good enough to form a rock band with a few friends. We played and composed Al u m n i Sp o t l i g h t rock/blues music and soon wanted to Ge o f f r e y Ma y , Cl a s s o f 1985 share our songs with others. The venues that we performed in around town were usic and diving have been a - Mr. Laird: The thing I learned most from appropriate, but we all really wanted to driving force in Geoffrey’s life. At Scott was how to manage notes and ideas play a “Woodstock” type outdoor festival. the age of twelve, while a student for future study. He was committed to The easiest way for this to happen in our atM PBDS, he received his diving certification. teaching us an effective study guide. These opinions was to create the music festival He has been fortunate to turn his pass-time tools proved invaluable throughout my high ourselves. By this time I had a large group passions into successful careers. Twenty school and college years. Thank you! Mr. of musically inclined friends who all played five years of scuba diving has led Geoffrey Laird was also responsible for providing all in bands and toured throughout the South to numerous oceans, seas, rivers, caves, and East Coast, playing in bars and student and holes in the ground around the globe. venues, selling our cassettes and CD’s to He and his wife Carrie have three children. anybody that would buy them. A group of us They live in Gainesville, Florida, where he began to see the potential revenue that could is the CEO for sales at Dive Rite - a scuba be obtained from producing a larger music equipment manufacturer. festival that highlighted the Florida bands that performed original music. No “cover What are some of your fondest memories bands” were to be included. Our Mission of Palm Beach Day? Statement was to “promote and unify the My years at PBDS were filled with original music of Florida.” We went on to experiences that could only have occurred produce one of the largest music festivals in the unique town of Palm Beach with in the state, and it became an annual event the exceptional people and businesses that until 2001. Several bands were actually comprise it. The school environment for offered record deals after playing our stages. me was that of learning and expression 9th graders with their official ”nicknames.” The company was in existence for nearly a of ideas. The academics, drama, sports, - Mrs. Close: I really did not like Math at all decade before I sold my share. the administration and teachers were all but I enjoyed her classes. Thank goodness integral parts that helped to create this for the overhead projector! Her ink-covered What made you decide to change your atmosphere. hands must have led to permanent digit career and start a new career in scuba diving? - Mr. Butler: Headmaster and ringleader discoloration! Thank you for helping out the September 11th 2001! My festival for the community - always easy to talk mathematically challenged with a smile. production career continued as I moved from to no matter what your age. I remember - Mrs. Andre: Well I saved her for last Florida to New York City for a brief time in him during my initial interview and he because she was such an important part of early 2001. To make a long story short the reminded me of President Ronald Reagan - my entire experience at PBDS. I took drama events of September 2001 changed many eloquent and soft spoken, yet a stern leader every year, no matter what performance careers. I was no exception. After watching who earned respect. was presented. Her knowledge of acting the towers fall down in front of me I quickly - Mr. Bayless: Whether screaming “Hustle, was well beyond our understanding at moved my family back to Florida and went Hustle” on the soccer field or guiding us the time, but her presentation of it to us back to my basic rule about work - “find through our countless one minute speeches, was remarkably tangible. Along with her something you love to do, then figure out a he always offered enthusiasm and support. assistant, Mitch Sussnar, she led us on way to make money doing it.” Scuba diving His encouragement to each and every a journey each semester to find within was second in line behind music for me. student was genuine and passionate. ourselves a place to create new personalities - Mr. Greco: Teaching with a flair that only and form a cohesive team. She built What do you enjoy most about your job? “El Greco” could posses. I remember that confidence in each of us. The importance of I have a passion for scuba diving, and this the books he required us to read always drama to a child can never be