1953 (Winter 2017) by St. Johns Country Day School

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 2017

Contents Letter from the Headmaster.........................1 School News Briefs........................................2 Lower School................................................................................... 2 Middle School..................................................................................4 Upper School................................................................................... 5 Performing Arts ...........................................................................6 Fine Arts ..........................................................................................6 Athletics..............................................................................................8

Campus Master Plan....................................10 Future-Ready Students............................... 18 Annual Fund.................................................. 22 Technology through the Years................. 24 Traditions........................................................ 28 Alumni Notes................................................ 36

On the cover: Grade 5 visits Georgia’s Jekyll Island and the Driftwood Education Center. See the story on page 3.

1953, The Magazine of St. Johns Country Day School is published for the school community twice a year by the Office of Communications. The goal of 1953 is to tell the school’s stories and capture the history, traditions, values, and culture of St. Johns Country Day School.

Dear St. Johns Family, In my opening letter to the community in July, I shared my promise that we will strive to cherish the history of the school and maintain the traditions and values that make St. Johns unique. At the same time we realize that our biggest responsibility is to provide a distinctive academic experience that prepares our students for their future. This philosophy of preserving our past while looking to the future not only applies to our academic experience at St. Johns, but, as I hope you will see in this magazine, applies to every aspect of our community, including the way we communicate our message to the world. For more than 30 years, St. Johns has published a magazine for alumni, family, and friends to celebrate the accomplishments and milestones of our students, faculty, and alumni. We still have that same goal in mind, and we are so excited to share with you our new magazine: 1953, named in honor of the year St. Johns was founded.

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 2017

The name and look have been freshened.

While the name and look of this magazine have been freshened, the experience that it reflects remain true to your memories. Every day, St. Johns faculty and staff work to provide our students with a foundation, a strength, and a spirit that will last a lifetime. And the results documented in the achievements of our alumni provide inspiration for our current and future students to strive toward and honor. As great as these stories look in print, the real versions are even better. I am privileged to experience this work every day, and I hope you are able to get a small sense of the St. Johns experience in these pages. I hope that you will let it serve as the catalyst that brings you back to campus. Until we see each other in person here on campus,

Todd A. Zehner â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;87 Headmaster 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 2017

SCHOOL NEWS BRIEFS Lower School News Building a Character-Driven Student Body At St. Johns Country Day School, everything we do is infused with the value of character. But what does “character” mean, and how do we build it in our students? This year the Lower School is implementing a new character education program focused on teaching the “Big 3” - how to treat others right, make smart decisions, and maximize potential. In a companion

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

monthly recognition program, Lower School homeroom teachers select a “Character Kid of the Month” who is recognized for displaying that month’s trait. During the fall semester, students were recognized for mastering Responsibility, Courage, Honor, and Joy. Knowledge, Respect, Forgiveness, Humility, and Determination will round out the rest of the school year.

WINTER 2017

Grade 1 student Noah David was among students recognized for demonstrating Courage.

Grade 5 Goes to Driftwood It’s a longstanding tradition that each fall, Grade 5 embarks on a trip to Georgia’s St. Simons Island and the Driftwood Education Center. Part bonding experience, part coastal ecosystem lesson, and 100% fun, the Grade 5 trip to Driftwood bonds students together as a class, helps them connect to our ecosystem, and gives them three days of beach walks, camp fires,

skits, songs, and amazing animal encounters. “We plan this trip strategically,” said Grade 5 teacher and trip leader Walter Newsom. “It’s just the right length if this might be their first time away from home. Not too far, not too long, and completely designed to be that first step toward the upcoming Grade 6, 7, and 8 trips. It really is the perfect “first trip” for them!” 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 2017

School News Briefs

Honor Code Assembly

Foundation of Middle School Character Education This fall, the Middle School held its annual Honor Code Assembly, where each member of the Middle School community is asked to pledge to uphold the Honor Code, and hold others accountable as well. “Our Middle School Honor Code assembly is an important next step in the life of a St. Johns student,” said Head of Middle School Bill Rothe. “It builds on the good work of the Lower School character education program and sets a path for growing students to improve self reliance and gain a deep appreciation for the principles that make St. Johns such a safe and valued community.”

Grade 6 student Lauryn Mateo signs the Honor Code while Antonio Holmberg, also Grade 6, looks on.

Middle School News

Middle School Runners Lead the Pack Two Middle School students took the lead in distance running both in the school and the community this fall. Mackenzie Glenn, Grade 7, steadily racked up District, Regional, and State Cross Country titles, culminating in her 6th place finish in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Cross Country meet on November 5, 2016. Matthew Stratton, also in Grade 7, earned 59th in the 186-man field at State, finishing the 5k in 17:56. He went on to take top honors in the Thanksgiving Day Classic Half Marathon men’s 11-13 age group, running the 13.1 mile course in 1:40:10. Matthew Stratton takes it in stride at the State Championships in November.

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 2017

School News Briefs Upper School News

Coll-Román Completes Prestigious UF Science Program Last summer, Senior Lisette Coll-Román completed the University of Florida Student Science Training Program, a residential research program for academically talented high school students interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, and/or math fields. Coll-Román lived in Gainesville for seven weeks and worked about 30 hours each week with

electrical engineer Dr. Toshikazu Nishida. “I found this program to be incredibly beneficial,” said Coll-Román. “It has opened me up to potential career choices I initially didn’t believe I’d be all that interested in.”

Grade 12 student Lisette CollRomán, on campus at the University of Florida. (Photo courtesy University of Florida)

Grade 9 Learns Secrets to Success

Grade 9 student Sheila Hodges and classmates learn the “secrets to success.”

In an effort to ease the transition from Middle to Upper School, Ms. DeStefano and Mrs. Korahais are leading Grade 9 students in a series of “Success Seminars.” The seminars help students better understand adolescent brain development and master habits that can improve all aspects of their lives-- particularly school success. The seminars emphasize stress reduction, a positive outlook, and self-awareness, with the goal of helping students identify coping strategies to help them stave off feelings of being overwhelmed. “The habits their teachers are encouraging them to adopt aren’t just about getting better grades,” said Ms. DeStefano. “These habits improve all aspects of their lives. Personal control, or what the school’s mission statement calls self-reliance, is critical to success, in their lives today and in the future.”

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 2017

School News Briefs Performing Arts News

Senior Kevin Taylor Awarded Music Scholarship In September, Senior Kevin Taylor was awarded the 2016 Concert on the Green Joy McCumber Myers Scholarship. The scholarship is given annually to a St. Johns music student by Concert on the Green in honor of Joy McCumber Myers, one of the Concert on the Green founders and a former St. Johns Country Day School music teacher. The St. Johns Performing Arts Department selects the recipient based on the student’s musical accomplishments, talent, dedication, and

contribution to the arts at St. Johns. Taylor performs with the St. Johns Singers, Symphonic Band, and a cappella group “Unaccompanied Minors,” and was in the 2015-2016 All-State Men’s Choir, All-County Band, and All-County Chorus. Taylor has also participated in the Jacksonville Sings UNF Choral Invitational for the past two years and was recently named to the 20162017 Florida Music Educators Association All-State Chorus.

Kevin Taylor, center, is presented the scholarship by Concert on the Green President Lauren Hoffman as Headmaster Zehner looks on.

Band Members Earn Honors Three members of the St. Johns bands earned appointments to the All-County Honor Band and 2016 Florida State University Tri-State Band Festival. Through a rigorous auditioned process, Grade 8 student Alex Dimmick (saxophone) was named as the principal chair of the All-County Honor Band, and seniors Kevin Taylor (clarinet) and Ryan Wynn (saxophone) were selected to the 2016 FSU Tri-State Band Festival.

Fine Arts News

It All Starts with Art Lower School students embarked on a vigorous first semester in the Fine Arts, with a focus on cultural masks and seasonal artwork. “Winter Babies” by Louis Jeannin, Pre-K4

“Snowflake” by Iliyan Happe, Kindergarten

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 2017

School News Briefs Faculty News Faculty Lead the Way

Dr. Judibelle Román, far left, demonstrated this fall that St. Johns faculty truly have the Drive to Thrive as she and her tennis team took the title as United States Tennis Association’s Women’s 3.5 Champions in their age group at the 2016 Nationals. In the summer of 2015, Dr. Shelby Montague left a postdoctoral research position to start teaching at St. Johns. While she was no longer conducting experiments, she continued her work analyzing data and writing up the results of her research. This fall, Dr. Montague’s paper, which explores learning and memory in fruit flies, was published in the online journal PLoS ONE.

Thank You, Trustees The Board of Trustees of St. Johns Country Day School works to actively support the school’s mission and strategic goals, and to further and demonstrate that support within the community. Thank you to our Board of Trustees for their commitment, support, and leadership of St. Johns! Back Row: Stephen Russey (Headmaster Emeritus), Gerri Duffey, Sharon Suggs, Robert Liguori, Margaret Gibbs, Jonathan Montgomery (President), Angela DeMonbreun, Ted Shah (Secretary), Four Dunton ‘97, Rick Gregson. Front Row: Mark Dobbertien, Tanya Powers (Vice President), Marla Matson-Quattrone, John Linge, Todd Zehner ‘87 (Headmaster), Steve Kailes (Trustee Emeritus), Dan Hodges, Amber Isley. Not Pictured: Drew Glassman, Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Michael Spigel.

Tyson Guess Wins Angels for Allison Notecard Contest Winners of the annual Angels for Allison notecard contest were revealed in December with Grade 6 Spartan Carolyn Tyson Guess a contest winner. Artwork by Tyson Guess is featured on the organization’s notecards sold throughout Northeast Florida. Since 2013, St. Johns art students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 have participated in the Angels for Allison annual notecard contest.

Grade 6 student Carolyn Tyson Guess, center, displays her winning artwork with art teacher Anna Reynolds-Patterson and Angels for Allison CEO Carissa Hogan.

Castiglione Featured on School Holiday Cards Artwork from Grade 12 student Meagan Castiglione was selected to appear on the school’s holiday card last year, yet another honor for the talented artist. The piece, “Botanical Melody,” also secured top honors in the Concert on the Green annual poster concert, and was presented to Concert on the Green sponsor Vac-Con in October.

