Two women, one school, one big idea
Page 12 FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE BOOKSHELF
LIFETIME OF LESSONS
Mrs. Hannett-Price sets a new world record
Page 18
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
At 97, Roger Davis ‘46 is the oldest living alumnus of Detroit Country Day School
Page 28
This
Snapshots of DCDS
There is a photograph I keep coming back to—not an actual one, but the kind that lives in memory. It’s a Tuesday in May. The Upper School courtyard is alive with the sounds of students who have claimed every last ray of sunshine. The tennis courts are buzzing with activity, laughter carrying across the open space in waves. Students are pouring out of the student center, lunches in hand. It’s the kind of scene you want to press between the pages of a book and keep forever. And in a way, that is exactly what this issue of The Hive is for.
Snapshots. That’s what we all treasure—those vivid, irreplaceable frames of life at Detroit Country Day School that remind us why this place is unlike any other.
Some snapshots are loud and sun-drenched. They smell like freshly cut grass and sound like a referee’s whistle or a teammate’s cheer carrying across a field. Spring at DCDS means competition is in the air—on the diamond, the lacrosse field, the
track, and the tennis courts. Our student-athletes immerse themselves in their sports with the kind of intensity that only makes sense when you love what you’re doing. Rivalries sharpen them. Sunshine fuels them. And the scoreboard, win or lose, is only part of the story.
Other snapshots are quieter but no less powerful. Picture the hallways on College Sweatshirt Day, a sea of proud seniors wearing the names of the schools where their futures are about to unfold. Harvard. Dartmouth. Michigan. NYU. Spelman. Stanford. Notre Dame. Each sweatshirt is a declaration of hard work, of dreams pursued, of a DCDS education that opened doors. These students didn’t just choose a college. They found their perfect match. It’s clear they are ready. Watching them walk with a little extra confidence, futures stitched proudly across their shirts, is one of the great privileges of this work.
Then there are the rites of passage—the moments that mark not just an ending, but a becoming. Our Moving Up ceremonies carry a particular kind of magic. When our third graders step forward to join the Middle School, and our eighth graders prepare to cross into the Upper School, something shifts in the room. Parents dab their eyes. Faculty beam with quiet pride. And the students themselves stand a little taller, as if they can already feel the weight and the wonder of what’s next. These ceremonies are milestones in the truest sense: marking not just where our students are going, but how far they have already come.
And then—Celebrate the Arts. If you have ever walked through those galleries, sat in that audience, or watched a student step into a spotlight they have spent months earning, you know what I mean when I say there is nothing quite like it. The talent on display is extraordinary, yes—but it is the pride that stops you in your tracks. Pride in craft. Pride in perseverance. Pride in being seen. Every painting, every performance, every sculpture, and every photo is a student saying: “This is what I made. This is who I am.”
Woven through all of it is something subtler, and perhaps more profound: the growing independence of our students as the school year draws to a close. In the Lower and Middle Schools, you can see it happening in real time—the student who navigates a conflict on their own, the camper discovering what they’re capable of at their first overnight away from home, the young scientist
who questions the hypothesis before the teacher does. Each step toward independence is a quiet act of courage and a testament to the community that made it possible.
A snapshot, by nature, captures only a moment. But moments are how we measure a life, a school, a community. They accumulate into something greater than the sum of their parts—into a culture, a character, a home.
These pages are full of those moments. I hope you find yourself in them.
- Rich
Richard Dempsey, Head of School
4. Full name of the first Head of School
9. The three pillars of a DCDS education are: Arts, Academics, and ________?
11. Street where the Lower School dwells
12. Community service hours are known as ______ points
13. Head of School 1967-1986
15. The preschool portion of the Lower School is known as
16. Yearbook, newspaper, and chess are examples of what?
18. Who served as Head of School from 2007 -2020?
22. The school mascot is a ________
23. DCDS’s academic journal title
24. This team has the most state championships at the school
26. Shaw founded DCDS in 1914, drawing inspiration from an education movement in this country
27. When students wear their full uniform with gray skirt, white shirt, blazer, or varsity sweater, this is called ________
28. Name of school newspaper
31. Head of School 1961-1966
32. The school literary magazine
35. Complete the school motto (in Latin): mens sana in ________
36. Something the seniors paint every year
37. This group makes the Fear the Sting website
39. Catching a show? Go to the Seligman Performing ________
1. Faculty member who’s been at DCDS the longest is Mrs.
2. The athletic field outside the Middle School is
3. Before becoming Head of School, Jerry Hansen chaired this department
5. Varsity football, field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse play at
6. Current Head of School’s last name is
7. Name of the yearbook
8. In what Detroit neighborhood did the original DCDS campus operate?
10. Where Middle School students have indoor recess
14. When the current Beverly Hills campus started, some students had class in ________
17. Varsity basketball teams play in the ________ Gym
19. One of the school colors
20. Art medium taught by Mr. Jiro Masuda ‘86
21. Legendary tile maker for PAC, Cooper Lobby, etc.
25. Friday apparel at the Upper School
29. Head of School from 1986-2007
30. Actor and DCDS ‘78 alum who just received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
33. College Counseling’s motto is “College is a ________ to be made, not a prize to be won.”
34. Complete the school motto (in English): ________ in a sound body
38. Another school color
40. Genetics lab at DCDS where students collaborate with Stanford
16 ways to reconnect, stay engaged, and make the most of your DCDS alumni community
Congratulations! Whether it was last June or 50 years ago, at some point, you graduated from Detroit Country Day School, and now you’re a part of an incredible alumni community. Since then, you’ve probably stayed close to your friends. And if not, we get it; life happens. But it’s never too late to reconnect or make new Yellowjacket friends and connections. Our alumni often comment that they love how Yellowjackets will always help one another because of their shared academic, arts, athletics, and school-community experiences. Here are 16 tips to help you make the most of all that the DCDS alumni experience offers.
There’s nothing like coming home, and we are excited to see you! Each fall, alumni gather at reunions and Homecoming for alumni festivities, food, and fun. In addition to reunions, we have an alumni brunch, alumni soccer and field hockey games, and an alumni tent during the Homecoming football game.
It’s difficult to invite you to alumni events if we don’t know where to send the information. Please let us know how to reach you with updates from the school and about fellow alumni. Update your contact information by clicking on the Update Contact Info button on www.dcds.edu/alumni
You may follow the school on social media, but we have a special LinkedIn group for alumni to connect. We highlight alumni achievements, post alumni events, and there is some serious networking happening!
Brag a little about yourself! Twice a year, we publish The Hive Magazine and love to feature alumni news at the back. Submit your personal or professional news so we can share it!
Yellowjackets love helping one another out. Email our Director of Alumni Relations, Kimberly Otsuji Link ‘02, at klink@dcds.edu, and she’ll answer your questions, connect you to the school, or connect you with other alumni.
You don’t need to be local to attend an alumni event. We travel throughout the country each year, hitting major cities. See your classmates and meet new alums at our social gatherings. A few places we’ve been in recent years are New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Colorado, and San Francisco.
