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Strategic Plan School of fine artS honor roll - Lake Ridge Academy

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The<br />

ByLine<br />

Winter 2012<br />

<strong>Strategic</strong> <strong>Plan</strong><br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>fine</strong> <strong>artS</strong><br />

<strong>honor</strong> <strong>roll</strong><br />

alumni newS


Winter 2012<br />

Academics Community Opportunity<br />

2011-2012<br />

Board <strong>of</strong><br />

Directors<br />

Robert M. Fairchild – Chair<br />

Robert C. Smith – Vice-Chair<br />

Benjamin P. Norton – Secretary<br />

Deborah F. O’Neill – Treasurer<br />

Michelle Belardo<br />

Michael Bramhall<br />

Sean Decatur<br />

thomas J. Dresing ’83<br />

Don r. esch<br />

Lee C. Howley<br />

Donald W. Kaatz ’70<br />

Lakhbir S. Lamba<br />

rebecca ruppert McMahon<br />

Karen K. Miraldi<br />

Bridget Moreno<br />

Donna M. Plecha<br />

Joyesh raj ’89<br />

Chann Spellman<br />

Hayden e. Stafford ’89<br />

editor: Ken Moore ‘00<br />

Alumni relations<br />

On the cover: Byron Fouts, in his 34th year on the faculty, continues his first-rate instruction in our Fine Arts Department.<br />

He is pictured here with Kaci, Class <strong>of</strong> 2014.<br />

2<br />

integrity, respect, Scholarship,<br />

and Personal Best<br />

the 2011-2012 lake ridge academy Board <strong>of</strong> Directors<br />

Table <strong>of</strong> Contents<br />

Message from the President 3<br />

<strong>Strategic</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> 4<br />

the Arts at <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> 6<br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts 10<br />

Honor <strong>roll</strong> <strong>of</strong> Donors 12<br />

Auction Gala 18<br />

thanksgiving Games & Gathering 18<br />

Alumni news 19<br />

Diversity Forum – 10th Anniversary 23


President’s Letter –<br />

Carol L. Klimas<br />

in this issue <strong>of</strong> Byline, we celebrate many recent school happenings as well as<br />

accomplishments that occurred in academic year 2010-2011. the donors recognized<br />

in this issue supported the school during that time period, and major initiatives, like<br />

the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts, were launched as well.<br />

Behind our key programs, the school’s strategic plan serves as a foundation for each<br />

one <strong>of</strong> our decisions. Our plan drives all <strong>of</strong> our efforts that support our overarching<br />

goal to strengthen the school for the next fifty years beyond our milestone<br />

anniversary in 2013.<br />

every member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> community is part <strong>of</strong> our strategic plan<br />

because volunteerism, monetary gifts, expertise, advocacy and referrals strengthen<br />

the school every day. i pledge to you that each one <strong>of</strong> your investments is applied<br />

specifically and purposefully in support <strong>of</strong> our goals.<br />

i am happy to share the details <strong>of</strong> our plan with you here, and invite you to view my<br />

State <strong>of</strong> the <strong>School</strong> Address (see the back cover). Please contact me anytime with<br />

your questions and comments. thank you for the many ways that you support <strong>Lake</strong><br />

ridge <strong>Academy</strong>!<br />

Sincerely,<br />

Carol L. Klimas<br />

President<br />

Mission<br />

to send into a changing world confident young<br />

people <strong>of</strong> integrity who think critically and creatively<br />

while embracing the joy <strong>of</strong> lifelong learning<br />

3


Overarching Goal:<br />

Position <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong><br />

competitively in the market place<br />

to prepare, grow, and develop the<br />

school for the next fifty years<br />

% <strong>of</strong> Change<br />

in Student<br />

en<strong>roll</strong>ment<br />

2010-2011 to<br />

2011-2012<br />

4<br />

<strong>Strategic</strong> <strong>Plan</strong><br />

Our Vision for Our Students<br />

• Prepare students for an ever-shifting life by helping them to attain a sophisticated<br />

worldview and perspective <strong>of</strong> the times in which they live<br />

• Foster the ability to adapt and embrace change by learning critical and creative<br />

thinking skills, problem-solving techniques, and learning strategies<br />

• Build outstanding communications skills that allow students to speak fluently; listen<br />

attentively; write legibly, precisely and concisely; and read effectively<br />

• teach students to work collaboratively while integrating their knowledge and expertise<br />

into the group<br />

• incorporate technology in purposeful, effective, creative and responsible ways<br />

• Develop values such as stewardship, accountability, empathy, respect, responsibility,<br />

work ethic, pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism, honesty, integrity, perseverance, and patience that are all<br />

needed to lead a rich, rewarding and ethical life<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> 5.6%<br />

Wellington 3.9%<br />

Western reserve 3.2%<br />

Hawken 3.1%<br />

Old trail 3.0%<br />

Laurel 2.9%<br />

Maumee Valley 1.9%<br />

Columbus <strong>Academy</strong> 0.5%<br />

University 0.3%<br />

ruffing Montessori 0.0%<br />

Agnon 0.0%<br />

Columbus <strong>School</strong> for Girls -0.8%<br />

Hathaway Brown -0.8%<br />

Gilmour <strong>Academy</strong> -3.2%<br />

Grand river <strong>Academy</strong> -12.7%<br />

Canton Country Day -14.5%<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>’s en<strong>roll</strong>ment<br />

growth is higher than any other Ohio<br />

independent school (again!).


<strong>Strategic</strong> Objectives<br />

these objectives best support our Vision for Students:<br />

1) enhance the educational program via a rigorous curriculum<br />

2) Attract, retain, and develop the best faculty and staff<br />

3) Grow en<strong>roll</strong>ment to optimal school size while promoting<br />

diversity<br />

4) Build brand marketing and awareness<br />

5) Grow philanthropy<br />

6) ensure vibrant governance<br />

7) Develop community relationships<br />

in order to support these objectives, <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong><br />

continues to devote its financial resources to the implementation<br />

<strong>of</strong> specific educational goals and key projects that serve to<br />

preserve the institution and support our students in their pursuit<br />

<strong>of</strong> personal best.<br />

Tactical Objectives (through 2016)<br />

1) increase student body up to optimal en<strong>roll</strong>ment while continuing to promote diversity (currently 39%)<br />

2) Grow philanthropy every year<br />

3) Continue to closely monitor expenditures<br />

4) enhance our competitive position by holding tuition as close to flat as possible<br />

5) Focus marketing in target areas<br />

6) Maintain our educational product by recruiting and retaining talented faculty<br />

By adhering to strategic planning goals throughout the six-year planning period, <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> will<br />

be positioned to compete for students among northeast Ohio independent schools.<br />

5


The Arts at <strong>Lake</strong><br />

<strong>Ridge</strong> <strong>Academy</strong><br />

At a time when school arts programs are being cut again and<br />

again, <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>’s commitment to arts education<br />

remains constant. Approximately 20% <strong>of</strong> the school’s classroom<br />

teachers are <strong>fine</strong> arts instructors, and we are proud <strong>of</strong> their<br />

accomplishments as practicing artists in their disciplines<br />

outside <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>. to provide but a few<br />

examples, our faculty includes a bassist with the Akron<br />

Symphony Orchestra, the president <strong>of</strong> the oldest American<br />

Orff-Schulwerk Association chapter in the country, the<br />

headlining artist at a west side art show, and a performer at jazz<br />

venues around the city. Over half <strong>of</strong> our <strong>fine</strong> arts faculty<br />

members have graduate degrees in their discipline, and their<br />

excellence translates into a classroom experience where<br />

students are challenged to pursue excellence and encouraged<br />

to discover their own passion for the arts.<br />

Aside from our high-quality faculty, <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> is<br />

actively developing new arts programming for our students. We<br />

are pleased to highlight a brand new initiative in the life <strong>of</strong> our<br />

school, the <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts. Currently<br />

in its first year, the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts provides talented students<br />

with greater access to <strong>fine</strong> arts coursework during their high<br />

school career while allowing them to take advantage <strong>of</strong> the<br />

academic opportunities at <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>. in addition to<br />

this increased access, students move through a comprehensive<br />

<strong>fine</strong> arts curriculum where close-working relationships between<br />

students and teachers, as well as among students, provide an<br />

enriched experience in the given course <strong>of</strong> study.<br />

What makes the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts possible is that there is a<br />

rich arts curriculum leading up to, and running alongside the<br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts program. Starting in kindergarten, students<br />

at <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> begin their exploration and study <strong>of</strong> the<br />

musical and visual arts. in middle school, every student studies<br />

theater, music, and visual art. Once in upper school, the <strong>fine</strong> arts<br />

curriculum serves both the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts students as well<br />

6<br />

At <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>, we teach <strong>fine</strong><br />

arts because we know that what we<br />

do in our classrooms teaches students<br />

to create, to think critically, to pursue<br />

beauty, and to push themselves to new<br />

artistic heights and personal discoveries.<br />

What takes place in our studios, our<br />

theaters, and our rehearsal spaces<br />

encourages students to explore their own<br />

humanity and in turn, share it with others.<br />

as students not en<strong>roll</strong>ed in the program concurrently. enjoy the<br />

following vignettes <strong>of</strong>fered by the faculty <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> Fine Arts Department!<br />

Lower <strong>School</strong> Art Program – by Melanie Leonard<br />

When people think <strong>of</strong> art in an<br />

elementary setting, it is easy to<br />

think <strong>of</strong> arts and crafts. this is<br />

not true at <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong>. Parents, when<br />

walking into the lower school<br />

art room for the first time, are<br />

pleasantly surprised to see the<br />

various projects that are being<br />

this sketchbook assignment<br />

asked students to sketch their<br />

“Junk Drawer.”<br />

created or the amazing artwork<br />

hanging on the walls. Students<br />

begin their rich exploration<br />

into the artistic world with artist<br />

series and studies. they learn about various artists and focus on<br />

the key elements <strong>of</strong> art and design while learning to mimic these<br />

in their artwork. As students progress through their years in the<br />

lower school, their capacity for various mediums and diversity in<br />

their art is stretched. By fifth grade, students become<br />

accomplished young artists.<br />

An example <strong>of</strong> one such student who has grown throughout the<br />

lower school art program is Faisal Reza ‘19, whose artistic talents<br />

are easily spotted. Faisal’s creative thinking and passion for the<br />

elements <strong>of</strong> art and design bring his artwork to the forefront. As<br />

a young artist, Faisal participates not only in our annual student<br />

art show, but also in art shows outside the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong><br />

community as well.


