Event details for Lower School’s back to school night on Thursday, August 18th and Upper School’s meet the teacher day on Friday, August 19th.

Please save the date:

Thursday, August 18th, PreK-3rd Grade Back to School Night Schedule

• 4:00-4:30pm Visit the Roy M. Speer Student Center
  • Meet After School Activities Directors, Parent’s Group Rep, Admiral’s Athletic Club Rep, Spanish Teacher, Chinese Teacher, STEM Teacher
  • Get information and sign-up for clubs and activities (Kindergarten-3rd grade)
  • Update paperwork if needed
• 4:30-5:00 pm Meet the Teacher
  • Become familiar with the classroom and relieve some of the “first day” jitters.  
  • School supplies can be brought in at this time.
• 5:15-6:00 pm Parents Meet with Teachers in Their Classrooms
  • Review expectations, curriculum and other information pertinent to the class.  During this time, students may go to the playground where childcare will be provided at no cost until 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 18th, 4th-7th Grade Back to School Night Schedule

• 5:00-6:00 pm Visit the Roy M. Speer Student Center
  • Meet Athletic Director, Athletic Coaches, Parents’ Group Rep, Admiral’s Athletic Club Rep, After School Activities Directors, Drill Team Director, Naval Pride and Tradition Director, Spanish Teacher, Chinese Teacher, STEM Teacher
  • Get locker assignments (4th -7th graders only)
  • Update paperwork if needed
  • Pick-up your schedule for the 6:00-7:30 pm scheduled classroom visitation
• 6:00-7:30 pm Scheduled Classroom Visitation
  • Beginning promptly at 6:00 pm, experience a shortened rotating class schedule. Each subject teacher will present an overview of their class and classroom expectations.

Friday, August 19th, 8th-12th Grade Meet the Teacher

• 1:00-3:00 pm Start in the Roy M. Speer Student Center
  • Pick up your child’s schedule
  • Complete athletic forms
  • Purchase parking permits (cost $10.00) – the following information will be required to register your vehicle: driver’s license, proof of insurance, vehicle year, color, make and model, and license tag number
  • Visit teachers in their classrooms

All parents are invited to the Back to School Parent Social on Sunday, August 21st from 6:30-8:30 pm at The Club at Treasure Island. This is a great opportunity for parents to meet each other and ask faculty and staff questions.

• Dress is resort casual
• Includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar
• Adults only, no Upper School children please. For those with Lower School (PreK-7th grade) children that are currently enrolled, childcare will be provided at no cost.
• Directions to The Club at Treasure Island, 400 Treasure Island Causeway, Treasure Island, FL 33706
• Please RSVP to parentsgroup@farragut2.org and include number of attendees with names and number of Lower School children with names and ages so we have enough sitters.

We look forward to seeing you there!

August 2, 2016 will forever live in the memory of the students who attended the inaugural session of the Farragut writing summer camp, directed by Lower School language arts teacher Cate Taylor.

For on that memorable Tuesday, campers entered Mrs. Taylor’s room in the morning to find a delectable and decorative assortment of doughnuts scattered neatly on two plates on a table.

Yet, while enticing as it may sound and as even more enticing as it had been for those campers, the doughnuts — vanilla frosted with red sprinkles, chocolate frosted, glazed, just to name a few — were not immediately available for consumption. Rather, they presented the campers with an opportunity.

“It was a chance for them to use their imagination to write from an audience perspective,” said Taylor, who coincidentally possesses a degree in psychology.

More specifically, the assignment focused on persuasive writing. In this case, persuading people on topics like why they should eat a particular doughnut (or not), how doughnuts are one of America’s favorite treats, or something humorous about the doughnuts origin.

They also had to use figurative language to describe the doughnut, often while incorporating metaphors and similes.

Mrs. Taylor said having kids think like this is a major reason she decided to start the camp at Farragut this year.

“I had been asked to teach at the Poynter Institute Writer’s Camp a few years ago and it was an incredible experience,” said Taylor, who has taught at Farragut since 2010. “Unfortunately, though, they stopped doing it due to the lack of funding from Pinellas County. I thought there was a need for it and we had a great response this year.”

Taylor capped the enrollment at 12 students, grades 4-8, and the number was quickly realized shortly after it posted on Farragut’s website. A majority of the students came from schools throughout Pinellas County.

Besides the persuasive writing experience, other interesting activities included writing short stories and passages by using “The Important Book” by Margaret Wise Brown as a guide and crafting a whodunit thriller by using a “crime scene” creatively devised by Taylor and her daughter. At the end of the week, parents were invited to enjoy the last day by listening to the wide array of stories while eating punch and cookies, but surprisingly not doughnuts.

“It was an incredibly fun week,” said Taylor, who envisions the camp growing into two one-week sessions next summer.

“The kids who attended the camp were enthused about writing. They embraced the idea of being creative. They loved the way one can use expressive language to improve their storytelling. It was a fun experience. I’m excited about seeing how much the camp can develop.”

View more pictures of the camp.

Here is a list of the some of the activities the camp included:

1. Best part of me: picture a part of body they like best. Then student writes about why they like it best ex: legs; so I can run fast in soccer…
2. Comic strip writing using comic strip paper
3. Story bags: write a story based on 5 random items in a bag
4. Doughnut writing: persuade, inform, or entertain
5. Letter to parent thanking them for something
6. Write your story on a beach ball: followed mentor text pattern
7. Crime scene: describe what happened

When Granvil Tracy graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy in 1973, he knew he had the fortitude to cut his teeth in the real world. Instead of opting for a college or university to help him forge his path to becoming a real estate developer, Tracy, who had attended Farragut for four years, returned to his hometown of Miami to begin designing his future where all buildings get their tangible start — on the construction site.

“I learned the business from the ground up,” recalls Tracy, whose company, American Land Ventures, recently began design on its second high-rise development in the Tampa Bay area. “I did a little bit here, a little bit there. Basically, as much as you could to learn about the business, including digging ditches and operating heavy equipment ”

Ultimately, Tracy accumulated the right amount of business acumen to parlay his work experience into an acceptance at Nova University School of Business, where he would earn an Executive MBA in Real Estate Development, Construction and Management in the early 1990s. Shortly thereafter, he would join American Land Ventures to oversee the acquisition of new projects and new business opportunities.

By 1999, Tracy was named president of the Miami-based company. A few years later, he acquired the interests of the other owners to become sole proprietor.

