The Tower Winter 2023/24

FEATURE ARTICLES 

Sparking Ideas and Innovation pg. 6 

Where in the World Is Monty? pg. 20 

Dance Conservatory pg. 36 

WINTER 2023

HEAD OF SCHOOL 

Mr. Jon Hopman 

2023-24 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

Mr. Tim J. Bach 

Mr. Sean Parks 

Mr. Jon Frere 

Mr. T. Scott Ohmstede 

Mrs. S. Renee Lundy ’79 Mrs. Lori Specht ’84 

Mr. Michael Mason ’84 Mrs. Sandra O. Stephens 

Dr. Sidney McPhee Dr. Walter L. Stephens, 

Mr. Gregory L. Nelson Trustee Emeritus, 1999-2020 

STAFF 

Mrs. Clara Winborn 

Mrs. Ginny Holm 

Mrs. Nichole Smith 

Mrs. Kimberly Braden 

Creative Director 

Creative Editor 

Editor 

Photographer 

Contributors include faculty, staff, students, 

and parents of Montverde Academy. 

ADDRESS CHANGES AND 

CORRESPONDENCE 

Montverde Academy 

The Tower Magazine 

17235 Seventh Street 

Montverde, FL 34756 

PRINTER 

Cromer International Press 

On the cover: Middle School students Efe Kozan and Lorenzo Rivera-Alvarez in the Chemistry Lab 

Interior: Upper School students enjoying the brand-new Education and Technology Innovation Center 

“The Tower” magazine is published exclusively for the alumni, parents, students, 

friends, faculty, and staff of Montverde Academy. It is intended to bring the latest news 

and information about the Academy’s growth and ongoing events. 

Every attempt has been made to present the information and listings in “The Tower” 

magazine as accurately as possible. We apologize if there are any discrepancies and 

would ask that you forward any amendments to our office. It is our policy to correct 

significant errors of fact in a timely fashion. 

CONNECT WITH US 

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latest news and Eagle happenings on a variety of platforms. Follow us on social media. 

Visit montverde.org 

2 THE TOWER | WINTER 2023

WINTER 2023 | VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1 

IN THIS ISSUE 

6 

Sparking Ideas and Innovation 

An Inside Look at the Brand-New Education and 

Technology Innovation Center 

20 

Where in the World Is Monty? 

An Enrollment Management Spotlight 

CONTENTS 

Message from the Head of School.....................................4 

Sparking Ideas and Innovation........................................... 6 

News Around Campus...................................................... 10 

Lower School Costume Parade........................................ 14 

Diversity Fest.................................................................... 16 

Parents' Perspective......................................................... 18 

Where in the World Is Monty?.......................................... 20 

Student Spotlights............................................................ 22 

Fall Sports Wrap-Up......................................................... 26 

Sports Highlight................................................................ 28 

College Signing Day......................................................... 30 

Fine Arts........................................................................... 32 

Dance Conservatory......................................................... 36 

Legacy Ball....................................................................... 38 

Notable Alumni................................................................. 40 

Alumni Class Notes.......................................................... 42 

THE TOWER | WINTER 2023 3

MESSAGE FROM THE 

HEAD OF SCHOOL 

By Mr. Jon Hopman, Head of School 

I have been an educator and parent 

for most of my adult life. As with 

many things, theory and reality do 

not always align perfectly, and it was 

not until I faced the reality of sending 

my son to college that I began to 

seriously question whether I had 

prepared him to be on his own. 

My son had great teachers his 

entire life, so I had confidence in his 

academic knowledge base and ability 

to meet the academic rigor he would 

face at the next level. Of greater 

concern were the more intangible 

life lessons that truly prepare a 

person to go out into the world and 

find success. As a parent, I want my 

children to be confident, grounded, 

respected, and capable. Being 

‟successful” is a given, but success is 

often defined by the individual. 

As society changes with each 

generation, parenting styles have 

changed, as well. We have all shared 

stories of our parents doing the 

unthinkable by today’s standards. We 

were allowed to climb trees, drink out 

of the garden hose, ride in the bed of 

a pickup truck, and even stay out all 

day without any notion of checking in 

until the streetlights came on. Societal 

norms involved answering with ‟sir” 

or ‟ma’am,” giving a firm handshake, 

and looking one another in the eye. 

Change is inevitable, but the pace of 

change is exponentially increasing, 

dramatically changing parental norms 

and strategies to raise their children. 

Shortly after I began my career in 

education, ‟helicopter parents” were 

identified. These parents insisted 

on hovering over every aspect of 

their children’s lives, but they did not 

necessarily interject themselves into 

the action. 

A few years later, parents began to 

be known as ‟snowplow parents” and 

‟lawnmower parents” who monitor 

every aspect of their children’s daily 

lives and are more aggressive in 

plowing away or cutting down any 

obstacles that might get in their 

children’s way. These parents are the 

first to argue any perceived injustice 

directed at their children. There are 

no limits to what will be disputed as 

unfair or even labeled as ‟bullying,” 

including grades, homework, any 

communication that is not positive or 

uplifting, friendships, athletic playing 

time, birthday party invitations, or 

even the lunch menu. 

I realize that I could have fallen into 

any of those parenting styles for both 

of my children. After all, society has 

labeled this as ‟good parenting.” It 

would have been easier in many 

ways to simply solve my children's 

problems for them. However, I 

discovered that if I hovered or plowed 

away the obstacles, I would take 

away the gift of adversity that teaches 

necessary life skills. 

If I were to insulate or remove 

some of the hard parts of life, 

such as adversity, criticism, 

responsibility, work ethic, decisionmaking, 

adherence to deadlines, 

self-discipline, and interpersonal 

relationship skills, would my children 

be able to function independently? 

Ultimately, we want our children to 

be prepared for the world we launch 

them into. We want them to be 

successful in college, but ultimately, 

we want them to be successful in life. 

What do employers look for in 

employees? How do entrepreneurs 

gain success? 


Jon Hopman with his wife Mindy and their children, Haylee and Hunter 

The skills our children learn beyond 

the curriculum found in our Lower, 

Middle, and Upper Schools should 

prepare them for success in the 

future. From my experience in the 

business world, beyond a given skill 

or knowledge base, the following 

personal characteristics are in high 

demand: being a problem solver and 

solution finder, being self-motivated, 

having resilience, possessing a good 

work ethic, being coachable, being 

loyal, being dependable, having grit, 

having a passion, being curious, 

being creative, being empathetic, 

being determined, being trustworthy, 

and having the ability to be 

an independent thinker with a 

team mindset. This list is not 

all-inclusive, but it touches 

on some of the significant 

characteristics essential to 

success in life. 

Are you allowing these 

essential characteristics to 

develop in your child? Can 

your son or daughter adapt 

and overcome when they 

face adversity? Does your 

child understand that life 

is not always fair? Can they selfadvocate? 

Are they compassionate 

and empathetic toward others? Are 

they willing to grind through adversity, 

knowing they will be better for it? 

Reflecting on my parenting journey, 

I appreciate, more than ever, that my 

children were raised and educated in 

an environment such as the one we 

have at Montverde Academy. It is 

so much more than simply an 

academic experience. 

As a parent, I want my 

children to be confident, 

grounded, respected, and 

capable. Being ‘successful’ 

is a given, but success is often 

defined by the individual. 

Mr. Jon Hopman, Head of School 

Our students will face life’s 

challenges in an environment where 

adversity and even failure are lessons 

in themselves. As a parent, I want 

my children to be challenged in a 

nurturing home or school environment 

before going to college and beyond. 

Going through life’s challenges while 

guidance, love, and grace are present 

is a healthy experience that can help 

build resilience and fortitude for times 

when they might not have a support 

network in place. The ultimate 

question we as parents must ask 

ourselves is ‟Will my child be able 

to fly once they leave the 

proverbial nest?ˮ 


By Dr. Caryn Long, Director of Educational Technology and Innovation, 

and Mrs. Nichole Smith, Communications Coordinator 


In September of 2023, Montverde 

Academy unveiled its newly renovated 

Innovation Center. Since then, each 

department has been abuzz with activity 

and has provided students with valuable 

resources that give them the practical 

experience that is vital in today’s 

competitive market. 

When you step into the Innovation 

Center, you will notice the open 

space, the shiny new floors, and 

plenty of tables and comfy chairs 

where students can meet and 

collaborate. To the right is the 

photography studio and up ahead, 

on the other side of the colorful 

donor wall and glass doors, is the 

technology classroom. 

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY 

Middle School students have been 

using the computer technology space 

to design their Innovation Projects. 

For these projects, students solve 

a challenge that’s proposed by the 

FIRST ® LEGO ® League each year. 

This year’s challenge is to take 

a hobby and elevate it to make it 

accessible to anyone and to create 

a prototype. With prototypes being a 

large component of their competition 

points, students wanted to use the 

3D technology space to print their 

prototypes. “As word is getting out 

that we have this kind of technology, 

I see more and more students come 

to ask if they can use the space to 

create something to enhance their 

assignment,” said Dr. Caryn Long, 

Director of Educational Technology 

and Innovation. “Mr. Parets deserves 

a lot of credit for that as he gives of 

his time outside of class. He’s very 

gifted and uses that time effectively.” 