The Orff-Schulwerk Approach – by Jennifer Shaw<br />

it is <strong>of</strong>ten said that<br />

children’s work is their play.<br />

the Orff-Schulwerk<br />

approach to teaching<br />

young children music and<br />

movement makes the most<br />

<strong>of</strong> this statement. Often<br />

shortened to “Orff” or “the<br />

Schulwerk” (“school work”),<br />

it began as an experiment<br />

over 75 years ago by the German composer Carl Orff alongside<br />

his life-long colleague Gunild Keetman. it celebrates half a<br />

century <strong>of</strong> practice in the United States, specifically right here in<br />

Cleveland, Ohio, where the first Chapter <strong>of</strong> the American<br />

Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) was established. As a <strong>Lake</strong><br />

ridge <strong>Academy</strong> music teacher, it is a privilege to serve as the<br />

current president <strong>of</strong> the local organization.<br />

Child-centered creativity and improvisation are at the core <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Schulwerk, and musical experience is emphasized first and<br />

foremost over musical literacy, which soon follows. the approach<br />

is organic and challenging in music education. Students are not<br />

asked to replicate the music and art <strong>of</strong> others; educators must<br />

connect to children’s innate play and creativity in order to help<br />

them create their own sophisticated and developmentally<br />

appropriate music. Artistic integrity is at the heart <strong>of</strong> this<br />

approach to music and movement education.<br />

About Julia – by Byron Fouts<br />

Julia Bouzaher ‘16 enjoys drawing<br />

and painting. if you don’t look<br />

closely, you might think her work<br />

simply flows from her fingers. She<br />

has been seen walking and drawing,<br />

drawing and listening, drawing and<br />

carrying on a discussion, drawing to<br />

relax, drawing to de-stress, drawing<br />

while eating, and drawing while drawing (really). it is a wonderful<br />

experience to dialogue with Julia about rationales, ideas, and<br />

thoughts about why and what she does. the transition <strong>of</strong> her<br />

perceptions has been an event i will always remember.<br />

the Manga style used in her early middle school years influenced<br />

her line and use <strong>of</strong> shapes while her interest in impressionist<br />

painting techniques brought about her painterly approach toward<br />

color. She can embrace problems <strong>of</strong> relevance within her art and<br />

harness other mental states in her work. there is a time to be<br />

sequencial and logical, and a time to drift and daydream while one<br />

draws and paints. (Hetland L., Winner e., Veenema S., Sheridan K.,<br />

(2007) Studio Thinking The Real Benefits <strong>of</strong> Visual Arts Education:<br />

teachers College Press).<br />

Julia has an amazing aesthetic. Her choices to keep, change,<br />

delete, modify, or rework forms and design elements create a<br />

dialogue with whatever media she works with. While Julia may<br />

represent the highest channeling <strong>of</strong> these elements, all middle<br />

school students do this in their own way, as they should. How<br />

cool is that?<br />

And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson –<br />

by Kristy Knechtges<br />

As Shakespeare so eloquently said, the<br />

purpose <strong>of</strong> great theater is to hold “the<br />

mirror up to nature.” With their<br />

empathic spirit, our students were ready<br />

to tackle the 2011 fall play, And They<br />

Dance Real Slow in Jackson, a play that<br />

traces the emotional downfall <strong>of</strong> a girl<br />

crippled by polio. respect, one <strong>of</strong> our school’s core values, is<br />

shown in outward signs through the Upper <strong>School</strong> Honor Code,<br />

which was written by the students and governs student conduct,<br />

and the student-founded GSA group that works to foster an<br />

environment <strong>of</strong> respect. these signs come from an understanding<br />

among our students that dishonesty and disrespect can be present<br />

continued on next page<br />

7


in all <strong>of</strong> us, but ignoring these factors will not make them go away.<br />

instead, our students make a positive impact by recognizing the<br />

problem and making strides to effectively handle it.<br />

it is this spirit <strong>of</strong> respect throughout our learning community that<br />

enabled our students to delve so effectively into the mind <strong>of</strong> a<br />

young girl who is misunderstood by all who surround her. even<br />

after the lights have dimmed on this production, their respect will<br />

live in the lives <strong>of</strong> everyone who had the privilege <strong>of</strong> seeing their<br />

wonderful artistry on the Bettcher stage.<br />

Jazz Fest – by Ed Leonard<br />

Jazz legend Herbie Hancock stated<br />

that “creativity and artistic<br />

endeavors have a mission that goes<br />

far beyond just making music for<br />

the sake <strong>of</strong> music.” At <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong>, this is our goal. in a<br />

culture where youth find jazz<br />

antiquated and out-<strong>of</strong>-date, our program endeavors to connect<br />

students to their music and to have fun throughout the process.<br />

A great opportunity to share the creativity and excitement<br />

inherent to jazz music with the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> community<br />

is the annual Jazz Fest. every spring, <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> hosts<br />

an evening <strong>of</strong> jazz music accompanied by great art and food.<br />

Last year’s headlining performer was Bobby Ferrazza <strong>of</strong> Oberlin<br />

College. Mr. Ferrazza’s passion for both jazz education and jazz<br />

performance shone through his entire set to the entertainment<br />

<strong>of</strong> all in attendance. this year’s Jazz Fest, slated for May 4, 2012,<br />

promises to be another engaging event where the jazz genre is<br />

once again shown to be relevant, engaging, and meaningful to<br />

today’s listeners.<br />

throughout the year, we seek to hold true to Mr. Hancock’s<br />

message that music is more than performing notes on a page; it is<br />

a way to communicate creativity, build relationships, and have fun.<br />

Travel in the Strings Program – by Tom Flowers<br />

What did the<br />

Upper <strong>School</strong> <strong>Lake</strong><br />

ridge <strong>Academy</strong><br />

String Orchestra<br />

do after<br />

graduation day last<br />

8<br />

The Arts at <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong><br />

spring? travel to Disneyworld, <strong>of</strong> course! Last fall, this talented<br />

Upper <strong>School</strong> group submitted an audition video to Disney with<br />

the help <strong>of</strong> Mr. Fouts’ video class. they were accepted to<br />

perform in Downtown Disney and also participated in a “You’re<br />

instrumental” clinic at epcot Center.<br />

the audience was appreciative <strong>of</strong> our performance. Disney<br />

trumpeter, Davey Jones, was the clinician who introduced the<br />

group to the process <strong>of</strong> music soundtrack production. the result<br />

was a 5 minute DVD <strong>of</strong> a segment <strong>of</strong> the movie, Beauty and the<br />

Beast, accompanied by the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> strings!<br />

A <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> tradition continues with our annual Ashland<br />

Spring String Wing-Ding. Last May, many <strong>of</strong> our lower and middle<br />

school string students participated in this weekend clinic at Ashland<br />

University. Well-known clinicians were on hand to lead the students<br />

in music skill development while having a great time. this year, the<br />

Wing-Ding will be held on May 19 and 20. All string students in<br />

grades 5 through 8 are welcome and encouraged to participate.<br />

Choral Program: About Liv – by Tim Unger<br />

the choral program at <strong>Lake</strong><br />

ridge <strong>Academy</strong> strives to<br />

facilitate the musical and vocal<br />

development <strong>of</strong> each<br />

individual singer. Moreover,<br />

the successful singer embraces<br />

unfamiliar or foreign<br />

approaches to singing, genres <strong>of</strong> music, and ways <strong>of</strong> thinking<br />

about vocal music over the tenure <strong>of</strong> their choral education.<br />

One student who embodies this openness to new vocal ideas is<br />

Olivia Miraldi, a <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts vocal major. Liv is a singer/<br />

songwriter who, in her own time, focuses on contemporary styles <strong>of</strong><br />

singing and is currently considering future studies in commercial<br />

music. Per the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts curriculum, Liv dove into<br />

coursework that includes classical voice lessons, english diction, the<br />

history <strong>of</strong> western music, and traditional choral music. At first<br />

glance, none <strong>of</strong> these courses relate to Liv’s passion for<br />

contemporary, popular music. However, as the semester has<br />

unfolded, she has discovered meaningful, beneficial connections<br />

between the study <strong>of</strong> these classical musical avenues and her areas<br />

<strong>of</strong> personal interest.<br />

What has made this all possible is Liv’s enthusiasm and<br />

willingness to grow as an artist. Her openness to new musical


<strong>Academy</strong><br />

ideas has resulted in great musical and<br />

vocal growth that she can apply back to<br />

her own music-making.<br />

Marilyn Crooker with the quartet the “next Best<br />

thing.” Pictured: tony D’Amico ’97, Atif Peshiman<br />

’96, Marilyn Crooker, David Kim ‘97, and<br />

Andy Clark ’96.<br />

Singing for Life –<br />

by Marilyn Crooker<br />

At age three, a child naturally sings the first<br />

two pitches <strong>of</strong> “rain, rain, Go Away.”<br />

At age eighty, “You Are My Sunshine,” a<br />

song learned possibly in a music class, is<br />

still remembered in the recesses <strong>of</strong> a now<br />

failing mind.<br />

every human being is blessed with their<br />

own built-in instrument – their singing<br />

voice – to use whenever and wherever<br />

they may choose. Learning to use that<br />

voice and being comfortable with it is<br />

what a music teacher undertakes each<br />

and every day with students.<br />

My philosophy has always been that<br />

everyone can sing, despite what some may<br />

have been told earlier in life. Hopefully,<br />

each person sings because it brings such<br />

joy to one’s soul. it can be done in small or<br />

large groups, and if one is daring enough, it<br />

can be done solo! But even if only one<br />

hums along quietly to a favorite song, these<br />

words by Walter Landor hold true, “there is<br />

delight in singing, though none hear<br />

beside the singer.”<br />

So, don’t be afraid to give your voice to<br />

song throughout your life. it will bring great<br />

happiness to your former music teachers!<br />

As Virgil wrote, “Let us go singing as far as<br />

we go; the road will be less tedious.”<br />

A Painter’s Journey – by Jeff Yost<br />

the young<br />

painter <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

begins with<br />

exuberance and<br />

unquenchable<br />

curiosity about<br />

what is seen and<br />

what is made.<br />

When given the discipline to cultivate and<br />

give form to this curiosity, powerful things<br />

will happen as s/he learns to think critically<br />

and creatively. the painter’s mature work<br />

calls on equal parts engineering and<br />

philosophy to develop complex and highly<br />

individual systems to both distill and<br />

express the impressions <strong>of</strong> the surrounding<br />

world. those impressions spring from the<br />

painter’s own culture and the shared lives<br />

within it, whether s/he is embedded in or<br />

distant from it. these serve as the real<br />

inspiration for expressing something<br />

truthful and beautiful.<br />

A painter’s real product is not a picture; the<br />

images <strong>of</strong>fered are to remind us <strong>of</strong> where<br />

we might start to look for beauty in our own<br />

continued on next page<br />

“Creativity and<br />

artistic endeavors<br />

have a mission<br />

that goes far<br />

beyond just<br />

making music<br />

for the sake <strong>of</strong><br />

music.”<br />

9


“Those who are able to develop<br />

unique perspectives and envision<br />

unforeseen solutions will be the<br />

leaders <strong>of</strong> the next generation.”<br />

lives. they are made to enrich our understanding <strong>of</strong> who and what we are; every<br />

painting is an opportunity to consider our own perceptions. For a lifetime, the painter<br />

cultivates these skills. the culmination is a re<strong>fine</strong>d mirror to reflect and sublimate the<br />

beauty <strong>of</strong> our lives and how they are lived.<br />

Art in the Digital Age – by Carolyn Ballou<br />

10<br />

the pr<strong>of</strong>essional field <strong>of</strong> digital art has<br />

grown from programming and data<br />

processing to the manipulation <strong>of</strong> these<br />

technical skills to create commercial and<br />

<strong>fine</strong> art. the digital arts program at <strong>Lake</strong><br />

ridge <strong>Academy</strong> has, in turn, evolved to<br />

follow this real-world trend.<br />

By completing <strong>of</strong>ferings in the digital arts,<br />

our students prepare themselves for one <strong>of</strong> the fastest-growing and evolving sectors <strong>of</strong><br />

commercial art. Students develop an understanding and working knowledge <strong>of</strong> the<br />

foundations and principles <strong>of</strong> art which are then transferred over to complex visual arts<br />

s<strong>of</strong>tware that challenges their technical skills. All <strong>of</strong> this is done in the pursuit <strong>of</strong> creating<br />

visually effective artwork.<br />

technology and art are taught in tandem, requiring students to develop the capacity to<br />

think both artistically and logically. Fostering this duality <strong>of</strong> thought is one more way that<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> is preparing students for the 21st-century workforce.<br />

