FWCD Falconer - Volume 17, Issue 1 (2025-26)

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Eric Lombardi Head of School

Amy Witten

Assistant Head of School for Student Services and Academics

Chelsy Beninate Assistant Head of School for Operations and Security

Abby Abbott Head of Upper School

Trey Blair Head of Lower School

Stephen Blan Head of Middle School

Leigh Block Athletic Director

Joe Breedlove ’78 Executive Director of Breakthrough Fort Worth

Lindy Heath Director of Fine Arts

Caroline Corpening Lamsens ’99 Director of Admission and Enrollment

Nicole Masole-Rose Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion

Tom Mitchell Chief Financial Officer

Sandra Tuomey Director of Advancement

Steve Uhr Director of Technology

EDITOR

Shannon Rossman Allen

ART DIRECTOR

Lisa Koger

CONTRIBUTORS

Elizabeth Baxter

Yolanda Espinoza

Caren Handleman

Debby Jennings

Renee Pierce

Eleanor Siff

Whitney Truax

Sandra Tuomey

Peggy Wakeland H’25

Lisa Wallace

Christine White

Geraldine Williams

Questions? Concerns? Comments?

Contact Shannon Allen at shannon.allen@fwcd.com

Send address changes to:

Fort Worth Country Day Advancement Office

4200 Country Day Lane

Fort Worth, Texas 76109 or email advancement@fwcd.com

The Latin League

Middle School Latin Teacher Clint Hagen has a vision to inspire classical studies in the modern age.

Finding Their Way to NASA

Just two kids who love space, Cooper Burleson ’15 and Katie Nelson ’16 made their way from FWCD to NASA.

FWCD Honors Five Exceptional Individuals

The 2025 Alumni Award honorees are Emily Stewart Lakdawalla ’92, Peggy Wakeland H’25, Randy Eisenman ’93, Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine ’88, and John Solberg ’82.

Lessons of Purpose and Perseverance

Five accomplished Alumni Award recipients share how the foundation laid at FWCD shaped their careers.

The Falconer is published biannually for Fort Worth Country Day families, alumni and friends by the Advancement Office. Opinions represented may not necessarily be the position of the Board or administration. Fort Worth Country Day has an institutional commitment to the principles of diversity. In that spirit, FWCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or national origin in admissions, the administration of its educational policies, financial aid, athletics and other School-administered programs. © FWCD 2026

View From My Window

The Head of School’s office is known for its windows and prime location. Today, as I write in January, the view is of the fabulous oak trees lining an empty Trustees Plaza that is covered in a thin layer of “wintry mix.” From the neighborhoods around the campus, if I listen carefully, I think I could hear the cheers of students who just heard we were closed for a second day. No one is on campus. Our 9-year-old dog, Falcon, is loving having the plaza and even the campus to himself.

I hope every alum had a fair share of snow days during their days as a student here. Wherever you are reading, and whatever the temperature is where you are with this latest issue of the Falconer, I hope you can remember your own snow days. There is something magical about them. Maybe the best ones are the ones that you don’t know about until first thing in the morning. You go to bed at night after watching the weather report on the news, with the streets still clear. You might have dreamt, like I did, that Troy Dungan and David Finfrock got it right. You wake up, run to the window, and see snow and ice. The weather reporters got it right. You watch the school names scrolling under the newscast, and it’s confirmed: You don’t have to get out of your pajamas, or you can bundle up and go try to find a sled and a hill.

Lower School Head Trey Blair probably gets partial credit for our 2026 snow/ice days: He gave clear instructions to flush two ice cubes, sleep with a spoon under your pillow, and wear your pajamas inside out. I suspect he had lots of participants. Some of those might have been teachers.

I know some Class of 2026 parents let their seniors drive to each other’s homes. I know our exchange students and teacher here from Mexico for the week showed up in videos of first-time sledding experiences and line-dancing lessons by fireplaces in their exchange families’ homes. I know some alums still had cross-country skis in the garage from a move back from New England and got to strap those on. Snow days bring incredibly welcome relief from the norm, maybe just rest and relaxation, maybe exotic adventures. They bring great memories.

Whatever memories are conjured for you by reading another issue of this remarkable School magazine, this powerful celebration of our community, I hope you keep sharing your stories of days at Fort Worth Country Day and of relationships begun here that have endured years and even decades. We would all benefit from taking the inspiration of a snow day, that unexpected chance to stop everything and just appreciate time, friends and family, to stop and appreciate what this wonderful school and community have done for each of us.

Go Falcons.

Eric Lombardi Head of School

Around Campus

Fourth Grader Plays at Carnegie Hall

Bunyada Song ’34 performed in New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall on December 21, 2025, after earning third place (Young Musicians Category, Age 5 to 10) in the 2025 American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music. She performed Song of the Lark by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Album for the Young, Op. 39 – XXII) live on one of the most prestigious stages in the world. She also participated in the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival, the Mid-Cities Music Teachers Association Sonata-Sonatina Festival, and the Fort Worth Music Teachers Association Solo Competition. At each of these events, she received Superior Plus ratings.

Song has been dedicating significant time and effort to the piano since she was 8 years old, studying with Mariel Zuniga of The Creative Piano. In preparation for the competition, Song

attended a masterclass with Daniel Anastasio, a soloist and chamber musician, at the Steinway Piano Gallery.

While exploring her creativity through piano and ballet, Song builds strength and discipline through tennis and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She challenges herself

academically at FWCD and, since 2023, as a member of Mensa and the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. Through these experiences, she continues to learn the value of perseverance – finding pride not in outcomes alone, but in the growth and self-discovery that come from each challenge.

Middle School Celebrates Veterans Day

The Middle School hosted 38 veterans at its annual Veterans Day program. Invited veterans, students, faculty and staff were treated to The Star-Spangled Banner sung by the Middle School choir, The Tempest played by the band and orchestra, and an address from guest speaker Borya Celentano, father of Penelope ’31 and Tallula ’30. Borya is a Fighter Pilot in the United States Navy. In his presentation, Borya gave a brief overview of what it’s like to take off, fly, and return to the ship. He then shared how being in the Armed Forces connects to FWCD’s Core Values. Following his speech, the students lined up outside the Middle School for the flag walk before hearing stories from veterans during their advisories.

Max Stossel Speaks on the Psychology of Social Media Notable Numbers

Head of Upper School Abby Abbott brought Max Stossel to campus to educate parents on social media and the Upper School’s phone-free environment. Stossel, Founder of Social Awakening, presented “We’ve Been Sneaking Into Your Brains” to students in grades 7-12. Drawing on his experience as a former social media strategist, Stossel shared how social media platforms are intentionally designed to capture young people’s attention and influence their behavior. He discussed how features like infinite scrolling, algorithm-driven feeds, and notifications can contribute to distraction, compulsive use, and even anxiety. Stossel also provided students with practical strategies, tools and reminders, such as turning off non-essential notifications, taking intentional social media breaks, reflecting on the impact of apps on self-image and mood, and studying with their phone in a different room, to help them regain control over their digital lives.

Stossel also presented “Social Media & Your Kids” to parents. He provided a behind-the-scenes look at social media, explaining how platforms are deliberately designed to capture attention and keep users engaged. From infinite scrolling to algorithm-driven feeds, he shared how these features can affect teens’ focus, selfesteem and mental health. Stossel offered practical strategies for parents to support healthy digital habits at home, including modeling mindful technology use, creating phone-free zones, having open conversations about social media’s emotional impact, and delaying smartphone access for younger students.

FWCD opened the 2025-26 school year with 1,118 students across the divisions, 124 new students, and 49 new Falcon families.

Additional Notable Numbers:

413

Lower School Students

337 Middle School Students

368 Upper School Students

$4 million

Amount Awarded for Tuition Assistance (22% of students)

124 New Siblings

27

New Legacy Students

17

New Faculty/Staff Falcons

FWCD Scholars

Andrew Lobo ’26 is FWCD’s National Merit Semifinalist. He is among 1,673 Semifinalists from Texas and over 16,000 nationwide. Lobo will continue in the competition for some 6,903 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered this spring.

Eleven seniors were named National Merit Commended Students in the National Merit Program. They are Nate Blan, Avery Bleich, Courtney Comeaux, Luci Gonzalez, Gigi Helling, William Marlow, Paxtyn McPeak, Eliza Peacock, Adam Rafati, Hailey Seiden, and Kerri Tsai.

Twenty-three FWCD junior and senior students, a record number for FWCD, earned honors through the College Board National Recognition Programs. Congratulations to (School Recognition Award) Cannon Black ’26, Nate Blan ’26, Avery Bleich ’26, Charles Cady ’27, Courtney Comeaux ’26, Luci Gonzalez ’26, Gigi Helling ’26, Sean Hong ’27, Andrew Lobo ’26, William Marlow ’26, Paxtyn McPeak ’26, Brooklyn Ogozalik ’26, Eliza Peacock ’26, Adam Rafati ’26, Samantha Saade ’26, Hailey Seiden ’26, Kerri Tsai ’26, Akshay Vasudevan ’26, Blake Wood ’27, (First-Generation Recognition Award) Esteban Gomez ’26, Sophia Jiang ’26, Rayden Liddell ’27, and Sebastian Zelaya ’27.

Class of 2031 Honored by Sudanese Nonprofit

The Class of 2031, along with Shari Lincoln, Middle School English and History Teacher, and Anne-Lise Knecht Woods ’85, Middle School English Teacher, received a plaque to recognize their successful fundraising efforts for the nonprofit organization Water for South Sudan, which raised a record $66,705.69. The students’ efforts were inspired by the book, A Long Walk to Water, the true story of Salva Dut, the organization’s founder, and Nya, a fictional girl who must walk miles daily for water. To emulate the daily struggle for clean water faced by many in South Sudan, the students participated in a water walk as sixth graders last year. Carrying 16 pounds of water in two one-gallon jugs around the Barrett Havran Track, the students surpassed their goal, walking a combined 355.5 miles and raising enough money to fund a new well, which costs $20,000. The students voted to support the following with the additional funds: five well rehabilitations, two hygiene training sponsorships, and half a water tower sponsorship.

Celebrating Día de los Muertos Across Campus

FWCD Spanish classes came alive with the vibrant colors and rich traditions of Día de los Muertos in late October and early November. Students from kindergarten through 12th grade explored this celebration in ways that were both fun and educational. Each division embraced the holiday in its own way, learning about how Día de los Muertos is celebrated around the world through stories, art activities, and thoughtful cultural discussions. From creating colorful artwork to sharing the stories behind the tradition, students gained a deeper appreciation for this joyful way of honoring loved ones. Of course, no celebration would be complete without a sweet treat. Every student enjoyed a calavera-shaped (skull) sugar cookie, adding an extra layer of delight to the festivities.

Dallas Writing Project’s Campfire Contest Winners

FWCD students took top honors in the Dallas Writing Project’s Campfire Contest, with four students winning their grade levels in this statewide competition. The weekly challenge invited Middle and Upper School students to craft spooky stories while moving through the writing process, from brainstorming and drafting to revising, editing and sharing. Congratulations to Campbell McGuire ’33 (Lily Fornuff ’33, runner up), Ben Leonard ’32, Tallula Cellantano ’30 and Ethan Gatzke ’27.

Sixth Grader Wins $1,000 Scholarship

Parker Ortowski ’32 competed in the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s Youth Scholarship Shoot on Saturday, October 4. This shoot is highly competitive and draws about 300 4-H and FFA students from all over the state of Texas who come to compete for FWSSR scholarships. This was the first year Parker was eligible by age/grade, and he finished second in the Middle School division, taking home a $1,000 scholarship prize, among other things. Parker is pictured with Matt Carter, FWSSR President & General Manager and FWCD parent.

FWCD Adds New Emergency Safety Tool to School Vehicles Wax On, Wax Off

Fort Worth Country Day has added an important new safety feature to its transportation fleet, further strengthening the School’s commitment to student, faculty and staff well-being.

All buses, passenger vans, and Schoolowned vehicles are now equipped with a resqme® keychain escape tool, securely attached to the rearview mirror of each vehicle. The device is designed specifically for emergencies. It includes a spring-loaded window punch to break a side window if a door cannot be opened, as well as a concealed seatbelt cutter that allows occupants to free themselves or others quickly.

Widely used by first responders and safety professionals, resqme® tools have been credited with saving thousands of lives worldwide in emergencies such as vehicle accidents, rollovers, fires, or water submersion –

situations where every second matters.

To ensure that all community members are familiar with the tool and how it works, an instructional video has been shared with faculty and staff members who operate or ride in School vehicles. As an added note, these tools are also available for personal purchase and can be practical safety items for families to keep in their own vehicles.

This addition reflects another example of FWCD’s ongoing focus on preparedness and proactive safety measures across campus and beyond.

Sixth grade Latin students recently dove into ancient history, using modern technology to recreate the writing tools of Roman school children. Over the course of two days in the TEAM Room (Technology Engineering, Art, Maker space) with Dr. Steve Uhr, Director of Technology, students crafted tabellae, reusable wax tablets that were essential to Roman education. Because papyrus was expensive, Roman children wrote on these tablets coated in wax, which could be easily smoothed over and reused (erased) by heating the surface. In the interest of time, the students used contemporary tools to perfect their tablets, employing a two-step glue system, a wax heating unit, and a belt sander. In addition to the tablets, students also created their own stylī (styluses). One end of each stylus was pointed to write in the wax, and the other end was flat for scraping the wax smooth again for the next lesson.

Award-Winning Author McCall Hoyle Visits FWCD

Second through sixth graders had the opportunity to hear from McCall Hoyle, award-winning author, on Thursday, November 6, 2025. She started the day speaking to fifth and sixth graders, followed by the second, third and fourth graders in the Lower School’s Carolyn W. Fierer Library.

A former teacher and librarian, Hoyle discussed three of her books, Stella, Just Gus, and Millie, sharing a synopsis of each. A dog lover, Hoyle enjoys making dogs her main characters. Her most recent book, Forever Ripley, was released in September. This heartwarming book tells the story of Ripley, an aging German Shepherd, and Charlie, the girl Ripley loves more than peanut butter.

Hoyle also teased an upcoming book, set to be released this year, featuring Nando, a character first introduced in Stella The new book was inspired by students across the nation who wrote to Hoyle asking her to write a book about him.

Second Grade Takes Fashion to a New Level

Amelia Bedelia, the beloved character created by author Peggy Parish, is a welcome friend in the Lower School.

Parents were in stitches as they watched their second graders take wordplay to incredible heights as they walked the red carpet in the Harrison Commons for the annual Idiom Fashion Show. Showcasing the latest fashion trends, the students walked the catwalk in bubble skirts, baggy jeans, 14-karat gold necklaces, gowns with trains, ruffled party dresses, ball gowns, sport coats, hoop skirts, bell-bottoms, balloon and bell sleeves, and 10-gallon hats.

with Bob Booth and Yolanda Q &A

How did you come to FWCD in 2002?

I was working at TVS [Trinity Valley School] and wanted to move from teaching middle school to teaching upper school students. I worked with Mr. [Robert] Schofield, and his wife, veteran FWCD Science Teacher Mrs. [Debbie] Schofield, facilitated a secret meeting with the new (at the time) Department Chair, Mrs. [Alison] Robinson, at a (now closed) Starbucks on Bryant Irvin. All these years later, I’m still glad it worked out. I earned a B.A. in French Studies from Humboldt State University and an M.A. in French Literature from the University of Oregon. There’s no tradition of teaching in the Booth family. I really just enjoyed teaching as a graduate student and stayed on that path.

What are some of your favorite FWCD memories?

