Saving the Key - The Out-of

The Banyan
The Out-of-Door Academy
Winter 2008
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Saving the Key
The Out-of-Door Academy’s decision to maintain ownership
of its Siesta Key campus preserves more than its history.
page 10
14
From the Head of School
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Contents
For friends, families, and alumni of The Out-of-Door Academy
2
Conversation
4
Out-of-Door at a Glance
Winter 2008
Mike and Patty Young talk about students, school
history, and their combined 49 years of service at The
Out-of-Door Academy.
Convocation and Homecoming bring students together
for important days of community.
6
8
Notes from the Lower School
Red Ribbon Week, the Halloween Carnival, and the
Lower School Book fair provide lasting memories for
Out-of-Door’s youngest students.
Page 10.
Notes from the Upper School
The Senior Retreat and Turkey Bowl have become
lasting school traditions.
10
Saving the Key
14
Passion Leaders
The Out-of-Door Academy’s decision to maintain
ownership of its Siesta Key Campus preserves more
than its history.
Rachel Weiner, Becca Hunting and Emma Grayson
show the Out-of-Door Community what service is all
about.
19
Parent Association News
20
The Arts in Review
22
Athletics in Review
24
Reflections
Academic Dean L’Tanya Evans ponders love,
literature, and a lasting career in education.
25
Advancement Update
Page 4.
Head of School: David V. Mahler
Dir. of Advancement: Dennis Chapman
Dir. of Communications: Julie Fineberg
Editor and Design: Luke Anderson
Printer: Spotlight Graphics
The Banyan is published by The Outof-Door Academy. We welcome your
letters and comments. Please write to
Communications Director, The Out-ofDoor Academy, 444 Reid Street,
Sarasota, FL 34242 or e-mail
[email protected].
Out-of-Door Conversation
For a quarter of a century, Mike and Patty Young have called The Out-of-Door Academy
their home away from home. With their own children now at Out-of-Door’s Lakewood
Ranch campus, they take a moment to talk about students, school history, and their
combined 49 years of service at Out-of-Door.
What is your role at The Out-of-Door Academy?
Mike: I teach physical education for all grades at the Lower
School and am also in charge of the intramural program for
1st – 6th graders.
Patty: I teach 1st graders reading, math, science and social
studies.
When a primary-one position opened I applied and got
a one-year transitional job, which turned into a full-time
position when a kindergarten teacher left the following
year. I’ve stayed because I believe in the school. The kids
are fabulous, my colleagues are real supportive. It’s a real
family feeling. And now we have our kids here, which is
wonderful.
What changes have you seen over the years?
Patty: I think our students, through our character education,
are more polite, they are more thoughtful of each other.
I’ve seen that come over the past couple of years.
Mike: As we’ve grown, the school has tightened-up in
many areas. We’ve gone from one extreme to another.
Patty: Our standards have increased. With our curriculum
we’ve developed unity between grades. Earlier in our
time here, teachers tended to do their own thing with
little thought to anybody else. Now we have connected
our curriculum in a way that better prepares our kids for
middle and high school.
What is it about Out-of-Door that has kept you here
for more than two decades?
Mike: When I arrived here it was a small, squeaky kind
of school with financial problems. But the headmaster,
Gordon Davis, was a real teacher-friendly man and was a
real nice guy to work for. It was a small community at that
point, and it had a warm, family kind of feel to it. That’s
one thing that hasn’t changed much. When I came here it
was a different world of education for me. I could actually
teach instead of just trying to keep order. And then I met
Patty during my second year here and that’s what kept me
here!
Patty: I’ve had friends who went to Out-of-Door over the
years, so I knew what kind of community existed here.
2 • The Banyan
Is there one moment in your time here that stands
out in your memory as a significant time of change?
Patty: The day when we all went out to Lakewood Ranch
to break ground on the new campus. All of the kids had
their little shovels and shirts. A helicopter came over and
took pictures. It was amazing.
What was it like living through so significant a change
in the direction of the school?
Mike: We weren’t up at that campus, so we didn’t
physically go through it. But, the first year of high school
was on Siesta Key in the log cabin, the original library.
You have growing pains. You miss losing the smallness,
but you enjoy the benefits for the school as a whole. We
have definitely seen the growth.
Patty: We appreciate it a lot more now with our kids out at
Lakewood Ranch. So we can kind of see how the change really
impacted our school – it’s a great way to experience it. It made
us feel like we were a real school.
What is it about teaching itself that has kept you going?
Patty: It changes. Every year is different with every new group
of children. For me, it’s teaching them to read. It’s so exciting
when you see that light go on, that breakthrough, watching that
whole new world open up to them.
Mike: The part I like is that I get the kids when they’re in Pre-K,
and I get to watch them grow year after year, and develop that
relationship with them. It’s pretty cool.
What qualities does Out-of-Door possess that
distinguishes it from other schools?
Mike: I think it’s the whole person that we educate. And
the faculty here – all of the people that come here, they are a
nurturing group of people. Whether it’s here on the Key or out
in Lakewood Ranch, as our own kids grow into middle school
and high school we’ve been able to see what the faculty is really
like, and all the way through from Pre-K through 12th grade it’s
just a really strong school with strong people. The faculty are the
key to all of it.
Patty: This is an incredibly dedicated faculty. It’s not unusual
to come here at 5:00 any night and still see cars here. They’re
supportive. You can go to anyone here and say “I’m really having
trouble with this” and they’ll help you no matter what the trouble
is.
When it’s all said and done, what would you like to look
back on and say that you have accomplished here?
Patty: I hope that I was able to help children appreciate learning
and develop that love for learning that they will keep with them
forever. I hope that I’ve given them confidence to go on and
know that they can try things, and even if they’re not always
right, to know that they can learn along the way.
Mike: We teach skills, but that’s not as important as teaching
how to win and how to lose with sportsmanship. I like the
competitiveness in them, but I hope that I’ve taught them how to
control it, how to control their emotions.
Anything else?
Mike: Our whole life has been here.
Patty: We met here, got married here, had our children here. It’s
become part of our life.
Mike: It is our life, and we wouldn’t change a minute of it.
Winter 2008 • 3
OUT-OF-DOOR AT A GLANCE
Fall Convocation Creates An Important Day of Community
Siesta Key and Lakewood Ranch campuses come together to honor seniors
With the ring of the victory bell still
however, is difficult. “It was the last time
“We didn’t have anything like convocaechoing across the quad, The Out-of-Door
we’ll ever be there,” said senior Richard
tion, and lost that feeling of everybody in
Academy Class of 2008 filed into the
Schaeffer, who has attended The Outthe school looking up to us. For this senior
Thunderdome on September 19th for their
of-Door Academy for all fourteen years
class, no one has said ‘It’s your time,’ and
last fall convocation as students at Out-ofof his academic career. “Before now, we
convocation is designed to really say to
Door. Accompanied by their kindergarten
could look around each year and know that
our seniors ‘It’s your time, we’re counting
buddies, the seniors were joined by parwe’d be back, but this year is different. It’s
on you, your leadership matters. What you
ents, classmates, teachers and friends as
a little sad and a little exciting.” Schaefdo as a group will dictate how the school
they acknowledged the beginning of their
fer’s classmate and fellow “lifer” Olivia
year goes.’” Given the history of graduates
final year of high school and accepted
Bowers concurred. “It’s very emotional,”
at The Out-of-Door Academy, the Class of
the challenge of leading the Out2008 will accept this challenge
of-Door community into another
with pride. After last fall’s conacademic year.
vocation, the Class of 2007 went
September 19th’s convocation,
on to achieve an 85% passing rate
the fourth such event at Out-ofon Advanced Placement examinaDoor since the arrival of Head of
tions, placing them in the top 5%
School David Mahler in 2004, is
of Florida high schools. 80% of
fast becoming an annual tradition
that class were offered unsolicited
that is anticipated by the entire
scholarships totaling 3.1 million
school community. The event, in
dollars. Since The Out-of-Door
which every Out-of-Door AcadAcademy graduated its first senior
emy class from pre-kindergarten
class in 1999, 100% of its graduthrough high school convenes at
ates have matriculated to college.
the school’s Lakewood Ranch
For now, the spotlight is on the
campus to give the senior class a
Class of 2008. As the Out-of-Door
parting gift, is a rare opportunity
community turns its thoughts to
Senior Cat Cheuyfler with her Kindergarten buddy
for the school to come together as
the
year ahead, they are confident
NAME LAST
a single unit. “It’s a great celebrain the abilities of their seniors. “As
tion of what we stand for as an instituBowers said. “Out-of-Door is my childa group they have been a collective filled
tion,” said Mahler, “I love how the event
hood, and I would never change a single
by a number of skilled individuals,” said
has unfolded with the younger grades. It’s
second of any of it. I’m excited to move
Academic Dean L’Tanya Evans. “With
a great way to visualize how thankful we
on, to go to college and experience a new
this class, the best is yet to come. They will
should be for the kind of school that we
environment, but a part of me will always
grow into this leadership role beautifully.
have.”
be here. The Out-of-Door community is
It’s exciting to watch.” Mahler, who conFor three of Out-of-Door’s thirty-eight
more like a family, and that’s a good thing
siders convocation day his favorite day of
seniors, the moment was bittersweet. Havfor a school to be.”
the year, agrees. “I have every confidence
ing attended The Out-of-Door Academy
For the faculty of The Out-of-Door
that this class will lead the school very
since pre-kindergarten, this select group
Academy, fall convocation marks not only
well in the months ahead,” said Mahler.
of “lifers” had finally made it to the top
a day of reflection, but a moment when the
“They set a great tone for the beginning of
of the pile. Saying goodbye to the tradisenior class is challenged to assume their
the school year. As goes the senior class,
tions, friends and familiar surroundings
role as leaders. “It goes back to my own
so goes the school. With this class, so far
they have come to know at Out-of-Door,
experience in high school,” said Mahler.
so good.”
4 • The Banyan
Homecoming 2007
2nd annual event unifies Out-of-Door
On October 19th, 2007, The Out-of-Door Academy came
together as a community to celebrate its second annual football
Homecoming with two pep-rallies, a bonfire, and a family picnic.
These gatherings led to the event of the evening, where the Thunder
Varsity Football team took on Clearwater Calvary Christian at
Twin Lakes Park. Though football seemed to be the focus of the
day, the underlying theme of community was overpowering, and
allowed Out-of-Door to unite under a common banner: school
pride.
