We couldn’t have learned from better characters.

THE ROEPER SCHOOL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Keeping In Touch

volUME6: 5

S E N I O R E D I T I O N 2 0 1 3

Seniors 2013

ON THE COVERFor Spirit Week Senior Brooke Michelson and her team created the banner (pictured above), honoring each member of the Birmingham Campus staff. Nick Pudar (Alumni Parent of Julie ’13 and Jim ’10) photographed the banner in its placement as well as each individual character pictured on the cover.

1

FEATURES

OPENING REMARKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 David Feldman, Head of School

FOUNDERS’ FAMILY MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . Tom Roeper ’61* . Read by Alyssa Flynn, .Vice President — Class of 2014

SENIOR cLASS FAREwELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Mara Jaffe, President – Class of 2013

INtRODUcING OUR NEwESt ALUMNI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

thE GRADUAtES & thEIR PRESENtERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SENIOR cLASS PROFILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Katie .Buchmann, .Editor

cLOSING REMARKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Lisa .Baker, .Upper School Director

SENIOR PROJEctS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

PASSIONS AND PURSUItS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

AwARDS & hONORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

cOLLEGE AccEPtANcES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

FROM EMERY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Emery .Pence, .Alumni Relations Coordinator

PARtING thOUGhtS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Denita .Banks-Sims, .Director of Development

PHOTOGRAPHSCommencement photos by Joshua .Kristal

* indicates the actual graduation year of alumni who matriculated from other secondary schools.

KITTABLE OF CONTENTS

David FeldmanHead .of .School

david.feldman@roeper.org

Denita Banks-SimsDirector .of .Development

denita.banks-sims@roeper.org

Keeping in touch Editorial Committee

Katie .Buchmann Editor

Bonnie .SchemmArt Director

Contributors

Lisa .Baker

Denita .Banks-Sims

Patti .Bostwick

Katie .Buchmann

David .Feldman

Mara .Jaffe .’13

Bridghette .Parker

Emery .Pence

Tom .Roeper .’61*

THE ROEPER SCHOOL

41190 .Woodward .AvenueBloomfield .HillsMichigan .48304

248/203.7300www.roeper.org

The Roeper School is an independent

coeducational day school for gifted and talented children

preschool through grade 12 and an equal-opportunity institution

2

KITDavid Feldman

Head of School

OPENING REMARKS

I .love .to .watch .the .faces .of .faculty .during .ceremonies .like .today . .We .each .feel .such .a .deep .investment .in .our .students; .it’s .what .makes .us .good .teachers . .We .often .talk .about .being .educators .who .teach .the .whole .child . .It .is .this .total .investment .in .the .academic, .social .and .emotional .development .of .our .students .that .makes .us .so .successful .and .so .emotionally .connected . .

To .my .colleagues .— .Thank .you .for .your .boundless .energy, .deep .dedication, .and .thoughtful .construction .of .curriculum . .Most .of .all, .thank .you .for .providing .a .nurturing .environment .where .students .can’t .wait .to .arrive, .can’t .stand .to .leave, .and .a .place .where, .as .George .Roeper .told .us, .“Students .find .teachers .who .respect .them .as .individuals, .where .they .are .bound .to .make .mistakes .and .learn .from .them, .where .they .search .for .the .unknown .and .the .unseen ” . .

Family .members, .you .are .a .child’s .first .teachers . .You .are .there .for .the .first .steps, .the .first .words .and .the .first .day .of .school . .A .milestone .like .today .is .only .possible .because .of .the .care .and .nurture .you .provide . .Thank .you .for .sharing .your .children .with .us .and .for .the .opportunity .to .be .a .part .of .your .child’s .personal .narrative . .This .day .is .a .celebration .for .your .whole .family

To .the .Class .of .2013, .thank .you .for .a .magnificent .year! . .It .has .been .a .privilege .to .join .a .community .where .seniors .lead .through .their .actions

As .the .new .Head .of .School, .I .am .often .asked .about .our .philosophy .and .whether .we .are .able .to .continue .to .live .its .core .tenets . .The .guiding .document .left .to .us .by .George .and .Annemarie .is, .after .all, .a .set .of .values .not .just .on .teaching .and .learning, .but .on .living .a .self-aware .and .interdependent .life

There .are .certainly .moments .at .each .stage .and .each .grade .level .that .I .can .point .to .with .clarity .and .certainty .and .say .— .that .is .a .concrete .example .of .our .philosophy .in .action . .However, .in .my .attempt .to .better .internalize .how .we .live .these .important .words .in .an .interconnected .manner, .I .found .myself .in .the .role .of .an .anthropologist .and .spent .a .great .deal .of .time .this .year .attending .performances, .concerts, .games, .presentations, .and .assemblies .I .spoke .with .students, .parents, .faculty .and .alums .in .my .attempt .to .gain .a .deeper .insight .into .how .we .do .what .we .say .we .do . .

It .wasn’t .until .I .watched .the .presentation .last .week .of .your .senior .projects .that .the .light .bulb .in .my .head .flashed, .and .it .all .made .sense .to .me .Watching .you .not .just .talk .about .your .passions, .but .actively .find .a .way .to .live .them .gave .me .an .insight .into .our .founders .and .their .vision .for .our .School

Senior .Projects, .you .see, .truly .are .a .capstone .moment .for .all .of .us .at .Roeper . .In .one .long-term, .self-selected .project, .we .find .the .embodiment .of .the .philosophy . .Student-directed, .focused .on .a .deep .passion, .hands-on .in .nature, .and .most .of .all, .an .experience .that .requires .thoughtful .reflection .of .the .self .and .one’s .role .in .the .larger .community . .This .is .a .moment .when .we .see .our .students .fully .immersed .in .something .that .is .deeply .meaningful .to .them, .and .at .the .same .time, .witness .the .evolution .of .a .maturing .world .citizen .who .will .make .our .community .stronger . .Upper .School .Director .Lisa .Baker .is .absolutely .correct .when .she .says, .“A .project .like .this .could .only .happen .at .a .school .like .Roeper ” . .It .could .only .happen .at .a .place .where .students .have .been .guided, .mentored .and .empowered .to .seek .their .passions .and .use .their .voices

In .his .book .Flow, .the .University .of .Chicago .professor .and .philosopher .Mihály .Csikszentmihályi .talked .about .that .moment .in .our .lives .when .we .are .engaged .in .work .with .such .passion .and .intensity .that .it .is .no .longer .work . .“Flow,” .he .said, .“is .the .mental .state .of .operation .in .which .a .person .performing .an .activity .is .fully .immersed .in .a .feeling .of .energized .focus, .full .involvement, .and .enjoyment .in .the .process .of .the .activity .In .essence, .flow .is .characterized .by .complete .absorption .in .what .one .does ”

It is this total investment in the academic, social and emotional development of our students that makes us so successful and so emotionally connected.

3

Seeing .you .talk .about .your .love .of .writing, .performing, .building, .cooking, .teaching, .mentoring, .and .activism .helped .me .fully .understand .and .concretely .see .what .a .self-actualized .person .really .looks .like . .In .each .of .your .projects .you .discovered, .and .sometimes .rediscovered, .a .critical .part .of .your .identity . .Through .active, .hands-on, .progressive .learning .you .have .had .the .chance .to .explore, .to .find .your .passion, .and .to .experience .“flow ” . .

