FALL 2017 RansomEverglades LOG aspire

Carlos Watson ’87 2016-17 Report of Giving inside Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28

The following classes will be honored for their milestone reunions: Class of 1968 Everglades 50-Year Reunion Class of 1968 Ransom 50-Year Reunion Class of 1978 40-Year Reunion Class of 1988 30-Year Reunion Class of 1993 25-Year Reunion Class of 1998 20-Year Reunion

Weekend activities include our signature spring cocktail party, athletic and family activities, tours of the Ransom and Everglades campuses, the presentation of our distinguished Alumni Awards, the individual reunion receptions, and time with current and former faculty members.

For more information visit: www.ransomeverglades.org/REunions If you are interested in serving on your reunion committee or have any questions, please contact the office of Alumni Relations: Vicki Carbonell Williamson ’88 | 305 460 8826 | [email protected] Danielle Phillips Retchless | 305 460 8859 | [email protected] Table of Contents Ransom Everglades Log Fall 2017 Link to the photo galleries: https://ransomevergladesschool.smugmug.com

FEATURES

A Lens into Humanity 6 Timothy Greenfield-Sanders ’70 uses his camera to peer inside souls. 6 Building Beauty 12 Rachel Feinstein ’89 brings fantasy to life in her sculptures.

A Thrilling Ride 16 From his days at RE, Carlos Watson ’87 has aspired to seize opportunity.

It All Adds Up 22 22 Jean Duty, Ann Goesel and Ginny Onorati bring 122 years of teaching excellence in mathematics.

A Visionary Board 30 Rudy Prio Touzet ’76 and his fellow trustees stand on the threshold of an exciting future. 30 2016-17 Report of Giving 54 Your generous gifts broke all-time records while bolstering RE’s tradition of academic excellence.

DEPARTMENTS From the Pagoda 2 Alumni Weekend/Events 46 From the Archives 35 New Talent 52 40 Student News 36 Class Notes 56 On Campus 40 Faculty News/In Memoriam 71 Sports 44

The Ransom Everglades Log Executive Editor: Amy Shipley Contact Us: Associate Editor / Photography Director: Ransom Everglades School aims to connect, inform and Suzanne Kores Office of Communications engage readers in the life of Art & Design: Kim Foster 3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Contributing Editors: Vicki Carbonell T: 305 460 8212 Ransom Everglades School. Williamson ’88 E: [email protected] It is published by the Contributing Writers: Penny Townsend, John A. King, Jr., Greg Pollard, To send a letter to the editor, change your Ransom Everglades Violet Handforth ’18, Stephen Kaiser ’18, address or remove yourself from our mailing list, Office of Communications. Andrew Lorenzen ’18, Noa Richard ’18, please send an email to Megan Zou ’18, Gabrielle Jadotte ’18 [email protected]. Photographers: Juan Cabrera, Lee Clower, W: www.ransomeverglades.org/page/Publications- Carl Kafka, Suzanne Kores, Joshua Prezant, Archives Jason Smith FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 1 From the Pagoda

A time to aspire

We chose “aspire” as the theme of the fall issue of the RE Log magazine because aspiration is what precedes success. It is the beginning of achievement. Our greatest accomplishments can be traced back to those singular moments that motivate, encourage and drive us. We are in such a moment at Ransom Everglades, as we aspire to renew our Upper School campus by integrating the La Brisa property and beginning construction on a Multidisciplinary + STEM Center. As I left my office in the Pagoda this morning and walked out to the Quad, past our 300-year-old cannon and through the arches of the breezeway, I found myself imagining a future with more greenspace, more places for students to gather and explore, and enhanced or new facilities that truly match the excellence of our faculty, students and educational experience. The vision of that not-too-distant future leaves me, without a hint of exaggeration, exhilarated.

In this issue of our magazine, we highlight three alumni in the visual or media arts who are testaments to the power of aspiration – and full of personality, too. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders ’70 has used the lens of his camera to follow in the footsteps of his mother, Ruth Greenfield, Head of School Penny Townsend enjoys the solar eclipse with students on August 21, 2017. considered one of Miami’s most important civil rights pioneers; he has won acclaim for films and portraits that shed light on the plight of the marginalized. In her youth, Rachel Feinstein ’89 pushed boundaries with her art at every turn – giving frequent headaches to former Head of School Frank J. Hogan III. Today, she’s one of America’s most recognizable sculptors, and she carries a sense of gratitude for the structure RE provided. Carlos Watson ’87 worked part-time jobs and endured long daily rides on public buses during his years at Ransom Everglades; he learned from his educator parents the power of dreaming big and persevering. Carlos has since conquered Harvard and Stanford and careers in television and education; he most recently founded his own multimedia company, OZY Media.

We also highlight a trio of faculty in math who have helped decades of Ransom Everglades students aspire to success in the classroom and beyond. We feature Jean Duty, Ann Goesel and Ginny Onorati, whose combined service at Ransom Everglades School totals 122 years. These remarkable educators emerged at a time when female math professors were rare; all have shared their passion for math, helping thousands of grateful RE students navigate a challenging subject and develop their own love of knowledge.

2 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Our teachers rouse and shape our students’ aspirations, and guide them as they follow their dreams, but the fuel that propels the journey comes from a different source: You. Find in our 2016-17 Report of Giving how your record-setting generosity once again allowed our students to thrive in the classroom and beyond, while providing financial aid for underserved students, professional development for faculty, and improvements in technology and Aspiration is what precedes facilities. I agree with our Director of Advancement, Greg Pollard, who wrote in his opening letter on page 55, “together, we are achieving new heights and securing a bright future for this special success. It is the beginning school.” of achievement. Our greatest Indeed, we all play a part. One who has played a huge part is my friend and colleague Rudy accomplishments can be Prio Touzet ’76, chair of RE’s board of trustees. I am grateful that he and our board have aspired to an even better future at Ransom Everglades, showing foresight, courage and visionary thinking traced back to those singular as they have shepherded our school. Rudy’s leadership has been rooted in his experiences as a student at Ransom Everglades. You will learn in this issue that Rudy arrived to the Ransom School with moments that motivate, a sense of wonder and awe that he never quite lost. As a student, he valued those elements of a Ransom Everglades education that encourage and drive us. remain fundamental and important today. Various teachers made learning and striving a joy. He chased his passions and stretched himself, enlarging his goals as he made his way to graduation.

As I enter my fourth year at Ransom Everglades, I am excited that we continue to enlarge our goals. As we eagerly anticipate the soon- to-come transformation of our Upper School campus, starting with the building of the Multidisciplinary + STEM Center, it is perhaps appropriate that I call on a governing scientific principle to close this letter. Sir Isaac Newton noted in his first law of motion that an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion. I am proud to say that Ransom Everglades resides firmly in the second category. As we aspire to bring further excellence to the student experience, we are a school community in motion. We are on our way to an amazing future.

Penny Townsend Head of School

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 3 ‘Stand for Something’

4 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Timothy Greenfield-Sanders ’70 exhorts the Class of 2017 during his commencement address on May 19, 2017 (page 40), urging graduates to devote themselves to causes bigger than themselves. In the coming pages, we offer profiles of a trio of alumni in the visual or media arts – Greenfield-Sanders ’70, Rachel Feinstein ‘Stand for Something’ ’89 and Carlos Watson ’87 – whose aspirational thinking drove their ascendance from Ransom Everglades.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 5 A Lens into Humanity Timothy Greenfield-Sanders ’70 uses his camera to peer inside souls

6 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Timothy Greenfield-Sanders ’70 spent his earliest Saturday mornings learning to paint and play the clarinet alongside talented African-American children in the first integrated art school in the South – the Fine Arts Conservatory. His mother, Ruth Greenfield, founded the conservatory in the basement of a funeral parlor in Liberty City in 1951.

Young Timothy would not have known there was anything unusual about those weekly classes if he hadn’t seen how his parents were treated outside the conservatory doors. Now lauded as a civil rights pioneer, Ruth Greenfield at that time experienced resentment, disdain and worse. Neighbors sued the Greenfields for shuttling African-American kids and musicians to their Palm Island home for conservatory fundraisers (the court ruled in favor of the Greenfields). Several parents at the Cushman School objected to the family’s “radical” views and demanded that Timothy and his three siblings be removed from the campus (Mrs. Cushman stood by the Greenfield family, not an easy decision in the McCarthy era). That vibrant and sometimes turbulent upbringing has stayed with Greenfield- Sanders throughout his life, driving decisions at the Ransom School and beyond. A youth who challenged authority and rarely followed a straight path, Greenfield-Sanders was nearly always compelled by causes larger than himself. His past has shaped his most prominent achievements as a photographer and filmmaker, culminating, perhaps, in the “List” series – groups of portraits and videos designed to illuminate the plight of marginalized groups.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 7 Greenfield-Sanders “has made the world better by looking through the lens A run-of-the-mill photo shoot of his camera,” Head of School Penny T Townsend said when he was announced with Bette Davis turned into as 2017 Commencement speaker in an unexpectedly meaningful February, “using his transcendent works to shed insight into our shared relationship when Davis humanity.”

criticized Greenfield-Sanders’ Opening minds at Ransom School When he arrived to the Ransom School photographic technique, then in the ’60s with its aristocratic families, offered to teach him the neckties and button-down shirts, he felt like an outsider. He rebelled against intricacies of photography if the status quo in ways both thoughtful he would only drive her around and reckless, he recalled, protesting the Vietnam War and plotting a takeover Hollywood for a week. of the school. He also took issue with Ransom’s all-white student body. As seniors, he and a friend, Ray Sadler ’70, made an appointment to meet with the new headmaster, Robert Walker, in- tending to confront him over the issue. When they asked Walker why the school had no black students, they were told none had ever passed the school’s entrance exams. The boys boldly vowed to produce three qualified African- American students to take the exams the following Monday and, Greenfield- Sanders said, they did: “All three passed, of course, with ease.” One of those test takers, Wendell Graham ’74, became the first African- American student to attend the Ransom School. Graham, an aspiring violinist who trained alongside Greenfield- Sanders at the Fine Arts Conservatory, went on to Columbia University and is now a Miami-Dade County Court Judge. “It was just obvious” that it was time for change,” Greenfield-Sanders said. “We were all-white students in this school. Why was that? It did not make sense to me.” Greenfield-Sanders was determined to forgo college as he pursued his dream to make movies, but a conversation with teacher Dan Leslie Bowden per- suaded him to accept an offer to attend Columbia University. “Young man, you

8 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Photographs courtesy of Timothy Greenfield-Sanders “It was a spark. I started thinking about African-American talent in general, how that talent doesn’t always get exposed.” – Greenfield-Sanders

must get a decent education first,” he recalled Bowden telling him. “Otherwise, you will have nothing to say as a filmmaker.” That conversation with Bowden was the first in a series of profoundly meaningful interactions with various mentors that would shape Greenfield-Sanders’ career and life. A career forged on a chance meeting, a surprise documentary After earning his bachelor’s degree at Columbia, Greenfield-Sanders traveled to Los Angeles for graduate studies at the American Film Institute. As a newcomer to the prestigious school in Beverly Hills, he got stuck with a gig none of the other aspiring filmmakers wanted: photographing visiting dignitaries for the school’s archive. A run-of-the-mill photo shoot with film legend Bette Davis turned into an unexpect- edly meaningful relationship when Davis criticized Greenfield-Sanders’ photographic technique, then offered to teach him the intri- cacies of photography if he would only drive her around Hollywood for a week. By the end of a week clouded with cigarette smoke, saturated with Bloody Marys and filled with riveting commentary on light and angles and images, Greenfield-Sanders decided he had found his niche: He would pursue portrai- ture. Unlike filmmaking, which nearly always involved collaboration, shooting portraits could be highly individual. He and his wife – who had earned a law degree from UCLA – returned to New York in a 1954 Ford Customline, towing a U-Haul, and bought an old rectory in the East Village. He started shooting large-format photo- graphs. He began by asking artist friends to sit for him, but gradually drew praise for his evocative works, and his client list expanded rapidly. He recorded portraits of seven U.S. presidents and hundreds of celebrities including Bill Murray, Beyoncé, Ellen Degeneres, Steven Spielberg, Serena Williams and others. As his career in portraiture took off, happenstance once again caused Greenfield- Sanders’ career to pivot. A series of photo shoots with rock star Lou Reed morphed into a documentary almost by chance. Greenfield- Sanders persuaded Reed to allow him to

Greenfield-Sanders with Toni Morrison FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 9 “Obviously, the values of my mother and father are values that I’ve taken on,” he said. “In some ways, the world has caught up with us. Unfortunately, in some ways, it hasn’t.” – Greenfield-Sanders

Tennis legend Serena Williams

extend the effort into a film and, for that effortLou – Reed: Rock and Roll Heart – Greenfield-Sanders earned a Grammy Award. “I would never,” Greenfield-Sanders said, “have imagined that would have happened.” He also found himself with a new title: photographer-filmmaker. That career shift, and a conversation with Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, led Greenfield-Sanders to the most important project of his career. An inspiration from Toni Morrison Morrison proposed that she and Greenfield-Sanders combine on a book on black opera divas. That didn’t pan out, but it got him thinking. The resulting idea united his two professional passions – photography and filmmaking – while also bringing his career full circle, back to the beginning of his artistic inspiration. “It was a spark,” he recalled. “I started thinking about African-American talent in general, how that talent doesn’t always get exposed.” Greenfield-Sanders decided he would expose it, through both his portraits and more recent filmmaking expertise. “I thought of it as my portraits come to life,” he said. Morrison became one of the first subjects in 2008 for “The Black List,” which was followed by the “The Latino List,” “The Out List,” “The Boomer List,” “The Women’s List” and “The Trans List.” With the incisive, powerful works, Greenfield-Sanders touched a societal nerve. The documentaries ap- peared on HBO and PBS, and the portraits have been exhibited throughout the nation. In 2015, he received the Pratt Institute Legends Award, annually granted to icons in the worlds of art and design. Last spring, he received the Ransom Everglades Founders’ Alumni Award for Distinguished Service to the Community. “My mother is a pioneer,” Greenfield-Sanders said. “I don’t think I’m a pioneer; I’m more of a cultural historian. I’m trying to surf the Zeitgeist.” He’s working on the next “List” installment: “The Immigrant List.” “Obviously, the values of my mother and father are values that I’ve taken on,” he said. “In some ways, the world has caught up with us. Unfortunately, in some ways, it hasn’t.”

10 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 “My mother is a pioneer,”Greenfield- Sanders said. “I don’t think I’m a pioneer; I’m more of a cultural historian. I’m trying to surf the Zeitgeist.” – Greenfield-Sanders

Greenfield-Sanders and Dan Leslie Bowden at the 2017 Commencement Ruth Greenfield at the 2017 Commencement

Greenfield-Sanders photographs Caitlin Jenner

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 11 Building Beauty Rachel Feinstein ’89 brings fantasy to life in her sculptures

Rachel Feinstein ’89 shared her abundant days. Known for her surreal, grand, baroque creativity with Ransom Everglades School in pieces that fire imaginations and fill entire ways that were not always appreciated during rooms, Feinstein credits Ransom Everglades her years on campus. She did not see the with providing the foundation that helped allow artistic merit in the school uniform of the day her creativity to bloom. – pastel jumpers and crisp white shirts – so, “The great structure Ransom Everglades gave in fits of inspiration, she would frequently and me is actually what every artist needs,” she said. significantly alter her outfit. She found that “After you get that structure, you can do your ripping the circular rims from lampshades and own thing and be wild. And you can try new attaching them to the bottom of the skirt with a things. But you need that foundation.” glue gun produced a desirable, hoop-like effect. “Then I would hike it up really short, of The birth of creativity course,” she explained, “and make it look like it Feinstein’s artistic instincts spilled out during was a Little Bo Peep kind of skirt.” her childhood. She describes herself as the black She would add leggings with black and sheep of a science-minded Miami family. Her white stripes, or ruffles, and giant wedge shoes father was a dermatologist, her mother a nurse. popular at the time. She typically found herself Her sister became a veterinarian. Old VHS tapes in the office of Head of School Frank J. Hogan from Feinstein’s childhood show her sitting III the next day. alone, cutting up boxes and reassembling them “He was very tough and by the book,” into elaborate designs, as other children ran, Feinstein recalled by phone from her art studio swam and played together. The one who could in New York. “But he would actually be super- relate best to her uninhibited imagination was sweet to me. He would say, ‘I understand you her maternal grandmother, who had always are making an artistic statement, Rachel. And been interested in arts, crafts, home decorating, I understand that it sewing and design, and means a lot to you to who took up painting in make that statement. her 60s. But I have a job to keep, Feinstein and her and you are making grandmother attended it very difficult.’ So I painting classes in would tone it down a Coconut Grove and took bit.” drawing lessons near the Feinstein toned Kampong. it down enough to “We would do it graduate from Ransom together,” Feinstein said. Everglades and earn “It was really special. an invitation to attend My grandmother always Columbia University, identified with me.” yet she continued to Some of Feinstein’s develop and showcase early artistic endeavors the creative genius that ran into as much has helped her become trouble as her uniform one of New York’s most alterations. As a child recognized sculptors, she created a sneaker and which has defined sculpture by dipping her art since her earliest sneakers in plaster

Feinstein’s yearbook page. 12 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Feinstein poses by her Snow Queen exhibit. Photograph by Jason Smith. FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 13 and arranging them in a tower. That elaborate sculptures that sometimes fit into sculpture claimed first prize at the Miami- “I wish I could live in Miami living rooms, and sometimes did not. An Dade County Youth Fair, and garnered an additive sculptor, she creates her works out invitation to a national competition that so my kids could go to of nothing, building rather than whittling promised the winner a trip to the White down a block of something. She unveiled her House. school at Ransom Everglades, “Snow Queen” exhibition in 2011 in New Feinstein had her heart set on meeting York, attracting breathless reviews for the President Ronald Reagan, but the family’s The great structure Ransom work’s flamboyant depiction of the Hans Irish Setters got in the way. The two dogs, Christian Andersen fairy tale. Other works who had a habit of chewing on shoes, gave me is actually what have been featured in public art displays happened upon the sculpture and gnawed around the nation and as far afield as South it to pieces just days before the event. every artist needs.” Korea. Her art has been published in books Feinstein was forced to withdraw. and exhibited in France, Italy and England. “I was beside myself,” she explained. In 2011, the New York Times called Though the project was lost, Feinstein – Rachel Feinstein Feinstein and her husband “the ruling power had gained something invaluable: the couple in today’s art world.” Though their beginning of a personal style. SoHo in which artists actually lived in their complementary passions have elevated both “Everybody makes works that come from works for the length of the six-week show. of their careers, they’ve also made living a their childhood,” Feinstein said. “All artists, She created a gingerbread house for Sleeping routine existence impossible. Feinstein and all writers, all moviemakers – I really believe Beauty, put on bright red lipstick, and her family used to reside in a Manhattan loft all recreate some kind of feeling they had slept in the house during the exhibition – a whose décor has been featured in a number when they were children.” perfect arrangement, as she was tending bar of magazines. Recently, they moved to a late at night at that time. townhouse in Gramercy Park. Testing boundaries Besides bringing attention to her work, “We’re both really visual people, so At Ransom Everglades, Feinstein fondly the exhibition also allowed her to meet her you can’t just buy a rug at Rooms To Go recalls art teacher Beau Siegel and English eventual husband, renowned painter John when you are the two of us,” she said. “The teacher Dan Leslie Bowden, whom she Currin. The two hit it off. She served as conversation we can have over what kind of appreciated for his dramatic influence. She the model in some of his works, and they silverware we’re going to get is hysterical. also found a cast of wonderful teachers married in 1998. It’s pretty intense. And then, we have three at Columbia, and eventually applied to a kids on top of it. I don’t think it’s easy for graduate program at Yale. Once again, her The beauty she builds them to have us as parents.” art went a bit too far; she believes she was Over the next 15 years, Feinstein cemented Feinstein laughed. She and Currin rejected by Yale for wearing to her interview her burgeoning reputation by crafting have provided their children with access a transparent miniskirt and T-shirt that read to a world of boundless creativity, and an “I’m a Satisfier.” exciting existence in the pulsing center of the It mattered not. Mentors at Columbia art world. They could not raise their children helped her get into the Skowhegan School and continue their careers quite as well of Painting and Sculpture in Maine, anywhere else, yet Feinstein can’t help but where she further developed her skills. get nostalgic about RE. The connections she made through both “I wish I could live in Miami so my kids programs helped her begin to establish her could go to school at Ransom Everglades,” professional reputation. One of her biggest she said. “If I didn’t go to Ransom breaks: landing a place in an exhibition in Everglades … I would not be where I am in my life. It’s an amazing school.”

