When Johanna Henry ’26 steps into a leadership role, she brings more than just enthusiasm—she brings purpose. Elected Student Council President for her senior year, Johanna knows what it means to work for something and grow through it. After winning class president as a freshman and sophomore, she faced disappointment junior year when she didn’t earn the role she hoped for. Still, she showed up, served as a student council representative and ran again. This time, she won.
Shaping the Future Through Leadership with Heart and Vision
Topics: Upper School, Athletics, Giving, Student Leadership, 2025
For Middle School student Juan Yoshikay ’31, innovation isn’t just something he reads about—it’s something he builds with his own hands. As a member of Pine Crest’s Middle School robotics team, Juan recently traveled to the VEX World Championship, where he and his teammates competed alongside students from around the globe.
Topics: Innovation, Student Life, Middle School, Robotics, Giving, 2025
Innovation and Imagination: Taking Students to Perform at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
When Dr. Alexandra Parsons traveled to London in the summer of 2022 and took her seat on the hard wooden benches inside the Globe Theatre, she had no idea that the performance of Shakespeare’s play “King Lear” she was about to witness what would become a source of inspiration for her classroom in the Pine Crest Upper School English wing. The experience—visceral, immersive and alive—stayed with her. What if her ninth grade English students could feel what she had felt that day? What if they could step inside the Globe, or even onto the stage itself?
Topics: Innovation, Upper School, Student Life, Giving, 2025
Dr. Wendy Swanson is inspired by the Pine Crest School faculty each and every day—and that’s exactly what she loves about her work. As Director of Faculty Learning and Recruitment Coordinator at Pine Crest School, she supports professional learning alongside Dr. Lisa Ockerman, Vice President of Academics and Strategic Initiatives. Together, they champion a culture of growth, innovation and connection across both campuses.
A Grateful Coach with a Sweet Tooth: A Conversation with George Harris
Whether he’s leading his team on the turf or heading straight for the dessert table at the annual MUSPA luncheon, Coach George Harris brings humor, humility and heart to everything he does at Pine Crest School. As an Assistant Athletic Director and Program Director of Boys’ Lacrosse, George shares how gratitude and generosity keep him grounded in the Pine Crest experience.
Rooted in Relationships: A Conversation with Gerin Harris
Whether she is guiding students through multi-digit division or dodging the occasional loose molar, fourth grade math teacher Mrs. Gerin Harris approaches each day at Pine Crest with a deep sense of gratitude, a love of learning and a comfortingly consistent rice bowl. As a former figure skating coach turned educator, she brings energy, empathy and purpose to everything she does—including why she gives back.
The Impact of Financial Assistance on the Pine Crest Experience
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.
Topics: Giving, Financial Aid, 2025
Fueling the Future: How Global Learning is Transforming Pine Crest Classrooms
Topics: Innovation, Faculty, Design Thinking, Academics, Giving, The Magazine, 2025
From Curiosity to Discovery: Inspiring Young Scientists through Research
Topics: Student Life, Middle School, Giving, Student Leadership, Science, The Magazine
The magic of performing arts extends far beyond the spotlight. While audiences are captivated by performances on stage, behind the curtain, there’s an intricate world of technology and expertise that makes every show a success. Pine Crest is fortunate to have a dedicated theater technician, Mr. Jeffrey Ronner, who brings decades of experience and passion to our productions.
Topics: Lower School, Fine Arts, Giving
Beyond the Game: Performance Training Elevates Pine Crest Athletics
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.
Topics: Athletics, Giving, The Magazine, 2025
From Student Leader to Lifelong Supporter: Kimberly Straker ’90
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.
Topics: Alumni Newsletter, Alumni, Giving, 2025
Coming into her eighth year of teaching at Pine Crest, Jordanna Court ’12 says she didn’t know what she wanted to do after graduating from college.
Get To Know Fort Lauderdale Faculty Giving Chair Patty Gómez
Patty Gómez is the Chair of the World Languages Department and has been teaching at Pine Crest for 10 years. A former materials science engineer, Patty says that teaching is what she was meant to do.
Advancing What’s Next for Pine Crest Students and Faculty
Representing two legacy families, Stephanie (Basile) and Nick Economos, Jr. have been a part of the Pine Crest community since the late 1980s.
Nick’s sister Elyse Parisi ’01 is a Pine Crest graduate, while Stephanie and her brother Sebastian attended Pine Crest from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade on the Boca Raton campus. As a former Pine Crest student, Stephanie said choosing Pine Crest for their children was an “obvious choice” but it took visiting the campus for Nick to agree.
Topics: Giving
Supporting Pine Crest Educators: The Chen Family
We are honored to shine a spotlight on the Chen family, who generously donated $1.5 million toward the construction of the Center for Teaching and Learning on the Pine Crest School Fort Lauderdale campus.
Topics: Upper School, Student Life, Alumni, Giving, Pine Crest Fund, 2022
Transforming Tomorrow: Pine Crest Moves Forward with Strategic Renovation and Construction Projects
In 2019, Pine Crest faculty, staff, and administrators created and finalized the School’s strategic plan to be executed over the course of the following five years under the leadership of President Dr. Dana Markham ’18H.
Topics: Innovation, Student Life, Fine Arts, Middle School, Academics, Robotics, Giving, Pine Crest Fund, Computer Science, STEM, Future Ready, 2022
The Beyer Family on Philanthropy and Supporting Pine Crest School
The Beyer family joined the Pine Crest School community three years ago. After touring Pine Crest, twin brothers Alexander ’28 and Nikolaus ’28 told parents Anthony and Vanessa that this was the school for them.
Topics: Middle School, Giving, 2021
The Hudson Library: Reenvisioned as a Space of Inspiration
A transformation of the Hudson Library is underway on Pine Crest School’s Fort Lauderdale campus. Used by students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the modernized space will soon be as inspiring and engaging as the instruction that happens there.
Topics: Lower School, Student Life, Giving, Pine Crest Fund, Social and Emotional Learning, 2021
Pine Crest School Announces East Campus Athletic Complex Renovation
Pine Crest School is pleased to announce the completion of renovations to the East Campus Athletic Complex, which includes Banks Field and the Elliot Family Track.
Topics: Athletics, Giving, Pine Crest Fund, 2021