alumniMagazine2015

The Alumni

NETWORK

SPS alumni

Spring 2015

Preparatory School

ALUMNI Our 2014-2015
Shorecrest Business Partners
A Special Publication of
the Shorecrest Alumni Office Thank you Shorecrest Business Partners for your
generosity and support this year. Your names are
Shorecrest Alumni Association proudly displayed on banners and billboards all over
campus! We gratefully acknowledge the support of:
The mission of the Shorecrest Alumni
Association is to foster a mutually GOLF TOURNAMENT TITLE SPONSOR
beneficial, lifelong relationship RBS Wealth Management
between Shorecrest and its alumni, Marshall Ames
which will inspire loyalty to, pride in
and support for Shorecrest by current SHORECREST ATHLETIC PREMIER SPONSOR
and future students. MaintenX
Patrick and Andrea O’Hara
The Executive Committee of the Alumni
Association supports this mission by SHORECREST PREMIER ART SPONSOR
organizing programs, initiatives and Levitt & Prasatthong, Pediatric Dentistry
events that will keep alumni connected Dan Prasatthong ’84
to one another and to Shorecrest. The
Shorecrest Alumni Association sponsors MAJOR ART SPONSOR
several annual events including Turkey Noel S. Tenenbaum, MD
Bowl and Career Day. They also
recognize outstanding Shorecrest GOLD SPONSORS
alumni through the Athletic Hall of MBA
Fame and Alumni Distinguished Mark Lettelleir ’87
Achievement Award.
BRONZE SPONSORS
The Executive Committee includes Brighthouse Sports Network
representation from nearly every decade Fort Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
and offers a variety of leadership Frey Masterson & Associates
opportunities. For information on joining Gina’s The Art & Science of Skin
the board, volunteering or connecting Lil’ Divas and Dudes Salon & Day Spa
with fellow alumni, please contact Kate Maher Chevrolet
Merritt at [email protected]. Mathnasium
Pure Barre St. Pete
Connect with Shorecrest Alumni on social media Saks Fifth Avenue
Thomas J. Boland, MD, DMD
Shorecrest Preparatory School Alumni Trinity Graphics
Wallace, Welch & Willingham
Friend “Shorecrest Chargers” Westshore Pizza
Worman & Worman Dentistry for Children
Follow @ChargerAlumni
Please visit www.shorecrest.org to learn more
2 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 2015

The purpose of the Greetings!
Shorecrest Alumni
Association has always Believe it or not, we’re only a short
been, at least in part, time away from the end of another
an effort to help alumni wonderful year at the Shorecrest.
maintain relationships How is it that the older we get, the
that would last a lifetime. more quickly time seems to pass?
One of the benefits of Here in the Advancement Office, it
these relationships is the has been an exciting year. We’ve
opportunity to work with launched a new Shorecrest Alumni
each other in various settings, be they business, mobile app, powered by EverTrue, we have new social
charity, or social. Until now however, the only real media pages, a new calendar of exciting events, and we
way to make this happen was either to live in the have some new faces on our Alumni Association Board. In
Tampa Bay area or possibly run into another fact, I, myself, am brand new to the Shorecrest community,
alum who shared your interests. That has changed having just moved to St. Petersburg with my family a few
with the recent debut of our new Alumni app, months ago!
powered by EverTrue.
We’re also updating our publications schedule to maintain
As you will learn, we now finally have a way to our connection with alumni throughout the year. Moving
locate, share, and contact alumni from all classes forward Shorecrest Magazine will now publish in January
across the entire country. Imagine being able to instead of March. In June, the Sports Network magazine will
seek out all the fellow graduates in your field, or evolve into an all-school publication reflecting on the recent
class year, who now live where you live. Gone academic year. The Annual Report will remain in August/
are the days when it was easy to lose track of September as a thank you to our generous supporters and
friends simply because they had moved to another as a look ahead at the coming year. This alumni-centered
city or state. There will always be a place for one publication is to keep you abreast of the goings on with fellow
on one interaction, phone calls, and magazines Chargers until the new publication calendar takes hold.
like this one. But now the ability to instantly find
old or new graduates who share common As a newcomer to the Shorecrest community, I can tell
Shorecrest memories is only a click away. Please you with a fresh set of eyes just how incredibly special this
download, use, and share this app as a way of place is. It really is an honor to work for you, the alumni of
promoting both yourselves and our great school. Shorecrest, to keep you connected with this remarkable
Visit www.shorecrest.org/alumni to learn more. community. Along with the Shorecrest Alumni Association,
we in the Advancement Office are working to continue
We also hope you will enjoy this dedicated alumn to enhance and advance the reputation of this wonderful
issue of the Shorecrest Magazine. Our fellow school for you and future generations of Chargers. Our
classmates have achieved tremendous success programs, events and services are designed to encourage
in nearly every aspect of employment. We hope you to stay connected to your alma mater.
you will use this publication to let us know of your
achievements in the future so that others can Throughout the year, you are welcome to come back to
reach out to you and grow the Shorecrest network. campus to see what is new, what is the same, and find out
It’s no secret that we produce people who go on which of your classmates and teachers are still hanging
to do great things. Now we have tools, including around. Give me a call anytime—I’d love to show you around!
a great website and social media, that should
allow us all to benefit from staying in touch with I thank you for your continued support of your alma mater
each other. and the Shorecrest Alumni Association.

