THE BRIDGE A P U B L I C AT I O N O F P H O E N I X C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L
Spring/Summer 2026
THE BRIDGE Phoenix Country Day School SPRING/SUMMER 2026 Andrew Rodin Head of School Gay Firestone Wray Chair for Leadership Roz Bolger Abero ’89 Assistant Head of School Katie Charles Director of Annual Giving & Stewardship Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99 Director of Alumni Relations and The Bridge Contributing Editor Chris Martinez Director of Communications & Marketing and The Bridge Editor Jennifer Murray Administrative Assistant and Special Events Planner Tina Pitts Advancement and Communications Coordinator Mark Skalny Photography Feature Photography Gwendolyn Hanlon Photography Other photography and articles: PCDS students, faculty, and staff
The Bridge is published twice each calendar year. An Annual Report on Philanthropy is included in the Spring/Summer issue. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please email The Bridge at communications@pcds.org. ©2026 Phoenix Country Day School. All rights reserved.
ON THE COVER 2026 Graduation
THIS PAGE
Jaylyn Taylor ’26 painting; Inset: Sid Vadnerkar ’26 in Frozen
BACK COVER
Imogen James ’32
Contents Inside this Issue: All the latest news from PCDS Upper School (US), Middle School (MS), and Lower School (LS), plus alumni features and philanthropy highlights. 2
Message from the Head of School 3 Board of Trustees 4 Thoughts and Refections from Our Outgoing President 6 Yellott Faculty Grant Program 8 Reese House Opens 10 Inside PCDS’s New Business & Innovation Program 12 Traditions 22 US Spring Travel Program 23 Online Spirit Store 24 US Awards 26 College Destinations 28 PCDS Lifers 30 NCAA Athletes 30 ArtsWalk 2026 32 Independent Studies 33 Merit Awards 34 US Spring Musical ANNUAL
FUND
36 48 50 51
Athletics Speech & Debate Faculty & Staff Awards Message from the Alumni Board President 52 Alumni Events 54 2026 Outstanding Alumni of the Year 56 Sydney Hott ’20 58 Vintage Saxophone Gift 59 Senior Dinner 60 Athletic Hall of Fame 62 Golden Circle 63 Class Notes 73 Reunion Save the Dates 74 PCDS:Connect 75 Annual Report on Philanthropy 98 Play On! Capital Campaign 104 Giving at PCDS 105 In Memoriam: Joel C. Monell
Look for the symbol to the left throughout this issue to identify PCDS Annual Fund dollars at work. Read more about the impact of philanthropy at PCDS starting on page 75.
PCDS Mission PCDS prepares promising students to become responsible leaders and lifelong learners through an education that emphasizes intellectual engagement, independence, collaboration, creativity, and integrity. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 1
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
PCDS Community, When Martin Felli accepted the position as President of the PCDS Board of Trustees three years ago, I wrote down on a now-faded yellow sticky note three highlevel areas of focus for our term together: 1. Play On! 2. Self-Study 3. Balance This summer, Martin will roll out of the primary leadership role, back to being a regular Trustee for a few more years. As I contemplate the returns on our time as Head of School and Board Chair, I find myself in deep appreciation for his partnership. Certainly, there has been a tremendous sense of accomplishment with the Play On! Campaign: to date, we have added to our campus the Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts and Reese House for Music, Art & Theater, and we have a final round of athletic projects teed up for construction in 2026-2027. Moreover, together, we have raised $37M against a $40M full-project target. That’s incredible progress! Additionally, while a bit more under the radar, the selfstudy process has been extremely successful: it has provided us the opportunity to hear from our community about where our strengths are and where we have room to grow, and to set in motion a strategic plan that will drive the School forward through our next chapter. And Martin has been a key figure through all of this.
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But what has really been Martin’s greatest gift to the School is the example he has set along the way. In addition to being a strategic thinker and wonderful sounding board, Martin is kind and open-minded and eternally optimistic. For the last three years, he has set a tone for balanced responses to even the most complicated and often charged issues. Martin has been a beacon for the School and for me personally. I will certainly be sad to see Martin move on from his post as Board Chair, but I’m thrilled to welcome another dynamic thought partner to the leadership role: Darryl Berger, parent of three PCDS boys and long-time Trustee, takes over the reins with an equally important charge in front of him. The new, still-bright yellow sticky note reads: 1. Play On! 2. Strategic Plan 3. Brand Promise I’m eager to share more with you about all three of these topics in the months (and years) to come. Together, we’ll continue to push this delightful School forward. Go Eagles!
Andrew M. Rodin P’19, ’19, ’25 Head of School Gay Firestone Wray Chair for Leadership
BOARD OF TRUSTEES—SCHOOL YEAR 2025-2026
Martin Felli President Darryl Berger Executive Vice President and Vice President Trusteeship Chris Ashby Vice President - Finance Julie Sabeeh Vice President Advancement Kristen Brook ’95 Vice President Facilities Planning
Kiran Singh Vice President Strategic Planning Jawad Ahsan Brooke Levy Mercedes Liljegren Kelsey Martin Matt Messmer Riad Nizam Dan Silverman
Ex officio:
Advisory Trustees:
Frederick M. Pakis
Andrew Rodin Head of School
Susan J. Bansak
Nicholas J. Sakellariadis ’69
Courtney McConnell Melnyk ’06 President, Alumni Association
Daniel J. Donahoe III
Colby Harris ’95 President, Parents’ Association
Susan Garrity
Beverly Bradway Bennett Dorrance Nick Firestone ’84 Samuel Garvin Donald R. Loback
Dave Stearns
Jahm Najafi
Randy Weinshel
Ellie B. Nolan
Tracy Schwimmer Jonah Shacknai Shoshana B. Tancer Charlene Whitfill Garth Wieger Gay F. Wray
Top row, from left: Kelsey Martin, Jawad Ahsan, Head of School Andrew Rodin, President Martin Felli, Chris Ashby, Matt Messmer. Second row: Darryl Berger, Julie Sabeeh, Dan Silverman, Randy Weinshel, Riad Nizam. Bottom row: Alumni Association President Courtney McConnell ’06, Parents’ Association President Colby Harris ’95, Brooke Levy, Elizabeth Oviedo ’04, Kristen Brook ’95, Kiran Singh. Not pictured: Mercedes Liljegren, Dave Stearns
PCDS is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), which sets forth guidelines for independent school governing boards. To view the Principles of Good Practice, visitpcds.org/admissions/the-independent-school-difference.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Thoughts and Reflections from Our Outgoing President An interview with Martin Felli, President and Chair of the Board of PCDS What have been some of your proudest moments/ achievements in your time as Board President? I have had the extraordinary privilege of working alongside the deeply committed, talented, and generous individuals who serve on the Board of Trustees—leaders who have given tirelessly of their time, talent, and treasure in service to this School. The great accomplishments of these past years did not happen by chance. They were made possible by a rare convergence of purpose: an exceptional Board; a faculty and staff defined by
competence, commitment, and excellence; and what I can say unequivocally is the finest community among private independent schools anywhere in the country —a community generous in spirit, steadfast in support, and devoted to the mission of PCDS. Together, this remarkable constellation of people has created momentum, lifted aspirations, and delivered extraordinary results across every dimension of School life, including: • In the area of the Play On! Campaign, that shared
vision became visible in brick, beam, stage, and field. Together, we raised more than $37 million; completed and inaugurated the Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts and Reese House; and took decisive action to begin construction of the Wellness Center and athletic facilities. Just as importantly, this ambitious work was accomplished on time and within budget—a testament to disciplined leadership, generous belief, and a community willing to invest boldly in the future. • In Athletics, PCDS has continued to rise with uncom-
mon distinction. PCDS has been awarded the AIA Don F. Stone Overall Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive year, and our teams have captured 16 State Championships in a remarkable four-year run, three of them achieved for the first time in School history. These accomplishments reflect not only competitive excellence, but character, discipline, and teamwork. • In Academics, PCDS has affirmed its place as a
School of exceptional promise and performance, once again ranked No. 1 among K–12 schools and high schools in Arizona. Even more meaningful, more than 94% of graduates consistently over the past three years were admitted to one of their top two college choices. Behind those numbers are students who have been challenged, known, encouraged, and prepared—not simply for the next school or the next stage, but for lives of purpose, curiosity, and consequence.
Now that you have had an insider’s view, what are your reflections on PCDS after serving as President? Having had the privilege of a true insider’s view while serving as President, I step down with an even deeper admiration for Phoenix Country Day School. What has impressed me most is not any single program, tradition, or achievement, but the extraordinary people who make this School what it is. The Board of Trustees and staff are among the most dedicated, thoughtful, collaborative, and selfless groups of people I have ever encountered. The broader PCDS community is devoted and generous beyond belief, giving of its time, talent, and resources with remarkable spirit and consistency. The School is fortunate to have some of the most highly regarded educators and staff in the country; people who bring excellence, care, and purpose to their work every day. And perhaps most importantly, PCDS gives its students not only one of the finest educations available, but also deep friendships, camaraderie, and an incredible network that will support, challenge, and inspire them long after they leave campus. My reflection is one of profound gratitude: PCDS is a rare and special place, and it has been an honor to serve as president and chair of the Board of Trustees. As you think about the next five years, do you have any predictions for where PCDS is headed? Looking ahead over the next five years, I believe PCDS is poised for an extraordinary period of growth and distinction. With the Play On! Campaign and related infrastructure investments set to become the largest and most successful fundraising project in the School’s history, PCDS is positioning itself with facilities that will rival the very best schools in the country. More importantly, those investments will support and amplify what has always made the School exceptional: its commitment to providing a premier education in an environment that develops not only outstanding students, but thoughtful, principled, and engaged citizens. PCDS is both poised and primed to continue scaling its impact, delivering on its promise of excellence, and taking its place among the finest educational institutions in the United States, all while remaining deeply focused on educating and developing the best of the next generation and model citizens for the world beyond campus.
“Phoenix Country Day School is a remarkable institution, and I am honored to serve as its next board chair. Our School community develops well-rounded students with a best-in-class administration and faculty. Though PCDS is in a strong position today, we will continue to push the boundaries of excellence across all aspects of our strategic goals—from academics and athletics to our physical campus, financial stewardship, and the growth and development of our teachers and students. I am incredibly excited about our future.” Incoming President Darryl Berger P’34, ’31, ’29 SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 5
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS AND NOTES
Yellott Faculty Grant Program Yellott Grant recipients aim to strengthen civil discourse skills across campus Phoenix Country Day School’s newest Yellott Grant recipients are taking on one of the most important challenges facing schools today: how to help students and educators engage thoughtfully, respectfully, and confidently across differences. The 2026–27 Yellott Grant has been awarded to a cross-divisional team consisting of Mina Bhagdev, Director of Community & Culture; Tessa Harings, US English teacher; Kavita Kukunoor, MS English teacher; and Kelli Newsome, LS four th grade teacher and Diversity Coordinator. Together, they will spend the coming year researching, developing, and implementing a schoolwide framework to teach skills in civil discourse and conflict resolution. Their project emerged from a shared concern voiced by students, parents, and faculty: in an increasingly
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complex world, many members of the School community feel uncertain about how to navigate disagreement, particularly when conversations involve emotionally charged topics or differing viewpoints. Faculty members have observed students sometimes choosing silence over participation in controversial conversations, while some teachers have expressed discomfort facilitating difficult conversations without a common, real world framework to guide them. “We’ve seen examples across all divisions that point to a larger challenge,” the team wrote in its proposal. From LS students asking questions about current events, to MS students avoiding controversial topics, to US students expressing hesitancy around sharing their perspectives, the grant project seeks to empower students and faculty alike with skills that directly challenge an impulse to find safety in silence.
At the heart of the project is an ambitious goal: create a developmentally appropriate framework that helps faculty and students engage in productive disagreement while maintaining respect, empathy, and curiosity. Building a Shared Language for Dialogue At the heart of the project is an ambitious goal: create a developmentally appropriate framework that helps faculty and students engage in productive disagreement while maintaining respect, empathy, and curiosity. The grant team hopes to establish shared norms and practices that can be used consistently across all divisions. Among the skills they plan to emphasize are: • Active listening • Respectful disagreement • Emotional awareness and regulation • Perspective-taking • Conflict resolution • Constructive dialogue across differences
By equipping teachers with practical tools and strategies, the group believes students will become more comfortable engaging with ideas and opinions that differ from their own.
A Year of Research, Collaboration, and Implementation This summer, the Yellott team conducted extensive research into civil discourse programs, conflict resolution frameworks, and best practices used at other independent schools. They also consulted books, articles, and organizations dedicated to fostering productive dialogue and stronger communities. The grant work will continue throughout the 2026–27 school year. Planned initiatives include faculty surveys, professional development sessions, pilot lessons, ongoing feedback collection, and the development of a draft
Mina Bhagdev
Tessa Harings
Kavita Kukunoor
Kelli Newsome
framework that could eventually serve as a shared schoolwide resource. By June 2027, the team intends to present administrators and faculty with recommendations for a comprehensive approach to strengthening civil discourse techniques and practices at PCDS. As this is a common concern at schools nationwide, the team’s work may even evolve into a resource that can be shared beyond PCDS.
Supporting the School’s Mission This proposal aligns closely with the School’s strategic priorities, particularly those focused on student wellbeing, compassion, inclusion, and preparing graduates to navigate a complex and diverse society. The team believes that respectful dialogue, perspective-taking, and constructive disagreement are essential life skills that deserve intentional instruction and modeling in schools. As polarization continues to shape public discourse beyond campus, Ms. Bhagdev, Ms. Harings, Ms. Kukunoor, and Ms. Newsome hope their work will help create a culture in which students and adults alike feel even more empowered to ask questions, share perspectives, listen deeply, and engage thoughtfully with one another, both on campus and in their broader lives. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 7
PLAY ON! PROGRESS
Reese House for Music, Art & Theater Opens A shared home for artistic exploration across all divisions
On April 7, 2026, more than two months ahead of schedule, PCDS celebrated another milestone in the Play On! Campaign with the official opening of Reese House for Music, Art & Theater. Built on the site of the former music building and nearly double its size, the 11,800-square-foot facility represents a significant investment in arts education. Notably, Reese House for Music, Art & Theater is the only academic building on campus designed to serve students from Pre-k through 12th grade, creating a shared home for artistic exploration across all divisions. The ribbon cutting celebration brought together members of the Reese family, Play On! Campaign donors, members of the Board of Trustees, construction and design partners, and PCDS faculty and staff. As guests toured the building, many remarked on its elegance, openness, and the remarkable speed with which it had become a beautiful reality.
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More than a collection of classrooms, Reese House was designed as a vibrant hub for creativity and collaboration. The facility includes dedicated spaces for: • LS music • MS (7th & 8th grade) art • Choral music • Band • Strings • Theater arts, with a blackbox theater classroom • Collaborative practice rooms • Faculty workspaces • Gallery hallway showcasing student artwork • Welcoming outdoor gathering spaces
Right: Caleb Reese ’90, David and Weezie Reese P ’87, ’90, G ’37 ’40, Chelsea Crisp P’37 ’40, Rhett Reese ’87 P’37 ’40
Reese House reflects the School’s belief that the arts are central to a well-rounded education. For generations of students to come, it will be a place where music inspires, art sparks imagination, and theater brings stories to life.
The Reese Family A highlight of the celebration was the recognition of the Reese family, whose generosity and longstanding commitment to PCDS made Reese House for Music, Art & Theater possible. David and Weezie Reese first became part of the PCDS community more than four decades ago when their sons, Rhett ’87 and Caleb ’90, attended the School, and David served on the Board of Trustees. Today, the family’s connection continues through a third generation as Rhett and his wife Chelsey are PCDS parents to David ’37 and Jamie ’40. Speaking on behalf of his family at the ceremony, Rhett reflected on the ties connecting generations of Reese family members to the School and to the broader PCDS family. In recognition of David and Weezie’s decades of leadership, philanthropy, and dedication to the School’s mission, the new building proudly bears their family’s name, creating a lasting legacy that will enrich the creative and performing arts experience for generations of students to come.
A Special Tribute Through a generous gift from the Firestone, Semegen, and Wray families, the front patio of the building was officially dedicated as Peirce Pavilion, recognizing the leadership of former Head of School Robert Peirce, who led PCDS from 1972-1976. Below: Suzanne Peirce Jung ’85, Judy Peirce, Robert Peirce, and Bob Peirce ’83 at the dedication of Peirce Pavilion at Reese House
Advancing the Play On! Campaign The opening of Reese House marks the completion of the second phase of the Play On! Campaign, the most ambitious capital campaign in PCDS’s 65-year history. The $40 million campaign is transforming opportunities in the arts, athletics, and faculty, staff, and student wellness. With both the Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts and Reese House for Music, Art & Theater now open and serving students, the campaign turns its attention to its final phase: investments in athletics and wellness that will further enhance the PCDS experience for future generations. See page 98 to learn more about the Play On! Campaign and its impact on the future of PCDS. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 9
CAMPUS NEWS
The Road Is Made by Walking Inside PCDS’s new Business & Innovation Program
Over the course of two weeks last spring, Head of School Andy Rodin and Lower School Head Curtis Fee made the rounds to every freshman study hall to present a new idea: a Business & Innovation Program unlike anything PCDS had offered before. The framework was built, the sequence was mapped, and the vision was clear. What was still uncertain, though, was whether the students would actually be interested… By the time applications closed, nearly forty freshmen —approximately half the class—had applied, and the strength of the pool was every bit as impressive as the volume. These weren’t students checking a box; they were students who had been waiting for something like this. The new Business & Innovation Program is a six-course, cohort-based sequence that begins in the fall of sophomore year and culminates with a senior year Capstone/ Internship experience. Students start with the fundamentals: how businesses create value, how markets work, how financial decisions get made, and why they matter. From there, they move into innovation and design, learning to ask what’s missing before assuming they already know the answer. By the time they’re seniors, they’re navigating real uncertainty, leading, communicating, and completing an internship or applied project that puts everything together. The new program draws on what PCDS already does well: small classes, close mentorship, the freedom to pursue independent study, and a campus designed for exactly this kind of cross-disciplinary work—not to
mention access to a dynamic and extensive network of alums and parents already out in the field and eager to share their experiences with our students. What the Business & Innovation Program adds is sequence and intentionality. Students aren’t just taking interesting electives; they’re building something over time, step by step. Student s who complete the full program earn a Distinction in Business & Innovation on their transcript, but the more important point is what they’ll carry with them: the ability to identify a real problem, to think clearly about it, and to have the courage to do something about it. Fee, who, with a background in business administration, will serve as the Director of the Business & Innovation Program, says: “ We’re graduating students into a world that’s changing faster than at any other time in my career. Our offerings need to meet those new opportunities and equip our PCDS students with the skills to thrive and excel, which has been part of our pledge to families since we opened our doors in 1961.” That promise has always required a willingness to step into uncertain territory. PCDS has never shied away from things that are hard or unclear. In fact, real growth takes place when conditions are not ideal. Fee is fond of quoting the poet Antonio Machado: “Traveler, there is no road. The road is made by walking.”
“We built this program in response to consistent requests from our students for academic experiences that are both challenging and relevant. They want to roll up their sleeves and get after topics that play out in real-time in their lives, and we’re excited to embark on this journey with them.” Head of School Andy Rodin 10 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
10th Grade – FOUNDATIONS: How Businesses Work
12th Grade – MASTER CLASS: Good to Great
Fall – Foundations of Business and Finance: Let’s Get Started
Fall – Entrepreneurial Advantage: Not for the Faint of Heart
Focus: How businesses create value within markets, including personal and business finance, incentives, risk, and ethical decision-making.
Focus: Leading new ventures and initiatives through uncertainty, including execution, capital considerations, team leadership, and learning from failure. Innovation and emerging technologies, including AI, are applied as tools rather than treated as isolated topics.
Spring – Business Systems and Operations: You Better Be Right Focus: How organizations track performance, manage resources, and make operational decisions using financial information.
11th Grade – NEXT LEVEL: From Idea to Market Fall – Innovation and Design: What’s Missing? Focus: Human-centered design, creative problem-solving, and innovation as structured processes for identifying and addressing meaningful problems.
Fall/Spring – Leadership and Communication: Bringing Out the Very Best Focus: Persuasion, negotiation, storytelling, and professional communication as core leadership skills. Fall/Spring – The Capstone Experience: Learning in Motion Students complete an internship or an independent applied project supported by a reflective seminar that integrates coursework, ethics, leadership, and career exploration.
Spring – Marketing and Sales: Let’s Get Real Focus: How ideas reach customers through pricing, positioning, persuasion, distribution, and competitive strategy.
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Spring
TRADITIONS
Time-honored student enrichment that fosters community and creates memories
SENIOR/ KI N D E R G A RT EN B UD D I E S The senior/kindergarten buddy program is a cherished PCDS tradition. Buddies first met during the First Friday walk across Daley Bridge, they connected around various activities throughout the year, and they celebrated the seniors’ final week of School. Kindergartners led their senior partners through the Walk of Champions, presented them with a cookie, a pen, and the first look at the yearbook—where they also became the first to sign.
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GA M E O N! Each January, PCDS celebrates its athletic spirit with Game On! This community-wide event features a full afternoon and evening of sports, performances, and school spirit. This year included 12 MS and US games, halftime shows by the LS Eaglets, and performances by the LS and MS Choirs.
LS TRAC K & FIELD DAY
M S T R ACK & F I E L D DAY
The LS PE unit concludes with Track & Field Day, featuring events like the dash, hurdles, tug-of-war, and relay races.
MS Track & Field Day showcases student athleticism through events such as the 100M, hurdles, high jump, javelin, shot put, 200M, and long jump. The day often sees new School records and standout performances.
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GRANDPARE N T S ’ & S P E C I A L F R I E N D S ’ DAY
PCDS was delighted to welcome grandparents and special friends to campus for this year’s LS Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day, themed Rhythms of the Rainforest. Guests enjoyed a morning of connection and celebration, beginning with a reception featuring student ambassadors and tours of the Reese House for Music, Art & Theater. The highlight of the day was a series of student performances by every LS grade level,showcasing music inspired by the rainforest theme. Between performances, guests visited classrooms and explored the LS Courtyard, making for a memorable and engaging experience for all.
6TH GRA DE P RES C O T T T RI P The Middle School Mentors (MSM), a group of US students dedicated to supporting 6th graders, served as counselors on the 6th grade trip to Prescott in April. In preparation, they led a series of team-building games—such as Red Light Green Light, Word Scramble, and Riddle Guessing—that promoted connection, collaboration, and fun.
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7TH GRADE BOSTON TRIP Seventh graders brought U.S. History to life on the annual Boston trip, exploring key sites studied throughout the year. Highlights included the Freedom Trail, Paul Revere’s House, Bunker Hill Monument, Old North Bridge, the Tea Party Museum, and the Edward Kennedy Institute —making history both memorable and meaningful.
S E N I O R T RIP T O FLAG S TA F F A cherished PCDS tradition, the senior class celebrates the end of their journey together with an overnight adventure to Flagstaff Extreme. They challenged themselves on the aerial course before camping overnight and reflecting on their time at PCDS.
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L OW ER SC H O O L S W IM EXH I B I T I O N LS students showcased their skills in the annual Swim Exhibition, a highlight marking the end of their PE swimming unit.
5TH GRA DE MAG AZ INE P R O J E CT The 5th grade hosted its 27th annual Magazine Publishing Party, showcasing an interdisciplinary project in which students created magazines set in the era of a biographical hero. Each publication featured a two-page article on their hero, along with sections on science, history, arts, sports, and more.
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I N T E R N ATIONAL F O O D F E S TIVA L The US community celebrated one of PCDS’s beloved traditions, the International Food Festival. The vibrant event featured dishes representing cultures from around the world, giving students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to enjoy global flavors while learning about the traditions behind them.
HU MA N S O F P C D S EXP LOR E S H E AT, HA B I TAT, A N D HUMA N IT Y US students explored some of today’s most pressing issues during this annual program, which centered on the interconnected themes of Heat, Habitat, and Humanity. By bringing together experts, educators, and students, Humans of PCDS inspired critical thinking about the complex issues shaping Arizona and the world beyond campus. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes shared insights into the state’s environmental challenges and the legal efforts to address them.
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ART S WA LK Arts Walk & One-Acts are PCDS’s premier spring showcases of student creativity, featuring visual arts, digital media, and live performances. This vibrant event brings together the entire community to celebrate artistic expression across all three divisions.
