Stefanie (Dasher) McCullough ’07, Alumni Board President
MISSION STATEMENT: The Savannah Country Day School seeks to prepare students to meet the challenges of college and of life with confidence, imagination, and integrity.
c/o SCDS
824 Stillwood Drive Savannah, GA 31419
Email: rhodes@savcds.org
Images is published bi-annually by the Communications Department of The Savannah Country Day School.
Director of Communications
Allison Rhodes
Assistant Director of Communications
Kate Caparisos
Art Director Stacy Claywell
Thatdesigngirl.net
Proofreader Sophia Caparisos
Photography
Courtesy of Paul Camp, Michelle Morris, Darryl Reynolds and by submission.
Cover Image
Photo by Andy WIley, Mini-Mester students paddle Ebenezer Creek
Dear Country Day Community:
In January of 1987, in the middle of my junior year of college, I bought myself a round-trip plane ticket to Europe for $250 (anyone remember People Express Airlines?). A friend of mine was studying abroad in England that year, and he and I had decided to spend our month-long winter break backpacking across Europe. When I boarded the plane, I had a little over $400 in cash and a rail pass. I had no credit cards and no cell phone. A month later, when I boarded my flight home from London, having spent time in Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and England, I had $20 left in my wallet but some incredible memories that are with me to this day.
I was recently reminded of that trip when my older son Eamon (SCDS ’21) decided to spend the second semester of his junior year of college in Madrid. Though he did have a credit card and a cell phone, I love that he was willing and able to take on the challenge of navigating a Spanish-speaking country largely on his own with no Spanish background (he studied French at SCDS).
Our mission to prepare our students for college and life with confidence, imagination, and integrity is a collective effort. It starts with the academic program but extends far beyond the classroom. While the academic foundation they receive is crucial to their success in college, we ultimately strive to equip them with the life skills and confidence they need to thrive in the world beyond college. This is why we are dedicated to exposing our students to a diverse range of experiences and challenges—both within and outside the classroom. As you review this issue of Images, you will witness the collective efforts of our school community in shaping our students’ futures.
Our school has a rich history of alumni venturing out into the world, embarking on remarkable adventures, achieving incredible things, and giving back to their communities. This issue features an interview with Mylin Torres ‘94, the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Torres is an exceptionally accomplished breast cancer doctor and professor at Emory University. I invite you to delve into her career and reflections on her time at Country Day, a testament to the impact of our school on its students.
Carl Showalter ’78, this year’s Commencement speaker, is another shining example of someone who has had an accomplished career but remains rooted in service to others. In his Commencement Address to the Class of 2024, Carl shared ten impactful habits and skills. He told wonderful stories from his time at Country Day and the support he gleaned from classmates, teachers, and coaches. (One of them was Coach Lamar Kirkley, who will be celebrating his 50th year at SCDS in the fall!) Two quotes of Carl’s have remained with me:
“All of us are the sum of our experiences and our surroundings. We are the products of our influences and environments, our family, and our friends. The thought of us making it on our own is a myth.”
“Get involved with your community, make connections, and volunteer. Be generous. Give back and pay it forward. Who knows, you might even help someone like me attend this school and change their life forever.”
This summer, as you enjoy time with your family and create treasured connections, please take a moment to reflect on the profound impact our teachers, coaches, and staff have on our community. Their dedication and passion are the backbone of our mission, instilling confidence, imagination, and integrity in our students. I am deeply grateful for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to our school’s values.
Together, we continue to shape futures, inspire journeys, and build a legacy of excellence. Thank you for being a vital part of this incredible community.
Cum Laude Induction
Congratulations to the 16 students inducted into the Cum Laude Society! Country Day’s membership in the Cum Laude Society highlights the School’s dedication to academic excellence and celebrates the scholarship and intellectual engagement of our student body. Modeled on the collegiate honor society of Phi Beta Kappa, the Cum Laude Society was founded in 1906 to recognize academic excellence in the country’s most prestigious high schools. Country Day is honored to be one of the 11 chapters in the state of Georgia and the only chapter in Savannah. Congratulations to the following new inductees: Class of 2025: Ayo Ajayi, Jade Flood, Ella Haas, Ana Miller, Elizabeth Perry, Isabella Picone, Daisy Salyer, and Mary Mobley Varnedoe. Class of 2024: John Avino, Devin Beauchamp, Mary Anne Bennett, Henry Berg, Sam Bueno, Harris Glidewell, Ava Grace Harris, and Sawyer Tarr.
STAR Student
Congratulations to Emiline Baxter, the 2024 Co-Region STAR Student. Emiline earned the highest score on the SAT in a single sitting among all high school seniors in greater Savannah. Each STAR student selects a teacher who has significantly influenced his/her success, and Emiline selected Upper School math teacher AJ Goldman as her STAR Teacher. The Professional Association of Georgia Educators sponsors the STAR student/teacher program as a way to recognize those who shine academically.
Ribbon-cutting for T. Brown Field
On the afternoon of February 15, Country Day proudly hosted a ribbon-cutting event for the newly renovated T. Brown Field. The new ballpark was made possible by the generosity of SCDS parent Yaël van Hulst in memory of her late husband, Tim Brown. Following the ribbon-cutting and first pitch, the crowd enjoyed a cookout and a big Hornet win. The Country Day community is grateful for this fantastic ballpark and generous support of the Invest in Excellence Campaign Phase II: Athletics.
School-Wide Day of Service
On January 10, Savannah Country Day School participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service with an all-school service initiative, partnering over 1,000 students and teachers with 30 local non-profit organizations. Following inclass discussions with non-profit representatives regarding the organizations’ missions, students spent the morning participating in a range of community service activities. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
Many of the organizational representatives were current parents and alumni, which proved especially meaningful.
Lamar Barton Pandeloglou ‘03 commented, “It’s a deeply fulfilling experience to give back to the community and alma mater that shaped me, while also actively contributing to positive change on a broader scale.”
“It was heartwarming to see every Country Day student come together to learn about issues in our Savannah community and then work on service projects for these local organizations,” said Mary Margaret Carroll ’25. “This day would not have been possible without the hard work of our Service Council for this ‘day on’ of service.”
Schmidt Lecture Speaker: Jennifer Wallace
Each year, the Louis W. & Nellie H. Schmidt Endowment Fund allows The Savannah Country Day School to host a notable speaker on campus for a community lecture. This year, Country Day welcomed Jennifer Wallace, author of “Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It,” for two days on campus. In addition to her evening lecture with parents, she spoke to Upper School students during an afternoon session and to the faculty and staff as part of the faculty in-service day.
With the rise of a “toxic achievement culture” overtaking our kids’ and parents’ lives, Mrs. Wallace provided tools to help parents, students, and teachers untangle self-worth from achievement. The biggest takeaway for the audience was the concept of “mattering,” the idea that we are valued for who we are at our core and that we can add meaningful value to the lives of others.
Thank you to the donors to the Louis W. & Nellie H. Schmidt Endowment, whose generosity allows Country Day to host nationally respected authors, researchers, and other education and childhood development experts to speak with students, families, and the larger community.
Faculty Professional Development & Enrichment
In early February, Country Day hosted a school-wide faculty and staff in-service day as an opportunity for teachers to explore a variety of professional development topics. Participants engaged in interactive sessions, reflecting and connecting with colleagues from across all divisions. Topics included executive functioning, diverse learning, and artificial intelligence, among others. The professional development day also included a lecture from visiting author Jennifer Wallace, who spoke on the topic of toxic achievement culture.
Governor’s Honors
Congratulations to Andrew Semones on his selection as a finalist for this year’s Governor’s Honors Program. In this highly selective summer program, over 4,200 students were nominated to the state-level competition, and nearly 1,500 participated in this year’s state interview/audition process. The program is held mid-summer as a residential educational experience on a college or university campus. Students attend classes in the mornings, spend afternoons in specific areas of study, and participate in a wide variety of social and instructional opportunities every evening.
Middle School Math Team Success
The Middle School Math Team of Kohki Maeda, Keating Taylor, Grant Umbel, Olivia Jeong, and Matt Thieu participated in the state-level MathLeague competition in Atlanta. Kohki came in ninth place in the eighth grade category. Grant placed third in the seventh grade category and traveled to the national MathLeague contest in Houston in April. Way to go, Hornet Mathletes!
Mini-Mester Travel
After a short hiatus, the Middle School mini-mester trips were back this year, with a fantastic selection of travel experiences for our students. While some explored the city of Boston and its rich history, another group traveled Georgia’s Silver Comet trail by bike. A new offering to Belize allowed students six days of memorable scuba and service activities. The students were grateful to the faculty chaperones for providing a week of fantastic experiential learning.
Orton-Gillingham in Lower School
Prioritizing literacy at the youngest grades, Country Day now provides professional development for teachers from kindergarten to second grade to undergo Orton-Gillingham training and certification. Initially designed for dyslexic students, Orton-Gillingham is now recognized for enhancing all students’ learning. The approach fosters hands-on, interactive learning, primarily focusing on phonics. Lessons are customized based on student needs, ensuring progress. Previously, only Learning Support Specialists received this training, but with Head of Lower School Christina Aaron’s initiative in 2018, it became a standard for classroom teachers in the relevant grade levels. Multisensory learning is central to the approach, eschewing traditional book-based learning for interactive activities that enhance not only phonics but also vocabulary and word comprehension.
Faculty Explorations Speaker Series
Thanks to the vision and passion of several faculty members, Country Day was pleased to open classroom spaces and host the wildly popular Faculty Explorations speaker series once again. The weekly sessions provided attendees the opportunity to revisit a classroom setting and explore a topic based on the faculty host’s area of expertise. Thank you to the four faculty presenters, Dave Elliott, Neil Gabbey, Laura Santander, and Meg Haston.
Multicultural Festival
On a Saturday in early spring, the Upper School’s Students Celebrating Diversity Club hosted the annual Multicultural Festival for our larger school community. Families enjoyed cuisines from around the world, student presentations, and activities that represent some of the many cultures of our Country Day families. Highlights from this year’s festival included international dancing, African drumming, and a henna station. Each year, this event celebrates the diversity of our school community and the world beyond.