Since taking over as CEO of the company, Tracy has been responsible for helping to revitalize the South Florida market with several projects described as “eye candy” by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. His projects have included multiple state-of-the-art skyline apartment complexes in south Florida, as well as two in Jacksonville.

Life at Farragut

Tracy’s time at Farragut was well spent. While he “isn’t exactly sure how or why his mom chose the school,” he admits it was the best decision his late mom had done for him.

“All things considered, it was what I needed at the time,” said Tracy, who grew up for most of his life in Miami.

The things he needed are what have become mainstay at Farragut over the years: discipline and structure.

“That order has stayed with me throughout my entire life,” said Tracy. “It’s what has helped me become successful.”

During his time at Farragut, he played sports — “football, mainly” — and served as company commander, rising as high as the battalion adjutant.

“It was an enjoyable time for me,” said Tracy. “I learned many things about life, about being a leader, about being committed to the process of generating success.”

Coming “home”

This past summer, Tracy returned to the city he had embraced during his days as a boarding student to usher in AER, an 18-story, $85-million apartment tower in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg at 330 Third St. South.

“To be honest, it’s pretty remarkable,” Tracy said when asked about the city’s transformation. “When I was here (as a student), we would take trips to the downtown area and it wasn’t nearly as vibrant as it is now. It’s impressive to see the way the city has evolved. There is a nice balance between tradition and modernity. The waterfront is spectacular and the city has done a great job in creating a viable environment to live and work.”

Tracy was drawn back to the region after a broker friend of his recommended looking into the Tampa Bay area due to the recovery from the recession and impressive job creations.

In addition to the St. Petersburg development, American Land Ventures has plans to build a 30-story tower with about 340 apartments and nearly 600 parking spaces across the street from the The David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa. The $100 million-plus project, expected to take 24 months to complete, is a part of the city’s plan to duplicate St. Petersburg’s rebirth.

“Both projects have been well-received,” said Tracy, who now travels to the Tampa Bay area at least twice a month. “It’s good to be back.”

As students scurried about Shannon LoRusso’s Lower School STEM room for the perfect amount of plastic bottles and boxes to use for the cardboard boat competition, it was fairly easy to see how cool the fourth edition of STEM@Farragut was.

“My boat is gonna be the best, hands down,” said one camper.

“Whatever. Mine is,” said another.

Turns out, everyone was a winner as campers once again learned the type of engineering skills necessary to be future designers, builders, and innovators.

“The best thing about learning engineering at an early age is the process,” LoRusso said.

“Engineering is about trying. Attempting something is the first step in discovering what works. If you fail, then you learn what you need to do to improve. In addition, working together on a project does wonders for the process of discovery.”

A little over 30 students attended the camp this summer with 18 kids attending the first one-week session in early July and 13 kids attending the second one towards the end of the month. The camp focuses on helping kids understand how things work by using hands-on, real-world problem solving.

The program uses the following fun activities as precursors to complex projects like building the cardboard boat or a robotic vehicle (with intended goal in parentheses):

Hungry Hippos (team building)

Paper Tower (work through failure)

Cup building (teamwork and communication)

Tic Tac Go! (strategy, planning ahead, solutions in timely fashion)

Water balloon catapults – engineering, building, trajectory

“At the end of the day, the camp is about learning how to be an engineer in a fun way,” LoRusso said.

Here is a good cardboard boat photo: https://farragut.smugmug.com/Summer-Programs-Camps/Summer-Camps-2016/STEMEngineering/Week-2/Week-2/i-wL3fxB6

Robotic car: https://farragut.smugmug.com/Summer-Programs-Camps/Summer-Camps-2016/STEMEngineering/Week-2/Week-2/i-JZQVxqF

The Early Enrichment Camp officially became the Little Explorers Summer Camp this year and it proved to be even more rewarding as children attending discovered what it was like to become everything from a scientist to an athlete to an artist of some kind. Co-directed by Shauna McKee and Allison Gormley, the fourth year of this camp had the most attendees ever.

“Our camp has experienced incredible growth due to the word getting out about how fun and educational our camp is,” said McKee, who is our Lower School education specialist. “Each year, we expand because many of the children who attended our camp at an early age are older. Thus, we went from having a camp for just Pre-K age children to a camp for kids between Pre-K and third grade.”

Like the Little Captains Camp, Little Explorers incorporates a different theme each week over the month of July.

The first session was called STEAM for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. The second week was called Dinosaurs and Volcanoes. The third week was called Master Builders. The fourth week was called Mad Science.

“Having unique themes each week allows us to incorporate the various curriculum areas in fun and exciting ways,” said Gormley, who will be teaching Pre-K this year.

The camp averaged approximately 30 campers per week and prompted McKee to add student counselors from Farragut’s student body — Casey McKee ‘21, Calli McKee ‘23, Jack Klingel ‘20, Joe Klingel ‘23, Ella Sokolowski ‘21, Jack Sokolowski ‘23, and Mitchell Lewis ‘21.

“Having them assist as counselors not only helped us with organization and structure but it taught them incredible leadership skills that they can use as they mature,” McKee said. “The campers enjoyed having the older kids there at camp because the camp suddenly mirrors a family-like atmosphere.”

For more information about Little Explorers and the rest of Farragut’s summer programs, visit: https://www.farragut.org/summer/day-summer-camps-st-petersburg/

The summer boarding program at Admiral Farragut Academy called “Summer@Farragut” continues to grow into a summer experience like no other and the 2016 edition proved to be no different. With a total of 77 campers attending from 10 different states and 11 other countries, the summer-long boarding program brought together students from around the world to the campus in St. Petersburg for education and fun.

“The camp has evolved into an incredible opportunity for kids to interact with amazing people from all over the world,” said Erika Rothkegel, who is in her second year as the director of summer camps at Farragut. “It also gives Farragut a chance to showcase our campus and our outstanding teachers.”

The teachers who participated as instructors included Sari Deitche, Eleni Stone, Stephen Mikell, Dustin Barnes, Rob Milliner, Mark Panuthos, Brittany Joseph, Rebecca Hofmeister, and Jessica Kolodetsky.

“Having our teachers participate goes a long way in making this a great experience for the kids who visit to not only have fun but to learn what it’s like to study away from home,” Rothkegel said.

Testimonials:

“Sandra would benefit from the structured and caring environment at Farragut. She enjoyed the summer program very much.”

