class of 2014

Transcription

class of 2014

CLASS OF 2014
The HURRICANE TRACKER
2013-2014 Edition
June 2014
Antilles School
7280 Frenchman’s Bay #16-1
St. Thomas, VI 00802
PH: 340-776-1600
FAX: 340-776-1019
[email protected]
www.antilles.vi
Dear Antilles Community,
As Head of School, I wanted to ensure you hear the many “great
news stories” of the 2013-14 School Year at Antilles! This has been
ANTILLES SCHOOL
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2013-2014
Jeri Flood, President
Juanita Young, Vice President
Gail Vento, Secretary
Cecile de Jongh, Treasurer
Pamela Berkowsky
Richard Berry ‘83
Jeanne Brennan Wiebracht
Angelina Daswani
a tremendous year with some very positive accomplishments and
news regarding the school—it is my honor to share this news with
our graduates and former students! Come see us when you can
and check on our Hurricanes in person!
F
irst, the students have been incredibly successful this year in every way. Taylor
Ladd, Class of 2014, was one of only 141 students selected (out of over 3 million eligible
high school students) as a Presidential Scholar. Taylor travels to the White House to be
recognized by President and Mrs. Obama in late June; we are so proud of her! Our thirty
Leigh Goldman
three graduates of the Class of 2014 earned over $2.93 million in merit scholarships; their
Greg Hodges
college acceptances included some highly prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT,
Joann Lynch
Brown, Columbia, Cornell (2), Georgetown and many others. In a variety of academic com-
Monesh Mohanani ‘88
petitions, our Hurricanes swept the MATHCOUNTS and Spelling Bee competitions for the
Averad Penn
territory. All four mathematics students who represented the U.S. Virgin Islands in national
Jorie Roberts
competition were from Antilles School, for the second straight year! Manav Thadani, a
Henry Smith, Ph.D.
very talented 8th grader, made his third trip to MATHCOUNTS nationals, and his second
Kevin Williams
straight trip to the National Spelling Bee where he placed 47th out of over 300 competi-
HONORARY TRUSTEES
tors. Our Girls’ Volleyball Team won their third straight Island Championship last fall; we
Ricardo Charaf
were so proud of our Lady Canes, led by Nicolle Wiebracht ’14!
Randy Knight
Neil Prior
Second, we have been blessed with two major gift donations to expand and improve
our campus. If you visit campus this summer, you will see that our Early Learning Center
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THE HURRICANE TRACKER 203-2014
Once a Hurricane, Always a Hurricane!
Please stay in touch and come visit your beloved Antilles School
when you are on island! We want to have you as part of our
Antilles “Forever Family.”
For the Hurricanes,
From Left: Marva Bennett, Head of Upper School, Chris Teare, College Counselor,
graduate Taylor Ladd, 2014 Presidential Scholar, and Dr. Michael Hughes, Head
of School, pose in celebration of Ms. Ladd ‘s win.
Michael Hughes, Ph.D.
Head of School
is undergoing a comprehensive renovation that will be ready
for our young Hurricanes when they return September 2! This
project, valued at over $1 million, is being funded by an anonymous, very generous donor family. We are excited to also inform
you that another donor has donated the funds for the school
to purchase the 3 acre property formerly owned by Dr. and Mrs.
Andrew Williamson, the local vet who lived and practiced small
animal medicine immediately across the street. We are beginning to plan for the creation of a comprehensive Tennis and
Athletic Center on that property—this will bring the competitive
sport of tennis to high school sports on the island.
In This Issue:
Third, our long-term plans for reduction of costs are beginning
Letter from the Head of School - page 2
to take effect—the new solar energy system (100kW) on top of
Class of 2014 - page 4
the MCM Center is saving the school $8,000 to $10,000 dollars
Campus News - page 6
from our WAPA bill each month. (See photo elsewhere in this
Highlights of the School Year - page 10
edition)
Graduation - page 18
Academics Spotlight - page 24
Finally, I am excited to report to you that our faculty and staff
team has remained very stable this year and going into next
year! Our turnover is historically low with only 1 teacher leaving
the school this summer out of 84 faculty and staff members—
we love the dedication of our amazing teachers!
Athletics Spotlight - page 26
Arts Spotlight - page 28
Faculty Spotlights - page 30
Alumni News - page 28
Alumni Spotlight - page 36
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CLASS OF 2014
Elkanah Acuña
Sameer Advani
Jennifer Arellano
Muhammad Baig
Agustina Barbuto
University of the
Virgin Islands
University of the
Virgin Islands
Agnes Scott College
Nova Southeastern
University
La Universidad Austral,
Facultad de Ciencias
Biomédicas
Sophie Bartlett
Colette Cogan
Raisa Cuffy
Eman Daas
Julianna de Haas
Providence College
University of
New Hampshire
University of the
Virgin Islands
University of South Florida
College of the Holy Cross
Stephen Deckoff
Gerald DeFreitas
LaVenia Donastorg Gabriella Driscoll
Louisa Fredey
Cornell University
Florida Institute
of Technology
University of Miami
Connecticut College
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University of Tampa
THE HURRICANE TRACKER - 2013-2014
Priyanka Gondalia Ce’jae Hodge
Aliyah John
Giulia Klein
Bentley University
Harding University
American University
Olin College of Engineering Harvard College
Nicole Laiben
Tanner Lantz
Tyler Percell
Amanda Perry
Sahil Ramchandani
Texas Tech University
Babson College
Georgetown University
Seton Hall University
American University
Shane Ramsey
Glenisha Shillingford Adia Titus
Scott Tomlinson
Simran Totwani
Cornell University
Temple University
Florida Institute of
Technology
Clark University
New York City College
of Technology
Taylor Ladd
Congratulations
Mohit Vasandmalani Nicolle Wiebracht
Arthur Williams, Jr.
Northeastern University
Massachusetts Institute
of Technology
College of the Holy Cross
to you all!
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Campus
New on Campus
Solar Power!
During fall 2013, Antilles School took an important step toward
sustainability with the installation of a 100kW Solar Energy system on
the “south-facing” roof of the Mark C. Marin Center. This system was
the school’s next major step toward becoming more green and
embracing a long-term, sustainable future. This system, financed
by the support of First Bank and installed by Pure Logic, has already
lowered our energy bill by between $8,000 and $10,000 per month for
the MCM Center. Future plans include continuing to seek to install solar systems where possible to further reduce our energy bills.
Antilles School Purchases Williamson Property to
Expand Campus
Thanks to a generous donor, the school now owns the three acres immediately across the street formerly owned by veterinarian,
Dr. Andy Williamson. A long-time friend of Antilles and former board member, Dr. Williamson worked closely with the school to
assist Antilles in acquiring the property as “Doc” and his wife, Mardi, retired and moved to Oregon. The school will begin the planning process to bring a tennis/athletic center to the property to provide a new high school sport for St. Thomas.
A New Cozy Spot on Campus
Kaye Knoepfel,
teacher, interim
Head of School
and long time
leader of Antilles
School, has been
honored with
the creation of an
outside sitting area
often enjoyed by
students as
a popular hang
out during lunch
or break.
Honoring Michele
Michele Cogan was the driving force behind the
creation of the Toddler Program. A plaque honoring her dedication to Antilles School is located
in the Toddler Learning Center.
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Welcome New Faculty and Staff
From left: Krystle Garcia LaPlaceTLC Assistant; Melina Diaz-Lower
School Spanish Teacher; Cheryl
Todman- Business Office Associate; Luisa Barros- Business Office
Associate; Denise Alexiou- TLC
Assistant; Michelle Braley- MS
Language Arts and History Teacher;
Helen Dembinski- Resource
Teacher and Program Coordinator;
Sarah Dillie -ELC Assistant.
Bottom from left: Anabela Pescatore-TLC Teacher; Denali Miedema- MS Spanish Teacher; Beatriz
Latimer -ELC Spanish teacher; Top
from Left: Tiffany Fritz-MS/US
Spanish Language Teacher; Kathryn Tannenbaum-Mathematics
Teacher; Megan Elliot-Theater Arts
Teacher
The Purple Hand Pledge
The Purple Hand Pledge was adopted by the Lower
School last spring and is now a permanent part of
the Lower School campus.
The pledge states, “I will not use my hands or
my words for hurting myself or others.” This is
especially important to remember when we are on
the court at recess, so we made a visual reminder.
Every student, kindergarten through fifth grade, has
agreed to this pledge and put his/her purple hand
on the shed. When we go up to PE on the court we
say the pledge together. When we go to recess, we
say the pledge individually. The court is a place of
fun and kindness and this helps us remember.
Coming Soon in September 2014:
Completely Renovated Early
Learning Center!
Another donor is funding a comprehensive renovation of the Early Learning
Center including enclosed classrooms, air-conditioned learning spaces,
a new amphitheater for gatherings, and a total “makeover.”
Come see the enhanced, new ELC in early September!
Construction began immediately after the last day of school.
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Campus
Developmental
Design
Professional development in teaching is an ongoing refinement of understanding and using
child psychology coupled with skills, practices,
objectives and the quest for successful learning
outcomes. At Antilles School, the Middle School
teachers have been training in and are utilizing
a proven approach to encompass both the
academic and social needs of adolescents. This
approach is called “Developmental Design.”
F
Middle States Association Visiting Team Chief
Faculty particpipants in the Developmental Designs Workshop
learned strategies to bring into their classrooms.
our years ago, during the end of year professional days, a team from Origins, the sole providers of the educational approach,
Developmental Designs, was hired to lead the Middle and Upper school faculty through a series of workshops and study about the
unique approach to the education of adolescents. The main focus of the workshop was to introduce the principles and philosophy
of the DD approach, examine ways to build community, classroom
management and motivational instruction. For most of the teachers
present, it was an enlightening experience, full of answers to lingering questions about ways to approach discipline, better manage a
classroom full of restless adolescents, and to deliver both the academic and social needs of their students.
This fall, after three years of utilizing DD principles in the school,
a group of Middle School teachers spent another week with a DD
facilitator on campus, to review, hone and further their knowledge
and skills in the DD approach. What the teachers learned and use in
Workshop particpipants learn through hands on experience of the
philosophy of the principles of DD.
