos Panotopoulos ’10 Nithin Pusapati ’11 David Selvala ’10 Robert Simon ’12 JB Stockslager ’12 Patrick Taylor ’10
2009 VARSITY GIRLS’ TENNIS STATE CHAMPIONS (AIA 2A) Nicole Bassoff ’12 Zinnia Daas ’09 Alessandra Dagirmanjian ’12 Amrita Kang ’09 Yuka Milton ’10 Nikita Mokhashi ’11 Marcela Niemczyk ’11 Allison Puglisi ’11 Arianna Rose ’09 Kelsey Rose ’12 Asmit Sanghera ’10 Kendra Simon ’09 Devika Soni ’10 Christine Stockslager ’11 Leah Stofko ’12 Kathie Zhang ’11 SUMMER 2019 | 29
Spring 2019 Alumni Events Rewind We had a blast seeing so many of you at our spring 2019 alumni events! In February, we spent time with our San Francisco Bay-area alumni at a lovely dinner held at Boulevard Restaurant, and then March kicked off with a fabulous dinner for our Los Angeles contingent at the gorgeous California Club hosted by Christopher Walker ’65. Upon our return home, we had a record number of participants in person and online
for our annual Alumni Masters’ Lecture—this year featured beloved former US history teacher Mr. Chuck Flail. In April, hundreds of you came back to Phoenix for Alumni Spring Weekend and reunion events, and we concluded the season with our biggest Golden Circle induction yet. Congratulations to the class of 1969! Thank you to all of our alumni near and far for making these gatherings such happy occasions.
More event photos can be found on the online Alumni Photo Gallery: pcds.org/alumni/engage/photo-gallery
1 1) In San Francisco: Paul McDermott, Jacquie Josephson, Elizabeth McDermott ’87, John Josephson ’87, Elise DeMarzo, Catherine Baggott ’87, Michael DeMarzo ’82, Roz Romney ’81 2) Jay Kahn ’98, Leslie Feldman ’99, Augustine Gomez ’99, Natalie Dulaney ’00, Rachel Gierucki, Michael Kahn ’99, and Jordan Kahn enjoying the 2019 San Francisco Alumni Dinner 3) Los Angeles Dinner attendees Leah Stofko ’12, Alec Benjamin, Lauren Chanen ’12, Monica Kim, Camren Kaminsky ’12 4) Kerry Persen ’05, MacKenzie Persen ’10, Callie Thompson ’05, David Dubick, and Andrew Seid ’05 at the 2019 San Francisco Alumni Gathering 5) Head of School Andy Rodin, Luke Whitlinger, Tracy McCollum ’83, Beth Foist Whitlinger ’77, Laura Foist Hunter ’79, Christopher Walker ’65, Director of Advancement Ryan Joyce, and Jenifer Crolius Levin ’78 at the Los Angeles Alumni Dinner 2
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9 6) Kelly Noble ’99, Alison DeMark, Rocke Demark ’98, Britany Engelman-Hicks ’98, and Tracy McCollum ’83 at the 2019 Los Angeles alumni gathering 7) Alumni Masters‘ Lecture attendees with Mr. Chuck Flail 8) Members of the Class of 1989 celebrating their 30-year reunion at Bridge-the-Gap 9) Class of ’04 Alumni Spring Weekend attendees: Elizabeth Oviedo, Morris Chan, Brigit Monahan, Alisha Duryea, Cameron Warner, Tara Wieger, Ashley McDonough 10) Celebrating their 40-year reunion: Greg Haus ’79, Randy Friend ’79, Mark Three Stars ’79, Bart Hechtman ’79, John Levitz ’79 11) Golden Circle Inductees from the Class of 1969: Alex Anderson, John Randolph, Bruce Miles, Virginia Anders, John Rousseau, Renee James, Nick Sakellariadis, Rowe Sergent, Dan Foote 10
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SUMMER 2019 | 31
The Life-Changing IMPACT of Scholarships Each regional Alumni IMPACT dinner this past year featured a local alumnus/a who spoke about what it personally meant to have been a scholarship recipient at PCDS. Each speaker shared personal stories about how a scholarship to PCDS transformed their lives, and asked the audience to join
them in paying it forward by contributing to the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Thank you Tope, Gwyneth, and Garron for your generosity and for reminding everyone in attendance at these events that we all have the opportunity to make a powerful IMPACT.
Thank you to all the alumni who were inspired to become the first donors to the new PCDS Alumni Scholarship Fund. You helped to more than double the number of alumni donors this year!
“ PCDS allows students to have ambition, to be focused, and to take their talents and achieve, unhampered by their socioeconomic status. Had I not had a community like PCDS, I don’t know how I would have managed. PCDS allows you to have a vision at age 14 or 15 and really have a plausible chance of achieving it—this is not something a lot of people in this world can say.” Tope Owoyemi ’97 at 2018 New York City Alumni Dinner
32 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
“ By supporting scholarships, you’re bringing in a wealth of ideas and differences that cultivate broad-mindedness, inclusion, and intellectual pluralism in a student population and a community—and stepping out of like-mindedness and similarity is how progress is ignited. Your donations make a tangible difference. It isn’t just a single scholarship for one kid, but a spark that sets off a cascade. I was the first in my family to go to school; after PCDS came Berkeley, and soon I’ll be pursuing a neuroscience doctorate. With each new accomplishment, I am shifting the paradigm for everybody after me—my kids, their kids—and one scholarship can have a multi-generational effect that changes countless lives.” Gwyneth Hutchinson ’16 at 2019 San Francisco Alumni Dinner
“ My scholarship at PCDS gave me the tools and the resources to succeed. Without the generosity of people who didn’t even know me, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to attend PCDS. This benevolence changed my life and pushed me to reach for more. I donate to the Alumni Scholarship Fund and encourage everyone to give, no matter how much. Your contributions will give other people the same opportunity that was given to me. What would you do if you could change someone’s life and their future for the better?” Garron Rodgers ’13 at 2019 Los Angeles Alumni Dinner
SUMMER 2019 | 33
Erik Weihenmayer: Living Life With No Barriers PCDS was delighted to welcome Erik Weihenmayer back to campus this past spring. A PCDS MS math teacher from 1993-1997, Mr. Weihenmayer returned to speak to current MS students about his personal journey and what it means to persevere in the face of adversity. Mr. Weihenmayer speaks from deep personal experience. He shared with students that when he began to lose his vision at age 14, he refused to let blindness hold him back from living his dreams. It was atop Denali, North America’s highest point, where his quest for adventure began to take shape, and in 2001, Mr. Weihenmayer became the first blind person to summit Mt. Everest. Shortly after his summit of Everest, he was honored with a Time cover story detailing his conquest of the world’s highest peak. Since then, he has authored multiple books, including Touch the Top of the World and
No Barriers. Mr. Weihenmayer took the lessons he learned in the mountains to help others shatter barriers in their lives and co-founded the organization No Barriers, which helps people face challenges with a pioneering spirit and team up with others to live fulfilling lives. A highly sought after speaker for his engaging and inspiring story, Mr. Weihenmayer now speaks around the world to companies like Apple and Google about harnessing the power of adversity, developing a guiding vision, and building a strong “rope-team.” These were incredibly valuable messages for our MS students, and we are grateful that we were able to welcome back Mr. Weihenmayer. For more about Erik Weihenmayer and his remarkable accomplishments, visit erikweihenmayer.com n
While he was here, Mr. Weihenmayer also had a chance to reunite with some of his former PCDS colleagues. Left to right above, and below from past yearbooks: Marti de Anguera, John Crabb, Judy Mitchell, Chris Eriksen, Eric Weihenmayer, Liz Olson, Lance Coon, Jenny Treadway
Special thanks to TJ Blandford ’01 and the Young Presidents’ Organization for helping to make this experience possible.