Chas Reynolds ‘81 Most Sincerely,
President Kate Merritt
Shorecrest Alumni Association Director of Annual Fund and Alumni Programs

2015 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 3

ALUMNI 5 TURKEY BOWL
6 ALUMNI DISTINGUISHED
CONTENTS
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
2015 7 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
8 ALUMNIPALOOZA
7 9 CAREER DAY 2015
10 REUNIONS, REUNIONS
9 12 SNAPSHOT OF LIFE AT SHORECREST
14 EVERTRUE LAUNCHING

A CALL TO CONNECT
15 CLASS NOTES
19 SAVE THE DATES

14

4 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 2015

For the 33rd year, the Shorecrest
Alumni Association hosted its
annual Turkey Bowl the Friday after
Thanksgiving. More than 80 alumni
came out to challenge one another
in volleyball, basketball, baseball,
football and soccer. Thanks to our
Shorecrest Business Partner Westshore
Pizza for providing the fuel to keep
playing! Save the date for the
34th Annual Turkey Bowl on
Friday, November 27, 2015.

ALUMNI

Alumni Distinguished
Achievement Award

transcription factors capable of regulating Established in 2012, the Shore-
endogenous genes, and pioneering crest Preparatory School Alumni
chemically programmed antibodies. Each Distinguished Achievement Award
of these approaches has resulted in a new pays tribute to notable alumni who
drug class that is currently in clinical trials have used their Shorecrest experi-
or approved for the treatment of a variety ence to bring excellence to their
of diseases. professional achievements, who
provide inspirational leadership to
Carlos Barbas ’82 Dr. Barbas was the Janet and Keith others, and who develop excep-
Kellogg II Chair professor, and member of tional qualities. The intent of the
Dr. Carlos F. Barbas III ’82 was selected The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology Alumni Distinguished Achievement
to receive the 2014 Alumni Distinguished at the Scripps. “I always wanted to be a Award is to recognize individuals
Achievement Award posthumously in scientist, an astronaut or a brain surgeon,” who have made significant and
recognition of his groundbreaking biomedical he said in a 2009 interview. “I’ve also meaningful contributions to soci-
research which laid the foundation for started three companies that are all based ety. Through their pursuits, whether
new therapies, including those to treat on therapeutic antibodies and inventions intellectual, professional, artistic,
HIV and cancer. I’ve made. I’m very optimistic about the or social, recipients of this presti-
impact of science on the country. I gious award have a positive repu-
After taking every science class Shorecrest certainly favor channeling more tation and serve as both role
Upper School had to offer, Barbas majored Americans into science.” models and sources of pride to
in chemistry at Eckerd College. He earned past, present and future students of
a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Texas In addition to being named a scholar of The Shorecrest Preparatory School.
A&M University in 1989 and conducted American Foundation for AIDS Research Recipients bring high honor to
postdoctoral studies at Pennsylvania State and a fellow of the American Association themselves, their community, and
University and at Scripps Research Institute. for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Barbas Shorecrest.
was the recipient of the Investigator Award
Some of his accomplishments include from the Cancer Research Institute, the Nominate someone for the
developing the first human antibody Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge 2015 Alumni Distinguished
phage libraries, creating the first synthetic Award, the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award
antibodies, developing the first artificial from the American Chemical Society, a Achievement Award at
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s www.shorecrest.org/nominate.
Pioneer Award and the Tetrahedron Young
Investigator Award in Bioorganic and Nomination Deadline April 20
Medicinal Chemistry.

Sadly, Carlos passed away June 24, 2014,
after a battle with a rare form of medullary
thyroid cancer. He is survived by his wife,
Annica, and children Derek, Sabrina,
Sixten and Viggo.

6 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 2015

ATHLETIC

HALL OF FAME

In November Shorecrest had the great opportunity to celebrate four of our high achieving alumni
for athletic accomplishments. Below are our newest inductees into the Shorecrest Athletic Hall of Fame.

Jeff Feulner ’80 honored for football
Marisa Sambito Little ’96 honored for volleyball
Heather Bradley Parks ’96 honored for volleyball
Shane Spears ’91 honored for baseball and basketball

Marisa Sambito Little and Heather Bradley Parks, Shane Spears, Class of 1991, is pictured left Jeff Feulner, Class of 1980 is pictured right with
both Class of 1996, were recognized for their with Jim Vigue ’89, who presented Shane for former Shorecrest Athletic Director and Hall of
achievements primarily for volleyball. However induction. Shane was recognized for his Fame inductee Jack Pribyl. Jeff was recognized
they both participated in other team sports while achievements in baseball at Shorecrest. He for his achievements in football and basketball.
at Shorecrest. Both were members of the went on to play baseball at the University of Jeff left Shorecrest to play football for Purdue
volleyball team that went to the State Tournament Florida and Furman University. University on a full scholarship.
finals in 1995 and 1996. Pictured is Heather
Bradley Parks with Kathy Sessions, her former
coach. Marisa Sambito Little was unable to
attend the induction luncheon.