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their classroom is a rich tapestry of strategies broken
into three basic areas: Relationship, Social Skills, and
Engagement. The teachers learned that when these
three areas are integrated into their classrooms,
learning is optimized.
Relationships
Developing respectful, caring social relationships is
a high priority in the success of DD. During morning
advisory, teachers utilize some form of group greeting, and students gather for an interactive sharing.
This sets the tone for the day, builds relationships
between students and students and teachers, and
Middleschoolers join in a group game during morning meeting.
and develops a strong sense of community
amongst the members of each advisory group. Learning IS social follows the DD philosophy, and by setting a strong social structure, students can establish a clear path into the school day.
Social Skills
Developing self-control and responsible independence is carefully and thoughtfully
introduced to and by students through a “social contract.“ Together, students and
teachers design and agree on the rules of behavior while in that classroom. These rules
are proactive. progressive strategies, with the emphasis on prevention of rule-breaking.
When rules are broken, the student is treated in a respectful and positive way rather
than punitive. The goal of reinforcing the right behavior gives the student a chance to
self-regulate, build new habits and maintain dignity.
Engaged Learning
A successful student is a student who is engaged in learning. When teachers and students are respectful of each other’s role in the
classroom, students can proceed to ask questions, do meaningful work, have the self-confidence to ask and be asked open-ended
questions . They have choices in their assignments, driven by their curiosity and interests. There is a balance between teacherdirected lessons and independent work on skills and assignments. This sets the stage for holistic education to take place.
This optimal classroom environment did not appear overnight. The oldest students in the school who have been trained on DD
since they arrived in middle school, are now entering the 10th grade. Teachers agreed that this group noticeably behave in a more
relaxed, self-reliant manner than older classes who did not get the full training, beginning in grade 6. “When students feel as if they
are in responsible control of themselves, the stage is set for so much more effective learning is able to transpire in the classroom.
This group is confident, knows what is going on, what is expected from them, and are eager to deliver,” said one faculty member.
“Developmental Designs has shown us as a faculty an effective way to deliver a holistic education to our students, how to diffuse a
host of behavioral issues, and how to build a strong school community.” We call it an Antilles Advantage.
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AUGUST 2014
Highlights of
Record Breaking
Enrollment!
With the island in a general economic slump, it was with
joy that the the Office of Admissions reported that Antilles
enrolled 524 new or returning Hurricanes for the 2013-2014
school year. This is the highest number in many years, reflective of the work and marketing of the Admissions team. The
continued valuable high academic standards delivered by
our dynamic faculty, and the recent upgrades to the facilities
are a winning combination in the eyes of island families.
New families, teachers and current students gather for the
New Family Reception.
Back to School
At every grade level, students were welcomed
by their new teachers, were greeted by their
classmates after the summer break, and soon got
down to the business of academics.
Starting school with a smile!
TLC Assistant Teacher, Krystle Garcia LaPlace, drops her
daughter off to pre-K.
Upper School students reconnect with their classmates after summer vacation.
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A pre-K student gets some reassurance.
the Year
SEPTEMBER 2014
CommUNITY!
During the week of September 9-13, 2013, the Upper School Student Council sponsored a whole week of school spirit, utilizing the
theme for the year, CommUNITY! Lunchtime activites and competition for the Middle and Upper schools’ students really
brought the school together in a fun way. The week was topped off
with a lunchtime PJ party, featuring guest artist SNO, direct from
Nashville, who entertained us all.
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OCTOBER 2014
Fall Fun!
T
he third Annual Fall Festival proved to be exactly what it was
originally envisioned to be by Donna Davis, Director of Admissions and Development- an old-fashioned fall celebration, with fall
harvest essentials; pumpkins, fall decoations, games, tons of food,
fellowship and music for the entire community. Spectrum Band did
not disappoint and children of all ages danced, gathered to listen
and enjoy the decorated courtyard.
School organizations have opportunities to raise money for their clubs or cause.
Dr. Hughes (right) enjoys the informal atmosphere of the Fall Festival to chat with families.
As night fell, lights decorated the courtyard, giving a splendid ambiance to enjoy the music of Spectrum Band and the company of friends.
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For some, it’s all about finding
the perfect pumpkin!
NOVEMBER 2014
Lady Canes Rule!
Congratulations to our
Lady Canes for winning their
3rd straight St. Thomas/ St.
John IAA Varsity Girls Volleyball Championship! Led
by seven seniors, the Hurricanes fought valiantly and
won a thrilling victory over
the CAHS Chickenhawks in a
match that went to five sets.
We are so proud of the
tenacity and skills shown by
our student athletes.
Thanksgiving
There were several activities around the school to celebrate
Thanksgiving. The National Honor Society sponsored a Thanksgiving Food Drive to deliver food to charities on St. Thomas that
feed the hungry during the Thanksgiving season. With the help
of students from grade 6-12, a total of 1160 items, were collected, surpassing our totals from the last two years!
The ELC had a group luncheon to reenact the first Thanksgiving,
complete with Pilgrim hats and Indian feathers.
The 2nd grade invited their families to join them for a potluck
Thanksgiving feast, with turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie,
before school closed for Thanksgiving recess.
PHOTOS: Top: National Honor Society collects food for the hungry. Left: Mrs. Barrows
joins in the 2nd grade Thanksgiving Luncheon. Mrs. Berry’s Pre-K enjoys a feast.
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DECEMBER 2014
Holiday Fun!
Middle Schoolers showed off their steel pan skills during the
Upper and Middle School Music Showcase.
The Lower School Holiday program showcased a variety of
holidays celebrated in December around the world.
The Lower School celebrated the holidays
with a musical story performed for delighted
parents.
Parents and friends enjoyed the Annual ELC
holiday show.
Lower School Santa’s breakfast is a special visit
with parents.
Grandparents and
Special Friends Day
Every December, grandparents
and special friends are invited to
join a special young person in the
ELC or Lower
School class
rooms for
a visit.
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The Annual Holiday Festival, open to the community, was held in the
MCM Center on December 8, 2013.
THE HURRICANE TRACKER - 2013-2014
JANUARY 2014
It IS Rocket Science!
In Earth Science class, 6th grade students studied the solar system and the history of space exploration. The students were enthusiastic about space exploration and eager to engage in a hands on
learning experience. Sixth Grade Science and Math teacher, Mrs. Jeannine Wilson, along with her
husband, IT Director Mr. Justin Wilson, created a two week project where students participated in
learning experiences about aerospace technology, basic rocket design, and jet propulsion. Their culminating project was to work as a team to design and build a water rocket to be launched on the rocket launcher that Mr. Wilson
designed and built. The culminating activity was a 2-day event on Fishman Family Field. The students were able to showcase their
rockets and launch them in front of an enthusiastic audience of students in pre-K to 5th Grade
students, teachers, parents, and administrators. Students collected data from their launches,
and later analyzed and discussed the data in the classroom. The students truly enjoyed the
entire process from learning about basic rocketry and jet propulsion, brainstorming ideas about
design, building the rockets, and the final launch. The sky is the limit for learning at Antilles!
Students first studied about the solar system.
Students personalized their rockets.
Students measured and recorded data to prepare
for launch.
SUCCESS!!
Rocket building materials included
soda bottles, styrofoam, carboard and
imagination!
Mr. Justin Wilson designed four prototypes before coming up
with the perfect rocket launcher for the project.
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FEBRUARY 2014
Poetry OUT LOUD!
Upper School Poetry Out Loud Participants- both students and English Depatment faculty members worked hard to achieve the high performance of this special event.
Valentine’s Day was the date of Antilles School’s 4th annual Poetry Out Loud competition in Prior-Jollek Hall. Three representatives from each grade level (9th-12th) recited poetry for the Upper School student body, teachers, parents, alumni, and our visiting
judges. These student presenters were the three classroom winners for their particular grade level. Every student in the Upper
School memorized and presented one poem in their classroom and those winners memorized an additional poem for the school
competition. The grade level winners are :
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12thGrade
Michael Caracciolo
Camren Bunn
Alice Barber
Ce’jae Hodge
Cyril-Anthony Connor
Franzso Severre
Leayrohn King
Tyler Percell
Marian Parlato
Hala Suid
Naamah Leerdam
Arthur Williams, Jr.
Black History Fair
On February 28, 2014, grades 8-12 gathered to
celebrate the 4th Annual Black History Fair, organized by NHS, with the leadership of Nicolle
Wiebracht, President of NHS. This year’s keynote
speaker, Attorney Alan Smith, quizzed the audience
of what social justice is, spoke about how it affects
everybody’s life, and challenged students to be
active in promoting justice for all. There was also a
video, produced by Agustina Barbuto, which asked
teachers and students at school, “Why is it important to celebrate our heros?” Then, some of our
talented student body danced, sang, recited poetry
and played musical instruments before turning
over the stage to our guest students from CAHS,
who performed musical arrangements and sang a
spiritual song with an all male vocal group. It was a
very enjoyable and uplifting afternoon for all.
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The Green Team
The Green Team, a group of Lower and Middle School students, have banded together, under
the direction of 5th grade Teacher Heather Newton-Blum, to learn and be proactive about
ecology. The two year old club has grown to include 34 Lower School students, and 11 Middle
School and Upper School students. Upper School students can volunteer on the Green Team
for Community Service hours.
MARCH 2014
The Green Team
BUILDING COMMUNITY The Green Team has begun a mentoring program whereby the
Middle and Upper School Green Team members are paired with Lower School Green Team
members to work together during campus clean-ups. Both younger and older students benefit socially from this program- the older students enjoy being leaders and having younger
students look up to them, and the younger students have great role models in their mentors.
ACTIVITIES
~ Keep our island beautiful and green. The team has traveled across our island to clear litter
and debris, beautify the sports fields around the island and regularly meets to do campus
clean-ups at school.
~ Collect aluminum cans as part of an island-wide initiative to recycle cans through Virgin
Islands Waste Management. This project has brought much awareness about recycling and
gives the students a hands-on way to solve problems, such as waste.
~ Compost The Fifth Grade Green Team collects fruit and veggies twice daily to reduce natural waste on our Antilles campus.
