Tower Winter 2024-25

WINTER 2024

FEATURE ARTICLES

Afterschool Programs pg. 6

Exploring Passions and

Building Futures pg. 12

A Collaborative Approach to

Student Wellness pg. 32

1 THE TOWER - MONTVERDE ACADEMY | WINTER 2024

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Mr. Jon Hopman

ON THE COVER:

2023-24 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mr. Tim J. Bach

Mrs. Renee S. Lundy ’79

Mr. Michael Mason ’84

Dr. Sidney McPhee

Mr. Gregory L. Nelson

Mr. Sean Parks

Mr. T. Scott Ohmstede

Mrs. Lori Specht ’84

Mrs. Sandra O. Stephens

Trustee Emeritus

STAFF

Mrs. Ginny Holm.......................... Creative Editor

Ms. Michelle Smith...................... Creative Director

Mrs. Nichole Smith...................... Editor

Mrs. Zehra Naqvi......................... Editor

Mrs. Kimberly Braden.................. Photographer

PRINTER

Cromer International Press

Front cover (left to right, back to front): Lucas

Capuano (’29), Kamron Brown (’27), Anabelle

Wang (’30), Atal Dossani ('33), Elena Friedman

(’26), Isabella Lelles (’27), Zena Wilson (’35),

Emery Llamas (’37), Kylee Brown (’29),

Angelica Wolfe ('30), and Caden Adkisson

(’36)

Interior: Music Conservatory students

performing at “Wine & Melodies: An Evening

of Romantic Favorites”

MONTVERDE ACADEMY

The Tower Magazine

17235 Seventh Street, Montverde, FL 34756

Contributors include faculty, staff, students,

and parents of Montverde Academy.

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WINTER 2024 | VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1

IN THIS ISSUE

10

In Memory of...

MVA hosts a blood drive to honor the

the memory of MVA student Luca Arnaldo.

44

Building Legacy

Architecture students envision Montverde

Academy's future Black Box Theatre.

CONTENTS

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

Lower School Pop-ups.......................................6

News Around Campus........................................8

Lower School Costume Parade........................16

Diversity Fest....................................................18

Parents' Perspective.........................................20

Employee Spotlight | Emilie Fracker.................22

Student Spotlights............................................24

Enrollment Management..................................30

Health and Wellness Committee......................32

Sports Wrap-Up................................................34

Beyond the Game............................................36

College Signing Days.......................................38

Fine Arts...........................................................38

Celebrating Education......................................44

Alumni Relations..............................................45

Alumni Spotlight | Dr. Gloria Katuka.................46

MVA Couples Share Their Stories....................48

Alumni Class Notes..........................................50

THE TOWER - MONTVERDE ACADEMY | WINTER 2024 3

A Message from

Head of

School

by Mr. Jon Hopman, Head of School

I was recently asked to speak with a group of

students on the topic of preparedness. While

I may not be as organized as I aspire to be,

my family often finds humor in my enthusiasm

for planning and being prepared for anything.

Whether it’s crafting detailed checklists for a

family vacation or preparing for unforeseen

challenges, I find comfort in being ready. As a

boater and fisherman, I have spare parts for any

mishap at sea. Living in the Southeast, I keep

hurricane supplies – water, batteries, food, and

more – on hand, knowing that preparation is not

just a precaution but a necessity.

My emphasis on preparedness was instilled

early on in my life. My father was always

preparing for the future and frequently reminded

me of the long-term value of planning. Good

grades, sound decision making, and fiscal

responsibility weren’t just tasks but investments

in my future. Those lessons stuck, shaping how I

approach challenges and opportunities today.

At Montverde Academy, we are committed

to preparing students not just for college but

for life. It’s no surprise that parents often cite

school safety and a positive school culture

as their top priorities. At Montverde Academy,

we understand that a secure and supportive

environment is essential for students to thrive.

Just as important, core personal traits such

as honesty, empathy, respect, determination,

self-discipline, responsibility, grit, resilience, and

a strong work ethic are cultivated throughout a

child’s journey here. These attributes are not just

educational goals – they are lifelong skills that

prepare students to navigate the challenges and

opportunities of life.

Another key reason families choose Montverde

Academy is our commitment to academic

excellence. Parents value our vertically aligned

core curriculum, which ensures a seamless

transition between grade levels and divisions,


building a solid foundation for success. Beyond

the core, we offer a range of advanced academic

opportunities, including Advanced Placement

courses, our Study Area of Concentration

diplomas, and dual enrollment options with select

colleges. These programs challenge students to

excel academically and prepare them to thrive in

college and beyond.

At Montverde Academy, we recognize the

importance of nurturing students’ unique gifts and

interests outside the classroom. That’s why we

offer some of the most renowned extracurricular

programs in the country, spanning athletics,

the arts, and a variety of clubs. Whether it’s

achieving excellence on the field, performing

on stage, or pursuing a personal passion, our

students have countless opportunities to grow,

lead, and succeed.

Preparedness extends to our institutional growth

as well. We have a responsibility to prepare for

the future by having the best possible educators,

coaches, and staff to support our students. Our

campus has evolved over the past 25 years

with significant investment in our infrastructure.

Our master plan centered on how we can best

serve our students has resulted in each division

enjoying newly built purpose driven facilities

that are complimented with our science building,

innovation center, fine arts auditorium, Learning

Support Services, dining hall, field house, and

athletic complex.

Looking ahead, several exciting projects will

enhance our ability to prepare students for the

future.

Lower School Expansion (Phase II): Beginning

soon, this project will add classrooms, a

dedicated Dining Hall, and improved traffic flow

for drop-off and pick-up, enhancing autonomy,

safety, and services for our youngest learners.

this intimate performance venue reflect our

commitment to the arts. This multipurpose space

will serve as a hub for performances, receptions,

and much-needed office space for our growing Arts

Alliance.

At Montverde Academy, our students represent the

future. It’s our responsibility to help them prepare

for whatever life may hold. As a school, we

must also prepare to meet evolving needs and

provide the resources to ensure every student

can succeed.

Through our commitment to Knowledge,

Character, and Community, we aim to instill not

only the skills but also the mindset necessary

for lifelong success. Preparedness isn’t just

about facing challenges; it’s about creating

opportunities, embracing growth, and building a

future we can all be proud of.

AT MONTVERDE

ACADEMY, WE

ARE COMMITTED

TO PREPARING

STUDENTS NOT

JUST FOR COLLEGE

BUT FOR LIFE. IT’S

NO SURPRISE THAT

PARENTS OFTEN CITE

SCHOOL SAFETY AND

A POSITIVE SCHOOL

CULTURE AS THEIR

TOP PRIORITIES.

AT MONTVERDE

ACADEMY, WE

UNDERSTAND

THAT A SECURE

AND SUPPORTIVE

ENVIRONMENT IS

ESSENTIAL FOR

STUDENTS TO

THRIVE.

•••

Legacy Training Center: This 60,000-squarefoot

facility will provide state-of-the-art spaces

for our student-athletes, further cementing

Montverde Academy’s position as a leader in

high school athletics.

Black Box Theatre: Early designs for


The Lower School

Expands Afterschool Programs with Pop-Ups,

Parents’ Nights Out, and All-Day Childcare

By Mrs. Nichole Smith, Communications Manager

Montverde Academy’s Lower School has

introduced an exciting variety of afterschool

childcare options designed to offer parents

flexibility and provide engaging activities for

students. This initiative, led by Ms. Jessica

Randolph and Ms. Megan Muscat, has built

on last year’s addition of Afterschool Pop-Up

events and has created new Parents’ Night Out

and All-Day Childcare opportunities this year.

These activities cater to diverse age groups in

the Lower School, and as Montverde Academy

continues to expand these programs, feedback

from families has been a guiding force to ensure

the events meet the needs and preferences of

Lower School families.

Ms. Randolph began piloting the afterschool

pop-ups during the 2023-24 school year, with

pumpkin decorating in October and ornament

making in December, which set the tone and

standard for the pop-up offerings the rest of the

year. When Ms. Muscat came on board, she

wanted to build on the success of the pop-ups.

“My very first pop-up that I piloted myself was

the ice-cream making science experiment

earlier this year, which was new to the students

as well,” said Ms. Muscat. “And when students

returned to aftercare eating an ice-cream snack,

other students were asking, ‘Where did you get

that?’ So word of mouth helped get the word out

even among the kids.”

Parents have expressed their appreciation

for how well the pop-ups work around their

children’s other extracurricular activities. “The

pop-ups are almost like a short and sweet little

piece,” said Ms. Muscat. “They’re a little over an

hour long and can work around most schedules.

And now that we’re introducing a third day into

the mix and the Lower School has added three

more classes, we’ve opened up that door even

more so that a lot of students can participate.”

“Over the last few years, we have noticed an

increase of afterschool activity options,” said

Clint and Katie Clarke, parents to second

grader Caelyn Clarke. “As parents, we love that

Caelyn can have fun and participate in engaging

activities after a long school day. Not only are the

pop-up activities enriching and well-themed, but

they also allow her social time with her friends.

For the October pop-up, Caelyn was beaming

with pride to show us the painted pumpkin she

made. We love that the afterschool programs

continue to evolve and provide new experiences

for the students. We are constantly on the

watch for the next pop-up or new program. It’s

like getting in queue for Taylor Swift tickets, all

thanks to Ms. Jess and Ms. Meg!”

This year, Ms. Randolph and Ms. Muscat

introduced Parents’ Night Out. These events

provide a wonderful opportunity for parents to

have a date night while feeling assured that their

child is in a fun and safe environment. The first

event was a neon glow party and was open to

students in grades 2 - 5. “We had an amazing

adults-only night out, knowing our son was safe

and having a blast,” said Dr. Rhea Birusingh,

mom to third grader Zane Birusingh. “It was

so rewarding to pick him up and hear him ask

if the night was already over – it showed just

how much fun he was having. We are ready for

another guilt-free, child-free night!”

Plans for the next Parents’ Night Out are already

in the works. “The first Parents’ Night Out was

successful,” said Ms. Randolph, “but we did

6 THE TOWER | WINTER 2024

Oliver Volpe and Ms. Megan Muscat

have some parents who wondered whether

the next one would be open to students in the

younger grades. Because of this demand, the

next Parents’ Night Out event, which will be

held during the championship game of MAIT on

Saturday, February 1, will be open to students in

grades 1 - 5. The Parents’ Night Out event in April

will be open to students in Kindergarten through

grade 5.”

Ms. Randoph and Ms. Muscat have also launched

All-Day Childcare, which is now available to all

Lower School students during parent-teacher

conference days, professional development days,

and preplanning week. “In the past, we didn’t offer

childcare on those days,” said Ms. Randolph, “so

we’re trying to fill some of those holes.”

Parent feedback has been a key component

to the growth and success of the afterschool

programs, and Ms. Randolph and Ms. Muscat

hope to continue to provide a listening ear

while giving serious consideration to the

suggestions provided in the parent surveys.

“It’s a process,” said Ms. Randolph. “We want

to build this program the right way, and we

want it to be successful. If it’s not successful,

we want to change. When we receive feedback

from parents, we also want to make sure the

suggestion is appropriate for our kids, that

it’s built for our kids, and that we’re not going

outside of those boundaries.”

Sydney Lungu and Rowan Bayer

“We have definitely become more refined after

practice, and we always have a goal to elevate

the craft each time and to elevate the snack

each time so that the event has value,” said

Ms. Muscat. “When a parent signs up, we want

them to know they’re getting something out of it.”

