Winter - Greensboro Day School

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 | Volume 29
10 YEARS
of
DRAMATIC
Excellence
Volume 29 • Winter 2014
On the cover: A Decade of Dramatic Arts
Mission Statement: Greensboro Day School
develops the intellectual, ethical, and interpersonal
foundations students need to become constructive
contributors to the world.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
David Brown
Patrick Burns
Sherry Clark
Fran Davis
Catherine Dunham
Marion Follin
Penny Graves
Wade Jurney
Cynthia Knowles
Ann Lineweaver
Wendell Phillips
Russ Robinson
Jim Rucker ’82
J. Scott ’90
Robert Smith
Adeline Talbot
Fran Tewkesbury
Marshall Tuck
Wes Watson
Jack Whitley
ADMINISTRATION
Mark C. Hale, Head of School
Tommy Webb, Assistant Head of School
Gail Isaacson Bernstein ’76,
Assistant to the Head of School
Susan Feibelman, Upper School Director
Ed Dickinson, Middle School Director
Gillian Goodman, Lower School Director
David Gilbert, Academic Dean
Pam Hemphill, Chief Financial Officer
Anne Hurd, Director of Advancement
Randy Doss, Director of Admission
and Enrollment
Dana Smith, Director of Technology
Greensboro Day School does not discriminate on
the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic
origin, disability (to the extent that reasonable
accommodations are possible), or sexual orientation
in the administration of its educational policies,
admissions policies, or any other programs
administered by the school.
Stacy Calfo, Editor
[email protected]
Greensboro Day School
5401 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27455
336.288.8590 • Fax 336.282.2905
www.greensboroday.org
Facebook.com/GDSBengals
Facebook.com/GDSAlumni
Twitter: @GreensboroDay
GDS Magazine is published three times a year.
Third class postage paid at Greensboro, N.C.
If you have changes or additions for our mailing list,
please contact Beth Barnwell at 336.288.8590, ext. 233.
THE CHARLES McLENDON
Founders Society
The Charles McLendon Founders Society recognizes those individuals who have
made provisions for GDS in their estate plans. Such provisions may take the form
of a bequest, the designation of GDS as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the
establishment of a charitable trust with GDS as the beneficiary, the assignment of a
title to a primary residence or other planned gift arrangement. Gifts are designated
or restricted according to the donor’s wishes. Most often, donors choose to direct
planned estate gifts to the School’s permanent endowment, or to provide their own
named endowment fund for a specific purpose.
Membership in the McLendon Society is a special distinction, signaling the donor’s
understanding that the future of the Day School is a priority now in planning for
the ultimate gift upon their death. It is a lifelong commitment to the School’s future
welfare. Because of the great variety of gift vehicles and giving opportunities available,
donors can make a very personal statement about their care and concern for the
children who attend the school.
For more information
about planning a gift to
Greensboro Day School, visit
www.greensboroday.org
and see Planned Giving
under Support GDS,
or contact Anne Hurd,
Director of Advancement,
336-288-8590, ext. 235.
WINTER 2014
AROUND CAMPUS
Generations Campaign
PAGE 5
Campus News PAGE 7
Sports Report
PAGE 14
Photos
PAGE 16
FEATURES
Faculty Focus: Sonny Willis ’96
PAGE 22
The Davison Center for the Arts:
A Retrospective of the First Decade
PAGE 23
Building an Essential Learning Community
One Critical Friend at a Time
PAGE 28
ALUMNI
I am a Bengal: Cameron Lemley ’12
PAGE 32
Alumni News
PAGE 33
Class Notes
PAGE 38
HEAD’S CORNER
Heating Up the Winter
I can’t remember the last time we had such a challenging winter with snow, ice and
freezing temperatures outside. But, in our classrooms, art studios, stages and playing
courts, our students have been generating a lot of heat!
This winter, the Davison Center for the Arts continues to be filled with dramatic
productions meriting critical acclaim. The Upper School’s hilarious take on the 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was so popular, it was held over for an additional
performance night. The Middle School’s production of Oliver! once again highlighted
the dramatic and musical ability of our students on stage and in the orchestra pit. It’s been over 10 years since
our Center for the Arts opened its doors with its inaugural production, The Music Man. As you’ll read in Ruthie
Tutterow’s drama retrospective (page 23) and in Sonny Willis’ ’96 faculty focus, our performing arts program is, in
my opinion, second to none.
On page 11, you’ll read about the work of senior Ellie Dougherty who has reached out to young girls with a
mentoring program to help them become leaders of their generation. Her Girls for Girls initiative is just one of the
many ways our teenage students are learning to tackle important social issues. I am proud of our students and their
willingness to address important issues within and beyond our community. The education they receive at GDS truly
prepares them to become global citizens.
The faculty has continued their learning this year through our pilot program in Critical Friends (page 28). These
small faculty groups are very powerful in helping teachers refine their teaching skills and develop new practices
which enhance student learning. This program has shown great success, and we anticipate growing it to the point
of including all faculty within the next two years.
As you’ll read on page 14, our Bengal athletic success this winter season included five conference championships,
three conference players of the year, three conference coaches of the year, two state championships in individual
swimming, and two state runners-up finishes. I was impressed with their inspiring play all season and the numerous
selections of our athletes to all conference and all state teams.
We continue to be excited about the construction of the new Bell Family Middle School. Although the weather has
created some setbacks, we still anticipate opening the building to students on the first day of school this fall. We
are also excited about the construction of a new auxiliary gym to be built between the Alumni Gym and the new
Middle School building. This facility will allow us to have wresting, cheerleading, badminton, volleyball and
basketball practices on our campus, rather than renting additional facilities.
With all of this activity, I am looking forward to spring and the weather matching the warmth of our programs!
Sincerely,
Mark C. Hale
Head of School
4
GDS Magazine
Young Couple Makes Major Gift
Commitment to their Children’s School
Liz
and David Johnson believe that supporting their
kindergartners’ school should be a priority. Even
though they are a relatively new GDS family with young children,
they have made a six-figure commitment over five years to the
Generations Campaign.
Their reason for doing so is pretty simple: though they are asked
to support many worthwhile causes, they choose family and
children as their top priorities for charitable giving.
“It’s amazing what a huge percentage of our children’s lives are
spent in school,” said Liz. “Supporting their education – their
school – is the best way, we believe, we can use our resources.”
Liz and David say they have followed the charitable lead of their
own parents, who made their schools a priority in their own
giving. Educated in a private school in St. Louis where she grew
up, Liz remembers that her school frequently had campaigns
“that quickly reached goal.”
The decision about where to send their twins, Ellie and Henry,
to school last year was the most important choice they have
faced as young parents. They say that Greensboro Day School’s
national reputation provides an advantage for their children
similar to that which they would have in larger cities.
“GDS has a national reputation that needs our support,” Liz
says. “Having a renowned school takes financial resources: it’s
the only way we can be competitive. To have quality educational
and athletic facilities, families must invest in them,” Liz adds.
“We are lucky to have such a school here.”
The Generations Campaign – begun quietly in 2008 and
launched in 2011– will fund the new middle school, tennis
complex and front entrance on Lake Brandt Road, and provide
the infrastructure for the new central quadrangle. With a $7
million stretch goal, school leaders hope to pay for these capital
improvements largely through charitable funds and therefore
minimize any impact on tuition.
Winter 2014
Henry ’27, David, Liz, and Ellie ’27 Johnson
The Johnsons often hear other parents express concern that
independent school tuition is expensive. They agree. But,
quickly they point out that “if we want our children to be the best
citizens and business owners one day, their education needs to
be competitive with other fine schools across the county.”
“David and I made our commitment and hope others in our
generation will step up with us,” Liz says.
Major donors to the Generations Campaign
will be recognized by naming opportunities
of architectural features. GDS will recognize
the Johnsons’ gift with a bronze plaque
on the spectator gallery at the new tennis
complex nearest to Lake Brandt Road.
5
Generations Campaign is on a
Fast Break to the Finish
The
Generations Capital Campaign
is on a “Fast Break to the Finish”
for June 30, 2014 with over $6.6 million raised
to date toward the goal of $7 million. The
campaign’s success is evident with the new
entrance and tennis courts on Lake Brandt Road,
and building construction now very visible from
the south approach on Lawndale Drive.
Campaign leaders, Merrill and Chuck Keeley ’81
and Melinda and Jim Rucker ’82, and the
Generations Cabinet are appreciative of the
funding support from the GDS community,
especially during a challenging recession and
slow economic recovery.
This rendering shows the new quad which will be in place of the old
Middle School building, which will be demolished in July.
Despite the worst winter weather in years,
the new The Bell Family Middle School is on schedule to be
complete for 5th-8th grades for the grand opening in midAugust. Removal of the existing Middle School building in July
will open the center of the campus for the new quadrangle. The
quadrangle infrastructure – sidewalks, lampposts, irrigation and
grass – will be complete in October.
The new auxiliary gym will be part of a larger plan for an indoor
sports center, which when fully complete, will include the
three gymnasiums, a Hall of Fame, and spacious concessions
and gathering areas facing the new quadrangle and Lawndale
entrances. The entire sports center will honor Freddy Johnson,
who for nearly 40 years has led the Bengal athletics program to
wide renown.
Plans for further development of the quadrangle, with gathering
spaces, performances areas, artistic features and more, are under
development and will be completed over a period of years as
funding is available.
Two days of grand opening celebrations are being planned with
a donor recognition event on Saturday evening, August 16, and
a ribbon-cutting and open house for students and families on
Sunday, August 17. More details will be in the GDS summer
magazine so stay tuned!
Samet Construction will expand the Middle School project
to include the new auxiliary gym which will be completed in
October. The announcement of over $1,050,000 in capital
gifts given for an auxiliary gym this past fall was made in
January and has generated excitement and more gifts for the
building. The capital campaign for the auxiliary gym – led by
Wes Elingburg and Kevin McCoy ’93 – will be a fast-paced
4-month effort this spring.
6
The “fast break” to the campaign finish on June 30 gives those
who have been considering a gift to the campaign time to
make a commitment this spring. To donate, contact Director of
Advancement Anne Hurd at 336-288-8590 ext. 235 or go online
at www.greensboroday.org/support.
GDS Magazine
Developing Leaders in the Middle
Greensboro Day School hosted its 2nd Annual Middle School
leadership conference on November 18. Seventy students from
Kernodle, B’Nai Shalom, Noble Academy, Mendenhall, Canterbury
School, and New Garden Friends joined their GDS peers for a fullday program led by Upper School students from Greensboro Day
School. They worked in groups to identify types of leadership, the
values leaders need to represent, group dynamics in leadership,
and the unique goals of student leaders in different schools.
The Learning 2 Lead Conference, created by GDS Middle School
student council advisors Laurel Matsudaira, Angela Ballou and
David Blake, is designed to build student leadership among our
middle generation of school-age children. There were 39 Upper
CAMPUS NEWS
School students who facilitated small group sessions. These
students received intensive training from Vincent Ford from The
Center for Creative Leadership. US Dean Tammy Alt, US teacher
Wendy Lavine, Assistant MS Director Mary Vance, Admissions
Associate Rachel Percival and Admission Office Assistant Barbara
Maynard all played key roles in the planning, preparation and
overall success of the conference.
Our MS students who participated were Kayla Rafkin, Jack
Greenberg, and Ethan Ellsweig from 6th grade; Cole Harris,
Edmund Fish, and Steven Key from 7th grade; and Walker Trevey,
Rylan Ballou, Cynthia Cote, Alyssa Bigelman, Lauren Whitley, Ellie
Baldwin, and Sophie Dalldorf from 8th grade.
US Students Earn
Art Recognition
Fourteen Greensboro Day School US students earned honors at
the Scholastic Art Awards. Rachel Hayes ’14 earned four Gold Key
Awards, two Silver Key Awards and an Honorable Mention. Tess
Stark ’14 earned a Gold Key Award and an Honorable Mention.
Lauren Smir ’14 also earned a Gold Key Award. William Armstrong
’14 and Austin Brantley ’16 earned Silver Key Awards along with
Hayes and Gina Dick ’14, who earned two Silver Key Awards.
Honorable Mentions were also given to Ivy Ni ’15, Katie Wyatt ’15
(4 total), Rachel Schomp ’14, Patti Hazlett ’14, Michael Jacobson
’16, Katherine Sipes ’15 (2 total), Olivia Register ’15, and Sarah
Lindsay Liebkemann ’14.
Operated by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards recognize student achievement
in the visual arts and creative writing. Annually, the Alliance, and
its 81 regional affiliates, review more than 100,000 submissions
of art and writing by creative teenagers from across the country.
Lauren Smir ’14,
“Graphic Faces,” Graphite
Rachel Hayes ’14, “Held,”
Digitally Manipulated Photo
Rachel Hayes ’14,
“Imagine,” Digital photo
Rachel Hayes ’14, “Waves of Expression,” Digital Photo
Rachel Hayes ’14,
“Defaced and Displaced,”
Altered Digital Photo
Tess Stark ’14, “Desert Heat,”
Ceramic Slip Resist
Winter 2014
7
CAMPUS NEWS
Diving into a
Shark Tank
The
Senior United States Government and Economics
class finished the first unit of the spring semester
with a project based on the ABC show “Shark Tank.” Teachers
Anthony Piacenza and Tomarra Hall hoped to contextualize the
content of a unit about basic economic questions and theories
by using entrepreneurship to encourage student exploration
of these concepts.
Coincidentally, US Dean Jennifer Ford was contacted by
the ENACTUS Club at High Point University, who wanted
to invite our seniors to take part in their now-annual high
school Shark Tank Competition. Some members of the club,
which focuses on entrepreneurship, met with our students
to explain the rules and structure of the HPU competition –
to be held on Wednesday, March 12 – and did a Q&A about
entrepreneurship and sales pitches.
Though our students are not required to take part in the
HPU competition, they did have to present a unique product
or service of their own design to a panel of GDS “sharks”
to complete their unit project. Each student invented or
designed a product and a business model for getting their
idea off the ground and making it profitable, with the only
missing piece being a generous investment by our deeppocketed sharks. Teachers and staff from all divisions, and
senior students themselves, listened to sales-pitches, asked
questions, and presented competing “offers” to each young
entrepreneur. With ideas ranging from dissolvable packets
for drink additives, and new spins on gyms and workout
equipment, to countless smartphone apps and even edible
tape to hold food together, our students displayed both
their creativity and their growing understanding of what it
takes to start and grow a business from idea to a global
company. In the coming months, our seniors will see if any
of their presentations turn into prize-winning efforts at the
High Point University competition.
8
17 Inducted
into Cum Laude
Seventeen juniors and seniors were inducted into the Cum
Laude Society on March 7.
This year’s senior inductees averaged a weighted GPA of
97.49 and took an average of 14 advanced placement and
advanced courses. The senior inductees were:
Amina Ali Khan
William Clayton Swords
Alexandra G. Ackerman
Janse Thomas Schermerhorn
Connor Monroe Cooke
Laura Evans McGee
Mary Kathryn Sapp
Natalie Ann Curry
Elizabeth Katherine Haenel
This year’s junior inductees averaged a weighted GPA of
100.04 and took an average of 11 advanced placement and
advanced courses. The junior inductees were:
Tianyi Wang
Delaney Ann Dalldorf
Annalise Connelly Graves
Alexander Ryan Kroeger
Alyssa Nicole Altheimer
Jonas Matthew Procton