Students in computer programming 

classes are also learning a wide 

variety of programming languages. 


EA SPORTS Gaming at MVA 

Sofia Chocho 

EA SPORTS GAMING AT MVA 

Next to the computer technology 

class is the gaming lab that houses 

MVA’s brand-new gaming team. 

Our team of nine students plays in 

a league called Play VS and has 

just been ranked in the top eight in 

the fall league. This team has also 

instituted three days of working out to 

develop their core strength; improve 

their social, emotional, and physical 

health; keep their body posture; 

and deal with stress as they learn to 

work better as a team, a key 21stcentury 

skill. We have a student in the 

program this year who is not a part of 

the competitive team but is focusing 

on drawing art within a game. His 

program is tailored toward his artistic 

interest in the gaming industry. He’s 

currently working on an animation 

for the logo of EA SPORTS 

Gaming at MVA. 

YEARBOOK AND JOURNALISM 

Down the hall from the gaming 

lab, the space opens up to a large 

bright room lined with computers 

and bookshelves full of previous 

yearbooks. The yearbook teacher, 

Mrs. Savannah Miller, usually has 

music playing while her yearbook 

students work hard laying out pages 

for the 2023-24 yearbook. Last year’s 

yearbook went into the Gallery of 

Excellence and received a first-class 

rating with two Marks of Distinction 

8 THE TOWER | WINTER 2023 

from the National Scholastic Press 

Association. The journalism students 

are learning how to construct a 

journalistic piece, learning what a 

proper journalistic article should look 

like, and learning about journalism 

ethics where they are given various 

scenarios and have to decide whether 

something is ethical. They’ve learned 

how to investigate for their journalistic 

pieces, write a proper title, and 

use the appropriate format. Their 

summative assessment is to write 

an article to provide them with 

practical experience. 

TV AND FILM PRODUCTION AND 

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 

In the TV and Film Production 

classes, students have begun 

producing MVA Highlights that are 

broadcast on the digital boards 

located around campus. Some of the 

latest reels have included a feature 

about Diversity Fest, a student 

interview of a kindergartener, and 

National Signing Day. Film classes 

are currently working on a remake 

of the movie “Jumanji.” They’ve built 

sets and written scripts, and now 

they’re filming and editing. Mr. Torres 

has received numerous valuable 

donations from the MVA community, 

including props, paint, set flats, etc., 

to elevate what his students do. The 

Digital Photography students are 

learning foundational skills in levelone 

classes, such as composing 

proper framing and lighting to 

create great photos and applying 

those skills to different photography 

styles: photojournalism, product 

photography, macro photography, and 

portrait photography. Their pictures 

are published in the school yearbook, 

so by the time they leave MVA, they 

are published photographers who 

receive practical experience and 

credit for their photos. 

LEGO ® LEAGUE AND 

VEX ® ROBOTICS 

Both robotics teams are deep 

into the competition season. The 

Middle School team participated in 

their first scrimmage for the year 

on November 4 and ranked in the 

top scorers in both robot runs and 

judging presentations. They traveled 

to Orlando for their first prequalifier 

on December 2. (For more details 

about their scrimmage, see page 

10.) Upper School students brought 

back two recognitions from their first 

competition for robot design and 

sportsmanship. They will take their

top two teams to Auburn University in 

January for a VEX ® Signature event. 

“Robotics is student led,” said Dr. 

Long. “Instructors provide support, 

but students build the programming 

and deliver the presentations. We 

provide resources and answer 

questions, but credit for their success 

is squarely on their shoulders. That’s 

one of the things that makes our 

program the strongest.” 

MAKERSPACES AND 

ENGINEERING 

Lower School classes schedule time 

in the Lower School Makerspace 

to build projects that enrich their 

curriculum with materials appropriate 

for their age groups. Middle and 

Upper School students have access 

to tools and materials that are more 

sophisticated, such as power tools 

and sewing machines, and they have 

access to other materials that allow 

them to express their learning in more 

complex ways. 

Middle and Upper School engineering 

adopted a curriculum called Project 

Lead the Way, a nationally renowned 

program that builds engineering 

and design skills through specially 

designed, hands-on activities. 

Students have been working with 

breadboards in their electrical 

engineering class, and they have 

been building miniature houses in 

their civil engineering class and 

trebuchets in their engineering design 

class. We are excited about the 

aeronautical engineering class that 

will be offered to students this spring. 

“As word gets out about the 

Innovation Center’s programs, it’s 

exciting to me to see it populated 

with students of all ages and their 

educators,” said Dr. Long. “The 

creative use of the materials and 

technology that we have within 

the classrooms makes Montverde 

Academy’s Innovation Center 

a premier part of our students’ 

academic development.” 

Dr. Caryn Long and Robotics Student, Ronald Bushner 

TV and Film Production 

“ 

As word is getting out that we have this kind of technology, 

I see more and more students come to ask if they can use the 

space to create something to enhance their assignment. 

” 

- Dr. Caryn Long 


Ella Drawdy, Jon Pagano, Andrew Kim, and Je'siah Howard 

MIDDLE SCHOOL 

By Mrs. Nichole Smith, Communications Coordinator 

On Saturday, November 4, MVA hosted the Eagle Lego Robotics Scrimmage for 17 middle school 

robotics teams across Central Florida, including three MVA middle school teams—#Grandma, 

#Grandpa, and #Uncle. The competition consisted of two parts: 1) the robot run where the students 

must accomplish missions with their self-built robots, and 2) a conversation with judges about their 

core values, innovation project, and how they built and programmed their robots. 


This year’s theme for the competition 

is called Master Piece. Competitors 

had a practice run and three chances 

to get a high score, the highest of 

those three being taken during the 

robot run challenge. The other 75 

percent of their score came from 

judging interviews where they were 

asked about how they built and 

programmed their robot and how 

they incorporated the FIRST ® LEGO ® 

core values of discovery, innovation, 

impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun. 

For their innovation project this 

year, they had to select a hobby 

and elevate that hobby with a piece 

of technology and art. One of our 

teams is trying to make basketball 

accessible to the blind. The teams 

were inspired by a young lady with 

visual impairment whose coach would 

stand behind the goal and hit the 

backboard so she could hear where 

it was located, and she won the game 

for her team. Inspired by this story, 

Team #Grandma created different 

ways for those with limited vision to 

play the game. 

“We’re trying to incorporate our 

design into a real model,” said Eisha 

Cheema, an eighth-grade student on 

Team #Grandma. “I did robotics last 

year, and it was interesting to give 

new robotics students a visual of 

robotics as a whole. When we were in 

competition, we tried to include them 

in running missions, and we tried to 

show them all the different facets of 

robotics. It was really exciting having 

an event at Montverde Academy for 

robotics. It was very competitive, 

which added more pressure to the 

overall experience.” 

Our three teams represented the 

school very well on Saturday. Team 

#Uncle had the second-highest 

score in the robot runs. “At first, 

we struggled with the robot coding 

because our code was defective, 

and we had to figure out a way 

to gain more points,” said Jesiah 

Howard, an eighth-grade student 

on Team #Uncle. “During the robot 

runs, we taught our teammates 

how to complete missions, which 

demonstrated our core value of 

gracious professionalism. Doing so 

helped us succeed in the end and 

gain friendships not only with our 

teammates but also with teams from 

other schools, enabling both our 

teams to succeed.” 

Team #Grandma had the highest 

score in the judging rooms, and Team 

#Grandpa also had a high score 

in the judging rooms. “The judging 

rooms were where we presented 

our innovation projects to judges,” 

said Dash Green, an eighth-grade 

student on Team #Grandpa. “It was 

interactive and fun getting to talk to 

the judges because some of them 

had work experience in the field that 

our innovation was related to. The 

racing industry doesn’t have access 

for those who don’t have limbs to 

drive a racecar. Most of my team was 

brand new, but over time we came 

together, and now we are pretty good 

friends.” 

Dr. Long, MVA’s Director of 

Educational Technology and 

Innovation who organized the event, 

said, “With MVA being the only school 

in Lake County that hosts this 

event, it’s an amazing opportunity 

to showcase our school and the 

students that work so hard to achieve 

top honors.” 

Alexis Eastham and Ella Drawdy 

THE TOWER | SUMMER 2023 11

Seniors Miguel Barbosa (pictured above) and Payut Asawasriworanant (lower right) 

RACING TO THE FINISH LINE 

The class of 2024 kicked off senior year with a two-day Senior Retreat in 

September. The event was a combination of helpful seminars to prepare 

seniors for the future and fun events, including senior T-shirt design, prom 

theme voting, a scavenger hunt around campus, and a trip to a local water 

park at the end of the first day. The highlight of the event every year is the 

build-a-bike project that closes out the retreat on Friday. 