understood enables me to immerse myself in a business seemed like the largest and longest books he until later in life when we realize that the that I truly enjoy. I have the freedom to scuba could find. His spelling tests often required entire world is a stage. Thank you Amy! I dive as much or as little as I wish throughout my mother to pull out the dictionary to appreciate all that you did for me. the year and around the world. assist me. His commitment to quality and his passion for teaching were transparent. After Palm Beach Day what schools did What do you think were the most valuable - Mr. Davis: A cool science teacher and a you attend to continue your education? aspects of our school? genuinely good man. The only teacher to I attended Cushing Academy for 10th The teachers and students. Although I do ever send me to “the office” for disrupting grade then finished high school at The not communicate with many of my friends the class - it was only because of my Williston Northampton School. I then from PBDS, I do think of them often. excitement about the projects he would received a BS in anthropology from the create for us. University of Florida. Other than the usual “stay in school” - Mr. Sarko: Mr. Space Shuttle himself. His admonishment, what real-world advice would ability to make all of his classes “fun” was Tell us about the concert promotion you give to students at Palm Beach Day? artistic. The trip to see the launch “live” was company you started while in college? Find something you love to do, then figure unforgettable. I bet he still has the plaque on This company was started because of out a way to make money doing it! his desk that reads “out to launch.” the passion I have for music. In 7th grade - Mrs. Mendoza: She was my Spanish while at PBDS I began to play the drums. Geoffrey can be reached at teacher and provided a wonderful I continued to hone my skills for the next [email protected] classroom environment - ripe for learning. several years until, in college, I became

Summer 2009 9 l u m n i o t e s ‘64 A N Fred Martin reports that he and his wife its corporate finance practice for clients or teachers can contact Jen at jenhayesny@ Janet now live in Minneapolis. They have in the entertainment industry. Prior to hotmail.com. two children and four grandchildren. that, she was head of the media and Fred and Janet would love to hear from entertainment corporate finance team at ‘89 Fred’s classmates at Palm Beach Day. SBC Warburg for North America and Latin Chris Fineburg, his wife Karen, and their [email protected] America. She earned her MBA degree from son Garrett recently welcomed their new Harvard Business School and a BBA in daughter and sister Ella. They currently international business and finance from reside in Pittsburgh, Penn. where Chris ‘66 Florida Atlantic University. Lisbeth will be Mike Garvan fondly remembers English works as a Director for Greycourt & Co. If involved in expanding the firm’s Media anyone happens to be located in the area or with Mr. Skinner and Entertainment advisory practice. and French with is passing through please drop him a note. Our apologies to Lisbeth for the errors in [email protected] Mme. Maddox. the last alumni edition. After graduating from St. Andrew’s ‘92 High School in Boca ‘85 Tiffany Marks is engaged to marry Simon Raton, Mike attended Erik Kirk lives in Tallahassee, FL with his Isaacs. Tiffany is a graduate of Emory Boston College and wife Kristen Scarola Kirk and their four University in Atlanta, Georgia. A spring the Graduate School children. Erik 2010 wedding is planned in Palm Beach. of Education at Mike Garvan is president Harvard. In addition of Kirk Christian Miller is engaged to Jessie to teaching, Mike joined the Boston Jazz Consulting Smith. They plan to marry on May 25, in Quartet. His most recent recording, Group, a Hendersonville, North Carolina. Christian Havana Nights, was influenced by music government is a graduate of The Benjamin School and broadcast from Cuba in the 1960’s. You relations Princeton University. He obtained his can find more information at www. lobbying firm doctorate of philosophy from the University mikegarvanmusic.com. Mike lives in with offices of Notre Dame in 2004. He is an assistant Orleans, MA. in Tallahassee Erik & Kristen Kirk and Family professor of philosophy at Wake Forest and West University, NC. Palm Beach. He remains in touch with PB ‘68 Day alumni Daniel Slotkin ‘85, Andreas Mary Hufty Alegria and her husband Bessenroth ‘85, Jen Scelfo ‘85, and Pepe ‘94 Daniel are celebrating their 30th wedding Fanjul ‘86. Brian