Nominate Someone for the 2015 Athletic Hall of Fame Today

Do you know an athlete, coach or team whose athletic contributions and achievements have improved Shorecrest’s reputation
in sports, brought credit to the school and inspired others to achieve their own personal level of excellence?

If your answer is “yes,” submit a Shorecrest Athletic Hall of Fame To submit a nomination, visit www.shorecrest.org/nominate
nomination today! Shorecrest alumni become eligible for to complete a nomination form online or contact Kate Merritt at
selection six years after graduating and must be role models [email protected] or 727-346-1807.
for current students. Deadline April 20.

The 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon will take place in October during the Friday of Alumni Weekend.

2015 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 7

ALUMNI

Alumnipalooza Between October 2014 and January 2015, History faculty member and Shorecrest
torchbearer Ron Heller hosted Charger alumni get-togethers in St. Petersburg, Boston and
New York City. Among the three cities, he met over 50 Shorecrest alumni. In Boston, Heller
hosted a number of alumni for lunch. The group reminisced while watching the Head of
the Charles Regatta. Heller gathered a small group of local alumni over winter break for an
impromptu lunch at Engine 9 in St. Petersburg, but the largest gathering was in New York
City. Heller said “I was so pleased to see a large turnout of New York alums, many of
whom have embarked on some wonderful careers. I like to think that my colleagues and I
at the ’Crest played a part and we revel in your accomplishments!” If you would like to
hear about upcoming events in your area or reconnect with other alumni, contact Kate Mer-
ritt, Director of Alumni Programs at [email protected].

8 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 2015

10 Things I’ve Learned Since Leaving Shorecrest alumni & friends

A List from 2015 Career Day Keynote Speaker Christian Blauvelt ‘04 AREER D Y

?

For the 6th consecutive year, the Shorecrest Alumni Association sponsored its Keynote speaker Christian Blauvelt shares his
annual Career Day for Upper School students. On January 30, nearly thirty “10 Things I’ve Learned Since Leaving Shorecrest.”
leaders in industries ranging from journalism and communications to finance
and banking shared their professional passions and experiences with current
students in tenth through twelfth grade.

The day began with a keynote from Class of 2004 alumnus Christian Blauvelt,
Deputy Editor & Entertainment Reporter for BBC Worldwide. Christian briefly
shared his journey from Shorecrest to Northwestern University, to Entertainment
Weekly and a few more stops before BBC. Christian noted, “Shorecrest is
where I first discovered my passion for writing and journalism.”

According to Christian, here are “10 Things I’ve Learned Since Leaving Shorecrest:”

1. Embrace every opportunity. You never know where your ‘yes’ will take you next. Adrianne Finley-Greenlees, Assistant Headmaster
2. Find what makes you happy. Find what you love so much that you’d do it for free. for Advancement and Strategic Planning, Dianne
3. Know that you have to pay your dues. Right now is the easiest you’re ever going Blauvelt, mother of Christian, Christian Blauvelt,
keynote speaker, and Chas Reynolds, Shorecrest
to have it. Alumni Association President.
4. No detail is too small. Sometimes it’s the tiniest of details that matter most.
5. Just being passable isn’t enough. You have to give all of yourself always. Many thanks to our speakers for Career Day 2015!
6. Your dream may turn out differently than you thought. Front row, L-R: Mike Harting ’87, Mandy Rutledge,
7. Embrace a positive attitude at all times. Attitude is everything. David Payor ’82, Lindsay Petty ’05, Laura Engleby,
8. Nice guys don’t finish last! Kindness and honesty go a long way. Siva Kantamneni, Chas Reynolds ’81.
9. Embrace the big picture. One setback may set you up for something greater Second Row: Erin Whittemore Lohmiller ’99,
Cassie Edelman, Robin Bates, Phil Finucane,
in the long run. Jeremy Hyink ’05, Marty Petty
10. Who can say what’s good and what’s bad? Stay true to yourself and Third Row: Jessica Stravino ’05, Andy Zolper,
Juana Ayers ’83, Jessica Ehrlich ’91, Mark Stroud ’08,
what you believe. Forrest Eleazer ’02, Joe Fontana ’02,
Kristen Danielson, Tanner Loebel ’05
Shorecrest would like to thank all of the alumni and friends of the school Back Row: Jeff Huenink ’05, Jeff Merkow ’79,
who participated in this year’s Career Day, as well as the students Christian Yepes ’04.
on the Career Day Student Advisory Committee.

If you’re interested in being a part of Career Day 2016 please contact
Director of Alumni Programs Kate Merritt at [email protected].

