PORTER-GAUD magazine Fall 2016
PORTER-GAUD magazine FALL 2016
Publication Staff Art Direction/Photography/Layout
Brink Norton, Director of Digital Media and Publications Content Management
Jennifer Lorenz, Director of Strategic Communications Research and Development
Kathryn Sherrod, Director of Annual and Major Gifts Katie Heath, Director of Alumni Relations
ON THE COVER
Dr. Sinai C. Zyblewski ’92 (Photo: MUSC)
ON THE LEFT
Jack Schaible ’17 performs in the fall play, Around the World in 80 Days (Photo: Russ Schaible)
Porter-Gaud Magazine is published for the benefit of alumni, students, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends of Porter-Gaud. All content, including articles and photographs, is property of Porter-Gaud School, unless otherwise stated. Any person or entity wanting to use or reproduce, in part or whole, any portion of this publication must do so with permission only.
300 Albemarle Road Charleston, SC 29407 843.556.3620 portergaud.edu
[table of contents]
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Reporting on Life: Samantha German ’10
4 CNY Central TV anchor and reporter Samantha German ‘10 shares her life in front of the cameras.
Healing Hearts: Dr. Sinai Zyblewski ’92
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Dr. Sinai Zyblewski ‘92 juggles life as one of the state’s leading pediatric cardiologists.
Michael Burris ‘06 provides a glimpse of what it’s like serving inside one of the military’s elite units.
Upper School history faculty member, Dr. Christianne Gates journals her extraordinary adventure to Israel.
Scientific Crusader: Rachel Hawes ’11
the young age of 24, Rachel Hawes ‘11 has been across the globe in the name of science and 20 Atcultural exploration.
Food for Thought: Summer Boyd ’17
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Whiz Kids 16
Aquatic Supremacy 22 Alumni Challenge 24
History Comes to Life: Dr. Christianne Gates
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C.S. Lewis Pilgrimage 12
Fine Arts Pics 17
In My Own Words: Lt. Michael Burris ’06
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FEATURES
Student-athlete, service leader, and the 2016 Richards Award recipient, Summer Boyd ‘17 believes in following her dreams.
CycloneTown 25 Cyclone Notes 28 Cyclones Highlight Reel 34 Leave a Legacy 36 Volunteer Lists 37
‘10
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SAMANTHA GERMAN
NEWS REPORTER FOR CNY CENTRAL, SYRACUSE NEW YORK
Ten Questions with CNY Central TV reporter, Samantha German ‘10 1) What do you remember most about your experience at the word ‘can’t’ should never be in your vocabulary. Always Porter-Gaud? remember to have a strong work ethic and to never give up, My Porter-Gaud experience shaped me into who I am today. ever. From first to 12th grade, every teacher, every sport, and every friend that I made taught me the value of intelligence, 6) Give us a short day-in-the-life of a reporter. endurance, and laughter - especially at yourself sometimes. We come in for the morning meeting. We go around the table pitching our story ideas for the day, and then we are hopefully 2) What teachers had the greatest impact on you? assigned to one of those stories. I start making calls to set up This is one of the hardest questions for me because I always interviews and then I grab my camera equipment and head out had great relationships with my teachers, many of whom were the door to hit the ground running. Once my interviews are also my coaches. But, I would have to say Dr. Mac. Although finished I come back to the station and load all of my sound he was one of my hardest teachers, I respected him greatly and footage, write a script, and then edit it all together into a because of his wisdom and how he relentlessly pushed us to package. Then I rush out the door again to make my live shots be our best. After giving a presentation once, he told me I had at 5 and 6! a way of speaking and making my audience believe what I was saying. That really stuck with me. It was also because of him 7) What is the toughest part of your job? What does a good day that I was able to travel outside of the country to Rome, Italy, look like for you? for the first time. I’ll never forget the group I went with and The toughest part is that time is never on your side. We are the incredible memories from those two weeks. constantly racing to beat the clock for our deadlines. A good day is having a story that you pitched come together nicely, 3) When did you know you wanted to work in television/media? and interviewing someone who has a story that will make a I was first introduced to the world of television when I was a difference or help somebody else. little girl. At the time, my dad worked two jobs: as a banker and as a camera and audio specialist for WCIV. He would 8) What do you enjoy outside of work? sometimes take me with him in the early mornings before I Painting! I just recently picked up the hobby. I always loved went to summer camp. That’s when I saw the studio and met painting in high school. But now it is extremely therapeutic some of the anchors. I didn’t know that I wanted to actually and a great escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. I lose pursue a career in television until I received a particular high track of time and just get lost in it! It’s great. school assignment. In Mrs. Reinhold’s English class, we visited a homeless shelter and interacted with some of the people living 9) Where are you in five years? there. I met a lady named Jaclyn and her story really inspired My ultimate destination goals would have to be New York me. I still remember the feeling I had while rushing home to City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, and eventually back home write the assignment and share her story with my class. to Charleston! CNY Central in Syracuse has been an incredible start to my career. I’m still in awe that I am the go-to when 4) What lessons learned at P-G did you call upon in college or in it comes to filling in for the main anchors. CNY Central has your career? given me so many eye-opening opportunities in my two years I attended the University of Georgia and I realized how of being here. I’m humbled and grateful for it all. Who knows much Porter academically prepared me for college during my what the future will hold. I’m excited for it! freshman year. I remember the assignments came pretty easy to me, especially when writing papers. The skills of perseverance 10) What’s Samantha German’s theme song? and teamwork from being a part of the cross country, track, This is the second hardest question. I’m an old soul and a and basketball teams came through in my college classes and lover of all things R&B, especially the classics. My theme song organizations, too. right now would probably have to be Stevie Wonder’s ‘Master Blaster (Jammin’)’. There is so much soul and passion. It’s a feel5) Why did you agree to come back for the Girls In session last good song that I feel like everyone can relate to. It’s letting year? your hair down after a long week of work! There’s a theme of a I will never turn down a chance to go back to Porter-Gaud when sense of community coming together to just have a good time I can. It’s truly home for me. I had such a great time last year at and enjoy life. the Girls In session. We talked and we laughed. The girls were really energetic and interested. They actually made me take a step back and reflect on what I’ve done since graduating. My advice is to follow your heart, stay true to yourself, and listen to that tiny little voice inside of you. It will never steer you in the wrong direction. And like my parents always tell me,
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‘92
DR. SINAI C. ZYBLEWSKI
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGIST, MUSC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Dr. Sinai Choi Zyblewski ‘92 learned to juggle at Porter-Gaud. No, not tossing three balls into the air, but the kind of juggling required to be a mother, a wife, and one of the state’s leading pediatric cardiologists.