Gifts to The Fund for Country Day inspire creativity, collaboration, and
joyful learning
at The Savannah Country Day School.
Be a part of moments like these through your support of the annual fund.
Make your gift or pledge for the 2024-25 school year at savcds.org/thefund.
Ann Lerch, Director of Annual Giving 912-961-8822 | alerch@savcds.org
Student Awards
Hoke Bouchillon Scholarship: Collin Harris
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Selene Zhao
The National School Choral Award: Reese Bailey
Proscenium Award: Ben Templeton and Silas Johnson
Fine Arts Nights
The award-winning arts program at Country Day was on full display this spring with a multitude of concerts, gallery events, and student performances.
GMEA All-State Middle School String Orchestra
Cellist Oskar Johnson-Liu ’28 and violist Ryan Lin ’28 successfully auditioned in two GMEA auditions, earning them spots in the GMEA All-State Middle School String orchestra. They played advanced music, made new friends from around the state, and represented Savannah Country Day School exceptionally. This was Oskar’s third year in a row participating in an All-State orchestra event. Congratulations!
Young Hornets Shine!
Throughout the spring, the talent and creative expression of our younger Hornets was on full display, from the classroom to the stage. Not to be outdone, The Little School hosted its own musical production, “Bugz.”
In the Spotlight
The Upper and Middle School drama departments continued to showcase their talents this spring. The Upper School presented Bright Star and Almost, Maine while the Middle School presented the colorful and captivating Seussical, Jr
Congratulations to the following student artists on honors from the Scholastic Art Awards and the Congressional Art Show:
Scholastic Art Awards:
Mary Margaret Carroll (Golden Key Winner)
Sophie Jaakkola (Portfolio Award Winner)
Congressional Art Show Selections:
Henry Berg (ceramics)
Oliver Byrne (photography)
Wynn Dennard (photography)
Tinsley Godfrey-Cargile (ceramics)
Sophie Jaakkola (ceramics)
Karenna Lapp (photography)
Anne Mandel (ceramics)
New Collegiate Athletes
Country Day was honored to celebrate the following athletes, who will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Karenna Lapp
Wynn Dennard
Oliver Byrne
Rooster Bing Football/ Morehouse College
Athon Herrin Football/ Sewanee KJ James Football/ Florida Memorial University
Rob Spaulding Basketball/ Erskine College
Dalton Brown Baseball/ Lafayette College Garrett Lorfano Baseball/ Flagler College
Bryn Sorge Golf/ Saint Francis University
Wesley Hooker Soccer/ Pfeiffer University
Eva Beauchamp Track & Field/ Wesleyan University
Boys’ Tennis Awards
MVP: Henry Berg
Captains: Henry Berg, Nico Dascombe
Coaches’ Award: Reed Dulany
Scholar Athletes: Henry Berg, Turner Birthisel, Yejoon Cho, Nico Dascombe, Wills Davis, Vir Derola, Reed Dulany, Luke Fountain, Charles Glidewell, Coleman Huggins, Finn Taylor, Paxton Towe
Head of School Award: Henry Berg, Nico Dascombe
Girls’ Tennis Awards
MVP: Katherine Berg
Captain’s Award: Lilla Brennan
Coach’s Award: Margaret Brennan, Helen Culver
Scholar Athletes: Katherine Berg, Lilla Brennan, Margaret Brennan, Mary Margaret Carroll, Helen Culver, Juliette Jouffrault, Harlan Lerch, Anne Mandel, Emily Moretz, Daisy Salyer, Mary Duvall Sumner
TENNIS
Both teams had fantastic seasons after reaching the state finals last year. The boys finished with a record of 19-3, and they won their fourth-consecutive region championship. Big wins included 5-0 sweeps of Benedictine, Savannah Christian, and Calvary. On the girls’ side, they also enjoyed big wins over local rivals and won the region tournament. Both teams hosted state playoff wins before losing in the Elite Eight round. With only three seniors graduating, both teams look to continue their tradition of being the best team in the Coastal Empire.
Lamar Kirkley and Reid Owens were both honored as the Region 3AAA Coaches of the Year. Savannah Morning News honored Lamar Kirkley as the Boys’ Coach of the Year. Henry Berg was named to the 1st Team and Turner Birthisel, Nico Dascombe, Wills Davis, Reed Dulany, Finn Taylor, and Paxton Towe were included as Honorable Mentions. On the girls’ side, Reid Owens was named the Coach of the Year, and Helen Culver was named to the 1st Team. Honorable Mentions were Katherine Berg, Lilla Brennan, Mary Duvall Sumner, and Eliza Strong.
Athletic Awards
Ken Simpson Sportsmanship Award: Anna Claire Davis, Athon Herrin
Connie Houston Spirit Award: Ella Stone, John Avino
Bill and Charlene Saunders Most Versatile Athlete Award: Eva Beauchamp, Ray Ray Jackson
SOCCER
The Varsity soccer teams enjoyed a strong season and a deep run in the GHSA state playoffs. Both teams won their respective Region Championships, and the boys’ team went undefeated in the regular season. Notable wins included Benedictine, Greater Atlanta Christian, Calvary, and Savannah Christian for the boys, while the girls had big wins over St. Vincent’s, Savannah Christian, and Calvary.
All-Region 3AAA Honors included Coach of the Year Michael Hincker, Offensive Player of the Year Wesley Hooker, and Defensive Player of the Year Madden Gerlach. 1st Team included Arthur Pereira Batista, Carson Cook, Madden Gerlach, Athon Herrin, Hyers Holland, Wesley Hooker, and Cash Ramirez. For the girls’ team, All-Region 3AAA honors included Coach of the Year David Hooker, Offensive Player of the Year Sophia Okumu, and Defensive Player of the Year Emma Bromley. 1st Team included Reese Bailey, Emma Bromley, Madison Bueno, Anna Claire Davis, Molly Hildebrandt, Sophia Okumu, and Harris Stone. 2nd Team included Sarah Catherine Gilpin, and Honorable Mentions were Henley Schivera, Ella Stone, and Catherine Anne Whitfield. Savannah Morning News named Michael Hincker as Coach of the Year for boys’ soccer. 1st Team for boys’ soccer included Arthur Batista and Athon Herrin. Honorable Mentions were Carson Cook, Hyers Holland, and Thomas Holland. Emma Bromley, Sophia Okumu, and Harris Stone were 1st Team girls’ soccer. 2nd Team honors included Reese Bailey, Madison Bueno, AC Davis, and Molly Hildebrandt. Sarah Catherine Gilpin was named an Honorable Mention.
Girls’ Soccer Awards
Guerry Beam Award: Emma Bromley
Coaches’ Award: Lauren Lewis
Most Improved: Olivia Aliotta
Captains: AC Davis, Ella Stone, Harris Stone
Scholar Athletes: Reese Bailey, Claudia Barrow, McKay Beck, Emma Bromley, Madison Bueno, Anna Claire Davis, Alice Edwards, Sarah Catherine Gilpin, Kate Hunter, Arianna Kyser, Lauren Lewis, Larkin
Lotter, Olivia Lotter, Sophia Okumu, Molly Osterloh, Vada Peters, Ella Stone, Harris Stone, Mary Mobley
Varnedoe, Catherine Anne Whitfield
Head of School Award: AC Davis, Ella Stone
Boys’ Soccer Awards
Guerry Beam Award: Wesley Hooker, Athon Herrin
MVP: Wesley Hooker
Unsung Hero: Madden Gerlach
Captains: Madden Gerlach, Athon Herrin
Scholar Athletes: Brayden Allen, Oba Banjoko, Arthur Pereira Batista, Max Beamon, Thomas Boyd, Chase Buerger, Winfield Cay, Jackson Chase, Nicolas Chiozza, Carson Cook, Britt McCormick, Liam Murphy, John Morgan Peters, Ander Renelt, Chris Rizik, Elia Southern, Chase Turner, Adler Walmsley, Nolan Watson, Mathias Weiland
Head of School Award: Brayden Allen, Carson Cook
Greater Savanah Athletic Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Wesley Hooker and Stella Oelschig. Both athletes were honored by the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame.
LACROSSE
With a tough schedule against several out-of-state schools, the lacrosse team was well-prepared for region play and had big wins over Calvary, Savannah Christian, and Richmond Hill. They finished as the Region 1-4A Runner-Up and hosted the program’s first home playoff win. The Hornets had a disappointing loss to Westminster in the Sweet Sixteen round, but as a young team, they look forward to continued growth and success.
Class A-4A All-Area selections included 1st Team Ian Foose, Cash McCoy, Jack Lovell, and James Rhodes. Sam Bueno and Philip Slatinsky were named Honorable Mentions. Savannah Morning News honors included 1st Team Ian Foose, Jack Lovell, Cash McCoy, and James Rhodes. Philip Slatinsky was an Honorable Mention.
Lacrosse Awards
Erik Johnson ACE Award: Cash McCoy
Offensive MVP: Ian Foose
Defensive MVP: James Rhodes
Coach’s Award: Boone Wiesner
Scholar Athletes: William Arnold, Hayes Beaver, Sam Bueno, Anders Elizalde, Ian Foose, Ross Glisson, Max Hamilton, Conner Hartley, Charlie Kraeuter, Jack Lerch, Jack Lovell, Nikhil Manocha, Cash McCoy, Tripp
Milling, Ben Perkins, James Rhodes, Philip Slatinsky, Connall Smith, Finn Smith, Wesley Spencer, Sawyer Tarr, Boone Wiesner, Thomas Wynn
Head of School Award: Sam Bueno, Sawyer Tarr
TRACK and FIELD
The Hornets had a strong showing at the regional and sectional meets, and nine athletes qualified for the GHSA Class AAA State Meet. There were outstanding results at the State Meet including Andrew Wynn winning the 300m hurdle State Championship. Other top ten results include 110m Hurdles: 2nd Andrew Wynn’s; Discus: 2nd Ray Ray Jackson; 1600m: 3rd Charlie Pope; and 4x800m Relay: 6th Lily Barrow, Ansley Cheshire, Cindy Murray, Aarya Patel. New school records include 300m Hurdles: Andrew Wynn (39.16); 110m Hurdles: Andrew Wynn (14.59); 4x800m Relay: Lily Barrow, Ansley Cheshire, Cindy Murray, Aarya Patel (10:20.39); Discus: Ray Ray Jackson (175’).