Meagan with her father (far-left), Concert on the Green Board President, and Headmaster 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 2017

School News Briefs Fall Sports Recap

Volleyball The Varsity Volleyball team had a successful year finishing 14-9 in the season. The team took runner up at the district championships, and went on to the FHSAA Regional Tournament where they played a great game but ultimately fell to a tough John Paul II team from Tallahassee. Coach Traci Livingston says “The future of the program is looking strong and I am very excited about next season!” Molly Urnek (Grade 12) and Cassidy Wasdin (Grade 11) were Honorable Mentions on the TimesUnion’s All-First Coast 2016 Volleyball team.

Mackenzie Glenn, center, takes 6th place in FHSAA State Cross Country Championships

Cross Country Enjoys Banner Season Spartan Cross Country teams enjoyed a banner season of running, with the girls’ team winning at the District level and the boys coming in 5th. Both teams advanced to Regionals, where the girls were the Regional Runner Up and the boys again took 5th. At the State Championship in Tallahassee, on November 5, the girls placed 6th overall in the 24 team field. Mackenzie Glenn (Grade 7) took 6th place with a personal record time of 19:29 in the 5K, while Helena Kummings

(Grade 9) and Libby Coen (Grade 12) were close behind, crossing the mat in 19:55 and 21:38 respectively. In the boys’ race, Ben Kailes (Grade 8) dashed to a 25th place finish, clocking 17:21 for 5,000 meters, and Matthew Stratton (Grade 7) ran 17:56 to earn 59th in the 186-man field. Mackenzie Glenn was named to the Times Union’s All-First Coast Girls Cross Country Team, and Helena Kummings received an Honorable Mention.

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 2017

Middle School Volleyball The Middle School Volleyball team, coached by Alexandra Sanderhoff, had a great season with robust support from the Middle School and the school as a whole. Coach Sanderhoff notes that the team had a winning season and beat every team in the district at least once. The team also went bowling together in September and proved themselves just as capable in the alley as they are on the court. Go, girls!

School News Briefs

Swimming

Nick Rogers (Grade 10) breaks the school record in the 100 butterfly the first of three times this year. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Sage)

In Coach Rapolas Janonis’ second year of coaching, Spartan swimmers boasted an overall record of 7-1. Key swimmers for the boys included Nick Rogers, Ruichen Ni, Austin Wheeler, Stuart Mackenzie, Tucker Price, and Ethan Albright. Key swimmers for the girls included Courtney Sage, Annalee Clay, Kate McCormack, Maylee Gouin, and Lily Croft. During the season, Sophomore Nick Rogers broke the school’s 100 Butterfly record 3 times and diver Keegan Fluharty had six record breaking dives. Spartan girls came in 29th at State and boys were close behind at 32nd. Nick Rogers was named to the Times-Union’s All-First Coast 2016 swimming team, and diver Keegan Fluharty was named to the girls’ diving team.

Football

2016 was a growing year for Spartan football, says Coach Sellinger, and he’s loved every minute of it. The transition from former Head Coach Zehner went smoothly thanks to the coaching staff, and the team worked very hard preparing and being ready for game night. The Spartans played hard all season and never let up even for one second. “They will be great leaders down the road,” said Coach Sellinger of the team. “I’m extremely proud of them, the coaching staff, and the faculty that allows me to do what I love—coach here at St. Johns.” Sellinger handed out a number of awards at the end of year banquet, including: ◆◆ Team Most Valuable Player (MVP): Josh Sherrill ◆◆ Offensive MVP: Cade Walden ◆◆ Defensive MVP: Evan Engelbrecht ◆◆ Line MVP: Tyler Kuramoto ◆◆ Tuff Man Award: Cody Myers and Troy Myers ◆◆ Spartan Award: Joe Nelson ◆◆ Comeback Player: Spencer Land ◆◆ Career Achievement Award: Brandon Livingston

Golf

The 2016 St. Johns boys’ golf team had a good season going 2-6-1 in 9 matches, and finishing 3rd out of 8 teams in the Clay County Championships, leading up to the 1A District Championships held at Magnolia Point Golf Club where the team finished 4th. Even though the team finished 5 strokes from moving on to Regionals, 3 players moved forward as individuals. Jack Richardson (Grade 11), Henry Dinkins (Grade 10), and Dru Detlefsen (Grade 7) represented the team very well. Jack Richardson was the team MVP as he had the lowest score at Districts, was a valuable part of the team, and showed excellent etiquette on the course. There were two Most-Improved players this year: Henry Dinkins and Dru Detlefsen. Dinkins lowered his 9 hole score 12.3 strokes from the beginning of the season to Regionals, and Detlefsen lowered his scores by 10.3 strokes. Congrats boys!

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 2017

Campus Master Plan

Chapel Oak, Fall 2016

Vision for the Future

hen Todd A. Zehner ‘87 became Headmaster of St. Johns Country Day School in July 2016, he took to social media to tell the St. Johns community about five “memorable spaces” that resonated with him from his years at our school. These memorable spaces, he said, are the focal points for what happens outside the classroom, beyond the stellar education provided at St. Johns. They are the keystones for the relationship-building that makes St. Johns so special.

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 2017

Recently, St. Johns laid out a Strategic Campus Master Plan— a proposal for upgrades and improvements to our campus that will not only provide and maximize these “memorable spaces,” but will expand and improve the areas on campus devoted to academics, athletics, and the arts, while improving campus safety and security. The majestic Chapel Oak, a symbol of the character of St. Johns, is an example of how the school’s founders not only preserved the natural elements

Campus Master Plan

of the campus, but also used them to create spaces where the community could gather, learn, and become inspired. To this day the Chapel Oak remains one of the most revered components of our campus. When Hurricane Matthew shook northeast Florida last semester, one of the first questions we received from Spartans near and far was, “how is the Chapel Oak?” We are pleased to report that it stands healthy, tall, and beautiful, and that this proposed Master Plan for landscaping, hardscaping, and structural upgrades will continue to honor the tradition and history of our campus, while forging a path forward for innovation and education of students for generations to come.

Campus History

With nearly 60 years of history on Doctors Lake Drive, the St. Johns community is fortunate that those who came before us have recognized the natural beauty on our campus and have worked to preserve many of the natural elements that define our campus today.

From the time the first shovel was put in the ground in 1957 through much of the early 1980’s, St. Johns was truly a “Country Day School.” Until the late 1960’s, access to campus from Doctors Lake Drive was a dirt road. The campus, much like its surrounding community, was rural, natural, and rustic. Many portions of campus remained undeveloped for 25 years. Since that time the campus has evolved into a place where all of the 26 acres has a purpose. The instructions to the original architect, Taylor Hardwick, were to draw plans for a U-shaped brick school, which would hold 205 students. Today, the campus contains 16 structures and has the potential for a student capacity of more than 800 students. The original U-shaped school has been joined by two gymnasiums, a performing arts center, and a learning resource center. Further, over the years new construction has reinforced the importance of its outdoor spaces, such as the Roddey R. Fisher quad and the deck, which have long been at the heart of our campus.

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 2017

Campus Master Plan

The school history serves as a great reference for the foundation and legacy that must be preserved, while providing insight into identifying the image and character that make St. Johns unique.

Inspiration

As the administration mapped out a plan for the campus’s future, it was important to land on a message that would inspire and put into perspective the importance of campus planning to the future of our school. The goal is a space where learning, lifestyle, and enjoyment co-exist to uplift and provide inspiration to generations of students and faculty. A space where learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door, but spills out onto the quad, to the deck, and below the branches of the Chapel Oak. A campus where faculty and students gather together, learn together, and share their views in an enclave of acceptance and learning. In this space, student life merges effectively with goals and aspirations for the future.

Big Ideas

The campus plan has five “big ideas” that will unify the campus and move it forward while keeping the school strongly rooted in tradition: Establish Design Standards. Established design standards will create visual harmony across the campus as well as a unified, cohesive look. These standards will be rooted in tradition but future-facing, playing a key role in enhancing the image, character, and brand of the campus. Some possible examples include signage, lighting, fencing, landscaping, and paint colors.

Enhance Campus Character & Quality. For the most part, the image of the campus is of quality architectural design combined with a mature native landscape. However, there are a few areas that detract from the character, beauty, and image of the campus. Some examples include the unfinished edge of the road that leads through campus, the maintenance building, and the disconnect between the character of the front and back halves of the campus. Through simple steps such as finishing road edges and screening the maintenance facility from view, we can improve both the appearance and safety of our campus.

Create a Walkable Campus. Many areas on campus lack clearly defined paths for pedestrians. With this new Strategic Campus Master Plan, the goal is to create a pedestrian network to emphasize accessibility, safety, and comfort while enhancing the image and character of the school.

Create More Memorable Spaces. Central to the character and image of the campus are memorable spaces where individuals gather and engage. One of Headmaster Zehner’s “memorable

Proposed curbs improve appearance and safety

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 2017

Campus Master Plan

Headmaster Zehner on the Wall, one of his “memorable spaces.” (Inset) Headmaster Zehner sitting on the wall in the 1980’s.

spaces,” for example, is the wall between the Brown Gym and the Deck. “I love sitting on this wall because it reminds me of the many relationships I have made here at St. Johns,” Zehner said last summer. “When I was a student here the wall was the center of student life, much like the deck today. Before school, at break, lunch, or in their spare time, students gathered on the wall and life-long friendships were made here. These friendships extended beyond fellow students, it was also a place where bonds were made with your teachers outside the classroom.” Develop a Scalable Plan. A long-term Strategic Campus Master Plan plots out the many initiatives and improvements to be implemented over time, spreading costs and labor accordingly. But few people want to wait for years to improve the image and character of our campus. Fortunately, many of these improvements are scalable,

“I love sitting on this wall because it reminds me of the many relationships I have made here at St. Johns, When I was a student here the wall was the center of student life, much like the deck today.” so enhancements can be realized in a short period of time rather than waiting for years to see major improvement. One example of this scalability is fencing. The long-term goal would be to have consistent new fencing throughout campus. Fencing may not be at the top of the priority list and could take many years to replace. But a short-term improvement could be to paint all of the existing fences a common color to create an improved level of conformity and visual unity in the interim.