Connor James Dean
Allison Linzey Tice
The Cum Laude Society is an organization that honors
scholastic achievement at secondary institutions, similar
to the Phi Beta Kappa Society, which honors scholastic
achievements at the university level. The GDS Cum Laude
chapter was established in 1984. Each Chapter may elect
up to 20% of the members of the senior class in the college
preparatory curriculum who have an honor record.
GDS Magazine
CAMPUS NEWS
68 Inducted into National Honor Society
Sixty-eight Greensboro Day School juniors and seniors were
inducted into the National Honor Society on November 14. Our
chapter strives to give practical meaning to the Society’s standards
of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Therefore, the
following criteria was used to select students for induction:
• Scholarship – an unweighted or weighted GPA of 87
or higher
•Leadership, Service, and Character – as demonstrated by activities within and outside the school community
and teacher evaluations
The inductees were: (seniors) Tyler Aluisio, Miranda Bachicha,
Emily Bohrer, Matthew Gasiorek, Myra Henderson, Ashley
Kesselring, Jordan Klinger, Alex Kunar, Matthew McIvor, James
Murray, Nick Nelson, Emily Perkins, Tess Stark, Nikos Tarasidis,
and Angelica Warren; (juniors) Alyssa Altheimer, Michael Amend,
Addy Anderson, Caroline Attayek, Kassi Browning, Beau Burns,
Cassie Burroughs, Madi Caviness, Delaney Dalldorf, Connor
Dean, Lucy Dunham, Alex Fenger, Kat Forbis, Annalise Graves,
Sabrina Greer, Shepard Griswold, Aerin Hickey, Scott Hollowell,
Sarah Kahn, Libby Knowles, Sam Kolls, Annabelle Kramme, Alex
Kroeger, Tom Kubitza, Mariana Lawrence, Alyssa Mack, Marion
Macphail, Marquelle McIntyre, Mary Kathryn Midgett, Ivy Ni,
Harrison North, Alex Paris, Rachel Pfenning, Mitch Phipps,
Caroline Pinkelton, Jonas Procton, Jessica Pusch, Kayla Reardon,
Olivia Register, Zoe Rosen, Cameron Sharpe, Julia Solomon, Tyler
Steen, Scott Taylor, Allie Tice, Tannie Wang, Mariah Warren, Katie
Watson, Emma Weissburg, Daye Williams, Rachael Wilson, Katie
Wyatt, and Yibo Zheng
Seniors Reid Smith, Ellie Dougherty, Janse Schermerhorn and
Amina Khan spoke about scholarship, leadership, service and
character during the ceremony.
Bengal Bites
• The Upper School Operation Smile Club raised a record-setting
$1,700 selling candygrams, which will cover seven surgeries.
• 7th graders were treated to a presentation from Steve Willis
a professor at Bennett College who was selected for a Fulbright
Scholarship last summer. He shared his experience of spending 5
weeks in China learning about its culture, history, and educational
system. To follow-up his presentation, several of our Chinese
international students hosted an informal Q & A with the 7th grade.
• While learning about the concepts of supply and demand, 2nd
graders worked to earn paychecks, learned to cash those checks at
the bank, and created businesses with products to sell.
• 4th grade girls are participating in “Girl Charge,” a program to
create community awareness of and to foster change in the social
norms and culture of girls in our community. Former teacher,
Melissa Norman, runs the program. Additionally, 4th grade
boys are participating in a program called “Boys on the Ball.” LS
counselor Michelle Bostian, along with Upper School boys and male
faculty members, are working with the boys on sportsmanship and
friendship.
• Amina Khan ’14 placed 3rd in the Guilford County English
Speaking Union Shakespeare Recitation Competition. Fourteen
schools participated this year – each school winner prepared a
Shakespearian monologue and sonnet.
• Our 4th graders traveled back in time to re-create the one room
schoolhouse of O.Henry’s time for Miss Lina Day. They wrote with
charcoal on slate, studied by candlelight, followed strict classroom
rules, and could only play with traditional games of the time
(marbles and hoops). This tradition allows students to experience
the education, social norms, eating habits and challenges of the
time as they study colonial America.
• There were 51 units of blood collected during the Upper School
blood drive in March. Senior Shivani Shah organized two blood
drives for the community this year.
• A group of Upper School students came together to present
an exercise to 5th graders on making snap judgments and how
important it is to go beyond superficial stereotypes. This was a
combination of projects from the senior Stereotypes in Literature
elective and the Diversity Club.
• Lower Schoolers had the opportunity to figure out the programming
behind fun games, like Angry Birds, as they participated in the
national Hour of Code initiative, they used math, logic and
technology to crack the code.
• Over 20 teams, including a group from GDS, competed in the
regional Science Olympiad held at UNC Greensboro on February
22. Our 11 Upper School representatives won the Sportsmanship/
Spirit Award at the competition.
• Upper School sociology students spent time with Lower School
media specialist Laura Hines exploring the socializing role children’s
literature plays in the life of early readers.
Winter 2014
9
CAMPUS NEWS
Honor Musicians
The 5th annual North Carolina Association of Independent
School (NCAIS) Honor Band Clinic was held at the University of
North Carolina at Wilmington October 10 and 11. Students in
independent schools across the state are nominated by band
directors to participate in this 2-day honor band clinic. Students
rehearse for approximately 9 hours in two days and perform a
concert for the public.
The goal of the NCAIS Honor Band is to give students the
opportunity to perform with a large concert band comprised of the
most talented 7th-12th grade concert band musicians from NCAIS
independent schools throughout the state. Any 7th-12th grade
student enrolled in an NCAIS independent school during the
current school year and who plays a concert band instrument (flute,
clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, trumpet horn, trombone,
euphonium, tuba, concert percussion) is eligible to participate.
The following Middle and Upper School students were selected
to perform in this year’s NCAIS Honor Band: Alyssa Altheimer ’15,
Shepard Griswold ’15, Matthew McIvor ’14, Lindsey Cooke ’17,
Michael Williams ’17, Sierra Delk ’18, Brooke Sanders ’19, Carter
Anderson ’19, Laura Watson ’19, and Ayden Hochstein ’18.
Spanish Immersion “Off the Beaten Path”
Lower School Spanish teacher Morgan Sharp was chosen as the
recipient of the 2014 Brooks Sabbatical. She will spend her summer
in Equatorial Guinea immersing herself in the cultural and linguistic
practices of this small Spanish speaking nation.
“Equatorial Guinea is counted amongst the Spanish speaking
nations in language textbooks, but generally the only information
provided is the map and flag,” Sharp says. “I have long dreamed
of the possibility of visiting this country. I am fascinated by the
cultural diversity that I should experience given the mix of strong
tribal groups and Spanish linguistic, religious, and architectural
influences.”
She will spend several weeks in the country’s largest city, Malabo,
followed by a two-week tour throughout Equatorial Guinea.
Roughly the size of Maryland, the country consists of a mainland
section and five islands. Before returning home, she will extend
her layover in Spain and tour Barcelona, Pamplona and Madrid.
She will arrive in Pamplona in time to experience the Running of
the Bulls.
10
“As a non-native Spanish
speaker, regular periods of
i m m e r s i o n i n S p a n i s h a re
exponentially beneficial in
maintaining my fluency in the
language,” Sharp explains.
“During this journey, I will be
practicing and maintaining
that fluency, as well as gaining
unique cultural knowledge
that will benefit my Spanish
students for years to come.”
Established in 1996 by the late
Dr. Jean Brooks, the Brooks Sabbatical encourages writing, research
and unique cultural experiences for our faculty. The Sabbatical
covers the cost of the recipient’s trip. Past winners have included
Kathy Davis, Kim Burroughs, Kay Zimmerman, Beverly Edwards,
Trish Morris, Ruthie Tutterow, Beth Dunbar, Angela Ballou, Don
Lahey, Jeff Regester, and Randy Mintz. Their Sabbatical’s have
taken them to Africa, Costa Rica, Italy, Greece, Ireland, France,
Hawaii, Maine, and more.
GDS Magazine
STUDENT WORK
In a Student’s Words: Ubuntu
BY ELLIE DOUGHERTY ’14
Ubuntu. In South Africa this past
summer, I heard the term Ubuntu everywhere.
The g e n e r a l m e a ning of t he word is
“humanness.” In Mamelodi, the township in
which I worked, ubuntu had a more specific
connotation: “I am who I am because of you.”
I have learned that I am who I am because of
where I have been, what I have done, and what
I have learned from the people I have met
along the way.
Our world faces many complex problems:
poverty, hunger, disease, war, human rights
abuses, climate change, access to education,
and countless others. We cannot begin to
solve them with half the population subjugated
or marginalized. I believe that disparity
between the sexes is a paramount global
issue. Women’s rights violations are rampant
in today’s society: a 15-year-old girl shot in
the head by Taliban for asserting her right
to attend school; Saudi women discouraged
from driving in order to preserve their ability to
bear children. Elevating the worldwide status
of women is the first step toward beginning to
address our global challenges.
During the fall semester of my junior year, I
attended The School for Ethics and Global
Leadership (SEGL) in Washington, DC.
Upon returning to Greensboro Day School,
I learned a lasting lesson: to return more
than I have received, turning the essence of
these experiences into concrete contributions
at home. To that end, I launched my social
venture project, Girls for Girls, a mentor
program that pairs a 6th or 7th grade girl
with an 11th or 12th grade girl at GDS.
The program seeks to empower the young
women in our community through improving
their self-perception and celebrating their
womanhood. Mentor sessions incorporate
women-empowerment themed topics that
are discussed between mentors and their
mentees. This year’s curriculum has included
exploring womanhood in terms of race and
privilege, writing spoken word poems in
response to dress expectations on Halloween,
and reading the short story “Your Life as a
Girl” by Curtis Sittenfeld. Ultimately, Girls for
Winter 2014
Girls is dedicated to empowerment through
girls, for girls.
In its pilot semester, 26 girls participated in
the program. The group hosted events such
as a viewing at GDS of the documentary “Miss
Representation,” which following the film,
mentors and mentees focused on the portrayal
of women in the media. The pairs made posters
in which they explored the contrasting ways
in which women are depicted. These posters
continue to be displayed in the Upper School
commons with the purpose of broadening
perspectives of GDS students.
Girls for Girls is now in its second year and has
increased its membership to 48 participants.
Earlier this year, I wrote a grant proposal and
was awarded $2,000 from the partnership of
Vital Voices and Ann Inc. With funding from
this grant and help from GDS, Girls for Girls
arranged to bring, Lissa Muscatine, former
Senior Advisor and Chief of Speechwriting at
the U.S. State Department and Rhodes Scholar,
as guest speaker to the school community. Ms.
Muscatine will be conducting a master class
for Girls for Girls members focusing on Hillary
Clinton’s “Remarks to the U.N. 4th World
Conference on Women Plenary Session”
(delivered in Beijing in 1995 and written by
Muscatine). She will also speak to the entire
GDS Upper School. Ms. Muscatine challenges
students to articulate themselves concisely and
to use the most convincing language possible.
Ellie Doughtery ’14 with
students in South Africa.
In addition, Girls for Girls will be hosting a
“minute-mentoring event” in April. This event
will create opportunities for quick “minute”
discussions among female students, parents,
and teachers from around Greensboro with
the purpose of learning from each other about
their experiences as women.
Ubuntu. As my senior year is coming to a close,
I have learned that I am who I am because of…
the world. I am who I am because of the Class
of 2014, South Africa, and SEGL. I am who I am
because of my community. And, I am who I am
because of the people I have yet to meet.
11
CAMPUS NEWS
Upper School Head’s List:
SEMESTER 1
Upper School students who have maintained an average of 90 with no grade below 70…
9th Grade
Gabrielle Aluisio
Matt Amend
Adriana Bachicha
Taylor Bair
John Ball
Emily Beane
Dylan Boles
Emily Brown
Macks Caviness
Lindsey Cooke
Sandra Davis
Emily Dean
Allie DuBose
Davis Dunham
Collier Echols
Ace Ellsweig
Christopher Fenger
Shelby Finch
Pete Gresens
Connor Haggarty
Camille Herring
Madeline Jones
Cameron Keating
Stephanie Kesselring
Drew Knauss
Pearce Landry
Ally Majestic
Apoorva Mangipudi
Ike Mango
Maddy McCartney
Nyia McCree
Caitlin Murray
Luke Newsom
Caleb Nitka
Isabel Paris
Nan Perry
Amanda Peterson
Hayley Rafkin
Gray Robinson
Cannon Robinson
Kristen Rosenbower
Chris Scerbo
Alec Smir
Betty Tu
Laura Tutterow
Kelsey Weissburg
Maris Whitley
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Michael Williams
Claire Williams
Yanchu Zhou
Crystal Zhou
10th Grade
James Bennett
Dillon Bowman
Mercer Brady
Jizelle Campbell
Rakene Chowdhury
David Chung
Grayson Clark
Jack Cote
Kenneth Deterding
Qianxu Ding
Kayla Gaskin
Anna Gilbert
Katie Glaser
Will Gramig
Sally Hayes
Michael Jacobson
Caroline Jessup
Sarah Lowe
Connor McGinley
Steven Melson
Aylin Memili
Alley Milam
James Millner
Grant Rohlfing
Shreya Shah
Anisha Sharma
Grace Sherrill
Genna Singer
Mac Stark
Abby Stern
Evan Tanner
Jessica Thomas
Max Villing
Clara Walton
Grace Wilson
Jiawen Zhang
11th Grade
Alyssa Altheimer
Michael Amend
Addy Anderson
Caroline Attayek
Beau Burns
Madi Caviness
Delaney Dalldorf
Connor Dean
Lucy Dunham
Annalise Graves
Sabrina Greer
Aerin Hickey
Scott Hollowell
Libby Knowles
Sam Kolls
Annabelle Kramme
Alex Kroeger
Mariana Lawrence
Marion Macphail
Marquelle McIntyre
Mary Kathryn Midgett
Henson Milam
Harrison North
Alex Paris
Tom Perry
Caroline Pinkelton
Jonas Procton
Jessica Pusch
Kayla Reardon
Zoe Rosen
Julia Solomon
Paul Sprick
Tyler Steen
Allie Tice
John Trentini
Tannie Wang
Shan Wang
Emma Weissburg
Rachael Wilson
Yibo Zheng
12th Grade
Lexy Ackerman
Tyler Aluisio
Renee Anderson
William Armstrong
Miranda Bachicha
Karson Bankhead
Emily Bohrer
Claire Burns
Christopher Caffrey
Kevin Carty
Jackson Clark
Julia Cook
Connor Cooke
Natalie Curry
Gina Dick
Marilyn Dick
Quentin Doutt
Ross Gaines
Mary Glaser
Elizabeth Haenel
A J Haggarty
Rachel Hayes
Amina Khan
Jamie Kleckowski
Jordan Klinger
Haley Klinger
Olivia Knox
Sarah Lindsay Liebkemann
Marshall Macheledt
Josh Markwell
Laura McGee
Kit McGinley
Brandi McLean
Katie Ognovich
Emily Perkins
Walker Roe
Mary Kathryn Sapp
Janse Schermerhorn
Layton Schiffman
Alexa Schleien
Caroline Schlosser
Rachel Schomp
Shivani Shah
Caroline Sherwood
Katherine Sipes
Lauren Smir
Reid Smith
Caroline Spurr
Tyler Sudbrink
Kelsey Supple
Zax Tate
Christian Taylor
Grayson Thompson
Pearce Veazey
Catherine Wright
GDS Magazine
CAMPUS NEWS
Upper School Honor Roll:
SEMESTER 1
Upper School students who have earned an average of 85 and no grade below 70…
9th Grade
Jaime Aronson
Riley Becker
Kate Calhoun
Spenser Clapp
Maggie Epes
Whitney Forbis
Will Groce
Isy Hassell
Joseph Kim
Henry Knox
Florie Markwell
Travon Mayo
Caroline Moore
Brooklynn Needham
Jordan Perkins
Allen Schiffman
Zach Shue
Gloria Smith-Bunch
Luke Steen
Ethan Wagoner
Winter 2014
10th Grade
Brian Apple
Austin Brantley
Jesse Burris
Jacob Dubs
Nelson Huang
Matthew Hudson
Karson Jin
John Drake Karcher
Jake Keeley
Phillip McCall
Walker Miller
Gail Reid Murray
Ben Palmer
Sahil Patel
Nick Peterson
Mason Pool
Corey Simonds
Kody Stonecipher
Ryne Wang
Alec Whyte
11th Grade
Alexander Balabanov
Ana Bolson
Lily Brown
Paul Coady
Hunter Coleman
Christopher Diggs
Nich Duehring
Alex Fenger
Katerina Forbis
Shepard Griswold
Breanna Hatcher
Jonathan Hirsch
Jesse Joyner
Sarah Kahn
Tom Kubitza
Antonina Lawrence
Kaitlyn Lingard
Alyssa Mack
Chris Majestic
Trevor Mayo
Brittany McGroarty
Darius Moore
Soyeon Nam
Ivy Ni
Carter North
Rachel Pfenning
Olivia Register
Carleigh Roach
Isabel Seifert
Scott Taylor
Mariah Warren
Madison Watson
Katie Watson
Daye Williams
Katie Wyatt
12th Grade
Lauren Beane
Halie Biggs
Kullen Clark
Noah Corbett
Elizabeth Dougherty
Matthew Gasiorek
Haley Harrill
Clay Hawkins
Patricia Hazlett
Myra Henderson
Ashley Kesselring
Max Kurgan
Matt Lowe
Connor Mansfield
Matthew McIvor
Matthew Melhem
James Murray
Nick Nelson
Matthew Petrinitz
Carole Roman
Eric Rosenbower
Bryan Rouse
Zac Schner
Joshua Siar
Ethan Smith
Tess Stark
David Stern
Clayton Swords
Nikos Tarasidis
Raj Vyas
Angelica Warren
Max Weingold
Trey Weston
Micah Zimmerman
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SPORTS REPORT
Winter Athletes Continue Conference Dominance
Five
conference championships (including two individual
wrestling titles), three conference players of the year,
three conference coaches of the year, two state championships
in individual swimming, and two state runners-up finishes are
just some quick highlights of the incredible talent the Bengals
showcased this past winter season.
The varsity girls’ basketball team won the PACIS conference title