Art, Once <strong>School</strong> is Finished – by Ann Bort<br />

in this Digital Age, access to technology increases with every new phone, tablet, and<br />

automobile, putting infinite amounts <strong>of</strong> information within an arm’s reach every hour <strong>of</strong><br />

the day. While technology has become second nature to most <strong>of</strong> us, the future <strong>of</strong><br />

innovation and entrepreneurship belongs to those who can create something new.<br />

those who are able to develop unique perspectives and envision unforeseen solutions<br />

will be the leaders <strong>of</strong> the next generation.<br />

the hands-on experience <strong>of</strong> creating, through designing and building a sculpture,<br />

choreographing a dance, or interpreting a piece <strong>of</strong> music, engenders a student who is<br />

inventive, empathic and analytical. By taking artistic risks at <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>, our<br />

students are more likely to act on creative ideas that will make tangible, useful, and<br />

innovative contributions to any field <strong>of</strong> work or study.<br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts is more than a<br />

collection <strong>of</strong> coursework. it is a<br />

comprehensive, four-year immersion in<br />

a discipline that is designed to foster<br />

the development <strong>of</strong> the artist. there<br />

are currently seven disciplines, or<br />

courses <strong>of</strong> study, supported by the<br />

program: Voice, instrumental Strings,<br />

instrumental Jazz, Musical theater,<br />

Acting, Studio Arts, and Digital Arts.<br />

Students are auditioned into the<br />

program and work through a<br />

multifaceted curriculum designed to<br />

give them a well-rounded and in-depth<br />

arts education that prepares them for<br />

their futures and sets them apart from<br />

their peers as they enter college. there<br />

are four main components to the<br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts program, each<br />

designed to address a different side <strong>of</strong><br />

artist education:<br />

the first is artist training. each student<br />

works through eight semesters <strong>of</strong><br />

coursework over four years that will<br />

the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts Advisory<br />

Council includes individuals with a<br />

variety <strong>of</strong> backgrounds and<br />

experiences in the Cleveland Arts<br />

Community. the Council’s role is<br />

to assist in the development and<br />

growth <strong>of</strong> the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts<br />

by providing input and insight into<br />

the program and curriculum,


Fine Arts<br />

provide a breadth and depth <strong>of</strong><br />

knowledge required for each discipline.<br />

Specific details <strong>of</strong> each<br />

program <strong>of</strong> study can be<br />

found on the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> website.<br />

the second piece to artist preparation is<br />

the exchange <strong>of</strong> ideas and the<br />

development <strong>of</strong> the individual artist’s<br />

voice. this is facilitated by the Fine Arts<br />

Seminar, a cross-disciplinary seminar,<br />

attended by all members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Fine Arts. through this forum, students<br />

can share their artistic growth and<br />

development with one another and<br />

examine their discipline in the larger<br />

context <strong>of</strong> the Arts.<br />

the third element <strong>of</strong> the program is<br />

artistic growth in non-curricular areas.<br />

Students have extra-curricular<br />

expectations that are tailored toward their<br />

individual courses <strong>of</strong> study to foster<br />

growth and development. this keeps<br />

bringing ideas and innovations to the<br />

discussion about what the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Fine Arts <strong>of</strong>fers, and facilitating<br />

relationships with artists and<br />

organizations in the Cleveland area.<br />

We are incredibly grateful for the<br />

commitment and efforts <strong>of</strong> our<br />

Advisory Council who include the<br />

following individuals:<br />

students engaged in their art form outside<br />

<strong>of</strong> the classroom walls and provides a<br />

greater opportunity to foster growth in<br />

the area and at the level each individual<br />

student needs.<br />

Finally, <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> is committed<br />

to giving <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts students<br />

access to art and artists <strong>of</strong> the highest<br />

caliber from across the Cleveland region.<br />

this means that <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts<br />

students are given unparalleled access to<br />

some <strong>of</strong> Cleveland’s major arts institutions<br />

and their personnel. Members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts Advisory Council <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

facilitate these important networking<br />

connections. (see below.)<br />

the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts is completely<br />

integrated into the upper school<br />

program. <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts students are<br />

a part <strong>of</strong> the day-to-day community and<br />

culture in the upper school. this means<br />

that our arts-focused students work and<br />

learn alongside students with other<br />

ChRiS BReueR<br />

Artist/Potter<br />

DR. JuDiTh e. BuRNS<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Music education,<br />

Baldwin-Wallace College<br />

Director, Baldwin-Wallace Women’s Choir<br />

Director, Conservatory Outreach Honors<br />

Chorales<br />

JiM heuSiNgeR<br />

Art Collector<br />

LiNDSAy DOeRR<br />

Development Director,<br />

near West theatre<br />

passions and pursuits, giving all students<br />

the opportunity to learn from one<br />

another. in the same way that upper<br />

school students have the opportunity to<br />

rehearse and create in the arts classes<br />

alongside our <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts<br />

students, our <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts students<br />

have the opportunity to investigate and<br />

explore alongside the rest <strong>of</strong> our talented<br />

student body in the science labs, english<br />

classes, and other curricular areas.<br />

As we move forward with this innovative<br />

new <strong>of</strong>fering, we are thrilled to have the<br />

consistent enthusiasm and support <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> community. We<br />

believe that we are creating an<br />

educational journey for our students that<br />

will tap into their passion and creativity as<br />

developing artists. By providing them with<br />

the structure, time, and opportunity to<br />

pursue their discipline, <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts<br />

students will go forward from <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> equipped to succeed and<br />

embrace their futures.<br />

BOBBy FeRRAzzA<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Jazz Guitar, Oberlin College<br />

Chair <strong>of</strong> Jazz Studies, Oberlin College<br />

LiSA ORTeNzi<br />

Supervisor, <strong>School</strong> residency Program,<br />

Great <strong>Lake</strong>s theater Festival<br />

DR. MeLViN uNgeR<br />

Director, riemenschneider Bach institute<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Music, Baldwin-Wallace College<br />

Director, Singers’ Club <strong>of</strong> Cleveland<br />

11


in the first year <strong>of</strong> its six-year strategic plan, <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> received $1,365,985 in philanthropic support – a 25%<br />

increase over the prior year. the donors recognized below helped the school reach its financial goals and are inspiring<br />

other donors to follow their wonderful example in the current academic year.<br />

Donors are recognized below for the total dollar value <strong>of</strong> their confirmed commitments made between July 1, 2010<br />

and June 30, 2011. Support levels include the values <strong>of</strong> outright gifts, new pledges (some <strong>of</strong> which will be fulfilled in<br />

future years), gifts in kind, will commitments, planned gifts, auction gifts, golf outing sponsorship or participation, and<br />

company matching gifts that were facilitated by these donors.<br />

All <strong>of</strong> these donors provided support to many different areas <strong>of</strong> the school. Donors who supported the school’s highest<br />

fundraising priority, the Annual Fund, are recognized with an asterisk (*). 1963 Society members are noted in italics when<br />

their Annual Fund gifts totaled $1,963 or more.<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> students benefit every single day from these gracious donors, and we thank you!<br />

$100K+<br />

Donald ‘70 and Linda Kaatz*<br />

Chann and Edward Spellman*<br />

$50K+<br />

Anonymous<br />

Robert and Cynthia Fairchild*<br />

Bernie and Bridget Moreno*<br />

Kent ‘72 and Gail Sommer*<br />

The Focus Foundation*<br />

$25K+<br />

Mark and Julie Anne Grossi*<br />

Lee and Jo Ann Howley*<br />

John and Betty Kemper*<br />

Benjamin and Jane Norton*<br />

John and Deborah O’Neill*<br />

Ferdinand ‘79 and Donna Plecha*<br />

Mercedes Benz <strong>of</strong> north Olmsted<br />

$15K+<br />

Gregg and Madelyn Foster*<br />

Charles and Charlotte Fowler*<br />

Benjamin and Brenda Norton*<br />

$10K+<br />

Anonymous*<br />

Dale and Brenda Alexander*<br />

Kathryn Bilski<br />

George and Lora Blaha<br />

Vaughn and Karen Kauffman<br />

Daniel and Carol Klimas*<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> Parents Association<br />

Michael Shaulis and Sarah Durn*<br />

Cleveland indians Charities, inc.<br />

national Foundation for Philanthropy<br />

The Stocker Foundation*<br />

12<br />

Honor Roll<br />

$5K+<br />

thomas ‘83 and Janna Dresing*<br />

George elliott<br />

Darrin and Meredith Farrow<br />

Pat Hemmer<br />

Myron Miller<br />

Phillip and Clare navratil*<br />

James and Vanita Oelschlager*<br />

Joyesh ‘89 and Kelly Raj*<br />

Joe and Nancy Scarpitti*<br />

robert and Susan Smith*<br />

richard and Sheila tatham<br />

John and Doreen Ziska*<br />

Bettcher industries, inc.<br />

FM Global Foundation<br />

Chas. S. rivchun & Sons, LLC<br />

rehmann<br />

$1963+<br />

Dennis and Debra Allen<br />

Joe and Amy Arno<br />

Christopher ‘86 and Patricia Baker<br />

William and Linda Baker<br />

Lee and Michelle Belardo*<br />

Philippe and Lori Berenger*<br />

Alok and Cristine Bhaiji<br />

Calvin and Keisha Booth<br />

Derre and Diana Buike<br />

nicholas and Vasiliki Diamantis<br />

Don and Sherry esch*<br />

Scribner and Ann Fauver*<br />

Michael and Koren Furrey<br />

Marla Gerrek and Dwight Johnson<br />

Jeffrey Gwinnell and Margaret Benham*<br />

Atul Hulyalkar, M.D. and Renuka Diwan, M.D.*<br />

robert and Kellie Huxtable<br />

John Kastelic*<br />

Karen Kemper<br />

Michael and Pamela Kolczun<br />

David and Cindy LaRue*<br />

Dean and Michelle Martens<br />

Cameron and ester Mitchell*<br />

Douglas Potoczak and Karen Mihalik-Potoczak<br />

robert and Melanie Shock*<br />

Donald and Karen Strang<br />

Paul and Barbara Swasey*<br />

Bruce Szabo and Julie rehm*<br />

David tatham<br />

Craig and Cynthia tellerd*<br />

Betty Weiss<br />

Kam and Lo Wong*<br />

Christine Zirafi, MD<br />

Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP<br />

Carnegie Management & Development Corp.<br />

Community West Foundation<br />

FirstMerit Bank, n.A.<br />

Fairchild Management Company<br />

Goodyear tire & rubber Company<br />

the Laub Foundation<br />

ross environmental Services<br />

UBS Matching Gift Program*<br />

The Clara Weiss Fund*<br />

Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista<br />

Winfield Associates, inc.


