VOLUME 21 | NUMBER 2 | SUMMER 2017 the falconerFairhill School news, information and events Letter from the Executive Director Dear Friends of Fairhill, As a school it is our mission to provide the learning Graduation is the perfect opportunities that each student requires to reach ending to a school year. their destination. Fairhill seeks to provide learning INSIDE: opportunities to meet not only their academic needs The ceremony embodies the very essence of but also to provide opportunities for sports, fine arts, 2-3 celebrating individual leadership and social activities. This journey takes Commencement accomplishments. hard work and determination. Each school year ends Each graduate has with evidence that students, parents, and teachers 4-6 a school history, a have invested themselves in the work of learning and Thank You! story that reflects contributing to the total Fairhill community. their journey toward As you read this newsletter you will see our year in this very significant review. You will read about the accomplishments of 7 accomplishment. It the Fairhill community … a community that is ever Retirement and reminds me that each of our students is currently striving to help each student along their academic Staff News somewhere on that same journey, with the same journey. destination in mind. Carla Stanford, M.Ed., Executive Director 8 Rachel’s Challenge 10-13 Activities 14-15 Awards and Sports NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY/ 2017 HOMECOMING ANNUAL FUND KICK-OFF Saturday, October 28, 2017 Thursday, September 21, 2017 2018 GALA AND AUCTION 2017 GOLF TOURNAMENT Saturday, March 24, 2018 Monday, October 23, 2017 Fairhill School and Diagnostic Assessment Center | 16150 Preston Road | Dallas, Texas 75248 | 972.233.1026 | Fax 972.233.8205 | fairhill.org Commencement for Class of 2017! he Class of 2017 Commencement dyslexia and ADHD, gave her a unique was held at 2pm on June 1st at and valuable perspective that other people nearby Bentwood Trail Presbyterian cannot develop. Her education at Fairhill TChurch. The eleven students, with talents helped her to develop academic skills while and interests varying from academics, allowing her to still continue to see things athletics, visual arts, performance arts, differently than others. and more came together to receive their Tom Zatina, president of McLane diplomas. While smaller than most Foodservice, delivered the commencement Fairhill graduating classes, their joy and address. Engaging the audience with enthusiasm was every bit as big as much humor and energy, he provided the larger classes! graduates a list of important but practical Two of the students addressed the audience tips to live by. Mr. Zatina, a successful on behalf of their classmates. Salutatorian businessman, has found these tips to be key Lauren Badura gave a welcoming address in being successful and in being happy. and a prayer. She thanked parents, friends, Among his points were: and Fairhill staff for the support they had given to the students and for helping them Keep learning to achieve this significant milestone. Jessica Keep an open mind Rickerby, Class of 2017 Valedictorian, Be willing to go outside spoke about her personal experience at your comfort zone Fairhill and her own learning differences. Work hard While many people site the struggle, Jessica said that she understood that Stay humble, and having learning differences, specifically Stay optimistic 2 The Falconer Summer 2017 fairhill.org A special feature was added to this year’s commencement program to honor Melinda Cameron, who retires from her position as Head of Upper School this summer. It is a Fairhill tradition that stories, both humorous and sweet, are compiled for each graduating student and read at the commencement. This year, Class of 2017 students and parents developed a similar segment for Melinda Cameron, reflecting her hard work and her dedication to Fairhill students: “This last Falcon is the reason why we are all here. Her kindness and wisdom is apparent whether she’s dealing with a broken lanyard, a broken rule, or a broken heart. She is our most loyal cheerleader and strongest supporter. She’s the first one to school and the last one to leave. She pops popcorn, calls volleyball games, decorates dances, she travels around the world, and goes far beyond her call of duty, so that her students can have the best school experience possible. Melinda Cameron, you will be greatly missed. We are just a handful of the hundreds of students and educators that have learned from your example. May you never lose your sense of humor, may your beloved Razorbacks find favor, and may you always find a dance floor to strut your moves. Thank you for all of your years of service. Your legacy will live on!” CONGRATS GRADS! The Falconer Summer 2017 fairhill.org 3 Thank You for Your Continued Support! Donations made through the annual fund, Mr. and Mrs. Chris and Jennifer Alguire Mr. and Mrs. Fred and Martha Points golf tournament, and gala directly enhance Mr. and Mrs. Brantley and Jennifer