Alumni Class Notes - March 2024

Posted by Pine Crest School on March 12, 2024 at 3:08 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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2024

Celebrating Pine Crest School Sweethearts John and Molly Chalmers ’62

Posted by Pine Crest School on March 12, 2024 at 9:14 AM

John and Molly Chalmers ’62 met and fell in love during their senior year at Pine Crest School. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Giving, 2024

From State Tennis Champion to Champion of State Economic Development

Posted by Pine Crest School on March 7, 2024 at 10:55 AM

Pine Crest’s Class of 1981 held their junior prom at The Breakers in Palm Beach. Pam (McNierney) Rauch recalls it being a first for the school and her first glimpse into Palm Beach County. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Innovation, Athletics, Alumni, 2024

Alumni Class Notes - January 2024

Posted by Pine Crest School on January 8, 2024 at 2:39 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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2024

Alumni Class Notes - September 2023

Posted by Pine Crest School on September 28, 2023 at 9:28 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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2023

Alumni Class Notes - June 2023

Posted by Pine Crest School on June 13, 2023 at 1:02 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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2023

Alumni Class Notes - March 2023

Posted by Pine Crest School on March 20, 2023 at 2:31 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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2023

A Dream Come True: Christie Raleigh Crossley ’05 on the Road to the 2024 Paralympic GameS

Posted by Pine Crest School on March 20, 2023 at 1:55 PM

Christie Raleigh Crossley ’05 has dreamed of being an Olympic swimmer for as long as she can remember. In fact, swimming at Pine Crest under Coach Jay Fitzgerald was a big part of making that dream a reality. “He was a phenomenal coach,” said Christie. “He helped me learn to be humble, and he coached me through developing my own unique competitive edge.”  

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Athletics, Alumni, 2023

How You Play The Ball in Your Court: Philippe Moggio ’91

Posted by Pine Crest School on December 7, 2022 at 2:49 PM

By Adam Shiff ’24

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Athletics, Alumni, 2022

Alumni Class Notes - December 2022

Posted by Pine Crest School on December 6, 2022 at 2:55 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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2022

Building a Legacy of Service: U.S. Marine Corps Officer Hannah Montague ’13

Posted by Pine Crest School on December 5, 2022 at 12:55 PM

By Sara Pearl Adler ’24

Pine Crest Upper School proudly welcomed U.S. Marine Corps Combat Engineer Officer Hannah Montague ’13 as the guest speaker on Veterans Day.

Hannah is a lifer, having spent 14 years at Pine Crest after joining the community as a pre-kindergarten student. As an Upper School student, she was an athlete competing on the cross country and track teams and was a member of the three-year science research program. She was also heavily involved in community service work, earning her an Honorable Mention in the Miami Herald Silver Knight Awards in 2013. After graduation, she matriculated at Wake Forest University, declaring a major in biology and a minor in Russian language.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Alumni, 2022

Alumni Class Notes - Sept 2022

Posted by Pine Crest School on September 21, 2022 at 10:35 AM

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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2022

Leveraging Technology to Provide Better Medical Care

Posted by Pine Crest School on September 1, 2022 at 9:11 AM

“I always told my parents I wanted to be a doctor,” said Dr. Paige Finkelstein ’10. “I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember.” 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Entrepreneurship, Science, STEM, 2022

Setting the Stage for a New Generation of Theater Talk

Posted by Pine Crest School on August 16, 2022 at 3:17 PM

The challenges of 2020 provided millions of people worldwide with the opportunity to take a fresh look at how the world worked. This was the case for Pine Crest School alumnus Kobi Kassal ’15, who was living and working in Boston at the time. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Fine Arts, Entrepreneurship, 2022

Meet Jeremy Berkun ’22: A Grateful Musician

Posted by Pine Crest School on May 31, 2022 at 1:24 PM

A singer, song-writer, piano and guitar player, Jeremy Berkun ’22 says he was always drawn to music. As he approaches college in the fall, music has become more than a hobby. His passion to create and perform have served as a conduit for connecting with others.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Student Life, Alumni, Fine Arts, 2022

Seeking to Change the World: Meet Shaurnav Ghosh ’22

Posted by Pine Crest School on May 31, 2022 at 11:05 AM

It is no exaggeration to say that Shaurnav Ghosh ’22 is a global citizen. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Alumni, Science, 2022

Meet Emma Gómez ’22: An Avid Learner

Posted by Pine Crest School on May 31, 2022 at 11:02 AM

When you think of the type of student to graduate from Pine Crest School, the word “dynamic” comes to mind. A Pine Crest student is well-rounded, enthusiastic about learning, and a true scholar. As a yearbook editor, musician, athlete, and polyglot, Emma Gómez ’22 is someone who embodies all of those qualities, and more.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Student Life, Athletics, Alumni, Student Leadership, 2022

Alumni Class Notes - June 2022

Posted by Pine Crest School on May 31, 2022 at 9:27 AM

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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2021

Meet Ella Taub ’22: Future Educator

Posted by Pine Crest School on May 25, 2022 at 10:15 AM

A student at Pine Crest School since first grade, Ella Taub ’22 follows in the footsteps of her father and fellow Pine Crest alumnus David Taub ’91.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Innovation, Upper School, Alumni, Student Leadership, Entrepreneurship, STEM, 2022