‘92
DR. SINAI C. ZYBLEWSKI
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGIST, MUSC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Dr. Sinai Choi Zyblewski ‘92 learned to juggle at Porter-Gaud. No, not tossing three balls into the air, but the kind of juggling required to be a mother, a wife, and one of the state’s leading pediatric cardiologists. For Sinai, every day is different. She alternates weekly between working in the Medical University of South Carolina’s pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) and the Advanced Fetal Care Center. She is a member of a team of five specialists in the 14-bed pediatric cardiac intensive care unit - the only one in the state. Most of her young patients (newborn to adolescent) are waiting for heart surgery or recovering from surgery. Throughout the day, she performs intraoperative echocardiograms before and after surgery, completes her rounds with a team of doctors, nurses, and medical professionals, and cares for her patients after surgery. “Those days are busy,” says Sinai. “They are physically the hardest. I leave home by 6:30 a.m. and I am home after 7:00 p.m. Then, once I’m home, I’m reviewing homework, signing school papers, and picking out canned goods for the food drive.” Sinai and her husband, Sean, also a physician, have two boys. Milo, who is a second-grader at Porter-Gaud, and Max, age 11, who is a sixth-grader at Buist Academy. On the weeks Sinai is not in the PCICU she is performing fetal consults. Heart disorders affect approximately 1 in 100 babies each year. There are many types of congenital heart defects, ranging from those that
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pose relatively small threats to the health of the child to those that require surgery in the newborn period. Disorders can include an abnormally structured heart or large vessels. Such hearts may have incomplete or missing parts, may be put together the wrong way, may have holes between chamber partitions, or may have narrow or leaky valves or vessels. But now many complex heart defects can be diagnosed before birth - in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Sinai’s patients come from all over the state. The center provides both inpatient and outpatient diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up services for a full range of pediatric heart disorders. Fetal consults involve reviewing ultrasounds and discussing the diagnosis and prognosis, course of action, and intervention with her patients. These visits take a few hours each and Sinai sees five to six patients a day. They can be intense and overwhelming visits for her patients, but Sinai believes that the earlier the diagnosis and coordinated care plan are delivered, the better the outcome for the newborn. The schedule in the Fetal Care Center weeks allows Sinai to spend mornings with her family. “The weeks I’m doing consults means I can have breakfast with the boys, then take Milo to school. It’s wonderful starting our day together as a family.”
Sinai also serves as the associate director of MUSC’s pediatric cardiology fellowship training program and also performs independent research with other pediatric heart centers across the country.
“When you work with sick children with very severe heart disease, they are living on borrowed time. It is very hard for the child, hard for their families, and it is hard for the staff. I have seen some very sad days.”
It’s a lot of juggling.
Today, she enjoys medicine because she is constantly learning. The profession is forward-thinking and forward-looking. In an academic center like MUSC, Sinai thrives in contributing to the educational environment as well as the constant give-and-take as an educator and a student.
MIND FOR MEDICINE Sinai’s parents moved to the United States from South Korea in 1974. She says their immigrant perspective shaped her and has stayed with her throughout her life. Her father was a physician. He went to medical school in South Korea and completed his residency in New York City and New Jersey hospitals. His first position post-training was at Roper St. Francis Hospital. “When my dad came to interview, he loved the weather and the Lowcountry landscape,“ says Sinai. “We moved to Mount Pleasant in 1979. Back then, I remember it was so pretty and quiet, and still very rural.”
“It is humbling to experience new levels of challenges that help me grow as a person and as a professional. My co-workers are amazing, and the families I work with are incredible. They are always coming back to visit the heart program at MUSC. Even if they lose their child, they still find ways to give back. It is inspiring.” Sinai doesn’t see herself anywhere else. “It’s kind of amazing that I went to medical school here. I met my husband here, and we stayed. Now we are settled with our boys and we live down the street from my parents. If you told me back when I
“What best prepared me to do what I do today wasn’t whether I took French vs. Spanish; it was learning how to juggle life like playing sports, taking AP classes, singing in the chorus, and doing community service.” Sinai started at Porter-Gaud in sixth grade. Her sister and brother would later attend. Her parents always set expectations for her to be a contributing citizen, to stay true to her values, and to always do her best. She immediately connected with Porter-Gaud’s core values of excellence, respect, and community service. “Today,” she says, “there seems to be a much more conscientious effort by Porter-Gaud’s administration and faculty of instilling character development, which promotes more inclusiveness and more diversity. But maybe it’s always been there. I was just oblivious as a teenager.” Sinai also believes Porter-Gaud is a place for students to take productive risks, offering safe spaces with opportunities in public speaking, clubs, academic courses, and sports. “Sports were a big part of my life. I played tennis and basketball and ran track. Playing sports was a safe place for me to learn how to function on a team, how to handle and deal with pressure, competition, and losing. I thrived at Porter-Gaud. It helped shape me into the adult I have become today.” After graduation Sinai went onto Brown University where she excelled, and then returned to the Lowcountry to pursue her medical studies at MUSC. She started medical school and rotated through several areas of adult medicine, but once she started working with children she knew she was never going back. “Kids can be so resilient - they can be so sick, and then they get better - and to see them well is just the best feeling. The feeling that I could deliver medicine or an intervention that could impact a child’s life in a very positive way - that is very rewarding.” But working with children has its challenges, too.
was in school at P-G that I’d be living on the same street that I grew up on, I’d never believe it.” Last spring, Sinai returned to Porter-Gaud to participate in a program for Upper School girls called Girls In. The program brings alumni back to campus to share their experiences in a certain industry or field. “I never had anything like that when I was in school. This session was Girls In Medicine so there were three of us - one student, one resident, and I guess I was the wise ‘old’ woman. It was really fun to talk with the girls about their lives and answer their questions.” “What classes should I take? What should I major in? What college is best for medicine?” the students asked. Her answer was simple. “What best prepared me to do what I do today wasn’t whether I took French vs. Spanish; it was learning how to juggle life like playing sports, taking AP classes, singing in the chorus, and doing community service,” she says. “Get engaged and try lots of things - that will best help you grow into an adult.” Dr. Sinai Zyblewski graduated from Brown University in 1996 and completed medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in 2002. She also completed her general pediatric residency, pediatric cardiology fellowship training, and master’s degree in clinical research at MUSC. She joined the MUSC pediatric cardiology faculty in 2009 as a pediatric cardiac intensivist and fetal cardiologist. She has led the Single Ventricle Interstage Monitoring Program and the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program. Dr. Zyblewski is also the director of the Fetal Cardiology Program and the associate director of the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Training Program.
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LT. MICHAEL BURRIS
‘06
OFFICER, U.S. NAVY
IN MY OWN WORDS
I took my first steps onto the campus of Porter-Gaud as a first-grader in the fall of 1994. I graduated in the class of 2006 and made my way across the Ashley River to The Citadel. My biggest concern was that I would not be academically successful in college, but those fears quickly waned after my first semester. I realized what Porter-Gaud had given me: I could write a paper, form an argument, do the tough math, and study efficiently. While at The Citadel, I earned a Naval ROTC scholarship, was the Delta Company Commander, and was selected by my peers to be a member of The Citadel’s coveted Honor Court. I graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a commission as an officer in the United States Navy. While I credit The Citadel with providing me with a strong military foundation, it was an experience while a student at P-G that fostered my desire to serve something greater than myself: September 11. I remember watching the second plane crash into the south tower of the World Trade Center while sitting in Mr. Smith’s eighth-grade English class. I knew then that this was something that would stay with me forever, and it fueled my desire to serve this nation. More than 15 years later, I am an Officer In Charge (OIC) of the Navy’s only “Very Shallow Water” (VSW) Tactical Small Boat Team. I am directly responsible for the training and tactical employment of forty sailors, six Naval Special Warfare (NSW) 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), and over $25 million of mission-essential equipment. Combatant Craft Platoon (CCP), as it is known, is responsible for the low-visibility insertion, extraction, and force protection for U.S. Expeditionary/Special Operations Forces tasked with hazardous explosive device clearance. We fall under the command of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit One and are based at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, CA. Our missions take place in areas that are believed to be both under enemy influence and compromised by mines or other various explosive devices that could impede U.S. military amphibious operations, global commerce, or the general security for mariners all around the world. I was deployed three times to the Middle East and Africa in support of the global war on terror where I honed my skills as a leader in Small Boat Tactics and Counter-Piracy Operations. I am also qualified as both a Surface Warfare and Tactical Small Craft Officer. While driving boats that are capable of reaching 45 knots, armed with multiple heavy machine guns, and operating at night using night vision goggles is fun, the best part of my job is leading my sailors and watching them develop both professionally and personally. I have sailors who are the same age as Porter-Gaud seniors, and watching them learn life’s lesson, develop in their respective jobs, and serve something greater than themselves is the most rewarding experience I have ever had.