Anjeli Berry, Knox Spradling, Nathaniel Tayer, and Sydney Lungu

THE TOWER | WINTER 2024 7

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS

The Graduating Class of 2024

2024 AP Program School Honor Roll with Platinum Distinction: College Board named MVA to the 2024 Advanced

Placement ® Program School Honor Roll, earning Platinum distinction. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools

whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition

annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for

students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. MVA had 78 percent of seniors who took at least

one AP Exam during high school, 72 percent of seniors scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam, and

37 percent of seniors who took five or more AP exams! Collectively, Montverde Academy offers 32 AP courses

across 73 sections with 23 teachers who are specially qualified to teach these courses.

Lower School

Yearbook Cover Art

Contest: Payson

Bedard won this year’s

Lower School Yearbook

Cover Art Contest! This

year’s yearbook theme,

“Exploring Excellence,”

encouraged our fifthgrade

artists to let their

creativity roam free

in a jungle-inspired

challenge!

FIRST ® LEGO ® League Scrimmage:

Montverde Academy proudly hosted the

FIRST ® LEGO ® League Scrimmage,

welcoming 20 teams from schools across

the area for a day of robotics and learning.

This scrimmage was the only one held

in Lake County, making it a unique

opportunity for teams to test their skills

and strategies before official competitions

begin. Throughout the day, students

showcased their robots, practiced navigating

challenges, and had the invaluable

experience of presenting in front of judges

whose feedback gave them insights on how

they can refine their approaches and make

improvements. It was a day full of STEM

learning, bringing Middle School students

together to innovate and collaborate.

EagleMUN Competes at KnightMUN at UCF:

EagleMUN competed in KnightMUN XXIII, hosted

by the University of Central Florida. This year,

KnightMUN included over a dozen schools with

nearly 500 student delegates. Model United

Nations is a competitive UN simulation, recreating

actual UN committees, specialized topics, and

crisis committees. Four student-delegates were

recognized for their achievements. Senior Falysha

Belvu and sophomore Camelia Berrada earned

Verbal Commendation.

Third-Grade Cabbage Contest:

Christian Huynh was selected as

the 2024 Florida state winner of the

national Bonnie Plants Third-Grade

Cabbage Program for his 18.2-pound

cabbage. As the state winner, Christian

will receive special recognition for his

efforts in growing his winning cabbage,

as well as a 1,000-dollar scholarship.


Best of Show:

Montverde Day Poster

Contest: Students in

grades 1-5 showcased their

creativity by illustrating one

of four unique themes for the

Montverde Day Poster Contest:

Lumberjack Show, America

the Beautiful, Olympics,

and Voting/Democracy. Each

class awarded first-, second-,

and third-place winners for their

inspiring artwork. River Napoles

received the distinguished Best

in Show title for his exceptional

poster. All posters were

displayed at the annual

Montverde Day Festival.

Students Give Back During Senior Retreat with a Senior Bike Build: During the annual Senior Retreat,

students worked together in their advisory groups to assemble bicycles provided by the Academy. The

completed bikes were then picked up by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office who donated them to local children

and families in need. This endeavor not only gives students an opportunity to give back to the community but

also promotes a sense of unity as they work toward a common goal. Representatives from each advisory

group then face off in a thrilling bike race to see which team’s bike can cross the finish line first.

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS

National Junior Honor Society: The Middle School celebrated the induction of 28

new members into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), setting a new record

for the school. The NJHS recognizes students who excel in scholarship, leadership,

service, character, and citizenship. This year’s inductees exemplified these qualities,

standing out not only for their academic achievements but also for their commitment to

community service and leadership.

Sixth- and Seventh-Grade Girls’ Volleyball: The sixthand

seventh-grade girls’ volleyball team won the Citrus

League Championship in a nail-biter against The First

Academy.


Montverde Academy

Hosts Blood Drive in

Memory of

Luca Arnaldo


On October 8 and 29, Montverde Academy hosted

a blood drive in memory of Luca Arnaldo, a beloved

Lower School student who tragically lost his battle

with cancer during the summer of 2024. For two

years, Luca bravely fought rhabdomyosarcoma,

a rare and aggressive cancer. Over the course of

his battle, he endured over 20 blood and platelet

transfusions, chemotherapy sessions, and radiation

treatments. Despite these immense challenges,

Luca remained resilient, attending school whenever

possible and participating in activities he loved,

such as violin and robotics.

Luca’s mother, Mrs. Patricia Arnaldo, recalled how

Luca, even in the midst of intense treatments,

wanted to stay engaged with school life. “He loved

music and science,” she said, “and was looking

forward to joining the robotics team. He always

wanted to participate in school events, even when

his health made it difficult.” Luca’s love for learning

and his desire to maintain a sense of normalcy left

a lasting impact on his teachers, peers, and the

MVA community.

Mrs. Arnaldo highlighted the crucial role blood and

platelet donations played in Luca’s treatment. “He

received a lot of blood and platelets transfusions,”

she said. “Especially after chemotherapy, when his

immunity was low, the transfusions were lifesaving.”

These donations provided Luca and countless

other children with the strength to continue their

treatments.

This personal connection to the need for blood

donations inspired Mrs. Arnaldo to propose

sharing Luca’s story with the Montverde Academy

community, particularly through the school’s regular

blood drives. “I thought we could share Luca’s

story to help people understand the importance of

donating,” she expressed.

Mrs. Margaret Price, Assistant Dean of Students for

Multiculturalism, Leadership, and Student Programs

Luca Arnaldo (right) and his brother, Noah (left)

who organized the blood drive,

emphasized just how critical donations

are. “One donation can save up to

three lives,” she shared, adding that

every two seconds, someone in the

United States or Canada requires

a blood transfusion. For childhood

cancer patients like Luca, the need

is even more pressing. “Children

undergoing cancer treatments often

require more platelet transfusions

than blood,” Mrs. Arnaldo explained

and encouraged those willing to

donate platelets to consider the longer

process of platelet donation as it can

be just as vital as giving blood as it

prevents severe hemorrhages during

Luca Arnaldo


treatment. Platelet donations can be scheduled

in any of the OneBlood Donation Centers.

Mrs. Arnaldo also expressed her gratitude

for the incredible support her family received

from Montverde Academy’s staff, faculty, and

community during Luca’s treatment. “Ms. Jodi

McDaniel and Ms. Shackelford were wonderful,”

she said. “Their help with both academic and

personal support during such a

difficult time meant so much to us.”

“Luca was an exemplary little boy who

loved to do all the things a child should:

playing with friends, his school, his little

brother, Pokémon, and his family,” said

Ms. Meristell Shackelford, Dean of

the Lower School. “His parents were

unwavering in their support and care for

Luca during his multi-year cancer fight. They

made many sacrifices to give Luca the best

treatment options, care, and love any parent

could give a child. Paulo and Patricia’s strength,

courage, and faith are a testament to their love

for their son. Although Luca lost his battle with

cancer, his legacy of love, strength, and passion

for living will live on forever through his parents,

grandparents, little brother Noah, and all of us in

the Montverde Academy family who got to be a

part of his journey.”

Ms. McDaniel was Luca’s last teacher and saw

the worst of his treatments. “She went above

and beyond to support us, so she holds a

special place in our hearts,” said Mrs. Arnaldo.

“She would hold Zoom meetings when Luca

was in the hospital so he could participate in

special events in the classroom.”

“It was a privilege to be Luca’s second-grade teacher,” said Ms. McDaniel.

“Luca was truly an inspiration. His determination and flexibility toward his

situation were amazing and commendable. While bravely facing more

challenges than any child should ever know, Luca also had a personal goal –

he wanted to earn a ‘good citizenship’ award and cross the stage on Honor’s

Night to accept his medal. He was so excited about this, and whether he

was having a good day or a difficult one, Luca never quit working toward this

achievement. I was so proud of him when I

had the pleasure of putting his

citizenship medal around his neck.

Luca and his family had a profound

impact on me personally. Witnessing

this young boy’s battle and his parents’

strength, efforts, and immense

love for him every day affected my

perspective. Some of the things I

previously prioritized now seem more

meaningless. Luca has reminded me

that building strong relationships is what’s

important and that our time truly is priceless.”

“Luca’s previous teachers, Mrs. Sinopoli,

Mrs. Rodriguez, Mrs. Garland, and all the enrichment

teachers, also cared for Luca very much,” shared

Mrs. Arnaldo. “The families of the Class of 2034 have

also been amazing with us.”

The two-day blood drive was a meaningful opportunity

for the community to come together in Luca’s honor

and to help save lives, and a total of 37 units of blood

were donated. Each donation can save up to three

lives, meaning 111 patients could benefit from the

lifesaving efforts of everyone who donated. The next

blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4,

2025. For countless children battling cancer, blood

and platelet donations are critical to their treatment.

The MVA blood drive offers a way for individuals to

make a lasting impact in the lives of those who need

it most.

Patrica and Paulo

Arnaldo, parents of Luca

and Noah, attending a

blood drive in honor of Luca

“LUCA WAS AN

EXEMPLARY LITTLE

BOY WHO LOVED

TO DO ALL THE

THINGS A CHILD

SHOULD: PLAYING

WITH FRIENDS,

HIS SCHOOL, HIS

LITTLE BROTHER,

POKÉMON, AND HIS

FAMILY.”

– MS. MERISTELL

SHACKELFORD,

DEAN OF THE LOWER

SCHOOL

•••

Luca singing with the

Lower School choir at Night

for the Cure

The Class of 2034 wearing gold shirts for Childhood Cancer Awareness in memory of Luca

Arnaldo


ExPLoRi n g

Passions and Building Futures


Montverde Academy’s Middle School boasts an impressive selection of

31 electives, offering seventh- and eighth-grade students a wide range of

opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and ignite their

passions. From diving into the timeless tales of mythology to crafting compelling

stories in creative writing, stepping into the spotlight in theatre, documenting

memories for the school yearbook, mastering the art of coding, or unraveling the

complexities of Artificial Intelligence, these courses provide hands-on learning

experiences that extend beyond the classroom. With enthusiastic teachers

as their guide, students are empowered to gain practical knowledge, critical

thinking skills, and creative inspiration.

Mythology Elective - Ms. Courtney Williams’

mythology elective brings Greek, Roman,

Norse, and other European mythologies to

life. Through a reader’s theatre approach,

students read modern adaptations and work

individually and collaboratively to discover

and discuss the history, literary elements, and

modern parallels within these mythologies

through film, art, and literature.

“I think reading myths opens a way for

students to learn about history,” said Ms.

Williams. “Students learn about the laws

and daily life in ancient Greece because the

Greeks incorporated their experiences into

their myths, which allows us to see how far

society has come and how far it hasn’t come.

The myths humanize the people in the past

because they were creating stories to understand

the world that they were living in.”

Ms. Williams loves how engaged and

participative the students are. “When you

come across something in a myth that says

for them to battle, one student may make

a battle sound or start falling on the floor,”

said Ms. Williams. “They get very into it.”

One of the many ways that Ms. Williams

brings the myths to life is with a Pandora’s

Box project where students are tasked to

create their own Pandora’s Box based on the

original myth and place modern examples

of what they believe are symbols of hope

and evil into their box. “Mythology has

taught me various things and has been a fun

elective,” said Aman Aggarwal, an eighthgrade

student enthusiastic about the course.

“We read about Greek myths and how the

characters overcome challenges within them.

Ms. Williams is a great teacher and makes

mythology fun.”


MVA’s Dynamic

Middle School

Electives


Middle School Theatre

Troupe at Junior ITS

District Tournament

Theatre Elective: The Middle School theatre

elective introduces students to the fundamental

skills of acting, including script analysis,

improvisation, character development, group

rehearsal dynamics, and various acting

methods and styles, along with behindthe-scenes

skills, such as costume design,

set design, lighting, and marketing. During

the first semester of the course, Mr. Adrian

Wright-Ahern focuses on helping students

develop these skills while preparing them

for competition at the Junior International

Thespian Society (ITS) District Festival at the

end of the semester. This year, the MVA troupe

earned an impressive 12 Excellent ratings,

three Superiors, and two Top Honors. Finalists

Juliette Carillo, Trey Foster, Sophia Gil, Evan

Langfeld, Mallory Matthews, Thatcher Smith,

Owen Sorg, and Thor Wernek will advance

to the Junior ITS State Festival in Orlando on

February 14, 2025.