$1000+<br />

Anonymous*<br />

Safaa Al-Haddad and May Al-Abousi<br />

Brian Adams and Gretchen Anderson*<br />

Oakley Andrews<br />

Larry thomas and Caprice Bragg*<br />

Michael and Lisa Bramhall<br />

Marcus and Jane Buehrer*<br />

randall Chriss and Beth Llewellyn*<br />

Daniel and Lindsey ‘99 Sommer Braddock<br />

richard and Joanne Clark<br />

Saji and Lisa Daniel*<br />

J. B. Shaw iii and Ann Marie Davis*<br />

Sean Decatur and renee romano*<br />

Peter and Athena Diamantis<br />

richard and natalie Drake*<br />

Cole ‘79 and Susan Fauver*<br />

tracey Frierson*<br />

robert and Stephanie Fulop<br />

Kenyon and elizabeth Glor*<br />

tom and Kari ‘01 Sommer Halko<br />

James and Christine Heusinger*<br />

Sally Hudnutt*<br />

randy Hutchison<br />

David Kuentz*<br />

Suresh and Lori Mahajan*<br />

Kevin and Jenifer McCarthy<br />

ronald McMahon and rebecca ruppert<br />

McMahon<br />

Michael and Laura ‘78 Osgood Meadors*<br />

James and Karen Miraldi*<br />

ravi Vedula and Chandana Mozumdar*<br />

John Mullaney and Barbara Sawhill*<br />

robert nemetz and Laura DiVincenzo<br />

David O’neill ‘01<br />

robert and Brenda rice*<br />

John Sc<strong>of</strong>ield and Deborah Mills-Sc<strong>of</strong>ield*<br />

James and Cynthia Seidel*<br />

robert and Linda Smigel<br />

Hayden ‘89 and rachael Stafford*<br />

Jack Streepy and rebecca Daniel<br />

Joseph and Melissa Williams*<br />

Al Wilhelmy Flowers<br />

Barnes & noble*<br />

Commercial Properties Associates<br />

First Growth Properties<br />

international excess insurance<br />

Madd Chef<br />

Maloney + novotny<br />

Micros<strong>of</strong>t Corporation*<br />

northwestern Mutual - northeast Ohio Group<br />

national Shelter Products, inc.<br />

Ocean reef Club<br />

O’neill Management<br />

Sommer’s Mobile Leasing<br />

timan Window treatments<br />

$500+<br />

richard and Kathy Ader*<br />

Grant Alexander ‘96*<br />

Peter and Gayle Andre de la Porte*<br />

Sabry and Maryam ‘87 nasr Ayad<br />

Kathy Barr<br />

Mark and Adele Bartlett<br />

Maria Beltran*<br />

robert and Sharon Bennett<br />

Jan ‘84 and Cynthia Beseler*<br />

Bryant Bitar ‘01<br />

Jihad and Sandra Bitar*<br />

Alex Brickley<br />

Dennis and Gayle Brickley<br />

William and Susan Colley*<br />

eric ‘92 and Aida Collings*<br />

Gabe Despres<br />

Michael and roseanne Deucher*<br />

Matthew ‘82 and Jane eppley*<br />

John and Lisa eyring*<br />

Byron and Deborah Fouts*<br />

Matt Gatchell<br />

Marten and Lisa ‘84 Khosh Granger*<br />

O. Mark and Barbara Hastings*<br />

Wendall Hinkle and Carolyn Kmieck-Hinkle*<br />

Barry ‘77 and Jamie Hyman*<br />

Jeff Fowler and teresa Jenkins*<br />

Jack and Sherry Kahl<br />

John and Diane Kahl<br />

Michael Kemmer ‘77<br />

Colleen Kilbane and Solur Udayashankar*<br />

Gwang Kim*<br />

Brian and Cathy Kingsley*<br />

Jeffrey ‘83 and Annette ‘84 Wasem Knapp*<br />

Herman and Joanne Kopf<br />

Marvin Krislov and Amy Sheon*<br />

Mr. and Mrs. Lakhbir Lamba<br />

Anthony and Dottie Laurinaitis<br />

ralph and Kathy Leroy*<br />

Gary and Cathy Martz*<br />

Mary Miles<br />

Kenneth and Karen Moore*<br />

Kenneth ‘00 and Sarah ‘00 Moore<br />

Masroor Mustafa and Marina Magrey*<br />

eric and Carissa nettle<br />

Garey and tracey noritz*<br />

Christine Weiss Pfeil ‘70*<br />

ramon and Judy rivera*<br />

Mark and Kristin ‘84 Kemper roshkowski*<br />

todd and Molly Sommer*<br />

robert Sweet ‘96*<br />

Fred and Mary tavakoli<br />

Kate theobald<br />

Matt thompson<br />

Vincent and Susan thomson<br />

William ‘80 and Lora VanSickle*<br />

Li-zen ‘87 and Vanessa Yieh*<br />

Lynn Yieh ‘87*<br />

Christine Zarafi<br />

AA Kenpo Karate<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> Graphic Communication, inc.<br />