Opportunities

Building on the existing extraordinary assets of the St. Johns campus, there are several opportunities to support Big Ideas and turn the Strategic Campus Master Plan vision into a reality. As a part of the development of this plan, the board and administration reviewed the campus and its assets and evaluated them in terms of four criteria: facility risk, strategic value, priority, and timeframe needed for completion. 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 2017

Campus Master Plan

Out of more than 40 potential projects identified and evaluated, these rose to the top as having the highest strategic value to the school, the largest risk if left undone, top priority, and the most achievable timeframe. These include: Lower School Building & Playground Redevelopment. The cornerstone of the school’s long-term plan is rebuilding the Lower School and redeveloping its playground. Portions of the Lower School contain some of the last remaining sections of the school’s original 1957 construction and are long overdue for replacement. Over the years the original classrooms have been increased in size several times, yet today these classrooms present the school’s biggest facility challenge. In order to provide modern, technology-friendly learning spaces for our Lower School students, it must be a top priority to rebuild this facility. The challenge with rebuilding the Lower School is that the project ranks first in cost to complete and project complexity. Included with the Lower School building improvements is the Lower School playground rede-

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 2017

velopment. The school was able to mulch the Lower School playground during the summer of 2016, vastly improving its appearance, safety, and “playability.” Develop & Implement Design Standards. In addition to making new campus improvements and ensuring those adhere to a set of design standards, work will be conducted continuously to

Lower School Playground, Summer 2016

Campus Master Plan

retrofit existing assets to the new standard. For example, existing signage, lighting, and landscaping could be updated to a consistent design standard

Pink = Proposed pathways Brown = Proposed Parking Circles = Proposed Memorable Spaces

Pedestrian Network Improvements. The campus has the potential for a strong, coherent pedestrian network, but the current pathways are problematic and disconnected. Many areas of campus lack clear, designated walking areas and some existing pathways are unsightly or haphazard. Improvements to the pedestrian network will build on the existing walkways and create an interconnected walkable campus for all 26 acres, from Doctors Lake Drive to Moody Avenue. Additionally, improvements will be made to the main access points to enhance the campus image and character.

Safety & Security Enhancements. Everyone can agree that safety comes first. The safety of individuals on our campus is the primary concern each and every day. While many improvements have been made over recent years, more improvements are needed to improve campus safety and security. The goal of the Strategic Campus Master Plan is that the school move toward a point where we can control access to campus and add both a weather detection system and additional surveillance devices.

Vehicle Parking Improvements. Due to the natural setting, for many years parking on campus existed only on unpaved surfaces and undefined spaces. Over the last decade, two paved parking lots have been developed, one at the campus entrance and the other in front of the Performing Arts Center. Remaining parking exists along the campus travel ways and in an open area near North Field, but these areas are not sufficient either in their reflection of the St. Johns image, or in the parking spaces provided. These lots will be resurfaced and new areas designated for vehicle parking. Some of this work was undertaken in the summer of 2016 as the North Field parking area received a hardscaping upgrade and landscaping improvements.

Memorable Spaces. As noted previously, in addition to the buildings the campus will be defined by a series of memorable spaces, diverse in their scale, character, and function. The Strategic Campus Master Plan calls

North Field Parking, Summer 2016 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 2017

Campus Master Plan

Proposed Entry Enhancements

for the development and revitalization of informal gathering spaces in appropriate locations that are convenient, comfortable, and effective as meeting and relationship-building spaces. Locker Room/ Brown Gymnasium Improvements. Since its construction in 1966, the Brown Gymnasium has truly been a multipurpose facility for the school. In addition to serving as a gymnasium, the facility has also been used as a classroom, a performing arts center, a graduation venue, and a social event venue. Improvements to the locker rooms were completed in the summer of 2016, but much work remains to be done in order to turn the gymnasium into a modern fitness facility.

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 2017

Swimming Pool Facility Development. Since its construction in 1991, the swimming pool at St. Johns has provided many benefits to the school and St. Johns remains the only public or private school in Clay County with a pool facility. This has allowed the school to offer unique programs throughout the year, including both boys and girls swim teams, the after school Spartan Aquatic Club (SPAC), and the added benefits a pool brings to the summer camp program. Through these programs the pool contributes to over $300,000 in annual revenue to the school. However, the existing pool is aging and will be in need of replacement in the coming years. In addition to replacing the pool to allow existing programs to continue, a new expanded facility will create visibility and revenue streams not possible with the current pool.

Campus Master Plan

Proposed Aquatics Complex

Proposed improvements to the Brown Gym will include upgraded workout facilities and a studio.

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 2017

Future-Ready Students

Building Future-Ready Students

By Lucretia Miller, Librarian and Information Specialist (MLIS)

estled between the books on the shelves in my office is my very own Librarian Action Figure complete with sensible shoes, reading glasses, and “amazing push-button shushing action!” The box lists some notable famous librarians including Kant, Longfellow, Casanova, Mao Tse-Tung, J. Edgar Hoover, and Batgirl. These librarians would feel out of place in today’s libraries, though. A librarian action figure of today would not be shushing, but instead would be beckoning students into the library. Though the sensible shoes are still a must, she would be sporting a snazzy

cape and large “I” on the chest. That “I” would stand for “information,” because the role of today’s school librarian is to help make sense of the vast world of information in which students are immersed. R. David Lankes, director of Syracuse University’s Library and Information Science Program, said, “To be a librarian is not to be neutral, or passive, or waiting for a question. It is to be a change agent within your community.” In other words, a superhero. Of the many changes in education that the development, use, and integration of technology has affected, perhaps the greatest change is in school libraries.

Pictured above: Miller leads a class using a large touchscreen TV in the Heinrich Learning Resource Center.

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 2017

Future-Ready Students

Technology has changed the focus of pre-1990s libraries from collections and buildings to the access and use of information. The Internet brought instant access of global information to individuals with a click of the mouse; social media has brought instant access of information in the form of opinion with one hundred and forty characters. Those who ponder if librarians are needed now that students have use of the Internet, or whether libraries are still viable now that students have devices with eBooks have never seen students attempt to do research in the digital age of information. A web search is not synonymous with research. Technology has forced libraries and librarians into an exciting period of reinvention, relevance, and rejuvenation. With the shift from analog to digital, the amount of information has increased exponentially; our global digital world has thus created a new literacy that students must master in order to be successful and future-ready; students must become information literate and it is the school librarian who specializes in this task. Librarians teach information literacy during a time when we are bombarded with information; even though our access to information is unprecedented, the quality of information is not in proportion to the rate of information. Social media has blurred the lines between fact and opinion, and users have difficulty determining bias in media. School librarians are leaders in both the transition to and sustainability of effective digital learning because we are

Jessica Palombo Gustafson ‘04

essica Palombo Gustafson says that oak trees are the first things that come to mind when she thinks of her time at St. Johns. The oak trees are a constant and ever present reminder of a student’s time at St. Johns, but like the school itself, they continue to grow and change. Jessica is now the News Director at WJCT, Jacksonville’s public radio station. In this role, Jessica has to balance skills in writing, research, and analysis with a constantly changing world of communication technology. She credits St. Johns teachers Janet Huntley, Carol Chamblin, Beth Herzog, and especially Joe Warner with fostering her love of writing. Memories of working on The Chalice in Mrs. Herzog’s room, writing, working with technology, and facing stressful deadlines all helped guide her into her current profession. The idea of communicating information in a way that will be memorable and powerful is a skill that was fostered at St. Johns and continues into her professional life. Jessica didn’t leave St. Johns knowing that she wanted to be a news director. She knew she loved to write, but it wasn’t until halfway through college that she found her passion which led her to the journalism school at the University of Florida. She had a stint as a newspaper editor in Gainesville and then decided to get her master’s degree in broadcast journalism at Syracuse University. She landed her dream internship with NPR, National Public Radio, which lead to a job reporting on the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee. In 2014, Jessica says, she received “an offer that was too good to pass up.” She was able to return to Jacksonville and take over the news department at WJCT. In this role, she is responsible for all local content that goes on the air and on the website. Communication in its various forms is the central element of her job. “I write, edit, and produce news stories and podcasts, so I am constantly asking myself whether I am saying things simply, accurately, and clearly enough” Jessica says.

Technology is rapidly changing in the news business. She gives the example that “on-demand audio” is replacing traditional radio, “causing us to adapt and try to meet listeners where they are: on iTunes, through the NPR smartphone app, and on social media.” This need to adapt is similar to what schools face as they reevaluate and reshape how students gather, process, and report on information in the classroom. St. Johns is at the forefront of these changes through its technology initiative. The 1-to-1 iPad program in Grades 1-12 gives students practical experience working on interactive, innovative media. Developments in research and writing are being taught by Media Specialist Lucia Miller, and teachers across all grades and departments are integrating technology in meaningful and thought provoking ways into classroom assignments. Jessica credits St. Johns with creating well rounded citizens. Academically rigorous, but also focusing on the importance of quality arts classes and athletics gives students tools for fulfillment and success in their adult lives. The character education is similarly important and Jessica has seen the importance in journalism of giving people unbiased, trustworthy information which is so crucial to a functioning democracy. “It is a big responsibility” she states. For students interested in a career in journalism, Jessica recommends reading and listening to as much news as you can, attending a good journalism school, and doing an internship in a local newsroom. While some of the technologies and advancements in communications weren’t even developed when Jessica was a student, the way that St. Johns trained her for writing, research, and adaptability has served her well in her current 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 2017

Future-Ready Students

the experts in teaching students how to navigate, access, evaluate, and organize that digital information to create new knowledge. Maria Popova wrote a wonderful article on “Wisdom in the Information Age,” stating, “...more and more information without the proper context and interpretation only muddles our understanding of the world rather than enriching it.” Librarians are the experts at teaching students how to first wonder and question intelligently in order to get the information they need. We then teach students how to take those basic facts, correlate and interpret them and put them into context to create knowledge. Then we instruct students how to apply that knowledge- that information worth remembering and the information that matters to develop an understanding of how the world works and how it should work. This is wisdom according to Popova. This is what we hope for St. Johns graduates: during their years at St. Johns they become effective users of information, able to evaluate for fact and bias and then take those facts, put them into context to create new knowledge, finally applying an ethical component as to why it matters. Librarians are nefarious pushers of both knowledge and wisdom. The one constant about technology is that it is continually changing; thus in order to remain relevant, educators must be looking forward. Currently, educators nationally have been pledging support for the Office of Educational Technology and Alliance for 20

The wall in the Heinrich Learning Resource Center’s MakerSpace encourages students to leverage research and analysis in developing solutions.