Savannah Morning News honors included 1st Team Ray Ray Jackson, Charlie Pope, and Andrew Wynn. 1st team 3-AAA All-Region included Andrew Wynn, Charlie Pope, and Ray Ray Jackson.
Track and Field Awards
MVP: Ray Ray Jackson, Andrew Wynn
Rookie of the Year: Lily Barrow, Ansley Cheshire, Cindy Murray, Aarya Patel
Most Improved: Andrew Nicholson
Coaches’ Award: Jeremiah Brown, Mary Elizabeth Semones
ACE (Attitude Commitment Effort): Charlie Pope, Eva Beauchamp
Captains: Eva Beauchamp, Devin Beauchamp, Ray Ray Jackson, Andrew Wynn
GOLF
Both the boys’ and girls’ golf teams had great seasons and enjoyed success at the GHSA State Tournament. The boys’ team finished as the GHSA 3A State Runner-up and the girls’ team finished in 5th place. William Whitefield finished as the Individual State Runner-Up, while Kate Barber finished in 4th place and Bryn Sorge placed 6th. Earlier in the season, the girls’ team won the Savannah City Championship, with Bryn Sorge winning low medalist.
Savannah Morning News honored 1st Team Caden Hartley and William Whitfield and Honorable Mentions Thomas Claiborne, Dallas Hunter, Andrew Messalle, and Charles Morris. On the girls’ side, Kate Barber and Bryn Sorge were named to the 1st Team. All Region 3-AAA selections included Caden Hartley, William Whitfield, Kate Barber, and Bryn Sorge.
Golf Awards
MVP: William Whitfield
Coaches’ Award: Dallas Hunter
Most Improved: Caden Hartley
Scholar Athletes: Boys - Brock Mariano Bettle, Thomas Claiborne, Hunter Goldstein, Caden Hartley, Dallas Hunter, Connor Umbel, William Whitfield
Girls - Parker Hall, Bryn Sorge
Head of School: Brock Mariano Bettle, Dallas Hunter, William Whitfield
Scholar Athletes: Lily Barrow, Devin Beauchamp, Eva Beauchamp, Kent Burnett, Ansley Cheshire, Tennyson Fitzgerald, Charlie Hawkins, JT Hill, Helen Kenney, Rebecca Kimball, Ella Lowry, Barton Mixon, Cindy Murray, Aarya Patel, Ria Patel, Charlie Pope, Andrew Semones, Caroline Semones, Mary Elizabeth Semones, Wesley Zhao.
Head of School Award: Eva Beauchamp, Helen Kenney
BASEBALL
Hornet baseball had a strong season and enjoyed hosting games at the newly renovated T. Brown Field. The Hornets captured several big wins, including a memorable win over Savannah Christian at the end of the season, and went into the first round of playoffs as the Region 3AAA Runner-Up. Savannah Morning News honors included 1st Team Tyler Scott, 2nd Team Dalton Brown, and Honorable Mentions Ben Kleinpeter, Brooks Kleinpeter and Garrett Lorfano.
Baseball Awards
Silver Slugger: Garrett Lorfano Pitcher of the Year: Tyler Scott
Defensive Player of the Year: Gabe McKinney
Rookie of the Year: Ben Kleinpeter
Scholar Athletes: Dalton Brown, Miles Carson, Jackson Day, Ben Kleinpeter, Jake Pablo, Will Paderewski, Walker Price, Bingham Salandi, Corbett Salandi, Leiden van Abshoven, Miles Vaught, Edward Wallace, Andrew Wilkes, Chris Wynn
Head of School Award: Dalton Brown, Corbett Salandi, Leiden van Abshoven
WRESTLING
The wrestling team saw continued growth and a strong showing at several local meets. The following athletes qualified for the sectional meet: Charlie Kraeuter, Thomas Wynn, Ramon Barboa, Lincoln Kraeuter, and Peter Thompson.
Wrestling Awards
Most Outstanding: Lincoln Kraeuter
Most Dedicated: Charlie Kraeuter
Most Improved Wrestler: Campbell Highsmith
Scholar Athletes: Ramon Barboa, Charlie Kraeuter, Lincoln Kraeuter, Jack Lerch, Thomas Wynn
BASKETBALL
Both basketball teams enjoyed success throughout the season. The Varsity girls’ basketball team captured the regular season Region 3-AAA title with a 14-1 record in region play and finished as the runner-up in the Region 3-AAA tournament. The boys’ season will be remembered for their four-game region tournament win streak and overall tournament win. In addition, the Junior Varsity girls’ team finished the season undefeated with an impressive 15-0 record. Region 3AAA honors included Coaches of the Year Mac Tamminnen and Kenny Conroy, Co-Player of the Year Stella Oelschig, and Freshman of the Year Rudy Anderson. Other Region honors included 1st Team Rudy Anderson and AC Davis; 2nd Team Rob Spaulding, Sarah Catherine Gilpin, Molly Hildebrandt; and Honorable Mention Stone Wells. Savannah Morning News Coastal Empire Best of Preps honored 1st Team Rudy Anderson, Rob Spaulding, and Stella Oelschig; 2nd Team AC Davis; and Honorable Mention Sarah Catherine Gilpin and Molly Hildebrandt.
Girls’ Basketball Awards
Outstanding Offensive Player: Stella Oelschig
Outstanding Defensive Player: Molly Hildebrandt
Rookie of the Year: Olivia Aliotta, Madison Bueno
JV Most Outstanding Player: Janiyah Johnson
JV Most Improved: Madison McCray
Scholar Athletes: Claudia Barrow, Madison Bueno, Luana Castillo, Anna Claire Davis, Sarah Catherine Gilpin, Parker Hall, Charlie Hawkins, Feriby McCorkle, Sophia Myers, Stella Oelschig, Mary Elizabeth Semones, Ella Stone, Catherine Anne Whitfield, Rachi Wilson
Head of School Award: Ella Stone, Rachi Wilson
Boys’ Basketball Awards
Most Outstanding Player: Rob Spaulding
Unsung Hero: Stone Wells
Iron Man Award: Josh Washington
Hornet Award: William Whitfield
Scholar Athletes: Dalton Brown, Max Clements, Curren Pace Godfey-Cargile, Caden Hartley, JT Hill, Dallas Hunter, Ben Kleinpeter, Edward Wallace, Nolan Watson, William Whitfield, Chris Wynn
Head of School Award: Dallas Hunter, William Whitfield
Congratulations to Robert Spaulding on surpassing the 1,000-point mark and reaching 1,274 career points at Country Day. He is the seventh 1,000-point male athlete in the history of SCDS basketball and ranks second in overall career scoring.
In addition, Stella Oelschig, who came to SCDS as a sophmore, accomplished a highly sought after career goal of 1,000 points during the Region Tournament.
SWIMMING
The Varsity swim season included several strong finishes at local meets and concluded with a successful trip to the GHSA Class A-AAA State Championship. The men’s team (Will Harmon, Cameron MacLeod, McKade Neal, and Sawyer Tarr) was the first male team in almost a decade to make a state cut time for the 200 free relay. Will Harmon placed 5th in the 500 free and 6th in the 200 free, and McKade Neal placed 12th in the 100 back.
Savannah Morning News named Will Harmon as an Honorable Mention. New school records include the relay team of Will Harmon, Cameron MacLeod, McKade Neal, and Sawyer Tarr in the 200m Medley relay (1:52.83), 200 freestyle relay (1:39.80) and 400 freestyle relay (3:45.54). Will Harmon set new records in the 50m freestyle (23.24), 200m free (1:50.00), and the 100m back (58.93).
Swimming Awards
Most Valuable: Will Harmon
Most Improved: McKade Neal
Coaches’ Award: Rohan Patel
Captains: Cameron MacLeod, Rohan Patel
Scholar Athletes: Will Harmon, Grant Hunter, Cameron MacLeod, McKade Neal, Paawan Patel, Rohan Patel, Sawyer Tarr
Congratulations to Ella Stone and Sam Bueno— Mr. and Miss SCDS 2024. Ella and Sam were selected by their classmates and teachers as the two students who best represent the spirit of SCDS in terms of good character, positive attitude, strong academics, and exemplary extracurricular involvement.
Middle School Highlights
Three Middle School basketball teams won their SPAL Championships! Congratulations to the 6th grade girls, 7th grade girls, and 8th grade boys. The 5th and the 8th grade girls finished their seasons as the SPAL Runners-up. Congratulations, coaches and athletes!
Congratulations to Janiyah Johnson, the recipient of the Exchange Club’s 2024 Dewitt Award. Each spring, the award is presented to the top eighthgrade male and female athletes of the year in public and private schools in Chatham County. The award is based on athletic leadership, academics, and community service.
CURRICULAR CURIOSITIES
CURRICULAR CURIOSITIES invites readers to explore a sampling of the innovative and unique educational offerings that set The Savannah Country Day School apart, spanning junior kindergarten through twelfth grade. From hands-on exploration in Lower School, where play is the gateway to learning, to advanced STEM programs that ignite scientific passion in the Upper School, Country Day’s curriculum is designed to inspire and engage.
Discover how Country Day nurtures the minds and spirits of young learners, preparing them not just for college, but for life in a rapidly changing world.
Because service is a core principle at Country Day, we introduce it at the earliest opportunity. In a favorite annual service learning project, junior kindergarten students learn about One Love Animal Rescue. Students don chef hats and prepare homemade dog treats, which are given to foster dogs!
STEM EGG DROP | GRADE 1
The classic egg drop experiment puts students’ ingenuity to the test as they learn about potential and kinetic energy while fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and a passion for experimentation and learning.