for the 5th straight year and won 30 straight conference games.
Unfortunately, they lost a heartbreaker in the state finals to rival
Providence Day. Their state runners-up finish marks only the second
time the Lady Bengals have competed in the state championship
game. In fact, their 30 wins on the season and their final 30-3
record are the best in school history. Junior Tamera Thorpe and
senior Caroline Spurr both scored their 1000th career point during
the season. Spurr was also selected as the conference player of
the year.
After graduating six seniors including five starters from last year’s
state runners-up and TIMCO Championship team, the 2013-2014
boys’ varsity basketball team responded with a fantastic season.
This season’s team amassed a 30-5 record, won their 3rd straight
TIMCO Invitational (their 7th in 9 years), and earned a 2nd place
finish at the Montverde (Fla.) Invitational, including a semi-final win
over Orlando Christian Prep, the #22 ranked team in the country by
USA Today. The Bengals finished strong as the PACIS conference
champions and NCISAA state runners-up, following an overtime
loss to conference rival Wesleyan.
The varsity boys’ swim team won the PACIS conference for the
16th consecutive year. In the state meet, senior Eric Rosenbower
won the state championship and broke school records, in both the
50-yard and 100-yard freestyle. Fellow seniors Grayson Thompson
and Ethan Smith were named conference swimmers of the year.
All-conference junior Sabrina Greer, along with classmates Katie
Wyatt, Zoe Rosen, Mary Katherine Midgett, and Lucy Dunham,
look to lead a young group of Lady Bengal swimmers next season.
This year, half of the Bengal wrestling team was comprised of
Middle Schoolers, and they often competed against older, more
experienced wrestlers. Despite these challenges, they finished 2nd
in the PACIS conference, with two conference champions, Justin
Cash ’18 (106 lbs.) and Alex Balabanov ’15 (126 lbs).
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In other Bengals sporting news:
Seniors Caroline Spurr and Marshall Macheledt were awarded
Bill Lee Scholarships during the 38th annual TIMCO Invitational
presented by NewBridge Bank. The Greensboro Sports Council
awards these $2,000 scholarships to athletes based on the
following criteria: 40% academic, 40% athletic and 20% civic.
Senior Katie Watson was presented with the Molly Brenner ’05
award for her dedication to the GDS basketball program. This
award is given annually to a student basketball manager who
exceeds coach’s expectations.
Adam Schner ’16 has been selected to represent the Southeast
Regional Team in the 2014 Brine National Lacrosse Classic to be
held in Maryland June 30-July 3.
Senior Katie Ognovich placed 7th in the World Indoor Junior
Rowing Championships.
National Women’s Soccer Team standout Heather O’Reilly held a
clinic for our girls’ varsity soccer team in February. She spoke with
the Lady Bengals about commitment and self-confidence, prior to
working out with them on the soccer field.
US Women’s National Team member Heather O’Reilly
worked with our varsity girls’ soccer team in late February.
GDS Magazine
SPORTS REPORT
Varsity Swimming
Overall Season Record: Girls’: 5-13; Boys’: 14-3
PACIS Boys’ Conference Champions
All Conference: Connor Dean ’15, Alex Kroeger ’15,
Eric Rosenbower ’14, Ethan Smith ’14 (Swimmer of the Year),
Grayson Thompson ’14 (Swimmer of the Year), Sabrina Greer ’15
PACIS Coach of the Year: Chrissy Olson ’85
All State: Alex Kunar ’14, Eric Rosenbower, Ethan Smith,
Grayson Thompson
Coach’s Award: Emily Dean ’17, Isabel Paris ’17, Alex Kroeger
Most Valuable Swimmer: Eric Rosenbower, Sabrina Greer
Most Improved: Crystal Zhou ’17, Ace Ellswieg ’17, Alex Kunar
Bryan Rouse ’14
Connor Dean ’15
Tamera Thorpe ’15
James Bennett ’16
Girls’ Basketball
Overall Season Record: 30-3 (Best in school history)
PACIS Conference Champions
NCISAA State Runners-Up
All Conference: Caroline Spurr ’14 (Player of the Year),
Tamera Thorpe ’15, Imani Atkinson ’14
PACIS Coach of the Year: John Carty
All State: Caroline Spurr, Tamera Thorpe
Best Offensive Player: Tamera Thorpe
Best Defensive Player: Myra Henderson
Most Valuable Player: Caroline Spurr
Most Improved Players: Imani Atkinson, Ellie Baldwin
Boys’ Basketball
Overall Season Record: 30-5
PACIS Conference Champions
NCISAA State Runners-Up
TIMCO Invitational Champion
All Conference: Bryan Rouse ’14, Darius Moore ’15,
Peter Agba ’15
PACIS Coach of the Year: Freddy Johnson
All State: Bryan Rouse, Darius Moore
Coach’s Award: Kullen Clark ’14
Best Defensive Player: Trevor Mayo ’15
Best Offensive Player: Bryan Rouse
Most Valuable Players: Darius Moore, Peter Agba
Most Improved Player: Marquelle McIntyre ’15
Winter 2014
Cheerleading
Coach’s Award: Renee Anderson ’14
Most Improved Cheerleader: Angela Ding ’16
Most Valuable Cheerleader: Kayla Reardon ’15
Wrestling
PACIS Conference Champions: Justin Cash ’18, Alex Balabanov ’15
All Conference: Justin Cash, Alex Balabanov
Coach’s Award: Justin Cash
Most Valuable Wrestler: Shepard Griswold ’15
Most Improved Wrestler: Ayden Hochstein ’18
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AROUND CAMPUS
1. Over 60 Middle School students (cast and crew)
brought the classic Charles Dickens story Oliver
Twist, to life, with the production of Oliver!, February
27-March 2. 2. Artful Dodger (Jack Greenberg ’20)
encourages Oliver (Cole McCoy ’20) to consider
himself at home. 3. Nancy (Morgan Winstead ’18,
right) and Bet (Penny Hazlett ’18) know that “It’s a
Fine Life,” for them. 4. Everybody fears the dreadful
Bill Sykes (Gray Rucker ’18). 5. Teacher Craig Head
reprised his role as Fagin, which he first played
in 2000 in GDS’ former McMillion Arts building.
Overall, 10 faculty members were featured on stage
and, for the first time, a maintenance staff member,
Calvin Davenport, took to the stage. 6. Mr. Brownlow
(Andrew Hilgendorf ’18) expresses his belief that
Oliver is his grandson to Mrs. Bedwin (Julia Davis ’19).
7. Widow Corney (Madison Head ’19) is enamored
by Mr. Bumble (Christoff Hairston ’20). 8. Oliver (Cole
McCoy ’20) wonders “Where is love?”
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GDS Magazine
AROUND CAMPUS
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The Upper School’s production of the Tony Award-winning
musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee told the
story of six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen
by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood
themselves, who learn winning isn’t everything and losing
doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. This hilarious production
ran January 31-February 2 in the Bell Family Studio Theatre.
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Winter 2014
1. The shy Olive Ostrovsky (Alexa Schleien ’14) is a word
lover longing for the support of her often-absent parents.
2. Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere (Annalise Graves ’15) is
determined to make her two fathers proud of her. 3. The
ultimate over-achiever, Marcy Park (Caroline Attayek ’15),
finally realizes perfection isn’t everything. 4. The reigning
Spelling Bee champion, Chip Toletino (David Chung ’16)
expects everything to come easy to him and is shocked
when he is eliminated in an early round. 5. Mitch Mahoney
(Desmond McIntyre ’17) appears an odd choice to be the bee’s
“comfort counselor,” but it’s part of his community service
assignment. 6. Rona Lisa Perretti (Ellie Dougherty ’14) is the
long-time spelling bee hostess, a local realtor, and 3rd annual
Putnam County spelling champion. Vice Principal Douglas
Panch (Charles Mayer ’15) suffers a difficult breakdown when
he realizes he is unhappy with his life. 7. Leaf Coneybear (JR
Hudgins ’14) gets rather intense during his spelling turns.
8. Longing for the elusive championship, William Barfee
(Michael Jacobson ’16) takes the competition very seriously.
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AROUND CAMPUS
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The 4th grade’s production of Dr. Seuss’ Sneetches was a first of
its kind. Our own Sonny Willis ’96 wrote the stage adaptation and
original music for the play which was performed December 6.
1. The star-bellied Sneetches had stars upon thars…
2. While the plain-bellied Sneetches had none upon thars.
3. Sylvester McMonkey McBean (Parker Stroud ’22) was a
cunning salesman who helped the plain-bellies become starbellies, and the star-bellies become plain-bellies, before the
plain-bellies wanted to be plain-bellies again…well, you get
the point. 4. The star-belly child (Carlina Trigilio ’22) and the
plain-belly child (Anna Brown ’22) remind the adults in the
Sneetches community that friendship is more important
than status.
The 5th grade performed the classic tale of Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs on December 13. This year, the 4th grade
production filled up so fast, some 4th graders were able to
perform with the 5th graders.
5. Mirror, mirror (Siva Ramgoolam ’22) breaks the news to
the Evil Queen (Josie Fish ’21) that she may not be the fairest
of them all. 6. Snow White (Katherine Bales ’21) makes the
mistake of trusting a disguised witch (Isabel Dover ’21) when
offered a tempting apple. 7. The seven dwarfs (Alex Cooke
’21, Courtney Sanders ’21, Lauren Sar ’21, Lexie Terry ’21,
Mary Kathryn Fisher ’21, Tilley Kirkland ’21, Lindsay Blackman
’21) are distraught over a sleeping Snow White. 8. The Prince
(Barrett Massand ’21) saves the day!
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GDS Magazine
AROUND CAMPUS
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Under the leadership of parents Isabelle Kramme, Holly
Jones, Miriam Forbis, and Brook Wingate, 270 volunteers
turning out for 15 service projects during Bengal Paws for
Service Day on November 16, 2013. Overall, volunteers:
•m
ade 12 blankets for Mary’s House women’s shelter, 3
blankets for Pathways, and 5 blankets for the Guilford
County Animal Shelter.
•a
ssembled 100 sandwiches for the shelter located on
Lee Street.
• c ollected over 500 cans from local neighborhoods for
Piedmont Family Services.
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repped the LS garden for winter and spruced up for a
new season ahead.
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acked up the Middle School garden by potting plants
to be planted at the new garden location.
• cleaned kennels at Greyhound Rescue/Project Racing Home.
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rovided hard labor to start cutting new trails for the
horses at Horse Power.
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rganized and shelved supplies at the Teacher Supply
Warehouse and Welfare Reform.
• knitted 10 hats for premature babies at Women’s Hospital.
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ssisted Habitat for Humanity’s RESTORE with their
birthday celebration and worked in the store.
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alked to end homelessness in Greensboro at the first
annual Interactive Resource Center Chicken Walk.
• sorted, stocked and packed dozens of boxes for the
Out of the Garden Ministry.
• r aked and bagged leaves, and did a craft with the small
children staying at Freedom House.
• worked on a craft that over 20 children living at Pathways
were able to enjoy.
• assembled several care packages for troops full of candy,
coffee, stuffed animals, cards and letters.
Winter 2014
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AROUND CAMPUS
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1. JK’ers, including Delilah Greenberg ’27, enjoyed
meeting the new baby chicks which were hatched in our
6th grade science lab. 6th graders complete research
on embryo development before returning the chicks
to the farm. 2. 4th graders experienced Colonial life
first-hand with the arrival of Camp Flintlock in January.
Olivia Woods ’22 and her classmates dressed in period
clothing, learned to write with quills, played traditional
Colonial games, and made their own candles. 3. 5th
graders spent three days and two nights at Earthshine,
in La ke To xa w a y, N.C., living as Cherokees and
Pioneers. Pictured here: Charlie Jones ’21 tries his
hand at axe throwing. 4. 8th grade science teacher
Tim Martin hosted a night-time field trip for 8th grade
students and families to the Cline Observatory. As a
conclusion to the Astronomy unit in Earth science class,
students had the opportunity to see Jupiter’s moons,
star for ming nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. 5.
Also this winter, 3rd graders transformed themselves
into classic characters, such as Molly Pitcher, Nelson
Mandela, Steve Jobs, Clara Barton, Jane Goodall and
Christopher Columbus (Harris DeLoach ’23), as part
of their study of biographies. 6. Orchestra students,
comprised of students from all three divisions, were
asked to perform the National Anthem at the boys’
championship game at the TIMCO Invitational in
January. Pictured here, Karlton Gaskin ’19. You can
hear their performance on the GDS YouTube channel,
www.youtube.com/greensborodayschool.
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GDS Magazine
AROUND CAMPUS
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1. Final Upper School engineering projects for the
fall semester involved electronics and programming.
The projects included an automatic pet entertainer,
which moves a laser spot around the floor for pets
to chase; a laser harp and a laser piano – eight laser
beams directed at sensors. Each beam, when broken
by a hand, plays a different note; and, pictured here,
Matthew Melhem ’14 modifying the classic Operation
game. If the player touches the sides of the hole
with the tweezers, the player either gets a bright
flash of light, a loud sound, or an electrical shock. 2.
International student Qianxu Ding ’16 celebrated the
Chinese New Year with many friends from our school
community. Amid the festive decorations (red, red,
red!), guests not familiar with Mandarin were coached
in the language by Qianxu on the proper greetings
and well-wishing phrases to use for the holiday.
Guests then enjoyed an excellent Chinese meal. 3.
Jake Keeley ’16 is climbing Rumbling Bald Rock. Jake
is spending a semester at Outdoor Academy, and
from the looks of it, is having a blast! Learn more
about our study abroad program on the Upper School
curriculum page on our Web site. 4. The annual 3rd
grade Pow Wow was a great way to end their study of
Native Americans. Students learned traditional dances
and songs for the event. Pictured here, Logan Hayes
’23. 5. Baby goats paid a visit to the Lower School
before heading to the 6th grade for an introduction.
The goats were born at Headacres Farm (home to 6th
grade science teacher Craig Head). Pictured here,
Kelly Buster ’23. 6. Emily Perkins ’14 was crowned the
2014 Homecoming Queen in January. She is pictured
here with Janse Schermerhorn ’14. 7. “Found Objects
Lighting Creations” built by Ninoshka Boylston’s 8th
grade art students graced the hallways this winter.
Pictured here, Grace Ruffin’s ’18 “Kill the Lights.”
Winter 2014
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SONNY WILLIS ’96
BY CRISTI PHILLIPS DRIVER ’86
Sonny Willis ’96 caught the musical theatre bug at a young age.
As a child, he performed in productions with the Livestock Players and
Greensboro Children’s Theatre. Later, as a student at Greensboro Day School,
Willis was active in Upper School theatre, participating in such shows as Once
on This Island, The Fantasticks, and The Sound of Music. After graduating from
GDS in 1996, he went on to earn a degree in music performance from the
UNC-G School of Music.
However, he never veered too far from his roots at GDS, first working as a piano
accompanist for Middle and Upper School choirs while still in college, and then
teaching 6th grade chorus in 2003.
At this same time, Willis started the Lower School
drama after-school program. What began as an
after-school musical theatre class with just 10
students, has now expanded to an extremely
popular program that includes four annual plays
for students in grades 2-5, with more than 100
children participating each year. In addition to
directing the after-school drama program, he is
also the Middle and Upper School music director
and runs the summer drama program.
“I feel very connected to GDS,” Willis says. “When
I was a student, so many teachers invested their
time and energy to help me grow as a person
and a performer. Teachers here place so much
value in instilling confidence and creativity in
each student, and I am so happy to be able to
carry on that tradition.”
“I love teaching theatre and seeing kids learn
valuable life skills through drama such as
teamwork, confidence and developing and
growing their imaginations. I get to see such
a transformation from beginning to end and
witness so much joy. It’s very rewarding,”
Willis adds.
Outside of GDS, Willis has also been involved
with Destination Broadway for the past five
years as a music and drama associate and vocal
coach. Destination Broadway is a one-week
musical theatre camp in New York City for current
Broadway performers. He was recently invited to
be a part of their staff and will be working there
again this summer.
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GDSMagazine
Magazine
GDS
PHOTO CREDIT: Mark Potter - www.markpotterphotography.com
Willis is not just invested in Greensboro Day
