From  the  Class  of  2011  to  the  Class  of  2023,  our  students  are  moving  up!  

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336 Spanish River Blvd. NW Boca Raton, FL 33431

www.grandviewprep.net

Grandview Preparatory School

The Grandview Compass

The Grandview Compass is produced three times per academic year by Grandview Preparatory School. All copy and photographs are by Haley Swartz unless otherwise noted. For questions, comments, or more information, please contact Haley Swartz at hswartz@grandviewprep.net.

On the cover: Valerio Rasi, Lauren Santa, and Gianpaolo Barelli, all members of the Class of 2011, prepare for the Commencement Ceremony on May 20, 2011.

Planting Lima Beans Our first graders planted lima bean seedlings in the Grandview Garden this spring. The students grew the seedlings from seeds in Mrs. Leech’s science class—they watched their seeds sprout and then were able to see the whole process of growth as they were given their own area in the Garden.

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Congratulations to our Varsity Softball team on their stellar season!

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Great Expectations Head of School Jackie Westerfield reflects on advice from a professor and highlights the Commencement speakers.

Moving On Up Fifth grade, Kindergarten, and 8th grade all celebrate milestone years.

An “Irregular” Ode to Sandcastles Academic Dean Tiffany Della Vedova highlights beach learning days this spring.

International Night 2011 The Key Club hosts a night of food and culture to celebrate diversity and raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Hollywood Rock Stars Upper school students celebrate prom in style.

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Academics

Fine Arts

Pride Athletics

Activities

Alumni

Departments

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has found the one thing -in this one place- that speaks to her soul.

Valedictorian Elise Lang and salutatorian Danielle Capitini both know a thing or two about great expectations already. Each has carved her own path through Grandview, possessing the knowledge, fortitude and drive to graduate with top honors. These young women were the 2011 Commencement Ceremony speakers.

Elise Lang spoke of one of the lessons her thirteen years at Grandview has taught her: pride—the right kind of pride. According to Elise, “pride is really about character.” Grandview instills in its students that pride is built upon virtues, merit and honesty—values that are spoken of in our school creed and are practiced in the school

community. Elise urged her classmates to “feel the pride” as a symbol of Grandview, and to use this pride “that coexists with our character, the pride we have for our futures, and the pride we forever have in our hearts” as they go forth into their new lives.

In her speech, Danielle Capitini gave the audience a glimpse of her formative years at Grandview in her emotional speech. The full text of Danielle’s speech follows.

While I was thinking about what I would say today, it occurred to me that the fact that I was going to stand up in front of all of you and speak was actually an accomplishment within itself.

As we say goodbye (for now) to the Class of 2011, we send them off with greatest of expectations. What I mean exactly by ‘great

expectations’ was the topic of my commencement ceremony remarks in May. Since your summer attention span may not allow for the play by play recap of that speech, the nutshell version of the story goes something like this: Circa August 1989: Jackie Westerfield sits in a class waiting for highly esteemed professor to share his lifetime-in-the-making pearl of wisdom. Quirky but brilliant professor enters the room, he clears his throat and says, "What I am about to tell you is worth all of the money you will ever spend on tuition and books in your lifetime. It is more valuable than a golden egg, a lottery ticket or the power of a king.....Are you listening? ….Find the ONE thing in this life that you would do every day for free. The thing that speaks to your soul and catches your heart on fire. Find it and commit your life to it. That one thing in you connects us all. Find it....all else will follow." Present Day: Jackie Westerfield sits at the Grandview Preparatory School commencement ceremony, blissfully proud of the Class of 2011. She sits knowing that she

Jackie Westerfield, Head of School

Great  Expectations    

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Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a leader, maybe even a teacher someday, but was unable to get anyone to take me seriously because I was quiet, shy and unable to find the leader within myself.

Four years ago, just days before starting at Grandview, I thought it was going to be intimidating and scary. First day of high school, a new school, a private school. I thought how could I lay low, go unnoticed? But to my surprise, not only did Grandview refuse to allow me to sit on the sidelines, it has shaped me into the person I am today and has given me the opportunity to grow, express myself, and become a leader. It has also left me with an ongoing discipline and honor that will be with me through college and into the “real world”.