14 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 “If I didn’t go to Ransom Everglades … I would not be where I am in my life. It’s an amazing school.” – Rachel Feinstein

John Currin and Rachel Feinstein. Painting by John Currin. Photographed by Lee Clower / The New York Times / Redux.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 15 A Thrilling Ride

From his days as a financial-aid student at Ransom Everglades, Carlos Watson ’87 has aspired to seize opportunity

16 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 “I have a very tangible appreciation for the different roads your life can travel down … I was While at Ransom Everglades, Carlos Watson ’87 under no wrote a column for the school newspaper (“Watson’s Wide illusions World of Sports”). He served as student body president. about any- He ran track, and played football and basketball. He mentored public school children and also worked a number of part-time thing. I was jobs, including bagging groceries at Publix.

really clear that When his day ended, whether on campus or at the grocery store, Watson rushed to catch a Miami-Dade transit bus to his home in Homestead. The route required two transfers (to the I had been blessed.” No. 35 and 110 buses). He passed the time doing AP Physics, English or other homework. On a good day, the ride took three hours, 34 minutes. He often arrived home after 10 p.m. Watson’s parents were lifelong educators who worked at Florida International University – Carlos Watson and resided closer to the Florida Keys than Coconut Grove. They lacked the financial and geographic resources to provide an easy road for their children. They could shuttle Carlos and his sisters to RE in the mornings, but the children were on their own later. Both parents held advanced degrees, came from families that valued education and taught their children to be grateful for the breaks they got – and never resentful of roadblocks. Whether wearing his green apron at Publix, or bumping along on a jammed bus, Watson never ceased to cultivate a sense of gratitude that, combined with his relentless drive and determination, powered him through long days as a Ransom Everglades student and fuels him to this day. His life since RE has been as filled as it was while he was in school. He is entering his fifth year running a company that is part-media, part-art: OZY.com His foray into the world of imaginative multimedia through OZY comes on the heels of successful stints as a television commentator and anchor, education company founder and director, jet-setting consultant, newspaper reporter and political campaign director. And those opportunities came after Watson earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard and law degree at Stanford. “I have a very tangible appreciation for the different roads your life can travel down,” Watson said. “I saw it every day when I passed through Coconut Grove … I was under no illusions about anything. I was really clear that I had been blessed.”

Photographs provided by OZY Media Watson’s yearbook page.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 17 The Watson family. “My parents made learning a joy.” – Carlos Watson

Education: A family tradition The biggest blessing, Watson understood, was the one offered by education. His family’s commitment to producing college graduates dates back to the early 1900s when his great grandparents, sharecroppers in Mississippi who had elementary-level educations, made it their mission to send their children off to college. His maternal grandparents, both teachers, extended the family tradition; all seven of their children earned college degrees and some went on to graduate school. All 19 grandchildren followed. “Can you imagine any family doing that,” Watson said, “much less a black family?” In 1973, Watson moved to Miami from Kalamazoo, Mich., with his parents, Carlos and Rose, and three sisters, Carla, Caroline and Beverly. Watson’s Jamaican-born father had taught at Kalamazoo College after earning his graduate degree in sociology at the University of Pittsburgh. Rose Watson, who had a PhD from the University of Miami, had lived and worked in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. In Miami, Watson’s parents found positions at FIU, his father teaching sociology and mother directing international students and student services. “My parents made learning a joy,” Watson said. “Things like the World Book Encyclopedia, which was kind of geeky at the time, they turned into instruments of wonder…

18 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 “Ransom Everglades was special and worth that kind of effort, and I was fortunate to get to go.” – Carlos Watson

Watson with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and Jeff Greenfield.

I learned from both in a very positive way, not in a Tiger Mom or Tiger Dad way. They showed me that we all face a world of possibility, and you owe it to yourself and others to pursue that.” Watson’s opportunities started at the public magnet school Henry S. West Laboratory School in Coral Gables and continued at Ransom Everglades, which provided a generous package of financial aid that allowed him to attend. “It was a terrific break for me,” Watson said. “Ransom Everglades had high standards academically; it was challenging; and I met really good teachers there … My parents felt Ransom Everglades was special and worth of that kind of effort, and I was fortunate to get to go.”

The sky is the limit After his graduation, Watson launched. He chose Harvard over Princeton, Stanford and the University of Miami, and once in Cambridge, Mass., got busy quickly. He joined an off- campus tutoring program that allowed him to help low-achieving and troubled high school students with their school work and college applications. During the summers, he interned for The Miami Herald and Detroit Free Press, and upon graduating, worked as chief of staff for Rep. Daryl Jones and on the Clinton campaign in 1992. In 1995, after earning his law degree at Stanford, he landed a coveted gig at the consulting company McKinsey & Company. He Watson at his Harvard graduation with a friend.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 19 enjoyed the job, but soon yearned to return to of conversation – he proved a natural on camera. Success in television the field of education. He persuaded his sister, That ease and comfort drove him to his next Carolyn, and a friend, Jeff, to help him found an career stop. “was an unexpected educational counseling company called Achieva In 2002, he and his partners sold Achieva to College Prep Service. The trio of 20-somethings a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company. ride, but a delicious lived together in Palo Alto, Calif., in a two- The sale provided Watson with a financial bedroom apartment with a couch in the living cushion for the first time in his life, and allowed room. They worked relentlessly. him to audition for a number of jobs in television. one. I enjoyed it. “My parents really had a hard time” with Before long, he had earned guest appearances on this decision, Watson said. “That first year at Fox and Court TV. Those occasional appearance I had fun, and I met McKinsey, while I really didn’t make a lot of paved the way for a more formal gig as a political money in the grand scheme of things, I made commentator on CNN. a lot of good people.” more money that year than my parents had Over the next decade, he served as co- ever made combined in a year. So the notion anchor or anchor for shows on MSNBC, Hearst that I would walk away from that … they were Television and PBS. Carlos Watson understandably really nervous for me.” My television success “was an unexpected – They needn’t have worried. Achieva grew ride, but a delicious one,” he said. “I enjoyed it. I quickly. had fun, and I met a lot of good people.” As the company gained prominence, Watson was occasionally invited to talk about Back to his roots education trends on television news shows. It was near the end of Watson’s mother’s With his energy, people skills and persistence – battle with kidney cancer – she died in July 2014 combined with his million-dollar smile and love at 82 – that he was inspired to make his most recent career shift. As he sat by her bedside in Northern California, Rose Watson reminded her son to make sure he continued to chase his passions. He recalled the pleasurable nights he spent watching Nightline and other news shows with his father, an energetic consumer of news. Watson aspired not merely to talk about the day’s news, but to change the way it was presented. Late in 2013, he founded OZY Media, which promised fresh stories that would keep people ahead of the curve. Rewards have come slowly, but victories have been sweet. In the last 24 months, Watson said, the site has quintupled its web audience to 25 million viewers a month – surpassing Politico, the Economist and The New Yorker. It’s continued to attract investors. And, as it seeks to expand, OZY has dabbled in broadcast television and jumped into the events business. In July, the company held the second-annual OZY Fest in Central Park. Watson has come so far from his days at Ransom Everglades. Yet, in some ways, nothing has really changed. He’s working as hard as ever, thankful for every opportunity, and dreaming just as big. “The news and media can make you more creative and open, and bolder and savvier,” he said. “Who says the news has to be utilitarian, and it can’t be art? We hope we broaden people’s perspectives and elevate how they think about the world.”

20 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Let your inspiration guide you. A Ransom Everglades education doesn’t just happen. It is the result of devoted faculty contributing countless hours to their students and a supportive community giving generously to ensure that our graduates make the world a better place. Your gift to The Fund for Ransom Everglades honors the memories, people and places that “Being a Ransom Everglades alumnus has given inspire you. me an appreciation for the value of relationships. The Fund for RE supports My RE teachers were some of my best mentors, helping me all areas of the school and makes a open doors to a world of possibilities, and my classmates meaningful impact remain among my closest friends,” Agustin “Konky” on the current needs of Arellano ’90 said. To ensure Ransom Everglades students Ransom Everglades. are afforded the same opportunities and more, Konky has served for nine years on the RE Alumni Association Board, Make your gift today! currently as president, and has made RE a philanthropic Office of Advancement priority. “The Ransom Everglades experience lasts a lifetime, 305 460 8215 | advancement@ and the further I get from my time as a student at RE, the ransomeverglades.org more the school means to me. I live in Miami and see the supportRE.org impact that RE has on the greater community. It’s incredibly impressive!” A commitment to serving one’s community is something that Raiders of all generations share. Through his work with the Alumni Board, Konky steers alumni programs that benefit youth in underserved communities, as well as networking and social connections that bring the entire RE community together. “The character and accomplishments of the students at RE today inspire me to give back to the school that gave me so much. I am proud of the school’s commitment to a strong financial aid program that ensures this diverse and talented student body.”

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 21 43 + 46 122 years of teaching excellence in mathematics Three women from three different backgrounds landed in math by chance as much as design. All have influenced thousands of students over decades and served as role models for girls in a field that – especially years ago – lacked a significant female representation. They’ve taught classes ranging from algebra to calculus. They’ve led math teams and authored textbooks. They’ve encouraged, cajoled and striven to make math fun.

22 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 It all adds up: + 33 = 122 122 years of teaching excellence in mathematics Most of all, they’ve changed lives. As Ransom Everglades moves closer to a construction on a state-the-art Multidisciplinary+STEM Center, it’s an appropriate time to celebrate three pioneers who helped the school craft a tradition of excellence in mathematics that the new facility will serve to extend and enlarge. We are pleased to introduce our female legends in math: Ginny Onorati, the retired Ann Goesel and Jean Duty.

Photograph by Suzanne Kores.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 23 24 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 years Jean Duty Mathematics and Computer Science Department33 Chair Mrs. Duty was the best Born: Pittsburgh, Pa. math teacher I ever had. Even BS in math, Barry University, 1978 better than any of my college “professors. She had a way of explaining the material that just made sense. She was patient, kind and witty. She pushed us to understand the Jean Duty always wanted to be a teacher and often material but she was always volunteered to lead her high school classmates in there to lend a helping hand. solving challenging math problems. “My 10th-grade geometry teacher understood that I knew a lot about She made me a better student geometry and always had me up in front of the board. all around and helped open up That was the turning point for me. I suddenly realized I could explain things to people in a simple enough my curiosity of learning. ” way where the students in the class understood it.” – Alejandra de la Cruz ’06 Despite her proficiency, she did not feel encouraged to pursue her passion by most of her teachers – even the female ones. It was only after a Barry University counselor explained that she could more readily find a secure job teaching math than history that she decided It was because of Mrs. to become a math major. She never looked back on the decision. “I chose teaching, hoping to fix it,” she said. Duty and my very positive “So I have an attitude. I felt I had teachers that were experience in her math classes not very supportive.” At Ransom Everglades, she’s “that I wanted to pursue a known for her clear, engaging style, and ever-present smile and enthusiasm. She has won the Arthur Moses degree in mathematics. It’s Faculty Award, served as an academic dean and taken hard to find math teachers on the leadership of her department. She co-wrote and revised an Algebra II textbook with colleague who are not only excellent Henry Stavisky ’85. She gave a TEDx talk in which mathematicians, but also she shared her love of mathematics called, “Beauty, great at explaining abstract Fractals and Infinity.” She has taught virtually every course in the math curriculum as well as computer mathematical concepts. Her science. Noted Ann Goesel, with a grin: “She’s fixed it passion for mathematics now.” always kept us interested and engaged. And no one can ever forget her laugh. It was a contagious laugh that made one forget the difficulty of the material at hand.” – Leticia Beeck ’13 1984- 85 (minored in math at first year at RE Georgetown University)

Photograph by Carl Kafka.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 25 26 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Virginia years Ginny Onorati 43

Mathematics and Computer Science Department Ms. Onorati was my Coordinator first math teach at Ransom Born: Flemington, N.J. Everglades and she was “exceedingly patient with my BS in math education at Trenton State College, 1974 youthful enthusiasm and Master’s in math education at Nova Southeastern, 1999 engaged a rambunctious Ginny Onorati fell in love with math when a high school seventh grader in the joys of teacher observed her struggles in algebra and took her aside algebra. I think of her often as to help. Her teacher’s kindness and the beautiful simplicity I regularly use mathematics of the subject inspired her. When that teacher died in a plane crash, Onorati saw the opportunity to honor her legacy by in my work and life. I was teaching math. Onorati worked in campus libraries to pay privileged to have been taught her way through college, which led her to consider becoming a librarian as an alternative career path, but math won out by such a sterling teacher after she landed an interview with Frank Brogan shortly and woman. Thank you for your after graduation. The new headmaster at the just-merged patience and encouragement Ransom-Everglades School was so impressed he offered Onorati a job on the spot. “Once I had a job and saw the many years ago. money rolling in – $8,000 was my starting salary – – Bill Bermont ’93 I chose the career of math,” she recalls. The choice was right for her and Ransom Everglades, where she taught all boys in her first class on the Ransom Campus. She soon became known for her fun, interactive lessons and hilariously geeky Ginny was one of the math shirts. She has taught algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, best teachers I have ever calculus and computer science; served as Middle School Math Department Coordinator; and was assistant librarian “had (including at Princeton at the Upper School from in the late ’70s to early ’80s. and medical school). She has Onorati has been routinely recognized; she won the Arthur Moses Faculty Award in 1999, was named the Coconut Grove the most amazing ability to Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year in 1999, and take complex math topics earned Florida Mathcounts Coach of the Year in 2016-17. and present them in a clear, Her leadership of the Middle School math team has spanned four decades. Her first teaching job became her last. systematic manner – all with patience, caring and good humor. My daughter, Mia ’21, has been lucky as well to have been taught by Ginny for two years. She is a true teaching treasure!” 1974-75 – Cathy Harrison Balestra ’90 first year at RE

Photograph by Joshua Prezant.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 27 years

I have such46 fond memories of being in her class. She was funny and hard and “I think the world of her. Like Ann Goesel any great teacher working with children or teenagers, Retired in 2012 sometimes you have to jolly Born: Tinley Park, Ill. along and sometimes you BS in education, Northern Illinois University, 1948 have to push them – she did Master’s in counseling, Barry University, 1969 all of that; she could read the mood of a class. She had your number, but she was always “My roots go back so far that math was hardly invented,” very encouraging. She was my quipped Ann Goesel, who joined the Everglades School for Girls faculty when tuition was $1,000 annually. math teacher, then my college As a child, Goesel developed an interest in teaching – counselor, and now my friend.” whatever the subject – yet found opportunities in math. She spent 14 years as a math teacher at the Faulkner – Leslie Wakefield School for Girls in Chicago before writing to Head of Buchanan ’72 School Gertrude Peirce to ask for a job at the Everglades School for Girls. Peirce had no full-time position to offer, but Goesel moved to Miami anyway and began working at Everglades as a substitute. For the last month of the Ann Goesel meant a school year, she filled in for a pregnant geometry teacher. lot to me as a teacher and As the year wound down, faculty member Lois B. Styles – for whom RE’s most prestigious math award is named a person. In addition to her – decided to retire. “That’s how I got to the Everglades “warm personality and sense School for Girls,” Goesel said. “I replaced Lois Styles.” of humor, she was a very good She replaced a legend, then became one. She taught math and other subjects, and also served as dean of students, teacher … Ms. Goesel was assistant to the director of the Upper School, counselor and college one of those teachers that counselor. When students struggled, she used a sense of humor and her genuine concern to reach them. In 2010, the Ann Goesel captivated students like me, Department Chair Endowment Fund was created by a $250,000 inspired me to apply myself grant from the Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation. And, like Styles, and made geometry fun and Goesel now has an award named in her honor. The Ann Goesel Everglades School Award is annually bestowed on a freshman girl relevant. In fact, I went on to who exhibits all-around excellence. study architecture (volumetric geometry) and get a Master of Architecture degree … Thank you Ms. Goesel! She was important to me.” – Margot Ammidown ’69 1966- 67first year at RE

28 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 29 A Visionary Board

Bottom row (l to r): Elizabeth Barash Murphy, Jonathan I. Kislak, Constance M. Fernandez, Elana M. Oberstein-Harris ’93, Julie Franklin, Miriam T. Esteve, Jonathan L. Awner, Mark S. Meland, Randolph S. Gumenick. Middle (l to r): Gary L. Tie-Shue, Richard S. Stokes ’94, John P. Bolduc, Head of School Stephanie G. Townsend, Jeffrey S. Miller ’79, Eric Buermann ’69, Jason Rubell. Top (l to r): Edgardo Defortuna, Eric A. Mendelson, Jennifer M. Kennedy, Richard B. Leeds, Rudy Prio Touzet ’76, Andrew L. Ansin ’81, Ghislain Gouraige, Jr., Scott A. Srebnick ’83, David R. McWilliams. Not pictured: Henry H. Anderson, Jr. ’38, Mariela Cisneros-Mestre, Albert E. Dotson, Jr., Miguel F. Dueñas ’95, Kerin McCarthy Fredman, Jeffrey J. Hicks ’84, Michael E. Moran, Jeffrey T. Roberts, Kimberly Kyle Smith. New trustees for 2017-18: David Gershman, Susan M. Lampen ’71, Richard S. Stokes ’94.

30 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Photograph by Joshua Prezant. Rudy Prio Touzet ’76 and his fellow trustees stand on the threshold of an exciting future

The decision by the Ransom Everglades You joined RE’s board in 2009 and where you had the arts to begin with. So board of trustees to acquire the La Brisa became chair in 2016. Why get so to have all of that, an arts program, a view involved? Ransom Everglades really al- of the bay, overlooking the pool, it was property in the summer of 2016 repre- tered the direction of my life. I can’t imagine inspiring. I made the most of every minute. sented one of the boldest moves in the where I would be otherwise. I came from I played basketball, baseball and football. I school’s history. The acquisition opened a very small elementary school off Eighth was in the choir and a couple of musicals. Street that was made up of Cuban immi- And I had great teachers. Engaged teachers. a door to a future with more trees, wider grants, Loyola School. There were about I remember Morgan Kelly. Mr. Kelly was a quads and expansive lawns even as the 100 students in a house that was no more character. He wore suspenders with shorts. than 6-7,000 square feet. My mom made it He was crotchety, but he was intense with school makes dramatic material improve- her mission to make sure my brother Carlos geography, and I just got immersed in his ments to its campus, beginning in 2018 and I found our way to The Ransom School. class. The last course I took was econom- with the construction of a state-of-the-art Carlos, who was four years older, arrived ics with Mike Stokes. At that point, I was to Ransom first. I remember the feeling of, pre-med. I was all math and science to that Multidisciplinary + STEM Center on its “Wow, this is unbelievable.” I remember point. But I took that class and ended up current Upper School grounds. it like it was yesterday. It opened my eyes minoring in economics. That really made a to possibilities. I’m confident it’s the same difference for me. Though it’s been 47 years since Board of feeling some of our Breakthrough Miami My mother was very active at the school. students experience today when they first Trustees Chair Rudy Prio Touzet ’76 I’m not sure how she managed it, but she set foot on our campuses. arrived to the Ransom School as a wide- did, even with limited English skills. She eyed “critter”– the designation handed What made you say “wow”? There used eventually became the head of the parents’ to be a building that housed arts, next to the association. My brother and I moved fast all of the seventh-grade students at the swimming pool. It was like the Pagoda. You through Loyola, so we were very young time – Prio Touzet said he’s never been opened up the window and you had a clear at Ransom Everglades. I was 16 when I more excited about the future of Ransom shot of the bay. I never went to a school graduated. My mom gave me no choice: I Everglades. Eight years ago, Prio Touzet, the founder and chief executive officer of Banyan “The acquisition of La Brisa was, in my mind, the Street Capital, was invited to join the school’s 30-member board, and last only proper answer to allow Ransom Everglades year he assumed the mantle of chair. He took time out of his busy schedule this to provide a much-needed facelift to its facilities summer to reflect on his personal history without losing the original feel of the campus.” at the school and what lies ahead for Ransom Everglades.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 31 had to stay in Miami. She didn’t want me to Ransom Everglades is about to em- leave. It was the same for my brother. Carlos bark on changes that will transform got accepted to Princeton and my mom its Upper School campus. How did we made him stay. (Carlos went to Princeton get to this point? You have to go back a two years later as Rudy attended the few years. In the last decade or so, Ransom University of Miami, where he received his Everglades has made many improvements. bachelor’s degree in International Finance The Middle School has been totally revital- and Marketing.) ized. We have great athletics facilities, and we expanded the arts (visual arts building). Do you still feel that “wow”? Yes! It’s What we haven’t done is brought that same been exciting to watch Ransom Everglades rejuvenation to the math and science realm, rise in national stature. It’s become such a and the humanities. There is a dire need. prominent school. I don’t think I could get We need the physical plant to match the in to Ransom Everglades now. I talk to Mr. educational level. We offer a superior educa- [Jim] Beverley ’62 about it, and he com- tion and, in many places, inferior or dated pletely concurs – a little too enthusiastically. facilities. About four years ago, the board put forward You could always take some practice a plan with a footprint for a new STEM SSATs. I’d need to take a lot of them. building, improvements to Ludington, a sec- ond story to the cafeteria, a new administra- tive building. The City of Miami approved it More seriously, how did being at RE in 2014. The plan provides the opportunity help you after you left? The Ransom for a reconstruction of nearly everything cur- Everglades network is extensive. Some of my rently in place. But if we were to build out to closest friends are from Ransom Everglades. that level without additional land, we would I wouldn’t have gotten my first job at have a very dense campus. Cushman Wakefield if RE parents hadn’t put in a recommendation for me. I was a bank When I went to school here, the Upper teller for the Holtz family at Capital Bank. School campus housed maybe 200 kids. When you go to college you do have a net- As we approach three times the amount of work of friends and so forth, but they touch occupancy in the same parcel of land with a lot of different cities. Here, they touch one the same academic buildings, it becomes community, and one community that’s hap- apparent we have issues not just with aging pens to be growing and expanding. It’s hard facilities, but also with density. not to run into people that are just one step Photographs by Suzanne Kores. removed from Ransom Everglades.

