INSPIRING THE FUTURE: 2023 TVS ALUMNI AWARD HONOREES

Earlier this spring, Trinity Valley School alumni gathered at Mira Vista Country Club to recognize the accomplishments of a few and celebrate the milestone reunions of many. The event was, according to Alumni Association president Kathleen Motheral Moler ’98, a reimagining of the annual all-school reunions that were halted during the pandemic. “When we had to pause our reunion program, it gave us a wonderful opportunity to rethink what we could do to create a truly signature event for TVS alumni,” Kathleen said. “We think we did it with the 2023 Alumni Awards and Milestone Reunion Celebration.”

Revising the Alumni Awards program and adding two new categories, the Alumni Association recognized the accomplishments and impact of eight members of the TVS community, five of whom are alumni. The Alumni Association is proud to announce the 2023 TVS Alumni Award Honorees:

THE JUDITH SULLIVAN KINSER ’76 TVS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS / ALUMNA AWARD

Given to one or more alumni embodying the TVS mission and recognized for their professional, personal and community contributions beyond TVS.

TRACY REDFEARN MATHESON ’84 AND DAVID MATHESON ’83

David and Tracy were raised in Fort Worth and attended TVS for most of their educational careers. They began dating when David was a senior and Tracy a junior. Both graduated from the University of Oklahoma, David with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, and Tracy with a BS in Elementary Education. The pair married in 1988. Residing in Fort Worth since 2012, they are the proud parents of four children: Nick, Molly, Ben, and Max, who graduated from TVS in 2019.

In April 2017, the unimaginable, unfathomable, indescribable happened. Tracy discovered Molly’s lifeless body in the shower of her garage apartment. The following day, the detectives from FWPD called to share they had ruled Molly’s death a homicide…she had been strangled. They also believed she had been raped.

The detectives with FWPD discovered this individual who was suspected in Molly’s capital murder was someone who had been investigated for raping and strangling women in Texas by multiple law enforcement agencies, yet not one had done anything to take him off the streets.

These systemic failures combined with the tragic murder of Molly Jane are what fueled their desire to start a non-profit. Project Beloved: The Molly Jane Mission was launched April 10, 2018, with a mission to educate, advocate, and collaborate to change the conversation about sexual assault and empower survivors to find their voices. Molly’s murder is not the end of her story, and it will be a catalyst for change in the investigation, prosecution, and overall response to cases of sexual assault.

To date, Project Beloved has donated more than 15,000 Beloved Bundles to rape crisis centers and hospitals around the country, installed 66 Soft Interview Rooms at law enforcement agencies around the country, and awarded 6 Molly Jane Matheson Memorial Scholarships in Social Work at The University of Arkansas.

Molly Jane’s Law became law in the state of Texas in September 2019. Representative Craig Goldman '87 authored HB 3106, and it mandates the use of ViCAP (Violent Criminal Apprehension Program), which is run and administered by the FBI, when law enforcement investigates cases of sexual assault. ViCAP allows different jurisdictions to communicate with one another and identify patterns of behavior and connect dots between cases. This means serial rapists will be identified before they rape again, or their pattern escalates.

Tracy serves Project Beloved as its full-time leader. David is a partner in Escalante Golf, a boutique owner and operator of numerous golf course and private club properties across the United States.

More than anything, David and Tracy wish Molly was here working with troubled youth as a social worker and getting together with her brothers for family dinners on the weekends. However, since that is not possible, their focus every day is to keep her memory alive as they are committed to support those who experience sexual violence. We can do better.

TVS RISING STAR AWARD

Given to one or more alumni who, in the first 15 years after graduation from TVS, is distinguishing him/herself through professional, personal, volunteer, or service endeavors.

RONAK GANDHI ’18

Entering TVS as a ninth-grade student, Ronak Gandhi wasted no time in fully immersing himself in the Trojan community. Early on he demonstrated leadership skills in a range of activities including the Debate Club and the Investment Club, and as a member of Junior World Affairs. As a student-athlete, Ronak was a four-year member of the Trojan track team and served as manager for the boys’ basketball team. Yet it was in the classroom where Ronak shone the brightest, resulting in his being named valedictorian of the Class of 2018. Following TVS, Ronak enrolled at Yale University, majoring in humanities. His field of studies allowed him to focus on a combination of history, literature, and race that aligned with his intellectual passions. He also sought to grow his skills as a writer with a particular interest in using his writing to amplify underrepresented stories and voices.