34 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Save the Date for the biggest party of the season!
Saturday, December 21, 2019 6:00–8:00pm Saguaro Hotel, Old Town Scottsdale SUMMER 2019 | 35
COLLEGE DESTINATIONS 2019
Congratulations to the PCDS Class of 2019!
67
43
55
STUDENTS GRADUATED IN THE PCDS CLASS OF 2019
DIFFERENT COLLEGES WILL BE ATTENDED THIS FALL
STUDENTS WERE OFFERED AT LEAST ONE MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
22
PERCENT OF THE CLASS—OR FIFTEEN MEMBERS—RECEIVED RECOGNITION IN THE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
3.71
AVERAGE GPA SCORE (UNWEIGHTED)
36 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
1394
AVERAGE SAT SCORE
CLASS OF 2019 DESTINATIONS
Julia S. Hekimian Hofstra University
Samuel Roland The University of Texas, Austin
Allison Constance Hunter Southern Methodist University
Oliver Liam Rosenberg Washington University in St. Louis
Kaleab E. Afework Rice University
Ida Eleanor Jackson Loyola Marymount University
Michael Louis Rosenthal Southern Methodist University
Azin Farnaz Askari University of Southern California
Gabriel Michael Korer Lewis and Clark College
Ava Pockaj Rossides Georgetown University
Jackie A. Ayers Fordham University
Hannah Lane Loyola Marymount University
Sarah Salama University of California, Los Angeles
Tyler Miller Barfield Southern Methodist University
Xitlalic Lara Anguiano Case Western Reserve University
Zoe Woyu Bienert Emory University
James Benjamin Lassetter Southern Methodist University
Grace Katharyn Saltonstall The University of Arizona, Honors College
Blake William Brennan Tulane University
Audrey Raquel LeClair University of Michigan
ZoĂŤ Anne Casten Stevens Institute of Technology
Maximus Emmanuel Samson Lerner New York University
Chloe Jane Xinlan Chodorow University of Michigan
Ella Jouett Longo University of California, Davis
Sophia Elizabeth Corridan Northeastern University
Ty Jay Minor University of Oregon
Kelly Grace Culpepper Duke University
Hannah Jean Miraglia Southern Methodist University
Erik Robert Dahl University of St. Andrews
Maxwell Alexander Montrose Dartmouth College
Payton Renae Darago Glendale Community College
Sophia Raehanae Najafi New York University
Bella Cavallari de Roos ASU, Barrett, The Honors College
Audrey S. Novoa University of Rochester
Brenna Lauren Dugel Columbia University
Ashley Dawn Ong University of California, Los Angeles
Sky Russell Travis Fordham University
Bryce A. Faber Arizona State University
Justin Hayden Racine New York University
Melanie Claire Walkenbach Texas Christian University
Jakob Hunter Feng University of Southern California
Henri James Richardson ASU, Barrett, The Honors College
James Robert Wendt Jr. Emory University
Alison Nicole Garvin New York University
Skye Ruth Richmond Northeastern University
Phillip Dierks West Indiana University, Bloomington
Lauren Emily Garvin Tulane University
Sonnet Claire Richmond University of California, Santa Barbara
Madeline Louise Wilmink School of the Art Institute of Chicago
RenĂŠe Grange University of California, Los Angeles
Charlotte Rose Robbins The University of Virginia
Alicia Wei Wu Rice University
Bradley Samuel Greenberg University of Georgia
Jackson Maclean Rodin University of Pennsylvania
Edward Berrian Youn IV Southern Methodist University
Clifford Russell Guziak ASU, Barrett, The Honors College
Tyler Richard Rodin University of Michigan
Crystal J X Zhou Middlebury College
Zach Samuel Sarver University of Southern California Caden C. Short New York University Phoeland M. Siu University of California, Berkeley Michael Connor Slate University of Michigan Brent Anthony Stein Cornell University Bikramjit Singh Takhar New York University Alexander Wing-Fei Tam Harvard University Kassra Shafi Tehranchi University of California, San Diego Shea Talay Tomlin Pepperdine University
SUMMER 2019 | 37
COLLEGE DESTINATIONS 2019
A Change of Scenery for PCDS Lifers
These students attended PCDS from pre-k or kindergarten through their senior year
Back row, left to right: Brent Stein, Cornell University; Phillip West, Indiana University; Michael Rosenthal, Southern Methodist University; Jakob Feng, University of Southern California; Alex Tam, Harvard University; Henri Richardson, ASU, Barrett, The Honors College. Middle row: Lauren Garvin, Tulane University; Alison Garvin, New York University; Bella de Roos, ASU, Barrett, The Honors College. Kneeling: Brenna Dugel, Columbia University; Zach Sarver, University of Southern California; Ida Jackson, Loyola Marymount University
“ It wasn’t actually until my second semester of my senior year when I realized how completely fortunate I was to have been provided a learning environment like the one PCDS has to offer. PCDS has blessed me with an education unlike any other school in the Valley. The diverse student body has helped me understand and appreciate different cultures, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Although I am sad to leave this place that I have called home for fourteen years, I am confident that I am prepared to face the next challenges the world has in store for me.” Michael Rosenthal ’19 38 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
MIDDLE SCHOOL YEAR ATHLETICS RECAP 2019IN PHOTOS
2019 Eagle Athletes Spread Their Wings
Seven graduates from the Class of 2019 will continue playing their sport at the NCAA level
Brent Stein, squash, Cornell University Tyler Barfield, swimming, Southern Methodist University Audrey LeClair, softball, University of Michigan ZoĂŤ Casten, fencing, Stevens Institute of Technology Melanie Walkenbach, equestrian, Texas Christian University Ella Longo, equestrian, University of California, Davis Brenna Dugel, squash, Columbia University SUMMER 2019 | 39
Save the Date to Come Home for your PCDS Reunion April 24-25, 2020
2010 | 2005 | 2000 | 1995 | 1990 | 1985 | 1980 | 1975 1970 & 1965 reunions are in conjunction with Golden Circle induction and graduation on June 4, 2020.
Weekend events will include: Welcome Cocktail Reception Alumni Campus Tours
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Reunion Festivities at the Annual Bridge-the-Gap Celebration
Formal invitation with further details to follow 40 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Here’s what some of our alumni have been up to… 1985
1989
1991
Sarah Miller reports that she is back in Ohio where she is still active in her studio.
Assistant Head of School Roz Bolger Abero showed her PCDS pride by wearing earrings handmade by jeweler Karen Kahn Handelman ’92, while enjoying the Poppy Dodge ’92 prints hanging in her office (Roz says to check out the originals.)
Oda Series ©2019 Sarah Miller
Kerr Lordygan is still living in Los Angeles where he is an Associate TV Editor at Rotten Tomatoes. He also recently directed a critically acclaimed comedic retelling of the story behind the Star Wars Holiday Special called SPECIAL, where he cameoed as Bea Arthur (May the Force Bea Arthur, as we say). Additionally, he was cast in The Assassination of Edgar Allan Poe— an immersive theatre experience. And, his original short play, The Hit, looks like it may be turned into an indie feature film.
Laura Daley Hutton writes, “I am living in Memphis, TN, with my husband of 25 years. Our youngest graduated from high school in May, so we will be empty nesters! I am the head of the early childhood division of St. Mary’s Episcopal School, with 155 two- to sixyear-old little girls in my care.
