1953 T H E M A G A Z I N E O F S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L
Winter 2020
Seniors in Mrs. Herzog’s homeroom, sporting their senior crowns, participate in Upper School games on the First Day of School.
Contents Letter from the Acting Head of School.....1 School News Briefs........................................2 Lower School................................................................................... 2 Middle School..................................................................................4 Upper School...................................................................................8 Technology...................................................................................... 10 Performing Arts .............................................................................11 Athletics............................................................................................ 14 Visual Arts ...................................................................................... 18 Faculty Notes..................................................................................21
Class of 2020................................................ 22 Commit to St. Johns................................... 26 St. Johns Celebrates 66th Year................ 30 Alumni Spotlight ......................................... 32 Alumni Notes................................................ 38
On the cover: Legacy student Caylin Meagher ’30, daughter of Emily Meagher ’10, enjoys a sunny day on the Lower School playground. (Photo by Lauren Hodges ’17)
1953: The Magazine of St. Johns Country Day School is published twice a year for the School community, with goals to tell the School’s stories and capture the history, traditions, values, and culture of St. Johns Country Day School.
Greetings, St. Johns Friends! I hope your 2020 is off to a wonderful start. Here at St. Johns, the first semester went by in a blur as students in all three divisions were busy with classes, athletics, amazing theatre productions, a visit from our friends at the Hamburg Gymnasium in Germany, and much, much more. October brought Homecoming, and, while it is always such a wonderful experience from start to finish, this year brought many alumni “home” to St. Johns for reunions, particularly the grand reunion of more than 30 members of the classes of 1968, 1969, and 1970. Rod and I had such a wonderful time catching up with these alumni—his first three graduating classes—and look forward to many more such gatherings to come. Grandparents Day was another beautiful event for some of our favorite members of the St. Johns community. Whether you are a grandparent or a “grand friend” of one of our Spartans, we appreciate the important role we know you play in shaping who they will become in the years ahead. And it was such an honor at Thanksgiving time to preside over the Senior Presentation of the Class of 2020, once again having the opportunity to read Dr. Heinrich’s words welcoming them all to adulthood. You can read more about this special St. Johns tradition on page 22. As the School enters its seventh decade of providing families a superior independent school education, I am proud to have greeted five of those decades as a St. Johns teacher or administrator. The ink on the calendar may have faded, but the memories have not. Six and a half decades of Spartan students, alumni, parents, teachers, and friends share the unique experience that is St. Johns. As the 2019-2020 School year winds down later this year, we will begin the process of handing over the reins to our eighth Head of School, Mrs. Valorie Baker, who will be joining us effective July 1, 2020. You can find a short note from Mrs. Baker in this issue on page 2 and look forward to more to come on her vision for our beloved school. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this issue of 1953: The Magazine of St. Johns Country Day School. We look forward to many more exciting adventures in our second semester! Fondly,
Mary Virginia Fisher Acting Head of School S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
1
SCHOOL NEWS BRIEFS Lower School News
Character Foundations As a part of St. Johns’ efforts to develop not just good students or good athletes, but good people, students in all three divisions participate in the Character Foundations program. The program emphasizes “The Big Three,” (1) Treat others right, (2) Make smart decisions, and (3) Maximize your potential. After August, each month focuses on a different character trait,
which so far in 2019 have included Trust, Courage, Honor, and Joy. As a part of their “get to know you” activities in August, Mrs. Braude’s Grade 5 students completed an activity where one person held the end of the ball of string and shared an interesting fact about themselves. They then rolled the ball of yarn to someone else in the circle, who also
shared a fun fact and rolled the ball of string, and so on. The end result looked like a spider web, demonstrating how interconnected all of the students are, once they get to know each other.
Incoming Head of School: Mrs. Valorie Baker I am incredibly excited to officially begin my first term as Head of School in July. As incoming Head of School, my goal is to promote the values of St. Johns Country Day School while leading our School into an era where college prep is not only redefined but necessary for future leaders. To that end, we remain committed to introducing new programs, elaborating on initiatives already in existence, and forging new partnerships to enhance the education and services we provide. As we embark on this new era together, it will be essential to foster relationships and partnerships. As a former Division I athlete and coach, I respect the process of defining new initiatives and recognize that achievements are more exceptional when accomplished together. I am fortunate that I will lead and work with the fantastic team that currently serves St. Johns. My experience leading a variety of school departments and divisions will allow me to empathize with and provide superior support to current faculty and administration. However, nothing we do is possible without an active community of people who are passionate and supportive of the School’s mission and goals. Having a learning environment filled with trust and compassion provides a space that enables us to meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive, forward-thinking environment. I look forward to meeting each of you over the months ahead as my family becomes part of the Spartan community! Wishing you and yours health and happiness in the new year. All the best, Valorie
2
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
School News Briefs
S
Grandparents Day a “Blast from the Past!” In November, St. Johns’ Lower School hosted a phenomenal 32nd Grandparents Day. “A Blast from the Past,” featured music our grandparents remember from “way back when.” From “Rockin’ Robin” to “Stand By Me” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Lower School students sang and danced their way through a morning program before the grandparents enjoyed
refreshments in the Brown Gym. Next up were classroom visits, a complimentary photo opportunity, and, of course, a visit to the Book Fair. We sincerely hope all the grandparents and grandfriends enjoyed seeing where the magic happens for our Lower School students each and every day!
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
3
School News Briefs Middle School News New Electives for Middle School New electives hit the curriculum for Middle School students this year, inviting them to choose from a variety of enticing options ranging from communication and writing workshops to coding, robotics, and Model United Nations. In Robotics, students worked with LEGO robots to get them to complete more and more complex tasks. The team will represent St. Johns at its first competition in 2020. And in Model United Nations, students simulated the structures, processes, and issues of the member nations of the UN. “The Model UN elective offers students an opportunity to learn about international relations while acting as mock United Nations delegates,” said Model UN sponsor Mr. Jordan Rooks. Going through this process helps students become better aware of global issues that affect the entire world, not just our country or our local communities. “It’s very important
for our students to have a global perspective,” said Rooks, “and we hope that this elective can spark interest in our students to actively participate in being model citizens of this country and the world!” Currently, fourteen students represent two committees, including the Disarmament and International Security Committee, which works on achieving sustainable development goals through disarmament in the
Student Spellers Excel in Bee The annual St. Johns Spelling Bee for students in Grades 5-8 took place in December, lasting a whopping 33 rounds with 24 students participating. Representing Grade 5: Bailey Connor, Dominique Clark, Olivia Clark, Liam McNulty, Addison Kipnis, and alternate Jordan Bliffen; Representing Grade 6: Corbin Plunk, Drake DuBois, Wyatt Hollingsworth, Alyssa Walker, Tegan Olschewske, and alternate Sergio Lopez Diaz; Representing Grade 7: Erik Williams, Hadi Basil, Shane Reaves,
4
Grant Cassady, Nate Towers, and alternate Cali Ann Holshouser; Representing Grade 8: William Bryie, Sofia Conde, Ashlyn Rose, Laney Valdivia, Jack Ensell, and alternate Jonah Friedman. By the 19th round, competition had narrowed to three finalists: 2nd runner up, Dominique Clark ’27 (at right, top), alternate Shane Reeves ’25, and St. Johns’ threetime champion, Erik Williams ’25 (bottom, L-R), who will continue on to the County Spelling Bee. Congratulations, spellers!