School as an alumnus — he also met his wife,
Roslyn, a former GDS orchestra director, while
teaching. Their son, Brice, is now a first grader
at GDS.
THE DAVISON
CENTER for the ARTS
a retrospective of
i rst decade
the f
By Ruthie Tutterow, Director of
Fine and Performing Arts
In
More than a decade has passed since our inaugural production in the Linda Sloan Theatre.
The Music Man, directed by our theatre’s namesake, Linda Sloan, with choreography by
Ruthie Tutterow and set and lights by Dana Lowell, was an all-school production featuring students
from all three divisions, along with faculty and staff. To say it set the stage for all future
productions at Greensboro Day School would be an understatement.
2002, The Music Man brought to reality a vision by
then-Headmaster Ralph Davison for a true Center
for the Arts – housing drama, music, and art, under
one roof. The theatre and lobby spaces are beautifully outfitted
and this truly is one of the finest theatre spaces in Greensboro.
It certainly is one of the most outstanding school theatres
anywhere! With a cherry wood proscenium, a beautifully
designed lobby, a counterweight fly system, elegant stage
curtains, an outfitted control booth, comfortable seating, and
great acoustics, our 600-seat theatre is magnificently appointed.
In 2005, the Bell Family Studio Theatre was completed and the
loading dock extended. The completion of the Studio Theatre
Winter 2014
gave us another great space to use for meetings, classes,
rehearsals and performances. Currently, the Upper School One
Acts are regularly performed in that space. Occasionally, some
of the main Upper School shows including Dearly Departed
in 2006 and this year’s Upper School winter musical The 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in January 2014 have
been performed in the Studio Theatre.
A scene shop, dressing rooms, actor bathrooms, and music
and art classroom elements of the building remain on the
drawing board (pending the funds to build them) but the
current Center for the Arts spaces provide our students a
wonderful opportunity for an unparalleled PK-12 arts program.
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some of my favorites
It is hard to believe that we have been in this space
for over a decade now. It is truly exciting to look back
at what having this facility has given us as a school community,
and especially at the growth in the fine arts.
We have had so many wonderful memories over the years!
LES MISERABLES
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HELLO, DOLLY!
HELLO, DOLLY!
(November 2002)
My first time directing the musical in the Sloan Theatre – Dana
Lowell and I went wild seeing what we could do with the new
stage. We used the trap door, built a ramp around the pit,
and had the famous staircase outfitted with chaser lights! The
crew was drafted to be the waiters, and lights were mounted
on the front of the balcony to be able to light all the actresses
face’s while wearing those huge 1890’s hats. Meg Chambers
Steedle ‘04 is now pursuing a professional career in stage, film
and television—she was recently featured on the HBO series,
Boardwalk Empire.
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RETURN TO THE
FORBIDDEN PLANET
(November 2004)
Not many schools have done this wildly imaginative show.
I picked it mainly because the production coincided with the
construction of the Studio Theatre – there was no place to
change costumes, so it had to be a show where everyone wore
one costume. There was also no loading dock, so we had to use
a unit set. With a 1960’s score and Shakespearian dialogue, this
show was set on a spaceship. We used a huge screen with live
and taped feeds and also purchased hand-held microphones
to highlight the onstage rock performances. An onstage band
led by Kevin McDonald ’06 rocked the house. KC Steedle ’06,
playing Cookie, accompanied him on the keyboard to “Great
Balls of Fire.” Both students are now accomplished professional
musicians. Dana arranged for the cast to propose to his thengirlfriend, Samantha, at curtain call on opening night. Their son,
Jack, is now in kindergarten at GDS!
RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET
HAIRSPRAY
Winter 2014
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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
(February 2006)
This was the most elaborate Middle School production at GDS.
Students costumed as a chest of drawers, a candelabra, a Beast,
forks and napkins, etc. etc. This was the first Disney production
of many directed by Beth Dunbar for the Middle School.
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PICNIC
(March-April 2006)
Dana and the maintenance staff built two complete houses on
stage for this one. The amazing acting matched the wonderful
set – actors from that production still pursuing performing
careers include Ashley Avera ’07, Sahar Milani ’07, and Alan
Fox ’06.
PICNIC
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LES MISERABLES
(November 2008)
A truly amazing cast and serendipitous acquisition of a
mechanized turntable courtesy of the Stage Automation
class at the UNC School of the Arts. We also had a rotating
barricade and a 22-piece orchestra. Students in this cast who
are studying theatre or music in college include: Edwin Brown
’09, Carmen Lawrence ’10, Mariah Leath ’09, Sarah Cassell
’10, Jerry Zuraw ’09, Liz Buxton ’09, Lee Graves ’11, Patrick
Robinson ’09, Emily Siar ’10, and Claire Van der Linden ’12.
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BACK TO THE 80’S
(February 2011)
BACK TO THE 80’S
A Walkman and a New Coke can decorated the set for this
Middle School jukebox musical. It was fun watching the parents
laugh so hard they were doubling over as they recognized 80’s
songs, fashions, and oversized cell phones.
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HAIRSPRAY
(November 2011)
Dana created a light wall which danced with the super rockand-roll score. It was a tremendous musical debut for Bengal
basketball standouts Khadejah Wilkerson ’12 and Jawahn
Alexandre ’12. Andrew Plotnikov ’13 memorably made a hit in
dress and makeup as Edna Turnblad.
26
GDS Magazine
CINDERELLA
There are so many other great shows to mention —
Honk, Jr!, Starmites, The Miracle Worker, High School
Musical, Cinderella, The King and I, Pride and Prejudice,
To Kill a Mockingbird, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Our Town,
The Drowsy Chaperone, and many more!
THE KING AND I
The Theatre Department has had some wonderful honors over the
years – Troupe #6570 (the Upper School International Thespian Society
Chapter) was named as an Outstanding School by the Educational
Theatre Association in 2009. Up to 12 schools nationally are named
for this award—we were one of five who received the designation in
2009. We have had two student-written original plays produced at
the North Carolina Thespian Festival at the UNC School of the Arts –
Tumble Dry Martinis by Laura Hoxworth ’07 and Kaleigh Oleynik ’07,
and Tell Me What You Think by Patrick Robinson ’09 and Cameron
Milani ’09.
In 2013, we were selected to perform in the inaugural Broadway series
concert by Manhattan Concert Productions. Ten of our Upper School
students performed in the chorus of Ragtime in Concert at Lincoln
Center in New York City. This was a sold-out concert featuring the
New York Philharmonic Orchestra and a star-studded cast of Broadway
professionals including Tyne Daly, Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga, and
Tony-winner Patina Miller.
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
This year, we were also selected to appear on a new TV show
produced by Time Warner Cable, NY1 and Playbill entitled “On Stage
Across America.” Our cast of The Drowsy Chaperone was featured
on the October 2013 program and connected for an interview with
original Broadway cast members Troy Britton Johnson, Beth Leavel,
and Sutton Foster.
Over the years, the theatre has become a true resource for the
community, hosting groups such as Triad Pride Men’s Chorus, the
Eastern Music Festival, Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra,
Tarheel Barbershop Chorus, India Association of the Triad, Artistic
Motion, Dance Center of Greensboro, and many, many others.
As you can see, there is truly never any “down time” in the theatre!
So, this past year we were thrilled to have Denise Johnson join the
theatre staff as Production Manager. Denise aids the arts department
by handling box office, props, volunteer needs, set-ups and logistics
for all theatre events, and she coordinates scheduling and rentals.
Over 20 years ago, an idea to build a comprehensive
Center for the Arts seemed like a dream. Now, after 10 years
that dream has developed into a powerful reality which
enhances student learning every day.
Winter 2014
27
BUILDING AN ESSENTIAL
Learning Community
ONE CRITICAL FRIEND AT A TIME
By Susan Feibelman (US Director),
Gillian Goodman (LS Director),
and Bridget Gwinnett (US Counselor)
In
August 2013, nine Greensboro Day School
teachers from all three divisions participated
in a five-day Critical Friends Group (CFG)
training led by Michele Mattoon from the National
School Reform Faculty. The training was designed
to provide participants with the skills needed to
facilitate essential – “critical” – collegial discussions
that promote teaching as a reflective practice. Since
August, cross-divisional, interdisciplinary CFGs have
been meeting once a month for two hours, taking
on the work of professional learning communities
committed to improving student outcomes at GDS.
Since the summer’s training, Critical Friends protocols
have also been utilized in classrooms, in parent
advisory committee meetings, in Strategic Leadership
Team planning sessions, and frequently provide the
structure for faculty meetings.
Thus far, parent response to the use of CFG protocols
has been positive.
According to Cassandra Mayo, a member of the
Upper School’s Parent Advisory Committee, “It’s a
great process that is very direct and keeps us on the
issue. We remain focused on a goal and how to get
there, and it makes us think deeper and concentrate
on what is important. This process takes the emotion
out of it.”
Lower School Parent, Lori Aycock notes, “It forces [us]
to think about things from many different angles and
to really hear others’ points of view. Protocols take out
judgment and force you to ask a question rather than
illicit a response.”
28
GDS Magazine
Between 1978 and 1981, Greensboro Day School’s faculty
undertook the planning and development of a program
designed to continuously foster their professional growth
and development. During Improvement of Instruction’s (IOI)
incubation phase, a faculty committee wrestled with four
principles which served to frame their work:
•Teachers are professionals.
•Teachers have a professional and moral obligation
to improve themselves.
•The best teachers are those who constantly seek
to improve both themselves and their students.
•The primary objective of any program of evaluation
is to improve the quality of instruction.
(Greensboro Day School, June 1993)
Since the early 1980’s, IOI has served as the cultural backbone
of our school’s instructional practice.
Fast-forward three decades and the establishment of
professional learning communities such as IOI has become
synonymous with professional development in independent
and public schools across the nation (and around the world).
Although there are various definitions of “professional learning
communities,” they all feature the image of a collaborative
team where teachers reflect on their practice, examine
evidence about the relationship between practice and student
outcomes, and apply methods that improve teaching and
learning for students in their classes. (McLaughlin & Talbert,
2006) The National School Reform Faculty’s work, beginning
in the mid-1990’s, brought together a “network of educators
committed to improving adult learning in the service of student
achievement.” (1) According to their website, “NSRF developed
a specific type of learning community, Critical Friends Groups
(CFGs), and protocols, their associated tools, for educators to
improve their practice to impact student learning.”
At the heart of the work taken up by any CFG is the development
of interpersonal trust that is essential – or rather, “critical”– to
collaboration and professional growth. In this context, trust is
about relationship building amongst teacher participants and
the ability of group members to view one another as a resource
for professional growth and support. It is also the knowledge
that everyone is working on behalf of the best interests of the
members in the group, and ultimately, the students.
Upper School history teacher Laura Drewicz-Ewing and one of
our school’s first CFG facilitators recalls, “On one of the first
days of training to become a CFG facilitator our leader/trainer
mentioned that around midweek we would all experience a
shift. The foundation of trust would solidify, and the seemingly
endless possibilities for professional growth that CFGs offer
would begin to reveal themselves. Today, I know I have a group
whose members I trust and whose input I value because through
Winter 2014
the implementation of CFGs we are developing a program with
thoughtful structures in place that allow us to seek out support
and ideas that make us better teachers, colleagues, and
lifelong learners. What better and more consistent opportunity
for professional growth could I ask for?”
Although CFGs were developed initially with a focus on
increasing student achievement, the protocols are effective
and efficient tools that support professionals of all kinds.
Corporations have begun to recognize the benefits of using
protocols to brainstorm new ideas and problem-solve issues.
GDS administrators who took part in a three-day training have
seen how the structure of the activities lends itself to clear
resolutions.
“After our CFG training, Randy Doss, Director of Admissions,
and I jumped at the chance to use our newfound toolkit
and lead our strategic leadership team through a dilemma
protocol,” says Pam Hemphill, Chief Financial Officer.
“I certainly expected positive results, but as a member of this
already high functioning team, I was surprised by the level of
clarity the CFG dilemma protocol brought to a budget issue we
had been grappling with for quite some time.”
Clear and forthright communication contributes to the success
of CFGs. Groups use protocols, which offer an array of structures
for examining student work, teacher-made materials, classroom
instruction, etc. Each meeting focuses on a specific topic and
the protocol selected invites members to work together while
reinforcing the collaborative nature of the group. The advantage
of every CFG meeting is all members are contributing from their
own experiences, adding a value which cannot be gained from a
hierarchical approach to professional development. When each
teacher is regarded as an “expert,” there is a connection which
reinforces the group’s commitment to their community – both to
the mission of the school as well as the institution as a whole.
Linked to enhanced student achievement and teacher retention,
current educational research in the area of teacher learning
emphasizes that meaningful professional development experiences:
•are personally relevant to the adult learner.
•actively engage the adult learner, with multiple opportunities
to practice applying newly acquired skills and concepts.
•provide multiple opportunities for collaboration, co-planning,
and problem solving.
•promote sufficient opportunities for collaborative analysis
and reflection on the impact new learning has on student
work. (Garet, Porter, Desimone, et al. 2001)
Based upon our understanding of these best practices and our
commitment to ensuring that Greensboro Day School provides
every teacher with the opportunity to be part of a robust
professional learning community, this spring we are moving
29
forward with the adoption of the Critical Friends Group (CFG) model
school-wide.
We are energized by the broad array of opportunities CFGs hold
for our teachers and students, and we want to make sure everyone
in our community understands the role these groups will play. Put
simply, we have embarked on this journey with Critical Friends Groups
to collectively improve our approach to teaching and learning;
and because as a faculty we want to model for students the value
of collaboration and the importance of continuous learning. CFGs
provide the framework for us to have those essential conversations
necessary for our ongoing growth and development as educators.
We are confident the establishment of these intentional professional
learning communities will benefit every student at GDS.
CFG FACTS AT A GLANCE:
•Nine teacher-leaders have completed a five-day
facilitator training, which qualified them to facilitate
Critical Friends Groups during the current school year.
•The Strategic Leadership Team (administrators from
across the school) completed a three-day administrator
training in January, which has allowed them to support
the ongoing work of CFGs and to integrate CFG
protocols into their leadership repertoire.
•Three CFGs with a total of 27 faculty members,
including all of our new teachers, are meeting monthly
this school year.
•Twelve teacher-leaders are scheduled to complete
