Alumni Class Notes - June 2025

Posted by Pine Crest School on June 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM

Once a Panther, always a Panther. Stay connected with each other, and your Pine Crest family by sharing your success, life events, the good and bad, and everything in between.

Professional Achievements

Jennifer Whittington 99

Jennifer Whittington ’99 was recognized by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) as one of The Junior League's Top 40 Women Over 40. She is currently the Executive Vice President of the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale.

 

 

 

Frankie VassaluzzoFrankie Vassalluzzo ’23, a student-athlete at Bryant University, had the opportunity to compete for the NCAA men's basketball championship this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miraa Shukla 23Miraa Shukla ’23 is part of the team that launched Phia, a fashion tech company that uses AI to help shoppers find the best price in one click. Miraa is currently serving as Head of Operations, working alongside Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni. The Phia app is now live and available on the App Store!

 

 


 

 

 

Sabrina Kreiss GraduationSabrina Kreiss 21 graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Hartford with a BFA in Dance Performance while also earning the Senior Outstanding Achievement Award for growth in the program. Sabrina has joined the Joffrey Ballet School’s summer team as an Administrative Assistant Lead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

image0After 30 years in Law Enforcement chasing bad guys, Bradley Levy ’89 retired in February 2024. He has relocated from South Florida to the peaceful mountains in Eastern Tennessee is enjoying time with family!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruchika Sharma - HeadshotRuchika Sharma ’15 was selected as a 2025 Next Generation Leader by the American Constitution Society. The program recognizes law students who have shown exceptional leadership. Read more about Ruchika's recognition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Spotted

Evan Kelman 11 at Barron's Cover PremeireEvan Kelman ’11 premiered his first feature-length motion picture, "Barron's Cove" in New York City recently. Mr. David Burgess, Director of Digital Media Production (far-right), had the incredible opportunity to attend the red carpet premiere with (left to right) Alex Brauser ’12, Grant Mombach ’11, Andrew Quinlan ’11, Evan Brovender ’11, Evan Kelman ’11, Frankie Tumminello ’10, and Jimmy Jordan ’10.

 

Tulsie Patel, Ana Solitto and John Polatsek 07 in NYCAna Solitto ’07, Tuslie Patel ’07 and John Polatsek ’07 met at Polo Bar in New York City, recently. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silvia Ballivan 19 with Michael Testa and Gretchen FasuloSilvia Ballivian ’19 visited campus recently and caught up with Choral Director Mr. Michael Testa and Chorus Instructor Mrs. Gretchen Fasulo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zekai '23 and Nylah Hamilton '15 sign the alumni wallSiblings Zekai Hamilton ’23 and Nylah Hamilton ’15 were on campus and signed the alumni wall!

 

 

 

 

Hafler 13Brandon Hafler ’13 was on campus recently and added his name to our alumni wall!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Pastrana 2

Lauren (Granado) Pastrana ’05 sat for an interview with broadcasting students for a special project celebrating Pine Crest School's 90th anniversary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanderbilt Visit May 2025Marcia Hunt ’12H and Dr. Dana Markham ’18H visted Vanderbilt University recently and met with (left to right) Owen Andreas ’21, Kaylee Greenberg ’21, Reed Andreas ’21, Troy Noesser ’24, Rebecca Friedman ’24, Maria Abello ’21, Alexandra Gladding ’22 and Patrick Schwartz ’23

Constitutional Law Class in DC Summer 2025-1Upper School students, Zachary Eisenberg ’28, Sam Crimaldi ’27, Tyler Hertz ’28, Benjamin Berer ’28, Jeffrey White ’95, Marion Benayoun ’28, Abigail Alexandre ’28, Brayden Laughlin ’28, John Castle ’28, Sam Albert ’28, Michael Bachrodt ’28, Arthur Camargo ’28, Ari Rosenthal ’28 in the Summer Constitutional Law class met with Jeremy White ’95 in Washington, D.C. recently. Jeremy is a partner at McDermott Will & Emerey.
 

Marriages

image0 (1)Steven J. Shafer ’09 married Lindsey Goldstein on March 22, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matt DiamondMatt Diamond ’84 married his wife, Jennifer, last August and are living in Madison, Connecticut. Matt is a proud grandfather to Cala and Jack. 




26376470-F549-4442-94EE-F0CB65F18977Elizabeth Pozzuoli ’16 married William LaRossa on March 22, 2025 in Miami, Florida.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6B356AC4-8AE4-40DA-9295-5D5DB8895E7ABrittany Paris ’15 to Matthew Weiss on May 17, 2025 in Boca Raton, Florida.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Babies

Ian Singers Son Benny ReisIan Singer ’00 and his wife Jillian welcomed the birth of their son Benny Reis Singer in April 2025. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hershel Glenn PoletsekMichael Poletsek ’05 and his wife, Sara Edeleman, welcomed the birth of their first child, Hershel Glenn, on May 7, 2025. 

 

 

 

 

 

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 In Memoriam

Guy Handley 63Guy Handley ’63 passed away on April 11, 2025 in Gallatin, Tennesee. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irene BushFormer Spanish language teacher Irene Bush passed away in Sebastian, Florida on May 23, 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

Patricia RousseauPatricia Rousseau passed away peacefully on Monday, June 9, 2025. Pat is survived by her husband and former Pine Crest teacher, coach and athletic director, Bill Rousseau, her son John Yirak ’88, and daughter Ashley (Yirak) Lubeck ’96 and five grandsons, Shane, Jordan, Ben, Tyler and Zander. Pat was a teacher at Pine Crest for more than 20 years, teaching history, AP Psychology and leading the Model UN program. She and Bill moved to San Francisco in 2012 to be closer to family. Pat loved her family and she loved teaching.

 

 

 

 

 

Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2024