On Homecoming day, the Siesta Key campus came alive as
Head football coach Brett Timmons brought his players and the
Thunder cheerleaders to campus for an exciting pep-rally. Lower
school students showed their spirit with signs and cheers. After
a rousing speech from Coach Timmons, they were treated to a
performance from the cheerleaders. By the end of the pep-rally,
lower school students were more than ready to make some noise
at the game.
At the Lakewood Ranch campus, homecoming events began on
Thursday, October 18th with a massive bonfire at which each of
Out-of-Door’s fall athletic teams were honored and recognized.
With speeches from each of the Thunder fall coaches, and music
supplied by the upper school band, the Out-of-Door spirit rose
into the night along with the impressive flames from the fire. On
Friday, upper school students met in the Thunderdome for their
own pep-rally. After performances from the upper school band and
the Thunder cheerleaders, students welcomes the Varsity Football
team onto the gym floor with a standing ovation. Following
another rousing speech from coach Timmons, the Lakewood
Ranch campus was alive with spirit and ready to cheer on the
Thunder.
Both alive with energy and spirit, Out-of-Door’s two campuses
came together to celebrate Homecoming with a family picnic
adjacent to the football field at Twin Lakes Park. With hot food
and good friends, Thunder fans painted their faces and enjoyed a
moment of community before heading to the football field for the
event of the evening.
On the football field, with a capacity crowd cheering
thunderously, Junior quarterback Tony Gurry was virtually
unstoppable, gathering 180 yards and three touchdowns en-route
to a 27-6 Thunder victory. “It was an exciting game,” said Gurry.
“When the fans come out to support us, we play better. They
give us energy and excitement.” For his on-field efforts during
the homecoming match-up, Gurry was named The Out-of-Door
Academy Department of Athletics’ “Player of the Week” for the
week of October 15th.
Though Out-of-Door’s second annual homecoming event
was an overwhelming success on the football field, it was also a
success in a much quieter way. “It’s about community,” said Sports
Information Director Luke Anderson. “Football is what brings us
together, but it’s the togetherness that is the important part. When
we can join forces under a common banner and celebrate our
school for what it is, that’s what homecoming is truly about, and
that’s the true victory for our school.”
Winter 2008 • 5
NOTES FROM THE SIESTA KEY CAMPUS
Four events on The Out-of-Door Academy’s Siesta Key campus made the fall of 2007 a
memorable moment in the long history of the lower school. Red Ribbon Week, the Halloween
Carnival, the Lower School Book Fair and a visit from writer Gregory Denman showed the
Out-of-Door community just how strong their school has become.
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide week dedicated to drug and
alcohol awareness that allows teachers, students, school administrators, parents, and community leaders to work together to
spread the message about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The
Out-of-Door Academy has been participating in the “PRIDE”
program for more than 15 years.
Under the direction of Mrs. Wallin and Ms. Genovese, PRIDE
members delivered personal drug free reminders and educational
materials to each classroom. At the end of the week, all the students wore red ribbons as a reminder to make good choices.
“PRIDE is all about channeling the energy and enthusiasm of our
bright students into positive attitudes,” said Lower School faculty
member Linda Wallin. “If by role-playing, singing and dancing
in PRIDE we reach one student when he or she is confronted
with a hard decision, as a teacher and an advisor we have been
successful. Through the years students have come to me and said
‘thanks to PRIDE I knew how to handle an uncomfortable situation.’ And that makes it all worthwhile!”
As in the past, PRIDE, the 6th-grade drug awareness club, sponsored Red Ribbon Week and planned various activities for the
entire Siesta Key campus. PRIDE’s goal is to help others have
healthy bodies by being drug free through example, leadership,
and activities like Red Ribbon week. This year’s theme was
“Don’t Monkey Around with Drugs and Say Boo to Drugs.”
Caption goes here caption goes here
Halloween Carnival
The Lower School Halloween carnival is an annual event sponsored by the Parent Association. Students, faculty and administrators all took part in this exciting day. The afternoon consisted of a parade and a candy scavenger hunt. All of the students
had a terrific afternoon. “The Halloween carnival was not to be
missed!” said Interim Lower School Head Leanne Reynolds. I
was amazed at how the campus was transformed into a true carnival site! There were decorations, carnival games, popcorn and
snow cone machines, a dunking booth and karaoke. It was a
great time for everyone!” Lower School Book Fair
Caption goes here caption goes here
6 • The Banyan
The fall Lower School Book Fair, chaired by Nancy DeLong
Jemison, was made up of many exciting components. The fair
offered author visits, book signings, Curious George, and, of
course, oodles and oodles of fantastic books. Parents, faculty and
students of all ages found amazing titles to their liking. Mrs. Joan
It’s
Online!
Want to know what’s happening on the Key?
For an up-to-date calendar of events or to subscribe to Messages, our bi-weekly
newsletter covering school events, visit www.oda.edu today!
Harlow, the author of Blown Away, spoke with some of the students and then remained at the fair to sign her books. Topics of all
titles, including mythology, animals, puzzles, history and geography were all represented. Students enjoyed it so much that they
volved actively engaging students in creative writing using topics that were generated by the students themselves,” said Interim
Lower School Head Leanne Reynolds. “Mr. Denman taught us
all that writing is fun! I saw students walking out of his workshop still writing in their journals, I had to make them stop so
they would watch where they were going!”
Caption goes here caption goes here
are already asking about the spring book fair. “This Book Fair
event was perhaps one of the biggest, best and most fun fairs The
Out-of-Door Academy has ever held thanks to the wonderful support of parent volunteers, students, and the faculty,” said Lower
School librarian Glendy Huene.
Caption goes here caption goes here
Educator and Writer Greg Denman Visits
Out-of-Door
Gregory Denman spent time with our Faculty on Professional
Development Day and then spent a day working with our Lower
School students. Mr. Denman has been a classroom and university teacher, conducted seminars, and provided in-services across
the United States and Canada. Mr. Denman’s presentations are
research-based, classroom-proven and immediately “useable” in
the classroom. Lower School students were inspired by Mr. Denman’s presentation and were anxious to utilize their new writing
techniques upon returning to the classroom. “His techniques in-
Caption goes here caption goes here
Winter 2008 • 7
NOTES FROM THE LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS
Senior Retreat Creates Lasting Bonds
Class of 2008 unites under banner of leadership
Occurring on the heels of The Out-of-Door Academy’s AllSchool Convocation in September, the Senior Retreat is a tradition that has evolved from an informal trip to a rite of passage
that each graduating class must complete before entering their
final year as students at Out-of-Door. Begun with the founding
of the Lakewood Ranch campus in 1999, the Senior Retreat was
originally established as a college-counseling oriented experience
that allowed seniors to get a feel for what the “real world” after
high school might be like. With the establishment of a formal, AllSchool Convocation upon the arrival of Head of School David
Mahler to the Lakewood Ranch campus in 2004, the retreat has
taken on deeper, more significant meaning.
Out-of-Door’s Fall Convocation on September 19th served as
a celebration of senior leadership. The Class of 2008 was greeted by each of the lower grades with a gift of respect, enabling
them to enter their final high school year with the expectation
of leadership. Taking the message of Convocation with them, the
seniors then departed for a two-day retreat where they focused on
the elements of leadership as they apply to their own lives. “It is
important to help students make connections between what they
Caption goes here caption goes here
have been hearing all their academic lives with “real world” expectations,” said Academic Dean L’Tanya Evans. “For example,
in recent years we have had the convocation which acknowledges
them as leaders of the school. They are given this right or privilege and the retreat serves as a rite of passage that enables them to
begin to recognizing what it means to be a leader.”
Though the Senior Retreat is a popular outing for Out-of-Door’s
oldest students, the activities and events that it encompasses remain a mystery to underclassmen. Only seniors and senior advisors know exactly what happens during the retreat. “During the
retreat, students engage in activities that are personal and private
as well as group oriented,” said Evans. “They find themselves
in challenging situations that serve as metaphors for life issues.
Without disclosing too much, it is through these activities and the
discussions or debriefings that follow that students begin to make
connections. The retreat also enables students to connect with one
another, even though they know each other and have known each
other for a long time, in a setting other than school.”
Though secrecy may be an integral part of the Senior Retreat,
there is little doubt that it has become a valued and important
event for the school community. As The Out-of-Door Academy’s
seniors prepare for their lives beyond high school, the retreat enables them a brief moment of pause where they can appreciate
their role as leaders for a community that has been made stronger
by their effort, enthusiasm, and dedication to success.
Elizabeth Lempriere flies high on the ropes course.
8 • The Banyan
Advisories Face-Off
In Turkey Bowl 2007
Students commune for a day of healthy competition
In the early 1990’s, History teacher Mike Sprout brought a
family tradition to the Out-of-Door middle school, hoping that an
event loved by his family could be loved by his students as well.
After Thanksgiving dinner, Sprout’s family would meet outside
for a friendly game of football, which they called “Turkey Bowl.”
When Sprout brought the idea to Middle-School Dean Kathy
Dozier, she embraced it, and helped sprout create the first ever
“Turkey Bowl” event for Out-of-Door’s middle-school classes. At
the time, grades seven and eight were located on Out-of-Door’s
Siesta Key campus, and the first “Turkey Bowls” were organized
by middle school gym classes. Though Sprout has now departed
from Out-of-Door, “Turkey Bowl” has evolved into an event
cherished by Out-of-Door’s upper and middle school classes.
The Class of 2008 celebrates their victory over the faculty
When The Out-of-Door Academy moved grades seven and
eight to its Lakewood Ranch campus in 1999, Turkey Bowl
quickly evolved to include grades nine through twelve. Instead of
being organized by gym class, teams were divided by Advisory
groups, allowing each Advisory team to compete as a single
unit. Out-of-Door Student Activities Director Tim Brewer took
over the “Turkey Bowl” reigns in 2002, and has turned the event
into an advisory-unifying day of healthy competition. “It gives
advisories unity and purpose,” Brewer said. “They come together
to create uniforms that are unique and creative weeks before the
actual event. As much as I love the competition, I love how the
advisories unify before the event actually begins.”