Excellent Education’s Future-Ready Initiative, which centers around digital learning and digital citizenship. Librarians are a major part of this initiative as leaders in transformational and digital learning. The framework for future-ready librarians contains several principles. Under Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, librarians are tasked to “Empower Students as Creators.” This is one reason for the proliferation of MakerSpaces being constructed in today’s libraries or Learning Commons as libraries are referred to today. We want students to not only create new knowledge from the vast amount of information available to them, but to also create solutions through problem and project-based learning. It is not enough to just be able to evaluate information; our students will be successful if given a problem, they intuitively know how to build background knowledge, access

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 2017

and evaluate the information needed, design possible solutions, create prototypes, and test or assess the solutions. The information-seeking process model and the design model go hand in hand to create information and solution-fluent students. With this digital age, some have questioned the need for libraries as a physical space or the need for printed books. Again, libraries have adapted. School libraries are now active, collaborative community spaces where students can meet together to study, research, and create. The Heinrich Learning Resource Center is truly the hub of the school, with classes simultaneously meeting to Skype with other students in different states and countries for the Global Read Aloud program, creating Lego robots with LittleBits in the MakerSpace, meeting for Student Government, researching for Senior Symposium, and checking out books.

Future-Ready Students

Yes, our library still has and will continue to have physical books for reading. With all the changes to libraries and the librarians’ role brought on by the digital shift, this is the one constant that has not changedthe importance of books and reading in any format. Although four years ago we began our digital book collection and have increased it each year, the need and desire for books in print has not diminished. A Pew study from 2015 reports the preference of readers in regards to format, and shows that analog and digital can coexist. eBooks are an excellent tool in the classroom, as the teacher can project the book to the class while the students refer to the title on their own iPad. Most students at St. Johns prefer print books over eBooks for recreational reading, choosing to put a book on hold even when the digital version is available. Our circulation statistics prove that reading is still valued at St. Johns. The librarians listed on the box of my librarian action figure would be relieved to know that even in this time of students being literally attached to their devices, Carl Sagan’s words still resonate and will always be the root of a librari-

“Technology has forced libraries and librarians into an exciting period of reinvention, relevance, and rejuvenation.”

an’s mission of facilitating knowledge creation. “What an astonishing thing a book is. It’s a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person, maybe someone dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.” So are librarian superheroes. n

Sources:

Lankes, R. David. “Success Through Collaboration.” HELIN Annual Conference, January 16, 2013, davidlankes.org/?p=2595. Popova, Maria. “Wisdom in the Age of Information and the Importance of Storytelling in Making Sense of the World: An Animated Essay.” BrainPickings, September 9, 2014, www.brainpickings. org/2014/09/09/wisdom-in-the-age-of-information. Sagan, Carl. “Persistence of Memory.” Cosmos, 11th episode, Carl Sagan Productions, December 7, 1980.

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 2017

2016-2017 Annual Fund

Invest in the Students. Invest in the Teachers. Invest in the St. Johns Experience. 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 2017

Every gift – like every student – counts. Why “Invest in Us?” A great education not only opens students’ eyes and minds, but also opens doors to their future. Your participation in the St. Johns Annual Fund is an investment in the students, the teachers, and the St. Johns experience. Just as St. Johns is the best investment parents can make for their child’s future, a gift to the school is an exceptional investment in the students of today and tomorrow.

How does your Annual Fund gift make a difference? Your gift provides our school with the resources to enrich the learning environment with curricular and program enhancements, support faculty development, upgrade campus facilities, and meet day-to-day operating expenses. Strong participation among parents, alumni, and others is also a sign of support for the community.

How much should I give? How much you give is a very personal decision. Every contribution, large and small, has an immediate impact on St. Johns and all of our students. We ask every member of our community to participate at a level

appropriate for his or her circumstances. You might consider one of the gift club levels or a Leadership Gift of $1,953 or more. You can spread your gift over several installments, make a one-time gift, or give appreciated securities. In addition, many employers offer a matching gift program that can double, or even triple, your gift. The Loyalty Society recognize those donors whose continued support provides the foundation for annual giving at St. Johns. You can become a member of the Loyalty Society with your gift, of any amount, for three or more consecutive years.

How do I make a gift or pledge? Making an online gift or pledge is simple and secure.

Invest in Us Today: sjcds.net/support (904) 264-9572 3100 Doctors Lake Drive Orange Park, FL 32073 Email aweaver@sjcds.net with questions or for more information.

St. Johns Country Day School is a 501(c)(3) organization and gifts are deductible for income tax purposes as provided by law.

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 2017

Technology

TECHNOLOGY F rom the very beginning, our founding Headmaster Dr. Heinrich loved to gather students for lessons, discussions, or demonstrations and dissections of the latest technology. But it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until the late â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;70s that the first computers came to St. Johns Country Day School. In 1977, the math department announced that it was shopping for a computer. Big news! In ten more Above: Grade 4 students Ayva Safreed and Ellie Susser work together on an iPad.

years, there was a computer in every classroom, and now, thirty years after that, each student has access to a tablet more powerful than we could have imagined possible when that first computer came onto campus all those years ago. So how has the spread of technology affected our students and our campus? Here we take a quick look what our campus and some of our students look like now through a technological lens.

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 2017

Introducing Apple Classroom

At St. Johns we have worked to integrate technology thoughtfully into how we teach. Three years ago we launched a 1:1 iPad program, putting the latest technology quite literally into the hands of all of our students. We saw the potential benefit that exists when each student has access to the full wealth of knowledge and resources an iPad can provide. For example, one aspect that distinguishes iPads from laptops is the

Technology

Dr. Heinrich demonstrates a device to students in the ‘60s.

Mrs. Keller works on an iPad with Grade 4 student Lydia Trahan.

1977: St. Johns’ first computer

through the Years ability to provide a safer environment for our students with resources tailored to a learning environment. Last summer, Apple announced a new program called Apple Classroom. We determined to lead the way by becoming one of the first schools to pilot Apple Classroom. Apple Classroom is essentially a powerful teaching assistant, helping a teacher guide students through a lesson, see their progress, and keep them on track. Teachers can create groups to break students into project

teams and perform actions on entire groups or on individual students within groups. For example, opening a specific app on each group member’s iPad, and/ or locking access to other apps. With Apple Classroom, teachers can easily launch the same app on every student’s device at the same time, or launch a different app for groups of students. In an instant, a teacher can direct the attention of the entire class to the work of one student or a group, projecting exemplary work on Apple TVs for all

to see. Apple Classroom helps teachers focus on teaching so students can focus on learning. This year, the school has been rolling out Apple Classroom grade by grade through all divisions. Currently Grades 1 - 5 are using the new technology, and the Middle School will be joining the ranks this spring. This is just another way that St. Johns is leading the way in innovative classroom technology.

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 2017

Technology

Megan Wolf: A Spartan Who Codes Grade 12 student Megan Wolf was clicking around online last spring when a donation request from Girls Who Code caught her eye. The organization is dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology and works to encourage girls and young women to get and stay involved in coding. Nationwide, 66% of girls aged 6-12 are interested in or involved with computing programs, but that number drops to 32% among 13-17 year olds and to 4% by the time the girls are freshmen in college. Megan decided to learn more, and ended up applying for the Girls Who Code summer immersion program in Atlanta. She was accepted, and joined about 40 girls in the seven-week program that took place in the offices of supporting organizations-- Accenture, AT&T, and GE. Girls Who Code works to embed classrooms in leading technology companies where girls learn about topics ranging from computer science fundamentals to roboticsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and gain access to the technology industry through the host companies. For Megan, this meant

seven weeks learning several coding languages while on-site in the Atlanta offices of AT&T. Classes are kept small so that instructors and teaching assistants, often from the host companies, are able to make sure that each student learns the material and is successful. At Girls Who Code, much of the work was in JavaScript, one of the most powerful and popular computer programming languages for web development. Megan worked on applications such as Instagram filters, and for a final project, she collaborated with another student from Ohio to develop a program called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Twitcher,â&#x20AC;? which searches through Twitter feeds to find

About Girls Who Code

words or content that match certain filter key terms. After successfully completing Girls Who Code, Megan obtained an internship with a Silicon Valley company, Justia, which is training Megan in additional coding techniques and languages. Back at St. Johns, Megan has been working to further her experience and her expertise in computer science and programming. This year she is taking both AP Computer Science, a programming class, and AP Computer Science Principles, which focuses more on the foundation and application of computing and technology. Megan has also found time to work with the

Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology, hosted 20 programs last summer in cities across the United States, from Miami to New York and San Francisco. The goal is for the girls to learn valuable coding skills that can then become a strong foundation for additional coursework and study in computer programming, which then translate to jobs in the tech sphere. The program has hosted more than 40,000 girls to date, and applications for the 2017 Summer Immersion programs are open now for girls in grades 10 and 11. Learn more at GirlsWhoCode.com.

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 2017

Technology

Technology department in courses for younger students. “We’re really lucky to have the technological resources that we have here at St. Johns, such as the 3D printing lab,” says Megan. “Because of the tools we have here, students are able to fast-track their learning.”