The seniors separate into groups where they are given children's bicycles 

that are in pieces that need to be assembled. The teams must work 

together to get their bikes built in a short time and then prepare for the race. 

Each team chooses one member to ride the much-too-small children's bike 

in the race. At the end of the event, each bike is donated to the Shop with a 

Cop program of the Lake County Sheriff's Office. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL PENNY WARS 

For the Middle School Leadership and Service project this 

past quarter, eighth-grade students Meera Patel and Sanvhi 

Gandhi held a fundraiser, Penny Wars, from October 23–27, 

and raised $797 for the local nonprofit Give Kids the World. 

Thade Judy and Maria Neves 


LOWER SCHOOL YEARBOOK COVER 

Sahana Penmetsa 

Congratulations to fifth grader Sahana Penmetsa on winning 

this year’s Lower School Yearbook Cover Art Contest! 

Students in Ms. Lori Pollock’s art class were commissioned 

to paint a picture in alignment with the 2023-24 yearbook 

theme: “Growing into Greatness.ˮ Sahana's beautiful artwork 

will be featured on the front cover for all to enjoy! 

THANKSGIVING FEAST 

Lower School students gathered together with their families 

the week before Thanksgiving to enjoy a feast. Everyone had 

a great time sharing smiles and conversation over a delicious 

meal, prepared by the MVA Dining Hall staff, and reflecting 

on the many things we have to be thankful for. 

Aditi Rathore and her mom, Urjita Rathore 

BOARDERSʼ NIGHT IN: Country Western Style 

By Mrs. Kirstin Coffman, Director of Residential Life 

Our boarding students strapped on 

their boots and put on their best hat to 

head over to our watering hole 

(aka the Dining Hall) to enjoy 

a cowboy-sized meal together. 

Afterwards, we all gathered in 

Lindor Hall to enjoy some games, 

such as donuts on a string, a horse 

races, corn hole, bottle flipping, 

balloon popping, and water pouring 

challenges. Some students braved 

the karaoke machine and sang to 

the crowd. We ended the night with 

our Theatre Conservatory students 

teaching us how to line dance. 

“Planning our ‘country western’ 

themed night for the boarders was 

a lot of fun!” said Mrs. Natasja 

Eksteen, Administrative 

Assistant to the Dean of 

Students for Residential 

Life. “Having dinner together 

as a boarding family and 

then playing various games 

in order to bond and get 

to know each other better 

was the main goal. To see 

the boarders relax, laugh, 

and dance was really 

heartwarming. Some even 

learned a new skill. Great 

fun was had by all!” 

Boarders' Night In 

THE TOWER | SUMMER 2023 13 

Mr. Walter Eksteen, Mrs. Kirstin Coffman, Mrs. Natasja Eksteen, and Mrs. Margaret Price

The annual Lower School Costume Parade is a favorite event 

across campus. Parents, teachers, Upper and Middle school 

students, faculty, and staff line the loop at the center of campus 

in anticipation. When the parade starts, each Lower School class, 

Pre-K3 through fifth grade, makes their way around the loop led 

by their teachers. Everyone has a great time, and even the deans 

join in on the costume fun! 

1 

1. Maheeba Minhas, Mrs. Bartley, Henrik Paulsen, and Ziliana Hinds 

2. Victoria Jean-Marius, Olivia Coughenour, and Isabell Wojnowski 

3. Mrs. Schield’s 4th Grade Class 

4. Mrs. Cummings, Meadow Rubio, and Cole McCoy 

5. Ms. Shackelford, Mrs. Varnado, and Dr. Robinson 

6. Anika Pitolwala 

7. Audrey Hogan, Dan Engel, Ava Taylor, and Payson Bedard 

8. Mrs. Beckford, Alex de Boer, Dax Minervini, and Sebastian Boccio 

9. Gabriel Ozols-Szoke 

10. Tess Zegan 

2 

3 


5 

6 

4 

7 

8 9 10 


The Dragon Dance 

By Mrs. Margaret Price 

Assistant Dean of Students for Multiculturalism, Leadership, and Student Programs 

Anticipation, excitement, pride, respect, curiosity, 

family, community, belonging, peace – those things 

that we hope for, but cannot see – never fail to fill the 

Bell Tower Loop during Diversity Fest. 

How blessed I am to have the opportunity to work with a great 

planning committee, parents, students, and staff during this time of 

year. However, as much as we plan, the magic happens only when the 

families arrive on our beautiful campus. Families bring the laughter, the 

applause, and the joy. There were many times during the event that a 

smile came to my face. I recall the screams from the crowd when the 

Phoebe Samba Dancers surprised us with their version of "Y.M.C.A." 

and the "Macarena." I thought about how music has the ability to 

transcend culture and time. It is amazing how people from diverse 

backgrounds can connect through flags, food, music, and dancing. 

My hope is that seeds are planted for new friendships, opportunities 

for growth, and principles for how we should treat each other. 

Shivani Joshi Patel and daughter Ariana Patel 

MVA, we are home here. 

Jemah Coffman and Edith Smith 


Students Elena Areinamo, Camilla Areinamo, Maelee Johnson, Mia Penton, and Jesus Montenegro representing Venezuela 

Booth representing the Country of Haiti Orlando Parai team Flamenco dancers 


18 THE TOWER | SUMMER 2023


Shafic and Ramona El Bacha joined the Montverde 

Academy community in 2016 when they enrolled 

their first child, Jason, in Pre-K3. Now both their 

son and daughter, Kyra, attend MVA as they wanted their 

children to be a part of a close-knit school community that 

would be on the same campus all the way from preschool 

until high school graduation. 

One of the things that Mr. El Bacha has been impressed 

by is the Academy’s adherence to its mission statement. 

“Every word of the mission statement is put into action,” 

said Mr. El Bacha, “from the Diversity Fest to building 

character.” What drew the El Bachas initially to the 

Academy was its commitment to diversity and fostering a 

strong sense of community. 

“We cannot deny that we like the parents here,” said Mrs. 

El Bacha. “We send our kids here not just for the school, 

but also for the kids they go to school with. We also share 

similar values with the other parents here in how we want 

our kids to be raised. Despite our diversity, we all share 

certain values.” 

After becoming a part of that community, they became 

further impressed by Montverde Academy’s emphasis on 

innovation, creativity, and character-building; and they 

praised Ms. Shackelford, the Dean of the Lower School, 

for defining the qualities of good character in every 

Assembly. She and the teachers at the Academy have 

played a pivotal role in the development of their children’s 

character and academic success. 

The Academy’s diverse and enriching extracurricular 

activities have allowed their children to flourish creatively. 

Not only have they had the opportunity to explore a 

variety of sports, such as swimming, soccer, softball, and 

basketball, but they have both been able to nourish their 

budding interest in music. When the El Bachas first came 

to Montverde Academy, they were introduced to the Arts 

Alliance and witnessed its support of art, theatre, 

and music. 

Throughout his life, Jason has played various instruments, 

such as the cello, piano, vocals, saxophone, and guitar, 

while Kyra has immersed herself in learning the drums, 

guitar, piano, and flute. Mr. Hand, who was Jason’s fourthgrade 

teacher and mentor, even asked Jason to play the 

saxophone during recess. And Mrs. Cunningham, the 

Lower School Technology & Theatre Arts teacher, has 

been a great source of encouragement for both Jason and 

Kyra. “She encourages them,” said Mrs. El Bacha. “If they 

have an idea, she listens to them and helps them. She’s 

the teacher that you feel brings out the best in your kids.” 

“They’re building themselves at Montverde Academy, I 

think,” continued Mrs. El Bacha. “If you want a balance 

between academics and extracurricular, if you want a 

good CV for your kids for college, if you want them to 

be happy in the community, have diversity from Pre-K3 

through senior year, all in one place, you’ll find all of this at 

Montverde Academy.” 

“ We send our kids here not just 

for the school, but for the kids 

they go to school with.” 

– Ramona El Bacha 


An Enrollment Management 

Department Spotlight 

By Dr. David Rath, Associate Head of School and Dean of Admissions 

As many of you know, our Montverde Academy mascot is Monty the Eagle. This academic year, the 

Enrollment Management Office has decided to take Monty along with us during our travels, and he 

has been visible in our social media working hard with us at many of our destinations around the 

globe. In short, Monty’s wings are tired, and he is looking forward to the semester break to unwind 

and recharge. 

Late summer of 2023, Monty 

commenced his travel with a trip to 

Panama to meet with current parents 

and a host of prospective families. 

Monty learned that all of his trips 

would be very different in an effort 

to help us find mission appropriate 

students to ensure we are true to 

an important part of our mission 

statement: “...developing character in 

a nurturing and diverse community.” 