Senior Project is in May, and you likely remember its impact. Bring on a fellow Yellowjacket and allow them to shadow or intern during their senior project time.
Follow Yellowjackets Sports Teams
DCDS Athletics now has its own Instagram account where you can stay up to date on all school sports. Give them a follow @dcdsathletics!
Listen to One of Our Many Podcasts
Did you know that the school now has a podcast studio? In “The Pod,” students, faculty, and alumni record podcasts on all subjects. Check them out on any podcast platform or review them at www.dcds.edu/podcasts.
Share Your Expertise
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Set up an informational interview or be a guest speaker at the school. Be a resource and connect with current DCDS students! 11
Come Back and Visit!
We’d love to welcome you home - please come back and visit! Reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations to schedule a campus visit.
Stay in Touch with Your Teachers
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14
15
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Your teachers love hearing from you, learning what you’re doing, or just getting a note from you. You can contact any of your previous teachers using the form at www.dcds.edu/ contact-teachers. We will make sure that the teacher gets your message (even if they’ve retired from DCDS).
Represent Your Alma Mater
We have an online school store at www.shopdcds.com where you can find all sorts of DCDS gear to proudly show off your alumni roots.
Nominate an Athlete
The Athletic Hall of Fame, founded in the 2023-2024 school year, honors alumni, coaches, teams, and friends who have made significant contributions to the athletics program at Detroit Country Day School. Nominees who are selected to be inducted for their outstanding athletic achievements should embody the DCDS motto: mens sana in corpore sano: a sound mind in a sound body, and demonstrate characteristics of teamwork, sportsmanship, responsibility, and leadership.
Support the Arts at DCDS
Nominate a classmate today!
Our Arts Program is one of the finest. Come to Celebrate the Arts (always the last Sunday in April) to see over 1,000 pieces of student artwork, attend a film premiere, or be a guest speaker in an art class.
Read The Hive Magazine
Go ahead and check this off your list right now! And continue reading - we publish digital issues every summer and winter! 12
Two women, one school, one big idea
Susan Randol ‘79, an executive editor at Penguin Random House, sat at her home office, sifting through authors’ submissions from her acquisitions editor, looking for the perfect writer to pen a book for 8-12 year olds on financial literacy. As she recalls, “one stood out, and it was Alaina’s. It was really creative and well-written. As I was going back to the acquisitions editor to say that this was the person to write the book, I realized I hadn’t read any of the biographies of the possible writers. I opened up Alaina’s file, and I literally gasped out loud. I couldn’t believe it - she teaches at the school
I graduated from.” As Alaina Trivax, DCDS Middle School Learning Consultant, shares, “It was a small world connection for her to have gone to Detroit Country Day School here in Michigan, now to be in New York as an editor with Penguin Random House, for me to be teaching at her alma mater,
and for us to get connected.” It’s a perfect meetcute, both charming and unexpected!
Susan’s team identified a gap in the market: parents searching for financial literacy resources for their children, but unable to find anything suitable for younger children. They needed someone with deep subject matter expertise who also understood the 8-12-year-old mind. Alaina turned out to be just that person, as she works with the exact audience every day! Alaina shares that the book has 35 activities: “kids start with two hundred dollars, they pick a job, start a business, and add to their ‘treasure chest’ as they learn new financial skills.” With her background in teaching, Alaina is a master of scaffolding learning, and this book is deeply rooted in the learning process.
Over Zoom calls squeezed in after school, with Alaina’s kids in the background, these two professionals worked well together but haven’t met in person. What’s apparent is they’ve built something genuinely new together. Alaina shares that it was “so great to work together, but also good to have somebody who knows what they’re doing, is excited about this, and wants the best product.”
The feeling is mutual, as Susan shares, “It’s a very collaborative effort…Alaina is incredibly creative and a pleasure to work with.”
Alaina wrote the book in stolen hours, with early mornings and late nights while teaching full-time and raising her young children. The writing came naturally, but the editing humbled her. Going through the revision process gave her an entirely new perspective on what she asks of her students.
Alaina Trivax
Alaina shares, “It made me think about what we ask our students to do. It’s emotional to think, ‘Oh, I worked so hard on this, and now I’m told it has to change.’ Something I learned as a teacher is to give feedback on the writing, not the person, and I hoped that was the feedback Susan was giving to me, too.” Susan credits her teachers, particularly Mr. Corwin and Ms. Hannett-Price, who set standards so high that she pursued reading and writing in college. She remembers that “Mrs. Hannett exposed us to a lot of things we wouldn’t have normally been exposed to. It was also the rigor. She had extremely high standards, and I’m the kind of person who wants to meet those standards.” She shares this nostalgia and impact with Alaina, who notes, “An incredible part of Susan’s educational experience is her memories of teachers, and it reminds me of the weighty impact we teachers have on kids’ lives.”
Both women took winding roads to their careers today. Susan didn’t plan a career in publishing, but she needed a job and followed a Michigan connection that led her to editing. Susan shared, “I didn’t even know what publishing was. I fell into it. And everyone who’s met me since has said, ‘Of course you’re in publishing.’ Things work out.” She shares that her best advice for anyone who wants to get into writing or publishing is to “read, read, read, read, read. Just read all the time. If you want to be a better writer and thinker, read.” Alaina left the classroom for three years before finding her way to DCDS, where she has been for almost nine years. Her advice to young learners is that nothing is impossible to learn. She admits her financial literacy skills weren’t that strong until her husband was in medical residency and they had to budget. Even though finances weren’t a topic she’d explored
before, she jokes and says, “It can’t possibly be harder than teaching children every day, managing eighteen personalities in a classroom, and meeting their needs.” Neither career is a straight line, but in hindsight, both are exactly right.
What began as a search for the right author became something far more meaningful: a reminder that great teaching echoes forward in ways no one can predict. The standards Mr. Corwin and Ms. HannettPrice set for a young Susan Randol helped shape
an editor who would one day champion exactly the kind of thoughtful, purposeful work Alaina Trivax was born to create. Follow the Money: A Fun Financial Literacy Game for Kids arrives on shelves August 4, 2026. A book about building a financial future, written by two women whose own futures were shaped, in part, by the same remarkable place.
You can follow Alaina Trivax on Instagram @lets.make.it.grow
Check out Follow the Money: A Fun Financial Literacy Game for Kids on Amazon, scan the QR code or visit https://a.co/d/05TLFTsz
In the world of entertainment, landing a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - an internationally recognized Hollywood symbol - is a feat that many in the industry long for. After four decades of mastering his craft, actor Courtney B. Vance ‘78 earned his place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December of 2025, with a star on Hollywood Boulevard.