Lavinia Schreuder shared, “I moved to San Diego in 1997 to attend massage school, where I earned an Associate of Science degree in holistic health and never left. I am the lead massage therapist at Bay Club of Carmel Valley, where I’ve been working for over 15 years now.”
1986
Sarah Timmons recently moved to Park City, Utah, where she is currently retired from her enterprise software days. She is helping her thirteen-yearold son pursue his dreams of becoming a world class freestyle skier.
Jim Hornaday shares, “I’ve been working in commercial real estate for about 15 years. Finally coming around full circle; I now live a few blocks from PCDS, where our son, Hendrex, will begin kindergarten in August 2019. Our daughter, Presley, will likely be right behind in the next year or two.”
Ian Hackett reports, “I am currently living in Scottsdale with my wife and our dog, Kinsale. I’m a commercial real estate broker and advertising assistant to the great Jason Hackett ’88 at HAPI!”
Andy Shanken is trying to finish up a book entitled The Everyday Life of Memorials. He’ll be directing a program at UC Berkeley called The Art of Writing, which stages small writing seminars across the curriculum and teaches graduate students how to teach writing.
Pamela Schreiber Schwartz is living in Raanana, Israel, with her husband and four children (18, 17, 12, and 10). After completing a PhD and postdoctoral fellowship in molecular biology, she left that career and started a business making custom glass.
1990
Beth Flores is living outside of Washington, D.C., working for Deloitte in their public sector consulting practice after nearly ten years at the Pentagon doing national security policy. 1993 Tiffany Peers Griffith shares, “I live in Cottonwood, AZ, where I have been working at the Adult Probation Department going on 14 years. My current position is Senior Probation Officer working at court services, where I also serve as a work release/furlough coordinator. I have two children: one graduated from high school in May 2019, and one is a rising third grader.”
We collect many Class Notes each year and cannot guarantee that all submissions will be printed. Class Notes are written in an individual’s own words.
SUMMER 2019 | 41
1995 Mikhail Ulinich reports, “I moved to the Bay Area after getting my CS degree from Harvard in ’99. I have a wife, two kids, a dog, and in general appear to be the target demographic for a mid-range SUV commercial. I run engineering for ipsy, a beauty/subscription/commerce company.”
1998 Following her address to the US student body about her career as a member of the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Major Katie Potter was joined for lunch with classmates (from left) Sarah Vieh Dworkin, Jon Ashley Corcoran, and Paul Surdakowski.
1996 Jonathan Ashley writes, “I live in Brooklyn, NY, I’m married, and we have a two-yearold daughter. My wife and I collaborate on many theater projects with our company The Shelter. Also, a mid-grade novel I wrote and illustrated, Lily & Kosmo in Outer Outer Space, was just published by Simon & Schuster.”
1999 Erin McKinley Heusser is currently living in Brussels, Belgium, while raising her three children and supporting her husband’s military career and his current assignment at NATO. 2000
1997 Sarit Melmed Werner reports, “We live in Vermont! I married a cheesemaker, and we have a cheese company called Plymouth Artisan Cheese. I do the branding and marketing through my business, Empress Branding. We have an almost one-year-old son, Reuben.”
Nicole Orne Derrick lives in Philadelphia, PA, with her husband and two children. She co-owns a business that creates clean foods for K-12 students. “We are in most CA districts,” she reports. Stephen Canova is living in Portland, Oregon, with his partner of 14 years, and they are reportedly, “Loving the Northwest”. He works in suicide prevention, leading a follow-up program that offers ongoing support to people after a mental health crisis.
Did you graduate in 2010, 2005, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1985, 1980, or 1975? If so, we can’t wait to see you during your reunion weekend April 24-25, 2020!
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Timothy Hayes is helping to organize local electoral politics in Los Angeles. “I am pushing local progressive candidates with bold ideas to fix LA. I’ve also been lucky to organize with the kids at Sunrise Movement, as we make the Green New Deal a reality.” Kendra Davis Kaplan reports, “I am using my biochemistry degree and master’s degree to teach honors chemistry in a public school in Chandler, AZ. I have been married since 2005 and have three children.” 2001 Nadia Fazel taught English in West Africa for two years with the Peace Corps. She is currently a dentist in South Carolina at a community health center that provides access to the underserved. Preetma Singh states, “I practiced law in NYC for a couple of years before deciding to indulge my creative side and join the fashion industry. I was an editor at Vogue and WSJ, among other magazines, and I am now leading women’s content at Nordstrom in Seattle.”
Network with PCDS alumni around the globe at pcdsconnect.org Zaby Singh just moved back to Phoenix after 18 years in L.A. She is practicing oncology and starting motherhood. 2002 Kat Tomalty reports, “I am finally done with my DVM/PhD and am working as an emergency veterinarian in Portland, Oregon.” Michaela Skloven shares that she is living in Seattle with her husband, Matt, and their 18-month-old son, Finn. She is the Executive Chef of Homegrown Restaurant Group, and she is working hard to open a burger joint during the summer of 2019. Danielle Goldstein Masserman tells us, “I am living in Phoenix with my husband and two kids, ages three and one. I am a pediatric dentist in Scottsdale. It has been fun to connect with PCDS grads and students who come through the office.” Colin Jeffery writes, “I am still in St. Louis. I work for the local NBC affiliate as an assignment editor in the newsroom. I also get to work on the occasional investigative story, which is a challenge—but also rewarding when you can see the fruits of weeks (or sometimes months) of work. My wife and I celebrate our ten-year anniversary in October, and we have a seven-yearold daughter, McKenna.” 2003 Carlos Saldaña is currently teaching two-way immersion bilingual to second graders in Evanston, IL. He lives in Chicago with his girlfriend of over seven years, and their two cats.
Kyle Wade reports, “I live in Los Angeles and work for a music supervision and production company to get good music into movies, TV, commercial, video games, and whatever other media it is the kids consume these days.” Kaitlyn Caughlin tells us, “I am living outside of Philadelphia—in Berwyn— with my husband and two kiddos! I’m a Principal at Vanguard and am currently leading our Product Management function. I’ve been there ever since getting my BA from Pomona and through getting my MBA from MIT Sloan. I’m loving life and work, and I am so grateful for the amazing education and support I got from PCDS!” 2004 After high school, DJ Dilettoso landed at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He spent four years in the Rocky Mountains studying architecture, playing baseball, and enjoying the incredible outdoors. After graduation, DJ got a job in Orange County, California, with a world renowned residential architecture firm. He has been with that firm for the past 11 years and is now a licensed architect. DJ tells us, “I married my best friend last May, a fellow Phoenician, and am looking forward to more travel and adventures with my beautiful wife.”
much change after graduating. So, she went from PCDS on Stanford Drive to Stanford University for college! She received both a bachelor’s in product design and a master’s in mechanical engineering at Stanford, and she worked as a design engineer for several years after school. In 2012, Lesley caught the Silicon Valley entrepreneurial bug and started a company, Angaza, with her brother Bryan Silverthorn ’01. Angaza’s (www.angaza.com) Pay-AsYou-Go technology platform makes life-changing products, such as solar lighting systems and solar water pumps, affordable to rural, off-grid homes around the globe. To date, they have partnered with solar distributors in over 50 countries across subSaharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America to serve over five million people. She currently lives in San Mateo, CA, with her husband, Jamie Marincola. They welcomed a son, Morley Marincola, in December 2018.