How do our trips differ from one to 

the next? Here are a few examples 

of the types of events that Monty 

has attended: The aforementioned 

Panama trip is one type where we 

as an Enrollment Management team 

create on our own agenda, utilizing 

current parents to help us find 

prospective families for the following 

academic year. Current parents are 

perhaps our number one source for 

marketing effectively. A second trip 

might be to a boarding school fair in a 

particular destination (or in a multi-city 

roadshow) in which one of our trusted 

agents (over 150 active agents 

worldwide) puts together meetings 

with interested families. These fairs or 

roadshows could be large in number 

of attendees, and multiple schools 

could also be joining us on the trip, 

which means we are competing for 

The Enrollment Management Team 

Mrs. Alba Santiago, Ms. Callie Byron, Dr. Dave Rath, 

Mrs. Jill Clapper, and Mrs. Yanitza Irizarry-Rivera. 


UNITED 

KINGDOM 

FINLAND 

GERMANY 

CHINA 

UNITED 

STATES 

PORTUGAL 

CZECH REPUBLIC 

JAPAN 

BERMUDA 

MOROCCO 

SAUDI ARABIA 

INDIA 

SOUTH 

KOREA 

GRAND CAYMAN 

THAILAND 

VIETNAM 

PANAMA 

BRAZIL 

the same students in attendance. 

Conversely, a limited number of 

schools may be invited to participate, 

which creates a more boutique 

experience and allows us more time 

with individual family appointments 

to share information in greater detail 

about Montverde Academy. 

Two examples highlighting the 

differences between the two fairs 

would be a recent trip to Saudi 

Arabia at the ARAMCO schools’ fair 

in which 83 boarding schools were 

in attendance along with hundreds 

of ARAMCO school families versus 

a weekend fair in China in which 

three schools and a small number 

of families attended. Each type 

of fair requires a different type of 

presentation, from a quick elevator 

speech to pique a family’s interest to 

a 30-minute detailed presentation to 

hit the major unique factors available 

at Montverde Academy. The key is to 

quickly ascertain a student’s interests 

and then focus the presentation 

towards those interests. Monty is 

nimble, however, and can quickly 

adjust. In addition to prospective 

student fairs, we also have agentonly 

fairs in which Monty and the 

Enrollment Management team will 

attend a two-day event on a weekend 

and meet with current agents who 

want to learn more about Montverde 

Academy and then in turn sell a 

family as to the value of our program 

to try to convince them to apply to our 

school. These agents are paramount 

in helping us hit our annual target of 

approximately 260 boarding students 

each year. 

So why are Monty’s wings worn out? 

Thus far in the first semester, he has 

visited Panama, Brazil, Vietnam, 

China (twice), Thailand, Prague, 

Bratislava, Bermuda, London, 

Morocco, India, Saudi Arabia, 

Portugal, Germany, Grand Cayman, 

South Korea, Japan, and Finland. As 

a team, we have traveled many miles 

to enhance the Montverde Academy 

brand and mission, and Monty has 

been with us every step of the way! 


Student Spotlights were written by Mrs. Nichole Smith, Communications Coordinator 

GABRIEL OZOLS-SZOKE 

Gabriel Ozols-Szoke, a fifth-grade 

student at Montverde Academy, 

has been attending MVA since his 

kindergarten 

year. 


Gabriel has played soccer and a little 

football, but currently, he loves to 

play basketball and plans to follow 

in his older brother’s footsteps and 

join CBD when he enters the Middle 

School next year. 

In addition to basketball, Gabriel 

has a keen interest in computer 

technology. Fifth-grade students have 

the opportunity to take a computer 

technology course where they learn 

computer coding and other valuable 

computer-based skills. He’s currently 

working on designing a website and 

is excited about learning how to 

use Canva very soon. He had much 

success creating stories for the 

games he designed, and he looks 

forward to utilizing MVA’s newly 

renovated Innovation Center where 

he hopes to explore his interest in 

computers even further. 

“When it comes to computers, 

Gabriel has the ability to see 

how the logical progression of 

a process can lead to multiple 

outcomes,” said Ms. Cyndi 

Cunningham, the Lower School 

Technology & Theatre teacher. 

“That’s a huge advantage in 

technology. He can also write very 

creative narratives and storylines 

for his games and projects, 

making them not only thoughtful 

but fun for everyone.” Gabriel 

is grateful to Mr. Steve Hand for 

sparking his interest in social 

studies and to 

Mrs. Saliesha Meder for cultivating 

in him a love for reading. In Mr. 

Hand’s class, students completed 

a document-based question (DBQ) 

on St. Augustine. “We also went to 

St. Augustine, which I enjoyed, and 

that enhanced my interest in social 

studies,” said Gabriel. In Mrs. Meder’s 

class, he felt he was able to take his 

interest in reading to the next level 

in the Accelerated Reader program 

where students read AR books of 

their choice, take quizzes on them, 

and accumulate points. “Someone 

said they had 1.5 points higher 

than I did,” said Gabriel, “so I started 

reading like crazy so I could 

beat them.” 

He hopes one day to shoot for the 

NBA or go the business route and 

be a CFO of a company. His parents 

have been his greatest source of 

inspiration. “My dad was an engineer 

who went into business and started 

his own company, and my mom is 

very hardworking,” Gabriel said. No 

matter where he goes in life, Gabriel’s 

competitive nature, his knack for 

storytelling, and his interest in 

computers will certainly serve 

him well. 

He can write very creative 

narratives and storylines for 

his games and projects, making 

them not only thoughtful but fun 

for everyone. 

- Ms. Cyndi Cunningham, 

Lower School Technology Teacher

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS 

SANVHI GANDHI 

Sanvhi Gandhi, an eighth-grade student at Montverde Academy, moved here from New Jersey with her 

family at the beginning of her sixth-grade year. “My dad chose this school for me and my brother,” said 

Sanvhi. “As soon as I stepped on the campus, I loved the openness of it all. My former school in New 

Jersey was a lot smaller, so seeing the huge campus was a really big surprise. And my older brother liked 

that it was a college preparatory school.” 

Her first year at MVA, she focused 

primarily on her academics as she 

transitioned to her new home and 

school. During that time, she was 

surprised to discover a newfound 

interest in making study guides for 

her classmates. Leadership qualities 

were certainly burgeoning within her, 

but as a self-described introvert, she 

was terrified of putting herself out 

there. In her fine arts class, however, 

she developed a love for performing in 

theatre, which would set the foundation 

for her leadership and public speaking 

roles in the coming years. She also 

discovered her love for photojournalism, 

and her photos were featured in that 

year’s MVA 2021-22 poster. 

In seventh grade, she was elected SGA 

Historian and was inducted into the 

National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). 

She was also accepted to the Honor 

Council. Her love for theatre grew 

that year when she performed in “The 

Nephew/Son’s Revenge,” an original 

stage play written and directed by Mr. 

Adrian Wright-Ahern, the Middle School 

Theatre Director. Later that year, she 

acted in the musical “Willy Wonka.” 

“Being able to take part in theatre was 

a wonderful opportunity that I will never 

forget,ˮ said Sanvhi. “The experience of 

going out on stage and performing was 

amazing, and I can’t wait to do it again 

this year!” It’s no wonder she received 

the All-Around Seventh Grader Award at 

the end of the school year. 

This year, Sanvhi is an SGA 

Representative. In that role, she 

represents her advisory in the weekly 

Friday meetings and serves as a voice 

for other students Alexander and Mounsey their troubles. 

She was also elected Honor Council 

President. “This is only the second 

year that the Middle School has had 

an Honor Council. As President this 

year, I want to make the Honor Council 

even more involved with the school 

and help students.” Sanvhi was elected 

Vice President of NJHS and Secretary 

of the Builders Club this year, and she 

helps plan events for the Middle School. 

She is also a part of the Yearbook Club 

where she gets to explore her creative 

side by taking photos and writing. 

She even reliably provides stories 

and photos for MVA’s marketing and 

communications department 

on occasion. 

One of her favorite classes this year 

is Elements of Engineering Design. “I 

love learning about different buildings 

and the engineering process,” said 

Sanvhi. As an avid builder and 

crafter, she hopes to follow in her 

mother’s engineering footsteps and 

become an architectural engineer. 

“Architecture would be a good 

way to show my creative side and 

also to apply my math skills.” As 

an architect, she wants to create 

designs that use environmentally 

friendly materials. 

She’s grateful for the teachers in 

the Middle School who have helped 

her to see the bigger picture. “Mr. 

Narducci teaches us not only about 

history but also about life lessons 

that we need to learn. Ms. Williams 

and Mrs. Parets are very helpful with 

a lot of things. I think the teachers 

here are a big part of helping us 

become the people we want to be. 

And I really appreciate the way 

Mr. Urquhart and Mrs. Fracker guide 

me toward doing something and then 

give me feedback on it. They trust 

us with a lot, which shows that they 

respect us.” 



BRIANNA MONAHAN 

Brianna Monahan enrolled at Montverde Academy in 2009 for Pre-K3. Her parents wanted their daughter 

to have an early start on the best academic opportunities available. Now a senior at MVA, she has 

developed into a talented violinist, an accomplished swimmer, and a person who has a heart for 

community service. 

While in the Lower School, Brianna 

joined K-Kids, an organization that 

helps elementary-aged students 

discover their passion for service and 

leadership, a decision that would ignite 

a lifelong passion for serving. When 

Brianna was in the fourth grade, she 

began swimming competitively at the 

National Training Center where she 

would continue her training for the next 

three years. And at the end of that same 

year, she won the Dean’s Award. 