I will complete my naval service this May, and I am grateful to all the people and places that helped me achieve my goals. Without the support, friendships, and rigorous challenges that I experienced at Porter-Gaud, I can wholeheartedly say that I wouldn’t have accomplished my dreams. The academic curriculum was challenging. I graduated in a class of 81 students. I don’t remember my class rank, but it started with an ‘8.’ It was these challenges that developed my drive to overcome adversity and never quit. I learned at Porter-Gaud that no one was going to hand me the keys to success and that complacency was never an option. The wide array of the Porter-Gaud community – teachers, coaches, and lifelong friends - also play a role in defining my success. I remember, in 10th grade, I wanted to get 100 on a European history exam in Dr. Horton’s class because he would frame those tests, and only a few tests were ever framed. It took me the whole year, and failing a few tests along the way, but with his constant encouragement I accomplished my goal and scored 100 on one the last tests of the year. Dr. Mowry taught me the importance of loyalty and how to never to give up on somebody because he never gave up on me; and Mr. Moore taught me that just because you have fundamentally different views on the world doesn’t mean that you can’t develop a mutual respect, find common ground, and even have a high admiration for one another. Coaches Salley, Tate, and Tillman taught me that the work you put in is the result you get out. Several of my peers also had a great influence on my decision to go into the military: Ben Pittard and Zack Schaffer, both military veterans, were two of the guys I remember looking up to the most because of their leadership, convictions, and passion. I am so proud to serve alongside fellow alums such as Matthew Cox USN, Zack Schaffer USA, Jonathan Early USA, Jeff Deke USN, William Bouch USN, Tobias Hyman USCG, and Luke Donaldson USMC. I spoke at the Upper School assembly in October of 2015 where I shared my story and the lessons I have learned. I emphasized the importance of having goals and not being afraid to dream big. Working toward a goal is a must for me. If I don’t constantly have a hard challenge, then I stop and make one up. I also shared with the students how most of my best friends to this day are those I made during my 12 years at Porter-Gaud. While Porter-Gaud will always be a piece of me, the school has never forgotten me. I get a note from a Lower School student every Veteran’s Day thanking me for my service, and they all have better handwriting than I do.
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Westminster School (London)
Westminster Abbey
Canon Gavin Williams of Westminster Abbey at the ancient entrance to Westminster School Big Ben Tea at the Perch Pub
Radcliffe Camera of the Bodleian Library
American Memorial Chapel , St. Paul’s Cathedral (London)
GIRLS EMPOWERED THE C.S. LEWIS PILGRIMAGE 12
Kings College (Cambridge) Punting on the river Cam Magdalen College (Oxford)
Radcliffe Camera of the Bodleian Library
Keble College Chapel (Oxford) Medieval cloister, Magdalen College (Oxford) The refectory, Westminster College (Cambridge)
The C.S. Lewis Pilgrimage truly exceeded all of my expectations. I came into the trip not expecting much. I had no one in my grade going on the trip, and I felt very out of place in the group of amazing people. However, as the trip progressed, the relationships I began to build and the fellowship among the group became self-evident in all the amazing places that we saw and with all the people we met. This trip allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and gave me the opportunity to go to places enriched with history, some of which were older than the United States. Among my favorite locations in England was the Grantchester Meadows, where the group split up into pairs and had deep philosophical and religious conversations accompanied with breathtaking views of the meadows. Overall, the C.S. Lewis trip truly cannot be summed up with words; the experiences and fellowships that I made still influence me, and having reflected on GOAL-SETTER, the trip, I could notGOALKEEPER have chosen a better group of people to experience the amazing, life-altering trip. – Will Robertson ’18
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This year’s senior class will not have the opportunity to enjoy the new building, so we asked them to be the only students to sign the beams that will make them a part of the building in a different way. It was great
www.portergaud.edu/reNEWal The reNEWal campaign is in full swing. We have a goal to raise a total of $20M before July 1, 2017. We are currently just under $10M raised and still need another $3M to complete the new Upper School, which is scheduled to open in the summer of 2017.
to see their excitement. The next phase of the campaign is the renovation of the fine arts and music practice space and then the start of the new Performing Arts Center. To start these projects, we must reach our $20M goal. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to call Tucker Branham, Executive Director of the Porter-Gaud Foundation.
THE CHAPEL
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HELP US HONOR AN AMAZING MAN. In 1969, Ben Hutto ’64 came to Porter-Gaud and forever changed the school and the lives of hundreds of students. Ben spent years creating a choral program that would serve as the foundation for an array of performing arts. Today, we embark on a new era of the fine and performing arts with the construction of a Performing Arts Center, and we want every student to know the legacy of Ben Hutto. To do this, we challenge our alumni to help us raise $2 million to name the new Performing Arts Center after Ben to ensure his humor, grace, and talent are forever remembered.
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WHIZ KIDS
Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco, california, is one of the hottest tickets in technology. Two Porter-Gaud students, freshman Charles Truluck and junior Tillson Galloway, attended the event at the invitation of Apple as student scholarship recipients. For Galloway, this was his third trip to WWDC. He is a seasoned veteran and is well-connected at WWDC. Truluck was there for the first time. Both were chosen out of thousands of applicants from around the world as two of only 300 scholarship recipients. To our knowledge, Porter-Gaud was one of a few (and possibly only) schools in the world to have two students selected, although Apple doesn’t officially release that information. The WWDC week begins for the students on Sunday with a meeting of all scholarship recipients with Apple executives, who speak to them about the culture at the company and what it takes work for Apple. “It would be amazing to work at Apple one day. Just to know that what you’re working on is used by millions of people would be awesome,” says Truluck. The meeting ended with a visit from CEO Tim Cook, who kicks off the conference each year with a keynote speech. Software developers from around the globe saw the release of iOS 10 and MacOS Sierra. After the keynote, participants get to attend a plethora of sessions during the week to learn about the newest technologies within the Apple ecosystem. The students were able to meet one-on-one with Apple engineers to work on any issues with their code.
For Tillson, who is already working as the lead developer on several projects and competes nationally in some of the leading cybersecurity hack-a-thons, the week gave him the chance to not only learn, but also build relationships with members of the tech community. He and a few other WWDC scholarship recipients are working together on a new project called Gradology to promote education in inner-cities by offering free gift cards for good grades. They were able to meet some investors to help with the development. Charles was able to learn the ropes from Tillson on how best to navigate the WWDC experience. They both say that becoming Apple WWDC scholarship recipients has opened doors for them. Being a scholarship recipient is something that looks great on a résumé and garners them instant credibility in the tech community. Both students are interested in pursuing careers in technology and have latched on to cybersecurity as an interesting challenge. Tillson works for local security firm Soteria and enjoys professional hacking. “Companies hire professional hackers to hack into their systems and report the vulnerabilities so they can fix them before bad people try to get in,” Tillson said. Charles also interned at Soteria over the summer. Both of these students will undoubtedly be successful in whatever they choose to do.
16 Image above: Charles Truluck ‘20 (left) and Tillson Galloway ‘18 (right) show off their WWDC Badges signed by Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Upper School Fine Arts Presents
Around the World in 80 Days
Photo credit: Russ Schaible
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DR. CHRISTIANNE GATES HISTORY TEACHER, UPPER SCHOOL
History Teacher Christianne Gates travels to Israel as part of the Porter-Gaud Parents Guild’s faculty summer grant program.