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O N E-ACTS The One-Acts are written, directed, and performed by US students, highlighting their talent and leadership.
M UD M A N I A Mud Mania is a beloved end-ofyear tradition for kindergarteners, giving students the chance to celebrate by joyfully diving into a giant mud puddle.
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4 TH GRA DE P RO MO T IO N The 4th graders marked their transition from LS to MS with a heartfelt celebration that began with their final walk as 4th graders, cheered on by LS students, offering well wishes. The celebration continued with a special performance of an original play, written and performed by the students, highlighting their creativity and teamwork as they prepare for their next adventure.
8TH GRA DE C O MMENC EME N T Eighth grade promotion is a meaningful milestone marking students’ transition from MS to US. The celebration honors their growth, accomplishments, and readiness for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as they enter the next chapter of their journey.
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SEN I OR CO U NT D OW N – A BI TTER S W EET S END OF F The final day of School for seniors is a joyful and emotional celebration. From games on the quad and a picnic lunch to a splash-filled ride down a water slide, the day is filled with laughter and memories. But the most cherished tradition is the senior countdown—ten heartfelt seconds marking the end of their PCDS journey, echoed with hugs, tears, and triumphant cheers.
US GRA DUAT IO N Graduation marks the pinnacle of a PCDS education. In a cherished tradition, seniors take their final walk across Daley Bridge as faculty and staff line the path to offer a meaningful farewell.
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TITLE STUDENT SECTION
Un Viaje a España US students engage in service and global learning in Spain
As part of the US spring travel program, students participated in the School’s annual community engagement and service program, an immersive experience designed to foster global awareness and meaningful connection. While the destination varies each year—alternating between Europe and Latin America—this year’s program brought students to Soria, Spain, following last year’s trip to Costa Rica. After arriving in Madrid, the group traveled approximately two and a half hours to their host community of Soria. There, students engaged with local initiatives, gaining firsthand insight into the lives and experiences of those they served. Their work included visiting hospitals and schools, planting trees, and connecting with refugees and individuals from underserved
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communities. Through thoughtful conversations, students learned about the challenges of immigration and the realities of building new lives in Spain. Throughout the trip, students partnered with several impactful organizations, including CEPAIM, which supports refugees; CESEFOR, focused on environmental sustainability; and CARITAS, a faith-based organization offering a wide range of social programs for children and adults. The program is designed to reimagine learning beyond the classroom, empowering students to become compassionate, informed, and engaged global citizens. By combining service, cultural immersion, and reflection, the experience helps cultivate the next generation of thoughtful and purposeful leaders.
SHOW YOUR EAGLE PRIDE!
VISIT OUR ONLINE SPIRIT STORE
Sport specific apparel now available! monolithic-printing-co-llc.printavo.com/merch/pcds-athletics
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STUDENT SECTION
Congratulations Class of 2026 Art Department Award: Helen Hill ’26
English Award: Elvia Hernandez ’26
Endeavor Award: Talia Pruitt ’26
English Award for Writing: Lexi Black ’26, Laely Tarbell ’26
Media Arts Award: Eliza Meltzer ’26 Vocal Award: Gracie Smith ’26 40th Street Band Award: Juan Martinez Cruz ’26 Chamber Award: Audrey Weinshel ’26 Theater Arts Award: Saturn Klein ’26
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W. David Martin History Award: Maeve Brown ’26 Salo Baron Prize: Nathan Conley ’26 Mathematics Award: Siddharth Vadnerkar ’26 Rensselaer Medal: Ross Wheeler ’27 Life Science Award: Mia Coviello ’26
Physical Science Award: Sarah Bendok ’26 Bausch & Lomb Award: Brooke Vella ’27 Spanish Award: Samantha Daitch ’26
Athletic Prizes: Josie Robinson ’26, Eliza Meltzer ’26, Asia Harper ’26, Brady Sheridan ’26 Victor D. Feeney Prize: Elvia Hernandez ’26
Mandarin Award: Adeline Ward ’27
Senior Prizes: Kathryn Barakat ’26, Zara Campbell ’26, Oliver Cartsonis ’26, Petra Danek ’26, Adelle Ekpo ’26, Aya El Masry ’26, Philip Kaplan ’26
Eagle Awards for Excellence in Athletics: Rachel Burns’26, Kongkasem Suchart ’26
Nicholas C. Meath ’17 Community Service Award: Sarah Bendok ’26
Most Outstanding Athlete Awards: Elsa Termansen ’26, JD Jones ’26
Galen Brewster Leadership Prize: James Jones ’26
Latin Award: Caden Huckelbridge ’26
Margaret Madden Senior Speech Prize: Diego Hernandez ’26 Faculty Prize: Erin Patterson ’26
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The Class of 2026 Destinations 78 Graduates, 48 Different College Destinations, 10 NCAA Student-Athletes
STUDENT SECTION
Congratulations, Lifers Class of 2026 graduates who attended PCDS from Pre-k or kindergarten through their senior year
Finley Bockrath
Maeve Brown
Taylor Bulloch
Jayden Caldwell
Rachel Caplan
Shankar Chawla
Madison Gordon
Rainey Hackett
Ethan Ortega
Josie Robinson
Gabe Rosen
Ben Sabol
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The Class of 2026 Destinations 48 different college destinations offering our graduates over $6M in merit scholarships
Arizona State University (5)
Northern Arizona University
ASU, Barrett, The Honors College
Northwestern University (2)
Barnard College Laney Sellers
Zara Shah
Purdue University
Boston College
Southern Methodist University (2)
Boston University (2)
Stanford University
Brandeis University
Texas A&M University
Bryn Mawr College
Texas Christian University (2)
Chapman University
Trinity University
Claremont McKenna College
University of Arizona
Columbia University
U of A, W.A. Franke Honors College (6)
Denison University Dominican University of California
Elsa Termansen
Occidental College (4)
UCLA UCSD
Emory University (3)
University of Denver
Florida State University
University of Miami (2)
George Washington University
University of Michigan
Harvard University
University of Notre Dame
Harvey Mudd College (2)
University of Oregon
Lake Forest College
University of Pennsylvania (3)
Lawrence University
University of Richmond
Loyola Marymount University (2)
University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Loyola University Chicago Miami University Monash University, Australia
University of Virginia Wake Forest University
New York University
Washington University in St. Louis (2)
Northeastern University (2)
Wellesley College SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 29
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2026 Eagle Athletes Ten graduates from the Class of 2026 will continue competing at the NCAA level
From left: Josie, Rachel, Madison, Clemente, JD, Eliza, Audrey, Samantha, Cole, Will
Cole Berry, soccer University of Pennsylvania
JD Jones, basketball Florida State University
Will Berry, soccer University of Pennsylvania
Eliza Meltzer, golf Washington University in St. Louis
Rachel Burns, soccer Wellesley College
Clemente Pappoe, basketball Occidental College
Madison Gordon, basketball Dominican University of California
Josie Robinson, volleyball Lake Forest College
Samantha Horlick, crew Boston University
Audrey Weinshel, golf Trinity University
WE CONGRATULATE THESE STUDENT-ATHLETES! ALTHOUGH YOUR COLORS MAY CHANGE, TO PCDS YOU WILL ALWAYS BE
BLUE & GOLD 30 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
STUDENT SECTION
PCDS Arts Walk 2026 A premier showcase of creativity from students in visual arts, digital media and live performances
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STUDENT FEATURES
Spring Independent Studies US students chart their own course outside the classroom
This semester, 38 US students participated in the Independent Study Program, through which students design, in consultation with a faculty advisor, an academic course or research study covering material not offered within the regular curriculum. Students submit an extensive proposal to US administration for approval and document their progress throughout the semester. The study culminates in a presentation of the highlights of their work to US students and faculty.
Asia Harper ’26
Wesley Tarbell ’27
Camila Acharya ’27
Dylan Rick ’27
Alec Saenz ’28
Spring 2026 Independent Studies Camila Acharya (with Mr. Baumann): Narrative Journalism: Close Reading and Original Work Sarah Bendok (with Mr. McVey): Design and Applications of Carbon Capture Sorbents from Recycled Plastic Jiya Birdi (with Mr. Baumann): Athletic Longevity and Injury Prevention in High Performing Athletes Gus Bowers (with Mr. Dallimore): Directing Style over Time: Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino Maeve Brown (with Ms. Anderson): Roman Mythology in Latin Zara Campbell (with Ms Anderson): Learning Italian with Elements of Immersive Learning (full year) Oliver Cartsonis (with Mr. Costello): Optimizing Inverse Kinematics in Redundant Systems (full year) Devin Desai (with Mr. Peacher): Statistics in College Football Adelle Ekpo (with Mr. Tafur): Metabolic Syndrome, Acute Kidney Injury, and Chronic Kidney Disease Isa Gala (with Mr. Baumann): Local Journalism and its Impact on Society 32 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Sydney Hardy (with Mr. Dallimore): Screenwriting and Advanced Filmmaking Techniques
National Merit Finalists
Asia Harper (with Dr. Reynolds): LG0BTQ+ History: Race, Class and Gender
Celebrating students recognized among the nation’s highest academic achievers
Alexa Greenberg and Darian Tedesco (with Mr. Peacher): The Effects of Marketing Strategies on Consumer Behavior
Samantha Horlick (with Mr. McVey): EMT Training and Biochemical Applications in Emergency Medicine (full year) Zayna Khan (with Ms. Harings): Women in Business and Finance: Setbacks and Success Stories (full year) Jack Moriarty (with Mr. McVey): The Use of Electromyography to Study Muscle Activation in Hypertrophic Exercises Dylan Rich (with Mrs. Cherilla): Civil Discourse in America Alec Saenz (with Mr. Amarnath): Competition Math (full year) Michelle Schwartz (with Dr. Khakpour): Innovation and Technology in Israel Wesley Tarbell (with Mr. Baumann): Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Education Jaylyn Taylor (with Mr. Baumann): The Black American Narrative: History without Erasure (full year) Aaryan Wadwekar (with Ms. Anderson): Roman Rhetoric: A Comparative Study of Classical and Modern Political Speech Brooke Vella (with Mr. Costello): Astronomy Audrey Weinshel (with Ms. Fleming): Exploration of Genres in Violin Studies
Online Classes
Kathryn Barakat ’26 and Adelle Ekpo ’26
Blake McDermott: Entrepreneurship Clemente Pappoe: Sports and Entertainment Marketing 1B: Promoting the Main Event Maia Urumova: AP Chinese Language and Culture (full year) Sid Vadnerkar: Astronomy SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 33
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US Spring Musical: Frozen by Mia Flores Chavez ’28
This March, the PCDS theater department brought the beloved musical Frozen to life on stage. Based on Disney’s animated film, Frozen tells the story of sisters Anna and Elsa as they navigate loss, love, and the power of sisterhood. The musical features music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and a book by Jennifer Lee. Audiences followed Anna and Elsa’s journey through the Kingdom of Arendelle while enjoying memorable songs such as “Let it Go” and “For the First Time in Forever.” I had the opportunity to play Elsa, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of my high school career. This production was especially important to the PCDS theater program because it was the first performance
Below: Julian Owens ’27, Gracie Smith ’26, Mia Flores Chavez ’28
34 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
ever staged in The Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts. We weren’t just putting on a musical; we were opening a new chapter for our School’s performing arts program for decades to come. The Ahsan Center gave our production a professional atmosphere unlike any that we had ever experienced, and it allowed our cast, crew, and audience to experience theater at PCDS in a completely different way. The new beautiful (and large!) stage, lighting, and sound helped us bring the Kingdom of Arendelle to life, and our new 600-seat theater was sold out for every performance. Knowing that we were the first production to perform in this amazing new space made every performance feel even more special.
One of the most meaningful parts of this production, and all theater experiences, is the people. Spending months together—learning music, running scenes, and feeding off each other’s energy—brings everyone closer together. What started as a cast full of individual students quickly became a close-knit family. We supported each other through long rehearsals and created friendships that extend well beyond the stage.
“ The Ahsan Center gave our production a professional atmosphere unlike any that we had ever experienced, and it allowed our cast, crew, and audience to experience theater at PCDS in a completely different way.”
As the first production in the Ahsan Center, Frozen marked the beginning of a new chapter for Phoenix Country Day School’s theater program. Frozen was more than a school musical—it was part of School history. I will always remember having the opportunity to play Elsa, and I’m grateful to have been part of a journey that will be remembered as a special milestone for our theater program for years to come.
Below: Mia Flores Chavez ’28 as Elsa
Lili Chaidez ’27, Sid Vadnerkar ’26, Oli Pearson ’29
Kate Waller ’30, Kathryn Barakat ’26, Sydney Hardy ’27, Danica Schwartz ’30
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 35
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Boys’ and Girls’ Golf State Champions DIII State Champions, Metro Region Champions
DIII Top Overall Female Golfer: Eliza Meltzer ’26
From left: Sam Meltzer ’28, Will Pryor ’26, Eliza Meltzer ’26, Coach Ben Sullivan, Brady Sheridan ’26, Audrey Weinshel ’26, Matthew Marks ’27, Coach Morgan Gonzales
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Girls’ Soccer State Champions 2A Central Region Champions 2A Conference Coach of the Year: Head Coach Gabe Peneloza All-Conference First Team: Rachel Burns ’26 2A Central Region Girls Coach of the Year: Head Coach Gabe Peneloza All-Region First Team: Rachel Burns ’26 All-Region Honorable Mention: Mira Baraff ’28, Bella Engilma ’27, Rainey Hackett ’26, Talia Pruitt ’26, Natalia Re’ ’29, Dylan Tedesco ’29, Brooke Vella ’27
Back row, from left: Athletic Trainer Ron Kordonowy, Dylan Tedesco ’29, Brooke Vella ’27, Bella Engilman ’27, Charlotte Engilman ’27, Sienna Shuster ’29, Natalia Re’ 29, Mira Baraff ’28, Ana Vida Pappoe ’28, Laurel Morris ’28, Emerson Schultz ’28, Tiera Williams ’26, Coach Gabe Penaloza. Front row: Alexis Vella ’29, Vivienne Bert ’29, Bel Hargreaves ’29, Mady Nakaji ’27, Rainey Hackett ’26, Talia Pruitt ’26, Rachel Burns ’26, Aya El Masry ’26, Elvia Hernandez ’26, Evie Souccar ’29
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SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 39
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Girls’ Track & Field State Champions DV State Champions State Champion 3200 meter: Emerson Butler ’28 State Champion 200 meter: Abby Roth ’27 State Champion 400 meter: Abby Roth ’27 State Champions 4 X 800 meter: Rachel Coviello ’26, Emerson Butler ’28, Elsa Termansen ’26, Adeline Ward ’27 Runner-Up 1600 meter: Emerson Butler ’28 Runner-Up 100 meter Hurdles: Lainey Sellers’26
Back row, from left: Coach Camilo Tafur, Coach Greg Hull, Mia Coviello ’26, Bel Hargreaves ’29, Bryce Phillips ’29, Rachel Coviello ’26, Elsa Termansen ’26, Laney Sellers ’26, Sarah Bendok ’26, Nancy Burns ’26, Caroline Koo ’28, Coco Bliss ’29, Coach Matthew Hull. Front row: Emerson Butler ’28, Brooke Vella ’27, Abby Roth ’27, Teagan Roeder ’27, Jacey Mae Sellers ’28, Adeline Ward ’27, Ava O’Steen ’29, Natalia Ré ’29, Alexis Vella ’29
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SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 41
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Additional Athletic Awards Congratulations to our School, teams, and athletes for the following honors and awards BOYS’ BASKETBALL—Winter State Playoffs Open Semifinalists
All-Region Player of the Year: JD Jones ’26
2A Valley Region Champions
All-Region Offensive Player of the Year: Jadd Agha ’27
PCDS Desert Classic Champions
All-Region Defensive Player of the Year: Gabe Rosen ’26
All-Conference Offensive Player of the Year: JD Jones ’26
2A Valley Region Coach of the Year: Head Coach Shane Lewis
All-Conference First Team: JD Jones ’26 All-Conference Second Team: Jadd Agha ’27
All-Region First Team: Jadd Agha ’27, JD Jones ’26, Gabe Rosen ’26, Hunter Sansone ’26
All-Conference Honorable Mention: Gabe Rosen ’26
All-Region Second Team: Clemente Pappoe ’26
Back row, from left: Hunter Sansone ’26, Julian Owens ’27, JD Jones ’26, Coach Gibson-Starks, Coach Lewis, Jadd Agha ’27, Soren Etheridge ’27, Clemente Pappoe ’26. Front row: Kingston Shaia ’29, Felix Lehmann ’28, Gabe Rosen ’26, Mo Rishi ’26, Ronnie Ross ’27, Micah Chiu ’28
42 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
BOYS’ SOCCER—Winter State Quarterfinalists 2A Central Region Champions 2A Central Region Boys Coach of the Year: Head Coach Andy Rodin All-Conference First Team: Turner Ashby ’27, Blake Huskey ’27
All-Region Defensive Player of the Year: Blake Huskey ’27 All-Region First Team: Max Allen ’28 Turner Ashby ’27, Blake Huskey ’27, Will Pryor ’26, George Souccar ’27
All-Conference Honorable Mention: George Souccar ’27, Max Allen ’28
All-Region Second Team: Bennett Ashby ’29, Ronan Brown ’29, Owen Engilman ’29, Diego Hernandez ’26
All-Region Player of the Year: Turner Ashby ’27
All-Region Honorable Mention: Grant Ardebili ’27
Back row, from left: Coach Colavita, Oscar Albuquerque ’28, Nicholas Nelson ’28, Grant Ardebili ’27, Phil Kaplan ’26, Turner Ashby ’27, George Souccar ’27, Noah Albert ’29, Owen Engilman ’29, Sean Weinshel ’29, Max Allen ’28, Coach Rodin. Front row: Diego Hernandez ’26, Finley Bockrath ’26, Blake Huskey ’27, Oliver Roach ’27, Wesley Tarbell ’27, Ronan Brown ’29, Manager Omar Ramirez, Will Pryor ’26, Julian Avila ’29, Gabe Goldenberg ’29, Bennett Ashby ’29, Riley Freed ’29
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 43
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BOYS’ BASEBALL—Spring State Quarterfinalists 2A Valley Region Champions All-Conference Offensive Player of the Year: Reed Ross ’27 All-Conference Defensive Player of the Year: Soren Etheridge ’27 All-Conference First Team: Soren Etheridge ’27, Reed Ross ’27 All-Conference Second Team: Ronne Ross ’27
All-Region First Team: Ben Burgess ’28, Soren Etheridge ’27, Reed Ross ’27, Ronne Ross ’27, Kailer Smith ’27 All-Region Second Team: Carson Rose ’27, Kaelen Thompson ’28 AZBCA 2A Offensive Player of the Year: Reed Ross ’27 AZBCA 2A Defensive Player of the Year: Soren Etheridge ’27
All-Conference Honorable Mention: Kailer Smith ’27
AZBCA Second Team: Kailer Smith ’27
All-Region Player of the Year: Soren Etheridge ’27, Reed Ross ’27
Arizona Republic All Arizona Honorable Mention: Soren Etheridge ’27, Reed Ross ’27
Back row, from left: Jayden Caldwell ’26, Kailer Smith ’27, Phil Kaplan ’26, Ronnie Ross ’ 28, Gus Bowers ’26, Kaelen Thompson ’28, Soren Etheridge ’27, Reed Ross ’27. Front row: Owen Engilman ’29, Jayden Robinson ’28, Danny Berger ’29, Juan Martinez Cruz ’26, Ben Burgess ’28, Carson Rose ’27
44 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Mary Bartolino ’28
Zara Campbell ’26
Garrett Valdes ’27
Coach Jerry Keever
GIRLS’ TENNIS—Spring
BOYS’ TENNIS—Spring
DIII State Quarterfinalists
DIII State Quarterfinalists
Section VII Doubles Players of the Year: Mary Bartolino ’28, Zara Campbell ’26
DIII Section VII Coach of the Year: Coach Jerry Keever Section VII Singles Player of the Year: Garrett Valdes ’27
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL—Winter PCDS Desert Classic Champions All-Conference First Team: Madison Gordon ’26 All-Region Player of the Year: Madison Gordon ’26 All-Region First Team: Madison Gordon ’26, Elsa Termansen ’26 All-Region Second Team: Jaylyn Taylor ’26 All-Region Honorable Mention: Erin Patterson ’26, Michelle Partenheimer ’28
BOYS’ TRACK & FIELD—Spring
Madison Gordon ’26
3200M: Turner Ashby ’27
MS Awards
Congratulations to the Boys’ Tennis team for finishing its season as runner-up in the Great Hearts League (GHL).
Internal School Awards: PCDS MS Eagle Award Winner, Female: Kate Waller ’30 PCDS MS Eagle Award Winner, Male: Lake Granger ’30
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 45
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Four Years of Excellence: A Historic Era for Eagle Athletics The Don F. Stone Overall Excellence Award
Through the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and the unwavering support of the PCDS community, the Eagles have earned our conference’s top award, the Don F. Stone Award for Excellence in Athletics, for an unprecedented four consecutive years.
the past four years, PCDS girls’ teams accounted for 11 of the School’s 19 state championships, six of the nine state runner-up finishes, and 13 of the 21 region championships, while also earning numerous individual state titles and All-Region and All-Conference honors.
Presented annually, the Don F. Stone Award recognizes overall athletic excellence based on points earned through state championships, state runner-up finishes, and region championships. Winning this honor once is a remarkable achievement. Earning it four years in a row reflects the consistency, depth, and competitive spirit that define Eagle Athletics.
The 2025 –2026 season added another memorable chapter to that legacy. Girls’ Swim & Dive captured a state championship, Girls’ Soccer won both a region championship and the first state championship in program history, and Girls’ Track & Field claimed the first state championship in School history for the program. The co-ed Golf team also celebrated its first state championship in School history, highlighting the continued growth and success of Eagle Athletics across multiple sports.
During this historic run, PCDS teams captured 19 state championships, nine state runner-up finishes, and 21 region championships. These accomplishments represent far more than trophies and banners—they are the result of years of dedication, perseverance, teamwork, and a shared commitment to excellence both on and off the field of play. A driving force behind this success has been the extraordinary performance of our girls’ athletic programs. Over
2 024-20 25
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While championships tell an impressive story, they represent something even greater: a culture built on resilience, discipline, leadership, and teamwork. PCDS student-athletes compete at the highest level while representing the School with integrity and sportsmanship. That commitment has created a legacy that will inspire future generations of Eagles for years to come.
20 23-20 24
2022-2023
20 21-2022
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PCDS Speech & Debate State and National Success by Brittany Stanchik, Director of US and MS Speech & Debate
As the 2025–2026 season came to a close, PCDS Speech & Debate celebrated another remarkable year of achievement at the state and national levels.
Middle School Highlights
Upper School Invitationals
At the Jackrabbit Jamboree, Julia Aronovitch ’32 advanced to the final round of Congressional Debate. The Gilbert Water Tower Invitational saw Ana Young ’30 reach the semifinals in Declamation and RC Guruswamy ’31 advance to the semifinals in Storytelling. At the Arizona Middle School State Tournament, RC Guruswamy ’30 and Nuriah Singh ’30 earned semifinal finishes in Storytelling. Julia Aronovitch ’32, Shivan Desai ’31, and Paul Murphy ’32 also qualified for the prestigious Tournament of Champions.
At the HDSHCI hosted by Arizona State University, Charlie Robertson ’27 placed fifth in Informative Speaking, Sahil Aggarwal ’27 finished fourth in Congressional Debate and earned his second Tournament of Champions bid, and Nathan Conley ’26 reached the final round. Jackson Geyser ’27, Lara Perumbeti ’29, and Avish Patel ’28 advanced to the semifinals. At the Scorpion Spectacular, Kavin Mutyala ’27 captured the championship in Humorous Interpretation, Isabella
From left: Emilio Saenz ’28, Lara Perumbeti ’29, Zayna Khan ’28, Aaryan Wadwekar ’26, Avish Patel ’28, Caden Huckelbridge ’27, Sid Vadnerkar ’26, Tara Ghafouri ’27, Alec Saenz ’28
48 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Gala ’26 earned second place, and Charlie Robertson ’27 placed fourth in Informative Speaking. MS competitors Anik Patel ’31 and Paul Murphy ’32 reached the finals in Congressional Debate, while Emmy Gardner ’31 placed fourth. At the Cavalier Invitational in North Carolina, Caden Huckelbridge ’27 and Emilio Saenz ’28 both advanced to the final round of Congressional Debate.