The November 16th, 2007 “Turkey Bowl” event was better than
ever. For the second year in a row, the Senior team defeated the
faculty team in the final game of the day, earning a “dress-down
day” for the entire Upper School. Loved by students as faculty
alike, “Turkey Bowl” is a unifying Out-of-Door tradition that is
here to stay.
The “Frisky Grandmas” prepare for action
2007
sory Champions
i
v
d
A 7th Grade: Mr. Ball
Turkey Bowl
8th Grade: Mrs. Dozier
9th Grade: Mr. Timmons
10th Grade: Mr. Kennon
11th Grade: Mr. Brewer
12th Grade: Mr. Woods
Brendan Bercaw (‘11) looks to pass despite fierce defense
Winter 2008 • 9
Saving the Key
I
The Out-of-Door Academy’s decision to maintain ownership
of its Siesta Key Campus preserves more than its history.
By Luke Anderson
t comes to you like a scene out of history. The banyans
linger peacefully over their shadows, their leaves
moving easy in the unusually warm December air.
Between the buildings, some of them hand-wrought
from old-growth timber and stone, student voices rise
and then fall, pulsing with the ebb and flow of youth.
On The Out-of-Door Academy’s Siesta Key campus,
history merges quietly with modernity. The past, as mystic as the
distant smell of the Gulf, combines with the complex rhythms of
the present, creating a community that is like no other place on
Earth. Yet, like many of the region’s historical sites, it is a place in
peril. As it buildings age and their occupants look for more room
to expand, its history is often overlooked, forgotten in the rush for
advancement. Recently, with a growing historic sensibility around
10 • The Banyan
campus, there has come a push to protect Out-of-Door’s most
valuable asset: its history. With that push has come the realization
that school history is not the only thing that needs preserving.
The youngest members of the Out-of-Door community have
never heard of Fanneal Harrison or Catherine Gavin. They haven’t
heard the story of their school’s founding, just as they know little
about the faces that stare back at them through the grainy blackand-white photographs hanging on their walls. But for some of
them, whose curiosity lends them a brief moment of pause, the
faces look surprisingly familiar. Within them lies a glimmer of
themselves, and though for now it may escape the wandering
minds of childhood, their future is inextricably tied to this past.
Without it, the place where many of them will spend the next
thirteen years of their lives, would not exist.
A History Worth Preserving
In 2002, when The Out-of-Door Academy Board of Trustees
voted unanimously to become “one school, one campus” by
2010, the future of the Siesta Key campus was put in jeopardy.
With new infrastructure rising in Lakewood Ranch, the school
did not see the need to invest in a campus that was old and aging, instead hoping to start fresh, building a completely modern facility to serve a fast-growing community. It was not the
first time in school history that the school’s Siesta Key grounds
were jeopardized. Once stretching from Ocean Boulevard to
its 650 feet of Gulf-front shoreline, the campus has gradually
shrunk as the school sold land to developers. From its original
purchase in 1923, the Siesta Key campus has seen innumerable
changes. When it was put in jeopardy, its proud past, and the
future of its community, were jeopardized alongside it.
In 1922 Siesta Key was a virtually untrammeled stretch of
mosquito-ridden gulf-front property, with a few family estates
peppering its coastline. It saw little interest from developers
and land-owners until the first bridge to the mainland was constructed in 1917. When Fanneal Harrison and Catherine Gavin arrived here
after 9-years of work in the schools of
Belgium and Central Europe, they saw
the perfect location to begin planning an
experimental “out of doors school” to
be based on the educational methods of
Ovid Decroly of Brussels. With financial
backing from her father, Harrison purchased the Gleason Ranch, just east of
Harroak, her family’s winter residence.
That estate, combined with an additional
parcel of land from Harroak, totaled 20
acres of pine forest with access to 650
feet of beach along Siesta Key’s Big
Pass. In 1923, with the site for their
experimental school secured, Harrison
and Gavin co-founded The Out of Door
School. Several rustic buildings were
fashioned out of local timber and stone,
though Harrison and Gavin intended to
hold as man classes as possible “out of
doors.” First considered to be a boarding
school for Sarasota’s winter residents, the Out of Door School
operated a bus route running from centrally located “stops” in
Vermont and Massachusetts, though the school soon drew students from prominent year-round Sarasota residents.
From its founding class of ten students in 1924, The Out
of Door School combined academics with practical learning
on Siesta Key, taking many of its lessons from its natural surroundings. Early students took their knowledge of carpentry to
fashion several school buildings, and outdoor excursions were
deemed equally important to subject-specific study. However,
despite its overwhelming early success, in 1929 the school
found itself in financial trouble. Following the stock market
crash on October 29, the school faced a deficit of approximately $7,000 (roughly $80,000 today), and was compelled to close
its doors. Witnessing the dire straits in which the school found
itself, eight of Out of Door’s parents, including Mrs. Charles
Ringling, promptly subscribed the bulk of the debt, allowing
Rest and fresh air, freedom, and as much
time as possible in the open are important,
if one has to choose between them, than
strenuous programs of study for school
children. healthy bodies, interesting play
and companionship are important as well
as giving children a chance to gain some
sense of social responsibility.
Fanneal Harrison, co-founder
The Out of Door School
the school to remain open. By May of 1930, the school had recovered enough to purchase additional waterfront property from
Mary Gordon DeForest, who accepted free tuition for her three
grandsons as partial payment for the property. With the help of its
families, The Out of Door School was able to continue operations
without interruption.
Throughout the 1930’s, while private schools throughout the
country were threatened with closing, The Out of Door School
continued to thrive. By 1934 enrollment had reached 132 students,
and the school had become accredited by the Florida Council of
Independent Schools. In 1943, with wartime restrictions reaching
their height, the school was sold to the Kephart’s of Blowing Rock,
North Carolina, who wished to operate the school as a memorial to
their son, who was killed in action on Guadalcanal Island in 1942.
In 1948, the Kephart’s sold their interest in the school to a group
of parents and friends of the school, who operated the school under
a board of directors until 1955. From 1955 until the 1970’s, the
Winter 2008 • 11
school was run as a corporation, with an
individual stockholder holding controlling stock.
In 1974, enrollment stood at 175 students and extended through 12th grade.
Then headmaster Leslie Huff, citing dangerous traffic on Ocean Boulevard, sold
the portion of school property fronting the
Gulf of Mexico, eliminating the schools
beach access. In 1972, the school had
sold property to allow for the construction of the Siesta Key Chapel. Though
there is little doubt that economics played
heavily into the decisions surrounding
these sales, their significance is incomparable to the changes of 1977. In that year,
after months of negotiations, a group of
120 school families pooled resources and
purchased the school, its property and all
of its assets from the estate of deceased
owner J. Burke Rich. A non-profit organization, The Out-of-Door Academy
of Sarasota, Inc. was formed, and the
families elected a nine-member board
of Trustees. Following a low enrollment
of 98 in 1976, the purchase allowed the
school’s families to wrest control of the
school from private owners, enabling
them to continue the tradition of innovation begun by the schools founders.
The Key Ingredient
As The Out-of-Door Academy grew
throughout the 1990’s, it became clear
that the Siesta Key campus did not provide ample room to allow for the addition
of a full middle and high school program.
With enrollment standing at 478 by 1994,
the school had virtually reached its capacity, with classes from Kindergarten
through 8th grade. When the school was
gifted a significant amount of land in the
newly emerging Lakewood Ranch area,
it saw an opportunity for growth that
could not be ignored. Within a few years
the school had built an impressive high
school facility, graduating its first class
of 12 seniors in 1999. As the Lakewood
Ranch grounds grew to include a middle
school facility, the Board of Trustees
questioned the two-campus model of the
school, concluding in 2002 that it was not
in the school’s best interest to maintain a
12 • The Banyan
campus on Siesta Key.
When it was determined that Out-ofDoor would not hold a permanent interest
in its Siesta Key grounds, little effort was
made to maintain the campus. The Board
of Trustees did not see a need to invest
in facilities that would ultimately be sold.
“The prevailing sentiment was that the
best decision the school could make was
to move everything out to Lakewood
Ranch,” said Head of School David
Mahler. “Over time, through a lot of discussions with parents, students, alumni
and trustees, the board felt like they had
to move out here. Though people were
not excited about leaving the Key, they
understood why it was necessary.” However, though the decision to sell the Siesta
Key campus had been made, discussions
to be recreated at Lakewood Ranch,”
Mahler said. “Ultimately, what began to
happen was that the Siesta Key campus
started to be viewed in a different way, as
an asset and a very important statement
about our history. People believed that
its history couldn’t simply be replicated.
They knew that one of the unique characteristics about Out-of-Door is its roots
on Siesta Key.” As the importance of the
Siesta Key campus to the Out-of-Door
community was unearthed, the decision
to sell its land and facilities was questioned. At a retreat in September, 2006,
the Board of Trustees voted unanimously
to reverse the decision entirely, and to
maintain permanent interest in the Siesta Key campus. “As we began to look
through the details,” Mahler said, “there
the Siesta Key campus started to
be viewed in a different way, as an
asset and a very important statement
about our history. People believed
that its history couldn’t simply be
replicated. They knew that one of
the unique characteristics about
Out-of-Door is its roots on Siesta
Key.
David V. Mahler
Head of School
about the decision continued. “Through
ongoing discussions with the board, and
through the creation of a campus master
plan for Lakewood Ranch, there was a
lot of discussion about the two-campus
structure and what facilities would need
were a lot more positives to staying on
the Key. Siesta Key is and always will be
a powerful symbol of our school, and I
think people came to realize that.”