ALUMNI

Class of 1994

The Class of ’94 celebrated their 20th anniversay in
November 2014. Festivities began with the Alumni Hall
of Fame Induction attended by Amy Pope Raab, Kristen
Cunningham, Julia Easton, and Chris Ritch. Later in the
evening, the group met at Harvey’s before attending
the Shorecrest football game with Kelly Reichle, Thea
Reiff, Katrina Rote, Wes Snapp and Antonia Ness.
Saturday’s festivities were held at The Canopy in St.
Petersburg—the group kept growing as Lori Campbell
and Elaine Goff were able to join the group! It was a
wonderful weekend!

Class of 1979

A small but energetic group from the Class of ’79 got
together on November 7 and 8, 2014. The group attended a
Shorecrest football game, met for drinks at Harvey’s and
dinner at Acropolis Greek restaurant. Everyone had a good
time catching up and reminiscing about friends and family.
Steve Feinman’s belly dancing was not to be missed! Adrianne
Finley Greenlees made a special effort to come by and share
news about the many changes at Shorecrest. Former Upper
School Head Patsy Kelly and former coach and Athletic
Director Jack Pribyl also stopped by to reminisce. We look
forward to our next reunion in 2019! If we were not able to
contact you for this reunion, please make sure that you send
Class Representative, Mark McKeage, your contact information
at [email protected].

10 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 2015

uuuuuuuuR E U N I O N S

Class of 1994

Class of 2004

History faculty member Ron Heller
with the help of Cain Soltoff put
together an informal reunion at
3 Daughters Brewing in November
2014. Nearly 20 members of
the Class of 2004 gathered to
reminisce, reconnect, and share
a few local brews.

Class of 2009 A few members of the Class of 2009 met at Yard of Ale in November as well.
They must have had such a good time they forgot to take a photo.

2015 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 11

ALUMNI

Robotics on a Roll at Shorecrest Shorecrest Relay Could Hit $1 Million Mark

Computer science is thriving at Shorecrest.
As early as kindergarten, students are learning
to program robots, build apps and write code. In
December, Bay News 9 came to
campus to profile the Lower
School’s activities for the
National Hour of Code.
Watch the segment by
scanning the QR code
with your smartphone.

In January, Middle School had similar computer
science success with the launch of the new InfoBots LEGO
team (pictured above right). In the Florida LEGO League
the InfoBots placed 3rd in the technical category for their
robot design, as well as earned the overall judges award.

In February, the Upper School Robotics club and Intro 2015 Relay Co-chairs Milan S. (left) and Ali A. (right) with Mr. Murphy,
to Engineering students participated in the school’s first Olivia R., and Jordan J. after the March 4 head shaving event.
ever VEX Robotics competition. Following that competition,
Robotics Club robot #6104 (pictured above) was ranked In a show of support for his recently diagnosed classmate,
7th in the state and 137th in the world in robot skills. There sophomore Jordan J. vowed to shave his head if he raised
are more than 15,000 teams around the world. $10,000 for the American Cancer Society. In less than a
month Jordan surpassed his fundraising goal. He also challenged
Following another successful tournament at the University Headmaster Mike Murphy to set a bounty on his hair as well.
of South Florida Sun Dome, the club team earned a bid to Both Jordan and Mr. Murphy had their heads shaved at a Relay
the US Open Tournament in Council Bluffs, IA, in April. For Life fundraising lunch on campus on Wednesday, March 4.
At press time Jordan had raised over $23,000.
12 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 2015
2015 marks the tenth year for Relay For Life at Shorecrest. If
the school raises just over $133,000, Shorecrest will hit the
$1 million mark for its decade of supporting the American
Cancer Society.

Shorecrest Relay For Life Event details:
When: Friday, May 1, 2015
Time: 6:00 pm Welcome Ceremony and Survivor Walk
9:00 pm Luminaria Ceremony
Where: Haskell Field at Shorecrest Preparatory School

Alumni and friends of Shorecrest are invited to participate.
Visit www.shorecrest.org to learn more.

A Snapshot of Life at Shorecrest

Groundbreaking Year for Thespians

On March 27 at 7:30 pm Shorecrest Thespian Troupe
3140 will take the mainstage, 2,600 seat Morsani
Hall, to perform Anything Goes at the Florida State
Thespian Festival.

In addition, Shorecrest’s one-act play Spacehunter, written
by Bill Leavengood, was one of three one-acts selected at
District 4 Thespians (Pinellas County) to be produced at
States. This year’s thespians also eclipsed past records in
Individual Event competition, receiving four Critic’s Choice
designations and ten Critic’s Choice Honorable Mentions.

Also, for the first time in Shorecrest history, the District
selected one of our Critic’s Choice performers, Kylie H., to
represent the District at the Opening Ceremony Performing
Showcase at the State Festival.

The Florida State Thespian Festival in Tampa is the
largest such festival in the world, attracting over 8,000
participants each year.

A Day in the Life of
The Experiential School

To peek into the daily activities and excitement of The
Experiential School, look no further than your computer
screen! The Experiential School shares their life and times
on a weekly blog managed by Experiential School Head
Betty Gootson. Whether you want to see what your little

one is up to or relive your own preschool days, visit us
online at www.preschool.shorecrest.org.