Vance is an actor who has racked up a slew of accolades across television, film, and stage. One of his breakout roles was in Fences, opposite James Earl Jones, who played his father. Notable performances also include his Tony Awardwinning role in the Broadway hit Lucky Guy, the
holiday classic The Preacher’s Wife, and his lauded portrayal of Johnnie Cochran in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Most recently, he’s been in the live-action retelling of Lilo & Stitch, and he’s taken on the role of Zeus in Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
At the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame producer, said, “Courtney is being honored with this prestigious award for his remarkable career and lasting impact as an artist, advocate, and mentor, inspiring generations through his powerful performance and integrity.” Vance’s integrity is evident in all that he does, and one of the most heartwarming aspects of this success is that he asked his favorite teacher, Mrs.
Beverly Hannett-Price, to attend the ceremony. Vance said, “I have learned that I am not rich in money or things, I’m rich in the people who surround myself and our family. I am most grateful for all the people who held my hand and paved the way. People like Meryl Streep, Beverly Hannett, and Ronnie Clemmer.” What impressive company for teachers like Mrs. Hannett-Price and Mr. Clemmer to be in! While there, Mrs. Hannett-Price spoke to the crowd, delivering a speech reflecting on their enduring bond and her role in his early career.
Courtney said of Mrs. Hannett-Price, “My mother and father are no longer with us, so to have Mrs. Hannett there, who remembers my mother and father, to be there to recognize and to celebrate with me... it was wonderful.” Head of School Rich Dempsey and fellow DCDS alumni Steve ‘88 and Kira (Lewis) ‘89 Mann were also in attendance.
Vance’s wife and children also spoke at the ceremony. His wife, Angela Bassett, shared that Vance is “committed, relatable, and deeply reliable” as an actor, noting, “today’s honor is deeply deserved. This star recognizes not only his artistry, but his integrity, his generosity, and his grace with which he moves through the world.” Vance’s children also spoke. His son, Slater, shared, “I’ve never seen someone cherish people like my father, expecting and wanting no award,” continuing to describe his father as “the most altruistic public servant that I’ve ever encountered.” Vance’s daughter, Bronwyn, shared, “Dad, you spend your life serving others; today we celebrate you. There’s no one more deserving of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, not just for the greatness you’ve given this industry, but for the greatness of who you are.” What a legacy!
For Vance - a husband, father, actor, president and chairman of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Board, and friend - his place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is the culmination of many years of hard work, perseverance, and his commitment to sharing authentic storytelling.
This past January, Beverly Hannett-Price became the world’s longest-serving female language teacher, and, at 90, she still finds joy in her profession
On February 2, 2026, the students of Detroit Country Day School expected a routine assembly. What they got was history. On that chilly Monday morning, the Seligman Performing Arts Center was filled with students, staff, and special guests. During a surprise assembly, 90-year-old English teacher Beverly Hannett-Price was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longestserving female language teacher in the world — the culmination of 67 uninterrupted years in the classroom. The Guinness organization released a statement affirming that Hannett-Price “continues to teach with the same enthusiasm and energy that defined the beginning of her career,” and that the record “honors her lifelong commitment to her students, her school communities, and the teaching profession as a whole.”
The recognition was the result of a nomination from former students — a reminder that a great teacher’s legacy is ultimately written by the people they taught.
Across seven decades, Hannett-Price has taught and touched the lives of an extraordinary range of students, many of whom have gone on to shape culture, business, and the arts. Among them is awardwinning actor Courtney B. Vance ‘78, who made the cross-country trip from Los Angeles just to be in the room for the occasion — a testament, by itself, to the kind of teacher she has always been. Vance said, “She’s had a lot of students, and she kept in touch with me. She knew I didn’t know things coming from public school and the inner city; she befriended me. So much so that when my father died of suicide, she came and sat with my mother in our house. And that’s when I realized this is more than just a
student-teacher relationship. This is a life relationship.” Current Chair of the DCDS Board of Trustees Steven Kalkanis ‘89 spoke beautifully about Mrs. HannettPrice’s impact on his life at the start of the assembly. Mrs. Hannett-Price also heard from former students via video messages, including Steve Ballmer ‘73, Chris Fowler 11, and Jeremy Sasson ‘03. All shared their love for their previous teacher.
The reach she has is something her family has witnessed firsthand for years. Her granddaughter, Charlotte Cook ‘28, describes a woman whose influence trails her wherever she goes — into restaurants, into grocery stores, into any room she enters. “Every time we go out, we meet someone that she has impacted,” Cook said, adding that watching her grandmother has fueled her own ambitions.
Mrs. Hannett-Price’s daughter, Penny Hannett-Floyd, puts it simply: “I just know that everybody in this school loves her, knows her, and has appreciated the lessons that she’s taught them.”
Beverly Hannett-Price doesn’t speak about teaching in grand terms. She speaks about Friday night football
games and the Monday morning classroom chatter that follows. She attends performances, dances, and athletic events — not because it’s required, but because she wants to be there. The face-to-face moments, she says, are what she treasures most: sitting with a student after a tough loss, celebrating a triumph before the bell rings. “I listen to their stories, their worries, their joys,” she said. “I love being at a game and congratulating them in the classroom the next day.”
And when she speaks to her students — and to anyone who will listen — her message is one she has clearly lived herself.
“You be the best version of yourself you can possibly be, because there will never be another you. Be accepting - you can meet the most wonderful people. Open your mind to the possibility.”
Jonathan Aaron is a current DCDS parent and is a principal member of the Velvel Group, which offers trustee, fiduciary, and family office services. He serves as president of the William Davidson Foundation. He and his wife, Mary,
have four children: Ben ‘23, Oliver ‘24, Hugh ‘26, and Wyatt ‘30. Aaron was first elected to the DCDS Board of Trustees in 2013. Aaron says that one DCDS tradition that stands out to him is the Upper School Commencement Ceremony, where each student is recognized, and three of their highlights from the Upper School are shared with the audience. He
notes, “Learning how talented each member of a graduating class is impressive, and to see them all together is exhilarating!”
With three DCDS graduates in his family so far, Jonathan Aaron definitely knows what he’s talking about!
Terry Barr has been a dedicated DCDS alumnus and parent, serving on the Board since 2012 and currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. He is President of Terry Barr Sales, a Southfield-based firm providing marketing, sales, and engineering services to the automotive industry. He and his wife, Tara, are the proud parents of Cameron ‘16, Brett ‘18, and Drew ‘20, who currently live in New York City, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Barr shares, “as a trustee, I have been deeply committed to financial discipline in all aspects of the school, but especially with respect to our large campus and the costs it
takes to maintain and replace our facilities and their systems. This is probably not the most exciting topic, but it is a lot of hard work and discipline to meet the needs of our students and faculty while at the same time ensuring that the lights stay on and our campus is safe and maintained.”
Derek Batts is a seasoned financial executive with over three decades of investment management experience, known for founding and leading Union Heritage. He is involved in his community by volunteering and serving on several nonprofit boards. Derek earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Wayne State University and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. He was first elected to the Board in 2017. His daughter, Nia ‘03, is also a parent at DCDS. In addition, Batts and his wife, Dawn, are the proud parents of Collin ‘23 and Zoe.