Though there was relief and
excitement following the announcement
that The Out-of-Door Academy would
giving the lower-school campus a media
are completed, The Out-of-Door Acadmaintain its interest in its Siesta Key
center to rival any in the country. The
emy will be equipped to offer its students
grounds, the decision also presented a
building project is the first of many renoan exceptional venue to explore their fuchallenge for school administrators. “The
vations planned for Siesta Key. “We need
tures.
next evolution for Out-of-Door is to come
to continue to invest in Siesta Key, both
together under one banner, to become one
in technology and overall infrastructure,”
A Sense of the Past
school,” Mahler said. “For the better part
Mahler said. “It’s a beautiful campus,
For now, as The Out-of-Door Academy
of 70 years the school has been Pre-K
but we need to ensure that the classroom
begins to explore its future as an instituthrough 6. The addition of the Lakewood
space and technology is state of the art.
tion, we can take a moment to appreciate
Ranch upper school totally changed the
We need to give our teachers what they
its proud past. “It’s tradition,” said senior
nature of our school. In reality, when the
need to teach in the 21st century.” As its
Richard Schaefer, who has attended Outupper school was opened, The Out-offacilities were neglected for a time, conof-Door for all fourteen years of his acaDoor Academy was two separate schools
struction on the Siesta Key campus will
demic career. “It’s worth far more than its
with different locations, different color
focus mainly on renovating existing inreal estate value. Not many people can go
schemes, and differto a school like ours,
ent branding. The
and we shouldn’t
two campus strucgive that up. It’s
ture is not unique to
almost
magical”
Out-of-Door, but it
Schaefer’s words
is a challenge. The
echo the prevailchallenge is for us
ing feeling around
to transcend the 17
school grounds.
miles of distance
The beating heart
between the two
of The Out-of-Door
campuses, to operAcademy is rooted
ate and functionin the majesty of its
ally and programSiesta Key grounds.
matically as one
Though the school
school.” To begin
will continue to
to address this chalgrow and expand,
lenge, the school
offering its students
has created events
a future brighter
like Convocation
than they could
and Spirit day to
possibly imagine,
bring the two camthere will always
puses
together.
be the unspeakable
Kindergartners
feeling of the Key
On Siesta Key in 1926, The Out-of-Door Academy stretched from its 20 acres of
buddy with gradu– the quiet simpine forest along Big Pass to its 650 feet of gulf shoreline. The school’s docks in
ating Seniors for
plicity that catches
foreground were used for boating, fishing and swimming.
several events, fulyou off-guard. Perly bridging the age
haps, as its students
gap between Outlook back on their
of-Door’s classes.
time here, they are
frastructure. In Lakewood Ranch, the
caught by the feeling of childhood. Perstory is very different. Plans are already
Investing in the Future
haps they are gripped by a longing for
developing for a state-of-the-art visual
As The Out-of-Door Academy grows
youth, a need to recapture some carefree
and performing arts building, which is
into a future grounded both on Siesta Key
moment of bliss. Whatever the feeling
slated to include a black box theatre. The
and in Lakewood Ranch, it is making
may be, they know there is something
Lakewood Ranch facility will also see
changes to its infrastructure to ensure that
magical stirring beneath the banyans.
major updates to its athletic facilities in
both facilities are equipped to handle the
They know that without it, The Out-ofthe coming years, including the addition
demands of the modern era. In the sumDoor Academy could not possibly be the
of a football and track-and-field complex.
mer of 2007, construction was completed
same.
When both campus master plan projects
on renovations to the Siesta Key library,
Winter 2008 • 13
Passion
14 • The Banyan
Becca Hunting and Rachel Weiner have
garnered more than 200 combined
Community service hours in their four
years at Out-of-Door.
F
Leaders
Rachel Weiner, Becca Hunting and Emma Grayson show
the Out-of-Door Community what service is all about.
By Luke Anderson
or three dedicated Out-of-Door Academy
students, community service extends well
beyond the 20-hour requirement they
must complete each semester in order
to graduate. Becca Hunting, Rachel
Weiner and Emma Grayson have embraced
the school’s service program, showing
their classmates that giving back to
the community is rewarding in more
ways than one. Through their selfless
leadership, they have helped the Out-ofDoor community service program grow
beyond its requirements, morphing into
something wholly more substantial and
important. Though community service is
now an integral part of the education
Winter 2008 • 15
that Out-of-Door offers its students,
For some students, however, little guidthroughout the school’s history it has not
ance is needed. “We came up with the
always had so prominent a place in the
term passion leaders to describe those
minds of Out-of-Door students. Through
students who were deeply passionate
the work of Out-of-Door’s impassioned
about a certain service project, and could
faculty, students and parents, community
serve as student leaders for that projservice has arrived as a vital and powerful
ect.” Becca Hunting, Rachel Weiner and
statement about what The Out-of-Door
Emma Grayson are three such students.
Academy represents as an institution.
In 2001, when Out-of-Door’s first comBecca Hunting
munity service requirement was instituted
Senior Becca Hunting finds community
by then Head of School Dr. Mike Novelo,
service to be personally rewarding. When
newly appointed Community Service Dishe heard that the Sarasota community
rector Shelley Stone had a vision for the
was hosting its first-annual Aids Walk in
program. “These kids have the ability to
2006, she found herself driven to get indo great things,” said Stone, “They have
volved. After contacting Stone and Frye,
a drive to give back that is unbelievable.”
who urged her to explore her interest,
When David Mahler assumed leadership
Hunting began to recruit Out-of-Door stuof the school in 2004, he joined Stone in
dents, organizing an Aids Walk team. Her
strengthening the school’s community
recruiting was two-sided. On one hand,
RACHEL WEINER
service graduation requirement. “What
Hunting needed students to participate in
CLASS OF 2008
we have tried to do is consistently raise
the walk. On the other, she needed sponawareness about the importance of sersors and fundraisers to help raise money
vice in our community,” Mahler said. As the program continued
for her cause – Aids prevention and awareness. In 2006, Hunting
to grow, Debby Frye was brought on-board as co-director in
joined a small group of Out-of-Door students in the walk, making
2006 to assist Stone in the operation of the program. Together,
her first drive to lead Out-of-Door students in service a success.
they help guide interested students to worthy service projects.
By 2007, with a year of experience under her belt, Hunting again
proved herself to be amongst
Out-of-Door’s most selfless students, leading another group of
students in the second annual
Sarasota/Manatee Aids Walk. In
its first two years, through the
dedication of leaders like Hunting, the walk raised over $70,000
to fight Aids. Though she has
personally led a overwhelmingly
successful service drive at Outof-Door, Hunting keeps the true
purpose of her community service efforts in mind. “There are
a lot of people out there who live
really hard lives,” Hunting said,
“and to help them out is important. Our students have a lot to
give, and giving makes us feel
good.”
“In order to get something
out of life you have to give
something back. At Out-ofDoor we have a lot to give.
We may not be the biggest
school in Sarasota, but we
really can make a difference.
We are building a lasting
reputation of service in our
community.”
Rachel Weiner
Head of School David Mahler joins Rachel Weiner and other Out-of-Door students in
dedicating the Habitat for Humanity house.
16 • The Banyan
Like Hunting, Senior Rachel
Weiner has also forged her own
community service path. In the
summer of 2006, as she was preparing to enter her Junior year,
Weiner was interested in starting
a community service project. “I
was looking for something to
get involved with,” Weiner said,
“for something the school could
NOTHING BUT NETS
Abby Salzberg carves her own service path
In the May 1st edition of Sports Illustrated, columnist Rick Reilly asked
his readers for donations to help purchase mosquito nets to prevent malaria
in developing nations. The response to his column was overwhelming,
and led to the formation of the Nothing But Nets campaign, which has
distributed almost 2 million mosquito nets across Africa. When Outof-Door freshman Abby Salzberg heard about the campaign during her
eighth-grade year, she was fascinated by how something so simple could
save so many lives. During the fall of 2007 she wrote a proposal to start
a new Out-of-Door service organization, which will make and sell quilts
to help raise money for Nothing But Nets. “We’re able to do something,”
Salzberg said, “and if we’re able to help out, we should.”
For more information on how you can help save lives, visit www.nothingbutnets.net
get involved with.” When Weiner stumbled across Habitat for
Humanity, she saw a perfect opportunity to start something big.
Through discussions with Mahler, Frye, Stone and Sarasota mayor Fred Atkins, Weiner successfully launched a campaign to build
a Habitat for Humanity house in Sarasota. Since the launch of the
campaign, nearly half of Out-of-Door’s student body has assisted
in the building of the house, which is currently in the process
of being readied for occupants. “Service
is in my blood,” Weiner said, “it’s how
I was raised. In order to get something
out of life you have to give something
back. At Out-of-Door we have a lot to
give.” Thinking more broadly about
Out-of-Door’s relationship with Sarasota, Weiner added “it adds to our sense
of community. We may not be the biggest school in Sarasota, but we really
can make a difference. We are building a
lasting reputation of service in our community.”
Though the Green Club has only been meeting for a few
months, they already have about 10 active members. “The main
goal of the club is to find ways to increase awareness and spread
the word about ways the students can do things to help be more
green,” Grayson said. “If everyone does a little it will make a big
difference. The ‘Green’ topic is everywhere you look, TV ads,
Newspapers, online websites, movies, etc. With all this information, we are trying to find things that
we can do that affect us and that we can
share with everyone.”
The Road Ahead
As The Out-of-Door Academy continues to grow, so to will its emphasis on
community service. “Out-of-Door as an
institution, as a member of the Sarasota
community at-large, is vested in contributing to that community,” Head of
School David Mahler said. “We are not
an island all to ourselves, and should increasingly become an integral part of the
Emma Grayson
fabric of the Sarasota community. We
Much like her upper school counteroffer a tremendous educational service
parts, sixth-grader Emma Grayson has
and resource for the Sarasota commua passion. During the summer of 2007,
nity, but we want our kids, faculty and
Grayson conceived an idea that would
parents to be forward-thinking citizens
enable her to get her fellow lower school
who understand that the community
students involved in community service
strengthened by the efforts of those who
while supporting a cause she felt strongcare.” Mahler sees student projects such
ly about. Her cause? The environment.
as those founded by Hunting, Weiner
Sixth-grader Emma Grayson founded
By establishing a “Green Club” at Outand Grayson as essential to the future of
the Green Club to help protect the
of-Door, Grayson hoped to educate her
the Out-of-Door community. “For our
environment
fellow students about environmental isstudents to have increasing exposure to
sue while doing her best to keep Out-ofdifferent service organizations in our
Door “green.” After Grayson came up with the idea, she, along
community ensures that the next generation will continue to give
with the help of her mother, presented it to Head of School David
back,” Mahler said. “Those service organizations that are critiMahler, who immediately supported the notion. With Mahler’s
cal to so many groups of people in this area and throughout this
encouragement, Grayson successfully founded the Out-of-Door
country and the world can continue to be supported by this type
Academy “Green Club” in the fall of 2007.
of philanthropy that enables them to flourish.”
