PCDS The Bridge Magazine, Winter 2026

THE BRIDGE

A PUBLICATION OF PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

THE BRIDGE

Phoenix Country Day School FALL 2025/WINTER 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

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.

from

School (US), Middle School (MS), and Lower School (LS), plus alumni features and philanthropy highlights.

Annual Fund dollars at work. Read more about the impact of philanthropy at

PCDS Community,

In the summer of 1987, my parents took us on a trip to New York City. The very first evening, we rode the subway downtown to see Les Misérables , which had just opened on Broadway. I was in high school and could think of a million other things I would rather do than sit in a dark theater for three hours with my knees jammed into the chair in front of me. But that was the plan.

When the show was over and the audience spilled out into the street, I tried to keep it cool, telling my parents that the performance was just “ok.” But inside I knew that I had just witnessed something truly special.

There’s nothing like a good musical. When you get a musical right, it touches all the senses; the seemingly endless layers of artistry are undeniable. From the dialogue to the music, the choreography to the stage design, this particular style of theatrical expression possesses the ability to move audiences in a unique fashion. It can be enchanting.

Colby Kant Harris ’95

“ I am deeply grateful to have experienced the magic of PCDS twice–first as a student and now as a parent. It is an honor to represent the Parents’ Association on the Board and have the opportunity to give back to a community that helped shape who I am.”

That’s the feeling I get when I’m in the new Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts right here on the PCDS campus: enchanted. When the lights go down and the show starts, I have this sense of being transported to a magical place, and the real world, even if just for a short time, melts away.

I know you’ll enjoy reading in this edition of The Bridge about our extraordinary new facility, which officially opened this winter. Better yet, if you haven’t already had the chance, I hope you’ll find the time to come visit and experience it in person.

Many, many thanks to all those of you who brought this exciting structure to life. A generation of students and their families will get to enjoy and benefit from its ability to inspire. As Les Mis author Victor Hugo once said, “There’s nothing like a dream to create the future.” What great fortune we have to be members of this delightful community!

Andrew M. Rodin P’19,

’19, ’25

Head of School

Gay Firestone

Wray Chair for Leadership

Matt Messmer

“ I t’s an honor to join the Board of Trustees and help uphold our School’s mission of nurturing curiosity, character, and excellence. Our students deserve a strong foundation that empowers them to thrive—not just in the classroom, but in life. I’m proud to serve PCDS, its community and our next generation of learners.”

Randy Weinshel

“ I am a proud parent of two children and the proud uncle of two nieces, all of whom are PCDS students. I am honored to join the Board of Trustees and look forward to continuing to serve the PCDS community. With integrity and dedication, I am eager to help support the strategic direction of PCDS and privileged to join the exceptional group of Board members.”

Martin Felli President

Darryl Berger

Executive Vice President and Vice PresidentTrusteeship

Chris Ashby Vice President - Finance

Julie Sabeeh Vice PresidentAdvancement

Kristen Brook ’95 Vice PresidentFacilities Planning

Kiran Singh Vice PresidentStrategic Planning

Jawad Ahsan

Brooke Levy

Mercedes Liljegren

Kelsey Martin

Matt Messmer

Riad Nizam

Dan Silverman

Dave Stearns

Randy Weinshel

Ex officio:

Andrew Rodin Head of School

Courtney McConnell Melnyk ’06 President, Alumni Association

Colby Harris ’95 President, Parents’ Association

Advisory Trustees:

Susan J. Bansak

Beverly Bradway

Daniel J. Donahoe III

Bennett Dorrance

Nick Firestone ’84

Susan Garrity

Samuel Garvin

Donald R. Loback

Jahm Najafi

Ellie B. Nolan

Frederick M. Pakis

Nicholas J. Sakellariadis ’69

Tracy Schwimmer

Jonah Shacknai

Shoshana B. Tancer

Charlene Whitfill

Garth Wieger

Gay F. Wray

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.

GRAND OPENING

The Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts

Phoenix Country Day School marked a historic milestone with the opening of the Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts —the largest building constructed in the School’s nearly 65-year history.

This brand new $24 million, 24,000-square-foot facility features a 600-seat theater, performance and rehearsal spaces, and specialized production areas serving students from Pre-k through grade 12. Funded through the Play On! Campaign, PCDS’s most ambitious capital campaign to date, the Ahsan Center reflects the generosity of parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends.

Designed to advance the School’s commitment to artistic innovation and student expression, the Ahsan Center provides a professional-quality environment that elevates creative expression across all divisions. Construction began in June 2024 and concluded ahead of schedule in November 2025.

Salter Performance Hall anchors the space, hosting music and theater productions, guest speakers, and major School events. Behind the scenes, students will exercise their creativity through a stagecraft and scene shop, costume lab, and dedicated dressing rooms. The theater’s design keeps student technicians visible during performances and features flexible side-stage areas and a cyclorama projection system that allows for immersive visual effects.

The building also incorporates sustainable systems, including LED lighting, solar-reflective materials, and high-efficiency HVAC.

The grand opening celebration welcomed 175 guests, including donors, faculty, and project partners. The evening included ribbon-cutting led by the Ahsan and Salter families and remarks from School leaders.

For Director of Arts Keith Burns, the evening was especially meaningful. After years of planning and collaboration, he described the opening as “delightfully overwhelming” —a culmination of vision, perseverance, and extraordinary community support.

The Ahsan Center will host School performances and gatherings and stands as a cornerstone of ongoing campus enhancements, including the forthcoming Reese House for Music, Art & Theater.

Next Up Reese House for Music, Art & Theater is set to open ahead of schedule with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 7, 2026. This new classroom facility, featuring music classrooms across all divisions, a theater classroom, and a new art studio for 7th and 8th grade, will be double the square footage of the previous music classroom building that served the School for 40 years.

SEVENTH ANNUAL TALLEY SOCIETY STATE OF THE SCHOOL BREAKFAST

This past November, PCDS welcomed a record number of members of the Honorable Mae Sue Talley Society to its seventh annual State of the School Breakfast. The Talley Society recognizes donors whose cumulative lifetime giving to PCDS totals $25,000 or more and includes current and former parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends of the School.

Held in its traditional setting—a tent on Founders’ Lawn —the event brought together more than 100 Society members for breakfast and conversation. Board of Trustees President Martin Felli and Head of School Andy Rodin opened the program with reflections on the School’s

health and momentum, sharing key highlights and priorities shaping the year ahead.

Following these updates, Assistant Head of School Roz Abero ’89 provided an in-depth look at the progress of the Play On! Campaign, updating the group on the details and how the projects will enrich the student experience. The morning concluded with a panel discussion that underscored one of PCDS’s defining strengths: the meaningful relationships between students and the coaches and teachers who know them well. Panelists spoke to the powerful impact of feeling seen, supported, and encouraged—an experience that has been a signature of a PCDS education for almost 65 years.

F A L L

T R A D I

TIME-HONORED STUDENT ENRICHMENT THAT

FOSTERS COMMUNITY AND CREATES MEMORIES

FIRST FRIDAY

First Friday is rich with traditions: the Senior-Kindergarten buddy walk across Daley Bridge, the recognition of the Pre-k Class of 2039, and inspiring words of encouragement from LS, MS, US students, and the Board of Trustees.

BLUE & GOLD

Blue & Gold is our PCDS take on Homecoming, marking the finale of a spirited week packed with activities that bring together students and faculty from all three divisions, and ending with a spectacular fireworks display.

T R A D I T I O N S

SENIOR SPEECHES

A long-standing and beloved tradition at PCDS, each senior delivers a 7-10 minute speech on a topic of their choice to the entire US community during Community Time.

BOAT REGATTA

During Spirit Week, students showcase their creativity as they sail across the pool in their handmade boats.

SENIOR SUNRISE

Senior Sunrise is a special tradition where seniors arrive on campus early to celebrate the start of their final year with breakfast and by chalking their parking spaces.

T R A D I T I O N S

US CLUBS FAIR

This event is a chance for students to meet club leaders, explore a wide variety of student-run organizations, and find new ways to get involved on campus.

US COFFEE HOUSE

The annual Coffee House is a student showcase night where visual artists transform the space into a gallery and musicians take the stage to perform—bringing the School community together for an evening of creativity and celebration.

LS ARTS STROLL

The LS Arts Stroll and the LS Fall Concert offer an opportunity for students to proudly showcase their talents in visual and performing arts, transforming the campus into a vibrant festive, community-centered atmosphere.

8TH GRADE CLASS TRIP

Amidst the scenic surroundings of Catalina Island, our 8th graders engage in kayaking, hiking, and nighttime snorkeling, forming bonds with juniors, who serve as trip counselors and continue as mentors throughout the school year.

9TH GRADE CLASS TRIP

At Camp Shadow Pines in Heber, Arizona, First Year Initiative Seniors ensure that the freshman year experience is as positive as possible for every student—a vital part of the 9th grade transition to the US.

12TH GRADE CLASS TRIP

At Camp Tatiyee—a summer camp for people of all ages with varying disabilities in Lakeside, Arizona—seniors complete various service tasks to help maintain the camp’s facilities, in addition to enjoying hiking, free time, and bonding as a class.

Growing Minds

Cultivating learning and community through the LS gardens

In spring 2023, Head of School Andy Rodin invited the LS to reimagine the Circle Garden. LS Operations Manager and Garden Educator Amy Hill led the transformation, creating a vibrant space with flowering shrubs and evergreens that provide year-round beauty and learning opportunities.

The garden quickly became a hands-on classroom. Second graders partnered with Hill to design a pollinator garden connected to their science curriculum, deepening their understanding of ecosystems through direct observation. The following year, additional garden beds near the playground produced tomatoes, herbs, and lettuce that were harvested by students and incorporated into School lunches by Chef Robyn, bringing the farm-to-table concept to life.

Building on this success, Hill developed a dedicated learning garden in the Early Childhood courtyard. With support from the grounds crew, the space was redesigned with improved soil, irrigation, new plantings, shade structures, and decorative elements—creating an inviting environment for exploration.

The learning garden also launched a new LS gardening specials class in fall 2024, supported by LS Head Curtis Fee. Students engage in meaningful activities such as releasing ladybugs, vermicomposting, starting seeds indoors, and growing plants using hydroponic towers. These experiences foster cross-curricular connections, practical skills, and a lasting appreciation for the natural world.

Garden Program Benefits

• Provides hands-on, experiential learning tied to science and sustainability

• Strengthens cross-curricular connections, including nutrition and art

• Supports student well-being, curiosity, and academic engagement

• Builds confidence, responsibility, and environmental stewardship

• Brings learning to life through farm-to-table experiences

• Encourages creativity and innovation through outdoor exploration

The program’s impact is strengthened by community collaboration, including after-school gardening led by faculty and innovative tools such as hydroponic towers and the robo garden. Inspired by their experiences, many students have extended their learning beyond campus by creating gardens at home, growing both knowledge and connection within their families and communities.

New Course Turns Recording Studio into the Stage

Interdisciplinary Music Lab

A new course, Interdisciplinary Music Lab, is redefining what music performance looks like in the academic setting by shifting the spotlight from the concert hall to the recording studio. Rather than preparing for a single live performance, students in the course spend the semester creating, refining, and producing professional-quality recordings that reflect a wide range of musical styles and creative approaches.

Designed as a hands-on music performance experience, Interdisciplinary Music Lab requires students to complete four high-quality recordings over the term. Each project is structured to encourage both technical growth and artistic exploration. Students must produce at least one collaborative recording; one cover, arrangement, or performance of music in the public domain; one “new” work—defined as an original composition or a piece written during the student’s lifetime—and one recording that is entirely free choice. Together,

these requirements push students to engage with music across historical periods while also developing their own contemporary voice.

The course is taught by Dr. Botts, who emphasizes flexibility and student agency as core principles of the lab. Botts explained that by prioritizing recording as the primary mode of performance, the course mirrors how much music is created, shared, and consumed today.

In the studio-based environment, students take on multiple roles—performer, composer, arranger, producer, and collaborator—gaining practical experience that extends beyond traditional ensemble models. Interdisciplinary Music Lab ultimately positions recording not just as documentation of performance, but as a creative practice in its own right, preparing students for a musical landscape where versatility and collaboration are essential.

“ This course provides a venue for students of diverse backgrounds and musical interests to collaborate and learn in a highly student-centered and -directed format.”

Dr. Nathan Botts, Band Director

Fall 2025 Independent Studies

US students chart their own course outside the classroom

In the fall semester, 34 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.