One of those passionate students is Juliette

Carillo, an eighth grader who plans to continue

studying theatre in the Upper School. “The

theatre elective has been an engaging and fun

learning experience for me,” said Juliette. “It has

encouraged me to continue theatre in high school

and has taught me so much about accountability,

teamwork, and memorization.” Theatre plays a

vital role in developing essential soft skills, such as

confidence, critical thinking, and public speaking,

while challenging students to think outside the box.

Art & Technology Rotation: Although elective

courses are primarily available only to seventh

and eighth graders, when students enter the sixth

grade, they have a unique opportunity to sample

Dr. Caryn Long teaching

technology segment of

Art & Technology

Rotation

In the spring semester of the course, students

build on the skills learned in the first semester

as they prepare for their major stage production

at the end of the school year, this year’s

production being the hit musical “Descendants.”

Mr. Wright-Ahern is grateful to work with

students who are committed to their craft and

bring a unique level of passion to the class.


a variety of interest areas through their Art & Technology

Rotation, rotating between technology, film, vocal

performance, and theatre from quarter to quarter.

In the technology portion of the rotation, students learn how

to use technology safely and effectively as they prepare

for technology use in future courses. The film class offers

an introduction to the fundamentals of film production and

provides hands-on experience with all stages of a short film

production, from brainstorming ideas to working with filming

and lighting equipment and using film editing software.

During the vocal performance segment, students discover

the joy of singing while learning the fundamentals of vocal

techniques and developing skills in harmony and ensemble

singing. The theatre portion of the rotation encourages

students to collaborate, express themselves, and bring

characters to life while exploring the basics of acting,

including voice, movement, and improvisation. The vocal

and theatre segments of the rotation even join their classes

together for one unit on musical theatre.

Dr. Caryn Long, Director of Educational Technology and

Innovation who teaches the technology portion of the

rotation, said, “Students get a flavor of something in each

section of the rotation. If they take my technology class for

nine weeks and become more interested in technology, they

have more specialized technology options the following

year.”

Introduction to Coding: One technology option is the

Introduction to Coding elective, taught by Mr. Mattew

Parets. Coding is at the heart of everything computers do,

from drawing pictures to using Artificial Intelligence and

surfing the internet.

In this elective,

students develop

the fundamental

coding skills required

to do creative work

within the field. “I

want students to

understand how

computers work,

how they can get

Mr. Parets and Pedro Salgado

the computers to do

what they want, and have fun with the process,” said

Mr. Parets, “so I try to make as many examples as possible

and have students draw pictures, play games, or create their

own games.”

Computer programming builds the skill of creative problem

solving, and students in many academic disciplines

would benefit from being able to look at a problem and

creatively find a solution to it. “The earlier you get started on

something,” said Mr. Parets, “the more practice you get, the

more fluent you become in it, and the more marketable your

skill becomes.” The curriculum of the course is designed

for two semesters. “If students are willing to do some

independent study, though, I’m happy to keep them going

beyond two semesters,” continued Mr. Parets. “I promise

students that I will keep inventing courses. The reason I

retired from product development is because I wanted to

share my passion with people. I love teaching, and I love

sharing my enthusiasm.”

“Coding is one of the most engaging classes I have taken

this year,” said eighth grader Ava Sanford. “I have had so

much fun, and I hope to further develop my newfound

coding interest.”

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: In Ms. Sherri

Lasseter’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence elective,

students explore the history of AI, its impact on our daily

lives, and the ethical considerations surrounding its use.

They also learn about current AI tools for student use in

educational settings and explore AI resources to complete

projects, always considering the appropriateness of its use in

the educational setting.

Ms. Lasseter hopes that

her students will become

savvy, responsible users

of AI and understand

how AI can help them.

“AI is working its way into

many different career

paths,” said Ms. Lasseter,

Rishi Rudraraju and Caleb Seetahal

“and we need to teach

students how to use it

appropriately instead telling them to avoid it.”

The course delves into topics such as AI-related laws,

responsible consumption of information, AI bias, credibility

of AI-generated content, and AI-driven fact-checking. For

one activity, students chatted with a character chatbot that

represented either a historical, popular, or fictional character.

Students even participated in a creative writing project where

they used Magic School’s chatbot to outline and write a short

story within a certain parameter, using AI images to illustrate

the story.

“This class helps us find ways to know what is considered

responsible use of AI and what is considered improper,”

said eighth grader Sami Baishya. “We have ventured into

recommender systems, something we use in our daily lives

when watching YouTube or Netflix, and what makes it so

unique. This elective is a must-have as it not only provides

knowledge about AI but also teaches us how to use it

respectfully in a world that is using AI every day.”

Montverde Academy’s 31 Middle School electives showcase

the Academy’s commitment to fostering curiosity, creativity,

and a love for lifelong learning. These diverse courses not

only allow students to explore their individual interests but

also equip them with essential skills for academic success

and future careers.


Co S

TuM e

parade

By Mrs. Ginny Holm, Director of Marketing and Communications

MVA students, parents, and employees lined Volheim

Way (the circle) to catch a glimpse of our Lower

School students in the annual costume parade, held on

Halloween. This annual tradition is a fan favorite for all!

3

1

4

2

1. Zena Wilson 2. Ayra Naqvi 3. Brandon Sowa 4. Dax Minervini

5. Harper Lane, Logan Anderson, Martina Vergara, Mia Gil

6. Jemah Coffman, Brielle Beach, Priscilla Quindemil

7. Ilana Katz, Stella Singh

8. Leo Miorelli, Joel Calderon

9. Adithya Reddy Tholuganti, Ava Taylor, Payson Bedard,

Mrs. Saliesha Meder

10. Adalyn Sweredoski, Charlotte Kovatch, Madison Mackey

11. Jax Zegan, Andrew Athans, Ilana Katz, Gabriel Boccio


6 7

5

10

8 9

11

Orlando Parai team


parade


Montverde Academy hosted its annual

Diversity Fest on Friday, October 18, 2024,

bringing together the school community for

a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity.

The event, which has become a highly

anticipated tradition, showcased the Academy’s

commitment to embracing and learning from

the many backgrounds represented within its

student body.

The Flamenco Alboreá Orlando Dance Company performing Tinku from the Andes of Bolivia

The evening kicked off with a flag processional

representing 89 countries from all over the

world. Students and families proudly crossed

the stage carrying their country’s flag. “It’s a

great buzz and hype for the kids and a privilege

for them,” said Mr. Walter Eksteen, Dean of

Students. “They feel really fortunate to be able

to represent their country, and it sets the tone

for the rest of the year.”

“Diversity Fest is the heart of what brings

us all together,” said Mrs. Margaret Price,

Assistant Dean of Students for Multiculturalism,

Leadership, and Student Programs. “The seed

was planted – now it has grown to the heart of

what we all feel when we’re there at the center

of campus. Having Diversity Fest and the

intentional efforts that we have to make sure

everyone feels that they belong, that is who

we are.”

Venezuela Danza y Tambor dancing traditional Venezuelan dance

Stilt walker balloon artist from Elevated Productions making balloons animals for kids


(Above) MVA Chinese

Student Union performing

a traditional dragon dance

(Right) Families serving

their country's cuisine

(Left) MVA Lower School

Choir perfoming at

Diversity Fest

(Below) Kasa Panzu

African storytellers and

drummers


A PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Finding a Stage and Community

John & Amanda Rifenberg

When our son, Jackson, was in eighth grade,

he was ready for a change and was curious to

see what Montverde Academy had to offer. Our

first experience at the Academy was when our

family attended the show “9 to 5.” We were blown

away by the talent of the Theatre Conservatory

and soon scheduled a tour of the campus. We

thought it was beautiful, but it was the maturity

and good nature of the students that attracted us

to the school. We then

met with Mr. Dean Bell,

Director of Performing

Arts and Conservatories,

and his love of his

students and the Fine

Arts program was

infectious.

We set up Jackson’s

audition for the Theatre

Conservatory, and it led

to my favorite MVA story. As he was auditioning,

I sat quietly in the lobby. A group of about 10

students was talking about the new student who

was auditioning. They turned to me and asked

if he was my son, which I admitted to, and then

surrounded me in excitement. At first, I was a bit

nervous as drama students have a reputation for

being very competitive, but each of them told me

how much

"

MVA prepares students

for college by holding

them accountable

for their actions

and choices.

"

"

they loved the

school and

how Jackson

needed to be

there. They

went on and

on about how great the Theatre Conservatory

program is, as well as the school, students, and

administration. Immediately, my mind was made.

Jackson was going to leave the only school he

had ever known since Pre-K3, a school where I

had been the Fine Arts Boosters President for the

last four years and on the Board of Trustees, to

join this new school and start brand new.

Coming from a school where we had known

everyone for over 10 years to knowing no one

In his journey, Jackson won

the Young Performer Applause

Award at the Dr. Phillips Center.

As parents that were new

to theatre, we didn’t realize

how important that award

was and didn’t really have the

appreciation for it at the time

that we do now.

was awkward – but for only a minute. Very

quickly we met other families, especially at Arts

Alliance nights. Once we traveled to a thespian

competition, we made friends that will last well

beyond Jackson’s years at MVA. At times, there

is competition among the students for parts and

stage time, but surprisingly the parents actually

root for one another’s child.

MVA prepares students

for college by holding

them accountable

for their actions and

choices. Within the

Theatre Conservatory,

this philosophy is fully

embraced, which has

led to such growth for

Jackson. It’s amazing

to see the difference

between now and

"

when he first set foot on campus. Even in my

conversations with him, I see him becoming

an adult.

For as long as I can remember, Jackson has

been in theatre and has been a fan of it. At the

age of five, he watched the stage performance

of “The Phantom of the Opera” on Amazon

Prime at least 50 times. We have season tickets

at the Dr. Phillips Center and try to make it to

Broadway each year. MVA has supported that

passion by introducing him to areas of the arts

he has never seen, such as Shakespeare or

some of the unique Black Box series shows. The

Black Box shows are intense and allow for more

adult content that you don’t see at a lot of other

schools. It’s important for the students to grow

and challenge themselves with edgier material.

In his journey, Jackson won the Young Performer

Applause Award at the Dr. Phillips Center. As

parents that were new to theatre, we didn’t

realize how important that award was and didn’t

really have the appreciation for it at the time that

we do now. Last year, we were so excited to go

‟FOR AS LONG AS

I CAN REMEMBER,

JACKSON HAS BEEN

IN THEATRE AND

HAS BEEN A FAN OF

IT. AT THE AGE OF

FIVE, HE WATCHED

THE STAGE

PERFORMANCE OF

“THE PHANTOM OF

THE OPERA” ON

AMAZON PRIME AT

LEAST 50 TIMES.”

•••


back to The Applause Awards and watch Tyler,

Lily, and Amelie perform for Outstanding Actor.

“Sunday in the Park with George” won Best

Show, so we were able to see Jackson return to

that stage.

better by contributing toward a nicer set, better

wardrobe, or even the potential to add another

show that wouldn’t have otherwise been in the

budget, it is our pleasure.

As members of the Arts

Alliance, we have gotten to

know all the students and

other families. Seeing them

up on stage makes you

proud, even when it isn’t

your own child. We kind

of feel like parents to all of

them. Over the summer, we

watched Carys at a show

in Winter Garden. Not only

was she fantastic, but the

whole theatre department

was there in support.