Alumni Class Notes - March 2022

Posted by Pine Crest School on March 18, 2022 at 2:34 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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2022

Alumni Class Notes - December 2021

Posted by Pine Crest School on December 10, 2021 at 4:14 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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2021

Creating a Space for Professional Women to Network and Connect

Posted by Pine Crest School on December 10, 2021 at 11:39 AM

Mara (Aronson) Geronemus ’95 and Lisa (Dean-Kluger) Jerles ’97 did not know each other during their Pine Crest School days. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Entrepreneurship, 2021

Paul Keung ’88 on Travel and Living in Hong Kong

Posted by Pine Crest School on October 27, 2021 at 12:09 PM


A graduate from Pine Crest’s Class of 1988, Paul Keung did not expect to find himself living and working in Hong Kong.

Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Paul spent a majority of his time as a teenager working in his family’s restaurants. While that took up most of his time outside of school, Paul has fond memories of his time playing football.

“I was not very good, but it was my escape,” said Paul. “I had a variety of friends who I spent time with when I wasn’t working. I was safe, and I had a school community that supported me despite my unusual upbringing.”

Paul says he had many wonderful teachers at Pine Crest, but Mrs. Marcia Hunt ’12H, had the greatest impact on his career path.

“My parents made it very clear that I was to attend either an Ivy League school and pursue a career as a doctor or lawyer, or attend a state school and return home to run the family restaurants,” said Paul. “Mrs. Hunt encouraged me to apply to Cornell and highlighted the Hotel School program. I applied to Cornell’s Arts and Sciences program and attended pre-med classes my freshman year. What Mrs. Hunt told me stuck with me and I transferred to Cornell’s Hotel program the following year. I had no interest in working in hotels or restaurants, however, the program was a lot more interesting than economics, and they had a wine and cooking class — free food and drink!”

Starting his career as a valuation consultant for hotels, Paul traveled to properties across the country.

“I loved the travel,” said Paul, “although as a fresh graduate, I was often assigned to due diligence hotels in places that more senior colleagues would prefer not to go. During that time, one of my early clients was an investment bank, and that connection introduced me to a 16-year career on Wall Street.”

Following the crash of the dot-com boom in 2000, Paul transitioned to cover the internet travel sector.

“I jumped at the opportunity,” he said. “I met Priceline and Expedia that year when these companies were trading for just a few dollars. In 2002, I started to look at ecommerce and covered Amazon and Ebay. Shortly after that, I started traveling to China to visit Chinese internet companies.”

“I have met many incredibly talented entrepreneurs in my career,” he continued. “I love learning new things, and I find new technologies fascinating. The icing on the cake is when you have a real conversation with someone who has a vision to change our lives for the better with innovation.”

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2021

Alumni Class Notes - October 2021

Posted by Pine Crest School on October 7, 2021 at 8:13 AM

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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2021

Being Mindful and Mindful Being: A Conversation with Jill Cressy '91

Posted by Pine Crest School on July 9, 2021 at 4:02 PM

Spending her senior year at Pine Crest, Jill Cressy ’91 has fond memories of her time diving and pursuing her studies.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Social and Emotional Learning, 2021, COVID-19

Meet Jonathan Williams ’21: Accomplished Science Research Student, Aspiring Mathematician, and Computer Scientist

Posted by Pine Crest School on June 22, 2021 at 11:44 AM

When Jonathan Williams ’21 first arrived on Pine Crest’s Fort Lauderdale campus in the ninth grade, his classmates and teachers quickly realized that they had a superstar among them. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Alumni, Computer Science, Science, 2021

Alumni Class Notes - June 2021

Posted by Pine Crest School on June 10, 2021 at 12:42 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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2021

Meet Jonathan Valdes ’21: Athlete and Future Doctor

Posted by Pine Crest School on June 4, 2021 at 2:41 PM

A dual sport student-athlete, Jonathan Valdes ’21 used his final year as a Pine Crest Upper School student to move into leadership positions. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Athletics, Alumni, Student Leadership, 2021

Meet Daniela Tejada ’21: Social Entrepreneur Changing  the World One Child At A Time

Posted by Pine Crest School on May 12, 2021 at 9:21 AM

Daniela “Dani” Tejada ’21 has been an engaged leader in the Pine Crest community since starting on the Fort Lauderdale campus in seventh grade. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Alumni, Entrepreneurship, 2021

Meet Sabrina Kreiss ’21: Dancer and Future Instructor

Posted by Pine Crest School on May 10, 2021 at 3:32 PM

A dancer since the age of three, Sabrina Kreiss ’21 has taken advantage of every dance opportunity available at Pine Crest.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Student Life, Fine Arts, Dance, 2021

Finding Strength Through the Generations

Posted by Pine Crest School on April 15, 2021 at 1:06 PM

As the grandson of an Armenian immigrant, Alexander Edep ’17 has drawn on his family’s painful history as a source of education and strength in his work as a filmmaker. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media Production, 2021