Beyond his academic work, Ronak made his mark at Yale through his work as a student leader in the University’s Asian-American Cultural Center. In this role, Ronak connected Yale’s Asian national and Asian-American students with resources, while building solidarity within the larger group and engaging a wide range of students in conversations about Asian identity and belonging. Among Ronak’s many accomplishments while an Yale undergraduate was playing a role in advocating for the creation of a three-story-high mural by the Los Angeles-based artist Lauren Youngsmith entitled “Finding Home,” which was created to convey the legacy and future of Asian students at Yale.

Since graduating from Yale in May 2022, Ronak has served as a Donor Engagement Coordinator at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and a staff writer for Cold Tea Collective, a new media platform, sharing the stories, perspectives, and experiences of the next generation of the Asian diaspora. He recently accepted a position with United Talent Agency in New York.

THE STEPHEN SELENY AWARD FOR TVS DISTINGUISHED FACULTY

Given to one or more members of the TVS faculty or staff in recognition of their contributions to sustaining the mission and educational philosophy of Trinity Valley School.

SEAN KENNY

Sean Kenny was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1956, a month prior to President Eisenhower’s reelection. He attended grammar school and secondary school in Connecticut. In 1979, he graduated from the University of Denver, majoring in history. Following graduation, he enrolled in a master's degree program in the History Department at St. Bonaventure University where he served as a teaching and research assistant. It was here that he first experienced the challenges and joys of teaching.

After receiving a master's degree, he accepted a teaching and coaching position at the Vail Deane School in Mountainside, New Jersey. During his time there, he taught ancient and medieval history as well as modern European and U.S. History. He was also the K-12 History Department chair, college counselor, and coach of several sports.

In the spring of 1988, he interviewed with Trinity Valley’s Dennis Fleming at the NAIS Convention in New York City. Following a trip to Fort Worth later that spring, he accepted a teaching position from Stephen Seleny. In the fall of 1988, Mr. Kenny began a new chapter in his own career at TVS, where he has taught in the History Department for the last 35 years. During that time he has served as Department chairman and has had stints coaching varsity baseball, freshman basketball, and track & field. He helped build the A.P. American Government program and created several electives, including Constitutional Law. He was recognized by the National Endowment for the Humanities with competitive invitations to several summer institutes. Mr. Kenny was honored to be the commencement speaker at the 2014 TVS graduation.

With his signature humor, keen intellect, passion for his subject matter, and unquestionable love for his students, he has had a monumental impact and influence on countless Trinity Valley students. Many alumni report that they have chosen a career path based on a class that Mr. Kenny taught. Beloved by decades of TVS graduates, he looks forward to reconnecting with alumni across the country during his retirement as he participates in alumni events in other cities.

Mr. Kenny married his wife Sheryl in 1982. She is now retired following a distinguished career working for Tarrant County and the City of Arlington in federal grants management. The Kennys have three sons - all Trinity Valley School graduates: Ryan '04, a Returned Peace Corps volunteer who presently is a Senior Consultant with Deloitte Consulting; Chris '05, a Director of Financial Planning at Edelman Financial Engines; and Jason '16 , who is finishing his second year at the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor.

Mr. Kenny will be retiring after 40 years of teaching this June. In his spare time he loves to read, cook, swim and follow the New York Knickerbockers.

TVS HONORARY ALUMNUS / ALUMNA

Given to a member or members of the Trinity Valley School community in recognition of faithful and distinguished leadership, service, and generosity to TVS and the Alumni Association.