Winter 2008 • 17
Parent Association Presents
T
F
r
u
e
n
d
n
D
u
ay
h
Saturday, March 15, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lakewood Ranch Campus
5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota
GAMES — CRAFT TENT — FOOD TENT — INFLATABLES — BAKE SALE
CAKE WALK — MIDDLE SCHOOL/UPPER SCHOOL TOURNAMENTS — AND MORE!
Fun and festivities for the whole family!
For additional information contact the Communications Department at 554-3408
18 • The Banyan
PARENT ASSOCIATION NEWS
Out-of-Door
PARENT ASSOCIATION
The Out-of-Door Academy Parent Association had a
busy fall with many fun and productive events. The Welcome Back Coffees on each campus provided parents an
opportunity to re-connect with eachother and school
administrators after the long summer break. Our August
General Meetings were extremely well-attended on both
campuses. At the Lakewood Ranch Campus, Mr. Mahler
and Noel Dougherty kicked off the year with an informative presentation entitled New Dean and New Developments. On the Siesta Key
Campus, Mr. Mahler took
the opportunity to introduce our new Interim
Lower School Head, Leanne Reynolds. The October General Meetings
were equally interesting
and informative. Michelle
Kreible, a National Association of Independent
Schools consultant, captivated the Upper School
parents with statistics,
stories, and parenting
advice about substance
Caption goes here
abuse and making good
caption goes here
choices. On the Siesta
Key Campus, our own Diane Sulimirski, a certified holistic
health counselor, shared a wealth of information about
wellness and healthy lifestyle choices.
Our dedicated parent volunteers have been working
very hard to host fun and informative activities for our
students and parents throughout the fall. The Halloween
Carnival on the Siesta Key Campus created a festive atmosphere with games, contests, and the annual costume
parade. The Middle School Pumpkin Carving was enjoyed
Caption goes here caption goes here
by students as they created clever pumpkin designs in a
friendly competition. The monthly Parent Chats for both
Upper School and Middle School parents continue to be
an excellent opportunity to explore and discuss the ongoing challenges of parenting teenagers.
The Parent Association’s fundraising events and activities have produced financial results that far exceed their
expectations so far this year. Our Sally Foster fundraising project underwent a radical and successful change
as all sales were made on-line. Given that there is no
deadline for the Sally Foster products, parents can continue to order throughout the academic year. Boxtops
for Education has also had a extremely successful fall
__________________________
Our annual Holiday Luncheon at Michael’s On East produced the highest revenue in the history of the school ,
raising over $4,000. An excellent meal, popular auction
items and a very special DVD program entitled The ODA
Family Album were greatly enjoyed by everyone in attendance.
The Parent Association is very proud of its accomplishments this year, and looks forward to an outstanding
spring.
(will fill this space once box tops info is received)
Winter 2008 • 19
THE ARTS IN REVIEW
Visual Arts at Siesta Key
Wallin Makes Art Under the Banyan A Success
Started four years ago with the goal of focusing on every lower
program. “We have two art teachers,” she said, “ and this enschool student’s artistic talent at least once during the academic
ables us to do more art with more children. It also shows the
year, Siesta Key’s Art Under the Banyan gives The Out-of-Door
school’s dedication to art.” Much like The Out-of-Door AcadAcademy the perfect venue
emy is dedicate to its art
in which to showcase the
program, Wallin is dedilower school’s outstanding
cated to the material she
visual arts program. Lower
teaches. “I give them
School art teacher Linda
an appreciation for art,”
Wallin, now in her 11th year
Wallin said, “that’s my
on Siesta Key, finds the event
goal. I want my students
particularly beneficial to
to really understand art
her program. “It’s a way of
as a profession, and to
showcasing our students,”
see art as an integral part
Wallin said, “It lets them apof their everyday world.
preciate the arts and get a feel
From their ipods to the
for the gallery setting. On the
clothing they wear, art
whole it has been very suctouches every aspect of
cessful.”
their world.”
On November 7, The OutThe arts on the lower
of-Door Academy Siesta Key
school campus will fincampus played host to the
ish off the 2007-2008
first Art Under the Banyan
academic year in grand
of the 2007-2008 academic
fashion with a schoolyear. Parents, students, famiwide art and music show
lies and friends gathered to
on May 22, 2008. With
view artwork selected from
a collection of artwork
each of Out-of-Door’s lower
from every lower school
school grades displayed in
student on display, the
the shadows Siesta’s majesSiesta Key campus will
tic banyan trees. With the
be transformed into a galaddition of a musical perlery. “Each class turns
formance by the 3rd-grade
their room into an art galclass, the morning perfectly
lery,” Wallin describes.
captured the recent success
“Each student will have a
of the lower school arts prosection that is just theirs,
Top: Name Last (‘14) focuses hard on his work in art.
gram.
and all of their artwork
Bottom: Winter figures constructed by ODA 3rd-graders.
Though Wallin has only
from the year is displayed
been a member of the Outin their section. Parents
of-Door faculty for eleven
and guests then come and
years, her experience with the school and its art program extend
are led through the various galleries by their student to see all
much further. Including her years as a parent volunteer, Wallin
of the work.” Through the guidance and leadership provided
has dedicated the past twenty-five years to visual arts at Out-ofby Out-of-Door teachers such as Wallin, the event is sure to
Door. During that time she has seen many positive changes in the
showcase Out-of-Door’s commitment to the arts in style.
20 • The Banyan
Performing Arts
at Lakewood Ranch
Out-of-Door Welcomes Mark Lubas
Quartet
emy String
Door Acad
The Out-of-
The Thomas Wallin Memorial Reef
Tom Wallin, husband of lower school art teacher
Linda Wallin, was a 3rd-generation Sarasota resident
and owner of a family fish market business before succumbing to cancer in 2006. A member of the Gulf Council, a federal commission aimed at preservation, Tom
fought for many years for regulations that would keep
the gulf waters he loved clean for generations to come.
After Tom’s passing, his wife, with the support of Outof-Door faculty and families, worked to establish a permanent tribute to his contributions to the environment.
In December, 2007, the Sarasota County Commission
voted unanimously to name a section of Gulf reef the
Tom Wallin Memorial Reef. Following the naming of the
reef, Linda set up a foundation that allows supporters
of Tom’s cause to donate money to help build the reef,
with contributions going to purchase “reef balls” that
add to the size of the reef.
When Mark Lubas, the newly hired head of Out-of-Door’s
drama department, first stepped foot onto the school’s Lakewood
Ranch campus in the fall of 2007, he was already familiar to many
of its students. Though new to the Out-of-Door faculty, Lubas had
already spent many hours assisting his predecessor, Mr. Robert
True, in school musicals. True had first contacted Lubas when he
was searching for a vocal coach to prepare Out-of-Door’s singers for the production of The King and I in 2006. Lubas’ years of
experience as an opera singer made him stand out of the crowd,
and he immediately formed a bond with the students he coached.
Realizing his talent for teaching, True brought Lubas back to help
in the production of High Society and The Gondoliers. Lubas role
expanded from there. “For The King and I,” Lubas said, “I was
a vocal coach. For High Society my role became much more of a
music director due to the massive differences between the vocal
and orchestral scores. By the time I got to Gondoliers I was doing
blocking and started running rehearsals.”
Upon the retirement of True in the spring of 2007, Lubas was
the perfect candidate to assume leadership of the Out-of-Door
drama department. “I want to capitalize on the excitement that
Bob True built in the students, and as he put it, to take drama to
the next level at Out-of-Door. I want to get a higher profile and
a better reputation locally in Sarasota as a viable arts choice something you’d want to spend money to go to see.”
For the 2007-2008 academic year, Lubas has selected a handful
of plays for production, including Beautiful Bodies, which was
produced in the fall of 2007, as well The Importance of Being
Earnest and Carousel, which are slated for Spring 2008 production. With the next generation of Out-of-Door drama founded in
the talent and experience that Lubas has brought to the school,
2008 will be an exciting year on stage.
Ellie Hurd, Veronica Rosser and Danielle
Frank in Beautiful Bodies.
Winter 2008 • 21
ATHLETICS IN REVIEW
Volleyball Earns District Crown
Bowers, Douglas look to future of Thunder program
Olivia Bowers (left) leaves Out-of-Door for Davidson College
this spring, while eighth-grader Kate Douglas (right) hopes to
continue the Volleyball tradition.
22 • The Banyan
After winning their first district championship since 1999
on October 26th, The Out-of-Door Academy Varsity Womens’ Volleyball team immediately turned their attention to the
future, hoping to improve on their most impressive season
to date. From senior captain Olivia Bowers to eighth-grade
rookie Kate Douglas, no member of the Thunder squad was
satisfied, knowing that they could compete with some of the
best volleyball teams in the state. Fully spanning the age gap
on their team, Bowers and Douglas represent the tradition that
has brought Thunder Volleyball to the top of the district heap
and the bright future that will ensure that they never slip far
from the spotlight.
Senior Olivia Bowers has been a part of the Out-of-Door
volleyball program since she was a lower-school student on
Siesta Key. Leading the Thunder squad to a district championship in her final season was the perfect ending for a volleyball
career that was nothing short of spectacular. Garnering 9 service points and 14 kills in the District Championship game,
including a game-winning kill in game five, Bowers paced the
Thunder throughout the season, providing constant leadership
through both wins and losses. “It was truly special,” Bowers
said, “I have never been so excited.” Though she will be leaving Out-of-Door this spring, moving on to Davidson College,
Bowers excitement for Thunder Volleyball doesn’t stop with
her graduation. “There is so much talent and potential,” she
said, “I can see them doing great things in years to come.
I’m really excited for them.” Head Coach Jeff Horr was quick
to give credit to Bowers and her fellow Seniors. “We leaned
heavily on our seniors to come through during clutch matches. They all stepped up and carried the team on their back.”
Though seniors may provide crucial leadership, it is the
youngest members of the Thunder team that speak volumes
about its future. Eighth-grader Kate Douglas, who joined the
Varsity program from the JV squad midway through the season, looks forward to continuing the tradition laid down by
the class of 2008. For her, winning a district championship in
her first season of varsity play was nothing short of amazing.
“It was intense,” Douglas said, “It felt good, but we won it for
our seniors. It was our present to them, and it was really exciting.” In her high school years to come, Douglas will surely be
a big contributor to the future of Thunder volleyball.