~ Earth Day Project Recycled food containers were collected from the students and families,
and the Green Team filled with seedlings. The project was successful in sending home over
255 trees on Earth Day to plant in the community.
“We have fun while
doing good things
for the community.”
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APRIL 2014
It’s Carnival, baby!
With the help of volunteers from parents, faculty, and students,
parent and alumna, Kerstin McConnell ‘83, chaired this year’s
carnival committee. Lower School teacher, Verna Araujo, worked
with the students to bring together the dance segment, the teeshirts and costume design. The vision to create traditional carnival
costumes and decorate our floupe with the theme “Birds of the
VI” brought the different elements of the floupe together. Thank
you to all volunteers for a wonderful show that will long live in the
hearts of the participants of the parade.
Dancing in the stadium
The adults were ready for the road.
Marching down Main Street
The Annual Spring Gala and Auction was held April 5, 2014, with over 400
party- ready attendees. The event, our biggest fundraiser, raised money to
support the school while all wined, dined and danced the night away to the
band Gypsy Lane.
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Academic
Challenges
MAY 2014
Hurricane Winds Rising to the
Challenge
In April, four Upper School students participated in
the regional competition of the ultimate hands-on
wind turbine design competition for students, presented by KIDWIND PROJECT.
In the classroom and in the field, four students rise to the challenge of building a wind turbine
Antilles Mathletes in Washington DC
Congratulations to our fine MathCounts competitors-Mansi Totwani – 8th
grade, Manav Thadani – 8th grade, Robert Hunter – 8th grade, and Divyesh
Gurnani – 6th grade), who along with Math teacher and MathCounts coach,
Michele Humphries, once again showed their academic prowess as they
competed in the Chapter, State, and Na-
The students focused their attention on the blade
design. The competition included a research presentation, as well as the testing how well the turbine
performed in the wind tunnel.
After the local competition, the students took what
they learned from their experience and built a new
stand and used gears in order to make a more powerful and efficient turbine. The students also visited Peter Island on a research field trip to learn how turbines
are creating energy in the Caribbean. The students
also learned about sustainable energy.
tional Competitions this year. The prize for
the mathletes was an all-expenses paid trip
to the MathCounts National Competition
S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G B-E-E
in Disney World (May 8-11) and the newest
, the Territorial Spelling Champion,
graphing calculator (TI 84+ C Silver Edition).
and Language Arts Teacher, Sonya
Their terrific weekend concluded with a
Swan, traveled
formal awards banquet, where for the sec-
to The National Spelling Bee Com-
ond time since the award was announced in 2008, the Virgin Islands team
petition was held on May 24-31 in
won the Spirit Award.
Washington, D.C.
Antilles Brainstorms Compete Nationally
Manav successfully completed three rounds of the
The Antilles School MATHCOUNTS team in
Washington, DC.
The Quiz Bowl territorial competition took
place on April 6th and 7th at Bertha C.
Boschulte Middle School and was sponsored by the St Thomas-St. John Federation
of Teachers. The Antilles Brainstorms were
undefeated and won the competition, with
Good Hope Country Day School finishing
Quiz Bowl Team 2014: Tanner Lantz,
Captain;Taylor Ladd, Arthur Williams,
second and Ivanna Eudora Kean in third
Camren Bunn, Shivaang Chawla, Avinash
place.The Antilles Brainstorms competed
Nagpal, Giulia Klein
in the National competition in Alexandria, Virginia on May 29th – 31st.
Although they did not make it through to the final rounds, they gained
valuable experience for competing next year.
Manav Thadani
Bee. He spelled both of his words correctly: misogynist
and oogenesis. The semifinalists were determined by
the combined scores of Round One (vocab test) and
Rounds Two and Three. Sadly, Manav, along with 175
other perfect spellers, were dismissed, and 46 others
continued. Although Manav did not advance to the
finals, he kept his spirits high throughout the trip and
plans to assist next year’s spellers.
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JUNE 2014
GRADUATION 2014
torian
Amara Clark and Chirag Sharma
2015 Class Marshals
”
Arthur Williams, Jr., Salutatorian
Taylor Ladd, Valedictorian
We should remember that sometimes opportunities come with opposition. For example, in chess, as
a pawn starts off, so it seems, as the least powerful piece on the board, but if through perseverance it
makes it to the other side of the board, it will be rewarded by being promoted to any superior piece
it chooses. Class of 2014, are we the pawns that make it to the other side of the board? Are we the
pawns, that even though they may face towering enemy pieces of distraction and uncertainty, are still
able to fulfill their dreams?
...Let’s take the first step in achieving our purpose in our world. Because when I look at each and every
one of you, I get inspired to dream bigger, I get inspired to laugh louder, and I get inspired to play
Glenisha Shillingford ‘14
harder, because I am excited to see what all of you will become, and I know that whatever it is, it will
sang the
not only be something admirable, but also something that will leave the world a better place.
National Anthem
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”
Rev. Wes Williams
Dr. Michael Hughes
Head of School
B.A., M.A., J.D., LL.M., LL.D., K. St.J., and D. Min. candidate
Commencement Speaker
”
Imagine a better
tomorrow … find
your passion and
Marva Bennett
Head of Upper School
”
When I first heard the phrase, Ivy League, all the way in lower school, it became locked in my brain, the ultimate symbol of what I wanted to become.
Though this was so long ago, I never forgot the ideal version of myself that
I created in my mind at that moment. I took advantage of as many opportunities as I could throughout my school years, and today, I am honored to
say that next year, I will be attending Harvard College, two T-stops on the
red line away from my brother at MIT. Thank you, Antilles, and all of the
great teachers that helped get me here, for showing me that I can really
achieve when I set my mind to something.
”
pursue it. You
can change the
world and we are
counting on you
to do it.
”
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JUNE 2014
In the end, the Class of 2014 was “Happy,”
The Class 2014’s theme song,
by Pharrell Williams
!
y
p
p
a
H
“Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof”
“Because
“Clap along if you know what happiness is to you”
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“Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth”
I’m Happy!”
”
”
“Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do”
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ACADEMIC SPOTLIGHT
The Deborah Finch, Head of
School Award
The Deborah Finch Head of School
Award, named in honor of the school’s
Taylor Ladd ’14 has been
founder, recognizes a senior for her or
named as a recipient of one
his overall high school achievements.
of the nation’s top honors for The student selected to receive this
high school graduates. Ladd, honor demonstrates superior scholar18, learned that she was one ship, effective leadership, worthwhile
Arthur Williams, Jr. ‘14
service to others, valuable
of 141 Presidential Scholars
chosen from across the nation participation in co-curricular activities, meaningful contributions to the life of the school, and personal conduct that modafter a selective process that
els respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, caring, and fairness.
examined the essays and
Presidential Scholar
applications of hundreds of
finalists. The White House
Commission on Presidential
Taylor Ladd ‘14
Scholars, appointed by Presi-
dent Barack Obama, selects honored scholars annually based
on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school
The Upper School Faculty nominates members of the senior
class for this award; and the Head of School makes the selection. For his tireless commitment to academic, musical, chess
and personal excellence—as well as his ever-present smile—
this year’s recipient of the Deborah Finch Head of School
Award is Arthur Williams, Jr.
evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community
service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high
ideals, according to the U. S. Department of Education website.
Of the three million students expected to graduate from high
school this year, more than 3,900 candidates qualified for the
2014 awards, based on their performance on the College Board
SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by chief
state school officers of the National Young Arts Foundation’s
nationwide Young Arts competition.
Antilles School College Counselor Chris Teare was named by
Taylor as a person who has academically motivated her.
Time and again, Chris made her redo and edit her essays that
she submitted to both colleges and to the Presidential Scholar
program.
The 2014 U. S. Presidential Scholars comprise one young man
and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as 15
chosen at-large and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
Taylor and Mr. Teare traveled to Washington, D.C., where she
and the other presidential scholars were honored with medallions for their accomplishments.
24
University Bound Youth Role
Model
The University Bound (formerly Upward Bound) Program of the University
of the Virgin Islands invites local high
schools to honor one Senior who has
demonstrated academic excellence,
displayed leadership qualities, excelled
at a talent such as athletics or the arts, Glenisha Shillingford ‘14
and been actively involved in the community. The recipient of
this award is nominated by the Upper School Faculty, and selected by the Head of School and Upper School Division Head.
For her hard work in our classrooms, outstanding achievements on the volleyball court, and wonderful singing from the
stage, The Antilles School University Bound Youth Role Model
2014 is Glenisha Shillingford.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award
To pay tribute to the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr, the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas invites local
high schools to honor one Senior who best exemplifies the
Biblical mandate: “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” The student
chosen for this award demonstrates a commitment to social action in the spirit of Dr.
King through projects and activities that
benefit the community at large. The recipient of this award is nominated by the Upper
School Faculty, and selected by the Head of
School and Head of Upper School.
The recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King
Junior Award is recognized and speaks dur- Julianna De Haas ‘14
ing a special Sabbath service in the St. Thomas Synagogue at the
start of the weekend leading into King Day in January. For her efforts at Pistarckle Theater and Coral World, to entertain and educate
this community and visitors to the island, especially in the cause of
environmental understanding and the protection of marine life, this
year’s Antilles recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award is
Julianna de Haas.
The Albert Keep Award
The school established this award to honor
the memory of a former Head of School,
Albert Keep. The Upper School Faculty
selects a senior as the recipient of The Albert
Keep Award in order to recognize a special
trait and/or unique contribution
the student has given to Antilles School or
the greater community. For her remarkable Elkanah Acuña ‘14
ability to learn English and achieve increasingly strong results at this
demanding college prep school, while carrying significant responsibilities to younger members of her family, this year’s recipient of the
Albert Keep Award is Elkanah Acuña.
The Joan Amerling
Service Award
The Joan Amerling Award was established
to recognize the value of meaningful
service to others. The award was named Tanner Lantz ‘14
in honor of Joan Amerling, who served the school as Advancement
Director and Community Liaison. The recipient of this award models excellent citizenship, promotes responsible leadership, practices
successful personal management, demonstrates ethical behavior,
creates original ideas and solutions, and functions effectively as a
team member. The Upper School Faculty nominates
members of the senior class, and the Upper School
Division Head chooses from among the nominees.