CROSS-DIVISIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
GRADES JK-12
One of the greatest benefits of attending a school that spans 14 grades is the abundant opportunities for cross-division interaction. Each year, this is showcased on the first day of school, as our seniors welcome and escort our young Hornets into Demere Gym for their first-ever assembly.
LIVING MUSEUM | GRADE 2
Second grade’s “Living Museum” is a cherished annual cross-curricular project showcasing students’ public speaking, research, and writing skills. Students research a historical figure using resources from the media center, create a portrait in art class, and develop a timeline of the individual’s life and accomplishments. The best part? Going all out to dress the part and presenting a “living museum” to their teachers, parents, and peers to enjoy!
HANDS-ON LEARNING GRADE K
A tactile learning approach in kindergarten engages children in the learning process through their sense of touch. By integrating touch, manipulation, and exploration into their activities, tactile learners are able to retain information more effectively while strengthening their fine motor skills.
ORGANIC GARDENING GRADE 3
Third grade science students plant and chart their own vegetables in the 2,000-square-foot organic gardens. Using iPads as garden journals, they measure and record plant growth and rainfall. Harvested vegetables are used in classroom stirfry and donated to the school cafeteria and Second Harvest Food Bank.
CURSIVE GRADE 2
In addition to manuscript and keyboarding, second grade students learn cursive writing through our Handwriting Without Tears program.
POLLINATOR PROJECT | MULTI-GRADE
Country Day’s 65-acre campus is the perfect location for student participation in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, which documents our pollinator populations and uploads data to the UGA Extension office.
BOOK CLUB | MULTI-GRADE
Lower School students enjoy meeting in the outdoor classroom spaces with their book club buddies from different grade levels to read and discuss their favorite new books.
MUSIC ELECTIVES | GRADES 4 & 5
In addition to general music and chorus classes, fourth and fifth grade students can choose to participate in either orchestra or drama as an additional arts elective.
CAMPUS APIARY | GRADES 6-8
What started years ago with a single observational classroom hive has blossomed into a dedicated campus space housing multiple honeybee hives. Sixth grade science classes are in charge of the hives, with responsibilities ranging from determining the health and productivity of the colony to harvesting and transforming honey into products, all while learning about the important role these pollinators play in our ecosystem.
DURRELL DAY GRADE 7
The annual celebration of Durrell Day fills the 7th grade hallway with live insects, artwork, and dioramas. Inspired by British naturalist Gerald Durrell’s memoir My Family and Other Animals, students are encouraged to “Be Gerry,” getting in touch with and finding the beauty in nature.
SOCS VS. GREASERS | GRADE 6
Sixth graders hone their knowledge of the classic book The Outsiders by having a rumble— with their smarts! Students don their 50’s best to represent the “Socs” and “Greasers” and join teams to quiz each other on the book.
ROBOTICS
| GRADE 6
Sixth grade science offers the opportunity to dive into the world of robotics using the LEGO Mindstorms platform. Learning the fundamentals of engineering and computer science, students build and program robots to execute specific commands in response to signals, such as clapping.
ULAR CURIOSITIES CURRICULARCURIOSITIES CURRICULARC
DECADES NIGHT GRADE 8
An eighth grade capstone history project, Decades Night is a fun way for students to showcase their knowledge of 20th-century American history. After researching their selected decade, students transform their classrooms into interactive museums while sharing their knowledge and playing the part of historical figures.
PECHAKUCHA | GRADE 8
Derived from the Japanese term for “chit chat,” PechaKucha is a dynamic presentation style that hones public speaking and presentation skills. Students take the spotlight, armed with 20 textfree slides and 20 seconds of commentary per slide. In just six minutes and 40 seconds, they are challenged to present on a topic they are passionate about.
MINI-MESTER | GRADES 6-8
A week-long exploratory experience for Middle School students, Mini-mester offers an opportunity to try new activities while interacting with peers from different grade levels. Some students ventured to destinations like Belize, while others engaged in experiential learning on campus and around Savannah. From sailing and fencing to culinary adventures, mahjong, bass fishing, and more, Mini-mester inspires our students to become lifelong learners.
ADVANCED PORTFOLIO ART | GRADE 11-12
The Advanced Porfolio art class provides students the opportunity to build a body of work and create an online portfolio website that can be utilized during the college application process.
ROCKETS GRADES 9-12
Campus athletic fields serve as an ideal space to launch rockets as part of a lesson in free fall and initial velocity.
HONOR BOOK | GRADES 9-12
The annual signing of the Honor Book centers on reflection, contemplation, and commitment. It strengthens our students’ dedication to the standards of honesty and decency and signifies a pledge to abide by our Honor Code and hold others to the same standard.
ENGINEERING | GRADE 10-12
Hosted in the Makerspace, the Intro to Engineering elective offers a hands-on look into the world of problem-solving and engineering. After significant research, design, and implementation, students create mini bridges and test them to evaluate their strength and durability.
MODES PROJECTS GRADE 11
To broaden our students’ writing styles and flex their creative muscles, AP Language and Composition students are challenged with the Modes Project. They choose a topic and write six different essays about it in six different modes/styles.
TENNIS IN SPANISH GRADES 9-12
Integrating a rotating tennis ball into a Spanish 300 lesson enhances cognitive processes and facilitates learning.
GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY | GRADES 9-12
Country Day offers additional courses through a partnership with Global Online Academy (GOA), a consortium of leading independent schools from around the world. Course offerings range from “Bioethics” and “Entrepreneurship in a Global Context” to “Architecture” and “Problem Solving with Engineering & Design.” These online courses are asynchronous and challenge students to work virtually alongside teachers and peers around the world.
INSTITUTE FOR ATLANTIC STUDIES | GRADES 10-12
Visits to Sapelo Island provide a backdrop for the Atlantic Seminar class to explore the cultural heritage and current challenges for the Gullah Geechee community in coastal Georgia.
LITERARY SAVANNAH CLASS | GRADES 12
Gleaning inspiration from local historical sites, writers in the Literary Savannah elective explore Bonaventure Cemetery and its haunting history.
ROME | GRADE 12
Each year, Latin instructor Dr. Kevin Gavin leads a group of seniors through the Eternal City, guiding them through historical sites, immersing them in the city’s vibrant culture, and showcasing the beauty of Rome.
WEIGHTROOM | GRADES 9-12
Upper School’s Personal Fitness elective allows students the opportunity to utilize the weightroom during the school day and prioritize their mental and emotional wellness.
Congratulations to The Savannah Country Day School Class of 2024
These 88 graduates earned admission to 146 colleges and universities in 32 states the District of Columbia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France.
The impressive list of admitting schools is a testament to our talented students who embrace a rigorous curriculum while receiving personalized college guidance from our team of experienced college counselors.
The Savannah School Country Day Class of 2024 will attend:
Brayden Allen
Auburn University
Hayden Anderson
University of South Carolina
John Avino
University of Georgia
Ella Barrow
Auburn University
Emiline Baxter
Georgia Institute of Technology
Devin Beauchamp
Brown University
Eva Beauchamp
Wesleyan University
Mary Anne Bennett
University of Georgia
Henry Berg
Wake Forest University
Charlie Bernstein
Elon University
Mikhail Bhuiyan
Purdue University, Fort Wayne
Rooster Bing
Morehouse College
Madeline Brainard
Samford University
Lilla Brennan
University of Georgia
Dalton Brown
Lafayette College
Sam Bueno
Georgia Institute of Technology
Jacqui Bunger
Colorado School of Mines
Oliver Byrne
Savannah College of Art and Design
Laura Cay New York University
Carson Cook University of Georgia
Blake Culbreth Furman University
Nico Dascombe Carnegie Mellon University
Anna Claire Davis
Georgia Institute of Technology
Alex DeFilippis University of Tampa
Anna Loren Dekle
Mercer University
Madison DeLoach
Northeastern University
Charles Doyle Berry College
Aidan Dunne
Elon University
Jessica Elkin
Wake Forest University
Cora Garola
Georgia Southern University
Madden Gerlach
Georgia Southern University
Harris Glidewell
University of Georgia
Tinsley Godfrey-Cargile
Berry College
CeCe Hargrove
University of St. Andrews
Ava Grace Harris
George Washington University
Athon Herrin
Sewanee: The University of the South
Sara Hiltzheimer
University of Georgia
Diem-Linh Hoang
Georgia College & State
University
Greer Hollis
University of Georgia
Wesley Hooker Pfeiffer University
Sydney Hoye
University of Georgia
Dallas Hunter
University of Georgia
Grant Hunter
Wake Forest University
Sophie Jaakkola
Parsons School of Design
DeAnre’ Jackson
Kennesaw State University
Keith James
Florida Memorial University
Silas Johnson
Savannah College of Art and Design
Harper Judelson
Texas Christian University
Gabe Kaminsky University of Wisconsin (Madison)
Kurt Kelly
Georgia Southern University
Helen Estelle Kenney
Georgia College & State University
Lincoln Kraeuter
The University of Alabama
Karenna Lapp University of South Carolina
Annie Lelos
The University of Texas at Austin
Garrett Lorfano Flagler College
Ella Lowry
Furman University
Brock Mariano Bettle University of Arizona
Rachel May
University of Georgia
Ericka Ann McKeever University of Georgia
Andrew Messalle
Georgia Southern University
Timo Moeller
United States Military Academy at West Point
Henry Moretz
University of Georgia
Liv Morris
Smith College
Emily Most University of Georgia
Jack Owen Myers
Auburn University
Francie Norman University of Vermont
Stella Oelschig University of Mississippi
Sofia Pablo
Dartmouth College
Paawan Patel
Oxford College of Emory University
Rohan Patel
Georgia Institute of Technology
Caleb Pine University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
Joshua Rodriguez University of Vermont
Corbett Salandi University of South Carolina
Mary Sheehan Furman University
Anna Shelton
University of Miami
Bryn Sorge
Saint Francis University
Robert Spaulding Erskine College
Ella Stone
University of Georgia
Sawyer Tarr Vassar College
Ben Templeton Ithaca College
Leiden van Abshoven Middlebury College
Adler Walmsley
Louisiana State University
William Whitfield
University of North Georgia
Rachi Wilson Kennesaw State University
Stella Wynn
Georgia Southern University
Nicholas Yankov
Georgia Southern University
Selene Zhao
Georgia Institute of Technology
Lawson Zhou
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
The Savannah Country Day School Class of 2024 gained admission to the following colleges and universities:
Adelphi University
American University