Harvard National Speech & Debate Tournament One of the season’s highlights came at the Harvard National Speech & Debate Tournament, where PCDS Congressional Debate placed third among 219 schools. Caden Huckelbridge ’27 earned fourth place in the elite Congressional Debate Round Robin. Nathan Conley ’26 and Lara Perumbeti ’29 advanced to the semifinals, while Jackson Geyser ’27, Sahil Aggarwal ’27, Emilio Saenz ’28, and Caden Huckelbridge ’27 reached the quarterfinals. Mateo Saenz ’29 finished as a tournament finalist. In Individual Events, Sid Vadnerkar ’26 placed sixth in Original Oratory, and Tara Ghafouri ’27 advanced to the octafinals in Program Oral Interpretation.
Arizona State Tournament PCDS earned five individual State Championships through Caden Huckelbridge ’27, Emilio Saenz ’28, Aya El Masry ’26, Charlie Robertson ’27, and Tara Ghafouri ’27. Sid Vadnerkar ’26 and Avish Patel ’28 finished as State Runners-Up. Jackson Geyser ’27, Sahil Aggarwal ’27, Mateo Saenz ’29, Ross Wheeler ’27, Claire Khan ’28, Camila Acharya ’27, Kavin Mutyala ’27, Devin Desai ’27, and Isabella Gala ’27 all reached state finals, while Alec Saenz ’28 and Zayna Khan ’27 earned semifinal finishes. The team placed third in Division II Sweepstakes.
NSDA National Tournament The season concluded at the NSDA National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. Tara Ghafouri ’27 and Sid Vadnerkar ’26 placed among the top 60 competitors nationally in Program Oral Interpretation and Original Oratory, respectively. Lara Perumbeti ’29 finished as a triple-octafinalist in World Schools Debate, while Emilio Saenz ’28 advanced to the semifinals in Congressional Debate. Caden Huckelbridge ’27 finished eighth in the nation in Congressional Debate, earning automatic qualification for the 2027 NSDA National Tournament. The curtain has fallen on this season, but the future of PCDS Speech & Debate has never looked brighter.
Caden Huckelbridge ’27
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 49
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS AND NOTES
PCDS Faculty & Staff Awards Each year, PCDS recognizes its outstanding faculty and staff for their work within our community. One of the ways our School recognizes excellence is through the endowed chair awards.
This year’s recipients were as follows:
Kim Wass, Lower School Learning Specialist
Ellon Sears, Middle School English
The Naci Korzay and Pinar Tashman ’90 Family Endowment
The Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Foundation Chair for English Presented in 2026 and has a three-year term. John Pritzlaff and Mary Dell Olin were recognized for— among many other accomplishments and philanthropic endeavors—their generosity to our School. Their children and grandchildren attended PCDS, and now their great grandchildren are current students. Established in 1990, this award is given to an outstanding faculty member in the English department. This gift was intended to encourage other friends of the School to provide endowed support for faculty salaries, emphasizing that such support is basic to the future strength of an independent school. Sasha Eden, Lower School Teacher Rex L. Allison Chair for Excellence in Teaching Presented in 2026 and is named annually. Rex Allison was among the group of pioneers that first conceived of the idea to form our School, and he served as Board President from 1964-1966. First awarded in 1988, the Rex L. Allison Chair for Excellence in Teaching is presented annually to recognize a faculty member who exemplifies the high standards of teaching that we’ve all come to expect and appreciate at PCDS. Jesse North, Facilities Manager The Naci Korzay and Pinar Tashman ’90 Family Endowment Presented in 2025 and has a two-year term. Awarded in odd-numbered years—and alternating with the Korzay-Tashman faculty award—the Korzay-Tashman staff award is given to a staff member who serves the PCDS community in an extraordinary fashion. An embodiment of core values such as integrity, loyalty, and hard work, this staff member works selflessly and tirelessly to ensure that our School is the best it can be. 50 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Presented in 2026 and has a two-year term. Awarded in even-numbered years—and alternating with the staff award—the Korzay-Tashman faculty award is given to a faculty member who routinely displays a commitment to our School and to our students that extends far beyond the classroom. Whether out on the athletic fields, traveling to foreign countries, or quietly between classes, this outstanding faculty member is someone to whom students feel a deep connection, and someone they will fondly remember for the rest of their lives—a leader among leaders and an inspiration to others. Melinda Flores, US Science Teacher and Director of Summer Programs The Dorrance Family Chair for Science Presented in 2025 and has a three-year term. The Dorrance family is well known for their extraordinary generosity and avid support of our School. Their two children attended PCDS, and Bennett Dorrance served as Board President from 1991-1994. Established in 1994, the Dorrance Family Chair for Science is awarded annually to an outstanding faculty member in the Science department. Sheila Marks, MS History Teacher The Loback Family Chair for History Presented in 2025 and has a three-year term. Since the early 1990s, Don and Toni Loback have been generous supporters of our School. Their three children attended PCDS, and Don served as Board President from 1994-1997. Established in 1994, the Loback Family Chair for History is awarded every three years to an outstanding member of the history department.
MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear Fellow Eagle Alumni, As the school year comes to an end, I am proud of all that we have accomplished together. We’ve had many successful events throughout the spring including an alumni gathering in San Francisco, a community service event, the Alumni Masters’ Lecture featuring Sheila Marks, and of course Alumni Spring Weekend, including the Alumnus of the Year and Athletic Hall of Fame luncheon, Alumni Spring Weekend Welcome Reception, and Reunions. With so much generous philanthropic support, we have exceeded our fundraising goals, raising
the largest amount for annual giving in School history from alumni! This would not be possible without so many of you who choose to engage, connect, and give back to our alma mater. Our networking platform, PCDS:Connect, continues to grow, and our internship program, SOAR, is thriving. Eleven internships were awarded this summer at a number of companies around the Valley. We are working to grow this program every year. If you, or someone you know, is interested in hosting an internship in the future, please contact us. Thank you all for a wonderful year. I look forward to seeing many of you in the fall. Go Eagles! Courtney McConnell ’06
ALUMNI BOARD—SCHOOL YEAR 2025-2026
Alumni Board, front row from left: Cassidy Angst ’26, Sarah Bauer ’10, Kate Werth ’14, Alice Gaston Gibbons ’05. Back row: Nicole Lopez ’09, Finley Bockrath ’26, Keenan Simon ’11, Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91, Andru Roysden ’07, Courtney McConnell ’06. Not pictured: Alison Pulaski Carter ’97, Mishary Al-Sulaihim ’00, Jennifer Lewkowitz Abelson ’04, Peter Curzon ’04, Zach Hitchcock ’09, Hannah Keogh Gates ’10, Kate Pokorski ’13
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TITLE
Spring 2026 Alumni Events Check out pcds.org/alumni/engage to learn about upcoming alumni events.
The Alumni Association was busy this spring! Highlights included: The 2026 Alumni Masters’ Lecture featuring MS history teacher Sheila Marks, our San Francisco alumni reception, and Alumni Spring Weekend festivities including a welcome cocktail reception and reunions at Bridge-the-Gap. To view more photos from each event, please visit the PCDS Alumni Facebook and Instagram pages or the online alumni photo gallery at pcds.org/alumni/engage/photo-gallery.
Alumni Masters’ Lecture Alumni had one final opportunity to come back to the classroom with history teacher Ms. Sheila Marks before she retired! Participants enjoyed a fascinating lesson on JFK’s presidency and assassination.
San Francisco Alumni Reception The Alumni Association had a blast in March reuniting with our San Francisco Bay-area Eagles.
PCDS Eagles in San Francisco
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Jay Kahn ’98, Ted Blosser ’02
Alumni Spring Weekend Alumni Spring Weekend festivities included a welcome cocktail reception and reunions at Bridge-the-Gap. It was a weekend full of fun, laughter, and reconnection…with a HUGE turnout!
Welcome Cocktail Reception
Welcome Cocktail Reception
Tiffany Westlie Pondelik ’00, Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99, Tracey Guerin ’01, Molly Dean Chang ’01 at the reception
The Class of ’91 caught up with Mr. Coon at the Bridge-the-Gap Celebration
40 year reunion for the Class of 1986
25 year reunion for the Class of 2001
20 year reunion for the Class of 2006
10 year reunion for the Class of 2016
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2026 Alumnus of the Year: Brian Snyder ’01 Celebrating a graduate who has made a lasting impression
Each year since 1990, the PCDS Alumni Association has named an Outstanding Alum or Alumni of the Year (see sidebar for a full list of past Alumni of the Year). These individuals have distinguished themselves in service to their communities, professional achievement, and commitment to PCDS. We are proud to announce that the 2026 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year is Brian Snyder ’01. While at PCDS, Brian was a decorated athlete, dedicated scholar, and active student leader. In recent years, he
served on the PCDS Alumni Board and was inducted into the School’s Athletic Hall of Fame in honor of his athletic achievements. Brian is a respected attorney in the Valley and a supportive PCDS parent to three Eagles. Brian’s profoundly impactful presence in our community is underscored by the time he has dedicated annually —for more than 15 years—to speak to every PCDS 8th grade “You & Others” class about his experience as a PCDS student and the lasting impact of losing his close friend, Matt, to depression and suicide during their senior
Head of School Andy Rodin, Brian Snyder, Alumni Board President Courtney McConnell
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Past Recipients 2025 2024 2023 2022 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 year. In addition to these annual discussions, Brian has also spoken to US students about distracted driving and has presented on these topics to parents as well, further extending his reach and service to his alma mater. What makes Brian’s contribution so extraordinary is his ability to honor Matt’s memory while creating space for honest, age-appropriate, and deeply meaningful conversations about mental health. He shares vulnerable moments with care and intention, helping students understand depression, recognize warning signs, and feel empowered with practical ways to help themselves and others. His storytelling is relatable, engaging, and memorable—no small feat, given the difficulty of the topic—and students retain these lessons long after MS. Year after year, US students remember Brian’s talk as being one of the most impactful experiences of their MS years. His willingness to show up, share openly, and remain available to students has made a lasting difference. We are deeply grateful for the positive and enduring impact Brian continues to have on our campus. Brian Snyder epitomizes the virtues and goals that PCDS holds dear: we strive to matriculate students who love learning and pursue wisdom; use their talents and skills for the greater good; are adaptable, resilient, and responsible citizens in their local communities, their nation, and the world; and who engage in life with both honor and integrity. In recognition of all that he has done for Phoenix Country Day School, Brian Snyder ’01 is a most worthy recipient of the Phoenix Country Day School Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award. Learn more about Brian’s contributions to PCDS by watching the Alumnus of the Year tribute video at pcds.org/alumni/alumni-of-the-year
2012 2011
2010 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
The Allison Family Augustine Gomez ’99 Katie Potter ’98 Bryan Silverthorn ’01 & Lesley Silverthorn Marincola ’04 Kimberly Yamanouchi ’74 The Louis Family Stanley Casselman ’81 Christopher Walker ’65 Bob Simonds ’81 The Honorable Mae Sue Talley, Founder Herb Stratford ’83 Mukesh Vidyasagar ’93 Leora Romney ’82 John Schupbach ’06 Eric Felten ’82 Matt Rollings ’83 Stanley Casselman ’81 Jacques DeLisle ’78 Peter Spiegel ’88 Apichai Shipper ’87 Paul Wernick ’90 Rhett Reese ’87 Kirstin Gormly Ghaster ’89 Margi Woods Brown ’85 Rebecca Moran ’95 Ana Maria Lopez ’78 Joan Hay ’67 Arden O’Connor ’96 Peter Spiegel ’88 Barbara Jones Hirvela ’70 Laurie Wray ’80 Tom Kempner ’71 Clarissa Simek Robinson ’88 Fritz Henze ’67 Ann Brook (honorary) Cathy & Herman Lewkowitz ’79 Jim O’Connor ’77 Mike Pachtman ’70 Carolyn Polson O’Malley ’65 Robin Mullen Waldmann ’72 Cleve Jones ’72 Steve Talley ’69 Nick Sakellariadis ’69 SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 55
Sydney Hott ’20 Returns to the PCDS Classroom A full circle journey from student to educator As a PCDS student, my US history courses were defined by the unparalleled expertise and gripping storytelling of longtime faculty members Dave Martin and Matt Guthrie. Though I briefly considered a career in law during college, I knew deep down that I wanted to do exactly what they did. I likely will not acquire their breadth of knowledge until I, too, have experienced bumpy RyanAir flights to Scotland or listened to every battle song from the Civil War era, but I try to emulate their passion, intellect, and kindness (maybe with a touch of intensity) every day in my classroom. My high school graduation was truly unlike anything most people have ever experienced. I feel bonded to my 64 other peers in that way. The PCDS 2020 graduation was a drive-through whirlwind, with golf carts in the parking lot, a walk-up song experiment, hand sanitizer, and a video shoutout from alum Dierks Bentley. I entered college that fall with two masks on, social distancing, and weekly university-mandated COVID tests. After eventually finding myself back in Arizona in my later undergraduate years looking for a sense of normalcy and connection, an idealized picture of my future started to form. I thought, well if I’m here, where is the best place for me to be? I knew PCDS was the only answer both professionally and personally, though I never anticipated it happening so soon. Interviewing to return to PCDS to teach US history as a full-time job felt surreal. I taught a sample lesson in Mr. Guthrie’s old classroom. Standing there as the so-called authority and knowledge-giver, not receiver, filled me
with a strange sense of nostalgia, fear, and comfort. I’ve carried those sentiments with me all throughout this first year back as I’ve taught in both Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Martin’s classrooms—though luckily with dissipating fear as I find my foothold in the spaces that shaped me as a student. My first class on my first day in August 2025 was in Mr. Martin’s former classroom. I pulled up the same unnecessarily heavy podium to the center of the room, leaning on it as he did, staring down the side of it with all its many obscure stickers. I never felt more sure that this is exactly where I was supposed to be. I am also consistently filled with a sense of validation, that I can say “back in my day” with relevant anecdotal experience from the very rooms my students now sit in. My past experiences as a student bolster my teaching practices, confidence, and frankly, credibility, as students lament about writing their papers (I always remind them mine were longer). Maybe I should bring back the infamous Martin ID paper…we’ll see. By the time the end of the year rolled around, I think I was more curious about the 2026 graduation ceremony than the seniors! I had never experienced a traditional PCDS graduation; in fact, I didn’t even attend my own college graduations. I put on the enormous robe, needing Becky Allison’s help to secure it, and walked over to Daley Bridge to line up based on tenure working at PCDS. At the very back of the line, I stood in awe of the gorgeous view and the meticulously planned event, reflecting with a tinge of sadness on what my classmates’ experience might have been like were it not for COVID.
“Standing there as the so-called authority and knowledge-giver, not receiver, filled me with a strange sense of nostalgia, fear, and comfort.” 56 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
As I walked across the bridge to my chair, it felt surreal taking a seat among our distinguished faculty. My initial feelings of nostalgia and comfort from that first day in August filled me once again. I was also surprised to see that the walkup song tradition had stuck! As adults, we often regret many of our choices from childhood, though I will never regret my decision to play ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” as I whizzed by Andy Rodin on that golf cart with my diploma! I have seen Mr. Guthrie on campus a few times this year, and I recently emailed Mr. Martin, informing him of my new post. He replied with words I will not forget: “Be confident in yourself, for you richly deserve the appointment.” Coming from a mentor whose guidance inspired my own journey through PCDS, those words carry a significance far beyond simple encouragement. They serve as a reminder of how fortunate I am to return to a place that inspired me so deeply as a student, and how surreal it is now to contribute to the same community that gave so much to me. I look forward to many more graduations and the privilege of helping students reach milestones that once felt just as distant to me. Hopefully by next graduation, I’ll figure out how to steam that robe. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 57
A Timeless Tune Vintage saxophone donated to our School
This spring, PCDS Band Director Dr. Nathan Botts received a special gift from alum Andrew Norris ’81. Since his days in the PCDS band, Andrew has lovingly kept his alto sax that dates to the mid 1960s. As this vintage horn still plays so nicely, Andrew decided to give it a permanent home back where it all started. Dr. Botts now plans to use it for all of his in-class demonstrations.
Andrew Norris ’81 and PCDS Band Director Dr. Nathan Botts
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This donation will also help Dr. Botts by freeing up for student use the school-owned instrument he usually uses for these purposes. The School is fortunate to have a piece of the Norris family in the Norris Family Band Classroom, named in memory of Andrew and Jonathan’s ’77 parents, Joan and Carter Norris. The classroom is housed in the new Reese House for Music, Art & Theater.
Senior Dinner 2026 Soon-to-be graduates were officially inducted into the PCDS Alumni Association
Each year, the PCDS Alumni Association hosts the Senior Dinner where the soon-to-be graduates are officially inducted into the Alumni Association. This year’s event featured a lovely meal, a rousing alumni trivia game, special alumni gifts, and provided one final opportunity for the Seniors to come together before graduation! Special thanks to the members of the Alumni Board who attended
in order to personally congratulate the 78 members of this year’s graduating class as they joined the fold.
Aya El Masry surprised by the return of her “Letter to My Future Self” that she wrote in 8th grade
Ethan Ortega, Cassidy Angst, and Hunter Sansone enjoying alumni trivia
Gabe Rosen, Ben Sabol, Philip Kaplan, Mo Rishi, Clemente Pappoe
Rachel Burns, Sophia Bosch, Audrey Weinshel, Elvia Hernandez, Eliza Meltzer, Tiera Williams, Sophia Weiland
Laney Sellers, Nancy Burns
Cassidy Angst, Talullah Sullivan, Talia Pruitt, Josie Robinson
Are you interested in welcoming our newest alumni to your city this fall? They are all registered on the PCDS:Connect platform! Please connect with them at pcdsconnect.org.
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TITLE
2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction honors Eagles sports legends
Learn more about the 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees below. Photos from the April luncheon celebrating their accomplishments can be viewed at pcds.org/alumni/engage/photo-gallery.
Brian Snyder `01 Brian Snyder was an outstanding basketball and baseball player. During his time in US, Brian won All Region and All State Honor in his sport. For his leadership and outstanding play, he was twice voted Most Valuable Basketball Player. Brian was also presented with the Most Outstanding Male Athlete Award.
Doug Loback ’01 Doug Loback holds the distinction of being awarded the two most prestigious awards an Eagle Athlete can receive, which is the Eagle Award and Most Outstanding Male Athlete Award. His leadership and sportsmanship were instrumental in his success as an athlete. Doug was a three sport athlete in swimming, basketball and baseball. He received All Region Honors as well as the Eagle Coaches Award, Most Improved Award, and Most Valuable Player.
Left: Brian Snyder ’01 Below: Doug Loback ’01 Right: Doug and Brian at Induction
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Kirea Mazzolini `11 The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding alumni athletes and coaches who excelled during their time at PCDS. The annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction solidifies a sense of pride and tradition for our School and our Eagle athletics community.
Kirea will always be remembered for her outstanding play in the sport of volleyball. She received State Honors and was honored three times as All-Central Region Player. At PCDS, Kirea was our Most Valuable Player and led the Eagles with class, character, and pride.
A Hall of Fame athlete:
Left: Kirea Mazzolini ’11 during high school. Right: Kirea at Induction.
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Has made a significant impact on the PCDS athletic program
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Has been recognized locally, regionally, statewide, and even in some cases, nationally
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Represents the highest values of our School and our athletic program: A person of character, leadership, and dedication
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Exemplifies the values set forth in our Pursuing Victory with Honor program: Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship
1986 State Championship Baseball Team Our 1986 State Championship Baseball Team was a blend of outstanding hitting, pitching and defense. In the State Championship game, the Eagles defeated the Judson School, who were undefeated and ranked #1 in the state, 6-3. Every player had an important role on the team and played it well. It was truly a team effort as these Eagles won the School’s second Baseball State Championship in School history.
Above: The baseball team in 1986. Right: Team members at Induction. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 61
Golden Circle 2026 Inducting the Class of 1976
We were thrilled to induct the Class of 1976 into the PCDS Golden Circle in May. Graduates from the classes of 1965 through 1976 enjoyed a cocktail reception and State of the School address from Head of School Andy Rodin (in the brand-new Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts!) before leading the procession of the Class of 2026 at US Graduation.
wear gold robes and cross the Daley Bridge, leading that year’s newest alums to their graduation. During the ceremony, Golden Circle members receive special recognition and an open invitation to return each year to welcome new inductees and to march during commencement, reminding our current families and all others in attendance that PCDS enjoys a vibrant history.
The PCDS Golden Circle is an honorary group of all classes celebrating their 50th reunions. Each year on US graduation day, the members of the Golden Circle
Class of 1977—please mark your calendars now for Thursday, May 27, 2027, as we welcome you into this illustrious group.
Additional photos from this year’s Golden Circle reception can be viewed at pcds.org/goldencircle
Front row, from left: Steven Smith ’76, Libbie Lawrence Gibson ’65, Jean Singer Kilker ’65, Virginia Anders ’69, David Steiner ’76, Linda Buck Laws ’68, Keith Yavitt ’76. Back row: Willy Korp ’76, Dan Foote ’69, Lisa Reis ’75, Barbara Pritzlaff Pierce ’74, Amy Jo Jacobson Gottfurcht ’75, Jon Cheney ’74, Stephen Buck ’71
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Here’s what some of our alumni have been up to… 1985
1986
Margie Woods reports, “Since leaving PCDS, my life has been shaped by creativity and a love of adventure. I graduated from the University of Colorado and later earned my master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. I have worked for many years as a professional photographer and artist, building a career creating imagery and mixed media artwork while also teaching art classes that support women in selfexpression and healing. Outside the studio, I am an avid sailor and hold a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license. In 2016, I raced solo to Hawaii, an experience that deepened my love for the ocean and strengthened my trust in myself. Today, I live in Los Angeles, where I continue to sail, mentor women on the water, and teach art classes centered on creativity and healing. Despite attending several institutions along the way, I still count my years at PCDS among the strongest and most formative educational experiences of my life, and I remain connected to many of the friends I made there.”
Since graduating from PCDS, David Rigberg went to college and medical school before moving to UCLA for his surgical residency in 1994. He tells us, “Apparently, I don’t like change, because I am still at UCL A in 2026! I am a professor in the medical school and the program director for vascular surgery training. My wife, Karen, and I have been together since shortly after I left PCDS (she went to my brother Matt’s ’88 PCDS graduation) and we have a daughter, Sandra, and son, Jonny. As at PCDS, I still spend most of my time playing guitar and my band, the Dial Ups!, regularly plays around SoCal. I was very sorry to miss the recent reunion but remain well-connected to PCDS friends like Peter Bartlett ’86, Todd ’86 and Tara Bookspan ’86, Kristina Simonds ’86 and John Snead ’85 as well as others (brothers Jim ’85 and Matt ’88 of course). PCDS prepared me well for the academics of a career in surgery, my continued love of sports and of course, my lifelong addiction to playing music.”
After a 40-year detour through careers in graphic design and education, Laura Daley Hutton has finally circled back to her original college major: painting. Apparently all it took was a global pandemic, a move to Colorado, and early retirement to make it happen. Her high school art teacher, Jim Cook, repeatedly told her to “loosen up” and “take creative risks”—advice she finally got around to taking only four decades later. Since then, she has become mildly unstoppable: taking classes at the local art center, joining the local artist studio tour, and even building a website to sell her work. Sales and commissions still surprise her. Her husband of 32 years, Hays, remains her most enthusiastic fan, while daughters Harlan (28) and Kit (25) continue to be her greatest accomplishments. Harlan works in AI in San Francisco, Kit in architecture in Boston, and both somehow still find time to answer her phone calls.
These alumni are registered members of the PCDS Alumni Networking Platform. Connect with PCDS alumni around the globe at pcdsconnect.org. We collect many Class Notes each year and cannot guarantee that all submissions will be printed. Class Notes are written in an individual’s own words.
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After founding and directing a nonprofit summer school for disadvantaged students in Louisville, Andy Shanken got a PhD in art history. He taught at Princeton, Penn, and elsewhere, before spending a few years at Oberlin College, and finally settling at U.C. Berkeley, where he’s taught since 2004. “I teach and write about the history of architecture and cities, with one vein of writing about the relationship of the built environment to cultural memory (i.e. monuments), the other about how architecture has been used to imagine the future. As part of my research and teaching, I’ve lived in Germany, Italy, England, and Mexico. I’m currently writing an excessively nerdy book on Victorian rhetoric, tracing their use of words like monster, mongrel, hybrid, effeminate, and species, in regard to architecture.”