As .you .prepare .for .the .next .step .in .your .life’s .journey, .I’m .curious .… .What .will .you .do .with .this .insight .into .yourself? . .What .will .you .do .with .this .gift? . .

In .his .book, .The Element, .educator .and .writer .Sir .Kenneth .Robinson .talks .about .how .few .people .he .meets .are .in .careers .that .are .directly .related .to .their .college .studies .“After .college,” .he .says, .“most .people .find .that .they .are .interested .in .other .things .Are .they .happy .in .their .new .choices?” .

“They .are .if .they .are .fulfilling .their .passions,” .Robinson .says, .“The .saddest .thing .to .me .is .seeing .someone .take .a .job .because .it .pays .well .and .then .spend .all .that .money .on .toys .to .cheer .themselves .up .for .being .so .miserable .in .their .jobs .The .people .who .are .doing .what .they .love .hardly .feel .they’re .working .at .all, .just .living ” . .As .the .old .adage .tells .us, .“Find .a .job .you .love .and .you’ll .never .work .another .day .in .your .life ”

Through .your .time .at .Roeper .you .have .gained .a .deeper .knowledge .of .yourself, .and .had .the .opportunity .to .be .in .your .“element ” . . . .

So, .today, .as .you .graduate .from .our .Upper .School, .I .leave .you .with .the .words .of .our .Founder .George .Roeper .who .shared .these .thoughts .with .our .first .graduating .class . .

While I look at you, a thought flashes by: what are you going to be like 10 years from now? You may be married; you will have a job; you may have children. You may have been immensely successful; you may have failed. Regardless, you will have an outlook towards life that is open-minded, progressive, more understanding and accepting of differences among human beings.

You’ll be intolerant of ruthless, inhuman cruelty, and I hope intolerant of violence of any kind. You will feel passionate about justice and rights of the individual and fight injustices, racism, and narrow-minded bigotry. You will not be ignorant and indifferent about these matters. These are vital issues to you, and you know quite well where you stand.

You belong to a generation that is less compromising than the previous one. You are less pragmatic, more idealistic, and more concerned about the world around you. If our school has contributed to this outlook towards life, we will be satisfied and feel the school served an important purpose. Of course, it is taken for granted that we also hope for the full development and use of your talents and capabilities. However, I think this is less predictable than your likely attitudes towards life.

You have learned to relate honestly and naturally to one another, how to express yourself openly and directly, yet with sensitivity and consideration for other persons involved, how to respect the individuality of friend and teacher, how to incorporate in your life new ideas about art, music, dance, social and political issues, poetry and literature.

Maybe these years have given you a sense of community with the school, a sense of having gotten values dear to you, a sense of having had meaningful relationships with friends. If that is so, I cannot see how we can ever forget each other.

Congratulations .Class .of .2013! . .F

… a nurturing

environment where

students can’t wait to arrive, can’t

stand to leave, and a

place where, as George

Roeper told us, “Students find teachers who respect

them as individuals, where they are bound

to make mistakes

and learn from them, where they

search for the unknown

and the unseen.”

4

KITTom Roeper ’61*

the eldest of George and Annemarie’s children

FOUNDERS’ FAMILY MESSAGE

It .is .a .great .pleasure .to .say .a .few .words .to .you .on .behalf .of .my .mother

and .my .father . .They .would .have .been .lifted .by .your .bright .young .

eyes .— .and .you .would .have .been .lifted .by .the .optimism .in .their .

voices . .I’d .like .to .tell .you .a .couple .of .stories .about .the .school . .A .real .

lived .philosophy .— .like .the .Roeper .philosophy .— .should .turn .into .the .

reality .that .stories .reveal

A .friend .of .mine .— .Paul .Bloom .(a .Yale .professor) .— .recently .wrote .

a .rather .wrong-headed .article, .“Against .Empathy,” .in .the .May .issue .

of .The .New Yorker, .claiming .that .empathy .for .individuals .detracted .

from .people’s .awareness .of .large .scale .problems . .(We .quarrel .over .

email .sometimes .— .but .he .is .also .a .supporter .of .my .book, .The Prism

of Grammar, .which .derives .its .moral .perspective .from .the .Roeper .

philosophy )

Paul .Bloom .missed .the .fact .that .empathy .for .larger .causes .with .

millions .of .victims .usually .grows .out .of .empathy .for .individuals . .

My .mother .and .I .were .discussing .— .a .year .ago .— .how .deeply .and .

easily .children .feel .empathy . .It .is .not .something .they .have .to .learn . .

It .was . .the .topic .of .the .last .article .she .was .trying .to .write . .She .told .me .the .story .of .a .four-year-old .child .

who .drowned .at .the .school .in .a .shallow .pond .that .used .to .be .right .here .where .graduation .is .held .— .or .is .

it .somewhere .else .now? . .The .child .just .stayed .behind .after .his .nursery .group .had .looked .for .frogs .— .and .

went .in, .perhaps, .to .look .again . .In .just .a .moment .he .slipped .under .water .in .the .shallow .pool . .I .remember .

that .day .in .1950 .myself .— .looking .out .the .second .grade .window .where .David .Feldman’s .office .now .is, .

seeing .an .ambulance .roll .up .to .the .pond . .

. . . . .

My .mother .was .just .overcome .with .tears .— .before .the .whole .alarmed .school . .She .said .one .person .— .a .

child, .not .a .teacher .— .and .only .one, .a .10-year-old .girl, .who .was .labelled .“retarded” .at .the .time, .came .out .

from .the .crowd .and .put .her .arm .around .my .mother . . .She .was .not .a .“gifted” .child, .but .not .only .her .moral .

instincts, .but .her .sense .of .their .relevance .to .an .older .adult, .was .clearly .present . .She .had .not .yet .learned .

the .so-called .“wisdom” .offered .in .The New Yorker .that .would .lead .us .to .hold .back .our .empathy . .Perhaps .

we .can .all .learn .from .her . . .

As .my .mother .often .said, .a .community .is .for .the .adults .as .well .as .the .children . .Every .person .is .not .only .a .

unique, .partly .unknowable .person, .but .a .person .who .must .decide .for .himself .how .far .he .will .bend .to .social .

norms . .Perhaps .in .the .ultimately .ideal .school .the .rules .would .be .different .for .each .person

. . . . .

Here’s .a .memory .I .have .of .how .important .adult .individual .differences .are .and .how .we .have .to .adjust .

our .empathy .for .each .person . .I .remember .that .my .father .was .irritated .by .and .critical .of .an .assistant .

headmaster .who .would .often .arrive .at .school .10 .minutes .or .so .late . .My .father .felt .the .Headmaster .and .the .

administration .should .be .right .there .when .children .get .off .the .bus

L to R: Tom ’61*, Karen ’66*, Annemarie and Peter ’63* Roeper gathered for a celebration of Founders Day. In the foreground is the commemorative plaque in honor of George.

… empathy for larger causes … usually grows out of empathy for individuals.

5

And .at .the .same .time, .he .always .defended .a .dance .teacher .— .who .the .other .teachers .complained .about .—

because .she .was .habitually .late .from .teaching .her .other .classes .in .the .inner .city . .He .felt .that .these .teacher .

responsibilities .— .and .these .people .— .were .very .different . .Leeway .for .one .person .does .not .imply .laissez-

faire .for .all . .We .should .expect .different .things .from .different .people . . .It .can .be .hard .for .teachers .as .well .as .

students

. . . . . .