All Pro Freight Systems<br />

Anthony Battle/Pack Alpha Dog training<br />

the Capital Group Companies*<br />

Charles Scott Salon & Spa<br />

eric P. Mull Photography<br />

Great <strong>Lake</strong>s Gymnastics<br />

Ge Foundation*<br />

GK’s Custom Polishing, inc.<br />

J. Barker Landscaping<br />

Kaya Day Spa<br />

Kinsale Golf and Fitness<br />

Kolczun and Kolczun Orthopaedics/<br />

Cleveland Clinic<br />

Lawrence Schreibman’s Gems<br />

McDhurries<br />

the nord Family Foundation*<br />

north ridge racquet Club<br />

the norton Family Foundation*<br />

Shore Catch Guide Service<br />

tartine<br />

UBS Financial<br />

Walden inn<br />

the Western reserve Historical Society<br />

$250+<br />

Garrett Blaha ‘10<br />

Jeff Parsons and Candice Champion-Parsons ‘97<br />

Albert Chan and Annie tan<br />

Cynthia A. Cromling<br />

Kass and Marilyn Crooker*<br />

Andrew Culberson<br />

Louis and evon D’Amico*<br />

robert and Paula Dempsey*<br />

Brian Duffin<br />

Mehrun elyaderani<br />

13


onald and Linda Gordon*<br />

Frank and Sharon Groh-Wargo*<br />

ronald and Katherine Hatcher*<br />

Gregory and Meghan ‘98 Flannery Hayes*<br />

Howard and Kathleen Kerber*<br />

Martin ‘00 and Ashley Kilbane*<br />

Paul and Patricia Koethe*<br />

Daniel Latham‘90<br />

Michael Liebeskind*<br />

Barb Lozada<br />

Charles Lozon<br />

Mark and Barbara McClusky*<br />

tom and Ann Medwetz*<br />

thomas and Gail Moran*<br />

trina Muzingo and Michelle Muzingo<br />

Bradley ‘86 and Debbie norton<br />

William O’neill ‘07*<br />

richard Pfeil ‘05*<br />

Fred and Marion Plecha*<br />

Linda radigan<br />

Olan and Veronica reese*<br />

Christopher and Linda rothgery<br />

Scott and Heather russell<br />

Ferenc and Jennifer Sanderson*<br />

Meredith Scerba<br />

Katie and tim Schulz*<br />

Sally Stewart<br />

Gint ‘90 and Katrina Strautnieks<br />

Mark and Marlene tagliavoni*<br />

nancy Valek<br />

Joseph Vincent and Susan Mathai*<br />

Jeff Yost<br />

robert and Carrie ‘79 Moore Young*<br />

terri Moore Zajac<br />

Seth Zaremba ‘90<br />

the Abbewood<br />

Anna’s Sewing Center<br />

Blue ridge Farm<br />

Bramhall engineering & Surveying Co., inc.<br />

Cleveland Cavaliers<br />

Cleveland Magazine<br />

Columbus Marriott northwest<br />

Cuyahoga Community College<br />

the Fedeli Group<br />

Five Seasons Sports Country Club<br />

Hitesman Photography<br />

Holistic Massotherapy<br />

J.D. Byrider<br />

KeyBank Foundation*<br />

Kumon<br />

Marigold Catering<br />

Max-Wellness<br />

Mid Ohio race track<br />

no Place Like Home inspections<br />

On the Spot Gourmet<br />

Pine needles Golf Club<br />

Princeton review<br />

14<br />

Honor Roll<br />

Provide - Commerce<br />

the ritz-Carlton<br />

Shinto<br />

Shurtech Brand<br />

Solari Quintessentially italian<br />

Super tan<br />

William e. Pappas CPA, inc.<br />

Yorkshire entertainment<br />

Zone Aviation<br />

$1-249 anD other giftS in KinD<br />

Anonymous<br />

Paul and Amy Ackerman<br />

timothy and JoAnne ‘90 Bell Adams*<br />

Grace Adams ‘19*<br />

Jeffrey Ader ‘04*<br />

Mikio Akagi ‘04*<br />

George and Becky Alex<br />

Charles and Laura ‘77 Kneale Anderson*<br />

Arizon Anderson*<br />

Jerome V. Andrews<br />

Chris and Sara Arnold*<br />

George and Christina Asimou<br />

Gary and Sandra Bacher*<br />

Scott and Donna Baker<br />

russelle and Holly Balog*<br />

David and Carola Bamberger*<br />

troy Barnes<br />

troy and Heather ‘98 Kaatz Barnes*<br />

Franz Bauer ‘88*<br />

Brian and Karolyn Beals*<br />

ralph and Marianne Betters*<br />

Susan Biegel*<br />

thomas Bilski<br />

Peter and Karyn ‘79 Van Sickle Bishop*<br />

Constantine and Catherine Bitounis<br />

James and Joyce Blakely<br />

richard and Ann Bort*<br />

tara Bowen*<br />

Anita Stilz Boyle<br />

Daniel and Lindsey ‘99 Sommer Braddock<br />

Alan and Barbara Braverman<br />

Andrew and Victoria Brobbey*<br />

Marc Brown<br />

Pete Harrison and Denise Buell ‘83*<br />

Charles and Margaret Busser<br />

Ashley Busser ‘96<br />

Paul Butler ‘75*<br />

Benjamin ‘86 and Christina Buttriss*<br />

Jack and Margot Calcut*<br />

H. Boyd Cameron*<br />

Carolyn J. Carr*<br />

Kevin and Heather Car<strong>roll</strong>*<br />

Brent and Fawn Carson<br />

Alex and Alicia Cassady*<br />

Francesco Catanese<br />

norman and Carol Clary*<br />

Coleta and Jackie Clifton*<br />

Jeffery and Shuijun Coble*<br />

Deborah Cocco*<br />

edwin and Jayne Cole*<br />

Bernadette Colegrove<br />

robert and Bonnie Cowie*<br />

Damion ‘93 and Dawn Crannis*<br />

Anne Marie Cronin*<br />

ronald Davis and Laura Guggenheim*<br />

Carrie Kuss Denning ‘92*<br />

Alan and Ann DeWerth*<br />

Gus and Argyro Diamantis<br />

Paul and Helen Diamantis<br />

Paolo C. Diamantis ‘17<br />

ralph DiOrio and Denise Fugo<br />

Phil and Brooke Doerner<br />

Meredith C. Dresing ‘17<br />

Samuel L. Dresing ‘22<br />

William and Victoria Dufford*<br />

Christopher and renee Dugan*<br />

rodney and rebecca Dummitt*<br />

<strong>roll</strong>in and Deanna edgar*<br />

Charles and Lizabeth emrick*<br />

Marko Farian and tiffany Farian ‘96*<br />

rita Farry*<br />

Amber Fisher*<br />

Andrew and Karel Fisher*<br />

Michael and Paula Fitzgibbon<br />

Mark and Kim Flash*<br />

thomas and renee Flowers*<br />

Michael and Stacie Foor*<br />

John Foster*<br />

Michael Fradley ‘97*<br />

Steven and Mary Ann Francis<br />

Louis Frangos<br />

Heather Harris Freiberg*<br />

russell and Margaret Friedrich<br />

Frank Furiga*<br />

Gary and Christy Garbinski*<br />

ronna-Jean Gedeon*<br />

Brett and Patricia Gerber<br />

Debby Ghezzi*<br />

Harry and Angelike Giallourakis<br />

Francis and tori Gibbons*<br />

richard and Anne ‘74 Marshall Gieryn*<br />

David and Lisa Gilchrist*<br />

Harvey and Marilyn Glor*<br />

ethan Glor ‘07*<br />

Benjamin Glor ‘10*<br />

ronald and Veronica Gosselin*<br />

Carl Goudas<br />

Marilyn Goudas<br />

Clifford Goytowski<br />

raymond and Mary Graber<br />

Mellissa Granzier<br />

Judge Lisa Locke Graves<br />

Clarence and Carol Gray*


Valerie Greathouse<br />

edward and rene Guest*<br />

nancy Gwynne*<br />

Michael Prud’homme and elizabeth F.<br />

Gwynne ‘82*<br />

Margaret and Michael Haase*<br />

Susan Haendiges*<br />

elaine Hagan<br />

Victoria Hahl ‘12<br />

richard and Frances Hamper<br />

ray Hanna*<br />

Michael and elisabeth Hanrahan*<br />

Jennifer Hanrahan*<br />

David and Julie Harris*<br />

Stephen Harris*<br />

Christopher Harter<br />

Ben and Jody Haserodt*<br />

William ‘78 and Karen Hassler*<br />

Lucille Hassler<br />

John and Jean Hastings<br />

Kiki Hatzis<br />

Frank and edwina Hawkins<br />

Joseph Heider<br />

norman and Marjorie Henderson*<br />

robert and Janine Hendricks*<br />

Christopher and elizabeth Hickey<br />

Luke Howley ‘09*<br />

Donald and Suzanne Huebler*<br />

norbert and Sharon Huebsch*<br />

Gene and Kellie Hughes*<br />

G. ‘84 and Kelly ilg*<br />

Gary ilg ‘81*<br />

Bojan and Kerry ivkovic*<br />

John and Chris Janas<br />

David and Lisa Jilbert<br />

Barry and toris Johnson*<br />

John and Helen Johnson*<br />

Kathryn Joyce*<br />

Angela Jumbert<br />

William Kaatz<br />

Paul, Sandy, Peter, and Koula Kadras<br />

David and Margaret Kamitsuka*<br />

Joe and Jeanette Kanaan<br />

George and inger Kantzios<br />

efigenia and George Kantzios<br />

tom and rhonda ‘87 norton Kean*<br />

robert and Jeanette Kirwin*<br />

thomas and Laura Klein<br />

Kyriaki Klidas<br />

Kristy Knechtges*<br />

David and Marilyn Koethe*<br />

Alumni Participation<br />

each student who attends <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> relies on the support <strong>of</strong> alumni who<br />

preceded them. Students are made aware <strong>of</strong> alumni support and learn that they too<br />

will one day have a responsibility to continue the tradition <strong>of</strong> philanthropy. this cycle<br />

strengthens the school over time and helps to sustain <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>’s unmatched<br />

community <strong>of</strong> support.<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> recognizes the following<br />