a five-day facilitator training in June of 2014.
•Each faculty member will be part of a CFG beginning
in August of 2014.
•Our ongoing Ethical Literacy work is being integrated
into the work of CFGs.
• Professional development plans for the coming school
year will take place through CFGs, changing the way
we organize release time for faculty.
We are excited by the quality of professional
engagement CFGs are bringing to our community,
and we look forward to continuing to provide the best
possible learning environment for our students.
WHAT ARE PROTOCOLS?
• A protocol consists of agreed upon guidelines
for a conversation, and it is the existence of
this structure – which everyone understands
and has agreed to – that permits a certain
kind of conversation to occur – often a kind
of conversation which people are not in the
habit of having.
•Protocols are vehicles for building the skills –
and culture – necessary for collaborative work.
Thus, using protocols often allows groups to
build trust by actually doing substantive
work together.
*National School Reform Faculty
www.nsrfharmony.org/protocol/doc/why_protocols.pdf
(1) McLauglin, M.W. & Talbert, J.E.(2006). Building School-Based Teacher Learning
Communities: Professional strategies to improve student achievement. New York:
Teachers College Press.
Garet, M.S., Porter, A.C., Desimone, L., Birman, B.F., & Yoon, K.S. (2001). What makes
professional development effective? Results from a national sample of teachers.
American Educational Research Journal, 38, (4) 915-945.
30
GDS Magazine
“The Greensboro Day
School community
drew our family in
from the moment
we walked through
the doors.”
ANNUAL FUND FIRST
“The exceptional facilities, the inspiring extracurricular activities, and the outstanding faculty and
staff were present in every direction we turned. We truly believed then, and continue to believe
now, that GDS would offer our son the fullest educational opportunities available.
The Annual Fund First Campaign is a vital part of what makes GDS so special, your dollars
are used in the classroom, on the stage, and on the fields. Every gift truly matters!
As the Annual Fund Chairs we want to say a BIG thank you for all of your past support
and ask you to please consider making this wonderful school a priority in your giving.”
Scott and Joanne Duggan
2013-14 Annual Fund Chairs
I AM A BENGAL
Cameron Lemley ’12
At GDS:
Founders’ Award Recipient
Blood Drive Committee Co-Founder
International Thespian Society President
Recipient of several acting awards
Diversity Club Co-President
After GDS:
Studying astrophysics at Columbia College of Columbia University
(expected graduation date May 2016)
Dean’s List at Columbia University
Internship at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
Undergraduate research presented at Meeting of the American
Astronomical Society
While at GDS, Cameron Lemley excelled academically, was a leader in several clubs and activities,
and also enjoyed being on stage. He always had an interest in astronomy so when it came time to
select a senior project, Lemley chose to work at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI), a
radio observatory nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. Little did he know that this choice would
end up having such a big impact on his future.
At PARI, he conducted a research project entitled, "Mapping the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex
in Radio Frequencies." His research was presented at the 221st Meeting of the American
Astronomical Society in January 2013. Lemley, currently a student at Columbia College of
Columbia University in New York, returned to PARI the summer before his sophomore year to
participate in an eight-week internship through the J. Donald Cline Scholarship Program. After
completing his internship, he created a presentation entitled, "The Design, Construction and
Implementation of a New 1420 MHz Receiver System for a 12-Meter Telescope." The results of
this project was presented at the N.C. Astronomers' Meeting in October 2013, and at the 223rd
Meeting of the American Astronomical Society in January 2014.
Lemley is an astrophysics major at Columbia University, and will be pursuing research on
time-domain astronomy and compact objects.
4
Astrophysicist
in the Making
GDS Magazine
GDS ALUMNI
CALENDAR
2013-2014 REMAINING EVENTS
ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND
APRIL 25
11:00 A.M.
GRANDPARENTS’ & SPECIAL FRIENDS’ DAY
Lower School Classrooms
5:30 P.M.
VARSITY GIRLS’ SOCCER VS. ST. MARY’S
Carlton M. Harris, Jr. ’76 Field
APRIL 26
11:00 A.M.
ALUMNI HOOP-IT-UP
Coed Basketball Open Gym
11:30 A.M.
ALUMNI COED SOCCER GAME
Carlton M. Harris, Jr. ’76 Field
1:15 P.M.
ALUMNI COOKOUT
Elingburg Baseball Field
2:00 P.M.
VARSITY BOYS’ BASEBALL VS. CHRIST SCHOOL
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.greensboroday.org/alumni
JOIN US
ONLINE!
“LIKE” us! GDSAlumni
and “FRIEND”
Greensboro Day Alums
“FOLLOW” us!
@GDSAlumni
“JOIN” the GDS
Alumni Group on
Linkedin
Elingburg Baseball Field
5:00 P.M.
ALL-ALUMNI COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Davison Center for the Arts
7:30 P.M.
2004, 1994, 1984, 1979 CLASS PARTIES
See page 37 for details.
8:00 P.M.
“SEE” photos on
our Flickr feed,
GreensboroDay
1999, 1989 CLASS PARTIES
“WATCH” videos
of your alma mater
See page 37 for details.
JUNE 2
1:00 P.M.
JUNE 6
9:00 A.M.COMMENCEMENT
SENIOR/ALUMNI LUNCHEON
“VIEW” us on Tumblr!
gdsalumni.tumblr.com
**Alumni in Raleigh and Washington, DC…Be on the lookout for more
information about possible alumni events in your area soon!
VISIT www.greensboroday.org/alumni FOR UPDATES
ON VENUES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
“SCAN” or go to:
www.greensboroday.org/socialmedia
Winter 2014
33
ALUMNI NEWS
The power of GDS Alumni Events
Thomas LaGrega ’04 graduated from NC State University in
2008. He traveled to Peru in 2009 to work on the documentary,
Capture. Upon his return to the states, he began working for
ESPN’s Creative Services Division and has been there for the last
three years, where he is now an associate producer/editor.
After graduating from Duke in 2010, KC Steedle ’06 moved to
New York City to pursue a Master’s in music composition at New
York University. He specialized in scoring for film & multimedia as
the focus of his Master’s degree and graduated in May 2012. He
spent the second of half of 2012 based in Nashville, but continued
to travel in between NYC and Nashville for various music projects,
including doing some research for Grammy-winning music
supervisor, Randall Poster. KC moved back to NYC in January
2013 and has been working at Sony Music Entertainment in their
Music Licensing for Ads/Brands department.
Thomas’ and KC’s time at GDS overlapped by ten years. At a
recent alumni event in NYC, they saw each other and chatted
about what they were doing in NYC. Before long, talks of being
able to work together surfaced. Less than six weeks later, Thomas
was working on a tribute for Mike Ditka for Monday Night
Football and he needed music for the short two-minute clip. He
reached out to KC for help, and just like that, KC’s music was in an
ESPN segment. KC says, “Discovering that Thomas and I could
potentially work together was an added bonus (to attending
TURN
YOURSELF IN!
Tell us about your new job,
marriage, or new baby by email:
[email protected]
Please include specifics like:
•
•
•
•
new job title
who you married and when
your new address
new baby’s name and date of birth
And, don’t forget to include your name,
address, class year and picture!
34
4
the event). After my recent experience
composing music for the ESPN tribute, I’m
looking forward to working with Thomas
even more on any future projects.”
KC added, “Since I rarely have the chance
to come back to Greensboro, the alumni
event in NYC was a great way for me to
reconnect with GDS. I saw several people
I knew from my time there, but it was also
great to meet other alumni that shared the
GDS/NYC connection as well.”
This story shows the importance of our GDS alumni events and the
power of the GDS Alumni Association. I encourage you all to attend
an alumni event when hosted in your area, and also to make a effort
to attend Alumni Reunion Weekend in April. You never know who
you will meet for the first time or who you will reconnect with.
As we continue to be bombarded by information in this fast paced
world in which we live, our lives continue to become more and
more complex. I hope the GDS Alumni Association can be a home
for you as an alumnus/a; a place you can always count on, a place
where you will always be and feel connected!
Once a Bengal, Always a Bengal!
– Michael Sumner ’04
Alumni Board Member Nominations
are now being accepted.
Do you want to help strengthen
the GDS Alumni Association?
Do you want to help make important decisions
that decide the direction our association is going?
Maybe you want to help plan alumni events
or recruit alumni volunteers?
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we are
now accepting nominations for new Alumni Board Members.
This board is open to all GDS alumni. Please e-mail Michael
Sumner ’04 at [email protected] with your
name and interest in participating on the board. If you know
someone who you believe would be an asset to our board,
please e-mail their name to us and tell us why you think they
would be a good addition to our board.
GDSMagazine
Magazine
GDS
RECENT ALUMNI EVENTS:
ALUMNI NEWS
New York City Alumni Social
Class of ’08 5-Year Reunion
On Thursday, October 24, alumni joined together at the City
Crab in NYC for a GDS alumni social to connect with other
GDS Alumni in the area.
On Friday, November 29, the Class of ’08 had their 5 year
reunion. 46 alumni from the Class of ’08 were present for
their first reunion!
Atlanta Alumni Social
On Monday, October 28, 16 alumni joined together at the
Park Tavern in Midtown Atlanta for a GDS alumni social.
Thanksgiving Alumni Meet-Up
On Wednesday, November 27, alumni came together
in the upstairs lounge at Speakeasy Tavern to reunite
with each other while being home in Greensboro for the
Thanksgiving holiday.
Battleball & BBQ
The Saturday following Thanksgiving, Craig Head opened
up Alumni Gymnasium for our alumni to come play
Battleball, a game that our middle school kids are all fond
of. Great fun was had by all!
Alumni Basketball Open Gym
Multiple times during Thanksgiving and winter break, many
of our former basketball players got together to play pickup basketball with each other.
Homecoming
Homecoming was held on Friday, January 10. The Alumni
Association hosted a hospitality room in the PE Classroom.
Over 30 alumni came back to GDS for Homecoming
including Caroline Magod ’13 who crowned our 2014
Homecoming Queen, Emily Perkins ’14.
Winter 2014
35
ALUMNI NEWS
NYC Regional Chapter Expanding
On January 23, a small group of alumni gathered at Kara Medoff
Barnett’s ’96 apartment in NYC and spent some time talking about
how to make the GDS NYC regional chapter more connected and
more active.
The group discussed overall ideas for engagement to reach the
following:
The group sent out a survey to all known alumni living in the
NYC area. They hope to build a very accurate database featuring
professional information (career/networking tool) and gauge level
of interest in the NYC Alumni Group in order to plan engaging
events. If you did not receive the survey, please contact Mary
Katherine Strong ’04 ([email protected]). We want to update
your contact information and ensure you are informed about the
upcoming GDS alumni events in NYC.
•New alumni in NYC: Welcome new alumni to the city; provide a
channel to connect for social and career purposes.
The group is already planning a few events, including a brunch
in the spring, a “Welcome to New York” event in September to
welcome new alumni to NYC, and also the annual NYC Alumni
Social in the fall. Stay tuned for more information on these
events! Make sure to join the Greensboro Day School – New
York Alumni Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/
groups/118552811542843/).
• Current GDS students: connect with GDS to allow current students
to more easily reach out to NYC GDS alumni for professional
advice/connections (e.g., senior project, internships, etc.)
The Alumni Association hopes the NYC Alumni Chapter will be
the model for our other regional chapters as we move forward and
continue to engage our regional chapters more.
•Current NY alumni group: connect with each other primarily for
social reasons, services such as babysitting, and career-related
initiatives, with the potential to have focused feature events with
notable alumni.
In each issue of the GDS Magazine,
we will feature a different city where
some of our recent alumni live. While
this is not intended to be a complete
list, we hope you’ll enjoy catching up
with folks in our choice for this issue:
San Francisco.
Scott Kepley ’89: Wake Forest University;
Stanford University - Technical Services
Manager, Dept. of Music, Redwood Media
Group - Broadcast TV Lighting Designer/Director
ALUM
N
DS
I
G
Emily Treleaven ’02: Georgetown University,
UNC-Chapel Hill (MPH); Doctoral Student
(Social & Behavioral Sciences) at the
University of California at San Francisco
San
o
c
s
i
F ra n c
Sumeet Kaur Caberwal Bal ’93: Duke University ’97,
Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism ’00;
Freelance Writer and Editor; Communications Manager for
SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) &
independent consulting for pop culture magazines and websites
Chris Wetzel ’97: NC State (undergrad) & UNC-Chapel Hill
(Master’s), Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern (MBA);
Senior Program Manager, Finance, Apple
Jamie DeGraw ’99: UNC-Chapel Hill (BS Biology & MHA); Senior
Strategy and Business Development Analyst at Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation
36
Neal Merry ’01: UNCW (undergrad and
grad school); Sales Manager, AT&T
Business Solutions
Emily May ’05: UNC-Chapel Hill ’09;
Account Manager, Text100
Andrew Strong ’06: Stanford BS ’10; Sr. Analyst,
Platform Strategy; Salesforce
Baker Shogry ’06: BA Davidson College, MBA ’16 at Harvard
Business School; Associate at SilverLake (technology-focused
private equity firm)
Shira Solomon ’07: Washington University in St. Louis; Administrative
& Team Support for Google[x], Google
Are you currently living in San Francisco, but your name isn’t
listed? Then, we have fallen out of touch! Please reach out to
us so we can update our database. Update your information by
emailing [email protected]. Our next featured city will
be Chicago. If you’re there, catch us up on what you are doing!
GDS Magazine
Zvonko Nikolic, Sherry Dove and Maude Caudle
CLASS NOTES
1976
Walter Garvin was promoted to vice president of Lean Six Sigma
for Jabil Inc. He will be living part of the next two years in Shanghai.
1977
Rick Smith is a partner at Wholisound Products, Inc, a company
which uses sound and vibration technology to reduce stress and
pain. Find out more at www.myserenitybox.com.
1978
DressCode began as the dream of owner Maribeth Geraci
Hudgins in Greensboro. The growing need for soft-skill training in
the work place has created a great demand for what DressCode
Consulting offers. Their clients are fortune 1000 companies as
well as non-profits and higher education institutions. DressCode
customizes programs to make sure they work with the goals
and objectives of each individual client. Along with DressCode
Consulting, Maribeth continues to have a store, DressCode retail.
Find out more at dresscodenc.com.
1979
Dr. Cynthia R. Green has a new book
in collaboration with National Geographic
Books. Your Best Brain Ever was one of
only six books included by the Wall
Street Journal on their “Top Guides to
Life After 50” list for 2013. “Your Best
Brain Ever” is Dr. Green’s 5th book on
the topic of memory. Dr. Green notes
that she still remains grateful to her GDS
teachers, especially Dr. John Honiss,
who taught her all about how to write
well on a deadline (and never fall behind
the eight ball).
 Dr. Cynthia R. Green’s
’79 new book, Your
Best Brain Ever.
1984
Je sse Rabe n and Kim Chemerika. Daughter: Grayson Fynn
Raben, December 6. She joins older sister, Noa.
1986
Diana Nappi and Fuller Robertson were married on November 1
in Savannah, Ga. They reside in Yorktown, Va. with their Australian
Shepard, Kuma.
1987
Sally Rosen Kindred recently published
her second full-length book of poems,
Book of Aste rs, th rou gh Mayappl e
Press. The poems in this collection look
to daisies, goldenrods, sunflowers,
ironweeds—all the members of the aster
family of flowers—to explore family and
memory, and to search the tender edges
of marriage, infertility, and motherhood.
She was working on the book when she
visited GDS as Upper School Writer in 
Book of Asters
Residence in 2011, and Jane Gutsell by Sally Rosen gave her helpful feedback on several Kindred ’87.
of the poems. She would also like to
thank her family, and Elizabeth Wyrick Thompson ’88, Jenny
Berggren ’88, and Emily Barker ’83, whose encouragement and
support for her writing mean so much to her. Check out more at
www.sallyrosenkindred.com.
1988
Malcolm Charles was recognized on November 15 by Secretary of
the Army John McHugh for work done as Director of Public Works
at Military Ocean Terminal, Concord (MOTCO). Charles has been
at MOTCO, located in the bay area of California
since 2010, and a

