THE

Academic SPRING/SUMMER 2016 THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY

Committed to community work WELLESLEY GRAD DISCUSSES GPA’S ‘WEALTH OF ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL LEARNING Moving GPA EXPERIENCES’ to ‘next level’ plus. . . IN-DEMAND MUSICIAN GOT HIS START AT THE ACADEMY HIGH STANDARDS, AMAZING STUDENTS and more, including reunion pics. . . NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL LOOKS TO BRIGHT, ACTIVE FUTURE AT THE ACADEMY; GETS TO WORK

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2015 Magazine Appeal Page.indd 1 9/23/15 10:47 AM Contents Spring A BRIGHT FUTURE 2016 6 The Grosse Pointe Academy’s new head of school looks to Volume 2 bright, active future at the Academy. No.1 10 GPA NEWS pg. 6 News and information about The Grosse Pointe Academy. 28 SOLO IN FIRST-GRADE PLAY PART OF A LIFE OF MUSIC Academy alum is touring and making records. She says her time at GPA prepared her well for high school, college—and life.

pg. 28 30 HIGH STANDARDS, AMAZING STUDENTS Fourth-grade teacher says students continue to amaze her even though her standards are set very high.

HEAD OF SCHOOL 42 ‘PEACEFUL PLACE’ Tommy Adams Current Academy directress discovered DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR the advantage of Montessori and fully Kristen Van Pelt embraced it. EDITOR Mike Kelly SECOND ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS 46 Lars Kuelling OKTOBERFEST, ACADEMY-STYLE THE ACADEMIC The Academic is a See photos from the October magazine devoted to the 15 alumni reunion held at students, alumni, parents Atwater in the Park. and friends of The Grosse Pointe Academy. It is published twice a year, in the spring and fall. pg. 46

CONTACT US The Grosse Pointe Academy 171 Lake Shore Rd. Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. 48236 313-886-1221 [email protected]

pg. 30 pg. 44 HEAD OF SCHOOLMESSAGE

our years ago, the Kuelling family gathered friends…and been blessed by wonderful teachers in on the Nuns’ Walk, the picturesque path the process. framed by century-old oaks that connects There is much that the faculty and The Grosse Pointe Academy to the outside administration accomplished in that same Fworld, for a family portrait that would be used to time—a Garden Classroom, the STEM Lab, Middle introduce us to the GPA community. Four years School REAL electives, a France & Spain Trip, later, as we prepare to move on to The Harley ISACS reaccreditation, a renewed emphasis on School of Rochester, NY, it seemed fitting that we GPA’s Montessori foundations, and a continued would take one last picture on the Nuns’ Walk, a commitment to Christian values—and I am thankful spot that came to anchor our family in place while to the faculty and staff for all the hard work that at GPA and framed our daily “commute” between they put into accomplishing those goals as we the Head’s house and school. looked to provide a top-notch, student-centered education. As well, the Board of Trustees deserves special recognition as we worked together to strengthen GPA’s financial position and chart a path forward with a robust strategic plan. Personally, my greatest professional joy has come from the rebirth of a strong community of professional learners. From Innovation Grants that incentivize innovation in the classroom to robust faculty-led Professional Development and Curriculum Review Committees to this year’s extremely successful Paddle Raise in support of faculty professional development and cutting edge programs, we have worked together as a school community to recognize, affirm, and empower our excellent Photos above and lower right: The Kuellings, from left, Tate, Patty, faculty. A huge thank Sadie, Lars and Aiden. you to the faculty for As parents, it is amazing to look at the two making my job such a joy each pictures and to reflect upon how GPA has changed day; I will miss you one and all! our children’s lives while they have grown from Thank you to all of the pre-teens to teenagers. Patty and I are indebted to members of the GPA family for the faculty and staff for the care and support that welcoming the Kuelling family our children, Tate, Aiden, and Sadie, received while into the community and for at GPA. Here, the teachers embraced each one of giving us so much. We are ever them for who they are, nurturing their interests grateful. in academics, the arts, and athletics, challenging them to be their best selves, and inspiring a love of All the best, learning. While here, they have received the best of an Academy education as they have become artists, developed a love for acting and singing, Lars wrestled with complex academic problems, become accomplished speakers, grown as athletes on the court and in the field, rafted the New River, and traveled the world. And, they have made life-long

4 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC GPAAUCTION ACTION AUCTION 2016 PROVES TO BE BIG WINNER FOR GPA The 2016 edition of The Grosse Pointe Acad- emy’s Action Auction was an unqualified success, according to organizers of the annual fundraising event. More than $500,000 was raised this year at the Fête des Amis “Together We Flourish” auction, “I am truly amazed at how everything comes The Grosse Pointe which was held May 7 on GPA’s Grosse Pointe together so beautifully every year,” he said. “And Academy’s Action Auction Farms campus. this year’s auction was a testament to not only the in May raised more than The auction guests, comprised of Acade- many, many volunteers and staffers who worked $500,000 for the Grosse my families, community leaders and corporate on this event, but it showed once again how much Pointe Farms school. sponsors, enjoyed an evening of robust bidding our school community values the work our teach- on a selection of fabulous and unique items and ers do for the students. experiences in both silent and live auction for- “The success of the paddle-raise, in particular, mats. Of particular note, the $177,000 brought in is in so many ways a tribute to our faculty’s deep through the auction’s special “paddle-raise” was care for our students and a recognition by our com- the second highest amount raised in the history of munity of all that they do to provide a top-notch the auction’s paddle-raise. School officials said the experience for each child,” Kuelling said. paddle-raise dollars this year are exclusively going Van Pelt wanted to point out how especially for the benefit of Academy teachers’ professional grateful the Academy is for the amount of time and development, curriculum materials and learning energy exhibited by this year’s auction co-chairs. spaces. “A huge thank you goes to our honorary chairs, “The massive success of this year’s auction and Connie and Brian Demkowicz, and to our co-chairs, paddle-raise is a huge testament to the GPA com- Bill and Kelley Smith, and Robin and Kim Kend- munity’s appreciation of the work that our faculty rick, who put in a great deal of voluntary time and does every day with our students,” said Kristen Van energy in order to ensure the success of this year’s Pelt, the school’s development director. auction,” she said. GPA school head Lars Kuelling said this year’s Van Pelt also pointed out that while the Acade- auction exceeded all expectations. my has wrapped up the 2016 auction, another one awaits in 2017. In fact, 2017’s event will mark the 50th anniversary of Action Auction and work has already begun to help ensure next year’s Fête des Amis also proves successful. “Putting this event together is a year-round effort and a labor of love to support the mission of our school, and we are well on our way in planning for the 2017 auction, which is scheduled for May 13, 2017,” she said. “We are looking forward to Kim Kendrick, one of this year’s auction co-chairs, speaks celebrating 50 years of successful auctions at The to guests at the May 7 event, which also raised $177,000 Grosse Pointe Academy next spring.” through its “paddle-raise” for the benefit of Academy teachers’ professional development, curriculum materials and learning spaces.

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 5 NEWHEAD OF SCHOOL A bright future

NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL LOOKS TO BRIGHT, ACTIVE FUTURE AT THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY When Thomas “Tommy” Adams starts his tenure as The Grosse Pointe Academy’s new head of school this summer, he doesn’t plan to spend too much time sitting back and relaxing. There’s a lot of work to do, he said, and he’s looking forward to rolling up his sleeves on July 1 and getting to it.

6 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC “At the recent GPA Action Auction, I really sensed that people here — parents and staff — are very proud of their school and community.”

A thoughtful, ambitious and personable leader, and are really tuned into their community and New GPA head Adams, who is leaving his position as assistant school roots.” Tommy Adams and head of school for enrollment at Mercersburg Despite his father’s professional experience his wife, Kendall, Academy in Mercersburg, Pa., said he wants to hit and his own background as a boarding school at right, along with the ground running at GPA. student, Adams never planned on a career in previous HOS Lars “To be sure, my family and I look forward to education. Instead, as his college graduation Kuelling and his wife, arriving this summer and having the opportunity approached, he looked toward what he and many Patti, greet guests to meet and get to know all members of the GPA of his classmates at Roanoke College thought was at the 2016 Action family,” he said. “I also want to quickly build up their destiny: a career in business. Auction. a level of trust and communication within the “I was teaching tennis during the summers community at GPA, both internally and externally, when I was in college, and I hired a young woman so that we can begin to move this school to the to help me with the kids,” he said. “Her father next level in important ways.” was headmaster at Northwood School, a boarding “I plan to work very hard and look forward to school in Lake Placid, New York, and he and I had working with our faculty and staff,” he said. “It’s a number of conversations about the fact that I going to be a busy summer and fall.” loved working with and coaching kids. He asked if Spending a summer and fall in Grosse Pointe I’d ever thought about becoming a teacher, which also is something Adams is looking forward to. I had not, and then asked if I would ever consider Other than the airport, he said he had never been applying for a job at his school. I had attended to the Detroit or Grosse Pointe area before his first Avon Old Farms School, which is a boarding GPA interview in February. school in Connecticut, and I loved my experience “Although I’ve always heard amazing things there. So I thought this might be a great first step. about the Pointes, it’s quite different when you’re I could do this for a couple of years and then I’d actually here,” he said. “It’s beautiful, and my go get, quote-unquote, a real job.” family and I are excited to become part of the So, with a bachelor’s degree from Roanoke school and local communities.” College in hand, off he went to Northwood He also said it reminds him a bit of Long School. By Thanksgiving break, he knew working Island, New York, where he grew up. in schools was his calling and went on to spend “My father was a head of school in an the next three years teaching social studies, being independent school on Long Island, and I a dorm parent, and coaching three seasons of had the opportunity to live in a community athletics. somewhat similar to Grosse Pointe,” he said. “Both “I loved it. I loved working with kids, loved the communities are full of people who take a lot of fact that I was having an impact on their lives. I pride in their towns. For example, at the recent felt that this was what I was meant to do.” GPA Action Auction, I really sensed that people But after those three years at Northwood, he here — parents and staff — are very proud of developed a passion for working with families their school and community. I also sensed that as they considered boarding school. Once he many people have been in the area for a lifetime

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 7 NEWHEAD OF SCHOOL

Adams is by nature a leader who challenges those around him to think differently and to work progressively to improve themselves and their institution.

Adams says found an opportunity to work in admissions, focusing on the external piece of the institution, independent schools Adams never looked back. He worked at two but understanding the internal piece as well. My are “the best at small boarding schools before landing at The career in boarding school has further enabled bringing out the best Gunnery, in Washington, Connecticut and then me to do what I most enjoy: work closely with in kids.” Mercersburg Academy, the two schools where he students as an advisor, dorm parent, and coach.” would spend the bulk of his career. The family’s He said admissions professionals need to ties to these schools run deep: eldest son Logan know and completely comprehend — and be able graduated from The Gunnery last year, and son to fully explain — the programs, the teaching, the Colin will begin his senior year at Mercersburg ‘value’ of all of that is their institution. this fall. The family’s youngest son, Griffin, will “Because when families are weighing their start at GPA come fall. educational choices,” he said, “you need to “Being a parent of a current student has understand the workings of your institution, allowed me unique insight into these schools, and including the programmatic piece and the Kendall and I look forward to having the same teaching piece. You need to believe deeply in experience at The Grosse Pointe Academy.” the people and philosophies that make up your John Murphy, who is board chair at the school. And you need to contribute to its growth Academy and was very involved in the school’s in order to meet the evolving expectations of the head of school search process, said Adams is the market.” perfect choice for the school at this time. “Tommy Adams is by nature a leader who challenges will be a real asset to GPA,” he said. “He brings those around him to think differently and to work a wealth of admissions experience and talent in progressively to improve themselves and their independent-school administration to our school. institution. His involvement in Mercersburg’s But, even more important, he will be bringing a all-encompassing program review crystallized for very obvious and infectious enthusiasm to our him and for the school just how different today’s campus that will be critically important as we world is from the one he and most educators grew are setting some rather ambitious goals for the up in. Academy.” “The way I look at it,” said Adams, “is Adams’ tireless work in school administration that teachers today are less the providers of over the past two decades in school makes him information, and more the ‘coaches’ of that a unique and strategic choice to take the helm at information. Think about it. Anything that GPA. teachers teach to a child today is available on “People may think, and they’re probably the Internet with one or two clicks. So I see right, that I am the unconventional choice for teachers not in front of the kids, but more behind head of school at the Academy. I have been them, coaching and helping them to learn for working externally — outside the classroom — themselves and from each other. That to me is for the last 21 years. But the role of director of a very striking difference between classroom admissions is no longer what it used to be thirty years ago. My role has expanded from not only

8 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC teaching today versus thirty years ago.” Adams also thinks that his admissions experience with primarily high school students has given him a rather unique insight into what a successful incoming freshman looks like, and what kind of elementary and middle-school education is necessary to get into quality high schools. “I clearly see the difference in the kids coming from an independent school,” he said. “These kids tend to transition much better to a school like Mercersburg because of their experience in schools like The Grosse Pointe Academy. “Independent schools are the best at bringing out the best in kids,” he said. “And that’s how I see our jobs as educators. Teachers in independent schools, I believe, are quite different in that they New GPA head Tommy Adams is with his wife, Kendall, really feel they have a definite stake in making and sons Colin, Griffin and Logan in Mercersburg, Pa. the kids successful students, athletes, artists, etc. I don’t think you get that quite to this extent anywhere else.” So what does Adams see as initiatives or needs for the Academy right out of the gate on July 1? “For one thing, we need more people coming through these beautiful doors,” he said. “Plus, I want to strengthen relationships with those constituents from the past, i.e., alumni, alumni parents, previous donors, etc.” “Inquiry is an endless process yet essential if independent schools want to compete in a expanding market of educational options,” Adams continued. “Together, we will work thoughtfully to build a school whose graduates are well-prepared to meet head on the challenges of an ever- changing world. Yet as we move forward, we must always remain true to the institution’s important and meaningful traditions.”