I taught in the Upper School for 22 years, covering every level of French from Level I to AP Lang. In Spanish, I taught everything from Level I to Level IV, but never any AP courses. Some of my favorite memories involve seeing students put what they’ve learned into practice on trips to France and Ecuador that I’ve organized or chaperoned. I was a Cross Country Assistant Coach for 10 years. I’ve always thought of running as an individual sport, and learned a lot about the importance of building a team from Coach [DeAnn] Hall and just scratched the surface on all the running wisdom Coach [Jared] Connaughton has in his head. Being part of Club Viginti is also a fond memory. The names on the wall when I was hired and now are legends. Although mine is a lot of plaques over from theirs, it’s a great honor to be on that same wall.

What do you enjoy about Middle School students?

Middle schoolers, especially sixth graders, are in a sweet spot in their matriculation at FWCD. They’re not cynical. They’re at a point developmentally that allows them to build strong foundations for what lies ahead. As a teacher, if I show interest in them and what they’re doing, they’re eager and willing to put forth a lot of effort.

How do you engage students in the classroom?

Content, immersion, and eclectic, engaging methodology are how our students succeed at FWCD and beyond. I think the cliché about being lifelong learners is perhaps most important for language instructors; we have to avoid losing sight of our first steps in the languages to attempt to teach. We must encourage, model and challenge … without scaring away. So, a combination of dad jokes and linguistic immersion is my tactic. I try to blend instruction with a bit of humor.

Yolanda Espinoza

What brought you to FWCD in 2004?

After 25 years in the corporate world in Houston and DFW, I was looking for a job closer to home. I actually applied for an administrative job in the College Counseling Office, but received a call about a job in the Admission Office. I interviewed with Barbara Jiongo and Kathy Lott, and here I am! I enjoy working with prospective families and meeting so many people. I like being around people, and working in admission is definitely a ‘people’ job. I especially enjoy it when we share good news with families and let them know they will become Falcons.

So many things have kept me at FWCD and in the Admission Office … most importantly, the people. I had never worked in a school setting, and it was so different from the corporate world. After the grandkids arrived, my goal was to get them to FWCD and be there until they all graduated.

How has education and FWCD changed in your tenure?

I grew up being taught the value of education. FWCD introduced me to the other side of education … how wonderful teachers and administrators are providing an excellent education. I am constantly amazed by the students, and I am proud to be a part of all the good that FWCD brings out in everyone. The biggest change at FWCD has been the campus growth and the new buildings. I’m also proud to have witnessed the growth in diversity at FWCD. Since 2004, the total number of students of color has grown from 13% to 26%. This growth and our Inclusivity Statement make me proud to be a Falcon. What has not changed are the dedicated employees and intelligent, confident, and eager-to-learn students.

What are some of your fondest FWCD memories?

One of the most exciting memories is when the first grandchild started at FWCD! She was so excited, and seeing her in the jumper was a dream come true for me. After that, each first day of school for all of the grandchildren was exciting. The icing on the cake was seeing the first grandchild graduate from FWCD! I have loved seeing them all become immersed in the life of the School. I loved that they made lifelong friends. I enjoyed keeping up with their progress … and they knew I would ask. I always told them that I would always ‘know everything.’ My proudest moments have been watching them walk across the stage at graduation. And this year, the last two will take those steps.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the FWCD community. The faculty, staff, parents and students have contributed immensely to my life. I am continuously learning from everyone. It was always my goal before retiring to become a member of Club Viginti. I felt that my family had been part of the School for so many years that the ‘wall’ was the ultimate prize. It’s an honor to be included in that club.

Giving Back

Candice Hansen Lecture Series Launches

FWCD fifth and sixth graders gathered in the Amon G. Carter Foundation Commons on September 24, 2025, to launch the Candice Hansen Lecture Series, which honors the life and legacy of Candice Hansen parent remembered for her warmth, generosity and radiant spirit.

The lecture featured Megan Murphy, Founder of The Kindness Rocks Project, who spoke to students about the inspiration for her organization, the power of kindness, and the impact of small, thoughtful actions. Inspired by the YouTube video “The Time You Have Left (in Jellybeans),” Murphy was prompted to reflect on how she wanted to spend her life and make a difference.

Living on Cape Cod, Murphy walked the beach each day searching for heart-shaped rocks or sea glass. She noticed that when she focused on searching for one, the other never appeared. This led her to a simple, yet powerful, insight: what you focus your attention on multiplies. That realization sparked an idea that grew into a global kindness movement.

Murphy began painting rocks with positive messages and leaving them on the beach for others to find, eventually creating an Inspiration Garden at Sandy Neck Beach. Soon, others began contributing their own painted rocks, and visitors took the ones that spoke to them. The project has since expanded to more than 90 countries, demonstrating how small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect far beyond what can be imagined.

“It’s the energy behind the intention that propelled this project to so many people and so many countries,” Murphy said to students. “Kindness is contagious, and we need more acts of kindness in the world.” She also shared research-backed benefits of kindness, including reduced stress, increased happiness, and longer life expectancy.

Following the lecture, the fifth graders joined the movement by painting their own kindness rocks. Some were placed on campus, while others were carried into the Fort Worth community as part of Core Values Day. Each rock represented a message of compassion, optimism and care – values that Candice

Candice’s husband, Brian, Grey ’32, attended the event, witnessing how Candice’s legacy continues to inspire joy and kindness within the FWCD community. Thanks to the generosity of friends of the Hansen family, the Candice Hansen Lecture Series will continue annually, bringing messages of hope and kindness to Middle School students for years to come. In addition to the lecture series, the Candice Hansen Fund also provides tuition assistance for Middle School students in grades 5-8. Through the lecture series and tuition assistance fund, FWCD honors Candice Hansen’s enduring spirit, ensuring that kindness, leadership, and care continue to shine brightly in the school community and

The Arts

The City of Fort Worth is internationally known for its vibrant arts scene. At FWCD, we inspire innovation and excellence through our celebrated ballet program, visual arts classes, choral programs, band, orchestra, drumline, performing arts and technical theatre.

For the first time since 1989, FWCD hosted a full-scale Middle School musical production. And what better way to reignite the Middle School stage than with the comical, heartwarming story of Buddy in Elf Jr. The Musical. With its roots in the 2003 holiday classic starring Will Ferrell, Elf Jr. (book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar, and lyrics by Chad Beguelin) is adapted for younger performers in a 60-minute Jr. version. It retains the heart of the story, as Buddy, a human raised by elves in the North Pole, learns his true identity and embarks on a journey to New York City in search of his birth father. Along the way, Buddy’s optimism and generosity help others rediscover the holiday spirit.

Middle School musicals were a staple in the Theatre Department between 1981 and 1989. Students auditioned and performed in The Wizard of Oz (1981,

The Middle School

1989), The Sound of Music (1982), Tom Sawyer (1983), Once Upon a Mattress (1984), Little Red Riding Hood (1985), The Velveteen Rabbit (1986), Cinderella (1987), and The Pirates of Penzance (1988).

“We have such a wealth of talent in our Middle School, and bringing back a musical in this division felt like a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Lindy Heath, Director of Fine Arts. “The goal is for students to fall in love with performing and continue to participate in theatre in Upper School. It was such an accomplishment for everyone involved and fun for the audience as well.”

A cast of 47 actors brought Buddy’s story to life. The main cast included Jacob Fitzwater ’30 (Buddy); Nathalie Mae Blair ’30 (Jovie); Shepherd Hughes ’30 (Walter Hobbs); Hannah

Cady ’30 (Michael Hobbs); Savannah Freeman ’30 (Emily Hobbs); and Samuel Lim ’30 (Santa).

Additional cast members included Ishana Samart ’32 (Greenway), Emery Estes ’30 (Deb), Siena Medina ’31 (Chadwick), Sophia Muñoz ’31 (Matthews), Lili Moreno ’30 (Sarah), Tallula Celentano ’30 (Macy’s Manager), Riley Dunning ’31 (Fake Santa), Landry Moore ’30 (Police 1), Bailey Wells ’32 (Police 2), Charlie Miles ’32 (Charlotte), Kennedy Slataper ’32 (Charlie/Emma) and Kate Stovall ’33 (Schwanda/Darlene). The Elf Ensemble consisted of Virginia Bourgeois ’32, Linden Bunte ’33, Natalia Cedillo ’33, Evee Jo Fuller ’32, Wyatt Gray ’33, Clara Hatem ’32, Mila Kumar ’33, Lindsey Lewis ’33, Louise Manuel ’32, Campbell McGuire ’33, Caroline Minor ’33, Margery Motheral ’33, Finley Packer

School Musical is Back

’32, Addi Perez ’33, Saylor Grace Sisemore ’33, J Mack Slaughter ’33 and Emily Smith ’33. The Human Ensemble included Annie Berkes ’32, Odélise Charron Sancen ’33, Poppy Crumley ’32, Serena Dollahite ’32, Georgia Holt ’32, Sophia Isarraraz ’31, Camille Messer ’33, Zahraa Nehme ’31, Shirley Royer ’33, Alice Sell ’33, Martha Sell ’33 and Lucy Shaw ’33.

Behind the scenes, the creative team was led by Sarah Slaughter Hughes ’96, with Assistant Director McCartie McPadden ’27, Choreographer Natalie Bracken ’05, and Student Choreographers Gigi Helling ’26 and Bella Rugema ’27. Fifth graders Coleman Anderson, Lillian Fornuff, Helly Hansen, Charlie Klaus, Elle Ragan, Jeffrey Smith, Quinn Wallace, and Alexander Zook, and sixth graders Milo Green and Nolan Maas, took

on various technical roles, including lighting and set design, under the supervision of Technical Director Eric Tysinger

It was Hughes’s first FWCD performance to direct. “Having grown up performing on the FWCD stage myself, I was thrilled to help bring musical theatre back to the Middle School experience. What an absolute joy it was to direct this story about togetherness!” Hughes said. “Our cast and crew poured themselves into every moment. Watching them discover new community, pride and purpose as they shared their talents with such a cheering, loving audience is why we ‘theatre people’ do what we do. After seven weeks of singing, dancing, laughter and pure sparkle, the students told me their very favorite thing about the experience was the amazing friendships they built.”

Initially, two performances were planned. But as word spread among families and students, enthusiasm grew to the point that Heath knew she needed to accommodate demand. The show was performed three times between November 13 and 14, 2025.

“It is so important to offer these opportunities for our students to create and showcase their talents,” Heath noted. “The growth demonstrated during this process was remarkable. These Middle School students did it all: they stage-managed, ran backstage, operated follow spotlights, and much more. The production also allowed our Upper School students to serve in leadership roles, including directing, choreographing, makeup and hair, microphones, and more. It was a project that created friendships and connections beyond the show itself.”

THE ARTS

On Stage, Against the Clock

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, FWCD’s fall play, pit the cast against the clock in a race to perform 30 short plays in 60 minutes. Written by Greg Allen, this fast-paced, interactive production challenged the actors as the audience randomly chose the order of performances.

As attendees entered the theater, they were ushered directly on stage to sit in the midst of the performance. The fun of the show stemmed from the “Menu,” a list of plays to be performed, the order of which was determined by the audience at each performance.

The short plays ranged from absurd vignettes to physical comedy, interactive moments, and everyday scenarios exaggerated into hilarious or poignant sketches.

For the cast, every performance was an opportunity to experiment with characters and reactions. Upper School Theatre Director Siouxsie Easter shared, “My favorite play was probably No. 19, Hair Director. The script allowed for some improvisation, so it was fun to see what the actors came up with each night. Plus, it poked fun at directors!”

McCartie McPadden ’27 had several favorites, including The Art of Acting (No. 7), Revolution (No. 18), and This Play Does Not Exist (No. 23).

“The character in The Art of Acting was such a fun character to play with. I loved the fun, fluid character and the interactions she had with the other characters,” she said. “Revolution was a cool one for me to learn. It was much more intense than anything I’ve had to do, and it was interesting to learn to regulate my emotions before and after performing it. In This Play Does Not Exist, I got to play a kind of wild, excited character and went a little crazy every night!”

Burkley Massey ’29 auditioned for the fall play not only because she loves to perform, but because she was intrigued with the idea of performing many plays in one, all in 60 minutes. “I enjoyed No. 21 because it provided a ‘Halloween-like’ feel to the stage while giving the audience a little bit of a laugh.”

Performing in her first year at the School, Ava Staley ’29 added, “I auditioned because I’ve always loved theatre. My favorite parts were the funny moments backstage with other cast members. They were so kind and welcoming, and it was such a fun experience.”

For the 29-member cast and crew and the audience, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind was a fast, funny and unpredictable journey, a race against time that blended laughter and unforgettable moments.

Alumni Get Creative in Art Classes

Falcon alumni had some artsy fun during Reunion Weekend. Between the Homecoming football game on October 17 and class reunion parties on October 18, alumni gathered in the Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center to try creative activities with Upper School Art Teachers Jerry Mahle (ceramics) and Emily Arnold (photography).

Participants had the opportunity to work on three different projects, getting a glimpse of what Upper School visual arts classes are like today. Mahle guided alumni through the art of throwing pots on the potter’s wheel, while Arnold led fabric cyanotypes and Polaroid emulsion transfers. Each activity sparked imagination and offered alumni a chance to express themselves in fresh, creative ways. The incredible results were a perfect reminder of the lasting impact of the arts at FWCD.

Emily’s Art, Michael’s Story

When Emily Simpson ’27 signed a contract with Fort Worth-based Bell Asteri Publishing & Enterprises last year, she entered a creative journey grounded in hope. Bell Asteri publishes books that support children in the cancer community, with proceeds benefiting pediatric cancer research. Simpson was chosen to illustrate Michael, the Boy Who Danced on the Waves. Author Ashlee Kramer wrote the book about her son, whose dream during cancer treatment was to surf again.

The opportunity came to Emily when Bell Asteri Founder Dana-Susan Crews contacted Upper School Visual Arts Teacher Holly Clifford in search of a student illustrator. Clifford and her students were fresh off their win at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Art Contest. Clifford recommended Simpson, who immediately created a sample book cover. Her initiative helped secure the role.

Over the next eight months, Simpson primarily worked on the book during her FWCD art classes. “It’s really inspiring that this mother wrote a book about her son, and I could be a part of that,” she said. Working remotely with Kramer, who lived in Miami, Simpson used photos and videos of Michael and his hospital to guide her sketches. She used watercolor and markers to illustrate the pages, each of which was reviewed and refined to match the author’s vision.

The book was published on June 28, 2025, and released on July 1 after multiple reviews. Simpson saw her art skills

strengthen throughout the process. “My art has gotten so much better as a result of this project,” she said. “This opportunity really opened my eyes to the illustration process.”

Clifford praised Simpson’s dedication: “Emily took on a project with an impressive scope and exceeded expectations. The experience of working with a client and publisher as a sophomore was invaluable.” Crews noted that Simpson’s handdrawn style made the book especially meaningful. “It was the perfect fit,” she said. “We wanted it to look like someone drew the pictures the old-fashioned way. Emily went above and beyond on every detail.”

Since its release, the book has reached readers in the U.S., Canada and France. Copies have been donated to hospitals nationwide, including Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, and Simpson’s illustrations were adapted into a coloring and activity book for young patients.

Impressed by her work, Crews offered Simpson a second contract to write and illustrate her own book under their Ashland Ink imprint, which publishes stories of hope beyond the childhood cancer community.

Now a junior, Simpson continues to explore her artistic interests while considering future paths in education or architecture. The FWCD community will celebrate her work at a book signing in the Carolyn W. Fierer Library in March.

A Storybook Tea Party

Sparkling crowns, swirling gowns, and cheerful melodies filled the Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center during Supporting CAST’s first-ever Character Tea in October. About two dozen Lower School students arrived dressed as their favorite characters – from classic princes and princesses to Cowgirl Barbie – ready for an afternoon of imagination and fun.

Seventeen Upper School volunteers helped bring the event to life. Eight portrayed beloved fairytale characters, including Prince Charming (Charlie Cady ’27), Cinderella (McCartie McPadden ’27), Belle (Maya Marques ’26), Anna (Ava Vanderpoel ’26), Elsa (Burkley Massey ’29), Rapunzel (Cloe Charron Sancen ’27), Tinkerbell (Raegan Florsheim ’28), and a fairy (Lorena Manrique ’28). Other volunteers led crafts, helped with check-in and setup; Callie Chu ’27 photographed the event, and Emily Simpson ’27 played piano as families arrived.