Kirkpatrick recently joined anniversary. They enjoy riding, golf, fox Lydian Bank & Trust as a vice president/ hunting, gardening, and their involvement relationship manager. Before joining Lydian, with Archbold Expeditions, which runs ‘87 Brian was a portfolio manger and financial Archbold Biological Station for agro- Cassie Foley Glover and her husband analyst at Cypress Capital Group. He has environmental and pure ecology research Paul announce the birth of their son, Pierce an MBA from the University of Miami in - helping the world care for and “get to Sebastian, born on January 5, 2009 in New international business and a bachelor’s know the real Florida.” Mary continues to York City. He joins his big sisters Cecilia in finance from the University of Florida. practice family medicine at the Palo Alto and Olympia. They live in the West Village, Brian and his wife Kelly live in Palm Beach Medical Clinic. where Cassie serves on the Board of Gardens. Trustees of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation. ‘77 ‘95 Lisbeth Barron has joined as partner Jen Hayes was married to C. Patrick Jordann Miller and R.J. Weingartner were at Centerview Partners, an investment LoPresto in 2006. They live in Baltimore married on May 9, 2009, at the home of banking advisory practice and private with their new baby daughter Malena, Jordann’s parents, in Palm Beach. Included equity business based who was born on January 29th. She writes in the wedding party were Jordann’s in New York. She brings that they waited until brother Mosie ‘91, sister Holly Weston ‘90, to Centerview Partners they were 36 to start a and Kathleen Koons 22 years of experience family and Jen is still ‘95. PBDA student in the media and debating as to whether Jackson Miller ‘21, entertainment industry, sleep is overrated... the bride’s nephew, first as an Institutional or not! After being on was the ring bearer. Investor-ranked research maternity leave, she Jordann is a graduate analyst, and then as recently returned to of Babson College Lisbeth Barron head of Bear Stearns’ work as a National with a business corporate finance practice for clients in Account Manager for a degree, with a focus the film and television content, recorded nationwide office coffee on entrepreneurial music, location-based entertainment, and studies. She is the Jen Hayes & Patrick LoPresto and water company. R.J. Weingartner & Jordann Miller branded licensing and merchandising Her brother, Vincent ‘84, is a Chiropractor owner of JEM Jewelry, industries. For the past 11 years, Lisbeth in Newport Beach, CA. Former classmates located at Rapunzel’s Closet in Palm Beach. was a Bear Stearns partner and headed up

10 Summer 2009 on attending Singularity University at the varsity volleyball ‘97 Moffett Field, CA, for graduate studies. team and a member of The marriage of Kelly Kirkpatrick and NASA Ames Research Center, Google the Mu Alpha Theta Gene Platt took place on December 6, 2008 and other foremost authorities in science and Hispanic Honor at Amelia Island, Florida. Kelly, a graduate and technology have teamed to create Society. This summer of the University of Miami, is the co-owner Singularity University. she will travel to Poland along with her sister Sabra van der Poel ‘93 with her family. She will of Alphabet Soup, a children’s boutique in ‘03 attend the University of Palm Beach. They live in West Palm Beach. Palmer Rampell, a rising senior at Harvard Pennsylvania in the fall. Alexandra Ciomek University, has been elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor ‘98 Alfy Fernandez graduated cum laude with Romain Rigby graduated from St. George’s society. Palmer was one of twenty four honors from School in Newport, Rhode Island in Harvard students who were named to the Westminster 2001. He graduated from Hobart College, society in their junior year. His studies School in Geneva, New York, in 2006, with a degree are concentrated on English, and he plays Simsbury, CT. He in Asian studies, with a focus on Mandarin on the tennis team. Palmer received a received awards Chinese. In 2007 he attended the Inter- Harvard-Cambridge Fellowship to write for cross country University Program for Chinese language poetry at Cambridge University in England and paddle studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing, this summer. tennis. Alfy was China. He is completing a masters degree Alfy Fernandez a member of the at John Hopkins University in Nanjing, ‘05 Black and Gold Society and a proctor. This China. He will graduate in June of 2010. Michelle Rattinger, a rising sophomore summer he will