LAURA AND TOD MILLER

Laura and Tod Miller met on a blind date their freshman year at Texas Christian University. Their mutual love for their alma mater began with their campus involvement in Greek life, TCU athletics, and many other student groups. Laura served as Student Body President, and the two were elected TCU Homecoming King and Queen. They graduated in 1979, married a week later, and made Fort Worth their home. Within a few years, they became engaged in another educational institution that captured their hearts – Trinity Valley School. TVS entered the Millers’ lives through Tod’s professional involvement with managing the School’s endowment in the early 1980s. This, combined with the encouragement of many TVS families, led Laura and Tod to enroll their oldest child Jay in kindergarten in 1991. Son Scott followed in 1995. Both boys were 13-year students and active in the life of the School. Jay won the Award of Excellence in 2004, and Scott was a National Merit Commended Scholar in 2008. Sports were important to the Miller family, with each boy serving as captain of several teams. Laura and Tod were enthusiastic Trojan fans and were recognized with the Melanie Rosen Award for Exemplary Support of Athletics for the 2003-04 and 2007-08 school years. Laura was room mother and chair of the Halloween Carnival (now Fall Festival), and Tod served on the Trojan Booster Club where he helped create a developmental sports league known as the Blue/White League.

Both have served full, nine-year terms on the TVS Board of Trustees, Tod beginning in 1997 and Laura from 2008-2017. Each sat on the Executive Committee during his/her respective term. Laura was part of the Head of School Search Committee that brought Blair Lowry to TVS. The Millers support TVS generously, endowing a scholarship in their sons’ names and joining the Stephen Seleny Society, which recognizes donors who include TVS in their estate plans.

Most joyously, the Millers’ latest roles are as proud Trinity Valley grandparents. Laura and Tod currently have four Trojan grandchildren – Jack ’31, Molly Kate ’33, Michael ’35, and Ford, who enters Pre-K this fall. The remaining two grandchildren, Robbie and Maggie, are not far behind. Their family also includes Emily Genovese Miller, an active volunteer and substitute teacher at TVS, and Christal Strong Miller ’08

Today, Tod is Regional President for Private Wealth at Simmons Bank while Laura is Fort Worth Market President for Veritex Community Bank. Each has a long record of service to many community organizations. Among Tod’s are The Parenting Guidance Center, Gill Children’s Services, and Camp Fire, where he chaired the El Tesoro Capital Campaign to renovate the camp in 2010. Laura’s list includes the Junior League, the YWCA, The Multicultural Alliance, the Women’s Health Exchange at Andrews Hospital, and the Cook Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees. Both are elders at University Christian Church, where Tod will soon begin service as Chair of the Board. The TCU ties remain strong, with Laura having served as a member of the TCU Board of Trustees, president of the TCU National Alumni Board, and co-chair of the Kelly Alumni Center Capital Campaign. She was honored with TCU’s Alumni Service Award in 1993. Laura served as an advisor to the TCU Chi Omega chapter for more than 30 years and is currently serving as national president of Chi Omega.

TVS ATHLETICS CIRCLE OF HONOR

Recognizes one or more former student-athletes, coaches, or teams that meet the following criteria:

• Excelling at the next level (beyond TVS) of their chosen sport

• Recognized with honors beyond participation at the next level in their chosen sport (e.g. captaincy, all-conference, All-American, all-academic honors, etc.)

• Excelling on the field and off, bringing honor and glory to TVS

• Positively impacting numerous Trojan student-athletes through sustained excellence, leadership, guidance, and sportsmanship

ERIN HAYES WHEELWRIGHT ’03

Erin Hayes’ senior year at TVS was filled with athletic accolades. Leading her Trojan field hockey team to an 18-1 record and its third consecutive Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) Division I state title, Erin was named the Field Hockey Player of the Year by The Dallas Morning News. Fittingly, she earned field hockey All-America honors (second team), the only Texas student-athlete to make that list and one of only 32 players nationwide. She is credited, along with current head coach Claire Lawhon Pearce ’01, with putting TVS on the national field hockey map.

Away from campus, Erin also made waves – earning invitations, in three consecutive years, to USA Field Hockey’s National Futures Tournament. In addition, she played in the National (Field) Hockey Festival during her junior and senior years at TVS. In 2000, Erin’s team won a Bronze Medal in the Junior Olympics.