How does La Brisa, which was acquired in June 2016, fit in the future? The acquisition of La Brisa was, in my mind, the only proper answer to allow Ransom “With La Brisa, our physical growth is not just about Everglades to provide a much-needed facelift to its facilities without losing the original feel buildings, it’s also about land and the bay. It offers of the campus. With La Brisa, our physical growth is not just about buildings, it’s also elements that drive us forward while also taking us about land and the bay. It offers elements that drive us forward while also taking us back to a time we really treasure.” back to a time we really treasure. We have the ability to create broader greenspaces, larger quads. We will be able to preserve trees, landscaping and buildings that are inherent in the culture of the school, while also adding other facilities that we need, and 32 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 “The board’s vision will set the stage for the next 100 years more than anything the school’s done, with the possible exception of the merger.”

kind of investments to create a good environ- ment for future students. When you look at the whole Paul Ransom story, it’s really embedded in our board as much as anywhere else. Board members really give of them- selves – both of their time and resources. The board really passed it forward. The board’s vision will set the stage for the next 100 years more than anything the school’s done, with the possible exception of the merger.

A final question: What are the biggest improving our traffic circulation. It offers the property. At that time, he was offering challenges the board faces in the coming many opportunities to improve the experi- it at a price of $65 million. We had a good years? The board has to meet the chal- ence for the students. chuckle about that; it was clearly not feasible lenges of a rapidly changing world. Where is for us. We agreed to stay in touch. We talked education going? How is the cyber revolution Ransom Everglades’ upper campus already for the better part of a year, back and forth, changing the way we educate our children? enjoys some unique characteristics. It’s an until we came to satisfactory terms that How do we prepare the institution to face oasis on the bay in a rapidly urbanizing city. included a generous donation to the school. those changes? Are we doing the right things La Brisa and our projected developments The board was excited. We believed this today to prepare our students not for what will create a college-campus experience for move would secure the future of the school college they attend, but to have the skills to our students. and really shape it for decades to come. excel in the new economy? Our answers to those questions and others How did RE finally claim the coveted So the board was on board from the be- will be reflected in the structures we build, La Brisa property? It was almost two ginning? Absolutely. I commend this board: the programs we help improve, the people years ago when the former owner, Mr. It took courage to make an investment in the we hire to handle the future. It’s a lot of work. Simon Decker, a father of two at RE, called future of this size. It takes vision to make the We’re ready to take it on. me. He wanted to let me know he was selling

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 33 Ransom Everglades welcomes three new trustees

David A. Gershman Richard S. Stokes ’94 Susan M. Lampen ’71

Ransom Everglades is pleased to welcome “I sincerely thank Mr. Dotson, Mrs. Smith School for Girls, she received her BA at three accomplished professionals and and Mr. Roberts for their years of excel- Johns Hopkins University, two master’s devoted members of the school’s com- lent service during a transformative time at degrees from Teachers College, Columbia munity to the 2017-18 Board of Trustees. Ransom Everglades.” University, and her master’s in social work David A. Gershman, general counsel for from Barry University. Gershman, formerly a partner at Akerman Trivest Partners; Susan M. Lampen ’71, LLP, also serves as a member of Trivest’s She is married to Richard Lampen, a former a longtime counselor and volunteer leader; six-person Investment Committee and member of the RE board, and they have two and Richard S. Stokes ’94, managing co-chair of the Association for Corporate daughters, Katharine Lampen-Sachar director of HIG Capital, joined the board this Growth’s Private Equity Regulatory Task ’99 and Caroline Miller ’06. summer. Force. He earned his BA from Union Stokes, who completed a two-year term as The trio replaced departing trustees Albert College and JD from the New York RE Alumni Board president, is responsible E. Dotson, Jr., Jeffrey T. Roberts and University School of Law. Gershman and for all aspects of the investment process Kimberly Kyle Smith, who among them wife Hilary Gershman have four sons, at HIG Capital, and serves on the boards served on the RE board for a total of 27 Emmet ’21, Leo ’22, Reed and Charlie. of several HIG portfolio companies. Prior years. Lampen provided counseling to healthcare to joining HIG in 2000, he was a member “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Gershman, professionals at hospitals for more than of the mergers and acquisitions group at Mrs. Lampen and Mr. Stokes,” said Head of 40 years. In 2005, she co-founded Casa Salomon Smith Barney. He played soccer School Penny Townsend. “All have excelled Valentina, an organization whose mission and golf at Ransom Everglades before head- in leadership positions, earned the admira- is to help youth transition from foster care ing to Cornell University. tion of colleagues within the Miami com- to independent living, where she remains Stokes and his wife Amy have two children, munity and demonstrated a deep concern vice chair of programming and an active Ellie and Spencer. for Ransom Everglades. We know they will fundraiser. A ’71 graduate of the Everglades elevate the work of our board.

34 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 From the In the spring issue of the Ransom Everglades Log, Ann Hicks ’66 and former faculty member Louis De Carlo correctly Archives identified the students in 1965 photos from the Everglades School for Girls and Ransom School. Hicks named Judy Prewitt, Evelina Moulder, Laurie Ross, Angie Arrington, Liz Cowen, Tina Salvesen, Heidi Fishman, April Probinsky, Melanie Kofoed, Maria Prio, Lyn Witham, Ann Coleman Hicks; and De Carlo identified Lloyd Spruille Rath, Douglas Shields Putnam, Peter Lawrence Schlueter and John George Chesney, Jr.

The cannon in 1966 with Ray Berle Zemon, Donald McLean Wylie (senior prefect) and Samuel Logan Higginbottom, Jr. A Colorful History For 50 years, RE students have painted the school’s cannon, a 17th-century relic

What started as a class prank has become one of Ransom Adirondack-Florida School in 1903, helped salvage the Everglades’ most hallowed traditions: This spring marked the 50th cannon and many other artifacts from the 60-gun, anniversary of the painting of the cannon. 933-ton ship. The HMS Winchester, which first In 1967, a mischievous group of seniors decided to cover the launched in April 1693, had been trying to iron gun stationed in the center of the Quad with a coat of paint return to England from Jamaica. on the morning of their graduation. Headmaster Pierre “Pete” The Fales family later donated Cameron was not amused. He demanded that the culprits scrape the cannon to Ransom the cannon clean in order to collect their diplomas hours later. The Everglades. seniors accomplished the task, then raced to commencement, white paint adorning their dress shoes as they crossed the stage. Since that day, RE students have painted the cannon – without fear of retribution – to make political statements, Cannon 2017 express their views about school policies or simply celebrate achievements and good news. The cannon has an illustrious history that dates well beyond its first coat of paint. It was discovered in 1938 among the coral-caked remains of the HMS Winchester, a British ship that wrecked just off of Key Largo in 1695. Diver Samuel Fales ’31 and Commodore Hugh M. Matheson, who attended the

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 35 Bowden Fellows

Seated L to R: Noa Richard ’18, Dan Leslie Bowden, Gabrielle Jadotte ’18. Standing L to R: Violet Handforth ’18, Megan Zou ’18, Jeffrey Miller ’79, Stephen Kaiser ’18, Andrew Lorenzen ’18, John A. King, Jr. Summer studies in the humanities Inaugural Dan Leslie Bowden Fellows share their stories

From the desk of John A. King, Jr., Associate Head of School: exhibited in the proposals we read. The From making films to spirit of inquiry, passion and interest in the I am very grateful to be working with our human condition that we saw in the fellows’ inaugural class of Dan Leslie Bowden doing international proposals has carried the Bowden Fellows Fellows in the Humanities, who describe through their work this summer. They can their projects in their own words in the all be proud of the impressive work that they coming pages. It has been a pleasure for me historical research to produced and the intellectual growth they personally to offer guidance to the fellows as experienced. From making films to doing they shaped their projects last semester, and exploring more carefully international historical research to exploring to offer what I hope was constructive input more carefully the uniqueness of the human and feedback as the projects developed over the uniqueness of the body itself, all of the fellows in their own way the course of the summer. explored what it means to be human. They After a demanding application process and human body itself, all of examined the potential inherent in human careful review, last spring a committee of beings, the depths of human emotion, and faculty members, including Mr. Bowden the joy of the human spirit. and chaired by me, recommended to the fellows in their own While all of the Bowden Fellows spent Head of School Penny Townsend that six their summers creating original work, their rising seniors – Violet Handforth ’18, way explored what it activities and ideas did not emerge without Gabrielle Jadotte ’18, Stephen Kaiser the input and inspiration of others. I am ’18, Andrew Lorenzen ’18, Noa Richard extremely thankful to Jeffrey Miller ’79, ’18, Megan Zou ’18 – be named as the means to be human. whose generous endowment gift to the first class of Bowden Fellows. I know that I school has created opportunities for our speak for my colleagues on the committee John A. King, Jr. students that, in the words of one fellow, when I say that we were impressed by the – thoughtfulness, creativity and curiosity Column continues, page 82 To contribute to the Dan Leslie Bowden Endowment in the Humanities, contact Director of Advancement Greg Pollard at [email protected].

36 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Noa Richard ’18: The plight of Syrian refugees

In headline after headline, lives of Syrian refugees may seem a world away, but in reality, these are stories of real people in our own community. The premise behind my Bowden Fellowship was to film a short documentary that would explore the human condition of these displaced people and provide a platform for the voices of Syrian refugee families in Miami, voices rarely heard. This opportunity introduced me to their world, a world that was foreign yet familiar. My first interaction with these resilient people came at the Syrian Supper Club, monthly dinners in Coconut Grove held in honor of recently arrived families. The dinners allow the Syrians to cook their food and celebrate their culture, while sharing their stories. I was nervous, hoping to make the right impression and garner their trust; enough trust that they would feel comfortable sharing their lives on camera. My film touches on the pain of their past, while looking to their future. The documentary will help to raise awareness and empower the women. I am grateful to faculty member Ms. Jen Nero for offering invaluable guidance and support on this life-changing project. Ms. Nero introduced me to law professor Jessi Tamayo ’99, under whose direction I collaborated on the startup of an all-female Syrian catering business that helps Syrian women contribute to their families’ income. It has been gratifying to conduct compelling interviews and build strong relationships, since my work on the documentary will continue throughout my senior year. The doors opened by the Bowden Fellowship have been most rewarding and have broadened my understanding of the world around me.

Violet Handforth ’18: Art immersion at RISD

The Bowden Fellowship granted me the opportunity to attend the Rhode Island School of Design pre-college summer program in Providence, R.I. This course truly opened my eyes to an immersive art school experience that thoroughly changed my life and for which I will be forever grateful. At RISD, I was exposed to a plethora of new materials and techniques that gave me a greater sense of perspective in terms of art making. I used charcoal, inks and paint, and was able to do life drawings of nude figure models, and skeletons from the wonderful RISD nature lab. In addition, through RISD’s “crit” sessions, in which students and teachers critique and discuss each student’s work in a group setting, I learned how to talk about my work and present myself as an artist. The atmosphere at RISD was alive and buzzing, as I was surrounded by passionate, motivated students who truly loved art and making art as much as I do. Because of this, I was able to create drawings that will enrich my portfolio. Essentially, my RISD experience solidified my desire to become a full-fledged artist and gave me the tools and the confidence to do so, which is invaluable to me. I look forward to exhibiting and discussing the work I produced this summer on campus, and bringing the creative and critical techniques I learned to the art studios at RE.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 37 Bowden Fellows Andrew Lorenzen ’18: Creating a feature film

Through the generosity of the Bowden Fellowship grant, this summer I was able to shoot my first feature film,To the Moon, which was partially based on a play I wrote and directed on campus. The script tells three intertwining stories of college students on the precipice of entering the real world, tackling themes of idealism, nostalgia, responsibility and aspiration. I assembled a 12-person cast and crew composed of a mix of professional South Florida actors and Ransom Everglades students (Hannah Tacher ’18, Thor Wahlestedt ’18, Chris Duyos ’17) and spent much of June and early July rehearsing, scouting locations, acquiring props/set pieces, practicing with film equipment, researching shooting and editing techniques, and revising the script. The grant enabled the purchasing of professional film equipment, props and set pieces. We spent roughly four weeks shooting in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and Miami Beach. Filming was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. On a typical day, I (serving as writer, director and producer) would do everything from coordinating food services, rearranging set pieces, writing shot lists, organizing props/costumes, rehearsing with actors, synchronizing camera movement, recording sound and managing personalities on set. Shoot days frequently ran from 10 a.m. to past midnight. Yet despite the long hours and taxing labor, I loved every minute of it. I cannot thank Ms. Jen Nero, Ms. Kate Hamm and Dr. John King enough for all of the wisdom and guidance they provided on the project! I grew as a leader, filmmaker and person, and I couldn’t have spent my summer in a better way. The film is currently in post- production and will be submitted to film festivals across the country and abroad this winter with premiere details to follow.

Stephen Kaiser ’18: Historical research in Shanghai

The story of the Jewish migration and survival in Shanghai during World War II to Shanghai, I had to do in-depth and detailed is an amazing story, which has brought to life world history for me. It has been historical research on modern post-imperial overshadowed by the chaos of the 1930s and 1940s and the Nazi atrocities of the Chinese history. I researched a tremendous amount Holocaust. The Jewish people were able to survive in Shanghai as a result of a of history involving interactions between, the preexisting Jewish community and Japan’s favorable history with Jews prior to Middle East, China, Japan, Russia, Europe and WWII. Additionally, to understand how China permitted these refugees to migrate North America before and during this time period. Dr. John King, Dr. Kathryn Bufkin and Mr. Youming Che have been instrumental in assisting me throughout this project, which culminated in a paper I submitted in August to the Concord Review. As I pursued my studies, I met extraordinary people and had incredible interactions. The adjacent photograph shows an interview I conducted with Shanghai artist Li Shoubai, who had recently released a painting about the Shanghai Jewish refugee experience and the relationship between the Jews and the Chinese. In this photograph, he is explaining to me his inspiration for his painting and is describing in Chinese his memories from his childhood of the Jewish people. I am extremely thankful to the Bowden Fellowship and Ransom Everglades for the amazing assistance and encouragement that facilitated this project.

38 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Megan Zou ’18: Art at Harvard

Receiving a Bowden Fellowship allowed me to take a course on acute observation at the Harvard Summer School. The class focused on the design and structure of the American environment in relation to the changing fabric of American society. I was able to learn about a variety of things, from the history of the color chartreuse, to the etymology of the word landscape, to the specifics of gas station design. The topics were largely unrelated subjects with one point: details matter. The female focus of Renoir’s Dance in the Country, for example, is painted in light and warm colors, in stark contrast to the blues and greens of the background and the male focus. Similarly, an advertisement with a wooden rowboat instead of a fiberglass one in the background is an intentional choice; wooden boats take time and maintenance. Whether in paintings or architecture or communities, the small details play important roles. Knowing and recognizing details like this allow us to be more aware and mindful of how we perceive the world around us. I hope that sharing essays and artwork from this summer with the Ransom Everglades community will encourage others to enjoy and pay attention more to their surroundings. In doing so, people might learn unexpected things or find new hobbies and passions.

Gabrielle Jadotte ’18: Exposing Miami’s youth to art “Fins up!” For three weeks in June, that was the phrase I said the most when trying to capture the attention of elementary school students in the Achieve Miami Summer Program Art Track. Whether it was lining the kids up after lunch or trying to get them to clean up after their daily art projects, “Fins up” was always needed. But when local Haitian artist JaFleu walked into the room one afternoon and started placing his original paintings on the whiteboard, the students quickly became quiet and paid rapt attention to their special guest. JaFleu was one of three artists that I arranged to come meet with the Art Track students at the Achieve Miami Summer Program, which allows students who wouldn’t be able to attend traditional summer camp engage in meaningful learning with high school students. My Bowden Fellowship allowed me to enhance the program by bringing in local artists that children could relate to culturally and socially, and having the artists speak and work with the kids. The three artists, JaFleu, Adler Gurreir, and Kandy Lopez, made the program a success by creating projects, working closely with the students and inspiring many of them. One nine-year-old student told JaFleu that he “was way cooler than any rapper ever and the paintings were better than any music a rapper could make.” That single heartfelt statement strengthened my desire to make artists more accessible to young children. I would love to include my peers in my project by coordinating artists’ visits and art shows that include the whole Ransom Everglades community.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 39 On Campus The Class of 2017: ‘Nothing is going to stop this class’

Celebrated filmmaker and photographerTimothy Greenfield- Sanders ’70 urged the Ransom Everglades Class of 2017 to “stand for something” before the 150-plus graduates walked across the Lewis Family Auditorium stage to collect their diplomas at the school’s 113th commencement, which concluded in a sea of blue and green balloons, confetti and silly string. Head of School Penny Townsend distributed the school’s highest awards at the May 19 event, presenting the Faculty Cup to valedic- torian John Mistele ’17; the Paul C. Ransom Founder’s Cup to Benjamin Freeman ’17; the Marie B. Swenson Founder’s Cup to Debbie Ajagbe ’17; and the Head of School Cup to Michael Colonna ’17. She also presented the Founders’ Alumni Award to Greenfield- Sanders, who enthralled the audience by sharing his journey from his days at Ransom Everglades – where he was profoundly influenced by former faculty members Dan Leslie Bowden, Mike Stokes and Geoff Pietsch – to Columbia University, the American Film Institute and finally into the captivating worlds of film and photography. There, he benefited from a mix of unexpected encounters and powerful connections with the likes of Bette Davis, Lou Reed and Toni Morrison to develop his two passions, eventually earning a Grammy Award as a filmmaker and acclaim as a photographer. (See story on page 6.) He noted that Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning author, stands for something “at a time most people don’t dare stand for something.” “Seniors, I hope you will make Ransom Everglades proud,” Greenfield-Sanders said, “and I expect you to stand for something.”

Photographs by Juan Cabrera and Suzanne Kores.