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 9 GPANEWS

ANOTHER CLASS HEADS for the good,” Kuelling said. “You are more than ready for TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE the challenges and responsibilities of high school, and we ACADEMY ‘ADVANTAGE’ know that, but we will miss you nonetheless.” Kuelling also told the grads that they have GPA’s newest graduates will be attending some of accomplished much as a class. “You’ve distinguished the finest secondary schools in the country, including yourselves in the classroom and the arts, on the athletic Deerfield Academy, University Liggett, Cranbrook, Choate field and in community service – and you have been the Rosemary Hall and the International Academy. best big buddies that our first graders could have hoped When commencement speaker and Academy alum for,” he said. Megan Bonanni told the newest class of graduates from “In the process, your teachers and I have seen that The Grosse Pointe Academy last evening that among the there’s not much that fazes you as a group. You always impress us with your camaraderie and willingness to jump right in, no matter the situation. And, that’s why the phrase ‘Hakuna Matata,’ which means ‘no worries,’ is the perfect motto for your class. You’ve learned how to enjoy life while facing challenges head on.” Academy alum Bonanni also recounted for the 2016 grads that even though she herself went through many of the same challenges they did when she Academy alum Megan Bonanni (‘80) gave the was their age, her own GPA commencement address at GPA’s 2016 commencement. experience was both profound and dynamic, and that even many pieces of advice they will get before heading to high though she graduated 36 years school, one of the most important is to “be kind,” it may ago, they all share in something have been met with a little bit of nonchalance from those special. on the stage. “We share gifts that this “But,” Bonanni said, “the truth is when you live a life school gave to us and they where you are kind, like-minded people will come to you.” are gifts that will carry you It was simple, yet powerful advice. throughout your life; gifts that She told them that high school can be tricky. “It’s will get you through difficult awkward. New high school students are trying to figure and challenging experiences,” out who they are and frankly they are very emotional,” she she said. said. “So be kind and surround yourself with like-minded She mentioned two gifts in people who lift you up instead of tearing you down.” particular. Commencement speaker Megan Bonanni, who “It is here at the Academy graduated from The Grosse Pointe Academy in 1980, is a where I was taught a love of partner at Pitt McGehee Palmer & Rivers PC, a Royal Oak, learning. And it is here where Mich., firm specializing in employment law, civil rights, each individual — and their personal injury and criminal defense. She spoke to the uniqueness — is celebrated by class and their family and friends as part of the Academy’s teachers, by administrators.” 2016 commencement ceremony, which was held June 14 “The Academy always made in the school’s Tracy Fieldhouse. me feel unique, special, worthy,” Head of School Lars Kuelling also addressed the new Bonanni told the grads. “And graduates, who now journey to high school with arguably you will see that there is an a very distinct advantage over most other eighth graders indelible mark left on you — a in the area — “the Academy advantage” is what school mark that only comes from officials typically say. spending so many years in “Graduates, you have learned a great deal while at GPA, a place that promotes such and now we ask that you take that knowledge and use it inclusion, tolerance and respect for others.”

10 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC So it is without Congratulations to The Grosse Pointe Academy’s Class question that this of 2016: year’s talented class of Shekinah Aho, Justin Ambris, Cesar Arreguin, Katie 29 students, who are Bagby, Weston Brundage, Trey Chennault, Angelo heading to some of the Cracchiolo, Isabella Cubba, Timmy Donaldson, Megan finest high schools in Driver, Maria Fields, Haleigh Howard, Noah Humphries, the country — including Tierney Janovsky, Dakota Jones, Oliver Jonsson, Will Deerfield Academy, Jonsson, Aiden Kuelling, Brooke Popadich, Blake Pradko, Members of the GPA University Liggett, Josh Roberts, Nafi Sall, Christopher Scupholm, Sade Shaw, Class of 2016 have been Cranbrook, Choate Ian Shogren, Emma Smith, Isabella Tomlinson, Matthew accepted to some of the Head of School Lars Kuelling Rosemary Hall and the Valente and Molly Woods. finest high schools in the address those assembled at the International Academy country, including Deerfield June 14 commencement. — are leaving 171 Academy, University Lake Shore Road with an advantage — an advantage that Liggett, Cranbrook, Choate comes from experiencing at least eight years of the best Rosemary Hall and the “uncommon” education available in southeast Michigan. International Academy.

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 11 GPANEWS

ACADEMY KINDERGARTNERS CELEBRATE In a ceremony fit for incoming Grosse Pointe Academy first graders, the kindergarten Class of 2016 from GPA received their certificates on June 10, which signaled their successful transition to the first grade when school resumes in September. Musical highlights during the ceremony included “Venez les Amis,” where the children each had a solo moment introducing himself/herself in French and In the photo, from left, are teachers Ida Cherf, “Little Boy of the Sheep”, which included the playing Peggy Varty, Kate Kingsley, Mary Jo Carrier of xylophones and chimes. Academy teachers Roshell and Kathleen Hallas. Students, from left, Chuhran and Claudia Leslie helped prepare the students Madison Cheatham, Enzo Colombo, Christopher through the spring and the program closed with the Provenzano, Christian Azoury, Luke Brennan, “Peace Song” and “This Little Light of Mine.” The Antonia Randazzo, Dane Willson, Benjamin Clor, children’s faces really shined when they changed a line Lexi Donaldson, Henry Acheson, Shane Denworth, of the song to “First grade here I come!” as they walked Alexander Nicholson, Bailei Sheffield, Colin Cotton, out of the Chapel. Luke Wolney, Zara Banks and Quinn Ryan.

12 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC ACADEMY ANNOUNCES on by the early school faculty, approved by ES division SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2016-2017 director, confirmed by the head of school. ACADEMIC YEAR Enzo Colombo: Camille DeMario Academic Scholarship: The Camille DeMario Scholarship is On June 6, 2016, The Grosse Pointe Academy awarded to a student moving from our kindergarten announced the recipients of special scholarships and to first grade. Any current kindergarten student who academic awards for the 2016-2017 academic year. is enrolled in the early school is eligible to apply. The Awardees included Academy students moving from recipient of the award is selected by the director of kindergarten into 1st grade and a number of other admissions students in the Academy’s first through seventh grades. based on the Congratulations go to: highest score of Christina Thomas: Brett Bentley Crawford Creative the first-grade Writing Award: This award has been established to entrance exam, honor the memory of Brett Crawford, a 1997 graduate approved by of The Grosse Pointe Academy. This award is given to the ES division an upcoming eighth-grade girl who possesses the skill director, and and a passion for creative writing, and has exhibited confirmed by the spirited personality necessary to qualify for this the head of award. The recipient of this award is nominated by and school. voted on by the middle school faculty, approved by the Julia Harnett: division director and confirmed by the head of school. Alumni Courtney Mecke: Thelma Fox Murray Scholarship Scholarship: Award: The Thelma Fox Murray award is intended A candidate is to honor an upcoming eighth-grade girl who exhibits selected from “integrity, humility, a sense of humor, athletic grades 1-8 by achievement and academic excellence.” The award the division recipient is voted on annually by middle school faculty, directors and head of school based on an application In a photo above taken approved by the MS division director and confirmed submitted. after the academic by the head of school. Award amount determined in Alexander Kuplicki, Fletcher Klaasen and Gerry scholarships were concert with S. Gary Spicer, Trustee. Sherer: Academy Scholars Challenge: The Academy announced: front row, Thomas Smith: E. Maybelle Spicer, Clark Spicer Scholars Challenge is a merit-based scholarship from left, Enzo Colombo, and William I. Trader, Jean K. Kurtz Trader that recognizes incoming sixth-grade students of Madison Cheatham, Scholarship Award – (A.K.A. Spicer/Trader outstanding potential based on academic record, Fletcher Klaasen, Gerry Scholarship Award): The Spicer/Trader Award is teacher recommendations, standardized testing and Sherer and Alexander intended to honor an upcoming eighth-grade boy a writing sample. Recipients of the award receive an Kuplicki. Back row, from who has demonstrated to his teachers and classmates, annual scholarship renewable for all three of their left, Jen Kendall (assistant “success in academics and athletics with a strong middle school years. head of school for desire to excel.” As such, the award is reflective of the Early School education Academy’s core values and mission. The candidate for and admissions), Lars the Spicer/Trader Scholarship Award is nominated Kuelling (head of school), by and voted on by the middle school faculty and Courtney Mecke, Thomas approved by the MS division director and confirmed Smith, Christina Thomas by the head of school. Award amount determined in and Lawrence DeLuca concert with S. Gary Spicer, Trustee. (assistant head of school Madison Cheatham: Eleanor Wagner Brock for instruction, grades 1-8 Scholarship: The Ellie Brock scholarship is awarded principal). to a girl moving from our kindergarten to first grade. A child who is inquisitive, friendly who is well liked by her classmates and teachers shall be a candidate for the award. She will possess, “in addition to academic promise, the personal characteristics of being vibrant, happy and lively.” The recipient is nominated and voted

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 13 GPANEWS

GPA ALUMNA IS SPEAKER AT only for that second language, which she also studied COMMENCEMENT in college, but with a life-long appreciation for the world and the people of the world. When The Grosse Pointe Academy’s Class of 2016 “Back when I was at GPA, we didn’t go overseas like graduated from 8th grade in June, an alumna chosen to they do now for class trips, but because of my social speak at the commencement ceremony presented her studies and French classes, I started to see my world as thoughts on education at the next level and how life will a much larger place,” she said. “I remember that’s when be changing for the soon-to-be high schoolers. But a great I put a map in my closet at home, and started putting deal of her talk also centered on how deeply affected she push-pins in the countries I wanted to visit when I was by her own education at the Academy. grew up. Now I’ve already visited most if not all of Megan Bonanni, a 1980 Academy alum and civil rights them. So I’m quite sure this need and desire I have to attorney, who late last year was honored as one of 30 see the world was because of my early experience at the members of the prestigious Class of 2015 “Women in the Academy.” Law” group, has been chosen as one of the speakers at the She also says it was because of the Academy that she Academy graduation to be held June 14 on the school’s went through a foreign studies program at Kalamazoo Grosse Pointe Farms campus. College, which led to a two-year stint teaching at In a recent phone interview, Bonanni became a bit a business college in Strasbourg, France. She said overwhelmed when she began to reminisce and talk about practicing law was not on her radar then, but now that she is an attorney, it kind of her days at the Academy. makes sense, especially since she specializes in civil rights law. “Just thinking about the Academy makes me want to “In the Academy at the time, and in my class especially, there were kids from every cry,” she said, clearly emotional. “But in a great way.” walk of life, with very diverse cultural backgrounds,” she recalls. “We were diverse She thinks her grade-school was a game changer that racially and diverse socioeconomically. There were rich kids. There were poor kids. led directly to her doing so well in high school, college and A very, very diverse group of students, who while we were all quite different, never law school, and that also gave her the drive she needed to noticed any of those differences.” become a successful attorney. She said her friends from the Academy in the heart of Grosse Pointe were the most “I have to say it was that unique approach to education diverse group of people that you can imagine. at the Academy, the very individualized approach that “And the fact that I’m a civil rights lawyer now. . .I think there’s a real connection emboldened all of us,” she said. “Every child. . . we all felt there. It all makes sense now.” like the world was our oyster. It made learning fun and definitely helped to boost our self confidence, which was critical for us at that age.” Bonanni currently is partner at Pitt McGehee Palmer GPA EIGHTH-GRADER GETS MERIT SCHOLARSHIP & Rivers PC, a Royal Oak firm that specializes in FROM LIGGETT employment law, civil rights, personal injury and criminal defense. Academy eighth-grader Isabella Tomlinson recently was named a Liggett Her “Women in the Law” honor last year was preceded Merit Scholar by University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods. This by recognition as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” highly competitive scholarship, which is announced by Liggett each and a rating by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the spring, is based on academic achievement, teacher recommendations, leaders in her field. And, in 2011, she was recognized interviews, writing samples, test scores and overall potential impact on by The American Lawyer publication as a national “Top the Liggett community, drew applicants from throughout the region. Lawyer.” Tomlinson, who lives in Harrison Township, joins five other area In addition to specializing in civil rights and students who earned the scholarship, which includes a full- or half-tuition employment law for Pitt McGehee, Bonanni, who received award for four years at Liggett’s upper school. Tomlinson’s scholarship is her law degree from Wayne State University, volunteers for full tuition. as an attorney and speaker with the Epilepsy Foundation A press release issued by Liggett late last month calls Tomlinson an and as a mentor with the Women Lawyers Association of outstanding student and model citizen. Michigan. She also helped co-sponsor and build homes in “Isabella exhibits excellent leadership skills as student council Mexico as part of a Jimmy Carter work project through president at the Academy and a member of the National Junior Honor Habitat for Humanity. She is a member of the Michigan Society,” the release continued.” Association for Justice, National Employment Lawyers Tomlinson also earned the prestigious Crane Scholarship from Association, State Bar of Michigan, the Women Lawyers Cranbrook-Kingswood School. In January, her artwork won a “Silver Key” Association of Michigan and serves as chair of the Federal award in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Bar Association Trial Practice and Tactics Sub-Committee. Fluent in French, Bonanni credits the Academy not

