--- title: Alumni Class Notes - September 2025 description: Notes from Pine Crest School alumni about professional achievements, on-campus engagement, and more! image: https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/IMG_7055.jpg --- [ pine crest school ](https://www.pinecrest.edu/) [#PCFutureReady](https://www.pinecrest.edu/media?SearchExpression=#PCFutureReady) Fort Lauderdale Campus 1501 NE 62nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334 [(954) 492-4100](tel:9544924100) Boca Raton Campus 2700 St. Andrews Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33434 [(561) 852-2800](tel:5618522800) - [inquire](https://www.pinecrest.edu/inquire) - [apply](https://www.pinecrest.edu/apply) - [visit](https://www.pinecrest.edu/visit) # Alumni Class Notes - September 2025 Posted by [Pine Crest School](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/alumni/author/pine-crest-school) on September 26, 2025 at 4:25 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Once a Panther, always a Panther. [Stay connected](https://www.pinecrest.edu/alumni/share-news) with each other, and your Pine Crest family by sharing your success, life events, the good and bad and everything in between. ## Professional Achievements ![ValerieNovakoff](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/ValerieNovakoff.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=ValerieNovakoff.jpg) [Valerie Novakoff Britten ’11](https://www.broadwaynews.com/valerie-novakoff-britten-will-lead-capital-partnership-strategy-for-production-company-seaview/) took a position at Seaview, a Broadway and film production company, leading capital partnership strategy.      ![Andi Zak](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/Andi%20Zak.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=Andi%20Zak.jpg)Andi Zak ’11 started a new position in finance at Cartier in New York City.              ![William_Marks_25](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/William_Marks_25.png?width=300&height=375&name=William_Marks_25.png)Congratulations to William Marks ’25, whose essay “Shelby County v. Holder: When the Court Oversteps Its Authority” was published in the National High School Law Review, a prestigious recognition honoring students for exceptional insight in constitutional law and civic discourse.         [![Brandon Goldberg](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/Brandon%20Goldberg.png?width=300&height=146&name=Brandon%20Goldberg.png)Brandon Goldberg ’24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhpUh75dvMo) is featured in the Miami International Piano Festival’s new MIPF Profiles video series on YouTube, which spotlights extraordinary pianists through interviews, stories, and performances. ![Sabrina Kreiss 21](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/Sabrina%20Kreiss%2021.jpeg?width=300&height=447&name=Sabrina%20Kreiss%2021.jpeg)Sabrina Kreiss ’21 has accepted a new position working with the Paul Taylor Dance Company and Ballet Hispánico, assisting with daily operations while connecting with fellow Panthers in the arts.                 ## [![Share News with Pine Crest School](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3951591/7fb58b22-6924-4bca-93a7-4c526989e4b1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3951591/7fb58b22-6924-4bca-93a7-4c526989e4b1)   ## Spotted ![DM and Kevin Booth 8.29.2025](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/DM%20and%20Kevin%20Booth%208.29.2025.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=DM%20and%20Kevin%20Booth%208.29.2025.jpg) Kevin Boothe ’01, Trustee was on campus to speak with Middle School students on both campuses about leadership.                ![Svendsens](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/Svendsens.jpeg?width=300&height=225&name=Svendsens.jpeg)As our teachers returned to campus this August, we were extra grateful for the alumni who came home to teach the next generation. Even more special? Seeing two generations of Panthers working side by side. Pictured here are **Emma Svendsen ’21, Sarah (Wing) Svendsen ’95, and Jared Svendsen.**   ![Alexa Straker and Neha Govindraj](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/Alexa%20Straker%20and%20Neha%20Govindraj.jpeg?width=300&height=425&name=Alexa%20Straker%20and%20Neha%20Govindraj.jpeg)Alexa Straker ’27, daughter of Kimberly (Altschul) Straker ’90, had the opportunity to shadow Neha Govindraj ’11, owner of Bonside Financial, in New York City. [Read more about Neha's investment firm here](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/innovation-opportunity-and-entrepreneurship-neha-govindrajs-11-path-to-success).                ![IMG_0316](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/IMG_0316.