Appalachian State University
Arizona State University (Tempe)
Auburn University
Augusta University
Baldwin Wallace University
Ball State University
Bard College
Belmont University
Berry College
Brenau University
Brown University
Carleton College
Carnegie Mellon University
Carthage College
Champlain College
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia College (Chicago)
Concordia University (Chicago)
Dartmouth College
Elon University
Emerson College
Emory University
Erskine College
Flagler College
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida International University
Florida Memorial University
Florida Southern College
Florida State University
Fordham University
Furman University
George Washington University
Georgia College
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia State University
Gettysburg College
Gordon State College
Hampden-Sydney College
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Illinois Wesleyan University
Indiana University (Bloomington)
Ithaca College
Jacksonville University
Kennesaw State University
Kent State University
Kenyon College
Lafayette College
Lake Forest College
Louisiana State University
Lynn University
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
McGill University
Mercer University
Methodist University
Michigan State University
Middle Georgia State University
Middlebury College
Millikin University
Morehouse College
Mount Holyoke College
New York University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Oglethorpe University
Ohio Northern University
Ohio University (Main Campus)
Oxford College of Emory University
Pace University (New York City)
Parsons School of Design at The New School
Penn State University (University Park)
Pfeiffer University
Point Park University
Pratt Institute
Purdue University (Main Campus)
Rhode Island College
Rhodes College
Rider University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Saint Francis University
Samford University
Sarah Lawrence College
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah State University
Sewanee: The University of the South
Skidmore College
Smith College
Southeast Missouri State University
Southern Methodist University
St. John’s University
Stetson University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Syracuse University
Temple University
Texas Christian University
The American University of Paris
The New School
The University of Alabama
The University of Tampa
The University of Tennessee (Knoxville)
The University of Texas at Austin
Tufts University
United States Military Academy at West Point
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of California (Los Angeles)
University of California (Santa Barbara)
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Connecticut (Stamford)
University of Denver
University of Evansville
University of Georgia
University of Kentucky
University of Maryland (College Park)
University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
University of Miami
University of Mississippi
University of New Hampshire (Main Campus)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Georgia
University of Pittsburgh (Bradford)
University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina
University of St Andrews
University of Vermont
University of Virginia (Main Campus)
University of Wisconsin (Madison)
Valdosta State University
Vassar College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Wake Forest University
Warren Wilson College
Webster University
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
West Virginia University
William & Mary
Wingate University
Wofford College
Visit savcds.org/2024 for additional information and to read the Valedictory Address by Jessica Elkin and the Commencement Address by
LEGACY FAMILIES
Sarah Pine ‘22, Caleb Pine ‘24, Amy (Krissman) Pine ‘92, and Sally Krissman
*Denotes Class Associate
Will Cook ‘22, Chris Cook, Carson Cook ‘24, and Paige (Carson) Cook ‘91.
Barry Crawford ‘59, Emiline Baxter ‘24, Cathy (Crawford) Baxter ‘96, and Ben Baxter.
Margaret Brennan ‘27, Lilla Brennan ‘24, Tim Brennan, and Elizabeth (Baker) Brennan ‘97.
Chris Wynn, Jr. ‘27, Chris Wynn ‘91, Stella Wynn ‘24, and Darla (Kirkley) Wynn ‘90*.
Beth (Seyle) Fenton ‘91, Adeline (Seyle) Glidewell ‘94, Harris Glidewell ‘24, Mark Glidewell, Ann (Wessels) Seyle ‘64, Charlie Glidewell ‘26, and Chuck Seyle.
Randy Booker ‘60*, Marty Sheehan, Kristine (Booker) Sheehan ‘88, Mary Sheehan ‘24, Maggie Shehane ‘17, Diane Fulmer, and Patrick Sheehan.
Mollie (Wheeler) Stone ‘63, Georgia Stone ‘34, Denton Stone ‘88, Ella Stone ‘24, Dicky Stone ‘62, Harris Stone ‘25, and Brooke Stone.
Curren Pace Godfrey-Cargile ‘27, Liz Godfrey-Cargile ‘94, Tinsley Godfrey-Cargile, Jack Cargile, Mary Ann Godfrey, and George Godfrey.
Sheila Kraeuter, Charlie Kraeuter ‘26, Caroline Kraeuter ‘22, Christy (Bedingfield) Kraeuter ‘87,* Lincoln Kraeuter ‘24, Scot Kraeuter, Luke Bedingfield, and Bud Bedingfield.
LEGACY FAMILIES
2023 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD:
Mylin A. Torres, M.D.
Dr. Mylin Torres ‘94 is Professor of Radiation Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine and Co-Leader of the Cancer Prevention Control Research Program of Winship Cancer Institute. She leads the breast radiation oncology program at Emory. Her research program is dedicated to understanding the biology underlying treatment-related side effects, including chronic inflammation, racial disparities, radiationinduced skin changes, and cancer-related fatigue, and to developing interventions that will improve the life quality of breast cancer survivors.
Dr. Torres has written and co-authored a number of publications and abstracts. She has received highly competitive grants from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), ASCO, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), Winship Cancer Institute, and Susan G. Komen to support her research on the detection and treatment of breast cancer therapy-induced toxicities. For her outstanding care of patients, Dr. Torres was awarded the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Healthcare Heroes Rising Star, the Winship Cancer Institute Above and Beyond Award, and The Winship Annual Mentorship Award. Atlanta Magazine also named her as one of the “Women Making a Mark” in the Atlanta community.
Dr. Torres graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She then went on to receive her medical degree from Stanford University before completing her training in radiation oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Sam Torres, Erlinda Torres, Arabella Smith, Sebastian Smith, Mylin Torres ‘94, and Malik Smith.
Mark Haskins, Beau Haskins, William Moretz, Emily Moretz ‘26, Katy (McNaughton) Moretz ‘94, Henry Moretz ‘24, Francie Haskins ‘27, Mary (McNaughton) Haskins ‘92, Kathy McNaughton, and Jim McNaughton.
Sarah Davis, Emma Davis ‘27, Betsey Davis ‘97, Wills Davis ‘26, Anna Claire Davis ‘24, Claire Davis, Whit Davis ‘93, and Lamar Davis ‘64.
Stella Oelschig ‘24 and Kurt Oelschig ‘83.
David Kelly ‘87 and Kurt Kelly ‘24.
Patrick Moeller ‘97, Timo Moeller ‘24, Shanti Persad-Moeller ‘98, and Kimi Moeller ‘28.
When did you decide to pursue a medical career, and what drew you to academic medicine/research and radiation oncology?
I always liked science and particularly enjoyed biology and chemistry at SCDS. My father and aunt were physicians, and my mother was a nurse, so I had a pretty good idea of what life is like when you pursue a career in healthcare. My parents contributed a lot to their community, and I understood and valued those who make a positive impact on the people and community around them. I decided to pursue a medical career in college after living and working as a camp counselor for children in a housing project in Cambridge, MA. The experience was completely different from the life I led in Savannah, but it was one of many that would stretch and broaden my worldview. It helped me to appreciate the opportunities I had been given and motivated me to pursue a career where I could interact and help people from a variety of backgrounds.
At Stanford, I learned about cell biology and the pathogenesis of cancer. I also met many patients struggling with this disease, and I appreciated that there were many instances where patients lead healthy lives and in spite of this, they still developed cancer. The complexity of the science behind cancer and its treatment, coupled with the strong relationships you build with patients who have cancer, ultimately attracted me to oncology. I was inspired and motivated by a female attending in radiation oncology to pursue this specific specialty. As it turns out, she was the first female radiation oncologist in the United States. This field continues to be about 30% women.
I initially chose academic medicine because I thought it was the best way to eventually work internationally. What I didn’t realize is that it gives me unparalleled opportunities to innovate and be creative in a variety of domains — scholarship, education, and patient care. From my work with patients, I observe many things that do not have an explanation. Why do some cancers respond to treatment while
others do not? Why does one person go on to live a normal life after treatment while another is plagued with chronic toxicities from cancer therapies? In my research, I am able to pursue these questions within the context of new scientific advancements and in a variety of patient populations. I work with community leaders, thought leaders in cancer, and policymakers to advance cancer research and the care of patients. As a consultant, I also
work internationally with groups to build capacity and develop cancer care guidelines. Working at Emory gives me the opportunity to collaborate with experts in public health, policy, law, business, and other disciplines within medicine, to brainstorm novel ideas that will help our patients with cancer and have a broad impact nationally and internally. It is very energizing to work with such smart people as well as curious and idealistic fellows, residents, and medical and college students who ask great questions, keep me current, and ultimately, teach me.
What advice do you have for students or young alumni
looking
into medicine?
recommend gaining as much exposure to healthcare providers, patients, and scientists as possible. Spending time with other professionals in unrelated fields can also help you determine whether medicine is the right fit for you. Ultimately, having confidence in your decision to pursue a career in medicine is essential, as it will be your guiding light through the many years it takes to become a physician. If you decide to apply to medical school, stories about your time in other professions, unique life experiences, or skill sets often make a memorable impression on the admissions committee and in the interviews for schools, residency, and positions after you graduate. Due to the number of years you will be in school and training, resilience is very important. Many students have to apply to medical school more than once before being accepted. Meeting with medical school advisors and admissions officers for their guidance also demystifies the process and may help personalize your application.
Malik Smith, Sebastian Smith, Arabella Smith, and Mylin Torres ‘94
Head of School Kef Wilson with 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Dr. Mylin Torres
Dr. Torres was the 2022 recipient of the Conquer Cancer - Breast Cancer Research Foundation Research Professorship. With the award, she received a $500,000 research grant.