1989
Lisa Lincoln says, “I live in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco with my husband, Nathan, and our son, Zoran, who is in 6th grade. (We are pictured together above, in Dubai). I am a professional dancer, ranging from contemporary ballet to contemporary jazz. This summer, I will be dancing on tour as part of the cast of Rose of Resistance, an artistic story of how moving through challenge strengthens us, clarifies us, and calls us into deeper truth. It’s quite full circle as the last day of tour, June 28th, is my shared birthday with my fraternal twin sister, Kerstan Lincoln Ruffer ’89. 64 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
1990
Elsie Dye Sims tells us, “I’m now living in Manhattan Beach after 25 years in Pacific Palisades, where Todd and I raised our four kids: Emma (27), Lilli (25), Peter (22), and Henry (20). We’re safe, but we lost our home and my art studio in last year’s fire. Manhattan Beach has been a beautiful place for us to land. We’ve found new friends and are spending a lot of time playing beach volleyball, which has been a great activity and community. Not long after the fire, I was offered a position as a resident printmaker at the Social and Public Art Resource Center in Venice, CA. I now have studio space there and have been rebuilding my portfolio while also supporting their social justice initiatives. It’s been incredibly meaningful to stay connected to art. Moments like this have made me especially grateful that art was such a foundational part of my childhood education at PCDS, it continues to be a constant through everything.”
Paul Geantil says, “Professionally, I am an entrepreneur, inventor and physicist, often working in the role of chief technology officer at various startup companies. I have invented many produc ts across the technological spectrum as well as having created hundreds of jobs. For hobbies I have designed vehicles like aircraft and watercraft, magical special effects, and super high tech toys and so many robots. I have owned and operated high-tech manufacturing robots in my own laboratory for something like 30 years. Yes! I have robots building robots. A consummate polyglot and special effects artist, I am also on a quest to understand the very nature of just exactly how energy knots itself into matter. I am a dedicated father and husband, and I am so appreciative of the love flowing within my family. Our future can be bright! Humanity can overcome the challenges we face. I have great hope for the future and am willing to work tirelessly to bring it to fruition! Many thanks to all of the educators and fellow students who made my experience at PCDS what it was. I miss you all and hope to stay connected!”
Network with PCDS alumni around the globe at pcdsconnect.org
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PhoenixCountryDaySchoolAlumni
supporting individuals and families navigating fertility and family-building paths. I was so sorry to miss the reunion this year—clearly for a good reason— but I’m looking forward to the next one and reconnecting with everyone.”
1991 Stephen Ashworth writes, “Technology has evolved at an extraordinary pace over the past 25 years. For consultant s, one of the greatest challenges is staying current enough to continue delivering meaningful value. I was fortunate to start drinking from the firehose at a young age, and today my work includes post-quantum cryptography, agentic AI, zero trust security, and identity. I love what I do and cannot wait to see what the future holds. Outside of consulting, I am also a musician, with 17 albums released under the name Heuristik and a couple more with my band, Blame Style. I also co-founded an IoT battery monitoring company focused on predicting remaining life for lead-acid and lithium batteries in telecom and motive power applications. As much as I love work and music, the greatest joy in my life is my family. I am married to my best friend, Aimee, and together we have three sons, ages 19, 16, and 8. They have taught me more about patience, perspec tive, humor, humilit y, and unconditional love than any career ever could. Our home is lively, loud, funny, occasionally chaotic, and made even better by three cats who add their own brand of mischief. Looking back, PCDS helped give me the confidence to pursue a meaningful professional life, but my family is what gives all of it its deepest meaning.”
1996 Laura Hazlett is doing well. Her big life change is that her daughter will be starting at the University of Chicago in the fall.
1997
Arden O’Connor shared: “It was so great to be back in Scottsdale recently and walk the Phoenix Country Day School campus. Some things felt exac tly the same, and others…not so much (including me). A few years ago, I started a concierge behavioral health company called O’Connor Professional Group. We rebranded to Intent Clinical a couple of years ago, which sounds much more official— and thank fully ref lec t s how much we’ve grown. What began as a focus on substance use and mental health has expanded to include eating disorders, dementia, neurodevelopmental conditions (including autism), and infertility. We now support families across the country, along with large employers, helping navigate some of life’s more complicated (and often unspoken) challenges with a ver y hands-on, personalized approach. On the personal side, life has been equally full. I got married last year (we celebrated our one-year anniversary back in Scottsdale—highly recommend a return visit), and we now have two daughters, with a third arriving this August. Our family was made possible with the help of egg donors and surrogates, a journey that has been both complex and incredibly meaningful. It’s also shaped a big part of the work we do at Intent Clinical, especially
Eric Cornwell resides, still, in Doylestown, PA, with his wife, Sarah, and three kids: Harrison (18), Amelia (17), and Finnegan (13)—with Harrison committing to attend the University of Virginia in the fall! Harrison got out… meanwhile, the other two will still have to deal with Eric’s continuous antics at home for the time-being. Additionally, with the NBA remaining steadfast in annual rejection of him entering the draft, and work updates aside, Eric is looking forward to traveling with his family this summer to Indonesia and Thailand for the surf and to hopefully discover the world’s perfect noodle. Let’s all wish him luck!
1998 Josh Finberg is a senior projec t manager in Columbus, Ohio, and has done projects for the regional transportation authority, American Electric Power, Columbus Recreation and Parks, a STEM school and local university, among others. “I’ve been married for 20 years, and my wife and I regularly get out around town to parks, local restaurants, craft breweries as well as the occasional concer t. We’re between dogs at the moment, but with just finishing a renovation of the main bedroom and bathroom, we think we’re getting close to welcoming some new furry companions.”
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Sarah Palestrant shares, “Since high school, life has taken me on quite a journey. I’m now a breast radiologist in Phoenix, where my husband—also a radiologist—and I have lived for the past nine years while raising our three children (our son will be starting at PCDS in the fall as a fifth grader!). Before finally putting down roots in Arizona, the two of us collectively lived in nine different places over five years during training and early career moves, so staying in one place this long feels like an accomplishment in itself. I’m grateful for the friendships and memories from our school years and always enjoy reconnecting with classmates.”
2001
Ashleigh Levison is a partner and on the executive committee of her vitreoretinal surgery practice, Colorado Retina Associates, in Denver, CO. She sits on the Medical Leadership Board of Retinal Consultants of America. Her husband is a pilot for United Airlines and their wonder ful five-year-old daughter will be starting kindergarten at Evergreen Country Day School in the fall. 66 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
2002
San Francisco, Brian moved back to Phoenix in 2022. He now lives in Arcadia with his wife, Kiri, and their four children: Cosi (10), Palmer (8), Pierson (6), and Chance (1). Brian has loved reconnecting with old friends from PCDS since moving back.
Sarah Semegen married Michael de L’Arbre d’Estaing on September 20, 2025, at the Valley Club in Montecito, CA. Their toddler daughter, Delphine, served as flower girl. PCDS alumni in attendance included matron of honor Cassie Sonntag ’05 and groomsman Mark Semegen ’04. They currently reside in San Francisco.
Zach Israel shared: “Since graduating from PCDS and Ithaca College, I have lived and worked in New York City, building my career in the hospitality industry. Early on, I managed sports bars and nightclubs, experiences that taught me the fast-paced nature of hospitality and the impor tance of creating memorable guest experiences. Over the years, my focus evolved toward building and operating cafés. In 2015, my wife Ashley and I opened the first Slate Cafe. What began as a single neighborhood café has grown into six locations: five throughout Manhattan and one in Greenwich, Connecticut. Outside of work, we are proud parents to two boys, Tucker and Jack, who are almost 6 and 3 years old.”
Since graduating from PCDS, Brian Yee attended Georgetown University, earning a degree in government and economics. While at Georgetown, he worked for Senator John McCain prior to his presidential election campaign. Brian moved to San Francisco after graduation, star ting his professional career at Goldman Sachs where he worked across investment management and technology investment banking. He then spent a few years as a private equity investor at General Atlantic before joining the founding team at ACME Capital, where he made early-stage investments in technology startups, including Uber, Airbnb, Robinhood, PillPack, OpenGov, Included Health, and Bright side Health, among others. Brian is now a general partner at Saints Capital, a leading venture secondaries firm focused on providing liquidity solutions to technology companies and venture funds. After spending 16 years in
We have PCDS Alumni gear for sale! Email alumni@pcds.org to order hooded sweatshirts, tank tops, or hats!
Join hundreds of fellow alumni on the Alumni Scholarship Fund honor roll at pcds.org/giveback 2006
Danielle Masserman writes, “After graduating from PCDS, I received my undergraduate degree from University of Michigan (Go Blue!). I then went on to graduate f rom University of Southern California with my DDS and completed a two-year residency in pediatric dentistry at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, TX. I have been practicing at Affiliated Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Scottsdale for 14 years. My husband, Dr. Tal Masserman, is an orthodontist in the practice and we have fun collaborating on cases. We are so lucky our two boys, Brooks (10) and Levi (8), are current students at PCDS. It is amazing to see all of the wonderful advancements at PCDS as a parent. I truly feel like PCDS is my home away from home. I enjoy being involved with the Parents Association and Brooks and Levi are part of Phoenix Swim Club so we spend countless hours at the PCDS swim facility. We welcomed our first family pet this year, a labradoodle, Markley. We love to travel as a family and are looking forward to many fun adventures this year.”
Ellie Charles and her husband, Larry, stay busy with their three children: Mya (16), Larry (9), who will be entering 4th grade at PCDS, and Estelle (8), who will be entering 3rd grade at PCDS. Since selling her hair salon in 2019, Ellie has continued her work in case management supporting justice-involved individuals, while still doing hair for friends and family to stay creative and busy. Most weekends are spent at softball and baseball tournaments. When they are not in Phoenix, the family enjoys time at their cabin in Prescott and visiting their home in the Dominican Republic, where Larry was raised. Pat McGroder IV continues to work as a trial attorney in Phoenix. In 2024, Beus O’Connor McGroder PLLC was formed, which is a boutique law firm that handles high-stake litigation with a focus on catastrophic injury and wrongful death. Pat continues to stay active in the community through his philanthropic work on the Ronald McDonald Charities Board of Directors and as a new member of the Thunderbirds. His daughter, Elle, is ten years old and loves to sing, play volleyball, and orchestrate elaborate pranks. He is welcoming his second daughter in early July. Pat continues to be an avid Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres fan with yearly trips back to Buffalo for games and time with family. Alex Hazell writes, “My partner, Phil, and I have passed on our love for martial arts to my sons. It’s a true family passion—as I write this, we are heading to an international tournament this weekend where Phil is testing for his third black belt, and I am working
toward my brown belt. Professionally, my commitment to youth mental health has taken an exciting step forward. For a year and a half, I have been training at The Norwich Centre, a leading institution for person-centered counseling here in the UK, and was recently accepted into their postgraduate diploma program. Alongside my professional work with young people navigating severe mental health challenges, I have also begun volunteering with a national British crisis charity. Immersing myself in this work has truly solidified my passion for helping others find their strength during life’s most difficult moments.
2007
Blake Lewkowitz writes: Quinn (K) and Rory (Pre-k) have officially embarked on their PCDS journey, and we couldn’t be happier watching them thrive. The community has been everything we hoped for, and seeing how much they’ve grown this year has been the highlight. Quinn is already counting down the days to 1st grade and all the responsibilities that come with it, and Rory is very excited to meet his senior buddy in kindergarten!
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deployments. He was later commissioned and is currently a Captain in the Army as an intelligence officer. In between his four deployments, he received a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, a master’s degree from Trinity College Dublin and a second master’s degree from ASU. Jimmy sits on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Board of Regents, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and the Hensley Beverage Company. He has begun pursuing his doctorate at Pepperdine. Jay Lundeen lives with his wife, Christina, on 25 wooded acres atop the Rensselaer Plateau in upstate New York, where they spend much of their time building a life outdoors with their black lab and husky. Jay owns and operates Eclipse Remodeling, a home remodeling company serving homeowners throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Away from work, he keeps honeybees, maintains a large garden, makes his own maple syrup, scares away bears, porcupines, fishers, and bobcats from his yard, and generally enjoys life in the mountains through every season, even the six months of winter. 2026 is especially exciting for the Lundeens, as they are expecting their first child, a baby girl, due on August 23. Jimmy McCain, the youngest son of the late U.S. Senator John McCain and his wife, Cindy McCain, followed his father’s footsteps into military service, enlisting in the U.S. Marines at age 17. After four years of active duty and t wo deployment s, he received an honorable discharge in 2010. Jimmy reenlisted in the Army National Guard in 2013, serving through two additional
2009 Thomas Turansky is currently settled in South Thomaston, Maine, with his wife and two sons, ages 4 and 6. He is a project manager at Steel Pro, a custom ASME pressure vessel and vacuum chamber manufacturer located in Rockland. Thomas and his family enjoy spending as much time as possible outdoors, especially exploring the coastline and islands of mid-coast Maine by boat in the summer. When not on the water or in the woods, Thomas is usually occupied working on home improvement, landscaping, and various woodworking projects.
2008 Piper Gustafson Yo u t z y i s c u rrently a digital marketing strategist at Rosenberg Advertising and also serves as the vice president of the Board of Directors for Literary Cleveland. Her debut novel, a thriller titled Beneath the Sur face, is for thcoming from Podium Entertainment in May 2027. She lives in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband, Jared. Ryan Pearlman currently lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife, Danielle, and three-year-old daughter, Ashley. He pursued a career in law enforcement and currently works for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Ryan was recently promoted to sergeant and supervises a road patrol shift. Over the last 16 years, Ryan was able to work a variety of assignments. His favorite two were canine handler and major crimes detective. His family loves to travel, and they try to go on as many cruises and Disney World trips as possible.
Eric Fram lives in Mar Vista with his wife Catherine, son Nathaniel, and two Shelties, Dolce and Sprout. He keeps up with many classmates, including Prateek Wakharkar ’09 to talk cars, Varun Mokhashi ’09 and Harry Kent ’09 to talk art and architecture, and Erin Hoang (Malone) ’09 whose son is the same age as Nathaniel. He is approac hing his seventh year at Riot Games and still enjoys it. Please reach out if you’re in LA and want to catch up.
Alumni—as a nod to the School’s emphasis on sustainability, please use this QR code if you would like to opt-out of printed issues of The Bridge magazine moving forward. Instead, by completing the survey you will receive an email link to the online ISSUU version of The Bridge.
68 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Does your grad year end in 7 or 2? If so, we can’t wait to see you for your Reunion Weekend! Friday, April 30-Saturday, May 1, 2027 Stewart McClintic writes, “In 1988, at just seven years old, my family moved across the country from New Hampshire to Arizona. To say I was excited about stepping into a new environment with new opportunities would be an understatement. From the moment I walked through Phoenix Country Day School’s doors in second grade, they turned that excitement into a reality. I was welcomed with open arms and taught lessons that would last a lifetime. After graduating from PCDS, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Arizona in 2014. I worked as a reporter in New Mexico for a couple of years before ultimately deciding to come back to Arizona. My father owned HQ98, a two-way radio company, and needed a sales guy, so he hired me in 2017. After learning the ropes, I found a trusted business partner and bought the company from my father when he retired in 2021. Since then, we have made major changes, growing the company and improving profitability. While my career hasn’t followed a straight path, I credit PCDS with much of my success. It was there that I truly fell in love with communication. The staff consistently encouraged me to believe in myself and find my voice. My ability to write and communicate is something I take great pride in, especially in today’s technology-driven world. These are skills I’ve carried with me every step of the way and will continue to rely on throughout my journey.“
2010 Zach McVay recently graduated from Texas Tech University, Lubbock with his MA in Classics, where he has also been an instructor of record for the past two years. He will be starting his PhD at The Ohio State University, Columbus this August (in ClassicsGISRAM) on a full fellowship.
2012
Gino Picozzi and his wife Becky are happy to share that they were married in New Orleans last year. The PCDS class of 2009 was well represented at their wedding—Zach Hitchcock officiated the marriage, Stew McClintic, Noah Segal, and Thomas Turansky s tood as groomsmen, and John Greenberg was in attendance. It was a high school trip with the PCDS jazz band that first brought Gino to New Orleans, and so the wedding would not have been complete without a brass band and second line parade through the French Quarter. Gino, Becky, and their miniature dachshund, Penny Lane, currently live in New York. After careful thought, Gino decided he was not quite finished with his education and will be enrolling at Columbia Business School in August to pursue his MBA. He would like to thank the incredible faculty at PCDS for instilling in him the value of lifetime learning and is looking forward to this next chapter.
Lindsay Coda shared, “Over the past few years, I have been fortunate to have worked as an art director on film and television projects in New Mexico. I’m proud to have worked alongside incredible crew on the Netflix series’ American Primeval and The Boroughs, as well as the upcoming Amazon series Joseph of Egypt. I’m looking forward to working on more shows in the future. In my free time, I love camping and hiking through the high desert and spending quality time with my dad in Tennessee.” SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 69
Scan to access past issues of The Bridge archived online. Natalie Davenport and their spouse, Maybe Stewart, live in Phoenix with their assortment of pets. Natalie is a regional planner with a focus on housing and homelessness. They spend their free time building urban farms, community organizing, exploring the desert, and working on their Master of Social Work degree.
2014
day-to-day production management. A highlight has been spending a m o nt h o n t he g ro und in t he UK , working direc tly on set with both productions. It’s been a great experience, and I’m hoping to continue on the production executive track.
2013
“One year down, four to go!” Amelia Drumm exclaims about her residency in orthopedic surgery at WashU in St. Louis. The milestone also marks her first wedding anniversary with husband, Thomas Hereford, a St. Louis native whom she met while living in Denver. While not in the hospital, Amelia likes to practice using power tools by helping Tom fix-up their ’new’ 100-year-old brick house in University City. 70 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Madeline Louis tells us, “My life postlaw school has taken me in a different direction than I expected. I passed the bar, got married, and moved to Flagstaff with my husband where I worked as a criminal prosecutor for the Coconino County Attorney’s Office. Not long after, however, we welcomed a baby girl! Fast forward, we have moved back to Phoenix, and these days I’m a full-time mom to TWO little girls. Most of my time revolves around snacks, bedtime routines, and managing the beautiful chaos of our household, which turns out to be much busier than I ever imagined. I’m not practicing law at the moment, but hope to get back into it in a few years. I am very grateful for this crazy season of life!” Over the past two years, Sam Gilson has been working as an executive assistant to a senior vice president of production at HBO in Los Angeles. Given he oversees production on the new Harry Potter series and House of the Dragon, Sam’s role spans scheduling, budgeting, deal-making and
After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, Kate Werth began her career as a designer working in advertising for Fortune 500 companies and a tech startup. She then relocated to Los Angeles to continue her career in the tech and fintech sectors, and she is now a creative director at a global consulting firm. While living in Los Angeles, she met her now-husband, Julian, and they were married this spring surrounded by family—and their border collie, Bug—at Kate’s childhood home in Scottsdale.
2015 Morgan Gonzales currently lives in the Valley and works at American Express in tech investment planning. Outside of work, she spends much of her time traveling between Arizona and Vancouver and recently got engaged last July. This spring, she also helped coach the PCDS high school golf team, leading the program to its first-ever DIII State Championship—a full-circle moment after once playing golf for PCDS herself.
Meryl Ax shares, “Lately I’ve been in a season of transition and growth as I work toward a career change into nursing. After spending the last several years building a career in beauty and fashion PR—focused on communications, strategy, launches, and relationshipbuilding—I decided to pursue something that feels more directly connected to helping people. Right now, that means going back to school and completing my nursing prerequisites while figuring out the path that makes the most sense for me long term. Most of my time lately has been split between classes, studying, and adjusting to being back in an academic mindset after years in the workforce. It’s been exciting, humbling, and a reminder that it’s never too late to challenge yourself and take a different path. I’m especially grateful for my time at PCDS, which instilled in me the academic discipline, curiosity, and work ethic that I know will carry me through this next chapter and the demands of nursing school. I’m taking it one course at a time and enjoying the process of learning again while working toward a goal that feels deeply meaningful to me.”
still credit Mr. Martin and Mr. Guthrie for sparking my interest in the field. From there, I moved to Jerusalem for the Dorot Fellowship in August 2023, where I spent two years doing human rights work and organizing in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Inspired by my experiences working with Palestinian communities living under occupation, I enrolled in Harvard Law School in the fall of 2025. I just concluded my first year of law school and am spending my summer working at a human rights law NGO in Berlin. I am looking forward to the next two years of law school, where I will continue to focus on gaining the tools I need to become a human rights lawyer.”
2019 After receiving both their BE in Computer Engineering ’24, and their ME in Applied Artificial Intelligence & Software Engineering ’25, Zoe “Z” Casten now works as a regional engineering junior designer for Con Edison in New York City. They also occasionally perform as an improvisational comedian in the city.
2020
2018
2017
Since graduating f rom Har vard College in 2022, Hannah Miller moved to DC for a year to work as a junior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She tells us, “I spent my year at Carnegie researching and writing about foreign policy, and I
After Alexander Roland graduated from PCDS, he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from SMU. He tells us, “I married my wife, Sarah Paige, during my senior year. We have since moved from Texas back to Arizona and now live just a short walk from PCDS. I currently serve as the VP of Sales for Alpaca, a FinTech company, where I work with brokerdealers globally. This fall, my wife and I will be celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary.”
After attending Rice University (mathematical economics and statistics), Mattia Saladini ended up in Dallas, where he works in consulting at Deloitte, helping companies modernize how they manage their finances and data. Outside of work, he’s been trying to become a proper Dallasite: he has picked up pickleball, reads a lot of fiction, and shares an apartment in the Bishop Arts neighborhood with two opinionated cats, Leo and Luna. If any fellow alumni are in or passing through Dallas, he would love to say hi. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 71
Brierly Wand is currently working at Sony Television in Los Angeles and has been there for a little over two years. She says, “It’s been really exciting to be part of the entertainment industry and see how much goes on behind the scenes!” She has had the opportunity to be around projects like The Boys, Outlander, Platonic, and Pluribus, among many others.
2021 Ben Brodsky is living in New York and working as an analyst at Blackstone in real estate investing. He has loved spending time with many PCDS friends and classmates living nearby and enjoyed channeling his experience from playing on the PCDS basketball team to get back to training, running the Brooklyn Half Marathon in April. Go Eagles!
Af ter graduating from PCDS, Nina Amin attended the University of Michigan to study Public Policy and Business with a focus on Business Law. During college, she studied abroad in Madrid and went to as many Michigan football games as she could. After graduating in May 2025, Nina moved to Washington, D.C. to work at Penta Group, a global public affairs firm. She enjoys exploring the city with friends—some of whom are fellow PCDS alums!
Kori Schwar tz tells us, “Af ter graduating from PCDS, I headed to the University of Texas at Austin, where I studied Radio-Television-Film. During college, I had the opportunity to work
in sports media with Texas Basketball, A meric an Foot ball in Israel, and Madison Square Garden Sports. I also spent a semester studying abroad in Florence and a summer in Tel Aviv, which were definitely some of the highlights of my college experience. Last fall, I moved to New York City and started working at Paramount as a project management coordinator on the creative advertising team. It has been a lot of fun adjusting to life in the city, discovering new restaurants, and exploring different neighborhoods. Looking back, it’s hard to believe how much has happened since graduating from PCDS, and it’s been really exciting to see all the different paths everyone has taken!”
Anna Casey went to Cornell University where she studied Science & Technology Studies, with a minor in Astronomy concentrated in Data Science. She now lives in New York City with a fellow PCDS ’21 alum (one of her close friends from high school!), and works at an AI tech startup in Lower Manhattan. She has loved living in the city, exploring (new restaurants mostly), and working full time! It’s also nice to have a lot of fellow PCDS alums close by for a little piece of home.
Do you have news to share? We are always excited to hear from you. Submit details about a graduation, a new job, a birth, engagement, marriage announcement, a recent trip, a new hobby, or a visit with another alumnus/a at: pcds.org/alumniupdate. Photos are encouraged. We look forward to learning what you have been up to!