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
Middle East and North Africa, and the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee, which is researching combating racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
School News Briefs
Grade 7 Builds Solar Houses In Ms. Sachs’ and Mrs. Wagstaff’s Grade 7 Earth Science classes, students have been studying solar energy. Using tiny solar panels, they created miniature model homes that powered little lights inside the home. They are learning what solar energy is and how solar panels work, how passive solar design works, government regulations relating to solar energy in both Florida and other states, and the feasibility of using solar energy in Florida.
Latin Students DeepDive in the Classics This fall, students in Ms. Robison’s (Rachel Robison ’09) Latin classes completed a Latin Visual Arts Project to standards set by the Florida Junior Classical League. Starting in October, they had a week to do some broad preliminary research and choose a topic that interested them. Then they got to work designing the project, completing their research, and writing an MLA-format research paper. Finally, they chose how to convey their research from 18 different categories—everything from writing and performing an original monologue to building models. All projects had to be completed with minimal to no adult assistance and were presented to their classes during the last week before Winter Break.
Clockwise from top left, Ally Desguin ’23, Charlie Scarlett ’24, Noah Minners ’24, Catherine Nichols ’24, and Timmy Jackson ’24. S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
5
Another “Great 8� Mountain Trip Sixty-five students in the Class of 2024 escaped to the mountains of Western North Carolina for a week in September for what will likely be one of the most memorable experiences of their time at St. Johns. Working together in groups, students were responsible for cooking their own meals and purifying their own drinking water from natural 6
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
springs. They packed not only their own gear (from sleeping bags to extra warm, dry clothes) but also distributed the shared equipment like camp stoves, pots & pans, tents, and bear cans. For two days, each small group hiked several miles on various challenging mountain trails in the Pisgah National Forest to reach summits and pitch their tents for a memorable backcountry
WINTER 2020
camping experience. Braving the cold rushing waters, students and chaperones took the plunge at “Sliding Rock,” a 60foot, all natural, smooth rock waterfall at the base of Looking Glass Falls. Finally, on an 8-mile journey, students learned to whitewater raft on the exhilarating Class 3 rapids of the Nantahala River.
“Through this unique opportunity, our Spartans learned about themselves, each other, and the world around them,” said trip lead and English teacher Thea Burke, “which is all essential knowledge and skills that will see them through the rest of their Middle and Upper School careers, and into the wide world beyond.”
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
7
School News Briefs Upper School News National Honor Society Inductions Forty-one juniors and seniors were welcomed into the St. Johns chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) in an August induction ceremony. The purpose of the NHS, said existing member Sheila Hodges ’20, “is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to render service to the school and community, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of the nation’s secondary schools.”
8
From the Class of 2020: Pace Cummings Riley Davidson Ian Duncan
Kylie Rodriguez Kendall Sage Braden Steiner
From the Class of 2021: Ethan Albright Julia Andrawis Yashas Aprameya Maxwell Arnold Avery Baskin Tilson Branch Fred Cone Chloe Davis Alexander Dimmick Alexis Drumm Amelia Dyer Brooke Ferris Natalie Higingbotham Desiree Holmberg Bianca Horen Jacob Kailes Maggie Kent
Allison Korahais Abbey Lantinberg John B. Linge Gabrielle Loustau Spencer Martin Madeline Moody Connor Moore Julia Nichols Alexa Radford Isabella Richardson Ellie Rosenau Julia Schildberg Luke Shannahan Jason Thomas Alexa Verboort James Wilson Cade Zehner
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
School News Briefs
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists In September, two seniors were named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. Valerie Cabrera and Lindsey Sabo continue on in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31m that will be offered next spring. “St Johns is extremely proud of these two young women for achieving this recognition,” said Director of College Counseling Caroline Morris. “We wish them the best through the rest of the competition.” An additional four seniors were named Commended Students in the program and placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5m who entered the 2020 competition. These include Jordan Noble, Sahaj Patel, Jordan Sabo, and Liam Woolard. Congratulations, Seniors!
St. Johns Hosts Junior Ring Ceremony This fall, St. Johns hosted its second ring ceremony, in which members of the class of 2021 received the class rings they ordered earlier in the year. “This ceremony marks your first steps down the road as seniors,” Acting Head of School Mary Virginia Fisher told the gathered juniors. Junior class sponsors took turns telling the juniors and gathered family members stories of the history and
tradition of the class rings, including the tradition of the turning of the rings. When you first wear your class ring, have friends and family turn it once each, for luck and best wishes. Then, said junior class sponsor Mrs. Deborah Stolow, “the last person to turn your ring should be the person most special to you. This person turns your ring in the opposite direction of the others to ‘lock’ it.”
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
9
School News Briefs Technology
Targeted Donation Facilitates VR Lab At the beginning of December, a generous gift from Kendall and Eleanor Bryan, grandparents of a current student, allowed St. Johns to open a new Virtual Reality (VR) Lab within the Design & Innovation Center. The VR Lab includes four state of the art virtual reality stations, which give students the opportunity to explore the world and enjoy experiences previously impossible or difficult to achieve. For example, just since the lab opened, students have explored the International Space Station, climbed into WWII trenches, investigated the Great Pyramids of Giza, and visited a variety of art museums. St. Johns’ Technology Fellows work to maintain the VR equipment and to train teachers and students on the mechanics of using the VR stations safely and effectively, adding a new dimension to their Fellowship opportunities.Â
10
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
School News Briefs Performing Arts News Middle School Student Selected to State Chorus
Middle School Drama Hosts Timely Production The Performing Arts department hosted a joint production of Dance and Middle School Drama in December. The thespians produced Cybermare, a play by Cindy Keegan, a warning about the dangers of online child predators and cyber-bullying. This intense production was punctuated by outstanding performances by St. Johns’ dancers.
Last fall Grade 7 student Autumn Henry earned a seat in the Florida All-State Middle School Treble Chorus. Autumn went through a comprehensive three-step process including a test on written theory and aural skills, sight singing, and a recorded audition for vocal quality and knowledge of music. Only the top 300 students are selected to participate.
Holiday Concerts a Triumph In keeping with St. Johns tradition, the music department produced a pair of holiday concerts in December, which were both a huge success. First, the Lower and Middle School Choruses and St. Johns Singers hosted an evening of music with Holiday Choral Concert: Songs of the Season. From the very traditional to the fun and new, choruses from Grades 3-5, the Middle School Singers, Treble Ensemble, and St. Johns Singers had the audience toe-tapping and singing along. The Grade 3 Chorus amused everyone with their rendition of “Away from the Mistletoe,” in which they proclaimed their refusal to kiss anyone under the mistletoe, and, as always, it was a joy to see faculty and alumni join the St. Johns Singers for “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Alumni singers included Gayle Simpson Garrison ’94, Heather Duncan ’15, Kevin Taylor ’17, Dillon Murray ’17, Jordan Robbins Rechcigl ’10, and Alecsandria “Ali” Gurule ’11. Two nights later, the Grade 5 Beginning Band, Middle School Handbell Choir, and Concert and Symphonic Bands took their turn entertaining the audience with everything from a simple Shaker hymn to the famous Clement Clarke Moore poem, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” set to accompanying music and read by our own Dean of Middle School, Mr. Pat Rodifer. S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
11
School News Briefs
Peter Pan & Wendy Soars Hearty congratulations to the cast and crew of the fall play, Peter Pan and Wendy. Based on the original J.M. Barrie novel, the play invited the audience to dust off their imaginations and embrace their inner child as they embarked on a journey with the Darling children, Peter Pan, and Tinkerbell. Together, the cast and audience flew off to a magical place of perpetual childhood called Neverland, and encountered The Lost Boys, Tiger Lily and her Tribe, and that dastardly villain, Captain Hook, and his band of pirates. “Bringing Peter Pan and Wendy to life was truly a journey,” said director Kim Cadley-Mach. From September through the production dates in November, Mach said, “we were fully immersed in the land of make believe. But it’s hard to think like a child again, particularly when your vision is so focused on the future,” said Mach. “I’m so proud of these young actors and their willingness to go on this journey with fairies and pirates and a crocodile.” The risk, the challenge, and the work all culminated in two amazing performances.