In preparation for my trip to Israel, I bought a journal with this quote on the cover: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened for you.” I bought the journal because I wanted to record my experiences in a place I had longed to visit for several years. The quote was a continual reminder of how grateful I was to finally have this longing fulfilled. After my eleven-day visit was over, the entire journal was full. Each of the 40+ sites that I visited seemed to merit an entire chapter, not just a few pages. For example, the first day I arrived in Israel, we toured the old city of Jaffa on the Mediterranean Sea. This city has so many legends and stories associated with it. The Old Testament story of Jonah records the prophet fled towards Tarshish from this port city. The New Testament claims the city as the place where Peter witnessed a vision of unclean animals, leading him to preach to the Gentiles. Just off shore, Andromeda’s Rock attests to the city’s place in Greek mythology. Having left both my cell phone and my watch in the United States, I was able to completely lose myself in the timelessness of this ancient city. Throughout the trip, my wonder at finding myself in the places of history never wore off. I found myself continually repeating in my head, “I’m here. I’m actually standing here.” It is so hard to choose a favorite site, but if I have to choose, Dan ranks very highly on the list. Today the ancient city of Dan is a beautiful nature preserve that contains the freshwater spring that feeds
the Jordan River. The lush green foliage contrasts sharply with the concrete bunkers from the 1982 war. This archaeological site on the border between Israel and Lebanon also boasts ruins both from the walled city of King Jeroboam and an ancient Canaanite gate that may have been standing in the time of Abraham. Witnessing the blend of modern and ancient defensive structures was a powerful reminder of how important fresh water is, especially in such a dry region. Even as we were leaving the country, our guide assured us that we would struggle to articulate why our visit to this place was so incredible. Trying to summarize the trip remains difficult. After all, how can one capture thousands of years’ worth of history in just a few words? This trip was more than just a history trip, however. Not only did I get to see the places I’ve read and taught about it, but I was also able to experience a new culture, make new friends, and spend some time reflecting in prayer. In the end, I received far more than I had originally expected, and I hope one day to go back again. I am grateful to the Parents Guild for funding my summer research grant.* *Each year, the Parents Guild funds several summer research grants to Porter-Gaud faculty and staff. Dr. Gates was a 2016 grant recipient.
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’11
RACHEL HAWES WORLD TRAVELER, BUDDING SCIENTIST
The world, like our oceans, Rachel Hawes ‘11 believes, is for exploration and discovery. Rachel was born with a passion for being on the water, and at the young age of 24, has also already explored far-away lands like China, Fiji, Cambodia, and Vietnam. “Rachel was fearless and passionate about her environment from the first day I met her as a seventh-grader in my earth science class,” says Porter-Gaud science teacher, Gretchen Tate. From science classes to environmental community service projects, Rachel participated in everything she could that was connected to nature. In 10th grade, she went to Fiji with the organization Wilderness Adventures. There, she learned basic marine science skills such as taking water cultures and evaluating the health of ecosystems. “Porter-Gaud offered me some incredible opportunities to explore the world, which fueled not only my love of learning about other cultures, but also my passion for marine biology.” By her senior year, Rachel, by then in Ms. Tate’s marine biology class, was bagging oysters for the Department of Natural Resources at Fort Johnson, exploring Folly Beach to learn about the tides, and calculating her own carbon footprint. Rachel went on to pursue marine biology at the Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, where she studied fisheries and wildlife. But UGA was different. It was landlocked. Rachel’s classes were focused on freshwater-based wildlife, a sharp contrast to this saltwater girl’s way of life; yet, she thrived in this new natural laboratory.
Within a few months, she signed up for Australia’s Marine Mammal Listserv, which is run by local researchers and managers working with marine mammals. Initially, she signed up to keep up with her marine biology community, but what she found was the Mandurah Dolphin Research Project in western Australia, a partnership between Murdoch University, the City of Mandurah, and Mandurah Cruises. The project was run by Ph.D candidate Krista Nicholson. Nicholson was studying the unique behaviors of dolphins in Mandurah and needed a research assistant. Rachel was the perfect fit. Rachel spent three months with the Mandurah Dolphin Research Project on the water photographing fins, developing photos, creating a fin book, logging water samples, and identifying dolphins. “It was incredible to be out on the water everyday, sometimes from sunrise to sunset, documenting these amazing creatures.” To Rachel, the dolphins were more than specimens. “These dolphins are a part of the community. The locals know the dolphin’s names and take care of them.” Rachel says. While studying the dolphins in Mandurah, the team noticed that they were suddenly partaking in the “octopus toss”, where a dolphin throws an octopus into the air repeatedly in a playful manner. The neighboring town of Bunbury and other parts of the world had reported this behavior, but they had never seen it in Mandurah. Even more spectacular was that they were able to capture and share the data with fellow dolphin researchers.
During the summer of her sophomore year at UGA, she studied abroad on a small island of South Caicos through The School for Field Studies. The program combined field research on the Queen Conch and Spiny Lobster populations and working with and educating the local fishers and government officials about the Marine Protected Areas in South Caicos.
After finishing her three-month research cycle, Rachel’s wanderlust returned and she set out (with the money she saved in Australia) to explore New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia. Many times with only the help of her Google translator app, Rachel forged new friendships and created unforgettable memories discovering the diverse cultures of Southeast Asia.
“We also did a lot of education outreach to the two schools on the island, which I really enjoyed. This experience guided me in the field of marine conservation education,” she says.
“It’s a lesson I learned at Porter-Gaud,” says Rachel. “Be open-minded to other cultures. Be open to everything and everyone.”
After graduating from UGA in May 2015, Rachel took the GRE and planned on applying to a master’s program in the fall, but she needed a plan for the next year. This natural traveler found her answer: move to Australia. Venturing halfway around the world, Rachel arrived in Sydney in August 2015 and worked at a restaurant on the eastern coast to get her bearings in this new country.
Rachel’s next adventure is already underway: she is pursuing her master’s program in environmental studies at the College of Charleston, returning home to explore her beloved Charleston waterways...for now.
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AQUATIC SUPREMACY BOTH SWIM TEAMS WIN SECOND CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP
Back Row (L to R): Head Coach Mike Walsh, Assistant Coach Meagan Collins, Rhett Andrews, Gelsey Jaymes, Emily Symonds, Annie Chapman, Daniel Kassis, Noah Steyer, Elysse Pardus, Willem Goedecke, Anne McGreevy, Aidan Worthington, Atalie Evans-Godley, Tate Hughes, Alex Hannegan, Brian Rieder, David Rieder (Alumnus) Middle Row: Michael Shipman, Nathaniel Ford, Lovisa Dehoorne, Alexa Johnson, Kaila Pardus, Emily Ibsen, Eliza Ford, Anna Caroline Symonds, Middleton Cheves Front Row: James Winterfield, Ann Thompson, Ashley Yoon, Miriam Woodhull, Ginny Geils, Sienna Schaay, Henry Lewis, Michael Doyle
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The Cyclone Swim Teams both won state titles for the second year in a row. Both teams were undefeated during the regular season. Several state records were broken en route to the championship: 200 Medley Relay (Boys): Michael Doyle, Daniel Kassis, Willem Goedecke, Brian Rieder | 200 Individual Medley (Boys): Daniel Kassis 100 Butterfly (Boys): Willem Goedecke | 100 Butterfly (Girls): Elysse Pardus | 500 Freestyle (Girls): Elysse Pardus 100 Breaststroke (Girls): Kaila Pardus | 400 Freestyle Relay (Boys): Daniel Kassis, Alex Hannegan, Michael Doyle, Willem Goedecke
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ALUMNI CHALLENGE Wow!
vs
DYNAMITE !
