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Summer 2013

 
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In This Issue
Awards & Alumni Pinning
Dedication Wall
Faculty Recognized
Baccalaureate Mass
St. Stephen's Family
Colleges & Middle Schools
All-Dade Athletes
Academic Honors
Classmate Updates
Former Faculty Updates
Remember When?
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Greetings! 

 

We welcomed back many alumni at our end of the year celebrations.  We always treasure those moments when you help us celebrate our traditions. It was great seeing many of you!  A new school year has begun and we hope that you will visit us soon. 

 

We hope you enjoy this issue of our Alumni E-News recognizing the many honors St. Stephen's alumni continue to receive and giving updates on many of your friends. Please continue to keep us updated with your news. 

 

With warmest regards,

 

Silvia Larrauri 

Head of School 

Legacy Awards and Alumni Pinning

On June 7, St. Stephen's held our annual Alumni Pinning Ceremony to welcome our newest alumni - the Class of 2013.  Students in Grade 5 received pins from special alumni guests, including siblings, family and friends. Many thanks to all of our alumni who joined us:

 Front Row: Martin Balarezo ('12), Quinn Harrelson ('12), Henry Urquidi ('12)
Sara Fernandez ('12), Daniella French ('12), Brianna Kerr ('12), Carlota Sosa ('11), 
Florence Hawkins ('11), Chloe van der Vlugt ('11), Lucas Cabrera-Ram�n ('10), 
Sophie Bullard ('10), Giuliana Alcivar-Venegas ('06), Roger Khouri (''03)

Back Row: John Devaney ('82), Hunter Goggins ('11), James Burks ('12), 

Jason Houser ('12), Nikolas Gies ('10), Austin Dominguez ('10), Emma Nissim ('10), 

Conor Wolfe ('10), Manny Lacayo ('03).

Dedication Wall Celebration Cocktail  

Last May, the school community and stakeholders of St. Stephen's Think. Love. Grow. Campaign attended a cocktail party reception to celebrate the many accomplishments of the 2012-2013 school year. A notable milestone for the year was 100% participation from our Board of Trustees, parents, faculty and staff in our Annual Giving Campaign. The Annual Giving Campaign netted over $328,868 to support professional development, financial aid and leading edge curricular initiatives for our students. 
 
The party also recognized donors from the 2007 Think. Love. Grow. Capital Campaign. Guests enjoyed an intimate atmosphere next to the Main Highway Pavilion's newly installed dedication wall. This state of the art facility stands proudly as a beacon of our joint efforts. It is a home away from home for pre-school children, a learning center for students, as well as office space for school staff. Since its completion, the Board of Trustees and Development Committee are shifting their efforts to building the General and Financial Aid Endowments. The General Endowment will provide leading edge training and competitive compensation for our teachers. The Financial Aid Endowment will support students who could not otherwise afford to attend our school. 
 
If you would like to discuss supporting our Endowment efforts, please contact Development, Director Kit Ferrer Wills ([email protected] or 305-537-1299). Thank you for your support of St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School.
  Former Board Members and parents Dave Villano '73 (Wesley '09, Ellie '12) and Olga Beeck (Alberto '01, Mat�as '05, Leticia '07, Alvaro '08) with Silvia Larrauri.

 

Faculty Recognized for Length of Service  

At our Awards Ceremony, several of our faculty members, your former teachers, were recognized for their service to St. Stephen's. We had five faculty and staff who received bracelets to commemorate their 10th year of service: Susie Oldham, Martha Serra-Mohr, Sally Tappert, Maritza Urdaneta and Inge Wassmann. 

 

Baccalaureate Mass

Each spring St. Stephen's Church recognizes the current Day School graduates at Baccalaureate Mass. In addition, alumni who recently graduated from high schools and/or colleges are invited to return. We had a huge turnout this year. Pictured below are many of those who attended along with their families.

Front Row: Bowman and Melanie Brown, Melinda Harper, Rodolfo ('06) Beeck, 

Josie Beeck, Manuela Beeck ('03), Larry Vogel ('07), Isabella Morcos ('07), Diana Vogel, Silvia Larrauri, Hope Clavijo ('07), Beth Hutson.