When Brianna transitioned to the Middle 

School and her classes became more 

rigorous, she knew the road ahead 

of her would be a challenging one. 

But that did not stop her from pouring 

herself into her volunteering efforts, 

nor did it stop her from pushing herself 

to be a great musician and studentathlete. 

In the sixth grade, she joined 

the Builders Club and began playing the 

violin for MVA’s Advanced Orchestra, 

which she would continue through 

her junior year. In the seventh grade, 

she joined the school swim team and 

is still a part of that team today. She 

also joined the National Junior Honor 

Society during that year and became 

the NJHS President the following year. 

She even won the Dean’s Award 

once again at the end of her 

eighth-grade year. 

During her sophomore year, Brianna 

began volunteering for Eight Waves, 

a local nonprofit that provides 

resources for those in under-resourced 

communities. Her friend Tatiana Pinto, 

a current senior, founded a hygiene 

branch for Eight Waves and asked 

Brianna to join her as co-director. 

They have held two hygiene drives on 

campus and plan to hold the next one 

in the spring. 

Brianna continued playing the 

violin for the Advanced 

Orchestra until her 

junior year. “Playing 

the violin is similar 

to swimming when 

it comes to how 

much work you put 

into it,” said Brianna. 

“When you practice 

your violin, you see the 

results.” That mindset 

helped her to win a 

sportsmanship award 

and the most improved 

award for swimming. She 

attributes her success to 

her own dedication and 

to the help of her 

swimming coach, 

Coach Gui. 

“Even when 

I feel like I’m 

maxed out or I don’t have anything left,” 

Brianna said, “he always says, ‘Come 

on. You can do more.’” She has also 

been grateful for the cultural diversity of 

the swim team. Most of her teammates 

have been from Brazil, which has 

exposed her to Brazilian culture and to 

different perspectives. She has even 

learned a little Portuguese! In addition 

to her extracurricular successes, 

Brianna has also achieved a number 

of academic successes. She is a 

member of the STEM Student Area 

Concentration program for biomedicine 

at MVA. She is also a Distinguished 

Scholar and an AP Scholar with 

Distinction. 

She is inspired by her mother’s 

remarkable work ethic and by her dad 

who enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and 

used his G.I. bill to pay for college. “It’s 

really difficult sometimes to balance 

the number of things that I do,” said 

Brianna, “and my parents have always 

been there to tell me that if I put in 

the work and learn how to manage 

my time, I will be successful.” She is 

also inspired by her classmate Emily 

Santos for her passion and dedication 

to swimming; by Mrs. Dana Cook, her 

Pre-K3 teacher who still checks in on 

her to this day; and by Mrs. Emilie 

Fracker, her second-grade teacher 

who has always provided her with 

support. During her childhood, Brianna 

spent much time at her abuela’s house 

where she would help take care of her 

younger siblings. “It made me into a 

very nurturing person, which made me 

want to pursue medicine,” said Brianna. 

“I enjoy being with kids and helping kids 

in any way that I can.” Wherever life 

takes her, Brianna will certainly carry 

with her a determination to succeed and 

a passion for helping others in need.


JAYVIAN GREENE 

Jayvian Greene, a senior at Montverde Academy, discovered his passion for track and field at 

the age of seven, inspired by his sister’s footsteps. “I was always the little brother to follow 

behind her,” said Jayvian. “When I finally got to my first meet, I felt a spark inside me.” 

He went on to run in the Junior 

Olympics when he was in middle 

school, which helped to solidify his love 

for track. When he entered high school, 

he began looking for schools that had 

a strong track program. What attracted 

Jayvian to Montverde Academy was not 

only its renowned track team but also its 

high academic standards, a place that 

would provide him with a well-rounded 

education. 

Jayvian knew about Coach Gerald 

Phiri, MVA’s track and field coach, and 

his reputation for developing strong 

athletes. And after enrolling in MVA in 

the fall of 2022 and joining the track 

and field team, Jayvian soon saw that 

Coach Phiri would help him to develop 

as an athlete, as well. “When I got 

here, I was running fast, but I feel like 

I wasn’t running at my full potential,” 

said Jayvian. “Coach Phiri got to know 

who I was as a person. I feel like that 

affects how you run. Before I came to 

this school, I was running 49 or 50, 

but Coach Phiri got me down to a 46, 

which is honestly amazing because I 

didn’t think I was going to run it.” He 

also praises his teammates. “You need 

to have the team in order to be the best 

person that you can be,” said Jayvian. 

He recalls a time when his teammates 

formed a circle around him and cheered 

him on to celebrate a victory, and he is 

especially grateful that they are there to 

lift him up when he doesn’t do his best. 

Jayvian enjoys acting in theatre 

productions, and he is also a longtime 

musician. Both theatre and music have 

helped him deal with the anxieties 

associated with being a dedicated 

athlete. “Theatre helps bring a certain 

presence to the person,” said Jayvian. 

“It helped a lot with my anxiety and 

nervousness because if you’re running 

in front of people, you’re acting in front 

of people.” Jayvian grew up playing 

the French horn, the trumpet, and the 

saxophone. “Music is a part of who 

I am and who I think I want to be in 

the future,” said Jayvian. “Track and 

field can be stressful. Music gives me 

something that I can lean back on to 

help me focus or calm down. When my 

nerves are going, a song can help me 

get out of that and get ready to run.” 

Jayvian is also a leader of Fellowship 

of Christian Athletes. 

“I like helping people get closer 

to God, and I think God is a 

big part of who I am as 

a person.” 

After he graduates, 

Jayvian plans to 

run collegiately and 

major in physical 

therapy or nursing. 

He feels that 


has provided a 

strong foundation 

for that path, not 

only with track but 

also with the wide 

array of science 

classes available. 

Jayvian has made 

a strong connection 

with his teachers at 

MVA and praises 

Dr. Michelle 

Sherwin, his 

English teacher, 

for her patience 

and kindness, 

and Ms. Courtney 

Richardson, his 

AP psychology 

teacher, for 

effectively 

teaching him 

about human behavior and the way 

people think. After college, he hopes 

to run in the Olympics. “I plan to keep 

running as long as I can,” said Jayvian, 

“as long as my body allows me to.” 


By Mr. Michael Damon, Sports Information Manager 

Montverde Academy athletics dominated the sports scene this fall with five out 

of its seven varsity sports winning the Citrus League Championship while the 

boys and girls swim teams captured championships at the FHSAA District 

and Regional levels. 

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL 

• Ten wins of the season 

• Fourth-place finish in FHSAA Class 3A District 4 standings 

• Advanced into the silver bracket of the Bishop Moore 

Swing for the Cure tournament. 

BOYS GOLF 

• Citrus League Champions 

• Lake County Cup Champions 

• 6-2-2 overall record 

GIRLS GOLF 

• 2-1 overall record in dual meets 

• Knights Invitational Champions 

• Lake County Cup Champions 

• FHSAA Regional Qualifiers 

• Team member Victoria Renzi qualified for 

State Championship Meet as an individual. 

Otto Barroso 

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY 


• Eagle Invitational Champions 

• FHSAA Regional and State qualifiers 

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY 


• FHSAA Regional and State qualifiers 

BOYS SWIMMING 

• 5-0 record in dual meets 


• FHSAA District Champions 

• FHSAA Regional Champions 

• Sixth Place at FHSAA State Championship meet 

GIRLS SWIMMING 

• 5-0 record in dual meets 


• FHSAA District Champions 

• FHSAA Regional Champions 

• Fifth Place at FHSAA State Championship meet 

• Team member Emily Santos won state champion in 100-yard breaststroke (1:01.44). 

• Second Place at FSPA Invitational 


Girls Cross Country

Regina Torres 

Victoria Renzi 

Lyla McMillen 

THE TOWER | WINTER 2023 27 

Isabella Johnson Leo Kim Salvatore Scelfo

SPORTS FEATURE 

MVA Swim Champion 

By Mr. Michael Damon, Sports Information Manager 

Montverde Academy girls swim team 

member Emily Santos closed out 

a memorable swimming career at 

Montverde Academy, capped by her 

win at the Florida High School Athletic 

Association (FHSAA) Class 1A state 

championship in Ocala on Saturday, 

November 4. 

She captured gold in the 100-yard 

breaststroke at the state’s top meet in 

a personal best time of 1:01.44, .04 

faster than her previous personal 

best that she established when 

winning the FHSAA Class 

1A District 4 championship 

in Avon Park just a few 

weeks earlier. 

“Winning the state 

championship was 

amazing,” Santos 

said. “I was racing 

with some people 

I knew, and I really 

respect them, so it 

was a fun experience 

and a happy moment. I 

was shooting to win that 

race this year, and I am 

happy that I got it.” 