be traveling with his family at George Washington University, has and working. In the fall he will attend ‘00 been named the Photo Editor for the Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Angeline Gauntt is a counselor employed school’s newspaper, the G. W. Hatchet. by the New York Foundling Hospital’s As a freshman, she was one of fifteen staff Kendall Glazer graduated from The Care Prevention program. She was recently photographers. Despite being informed Benjamin High School; she will be attending promoted to Supervisor and she leads a that freshman rarely get assignments, Tulane University in New Orleans in the team of five social workers and oversees Michelle managed to average two photos fall. the case management of about seventy-five an issue. She is very excited and looking cases/families. forward to the task. Daniel Gross graduated from The Benjamin High School, where he was a member of ‘01 ‘06 the varsity basketball team Emma Rigby graduated cum laude from St. Casey Aylward graduated Valedictorian for three years. He was the George’s School in Newport, Rhode Island from Ashley Hall School in Charleston, team captain his senior in 2004 and then with distinction in three SC. She will attend Dartmouth College in year, started 54 consecutive years from McGill University in Montreal Hanover, NH, in the fall. games, and was the MVP. in 2007. After working for the Inter- He received numerous other American Development Bank in Miami, Eric Bilotti graduated related awards. Over the she is currently living in Washington, DC, from Oxford Academy summer he plans to work where she is working for a law firm as a in Westbrook, CT. This at sport camps and at a law Daniel Gross government affairs analyst and Deputy summer he plans to travel firm. He will attend Union Director of the Canadian American around the US on a rail College in Schenectady, NY, in the fall. Business Council. pass. In the fall Eric will do a post graduate year at Jonathan Horowitz graduated from Jessica Scorpio has turned her passion Oxford Academy. Eric Bilotti Suncoast High School. In the fall he for international affairs into a successful will attend Cornell University School career in Canadian politics, working first as Hayden Blank graduated of Hospitality Management in Ithaca, a writer for the Prime Minister’s Creative from The Benjamin NY. Jonathan has continued to advance Director, and now as School in May. She’ll be his taekwondo skills, and he has a third a political aide to the working this summer degree black belt. This summer he plans to Minister of International before attending the The backpack through Europe and working at a Cooperation. Three University of Maryland - hotel, casino, or nightclub. years ago, she founded College Park in the fall. IDEAL and launched Hayden Blank Madeleine Kemble graduated from the www.idealmesh.com to Groton School in Massachusetts, where connect young leaders Alexandra Ciomek graduated Salutatorian she was the varsity team captain for the with mentors in their from Suncoast High School. She was in ‘09 basketball season and received the diverse fields. She is a new the International Baccalaureate program, basketball coach’s award. This summer she Jessica Scorpio member of the Summit where she ranked in the top ten for all is returning to the Dominican Republic for Series, a group of the top four years. She was a National Merit a second year as head counselor at DREAM young entrepreneurs in America. Jessica Scholarship semifinalist, a National Honor Project, a nonprofit organization improving is graduating with honors from Carleton Society member, and an AP Scholar with education for children in rural areas and University in Ottawa this month. She plans Distinction. Alexandra was captain of Continued next page

Summer 2009 11 Beach Community College in the fall. He where he can further his passion for golf. A l u m n i No t e s hopes to pursue a career as a pilot. Ethan Zisson graduated from A. W. Continued from previous page Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts, where he small communities on the north coast of Tyler Schrier graduated was the Editor-in-Chief of the school’s news the Dominican Republic. Madeline will be from The Lawrenceville magazine. He was a member of the varsity attending the University of Vermont in the School in Lawrenceville, boys soccer team, which was undefeated for fall. NJ; he will attend Trinity the 2008-2009 season. He will be working College in Hartford, CT, in in Martha’s Vineyard over the summer and Michael Lazzara graduated from Cardinal the fall. attending Brown