Amit Doshi ‘96 was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2025. He serves as Founder/ Managing Partner of Harbor
impact with a bold vision of our future.“ Doshi shares that he appreciates, “the extent to which the DCDS community is comprised of people of diverse backgrounds and interests who share a commitment to building character, pursuing excellence, and finding purpose. We are fortunate that the heart, mind, and soul of our student body is nourished by a distinguished, devoted, and caring faculty.”
Spring Capital, LLC, a global, opportunistic investment firm in New York City. Amit and his wife, Shachi, have four children and reside in New York City. Doshi shares, “As a member of the Class of 1996, I’m looking forward to celebrating our 30th reunion with classmates later this year!” He adds, “Having been an engaged DCDS student and alumni council member in the past, I’m now hoping that as a trustee I can help the school continue to enhance its positive
Sarah, are the joyful parents of three children: Eli ‘32, Nell ‘35, and Walker. Ford shares, “More than any other competitive, college preparatory school in our area, DCDS embraces diversity and inclusion on a separate level of excellence. Everyone, from the faculty and administration to the parents and students, embraces the collective community and accepts people regardless of background. I truly appreciate that about DCDS.” Ford is the Advancement Chair, and one of his goals for DCDS is, “To continue to be a beacon of exceptional academia and a place where students can come to truly be sound in mind and body. To help young men and women establish a foundation of purpose, giving back, generosity, and camaraderie amongst their fellow classmates.”
Calvin Ford is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Pentastar Aviation and the Chairman of Livingston Football Club in the United Kingdom. He was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2024. He and his wife,
Dr. Darienne Driver Hudson is President and CEO of United
Way for Southeastern Michigan. Before joining United Way in July 2018, she spent four years as superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools. Dr. Hudson began her career as an elementary school teacher in Detroit Public Schools, a point of personal pride. First elected to the Board of Trustees in 2024, Dr. Hudson’s academic achievements include a doctorate from Harvard University in Urban Superintendency, a master’s degree in education from Harvard University, and a master’s degree in curriculum development from the University of Michigan. Her undergraduate degree in child development is from Spelman College.
Elected to the Board of Trustees in 2024, Jason Jarjosa is a managing partner at Bloomfield Capital. Jason received his BBA and MBA with high distinction from The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the
University of Michigan. He has his wife, Shelby, are parents to Reid ‘26 and Darcy ‘31.
Current Board Chair
Dr. Steven Kalkanis is the Executive Vice President of Henry Ford Health, CEO of Henry Ford Hospital, and CEO of the Henry Ford Medical Group. He and his wife, Laurel, are the proud parents of Nicholas ‘22, Connor ‘24, and Grace ‘28. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Detroit Country Day School, and was elected to the Board in 2020. He has the unique experience of being an alum and parent of three children and feels he has a deep understanding of the power of DCDS, noting the school provided him “with an amazing foundation and support structure for success that continues to power [his] career and involvement in the community to this day.” He notes that the school is known for its college preparatory academic
rigor, and the excellence in athletics and the arts, but for him, “the secret sauce lies in the commitment and modeling
“The secret sauce lies in the commitment and modeling of character and the spirit of building a cohesive, diverse, and thriving community of learners poised to contribute greatly to society at large.”
- Steven Kalkanis, MD '89 Board Chair
of character and the spirit of building a cohesive, diverse, and thriving community of learners poised to contribute greatly to society at large.”
Danialle Karmanos is an active and invested parent in the DCDS community and was first elected to the Board in 2017. Karmanos is the CEO of MadDog Technology LLC, a technology investment firm focused on startups and venture funding, and is a prominent philanthropist and founder of youth-focused initiatives. She and her husband, Peter Karmanos, Jr., are the proud parents of Soc ‘27, Spiros ‘29, Kai ‘30, and Leo. She admires the teachers at DCDS, sharing, “As a parent, I have witnessed countless times how deeply they care about each student’s success and well-being. Their dedication goes far beyond the classroom, and it’s evident in every interaction they have with our students.” The advice she would give to current students is “the rigor feels hard (and it is), but the discipline is creating a solid foundation that creates a competitive edge and (believe
if or not) an ease in all areas for the rest of your life. You might not always be the best or most experienced, but no one will be able to outwork you, and that means something.”
Rob Parker is Managing Director of Residential and Commercial Services at Piper Sandler, a leading investment bank and financial services firm. Parker was first elected to the Board in 2016. He and his wife, Tara, are the proud parents of Lily ‘26, Chase ‘30, and Brooks ‘32. He loves skiing and playing golf with his family. Rob started his DCDS journey in the fall of 1978 as a kindergartner and graduated from the school in 1991. He shares that he loves “the committed faculty and staff at DCDS,” adding that “they are resolved to help our students be the best they can be, and the high expectations they have for our students set a tone that DCDS graduates will carry for the rest of their lives.”
An alum of DCDS and current parent, Martin Rawls-Meehan ‘97, is the CEO of Reverie. He was first elected to the Board in 2020. He and his wife, Lisa Tan, are raising two Yellowjackets of their own: Aria ‘31 and Phoenix ‘34. He shares: “I started my journey at DCDS as a 4th grader in 1988, and I graduated in 1997. The friendships, life skills, and education I gained at DCDS played a significant role in who I am today, and I will always be grateful to the dedicated faculty who helped me along the way.” Rawls-Meehan most admires “The passion that the community has for our school and the lifelong support it provides to current students and alumni alike. Our faculty and staff are so dedicated to our community - they set a high bar for excellence in our students, and they lead by example through their unwavering commitment and deep support for our students and families. I love that our alums stay connected to each other and to faculty for years and decades after graduation. It is
these deep, lifelong relationships that truly set DCDS apart.”
Elected to the Board of Trustees in 2018, Andrea Siudara is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Dana, Inc. Andrea holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University. She also studied computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. She, along with her husband, Andy, are active and involved parents of Avery ‘27.
SABRINA SMITH-CAMPBELL, PH.D.
Dr. Sabrina Smith-Campbell is a clinical instructional coach and adjunct faculty member at Wayne State University Teacher
Education Division in the College of Education. First elected to the Board in 2020, Dr. SmithCampbell and her husband, Jon, have been active members of the DCDS community for many years as proud parents of Jon ‘19, Saborn ‘21, and Joshua. Through her sons’ educations at DCDS, Sabrina has come to understand the importance of the school’s motto, mens sana in corpore sano, as all three of her sons attended college as scholarathletes. Dr. Smith-Campbell most admires the school’s “strong culture of excellence paired with genuine care for students. The school challenges students academically while also nurturing their curiosity, creativity, and confidence. The partnership among faculty, families, and students creates a community where everyone is invested in helping each student thrive.”