Jessica Worthington finished medical school and starts her residency in Phoenix in the summer of 2019. As a PCDS lifer (kindergarten through twelfth grade), Lesley Silverthorn Marincola apparently didn’t want too SUMMER 2019 | 43
Sophie Epstein Statnekov married Jacob Statnekov of Santa Fe, NM, on January 26, 2019, at the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix. The couple met over four years ago in San Francisco and adopted a pair of tuxedo kittens together in 2018. PCDS friends (and family) in attendance included: Ivy Epstein Gosnell ’08, Charlie Lupica ’04, Amado Sainz ’04, Katie Fish Lohr ’05, Michaela Skloven ’02, Jessica Skloven Heuer ’01, and current PCDS Health Center Nurses, Karin Epstein and Marti Skloven. Far-flung friends who joined us in spirit were Jordan Wyndelts ’04 and Alex Brey ’04.
to her now husband, Ali. They have been blessed with two beautiful children, a three-year-old girl, Hissah; and a nine-month-old boy, Abdulaziz. She still lives in Kuwait and works as a Corporate Relationship Manager at National Bank of Kuwait. “I’m still singing!,” shares Anne Slovin. “I’ll be heading back to Indiana University in the fall to start my doctorate, so I can teach voice at the college level.” Daniel Scarpace reports, “I’m still teaching graduate and undergraduate students in linguistics in my corner of north Texas. And, in my spare time, I speak to high school students, college students, and attend U.S. naturalization ceremonies to help folks register to vote and to get involved in the political process.” 2006
Photo from left: Michael, Mollie, and Karin Epstein; Sophie Epstein Statnekov ’04 and Jacob Statnekov; Ivy Epstein Gosnell ’08 and Tristan Gosnell
Stef Trompetter Maurice shared, “I’m living in a 17th century cottage in the UK with my husband, Charlie, and three-year-old daughter, Violet. I run a sustainable textiles consultancy which advises major brands and NGOs on the environmental, human rights, and contextual implications of textile production.” 2005 After graduating from PCDS, Dana Al-Sulaihim received a BSc in accounting from ASU and a MA in global affairs and management from Thunderbird School of Global Management (while it was still in Glendale, AZ!). She then moved to Kuwait in 2011, where most of her extended family is located, and she ended up getting married in 2012 44 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Becca Hirsch is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and holds a certificate in sexual health from the University of Michigan in sex therapy and sexuality education. Becca also runs dating workshops on how to be a more authentic dater in the age of online and mobile dating. She is on the advisory council of a nonprofit organization that empowers teens to make healthy decisions about their sexual and relational health. Becca lives in Chicago, IL, with her partner, Matt; and their cat, Catt.
After graduating from PCDS, Katie Senzig attended ASU, where she became a double devil—earning a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in higher & postsecondary education. She now works at ASU helping new Sun Devils adjust to the demands of university life—both at the undergraduate and the graduate levels. When she’s not working, Katie can be found at the theatre and concerts, just like the good old high school days! She loves living in the downtown Phoenix area with her boyfriend, Jake, and their two cats. Suzie Caughlin attended Scripps College for her undergraduate humanities degree and then attended The University of Arizona for her law degree. For a year, she clerked for Judge Maurice Portley at the Arizona Court of Appeals before accepting a position as a Deputy County Attorney at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (where she has worked for the past four years). As a criminal prosecutor, she handles a felony trial caseload and mostly prosecutes violent felons. Suzie tells us, “I feel very lucky to work every day to seek justice for victims and to make our community safer. My husband and I just welcomed our first child, Levi. Since welcoming Levi to the world, every day has been a new adventure!” Mia Kaplan reports, “I am a fourth grade teacher living in New Orleans. I did my undergraduate studies at Whitman College and a master’s at UCLA. I love teaching and adding to the Harry Potter fan club.” After graduating from The University of Arizona, Will Fielder moved back to Phoenix and began a career in engineering. He married Rose—another engineer—in 2015. They have a twoyear-old daughter, June, and recently welcomed a son, David, into the world. They currently live in Scottsdale.
Phoenix-area alumni—mark your calendars for the on-campus Alumni IMPACT Dinner: Saturday, September 28, 2019. We hope to see you there! After leaving PCDS, Patrick McGroder IV graduated from Brophy College Preparatory and attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated with a history degree with a primary focus in Irish History. He returned to Arizona to attend Phoenix School of Law. Patrick passed the bar exam and began working at the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office, where he defended hundreds of indigent clients charged with felony cases. After nearly four years at the Public Defender’s Office, he relocated to Gallagher & Kennedy and began practicing personal injury law. Later he moved to Beus Gilbert PLLC, and he continues to practice catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. Patrick has a three-year-old daughter, Elle. And, for the past six years, he has been coaching Brophy’s mock trial team.
economics for twelve months. Prior to settling back in on the west coast of the U.S., my partner and I plan to travel to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia.” Andru Roysden recently married Caitlin Olivia Doherty at the Sanctuary Resort in Paradise Valley. Beau Roysden ’00 served as best man, with Ben Cook ’07 and Rick Selling ’07 as groomsmen. Other alumni in attendance: Philip Matos ’07, Thais Moraes ’07, Michael Crane ’07, Aaron Fazel ’07, and Kristen Oelze ’04. Andru and Caitlin reside in Seattle, WA, where Andru works as a Program Manager for Microsoft Office, and Caitlin works as a Nursing Manager for Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Alexandra Hazell reports, “I am currently taking care of baby number two, while also teaching history, religious studies, and Japanese to kids struggling with their mental health. This is the job I was born to do! I live in The Broads National Park in England.” 2007 Greer Gosnell writes, “I am currently transitioning from my eight-year stint at LSE in London—where I have been a postdoctoral researcher in field experimental/behavioral/environmental economics—to life in San Diego, where I’ll be a visiting researcher at UCSD in
Katie Lupica moved to New York City to attend Columbia University, where she studied history and drama. She graduated summa cum laude and worked in New York as a theater director for the majority of the next six years, occasionally leaving town for fellowships at theaters in Williamstown, MA; Cincinnati, OH; St. Louis,
MO; Ithaca, NY (Drama League Directors Project); and Rochester, NY. In 2017, she moved to Cleveland, OH, for an artistic directing fellowship at the Tony Award-winning Cleveland Play House and has continued to direct small projects in the local scene. She is also a volunteer in hunger-relief, choir, and in the education ministries at her church, St. Malachi’s. She is also a regular trivia competitor with her team, The Hot Takes, at her favorite neighborhood bar. This fall, she and her torbie cat, Clementine, will move to Chicago, where Katie will begin an MFA in directing at Northwestern University. She’d be thrilled to talk to any current or recent PCDS-ers interested in the theater industry. Reach out at katielupica@gmail. See photos of Katie’s directing at katielupica.com. Dania Gold is currently the Head of School at BASIS Scottsdale Primary West. She graduated from The University of Arizona in 2011 and began her career with BASIS Charter Schools as an art teacher. While teaching, she received her master’s degree from ASU in educational leadership. In 2014, Dania moved into administration and has since opened four BASIS schools including the Scottsdale Primary West location. Dania is excited for her brother, Gary Gold ’12, who graduated from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in May. Alex Phillips and his wife, Amanda, live in north Phoenix. They have one cat, and they spend much of their free time deliberating about getting another one. Kylie Huckleberry earned her PhD in neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin. She is now pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship at Northeastern University in Boston, where she is studying the neurological basis for sex differences in PTSD. SUMMER 2019 | 45
We have PCDS Alumni gear for sale! Email alumni@pcds.org to order hooded sweatshirts, tank tops, or hats!