The win was fitting for Santos 

who has exemplified excellence 

since enrolling at Montverde Academy 

in the spring of 2020. As a member of 

the girls swim team, she has played a 

pivotal role in helping the Eagles to an 

abundance of wins as a team, including 

the Citrus League championship, the 

FHSAA District championship, and 

FHSAA Regional championship the 

past two years. 

This past season alone, Santos helped 

the Eagles to an undefeated 5-0 record 

in dual meets, while the Eagles finished 

in the top five in each of its multi-team 

meets in 2023. 

Her victory in the state championship 

was fitting for a student-athlete who has 

been a model of excellence 

at Montverde Academy. In the pool, 

Santos has already garnered the 

experience of a veteran, having 

represented her native country of 

Panama on the world stage at events 

such as The Pan American Games, 

World Aquatics Games, Central 

American Games, and the Summer 

Olympics in Tokyo, Japan in 2021. 

She also became the first studentathlete 

in recent memory at Montverde 

Academy to win the Montverde 

Academy Student-Athlete of the Week 

award multiple times in one season. 

She garnered Montverde Academy’s 

top weekly award on October 3 and 

November 7 of this year. 

Outside the pool, Santos is serving as 

Head Prefect this year. She is also 

a part of the Model UN team, the 

Art’s Club, and an AP art studio 

class, taking full advantage 

of the abundance of 

available opportunities 

at Montverde Academy. 

“The combination of 

competitive sport and 

strong academics is what 

made me want to come 

to Montverde Academy,” 

Santos said. “Most of the 

stuff I do is something that 

I really love to do, and I love 

working with the people I get to 

work with here.” 

After she graduates this spring, Santos 

will continue her student-athlete career 

at Virginia Tech University where she 

will be a member of their women’s swim 

team. She aspires to work in business 

or marketing someday.

MONTVERDE ACADEMY 

Montverde, FL 

BREWSTER ACADEMY 

Wolfeboro, NH 

CALVARY CHRISTIAN 

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 

IMANI CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 

Pittsburgh, PA 

OAK RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL 

Orlando, FL 

PROLIFIC PREP 

Napa, CA 

RIVIERA PREP 

Miami, FL 

THE ROCK SCHOOL 

Gainesville, FL 

EIGHT 

TEAMS, 

ONE 

CHAMPION 

MAIT 2024 

MONTVERDE ACADEMY 

17235 SEVENTH STREET, 

MONTVERDE, FL 34756 

mvasports.com 


X 

Congratulations to our student-athletes who announced their 

college decisions during the first signing day on November 8, 2023! 

Lola Ressler 

Wake Forest University 

Soccer 

Amy Zona 

Davidson College 

Soccer 

Sara Zona 

Davidson College 

Soccer 

Emily Santos 

Virginia Tech 

Swim 

Regina Torres 

University of Houston 

Swim 

Lexi Perez 

Quinnipiac University 

Softball 

Marisol Gonzalez 

Emory University 

Softball 

Jenna Meder 

Florida Southern College 

Softball 

Ting-Wei (Tim) Chang 

University of Oregon 

Golf 

Gerardo Gomez 

University of Arkansas 

Golf 

Jerry Miao 

Macalester College 

Golf 

Cooper Flagg 

Duke University 

Basketball 

Asa Newell 

University of Georgia 

Basketball 

Curtis Givens 

Louisiana State University 

Basketball 

Robert Wright III 

Baylor University 

Basketball 

Liam McNeeley 

Indiana University 

Basketball 

Wesley Siegel 

Furman University 

Soccer 

Girik Walling 

Walsh University 

Soccer 

Go Eagles! 


JOIN THE MONTVERDE ACADEMY 

Scan QR Code to join 

or for more information 

contact Jeff Osterman at 

jeff.osterman@montverde.org 

Don't miss our spring performances! 

“Oliver” 

“Tempest” 

“Music of the Night” (Arts Alliance exclusive) 

“Aspects of Love” 

“Unexpected Song Music Cabaret” 

“Clue Onstage” 

and more! 

Scan the QR Code 

or contact Mary-Kay Rath at 

mary-kay.rath@montverde.org 


Javier Collazo Lopez and Lily Downs in 

“Sunday in the Park with George” 

Behind the Scenes 

By Mr. Dean Bell, Director of Arts 

In the last year or so, it has become impossible to read a professional journal, attend a conference, 

or even speak with many colleagues without the topic of AI creeping into the discussion. To say that 

the topic has become pervasive almost across our culture is an understatement. Now, let me state up 

front I am not an AI hater, nor is this an AI-hating article, but I do hold some very strong sentiments 

about the topic and how it impacts our Arts and our Artists. 


To be clear, I think there are great uses for AI. The fact that I can 

potentially “fix” a once-in-a-lifetime photo where my camera’s focus 

was off makes me very glad for these technological advances. 

Nevertheless, I have to question if all of my photos need to be 

tweaked, corrected, and retouched. As I look through my photo album, 

I am reminded of the “reality” of the photo where my grandson’s mouth 

is open, his tongue out, his gaze not focused on the camera, or his tie 

hanging slightly askew. I guess because, in the end, I am reminded by 

the picture that life (at least mine) has seldom been perfect. Frankly, I 

have played with AI generators and am quite thrilled with how flattering 

they can make a picture of me, but I would be hard-pressed to want 

my family to remember me that way – I stand proud of the gray (and 

mostly absent) hair and wrinkles I have earned along my journeys. 

Sophia Liu in “Strings of the Macabre” Concert 

Beyond that, however, in my role as a director and protector of the 

Arts, I am left uncertain of what that precedent means for either our 

Artists or our consumers of Art. The artist and author David Bayles, 

in his book “Art and Fear,” states, “To require perfection is to invite 

paralysis. The pattern is predictable: as you see error in what you 

have done, you steer your work toward what you imagine you can do 

perfectly. You cling ever more tightly to what you already know you can 

do – away from risk and exploration.” As I watch our young students 

who work with software of this ilk, I see they become increasingly 

unwilling to put out a product that does meet their AI-trained standards. 

Our singers constantly compare their vocal skills to the tracks they 

listen to. Our dancers and actors judge themselves against clips which 

have been thoroughly retouched to present the artist at their very best. 

Likewise, as consumers, I see individuals less accepting of flaws in Art. 

This is across the board: photography, music, visual art, film/tv, and 

even live theatre. I am concerned, though, what message this need for 

“perfection” sends to our students. 

Daphne Gunasekera in “Masquerade” Vocal Salon 

Make no mistake, I believe the attempt to strive for our highest quality 

is incredibly important, and as you know and will see later in this article 

MVA certainly accomplishes that in our Arts programs; nevertheless, 

I feel this search for false perfection undermines at least four of the 

five central pillars of our Arts Mission (Creativity, Humanity, Integrity, 

Passion, and Success). It certainly takes away our Creativity as at its 

core AI is certainly someone else’s creativity. I may produce beautiful 

and worthwhile music using AI software, but it can never be fully 

mine. It was created from algorithms programmed by someone else. 

Integrity, I believe, always speaks to truth and honesty – and I am not 

calling AI Art dishonest, but am questioning if performances altered via 

computer enhancement (or even a simple auto tune) are true to the 

Artist I wish to be – and wish our students to be. Similarly, we want the 

Art that comes out of the Sandra O. Stephens buildings to be filled with 

the Passion of the individual who created it – not sterilized down so 

there are no flaws or rough edges. Warhol was not dispassionate. Van 

Gogh was not flawless. It is the Humanity piece, however, where I feel 

AI does us the greatest disservice. That we teach our student Artists 

to create despite our imperfections, despite our fear of failure, despite 

the potential judgement of others is what gives our Art humanity – and 

makes it the microcosm of life that also gives it beauty, longevity, and 

the ability to touch others. 

Montverde Academy Cross Country Invitational 

THE TOWER | | SUMMER WINTER 2023 2022 33 

Middle School students in “Lucky Stiff”

Megan Busby in “Lucky Stiff” 

Gia Parker in “Masquerade” 

What may have spurred this article was 

our recent Middle School production 

of “Lucky Stiff.” At the risk of giving 

away some trade secret, I will tell you 

a couple of the scenes in that show 

did not come off the way they were 

planned or intended. Another secret – 

in live theatre they oftentimes do not! 

What they were, though, was genuine, 

memorable, enjoyable, at times utterly 

hilarious, and completely the students’ 

work. Mr. Wright-Ahern had done 

a tremendous job of coaching the 

students, and the show went on with 

many people none the wiser. For my 

money, I will put that on a par with any 

dispassionate “perfect” show any day. 

When I have opportunities to judge 

competitions, I am always far more 

likely to recognize a slightly less perfect 

performance that made me “feel” 

something than a more perfect but less 

passionate one. 

So, to return to my title, creating 

Art in an AI world certainly creates 

possibilities for us never before 

available – and where appropriate we 

should embrace those technologies to 

create new and beautiful works. Along 

the way, however, we need to continue 

to educate our students and audiences 

in the importance of imperfection in 

the Arts, lest along the way we stop 

recognizing our individual creativity 

in favor of a conceived perfection of 

commonality. 