That .is .my .posture .toward .undergrads .and .graduate .students .too . .I .explain .my .philosophy .to .them .and .

they .all .accept .it .easily . .My .expectations .for .a .nursery .school .teacher .and .a .computer .scientist .taking

my .class .on .language .acquisition .are .very .different . .I .don’t .grade .them .the .same .way, .and .there .is .nothing .

the .University .of .Massachusetts .can .do .about .it

And .I .remember .at .dinner .my .father .discussed .one .teacher .who .came .to .him .with .a .student .and .explained .

what .the .student .had .done .wrong . .My .father .asked .the .student .to .explain .the .situation, .too .— .and .the .

student .promptly .accused .the .teacher .of .something . .The .teacher .was .then .angry .that .my .father .had .even .

asked .the .student .for .“his .side .of .the .story,” .and .the .teacher .had .felt .that .the .Headmaster .should .just .

support .him . .My .father .felt .that .the .whole .incident .was .not .as .important .as .the .student’s .being .able .to .

represent .himself . .He .told .the .teacher .that .he .was .sure .the .teacher .was .right, .but .something .much .bigger .

was .involved .

I .was .treated .differently .too .— .for .many .reasons .— .as .you .might .imagine . .But .one .experience .was .brought .

to .mind .recently .when .we .had .a .visit .from .a .Roeper .family .a .week .ago . .When .I .was .in .second .grade, .I .had .

the .feeling .that .another .child .who .I .usually .sat .next .to, .Jeff .Broder, .had .all .the .answers .for .our .workbooks, .

so .I .just .copied .his .answers . .It .did .not .seem .wrong .— .it .just .seemed .like .sharing . .And .my .teacher .knew .

it .— .in .fact, .I .think .I .told .her . .This .continued .for .a .whole .year, .and .at .the .beginning .of .the .next .year .— .our .

teacher .moved .up .with .us .— .I .noticed .one .day .that .his .answer .was .wrong, .and .I .told .him, .and .then .I .just .

decided .to .answer .all .the .questions .myself . .And .that .was .that . .My .parents .never .particularly .discussed .it .

either . .It .made .me .aware .of .my .own .capacity .for .growth .and .learning

. . . . . .

Now .suppose .I .had .been .in .a .school .where .I .was .sharply .reprimanded .for .what .I .did? . .(And .just .forget .how .

much .worse .it .would .have .been .because .I .was .the .child .of .the .headmaster!) . .Instead .of .being .given .the

room .to .grow .personally, .I .would .carry .a .little .social .scar .that .I .am .sure .I .would .have .remembered .as .long .

as .I .have .remembered .this .little .story

I .spoke .of .this .with .my .mother .years .later, .and .she .treated .it .as .being .rather .commonplace .and .said .

something .like, .“We .knew .you .were .perfectly .capable, .you .just .needed .to .discover .it .yourself ”

. . . . . .

I .am .sure .my .parents .would .simply .wish .that .each .of .you .continues .to .summon .new .insights .into .

yourselves .from .your .experiences .at .Roeper . .And .I .am .sure .those .insights .will .be .ones .you .can .draw .

upon .for .the .rest .of .your .lives

Because none of the Roepers’ children

was able to attend graduation, Junior

Class Vice President Alyssa Flynn

delivered Tom’s words.

I am sure my parents

would simply wish that

each of you continues to

summon new insights into

yourselves from your

experiences at Roeper.

6

KITMara Jaffe

President,- Class of 2013

SENIOR CLASS FAREwELL

Here .we .are . .All .48 .members .of .the .Class .of .2013 .

We’ve .submitted .our .last .projects .and .papers, .brought .in .our .final .homeroom .snack, .and .

cherished .our .last .free .block . .As .a .group, .we’re .slowly .coming .to .the .realization .that .next .year, .

we .won’t .be .arguing .on .the .grade .Facebook .page .about .what .we .are .going .to .dress .up .as .for .

Spirit .Week .superbonus .or .selling .drinks .at .the .all-school .picnic . .Although .this .is .a .little .sad, .we .

can .maintain .a .sense .of .comfort .in .the .fact .that, .in .my .somewhat .biased .opinion, .we .will .have .left .

Roeper .as .one .of .the .greatest .grades .in .the .school’s .history .

Statistically .speaking, .you .can .see .our .greatness .in .Abe .and .Garrett’s .combined .43 .points .that .

won .district .basketball .finals, .the .15 .members .of .the .class .that .made .it .to .Forensics .States .this .

year, .Connor’s .11’ .10” .record-breaking .pole .vault, .the .six .National .Merit .Scholars .and .the .two .

Spirit .Week .championships .that .each .member .of .the .class .played .a .part .in .earning . .What’s .even .

more .impressive .about .these .achievements .is .that .we .have .an .undeniable .passion .for .everything .

that .we .do . .When .our .musicians .get .on .stage, .you .can .see .and .hear .that .they .aren’t .just .reading .

music .off .of .a .page, .but .they .are .putting .their .entire .hearts .into .what .they .are .playing . .The .same .

goes .for .our .poets, .athletes, .journalists, .dancers, .artists, .debaters, .singers, .actors .and .forensicators .

For .every .activity .that .we .partake .in, .whether .it .be .a .highly-anticipated .game .against .Our .Lady .of .the .Lakes .

or .a .game .of .spoons .on .the .senior .trip, .we .put .the .same .amount .of .energy .and .passion .into .it . .We .aren’t .a .

group .that .decides .to .take .the .easy .way .out . .Whatever .we .do, .it’s .full .steam .ahead .

To .couple .with .this .passion, .our .grade .is .immensely .talented . .This .is .truly .an .unbeatable .combination . .

Our .14 .Senior .Projects .not .only .showed .passion .and .commitment, .but .also .represented .how .talented .our .

grade .really .is . .This .talent .is .visible .in .our .Spirit .Week .banner, .which .took .Brooke .and .her .team .over .100 .

hours .to .complete, .and .it’s .visible .in .every .soccer .goal .scored .and .every .run .of .a .show .performed .

This .group .of .people .not .only .has .an .incredible .range .of .talents .and .passions, .but .we .can .put .all .of .them .

together .to .become .a .truly .cohesive .unit . .We .respect .— .and .are .sometimes .in .awe .of .— .each .other, .and .

we .work .together .to .be .the .best .group .of .people .we .can .be .

Now, .dealing .with .a .group .of .people .this .passionate .and .energetic .is .not .always .an .easy .feat . .And .for .

that, .we .have .to .give .credit .to .our .coaches, .directors, .teachers .and .most .of .all, .our .parents . .These .are .the .

people .that .have .spent .the .past .years .supporting .all .of .our .crazy .endeavors .and .encouraging .our .passions, .

whatever .they .may .be .

It .has .been .an .absolute .honor .to .be .the .President .of .the .Class .of .2013, .and .to .be .able .to .speak .on .their .

behalf .today . .Next .year, .the .48 .of .us .will .be .divided .amongst .three .countries, .13 .states .and .29 .cities .

We .don’t .all .know .what .exactly .we .will .be .doing, .but .we .will .be .headed .in .with .the .same .passion .that’s .

brought .us .so .far .already

we respect — and are sometimes in awe of — each other, and we work together to be the best group of people we can be.