The Role of AI in the Management of Mental Health Disorders

Alija Batheja ’27

The rapid evolution and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in various fields has surged, especially in healthcare. There have been countless softwares developed to cater to those seeking mental health support, some with therapy services offered by fully autonomous AI chatbots. Additionally, millions of individuals have reported turning to the popular OpenAI software, ChatGPT,for their behavioral wellness journey. My Independent Study focused on whether incorporating AI into the field of psychology provides a safe, affordable, and effective approach in the management of behavioral health, as well as assessing the potential risks and challenges of AI in treating mental health disorders. Individuals are finding it increasingly difficult to access mental health support due to multiple barriers that include a shortage of healthcare providers, financial barriers, and lengthened waitlists. To combat these difficulties, more people are turning to AI for their mental health. With features like its 24/7 accessibility, affordability, and anonymity, AI therapy begins to look more appealing than traditional therapy. AI therapy has proven to be beneficial for some, but the numerous reports on tragic events taking place shortly after conversations with AI also prove it to be detrimental for others. Research indicates how websites explicitly advertised to cater to those seeking mental health support, such as Elmoia or Therabot, significantly reduce mental health symptoms with habitual use. In contrast, therapists caution the use of ChatGPT for mental health guidance due to the fact that it is a general AI software with a lack of deep training on assessing users struggling with their mental health. Essentially, the type of AI used plays a large role in driving successful therapeutic outcomes.

“

Alija is a force for good; she didn’t just research, interview, read, read, read, and write her findings for her Independent Study on the intersection of AI and therapy. Alija ensured others could be kept safer by sharing what she learned with freshmen at PCDS.“

Amy Blakeney, US History Teacher

However, the severity of one’s mental illness should also be considered when seeking support through AI. Humans and AI digest and analyze information in greatly different ways, and users should refrain from discussing sensitive topics such as self-harm or suicide. AI chatbots are solely trained to respond to information they’re fed, while humans inherently think critically and take the time to process the information they’re given, and this major difference highlights the unsafety of AI therapy. Overall, this study found that while AI can serve as a beneficial supplement to mental health care, it should not replace professional therapy.

The Mind-Body Connection in Martial Arts

Jiya Birdi ’27

Martial arts are often seen as physical training, but for many practitioners, they are just as much about mindset, discipline, and personal growth. Through interviews with three martial arts leaders, Master Henry Calantog (Kenpo), Guro Heather Wall (Kali), and Stephen K. Hayes (Toshindo), a shared message emerges: true strength comes from the connection between mind and body.

Master Henry Calantog’s journey with Kenpo began unexpectedly but grew into a lifelong calling. Kenpo stands out because it constantly evolves, adapting its techniques for real-world situations, rather than staying fixed in tradition. Master Calantog explains that Kenpo are principle bases, meaning once students understand the core ideas, they can apply them to many situations in life. He emphasizes that the mind leads the body, and perseverance, belief, and adaptability learned in the dojo carry into school, relationships, and personal challenges. Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Master Calantog continues teaching, showing that mental strength and resilience matter more than physical limits.

Guro Heather Wall’s path to Kali was shaped by overcoming expectations placed on women. Raised in an environment where girls are discouraged from physical activity, she later found empowerment through martial arts. Kali focuses on fluid movement, sensitivity, and adaptability, rather than brute force. Guro Wall explains that Kali trains practitioners to feel the partner’s motion and respond naturally, turning movement into a form of moving meditation. Her experience shows how martial arts can challenge gender stereotypes and help individuals trust their instincts and abilities.

Stephen K. Hayes describes Toshindo as a system that blends physical self-defense with emotional awareness.

“ Working with Jiya has been a pleasure. She consistently takes intellectual risks by setting ambitious goals and seeing them through to completion. I am impressed by her ability to find unique collaborators, truly embodying the public scholar by connecting her research with local experts.”

Steven Baumann, US History Teacher

Central to Toshindo is the Five Elements framework: earth, water, fire, wind, and void. These help students understand different ways to respond to stress and conflict, rather than relying on strength or speed. Hayes’s experience as a bodyguard for the Dalai Lama highlights the art’s philosophy: protection should be guided by compassion and restraint. Toshindo teaches students to stay calm under pressure, act wisely, and see learning as a lifelong process.

Together, these stories show that martial arts are more than combat systems. Kenpo, Kali, and Toshindo all strengthen the bond between mind and body, teaching adaptability, confidence, and resilience. Whether facing personal struggles, social barriers, or high-pressure situations, martial arts provide tools for growth, proving that their true power lies not in physical force, but in mental clarity and inner strength.

Quantifying and Comparing Nervous System vs. Muscular Fatigue

Rachel Coviello ’26

In my Independent Study, I wanted to understand how neurological and muscular fatigue affects running, and more generally, how science connects to sports. I decided on three stages for my study. In the first, I researched and designed my procedure for how fatigue could be measured, understanding muscular and neurological fatigue on the cellular level. During the second part I conducted the procedure on myself at Banner Health Sports Performance Center, collecting data and finally, in the third stage, organizing my final conclusions and findings. I loved being able to connect what I’d learned in other science courses at PCDS with my other interests.

“ Rachel’s work on the effects of muscular and neurological fatigue on athletic performance represents exactly what the PCDS Independent Study Program is meant to provide our students. Rachel collaborated with industry professionals to develop a program of study to gain a better understanding of how research, science, athletics, anatomy, and physiology all interact with each other. Her project highlights the deep learning that happens when our students are empowered to marry their personal passions with relevant, rigorous, and meaningful curriculum.”

Camilo Tafur, US Science Chair

Fall 2025 Independent Studies

Cassidy Angst and Abi Otalora (with Mr. Klemp): META’s Monopoly: How are “We” Affected?

Kathryn Barakat (with Mr. Tafur): Botanical Research II

Alija Batheja (with Ms. Blakeney): The Role of AI in the Management of Mental Health Disorders

Sarah Bendok (with Ms. Riehle): A Comparative Study of Spanish Cultures through Telenovelas (Full Year)

Jiya Birdi (with Mr. Baumann): The Mind-Body Impact of Kenpo Martial Arts

Finley Bockrath (with Mr. Heideman): Quantitative Foundations of Accounting

Gus Bowers and Alexis Hernandez (with Mr. McVey): Calling through Time: Evolution of Phone Hardware

Taylor Bulloch (with Dr. Reynolds): The Trump Phenomenon: Understanding the Rationale Behind Trump’s Voter Base

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)

Sharvi Chaurasia (with Ms. Blakeney): International Aid in the Absence of USAID

Rachel Coviello (with Mr. Tafur): Quantifying and Comparing Nervous System vs. Muscular Fatigue

Aya El Masry (with Mr. McVey): People and Processes: Bioethics and the Role of Modern Science

Tara Ghafouri (with Dr. Khakpour): Mapping the Stateless: Refugees, Borders, and Belonging in Central Asia and the Middle East

Samantha Horlick (with Mr. McVey): EMT Training and Biochemical Applications in Emergency Medicine

Zayna Khan (with Ms. Harings): Women in Business and Finance: Setbacks and Success Stories

Alaina Kieran (with Ms. Cherilla): Project Community: Creating a Community Service Portal

Saturn Klein (with Mr. McVey): AI Accuracy in Reading EKGs and Determining Heart Disease

Mirella Mateo (with Dr. Khakpour and Ms. Harings): How Religion as a Concept has Influenced Societies Throughout History

Erin Patterson (with Mr. Peacher): Applied Behavioral and Statistical Analysis: Caffeinating Coffee Shop Sales

Dylan Rich (with Ms. Cherilla): Influencing Public Policy through Civic Engagement

Alec Saenz (with Mr. Amarnath): Competition Math (Full Year)

Michelle Schwartz (with Ms. Feldman): The Holocaust through the Media

Zara Shah (with Dr. Khakpour): Ink of Identity: Mehndi as Ritual, Medicine, and Art

Gracie Smith (with Ms. Broeder): Musical Directing: Practice and Production

Jaylyn Taylor (with Mr. Baumann): The Black American Narrative: History without Erasure (Full Year)

Olivia Wiley (with Mr. Dallimore): Through the Lens: The Art and History of Photography

Online Classes

Diego Hernandez: Anatomy and Physiology

James Jones: Digital Photography

Clemente Pappoe: Sports and Entertainment Marketing

Mo Rishi: Business Math

Josie Robinson: Criminology

Shirin Schadlu: Principles of Engineering

Maia Urumova: AP Chinese Language and Culture

Through the Lens: The Art and History of Photography

Olivia Wiley ’27

For my Independent Study last semester, I chose to focus on the art and history of photography. I was able to learn about how the camera originated through methods like the camera obscura and the heliograph. I discovered how a camera works through lighting, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Using these tools, I was able to adjust my camera settings to take better photos. My favorite part of the study was learning how to edit. I used Lightroom and Photoshop to create various styles of black and white, grain, blur, and color correcting. I was able to apply this to all of the different genres of photography, such as street, landscape, action, night, and portrait.

I fell in love with photography last summer when I spent two weeks at an intensive summer camp in Los Angeles. During my time there, I learned the basics of editing and capturing photos, and left knowing that I wanted to continue learning. I created my Independent Study not only to better my photography skills but also to impact my nonprofit work, teaching pediatric patients how to tell their stories through the camera lens. Overall, my Independent Study helped me understand the art and history of photography as well as become a better photographer in the process.

“Olivia came to her photography Independent Study with a good eye, an open mind, and a clear idea about what she wanted to learn as well as what she hoped to show. She had taken a summer workshop that gave her a strong foundation in the fundamentals camera and lens function, composition, and editing. Throughout her Independent Study, she pushed herself to look more intently at light, shadow, color and what makes an interesting image. We met regularly and discussed many things like the history of photography, film vs digital, and how small changes to a composition can dramatically alter the effect on a viewer. She ended up with some breathtaking shots. I really enjoyed working with Olivia.”

Stevie Ray Dallimore, Theater Arts/Filmmaking Teacher

Fall Play: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

by Saturn Klein ’26

PCDS brought mystery, emotion, and a touch of London to campus this November with its fall production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The show was especially memorable because it took place outdoors in the Noyes Courtyard—making it the first outdoor fall play since You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (fall 2021).

To transform the courtyard into a performance space, the Stagecraft class, led by Mr. Dallimore and Mr. Burns, built an impressive set designed to resemble a London

street. With streetlamps, overhead lighting, and detailed staging, the courtyard became its own immersive world. Even the sound booth was moved outside for the performances, run by Zain Shah ’28 and Mr. Nichols to keep every cue and line clear for the audience.

The production was directed by Mr. Dallimore, a familiar and dedicated leader in the PCDS arts program. He also cast the show, featuring Saturn Klein ’26 as Christopher Boone, Sydney Hardy ’27 as Siobhan, Sebastian Valdez ’29 as Ed Boone, and Sharvi Chaurasia ’26 as Judy Boone.

Beyond the outdoor setting, the show presented unique challenges for the cast—especially mastering British accents and maintaining them confidently throughout the performance. By showtime, the actors delivered their lines with ease, making the demanding dialogue feel natural and authentic.

At the center of the story is Christopher Boone, an autistic teenager determined to solve a mystery while navigating a world that often feels overwhelming. The audience experiences the story through Christopher’s journal, narrated by Siobhan, which helps bring his perspective to life. Christopher’s love of math and outer space, his discomfort with physical touch, and his strong need for honesty shape the emotional core of the play—especially as he uncovers painful truths about his family.

To help portray Christopher’s character accurately and respectfully, US counselors Ms. Castro and Ms. MitchellDodge supported the production, and Mr. Amarnath contributed by explaining the math problems woven throughout the script. With strong performances,

thoughtful preparation, and a striking outdoor set, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time became a standout moment of the fall season at PCDS.

1-Day Play Project

by Keith Burns, Director of Arts

Four short original plays. Four student directors. Four student writers. Twenty-two student actors and crew. Twelve hours. Unlimited creativity, laughter, and learning!

On Saturday, September 27, US students began rehearsing brand-new student-written plays that would be performed for a live audience ten hours later. Student directors received scripts from the writers (who were not allowed to work on their own play—they had to hand it over to a director and actors). Actors began rehearsing with directors, while the tech crew began pulling props, costumes, and set pieces as well as setting light and sound cues for all four plays.

A surprise highlight of the day was a company Zoom call to the theater students at a “sister school,” Colorado Academy, who were working on the very same program. They enjoyed hearing from each other and discovering that there are other “theater kids” just like them working on a similar, albeit unusual, project on the very same day.

Despite torrential rain that closed nearby streets and flooded the PCDS wash, the show went on for a delighted audience. The scripts explored high school musical auditions, a mysterious portal between the realms of life and death, a magical well in the woods, and an AI bot gone wrong!

MS Musical: Peter and The Starcatcher

by Keith Burns, Director of Arts

The PCDS MS Theater Company produced a remarkable production of Peter and The Starcatcher in early December. Due to the continuing construction of our new Arts buildings (The Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts and The Reese House for Music, Art & Theater), this production was mounted on the 6th grade patio on Founders’ Lawn. US Stagecraft students used reused platforms, steps, and large swaths of repurposed stage curtains to create the setting. Miss Elizabeth Broader directed over 60 students in this story that explores how Peter Pan became the magical, ageless hero of Neverland.