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85
AMAZIN G! From September 6-22, Porter-Gaud and Heathwood Hall battled in the 3rd Annual Alumni Challenge to get the most alumni donors. In 2014 Porter-Gaud won, in 2015 Heathwood Hall won. We proudly announce that Porter-Gaud came out on top this year with a final score of 133 to 85. We thank each and every one of our alumni donors for making this year a success!
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Bottom Image: Star of the Alumni Challenge Campaign Jack Gilchrist ’15 lifts the hand of Julie Kassis Long ’93 signifying victory in the 2016 Alumni Challenge.
TOWN August 26, 2016
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’17
SUMMER BOYD SERVICE LEADER, RICHARDS AWARD RECIPIENT
For Summer Boyd ‘17, legacy is not bound by age or time served. Legacy grows with each new experience and each new stage of her life. More than 13 years ago, starting in kindergarten*, Summer began her journey at Porter-Gaud and dove headfirst into academics, sports, the arts, and community service. In different ways, the milestones along her journey have all had a profound impact on the young woman she is becoming, and with each new experience her legacy blooms. “At Porter-Gaud, I learned I was capable of doing anything I put my mind to,“ says Summer. “If I put my mind to it, then I’ll be successful in achieving it.” As a senior, Summer manages five AP classes, is on the track team, serves as a guest speaker for the Freshman Experience program, and is a service leader. Last month, she directed the annual food drive, which supported people impacted by Hurricane Matthew through Our Lady of Mercy Outreach. “As a member of the millennial generation, sometimes we think we can’t make as much of a difference, but in community service at P-G you can. Everyone has an opportunity in projects like the food drive, or at Meeting Street Academy, or tutoring at Sanders Clyde. You see the progress you can make and how it reflects on your own life.” Summer’s genuine compassion and empathy also play out in her talent for creative expression. “I love art and photography. I would paint all day if I could. Sometimes it’s hard to put things into words, but you can say a lot with photos,” says Summer. Sports, too, have played a defining role in her life. Summer has played sports since she was three years old. Throughout her time at Porter-Gaud, she played volleyball for the school and travel teams. But when an ankle injury sidelined her in 10th grade, she took a break and pivoted to track. “Running track was one of the most enriching experiences at PorterGaud that I’ve ever had. I’ve learned to push myself, to work as a team, and grow as an individual,” she says. “In my sophomore year, I was part of the 4x100 relay that broke the state record. This was one of the first moments I experienced the impact of hard work and determination. Then, I experienced it again when our girls’ team won SCISA state title for the first time in 15 years!”
His parents, Dr. J. T. and Evelyn Richards, established the James T. Richards Memorial Award in 1990. The award is presented annually to a junior who is well rounded and has a strong moral character. Recipients must demonstrate interest, ability and participation in academics, athletics, community service, music, art and other forms of creative expression. The $3,000 award provides an opportunity to participate in a service project around the world. Summer selected the British Virgin Islands (BVI). “Receiving this award meant the absolute world to me. It gave me an opportunity to go out and gain a new sense of independence, and this was a perfect opportunity to experience before going off the college,” she says. While in BVI this summer for three weeks, Summer participated in a variety of service projects. She did home repairs for Dolores, an elderly woman and her family and worked with an organic farmer, Khoy, to build a cistern, fix plumbing, and repair the interior/exterior of the farm. She also spent time at the animal humane society, led weekly swim lessons with disabled adults, joined beach cleanups, and worked with autistic children in their school program, taking them to interact with dolphins. She learned a lot about herself in the process. “On the trip, I was a lot more willing to push myself to try new things abroad than I was at home. I was open to trying new foods (I am an extremely picky eater!), I tried new activities (snorkeling in open waters to see shipwrecks and cool animals), and I was a lot more willing to get my hands dirty because I was much more aware of the difference we were making.” The BVI experience also reinforced her desire to pursue colleges in large, urban cities. “I’m ready for a different experience with new people and more diversity. With my political science and law interests, I’m looking at colleges in Washington, D.C., Boston, or New York to get that metropolitan, urban experience.” Summer’s 13 years at Porter-Gaud will come to a close in the spring, when she graduates as the first African-American woman to attend Porter-Gaud from kindergarten to grade 12. Thirteen years of stellar academics, athletic prowess, memorable teachers, unforgettable friendships and teammates, and life-changing leadership experiences. A legacy.
It’s no wonder Summer was selected as the 2016 Richards Award recipient named after Lt. James T. Richards.
And with that comes 13 years of wisdom to share with young women building their own legacies.
Richards was a graduate of Porter-Gaud, Class of 1980. On May 3, 1989, he was killed when the jet he was piloting crashed during a training exercise at Parris Island, SC.
“Don’t let society restrict you from following your dreams,” she says. “Be whatever you want to be. Say it proudly. Believe you are fully capable of doing whatever you set your mind to.“
*Porter-Gaud had Kindergarten on campus from 2004-2008.
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CYCLONE NOTES
EXCITING NEWS FROM OUR ALUMNI
Class of 1965
Dr. Daniel (Dan) P. Hartley ‘65 is an adjunct faculty member at MUSC, Edwards College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Hartley is a retired dentist who has made dental mission trips to Ecuador, Peru, Honduras and Nicaragua. He also spends his time volunteering at the East Cooper Community Outreach. Dr. Hartley resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife Pat.
Class of 1967
Mr. Chester D. Palmer III ‘67 is a retired high school teacher and is currently a part time professor at the University of South Carolina.
Class of 1975
Mr. Charles (Chuck) J. Baker III ‘75 is the 2016 recipient of the College of Charleston Alumni Award of Honor. The Alumni Award of Honor is the highest honor awarded by the College of Charleston Alumni Association. It is presented to those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Association or to the College. Chuck will be honored at the CofC Alumni Awards Gala on November 19 at Charleston Place. Dr. James (Jimmy) M. Mahaffey ‘75 and his wife Kathryn have relocated to Surfside Beach, SC with their two sons Jameson (6) and John Carlisle (4). Jimmy is a first grade teacher, having taught elementary school for 34 years and Kathryn is a speech therapist. Jimmy is the father of nine children; five girls and four boys. He stays active with long distance swimming, biking, and running and completed in his 27th Ironman Triathlon in November 2015.
Class of 1979
Dr. J. (Jamie) C. Upshaw Downs ‘79 retired from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in July 2016 and continues to do medicolegal consulting and training. He and his wife Heather reside in Savannah, GA.
Class of 1981
Mr. Timothy (Tim) D. Pittman ‘81 and his family moved to Cambodia in July 2016. Tim is currently assigned as the Regional Security Officer at U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh. August 2016 marked 18 years as a Supervisory Special Agent of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service. Tim and his family will be in Cambodia for the next two years and are enjoying our their in Southeast Asia.
Class of 1982
Mrs. Lucy Buxton ‘82 is a new Account Executive with Holy City Productions, LLC in Charleston, SC which includes the Charleston Mercury.
Class of 1983
Mr. Stafford N. Green, Jr. ‘83 retired from CocaCola and is living at Lake Oconee. GA. Although retired he stays very busy while working on a Sci-Fi Adventure film, a startup company that optimizes friends and events, and Major League Baseball (MLB) TV and digital marketing.