12
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
School News Briefs
Band Students Earn County, State Honors This fall, St. Johns’ Director of Bands Michael Warren announced that several students earned coveted spots at county and state honor bands. “Honor bands and festivals bring students from their respective areas to come together to make music together,” he said. Typically the time frame to rehearse is short—just two to three days—before they perform in a concert, meaning a performer must be both an excellent musician and a quick study. The following students were selected to represent St. Johns in ensembles this fall: All County Middle School Torrin Heinrichs ’24: 1st Chair Alto Saxophone Timmy Jackson ’24: 1st Chair Trumpet Zach Dimmick ’24: 4th Chair Trumpet All County Upper School Alex Dimmick ’21: 2nd Chair Alto Saxophone Tri-State Band Festival at Florida State University Joshua Soffler ’20: Tuba Marshall Bustamante ’20: Trumpet Additionally, Timmy Jackson successfully auditioned for the AllState Middle School Band, a rare and prestigious honor that is awarded after a rigorous audition that takes place state-wide, in which only a select few are chosen. This year, 15 trumpet players were selected from nearly 1,500 students auditioning from across the state.
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
13
School News Briefs Athletics
Spartan XC Ends the Season in Style By Richard Wilson
The months of commitment and hundreds of miles of training paid off on Saturday, November 9th at the FHSAA Cross Country Championship at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee as the St. Johns Country Day School Spartan Cross Country teams outperformed expectations. The goal from the beginning of the season had been for both boys and girls teams to make it to State, and here they were. On a cool and blustery day, out of a total of more than 200 Division 1-A high schools in the state, St. Johns’ girls team finished in 22nd place and the boys finished 16th. Going into the championship the girls were ranked 24th and the boys were ranked 18th. At the beginning of the season the boys were ranked 27th, showing marked progress throughout the fall season. The girls team was led by Sofia Conde ’24, with Sarah Robinson ’24 close behind. Every year, Juliet Moody ’23 runs her best race of the year at the State Championship and this year was no exception. Jordan Noble, the only senior on either the
14
boys or girls teams, saved the best for last and ended her high school running career with an all-time personal record (PR), and Rebecca Stratton ’25 also ran a season PR. In the boys race, sophomore Matthew Stratton ran the best race of his life, knocking 19 seconds off his alltime PR to record the fastest 5K time in school history, and the best finish ever of any St. Johns runner in this event, finishing second overall (and beating his nemesis from Maclay in the process). Jake Kailes ’21 was the second Spartan runner in—his time was the sixth fastest ever recorded by any St. Johns runner in the Championship. Richard Nichols ’24 and Sam Hopkins ’23 both broke the 19-minute barrier for the first time (with Richard beating his previous best by 39 seconds), and James Wilson ’21 achieved his third consecutive season-best PR. Jacob Holyer ’23 ran an all-time PR and Luke Robinson ’21 a season PR. Congratulations to our Spartan student athletes on wonderful performances this season!
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
School News Briefs
Spartan Swimming Finishes 5th Anchored by Seniors Courtney Sage and Stuart Mackenzie, both boys and girls swimming finished 5th in the district out of ten schools overall. Notable swims included a strong relay (Lily Croft ’22, Amelia Dyer ’21, Ella Wilkes ’23, and Courtney Sage ’20), which finished 4th in Districts. The boys 200 Medley Relay finished 6th in Districts with Hunter Hopkins ’23, Luke Robinson ’21, Ethan Albright ’21, and Stuart Mackenzie ’20. At Regionals, both boys and girls teams finished 9th overall in the 200 Medley, and Courtney Sage out-touched the next swimmer by .01 to achieve that 9th place finish. Overall, the girls finished 10th at Regionals and boys finished 12th. “There is a lot of young talent on the team,” said Coach JJ Albino. “The sport of swimming is tough but so are these St. Johns swimmers.”
Senior Kendall Sage Joins 1000 Point Club An early December Girls Varsity Basketball 80-51 win over Ridgeview was made particularly sweet for Senior Kendall Sage. In addition to leading all scorers with 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, her 35 points brought her to 1,005 total career Varsity points, adding her to the prestigious club of 1,000 point St. Johns Basketball players. Kendall’s name will join the banner that hangs in the Brown Gym, honoring 1,000 point members. To commemorate the achievement, Coach Yolanda Bronston presented her with the game ball at flag raising the next day. Congratulations, Kendall!
Middle School Football Closes 6-1 Season Led by Coach Rocky Bantag, the Middle School Football team showed that youth doesn’t always mean inexperience and learning. “Even with only four Grade 8 students out of the 17-person roster, the Spartans ended up with a 6-1 record,” said Bantag.
Ty Neal ’25 led the rushing attack while William Bryie ’24 and Ethan Drumm ’25 controlled the passing game. Catching touchdowns were Tanner LaClair ’24, Durham Branch ’24, and Bodie Brafford ’26, who also handled the kicking duties. Defense
was led by Dylan Snipes ’24, Ilias Mamea ’26, and Nate Towers ’25. Paul Rainey ’25 and Caleb Cameron ’25 anchored both the offensive and defensive lines.
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
15
School News Briefs
Volleyball Digs In St. Johns’ volleyball had one of its largest rosters to date with over 36 girls participating. “Both the Middle School and JV teams finished their seasons with winning records,” said Coach Traci Peacock Livingston ’90. Additionally, Varsity finished 2nd in District competition and advanced to Regionals. “This was a big win for us with the new FHSAA format, point system and state ranking,”
said Livingston. Next year looks to be even more promising with only one senior, Kendall Sage, graduating, and 9 returning players for the 2020 season. “It’s going to be a promising year!” Stat leaders this year included Gracie Arnett ’24 with 360 assists and 53 aces, Maddie Moody ’21 with 182 kills and 25 blocks, and Kate Jacobs ’24 with 201 digs.
Boys and Girls Golf
Both the girls and boys golf teams completed their seasons posting winning records, placing 2nd in Districts and both advancing to the FHSAA Regional Tournament.
16
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
School News Briefs
New North Field Press Box Dedicated After much anticipation, the Spartan soccer season kicked off on November 11 with the unveiling of the new Pat Crews North Field Press Box and two season opener victories. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the press box preceded the games and Acting Head of School Mary Virginia Fisher opened the ceremony thanking the Crews family, Spartan sports fans, students, parents, and family members who were there to celebrate the new addition. “I would first like to recognize and personally thank Brad and Tyree Crews along with their children Payton, Paige, Paxton, and Parker,” said Fisher. “The press box is named in memory of Brad’s father, their loving grandfather and biggest fan, Mr. Pat Crews. While Pat is no longer here with us, we will always remember the love and pride he had for his family and for St. Johns Country Day School.” Then Mrs. Fisher introduced Director of Development Jordan Rechcigl, who thanked all of the donors who went above and beyond to make the new press box possible. “Each and every one of these donors have left a legacy both on and off the field,” said Mrs. Rechcigl.