For always being the first member of this class to
offer help and figure out how to get even the most
mundane things done, this year’s recipient of the Joan
Amerling Service Award is Tanner Lantz.
The Scholarship Plaque
This traditional honor, The
Scholarship Plaque, is given to
a senior in recognition of attaining the highest academic
achievement for the year in
Taylor Ladd ‘14
the Upper School.
Selection is determined by calculating each senior’s
cumulative grade point average for the current year;
the student with the single highest GPA receives the
Scholarship Plaque. Finishing just hundredths of a
point behind her brother who graduated last year—
a gap that will no doubt spur her competitive spirit
on to greater achievements in the future—this year’s
recipient of the Scholarship Plaque is Taylor Ladd.
The Faculty
Honor Plaque
The Faculty Honor Plaque is
the highest traditional honor
bestowed by the faculty upon
an Antilles Senior. This honor
is given in recognition of a
student’s overall high school Nicolle Wiebracht ‘14
accomplishments, which include: outstanding academic performance, remarkable leadership, service
that benefits others, beneficial participation in co-curricular activities, significant contributions to the civic
life of the school, personal conduct that sets a positive
example for others, and an ongoing commitment to
excellence.
For her relentless pursuit of academic excellence,
tremendous physical courage, and admirable leadership on the volleyball court, with her class, and for the
National Honor Society, this year’s recipient of The
Faculty Honor Plaque is Nicolle Wiebracht.
25
ATHLETICS SPOTLIGHT
Building Hurric
The newest development in the Athletic
department of Antilles School is the
expansion of the elementary sports
program. Long in the minds of veteran
coach, and now head of the Athletic
Department, Fred Hupprich, and Lower
School PE Teacher, Mary Howe, both are
excited about the increased number of
Lower School students partcipating.
Antilles has become competitive in the St. Thomas Interscholastic Athletic Association on the elementary school level. IAA is
the organization that field the sports play between the schools
on the island. It seemed like a natural fit for Antilles School to
build teams and compete against the other island schools.
With a few enthusiastic coaches, the attention during PE class
to learn the fundamental skills of the sports, and the support
of necessary funding, we are on our way to develop stronger,
more competitive Hurricanes earlier than ever before.
The sports program is an afterschool activity, and unlike other
afterschool choices for Lower School students, the elementary
sports program does not charge a fee, because it is totally funded by the school as part of its athletic program. The program
has become wildly popular. The age group- mainly 5th and 6th
graders really love sports, and bring their passion to each team.
The teams consist of Cross Country and Track coached by
Social Interaction!
ball, all coached by Theo Dorsett; Baseball, coached by Art Egger; and Softball, coached by Vicky Whitter. Many of the young
athletes play on more than one team.
Mary Howe, long time Lower School teacher who has been in
the position of PE teacher for the past two years, has identified
the numerous benefits of the program for each of its participants. This list includes a wonderful opportunity to learn the
fundamentals of the sport , which carries over in the upper
level sports program, it extends the skills learned in PE class,
develops sportsmanship, is a healthy afterschool activity, and
offers the experience of playing against other schools. Mary
has built the Lower School PE curriculum around developing
skills for the sports in the program, so the reinforcement as
well as the familiarity is there for each lower school student to
thrive in the program. Another bonus is that the program is
open to all Lower School students, starting at age 7, for Cross
Country and Track, and 5th through 6th grade for team sports.
Ruth David; Co-ed Soccer, coached by Dan Whalen and Caitlin
Goodwin; Girls’ Basketball, Boys’ Basketball and Co-ed Volley
Another excellent component of the program is that there are
no “cuts” from the elementary teams. Everyone can participate,
26
anes
Sportsmanship!
Team Building!
and as more interest grows, more than one team is created to accommodate the growing number of interested players.
Fred Hupprich, Althletic Director, and Dan Whalen, JV Athletic
Director, see the elementary sports program as the perfect building
ground for the older JV and Varsity teams. It makes a huge difference
to have a group of young players entering into the JV pool with
already developed skills and experience playing. In years past, at the
JV level, we had to teach the players how to play the game, and work
on skills. It makes Antilles School more competitive to have JV players ready to create a powerful force for other schools to reckon with.
“We have seen a positive result in our scores at the JV level since the
inception of the elementary sports program, “ said Coach Hupprich.
Hurricane Pride!
The enthusiasm of this age group for sports drives the program.
Many of the students also seek additional coaching and development in summer clinics and camps for their chosen sports, which
further increases the skill set of these young athletes.
GO CANES!
Skill Development!
27
ARTS SPOTLIGHT
Celebration!
T
he inauguraL Arts and
stage design in college. Nicole put
Music Festival, was held on
together all the staging, lighting
Thursday evening, May 22 to a
and a myriad of behind the scenes
full house at Prior-Jollek Hall. It
details, and also served as the
was a new kind of celebration at
delightful host of the show!
Antilles School.
The Antilles School Band began
The organizer of the event was
3 years ago when Board Member
new to Antilles Theater teacher,
JoAnn Lynch learned that legend-
Megan Elliot, who along with
ary music teacher Georgia Francis
music teacher Georgia Francis,
was retiring from Charlotte Ama-
crafted an evening of entertain-
lie High School and might con-
ment that was so successful, it is
sider a post at Antilles. She started
sure to become an annual spring
from scratch to begin building a
event. Bringing together the
band, adding musical instrument
growing Antilles School band,
instruction to the curriculum.
the drum drill line, and several talented solo instrumentalists
Although the band is still in its infancy, there are 50 members
and vocalists, there is plenty of talent that was just waiting to
ranging from grades 6-7, and the interest is growing, thanks to
be tapped.
the excellence Ms. Francis demands from her band members The
students are dedicated to learning their instruments, practicing
There are many students at Antilles who have quietly taken
at home and school, during lunch and afterschool. Addtionally,
private music lessons but this was the first time in recent
there is an emerging drum line comprising of interested 7th, 8th
memory that Antilles School took the opportunity to give
and 9th graders who practice twice weekly as a group. Round-
these students a stage and an audience in which to share their
ing out the instrumental groups are two bands, The Blue Band
musical prowess with other students, faculty, and families.
and The Gold Band, who work on different musical selections.
The talent proved to be deep, and ranged in age from the 6th
Other performers that night included vocalists Glenisha Shil-
grade band members to several graduating seniors.
lingsford, Jonathon Qualls, Bianca Sheehan, Segan Assefa,
One senior, Nicole Laiben, had chosen to work with Ms. Elliot
Louisa Fredey (accompanying herself on guitar), Kane Guyer,
for her senior internship project as she is planning to study
Darby Williams, Trinity Riggle, and Madison Simpson. Instru
28
Many different talents were showcased during the festival.
“Pop Art” is one of the most popular
projects for Middle schoolers.
mentalists included Prea Bhandari on electric guitar, Arthur Williams, Jr. on
saxaphone, Nia Gumbs on violin, the Canes Percussion Ensemble (7th graders)
and the Hurricane Blue Band, and The Hurricane Gold Band.
BJ Lynch on piano and Joshua Farell, on drums, did an admirable job as the accompaniments to the band and numerous singing ensembles throughout the
evening.
The other feature of the evening was an open studio art exhibit in the US art
studio, displaying a large number of creations accomplished over the past year under the tutelege of Art teacher Karen Bertrand. Included in the show were three
special pieces of art that won prizes in the ART VI Advocates Caribbean Colour
“Seeing Red” Art Exhibit recently held at Yacht Haven Grande. In the student category, Antilles juniors Devanshi Ved, Prea Bandari, & Brianna Vazquez were the
three top winners. Film as Literature teacher, John Riggle’s room had a sampling of
student films looped in his media room. Middle School Art teacher, Diane Holmberg, set up a display in a classroom adjacent to the courtyard of the ever popular
pop-art sculptures and an interesting selection of clay work done by middleschoolers. The venue worked well for the multi-faceted aspects of the evening,
and as a first-time event, everyone in the Antilles community is anticipating much
embellishment and development of this very exciting artistic evening. BRAVO to
all the performing and visual artists who participated, as well as the leadership
and vision of the Arts Department faculty who stepped up to the plate to make a
vision a reality.
The three top winners for the Caribbean Colour “ Seeing
Red” Art exhibit, student category,from top: Artwork by
Davanshi Ved, Prea Bhandari and Brainna Vazquez.
29
FACULTY SPOTLIGHTS
Carol Wax, Lower School Librarian
M
learning to read, promotes books and
ost people are pleasantly surprised when they
other media to the children of Antilles
enter the Henry Kimelman Library for the first
ELC and Lower School.
time. It is a lively, visually interesting and engaging
environment for children and adults alike. The person respon-
The steps to that transition were tiny and large at the same time.
sible for this rich educational resource is Carol Wax, the Lower
Initially, each new school year, she diligently procured more
School Librarian.
shelving for books and other reading materials, to the point
where there just wasn’t any more space. Her work did not go
Carol first came to Antilles in 1988. Although she had been
unnoticed, and when the capital improvement campaign was
a school librarian previously at Sibilly and Jarvis Schools, she
being developed, a vision of what would become the Henry L.
found her true home at Antilles when she enrolled her daugh-
Kimelman Library was nurtured into reality with Carol’s exper-
ter, Emily ‘03 in pre-K, coincidentially her sister, Beth Marshall’s
tise, guidance and collaboration with Kevin Qualls, the architect
preschool class. She took her new post in the original LS library,
who designed the library.
the present day LS computer lab, and that is where the magic
began.
The new library opened in February 2001. Carol asked the
Carol has a Bachelor of Arts in In Community Service from Ohio
students to help move some books from the old space and
Wesleyan and a Masters of Library Science from the University of
surprised them with the amazing space that was to be their new
Kentucky. She inherited a haphazard LS library collection of chil-
library. new library. Carol had thought of everything: more space
dren’s books, and developed it into the cohesive and beautiful
for books, computers, a reading corner, displays for children’s art
environment it is today. Our LS library supports the process of
and display space for her signature weekly themes of different
Kim Murtha, Teacher and Coach
Kim Murtha grew up in Rhode
Island, playing field hockey and
tennis, running track and field,
and sailing competitively while in
high school. At the University of
Kim Murtha
Vermont, Kim continued to sail competitively and participated
actively in the Ski and Snowboard Club, while studying history,
secondary education, and special education. Throughout her
four years at UVM, Kim was a member of the sailing team, and as
a senior, she was captain and president of the team. In college,
Kim spent each summer managing sailing programs in New
England – serving as program director at yacht clubs on Martha’s
Vineyard and Cape Cod, managing the staff, budget and daily
operations of sailing programs that served upwards of 300 children and adolescents.