I am happy to share in the remainder 

of this article some of the Successes 

of our “imperfect” Artists. Our first 

Mainstage show of the season, “Sunday 

in the Park with George,” received 25 

Applause Award nominations, including 

Outstanding Musical (see inset for 

complete list). Three of our Music 

Conservatory students, Hanan Geda, 

Jason Tejada-Chancay, and Sophia Liu, 

all successfully auditioned and were 

selected to All-State Ensembles by the 

Florida Music Education Association. 

Lower School musicians Cece Hymel, 

Anika Pitolwala, Jason El-Bacha, Isabell 

Wojnowski, and Maheeba Minhas were 

selected to perform at the Southern 

Regional Honors Choir. 

Lower School artist Ava Taylor won 

“Best of Show” at Montverde Day. 

Our Middle and Upper School music 

students successfully presented three 

sold-out nights of their Vocal Salon, 

“Masquerade.” Our strings students 

presented a standing-room-only concert 

entitled “Strings of the Macabre.” 

The Middle School theatre students, 

as mentioned, 

produced a 

very enjoyable 

presentation of 

“Lucky Stiff.” 

By the time this goes 

to press, the Theatre 

Conservatory 


Cast of “Sunday in the Park with George” 

will have presented their Black Box 

production of “The Thanksgiving Play,” 

as well as their competition production 

of “The Last Supper" and will have 

taken over 30 “Thespys” to District 

competition. 

In December, the joint forces of all three 

Conservatories will combine with a 

number of organizations across campus 

to create the Montverde Academy 

Holiday Fest, which brings our annual 

tradition of “Lessons and Carols” back 

to MVA for the first time in a decade and 

rebrands it into a full afternoon/evening 

of enjoyable experiences designed for 

the entire family. 

We are incredibly proud of our Art 

and Artists and the way each of you 

supports them – and that is a truth that 

does not need touched up by AI! 

“SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE” 

APPLAUSE AWARD NOMINEES 

Outstanding Musical 

Outstanding Ensemble 

Outstanding Leads: Lily Downs and Javier Collazo Lopez 

Outstanding Supporting Performers: Amelie Jaime, 

Arianna Parrilla, Eros Sanchez, and Mellany Wernek 

Outstanding Singers: Lily Downs, Javier Collazo Lopez, and 

Amelie Jaime 

Outstanding Actors: Elizabeth Crosley, Eros Sanchez, 

and Tyler Price 

Outstanding Dancers: Jade Harvey and Ariana Delgado 

Outstanding Director: Mr. David Ian Lee 

Outstanding Music Director: Mr. Dean Bell 

Outstanding Choreographer: Mrs. Jessica Birt Paz 

Outstanding Set Design: Mr. Michael Citrinite 

Outstanding Lighting Design: Mr. Michael Citrinite 

Outstanding Costume Design: Ms. Kat Henwood 

Outstanding Hair & Make-up Design: Ms. Kat Henwood 

Outstanding Sound Design: Elana Young and Zach Lane 

Outstanding Stage Manager: Phoenix Connick 

Cast of “The Thanksgiving Play” 


DANCE 

CONSERVATORY 


Pictured from left to right are Dance Conservatory students Elise Block, 

Estela Carattini-Cintron, and Evelyn Schorr 

At 

the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year, Montverde Academy 

introduced the Dance Conservatory as a third track in the Fine Arts 

Conservatories. Mrs. Jessica Birt Paz came on board last year as an adjunct to 

teach six musical theatre-level classes per week and work with the choir. Once 

MVA decided to branch into a Conservatory program, she came on board as a 

full-time dance instructor. “I have been in dance conservatory programs since 

the sixth grade and thrive in that environment,” said Mrs. Paz. 


Mrs. Jessica Birt Paz

‟ 

I’m not looking for the best technique in the room. It’s when 

I can’t take my eyes off you that the true artist is pulling me in. 

” 

“From the beginning when we 

implemented the Conservatory models 

here at Montverde Academy, dance 

and movement have always been an 

integral portion of our offerings,” said 

Mr. Dean Bell, the Director of Arts 

at MVA. “It became evident early on 

that elevating the quality of our dance 

instruction would have the added 

benefit of raising the quality of our 

overall programs and our productions. 

Over time we continued to grow the 

dance offerings to the point where it 

was a natural next step to employ a fulltime 

dance teacher. Finding someone 

with the technical background and love 

for the Art, as well as being a perfect 

fit with the students, was the key to 

making that jump; Mrs. Jessica Birt Paz 

was that person. It was always the plan 

at that point to admit full-time dance 

majors, thereby creating a third track 

in our Conservatories. The presence of 

the additional instruction, as well as the 

presence of our new dance majors, has 

already significantly impacted the types 

and quality of offerings we are able to 

undertake. We couldn’t be prouder to 

have the Dance Conservatory as one 

of the new hallmarks of our incredibly 

successful Arts program.” 

The Dance curriculum focuses on four 

major movement components: jazz, 

ballet, tap, and modern. Jazz classes 

in particular focus a great deal on 

developing musculature as well as 

the technique of jazz dancing. Most 

students pick up on this very quickly – 

especially those who have been musical 

theatre students. Ballet, however, 

takes many years of practice, so those 

classes are geared more towards 

technical and muscular development. 

“If you get stronger in ballet,” said Mrs. 

Paz, “it’ll make everything else better.” 

Tap is a very structured and repetitive 

step-based class in which, again, MVA 

students seem to excel. Modern is very 

much geared to fluidity, expressivity, 

and creativity. “There really are no 

holds barred in this class as long as the 

student finds the way for the music to 

speak through dance.” Although placing 

great emphasis on technique, Mrs. Paz 

ultimately wants to see the artist. “I’m 

not looking for the best technique in the 

room. It’s when I can’t take my eyes off 

you that the true artist is pulling me in.” 

To say her dancers have already shown 

amazing success is underscored by the 

fact that last year, Mrs. Paz received 

the Outstanding Choreographer Award 

from the Applause Awards for her 

choreography in “December Songs.” 

“It was definitely a validating moment,” 

said Mrs. Paz. 

Mrs. Paz also values her students 

having the strength to be “confidently 

wrong,” as she puts it. “That’s why I 

love live theatre so much, because 

I love when things go wrong and to 

see how that artist critically thinks and 

solves the problem. I want to see how 

they handle it when things happen,” 

said Mrs. Paz. “We had a student who, 

unfortunately, had a costume issue. She 

came on stage and delivered that scene 

perfectly while holding her skirt up 

around her waist. Everything changes 

when you go on that stage and the 

lights are up. That’s the true challenge, 

and that’s where you truly find out 

what you have to give and 

who you are.” 

The Dance Conservatory 

also has an academicbased 

learning component 

that teaches the fundamentals 

of vocabulary, history, anatomy, and 

everything students need to know to 

further their career as a professional 

dancer or teacher. “When you know 

what the words mean, you know how 

to approach the dynamics of that 

movement better,” said Mrs. Paz. 

The Dance Conservatory aims to 

prepare students for what they 

will encounter at the college level. 

“My focus is on strengthening their 

bodies, strengthening their minds, 

strengthening their self-awareness, 

giving them a handle on injury 

prevention, and preparing them 

academically for a successful collegiate 

dance program,” said Mrs. Paz 

Estela Carattini-Cintron 


The 2020 basketball team with Coach Kevin Boyle receiving their class rings 

Dr. and Mrs. Walter Stephens Family 

Ms. Meristell Shackelford and family 

Marisa and David Price 

Lagrane Jefferson, Tricia Robbins, Tricia Hollis, 

Brittini Carter, Maya Paris, Christina Gazzia, and Damu Mitchell 

DeShonda Mayo, Kalena Meyers, and Larnette Ramsey 2020 basketball team with coaches Ernie Morris Enterprises, LLC 

The 19th Annual Celebrating 

Education Legacy Ball was a 

huge success. It was a special night 

celebrating Mrs. Sandra Stephens, 

Trustee Legacy Award recipient for 

over 50 years of service to Montverde 

Academy, and Ms. Meristell 

Shackelford, Educator Legacy Award 

recipient, as she celebrated 20 years 

of dedicated service to the Academy. 

Congratulations to our 2020 boys 

basketball team, referred to as “the 

greatest high school basketball team 

ever,” on finally getting to celebrate 

their National Championship together. 

Cade Cunningham was presented 

with the 2020 Naismith Trophy for 

Prep Player of the Year. 

The evening was filled with live 

entertainment and an exciting live and 

silent auction. Thank you to all our 

amazing sponsors and guests that 

made this a night to remember. 


By Mrs. Zehra Naqvi, Donor Relations Coordinator 

We’ve had another exciting year 

here in the Alumni Relations Office at 

Montverde Academy! In October, I joined 

the Academy as a Donor Relations 

Coordinator and the new alumni 

liaison. I have 10 years of experience 

in development and donor relations, 

working mainly with local, national, and 

international nonprofit organizations. 