40 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 The Class of 2017 will be matriculating at the following colleges and universities:

Amherst College, MA (2) Babson College, MA (4) Barnard College, NY (1) Bates College, ME (1) Boston College, MA (2) Boston University, MA (4) Brown University, RI (2) Bucknell University, PA (1) California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA (1) Carnegie Mellon University, PA (3) College of Charleston, SC (1) Columbia College Chicago, IL (1) Columbia University, NY (2) Cornell University, NY (4) Dartmouth College, NH (1) Duke University, NC (2) Emory University-Oxford College, GA (1) Florida Institute of Technology, FL (1) Florida International University, FL (6) Florida State University, FL (1) Georgetown University, DC (2) Harvard University, MA (2) Indiana University at Bloomington, IN (3) Johns Hopkins University, MD (4) Kenyon College, OH (1) Loyola University New Orleans, LA (1) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA (1) McGill University, PQ (1) Miami Dade College, FL (1) Middlebury College, VT (1) Mount Holyoke College, MA (1) New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJ (1) New York University, NY (5) Northeastern University, MA (1) Princeton University, NJ (5) Purdue University, IN (2) Rhodes College, TN (1) Southern Methodist University, TX (2) Valedictorian John Mistele ’17 addresses the Class of 2017. Stanford University, CA (2) The George Washington University, DC (5) Tufts University, MA (7) Head of the Upper School Ken Mills intro- who is headed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Tulane University, LA (4) the fall, and Dan Leslie Bowden offered the duced salutatorian Ryan Guillen ’17, who United States Naval Academy, MD (1) had addressed his peers and their parents benediction. University of Alabama, AL (1) during the May 13 Senior Send-Off, and Seniors received a resounding congratulations University of California, Berkeley, CA (4) Mistele, the valedictorian. Mistele left the audi- from Townsend, who urged them, as they University of Chicago, IL (2) ence in stitches with his recollections of the University of Colorado at Boulder, CO (2) headed off to 64 different colleges and universi- Class of 2017’s bumpy ride through Ransom University of Connecticut, CT (1) ties, to “carry the RE ethos with you and ... Everglades, but by the end of his remarks he University of Florida, FL (2) make the world a better place. We’re counting turned serious and thoughtful. Borrowing from University of Miami, FL (9) on you ... We believe in you.” the late Steve Jobs, he urged his classmates to University of Michigan, MI (5) “stay hungry and foolish” while adding his own University of Pennsylvania, PA (5) University of Rhode Island, RI (1) touch to the admonishment: Stay grateful. University of Southern California, CA (2) “And so we step, hungry, foolish, and grateful, University of St. Andrews, Scotland (1) from the halls of Ransom Everglades into the University of Vermont, VT (1) world, and nothing is going to stop this class,” University of Virginia, VA (3) Mistele said. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (1) Vanderbilt University, TN (9) The class was welcomed by Rudy Prio Villanova University, PA (1) Touzet ’76, the chair of the school’s board of Wake Forest University, NC (2) trustees who reflected on his RE commence- Washington University in St. Louis, MO (7) ment “just a few decades ago.” A U.S. Navy Williams College, MA (1) captain recognized Michael Sanchez ’17, Yale University, CT (3)

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 41 On Campus An Exemplary Partner RE honored for service to Coconut Grove school

Ransom Everglades School was named an Exemplary Dade Partner Natalie Fredman ’17, an officer in the Volunteer Student by Miami-Dade County Public Schools during its annual community Organization (VSO), accepted a plaque from Alberto M. Carvalho, partners luncheon April 6, one of among just a handful of the 73 nomi- the county school superintendent, on behalf of Ransom Everglades nees to receive that recognition. RE had been nominated by Frances S. and the dozens of students – including Ellie Moret ’18, Mia Tucker Elementary in Coconut Grove. Schatz ’18, Brooke Miller ’18 and Fredman (students pictured) – who have volunteered at Tucker. RE students provide tutoring in math and reading three days a week, and “Blessings in a Backpack,” packages of food and snacks for children receiving free-or-reduced-price lunches to take home on weekends. “Ransom Everglades is a valued community partner for Tucker,” said Neki Mohan, Local 10 News anchor and event emcee. “Students at Ransom Everglades volunteer countless hours to ensure that students at Tucker get what they need to help them be successful in school.” Associate Dean for Student Affairs Paul Elkins, who works with RE clubs and service organizations, also attended the 39th Annual Community Partners Recognition Awards. Fredman was RE’s stu- dent representative at the Jungle Island event. Ransom Everglades was a co-winner for the central region.

Aid for Financial Aid REPA’s $250,000 gift boosts important program

The Ransom Everglades Parents’ Association presented a $250,000 check for the school’s financial aid program to Head of School Penny Townsend during the annual volunteer breakfast on May 25, 2017. The donation was derived largely from the proceeds of REPA’s 33rd-annual auction, a February event that drew more than 500 and raised in excess of $190,000. REPA’s contributions are considered invaluable to a school that prides itself on providing aid to qualified students who otherwise could not attend RE, awarding more than $5 million in 2016-17 for financial aid or tuition remis- sion. Dozens of parent volunteers helped make the gift possible, assisting with fundraising or at REPA events throughout the year. “We cannot thank our parents enough for investing their talent, energy and time to support Ransom Everglades School,” Director of Advancement Greg Pollard said. “I am thankful to all who contributed, from Auction Chair Lisa Mendelson and her co- chairs to REPA President Laurie McWilliams and countless other volunteers.” The volunteer breakfast served as a farewell to Jody Crosland, who announced her retirement from RE after two decades of service, first as a volunteer, then as RE’s Parent Relations Coordinator and Advancement Associate. REPA’s new officers, including 2017-18 president Bonnie Seipp, were introduced and installed at the conclusion of the event. Laurie McWilliams, Lisa Mendelson and Penny Townsend.

42 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 A Show of Gratitude Faculty and staff recognized for years of service

Ransom Everglades Head of School Penny Townsend honored more than a dozen faculty members with Years of Service Recognition during the 2016-17 end-of-school luncheon, an event that also recognized retiring and departing faculty. Robert “Doc” Crabtree, a science teacher and cross country coach, and Karen Steven Howlan, Penny Townsend and Greg Siegler. Thompson, world languages teacher and freshman class dean, were Michael Groeninger, Ramona Miller, Maria del Carmen Naranjo, honored for 35 years of service. Maria Martinez and Amy Sayfie Zichella ’93, achieved 15 years Middle School Director of Student Activities Greg Siegler and Steve as Jorge Guzman, Roy Kelly, Eddie Palau, Kimberly Pineda, Jose Howlan, a baseball coach and equipment manager who is retiring, Ramos and Matt Stock reached their 10-year anniversaries. were recognized for 30-year anniversaries. World Languages teacher Ransom Everglades faculty, staff and administrators also show- Guillermo Urbina was honored for 25 years of service; Upper School ered ovations on departing faculty and staff:Irene Bustamante Band Director Jon Hamm and History & Social Sciences Department ’83, Marisa Phirangee, Jody Crosland, Ellen Samimy, Nick Pison, Chair Jen Nero, 20 years each. Howlan, Jose Pulido, Scott Warfel and Julie Smith. An Impressive Legacy The Class of 2024 includes 30 children of RE alumni Ransom Everglades welcomed 30 legacy children to the Class of 2024 during the sixth- grade orientation that preceded the opening of classes. Director of Advancement Greg Pollard and Director of Alumni Relations Vicki Carbonell Williamson ’88 met the new RE students with their alumni parents and helped organize a photo. Here are the Class of 2024 legacy families, in alphabetical order: Chloe Alfonso ’24, Dan Alfonso ’95; Eliza Arnold ’24, David Arnold ’86; William A. Charouhis ’24, William Charouhis ’77; Sofia Rosa de la Torre ’24, Paul de la Torre ’88; Chetan Desai ’24, Wendy Levitz ’88; Leah Shepherd Dimond ’24, Scott Dimond ’86; Patricia Drulard ’24, Jody Drulard ’90; Logan Feldman ’24, Kimberly Feldman ’91; Delio Gonzalez ’24, Rafael Millares ’94; Paul Gould ’24, Eric Gould ’85; Eden Harris ’24, Elana Oberstein-Harris ’93; William Anders Holly ’24, William Holly ’86; Carolina Hommen ’24, Nicky Hommen ’91; Olivia Janette ’24, Joely Kaufman-Janette '88; Lars Peter Jensen IV ’24; Lars Jensen ’93, Zoe Anna Katsoufis ’24, Lambros Katsoufis ’92, Chryso Pefkaros Katsoufis ’98; Hugh Francis Napoleon La Fontisee ’24, Louis L. La Fontisee III ’81; Ella Lucia Lombardo ’24, Indi Avila ’96; Tyler Mason ’24 (not pictured), Dwanita Fields ’00 (not pictured); Andres Mendoza, Jr., ’24, Andy Mendoza ’93; Conner Oglesby ’24, Kristine O’Phelan ’88; Marella Rebessi ’24 (not pictured), Bruno Rebessi ’91 (not pictured); Riley Rozencwaig ’24, Jodie Rozencwaig ’87; Sofia Rua ’24, Ignacio Rua ’81; Sofia Srebnick ’24, Howard Srebnick ’82. Associate alumni: Raines Knight ’24, Erin Dolan Knight ’94; Myles Heller ’24 (not pictured), Douglas Heller ’80 (not pictured); Gabriel Levinson ’24 (not pictured), Michael Levinson ’80 (not pictured); Bryce Sadler ’24, James Sadler ’81; Jaden Simkins ’24 (not pictured), Michael Simkins ’95 (not pictured).

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 43 RE Sports

The number of feet by which The number of feet Debbie Ajagbe ’17 won her by which Ajagbe’s third straight 2A state title in throw would have the discus with her winning won the boys’ 2A 39 throw of 169 feet, 3 inches. 2state title.

The number of spring state championships won by Raider athletes. The spring titles came in boys’ water polo, boys’ tennis, girls’ discus and shot put (Ajagbe) and girls’ pole vault 5 (Anne Gutierrez ’17). A Superlative The number of consecutive victories earned by the boys’ water polo team on its way to a perfect season and first state title since 2008. Five players Spring – nearly the entire starting lineup – were named first-team All-Dade players by The Miami Herald (see box). The 2017 spring athletics season at Ransom Everglades was characterized by a mix of state 30 championships, record achievements and joyous moments. Photos often tell the story best; in this case, however, numbers may provide the richest illustration. Here’s a look at the spring season by the numbers. 20-2The record of the boys’ volleyball team during the homestretch of a fairytale season, which included district and regional titles before a narrow loss in the state quarterfinals.

Athletic Acumen Raiders awarded major sports awards

Four RE athletes and four coaches claimed major athletics awards for small schools during the Miami Herald’s annual Miami-Dade County Athletic Awards Ceremony on May 23 as more than two dozen Raiders received recognition. Michael Colonna ’17 won Male Athlete of the Year for the second straight year, and Kyla Valls ’17 won Female Scholar Athlete of the Year and Girls’ Co-Swimmer of the Year. Erin Bakes ’18 won Girls’ Lacrosse Player of the Year and Jason Gould ’17 won Boys’ Water Polo Player of the Year. Debbie Ajagbe ’17 and Valls were named finalists for Female Athlete of the Year. Miguel Lamar ’17 was a finalist for Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Girls’ golf coach Eric Salomatoff, girls’ lacrosse coach Bridgette Laskey, boys’ water polo coach Eric Lefebvre and boys’ tennis coach Peter Lehmann all won or shared coach of the year honors in their individual sports. Lefebvre was also a finalist for Male Sports Coach of the Year.

44 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 The number of con- secutive district titles won by the girls’ The number of years9 since the track and field team. boys’ tennis team had won a state championship when 12 John Michael Holtmann ’17, Antonio Mora ’18, Samuel Rubell ’19 and Grant Dill ’19 swept four matches over Pensacola Catholic to claim the 1A state title.

The number of podium2 finishes The number of RE achieved by RE rowers at the athletes and coaches Scholastic Rowing Association of who won major America National Championships athlete-of-the-year Regatta: a silver medal in the girls’ or coach-of-the-year junior varsity double and bronze in the awards in Miami Dade girls’ lightweight varsity quad. 8 County (see story below). 3 The number of national championships for which the sailing team qualified – a The 6number of school record. The Raiders players on the girls’ advanced to the Mallory lacrosse team – doublehanded championships, which won its third the Baker team-racing straight district title championships and the Cressy – named first-team singlehanded championships, All-Dade players. collecting two eighth-place (See box.) finishes and one 11th. Competition photographs by Carl Kafka.

RE First-Team All-Dade • Winter, Spring 2017 Michael Colonna ’17 soccer, Miguel Lamar ’17 water polo, volleyball scholar Tiffany McBrayer ’18 soccer Carolina Carrera-Justiz ’18 water polo Debbie Ajagbe ’17 track & field Elle Futernick ’17 water polo Anne Gutierrez ’17 track & field Alex Kucera ’18 lacrosse Sam Rubell ’19 tennis Gabrielle Pena ’20 lacrosse John M. Holtmann ’17 tennis Erin Bakes ’18 lacrosse Antonio Mora ’18 tennis Calliste Skouras ’19 lacrosse Will Danon ’17 water polo Lauryn Bausley ’18 lacrosse Jason Gould ’17 water polo Catherine Kolski ’18 lacrosse Jordan Gould ’18 water polo Helaina Harris ’21 lacrosse Matt Simko ’18 water polo Ryan Peluso ’22 volleyball Kyla Valls ’17 scholar

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 45 Link to the photo galleries: Alumni https://ransomevergladesschool.smugmug.com/ Weekend Ransom Everglades honored its 2017 Athletics Hall of Fame class in May. L-R: Gordon Myers ’92 (soccer, football and track), Jessica Greenwald Ladin ’93 (water polo and swimming), Owen Paris (coach), Joshua Greenwald ’87 (water polo and swimming), Daniel Tamayo ’97 (baseball), Mark Ingraham ’91 (sailing).

Nominate today for the 2018 Alumni Awards. Deadline for nominations is October 31, 2017: • The Athletic Hall of Fame • The Head of School Award • The Founders’ Award Visit: https://www.ransomever glades.org/page/alumni/ alumni-awards

‘A Tremendous Honor’ Elana Oberstein-Harris ’93 received the 2017 Alumni Head of School Award for her inspiring com- mitment and service to Ransom Everglades during the Head of School Luncheon on April 29. More than 200 alumni, former and current faculty and members of the Class of 2017 gathered for the event during Alumni Weekend. Oberstein-Harris, a member of the board of trust- ees, is known for her energy, grace, good cheer and devotion to her alma mater. An assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Health System specializing in rheumatology, Oberstein- Harris has assisted with every class reunion since her days at Harvard University and UM’s Miller School of Medicine. She has served on the school’s alumni board, help- ing transform the annual fund to a point of pride as alumni contributions have grown to more than 30 percent annually. She also has served as co-chair of the five-year-old Ransom Everglades Epic Fishing Tournament, which has raised more than $150,000 for Breakthrough Miami and RE’s waterfront. The daughter of former RE language teacher Alicia Oberstein, Oberstein-Harris is the proud mother of two Raiders: Jack Harris ’23 and Eden Harris ’24, and daughter Stella Harris. “This is a tremendous honor for me,” Oberstein-Harris said. “I want to thank my parents for giving me the gift of an RE education.”

46 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Future Raiders in disguise. Alumni water polo game.

Coaches David Villano ’79 and Jim Beverley ’62 gathered soccer alums for their annual winter break game: Old (green) vs. Young (orange).

Dan Leslie Bowden shares some of his favorite poems with Alumni Regatta champs Penny Townsend and Michiel “Monkey” van de Kreeke ’88 in action. former students and friends.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 47 Link to the photo galleries: Alumni https://ransomevergladesschool.smugmug.com/ Weekend

Alumni Spring Cocktail Party on the Quad. L-R: Tal Vivian ’68, Victoria Vivian, Paul Vivian ’67. Alumni Spring Cocktail Party on the Quad. L-R: Andrew Skigen ’87, Andrew Reese ’87, Todd Poses ’87, Eliza Srebnick Weber ’87, Anabel Samimy ’87, Scott Jaffee ’87, Roxana Shershin ’87, Chris Dougherty ’87 and Davey Frankel ’88.

Alumni Spring Cocktail Party on the Quad. L-R: Susan Glass, Renu Mody ’82, Greg Glass ’82 and Steve Dan ’82.

Alumni Spring Cocktail Party on the Quad. L-R: Maria Elena Prio ’66, Isabel Atwill Merritt ’67, Una Hutton Newman ’67, Penny Townsend, Barbara Beckham Slick ’67 and Marty Miller Raiss ’67.

Photo at left: Everglades Class of 1967 Dinner at Miami Shores Country Club. Seated L-R: Una Hutton Newman ’67, Isabel Atwill Merritt ’67, Robin Bitter Norton ’67. Standing L-R: Karen Kennedy Herterich ’67, Trisha Maher Seales ’67, Marlee McNaughton Matheson ’67, Barbara Beatty ’67, Sally Bowen Fletcher ’67, Marty Miller Raiss ’67, Barbara Slick Beckham ’67, Jane Margulis ’67 and Liz Cowen ’67 (Reunion Chair).

Everglades Alumnae gathered for a brunch on the Everglades Campus honoring the Class of 1967. As part of the festivities, the women toured the campus. Pictured in the Ransom Class of 1967 50-Year Reunion in the Pagoda. L-R: Mike Stokes, Ira Warshaw ’67, Dell L-R: Barbara Beckham Slick ’67, Marty Miller Raiss ‘67, Robin Bitter Dan Leslie Bowden and Paul Vivian ’67, James Searle ’67, Mongin Brumby ’67, Norton ’67, Lauren Gould ’67, Barbara Beatty ’67, Una Hutton Newman ’67 . Tod Aronovitz ’67 and Marlee McNaughton Matheson ’67.

48 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Class of 1977 Reunion Party at Monty’s in the Grove.

Class of 1987 Reunion Party at the home of Sara and Todd Poses ’87.

Class of 1997 Reunion Party, L-R: Enrique Conde ’97, Penny Townsend and 1997 Reunion Dinner hosts Cristina Echavarria and Danny Echavarria ’97.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 49 Alumni Events INSPIRE STUDENTS TO LEARN. SERVE. EXPLORE. EXCEL. Join our esteemed Swenson Society

Alumni parents and their Class of 2017 children were honored with their legacy plaques as part of the Senior Send-off festivities in May.

REACH Too (Ransom Everglades Alumni Can Help Too) once again organized A Day of Play at the Overtown Youth Center on March 26, 2017. This marked the third consecutive year REACH Too has worked with the OTYC children.

our planned gift, such as a charitable bequest, trust or gift hen you choose to extend your generosity in this way, you Yannuity, helps support current and future students as they Wbecome a member for life of Ransom Everglades’ Swenson experiment and explore ways to challenge themselves personally, Society. academically and physically for future achievement in college, o learn more about planned giving opportunities at Ransom Everglades careers and life. Your Ransom Everglades legacy will live on TSchool, please contact Greg Pollard, Director of Advancement, at REEF Champions 2017 from Kosher Kowboy: Jon Madorsky ’91, Mitch Vento ’91 through their limitless potential. 305 460 8820 or [email protected]. and Thaddeus Foote ’91.

Children enjoy faculty member Astrid Dalins’ remarkable “REEF” cake.

50 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Swenson Society Ad - Log Fall 2017_V2.indd 1 7/25/2017 2:05:32 PM INSPIRE STUDENTS TO LEARN. SERVE. EXPLORE. EXCEL. Join our esteemed Swenson Society

our planned gift, such as a charitable bequest, trust or gift hen you choose to extend your generosity in this way, you Yannuity, helps support current and future students as they Wbecome a member for life of Ransom Everglades’ Swenson experiment and explore ways to challenge themselves personally, Society. academically and physically for future achievement in college, o learn more about planned giving opportunities at Ransom Everglades careers and life. Your Ransom Everglades legacy will live on TSchool, please contact Greg Pollard, Director of Advancement, at through their limitless potential. 305 460 8820 or [email protected].