30
After graduation, in the fall of 2009, Kim re-located to St. Thomas
and began her teaching and coaching career at Antilles School.
Kim currently teaches middle and upper school students American and world history, geography and civics, and AP United
States History and AP European History.
Kim’s performance as a classroom teacher is exceptional, in part
because she has an extraordinary capacity to build and maintain
meaningful relationships essential to learning with her students,
as well as with their parents and her colleagues. An outstanding
educator, Kim has a wonderful way of making history come alive,
connecting social studies concepts to students’ daily lives. Kim
leads her students to investigate thought-provoking questions
and to participate in debates; and she effectively integrates
technology, gaining students’ interest and engaging them in his-
works with teachers to order books that will support classroom work. The students learn how to use
library materials for their research projects duirng
their library time and Carol helps students individually source materials needed for projects.
Carol sees her most important job as promoting
Carol Wax at her LS Library desk
topics that keep the library an exciting and engaging place
a love of literature. The youngest children who
come to the library to be read to by Carol, and they
for children to visit and revisit. There are games and puzzles,
are excited to find a book to take home and share. This stat-
videos and other reading related activities. The reading corner
egy fosters a deep connection to the infinite possiblities and
is a place for a child to comfortably curl up with a book or for a
worlds to explore within the writtten pages of books. The LS
whole class to gather for a story or other class activity. There is
afterschool program for grades 3-5 in the LS library and the
even a shelf dedicated for parents to check out books related
open access students have to use the library during recess are
to parenting and child development. Parents are always wel-
other opportunities for Carol to help children love books and
come to check out books or to read to their children.
reading. Carol’s kind and friendly demeanor, her dedication to
making the library a fun and exciting experience for children,
Today, the LS Library has over 25,000 volumes, including an
and the rich wealth of information and interesting books are
extensive DVD collection, e-books, board books for toddlers,
the winning combination that have made the LS library a place
children’s literature and non-fiction. She knows each book in
of pride on campus.
the library and considers the books to be “her children”. Carol
coordinates with teachers for units of study, by making sure
books are available as support for specific learning, making
her weekly library sessions with each group relevant. She also
tory explorations with her. Kim serves as a middle school advisor,
she facilitates the school’s geography bee, and she sponsors the
School’s chapter of Junior Statesmen of America (JSA).
In addition to her full-time classroom responsibilities, over the
past five years, Kim has maintained a commitment to excellence
as the School’s sailing team coach. Coaching the sailing team is
major obligation as sailing is not a one season sport, and the roles
and responsibilities place a high demand on Kim’s after school
and weekend time. Kim organizes team travel arrangements to
multiple championship events in the United States each school
year, and provides coaching and supervision to the team at these
events Kim also collaborates with parents to coordinate fundraising, which is essential to the team’s success.
Kim is a remarkable sailing coach. Under her guidance, the
Hurricane Sailing Team has evidenced a tremendous amount of
growth and success. In 2009, the team had 8-10 active members;
today, team membership has expanded to 25 sailors. During her
tenure as coach over the past five years, Kim has led the Hurricane
Sailing Team to national championships in which they consistently
place in the top 5, with the team achieving 1st at two national
championships in 2011 and 2013. In 2013, under Kim’s guidance,
the sailing team placed 1st at the Mallory National Championship
and 2nd at the Baker National Championship. Now, in its eleventh year, the School’s sailing team is considered to be one of the
sailing powerhouse teams among United States prep schools. In
its brief history, the team has achieved 6 U.S. National Championships in Team Racing, Fleet Racing, Single-handed Laser radial, and
Single-handed Laser full-rig.
Antilles sailors continue to do well at the US collegiate level. The
Top-10 sailing colleges recruit Antilles student-sailors, and in 20132014, 3 of the 12 All-Americans were from the Antilles Hurricane
Sailing Team!
Kim is currently pursuing her graduate studies in education and
technology. As a teacher, a coach, and a colleague, Kim continues to distinguish herself as an extraordinary professional.
31
Alumni News
Diandra Capedeville ‘11, Ashley Hiebert ‘12, Dr. Michael
Hughes, Head of School, Aparna Khemeni Nagpal ‘92,
Yash Shivlani ‘12, Julia Hogroian ‘12.
James Hosie ‘92, JP deJongh ‘07, Kayla Joseph ‘08, with Carol Malo
Alumni Social-May 28, 2014
On May 28, 2014, Antilles alumni were invited to a Social at Fresh Bistro, Yacht
Haven Grande on St. Thomas. It was a perfect time of the school year to meet
– on island alumni came out to meet and chat with some alumni returning
Chelsea Penther ‘11, Christina Scully ‘11, and Jean Barrows,
Head of Lower School
from college for their summer break. We caught up with friends from the
Classes of 1963 through 2013! We held a 50/50 raffle – which was won by
James Hosie ’92. The Alumni Association portion of the 50/50 went to the
Annual Fund, as did James’ winnings! Thanks, James.
A good time was had by all. Be sure to look for announcements for future
Socials coming your way. If you are missing notices with alumni news, make
sure Carol Malo, Alumni Coordinator, has your email address. You can reach
her at [email protected].
Lisa Capedeville ‘06, Diandra Capedeville ‘11, and John Stryker ‘11
32
Alumni Correspondence
‘63
Paul Hoffman ‘63 writes, “ Antilles School opened its doors so many
years ago that I doubt I want to count that high. There were thirteen of
“Whether we came home to see
the past disappear before our
eyes or whether we stayed away
us there as students that first year and Debbie Finch was the Headmis-
and held on only to the memories
tress. She was the best school person I ever met, and about the most
of that magic time -- we knew
demanding. Crossing Debbie Finch was a risk rarely worth considering.
that what we had experienced
But Miss (she was that back then, not Ms.) Finch understood one thing
better than any of us did, and likely better than our parents did, and that
at Antilles and on St. Thomas as
was that there were no apparent limits to what we could do if asked, if
we were growing up was fleeting,
encouraged, if instructed, and if left with no way out of just performing.
wonderful -- and irretrievable.”
In those early days it was expected that after the Eighth Grade we would be sent off-Island to boarding school
and most of us ended up at prep schools in New England. Without exception we all suffered near-cosmic culture
shock when we arrived at places where one didn’t go to class in short pants and water buffalo sandals -- most of the
“uniform” of our day. Yet most of us were able to do the work and hold our own in class because the Antilles of the
1950’s was not a place that would accept the notion that elementary school standards here should be anything different than they were in good schools everywhere. Excuses were as rare as political correctness.
St. Thomas was a smaller place then, or so it seemed. Life revolved around the town; there was little development
out of town. There were fewer than fifteen thousand people on the Island when the School first opened and although there were real class or economic distinctions at work, these distinctions were not simply racial. And yet the
School was quite white. But in those days that did not seem to imply quite the same kind of separation from the social or cultural or political life of the Island that it came to later in the life of the School, a sad reality that the School’s
present diversity has happily and finally put behind it. In those early days, however, we were too small a town and
community to not know and befriend the kids at the other schools, especially the Catholic School and, later, the Anglican School, where middle class kids seemed to end up when they were not at Antilles. We did not have much of
anything by way of sports and so we did not compete with other schools, except every year when we showed them
what a really great Carnival troupe or floupe looks like.
On reflection, our teachers can most diplomatically – and accurately – be described as an eccentric assortment. But
if one learned history from Ted Waggoner, one didn’t forget it. And Debbie Finch alternated a Shakespeare play
with a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta each year and all hands were on deck, not just for HMS Pinafore, but for every
production she launched. Many more than our parents attended and all who took part remember the importance
of these school-wide efforts.
As the fifties came to a close, the Islands started to change and grow rapidly. For those of us who headed off to secondary school elsewhere, there were equally rapid changes overtaking us. We never came back to the St. Thomas
we left as we were not the same and neither was the Island. Nostalgia for those days, or perhaps it was anomie, crippled some of us. But for most of us – whether we came home to see the past disappear before our eyes or whether
we stayed away and held on only to the memories of that magic time -- we knew that what we had experienced at
Antilles and on St. Thomas as we were growing up was fleeting, wonderful -- and irretrievable.”
33
‘65
Robert “Bob” Fishman ‘65 writes, I am about to begin my 40th year with CBS Sports and despite the weekend
travel, there is nothing I would rather do. Actually, there is one thing, but I’m pretty sure the window of opportunity has closed. More about that later.
Covering College Basketball, the NFL and other events, has been a labor of love for all these
years. I am often asked about my favorite moments, and it’s difficult to come up with such a
list. There are numerous NCAA Basketball Final Four endings that would have to be included,
as well as figure skating at three Winter Olympics, most notably the Nancy Kerrigan-Tonya
Harding confrontation in 1994. I would also include the Joe Carter walk off home run to win
the World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993. More recently, the overtime NFL playoff
game two years ago between Denver and Baltimore was as good as it gets for those of us covering the game, as well as the fans watching at home. Any list would have to also include the
many great U.S. Open tennis championships, spanning the years with Connors, Evert, McEn-
Robert “Bob” Fishman ‘65 as CBS Sportscaster
roe, Becker, Navratilova, Lendl, Agassi, Sampras, Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic. I have been
fortunate to have met so many world class athletes and great coaches, some of whom have become good friends.
I have been living in South Florida for the past twenty years, where the warm weather is the next best thing to St.
Thomas. After a few days in a place like Green Bay where the temperature might be minus ten, it’s great to come
home to a balmy 80 degrees. My wife, Margaret, and I have now been married for 33 years, and our twin 16 year
old boys, Andy and Matt, have been the greatest joy in our lives. They play varsity basketball in high school, and
as we begin to look at various colleges for them, it makes me reflect on my happy years at Antilles and its amazing
growth since the beginning when I was one of the original students. Time does fly when you’re having fun!