In addition to a dance party and temporary tattoos, the students enjoyed a table full of treats, including popcorn, pretzels, Skittles, mini cookies, brownies, and Ring Pops, and rotated through activity stations featuring crown decorating, themed coloring pages, Belle Bookmarks, and Elsa Snowflakes.

McPadden, who organized the Character Tea, said, “I am so proud and thankful to the FWCD Lower Schoolers and parents for supporting this crazy idea, Supporting CAST, and the FWCD fine arts. I had so much fun putting all the

activities together and watching the students enjoy the hard work of all the volunteers. I am hopeful that this will become an annual tradition that will continue to buttress Supporting CAST and the FWCD Fine Arts Department.”

Lindy Heath, Director of Fine Arts, added, “McCartie did terrific work on this project. I was so impressed with her organization and creativity. She made a beautiful experience for all the students involved.”

The Character Tea celebrated the joy and creativity of FWCD’s fine arts, a bright reminder of one of the 3A’s that shape the Falcon experience.

To learn more about Supporting CAST and how it champions FWCD Fine Arts, visit fwcd.org/cast.

A Fun Twist on the PFA pARTy

This year’s PFA Parent Party elevates creative expression by spotlighting art and its power to inspire and connect. The March event will feature an art auction showcasing original works by FWCD alumni, faculty and staff, students, and friends of the School. Beginning in early January, students in Holly Clifford’s Painting and Drawing I & II and AP Studio Art classes immersed themselves in the artistic process to develop pieces for the auction. Fort Worth artist John Holt Smith ’87 visited with Upper School art classes to share his journey from FWCD student with a passion for art to nationally exhibited abstract painter whose work bridges the worlds of color, science and perception. Smith’s multi-layered abstractions, which explore color sequencing inspired by light and spectroscopy, are featured in public commissions across Texas and in private and corporate collections. His work even graced the cover of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book in 2006. Sixteen talented students, from freshmen to seniors, will have their artwork featured in the March auction. At its core, the event underscores the importance of art in education and community life. Look for a story in the next Falconer that highlights the students’ process and the outcomes of their work.

Athletics

An integral part of the FWCD experience is participation in athletics. FWCD Falcons demonstrate a high regard for sportsmanship, effort, health, fitness and school spirit.

Athletic Directors’ Cup on Display

The Southwest Preparatory Conference honored FWCD’s boys athletic program with the 2024-25 Athletic Directors’ Cup. The trophy arrived at FWCD at the start of the 2025-26 academic year. For a small 3A school like FWCD, winning the Athletic Directors’ Cup is a remarkable – and historic – achievement. FWCD is the only 3A school to win the SPC Athletic Directors’ Cup, finishing the year with the strongest overall boys’ athletic record among all 19 conference schools, 3A and 4A. In the early days of SPC, before the 3A and 4A divisions existed, FWCD routinely faced schools with nearly twice its enrollment, turning every Division I Championship into a true David-and-Goliath victory. While size-based divisions opened the door for schools like FWCD to consistently contend for SPC titles, the 2024-25 season stands apart. The banners displayed at the School’s two entrances reflect not just one remarkable year, but the grit, consistency and excellence that define Falcon athletics. The Athletic Directors’ Cup is on display in the Upper School Office.

FWCD Team Doctor Turns Author

Longtime FWCD Team Physician and FWCD past parent Dr. Stephen Brotherton published Still Heroes: A Compelling Story of Two Heroic Men. He presented a copy to former faculty member Bill Arnold ’86 for placement in the FWCD Libraries. Dr. Brotherton’s book explores the Vietnam War through a spiritual lens. The book follows two of Dr. Brotherton’s friends, the late Gordon VanAmburgh and Lamar C. Smith. Both men are courageous veterans, committed Christians, and successful in life and family, yet they hold sharply contrasting views about the Vietnam War and its meaning. Through their stories, Dr. Brotherton examined how faith, experience and perspective shape one’s understanding of moral duty, patriotism, and divine purpose amid conflict.

Dr. Brotherton has been part of the FWCD Athlete Care Team since 1987. His two sons, John ’04 and Sam ’09, are FWCD “Originals.” Smith’s daughter, Meg, was a Lower School student at FWCD in the early 1990s. Arnold served as a prominent source and is quoted in the book, which is available on Amazon.

Barry Chamberlin Named FWCD’s Next AD

Barry Chamberlin will become Fort Worth Country Day’s 10th Athletic Director on July 1, 2026. Chamberlin will succeed Leigh Block, who has served as FWCD’s Athletic Director since 2021. Chamberlin joins the Falcon family with more than 15 years of experience in athletic administration and over 20 years in education, including 12 years as a Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach.

“Barry stood out in a very strong field of candidates,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “We are incredibly fortunate to welcome him to Fort Worth Country Day. His depth of experience, his commitment to studentathlete development, and his clear alignment with our values make him an outstanding choice to lead Falcon athletics into the future.”

Most recently, Chamberlin has served as Athletic Director at Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, Florida, where he oversaw an athletic program of 23 varsity sports and more than 40 subvarsity, middle school, and lower school teams. Working closely with a dedicated team of over 90 full- and part-time coaches and staff members, he focuses on developing programs that foster a genuine love of the sport, support student-athlete growth, and reflect the school’s values. He also introduced in-season walkthrough “pop-in” visits and post-season coaching reflections, an approach designed to encourage ongoing learning, feedback and

growth among coaches. In addition, Chamberlin has played a key role in fundraising initiatives and has planned a major weight room renovation, helping to bring nearly $1 million in upgrades to Carrollwood’s athletic facilities.

Under Chamberlin’s leadership at Carrollwood, the athletic program has celebrated more than 25 district championships and runner-up finishes, along with two individual state titles and two team state championships in the highly competitive FHSAA state series. He also guided student-athletes through the college recruitment process, with approximately 10% of each graduating class continuing to compete at the collegiate level. In total, more than 55 seniors committed to play college sports during his tenure, including 30 at the NCAA Division I level. As a coach, Chamberlin earned the respect of his peers across the state. In 2021, back at Saint Mary’s Hall, he was selected by his peers as the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Large Private School Coach of the Year. Boys basketball teams he coached reached the state Final Four three times across the SPC and TAPPS conferences.

Before his time in Tampa, Chamberlin spent 11 years at Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, where he served as Head Boys Basketball Coach, Assistant Athletic Director for seven years, and Athletic Director for four years. There, he represented the school in

the TAPPS Athletic Conference, ensuring compliance with state athletic guidelines and school policy. He developed and supervised a pre-K through grade 12 Physical Education Department curriculum and worked with the Senior Leadership Team to align the Athletic Department with the broader mission and values of Saint Mary’s Hall, including a close partnership with the Director of Fine Arts to foster excellence and student success across disciplines.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Chamberlin played basketball for Cedarville University (Ohio), where he was a four-year starter and team captain, scoring over 1,400 points and recording nearly 1,000 rebounds. He holds a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University (California) and a bachelor’s degree in multi-age physical education with minors in health education and Bible from Cedarville University (Ohio), providing a strong foundation for his leadership in athletic programs.

As the community prepares to welcome the Chamberlin family, FWCD will also spend the spring semester celebrating the meaningful impact of Leigh Block’s leadership. Chamberlin will visit Fort Worth with his wife, Jill, a registered nurse in oncology, and their sons, Brylan (13) and Kason (10), during the spring, before officially beginning his tenure.

ATHLETICS

A Season with Momentum

FWCD’s fall athletics season delivered a run of determination, growth and standout performances. From cheerleaders choreographing highenergy spirit routines and runners logging thousands of miles, to resilient teams primed for competition, the Falcons made the most of every moment.

“Our students showed what determination looks like,” said Athletic Director Leigh Block. “They trained hard, supported one another, and elevated the standard for FWCD athletics. Their efforts and heart were on display all season long.”

Cheerleading

Varsity cheer learned 27 sideline dances and 40 sideline chants this season. They also performed nine different halftime routines and hosted two excellent pep rallies, featuring dances, faculty-student games, and more. Fall Falcon cheer had its last performance at the 3A SPC Football Championship on November 8.

Cross Country

FWCD runners were well-prepared for the SPC meet in November. Throughout the season, the team logged over 8,900 miles of training. The Falcons achieved 35 personalbest performances at regular-season meets. In the championship, Ty Williams ’27 placed fourth, William Runyon ’26 was 13th, and Emmy Strathmeyer ’27 garnered sixth. Williams and Strathmeyer earned All-SPC recognition. The following

student-athletes had personal bests in the championship race: Strathmeyer, Williams, Eva King ’28, Vivian Modeer ’28, Leilani Ivy-Chong ’28, Alex Parsons ’26, Henry Arnold ’29, Paxtyn McPeak ’26, Charlie Cady ’27, Miles Brown ’27, Thomas Readinger ’28, Andy Harrington ’28, and Kingston Sherrill ’29.

Football

The Falcons capped off a 7-1 regular season campaign on October 31 with a win at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Over the last two seasons, the FWCD turnover differential has been +21, and the team’s record stands at 14 -4. This year, the Falcons outscored opponents by 155 points, scoring 40+ points five times. FWCD faced the undefeated Oakridge Owls in the 3A championship on November 8 at the University of Texas at Arlington’s Maverick Stadium. Fox Burton ’26 had two rushing touchdowns, Cooper Paul ’27 passed to Canaan Factor ’26 for a touchdown, and James Hanson ’28 had an interception. The final score was FWCD 23, Oakridge 38. The team finished with back-to-back 7-2 seasons and as Runner-up in the 3A SPC Championship.

Field Hockey

The varsity team was 8-7-1 this season with five shutout games. The Falcons were accustomed to close games, having played in seven 1-goal games. The senior class recorded 45 wins, 26 losses and four ties over their four years at FWCD. They finished their season with a 9-9-1 record.

Boys Volleyball

Five years ago, the Falcons won 13% of their matches. This season, the team finished the regular season at 76%. Over the last two years, the Falcons have won 36 matches and lost just 16 (compared to the previous three seasons, when they were 29-50).

FWCD boasts a 21-12 record against SPC schools over the last two years. (17-47 in the previous three years). The boys volleyball team entered the SPC Tournament as the No. 1 seed. They beat St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and The Awty International School to reach the championship, where they fell to Episcopal High School, earning SPC Runner-up in the 3A SPC Championship. The team finished with an 18-6 record.

Girls Volleyball

The Falcons demonstrated significant improvement over last year, winning five more matches and twice as many sets as in 2024. This season’s win total was twice as many as the combined total of the previous two seasons. The team finished the regular season with eight wins overall (2-5 in conference play), its best overall record in the last six years.

Mike Vincent, Chris Edwards ’20, Shelley Rains, Kenzi Carter ’20, Michael Settle ’99, Ozzie Fleischer ’20

Honoring Alumni Athletes from the Class of 2020

It’s an FWCD Homecoming tradition to honor alumniathletes who went on to play college athletics on the occasion of their fifth FWCD reunion. This year, five athletes from the Class of 2020 were honored: Kenzi Carter – basketball at Tulane University and Emory University, Chris Edwards – soccer at Yale University, Ozzie Fleischer – baseball at Tufts University, Stephen Murrin – football at Washington and Lee University, and Allie Stewart – soccer at Angelo State University. Carter, Edwards and Fleischer were present at Homecoming, and their FWCD varsity athletic coaches presented their awards.

Alumni Cheerleaders Add to the Homecoming Cheer

For the second year in a row, alumni cheerleaders attended the Homecoming Pep Rally in the Sid W. Richardson Round Gym. They enjoyed seeing the current cheer squad perform, clapped to the drumline beats of Falcon Fury, cheered on the faculty and staff members who participated in Falcons Dancing with the Stars, witnessed the senior boys execute their Man Cheer, and applauded the 2025 Homecoming Court. Pictured are (front row) Natalia Castro Hanson ’90, Gail Widmer Landreth ’69, Courtney LeBlanc Palumbo ’85, Paige Farris Chisholm ’87, Kat Albers Kronenberg ’85, Jody Anicito Cunningham ’85, (back row) Carolyn Chu ’00, Alison McManus ’95, Tracy Carrington ’95, Blair Taylor Walker ’99, Anne-Lise Knecht Woods ’85, Audrey Laker Madigan ’12, and Courtney Corbeille Krauss ’06

The Latin League: One Teacher’s Vision in a Modern Age

In an age of rapid digital communications, it might seem unlikely that Latin would still hold a place in today’s classrooms. While national enrollment in Latin has been declining, with Latin college enrollments falling more than 21% between 2016 and 2021 according to the Modern Language Association’s language enrollment data, efforts to preserve and promote the language continue through organizations and programs that advocate for classical language study. The Junior Classical League (JCL) is working to reverse the trend. At the University of Pennsylvania, Matthew Lobo ’23 is enrolled in classics courses, which enhance his studies. “Studying Latin teaches you how to think logically, educates you about ancient civilizations, and will help you with any humanities field in college,” he said. Aidan Vogelson ’18 added, “Whether a student wants to pursue the humanities, practice law, or become a scientist, mathematician or computer coder, Latin will provide valuable analytical skills.”

Formed in 1936, the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) has been the cornerstone for junior high and high school students passionate about Latin and classical civilizations, offering competitions primarily in the spring and summer. However, a noticeable void existed during the fall and winter months. Recognizing this gap, Middle School Latin Teacher Clint Hagen envisioned a year-long competition to keep students engaged throughout the academic year and to help them prepare for the JCL and NJCL competitions.

In the spring of 2024, Hagen presented his idea at the State Competition and again at the National Conference. The Board of Directors liked the idea, and the Latin League launched in the fall of 2024.

Hagen not only created Latin League as a new way for students to engage with the language through friendly competition, but he has also been recognized for his excellence as an educator. Hagen was awarded the prestigious 2025 Gaylan DuBose Award for Excellence in Pre-collegiate Teaching by the Texas Classical Association, the professional organization representing Latin, Greek and classical studies educators across Texas. “This award is quite an honor among the community of Latin teachers because, while the overall number of Latin teachers is low, the number of fantastically gifted and energetic members in Texas is unusually high,” said Upper School Latin Teacher Bryan Carlson

Encourages Classical Studies

Reimagining Classical Competition

Hagen designed the Latin League as a year-long, team-based competition to test students’ knowledge of the ancient Mediterranean world. Its structure is both innovative and accommodating:

• Flexible Scheduling: Each round is open for an eight-day window, allowing schools to participate at their convenience, based on their class schedules, without the need to travel

• Athletic-Inspired Format: Mirroring school athletic structures, the league fosters a sense of familiarity and competition among participants.

• Inclusive Divisions: The competition is divided into four categories: 1) High School - Varsity (grades 9-12), 2) High School - JV (grades 10 or below), 3) Middle School - Varsity (grades 6-8), and 4) Middle School - JV (grades 7 or below).

Teams comprise no more than seven players, with five competing in each round. Each competition fee is $5 per team, with the fee waived for Title I schools to ensure inclusivity.

Students on the 2024-25 Varsity Latin League Team work on questions in a competition round.

Each round consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, evenly split between Latin language skills, such as reading comprehension, vocabulary and derivatives, and ancient cultures, which covers topics like mythology, history and daily life. Additionally, 10 questions per round focus on special monthly issues, ranging from the Persian Empire to Egyptian mythology. The Latin League’s asynchronous nature makes it particularly appealing to schools in regions with limited access to Latin programs. “Latin League really met a need for schools that do not live in areas with other schools that have Latin programs like Wyoming, Colorado, Hawaii and more,” Hagen said.

For many students, the intellectual challenge and community of Latin competitions are compelling draws. Murphy Hoefer ’25, who will take an advanced Latin course in Palaeography this spring at Dartmouth University, said, “As long as you are learning Latin, the language is NOT dead.”