After graduating from The University of Virginia in 2011, Alexis Buatti Irwin moved to Los Angeles, California, where she met her partner, John. Alexis tells us, “In addition to being the best partner I could ever ask for, John has been instrumental in helping me start and grow my coaching business which helps people get from where they are to where they want to be in careers, relationships, spirituality, and in health. I was inspired by my father, Dr. John Buatti, who has supported me throughout my life, including my time at PCDS. He has always modeled a strong work ethic and care for others, which I take into my coaching business every day. I still find the education I received at PCDS (especially classes in which we learned about critical thinking) to have made a monumental impact on the dynamic coaching I provide to my clients.”
Caroline Perry is living in Ann Arbor with her spouse, Luke, and their threeyear-old son, Jack. “I’m pursuing a JD/PhD in philosophy and law at the University of Michigan, and I’ve finally made it past the halfway mark—five years down and four to go!” 46 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
2008 Kaleena Patel is in her third and final year as a pediatric resident at Children’s Health/UT Southwestern in Dallas, TX. She is thrilled to be staying at Children’s for another year as a chief resident before pursuing a fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine. This year, Samantha Hawley Reeder will graduate from emergency medical residency from Maricopa County and will start her job at Banner UMC Phoenix. She graduated from Notre Dame and then went to Texas Tech for medical school. She is married to her best friend, just bought a new house, and recently joined the Navy Reserves as a physician. Piper Gustafson Youtzy graduated from The University of Virginia (NCAA National Champs—Wahoowa!) in 2012. She has spent the last six years in Cleveland, OH, as the Director of National Sales for University Tees, a custom apparel company focused on the collegiate market. She and her husband, Jared, love exploring Cleveland, spending time with their two boxer pups, working on their food blog, and rooting for the Browns! Manasi Soni Parrish lives in Miami with her husband and two cats. “We’re both finishing our last year of medical school. I’m planning to apply to psychiatry residencies, and my husband is going to be an orthopedic surgeon.” Lauren Mattioni graduated this past May with a JD from The American University Washington College of Law.
Lauren also holds a BA from Barrett, The Honors College at ASU; an MA from the University of London’s Courtauld Institute of Art; and a postgraduate certificate from McGill University. As a law student, Lauren served on the editorial board of the Administrative Law Review and as a student attorney in the Janet R. Spragens Federal Tax Clinic. She was also a successful moot court competitor, taking home regional and national awards for both written briefs and oral arguments. Following graduation, she will be joining the U.S. Department of Justice, as an attorney through the Attorney General’s Honors Program.
Deepa Rao reports, “I’m currently finishing my PhD in oceanography at the MIT-WHOI Joint Program, dividing my time between Cambridge and Woods Hole, MA. In early 2018, I spent a few months on a research vessel traveling around Antarctica to study the marine microbial communities. I find that I spend a lot of time thinking about how microbes affect our planet’s climate and how to best communicate science. I recently got married in Phoenix at the Deser t Botanical Garden!”
Ryan Pearlman writes, “I can’t believe how fast time flies! It doesn’t seem like eleven years have passed since high school. After a year of college, I decided to move to Florida and got a job in law enforcement. I am currently working on my degree through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. I live in Palm Beach County in south Florida. I work for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and handle a dual purpose (patrol/narcotics) canine, Nero. So far in my career, I have been a part of road patrol, a dive/underwater recovery team, a criminal investigations special victims unit (SVU), and now K9. I got engaged last October to my fiancée, Danielle. I am eager to see what the future holds and hope to attend one of the future class reunions at PCDS.” Last year, Michele Barnhill got married on Oahu, and this year she is finishing her internal medicine residency at Georgetown. Next, Michele will begin her fellowship in gastroenterology— also at Georgetown—so she will be in D.C. for the next three years. 2009 After graduating magna cum laude with a BS in biological sciences from Chapman University, Natalie Swinford spent time teaching biology at the nationally and internationally topranked BASIS Charter schools. She also spent time at the Turkana Basin Institute and traveled to Kenya to study biological anthropology, and she volunteered in South Africa rehabilitating vervet monkeys. She recently received her MA in anthropology from the University of California at Davis, where she is currently working on her PhD in human population genetics and continuing to educate youngsters through outreach.
In May 2017, Will French graduated from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College with an MEd in human development counseling. Since then, he has been working as a school counselor at the Nashville School of the Arts, a public magnet high school in Nashville, TN. When he is not at school, he often does contract work as a field organizer and advocate for the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition. Andrew Opila graduated from PCDS MS in 2005, attended high school at Brophy College Prep, and graduated from Gonzaga University in 2013. At Gonzaga, he studied broadcasting and electronic media, and entrepreneurial leadership. His college internship turned into his first job at Corner Booth Media, a small film company in Spokane, WA. After three wonderful years as an editor, photographer, and filmmaker, Andrew’s life-long passion for the outdoors led him to sell all his furniture, dress shirts, and apartment to begin living life out of a suitcase (which is mostly full of climbing gear, skis & cameras). He currently works for Backroads Travel as a travel guide, photographer, and videographer. His “office” includes places like Yosemite, The Canadian Rockies, Nova Scotia, Vietnam, Belize, Guatemala, Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. Simply put, his answer to the “Where do you live?” question: “Um, that’s a tough one, I’ll have to let you know in two months. Basically, out of my suitcase.” Most recently, he took an eight-week sabbatical to ski mountaineer across
the Juneau Ice Field in Alaska with the Juneau Ice Field Research Program—a field-based, scientific research program dedicated to the understanding of glaciology and environmental science. While he won’t be pursuing a PhD in the earth sciences anytime soon, Andrew is grateful for what he has—a great job, beautiful community, and plenty of opportunities for travel and outdoor time.
Nicole Swinford graduated magna cum laude from Chapman University in 2013 with a BFA in television and broadcast journalism and a minor in history. Nicole went on to publish three historical books on the Amelia Earhart mystery. In 2015, she moved to London where she completed a double MA in historical research and creative writing. She currently works in story development at Millennium Films in Hollywood, where she also continues to write and work with the Moving Picture Institute, a nonprofit promoting freedom and civil rights through film.