Sailors Make
Shorecrest History

Shorecrest graduating seniors Nic B., Kathryn B.
and Patrick S. signed letters of intent to sail at
Yale, Stanford, and Brown respectively. The
seniors have made Shorecrest sailing history,
both for their college commitments and for their
team’s season successes. In early February
Shorecrest won 6 of the 24 races sailed in the
South Points #6 Regatta to finish 3rd overall and
secure their spot for the District Championships.

2015 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 13

DOWNLOAD NOW

Alumni App Launch
Party at 3 Daughters

On Wednesday, February 11, nearly fifty
alumni gathered at 3 Daughters Brewing to
launch the new Shorecrest Alumni mobile
app powered by EverTrue. Alumni were
treated to local brews, Westshore Pizza,
and a school update—and learned about
the new app, an exciting new resource
available to all Shorecrest alumni.

Find Fellow Chargers
with the Shorecrest Alumni App

The Shorecrest Alumni app powered by EverTrue takes
your public profile information from LinkedIn and the contact
information you’ve shared with Shorecrest, making a powerful
networking tool. Only fellow Shorecrest alumni have access to
this app and can see your information—it’s a lot like the digital
update of the old alumni directories from yesteryear.

Privacy settings you’ve set within LinkedIn will apply the same way on the app. The
”Alumni Nearby” map feature allows you to identify fellow Chargers wherever you are.
It is important to note that the Shorecrest Alumni app does not track where you are
physically. It shows only the mailing address you have shared with the school. If the
address we have is incorrect, please let us know and we’ll correct it for you. Please
allow up to seven days for new information to refresh in the app.

For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit
www.shorecrest.org/alumniapp. To download the app, scan the QR code below.

Connect with Shorecrest Alumni on social media!

Shorecrest Preparatory School Alumni

Friend “Shorecrest Chargers”

Follow @ChargerAlumni

Search for “Evertrue” look for “Shorecrest Preparatory School”

14 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 2015

ALUMNI Class Notes

1976 Florida’s “Forgotten Coast.” They plan to move in
June after Lela graduates from high school. Both
Clayton Phillips plan to continue working from their new home of-
fices in Florida.

Bob Willis

’87, Kim Lasobik Koenig ’87, and Cristi Poyas
Hicks gathered with their families for what has
become their annual Disney World trip. Here
they are having breakfast with Mickey!

Mark Wilson

Clayton Phillips continues to grow the nonprofit he Bob Willis’ son Jackson has been named as one After several years working together, in late No-
founded called Seeds for Life a number of years of two Shorecrest candidates for the U.S. Presi- vember 2014, Mark Wilson, Fox 13 anchor took
ago to empower the widowed and needy through dential Scholars program. The candidates were over for his father, evening news anchor John Wil-
education, nourishment, and sustainable agricul- selected from nearly 3.4 million high school sen- son. “Over the years I've seen how Dad put his
ture. Here he is with needy children he worked iors—fewer than 100 candidates have been cho- family and community first over himself, passing
with in the Philippines. To learn more about his or- sen this year from the State of Florida. Jackson is up several opportunities over the years to leave
ganization, visit the website www.seedsforlife.net. an Eagle Scout, a founding member of the and go elsewhere,” Mark Wilson said. ”I grew
Fun fact: Clayton Phillips is the star of a story that Shorecrest Honor Council, and is pursuing the up with an appreciation for the community.” He
former Headmaster Bruce Haskell loves to retell Global Scholars Initiative at Shorecrest. He has continued, ”It’s been great to go to work along-
about the very first ‘senior privileges.’ Don’t know worked as a special intern to the director of the side my dad and put makeup on together!”
the story? Ask Clayton or Bruce! Dali Museum and is also an accomplished pi-
anist. Way to go Jackson! 1989
1977
1984
Larry McIntosh
Beth Reynolds

Candi Obrentz

Larry McIntosh reports that his daughter Lela McIn- Beth Reynolds has taught many students the art Candi Obrentz happily revealed her new prod-
tosh, a senior at Anderson High School in Austin, of photography at the Morean Arts Center. This uct invention, RestoPresto™, at a launch party in
TX, has accepted an offer from Mercer University winter an exhibit titled ”Beth Reynolds and the St. downtown St. Petersburg thrown by Amy Lettelleir
in Macon, GA to join the freshman class of 2015 Pete Photo Club” showcased the work of nearly and attended by many Shorecrest alums and fam-
and play on the school’s NCAA D1 sand volley- twenty of her former students who have gone on ilies this past September. RestoPresto™, the
ball team. Lela plans to study biology or a pre- to do great things in the field of photography, all
medical track with the goal of going to medical from taking that first art class. Here is one of her
school. His son Trey, is a senior Criminal Justice works from the show, titled “Egret.”
major at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacog-
doches, TX and works for the Nacogdoches 1987
County Sheriff’s Department. Upon graduating, he
is planning a career in law enforcement, hopefully, Cristi Poyas Hicks
in Austin. After spending over 35 years living in Last spring, Nila “Boostie” Williams Gaspar
and loving Austin, Texas, Larry and his wife Toni
have purchased a home in St. James Bay (on the
Gulf Coast, just south of Tallahassee), along