Jeesun Kim ‘09

hen alumni reflect on their time at St. Johns, one of the most common reflections is the broad range of skills, activities, and interests that are fostered here. When asked what one word comes to mind when she thinks of St. Johns, Jessun Kim ‘09 responded: all-inclusive. St. Johns is all-inclusive in the way it treats each student with respect and dignity as well as being all-inclusive in its educational offerings. As a child in South Korea, Jeesun dreamed of coming to the United States, and in 2003, that dream became a reality when she entered St. Johns in Grade 7. It was a hard transition, leaving behind a loving family and familiar surroundings. Jeesun said that there were times when she struggled, but she credits the faculty, staff, students, and family of St. Johns with helping her overcome the difficult times and making her time at St. Johns full of wonderful memories. After St. Johns, Jeesun studied Electronic Media and Graphic Design at the University of Miami. She had multiple internships as a video editor and graphic designer while at Miami. As a child, growing up in South Korea, Jeesun had some experience with web development and her interest in the subject grew in early college, so during her junior and senior year she took several web development courses. After graduating from Miami, Jeesun continued to learn to code and built and designed websites for friends and family members which helped her build her portfolio. She eventually applied for a design internship at one of the world’s largest agencies, Crispin Porter

After graduating from St. Johns, Megan hopes to major in computer science and is particularly interested in machine learning, or helping computers learn how to do things. The field has many practical applications, but foremost in the news right now is application in self-driving cars. + Bogusky, or CP + B. Instead of offering her a design internship, they offered her an interactive development intern position because they liked that she had both design and development skills and had continued pursuing her development skills in her free time. After that internship, Jeesun moved to New York City to pursue her career as a software developer. She now works for Firstborn, a strategic development and design company in New York City. One thing that has stayed with her as she pursued this career is her experiences in taking French at St. Johns. “I wasn’t a fluent English speaker when I first took French class. I hesitated on learning a third language when I didn’t fully understand English vocabularies that were equivalent to French ones.” She credits Mary Virginia Fisher and Virginia Butler with encouraging her to take the class, even if it was challenging, and helping her whenever she needed assistance. “Learning programming languages is like learning a new language. It throws you into the uncomfortable zone and you won’t be a master at first, but the more you practice, the better you get” she says. Taking French gave her the confidence to keep pursuing her career path even when she struggled with her programming skills. The all-inclusive part of St. Johns helped her focus on being a more well rounded person and she credits Leslie DeStefano with training her to read the newspaper and keep up with current events. Government class was admittedly a struggle, she confessed, but “I took so much from that class because it got me in the habit of reading newspapers daily, which is crucial in both professional

“I like computer science because it’s constantly innovating so I’ll always be doing somethi ng new,” said Megan. “It’s a career where you are always learning and that appeals to me.”

and personal life.” Learning to communicate well, both orally and written is an important element to every career, but in software development, it is “crucial that developers are able to break down complex technology concepts into easier terms for those who may not have the same technical knowledge as developers” she says. Jeesun is thrilled to hear that St. Johns is offering computer science, programming, and physical computing classes. Her advice to students wanting to go into software development is “don’t wait. You have everything you need to learn to code - a computer and the internet. So do it!” The most valuable lesson she took from St. Johns? Be kind to everyone. Jeesun appreciates and tries to emulate in her own life the support, kindness, and encouragement shown to her throughout her time at St. Johns that helped her become the person she is today.

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 2017

Traditions

St. Johns Country Day School:

Rooted in Tradition

or more than 60 years, St. Johns Country Day School has been focused on offering a superior academic program and diverse extracurricular opportunities. Beyond those achievements, however, the school maintains a focus on distinctive experiences, particularly those that are rooted in tradition but future facing. Last fall, the St. Johns campus saw several of these traditions: Founders Day, Homecoming, Senior Presentation and the annual Middle School trips. Each in their own way, these distinctive St. Johns traditions serve to engage our students, unite them, and challenge their bodies and minds in order to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities they will face as they leave St. Johns.

Founders Day

Each September, the school hosts Founders Day to celebrate the vision St. Johns was built upon and the spirit that buoyed the school as it first opened its doors to students, September 14, 1953. While this is a fairly new tradition in the life of the school, it is a celebration of the history and traditions that the school was found28

ed on. Founders Dr. and Mrs. Edwin P. Heinrich, from the beginning wanted St. Johns to be a pioneering school (indeed the Heinrichs originally intended to call it “The Pioneer School”), and Founders Day serves to honor those who follow this path, honoring high-achieving, pioneering alumni and inviting them to come back to school and speak to the student body.

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 2017

Dr. Barnwell shows students a trophy he won in his student days, for drag racing.

This year’s Founders Day speaker was Dr. Tom Barnwell ’61, the 2016 Alumnus of the Year honoree. Barnwell, a pioneer in signal processing, which is, as he put it, “teaching computers how to talk,” received his undergraduate, master’s and doctorate degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After graduating from MIT, Dr. Barnwell moved to Atlanta and became an assistant professor of electrical engineering at Georgia Tech in 1971, an associate professor in 1977, and a full professor

Traditions

Left to right: Alice Ingle, John “Rusty” Ingle ‘60, George Baldwin ‘61, Christy Baldwin, Ina Barnwell, Dr. Tom “Pinky” Barnwell ‘61, Downing Nightingale ‘62, The Rev. Lila Bird Brown ‘67, Headmaster Todd Zehner ‘87

in 1982. While at Georgia Tech, Dr. Barnwell helped found what would become the premier academic digital signal processing center in the world. He is responsible for developing the “Barnwell Windowing” technique which made Internet telephony possible and standardized. In 2014, Dr. Barnwell was awarded the Jack S. Kilby Signal Processing Medal by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in recognition of his contributions to the field of speech processing and technology enhanced learning. In the write up from that award, the institute said that Dr. Barnwell is “considered one of the historically most important contributors to the field of signal processing over the last 50 years for the breadth of his digital signal processing innovations that

have advanced the very foundations of the field.” A talented musician as well as electrical engineer, Dr. Barnwell and his wife, Ina, are avid followers of folk and country music and are in the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. They awed the crowd of faculty, fellow alumni, and students by singing not once but twice. Dr. Barnwell and his wife arrived on campus early on Founders Day which allowed Dr. Barnwell time to sit in on the AP Physics class and answer questions about his career. After the Founders Day ceremony, several students came up to the stage to talk with Dr. Barnwell, including the founder of our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Club. Several of Dr. Barnwell’s classmates attended Founders Day to celebrate both the history of

Dr. Barnwell talks with Grade 12 student Doris Yang after his talk.

the school and the accomplishments of their friend. After a tour of the school, with a longer than expected stop in the 3D printing lab, the group headed to a luncheon at Club Continental honoring Dr. Barnwell. Members of the school administration and representatives from the Board of Trustees joined members of the classes of 1961-1963 to eat, reminisce, and celebrate.

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 2017

Traditions

Homecoming

There are conflicting stories about the origin of Homecoming in the United States, but one thing is clear: it was meant to be a time when alumni and friends of a school would return and celebrate their alma mater along with the current student body. Over the past few years, St. Johns has been more intentional about inviting alumni and providing a fun environment for our entire St. Johns family, past and present. Holding onto some of the traditions from the past, but also creating new traditions has made Homecoming an event not to be missed. If you peruse the Chalice yearbook throughout the years, one thing is very clear - St. Johns students love to dress up in costumes. From morning announcements about “Miss Chalice” to Hobo Day to Singers Madrigal Dinners to the Senior Class Play, costumes and dressing up have always been a fun way to unwind from the stress and pressures of our academically rigorous program. For many years now, students have dressed up for different themes the week of Homecoming. Originally celebrated in the winter around a soccer game, Homecoming now is held in October with a Homecoming Football Game on Friday night. The festivities start at the beginning of the week with dress-up days like “Decades Day,” “Dynamic Duo Day” or “Superhero Day.” Upper 30

Student Council President Jonathan Mirensky is auctioned off at the Senior Sale by classmate Evan Englebrecht.

School teachers and students alike enjoy dressing up and getting into the festive spirit. During H period (club period) at the end of each day, the Upper School gathers for grade level competitions and points are kept all throughout the week with a spirit trophy presented at the Pep Rally on Friday to the class with the most points. Seniors have a fundraiser that week as they auction off a chance to buy a senior for a day. Friday is the chosen day, and seniors can be seen around campus in wild costumes, doing ridiculous announcements in the quad during flag raising, and whatever else the purchaser requests. The week culminates on Homecoming Day Friday with a Spartan Dress Down Day, Cookout, All School Parade, Pep Rally, Tailgate, Homecoming Football Game, and Homecoming

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 2017

2016 St. Johns Country Day School Homecoming Queen, Senior Lillian Dinkins, daughter of St. Johns Alumna Sandy Ellmaker Dinkins ‘84 and Matt Dinkins.

Court Presentation. Homecoming is a chance to celebrate, laugh, honor, and compete. Alumni are always welcome to come back for the Friday of Homecoming week to enjoy the festivities!

Traditions

GRADE 6 Camp Montgomery

Grade 6 students work together to solve a challenge course problem.

Middle School Trips

Many St. Johns alumni have fond memories of the 8th grade mountain trip which has been taking place since about 1981. When alumni get together to reminisce about their time at St. Johns, the mountain trip is inevitably one of the first things to be brought up. The icy cold water of Sliding Rock, carrying a backpack up the mountain, cooking over the fire, hiking in the woods, and taking in the beauty of the North Carolina mountains are common themes, but the thing that most people remember about the mountain trip is the community that is formed as members of the class connect and bond as a group. One of the newer traditions at St. Johns Country Day School are the Grade 6 and 7 trips. Starting about five years ago, these trips were added to start the process of connection between the classes even earlier, but also to provide an educational opportunity for the students. This year’s trips were disrupted a bit when Hurricane Matthew came blowing through town, but each grade got their trip in the end.

After being delayed by Hurricane Matthew, Grade 6 finally got their kickoff trip in late October. On October 31, 2017, students loaded into buses and headed south to Keystone Heights and Camp Montgomery, where they spent three days doing challenge courses, playing games, canoeing, hiking, and getting to know each other and their teachers. Since the trip took place over Halloween, students also were encouraged to bring costumes and spent Monday evening trick or treating from cabin to cabin, wore costumes to dinner, and had a Halloween party and dance. “The Grade 6 trip is about building character, confidence, and providing opportunities for students and faculty to build strong, positive relationships for the school year,” said trip leader Tina Sachs, Grade 6 science teacher. “We offer the students a safe space,” she continued, “and empower them to create a community of kindness and cooperation that lasts throughout the year.” The three day, two-night trip is run by Adventure Treks, which also runs the Grade 8 trip to North Carolina, and focuses on team building, trust, confidence, and fun. Activities are geared toward helping the students learn to build a community together as a grade, with the plan that, as they do, they will discover unique ways they can each contribute to the success of the community. “Through inspiration we provide a wilderness experience that promotes a conservation ethic,” says Ms. Sachs, “and through this trip, we faculty really get to know and love our students.”