Allen Mr. and Mrs. David and Shaina Primeaux the education of Fairhill students. We thank Mr. and Mrs. Dirk Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Gloria Ralston our donors for helping to provide services Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Muon Aylor Ms. Cynthia Raspberry-Moore Mr. Mike Bathurst Mr. and Mrs. John and Cindy Rickerby to students and incremental training to our Mr. and Mrs. William and Sandra Bayles Mr. and Mrs. Angel and Julia Rivera specialized staff. Mr. and Mrs. Neil and Orit Beder Mr. and Mrs. Marc and Tolly Salz Mr. and Mrs. Jeff and Jessica Benson Mr. and Mrs. John Sanders Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Lee Bernstein Mr. and Mrs. Alan and Arlene Sandgarten 2016-2017 Dr. and Mrs. Ali and Carolyn Beskok Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Maria Sivapon Annual Fund Donors Mrs. Sandy Bigham Mr. and Mrs. David Smith Mr. and Mrs. Lee and Cricket Burton Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Serena Sullivan Founder’s Society/$3,000+ Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Jennifer Carr Mr. Matthew Swift and Mrs. Katie Harrier-Swift Mr. and Mrs. Steve and Rachelle Brown Mr. and Mrs. Richard Carrell Mr. John Tokarczyk Ginger Murchison Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Sharon Carter Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Treva Tokarz Mr. Charles Lathem Dr. and Mrs. James and Rebecca Chanez Mr. and Mrs. John and Catherine Traweek Mona C. Munson Trustee Mr. and Mrs. Neil and Tanya Clay Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Melissa Trezza Ms. Adrien Cuellar-McGuire Mr. and Mrs. Don and Mary Updegraff Chairman’s Circle/$1000-$2999 Mr. and Mrs. Kirk and Lissa Dallas Mr. and Mrs. Jeff and Pamela Vance Ms. Ellen Byers Mr. and Mrs. Pablo and Anna De Orta Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Lisa Whisler Mr. and Mrs. G. Wayne and Laurie Dennis Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Susan Dean Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Ruth Willoughby Dr. Abbey Ghermay Mr. and Mrs. Ken and Kathleen Dodgen Dr. John and Mrs. Debbie Wills Dr. Cathy Hernandez Mr. and Mrs. Melchior and Jennifer Elout Dr. and Mr. Connie and Doug Wilson Luther King Capital Management Mr. and Mrs. Mart and Betty Sue Finnell Mr. and Mrs. Rowdy and Kimmy Winter Dr. and Mrs. Ashish Monga Mr. and Mrs. Grady and Lynn Firmin Mr. and Mrs. Joram and Carole Wolanow Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pryor Ms. Peggy Floyd Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Paula Reichenstein Mr. and Mrs. John-Paul and Kristen Font Mr. Bill Bell and Ms. Jane Sego Mr. and Mrs. Ross and Sarah Freeman 2016 Golf Tournament Mr. and Mrs. William Sick Mr. and Mrs. Josh and Julie Goodell The William and Sylvia Zale Foundation Donors Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Hairston Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Leslie Greco Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Amber Harrell Platinum Level Falcon Club/$500-$999 Ms. Peggy Harrier Dr. Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Julie Bailey Ms. Suzanne Harrison Dr. Waldo and Mrs. Laurie Bracy Ms. Patricia Hatfield The Catholic Foundation/Mr. John Dziminski Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Cameron Hayes Fidelity Charitable Grant Mr. and Mrs. Billy and Machelle Hensley Mr. and Mrs. Chase and Suzanne Graham Dr. Cathy Hernandez Dr. and Mrs. Jerry B. and Sandra Hutton Mrs. Elaine Holt Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Michelle Kasprowicz Ms. Sharron Hunt Mr. and Mrs. James and Kathleen Kokal Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and Kendall Johnson Mr. and Mrs. William Peirson Mr. Daniel Kasprowicz Mr. and Mrs. John and Cindy Rickerby Mr. and Mrs. Kevin and Anne King Mr. Deacon William Schuster Mr. Ravi Komari Abbey Ghermay Ms. Karen Smith and Richard Jerrier Smith Mr. and Mrs. Doug and Gail Latimer Mr. Kyle Dreyer and Mrs. Wendy May Mr. and Mrs. Jerome and Magda Lavault Mr. and Mrs. John and Jenny Stilwell Gold Level Dr. Carlos and Mrs. Ruth Taboada Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Vicki Lewis Ms. Candice Lundy Mr. and Mrs. Kirk and Kathy Dreyer WDW Financial/Westbrooks Dugger Mr. and Mrs. Denis and Carly Hildebrandt & Westbrooks, Inc. Ms. Ghazala Malik Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Vicky Manis Legacy Texas Bank Sustaining Member/$300-$499 Margie’s Tea Service, LLC Ms. Rosalyn Payne/Plexus Mr. and Mrs. Brent and Stefani Baldwin Mr. and Mrs. Randy and Barbara McAfee Swingle, Collins & Associates Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth and Roxy Bartley Mr. and Mrs. Randy and Terri McElroy Dr. Roger and Mrs. Chandra Wilson/Woodhill Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Angie Dishman Mr. and Mrs. Wade and Diane Mercer Dental Associates Mr. and Mrs. Jacob and Jenny Feldman Dr. Spencer and Mrs. Andrea Miller Silver Level Dr. Mark and Mrs. Kim Mlcak Mr. and Mrs. Dave and Lori Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Julie Bailey Ms.