If I had it my way, and I’m sure I can speak for my class as well, if we could stay safe, between these walls at Grandview, we would.

But this school has given us what we need to move on.

As stated in the [school] creed, “We believe knowledge is freedom, freedom is choice, and choice is responsibility.” This line of the creed is not only my favorite part of the creed, but the one I recited the loudest every Wednesday, simply because I agree with it more than anything. Your knowledge of the world is something that you work to build up your entire life. It is something I value each and everyday, as it is what aids me in making the right decisions. Everyone is faced with choices in their life and that choice is what shapes whom you are as a person. Your character is developed based on the choices you make, whether it is a minor decision or a life-changing one. It is only your responsibility to make the right decision.

Valedictorian  Elise  Lang  receives  her  diploma  from  Head  of  School  Jackie  Westerfield  during  the  2011  Commencement  Ceremony.  

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I do not consider Grandview just another high school, but rather an experience of a lifetime. The everlasting bonds and relationships that I have made will never be forgotten. It has started to hit me already.

I will no longer be able to wave to every teacher I pass in the hallway, trying to avoid Ms. Houghton. Or stay after school to finish work, most importantly in Mr. Will’s room. I will miss going to a basketball or softball game every Friday night where you know everyone and everyone knows you. And to be able to not only eat lunch with my best friends in one room, but my brother and sister, as well. These little ‘big’ things are what have made my experience comforting, and very difficult to leave.

Leadership is not only a combination of knowledge, freedom, and choice.. But also gratitude- as my life is not a solo journey. So today I stand here, ‘just a little nervous’, instead of a lot, and thank all of you for making me the person I am today.

To the faculty, for making this not a school, but a home away from home. To the

teachers, thank you for challenging me, pushing me to be the best, and preparing me for college. To my classmates, for making me laugh, grow, and become a part of your lives. And finally to my family, my mom, my dad, for allowing me to express myself, for supporting me, and for making sure I would grow up to be the best person I could be. To my brother and sister, for allowing me to be the big sister, and for making me proud of that role. To my grandmother for being a great role model and to my Aunt Lori for being my best friend.

It has been an honor to be a part of the Grandview Family. These halls will forever be where I learned to walk into adulthood, where I was taught honor and discipline.

John Quincy Adams said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

Grandview has been my leader and has inspired me to be myself, and when I step into life beyond its walls, I will carry its leadership in me. Carpe Diem.

Saluditorian Danielle Capitini gives her address during the Commencement Ceremony.

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Congratulat ions to the Class o f 2011

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So, I spent this year gardening, too. Not outside, but in my classroom. I grew ten girls and five boys, three sets of siblings (two sets of triplets and one set of twins). I grew

students who cam from all over the world, I grew students who spoke no English, and I grew students who wound their roots around my heart. Growing fifteen children is not always the easiest task. They require a lot of water, sunshine, food—lots of food—

tender words, and some patience (to be able to wait until they reach perfection before they are picked). Some children need more sun, while others may need more food, but once they are rip, there is no turning back. Today all the children are ripe for

Fifth grade teacher Mrs. Jill Kittredge gave the address during the Fifth Grade Graduation Ceremony in June. The text of her speech follows. As you all know, we spent a good deal of time in our garden this year—planting and growing, weeding and harvesting, then selling what we grew in car line. When we returned to class, we wrote about the things we did and saw, what smelled the best, what was growing, and what we picked. Sadly, just the other day we pulled up the garden to let the soil rest for the summer. It got me thinking that having a class of students for one year is quite similar to growing a successful garden.

Fifth Grade Graduation 2011

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picking; and as I pick each gently and hold them in my hands, I will take a picture of each with my heart and then gingerly set them out—ripe and ready—to be snapped up by some hungry middle school teachers, thrilled at having their own task of making a most fantastic salad! As I send you all forth from the Kittredge garden, and my soil gets to rest, remember that you can always return for a little more water or food, or maybe some fertilizer so that you can continue to grow far into the future.