“Cole attended Summer@Farragut and absolutely loved it! He wants to continue his experience there.”

“Besmir and I wanted to thank you all for taking such awesome care of Atticus.  He enjoyed himself; he said he met a lot of interesting children from other countries, and had great teachers. He also enjoyed the trips.”

Click here to view more pictures

Summer@Farragut By the Numbers:

Countries:

• Russia = 4:  Moscow (2), St. Petersburg (2)
• China = 5:  Shanghai (2), Shenzhen, Beijing, Yantai
• Spain = 6: Madrid, Estepona, Alcante, Asturias, Barcelona, Valencia
• Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2)
• Toyko, Japan
• Bogota, Columbia
• Offenbach, Germany
• Guayaquil, Ecuador
• Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Panama City, Panama
• Grand Cayman, Cayman Island
• U.S. States:
  • Florida = 15:  Oviedo, Fernandina Beach, Tampa, St. Petersburg (2), St. Pete Beach, Port St. Lucie, Pembroke Pines, Tampa, Ocala, Orlando, Sunny Isles Beach, North Bay Village, Golden Beach, Ft. Lauderdale
  • Ohio = 2: Cincinnati, Shaker Heights
  • E. Bridgewater, MA
  • Flying H, NM
  • Berkeley, CA
  • Arlington, VA
  • New York, NY
  • Yardley, PA
  • Brookwood, AL

Weekly Excursions:

• Clearwater Threshers Baseball Game
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark
• Ellenton Premium Outlets
• Universal Studios Islands of Adventures
• TreeUmph! Zipline Adventures
• Disney’s Epcot Theme Park
• Adventure Island Waterpark
• Island Pearl Excursions
• Busch Gardens
• Universal Studios
• Disney Magic Kingdom

Local Daily Trips:

• Treasure Island Fun Center
• Astro Skate
• Sea Screamer – Clearwater Beach
• Movies, Bowling, Mall Trips
• Practically Pikasso
• Splash Harbour
• AirHeads Trampoline Arena
• Xtreme Fun Center
• Vertical Ventures

For more information about Summer@Farragut and the rest of Farragut’s summer programs, visit: https://www.farragut.org/summer/

Todd Macon

With college football fast approaching, we decided to catch up with one of the BlueJackets who will be playing in college this season. Todd Macon ‘13, who lettered in all four years as a running back at Farragut, is expected to be a major contributor to the football team at Liberty University this year after finishing the 2015 season ranked second on the team in touchdowns with eight. While the Liberty Flames enter the 2016 campaign with five capable running backs, The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Macon is the presumed starter and the projected number one back on the depth chart. Although he finished last season with just 303 yards on 73 carries, the St. Petersburg native is excited about taking a larger role this year.

“I have a lot more experience and definitely feel like I’m one of the leaders this year,” said Macon, who will compete as a redshirt junior this year. “There’s a lot of competition on our team this year but that will only make us better in the short and long term. For me, it’s all about doing the best I can, day in and day out.”

Macon, who helped the BlueJackets reach the state championship game in 2011, has drawn rave reviews from media members of the local press but others vying for the top spot have challenged Macon, including Carrington Mosley, another redshirt junior, redshirt-freshman Frankie Hickson, junior transfer Didier Moncion, and true freshman Mitchell Lewis.

“Competition makes everyone better, including myself,” said Macon, who has accounted for 134 of the 139 rushing attempts on the roster (Mosley has the other five).

Liberty, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Turner Gill, is picked to finish second to Charleston Southern University in the Big South Conference by the league’s head coaches and media panel. The Flames went 3-3 in the league last season and was not among the top two teams in the final standings for the first time in a decade, as Liberty suffered its most Big South defeats since 2005. Liberty, which returns 18 starters in 2016, collected one first-place vote and 86 total points in the voting.

The Flames open the season September 3rd on the road against Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Virginia Tech. The home opener for Liberty is September 10 against Jacksonville.

Off the field, Macon is on path to graduate in the spring with a degree in kinesiology.

Other Farragut football players who are expected to contribute in some fashion this collegiate season include:

Rayshawn Jenkins ‘12, University of Miami

Rayshawn Jenkins, who played alongside Macon on the 2011 team that went 12-2 during the run to the championship game, is expected to play a big role in the 2016 campaign as a starting safety for the Hurricanes. After sitting out the 2014 season due to a back injury, Jenkins, a redshirt senior, had his best collegiate year in 2015, finishing with 52 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. Miami competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which had Clemson make it to the NCAA championship game last season and had Florida State capture it all in 2013. The Hurricanes begin their season at home against Florida A&M in Miami at Sun Life Stadium.

Napoleon Maxwell ‘14, Florida International University

Napoleon Maxwell, who was named to the Associated Press Florida Class 2A All-State first team while with the BlueJackets, missed last season with an ankle injury but is expected to be one of the main running backs for FIU this year. In his freshman season, Maxwell rushed for 254 yards on 55 carries and one touchdown over six games for the Panthers. He also had four catches for 90 yards, including one touchdown. FIU begins its season at home against Indiana on September 1 in Miami at FIU Stadium.

Craig Watts ‘16, University of South Florida

Craig Watts, who was one of the most sought after high school players in the nation last year, begins his freshman year with a strong chance to break into a starting spot at safety. While it is still unknown where Watts will be on the depth chart once the season begins, he has been competing hard for a starting spot during August practice. The Bulls have been picked to finish first in the American Athletic Conference by many publications. USF begins its season at home against Towson on September 3 in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium.

“What I do know is Farragut was the catalyst that turned me from an academic failure to an academic success.”

— Mike Holmes, soldier, writer, adventurer, goatherd, and candidate for State Representative from southeast Arizona

Too often, we think of an alma mater as the sole institution that forged our future. We assume the school in which our name is attached to parchment paper has registered the most impact. For many, though, the place of existence upon graduation date simply stands as a stopping point in between discovery and success. Such is the case for Mike Holmes, an economic development officer for Pima County, Arizona who is running to be a state representative for Legislative District 14.When Holmes arrived at Admiral Farragut Academy in 1978, he came as a tattered soul. Two years earlier, shortly after the new year had begun in 1976, his mother and sister were killed in a train accident. The emotional and psychological scars quickly dug in, paving a way for the only child and motherless creature to create havoc at school. Failing and drifting farther and farther away from a legacy of success, Holmes soon was taken from his home in Ocala and delivered to the doorsteps of Farragut by a father who was seemingly at wit’s end.