Beyond field hockey, Erin also played an essential role in TVS winning two other SPC Division I championships – soccer and softball in 2003.

Heavily recruited as an NCAA Division I student-athlete, Erin chose to attend and play field hockey at the University of Virginia, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and becoming a four-year starter on the Cavaliers team.

During her career at UVA, Erin started 13 games as a freshman and went on to finish in the top three career defensive saves in the Cavalier record book. During the 2005 season, Erin posted a game-winning defensive save against James Madison University, giving the Cavaliers the upset victory and earning the UVA Field Hockey Team award (equivalent to MVP).

Following her outstanding collegiate career, Erin turned her attention to another of her passions – photography – earning another bachelor’s degree from The Brooks’ Institute of Photography and Film (now a part of the University of California at Santa Barbara). She launched her professional career in 2008 and since that time has expanded her expertise to include web design and digital marketing.

During a visit to Todos Santos, an artsy surf town northwest of Cabo San Lucas, Erin came upon a former youth hostel and took a leap, remodeling the property and opening La Bohemia Baja Hotel Pequeño in January 2015. The hotel has received top ratings on a number of travel sites and has been mentioned twice in VOGUE as a top place to stay in Mexico. Erin was inspired to create a second location – Gypsy Canyon, which features eight beautifully appointed “glamping” tents in the desert near Todos Santos. She now has her own sheet and mattress line called La Bohemia House to enable customers to outfit their own homes or rentals with all the things needed to make the homes comfortable and beautiful.

Erin resides in Mexico full-time with her two children, Lada and Fisher.

MICHAEL UNGÁR ’98

Michael Ungár’s professional success as a coach, strength and conditioning expert, and personal trainer can be traced easily to his Trinity Valley School days. A 13-year-student, Michael came to TVS in 1985, beginning his love of learning that resulted in earning double degrees (history and sociology) as an undergraduate at The University of Texas at Austin. As an Upper School student at TVS, Michael was a threesport athlete (football, soccer, track & field) in each of his four years, inspiring Trojan teammates and fans with his speed and grit.

Overlooked by college recruiters, Michael walked on to the Texas Longhorns football team in the fall of 1998 and, against significant odds, earned a place on the roster as a special teams player. Logging ample playing time in each of the next four seasons, Michael was awarded a football scholarship by Coach Mack Brown for the 2002-03 season, his senior year. A Longhorn fan favorite, Michael inspired a special cheering section in one of the endzones. During his time on the Texas team, Michael played in four bowl games. He earned numerous honors including being team voted as a member of the Leadership Committee, four years on the Big XII Athletic Directors’ Honor Roll, Second Team Academic All-Big XII, Special Teams Co-Player of the Year, Big XII Special Teams Co-Player of the Week, and three-time Team Captain. Additionally, he was a three-time recipient of the Frank Denius Special Team Award.

After graduating from UT, Michael went on to earn a Master of Education in Exercise Science with a concentration in strength and conditioning from Springfield College in Springfield, MA. This led him to an illustrious career training hundreds of athletes from several different sports at multiple institutions. He launched his career in 2004 as a strength and conditioning coach at Harvard University. Michael served many of the nation’s top college athletics programs including Boston College, Georgetown University, Auburn University, and Louisiana State University, as well as one off-season stint with the Washington Commanders. He is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and has the Strength and Conditioning Coaches Certification. Additionally, he has served as a USA Weightlifting Club coach.

After serving as Director of Personal Training at Washington, D.C.-based Balance Gym for six years, Michael launched his own company, Ungár Nation, in 2017, which he proudly continues today. He believes in advancing clients’ quality of life through strength training. He maximizes each client's progress by building individualized strength training plans, using the best and most advanced equipment, and preventing injury through oversight of proper technique. Not only do his clients grow stronger, leaner, and healthier, they experience increased happiness and self-satisfaction through their success, which brings Michael great satisfaction and reinforces the passion he has for his field.

Michael is the father of twins, Vivienne and Noah, who are members of the TVS Class of 2034. Michael’s wife, Patricia, passed away in 2021.