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Class of 1985
Mr. LeGrand Elebash ‘85 works for North American Properties. He is the Project Executive for Lorelei, a planned upscale, experiential mixed-use waterfront community on Laurel Island. Lorelei will be a part of Charleston’s growing Upper Peninsula community. Mr. George T. (Tom) Finnegan III ‘85 serves as the Chairman for the SCBIO Board of Directors, an organization that supports the advancement of South Carolina’s life science industry. Tom is the Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Medical University of South Carolina. Mr. Paul B. (Bissell) Graves, Jr. ‘85 relocated to Charleston after 25 years in Raleigh, NC. Bissell is in his 22nd year of teaching middle school, he currently teaches sixth grade Social Studies at Laing Middle School in Mt. Pleasant and his wife of 28 years, Kelly, teaches at Memminger School in downtown Charleston. The Graves have four children; Savannah (22) who works at Cisco Systems in Raleigh, Lily (19) a sophomore at Appalachian State University, Hugh (17), and Mary Emma (15) who both attend Wando High School. They currently reside on Sullivan’s Island. Mr. J. Tradd Newton ‘85 was named the 2016 recipient of the Philanthropy Leadership Community Award from the National Children’s Alliance in honor of his long-term volunteer service to The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center.
Class of 1989
Mr. Lewis G. (Greg) Horton ‘89 is a Partner with Womble Carlyle specializing in Product Liability Litigation (Defendants), Labor & Employment Litigation, and Construction Litigation. Greg is ranked as one of the best lawyers in America for 2017 and was named as one of the South Carolina Super Lawyers and South Carolina Rising Stars in 2016. Mrs. Ashley Wieters Redmond ‘89 is Executive Director of the Roper St. Francis Foundation and has taken on the additional title of Chief Development Officer. Since Ashley joined St. Francis she has substantially grown the Foundation and set a new record for fundraising this year. Mrs. Allison Bridges Williamson ‘89 founded the Charleston Artist Collective (CAC), an online gallery featuring the work of Charleston’s most talented artists. CAC’s mission is to offer patrons affordable, original art while giving back to the community. CAC has donated over $120K to local non-profits such as the Lowcountry Land Trust, the Mother Emanuel Fund, and The Preservation Society of Charleston among others. This fall Allison will open a studio in Mt. Pleasant’s Old Village, and expand the Artist Collective into Nashville and Washington, DC with new artists and new philanthropic opportunities.
Class of1991
Mr. Michael C. Scarafile ‘91 is President of Carolina One Real Estate, a full-service real estate company. Michael was recently featured in The Post and Courier Business section sharing his thoughts on leadership and business.
Class of 1992
Mr. William (Bratton) Riley ‘92 is CEO of Lincs Software in Charleston, SC. Lincs provides technology applications for any web-based or mobile app-based solutions.
Class of 1995
Mrs. Adriane Malanos Belton ‘95 is Associate General Counsel at Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC. Adriane was named as one of the South Carolina Super Lawyers and South Carolina Rising Stars in 2016. Dr. Michael A. Rosenblum ’95 married Faith Anne Santerre on May 29, 2016. Michael currently works with CP6 Waccamaw Cardiology in Conway, SC and Faith is a Nationally Board Certified Special Education Teacher at Conway Middle School.
Class of 1997
Mrs. Adrienne R. Ciaburri ‘97 and her husband Mark opened Congress, a restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The restaurant took over the space of the former La Hacienda and created an upscale, casual, new American restaurant with Italian and Mexican cuisine. Dr. Kess Mughelli Ogden ‘97 is practicing Psychiatry at New Horizons Behavioral Health in Columbus, GA.
Class of 1998
Mr. Michael H. Malone ‘98 and his wife Abbe welcomed their third son, Colton Anthony Malone. Colton joins his brothers Gabe (4) and Mac (3). Mr. Ovie P. Mughelli ‘98 is a Brand Partner for Nerium International and continues to work with children to change our planet through his organization, the Ovie Mughelli Foundation. Mr. W. Ashley Thiem ‘98 was named to Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2016. Ashley is the new Vice President, Private Client Associate for U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management in Charleston, SC.
Class of 2000
Mrs. Haley Morris Cuzzell ‘00 and her husband Charles welcomed their first child on June 22, 2016. Haley is a Sales Associate for Carolina One Real Estate. Mrs. Lauren E. Fox ‘00 and her husband Pete welcomed Ellison Elizabeth Fox to their family on March 22, 2016. Mrs. Claire Richardson Pence ‘00 is Executive Assistant at 20th Century Fox. She also is on the Fox Triathlon Team and provides communications, social media, and training to her team members.
Dr. Stephen H. Gamboa ‘96 practices Emergency Medicine with Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco, CA. He and his wife celebrated the birth of their first child, Weley Stephen Gamboa in July 2015.
Class of 1996
Class of 2001
Dr. Jeffrey Michael Basile ’01 married Molly Gannon Killorin on June 4, 2016 at The Governor Thomas Bennett House in Charleston, SC. Jeff is a physician at Charleston GI and Molly works for Le Creuset.
Mrs. Janine Khayali ‘96 moved to the Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL area. Mr. Daniel A. Nussbaum ‘96 is General Manager and Executive Vice President for Z-Man Fishing Products, a company bringing technology to anglers. Z-Man is the world’s premier fishing products, lure, and accessory manufacturer. The Charleston-based company has been in business for over 25 years. CORRECTION: Mrs. Alyssa M. Worsham ‘96 lives in Seattle with her husband and son, and is an IP lawyer at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. It was her sister, Caitlin Worsham ‘99, not Alyssa (as printed), who recently moved back to Charleston. Mr. Jonathan Zucker ‘96 was inducted into The Citadel School of Business Hall of Fame. Jonathan is the President of The InterTech Group, a diversified holding company operation companies and portfolio investments in multiple sectors including aerospace, industrial and engineered products, financial transaction services, utilities and energy, special chemicals, recreation and leisure, medical technology, security, and real estate. He is also the President of Z-Man Fishing Products, see Daniel Nussbaum ‘96.
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CYCLONE NOTES
EXCITING NEWS FROM OUR ALUMNI
Mr. Joslin I. Goer ‘01 is Managing Attorney at Goer Law, LLC in Charleston, SC. Prior to founding Goer Law, Joslin was an attorney at Motley Rice, one of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ litigation firms where he worked on several large-scale securities fraud class actions. Before Motley Rice, Joslin was an attorney for The Debt Exchange in Boston, MA.
Mr. Randell (Ran) C. Stoney III ‘03 married Miss Jane Crossett Bouch ‘06 on September 17, 2016 at First Scots Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC. Ran is an Attorney at Luzuriago Mims, L.L.P. and Jane is an Associate with the law firm of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Class of 2002
Miss Julia P. Hawkins ‘02 is a real estate agent with Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty, working with fellow alumni Daniel Ravenel ’02 and Ruthie Ravenel ’04. Mrs. Joanna Hundley Ward ‘02 and her husband Jason welcomed their third boy, Grant Leslie Ward, on February 29, 2016.
Class of 2004 Charleston, SC.
Miss Mary F. Fishburne ’04 joined Buist Byars & Taylor LLC as an Associate Attorney in
Mrs. Cate Morse Leatherman ‘04 and her husband Hugh welcomed Hugh Kenneth “Hicks” Leatherman IV born on June 14, 2016.
Class of 2003
Dr. John R. Spratt ‘03 is a resident at the University of Minnesota. He plans to go into cardiothoracic surgery in the future.
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Class of 2005
Mr. John S. Bennett ‘05 and his wife Bonnie welcomed their son John “Jack” Sheridan Bennett, Jr. on May 17, 2016.
Class of 2010
Miss Mary E. (Emily) Gibson ‘10 is teaching English abroad in Cancun, Mexico.
Class of 2011
Miss Helen F. (Frances) Butler ‘11 is working for Pratt-Thomas Walker law firm in Charleston, SC.
Miss Kelly R. Herring ‘11 is an Associate at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Atlanta, GA. BCG is an American worldwide management consulting firm with 85 offices in 48 countries. Mr. William H. (Will Henry) Lawrence ‘11 married Ellie Farrell on May 29, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Will Henry plans to complete his undergraduate degree and Ellie plans to continue her work as a pharmacist.