72 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Save the Date
Alumni Spring Weekend Friday, April 30-Saturday, May 1, 2027 Return to Campus to Celebrate Your Alma Mater with Friends
Reunions for Classes of: 2017, 2012, 2007, 2002, 1997, 1992, 1987, 1982
Join us for These Annual PCDS Alumni Events Blue & Gold Alumni Tent
Alumni Holiday Party
Friday, October 16, 2026
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Golden Circle Induction of the Class of 1977 Thursday, May 27, 2027
Eagles for Life Join PCDS:Connect The Network of PCDS Alumni
Are You Registered? Take a minute to verify your profile information. It’s easiest for alumni to connect with each other when members’ city/state of residence and employer/industry information is up-to-date (a profile photo helps, too).
If your company is hiring, let fellow PCDS alumni know by posting employment opportunities on the Job Board.
pcdsconnect.org Expand your network • Offer career and academic advice • Get introduced • Receive feedback
Not a member? Register today to experience the benefits of Eagles Helping Eagles. 74 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Giving at PCDS Thank you to our generous families, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends of the School for supporting PCDS during the fiscal year July 2025–June 2026.
Dear PCDS Community: On behalf of all of us at Phoenix Country Day School, we thank you—our parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends—for another outstanding year of generosity. Last fiscal year proved to be a standout year of giving! Thanks to your remarkable support of the Annual Fund, Tax Credit, and Play On! capital campaign, your generosity made a lasting impact across our campus. Like the top independent schools across the country, PCDS relies on tuition, endowment income, and a strong culture of philanthropy to provide an exceptional educational experience. Your support is a meaningful investment in our mission and a powerful vote of confidence in our School—thank you! As we celebrate all we’ve accomplished together, we look ahead with great optimism. Your continued support of the Annual Fund, Tax Credit program, and Play On! capital campaign will help sustain our tradition of excellence, expand opportunities for our students and faculty, and ensure that PCDS continues to thrive for generations to come. We hope you enjoy our Annual Report on Philanthropy— a heartfelt tribute to every member of our community who made a gift during the 2025 –2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026). Thank you for making such an extraordinary year possible. Go Eagles!
Andrew M. Rodin P’19, ’19, ’25 Julie Sabeeh P’23, ’25, ’29 Head of School Chair, Advancement Committee
PCDS relies on support through three distinct areas of giving: • Annual Fund • Tax Credit • Special Projects Includes the PlayOn! capital campaign, endowment giving, and planned giving
2025–2026 Results
$1,272,379
Total Annual Fund Dollars Raised
$997,128
Total Individual Tax Credit Dollars Raised
BEST Y E AR YET!
$1,102,000
Total Corporate Tax Credit Dollars Raised
ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE 2025–26 Julie Sabeeh P’23, ’25, ’29, Committee Chair Anikar Chhabra P’25, ’29 Dan Charous P’30, ’32 Kayleigh Diamond P’34, ’36 David Dobrusin P’32, ’34, ’39 Brooke Levy P’28, ’32 Mercedes Liljegren P’20, ’22 Dilini Malsom P’36 Danielle Masserman ’02, P’34, ’36 Elizabeth Oviedo ’04, P’35, ’37 Valerie Parzych P’31, ’34 Andrea Perry P’31, ’34 Anup Shah P’28, ’32
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 75
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Annual Fund The Heart of Giving at PCDS
Each year, we invite our families, alumni, faculty, staff, grandparents, and friends to join us in making a tax-deductible gift to the Annual Fund—PCDS’s most vital and impactful fundraising effort! These generous contributions deliver immediate support to the people and programs that make our School exceptional every day. Thank you for investing in our students, our teachers, and the bright future we are building together at Phoenix Country Day School.
2025–2026 ANNUAL FUND RESULTS
$ 1,273,518
2,044
Total Dollars Raised
100%
99%
Board of Trustees Participation
Every gift—big or small— makes a difference.
Total Donations
71%
Faculty & Staff Participation
2026
Parent Participation
2027
Participation matters. We hope you’ll join us.
Your tax-deductible donation directly supports the people, programs, and experiences that set PCDS apart. Your gift helps fund:
FACULTY ENRICHMENT
NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
ARTS PROGRAMS
ATHLETICS
OFF-CAMPUS EXPERIENCES
CAMPUS SAFETY
Leadership gifts of $1,000 or more help drive the Annual Fund forward—but it’s the collective generosity of our entire community that fuels PCDS’s mission. Every gift—at every level—makes a difference and ensures that our students and teachers continue to thrive. To learn more about giving levels or to make your contribution today, visit PCDS.ORG/GIVE or contact Katie Charles at 602.955.8200 x2346. Phoenix Country Day School is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. All gifts and pledges should be fulfilled by June 30, 2027.
76 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
ANNUAL FUND DONORS Founder’s Circle ($50,000+)
The Flack Family
Rachel & Augustine Gomez ’99
Kathleen & Steven Ashby
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Marilyn & Robert Fransway
Harvey & Leslie Wagner Foundation
Erin & Chris Ashby
Head of School’s Circle ($25,000+)
Susan & Brett Huckelbridge
Leslie & Lincoln Beauregard
Linda Buck Laws ’68 & Dennis Laws
Corinne & Darryl Berger Norma & Stephen Buck ’71 DAFgiving360 Krista & Tarl Robinson Gemma & David Tedesco Aquilae ($15,000+) Anonymous (2) ACAIR Foundation The Arjay and Frances Miller Foundation Emily & Jeffrey Gottfurcht The Benevity Community Impact Fund Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund Brittany & Darin Granger Jordan & Michael Kahn ’99 Trent & Steven Kinney Amy & Timothy Louis ’81 Courtney McConnell ’06 & Mark Melnyk
The Holt Family Eunsung Lee & Hyun Jeong
Margaret Tse Foundation Jill Tse ’05 Kassidy Tse ’13 Kaity Tse ’06 Renee & Chida Tse
Allie & Gabe Libhart
Jennifer & Andrew Cooper Alison & Matthew Coviello Amanda & David Crisalli Mandy Arthur Daitch ’93 & Jim Daitch Jennifer Boll & Kevin Davis Delta Air Lines Foundation
Jennifer & Lucas Nicolettos
Kayleigh & Peter Diamond
Leisa & Jonathan Norris ’77
Carrie & Henry Diekmann
Shannon & Monti Ossenfort
Lori & Andrew Norris ’81
Thuy Doan & Michael Dulitz
Michele & Mark Patterson
Yara Vargas & Khamen Pappoe
Tiffany & Ben Quayle
Joelle & Alexander Park
Kristen Brook ’95 & Daniel Durchslag ’89
Lynn & Peter Rosenbaum
Nicole & Michael Phelps
Rachael & Matthew Eisenstadt
Erica Hendrix & John Shay
Phyllis & Dennis Propp
Maria & Steve Simpson
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Lauren Ogrich & Perry Evangelista
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Supriya & Sunil Nair
Lindsey & Jeffrey Stern ’90 Stephanie & Tom Taira Phoenix Society ($5,000+) Anonymous (3)
Allyn Family Foundation Mary Sunderland ’74 Garima Agarwal & Sameer Ather
Amara & Thomas Abood
Cristina & Desiderio Avila, Jr.
Arizona Community Foundation
Stephanie & Rodney Boden Dara Silverstein & Jonathan Cohen Connelly Law Offices
Adam Blankenheimer ’00
Mary & Reg Cooper ’98
Century Foundation
Cooper Companies Inc.
CHASSE Building Team
CyberGrants
David R Picerne Charitable Foundation
Shayna & Hope Feldman
Bert Duarte ’03
The Laureine and David Greenbaum Family Foundation
Lopa Misra & Anikar Chhabra
Ellen & Andrew Meltzer
Ruth Bristol & Felipe Albuquerque
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund
Renée & Karim Karmi
Crissy & David Calnon
Carly & Ryan LeVine
Janice Tse-Vosselman ’02
National Philanthropic Trust
Anonymous (2)
Allison & Emilio Justo
Stephanie Bjork
Michela & Rob Davidson
Arsala & Jawad Ahsan
Roundtable ($7,500+)
Donna & Stephen Johnson
Shefali & Shiva Birdi
Dina Shacknai & Bob Lavinia
Tyler Tse ’09
Brittany & Matthew Messmer Peter Yurka
Ashley Humes ’04 & Tyler Bise
Sasha Borsand Glassman ’99 & Rodney Glassman
Caitlin & David Fiorillo
RIM Institute Trust
Molly & James Foshee
Jordan Rose
Marley Kornreich & Alexander Fridman
Emily Westerhold & Sebastian Rymarz
Renée & Juan Galá
Julie & Vas Sabeeh
Paul Geantil ’90
Julie & Nick Sakellariadis ’69 SC Johnson Giving, Inc.
Amalia Decomas & Colin Goggins
Lise & Matthew Shanks
Sarah & Vivek Guruswamy
Sarah Pachtman-Shetty ’00 & Vik Shetty
Robert Hackett
Shoshana Tancer
Heidi Jannenga & Joe Hendricks
Jennifer Kaufman & Vladimir Valdes
Noi Kaewngam & Al Hayder
ImpactAssets
Vanguard Charitable
Thinh Le
Stephanie & Randy Weinshel
Toni & Don Loback
Sarah Hensler-Williams & Matt Williams
Jena & Chris Lohl
Yuhan Wang & Yikai Zhu
Jet & Kelsey Martin
Eagle Fellowship ($2,500+)
Danielle Goldstein Masserman ’02 & Tal Masserman
Anonymous (1)
Anna-Liza & Howie McKibbon
Valentina & Anand Acharya
Marcia & Max Messmer
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 77
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Judith & Kent Mueller
Rupa & Anup Shah
Crystal Moon & Clayton Bain
Sherri & James Conley
Ciara Hickey Murphy & Rory Murphy
Julie & Thomas Sheer
Katrina & Josh Barrett
Clint Corcoran ’03
Deanna & Eric Shoemaker ’97
Haritha & Dheeraj Bobba
Kelly Bishop Murphy & Alvin Murphy
Gloria & Philip Cowen
Alee & Sidney Starkman
Cyan Brakhage
Peter Curzon ’04
Karey & John Stevenson
Lacey Boyett & Paul Bronstein
Christina & Reid Davis ’03
Holly & David Sudbury
Sarah & Jan Bucher
Sara Dhanani
Sarah & Ramsey Umar
Jennifer & Adam Burns
Mara & David Dobrusin ’99
Sukriti & Robby Uppal
Hillary & Daniel Burns
Arianna & John Doherty
Judy & John Willenborg
Kaitlan & Cory Cady
Ibie & Jeff Falcusan
Cindy & Steve Yeargan
Sunita & Manny Cairo
Elika Hoss & Ramin Fathi
Stefanie & Daniel Zebelman
Karen Bradshaw & Ambrose Calcagno
Zarin & Martin Felli
Leadership Circle ($1,000+)
Magali Montes & Marcos Casillas
Alpa Shah & Vipul Ganatra
Marta & Riad Nizam Orbis Investments - Buchanan Programme Seema & Dave Patel Neelu & Avinash Patil Mary Leigh & Michael Phillips Tiffany Westlie Pondelik ’00 & Miles Pondelik Dessi Ivanova & Nick Prodanov
Anonymous (8)
Aga & Tony Ré
Jenifer & Ayad Agha
Lena & Julien Salomez
Tiffany & Shadi Albert
Tracy & Marc Schwimmer
Rebecca & Ken Allison
Amy & Ian Scott
Eva & Benjamin Aronovitch
Nina & Maulik Shah
Kari Jo & Michael Ash
78 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Gabrielle & Randy Ferree
Sabrina Chen & Chris Cavage
Amy & Paul Gause
Amanda & Thomas Chaly
Lisa & Jeffrey Geyser
Shari & Daniel Charous
Christina DesVaux & Wesley Gilbreath
Lillian Wang & James Chen Adalie Pierce-McManamon & Michael Clarke
Jennifer Horn & Bryan Godwin Melissa & Jason Goldenberg
Jamie Vesga & Jesse Goldsmith
Carolyn Polson O’Malley ’65 & Mark O’Malley
Community Circle (up to $999)
Caitlin Bosch ’06
Chanelle Ison & Greg Grossi
Kathryn & Jonathan O’Steen
Anonymous (37)
Haddock Stanton Foundation
Elizabeth Reahard Oviedo ’04 & Nick Oviedo
Jennifer Lewkowitz Abelson ’04 & Ben Abelson
Robin Anderson & Chad Bowen
Barbara & Scott Hardy
Valerie & John Parzych
Colby Kant Harris ’95 & Adam Harris
Christine Perocchi ’04
Roz Bolger Abero ’89 & Inaudi Abero
Andrea & Doug Perry
Rebecca Abraham
Sara & Mark Hass
Swapna Boppana & Ajay Perumbeti
Eleanor Abraham Charles ’06 & Larry Charles
Deborah Phelps
Loreta Aguirre
Meghan Pope
Shannon Stringer & Daniel Aguirre
Naomi & Stu Hansen
Amy Hill Zachary Hitchcock ’09 Lora & Daniel Hobaica Rebecca & Kevin Hogan
Brittany & Blake Pratz
Nathan Botts
Sophia Boyer ’10 Eric Breindl Patricia Brichta Alex Konarski & Ben Brichta Kendra & Alex Brigham Ben Brodsky ’21 Randi & Jonathan Brodsky Gail Weiss ’77 & Sam Brooke
Melissa Ahearn
Jasmine & Nathan Brown
Nikki & Asa Allen
Karen & James Bruntz
Seli & Greg Allen
Julie & Andrew Buckle
Katherine Senzig Altersitz ’06
Juliet & Todd Burgess
Jennifer Sawaya & Douglas Rappaport
Abby & Ian Anderson
Karen & Keith Burns
Aaron Arizmendi
Claire & David Butler
Chelsey Crisp & Rhett Reese ’87
Alex Ashby ’05
Kelly Butler
Brook Avenell
Barbara & Patrick Bzdak
Ashley DornBrook & James Knapp
Jaye & Court Rich Maree & David Robertson
Misrach Lulseged & Ermias Ayele
Lynn Berrettoni & Andrew Caglieris
Gina & Phil Koo
Emmy & Ian Rosen
Catherine Baggott ’87
Mercedes Cain ’08
Jean & Bob Kosower
Andru Roysden ’07
Kate Dumlao & Calvin Calma
Julianna Vroman & Andrew Kwak
Cynthia Fukami & Greg Sabol
Sofia Long Bales ’05 & Chase Bales ’05 Monika & Mark Barakat
Brandi Cutler ’94 & Jimmy Carlson
Melissa & Doug Horlick Ainee & Karim Jamal Sheryn & Ajo Joy Ellen & Robert Kant Cameron & Chris Kaplan Kristina & Aron Ketchel Afshan & Mohammad Khan
Sara & David Lakin
James Purdy ’86 Tara & Ian Rakow Jina Jiramethee & Upamanyu Rampal
Lesley Propp & Doug Schwab
Debra & Peter Bartolino
Elana & Chad Campbell
Ashleigh Levison ’01
Jenya Semenkova & Benjamin Schwartz
Anne & Kfir Levy
Arielle & Brian Share
Julie Bauer ’06
Cristina & Shane Lewis
Christina Keiser & Michael Shore
Steven Baumann
Brooke Hundtoft & Yan Shoshitaishvili
Kristie Berg
Janet Haga Castner ’91 & Norman Castner
Keenan Simon ’11
Megan & Timothy Bert
Molly Castro
Mina Bhagdev
Alejandra & Reyes Chaidez
Susan & Glenn Bier
Julie Chandler
Lynetta Binger
Rachel Chanen ’11
Keke Shen & Zeke Liu Dilini & Neal Malsom Jeff Marcus ’99 Kaavya Matatova & Tim Matatov Sandra & Edward McGee
David Spetzler ’94 Kristi & Dave Stearns
Mashal & Sonny Batheja
Carla Belsher
Alison Pulaski Carter ’97 & John Carter Alison Goulder & Gregory Carter
Jennifer Vaughn & Brandon Minzer
Hester & Robert Stewart
Bhairavi & Vikas Mittal
Urmi Jani & Sudarone Thihalolipavan
Mark Bistricky
Anju Baluja & Steve Thompson
Amy Blakeney
Tierney & Scot Torrey ’89
Nadya & Daniel Bliss
Denise McGimsey & Marc Neveu
Ann & Byron Tsang
Carrie Bloomston
Sarah & Glen Tulk
Caitlin Burke & Ted Blosser ’02
Laura Nichols
Marion & Nestor Varon
Praveena & Arvind Bobra ’97
Lungi Niemczyk
Jenna & David Wachs
Kelly Bockrath
Christina Zhou & Charles Cooper
Jane & Amir Nizam
Tsinsue Chen & David Wilson
Joe Boehle
Michelle Copic
Tina & Conor O’Callaghan
Ashley & Corey Wisdom
Melissa Booker
John Costello
Mona Sodhi & Rohit Nathan Ashley & Jeff Nebelsieck Berry & Thomas Nelson
Diana & Raed Suyyagh
Selamawit Gebreyesus & Sintayehu Birhanu Kelly Blackson
Katie & Bob Charles Chloe Brandon Charlton ’06 & Thomas Charlton Casey Chen Jenny & Kevin Cherilla Jack Colavita Ivorie & Richard Coleman Judy Mitchell & Lance Coon
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 79
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Jamil Coury
EV & Brett Girod
Mayanthi Imbuldeniya
Mercedes & Richard Liljegren
Jennifer Cunningham
Kat Glaeseman
Alexis James
Emily & Johnathan Lindley
Daniel Curzon ’05
Marilyn & Barry Goldenberg
Andy Jamrogiewicz
Amanda & Doug Loback ’01
Stevie Ray Dallimore
Morgan Gonzales ’15 Glen Goodman ’00
Ramya Nagarajan & Arun Jayaraman
Nicole Lopez ’09
Nichole & Jeremy Dawson Coco de Marneffe ’18
Felicia & Chris Gorcyca
Tori Jeans-Berezowsky ’05
Ashley & Frank Love
Nina Shah & Sachin Desai
Sara Tancer Gordon ’74 & Arthur Gordon
Taylor Jones Stephanie & David Kahn
Constance Lumumba-Perez & Menelek Lumumba
Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91 & Jason Hackett ’88
Callie Kant ’01
Ashley Mace
David Kaye
Marlene Strang & James Manley
Melanie Deutsch ’01 Shawn Dyer Ducusin ’96 & James Ducusin Sasha Eden Idara & Ini Ekpo John Ellinwood ’81 Ashley & Cody Engilman Sarah Engle ’01 Chris Eriksen Sadie & Kai Etheridge Aaron Fazel ’07 Dana & Curtis Fee Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99 & Andrew Feldman
Shannon Kelty
Dan Haddock ’06
Harrison Kent ’09
John Haddock ’03
Arta Khakpour
Nell Haddock ’99
Jennefer & Kristine Kieran
Sonal & Charlton Haerter
Michelle Hill & Nick Klemp
Sheryl & Aman Haile
Amanda & Michael Koch
Toni Hall
Karen Kogod
Tessa Harings
Lara Rosenbaum & Arash Koochek
Kara Harris Michael Hathaway
Ron Kordonowy
Ewa & Brian Hawkins
Robert Felix ’99
Eric Heideman
Julie Schaefer Krell ’86 & Marc Krell
Karen Feltz ’08
Jessica Skloven Heuer ’01
Rina & Arnon Krihely
Jackie Ferraro
Lisa Bienstock & Ben Himmelstein
Emily & George Kroeger
Julie Fine
Julinka Wong & Raymond Ho
Danielle Skloven ’05 & David Krumwiede ’05
Maurine Fleming
Jeanel Hoagland
Kavita Kukunoor
Pauline Fleming
Brian Hoblit ’92
Melinda Flores
Sydney Hott ’20
Joanna Shields-Kush & Dave Kush
Amy & Jon Floyd
Blake Howard
Randy Lay
Remy Barnes & Howard Fonda
Claire Stephens & Andrew Huff
Stefanie & Jay Layton
Matthew Hull
David Levy ’99
Caleb Humphreys ’23
Victoria & Blake Lewkowitz ’07
Richard Humphreys ’23
Lisa Lieppert
Laura Foist Hunter ’79
Janelle Plaza Lika ’98 & A.J. Lika
Lindra & Jay Fishleder Varma
Anita Prasad & Brian Fore Eric Fram ’09 Brent Fraser ’95 Eric Fraser ’01 Morris Friedman ’86 Maki Fullerton
Jenni & Rob Leinbach
Michele & Bryan Huskey
Trisha & Jeff Gardner Hannah Keogh Gates ’10 Carrie & Benjamin Geer
PARTICIPATION
Alice Gaston Gibbons ’05 & Ryan Gibbons ’05
100%
Blake Gideon 80 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Sheila Marks Chris Martinez Jackie & Brandon McDermott Andy McKean Katie McKean Chase McVey Kaylie Marsh Medansky ’08 Paige Perry & Brent Mekosh Lindsey Huang & Dave Melville Nataliya & Martin Metz Nic Meyer ’12 Leah Swanson & Amar Miglani Katie Mitchell-Dodge Tim Mitten Laurie Mittenthal ’86 JeJe Mo & Thang Moi Brigit Donovan Monahan ’04 & Barry Monahan Kerry & Justin Moreland Hallie Mueller Kirah Mueller Jesse Munch Jenny Murray Luann Murray Swapna Reddy & Subhakar Mutyala Justine & Sean Newland
99%
71%
Kelli Newsome Kristen Oelze ’04 Charles Olsen Joanne Shen & Robert Ortega
Libbie Lawrence Gibson ’65 André Gibson-Starks
Adriana & Dany Marciano
Carol & Eric Neufer
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS
Carla Cose-Giallella & Tony Giallella
Michelle & Andrew Lorentzen
Current Parents
Board of Trustees
Faculty and Staff
Caroline McGee Ortiz ’01 & Jose Ortiz Beltranena
Nicole & Jeff Springer Amaal & Robert Starling Sophie Epstein Statnekov ’04 Carla & David Steinberg Heather Stratz Ben Sullivan Jamie & Peter Sunenshine Elizabeth Hetherington Sutherland ’70 & George Sutherland Marci & Fife Symington, IV Maritza & Camilo Tafur Kaitlin & Tyler Thursby John Tierney ’06 Heidi & Jerad Tomicich Teeraya Tomlin Michele & Mark Trescott Camelia Tumminello Johana Bautista & Álvaro Otálora
Sara Regan
Max Schwimmer ’07
Mikhail Ulinich ’95
Alex Rethore ’96
Ellon Sears
Darcey Ulvila
Vonda Reed Owens & Damon Owens
Colin Reynolds
Rita Serna
Sima & Kip Valentine
Meily Riehle
Rachel Balven & Hudson Sessions
Esmi Viccina
Angela & Namir Shaba
Adriana Vilchis
Kimberly & David Paltzik Diana Parra Reina & Ashish Patel Seema & Mehul Patel PCDS Maintenance Crew TJ Peacher Anna Perry Michael Perry ’10 Anna & Greg Petermann
David Rigberg ’86 Darren Ringel ’98 Jake Rodin ’19 Lydia & Andy Rodin Ashley Rodrigues Maria Roman Maria Roman Monge Brent Root Sarah & Charles Root
Rucha & Nihar Shah Shazia Malik & Ehfad Shah Rosemary & Norman Shaia Jaime Sheridan Candice deSaint-Antoine & Brent Shuster Jessica & Joshua Silver
Sarah & Carlos Vicuña Amy Walker Katherine & James Waller Cameron Warner ’04 Gail Kolflat & Stephen Warrenburg ’67 Kim & Chris Wass Vikki & Michael Weiland
Sybil Rose ’11
Jennet Kirkpatrick & Daniel Silverman
Phuong Pham
Kathy & Burke Rosenzweig
Sarah & Bryan Silverthorn ’01
Jane Westerhold
Gino Picozzi ’09
Mihaela & Radu Rosetti
Tina Simonds ’86
Jessica & Michael Wiles
Barbara Pritzlaff Pierce ’74 & V. Douglas Pierce
Danielle DiDio & David Roth
Kiran & Sandip Singh
Maddie Williams
Gina & Nathaniel Saltonstall Christopher Sandor ’98
Guneet Mumick & Vikram Singh
Joanna Wisniewska
Tina & Will Pitts
Zofia Rawner & Evan Scannapieco
Jeanne & Jason Smith Olivia & Nick Smith
Rachel Scarpone
Lindsay & Todd Snow
Stacey Piccinati Woods ’95 & Josh Woods
Jennifer & Jeff Scheire
Amy & Brian Snyder ’01
Meg Wright
Diana Schron ’10
Florence Solves
Amanda Sun & Eric Xie
Ryan Schubert ’04
Laura & Andrew Sosnowitz
Ashley Yeargan ’01
Gabi & Jon Ragsdale
Brandi Schwartz
Denise Sours
Stefan Youngs
Rebecca Moretsky Reedy ’99 & Joshua Reedy
Sami & Adam Schwartz ’94
Judy & Richard Spiegel
Karsen Yue ’21
Jack Scwimmer ’09
Laura & Peter Spiegel ’88
Mikayla Yue ’24
Renata Hejduk & Darren Petrucci
Kate Pokorski ’13 Abby & Mike Pontius Bansi & Rishi Popat Sal Pozo ’04 Julia Taylor & Lewis Prebble Kristin Pruett
Kate Werth ’14
Sarah Nixon Wolfswinkel ’00 & Ashton Wolfswinkel
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 81
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Aaron Arizmendi
Kat Glaeseman
PCDS Maintenance Crew
Brook Avenell
Toni Hall
TJ Peacher
Steven Baumann
Tessa Harings
Anna Perry
Carla Belsher
Kara Harris
Phuong Pham
Kristie Berg
Eric Heideman
Tina Pitts
Mina Bhagdev
Amy Hill
Abby Pontius
Lynetta Binger
Jeanel Hoagland
Brooke Levy
Kristin Pruett
Mark Bistricky
Sydney Hott ’20
Mercedes Liljegren
Gabi Ragsdale
Kelly Blackson
Blake Howard
Kelsey Martin
Pedro Ramos
Amy Blakeney
Matthew Hull
Matt Messmer
Colin Reynolds
Carrie Bloomston
Michele Huskey
Riad Nizam
Joe Boehle
Meily Riehle
Mayanthi Imbuldeniya
Elizabeth Reahard Oviedo ’04
Melissa Booker
Taylor Jones
Andy Rodin
Julie Sabeeh
Nathan Botts
David Kaye
Daniel Silverman
Eric Breindl
Shannon Kelty
Kiran Singh
Julie Buckle
Arta Khakpour
Dave Stearns
Keith Burns
Nick Klemp
Randy Weinshel
Kelly Butler
Ron Kordonowy
Barbara Bzdak
Bob Kosower
Alumni Association Board Donors
Kaitlan Cady
Kavita Kukunoor
Molly Castro
Jonathan Lang
Courtney McConnell ’06, Alumni Board President
Katie Charles
Randy Lay
Jenny Cherilla
Shane Lewis
Jennifer Lewkowitz Abelson ’04
Jack Colavita
Lisa Lieppert
Michelle Copic
Emily Lindley
Carla Cose-Giallella
Constance Lumumba-Perez
John Costello
Ashley Mace
Jennifer Cunningham
Sheila Marks
Stevie Ray Dallimore
Chris Martinez
Nichole Dawson
Andy McKean
Shawn Ducusin ’96
Katie McKean
Sasha Eden
Chase McVey
Chris Eriksen
Katie Mitchell-Dodge
Kai Etheridge
Tim Mitten
Sadie Etheridge
Magali Montes
Camelia Tumminello
Curtis Fee
Hallie Mueller
Esmi Viccina
Leslie Feldman ’99
Kirah Mueller
Carlos Vicuña
Jackie Ferraro
Jesse Munch
Sarah Vicuña
Julie Fine
Jenny Murray
Adriana Vilchis
Maurine Fleming
Luann Murray
Amy Walker
Roz Abero ’89
Pauline Fleming
Eric Neufer
Jim Waller
Loreta Aguirre
Melinda Flores
Sean Newland
Kim Wass
Seli Allen
Maki Fullerton
Kelli Newsome
Maddie Williams
Rebecca Allison
André Gibson-Starks
Charles Olsen
Joanna Wisniewska
Abby Anderson
Blake Gideon
Álvaro Otálora
Meg Wright
Robin Anderson
Brett Girod
Diana Parra
Stefan Youngs
Board of Trustees Donors Martin Felli, President Jawad Ahsan Chris Ashby Darryl Berger Kristen Brook ’95
Mishary Al-Sulaihim ’00 Alison Pulaski Carter ’97 Peter Curzon ’04 Hannah Keogh Gates ’10 Alice Gaston Gibbons ’05 Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91 Zachary Hitchcock ’09 Nicole Lopez ’09 Kate Pokorski ’13 Andru Roysden ’07 Keenan Simon ’11 Kate Werth ’14 Faculty and Staff
82 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Ashley Rodrigues Maria Roman Maria Roman Monge Brent Root Gina Saltonstall Amarnath Santhanam Rachel Scarpone Brandi Schwartz Ellon Sears Jaime Sheridan Florence Solves Denise Sours Claire Stephens Shannon Stringer Ben Sullivan Camilo Tafur Kenneth Thommen Kaitlin Thursby Teeraya Tomlin Mark Trescott Michele Trescott
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPYH O N O R
2025
2026
ROLL
The PCDS Annual Fund Honor Roll recognizes the generosity of our parent community last year towards the Annual Fund—organized by class.