2015 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 15

ALUMNI

portable, compact, water-repellent mat that you 2000 see patients at three of the major hospitals in the
can sit on, sit under and wear, provides a multi- area: St Anthony’s, Bayfront and Palms of Pasa-
functional solution for all ages during all seasons. Stacy Sher Conroy dena. My partners are Dr. Laryngakis, who I
Learn about this unique product, manufactured in trained with in residency at Penn, and Dr. Politis.”
the USA, at www.restopresto.com
2001
1996
Juliet Kyes
Priya Nath O’Connell Juliet works for Action Coach Tampa Bay, which
just recently moved its office and training center
to St. Petersburg. Juliet leads training on all kinds
of subjects relating to business growth like mar-
keting, social media, sales, leadership, recruit-
ment, communication, service, planning and
more. Read more about her company and their
trainings here: www.actioncoachtampabay.com

Stacy Sher Conroy and her husband Will wel- Jesse Rose
comed Jack Lewis Conroy on November 6,
Priya is serving in the Air Force as a doctor and 2014. Jack joins big sister Paige, who is now 4
is currently stationed at Lackland Air Force Base and in the Alpha class at Shorecrest.
in San Antonio, TX, completing her residency in
pediatrics. Priya started practicing medicine after Priti Nath Conlen
working as an attorney in Washington, DC, for Priti is currently living in Chevy Chase, MD, and
five years. Priya and her husband Sean have two working as a US Navy Internal Medicine Physi-
boys Kavi (age 4) and Kieran (age 1). “We are cian at Walter Reed National Medical Center.
very happy and are waiting for our next assign- Her husband, Sean, is a first year law student at
ment. Hopefully we will find out soon!” Georgetown University.

Jennifer Haskell Reid Graves

On June 5, 2014, Jesse Rose and his wife Megan
welcomed a baby girl, Lola Annabelle.

2002

Jennifer married Robert Scott on November 1, After graduating with his MD from the University Alissa Momberg Lawyer
2014 in Newport, NC. Katie Haskell ’98 served of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2008 and On October 25, 2014 Alissa Momberg married
as her Maid of Honor. Above, Jennifer is with her interning in surgery at the Hospital of the Univer- Nathan Lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL. In the bridal
father, former Shorecrest Headmaster Bruce Haskell. sity of Pennsylvania, Reid Graves spent a year in
Australia in a robotic and laparoscopic urology
1997
fellowship. Last fall, after completing
Laura Sansone Shaw his Australian fellowship, Reid decided
On February 12, 2015, to come back to St. Petersburg with his
Laura Sansone Shaw and wife Rochelle, who works as a nurse
her husband Grant wel- practitioner. He is now practicing as a
comed a baby girl, Ava urologist at St. Pete Urology on 8th St.
Anne Shaw. Ava weighed and Central. Reid says ”It has been a
6 pounds and 12 oz. and real pleasure returning to the St Peter-
was 19" long. burg community. Some of my patients
have even been folks who have
worked at Shorecrest! I operate and

16 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 2015

Class Notes

party were Joshua Momberg ’04, Dr. Nicole Richardson '06 were in the wedding party and 2008
Momberg Cohen ’96, Lindsay Cox Ryscav- Kara Earle '05 was in attendance. Following the
age ’02, and Dr. Nithya Nagella ’02. Also in wedding, the happy couple traveled to London, Brittany Horden
attendance were Laura Sibley Perkins ’02, Abu Dhabi and the Maldives on their honeymoon.
Dr. Kelly Nelson Kelly ’02, Dr. Stacey Levitt Khana Riley Brittany graduated from Florida State University in
Stone ’88, Dr. MIchael Levitt ’91, and Kim- Khana Riley is currently working as a second 2011 with her B.S. in Psychology and in 2013 she
berley Levitt ’07. The couple is residing in grade teacher at Gulfport Elementary School. graduated with her M.S. degree in Family and
Washington, DC. She was recently nominated for Pinellas Educa- Child Sciences. She currently works as a Certified
tion Foundation Outstanding Educator. Child Life Specialist (CCLS) at Edinburg Children’s
Noel Wells Hospital in Edinburg, TX. Brittany says “This is my
Noel lives in Minneapolis, MN and works as a 2006 dream job and everything I have been working to-
Regional Sales Director for Neuberger Berman. ward since graduating from high school. I work as
She is in her final semester of the Executive MBA Angela Gould a member of the healthcare team to help children
program at the University of Minnesota, during and their families cope with hospitalization. I often
which she will visit Chile and Brazil and work on Angela Gould married Adam Struck on March explain my role to patients as a ‘hospital teacher,‘
a global team to launch a new business. After 8, 2015 in a ceremony at The Eau Palm Beach where I teach children about what is happening
graduation Noel is looking forward to new sales Resort and Spa. Caitlyn Crisp ’06 and John to them in the hospital. I also coordinate various
management opportunities and spending more Barger ’06 attended. special events and activities for our pediatric pa-
time with her boyfriend and dog! tients to encourage play and FUN while in the hos-
2007 pital. My ultimate goal is to reduce anxiety and
Brian DeCoveny fear and increase coping and appropriate devel-
opmental behavior.”