Miss Beverly Y. Burris ‘05 (CORRECTION) Porter-Gaud made an unfortunate error in the published version of the magazine by incorrectly announcing the marriage of Ms. Burris. We apologize for the error. Mrs. Rebecca J. Hancock ‘05 is starting a new role as the Director of the IRIS Registry, the world’s largest specialty clinical data registry, and will be managing federal policies related to clinical data registries and health IT. Miss Marya R. Hannun ‘05 is a PhD student in Arabic and Islamic Studies at Georgetown.
Class of 2006
Miss Jane Crossett Bouch ‘06, see Mr. Randell (Ran) C. Stoney III ‘03.
Mr. Michael Burris recently got engaged (ironically, Sept.11) to Brooke Mosteller of Charleston, former Miss South Carolina 2013 and USC Law School graduate. The couple will be married June 10, 2017 at The Citadel. Mr. Andrew P. Gibson ‘06 married Kelly Brennan on April 18, 2015. Andrew is a senior Analyst at LPL Financial. The couple resides in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Mark A. Pacult ‘06 is currently in his second year of medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC.
Mr. John S. (Stanton) Seckinger ‘11, after a successful career at Clemson University, is an Assistant Football Coach at Porter-Gaud.
Class of 2012
Miss Mallory A. Banks ‘12 graduated from Princeton University in the spring of 2016. She is currently in the Emerging Leaders Program at the Nielsen Company, concentrating in Human Resources. The program includes four 6-month city experiences and ends with an international experience in an emerging market such as India, China, Brazil, Dubai, and Poland. Miss Bailey E. Poe ‘12 is an Administrative Assistant at Poe Group Advisors in Charleston, SC. Mr. David E. Rieder ‘12 is the host of Swimming World TV and is a staff writer for Swimming World Magazine.
Class of 2007
Mr. Brandon J. Cole ‘07 is the Accounting Manager at Spoleto Festival USA.
Miss Suzanne D. Trivette ‘12 is attending New York University Law School.
Class of 2008
Miss Lara L. Hewett ‘08 graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2016.
Mr. Grier H. (Hudson) Worthy ‘12 is an Assistant Football Coach for the Varsity Football team at Porter-Gaud.
Mr. John W. (Whit) McGreevy ‘08 and his wife Mary Pat welcomed their son Jackson on May 11, 2016. Miss Rachel E. Snyder ‘08 is a middle school literature teacher at All Souls Catholic School in Englewood, CO.
Class of 2009
Mrs. Lauren E. Wright ‘09 married James Sral on June 6, 2015. The couple was married at Church of the Holy Cross on Sullivan’s Island. Lauren is the Youth Director for Christ Church Presbyterian. Lauren and James live in Atlanta, GA.
Class of 2013
Mr. Luke C. (Chris) Nyland ’13 recently interned in London for a web-based real estate firm. Luke is now finishing his degree in Political Science at Wake Forest. Miss Colin C. Wallace ‘13 has been awarded the Rotary District 7570 Skelton/Jones Scholarship, previously the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. The scholarship provides $30,000 to fund one year of post-baccalaureate study at a university outside the U.S. Wallace has applied to attend the University of Sydney’s Master of Development Studies program.
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CYCLONE NOTES
EXCITING NEWS FROM OUR ALUMNI
Class of 2014
Mr. Kurt (K.J.) M. James II ‘14 is attending Armstrong State in Savannah, GA where he is a Forward on the Basketball team. Armstrong State plays in the Peach Belt Conference with schools such as Lander and Francis Marion.
THANK YOU,
VETERANS! Class of 2016
Mr. Carson M. Marr ‘16 is awarded the Rufus C. Barkley Jr. Leadership Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a student with a strong academic record, a history of community service, and demonstrated vision, integrity, ethics, leadership and generosity. It is renewable for all four years of college, providing $40,000 in total. This fall, Carson started his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania.
PMA DID YOU KNOW?
The Reverend Anthony Toomer Porter, an Episcopal priest, formed The Holy Communion Church Institute to educate children orphaned during the Civil War. The school opened on December 9, 1867 with 425 boys and 125 girls. It was housed in the church Sunday School, located on the corner of Ashley Avenue and Cannon Street. After several years, girls were no longer accepted. In 1886, twenty years after first opening, the school’s name was changed to The Porter Academy, which is still its official name. In 1891 the unofficial name of the school became the “Porter Military Academy,” though the students may have worn military uniforms before this. Did you know the Porter Military Academy Alumni Association meets 10 times a year! All PMA Alumni are invited. To learn more contact Lisa Ward, Director of Major and Planned Gifts, at 843402-4754.
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We would like to take the opportunity to thank all our alumni who serve or have served in one of the United States Armed Forces. If you are a veteran, please send us your name, your rank, and what branch you serve or served in. Send your information to Katie Heath at kheath@portergaud.edu or mail it in to: Porter-Gaud Alumni Office 300 Albemarle Road Charleston, SC 29407
FOUNDERS DAY CONCERT October 24, 2016
HIGHLIGHTREEL Varsity Volleyball: The streak continues! Led by a single senior, Clemson commit Lexie Dorminy, the Cyclones bounced back from two regularseason losses to archrival Ashley Hall and came from behind in the state championship game to win an amazing SEVENTH straight SCISA title.
Sailing: Cyclone sailing became the latest team to hang a banner in the Wendell Center when our sailors claimed their first-ever SCISA state championship in Beaufort on October 22. Coach Kael Martin’s squad has also been competing at a very high level regionally, earning an invitation to the prestigious Great Oaks Regatta in New Orleans as one of the top teams in the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean.
Swimming: Perfection! For two straight years, Coach Mike Walsh’s swim teams have remained undefeated in both boys and girls’ competition, capping a second-straight undefeated season with another double state-championship. Each team is led by a “two-headed sea monster”– for the girls, sisters Elysse and Kaila Pardus, and for the boys, super-sophomores Willem Goedecke and Daniel Kassis. Losing only senior captains Judah Ellison and Annie Chapman to graduation, the Cyclones hope to three-peat in 2017.
Girls’ Tennis: The Cyclones’ tennis team had an outstanding season, finishing as state runner-up in a close match with a loaded Ashley Hall squad. Coach Charlotte Hartsock’s young team played an exceptionally challenging schedule, and loses only one senior, Barrett Dowd, to graduation. The stage is set for even better things to come!
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Girls’ Golf: The newest addition to the Cyclone athletic department, girls’ golf debuted this season under the leadership of coaches Hope Atkinson and Hutson Dodds. Led by senior Ann Martin Skelly, the Cyclones placed sixth in their inaugural state championship match, laying a foundation for teams to come.
Cheerleading: The varsity cheer squad not only provides leadership for P-G spirit at all games and pep rallies. They also are a defending state-championship team in competitive “Gametime Dance.” With a strong performance against both public and private schools at AC Flora’s competition and a runner-up finish in the Lowcountry Cheer Classic at Pinewood Prep, the Cyclones followed up with state runner-up in the state championship.
Cross Country: The 2016 cross-country season was supposed to be a “rebuilding” year after losing four of the top five runners off of last season’s state runner-up squad. Instead, the Cyclones just reloaded. Coach Knight’s harriers ended the season as conference champions and placed fourth overall in SCISA, with senior Judah Ellison as the individual state champion and sophomore David Butts earning all-state honors. The rallying cry for the P-G girls’ cross-country team was “Run for Addie.” When 2015 Coaches’ Cup winner Addie McElveen was injured in a boating accident at the end of the summer, the Cyclones dedicated their season to her. And what a season it was! The Cyclones finished as state runner-up for only the second time in program history, and produced the fastest scoring average of any P-G girls’ team by a huge margin. Senior Taylor Cristo and eighth-grader Connor McMahon both earned all-state honors as the 2016 team set the new standard for girls’ running excellence at Porter-Gaud.