Arts education is vital to

Jackson’s success. Being

on stage will reduce his fear

of speaking to an audience,

he will understand

accountability by

remembering his lines and

holding others accountable

for knowing theirs, and he

will learn teamwork while

working with others toward

a common goal. There are

so many life lessons within

the arts that will push him

forward in whatever career

he pursues.

The Academy has so many

incredible sports teams, an

amazing arts department,

and great academics.

Whatever your child wants

to be a part of, there is a

group that can support their

dreams. We really enjoy

watching the talent at MVA.

If in any way we can help

make the shows a tiny bit

John, Amanda and Jackson Rifenberg


Employee Spotlight

Emilie Fracker


Mrs. Emilie Fracker’s journey to her role

as Associate Dean of the Middle School at

Montverde Academy has been shaped by a

lifelong dedication to education and a deep

commitment to students’ holistic development.

Through various roles in her career, she has

learned that true educational leadership means

listening, empathizing, and working alongside

students, families, and colleagues to foster an

environment where everyone can succeed.

She attended Stetson University to study music

and vocal performance. But after realizing that

she preferred the idea of teaching to being a

performer, she changed her major to elementary

education with a minor in music and an

emphasis in vocal performance. She also played

viola in the orchestra.

During the summer after her first year of college,

she got a job at Disney World through the Disney

College Program, a job she says developed her

customer service skills. “At Disney, a lot of things

can happen that have the potential to upset the

guests. They might lose something or drop their

ice cream. I learned at Disney that the important

thing when someone is upset is to listen to them.

And most of the time, all people want is to be

heard.”

While still in college, Mrs. Fracker started an

internship with Celebration School where she

was later hired as a consultant and K-5 teacher

after completing her bachelor’s degree. She

helped develop a curriculum that supported the

school’s progressive approach to education, with

multi-aged classes and no letter grades.

Mrs. Fracker with students at the Middle School Book Fair

A few years later, she moved to Michigan with

her husband and began teaching at a public

school where she taught second and third grade,

both with multi-aged classrooms, and then

Kindergarten. She later became a stay-at-home

mom to focus on giving her two young children

memorable experiences – taking them to play

groups, the library, and music class. Almost

immediately, she became the president of the

Moms and Tots Club where her penchant for

detail and organization proved useful.


experiences, and feelings into consideration

in everything I do. We have our personal

philosophies about education and our own goals,

but we need to join that with our community

partners – parents,

colleagues,

or community I want them to

members who feel special and

have a stake in to know that we

our school in some care about them. "

way. We come up – Mrs. Emilie Fracker

with a better result

when we all work together and listen to each

other.”

"

Mrs. Fracker with Aman Aggarwal at the the Middle School

Book Fair

After living in Michigan for 10 years, she and

her family returned to Florida. Not long after

returning, Mrs. Fracker joined Montverde

Academy as a second-grade teacher, and her

children enrolled in the Lower School. Her

passion for collaborative, student-centered

learning flourished. She informed the Head of

School of her desire to become an administrator,

and MVA provided her the opportunity to return

to Stetson University to pursue a master’s

degree in educational

leadership. After eight years

of teaching second grade, she

transferred to a new position

as the librarian and reading

specialist. Two years later,

she became the Associate

Dean of the Middle School, a

position she has held for the

past four years.

"

Both of her children, Aidan

and Kate, are now in college; and she feels that

their enrollment in all three divisions at MVA

gave her a unique perspective that has benefited

her greatly as an administrator. Because of her

experiences as a parent in all three divisions,

she feels she has a better understanding today

of the challenges faced by both students and

parents.

Her approach to leadership is to stay humble

and not assume she has all the answers. “This

is a collaborative effort,” said Mrs. Fracker. “I

must take people’s perspectives, backgrounds,

I want to support

teachers and take

weight off of them – not

put more on them – to

help them do what

they do best, which is

working with students.

– Mrs. Emilie Fracker

The students motivate her to do what she

does every day. “I want them to feel special

and to know that we care about them,” said

Mrs. Fracker. “If they’re not having a good

experience, I let them know that it will get better

and that I want to be there to support them.

I also love working with families and parents

and being a support for them.” Mrs. Fracker

sees students as individuals, and her holistic

approach to education helps her to invest not

only in their academic progress but also in their

emotional wellness. She loves it when a student

who has been struggling socially gets a new

friend. “I’m not a crier, but I will get choked up,”

she continued. “We’re a small enough school

that I can keep an eye on those

"

students, and I can try to set

them up in situations where they

can interact with their peers.”

She believes in the value of

collaboration and strives to be

not just an effective leader for

the students but also for the

teachers. “I want to support

teachers and take weight off

of them – not put more on them – to help them

do what they do best, which is working with

students,” said Mrs. Fracker. “Giving teachers

the time they need and ensuring that conditions

are optimal for them to do their best work is

important to me.”

Mrs. Fracker’s empathetic nature is infectious

and is a vital thread in the fabric of the MVA

community, creating a space where every

student and faculty member in the Middle School

is valued and empowered to thrive.

MRS. FRACKER'S

EMPATHETIC NATURE

IS INFECTIOUS AND

IS A VITAL THREAD IN

THE FABRIC OF THE

MVA COMMUNITY,

CREATING A SAFE

SPACE WHERE

EVERY STUDENT AND

FACALTY MEMBER

IN THE MIDDLE

SCHOOL IS VALUED

AND EMPOWERED TO

THRIVE.

•••


A Budding Star at Montverde Academy

Sydney Carter

By Ms. Cyndi Cunningham, Lower School Teacher

Sydney Carter, a talented fourth-grade student

at Montverde Academy, has been a part of MVA

since Kindergarten. Her journey at MVA has

been marked by a passion for the performing

arts, which she discovered at a young age,

particularly in theatre.

Sydney’s love for acting in musicals began in

first grade when she auditioned for her first

play, “Beauty and the Beast.” Though she was

just starting her journey, Sydney embraced the

challenge with enthusiasm, playing multiple roles

in the ensemble, including a villager, a fork, and

"

Do your best when

you are on stage, and

even if you mess up,

keep going because

the audience won’t

know unless you stop

or do something that

might say you did

something wrong.

– Sydney Carter"

a particularly

memorable part

as a wolf. This

experience

ignited her

passion for

performing and

set the stage

for her future

endeavors in

theatre.

For Sydney,

the most enjoyable aspects of being in plays

are singing and dancing. These elements of

performance allow her to express herself and

connect with the audience. Sydney dedicates

countless hours to perfecting her craft, taking

voice lessons with Montverde Academy’s Upper

School music teacher, Mr. Aubrey Connelly-

Candelario, and participating in dance lessons.

Her dedication to honing her skills is truly

inspiring.

Currently, Sydney is thrilled to be part of the

musical “Annie,” where she plays the role of

Molly. This opportunity is a testament to her hard

work and talent. Playing Molly allows Sydney to

showcase her abilities as an actress, singer, and

dancer, bringing her immense joy and a sense of

accomplishment.


Sydney Carter performing in the musical "Annie"

Sydney’s favorite musical is “Matilda,” a story

about a young girl who stands up to injustice.

Sydney relates to Matilda’s courage and

determination, stating that the character inspires

her to stand up for what is right. Additionally,

Sydney admires the character Glinda from

“Wicked” for her kindness, especially towards

Elphaba when no one else was supportive.

Ariana Grande, a singer and actress whom

Sydney greatly admires, plays Glinda in the

movie version of “Wicked.” Sydney looks up to

Grande not only for her talent but also for her

kindness and charisma. She dreams of playing

a role similar to Grande’s earlier character, Cat

Valentine, from the show “Sam & Cat.”

Sydney’s journey serves as a reminder that with hard

work and perseverance, it is possible to pursue one’s

dreams while excelling in other areas of life.

As Sydney continues her journey at Montverde

Academy, the future looks incredibly bright. With her

talent, determination, and supportive environment,

she is well on her way to achieving her dreams.

Sydney Carter is a shining example of what can be

accomplished when passion meets hard work, and

her story is sure to inspire many young performers to

follow their own dreams.

Sydney has some wise advice for anyone with

dreams of performing: “Do your best when you

are on stage, and even if you mess up, keep

going because the audience won’t know unless

you stop or do something that might say you

did something wrong.” Her words reflect her

resilience and determination, qualities that are

essential for any aspiring artist.

Last year, Sydney had the opportunity to play

a lead role as Cindy in “Rocking Around the

50s" with her third-grade class. This role was

a significant milestone in her young career,

allowing her to shine as a performer. The

experience further solidified her love for theatre

and her commitment to pursuing her passion.

Despite her busy schedule with rehearsals

and lessons, Sydney manages to balance her

academic responsibilities with her passion for

the arts. Her ability to maintain this balance is

a testament to her discipline and dedication.

Sydney Carter and other cast members of the musical "Annie"


Raising the Barre

Balancing Academics and Ballet


Michaela Cook has been a student at Montverde

Academy since the fourth grade and

has flourished as both a student and

a dancer. Her academic growth has

been supported by influential

teachers, and her passion for

dance has flourished alongside

her commitment to ballet at

Orlando Ballet. Michaela’s story is one

of dedication, balance, and a drive to

achieve her dreams of becoming a

professional dancer.

Michaela has been a dancer since the

age of three and has been a part of

Orlando Ballet for the past eight years.

When her school day ends at 1:30

p.m., she goes directly to Orlando Ballet

where she practices until late in the evening. To

stay motivated, she remembers that she started

for a reason and wants to finish what she started.

“I didn’t come this far just to come this far,” said

Michaela. “I want to look back one day, reflect,

and say, ‘I did that,’ and be proud of

myself for doing it.”

"

Her goal is to move to New York

and become a professional dancer.

She draws inspiration from dancers

like Tiler Peck and Misty Copeland.

“They’re amazing dancers,” said

Michaela. “I know that what they do

takes a lot of work and dedication. To see what

my life could look like if I stick with it is motivating

to me.”

Michaela feels that Montverde Academy is

helping her to achieve her goal to become a

professional dancer. “The workload is intense,

but honestly, it’s preparing me to balance dancing

with academics in the future because even

though I leave at 1:30 p.m. every day, I still have

five classes, which all require a lot of work,” said

MVA is teaching

me to build good

habits that will be

necessary for

the future.

Michaela. “MVA is teaching me to build good

habits that will be necessary for the future.”

Michaela has achieved success not only

on the stage but also in her extracurricular

activities and in academics. She was

inducted into the National Junior Honor

Society during the spring of her seventhgrade

year. “Not only do we help

out our local community here

at Montverde Academy,” said

Michaela, “but NJHS also teaches

us the value of helping others and

how important it is to uplift each other

and support each other even though we

may be different.”

Michaela has maintained a 4.0 GPA and

attributes much of her academic success to

her fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Saliesha Meder,

who not only gave her private math tutoring but

also helped her develop the soft skill of staying

organized. “She made sure we knew how to

"

– Michaela Cook

stay organized,” said Michaela.

“Being a student-athlete, I must be

organized all the time because I

have to plan in advance. Learning

good organizational skills in fifth

grade really helped me prepare me

for middle school.”

During her time in the Middle

School, she has benefitted greatly from the

practical applicability of various classes,

particularly Mr. Tom Narducci’s social studies

class where she learned about taxes, the

stock market, and other real-world financial

information. One of her favorite assignments

for the class this past semester was a project

where she had to get a hypothetical job, buy a

car and a house, and create a budget. Michaela

has a deep appreciation for other teachers like

Ms. Courtney Williams, Ms. Jordan Horacek,


and Mr. Field. “I feel like they really create

a safe, good environment for learning,” said

Michaela. “They make class fun. I enjoyed their

classes while also learning important lessons.”