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 2017

Traditions

GRADE 7 Charleston, SC The Grade 7 trip to Charleston, SC was originally scheduled for the first week in October—exactly Hurricane Matthew’s arrival timeframe. The trip was postponed and quickly rescheduled for the first week of January—right after the students returned to school from Winter Break. The students spent two nights on the 1943 aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Yorktown, which is moored just off the coast of Charleston, where they slept in bunk beds, ate in the mess, and learned about American Naval history. Balancing the historical with the natural was a theme of the trip. The students were able to participate in an ecology walk on Capers Island, a National Wildlife Refuge barrier island, learning about salt marsh ecology, oceanography, marine life, and the importance of conservation. Taking in the beauty of Charleston via horse and carriage ride around

downtown, the students were able to get an overview of the layout of the city. They walked the Rebels and Revolutionaries tour, which included being held captive by the British in the dungeon, preparing for battle at the Powder magazine by learning how to fire a cannon and shoot a musket, and learning to dance the minuet which led to quite a few giggles from both the boys and girls. A visit to the Charleston Aquarium gave them insight into the underwater ecology around the area. At Fort Sumter, the students were lucky enough to help raise the flag that morning, continuing the St. Johns flag raising tradition. The Charleston trip continues to be a wonderful balance of hands on learning, exploration, and relationship building.

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 2017

Traditions

GRADE 8 Mountain Trip Grade 8 was already on the mountains of North Carolina when Hurricane Matthew headed for Florida. They had just left base camp for an outback camping experience with their Adventure Trek guides when St. Johns sent word that a hurricane was coming and they had to come home. Not only were the students and chaperones disappointed to cut the trip short, trip organizer and Grade 8 teacher Thea Burke reported that the Adventure Trek guides were incredibly disappointed that their favorite student group visit had to be cut short. The St. Johns students, they said, are some of the best behaved, most help-

Grade 8 students stop at the border on their way to the mountains.

ful, most compassionate, and most interested students they lead each year. Despite the shortened nature of the trip, students still were able to squeeze in some adventure, team building, hard work, and fun into the Left: Students help raise the flag at Fort Sumter.

Grade 8 students get ready to tackle a day in the mountains.

3 days. The students, chaperones, and guides packed all the necessities into their packs, often carrying things for the common good, like food, parts of the stove, tents, and other items, with the understanding that everyone has to do their part. The group hiked several different peaks in Pisgah National Forest along the Inverness Gap Trail including Williams Gap, Butter Gap, John Rock, Coffee Break Ledge, and Cold Mountain. Unfortunately, one traditional part of the trip had to be cut because of the shortened trip; the group was not able to go white water rafting on the Nantahala. Just as in years past, students were carefully and purposefully put into groups that tried to connect students with a wider range of their classmates than they might usually encounter. In those groups, the students are encouraged by their Adventure Trek guides

to work as a team to problem solve, collaborate, and make group decisions. The guides leave space for the students to figure out, they encourage them to keep trying, and they resist the temptation to step in and solve the problem for the students. Being forced out of their comfort zones physically, relationally, socially, and environmentally, the students must rely on each other throughout the week. Whether it is setting up a tent for the first time, cooking meals in the woods, hiking with a large pack, sliding into the frigid waters at Sliding Rock, the students bonded as they encouraged and helped each other. The Grade 8 Mountain Trip is the culmination of the mission of the Middle School trips and the mission statement of the school - to stress a diverse curriculum... in a supportive family atmosphere that fosters self-reliance and ethical responsibility.

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 2017

Traditions

Senior Presentation In a tradition nearly as old as St. Johns itself, the Class of 2017 was presented to the community last fall in a ceremony known as Senior Presentation. A day is set aside right before Thanksgiving break—a time for the Senior Class to gather together in fellowship and enjoy time together as they take another step on their journey. This year’s Senior Presenta-

tion was held on Friday, November 18, 2016. The day began with brunch for the seniors at the Inn at Winterbourne and then transitioned back to campus and the Performing Arts Center where seniors, their friends and families, the entire Upper School, Grade 8, and Grade 1 convened for a beautiful celebration of Thanksgiving and the presentation of the Class of 2017.

The seniors before brunch at the Inn at Winterbourne

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 2017

After performances by both the Middle School and Advanced Handbell Choirs and an invocation by the Reverend Kenneth B. Herzog, President of the Senior Class Evan Engelbrecht read Lincoln’s Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation, which set the precedent for our country’s national day of Thanksgiving. WJXT TV-4 news anchor and Spartan parent Joy Purdy delivered a homily encouraging seniors to be true to love, the attendees sang The Founders Song, and Headmaster Todd A. Zehner ‘87 presented the

Traditions

members of the Class of 2017. Each senior stood as his or her name was read. The language presenting the seniors has been around since Dr. Heinrich first said them in 1963, and each ensuing Headmaster has presented the senior class with the same words: As your 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

worthy leaders and as their shining example. As your friend, I present you to your parents so that they may regard 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 you to your calling in life that you may always have the wisdom to recognize it and the strength to live up to that divine calling within you.

Senior Class President Evan Engelbrecht reads Lincolnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation while Headmaster Todd A. Zehner â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;87 and Joy Purdy look 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 2017

Alumni Notes

Alumni Notes 1960s Sheila “Shyla” Beakes Brenan ‘62 is still living in the mountains of North Georgia and was thankfully spared from any damage from the recent forest fires. She reports that she had four days of snow and “loved every minute of it!” Shyla and classmate Barbara Buckman Williams ‘62 get together for lunch about once a month and have been friends since the 6th grade. The Class of 1966 held their reunion in Carmel, California in October of 2016. Rob Kuhling and his wife, Michele Wilcox, graciously hosted the group at their Carmel home throughout the weekend which provided the perfect setting for their time together. Attendees included Buzz Borries, Hallie Robins Smith, Mel Meldrum, Charlie Stringfellow, Susan Canipelli Klima, Jean Mallory Middleton, Rob Kuhling, Dianne Loder Mongelli, Wayne Middleton, Harold Fraser, and Lane Russell Schrock. They ate wonderful food, played games, looked at pictures, told stories, caught up, watched a fantastic movie of class pictures old and new made by classmate Buzz Borries and thoroughly enjoyed being together. A Jacksonville get together is planned for those who could not make it to California, and the group is planning a 55th reunion in 2021! ▼

Mark Mori ‘67 was executive producer, along with Alec Baldwin, on a project for Turner Classic Movies to celebrate the art form of non-fiction documentaries. The curated series aired twice a week for the month of November and included a two part history of documentary film, hosted by Alec Baldwin. The influential documentary films reflected a wide range of topics and time periods. Walt West ‘69 practiced optometry in Brentwood, Tennessee for 27 years and retired December 31, 2016 as the Vice President of Practice Development for Vision Source, LLC based in Kingwood, TX. After leaving private practice, Walt lectured to professional audiences in 16 countries on five continents and provided independent consulting to contact lens manufacturers in the US, including Vistakon, a Johnson & Johnson company located in Jacksonville, Florida. Walt has written two books, “When Your Success Is on the Line” and “Creating the Pulse Points of the Million Dollar Practice” in addition to serving as the Chief Editor for Optometric Management Magazine Walt has had over 800 professional articles published within the eye care industry. Walt resides with his wife Monica in Brentwood, Tennessee and enjoys spending time with his children and two granddaughters who

live in the area. Walt also enjoys touring on his BMW motorcycle, fly fishing, and travelling abroad.

1970s Hila Head ‘70 was featured in the Florida Times-Union column “One of Us.” She is a licensed medical aesthetician who owns Hila a Skin Spa, based in Avondale which offers a range of facial treatments from anti-aging to deep-pore cleansing, exfoliation and massage, acne treatments and chemical peels. She lives in Riverside, just a couple blocks from the St. Johns River. Richard Stoudemire ‘73 received the E. Robert Williams Inns of Court Professionalism Award. Tom Townsend ‘76 and his wife were featured on NBC’s Sunday Today Show in December for their work providing free pianos and free piano lessons in St. Louis. Their non-profit, Pianos For People, has provided over 100 free pianos and served over 3,400 students. You can watch the NBC feature on the St. Johns Alumni page on Facebook.

1980s Jennifer Parker ‘82 is the Green Cove Springs Library Branch Manager and was featured in an article in the Florida TimesUnion about her initiative to spur creativity in children through the library’s new Lego Jr. Maker’s Club where children come to play and exercise their creativity. Allison Brundick Crutchfield ‘84 reports that she will be an “empty nester” soon! She frequently gets together with classmates Liz Brown Schwalbe, Leigh Snyder Ray, Mimi Buckman Stephens, Betsy Harrell Dubose and Samantha Wadkins Wyatt ’83. Lesley J. Davidson ‘84 completed her MBA from University of Florida in 2013. She started her own business and is a licensed Realtor working under the EXIT Real Estate Gallery brokerage. She is also a licensed Professional Structural Engineer working with Donan Engineering providing expert forensic engineering and for private clients doing renovations or additions. She enjoys writing, blogging and travelling. Her daughter Joyce is in college pursuing a BS in Communication and Public Relations with a minor in Business Marketing.