As temperatures dipped for the evening performances, audiences bundled up in coats and scarves under flaming space heaters, sipping hot cocoa. All of this made for a very special evening of live, outdoor theater!

The 2024-2025 Don F. Stone Overall Excellence Award

PCDS earns Outstanding Performance in Athletics

The AIA has awarded PCDS the Don F. Stone Overall Excellence Award for the fourth year in a row. This award is for our outstanding performance in the 2A Conference and is based on success at high levels in both region and state competitions. We attribute our success to teamwork, unmatched leadership in coaching, strong community support, participation of our student athletes, and the work ethic required to compete at the highest level possible. AIA Associate Executive Director Toni Corona attended our 2025 Blue & Gold ceremony to present our School with this award.

Girls’ Swim & Dive Wins State

AIA DIII State Champions

AIA DIII Girls Swimming 50 Free State Champion: Olivia Singer ’27

AIA DIII Girls Diving State Champion: Julia Root ’27

400 Freestyle Girls Relay Runner-Up: Nancy Burns ’26, Olivia Singer ’27, Rose Glassman ’29, Tegan Roeder ’27

100 Freestyle Runner-Up: Olivia Singer ’27, Nancy Burns ’26 4th place

200 Medley Girls Relay 4th Place: Olivia Singer ’27, Alexandra Rosetti ’29, Nancy Burns ’26, Teagan Roeder ’27

Girls’ Diving: Audrey Weinshel ’26–Runner-Up, Paige Cusolle ’27–4th Place, Clover Havey ’29–6th Place

NFHS All American: Julia Root ’27

AZ Republic All Arizona: Julia Root ’27

AZ Diver of the Year: Julia Root ’27

Boys’ Swim & Dive

AIA DIII Boys Swimming 500 Free State Champion: Marcus Rawner ’28

100 Breaststroke Runner-up: Felix Lehmann ’28

100 Backstroke 3rd Place: Marcus Rawner ’28

100 Freestyle 3rd Place: Felix Lehmann ’28

Boys Diving 3rd Place: Ronnie Ross ’28

AZ Republic Honorable Mention: Felix Lehmann ’28

Cross Country

GIRLS

Sectionals: Girls Team Runner-Up

Sectionals: Emma Butler ’28–1st Place, Rachel Coviello ’26–5th Place, Elsa Termansen ’26–13th Place

State: Girls’ Team finished 3rd

State: Emma Butler ’28–Runner-Up

BOYS

Sectionals: Boys Team placed 7th

Sectionals: Turner Ashby ’27–9th Place

State: Turner Ashby ’27–15th Place

Volleyball

AIA 2A Conference Semifinalists

All Region Offensive Player of the Year: Jodie Jones ’27

All Conference 2nd Team: Jodie Jones ’27, Josie Robinson ’26

All Conference Honorable Mention: Layla Jarvis ’28

All Region 1st Team: Jodie Jones ’27, Josie Robinson ’26, Layla Jarvis ’28

All Region 2nd Team: Asia Harper ’26, Emery Ossenfort ’29

All Region Honorable Mention: Rian Chang ’27, Alaina Kieran ’27, Annika Etheridge ’28, Juliana Crisalli ’27

Speech & Debate

by Brittany Stanchik, Director of US and MS Speech & Debate

The Fall 2025 Speech & Debate season began with PCDS students reaching new heights—long before many teams across the country even realized the competitive year was underway. The team opened the lengthy season during the first week of September at the National Speech & Debate Season Opener, where Kavin Mutyala ’27 earned runner-up in Humorous Interpretation. In Congressional Debate, Ross Wheeler ’27 advanced to the semi-finals, Emilio Saenz ’28 placed 6th, and Caden Hucklebridge ’27 captured an impressive 3rd place finish.

The momentum continued just weeks later at the Yale Invitational in Connecticut. In speech events, Camila Acharya ’27 placed 5th in Original Oratory, while Sid Vadnerkar ’26 edged ahead to take 4th. In

Congressional Debate, Ross Wheeler, Emilio Saenz, and Caden Hucklebridge kept climbing, earning spots in the semi-finals and finals and continuing a remarkable early-season run.

The following weekend brought another standout performance as Emilio finished runner-up at the Scottsdale

Preparatory Academy Tournament . Soon after, he joined Caden at the New York City Invitational, where Caden placed 3rd and Emilio claimed the championship title. By the end of the weekend, PCDS Congressional Debate was recognized as the top program in the nation, extending a streak of national excellence held since 2023. Other Congressional Debaters—including Jackson Geyser ’27, Nathan Conley ’26, Sahil Agarwal ’27, and Lara Perumbeti ’29—have also reached key milestones this season, earning qualification for the Tournament of Champions in May.

On the local circuit, the Speech team has shown remarkable consistency. Juniors Kavin Mutyala and Devin Desai continue to place at the top in Humorous Interpretation, including multiple championship wins, while Tara Ghafouri ’27 earned a title at the Toro Country Classic hosted by Mountain View High School. In Informative

Speaking, Avish Patel ’28 has advanced to quarter-finals or semi-finals at every tournament so far, highlighting the team’s steady success across events.

The MS team launched its season in December at the Winter Cup with strong performances as well. Ana Young ’30 earned 5th place in Declamation, while Julia Aronovitch ’32 and Emmy Gardner ’31 reached finals in Congressional Debate. Audrey Allen ’31 and Krishan Desai ’31 advanced to the semi-finals in Storytelling and Impromptu Speaking, setting an exciting tone for the months ahead.

Fall 2025 proved to be a season of early victories, strong performances, and record-setting accomplishments. With both MS and US teams building momentum, the spring semester promises even more—new challenges, higher peaks, and continued success for PCDS Speech & Debate.

News on Campus

Faculty and staff happenings outside the classroom

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!

US Spanish teacher Aaron Arizmendi earned his Ph.D. in Spanish Literature and Culture from Arizona State University.

Assistant Head of MS Kelly Butler completed her Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation at Arizona State University in October and walked in December 2025. Her dissertation, Fostering Belonging Through Adult Transformative Social Emotional Learning , examined how professional development grounded in self-awareness, identity, and collaboration can strengthen teacher wellbeing and foster a deeper sense of belonging across a school community.

US English teacher Tessa Harings attended the Jane Austen Society of North America conference in Baltimore, where she was interviewed by NPR’s Weekend Edition Excerpts from the interview were featured in Jane Austen’s 250th birthday celebrations worldwide. Ms. Harings will teach Pride and Prejudice as part of a senior seminar during second semester.

US History teacher Steve Baumann and his wife welcomed a baby boy, Hugo Louis Baumann, 6lb 11oz.

LS Librarian Sara Vicuña and MS Science teacher Carlos Vicuña welcomed Liliana Carolina Vicuña.

Fourth grade teacher Kirah Mueller welcomed a baby girl Amani Bee McCloud, 7lbs 3 oz.

US French teacher Florence Solves celebrated her son Jean-Phillippe’s wedding on October 17, 2025 in Santa Cruz, California.

Winter Break,

new mural in the Health Center. The colorful design brightens the space and creates a more welcoming, cheerful environment for students and staff who visit throughout the day.

From a surprise engagement to a dream wedding, U.S. citizenship, and a baby on the way, 2025 was a year of unforgettable milestones for our 3rd-grade teacher Joanna Wisniewska (now Nelson).

It all began in April with a surprise engagement at the breathtaking Antelope Island in Utah, when her fiancé, Mark Nelson, popped the question — setting the stage for a truly magical year. Their love story continued in September with a dreamy wedding in Tlaquepaque, Sedona. Surrounded by family and friends, they celebrated amidst European-style courtyards, charming architecture, and stunning red rock views — creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The milestones didn’t stop there. In December, Ms. Wisniewska proudly became a U.S. citizen, capping off an already extraordinary year. And the excitement keeps growing: she and Mark are thrilled to announce they’ll be welcoming a baby girl in July 2026.

From love and marriage to new beginnings and big dreams on the horizon, 2025 was a year full of joy, growth, and celebration. Ms. Wisniewska is grateful for the support of her School community and is looking forward with delight to all that 2026 will bring.

PCDS Annual Fund

An Investment in Every Student, Every Day

Each year, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends are invited to support Phoenix Country Day School with a tax-deductible gift to the Annual Fund. Every gift—at any level—makes a meaningful difference and reflects our shared commitment to PCDS.

Why the Annual Fund Matters

The Annual Fund provides immediate, flexible support for the areas that matter most to our students and teachers. These gifts go directly where the need is greatest, enhancing the PCDS experience for every student—above and beyond tuition.

Your Gift Supports:

4 Academic Excellence & Teacher Support

Faculty salaries, professional development, and classroom resources.

4 A rts & Athletics

V isual and performing arts, athletics, and wellness programs.

4 C ampus Safety & Operations

A safe, secure, and well-maintained campus.

4 Technology & Innovation

Tools and resources that prepare students for the future.

4 Student Programs & Enrichment

O pportunities that support the whole child.

Annual Fund giving is about participation. When our community comes together, it sends a powerful message about the value we place on education and the strength of PCDS.

Make Your Impact Today

Every gift helps sustain the excellence that defines Phoenix Country Day School and supports our students and teachers today and in the years ahead.

Look for the symbol to the left throughout this issue to identify PCDS Annual Fund dollars at work.

AZ Tax Credit

A Powerful Way to Change Lives—At No Cost to You

Arizona residents can redirect their Individual and/or Corporate state taxes to provide life-changing scholarships for students in need at private schools—including Phoenix Country Day School. Instead of sending those dollars to the state, you can choose to send them directly to support tuition assistance for PCDS students. It’s simple, impactful, and best of all—it doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Why It Matters

• Funds scholarships for students with financial need

• Makes a PCDS education accessible to more families

• Strengthens our community and supports student success

• Maximizes your impact—dollar for dollar

Your Impact

Over the past 10 years, the PCDS community has raised more than $25 million in scholarships. Every gift helps talented students thrive, ensuring finances don’t limit access to an exceptional education.

Easy. Free. Meaningful.

Redirected tax dollars help open doors, create opportunities, and transform lives—one student at a time. Join us in continuing this powerful tradition of giving and impact.

How to Give

• Individual Tax Credit: Deadline is April 15, 2026 for the 2025 tax year. Give now at aissf.org

• Corporate Tax Credit: Contact Katie Charles at katie.charles@pcds.org

The Louis Family Society for Planned Giving recognizes members of the PCDS community who have included the School in their estate plans.

C arter and Jo Norris, P ’77, ’78, ’81 left a bequest to Phoenix Country Day School that will name a collaborative practice room in the new Reese House for Music, Art & Theater. Andrew Norris ’81 shared his thoughts about the importance of Planned Giving:

“ Giving back is a value that our parents, Carter and Jo Norris, embodied throughout their lives. Membership in the Louis Society exemplifies their commitment to education, and by extension, the entire PCDS community. Music and the arts held immense significance for Carter and Jo as a means of experiencing the fullness of life beyond academic achievement and career, which so often are the focus in educational institutions. The three Norris children—Jon ’77, Noelle ’78, and Andrew ’81—enjoyed participating in music and theater programs at PCDS; this fostered a profound appreciation for the freedom of expression and cultural foundations provided through the arts. It is both fitting and a great privilege for our family to honor Carter and Jo’s memory in a way that continues to inspire and enrich the lives of future generations.”

For more information or to let us know you have arranged for a planned gift, contact: Roz Abero ’89, roz.abero@pcds.org, 602.955.8200.

Please consult with your tax advisor or estate attorney about tax implications and which options are best for you.

Mark your calendars for our annual

Saturday, April 25, 2026

PCDS Founders’ Lawn 6:30-9:00 p.m.

A culinary festival featuring food and beverages donated by our Valley’s premier restaurants and vendors, music, and a silent auction.

RSVP by April 17 at pcds.org/BTG

This complimentary event is for our parents, faculty, staff, and alumni—in thanks for the many ways in which you support PCDS and our Annual Fund.

MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT

Dear Fellow Eagle Alumni,

It has been an amazing year already for the Alumni Association. We’ve had several successful events in the fall, including Blue & Gold Day’s Alumni Tent party, breakfast for parents of college-age alumni, and of course, the Alumni Holiday Party. Every year our Eagle mascot gets more and more into the holiday spirit!

We have several alumni events coming up this spring. Personally, I am very excited for the Alumni Masters’

Welcome to our New Alumni Board Members

Lecture with Sheila Marks. She was my 8th grade history teacher many years ago, so I can’t wait to be back in her classroom. We also have an event planned for San Francisco alumni. For those who aren’t local, these regional events give us the opportunity to reconnect with alumni and current college students throughout the country. Our biggest weekend of the year is coming up at the end of April—Alumni Spring Weekend. We cannot wait to welcome back our reunion classes (including mine—class of 2006) it’s going to be an epic celebration!