“Montverde Academy has really helped me

find my true self,” said Michaela. “Everybody

here shares their own story, and it’s nice to

be in a community that supports you. There

are so many amazing people here that I feel

like I’m included and a part of something. This

school makes me feel valued. Everybody has

something to share and bring to the school. I like

that I get to be a part of that.”

With her unwavering determination and a

supportive community behind her, Michaela is

poised to make her mark in the world of dance

and beyond.


Positive Attitude, Effort,

and Leadership

Zac Knight

By Mr. Mike Samide, Upper School Math Teacher

Positive Attitude, Effort, and Respect. Those are the

three things that I keep written on my whiteboard

year-round. Those are what I expect out of my

students and what my students should expect out

of me. I try to set the bar high, knowing that most

won’t be able to come into class every day

exhibiting all of those, but in rare instances,

I do have those kinds of students. One

student who has personified those three

qualities as well as or better than any

student I’ve taught is Zac Knight.

Zac is a twelfth-grade student who

has attended Montverde Academy

since ninth grade when his family

moved to Florida from Australia. Zac

is active in the MVA community as

a member of the Arts and Athletics

Leadership Council (AALC) and a

member of the Center for Basketball

Development (CBD) where he plays

on the CBD Gold team.

Zac’s CBD coach from his junior

year, Coach Shea Feehan, said,

“Zac is one of my all-time favorite

kids I’ve had the opportunity to

coach at Montverde Academy. He

exemplifies the Montverde way and

represents the culture on campus

in such a positive and uplifting

manner. He always has a positive

attitude and is consistently trying

to brighten up someone’s day.”

Zac’s younger brother Sam,

a ninth grader at MVA, said,

“During our move to America, I

was hesitant, but Zac helped me

see the positives, and he helped me feel comfortable during a time

when everything was new and scary.”

Prior to this school year, Zac had taken six honors classes and three

Advanced Placement (AP) classes. This year, he has continued

to challenge himself by taking four AP classes. When asked

about where his work ethic comes from, Zac cited his father as an

example. “I remember that he would be away on work trips for two

weeks at a time to set me and my brother up for success,” said Zac.

“If he can work 16-18 hour workdays, then I can get my homework

done after a long day of school and practice, too.”

Not only have I been able to witness how great of a

member of the Montverde Academy community Zac is,

but many of his other teachers have as well. Mr. Robert

Burke and Ms. Angie Helm nominated Zac for the Sons

of the American Revolution Award, which goes out to the

male student who best exemplifies Dependability,

Service, and Leadership. Zac was presented with that

award during the 2024 Upper School Honors Night.

Zac has loved his time at MVA and has cited the

diversity of the school and student body as one of his

favorite parts of the community. Zac participated in job

shadowing at a couple of investment banking firms this

past summer and is considering majoring in finance or

economics in college.

Mr. David Bernatavitz and Mr. Allen Lane presenting Zac Knight

with The Sons of the American Revolution Award.


Finding Her Voice

Kristy Khadka

By Mr. Jonathan Stalma, Upper School English Teacher

If you ask any educator what is one of the most fulfilling

aspects of teaching, many will answer the relationships

established with the students they are fortunate to teach. I

am fortunate in my class structure at Montverde Academy to

have had both Freshman Honors English and AP Language

and Composition classes over the past eight years. It has

afforded me the opportunity to educate students multiple

times throughout their education at Montverde Academy.

Consequently, Kristy Khadka is one of those students that I

anticipated having the opportunity to teach a second time as

her growth and maturity over the years were perfectly suited for

literary exploration and discussion. She was a student I eagerly

anticipated working with as often as possible.

Kristy joined Montverde Academy as a bright-eyed and

energetic second grader in Mrs. Kandrach’s class. Kristy’s

ability to explore and share so openly comes from a childhood

during which she was constantly challenged when she shared

her opinions. She wrote in one of her college essays, “As a

second grader, I was told I talk too much.” However, even at

that young age, she knew she had something to say. This selfassured

young lady once felt that “it hurt when no one listened

[because] what I had to say wasn’t noteworthy to begin with.”

Far from the truth, she is taking this gift and sharing it with not

only her peers and senior year teachers but has earned Verbal

Commendations during Model UN conferences, and as a

senior, she has been selected by her peers and Upper School

Administration to serve as President of the

Honor Council.

Kristy has a bubbly and effervescent

personality with a smile to match. What

outshines the outward appearances of

a self-confident young lady such as

Kristy is what she has on the inside

– a desire to be heard and share

her deeply extensive insights

and wisdom with the world, even

present as a freshman, when

many other students can resort

to being timid and silent

when entering high school.

Countless times, Kristy

would jump wholeheartedly

into a class discussion, eager

to share her initial reaction

to a topic, only to provide such

astute insights and observations

that her classmates could not help

but be persuaded and influenced by

her input. From a teacher’s perspective,

Kristy is one of those rare students

"

Zac is one of my alltime

favorite kids I've

had the opportunity

to coach at

Montverde Academy

"

who can be depended upon to provide perhaps the perfect

response to a deeply literary or philosophical question or

delve so deeply into a tangent that it takes the discussion on

an unexpected journey, no matter how many times the topic

has been covered. Seeing an issue through Kristy’s eyes

and voice brings new life into the topic.

Kristy is blessed to be surrounded by strong women in her

life, from her grandmother to her

mother and sister, all who inspire

her as strong female figures in

the medical profession. She, too,

KRISTY’S ABILITY TO

will find her way to impact the

EXPLORE AND SHARE

world as she has already found

SO OPENLY COMES

her voice.

FROM A CHILDHOOD

Hayden Violette, Lyder Reskten, and

Kristy Khadka at Pledge to Be an Ally event

DURING WHICH SHE

WAS CONSTANTLY

CHALLENGED WHEN

SHE SHARED HER

OPINIONS.

•••


Left to right: Ms. Callie Byron, Dr. David Rath, Ms. Tracy Hayes, Ms. Caitlin Griffis, and Mrs. Yani Irizarry-Rivera

Monty Takes Europe

Adventures Abroad with Enrollment Management


The Enrollment Management team

at Montverde Academy had an

incredible semester traveling

abroad and meeting new

families across the globe.

New to the team this

year was Ms. Tracy

Hayes, who forged

connections with families

and educational agents

across Europe, an

experience she described

as truly enriching. “This

past semester was my first

time traveling internationally,”

said Ms. Hayes. “It’s been great

meeting new people from different

Monty in Croatia

places and learning about their dreams

and desires for studying in the

United States.”

Ms. Hayes was excited to

bring Monty along with

her during her travels, a

practice that is quickly

becoming a beloved

tradition among the

members of the team.

Monty’s first stop was in

Split, Croatia, where

Ms. Hayes met with agents,

attended networking events,

and enjoyed authentic Croatian

food at a beachside restaurant

overlooking the sunset.


Monty admiring Big Ben in

London, England

Tracy Hayes at Old Town of Prague

Monty at Buckingham Palace

While in Prague, Czech Republic, Monty and Ms. Hayes toured

castles and learned about the city’s vibrant history. Monty

especially enjoyed seeing an astrological clock. Ms. Hayes met

with admissions officers and many individual families. “A lot of the

kids knew about MVA already, particularly our arts and athletics

programs,” said Ms. Hayes. “They liked the idea that a large portion

of their day at MVA could be spent honing the skills they enjoy

working on.”

Monty found a new

home in Bratislava,

Slovakia with a new

MVA fan.

At a family fair in Bratislava, Slovakia, Ms. Hayes delivered a

presentation on what MVA has to offer. Afterwards, she and

Monty answered questions at an information table where

one child asked if he could have Monty. Of course,

Ms. Hayes obliged. (Don’t worry – she had another

one!) She and her new Monty then traveled to London,

England, where they saw Buckingham Palace and Big

Ben before meeting with agents from all over Europe.

Their final stop was in Lisbon, Portugal, where a

Portuguese dinner was arranged for all the school

participants and agents. Although Monty was tired from his

travels, he knew very well that the work had just begun. As

Ms. Hayes reflected, she felt a great sense of pride knowing

that her work, along with the work of the entire team, is

contributing to one of the many things that makes Montverde

Academy such a wonderful place to attend, a place rich in

diversity where students are eager to learn about each other

and the world around them.


Left to right: Mrs. Tiffani Law, Mrs. Kimberly Brauman, Mrs. Allison Varnado, Mrs. Kimberly Mathes, Mrs. Kirstin Coffman

Back row left to right: Mr. Jason Torres, Mr. Mark Field, Mr. Walter Eksteen

A Collaborative, Proactive Approach to Student Wellness

MVA Wellness Committee


The Wellness Committee at Montverde Academy takes

a proactive approach to addressing the physical health

and social-emotional needs of our students. Comprised

of school counselors from all three divisions, nurses,

and trainers, as well as representatives from Enrollment

Management, College Counseling, and Residential Life,

the Wellness Committee meets every Tuesday to share

information about student needs and strategize how to

meet those needs efficiently.

Mrs. Kimberly Brauman, Associate Dean of the

Upper School, oversees the committee and manages

communications. “I find the committee to be ahead of its

time,” said Mrs. Brauman. “I don’t know of many schools

that meet weekly to discuss the needs of specific students

in the way we do.”

One of the main goals of the committee is to be proactive

and reach students before a physical or emotional situation

evolves into a crisis. “What we’ve noticed is that before

students hit crisis mode, they start reaching out, but not

necessarily to say directly that they’re struggling,” said

Mrs. Brauman. “They might, instead, begin visiting the

school nurse for a headache or other illness more than

usual.”

One of the first lines of defense for struggling students

is the MVA Infirmary. If a student begins coming in

more frequently, the nurses will inform the Wellness

Committee. “The Wellness Committee plays a valuable

role in making sure that we are best supporting our

students,” said Mrs. Tiffani Law, Academy Registered

Nurse. “It brings team members together from multiple

departments and divisions to discuss important topics

observed around campus and helps to identify any

areas of concern. Together, we are able to provide highquality

health and wellness services to our students.”

For students who require a medical accommodation,

the nurses work directly with Mrs. Bridget Schreiner,


Mr. Jason Torres and Ms. Lea Campopiano training with student-athletes

the Director of Learning Support Services, to write each

student’s accommodation plan. They even work on

training faculty to support the specific physical needs of

their students.

Like the school nurses, the athletic trainers on campus

serve as a vital component of the Wellness Committee.

“When a student has a surgery, the trainers work closely

with the nurses and school counselors,” said Mrs. Brauman.

The committee addresses not just the physical issues

associated with an injury; it addresses how that injury

impacts the student’s academics and their future.

When a student-athlete is injured, some of the injuries can

be career altering, which is why trainers will report injuries

to the Wellness Committee in case a school counselor

or college counselor needs to become involved. “The

Wellness Committee meetings help paint a full picture of

all of the internal and external factors that come into play

for our student-athletes,” said Mr. Jason Torres, Assistant

Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Performance.

“Understanding how a student-athlete operates beyond

their sporting venue also gives us insight on how to handle

day-to-day conversations and guide treatment plans with

them. Through our meetings we are equipped with an ability

to communicate effectively and empathically. We are also

able to provide our observations from interactions with our

student-athletes and work proactively to support them in all

aspects by making counselors, nurses, and residential staff

aware. Having athletic trainers as a part of this committee

allows us to minimize the disconnect and stress endured by

student-athletes when dealing with injuries.”

With school counselors in all three divisions, students

have access to support throughout the school day. At the

beginning of this school year, MVA welcomed Mr. Mark

Field as Director of School Counseling and Mrs. Deedra

Dunham as Upper School Counselor. Recently, Mr. Field

and Mrs. Dunham held a Counselor Connection in the

courtyard during Club Time. “The Counselor Connection

gave us a chance to connect with students and for students

to put a name to our face,” said Mr. Field. “It also provided

Mrs. Tiffani Law examining an Upper School

student at the MVA Infrmary

students with a breather and gave them time to relax,

smile, and enjoy time outside with us.”