U.S. Army civilian engineer since 2002.

Frank Hatchett ’79 was caught in the front row of the GDS
student section during the big basketball match-up between
GDS and arch-rival Wesleyan. There is nothing we love more
than to see our alumni back on campus, interacting with
current students and supporting the Bengals!
38
GDS Magazine
CLASS NOTES
1990
Eva Dowds Barnes and Brian Barnes. Daughter: Charlotte Faye
Barnes, January 10. They reside in Boston.
1993
Frances Andrew Brayshaw and Paul Brayshaw. Son: Graham
Mason Brayshaw, October 1. He joins older brother, Porter. Annie
Bollini ’93 is his godmother. They reside in Washington, D.C.
Amanda Taylor Marshall was nominated by the UNC General
Alumni Association to serve on their Board of Directors.
Sallie Lacy and Tim Höfinghoff. Son: Henry Borden Höfinghoff,
December 8. He joins older sister, Ellison Lacy. They currently
reside in Zurich, Switzerland.
1995
Corina Scott is now a senior manager in the Financial Services
Consulting Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has been
transferred to their Amsterdam offices in the Netherlands. Corina
earned a B.A. at Johns Hopkins University, an M.Sc. at the London
School of Economics and an M.B.A. at NYU Stern School
of Business.
1996
Laurie Jones Martin and David Martin. Daughter: Allison Elizabeth
Martin, October 18. They reside in Charlotte.
Katherine Hall Kirkpatrick and Jay Kirkpatrick ’95. Son: John
Cooper Kirkpatrick, July 9. Cooper joins big brother, Jeff, and big
sisters, Eliza and Maggie. They reside in Greensboro.
David Bediz is a sales associate who leads a team of nine agents
at Coldwell Banker Dupont in Washington, D.C. and was inducted
to the 2014 D.C. Association of Realtors Board of Directors.
Andrew Clifford was named one of Business North Carolina’s 2014
Legal Elite in the field of Criminal Law, an honor voted on by fellow
attorneys and recognizing only 3% of the attorneys in the state.
Keith Queen was cast in the new P90X3, the newest of the P90X
franchise from Tony Horton. He was selected for two workouts: CVX
and Eccentric Lower. The new workouts launched in December.
Michael Futterman has been named a partner at the law firm of
McCusker Anselmi Rosen & Carvelli, PC in New York City.
Burns Blackwell and Laura Blackwell. Son: Robert “Mills”
Blackwell, January 18. They reside in Greensboro.