14 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC ALUM SPOTLIGHTED FOR VOLUNTEER WORK WITH DETROIT NONPROFIT the wave of this resurgence in Detroit and it needs to Nineteen-eighty-two Grosse Pointe Academy alum be complemented by helping those who are so critical Michael French is a successful businessman operating to helping the rebirth of Detroit,” French said of the in the automotive, aerospace and defense industries. organization. “Who better to focus in on that the But it’s his extracurricular work with a Detroit fathers?” nonprofit that this University of New Hampshire Around the holidays, Mariners Inn engages in many graduate is most proud of. giving back initiatives, one of which is spearheaded by French is first vice president on the executive the residents themselves. The Adopt-A-Family program board at Mariners Inn, which is based in downtown at Mariners Inn came to be after a group of residents Detroit about a block from Cass Tech High School. decided they would give back to the community that When ground was broken in 1994 for the current gives back to them. Mariners headquarters, French was on hand because French said the enormity of an act like that is the “Dainforth Baker French Building” was named for amazing and it’s his favorite time of year. His favorite his father, who along with Michael’s grandfather had part of the festivities is watching families open their a substantial part in getting the facility financed and gifts while they’re enjoying a luncheon with Mariners built. Inn. In a blog post published recently by the Mariners Inn “We need strong families in Detroit and Mariners is a organization, Erica N. Rakowicz writes about Michael key component,” French said. French and how he is carrying on his family’s legacy French spends his free time going to sports games at what in 2013 was named one of Crain’s Detroit downtown with his family and sampling all the new Business magazine’s “Best-Managed Nonprofits.” restaurants in town. He also likes to get the word out about Mariners Inn whenever he can to friends, family SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: MICHAEL FRENCH, and strangers alike. MARINERS INN BOARD MEMBER There’s a sort of passion that’s hard to explain By Erica N. Rakowicz bouncing around the halls of Mariners Inn, French said, Michael French, a three-year-and-counting member and he believes it’s contagious. of the board at Mariners Inn, was first introduced to the “You kind of get bit by the Mariners bug,” he said. establishment in 1994. “Get involved. All it takes is to walk in the doors of French’s father passed away in 1990 and French Mariners Inn, take a quick tour around and it’s a life remembers going to a groundbreaking ceremony and changer. unveiling of the Dainforth Baker French building, MORE ABOUT MARINERS INN: named after his father, at Mariners Inn. Founded in 1925 by the Episcopal Diocese of French’s grandfather donated funds in order to build Michigan, Mariners Inn is a nationally acclaimed, the Dainforth Baker French building at Mariners Inn licensed, full-service treatment center providing and ever since, Mariners Inn has been an organization substance abuse treatment, shelter, and supportive that French has always kept in mind. About four years services to Southeast Michigan’s homeless men. ago, French was driving downtown with his kids and Mariners Inn holds the most prestigious three- he drove past the building and told his kids the history year accreditation through the Commission for the of it. Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), is “They said it was the coolest thing they’d ever seen,” licensed to provide integrated treatment, and is one of French said. After seeing their reaction and thinking Detroit’s premier treatment providers. more on it himself, French decided it was time to get involved. “It was a way for me to carry on the legacy of my dad,” French said. As a board member and volunteer, French is most proud of the missions at Mariners Inn, including the mission of reconnecting fathers with their families. “It’s right in the heart of Detroit and we need to ride

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 15 GPANEWS

CLEAN WATER FOR 5,000 caused by lack of access to safe drinking water and Natalie Relich, a 2001 graduate of The Grosse Pointe sanitation. To help combat this, my organization, Academy who already has devoted a significant portion OHorizons, works with very inexpensive, concrete of her still-young life to making the world a better place ‘biosand filters’ (BSFs), which are water-filtration for its citizens, is devices for household use in developing countries such well on the way as Bangladesh, Mali and now hopefully India.” to a new project Relich also is exploring working further on the that will bring African continent to bring clean water where it is desperately needed needed. clean water to more “We’re going to be supporting a small pilot program than 5,000 people in Kenya,” she said, “where a local organization will in Bangladesh. be making around 100 of our filters, which will give Relich currently approximately 500 people clean water in their homes is executive director for the first time.” of the OHorizons Relich said to stay tuned because OHorizons has a Foundation, a few other potential projects in the works, “but those are nonprofit based the two definite new ones for now.” in New York City, Relich also noted that her firm has received that is working numerous inquiries since the water crisis began in to improve the Flint, Mich., but while she and her colleagues do want health, livelihood, to help, she said there currently has not been enough and productivity of research done yet. hungry and thirsty “We are now looking to engage a research people around the organization to study the ability of our filter to remove world. heavy metals [such as lead],” said a statement released Relich and her earlier this month by Relich and OHorizons. “In the colleagues are meantime, we will keep the people of Flint and all the already providing people around the globe dealing with a water crisis in help to the people of South Asia. our hearts and minds.” “We are moving forward with a 1,000-filter project in Bangladesh this year,” she said. “Our partner organization is building a production facility right now and will have made and installed 1,000 filters by summer, which will give approximately 5,000 people the clean water they desperately need.” A public policy major at the University of Michigan, Relich finished her university career at NYU with a master’s degree in public administration. She said she decided to get an MPA in New York because she’s always wanted to go into the field of international development and New York seemed like a great place to study this since it’s home to many development and internationally focused organizations. But even though in college she considered public policy likely her life’s calling, it wasn’t until Relich did more of her own research on a particularly troubling environmental issue on the planet that she eventually jumped in with both feet to try to affect real change for people—specifically for people suffering from a lack of clean water and sanitation. “Around the world, a child dies about every thirty seconds from diarrhea,” Relich said, “And it’s typically

16 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC EIGHTH GRADER FROM THE ACADEMY IS A SCHOLASTIC ART AWARD WINNER Isabella Tomlinson, a graduated eighth GPA alum Jesse Paris Smith, right, is with her Pathways to grader from The Paris co-organizer Rebecca Foon. Grosse Pointe Academy middle school, learned FORMER ACADEMY STUDENT GOES TO in January that she is PARIS TO WORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE a “Silver Key” winner Former Grosse Pointe Academy student Jesse Paris in the prestigious Smith was in Paris in early December for the Pathways to 2016 Scholastic Art Paris concerts, which were held December 4 and 5. Smith & Writing Awards. and co-organizer Rebecca Foon says the concerts “brought Tomlinson submitted our voices together in solidarity, offering our love and her photo illustration, commitment to a sustainable world.” which she calls “Escape Billed as a series of musical performances and talks “to From The Fire,” to unite around our climate and a sustainable future for our Scholastic late last year planet,” the Pathway to Paris is an initiative founded by for consideration. musicians/activists Smith and Foon in partnership with Students in grades 7–12 across the country and its U.S. 350.org that brings together musicians, artists, activists, territories as well as American schools abroad are invited academics, politicians and innovators to participate in in the fall of each year to submit creative and original a series of concert events to help raise consciousness work in any of the Awards’ 29 art and writing categories, around the urgency of climate action and the importance including architecture, photography, flash fiction, poetry, of establishing an ambitious, global, legally binding painting, video game design and more. agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris Previous Scholastic Art & Writing award winners in December 2015. include Andy Warhol, Joyce Carol Oates, Robert Indiana Pathway to Paris kicked off more than a year ago with and Ken Burns. an intimate evening of music and speakers at Le Poisson For 93 years, the Scholastic Awards, which are Rouge immediately following the People’s Climate March sponsored by the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & in New York City in September 2014. An intimate series Writers, have identified the early promise of some of the of similar events have been unfolding in New York and nation’s most accomplished visionaries and encouraged Montreal since then. The young artists and writers to pursue a variety of creative Pathway to Paris concert career paths and endeavors. series culminated in Paris during the UN Climate Change Conference. Smith said the climate CORRECTED CAPTION change talks offered an from the Fall 2015 The Ac- enormous opportunity to ademic: From left, former send a clear signal that the Grosse Pointe Academy world is moving away from students Jesse Paris Smith fossil fuels “and toward a and Jackson Smith are renewable energy future, with Jackson’s wife, Lisa, while listening and problem their mother, Patti Smith, solving with voices from and friend Mike Pigeon. around the world.” Scheduled musicians, artists and activists in Paris for the concert included Bill McKibben, Naomi Klein, Vandanna Shiva, Patti Smith, Thom York, Flea, Dhani Harrison, Tenzin Choegyal, Jesse Paris Smith and Rebecca Foon.

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FIVE FOR FIVE FOR 8TH GRADER At the time of the school year when most high school students over the years who have been accepted to seniors are looking beyond graduation to the next step and received scholarships from the nation’s more elite in their academic career: college. So too were most 8th schools. He said many also receive scholarships and graders looking forward to their next academic stop, acceptances to Cranbrook Kingswood in Bloomfield which for them usually is in an area high school. Hills, including current GPA 8th graders Maria Fields But for some in 8th grade, they were looking and Isabella Tomlinson. somewhere else completely as the school year comes to “Our students are accepted to the best schools in a close: the mailbox. That’s because it’s usually around metro Detroit and across the country,” DeLuca said. late winter and spring when most of the nation’s more “Last year, our students attended 11 different high prominent boarding schools send acceptance letters to schools, and it looks like that number will be very prospective student applicants. similar this year. Coming to The Grosse Pointe Academy For one of those students, Grosse Pointe Academy’s really is a great choice for parents as our students Nafissatou (Nafi) Sall, who just graduated from the consistently gain acceptance to the high schools of their eighth grade, her “mailbox-looking” turned up five choice.” boarding school acceptance letters. Which is quite a Beside Fields and Tomlinson, who also earned a feat for any student. But in Sall’s case, she only applied full-ride scholarship to University Liggett, DeLuca said to five — Deerfield Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall, recent GPA grads McCalla Mecke, Piero Cavataio and Peddie School, The Lawrenceville School and Loomis Joseph Cavataio received the prestigious merit-based Chaffee School — all of which appear on numerous Crane Scholarship from Cranbrook. Plus, he said, listings of the top 20 boarding schools in America. current 8th-grader Brooke Popadich has been accepted Nafi Sall, second from right, “Five for five!” was the excited comment from to Choate, The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, and is was one of three GPA 8th Assistant Head of School for Instruction and Grades 1-8 currently wait-listed at Phillips Exeter Academy in New graders to recently win Principal Lawrence DeLuca after finding out from Sall’s Hampshire, a school that typically accepts less than 10 the annual America & Me mother, Erica Thrash-Sall, that Nafi received her fifth percent of applicants. essay contest sponsored acceptance letter — from Choate, which also offered For Nafi Sall, however, she says she’s decided to by Farm Bureau Insurance. Sall the “Paul Mellon ’25 Scholars” scholarship, which definitely head east in the fall to attend Deerfield, a Pictured with Sall, from left, specifically is for students of strong character who have boarding school located a few hours outside of Boston. are language arts teacher demonstrated academic excellence and drive in the Deerfield routinely accepts only 13 percent of its Bridgette Murray, Shekinah study of math, computer science, and/or science. applicants, which is 78 percent lower than the average Aho, Tierney Janovsky and for all secondary boarding schools. The school also says Farm Bureau Insurance CRANE SCHOLARSHIPS APLENTY its incoming students typically score 87% on the SSAT agent Colleen Dryer. DeLuca said there have been a number of Academy and score an average of 2000 on the SAT, which is 15 percent higher than the average for all boarding schools in the U.S. ‘I knew it was for me’ Even though Deerfield, Mass., is a long way from Grosse Pointe Farms, Sall said she will never forget her time at the Academy, which for her began in the 3rd grade. “I will truly miss the Grosse Pointe Academy,” Sall said. “I started GPA six years ago, and the minute I set foot into the school, I knew it was just for me. GPA has such a friendly and open environment, and provides so many opportunities for each student to grow. I have become the person I was born to be because of GPA and I am utterly grateful for these past years. “I have learned how to be a leader, how to work with my classmates and how to work to my potential,” she added. Her mother, Erica Thrash-Sall, is equally grateful for the future potential the Academy has brought not only

18 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC to Nafi, but to her son, Amadou, a current sixth grader Academy responsible for that passion. at the Academy. “While I have truly enjoyed all of my teachers at The “Having our children attend The Grosse Pointe Grosse Pointe Academy and I have felt supported and Academy is one of the best decisions that we’ve ever encouraged by all of them, my chemistry teacher, cross made,” Erica said. “The teachers have been wonderful. country coach and former math teacher, Mrs. Michelle They truly care about the students and they recognize Roberts, has been a role model, mentor, and one of my and encourage their strengths.” favorite teachers of all time. She is caring, helpful, and She said she especially loves how GPA concentrates not just an amazing teacher, but an amazing person.” on developing the whole child, whether it be BITTERSWEET TIME OF THE YEAR academically, artistically, physically and spiritually. GPA principal DeLuca said that for the school “The R.E.A.L. electives, school trips and experiences community, it’s usually bittersweet when eighth graders with speakers sharing expert knowledge in the finally graduate in the spring. classroom are enrichment experiences that my children “It’s always tough to see such great kids leave, but will never forget,” she said. at the same time, it’s such a great feeling to know She also thinks the relationships that her family has that they leave with all of the tools necessary to fully built up with other families in the school community succeed at the next level.” have been very important during their time at GPA. “The school community is strong and it has made my children feel so supported,” she said. “My children have a lot of school spirit and are very proud to attend GPA. They value the education and appreciate all of the opportunities that they have had at GPA.” ‘Amazing teacher, amazing person’ Certainly, it’s way too early to have definite career goals yet, but Nafi Sall still has some idea of how she wants to spend her life after finishing college. “I plan to explore careers in the field of science because I am passionate about biology and chemistry,” she said, and it’s pretty clear she holds one particular teacher at the

ACADEMY EIGHTH GRADER WINS educational program, the Scripps National Spelling WXYZ-SCRIPPS SPELLING BEE Bee has proven itself as more than a competition for children; it has become a classic element of Americana. After eight grueling rounds of increasingly difficult Last year’s primetime competition on ESPN led to the words to spell, The Grosse Pointe Academy’s Maria Bee being the most tweeted show of the week. Fields came home as the overall winner of the annual Academy eighth-grader WXYZ-Scripps Spelling Bee. Maria Fields, left, is with Her winning word was “stratocracy,” and the middle-school social word that propelled her into the final round was studies and language “endotracheal.” arts teacher, Harriett Fields moved on to the 89th annual Scripps National Whitaker, and the trophy Spelling Bee, which was held May 24-26, 2016, in Oxon Fields earned at the Hill, Maryland, where she competed into multiple 2016 WXYZ-Scripps rounds. Spelling Bee. ABOUT THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE As the nation’s largest and longest-running