Trinity Catholic with an 8-0 victory while the Varsity Boys team won 5-0. Overall, it was a great and exciting opening night. Thank you to all those who helped make the press box dream a reality, and congratulations Spartans! ■ The Crews Family ■ The Lemieux Family ■ The Schmidt Family including Mr. &
Without further ado, the youngest member of the Crews family, Parker Crews ’31, alongside his parents and sisters cut the ribbon, officially opening the new press box. The excitement and celebrations continued as the St. Johns Varsity Girls and Boys Soccer teams took to the fields to warm up for their season openers against Trinity Catholic. The Varsity Girls soccer team defeated
Mrs. Terrance Schmidt, Mr. & Mrs. Brad Schmidt, and Mr. Chris Schmidt ■ Members of the 1981-1982 Boys Varsity Soccer State Championship Team ■ The Michael Pickett Family ■ Shelly Kummings & Jonathan Walden ■ The Powers Family ■ The St. Johns Athletic Department ■ The Livingston Family ■ Ms. Cindy Crews ■ The Branch Family ■ The Richard Wilson Family ■ The Gregson Family ■ The Robbins Family ■ The Wulbern Family ■ The Nowicki Family ■ The Maierhoffer Family ■ The Linge Family ■ Mr. & Mrs. Roddey Fisher ■ The Phillips Family ■ Ian Holman ’08 ■ The Towers Family ■ The Randall Crews Family ■ Ellen Crist ’13 ■ Mr. & Mrs. Steve Powers
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
17
School News Briefs Visual Arts
Cross-Curricular Learning Marries Art & Science Teaching concepts cross-curricularly, or when teachers work to root topics into multiple subject areas at one time, is a great way to help students see connections between concepts, learn transferable problem-solving skills, and increase their engagement with what they are learning. At St. Johns, we take cross-curricular learning seriously, working to help students see and make these connections and building them into the
18
lesson plans. Last semester in science class, Grade 4 learned about rocks and minerals. They studied the different types, how each was formed, and they made their own rock collections, which they then shared with other Lower School students on a “museum day.� At the same time, in art class students learned about geodes and used watercolors and salt (to give that sparkly effect) to create their own geode masterpieces.
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
School News Briefs
Middle School Students Experience Ancient Egypt
In conjunction with their Ancient Civilizations studies in Mr. Burke’s Grade 6 history class, students have been learning about Egyptian history and art. Middle School art teacher Mrs. Reynolds-Patterson made a set of hieroglyphic stamps for the students to use in stamping their name in a cartouche. Art students also learned the ancient Egyptian canon of proportion and created self-portraits with hieroglyphics and imagery describing their lives.
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
19
School News Briefs
Art History Students Try Their Hands Upper School art teacher Mrs. Ayres worked with students in Mrs. Velasco’s Honors Art History and Criticism class to create their own versions of red and black figure Grecian vases. Students were asked to take a common theme from Greek art and adapt it to the 21st century by putting their own creative spin on it. To better understand hieroglyphs and how they functioned within Egyptian art, students also made Egyptian cartouche drawings with the help of Mrs. Reynolds-Patterson’s hand-carved rubber stamps. This added to a study earlier in the semester of cuneiform writing on clay tablets for an in depth cross-curricular experience.
20
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
School News Briefs Faculty Notes
This fall, Director of Technology Anne Gorman, above center, was honored with the Department of Defense’s Patriot Award, which is given to supervisors who do a superior job supporting National Guardsmen and women when they are called away to duty. Mrs. Gorman supervises Technology Specialist Mr. Josh Minchew, who is a member of the Florida National Guard. St. Johns is honored to have Mr. Minchew on staff and thrilled for Mrs. Gorman’s receipt of this award.
Spanish teacher Ms. Kim Murphy was accepted into a mentoring program by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages. Ms. Murphy, mother of Spartans Trent Hanson ’16 and Evelyn Hanson ’22, will serve as a mentor to an early career language teacher, with a goal of helping them learn the skills that will help them be successful long-term in their careers.
Visual Arts Department Chair Anna Reynolds-Patterson was the winner of the Nasco Award in the 2019 Florida Art Education Association Member Virtual Exhibition for her copperplate etching of a subject we all find near and dear to our hearts, the Chapel Oak.
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
21
Presenting the Class of 2020
I
n November of 1962, Dr. Heinrich introduced Senior Presentation to St. Johns after attending a similar ceremony when his daughter was a senior at Agnes Scott College. The concept was a combination of a Thanksgiving service with recognition of the seniors’ coming of age, presenting them to the community as adults in their own right. On Friday, November 22, 2019, the Class of 2020 enjoyed their own Senior Presentation starting with a beautiful brunch at the Winterbourne Inn.
It was an opportunity for them to spend time together as a class with just a few faculty sponsors and administrators joining them, along with brunch speaker Mr. Rod Fisher. They reminisced about their time together at St. Johns and took a lot of photos, and Mr. Fisher regaled them with stories of some of the School’s traditions and history. Back on campus after brunch came the formal presentation in the Performing Arts Center. President of the Senior Class Jackson Powers read an excerpt (continued on page 24)
22
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
Members of the Class of 2020 include: Victor Tillman Avery Liam Benjamin Bielik Marshall Xavier Bustamante Valerie Victoria Cabrera Ryan Patrick Croft Pacey Maine Cummings Riley Scott Davidson Ian Spencer Duncan Rentz Connor Foster Grayson Kincaid Hall Kyla Kai-Yue Hartwell Lea Kai-Lu Hartwell
Victoria Grace Hayes Kena Lynn Herrera Jackson Dean Hodges Sheila Alfredia Hodges Carolina Kate Hollis Jessica LeMae Linge Stuart Wallace Mackenzie Michael Allen Maytin Anthony Brent Morris Derek Jerod Neal Jr. Jordan Ashlee Noble Isabella Kristine Ottey
Sahaj Rahul Patel Delaney Joi Payton Lilly Grace Peterson Jackson William Powers Parker Douglas Robbins ZoĂŤ Celestine Roberts Kylie Veronica Rodriguez Ella Marie Rothberg Christian Kuriakos Sabbagh Jordan Sierra Sabo Lindsey Nicole Sabo Courtney Nicole Sage
Kendall Alexandra Sage Emily Grace Serrano Joseph Shimko III Joshua David Soffler Braden Robert Steiner Elizabeth Renee Stoeber Rita Sinclair Trammell Ruihong Wang Nasua’ Tamyah Williams James Makoto Woolard Liam Tadashi Woolard
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
23
Class of 2020
from Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation, which dedicates the last Thursday in November as a nationwide day of thanksgiving: In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed.... It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. New last year, the senior class began a tradition of electing their own Senior Presentation speakers, and this year they invited Chair of the Social Studies & History Department Mr. Josh Stern. Mr. Stern spoke with the seniors about the various trails that lay before them and how all of us are followers to a degree. “Neil Armstrong 24
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
was the first man to walk on the moon,” said Stern, “but he followed behind ten previous Apollo missions.” All of our accomplishments are built upon the work of those who precede us, and paths are essential to our lives, he told them, but they are communal projects. The seniors stood as Acting Head of School Mrs. Mary Virginia Fisher read each of their names, and finally, Mrs. Fisher read the words of founding headmaster Dr. Edwin P. Heinrich, presenting the Class of 2020 to assembled family, friends, and classmates: As a teacher I present you to the academic world that you may enter it and meet its demands honorably and successfully. As your Headmaster I present you to your schoolmates so that they may accept you and look up to you as their leaders and their shining example. As your friend I present you to your parents so that they may accept you as adults who have come into their own and who are to be dealt with from henceforth on an equal basis. As your fellow human being I present to you your calling in life that you may always have the wisdom to recognize it and the strength to live up to the divine calling in your life.