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=IMG_0316.jpg)David Abers ’11 recently visited campus and signed the alumni wall!       ![IMG_0234-1](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/IMG_0234-1.png?width=300&height=396&name=IMG_0234-1.png)On assignment at Baptist Health, Lauren (Granado) Pastrana ’05 bumped into Dr. Akshay Goyal ’06!               ![IMG_0411](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/IMG_0411.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=IMG_0411.jpg)Todd Rosenberg ’95, Chair of the Board of Trustees, welcomed faculty and staff back to campus on August 12, 2025.         ![IMG_2597](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/IMG_2597.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=IMG_2597.jpg)Sydney Spector ’20 recently visited campus with her mom, Wendy Spector.          ![IMG_7055](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/IMG_7055.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=IMG_7055.jpg)Brandon Knight ’10, Ausar Thompson ’25H and Amen Thompson ’25 were on campus and stopped for a quick picture with Director of Belonging and Assistant Athletic Director Ms. Uche Pendergast.             ![IMG_8922](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/IMG_8922.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=IMG_8922.jpg)Alexandra Giorno ’19 visited campus recently and posed with Upper School Head Mr. Joseph Walters ’95.                 ![Kate Sullivan Hare 83, Charlotte Roder Thies 89, and Charlotte Thies 25](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/Kate%20Sullivan%20Hare%2083%2c%20Charlotte%20Roder%20Thies%2089%2c%20and%20Charlotte%20Thies%2025.jpeg?width=300&height=400&name=Kate%20Sullivan%20Hare%2083%2c%20Charlotte%20Roder%20Thies%2089%2c%20and%20Charlotte%20Thies%2025.jpeg) Spotted recently at a Georgetown University gathering: Melissa (Roder) Thies ’89, Kate (Sullivan) Hare ’83 and Charlotte Thies ’25                   ## Marriages ![Goldberg and Matricia_Wedding](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/Goldberg%20and%20Matricia_Wedding.jpeg?width=300&height=227&name=Goldberg%20and%20Matricia_Wedding.jpeg)Holly Goldberg ’13 married Christopher Matricia on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Boca Raton, Florida. Holly was joined by best friend and maid of honor Jocelyn Absher ’11. ![Juliette Pozzuoli](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/Juliette%20Pozzuoli.jpg?width=300&height=331&name=Juliette%20Pozzuoli.jpg)Juliette (Pozzuoli) DeToro ’17 married Eamon DeToro on July 8, 2025 in Chiusdino, Italy.               ![Walker-Arkin-Wedding-677](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/Walker-Arkin-Wedding-677.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=Walker-Arkin-Wedding-677.jpg)Congratulations to Ben Arkin ’11 and his wife Annie Walker who were married on August 31, 2025!            ## Babies ![IMG_0331-1](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/IMG_0331-1.png?width=300&height=399&name=IMG_0331-1.png)Morgan (Manella) Greenfield ’12 and her husband, Brandon, welcomed the birth of their son, Noah, in July 2025.                  ![IMG_1831_VSCO](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/IMG_1831_VSCO.jpg?width=300&height=450&name=IMG_1831_VSCO.jpg)Jordyn (Elliott) Hicks ’16 and husband, Elijah, welcomed the birth of their son Elliott in June 2025.                   [![Share News with Pine Crest School](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3951591/7fb58b22-6924-4bca-93a7-4c526989e4b1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3951591/7fb58b22-6924-4bca-93a7-4c526989e4b1)   ## In Memoriam ![image001 (1)](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Alumni/Newsletter/Sept%202025/image001%20(1).jpg?width=300&height=207&name=image001%20(1).jpg)We are saddened to share that [Michael Vajen Lee ’72](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/michael-lee-obituary?id=58671052&fbclid=IwY2xjawMwCMBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkLL820Uq7TUp5gLZF6IXFLkqNh2yBSBCV7HYeU9HlKNBsSSG3vpmz1jYGoC_aem_eQJybmkNEryqKyOCtfp_Vw) passed away on May 30, 2025.           Topics: [Alumni Newsletter](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/alumni/tag/alumni-newsletter), [Alumni](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/alumni/tag/alumni), [2025](https://blog.pinecrest.edu/alumni/tag/2025) [![Share News with Pine Crest School](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3951591/7fb58b22-6924-4bca-93a7-4c526989e4b1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3951591/7fb58b22-6924-4bca-93a7-4c526989e4b1) ### Subscribe Here! 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