The school counselors coordinate the social-emotional

curriculum, create academic plans for our students,

and serve as a sounding board for students with socialemotional

concerns, referring students to an outside

professional who can further support their needs beyond

a listening ear. “As a school counselor, I believe that the

Wellness Committee plays a crucial role in uniting various

stakeholders in our responsibility to support students,” said

Mr. Field.

When students feel comfortable going to their school

counselor, it opens the door for the other departments

to provide support. If a student presents with increased

stress or worry or decreased sleeping, the counselor

can inform the school nurses and athletic trainers (if

applicable) during a Wellness Committee meeting, who

could follow up with the student about anything that

could interfere with the student’s daily activities. “By

collaborating with different entities, we can approach

student wellness in a holistic manner,” said Mr. Field. “This

partnership enhances our ability to deliver comprehensive

services that address both the physical health and socialemotional

needs of our students.”

Like the counselors, MVA’s nurses and trainers also have

outside resources that they can refer to or collaborate

with in order to provide the best support for our students.

“We’re a resource to help give students the support they

need,” said Mrs. Brauman. “And on the academic side, we

work with their teachers to design a plan for the student.”

The Wellness Committee is constantly growing and

evolving to adapt to the needs of our students. “We work

hard to ensure everyone is aware of the committee and

that we communicate the process for students to seek

help,” said Mrs. Brauman. As the committee strengthens

its collaborative efforts and supports the various wellness

initiatives across campus, our students will be better

equipped to find their pathway to success.


By Mr. Michael Damon, Sports Information Manager

GIRLS̕ VOLLEYBALL

• FHSAA District Champions

• Advanced to the FHSAA Regional Championship round

• 14 wins this season

• Head Coach Jola Graham was nominated by the district for

Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year.

• Natalia Baquerizo was nominated by the district for

Florida Dairy Farmers Player of the Year.

BOYS̕ SWIMMING

• Citrus League Champions


• FHSAA Regional Champions

• 6-0 record in dual meets

• Fourth place at FHSAA State Championship meet

• Third place at the Florida Swim Pool Association Invitational

Grace Xu

GIRLS̕ SWIMMING


• Finished runners up at FHSAA District and Regional championships

• Fifth place at the FHSAA State Championship meet

• 6-0 record in dual meets

• Second place at the Florida Swim Pool Association Invitational

BOYS̕ CROSS COUNTRY

• FHSAA Regional qualifier

• Team member Will Moss was the individual winner at the

FHSAA District Championship.

• Team members Will Moss and Lucas Coan qualified for the

FHSAA State Championship.

Philip Tanis

GIRLS̕ CROSS COUNTRY


• Team member Alafair Scelfo was the individual winner at the

Citrus League Championship.

• FHSAA Regional Qualifier

• Finished 16th of 32 teams at FHSAA State Championship

BOYS̕ GOLF

• Finished runners up at FHSAA District Championship

• FHSAA Regional Qualifier

• Three dual wins during the season

GIRLS̕ GOLF

• FHSAA State Champions

• Broke FHSAA State championship record with team score of 567

• Team member Grace Xu was the individual winner at the FHSAA state

championship and broke two state championship records, including

an all-time best 62 (-9) in the first round and all-time best two-round

score of 131.



Lyla McMillen and Angelica Wolfe

HOW WE DID!

MVA Swim Team

Montverde Academy athletics was at the

forefront this past fall. The teams combined

to win eight postseason championships this

season, which included three Citrus League

championships (girls’ cross country, boys’

swimming, and girls’ swimming), three Florida

High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)

district championships (boys’ swimming, girls’

volleyball, and girls’ golf), one regional (boys’

swimming), and one state championship

(girls’ golf).

Michael Shane Frasure

Montverde Academy Cross Country Invitational

Jade Boochee

THE TOWER Ayden - MONTVERDE Henley ACADEMY | WINTER 2024 35

Middle School students in “Lucky Stiff”

Beyond the Game

MVA Student-Athletes Lead with Heart and Service

By Mrs. Zehra Naqvi, Social Media and Website Coordinator

At Montverde Academy, we are deeply committed

to investing in the development of the whole

athlete – on and off the court. Our studentathletes

are not only focused on excellence in

their sports but are also encouraged to grow as

leaders, mentors, and contributors to the broader

community.

This holistic approach is one of the many reasons

Ms. Taneka Rubin was hired as Student-Athlete

Development Coordinator. She has played a key

role in ensuring our student-athletes engage in

meaningful service and leadership opportunities.

Ms. Rubin is a former professional athlete,

basketball coach, and author. She began her

journey at Montverde Academy working with

Middle School students, where she quickly

became known for her ability to connect with

students and inspire their growth. Now, as part of

the athletic team, she brings the same passion

to mentoring and guiding our student-athletes.

Additionally, Ms. Rubin facilitates studentathlete

development by coordinating workshops,

seminars, and speakers, along with supporting

them through Name, Image & Likeness (NIL)

protocols, procedures, and education.

Across sports, Ms. Rubin is finding ways for

our student-athletes to serve and inspire.

From the girls’ volleyball and basketball teams

to the baseball team, these student-athletes are

creating an impact that goes far beyond wins and

losses, engaging with younger students

and local communities in ways that leave

lasting impressions.

Recently, the girls’ volleyball team participated in

Diversity Fest, an event that celebrates the rich

cultural backgrounds of our students and families.

Here, many of our District Champions took part in

the flag processional. Others worked at different

country tents, and some assisted at the Model UN

volunteer table. Together, the JV and varsity teams

helped create an inclusive atmosphere, connecting

with families and students from all over the world.

They also partnered with the Group Life

Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by

Baseball team leading T-ball practice with Lower School students


MVA alum Victoria Pisciottano (’10), to host a

special event for women with disabilities. These

experiences show that our volleyball players are

as dedicated to community service as they are to

their sport, making them standout role models for

younger students. “Our Eagles are sharing a lot of

love through volleyball,” said Mrs. Jola Graham,

Head Coach. “They are dedicated to more than

just winning games, and that is wonderful to see!”

Meanwhile, members of the girls’ basketball

team have immersed themselves in

Montverde Academy’s community

through an Adopt-a-Class initiative.

Each Wednesday, the team visits Lower

School classrooms, where they engage

students with reading, music, science, and

math activities. This program allows the little

ones to connect with “real basketball players” and

marvel at the student-athletes they look up to. As

one excited four-year-old ironically put it, “Wow,

you’re so tall!”

Ms. Tanika Rubin

Saniyah Hall reading to Pre-K4 class

“Most of our National players are new this

year, so we wanted to connect them to MVA’s

community while also giving them the opportunity

to serve,” said Ms. Rubin, who is also the

Assistant Girls' Basketball Coach. The basketball

team’s visits, scheduled through December, will

culminate in a special day where Lower School

students will be invited to join the players on the

court before a home game, which will surely be a

memorable experience.

The girls' basketball team also volunteered at

the Town of Montverde’s annual Trunk-or-Treat

event, where they brought Halloween cheer to

local children. Through these experiences,

the team is learning the value of giving

back and the joy of serving as mentors –

a lesson that shapes them as

leaders in ways outside of the

sport they play.

Aside from the work

Ms. Rubin is doing, the

Montverde Academy

baseball team runs an

afterschool T-ball program

for Lower School students.

Offered at no cost, this

program invites our younger

students to learn fundamental

skills directly from the entire

baseball team. The Upper

School athletes teach the

Students representing the United States at

the Diversity Fest flag processional

Girls’ basketball team at the Town of Montverde Trunk-or-Treat event

littles basics like throwing, catching, and teamwork, strengthening

ties across age groups and providing invaluable guidance.

“Having the opportunity to interact and provide mentorship

to a younger person is a privilege and great opportunity

for our program,” said Mr. Greg Berkemeier, Director

of Baseball. “It helps strengthen our community

relationships by providing instruction on a

subject that we love. We are very thankful

to have this opportunity.”

These initiatives highlight

how MVA student-athletes

are involved in service and

committed to showing younger

students what it means to be a true

team player. As Ms. Rubin shared,

“After this semester, we plan to extend the Adopta-Class

program to other teams,” a step toward building

more connections within our campus.

Montverde Academy’s student-athletes are proving that

success is about more than just what happens during a

game. Through mentorship, service, and involvement, our

Eagles are setting a standard of excellence, inspiring their

younger peers, and creating a legacy that will last for years

to come.


In E

Behind The Scenes

arts

By Dean Bell, Director of Performing Arts and Conservatories

Music Conservatory senior Giavanna Parker lighting up the stage with her coloratura voice


I am writing this article from my home

as I, like many, am hunkered down in

anticipation of the impending Hurricane

Milton. In part, that serves two purposes –

good stewardship of my time and a way to

keep my mind off the disruption this storm

has the potential to bring, not only to the

lives of Floridians, but for the MVA Arts

Department. This is, of course, the second

storm in short order which has necessitated

time off school – which also translates to

time off from instruction and rehearsal.The

first storm, Helene, fell specifically the week

of our Vocal Salons, “Wine & Melodies”

and “Tea Time Serenades,” prompting

last-minute preparations for the shows and

valuable rehearsal time to be eliminated

for the students. Similarly, rehearsals were

underway for “ShakesFEAR,” which was

already on a truncated calendar due to

rehearsing both that show and the next

one, “Elf the Musical,” simultaneously.

Milton caused an even greater disruption,

falling the week our guest director for

“ShakesFEAR,” Kevin Rich from the

University of Colorado Boulder, was due to

be with us to create and shape the show.

Anticipating the worst, we proactively

rescheduled him for 10 days later – leaving

us just nine days remaining to put this show

together. Our fall Strings concert was also

set to go up a mere two days after what

would be our return to campus after a full

week off from rehearsal due to the storm.

We were in final preparations with 14 of

our students for the following weekend’s

NATS (National Association of Teachers of

Singing) competition. Ancillary, but equally

important, these were days where no set

building, design work, or facility preparation

was possible, forcing those schedules to be

truncated and priorities rearranged.

Lower School students in nativity scene at ‟Lessons and Carols”

The MVA orchestra performing in ‟Echoes of the Night”

experiences for our artists, as well as performances living up to the

standard that has become MVA Arts.

It was from these schedules, calendars, scripts, and music, all spread

out on the dining room table in my makeshift office, that I took a break

shortly after the power went out on Wednesday evening. As of yet,

everything was fully charged and I had a plethora of hurricane candles

ready to allow work to continue. Getting an update from the outside

world, amongst the howling winds, I turned to Facebook; and to my

great surprise, I found the meme which was to be the inspiration for all

of the reschedulings, the contingencies, and the motivation to not be

disheartened in the continued preparations for our upcoming events.

It was a meme of the great conductor Leonard Bernstein saying, “To

achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite

enough time.” I knew instantly what this article was to be – not only on

behalf of our arts students and programs, but for all who read this.

The domino effect of this impacts every

facet of our daily routine. We now needed

to reschedule/create new rehearsal times,

juggle classes to accommodate guest

directors’ schedules, multitask the use of

our facilities to assure each of these events

the space and time they needed, and,

most importantly, continue to make these

events appropriate growth and learning

Our Concert Choir dazzling guests at our first Salon Concert, “Tea Time Serenades”‟Tea Time Serenades”


Theatre Conservatory students performing in “ShakesFEAR,” an original interactive and progressive haunting event

Zoe Newell and Nate Russo from the

Children’s Theatre class performing in

“A Year with Frog and Toad”

Music Conservatory members Megan Busby

and Ella Drawdy performing at our second

Salon Concert, “Wine and Melodies”

Theatre Conservatory members performing in “Elf: The Musical”

Lower School students delighting the

audience at their holiday performance

When Helene came through, our music

students rose to the occasion and, in the

limited time remaining to them, pulled together

not one but two amazing Salon concerts. Our

strings students will put on another fabulous

representation of their talent at the fall concert.