Who are some of the influences in the SCDS community who inspired and encouraged you to do what you’re doing today? What does that say about the relationships estab lished before college?
At SCDS, Mr. Ron Onorato was one of the first teachers to truly challenge me and bring out the best in my writing. I will never forget his advice to keep reading and growing throughout college and beyond. I also appreciated the joy that Sr. Noble brought to the Spanish classroom and life. Mrs. Elizabeth Helfant, my AP chemistry teacher, was an amazing person and a phenomenal teacher. She finished teaching our entire textbook in one semester, and then gave us the second semester to conduct experiments and “play” in the lab. I ap preciated the fact that she adapted to the class she was given and thought outside of the box to meet us and bring us to where we needed to be. Dr. Byron Boyd was a wonderful history teacher and kind man who taught me to write with precision and accuracy. Coach Lamar Kirkley let me play from the minute I started at SCDS in kindergarten. All of these teachers encouraged me to pursue a life of learning and gave me the self-confidence to dream without limits and seek a career where could be creative, innovate, and teach.
SCDS parent Dr. Julia Mikell allowed me to shadow her when I was in high school. She loved her job and was a mother to three boys. Dr. Mikell opened my eyes to the possibility of having a family and a career. Growing up, I was and still remain close to Josh Sacks ’94. His mother, Dr. Linda Sacks, was another example of someone who worked very hard and raised a family. I often think about how she was one of a few female medical students in a class of men who insisted on calling her “Mrs.” rather than “Dr.” If she was able to persevere back then, I can certainly do it now. Courtney (Stevens) Mevs ’94, also remains one of my best friends, and I remember when she lost her mother to breast cancer when we were in Middle School. When I see young mothers with this disease, I am reminded of all of the lives touched by the patient and how breast cancer impacts all of them.
ALUMNI HOMECOMING WEEKEND
OCTOBER 24-26, 2024
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24
Alumni Arts Affinity Reunion
Kay Godawa Leddy Retrospective Art Exhibition
Mingledorff Hall l 5:30-7:00 pm
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
Alumni Homecoming Party
Mingledorff Hall | 5:00-7:00 pm
Featuring the Kay Godawa Leddy Retrospective Art Exhibition
Please RSVP by October 18 at savcds.org/AlumniHomecoming Complimentary childcare (ages 4-11) offered from 5:00-7:30 pm in Demere Gym
Homecoming Game Kickoff Saunders Field l 7:30 pm
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
Milestone Year Reunion Parties
Members of milestone classes (graduation years ending in 4 or 9) will receive reunion party invitations with varied times and locations.
MORE AND REGISTER AT SAVCDS.ORG/ALUMNIHOMECOMING
We are bringing our milestone reunion classes head-to-head in a friendly competition to support the 2024-25 Fund for Country Day! Winners will be recognized during the Alumni Homecoming Party on October 25.
The Pressly Cup Presented to the class that collectively contributes the highest amount to The Fund
Mylin was the #1 ranked tennis player in the state and helped the girls’ team clinch the 1994 State Championship.
CLASS NOTES
Our goal is for alumni to get involved and stay connected.
If you have recently moved or relocated, please update your address by visiting savcds.org/alumni.
Interested in coming back to campus? While our core principles have remained unwavering since your graduation, the campus has evolved considerably! Whether you left five years or fifty years ago, we warmly invite you to revisit and discover the latest transformations through a guided campus tour.
For more information, please contact Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85, Director of Alumni Relations, at 912.961.8849 or pinckney@savcds. org. And don’t forget to follow the Hornet Alumni network on social media!
SavannahCountryDaySchoolAlumni
scds_alumni
SavannahCountryDaySchool-Alumni
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
2024 Alumni Homecoming Weekend
October 24-26
Celebrating all Hornet alumni, with special recognition of reunion classes ending in 4s and 9s!
2024 Hornet Home for the Holidays Alumni Oyster Roast
November 27
We plan to share updates via email, social media, and on savcds.org/alumni as they become available.
2023-24 Board of Alumni
Stefanie (Dasher) McCullough ’07, President
Seth Goodman ’90, President-Elect
Julian Lewis ’98, Past President
Joey Bell ’97
Louis Brody ’11
Bess (Butler) Brunson ’11
Morgan (Roberts) Caldwell ’09
Jade (Aaron) Dietz ’03
Carol (Fulenwider) Elliott ’68
Brooke Fortson ’01
Amanda Byck ’96
John Kingston ’03
John Gilbert ’05
Caroline Long ’08
George Oelschig ’72
Simona Perry ’90
Kathryn (Groover) Pross ’09
Allen Williams ’96
ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT SURVEY
For the first time since 2017, we are conducting a comprehensive survey that will directly guide the SCDS Alumni Association as we define our priorities for the coming years.
As a member of the Alumni community (alumni and class associates), your feedback will help inform and improve the way the Alumni Office engages with our stakeholders. We value your insights, opinions, and perceptions of Country Day, and we hope to gain a better understanding of your desired involvement with and interest in supporting us.
This survey is not a solicitation, but rather, a tool to help us understand how to communicate effectively with and involve those who care about Country Day. As we plan for the future, we invite you to share your opinions and perspectives so that we may best serve you.
1946
With great sadness, the Alumni Office reports the death of Pape alumna Ruth (Cain) Lynah, who passed away on April 1, 2024. We offer our sincerest condolences to her family.
1959
65-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. Build excitement for your class reunion by volunteering for your Reunion Committee, and join your classmates in planning a fantastic weekend with old friends! For more information about becoming a volunteer, email Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85 at pinckney@savcds.org or call 912.961.8849.
1964
60-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. Build excitement for your class reunion by volunteering for your Reunion Committee, and join your classmates in planning a fantastic weekend with old friends! For more information about becoming a volunteer, email Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85 at pinckney@savcds.org or call 912.961.8849.
Condolences to Barbara (Frankenfield) Neill on the death of her husband, Richard Neill, on March 27, 2024.
1969
55-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. Build excitement for your class reunion by volunteering for your Reunion Committee, and join your classmates in planning a fantastic weekend with old friends! For more information about becoming a volunteer, email Monica McGoldrick at mmconsults@comcast.net or Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85 at pinckney@savcds.org.
1972
1973
With great sadness, the Alumni Office reports the death of class associate Reuben “Dennis” Pierce who passed away on March 12, 2024. We offer our sincerest condolences to his family.
Multigenerational alumni Libby (Morris) Kingston, John Kingston ’03 Birdie Kingston (The Little School), and Mackenzie Kingston at the Hornets in Savannah event on May 16.
1974
50-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. The Reunion Committee is updating contact details for all members of the Class of 1974, including both graduates and non-graduates. Kindly send your current contact information to Amy (Martin) Pinckney at pinckney@savcds.org.
For more information about your reunion, contact your Reunion Committee:
David Reeves - davidr@resortservicesinc.com
Emily (Morgan) Kehoe - emkehoe24@gmail.com
Lisa (Austin) Dailey - LDailey13@msn.com
Sally (Dearing) Lufburrow - lufs2@comcast.net,
Kathleen Ramee - kathleenramee@gmail.com
Margaret (Carswell) Richardsonmargaretrichardson16@gmail.com
John Atkinson - atkinson33@gmail.com
Chip Goldsmith - chipgoldsmith@gmail.com
Jimmy Hungerpiller - jrhunger@hungerpiller.com
Board of Alumni member
George Oelschig flips pancakes for his niece Stella Oelschig ’24 and her classmates at the annual Senior Pancake Breakfast hosted by the SCDS Alumni Association.
Blair Mathies - blairmathies@gmail.com
With great sadness, the Alumni Office reports the death of alumnus Anthony Cook, who passed away on March 23, 2024. We offer our sincerest condolences to Anthony’s wife Julie, children Travis Cook ’07 and Lexie (Cook) Cramer ’12, sister Kristi (Cook) Maletis ’76, and the entire family.
1976
Our condolences to Bob McGraw, whose wife, Cathy, passed away on May 23, 2024, after a 15-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Bob and Cathy were married for nearly 40 years.
1978
The Savannah Country Day School was honored to welcome Carl Showalter back to campus on May 18 to deliver the 2024 Commencement Address to the 88 members of the Class of 2024, their proud teachers, coaches, families, and friends.
Carl’s heartfelt and inspiring message highlighted ten habits and skills that can be acquired, require zero talent, and can make a world of difference by maximizing potential and helping achieve greatness. He concluded his address with these encouraging words: “Get involved with your community, make connections, and volunteer. Be generous. Give back and pay it forward. Who knows, you might even help someone like me attend this school and change their life forever. Take good care of those you love. Lastly, don’t do anything that wouldn’t make your mom proud.” To read Carl’s address in its entirety, visit savcds.org/2024.
1982
Lucy (Sparkman) Crosswell recently moved from Atlanta to Bluffton, S.C., and had fun reconnecting with Laurie (Silvers) Ross ’84 at the Hornets in Savannah Alumni Happy Hour.
1983
John Jennings (pictured below, far right) writes, “After a 37-year career as a safety professional, of which 28 years were spent in the pulp and paper industry, I decided in February to retire from Georgia-Pacific, Savannah River Tissue Mill. I plan to spend the first several years of retirement relearning to play the trombone, designing our retirement home, and traveling.”
Bruce Feiler returned to Savannah on May 16 to participate in TEDxSavannah 2024: CONVERGENCE. His previous three TED Talks have been viewed more than four million times, plus he teaches the popular TED Course “How to Master Life Transitions.”
1984
40-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. Build excitement for your class reunion by volunteering for your Reunion Committee, and join your classmates in planning a fantastic weekend with old friends! For more information about becoming a volunteer, email Louise Mulherin at louisemulherin@gmail.com or Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85 at pinckney@savcds.org.
1985
Classmates Ashley Pinckney, Jay McCaslin and Charles Harris at the Hornets in Savannah Alumni Happy Hour on May 16.
1986
Anne (Montgomery) van Gerpen married Jay Arthur van Gerpen on April 14, 2022, in Huntsville, Alabama.