“To be fair, I would not have needed Farragut had my mother and sister not been killed,” said Holmes, who can speak matter-of-factly about the tragedy due to the success that began to take shape at Farragut. “Of course, I didn’t arrive kicking and screaming but I still arrived with little, if any, enthusiasm.”

Holmes quickly realized he was not the only person teetering on the edge and he became emboldened because of it.

“I quickly saw that as tragic as my story was, there were kids with worse backgrounds,” said Holmes. “I stopped feeling sorry for myself as I realized that some of them had it worse than I did.”

Farragut became more than just a place to implant structure. It became a source of comfort due partly to being able to converse with others about “the struggle.”

As an eighth-grade boarding cadet, Holmes initially had an assortment of roommates in Junior School, “because they moved us around until we could get along.” In Senior School, he started out in a four-man room with Peter Parmenter ‘83, Michael Bergt ‘83, and Marc Sawl and finished in a two-man room with David Pomerantz.

Sadly, Holmes only attended Farragut for two full turns through the academic calendar. He said he would have surely finished and experienced everything the school had to offer but his father, David Holmes, a Marine who had become a public school teacher, wanted “more boxing and less sailing.”

Having come from a family of service — his dad being a public servant in multiple ways and his grandfather being one of America’s most successful diplomats of the 20th century, Holmes somewhat understood why his father decided to send him to the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, which presented a more rigid schedule (besides a schedule that included boxing).

“My father just thought I needed something tougher,” said Holmes, who admits he has no regrets.

Truth be told, he had already re-established a path he began to engineer at an early age.

“I knew from before I set foot at Farragut that I wanted to become a commissioned officer and serve the country,” Holmes said. “I just needed some straightening out. I was some kid from a small town with a sad story and I was on a road to failure.”

Once he realized he wasn’t in it alone, Holmes thrived at Farragut. He joined the drill team. He embraced the military tradition. He used the structure to go from “technically failing” to a Radford Star recipient in his ninth grade year. He sailed. Often, “as often as I could to a point where some of my friends and I would have to be called off the water during rough seas.”

More importantly, though, he relished the camaraderie, the sense of togetherness, the emphasis on perseverance.

“There’s something about Farragut that’s almost hard to put into words,” Holmes said. “There’s something to be said about waking up together on that incredible campus, having reveille, eating breakfast together, going to class together, special activities, sports, drill.  Sure, it wasn’t as strict as the place I eventually went but the structure imposed on us made us learn. We were held to a standard where you either did your work or you didn’t. One of the things imposed on us early on was the adage of ‘no excuse.’ If you did something wrong, right away you said, ‘No excuse.’ You stuck to it and became a better person because of it. Farragut has a track record for success due to it.”

Despite leaving after only two years, Holmes believes Farragut was the life-changer for him.

“It’s where I needed to be,” Holmes said. “It put me back on the road where I knew I was destined to be.”

Holmes ultimately went to the University of Texas in Austin after graduating from the Marine Military Academy, where he went on an Army ROTC scholarship and received a degree in history. He enlisted in the Army in 1985 as a cavalry scout and, within three years, was promoted to Infantry 2nd Lieutenant for the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. He would serve in the Army, both active and as a part of the National Guard, up until his last tour in Afghanistan in 2009. Since, he has made it a mission to serve his state and the nation in a different way.

“I believe I owe it to my family, friends and my community to serve them in office,” said Holmes, married with three daughters all in their twenties. “I’m trying to create a region where we want it to be, working with experts in the area who understand this region more than anyone else.”

His platform is focused on seven critical areas for a region roughly the size of Massachusetts. Primarily, Holmes wants to either change or improve on these key points: education, water, roads/bridges (transportation infrastructure), veteran employment, open elections, health care, and job creation.

“Yes, there is plenty of rhetoric on the presidential front but what happens here locally isn’t influenced much from the top,” said Holmes, who is running as a Democrat but is still registered as an Independent.

Holmes has used his military training to tap into the concerns of people.

“I was involved in information operations and I understand how to effectively gauge the political makeup of people,” said Holmes, who had been a Republican until becoming an Independent five years ago. “It’s important for such a large area to understand who the influencers are. Then, it’s critical to ask what changes are necessary and how I would be able to make a difference.”

After the August 30 primaries, Holmes and fellow Democrat Jason Lindstrom will face off against two winners of the four-horse race between Republicans Dennis Barger, Drew John, Becky Ann Nutt, and Anthony Sizer.

First day back to school was extra special for the students of Rob Ewing’s aviation class thanks to an appearance by LTJG Bret Louderback, a Navy F-18 pilot who graduated from Farragut in 2009.  Louderback ‘09, who recently began a tour flying the F/A- 18E Super Hornet out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, spoke to the students about his journey from Farragut to the Navy.

“It’s great to come back and give back like this and explain the role Farragut played in my life,” said Louderback, who graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. “To see how much the classroom has evolved and realize how much the program has grown is amazing. The way (Ewing) and (Jose Hercher) have built this program is incredible. They are a big part of my growth and development. (Ewing) has been more than just a teacher to me. He has been a mentor and a friend to me over the years, as well.”

Rob Ewing, Bret Louderback ’09, Jose Hercher

The students were impressed with Louderback’s words of wisdom, including not taking “no” for an answer, realizing that there is more than one way to achieve their goal, and surrounding themselves with people who “loved being a nerd.”

“It really meant something to have someone like (Louderback) come back and speak to the class,” said Stephanie Bailey ‘18, who has a goal of flying in the Navy. “Knowing he is someone from here who has gone on to achieve such incredible things as a pilot makes me realize how real it is. It’s not just a dream. You can make it a reality if you put in the necessary work.”

Louderback values the impact he and other alumni community have on the current student body.

“You can’t leave a place like this that molded you into the person who you are today and not come back and thank the people who helped form that foundation,” said Louderback, who attended Farragut for six years.

Louderback began taking aviation classes during the program’s infancy and he’s proud to have been a part of its foundation.

“This classroom has come so far and part of it is due to Farragut giving Mr. Ewing that freedom to design the program and the classroom the way he saw fit,” said Louderback.

“It helped me tap into that passion of flying because I learned so much about it from Ewing and Hercher,” said Louderback. “To be able to have that practical application goes a long way in helping you succeed when you get to college. In fact, my first aeronautical class was almost verbatim as Ewing’s class. It definitely made things a lot easier in college.”