By the end of the 2007 season the Thunder had advanced to
the sweet sixteen in state, and were ranked eighth in the state
writers poll. Coach Horr attributes this high level of success
to an overall team effort. “This years team had no superstars,”
Horr said, “just eleven strong-willed, smart, skilled girls that
were hard driven to accomplish their goal of winning a district
championship.” Based on their 2007 results, and the talented
group of underclassmen that will lead the Thunder volleyball
squad in years to come, the future looks truly bright for Outof-Door volleyball.
Mens’ Golf Wins Bid to State Championship
Feldhacker, Balit lead Thunder to second-place Regional finish, first-ever trip to State tournament
Before the 2007 Mens’ Golf
season was even underway, Senior Nathan Feldhacker knew
that his team would do well.
After finishing second place in
their district in 2006, they were
well-primed for a history-making season. 2007 didn’t disappoint, as the Thunder finished
second in both the district and
region, earning their first-ever
bid to the State Championship
tournament. “At the beginning I
knew that we were going to do
well,” Feldhacker said. “We always said, ‘this year is our year,’
well,” Feldhacker said, “The fact that I know that everybody on
the team tried their hardest, especially in my last year, means a
lot.”
Out-of-Door’s regional runner-up finish, however, was not
easy to come by. At the end of the regional tournament, the
Thunder were in third place behind Bradenton Prep and St. Stephen’s Episcopal. When a St. Stephen’s player was disqualified
for failing to declare a provisional ball, it forced the Thunder
into a second-place tie, resulting in a playoff. In the playoff, the
Thunder handily defeated St. Stephen’s 14-18, earning a welldeserved runner-up trophy. “It’s like going from an ultimate low
to an ultimate high,” said Feldhacker, who led the Thunder with a
1-under 71. “It really didn’t look good for us when I came in and
saw how we were doing. The playoff gave us a sense as a team
that we really know what we are doing.” With their second-place
Feldhacker keeps an eye
regional finish, the Thunder earned a first-ever trip to the State
on the fairway.
Championship Tourand it got us excited
nament, which took
to play.” Out of the
place in Haines City
gates, the Thunder
on October 31st.
won five matches in
At the state toura row, defeating lonament, Sophomore
cal rivals Cardinal
Zach Balit paced
Mooney, Commuthe Thunder with
nity Christian – Port
a 18 hole score of
Charlotte, Sarasota
74, followed closeChristian, Manatee
ly by Feldhacker’s
High School and
77. Quick to disBradenton
Chrismiss any hint of a
tian. After a secondrivalry, Feldhacker
place finish in the
believes that he and
Donald Ross MeBalit have forged a
morial Tournament
strong relationship
on October 1st,
on the golf course.
Feldhacker’s team
“It helps, because
was well on its way
it’s healthy,” Feldto what would prove
hacker said. “Someto be a historic 2007
times it hurts when
season.
you get edged out,
Ivan Ross, Sekou Bangoura, Nathan Feldhacker, Zach Balit and Taylor EmHaving played on
but competition is a
mons of the Varsity Mens’ Golf team.
the Varsity golf team
good thing for our
for all four years of
team.” Head Coach
high school, Feldhacker has served his team as captain for the
John Hulbert feels optimistic that the team will play better in
past two years. As he has grown into the sport, he has also grown
2008. “This was their first appearance at the state tournament,”
into his leadership role. “It really makes you think about how you
Hulbert said, “and I believe we were a little nervous.” With the
react to certain situations,” he said. “I know to carry myself, to
2007 season now behind them, the Thunder will look to Juniors
show appropriate restraint and emotion.” Showing little restraint
such as Ivan Ross and Taylor Emmons to pick up the leadership
in his game, Feldhacker guided his team not only to a 2nd-place
role that Feldhacker has established.
district finish, but also to a second-place regional finish. After
finishing 5th in their region in 2006, Feldhacker found himself
FOR MORE ON ATHLETICS AT THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY,
proud of his teams’ accomplishments. “You always expect to do
PLEASE VISIT WWW.ODA.EDU
Winter 2008 • 23
Reflections
L’Tanya Evans, The Out-of-Door Academy’s Academic Dean,
ponders love, literature, and a lasting career in education.
Work is love made visible.
Kahlil Gibran
LOVE AND PASSION COLOR MY WORLD. Whether I am teaching Bronte’s Wuthering Heights and sharing
my obsession with finding a man on this planet that most
resembles my vision of Heathcliff, or sharing my love of
language by reading the
lyrical genius of Toni
Morrison, my goal is to
make the encounter transcend the text. I stand
in awe of words and their
power. It is this love and
passion that I share with
my students.
What do I want for the
students I teach? I would
love to observe them
studying literature that
captivates and motivates. I want them to experience it spirit, mind, and soul. All in all, I liken the power of a literary
event to an amazing sensory encounter. I imagine that it is
comparable to biting into a juicy, ripe Georgia peach on a
perfect summer day; the burst of flavor as the juice flows so
powerfully that your mouth can not contain it and it begins
to run down your hand and arm. The taste is so amazing
that being sticky is simply a reminder of what it felt like in
the moment. Passion. Love. It is that feeling of surprise
and delight connecting with the freedom to just enjoy for
the sake of enjoying.
Passion: the emotions as distinguished from reason; or
an object of affection or enthusiasm. What a great word to
describe the way I approach my life as a teacher. Passion
involves every sense. Additionally, it involves reason, the
power to think. Teaching enables me to constantly think. If
I am thinking, I am encouraging my students to think. This
reasoning takes the literature that we study to places beyond the text and areas beyond the classroom-- to the arena
called real life. Real life is made up of emotions, experiences, and memories, all that call upon the senses to exist;
so does literature. If a student says, “I hate Catherine,” in
a discussion of Wuthering Heights and then explains by offering a rationale for why she is feeling such a passionate
24 • The Banyan
emotion, I am thrilled. I cherish classes when the energy
is infectious. During those classes I sense that students get
so much from the text that they cannot contain their enthusiasm for it. On those days writing assignments will not
suffice and discussions would go on forever, if I let them.
This is the feeling I strive to create in the classroom.
The classroom culture should be a safe place for all to
take risks. These academic and personal risks should extend the exploration of our texts into our immediate world
and beyond. Being able to behold and acknowledge ones
sensations is powerful. This is what creates life-long learning. It is not necessary for my students to remember me as
some great messiah who led them to the promised land of
literary comprehension and critical writing; yet, if I do happen to run into them later in life, I hope that they will recall
the feelings of love and passion that they experienced in
the classes in which we learned together. I believe, wholeheartedly, that the love and passion that they experience
will evoke the genius that will assist them in creating sound,
succinct, and original arguments for papers. This kind of
stimulation will cultivate a caring. Students who care tend
to be motivated to work hard to do their best. Likewise,
with the ideas that we share in class, they can learn, challenge, and support each other constructively. In class I encourage students to share their written ideas by expressing,
“there is a lot of love in this room.” After a while most of
them believe it and take the risk. As a result, they receive
comments, questions, and kudos from their classmates for
their efforts. I enjoy seeing students walk a little taller.
It is the burst of flavor, the appreciation of blue sky
scattered with fluffy, white clouds, and the feeling of sunwarmed skin on a perfect summer day that I desire for the
students with whom I work. I long for them to feel the
stickiness that remains between the fingers after the peach
is eaten; the memory of what was delightful. This is my
work, my love, made visible.
L’Tanya Evans teaching English Literature at Out-of-Door’s Lakewood
Ranch Campus and also serves the school as Academic Dean. She has
been at Out-of-Door for 5 years.
Advancement Update
winter 2008
CONTENTS
Extravaganza 2007
Annual Fund Notes
Annual Fund Donors to Date
Alumni Association News & Notes
26
28
29
32
Winter 2008 • 25
DEBRIEFING:
Extravaganza 2007 A Record-breaker
dge
ery Do
v
A
:
t
c
Conta
y: High
Priorit
P
O
T
C
E
S
T
E
R
Gelbman
e, name,
Contact: Ron
Gelbman, nam
e
an
J
s:
te
ia
Known Assoc
name
26 • The Banyan
Due to the incredible efforts of Extravaganza Chair,
Jayne Gelbman, Vice Chair Kathryn Kelley and their
amazing team of over 125 volunteers, The Out-of-Door
Academy’s 28th annual Extravaganza event, entitled
“For Your Eyes Only,” was a record-breaking success.
Held on November 10th, 2007, the event raised $470,000
for Out-of-Door, making it Sarasota’s second-largest
fundraising event.
The evening began with a silent auction at the
“Moonraker Lounge,” followed by a record-breaking live
auction that tempted bidders with an amazing trip to
Africa, an adorable Yorkie puppy, quilts, a Spoleto, Italy
trip and more. Following the live auction, guests tried
their luck at the “Casino Royale” and danced the night
away.
With the overwhelming support of both the Out-of-Door
and the Sarasota communities, Extravaganza 2007 was
able to rise to the challenge of raising necessary funds
that will enrich Out-of-Door’s academic, athletic, arts
and faculty development programs while enhancing its
technology and facility infrastructure. “The evening was
a tremendous success and I could not be more thrilled with
the outcome,” said Extravaganza Chair Jayne Gelbman.
“The parent body, alumni, parents of the alumni, and
supporters from the local community really stepped
up and showed their support both by volunteering and
by providing financial support throughout the evening.
There was a great energy in the room and it was a terrific
night for The Out-of-Door Academy!”
The fulfillment of the 007 mission truly does make
a substantial difference in the lives of Out-of-Door’s
students, impacting the future leaders of our community
one child at a time.
Save the Date!
Extravaganza 2008
Jimmy Buffett catchy title here
November 8, 2008
Dolphin Aviation
l
a
i
t
n
e
d
fi
n
o
c
Advancement Update
Extravaganza
Sponsors
Team Extravaganza
2007
N. Jayne Gelbman
Chair
Platinum Benefactors
Community Coalition for Foster Care
Carolyn and Troy Eaden
Christine and Bill Isaac
The Ritz-Carlton Members Club, Sarasota
Sarasota Magazine
Gold Benefactors
Congressman and Mrs. Vern Buchanan
Private Client Group at National City
Bronze Benefactors
Kathleen and Jim Abrams
Certified Collectibles Group
First Watch Restaurants, Inc.