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school. “The student filmmakers have scripted, storyboarded and filmed their productions and then began the process of editing their short, narrative films.” Friday’s visit to CCS helped introduce the students to how graphic designers in the “real world” use design, art, and technology to communicate meaningful messages to others. “Along with learning about the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of design software, each student ACADEMY STUDENTS IN R.E.A.L. worked on design planning for a project of their PROGRAM GO TO COLLEGE choice, where they can focus on things like digital Middle school students wrapped up a very photography, editorial design, computer graphics, busy week of R.E.A.L. (Real Experiences and advertising design, and more,” Black added. Applied Learning) classes a month or so ago Other R.E.A.L. courses at GPA for 2016 by learning about all things graphic arts at the included: renowned College for Creative Studies in Detroit. - 8 Mile Zone (8MZ), a journalism course While a number of their classmates were in that will expose the students to different kinds Europe that week on a class trip, students in the of journalism — written, television, and radio. 6th, 7th and 8th grades have been taking advantage Students will be introduced to the importance of all the opportunities provided by the Academy’s of solid journalism and some of its more basic innovative R.E.A.L. program, which engages techniques, and will discuss journalism in the 21st students in real-world tasks that extend classroom century to learn more about some of the more learning, employ cross-disciplinary thinking, make important times in history in which journalism connections to the world outside of their classroom played a major part. On the last day of the walls, and create innovative solutions and products course, students will try their hands at creating a as a result of their work. news piece, which could perhaps be inspired by In other words, they are learning what the real another GPA R.E.A.L. class. Also, a visit to WDET, world of work is really like! Detroit’s public radio station, will highlight the On Tuesday of the week, the students found 8MZ experience. There the students will have the out how to “build a brand” at Airfoil Group, a opportunity to meet working journalists to discuss marketing and public relations firm in Royal their experiences in journalism. Oak, where they learned first-hand from real - the Cryptography class, which will involve professionals how to market and keep fresh the students learning how to send and receive secret product websites they’ve been working on and messages using both historical and modern how best to maintain consumer interest in their methods. Rotation and substitution ciphers, products. one-time pads, symmetric-key, public-key and Wednesday had the students at Oak steganographic systems will all be explored. In Park-based Ringside Creative, a multi-media addition, students will learn the basics of code- production company that works with Ford, the breaking with hands-on activities. A live video- Detroit Red Wings and DMC among many other conferencing session with a cryptographer from clients. GPA students learned from professional, the U.S. intelligence community also is planned as creative artists and production personnel who a final activity. make films and videos, many of which are seen - and the CSI class, where students will worldwide. Over the course of the R.E.A.L. learn crime-scene-analysis techniques, such as program, students in the Academy’s “GPA Studios” document analysis, finger-printing, blood typing, course will write, film and direct videos with an chromatography, tire track evaluation, and opportunity at the end to publish their finished footprint analysis. Students also will attempt to products. identify unknown substances and fibers as well as “Mr. DeLuca (middle-school principal) and tool marks and glass fractures. At the end of the I are again working with the students on video course, students will meet with a crime lab scientist production,” said, Megan Black, who is the and local police. technology and learning specialist for GPA’s middle

20 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC ‘SUPER’ GRAD On January 17, former Grosse Pointe Academy who excels in athletic achievements, leadership abilities, student Bennie Fowler came up with arguably the academic performance and citizenship. biggest catch of the season up to that point for the At GPA, Fowler was the co-captain and leading scorer Denver Broncos in its AFC divisonal playoff game of the boys varsity basketball team, and set a school against Pittsburgh. record for points in a season, which led to him being Quarterback Peyton Manning and the Broncos faced named most valuable player by his teammates. Fowler a third-and-12 at their own 33-yard line with 8:40 left, also played on the school’s lacrosse team and was listed trailing the Steelers 13-12. on the school’s prestigious “citizenship” list. Denver, to that point, was just 1-of-12 on third-down At Detroit Country Day, he was named an honorable conversions and Fowler had one catch for four yards. mention all-state selection by the Associated Press as a But on this pivotal play, Fowler, who currently senior all-purpose player (1,478 yards and 15 TDs). is listed third on the Broncos’ depth chart as wide He appeared in 44 games (15 starts) during his receiver, lined up in the slot and beat Pittsburgh collegiate career with the Spartans and recorded 93 cornerback Brandon Boykin on an in-route, and then catches for 1,341 yards (14.4 avg.) with 11 touchdowns broke a tackle attempt by safety Will Allen to pick up in addition to 16 rushes for 102 yards (6.4 avg.) and one another 13 yards. score. Nine plays later, the Broncos scored the go-ahead Fowler, who was an economics major at MSU, also touchdown that put Denver up for good in a game had 15 kickoff returns for 336 yards (22.4 avg.) for the that took them to the AFC championship game where Spartans and led the team in receiving yards (622) and they defeated New England. Fowler and his Broncos receiving touchdowns (6) on 36 catches (17.3 avg.) as a teammates went on to the February 7 Super Bowl in San senior in 2013. Francisco where they beat the Carolina Panthers. 24-10. For the Broncos in the 2015 season, Fowler Fowler, a 2005 graduate of the Academy, who played had 16 catches for 203 yards, for a 12.7 yards-per- high school football at Detroit Country Day and then catch average. in college at Michigan State University, signed with the Broncos in 2014 as a free agent. He made Denver’s active roster this past year after spending his first season on the team’s practice squad. GPA, DCD AND MSU ACCOLADES Fowler’s on-field and in-classroom prowess began at the Academy, where, in 2005, just before graduating from the eighth grade, he was named “Athlete of the Season,” an honor given each year to a student-athlete

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 21 GPANEWS TREASURE ISLAND VINTNER Bryan Kane graduated from The Grosse Pointe UCLA, he was exploring winemaking even as he pursued Academy in 1980. Since then he’s earned a BBA from the a career in tech. He began by making wine at home, but University of Michigan and an MBA from UCLA. After after learning as much as he could from the winemakers school, he remained on the West Coast, working in Silicon he respected, Kane gradually improved on his own Valley for a number of software and tech firms, including winemaking skills. Apple Computer and Oracle Corporation. “I started off as an enthusiast, but was very fortunate to Although he’s no longer involved full-time in the work with some great winemakers along the way,” he said. software industry, Kane still keeps one toe in it with his But, after years of begging top vineyards for “seconds” over 20 years of experience in strategic alliances, business (grapes left on the vine by the purchasing winery) or development, and product marketing and management. commercial winemakers for a couple of hundred pounds But what’s got the rest of Kane’s toes and both feet even of grapes for his home winemaking, he said it was time to more involved in is winemaking, an industry, like the tech take the next step. industry, also heavily centered in northern California. So in 2004, Kane was convinced by a friend (and fellow Strangely enough, though, making wine in San Francisco home winemaker) to begin making wine commercially at proper, the city that anchors all things northern California, his crush facility. In an effort to share his passion for wine, has been rare. especially great Zinfandel- and Rhone-based wines, with That is until Kane got involved. others, Kane formed his first commercial winemaking “I’ve been making wine in San Francisco for as long business called Vie Wines, which is one of the wines or longer than anyone else,” Kane said in a recent video featured at the Winery SF. interview. “That’s since about 2004 when I first started in a Kane also owns a vineyard north of Napa Valley, and place in the Mission District.” between the grapes he grows himself and those he sources This award-winning winemaker now operates a from other vineyards in the area, he makes and markets thriving 20,000 sq. ft. winemaking and event facility still wines branded as Vie, Winery SF and Sol Rouge, the latter in the city but on Treasure Island, which straddles the San of which he said is focused on producing wines from Francisco Bay between downtown San Francisco and the grapes descended from Southern France’s Rhone and City of Oakland. Bordeaux regions. Kane has taken an old U.S. Navy airplane hangar, “We are currently partnering with vineyards in turned it into the “Winery SF” and transformed it into the California who produce these varietals and who have place to be for California wine in the big city. distinct soil profiles similar to our terroir and those “Winery SF is about bringing that whole California microclimates similar to that of these great wine regions wine experience to the people in the city and to be part of France,” Kane said. of the community,” he said. “Our promise is to bring an AWARD-WINNING WINEMAKER affordable and accessible wine to the community and to France and San Francisco are a long way from the give back to the community.” Grosse Pointe Farms campus of the Academy where he Kane said the operation has contributed tens of attended grade school, but it appears that Kane in his thousands of dollars back to various civic activities in San adopted hometown in California is doing just fine now Francisco, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He’s with his wine. also proud of the fact that Winery SF uses winemaking In 2013, Winery SF was voted one of San Francisco’s methods that are earth-friendly. best wineries, and his various brands have earned a barrel “We are good to the earth,” he said. “We use sustainable full of awards over the years, including a gold medal in methods and earth-friendly bottles, which is important the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (2015) for to us as a certified sustainable winery and ‘natural his 2013 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast; a silver medal in the winemaker.’ I wanted to bring all of that ‘goodness’ to San 8th Annual American Fine Wine Competition (2015) for Francisco, the city I live in and love.” his 2013 Chardonnay; and double gold medal from the BITTEN BY THE WINE BUG EARLY American Fine Wine Competition, best of class from the Before the Winery SF, Kane had been a wine enthusiast San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (2014) and the and collector for years. While his first exposure to the Top Cabernet Sauvignon under $25 in America from the wine industry was as a consumer, his passion for distinct American Fine Wine Competition for his 2010 Cabernet and interesting wine led him to become immersed in the Sauvignon. wine industry—first as a collector and then as a home winemaker. Going back as far as the time he spent in grad school at

22 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC ABOUTASH&GPA

Dear friends, Sophie’s vision along with Philippines courage With summer approaching, it brings with it a time resulted in scores of Sacred Heart schools opening for celebrating and perhaps relaxing with family and around the world with over 200 schools in 44 countries friends. I find myself steeped in memories of the past, still in existence 215 years later. In 1867, the Society of gratefully reflecting on history and looking forward the Sacred Heart came to Grosse Pointe after obtaining with hope to the future. As alumnae/i of our school, the ribbon farm on which our school – The Grosse we have both a rich, invaluable history on which to Pointe Academy was built. reflect and a bright future to witness. Though this Here is where the Alumni Association becomes so is not unique to our school, few can claim a story as very significant. fascinating as ours. Perhaps the most important date in The Grosse As you know, our story began in 1800 just after Pointe Academy’s history came in 1969 when, as a the height of the French Revolution when Madeleine result of necessary restructuring, the Society of the Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart made the difficult decision to close this Roselie Bellanca Posselius It was their mission to make known the love of God school. Our beautiful buildings were scheduled for is a 1973 graduate of the in the world and to restore Christian life to France by demolition and the land was to be used as the site for Academy of the Sacred condominiums. It is nearly impossible to imagine that Heart. this would have been anything but tragic. However, with a ticking clock, against all odds and nearly insurmountable obstacles, echoing Sophie’s vision and Philippines courage, a group of alumni families pooled their re-sources and saved our school from destruction. The Grosse Pointe Academy is a direct result of talented, determined and loyal alumni who locked arms and decided to make this happen. As we alumnae/i experience the end of another school year, let us be reminded of our rich history and the perseverance of those that have led us here today and let us also ask ourselves how we might carry providing a classical education to young women which that history into the future and ensure the continued was not common in their day. Women had become the success of our school. new hope for France as a result of the revolution that In the heart, took the lives of so many men. Roselie Bellanca Posselius (‘73) In 1818, another courageous Sacred Heart woman named Philippine Duchesne rose above her own troubles and set sail from Bordeaux, France on a ship called “The Rebecca”. An image of that ship is carved on the altar in our chapel. After a two month, treacherous crossing, Philippine landed near New Orleans, traveled up the Mississippi River to St. Charles, Missouri where despite all of the austerities of frontier life, she opened the first Sacred Heart School in the United States. It was in a log cabin that is also memorialized on our altar. The Academy’s story began with these two remarkable women, who incidentally were canonized by the Vatican many years later.

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STATE OF THE SCHOOL FEATURES 2012 GRADUATE Toronto native who now works in the Detroit area for a global consulting firm, the transition James Raudabaugh, a 2012 Academy graduate from GPA to IA for her son was very smooth. who spoke at GPA’s February 9 State of the “His only initial disappointment was not being School event, was finishing up his last semester able to take Mandarin at IA since he studied at the International Academy, a highly rated and enjoyed it at GPA,” she said. “But he quickly school that consistently finishes near the top of picked up Spanish instead and last year he U.S. News and World Report’s list of the best actually spent time in Spain living with a family high schools in Michigan. and attending a Spanish high school.” What actually got him to IA, a school that offers the rigorous International Baccalaureate FROM CHICAGO TO GROSSE POINTE FARMS curriculum to its students, was a well-thought- Raudabaugh lived the first six years of his life out written entrance test, a mother who managed in Chicago with his family and had been in a to assuage Raudabaugh’s fears that the school Montessori preschool in Wilmette, a suburb of may not be right for him, and eight years at The Chicago. When the family moved to the Detroit Grosse Pointe Academy. area, his mom spent a lot of time looking for the “My time at GPA really helped me gain the right school for him to start first grade. confidence and self-awareness I needed to make “First of all, I wanted James to be with the choice to go to the IA in the first place,” other kids who also had transitioned from a Raudabaugh said. “I initially was worried that Montessori background into a more conventional IA was a school only for future engineers and academic program,” Gittins said. She said her doctors and I’ve always known I wanted to original plan was to move into the Birmingham/ definitely pursue a different path. But the best Bloomfield area and send her son to either advice my mom gave me was that I should start Cranbrook or the Academy of the Sacred Heart. at the IA, which begins its school year two weeks But a redirection to the Grosse Pointe area for before Grosse Pointe South, and if it didn’t feel the family led to a meeting with then-admissions right, since I also was enrolled at South, I could director Molly McDermott and a tour of GPA. go to plan B and start at South after Labor Day “I did research other schools in the Pointes, without missing any school days.” but GPA was the only one to meet all my But at the end of only his first day at IA in requirements,” Gittins said. “The Academy easily mid-August, he told his mom to “un-enroll” him ticked off all my ‘must-have’ boxes, starting with from South. the first one: having a language class in grade “I knew on day one it was the right place one. Number two was having gym/movement/ for me, even though getting up at 6:15 a.m. on exercise every day. Three was a Montessori Academy alum James school days has been hard at times and the early school so James would transition to the Raudabaugh as a GPA carpool across town to Troy made after-school classroom environment alongside other children eighth-grader is with his activities a challenge,” he said. “But my mother coming from Montessori; four was early music mother, Susan Gittins, in an always tried to pick me up when I had to stay study, and finally, number five, having all of this Action Auction photo. late for something.” in a beautiful and welcoming environment.” Raudabaugh adds Gittins said she can’t say enough good things that there were a about the experience she and James had at number of students The Grosse Pointe Academy. And she said she’s from his GPA class always been at the ready to defend the cost of a who wrote the GPA education. entrance exam for IA, “My philosophy always has been to invest in three of whom ended the early years of education and then see the ROI up attending the in the high school years,” she said. “By the time school with him. kids get to high school, usually habits are already According to formed, including good and bad ones. I was Raudabaugh’s mother, comfortable sending my child to a public school Susan Gittins, a for high school as I was confident the foundation