I earned my master’s degree in leadership 

and organizations from the University 

of Denver and have also worked as 

a freelance digital content creator for 

various online publications. I enjoy 

writing, traveling, and connecting with 

people. When I’m not taking my children 

to playdates and birthday parties, I like to 

spend my time reading, catching up on 

shows, or visiting my favorite 

Disney parks. 

Would you like to be featured 

as a Notable Alum or know 

someone that should? 

Contact Mrs. Zehra Naqvi 

Donor Relations Coordinator 

alumni@montverde.org 

As the alumni relations point person, 

I’m excited to see how we can elevate 

our freshly established program to new 

heights. Our goal here in the alumni 

office is to serve as the link between 

the Academy and our remarkable MVA 

Alumni Association. We want our alums 

to come back and revisit the memories 

and moments they created during their 

time at MVA. As you leave your mark on 

the world, share your tales with us! We 

always welcome stories of our cherished 

alums, and our students love to hear 

alumni success stories and are eager 

to learn from you as mentors. Please 

reach out if you are interested in being 

a part of our mentorship program. The 

Academy takes pride in celebrating your 

accomplishments. Remember, once an 

Eagle, always an Eagle! 


Luc Mbah a Moute and Joe Katuka 

Luc Mbah a Moute with Mindy Hopman 

By Mrs. Zehra Naqvi, Donor Relations Coordinator 

Luc Mbah a Moute ‘05 

When we talk about the fulfillment of dreams, one Montverde Academy alum who comes to 

mind is Luc Mbah a Moute. CNN once referred to him as the “African Prince” who went on 

to become the “king of NBA.” At 6 feet 8 inches tall, Mbah a Moute played the last game of 

his professional career in 2020, a career that spanned over 12 years. 

Mbah a Moute was raised in 

Yaoundé, Cameroon, a metropolitan 

city with more than a million 

residents. In 2001, he arrived at MVA. 

He fondly recalls his time on campus 

and seeing the gym for the first time, 

which, to someone who grew up in 

Africa with no infrastructure to work 

on his craft, was “amazing.” He 

remembers being amazed by the 

resources available to him and how 

the community at MVA helped him 

feel welcome. In his second year, 

after establishing himself in the MVA 

basketball world, Mbah a Moute 

made time to become more involved 

in various campus activities – student 

council, soccer, music – he enjoyed 

it all. 

In 2005, Mbah a Moute went on to 

play college basketball at UCLA. 

There, by virtue of his dynamic game, 

he gained a faithful fan following. 

It was there that he piqued the 

interest of one of the NBA’s top 

teams. In 2008, he was a second 

draft pick for the Milwaukee Bucks, 

where he quickly established his 

footing. During his tenure as the 

small forward for the Bucks, Mbah a 

Moute was widely regarded as one of 

the league’s best defensive players. 

He has played for the Sacramento 

Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, 

Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles 

Clippers, and Houston Rockets. He 

has also played for the Cameroonian 

national team. Currently, he is a 

player agent and continues his 

support of young, talented basketball 

players looking for their big break. 

Mbah a Moute spent 12 years in 

the NBA as a player, and while his 

formidable performances on the 

courts are praiseworthy, it is the 

impact he has had off the courts 

that deserves a special mention. 

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, 

who attended MVA in 2011, was 

one of the players who attended a 

camp organized by Mbah a Moute 

in Yaoundé, Cameroon. It was Mbah 

a Moute who saw Embiid’s potential 

and helped him come to MVA, the 

alma mater that initiated his own 

successful career. He has continued 

to help the young center during 

his NBA journey, even playing as 

teammates for one season on the 

Philadelphia 76ers. 

Despite the success he has 

experienced on and off the courts 

in America, Mbah a Moute hasn’t 

forgotten his roots. He continues to 

give back to his country, fulfilling his 

(and their) dreams of helping African 

youth realize their true potential. In 

the past, he has traveled to South 

Africa to take part in Basketball 


Luc visiting the NEST when he returned to campus this past summer 

Without Borders, an NBA program that 

gives capable youth the chance to play 

the game with basketball greats and 

believe that their dreams, too, 

can become a reality. 

For Mbah a Moute, the biggest 

takeaway from his years at MVA is 

the “strong brotherhood” bonds that 

were made. He recognizes his arrival 

at MVA as “one of the best things that 

happened to [his] life,” not just for how it 

catapulted a successful sports career for 

him, but for the inimitable “friendships, 

brotherhoods, and sisterhoods” that 

are created “for the rest of your life.” He 

encourages future generations to “take 

advantage” of this prestigious, 

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity provided 

to them so like him, they, too, can 

cherish the relationships and 

memories for years to come. 

Photos provided by fellow alum, Christina Gazzia. 


1 

2 3 4 

5 

6 7 8 9 

10 

1968 

GARY STAMM (1) 

visited Montverde Academy 

from Lakeland, FL, on 

July 18, 2023. Gary attended 

MVA from 1966-68. 

1986 

JAMES RUSSELL BEGLEY 

Professional firefighter and 

paramedic, City of Columbus, 

OH (retired). 

Favorite staff member: 

Mr. Carlo 

Best Academic 

Accomplishment: Consumer 

Math Award, 1986. 

Best Athletic 

Accomplishment: 6th in 

District, Polevault, 1986. 

Outlook: Life is wonderful! 

1988 

CASSANDRA PILEGGI (2) 

ran in the New York Marathon 

this year. She ran track at 

Montverde Academy. “It was 

always a passion!” After 

fighting a tough battle with 

cancer, Cassandra won the 

lottery to run in the New York 

Marathon, and despite having 

macular degeneration and 

remnants of the cancer in her 

kidney, she finished strong. 

“It was the most incredible 

experience of my lifetime.” 

2007 

NEVARE ZIMMERMAN (3) 

married Craig Desnoyers 

on October 7, 2023 in 

Lake Placid, NY. 

JOE KATUKA (4) 

and Stephanie Ratliff 

welcomed a baby boy on 

November 17, 2023. His 

name is Jayson Don Katuka. 

2010 

SOOMIN TASSELLI (5) 

(maiden name Kim) resides 

in the NY/NJ area, currently 

working for a Korean 

Conglomerate. Soomin and 

her husband are expecting 

their first baby in December. 

2012 

AKEYLA FURBERT (6) 

attended the MVA Alumni 

reunion in Bermuda. 

KAYLA MASON (7) 

is marrying Russell Mitts 

on December 15, 2023, in 

Orange Park, FL. They reside 

in Casselberry, FL. 

2013 

THY VUONG (8) 

and her husband welcomed 

their baby, Zachery An Ky 

(Ký Gia An), on 

November 28, 2023. 

2014 

Congratulations to 

I-TING CHENG (9) 

and her husband who are 

expecting their first baby. 

2015 

MANUEL LOPEZ (10) 

married Haley Limper 

on October 7, 2023, in 

Springfield, IL. 

2016 

ISABELLA OJEDA (11) 

will be getting married in 

December 2023. Isabella and 

Mario, who first met through 

mutual friends in Theta 

Chi and Phi Mu fraternities 

at Florida International 

University, are delighted 

to share the news of their 

upcoming wedding in the 

beautiful Xcaret, Mexico. 

2019 

AUBREY WILLIAMS (12) 

married James Nussbaumer 

on November 21, 2023, in 

Howey-in-the-Hills, FL. 

2020 

BERNARDO SILVA (13) 

recently won Gold at the 

Curitiba Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 

Pro 2023 Championship. 

He has competed in and 

won several Jiu-Jitsu 

championships in the past. 


11 10 

12 13 

3 14 

15 16 17 

SEND US YOUR CLASS NOTES! Send Class Notes submissions and high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) photos to 

alumni@montverde.org or mail to Class Notes at MVA, 17235 Seventh Street, Montverde, FL 34756. 

JACK KAMSICKAS (14) 

is preparing to graduate 

from Clemson University 

(SC) in August 2024 with a 

double major in business 

management and PGA golf 

management. Following 

graduation, he has accepted 

a position as an Assistant 

Golf Professional at The 

Country Club (Brookline) 

outside of Boston, MA. This 

course has hosted 17 USGA 

championships in its 141- 

year history. He was an IJGA 

student here at MVA. 

2022 

FERNANDA OVALLE (15) 

won bronze in women's 

basketball at the 2023 Pan 

American Games held in 

Chile, representing Chile. 

ARUBA 

REUNION 

Several graduates from the 

1980s gathered together for 

a small reunion in Aruba. 

Another reunion is planned 

for September 2024. 

Pictured from left to right 

are RICKY BEAUJON, 

JUDITH WILLEMS, 

XIOMARA COMENENCIA, 

MARIO CROES, and 

JANINE CROES (16). 

GENE 

STRICKLAND 

JOE KATUKA ’07, RUSLAN 

PETEEV ’09 (17), Roy 

Labrador, and Darrell Moody 

attended the celebration of 

life of former coach Gene 

Strickland. 



17235 Seventh Street 

Montverde, FL 34756 

Save the Date 

APRIL 26, 2024 

Mission Inn Resort & Club

The Tower Winter 2023/24

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