7

Class of 2013

KITINTRODUCING OUR NEwEST ALUMNI

THE ROEPER SCHOOL

Class of 2013

12 3

4

5

6 7

89

1011

1213

14

15 1617

18

1920

21

22

2324

25

26

27

2829

3031 32

3334

35

36

37 38 39

40 41

42

43 44

4546

1 .Alex .Blankenburg . . .2 .Chloe .Rybicki-Kler . . .3 .Morgan .Harrison . . .4 .Zoe .Demko . . .5 .Rosie .DeSantis . . .6 .Kiara .Canales . .

7 .Melanie .Schwarz . . .8 .Erica .Parker . . .9 .Mikayla .Konst . . .10 .Aaron .Bernard . . .11 .Justin .Finkel . . .12 .Kyle .Westphal . .

13 .Taikhoom .Attar . . .14 .Spenser .Solys . . .15 .Claire .Dennis . . .16 .Mara .Jaffe . . .17 .Julie .Pudar . . .18 .Julianne .Walkiewicz . .

19 .Nick .Panourgias . . .20 .Will .Martyka . . .21 .Jack .DeCerchio . . .22 .Tom .Allen . . .23 .Samantha .Heiman . . .24 .Amy .Romano . .

25 .Aaron .Keteyian . . .26 .Christian .White . . .27 .Matt .Wagner . . .28 .Stuart .Crawford . . .29 .Max .Raimi . . .30 .Catherine .Galligan . .

31 .Esohe .Osabuohien . . .32 .Jeremy .Kruman . . .33 .Connor .Sheidler . . .34 .Brooke .Michelson . . .35 .Gabe .Lind . .

36 .Jacob .Dalton . . .37 .Flynn .Drew . . .38 .Garrett .House . . .39 .Austin .Farrow . . .40 .Abrahim .Hashwi . . .41 .David .Veillette . .

42 .James .Murray . . .43 .Max .Gordin . . .44 .Alex .Rossetti . . .45 .Miles .Eddy . . .46 .Dan .Thibodeau . . .47 .Alec .Segel . .

(Not .pictured: .Abena .Stone)

47

8

KITTHE GRADUATES & THEIR PRESENTERS

THE CLASS OF 2013in gradUation ordEr

Relationships are important at Roeper. Each senior chooses the staff member s/he wants to be presented by at commencement. Speeches are factual, humorous and poignant, with words drawn from student records, friends, family and staff members. Historically, George Roeper spoke a few minutes about each gradu-ate, and upon his retirement, the Upper School Director assumed that commitment. As the classes grew larger, it became a daunting task for one person to undertake, so in the mid-’80s a group of five or six teachers was designated by each graduating class from which the seniors could choose. In the early ’90s the choice was widened to include any current or former staff member. It is considered an honor to be invited to present.

Graduation order is determined by the student’s length of time at The Roeper School. The newest student to Roeper graduates first; and the student who has attended the longest is presented last.

graduate (# = position in class photo, page 7) presenter

MElaniE Sophia Schwarz (7) Susannah nichols

KylE lEE wEStphal (12) Syd plotkin

JUlia MariE pUdar (17) linda vernon

cathErinE roSE raMona dESantiS (5) dan Jacobs

aUStin MontgoMEry Farrow (39) Jamie Benigna

JUStin MoShE FinKEl (11) Sharon carter

aBrahiM MUhaMMad haShwi (40) reanne young

ESohE chEriSE oSaBUohiEn (31) Eulalia Ferrer

ann aBEna StonE ttari hellmer

MaxwEll aShEr raiMi (29) Michal Mcconville

MatthEw lUcaS wagnEr 27) linda vernon

StUart KEnnEth grant crawFord (28) dan Jacobs

JacK williaM decErchio (21) Karen Johnson

Morgan MariE harriSon (3) Susannah nichols

SpEnSEr StEpaS SolyS (14) dennis King

taiKhooM FaKhrUddin attar (13) Sharon carter

aaron lEv BErnard (10) dan Jacobs

Kiara SiMonE canalES (6) reanne young

JErEMy ryan KrUMan (32) laura panek

williaM roBErt MartyKa (20) Jamie Benigna

JacK tEh-lUEn MUrray (42) Ed Bergonzi

nicholaS gEorgE panoUrgiaS (19) Karen Johnson

JacoB rayMond dalton (36) andrew Brock

thoMaS FranciS allEn (22) Mike ruddy

garrEtt alExandEr hoUSE (38) Jamie Benigna

alEx MatthEw roSSEtti (44) Karen Johnson

Erica JanEllE parKEr (8) Karen Johnson

MilES JaMES Eddy (45) Jason Mcintosh

alEc StUart SEgEl (47) Jason Mcintosh

Flynn MarKhaM drEw (37) Karen Johnson

cathErinE annE galligan (30) christina Miceli

MiKayla SUE KonSt (9) andrew Brock

BrooKE Sarah MichElSon (34) Susannah nichols

alExandra loUiSE BlanKEnBUrg (1) christina Miceli

aaron roBErt KEtEyian (25) Jason Mcintosh

Max BUrton gordin (43) andrew Brock

Mara aliSSa JaFFE (16) christina Miceli

gaBriEl lUKE lind (35) Eulalia Ferrer

chloE iSaBElla ryBicKi-KlEr (2) colleen potocki

JUliannE lainE walKiEwicz (18) Michelle Stamler

connor williaM ShEidlEr (33 Ed Bergonzi

zoE o dEMKo (4) Mary Kay glazek

clairE EllEn dEnniS (15) linda vernon

SaMantha lynn hEiMan (23) Jamie Benigna

aMy MichEllE roMano (24) Jarie ruddy

daniEl Jay thiBodEaU (46) christina Miceli

david JaMES vEillEttE (41) lisa Baker

chriStian andrEw clarK whitE (26) Jason Mcintosh

9

KITSENIOR PROFILES

Katie BuchmannEditors

MELANIE SOPHIA SCHwARZ, host .daughter .of .Sandra .and .Robert .Johnson .of .Novi, .Melanie .attended .Roeper .for .one .year . .Prior .to .coming .to .Michigan, .she .lived .in .Greece .for .12 .years .before .returning .to .her .native .Switzerland . .She .is .conversant .in .five .languages . .

Emotion, .empathy .and .humor .can .often .be .lost .in .translation, .but .not .for .Mel . .Esohe .says .one .of .her .favorite .things .about .Melanie .is .that .she .is .“always .ready .with .a .sassy .comeback .when .you .least .expect .it,” .and .host .sister .Sammiey .says .that .Melanie .“is .one .of .the .kindest .hearts .I’ve .ever .met . .She .is .genuinely .concerned .with .how .people .are .feeling ” . .Melanie’s .generous .spirit .has .made .her .beloved, .and .her .temerity .has .made .her .admired . .A .seasoned .snowboarder .back .in .Europe, .Melanie .immediately .put .her .athleticism .to .use .on .the .volleyball .and .soccer .teams .and .became .one .of .the .best .archers .in .the .history .of .Ed .Sack’s .class . .In .a .recent .essay .for .Expository .Writing, .Melanie .reflected .on .her .year .here: .“I .have .never .understood .the .concept .of .national .pride . .When .I .lived .in .Greece, .I .was .Swiss, .in .Switzerland, .I’m .Greek, .and .here .I’m .foreign . .I .don’t .think .somewhere .I’m .born .is .something .I .should .be .proud .of . .I .am .proud .of .doing .this, .proud .of .the .people .who .made .it .possible, .thankful .of .the .country .to .be .hosting .me . .I .am .not .foreign .anymore . .I’m .always .home ”

Thank you so much for choosing me to attend Roeper for my exchange year. It was a unique experience I would not want to change. It was an awesome year!