The Gelbman Family
Ashley and Todd Kozel
The Savidge/Bowers Family
Smith Barney - Patty & Ernie Garcia
Dara and James Thompson
ane Gelbman
Contact: N. J
n Kelley
iate: Kathry
Known Assoc
Janice Bowers
Tonie Branica
Lisa Dailey
Mickey Davis
Rhonda Deems
Marie Dowdy
Nita Ettinger
Nancy Freund
Kim & Charles Githler
Tonya Gowan
Mike Hayes
Kathryn Kelley
Tonya Maxey
Bonnie McKee
Mary Ann Mullen
Lin Runge
Phyllis & Chuck Savidge
Jennifer Siciliano
Michael von Waldner
Benefactors
Avery Brunson-Dodge
Butterfly Effects, LLC
Caithness Construction
The Chadwick Family
Chateau Products, Inc.
Jean and Steve Finnery
Sarah Gossett
Kate and John Hawkins
The Maxey Family
The Reeves Family
Unique Air, Inc.
University Ear, Nose &
Throat Associates
Cindy and Mike von Waldner
Subjec
t:
Locati Extravaganz
on: Do
lphin A a 2007
viation
Y
L
N
ES O
FO
Y
E
R
U
R YO
Winter 2008 • 27
Advancement Update
Annual Fund
2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8
Every gift matters.
make yours today!
The Out-of-Door Academy Annual Fund is vital to the operation of our school, collecting critical
dollars that bridge the gap between revenue from tuition and the actual cost of an Out-of-Door education.
Each year we reach out to all members of the Out-of-Door community and ask you to support our students by
giving to the Annual Fund. For the 2007-2008 academic year, tuition covers about 90% of the cost of educating
a student at Out-of-Door, creating a $1,000 gap between tuition and our operating cost per-student. Every gift
we receive makes a real difference in the life of our school and the education we provide for our students. When
combined with donations from other parents, alumni, friends and supporters of The Out-of-Door Academy,
your gift provides substantial support for the operation of our school. Contributions to The Out-of-Door
Academy Annual Fund are 100% tax deductible, and may even be matched by your employer.
For more information on The Out-of-Door Academy Annual Fund,
please visit www.oda.edu or call 554-????
2007-2008 Annual Fund
Volunteer Leadership
2007-2008 Annual Fund
Participation by Constituent Groups
Chris and Tally Harris
Parent Fund
Faculty/Staff
Reed Savidge
Trustee Fund
Trustees
Current Parents
Mike Hayes
Parents of Alumni Fund
Grandparents
Parents of Alumni
Katie Hayes
Suzanne Munroe
Alumni Fund
John B. and Rita Davidson
Grandparents Fund
28 • The Banyan
Alumni
0
20
40
60
80
100
As of January 10, 2007
Advancement Update
Annual Fund Donors to Date
Category Listing as of January 10, 2008
Founder’s Circle
Circle of Patrons
Mr. & Mrs. James D. Abrams
Mr. & Mrs. Troy Eaden
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald G. Gelbman
Mr. & Mrs. Craig Aberle
Mr. & Mrs. Adam Armbruster
Mr. & Mrs. Scott C. Barcomb
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald G. Bizick, II
Mr. & Mrs. Nick Branica
Dr. & Mrs. Richard H. Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Caithness
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Calamaras
Mr. & Mrs. John K. Cannon
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Chapman
Mr. & Mrs. Compton Cramer
Ms. Sharon Cramer
Mr. & Mrs. Jay Crouse
Mr. & Mrs. John DiLacqua
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Dobbins
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Dowdy
Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Emmons
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Falahee
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Feldhacker
Mr. & Mrs. Ernie B. Garcia
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Graham
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Grano, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Barry S. Grayson
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gregory, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hagan
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Harb
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Hester
Mr. & Mrs. Chris Hill
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hoffman
Mr. & Mrs. Lee Horner
Mr. & Mrs. F. Edward Hutchinson
Mr. David Jemison &
Mrs. Nancy DeLong
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas LaFrance
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Laird
Mr. & Ms. Gary Lawson
Ms. Valerie Leatherwood
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Lombardo
Mr. & Mrs. Tonie Lovin
Mr. & Mrs. David V. Mahler
Ms. Betsy Mitchell
Mr. & Mrs. James G. Onufrak
Mr. & Mrs. Don Paxton
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Pendery
Mr. & Mrs. Keith W. Reeves
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth L. Sanborn
Mr. & Mrs. David Scalisi
Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Schiro
$20,000.00 and above
1924 Club
$10,000.00 and above
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Bradbury
Mr. & Mrs. John M. Cranor, III
Mr. & Mrs. Derek Han
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Maxey
Mr. & Mrs. Randy Wilson
Headmaster’s Council
$5,000.00 and above
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Bomberger
Mr. Taber Chadwick & Mrs. Celeste
Dockery-Chadwick
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ferro
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Goldberg
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher H. Harris
Mr. & Mrs. John Kane-Hartnett
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Marchese
Mr. & Mrs. C. Reed Savidge
Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Savidge
Mr. Mike & Dr. Cindy von Waldner
Banyan Tree Society
$2,500.00 and above
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Buffett
Drs. Daniel & Rhonda Deems
Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Githler, III
Mr. & Mrs. John Hawkins
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Hayes
Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth D. Henson
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Jones
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Kozel
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Logan
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey A. Luhrsen
Mr. & Mrs. David Mason
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Morris
Mr. & Mrs. Clint Pierce
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin A. Rubin
Mr. & Mrs. Gerard K. Stone
Mr. & Mrs. John P. Wiseman
$1,000.00 and above
Mr. & Mrs. William Schlotthauer
Mr. & Mrs. Jerrold Shames
Mr. & Mrs. Rick Shaw
Mr. & Mrs. Barry O. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Spina
Dr. & Mrs. Manuel Spindel
Ms. Elizabeth Steele
Mrs. Anne O. Swain
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Sweat
UBS Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. James K. Vickery, Jr.
Ms. Lynette Williams
Mr. Joseph Wolf &
Mrs. Amy Roskamp-Wolf
Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Wolfe
Mr. Chip Woods & Ms. Patricia Wilson
Blue & White Associates
$500.00 and above
Mr. & Mrs. Cass Anderson
Mr. John Anderson
Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Ballance
Mr. & Mrs. Toni B. Bischoff Lovin
Mr. & Mrs. Gene Bittner
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Brown
Mr. Michael Browning
Winter 2008 • 29
Advancement Update
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Carleton
Mr. & Mrs. Jamie Carver
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Chait
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Cintron
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Runge
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Scanlan
Mr. & Mrs. Joel Schrank
Mr. & Mrs. James Siciliano
Mr. & Mrs. Adam Sulimirski
Mr. & Mrs. Vic Van Wie
Mr. & Mrs. James Whatmore
Out-of-Door Supporters
$250.00 and above
Dr. & Mrs. William Corin
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Douglas
Mr. & Mrs. Alexei A. Dovgopolyi
Dr. & Mrs. Milton Ettinger
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Fineberg
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Finnery
Mr. & Mrs. David Fleeman
Ms. Debbie A. Furman
GE Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Giacinti
Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Gowan
Mr. Salim Valimahomed &
Ms. Maurisse Gray
Mr. & Mrs. William C. Hitchcock
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hoffman
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Howell
Mr. & Mrs. John Humphrey
Rabbi & Mrs. Geoffrey M. Huntting
Johnson Charitable Trust
Ms. Lynn Johnson
Dr. Randy Judd
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Kapreilian
Mr. & Mrs. John Kittle
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Latta
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Latta
Ms. Kimberly Madden
Mr. & Mrs. Donald McGayhey
Mr. & Mrs. Michael P. McKee
Mr. & Mrs. Jason Peters
Mr. & Mrs. John Pina
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Reynolds
Mr. & Mrs. Ira Rosenkrantz
30 • The Banyan
Anonymous
Mrs. Lisa Bagwell
Mr. & Mrs. John Barrett
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Biegelsen
Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Blau
Drs. Richard & Amy Buck
Judge Judy Goldman & Mr. Gene Burr
Mr. & Mrs. Francis W. Carey
Mr. & Mrs. David Carter
Mr. & Mrs. Taber Chadwick, Jr.
Mrs. Sydney Crampton
Mr. Edward Crouse ‘03
Mr. John L. Crouse ‘00
Mr. Philip D. Crouse ‘02
Mr. William M. Crouse ‘07
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn P. Davis
Mr. & Mrs. V. William De Ramo
Dr. & Mrs. Michael A. DiTaranto
Mr. and Mrs. Hermes Eraclides
Ms. L’Tanya C. Evans
Mr. & Mrs. James A. Fitch, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. David Freund
Mr. & Mrs. James T. Friss
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Green
Dr. & Mrs. Clarence A. Griffin, III
Mr. Robert Harrison
Dr. & Mrs. Don M. Harvey
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce W. Hiller
Mr. Ronald S. Jansen, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Johnston
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Kennedy
Mr. & Ms. James J. LaClair
Mr. Andrew J. Lemieux
Mr. Charles F. Madden
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Marino
Dr. & Mrs. Constantine Marousis
Mr. Stephen Marrier
Mr. & Mrs. Charles McGovern
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Messina
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Montgomery
Mr. & Mrs. Eric Moody
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Munroe
Mr. & Mrs. Sean Murphy
Mr. & Mrs. David L. Olson
Mr. & Mrs. David S. Olson
Mr. & Mrs. James P. Olson
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Polidoro
Mr. Angelo Ragone
Dr. & Mrs. Fabian Ramos
Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Robbins
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Runge
Mr. & Mrs. Richard H. Schaefer
Mr. & Mrs. Christian Schilling
Dr. & Mrs. James D. Shortt
Mr. & Mrs. Erick Shumway
Mr. & Mrs. Craig Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Tony Squitieri
Mr. & Mrs. Chad B. Stutzman
Mr. & Mrs. Wolfgang Wistorf
Friends of Out-of-Door
$1.00 and above
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Albano
Mr. Lukas Anderson &
Ms. Alicia Anderson
Mr. & Mrs. Byron S. Arbeit
Mr. & Mrs. Jon Astore
Ms. Cindy Auchter
Mr. Ronald Auchter
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen V. Ayers ‘60
Mrs. Ann Babcock
Mr. & Mrs. Sean R. Ball
Mr. & Ms. Ralph Barnette
Mr. & Mrs. Robert V. Barylski
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Bellanger
CDR & Mrs. Peter D. Berardi, USN
Ms. Vivienne Bercaw
Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Berghel
Mr. & Mrs. Glen Bleau
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Bloch
Mr. & Mrs. Tim Brewer
Mr. & Mrs. John Busse
Mr. & Mrs. Andy Cappar
Mr. & Mrs. James A. Carney
Mr. & Mrs. Larry L. Chamberlin
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Chesek
Ms. Carrie E. Collins ‘99
Dr. & Mrs. Patrick J. Contino
Mr. & Mrs. Ian Cutmore
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Delaney
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Delgado
Mr. & Mrs. Mark M. Dobosz
Ms. Linda W. Dooley
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Dooley
Mr. & Mrs. Matt Dougherty
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Dozier
Mr. Ron Drzewucki, Jr.
