Visual Arts Program Director and Upper School art instructor Mr. Nino Liguori tells stories with paintbrushes. Through his paintings, he weaves together visual parables and allegories that challenge viewers to engage in deep reflection. His work is a fusion of history, design and the human experience—an artistic dialogue between fable and fact, imagination and realism. As an acclaimed artist and dedicated educator, Mr. Liguori’s journey has been shaped by his passion for both creation and instruction, ensuring that future generations continue to find meaning through art.

Born and raised in New York City, Mr. Liguori’s artistic path was profoundly influenced by an art teacher who changed his perspective on life. “He was putting nice things into the world, and that’s what I wanted to do,” said Mr. Liguori. Inspired to pursue both art and education, he attended the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in painting and art education. His career as an educator began in Florida where he taught at three schools in Broward County before finding his place at Pine Crest. Along the way, he continued to refine his craft, earning a master’s degree in Art and Science from Florida International University. “I spent summers studying in China and Paris, and that really inspired me to be a better teacher,” he said. “Instructors in college often saw students as competition, but I never wanted that. I want my students to be better than me.”

When the Boca Raton sixth grade team set out to create a signature experience for their students this year, they knew they wanted something bold—something that would reflect the future-forward spirit of the curriculum and the school’s commitment to innovation.

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.

“Our goal is that we see entrepreneurship in every class,” said Mrs. Kolettis. “The delivery and methods of this content will vary but the fundamental learning of how to be resilient, creative, collaborative and enterprising will remain the same.”

In the world of social entrepreneurship, a well-crafted pitch can make all the difference. It’s more than just a presentation—it’s a compelling story that connects, persuades and inspires. As students in Pine Crest School’s three-year social entrepreneurship program quickly learn, the key to a successful pitch lies not just in the data, but in the narrative.

By: Dean Shiff ’26

March 25, 1921 - April 23, 2019

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. 

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.”

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.

Jaime Legagneur ’97 has been proactive in the pursuit of her educational and career goals since graduating from Pine Crest. Wanting to experience something new while staying warm, Jaime attended Tulane University in New Orleans for her undergraduate degree.

Aron Weingard ’03 recalls that some of his fondest childhood memories were attending a sleep-away camp in Maine. He was unaware of it at the time, but his connection to this camp would prove to be a profound influence on his life and the lives of thousands of grieving children.  

Graduating from the University of Florida with a bachelor of science degree in Finance and then a master of science in Entrepreneurship, Aron’s career path led him initially to management and eventually to the wealth management industry. What is unique—and not an obvious step based on his background—is the fact that he has become a nationally recognized leader in the space of childhood grief.

At Pine Crest Middle School, eighth grade students are offered a unique course option centered around emergent leadership. This course aims to nurture emergent leadership abilities, with a particular focus on developing skills essential to becoming entrepreneurs and leaders. Students will learn valuable skills such as collaboration, the art of public speaking, resiliency, and adaptability which are critical for their development as future leaders.

When Joseph Tepperman ’99 started college at the University of Southern California (USC), he dreamed of working in a recording studio. However, he soon realized he was more interested in what was going on under the mixing console. He decided to change majors and began to focus on electrical engineering.