Alumni Class Notes - April 2021

Posted by Pine Crest School on April 12, 2021 at 11:06 AM

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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2021

Alumni Class Notes - March 2021

Posted by Pine Crest School on March 5, 2021 at 9:36 AM

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.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2021

Michele Stocker ’83 Leads Board of Trustees in DEI Efforts

Posted by Pine Crest School on March 5, 2021 at 9:13 AM

Michele (McNichol) Stocker ’83 has been a valued member of the Pine Crest School community for more than 40 years, most recently as the Chair of the Board of Trustees

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2021, DEI

Pine Crest Alumni and Entrepreneurs Focused on Disrupting Private Equity

Posted by Pine Crest School on February 11, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Recent college graduates, college roommates at New York University (NYU), and friends since their sophomore year of Upper School, Jonathan Farchi-Segal ’16 and Mateo Pugliese-Bassi ’16 knew that the corporate world was not for them.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Entrepreneurship, 2021

Hollywood’s Spotlight Shines on Lance Oppenheim ’14 and Melissa Lano ’08

Posted by Pine Crest School on February 11, 2021 at 11:02 AM

It took incredible tenacity and dedication to turn Lance Oppenheim’s passion for filmmaking into a career. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Digital Media Production, 2021

Alumni Class Notes - December 2020

Posted by Pine Crest School on December 2, 2020 at 1:38 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:

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Topics: News, Alumni Newsletter, Class Notes, Alumni, Pine Crest School

Pine Crest Alumni Give More than $450,000 to The Pine Crest Fund

Posted by Pine Crest School on November 19, 2020 at 9:46 PM

At the end of October, Pine Crest School hosted our first Panther Giving Week. The week was an opportunity for our community to support our School and have their new and increased gifts matched.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Giving, Pine Crest Fund

Joining the Space Force: Kristine Kovacs ’05

Posted by Pine Crest School on October 1, 2020 at 12:05 PM

“I frequently thank my parents for sending me to Pine Crest. Pine Crest got me where I am today — I have a STEM career without a STEM background. Pine Crest gave me the foundation to do anything.”

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, 2020

Alumni Class Notes - September 2020

Posted by Pine Crest School on September 23, 2020 at 5:00 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:

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Topics: News, Alumni Newsletter, Class Notes, Alumni, Pine Crest School

Meet Rhea Jain ’20: Entrepreneur and Data Analyst

Posted by Pine Crest School on July 22, 2020 at 10:09 AM

 

Rhea Jain ’20 has made a name for herself in Boca Raton as an entrepreneur and founder of Renoosh, a high-end clothing line for petite women. Rhea launched her business when she was a freshman in Upper School.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Alumni, Entrepreneurship, 2020

Alumni Class Notes - July 2020

Posted by Pine Crest School on July 16, 2020 at 2:32 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:

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Topics: News, Alumni Newsletter, Class Notes, Alumni, Pine Crest School

Meet Gabriel Sareli ’20: From Computer Screen to Camera Lens

Posted by Pine Crest School on July 16, 2020 at 2:21 PM

By: Grace Pettee ’20 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Fine Arts

Meet Clayton Finney ’20: Inspiring Inclusivity through Leadership

Posted by Pine Crest School on July 16, 2020 at 11:01 AM

Clayton Finney ’20 is a recognized scholar-athlete. Having recently been awarded the Brian Piccolo Award, the three-sport athlete is a known leader among his teachers, coaches, and peers. 

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Athletics, 2020

Meet Liza Goldstone ’20: Future Mechanical Engineer

Posted by Pine Crest School on July 13, 2020 at 5:02 PM

Liza Goldstone ’20 has been an engaged member of the Crown Joules robotics team throughout her Upper School career. However, until eighth grade, she had not envisioned pursuing a future in robotics and engineering.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Alumni, Pine Crest School, 2020

Alumni Class Notes - December 2019

Posted by Pine Crest School on November 26, 2019 at 3:24 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:

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Topics: News, Alumni Newsletter, Class Notes, Alumni, 2019, Pine Crest School

Tulsie Patel ’07: From the Clinic to the Newsroom

Posted by Pine Crest School on September 24, 2019 at 8:15 AM

 

Tulsie Patel ’07 always knew she wanted to be a doctor.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Pine Crest School

Alumni Class Notes - September 2019

Posted by Pine Crest School on September 18, 2019 at 10:43 AM

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:

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Topics: News, Alumni Newsletter, Class Notes, 2019

Alumni Class Notes - July 2019

Posted by Pine Crest School on July 1, 2019 at 12:18 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:

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Topics: News, Alumni Newsletter, Class Notes, 2019

Meet Britta Strain ’19: Rodeo Champion, Professional Roper, and Future Equine Radiologist

Posted by Pine Crest School on May 13, 2019 at 11:36 AM

Pine Crest School students are known for their intellect, curiosity, and talents, with recent graduating classes including pilots, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, animal rescue advocates, and more. One Class of 2019 alumna, Britta Strain, adds amateur rodeo champion, professional roper, and future equine radiologist to the long list of students’ diverse interests.

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Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Upper School, Student Life, Alumni, 2019, Pine Crest School