Opposite top, the fifth graders show off their certificates. Opposite center, Mrs. Kittredge addresses her class. Top right and center left, the fifth grade graduates are ripe for the picking! Center right, Mrs. Kittredge presents a certificate to one of her students. Right, fifth graders lead the pledge and the creed to open the ceremony.

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Kindergarten Graduat ion June 2, 2011

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Eighth Grade Moving Up May 25, 2011

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Tiffany Della Vedova, Academic Dean

Beach Day 2011

An “Irregular” Ode to Sandcastles

There was a time when water, sand, and sky The waves and every child’s joyous cry Seemed ingrained Particles between little toes and strands of hair Everlasting in the mind Where life’s school sheltered bunk-mates--Giggles and Lessons Sharing every regular, inseparable moment Today’s lessons long for yesterday’s play time, sun, and laughter Memory and relevance--grainy paths through Soaked footprints Lined by scholarly searchers along the shore Everlasting in the mind Where life’s accountability divides childhood companions Observing severed roles rehearsed in turn

In this moment, let us build sandcastles. Oh happy reunion!

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In May, students in 7th – 12th grade experienced their annual Beach Learning Day. So much more than a trip to the beach, this field trip uses the beach as a starting point for many fun learning activities. This year, students used physics while making sand sculptures and observing waves, played geography volleyball, wrote beach-inspired poetry and descriptive prose, and completed activities relating to our school creed. Learning is not just for the classroom at GPS—it is all around us!

Academics

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At the end of April, the Grandview Glee Club, directed by Ms. Joanna Craik, attended the Heritage Festival in Orlando. There were twenty-two choirs that performed and were ranked gold, silver or bronze, based on their performances. Because of their stellar performance, the Glee Club received a Gold Medal.

During the performances, three judges scored each choir. The Glee Club received scores of 97, 96, and 96 out of 100. For our high scores, the Glee Club received the Adjudicators Award. The gold

medal and the Award trophy are currently on display in the front office.

Additionally, each year the Heritage Festival selects the two best choirs in the festival and invites them to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Grandview Preparatory School Glee Club and the Bak Middle School of the Arts Boys Chorus were the two choirs selected for this prestigious honor. Congratulations to our

wonderful Glee Club and director Joanna Craik.

Glee Club Earns Top Honors

in Orlando

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Grandview Singers and Dancers Per form in Delray

The Grandview Dance Academy and the Fine Arts Track Singers performed this spring at the Delray Affair, an annual arts showcase in downtown Delray. The Dance Academy Dancers performed pieces from Thoroughly Modern Millie and A Chorus Line, and four Fine Arts Track Singers performed two pieces each. The crowd enjoyed the entertainment as a highlight of the Delray Affair.

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Senior Art Exhibi t Each year, our senior art students display their art for their families, teachers, friends, and the Grandview community. This year’s display included many different mediums from ceramics, to paint, to collage, to “found” art. As part of Grandview’s tradition, each senior has a guest book that admirers sign with praise and well wishes. Best of luck to our senior artists as they take their talents to

the collegiate level!

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Underclassmen Art Exhibit

Fine Arts

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Middle School Swimming

Photos by Donna Leech

The  2011  season  marked  one  of  the  largest  turnouts  for  tennis  at  Grandview.  The  boys  and  girls  tennis  teams  finished  with  an  excellent  season  playing  in  the  strongest  district  in  the  state.    Grandview’s  top  player  on  the  boys’  team,  Skye  Chanon,  reached  the  district  semi-­‐finals  in  singles  and  in  doubles  with  Jonathan  Adams  as  his  partner.    The  top  girls’  player,  Taylor  Russo  (pictured  right),  was  one  of  the  youngest  players  to  reach  the  district  semi-­‐finals.    She  also  reached  district  quarterfinals  with  her  doubles  partner,  Margaret  Dickey.    