KYLE wESTPHAL, son .of .Lisa .and .Ed .Sack, .attended .Roeper .for .two .years . .Kyle .transferred .to .Roeper .for .the .second .semester .of .his .junior .year . .He .wanted .to .be .where .students .were .more .serious .about .their .learning . .In .his .presentation .speech .Sydnie .Plotkin .stated, .“During .your .time .at .Roeper, .you .have .been .a .role-model .for .many .Middle .

School .students .in .the .Resource .Room . .When .the .Middle .Schoolers .would .become .fidgety, .you .would .give .me .a .look .that .said, .‘It .will .be .okay, .the .block .is .almost .over’ .and .a .warm .smile . .You .were .so .patient, .kind .and .respectful .when .you .were .helping .students .with .questions . .Not .surprising, .when .you .volunteered .at .a .Clawson .facility .for .children .with .Autism, .you .received .commendations .for .your . .“exceptional . .work ” . . .Kyle .plans .to .attend .Oakland .Community .College .next .fall, .and .then .transfer .to .Michigan .State .University .or .Oakland .University . . .

Thanks for putting in all the time you did to improve my education. The teachers I had along the way were by far the best that I ever had in comparison to public school. The improved education I received from Roeper I feel has better prepared me for my future endeavors and has helped me be able to give presentations with confidence ...

JULIA MARIE PUdAR, daughter .of .Nick .and .Pam .Pudar .of .Farmington .Hills .and .sister .of .Jim .’10, .attended .Roeper .for .three .years . .The .summer .before .her .sophomore .year, .Julie .made .one .of .the .hardest .decisions .of .her .life .when .she .elected .to .leave .her .many .friends .and .teammates .and .come .to .Roeper . .“That .she .was .living .the .dream .at .Mercy .and .was .willing .to .change .

everything .for .the .hope .of .more .challenge .and .personal .growth .is .something .I .find .incredibly .admirable,” .English .teacher .and .coach .Susannah .Nichols .says . .Not .surprisingly, .Julie .has .made .the .most .of .her .experience .here . .“She .lives .her .life .with .a .purpose,” .Susannah .says . .Julie’s .dedication .to .her .studies .and .her .dedication .to .her .family .impresses .all . .Few .students .match .Julie’s .natural .leadership .and .talent .in .athletics . .A .valuable .member .of .the .Varsity .Soccer .team, .Julie .was .elected .Co-Captain .by .her .Varsity .Volleyball .and .Basketball .teammates, .and .earned .First .Team .All-Conference .honors, .as .well .as .being .named .to .the .Academic .All-State .Basketball .Team . .Coach .Ernie .Righetti .says .he .could .not .have .asked .for .a .better .

Melanie … makes

everything fun.

Kyle … handles

himself with grace.

Julie … talented beyond

belief.

10

team .player . .Mara .adds, .“Julie .would .pass .up .the .game-winning .shot .if .a .teammate .had .a .better .shot ” . .Julie .will .attend .the .University .of .Michigan .Honors .College .in .the .fall

Thank you to all the teachers and friends who made, and will continue to make, being a part of the Roeper community such a great experience.

CATHERINE ROSE RAMONA dESANTIS,daughter .of .Maggie .Desantis .of .Detroit .and .Rudy .Bryant .of .Mullens, .SC, .Rosie .attended .Roeper .for .four .years . .As .Mikayla .Konst .says: .“Rosie .is .genuine; .she .sees .the .world .how .it .really .is . .Unless .she’s .making .plans . .And .then .she .sees .the .world .how .she .wants .it .to .be . .The .world .becomes .this .place .where .the .laws .of .physics .are .suspended, .and .she .can .get .from .Roeper .to .downtown .Detroit .in .negative .15 .minutes ” . .Her .other .friends .say .that .Rosie’s .head .is .so .full .of .intellect, .community .service .projects, .acting .and .swing .dancing .that .sometimes .there’s .no .room .for .organization . .In .packing .for .the .Mackinac .trip, .for .example, .one .student .reported .that .Rosie’s .clothes .were .distributed .across .four .different .hotel .rooms . .Dan .Jacobs .explains, .“Ultimately, .everything .in .Rosie .seems .to .be .geared .for .forming .or .joining .up .with .groups .to .make .the .world .a .bit .— .or .a .whole .bunch .— .better ” . .She .works .with .community .theater, .interns .with .different .non-profits, .and .has .been .a .strong .presence .in .Roeper’s .choir, .forensics, .and .theatre . .She’s .had .some .tough .lessons .when .it .comes .to .trusting .others .to .join .her, .even .in .projects .that .directly .benefit .them . .Rosie .put .it .best .when .she .said .in .her .senior .presentation, .“I .can’t .be .a .community .group .all .by .myself ” . .

Boy, how the time flies. Roeper, thanks for giving me the standard I’ll hold for the rest of my life for the meaning of “community,” as well as how to be a part of one. I can think of few more valuable things I’ve had ingrained in me so far.

AUSTIN MONTGOMERY FARROwAustin, .son .of .Winston .Farrow .of .Detroit .and .Regina .Farrow .of .Highland .Park, .and .brother .of .Tori .’14, .attended .Roeper .for .four .years . .Linda .Vernon .stated, .“Austin .is .a .person .who .understands .how .to .seize .

opportunity . .When .given .a .multitude .of .choices, .Austin .refuses .to .pick .only .one . .In .trying .to .set .up .his .senior .schedule, .Austin .had .picked .no .fewer .than .12 .classes, .despite .having .only .eight .blocks .in .a .day . .And .Austin .doesn’t .limit .his .opportunities .to .those .that .occur .during .the .school .day . .A .short .list: . .basketball, .cross .country, .Black .Student .Union, .choir, .theatre, .debate, .forensics, .and .who .can .forget .his .stint .as .the .morning .news .broadcaster .on .the .senior .trip? . .For .Austin, .being .involved .is .not .about .building .a .resume; .it’s .about .doing .your .best . .This .is .the .guy .who .spent .his .free .blocks .illustrating .a .sign .that .said, .‘Let’s .all .work .harder .in .school,’ .and .hung .it .up .in .the .math .hallway . .This .is .the .young .man .who .gushed .and .gleamed .after .completing .his .semifinal .performance .at .the .State .Forensics .tournament .this .year, .but .not .for .the .reason .most .people .would .expect . .Austin .was .absolutely .enthralled .that .he .had .given .the .BEST .speech .of .his .life .that .day . .He .was .not .concerned .with .placement .or .winning; .Austin .cares .only .about .doing .his .absolute .best .in .everything .that .he .attempts . .And .given .Austin’s .track .record, .there’s .always .something .new .to .attempt . .Our .world .would .be .a .better .place .if .more .people .possessed .Austin’s .flexibility .of .mind, .willingness .to .listen, .and .graciousness ”

I thank God for Roeper, and I encourage all students to really get to know the philosophy.

Rosie … sees the world how she wants it to be.

Austin … thoughtful, caring, genuine, and sincere.

11

Speak with individuals like Emery who can tell you a descrip tion of it that never gets old. Then challenge yourself to apply this philosophy to Every Part of Your Life.