top classes for their giving participation rates<br />

and dedication to our students:<br />

1979 – 42% 1977 – 27%<br />

1983 – 30% 1984 – 25%<br />

1970, 1987, 1990 and 2001 – 20% (tied)<br />

Larry and Anna Kontokanis<br />

George and Popi Kopasakis<br />

Bruce and Juliann Krous*<br />

Vikram and namrata Kumar<br />

Kostas Kypriotakis and John Kypriotakis<br />

Panos and Lana Kyrkos<br />

Anne LaFrance<br />

Steven and Beth Lamb<br />

Jeff Lamparski<br />

edwin Langhenry<br />

timothy and Linnette Lavelle*<br />

rob and Katarina Levit<br />

Scott and Anissa Lewis*<br />

Shea Loper ‘99<br />

Gregory and Loreen Lucas*<br />

Jerry and Kimberly Luccioni*<br />

Jim Lucsik*<br />

William MacKay*<br />

Ganesh and Phani Maddali*<br />

Kostoula Markos<br />

George Marountas<br />

robert Marshall ‘76<br />

Manu Mathews and Shiny Abraham*<br />

Stephan and Kristen Mayer*<br />

Susan McDonald*<br />

Fallon Mcnally ‘07*<br />

tim and Colleen Mcneill<br />

Milton and Lynn Midis<br />

robert and Sharon Mier*<br />

Michael and Debra Miller*<br />

Frank Milluzzi and Joan Jesse Milluzzi<br />

David ‘71 and Leslee Miraldi*<br />

todd and Stephanie Moore*<br />

Adam Moreno ‘14<br />

Kathryn Moreno ‘10<br />

Kevin Moreno ‘17<br />

emily Moreno ‘12<br />

Konstantinos and Maria Mougianis<br />

Frank and nancy nagy*<br />

William and Diane nahorn*<br />

George and Ann nakis<br />

Samir and esmat nasr<br />

nancy nordlah neville<br />

Charles and Virginia newcomb<br />

Bradley and Susan norpell*<br />

Barry and Penny norris<br />

John norton*<br />

Benjamin norton ‘22<br />

eileen novello<br />

Frank and Gail Opaskar*<br />

William and Betsy ‘77 evans Owens*<br />

Dale Pagano<br />

Wayne and Beth Palmer<br />

Peter Palos<br />

nathan Pangrace ‘01<br />

George and Helen Papadorotheou<br />

nikolaos and Antonia Papanikolaou<br />

Peter ‘86 and Kimberly ‘87 Kemper Parrish*<br />

Monty and Danielle Parrish<br />

tony Paskevich<br />

rahil H. Patel ‘12*<br />

Peter and Lorraine Patsouras<br />

15


Laura Paxton*<br />

rebecca Paxton ‘01*<br />

Ann Peckham*<br />

Harry Persaud ‘11*<br />

Dametra and Panagiota Petsas; Konstantinos<br />

Petsas<br />

Jimmy and roberta Pettit*<br />

Carolyn Pfeil ‘07*<br />

John ‘82 and Sheila Plecha*<br />

Heather Potantus<br />

Christopher Poulos<br />

Steven and Jane ‘70 Mercer ramsay<br />

Arash rashidi and Zahra Karimloo*<br />

Gary and Angela rasoletti*<br />

Stephen rasoletti ‘12*<br />

S. r. and Basabi ratnaparkhi<br />

Beth Ann raymond<br />

Annouska Askaridou remmert<br />

Barbara reynolds<br />

James and Barbara ridel*<br />

robert and Michelle robertson*<br />

norman and Lynne rose*<br />

Brian and Debra roy<br />

Kevin and Dina-Maria ruehlman*<br />

Jeffrey and Laura ‘80 Pettit rusick<br />

David teal and Sally Saddler ‘73*<br />

Constandinos and Maria Samarellis<br />

Alexzander S. Schasfoort ‘17<br />

Bart Schasfoort and Karen Stary<br />

Spencer Scheeler ‘11*<br />

Benjamin Schiff and June Goodwin<br />

Amanda Seidel ‘10*<br />

Janelle Sekerak*<br />

Julia Bilz Sertich ‘01*<br />

Michael Sertich ‘01*<br />

Jennifer Shaw<br />

Bud Shaw<br />

terry S. Shilling*<br />

Brian Shimko ‘04*<br />

r. Michael Shock ‘20<br />

George and efty Simakis*<br />

Dana taylor and Carolyn r. Simmelink ‘73*<br />

Jim and Hala Soliman<br />

ricardo and terri Soto*<br />

Joseph Soukenick<br />

Peter and Susan Sour*<br />

Kevin roberts and Hilary Sparks-roberts*<br />

Les and Sandy Spike*<br />

Carole Stark*<br />

Jon and Cecilia ‘88 Shin Steinman<br />

nick and erin Stellato*<br />

Marilynn Stoxen*<br />

Gerald and eileen Strauss<br />

robert and Deborah Sutherland<br />

Brett ‘90 and Gretchen Swasey*<br />

richard and Bonnie Sweebe<br />

Mark and edie Sweeterman*<br />

Gudrun Swoboda<br />

16<br />

Honor Roll<br />

Jutta Swoboda*<br />

robert and Cathy Szabo*<br />

Joseph tagliavoni*<br />

rachel tansey*<br />

thomas e. tavolara ‘12<br />

Cathy thompson ‘70<br />

Brian tian and Wendy Li*<br />

Peter titas and Ann Marie Bertke<br />

Dustin trabert ‘06*<br />

neil and Jennifer ‘84 Moore tramer*<br />

richard and Deborah troy<br />

tom and Chris tulcewicz*<br />

Brian and Melanie Urban*<br />

Mark Vandevender ‘07*<br />

Sarah Vandevender ‘05*<br />

Albert and Karen Vargas*<br />

John and Mary Ann Vargo*<br />

Steven and Dinah Volk<br />

George and Vivy Voutsiotis<br />

Lloyd and Deborah Wakefield*<br />

Frank Walsh and Bob Walsh<br />

Judge Walther<br />

Lisa Waltz*<br />

Brady Weinstock ‘91*<br />

thea Wellons*<br />

Wendel and Doris Willmann<br />

Jennifer and Mike Wish<br />

William and Dani ‘79 Linn Woods*<br />

Candy Worley<br />

Andrew and Carol Wright*<br />

Lee and Fran Yenny<br />

Bo H. Yoo and Vicenta Gaspar-Yoo*<br />

Joseph and Karen Yost*<br />

Michael and Lisa Zidar<br />

Sarah Ziska ‘10*<br />

Kori Zurawski ‘04*<br />

Wade and Janice Zwingler*<br />

Adesso<br />

Anything Weather<br />

Avon Fire Department<br />

B. Fazio Salon<br />

Bella Capelli Sanctuario<br />

Biscotti’s restaurant<br />

Brio tuscan Grille<br />

Brockamour Manor<br />

Brown Derby road House<br />

Buffalo Wild Wings<br />

Camp Bow Wow - Westlake<br />

Carrabba’s italian Grill<br />

Champps, Crocker Park<br />

Cherry ridge Golf Course<br />

Chez François<br />

Cleveland Botanical Garden<br />

Cleveland Browns Foundation<br />

Cleveland equine Clinic<br />

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo<br />

the Cleveland Museum <strong>of</strong> Art<br />

Cleveland Museum <strong>of</strong> natural History<br />

Cleveland State University<br />

Cravings<br />

Dairy Queen, north ridgeville<br />

Dervish Mediterranean & turkish Cuisine<br />

Deweys Pizza<br />

Distinctive Cabinet Designs<br />

Don’s restaurants<br />

the Fine Wine and tobacco<br />

First Watch<br />

Giant eagle<br />

Gordon Food Service Marketplace<br />

Gran Fiesta<br />

the Grateful Dog Bakery<br />

Great <strong>Lake</strong>s Science Center<br />

Great <strong>Lake</strong>s theater Festival<br />

the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission<br />

Harvest Cafe<br />

Heinen’s<br />

Hinckley Hills Golf Course<br />

Hot Dog Heaven-Amherst<br />

invisible Fence West<br />

Joe’s Signature Grill<br />

Johnny’s on Fulton<br />

Kim’s Martial Arts <strong>School</strong><br />

Kleen Carpet Care<br />

Knuth’s<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> erie nature & Science Center<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> road Market<br />

Lather A Salon<br />

Laurel run Cooking <strong>School</strong><br />

Longhorn Steak House<br />

Lu’s Pizza<br />

Madison eye Care Associates<br />

Max and erma’s*<br />

Max’s Deli<br />

Metro Lexus<br />

Mezcal Mexican restaurant<br />

Mezza Mediterranean<br />

Moosehead Ho<strong>of</strong> and Ladder<br />

Morton’s<br />

Moss’ Prime rib & Spaghetti House<br />

John P. Murphy Foundation<br />

nail Fusion<br />

nancy’s Diner<br />

the national Basketball <strong>Academy</strong><br />

national Weather Service<br />

nordson Corporation*<br />

north Coast Aesthetic Center<br />

north ridgeville Mayor’s Office<br />

norton’s Martial Arts <strong>School</strong><br />

Oberlin inn<br />

One Kings Lane<br />

Orvis<br />

Parties to-Go, inc.<br />

Passage Maker Magazine<br />

Pauline Lewis Photography<br />

Peace Within<br />

Pearl <strong>of</strong> the Orient


Pickwick & Frolic<br />

Pizza Hut<br />

Quince<br />

rock and <strong>roll</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame<br />

rosso Gelato<br />

rPM international<br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> rock<br />

Sculpting Studio<br />

Sheiban Jewelers<br />

Shoreby Club<br />

Shubert nursery<br />

Richard and Kathy Ader<br />

Dale and Brenda Alexander<br />

Peter and Dana Corogin<br />

Scribner and Ann Fauver<br />

Ralph and Barbara Fisher<br />

Sky Salon<br />

Spa West<br />

Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey, LLP<br />

Stino da napoli<br />

Sweet Designs Chocolatier<br />

Sweet Melissa<br />

today’s Business Products<br />

tranquility Day Spa<br />

ty Fun thai Bistro<br />

the Unicorn restaurant<br />

Vandemark Jewelers<br />

Lucille hassler<br />

Lee and Jo Ann howley<br />

Sally hudnutt<br />

Donald and Linda Kaatz<br />

Lawrence and April McCormack<br />

Vineyard Vines<br />

Wal-mart<br />

Western reserve Pilates Studio<br />

Westlake Massotherapy Clinic<br />

Westlake Mayor’s Office<br />

Wild Flour Bakery<br />

Williamsburg Cleaners<br />

WKYC<br />

Woodbine Products Company<br />

Yeager Jewelers<br />

Every effort was made to recognize donors accurately for their support <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> in academic year 2010-2011.<br />

We apologize for any errors or omissions.<br />

Legacy Society<br />

Members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> Legacy Society have thoughtfully planned for<br />

the school’s future through their own estate planning. these members share a<br />

commitment to preserve and re<strong>fine</strong> the school’s proud history <strong>of</strong> excellence<br />

through will commitments, trusts, gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts,<br />

and gifts <strong>of</strong> life insurance.<br />

Some members will benefit their own heirs with their gifts in addition to<br />

supporting the school. Others have made gifts that allow them to receive a<br />

fixed life income while naming the school as the beneficiary <strong>of</strong> the principal<br />

<strong>of</strong> their gift. All Legacy Society Member gifts will one day sustain academic<br />

initiatives including technology, scholarships, campus beautification, the<br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fine Arts, foreign languages, and other programs. We acknowledge<br />

their generous spirit and thank them for their planned gifts.<br />

Have you too included <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> in your will?<br />

Would you like to learn more about how to benefit your heirs or receive a guaranteed<br />

life income by making a gift to <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>?<br />

if so, please contact Michelle robertson, Senior Director <strong>of</strong> Development<br />

440-387-5408 or robertsonm@lakeridgeacademy.org.<br />

gary and Angela Rasoletti<br />

Kenneth Sommer<br />

Kent and gail Sommer<br />

h. Robert Wismar, Jr.<br />

and hope Wismar<br />

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲<br />

17


2011 Auction<br />

the annual Auction Gala, the Stars Are<br />

Out Tonight, was held for the second year<br />

at the ritz Carlton on november 19. the<br />

title sponsor for the event, the Collection<br />

Auto Group, and the efforts <strong>of</strong> Auction<br />

Co-Chairs, Janna Dresing, Bridget<br />

Moreno, and Brenda norton, helped <strong>Lake</strong><br />

ridge <strong>Academy</strong> raise a record-breaking<br />

gross revenue <strong>of</strong> $350,000!<br />

Over 300 people enjoyed the evening’s<br />

festivities as the audience was entertained<br />

with video presentations <strong>of</strong> all our students<br />

and exciting silent and live auction items.<br />

Some <strong>of</strong> the most popular auction items<br />

were the private jet for a day, prime seats<br />

to the rock and <strong>roll</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame induction<br />

ceremony, and five-day accommodations<br />

in the City <strong>of</strong> Lights – Paris!<br />

the outpouring <strong>of</strong> support from our<br />

generous community was incredible, and<br />

donations from the Gift from the Heart<br />

alone raised over $91,000 to transform<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> to a wireless<br />

campus, with additional funds purchasing<br />

laptop carts, projectors and smart boards.<br />

18<br />

Fred Plecha ’79 and<br />

Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Board <strong>of</strong><br />

Directors Bob Fairchild<br />

looking dapper for the<br />

Auction Gala<br />

Will O’neill ’07,<br />

Kippy Kemper<br />

roshkowski ’84 and<br />

David O’neill ‘01<br />

thank you to all the alumni (over 25 in<br />

total), parents, grandparents and friends<br />

<strong>of</strong> the school, who donated items,<br />

sponsored tables, or attended the event.<br />

Lisa Khosh Granger ‘84 with<br />

Your participation was key to make this<br />

Co-Director <strong>of</strong> Admission<br />

event a success for the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

edie Sweeterman<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> Community.<br />

Dr. Glor, Blake Oatey ‘01, nate Pangrace ‘01 and Dr. Mozumdar take a<br />

minute away from the silent auction<br />

Thanksgiving Games<br />

and Gathering<br />

Over seventy alumni convened on the day after<br />

thanksgiving, november 25, to partake in the<br />

traditional thanksgiving Games & Gathering. the<br />

basketball game was held in rob Hall on <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong>’s campus. Joining the crowd were longtime<br />

faculty members, Señor Catanese, Dr. Glor, and<br />

Coach Crowell. twenty-five alumni participated in<br />

the basketball game while others reminisced and<br />

connected with old friends. Later in the evening,<br />

alumni gathered at Deagans Kitchen in <strong>Lake</strong>wood as<br />

the socializing continued.<br />

Jeff Ader ’04 and<br />

Brandon Cannaday ‘02<br />

Amy nemetz ’07<br />

and ethan Glor ’07<br />

enjoying their night at<br />

Degeans Kitchen<br />

tim Soliman ‘99 ready to<br />

launch a three-pointer


alumni giving Back<br />

Phil Paoletta ‘03 instructs the<br />

Humanitarian Aid Society how to<br />

draw a camel during their lunch<br />

meeting.<br />

Alumni News<br />

Participants in the Basketball game gather together<br />

On november 15, <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> upper school students<br />

gathered in Bettcher Convocation<br />

Center as usual for their A-Day<br />

town Hall Meeting. As faculty<br />

members gave their essential<br />

announcements followed by the<br />

students, Phil Paoletta ‘03 noted the<br />

proceedings with great nostalgia,<br />

acknowledging how little has<br />

changed from the ‘standard’<br />

decorum and protocol from his<br />

student days.<br />

Phil returned to campus to discuss his<br />

travels in West Africa, where he<br />

discovered many important and crucial<br />

social projects led by West Africans. His current websites,<br />

howtodrawcamels.com and philintheblank.net, aim to highlight the<br />

positive social endeavors taking place in an area <strong>of</strong> the world that does<br />

not receive much or accurate press coverage. it is his goal to document<br />

these programs to raise their pr<strong>of</strong>ile to illustrate how West Africans are<br />

implementing effective and innovative programs.<br />

For example, Phil recently wrote about following a Health Worker from<br />

Project Muso, a Mali based organization centered on providing medical<br />

1970 – Class Agent – Chris Pfeil<br />

Jamie Barth recently celebrated her 10th<br />

Anniversary leading the Learning and<br />

Development function for Lexington insurance,<br />

located in downtown Boston. Her life in the city<br />

is mainly involved in the thriving acoustic/folk<br />

music scene, though she’s never personally<br />

developed any discernable music talent. She<br />

enjoys having her brother Paul ‘77 and his wife,<br />

Kathy, living in the area. She recalls, “How did<br />

it come to be over 40 years between those<br />

days <strong>of</strong> eating lunch in the hallway, happenings<br />

in the newly re-floored gym, and red paint<br />

spilling on the new Upper <strong>School</strong> green<br />

carpet? i surely hope that those now in Upper<br />

<strong>School</strong> find themselves, 40 years from now,<br />

thinking equally nostalgically <strong>of</strong> these days.”<br />

1984 – Contact Ken Moore to become the<br />

Class Agent!<br />

eleanor Becker is teaching english at<br />

Cuyahoga Community College and tutoring in<br />

its writing center. Although her current classes<br />

are traditional face-to-face classes, she will be<br />

teaching hybrid courses starting next semester,<br />

a mix <strong>of</strong> online and traditional formats. eleanor<br />

reports that husband eric and son nigel are<br />

doing well.<br />

assistance, counseling and education to a population in dire need <strong>of</strong><br />

medical support. in addition to elevating the pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> these projects,<br />