Building the Program

Beyond conceptualizing the Latin League, Hagen took on the task of building its infrastructure. He developed the software, designed logos, and coordinated with volunteer educators. “The hardest part of Latin League has been finding people to

write the test questions,” he said. He encourages teachers to volunteer through the JCL.

To address technical challenges, Hagen also made it so that teachers could print out tests if needed, maintaining the league’s accessibility.

In its inaugural year (2024-25), the Latin League saw participation from 334 teams across 29 states. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “The most rewarding part has been when the teachers email me to say how much the students enjoy it,” Hagen shared.

FWCD itself fielded both JV and Varsity teams in the Middle and Upper Schools, reflecting the School’s commitment to classical education. The Upper School varsity team was undefeated in regional play and qualified for the playoffs by winning their region. The Middle School JV team also won their region.

The History of Latin at FWCD

FWCD opened in 1963 with French, Latin and Spanish programs. However, by the 1975-76 academic year, class sizes were shrinking, with one class having only one student and the largest class consisting of four students. In 1976-77, the School discontinued the study of Latin because no students elected to take the course.

FWCD reinstated the Latin program in the 2005-06 academic year, and, in 2006, the Foreign Languages Department’s name changed to the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. In a 2006 Falcon Quill article, Alison Robinson, Modern and Classical Languages Department Chair, said, “[We] decided on Latin because [we] thought that it would be a great starting point for any other language that may be taught in the future.” The article went on to further cite the value of Latin:

• 60% of English words come from Latin.

• Boosts verbal skills and scores on the SAT.

• Benefits students in their speaking and writing of English.

• Provides students with a foundation for any other language they may study.

• Increases students’ ability to analyze information and communicate with others.

In addition, students considering careers in law, medicine, science, or writing benefit from studying Latin because these fields use many terms derived from Latin roots.

Vogelson has carried Latin into his professional life as a Judicial Law Clerk. “While Latin is obviously helpful for lawyers who often encounter Latin terminology, the language also helped me become a better writer,” he said. “Studying Latin vastly increased my knowledge of English grammar and syntax and improved my ability to think critically about how skilled authors use language. The years I spent both at Country Day and in college translating Latin sentences and applying grammatical rules gave me a greater appreciation for the impact of every word. This type of analysis helped prepare me to practice law.”

Bryan Lockett served as the Upper School and Middle School Latin Teacher in 2005. Carlson took over in both divisions in 2011. Hagen joined the FWCD community in 2015 as the Middle School Latin Teacher, while Carlson

focused solely on Upper School courses, yet worked with Hagen to further build the Latin program as a whole.

Both Hagen and Carlson strive to bring Roman history, culture and language into their classrooms every day. They have led educational trips to Italy and field trips to art exhibitions such as Myth and Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection at the Kimbell Museum in Fort Worth. Last summer, Carlson traveled to Italy to attend a course titled Social Justice in the Latin Classroom. The course explored strategies for keeping the study of the classics relevant to a changing society and addressing emerging social issues within the classroom. As a result of the 10-day course, Carlson brought home many resources to his classroom covering the topics of both ancient works and modern scholarship.

“Some of the ideas were deliberate and part of the intentional course planning, but there were also numerous avenues for inquiry and opportunities to integrate these ideas into my course [Upper School Latin] that arose through the lively discussion of the participants of the course,” said Carlson. “It was great to hear all of the different ways that people were approaching these topics. The variety of geographical, ideological and economic composition of the schools provided a very interesting cross-section of the student population and the variety of approaches that we are using as teachers.”

One of the ideas Carlson plans to implement is reading strategies for identifying authorial bias to allow students to be more critical consumers of anything from texts to podcasts.

Carlson also found other topics interesting, including text selection and how to manage curriculum and class discussions, which he’s excited to bring back to FWCD and share with his colleagues.

During a spring break study abroad trip, Matthew Lobo ’23, Blaine Barker ’23, Clint Hagen and Mohid Sadiq ’23 visited the Museo Archeologico Nazionale (National Archaeological Museum) in Naples, Italy, where they viewed a model reconstructing Pompeii as it looked before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.

“The course delivered on my expectations,” Carlson said. “I do not think that there is anything that we did, whether I agreed fully or not, that will not have a lasting and meaningful impact on my teaching.”

“Latin is important because so many things from the ancient world connect to and influence the way modern people think and act. Modern literature, language, law, government, philosophy and art all have roots in the ancient world,” Hagen said. “When we understand the ancient world, the modern world becomes more understandable as well. Also, and maybe most importantly, it’s fun!”

Vogelson, who took Classics courses at Brandeis University, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in politics and earned the university’s Esther Goldman Prize for Excellence in Classical Languages and Literatures. He later earned a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. He shared, “The most important lesson you can possibly learn is the ability to think critically and analytically about the world around you, and the skills you will learn while translating and analyzing grammar are transferable to almost any field.”

Current FWCD students are also bringing attention to FWCD’s Latin program. Andrew Lobo ’26 is the 2025-26 Treasurer of the Texas State Junior Classical League, the state organization for students who study Latin, Greek and the ancient Mediterranean world, and is the first Falcon to serve in a state-wide office for this organization. In 2024-25, he served as the Area C Chair, representing the DFW area on the board, a role now held by Blake Wood ’27.

As the Latin program at FWCD and the Latin League continue to grow, their success underscores the relevance of classical studies in modern education. Because of Hagen’s vision and dedication, students nationwide are discovering the richness of the ancient world, proving that Latin is a living, thriving discipline that continues to shape young minds.

For more information about Latin League or to get involved, visit latinleague.org.

Finding Their Way to NASA

“ I learned early in life that human spaceflight could be as rewarding as it could be costly.”

~Cooper Burleson ’15

Ask Cooper Burleson ’15 and Katie Nelson ’16 how they ended up working at NASA, and they will tell two completely different stories. What they do share is a starting point: FWCD. Their stories wind through English classrooms and the ceramics studio, policy debates and science labs, and even childhood afternoons spent climbing around the hangar of Nelson’s dad’s space-industry company.

Burleson works for Barrios, an award-winning, woman-owned-and-operated small business that provides high-quality engineering, operations, and technology integration solutions to government and commercial space flight programs. He serves as the Mission Integration and Operations Supervisor for NASA’s Mission Technical Integration Contract at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Nelson is employed by Booz Allen Hamilton, a private sector leader building advanced technology to fast-track results for government. She serves as the Process Analysis and Documentation Lead for the Science Mission Directorate’s Rideshare Office at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Their responsibilities span the breadth of human spaceflight, science missions, small satellites, policy and communication –proof that the path to NASA is not linear.

But before the job titles and mission directorates, Burleson and Nelson were just two kids who simply loved space.

How FWCD Sparked Their Passions

The cousins grew up immersed in the world of rockets and spacecraft. Burleson vividly remembers being 6 years old when he witnessed the Columbia tragedy. “I learned early in life that human spaceflight could be as rewarding as it could be costly,” he said. Frequent trips to Houston and early exposure to the space industry made NASA feel close, almost familiar.

Nelson’s introduction was just as profound. “My dad has worked in and around the commercial space industry since its early days,” she said. “He took me along with him whenever he could, to launches, on work trips, anything space-related he could think of.”

Childhood vacations were spent in the California hangar where rocket planes were being built. Family trips included watching shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral.

As students at FWCD, Burleson and Nelson found their early fascination with space grew in the Lower School, through activities like StarLab, and deepened in Middle School as they learned more about the Solar System. Their love of space never faded; it simply grew more complex. Yet neither of them saw the shape of their future until they were Upper School students at FWCD.

For Burleson, the turning point came in U.S. Government: “It was in 10th grade with Mrs. [Sara] Teegarden that I realized I could write, defend, implement and lead policy that would ensure the safety of future

human spaceflight missions.” Though he later pursued an engineering-technology degree at Purdue University, it was policy, not physics, that ignited his sense of purpose.

English and history classes are what drove Nelson to recognize her passion. “I loved studying history and making arguments about politics,” she said. “You had to consider all sides of the coin. I liked exploring different viewpoints and finding cool and creative arguments to make.” She remembers writing her 10th grade policy paper on the importance of American leadership in human spaceflight, an early sign she was heading toward a career in space policy.

Impactful Teachers

Ask either one of them about their FWCD classes and teachers, and the stories keep coming.

Burleson’s list begins with eighth grade English, taught by Lynnette Burleson. Yes, that’s his mom. “Although I am horribly dyslexic, she instilled in me early a passion for writing, and most especially short stories,” he said. “I still write them today and have a science-fiction anthology I hope to share some day.”

Burleson speaks with equal affection for Colin Douglas ’06, who encouraged him to restart the dormant Diplomacy Club. “That club taught me the fundamentals of fair-trade,

and Katie Nelson

espionage, negotiation and subterfuge,” he shared. But the teacher who changed his life was Dr. Jim Aldridge H’14 “He was kind, fair, lightning quick-witted, and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” he said. “Dr. Aldridge encouraged me to apply to Purdue when I thought I didn’t have a shot.”

Burleson also gives a heartfelt “bonus shout-out” to Jerry Mahle, who taught him ceramics from third grade through 12th grade. “Having a creative outlet was pivotal for my success,” he said.

Nelson’s gratitude is equally deep. “The impact the History Department, specifically Mrs. Teegarden and Mrs. [Jennifer] Giroir, had on me cannot be overstated,” she said. “Their demand for excellence led me not only to be a better student, but set me up to excel in the career that I have today.”

She also credits Christy Alvear, Maggie Philpot, Kendall Davis, and Coach Paige Farris Chisholm ’87 for nurturing passions that followed her into adulthood. “They challenged me to be better, so one day, I could meet my potential. At that age, and even now, that really meant the world.”

And in a nod to family connections, Nelson added, “Shoutout to Cooper’s mom, who is my aunt! I still think about The Taming of the Shrew more than I thought I would.”

had an early fascination with space. It grew in the Lower School, through activities like StarLab, and deepened in Middle School as they learned more about the Solar System.

Choosing Their Colleges and Early Steps Toward NASA

Purdue wasn’t even on Burleson’s radar until two FWCD classmates convinced him to take Dr. Aldridge’s advice and apply. Learning about Purdue as the “Cradle of Astronauts” sealed the deal. “I assumed NASA was decades away for me, but Purdue’s history changed that,” he said. After earning a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Burleson added an M.S. in Aerospace and Aviation Management.

Nelson was drawn to the University of St Andrews in Scotland because of its renowned International Relations program and the opportunity to study global affairs in a truly international context. What she didn’t expect was rekindling her love of soccer. “Playing competitively again taught me so many life lessons and led to lifelong friendships,” she said. It also opened the door to exploring Europe during her college years. She earned a B.S. in International Relations and later an M.S. in Security Policy Studies, with a concentration in Science and Technology Policy, from George Washington University.

Burleson’s first job out of college was, in fact, a dream: working in NASA’s Mission Control as Lead Increment Engineer for Expedition 65. “I defined, planned, and prioritized the on-orbit objectives for seven astronauts during their six-month mission to the International Space Station, talked with them daily, and ensured that we adjusted to meet the dynamic needs of their mission,” he said. After his mission’s completion in October of 2021, he found himself wanting more: exposure to all of NASA’s human spaceflight programs, not just the ISS.

Nelson’s first role was as the Communications Manager at the Commercial Space Federation. “I got to work on policy committees and served as the lead organizer of the Commercial Space Transportation Conference, which is a big conference for our industry,” she said. That experience strengthened her interest in SmallSats (spacecraft with a mass less than 180 kilograms and about the size of a large kitchen refrigerator, according to the NASA website) and eventually led her to NASA Headquarters.

Their paths seemed to diverge: Burleson was majoring in engineering technology and aerospace management. Nelson was studying international relations and space policy. Yet, they both ended up filling critical roles at NASA.

“I knew I’d never be the best at science or math, but I also knew I could lead teams who do excel at those things,” Burleson said, emphasizing that NASA needs many different types of professionals. His persistence led him from internships to Mission Control, and now, to supervising Mission Integration and Operations Teams across all nine of NASA’s human spaceflight programs.

Nelson explains that non-technical backgrounds are just as essential: “People in roles like mine translate highly technical realities into clear, compelling terms for non-experts, promoting understanding across the agency and with external partners, ensuring clear and informed decision making.” At headquarters, policy, communication and analytical skills are just as important as engineering.

Though they attended FWCD together for only a few years, Burleson and Nelson have been close their entire lives. “Once Katie moved here [Fort Worth], our bond only grew stronger,” Burleson said. They had different friend groups at school, but saw each other constantly outside of it. “These days, I just refer to Katie as my sister,” he added. “It gets the point across quicker.”

Nelson agrees their closeness has always been steady and has only expanded since they arrived at NASA. “What’s fun is hearing the other’s perspective,” she said. “We work in different Directorates and at different centers; so, our conversations are more interesting and nuanced these days!”

How FWCD Prepared Them for the World

When asked how FWCD prepared them for college and beyond, both say the same thing: the English and History Departments gave them their most important tools.

“FWCD taught me how to write, persuade, and defend my ideas,” Burleson said. “Those skills gave me an extreme advantage.”

Echoing that sentiment, Nelson said, “Many I have come across early in my studies and career had learned how to write arguments, but had never had to defend them. FWCD gave us those opportunities early and often.”

Two Falcons who grew up around space. Two very different academic paths. One shared destination and belief in NASA’s mission to explore, innovate and inspire for the benefit of all. Their story is a reminder that the journey to any dream rarely looks the same for everyone, and yet dreams like theirs are open to anyone who pursues them. What matters is passion, persistence, and the people along the way who believe in your potential.

From Here, Anywhere … even to the stars.

98% of FWCD faculty and staff are ALL IN. They’ve already given to The FWCD Fund because they believe in their students and their school.

The FWCD Fund fuels what makes FWCD exceptional:

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Scan the QR code to view two minutes that remind you why FWCD matters.

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Join the faculty and staff and make your gift today at fwcd.org/give. Every gift, any amount, strengthens the School, its opportunities, and the community.

FWCD Honors Five Exceptional Individuals

Five exceptional individuals were honored by FWCD and the Alumni Association at the Alumni Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 23. Alumni Council President Katy Rhodes Magruder ’98 served as the evening’s host, and the following awards were presented.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Emily Stewart Lakdawalla ’92

Honorary Alumni Award

Peggy Wakeland H’25

Jean Webb Service to Alma Mater

Randy Eisenman ’93

Service to Humanity

Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine ’88

Falcon Star

John Solberg ’82

Each of the remarkable honorees represents a life of purpose, achievement and contribution that reflects powerfully on the FWCD community.

“Some of you have spent decades of your post-K-12 lives at FWCD – Randy and Peggy together totaling more than 50 years,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “Others made their mark in the time they had here: John with two years, Geraldine with three, and Emily with five. Collectively, you embody the aspirations we hold for all our students –curiosity, integrity, compassion, and a commitment to the greater good.”

Over the past year, FWCD has been working to formalize its aspirations for students into A Portrait of a Graduate. “We envision our graduates as problem-solvers, critical thinkers, purposeful explorers, community servants, and global citizens,” Lombardi noted. “ … it is clear that each of 2025’s Alumni Award honorees is living proof of those ideals. Truly, you all could be the poster children for the characteristics we celebrate in every FWCD graduate.”

An internationally admired science communicator, Lackdawalla is passionate about advancing public understanding of space and sharing the wonder of scientific discovery. After earning a degree in geology from Amherst College, she began her career teaching elementary school science, where hands-on space projects sparked her interest in becoming an Extraterrestrial Geologist. Graduate studies at Brown University led her to NASA’s extensive archive of largely unseen Solar System photos, where she found her calling: to bring the beauty of planetary exploration to the public.