JUSTIN MOSHE FINKEL, son .of .Amy .Good .and .David .Finkel .of .Detroit .and .brother .of .Roeper .alumna .Ann .’11, .attended .Roeper .for .four .years . .In .the .never-ending .pursuit .of .perfection, .Justin .started .juggling .and .riding .a .unicycle .in .the .fourth .grade .He .kept .rolling .with .it .He .joined .a .juggling .club .and .started .to .win .juggling .contests .hands-down .Justin .became .a .hero .by .winning .Spirit .Week .for .the .freshman .class .by .juggling .during .karaoke . .He .won .the .Roeper .Benefit .Talent .Show .several .years .ago .with .a .moving .juggling .performance . .Humble .Justin .then .discreetly .donated .his .winnings .back .to .Alternatives .for .Girls, .the .Detroit .nonprofit .founded .by .his .mother . .Justin .continues .to .volunteer .and .help .others . .Justin .came .to .Roeper .in .9th .grade .When .he .first .started, .he .was .like .a .“shy .bat” .— .he .kept .to .himself .and .stayed .under .the .radar . .Justin .has .become .much .more .outgoing .while .establishing .himself .as .an .exceptional .student . .He .often .goes .above .and .beyond .the .required .work .and .spends .much .of .his .free .time .reading .articles .and .proofs .on .topics .of .interest . .As .Jamie .Lyons-Eddy .said, .“Conversations .with .Justin .are .like .talking .with .a .colleague ” . .In .class, .Justin .was .often .many .steps .ahead, .practically .reinventing .calculus . .He .would .ask .deep .and .intriguing .questions .Jamie .Benigna .said, .”Justin .does .not .settle .for .superficial .answers; .he .wants .to .know .how .it .really .works, .from .the .most .fundamental .laws .of .nature .upward ” . .His .

friends .say .Justin .sets .the .bar .high, .knows .how .to .wreck .a .curve .and .always .goes .the .extra .mile .Speaking .of .which, .Justin .is .an .exceptional .cross .country .runner . .He’s .so .dedicated .to .running .that .he .awoke .at .5am .during .the .senior .trip .just .to .run . .Justin .will .be .attending .Washington .University .St .Louis .to .study .physics . .He .is .interested .in .earth .science .and .climatology . .He .hopes .to .become .a .researcher, .engineer .and .physicist

Roeper, I owe my identity to you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to create myself these past four years. I will never lose the gifts I’ve received or the friendships I’ve made here. I promise to never be a stranger. Thanks for the experience of a lifetime!

AbRAHIM MUHAMMAd HASHwI,son .of .Randa .Hashwi .and .Muhammad .Hashwi .of .Dearborn, .and .brother .of .ninth .grader .Maha, .attended .Roeper .for .four .years . .Linda .Vernon .states, .“Abe, .as .he .is .called .by .his .friends, .will .tell .you .that .he .initially .did .not .want .to .come .to .Roeper; .but .he .chose .Roeper .because .he .wanted .to .play .basketball; .when .he .got .here .he .found .much .more .than .sports .— .he .found .that .hard .work .pays .off; .he .learned .how .to .be .a .good .student .and .found .lifelong .friends ” . .The .transition .into .Roeper .was .not .an .easy .one . .After .his .first .semester, .it .was .suggested .that .he .start .as .an .8th .grader .because .the .transition .would .be .“easier” .as .he’s .a .year .younger .than .his .peers . .After .hearing .this, .Abe .said, .“I .won’t .go .to .school .then ” . .A .deal .was .struck: .buckle .down, .do .your .work, .no .goofing .around, .and .you’ll .stay .a .9th .grader . .He .refocused .and .got .it .done . .Abrahim .is .a .very .sensitive .young .man .— .those .sensitivities .are .hidden .by .his .humor, .his .athleticism .and .his .special .dancing .skills . .Before .he .learned .the .rules .of .basketball, .mom .Randa .shared .that .Abrahim .was .offended .when .an .opponent .tried .to .“steal” .the .ball .from .him . .He .felt .that .he .deserved .an .apology .because .it’s .rude .to .take .things .that .are .not .yours . .Will .describes .Abe .as .a .really .great .guy .who .has .your .back . .He .admires .Abe’s .athleticism .and .even .recounted .getting .smoked .by .Abe .in .boxing . .Abe .will .major .

Justin… deep

concern for others,

a remarkable brilliance,

and an exceptional passion for

learning.

Abe … the kind

of person who will

make the best of any

situation.

12

in .Physical .Therapy .at .Michigan .State .University .To .his .mom .and .dad, .Abrahim .says, .“Thank .you .for .‘forcing’ .me .to .go .to .Roeper!”

Roeper has of fered me so many opportunities that I was grateful to accept openly.

ESOHE CHERISE OSAbUOHIEN, daughter .of .Marilyn .Osabuohien .of .Detroit .and .Dennis .Osabuohien, .attended .Roeper .for .four .years . .Eulalia .Ferrer .states, .“Esohe .was .

born .a .philosopher .and .has .become .an .amazing .human .being . .Few .people .know .that .in .7th .grade, .that .age .where .social .relations .are .so .important, .she .endured .multiple .hip .and .leg .surgeries, .stopped .playing .soccer, .and .had .to .be .home .schooled . .She .overcame .this .adversity .and .learned .patience . .Esohe .had .several .more .surgeries .in .high .school, .and .through .it .all .she .was .responsible .and .made .up .work .expediently ” . .Eulalia .is .not .the .only .one .with .tremendous .respect .and .admiration .for .Esohe . .These .are .some . .adjectives .that .teachers, .friends .and .family .use .to .describe .her: .calm, .positive, .analitical, .caring, .compasionate, .mature, .conscientious, .focused, .determined . .She .possesses .an .impressive .work .ethic . .Jamie .Lyons-Eddy .says, .“I .can’t .think .of .another .student .who .matches .her .maturity, .grace, .determination .and .self-discipline ” . . .Her .friend .Rosie .says, .“What .makes .Esohe .unique .is .that .Esohe .is .Esohe .no .matter .what .is .going .on .around .her . .Esohe .is .a .cool .drink .of .water, .if .I .ever .met .one . .She .is .my .personal .human .stress .reliever . .Between .being .ridiculously .caring .and .just .her .aura .of .chill, .she .deserves .her .own .luxury .vacation .commercial: .‘Relax . .Forget .your .troubles . .Come .to .Esohe,’” .it .would .say . .Esohe .plans .to .study .neuroscience .and .theater .at .the .University .of .Michigan

Thank you, Roeper, for these past four years. The amount of friendships, bonds and lessons that I have learned and accumulated will always be with me wherever I go.