PARTICIPATION BY GRADE LEVEL 2025-2026 96%
100%
94%
100% 87%
85%
87%
90% 79% 67%
73% 60%
62% 39%
PK
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
71% TOTAL FAMILY PARTICIPATION AS OF JUNE 30, 2026 Class of 2039 (Pre-k) Melissa Ahearn Juliet & Todd Burgess Sunita & Manny Cairo Alison Goulder & Gregory Carter Mara & David Dobrusin ’99 Lauren Ogrich & Perry Evangelista Shayna & Hope Feldman
Jennifer Sawaya & Douglas Rappaport
Ramya Nagarajan & Arun Jayaraman
Jennifer & Jeff Scheire
Carly & Ryan LeVine
Nina & Maulik Shah
Victoria & Blake Lewkowitz ’07
Alee & Sidney Starkman
Michelle & Andrew Lorentzen
Kaitlin & Tyler Thursby
Jennifer Vaughn & Brandon Minzer
Sukriti & Robby Uppal
Amy & Brian Snyder ’01 Nicole & Jeff Springer Alee & Sidney Starkman Amanda Sun & Eric Xie Class of 2037 (1st)
Tsinsue Chen & David Wilson
Brigit Donovan Monahan ’04 & Barry Monahan
Anonymous
Sarah Nixon Wolfswinkel ’00 & Ashton Wolfswinkel
Ciara Hickey Murphy & Rory Murphy
Crystal Moon & Clayton Bain
Jenny Murray
Melissa Ahearn Lacey Boyett & Paul Bronstein
Claire Stephens & Andrew Huff
Class of 2038 (K)
Mona Sodhi & Rohit Nathan
Cameron & Chris Kaplan
Anonymous
Jennifer & Lucas Nicolettos
Ivorie & Richard Coleman
Trent & Steven Kinney
Stephanie & Rodney Boden
Christina & Reid Davis ’03
Lara Rosenbaum & Arash Koochek
Alex Konarski & Ben Brichta
Caroline McGee Ortiz ’01 & Jose Ortiz Beltranena Neelu & Avinash Patil
Caitlin & David Fiorillo
Victoria & Blake Lewkowitz ’07
Sabrina Chen & Chris Cavage
Allie & Gabe Libhart Paige Perry & Brent Mekosh
Chloe Brandon Charlton ’06 & Thomas Charlton
Kelly Bishop Murphy & Alvin Murphy
Dara Silverstein & Jonathan Cohen
Jane & Amir Nizam
Ivorie & Richard Coleman
Brittany & Blake Pratz
Carrie & Henry Diekmann
Jina Jiramethee & Upamanyu Rampal
Molly & James Foshee
Kate Dumlao & Calvin Calma
Gabrielle & Randy Ferree
Nicole & Michael Phelps Julia Taylor & Lewis Prebble Emily Westerhold & Sebastian Rymarz Jennifer & Jeff Scheire Arielle & Brian Share Christina Keiser & Michael Shore Brooke Hundtoft & Yan Shoshitaishvili
Sunita & Manny Cairo
Shayna & Hope Feldman Sheryl & Aman Haile Lisa Bienstock & Ben Himmelstein Lora & Daniel Hobaica Ainee & Karim Jamal Amanda & Michael Koch Julianna Vroman & Andrew Kwak Jena & Chris Lohl
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 83
2025
HONOR ROLL
2026
Marlene Strang & James Manley
Bhairavi & Vikas Mittal
Lindsay & Todd Snow
Emmy & Ian Rosen
Brittany & Matthew Messmer
Kerry & Justin Moreland
Amy & Brian Snyder ’01
Jaime Sheridan
Mona Sodhi & Rohit Nathan
Gemma & David Tedesco
Shannon & Monti Ossenfort
Jenna & David Wachs
Sarah Nixon Wolfswinkel ’00 & Ashton Wolfswinkel
Nicole & Michael Phelps
Stacey Piccinati Woods ’95 & Josh Woods
Class of 2033 (5th)
Meg Wright
Anonymous
Amanda Sun & Eric Xie
Amara & Thomas Abood
Class of 2034 (4th)
Sofia Long Bales ’05 & Chase Bales ’05
Justine & Sean Newland Caroline McGee Ortiz ’01 & Jose Ortiz Beltranena Elizabeth Reahard Oviedo ’04 & Nick Oviedo
Bansi & Rishi Popat Emmy & Ian Rosen
Chelsey Crisp & Rhett Reese ’87
Arielle & Brian Share
Lesley Propp & Doug Schwab
Alee & Sidney Starkman
Christina Keiser & Michael Shore
Meg Wright
Erica Hendrix & John Shay
Anonymous
Yuhan Wang & Yikai Zhu
Jennifer Lewkowitz Abelson ’04 & Ben Abelson
Amaal & Robert Starling
Class of 2035 (3rd)
Urmi Jani & Sudarone Thihalolipavan
Shannon Stringer & Daniel Aguirre
Anonymous
Melissa Ahearn
Amara & Thomas Abood
Cristina & Desiderio Avila, Jr.
Eva & Benjamin Aronovitch
Corinne & Darryl Berger
Haritha & Dheeraj Bobba
Mary & Reg Cooper ’98
Praveena & Arvind Bobra ’97
Jamil Coury
Lacey Boyett & Paul Bronstein
Brandi Cutler ’94 & Jimmy Carlson
Olivia & Nick Smith
Jenna & David Wachs Tsinsue Chen & David Wilson Class of 2036 (2nd) Anonymous Shannon Stringer & Daniel Aguirre Arsala & Jawad Ahsan Katrina & Josh Barrett Leslie & Lincoln Beauregard Cyan Brakhage Sarah & Jan Bucher Alejandra & Reyes Chaidez Eleanor Abraham Charles ’06 & Larry Charles Adalie Pierce-McManamon & Michael Clarke Nichole & Jeremy Dawson
Amanda & Thomas Chaly Eleanor Abraham Charles ’06 & Larry Charles Chloe Brandon Charlton ’06 & Thomas Charlton
84 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Brittany & Darin Granger Sarah & Vivek Guruswamy Colby Kant Harris ’95 & Adam Harris Rebecca & Kevin Hogan The Holt Family
Ainee & Karim Jamal
Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99 & Andrew Feldman
Eunsung Lee & Hyun Jeong
Julie Fine Marley Kornreich & Alexander Fridman EV & Brett Girod Amalia Decomas & Colin Goggins
Lara Rosenbaum & Arash Koochek
Danielle Goldstein Masserman ’02 & Tal Masserman
Jamie Vesga & Jesse Goldsmith
Christina & Reid Davis ’03
Anita Prasad & Brian Fore
Dilini & Neal Malsom
Jennifer Horn & Bryan Godwin
Mara & David Dobrusin ’99
Michael Hathaway
Cameron & Chris Kaplan
The Flack Family
Jennifer & Andrew Cooper
Lindra & Jay Fishleder Varma
Michael Hathaway
Kristen Brook ’95 & Daniel Durchslag ’89
Claire Stephens & Andrew Huff
Kayleigh & Peter Diamond
Brittany & Darin Granger
Sara Dhanani
Karen Bradshaw & Ambrose Calcagno
Kayleigh & Peter Diamond
Colby Kant Harris ’95 & Adam Harris
Christina DesVaux & Wesley Gilbreath
Dara Silverstein & Jonathan Cohen
Katrina & Josh Barrett
Caitlin & David Fiorillo Christina DesVaux & Wesley Gilbreath Felicia & Chris Gorcyca Lora & Daniel Hobaica Mayanthi Imbuldeniya Danielle Goldstein Masserman ’02 & Tal Masserman
Kristina & Aron Ketchel Rina & Arnon Krihely Allie & Gabe Libhart Keke Shen & Zeke Liu Michelle & Andrew Lorentzen Constance Lumumba-Perez & Menelek Lumumba Jet & Kelsey Martin Paige Perry & Brent Mekosh
Brittany & Matthew Messmer
Mona Sodhi & Rohit Nathan
Nataliya & Martin Metz
Kerry & Justin Moreland
Justine & Sean Newland
Denise McGimsey & Marc Neveu
Jane & Amir Nizam
Marta & Riad Nizam
Shannon & Monti Ossenfort
Tina & Conor O’Callaghan
Elizabeth Reahard Oviedo ’04 & Nick Oviedo
Valerie & John Parzych
Seema & Mehul Patel
Nicole & Michael Phelps
Mary Leigh & Michael Phillips
Krista & Tarl Robinson
Tiffany Westlie Pondelik ’00 & Miles Pondelik
Nina & Maulik Shah
Mary Leigh & Michael Phillips Tara & Ian Rakow
Andrea & Doug Perry
Bansi & Rishi Popat Danielle DiDio & David Roth
2025
HONOR ROLL
2026
Shazia Malik & Ehfad Shah
Joelle & Alexander Park
Amy & Brian Snyder ’01
Reina & Ashish Patel
Carla & David Steinberg
Seema & Dave Patel
Gemma & David Tedesco
Tina & Will Pitts
Sarah & Glen Tulk
Dessi Ivanova & Nick Prodanov
Joanna Shields-Kush & Dave Kush
Katherine & James Waller
Sara Regan
Ashley & Corey Wisdom
Stefanie & Jay Layton
Danielle DiDio & David Roth
Stefanie & Daniel Zebelman
Emily & Johnathan Lindley
Sami & Adam Schwartz ’94
Marlene Strang & James Manley
Class of 2032 (6th) Anonymous Jennifer Lewkowitz Abelson ’04 & Ben Abelson Rebecca Abraham Arsala & Jawad Ahsan Tiffany & Shadi Albert
Rita Serna Nina & Maulik Shah Rupa & Anup Shah Rosemary & Norman Shaia Lise & Matthew Shanks Lindsey & Jeffrey Stern ’90 Karey & John Stevenson
Eva & Benjamin Aronovitch
Jamie & Peter Sunenshine
Alison Pulaski Carter ’97 & John Carter
Stephanie & Tom Taira Sarah & Glen Tulk
Janet Haga Castner ’91 & Norman Castner
Jessica & Michael Wiles
Shari & Daniel Charous Dara Silverstein & Jonathan Cohen Ivorie & Richard Coleman Jennifer Boll & Kevin Davis Sara Dhanani Mara & David Dobrusin ’99 Thuy Doan & Michael Dulitz Amy & Jon Floyd Remy Barnes & Howard Fonda EV & Brett Girod Amalia Decomas & Colin Goggins
Sarah Nixon Wolfswinkel ’00 & Ashton Wolfswinkel Class of 2031 (7th) Anonymous Amara & Thomas Abood Seli & Greg Allen Cristina & Desiderio Avila, Jr. Katrina & Josh Barrett Corinne & Darryl Berger Juliet & Todd Burgess Kaitlan & Cory Cady
Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91 & Jason Hackett ’88 Sara & Mark Hass
Jet & Kelsey Martin Brittany & Matthew Messmer JeJe Mo & Thang Moi Supriya & Sunil Nair Berry & Thomas Nelson Tina & Conor O’Callaghan
Taylor Jones Sheryn & Ajo Joy Renée & Karim Karmi Kristina & Aron Ketchel Jennefer & Kristine Kieran Stefanie & Jay Layton Thinh Le Allie & Gabe Libhart Adriana & Dany Marciano Supriya & Sunil Nair Marta & Riad Nizam Yara Vargas & Khamen Pappoe Tiffany Westlie Pondelik ’00 & Miles Pondelik Lena & Julien Salomez
Valerie & John Parzych
Zofia Rawner & Evan Scannapieco
Andrea & Doug Perry
Julie & Thomas Sheer
Renata Hejduk & Darren Petrucci
Guneet Mumick & Vikram Singh
Aga & Tony Ré
David Spetzler ’94
Olivia & Nick Smith
Kristi & Dave Stearns
Karey & John Stevenson
Hester & Robert Stewart
Stephanie & Tom Taira Ann & Byron Tsang Darcey Ulvila Amanda Sun & Eric Xie Class of 2030 (8th)
Heather Stratz Diana & Raed Suyyagh Urmi Jani & Sudarone Thihalolipavan Sima & Kip Valentine Marion & Nestor Varon Katherine & James Waller
Anonymous
Judy & John Willenborg
Jennifer Lewkowitz Abelson ’04 & Ben Abelson
Stefanie & Daniel Zebelman
Shefali & Shiva Birdi
Class of 2029 (9th)
Crissy & David Calnon
Stephanie Bjork
Sara & Mark Hass
Alejandra & Reyes Chaidez
Praveena & Arvind Bobra ’97
Ewa & Brian Hawkins
Lillian Wang & James Chen
Claire & David Butler
Alexis James
Mary & Reg Cooper ’98
Emily & George Kroeger
Rachael & Matthew Eisenstadt
Alison Pulaski Carter ’97 & John Carter
Carly & Ryan LeVine
Shari & Daniel Charous
Cristina & Shane Lewis
Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99 & Andrew Feldman
Jennifer Boll & Kevin Davis
Allie & Gabe Libhart
Trisha & Jeff Gardner
Misrach Lulseged & Ermias Ayele
Remy Barnes & Howard Fonda
Mashal & Sonny Batheja
Amanda & Doug Loback ’01
Amy & Paul Gause
Alpa Shah & Vipul Ganatra
Corinne & Darryl Berger
Anna-Liza & Howie McKibbon
Sasha Borsand Glassman ’99 & Rodney Glassman
EV & Brett Girod
Megan & Timothy Bert
Brittany & Darin Granger
Amalia Decomas & Colin Goggins
Susan & Glenn Bier
Sarah & Vivek Guruswamy
Brittany & Darin Granger
Kelly Bishop Murphy & Alvin Murphy Ashley & Jeff Nebelsieck
Anonymous Tiffany & Shadi Albert Nikki & Asa Allen Erin & Chris Ashby Cristina & Desiderio Avila, Jr.
Selamawit Gebreyesus & Sintayehu Birhanu SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 85
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPYH O N O R
2025
ROLL
2026
Nadya & Daniel Bliss
Jessica & Joshua Silver
Olivia & Nick Smith
Lena & Julien Salomez
Jasmine & Nathan Brown
Laura & Andrew Sosnowitz
Amaal & Robert Starling
Sami & Adam Schwartz ’94
Kate Dumlao & Calvin Calma
Gemma & David Tedesco
Lindsey & Jeffrey Stern ’90
Lillian Wang & James Chen
Sarah & Ramsey Umar
Anju Baluja & Steve Thompson
Candice deSaint-Antoine & Brent Shuster
Lopa Misra & Anikar Chhabra
Jennifer Kaufman & Vladimir Valdes
Vikki & Michael Weiland
Jeanne & Jason Smith Heather Stratz
Christina Zhou & Charles Cooper
Stephanie & Randy Weinshel
Sarah Hensler-Williams & Matt Williams
Thuy Doan & Michael Dulitz
Class of 2028 (10th)
Class of 2027 (11th)
Idara & Ini Ekpo
Anonymous
Anonymous
Ashley & Cody Engilman
Valentina & Anand Acharya
Ibie & Jeff Falcusan
Ruth Bristol & Felipe Albuquerque
Zarin & Martin Felli
Seli & Greg Allen
Erin & Chris Ashby
Anonymous
Trisha & Jeff Gardner
Kari Jo & Michael Ash
Mashal & Sonny Batheja
Monika & Mark Barakat
Sasha Borsand Glassman ’99 & Rodney Glassman
Debra & Peter Bartolino
Shefali & Shiva Birdi
Kelly Bockrath
Juliet & Todd Burgess
Carrie Bloomston
Jasmine & Nathan Brown
Melissa & Jason Goldenberg
Claire & David Butler
Kendra & Alex Brigham
Hillary & Daniel Burns
Chanelle Ison & Greg Grossi
Magali Montes & Marcos Casillas
Alejandra & Reyes Chaidez
Jennifer & Adam Burns
Amanda & David Crisalli
Elana & Chad Campbell
Michela & Rob Davidson
Nina Shah & Sachin Desai
Julie Chandler
Sara Dhanani
Ashley & Cody Engilman
Sherri & James Conley
Sadie & Kai Etheridge
Sadie & Kai Etheridge
Alison & Matthew Coviello
Marilyn & Robert Fransway
Anita Prasad & Brian Fore
Alpa Shah & Vipul Ganatra
Renée & Juan Galá
Mandy Arthur Daitch ’93 & Jim Daitch
Sonal & Charlton Haerter
Lisa & Jeffrey Geyser
Idara & Ini Ekpo
Barbara & Scott Hardy
Felicia & Chris Gorcyca
Emily & Jeffrey Gottfurcht
Stephanie & David Kahn
Emily & Jeffrey Gottfurcht
Gina & Phil Koo
Barbara & Scott Hardy
Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91 & Jason Hackett ’88
Jackie & Brandon McDermott
Susan & Brett Huckelbridge
Amy Hill
Mary & Reg Cooper ’98
Heidi Jannenga & Joe Hendricks Julinka Wong & Raymond Ho Allison & Emilio Justo Jenni & Rob Leinbach Keke Shen & Zeke Liu Ashley & Frank Love Jet & Kelsey Martin Bhairavi & Vikas Mittal Laura Nichols Lungi Niemczyk Shannon & Monti Ossenfort
Sarah & Ramsey Umar
Jenifer & Ayad Agha
Ellen & Andrew Meltzer
Michele & Bryan Huskey
Joelle & Alexander Park
Kelly Bishop Murphy & Alvin Murphy
Jennefer & Kristine Kieran
Swapna Boppana & Ajay Perumbeti
Berry & Thomas Nelson
Kathryn & Jonathan O’Steen
Anna & Greg Petermann Aga & Tony Ré Rebecca Moretsky Reedy ’99 & Joshua Reedy Mihaela & Radu Rosetti Julie & Vas Sabeeh Rosemary & Norman Shaia Erica Hendrix & John Shay Candice deSaint-Antoine & Brent Shuster
86 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Diana & Raed Suyyagh
Yara Vargas & Khamen Pappoe Seema & Mehul Patel
Renée & Karim Karmi Ashley DornBrook & James Knapp JeJe Mo & Thang Moi
Jennifer Kaufman & Vladimir Valdes Class of 2025 (12th)
Melissa & Doug Horlick Ellen & Andrew Meltzer Joanne Shen & Robert Ortega Johana Bautista & Álvaro Otálora Yara Vargas & Khamen Pappoe
Neelu & Avinash Patil
Swapna Reddy & Subhakar Mutyala
Zofia Rawner & Evan Scannapieco
Vonda Reed Owens & Damon Owens
Amy & Ian Scott
Kimberly & David Paltzik
Jaime Sheridan
Rupa & Anup Shah
Jaye & Court Rich
Jeanne & Jason Smith
Shazia Malik & Ehfad Shah
Maree & David Robertson
Gemma & David Tedesco
Jaime Sheridan
Sarah & Charles Root
Vikki & Michael Weiland
Maria & Steve Simpson
Jordan Rose
Stephanie & Randy Weinshel
Michele & Mark Patterson Cynthia Fukami & Greg Sabol Shazia Malik & Ehfad Shah
The Louis Family Society for Planned Giving recognizes members of the extended PCDS community who have included the School in their estate plans. Special thanks to the following individuals, whose commitment makes them founding members of this society.