WINTER 2020
Class of 2020
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
25
Tuition alone does not cover the entire cost of a St. Johns education. That’s why your support of the St. Johns Fund is essential to make our School’s wants and needs a reality, providing the best possible education, environment, tools, and technology for Spartans from age 3 through Grade 12. Your gift is a commitment to the students, teachers, and the St. Johns experience. YOU can make a difference. For more information, please visit sjcds.net/support.
St. Johns F und Wish L
◆ Track Res urfa
◆ Brown Gym
cing $70,0 00
ist
Lighting & Painting $6 5,000 oftball Field Ir rig ation Syste $35,000 ms
◆ Baseball & S ◆ Lower Sch oo
◆ Grades 4 &
l Bathroom
Renovation $30,000 ole Lighting $30,000
◆ Streetside P
5 Play Are a Renovatio mulch and pi n to include cnic tables
◆ Tennis Cou rt
Resurfacing $26,000 r the Techno logy Buildin 3D Design g& & Innovatio n Lab $20 ,000 ◆ Exit Road Bulkhead R eplacement $17,000 ◆ Brown Gym Lobby Renov at io n $15,000
◆ New Roofs fo
◆ New Picni cT
ables and Trash Cans for the Dec k $10,000
◆ Track & Te nn
is Equipment Sheds $5,000
You can also choose to give an unrestricted gift of any amount to benefit the area of greatest need.
Commit to... The Students
The Teachers
The St. Johns Experience
◆ Invest in band instruments,
◆ Send teachers to conferences
◆ Develop hands-on and
technical equipment, kilns and more to help students grow and learn in the arts ◆ Provide athletic supplies and
field equipment to help our student-athletes achieve at the highest level.
where they learn new teaching strategies that extend far beyond the classroom ◆ Provide classroom equipment,
apps, and technology that improve the learning environment for teachers and students.
collaborative student learning spaces, such as our MakerSpace and 3D Design & Innovation Lab ◆ Upgrade technology
throughout campus ◆ Invest in trip experiences that
provide skills and memories to last a lifetime.
Make your gift or pledge today at sjcds.net/give. Reach out to giving@sjcds.net to learn more about how to support St. Johns.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support from the families, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, faculty, and many more who have given generous gifts to the St. Johns Fund. Here are some of the many reasons why our families, alumni, faculty, and others commit to St. Johns.
Morin Family
We commit to St. Johns because it’s an environment in which our children are learning and thriving — in academics, athletics, the arts, and social responsibility. It’s an investment in character and skill building for continued success in the real world.
Jacobs Family
We are committed to St. Johns because it truly creates a family environment. Whether it is the teacher’s interest in a student’s success, friendships that are formed, or the first grade and senior connection, you are a part of a caring and loving group of people.
Mandy Graves Rough, Helen Newton Hartung, Bonnie Trimble Copeland ’69
We commit to St. Johns because of teachers who knew us and cared for us, and who prepared us well for college and life. What’s more, we forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
Win Heinrich ’63 and Family
Our family is committed to St Johns just as my parents were 66 years ago. We see the school’s integrity in offering a future to each and every student making them an all around young adult just as my parents desired.
Lea Shah ’18
I commit to St. Johns because I believe my experience there, as a “lifer,” provided me with a lifetime, family-atmosphere experience. Growing up in a small community of people allowed me to gain a sense of loyalty, belonging, support, and involvement while getting a high-quality education foundation.
Ferris Family
We commit to St Johns because my students are known and loved by the faculty and staff. We appreciate the fact that as my students walk the halls or sit in a classroom at St Johns, their teachers know them, know what they are capable of and push them to be the best students and people they can be. The relationships they build with their teachers doesn’t end when they leave their classroom and move to the next grade.
Livingston Family
We commit to St. Johns because we love our Spartan family as the faculty and staff have been a part of the village that helped raise our children and loved them as their own. We respect the past of St. Johns and know that our commitment to this wonderful school will help create the future.
Nicholas Courtney ’03
St. Johns at its core is focused on fostering academic excellence within a family atmosphere. Our family has delivered, consumed and embraced these characteristics at St. Johns like few others. My grandmother and mother were teachers, my parents met here, my aunts, uncles, cousins and brothers attended. We commit to St. Johns because it has employed our family, educated our family (maybe disciplined our family) and through it all made us more productive members of society then we otherwise would be.
Founders Day
St. Johns Celebrates
66 Year th
T
his fall, St. Johns celebrated the 66th anniversary of its founding and the very first day of school, September 14, 1953. The celebration kicked off with a delicious brunch for alumni, board members, and former St. Johns faculty members. Following the brunch, guests and students made their way to the Performing Arts Center for the Founders Day assembly. This year’s Founders Day was made extra special with the induction of guest speaker Hilary Van Wagenen ’98 into St. Johns’ Arts Hall of Fame, which works to recognize alumni who have made substantial achievements and contributions within the visual and performing arts. Van Wagenen is an accomplished performance pianist, music teacher, author, and – her favorite role to date—mom. “Hilary’s commitment to the School is contagious,” said Director of Alumni Relations Jean Marie Maierhoffer Petty ’13. “She is proud to be an alumna of St. Johns and it shows through her willingness to inspire the students of today.” Van Wagenen’s induction into the Hall of Fame was followed by a short talk before she played two Spanishinspired pieces for the gathered students.
30
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
Originally from Orange Park, Van Wagenen is the daughter of two alumni, Wick Van Wagenen ’72 and Helen West Van Wagenen ’71, and granddaughter of former faculty member Carol Van Wagenen, who taught at the School until her retirement in 1975. Van Wagenen cultivated her love of the arts throughout her time at St. Johns. Since then, Van Wagenen has graced stages all over the world, including the prestigious Carnegie Hall. More recently, Hilary stepped away from the piano and dove into a different style of composing. She published her first book, Elizabeth’s Story: A Story from the Camino in 2017 with much success. “There is no greater sense of accomplishment than when alumni return home and we have the opportunity to honor the ways they have worked to make the world a better place,” said Acting Head of School Mary Virginia Fisher. “This year’s Founders Day represented much more than the founding of the School, but more so the everlasting impression the School has made on the world due to the determination, motivation, and passion of its alumni.”