Save the Date for the Annual Alumni Holiday Party! Saturday, December 21, 2019
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Mayan Zeitlin reports, “After graduating from Santa Clara University in 2013, I spent five years working across sales and marketing functions at tech firms in New York. In 2018, I returned to Phoenix to pursue an MBA from W. P. Carey at ASU. Currently, I am a full-time MBA candidate (expected graduation in 2020) and am working at a local investment firm.” Zinnia Daas writes, “After graduating from PCDS in 2009, I attended The University of Arizona and graduated with honors in human anatomy and physiology, and in Spanish. Afterwards, I completed a master’s in biomedical sciences and later earned a degree as a doctor of osteopathic medicine. After many years of attending school, finally on May 30, 2018, I became Dr. Daas. Work/life balance has always been important to me, so during my education, I became a certified zumba instructor and have been teaching for six years. I am currently living in Columbus, OH, while completing a residency in internal medicine. I am very passionate about women’s health and promoting cultural competency in healthcare. After residency, I plan to return to Arizona and give back to the amazing community of Phoenix. It is—and always will be—my home. Plus, I miss the sun! There have been a lot of different destinations in my educational and professional career, but PCDS has always been a very important chapter. The education I received, the support given by the faculty, and the work ethic I developed has helped me get to where I am today. PCDS will always hold a very special place in my heart. Go Eagles!” After working in private equity and product management for four years,
48 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Keep up to date with alumni happenings on the Phoenix Country Day School Alumni Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PhoenixCountryDaySchoolAlumni
Michael Silverman is taking a professional break while in school at UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business to obtain his MBA as a member of the Class of 2020. He currently lives near campus in Berkeley, California, and in addition to attending class, he is currently writing a book on product management. After having traveled to Cuba with his class over winter break, he is already planning his next trip to the Andes in the fall of 2019. Ayten Salahi graduated from Duke University in 2013 with a BS in neuroscience and psychology. Since then, she has worked as a Clinical Research Specialist at a medical device company that builds insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors for patients with type one diabetes. While there, she worked on an “Artificial Pancreas” research portfolio for five years and self-studied the underlying biopsychosocial determinants of poor health in the U.S. To advance her studies in this area, and to follow her calling in both domestic and international food and nutrition research, Ayten began her graduate studies at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy in 2018. There, she founded the Friedman Food Policy Action Council, with a mission to advance evidence-based nutrition and agricultural policies in support of public and environmental
health in the U.S. She will be graduating from the Tufts Friedman School in May 2019 with a MS in food and nutrition policy and programming, and a specialization in nutrition interventions: design, operation, and management. Following graduation, Ayten will complete intensive coursework and field experience in nutrition and dietetics, with the aim to supplement her food policy activism with clinical dietetic care as a registered dietitian in 2020. Ayten’s ultimate vision is to apply the highest standards of scientific rigor to simultaneously improve human health and the health of our earth’s natural systems through food policy and applied nutrition. You can follow her work in planetary health at @planetaryhealthRD, as well as at www.planetaryhealthrd.com. Natalie Swinford taught high school honors biology before pursuing her PhD in human population genetics at UC Davis. 2010 Margaret Liu graduates this year with an MD from The University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix. She will be completing her internal medicine residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. She is so excited to be in the Northeast. “If anyone is in New Hampshire, feel free to reach out!”
Sophie LaBelle recently moved from downtown Chicago to the western suburbs. She, and her husband, Ben, and their two puppies are adjusting to a quieter life closer to family. They love their house and yard and are ecstatic that summer is fast-approaching, as it’s always a long winter in Chicago. Sophie is finishing up her MS in biology at Loyola University Chicago. She currently studies primate evolution but would love the opportunity to work with wildlife in the near future. Ben is working hard as a real estate associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Sophie still has close friendships from PCDS and hopes those friendships are long-lasting. Michael Perry has spent the past four-plus years working as an infantry officer in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. He recently transitioned out of active duty service as a captain and moved from Nashville, TN, to New York City to pursue an MBA at NYU’s Stern School of Business. Lauren Kauffman started her career with IT strategy consulting firm, Infosys Consulting, working across industries and helping to develop their newlyformed Enterprise Strategy Architecture practice. With a greater sense of entrepreneurial spirit and an appetite for a new growth opportunity, she joined London-based strategy firm, Elixir, in early 2018 to help drive growth of the business across the U.S. and globally. She has led digital transformation programs, developing new strategies to achieve omnichannel digital adoption and is always on the look out for new businesses with which to partner. Constantly on the go, most weeks Lauren is based between NYC and Phoenix, with regular travel to Asia and the UK.
In his long-held style of utterly denying what century it is, after four years teaching middle school Latin, Zach McVay has begun apprenticing as a watchmaker at the Clock Doctor in Scottsdale, spending his days fixing watches and desktop clocks, consuming a lot of egg salad and jelly beans, and engaging in a constant battle of terrible cringey jokes with his co-workers. In his free time, he plans his future in a gypsy vardo wagon, restores antique oil lamps, and adds to his ever-growing collection of detachable stiff collars. Some say he is unhinged. Others doubt he was ever hinged to begin with. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in 2014, Margo Casselman betrayed her alma mater by choosing to pursue a law degree at The University of Arizona. (Thankfully, her ASU classmates eventually forgave her.) During law school, Margo thoroughly enjoyed her classes, thrived in moot court competitions, planned and led a group trip to Israel for her classmates each year through Israel & Co., performed at the annual law school talent show, and sang the national anthem at graduation in 2017. After taking the bar exam, Margo spent a month traveling to Iceland, Ireland, and Canada. Upon return, Margo began work as a law clerk for the Honorable David G. Campbell at the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. Margo is currently clerking for the Honorable Mary H. Murguia at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. After the clerkships, Margo plans to practice commercial litigation at Quarles & Brady’s Phoenix office. She is ecstatic to be home and close to family (especially her fouryear-old niece whom she adores). Margo looks back very fondly on her PCDS days and credits her success
in college and law school—in large part—to the amazing teachers she had at PCDS. Margo keeps in touch with many of her PCDS classmates— she graduated law school with Sarah Bauer ’10 and is excited to be a bridesmaid in Taylor Pitt’s ’10 upcoming wedding. Margo is patiently waiting for all of her PCDS friends to move back to Phoenix. She recently bought a house and welcomes visitors!
Asmit Sanghera graduated from medical school at Midwestern University and will soon begin her residency in psychiatry at Maricopa Integrated Health System. Sophia Boyer reports, “I continue to live in D.C. and work at a strategic communications firm, Glover Park Group. I’m volunteering at Children’s National each week and will be returning to Paul Newman’s camps for sick kids again this summer (I’ve been going since 2011!). I just got a sweet chocolate lab pup, Winnie, and I’m hoping she’ll become my national monument running buddy.
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2011 Hailey Rose obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Midwestern University this year. She will be working as a small animal veterinarian at Tufts VETS in Walpole, MA. She plans on pursuing a residency in small animal internal medicine or cardiology. After graduating from PCDS, Max Farrar went to ASU, where he graduated with a degree in technological entrepreneurship. Max worked with several young start-ups during his studies to bring new products into the marketplace. He accepted an offer to work for Tesla, where he operated events on the West Coast and sold nearly 200 Model S/X cars in his time there. Now Max helps to run and operate the family business, Fiesta Furnishing. Sara Goldsworthy graduated cum laude from Portland State University with a BS in mechanical engineering and is working towards getting her professional engineering certification. She’s working for a design-build contractor in Portland, Oregon, and is loving it. She was recently engaged and spends her free time baking, biking, and dancing. After graduating from Georgetown University with a major in English, Shannon Manley moved to New York City where she kicked off her career working at a public relations and branding agency. She specialized in telling innovative stories and executing exciting events that helped brands both authentically interact with their community and engage with new audiences. She secured coverage and ghostwrote articles that appeared in a myriad of publications. Some of those articles appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Bloomberg, Quartz, Forbes, and Teen Vogue. More than four years later, she still resides in her cozy West Village apartment and now works on 50 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
New York City Alumni—save the date for our annual NYC alumni event! Saturday, October 26, 2019
the Influencer Marketing team at SeatGeek, where she collaborates with online creators on content that will increase brand awareness. Recently, she flew to New Orleans to shoot and produce a behind the scenes video with YouTube basketball crew 2Hype, and the Pelicans starting forward, Julius Randle. Shannon tells us, “My basketball skills are still as bad as they were during freshman and sophomore year PE, however my two-handed dribble was a great conversation starter. I have continued to use reciting The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Old English as my go-to party trick. No surprise, it is always met with a warm reception. Thanks, Mr. Coon! I also have brunch monthly with my friends from PCDS (shout out to Ryan, Tom, and Rachel Epstein!). I guess it is true that no matter how far away you move, you can never leave the Eagle’s nest.” Nithin Pusapati graduated with an MD (in May 2019) from the The University of Arizona College of MedicinePhoenix. He is excited to continue training in internal medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago later this summer!”