Football: Most of Coach Reetz’ starters were in diapers the last time a Cyclone football team went undefeated in SCISA play. Led by a strong cohort of 18 seniors, including Lowcountry leaders Oliver Michaud at quarterback, Eric Jackson at tailback, and Dante Smith at wide receiver, the Cyclones finished the regular season at 9-1, with their sole setback on the road at Bishop England from the AAA division of the SCHSL. They have averaged over 38 points a game and closed out the season as the top seed in the SCISA playoffs. After earning a first-round bye, they beat Laurence Manning 14-6 in the state semifinals, and earned a spot in the state title game versus Ben Lippen.
WHAT IT MEANS TO
LEAVE A LEGACY What Will Your Legacy Be? Long after you or your children have left Porter-Gaud, what will your legacy be? Sports? Academics? Arts? Student or Faculty assistance? How will you be remembered? How can you follow the legacy of others who made Porter-Gaud everstronger when you were a student? Simple ways to make a big impact: Many alumni, friends, past parents, and grandparents who wish to make a charitable gift find the following options to be much easier than they imagined. 1.
Naming Porter-Gaud Foundation a beneficiary through a charitable bequest or life insurance policy. This option reduces the size of your estate and potentially your tax burden.
2. Naming Porter-Gaud Foundation the beneficiary of a retirement plan account. This option can result in incometax savings for your other beneficiaries.
Simply let us know of your interest in a planned gift, and we will send you a WATCH Tower Circle Koozie. PG Koozie
PG
PMA Koozie
I am leaving A LEgacy.
PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL est. 1867
P
I am leaving A LEgacy.
A Planned Giving Society
A Planned Giving Society
To learn other ways to make a planned gift, please contact Lisa Ward, J.D., Director of Major and Planned Gifts, at 843.402.4754 or lward@portergaud.edu. Front
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Back
Front
Back
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
Porter-Gaud would like to thank the following people for giving of their valuable time and energy to help continue the mission of the School. PORTER-GAUD BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Thomas C. Appleby ’77 Dr. William Melvin Brown III ’87 Mrs. Wanda M. Boyd Mr. James T. H. Buxton ’91 Mr. Henry M. Cheves, Jr. ’87, Chair Mr. J. Walker Coleman IV ’82, Secretary Mrs. Anne Blakeney Kelley ’94 Mr. Paul A. Kohlheim The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence Dr. John M. McCardell, Jr. Mr. Ford P. Menefee ’79 Mr. Ovie Phillip Mughelli ’98 Mr. Doug A. Snyder, Treasurer Mr. James M. Stelling ’68 Mrs. Jennifer H. Thiem Mr. Jonathan P. Weitz ’87 Dr. R. Preston Wendell ’97 The Rev. John Zahl EX-OFFICIO
Mr. D. DuBose Egleston, Jr. ’93, Head of School PORTER-GAUD FOUNDATION BOARD Mr. Luther P. Cochrane, Chair Mr. Charles Darby Mr. Cordes Ford Mrs. Donna M. Friedman Mrs. Linda P. Porter Mr. R. Keith Sauls Mrs. Laura Schaible Mr. James A. Scully, Jr. Mr. Martin O. Skelly Mrs. Lisa D. Weitz EX-OFFICIO
Mr. Henry M. Cheves, Jr. ’87 Mr. Doug A. Snyder, Treasurer Mr. D. DuBose Egleston, Jr. ’93, Head of School Ms. Tucker J. Branham, Executive Director of the Porter-Gaud Foundation CYCLONE FUND PARENT VOLUNTEERS Joanna Barganier Jennifer Black Julie Kassis Long ‘93 Linda Porter Janis Hoffman Erin Hudson Anne Blakeney Kelley’94 Louise Lawton Tzeitel Hirni Anne Bruce Ellen Lucas Deidre Menefee Jill Steinberg
PORTER MILITARY ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (PMAAA) OFFICERS President: Mr. Melvin H. Roberts ’63 Vice President: Mr. Carl Beckman, Jr. ’65 Secretary: Mr. Arthur H. Brouthers III ’63 Treasurer: Mr. James P. Demetre ’54 Archivist: Mr. J. W. Allen, Jr. ’63 Chaplain: Dr. Bobby R. Faulkner ’49 BOARD MEMBERS Mr. Larry K. Bradham, Jr. ’65 Col. Franklin A. “Nick” Hart, Jr., USMC, RET ’50 Mr. Thomas L. Ilderton ’57 Mr. William C. Kennerty ’41 Mr. Elmore L. Marlow ’63 Mr. John McAlister, Jr. ’52 Colonel L. Russell Rawls, USA-RET ’44 Mr. Joseph M. Roberts III ’64
PORTER-GAUD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (PGAA) OFFICERS President: Charles Cole ’94 President-Elect: Chris Osborne ’95 Secretary: Ashley Thiem ’98 Treasurer: Ed Royall ’01 Past President: Greer Shilling Polansky ’88 BOARD MEMBERS Charles Baarcke ‘98 Grace Barrett ‘10 Matthew Cochrane-Logan ‘97 Tim Ford ‘80 Jack Gumb ‘93 Kathleen Stelling Hodgson ‘99 Carter Hudgins ‘96 Len Hutchison ‘06 Cate Morse Leatherman ‘04 Maxwell Mowry, Gaud 1962 Paul Sperry ‘92 Barney Vaughan ‘78 Charlton Wieters ‘93
PORTER-GAUD YOUNG ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (YAA) OFFICERS President: Julia Mallard ‘11 Vice President: Hutson Dodds ’06 BOARD MEMBERS Jack Gilchrist ‘15 Chelsea McKelvey ‘15 Moe Rama ‘15 Hannah Clarke ’14 John Bozeman ’14 Julia McAvoy ’13 Bobby Faith ’13 Robert Scott ’12 Leah Guest ’12 Charlie Baker ’11 Josephine Appleby ’10
Anna Caroline Worthy ’10 Carson Parker ’09 Meg Hickey ’09 Tej Dhindsa ’08 Steven Bailey ’07 Grace Perry Daughtridge ’07 Legare Settle ’06 Jeffrey Zucker ’06 John Beam ’05 Henry Laurens ’05 Anna Perkins McCubrey ’05
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PARTING SHOT
Judah Ellison ran for the individual state championship in cross country, but because of his Orthodox Jewish faith, he could not drive to the meet and had to spend the night at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School the night before. We are grateful to Heathwood Hall for their generosity. Congratulations, Judah! (Photo Credit: Brian Calhoun)
FOR CYCLONE SEASON? We are proud to call our students, faculty and staff, parents, grandparents and alumni, Cyclones. You represent what makes a Porter-Gaud education so special and strong. It is with this pride that we renamed our Annual Fund to The Cyclone Fund! We believe in the power of community and what it does for our students every day!
2016-2017 GIVING by the NUMBERS as of November 18, 2016
$429,563 Endowment
$12,300 Capital/reNEWal
$10,029,712 TOTAL
$10,471,575
PARTICIPATION LEVELS Parents
27%
Alumni
5%
Faculty & Staff
100%
Become a Cyclone Fund supporter today by visiting www.portergaud.edu/give.
300 Albemarle Road Charleston, SC 29407
UPCOMING EVENTS December 3 | Lessons and Carols December 17 | Young Alumni Holiday Social February 17 | Lower School Grandparents Day April 28-30 | Alumni Weekend