University in Providence, Newman High School, Tyler Schrier RI, in the fall. where he received the University of Miami Andrew Sharpe graduated from A. W. Dean’s Scholarship ‘05* Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts, where he Molly Cullen graduated Award, the Cardinal was a member of from the A. W. Dreyfoos, Newman Scholar-Athlete the Thespian Society Jr. School of the Arts. Her Award, the Lacrosse and the director of summer plans include Varsity Best Defense “The Real Inspector working and having fun. Award, and the Varsity Hound.” Andrew also She will attend Hofstra Football Defense Award. received a letter for University in Hempstead, Michael is a recipient of Michael Lazzara playing on the varsity NY as a recipient of the a Florida Bright Futures tennis team. He will Hofstra Presidential Scholarship. In 2008 he participated in be working as a camp Scholarship. the Intern Exchange Program at St. Barts counselor at Camp Molly Cullen Hospital in London, UK, in the Department Shalom of Central Wesley Jaynes graduated of Endocrinology. In the fall Michael will Andrew Sharpe Florida over the in the top twenty of her class at A. W. attend the University of Miami, where he summer. In the fall he will attend Stetson Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts. She has been accepted into the Neuroscience University in Deland, FL, as a recipient of received awards for Most Excellent Senior program. the Faculty Merit Scholarship. Portfolio, Academic Honors, and the Principal’s List. She will spend the summer Cornelia Lorentzen graduated from Dylan Sloane graduated from The in the Hamptons before attending Florida Deerfield Academy; she will attend Benjamin School. He made the honor State University in the fall. Wesley is the Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, roll every year and the daughter of Nikki Morrow, the Facilities in the fall. She will be volunteering and Headmaster’s List for his Manager on the PBDA Lower School relaxing over the summer. senior year. A member of Campus. the VP Career Club and * Molly and Wesley graduated in the Class of Bradley Methe graduated a peer counselor, Dylan 2005 (the eighth grade) from The Academy of from the William T. played on the varsity the Palm Beaches. Dwyer High School soccer and lacrosse teams Academy of Finance. He as a sophomore, junior, will spend time traveling and senior. Dylan will be ‘07 with his family before working for McCraney Adam Susaneck, a rising senior at the starting the summer Property Company, a Westminster School in Simsbury, CT, Dylan Sloane was named the winner of the WALKS session at the University Bradley Methe commercial real estate of North Florida. and management company, and Starbuck’s Foundation’s Constitutional Essay Contest. over the summer. He will attend Florida Annually five schools, Westminster, Avon, Sarah Richter graduated from A. W. Atlantic University in the fall. Loomis, Kingswood-Oxford, and Suffield, Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts, where she nominate two finalists to compete in the received awards for Speech and Debate, Edwin (Win) Warfield graduated from contest. This year, students were asked to and for the Pacemaker (high school Brewster Academy in Wolfebore, NH, analyze the role of the vice presidency and journalism). Sarah was a first place winner where he played on the varsity lacrosse how it has changed over time. for page design from The Palm Beach Post and ice hockey teams. This summer he is for Excellence in High School Journalism. working at a restaurant called Sen in Sag In Me m o r i a m This summer Sarah will intern at the Harbor, in the Hamptons. He will attend Serena Bostwick Kaytmaz ‘78 passed Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in the Stevenson University in Stevenson, MD, in away on Friday April 23, following a jewelry and textiles department. She will the fall. riding accident. A well known West attend the University of Pennsylvania in Palm Beach business owner, she and her the fall. Sam Wedge recently completed his junior husband owned Café Centro, an eatery in year at the Salisbury School in Salisbury, Northwood, WPB. Kyle Ruderman CT. He is regularly on the Dean’s list, and graduated from he plays on the squash and golf teams. Cardinal Newman Sam will spend the summer running his Al u m n i High School. He will commercial striped bass charter business Send Us your News be attending Palm in Falmouth, Mass. In the fall he will be to Alumni Director Rosemary Cove at looking at southern liberal arts schools , Kyle Ruderman [email protected]

12 Summer 2009