Our networking committee continues to spearhead the Alumni Internship Program. This summer, we have over a dozen internships around the Valley in many different fields including advertising, healthcare, marketing, and cybersecurity. We are so thankful to the alumni and current parents who are hosting our summer 2026 internships. If you are interested in hosting an intern in the future, please get in touch with us to learn more.

If you haven’t reconnected with PCDS in recent years, we urge you to join us virtually or in person for one of our events, and please don’t hesitate to let us know if you are interested in seeing how our campus has grown over the years.

Thanks, too, to everyone who has donated to the Alumni Scholarship Fund this fiscal year. If you haven’t had the opportunity yet, please join us in supporting our alma mater in this important way!

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

Nicole Lopez `09

“ I a m excited to join the PCDS Alumni Board because it gives me a chance to give back to the community that shaped who I am and helped set the foundation for my future. I am proud to support the PCDS mission and stay connected with the community and fellow alumni.”

Keenan Simon `11

“ I ’m honored to join the PCDS Alumni Board and give back to a community that shaped so much of who I am today. I’m excited to help strengthen alumni connections and support the School’s continued growth for future generations.”

Andru Roysden `07

“ The PCDS community is full of so many remarkable people, many of whom I was fortunate to learn from and grow up with during my 13 years of attendance. I’m proud to join the PCDS Alumni Board to support the School that played such a defining role in my life.”

Fall/Winter Alumni Events

Check out pcds.org/alumni/engage for more photos and information about spring alumni events.

This fall and winter, it was a joy to connect with so many of you!

• Food, fireworks, and fun were featured once again at the annual Blue & Gold Carnival in October. We had a blast seeing you and your families in the Alumni Tent.

• Thanks to the parents of college-age alumni who gathered in early December for breakfast while helping the Alumni Association pack over 300 care packages for our college-age alumni.

• O ver 200 of you came out to usher in the holidays together at the annual Alumni Holiday Party.

• A panel of young alumni returned to campus in early January to visit with the senior class. The panelists shared their insights, answering student questions about the transition from PCDS to college and reflecting on what they wished they had done as second semester seniors. Thank you to Lilly Robinson ’22 – Lake Forest College, Emme Kate Hackett ’22 –Mount Holyoke College, Bijan Atri ’24 – Columbia University, Abigail Rowley ’24 – University of Arizona, and Ellie Robinson ’25 – Indiana University. It was so great to have you back on campus.

• I t was so meaningful to come together on Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service at Gathering Humanity to assemble supplies for refugee families who have recently resettled in Phoenix.

When an Eagle Takes Flight from PCDS to the World

A lifetime of PCDS connections with Apichai W. Shipper ’87

This Eagle has certainly flown far from the PCDS nest. The path from PCDS to where I am today has been one of unexpected opportunities, meaningful connections, and lifelong learning. After graduating, I joined classmates Ana Quinonez ’87 and Kevin Fowler ’87 at Cornell University, where I pursued a double major in Government and Asian Studies, along with a minor in International Relations and Southeast Asia. While I often enrolled in six classes per semester, earning multiple degrees was never my original intention—it was simply the result of my curiosity and drive to explore diverse fields of study. Though Ana and I never shared a class, I frequently crossed paths with her and her brother, Francisco Quinonez ’88, who was also at Cornell. By chance, Kevin and I ended up in the same fraternity, Sigma Phi, and lived across the hall from one another. Interestingly, Paul Schweiker, a well-loved PCDS icon, had been a Sigma Phi brother at Cornell nearly a quarter century before us. When I visited PCDS after my sophomore year, I surprised Schweiker with the fraternity’s secret handshake—a moment that caught him completely off guard.

Following my time at Cornell, I was awarded a Japanese government scholarship to study International Relations at the University of Tokyo. At the time, all classes were conducted entirely in Japanese, although the coursework was not as rigorous as in U.S. universities. After two years

“

In

in Tokyo, I returned to the U.S. to begin graduate studies in Political Science at MIT. Upon arriving in Cambridge, I was warmly welcomed by PCDS alumni Jenny ’85 and Laurie ’83, sisters of my longtime buddy and PCDS-lifer Jason Schoeffler ’87. Their hospitality made my transition to a new city much smoother and reminded me of the enduring bonds formed at PCDS.

I spent the next nine years in Cambridge/Boston, earning my doctorate at MIT, completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard, and building a family with my wife, Akiko. At our wedding in Boston, I was joined by Jason, Jenny, Laurie, and Francisco, among others. One humorous moment from the day was Francisco pointing out that I wore the same tuxedo at my wedding as I had for the 1986 PCDS prom, where I had been Ana’s date. In 2000 and 2001, we respectively welcomed our daughter, Karuna, and son, Lui, into our lives. Ana came to visit Karuna two days after her birth and brought her a pink bunny stuffed animal. Karuna still has it to this day!

In 2002, I began teaching Political Science and International Relations at the University of Southern California (USC). During my time there, I authored a book, Fighting for Foreigners: Immigration and Its Impact of Japanese Democracy, as well as several academic articles. Living in Los Angeles also allowed me to reconnect with PCDS classmates Rhett Reese ’87 and Kevin Wernick ’87

2011, I transitioned to a new role as Chair of East Asia and Pacific Area Studies at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center. In this capacity, I train U.S. diplomats and tutor U.S. ambassadorial candidates on issues related to Asia. In addition to my government work, I have been teaching three graduate seminars at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.”

I n 2010, Rhett and I were invited separately back to PCDS to give talks on campus, where I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Jacques deLisle ’78 of the University of Pennsylvania. Each visit to PCDS feels like a homecoming, and I always make it a point to reconnect with classmates like Lou Werner ’87 and Kris Stathakis ’87

In 2011, I transitioned to a new role as Chair of East Asia and Pacific Area Studies at the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute (now the National Foreign Affairs Training Center). In this capacity, I train U.S. diplomats and tutor U.S. ambassadorial candidates on issues related to Asia. Jacques has become a regular guest speaker in my classes, and we recently had the opportunity to catch up over beers after one of his lectures. In addition to my government work, I have been teaching three graduate seminars at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service since 2013.

My academic journey has been supported by grants and fellowships from organizations such as the MacArthur Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, and the Japan Foundation. For my contributions to the field, I have been invited to serve on the boards of two peer-reviewed academic journals focused on Asian affairs. Additionally, I have received teaching and advising awards at Harvard, USC, and the Foreign Service Institute, as well as numerous service awards from the U.S. Department of State. The seeds for these academic successes were planted on the grounds of PCDS.

Over the years, I have traveled to over 60 countries, including Mongolia’s heartland, Karakorum, where Chinggis Khan issued the world’s first diplomatic passport ( paiza ). As an official of the U.S. Department of State, I now carry a modernized one. In Thailand, where I was born, I witnessed how its military responded to democratic protests by sending thousands of bullets over the heads of peaceful demonstrators before sending them, including me, into prison. The experience reinforced what I had learned at Cornell that not all laws are just. I have met brilliant thinkers, creative artists, Nobel laureates, and even a few world leaders. Yet, I am more impressed with my students who ask me the simplest questions that challenge the foundation of my thinking. I have delivered lectures at universities,

think tanks, and government agencies in more than 23 countries. But none was more meaningful than the one I did this spring, when my classmate Elizabeth Ling McDermott ’87 and her family attended my class at Georgetown University. We were discussing Confucius’ philosophy of personhood…and love. Before Elizabeth returned to her home in northern California, our two families went to dinner together. This was a wonderful reminder of the enduring connections forged at PCDS that have defined my personhood.

2026 Alumni Spring Weekend

Alumni Spring Weekend is open to all alumni. Come home to PCDS to celebrate and reconnect with classmates, friends, and faculty.

We will be celebrating the reunions of these graduation years: 2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981

2026 Alumnus of the Year: Brian Snyder ’01

2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees: 1986 Varsity Baseball Team Kirea Mazzolini Lange ’11 Doug Loback ’01 Brian Snyder ’01

Friday, April 24

4:30 p.m. – Student-led Campus Tours Meet in the PCDS Shepard Welcome Center

5:30-7:30 p.m. – Welcome Cocktail Reception North Italia, 4925 N 40th St, Phoenix 85018

Saturday, April 25

6:30-9:00 p.m. – Bridge-the-Gap Celebration PCDS Founders’ Lawn

Bridge-the-Gap includes: Open bar, dinner provided by our Valley’s premier restaurants, music, and more.

RSVP for all events at: pcds.org/alumniweekend

Golden Circle 2026

Inducting the Class of 1976

The Phoenix Country Day School Classes of 1965-1975 look forward to welcoming the Class of 1976 into the Golden Circle.

In honor of your 50th high school reunion, Head of School Andrew Rodin cordially invites you to your Golden Circle Induction

Thursday, May 28, 2026

4:30 p.m. Golf Cart Campus Tour (optional)

5:00 p.m.

State of the School and Cocktail Reception with Head of School Andrew Rodin PCDS Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts

7:30 p.m.

Graduation Exercises and Golden Circle Induction PCDS Founders’ Lawn

RSVP to Leslie Feldman by May 7, Leslie.Feldman@pcds.org, 602.955.8200 x2229

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.

Here’s what some of our alumni have been up to…

1969

John Levy won a poetry award from The Poetry Society of America, the Shelley Memorial Award: https:// poetrysociety.org/about/news/johnlevy-is-the-2025-shelley-memorialaward-winner.

1986

Chuck Bain writes, “I can honestly say, I was not the typical PCDS graduate. As an EMT-firefighter-engineer, the last couple of decades has been fight fire, save lives, repeat…and I can’t imagine doing anything else. Thank you PCDS, for making friction loss calculations on the fire grounds so much easier!”

Jim Purdy is gearing up for the Class of ’86’s 40th reunion. “We must retain our soccer title,” he says, referring to the 4-3 victory his class notched during their last reunion against Coach Paul Yardley, his abundantly skilled daughter and members of the formidable Hackett family. Purdy has lived in Tucson since graduating from the

University of Arizona. He has worked at the Arizona Daily Star newspaper, in the editorial and features departments, as well as for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Masterpieces Puzzles and Tierra Antigua Realty. Purdy regularly golfs with such stalwart PCDS alumni as Chris Coy ’87 and Bennett Hopper ’88 Purdy and his wife, Amy, have two sons, Logan and Lucas, both of whom play high school sports. He is president of the basketball team’s booster club and attends every game. He also referees football, basketball and umpires baseball games for high schools all around Arizona.

After graduating high school, Elizabeth Thomsen Greenberg earned her BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and soon began what has become a 35+ year relationship with Maine Media College, a small school in mid-coast Maine dedicated to photography, filmmaking, writing, and book arts. In the early years of her career, she moved to New York City to work with legendary portrait photographer Arnold Newman. During that time, she assisted in establishing his archives, helped produce international exhibitions, and contributed to retrospective publications of his work—all while building her own career in editorial and commercial photography. After a decade in the city, she returned to graduate school, earning her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and shifted her focus more fully to fine art and teaching. Over 25 years ago, she returned to Maine Media in a full-time role—first leading the photography program and now serving as Provost of the College.

She remains an active artist, with photographs exhibited nationally and held in public and private collections, including the Portland Museum of Art. She also continues to teach photography workshops and mentor students in the MFA and certificate programs at the college. To honor the legacy of her mentor, she serves as the administrator of the Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture, a $20,000 annual award for photographers pushing the boundaries of portraiture. Find her at elizabethtgreenberg.com or IG: @etgreenberg.

1987

Seth Leibsohn reports, “Since leaving high school, I kind of feel like that line in the old Jimmy Buffett song, ‘I ate the last mango in Paris…but there’s still so much to be done ’. Having picked up a graduate degree and law degree, I’ve practiced law on the East Coast, run a couple of public policy think tanks, have been privileged to serve as chief of staff to several former

presidential cabinet members, wrote a couple of books, started a drug prevention non-profit, and now teach on the faculty at ASU. I’m also privileged to be the host of the longest running radio talk show in Arizona. I thank and owe so so much to PCDS for getting me started.”

Nicole Spracale shared, “Since graduating from PCDS, life has taken many twists and turns. In recent years, much of my focus has been on supporting my husband through recovery from a serious illness while also cheering on our daughter—a proud thirdgeneration Sun Devil—as she builds her career with a Scottsdale start-up. Work-wise, I’m the chief operating officer and integrator for a Minneapolisbased consulting firm. In this role, I’ve had the privilege of helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their fundraising and grant writing efforts—work that’s challenging and rewarding and always feels meaningful. Outside of my day job, I stay connected to the community as a board member with Tempe Community Council and as an advisor to a few tech start-ups. Both roles keep me learning, growing, and contributing in ways I enjoy. Looking back, I’m grateful for the foundation PCDS gave me—curiosity, resilience, and the drive to stay involved in the community. Those lessons are still very much a part of my life today.”