Emily Stewart Lakdawalla ’92

In 2001, Lackdawalla joined The Planetary Society, becoming a leading voice through her writing, editing, radio contributions, and global outreach initiatives for the Red Rover Goes to Mars project. She has helped cultivate a vibrant community of amateur image processors through UnmannedSpaceflight.com, bridging public creativity and professional science. Her work has earned significant recognition, including the Jonathan Eberhart Planetary Sciences Journalism Award for her blog entry about Saturn’s Phoebe ring, an honorary doctorate from The Open University, and an asteroid – 274860 “Emilylakdawalla” – named in her honor. Lakdawalla continues to serve the planetary science community in advisory roles, including with the Planetary Data System Ring-Moon Systems Node Advisory Council, the Board of OpenPlanetary, and the Advisory Board of the Society for Women in Space Exploration.

Magruder had the honor of presenting the Distinguished Alumni Award to Lakdawalla. In her acceptance speech, Lakdawalla expressed deep gratitude for her FWCD teachers, especially Sharon Foster H’06 and Sharon Hamilton (both of whom were present and sitting at Lakdawalla’s table). She reflected on how the two teachers nurtured her curiosity and love of science, as she grew up as a “faculty brat.” Lakdawalla’s mother, Karen Stewart, was FWCD’s Director of Admission from 1987 to 1996.

Lakdawalla spent many afternoons in classrooms where teachers welcomed her questions and encouraged exploration long after school hours. She noted that Foster’s biology classes often took unexpected turns due to a curious student’s question. Lakdawalla credits these experiences for shaping her path as a scientist, noting that her teachers “always permitted us to be curious in every possible way.”

Wakeland has spent her entire life dedicated to education. After earning a B.A. from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1975 and an M.Ed. from Texas Christian University, she spent 18 years teaching mathematics in Tarrant County public schools before joining the FWCD family, where she served in the Upper School for 32 years. At FWCD, Wakeland taught math and later moved into administration, serving more than two decades as Assistant Head of Upper School before becoming Head of Upper School in 2021, a position she held through 2025. At the heart of Wakeland’s work is the belief that teaching is rooted in strong student-teacher relationships and in cultivating an environment where every student can thrive.

Wakeland’s administrative accomplishments include chairing FWCD’s Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School Committee in 1997-98, which culminated in FWCD being named a Blue Ribbon School in 1998-99; developing and managing a freshman study skills program; creating a classlevel deans cadre to support advisors; redesigning the advisory program to include a freshman emphasis; and working as the Director of Scheduling while also serving as the Assistant Head of Upper School (implementing

Peggy Wakeland H’25

multiple changes over the years to include rotation options and a block schedule). She has been honored with the Who’s Who Among American Teachers (nominated by a student) and is a recipient of the Bayard H. Friedman Hero and the Falcon Club Old Sport Awards.

Today, Wakeland serves as FWCD’s Alumni Relations Liaison, reconnecting with young Falcons on their college campuses to support their journeys beyond graduation. One of her most meaningful honors came from the Class of 2025, which renamed the School’s top senior award in her honor – the Peggy Wakeland H’25 Falcon Award –and endowed it with a monetary prize for future recipients.

Christy Lennox, Upper School Registrar and Community Service Coordinator, who worked closely with Wakeland from 2021 to 2025 while she was Head of Upper School, presented

the Honorary Alumni Award. In her remarks, Wakeland, who has been a Falcon for 32 years, thanked the Class of 2025 for letting her graduate with them. “I will forever be a Falcon thanks to this class,” Wakeland said.

The Class of 2025 bestowed the Honorary Alumni status on Wakeland and endowed an award in her name at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony. She also reflected on the deep relationships and mentorships that shaped her years at FWCD. She expressed gratitude to colleagues like John O’Reilly and Bill Arnold ’86 for their wisdom, guidance and friendship, and to mentors, such as Geoff Butler H’98, FWCD’s third Head of School, who hired her in 1994. Wakeland fondly recalled her early years at the School. “I was young here at that time; I’d been at the School for about three years. I idolized the teachers and felt like I was among FWCD royalty,” Wakeland said.

An investor and entrepreneur whose work centers on the intersection of business innovation and sustainable value creation, Eisenman is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Satori Capital, a multi-strategy investment firm grounded in the principles of conscious capitalism. At Satori, he leads both private equity initiatives – partnering with missiondriven companies focused on long-term impact – and the firm’s alternative investments platform, which builds customized portfolios across hedge funds, venture capital, growth equity and real assets. Before co-founding Satori, Eisenman spent a decade at Q Investments, where he became the firm’s youngest Partner and founded its private equity business. During that time, he also founded Handango, an early leader in the smartphone applications market, earning recognition such as the Inc. 500, multiple “Best Companies to Work For” accolades, and Ernst & Young’s 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Eisenman began his career as a Financial Analyst in the Principal Investments Area at Goldman Sachs and later held mergers and acquisitions and venture investing roles at Bear Stearns and HBK Investments. His leadership extends into organizations focused on purpose-driven business and

Randy Eisenman ’93

community impact: He is a Founding Trustee of Conscious Capitalism, an active member of YPO, and a former longtime trustee of the Cook Children’s Health Foundation. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Eisenman’s service to FWCD is extensive: He was a member of the Board of Trustees (2013-24), served as Board President (2020-23), and was a member of the Executive Committee for seven years. He also served on the Then, Now, Forever. Campaign as Leadership Chair and the Forward Together Comprehensive Campaign Steering Committee. Eisenman also chaired the Steering Committee for Strategic Plan 2030.

Board member and former Alumni Association President Asad Dean ’90 presented Eisenman with the Jean Webb Service to Alma Mater award. When accepting the award, Eisenman shared that his lifelong commitment to FWCD stems from one of his favorite quotes: “To those to whom much is given, much is required.”

He invoked the name of FWCD

mentors who guided him, beginning with the award’s namesake, Jean Webb H’01. “Mrs. Webb was my third grade teacher, one of my favorites. I’ll admit, I was very intimidated by her,” Eisenman said. “There was no sugarcoating with Mrs. Webb, even for third graders. Probably the lesson that stayed with me the most is that as a leader, you can be both firm and loving.”

Eisenman also spoke about lessons he learned from Coach Joe Breedlove ’78, who gave him the No. 10 jersey (Breedlove’s number while a student at FWCD) to wear as a sixth grader on the eighth-grade basketball team. “He [Beedlove] taught me a really powerful leadership lesson,” Eisenman said. “Leadership is about helping those you lead see their own potential, even when they can’t see it themselves.”

Eisenman also gave a touching shoutout to his parents, and surprised his father, Stanley, with a carrot cake and a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” from everyone in the room for his dad’s 75th birthday.

Acuña-Sunshine is President and CEO of Khan Academy Philippines, the first international licensee of Khan Academy. Since its founding two years ago, she has led its rapid nationwide growth, expanding the platform’s AI capabilities and reaching 2.7 million learners across more than 2,000 public schools in the Philippines, as well as training over 10,000 teachers. With support from the Philippines Department of Education, the Asian Development Bank, and guidance from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Khan Academy Philippines is poised for nationwide adoption and further expansion. A graduate of Harvard College, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Columbia Law School, Acuña-Sunshine has held leadership roles at Harvard, including Vice-Chair of the Board of Overseers and chair of key university committees. She continues to serve on several advisory boards across the institution.

An advocate for medical innovation, Acuña-Sunshine founded a pioneering research center at Massachusetts General Hospital focused on X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism (XDP), a rare neurodegenerative disease found only in people of Filipino descent. Through her endeavors over the past 10 years, she has worked to find a cure and has created the largest brain bank for a rare disease in the world, spearheaded

Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine ’88

clinical trials, and worked with U.S. pharma on promising therapeutics. She continues to advance medical and biotech innovation as a member of the Advisory Board of Mass General Brigham. Her earlier career included legal practice in New York and Boston, as well as more than a decade as Senior Counsel at Bracebridge Capital. Today, she also serves on multiple nonprofit and corporate boards, including the Transnational Diversified Group, the Women’s Foundation of Massachusetts, and the Asian American Foundation.

Lombardi had the pleasure of introducing Acuña-Sunshine and her honor: the Service to Humanity award. In moving remarks, Acuña-Sunshine reflected on how FWCD’s purpose, “… to inspire the passion to learn, the courage to lead, and the commitment to serve,” has guided her life’s work. She credits her FWCD education with sparking an “addiction to learning,” which led her to Harvard College, where she was offered the opportunity to complete her degree in three years. Her response: “I’m going to stay the whole four years so I can have the full college experience. Since then, I’ve attended two graduate schools, served on the University Governing Board, and now also run Khan Academy Philippines, the first international licensee of Khan Academy U.S., bringing this amazing AI-enabled American EdTech platform to the developing world. So the passion to learn, yeah, check.”

Acuña-Sunshine spoke about how her personal experience fuels her courage to lead. “Ten years ago, my brother Patrick, Country Day Class of ’95, who has an M.D./MPH from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and the Harvard School of

Public Health, developed a debilitating form of Parkinson’s that affects mostly people of Filipino descent,” she said. “Realizing that this disease was genetic and affected many indigent people in my area of the Philippines, I created a research center at Mass General Hospital and Harvard Medical School to find the defective gene, study disease progression, build animal models, and test therapeutics. I also run two free clinics that provide medical and economic support to 500 indigent patients and their families. We’ve begun clinical trials and are working with U.S. pharma to further develop targeted therapeutics.

“Moreover, what we’ve learned, documented in top U.S. science journals, will have a profound impact on the understanding of Parkinson’s disease,” she continued. “Shoutout to my teachers, Ms. [Norma] Wilkerson [H’07], Ms. Hamilton, and the late Ms. [Lu] Kelly, whose encouragement not only helped me win regional and state science fairs while I was here, but whose lessons on the scientific method I still lean on today to help generate new knowledge and hopefully save lives, even when the road is hard. Courage to lead, hopefully.”

When summarizing her commitment to serve, Acuña-Sunshine recalled a Harvard commencement speaker’s quote: “For me, living a life of service means understanding the preciousness of that breath and doing something good and worthy of your finite energy and time,” she said. “Looking back, I now realize that this is exactly what Country Day called each of us to do – to lead lives of kindness, integrity, and compassion for our highest good and the highest good of all, in short, to prioritize our commitment to serve.”

Solberg recently retired as Executive Vice President of Publicity for FX and FX Productions, concluding a 28year tenure that shaped the network’s rise from an emerging cable channel to a prestigious brand within Disney Entertainment Television. He oversaw all aspects of publicity, including consumer and trade communications, talent relations, events, awards campaigns, and advertising, while guiding the messaging for every FX series from its first original program, The Shield, to global hits like The Bear, Shōgun, and Alien: Earth. Known for cultivating strong, trust-based relationships with journalists and critics, Solberg built a reputation for providing meaningful access and thoughtful information, elevating FX’s profile across the industry.

Under Solberg’s leadership, FX earned extraordinary critical acclaim, securing 637 Emmy nominations and 134 wins, along with 105 Golden Globe nominations and 28 wins. The network reached a historic milestone at the 2024 Emmy Awards with 36 wins (more than any other network or platform), led by Shōgun’s record-setting 18 awards and The Bear’s 11 wins.

John Solberg ’82

Solberg’s campaigns supported many of FX’s most celebrated series, including Fargo, The Americans, Atlanta, Reservation Dogs, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Before FX, Solberg worked in sports media relations with the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Lakers, and Don King Productions. He is a longtime member of the Television Academy and the Television Publicity Executives Committee.

Magruder presented the evening’s final award, the Falcon Star, to Solberg, who immediately cracked a joke. “Generally, in my business, people in Hollywood don’t have big egos,” he deadpanned. “So on award shows, when people take pieces of paper up to the podium, you’re like, ‘God, how long is this gonna last? Please step away from the weapon.’ I promise to try to make this brief.”

Solberg reflected on the lasting impact of his brief but meaningful time at FWCD. He credits Lieutenant Colonel “Rocky” Rosacker H’00 for shaping his character and work ethic.

“My first introduction to the School was two-a-day football practices with Colonel Rosacker,” Solberg said. “That was a wake-up call to say the least. Colonel Rosacker said his goal was to make men of us. I don’t know that I’ve come across any coach or educator in my life who was more committed to the development of young people than the Colonel.”

Solberg recounted fond memories of football practices, dance classes, and enduring friendships, noting that the true gift of FWCD is its community. He emphasized the enduring importance of the arts. “Storytelling in all its artistic forms is vital to the human experience,” Solberg said. “It is important that we all support the arts. It’s always been a critical component of the Country Day education and still is. My time here was important to me, not for anything I contributed to the School, but for what the School and its teachers contributed to me.”

The evening ended with final words from Lombardi. “We’re so incredibly lucky that all five of our honorees were willing and able and committed to getting here to join us,” he said. “You have each done so much with your lives so far. May you continue impacting, influencing and affecting your chosen fields, passions and our school for many years to come.”

FWCD Alumni Share Lessons on

When FWCD Upper School students gathered in the Commons for the inaugural Alumni Awards Panel, they weren’t just listening to distinguished professionals – they were seeing the diverse possibilities of their own futures. These accomplished Alumni Award recipients, representing a wide range of careers, returned home to share how the foundation laid at FWCD shaped their careers.

The panel, moderated by Head of School Eric Lombardi, featured this year’s five honorees: Emily Stewart Lakdawalla ’92, a planetary scientist and writer known for her work at The Planetary Society; Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine ’88, a lawyer and researcher leading efforts to combat a rare form of Parkinson’s disease; Randy Eisenman ’93, founder of an investment firm rooted in conscious capitalism; John Solberg ’82, a retired television executive with FX; and Peggy Wakeland H’25, an honorary alumna and beloved FWCD administrator and math educator celebrating her 32nd year at FWCD.

Before turning the floor over to student questions, Lombardi encouraged the audience to listen closely. “Sometimes the most important things you learn at school are not in a classroom,” he said. “Someone up here might be doing something you want to do.”

The Roots of Inspiration

When asked which classes or teachers shaped their lives, the panelists’ answers had a common thread: curiosity,

encouragement, and the enduring impact of teachers who cared.

For Lakdawalla, who has spent two decades communicating the wonders of planetary exploration, those roots were unmistakable. “It was the science classrooms here that I just lived in,” she said, recalling mentors like former Upper School Science Teachers Sharon Foster H’06 and Norma Wilkerson H’07. “The teachers here were so indulgent of their time, answering questions and feeding curiosity,” she said. “ That’s what science is all about.”

Acuña-Sunshine credited FWCD’s balance of rigor and creativity for shaping her interests in law and science. “Sometimes you’re in class thinking, what am I ever going to use this for?” she said. “You never know. Everything you learn comes with you, and those skills can come alive again when you least expect it.”

For Solberg, whose career in television has included work on hit shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the lessons in storytelling and mentorship stuck. He remembered former Coach and Athletic Director Lieutenant Colonel “Rocky” Rosacker H’00. “You need those people in your life to motivate you when you don’t think you can do it,” he said.

And for Wakeland, who has spent more than 50 years shaping lives, FWCD was both a calling and a community. She recalled arriving from public education, unsure if she

on Life, Purpose and Perseverance

belonged, and realizing during her first open house that this was a place where families invested in their children’s futures. “My role here was to help develop young people into great citizens and leaders,” she said. “That’s the legacy I hope I’ve learned here.”

Finding Purpose in Uncertainty

When asked what advice they’d give students still figuring out their paths, the panelists agreed: purpose takes time and self-reflection.

Eisenman urged students to look inward before looking ahead. “Ask yourselves some very simple but powerful questions: Who am I? What do I stand for? Why am I here?” he said. “The more clarity you have about that, the more the right opportunities will find you.”

Lakdawalla built on that sentiment, reminding students that even the busiest adults once stood where they now stand. “It does get better,” she laughed. “You’ll have much more choice over how you spend your time being busy.”

Acuña-Sunshine offered a broader perspective on navigating change in a rapidly evolving world. “Technology and AI are transforming everything,” she said. “You need to stay grounded in your values. It’s important to know who you are, to be kind, to have integrity and compassion. Each of you has unique gifts. Your power lies where your strengths meet the world’s needs.”