ANNE WEINER
A trustee since 2013, Anne Weiner and her husband, Steven, are proud DCDS parents of Emilie ‘11,
Bobby ‘12, and Madeline ‘14. While her children were in school, Weiner was an active member of the Parents’ Association and was on the board of the Earning4Learning program. Mrs. Weiner shares, “One of my favorite events each year is Celebrate the Arts. The entire community comes together to showcase the incredible talent of our students and the creativity of the teachers who inspire them. When our children were students, they loved sharing their artwork and performing in the choir or orchestra. As a past parent, I still attend to see the students’ remarkable artistic accomplishments.” She also hopes that “DCDS continues to provide an educational environment that prepares students for a rapidly changing world while remaining grounded in strong character development. This includes investing in innovative teaching methods while maintaining integrity, inclusivity, and a strong sense of community.”
At 97, Roger Davis ‘46 - the oldest living alumnus of Detroit Country Day School reflects on a scholarship that changed everything, a championship season that launched a legacy, and the remarkable man who founded it all
DCDS athletics are renowned for excellence, and this stellar reputation had to start somewhere. That is what Detroit Country Day School employees Ross Cooper and Tina Blank ‘06 told Roger Davis, Class of 1946, when they traveled to Fort Myers, Florida, earlier this year to present him with a personalized Hall of Fame plaque. And they were right. Before the NBA players, before the state titles in a dozen sports, before a student body of nearly 600 athletes — there was a scrappy, quick-footed young man from a modest neighborhood who arrived at Detroit Country Day School on a scholarship, became captain of the basketball team, and never looked back.
This year, as DCDS celebrated its newest class of Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, Roger Davis held a distinction that set him apart from every other living member of the Yellowjacket family: at 97, he is the oldest living alumnus of Detroit Country Day School. And the team with which he was inducted, the 1945–46 basketball squad, holds an equally singular honor: they were the first team in school history to compete in a state championship game.
Roger Davis grew up along Six Mile Road in Livonia. It was, by his own description, a modest pocket in an otherwise comfortable neighborhood. He was happy there, among his friends, attending a local grade school where homework was not yet part of the picture.
That changed in eighth grade, when word came that he earned a scholarship to Detroit Country Day School. Roger’s reaction was immediate: he didn’t want to go. He wanted to stay with his friends. His mother had other ideas and said, “Roger, you will go to that school.” And as Roger shared, “That ended that.” So off he went, and what he found there surprised him. There was homework, first of all — a genuine shock after seventh grade. And there was something else: a basketball team. In an era when organized youth sports leagues simply did not exist the way they do today, the chance to belong to a team was, as Roger puts it, nothing short of extraordinary. “All of a sudden, I had a chance to be a member of a team,” he recalled. “Sports were mighty important.” With its demanding academics and its competitive athletics, DCDS suited him perfectly.
For current DCDS students and families, F. Alden Shaw is a name carved in stone — the founder’s legacy honored in the stadium that bears his name. But for Roger Davis, Shaw was both a teacher and
a mentor. Shaw taught some of the classes Roger attended, and the impression he left was lasting. Roger describes him as “a wonderful teacher as well as a wonderful man,” someone of such evident intellectual stature that students never quite treated him the way they treated other teachers. He was, Roger says, “a high figure.” Tina Blank ‘06, Director of Philanthropy, noted, “The one thing that remains clear throughout generations, no matter the alumni we speak to, it’s always about the teachers and how much the teachers care about students long after DCDS. It almost brought tears to my eyes that even in 1946, the same rang true. It’s always been the people that make DCDS special.”
Shaw was also deeply attentive to his scholarship students. He knew who they were. He tracked their progress. He cared. And the connection between
Shaw and Davis did not end at graduation. Over the years that followed, Roger went to Harvard and then the University of Michigan for law school, and when Roger landed his first job as a lawyer, he found occasion to reach out to his old headmaster, and Shaw always responded.
“I always respected him so much. He was a good man.”
- Roger Davis ’46, on F. Alden Shaw
That thread — of teachers and leaders who remain invested in their students long after graduation — is one Roger finds remarkable when he thinks about it now. “Country Day has always been like that,” he observed. It was true in 1946. It is true today.
the regular season with 11 wins and 3 losses, a record that earned them a spot in the state tournament and, eventually, a place in the state championship game — the first time in school history a DCDS team had reached that stage.
To understand what the 1945–46 basketball team accomplished, you first need to understand just how small Country Day was at the time. Each graduating class numbered roughly ten to twelve students. “The school would have been classified as Class E,” Roger notes with a laugh, “if such a classification had existed.” They were Class D — and they were tiny.
What they lacked in numbers, they made up for in talent and tenacity. The core of the team had played together for three varsity seasons. The team finished
Ultimately, Country Day fell 42–27 to Bridgman, the defending state champion. But even in defeat, what the team achieved that season — an 11-3 record, a Class D state runner-up finish, and the first championship-caliber performance in school history — was genuinely pioneering. As Ross Cooper, Athletic Director for Programs and Development, told Roger when they presented his Hall of Fame plaque this year: “We’ve had a very prolific athletic history at Detroit Country Day School, but it had to start somewhere. We feel pretty strongly that it started with you.” Cooper and Tina Blank ‘06 brought
with them a personalized replica of the Hall of Fame plaque that will hang permanently on the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame wall, and a DCDS cake to mark his 80th reunion year.
On that day, Roger Davis learned for the first time that he is the oldest living alumnus of Detroit Country Day School. He seemed genuinely surprised. He should not have been. A boy from a modest childhood, embraced a scholarship his mother insisted he accept, played his heart out for a small school, caught the eye of F. Alden Shaw, earned his way to Harvard, and spent eighty years quietly giving back to the place that gave him everything — that is a man built to last.
Roger went on to a distinguished legal career and became involved in the early days of Kmart through his work with the Kresge Company, witnessing one of America’s most remarkable growth stories firsthand. Through it all, he remained connected to his teammates. Dan Larkin ‘46, Dave Reed ‘46, and Roger stayed close for decades — social friends who
gathered often, bound by what they had shared on a basketball court in the mid-1940s. Roger Davis exemplifies a sound mind in a sound body, as he was not only an athlete and scholar, but also the lead in the play and editor of the sports section of the school paper.
And through it all, he has given back to Detroit Country Day School. Every year, without fail, his name appears on the list of donors. He is the longest consecutive donor in the history of the school. When asked why he gives back, his answer is simple and absolute:
“Country Day was the reason for the success of my life.”
- Roger Davis ’46
Mens sana in corpore sano is not only the school’s motto, but it is also what many of our students and alumni truly live by. Celebrating a sound mind in a sound body, the school recognized eleven athletes and coaches, as well as two teams, into this year’s Athletics Hall of Fame class. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of students, faculty, alumni, family, and friends. All were excited to celebrate the Hall of Fame’s third class of inductees! At the start of the ceremony, Executive Director of Athletics Dan MacLean shared that these athletes “Were leaders on the field and more importantly in life. They are grounded in service and character. They represent generations of students who have excelled in the classroom and in athletics. Each has forged their own path, but for all of them, the journey began here. We are proud of each of them.”
To see past inductees or to nominate a former student athlete for the DCDS Athletics Hall of Fame, visit www.dcds.edu/hof.
The Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony was an incredible event to attend, with so many DCDS athletic legends present! One special guest who could not attend the ceremony was Roger Davis ‘46, our community’s oldest living alumnus and captain of the 1946 Men’s Basketball team. Roger shared this message via video with the audience: “Between Detroit Country Day School, University of Michigan, and Harvard Law School, there is no question in my mind which was the most important. I look at what happened at Country Day as the good cause for everything good that happened thereafter.” Neil Brown ‘47, a member of the 1946 Men’s Basketball team and winner of the 1946 Men’s Athletic Cup, was at the ceremony to accept the award in person. So many other alumni echoed Roger’s thoughts. C.J. Johnson ‘87 said of his experience at DCDS, “I’m certain my life’s trajectory is what it’s come to be because of Country Day. I’m grateful for DCDS, and I’m certainly grateful for my teammates who are such special men.”
During the ceremony, Neal Newman ‘87 shared, “The discipline and grind that you learn at Detroit Country Day with the rigor of the academics and playing sports, develops a routine that follows you throughout your life. It really sets you up for life.” Steve Mann ‘88, a member of the 1986 Football Team that was inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, shared, “You have to enjoy the process of getting better to become a good athlete. And learn how to follow before you learn to lead.” Additionally, Aerial Powers ‘12 encouraged students to “Continue to strive for greatness,” and she added, “Being an alum of DCDS allowed me to know what it’s like to chase greatness, continue to strive, work hard, and be resilient.”
While many individuals focused on the discipline and resilience a Yellowjacket experiences, Madison (Williams) Gerish ‘10 encouraged students to be thankful for the school’s diversity. She shared that as a new student, she was surprised by “the incredible
diversity of the school,” and continues, “which I’m incredibly grateful for. As I moved into my adult life and had to build relationships with people who were different from me, I really valued Country Day’s diversity. Take advantage of the diversity at DCDS because you won’t have that experience for the rest of your life.”
After the ceremony, Katharine Hanks Loveland ‘99 shared, “If there was a through-line to the evening, a name that surfaced again and again, in speeches, in conversations, in the quiet moments after, it was Coach Frank Orlando. What struck me is that Coach O was never just coaching a sport. He was building
people. And in doing so, he created something that no trophy case can fully capture, a legacy that lives inside every athlete he ever believed in. That is the butterfly effect in its most powerful form. One extraordinary man, showing up with integrity, intention, humor, and love, day after day, and the ripple reaches generations, he may never even meet. How lucky I am to be part of that ripple. And what a reminder that legacy isn’t built in a moment — it’s built in a thousand ordinary ones.” Coach Orlando was previously inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame, and while these words are directly about him, they echo what so many of our athletes and alumni feel about participating in sports at Detroit Country Day School.
Glenn Alexander ‘77, Hockey / Golf / Football / Baseball
George Browne, Coach, Track, Football & Basketball
Mike Clark ‘91, Soccer / Lacrosse / Basketball
Chris Frescoln ‘93, Lacrosse / Hockey
Madison (Williams) Gerish ‘10, Basketball
Gene Jurkiewicz, Coach, Track & Cross Country
Katharine (Hanks) Loveland ‘99, Basketball / Soccer
Neal Newman ‘87, Cross Country / Track / Basketball
Aerial Powers ‘12, Basketball / Track
Ted Pulling ‘85, Wrestling / Football / Lacrosse
Kim Wilburn ‘02, Basketball / Track
The 1946 Men’s Basketball Team
The 1986 Football Team
Capturing the journeys of two alumni who turned a passion for learning into lifelong careers of driving positive change
Dr. Ebbie Parsons III is a consultant, entrepreneur, and impact investor. He is the founder and managing partner of Yardstick Management, a Blackowned DEI consulting firm that helps organizations worldwide become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, with clients including Netflix, Amazon, LinkedIn, and Meta. Founded in 2012, Yardstick grew into the largest Black-owned DEI training, management consulting, and executive search firm in the world and was recognized by Inc. Magazine as the best consulting firm in America and by Real Leaders as a top-10 professional services firm worldwide.
What about your experience at DCDS shaped your commitment to creating positive change?
For me, a big part of my life at DCDS was football and coach Dan MacLean. Coach Mac is like an extra father to all of us players. I can remember thirty years ago, he cared about positive change for all of us. He cared, of course, about us winning, but that was secondary to our camaraderie, to our development as young men. He was a phenomenal role model who helped me think about what else I could do to help others. He was one of those initial key figures I saw making a positive change in many people’s lives.
Growing up in Detroit, what did you observe about inequality or systemic challenges that stayed with you?
I’ve got a book coming out soon, and one of the things I highlight is what parents brag about. I’m from Detroit, and both of my parents were teachers. I remember so many of my wealthy friends saying, I’m going to go wherever I want to go to college. But so many of the kids who weren’t from wealthy families were trying to get a scholarship. You talk about inequality - for me, that was a big differentiator. The big brag my parents had to our community was “Ebbie’s going to get a scholarship.” And you know, I was proud of it, because that is what all the adults around me were bragging about. But I was also keenly aware that I had never heard my rich friends ever talk about a scholarship. I observed the fight between a scholarship and the “I’m going to go to the best college I get into” mentality.
When did you realize you wanted your career to address societal changes?
Actually, I was pursuing traditional success, working at American Express and living in New York City. It was 2005, and I was going through my regular morning routine: attending church, hopping on the bus to get to work, and picking up the paper to read on my commute. This article, published in USA Today, ranked the nation’s 50 largest school districts by high school graduation rate. Detroit was not only 50th out of 50, but it was twice as bad as number 49; Baltimore City was the second-worst school district in America, with a 42% graduation rate, and Detroit was 50th with a 21% graduation rate. It was literally the most impactful moment when I thought I needed to do something about this. So I called my mom, a Detroit school teacher, and she said, “If you care so much about it, then do something.” And so I listened to my mom, did all my homework, and although moving back to Michigan wasn’t in the cards, I went to Hartford Public School, which had around a 29% graduation rate. I wanted to go to the worst of the worst, and I became CEO of Hartford Public Schools. That was my transition from a traditional career to doing something meaningful and impactful. My work then transformed into consulting, where I looked at things from the 10,000-foot level. I looked at numbers and data, and for example, in my work with Netflix, I was able to see the allocation of resources and see the impact. It’s not easy to just say my work is working because I have to look at the data
to support it, but I do know that C-suites are more colorful because of my work, and you’ll see more diverse executives than you probably ever have. My work played a role in this; we weren’t the only ones pushing it, but we were major contributors.
What advice would you give to current Yellowjackets who want to use their careers to make a difference?
Fix the problem, rather than focusing on the job. We often lead with the job and then figure out the difference we can make given its limitations. But I think we should think bigger than that. We should say, “Here are the problems I want to fix, and these are the solutions I’m going to implement.” Think: What don’t you like? What do you think can be done better? Whatever that is, pursue it and figure out a title later.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about how change actually happens?
