March 25, 1921 - April 23, 2019

To support Dr. Markham’s commitment to sustaining a socioeconomically diverse school community, Pine Crest offers need-based financial and inclusion aid. A longstanding tradition, the School continues to expand and maximize the Pine Crest educational experience for students  who may not otherwise have an opportunity to take advantage of the myriad of possibilities here. 

By: Asha Gandreti ’25

By: Anya Gandreti ’26

A new offering in Pine Crest Athletics is making waves—brainwaves! This year, Dr. Hilary Cornelius, Mental Performance Coach and Associate Tennis Director on the Boca Raton campus, has brought her expertise in sports psychology to Middle and Upper School student-athletes. 

For many Pine Crest alumni, the memories of their time on campus remain a cherished part of their lives. For Kimberly (Altschul) Straker ’90, her experience at Pine Crest not only shaped her journey but also inspired her ongoing commitment to giving back. 

Haley Moss ’12 was often viewed by her peers as a shy student, with a tendency to keep to herself in social settings. It would take some time to discover that while she may have been timid at times, she would prove herself to be a dynamic voice for change.

As a senior communications manager at the high-pressure, high-production institution that is Microsoft, Pine Crest alumna Raanah Amjadi ’09 was also highly visible within the company. 

An architect by trade, Jennifer Silbert ’94 became an entrepreneur in 2014 when she co-founded Rewilder. Deeply passionate about upcycling and sustainability, Rewilder was born as a way to address the amount of non-recyclable, industrial waste piling up in landfills. 

Sterling Champion ’08 credits her time as a Pine Crest student-athlete for much of her professional success. “Pine Crest has honestly played a huge role in my journey thus far,” she said. “Some of the most important doors to open for me came from my connections to Pine Crest.” As a captain of both the girls’ lacrosse team and the cross country team, and the school’s first two-time All-American women’s lacrosse player, Sterling described the skills she acquired in athletics as an asset that she later realized not all people possess. “I learned so much from playing sports, and it shaped me in so many ways. Teamwork, discipline, time management, resiliency, and not being discouraged by failure are among the most important pieces of that foundation, and they taught me that I can persevere through just about anything.”

By Asha Gandreti ’25

Abstract? Sometimes. Disruptive? Possibly. Innovative? Always. The entrepreneurial mindset at Pine Crest School takes on many forms and is woven throughout the Lower, Middle and Upper School curricula. Five years ago, Mrs. Keri Kolettis, Vice President of Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship, developed the three-year social entrepreneurship program offered in Upper School. Mrs. Kolettis works closely with Divisional leadership to incorporate entrepreneurial learning opportunities in all grade levels. 

By Veronika Hesse ’27

This summer, Frank Sobchak ’88 added a stunning accomplishment to his resume. “We just won the Finisterre division of the Newport Bermuda Race (sailing),” he said. One of the top three most prestigious amateur offshore sailing races, Frank and his crew completed the race in three and a half days.  

As is the case with Pine Crest students, senior Talia Sverdlik ’25 made good use of her time over the summer. 

In 1978, Marc and Ronna Taub relocated to Boca Raton with two young children, David ’91 and Emily ’93. They began searching for an elementary school that was the right fit for their children.

“Education was always a priority for us,” Marc said. “Growing up my parents always put a major emphasis on education,” Ronna said, adding, “I also went to private school for high school, so I understood the value in it.” Marc and Ronna met as undergraduate students where their shared love of learning was first realized. 

Over the summer, Pine Crest School faculty had the opportunity to participate in specialized professional development workshops in virtual reality (VR). 

Mr. Antoine Khouri, Orchestra Director on the Fort Lauderdale campus, has loved music since he was a child. His parents and grandparents encouraged him to sing in his church’s choir and begin learning the piano at five years old, with his mother as his teacher. 

Contributions by: Sara Pearl Adler ’24

Over the last five years, Pine Crest Upper School students with an interest in entrepreneurship have had the opportunity to apply for the three-year social entrepreneurship program.