Lara Sosnow attended college at UCSD majoring in economics, followed the music to Seattle in 1992, and worked for the Princeton Review, teaching SAT, GRE, GMAT and LSAT test prep and running the SAT program until moving to NYC. There she attended NYU Stern School of Business. She tells us, “After graduating with my MBA, I worked in product management at American Express in lower Manhattan. Not long after the horrific events of 9/11, I met my husband, Hugh, who was a member of the FDNY and a first responder. Together we decided to throw caution to the wind and in 2016 we graduated together from Iowa State University with our DVMs! For the last decade we’ve been practicing veterinarians right here in Phoenix. It’s been great seeing a number of alumni with their cats and dogs. I’m currently owner and veterinarian at Animal Democracy On the Go, a mobile option for those that prefer at-home vet care.”

Lou Werner writes, “Hello ’80s alumni! Doing my best to keep the body in shape, the mind sharp and the spirit calm (no easy task!). Still rooted in Arizona, I retired from architecture a few years ago after finishing our own home in the northern foothills of Mummy Mountain. The last couple of years have included a return to

100-mph kart-racing with my son, and a stint as a shepherd. I came out of retirement this past summer with Formwerks Racing, importing formula race cars from Australia. Daughter, Addisen, graduated Blair Academy and attends UCSB, and son, Louis, is a sophomore at Brewster Academy in NH, which all makes Lea and me semi empty nesters a few years ahead of schedule. With the kiddos on the coasts, I’m teaching myself to sail during our visits (Aging Man and the Sea). Mom is still kickin’ in Scottsdale; Eric ’88 (still handsome and planning his Mt. Everest trek) is also an early empty nester with daughters at Wash U and Culver Academy. I run into Stat, the Hacketts and Daleys, Linhart and Hopper from time to time; wish there were more of you late-’80s grads around. Anyway, the new album will be out soon, along with the mini-series adaptation. Cheers!”

1989

After living most of her adult life in Orange County, Daryl Sparks Kaul and her husband, Ron, settled in Prescott in 2023. She says, "I work from my home office as an online psychotherapist, road-tripping often to visit my grown kids and my parents in CA. Last year my daughter, Sedona, married the love of her life, Tommy, and I gained a third son. This year, I was so lucky to have Kerstan Lincoln Ruffer ’89 and her son, Gabriel, reunite with me in Prescott on their way to Sedona. More visits from classmates, please! Come hang your hat and we will head to Whiskey Row or hike!

Carrie Setta has called the Tampa, Florida area home for just over 15 years. She says, “After more than two decades in my previous role, I recently stepped away to recharge, and I’m thrilled to have started a new chapter with a dynamic, fast-growing company this past October. My daughter is currently a sophomore at the University of South Florida, where she’s pursuing a degree in music education. She’s an accomplished saxophonist, serving as principal chair in the university’s top ensemble and leading the tenor saxophone section in the marching band. I’ve stayed closely connected with many fellow alumni and recently had the opportunity to take my daughter to Phoenix for the first time to revisit my old stomping grounds and introduce her to some of those amazing friends. It was a fantastic experience for both of us, and we will be back! I’m also lucky to have another PCDS alum living nearby—we get together often, and it’s a reminder of how special and lasting those connections are. I’m very grateful for the relationships formed during my time at PCDS, and that I still have so many intact all these years later.”

Mary Beth Warner lives in her empty nest in Washington, D.C. with her husband, Bernhard, and their small gray cat. After graduating from Columbia Journalism School, Mary Beth started a career as a journalist, working in D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, and Berlin. But creative writing is what she has always enjoyed the most, and Mary Beth began writing screenplays in her spare time when her kids were young. In 2023, she founded a small film production company, Pennies Pictures, and produced a short film, Pennies, which she wrote and her daughter, Lena, directed. It has turned into a family business, with Bernhard producing and her son, Max, also known as the musical artist “Nicknames,” acting in the films and making music. Their second short, Excuse Me, just played at the Chelsea Film Festival, and Mary Beth is in the early stage of development on her first feature film, Midnight in Mallorca. When she’s not in D.C., she is in New York, seeing as many plays and films as possible, and where she recently was excited to see fellow PCDS classmate Michelle Rotman Jassem. “I have so many fond memories of my time at PCDS, and often think back on how formative those years were for me. I would love to see fellow classmates any time you are in D.C.!”

Since COVID, Teresa Kalloch has been working various grant funded positions with the Maricopa Community College District, but she says the most rewarding one was as a program coordinator for the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program at Mesa Community College. She explained, “The CCI program, funded by the State Department, provided scholarships to underserved students from developing countries to study in American community colleges for one year. Unfortunately, the entire nationwide program is no longer being funded and I am now working as an academic advisor at Rio Salado College, which I also enjoy immensely. I am still in contact with many of my international students. My wife and I recently bought a house in Mesa, where we currently host one of my former students who returned to the U.S. to continue his studies.”

Alexandra Nocke writes, “Being a foreign exchange student at PCDS in 1988/89 shaped me in ways that still resonate today. It was a truly formative experience, and one that continues to influence how I move through the world. I often think of my wonderful photography teacher, Mr. Cook, whose classes sparked a lifelong love of photography—a passion that has remained at the heart of my professional life ever since. After returning to Germany in 1989, I studied cultural anthropology, earned my PhD, and built a career at the intersection of culture, history, and visual storytelling. For more than thirty years, I’ve worked as a freelance cultural researcher, curator, and author, developing exhibitions, publications, and cultural programs that explore identity, memory, and intercultural dialogue. I live in Berlin’s vibrant Kreuzberg neighborhood with my husband, Olaf, and our two children, Tilda (18) and Jonathan (14). Tilda spent the 2022–23 school year as an exchange student in Chilliwack, Canada—an experience that brought back fond memories of my own time at PCDS. Curiosity, empathy, and the belief that understanding across cultures truly matters continue to guide my life and work. At the moment, I am particularly concerned about the state of democracy and the rise of antisemitism and racism in both Germany and the U.S. I use my work—through exhibitions, publications, and cultural programs—to foster dialogue and understanding.”

1998

After living in Dallas, Chicago and Milwaukee, Reg Cooper settled back home in the Valley. His career has been focused on commercial real estate investing where his company is involved with storage, industrial, and aviation facilities. Reg and his wife, Mary, just celebrated their 15-year anniversary. They are busy raising their three daughters, Grace (14), Caroline (12) and Olivia (9). “It is incredible to see how far PCDS has grown and evolved since my years at PCDS. I love dropping the girls off in the morning and seeing them engaged at the various campus activities such as volleyball, cross country and special events,” Reg shared.

Sarah Pachtman Shetty currently lives in New York City with her husband, Vikram, and three-year-old son, Orion Michael. She is practicing Maternal Fetal Medicine with Ouma Health via telemedicine, providing care to women in maternity care deserts all over the U.S. Her husband works with AI medical information technology company Unveil Health. Orion is enjoying being a toddler in NYC, but also loves to visit his grandfather, Michael, in Paradise Valley and grandmother in Pune, India, as often as his parents will allow. Sarah also spends time educating and empowering women using social media, myth-busting on Instagram @ healthymamadoc.

2000

Maureen Lipovsky Chapman just published her first book, Leaders of the Class: Units for Teaching Motivation, Perseverance, Communication, and Collaboration to Secondary Students (Solution Tree Press).

www.solutiontree.com/leaders-of-the-class.html

2001

Ali Hicks LeClair is still living in the Arcadia area with her husband and daughters (now 10 and 7 years old). Ali moved her family law practice to Spencer Fane, LLP in February 2023 and still enjoys helping clients with issues related to divorce, paternity, custody, mediations, and prenuptial agreements. Ali also continues to enjoy connecting with her fellow PCDS alums and classmates whenever she can.

Michelle Hertzfeld writes, “One day you wake up and start noticing birds. You could probably make a chart of graduation years in this magazine vs birding as a hobby. I guarantee bird noticing would be an up-and-to-theright situation. Well anyways, I’ve added a lot of birds to my list in the last few years. That’s because I met a charming Australian and moved to the land down under! Let me tell you, the parrots here are next-level colorful and probably made of Red No. 3 so, pro-tip, don’t lick or eat them. I’ve been here for nearly six years now (that’s right, for those of you that can math—I moved just before COVID. Said goodbye to my family, “see you soon”, and COVID laughed).

I’m currently based in what Australia calls “regional Victoria.” When you live in a country with the population of Texas spread over a landmass the size of the U.S., you get more words for “not a lot of people.” There are remoteness categories, and I am merely slightly remote, being within a fourhour drive of Melbourne. What I’m saying is: you should let me know if you are passing through Melbourne (or on the off chance that one of you has moved to Australia, reach out)!

I’m always happy to connect.”

2002

Michaela Skloven tells us, “After 20 years working as a chef, I’ve taken a bit of a career detour and am now in my second year of grad school at the University of Washington, pursuing a master’s in nutrition and the coordinated program in dietetics. My husband, Matt, and I have been in Seattle since 2017, where we’re raising our two boys, Finn (8) and Felix (5), and our dog Remi. Life is full and lively between school, soccer, and my studies. I still try to fit in running and usually sign up for a half marathon each year when time allows. Before Seattle, I spent a decade in New York City as a chef, and before that, I was a diver on the Stanford team specializing in the 10-meter platform.”

2003

Yuki Kondo-Shah recently started as the principal officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Sapporo, Japan. They are tracking emerging technology and security issues in Northern Japan, and she is honored to represent the American people there. It is a threeyear assignment.

Sabrina Delafield and Katie Luciano reunited earlier this year in Charleston, SC, for some sailing and beach time. Sabrina lives in Washington, D.C. and worked at USAID until the agency was dissolved. Katie works as a geologist and lives in Charleston with her partner, Emma, and scruffy dog, Rae.

2005

Victoria “Tori” Jeans-Berezowsky lives in Scottsdale with her husband, Lubko, and their three daughters: Hailey (8), Harper (4), and Hope (10 months). She serves as Government Affairs Liaison to America’s Rehab Campuses, where she manages legal operations and advocates for behavioral health policy reform across Arizona. A former National Board Certified Teacher who taught exclusively in Title I schools, Tori is passionate about improving access to care for underserved communities and brings that experience to her current work. When she’s not advocating for change, she enjoys cooking with her daughters, dinners at Goldie’s with her sister, Elizabeth Jeans ’07, and her husband, breakfast with her parents, and planning family adventures— especially trips to new destinations and theme parks (as many as her family will let her get away with!).

KC Lewis married Niki Dowdell in October 2023 (with PCDS alums Eric Lewis ’08, Jenna Boykoff ’03, Lizzy Burton ’08, Charlie Lupica ’04, and Katie Lupica ’07 in attendance), and they are now the LeDells. He currently works as the senior behavioral health policy advisor to the Governor of Oregon.

2006

After graduating in 2006, Kathryn Lorentzen, a proud PCDS lifer, majored in international relations at The George Washington University. Her studies brought her to Tokyo where she spent several years post-college (during the K-pop boom; she is happy to boast that she saw BigBang in concert three times while living in Japan) before her career took her to the Bay Area and then love (of her husband, although TOP of BigBang may have been an influence as well) led her to South Korea. Kathryn moved back to Phoenix with her family in 2023 and is thrilled to be living a stone’s throw from her old stomping grounds. In addition to being a mom to an adorable, spunky little toddler, Kathryn teaches early childhood education through music in Arcadia.

Nick Barranco got married in April 2023 and recently he started working as a student success manager with Kaplan/Purdue University Global after seven years with 2u inc. Nick and his wife, Sammy, have been doing a lot of traveling lately with trips to Japan, Italy, England, Portugal and an RV trip through southern Utah visiting national and state parks.

Cole Geringer recently started a luxury gold travel business called Swing + Sol, planning gold trips worldwide, with an emphasis on elevated food and beverage experiences. They continue to travel with their children and recently traveled to both Korea and Japan.

2007

Dania Gold is a regional director of Charter School Management at BASIS Charter Schools, where she supports a network of 25 campuses and their leaders across Arizona, Louisiana, and D.C. She lives in Scottsdale with her husband, Dan Bloom, a dentist in the Valley. After serendipitously meeting at Alexa Bloom’s ’07 wedding, they now have a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Ilana (Lana). When she’s not visiting schools, Dania can be found hiking Arizona’s beautiful trails with Dan or chasing after Lana as she trains for the PCDS soccer team.