Beyond family and career, other time is occupied by another labor of love, my role as President of the Bone Marrow Foundation, a charitable organization based in New York City, that provides help, guidance and financial support nationwide for patients and their families who are facing bone marrow and stem cell transplants for various
types of cancer. In 1990, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I received
a transplant that saved my life and joined the BMF shortly thereafter. We are making a difference in helping many
people. To learn about the foundation, you can visit the website bonemarrow.org.
Now, to that one thing I might have chosen as a career had I not stopped taking lessons at fourteen. Think rock
‘n roll. For my 60th birthday a few years ago, Margaret surprised me with an entry to Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy Camp. I
hadn’t picked up the guitar in years, and yet, when put in a band with other campers and
Earl Slick, the lead guitarist for David Bowie’s band, I was hooked. Playing at New York’s
old Filmore East, being on stage in front of an audience that included over fifty of our best
friends, was one of the best nights of my life. Since then I have played in camps in L.A. at
the famous Whiskey A Go Go on Sunset Boulevard, and in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand
Hotel with rock stars like Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Alan White of YES, Todd Rundgren,
and Gary Hoey. Hopefully, there will be many more camps. I now play every week at
home and on the road with my TV crew, but so far no offers to join the pros. One can only
dream that one day the phone will ring, but for now I’ll just have to settle for getting shots
of Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.
Robert “Bob” Fishman ‘65 as a “rockstar”
34
‘69
Elliott “Mac” Davis ‘69 writes: We arrived in St. Thomas on June 5, 1961. My
nine-year-old mind imagined us living in a hut on the beach, but we moved
into a half-finished home my Dad was building. We spent that summer on
Magens Bay beach, drinking canned or powdered milk.
In September my brother, sister and I began school at Antilles School. There
were about 90 students in grades nursery-9th grade. My 10 classmates in the
5th grade were a fun bunch, 3 guys and 9 girls. Headmaster Albert Keep rung a
hand-held bell to signal the change of classes, and Martha Kenny, Ted Wagenaar and a cast of characters comprised the faculty. There was a VW bus that
transported us to athletics class down in Long Bay. More than once we all had
Elliot “Mac” Davis ‘69 at the NY Marathon
to push it for a jump start to get back up the hill. Later, scuba diving was taught for sports.
Sheila Thompson was our long-suffering secretary. I wager that she spoke for many when, many years later, she
came to my law office to meet with a partner and upon seeing me, said, “Mac, you are a lawyer? I never would
have.…” Big things were not expected of me. I was the class clown, using humour to hide my ADHD. My syrupy
southern accent was the butt of many jokes. Kids would ask me what my phone number was (940 plus W5, since we
were on a 5-family party line). Dutifully I would intone, “NIHN, FO, OH, DUBYA, FIIIIIIIVE,” always to derisive laughter. I
always laughed with them, despite knowing they were laughing at me.
The reader will no doubt be surprised that I managed to graduate high school and college, and even to earn a law
degree. In 1976, I met my beautiful wife Debbie, the daughter of local insurance agents Marilyn and Joe Kreke. We
married in 1977, and returned home the following year. We have lived on St. Thomas ever since. All three of our kids
are proud Antilles grads.
As a young parent, I learned the unnerving truth that children model what you do, not what you say. So, hoping to
demonstrate the importance of education, Debbie and I were always involved in their schooling; she by teaching
them how to study and me by joining the PTA and eventually, the Board of Trustees. My service at the school ended
up spanning 14 wonderful years. Our plan worked, for Joseph, Elizabeth and Elliott all have top-tier college degrees;
he a lawyer, she a veterinary surgeon and El embarking on a career in marketing, media and communications.
Debbie and I will celebrate 37 years of marriage this year and later, Joseph and his lovely wife Erin will present us
with our first grandchild. My classmates will attest that I had two left feet when it came to athletics. Ironically, I
now run, cycle, lift weights and have finished 8 marathons - the most recent of which last November in New York
City. I enjoy performing a modest amount of service work in our community. Fifty years ago I was a boy on a perfect
beach. Now, I am a member of the 7-person Magens Bay Authority, managing both Magens Bay Park and Smith Bay
Park on St. Thomas.
Life is good for us and I would not change having lived and raised a family in these Virgin Islands for anything. I
stay in close touch with all those kids I met in 5th grade, though to be candid, they all seem way older than me
now (sorry guys). Antilles was, is, and always will be an integral part of our lives. Who knows? One day I hope to be
volunteering as a grandparent of an Antilles student. I can think of a lot worse final chapters for this man’s richly
blessed life.
35
‘74
Anne Lawrence Sallee ‘74 I started first grade at Antilles School at the
Havensight campus. For those who only know the present campus, the
Havensight campus was set into the hillside above the cruise ship docks.
It was a conglomeration of ruins, random buildings and playgrounds,
connected by a circular road. The eight years I spent at that campus live
on as great memories!
Performing in school plays on the cistern above the basketball courts, the
lunchroom in the ruins, Latin classes in the trailer, biology classes down at
14 & Groovy is what my mom wrote on the back of
this picture of me at Magens Bay
the waters’ edge looking for spider starfish, sneaking down to the cruise
ship docks, standing on the building roof holding a sign to welcome a
cruise ship full of governors, and so, so much more. My mother taught
kindergarten and all the Lawrence kids were at Antilles. At the end of
eighth grade, the new school had been built. It must have been about
1970? The new campus was stark and smelled of concrete. But the rooms
were air-conditioned and all the chairs matched. But it never felt like
home.
I attended Antilles for two more years, begging my mom & dad to let me
go to boarding school. It had to be good; all the cool kids were doing it.
Besides, I couldn’t wait to get “off the rock.” I didn’t think I’d ever go back.
The Lawrence Kids - Anne, Ricky, Beth, Robbie & Mark.
I went to boarding school in Massachusetts for the next two years, and
traveled back and forth with the same group of St. Thomian kids (and a
few Cruzans we came to know) for every school holiday.
By the time I finished college, I was ready to move home. It didn’t work
out, but to this day, St. Thomas is home. Those early years at Antilles
taught me so much more than the three “R’s.” I learned to be flexible,
adaptable and creative. I had experiences, and absorbed skills and
abilities I had no idea I had. I made fudge with Patty Duke, led the First
Gov. Evans Parade - Me on Maybelle, leading the
parade for the first elected Governor of the Virgin
Islands
Elected Governor’s parade on horseback and heard the Mama’s & Papa’s
rehearse while attending ballet classes.
Fast forward to today, I credit my ability to succeed to the Antilles School
experience and life on St Thomas in the 60’s and 70’s. I had a childhood
that seemed perfectly normal at the time. On reflection, it couldn’t have
been more special!
Houseboat - Our first home, a houseboat my
Dad built for us - it was at Avery’s Boatyard in
Frenchtown. Note the aircraft carrier in the
background!
36
‘88
Saeda Hussain Garber ’88, left for Drexel University in Philadelphia. There, she met Adam, from West Orange, NJ.
They fell in love and moved to Florida to continue their story. Married since ’97, they moved to Coral Springs two
years later because, Saeda says, “We chose Coral Springs for its reputation in creating a healthy, active lifestyle for
our family. Thus far…it fits the bill!”
The happy couple have two sons; Joshua, 15, finishing 9th grade at Coral Glades High school and Aaron, 13, finishing 7th at Sawgrass Springs Middle. Both boys are very active in the community, swimming for the Coral Springs
Swim Club and Joshua also swims on the Coral Glades team. Accomplished black belts in Tae Kwon Do, the brothers are currently yellow belts in Jui Jitzu and are also certified scuba divers. Joshua and Aaron both enjoy video
games and basketball in their spare time. Joshua also has fun making videos for his YouTube channel YouTube.
com/the JEGnetwork. With an ear for music, Aaron is a band member at school and enjoys playing his sax and
keyboard. He recently celebrated his Bar Mitzvah.
The shortest member of the family is Rambo. “Rambo is a rescue Schnoodle from Puerto Rico and has been with
our family since he was 3,” Saeda tells us. “He is our third child,” Saeda says. “We couldn’t imagine life without him!”
Adam has worked with JM Family Corporate for more than 10 years and Saeda wears two hats…Mom and running her own marketing business, Jerafiks, INC. She keeps busy in the Coral Springs community being a past PTO
President for Maplewood Elementary and on other boards within the City.
When not attending swim meets on weekends, the Garbers love to spend time in the Keys or taking weekend trips
to Orlando. They travel extensively as a family to exciting destinations like Alaska, Vancouver, the Canadian Rockies
and the Grand Canyon. Adam says, “We really love the outdoors and enjoying quality time together.” The Garbers
are members of Temple Beth Chai.
Sanga Turnbull ‘93 Attorney Sanga Turnbull graduated with a Bachelors of
‘93
Arts from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1998. After obtaining his
degree, he attended law school at the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, DC. While in the nation’s capital he clerked for the
Department of Justice during successive years, with the last year being in the
department’s famed Civil Trial Division. Upon relocating from Washington,
DC to Florida in 2002, he worked for one of Florida’s largest insurance defense
firms. Mr. Turnbull’s main practice area at the firm included representing several
of the nation’s largest nursing home chains in catastrophic injury and wrongful
Attorney Sanga Turnbull ‘93
death cases across the state. After several years in this area Mr. Turnbull was recruited by a competing insurance
defense firm to practice in their general liability section representing many of Florida’s larger commercial and
personal line insurance companies.
In 2011 Mr. Turnbull joined the Smith and Stallworth Law firm to run their Lakeland, Florida office. Mr. Turnbull is
licensed to practice in all state courts in Florida and the Middle District of Florida. Mr. Turnbull handles a variety of
cases including life insurance and long term disability insurance disputes, insurance company bad faith, auto accidents, personal injury claims, catastrophic injury claims, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and wrongful
death claims.
37
‘99
Dwight Branch ‘99 writes, “I’m still living in Boston, after moving here to
go to Boston College following my graduation from Antilles in 1999. The
academic journey has continued, as I just graduated from Bentley University
with a Master’s of Science in Marketing Analytics. It was two years of evening
study, while continuing to work full-time. Now I am looking forward to putting the new data analytics and statistics capabilities I’ve acquired to use
in my career. We could call refinishing furniture a new hobby, somewhere
between therapeutic and exhausting, that helps get me through the long
Dwight Branch ‘99 on graduation from
Bentley University
summer months until I can hit the mountains to do snowboarding in the winter.”