SPRING 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 51 Swenson Society Ad - Log Fall 2017_V2.indd 1 7/25/2017 2:05:32 PM New Talent Ransom Everglades is once again pleased to have enhanced its faculty by adding Parish School. Mr. Arrastia hails from as a track athlete, she also became a standout Miami, and holds a BA in English and MEd soccer goalie during her undergraduate ca- accomplished teachers in a number of in Educational Leadership. reer and served as an assistant coach on the disciplines. These additions allow us to Columbia University women's soccer team continue to decrease class size while Roger Caron joins while pursuing her MA. enriching the educational experience of the college counseling our students. We believe our faculty is office in the new posi- Susana B. Diaz at the heart of Ransom Everglades’ tion of Coordinator of Diaz arrives to RE as the Student Athlete College Middle School coun- tradition of honor and excellence, Recruitment. He is selor after eight years and we are proud to introduce also teaching World as guidance counselor our newest members. Civilizations in the at St. Agnes Academy History and Social Sciences Department at in Key Biscayne and six the Upper School, and joining the athlet- years in private practice Flavia Araripe ics coaching staff. A Harvard graduate and as a marriage and family therapist. While arrives to the English former offensive lineman for the NFL’s at St. Agnes Academy, Ms. Diaz counseled faculty at the Middle Indianapolis Colts, Caron coached the students in pre-K through eighth grades, School from the Chapel Pomona-Pitzer football team for more than conducted workshops on mental-health School in São Paolo, two decades, earning Southern California topics and coordinated and administered a Brazil, where she Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach sexual-abuse prevention program. She won headed the English of the Year honors in 2016. Before his run Teacher of the Year honors at St. Agnes in department and taught at Pomona, he served as an assistant coach 2004, her last of nine years as a second- and English and Spanish to middle and high at Williams College, helping the team to a third-grade teacher. Fluent in Spanish and school students. Prior to that, she served 45-9-2 record in seven years, including a English, Ms. Diaz previously served as a as a sixth-grade bilingual teacher at 23-game win streak (1988-91). Mr. Caron therapist for vocational rehabilitation clients Ontarioville Elementary School in Elgin, co-founded and co-directed the Pomona through What’s On Your Mind, a psychol- Ill. She brings a broad teaching background College Wellness Program, taught his- ogy, learning and brain development center that includes directing student plays, teach- tory and coached at Cheshire Academy in in Miami. She also has been a member of ing Portuguese and sponsoring creative Connecticut. Mr. Caron earned his AB in the Archdiocese of Miami Counselors Crisis writing clubs. Ms. Araripe previously was a European History at Harvard, and MEd Team. She received her BA in elementary language instructor at the Berlitz Language from North Adams State College. He was education and master’s degree in guidance Center in Rio de Janeiro. She earned a BA inducted into the Harvard Varsity Club Hall counseling from St. Thomas University. She in Brazilian and English Literature and of Fame in 2002, and continues to hold the also received a post-master certificate in Translation at Pontifícia Universidade rank of Professor of Physical Education marriage and family therapy. Católica do Rio de Janeiro and an MA in Emeritus at Pomona. Latin American Studies at the University of Kelly L. Jackson brings Texas at Austin. Lindsay Danielson research and teaching has assumed the Dean experience in the field Juan P. (“J.P.”) of Students position of marine geology to the Arrastia joins the and joins the English Middle School Science English department at faculty at the Upper Department; she also will the Middle School and School. She arrives to contribute her nautical will contribute to RE’s RE from Country Day gifts to the sailing pro- drama program after School near Tampa, gram at RE. Dr. Jackson recently earned her juggling a number of where she served as Middle School English PhD at the University of Miami Rosenstiel important roles at St. Coordinator/Instructor for five years while School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Brendan High School for a decade. Mr. also performing a variety of administrative in Marine Geology and Geophysics; her Arrastia not only taught all levels of English duties. Prior to that, Ms. Danielson was research documented geologic evidence from the sixth-grade level to English IV, a Pediatric Education Coordinator at the of ancient sea-level fluctuations in the but he also introduced the AP Capstone University of Virginia and program director Bahamas. At UM, Dr. Jackson taught ma- Program, chaired the school’s arts depart- at Level the Field, Inc., in New York City, rine geology and oceanography, supervised ment and directed the Visual & Performing where she developed and implemented undergraduate research at the Center for Arts Academy. In that role, he directed the inner-city mentorship program. Ms. Carbonate Research, and won several prizes dozens of student theatrical productions Danielson earned her BA at Columbia for graduate student research and publica- and taught drama and acting. Mr. Arrastia University and MA in secondary English tion. She arrived at the UM Frost School of also served as St. Brendan’s Director of education at Teachers College, Columbia Music on a scholarship to study violin and Publications and Communications, and University. Ms. Danielson was a three-sport earned undergraduate degrees in music and Dean of Students at St. Thomas the Apostle athlete (swimming, soccer and track and marine science and geology. Her master’s Catholic School. He began his career as an field) in high school. Recruited to Columbia research on Indian Ocean paleotsunamis English teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes

52 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 earned her the school-wide Dean’s Prize summer day camp at Gilmour Academy in his BA in international relations from the for Outstanding Master’s Thesis and she Gates Mills, Ohio, and in 2015, she assisted University of Pennsylvania and JD from the also earned the Frank J. Millero Prize for with environment conservation as part of University of Denver. He graduated from Best Student Publication. In 2007, she was International Student Volunteers in New Phillips Academy Andover. He competed at named the Marine Geology and Geophysics Zealand. Andover as both a coxswain and rower and Outstanding Student of the Year. Dr. all four years at Penn as a varsity coxswain. Jackson is an avid scuba diver who has Desiree Masucci, an earned her PADI Divemaster certification. accomplished dancer and Jonathan Scholl, She also enjoys boating. actress with expertise in arrives to the Upper costume design, joins the School History and Social Doreen Johnson Middle School faculty to Sciences Department joins the Middle School teach dance and drama, from the University History and Social and will lend her skills of Florida, where was Sciences Department to productions on both an adjunct lecturer in from Durham Academy campuses. A Miami native who attended Dr. the University Writing in Durham, N.C., where Michael M. Krop Senior High School STAR Program and post-doctoral teaching associ- she taught middle Magnet Academy for Visual and Performing ate after earning his PhD in history with school history and led Arts, Miss Masucci graduated with a BA an emphasis in colonial Latin America. the department in curriculum development in theatre (with a minor in dance) from Dr. Scholl also served as an adjunct lec- and implementation. Ms. Johnson previ- Rollins College, where she was a recipient turer in Santa Fe College’s Department of ously taught history and English at the of the Priscilla Parker Theatre Scholarship Social and Behavioral Sciences and was Lindop School in Broadview, Ill.; Evanston for Excellence in Design. She went on to a volunteer instructor and coordinator at Township High in Evanston, Ill.; The the California Institute of the Arts, where the Latina Women’s League of Gainesville, Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, Mo.; she earned her MFA in theatre with an where he taught Citizenship Preparation and and Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. emphasis in costume design. Her design Conversational English for Speakers of Other She served on the Board of Examiners for work has been showcased throughout the Languages. He received his MA in history the National Council for the Accreditation nation, including in the film “Holy Land,” from the University of Florida and BA from of Teacher Education and presented at produced by Rabbit Bandini Productions. Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., the 2014 North Carolina Association Miss Masucci has taught dance for Miami where he was a Richard A. Burke Scholar of Independent Schools Conference on Theatre Center’s Summer Intensive Youth and spent two semesters abroad (Madrid, “Developing the Middle School Scholar.” Program and The Gordon School of Beth Spain, and Santiago, Chile). In 2016, he re- In 2006, she was a Fred Hampton Image David Congregation, and also has been an ceived the Richard J. Milbauer Dissertation Award honoree for demonstrating generos- adjudicator for the District 13 Thespians/ Research Award for best dissertation in the ity and leadership in a community of learn- Individual Events competition. history department. ers. While at Lindop, she served as head cheerleader coach for 10 years. She earned Timothy S. McAllister Samantha Shapiro her BA from DePaul University, where she arrives to RE as the assumes responsibility was a scholar-athlete in track and field and Director of the Crew for directing RE’s major cheerleading, and earned her MEd from Program, bringing more productions, supervising Harvard University. Ms. Johnson will help than 20 years of experi- and coaching the Upper coach track and field at RE. ence from a rowing School’s thespians, and career that spans the teaching acting classes on Meghan Kramer, competitive gamut from the Upper School cam- arrives as Middle School rower to coxswain to coach. He has coached pus. Miss Shapiro arrives from the highly re- Library Assistant at every level but found his niche in scholas- garded Miami Children’s Theater, where she from Cleveland State tic rowing, where he has contributed to sev- managed all aspects of production – from University, where she eral nationally competitive programs. Coach casting to choreography to directing to stage graduated in December McAllister previously served as head coach management – for 17 mainstage perfor- 2016 with a BA in at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Cambridge mances, including Sister Act, The Producers communications and School, Greenhill School and most recently, and Ragtime. Miss Shapiro also brings a rich minor in English. She is currently en- The Hockaday School. During his tenure at background as an acting teacher and dance rolled in the Kent State University Online Hockaday, he helped revitalize and trans- and voice instructor. At MCT, she instructed Program, working toward a master’s degree form the school’s program into one of the children, teens and adults in acting tech- in Library and Information Science. She top girls’ programs in the country. His row- nique, improvisation, stage presence, voice, previously served as an administrative ers garnered multiple state championships dance, diction and audition preparation. She assistant at the Incentis Group, LLC., in in key events; gold medals at the Stotesbury previously served as a theater director and Mentor, Ohio, conducting research for data, Cup; a silver in their first trip to the acting teacher at Broadway Musical Theatre location analysis and tax programs and Scholastic Rowing Association of America on Key Biscayne. She was also a production opportunities for clients. This past sum- championships; and two top-10 finishes at Story continues, page 82 mer, she worked as a senior counselor at the USRowing Youth Nationals. He earned

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 53 2016-17 Report of Giving

Securing a Bright Future

For a complete honor roll of donors, visit ransomeverglades.org/reportofgiving

54 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Letter from the Director of Advancement

Dear RE Community, It is with great pleasure that I share Ransom Everglades’ 2016-17 Report of Giving/ Appreciation with you. On behalf of our students, faculty and staff, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your help in making this past fiscal year a record breaker. You made more than 2,500 gifts and pledges totaling $17,708,209 during the 2016-17 fiscal year – an unprecedented level of generosity that speaks volumes about the RE community and ensures that Ransom Everglades students will continue to thrive. Through your generosity, you express your belief in the RE Experience – an education that prepares our young people for the challenges of tomorrow. Your support makes a strong statement about the value of our school in the world today. You demonstrate your appreciation for our passionate and dedicated faculty. You enable talented, motivated students from many backgrounds to enrich the life of our school. You help provide the opportunities for young people to stretch and achieve in new ways. Your Together, we gifts provide financial aid and support for our academic, arts and athletics programs. Your gifts keep our historic campus beautiful and safe. In all, your gifts open a world of are achieving possibilities for our students and faculty. All members of the RE community who make a gift today continue the legacy that Paul Ransom and the Swenson family created for future generations. Philanthropy new heights is truly a powerful and important part of RE’s history and future. I want to thank our many volunteers, including our alumni, parents, and faculty and our alumni class agents, for their dedicated support of our development efforts. Special thanks to trust- and securing ees Ghislain Gouraige and Constance Fernandez, our Advancement Committee co- chairs; Ricky Stokes ’94; president of the Alumni Board; Amy Steinhour, chair of the a bright future Parent Fund; and Laurie McWilliams, president of the Ransom Everglades Parents’ Association. Our board of trustees also deserves the highest praise for its deep com- mitment to the school – our trustees’ wise governance and stewardship have helped for this RE build its strong position. Most importantly, the contributions – small and large – of everyone in the RE com- special school. munity truly make a dramatic impact. RE is a worthy beneficiary of your philanthropy. Together, we are achieving new heights and securing a bright future for this special school. Your commitment and vital financial support enable RE to focus on defining educational leadership in the future. With gratitude,

Greg Pollard Director of Advancement

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 55 2016-17 Report of Giving Alumni: “A Tremendous Source of Pride” Letter from the Alumni Board President

Dear Fellow Alumni, Thank you for all that you do to support Ransom Everglades School! Your support and involvement are a tremendous source of pride for our students and our entire community. Your engagement propels stu- dents to the next level and allows our programs to build on an already solid foundation. In 2016-17, the alumni community surpassed its goals in both participation and amount raised, achieving 31 percent participation and raising $950,308. This is the third year in a row that alumni partici- pation has exceeded 30 percent, which is a huge vote of confidence in our long tradition of honor and excellence. These remarkable achievements are only possible because of the commitment of our illustrious alumni board and volunteers. I would especially like to thank our 2016-17 Annual Giving Chair Todd Mestepey ’91, who has led us through another year of great success. Thank you also to Head of School Penny Townsend, whose steadfast support of the alumni program at RE has taken our fundraising and programming efforts to new heights. She, along with the board of trustees, inspires the alumni board and our many volunteers to make a difference in the lives of the students and faculty at our alma mater. We know that there are many ways to be involved as an alumnus/a, and we are grateful to everyone involved in the many other programs led by the alumni association. Other highlights from last year include our RE Alumni Connections networking events in Miami, New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco; our Head of School Luncheon; Alumni Weekend; REEF (The Ransom Everglades Epic Fishing Tournament); and our REACH Too (Ransom Everglades Alumni Can Help Too) efforts involving the Overtown Youth Center and Centro Mater.

Ricky Stokes ’94 Alumni Association Board President 2016-17 REEF Tournament The Ransom Everglades Epic Fishing Tournament raised $41,000 in support of RE and Breakthrough Miami.

Pictured clockwise starting from the left: REEF Co-Chairs, Peter Diamond ’92, Pearce Klevan ’97 and Elana Oberstein- Harris’93; Student Chairs Alex Sidi ’17 and Danielle Pena ’18 and Max Tauber ’19.

56 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 The Strength of our Parent Community Letter from the Parent Fund Chair

Dear RE Parents, Thank you to the entire parent body of Ransom Everglades for helping to achieve another record-breaking year for The Fund for RE. Your commitment and support affirm our mission and demonstrate the strength of our community at Ransom Everglades. You raised $1,546,718 for The Fund for RE with 87 percent participation. RE’s successes are a direct result of the generosity of our outstanding community of parents, alumni and friends, whose philanthropic support is at the heart of our accomplishments. We are incredibly proud of our talented students and esteemed faculty and staff, whose accomplishments continue to elevate Ransom Everglades to the highest levels of achievement. Thank you to our committed and hardworking parent volunteers who gave their time and energy to ensure our success. Thanks to all of our fantastic Grade Chairs and their teams: Nicole Murray (sixth), Lissette Suarez Stancioff ’86 (seventh), Allison Holly and Wendy Levitz ’88 (eighth), JoAnne Civantos (ninth), Ashley Cusack ’85 (10th), Alicia Hawkins ’90 and Suzanne Meltzer ’89 (11th), and Adrienne Pardo and Lori Harvey (12th). I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Ransom Everglades Parents’ Association, led by President Laurie McWilliams, for raising $250,000 to support the financial aid program. Thank you to all of those who contributed their time, effort and dollars to make the 2016-17 program suc- cessful. We are grateful for your support, and we value the opportunity to steward your gifts through this Report of Giving.

Amy Marrs Steinhour Parent Fund Chair 2016-17

The Auction The annual auction celebrated the 305 and helped raise $250,000 to support the financial aid program at RE.

Pictured clockwise starting from the right: Auction Chair Lisa Mendelson, Board of Trustees Chair Rudy Prio Touzet ’76, REPA President Laurie McWilliams; Linda Levy Goldberg, Barbara Hevia and Carol Iacovelli; and Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard ’88 and Wendy Levitz ’88.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 57 2016-17 Report of Giving GIFTS RECEIVED BY PURPOSE There are multiple ways to make a difference through your philanthropy. Your gifts to The Fund for RE, the endowment, facilities and special programs all help RE excel.

$2,806,950 $14,027,700 THE FUND FACILITIES Gifts put to use for best, Gifts to develop and maintain most immediate impact campus resources that are innovative, environmentally friendly and attractive

$873,559 ENDOWMENT Contributions to endowment funds that support RE in perpetuity

We must all take responsibility for preserving Ransom Everglades for future generations. Tuition alone will never support all the things required to keep the school on the leading edge.

– Ricky Stokes ’94, Alumni Association Board President

58 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 MONEY WELL SPENT Ransom Everglades is proud to steward your gifts meaningfully and secure financial sustainability through thoughtful strategic planning and an eye toward the future.

$5.3M Financial aid and tuition remission $14.7M $244K Academic and Faculty instructional professional programs for development students

$2.5M Technology and building improvement

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 59 5-YEAR GROWTH 2012-17 PARTICIPATION RATES 31% 87% 96% 62% OVERALL 2016-17 Report of Giving 51% 81% ALUMNI PARENTS FACULTY PARENTS THEALUMNI FUND OVERVIEW & STAFF The Fund for Ransom Everglades provides the base of support for enriched academic, art and athletic programs, enhanced facilities, a dynamic faculty and many more opportunities that make up the RE experience.

30 52 most consecutive years of giving by a donor Z |donors who have given      2,245         members of the 20+ 234     RE community first-time who supported     years donors     The Fund for RE consecutively      

60 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 THE FUND AT WORK Every gift, every year, from every donor adds up to make Ransom Everglades better and stronger. Gifts make a big difference in the day-to-day experiences of current students and faculty. Your gift of any amount elevates RE. It all adds up! YGIFTS OF... $20 $50 $100 $250 ADDED UP TO ADDED UP TO ADDED UP TO ADDED UP TO ~$5,000 >$15,000 >$40,000 ~$130,000

New speaker New expanded and recording seating in system in the Swenson Hall Rehearsal Hall Tuition and fees for one financial 8 iPad Air aid student tablets for student use 80 new football 16 new helmets for both sailboats campuses Dan L. Bowden Library interior upgrades Shadow box Do something display cases for brilliant and unexpected student artwork that gives one person – or hundreds of people – a reason to smile. – John Mistele ’17

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 61 2016-17 Report of Giving RAIDER DAY OF GIVING For the second year in a row, this one-day, 24-hour fundraising event brought the entire community together to show its collective support for Ransom Everglades. It is a day for all of us to show our Raider pride by making a donation to The Fund for RE. The Raider Day of Giving 2017 was held on March 23.

CLASS OF 370 70% 1997 DONORS OF GIFTS CAME FROM SCORED GAVE ALUMNI HIGHEST PARTICIPATION N$107,040 (255 GIFTS) (41 DONORS) DONATIONS CAME FROM 22 55 STATES ALUMNI & CLASSES FACEBOOK LIKES ON 967 DAY OF GIVING POSTS 62 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 THE FUND SUPERLATIVES A special shout out to our donors who rose to the challenge of achieving the greatest participation or amount raised as a class, either as alumni or parents. We congratulate you – and thank you – for your participation!