The  Pride  middle  school  swimming  team  had  a  very  successful  season!      All  swimmers  improved  their  times  in  their  respective  strokes  as  the  season  progressed,  and  the  swimmers  were  competitive  in  all  of  their  meets.    The  season  ended  with  an  excellent  showing  by  members  of  the  girls’  swimming  team  at  the  St.  Andrew’s  Grand  Finale  Invitational.    Madeleine  Kastmark,  Sydney  Sansone,  Marcella  Botero,  and  Emma  Rouxel  earned  4th  place  as  a  team.    Marcella  and  Emma  both  earned  individual  honors  in  the  50-­‐yard  backstroke,  and  Emma  earned  a  6th  place  in  the  50-­‐yard  freestyle.  

Above, swimmers pose at the St. Andrew’s Grand Finale . Right, the 2011 boys’ and girls’ tennis teams.

Tennis

The 2011 Middle School Swimmers and Coach David Anderson.

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Another Stor i ed Year for Sof tbal l ! By Assistant Coach David Scharf

The Grandview Pride softball team ended the

2011 campaign with an outstanding record of 24-3 and gained a birth at the FHSAA Finals in Clermont for the second straight year., earning 2nd in the state. The Pride’s season was marked by number of outstanding performances both on the mound and at the bat. Senior shortstop Allie Catapano led all pride hitters with a .555 batting average with 4 HRs and 45 RBIs. She gained First Team All-County Honors in both the Palm Beach Post and Sun- Sentinel and earned a full softball scholarship to Hillsborough College in Tampa. Junior catcher Geena Capitini also earned First Team All County Honors with a .482 batting average and an outstanding season defensively behind the plate. Sophomores Marisa Samaniego and Hunter Scharf were named Second Team All County. Samaniego batted .487 and was outstanding

in Center field all season. Scharf ended the season on the mound with a record of 6-0 while striking out 30 batters in two straight games including an 18-strikeout performance. Sophomore Jesse Harms, underclassmen Kaitlyn Conrad and Summer Burgess all earned Honorable mention status.

Junior pitcher Jane Sallen was once again named Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year. She had a record of 18-2 with almost 200 strikeouts and an ERA under 1.00. Not only was she one of the best pitchers in the state, but she also hit over .500! Notwithstanding the Pride’s 1A status, they played with the “Big Girls” defeating perennial softball powerhouse teams such as Royal Palm Beach, Santaluces, Wellington, Spanish River, West Boca, Boca High and others. The only in season losses were to Park Vista and Boca Raton High during an early season tournament. The 2012 campaign looks promising for the Pride as they return all players except for Senior Allie Catapano.

Impressive Images

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International Night 2011 Conch fritters, curried chicken and

cannoli were among the international delicacies that Grandview families served and sampled during this year’s International Night, hosted by the Key Club.

Each year, Grandview families volunteer their time and recipes to showcase world cuisine. It is an evening to celebrate the diversity of our school community by sharing our favorite meals in a unique atmosphere.

This year’s International Night featured foods from Ireland, India, Israel, Greece, Argentina, Italy, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and more! Through donations and admission prices, the Key Club raised over $700 to be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Thanks to all Grandview families for their support and participation in this wonderful event!

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House Activities

Grandview students participated in their 4th annual Blanket Day in March. Students of all ages worked together to create 80 fleece blankets for our local chapter of Project Linus. Project Linus is a national non-profit organization who’s mission is to provide new, handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Since 2008, Grandview has donated over 300 blankets to Project Linus. The blankets are sent to local hospitals and charities around South Florida.

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Our April House Activity combined planting for Earth Day with a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, organized by sophomore Katie Gelber. Students first learned about cystic fibrosis and then were asked to decorate pots and plant seeds in honor of those who suffer from the disease. A special thank you to the Poole family for the donation of a magnolia tree to be planted on campus in honor of Earth Day!