“ShakesFEAR” will be created, performed, and

be another acclaimed event for our audiences.

Those students competing at NATS will look as

polished as if they’d had the extra time for two

reasons – one, we are blessed with incredible

talent in the arts at Montverde Academy, and on

top of that, our students have been exceptionally

well-trained; and in their hurricane absences,

much like myself, are doing everything they need

to do to prepare themselves for their events

and the increased rigor that will be required

when they do return to campus. And two, as the

meme suggests, there is actually never quite

enough time – the mark of hungry and exacting

professionals. There would always be another

scene to clean, another opportunity to fix

a note or two in rehearsal, or time for the

paint to dry just a bit more before putting

the set piece into action. Jack Canfield,

the co-author of “Chicken Soup for the

Soul” series, said, “Remember there is no

perfect time for anything, there is only

now.”

So, to our arts students who are living

this reality, and to each of you who

are reading this after the fact, I say,

what a great lesson to find amidst the

angst of a storm like Milton. There is

never enough time, and there is never

a perfect time; therefore, let us use this

time to continue toward our goal. We will

execute our plans (regular or contingency)

and indeed achieve great things! We look

forward to showing you exactly that in

the upcoming months here at Montverde

Academy.

Theatre Conservatory senior

Kaya Granakos performing

“What I Did for Love”


kI

d quotes

John Zimbardi

Rome wasn’t built…

“by construction workers.”

Finn Schroeder

Don't put your

eggs...

The cat is out...

When life gives

you lemons...

‟buy it from

lemon store.ˮ

Natalia Sedo

‟on the floor.ˮ

John Zimbardi

Lemon Store

There’s no place like...

‟a movie theater.ˮ Andrew Gieseking

When the going gets tough...

‟calm down.ˮ Max Katz

‟of its house.ˮ

Olivia Ciccarone

The early bird gets...

Never cry over...

People who live in glass houses...

‟will need a new house.ˮ Alex de Boer

Too many cooks...‟at the pan station.ˮ

Peyton Stalma

If you want something done right...

‟be talented.ˮ Mariana Figueroa Lozado

If you play with fire...

‟you get hurt.ˮ Alexander Kuenzli

‟breakfast.”

Amaar Naqvi

‟dog scratches.ˮ

Mea Altenor

Out of sight...

‟you cannot see.ˮ Ayleen Shaharyar

Good things come to those who...

‟choose somebody.ˮ Samir Metov

Alex De Boer

The grass is always greener...

‟in the garden.ˮ Alice Saint Martin


Building a Legacy

Architecture Students Envision

Montverde Academy’s Future Black Box Theatre


As early designs of a new intimate performance

venue are in the works at Montverde Academy,

Mrs. Chris Burrell’s Civil Architecture and

Engineering students dove into a unique

and inspiring project: designing a Black Box

theatre. With input from Director of Performing

Arts and Conservatories, Mr. Dean Bell, who

presented his vision for the space to the class,

students not only learned about the intricacies of

architectural design but also engaged in realworld

applications by conceptualizing a dynamic

and multi-functional theatre.

Mr. Bell outlined his vision through a

comprehensive discussion with the class,

covering three critical areas that students must

address in their designs. The first of these,

“theatre,” emphasized the adaptability and

technical requirements of a Black Box theatre,

highlighting how this versatile space differs from

traditional stages. Mr. Bell detailed the need

for flexible staging and seating, lighting and

sound systems tailored for an open concept,

designated areas for actor entrances, dressing

rooms, and crucial sound and light proofing.

In the second and third sections, inspired by

Mr. Bell’s vision, students tackled elements of

the “building and lot design,” as well as “building

code and life safety” considerations, and worked

on creating models that aligned with Mr. Bell’s

concept for a fully functional, communitycentered

arts space.

“Our assignment was to design an addition to

the Fine Arts theatre, the Black Box theatre,”

said senior Jackson Balls. “This type of theatre

allows for flexible seating and stage setups

so we can host a variety of shows. One of the

biggest challenges we faced was working with

the building’s long layout, which required careful

planning to make the best use of space. It

was exciting to learn how to measure, work on

conversions, and, for the first time, collaborate

as a team. This project was all about designing

with purpose, and every step was a learning

experience.”

“This project felt very realistic for us as students,”

reflected junior Alessandra Jimenez. “We

designed the entire theatre space. It helped me

understand if this is a career I want to pursue,

and it was an amazing opportunity to be a part of

something bigger at Montverde Academy!”

“Design charrettes transform the classroom

into a dynamic, student-led environment,” said

Mrs. Burrell. “Through collaboration across

disciplines, students learn to value diverse

perspectives, creatively solve problems, and

design with a client in mind. This process makes

them feel truly invested in their work and builds

essential skills that go beyond the classroom.”

This project challenged students’ creativity

and deepened their understanding of practical

architectural needs. Additionally, it is a

meaningful step in their academic journeys,

empowering them to contribute to a permanent

addition on campus. Although the students’

designs for the Black Box theatre will not be

used in the final construction, their involvement

in the creative process allowed them to leave a

lasting impact.

By participating in this design exercise, students

learned the complexities of architectural planning

while engaging in a project that will shape the

Academy’s arts facilities for years to come. The

hands-on experience brought academic learning

to life while allowing our students to take pride

as they envisioned a new cornerstone of the

Academy, reflecting the school’s commitment to

encouraging both innovation and connection.


FINE ART

Aleysha Ramos

Jackson Balls Gianna Dvoran, Rocco Provenzano, Jackson Balls Lennart Wallenborn


20th Annual

Celebrating Education Gala

A Night of Elegance, Entertainment, and Impact

On Friday, November 15, Montverde Academy hosted its highly anticipated

20th Annual Celebrating Education gala at the Clermont Center for

Performing Arts. This year’s theme, “Cruise on Land,” was nothing short of

spectacular! Guests indulged in a delicious array of culinary delights and

enjoyed a night filled with elegance, entertainment, and spirited auction

bidding.

Mr. Jon Hopman, Head of School, honored the Schmid family with the

Legacy Award for their decades of unwavering support of the Academy.

Rebecca Descalso, Yan Zhu, Allyson Volheim

A special

congratulations to

senior parents Hector

Garcia and Krystal

Parker, the winners of

the coveted golf cart

raffle.

Thank you to our

sponsors, vendors, and

everyone who joined

us for this memorable

night of food, fun, and

philanthropy. Your

support continues to

make a significant

impact on our

Montverde Academy

community.

Ancel and JoKeeta Savariau, Vidette Vanwyk and John Steyl

Jon Hopman presenting John Schmid the Legacy Award.

Clint and Kathryn Clarke

Marissa and David Price Jon and Mindy Hopman Krystal Parker and

Hector Garci

Mary Beth and Ron Morris

Marc and Amy Patterson


Alumni

Relations


The Montverde Academy alums hold a special

place in our community, and we always love having

them return to campus to share their experiences

and reconnect with former classmates, teachers,

and students. Whether it’s a casual stopover or

speaking to current students, these visits remind us

of the lasting impact MVA has on our graduates and

the incredible paths they’ve taken. Alums play a

vital role in continuing the legacy

of our school, inspiring current

students with their achievements

and staying connected to the

place that helped shape their

futures.

"

We are excited

to continue our

MVA Mentor

Connect

program...

Montverde Academy is excited

to welcome back our alums for

several exciting events in the upcoming months!

From January 23-26, we invite you to join us for

the SIMA Friendlies, a thrilling soccer tournament

featuring top-tier talent. This is a perfect opportunity

to reconnect with friends, cheer on our studentathletes,

and show your Eagle pride.

Looking ahead, be sure to mark your calendars

for our annual Homecoming and the MAIT,

taking place from January 30 to February 1.

These events are the highlight of the year,

filled with celebrations, competition, and the

chance to relive your MVA memories.

We are excited to continue our MVA Mentor

Connect program, which

connects alumni with current students

"

and recent graduates to offer

guidance and career advice. Whether

you’re looking to mentor or seeking

advice, this is a great way to stay

involved with the MVA community.

Interested in learning more? Send us

a note today at alumni@montverde.

org.

We also love to hear about our alums’

achievements, whether personal or

professional. We encourage you to share

your success stories with us! You can send

your updates to alumni@montverde.org. We

are always proud to see where life has taken

you after MVA.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO

BE FEATURED AS A

NOTABLE ALUM OR

KNOW SOMEONE THAT

SHOULD?

Contact alumni@

montverde.org.

•••

Save the Date

APRIL 25, 2025

Mission Inn Resort & Club


Dr. Gloria Katuka’s

Inspiring Journey in Tech and Leadership


Montverde Academy is a cornerstone in

Dr. Gloria Katuka’s (’15) path from Zaria, Nigeria,

to a thriving career at Microsoft. Her four years

at MVA shaped her personal and professional

identity, providing her with valuable experiences

in leadership, academics,

and community involvement.

Today,

Dr. Katuka serves as an

Applied Scientist II in Azure

AI Speech Services at

Microsoft, where she works

at the cutting edge of Artificial

Intelligence and Large

Language Models.

"

Dr. Katuka’s MVA experience was marked

by her leadership roles across several

student organizations. She served as

president of the Student Government

Association during her junior and senior

years while also leading the Fellowship

of Christian Athletes as captain during

the same period. In addition, she

was the captain of the varsity girls'

basketball team as a freshman,

sophomore, and senior, and a

member of the Honor Council from

her sophomore year onward.

Every connection I

made, every lesson

I learned, and every

challenge I faced

helped me discover

more about myself.

For Dr. Katuka, these roles were not just

extracurricular activities – they were pivotal in

shaping her sense of responsibility and selfconfidence.

“MVA became my first home,” she

says, reflecting on her time at the Academy.

“Living in the dorms for four

– Dr. Gloria Katuka

years taught me some of the

most important life lessons like

being independent, adapting

to change, learning to live

with different types of people,

and building long-lasting

relationships.”

"

She credits MVA for connecting

her with her host family,

Russell and Kim Bergin, who have been a

constant support for her and continue to

be instrumental in shaping her growth

and success. She also recalls teachers

like Ms. Dietrich and Dr. Browdy, who

helped nurture her love for mathematics;

Mr. Parets, who introduced her to

computer science and programming;

and Dr. Arghyris, who brought history

to life through engaging lessons.

“Each of them played a significant

role in sparking my intellectual

curiosity and fueling my passion

“LIVING IN THE

DORMS FOR FOUR

YEARS TAUGHT

ME SOME OF THE

MOST IMPORTANT

LIFE LESSONS LIKE

BEING INDEPENDENT,

ADAPTING TO CHANGE,

LEARNING TO LIVE

WITH DIFFERENT

TYPES OF PEOPLE,

AND BUILDING

LONG-LASTING

RELATIONSHIPS.”

•••


for learning,” Dr. Katuka says. But it wasn’t just

academics that left a lasting mark on her; the

entire MVA community, including the Dining

Hall staff, contributed to her wholesome MVA

experience. “Every connection I made, every

lesson I learned, and every challenge I faced

helped me discover more about myself.”