Asher Landay is still living in LA with his goldendoodle, Chip. He is currently the SVP at Jerry Bruckheimer TV and is producing Boston Blue (the #1 new series on CBS) as well as Sheriff Country, the spinoff of Fire Country all airing Friday nights on CBS. He recently attended Katie Lupica’s wedding in Knoxville, TN, and had a great time reconnecting with classmates Sandy Weiss, Jay Lundeen, Caroline Perry, and Mat Cowlin

2008

Jonathan Lorentzen has been living in NYC since 2019 after graduating from the University of Michigan Business School. He dabbled in banking, e-commerce startups, and most recently in hotel real estate. In his free time he explored some unpaid acting opportunities, landing a lead role in a student thesis production revolving around a 1970s Texas postage meter salesman (apparently it won its school’s premier award…no autographs please). He also played the protagonist in a low budget slasher film shot at a haunted mansion on Staten Island, co-starring next to a 1970s scream queen. Sadly the director apparently ran out of money and the film is stuck in post production for the foreseeable future…and I drank so much fake blood for what?!?

After PCDS, Emily Gogolak went to Brown, worked on the editorial staff at the New Yorker, and moved to Texas as a freelance writer. She was a finalist for a National Magazine Award in 2025 and is now writing an immersively-reported book set in the world of American truck driving for Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Last May, she got married in Arizona at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West to Kyriakos, an architect from Greece who is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Samantha Hawley Reeder shared, “After graduating from PCDS, I earned my MD and completed my emergency medicine residency in 2019. In 2020, I was deployed to Afghanistan as an officer in the U.S. Navy, serving in military medicine. After returning home, my husband, Brendan, and I became parents to two energetic boys, Killian (2) and Griffin (4). I’m currently practicing as an emergency medicine physician in Arizona, balancing the chaos of hospital shifts and toddler life. Over the past year, I’ve also launched my own software company, Bounce Back Smart, an AI-driven adaptive fitness and recovery platform designed to help people safely stay active through injuries, surgeries, or setbacks. The project combines my medical background and passion for helping others. It’s been an exciting, challenging, and deeply rewarding chapter both personally and professionally.”

2009

Steph Kost lives in Las Vegas with, in order of appearance in her life, dog Maggie, husband Cory, cat Punches, and bébé Margot Rose. She’s delighted to share that life is good, the family is happy, and that yogurt expires not when it goes bad, but when you decide it does. Her confidence has never been higher.

Matt Rosenzweig moved to Pittsburgh in the summer of 2023 to join the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University, where he is the Gregg Zeitlin Assistant Professor of Mathematical Sciences. He also became an uncle to future eagle Henley Rosenzweig Hart, the rambunctious three-year-old daughter of his sister Sara ’07. When he’s not researching the mathematics of large interacting particle systems, Matt enjoys running, hiking, reading, and watching movies. Any PCDS students/ alumni interested in math academia or Carnegie Mellon University are welcome to email him with questions.

Anne Faber-Inkpen welcomed a baby girl, Freya, last October and has been enjoying life as a new mum. They live in Munich, Germany, where her husband is from. She says, “Reach out if you’re in the area—it’s always nice to see PCDS friends!” In January, she returned to work as Deputy Head of Global Communications with Allianz Services.

Nicole Swinford Roewe currently works with the Moving Picture Institute developing screenplays and teaching screenwriting. She also continues to write herself—after an award-winning festival run, her movie Motherland was released in September on Amazon Prime and was recently featured as one of The New York Times’s “5 Sci-fi Movies to Stream Now.” A couple weeks after the film’s release, Nicole and her husband Heston welcomed their first baby—a little girl named Gabrielle Elizabeth Roewe.

Matthew Tibi and Dr. Natalie Swinford married in 2024. They live in Utah where Natalie works as a human population geneticist at Ancestry and Matt teaches theater at a K-8 school. They are expecting their first child in 2026.

Benjamin Murphy says, “I continue to exist at the intersection of space magnets above and ground electricity below. I dwell in Golden, CO, with my human wife and five wonderful feline fuzz babies. While not otherwise listening carefully with one ear to the ground to the electromagnetic vibrational frequencies that call me towards new mineral discoveries across the Intermountain West, I can be found wandering around the high desert of central Wyoming muttering to myself about corundum-chlorite alteration.”

Janey Zitomer Bennett and her husband, Addison, moved back to Phoenix last spring a few months before welcoming their daughter, Lucy, into the world. They love the AZ sunshine and being so close to fellow classmates and friends Sara Paull O’Brien, Isabel Hines, Jack Schwimmer and Tyler Tse as well as reconnecting with lacrosse teammate Zoe Simon ’12

2010

David Linder lives with his wife, Sydney, in Scottsdale. As of this submission, he was excitedly preparing for the arrival of twin girls and has a feeling his two cats will feel conflicted. He continues to work as a senior program manager at TGen, where he plays a role in moving groundbreaking discoveries from the research to patients. Outside of work, David continues to love the Arizona life—staying active on the tennis court, hitting the golf course, and keeping a steady routine at the gym.

Geri Hormel and Hunter Rodgers ’08 were married in May 2025 in the Philippines, with many PCDS alumni in attendance.

Chris Jackson recently graduated from residency in Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City. He got married to the love of his life, Kathleen, in upstate New York and now lives in an apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with their dog, Rivers, and two cats, Curie and Reese. After a summer off—the first in 11 years since the beginning of medical school—he started his dream job as an attending physician in radiation oncology at MSKCC. For a honeymoon, he and Kat traveled to Northern Italy and backpacked the Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites. In the fall, Chris ran his fourth marathon, the NYC Marathon. He was selected as an inaugural winner of the Citizens Miles That Matter award. The organization donated $26,200 to Ronald McDonald House New York in his honor, commemorating his 20-year anniversary of his leukemia diagnosis on October 17th, 2005, and his journey from pediatric cancer patient to pediatric cancer physician.

After college, Peter Brown Scripps became an attorney and currently serves as in-house privacy counsel at a company in Scottsdale. He and his wife, Chloe, became the parents of a wonderful daughter in 2025.

After just over a decade between Wisconsin and California, Madison Boyle has returned home to the Valley of the Sun. She shares, “I continue to take on new finance leadership challenges at GE HealthCare in the MRI product space, working with engineering to improve lives in moments that matter. Outside of work, I have become a film aficionado taking in multiple film festivals annually across the U.S. and abroad. Above is a photo from the 2025 Phoenix Film Festival— some excellent independent films coming soon to a theater near you!”

Since her last check-in with PCDS, Ashleigh Troutman Griffith married her husband, Adam, in Seaside, Florida, honeymooned in Mauritius, and is currently undertaking a full remodel of their ranch home facing Chisholm Trail. Married to a passionate University of North Texas graduate, Ashleigh and Adam often share their time, talent, and treasure in support of the next generation of leaders. They have both led leadership seminars at the CMHT school and are scheduled to keynote the 2026 USDA symposium before hundreds at the Center for Consumer Insights and Innovations. Ashleigh serves as Head of Marketing for Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins, and Buffalo Wild Wings GO—owned by Inspire Brands. She also presented on the conference circuit, notably as a speaker at Sustainable Brands in San Diego and at various communications events in Dallas. In the interest of developing future leaders and investing in education, Ashleigh’s family recently invested over $2 million into Fort Valley State University (an HBCU), funding the student center and amphitheater that are both named in her family’s honor. In 2024, she attended the PCDS Alumni Dinner in Dallas hosted by Mr. John Sewell ’73 and Dr. Kimberly Yamanouchi ’74 and looks forward to becoming more deeply involved in future events.

2011

Nithin Pusapati finished his fellowship in rheumatology at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles and joined the faculty group at University of Chicago as a rheumatologist.

Alex Kost tells us, “I recently quit my job in the San Funcisco Bay Area… literally minutes before submitting this blurb. I am looking forward to being funemployed (again) and accomplishing some long-desired goals: getting health insurance (seriously our system is broken), finishing a camper van conversion, being a funcle to Steph Kost ’09’s bébé, and getting so big at the gym that I can no longer fit through doors.”

Jeremy Abdo writes, “I sold my taco truck business in Puerto Peñasco after meeting the love of my life. When I was leaving Mexico, I ran into Sheriff Joe Arpaio at the border, where we saved a dog together. She has made a great addition to the family. I then pursued a long-held aspiration and dream of mine and graduated from law school, ready to advocate for others with the same dedication I once put into every taco I served. They say life is about the journey and not the destination, and so far it’s been one hell of a ride.”

Lindsay Merhege Leonardi says, “My life in Raleigh is full of love and laughter, thanks to my two daughters, Emme and Sutton, my husband, Brian, and our sweet pup, Charlie. As a luxury event planner, I specialize in designing weddings where every detail is aesthetically pleasing and thoughtfully curated. From the flow of the space to the texture of each textile, my focus is on crafting experiences that are as visually stunning as they are deeply personal—but my favorite moments are still the simple ones at home, where life feels most complete.”

Lauren Sheffield is living in Austin, Texas, where she works as a marketing director for a travel company. She married her husband, Joey, last October in Phoenix, with a ceremony at Brophy Chapel and reception at the historic Union Station.

Matt Prusak is happy to share that he took American Bitcoin (ABTC) public this fall on NASDAQ. It’s been an exciting journey.

Katy Rector is living her best mountain town life in Park City, Utah, with her husband, Matt, and furry children, Kirby and Phouka. She still enjoys working for High West Distillery, especially on her new team of Whiskey Ambassadors, giving tours of the distillery, pouring flights, and educating guests about the process of distillation. Looking to the future, she is excited to continue her spirits education and hopes to begin pairing whiskey with pop-up dinners throughout the Salt Lake area and beyond. Katy encourages any PCDS alum to reach out should they be in the Park City area.

2012

Ben Mattinson writes: “I live in San Francisco with my fiancée whom I met at MIT. We got engaged in Monterey and are planning to get married in 2026. For the past seven years, I’ve worked on robotaxis at Zoox. It’s been quite a journey going from writing software to control our FRC robot back in high school to helping develop

the AI that drives vehicles on public roads. These days, I focus on motion planning, teaching the software to navigate safely and intelligently in simulation and the real world. Last year, our vehicles started testing without a driver in San Francisco. Riding in one after so many years of working on robots and autonomous vehicles was a surreal experience.”

Alessandra Dagirmanjian is living in New York and working at a law firm in the city. She got married this past summer in Austin, Texas, and ran her first 10k with her husband on Governors Island in the fall. She has also recently taken up pickleball and is enjoying competing in a league.

After completing a Bachelor of Journalism Honors degree at the University of King’s College, Rachael Kelly moved to New York to pursue a Master of Science in Publishing at Pace University. She started working at Hachette Book Group shortly thereafter, where she assisted with a number of New York Times bestselling authors, including Colleen Hoover, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, and Nicholas Sparks, and started building her own list with Kehinde Fadipe’s Read With Jenna TODAY show book club pick The Sun Sets in Singapore . Today, she is an editor at Penguin Random House, acquiring commercial and book club fiction across genres, like Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray, which is being adapted to be the second season of AppleTV+’s Presumed Innocent . She lives on the East Side, tucked away on Roosevelt Island, and in her free time likes to “stumble upon” new pastry shops, visit museums, and escape into nature.

Liam Dempsey is happily living in New York with his wife, Lizzy, and dog, Blueberry.

In summer 2025, Harrison VanDolah finished his four year combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency at University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix and started an adult cardiology fellowship at Creighton University School of Medicine - Phoenix at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Valleywise (formerly Maricopa County). Oh, and he and his wife, Emma, welcomed their first child, Lilia June, in July 2024.

Kaela Ho is a Zumba instructor at VASA Fitness and a behavioral health technician at a residential treatment center in Scottsdale. She is also still a Polynesian dancer. Catch her at Aloha Fest and South Pacific Islands Festival in the spring. In her free time, she loves going to cultural events and festivals, getting kava with friends, going to the occasional DJ event and concert, shopping, and trying new boba shops and restaurants.

Kylie Prusak lives in Austin, Texas, where she teaches kindergarten at Trinity Episcopal School of Austin. She enjoys playing golf and traveling.

Will Gridley graduated from Loyola Marymount in 2016 majoring in finance. “I began my career in finance in Los Angeles, CA, before moving to Austin, TX, in early 2020 with my wife, Ashley. I now work in financial valuation, consulting and investment banking and have settled in Fort Worth, TX, with my wife and young son, Hayes.”

Rachael Franks sends this update, “After graduating from high school, I earned my BA in English from Arizona State University and taught secondary English—work that continues to shape my commitment to education today. Alongside my teaching career, I’ve dedicated myself to the nonprofit sector, supporting animal rescues, individuals re-entering the community after incarceration, and youth aging out of foster care. I am currently a substitute teacher while pursuing my master’s in nonprofit management through Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!), with the goal of strengthening educational pathways for students returning to the classroom on parole. I live in Phoenix and share my life with two cats, a geriatric toothless Chihuahua, and my wonderful boyfriend, a doctor of school psychology. Together we’re working to make meaningful, compassionate change in our community.