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Spring Book Fair @ Barnes & Noble

In April, students, parents and teachers gathered at Barnes & Noble in Boca Raton for Grandview’s first Spring Book Fair. Grandview took over the store as the Fine Arts Track Singers serenaded patrons and the Grandview Dance Academy performed selections from popular Broadway shows. Barnes & Noble donated a portion of all purchases from the day to the Grandview Library. With this donation, Grandview was able to purchase two Nook E-Readers for student use along with several books to add to the Grandview Library Collection. Thank you to all Grandview community members for supporting this new event!

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Introducing Camp Grandview with Coach Roudy

New this summer, Camp Grandview with Coach Roudy blends wellness activities, sports, learning and healthy eating to provide campers with the ultimate day camp experience.

Camp Grandview is the result of the vision of “Coach Roudy” Derisse. Coach Roudy is a teacher and health activist in the Boca Raton and Delray community whose goal is to educate our youth on leading healthy, balanced lifestyles.

The camp day begins with a “Wake Up and Shake Up” led by Coach Roudy. Campers of all ages participate in relay races, fitness drills, and games to prepare their minds and bodies for the day ahead. Each day, campers participate in a variety of structured activities including sports, swimming lessons, music class, arts & crafts, science, Yoga, and Tae Kwon Do.

In music classes, our youngest campers are learning the basics of rhythm and song, and campers ages 5 and older are learning new instruments! Our young scientists have discussed food groups and buoyancy, and they plan on completing several fun labs over the course of the summer.

Camp Grandview is still accepting campers for the remaining summer sessions. For more information, please visit www.grandviewprep.net.

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Upper School Prom May 6, 2011

The prom committee rolled out the red carpet for our seniors at this year’s upper school prom held at the Addison Restaurant in Boca Raton. The evening began with refreshments in the courtyard as parents, teachers and friends greeted the attendees. Students were then invited into the ballroom and treated like “Hollywood Rock Stars” for the evening. After a night of dining and dancing, Brandon Bruce and Allie Catapano were crowned as prom king and queen, and Jake Smart and Lanie Paterson were recognized as prince and princess.

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All students entering 3rd grade through 12th grade have required summer reading. Please view the reading lists at www.grandviewprep.net for more information about which books to read. Upper School s tudents , we have s tarted a group on Facebook just for you to chat about the books you are reading over the summer! If you choose to join the G-View Summer Reading Book Club, your activity in the group will count towards credit in your English class next year. If you do not want to participate, there will be other ways to earn credit for reading.

You thought you could escape…

Alumni Spotlight: Logan Shalmi and Michael Nau

Alumni

GPS Alumni – Let’s stay in touch! Visit http://www.grandviewprep.net/our_stories/alumni-info.cfm to fill out the alumni information form and stay current with events especially for you! What would you like to do next? Join our Facebook Group to join in on the conversation!

Alumni Information

For Grandview alumni Logan Shalmi and Michael Nau, a passion for basketball and a mind for business have grown into an entrepreneurial endeavor. The two college juniors (Nau studies business management at University of Central Florida and Shalmi is starting a finance major at Florida Atlantic University) have created NBAblogs.net-- a website fully designed for NBA fans. Users can post their own blogs about NBA basketball or browse and comment on blogs posted by other users around the globe.

The idea was born out of the duo’s drive to create a website specifically for NBA fans. After understanding the growing popularity of blogging (The Neilson Company recognizes over 163,737,850 blogs, and according to the company, sports topics account for at least 1.5 million blog posts per hour), Shalmi and Nau bought the domain NBAblogs.net and designed the website.

Nau works mostly in the operations of the website, while Shalmi focuses on marketing. A third partner, Jordan Selinger, writes and edits for the website. Already, the team has many regular contributers, and their goal is for NBAblogs.com to be the top blogging network for NBA fans.

Both Shalmi and Nau are members of the Class of 2009.

Mac Wallach ’10, Steven Barash ’09, Logan Shalmi ’09, Colin Gates ’10, and Michael Nau ’09 attend this year’s graduation.

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Grandview Preparatory School 336 Spanish River Blvd. NW. Boca Raton, FL 33431

www.grandviewprep.net

Brandon Bruce and Kris Leech, both members of the Class of 2011, celebrate during the ‘50’s-themed Senior Dinner and Roast.