Change actually happens through people. I think we underestimate how important we are, especially when we see AI all over. A lot of people believe that we are rational beings who sometimes act emotionally, but the truth is, we’re emotional beings who sometimes act rationally. That is the significant difference between us and AI: change happens through how someone makes you feel. How you make someone feel is what drives change. Never underestimate the importance of your presence and the way you make people feel, because those feelings are what change the world.
If you could go back to the fall of 1995 and give your 17-year-old self advice, what would it be?
I’m pretty happy with how life turned out. So, my advice would be to stay the course. Make all the mistakes, try everything, do it all, and stay the course. DCDS had so much rigor, and being comfortable in that rigor helped me progress. Be comfortable with discomfort and keep pushing forward.
Ilyana Kuziemko is the Theodore A. Wells ‘29 Professor of Economics at Princeton University, where she co-directs the Griswold Center for Economic Policy Studies and the Princeton Program in Public Finance. Her research spans public finance, political economy, and labor economics, with a particular focus on U.S. economic inequality and its relationship to political and labor-market institutions. A Rhodes Scholar, she holds degrees from Harvard and Oxford, and previously served at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where she worked on the development and early implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
What about your experience at DCDS shaped your commitment to creating positive change?
Detroit Country Day School was just a deeply intellectual place—and it may sound funny to say that about a high school, when we were all sixteen or seventeen years old. I always had a strong love of education, and I think that began with my parents. They were immigrants, and while they absolutely believed education was important, they weren’t focused on it as a path to making money. They really just thought education was a way of broadening
your horizons, well beyond just getting a good job. Country Day reinforced that. For all that it does to prepare students for college and careers, at least in my experience—through my teachers and my classmates—there was a sense of knowledge and learning for their own sake. To the extent that I have a positive impact today, I think it’s mostly through my teaching. And I hope my students feel the same commitment to knowledge I felt at DCDS. I think the class of ‘96 was very academically oriented. I really felt like people enjoyed the learning.
Growing up in the Detroit area, what did you observe about inequality or systemic challenges that stayed with you?
Detroit Country Day School was eye-opening. I’d gone to public school in Sterling Heights—I was born in Hamtramck, and we moved to Macomb County when I was little—and the students at Country Day were much wealthier than what I was used to. I was on financial aid, and I was certainly not the only one. The school has a real commitment to making sure tuition isn’t an insurmountable obstacle for families. But yes, when I visited friends’ houses, they were much bigger than the house I grew up in. I will say, though, that Country Day’s emphasis on excellence—athletic and academic—had a leveling effect. It didn’t matter if you were rich; you still had to perform. That focus on excellence made socioeconomic differences feel secondary. And then I went to Harvard, which was a whole other adjustment. But yes, those early experiences of navigating different worlds are probably related to why I study inequality.
When did you realize you wanted your career to address societal changes?
Honestly, I think I decided I wanted to be a professor while I was still at DCDS. I can’t pinpoint an exact moment, but I went into college already thinking I wanted to teach at the university level. I just had this incredibly positive memory of walking through the hallways at DCDS every day thinking, “I am learning so much.” I wanted to keep that feel-
ing going. And I think that love of teaching came directly from my experience as a student at DCDS for three years. As for economics specifically, I always joke that it was my way of finding a major in high school. I loved Mr. Wilson’s English class, Mr. Morrow’s math classes, and history and chemistry. Economics let me keep doing all of it: history, math, writing. It was my attempt to check as many boxes as possible. And of course, as I got deeper into it, I came to appreciate that economists have real influence over policymaking—which means they also have real blind spots that can be dangerous. Teaching my students to be humble about that, to study the moments when economists got things wrong, feels like an important part of what I do.
What advice would you give to current Yellowjackets who want to use their careers to make a difference?
First: absorb every ounce of academic instruction you can from your teachers. You will never again have educators who care as much about your individual development as the teachers you have right now. DCDS provides an extraordinary base precisely because it doesn’t let you opt out of anything. You can’t say, “I do math, so I don’t need to take hard English classes.” They challenge you in every direction, even the ones you think you’ll specialize away from. That breadth is exactly what you’ll need in a world reshaped by AI, where the most valuable skills are critical thinking and the ability to communicate clearly across domains.
Second, on writing specifically: Country Day’s writing instruction is one of the most transferable gifts this school gives you. I use it every single day as a Princeton professor. The writing instruction is exceptional—and it’s something you almost never get again after high school. Take that seriously while you have it.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about how change actually happens?
I’ll be honest: I’m pretty cynical about big, top-down change. I worked briefly in public service—I was a young assistant professor when I joined the Obama administration at the Treasury Department to help implement the Affordable Care Act. The ACA was a case study in what incremental policy reform can and cannot accomplish, and I think the lesson is that smaller fixes often don’t satisfy the underlying need for something more fundamental. What gives me more hope is the generation I’m teaching now. I graduated in 1996, thinking, yes, things aren’t perfect, but they’re in pretty good order—they just need some tweaks. That ethos didn’t seem to satisfy people. Inequality has increased. We’ve lived through crisis after crisis: the financial crisis, COVID, and it feels like we’re heading toward more. The students graduating from DCDS today are entering a much more urgent moment, and I don’t think they have that same complacency my generation did. I suspect this generation will be bolder. And as someone older, I would encourage that.
If you could go back to the fall of 1995 and give your 17-year-old self advice, what would it be?
I had a great senior year, so I’m not sure I would change much. But here is what I’d say: your senior year is the last time a group of very talented, very dedicated educators will have you as their specific focus. That is what Country Day does. After this, for most people, that level of individualized attention is simply gone. So take the greatest possible advantage of it.
A few highlights from the 2026 Detroit Country Day School Golden Gala, an evening that brought the school community together in celebration and support of DCDS.
Young alumni gathered before the holiday break for lunch and to catch up with past classmates. Teachers joined in on the fun, too!
Hockey alums from all years came to Southfield Arena to participate in the Annual Alumni Hockey Game - a time-honored tradition!
In January, Seattle-area DCDS alumni met up for drinks and food to connect and reminisce. An amazing time was had by all!
A few favorite moments from the Detroit Country Day School alumni gathering in Chicago, where old friends reconnected and new memories were made!
The annual Bounce Back to DCDS Alumni Family Fun Morning was a huge success this past spring. Many families came out, alumni were able to reconnect and mingle, and kids had fun in the bounce houses and doing crafts
Los Angeles alumni gathered at The Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills for an incredible evening of shared memories and nostalgia, while forming new connections and friendships. Thirty graduating years, from 1972 to 2025 were represented.
The San Francisco alumni gathering brought together over forty DCDS alumni from the Bay Area. Alums ranging from the class of 1975 to 2021 gathered to network and reminisce.
With the addition of The Studios, the Detroit Country Day School community has an incredible podcast studio that allows voices to be shared. The DCDS podcasts feature interviews with students and staff, cover athletics and the arts, and ultimately give an inside look into the school and its people. DCDS has several recurring podcast series you’ll want to give a listen to.