24 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC ALUM AND UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR PRESENTS IMPORTANT RESEARCH AT had already been laid at GPA.” PRESTIGIOUS CONFERENCE It was worth every penny, she said. Dr. Bradley J. Murg, a Grosse “What I paid for were all the must-haves I mentioned before,” she adds. Pointe Academy alum (’93) and “Plus, studies show that language and music, along with regular exercise, assistant professor of political are instrumental in developing young minds. I’m not saying that DNA science and director of global doesn’t also play into it, but private schools can offer all the stimulants development studies at Seattle you need to give your child the best possible start in their education Pacific University in Seattle, career.” Washington, presented a paper FOCUS ON FILM SCHOOL in the fall at a prestigious For James Raudabaugh, even though he’s not yet started college, conference in Washington, D.C. Titled “A Different he’s already got pretty clear career plans and goals. He wants to make Type of Resource Curse: Foreign Direct Investment movies—“movies that matter”—he said, and when he gets to college in and the Political Economy of Civil Court Reform in the fall, he’s going to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and major in Kazakhstan,” the paper was introduced October 16 at film production. the Central Eurasian Studies Society annual conference He’s been accepted thus far to Emerson College in Boston, University of at George Washington University in D.C. Michigan, University of Denver, Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, A member of SPU’s School of Business, Government, and the University of Windsor. He is awaiting word on Northwestern, and Economics, Murg’s research is supported by Syracuse University, Vassar, Wesleyan, Oberlin and Concordia University grants from the Social Science Research Council and in Montreal, all of which should be able to accommodate his expected the International Research and Exchanges Board, degree in the arts. and focuses on legal reform, the political economy of “Making movies is what makes me the happiest,” Raudabaugh said. foreign aid, and economic development in China and “I’ve always had a camera in my hand. I love the creative outlet of putting the former Soviet Union. ideas into a visual format. Although I am not a very good artist in the Murg has been busy of late as he spent last summer conventional sense when it comes to drawing or painting, I think I have a in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, researching Chinese aid strong artistic mindset. So film has been a good outlet for me, combined policy in the region. He also works regularly as a with music.” consultant/adviser to the Asian Development Bank Raudabaugh established a film club at the International Academy and on development issues in East Asia. In addition has acted in a number of the school’s drama club productions, including to these areas, Murg is an active member of the most recently, Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” He also plays guitar for IA’s American Catholic Philosophical Association and he is jazz band and is the president of his school choir. currently working on a series of articles exploring the A busy young man to be sure. But getting back and giving back to The conceptualization of poverty in contemporary Catholic Grosse Pointe Academy also has been a regular feature for Raudabaugh. social thought. Each fall for the past several years, he’s on the Academy’s campus quite Murg graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Emory often as he helps out with the school’s cross-country teams. He notes University, where he also completed his master’s that it’s a sport that anyone can do and the feeling of accomplishment it degree, focusing on the moral philosophy of St. leaves you with as you improve your time or even just finish the course is Thomas Aquinas. He is a recipient of the Henry powerful for gaining self confidence. Luce, William Fulbright, Morris Udall, and Henry M. “I also love the look of satisfaction on the kids’ faces as they cross the Jackson fellowships and holds a M.Sc. in Economic finish line,” he said. History from the London School of Economics. His Raudabaugh also helps out at the Academy during the summer with doctoral dissertation was on legal reform and economic its innovative Camp Invention, one of the school’s most popular summer development in China, Russia, and Kazakhstan at camps. the University of Washington. He is fluent in French, An added bonus, he said, is that whenever he comes back to GPA, he Russian, and Mandarin Chinese with proficiency in gets to hang out with some of the teachers he had at the school. German, Dutch, Uighur, Tagalog and Latin. “I have fond memories of Mr. Lapadot in grades four and five,” he said. In a further update for the Academy, Murg says his “And Mr. Cowan, Mrs. Jerome, Mrs. Roberts, and my Mandarin teacher, brother, Cameron, also a GPA grad, is an investment Lucia Hu, all were favorites as well. But, really, I can say I’ve always had banker in Los Angeles, and sister, Stephanie (GPA positive teacher experiences the whole time I was at the Academy.” alum), is a writer covering contemporary art and design in New York City.

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31% of costs that must be made up elsewhere,” he said. Rollins pointed out that since GPA is a private school and receives no local, state or federal funding help, its primary means to make up the cost gap is by donor support with the Academy Fund, the Action Auction and endowment transfers. He said that a number of factors have contributed of late to the school’s positive financial picture, including expense rationalization and proactive cash management; strong donor support for the annual fund and auction; A special presentation STRONG STATE OF THE SCHOOL reasonable tuition levels and a by Academy alum James prudent investment strategy. When The Grosse Pointe Academy hosted Raudabaugh, above, was FACULTY EXCELLENCE its annual “State of the School” meeting in the one of the highlights of the Head of School Lars Kuelling told those school’s Tracy Fieldhouse, parents, faculty and State of the School event. in attendance that there were many positive staff were on hand to listen to Academy Board of developments that occurred in terms of academic Trustees Chair John Murphy and Head of School “teaching and learning,” and highlighted the Lars Kuelling give an update on progress during ISACS (Independent Schools Association of the past 12 months at the Grosse Pointe Farms the Central States) accreditation process that private school. concluded last spring. A special presentation by Academy alum James He said the ISACS review team had a number Raudabaugh was one of the highlights of the of major commendations for GPA in their final evening. In addition, Jennifer Fauster, chair of the school’s head of school search committee, presented an update on potential candidates, and Fred Rollins, a member of the board’s finance committee, discussed the school’s financial picture. Rollins, who noted that the school is in better shape financially than it has been for some time, talked about the gap between tuition and how much it actually costs to educate each child at the Academy. report, including a dedicated, compassionate, “The administration and the finance flexible and loyal faculty, staff and administration; a committee of the Board of Trustees have “family feel” that characterizes school community; worked diligently to cut costs in all areas that leadership of the school at the governance level do not directly impact our students learning that is intensely focused on the long-term experience,” Rollins said. financial sustainability of GPA; and the courage He noted that tuition covers about 69% of the to explore emerging, distinguishing programs cost to educate a GPA student. “But that leaves like STEAM, 1-to-1 computing, R.E.A.L., and the garden classroom. “I’d like to highlight one of their major commendations for GPA, which to no surprise to anyone here tonight is the quality of our faculty

26 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC and staff,” he said. “ISACS also recommended TWO GPA ALUMS NAMED ‘BEST FRENCH STUDENTS’ that we continue to tap into that facility in even Two former students of The stronger ways.” Grosse Pointe Academy were Kuelling noted that as a result of that honored June 6 by the Alliance recommendation, two things were done almost Française of Grosse Pointe as immediately. the best French students in their “We established a curriculum-review grade in high school. committee that examines our existing Grace Drettmann, who is a curriculum and makes recommendations senior at University Liggett, for changing and developing it,” he said. “It and Katie Fruehauf, a junior makes things a bit more complicated up front, also at ULS, were nominated by but it recognizes the fact that our experts on their French teacher, Kristen From left, former Academy student Grace curriculum are our faculty. Karolak, and received Alliance Drettmann, GPA teacher Amal El-Hosni, former “Also, we’ve given our faculty extra time to Française accolades on June 6 at GPA student Katie Fruehauf and University work together during the school week and we the association’s annual award Liggett teacher Kristen Karolak are at the June 6 formalized that process by having ‘late start ceremony. Alliance Française awards ceremony, which was Thursdays,’” he said. “Some of our teachers come Amal El-Hosni, who teaches held at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. in even earlier than they have to, but they now French and social studies at the have at least a full hour of collaboration one day Academy, was the chairperson of the event, which has been held each year each week due to the LSTs. It’s been wonderful for at least thirty years at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The ceremony and it’s given them an opportunity to talk about honored students from five different high schools in the area. teaching, to talk about students and to talk about “Both Katie and Grace were French students at GPA,” El-Hosni said. “I how we can grow as a community. I’d like to remember when Katie was in 8th grade at GPA, she had a perfect score on commend the faculty for all their work on this.” the French National Exam and won first prize. They both were wonderful EARLY SCHOOL WAIT LIST students!” Another area of the Academy that Kuelling FIFTH-GRADE SISTERS EARN TOP HONORS IN GROSSE POINTE NEWS discussed during his address was the success of AD CONTEST the Early School. Academy fifth-graders “I can say without equivocation that our Early Gia and Angelina Randazzo School Montessori program is the top early have won two of the top school program in the area,” he said. “This is three prizes in the annual especially evident to us as we are now filled Grosse Pointe News “Kids’ to the brim with students in Early School. We Ads” design contest. were full when school opened in the fall and we Gia Randazzo took first could not accept another student in the program prize in the contest and through the year thus far.” her sister, Angelina, earned He also said it appears that for next year, the the third-place prize in the Early School will again have a wait list. contest that includes many “This surely points to the fact that in the Gia and Angelina Randazzo, kneeling in front, earned Grosse Pointe-area students community, there is a real understanding that first- and third-place prizes, respectively, in the Grosse in creating ads for area this is ‘the’ place to bring a child between the Pointe News “Kids’ Ads” contest. Other GPA student companies and advertisers. ages of 2-1/2 and kindergarten,” he said. participants in the contest are in the back, from left, A total of eight fifth Alexander Kuplicki, Kalea Martin, Allie Larpenteur, Zoe graders from the Academy Bamford, Saniyah Smith and Robbie Peabody. participated in the contest, which had more than 500 local students designing ads for more than 50 local businesses. “For each of our area businesses who participated in this annual contest the students created an ad that was published in a special section (URL) of the Grosse Pointe News,” said a statement from the Grosse Pointe News. “All ads were judged for each business and the winning ad for each business is published in the special section along with an acknowledgment of each student’s name and school.”

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By any measurement, Grosse Pointe Academy Solo in first-grade play alum Victoria Reed’s musical career has hit full stride. She’s in the middle of an extensive tour that has taken her from Barcelona, Spain, to part of a life of music Brooklyn, New York, which, by the way, is her current hometown. On April 27, her tour brought her to the Majestic Cafe in Detroit. And Reed’s critically acclaimed debut album, “Chariot,” came out February 26. But it’s not like all of this came about by happenstance. As she was growing up in Grosse Pointe and attending The Grosse Pointe Academy for grade school, performing was never far from Reed’s mind. After all, her father is Alto Reed, the longtime saxophonist for Detroit legend Bob Seger, and she spent her childhood backstage at Detroit’s biggest venues and sometimes in the front row at Tigers and Red Wings games as her dad wailed out the Star-Spangled Banner on his sax. Academy alum is “I don’t think there was one moment of my touring and making life when I wasn’t thinking, ‘of course I’m records. She says her going to be a singer someday,’” Reed said. time at GPA prepared She also said her music memories go back her well for high as far as GPA’s lower school. school, college—and “I can remember wishing and praying life. (Photo by Shervin every night to get the one solo in our Lainez) first-grade play, ‘The Littlest Bell,’” she recalled. “And I ultimately got the part! That was a very memorable moment for me!” Reed, 26, even started writing songs while in grade school, drawing inspiration from her parents’ Carole King and Gordon Lightfoot records, and when she was 14, she jetted off to Miami to record a few demos with a successful producer. “I was going to be a young teen pop star,” she said, but now she’s grateful that didn’t happen. “I was recording my songs over the tracks that Lindsey Lohan or Mandy Moore had

28 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC “I always felt very well-prepared and rarely was I in over my head in high school, ” she said. “I definitely think that trickled on down the line to college as well.” passed on. It just wasn’t right.” She gives props to the many along the way to Songwriting then took a backseat when Reed her current spot in the musical world, including moved to Chicago for college and began studying and especially her father, Alto Reed. philosophy at DePaul University. While in But she also reserves a special dose of gratitude Chicago, Reed worked a number of jobs, did an for the time she spent at The Grosse Pointe independent study in metaphysics, and assisted Academy and how it prepared her for the next her then-boyfriend’s psychic mother “teach levels of schooling and life. classes on developing your intuition.” “I always felt very well-prepared and rarely But she said she missed making music and, was I in over my head in high school,” she said. after a failed attempt at mastering the music- “I definitely think that trickled on down the line making computer software, Ableton Live, she to college as well.” finally picked up the guitar her dad had given She said GPA had the most wonderful teachers. her years ago and taught herself a few chords. “I honestly loved them all! The music Within a month she was out playing open-mic instructor, Mrs. Chrisner, my pre-school teacher, nights and recording bedroom demos, which she Mrs. Beth [Plotzke], my second grade teacher, posted online. Mrs. [Renee] Martin, my fourth and fifth The next thing she knew, Reed—who had grade teacher, Mrs. [Barbara] Markus, just to never before played with a band—was in a name a few,” she said. “Everyone was always studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, recording so nurturing and kind. I also made so many “Chariot” with a group of high-caliber session wonderful lifelong friends at that school. To this musicians who had put in time with Norah Jones day, I live just a few blocks away in New York and Ryan Adams. “It was magical,” she said. “We City from some of my best friends that I met in didn’t talk about what kind of sound we were preschool at GPA. And we’re as close now as we going for—it just happened.” were then. That’s pretty cool, right?” Photo by Ester Segretto A few months later Reed packed up her Wicker Park apartment in Chicago and moved to New York for good. She recorded “Chariot” slowly over the course of two years, but for her the pace was ideal. “This was all so new to me in the beginning, and as we went along I learned to express what I wanted in a room full of people who had been doing this for years.” Fast-forward to 2016, she’s now on tour and being favorably compared in some circles to ’90s singers Jewel and Alanis Morissette. And Reed’s new album continues to earn critical praise with reviews calling it “melodically gorgeous, with dreamy folk vocals.”