Over the years, Reveille has become a bi-annual publication that holds the pulse of Admiral Farragut Academy. Our goal with Reveille is simple — to share informative and inspiring stories that make our community of alumni, parents, donors, and friends proud of Farragut’s past, present, and future.

Please take a moment to provide our team with important feedback to help us maximize the publication. Your input is extremely valuable. Thank you!

To view the latest edition online now, please visit: https://issuu.com/farragut.org/docs/rev_summer2016_issuu

“Ingrid and I wanted to make sure to thank and compliment you on your efforts to put together the summer edition of “Reveille”.  We just received it in the mail and read it cover to cover last weekend.  It helps us keep abreast of what is happening at the school and hopefully serves as a fantastic marketing piece.  What a great job done by you and your staff putting together such a quality publication, and what a remarkable representation of the Farragut family. We really enjoyed it, thank you.” — Jake Jacobus, Member of the Board of Directors

“I know it is a lot of hard work but the end result is well worth the effort. The layout is fresh and captivating. Truly award worthy in my mind.” — Art Musicaro ’73N

Admiral Farragut Academy was featured in the August episode of Living Local, a monthly video program on the City of St. Petersburg’s public access channel called St. Pete TV. The series focuses on neighborhoods throughout St. Petersburg that have helped shape the character of the city.

Produced by Shay Brumbaugh and co-directed by Michael Flanagan and Josh Martin, the video does a masterful job of displaying Farragut Hall, which at one time served as an elegant hotel for the rich and famous. In the episode, Captain Tom McClelland, Farragut’s development officer, illustrates the allure of the building, which once housed celebrities like Al Capone and Babe Ruth.

Thanks to Capt. McClelland for doing such a great job representing AFA. Thanks to Melissa Kramer for organizing the production on campus. Thanks to the City of St. Petersburg, namely Shay Brumbaugh, Michael Flanagan, Josh Martin, Mark Stroemich (aerial photography), and Joe Barbieri (aerial).

At Farragut, there is a saying that goes, “On purpose, with a purpose.” Our approach to leadership transforms, inspires and empowers young people to create a positive change in their school and communities. The cadets listed represent the regiment leaders of all Upper School cadets.

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT: SPECIAL ORDER NO. 1-16

With the recommendation of the Senior Naval JROTC Science Instructor, the following promotions and positions are announced for the school year 2016-2017. The following cadets are promoted to the position and rank indicated below:

To be Regimental Commander: CDR Richard Dunleavy

To be Regimental 1st Lieutenant: Cadet LTJG Alan Torres Guiza

To be Regimental Operations Officer: Cadet LT Ivan Volkov

To be Regimental Ordinance Office: Cadet LTJG Jason Chen

To be Regimental Training Officer: Cadet LTJG George T. Hamilton

To be Regimental Logistics Supervisor: Cadet LT Alina Dixon

To be Regimental Admin Officer: Cadet LT Victoria Padovan

To be Regimental Community Service Officer: Cadet LTJG Camille Walker

To be Regimental Public Affairs Officer: Cadet LTJG Daniella Greco

To be Regimental Supply Officer: Cadet ENS Valentina Fornaro Galliano

To be Regimental Adjutant: Cadet Skylar McDaniel

To be Alpha Battalion Commander: Cadet LCDR Kyndal S. Olander

To be Alpha Battalion Executive Officer: Cadet LT Stephanie N. Bailey

To be Bravo Battalion Commander: Cadet LCDR Zachary Fine

To be Bravo Battalion Executive Officer: Cadet LT Alicia Mora

To be Charlie Battalion Commander: Cadet LCDR Patrick Hales  

To be Charlie Battalion Executive Officer: Cadet LT Trevor Dean Bennati

An admissions team member from Admiral Farragut Academy will be visiting Mexico as part of a tour with Linden Educational Services, a company that is dedicated to helping students from all around the world discover the numerous educational opportunities available in the United States. Please invite any friends or family that may be interested in attending Admiral Farragut Academy to meet with our admissions representative during the tour!

Tour Events

• Mexico, Monterrey: Thursday, September 22 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Quinta Real
  • Sign up to attend fair (English)
  • Registrate para la feria de colegios  (Español)
• Mexico, Saltillo: Friday, September 23 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Quinta Real Saltillo
  • Sign up to attend fair (English)
  • Registrate para la feria de colegios  (Español)
• Mexico, Queretaro: Tuesday, September 27 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Club Industriales in Queretaro, Mexico
  • Sign up to attend fair (English)
  • Registrate para la feria de colegios  (Español)

If you would like to schedule a private meeting, please email admissions@farragut.org.

Rob Ewing, the director of the Aviation program at Farragut, was featured in the fall edition of Lift, the alumni magazine of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Ewing, who graduated from the Daytona Beach campus in 1994, was honored by Embry-Riddle with the 2015 Alumni Service Award for his work at Farragut.

Training Them Up

Robert ‘Rob’ Ewing (’94, DB) inspires youth through flight.

Article written by Sara Withrow, Editor of Lift Magazine

Robert “Rob” Ewing (Class of ’94 at Embry-Riddle) lives to give young men and women the experience of flight. The founder and director of the Aviation Academy at Admiral Farragut Academy, a private boarding and day school for grades K-12 in St. Petersburg, Fla., Ewing has flight trained at least 500 students since he started teaching there in 1998.

“That first time, for me, I felt connected, like I belonged there,” says Ewing of his first flight. “It was the control, the movement, that feeling of leaving the ground. Obviously, there was the adrenalin rush and the excitement of it, but it was more like nothing else mattered. There were no other problems. It was wonderful, and it’s felt the same ever since. I’ve never lost that feeling.”

It’s a feeling Ewing wants others to have, and he’s dedicated his adult life to that end. Shortly after experiencing his first flight, he moved to Daytona Beach and enrolled in Embry-Riddle’s Aeronautical Science program. Earning his bachelor’s degree in 1994, as well as commercial, multi-engine and instrument ratings, he got married and worked a few odd jobs before finding his true calling.

“I didn’t plan to become a teacher. Teaching found me,” he says. It was while working for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches that he realized his passion for education.

“Seeing that moment when learning takes place, that moment when they say, ‘Man, I didn’t know that,’ and then they suddenly realize now they do know it; you can’t put a price on it.”