ANN AbENA STONE is .the .daughter .of .Mark .Stone .of .Keego .Harbor . .Ttari .explains, .“Abena .is .a .poet, .a .sculptor, .a .painter, .an .actor, .a .playwright .and .a .lyricist . .Her .talents .are .limited .only .by .her .interests . .But, .as .Rosie .said, .‘Her .greatest .talent .is .just .in .being .human . .She .couldn’t .judge .anyone .to .save .herself ’” . .Abena .is .compelled .to .think .the .best .of .everyone .and .even .when .they .let .her .down, .she .refuses .to .let .that .be .the .impression .she .takes .away . .She .just .chalks .it .up .to .another .wonderful .learning .experience . .Egyriba .describes .Abena’s .“deeply .feeling .heart” .and .said .that .she .has .a .“curiosity .steeped .in .innocence .at .the .very .heart .of .her ” . .Abena .has .admittedly .learned .many .things .about .herself .over .the .last .couple .of .years . .She .has .learned .that .she .can .make .people .laugh .with .her .portrayals .on .stage, .but .that .acting .is .not .her .passion . .She .was .acclaimed .recently .for .her .slam .poetry, .but .poetry .is .not .her .passion . .She .brought .the .house .down .on .with .her .Senior .Project .play, .The Roomba Bomb, .but .playwriting .is .not .her .passion . .Her .play’s .theme .was .communication, .and .she .is .deeply .interested .in .communication .and .the .ways .that .people .communicate .because .she .is .deeply .interested .in .people . .Next .year, .Abena .plans .to .attend .Oakland .University .to .study .linguistics

Hi, Friends — Stay cool and don’t forget to breathe. Love, Abena . .

Esohe…will attain whatever goal she sets for herself.

Abena … the best at … being a person.

13

MAxwELL ASHER RAIMI is .the .son .of .Kyle .Raimi .of .Farmington .Hills . .For .five .years .at .Roeper .Max .has .been .dazzling .us .with .magic .tricks, .incredible .performances, .and .hilarious .films, .but .even .off .the .stage, .everyone .knows .that .Max .is .pure .magic . .Max .has .an .energy .about .him .that .has .no .bounds; .he .is .quick .and .ready .to .make .a .joke .at .any .given .moment .His .friend .Jacob .says .that .he .“would .never .let .a .good .joke .go . .Like .one .day .in .French .when .we .were .talking .about .hunting .for .truffles .in .the .woods, .Max .broke .out .with, .‘Everyday .I’m .trufflin’ ” . .He .is .entertaining, .can .create .a .pun .in .a .second .flat, .and .is .almost .effervescent .with .his .enthusiasm .for .life . .Because .of .his .imagination, .Max .is .sometimes .accused .of .being .“oblivious” .when .he .is .lost .inside .his .head, .but .if .you .have .ever .read .one .of .Max’s .amazing .stories .or .publications .in .The Muse .magazine, .you .know .why .he .spends .so .much .time .up .there . .Magical .forests, .singing .during .the .apocalypse, .and .alter .egos .like .Francis .Zorange .are .all .a .daily .occurrence .for .Max . .Films .and .poems .are .second .nature .to .him . .This .year, .we .got .to .see .him .step .in .front .of .the .audience .in .a .lead .role .in .Rumors, .which .showed .that .he .transitions .easily .between .creating .characters .of .his .own .and .embodying .well-known .characters .on .the .stage .With .his .signature .straight .face .and .his .irresistible .comedic .timing, .he .kept .the .crowd .in .stitches .throughout .the .night . .Max .will .go .on .to .study .filmmaking .at .Columbia .College .in .Chicago

Everyone at Roeper has helped me become the person I am. Every teacher, every student, alumni, and faculty have either directly or indirectly helped me grow as a person and I thank everyone for that with all of my heart. Roeper is, and will always be my favorite place in Michigan.

MATTHEw LUCAS wAGNER, son .of .Skip .and .Sharon .Wagner .of .Troy, .attended .Roeper .for .five .years . .Linda .Vernon .states, .“Matt .Wagner .

is .a .truck-drivin’, .country .music-lovin’, .cowboy .boot-wearin’ .gentleman .and .a .scholar .… .with .a .little .‘ogre’ .thrown .in .for .good .measure ” . .Matt .made .a .great .impression .when .he .first .came .to .Roeper .as .a .third .grader . .“He .had .a .big .smile .on .his .face, .and .gave .me .a .sturdy .handshake . .He .is .a .delightful .young .man,” .teacher .Susie .Small .said . .A .third .generation .Eagle .Scout, .Matt .continues .to .be .part .of .the .organization, .working .at .a .local .scout .shop .after .school .and .serving .as .a .summer .camp .counselor . .He .could .not .be .a .better .role .model . . .Chinese .teacher .Lily .Zhu .says .that .Matt .shovels .the .snow .off .the .driveways .for .many .senior .citizens .in .her .subdivision, .while .English .teacher .Susannah .Nichols .loves .that .Matt . .volunteers .his .time .as .a .mechanic .to .work .on .cars .for .single .mothers . . .Matt .claims .that .his .willingness .to .help .is .partly .due .to .his .“ogre-ness ” .“I .use .my .strength .and .ability .to .do .good,” .he .says . .Matt .is .always .ready .to .help, .and .always .ready .to .learn . .“Meticulously .organized .and .task-oriented, .Matt .has .all .the .ingredients .for .success .— .curiosity, .hard .work, .intelligence .and .perseverance .— .and .it .shows,” .Math .teacher .Sharon .Carter .wrote . .Matt .loves .how .things .work .and .building .things . .For .his .senior .project .Matt .elected .to .restore .a .16’ .sailboat .and .trailer . .“I .think .he .is .an .extremely .resourceful .guy .— .I’m .

always .learning .new .things .from .him,” .David .Veillette .says . .Matt .will .be .attending .the .University .of .Wyoming .to .major .in .agricultural .business .and .mechanical .engineering .this .fall

Thank you, Roeper, you have sent me of f to do better and greater things.

STUART KENNETH GRANT CRAwFORd,son .of .Lisa .Crawford .of .Bloomfield .Hills .and .the .late .David .Crawford, .and .brother .of .former .student .Cameron .and .9th .grader .Madeline, .attended .Roeper .for .six .years . .In .his .application .to .enter .

Max … a knight in

shining armor who holds

chivalry as the

highest law.

Matt … loyal, kind, incredibly

polite, honest, supportive,

compassionate

Stu … it’s impossible

to dislike him.

14

Roeper .at .the .age .of .five, .Stu’s .mother .Lisa .wrote, .“He .sees .everyone .he .meets, .child .or .adult, .as .a .potential .friend . .Within .five .minutes, .he .invariably .asks, .’Will .you .be .my .friend?’” . .Dan .Jacobs .explains, .”This .was .the .Stu .I .remembered .— .the .friendly .little .fellow .with .the .long .hair .and .trucker’s .cap . .And .so, .when .he .reappeared .this .year, .and .I .found .he .was .pretty .much .the .same .— .only .a .bit .taller .— .I .thought .the .only .logical .conclusion .was .that .Stu .had .been .cryogenically .suspended .at .the .age .of .nine ” . .Ethan .Rosenberg .says, .“He’s .too .darned .nice .for .his .own .good “ . .Stu .has .an .established .history .of .lying .and .subterfuge . .He .loved .coming .to .the .Upper .School .with .his .dad, .the .late .Dave .Crawford, .former .Roeper .teacher .“I .used .to .lie,” .Stuart .explains, .“and .say .I .was .sick .so .I .could .come .into .work .with .my .dad . .I .remember .walking .around .with .him .a .lot ” . .He .says .that . .Roeper .has .always .felt .like .home .for .him . .According .to .witness .Miles .Eddy, .“Back .in .Stage .IV .Stu .had .a .vast .comic .distribution .network . .People .didn’t .know .who .he .was, .but .they .knew .his .comics ” . . .Stu’s .art .distribution .system .is .alive .and .well, .with .some .very .impressive .pieces .on .display .in .the .art .hallway .and .in .the .2013 .Muse . .Stu .plans .to .study .art .and .illustration .at .Columbia .Chicago .or .at .CCS