ÿClass of ’97 ÿClass of ’79 ALUMNI ALUMNI GREATEST GREATEST PARTICIPATION AMOUNT RAISED 69 DONORS $77,225

ÿ12th Grade ÿ10th Grade 55 PARENT PARENT ALUMNI CLASSES GREATEST GREATEST PARTICIPATION AMOUNT RAISED 152 DONORS $445,345

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 63 2016-17 Report of Giving VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Volunteers at THE FUND FOR RE VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Ransom Everglades lend their time ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRS SIXTH-GRADE CHAIR Mr. Ghislain Gouraige Mrs. Nicole Murray and expertise to Mrs. Constance Fernandez SEVENTH-GRADE CHAIR elevate our programs Mrs. Lissette Suarez Stancioff ’86 PARENT CHAIR Mrs. Amy Marrs Steinhour while building EIGHTH-GRADE CHAIRS a phenomenal ALUMNI CHAIR Mrs. Allison Holly Mr. Todd Mestepey ’91 Ms. Wendy Levitz ’88 community, all in GRANDPARENT CHAIR NINTH-GRADE CHAIR support of RE. Mrs. Nancie Sturges Mrs. JoAnne Civantos

We are so grateful FACULTY CHAIRS TENTH-GRADE CHAIRS Mr. Josh D’Alemberte Mrs. Ashley Cusack ’85 for our volunteers, Ms. Astrid Dalins ELEVENTH-GRADE CHAIRS Ms. Penny Matthews who give so Mrs. Alicia Hawkins ’90 Ms. Ginny Onorati Mrs. Suzanne Meltzer ’89 generously of STAFF CHAIR TWELFTH-GRADE CHAIR themselves. Mrs. Monique Regis Mrs. Adrienne Pardo

RAnsom Everglades Parents' Association

PRESIDENT ASST. TREASURER Mrs. Laurie McWilliams Mr. David Scharlin

VP UPPER SCHOOL AUCTION CHAIR Mrs. Shelly Dimitrijevic Mrs. Lisa Mendelson

VP MIDDLE SCHOOL MEMBER-AT-LARGE Mrs. Abby Zanarini Ms. Melissa Buckner

Mrs. Elisa Carrera-Justiz VP COMMUNICATIONS Mrs. Vivian Duyos Mrs. Isabel McBrayer Mrs. Ely Jelke VP COUNCILS Dr. Kerin McCarthy Fredman Mrs. Bonnie Seipp Mrs. Sharon Pottinger Mrs. Carrie Wiesenfeld VP WEBSITE ADMIN Mrs. JoAnne Civantos Mrs. Susan Woolsey

VP RE PALS PAST PRESIDENTS Mrs. Laura Roberts Mrs. Laura Roberts Mrs. Kathy Simko SECRETARY Mrs. Lori Harvey Mrs. Susan Shapiro Mrs. Jill Meland TREASURER Mrs. Karla Mihm

64 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 You will carry ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD Ransom Everglades’ mission with you, PRESIDENT IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Mr. Richard Stokes ’94 Mr. Ben Quevedo ’98 and you will make VICE PRESIDENT NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS the world a Mrs. Rachel Greer Narvaez ’99 Mr. Timothy Burks ’82 Mr. Curtis Porterfield ’74 better place. SECRETARY Mr. Jarrett Posner ’88 – Head of School Mr. Carlos Dominguez ’90 STUDENT MEMBERS Penny Townsend MEMBERS Franklin Civantos ’17, Student Body President Mr. Agustin Arellano ’90 Joon Kim ’17, Senior Class President Mr. David Arnold ’86 Mrs. Vanessa Chartouni-de la Serna ’90 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Mr. Enrique Conde ’97 Mr. Rudy Prio Touzet ’76, Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Peter Diamond ’92 Mrs. Stephanie G. Townsend, Head of School Mr. Gene Drody ’88 Mr. Greg Pollard, Director of Advancement Ms. Nelly Farra ’96 Mrs. Vicki Carbonell Williamson ’88, Director of Mr. Scott Fuhrman ’00 Alumni Relations Mr. Eliot Gelber ’84 Mr. Gregory Glass ’82 Mr. Kevin Grossfeld ’95 Mrs. Alicia Gerrits Hawkins ’90 Mr. Ryan Holtzman ’00 Mr. Pearce Klevan ’97 Ms. Melissa Krinzman ’86 Mr. Todd Mestepey ’91 Mr. Robert Newman ’95 Ms. Lisa Sayfie ’91 Mr. Pablo Tamayo ’00 Mr. Fernando Tamayo ’99 Mr. Michiel van de Kreeke ’88

For a complete honor roll of donors, visit ransomeverglades.org/reportofgiving

Please note that the data compiled in this 2016-17 Report of Giving were taken from unaudited financial statements from June 30, 2017.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 65 Class Notes

Ransom School 1934 Forty-three works of the late painter Emilio Sánchez were showcased from February 9 to May 21, 2017, at the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami in an exhibition with former professors Mike Stokes and Michael Wohlfield reports that he is liv- called “Emilio Sanchez in South Florida Dan Leslie Bowden as well as their dear ing happily with his wife Nora – and their Collections.” The exhibition honored the friends from 1967. Photo above, L-R: John church family. He tells us, “We meditate legacy of the Cuban-American Sánchez, who Shepherd ’68, Alan Sanchez ’68, Ralph daily, which brings peace, love and harmony died in 1999 after capturing the architec- Bowden ’67, Mike Stokes, Barry LeWald to ourselves and neighbors. Far more lasting ture, landscapes and color of New York, the ’68, Mongin Brumby ’67, Mike Maisel with only positive side effects. Certainly Caribbean and Latin America in his scenes ’68 and Karen Maisel. beats alcohol, drugs and sex, which we of everyday life. Emily Elkin ’11 worked . have all used thinking this is as good as it on this project as research assistance to Dr. Ned Moore has been elected to the gets, but all those are only temporary and Victor Deupi, curator for the exhibition. board of directors of the St. John’s Church short-lived.” Foundation, which is charged with the preservation of St. John’s Church, a national historic landmark in Richmond, Va. In 1775, 1969 a year prior to drafting the Declaration of W. Kai Jelstrom is married and living in Independence, the church hosted Thomas Orlando, Fla. He has been employed full Jefferson, George Washington, Richard time as a food broker since 1980. Kai writes, Henry Lee, Patrick Henry and other del- “Blessed with two children, one grandchild, egates at the Second Virginia Convention. a wonderful life of faith and hope in a bright During the heated debate over whether or future. God bless all my old classmates.” not to take the radical step of raising and arming troops that could oppose the British army, Patrick Henry gave his now-famous 1970 1958 “Give me liberty or give me death” speech Chris Haub sends a photo of Timothy Edward G. L. Carter, a great nephew of that ignited the American Revolution, Greenfield-Sanders ’70 and himself Ruth Ransom, says “Sawasdee” (greetings!) making St. John’s a must-see landmark for “with Class of ’70 legend, Lee Stockdale, from Thailand and reports that his “book anyone interested in the Revolution and enjoy[ing] a 47-year reunion in New York is progressing nicely – The Amazing Life the universal struggle for human rights. City, during which we reached David and Times of Edward Carter. Chapter One Moore is the former president of the Virginia Fraleigh ’70 on the phone and remembered features my time at RE.” You can read along Foundation for Independent Colleges, where many assorted classmates, while going he worked with a statewide board comprised here: http://bit.ly/2tKi9ow through TGS’s upcoming commencement of corporate executives, college presidents speech.” and foundation representatives to expand 1967 awareness, interest and support of the pri- Dan Brock was sorry to miss the Ransom vate college sector in the Commonwealth. 1967 reunion in April due to a business Tal Vivian writes: “I have stayed busy as I conflict in Las Vegas. After Las Vegas, Dan just assumed a position as a member of the was off to visit his newest grandchild in York County School Board in York County, San Francisco, grandchild number five. He Va. This is in addition to being a member of reports: “If you are wondering … yes … I the board of directors for Colonial Behavioral still work in the commercial aviation field Health and faculty member at Old Dominion as a consultant. And yes, as we may have University. I teach in the Health Care discussed, I am still into music and playing Administration program: Health Care the upright bass for a North Carolina Marketing, Health Care Systems, Health Timothy Greenfield-Sanders ’70 bluegrass band.” Care Administration I and II. Though I am was selected as the 2017 recipient of the staying busy, it is all a lot of fun.” 2017 Ransom Everglades School Alumni 1968 Founders’ Award. Head of School Penny Townsend presented him this honor at the Barry Lewald recently moved to 2017 Commencement, where he gave the Gainesville, Fla. Barry and his 1968 commencement address. See pages 6 and classmates Mike Maisel, Alan Sanchez 40. and John Shepherd had a mini-reunion during the 2017 Reunion Weekend. It was important for them to spend time

66 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 1967 Cathy Myers is retired from retail and Viva deCarion writes, “My husband, 1973 education and living in Jacksonville, Fla., Neil, and I perform as the Nearly Normal where she enjoys seeing her grandchildren String Band. We play traditional music, ’60s Brooks Miller and daughter and son from Virginia. She folk, etc., at state parks, farmers markets, continues to fondly remembers Ms. Connors, her English weddings, funerals and parties. What fun! compete in 24-hour teacher, and Mr. Colt. She was married I retired at the end of 2015 when I turned ultraskateboarding for 30 years to her husband, who died in 66. I am a CPA and Certified Information events with an 2004 and is buried in Arlington National Systems Auditor (CISA), and worked as an international Cemetery. internal audit manager for 32 years, after team known as a short stint with Arthur Andersen & Co. the Misfits. Notes I have three children (youngest has Down Brooks: “Great race, 1963 Syndrome) and four grandchildren, ranging great people, great Judy Walker McGuirt writes, “One of from six to 19. The children are from my time … The Misfits my most meaningful trips included my first marriage. I am married to my soul is a group of friends attendance at yearly reunions of my dad’s mate, and we have adventures daily!” that regularly chats WWII flight training instructors and cadets on various topics in Douglas, Ga. This one was more special Thank you to Liz Cowen for chairing the and gets together as my two granddaughters attended with Class of 1967 Dinner on Saturday, April at 24-hour ultraskate events. A local one is my son to learn more about the importance 30, at the Miami Shores Country Club. Ultra Miami in January … There are three and designation of the base on the National Everglades classmates from surrounding Dutch members, two of whom are women. Historic Register. The event includes classes were encouraged to join the We have one member from Singapore, one displays of era aircraft, flights in PT member from France (the tall guy) and then 17 trainers and tours of the museum me (second from the left). Saskia Tromp, and base.” the new world record holder, is second from the right. We have a FaceBook page ‘Misfits International.’” At the Dutch Ultraskate July 1966 1, 2017, in Spaarndam, Netherlands, Tromp Tina Salvesen’s artwork was part set a new woman’s world record by going of the I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME 262 miles during the 24-hour race. ROAR! exhibition in Wynwood. Her work was celebrated along with that of 21 other female artists living and working in Miami. The exhibition curated by Kathryn Mikesell and Ombretta festivities. Photographed are all Everglades Agro Andruff closed on July 21, 2017. alumnae in attendance. Salvesen’s piece called “Star Map 1,” was Ibis and Egrets Forever! Both teams were among those on display. It was 49 inches well-represented at the Everglades Brunch by 39 inches, made from dyes, inks, acrylic, during 2017 Alumni Weekend. gold, silver and earth on paper and buried for 18 days in the rainy season in Miami.

Everglades School for Girls 1962 Bebe Ferrell McClain, “My husband Bill and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniver- sary last year. We are both retired — still living in Asheville, N.C., and winters in Hilton Head Island. We have three children and four grandchildren. We have enjoyed visiting with Jourdan Moore Houston ’62 and Lou Blair Pfaelzer ’62 in recent years. Jourdan and her husband visited July 4 for my birthday celebration.”

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 67 Class Notes

football league of Antioquia, and officially anniversary. Our daughter Rachel will be acquired Organización Ardila Lülle in starting her senior year at Ringling College 1996. Atlético Nacional, based in Medellín, of Art and Design in Sarasota.” has the largest number of fans and won the most championships in Colombia. One of only three teams to have played 1977 in every first-division tournament in the country’s history, Atlético Nacional has Carol Greenberg Brooks, see Brad won 16 league titles, three Copa Colombia Weiser ’78. and two Superliga Colombiana for a total of 21 domestic titles. It also has the most Kit Pancoast Nagamura led a Japanese 1968 international titles of any Colombian club, Culture Night at the home of her early Jeanne Weinkle, Everglades Class having also won the Copa Merconorte childhood – The Kampong – last April 25, of 1968 reunion chair, attended the twice, the Copa Interamericana twice, and helping visitors explore traditional haiku, Everglades Class of 1967 festivities this the Recopa Sudamericana once. In 2016, Japanese flower arrangement and foods past April to start the planning for her Atlético Nacional was ranked by IFFHS as and cocktails from Japan. She also shared 50-Year Reunion on April 27-28, 2018. the best football club in the world. It is also reflections in a first-person story in the To get involved with the Everglades Class ranked as the best Colombian club in the Miami Herald on the four years she lived of 1968 Reunion, please contact Jeanne 21st century. on The Kampong, the estate her great- at [email protected]. Jeanne is grandfather, David Fairchild, bought and pictured above with Kathleen Kennedy- Jose Tamayo is the founder and director planted for horticultural research. She Olsen ’68 and Jan Salvesen Morrison of FUTSOC USA, a youth soccer club based and her parents lived in a tiny efficiency ’69 at the Everglades Class of 1967 Dinner. in Weston, Fla., serving players from ages with a sleeping area, galley kitchen and 6 to 23. Now in its 18th year, FUTSOC – a one common space on the expansive land, portmanteau of the sport’s two names, enjoying its beauty and suffering through 1972 futbol and soccer – is routinely ranked its tropical inconveniences. Kit now lives in among the nation’s most successful clubs Japan. Kit is pictured below with Lisa Shaw Tiffany Bell, see Marley Lewis ’01. as measured by on-field success, player and Alison Spear during Reunion Weekend development and college placement of its 2017 on the Everglades Campus. Read more Sarah Miller Barothy ’72, Juliana graduates. Jose, who also juggles a career here: http://hrld.us/2sI7Vb4. Field ’72, Lili Krech Neale ’69 and in international banking, shares duties at Mary Beth Norton Durant ’69 met the club with his sons Francisco, Carlo and up in Washington, D.C., at the memorial Armando. service for environmentalist Joe Browder in November 2016. 1976 Theodore Etzel, a proud member of RE’s Class of 1976, purchased a bottle of Dom Perignon vintage 1976 in honor of his class year at REPA’s auction – Celebrate the 305!

James Franklin writes, “In June I marked my 35th anniversary of working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and celebrated by promptly retiring from NOAA on June Charles Toppino, see Brad Weiser ’78 Ransom Everglades School 30. The last 18 of those 35 years were at the National Hurricane Center, where Warren Weiser, see Brad Weiser ’78 1975 I started as a hurricane forecaster and Antonio Ardila visited with Head of concluded my career as chief of forecast School Penny Townsend in Bogota, operations. Before that I worked at the 1978 Colombia, in April. During the visit, Mrs. NOAA Hurricane Research Division on Sandra Harris Franklin, see James Virginia Key, making nearly 100 aircraft Townsend learned of the many accolades Franklin ’76 of Club Atlético Nacional S. A., also known penetrations into the eyes of hurricanes, as Atlético Nacional – which is owned by including Gloria (1985), Andrew (1992), Janet Lustgarten, the CEO and co-founder Ardila’s family company. Atlético Nacional and Mitch (1998), and publishing a of Kx Systems, a data analysis company, was founded in March 1947 as Club Atlético number of academic papers, some useful. was featured earlier this year in a story on Municipal de Medellín by Luis Alberto In June, Sandra Harris Franklin ’78 the website of the film “Dream, Girl.” The Villegas López, a former president of the and I also celebrated our 35th wedding documentary and its website strive to inspire

68 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 the next generation of leaders by telling the stories of successful female entrepreneurs. In the piece, Lustgarten spoke about love. “The people who do well are the people who find love,” she was quoted saying, “Love from other people in their surroundings – Harris ’95. Erin Bakes ’18, Eitan whomever, whatever. And that is such a Dooreck Aloni ’18 and Julia Ortiz ’18 1982 message to be talking about. I’m a computer won first place at the March 9 competition Ana Alas and her husband were scientist and we’re talking about something at the Pagoda for their plan for BEST- honored when their 29-year-old firm, very intellectual … and then I turn into a Ware!, a user-friendly software designed to GAA or Gonzalez-Abreu/Alas Architects, conversation about love.” You can read the help parents teach their children healthier was selected as the only Coral Gables full story at http://bit.ly/2lYbZRh smartphone habits. Architectural Firm for the exclusive Luxe Magazine 2017 Gold List after making both Eric Magoon is a foreclosure prosecutor in the Miami and the national front covers of Miami-Dade County. He has been married 1980 that publication. The firm also was featured 27 years and has a 23-year-old daughter. He John Tawa writes: “my eldest son, Tim, on the front cover of the Miami Herald’s will be a freshman at Stanford in the Indulge Magazine Spring Home and Design fall. Late in June, Tim Tawa was named Issue, and was asked to be a part of Dering MaxPreps’ National Male Athlete of the Year Hall’s website. GAA donated its time for for 2016-17. Tim was Oregon Player of the the design and architectural construction Year in both football and baseball and turned documents for the new headquarters for “Taylor’s Closet,” an organization that tailors to young girls in foster care in the Fort Lauderdale area. The grand opening is set for September 2017. “As architects and designers, we are always looking for inspiration through our travels. This July we took our three children, Dante (20), Allegra (18) and Luca ’17 earned a black belt in krav maga and is going (17), to France for second black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. and Italy.” Brad Weiser has worked with RE classmates and friends to open a new hotel, The Perry Hotel, just outside of Key West. He has partnered with Charles Toppino ’77, Carol Greenberg Brooks ’77, and his brother Warren Weiser ’77. His down more than 40 football offers to play daughter Blaire Weiser ’06 contributed as baseball at Stanford.” the overall interior designer. The 100-room Lisa Landy writes, “Alex Glaskowsky boutique hotel on Stock Island was featured Leavell, Tammy Ho and I and our families in a prominent story in the Miami Herald, traveled to Alaska together for 15 days. This which noted that, since opening in May, the picture is in British Columbia not far from hotel “has already drawn attention — and Skagway, Alaska. My kids, Gwen Howland accolades. Architectural Digest recently listed ’19 and Jarrett Howland ’22, are also it as one of the best-designed new hotels in pictured.” the country.”

1979 Michael Greenberg, an attorney, served once again as a judge for the fourth- annual RE Business Challenge along with EveryMundo founder Seth Cassel ’98, WIN Lab Miami Founding Director Nelly Farra ’96 and Remzy.com founder David

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Dave Bricker is a writer, Seven employees received the honor. Prior Sylvester. His clinical specialties are head editor, publishing coach to that, she noted, no one had ever held that and neck surgical oncology and endocrine and MFA graphic designer title without having sold his or her company surgery, reconstructive surgery of complex who helps remarkable to EWM. “I am quite honored!” she said. defects of head and neck, skull base tumor people tell remarkable surgery, and microvascular reconstructive stories using words, surgery. images, music and technology. His award- winning memoir, The Blue Monk, recounts his journey as a young man from the RE football field through the Bahamas and across the Atlantic under sail. Read the paper version or enjoy the multimedia edition in his own web-based format at http://thebluemonk. com. This summer, he released The Story Story: A Journey Through the Islands of Connections and Engagement for Writers, Speakers, Professionals, and Visionaries – a non-fiction book that teaches readers Jennifer Reichenbach Dangar is Chief about the power of storytelling and the of Corporate Operations for Jackson mechanisms behind it. Because the power Healthcare in Atlanta. After 25 years of storytelling is the book’s central theme, in media (Discovery, Turner, Weather the lessons are wrapped in a novel that Channel) she made the move to join the uses storytelling to teach storytelling. As healthcare industry in 2016 and joined one he was in high school, Dave remains an of Georgia’s largest private companies. She avid jazz guitar player. He lives in Miami is on a number of non-profit boards and is with his wife, Suzanne. His daughter, Eva the Chair of YPO for Georgia. Jennifer lives Franklin Einspruch shares his studio ’23, now studies at the RE Middle School. in Buckhead, is married to Jon and has a news, “My series of MBTA drawings is A member of the National Speakers daughter, Grace, 12, and stepson, Hilton, 19. growing apace – 27 drawings and two Association, he coaches, consults and prints to date. See the MBTA group at my speaks on strategic storytelling, writing, site, which is now serving from the domain publishing and design. name franklin.art. An evening I spent using 1986 charcoal and watercolor to draw two models David Arnold is the Chief of Surgery for the posing together, posted in the group Double 1985 newly opened Lennar Foundation Medical Model, gave rise to a screenprint created Center in Coral Gables, which is part of the at Zea Mays under the guidance of Jenny Ashleigh University of Miami Health System. He Gover. Its title is Two Women and there are (Brinson) was a featured speaker for the Sylvester 12 prints in the edition. In April I loaned Cusack was Comprehensive Cancer Center Educational the use of my art to the social media efforts recently named Series as an expert in head and neck surgery; of the Asperger/Autism Network. Works a senior vice he and a colleague discussed understanding that I’ve donated to the Sam & Adele Golden president at treatment options for oral, head and neck Foundation were available at their 20th Year EWM Realty cancer patients who may have undergone Celebration and Art Auction on August 12. International. failed initial treatment. David is helping to Back in January, a comics poem appeared lead advanced clinical and surgical trials at out of the snow.”