Solberg, who managed teams in the entertainment industry, added a practical reminder about resilience. “Nothing is as bad as it seems, and nothing is as great as it seems,” he said. “If you can stay flexible when life throws you a curveball, you’ll always have a choice in how you respond.”

Lessons that Last

When asked about lessons from FWCD that only clicked for her later in life, Lakdawalla said, “I learned how to be bad at something and still learn from it.” She went on to describe how her early struggles in sports taught her teamwork and humility. “It made me less afraid of failure and more open to trying new things.”

Eisenman credits his success to the “soft skills” he didn’t fully appreciate until years into his career. “This school models

how to communicate, how to work on a team, how to have uncomfortable conversations,” he said. “Those lessons matter more than any spreadsheet.”

Wakeland offered timeless but straightforward advice: “Surround yourself with people you trust and be trustworthy yourself. You can’t survive on an island.”

Leadership and Connection

When a student asked how leaders stay grounded during uncertain times, the panelists shared personal reflections on balance, faith and perspective.

“The future is uncertain,” said Acuña-Sunshine. “That’s why it’s important to be grounded inside yourself, to know who you are, to find stillness amid the noise.”

Eisenman agreed, describing two “nonnegotiables” for leadership: clarity of purpose and personal well-being. “In a chaotic, rapidly changing world, if you know what you stand for, and you take care of your physical, mental and spiritual health, you’ll be better equipped to lead through anything.”

Wakeland reminded the students to value their families as their strongest support system. “Sometimes you lash out at your parents because you know they’ll love you no matter what,” she said. “But don’t take that for granted. Keep those relationships strong; you’ll never regret it.”

Lakdawalla lightened the tone with a perspective inspired by the YouTube duo the Vlogbrothers: “There are two ways to change the world: decrease the suck or increase the awesome,” she said. “Some of us work to solve hard problems; others work to make the world more beautiful. Either way, figure out which one motivates you and go do it.”

A Legacy of Learning

As the panel wrapped up, Lombardi reflected on what made the conversation so powerful: the living proof that an FWCD education, rooted in curiosity, character and community, endures long after graduation.

“These people have done amazing things, and they were once where you are,” he told the students. “Listen carefully to what resonates; you never know when it might guide you.”

Welcome Home to the Alumni Nest

Established in fall 2025 as a welcoming gathering place for Fort Worth Country Day alumni, the Alumni Nest is located in The Village on the north side of campus. It’s easy to spot, thanks to the large sign on the outside of the building. Alumni Relations Liaison Peggy Wakeland H’25 offices in the Nest, making it a natural stop for Falcons returning to campus.

Inside, the Nest feels nostalgic. Shelves hold a complete collection of FWCD yearbooks, inviting visitors to flip through pages spanning the School’s more than 60 years. Additionally, artwork is arranged on the walls and shelves throughout the room – all created by alumni during their time as FWCD students.

A large television screen brings the Falcon alumni story to life. A digital slideshow rotates through alumni events, including pictures of alumni currently attending colleges and universities across the country, Falcons returning for Homecoming Week festivities, class composite pictures, and highlights of alumni around the world.

Designed for gathering in every sense, the Nest offers space for meetings with a conference table, while comfortable seating invites Falcons to relax and have conversations. When the space first opened, Wakeland hosted coffees for alumni groups on campus, including alumni faculty and staff and faculty and staff who are parents of alumni. A coffee and tea bar is available for anyone stopping by for a visit or looking for a place to meet with former classmates. Alumni interested in holding a reunion-planning meeting or similar event can contact alumnirelations@fwcd.com to reserve the space.

Above all, the Alumni Nest is a place for FWCD alumni to reconnect with one another and a starting point for reconnecting with friends, Falcon memories and the School as a whole. Because student safety is a top priority, please schedule an appointment to stop by at your convenience and enjoy this space created especially for the 5,000 alumni of FWCD. To arrange a campus visit, email alumnirelations@fwcd.com or call 817.302.3263.

Every love tells a story, and each story has a beginning.

In a future issue of the Falconer, we will celebrate alumni couples who have joined their hearts and lives. Whether you’ve been together since your days at 4200 Country Day Lane or you reconnected later on, we want to hear your story!

If you’re interested in being featured, please email alumnirelations@fwcd.com.

Falcon Fun

In November, alumni flocked together to the Alumni Association’s Fall Happy Hour at Rex’s Bar and Grill in Fort Worth. This event, held annually on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, is a great chance for alumni of all ages to gather together when they travel home for the holiday. Alumni from six of the nearly seven decades of FWCD grads attended – and there were surprise karaoke performances from Joe Breedlove ’78 and Peggy Wakeland H’25.

In December, alumni gathered for Winter Family Fun where they decorated cookies and worked on festive winter crafts! Talon even made an appearance. On the same day, FWCD’s boys soccer and basketball teams held their annual Alumni Games. Boys soccer had around 30 alumni in attendance thanks to the hard work of Head Coach Mike Vincent – and they won the match 1-0 against the varsity team! Boys basketball had nearly 20 alumni participating in their classic older vs. younger alumni game!

Alumni Come Together to Serve

For more than a decade, Fort Worth Country Day has sent volunteers to the annual Feast of Sharing presented by H-E-B and Central Market. Many Falcon alumni had the opportunity to volunteer during their junior year in Upper School, and it has since become a tradition for them to give back to the Fort Worth community by joining this afternoon of service. This year, the Alumni Association also invited Student Alumni Ambassadors to volunteer. Together, the group seated diners, set and cleared tables, and served food and drinks, having a great evening giving back. Pictured are (back row) Ty Williams ’27, Anne-Lise Knecht Woods ’85, Nayelly Dominguez ’11, Peggy Wakeland H’25, Eleanor Siff, Cormac Dollahite ’30, Alan Dunn, (front row) Leah Cole ’27, Mia Pulido ’17, and Carolyn Dollahite ’02.

Boys soccer Alumni Games participants were Quinn Gibbons ’25, Henry Harrington ’25, Jordan Jones ’25, Jesus Orozco ’25, Eduardo Rodriguez ’25, Dario Rosas ’25, Truman Roth ’24, David Yun ’24, Matthew Aufiero ’21, Oliver Cristobal ’21, Jake Hargrove ’21, Briggs Kelly ’21, Kegan Vestal ’21, Josh Wyatt ’21, Humberto Zamorano ’21, Nicholas Aufiero ’17, Phillip Herd ’17, Edwin Carbajal ’16, Mariano Aufiero ’12, Joshua Martinez ’11, Jackson Caraway ’09, Marshall Jones ’09, Brandon Tierney ’09, Peter Alcorn ’01, Andrew Geesbreght ’98, James Stein ’98, Richard Chu ’97, and Jay Herd ’79.

Alumni Council Welcomes New Members

The FWCD Alumni Council welcomed seven new members for the 2025-26 year: Richard Chu ’97, Carolyn Forswall Dollahite ’02, Barry Greve ’81, Robin Beebe Happel ’90, Andrew Hartman ’86, Courtney Siegel Landes ’00, and Barron Parker ’09. If you are interested in exploring serving on the Alumni Council and other alumni volunteer opportunities, please reach out to Eleanor Siff, Alumni Relations Coordinator, at eleanor.siff@fwcd.com.

Richard Chu ’97

Dr. Richard Chu, D.O., is a board-certified Ophthalmologist from Fort Worth, continuing a multigenerational legacy in eyecare. A respected leader in his field, Richard lectures nationally and participates in professional organizations. He is excited to serve on the Alumni Council and has two sons currently attending the School. He’s deeply committed to both patient care and the community that shaped him.

Carolyn Forswall Dollahite ’02

Carolyn is a CPA and is the Accountant for Trinity MD. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Fort Worth and serves as Treasurer on her Neighborhood Association Board.

Carolyn and her husband, Henry Dollahite ’02, have an eighth grader and a sixth grader at FWCD. She is excited to become more involved with the School. As a member of the Alumni Council,

Carolyn hopes to contribute ideas to enhance FWCD and foster stronger relationships within the alumni community.

Barry Greve ’81

Barry’s Falcon roots run deep – his daughter, Claire-Lise Greve, graduated from FWCD in 2018 (she is named after FWCD’s own Claire-Lise Knecht H’06), and he is the brother of Rob Greve ’87 and Kurt Greve ’90. Barry has over 30 years of legal experience, with a career spanning both private practice at law firms in Fort Worth and Dallas. He has worked in private equity and General Counsel roles at health care and technology organizations. Since June 2023, he has served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Fusion Health. In this health care technology company, he is working alongside its founder, fellow FWCD alum Bales Nelson ’92 Barry earned his Juris Doctor from The American University and a B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin. A longtime member of the State Bar of Texas, Barry is also active in numerous professional legal associations and completed the Adaptive Leadership Program at TCU’s Neeley School of Business. Barry is excited to reconnect with fellow alumni and contribute to the continued success and legacy of the FWCD community.

Robin Beebe Happel ’90

Robin received a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University in 1994 and a Juris Doctor, with Honors, from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1997. After graduation, she joined the law firm of Kelly Hart & Hallman

Members

LLP, where she is currently a Partner. Robin is the parent of a current student and an FWCD alum who is in college. Robin is excited to serve on the Alumni Council because she cares about maintaining strong connections between alumni and the institution that helped shape who she is today. This role is an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way by supporting current students, strengthening alumni engagement, and contributing to the growth and success of FWCD.

Andrew Hartman ’86

Andrew lives in Bangkok, Thailand, where he teaches ninth grade English at Bangkok Christian College. Founded by Presbyterian missionaries in 1852, BCC is Thailand’s oldest school and the first private school in Thailand. He is in his 10th year of living and teaching in Bangkok and spends weekends on the beach in Pattaya. Andrew previously lived in Washington, D.C., for 20 years, serving on the steering committee of Pozitively Healthy, an HIV/AIDS advocacy organization, where he helped advise the Obama administration on the development of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In addition, he was active on several lay committees at Foundry United Methodist Church, taught English to Spanish-speaking immigrants, delivered meals for Food & Friends, and volunteered at the Whitman-Walker Clinic. Andrew appreciates the quality of the education he received and treasures the relationships he built with his mentors at FWCD. He hopes to give back to the School through his service on the Alumni Council.

Submit your Alumni Council nominations by scanning the QR code:

Courtney Siegel Landes ’00

Courtney is a proud FWCD “Original.”

Her parents, Cynthia (Courtney) ’71 and Terry Siegel ’71, met in fifth grade at FWCD, and she is one of at least 18 family members to have attended the School. Her grandmother, Evelyn Siegel H’99, founded FWCD’s Art Department and taught at the School for 19 years. Courtney is the mother of twins in first grade. She earned a B.A. in Spanish and a B.A. in Latin American Studies from The University of Texas at Austin, followed by an M.A. in Latin American Studies and an M.S. in Social Work, also from UT. Courtney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and serves as a Clinical Team Lead in the Counseling Department at Lena Pope. Locally, Courtney has volunteered with Gill Children’s Services, The WARM Place, and Beth-El Congregation.

Barron Parker ’09

Barron attended FWCD from kindergarten through 12th grade. He attended Texas Tech University, earning a degree in business management, and later earned an MBA with a concentration in investments and corporate finance from Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business. Barron is the Director of Asset Management at Telis Group. His primary responsibilities include coordinating due diligence, portfolio management, and monitoring and managing construction and leasing progress. Before Telis, Barron was a Portfolio Manager at a national bank, an AVP Loan Officer at Community Bank, and a Broker at two DFW-based real estate firms.

Homecoming and Reunions

Homecoming 2025 included the usual favorite events on Friday afternoon. First, a campus tour with Director of Admission and Enrollment Caroline Corpening Lamsens ’99, where alumni had the chance to reminisce about their time on campus and get a taste of what it’s like for current FWCD students. After the campus tour, alumni and current and former faculty and staff gathered in the Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center for a reception where they enjoyed visiting and sharing stories before the football game.

Class of 1980

The Class of 1980 gathered for their 45th Reunion Party at the home of Brad Corbett. They had a remarkable turnout and fun events throughout the weekend, including a gathering with their parents and former faculty on October 17 and lunch at Angelo’s on October 18. Pictured are (back row) Brad Corbett, Bill Cowan, Clay Brants, Parker Schenecker, Philip Williamson, Scott Miller, Richard Sanders, Andrée French Griffin, Jim Fleming, Brad Tribble, Robert Judd, Bill Runyon, (middle row) Barry Rubin, Rhonda Neben, Lisa Landers Goldberg, Lauren Schmuck Puff, Pam Barker Hertel, Kirk Miller, John Brookman, Steve Berry, (second row) Robin Blumberg Selinger, Lauris Hillard Gibson, Laura Ward Gruber, Melissa Corpening, Lisa Sankary O’Connor, Dan Reese, Joe Willis, (first row) Blaine Smith, Amy Boyd Ryan, Alison Weir Small, and Shannon Young Ray.

Class of 1985

The 40th reunion party for the Class of 1985 took place at Rogers Roundhouse. Special guest Joe Breedlove ’78 even made an appearance. Pictured are (back row) Matthew Head, Rob Fulkerson, Brent Hawthorne, Ric Bonnell, Alyssa Banta, Alexandra Stevens, Head of School Eric Lombardi, (Front row) Stacie Helm Growald, Jody Anicito Cunningham, Anne-Lise Knecht Woods, and Joe Breedlove ’78.

Class of 1975

The Class of 1975 gathered at The Original Del Norte to celebrate their 50th reunion! Class Agents Mimi Ward Benoist and David Ekstrom led the charge with getting everyone organized for a wonderful evening with friends and a special guest, Sharon Foster H’06 Pictured are (back row) Cheslea Kemble Taylor, Bee Dowling Hawks, Peter Morris, Maxine Acola, David and Karen Ekstrom, John Benoist, Mimi Ward Benoist, Bill Nolan, Kim Williamson Darden Glenn Darden, (front row) Sharon Foster H’06, Carla Olin Holmgren, Charles Fugitt, Jim DuBose, and Head of School Eric Lombardi.

Class of 1995

While a small group gathered after the Homecoming football game, the Class of 1995 organized a larger gathering at the home of Alison E. McManus over the Thanksgiving holiday to celebrate their 30th reunion. Pictured are (back row) Leland Clemons, Stan Phillips, Brian Gratch, Rob Semple, Scott Coats, Lawrence Hawkins, Brandon Houpt, Amy Croft, Justin Croft, (front row) Kristin Clemons, Joe Keyes, Tracy Carrington, Alison E. McManus, and Jessica Hawkins.

Class of 2000

The Class of 2000 25th Reunion Party was full of fun at the home of Courtney Siegel Landes. Pictured are (back row) Mitchell Hanzik, Scott Boyd, James Delaune, Richie Peterson, Rob Hickey, Corrine Hyman Quast, Sam More, Kate Terry More, Jim Tatum, Christine Keyes Sizemore, Elizabeth Hill Deegan, Leslie Ritchie Robnett, Caroline Keith Settle, Head of School Eric Lombardi, Justin Holt, Meredith Harrington Arasaratnam, Colin McConnell, Kendall Zanowiak Antonelli, (front row) Elise Graham, Carly Mills Tatum, Jessica Johns Childs, Maury Merlins Nierling, Carolyn Chu, Courtney Siegel Landes, Elizabeth Hoffman Lucas, and Sarah Watson Ofner.

Class of 2010

The Class of 2010 gathered at Pacific Table to celebrate their 15th reunion. Pictured are Head of School Eric Lombardi, Matt Kreston, Jennifer Lindsey Kreston, Lindsey Rattikin Comstock, Joe Breedlove ’78, Ben Ryan, Wesley Davis Reese, Keller Reese, Perry Ginsberg, Shelby Ginsberg, Kacie Bratton, Miles Bratton, Ashley Uptegraft Phillips, David Lawrence, Annie Heinzelmann Lawrence, Matthew Summers, Kay Harrison, and John Lee Harrison.