Roz Bolger Abero ’89 & Inaudi Abero
Lori & Andrew Norris ’81
Tracy & William Brennan
Carolyn Polson O’Malley ’65 & Mark O’Malley
Hathaway & Galen* Brewster
Lydia & Andrew Rodin
Judy Mitchell & Lance Coon
Jason Rose
Elaine & John* Crabb Donna & Stephen Johnson Jean & Robert Kosower Dorian Elder Kuper ’73 & Tom Kuper
Jordan Rose Mary & Paul Schweikher Tracy & Marc Schwimmer John R. Sewell ’73
Cristina & Shane Lewis
Shoshana & Robert* Tancer
Amy & Timothy Louis ’81
William Torrey*
Joan Norris*
Lea & Lou Werner ’87
For more information or to let us know you have arranged for a planned gift, contact: Roz Abero, roz.abero@pcds.org, 602-955-8200 x2221
pcds.org/plannedgiving
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 87
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Tax Credit A Record-Breaking Year for Individual Contributions
Thanks to the generous support of individuals and corporations, PCDS provides more than 170 scholarships each year to our most deserving students with the greatest financial need. Nearly one in four PCDS students benefits from need-based financial aid that supports them throughout their entire time at the School.
2025 TAX CREDIT RESULTS
$ 997,128
ARIZONA INDIVIDUALS Total contributions from 345 donors
$ 1,102,000
ARIZONA CORPORATIONS Total contributions from 13 corporate donors
How Arizona Tax Credit Works: 1. You make a contribution to PCDS through the Arizona Independent Schools Scholarship Foundation (AISSF.org) by April 15. The maximum amount for 2025: $3,131 (married filer) and $1,571 (single filer). 2. AISSF sends you a receipt—keep this for your records. 3. You or your tax preparer use the receipt to claim your state tax credit (AZ forms 323 & 348). 4. AISSF awards scholarships to PCDS students in need. IT’S A WIN-WIN!
TA X C R E D I T PA R T I C I PA N T S — C O R P O R AT E Anonymous Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists PLLC Daniel & Shari Charous Brown and Brown Insurance Services
Dee, Inc. The Taurasi-Taylor Family Geoffrey M. Turbow PLLC Turbow Family
Cincinnati Insurance Companies
MO The Scheire Family
David Dobrusin, CPA, PLLC
National Bank of Arizona
88 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Philadelphia Insurance Rose Law Group Jordan Rose Shamrock Foods UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group
TA X C R E D I T PA R T I C I PA N T S — I N D I V I D U A L Anonymous (18)
Kaitlan & Cory Cady
Shayna & Hope Feldman
Jennifer Lewkowitz Abelson ’04 & Ben Abelson
Charles Carpenter
Earl Feng
Amara & Thomas Abood
Alison Pulaski Carter ’97 & John Carter
Gabrielle & Randy Ferree
Magali Montes & Marcos Casillas
Will Fielder ’06
Margo Casselman ’10
The Flack Family
Januario Castro
Dan Foote ’69
Amanda & Thomas Chaly
Anita Prasad & Brian Fore
Joan Chandler
Eric Fraser ’01
Jeanne & Steve Chanen
Renée & Juan Galá
Katie & Bob Charles
Susan & Thomas Garrity
Lillian Wang & James Chen
Rita & Samuel Garvin
Jenny & Kevin Cherilla
Amy & Paul Gause
Lopa Misra & Anikar Chhabra
Kevin Ghaswala ’98
Sheryl Clark
Amalia Decomas & Colin Goggins
Natalie & Alireza Atri
Adalie Pierce-McManamon & Michael Clarke
Melissa & Jason Goldenberg
Cristina & Desiderio Avila, Jr.
Barbara Coll
Misrach Lulseged & Ermias Ayele
Steven Connor
Sofia Long Bales ’05 & Chase Bales ’05
Judy Mitchell & Lance Coon
Sandra & Harley Barnes
Jennifer & Andrew Cooper
Nadia & Faran Bashir
Nazreen & Furrokh Cooper
Kate & Mark Benson
Gloria & Philip Cowen
Rebecca & Michael Berch
Kim & Rob Crain
Corinne & Darryl Berger
Amanda & David Crisalli
Donna & Ryan Berry
Nancy & Timothy Cutler
Mina Bhagdev
Vishal Dass
Susan & Glenn Bier
Jennifer Boll & Kevin Davis
Ryan Blatz
Christina & Reid Davis ’03
Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91 & Jason Hackett ’88
Kelly Bockrath
Nichole & Jeremy Dawson
Robert Hackett
Stephanie & Rodney Boden
Rakhi & Sudhen Desai
Sheryl & Aman Haile
Joanne & William Bonfield
Elizabeth & Daniel Dever
Beth & Curt Hamann
Cyan Brakhage
Kayleigh & Peter Diamond
John Hamilton
Robyn & Steven Brenden
Julie Dillon
Michael Harper
Joan Brey
Marilyn Domokos
Colby Kant Harris ’95 & Adam Harris
Alex Konarski & Ben Brichta
Cynthia Byers & Patrick Donovan
Nancy & Tom Harvey
Randi & Jonathan Brodsky
Sonwha & John Duncanson
Michael Hathaway
Lacey Boyett & Paul Bronstein
Sarah Vieh Dworkin ’98 & Nate Dworkin
Ellen & Fowler Brown
Idara & Ini Ekpo
Sabrina Espinoza Havard ’83 & Bill Havard
Jasmine & Nathan Brown
Sadie & Kai Etheridge
Noi Kaewngam & Al Hayder
Sarah & Jan Bucher
Lauren Ogrich & Perry Evangelista
Sidney Hedrick
Norma & Stephen Buck ’71
Ibie & Jeff Falcusan
Heidi Jannenga & Joe Hendricks
Bruce Buffmire
Marc Farrington
Iva & Larry Hirsch
Alvin Burstein
Nathaniel Fastenberg
Kathy & Jeff Hitchcok
Barbara & Patrick Bzdak
Dana & Curtis Fee
Julinka Wong & Raymond Ho
Valentina & Anand Acharya Wendy & Ian Ackerman Ruth Bristol & Felipe Albuquerque Ray Alderman Rebecca & Ken Allison Yasmin & Manish Amin Jacque Ardebili Eva & Benjamin Aronovitch Kari Jo & Michael Ash Erin & Chris Ashby Kathleen & Steven Ashby
Leticia Gomez Rachel & Augustine Gomez ’99 Morgan Gonzales ’15 Gabrielle Goodrick Gwenyth & Andrew Gorlin Bradley Greenberg ’19 Mara & Jeffrey Greenberg Susan & Mark Greenfield Nancy Greenlee Matt Guthrie Torie & Ian Hackett ’89
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 89
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
TA X C R E D I T PA R T I C I PA N T S — I N D I V I D U A L Jamie Hormel
Jet & Kelsey Martin
Allison & Mark Phillips
Ruth Ann & Tom Hornaday
Danielle Goldstein Masserman ’02 & Tal Masserman
Amanda & Mark Phillips
Sally & Michael Mayersohn
Tina & Will Pitts
Kristin Hortsman Michelle & Michael Hosmar Cindy & Joe Hoxie
Albert Mazin Sue & Andy Mazzolini
Mary Leigh & Michael Phillips Jody & Kerry Pokorski
Tracey & Josh McCarter
Tiffany Westlie Pondelik ’00 & Miles Pondelik
Jane McGavock
Bansi & Rishi Popat
Anna-Liza & Howie McKibbon
Marilyn & Biggs Porter
Ellen & Andrew Meltzer
Linda Pulaski
Leah Swanson & Amar Miglani
Gail & Ralph Purcell
Jennifer Vaughn & Brandon Minzer
Michelle French & Aaron Quartullo
Jennifer & Robert Mirabelli
Jashpal Rajasansi
Marlene Mirabelli
Jina Jiramethee & Upamanyu Rampal
Ellen & Robert Kant
Brigit Donovan Monahan ’04 & Barry Monahan
John Randolph ’69
Renée & Karim Karmi
Cynthia Montague
Jean & Rob Kauffman
Michelle & Kevin Moriarty
James Keyes
Judith & Kent Mueller
John Kingsley
Sara Mulready
Trent & Steven Kinney
Kelly Bishop Murphy & Alvin Murphy
Rebecca Moretsky Reedy ’99 & Joshua Reedy
Frances Kirchner
Luann Murray
Amrita Dhanjal-Reddy & Praful Reddy
Amanda & Michael Koch
Shyam Mutyala
Chelsey Crisp & Rhett Reese ’87
Jill & Burt Kohler
Swapna Reddy & Subhakar Mutyala
Rebel Rice
Praveena & Ramkrishna Kothur
Supriya & Sunil Nair Victoria Horn Negvesky ’81
Laurie & Gary Ringel
Doris & Gregory Kretzer ’83 Alison Lewis & Craig Krumwiede
Carol & Eric Neufer
Joanna Shields-Kush & Dave Kush
Julie Newell ’71
Julianna Vroman & Andrew Kwak
Laura Nichols
Steve Lee
Marilynn Niemann
Wendy & Harry Lee
Jane & Amir Nizam
Sally & Richard Lehmann
Kendall & Louis Novoa-Takara
Tami Dairiki & Even Leibner
Adam Oest ’09
Donna & Marc Levison
Shawn & Paul Orme ’71
Leslie & John Levy ’69
Caroline McGee Ortiz ’01 & Jose Ortiz Beltranena
Elizabeth Hull Michele & Bryan Huskey Anelia Peneva & Ilko Ivanov Catherine & Roy Jacobson Andy Jamrogiewicz Ramya Nagarajan & Arun Jayaraman Eunsung Lee & Hyun Jeong Marlyne & Robert Jones Taylor Jones
Douglas Limbert An-Pyng Sun & Jong-Shang Liu
Johana Bautista & Álvaro Otálora
Jennifer Sawaya & Douglas Rappaport Jessica & Jason Raymond Silke Rempe & Muhammad Raza Cathy & Thomas Reahard
Matthew Ritucci Jaime Roberts Krista & Tarl Robinson Ty Rodin ’19 Jeanne Wilcox & Joe Rody Harrison Rooney ’18 Elizabeth & Raymond Rooney Jordan Rose Kathy & Burke Rosenzweig Mihaela & Radu Rosetti Romola Ruiz Emily Westerhold & Sebastian Rymarz
Jeannie & Carter Lloyds
Elizabeth Reahard Oviedo ’04 & Nick Oviedo
Pia & Michael Long
Teresa Seville & Takis Panotopoulos
Cynthia Fukami & Greg Sabol
Michelle & Andrew Lorentzen
Valerie & John Parzych
Antonella & Mauro Saladini
Stefanie & Michael Lotz
Maitray Patel
Nancy & Peter Salter
Bryce Lugo
Neelu & Avinash Patil
Charles Sands
Shannon Malone ’06
Carol & Dick Peairs
Alpa & Ashesh Sanghvi
Dana & John Marsden
Renata Hejduk & Darren Petrucci
Zofia Rawner & Evan Scannapieco
90 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Julie & Vas Sabeeh
TA X C R E D I T PA R T I C I PA N T S — I N D I V I D U A L Linda & Jack Schreiber
Carla & David Steinberg
Robert Washburn
Laura & Daniel Schwartz
Lindsey & Jeffrey Stern ’90
Stephanie & Randy Weinshel
Jennifer & Frank Schwartz
Heather Stratz
Cynthia & David Werth
Mary & Paul Schweikher
Diana & Raed Suyyagh
Frank Westerbeke
Jack Scwimmer ’09
Stephanie Sy
Maidie Westlie
Max Schwimmer ’07
Alex Sylvester ’13
Charlene & Jim Whitfill
Tracy & Marc Schwimmer
Diron Tappin
Noel Wiedebush
Susan & Daniel Semegen
Nihal & Hal Tashman
Barbara & Jim Willenborg
Rosemary & Norman Shaia
Susan & Kyle Thomas
Karen & Glenn Williamson
Arielle & Brian Share
Anju Baluja & Steve Thompson
Tsinsue Chen & David Wilson
Julie & Thomas Sheer
Gwen Tierney
Ashley & Corey Wisdom
Christina Keiser & Michael Shore
Laura & Richard Traulsen
Sharyl & Robert Siegel
Bruce Trushinsky
Stacey Piccinati Woods ’95 & Josh Woods
Amy & Lee Silverthorn
Ann & Byron Tsang
Meg Wright
Jennifer Simone
Sarah & Glen Tulk
Yufeng Yang & Jianwen Wu
Kiran & Sandip Singh
Daniel Ulvila
Dominique & David Wurtz
Susan Smiley
Max Underwood
Fran & Ben Wylie
Carol & Scott Snyder
Jennifer Kaufman & Vladimir Valdes
Melinda & Robert Xanthos
Florence Solves
Sima & Kip Valentine
Carrie & James Yeo
Nancy & Robert Spetzler
Kathleen & Robert Wade
Jimmy Yuan
Judy & Richard Spiegel
Sabra & Warren Wagoner
Rebecca Yuan
Nicole Blaustein Spracale ’87 & Steve Spracale
Ann & Michael Wall
Kimberly & Michael Yue
Laurie Tutag-Wang & Michael Wang
Stefanie & Daniel Zebelman
Toni & Craig Stein
Cameron Warner ’04
Yuhan Wang & Yikai Zhu
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 91
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Talley Society Lifetime Giving of $25,000+
The Honorable Mae Sue Talley Society recognizes donors throughout School history whose cumulative giving to PCDS equals $25,000 and above, directed to any area of the School. Mae Sue Talley was the visionary leader who spearheaded the creation of PCDS as the Valley’s premiere independent school in 1961. A prominent Phoenix philanthropist and Arizona leader who passed away in 2017, Mrs. Talley, along with her husband Franz, served among the School’s original founders. The Talley Society recognizes the School’s most supportive donors throughout our history.
H O N O R A B L E M A E S U E TA L L E Y S O C I E T Y M E M B E R S Anonymous (18)
Susan & Stephen Bansak
Beverly Bradway
Shelley & Geoffrey Campbell
Carrie & Morris Aaron
Edwin Barbey*
Robyn & Steven Brenden
The Capital Group Companies
Roz Bolger Abero ’89 & Inaudi Abero
Jo-Ann & Lowry Barfield
Tracy & William Brennan
Elizabeth Carey
Katrina & Josh Barrett
Hathaway & Galen* Brewster
Ann & Richard Carr
Amara & Thomas Abood
Winnie* & Atherton* Bean
Kendra & Alex Brigham
Stacy & Timothy Casten
Helene & Marshall Abrahams
Leslie & Lincoln Beauregard
Cynthia & Adam Bronfman
Century Foundation
ACAIR Foundation
Alex Beller ’09
Ann Brook
Shari & Daniel Charous
Valentina & Anand Acharya
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
Ruth & Walt Brown
Lopa Misra & Anikar Chhabra
Gayle & Mike Ahearn Arsala & Jawad Ahsan
The Bruce T. Halle Family Foundation
Peter Clark
Wendy & Michael* Beninato
Ruth Bristol & Felipe Albuquerque
Corinne & Darryl Berger
Norma & Stephen Buck ’71
Larry Clemmensen
Alice Cho & James Bergera
Leslie & Donald Budinger
Rebecca & Ken Allison
Nancy Kim & Rajan Bhatt
Susan Budinger
Dara Silverstein & Jonathan Cohen
Sydney & Robert Anderson
Carol & George Biel
Peyton & William Budinger
Arbon Equipment Corporation
Betty & Philip Bienert
Burke Family Foundation
- A Rite-Hite Company
Connie & Jim Binns, Jr.
Richard Burke
Adam Blankenheimer ’00
Julia & Taylor Burke
Amy & Patrick Armstrong
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Burlington Northern Sante Fe Foundation
Erin & Chris Ashby
Praveena & Arvind Bobra ’97
Christy & Daryl Burton
Kathleen & Steven Ashby
Stephanie & Rodney Boden
Atlasta Catering & Event Concepts
Janet & Robert Bohannon
Genevieve Allison Bush* & William Bush* Shelby & Stephen* Butterfield
Jane & Thomas Crook III
Peter Ax
Bettina & Philippe Bonnefoy ’79
Sunita & Manny Cairo
Sybil Francis & Michael Crow
Anna & C. Randall Bain
Fernanda Borletti
Crissy & David Calnon
Donna & Douglas Currault
Kathy & Lawrence Bain
Ruggero Borletti
Deborah & Todd Cusolle
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund
Linda Jorgensen & Alan Bracher
Isik* Kubali-Camoglu & Tevhit* Camoglu Campbell Soup Company
Don Dady
Arizona Community Foundation
92 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Carol Clemmensen
Cole Capital Equity Fund Advisors Jennifer Mee Cole & Christopher H. Cole Gloria & Anthony Conyers Maria & Joe Cooper Mary & Reg Cooper ’98 Stacy & Richard Cooper Amanda & David Crisalli
Dominique Dady
H O N O R A B L E M A E S U E TA L L E Y S O C I E T Y M E M B E R S DAFgiving360 The DeFilippis Family Melinda & T.J. DeMark ’93 Nancy & Thomas Demark Samuel Denmark* Shelly & Mark Detmer Carol & William Dever Elizabeth & Daniel Dever Kayleigh & Peter Diamond Carrie & Henry Diekmann Mara & David Dobrusin ’99 Paulette & James Dodson Druscilla* & Dale* Doehrman Anne & Daniel Donahoe III The Dorrance Family Foundation Jacquie & Bennett Dorrance Michelle & Gregory Drumm Bert Duarte ’03 Larraine Ho & Pravin Dugel Edward E. Ford Foundation Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Inc. Eli Lilly & Company
Lila Blandford-Francese & Ed Francese
Mary Lou* & John* Hayden
Sara Dhanani & Aly Lalji
Marilyn & Robert Fransway
Nancy & Douglas Heltne
Molly & James Larkin
Barbara & James Hennessy
Kristin & James Lassetter
Nancy & William Henze II ’67
The Laureine and David Greenbaum Family Foundation
Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Pam & Jordan Gagner Sandy & Tracy* Gamble Susan & Thomas Garrity
Judy & Gary* Hewson Lisa Bienstock & Ben Himmelstein
George Leckie*
Shannon & Chris Hinkson
Sally & Richard Lehmann Melissa & Frank Leonesio
Amy & Paul Gause
Barbara Jones Hirvela ’70 & Henry Hirvela
Robynn & Glen Lerner
Natalie & E.K. Gaylord
Honeywell, Inc.
Hillary & Andrew Leto
Robyn & Thomas Geantil
Jason Hope
Carly & Ryan LeVine
Geordie and Jamie Hormel Foundation
Melissa & Doug Horlick
John Levitz ’79
Jamie Hormel
Leslie & David Lewis
The Horton Family
Cristina & Shane Lewis
Michelle & Michael Hosmar
Cathy Tancer Lewkowitz ’79 & Herman Lewkowitz ’79
Rita & Samuel Garvin
Linda & Steve Geringer Sandy & Bert* Getz Shirley & Geoffrey Gibbs Carol & Terry Gilbert Howard Ginsburg Sasha Borsand Glassman ’99 & Rodney Glassman Judith & Herbert Gold Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund Rachel & Augustine Gomez ’99
Tracey & Jonathan Hott Susan & Brett Huckelbridge Carrie Louis Hulburd ’77 & Jon Hulburd ImpactAssets Christina & Joshua Isner Kerry & Eric Jackson ’86 Brittany & Brad Jannenga
Allie & Gabe Libhart Mercedes & Richard Liljegren Linda F. Noyes Charitable Lead Trust Julie & Gary Linhart ’88 Cynthia & Larry Lippon Toni & Don Loback
Jewish Communal Fund
Jena & Chris Lohl
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Eric Lorentzen Amy & Timothy Louis ’81
Emily & Jeffrey Gottfurcht
John & Cindy McCain Family Foundation
Julie* & Herbert* Louis
Shayna & Hope Feldman
Brittany & Darin Granger
Donna & Stephen Johnson
Zarin & Martin Felli
Terri & Steve Greenberg
Jordan & Michael Kahn ’99
Stacy & Mike Lovell
Gabrielle & Randy Ferree
Susan & Mark Greenfield
Renée & Karim Karmi
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Theresa & Michael Gregory
Tracy & Jeffrey Katz
Caitlin & David Fiorillo
Christine & David Gustafson
The Firefly Trust
Jericca & Xavier Gutierrez
Katheryn & Thomas Kempner Jr. ’71
John D. Firestone
Robert Hackett
Randy & Ken Kendrick
Lisa Firestone ’85
Sherrie* & Robert Hackett
Kiita Foundation
Nick Firestone ’84
Ann Stanton & Robert Haddock
Diana & John Kim
Betsy & Michael Haenel
Jill & Burt Kohler
Danielle Goldstein Masserman ’02 & Tal Masserman
Gina & Phil Koo
Susan & Philip Matos
Barbara & Graham Kretchman
Cindy & John* McCain Celia & Kent McClelland
Stacey & Zachary Elizondo Cheryl & Ken Ellegard Laura & Scott Eller Elizabeth Byrnes & Barton Faber
Marla & Leslie Fish Fisher Marketing Group The Flack Family Floyd Family Foundation
Lorelei & David Gonzales Stephanie & Adam Goodman Goodmans Interior Structures
Jane Hall* Diane & Bruce* Halle
Amanda & Michael Koch
Regina & Robert Flynn
Robin & David Hanna
Charlotte Heuser Forward* & Robert Forward*
Carolyn & LeRoy Hanneman
Alison Lewis & Craig Krumwiede
Sara & Mark Hass
Francoise & Andre Kudelski
Louis Foundation, Inc. Betty* & Robert* Luxford Joyce & Dorsey Lynch Bonnie & Terry Maffi Verna & Thomas* Malone Marcus Mamolen Susan Mamolen Margaret Tse Foundation
Catharine & Stephen McConnell SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 93
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
H O N O R A B L E M A E S U E TA L L E Y S O C I E T Y M E M B E R S Duncan McGillivray
Amy Moyes
Rose & Harry Papp
Stephanie McGillivray
Judith & Kent Mueller
Valerie & John Parzych
Susan & Patrick McGroder
Melissa & Dave Mullard
Neelu & Avinash Patil
Anna-Liza & Howie McKibbon
Najafi Companies
Michele & Mark Patterson
Jill Meath
Cheryl & Jahm Najafi
Eliza & Michael Meath ’11
Dionne & Francis Najafi
Penny & Robert Sarver Charitable Foundation
Michael Meath
Sallie Najafi
Andrea & Doug Perry
Courtney McConnell ’06 & Mark Melnyk
Nicole & Peter Nakaji
Terry Switsky & Savas Petrides*
Ellen & Andrew Meltzer Brittany & Matthew Messmer
National Philanthropic Trust Elizabeth & Blair Neller
Jean & David Pettitt
Mary Dell Pritzlaff* & John* Pritzlaff, Jr. Marilyn & Dan Quayle Jules & Andrew Rafal Joan Ray ’73* Jessica & Jason Raymond Cathy & Thomas Reahard Phyllis & James Rector Caleb Reese ’90 Weezie & David Reese Chelsey Crisp & Rhett Reese ’87
Jane & Amir Nizam
Tam Le & Duc Pham
Marta & Riad Nizam
Phelps Dodge Foundation
Noah’s Family Foundation
Mary Leigh & Michael Phillips
Shirley Michels & Bernard Rethore
Ellie & Patrick* Nolan
Phoenix Swim Club
Marilyn Rethore
Lori & Andrew Norris ’81
James Pitre
Joan* & Carter* Norris
Jean & Warren Platt
Rex L. Allison Education Foundation
Nan* & Robert* Miller
Leisa & Jonathan Norris ’77
The Brandi & Michael Minor Family Charitable Fund
Northern Trust, NA
Tiffany Westlie Pondelik ’00 & Miles Pondelik
Jeanne & Chad Miraglia
Linda Noyes
Sherry Mischel
Tina & Conor O’Callaghan
Lindsay Molleo
Arden & Peter O’Connor
Marcia & Max Messmer Michael W. Louis Private Foundation Jude Miller Burke Betsy Ryan Miller ’79 & Doug Miller
Jan & Jeffrey Moorad
Kendall & Louis Novoa-Takara
Jennifer Chase & Laurent Poole Kate Portanova ’96 Barbara & Zeb Portanova ’97 Marilyn & Biggs Porter
Mirja & Timothy Riester Himangi & Girish Rishi Rite-Hite Foundation Clarissa Simek Robinson ’88 & Brian Robinson Krista & Tarl Robinson Rodel Charitable Foundation Lydia & Andy Rodin
Bob Moran
Carolyn Polson O’Malley ’65 & Mark O’Malley
Keely Moran
Shannon & Monti Ossenfort
Dana & Peter Powell
Kerry & Justin Moreland
Elizabeth Reahard Oviedo ’04 & Nick Oviedo
Brittany & Blake Pratz
The Roland and Dawn Arnall Foundation
Julia Taylor & Lewis Prebble
Leigh & Brent Roland
Kris Pagano
Rose Law Group Jordan Rose
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust
Sabrina & Reed Porter
Christine & Jeffrey Morgan
Pakis Family Foundation
Wendy Selig-Prieb & Laurel Prieb
Michelle & Kevin Moriarty
Fred Pakis
Melisa & Troy Priem
94 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
Roger S. Firestone Foundation
Jason Rose
H O N O R A B L E M A E S U E TA L L E Y S O C I E T Y M E M B E R S Cyndi & James Rosenthal Amy & Matt Ross Nicole & Lawrence Russo
Mitzi Krockover & Jacque Sokolov Alice & Barry Spack
Emily Westerhold & Sebastian Rymarz
Spencer T. & Ann W. Olin Foundation
S. Rex and Joan T. Lewis Foundation
Miriam & Keith Spizzirri Alee & Sidney Starkman
Julie & Vas Sabeeh
Kristi & Dave Stearns
Sage Dining Services
Daisy & Bart Steiner
Julie & Nick Sakellariadis ’69
Karey & John Stevenson
Antonella & Mauro Saladini
Holly & David Sudbury
Nancy & Peter Salter
Helen & Matthew Sullivan
Sandra Werner Survivor’s Trust
Mary Louise* & Thomas* Sunderland
Janet & Edgar Sands
Susan C. Firestone Foundation
Alpa & Ashesh Sanghvi
Lilla & James Swanson
Dwayne Sansone
Jenifer & Keith Swisher
Natalee Sansone
Marci & Fife Symington, IV
Penny & Robert Sarver
Kim & Rich Symington ’98
Jennifer & Jeff Scheire
Stephanie & Tom Taira
Stephanie & Matthew Schissler
Mae Sue Talley*
Dawn & Jay Schlott Tracy & Marc Schwimmer Katie & David Sellers Susan & Daniel Semegen Jonah Shacknai Rupa & Anup Shah Nina & Maulik Shah Lise & Matthew Shanks Erica Hendrix & John Shay
Shoshana & Robert* Tancer Nihal & Hal Tashman
Linda & Ronald Van Horssen
Ardyce & Steven Whisler
Pinar Tashman ’90
Suzanne Van Sickle*
Cheri & Brett White
Diana Taurasi & Penny Taylor
Patricia & Larry Van Tuyl
Charlene & Jim Whitfill
Gemma & David Tedesco
Vanguard Charitable
Garth Wieger
Kathy & Babak Tehranchi
Stephanie & Ed Vartughian
Judy & John Willenborg
Lauri & Eric Termansen
Lenora & Bruce Vinci
The Arjay and Frances Miller Foundation
The Voss Family
Kristine & Christopher Williams
Wachovia/Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts
Jennifer & Frederic Winssinger Mary & Dennis Wise
Kathleen & Robert Wade
Sarah Nixon Wolfswinkel ’00 & Ashton Wolfswinkel
Shields Company Inc.