1989
35-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. Build excitement for your class reunion by volunteering for your Reunion Committee, and join your classmates in planning a fantastic weekend with old friends! For more information about becoming a volunteer, email Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85 at pinckney@savcds.org or call 912.961.8849.
1992
Jay Markwalter serves as Statewide Tourism Director for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, joining the GDEcD on January 2, 2024. In this role, he leads the Tourism Division, working collaboratively with state leadership and industry partners statewide to drive the continued growth and economic impact of tourism in Georgia. Prior to his current role, Jay served five years as Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus as an advocate for the state’s tourism bureaus and travel/hospitality industry.
1993
Inspired by Bill Eswine more than 40 years after having him as her thirdgrade science teacher, Ruth (Bowyer) Weimer created a handmade art piece, titled “General Eswine,” for the Caretta Research Project’s annual fundraising auction. This tribute to Bill felt especially poignant given the inaugural year of the Caretta Club at Country Day. “General Eswine” is a four-star general, Commander of Education, inspiring others to appreciate and protect the environment. He loves nature, and his armor includes alligator scutes, rattlesnake rattles, beaver teeth, shark vertebrae, coyote teeth and nails, snake skeleton, coral, oysters and barnacles, shark teeth, sea urchin and porcupine quills, silver and Lady Amherst pheasant feathers, a mink skull, and a water buffalo horn.
1994
30-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. For more information about your 30th Reunion, contact your Reunion Committee:
Katy (McNaughton) Moretz at kkmoretz@gmail.com, Florence (Minis) Slatinsky at flats@hotmail.com, Amelia (Searcy) Harper at harper.amelia@gmail. com, Margaret (Kramer) Clark at margaretkclark@ gmail.com, Charles Hill Morris at chmorrisjr@gmail. com, and Eddie Dillon at edillon@burtonandburton. com.
1999
25-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. Build excitement for your class reunion by volunteering for your Reunion Committee, and join your classmates in planning a fantastic weekend with old friends! For more information about becoming a volunteer, email Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85 at pinckney@savcds.org.
2003
Cassandra (Tyson) Cannon and her co-founder Anne Read Lattimore (married to William Lattimore ‘01) were named to the 2024 Inc. Magazine Female Founders 250, honoring the most intriguing women
entrepreneurs. Their company, LAKE, grew revenue by 50%, customer base by 185%, and employee roster by 134%. Congratulations!
2004
20-year reunion! The Class of ‘04 will celebrate their 20th Reunion on Saturday, November 30. In the meantime, we hope to see you at the All-Alumni Homecoming Party on October 25. For more information about your class reunion, email Betsy (Tate) Barrow at betsytate4@gmail.com.
2007
Katherine “Kaki” Blackburn has been honored with the 2024 Dissertation of the Year Award by the National Education Finance Academy. Additionally, the University Council for Educational Administration named her the 2023 David L. Clark Scholar.
Kaki is an assistant principal at Pearsontown Elementary School in Durham, N.C. She pursued her doctoral studies at UNC-Chapel Hill, holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Brown University, and has a Bachelor of Arts from George Mason University, where she studied government and international politics. Congratulations, Kaki!
2009
15-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. Build excitement for your class reunion by volunteering for your Reunion Committee, and join your classmates in planning a fantastic weekend with old friends! For more information about becoming a volunteer, email Morgan (Roberts) Caldwell at morganrcaldwell@gmail. com or Kathryn (Groover) Pross at grooverkathryn@ gmail.com.
2010
2011
Sarah (Hall) Salem writes, “Our son, Edward James Salem, joined our family on February 28, 2024. Edward was prenatally diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Although it has been challenging, Edward has faced everything like the little fighter he is and will undergo his second procedure this summer. If you ever encounter this diagnosis and need assistance or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at smhall293@gmail.com. I’m here to help and would be happy to be a resource for you.”
2012
2015
Members of the Class of 2015 Pete Franco* Michael Keene, Greyson Finlay, Jack Barnes, Sam Bromley, and Heyward Berry traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio the weekend of May 18 to celebrate the nuptials of Andoni Sideris and Madeline Gelis.
every day and get together as often as we can. So grateful to Country Day for the friendships that have lasted far beyond graduation!”
2019
5-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. Build excitement for your class reunion by volunteering for your Reunion Committee, and join your classmates in planning a fantastic weekend with old friends! For more information about becoming a volunteer, email Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85 at pinckney@savcds.org or call 912.961.8849.
Katherine and Louis Brody ’11 and Sally (Parker) and Matt Shay enjoy a lovely evening at A Night on the River at Beaulieu to Benefit the Caretta Research Project on April 25.
After living in Washington, D.C., for five years while working for Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01), Caroline (Holden) Hughes returned home to Savannah at the beginning of 2022. She accepted a position with Abshire Public Relations as Director of Business Development. She also serves as a board member for the Savannah Jaycees and the Red Shoe Society for the Ronald McDonald House of the Coastal Empire.
2014
10-year reunion! Homecoming Weekend on October 24-26 is fast approaching. Build excitement for your class reunion by volunteering for your Reunion Committee, and join your classmates in planning a fantastic weekend with old friends! For more information about becoming a volunteer, email Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85 at pinckney@savcds.org or call 912.961.8849.
Natalie Goodman writes, “In May of 2024, I completed my MD degree at Mercer University School of Medicine and will be moving to Winston-Salem, N.C. to start my residency as an emergency medicine physician at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital! I have also completed a five-song EP, which will be out by the end of the year.”
2016
Max London writes, “My wife, Savannah, and I are moving to Huntsville, Alabama in July to start her clinical rotations for medical school. I am busy running a marketing and advertising agency for medical practices in Florida, Georgia, and California. I am looking forward to what this year brings.”
Brenna (Nugara) ’17 and Matthew McGinty are happy to be back in Savannah while Matthew finishes medical school at Mercer. They previously spent two years in Columbus, GA, where Brenna used her nursing degree in the operating room at St. Francis/Emory Hospital and then in the NICU at Piedmont Hospital, while Matthew was part of the inaugural class of the Mercer Medical Columbus campus.
2018
Jordan Henry, Zoe Rehman, and Brittany Hodges gathered to celebrate their birthdays. Zoe writes, “We spent the weekend visiting Brittany in Athens to celebrate our winter birthdays. We talk
Bryant Randall writes, “I recently started my legal internship for the U.S. House of Representatives for the summer of 2024. I will be interning for the Committee on Education & the Workforce. I will also start my third year of law school this fall at George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School in Arlington, VA.”
2020
Graham McGinty finished his first year of law school at Mercer in Macon, GA. He is enjoying being home for the summer and working for a local attorney.
2021
Lynn University sophomore Paul Mosley qualified for the NCAA Division II Championship in Men’s Track and Field, finishing 12th in the preliminary round of the 200 meters with a time of 21.04 on May 24. Additionally, Paul received All-South Region honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. He set Lynn University school records in both the 100 meters (10.47) and 200 meters (20.75), and he achieved a combined six wins in the 100 and 200 meters, along with 12 top-ten finishes. Congratulations, Paul!
Eamon Wilson writes, “Louise Mercer and I took our studies to Madrid, Spain this past semester! Although Louise was attending a program through Texas Christian University at UC3M and I was in an exchange at IE business school through Tulane University, we still made the time to travel to places together like Morocco, Marbella, Lisbon, and more! I can speak for both Louise and me when I say studying abroad for a semester in Spain was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where we were able to immerse ourselves in several aspects of the culture while being able to continue our studies in our respective degree paths.”
2023
* Denotes Class Associate
HORNETS
Country Day recognizes its retired and long-term faculty and staff — Golden Hornets — and celebrates their years of service and impact at our school by providing meaningful opportunities to stay engaged with our school community.
The Golden Hornets welcome Peggy Gilpin (1986-2024, Lower School faculty) and Vondean Williams (2006-2024, Business Office Assistant & Accounts Payable)!
After 15 years as Head of Seven Hills School in Cincinnati, Chris Garten retired, capping a 46year career in education. Previously, he spent 22 years (19872009) at Savannah Country Day, serving in roles such as Assistant Headmaster, Upper School Principal, and English teacher. In recognition of his service, Seven Hills named The Garten Middle School in his honor on April 24, 2024. The SCDS community wishes Chris, his wife Christine, and their daughter Jesse ’08 a happy retirement.
The Country Day community mourns the passing of Pamela McCaslin, a dedicated educator who served
for twenty years. Mrs. McCaslin was instrumental in establishing the Learning Support Program and remained active in school life post-retirement in 1992. She was a member of the Advisory Council, the Legacy Society, and served as the Grandparent Chair of the Fund for Country Day. Her legacy continues through her children, Jenny ’85 and Jay ’85 and grandchildren Mary Page ’22 Alston ’21, Macy ’16 and the late Harrison ’14
Dr. Paul M. Pressly is the author of the forthcoming book A Southern Underground Railroad: Black Georgians and the Promise of Spanish Florida and Indian Country. Published by University of Georgia Press, its release date is August 1, 2024.
A Southern Underground Railroad sheds light on a lesser-known path to freedom and new opportunities.
Paul’s research shows that enslaved Black Georgians’ cross-border movement was an integral part of the sustained struggle for dominance in the Southeast along with the many different racial, ethnic, and religious groups that inhabited the region and contended for control.
classof 1978
CLASS REUNIONS
THE CLASS OF 1978 had resounding success with its 45th Class Reunion on February 23 and 24, 2024. The weekend commenced with a relaxed cocktail social on Friday night at the beautiful home of Kammie and Greg Dotson. The following morning, a group gathered for brunch at The 5 Spot in Habersham Village, where they were thrilled to see Alice (Howard) Nightingale, who made the trip from Brunswick, Ga. The highlight of the reunion was the Saturday night gathering at The Pirates’ House, which brought back fond memories for many. The Class extends their gratitude to their classmates living in the wintry north for making the trip to Savannah. They are already buzzing with anticipation for the 50th Reunion and are hopeful that those who couldn’t make it this time can join the next one.