Back Row: Alberto Beeck, Sr., Mat�as Beeck ('05), Juan Pablo Montoya, 

Alberto Beeck, Jr. ('01), Anna Sofia Montoya-Olsson ('09), Bowman Brown ('07), 

Martin Montoya-Olsson ('07), Annelie Olsson, Will Houston ('07), Jenifer Briley, 

Brett Houston, Olga Beeck, Fiona Morcos, Leticia Beeck ('07), Andrew Clavijo ('07), and Jacques Morcos.

St. Stephen's Family

One of the best parts of the St. Stephen's family is the lasting bond that forms. Whether it's alumni who return with their children as parents, reunions where old friends meet up, or former families who stop by to visit, the St. Stephen's family is strong. 

Diego Salinas and Sebastian Baquero, both graduates from 1998, became best friends in 4th grade. They both went on to Ransom Everglades and Brown University. Now, Seb is doing his residency in Anesthesiology at Jackson Memorial Hospital and Diego is doing a Pediatric residency at Miami Children's Hospital. 

 

 

Members of the Class of 2010 gathered at their 8th grade graduation from Ransom Everglades. Front row: Cole Abbott, Juan RIzo-Patr�n, Cole Deuel, Shawn Harvey. 

Back row: Nikolas Gies, Michael Colonna, Sebastian Brunet, Juliana Ramirez, Maria Uribe, Christina Morcos, Daniella Jaguan, Nicole Avazian and Tatiana Pereira. 

 

 

Diogo, Miguel, Tiago and Alexandra Moreira-Rato returned for a visit in August. 

Class of 2007 and 2013 Off to New Schools 

The St. Stephen's Class of 2007 is headed to college. We got information on many of them and you can find them at the following schools this Fall:
 

Daniela Asturias

Boston College

Leticia Beeck

Georgetown University

Bowman Brown

Carleton College

Julio Chamorro

Sewanee, The University of the South

Alexandra Cina

Florida State University

Andrew Clavijo

Tallahassee Community College

Hope Clavijo

Florida State University

Steven Coward

Pratt Institute

Max Dimitrijević

Stanford University

Sam Easton

Dickinson College

Maurice Ferre

Colby College

Carolina Fidalgo

American University of Paris

Esteban Garc�a

University of Maryland College Park

Sophia Gr�ner-Hegge

University of St. Andrews, Scotland

Amanda Hernandez

University of Wisconsin

Emily Hernandez

New York University

Will Houston

Dickinson College

Casey Hyde

Colorado State University

Melissa Ivler

Florida State University

Zachary Kesser

Miami Dade College

Eric Koffler

Loyola University Chicago

Stefan Laos

Swarthmore University

Tiffany Leiva

University of Alabama

Martin Montoya-Olsson

University of Chicago

Isabella Morcos

Bucknell University

Tiago Moreira Rato

Boston University

Meagan Nardo

University of Florida

Alykhan Nurani

Yale University

Alexis Ortiz

Southern Methodist University

Regina Peralta

Stanstead College

Laurent Polenghi

New York Institute of Technology

Ridge Porter

Louisiana State University

Austin Robbie

North Carolina State University

Carlos Ruga

St. Thomas University

David San Agustin

New York University

Pedro Scarpetta

Babson College

Spencer Swies

United States Military Academy

Rodrigo Uhart

University of Miami

Melvin Vargas

Miami Dade College

Lawrence Vogel

Florida International University

Jessie Wilson

Minnesota State Community College


The Class of 2013 is off to middle school.  They'll be attending the following schools this Fall:

Belen Jesuit

Alex Calder�n

Alex Dominguez

Marco Espaillat

 

Carrollton School

Camile Cabrera-Ram�n

Isabella Lea�o

 

Gulliver Schools

Olivia Connor

 

Miami Country Day

Jerome Baker

Ja'Cari Mullins

 

Riviera Middle School

Marcos Burnett

Palmer Trinity School

Valentina Bustamante

Asha Crichton

Patricio Domit

Soleil Martinez

Andr�s Monta�a

Liam Nissim

Dylan O'Rand

Giacomo Pizzolato

Carlota Sosa

 