Rebecca Matwijkow shared, “I am living in Washington, D.C., while working in digital communications for progressive campaigns and nonprofits. I’m also engaged and will be getting married next April to the best human I know.” 2012 After pursuing marketing at companies ranging from Dropbox to Tinder, Slater Katz is now a copywriter for the packaging team at PetSmart in Phoenix. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, puzzles, coffee shops, and freelance writing.” Samantha Kaplan is loving life in NYC! She is currently working at Bitly, a technology company, and taking data science classes at Columbia University. Samantha recently visited PCDS alumna Micki Verhein ’12 in Spain. She loves staying in touch with PCDS alumni, so if you are in the NYC area, please reach out!
After finishing up his PhD this fall, Ryan Dougherty will be a Visiting Assistant Professor in the computer science department at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. Kirea Mazzolini graduated with an MD from Baylor and is preparing to make the move to Northern California to start her residency in general surgery.
Samantha Kaplan ’12 (right) with Micki Verhein ’12 in Spain
2013 April Curci just landed her dream job! A 2017 graduate of the College of Charleston, April recently joined the brokerage division of the Charleston office of Lee & Associates, one of the largest broker-owned commercial brokerage firms in the nation. She was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Gamma Real Estate Honorary Society, one of only 700 members nationally. A third-generation commercial real estate professional, April returned to Charleston from a previous position with Transpacific Development Southwest in Phoenix, AZ. She has been immersed in the Lowcountry’s commercial real estate market for six years, specializing in the logistics and transportation of products coming through the Panama Canal and their dispersal across the United States. Her business network is national as Charleston is currently the only deep water port on the east coast of the U.S. capable of handling the large post-pamanax ships coming through the Panama Canal. This is uprooting the entire logistics of import and export distribution—a very exciting time!
Dalia Grado graduated from The University of Arizona with a BS in public health and joined the Peace Corps as a health extension specialist. She is currently serving in Cameroon, in a village of about 5,000 people. She loves every minute of it and tells us, “A typical day for me starts off by waking up around 5:30am to pull water for the day from the well outside my house. I then head to the health clinic and work to plan activities. The basic framework is in HIV/AIDS prevention, malaria prevention, and in maternal and child health. I work in the French language and two of the local languages, Mboum and Fulfulde. I will be ending my two-year service this fall and plan to head back to Arizona to pursue a master’s degree in public health.”
Jaimie Bryan writes, “I graduated from UC San Diego with cum laude honors in 2017. At UCSD, I was a team captain and a four-year NCAA qualifier for the swim team, finishing my collegiate career as an eight-time All American (top eight NCAA finisher). After graduation, I worked as a clinical research assistant (for a year) at Gaia Medical Institute. Currently, I work as a physics and organic chemistry tutor, as well as a billing assistant for an orthopedic surgeon in La Jolla. I am also a volunteer Head Coach of the La Jolla Special Olympics Swim Team. In my free time, I love to surf, swim, and practice yoga. In July, I will be moving to Gainesville to begin medical school at the University of Florida College of Medicine.”
Maria Bridgeman attended PCDS for nine years and graduated from Belmont University in 2018 with a degree in Spanish. During her time at Belmont, she studied in Argentina and Spain and also volunteered in Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru. She is now working towards an MA in Spanish at Georgia State University, where she works as a Spanish instructor. In the future, she is looking forward to pursuing a PhD and working more abroad.
2014
Melissa Greenberg shares, “I am living in Perth, Australia, where I’ll start a new job in a few months as a consultant for a company that sends high school and secondary students on educational trips abroad.” Megan Cathey reports, “After a couple of years of freelance copywriting in various industries (from interior design to insurance), I’m heading back to school in the fall to study fashion marketing and communication at Parsons. I currently live in Brooklyn with my boyfriend, Colin, and our golden retriever pup, Henry.”
Sam Gilson reports, ”I left PCDS nine years ago, and surprisingly, I’m doing alright! After realizing that I love TV enough to try and make a career of it, I enrolled in NYU Tisch’s Dramatic Writing program and graduated with a concentration in TV Writing. I moved out to Los Angeles last September, and after scouring the entire entertainment industry for a few months, I landed a job in the mailroom at the Gersh Agency, hoping to work my way up in their TV literary department. It doesn’t hurt to be one state away from home again after eight years back east, and I’m excited to be starting my adult life doing what I love.” After spending seven years at PCDS, Nick Grounds finished high school at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, and then he went on to the University of Southern California for college. This past May, he graduated from USC with a bachelor’s in real estate finance and moved to Charlotte, NC, to start working at a private equity group called Northlight Capital. SUMMER 2019 | 51
Join hundreds of fellow alumni on the Alumni Scholarship Fund honor roll at pcds.org/giveback Rachel Onken graduated from The University of Arizona in May 2018 with a BS in public health. She spent her university summers working at Catalina Island camps, first as a counselor and then as an assistant girls’ camp director. While attending university, she worked as a Community Outreach Intern at Casa de Los Niños, a local nonprofit. She recently moved to New Zealand and accepted a full-time job based in Tauranga, New Zealand, working in outdoor education and management at Waimarino Adventure Park and Kayak Tours. She plans to continue her studies in infectious disease control and epidemiology, while focusing on recreational waterways. While Kara Schiaparelli was a PCDS student for just the second half of seventh grade and the first half of eighth grade, it nevertheless left an enormous impression on her. She met friends that shared the same obsessions; traveled to Catalina Island, Boston, the Grand Canyon; and participated in the great Damn Dam Debate. The moments that stand out the most to her are the last few weeks she was at PCDS. Kara says, “I have never felt more support coming from a student body than in those weeks. The day after I announced on Facebook that I was moving to Florida, I walked onto campus and was immediately greeted by my friends crying with me. I remember being pulled out of my Spanish class to go to the principal’s office, only to learn that while I was safely out of the way, my entire class signed a goodbye card for me. Sometimes my time at PCDS seems like a dream, since it was so short but so impactful. I’m so 52 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
grateful for my time there and something seems to have stuck.” Kara attended American University in Washington, D.C. She currently lives and works in D.C. at a communications firm with the VA’s Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle! In May 2018, Alex Melikian graduated from Occidental College with a degree in biology (pre-med) and will be applying to veterinary school next year. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Lincoln, and works at the Michaelson Foundation at their nonprofit, no-kill shelter, Adopt & Shop. Alex assists the veterinarians and also helps with adoptions. If anyone is looking to adopt a cat or dog, just let her know! After her father’s passing in April of 2018, Keely Franklin graduated summa cum laude from ASU Barrett, The Honors College, with a degree in elementary education. Her four years at ASU involved 1,000+ hours of clinical experience in the classroom and thesis research pertaining to Title I schools similar to those she attended as a child. Keely now teaches seventh grade math at a Title I school in the Tempe Elementary District. She feels lucky to have forged such strong relationships with colleagues and her 83 students who “face unimaginable challenges, but who demonstrate such tenacity on a daily basis.” She is excited for what the summer holds, as she plans on traveling to Europe and teaching at the PCDS summer camp again. When August rolls around, Keely will be right back in her classroom ready to welcome her new students.