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 29 FACULTYPROFILE High standards, amazing students

During The Grosse Pointe Academy’s most recent open house, STEAM and art fair, a certain teacher was trying to keep a watchful eye or two on a college basketball game that was streaming on her computer all the while she was engaging “She sets very high standards for herself and Academy visitors. for those she teaches,” said Academy third-grade It wasn’t just any college basketball game. teacher Beth Ahee, who has known DeBoer and It was a Patriot League tournament contest her family for more than 20 years. “Whatever between GPA fourth-grade teacher Didi DeBoer’s she does, she does well — just look at the garden daughter’s team, Bucknell, and Lafayette. Claire and the Innovation Station she began. You don’t DeBoer, a junior on the Bison squad, is the team’s meet many teachers as dedicated as Didi.” second-leading scorer. Along with her classroom duties, DeBoer also “I can’t help it,” Didi DeBoer said. “I am so coaches the Academy’s girls basketball team. She competitive. I just want my daughter’s team to said she loves sports and can usually be found win!” playing one or watching another. Bucknell did win the game, 68-59, and “I’m a huge fan of basketball and [obviously] eventually landed in the league’s semifinal game love watching my daughter play,” she said. “I’m on March 11 that saw Claire DeBoer finish with a also a big college football fan. My husband, John, team-high 15 points in a loss to Loyola Maryland. and son, David, both played football and David now coaches at the college level. I play a ton of HIGH STANDARDS golf in the summer and enjoy tennis very much DeBoer’s own competitiveness and will to do as well.” well seem to come naturally to her whether it’s But it’s in the classroom that DeBoer gets the on the court or in the classroom. most satisfaction. “By far, the most important part of my job is the students,” she said. “They make me laugh and inspire me each day. My mission is to reach each child individually where they are in the learning process and hopefully inspire them each day as well. And, of course. make them laugh along the way. I want my students to LOVE 4th grade; it’s a really big deal to me!” TEACHING WASN’T FIRST JOB The desire to become a teacher while growing up also was a big deal to DeBoer, she said, but her path to a career in education took a short detour when she began college. “I always wanted to be a teacher, but when I attended college for the first time, the teaching

DeBoer says GPA students are “such happy children and really love school. They definitely are the reason I love teaching.”

30 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC DeBoer is with husband, John, in High standards, San Francisco, Calif. amazing students

“The Academy has really changed in the past six years,” she said. “We have become a school that is on the forefront, technological speaking, which is amazing. Also, our focus on STEAM education is a tremendously positive change that I enjoy being part of. Our garden classroom has been such a welcome addition as well. It has really opened up our learning opportunities market wasn’t going so well, so I went into and is one more reason out of many that GPA is business instead,” she said. “My first degree was unique and special.” a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration When asked what she might be if she wasn’t a from Central Michigan University. But after teacher, DeBoer hesitates. working in business for a few years, I realized “I love being a teacher so thinking of myself all over again that my first love was teaching, in any other job is difficult,” she said. “When so while I was home raising my children, I went I retire from teaching, I look forward to going back to college to become a teacher.” on mission trips and helping others. So, I guess DeBoer’s teaching degree is from Saginaw I could say that being a volunteer and helping Valley State University where she majored in others is what I would choose if I wasn’t a math and science. She later returned to SVSU for teacher.” her master’s in elementary education. But GPA was not her first teaching job, however. DeBoer taught in Warren and Mt. Clemens, and was an occasional sub in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools, but her desire to land a full-time job in her hometown eventually came to fruition six years ago when she hired in at The Grosse Pointe Academy. “Coming here was so very joyful for me,” she said. “My first impression of GPA was that the students were amazing! They are such happy children and really love school. They definitely are the reason I love teaching.” DeBoer says that even after six years at the school, the students at GPA still amaze her. And so does the school. DeBoer and Megan Black, who is technology and learning specialist at the Academy, are co- coordinators for the school’s STEAM activity.

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and dedicated to showcasing the staff and physicians who provide exceptional care to patients. A ‘MOST HUMBLE’ MANNER “Jay has made a tremendous impact on the programs and services we provide at Beaumont Hospital – Wayne,” said Michelle Anderson, interim executive director of the Oakwood Foundation. “And he has made this impact in the most humble and unassuming manner.” His gifts have helped provide equipment for the Beaumont Breast Care Center – Wayne, supported the Summer Speech Therapy Program, which as underwritten by Bonnell, provided more than 45 Grosse Pointe Academy children with speech therapists who worked with alum Jay Bonnell (Class Leadership, them to help overcome communication barriers. of 1982), right, is with He also offered a challenge grant that matched the Beaumont Hospital— caring and Beaumont Spirit of Giving Campaign contributions Wayne President Eric. made by management at the hospital, and he has W. Widner in the community also made arrangements through his estate plan to hospital’s “hero hall.” make a significant gift to support patient care. service A controller for the Beaumont–Wayne facility since 2013, Bonnell began his Beaumont career as manager The Grosse Pointe Academy’s approach to of surgical services at Beaumont’s Grosse Pointe nurturing the “whole child” — which emphasizes location in 2010. Prior to this, he served in a number character development through leadership and of financial analyst positions with Ryder Integrated community service opportunities — bears witness Logistics and General Motors. He earned BA and nearly every day with students in the current school MBA degrees from Michigan State University. population. We also see on a regular basis that many IMPACTFUL EMPLOYEE of the Academy’s alumni are giving back to their “Jay has taken significant personal action by communities in significant and amazing ways. making charitable investments in areas that Case in point: Jay Bonnell, who graduated from impact patient care, and, challenging our staff the Academy in 1982, is the controller at Beaumont and leadership to do the same,” said Dr. Neelam Hospital’s Wayne, Michigan, location. As the point Kumar, Oakwood Foundation chair and physician person on all things financial at the hospital, Bonnell supervisor of pathology at Beaumont–Wayne. works behind the scenes to make sure budgets “The wonderful thing about Jay is that he sees the are in place to fulfill the needs of the staff and personal side of things. He speaks directly to our physicians so they can provide the best in care to the physicians, our patients, their family members and community. staff each day. Because of that, I think that Jay has He’s also been a generous, but “quiet,” donor a unique perspective into the impact of charity and to many of the philanthropic activities within philanthropy.” the hospital itself as well as in the surrounding The hero hall, which is prominently located in the communities. hallway behind the hospital’s main lobby, includes So when it came time for Bonnell to be recognized many photos of hospital employees who have gone for his own benevolent efforts, it was no surprise to above and beyond to impact the lives of patients. those who know him that he opted instead to defer “I see that impact each day I come to work,” that recognition to others. Bonnell said. As an Oakwood Foundation President’s and Widner said even though Jay chose to honor him Legacy Society Member, Bonnell took the naming with the naming of the hero hall, it really is Jay’s opportunity he earned by his generosity and spirit that is reverberating through the hallway. instead honored the entire exceptional workforce “Jay’s enthusiasm and his passion for this hospital, at Beaumont–Wayne. The result was the Hero Hall, for our coworkers, the physicians and for our named in honor of site president Eric. W. Widner patients, radiates from him,” Widner said.

32 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC Impressive may also be a good word to describe Fields herself and what she’s accomplished during the years she’s been at GPA. This past December, Fields earned three first-place awards and a first overall in the Eastside Catholic Forensics League competition held at St. Joan of Arc school in St. Clair Shores. Last May, Fields won a gold medal as she scored a #4 national ranking and a #2 local Detroit-area chapter ranking in Le Grand Editor Concours, a highly competitive French exam sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. Also in May, she was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society along with 16 of her classmates. extraordinaire Last spring, Fields brought home the top prize in a speech and essay contest sponsored by the Clinton Township Area Optimist Club. Her winning essay Is there a future in journalism for Maria Fields, explained how she started the G.R.O.W. program at the Academy in order to a recent graduate of The Grosse Pointe Academy? provide extra help to the school’s first and second graders with their reading, Or perhaps one day might she serve on the U.S. schoolwork and homework. G.R.O.W. stands for Generating Real Opportunities Supreme Court? Actually, both jobs may be on the for Wonder and the program is managed primarily by Fields who even horizon for this talented and ambitious student, provides the snacks during tutoring sessions. who is finishing up what is inarguably one of the In September, Fields was one of the Academy students chosen to give a most successful Academy careers in some time. speech at the school’s opening ceremony, which welcomed students in Grades Early this year, Fields published the inaugural 1 through 8 to a new school year. And, in late 2014, Fields helped host the edition of “The Grosse Pointe Academy Times,” C.A.T.C.H. Night of Champions, an annual charity event attended each year by which she and two of her classmates, Nafi Sall and more than 400 people. Molly Woods, established on their own initiative. On top of all this, Fields is finishing up her term as National American Miss Woods is the creative editor and reporter for the Michigan Pre-Teen, a title she earned last summer. According to National newspaper and Sall creates the comics and is a American Miss, which sponsors the Miss Michigan Pre-Teen pageant, reporter, according to Fields, who serves as the thousands in scholarships and prizes are given out to recognize and assist publisher and editor. the development of young women nationwide, with emphasis placed on the “Through discussions at my lunch table with importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning good Molly and Nafi, we saw the need and decided attitudes about competition, and setting and achieving personal goals. to establish a student newspaper,” Fields said. “I So what is next for Fields as she contemplates high school and beyond and intend to publish it once a month.” continues to set her own goals? She said the newspaper will have a different A career in journalism is in the mix, according to Fields, who said she’d theme each month. love to work on a student newspaper in high school. But her career goals also “Generally, we will have a reporter interview include something a bit more lofty. other students about the topic or theme,” she said. “I would like to become a U.S. Supreme Court justice,” she said. “And every newsletter will include a main article, “Nevertheless, that does not mean I cannot be a journalist along the way.” a student-written column, student book reviews, Based on what Fields and a ‘random-act-of-kindness’ article written and has accomplished in submitted by a student.” her still very young life, According to Assistant Head of School for there are no doubts that Instruction and Grades 1-8 Principal Lawrence she will be successful in DeLuca, Fields approached him about starting a whatever she pursues, student newspaper. including serving on “She put the paper together completely on her the highest court in the own with the help of Nafi and Molly,” DeLuca said. land. “We originally discussed distributing it only for middle school, but after seeing their first copy, I thought it would be something all the grades could enjoy. They showed great initiative and the work they did on the newspaper was impressive.”

Maria Fields graduated with the Class of 2016.

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from GPA’s Class of ‘89. We played the Halloween In-demand dance in the old auditorium upstairs and I was so nervous that I played the entire first song, ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ by Guns N’ Roses, behind the musician got curtain!” any information to contradict that.” But despite his first-timer nerves, Ronquillo said his start at the without a doubt, all of the teachers at GPA were very encouraging and supportive of his passion for music. “Mrs. Chrisner, our music teacher, always found Academy ways to utilize every student’s talent in all of the 1990 ACADEMY GRAD AND MUSICIAN TOURS various programs and plays.” WORLD, SAYS FIRST GIG WAS AT GPA Ronquillo remembers playing guitar quite a R.J. Ronquillo graduated from The Grosse Pointe lot at school functions. Things like talent shows, Academy in 1990. Since then this guitar phenom Christmas luncheons, dances, 8th grade plays, to has been all over the world supporting musical stars name only a few. like Stevie Wonder, Ricky Martin and Thompson “Another great memory for me involved one of Square. He’s also much in demand in the studio my English teachers at GPA, who played drums in and just recently collaborated with a major musical a local rock band and was actually playing at one instrument manufacturer on his own signature of the school dances,” Ronquillo said. “He invited guitar. me up to play ‘La Bamba,’ which I had just learned. But despite earning huge accolades from the I think the movie had just come out. Ironically, I music literati and playing guitar with Santana, recently met David Hidalgo from Los Lobos at a Tupac Shakur and DMX, Ronquillo said he’ll always festival we were both playing, and I told him that carry a special fondness for the time he played at story.” the Halloween dance as a middle schooler at the Grosse Pointe to Nashville by way of Miami and Academy. L.A. “My very first gig ever was in the 7th grade,” he Ronquillo grew up in Grosse Pointe. He attended said. “One of my classmates, Mr. DeLuca [current Grosse Pointe South and then earned a bachelor’s GPA assistant head of school for instruction and degree in studio music and jazz performance from grades 1-8 principal] and I had a band called The the University of Miami after his graduation from Plague with Mike Gandelot and Paul Cure, both GPA, where he started as a preschooler.