Thomas L. Kempner, Jr. Foundation, Inc.
Susan & Charles Shields
William Torrey*
Christina Keiser & Michael Shore
Larry Tree
Kristine & Steven Short Brooke Hundtoft & Yan Shoshitaishvili Jennet Kirkpatrick & Daniel Silverman
Tyler Tse ’09 Jill Tse ’05 Kaity Tse ’06 Kassidy Tse ’13 Margaret Tse
The Walkenbach Family Watson Charitable Trust Christine & David Watson Bruce Weiner Stephanie & Randy Weinshel
Margaret Woods Erica & Tim Wray ’84 Gay Firestone Wray Laurie Wray ’80
Bobette & Kevin Weiss
Maryanne Wray ’77 Cindy & Steve Yeargan
Renee & Chida Tse
Wells Fargo Bank & Foundation
Dominique & David Wurtz
Roxane & Robert Simon Edie & Gary Simpson
Janice Tse-Vosselman ’02
Mary Stoner & James Wendt
Helen & Christopher Yeung
Jennifer & Jason Singer
Sarah & Glen Tulk
Sandra & E. Louis* Werner, Jr.
Kimberly & Michael Yue
Tanda & Jim Siragusa
U.S. Charitable Gift Trust
Lea & Lou Werner ’87
Peter Yurka
Susannah & Leslie Small
Sarah & Ramsey Umar
Maidie Westlie
Yuhan Wang & Yikai Zhu
Olivia & Nick Smith
Kathy & Thomas Van Arsdale
The Wharton Foundation
Sheila & Michael Zuieback
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 95
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Alumni Scholarship Fund Your gifts make a powerful IMPACT on the lives of children who would otherwise not have the opportunity to receive a PCDS education
The MOST raised in annual giving from alumni than ANY OTHER year in our School’s history! 2025-26 ALUMNI FUNDRAISING RESULTS
$ 249,912 Total Alumni Dollars Raised
161
Number of Individual Alumni Donors
8
Students’ Tuition Costs Fully Covered
The Alumni IMPACT initiative encourages all alumni to:
by attending events and submitting Class Notes
through our networking platform PCDSConnect.org
by contributing to the Alumni Scholarship Fund
To renew your gift for the 2026-27 fiscal year, or to contribute for the first time to the Alumni Scholarship Fund, please visit us online at pcds.org/giveback or scan the code to the left.
96 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP FUND DONORS Anonymous (14) Jennifer Lewkowitz Abelson ’04 Roz Bolger Abero ’89 Katherine Senzig Altersitz ’06 Alex Ashby ’05 Catherine Baggott ’87 Chase Bales ’05 Sofia Long Bales ’05 Adam Blankenheimer ’00 Arvind Bobra ’97 Caitlin Bosch ’06 Sophia Boyer ’10 Ben Brodsky ’21 Kristen Brook ’95 Stephen Buck ’71 Mercedes Cain ’08 Brandi Cutler ’94 Alison Pulaski Carter ’97 Janet Haga Castner ’91 Rachel Chanen ’11 Eleanor Abraham Charles ’06 Chloe Brandon Charlton ’06 Reg Cooper ’98 Clint Corcoran ’03 Daniel Curzon ’05 Peter Curzon ’04 Mandy Arthur Daitch ’93 Reid Davis ’03 Coco de Marneffe ’18 Melanie Deutsch ’01 David Dobrusin ’99 Bert Duarte ’03 Shawn Dyer Ducusin ’96 Daniel Durchslag ’89 John Ellinwood ’81 Sarah Engle ’01 Aaron Fazel ’07 Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99 Robert Felix ’99 Karen Feltz ’08 Eric Fram ’09 Brent Fraser ’95 Eric Fraser ’01 Morris Friedman ’86 Hannah Keogh Gates ’10 Paul Geantil ’90 Alice Gaston Gibbons ’05 Ryan Gibbons ’05 Libbie Lawrence Gibson ’65
Sasha Borsand Glassman ’99 Augustine Gomez ’99 Morgan Gonzales ’15 Glen Goodman ’00 Sara Tancer Gordon ’74 Jason Hackett ’88 Stephanie Vithoulkas Hackett ’91 Dan Haddock ’06 John Haddock ’03 Nell Haddock ’99 Colby Kant Harris ’95 Jessica Skloven Heuer ’01 Zachary Hitchcock ’09 Brian Hoblit ’92 Sydney Hott ’20 Ashley Humes ’04 Laura Foist Hunter ’79 Tori Jeans-Berezowsky ’05 Michael Kahn ’99 Callie Kant ’01 Harrison Kent ’09 Julie Schaefer Krell ’86 David Krumwiede ’05 Linda Buck Laws ’68 Ashleigh Levison ’01 David Levy ’99 Blake Lewkowitz ’07 Janelle Plaza Lika ’98 Doug Loback ’01 Nicole Lopez ’09 Timothy Louis ’81 Jeff Marcus ’99 Danielle Goldstein Masserman ’02 Courtney McConnell ’06 Kaylie Marsh Medansky ’08 Nic Meyer ’12 Laurie Mittenthal ’86 Brigit Donovan Monahan ’04 Andrew Norris ’81 Jonathan Norris ’77 Carolyn Polson O’Malley ’65 Kristen Oelze ’04 Caroline McGee Ortiz ’01 Elizabeth Reahard Oviedo ’04 Sarah Pachtman-Shetty ’00 Christine Perocchi ’04 Michael Perry ’10 Gino Picozzi ’09 Barbara Pritzlaff Pierce ’74
Kate Pokorski ’13 Tiffany Westlie Pondelik ’00 Sal Pozo ’04 James Purdy ’86 Rebecca Moretsky Reedy ’99 Rhett Reese ’87 Alex Rethore ’96 David Rigberg ’86 Darren Ringel ’98 Jake Rodin ’19 Sybil Rose ’11 Andru Roysden ’07 Nick Sakellariadis ’69 Christopher Sandor ’98 Diana Schron ’10 Ryan Schubert ’04 Adam Schwartz ’94 Jack Scwimmer ’09 Max Schwimmer ’07 Eric Shoemaker ’97 Bryan Silverthorn ’01 Keenan Simon ’11 Tina Simonds ’86 Danielle Skloven ’05 Brian Snyder ’01 David Spetzler ’94 Peter Spiegel ’88 Sophie Epstein Statnekov ’04 Jeffrey Stern ’90 Mary Sunderland ’74 Elizabeth Hetherington Sutherland ’70 John Tierney ’06 Scot Torrey ’89 Jill Tse ’05 Kaity Tse ’06 Kassidy Tse ’13 Tyler Tse ’09 Janice Tse-Vosselman ’02 Mikhail Ulinich ’95 Cameron Warner ’04 Stephen Warrenburg ’67 Gail Weiss ’77 Kate Werth ’14 Sarah Nixon Wolfswinkel ’00 Stacey Piccinati Woods ’95 Ashley Yeargan ’01 Karsen Yue ’21 Mikayla Yue ’24
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Play On! The Most Ambitious Capital Campaign in PCDS History
Something BIG is happening! Over the last several editions we have shared projects that have come to life thanks to the largest capital campaign in School history: Play On! Soon, our entire community will be hearing about Phase 3: The Homestretch. This last phase will include new wellness, fields, and play spaces to complement the huge boost to the arts that the first two phases of this campaign have brought to campus. We invite every member of the PCDS family—parents, grandparents, former parents, alumni, and friends—to be a part of this effort! Visit the QR code below for more information, including a list of current donors, naming opportunities, ways to give, and more information about the exciting projects ahead.
1
3
A $40M Campaign to Fund Three Phases of Capital Projects
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1
3 3
3
Phase One — Complete
The Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts ($24M) 2
Phase Two — Complete
Reese House for Music, Art & Theater ($7M) 3
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Phase Three — Underway
Nicholas C. Meath ’17 Wellness Center ($5M) Athletic & Field Spaces ($4M)
Scan to follow our progress and help us Play On! 98 | PCDS THE BRIDGE
$3M
LEFT TO RAISE
P L AY O N ! D O N O R S $5,000,000+
$100,000–$249,999
$50,000–$99,999
Arsala & Jawad Ahsan
Anonymous Praveena & Arvind Bobra ’97 Crissy & David Calnon Lopa Misra & Anikar Chhabra Carol & William Dever Elizabeth & Daniel Dever Carrie & Henry Diekmann The Ferree Family Caitlin & David Fiorillo Lisa Bienstock & Ben Himmelstein Amanda & Michael Koch Gina & Phil Koo Mercedes & Rick Liljegren Jena & Chris Lohl Shannon & Monti Ossenfort Mary Leigh & Michael Phillips Tiffany Westlie Pondelik ’00 & Miles Pondelik Marilyn & Biggs Porter Jennifer & Jeff Scheire Nina & Maulik Shah Jennet Kirkpatrick & Daniel Silverman Kim & Rich Symington ’98 Diana Taurasi & Penny Taylor Sarah Nixon Wolfswinkel ’00 & Ashton Wolfswinkel Cindy & Steve Yeargan
Stephanie & Matt Schissler
Anonymous Amara & Tom Abood Erin & Christopher Ashby Katrina & Josh Barrett Leslie & Lincoln Beauregard Sunita & Manny Cairo Shari & Daniel Charous Dara Silverstein & Jonathan Cohen Mary & Reg Cooper ’98 Kayleigh & Peter Diamond Mara & David Dobrusin ’99 Zarin & Martin Felli Marilyn & Robert Fransway Sasha ’99 & Rodney Glassman Sara & Mark Hass Brittany & Brad Jannenga Sara Dhanani & Aly Lalji Hillary & Andrew Leto Danielle Goldstein Masserman ’02 & Tal Masserman Anna-Liza & Howie McKibbon Marcia & Max Messmer Jane & Amir Nizam Marta & Riad Nizam Pakis Family Foundation Neelu & Avi Patil Andrea & Doug Perry Julia Taylor & Lewis Prebble Dan Quayle Jessica & Jason Raymond Krista & Tarl Robinson Emily Westerhold & Sebastian Rymarz Julie & Vas Sabeeh Tracy & Marc Schwimmer Rupa & Anup Shah Olivia & Nick Smith Alee & Sidney Starkman Kristi & Dave Stearns Holly & David Sudbury Maidie Westlie Judy & John Willenborg
The Walkenbach Family
Yuhan Wang & Yikai Zhu
Nancy & Peter Salter $3,000,000–$4,999,999 Anonymous The Meath Family The Reese Family The Wise Family $1,000,000–$2,999,999 Anonymous Jason Hope Christina & Josh Isner Jordan Rose $500,000–$999,999 Gayle & Mike Ahearn Corinne & Darryl Berger Nick Firestone ’80 Brittany & Matt Messmer Roger S. Firestone Foundation Katie & David Sellers Stephanie & Tom Taira Christopher Walker ’65 Gay F. Wray Erica & Tim Wray ’84 Laurie Wray ’80 Maryanne Wray ’77 $250,000–$499,999 Helene & Marshall Abrahams The Flack Family Brittany & Darin Granger Carly & Ryan LeVine The Maloney-Shanks Family Kerry & Justin Moreland Lori & Andrew Norris ’81 Leisa & Jonathan Norris ’77 Brittany & Blake Pratz
$25,000–$49,999 Stephanie & Rodney Boden Biz Carey Deborah & Todd Cusolle Amy & Paul Gause Susan & Brett Huckelbridge Renée & Karim Karmi Toni & Don Loback Julie & Gary Linhart ’88 Courtney McConnell ’06 & Mark Melnyk Linda Noyes Tina & Conor O’Callaghan Elizabeth Reahard Oviedo ’04 & Nick Oviedo Valerie & John Parzych
Barbara & Zeb Portanova ’97 Kate Portanova ’96 Himangi & Girish Rishi Clarissa Simek Robinson ’88 & Brian Robinson Julie & Nick Sakellariadis ’69 Christina Keiser & Michael Shore Brooke Hundtoft & Yan Shoshitaishvili Shoshana Tancer Sarah & Glen Tulk Stephanie & Randy Weinshel Dominique & David Wurtz Up to $24,999 Anonymous (3) Roz Bolger Abero ’89 & Inaudi Abero Susan & Stephen Bansak Nancy Kim & Rajan Bhatt Cyan Brakhage Alex Konarski & Ben Brichta Karen Bradshaw & Ambrose Calcagno Katie & Bob Charles Kristen Brook ’95 & Daniel Durchslag ’89 Christina DesVaux & Wesley Gilbreath Theresa & Michael Gregory Colby Kant Harris ’95 & Adam Harris Lora & Daniel Hobaica Anna & Rick Kariotoglou Duan Sun & Akshay Kumar Dilini & Neal Malsom Jet & Kelsey Martin Seema & Mehul Patel Michele & Mark Patterson Kristin Pruett Lydia & Andy Rodin Lena & Julien Salomez Arielle & Brian Share Kiran & Sandip Singh Karey & John Stevenson Lauri & Eric Termansen Ruth & Roger Wu
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Gifts to Restricted Funds 2025–2026 Katherine DeLongy O’Connor Scholarship Memorial Endowment In memory of Katie DeLongy O’Connor ’78, the endowment is awarded to an US student receiving financial aid who has demonstrated outstanding citizenship within the School and/or the community.
Rex Allison Chair for Excellence in Teaching For over 25 years, the award has covered the salary and provided a stipend for a teacher who represents excellence in teaching at PCDS.
Rex L. Allison Education Foundation
Maria DeLongy
Unrestricted Endowment
Jenifer Crolius Levin ’78 & Ted Levin
Unrestricted funds increase the School’s overall endowment.
Paul Schweikher Legacy Fund Established to honor longtime teacher and college counselor Paul Schweikher upon his retirement after 40 years, the fund supports an annual scholarship given to the financial-aid eligible child of an alumnus/a. Carrie & Barton Hechtman ’79 Project Excellence Endowment Provides summer and weekend programs for first-generation college-bound students from across the Valley.
Anonymous Rebecca & Ken Allison Lynn Berrettoni & Andrew Caglieris
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Shoshana Tancer Victor Feeney Memorial Award Endowment Established in memory of Victor Feeney ’67. This award is given each year to an outstanding graduating senior who “excels in both the classroom and athletics and possesses a uniquely affable demeanor.”
Gail Feeney ’71 Nancy & William Henze II ’67 Ellen Feeney Jesaitis ’69 & Al Jesaitis
ANNUAL REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY
Annual Report Operating statement 2025–2026 for the year ended June 30, 2026* OPERATING REVENUE
Total Operating Revenue $29,329,760
91% Tuition $26,571,827
4% Annual Fund $1,242,337
3%
2%
Individual Tax Credits $788,800
Non-Program Revenue $726,796
OPERATING EXPENSES
Total Operating Expenses $27,566,785
69% Salaries & Benefits $19,056,167
8%
Financial Aid $2,133,650
11%
Instructional Programs $3,097,751
5% Facilities & Security $1,387,986
7%
General Administration $1,891,231
Copies of our annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, along with the auditors’ report, are available for review upon request from the Business Office. *Numbers presented are unaudited.
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Bridge-the-Gap 2026 Our annual culinary-style festival featured food and beverages donated by our Valley’s premier restaurants and vendors, a DJ, and a boutique-style auction. It also honored all the ways our community gives back to our School. AUCTION DONORS
AUCTION SPONSORS
Scan the QR code below to view a list of our generous auction donors.
Thank you to our amazing company sponsors for making the Free Tuition for a Year raffle a reality! One lucky family is heading into 2026–27 with a full tuition credit—congratulations!
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2026 BRIDGE-THE-GAP COMMITTEE Amara Abood P’31, ’33, ’35 Arsala Ahsan P’32, ’36 Leslie Beauregard P ’36 Kayleigh Diamond P’34, ’36 Renee Karmi P’27, ’30
Carly LeVine P’32, ’38 Brooke Levy P’28, ’32 Dilini Malsom P’36 Kerry Moreland P’34, ’36 Jane Nizam P’34, ’39 Brittany Pratz P ’39
Julie Sabeeh P’23, ’25, ’29 Jennifer Scheire P ’38, ’39 Rupa Shah P’28, ’32 Rosemary Shaia P’29, ’32 Julia Taylor P ’38
RESTAURANT AND VENDOR SPONSORS Thank you to all the vendors who graciously donated to our event. Your generosity helped to make our evening a fun and elegant experience…and a huge success!
LUNA 1969
G E L AT E R I A & C A F F E T T E R I A
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Ways to Donate Pledge a tax-deductible gift online today at pcds.org/give
CREDIT CARD/PLEDGE
WIRE TRANSFERS
To make a gift online, visit pcds.org/give. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Monthly giving is an available option.
To make a gift via wire transfer, please contact Roz Abero at roz.abero@pcds.org.
CHECK/MAIL
If you have a Donor Advised Fund please consider using it to support PCDS. Contact Roz Abero at roz.abero@ pcds.org.
Please send your check, payable to Phoenix Country Day School, to: PCDS, Attn: Advancement Office, 3901 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253.
SECURITIES PCDS partners with Financial Advisors at Stifel to coordinate gifts of stock, mutual funds, and bonds to the School. Contact Annie Servis at 602.952.2500 or servisa@stifel.com.
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
PLANNED GIVING By making a planned gift, donors can leave a legacy, whether through a tax-advantaged life income gift or through a bequest.
IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER
MATCHING GIFTS
Individuals who are 70.5 and older can make a tax-free gift (up to $100,000) from their individual retirement account directly to PCDS without paying taxes on the distribution. Many PCDS grandparents and former parents consider this option.
Hundreds of companies will multiply their employees’ charitable donations. Check with your employer to see if they have a matching gift program.
Phoenix Country Day School is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Individuals who donate to PCDS can deduct up to 100% of their Adjusted Net Income. Corporations that donate to PCDS can deduct up to 25% of their taxable income to charities. Tax ID: 86-0172671
When donors gift stock, they get the full fair value of the stock as a tax deduction. PCDS then liquidates the stock with no tax due.
ADVANCEMENT TEAM Our job as an Advancement team is to advance the School, through our relationship-building and fundraising efforts with current families, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends. If ever we can assist you, please don’t hesitate to contact any member of our team. Roz Bolger Abero ’89 Assistant Head of School, roz.abero@pcds.org
Leslie Kornreich Feldman ’99 Director of Alumni Relations leslie.feldman@pcds.org
Jennifer Murray Special Events Coordinator jennifer.murray@pcds.org
Katie Charles Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship katie.charles@pcds.org
Chris Martinez Director of Communications and Marketing chris.martinez@pcds.org
Tina Pitts Advancement and Communications Coordinator tina.pitts@pcds.org
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IN MEMORIAM
Remembering Joel C. Monell PCDS Head of School 1976–1986
Joel C. Monell (1940–2026)
PCDS remembers former Head of School Joel C. Monell, who passed away on April 5, 2026, in Beverly, Massachusetts, at the age of 86. A lifelong educator and scholar, Dr. Monell devoted his career to the work that defined him most deeply: the pursuit of academic excellence and the support of enduring educational institutions.
Born in Dover, New Hampshire, Dr. Monell graduated from Dartmouth College in 1962 and completed a naval fellowship before earning a master’s degree from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Shortly after completing his doctoral studies, he began a ten-year headship at PCDS marked by purposeful growth, strategic planning, and a commitment to strengthening the academic and physical foundations of the School.
A Decade of Growth and Transformation Early in his time at PCDS, Dr. Monell guided the School through a long-range planning process and launched PCDS’s first capital campaign, The Pursuit of Excellence, which raised $2 million to support new buildings and strengthen the endowment.
Under his leadership, PCDS marked its 20th anniversary and entered a period of physical and programmatic expansion, from the opening of the US campus across the wash in 1982 to building the School’s first gymnasium —now known as Alumni Gym—to the completion of the Music Building, which only recently was replaced by Reese House. Reflecting on his tenure during the School’s 50th anniversary, Dr. Monell wrote: “ I am proud to have helped build the foundation for the present PCDS. My tenure at PCDS was characterized by enrollment growth, new buildings, fundraising, and the strengthening of academic programs. The core values underlying all these activities were the pursuit of academic excellence and the primacy of teaching and learning. The goal then, as it is now, was to make PCDS the finest independent school in the Southwest.”
A Life Beyond PCDS Dr. Monell later became Dean for Administration and Academic Services at Harvard University. In retirement, he remained active in educational governance while enjoying traveling with his wife of 59 years, Diana Monell. They often reflected on their 10 years at PCDS with great fondness.
“ 48 years ago, Joel gave me the opportunity to work at the best school in the country! Joel was an intelligent, perceptive man who led our School with dignity and pride. Through Joel’s integrity and hard work, a strong foundation for growth was achieved, helping our School become one of the top private schools in the country.” Bob Kosower, Assistant Athletic Director
“ Joel hired me in 1982 as English Department chair. Thanks to Joel, I began 35 years at PCDS and for that I remain eternally grateful.” Lance Coon, retired teacher
“ Joel was very bright, fair in dealing with faculty, parents, and trustees, and had a leadership style like a good teacher: a guide on the side rather than a sage on the stage.” Rod Dashnaw, retired teacher
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Phoenix Country Day School 3901 East Stanford Drive Paradise Valley, Arizona 85253
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Phoenix, AZ Permit No. 1213 PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of his or her new mailing address at alumni@pcds.org. Thank you!
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