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 2017

Alumni Notes

▲ The St. Johns Class of 1986 had their 30th reunion in October of 2016. They gathered on Friday night at the Alumni Tailgate before the Homecoming football game at St. Johns. The group enjoyed the delicious meals provided by the Alumni Office from a choice of two food trucks. On Saturday night, the group gathered at Spencer Farms for dinner, a bonfire, storytelling, and catching up. Those in attendance between Friday and Saturday nights included Ami Patel, Tiffany Ramos Cardwell, Jodie Spencer Hollingsworth, Cooper Yang, Stephanie Snell, Melanie Javier, Kevin O’Brien, Peter Jansson, Joel Tolbert, Joe Cambron along with St. Johns Headmaster Todd Zehner ‘87, Rory Eggers ‘87, and Dawn Silcox Jansson. Current and former faculty members in attendance included Rod Fisher, Mary Virginia Fisher, Mike McMillan, Grover Howard, Carol Hart, Mary Ann Petska, and Pat Fernandez. Thomas Miller ‘89 still lives in Orange Park, with his wife Karen and daughters Eden (14) and Hope (12). His wife is a paralegal and works downtown at the Wilner Firm. She is a graduate of Orange Park High School Class of 93 and her siblings, David Mann ‘96 and Jennie Mann ‘99, both graduated from St. Johns. Thomas has worked as the Director of Client Support Services for a software company located in Jacksonville in the waste and recycling industry for about 10 years. He manages a support team and does continued client training all over the United States which puts him on the road at least once a month. He is still an avid surfer and spends most of his time before work and during lunch surfing at the Jacksonville Beach Pier trying to “keep up with all the groms.” He traveled to Hawaii (2013) and to Puerto Rico a few

times (2016) fulfilling his life-long dream of surfing world class waves. The last two years he and his wife have grown their own business rehabbing houses and renting them out. Unfortunately, that led to two knee surgeries and a disk replacement doing a lot of the work themselves.

Katie Perkins Foster ‘92 is thrilled to be back at St. Johns, this time as a teacher! She is teaching Middle School English. Two of her children, Liam and Connor, are in grades 6 and 9. Her daughter Finley is 3 and will be coming to St. Johns next year.

1990s

Lisa Wilson Allen ‘93 lives in Tampa with her husband, Ben, and three children, Bo (age 9), Jocelyn (age 7) and Luke (age 3). She recently opened her own law firm named Allen Law & Mediation, PA. specializing in Real Estate, Commercial Leasing and Probate Litigation. Lisa writes “I look forward to seeing my little sister, Allie Wilson, graduate from St. Johns in May of 2017!”

Aimee Burdette Jackson ‘95 has fraternal twin girls named Kahlan and Elaina who are 11 years old. She went to UF for undergrad and graduated summa cum laude in 2000 with a double major in Political Science and English and a minor in History and then went to law school at Washington and Lee University School of Law. Her first job as an attorney was with the GA Legal Services Program in Valdosta, GA, and she worked there for ten and a half years, mostly handling family law cases and representing survivors of domestic violence, until the office closed due to a lack of funding. She passed the FL bar exam in February 2014 becoming a licensed attorney in both FL and GA. She moved to Lake City, Florida in March 2016 right before starting her current position as a senior attorney for the Children’s Legal Services office of DCF located in Lake City. She recently took her girls to their first Gator football game.

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 2017

Alumni Notes John Bush ‘95 is currently working at Baptist Beaches as Nursing House Supervisor and recently got his BSN from UCF. He and his wife have been married for 11 years and they have two daughters, ages 7 and 8. They live in Mandarin.

Leah Jones Copham ‘98 and her husband welcomed the birth of a baby girl, Adler Joy, in January 2016. Adler Joy is named after Leah’s mother. Older sister Ellie Grace is 2 ½ and adores her baby sister!

2000s

Simeon Register ‘05 married Amy Taylor in January of 2016 at the beach. Groomsmen included Kyle Register ‘99, Lincoln Register ‘07, Tim Buehn ‘05, Dylan Kelly ‘05, Blake Brown ‘05, and Will Cannon ‘05. Other St. Johns alumni in attendance were Blake Chancey Boyer ‘05, Katie Longo ‘06, Stephen Creighton ‘06, Jennifer Brown ‘07, John Kweun ‘05, Sonya Pu ‘05, Sriram Rajan ‘05, Buck Williams ‘05, Barron Martin ‘05, and Tyler Antar ‘05. ▲

Cary Cauthen Benefield ‘02 and Doug Benefield ‘03 welcomed a baby boy, Douglas, into their family in December.

Dawn Robertson Powell ‘01 gave birth to twins, Halston Robert and Perrin Emily, on November 15, 2014. Anne Lee Haizlip McRea ‘02 and her husband Brandon announce the birth of their daughter Eliza Lee McRea born Nov. 1, 2016 at 1:11 p.m. weighing 8 pounds and 7 ounces, and 21 inches long. They live in Denver.

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 2017

Haley Van Wagenen ‘03 was recently honored with the Rising Young Professional Alumni Award from Kansas State University. Haley graduated from K-State and then got her masters from the University of Pennsylvania in historical preservation and a certificate in ecological architecture. She went to work for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, SOM in New York City and recently moved to their London office. She travels once a week to Geneva, Switzerland where she serves as the on-site client contact for one of the major international organizations headquartered there. The 2.2 millionsquare-foot project involves renovation of a historic building and the design of a new office building on the campus.

Alumni Notes

Julia Herre Krentel ‘05 and her husband Ian welcomed the birth of their first child, Charlotte Teresa Krentel, this summer. She was born on July 28, 2016 and weighed 6 lbs. 7 oz. Alex Nichols ‘05 is now a Senior Support Technician at Intellifuel System, Inc.

Jereme Pozin ‘05 married Rebecca Cohen in St. Augustine on November 5. His brothers Zac Pozin ‘06 and Noah Pozin ‘10 served as the best men. Classmate Jessica Tuohey ‘05 was also at the wedding. He is a manager at The Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta.

The class of 2006 held their reunion in the Heinrich Learning Resource Center on the St. Johns campus on Friday, December 23. Attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour and dinner, leafing through yearbooks from their years at St. Johns, taking a tour of the campus, visiting with former teachers and faculty, and catching up with one another. Attendees included Matt Dobbertien, Chris Wood, Jassen Carter, Jimmy Lanier, Davey Wood, Jackie Flanagan Rowland, April Sullivan, Caitlin Booth, Caty Tisdelle, Ashley Noegel, Andrew Pu, David Jackson, Michael Potts, Stephen Creighton, and Miles Moody along with significant others, as well as Rod and Mary Virginia Fisher, Brenda Scott, and Alumni Director Gayle Simpson Garrison ‘94. ▲

▲

Cody Slaughter ‘06 and Christie Jones ‘05 were married on Saturday, November 19 along the Intracoastal Waterway at the home of Elizabeth Dukes Brown ‘04. Christie’s brother Peter Jones ‘01, along with Cody’s sisters Cali Slaughter ‘12 and Tori Slaughter Todd ‘01 were all in attendance along with other St. Johns alumni Michelle Lavine Hiatt ‘05, Kristen Weaver ‘06, Glenwood Charles ‘05, Jassen Carter ‘06, Stephen Creighton ‘06, Jillian Rosenberg ‘05, Amanda Powers ‘01, Missy Powers Ingram ‘01, Ashley Traynor Bottin ‘02, Blake Chancey Boyer ‘05, and Traci Peacock Livingston ‘90.

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 2017

Alumni Notes grand scheme but a victory nonetheless. I learned more in this one week of cultural and medical immersion than I could have ever dreamed of.” She is planning to go again this spring. Justine Quick ‘09 married Alex Gaston on December 28 in Dallas, TX. He is a pilot in the Marine Corps and they live in Pensacola where she is getting her masters degree.

Tanner Mobley ‘10 was accepted to medical school at the Medical College of Georgia. Jimmy Merritt ‘10 married Victoria Rosati on January 1 at Epping Forest in Jacksonville. Jimmy Ramey ‘10 graduated from Samford University with both his undergraduate and master’s degrees. He is now teaching history in the IB program at Pensacola High School and is coaching swimming.

2010s Joel Haznedl ‘11 graduated from basic training with the US Army at Fort Sill, OK in January. Erin Selfridge ‘11 played golf at Daytona State College and then the University of South Florida. She graduated with a biomedical degree and stayed at USF for pharmacy school.

Alexandra S. Poquette ‘07 and Lance M. Partridge ‘07 were married on Sunday, May 29, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida at Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club. The bride and groom’s “Sunset Nuptials” were witnessed by their family and friends, which included many St. Johns alumni. The newlyweds are currently residing in Doctors Lake.

TJ Weaver ‘08 has spent recent months working in Madagascar and Malawi, Africa. His work in international economic and social development in these countries presented plenty of opportunities to get to know local residents, old and young. Preethi Rajan ‘08 went on a medical mission trip with Project World Health to the Dominican Republic in the spring of last year and says she was “able to hold a conversation in Spanish with a patient (semi) successfully - a small victory in the

The class of 2009 had an informal and impromptu reunion at Whitey’s around Christmas. Jackson Gardner, Ethan Bright, Matt Gray, Erin Standish, Hwang Marino, Andrew Creighton, Alicia Arnold Stewart, and friend Todd Lampke.

Klaire Sawicki ‘10 and Tyler Osborne were married on October 8. Their ceremony was held in Nashville, TN. After honeymooning all over Western Canada, the couple now resides in Nashville. Klaire works at a social enterprise called FASHIONABLE that employs women in Ethiopia who have overcome extraordinary circumstances — ranging from prostitution to homelessness to addiction to a lack of opportunity — to make beautiful woven and leather products. Tyler is a barista at a non-profit specialty coffee shop called The Well, that provides clean water to those in Africa.

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 2017

Pilar Brito ‘12 is now working in Philadelphia as an analyst for Spencer Stuart.

Tere’ Smith ‘11 married Chris Irizarry on December 17th at Tuckers Farmhouse in Green Cove Springs. Her mom and Grandpa Buck walked her down the aisle. Bridesmaids included classmates Taylor Shutt, Kelsey Coon, Elizabeth Greenhalgh, Alex Herndon, and Michaela Stratton. Other members of the St. Johns class of 2011 in

Alumni Notes attendance included Sean Bowles, Connor Vansandt, Ishaan Madhok, Sidney Reynolds, Chelsea Cutlip, Ali Gurule, Chadd Myers, Ryan Taylor, as well as “Coach” Pat Rodifer. Tere’ is teaching 2nd grade in a Title 1 school in Chattahoochee, FL and is getting her masters degree in Children’s Ministry. Her husband Chris is a Sergeant in the Army Reserve and is planning to go to medical school next fall.

Emily Merritt ‘14 is graduating from University of Florida in April with a BA in English and a minor in Spanish. She is going to attend law school in the fall and is currently deciding between Cornell and Vanderbilt.