Joanna Fennessy attended PCDS for five years from fourth through eighth grades and absolutely loved it. While attending PCDS, she realized her interest in—and appreciation for— creativity. At age 16, she knew she wanted to go into advertising in some way, shape, or form. Joanna currently works as an account executive in New York City at an Omnicom advertising agency on Madison Avenue on the Johnson & Johnson account for brands like Neutrogena and Johnson’s Baby. It all started at PCDS! Aashay Sanghvi writes, “I recently graduated with honors from Harvard College, where I studied economics, history, and computer science. It was an incredible experience, and I have my PCDS family to thank for helping me get there. I’m moving to San Francisco, where I’m working as an investor at an early stage venture capital firm called Haystack. We’ve been lucky enough to invest in companies like DoorDash and Instacart. I’m more than happy to help any current PCDS students or young alumni navigate the worlds of entrepreneurship, startups, technology, and venture capital.” Sophia Ho tells us, “Life has been awesome. I reside in Dallas, TX. I am graduating in May 2019 with B.Sc degrees in both mechanical engineering and mathematics. I signed my full-time offer with Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems and will be working as a multidisciplinary engineer. It is a dream job, and I’m super excited to start! I will begin my career in Dallas, TX, with my adopted English Bulldog, Mr. Munch.”
Sidrah Khan writes, “I graduated from USC in May 2018 with a BS in human biology and a minor in health care studies. I’m currently working as a medical scribe at Mayo Family Medicine in Scottsdale and eventually plan to apply to medical school.” After leaving PCDS, Tommy Beckham went to Brophy College Prep for high school and attended Southern Methodist University for his undergraduate studies. During his sophomore year of college, Tommy was a producer/ writer for a short film that went on to win awards in four film festivals. He graduated from SMU with a BS in economics with financial applications and minors in arts entrepreneurship and psychology. Following graduation, Tommy moved to Santa Barbara to work as a financial analyst for a firm called Ventura Coastal. In February of 2019, he founded a company called VanArt, which specializes in finding unknown urban artists and providing the logistical support they need to promote and sell their art on a global scale. VanArt is scheduled to launch in November of 2019. Recently Tommy moved to Florida, where he co-founded a large-scale CBD processing company with locations in Daytona Beach and Miami. 2015 Phoebe Newton reports that she just finished her undergraduate history thesis, From Lip-Stick to Joy-Stick: Amy Johnson and the Popularization of Civil Aviation in Interwar Britain, after spending last summer in England with an undergraduate research grant from the Columbia History Department at the National Archives. Next year, she will continue her history studies at Columbia in their international history MA/MSc dual-degree program with the London School of Economics.
Upon graduating from Georgetown University, Shannon Burke will enter the Master of Education (MEd) Teacher Certification program at ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and will specialize in elementary education. She was awarded a full scholarship with membership in the Arizona Teachers Academy. Sarah Petrides reports, “I just graduated from Brandeis University. Next year, I will be starting a two-year MPH program from Boston University.” After graduating from Princeton University in June 2019 with a BS in Engineering (with a specialty in both chemical & biological engineering), Bryeson Rodgers will be joining the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (Class of 2023) in Arizona to pursue an MD. Lilia Dashevsky is an account manager at a marketing agency in Washington, D.C., working with various associations and private sector clients. She graduated from ASU in December with a BA in mass communications and media studies. Claire Myers reports, “I just graduated from Barrett, The Honors College at ASU with three bachelor’s degrees: supply chain management, business data analytics, and entrepreneurship. This summer, I will be moving to Dallas, TX, to begin working as a supply chain consultant.”
Nihaal Reddy just graduated from ASU and will be starting medical school at The Ohio State University in August 2019. 2016 Andrew Hosmar shared, “I am just finishing up my junior year at Claremont McKenna after winning the conference championship in football (first time in 31 years for Claremont). I also joined the sports information team on campus and have been doing play-by-play announcing for baseball, softball, and lacrosse.” Jillian Gilburne reports, “I am a rising senior at Northwestern in Evanston, IL, but I’m currently taking the quarter off to work at the British Consulate downtown, as well as in the Evanston City Clerk’s Office. I’m still very much a student government gal, and I’m thinking about joining a roller derby team. This summer (2019), I’m working in D.C. at the Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation at Georgetown University. 2018 Nikasha Patel just finished her first year at MIT and will be staying on campus over the summer of 2019 to research with the computational psycholinguistics group about how humans read.
Are you following the PCDS Alumni Instagram Page? instagram.com/pcds_alumni
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Bella de Roos tells us, “This summer (2019), I will be representing Arizona at the National Speech & Debate Association’s national tournament, competing in duo interpretation.”
Thank you to ’19 Class Agents Michael Rosenthal and Maddie Wilmink for facilitating their class gift. Students are already loving the addition of these two beautiful rocking chairs that now live in the Shin Center for Art, Science & Innovation!
Before he heads to UPenn’s Wharton program in the fall, Jake Rodin is interning at a veterinary clinic under the supervision of PCDS/Penn alumna, Chloe Brandon Charlton ’06. Grace Saltonstall ’19 writes, “During the summer of 2019, I will be lobbying for national gun reform and women’s healthcare/reproductive rights.”
The following alums returned to campus from near and far to work and share their talents at School during the summer of 2019: Gonzo Alvarado ’18, Kaleab Afework ’19, Azin Askari ’19, Tyler Barfield ’19, Lindsey Cherilla ’18, Kati Dean ’18, Mary Dover ’18, Leslie Feldman ’99, Keely Franklin ’14, Valeska French ’93, Beri Golding ’01, Renee Grange ’19, Bradley Greenberg ’19, Allison Hunter ’19, Gabe Korer ’19, Cici Lara Anguiana ’19, Audrey LeClair ’19, Rosy Martinez ’16, Jordan Merkle ’18, Ty Minor ’19, Kyle Money ’15, Chris Montooth ’18, Max Montrose ’19, Armando Nido ’17, Prescot Noghrehchi ’14, Ashley Ong ’19, Justin Racine ’19, Henri Richardson ’19, Skye Richmond ’19, Mina Rodriguez ’17, Sarah Salama ’19, David Schwartz ’18, Momo Siu ’19, Ben Steiner ’18, Reed Steiner ’18, Kassra Tehranchi ’19, Bobby Wendt ’19, Maddie West ’17, Phillip West ’19, and Libby Williamson ’17.
Say cheese! Do you have news to share? We are always excited to hear from you. Send details about a graduation, a new job, a birth, engagement, or marriage announcement, a recent trip, a new hobby, or a visit with another alumnus/a . We look forward to learning what you have been up to!
Email your news and accompanying photos to alumni@pcds.org
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Join PCDS:Connect pcdsconnect.org The Network of PCDS Alumni EAGLES HELPING EAGLES Offer career and academic advice Connect with other PCDS alumni
ALUMNI association
Expand your network Find and post jobs Receive feedback Get introduced
Be sure to “like” the Phoenix Country Day School Alumni Facebook Page and follow the PCDS Alumni Instagram Page Stay up to date with alumni events See news and accomplishments from your classmates Get updates from your alma mater
www.facebook.com/ PhoenixCountryDaySchoolAlumni
https://www.instagram.com/ pcds_alumni/ For more information regarding our alumni programs, please contact Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99, Director of Alumni Relations, at 602.955.8200 or alumni@pcds.org SUMMER 2019 | 55
Thank You!
Many thanks to our incredible families, alumni, faculty, and staff for supporting PCDS during fiscal year July 2018-June 2019.
Annual Fund $801,876
Total Dollars Raised
2,023
Total Donations, including record gifts made by alumni
Individual Tax Credit
Corporate Tax Credit
$706,991
$2,419,000
Total Dollars Raised
408
Total Donations
Total Dollars Raised (during 2018)
27
Total Corporate Donors
77%
100%
Learn more about PCDS philanthropy and the transformational impact of these donations at www.pcds.org/giving. Look for more detail in the fall issue of the Annual Report on Philanthropy.
Parent Participation Board of Trustees, Faculty & Staff Participation
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SUMMER 2019 | 57
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