70 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 1987 Chris Beach writes, “For the past four years, I’ve reunited every year with my former varsity swimming teammates Pam Pennell Kelly, Dustin Nason, University of Florida SeaGrant Program. from Columbia to compete at US Masters Lissette Suarez Stancioff and Lee Irvin Over the past 10 months, three teams of Swimming Nationals, an event that draws ’87 gathered this summer in the Abacos, samplers representing RE, UMASS and 2,000-plus swimmers from around the Bahamas, with their families. Bottom row NOAA have been collecting water samples country. This year we competed in the 200 L-R: Daniel Stancioff ’23, Eve Kelly, Sena at 11 stations the length of the waterway medley relay and vanquished all comers Irvin, Ed Kelly, Pam Pennell Kelly ’86, system to better understand the ambient (25 other teams) in our 45+ age group to Lee Irvin ’87. Top row L-R: Alex Stancioff, nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorous) related bring home the gold. Twenty-eight years Julian Stancioff ’22, Lissette Stancioff water quality during both the wet and dry ago, the four of us were members of the ’86, Julia Irvin, Dustin Nason ’86, Julia seasons. As this has never been done before, Columbia squad that won the Ivy League Nason, Olivia Nason. Not pictured: Addis the main objective is to quantify nutrient championship.” Kelly concentrations, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll levels to ascertain the degree to Tommy Balzebre, Billy Hirschman, and Kelly McCammon reports: “Our son Oliver which the nutrient rich discharge from the Donald Lutton performed again as High is attending Johns Hopkins this fall and Coral Gables Waterway may be affecting Tide for the Class of 1987 30-Year Reunion our daughter Cecilia will be attending the water and habitat quality along the western at the home of Sara and Todd Poses this University of Miami School of Architecture. boundary of Biscayne Bay. Ultimately, we past April. A huge thank you to the 1987 So, my wife Wendy and I are empty nesters. are trying to get a full-blown assessment of Committee Chairs Adriana Atwill de la We just moved to West Palm Beach where the system funded and have the RE students Fuente, Vanessa Greene Steinberg, I am opening financial offices and Wendy participate to get real world science into Donald Lutton and Todd Poses along is starting a health and wellness coaching the classroom and the classroom into the with the entire 1987 reunion committee for business for women. We are excited to field. Thank you Cecilia Calleros ’94 and all their planning. be back in the South Florida area and to Scott Erdmann for making the effort to get become more involved.” your classes out there and contributing to generating new knowledge. It is my hope Roland Samimy writes, “In the spirit that we can continue this partnership into of trying to get applied science into the the 2017-18 school year as well. Data classroom, I had the pleasure of working to date is already producing some very with the AP Environmental Science classes interesting findings which we will continue over the 2016-17 school year to initiate a to share in the classroom and in the halls of first ever baseline water quality monitoring NOAA.” program in the Coral Gables Waterway (one of the main freshwater discharges to Biscayne Bay). Observed habitat degradation in the near shore waters of Biscayne Bay over the past 20 years, combined with the teachers and students existing sampling efforts prompted this unique collaboration. This effort, which began in October 2016 Lee Irvin, see Pam Pennell Kelly ’86 and has carried forward into this summer 2017, is actually an informal (voluntary) partnership between RE science students/ teachers, myself working under the umbrella of the Coastal Systems Program at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, NOAA-AOML on Key Biscayne and the

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Arlene Sierra and higher-ed campus across the country, writes, “Hello as well as new STEM, performing arts, and from London! A 21st-century classroom buildings for several few updates: My schools across South Florida. Rather than orchestral piece heading back to Germany this summer, we Moler, which was will be exploring some of our own backyard commissioned natural wonders including the Rockies, by the Seattle Arches National Park, Zion National Park Symphony Justin B. Elegant has joined Berger and the Grand Canyon. “ in 2012, will Singerman, Florida’s business law firm, as be performed a partner on the dispute resolution team. Heidi Howard Tandy writes, “Such fun by the Boston Justin is an accomplished civil trial and getting to hang out with Richard Blaustein Symphony with appellate lawyer. He brings more than two and Peter Frank this past May at our Andris Nelsons decades of legal expertise and philanthropic Penn reunion! And, as Vicki (Carbonell conducting. involvement to the firm. Justin lives on Williamson ’88) reminded me this This will be Miami Beach with his wife, Jennifer, and morning, our next big reunion at Ransom at Symphony two sons, Luke ’19 and Hudson. Luke is Everglades is next spring! Hope to see many Hall in Boston on October 5-7. My a junior at Ransom Everglades as Hudson of you there!” newest piece, Nature Symphony, was enters ninth grade at Philips Academy, commissioned by the BBC and will have Andover, Mass. its premiere with the BBC Philharmonic and Ludovic Morlot conducting. This will Adam Gelber, see Cecilia Calleros ’94. be at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, England, on November 25. Last year I had Connie Taudt-Ehrling writes, “To our the pleasure of working with RE alumna great joy our son, Colin ’23, entered RE Jessica Ames ’87, who choreographed as a sixth grader last fall (2016). To spend and danced to several of my pieces in a few performances around New York City in days and the spring and summer of 2016. Finally, evenings my little son Elliott is about to turn five on campus and start school in September. Here in the for the UK, school starts with ‘reception’ which tours and is the equivalent of kindergarten but full orientations time. It will a momentous change for him, was a great not to mention for his dad and me!” trip down memory lane. I was Monkey van de Kreeke, see Juan Pedro 1988 thrilled to Alvarez ’92. find myself Lisa Arky Buchwald and her husband in a seat in Matt Wilson writes, “A couple of weeks ago Jeff met up withJulio Pita while on front of Mrs. I went to my 25th-year college reunion and vacation in Vail, Colo., this summer. Onorati (see story page 26) for a mock math got to hang with fellow ’88 Rob Koreman Julio, a pilot for United Airlines, moved to class on one of those tours! Mrs. Onorati and his lovely better half. That weekend Denver this summer with his family. opened the door to the math world for me reminded me just how much I am looking with her engaging humor and showed me forward to our 30th. I was so bummed when math was neither boring nor something I had to miss our 25th at the last minute. See to fear. I am so grateful to think Colin you next year!” may be able to have the same experience I had. Colin finished off the year strong and enjoyed after-school RE sailing, intramurals and lacrosse along the way. I am nearing my 25th year as a professional architect, and for the last seven of those have been working with the education group at Zyscovich Architects. It’s a sector I fell into almost accidentally, but the ever-evolving theories of how learning environments impact children and their education grabbed hold of my soul. I’ve had the good fortune to work on over two dozen master plans for lower

72 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Kevin Hochman was promoted to President and Chief Concept Officer of KFC U.S. He has assumed responsibility 1989 for driving overall KFC brand strategy and Nikki Elkins enjoyed a mini-reunion in late performance of the business in the United July in Atlanta with Muriel Azria-Evans States. Kevin joined KFC U.S. as Chief ’89 and Julie-Anne Schulte Wohlberg, Marketing Officer over three years ago. who resides there. They had a great time! Under Hochman’s leadership, KFC U.S. has grown same-store sales and transactions for 10 consecutive quarters, bringing 1990 millions of customers back into the brand. Paige Meginley Winburn moved to the He previously worked in a number of brand New York City area two years ago with management and marketing leadership roles her husband, Chris, and two children Zoe at Procter & Gamble, including many of (14) and Cooper (12). They recently spent the company’s iconic brands in deodorant, 1993 an amazing week in Glacier National Park shave and personal cleaning categories. with Jen Hoepner Graves ’90 and her “Kevin Hochman is an exceptional brand Bill Bermont writes, “Attached is a picture family. She considers herself fortunate to see builder and marketing innovation leader of Lynne, me and the girls during our trip Allison Stadler Hendrix ’90 and Tiffany with an extremely strong track record of to Israel. Rachel is now 10 and Gabrielle is Smith Garcia ’90 frequently, and recently success,” Greg Creed, Chief Executive Officer seven years old. We live in New York City shared this news: “Cooley Fales ’90 and of Yum! Brands, said in a release. “He where Lynne teaches French and I work in Louisa Terry Garrido ’90 visited me this has led KFC’s incredible brand re-launch finance. I am excited for our upcoming 25th weekend in NYC, and while we were having and brought back the greatest chicken reunion.” brunch on Sunday, Carmen Borgonovo salesman in the world, Colonel Sanders, ’90 walked in. I had not seen her in 27 years to pop culture. He’s the perfect person to Elana Oberstein-Harris was awarded the – since graduation! Carmen is married, continue to grow and elevate KFC U.S. into a prestigious Head of School Award by Penny lives in London and started a new fashion distinctive, relevant brand that people trust Townsend at the Head of School Luncheon line called Borgo de Nor – which everyone and champion.” http://bit.ly/2naS6Fk on Saturday, April 30, 2017, for her should follow on Instagram for total design commitment to Ransom Everglades School inspiration.” and to the greater Miami-Dade community. 1992 Elana’s parents Alicia and Samuel Oberstein were present as well as her husband Geoff Juan Pedro Alvarez is pictured with his and their three children Jack ’23, Eden two children Lorenzo (6) and Emmanuella ’24, and Stella. See story on page 46. (9) and Michiel Johan (“Monkey”) van de Kreeke ’88 during Monkey’s recent visit to Seattle. Juan Pedro is working for LMN Architects in Seattle and enjoying the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.

1991 Julie Greenwald Friedland, a 2015 inductee into the Ransom Everglades Athletic Hall of Fame, served as the presenter for siblings Joshua Greenwald 1994 ’87 and Jessica Greenwald Ladin ’93 on Cecilia Calleros, RE Upper School science April 27, when both joined her in RE’s Hall teacher, put together an alumni panel to of Fame during the annual ceremony in the speak to students during Earth Week in Pagoda. All three competed in water polo the Pagoda. Nearly three dozen students and swimming. attended the engaging roundtable on April 21, 2017, with Jeremy Calleros Gauger, an architect and husband to Calleros; Adam Gelber ’88, an environmental consultant and RE parent, and Dustin Thaler ’07, who works in the solar energy industry. The professionals offered career and other advice, urging students to lean on

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build excitement for their 20-Year Reunion in April. Pictured are L-R: Susanna Forteleoni, Adam Bernstein, Enrique Conde, Nicole Rand and hostess Cristy the faculty and resources at RE to help Davis. them realize their ambitions to promote Pearce Klevan and his wife Mary change through grassroots efforts. welcomed Cillian Pearce Klevan to their Thaler, who has a master’s degree from family on May 17, 2017. He joins brother Johns Hopkins, is a project developer at Sean (6) and sister Cara (4) who are SunConnect USA who previously worked overjoyed with their new baby brother. at Conergy as a project development Kevin Grossfeld and his wife Stephanie are Pearce continues to serve as a financial associate. He was also a senior associate the proud parents of Gigi Marilu Grossfeld, advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth for the Energy Future Coalition for the born on March 20, 2017. Big brothers Tyler Management, and now serves as the resident United Nations Foundation. Gelber, a and Preston are crazy about their new baby director at The Falls office. senior scientist for Atkins North America, sister. graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Wildlife Management. David Marc Harris is a father of four He worked in resource management at and an attorney. David spent 10 years in Biscayne National Park for nearly five the magazine publishing industry before years and developed a ground water embarking on a law career focused on remedial action plan for a Superfund site entertainment and multimedia. David in North Miami. Calleros Gauger serves as has represented Grammy-winning rock Vice President and Sustainability Project group The Flaming Lips, and has worked Manager at ArquitectonicaGEO. He has and photographed such musicians as worked as project manager for the Perez Perry Farrell, the creator of Lollapalooza; Art Museum and Trinidad and Tobago’s Radiohead; R.E.M.; and Pearl Jam. David National Museum of Science. He has Pedro Kos screened his film Bending is also the founder of Remzy.com. Remzy the Arc at the Miami Film Festival this also managed multiple projects on the connects real estate brokers and agents waterfront, creating resilient designs that past spring. Bending the Arc, which was with off-market homeowners. Remzy named Best Documentary Feature Film address sea-level rise and increased risk is disrupting real estate technology by from storm surge. at the Greenwich International Film creating access to the entire U.S. residential Festival, is a 2017 documentary that tells inventory, and letting agents make an offer the story of Partners In Health doctors and on any home, even if it’s not for sale. This humanitarians Jim Yong Kim, Ophelia 1995 past March, David served as a judge for the Dahl and Paul Farmer, who through the Jeff Baena, a writer/director best known RE Business Challenge along with Nelly Boston-based non-profit have been devoted for “I Heart Huckabees,” “Joshy” and “The Farra ’96, Michael Greenberg ’79 and to innovative health care in impoverished Little Hours,” has been working on a new Seth Cassel ’98. See Michael Greenberg nations. Kos and fellow director Kief short-film project entitled “Uncles” that ’79. Davidson follow their ongoing struggle to stars Adam Pally (The Mindy Project) and treat and eradicate tuberculosis and HIV/ Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things). Jeff AIDS in rural areas of Haiti, Peru and received a grant to make the film by The 1996 Rwanda. They primarily use a traditional Borscht Corp, a Miami-based non-profit Nelly Farra, see Michael Greenberg ’79 documentary format, mixing earlier video interested in furthering Miami onscreen. footage and current interviews to tell the story of how Kim, Dahl and Farmer developed Partners In Health. Where they 1997 deviate a bit is in showing older footage to Cristina Rasco Davis and her husband, their protagonists, in order to elicit their Charles, hosted a mini NYC reunion this present-day reactions. This film was also past February for members of the Class of screened at the Sundance and San Francisco 1997 living in the area at their home to help Film Festivals.

74 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Eric Kuper writes, “My wife, Amy, and I guide for the blind, as well as work part-time had our first child, Ryan Hudson Kuper, on as a snowboard instructor at Beaver Creek. September 20, 2016. The three of us now live We have extra space, so if you plan to visit in Cooper City. In February, after 11 years the Rockies this year, please let us know! of working at a law firm in Coral Gables, I switched firms and now work at Perlman, Bajandas, Yevoli & Albright (PBY&A) in 1998 downtown Fort Lauderdale. While PBY&A Karim Aryeh and Philip Carey recently handles a variety of legal matters, such as launched Lloyd Crescendo Advisors in commercial litigation and estate planning, Miami. Karim serves as Chief Information my focus is on corporate transactions the program’s first NCAA championship Officer and Philip as Chief Executive Officer. (M&A, joint ventures, commercial contracts, and two Intercollegiate Tennis Association This newly formed Registered Investment etc.). I still keep in touch with many of my National Team Indoor titles (2011 and Advisor was born of expertise from Lloyd Ransom Everglades classmates and it was 2013). Pedroso coached six All-Americans Capital and Crescendo Capital, two Swiss- great seeing so many people from the Class during that time. Photo courtesy of Virginia based firms. The headquarters of the firm of ’97 at our recent 20-year reunion. Hope Media Relations. and the wealth management business will everyone is having a great summer!” be in Miami, while the asset management Giselle Ferro Puigbo is Principal of division will be run out of their New York Development for Health Leads in Boston. office. “Our advice is personal, independent Health Leads is a high growth, innovative and forward-thinking,” Karim said. Lloyd social enterprise that envisions a healthcare Crescendo Advisors will be focusing on system that addresses all patients’ essential bringing global diversification to its investors needs. Giselle manages all aspects of Health though the use of traditional, alternative and Leads’ development operations, leads the responsible investments. As part of their development of an annual fundraising alternative offering, they will be focusing strategy, and oversees the day-to-day on private debt, hedge funds and real operations required to execute that strategy estate investments, while their responsible to reach the company’s $50-plus million investments will incorporate environmental, three-year fundraising goal. social and governance criteria and seek out impact investments. Karim’s career Chris Silversmith reports, “My wife, has taken him from New York to Geneva, Stephanie, and I moved to Vail, Colorado, and for the past seven years Karim has just over two years ago, and what an been based in Miami. He worked in UBS amazing ride it’s been! In addition to Wealth Management between 2002 and working remotely for my South Florida 2011 as senior investment consultant and Andres Pedroso was named the Director clients, I’ve partnered with a firm that in Santander Private Bank from 2011 to of Tennis and Head Men’s Coach at the has offices in both Vail and Aspen, and I 2016 as Senior Portfolio Advisor and Team University of Virginia. Pedroso, the associate manage the estate and tax planning practice Leader. Karim is a Chartered Financial head coach for the men’s team from here. Stephanie is about to obtain her Analyst Charterholder. He earned the 2010-14, is tasked with overseeing both real estate license, and she’s excited to be Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst the men’s and women’s tennis programs a resource for anyone back home who is (CAIA) Charter in 2006 and is a co-founder while also serving as the head coach of interested in having a piece of the Valley. and executive member of CAIA Miami. Virginia men’s tennis. “We are thrilled to This winter, I will repeat as a volunteer ski welcome Andres and his family back to Seth Cassel, see Michael Greenberg ’79 Charlottesville,” Virginia Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage said in a May 24, 2017, release. “His background as an elite player in junior, college, and professional tennis, along with his experience as our men’s tennis associate head coach and as a coach in the professional ranks and with the USTA have prepared him for this opportunity. Andres believes academic achievement and taking advantage of all of the opportunities the University has to offer are equally important to success on the court. I look forward to the on-going development of both programs under his leadership.” During Pedroso’s four-year coaching career at Virginia, the Cavaliers won four ACC championships,

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two amazing, smart, fun-loving kids. I also 2000 have a great dog. Above all, I’m proud that I was able to have all of that while building Ana Albir and her an international business with revenues in husband, Jedidiah Horne, the millions. As a mom I’m proud of the are the proud parents of Arturo Horne, example I’m setting for my children. And as who was born March 17, 2017. a woman I feel more ambitious for women everywhere. My accomplishments so far 2002 Elana Stein Diaz, managing director have shown that these days a woman can Danielle Marks Williamson writes, “My of EQM, Inc., in New York City, was have a family, a career, and travel the world.” husband, Brad, and I welcomed our first featured in an industry magazine in You can find the full story at baby, Jack Loren Williamson, on October 7, June and became the first woman in http://bit.ly/2uMpDfu 2016. I am currently working as a registered her industry in over a decade to have dietitian at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. We reached a $10 million a year revenue Kate Samson Valois writes that she and look forward to moving into our new home goal, which is equivalent to $200 million Jacques Valois welcomed Cecily Elizabeth on in Coconut Grove.” a year in sales. EQM is an outsourced December 28, 2016, at 7:31 a.m. She said, company specializing in events, direct “Hugo (2) is loving being a big brother; life David Markel was recently featured in the marketing and sales, and business as a family of four is great!” Daily Business Review for a case he worked consulting for some of the world’s top on in which he helped win a $10 million companies and organizations. Elana dollar verdict. The full story can be found at graduated from Emory University in http://bit.ly/2msdUM7 Marketing and International Business, was hired by Bear Stearns, then joined EQM. In the wide-ranging interview in the June 2016 issue of Limitless Business 2003 Magazine, Elana talked about her rise Anthony Lauria, see Lara Levi ’05. to her current position, and how she’s managed her career challenges with her family alongside. A few excerpts: “I’m 2004 attacking it every day with everything Andrea (Elfmont) Maderal and Aron I‘ve got until I’m exhausted, proud and Nusbaum graduated from dermatology celebrating. …I will never stop until I hit residency from The University of Miami my goals. Ever. I think the team knows that no matter what, if I tell them ‘you will be promoted’ I won’t stop until they are. … I’m proud of my family. I have the 2001 best husband ever and he makes me fall in love with him again every day. I have Lisa Stroh Libbey and her husband, Matthew Libbey, welcomed their first child, Georgina Stroh Libbey, on March 31, 2017.

Marley Lewis writes, “I had a baby in April, Maud Simone Vilensky. Her sister, Nina, and the whole family are ecstatic. Also, funny Miller School of Medicine. Andrea will be enough, for the past four- joining the Department of Dermatology and-a-half years I and Cutaneous Surgery at the University have been of Miami as an assistant professor, working with specializing in medical dermatology Tiffany Bell and autoimmune connective tissue ’72, on the diseases. Aron will be joining Agnes his father in private practice Martin and specializing in cosmetic Catalogue dermatology, hair loss and hair Raisonné.” transplantation.