Charlotte Faye Barnes, daughter
of Eva Dowds Barnes ’90

Sallie Lacy ’93 with husband, Tim Höfinghoff,
daughter, Ellison, and newborn son, Henry.
Winter 2014
 Cooper, Maggie, Jeff & Eliza Kirkpatrick,
children of Katherine Hall Kirkpatrick ’96
and Jay Kirkpatrick ’95.

Allison Elizabeth Martin, daughter
of Laurie Jones Martin ’96

Robert ‘Mills’ Blackwell,
son of Burns Blackwell ’96
Keith Queen ’96 on the set of P90X3, where he is featured in two workouts videos.
39
CLASS NOTES
1997
John Fields and Courtenay Griffin were married on October 26
at Figure Eight Island, N.C. Joey Fields ’94 served as best man.
The couple resides in Greensboro.
Pepe Diaz-Llaneza and Emily Diaz-Llaneza. Daughter: Annabel
Blue Diaz-Llaneza, November 11. She joins older brother, William
Everett. They live in Greensboro.
Will Muse and Lori Muse. Daughter: Camille Catherine Muse,
October 26. They reside in Jamestown, N.C.
Elizabeth Harrington Payonk and Phil Payonk. Son: Edward
“Ward” Douglas Payonk, December 27. He joins sister, Liza, and
brother, Mac. They reside in Greensboro.
Isabell Moore and Nego Crosson. Son: Jon Hershel Crosson,
February 7. They reside in Greensboro.
Allen Oakley was recognized in the Triad Business Journal’s 40
Leaders Under Forty list for 2014.

Jon Hershel Crosson, son of
Isabell Moore ’97
 Emmalyn Jewel Werner,
daughter of Jennifer Teague
Werner ’98.
40

Camille Catherine Muse,
daughter of Will Muse ’97
1998
Katie Walker and William Oden were married on November 9
at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro. Kaler Walker
’99 served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Elizabeth
Girardi McCutcheon ’98. Groomsmen included Davis Walker
’03. Greeters included Mary Katherine Strong ’04 and Caroline
Strong ’10. Grier Booker Richards ’97 officiated. The couple lives
in Wilmington, N.C.
Jennifer Teague Werner and Michael Werner. Daughter: Emmalyn
Jewel Werner, December 7. They live in Clarksburg, Md.
1999
Ari Medoff and Diana Medoff. Daughter: Juliet Bobrow Medoff,
October 30. She joins older brother, Shai. They reside in Durham, N.C.
Mary Katherine Davis Durham and Joey Durham. Daughter:
Isabelle Katherine Durham, January 7. They reside in Greensboro.
Lia Vuncannon Eggleston and Scott Eggleston. Son: Henry
Ross Eggleston, January 12. He joins older sister, Lucy, and older
brother, Cannon. They reside in Asheboro, N.C.

Isabelle Katherine Durham,

Annabel Blue Diaz-Llaneza,
daughter of Mary Katherine
daughter of Pepe Diaz-Llaneza ’97.
Davis Durham ’99.
 Katie Walker ’98 with husband, William Oden.
 Juliet Bobrow Medoff, daughter
of Ari Medoff ’99.
GDS Magazine
CLASS NOTES
2000
Thomas White and Jill Benson were married on November 9 on
Figure Eight Island, N.C. Bridesmaids included Kristen Beavers
Haynes ’02. Brantley White ’97 served as best man. Groomsmen
included Edward Harrington ’00, George Henderson ’99,
Lucien Pleasants ’00, Phillip Ray ’99 and Matt Healy ’99. Ushers
included Andy Brantley ’04, Copeland Cherry ’00, Taylor Stukes
’00, Ned Cohen ’00 and Scott Murtaugh ’00. The couple resides
in Greensboro.
Kate Banner and Matt Madden were married on November 23
in Greenville, S.C. Bridesmaids included Kathleen Martin Barry
’00, Amy Stuckey ’00, and Anne Houston Wagoner ’00. Margot
Neufeld ’00 served as a reader.
Samantha Rogers spent two weeks in Bolivia delivering medical
care to rural communities and as a precept to 2nd year PA students
from the Wake Forest School of Medicine.
2001
Michelle Kuzma and Kevin Kempf were married on August 24 in
the formal gardens of the Airlie Center in Warrenton, Va. Rebecca
Kuzma ’99 served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Julia
Cummings Armbruster ’01, Suzanne Cole Yavor ’01, Sarah
Zimmerman Barnett ’01, Brittain Knight Mehler ’01, and
Amanda Cheney ’02. Kevin Kuzma ’96 served as a reader. The
couple resides in Charlotte.
Matt Newton and Kelly Hawkins were married on December 7 in
Greensboro. The couple lives in Raleigh.
Chris Hilliard as joined HMC Partners, LLC., as an advisor. Chris
and his wife, Laura, recently had a daughter, Taylor, who was born
on September 30.
Jennifer Ingold Asbill and Seth Asbill. Son: Theodore Morgan
Asbill, February 4. He joins older sister, Lucy. They reside in
Knightdale, N.C.

Samantha Rogers ’00 spent 2 weeks
in Bolivia delivering medical care
 Theodore Morgan Asbill, son of Jennifer
Ingold Asbill ’01
Kate Banner Madden ’00 with her husband, Matt.

Michelle Kuzma Kempf ’01 with
husband, Kevin
 Taylor Hilliard, daughter of Chris Hilliard ’01
Winter 2014
41
CLASS NOTES
2002
Mary Dickinson Peters and Eldon Peters. Daughter: Annadare
Wagoner Peters, January 28. They reside in Philadelphia.
Mackey McDonald and Maggie Bell were married on October
12 in Wilmington, N.C. The wedding party included bridesmaid
Betsy Grider ’00 and groomsmen Hansen Grider ’00, Ryan
O’Shea ’02, Usher: David Clemmons ’02. The couple resides in
Raleigh.
Catherine Powell Regan and Jason Regan. Daughter: Madeleine
Powell Regan, October 17. She joins older sister, Caroline. They
reside in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
2003
Anna Hunter and David Posner were married on September 28 at
Berry Hill Resort in South Boston, Va. They reside in Charlottesville,
Va. where Anna is the principal designer at Anna Gaines Interiors.
Gaines Donaldson Douglas and Dixon Douglas. Daughter:
Beverly Cross Douglas, August 1. They live in Charlotte.
Kaitlin Holcombe Upchurch was elected as one of two new
managing directors in Wortham Insurance & Risk Management’s
Houston office.
Kristen Beavers Haynes has joined Tyler Redhead & McAlister
Real Estate as a broker in Greensboro.
Emily Dondero Powell and Charlie Powell. Son: Easton Alexander
Powell, November 15. They live in Greensboro.
Chris Groat and Amber Groat. Son: Spencer Jett Groat,
November 26. He joins older brother, Austin and they reside in
Morgantown, W.V.
Margaret Moore and T.R. Gough. Daughter: Ruby Jean Gough,
December 5. They reside in Arkansas.

Easton Alexander Powell, son of
Emily Dondero Powell ’02
 Ruby Jean Gough, daughter
of Margaret Moore ’02.
42

Madeleine Powell Regan, Beverly Cross Douglas,
daughter of Catherine
daughter of Gaines Donaldson
Powell Regan ’02
Douglas ’03.

Mackey McDonald ’02 with
wife, Maggie.

Annadare Wagoner Peters,
daughter of Mary Dickinson
Peters ’02.

Kristen Beavers Haynes ’02

Spencer Jett Groat, son of
Chris Groat ’02.
GDS Magazine
CLASS NOTES
2004
Ashley Holt was promoted to account manager for RJ Reynolds
Tobacco and relocated to Knoxville, Tenn.
Spencer Kirkman is a respiratory sales consultant with BlueDot
Medical, Inc. in Charlotte.
Lauren Martin and Chris Jones were married on October 5 in
Burlington, N.C. The couple lives in Burlington.
Jason Pavoris and Krystal Maldonado were married on November
2 in Asheville, N.C. The wedding party included Milos Korda ’04.
The couple resides in Asheville, NC.
Thomas LaGrega was promoted to producer/editor at ESPN in
New York in November. He works on the creative services team
within the marketing division.
2005
Carrie Moore and Vernon Guthrie were married on October 5
in Durham. Bridesmaids included Emily Moore ’02. The couple
resides in Morrisville, N.C.
Carrie Hagan Stewart and Will Stewart. Son: William Harrison
Stewart IV, November 1. They reside in Greensboro.
Katherine Kelly and Craig Bonney were married on November
16, at Phillips Chapel in Greensboro. Bridesmaids included
Morgan Stroud Archie ’05, Caroline Peters Dill ’05, and Alison
Masters ’05. Groomsmen included Chris Kelly ’07 and Robbie
Kelly ’09. Sarah Cunningham ’05, Robert Johnson ’05, and Sar
Medoff ’05 served as greeters. Dean Norman ’05 was a reader.
The couple resides in Greensboro.
Kippy Ficken and Mike Batuyios were married on December 7 in
Greensboro. Bridesmaids included Sara Ficken ’98, Laura Ficken
’02, and Magen Murray ’04. They live in Wilmington, N.C.
Jason Cooke is an assistant account executive at Retail Sports
Marketing in Charlotte.
Zach Mullinax is now a senior analyst for procurement and
enterprise performance at LPL Financial.