‘02
Cooper Penn ‘02 writes, “After graduating Antilles, I attended Syracuse University. I later transferred to Savannah
College of Art and Design, where I received a BFA in Photography. I was offered a job in NYC working as a lighting technician for 2 years. I then began to freelance as a photographer’s assistant for the next 4 years. During
that time, I was fortunate enough to work with many high profile photographers whose clients included Victoria
Secret, Makeup Forever, Melanie Fiona, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and Vogue. I was even fortunate enough to become
friends with Tyra Banks.
Though I planned to spend 10 years working and learning in NYC, I decided to move to Atlanta sooner - due to my new and wonderful relationship with my fiancé - soon to be wife, Nita
Scarver. Though scary as most moves are, it turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Only
a month after moving to Atlanta, I was able to get a job shooting advertising and commercial
work for a large company that owns no less than 3 brands, one of which is undergoing a large
rebranding. I have really been able to come into my own as a photographer, and the city of
Atlanta is offering me many opportunities I might have otherwise missed, struggling in NYC.
Although my career has been slow to grow, this year has seen nothing but success for me as a
Cooper Penn ‘02
photographer, and, with a little bit of luck and a lot more hard work, I will see my work in magazines and across billboards. Do check out my website. www.cooperpenn.com
‘04
Christal Richardson ‘04 writes, “Since Antilles, I went to Pennsylvania where I attended Haverford College. I live in
New Jersey now, and I have been working for Sephora for almost 4 years, which has been amazing. It’s an awesome company. I was the skincare manager there for 2 years, until about 8 weeks ago. I’m now the education
manager for my store, so I’ve been kept pretty busy lately. I live with my girlfriend, Danessa, who I’ve been with
for almost 5 years. We have our 2 cats and I can’t complain. Life’s pretty good.”
‘06
Mia Dixon ‘06 writes, “After graduating Antilles in 2006, I received a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts and a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Fordham University in New York City. When the student teaching in
NYC finished, I taught on St. John at Gifft Hill School for a year, after which I decided I needed a new adventure…
so I’m writing to you from Singapore, where I teach third grade at Stamford American International School. It
has been quite the change, going from the Caribbean to South East Asia, however, I am loving a lot about this
region. Actually, there are quite a lot of similarities to the Virgin Islands! (Did you know they have sugar apple and
38
soursop here?)
Anyway, I spend most of my free time travelling and have visited Cambodia,
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India over the last year and a half. (In the photo,
I’m in Jaipur, India, at the Maharaja of Rajasthan’s Palace) My list is still quite long,
because there is so much to experience. Each country is amazingly different. I
sometimes travel for scuba diving or yoga. I plan to teach here at least another
year and then decide what’s next. Right now I’m just enjoying the ride, and learning a lot about teaching abroad. Having kept track of most of the people from my
graduating class, it is amazing to see what incredible lives everyone has built for
themselves after Antilles! I miss and love you all. XO
‘08
Mia Dixon ‘06
Christopher Creque ‘08 writes, “ Life after my graduation from Antilles has exceeded my expectations of what life
would be like when I finally finished high school. Reflecting on my teenage years, I recall how easy it was to get
caught up in the microcosm that is high school. I couldn’t have asked for a better high school experience, and I’m
eternally thankful Antilles was the school I grew up with. All the friends gained, the mistakes made, and lessons
learned, serve as a powerful foundation for my life today. I’ll always hold fond memories of my time at Antilles.
But when I finally finished high school, what was once my whole world, became nothing but a memory the instant I grabbed my diploma and a whole new world opened
up. Since graduation I have pursued a career in the culinary industry. I have learned the
hard way that this industry isn’t the most forgiving, and if you want to be involved in the
culinary industry, you better have both feet in the water. It has only been until recently,
about a year ago actually, that I gained a true passion for cooking and creating edible
works of art. It took me almost eight years of working on and off in a variety of restaurants
to realize that this is the career path I’m certain I want to pursue. I have worked in a fine
Christopher Creque ‘08
dining establishment located in South Beach, where I met Mario Batali and made food for
Spike Lee. I have worked in a sports bar in Denver, where we used to have lines of people
waiting to for us to open on game days. I have delivered pizzas on and off for a number of years on St. Thomas,
and have enjoyed my time at all these restaurants.
Currently, I am enjoying my position as Head Chef at North Side Bistro here in St. Thomas. Although the position
can be stressful at times, I am grateful that my employer has given me this opportunity. I treat my time as head
chef as a learning experience to garner knowledge for my future endeavors. One day, hopefully sooner than later, I
plan to open my own restaurant, which I’m sure will be my biggest challenge of all. If you’re ever on the Northside,
come grab some food at North Side Bistro!
‘12
Nikki Barnes ‘12 has been named the US Coast Guard Academy Outstanding
Female Freshman Athlete for Sailing 2013-2014. Nikki, who was the captain of
the Antilles School Sailing team for 2011-2012, demonstrated leadership and love for
the sport throughout her high school career and is now excelling at the US
Coast Guard Academy.
Nikki Barnes ‘12
39
Briana Adams ‘12
Just two school years ago, Briana Adams ‘12, then the President of
Student Council at Antilles School, challenged the Upper School student
body to fully embrace the “community” component of the Antilles bylineExcellence, Diversity,Community and coined the 2011-2012 school year
the “Year of Community.” Her vision and service to Antilles has paved the
way for a more unified student body, and a lasting, more meaningful model
for student leadership at Antilles.
The “Year of Community” was not her first leadership endeavor.
Briana is also credited with organizing the first Black History Fair, when she
Briana Adams ‘12 with Dr. Michael Hughes, Head of School,
was just a freshman at Antilles. The Black History Fair, which celebrates
notable African Americans and culture, and educates Middle and Upper
School students about Black History, is now an annual event of the Upper
School, and one that students have built upon and developed into a
extremely meaningful component of the school’s curriculum.
Those who know Brianna, also knew that the pivotal year at Antilles was just
one of many social improvement projects that Ms. Adams has instigated. With
her infectious enthusiam, her growing leadership skills and visions of high
ideals of how to make the world a better place for all who come into her path,
Briana is dedicating herself to social justice.
Briana with a new friend at Penn State.
When Briana graduated, she entered Penn State, as a member of the Schreyers Honor College. From the beginning, she worked
hard to distinguish herself in the same way that she did here at Antilles. It didn’t take long to be noticed.
On March 22nd, 2014, The Penn State Black Student Union hosted its third annual Black Girls Rock event, to celebrate the achievements of young black women on campus. This event is modeled after the Black Girls Rock event sponsored by BET. Nominees were
selected by their peers and were divided into an array of categories named after prominent African American women. The winners were selected by an online voting process facilitated by the Black Student Union. Among the winners of each category, the
Executive Board selected one of these young women to be the Michelle Obama Woman of the Year for her overall achievement in
leadership, service, and excellence.
Ms. Briana Adams, a sophomore majoring in Communication Arts and Sciences, was the recipient of the Ida B. Wells Leadership
Award and the Michelle Obama Woman of the Year Award. Listed below is the bio that the Black Student Union crafted for Briana:
Briana Adams is a sophomore full-tuition Bunton-Waller Fellowship recipient, a member of the prestigious Schreyer Honors College, and a member of the Paterno Fellows Program advisory board. She has played a major role in the institution of a plethora of
events as the Public Relations chair of the Multicultural Undergraduate Law Association (MULA). Briana was also chosen as one of
30 freshman students to be inducted into the elite Presidential Leadership Academy at Penn State. Her leadership abilities have
gone far and wide. Some of them include: An internship in Hanover, Maryland, with the aim of organizing educational programs
and events for prospective college students in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, where she is from. Also, Briana played a
core role in instituting the college of the Liberal Arts’ first ever essay contest entitled, “The Collegiate Laws of Life” Essay Contest,
which was successfully completed and recognized at the Paterno Fellows Program Induction Ceremony on January 22, 2014.
40
Faculty Updates
Rich Eddy – Faculty ~ ‘90 - ’94
After leaving Antilles, Mr. Eddy worked in Washington, DC, and then moved to Trinidad to teach at the International School of Port
of Spain. He finished his career with State Farm Insurance. The next few years were with State Farm Catastrophe Services, working
around the country from Dallas to Oklahoma City, to Minneapolis/St. Paul and Virginia Beach. The final year at State Farm brought
the most severe storm damage in Iowa, Colorado and throughout Florida. Four hurricanes in one season in Florida were enough
to call it a career!
Upon retirement, summer seasonal work took Mr. Eddy to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Bryce Canyon National Park
in Utah, and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. These locales were tailor-made for many challenging mountain hiking adventures, riding horses, whitewater rafting, wildlife encounters and much more. As an avid photographer, many of these moments
were captured on film (face to face with a grizzly bear in the early Spring, as well as encounters with a bull moose and a black bear
in late autumn were quite thrilling!)
Travel continues to be a great passion with many trips throughout the US. Favorite destinations have been the National Parks
of the western U.S. The most memorable of the Western trips was a whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River through the
Grand Canyon, with a helicopter trip out of the canyon at the end of a thrilling whitewater adventure!!! It is always great to visit
South Florida, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City. Traveling to Iowa City and many bowl games, mostly in
Florida, is always a treat.
Trips to other parts of the world are particularly exciting. Ten days in the exotic/erotic city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was quite
unique. A month exploring Greece by rail and bus, along with traveling by ferry boats to the mesmerizing Greek Islands, is a must
to do again one of these days! A month backpacking around Italy, rediscovering old favorites and expanding new areas, was exciting and another must do again.
The 2008 Presidential Campaign provided the opportunity to meet President Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton and candidate
Barack Obama. It was also a great time to get back to work on the campaign trail.
This autumn will bring another month-long adventure traveling to Paris, as well as exploring more of northern France!
Thanks to Facebook, Mr. Eddy has thoroughly enjoyed getting back in touch with former students and other friends from the days
at Antilles!