Maria Bridgeman Luna lives in North Georgia, outside of Atlanta, with her husband, Luis, and dog, Luci. She and Luis met in graduate school at Georgia State University where they both received master’s degrees in Spanish. They enjoy traveling the world together; some of their favorite trips in recent years include Japan, Portugal, and Guatemala. One of the highlights of this year was seeing Maria’s brother, Ross ’07, perform at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish, Montana. “If you’re ever in the Atlanta area, come visit the Lunas and enjoy some tacos at La Luna Bakery and Deli in Canton!”

Henry Roden graduated from NYU’s MBA program in May 2025 and started a new role as a commercial real estate broker at SAB Capital in New York, working on sale-leaseback and investment sales transactions. He is living in the downtown Seaport neighborhood with his fiance, Catherine, and his German Shepherd, Quinn. He also plans to begin his sommelier certification shortly to continue his reputation of always bringing the best bottle of wine to social engagements with friends and family.

After spending five years working for a locally-based commercial real estate data business, Patrick Rody is now working for CBRE as a data analyst. He says, “I primarily work with their geospatial datasets that inform the company-wide research teams, who in turn work to support the brokers. I still share a house with Philip ’13 and my sister-in-law, Olivia, along with my two-year-old niece, Nora. Our parents now live right around the corner which has been very nice. As of this writing, I have been with my girlfriend, Dana, for four months, and our future looks very bright. I still cheer for the Arizona Cardinals, and I fear I will always cheer for them along with the other Arizona sports teams. I’m working towards professional growth, and am looking forward to future travel plans with loved ones.”

Kaddie Stephen s works at Northrop Grumman supporting launch, propulsion, human spaceflight and space exploration communications. She lives with her fiancé and dog in Laveen, and supports her fiancé’s successful carpet cleaning and restoration business. She remains passionate about horses and all things equestrian, and loves to travel and see the world with her partner. Above is Kaddie with her fiancé, Coby, and horse, Wellington (the same horse she’s had since she was in MS at PCDS!)

Philip Rody recently transitioned to a managing attorney position at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project. He and his wife, Olivia, are still living in Tempe with their daughter, Nora, who turned two years old in December.

Joan Dominique Clancy is a designer, author, and entrepreneur whose work spans couture fashion, literature, and luxury spirits. She is the founder and creative director of Joan Dominique Bridal, a couture house known for its bespoke wedding gowns, sculptural silhouettes, and meticulous craftsmanship. Her debut book, Code Blue Lies, transforms a real-life medical crisis into a powerful narrative that raises important questions about patient safety and transparency. She is also the founder of Rico Royale Tequila, an additive-free luxury tequila handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico, where traditional production meets modern design. Now launched in the Arizona market, the brand is steadily growing its presence.

Scan to access past issues of The Bridge archived online.

Following undergrad, Gian-Reto Bonadurer moved back home to Switzerland where he got his master’s degree in finance as well as a first glimpse of the world of institutional asset management at Schroders plc. More recently, he had the opportunity to move to London where he now works as a multi-asset fund manager, still at Schroders.

2014

“I live in the call room on the 5th floor of tower 1 at Banner, next to the broken ice machine. My name is Jonathan Abdo, I am 29 years old. I believe in maintaining a consistent routine. At 4am, if my face is a little swollen, I fill a surgical glove with cold water and rest it against my face while reviewing pre-op notes. I no longer shave in the mornings because I learned that I can save an extra two minutes of sleep. In the shower, I use whatever body wash the overnight team left behind— sometimes it’s baby shampoo, sometimes chlorhexidine (it is antibacterial which I appreciate). I’ve stopped asking questions. For breakfast, I have coffee from the ICU Keurig, black, unless someone remembered to restock the creamer. I don’t eat much, solid food tends to interfere with the perpetual state of mild panic that keeps me sharp. There is an idea of a doctor— some kind of abstraction—but there is no real me. Only a walking, caffeinated list of protocols and algorithms, and though you can shake my hand and feel the warmth from within, I simply do not exist as an individual outside of these hospital walls.”

Avery Racine recently founded ClearSync, a longevity and peptidefocused wellness company that integrates AI to personalize health optimization. He also launched Courtly, a luxury tennis and padel platform connecting players with private courts and curated events.

Karen Catano is currently in her second year at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine. She is learning a lot and looking forward to the future.

Michelle Greenfield-Feig is a zoological and aquatic animal veterinary medicine resident at North Carolina State University. She recently finished a year-long fellowship at the Indianapolis Zoo where she treated species ranging from elephants to kangaroos to walruses. Michelle continues to host Aquadocs Podcast and enjoys rock climbing, crafting, and running in her free time.

Sidrah Khan graduated from medical school at Midwestern University in Arizona, got engaged, and moved to Albany, NY, for pediatrics residency.

2015

Claire Myers still lives in Dallas, Texas. She got married this last spring in Scottsdale to her husband, Collin, and is working as a solution architect at IBM Consulting. She has been working with large public sector and healthcare clients, which has been an exciting opportunity. We don’t have any human children, but we have a French Bulldog named Eloise. Claire and Collin are excited to be moving back to the Valley in 2026.

Following many years at PCDS, Grace Gilberg graduated from Wellesley College in 2019 with degrees in political science and religion. She is now working as an equity research analyst at Jefferies International in their London, UK, office—her favourite city.

Sarah Petrides writes, “Life has been a whirlwind lately. I graduated from medical school in May after matching into my #1 choice residency program. I moved back to New England to start my emergency medicine residency in Springfield, Massachusetts, and I’m loving every second of it, even if I wish I had some more time to sleep.”

2016

Jess Sherman is currently serving as the program manager for the Green Power Partners program at Arizona Public Service (APS), where she helps businesses meet their sustainability and carbon reduction goals. In this role, she works at the intersection of clean energy and corporate responsibility, guiding some of Arizona’s largest institutions toward a greener future. When she’s not leading clean energy initiatives, Jess enjoys traveling and spending time with her two cats. Highlights this past year include an unforgettable family trip to Antarctica and catching the Eras Tour live in Amsterdam.

Last summer, Jillian Gilburne graduated from her fellowship with the United States Digital Corp. She was part of the inaugural cohort of a program established to bring early career technologists into the federal government. She spent three years as a user experience designer for the Unaccompanied Children’s Bureau, Office of Refugee Resettlement. She says, “As with any experience, it has had its highs and lows, but has been such an honor and incredible learning opportunity serving alongside other young technologists committed to making the government more responsive, and as former GSA administrator Robin Carnahan liked to say, ‘making the damn websites work.’” Jillian has since moved from D.C. to Palo Alto as her partner started at Stanford Law.

Raagini Kothur lives in L.A. and works in entertainment marketing, creating trailers, billboards, and commercials for television and streaming. She began her career on HBO’s marketing team and now works at Disney/Hulu. Outside of work, Raagini is an avid scuba diver and freediver, and she recently co-founded a women’s wetsuit company focused on sustainability and expanding access for women interested in diving.

Alex Botto is now a practicing attorney after graduating from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2024 and passing the Florida Bar Exam. After one year practicing family law, she has transitioned into public interest and human rights law, and is now a staff attorney for the non-profit organization Americans for Immigrant Justice. She focuses her work on representing survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crime, who are seeking refuge in the U.S. She is currently contemplating taking the Arizona Bar Exam, so she can be a licensed attorney in her home state.

2017

While in school for neuroscience at ASU, Shelby McDermott has worked as an executive assistant for multiple CEOs, and is currently working with autistic children and adults as a direct care worker. She says, “In recent years, I’ve traveled extensively across the country, collecting countless adventures along the way. I adopted Noon and July, my two crazy cats, last year. In my free time I like to crochet, watch Italian horror films, and am currently learning sign language and Italian. I cherish going to the library and I blame PCDS for my voracious reading appetite. In all seriousness, PCDS definitely pushed me academically in ways that have significantly helped me later in life. My little brother still attends PCDS and we are all proud of the young man he is becoming. Thanks for teaching us how to thrive!”

Matt Corsillo has been living in New York City for the past four years with his partner, Hayleigh, and their cat, Mr. Shorty. He animates commercials and spends as much time as possible enjoying the city. He recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica.

Spencer and Maddie Thompson joyfully welcomed their son, Wes William Thompson, on September 15, 2025. They reside in Fort Worth, TX, with their corgi and police K9, and they are currently working as a police officer and pediatric critical care nurse.

Tisa Tehranchi graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with her B.S. in Public Health. After beginning her

career in environmental health and safety at Genentech in South San Francisco, she then spent two years living in the Valley while working at TGen in Phoenix. She now calls San Diego home. She is working at GKN Aerospace while pursuing her Master of Public Health with a specialization in Environmental Health.

Alexa Portigal writes, “This August marked four years of living in New York City and working at David Zwirner Gallery. My role in sales has slightly evolved, and I now work with two partners, focusing on sales and artist management. We recently completed an exciting exhibition at our Upper East Side location in January 2026. Outside of work, I launched a small bespoke bead-embroidery business, Cœur Perlé. I grew up sewing and studying fashion design, so it’s been such an amazing experience returning to my creative side. I do curated ready-to-buy drops as well as custom commissions. I love the challenges of custom work, so please reach out if you’re interested, lecoeurperle@gmail.com. A final highlight: my sister, Sydney Portigal ’14, got married this past fall. It’s been so much fun celebrating with her and my new brother-in-law, and just enjoying city life in general. Looking forward to all of the wonderful opportunities 2026 will surely bring!”

Annalise Bracher says, “I live in downtown Phoenix with my boyfriend (and PCDS alum), Grey Hutchinson ’17, and our two black cats, Umi and Cosmo. I’m in my fourth year of medical school at University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix. I will be graduating in May 2026 and starting residency for Child Neurology in July. I look back very fondly on my time at PCDS and feel lucky to have had the support of so many amazing teachers.”

Max Johnson is finishing his PhD in Mathematics this year, expecting to graduate spring 2026. He hopes to use his degree to pursue entrepreneurship in the worlds of hardware and software. To that end, he is currently applying to MBA programs as he is worried he does not yet have enough degrees.

2018

Jacqueline Bertault is currently living in New York City, dancing professionally around the world in multiple cities in the U.S., France, and Italy. She wears many hats as a ballet dancer, ballet coach and teacher, and ballet recruiter for productions in Germany, Poland, and Austria. She is very grateful to pursue her passion of dance, and credits the time management skills she learned at PCDS to balance her many roles in the industry.

Bianca Partovi writes, “If you told me years ago I’d end up building a life in Amsterdam, I’d have thought you were crazy. After graduating high school, I had this restless urge to move away, so I packed my bags and moved to Canada for my bachelor’s. My time in Vancouver was filled with selfdiscovery, bear sightings on campus, and downtown adventures with friends I now call sisters. A few years, jobs, and startup experiments later, life somehow led me to the Netherlands. I left everything I knew behind (again) to pursue my master’s in Amsterdam. Building a life in that city became the best chapter of my 25 years so far. I met brilliant friends from Athens to Hamburg and realized that love and friendship truly exist in every corner of the world. Now, I think I’m addicted to this beautiful whirlwind of unpredictability. I’m planning a bit of a ‘homecoming’ in the U.S. to dive headfirst into the startup scene in Silicon Valley. I have no idea what’s next, but that’s exactly the point.”

After graduating from PCDS, Gwen Steiner studied economics and computer information systems at Arizona State University. During her sophomore year, she briefly studied foreign policy in Washington, D.C. before returning to Arizona during the pandemic, where she finished her degrees. After graduating, she moved to Arlington, VA, and worked in digital marketing as a graphic designer. In 2023, she started her gender transition and returned to Arizona, where she worked as a line cook for a local bar. She is now a claims adjuster for State Farm and volunteers with local trans activist organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, camping, and outdoor activities.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022, Sophie Ax moved to Los Angeles where she works in biotech/pharma industry on coverage and pricing strategy for an inflammation portfolio. Outside of work, she loves getting outdoors and spending time with friends—many of whom are fellow PCDS graduates.

Josh Sidi is excited to share that he graduated from Columbia Law School in the spring of 2025, passed the New York State Bar, and recently joined Gibson Dunn’s New York office to begin his legal career focusing on mergers and acquisitions. He has loved settling into life in New York and getting to see so many classmates and alumni around the city.