Alumni from the class of ’05 surround Katherine Kelly
Bonney ’05 and her husband Craig

Kippy Ficken ’04 with husband,
Mike Batuyios

William Harrison Stewart IV, son of Carrie Hagan Stewart ’05 and
Will Stewart ’05
Anna Hunter ’03 with husband, David Posner
Winter 2014
43
CLASS NOTES
AN ADOPTION STORY
BY ELIZABETH JOHNSON PHILLIPS ’96
There are days when I feel as though I am living in a Talking Heads
song: how did I get here? Staying at home with four young kids,
three of whom look nothing like me but still managed to inherit my
sassy mouth, was not on my bucket list. My “Prowler” yearbook
prediction was that I’d become a mime (ha!), not that I’d adopt
three kids transracially and turn heads
in the grocery store just by showing up
with my family in tow.
study, held fundraisers, told Henry and Grace about their new little
brother, and spent thousands of dollars. Prayerfully, we considered
our options and began to pursue an adoption from the Democratic
Republic of Congo. Our church is home to a large Congolese
community, and the Richmond area is also home to a dozen or so
Congo adoptive families, so it seemed to be a much better fit for
our family.
As we fell in love with the Congo, we learned it is a land of intense
paradoxes: it is geographically huge (roughly the size of all of
western Europe) and home to some of
the world’s largest sources of precious
materials (gold, diamonds, cobalt, and
copper) while simultaneously being
one of the world’s poorest nations.
Home to two wars in the past two
decades that have claimed over 5
million lives, it is also home to millions
of vulnerable and orphaned children
and has consistently been ranked by
aid groups as the most dangerous
place to be a woman. It’s a place
where little boys are kidnapped and
brainwashed into being soldiers, and
yet it is still safer to be a soldier than to
be a little girl.
Like many others, we began our foray
into adoption through a struggle with
infertility and a dangerous pregnancy.
When my biological son, Henry, was
around 2-years-old, we knew God had
chosen adoption to be the means by
which we’d grow our family further. In
2009, we pursued a domestic infant
adoption, and soon after we completed
our home study, we were chosen by a
birthmother. However, after painting
the nursery, monogramming blankets,
Elizabeth Johnson Phillips ’96 and family
and enjoying lots of snuggles, the
One night, my husband and I were
birthmother changed her mind, and the
chatting about the Congo and we instantly knew we needed to
little girl we’d named Emma Sloan was not to be our daughter. I
drastically change our course. We had been longing only for a little
remember hysterically crying on the floor of my kitchen like some
boy, but there were many orphaned sibling groups that deserved
bad made-for-TV movie.
to remain together. We called our placing agency, told our families,
and knew that we were really pursuing both a son AND a daughter.
But then came Grace.
A little girl had been born the day after Emma Sloan and was pretty
sick. The birthmother had originally chosen us but had been told we
were unavailable because of our previous match. Due to her poor
health and the girl’s unknown prognosis, she had subsequently
been turned down by every other family she had chosen. That is
until my brave husband, Charles, stepped in. I was elbow deep in
grief when he told the caseworker we’d accept the placement. I
was mad and grieving and afraid. He said, “I’m scared, too. But
let’s be the ones to tell her that God has not left her an orphan.”
Mollie and Charlie were legally ours on February 19, 2013.
However, due to the lengthy immigration process, we would not
travel to pick up our kids for another six months.
His mustard seed of faith took root, and our family has been
irrevocably changed.
After roughly 2 years, our family was complete. The transition from
two kids to four (or from man-to-man to zone parenting) has not
been without its issues. Sometimes it is hard to tell if our chaos is
because we have a 6-year-old, two 4-year-olds, and a 2-year-old,
or if it is adoption related. We’ve been home almost 6 months
and will soon begin the re-adoption process of Mollie and Charlie
in order to secure their U.S. citizenship. Most days are good with
flurries of struggle, but we can clearly see how love is being knit
into our family day by day. Love is winning. Fear is not.
So it shocked approximately zero people when two years later we
told people we were planning on adopting again. However, this
time it was not about growing our family, but about providing a
family. For this reason, we chose not to wait in line for an infant but
to be matched with an older waiting child. Initially, we felt led to
pursue a special needs adoption from China. We received a referral
for an adorable toddler with cerebral palsy. Through no control of
our own, however, we lost the referral, and it became clear that we
would be unable to proceed with an adoption from China.
To say we were confused would be an understatement. We had
been in the process for close to a year. We’d finished our home
44
We met Mollie and Charlie for the first time on September 10,
2013. After waiting so long, it was surreal. You could tell they were
timid. Who were these white people they’d seen pictures of? Why
was this lady crying and kissing me? We knew we would have to
earn their trust and, hopefully, their love.
We are honored to be the ones to fight for all four of our kids, to be
the ones to tuck them in at night, and to remind them that indeed,
God has not forgotten them. And lest you wrongly believe that
our kids are lucky to have us, let me assure you, it is the other way
around, and luck has nothing to do with it.
GDS Magazine
CLASS NOTES
2006
Ariel Leath and Sam Lev were married on October 19 at Doe
Creek Farm in Pembroke, Va. The wedding party included Chelsea
Lundquist-Wentz ’06, Mariah Leath ’09 and Anna Hurd ’06. The
couple resides in Floyd, Va.
After a successful audition and completion of recruit training
in Great Lakes, Ill., Musician 1st Class Kevin McDonald joined
the elite United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. in
January. McDonald, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music,
University of Rochester and Manhattan School of Music, is the new
drummer for the Navy Band Commodores, the Navy’s premier
jazz ensemble. In addition to a wealth of professional musical
experience, McDonald also holds a degree in economics and was
a varsity soccer player at U.R.
2007
Johnny Thomas is a member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
2008
Caroline Perkins has joined the RE/MAX Alliance team in Charleston,
S.C. as a realtor. With a degree in public relations and background
in digital strategy, she develops a unique approach to distributing
listings and marketing materials to various audience groups.
2010
Madison Lewis visited campus and talked with the Junior
Kindergartners about being in the Army.
2011
Liz Obermeyer was elected president of the Panhellenic Council
at Appalachian State University for 2014. Her responsibilities
include governing the nine sororities on campus, as well as serving
on campus-wide committees representing Greek life.
Charlie Keeley is a junior on the varsity soccer team at Wofford
College. He is currently spending a semester in Brussels studying
economics and playing for a local soccer team there.
 Kevin McDonald ’06

Johnny Thomas ’07

Ariel Leith Lev ’06 with husband Sam.
Madison Lewis ’10 with the some of our Bitty Bengals and
Junior Kindergartners
Winter 2014
45
CLASS NOTES
2012
Jonathan Campbell is a sophomore at the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He obtained a 4.0
GPA in the Kenan-Flagler School of Business over the
last year and was named MVP of the soccer team by
his teammates at their end-of-year banquet.
2013
Saad Khan climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the
highest mountain in Africa, located in Tanzania.
 Jonathan Campbell ‘12

Saad Khan ’13 wearing his alumni hat atop
Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Remembering Jack Warmath,
Founder and Board Chair
John T. Warmath, Jr., founding Board treasurer and third
Board Chair of Greensboro Day School, died peacefully
at home after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jack was an
active member of the GDS Chair’s Council (comprised of
all former board chairs) until shortly before his death on
December 29, 2013.
Jack and Sarah Warmath were a founding family of the
school. Three of the four Warmath children attended GDS
from opening day in 1970 until their graduation: Sallie
’76, John ’78 and Tim ’80. (In the early years, the grades
did not go high enough for eldest child Lex to attend.)
The Warmath’s have seven grandchildren, four greatgrandchildren and a large extended family.
Jack and Sarah were volunteers and leaders at GDS over
the past 44 years including, most recently, as Honorary
Chairs of the Generations Campaign. Whenever possible,
he expressed his pride in the excellent educational
opportunity Greensboro Day School provides young
people in our community.
46
Education was always important
to Jack. He attended Greensboro
Public Schools, graduated cum
laude from the Darlington School in
Rome, Ga, received an AB degree
from Duke University, and MBA from
the Wharton School at University of
Pennsylvania. He was a Navy veteran
of the Korean War. His entire career –
38 years – was spent with JeffersonPilot Corporation, where he retired as Executive Vice
President and Chief Investment Officer, and as a member
of the Board of Directors. Earning his Eagle Scout Award
as a young man inspired his life of community and church
service in organizations too numerous to name here. He was
an award-winning tennis player, loved the arts, world travel,
and most of all, his family.
GDS Magazine
CLASS NOTES
Remembering Founding
Trustee Lawton Gresham
Greensboro Day School lost a founding
board member and friend on November
14, 2013 with the passing of Lawton
Gresham. Lawton and his wife, Laura
Deane, were instrumental in our school’s
founding. In fact, as was written in Robert
Demaree’s Lo, Hearts Behold, GDS “can
trace its roots to an informal meeting
of about a dozen parents at a home
on Dellwood Drive (the home of the
Greshams) in February 1970.”
Gresham was one of the 14 original directors, and the original
president of the Greensboro Independent School Corporation
(Charles McLendon was the first board chairman and the two
functions were shortly combined). Professionally he was a
successful life insurance agent. He loved children and education,
and volunteered for many community organizations. Well-known
for his gregarious personality, he was passionate about vintage
cars and motorcycles and nearly all outdoor sports.
Assistant Head of School Tommy Webb, who serves as the
unofficial school historian, welcomes newcomers to Greensboro
Day School by telling the story of the school’s founding and sharing
original documents stored in one of the founders’ briefcase. The
leather briefcase, now well-worn with the initials LDG, belonged
to Lawton Gresham.
Memorials
Mark Johnson, January 25, 2013. He was the father of
Christy Johnson ’88.
Ross Andrews, October 25, 2013. He was the fiancée of
Wendy Sarratt ’91.
Warren Stan, November 1, 2013. He was the husband of
Upper School teacher Cindy Stan and the father of Katie
Stan Adams ’96 and Brooke Stan Laurie ’98.
Lawton Gresham, November 14, 2013. He was a founding
board member and trustee of the school. He was the
father of Deane Gresham ’79 and Douglas Gresham ’85.
Jay Manning, December 4, 2013. He was the grandfather
of Virginia Manning ’19, Eleanor Manning ’21, and
Margaret ’24.
Anne Pierce, December 4, 2013. She was the grandmother
of Brooks Pierce ’05 and Charlie Pierce ’08.
Millicent Ann Werner, December 4, 2013. She was the
daughter of Jennifer Teague Werner ’98.
Peter Van Trigt, Jr., December 8, 2013. He was the
grandfather of Pierson Van Trigt ’20.
Adelaide Holderness, December 14, 2013. She was
the grandmother of Anne Holderness ’91, Fletcher
Hassenfelt ’93, Alexandra Hassenfelt ’95, Craig
Hassenfelt McIntosh ’98, Julie Holderness ’99, Louisa
Hassenfelt ’01, Molly Hassenfelt ’03 and Anderson
Holderness ’07, and the great-grandmother of Adelaide
McIntosh ’26.
Jack Warmath, December 29, 2013. He was a former trustee
and Board Chair. He was the father of Sallie Warmath ’76,
John Warmath ’78 and Tim Warmath ’80.
Since the school opened 43 years ago, Lawton and Laura Deane
Gresham have been consistent GDS supporters, participated
in the school’s 40th anniversary celebration in 2010, and most
recently, Gresham served on the Head of School’s Council, a
community advisory board.
Mary Worland, December 25, 2013. She was the mother
of David Worland ’86, Michelle Worland DeWitt ’87,
Andrew Worland ’91, and Adam Worland ’92.
Lawton is survived by his wife, Laura Deane Gresham, two
children, GDS alumni Deane G. Holt ’79 and Douglas Gresham
’85, and four grandsons.
Ruth Johnson, January, 2014. She was the grandmother
of Julie Drinkard ’06.
Winter 2014
Ken Tutterow, January 10, 2014. He was father-inlaw of current faculty member, Ruthie Tutterow, and
grandfather of Laura Tutterow ’17.
Ken Elingburg, February 13, 2014. He was the grandfather
of Nolan Elingburg ’07.
47
5401 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27455
@GreensboroDay
facebook.com/GDSBengals
TUITION SAVINGS TIP:
Did you know?
Tuition paid directly to GDS
by a Grandparent may be
Tax Exempt.
• This tuition payment can reduce future estate tax liability
because it does not count against the annual tax gift exclusion amount or the lifetime gift tax exemption.
• Grandparents can give a large monetary gift and control
how the gift is used.
CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR FOR DETAILS.
For more information, contact:
Anne Hurd
at 336-288-8590 or [email protected]