34 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC He said that even though he originally learned to play piano as a 6-year-old, he found the guitar more to his liking and as he got older, his guitar playing began to earn him high praise to the point that currently he gets calls not only from the major acts touring the world, but even from some of the companies that actually make guitars and other musical instruments. In fact, he’s been working since 2011 with Ontario, Canada-based Eastwood Guitars on testing and making demo videos for their instruments, which have been played by the likes of Calexico, John Fogerty and the Foo Fighters. Recently the company released a new “R.J. Ronquillo” signature model guitar. “One of my favorite Eastwood models is the Airline Tuxedo because of its open ‘woody’ sound, and Italy. Photo credits: Jencita Vargas which makes it great for my particular style of blues “We played arenas and stadiums that included and jazz,” he said. “When Eastwood came to me Madison Square Garden, Staples Center and about doing a signature model, I knew immediately River Plate in Buenos Aires. It was an amazing that I wanted it to be based on that original Tuxedo. experience.” But what makes my signature model unique is that He recalled another memorable gig that saw him it’s a double-cutaway body, has 22 frets and a special back up both Stevie Wonder and Brian McKnight at custom tone switch.” the same time. ONE MAN BAND “We were on a TV show and played two songs, Going back a few more years, Ronquillo said he ‘Do I Do’ and ‘My Cherie Amour.’ As a fan of both also spent time in Los Angeles, where he not only singers, it was such a treat to hear them together.” did session work, he played a number of dates Now based in Nashville, Tenn., Ronquillo has alone as a one-man band. A news report about him been extremely busy of late. He’s currently on a during that time said Ronquillo, “unlike many other lengthy U.S. tour with country duo Thompson modern one-man bands, doesn’t rely at all on the Square, who just got nominated as CMA Vocal Duo novelty of the concept, foregoing all the bells and of The Year for the fourth year in a row. whistles and noise-making contraptions, and going “I’m also continuing to film gear-demo videos strictly on his strength as a talented musician and for various guitar, amp and effects companies,” he singer/songwriter. It’s quality, not quantity, and his said. “And I recently released a record—yes, a vinyl studio full-length album, ‘One Man Blues Band,’ is record(!)—with my band ‘RJ & The Del Guapos.’ proof enough of that, with such standout originals The record was featured recently in Vintage Guitar as ‘Simmer Down,’ ‘Wanderin’ Eye,’ and ‘If You Love Magazine.” Me.’” Surely a busy and obviously successful guy, and But it’s his collaborative work on stage that makes one who appears to have a very promising future Ronquillo stand out even more. ahead of him. But even though he’s already rubbed A few years, Ronquillo was hired by Ricky Martin elbows with many of the world’s most famous for a tour that lasted eight months and covered the entertainers and musical stars, Ronquillo still cannot U.S., Mexico, Central America, South America, Spain forget his formative years at The Grosse Pointe Academy. “I have so many good memories from GPA. I loved running around on all of the numerous playgrounds, and ice skating in the winter when the soccer field was converted into an ice rink. And of course, the summer camping trips with Mr. Fultz!”

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Transcending two dimensions It’s likely no one yet has pondered how to combine the Fauvist vision of Henri Matisse, the psychedelia of Peter Max and the ambiguous Gothic realism of Sandro Botticelli into one piece of art. Well, wait a minute. . . maybe we did find that one person. And she’s not only creating such art suitable for some of the world’s premier galleries, she’s turning it into something you can wear. Paige Russell, a 2004 graduate of The Grosse Pointe Academy, is making waves in both the art and fashion worlds with her collection of vibrant- colored scarves inspired by, she says, “strange dichotomies of pop-art patterns influenced by day- to-day life.” Calling what she does “transcending the two- dimensional,” Russell’s scarf-making process begins with large, hand-cut pieces of brightly colored paper that she uses to create roughly two-ft.-by-two- ft. 2D fantasies of shape and color that are both beautiful and compelling. But, it’s what she does with many of those 2D fantasies that is drawing so much interest from the fashion world. After a painstaking and labor-intensive process of digitizing her paper “paintings,” Russell turns the art into luxurious printed silk scarves, the likes of which have been garnering favorable comparisons with those sold by the famous Paris- based Hermès House of Scarves. But what got her to what she calls her “deranged technicolor ramblings on silk” is a study in hard work, perseverance and, yes, an excellent academic beginning at The Grosse Pointe Academy. GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN “I feel grateful that at the Academy we were all pushed to do a bit of everything — academics, sports, chorus, art, drama, etc.,” Russell said. “I Paige Russell, a 2004 alumna of The Grosse Pointe Academy, didn’t fully realize it at the time, but now as an graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design and adult, I still meet people and notice how integral now operates a studio and business in Austin, Texas.

36 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC those small things are that contribute to making a person so well-rounded.” She said she often thinks about former Academy teachers Mr. [Mike] Fultz and Mr. [Bob] Lapadot. “Both were great teachers and a bit eccentric, which made going against the grain seem like a really smart thing to do,” she added. Russell attended GPA from Early School through eighth grade — “Did the long haul,” she said — after which high school followed at Grosse Pointe South. The transition to high school went well for her as it included a heavy dose of art and design from the start. University of Texas at Austin in a business called “I really didn’t do many extracurriculars at “ELOI,” Russell says colors, sometimes many colors, South, but I was in the art building any chance I are always on her mind. got,” she said. “Art has always been on my agenda. I “Color is such a huge part of what I do,” she said. don’t recall ever wanting to do anything else.” “I usually have an idea brewing as I come up with After high school, Russell matriculated to the a palette that really gets me excited. Once I begin, Savannah College of Art and Design, a well- and after any planning I’ve done ahead of time is respected art college in Savannah, Georgia. She thrown out, it sometimes can become a mess. But majored in graphic design because she figured then everything changes, I play some more, and it was the most “marketable” major in terms of lots of happy accidents occur.” making a living. Originally, the idea of printing her work onto “I also thought graphic design was open enough scarves, she said, seemed like a good way of that if I were to change my mind, it would still reproducing her original paper cutout pieces. She apply to most anything else I wanted to do in the loved the idea of putting her art on an object so art world,” she said. simple, and on one that can be used all the time in And what she is actually doing in the art world a lot of different ways. now is certainly gathering media attention. And about a major art inspiration: “I have always Russell already has been featured in U.K.’s The loved Matisse, but at first I didn’t realize he did Sunday Times, Huffington Post, Style Bubble, paper cutouts until I’d been doing this for a couple Cool Hunting, the Bulletin and in Austin Monthly, of years,” she said. “But it’s not just his cutouts. It’s which is published in Austin, Texas, Russell’s new his regular paintings also that are a huge influence adopted hometown. for me!” “I was on my way to San Francisco to make my life there, and by a twist of fate I got the flu in Austin and ended up staying,” she said. “I’m so glad I did.”

MATISSE AND ‘HAPPY ACCIDENTS’ More art and scarves Operating out of a small studio just east of the from Paige Russell are at ELOI.us.

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The Academy by way of Switzerland

Claudia Leslie, who has been the Academy’s one language also was a very normal thing for Early School - grade 5 French instructor for more her and her childhood peers. than 10 years, said that when it came time for “When you grow up in Switzerland, it’s her own daughters to begin their early education, normal to speak multiple languages on a daily she and her husband, Stephen Leslie, quickly basis,” she said. “Switzerland actually has four found out there was only one way to go. Claudia official languages, German, French, Italian then was teaching French and German in the and Romansh, and in Bern, the predominant Grosse Pointe Public Schools system. languages are German and French.” “When it was time to enroll our oldest CAREER IN EDUCATION FORGONE daughter in a preschool, we started exploring CONCLUSION the preschools in Grosse Pointe,” Leslie said. She said that Switzerland is renowned “But it became quickly evident to us that The worldwide for its school system and at an early Grosse Pointe Academy would provide our young age, she became focused on a career in education daughters with the best education in Grosse — at a very early age. Pointe, so we enrolled them in the Montessori “I actually knew I wanted to become a teacher program at the Academy.” since kindergarten,” she said, “and I followed After eleven years at GPA, those daughters, that dream by ultimately receiving my teaching Léonie (18) and Sophie (15), are now well on certification from the Teachers Training College their way to successful paths in furthering their of Bern.” education careers, said mom. After college, Leslie taught for three years in While her children’s educational journey so Switzerland during which time — on a two- far has been confined pretty much to the Grosse month visit to Michigan to further improve her Pointe area, Claudia Leslie’s own education career English-language skills — she met Stephen, spans two continents. Born and raised with her eventually married, and permanently moved five siblings in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, across the Atlantic to Grosse Pointe to make a Leslie grew up with a real appreciation of the new home where her husband grew up. importance of education. Fluency in more than In 2004, after a number of years teaching in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools, Leslie left GPPS to become the Early School-through- grade 5 French instructor at The Grosse Pointe

38 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC Academy. She said she appreciates the family and a broader global awareness.” atmosphere at the Academy and truly loves her Leslie’s own efforts with the children certainly job, especially since she can continue teaching a do not go unnoticed at the Academy, said subject near and dear to her heart. Jennifer Kendall, assistant head of school for “Because I grew up in a bilingual environment, Early School education and admissions. I believe that’s why world languages have “It is a tremendous benefit at GPA to offer always been a passion of mine,” Leslie said. French starting at age 2-1/2 in the Montessori “Knowing multiple languages can be very Early School and Madame Leslie is such a gift empowering when you travel and you actually to the children,” Kendall said. “So often I hear can communicate well with people from other them speaking French just like ‘Madame Leslie.’ countries. In fact, every summer, my parents They all want to sound like her and we often would take my siblings and me to different see and hear the benefits of that early learning countries in Europe where we learned to experience as they continue with French through appreciate other languages and cultures. I also grade 5 and for those who take French through think that’s why I enjoy traveling so much with grade 8.” the GPA students when they go to Europe.” There’s no doubt that Leslie’s students have Leslie, Amal El-Hosni, who teaches middle benefited from all the time she has spent on school French at the Academy, and Head of the Academy campus for all these years. But School Lars Kuelling recently returned from whenever she’s away from campus, Leslie said what is becoming an annual event: a week-long she still keeps herself very busy. trip with middle-school students to Spain and “When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time France. “For me it’s like going home again and with my family and friends as well as skiing, showing the kids what I’ve experienced when I running, biking, sailing and hiking among many was their age,” Leslie said. “I love to explore the other activities that occupy my time,” she said. world!” “Also, I’m the youngest of six children, and my SMALL CLASS SIZE KEY siblings and father all still live in Switzerland. So She said that exploring the world through my family and I always look forward to visiting language also is an important part of how she them each summer.” approaches teaching at GPA and adds that class size is so critical in that approach. “The small class sizes at the Academy allow me to nurture the potential of each child, which allows the students to more quickly discover their unique strengths and passions,” she said. “I make sure that each student gets plenty of opportunities to speak French during French teacher Claudia Leslie the class. I truly believe that giving a says small class sizes at the child the opportunity to learn French Academy is advantageous in at an early age is a great advantage the language learning process, because they acquire it in a natural especially for children in the manner. In addition, I think it’s an lower grades. effort that provides them with a deeper understanding of one’s own language

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 39 ALUMPROFILE Academics, respect and manners

In today’s strongly bifurcated political from the local level up to halls of Congress in environment, it is maybe rare to find a politico who Washington. is running for a seat in the federal government who While in law school in D.C., Cargas focused on says he longs for the “golden era,” when those on energy and environmental law, served as president both the blue and red sides got along well enough of the Environmental Law Society, and wrote a to actually accomplish something; a politico who monthly column called “Law of the Jungle” in the also thinks good manners and respect—lost arts student magazine. A job with the Federal Energy perhaps—would go a long way in getting things Regulatory Commission led to positions with done today. a major D.C. law firm, an interstate natural gas James Cargas, a 1980 graduate of The Grosse pipeline company, and ultimately the Clinton White Pointe Academy, currently is chasing the 7th House on the President’s Council on Sustainable Congressional District seat in Texas. He is running Development. against the district incumbent who Cargas says is “I finished out the Clinton administration at the falling short in delivering what its citizens need. U.S. Department of Energy under Secretary Bill “The 7th Congressional District now is an Richardson,” Cargas said. “In 2001, when President excellent example of an entrenched member of George W. Bush was elected, I found a great job as Congress who has lost touch with the district,” an energy and environmental lawyer in the energy Cargas said. “He has a pattern of voting for purely capital of the world, Houston, Texas. political reasons and against his constituents’ best Then, in 2008, Bill White, who was Houston’s interest.” mayor at the time, hired Cargas as the city’s energy And keeping constituents’ best interests at the counsel responsible for advising the mayor on forefront is why Cargas is running this year, he says. all aspects of energy procurement and energy He also says that even as far back as his lower transactional matters. Under Mayor Annise Parker, school days at the Academy, some of the lessons White’s successor, Cargas was city attorney and learned then still help inform his modus operandi also advised the City of Houston on contract, when it comes to compromise and cooperation in environmental, real estate and regulatory matters. the real world of government and politics. BOY SCOUTS AND PINE TREES “Having first, second and third grades in one James Cargas, who This compulsion to serve his fellow citizens, area of the school was a wonderful experience in graduated from The Grosse according to Cargas, started when he was in the Boy community and collaboration among students with Pointe Academy in 1980, is Scouts, which is where he first got a taste of politics different needs and abilities,” he said of those days at running to be representative volunteering with now-retired Congressman David the Academy. “And so when elected, I plan to work of the 7th Congressional E. Bonior, who represented Michigan’s 10th and 12th very hard to duplicate some of that atmosphere of District in Texas. Congressional districts. community and collaboration in Congress.” “As a scout, I often volunteered for Bonior’s JOURNEY TO WASHINGTON GOES campaign by passing out pine trees door-to-door, THROUGH TEXAS which is what David and his volunteers often did Cargas’s long and impressive educational during his campaigning,” Cargas said. “Then, while career thus far has taken him from the at U-M, Rep. Bonior offered me a summer internship Grosse Pointe Farms campus of GPA, on Capitol Hill. In order to earn college credit, I through University Liggett high school enrolled in American University’s summer program in Grosse Pointe Woods, to Ann Arbor at and lived in their dorms. It was a great experience the University of Michigan and finally to during that summer, seeing how legislation was Washington, D.C., at American University’s crafted, hearings were held, and votes were taken. Washington College of Law, where he Rep. Bonior was part of the Congressional leadership earned his law degree. at the time and I had the opportunity to meet During that time, Cargas has had more Speaker Tip O’Neill, Sen. Claude Pepper, and many than a taste of how government works— other national leaders.”