Mr. Keith R. Ducoffe
Ms. Grace W. Duffey
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Durfee
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Elliott
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey R. Elliott
Mr. & Mrs. David Ettinger
Mr. & Mrs. John Evans
Miss Reba L. Evans ‘07
Advancement Update
Ms. Nicole Fafalios
Mr. & Mrs. Michael France
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Frey
Ms. Deborah Frye
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Gaffney
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Gardner
Ms. Tracy Genovese
Ms. Cameron Gentle
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Gerber
Mr. & Mrs. Sergio Germade
Ms. Elizabeth Gies
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce R. Gilburne
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Goldstein
Ms. Yadira Gomez-Kirschner
Mr. & Mrs. James A. Graham
Mr. & Mrs. Barry Greenberg
Mr. & Mrs. Jay Grollman
Mr. & Mrs. Adam Gulacsy
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Gurry, Jr.
Ms. Jane H. Hancock
Mr. & Mrs. David Hawkes
Mr. & Mrs. Tracey Heindel
Ms. Penny S. Hetrick
Ms. Harmony Holland
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey C. Horr
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Hosmer
Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Howell
Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Huber, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Roland E. Huene
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Hughes
Mr. Philip Klotz & Ms. Renee Huntley
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hurd
Ms. Melissa Inganamort ‘02
Ms. Ellen Jackel
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph F. Janotti
Mr. & Mrs. Marc S. Jenkins
Ms. Joanna Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. James L. Kennon
Ms. Paula J. Kozak
Ms. Tara Lambertson
Ms. Lauren Langbert
Mr. & Ms. Richard Laperriere
Mr. Paul LeBras
Mr. & Mrs. Grant Lempriere
Mr. & Mrs. Steven R. Lenz
Mr. Keith Lindsley
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Linse
Ms. Cheryl Lorge
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Lubas
Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy D. Luna, Sr
Mr. & Mrs. David Luria
Mr. Robert Mandel & Ms. Stacey Basist
Mr. & Mrs. Eric Massey
Mr. Lance Maxey ‘07
Ms. Nancy McCarthy
Ms. Trish McCormick
Mr. Sean McDonald
Mr. & Mrs. Brian J. McInnis
Mr. & Mrs. Howard E. Meister
Mr. & Mrs. Julio Mejicanos
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Melber
Dr. & Mrs. J. Frederick Miller, III
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick F. Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Morgan
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mullen
Mr. & Mrs. Larry & Brenda Musall
Ms. Shannon Neill ‘03
Mr. Michael Newhams
Ms. Deborah Nierlich
Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Noah
Ms. Jane Page
Ms. Lisa Peirce
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pelc
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Phillips
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Pitts
Mr. & Mrs. David Polen
Mr. Steve Powers
Dr. & Mrs. Charles Putrino, II
Mr. & Mrs. David W. Schmitz
Ms. Nicole Schroeder
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Schwartz
Dr. Kenneth Schweizer DDS
Mr. & Mrs. K. Bryan Shobe
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Shofe
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Silverman
Mr. Brian D. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. David F. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Leopoldo L. Sosa
Mr. & Mrs. William D. Speaker
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas J. Steed
Ms. Robin Storm
Mr. & Dr. Robertus ter Doest
Ms. Leslie J. Thomas
Mr. & Mrs. James Thompson
Mrs. Ivonne Toledo-Gates &
Mr. Kerry Gates
Dr. Linda Vasilaki & Mr. Yuri Vasilaki
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Verrill
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Raggo
Mr. Wilson Ramirez
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Raven, III
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Rhem
Mr. & Mrs. David A. Rodriguez
Mr. & Mrs. William K. Rogers
Mr. & Mrs. Eric Rose
Mr. Rick Rosser & Dr. Lisa Rosser
Mr. Jamie Rubens
Mr. & Mrs. Jason Scarlett
Ms. Carolyn Schlotthauer
Mr. & Mrs. Michael R. Voigt
Ms. Kay Wagner
Mrs. Linda Wallin
Ms. Deborah A. Waterman
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Williams
Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Woods
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Young
Ms. Christiane Zablit-Lortis
Ms. Shayna Zion
Winter 2008 • 31
Advancement Update
Alumni Association
News & Notes
Class of 1969
Class of 2001
Class of 1970
caption goes here
Katie Erhart Hayes lives in Sarasota
and works with her husband, Peter, at
their business, Tandem Construction.
Her daughter Susannah graduated from
Out-of-Door in 2001, her son, Kent, graduated from Out-of-Door in 2003, and her
daughter, Kelsey is in the Class of 2009.
Both Kent and Susannah now reside in
the Boston area. Susannah is working on
receiving her Masters of Education while
Kent currently works for Centive as an
Account Development Representative.
He develops internal leads and accounts
for representatives and managers while
also analyzing industry trends and writing opinionated reports that help capitalize on their sales strategies. Finally,
he develops and maintains relationships
with prospect companies and helps lead
them through his company’s sales cycle.
Tak Konstantinou now lives in Sarasota
after having lived in New York City for
many years in the 80’s. He is working in
the entertainment field with different
dance, theater and television productions. He has worked as a freelance photographer and had many photographs
published. He has also done underwater research all over the world with his
mother, Dr. Eugenie Clark, “Shark Lady”
and founding director of Mote Marine
Lab in Sarasota. He currently works for
Michael Saunders where he has been
based out of Rio de Janeiro for the last
few months. His ultimate fantasy is to
have a cocoanut, papaya or mango farm
near the sea.
Class of 1982
Liz Buzzelli Logan lives in Sarasota. Her
son, Max, is in the Class of 2011.
Class of 2000
Charlie Balliette is working in the United States Marine Corps in their Advance
Helicopter Training program.
32 • The Banyan
Cristin Lavelle is living in San Francisco
working for Accenture as a consultant.
She was voted Most Likely to Succeed
in her class and just recently became engaged while she was home visiting her
family during her holiday vacation.
Class of 2002
Natalia Battaglia lives in Washington,
DC, and is working at Corporate Executive Board.
Class of 2003
Stephanie Fuhr graduated in April from
Florida State University Cum Laude with
a BA in Psychology. She is now working
in Sarasota while studying for her LSATs.
Rachel Morris graduated from Oberlin
University in May and has recently found
herself out in Los Angeles working for the
world famous William Morris Agency as a
television and motion picture agent.
Class of 2004
Teri Musall lives in Bridgeport, CT, and
attends the University of Bridgeport. She
is studying Graphic Design. She continues to compete in bars and beam as part
of the gymnastics team of University of
Bridgeport.
Amanda Petruzzi lives in Hamden, CT,
and attends Quinnipiac University. She
continues to play Division I women’s tennis for the ‘Bobcats’.
Class of 2005
Emily Krouse just finished up a demanding and difficult internship in Washington, DC. The program was called “Inside
Washington.” Students were chosen
by several criteria, including GPA, their
major and through a rigorous interview
process. The students come from many
different universities from across the nation. The first six weeks from mid-August
to October 1st, they must complete the
entire semester of academic requirements, a difficult feat for anyone. Then
beginning October 1st, they begin their
internship. Emily was chosen to work
in the Capitol with the CNC News (Capitol News Connection) a branch of NPR.
Since August, she has been in the Oval
office, has met Condi Rice, spoken with
Elizabeth Dole, was escorted around the
White House rose garden by the White
House assistant deputy press secretary,
has interviewed the head of the FCC as
well as several Senators, Congressmen
and women. She has a press pass so she
rides with the Senators, Congressmen
and women on the underground from
their offices to the U.S. Capitol building. Emily has also been writing stories
and has been given the opportunity to
broadcast them. She is now back at Miami University of Ohio finishing up her
junior year of college.
Daniel Kane is attending Middlebury
College in Vermont and majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.
Class of 2006
Hannah Bowers is a sophomore at
Southern Methodist University located
near Dallas, Texas and is currently majoring in Psychology.
Class Agents!
Positions for Class Agents are quickly filling
up! If you’re interested in becoming a
Class Agent or would like to find out more
information please contact Shannon Neill,
Director of Alumni Relations at Sneill@oda.
edu or (941)554-3437.
Advancement Update
Out-of-Door
alumni
Online
The Out-of-Door Academy is pleased to introduce the new Out-of-Door Academy Online Alumni
Community, which enables graduates of The Out-of-Door Academy to stay connected with their
classmates and the greater Out-of-Door family. With this online community, you can exchange
news, share stories and memories, look up an old friend, and keep up-to-date with any news or
events that may be going on within our school community.
There are many fun and exciting things happening not only at Out-of-Door, but in the lives of its
alumni as well. Register today and help us create a community where we can share all of these
changes with each other!
VISIT WWW.ODA.EDU AND REGISTER TODAY!
Staying Cool!
Due to construction on Siesta Key, Camp ODA is
moving to Lakewood Ranch this summer.
Call today and reserve your spot!
the out-of-door academy
www.oda.edu
Main Phone: 941.349.3223 • Admissions: 941.554.3400
Siesta Key Campus — Grades PK-6
444 Reid Street • Sarasota, FL 34242
Lakewood Ranch Campus — Grades 7-12
5950 Deer Drive • Sarasota, FL 34240
Keep your
summer cool
with
Camp
ODA
Call today to learn more about our fun
and educational program.
Ph: (941) 554 - 5950 Fax: (941) 907 - 1251
www.oda.edu
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 1422
Manasota, FL