Tom Nerini – College Counselor ~ ‘94 - ’96
Has it really been almost 20 years since I started at Antilles? No place, no job, no people, has had more of an impact on me in so
short a time as Antilles. It all started with a scrap of paper I found. When I was working in an admissions capacity, I came across
a counselor at a school in Cleveland, who was a retired Headmaster from one of the schools in St. Croix. He was filling in for the
41
counselor who was on leave. It was a typical cold winter day in Cleveland and as fate would have it, there were no students for
me to see, so the counselor/retired Headmaster and I just got to talking. When he told me he was from the USVI, I of course asked
him, “How does one go about getting a job in the USVI?” He scribbled down Mark’s name and the name of a couple other Headmasters he knew. I took the piece of paper and shoved it in my pocket and thought nothing more about it. A year or two later I
found that piece of paper on an even colder, even more typical upstate NY winter day. As a way to procrastinate shoveling snow, I
sat down and wrote a letter to those headmasters. A few weeks later I got a call from Mark for a phone interview. That next summer I was winging my way to the island.
But, then again, this is supposed to be about what I’ve been up to since I left. It didn’t take long for me to have my first postAntilles adventure. That adventure almost got me arrested when I tried to enter Canada. Keep in mind, 1996 was still the days of
VHS and Congo (Mike Congleton) was kind enough to make me a very nice video tape to remember some of my time at Antilles.
In the very artful way that Mike had, he even designed a cover for the box and gave the movie a title - Nerini’s Island Adventure….
He labeled it as a copy-written film by Congo Productions. Apparently Canada has some pretty strict rules on homemade videos
(starring “Marilyn ‘The Bitch’, The Knee-bangers, the Twins and the Cubs), because the customs official took a long hard look at
the video and the box. I tried to explain to him that Marilyn was a hurricane, the knee-bangers was the student/staff flag football
game, and the Twins and Cubs were our lunchtime lower school stickball teams. I can only imagine what he was thinking!
I did go back to work for St. Lawrence University for a few years before I was able to get a job at Queen’s University in Kingston
Ontario. I’d like to say that Kathy and I are still happily married but I can’t. After a few years of actually living and working in the
same country we decided it was time for us to go our separate ways. She stayed in Kingston and I made my way to Bellingham,
Washington and Western Washington University, where I did run into Amy Lawson ( former faculty member) once or twice. A
couple years there and I was ready for a new adventure. Instead of packing up and setting out for parts unknown, I decided to
stay put and apply for a Doctoral program at Simon Fraser University. Unfortunately, I was denied, a decision that nearly killed me,
literally. Since I didn’t get into the program I had to find some other sort of adventure to fill my time. One lovely Sunday afternoon
I was driving along the Chuckanut Highway and saw paragliders floating down from the sky, under beautiful and colorful canopies. I stopped and watched. When they landed I introduced myself and asked them about the sport and how I could get into it.
Apparently it was pretty simple. A few lessons on the ground on how to kite the wing, and the next thing I knew I was running
off the side of a mountain. The first dozen or so flights went relatively well, but then there was the Sunday, when I launched off a
1700 foot high mountain. The first 1650 feet down were great. I floated and I glided and I soared, just as peaceful and as lovely as
you might imagine. Just as I was coming in for my landing, I thought I better take one more circle around the landing zone. It was
then that I happened over a barn with a hot tin roof. One second I’m gliding gently down, and the next second I am being taught a
dramatic lesson on thermodynamics. Sunshine + tin = heat, and heat rises, very, very fast. That’s when things began to go terribly
wrong. Before I knew it the thermal shot me up 20 feet, leaving my stomach and all common sense behind. So what does any
good paraglider do when things go terribly wrong? I don’t know either because what I did was much more instinctive. I simply
curled up into a fetal position and thought to myself, “Oh $@#+, this is going to hurt.” I didn’t know just how much it was going to
hurt until I woke from the coma three weeks later, with just about everything broken. The good news is that everything healed
well, and for the most part I am as good as new.
42
One side positive side effect of the accident and the 5 months it took to recover - I had plenty of time to reapply for that Doctoral
program. This time they admitted me and now people call me Dr. Nerini. After six years, I’m still not sure I’m used to it.
Finally another thing that Antilles taught me was just how much I enjoyed being a High School counselor. So now, here I am back
in Phoenix where I started counseling high school students on how to get to college, and the only time I fly is when I have several
tons of metal and a jet engine strapped to me.
Mike Congleton – Faculty~ ’90 - ‘97
& Lisa-Gaye Hall – Faculty~ ’91 - ‘97
Mike Congleton and Lisa-Gaye Hall are excited to announce they’ll be sailing the USVI’s for their 20th wedding anniversary in
December 2014! Former Antilles teachers Congo and LG have settled in Asheville, North Carolina, where they are enjoying the
mountains and their two children, 14-year old Halsey and 11-year old Zada. Congo teaches middle school art at Carolina Day
School, and still creates a variety of art: face jug pottery, movies and documentaries, and painting. He also loves making beer and
living in Beer City, USA!
The family spends summers at Camp Timanous in Maine, where the Congleton family has enjoyed Sebago Lake for four generations. “We’re excited about sailing on our friend’s boat, Stranger, and hope to see some Antilles folks when we’re on-island,” said
Congo.
Congleton family photos
Margo Heikkila - Faculty Librarian ~ ’83-’96
We have just returned from STT, having spent 10 days with Erik, Brooke, and toddler Banyan
over Carnival. Carnival weekend coincided with our 51st wedding anniversary, and we chose
to celebrate it where we honeymooned and spent 39 years of our married life! Great fun!
We moved to AZ -- just outside Prescott -- 8 years ago. (We always felt we would not
spend our old age on STT, and it was time for a new chapter in our lives.) We are 90
The Heikkila Family
miles from “furnace” Phoenix -- which endures horrendous heat in summertime. But this
Prescott area is a mile high, so our temps are much more to our liking. We do have 4 seasons but none are extreme. We purchased
a small all-on-one-floor home on a golf course -- just perfect for our needs. We have a wonderful cadre of retired
43
friends who all enjoy similar activities. Color us happy.
Larry has experienced some significant health issues, the most serious in February 2013 when he had a golf-ball sized tumor
removed from behind his left ear. Fortunately, his neurosurgeon was the same M.D. who took the bullets out of Gabby Gifford’s
head in Tucson, so we felt he had the A” team! He has had recurring melanoma “spots” and goes every 12 weeks for regular checkups, coupled with a chemo infusion. So far, so good.
I try to stay active, having started volunteering 6 years ago at a nearby community library, which I love. I was asked to join a local
chapter of PEO last year and enjoy working on their projects promoting education for women. I also attend an exercise class 3 X
weekly from 6 to 7 AM (yes, AM) here in the Prescott Country Club. At 75 years, I am trying to keep the Grim Reaper at bay! And
Larry and I are both active in our neighborhood church which is within walking distance of our home!
If there is a drawback to where we live, it would be the distance from our sons. Erik ‘87 has been back in STT for 17 years and has
a tenured position at UVI. His wife Brooke is a professional photographer, and they have a son who turns 1 year old on May 21.
They live in Peterborg and are working hard to finish their house overlooking Magen’s. Kyle ‘89 lives in Salt Lake City where he is
a jet captain for Skywest Airlines. He and Arashan ‘92 (White) have 2 sons --Reef, 7 yrs. and Talon, 4 1/2 yrs. (Sure hope somebody
is having girls for all these boys!) Fortunately, all 9 of us Heikkilas were together in Utah at Christmastime, and I am attaching a
photo taken at that time.
Sooooo, we thank God -- and Medicare -- for our health, and wish nothing but the best for our friends in and beyond STT. Our
years there were indeed special, and we harbor fond memories of friendships made during our time in Paradise.
Dan Barry – Facilities Director ~ ‘89 - ’99
It was 1989 when I began my Antilles School adventure. Originally from Colorado, transplanted to Georgia to grow gardens, build
a home, and raise a family. Little did I know that we were going on the adventure of a lifetime far away from our homestead.
Antilles School at that time was celebrating 40 years, and I had accepted a new job as Facility Director. My first time ever flying was
to St. Thomas, where I interviewed with Mark Marin. It was a done deal, pending my wife and son’s
approval. They approved, we packed up and moved to St.Thomas.
Two weeks after we settled in paradise, Hurricane Hugo struck the islands. The school and the community were challenged to
recover from the damage caused by the hurricane. My original commitment to the school turned from 1 year to 10 years.
Antilles School was our rock. I was encouraged and supported by teachers, students, parents and the general sense of adventure
from all the Antilles family - truly a wonderful community.
I highly recommend for those who may be entertaining the idea of having a Caribbean adventure, that if you can be involved with
Antilles School on any level, this would also be a great foundation to live in the Caribbean .
We left the islands in 1999 to pursue a mainland career in Florida. It has been 15 years since we left St. Thomas, and not a day goes
by that we don’t think of our most excellent adventure.
We still follow students and faculty via Facebook . We are so proud of all Antilles students who now have children of their own. I
believe that growing up on St. Thomas brought a view of the world that will serve me and my family the rest of our lives. We miss
the Antilles School community, and all will remain in our hearts forever.
44
Milestones
Rachel Walker ’97 became engaged to Matthew
Whitlow on April 20, 2014
Memoriam:
Lee Geis ‘96, passed away on February 7,
2014, in Florida. Lee was born March 4, 1978.
Valerie Trahan ’05 married Dane Tarr
in April 2014
Oh Baby!
Jan (Tenenbaum) ’01 and husband Stan Baillargeon welcomed daughter Maddie in April 2014
Anne Tagini ’06 welcomed baby boy Christian
in April 2014
Third grade teacher, Heather Switlik Scholes
and husband, Greer Scholes, welcomed their baby
boy on April 29, of this year! Greer “Spike” Switlik
Scholes.
Lee Geis ‘96
Carol Malo, Alumni Coordinator, has compiled a new
series of online alumni newletters published each Fall
and Winter, designed to keep the Antilles family of
alum connected. PLEASE send Carol, [email protected],
a note, a memory of your time at Antilles, a update of
what happening in your life....
WATCH for the Watch this Fall!
45

class of 2014

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