WINTER 2020
Founders Day
Mr. Ro
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
31
Alumni Spotlight
Alumni Spotlight Steven Harris ’68 Steven Harris ’68 knew at nine years old that he wanted to be an architect. He may have not known then how he was going to get there, but this intelligent and motivated alumnus took every opportunity he could to learn about the world around him. Today, he is an extremely successful architect and professor living in New York City and owns his own firm. He has been recognized all over the world for his outstanding residential architecture. He attributes his success to his attention to detail in the way people live, something that was first brought to his attention when he began at St. Johns as a sophomore. Steven and his family lived in Jacksonville Beach. Every day he would make the drive into Orange Park, and he noticed the simple differences in lifestyles be-
32
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
tween him and his peers. Many of his classmates were from the Ortega area, and he became curious about the differences between the two neighborhoods located in the same city of Jacksonville. This fascinating spirit stayed with him after graduation when he decided to go to New College of Florida located in Sarasota. Steven described New College as, “a cool place and completely under the radar. It had a progressive culture and a lot of people were hanging out there during that time including the Allman Brothers and Cher.” Instead of studying mathematics, engineering or design at New College, Steven majored in philosophy. Ever since his days at St. Johns, Steven appreciated the liberal arts, and he has fond memories of his History of Thought class, with Mrs. Julie Newton. Studying
WINTER 2020
Alumni Spotlight
philosophy deepened his understanding of how people live, and he is now able to incorporate the various differences in lifestyles throughout his architecture. After graduating from New College, he took a year off and worked as a waiter on the Amtrak Silver Meteor from New York to Miami. One day, he stopped by the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. After talking to the president of the school, Steven enrolled and received his bachelor of fine arts degree. Then he was off to Princeton for a masters in architecture and during that time became a teaching assistant. After he graduated, he was hired as a professor at Princeton, all while commuting to and from New York and flying back and forth to Los Angeles to work on a project. Steven never said no to a new opportunity and when the chances to teach at Harvard and Yale presented themselves, he knew he had to go for it. He has been teaching at Yale ever since and enjoys his quiet weekly drives away from the city to Connecticut. In addition to teaching at Yale, Steven owns an architecture firm in New York City, Steven Harris Architects, and travels often to work on projects. From a tower in Croatia to a home on top of a cliff at the southernmost point in Mexico, Steven says, “every project is quite different because the clients are different. They sleep on different sides of the bed. They get up at different times of the day.” A master of precision, Steven is intentional about designing a building as it relates to its site. He is much more interested in the relationship between
the inside and the outside than just the building itself, therefore each of his projects presents a different design challenge. Steven has a great love for old Porsches, and in his rare free time, he enjoys participating in driving rallies. He attends four to five rallies a year including the Colorado Grand and Rams Horned Rally in Montana. His greatest rally adventure was the Peking to Paris, which is a 37 day long rally from Beijing, China to Paris, France. Steven has a love for learning about the people around him. His work is precise and fits the needs of his client’s lifestyle. He appreciates how people live differently and uses those details as a way to express his own creativity. Perhaps Steven’s most impressive design is the life he has built for himself by consistently learning about the people and spaces around him.
Molly Hallam ’05 Ever since Molly Hallam ’05 entered St. Johns in grade 6, she has been a valuable part of the St. Johns community. Molly now works in the entertainment industry, and the path that led her to this career was heavily influenced by her St. Johns experience. In appropriate timing to the upcoming 20th biennial St. Johns on Broadway, one of Molly’s fondest St. Johns memories was participating in Singers and school productions with Mrs. Brenda Scott. What started out as a hobby in high school would later turn into her career.
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
33
Alumni Spotlight
While Molly was a student at St. Johns, she strived to balance academics and athletics. She was a competitive athlete on the swimming, track and field and cross country teams. Academically, she enjoyed French Congrès with Madame Price and Madame Fisher, but her love for the French language did not stop there. In fact, Molly says, “the School’s kindness and flexibility made it possible for me to study abroad and come back mid-year. A bigger school would not have been able to accommodate that request.” For half of her sophomore year, Molly studied in France at Centre Scolaire Jean Baptise de la Salle in Lyon. While there, Molly was challenged to complete academic courses in her non-native language. Little did
34
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
she know that this challenge would pay off in more ways than one. Upon returning to St. Johns, Mrs. Fisher confidently appointed Molly as the official tour guide during the School’s France trip over Spring Break. She was responsible for maneuvering the trains, subways, and buses as they made the journey from Chambery to Lyon. According to Mrs. Fisher, “she became an adept tour leader, explaining in detail the historical sites and cultural experiences we enjoyed.” After graduating from St. Johns in 2005, Molly attended Dartmouth College where she majored in French and psychology. During the height of the recession in 2008 and 2009, Molly was left unsure
WINTER 2020
Alumni Spotlight
about what she wanted to do next. Her good friend and alumnus, Michael Rios ’05, was beginning to work in the entertainment industry and gave Molly the courage to pursue a career in film and television. She moved to Los Angeles and began working with Denise Di Novi, who is responsible for producing the original Batman movies. At the time, they were producing the movie Ramona and Beezus starring a young Selena Gomez. From starting as a production assistant, Molly worked her way up to producing commercials, but her ultimate goal was to pursue the creativity of producing films. Being fluent in French gave Molly a competitive edge in the entertainment industry, and she began working for Dany Boone, a French comedian and director. They worked on French comedies together, and while she was thankful for the experience, she was more interested in being a producer rather than a director. She made the move over to Légende Films, a French motion pictures and film company, and has been working with them for four years. Her understanding of the French culture and being an American helps them bridge the gap between European film and American film. Last summer, she produced The Mustang alongside Robert Redford, which premiered at the Sundance film festival. In September of 2019, she released a new Netflix series “The Spy.” Molly is passionate about creating content that matters. In this day and age, people are constantly consuming content and talking about it with their friends and family. “It is important to have videos that promote the change that we want to see in this world,” Molly says. She challenges her viewers to think differently and strives to promote positive messages through her films. As Mrs. Fisher once said, “Modern language teachers often wonder when or if our students will ever really profit from the years of classroom study we offer them.” It is safe to say that Molly has done much more than profit from her language experience here at St. Johns. She is responsible for merging the gap between two different cultures through film.
Carlos Sims Jr. ’08
Carlos Sims Jr. ’08 is a family man with two beautiful children and one on the way with his wife Kaitlyn. Currently living in Des Moines, Iowa, Carlos and Kaitlyn own a coffee roastery company, Happy Home Coffee Roasters. The mission of Happy Home is to cultivate joy and belonging through a nice cup of coffee no matter where you are. Carlos’ time at St. Johns was a time of joy and with a team of St. Johns friends surrounding him, he felt like he finally belonged to something that was bigger than himself. Entering St. Johns one semester late into his junior year, Carlos knew St. Johns was the environment he needed to be in, but what he may not
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
35
Alumni Spotlight
36
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
Alumni Spotlight
have known was that his teachers thought, “St. Johns is a better place because Carlos Sims is a student at our school.” As a St. Johns student, Carlos was sincere and committed to succeed academically. “I entered St. Johns during a fragile point in my life, but the people at St. Johns wanted to love me and support me,” he says. From spending his lunch periods filling out college applications with Mrs. Weaver to experiencing Mr. Fisher’s contagious joy daily in anatomy class, a dedicated teacher was always going the extra mile to make sure he received the education he desired and deserved. Winner of the 2007 Mr. St. Johns competition, Carlos says that going the extra mile has influenced the way he likes to do business now. As a leader whether at his church or his small business, Carlos’ mission is to create a team of people with readily available resources to help the company and employees succeed.