Phil assists in raising philanthropic funds for social enterprises in West<br />

Africa through his knowledge <strong>of</strong> drawing camels. By donating through<br />

his websites, you too will learn how to draw a camel and, as Phil<br />

describes, experience increased confidence, wealth and happiness!<br />

During his presentation, Phil fondly remembered his own educational<br />

experience, crediting his pro-active humanitarian spirit to his years at<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>. He noted how teachers were essential in<br />

cultivating his critical thinking skills through their genuine interest in<br />

conversing and working with students.<br />

On Monday, november 28, Kusha tavakoli ‘02 returned to campus to<br />

speak to the entrepreneurial Studies class about his experiences in<br />

consulting and working with a Silicon Valley educational start-up<br />

company.<br />

Kusha said, “It was wonderful to come back to <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> and<br />

share some <strong>of</strong> my experiences in consulting and entrepreneurship with<br />

Mr. Kaatz’ class. It was certainly interesting talking to an audience that<br />

had never heard <strong>of</strong> management consulting, and in many ways it was<br />

intimidating to speak to a group <strong>of</strong> insightful students who are<br />

accustomed to being instructed by fantastic teachers. I’d encourage any<br />

<strong>of</strong> my classmates to come back and talk to students about their careers<br />

as well — it’s one way that we can all ‘give back.’”<br />

1989 – Joe and Kelly<br />

Raj married on July 8th in<br />

Florida. She is a doctor <strong>of</strong><br />

osteopathy, and Joe is a<br />

plastic surgeon. the<br />

couple lives in Bay Village.<br />

1999 – Class Agent – Lana Knox Guthrie<br />

Jake Matthew lives in Chicago with his wife,<br />

Sarah, and their 2-year old son, Ben. in<br />

September, Jake started his new job as Art<br />

Director for “the rosie Show” on the cable<br />

channel OWn. Jake always knew that he was<br />

destined for television work after starring in<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>’s production <strong>of</strong> Much<br />

Ado About Nothing in the Fall <strong>of</strong> 1998.<br />

2000 – Class Agent – Ken Moore<br />

Rahkee Patel married Jacob Young on August<br />

27, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> Alumni and Friends joining the<br />

happy couple included, sister Rachna<br />

continued on next page<br />

19


Fruchbom ‘95, cousins Monica Patel ‘92 and<br />

Payal Patel ‘00, friends Satya Patel ‘01, Kristen<br />

golem ‘00 and Shannon Selby ‘95 and family<br />

friends, Kent and Gail Sommer. rahkee recently<br />

finished her Ph.D. program in statistics from<br />

UCLA, and Jacob is a tV comedy writer.<br />

rahkee remains an avid Cleveland sports fan<br />

and is beginning to turn Jacob into one as<br />

well!<br />

rakhee Patel ‘00, her husband Jacob Young, mother<br />

Minal Patel, and sister rachna Fruchbom ‘95.<br />

Rob Selby recently got engaged to Lisa Powell<br />

on October 20, 2011 and plans for a wedding<br />

in november, 2012. Both are graduates <strong>of</strong><br />

Loyola University Maryland, and rob currently<br />

is a senior business analyst at Faculty<br />

Physicians inc. (FPi), which works very closely<br />

with the University <strong>of</strong> Maryland Medical<br />

Center. rob has started running again after<br />

taking a hiatus from his illustrious career on the<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> track team. He ran his<br />

first 5K in 12 years this past September and has<br />

since run 3 additional races this year (2 more<br />

5Ks and a 10K). rob and Lisa are signed up for<br />

the D.C. half marathon in March 2012.<br />

20<br />

2001 – Class Agent – Julia Bilz Sertich &<br />

Lakshman Swamy<br />

Nate Pangrace<br />

married Leslie<br />

Hines on July 16,<br />

at the Club at<br />

Hillbrook in<br />

Chagrin Falls.<br />

Leslie is an<br />

attorney at Hahn,<br />

Loeser & Parks<br />

LLP while nate is<br />

at roetzel and<br />

Andress. the couple enjoys sailing, traveling,<br />

reading, and cooking and resides in <strong>Lake</strong>wood.<br />

2002 – 10th Reunion May 2012, Class<br />

Agent – David Ader<br />

Congratulations to Andrea evanthea Venizelos<br />

and Daniel Andrew nunney, who married on<br />

August 20. Andrea is currently studying<br />

dentistry at the University <strong>of</strong> illinois at Chicago.<br />

Jon Stout has been working for eSPn in Bristol<br />

Ct for the past few months as a web developer.<br />

2003 – Class Agent – Megan Gardner<br />

Marissa Sertich never expected to find herself<br />

submerged in the gritty world <strong>of</strong> pots, pans<br />

and panna cotta. Yet, sometime after Mr.<br />

Shaulis’s Social Studies class and high school<br />

musicals, she started making cakes in rocky<br />

river, decided to go to the Culinary institute <strong>of</strong><br />

America, and was thrown into the position <strong>of</strong><br />

the pastry chef at a small hotel, the Castle on<br />

the Hudson, outside <strong>of</strong> new York City. three<br />

months ago, Marissa accepted the position <strong>of</strong><br />

pastry cook, but, when the pastry chef quit she<br />

Alumni News<br />

cathy weiss thompson, Jane mercer ramsay, chris weiss Pfeil and Betty weiss<br />

enjoy a class <strong>of</strong> ‘70 mini reunion at Jane’s lake norman, nc home in october.<br />

assumed the role. now, every weekend, she<br />

makes the wedding cakes, does dinner for one<br />

hundred in the dining room, and set up<br />

banquets <strong>of</strong> desserts for one hundred and fifty.<br />

She adds, “There are hours <strong>of</strong> complete<br />

madness and moments when a dropped torte<br />

seems like end <strong>of</strong> the world, but I love it. It’s a<br />

piece <strong>of</strong> cake.”<br />

Jonell Price Toth married<br />

Peter toth on September<br />

4th in Virginia Beach at the<br />

Signature at West neck, an<br />

Arnold Palmer golf course.<br />

Katrina escuro ‘03 and<br />

Caitlin Whiteman ‘03<br />

attended and enjoyed the<br />

evening’s festivities. Jonell<br />

and Peter have a home in<br />

Virginia Beach that they<br />

share with their two Jack<br />

russell terriers, Bodhi &<br />

ellie, and their cat, KiKi.<br />

Jonell currently works as a<br />

Marketing Assistant for a<br />

company called S&K Sales,<br />

brokers who do military<br />

resale to the commissaries<br />

and exchanges. Peter is in a<br />

special warfare unit for the<br />

U.S. navy and is scheduled for his third<br />

deployment with his unit in September <strong>of</strong> 2012<br />

to Guam. they enjoy traveling around Peter’s<br />

schedule; they visited Germany and France last<br />

Christmas and spent Christmas <strong>of</strong> 2008<br />

together in Guam both while he was deployed.


2012 – early college acceptances<br />

these Seniors have made early commitments to the following schools.<br />

DaVonna Bradford, University <strong>of</strong> Detroit Mercy<br />

Jordan Guidish, Miami University<br />

Sam Potoczak, Lafayette College<br />

Stephen rasoletti, Xavier University<br />

Jimi Seidel, rochester institute <strong>of</strong> technology<br />

Sherry Zhou, George Washington University<br />

2004 – Class Agent - Jeff Ader<br />

Jeff Ader is completing his master <strong>of</strong> public<br />

administration degree at Georgia State’s<br />

Andrew Young <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Policy Studies. He is<br />

also currently working at the Atlanta BeltLine, a<br />

large urban redevelopment project focused on<br />

transforming a historic 22-mile railroad corridor<br />

into a network <strong>of</strong> parks, trails and transit.<br />

After living abroad for two years, Marissa Slany<br />

will be returning to the US this summer. in her<br />

time abroad, she joined the ranks <strong>of</strong> perpetual<br />

students, doing two masters programs in two<br />

years: an MA in the History <strong>of</strong> Art at the<br />

Courtauld institute <strong>of</strong> Art in London, followed<br />

by an MBA at inSeAD in Fontainebleau,<br />

France. this summer, she will be returning to<br />

the US in order to rejoin her previous<br />

employer, the consulting firm McKinsey &<br />

Company, in Chicago. Ultimately, Marissa<br />

plans to combine her interests in business and<br />

art through a career in museum management.<br />

2005 – Contact Ken Moore to become the<br />

Class Agent<br />

Amanda Soliman has just started a new job<br />

doing advertising with Grey Group in new<br />

York City. She works in digital advertising for<br />

red Lobster combining her love <strong>of</strong> the internet<br />

and food.<br />

Marlisa Serrano,<br />

Amanda Soliman<br />

and Alison Zaleski<br />

gather together in<br />

new York City to<br />

reminisce about<br />

their infamous trip<br />

to Peru in 2005.<br />

Sam Potoczak and DaVonna Bradford don new headgear on their <strong>of</strong>ficial signing day. Sam will be<br />

playing for the Lafayette Leopards Women’s Soccer team next fall, and DaVonna will suit up for the<br />

titans <strong>of</strong> Detroit Womens’ Basketball team.<br />

2006 – Contact Ken Moore to become the<br />

Class Agent<br />

emily evans is currently<br />

living in Aspen,<br />

Colorado, where she is<br />

enjoying the winter ski<br />

season. For the past few<br />

two summers, she has<br />

been managing a<br />

collection <strong>of</strong> Lilly Pulitzer<br />

stores in nantucket,<br />

Martha’s Vineyard, and on Cape Cod. She has<br />

enjoyed the opportunity to travel and to<br />

experience life at its <strong>fine</strong>st.<br />

georgia DiOrio graduated from the College <strong>of</strong><br />

Charleston in 2010 and returned home to<br />

Cleveland to join the family business. She has<br />

recently moved to <strong>Lake</strong>wood and is working at<br />

Sammy’s Catering as a Special events<br />

Coordinator.<br />

2008 – Contact Ken Moore to become the<br />

Class Agent!<br />

Tessa LaRue has been named to the Dean’s<br />

List at Fordham University in new York, new<br />

York, for high scholastic achievement during<br />

the 2010-2011 year.<br />

Col. Matthew W. Nahorn, Director and<br />

Founder <strong>of</strong> the new indian ridge Museum in<br />

Amherst, has been named Curator <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Amherst Historical Society. He is excited to<br />