From Left: Jim Dixon, Robin Gunn, Jeff Galin, Julie (Donaldson) Lowenthal, Laurie (Weiner) Rubnitz, Nancy Piette, Becky Lee, Catherine (Davis) Knox, Laurette (Speir) Shaw, and Tracy (Bairas) Edgar
2nd Row: Rudy Bairas, Stacie Wong, Gifford Usher, Catherine (Emanuelson) McCarthy, Carla (Ditrick) Branch, Rodney Cohen, Charlie Martin, and Jack Sayler
3rd Row: Coach Lamar Kirkley, Jim Buchman, Chris Beckmann, Mark Solana, Lewis Mazo, and Sam Peters. Not pictured but arrived later: Timmy Sheehan
classof 1979
Visit the QR code to learn more about Dr. Pressly’s book and his book tour, including lectures on five dates in cities across Georgia.
THE CLASS OF 1979 reunion in April brought together 25 classmates, many spouses and guests, and even one faculty member (Coach Lamar Kirkley) for lots of hugs, funny stories, great food, and a few gnat bites. There was even an impromptu sing-along of “Alma Mater Country Day School” led by Mark Solana. The Class extends their gratitude to Tracy (Bairas) Edgar and Mark Edgar for hosting Friday night’s drop-in party, and to Linda and Jack Sayler for their enthusiasm in hosting the main event on Saturday night at their home overlooking the Wilmington River.
Robin Gunn shares, “We are working to get our class contact list up to date, as plans are already in the works for the 50th reunion in 2029. The permanent date will be set one year ahead so that everyone can get the date on their calendar. There are also conversations brewing about informal get-togethers in Savannah or elsewhere later this summer or next year. Please contact Gifford Usher to get involved.”
Jackson Mondy and Eoin Wilson bump into fellow alumni at Starland Yard.
1st Row: Kim (Traub) Ribbens, Sally Nettles, Mark Howard, Greg Dotson, Joe Kehoe, Robert Cooper
2nd Row: Chris Olson, John Sussman, Douglas MacGill, Lou (Lufburrow) Stewart, Paul Bradley, Amy (Ferdinandsen) Dressler, Jane (Victor) Showalter, Jenny (Stanley) Long, Lynn (Tyson) Horton, Melissa (Lamas) Calzada, Julie (Willams) Murphy, Eleanor Rhangos, Emily (Winburn) Bowron, Ellie Titus, David Levy, Margaret (Butler) Huguenin
3rd Row: Reid Williamson, Steve Johnson, Carl Showalter, Lawrence Arkin
BIRTHS
Elizabeth (King) Dent ’08 and her husband, Will, were thrilled to welcome their first child, Charlotte Monroe Dent, on March 17, 2024. The family lives in Alexandria, Virginia, where Elizabeth is a policy specialist for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations and Will is the Director of Federal Government Relations for a pharmaceutical company.
Melissa (McNaughton) Bell ’02 and her husband, Tripp, welcomed their third child, Betty Charlotte Bell, on December 26, 2023. She joins her big siblings, Barrett (4) and Bridget (3).
Sarah (Hall) ’11 and Blaine Salem joyfully welcomed Edward James Salem on February 28, 2024. Sally is one proud big sister!
Katie (Ratterree) Johnson ’07 and Hays Johnson welcomed their son, Hays Davenport Johnson, on June 5, 2023. Big sister Sadie is over the moon!
Kathryn (Groover) ’09 and Ryan Pross welcomed Margaret MacGregor Pross on February 20, 2024.
Mary Helen and John Skeadas ’09 welcomed their second child, William Henry Skeadas, on May 2, 2024.
Megan (Stout) Battaglia ’11 and her husband, Jack, welcomed their first child, Margaret “Maggie” Elizabeth Battaglia, into the world on January 27, 2024.
TJ Hilliard ’03 and wife Natalie are thrilled to announce the birth of their son, George T. Hilliard, III, 7lb, 7oz, on March 26, 2024. TJ shared, “We strolled him around his first Country Fair, and we’re excited for him to start at The Little School next year.”
Matt Finley ’03 and family are excited to announce the safe arrival of Elizabeth “Ellie” Grace Finley on March 4, 2024. Following in the footsteps of her big brother, Paul, she was baptized at Christ Church Episcopal on June 9 by her grandfathers, the Rt. Rev. Paul Lambert & Rev. Dr. John Finley.
Gary McGinty ’13 and his wife, Morgan, joyfully welcomed their second daughter, Louise Ann, on March 21, 2024. She joins her big sister, Evelyn Grace (2). Gary is an attorney with Bouhan Falligant.
Tucker Compton
home
MARRIAGES
Matthew Sanders ’16 married his college sweetheart, Savannah York, on April 13 in Greenville, S.C. Matthew and Savannah were married in the Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel on Furman University’s campus, where the couple met in 2016. Matthew and Savannah now happily reside in Greenville, S.C.
Mary Elizabeth Monsees ’12 married Kern Carlton on April 6, 2024, in Shellman Bluff, Georgia. The couple currently resides in Atlanta.
Caroline (Holden) ’12 married David Hughes on April 20, 2024, in Savannah at Christ Church Episcopal, followed by a reception at the Savannah Yacht Club. The two first met as next-door neighbors growing up on the Isle of Hope and later reconnected upon moving home to Savannah. Catherine Holden ’10, Fontaine Bergen ’12, Elly Arden-Joly ’12, and Olivia (Parker) Voyles ’12 were all bridesmaids.
Noah Luskey ’11 married Bootsie Heffernan on April 13, 2024. They took this opportunity to show their friends and family the unique charm of Savannah. The two met in Seattle and currently live in Boston. Nathan Luskey ’16 was the best man, Joe Lewis ’11 was a groomsman, and Nina Luskey ’14 was a bridesmaid.
Leslie and
’09 welcomed
their baby girl, Margaret “Maggie” Mae Compton, on March 26, 2024.
Lauren (Miller) ’07 and Tyler Mouchet were married in March 2021 and are excited to announce the birth of their first child, Miller Catherine Mouchet, on March 23, 2024.
Megan (Roberts) ’07 and Todd Rodenburg welcomed their fifth son, William “Peter” Rodenberg, on March 27, 2024.
Allison (Palmer) ’15 and Prudhvi Kavuri were married on March 9, 2024 at the Savannah Yacht Club. They were joined by their families, including Allison’s mother, Beth (Windom) Stewart ’88. Their bridal party included Jonathan Palmer ’18, Sarah Palmer ’21, and Madison Hoover ’15 The couple met and currently reside in Jacksonville, FL., where Allison is a teacher and Prudhvi is an IT developer.
Katie (Kenreich) ’10 and Alec Birmingham were married on October 28, 2023. Their wedding took place in Gougane Barra Church and was followed by a reception in Bantry, Ireland, where they celebrated among immediate family members. The couple currently resides in Atlanta with their black lab, Moose.
Michael Keene ’15 and Elizabeth Roberts were married in Savannah on April 27, 2024. They met at the University of Georgia and now live in New York City.
Andoni Sideris ’15 and Madeline Gelis were married on May 18, 2024, at Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were joined by friends and family, including Niko Caparisos ’03 and Kika Caparisos ’05 Among the bridal party were flower girls Ella ’35, Maggie ’37, and Virginia Caparisos (The Little School). The newlyweds met in Peloponnese, Greece in the summer of 2019 as staff members for Ionian Village, the summer camping ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and currently reside in Chicago.
Max London ’16 and Mary Grace Hash were married on March 23, 2024. Max writes, “We wouldn’t have changed a single thing. Having all the people we loved in one place to celebrate was incredible. It was the perfect day to start our lifetime together.”
Ben Tuten ’14 married Laney Ivey on April 27, 2024 in Savannah. Woodie Williams ’14, Sales Pinckney ’14, Will Hughes ’14 and Walker Watson ’14 were groomsmen. Ben and Laney met at Mercer Law School and currently reside in Savannah where they are both practicing attorneys.
Cole Gentes ’08 and Melissa Stewart married on November 25, 2023 with immediate family at the home of Bonnie and Jeff Gentes. The ceremony took place under the oak tree his sister Ryan Gentes ’05 and Alex Sprague ’05* were married beneath. They celebrated with friends and extended family in Nevis, West Indies the following week. The couple lives in Atlanta with their pug, Miss Pickles.
HORNETS in SAVANNAH
MAY 16 AT STARLAND YARD
Emily Foley, Peter Foley, and Jack Rittmeyer ’17
Kathryn (Groover) Pross ’09, and Kate (Sadler) Andrews ’09
Chris Beckmann ’79, Mary Beckmann, Lamar Kirkley, and Pancho Morse ’76
Jake Lee ’16, Woodie Williams ’14, and Sophie Guggenheim ’16
Julian Dunston ’10, Elle (Byck) Bragg ’10, and Kevin Bragg
Olivia (Parker) Voyles ’12 and Ansley (Edgar) Dunston ’10
Rachel Ellis ’09, Emma Helmken ’11, and Bess (Butler) Brunson ’11
* Denotes Class Associate
Joe T. Stubbs ’85, Emily Stubbs, Amy (Martin) Pinckney ’85, Ashley Pinckney ’85, and Scott Lange ’90
Carmen Mandel ’22, Maria Miller ’23, and Jordan Ruben ’23
Louis Brody ’11, Thomas Barrow ’01, and John Kingston ’03
Larkin (Butler) Eskew ’05* and Bess (Butler) Brunson ’11
Kim Jones ’82 and Austin Kennedy ’82
Drew McCullough ’05, Charles Harris ’85, and Stefanie (Dasher) McCullough ’07
Ross Dunn ’18, Duke Cowart ’19*, Bryce Dunn ’17, Jack Rittmeyer ’17, and Woodie Williams ’14
Teresa Ashman ’82, Lucy (Sparkman) Crosswell ’82, Debbie (White) Hornsby ’82, Louise Mulherin ’84, Elizabeth (Helmken) Schubert ’65, and Margie Livingston ’65
Ryan Pross, Rachel Ellis ’09, Maclain Caldwell, Tucker Compton ’09, Leslie Compton, and Morgan (Roberts) Caldwell ’09