Carlos was the first St. Johns football player to sign a letter of intent to play at the collegiate level, at Grinnell College. Unfortunately while at Grinnell, he suffered a number of football related injuries and decided to transfer to Georgia Southern University. Georgia Southern offered a number of growth opportunities for Carlos which included becoming involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and meeting his wife, Kaitlyn. Carlos graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in arts and a minor in religious studies. He and Kaitlyn married the weekend after graduation and moved to Iowa the following weekend. Back in Iowa, Carlos went on staff for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Iowa and later became a pastoral intern at his church. When that church moved to Des Moines, he started working for Chick-Fil-a as the hospitality and catering service director, and as he said, “I got to drink the entrepreneurial Kool Aid.” This taste of Kool Aid and his passionate spirit led him to manage a nonprofit coffee shop that works with inner city youth. While working at the coffee shop, he provided underprivileged youth with workforce training, and he learned and mastered the art of roasting coffee. Two years later, Carlos was ready to take the next step and open his own coffee business, Happy Home Coffee Roasters. “The world is fueled by coffee, and I know we, as people, are more separated than ever before. Coffee is a connector and has the power to start a conversation,” he said. Carlos believes that every opportunity is a lesson, and it’s important to never regret a decision. The next opportunity for Carlos will be to open up his own brick-and-mortar coffee shop to accompany his mobile espresso cart. Carlos strives to create a home for others, similar to the one he had at St. Johns, and what better way to do that than through a nice warm cup of coffee!
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
37
Alumni Notes
Alumni Notes 1960’s
September 1, 2019. They reside in the Belle Meade area of Nashville. He works in mergers and acquisitions. Merritt Partridge ’04 is the new president of the National Ground Water Association. He lives in Fleming Island, Florida with his wife, Kasey Rock Partridge ’04, and their three children, including Spartan Lucy Partridge ’33. Tim Buehn ’05 is pursuing his MBA at Harvard Business School.
▲ Britt McTammany ’87 and Franklin Ritch ’12 premiered their locally produced feature film, TEARDROP GOODBYE: With Mandatory Directorial Commentary from Remy Von Trout, at the Jacksonville Film Festival on November 18, 2019.
2000’s ▲ Win Heinrich ’63 and his wife, Sandy, visited the School on August 26, 2019, in honor of his father and the School’s founder, Dr. Heinrich. Win shared stories about the beginning years of St. Johns, and one of his first jobs—driving the School’s bus at just 16 years old.
▲ Marcus Courtney ’05 and his wife, Claire, welcomed their daughter, Adams “Ada” Owene Courtney, on November 22, 2019. She is the granddaughter of William Courtney ’73 and Owene Courtney ’73. Her uncles, Nick Courtney ’03 and Will Courtney ’01, were at the hospital to welcome her to the world. ▼
1980’s Vanessa Bowles Beasley ’84 has been named vice provost for academic affairs and dean of residential faculty at Vanderbilt University. Carlton Batten ’85 is the animation director for “The Simpsons” and won his first Emmy in the Outstanding Animated Program category in September.
▲ Ashley Trayner Bottin ’02 and her husband Bret welcomed their second daughter in August. Elowyn joins her big sister, Genevieve, who was born in February 2018. Ashley has a master’s degree in social work from Florida State University and is enjoying her time as a stay-at-home mom.
Jenny Raney Edwards ’86 published her first book, Bumping Down Highways, which is based on her true story of giving up her successful life as an entrepreneur and hitting the open highway in an RV by herself. Matthew Costarakis II ’87, father of Ainsley Costarakis ’25, was promoted to Captain for Southwest Airlines.
38
▲ Austin Mitchell Hudson ’03 was married to Laine Kelly on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Nashville’s Steeplechase Grounds on
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
▲ Julia Herre Krentel ’05 and her husband welcomed their second daughter. Caroline Margaret Krentel was born in February 2019 in Covington, Louisiana.
Alumni Notes Jereme Pozin ’05 was promoted to the Area Director of Food and Beverage at the Hyatt’s Holston House in Nashville, Tennessee.
▲ Katie Thompson ’05 is serving as President of the Junior League of Jacksonville for the 2019- 2020 league year.
Lindsay Marshall ’13 has been accepted into the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. Heather Duncan ’15 graduated with honors from Florida State University in May with a double major in economics and international affairs and a concentration in Spanish. She dedicated the majority of her time senior year to the American Cancer Society, serving as the Executive Director of FSU’s Relay For Life. She has now moved back to Jacksonville and is working for FIS Global in their associate development program. ▲ Austin Franklin ’12 is currently on a tour to promote his book, Wake, Rise and Smile, and took some time to stop by St. Johns along the way. His message left students and teachers feeling motivated and inspired, and he kindly gave all the students a copy of the book. Thanks, Austin!
Max Garcia ’15 graduated in December from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Zhanee Anderson ’16 will graduate from Valdosta State University this May and is starting her own photography business. She just recently shot her first wedding.
Kate Augustus ’09 is teaching in New York City and got engaged to David Wood over the summer. Jack Moran ’09 passed the bar exam and is working for the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Fourth Circuit.
2010’s Pilar Brito ’12 is graduating from Yale Law School in May and getting married the following week to a fellow classmate. She will join a law firm in California this fall. ▲ Carson Pickett ’12 and her dad, Mike Pickett ’83 attended the FIFA Football Awards in Milan, Italy. ▲ They may have been on opposite sides, but it was a reunion of Spartans when 2019 graduates Maddie Wilkes (USMA) and Jett Isley (USNA) found each other at the Army-Navy football game last fall.
▲ Austin Engelbrecht ’12 passed the bar exam in September.
▲ Caroline Weber ’12 passed the bar exam and is working as a corporate and tax associate at Burr & Forman in Birmingham, Alabama.
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
39
Alumni Notes
St. Johns Classes Gather for Homecoming Reunion On Friday October 18, 2019, St. Johns Country Day School welcomed over 30 alumni from the classes of 1968, 1969, and 1970 back on campus to celebrate their 50th reunion at the School’s Homecoming football game. The alumni and their spouses began their afternoon with a tour of the campus. While everyone was impressed with the advancements made on the beautiful St. Johns campus, the arrival of their beloved former teacher, Mr. Rod Fisher, escalated the excitement. One of Mr. Fisher’s former students reintroduced herself and referred to him as Mr. Fisher. Mr. Fisher quickly insisted, “Call me Rod. It’s been 50 years, we are past ‘Mr. Fisher’ by now.” Following the tour, the group was escorted to the Homecoming tailgate party where they were joined by current St. Johns families. Yearbooks scattered the tables and the former soccer players admired the TriState Championship trophy they won more than 50 years ago. As the group made its way to the big Homecoming football game, former St. Johns cheerleaders, Mandy Graves Rough ’69 and Bonnie Trimble Copeland ’69 picked up their personalized megaphones from 1969. Then off they went to cheer on the Spartans to a well deserved victory!
40
The alumni got together again on Saturday evening for a more private gathering at the home of Thornton Lurie ’69 of Ponte Vedra. They spent the evening catching up with one another and sharing stories from their days at St. Johns. They even brought some memorabilia, including the aforementioned cheerleading megaphones, yearbooks, and a ’68-’69 Student Handbook. My how times—and student handbooks—have changed! The School enjoyed having the classes of 1968, 1969, and 1970 back on campus to celebrate Homecoming. While many things have changed in the past 50 years, the St. Johns family atmosphere and support for one another remains the same.