Robert Thigpen

Blair Davis Gil

Brian DeCoveny married Christina Richichi on Blair Davis Gil and her Robby Thigpen and Stephanie Wehrmann ’08
November 8, 2014 at a ceremony at the Ritz- husband Abdiel wel- were married November 15, 2014 at Safari Wild-
Carlton Naples Beach Resort in Naples, FL. comed a baby girl Gia erness Ranch in Lakeland, FL. Ali Grana ’08,
Aaron Fitzsimmons ’02 and Zach Wenkos Gabriella on July 24, Rachel Thigpen ’11, and Daniel Whitecage
’02 were in attendance. 2014. Gia joins older ’08 were members of the wedding party, Taylor
brother Jonah. Bouwmeester ’08 read a passage at the wed-
2004 ding. A number of alumni were present at the nup-
tials: Brooke Owen ’09, Chelsea Smith ’08,
Jessica Richardson Stravino Kim Newton ’08, and Sara Whitecage ’11.
Jessica Richardson married Peter
Stravino on March 29, 2014 at
Christ the King Catholic Church in
Tampa, FL. A reception followed
at The Vinoy in St. Petersburg.
Rachel Fowler ’05 as well as JJ

2015 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 17

ALUMNI

2009 of Miami with a Business Law degree and is now Research Institute, where he helped build the cen-
enrolled at Stetson Law School. ter’s international reputation in chemistry and
Amanda Eastman drug development. Barbas is survived by his wife,
Amanda is currently working as a Social Media Miranda Moon Annica; children Derek, Sabrina, Sixten and
Analyst, Global Consumer Relations, for The Her- Viggo; sister, Maureen, and mother Joanna. Dr.
shey Company and loves her job! On November 5, 2014, Miranda Moon wel- Barbas received the 2014 Shorecrest Alumni Dis-
comed a beautiful baby girl, Hailey Rae Hopkins. tinguished Achievement Award posthumously in
2010 recognition of his groundbreaking research.
In Memorium
Jasmine Cohen Courtney Carter ’13
Bill Tippetts ’77
Jasmine graduated in May 2014 with her bach- Bill Tippetts assed away on January 1, 2015. He Courtney Elizabeth
elor’s degree in psychology. She is currently en- had suffered from Fabry disease, a rare genetic Carter, 19, passed
rolled at UCF in the Master’s of Social Work disorder. Bill is survived by his wife, Bernie, and away Sunday, No-
program and she also works at South Seminole their two children, Chelsea, 19, and Billy, 16. vember 23, 2014
Behavioral Hospital. She recently traveled to An- at Shands Medical
niston, AL to the FEMA and CDP headquarters to Carlos Barbas ’82 Center in Gaines-
obtain the certification to become a trainer for Dr. Carlos Barbas III ville, FL from sys-
her hospital’s Hospital Emergency Response a Scripps Research temic lupus compli-
Team (HERT). Institute chemist who cations. She bravely
was widely known for fought lupus for six
Rebecca Davis his new, innovative years and refused
Rebecca graduated from Duke in May 2014 and approaches to fight- to let it get in the way of her dreams. Courtney
moved to Washington, DC to start working as a ing cancer, died from was born on April 20, 1995 in St. Petersburg to
Production Assistant for National Geographic. a rare type of thy- John and Charmaine Carter. She attended
Shorecrest Preparatory School from age 4
Brooke Davis roid cancer on June 24, 2014. He was 49. The through 8th grade. She attended and graduated
Brooke moved to Los Angeles, CA, in June 2014 last few years were among the most productive from St. Petersburg Catholic High School in
and she was lucky enough to have a close col- of his career. Barbas expanded the way in which 2013. At the time of her passing, she was a soph-
lege friend send her resume to colleagues at Dis- scientists alter DNA, a field that has shown prom- omore at Florida State University where she was
ney. Brooke got a job working as a production ise for treating cancer and other diseases. He a communications major/business minor. She
assistant for It’s A Laugh Productions, a subsidiary also made advances in the use of monoclonal an- was a passionate member of the Alpha Gamma
of Disney Channel Worldwide, on the TV show I tibodies, laboratory-made molecules designed to Delta sorority. She also was an intern for the
Didn't Do It. As a PA Brooke manages the clerical latch on to defects in cancer cells. Such designs Mayfield Group Public Relations firm in Tallahas-
duties of the office that includes distributing, copy- are meant, in part, to spare healthy cells from see, FL, and she started Courtney E. Carter
ing, faxing, etc. of all production paperwork, damage. Barbas was further admired for his Media where she has posted close to 100
which also includes running (”putting together”) work on zinc-finger proteins, which scientists use YouTube videos which are delightful and inspir-
scripts for the production staff and crew. She sets to manipulate DNA for therapeutic purposes. He ing. She chronicles her illness and outlook on life
up, breaks down, and helps manage table reads, also had been trying to develop vaccines and in her YouTube video entitled ‘My Story + Posi-
casting sessions, and other various production drugs to be used against H.I.V. and cancer. Bar- tivity Keep on Keepin On.’ In this video she states
meetings. On shoot days, she helps on set man- bas had been interested in science since child- that “God gives his toughest battles to his
aging script distribution and shoot schedules, hood and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree strongest soldiers.” She also states, “It might be
while being a liaison between all departments to in chemistry and physics at Eckerd College in St. a bad day, but it’s not a bad life.” She is survived
help crew get the required equipment or help the Petersburg, FL in 1985. He earned a doctorate by her parents, her siblings Victoria and
cast meet call times. in organic chemistry at Texas A&M University in Jonathan, her Alpha Gamma Delta sorority sis-
1989. Two years later, Barbas joined the Scripps ters, and by host of family members and friends.
2011 Her short life impacted many people.