Aligning with Embry-Riddle

At Admiral Farragut, Ewing quickly developed his other passion, aviation, into a full-blown program for the school. After earning his flight instructor certification in 1999, there was no stopping him. What started as one high school aviation elective at Admiral Farragut has turned into an aviation program that includes introductory flights at the middle-school level, a ground school with simulator training, and the opportunity to earn a private pilot’s certificate with up to 50 hours of flight time.

Since 2014, Admiral Farragut has participated in Embry-Riddle’s Gaetz Aerospace Institute, which allows junior and senior high school students to take college-credit courses taught by college-credentialed teachers, all while earning their high school diploma.

“I wanted to align my program with Embry-Riddle and create a seamless transition for my students,” Ewing says.

A steadfast advocate for his alma mater, over the years Ewing has helped many Admiral Farragut graduates enroll in flight and other programs at Embry-Riddle. “On average, Rob sends two students a year to Embry-Riddle, and we’ve had some years where as many as four have matriculated. That’s quite a significant number considering our senior classes average 65,” says Robert J. Fine, headmaster and president at Admiral Farragut. This year, eight Admiral Farragut graduates applied and were accepted into Embry-Riddle. As of May 2016, three had committed to attend.

“There are seven current students at Embry-Riddle who Rob taught and mentored at Admiral Farragut, and there are nearly 100 more he has encouraged in the past to come to the university, and who have since graduated,” says Bill Thompson, executive director of alumni relations at Embry-Riddle.

“His continued support of the university and, more importantly, his support of young people entering the aviation industry is commendable.”

Transforming Lives

Liu Bolun, a senior at Embry-Riddle majoring in aerospace and occupational safety, and the safety officer for the Eagles Flight Team, is one of Ewing’s recruits. “When I was a sophomore at Admiral Farragut, Mr. Ewing was my Aero Science teacher,” Bolun says. “One day, I asked him if there was any university famous for an aviation degree. He straightly replied, ‘Embry-Riddle.’ He supported me 100 percent in attending Embry-Riddle. He did everything he could to expose me to aviation.”

For Ewing, that’s what it’s all about, giving students the aviation experience and watching it transform their lives.

“It makes an impact on who they are and how they look at the world,” Ewing says. “Once a student solos and they come back, you can see the change in them: who they are, how they approach their peers and how they look at their future. They have a sense of accomplishment.”

Editor’s Note: Ewing was named Embry-Riddle’s 2015 Alumni Service Award recipient. He received the award on Oct. 9, 2015, at the Daytona Beach Campus’ Homecoming celebration.

The Duke TIP Talent Search program is for 7th grade students who scored in the 95th percentile or higher on an accepted sub-test from a standardized achievement test or were recommended by an educator.

As part of their talent search enrollment, Duke TIP will register eligible seventh graders to take either the ACT (no Writing) or SAT (no Essay) as an above-level test. This allows students to have greater insight into their abilities and it gives them the opportunity to preview a college entrance exam. They also provide students with other valuable benefits and enrichment resources designed specifically for academically talented youth.

The following Farragut students are eligible:

• Ben Crawford
• Elijah Dixon
• Austin Gay
• Matthew Levin
• Brian Magenheimer
• Kalynn Miner
• Helena Panuthos
• Dylan Rice
• Hugh Seeley
• Tobia Spinelli

As Cuba’s shroud of intrigue slowly unveils itself to the democratic world, much is to be discovered from a place seemingly stopped in time.

American automobile classics like the Chevrolet Bel Air and Ford Fairlane reign the streets. Crumbling buildings reveal a myriad of structural components. Wall murals convey images of iconic cartoons like “The Flintstones” alongside the Argentine Marxist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

For Mike Tauber ‘15, known around Farragut as Mikey, he was fortunate enough this past spring to explore this island which is untouched by modern capitalism, before the corporate footprint takes effect. Travelling with a group of approximately 40 students from American University for a scholars program called “Cuba: Water From Ridge to Reef,” the St. Petersburg-native spent 10 days documenting the agricultural and re-usable habits of the country.

“The trip let me experience a place with no pretense, in a way different than how a textbook would illustrate,” said Tauber, who is studying film at American. “The people are incredibly friendly, open and genuine. It gave me a wonderful perspective on many facets of their way of life.”

Capturing Cuba

During the exploration back and forth from Havana to the farms, Tauber and his peers often had moments to converse and interact with locals, gaining a newfound perspective on life.

In one of those moments, while walking in Havana, Tauber, a budding filmmaker, snapped an iPad photo of a street mural that eventually became one of the select few to be chosen for “Experience Cuba!” — a multi-faceted exhibition at the St. Petersburg Museum of History anchored by world-renowned photographer Clyde Butcher’s collection called “Cuba, The Natural Beauty.”

Hanging on one of the walls inside the museum, Tauber’s piece, entitled “Street Art in Havana,” showcases an abstract montage of painted musicians on a wall while locals dressed in long and short pants walk the dirt-covered roadway in Havana.

“There was an interesting juxtaposition between these dilapidated streets and murals on crumbling walls with people dressed in modern clothes imported from certain European countries,” Tauber said. “When I saw the street, I immediately snapped a photo. I just took one. It’s like I wanted to capture the scene but also let it be.”

The exhibit is open until September 30, 2016.

Learning the Land

The scholars program was divided into two sections: one studied government and politics, the other group studied environment.

Tauber was in a group of 15 students that examined the agricultural system as well as the condition of marine life.

Cuba is known throughout the world for its “agro-ecology,” a farming system that does not use pesticides but uses nitrogen, flowers, insects, and intensive planting to simulate modern industrial farming. In layman’s terms, the Cubans have figured out a way to farm organically better than most cultures.

“We interviewed a number of different people to gain knowledge of their resourcefulness,” said Tauber. “It’s apparent when you go from place to place. You see it in action.”

Using drip-irrigation, Cuban farmers contain necessary water in giant basins for future use, as described by Tauber.

“They also use old cans and buckets to drip water over top of crops in a gradual manner,” said Tauber. “It demonstrates how innovative they have become out of necessity.”

In addition, Tauber’s group studied marine life by snorkeling in “waters as clear as day.”

“It was remarkable to see how clear the water was and to realize once the country is open up to the world, how it could drastically change,” said Tauber.

Like A Rock Star

Because American visitors are so few and far between, the university group was “treated like rock stars from the time we arrived to the time we left.”