Class of 2015

The Class of 2015’s 10th reunion took place at Birdie’s Social Club. Pictured are (back row) Head of School Eric Lombardi, Kelton Rippetoe, Michael Estrada, Eric Lopez, Walker Wade, John Davidson, Juan Robles, Taft Henderson, Garrett Podell, Amanda Stephens, Connor Cassady, Stephen Nolan, Cole Vick, William Kleinheinz, Mixson Staffel, Christina Paulus, (front row) Hannah Cramer Hamilton, Isabelle Goetz, Shelby Sanford Langford, Maddie Tunnard, Laura Catherine Wilson Davidson, Isabella Burnette, Riley Dean, Kennedy Stovall Henderson, Carlyle Rascoe Phillips, Sydney Phillips, Meg Moritz, Caroline Malanga, Ellee Conway, Kate Laughlin, and Laura Murphy.

Class of 2020

After missing out on their senior prom and senior overnight as a result of the pandemic, the Class of 2020 gathered at Joe T. Garcia’s in December for their 5th reunion. Pictured are (back row) Thomas Dickerson, Alex Wilkinson, Steffen Palko, Sam Woodson, Nolan Sanchez, Will Tuomey, Kenzi Carter, India Turner, Pearce Wallach, Sam Jones, Grant Goldman, Carter Vick, Katey Parham, Ned Newton, Stephen Murrin, Ben Alexander, Campbell Hyde, Orlando Robles, Mia Kovachev, Ian Lee, Julia Petsche, Zack Hasenzahl, Sam Kollmeier, (third row) William Portwood, Grayson Uhr, Riya Patel, Parker Karpel, Alex Orozco, William Burnette, Harrison Todora, Chris Wilkins, Katie Bynum, Rachel Lynch, Lily Melcher, Sidney Hubli, Brett Nowlin, Abigail Anton, Ozzie Fleischer, Avery Clinkscale, Anna Moritz, Sarah Hillebrecht, (second row) Chris Edwards, Andrew Porter, Eliza Turner, Isabella Ray, Olivia Barnard, Evan Barnard, Merrett Watson, Claire Cooper, Catherine Andrew, Waldron Collins, Stephanie Cook (front row) Eduardo Tovar, Margaret Biggs, Mia Fleischer, and Natalie Collins.

ALUMNI NEWS

Class of 2005

Members of the Class of 2005 started their reunion with a family play date on Saturday morning at FWCD. Then they celebrated their 20th reunion at Heim Barbecue. Pictured are (fourth row) Eric Detweiler, Harrison Willis, Travis Clayton, Alex Leonard, Mason Gadberry, Philip Anthony, Brad Tatum, Collin Bird, (third row) Melissa Williams, Mark Davidovich, Kate Delaney, Ashton Burk, Chad Ohl, Andrew Vernon, Bonnie Bollinger, Kit Herrmann, Daniyal Qassam, Thomas Anderson, Brad Hahn, Vince Egyed, (second row) Thomas West, Samantha Fant, Jessica Siegel, Natalie Bracken, Andi Severin Goins, Jessica Tetirick, Chloe Bade Anderson, Amy Tatum Klein, (front row) Madeleine Samuelson Herman, Kate Chapman, Bailey Woodson Richard, Chelsea Tabor, Ashley Kuhn, Sarah Beth Thompson Modlin, Megan Cox Wood, and Dina McKenney

Class of 1990

Members of the Class of 1990 celebrated their 35th reunion with an evening of fun at the Bowie House. Pictured are (back row) Nowlin Randolph, Darin Norman, Elliot Goldman, Mark Hart, (middle row) Chris Bartel, Lisa Ginsberg, Natalia Hanson, Farhan Ali, Les Kreis, Kurt Greve, David Dickerson, (front row) Asad Dean, Kelly Blue Duffort, Laura Baldwin, Kendall Langdon Levy, Sara Stancukas Hull, Robin Beebe Happel, Carrie Wilson Pancoast, and Shannon Pace Hart.

Class of 2009

After missing their 15th reunion last year, the Class of 2009 had a make-up 15+1 reunion at Magnolia Wine Bar in December. Pictured are James Fletcher, Alice Conlin Fletcher, Max Bradley, Annie Philpott Bradley, Callie Young, Isom Innis, Cara Darden Farinholt, and Bart Farinholt.

Peggy on the Road

Peggy Wakeland H’25 has been hitting the road! As Alumni Relations Liaison, she’s on a mission to visit as many FWCD college-aged alumni as possible to learn what they’re up to now, their experiences at FWCD, and to gather feedback on how the School can best prepare students for college and beyond. In addition, Wakeland is helping alumni connect with one another on their college campuses. Wakeland stated, “The thing that I am happiest about is that our outreach to our college students has given them an opportunity to spend time together as Falcon alumni to reminisce and acknowledge that they would like to reunite in the future.” These connections have proven especially valuable when upperclassmen are able to help younger students navigate various programs and organizations at their colleges/universities.

Colleges and Universities

The Peginator has Visited So Far

Austin Community College

Baylor University

Rice University

Wakeland’s travels started in September, with the goal of visiting all FWCD alumni at Texas colleges and universities. She began near home, with stops at the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University in Denton. Since then, she’s visited numerous alumni across the state and beyond. In the first half of the 2025-26 academic year, Wakeland visited students at all 17 Texas colleges and universities where Falcons are enrolled, as well as two in Oklahoma. In fact, her best turnout was at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, where 15 Falcon alumni gathered across the two campuses. At OSU, 100% of the FWCD alumni who are enrolled attended, and 50% of the Falcons at OU were in attendance.

During her visits, Wakeland has learned that Falcon alumni are studying everything from art and political science to nursing, engineering and more. To her delight, the answer at each visit, when she asks for feedback as to whether FWCD prepared students for college, has been a resounding yes. Wakeland shared, “There is a consensus among those I have visited that FWCD prepared them for their transition to collegiate challenges. They talked about their strengths in public speaking, writing, self-discipline and organizational skills.”

As she looks ahead to the spring semester, Wakeland’s eyes are on the Southeast and East Coast. If you are a Falcon alum attending college or graduate school in those areas, keep your eyes peeled for an invite from The Peginator! And don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any ideas for a gathering at your college or university.

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

Oklahoma State University

Southern Methodist University

Southwestern University

Stephen F. Austin University

Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University - Burleson

Texas A&M - College Station

Texas Christian University

Texas Tech University

Texas Woman’s University

Trinity University

University of Houston

University of North Texas

University of Oklahoma

University of Pennsylvania

University of Texas - Arlington

University of Texas - Austin

Yale University

David Capper ’73

David Capper ’73 describes himself as a bit of a goofball in high school – something he admits hasn’t entirely changed. But a pivotal conversation at the end of his sophomore year at Western Hills High School changed the course of his life. Capper’s World History Teacher pulled him aside and delivered a blunt message. Although he earned a B in the class, the teacher made it clear that the grade did not reflect Capper’s effort or ability. His lack of focus, the teacher warned, had earned him far less than he was capable of achieving. Capper’s teacher urged him to think seriously about his future, cautioning that continuing down the same path would lead to a disappointing future.

That summer, those words lingered, and Capper was unable to shake the conversation from his mind. Encouraged by his neighbor, Lieutenant Colonel “Rocky” Rosacker H’00, Capper applied to Fort Worth Country Day. He met with Head of School Peter Schwartz H’98, who helped him create a plan to attend Country Day. Schwartz offered Capper a job as a janitor in the Sid W. Richardson Gymnasium, which would make tuition affordable for his parents.

When the school year began and he was surrounded by new classmates at FWCD, he was reminded of his former teacher’s words. “The Class of 1973 at FWCD was an amazing group of people,” Capper said. “Brilliant, accomplished leaders, and I was the weak link! There was absolutely no more goofing around.” What followed were two transformative years.

A meeting with English Teacher Anne Robinson H’18 set him on the right path academically. He kept comparing himself to his classmates, and Robinson encouraged him to shift his mindset and focus on the learning itself. “It took me two years to learn how to learn,” he said, but the discipline stuck, and he became what he calls a “bona fide student.” All the while, he was motivated by his classmates. When it came time for college and later medical school, Capper was grateful he’d become a good student. “Country Day laid a great groundwork for how to prioritize your day of studying, and how to sequester time for other activities,” he said, sharing that extracurriculars were both mandated and

encouraged through the culture of the 3A’s. He played three sports, participated in plays and musicals, and worked on the Scorpion, the School’s literary magazine, while working his job as a campus janitor.

FWCD also reinforced in Capper a strong moral compass. Inspired by the School’s Honor Code, he ran for and ultimately chaired the Honor Council, then served as Student Body President at Austin College, where he earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts. He then went on to graduate from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Combined with the values modeled by his parents and siblings and shaped by a strong Judeo-Christian ethic, this sense of integrity and compassion became central to who he is.

Today, Capper is a respected Fort Worth Physician whose career has spanned medical education, palliative care, and street medicine. He works as a faculty member at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine, serving as Professor and Chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences, Chief Medical Officer of Community Healthcare of Texas, and the Medical Director of Beautiful Feet Ministries. In recognition of his impact and integrity, he was awarded the Tarrant County Medical Society’s prestigious Gold-Headed Cane Award.

Classmate and friend Frank Stevenson describes Capper as a physician who cares deeply for his patients and their families. “David was my dad’s physician. He not only met my dad’s needs, but he met our family’s needs, too,” he said. “That’s because David doesn’t just care for his patients, he cares about them. Skillfully. Compassionately. Generously. David embodies theologian Frederick Buechner’s insight that ‘Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.’ He has that rare and manifest contentedness that only comes from doing what you know you were meant to do, for the people, at the place, and in the time you were meant to do it.”

Capper’s time as a student at FWCD may have been brief, but his lifelong friendships, love of learning and strong core values are evidence that he will forever be a Falcon.

Retired Faculty –Where are They Now?

By Debby Jennings

Geoff Butler H’98 Head of

School, 1987-96

After retiring as Head of School, Geoff served for 10 years as Executive Director of ISAS, the organization that accredits FWCD and other independent schools. When he retired from ISAS in 2006, Geoff planned to spend time in New Mexico and Florida. Instead, he served as interim Head of School at Trinity School in Midland, Holland Hall in Tulsa, and the McDonogh School in Baltimore while these schools were searching for permanent Heads. After four retirements, Geoff and his wife, Evie, settled in Destin and traveled before returning to Fort Worth in 2020.

Geoff said moving back was timely because Evie was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma brain cancer and is receiving care from Dr. Asad Dean ’90. In addition to being

Darlene Ignagni

Grade 3, 1999-2004; Grade 4, 2005-10; Grade 5, 2012-18

Darlene and her husband, Joe, divide their time between Alabama, Florida and destination travel. Alabama is home to daughter, Chelsea ’08, her husband, Davis Stanley, and two grandchildren, whom they love watching grow up. Darlene and Joe spend a good deal of time in the Southwest working with the Navajo Nation on behalf of their church. As for travel, they visit Europe twice a year. Her favorite excursions have been a two-week trip to Egypt, a mission trip to Eswatini with Chelsea, and hiking the Dolomites.

close to trusted medical care, Geoff attends his grandchildren’s school events. The Butlers still spend summers in Taos, which allows Geoff to fly fish. When in Fort Worth, he volunteers at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Geoff shared that the highlights of his FWCD years include expanding the Lower School, building the Moncrief Library, reconfiguring the Middle School, expanding the science facilities, creating a health service team, establishing a Security Department, starting Summerbridge (now Breakthrough Fort Worth), and establishing an honor system in the Upper School.

In addition, he shared, “I am proud of our family legacy at Country Day, with William [’96] serving as Chair of the Board of Trustees and his wife, Anjie Landreth Butler [’94], and grandchildren, Ward [’24] and Adelaide [’26], all proud Falcons. Anjie’s parents, Gail Widner [’69] and Bill Landreth [’67], are also alumni, with Bill being the first alumnus to serve as Board Chair.”

Using the skills she developed over 35 years of teaching, Darlene is also the President of the Board of her family’s HVAC company in Michigan, which her father founded 50 years ago. Her nephew is CEO, and her four sisters are involved in the business. She travels there often and is proud that the company is thriving. Darlene also does a lot of public speaking, writing and teaching for her church.

When asked about her proudest FWCD achievements, Darlene highlights the Night of the Museum project she and Bree Stubbs created. The students wrote research papers on Greek and Roman topics, created artifacts, and even constructed an Egyptian tomb at the culminating event of the school year. “I hope that I inspired a love of history and literature, and how knowing about the past helps to make connections and aid in the understanding of the present,” Darlene said.

Class Notes

Do you have great news to share with fellow FWCD alumni?

Are you interested in becoming a class agent? Please email alumnirelations@fwcd.com to submit a note or sign up today!

1960s

Class Agents

1967 Bill Curtis curtis@acm.org Bill Landreth blandreth@liferoy.com

1968 Needs Class Agent

1969 Steve Geis geislaw@hotmail.com

Bill Curtis ’67 will receive Eckerd College’s prestigious Carlos F. Barbas III ’85 Alumni Award in March. The award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated significant career achievements or contributions in medical or scientific research. The award commemorates the life and accomplishments of Carlos Barbas, whose groundbreaking work in cancer, HIV, synthetic biology, and synthetic chemistry continues to inspire. Bill is the Senior Vice President and Chief Scientist at CAST Software and Executive Director, Consortium for Information and Software Quality. Bill is a software industry leader with a long history of helping companies work smarter and build better-quality software. He helped create widely used standards and models to improve software development and manage technical teams. He has run research labs that produce both software products and studies on how software is built and used. The author of four books and over 250 articles, Bill has

Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo ’73 is a longtime Trustee of Roanoke College in Salem, VA, where she established the Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo Center for Art in 2017. In October 2025, she received the Perry F. Kendig Arts and Culture Awards’ Special 40th Anniversary Horizon Award, which is presented in recognition of extraordinary generosity that extends beyond boundaries, expanding the reach and impact of the arts in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. She is pictured on the far right, along with other Kendig Awards recipients. In addition to serving her collegiate alma mater, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, VA, where she chairs the Collections Committee. Joanne also continues to serve on the board of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, with a decades-long tenure (41 years and counting).

been recognized by major engineering and computing organizations for his contributions to software development and team management.

1970s

Class Agents

1970 Needs Class Agent

1971 Terry Siegel

htsiegel@bvc.com

1972 Richard Garvey richard@jagee.com

1973 Needs Class Agent

1974 Needs Class Agent

1975 Mimi Ward Benoist

mbenoist@higginbotham.net

David Ekstrom

dvekstrom@yahoo.com

1976 Brad Nowlin

brad@bradnowlin.com

1977 Needs Class Agent

1978 Needs Class Agent

1979 Needs Class Agent

1980s

Class Agents

1980 Needs Class Agent

1981 Martha Cox

marthaccox@yahoo.com

1981 Dan Tatum danltatum@live.com

1982 Needs Class Agent

1983 Needs Class Agent

1984 Needs Class Agent

1985 Anne-Lise Knecht Woods anne-lise.woods@fwcd.com

1986 Amy Street Deverell amyclifton3@gmail.com

1987 Needs Class Agent

1988 Needs Class Agent

1989 Needs Class Agent

Welcome to the Nest!

Courtney Corbeille Krauss ’06 and her husband, Dave, welcomed their second child, a daughter, Campbell Marie, on December 11, 2025.

Stephanie Stouffer Joyce ’07 and her husband, Ryan, welcomed their daughter, Charlotte Marie, on October 15, 2025. Big brother Patrick (2.5) is excited to have a baby sister!

Jacob Story ’09 and his wife, Josie, welcomed their son, Jacob Lee Story, Jr., “JJ”, on June 11, 2025.