3
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
1
2
Alumni Notes
1. Cindi Wooden Kimball ’68, Michael Lamb ’69, Kurt Mori ’69; 2. Kurt Mori ’69, Winfield Rogers Duss ’68, Chriss and Bob Frosio ’70; 3. Cindi Wooden Kimball ’68, James Lanier ’70, Michael Lamb ’69, Joe Roschuni ’69, Mandy Graves Rough ’69; 4. Lynn & John McClow ’69; 5. Denis & Jan Ritch Bolena ’70, Patti Barrows Rios ’68; 6. Jim Simpson ’69 & Bonnie Trimble Copeland ’69; 7. Susie Lanier, Mike Harrell ’70, Mary Mcllwain Acosta ’70, Chic Acosta, & James Lanier ’70; 8. Mandy Graves Rough ’69 & Bonnie Trimble Copeland ’69; 9. Terry Cosgrove ’69, Rod Fisher & Joe Roschuni ’69; 10. Rod Fisher and James Lanier ’70 4
5
6
7
8
9
10
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
41
Alumni Notes
Alumni Games & Holiday Social On Saturday, December 21, St. Johns alumni dusted off their soccer cleats and baseball gloves to relive the glory days on the field. The alumni soccer game began at 3:00 p.m. and got off to a quick start using a shortened field. Snacks and drinks were provided and the group took plenty of breaks to catch up (and catch their breath!). Rod and Mary Virginia Fisher and Pat Rodifer came by to chat with everyone and enjoy the games. Soccer players included Hwang Marino ’09, Kevin Weaver ’13, Stephen Rivers ’12, Cole Ferguson ’14, Nick Grubor ’15, and Matt Wolf ’19.
42
At 4:00 p.m. over at the baseball diamond, alumni were suiting up and getting ready to take on the current St. Johns student athletes. The alumni played well with Luke Dill ’14 and Noah Wilkes ’16 tying up the ballgame with two runs. Other alumni players included Evan Engelbrecht ’17, Drew Petty ’13, Garrett Hays ’14, Troy Britts ’18, Tyler Kuramoto ’19, Jack Tolbert ’19, Jacob Fetner ’16 and Robert Vogt ’13. While the alumni did not win the game, they loved reconnecting with their former teammates and experiencing what it feels like to be a Spartan baseball player again.
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
Later that night, yet another alumni get together took place at Whitey’s Fish Camp. Over 50 alumni from the classes of 1980 to 2019 attended the social. Two large outside tables were reserved and appetizers were provided. Alumni spent the evening catching up, reminiscing on their favorite St. Johns memories, and enjoying the live music. For many alumni, this annual get together has become another St. Johns tradition and continues to grow throughout the years.
Alumni Notes
In Memoriam Tom Brown ’80, brother of David Brown ’76, Michael Brown ’85, and Shelia Brown ’81
John Abbott, father of John Abbott, Jr. ’70 and Kim Abbott Brown ’73, passed away in November 2019. John was a past president of the Board of Trustees and a history and economics teacher at St. Johns. Julie Fitzpatrick, mother of Catherine Crum ’85.
Tom Townsend ’76 who was featured in the winter 2019 1953 magazine, passed away this fall. Tom was the founder of the A-Town Get Down music festival in Savannah, GA and the founder of the non-profit Pianos for the People. Kay Dapra grandmother to Kevin Hodges ’00 and Brandy Hodges Lowery ’07. Kay Dapra worked for many years in the Student Council food store alongside her daughter, Tina Hodges.
Alumni, please send your updates to Director of Alumni Relations Jean Marie Petty at jpetty@sjcds.net.
Marjorie Fulton, mother of Robert Fulton ’73 and Christopher Fulton ’75. She was a grade 9 and 10 English teacher at St. Johns from 1968 - 1975.
Coach Romer “Nick” Nichols is remembered for his contributions to the School’s athletic department and his many soccer victories which included leading the boys soccer teams of 1968, 1969, and 1970 on to win the Tri-State Championship. Michael Spook Hill ’82 wrote “Coach Nichols taught, mentored, and led hundreds of student-athletes throughout a storied career. His legacy continues not only at St. Johns, but also with each of us that had the opportunity to play under his tutelage.” Minerva Rogers Mason passed away in May. She was a former President of the Board of Trustees and one of the guests who attended the initial meeting about St. Johns with Dr. Heinrich on April 4, 1953. Marvin E. Wilhite Sr., father of Marvin Wilhite ’81, Aimee Wilhite ’94 and former student Michael Wilhite.
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
43
CALL OR CLICK TODAY!
Summer Programs College Prep, Redefined.
LEARN MORE AT SJCDS.NET
Summer Camp
Summer Academics
◆
◆
◆ ◆ ◆
Day Camp Sports Camps Specialty Camps AM & PM Extended Care
◆ ◆ ◆
Grades 1-11 Reading & Math SAT/ACT Prep Driver’s Education
14th Annual ST. JOHNS SPARTANS
GOLF TOURNAMENT Friday April 24, 2020
M
ark your calendars and plan to join us for a great day of golf, food, and fun at the award-winning Eagle Harbor Golf Club. Your participation will help to make this year’s golf tournament a great success! All proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit the athletic department and all of our student-athletes. Proceeds from prior golf tournaments have paid for a new scoreboard in the Brown Gym and on the softball field, windscreens and scoring poles for the tennis courts, brick enclosures for the softball and soccer field scoreboards, and many other athletic team “wish list” items.
Visit sjcds.net/golf for more information and registration. Register today! 44
S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
WINTER 2020
Published by St. Johns Country Day School Mail: 3100 Doctors Lake Drive Orange Park, FL 32073-6997 Phone: (904) 264-9572 Email: info@sjcds.net Web: sjcds.net Acting Head of School Mary Virginia Fisher mvfisher@sjcds.net Head of Administrative Affairs Tanya Powers tpowers@sjcds.net
Thank you to the 2019-2020 Board of Trustees
Director of Alumni Relations Jean Marie Maierhoffer Petty ’13 jpetty@sjcds.net
Officers:
Director of Communications Regan Minners rminners@sjcds.net Director of Development Jordan Robbins Rechcigl ’10 jrechcigl@sjcds.net
Rick Gregson, President Richard C. M. Wilson, Vice-President Andrew L. Glassman, Treasurer Angela DeMonbreun, Secretary
Members: James W. Branch Steven W. Conner Nicholas K. Courtney ’03 Brad Crews Margaret Rood Gibbs
Daniel W. Hodges Dr. Carissa J. Kostecki John Maierhoffer Robin McMullen Eugene B. Nichols
Pamela Petty Craig Phillips Daniel Towers Allan E. Wulbern
Trustee Emeritus:
Headmaster Emeritus: Ex Officio:
Dr. Steven B. Kailes Dr. Arjav Ted Shah Sharon J. Suggs
Stephen F. Russey
Mary Virginia Fisher Acting Head of School
Save the Date! Contact Director of Alumni Relations Jean Marie Petty at jpetty@sjcds.net to add or correct your mailing address, or for more information on these upcoming events: ◆ Day of Giving - April 2 ◆ St. Johns on Broadway - April 17-18 ◆ St. Johns Spartans Golf Tournament - April 24 ◆ Alumni Spring Fling - May 1 ◆ Graduation - May 30
St. Johns Country Day School 3100 Doctors Lake Drive Orange Park, FL 32073-6997
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ORANGE PARK, FL NON-PROFIT CORP. PERMIT NO. 58
Grade 5 students learned about seine netting on their annual Driftwood trip last fall.
sjcds.net
College Prep, Redefined.