40 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC Academics, respect and manners After Cargas graduated from Michigan, Bonior needed a deputy press secretary and offered Cargas the position, which he accepted and held during part of his time in law school. After finishing law school, Cargas jumped back full-time onto Bonior’s staff where he said he had some of his most fulfilling legislative experiences. “When I returned to Rep. Bonior’s staff after law school, Jim Wright of Texas was the house speaker,” Cargas said. “We worked with certain Republicans on some bills and they opposed us on others. It was never personal; just each member doing what was best for their individual districts. It was how Congress had operated for over 210 years. Looking plate. For his district, he wants to bring light rail Cargas is with his wife, back, it seemed like a golden era of cooperation and westward, return funding for biomedical research to Dorina, in 2015 during democracy.” formerly high levels, and implement comprehensive a July 4th parade in Bonior, for his part, remembers Cargas well. energy reform. Houston. “Very early on, way before he came to For his country, he said he wants to work across Washington, I worked with James and his family the aisle to balance the federal budget. in my district in Michigan as a liaison to the Greek “As an alum of the Clinton administration – the last community,” Bonior said. “His family was very well administration to balance the budget -- I know this respected. James was a thoughtful, persistent, fine is difficult, but the benefits will be well worth the young man, including the time he was part of my effort,” Cargas said. communications group. If elected, I believe he will He also includes targeted tax cuts for small do a fine job for his constituents.” businesses, innovative unemployment insurance reform, making the payroll tax cut permanent, and WHY TEXAS? preventing the layoff of teachers, police, firefighters Cargas said he is well-entrenched in Houston, and other essential public servants important loves living and working there, and is most components of his Congressional to-do list. especially grateful for the city because that’s where he met his wife, Dr. Dorina Papageorgiou, RESPECT a neuroscientist who works at Baylor College of Asked about any further memories from his time Medicine’s Department of Neuroscience. at The Grosse Pointe Academy, Cargas, whose sister, He also said his devotion to and interest in energy Vicky Steensma, also attended GPA, said there is and environmental issues make Houston, which has something from the Academy he will always hold more than 70 wind and solar energy companies, close. the perfect place for him. In addition, despite Texas “Some of the most lasting lessons that GPA currently being a very “red” state in terms of politics, teaches young people include manners and respect it has a strong history of Democratic leadership. for others,” he said. “I recall losing a baseball game “Texas gave America many powerful national at the Academy in second or third grade and being Democratic leaders,” he said. “People like President rather upset. But the coach took the time to talk Lyndon Johnson, House speakers Sam Rayburn and to me about sportsmanship, the importance of Jim Wright, Governor Anne Richards, Senator and leaving the competitiveness on the field, and looking Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, Sen. Ralph Yarborough, forward to a rematch tomorrow. Those are heavy and Representatives Mickey Leeland, Martin Frost, concepts for a six year old to take in, but I did, and and Barbara Jordan, to name a few.” it has stayed with me today and will be with me He said that Texas was a deep blue state before probably forever.” it was a deep red state, and urban areas such as Houston remain Democratic-leaning communities with Democratic mayors. Cargas said that when he gets to Congress — it’s not “if,” it’s “when” — he’ll have a lot on his

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‘Peaceful place’

CURRENT ACADEMY DIRECTRESS DISCOVERED husband, Mark, raised four children—three sons THE ADVANTAGE OF MONTESSORI AND FULLY and a daughter—who she said are now all very EMBRACED IT active adults. The Grosse Pointe Academy employs one of the “I was happy to stay home for 13 years raising best teaching staffs in the State of Michigan. Highly our kids, keeping active in all their sports, clubs educated and credentialed, from Early School to and school activities. But as education had always eighth grade, GPA staffers are ensuring that all been a priority in our household, I began to think students graduate with every advantage a budding of returning to the work force in part to help ensure high school “citizen” can possibly have. our own children would have choices for their Those advantages, which the school proudly future.” and collectively tags as “The Academy Advantage,” LOVED THE MONTESSORI ‘DIFFERENCE’ most importantly begin in the longest continuously As she was exploring a new career in education, running Montessori program in the state. Which a friend of Carrier, who happened to be a primary is where longtime “directress” Mary Jo Carrier directress at Giving Tree, asked her to come and educates GPA students—part of her family, she work at Giving Tree and also to bring her daughter says—who range in age from 2-1/2 to 5. to begin school there. Carrier said that since her “I always tell the children that we are like a boys were a little older, it seemed like a perfect family,” Carrier said. “We spend almost everyday opportunity to jump back into the workforce. Mary Jo Carrier, below, just of the week together and like a family, we work “I found this was a wonderful place to start finished her 22 year at The together, and we need to help each other and be kind working again and it’s where I found my love for the Grosse Pointe Academy. to each other. I believe that in this way, the children feel the classroom is their own peaceful place where they play a meaningful role in caring for themselves, each other and their environment.” Carrier, who has a B.A. from Marygrove College and is credentialed in A.M.S. Early Childhood, first came to the Academy “environment” in 1994 after spending a couple of years at the Giving Tree Montessori School in Detroit as a directress, and after raising a family once a short career as a medical social worker ended. “As a medical social worker, I was responsible for the placement of patients from hospitals to nursing homes or adult foster care, which needless to say was a pretty sad job,” she said. So after leaving the workforce, Carrier and her

42 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC Montessori way of teaching,” Carrier said. “It was so present. “Also, I quickly gained an appreciation for different from the traditional approach in education. the property in all its glory of the changing seasons,” I loved how it stressed independence, order and she said. “The buildings, the trees, the lake—what the freedom to choose work and I began to see that more beautiful setting could an employee work in?!” young children were so much more capable of doing “I loved coming to work everyday! The staff was things for themselves if we just stepped back and friendly, helpful and welcoming, the children and allowed them to do so.” parents were happy and everyone was glad to be at She loved the hands-on materials in the school everyday.” Montessori classroom and saw how they made a real Twenty-one years have passed since Carrier first difference in each child’s learning. walked through the doors of GPA. And she still loves “But most of all I loved to see joy on the children’s coming to work each and every day. faces as they took learning into their own hands, “Just like day one, I still believe the most treated each other with kindness and respected their important thing I can do for the children at GPA environment because they were fully invested in its is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for care,” she added. every one of them,” she said. “And this caring, Beginning her Montessori career as a primary peaceful place makes for such an optimal learning assistant at Giving Tree, Carrier worked with 1st environment, where children can engage alone or through 3rd graders there for about four years cooperatively in meaningful learning experiences after which she decided to check out the possibility that will surely help them grow socially, emotionally, of working in Montessori at The Grosse Pointe cognitively and physically.” Academy, which was actually already quite familiar IRELAND ROOTS to her. In fact, by that time, she was very heavily Now that her children are all grown—three are involved with the school, serving on various school married and all have successful careers, Carrier committees, working as a classroom assistant and said—she and her husband are starting to spend even teaching science and Catholic Formation. more of their free time chasing around the country, “All the teachers at GPA were wonderful mentors visiting her kids and “four beautiful grandchildren.” and wholeheartedly supported me in getting a “Our children’s interests and jobs have taken Montessori certificate,” she said. “So after Anne them to West Point, New York City, Washington, Carson retired, I was lucky enough to get her D.C., Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., and Traverse City,” she classroom.” said. “And we love to travel. In fact, we are looking Replacing a 35-year veteran, she said, was no forward to spending several weeks in Ireland this easy task, but she jumped in with great gusto, often summer, which will allow us to discover more about working from seven in the morning until six at our Irish ancestry and lineage that is centered in the night. “The cleaning staff finally complained that I village of Puckane in County Tipperary.” was at school way too many hours,” she said. SCHOOL IS BEAUTIFUL, STAFF IS FRIENDLY, WELCOMING Asked about first impressions of GPA, Carrier said that since she attended Catholic schools all her life, she had a built-in recognition and understanding of the legacy and traditions of GPA, both past and

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 43 ALUMPROFILE Committed to the community

Anybody who knows Geter likely has no doubt that she will be successful in whatever career she pursues. She’s actually currently gainfully employed in Texas, but it was her work with an Austin-based volunteer organization that proved especially note- worthy to the Girls Empowerment Network (GEN), which highlighted Geter in a recent “Volunteer in the Community” profile during National Volunteer Month. According to GEN’s mission statement, its role in the world “is to support and guide girls to make wise choices as they navigate the unique pres- sures of girlhood.” “I love having the feeling that accompanies know- ing that our community of volunteers is helping girls throughout the great state of Texas to challenge some of the messages that they receive on a daily ba- sis, while exploring their girlhood, and helping them flourish through self-love,” Geter said in the profile. Geter graduated from The Grosse Pointe Acade- my in 2006, after which she matriculated to West Bloomfield High School where she finished with honors and a 4.18 grade point average that helped get her into prestigious Wellesley College in Massa- chusetts. She graduated from Wellesley in 2014 with double majors in American Studies and Sociology and joined other notable alumnae from the no. 1-ranked U.S. women’s college (2016 U.S. News & World Report), including Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, filmmak- er Nora Ephron and journalists Cokie Roberts and Diane Sawyer. Among many extracurricular activities at Welles- ley, Geter said she spent her summers as an under- WELLESLEY GRAD DISCUSSES GPA’S ‘WEALTH graduate interning with the Emma L. Bowen Foun- OF ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL LEARNING dation for Minority Interest in Business and Media. EXPERIENCES’ THAT LED TO HER ACADEMIC After such an illustrious university career, howev- SUCCESS AND A DEVOTION TO COMMUNITY er, Geter, who now lives in Texas full time, remains SERVICE especially grateful for the time she spent at the Academy alum Chanel Geter (‘06) finished her Academy. “I was blessed to attend GPA thanks to sig- Master of Arts degree in Management from Wake nificant scholarship assistance,” she said. “Someone’s Forest University’s Graduate School of Business last generosity has made all of the difference in my life.” May. She said her elective focus at Wake was on She said that without a doubt The Grosse Pointe human resources, but throughout the course of the Academy was instrumental in sending her out into program, she also studied marketing, finance, com- munication, and more. She now plans to pursue a career in human-resources management, profession- al-development consulting, and public speaking.

44 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC the world not only with a solid academic foundation, my provided me the academic foundation that later Committed to the community but with a sincere care and empathy for those less became a major part of my commitment to academic fortunate in the community and in the country. prowess, scholastic excellence, and care for the com- In a recent interview with the Academy, Geter munity. For a quick example, I remember knowing commented on her GPA experience, her current state how to write a five-paragraph essay with ease in 9th of affairs and on what appears to be a very bright grade and that other students were starting at a loss. future. But to be fair, GPA’s impact is vastly more than that. At GPA, I was exposed to the lifestyles of business Chanel Geter on specific GPA memories and owners and other pillars of the community. It was teachers: there that I was first challenged to become the global I remember having really valuable learning citizen that Wellesley College would later mold me to moments in social studies class from Mrs. Johnson, be. GPA was the birthplace of my commitment to di- sensing that our textbooks were not telling the versity, inclusion, and equality as a life’s mission and whole stories of marginalized people. Thus, my first daily practice. It was at GPA where I first learned vestiges of student activism started in that classroom the science behind the birds and the bees, sang and as I learned to ask questions and spark discussions. danced on my first stage, and dragged my mother I also remember the bonding that happened in our to the mall to purchase my first pair of Birkenstock class as a result of having such a small population of slip-ins (which I still have!). All I can say is thank girls (eight out of 25 classmates), so I can still see in you to all of the teachers, staff, stakeholders, parents, my mind’s eye Sasha (Ovshinsky) Murphy mento- classmates, and mentors who I was too young to ring us through conflict management. I remember truly appreciate at that time. Mr. Zink, our art teacher, who somehow taught us about life while also teaching us to paint. I can pic- On her involvement with the Girls Empower- ture our Christian Life classroom and Mrs. Krease, ment Network (GEN) and why she got involved in who made us blow our noses out in the hallway. the first place? And then there was Mr. Fultz, who told me that he I think it’s best to take a step back from GEN and would flunk me if I didn’t dissect my frog in his talk about my community-service commitment in biology class. I will also never forget Mrs. Chrisner general, if I may. In college, following the model of working with me on my solo for the 8th-grade play so many distinguished women leaders of color in and then me missing the note by a mile on stage. my family and community, I joined the Delta Sigma An image of Mrs. Roberts at the front of the class- Theta sorority. Being a Wellesley woman and a Delta room lecturing us on the power of perception still at the same time, I had amazing opportunities to sticks in my mind. It was also Mr. Cowan who first support my community through volunteering. In introduced me to Saturday Night Live, of which I the last five years, I have worked with a number of am obviously now a huge fan. There are honestly so great organizations, helping with projects spanning many moments of very high and very challenging from teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) points that I can remember from that time. to tutoring and mentoring younger students, and providing resources to support girls in my commu- Academy alum On middle school at the Academy: nity. Most recently since moving to Austin to work Chanel Geter (’06) Middle school is a pivotal learning time for in HR management, I have been involved with the graduated from everyone, but I know that for me, a young black Girls Empowerment Network (GEN), which supports Wellesley College and girl coming from an urban environment and a and guides girls to make wise decisions, and as a Wake Forest University dynamic family background, it has taken me years volunteer at various workshops and conferences. and now lives and to truly appreciate the wealth of academic and social I have also started to work with the Girl Scouts of works in Texas. learning experiences that I enjoyed at GPA’s middle Central Texas by way of my budding business, M4H, school. I am forever grateful. which provides professional development consulting for people, businesses and communities. On how GPA helped with her next levels of education, i.e., high school and college: There is no doubt that The Grosse Pointe Acade-

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 45 ALUMNIREUNION

Second annual Oktoberfest, Academy-style On October 15, 45 alumni members along with current and retired faculty members gathered together at Atwater in the Park in Grosse Pointe Park to reconnect and share fond memories of their time at 171 Lake Shore Road. The alumni shared their latest successes and all said they look forward to getting together again soon! Check out these photos of alumni with many of their former teachers and friends. There definitely were many a smile shared over the old yearbooks!

46 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | THE ACADEMIC Second annual Oktoberfest, Academy-style

THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY | SPRING/SUMMER 2016 47 Education begins with inspiration

Students at The Grosse Pointe Academy begin their educational journey in the nurturing environment of the Early School, the longest continuously operating Montessori program in Michigan. With small class sizes and a dedication to the value and well-being of every child, the Academy’s Early School offers its youngest students the freedom to explore the excitement of learning on their own while perfecting individual talents under the loving guidance of teachers, all in an environment where each child is nurtured, challenged and inspired every day.

Call us today at 313-886-1221 for a school tour. Wait lists are forming for the 2016-17 school year.

171 Lake Shore Road Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. 313.886.1221 gpacademy.org

to nurture • to challenge • to inspire