accept the responsibilities <strong>of</strong> this new position<br />

in an effort to continue his lifelong passion <strong>of</strong><br />

preserving local history. He stated, “The<br />

Amherst Historical Society is a prestigious local<br />

institution, and I am pleased to have been<br />

chosen to curate its important collection <strong>of</strong><br />

artifacts, historical documents, and buildings<br />

here in Amherst. As a lifelong Amherst<br />

resident, I look forward to continuing to study<br />

our past while preparing for our future.”<br />

2009 – Class Agent – Luke Howley<br />

Nathan Kafity, a junior Cross Country runner at<br />

Ohio Wesleyan University, was a Second-team<br />

north Coast Conference <strong>honor</strong>ee for his 12th<br />

place finish at the Conference Meet. He also<br />

won all-region <strong>honor</strong>s at the nCAA Division iii<br />

Great <strong>Lake</strong>s regional championships meet,<br />

held at Oberlin College. His 24th place<br />

individual finish helped the Battling Bishops<br />

earn 4th place overall as a team.<br />

2010 – Contact Ken Moore to become the<br />

Class Agent!<br />

Amanda Seidel, a current sophomore at<br />

Purdue University, is studying Chemical<br />

engineering. During this upcoming summer,<br />

2012, she will be working for General Mills in<br />

West Chicago.<br />

Mary Shimko received the University Athletic<br />

Association All-Academic recognition as a<br />

student athlete who received a 3.3 or higher.<br />

2011 – Class Agents Terra Soto & Robert<br />

Kirwin<br />

Janna Powell, currently a freshman at<br />

Hampshire College, spent her summer in<br />

California at a World Wide Opportunities on<br />

Organic Farms (WWOOFing) internship. in late<br />

november, the Los Angeles times<br />

documented the WWOOFing movement and<br />

interviewed Janna as she became an essential<br />

member <strong>of</strong> the efforts to rebuild an organic<br />

farm in Santa Barbara named ArtFarm.<br />

21


September 11th Remembered<br />

Michael Shaulis – Head <strong>of</strong> Academics and Upper <strong>School</strong> Director<br />

if you have the 2002 edition <strong>of</strong> The Peak,<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>’s yearbook, take it<br />

out and open it to page 2. Dominating<br />

the page is a large photograph <strong>of</strong> upper<br />

school faculty and students taken during<br />

the morning <strong>of</strong> September 11, 2001. the<br />

photo shows us gathered in the newly<br />

renovated Upper <strong>School</strong> Commons<br />

watching the horrors as they unfolded on<br />

the television screen. no caption is<br />

needed as the faces tell the story <strong>of</strong> our<br />

shock, pain, worry, and sadness.<br />

two years later, Meredith Swayngim<br />

would write in the Senior Farewell edition<br />

<strong>of</strong> the school paper that her most<br />

memorable moment at <strong>Lake</strong> ridge was<br />

9/11 because <strong>of</strong> the way Mr. Michael, who<br />

was the Director <strong>of</strong> the Upper <strong>School</strong>, and<br />

the upper school teachers handled the<br />

day and comforted the students. it helped<br />

her and all <strong>of</strong> the students deal with the<br />

pain. She went on to write that from that<br />

day on, she really felt that “<strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> was a community.”<br />

the iconic photo taken <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> Upper<br />

<strong>School</strong> Commons on the morning <strong>of</strong> September 11, 2001.<br />

22<br />

i know how she felt because as i stood in<br />

the Commons with my colleagues and<br />

students watching the television, i, too,<br />

drew comfort from being in this place with<br />

these people. As tragic as the events <strong>of</strong><br />

that September 11th were, that day<br />

marked the beginning <strong>of</strong> the upper<br />

school that we were to become. A new<br />

sense <strong>of</strong> community emerged as well as<br />

new traditions as a result <strong>of</strong> the attacks.<br />

One <strong>of</strong> these traditions is Diversity Forum.<br />

Organized by Dr. Mozumdar, Diversity<br />

Forum was a reaction to the acute sense<br />

<strong>of</strong> alienation that our Middle eastern and<br />

South Asian students were experiencing,<br />

best expressed by senior Omar Al-<br />

Jadda’s words to Dr. Mozumdar, “i didn’t<br />

do it.” these <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong><br />

students began to feel that they were<br />

different and that perhaps even their<br />

fellow classmates viewed them as being<br />

different, as a fearful American public<br />

made a person’s ethnicity a reason for<br />

suspicion.<br />

Our first Diversity Forum, held in the fall<br />

<strong>of</strong> 2001, brought together a number <strong>of</strong><br />

students from the surrounding area who<br />

met with a panel <strong>of</strong> Buddhist, Christian,<br />

Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim religious leaders<br />

as they discussed the commonality <strong>of</strong> all<br />

religious philosophies. Growing in size and<br />

scope over the years, Diversity Forum has<br />

since become one <strong>of</strong> the pillars <strong>of</strong> the Upper<br />

<strong>School</strong> as each year we continue to educate<br />

our students on the various issues <strong>of</strong> diversity.<br />

this year marked the tenth anniversary <strong>of</strong><br />

the September 11th attacks. At various<br />

ceremonies around the country, people<br />

remembered those whose lives were lost,<br />

the sacrifices <strong>of</strong> first responders at Ground<br />

Zero, and the heroic efforts <strong>of</strong> a group <strong>of</strong><br />

passengers whose plane flew briefly over<br />

the skies <strong>of</strong> northern Ohio. Here at <strong>Lake</strong><br />

ridge <strong>Academy</strong>, we also remembered how<br />

many <strong>of</strong> us came together as a community<br />

on that day, how we comforted each other,<br />

and how we sought to educate ourselves<br />

in a time <strong>of</strong> tragedy to find common ground,<br />

understanding, and hope for a better world.


10th<br />

Anniversary<br />

“i didn’t do it!” With these words, the<br />

American High <strong>School</strong> senior sought<br />

absolution from his teacher. this young<br />

man, who had been as American as apple<br />

pie, felt that he had been relegated to the<br />

role <strong>of</strong> the “other” in the single horrific<br />

moment when the twin towers <strong>of</strong> the<br />

World trade Center came crashing down.<br />

these simple words became the driving<br />

force behind <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong>’s<br />

First Annual Diversity Forum. the theme<br />

that year was “united We Stand.” the<br />

question before the participants was:<br />

Could the united States <strong>of</strong> America<br />

overcome the religious divide that had<br />

been created by the catastrophe?<br />

in subsequent years, the <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> Annual Diversity Forum has<br />

sought to provide a venue for student<br />

voices, and ultimately produce student<br />

leaders who will be future decisionmakers.<br />

the forum, consisting <strong>of</strong> students<br />

from independent, parochial, and<br />

public schools, has grown from an initial<br />

attendance <strong>of</strong> seventy-five students from<br />

ten schools to nearly six hundred students<br />

from twenty-five schools. <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> is committed to community<br />

outreach as an institution, and this has<br />

become a foundational goal <strong>of</strong> the forum.<br />

enabling inner-city public school students<br />

a platform to voice their social and<br />

cultural concerns and convictions, and an<br />

Megan Leake ’09 with Paul rusesabagina<br />

and Dr. Mozumdar<br />

<strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> <strong>Academy</strong>’s<br />

Diversity Forum<br />

opportunity for the suburban students to<br />

step out <strong>of</strong> their “protected” sphere has<br />

imbued the forum with a dynamism that<br />

continues to grow every year. For one day<br />

in October, young men and women from<br />

diverse socioeconomic and academic<br />

backgrounds come together here at <strong>Lake</strong><br />

ridge <strong>Academy</strong> to voice their opinions on<br />

a central theme and listen to an expert or<br />

experts in that field.<br />

in 2002, the forum centered on what<br />

was the young adult perspective on<br />

American foreign policy in the post<br />

9/11 world; in 2003 the forum turned<br />

inwards and discussed “Whether or not<br />

there is diversity in public education.”<br />

During these events, students listened<br />

to and participated in conversations with<br />

the guest speakers. the 2004 Diversity<br />

Forum focused on the role <strong>of</strong> women and<br />

immigrants in American life in the twentyfirst<br />

century. the foundation questions<br />

for discussion were: What is a woman’s<br />

position in the political arena in the 21st<br />

century and does her traditional role<br />

as a “nurturer” add to or detract from<br />

her credibility as a political leader? Our<br />

keynote speaker was Secretary Madeleine<br />

Albright due to her unique qualification<br />

to address all these questions. Listening<br />

to Secretary Albright was a life-changing<br />

experience for most <strong>of</strong> the young people<br />

attending the forum.<br />

tom Klein ‘05 and Jelena Lovric ‘05 join former<br />

Secretary <strong>of</strong> State Madeleine Albright<br />

the 2008 forum had the <strong>honor</strong> <strong>of</strong> hosting<br />

Paul rusesabagina, the extraordinary<br />

humanitarian who saved the lives <strong>of</strong><br />

hundreds during the rwandan genocide.<br />

the question before the attendees was<br />

this: What is the price <strong>of</strong> silence? Only<br />

by admitting to and speaking up against<br />

seemingly mundane everyday bigotry<br />

do we create an environment that will<br />

never produce a rwandan genocide.<br />

Our 2009 forum reacted to the economic<br />

recession in the country by enacting a<br />

poverty simulation enabling students<br />

to experience firsthand some <strong>of</strong> the<br />

tough economic choices families in our<br />

communities have to make.<br />

this year was our tenth anniversary, and<br />

we re-created our first forum to check<br />

the pulse <strong>of</strong> our nation, ten years after<br />

9/11. Students interacted with a panel<br />

<strong>of</strong> religious leaders – Christian, Jewish,<br />

Muslim, and Sikh – on the question, what<br />

is the role <strong>of</strong> religion in a national crisis?<br />

it is our hope that we will always be the<br />

gadfly that continues to ask the questions<br />

that are good for the soul <strong>of</strong> a nation.<br />

— Dr. Chandana Mozumdar,<br />

Dean <strong>of</strong> Students,<br />

Chair <strong>of</strong> History Department.<br />

taken from this year’s Diversity Forum, seated on<br />

stage are members <strong>of</strong> the religious panel<br />

23


generated at BeQRious.com<br />

View the State <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>School</strong> Address here<br />

37501 Center riDGe rOAD<br />

nOrtH riDGeViLLe, OHiO 44039<br />

teL: 440.327.1175<br />

www.LAKeriDGeACADeMY.org<br />

Save the DateS<br />

reunion weeKenD & hall <strong>of</strong> fame ceremony<br />

friDay anD SaturDay, may 4 & 5<br />

Here are a few<br />

things that you may<br />

have missed in the<br />

last few months:<br />

nonpr<strong>of</strong>it Organization<br />

U.S. Postage Paid<br />

elyria, OH<br />

Permit no. 419<br />

Does <strong>Lake</strong> ridge <strong>Academy</strong> have your current email address?<br />

if not, please send your name, home address and new email<br />

address to alumni@lakeridgeacademy.org to keep in touch!<br />

• Are you a Lion or royal? President Klimas<br />

has invited the entire <strong>Lake</strong> ridge<br />

<strong>Academy</strong> community to weigh in<br />

on the school’s athletic moniker.<br />

Cast your comments here in this<br />

60-second survey! Here is the link -<br />

Are you a Lion or royal?<br />

• invitations to thanksgiving Games, school<br />

events and local alumni gatherings<br />

• Alumni <strong>of</strong> note (quarterly Applause newsletter)<br />

• Happenings and news at the school (quarterly<br />

Encore, Ovation newsletters)

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