After graduating from MVA in 2015,

Dr. Katuka’s path was anything but linear. She

took a semester off to focus on her mental

health before enrolling at the University of

Central Florida in 2016. Shortly afterwards,

she appealed a decision that initially prevented

her from attending the University of Florida

and successfully gained admission. She then

embarked on an academic journey at UF,

earning her Bachelor of Science in information

systems in 2019, followed by a master’s

degree in information systems and operations

management in 2020. Dr. Katuka continued her

doctoral education, earning a second master’s

degree in computer science in 2023 and a

PhD in computer science in May 2024. Her

dissertation is titled “Investigating Automatic

Dialogue Act Classification in Collaborative

Learning through Federated Transfer Learning

and Cross-Corpora Domain Adaptation.”

While pursuing her degrees, Dr. Katuka gained

professional experience through internships

at some of the world’s top tech companies.

She completed three summer internships at

Symantec (now Norton LifeLock), followed

by an internship with Intel, Microsoft, and

Coursera. Prior to her PhD, she received return

offers for full-time positions from Microsoft and

Coursera. She chose to begin her career at

Microsoft, where she can continue to work on

the cutting edge of AI

by developing speechrelated

applications for

multiple platforms.

Dr. Katuka’s

commitment to giving

back is another key

aspect of her journey.

During her time in

Gainesville, she was

involved in multiple Dr. Katuka outside of her alma mater, University of Florida

organizations in several leadership positions, including VP of the Association

of Information Systems for two years, VP of the Black Graduate Student

Association (BGSO), and Community Service Chair of BGSO. She was also

appointed by the President of the University of Florida to serve as a member

of the University of Florida Police Department Campus Advisory Committee.

Dr. Katuka also founded InTECHgrate, a nonprofit organization that began

as an afterschool program teaching children how to code. It eventually got

integrated into a larger project funded by the National Science Foundation,

offering free two-week coding camps for middle school students from

historically marginalized communities. Dr. Katuka remains involved in the

project as an advisory board member, ensuring its continued growth and

impact. In addition, she serves on the board of Family Matters of Central

Florida, a nonprofit that provides tutoring and counseling services for young

people and their families. The organization’s program director,

Mrs. Bekemeyer, was Dr. Katuka’s guidance counselor at MVA, and the two

continue to work together to support youth development.

She reminisces her time at FCA and CCC, where Mrs. Hopman provided a

space for students to reflect, connect, and grow spiritually and emotionally.

She also fondly recalls moments such as raising the Nigerian flag during

MVA’s Flag Raising Ceremony, a powerful reminder of the pride she feels in

her home country. “Raising the Nigerian flag reminded me that my presence

in America wasn’t just about representing myself or my family – it was about

honoring my home country, which always filled me with a deep sense of

purpose,” she shares.

For current MVA students, Dr. Katuka offers valuable advice:

“You have the power to shape how that experience unfolds.

Be your own biggest advocate, and continuously challenge

yourself – that’s where real growth happens.” She encourages

students to embrace both the highs and lows, noting that the

difficult times often teach the most important lessons.

Today, Dr. Katuka comes full circle as she applies the

leadership, resilience, and technical skills she gained at

MVA and beyond in her work at Microsoft. She remains

connected to the MVA community, serving as a role model for

current students and continuing to inspire others through her

professional and philanthropic efforts.

Dr. Katuka at work


Lo

e V


Montverde Academy has always been a place where lifelong friendships are formed, but for some, it has been

the starting point of something even more special – lasting love. From meeting in biology class to reconnecting

after graduation, these alumni couples have found their way to each other through their shared MVA experience.

Here are their stories, in their own words.

that lasts

Montverde Academy Couples Share Their Stories

FRITZ BRAZ & JESSICA SCHAPER BRAZ

Fritz and I dated his senior year,

but after graduation, he went

off to the Air Force and life

took us in different directions.

We both married other

people, but in a twist of fate,

we reconnected years later.

Now, we’ve celebrated our 15th

wedding anniversary! Last year,

we

returned to Montverde Academy

for the

annual MAIT – it was like stepping

back in

time. It’s been incredible to reflect on

how our paths have intertwined over the years.

CHRIS & CARLEY FANGMAN

Chris and I first crossed paths in August

1992 as ninth graders at Montverde

Academy, but we didn’t start dating until

senior year. Since November 1995,

we’ve been inseparable! We graduated

together in 1996, then continued

our journey through college and life.

We got married in 2002 and now have

two children. Montverde Academy holds a

special place in our hearts for bringing us

together. We’ll never forget the memories we

made – like the infamous “BG rule” about no inappropriate

touching! We’re forever grateful to MVA for helping us build this

wonderful life together.


HARRY VAUGHN & KATIE STANLEY

Katie and I have known

each other since

our middle school

days at Montverde

Academy. Though

our timing never

seemed to line up

in high school, we

reconnected years later

after

I transferred to UCF from

the Air

Force Academy. The moment

felt right, and we started dating. My proposal

to Katie was a scavenger hunt around Orlando,

with one of the stops being our old Middle School

building. It felt so special returning to where it all

started. One of my groomsmen, Christian Peeples

(’16), is also an MVA alum, which made it even

more meaningful to share this chapter with people

who’ve been part of our journey.

BLAKE RODERICK & GRACE CARPENTER

Blake and I first met

in 2014 because I

was good friends

with his sister.

Though we went

our separate ways

after high school,

we reconnected at his

sister’s wedding last

November, and things just

clicked.

Now, we’re living in Alabama

– me as a special education teacher and

Blake pursuing his career as an Army Aviator.

One of my favorite memories of us back at MVA

was going to get Ritters after school. It was a

nearly daily routine that brings back so many fond

memories.

CHRISTIAN MUÑOZ & MARIA AMADOR

Our journey began in

2018 during

Mr. Prescott’s

biology class. We

were seated at the

same table, so we

always said

Mr. Prescott was

our matchmaker! By

the

time we were seniors,

we

were taking almost every

class

together, but our graduation

year didn’t turn out quite as planned. When

the pandemic hit, I went back to Ecuador and

we graduated online. Even with the distance,

Christian and I stayed connected through texts

and FaceTime, even during my time in Spain. It

was a challenge to be apart for six months, but in

December 2020, Christian visited me in Ecuador

and asked me to be his girlfriend. We’ve now been

together for over three and a half years, and we’re

excited for what’s to come!

BERNARDO SILVA & MAYA NICOL MILLS

Maya and I became

close friends in 2017

while at Montverde

Academy. After

graduating in

2020, we went

our separate ways

– her to college and

me to Europe. But in

2022, we reconnected through

social

media, and when I visited

Orlando, we knew there was something more

between us. We’ve been navigating our longdistance

relationship since then, and I’m excited

for her to join me in Brazil soon. The future is

bright, and we can’t wait to see where this journey

takes us!

ISHAAN SINHA & BAILEY JOHNSON

Bailey and I met in our

senior year 2020, and

we’ve been together

ever since. It’s hard

to believe, but we’ll

be celebrating five

years together this

January! We both

recently graduated from

college, and it feels like

we’ve

grown up side by side,

navigating both high school and the next

chapter of life together.

DANIEL SONG & SHARA (XIANG) CHENG

Shara and I first met in September 2017 in eighth

grade, and we’ve been

inseparable since.

During our time

at Montverde

Academy, one

of my favorite

memories was

buying her chocolate

chip cookies every day

from

the Student Center. Now,

we’re

both studying at the University

of Toronto, still supporting each other just

as we did back then. Some of our best times were

spent at Montverde Academy!

WHEN WE GRADUATED

•Fritz Brazz [1984]

and Jessica Schaper

Braz [1986]

• Chris and Carley

Fangman [1996]

• Harry Vaughn

[2016] and Katie

Stanley

• Blake Roderick

[2018] and Grace

Carpenter [2016]

• Christian Muñoz

[2020] and

Maria Amador [2020]

•Bernardo Silva

[2020] and Maya

Nicol Mills [2020]

• Ishaan Sinha

[2020] and Bailey

Johnson [2020]

•Daniel Song

[2022] and Shara

(Xiang) Cheng

[2022]

•••

Whether meeting

in a classroom,

reconnecting years

later, or navigating

long-distance, MVA

has a unique way

of bringing people

together. Here’s to

the love stories that

started on campus

and continue to

grow with each

passing year!

•••


1

2

3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

11 12

1983

JOHN STEELE (1) and Todd Steele

visited campus with their mother on

Sept. 20. This was their first visit

since the 90s. John now resides in

FL, and Todd resides in Canada.

2005

CHRISTINA GAZZIA (2) with her

daughters on the first day of school.

2007

JOE KATUKA (3) and Stephanie

Ratliff got engaged on Jul. 18, 2024.

2010

VICTORIA PISCIOTTANO (4) visited

campus in August and partnered with

the HLI to host a fun bingo game for

the women her foundation serves.

2011

FRANCISCO LINDOR (5) won the

MLB 2024 Heart and Hustle Award.

2014

DIEGO CAMPOS (6) and Kari Nicole

Campos are expecting their first baby.

2015

HAOWEI ‟MIKE”PAN (7)

graduated from the Colorado Springs

Police Department Police Academy in

August and is now a member of their

police force.

2016

ASHLI SENTURK (8) and Seth

Rosier celebrated their engagement

in early September.

VICTORIA ATKINSON (9) and

Brooke Kendall were engaged on

Oct. 25, 2024, on Lido Beach in

Sarasota, FL.

NICHOLAS COMPOSTO (10) was

engaged to Deanna Marie Verastegui

in August.

2017

LUCAS TURNAGE (11) and Hayden

Henry were engaged on Sept. 25 in

Springfield, MO.

NICOLE BARNETT (12) got engaged

on Jul. 4, 2024, to Trey Schaneville.

They met at Florida Institute of

Technology and are currently living in

Fort Lauderdale.

STEPHANIE NUZZO (13) and Parker

Milner were married on Nov. 18,

2024, in Kansas City, MO.

2018

KATIE SCHORR (14) and Matt

McDonnell were engaged on Sept. 28

in Venice Beach, FL.

ELLÉ BAILEY (15) passed the

Florida Bar Exam in September and

was sworn in as an attorney at the

Orange County Courthouse.

MADI SALINAS (16) launched her

own business of grip socks,

Pila-Barre.

JUSTIN CINTRON (17) and Abigail

Hasebroock were recently engaged

in Delray Beach, FL. The wedding

reception is planned for the summer

of 2025.


13

14

15 16 17

18

19 20

21

22 23 24

25

2020

ERIC ONCINS (18) won gold in the

mixed doubles event at the APP

Chicago Open.

SUMMER FOSHEE (19) launched

her own business, The Skin Loft at

Montrose.

2021

NYAUNI CROWELLE (20) was

selected as a recipient of the

Women’s Executive Council of

Orlando (WEC) Scholarship for fall

2024.

ALI FADAL (23) AND LESLIE OKAI

(2024) reunite in Spain at Valencia

FC.

AIDAN FRACKER (21) (pictured

right) as George Gibbs in Wright

State University's production of ‟Our

Town” (Photo credit: Erin Pence/

Wright State University).

.

2023

NATALIE BABINSKI (22) was invited

to be a member of the Alpha Lambda

Delta Academic Honor Society.

2024

LESLIE OKAI (23) AND ALI FADAL

(2021) reunite in Spain at Valencia

CF.

ADAEJAH HODGE (24) won the

100m silver medal at the Lima 2024

World Athletics U20 Championships

on Aug. 28, 2024. Adaejah also won

gold in the 200m.

GERARDO GÓMEZ (25) won

The Mexican International

Amateur Championship.

IN MEMORIAM:

MARGARET

‟MEG” PLUMLEY

CALDWELL (13)


Montverde Academy

The TOWER Magazine | Winter 2024

17235 Seventh Street, Montverde, FL 34756

Jan 30 - Feb 1 2025

Mait

22ND ANNUAL

Invitational Tournament

Eight Teams,- One championship

Sponored by:

Tower Winter 2024-25

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