Tanja Gromadzki Mary Christian (Former Faculty)
Tanja Gromadski graduated from the University Mary Elizabeth Baynard Christian died peace-
fully at home with family on Monday, December
22, 2014. She was born in 1925 in St. Peters-
burg, the granddaughter of city pioneer W. C.
Henry, who built the Mirror Lake Library, Detroit
Hotel, and the first school in St Pete in 1901.

Mary Christian was the theatre director at
Shorecrest for nearly twenty years (Bill Leaven-
good’s teacher, director and dear friend). Each

18 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest 2015

Class Notes Save The Dates

year for the past twenty years or more, Shore- APRIL 10
crest has awarded our most talented and devoted
senior theatre students the Mary B. Christian The Big Event (Shorecrest Gala)
Award for Sustained Achievement in Theatre. www.shorecrestbigevent.com

Mary loved live theater and traveled annually APRIL 15
to New York City to preview the new Broadway
plays. She also attended every one of our musi- University of Florida
cal productions. Chicago was the last show she
was able to see before her health made it impos- Alumnipalooza
sible to attend Anything Goes.
No one ever loved the theatre more than Mary Christian or so zestfully APRIL 16
inspired a love of theatre in others. We will miss her.
Florida State
Marian Russell (Former Faculty)
Marian Kamins Russell, former teacher and English Department Head of Alumnipalooza

Shorecrest, passed away on February 1, 2015, in APRIL 18
San Carlos, CA, at 93.
www.shorecrest.org/golf
Marian was an honors English literature
teacher, a diplomat’s wife and a docent at Stan- APRIL 29
ford University’s art museum in Palo Alto, CA.
Marian and her husband Seymour were posted Alumni Phonathon
to diplomatic assignments in Trieste and Rome,
Italy, Athens, Greece and Karachi, Pakistan. In JUNE 2
addition to her diplomatic role, Marian taught
english at international schools in Rome and Karachi, at JEB Stuart High Summer Kickoff
School in Falls Church, VA, and at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Pe-
tersburg, FL, where she chaired the English Department, presided over the Coming Next Fall
school newspaper and literary magazine and taught advanced placement
courses. uuuuuuuuR E U N I O N S
Marian is remembered by her children and former students as a gifted and 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995,
inspirational teacher who introduced them to poetry, took them to plays and 2000, 2005, 2010
museums, and led them into lifelong appreciation of literature and the arts. www.facebook.com/groups/SPS85/
Born August 6, 1921, in Hartford, CT, Marian graduated from the Uni-
versity of Connecticut in Storrs, and married Seymour Russell in 1941. He was For more events go to www.shorecrest.org/alumni
sent to postwar Italy, launching a lifelong interest and love by both for all
things Italian. For the subsequent twenty years, the family lived all over the 2015 | The Alumni Network/Shorecrest | 19
world, frequently changing schools and cultures. Marian adeptly created
warm and comfortable homes for the family in each new post, insisting that
wherever the family was together, was “home.”
Marian returned to college in 1972, receiving a Masters in American
Literature from The American University in Washington, DC, which made Mar-
ian and all of her children immensely proud. In 1973, Marian and Seymour
moved to St. Petersburg, FL, after he retired from government.
Marian wrote about her life’s adventures as a ‘Company Wife‘ in a book
entitled Sempre Noi (“always us” in Italian). She was a world traveler who
spoke Italian, Greek and French, a gourmet chef and an avid bridge player. In
her book, she acknowledged that her husband “Russ” had worked as a Foreign
Service Officer, but was in reality a senior intelligence officer for the Central In-
telligence Agency, known by those on the inside as “The Company.”
“Did we actually do all of those things? Did we really drag our kids all
over the world, to all those faraway places? Did we pack up and move every
few years like gypsies, setting up housekeeping in places with crazy electrical
systems and unreliable plumbing? Putting our children in so many different
schools that each of them had a transcript several pages long? Did we truly
spend all of those years serving The Company? We did, and we loved it. We
do not regret a minute of it. Are we satisfied that what we did has helped our
country and contributed to its greatness? Definitely.”

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Shorecrest Alumni Office
5101 First Street Northeast PAID
St. Petersburg, FL 33703-3099
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