Relocated from Miami

Santi Cort�s

Sabrina Gies

Taylor Goggins

Tiliyah Pierre-Michel

 

Ransom Everglades

Lucas Allraum

Trent Bianchi

Natalia Botero

Austin Charlton

Corinne Devaney

Will Drody

Morgan Hawkins

Estella Korybut

Kathryn Langston

Vivienne Lull

Marlon Ly

Whitney Riemer

Anthony Wolfe

Alison Zanarini

 

Westminster Christian

Isabella Fern�ndez


Alumni Athletes Named to All-Dade Teams  

St. Stephen's alumni continue to shine in the athletic arena.  Several of our alumni have been named to various Miami Herald All-Dade Teams, including four on 1st Teams.   

Ana Casariego ('08), 1st Team Lacrosse Palmer Trinity
Carolina Casariego ('08),  1st Team Lacrosse
Palmer Trinity
Nikki Colonna ('08), 1st Team Volleyball Ransom Everglades
Sofia Rivas ('09),  1st Team
Water Polo
Ransom Everglades

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Others:

Tere Bernace ('08) 2nd team Volleball, Ransom Everglades

Gaby Correa ('10) 3rd team Cross Country and Honorable Mention Track and Field, Ransom Everglades

Jake Deuel ('08) 2nd Team Soccer, Ransom Everglades

Max Dimitrijević ('07) 3rd Team Waterpolo, Ransom Everglades

John Michael Holtmann ('10) Honorable Mention Tennis, Ransom Everglades

Martin Montoya-Olsson ('07) 2nd Team Waterpolo, Ransom Everglades

Antonio Mora ('11) Honorable Mention Tennis, Ransom Everglades

 

Alumni Receive Academic Honors in Middle & High School

Gulliver Schools

Julio Baigorri ('12) 1st & 2nd Quarter Dean's List

Jack Copeland ('12) Physical Education award

Caroline Pesch ('11) Community Service Award

Victor Rego ('12) 2nd Quarter Principal's List and 3rd & 4th Quarter Dean's List

Macky Pesch ('08) Varsity Lacrosse District Champs

Billy Lowe ('08) Varsity Track runner and member of the National Honor Society

 

Palmer Trinity School
High Honor Roll 
Middle School requirements: A 3.5 GPA with no grade lower than a "B-" 
Martin Balarezo, Willow D'Alemberte-Powell, Gabby Eriksen, Mathew Scullin, Natalie Veater   
Upper School requirements: A 3.5 GPA, 3 academic courses at an advanced level (Honors or AP) with no grade below "B-"
Ana Casariego, Carolina Casariego, Kelsey Scholer

 

Middle School Awards

Antonella Cueva ('12): Grade 6 Citizenship Award

Mathew Scullin ('11): Grade 7 Citizenship Award, French 2 Award, Math 7 Award

Natalie Veater ('11) Grade 7 Rising Star Award, Theater Arts Award

Karen San Agustin ('11) Dance Award, English 7 Award

Matthew Lewis ('10) Grade 8 Rising Star Award

Upper School Awards

Ana Casariego ('08): Chemistry Honors, AP Psychology, US History Honors, Religion & the Body, Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, University of Pennsylvania Book Award

Carolina Casariego ('08): Mount Holyoke College Book Award

Hanna Domit ('09): Costume & Make-Up Design

Pedro Domit: Algebra II, Acting

Jenna Martinez ('09): Physics

Leonardo Rocchiccioli ('08): Religion & the Body

Paula San Agustin ('08): Islam & 9/11 Award

 

Classmate Updates

Wondering what your classmates have been up to lately?  Here are some updates on old friends.  Be sure to send your updates to Liz Scholer ([email protected]) for our next newsletter in September.