Addison Wessel writes, “After releasing a game with Mob Entertainment at the end of 2022, I was recruited to work at iRacing. I have been working on NASCAR ’25 for over two years as a gameplay programmer, working mostly on audio, graphics, and backend systems. The game released smoothly in October of last year. Through this job I’ve found a love for motorsports and working on cars. I have been wrenching on a 1982 Mazda RX-7 for the past year, which has involved fully rebuilding the engine, carburetor, and front brakes (which were entirely destroyed after my first track day at

Gateway). Despite finding a new passion in cars, I have continued to pursue music. I play keys and synth for Comahawk here in STL. After playing a few shows over the summer, we are in the final stages of recording an EP.

Lindsay Harrison lives in Los Angeles, where she works as a senior talent coordinator at the Neon Rose Agency. Her role focuses on managing influencer brand partnerships and has enabled her to work with some of her favorite content creators and brands. She says one of the unexpected perks of LA life has been how often she bumps into fellow PCDS alumni.

Since graduating from PCDS, life has taken Niala Akhavan in exciting new directions. She graduated from Pitzer College in 2023 with a major in

psychology and a minor in media studies, and is now pursuing a Master of Science in Digital Media Management at the University of Southern California. Alongside her studies, she's working with director Gabe Polsky on the theatrical release of his new indie environmental documentary, The Man Who Saves the World? She says she’s “Forever missing PCDS, never forgetting my theatrical roots, and always proudly bleeding Blue and Gold!”2

2019

Michael Slate writes, “I graduated from PCDS in 2019 and went on to earn my degree from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business in 2023. After graduating, I moved to New York City to begin my career at Houlihan Lokey, where I spent two years in healthcare investment banking. I now work at Arsenal Capital Partners as a private equity associate within the firm’s Healthcare Group. Outside of work, I love exploring the city, discovering new restaurants, going to museums, and spending time with friends. My roommate is fellow PCDS alum Brent Stein ’19, and it’s been great to share this chapter of life with a familiar face from home. I’m incredibly grateful for my time at PCDS and for the lifelong friendships that began all the way back in Pre-k.

2020

Sydney Hott graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 2024 with dual degrees in history and sociology. She went on to complete her Master’s in Secondary Education, also at ASU, and is now excited to be back at PCDS as an US history teacher. She currently teaches both 11th grade U.S. History and 9th grade Ancient & Medieval World History. Sydney looks forward to sharing the love of history with her students that first sparked during her own time at PCDS.

After graduating from PCDS in 2020, Camille Sevrain pursued her undergraduate degree in electrical and computer engineering at Princeton University. She says, “My first semester took place during COVID, so I studied remotely from Paris, where I lived with my grandparents. At Princeton, I was a dancer in BodyHype Dance Company, where I met some of my best friends. After graduating in 2024, I joined SpaceX full time as a launch reliability engineer in Cape Canaveral, FL. What inspired me to work in the space industry was learning about NASA’s Europa Clipper mission in an astronomy class. I got to be part of the team that launched it last October, and the spacecraft is now on its way to Jupiter, where it’s set to arrive in April 2030.”

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After graduating from PCDS, Natalie Lewis spent the next four years at Duke University studying environmental health and toxicology. She primarily focused on the human and environmental consequences of chemical contaminant exposure, writing her thesis on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). She spent her free time working at the rock climbing wall and leading outdoor trips in the mountains of North Carolina. After college graduation, she moved to Denmark and worked in a marine toxicology lab researching PFAS exposure in marine mammals such as otters, narwhals, and orcas. After a year of lab work and seal tagging, she moved home to Arizona and started law school this past fall at ASU. She came to law school to study environmental law and hopes to work at the intersection of environmental toxicology and health policy.

2021

Jacob Singer writes, “Life’s been pretty great since I left PCDS and it’s a really exciting time having just graduated college. I spent my last four years at University of Michigan, and loved Ann Arbor so much that I’ve returned for one more year to get my Master’s in Sport Management. Additionally, I’m working with the Michigan Football Team in the recruiting department and am hoping to pursue a career in sports representation or doing front office work. I’ve remained super grateful for the skills and habits that I picked up in my 14 years at PCDS and am incredibly lucky to have been to two schools that I loved throughout my academic tenure. It’s been very exciting to see what all my classmates are pursuing and where everyone lands, and I always enjoy my trips back to Phoenix!”

Matthew Linhart reports, “After graduating from PCDS, I headed down to Athens to attend the University of Georgia. Having gone K-12 at PCDS I wanted to experience the dynamics of a bigger school, especially one with a football team. Boy, did I get lucky as I experienced back-to-back national championships right away. In May 2025, I graduated with a dual degree in finance and real estate along with a certificate in personal and organizational leadership, and I also served as an ambassador to the Terry College of Business. Coming from a real estate family I knew I wanted to start my career in the field, and after several summers interning in different real estate roles I decided to stay in the Southeast. I recently began a full-time role as a financial analyst at Cousins Properties in Atlanta, a public REIT that develops and owns premier office buildings across the Sunbelt. I have been fortunate to explore the world, from studying abroad in Tel Aviv and Australia to most recently backpacking through the Faroe Islands and driving Iceland’s Ring Road with fellow alum Ben Kreisberger ’21. Life has definitely kept me busy. As always, go Dawgs and go Eagles!”

Michael Bendok writes, “After leaving PCDS, I had a blast at Stanford and moved to Chicago. I got a BA in economics and an MS in management science and engineering, and am now building a company developing energy parks to power data centers. On a more fun note I studied abroad in Madrid, picked up the guitar and photography, and am training for a marathon.”

After PCDS, Leah Schroeder attended Vanderbilt University, where she pursued a double major in economics and human and organizational development. She recently moved to New York City to start a career in consulting and has loved reconnecting with fellow PCDS alums who also live in the city. Outside of work, she spends most of her time trying new restaurants, exploring her new home, and spending time with new and old friends. “It’s been a fun adventure so far, though I’m still on the hunt for Mexican food that lives up to Arizona standards!”

Sachi Sharma reports, “This past May, I graduated summa cum laude from Saint Louis University with a BS in public health and a minor in biology in the University Honors Program. In college, I volunteered at the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and was a research assistant in a drug and biotherapeutic development lab where I studied FSHD, a type of muscular dystrophy. I also pursued theater and made my stage debut (and finale) back in April. In July, I matriculated into Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s MD Program and got my white coat. I am currently a first-year medical student and am a member of the rock-climbing club and the Musicians in Medicine club where I play guitar. I am also an active member of Take2Tutoring where I tutor incarcerated children at the St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center. Medical school is a challenge and I love learning so many new things about the human body. I’m excited for the next three and a half years as I figure out what specialty I want to go into. I never would have found a lot of my love for science had it not been for the mentors, classes, and Independent Study opportunities at PCDS. I’m still in touch with several of my high school classmates and I’ve loved seeing how all of us have come into our own in the past couple of years.”

Claire Linos shares, “After graduating from PCDS in 2021, I pursued a directadmission Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. During college, I became deeply involved in reproductive health and justice advocacy, serving as the Planned Parenthood chapter president for two years and working with Advocates for Youth, a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. In that role, I traveled to D.C. to lobby policymakers on comprehensive sex education and equitable healthcare for young people. I also served for three years as a peer educator, teaching students about violence prevention, consent, and sexual assault awareness. In my senior year, I worked with Vote for Equality, the political arm of the Feminist Majority Foundation, registering hundreds of students to vote and educating them about their rights. Since graduating, I have begun my career as a labor and delivery registered nurse at MetroHealth in Cleveland, OH, and I have loved every moment of it.

Benji Marsden completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at UC San Diego and has started a master’s in sustainable energy at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He will be working on a dissertation this summer focusing on the energy efficiency of buildings using computational software, specifically how HVAC energy demands can be reduced by optimizing building design. When not studying you can find him spending as

much time outdoors (Scottish weather permitting) playing golf or hiking the many hills surrounding the city.

MS at PCDS, Ryan

graduated from Chaparral, and went on to study history at Yale University, concentrating in politics, law and government. During his time at Yale, he was active in the business and finance community, co-authoring research later published by Harvard Law School and cited by major outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post . After graduating from Yale, he began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs in New York City, where he works as an analyst on the Industrials team. Outside of his professional life, Ryan loves dogs and enjoys watch collecting, snowboarding, and watching college football.

Xander Black attended PCDS in MS before graduating from Brophy College Prep in 2021. At Brophy, he was a standout athlete, capturing three state titles in track & field and cross country, and leading the Broncos to their first team championship in 17 years. He continued his academic and athletic journey at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business while running on the varsity track and cross country teams. After graduating from Michigan

last May, Xander spent the summer traveling, including a trip to Africa where he spent time in the Serengeti and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro. Xander recently moved to Portland, Oregon, where he began his professional career working in finance for Nike at their world headquarters.

After graduation, Sadie Rosenthal left the country and participated in a gap year program called Kivunim. She explains, “For six months, I lived in Jerusalem, Israel, where I studied both Hebrew and Arabic and learned about the Jewish diaspora. During the following three months, we traveled across Europe and North Africa to visit and engage with those communities firsthand. After this incredible experience, I began my undergraduate education at the University of Michigan, where I have majored in sociology. Now, during my senior year, I’ve begun Michigan’s 4+1 Master of Social Work program, where I am currently taking graduatelevel courses and will stay an additional year to complete the degree.”

Quinn Murphy is currently working as a staff assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ben Kreisberger reports, “After PCDS graduation, I took a gap year to explore career paths and figure out what I truly wanted to pursue. That time of reflection led me to the Rochester Institute of Technology, where I’m working toward a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering; I quickly found out winters in Phoenix aren’t actually winters! Despite the gray skies and demanding coursework, RIT has given me incredible opportunities to grow personally and professionally. Through its co-op program, I’ve gained two years of real-world experience. I’m currently working as a full-time intern at Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Technology Lab in Baltimore, helping develop proprietary semiconductor

technologies. Each day pushes me to grow as an engineer, and I plan to return full-time after graduation. Looking back, I’m deeply grateful to PCDS for giving me the curiosity, discipline, and community that made all of this possible. Go Eagles!

After graduating from PCDS, Sanya Mittal attended ASU Barrett to earn her bachelor’s degree in computer science. During college she completed internships, tutored math and physics, became a part-time bartender, and earned her Lagree teaching certificate. These pursuits allowed her to explore her interest in software development, education, hospitality, and fitness. After graduating in May and traveling for a few months, she moved to New York City to continue developing her skills and exploring opportunities in each of these fields.

Ryan Schumacher is currently getting her MSA at SMU and then will work full time for Forvis Mazars following graduation.

Piper Priem Berardi got married June 29, 2024 and graduated from Liberty University in December 2024 with a degree in business administration and data analytics. She is working towards her degree in accounting and getting her CPA.

2023

Ridge Hall, a third-year composition major at the University of Redlands Conservatory of Music, has been accepted into the highly selective Austin Game Musical Festival, taking place in March 2026. During the immersive week-long program, Ridge will collaborate with game developers and performers to create original music for an unreleased video game, with selected excerpts performed by the Density512 chamber orchestra.

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 to pcds.org/alumniupdate. We look forward to learning what you have been up to!

Remembering Bert Atwater Getz

President, PCDS Board of Trustees 1974-1978

PCDS mourns the loss of former trustee and President of the Board of Trustees Bert Getz, who passed away on August 31, 2025. A Chicago native, Bert attended The Lawrenceville School before earning his degree from the University of Michigan. He and his wife of 67 years, Sandy, were devoted members of the PCDS community, with three children who attended the School: Sandra Lynn Getz ’79, George Fulmer Getz ’80, and Bert Atwater Getz Jr. ’85.

Bert served PCDS as a trustee and as President of the Board of Trustees from 1974 to 1978, a formative period when the School was still establishing itself in a young and growing city. His leadership helped guide PCDS during these early years and set a foundation for longterm growth.

Among his lasting contributions, Bert—alongside fellow trustee Peter Wray—provided the funding to construct the John I. Yellott Aquacenter, launching PCDS’s enduring tradition of excellence in swim and dive. Even in recent years, Bert remained deeply connected to the School, serving as an engaged Advisory Trustee and regularly

meeting with leadership to stay informed about PCDS’s continued evolution.

Beyond PCDS, Bert distinguished himself through decades of leadership in business, education, and civic life. He was Chairman Emeritus and Director of Globe Corporation, serving as its President from 1974 to 1999, and held directorships with Security Pacific Bank and The Continental Bank. Appointed under the Reagan administration, he served on the board of the Federal National Mortgage Association. His commitment to education and innovation was reflected in his service as a director of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Chairman Emeritus of the Mayo Foundation Board of Trustees, Chairman Emeritus of The Lawrenceville School, and Director Emeritus of the Indiana University Foundation. He also helped establish the Arizona Community Foundation in 1978 and later served as its Chairman Emeritus.

Bert Getz will be remembered for his steady leadership, generous philanthropy, and enduring belief in the power of education. His legacy lives on through the institutions he strengthened and the community he helped shape.

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!