“When we walked out to the main lobby area of the airport, we were in an enclosed area and hundreds of people were staring at us and taking photos from beyond the glass,” said Tauber. “Once we exited, people began offering us free stuff, from hats to cigars to coffee. There was one espresso shot I took that felt like it had as much caffeine in it as five or six cups of coffee in the States.”

Tauber used the Spanish he learned in Cesar Robalino’s classes while at Farragut, but to his surprise, the grammar was much too proper.

“All the locals kept telling me to relax,” joked Tauber. “Robalino was a stickler for grammar so I was using it the correct way but the locals use more slang than usual. They kept telling me I was being ‘too proper.’ They just wanted me to be like them.”

Tauber, though, did appreciate the soccer skills inherited during his time on the Farragut team coached by Robalino.

“There was a massive dried-up fountain near a museum in Havana,” recalled Tauber. “There were about 20 kids all playing soccer, doing all kinds of tricks. I immediately told our group to wait. I mean, how often am I going to get a chance to do this, right? I started playing soccer with them. It was so much fun. A kid, about 14-years-old was teaching me a trick, flipped the ball to his shoulder, so smooth with the ball.”

Soon, Tauber had organized a game, using the circular wall to play a type of “indoor soccer” with some shoes as goals.

“Before you know it, musicians showed up and started playing music. A fruit stand appeared. People were hanging on the edges cheering, interacting with our group. It was an incredible celebration of life.”

To show his appreciation, after the 30 minutes of “futbol,” Tauber gave the kids copies of compact discs with American music on them. In return, they exchanged gifts of local candy.

“It was definitely the highlight of the trip.”

The Parents’ Group had one of its biggest turnouts ever at the first meeting of the 2016-17 academic calendar. Over 40 people attended the breakfast session on September 7 to discuss various items like classroom improvements, campus enhancements, and upcoming events.

“Having parents involved, both from the upper and lower school, does wonders for the school community,” said Denise Colangelo, who begins her first year as Parents’ Group president after taking over for Malia Bakken.

“The more and more people we can get involved ultimately helps all the children who attend Farragut. My child has been here for five years but it was only a couple years ago when I realized how much I can contribute by joining this group. Being a part of a group like this really allows parents to have a voice in what happens on campus.”

The Parents’ Group is active in many different facets affecting the campus and the community of Admiral Farragut Academy. For example, many parents participated recently in a campus beautification project to get the campus ready for the new school year.

More specifically, the Parents’ Group used funds raised during last year’s events to help improve four classrooms in the Michel Building, repave the Admissions’ parking lot, and replace the tennis courts with a new surface. In addition, the funds raised contributed to the purchase of two new vans, adding much needed transportation to our fleet of vehicles.

This school year’s calendar of events was also discussed with several exciting happenings in the works such as Pancakes with Pops, Mothers Hold a Key to Our Hearts, and the school’s big annual auction, Colangelo said parents can volunteer at all types of events. Parent volunteers are also needed for the used uniform store, The Lucky Bag, on a weekly basis.

“It would be great to have as many people as possible get involved,” Colangelo said.

“If we can keep up this momentum, then we are sure to have a fantastic year for all our children. I appreciate any and all input and suggestions. This is how we know how to better serve and improve our school.”

To volunteer or to find out more information about getting involved, please email: parentsgroup@farragut2.org

Calendar of Events

• Campus Beautification Days – TBD
• Friday, Oct 7 at 7:45 am – Pancakes with Pops for Lower School in Dining Hall
• Week of Oct 10-14 – Book Fair in the Roy M. Speer Student Center
• Thursday, Oct 13 from 5:00-7:30 pm – Pirate Themed Family Event at Book Fair
• Friday, Oct 21 at 8:30 am – Golf Tournament at Pasadena Yacht & Country Club
• Mid Nov to first week of December – Poinsettia Sale and Plant Pick up
• Saturday, Feb 4 at 6 pm – Father-Daughter Dance for Lower School in West Lounge
• Monday, Feb 13 at 7:45 am – Mothers Hold the Key to our Hearts in Dining Hall
• Saturday, March 4 at 6:30 pm — Annual Auction, this year’s theme is “Masquerade Ball”, held at The Club at Treasure Island
• Date and Time TBD – Mother-Son Adventure Course on the Al Ross Field
• Week of May 1st – Teacher Appreciation Events

After the first two games were cancelled due to inclement weather (including one due to Hurricane Hermine), the Farragut football team will finally open its season when the BlueJackets battle Southwest Florida Christian Academy on Friday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m. in Fort Myers.

“It’s been frustrating having to wait but we are excited about finally getting out there,” BlueJackets junior lineman Sam Baker said.

The BlueJackets, who will dress 27 players to open the season, had been scheduled to play against perennial powers Trinity Catholic and Tampa Catholic but will now play an abbreviated schedule of eight games with just two conference contests.

Like last season, when Farragut competed in the three-team Class 2A-6 District, the BlueJackets will battle Indian Rocks Christian and Northside Christian for two playoff spots.

Farragut will face Indian Rocks on September 30 in an away contest before hosting Northside on October 28 in the last regular season game for both teams.

Last year, the BlueJackets beat Indian Rocks in a 42-41 thriller before narrowly escaping with a 37-32 victory against Northside. They advanced to the Class 2A Region Finals, where they suffered a heartbreaking 36-32 loss to Cambridge Christian.

Jeremiah Zio ’17, pictured here second from the left, will anchor both sides of the ball for the BlueJackets. Jeremiah has emerged as one of the most sought after high school football players in the state and is being highly recruited by several major collegiate programs.

BlueJackets to watch

Jeremiah Zio

Position: Offensive line/defensive line

Year: Senior

Height/weight: 6-7, 225

Jeremiah primarily was a basketball player when he arrived two years ago. Soon, though, football came calling. Jeremiah, who is ranked in the top 50 players in the Tampa Bay Times Top 100 rankings, has received multiple offers from schools, including Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina, and Rutgers.

“Jeremiah has developed into an incredibly gifted player,” Hearn said. “He has used the athleticism from basketball to his advantage on the football field. He’s certainly impressed college coaches and he’s done a remarkable job for us.”

He played a portion of the season during his sophomore year and then started at defensive end in his junior year, although he recorded just six tackles and four sacks.

He will be used on the offensive side of the ball this year, as well, lining up at left tackle, more so due to the lack of numbers for the BlueJackets.