 

Chris Cavanaugh

Since leaving South Florida, Chris went on to USC for college.  He earned a degree in Industrial Systems Engineering and was on two Olympic Swim Teams for the USA.  He won a Gold Medal in the 1984 games and many other awards during his swimming career.  He worked in the tech field for a while, then medical sales and leadership roles since.  He is married with two girls, 3 and 13, and lives in San Jose, CA. He shared some memories of his time at St. Stephen's:   

 

"My mother, Wanda Cavanaugh became a teacher at St. Stephen's in the 70's.  I started school there as a 3rd grader. My first teacher was Ms. Devers, then Ms. Betts, Ms. Dobson, and Ms. Reynolds. My best friend was Ken Potter, his mom Betsy worked in the front office. My dad began teaching and coaching swimming and water polo at Ransom as well, so we matriculated there for middle and high school. We eventually moved to California, where I started 10th Grade at Lynbrook High in San Jose. 

  

"Father Hingston and Father Potter were the priests at the church.  Ms. Stokes was teaching 2nd grade, and became one of my mom's best friends.  Miki, her daughter, is my mom's god-daughter, and a classmate, as was Natalie Reynolds and Bonny Dobson.  Four students of teachers, and Ken Potter's mom in administration, and Kristie Hingston's dad as a priest.  We were well representative of the school. Not to mention some had siblings there too. 

  

"I still think of my time at St. Stephen's.  It was a great time in the Grove, even with all the issues in the country, perhaps even because of it.  If I wasn't in school, I was waiting for mom to finish up with her class cleaning or preparations, reading "A Wrinkle in Time" for the first time, attending Boy Scout meetings in the cafeteria and playing in the quad, standing outside raising the flag and singing the anthem, or over at the church as an altar boy (thurifer), or playing four square with my friends. St. Stephen's provided a great foundation for the future, and I'm sure is still doing so all these years later, which these alumni newsletters clearly show."

 

The Colonna Family 

Michael ('10) is currently in 9th grade at Ransom Everglades. At the end of last year, he was selected for two prestigious awards: Faculty Award (an annual award given to an 8th grade whose attitude and demeanor "make your day") and the Independent Schools of South Florida Star Student. Michael continues to excel on the volleyball court and the soccer field. He made the USAVball Florida High Performance Team and his club volleyball team placed 2nd overall in the AAU Nationals.

Nikki ('08) is currently a senior at Ransom Everglades. In addition to her All-Dade selection last year, this year she is the Senior Captain of the varsity volleyball team. Her club team made it to the Top 12 in the Gold level at the AAU Nationals and came in 3rd at the Junior National Championships. 

 

 

Samantha Fenimore ('01) 

Samantha got engaged to Blake Gable on June 22 and they are planning a wedding for May 2014. Sam also received her Master's in Mental Health Rehabilitation Counseling from Louisiana State University in May.   

 

 

 

 

 

Sara Fernandez ('12)

Sara completed her 6th grade year at Westminster Christian School where she earned High Honor Roll each quarter. She play on the High School Girls' Varsity Tennis team and received the Most Valuable Player Award at the Spring Sports Banquet. 
 

Jackson Harper ('86)

Jackson and his wife Monica Tejeria welcomed their second son Luke William Harper on Tuesday, August 20. Luke weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz and joins brother Lee who will be 3 in December. Luke is grandbaby #4 for Melinda Harper, Grade 1 Teacher, and her husband Bruce. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shante' Haymore ('92)

Shante' is excited to announce her recent engagement to Derek Kearney.  The couple
plan to get married in March 2014 at Matheson Hammock Park.  They met at Tobacco Road Ba

r & Restaurant 

during a networking event and within nine months he proposed at Wynwood Kitchen restaurant (the place of their first date) among family and friends (and a lot of random strangers).  Derek works as a Sr. Financial Analyst at Univita Healthcare and Shante' is the Marketing Coordinator at Unity on the Bay, a spiritual center, as well as a certified yoga teacher. She also is proud to announce her graduation from Northwestern University with a Master of Arts in Sports Administration in June 2013.

 

Pearce Klevan ( '91) 

Pearce and his wife, Mary, recently welcomed their daughter, Cara Anne, into the family on May 24. Two year old Se�n Pearce is a very loving and protective big brother.  They recently moved into their new home in South Miami. Pearce continues to work as a Financial Advisor and Manager for Merrill Lynch, while Mary teaches Kindergarten at St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School.