Olivia Buis Prince ’14 and her husband, Walt, welcomed a son, Walter Howell, Jr., “Howie”, on September 4, 2025.

Leslie Blake Gomez ’15 and her husband, Richie, welcomed their first child, Eliza, in August.

Kennedy Stovall Henderson ’15 and her husband, Taft Henderson ’15, welcomed a baby girl, Margot Ruth Henderson, on December 13, 2025.

Teresa Meeks Bristol ’81, Martha Cox ’81 and Judith Vincent ’81 gathered in Round Top in October 2025. Teresa, a talented painter, sold her art a few booth spaces from Scott Tatum ’76 and his wife, Suzanne. Judith was honored as the Mayor of Round Top at Mimosas with the Mayor.

Willa Cross, daughter of Alan Cross ’86, is in the pre-professional ballet program at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She is finishing her senior year of high school online. She did not inherit her father’s dance moves, which could best be described as arrhythmic.

Andrew Hartman ’86 is returning to Fort Worth in July 2026 after 10 years as an expat in

Hoffman ’97 is the Co-founder and President of the nonprofit, The Barking Project. She appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show as part of the PAWSitively Good Awards for the organization’s work helping hundreds of dogs find forever homes and get a second chance at a wonderful life. The purpose of the appearance was to highlight The Barking Project’s mission: to save the lives of dogs facing euthanasia in overcrowded Texas shelters by organizing a large-scale adoption event for shelters and rescues, and to raise funds for the participating organizations. Since the organization is run solely by volunteers, 100% of the proceeds go directly to these groups.

During the segment, the Good ‘n’ Fun dog treat brand surprised Emily and The Barking Project with a $10,000 donation to support their cause, along with a year’s worth of treats for the shelters they work with. Since its inception in 2022, The Barking Project, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, has raised over $130,000 and facilitated more than 450 adoptions of rescue dogs and puppies. For more information, visit thebarkingproject.com.

his roles as both CFO of Crimson Chemicals in Fort Worth and an artist, a talent he discovered after giving himself a painting lesson for his 50th birthday. His artwork is on display at House of NeVille Gallery & Gatherings.

1990s

Class Agents

1990 Needs Class Agent

1991 Needs Class Agent

1992 Needs Class Agent

1993 Needs Class Agent

1994 Ashley Bartlett ajnb@me.com

1995 Alison E. McManus amcmanus@post.harvard.edu

1996 Needs Class Agent

1997 Zareen Khan zareen12345@gmail.com

1998 Katy Rhodes Magruder katherinearhodes@gmail.com

1998 Carter Tatum cartertatum@gmail.com

1999 Needs Class Agent

Leland Clemons ’95, Founder and CEO of BondBloxx, rang the NASDAQ closing bell in January. Joe Breedlove ’78 was in New York and joined Leland and his team on stage. BondBloxx’s mission is to modernize fixed income investing by bringing the same level of choice, precision and cost efficiency to bond ETFs that investors have come to expect in equities.

Loran Fredric ’99 started Hazelwood Associates, his own executive search and talent studio, based in Austin, TX, after years in the recruiting industry. Loran earned an A.B. in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies from UCLA Anderson School of Management.

2000s

Class Agents

2000 Courtney Siegel Landes cesiegel@gmail.com Carly Mills Tatum carlyjeane@gmail.com

2001 Needs Class Agent

2002 Needs Class Agent

2003 Kara Anderson Snyder karalynnsnyder@gmail.com Sarena Green Wright Sarenawright@gmail.com

2004 Kate Strickland Jennings kjennings610@gmail.com

2004 Keri DeVos Hickman keridhickman@gmail.com

2005 Needs Class Agent

2006 Needs Class Agent

2007 Stephanie Stouffer Joyce stephaniestouffer@gmail.com

2008 Needs Class Agent

2009 Alice Conlin Fletcher aconlin13@gmail.com

Carly Mills Tatum ’00 was appointed to the United Way of Tarrant County Board of Directors.

J Mack Slaughter ’02 was featured in a People Magazine story about how he uses a line from the HBO series The Pitt in his work as an ER Physician. “I didn’t really expect to be watching a TV show and unlocking essentially a tool that I would be able to use, like a roadmap for saying goodbye to family members. That’s not what

I watched The Pitt for,” he stated in the article. “Dr. Robby quotes the Hawaiian practice of Ho’oponopono. It makes me emotional, but it’s, ‘I love you. Thank you. I forgive you. Please forgive me.’”

Creel Family Philanthropies, run by Whitney Baggett Creel ’04 and Kate Strickland Jennings ’04, hosted Cowtown’s Warm Hearts of Winter in December 2025. The event benefited Camp La Junta, Heaven’s 27, and the Kerr County School Districts. The donation drive encouraged families to shop together for those affected by the July 4 Hill Country floods.

Courtney Corbeille Krauss ’06 and her sister, Chandler Corbeille ’11, both cheered on the varsity squad at FWCD and later at the University of Oklahoma. In October, they traveled to Norman for the OU Cheer Reunion during Homecoming.

Brittany Jenkins ’09 made her directorial debut with a production of Kiss Me, Kate! at the Lake Worth Playhouse in Lake Worth, FL. She is pictured here, front row center, with the cast.

2010s

Class Agents

2010 Miles Bratton miles.e.bratton@gmail.com

2010 Ashley Uptegraft auptegraft10@gmail.com

2011 Nayelly Dominguez ndominguez@smu.edu

2012 Audrey Laker Madigan audreylakermadigan@gmail.com

2013 Annabeth Reeb alreeb@me.com

2014 Needs Class Agent

2015 Amanda Stephens agstephens.1@gmail.com

2016 Jacob Rains jrains22@gmail.com

2017 Jack Carvalho joaquimacarvalho12@gmail.com

2018 Kathleen Clum kathleen.clum22@gmail.com

2019 Sarah Clark clarksarah160@gmail.com

James Snyder ’10, an attorney practicing Estate & Trust Litigation at Winstead PC in Dallas, was recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for the fourth consecutive year.

Class Agent Q&A

Alice

Conlin Fletcher ’09

How long have you served as a Class Agent?

I’ve been serving as Class Agent since August 2025. It’s been such a fun few months reconnecting with classmates and brainstorming ways to help our group stay engaged.

What made you decide to volunteer as a Class Agent?

I was bummed that our class missed our 15-year reunion, and I realized that if I didn’t want that to happen again, I needed to step up and help make it happen!

What are your fondest FWCD memories?

My fondest memories always involve laughing with friends or connecting with teachers and coaches. I’ll never forget making silly announcements for volleyball games with Spencer Duran ’09, listening with fear and deep respect as Joe Murph told us stories at wrestling practice, or showing Dr. [Suzanne] Lewis the movie Saved in World Religion class.

Who were your favorite teachers or coaches at FWCD and why?

Ken Allen [Track and Field Program Director, 2000-12] was hands down my favorite coach. He taught me how to run a team and be the kind of leader people actually want to follow. But more than that, he taught me how to be a decent human being. His mentorship stuck with me, and I still find myself quoting him to my own teams at work.

In what ways has FWCD stayed with you since you graduated?

The people have stayed with me more than anything. I still hang out with many of the same friends, and we still tell the same stories and laugh just as hard (sorry to our spouses). I still get so excited when I see former classmates, teachers or coaches, like the time I shouted across the DFW baggage claim when I spotted Bill Arnold [’86] because I was so happy to see him! That kind of connection is such a gift.

What are you most looking forward to as a Class Agent?

I’m most looking forward to reconnecting with classmates and creating a culture where people genuinely want to engage. We’ve all lived a lot of life since graduating, and it’s fun to see where everyone has landed and what they’ve been up to.

Falcon Weddings

Amy Street ’86 and her fiance, Chris Deverell, eloped at sunrise and wed privately at the top of a mountain in Cacapon State Park on October 10, 2025. They are both so grateful to be experiencing the love story of their dreams.

Ryan Miller ’09 and Sierra Smith were married on the Greek island of Crete in May of 2024 with family attending.

Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo ’73 married Monk White at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach in December 2024. Several of her classmates were in attendance. Pictured are Bridesmaid Cary Laughlin Johnston ’74, Best Man Dick Thompson ’73, Susy Laughlin Weaver ’70, Lisa Laughlin Schneider ’69, Tom Leatherbury ’73 and Flower Girl Paloma Binnie, granddaughter of Cary Laughlin Johnston. This is Joanne’s first marriage so they celebrated in style! The couple resides in Austin.

Alice Conlin ’09 married James Fletcher on May 3, 2025 in Washington, CT. Falcons in attendance were Jessica Conlin Liss ’00, Kelly Fant Goodwin ’09, Stephen Goodwin ’09, Marshall Jones ’09, Brandon Tierney ’09, and Spencer Duran ’09.

Nayelly Dominguez ’11, a corporate attorney at 7-Eleven, is receiving an award for Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion, presented by the Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook. She was also featured in The Texas Lawbook in a January article titled “Daughter of Immigrants, 7-Eleven Corporate Counsel Nayelly Dominguez Builds Pathways, Not Just Programs.”

J.R. Gideon ’14 ran the New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025, as a member of Fred’s Team. He ran in memory of his late grandfather, Bill Runyon (also an FWCD past parent and former Trustee), who passed away nearly 20 years ago after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Fred’s Team, named in honor of New York City Marathon Co-founder and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center patient Fred Lebow, brings together passionate runners and supporters to lead the way against cancer. 100% of the funds he raised, nearly $9,000, will go directly into MSK labs where doctors and scientists have expertise in over 400 types of cancer and work every day to find new cures. J.R. finished the marathon in 3:29:44 with an eightminute mile pace.

Alexandra Galloway ’19 started an M.A. program in Comparative Literature at University College London. An alumna of Yale University, Alexandra lived in Seoul, South Korea, where she pursued advanced Korean language study as a fully funded Yale Light Fellow.

Joe Westermann ’19 and Avery Pate ’19 attended the Texas State Thespian Festival representing Spotlight Cast & Crew. Spotlight Cast & Crew is a nonprofit organization that provides high school theatre students with tuition-free summer musical theatre intensives. Joe co-founded the organization with former FWCD Theatre Teacher Melodee Halbach

2020s

Class Agents

2020 Katie Bynum katiegbynum@gmail.com Will Tuomey will.tuomey@gmail.com

2021 Needs Class Agent

2022 Mary McGann marygmcgann@icloud.com

2023 Lillian Buchanan lillianbuchanan0722@gmail.com

2023 Chelsey Etta chelseyetta@icloud.com

2024 Needs Class Agent

2025 Needs Class Agent

Jayda Fulp ’25 was named to the USA Judo Junior World Championship roster and competed in Lima, Peru, in October 2025 in the 78kg division against the world’s best under-21 athletes. Jayda represented Team USA and gained valuable experience. Before Peru, she earned a bronze medal at the Taipei Junior Asian Cup and the Taipei Asian Open in July. Now training with Chandler Judo Academy, Jayda’s goal is to earn a spot on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Team. Jayda also served as an FWCD wrestling coach during the winter season.

In Memoriam

Harry Bartel

Glenn Buis

Chipley “Chip” Dickey ’87

Kelly Rowan Greenwell ’75

Gerald Hartsel

Janis Hooton

Kathleen Libonati

Richard E. Lombardi

Laura McGown

Diana Oberzan

Angelo Otero

Jamie Rains

Harold Michael Reese

Elisabeth “Tad” Sanders H’18

Bill Webb

CLASS NOTES

Belle Xu ’24, Hannah Cheng ’24, Sydney Airheart ’23, Jack Mezey ’23, and Rob Batton ’23 spoke with FWCD juniors and seniors in January at College Chat, a College Counseling event that brings young alumni back to campus to share their college experiences. These Falcons agreed that FWCD prepared them well for the academic work they encounter in college, and they cited getting to know their professors and developing solid time-management skills as critical factors that lead to their overall academic and personal success in college.

Falcons on the Road New York

In January, Falcon alumni and friends gathered at the home of Sarah Stevenson Baird ’80 in New York City. They were joined by Head of School Eric Lombardi, Alumni Relations Liaison Peggy Wakeland H’25, Director of Advancement Sandra Tuomey, and Executive Director of Breakthrough Fort Worth Joe Breedlove ’78. Five decades of FWCD alumni were represented in the group from the 1980s through the 2020s. Pictured are (standing) Head of School Eric Lombardi, Sarah Stevenson Baird ’80, Peggy Wakeland H’25, Rachel Rosenstein ’09, Anna Hoover Rosenfield ’09, Madi Bass ’13, Graham Pergande ’15, Blair Taylor Walker ’99, Becky Andrews White ’01, Nicki Hubbard ’11, Samantha Hubbard ’14, Will Tuomey ’20, Stephen Murrin ’20, Hank Toomey ’20, John Taylor, Jane Taylor ’00, Sidney Diamond ’18, Katia Khammar ’18, (seated) Carleigh Koger, Joe Breedlove ’78, Emily Wise Haskell ’89, Ben Sankary ’14, Cece Brants ’17, and Riya Patel ’20. (Not pictured: Michael Ginsburg ’95, Leland Clemons ’95, Maggie Brants ’18)

Falcons Supporting Falcons

In an effort to support the Fort Worth Country Day community, we’re building our directory of FWCD family and alumni-owned businesses. Use this QR code to add your business to the list.

IN MEMORIAM

Elisabeth “Tad” Sanders H’18

Elisabeth “Tad” Sanders H’18 passed away on December 17, 2025. Tad taught English and History at FWCD from 1966-71 and 1986-2002. She and her husband of 69 years, Carl, were blessed with three children: two daughters, Elissa Sanders Eggleston ’74 and Rebecca Sanders Baker ’91 and a son, John Sanders ’77

Tad’s first stint at FWCD, as an English Teacher, lasted five years. Carl, an Air Force Pilot, received a transfer, and the couple moved. Throughout the ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s, they moved around the country. With each move, Tad touched the lives of students and faculty teaching at many different schools, including Texas Tech University; Sacramento City College, American River Junior College, and Sacramento public schools in California; the University of Maryland Extension Program (in Oslo, Norway); Western Oklahoma State College; Tarrant County Junior College; the University of Texas at Arlington; and Texas Christian University. She also taught at Lutcher Stark High School in Orange, Texas, before she married Carl.

The couple moved back to Fort Worth in 1984, and Tad returned to FWCD in 1986. She taught history this time and assisted with theatre productions. In a previous “Where Are They Now?” article, Tad shared that some of her favorite memories included field trips, especially when the choir went to Europe; the days when Sharon Foster H’05 and her classes looked for specimens; and the San Antonio trips.

She fondly remembered the distinct approaches her students took to prosecuting and defending Colonel Chivington, known for his role in the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. Her colleagues had particularly fond memories of Tad’s embrace of Halloween celebrations and always going all out in her personal costume.

Tad retired from FWCD in 2002, and she took advantage of her newfound free time. She held positions and affiliations with various professional teaching organizations. She was the Program Chair of the RAF Mildenhall Officers’ Wives Club and the American Association of University Women in Altus, Oklahoma, being designated “Woman of the Year.” Tad was a member of the Planning Committee for Tarrant County Junior College Shakespeare Festival and a docent at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. In addition to her community work, Tad traveled to more than 28 countries during her retirement, taking many trips with family and retired FWCD teachers.

In the 2017-18 academic year, FWCD’s Alumni Association bestowed its highest honor on Tad: Honorary Alumna. In her program biography, Tad shared that Country Day had been like an anchor in a world of scattered homes. She felt that the Country Day community was her hometown. “Teaching English and History at Country Day was the professional love of my life – I cherish the classroom experiences, theater productions and school trips.”

In the winter of 1988, Middle School and Upper School students rallied together, collecting cans to donate to Urban Ministries. On collection night, over 100 students canvassed neighborhoods across Southwest Fort Worth, gathering more than 20,000 cans. Pictured are members of the Class of 1988: Vance Detweiler, Laura Bonnell Alexander, Valerie Corley Petrie and Christopher Eades.