Please scan (or click) the QR code to check out the latest episodes of all DCDS podcasts!
College Conversations is a podcast hosted by Andrew Callery, a DCDS college counselor, that aims to demystify the college admissions process and transform it from a source of anxiety into an opportunity for self-discovery and growth. Through conversations with experts in college counseling and mental health, the podcast provides practical strategies for students and families to navigate the admissions landscape while maintaining healthy dynamics and focusing on finding the right college fit rather than succumbing to comparison culture and external pressures. Listeners will learn how to approach college applications with clarity, confidence, and a sense of purpose, ensuring the process becomes a manageable and enlightening experience centered on individual aspirations and values.
Dive into the action with the ultimate inside look at Detroit Country Day School’s sports scene! Join us as DCDS students sit down with coaches and players throughout their seasons, uncovering game-winning strategies, standout moments, and the relentless pursuit of state championship victory. From behind-thescenes strategies to the intensity of the competition, Jacket Journeys is your front-row seat to all things DCDS athletics. Tune in and cheer on our teams throughout their competitive seasons.
DCDS focuses on immersion in challenging, innovative learning environments, a comprehensive approach that combines academics, athletics, and the arts to maximize opportunities for self-discovery and growth, and a deep dedication to hard work, regardless of the pursuit. The podcast explores how schools should be a place of meaningful agency rather than something that happens to children. Guests explore best practices for engaging learners as they make meaning of content and connect it to neuroscience. Listen to these stories!
Hosted by Detroit Country Day Lower School Director Jennifer Pitcher, Powerful Parenting brings together parents and local experts to discuss the most pressing issues facing today’s families. With a focus on practical strategies, emotional insight, and child development, each episode provides valuable tools to support positive and effective parenting in an ever-changing world.
Hear the latest as recorded by our students. Student Voices, Big Ideas is a podcast written, produced, and hosted by our talented students. Each episode takes you behind the scenes of our clubs, arts, classrooms, and more, showcasing the diverse projects and fascinating topics our students are exploring. From artistic creations to historical analyses and even senior speeches, listen to young minds actively engaged in their learning journey. Tune in to experience education through the authentic voices of those who matter most –our students.
Happy to share that I was elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers. This makes two DCDS grads now serving on the Board! I really appreciate the outpouring of support from the DCDS community. Otherwise, balancing life in California with 2 active kids (both joined the ski team this year!) and my day job as Chief Technologist at AVEVA, an industrial software company. Also continuing to advocate for more local civic participation through my non-profit, Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally.
Hard to believe it’s been more than 30 years since graduation. I really enjoyed reconnecting with a few Class of ‘95 alum a couple of months ago! Thanks to Annette, Ann, and Anju for pulling that together. Hope to make that a more regular thing.
Senior architect for the design of the 5-story A-2 Pump Station in Palm Beach County, Florida that will send 3 billion gallons of water per day to the Everglades. This is the largest pump station ever built under the Everglades Comprehensive Restoration Plan by the Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District with a reservoir the “size of Manhattan.” A great project and a good excuse to write and say that I miss my classmates and friends at Detroit Country Day and wish you all the very best.
I got married at the beautiful castle farms in Charlevoix, MI. Truly a dream come true!
Send us your news!
Do you have news or photos to share with your classmates? Write to us about your latest travels, marriage or birth announcements, deaths, personal or professional achievements, or anything you want to share with our DCDS community.
Please note that depending on the submission date, class notes may not appear in the next issue of The Hive, as we publish the magazine twice a year.
4:30 - 7:30pm II Class of 1976 50th Class Reunion THURSDAY · 10.8.26
9:30 - 11:30am II Golden Jacket Alumni Breakfast
(All alumni from 1975 and prior)
6:00 - 8:30pm II Class Reunions
(Milestone years ending in 1 and 6, all alumni welcome)
FRIDAY · 10.9.26 SATURDAY · 10.10.26
9:00am II Alumnae Field Hockey Game
10:00am II Alumni Soccer Game
10:30am II Alumni Homecoming Brunch
12:00pm II Alumni Welcome Tent, Bounce Houses, Crafts, Face Painting, Coffee Cart, Food Trucks
1:00pm II Kickoff DCDS vs. Cranbrook Kingswood, Class of 1976 recognized at half time
To register for Class Reunions, Alumni Events, or to update your contact information, scan the QR code or visit www.dcds.edu/homecoming
4. Full name of the first Head of School (F Alden Shaw)
9. The three pillars of a DCDS education are: Arts, Academics, and (Athletics)
11. Street where the Lower School dwells (Maple)
12. Community service hours are known as (White) points
13. Head of School 1967-1986 (Schlegel)
15. The preschool portion of the Lower School is known as (The Hamlet)
16. Yearbook, newspaper, and chess are examples of what? (Clubs)
18. Who served as Head of School from 2007 -2020? (Shilling)
22. The school mascot is a (Yellowjacket)
23. DCDS’s academic journal title (Eureka)
24. This team has the most state championships at the school (Mens Soccer)
26. Shaw founded DCDS in 1914, drawing inspiration from an education movement in this country (England)
27. When students wear their full uniform with gray skirt, white shirt, blazer, or varsity sweater, this is called (Color Day)
28. Name of school newspaper (Day Times)
31. Head of School 1961-1966 (Snelling)
32. The school literary magazine (Spectrum)
35. Complete the school motto (in Latin): Mens sana in (corpore sano)
36. Something the seniors paint every year (The Rock)
37. This group makes the Fear the Sting website (Sting Media)
39. Catching a show? Go to the Seligman Performing (Arts Center)
1. Faculty member who’s been at DCDS the longest is Mrs. (Hannett-Price)
2. The athletic field outside the Middle School is (Hillview Field)
3. Before becoming Head of School, Jerry Hansen chaired this department (Math)
5. Varsity football, field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse play at (Shaw Stadium)
6. Current Head of School’s last name is (Dempsey)
7. Name of the yearbook (Blue and Gold)
8. In what Detroit neighborhood did the original DCDS campus operate? (Palmer Park)
10. Where Middle School students have indoor recess (Field House)
14. When the current Beverly Hills campus started, some students had class in (Portables)
17. Varsity basketball teams play in the (Shaw) Gym
19. One of the school colors (Yellow)
20. Art medium taught by Mr. Jiro Masuda ‘86 (Jewelry)
21. Legendary tile maker for PAC, Cooper Lobby, etc. (Pewabic)
25. Friday apparel at the Upper School (Spirit Wear)
29. Head of School from 1986-2007 (Hansen)
30. Actor and DCDS ‘78 alum who just received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Vance)
33. College Counseling’s motto is “College is a (match) to be made, not a prize to be won.”
34. Complete the school motto (in English): (A sound mind) in a sound body
38. Another school color (Navy)
40. Genetics lab at DCDS where students collaborate with Stanford (StanX)