76 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Valerie Gadala Maria married Zubin Victor Oquendo left South Florida’s Alemo this year. The couple resides in New WPLG and joined ABC News this past York City. Valerie joined the marketing team July as a Miami-based correspondent. at Cornerstone Capital Management after “I’ve been watching ABC News closely for spending time at The Federal Reserve Bank years,” Oquendo told the Sun-Sentinel in of New York. Fort Lauderdale. “I’m incredibly excited to Benjamin Markus reports that, over the be here and report for one of the best news July 4 holiday, he and “fellow Ransom Alexi (Luger) Laffoon and Coley organizations in the world.” Oquendo, who Everglades ’04 alum Anthony Traina, Laffoon ’92 write, “2016 was another big anchored the 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. newscasts, along with a couple other members of one for us – we welcomed our second baby had been with WPLG since 2010, covering our ‘Swamp Dawgs’ crew, took a trip to girl into the world, Emmylou Polk, now a some of South Florida’s biggest stories. The Baxter State Park in northern Maine, where year old. Along with Zoey Marine (3), and Miami native has TV news in his blood. His we climbed Mount Katahdin – the very big bro Homer (15), our team of five lives mother Teresa Rodriguez is the co-host of endpoint of the Appalachian Trail. Before in Los Angeles. Coley and I just celebrated Univision’s Aquí y Ahora. His late father, heading to Maine, we stopped in Brooklyn two years of marriage and work together Antonio “Tony” Oquendo, was a director of for a visit with fellow RE big dogs Travis as realtors. We love connecting with West technology at Univision. Tillery ’04 and Fred Spieler ’05. Photo Coast Raiders and L.A. visitors, so get in L-R: Benjamin Markus ’04, Anthony touch if you want to meet up!” Traina ’04, Neal George, Waylen Roche. 2006 Alex Daly Natalie Skaf recently joined SiriusXM appeared at Books as Director of Business. Prior, she ran the & Books in Coral fundraising and operational efforts for a Gables on May hedge fund in New York City. 5 to promote her book The Vivek Varki is Chief Resident at the Crowdsourceress, University of Central Florida in Ocala, Fla. which was Vivek did his residency in Internal Medicine released in March. at UCF and continues as Chief Operating She described it as the Officer of Varki CancerCare Center PA in Lara Levi and definitive guide to raising Miami. Anthony Lauria money and awareness for projects online, ’03 married at The noting that it is packed with exciting case Temple House on studies, stories and tips galore. The book 2005 Miami Beach on also highlights Daly’s entrepreneurial skills, diving into her work as the woman behind Joanna, Sarah and Victoria Bedell were March 4, 2017, the curtain, starting a new kind of career featured in an article in Good Housekeeping surrounded by from scratch. She also was featured in a this past June. “Meet the Identical Triplets family and friends first-person story in the Miami Herald, Who Are Taking on the World of Medicine: from all over where she explained that “I never thought They’re identical triplets and brand-new the world. They I’d be the industry’s ‘Crowdsourceress,’ an ob-gyns — and they’re joining forces with honeymooned in expert in the field of crowdfunding. It wasn’t their doctor mom, combining her decades of Vietnam, Thailand like I had a guidance counselor in college experience with their latest-thinking smarts,” and Indonesia. telling me I was perfectly suited to the role began the story, which described the girls’ of ‘Kickstarter campaign manager.’ And yet, journey from watching their mother, Janet just three years ago, I launched my company Gersten, deliver babies at eight years old to Vann Alexandra from my kitchen table joining her at the soon-to-open New Age in Brooklyn – a creative services agency Women’s Health. http://bit.ly/2txCFcR that helps clients raise money for their creative projects through crowdfunding. Since then, my team and I have managed over 50 crowdfunding campaigns across the design, technology, film, music and publishing categories, raising over $20 million dollars for our clients from close to 100,000 backers worldwide. The road here, like any entrepreneurial journey, was full of bumps and twists and turns. After college, I worked as a fact-checker for New York and WSJ magazines. Then I tried my hand at film and worked as a production manager

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 77 Class Notes at a boutique documentary production Jarrod Wolf, co-founder of AddStructure, company. My role included managing a is building a white label voice search 2008 team, working on several documentary system designed to offer major retailers projects, and writing lots of grants to functionality comparable to voice shopping Alex Benjamin raise money for these projects. Grant after with Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, from reports that he grant after grant. So many grants. I was any device. Jarrod reports that his company received his MBA in beginning to think this wasn’t the kind closed a $1.4 million seed round with June from Stanford of work I wanted to be doing. Then one participation from Dundee VC, Best Buy, Graduate School of day an office mate I barely knew who was Techstars Ventures, and others. You can see Business as an Arjay trying to raise money for his documentary demos of the technology in action at http:// Miller Scholar – the asked me what I knew about Kickstarter bit.ly/2rIN8VI and http://bit.ly/2sL4Mbp. top 10-percent of … we worked around the clock sending his class – and Arbuckle Leadership Fellow. personal emails to friends and family and He noted that, “I’ll be returning to Bain & pitching press to cover the project. By 2007 Company based in San Francisco this fall. the last day of the 30-day campaign, we Dustin Thaler, see Cecilia Calleros ’94 Always happy to connect with alums in the surpassed our $35,000 goal by more than aREa!” 150 percent, raising over $80,000. I was Dylan Weiser writes: “I was living in New immediately hooked.” York City after college for four years and I Scott Cypen is Assistant Director of moved back to Miami two years ago. I was Compliance for Boston College. Emily Carsch begins her MBA at not only OVER the New York winters but I the Fuqua School of Business at Duke was ready for a career change, a fresh start Andres Estrella, in his final year at the University this fall. She will matriculate to do something I was actually passionate University of Miami School of Law, was a with her fellow RE ’06 classmate, Will about. When I got to Miami I did some summer intern for Henderson, Franklin, Hoelle. Emily is moving to Durham from soul searching and I realized I wanted Starnes & Holt, PA, in Ft. Myers, Fla. Los Angeles, where she spent the past to help others through holistic nutrition. 11 years. During that time, she attended So I decided to get my Health Coaching Alex Sotolongo is taking his talents to Yale the University of Southern California, Certification and I have been certified for for his cardiothoracic surgery residency! He worked in the television industry and, about four months now. I coach virtually is one of 37 students in the nation to match most recently, spent five years working in so I can coach clients all over the world. I in cardiothoracic surgery. human resources at TOMS shoes. am all about habit and lifestyle change vs. deprivation and quick-fix diets. With clients 2009 Amanda Mayo has a role in business I’m part cheerleader and part tough-love development, content management and coach. Because the thing is, we all know Kevin Escalera is a social media strategist partnerships at Spinbox. She is a recording what to do, but we don’t always do it. who started his own sports comedy blog last artist, producer, songwriter, DJ, A&R, And that is where a health coach comes year called OneTakeAtATime.com. Content music supervisor, and creative manager, in to guide you, support you and keep you created by Kevin has been published in who has worked in the music industry for accountable so you make lasting changes the Los Angeles Times, Barstool Sports, more than eight years. In December 2016 in your health, mind and body. I am doing Mashable and many other outlets. You can she completed her studies at Goldsmiths, talks around the Miami community on follow the blog @OneTakeAtATime on all University of London, obtaining a Master ‘How to Kick the Sugar Habit’ … social channels. of Music degree. please feel free to visit my website: www.byebyebloat.com.” Christina Ravelo is Associate Symposium Lucas Santos recently joined Conde Nast Editor at the American University Law Traveler and Architectural Digest in New Review. York City as Associate Brand Director. Zena Stephens Brad Skaf graduated from the Stanford earned her MBA Graduate School of Business in June 2016. in Strategic He has since moved back to New York City Human and is enjoying private equity investing at Resource Gridiron Capital. Management from the Blaire Weiser, see Brad Weiser ’78 Wisconsin School of Business on May 13, 2017.

78 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 2010 2011 Gideon Ajagbe and his wife, Ashley, Emily Elkin, see Emilio Sanchez ’34. welcomed a baby girl named Ava. Samantha Gordon is working for Yelp as Michelle Nahmad writes, “I’ll be an associate sales training manager. completing my MFA in Visual Narrative 2013 at the School of Visual Arts in New York David Goldstein served as an assistant this summer and I will be having my final 2012 coach for the U.S. Men’s Open Soccer exhibition, which features my illustrated Sandy Ellis graduated from the Team that won the gold medal at the 20th book Bruja (see images from the book University of Southern California School of World Maccabiah Games in Israel in July. below). Dramatic Arts in December 2016. Sandy At the games, 10,000 Jewish athletes from is in acting and currently divides her time 80 countries participated in 43 sports. In between Atlanta, Los Angeles and Miami. the photo above, Goldstein is shown with Check out her visual resume on YouTube: Princeton soccer players Josh Haberman http://bit.ly/2tDNvlp and Benamini Issroff, and in the photo

below, with his father, Adam, who won the Ashleigh Johnson won the 2017 Peter bronze in the masters half J. Cutino Award, given annually to the marathon event. (Adam top male and female collegiate water polo Goldstein, president and players in America. The 2014, 2015 and COO of Royal Caribbean 2016 Swimming World Female Water Cruises, finished the Polo Player of the year, Johnson had 300 13.1-mile race in one saves and a .693 save percentage during hour, 40 minutes and her senior season at Princeton, leading the 14 seconds.) A 2017 22-4 Tigers with 54 steals while adding graduate of Princeton, 16 assists and four goals. She finished her David Goldstein has career as Princeton’s all-time leader in begun a master’s program saves (1,362) while recording 100 career in sports management at victories. She was also named a finalist for Columbia University. the second-straight year for the 2017 AAU Sullivan Award, which honors the top Julia Logue graduated from Vanderbilt amateur athlete in the nation. University this past May and is now Marketing Coordinator, Network Alex Kanter’s career kicked off in Partnerships & Integrated Marketing at New York City with SoulCycle – which NBCUniversal Media LLC. Najib Wahab writes: “I just finished my describes itself as “indoor cycling re- invented” – and now she’s going back. third year at Goldman Sachs Miami Private Julie Salzinger has been named a Here’s the news: “Alex now brings her Wealth Management and have left to pursue Fulbright Scholar. She will be in Madrid in fire and SOUL from Washington, D.C. an MBA in finance at the University of the fall. Chicago Booth School of Business. I will be Having come from a dance background, traveling for the two months before classes. she lives for the rhythm and thrives in the I just came back from Tulum, Mexico, and beat. After discovering SoulCycle in New 2014 traveled to London, Beirut and Ibiza next. I York City during the summer of 2014, Alexander Danly is a Business moved to Chicago on August 15, right before Alex returned to school at the George Development Associate at UI LABS. a trip to Japan before the start of school in Washington University, where she began September.” riding daily. After a leap of faith and over Jack Davis was a summer intern at Sigma a year of leading the pack in the District, SAFI. she is coming back to the city where it all began. With a combination of rhythm and Clementine Gazay writes, “Just a quick resistance, she strives to inspire riders to hello from Washington, D.C., where I am find connection and strength, while letting interning this summer in the cybersecurity go and having fun.” department of New America, a larger-sized think tank specializing in education, tech, Eddie Sanchez, a graduate of the security and health policy.” University of Southern California with a major in cinema and media, is making Ethan Kothari was a teaching fellow at videos for BuzzFeed. Breakthrough Miami this past summer.

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 79 Class Notes

Julian Palmer was a social media intern Dave Mendelson spent part of his of Chicago’s College New Venture Challenge at Democracy for America. summer in New York City working on and subsequently received start-up capital physics research at Columbia University. from the school to launch the venture. We Alec Rodriguez was a civil engineering have already seen solid traction among intern at CH2M. Lucas Rodriguez co-wrote the cover story Chicago-based civic organizations that and Erica Scott ’16 contributed a story are interested in hosting their events and Francisco Tomasino was a wealth to the May 2017 issue of Stanford Politics. engagements on Gather and will bring their management intern for Morgan Stanley Rodriguez’s piece, “State of Disunion,” member bases to the platform.” this past summer in Chicago. explored the unprecedented levels of polarization in American politics, and Gabriela Ulloa interned for Oscar de la Scott’s story, “A Class Divided,” offered a Renta in international sales. thoughtful examination of the divide in the 2016 U.S. working class. The two RE grads are Andrea Wenrich spent this past spring Will Glass interned as an engineer for studying in Florence, Italy, and returned staff writers for the campus publication. http://bit.ly/2sIj5Np TUUCI, The Ultimate Umbrella Company, to the states for the summer to intern at Inc, in Miami this summer. Boston Consulting Group in New York City. Alex Swerdlow writes: “I am going into my third year at the University of Chicago, Erica Scott, see Lucas Rodriguez ’15. and I wanted to share some information 2015 about a company I recently launched here 2017 in Chicago. Carolina Garrett, a redshirt freshman Gather is a Members of the Class of 2017 were invited at Indiana University, was one of 14 non-partisan to attend the Head of School Luncheon this sportsmanship award honorees in the mobile past April. The following 2017 Class Agents Big Ten for women’s golf in 2016-17. application were officially introduced to the alumni The students chosen were individuals for civic guests: Debbie Ajagbe, Michael Colonna, who distinguished themselves through organizing. Our mission is to provide Franklin Civantos, Jaret Dan, Joon sportsmanship and ethical behavior, and activists representing diverse issue groups Kim, Gigi Parra, Alex Sidi, Harry Tandy, were in good academic standing and had from across the political spectrum with a Mya Wright, Laura Zaidenberg. demonstrated good citizenship outside of platform to organize the sports-competition setting. and participate in civic engagements and Cole McWilliams writes, “I just finished access other activists an eight-week internship at UBS in supporting shared their international wealth management causes. We recently division. Henry Ehlebracht was an launched our website intern for UBS in the downtown office.” (gatheractivism.com) and opened up pre- registration to the public. We expect to be available for download by the fall. We placed third in the University

Become a College Mentor Dylan Denman, Robert Shellow and Email the Alumni Office if you Chloe Suridis all interned at Goldman are willing to serve as a contact to Sachs this past summer. our current seniors who might be interested in your college or uni- Camille Dulin worked for American versity. vwilliamson@ransomev- Airlines in the data analytics department. erglades.org.

80 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 Faculty News the Everglades Campus. Photographed are attended Pine Manor College and completed Maria Abrante, Alicia Oberstein, Bobby her studies at University of Miami. After Penny Matthews was inducted into the Bassuk and Jackie Collaso. See Elana college, she enjoyed a successful career in Houghton College Athletics Hall of Honor for Oberstein Harris ’93 on page 46. radio and utility sales and later worked at her role as a pioneer in women’s basketball. Whole Foods. All members of the 1969-70 and 1970-71 Owen Paris was inducted into the 2017 women’s basketball teams were inducted Ransom Everglades School Athletic Hall Carmen Maria Slivinski passed away on April 27, 2017 – the same day Ransom of Fame for his longtime dedication as an on May 4, 2016. Mrs. Slivinski devoted 15 Everglades inducted its 2017 honorees into RE Coach. RE Hall of Famer David Clark years of her teaching career to sparking cre- its Athletics Hall of Fame. Houghton College ’87 presented Coach Paris. Tracy Hayley ativity on the Middle School campus, where celebrated its 50th year in intercollegiate Smith ’92 and Owen’s wife Terry were in she taught art, coached tennis and basket- athletics in 2016-17. attendance to honor OP. ball cheerleading, headed the pictorial staff, painted theater sets, and even served as Former Faculty News assistant librarian. Born in Philadelphia on March 30, 1949, Carmen studied art educa- Christel Marin continues to amaze tion at Pennsylvania State University and Everglades alumnae with her agility and wed Lawrence Slivinski before moving to strength. Christel attended the Everglades Miami, where they raised two sons, Stephen Class of 1967 50-Year Reunion Dinner with Slivinski and David Slivinski ’97. After her long-time partner Jerry Exum. Madame relocating to Lakeland, Carmen continued Marin is photographed with Liz Cowen her 30-year teaching career at Lakeland ’67, Tina Salvesen ’66, Gladys Cowen and Highlands Middle School and enjoyed the Sally Bowen Fletcher ’67. role of grandmother to her three grandsons. Like many of our faculty members, Mrs. Faculty Emerti Marian Turk, Owen Slivinski employed her varied talents both Paris and Susan Felz attended the in and out of the classroom. As a middle Head of School Luncheon during alumni school art teacher, “Mrs. S” encouraged weekend to connect with former students. diligence and expression. Many will recall Photographed with them are Paulina acquiring a keen attention to detail while Golbin Reyniak ’92 and Tammy mimicking the work of M.C. Escher or Tiranasar ’92, both in town from New revealing their superhero fantasies as they York City for their 25-Year Reunion. inked their own comics. She shared her love of travel with the lucky RE students whom she chaperoned during several school trips to Greece, Italy and London. Her favorite Alicia Oberstein and her husband Samuel travels with her family included the beaches Oberstein moved back to Coconut Grove last of Costa Rica, the museums of Paris, and year from North Miami and continue to be the tennis courts on Anna Marie Island. A very involved with their children and grand- truly remarkable educator, artist, coach and children. RE continues to run thick in their parent, Carmen is remembered lovingly by blood as their daughter Elana Oberstein- an entire generation of RE alumni. Harris ’93 serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and two of their grandchildren will be attending the Middle School this year, Jack ’23 and Eden ’24. Last February, Alicia celebrated a milestone birthday, spending time with family and lifetime RE friends. As part of her big day, The Faculty In Memoriam Work Room was dedicated in her honor on Boudinot Atterbury, age 90, Adirondack- Florida School, passed away November 16, 2016.

Michele (“Mike”) C.T. Bradley ’73 passed away December 30, 2016, after a 2½-year-long battle with cancer. Born in New York City on December 9, 1954, she moved to Miami with her family in 1971. She attended The Brearley School in New York City and graduated in 1973 from the Everglades School for Girls in Miami. She FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 81 To Continue New Talent Summer studies in the humanities continued from page 53 continued from page 36 assistant for Steven Spielberg’s have been “life changing” and “otherwise would not have been possible.” I appreciate the entertainment company, Amblin work of the fellowship committee members — Department Chairs Mike Groeninger and Jen Entertainment, coordinating a nation- Nero, Dean of the Junior Class Paul Natland ’02, and Advisor to the Head of School Mr. wide open casting call for an upcom- Bowden himself — whose careful review and deliberation of the fellowship applications, and ing feature film. A Miami native, Miss mentorship of the fellows as they entered the early phases of their research, were invaluable. Shapiro honed her skills at the Coconut The parents, professionals, artists and alumni who engaged our fellows also deserve our Grove Playhouse, even training there thanks. for a time under Gina Montet, now Dan Leslie Bowden’s sharp intellect and sense of humor, his high expectations coupled with RE’s Middle School Performing Arts caring and compassion, the humility of his teaching and the honest way he has lived, and his Teacher. After graduating from Florida deep curiosity about the humanities and his lifelong quest to come closer to knowing what is State University, Miss Shapiro lived really meaningful, have made possible not only these fellowships, but have made better the and worked in New York City. lives of so many by encouraging them to hold themselves accountable to higher truths and to wonder. Though he was never my teacher, he has become my friend, and like so many others, I am indebted to him for the culture of learning he helped to create at Ransom Everglades. We all strive to help others be their best selves — intellectually, morally, aesthetically — that is, to embody at all times, the best of what it means to be human. The Bowden Fellows look forward to sharing and discussing their work with their fellow students and the RE community at large in events on October 10-11, 2017. See myCOMPASS and forthcoming communications for more details.

Your one-stop shop for gifts and goodies BOOKSTORE We’re open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and located opposite the Ansin Aquatic Center on the Upper School Campus. All students, parents and alumni are welcome. For more information, contact Katrina Patchett, Shop online at RansomEverglades.org/Bookstore Director of Bookstores, at 305 460 8885 or [email protected].

82 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2017 The Solar Eclipse August 21, 2017

FALL 2017 Ransom Everglades LOG 83 R ansom E verglades L Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Miami, Florida 3575 Main Highway Permit No. 1727 Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 www.ransomeverglades.org

305 460 8800 og | R ansom E verglades S chool | FALL 2017

Friday,save April 27, andthe Saturday, date April 28 Head of School Penny Townsend invites you to attend ALUMNI WEEKEND 2018

Reunion Classes of 1968, 1978, 1988, 1993 and 1998 will be celebrated. Weekend activities include our signature spring cocktail party, athletic and family activities, tours of the Ransom and Everglades campuses, the presentation of our distinguished Alumni Awards, the individual reunion receptions, and time with current and former faculty members.

For more information visit: www.ransomeverglades.org/REunions Or contact the the office of Alumni Relations: Vicki Carbonell Williamson ’88 | 305 460 8826 | [email protected] Danielle Phillips Retchless | 305 460 8859 | [email protected]