Tiffany Leiva ('07)
Tiffany is currently in her second semester at University of Alabama where she is a nursing major. From her summer classes, she earned a 4.0 GPA. She recently received a membership bid from Gamma Phi Beta which she accepted. She's very excited for football games to start soon, exclaiming "Roll Tide!" 

Annette Sullivan ('06) 
Annette completed her freshman year at Emory where she was a member of the Girls Tennis Team. She  earned all-America honors after advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Championships with partner Gabrielle Clark.  She also was named to the all-University Athletic Association (UAA) First Team and they ended the 2013 season as the fourth-ranked pairing in Division III and the second-ranked pair in the Atlantic South Region. Annette was also given the Coach's Award at Emory.

Niki Urquidi ('10)
Niki completd her 9th grade year at Carrollton School where she was a member of the varsity swim team. She was named MVP. Niki will be attending Gulliver Prep in the fall.
 

Chauncey Zalkin ('85)

Chauncey is pregnant with twin girls due December/January. She and her husband Peter Crosby, married in October 2010, share a company named Show Love. They create social content (namely highly spreadable 3-5 minute documentary shorts) for lovable companies - sustainable, ethical, innovative, soulful businesses or organizations. They've lived in New York City since September 2011, after three years in Barcelona and two years in Paris. They're currently filming for the Public Theater's Public Works program, but are mostly excited to meet their two little girls!

Formerly Faculty Updates

Wondering what your classmates have been up to lately?  Here are some updates on old friends.  Be sure to send your updates to Liz Scholer ([email protected]) for our next newsletter in September.

 

Christine Key Benitez
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, 1996-2003
Even though it has been nine years since she taught at St. Stephen's, Christine's connection to her St. Stephen's family remains strong.  She visits from time to time and enjoys witnessing the wonderful changes through each passing year.  She claims "I live vicariously through my mother Lourdes' (Pre-K Assistant) experiences. Listening to the memorable stories about her students reminds me of all the wonderful times I still cherish with my previous students.  It is easy to stay connected to St. Stephen's simply because it has always felt like family to me."  Since leaving St. Stephen's, she and husband Mark have enlarged their family. She is a proud wife, full time mom and the teacher to their five loving children - Mark John (11), Grace (9), Matthew (6), Michael (4) and Lourdes (2). They keep busy with a home school support group by taking an active part in co-ops, field trips and community activities. A favorite family pastime is camping.  With books and a travel trailer in tow, they enjoy camping life while exploring Florida's beautiful state parks.

Drew Bunting
Chaplain, 2003-2006
It's another boy for the Chaplain Drew and his wife April. Edward "Eddie" Boaz Bunting, born on April 23, 2013, weighed in at 8 lbs 4 oz and was 20 inches. He joins brother Elijah who is now 2 1/2 years old.    

Lauren Billingslea Dowlen 
Director of Development, 2007-2010
Lauren also gave birth to her second boy, William "Will" Arthur Dowlen, on April 18 at 4:19 am. Will entered the world at 8 lbs 6 oz and 20 in long. He's pictured below with big brother Dale who is now almost 3 years old.
 

 

Remember When?

Have any old pictures you'd like to share?  Send them to us and we may feature them in future Alumni e-News.  Send photos to Liz Scholer ([email protected]).

Class of 2007 with Mrs. Harper on their graduation day 

Front Row: Natalia Cabrera, Megan Nardo, Leticia Beeck, Carolina Fidalgo, 

Louise Svensson, Daniela Asturias, Hope Clavijo, TIffany Leiva, Alexis Ortiz

Back Row: Eric Koffler, Daniel Isaia, Pedro Scarpetta, Melvin Vargas, Zach Kesser,

Larry Vogel, Andrew Clavijo, Austin Rae, Steven Coward

 

We Want to Hear From You!

 
contact

Send your update and photos to Liz Scholer at

[email protected] 

 

Or, if you have heard from a St. Stephen's classmate, let us know.  We are updating our alumni records and want to find all of our former students. Please forward this newsletter to any of your St. Stephen's friends.