Keondrae Miller

Position: Quarterback/defensive back

Year: Junior

Height/weight: 6-0, 160

Keondrae assumes the role under center after the BlueJackets lost the services of Austyn Causey, who transferred back to St. Petersburg following a junior season in which Causey threw for nearly 2,000 yards. While Causey started a majority of the games (missing three due to injury), Keondrae played quarterback in some of every contest, starting the three games Causey was hurt.

“Keondrae has the ability to make our offense dynamic in different ways due to his running ability,” Hearn said. “He will be exciting to watch.”

Keondrae Miller ’18 takes over as starting quarterback this season. Keondrae started three games under center last season but was used primarily on the defensive side of the ball.

Keondrae threw for 590 yards and nine touchdowns with only one interception while running for 155 yards and a touchdown. To improve on his skills, he competed with teammates Marquise Lambert and Khalan Tolson during the summer for Team Florida, an AAU football squad that participated in the Junior Olympics.

Miller will also provide help on defense at free safety. Last season, he played both safety and cornerback, recording two interceptions. Ranked in the top 100 players in the Times’ poll, he has received collegiate offers from schools like Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville, Bowling Green, Southern Miss, and Toledo.

Other skill players to watch:

• O’shon Allen ‘17, running back, cornerback, 5-6, 155
• Marquis Lambert ‘18, wide receiver, free safety, 5-10, 160
• Kahlan Tolson ‘18, running back, outside linebacker, 6-0, 205
• Zion Roland ‘18, wide receiver, free safety, 6-0, 180
• Kashish Cordova ‘19, backup quarterback, 5-10, 155
• Alex Fiorillo ‘19, kicker, 5-9, 120

The Offensive Line

Sam Baker ‘18 is the lone starter returning to the line but the third-year varsity member anticipates having similar results as last year. Sam, who played on the left side of the line last season, was a main cog to a unit that helped produce close to 3,000 passing yards, 2,300-plus rushing yards, and 56 combined touchdowns. This season, Sam will take over at right tackle while Jeremiah Zio and John Waller ‘18 will alternate at left tackle. Ashton Taylor ‘17 (right guard), Corey Luckenbill ‘17 (center), and Harrison Woliver ‘18 (left guard) round out the rest of the line.

“We played together in various formations last season so we should be alright,” said Sam, who recently received collegiate offers from Bowling Green, Louisville, and South Florida.

Despite having just one starter from last season, Hearn is excited about the prospects of this line, which has an average height of 6-feet-4 and an average weight of 280 pounds.

“They all played significant minutes last season and they all are athletic for their size,” Hearn said. “They best part is they have great endurance, which we will need considering we won’t be able to rotate guys in and out.”

Staying Focused

Corey Luckenbill will start for the first time in his three-year career with the BlueJackets. Corey, who is legally blind, has played football since he was four-years-old.

“It’s exciting but I’m not getting too emotional about it because I’ve been playing the sport so long,” said Corey, who was born with stationary cone dystrophy, a congenital eye disease that affects the cone cells in the retina. “I’m more nervous about facing some of the bigger guys on a consistent basis.”

Corey, who has always played center, began playing for his dad, Kraig, at an early age and gradually developed into a quality lineman, although there were some missteps.

“There was this one time when I turned from the huddle and rushed up to the ball and got lost,” joked Corey, who has 20/400 vision. “The quarterback had to grab my jersey and pull me back and over to where the ball was.”

Since arriving at Farragut from Tarpon Springs High, Corey has become one of the more popular cadets on campus due to his signature Oakley sunglasses, which he wears due to the extreme sensitivity to light.

“Corey is a very likable person,” Hearn said. “He has also demonstrated the knack for playing the position and has done extremely well at it. It is a great thing for him to have done so well.”

Going For Gold

Over the summer, Marquise Lambert ‘18, Keondrae Miller ‘18, and Khalan Tolson ‘18 competed for Team Florida, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) football team. The three juniors, who will play instrumental roles on the Farragut defense this season, capped the AAU season by earning a silver medal at the Junior Olympics in Houston where approximately 15,000 youth athletes competed in the largest national multi-sport event in the United States.

“It was an incredible event with some impressive athletes from all over the country,” said Khalan, who is in his third year at Farragut. “The entire summer was great because I really matured as a football player and as a person.”

Khalan Tolson

The 7-on-7 football portion was added to the AAU Junior Olympics for the first time this year, which happened to be the 50th anniversary of the games. Team Florida lost to Team Texas in the finals in a double-elimination tournament after having beat Texas in a previous round.

“It was tough because we knew we could win but it was a great learning experience,” said Khalan, who will be the starting outside linebacker this season.

In addition to the three Farragut players, the team was comprised of athletes from Boca Ciega, Clearwater Central Catholic, Indian Rocks Christian, Lakewood, and St. Petersburg. The program was founded by B.J. Hall, a former Tampa Bay Storm quarterback who grew up in St. Petersburg.

Kick Starter

Hearn knows every possession counts for a team playing low on numbers. Thus, he made it a mission to find himself a kicker from other sports last year. Predictably, he found himself one on the soccer field.

“I went out to some practices and some games and the starting goalie stood out more than anyone else,” Hearn said.

While being diminutive in size, Alex Fiorillo ‘19, who is 5-9 but weighs a shade over 120, has made several field goals from around 45 yards out during practice.

Seen here playing goalie for the soccer team last season, Alex Fiorillo ’19 will play an important role for the football team this season as the placekicker.

“I’ve been working on my strength over the summer so I’m confident now kicking from distance,” said Alex, who will continue to play soccer for the BlueJackets once the season starts in November.

Although a newcomer to the sport, Alex appreciates how welcoming the team has been.

“At first, it was pretty intimidating because all the guys are so big, but they made me feel comfortable,” Alex said. “They joke with me now and say, ‘Oh, here comes the kicker. Watch out.’ But in all seriousness, it’s been fun and I’m excited about playing in my first game.”

Students are invited to attend the New York City trip during Thanksgiving Break (November 19-26, 2016) which will be led by Mrs. Rue. The trip is an estimated cost of $2,730.

During this trip students will…

• Explore destinations off the traditional tourist path in the world’s city.
• Visit and tour some of the US’s most regarded universities and meet with admissions staff.
• Stand on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly Hall, where each year heads of state from all the world’s nations convene to discuss issues of global significance.
• Explore the complicated and historically significant tensions during industrialization as New York was on the rise in the nineteenth century.
• Experience the vibrant and diverse culinary history of New York City.

View the PDF with more information

Register online