Alumni Class Notes - September 2025

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

Valerie Novakoff Britten ’11
took a position at Seaview, a Broadway and film production company, leading capital partnership strategy. 

Andi Zak ’11 started a new position in finance at Cartier in New York City. 

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.

Spotted

Kevin Boothe ’01, Trustee was on campus to speak with Middle School students on both campuses about leadership. 

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 ’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. 

David Abers ’11 recently visited campus and signed the alumni wall!

On assignment at Baptist Health, Lauren (Granado) Pastrana ’05 bumped into Dr. Akshay Goyal ’06!

Todd Rosenberg ’95, Chair of the Board of Trustees, welcomed faculty and staff back to campus on August 12, 2025.

Sydney Spector ’20 recently visited campus with her mom, Wendy Spector. 

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.

Alexandra Giorno ’19 visited campus recently and posed with Upper School Head Mr. Joseph Walters ’95.

Marriages

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) DeToro ’17 married Eamon DeToro on July 8, 2025 in Chiusdino, Italy.

Babies

Morgan (Manella) Greenfield ’12 and her husband, Brandon, welcomed the birth of their son, Noah, in July 2025. 

Jordyn (Elliott) Hicks ’16 and husband, Elijah, welcomed the birth of their son Elliott in June 2025.

In Memoriam

We are saddened to share that Michael Vajen Lee ’72 passed away on May 30, 2025.