In Memoriam Alumna Barbara Shepard Sharkey ‘67, sister of Kathryn Shepard Knowland ‘68 Mildred Radwan, mother of Rebecca Radwan Updegraff ‘87 and Robert Radwan ‘90

Franklin Ritch ‘12 has written a play, “Let’s Kill Greg, A Murder in 2 Acts” that was performed at The 5 & Dime in December. Classmate Joe Capps ‘12 was one of the actors in the show.

Shirley Weise, mother of Debbie Weise Gleeson ‘76, Michael W. Weise ‘80 and Reinhold (Rennie) E. Weise ‘79 KayKay Harding ‘15 and Lizzy Haizlip ‘16 met up on the soccer field, this time as opponents with KayKay playing for St. Leo University and Lizzy playing for Nova Southeastern University. Classmates April Kirk ‘16, Holley Hu ‘16, and Stephanie Schmidt ‘16 came out to watch.

Bob Head, a Board member in the 1980s, father of Hila Head ‘86, brother of Charlie Head ‘67, Dorothy Head Wheeless ‘71, and Marjorie Head Reishus ‘70. David Nelson, father of Philip David Nelson ‘82 Jerry Dorsch, father of David Dorsch ‘89 Stoonie Powell, father of Upper School Head Mary Virginia Fisher and Lillian Powell ‘76

Madison Duff ‘13 married Madison “Madi” Zerkowski on December 30 at Jacksonville’s beautiful St. Joseph’s Historic Catholic Church. Madison is studying Environmental Management at University of Florida.

Dr. Robert Sladek, father of Nonie Sladek Larson ‘84 and Bill Sladek ‘85, grandfather of Maddison Larson ‘11. Don Robinson, father of Kristin Robinson Wade ‘89.

Merrick Isley ‘14 recently won a US National Championship in Aerobatics. He took the gold medal in the Sportsmans Glyder classification after winning all three flying programs. Before Winter Break, four St. Johns alumni returned to participate in the Alumni Panel hosted by the College Counseling Office: Ally Campbell ‘16, Heather Duncan ‘15, Bradley Ball ‘16, and Austin Franklin ‘12.

Donald Lisec, father of Mary Lisec ‘98. Homer Felts, father of Lower School Administrative Assistant Denise Evans, and grandfather to Michelle Sorrell ‘88.

Anna Glassman ‘15 has been accepted as an intern for Summer 2017 at Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

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 2017

Campus Visit

A Conversation with

WIN HEINRICH

This summer, the son of founding Headmaster Dr. Edwin P. Heinrich, Win Heinrich ‘63, and his wife Sandy, came to tour the school that is his father’s legacy. What are the first words that come to mind when you think about St. Johns or when you step onto the St. Johns campus? Continuously evolving! When my parents had a dream to be pioneers in the educational field, they did not start with 42

“what,” they started with “why.” I know firsthand as I was one of the first students when their vision was started with St. Johns Country Day School. Now, 63 years later, I see how they empowered that individual spirit in this school. I witness this in the students, faculty, and now our new headmaster. This summer Sandy and I were in Daytona Beach on vacation and at our hotel we noticed a car with a St. Johns’ sticker on the back window. I found the owners and introduced myself. They shared with excitement the impact St. Johns had on their children and they went on to mention how my parents’ legacy is very strong and shared with everyone even to this day. You can probably tell how proud it makes me to be a part of this history. What are some of your fondest memories of your time as a student at St. Johns? ◆◆ I still think about how they came up with the name of the school. St. Johns named in part after the river and also the gospel. Country because of being in the country and Day because Dad did not want a boarding 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 2017

◆◆ The annual Christmas program encompassed the entire school telling the story of Christ’s birth. When the school started to grow in the early years, the younger students sang and the older students told the story. ◆◆ The Chapel Oak and prayer time were special. I still believe that having a Christian-based environment for developing students is important to set a strong foundation. ◆◆ Senior shack was a special place where only seniors could gather and eat lunch. It was an old wooden house on the back part of the property. ◆◆ The live nativity scene done in the center of Orange Park was one of the few with live actors and animals. ◆◆ The daily raising of the flag and standing tall to honor our country. I am proud to know that this tradition is still respected today. This school is rich in traditions. Flag raising was very special to my father since he came from Germany and knew about the lack of freedom. ◆◆ I can still hear my father yelling to students telling them to walk not run. Remember, he emigrated from Germany and fit every stereotype you would think of a strong German man!

Campus Visit

◆◆ And my favorite is being one of 16 students to graduate from St. Johns knowing I was ready for further education on a strong foundation that only this school could provide. At the time it was a small school with a big vision.

Sandy Heinrich in the MakerSpace with Grade 6 students Lauryn Mateo and Tommy Keenan.

What do you think has changed the most over the years?

How have you managed to stay connected with St. Johns over the years? My wife and I have the opportunity to visit the school for various functions over the years and we have a strong desire to stay connected with what is going on. I really enjoyed being with my mother when the school presented

Then 1953

Present time

The first blue school bus called Gertrude

Yellow school buses required by the state

Wooden desks that we had to assemble by hand

Whiteboard desks that you can write on

Dirt field for athletics

Athletic courts, an auxiliary gym, and pool

Chalk boards that screeched when you wrote on them. Dad could never find the eraser.

Classrooms with screen displays connected to iPads

No uniforms

Uniforms

Total number of students was 23 in all grades

Less than 23 in one class room

Original campus with an old three story building in Orange Park rented for $1.00 a year

New campus buildings on 26 acres

Mimeograph machine to communicate to students and parents. The copies smelled!

Using the latest technology to communicate instantly with all students, parents and alumni

the play, The Vision, based on the book that did an amazing job capturing the legacy of this incredible school. Our children and grandchildren have also had numerous opportunities to visit the school and they, like us, keep up through publications, social media and communications. How does the school balance a commitment to tradition, your parents’ legacy, and the school’s mission with a forward-thinking vision that prepares students for the future? Todd Zehner shared with us his vision for the school, how he wants St. Johns to become a model school for the country. I find this very intriguing and refreshing. My father helped create the Florida Council of Independent Schools many years ago and now Todd wants to set the bar even higher. Being a model school brings to the table so much in learning, technology and preparing students to be leaders. What message or advice would you like to share with the St. Johns community? I remember a graduation ceremony when my father challenged all the senior class, back then it was less than 15, to do their best. To help them, he gave each one of them a book called “I Dare You” written by William H Danforth. I would challenge each one of us to always do our best at whatever we want to pursue in life.

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 2017

Summer Programs Summer Camp

Summer Academics

◆ Day Camp ◆ Grades 1-11 ◆ Sports Camps ◆ Reading & Math ◆ Specialty Camps ◆ SAT/ACT Prep ◆ AM & PM Extended Care

3100 DOCTORS LAKE DRIVE, ORANGE PARK • SJCDS.NET/SUMMER • (904) 264-9572 StJohnsSummerPrograms-Ad-HalfPage.indd 1

2/6/17 1:36 PM

10th Annual St. Johns Spartan Golf Tournament Correction

n our Summer 2016 issue we printed an erroneous list of sponsors of the 2016 Spartan Golf Tournament. We regret this error and gratefully acknowledge the kind support of the following:

Title Sponsor:

◆◆ Family Life Care, Inc.

Gold Sponsors:

◆◆ W. W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc. ◆◆ St. Johns Investment Management Company ◆◆ Beverage Sponsor: ◆◆ Family Dentistry, Dr. Stephanie Mapp

Mark your calendar for the 11th Annual Golf Tournament to be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at Eagle Harbor Golf Club!

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 2017

Hole Sponsors: ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆

Accident Lawyers, P. A. Baker’s Sporting Goods G. Charles Cauthen, CPA CPA Retirement Planning, Inc. Discovery Services LLC Pest Control Ed Ellison Foremost Liquors Grassroots Natural Market II Haught Financial Group, Inc. Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Beth Kailes Ryan Kelly LaNopalera Mexican Restaurant Network Cabling Services, Inc. O’Steen VW Volvo Remax Specialists Property Management Sage Appraisals, Inc. Turf Doctor Landscaping and Lawn Weaver and Stratton Pediatric Dentistry Dale Wilson, P. A.

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 Headmaster: Todd A. Zehner ‘87 Director of Alumni Relations: Gayle Garrison ggarrison@sjcds.net Director of Institutional Advancement: Amy Weaver aweaver@sjcds.net Director of Communications: Regan Minners rminners@sjcds.net

Board of Trustees 2016-2017

Officers: Jonathan C. Montgomery, President Tanya Powers, Vice President Andrew L. Glassman, Treasurer Dr. Arjav Ted Shah, Secretary Members: Angela DeMonbreun Dr. Mark A. Dobbertien Gerri Duffey Lewis “Four” Dunton, IV Margaret Rood Gibbs Rick Gregson Daniel W. Hodges Dr. Amber Isley Nancy Hogshead-Makar John B. Linge, Jr. Marla Matson-Quattrone Michael R. Spigel

Trustee Emeritus: Dr. Steven B. Kailes Robert Liguori Sharon J. Suggs Headmaster Emeritus: Stephen F. Russey Ex Officio: Todd A. Zehner Headmaster

Save the Date! Contact Director of Alumni Relations Gayle Garrison at ggarrison@sjcds.net for more information on these upcoming events: ◆◆ Spartan Golf Tournament, Friday, April 21, 2017. Eagle Harbor Golf Club. Details at sjcds.net/golf. ◆◆ Spring Fling: Saturday, April 29, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on the Deck at St. Johns. Dinner and drinks provided by the Alumni Office. ◆◆ Atlanta Area Alumni Reception: Friday, March 31 6:30 - 8:30 pm. ◆◆ Alumni Meet & Greets: Ortega area: Thursday, May 4, 2017, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Ponte Vedra Beach: Thursday, May 18, 2017, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ◆◆ Graduation: Saturday, May 27, 2017. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., at Thrasher Horne Center for the Arts, Orange Park.

St. Johns Country Day School 3100 Doctors Lake Drive Orange Park, FL 32073-6997

sjcds.net

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ORANGE PARK, FL NON-PROFIT CORP. PERMIT NO. 58

The Best Investment