Life is a series of events, both good and bad. No matter how deft your organizational skills, there will always be life-influencing factors over which you may have no control. But no matter what, I know that I will be able to rise to the occasion because of the values Roeper has instilled in me. “Farewell, Farewell ... Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodbye till we meet tomorrow” — Shakespeare

JACK wILLIAM deCERCHIO, son .of .Mickey .Guisewite .and .Jack .DeCerchio .of .Bloomfield .and .brother .of .sixth .grader .Mia, .attended .Roeper .for .seven .years . .Jack’s .friends .describe .him .as .funny, .a .

wild .card, .eccentric, .and .spontaneous .— .they .unanimously .agree .that .if .Jack .had .a .theme .song .that .played .every .time .he .walked .into .a .room, .it .would .be .Thunderstruck .by .AC/DC . .Karen .Johnson .stated .that .his .penchant .for .the .absurd, .his .vivid .imagination, .and .his .all-around .ebullience .can .mask .the .fact .that .he .is .probably .one .of .the .hardest .working .individuals .she .knows . .He .has .doggedly .applied .himself .in .his .studies .over .the .years .even .and .especially .when .the .going .was .tough . .This .utter .tenacity .and .unshakable .will .to .not .just .endure, .but .to .thrive, .speaks .volumes .about .his .spirit . .As .Jamie .Lyons-Eddy .explained, .in .math .this .year, .she .simply .could .not .ask .for .more .from .a .student .— .he .knows .himself .as .a .learner, .and .he .is .self-disciplined . .These .are .sentiments .that .all .his .teachers .can .affirm: .Jack .has .this .drive .to .continually .grow .as .a .student .and .to .make .things .happen . .Last .summer, .Jack .dressed .up .as .the .amazing .Spiderman, .entertaining .a .group .of .gravely .ill .children .at .a .screening .of .the .movie . .That .costume .could .not .have .been .comfortable, .but .then .again, .it .really .wasn’t .about .him .— .it .was .a .selfless .act .to .bring .joy .to .others . .Ed .Sack .notes .that .he .is .a .model .for .sportsmanship .and .cooperation, .and .while .one .would .question .the .nutritional .value .of .some .of .the .snacks .he .brought .to .homeroom .this .year, .he .nonetheless .of .his .own .volition .brought .something .to .share .with .everyone . .In .the .fall, .Jack .will .be .attending .American .University .in .Washington, .DC

I’ve gotten an incredible education at Roeper. I’m extremely grateful to all of the teachers who have been there for me. I’m also grateful for all of the amazing friends I’ve made.

MORGAN MARIE HARRISON, daughter .of .Mark .and .Tamara .Harrison .of .Pontiac, .attended .Roeper .for .six .years . .Morgan .has .a .voice .just .about .everyone .at .Roeper .can .recognize, .and .not .just .because .she .never .stops .talking . .It’s .a .voice .that .makes .others .stop .and .listen .— .because .she .has .something .important .to .say; .because .she .cares .about .who .she .is .speaking .to; .and .because .she .is .so .pleasant .to .listen .to . .When .asked .to .

Jack ….compassion and thoughtfulness only enhance his positive energy.

Morgan …lights up the world like nobody else.

15

describe .Morgan, .friends .couldn’t .come .up .with .enough .superlatives .to .describe .her .warmth .and .sweetness .Morgan .radiates .energy, .charisma .and .humor, .and .it’s .impossible .not .to .love .someone .who .exudes .so .much .love .herself . .“She .wants .to .get .to .know .people .below .the .surface,” .shares .Mara .Jaffe, .“She .wants .to .really .know .their .stories ” . .In .the .words .of .Jamie .Lyons-Eddy, .“She .flashes .that .gorgeous .smile .so .many .times .a .day .for .a .million .reasons, .ranging .from .trying .to .get .out .of .trouble .to .trying .to .stir .some .up, .but .in .between .those .extremes .is .a .person .who .really .loves .people ” . .Morgan’s .voice .isn’t .all .bubbles .and .high .notes: .there’s .a .poise .to .her .words .as .well .Mary .Kay .Glazek .recalls .a .day .in .Shakespeare .— .a .class .Morgan .had .been .dubious .about .taking .— .when .she .posed .a .particularly .thorny .question .to .the .class . .The .class .sat .stupefied, .not .sure .what .to .make .of .the .complicated .language .and .layers .of .meaning, .but .it .was .Morgan .who .untangled .the .difficult .passage .with .poise .and .grace . .This .year, .Abha .Dearing .has .celebrated .Morgan’s .ability .to .use .a .new .understanding .of .breath .and .technique .to .use .her .“whole .voice,” .which .“allowed .Morgan .to .share .more .of .what .is .in .her .heart ” . .Already .boasting .a .resume .that .includes .voiceovers, .commercials, .print .work, .and .an .upcoming .appearance .on .an .AMC .drama, .Morgan .heads .to .Central .Michigan .this .fall .to .continue .to .pursue .her .dreams .of .stardom

Roeper will always hold the greatest memories of my childhood. I have had more fun within these walls, and with these people then any other place. Roeper has been such a large part of my life, and it’s going to be very hard to let it go.

SPENSER STEPAS SOLYS, son .of .the .late .Steven .Solys .and .Julie .Frost .of .Northville, .and .brother .of .sophomore .Chase, .attended .Roeper .for .six .years . .When .Spenser .first .came .to .Roeper, .he .was .passionate .about .physics .and .math . .He .was .very .curious .to .find .out .how .things .worked .and .why . .Through .the .years .his .passions .have .changed .somewhat . .After .having .Jill .Graf .as .a .teacher, .he .wanted .to .be .a .forensic .anthropologist . .Once .Spenser .started .taking .Latin .under .Karen .Johnson, .Spenser .became .so .interested .in .Latin .that .

he .began .to .put .together .a .vision .for .writing .a .computer .program .that .could .conjugate .Latin .verbs .in .their .entirety . .Spenser .coexists .both .as .a .

nerd .and .as .a .jock . .When .you .look .at .him .in .an .academic .setting, .he .is .definitely .a .nerd . .Spenser .and .his .partner .earned .the .highest .score .on .the .Six .Solution .Lab .Puzzle, .where .they .designed .a .procedure .to .identify .six .unknown .solutions .in .the .fewest .steps .possible . .On .the .other .hand, .when .you .see .him .in .the .athletic .arena, .his .nerd .function .collapses, .and .he .is .definitely .a .jock . .He .tried .out .for .track .in .his .junior .year .and .set .the .school .record .for .the .100 .meter .dash . .His .exploits .on .the .soccer .field .are .almost .legendary . .Facing .the .#1 .team .in .the .state .and .down .3-0 .with .six .minutes .remaining, .Spenser .scored .three .goals .to .tie .the .score .at .the .end .of .regulation .and .then .assisted .David .Veilette .for .the .game-winning .goal .45 .seconds .into .overtime . .He .has .set .the .school .record .in .soccer, .scoring .31 .goals .in .a .single .season . .One .thing .we .know .for .sure .is .that .he .is .passionate .about .everything .he .does . .He .will .be .going .to .Rose-Hulman .Institute .of .Technology .in .the .fall .and .will .be .working .toward .a .double .major .in .Computer .Science .and .Software .Engineering . .

I’d like to thank the Roeper community for allowing me to become the person I am today. At public high school I would not have been given the freedom to choose my classes and truly find what I was passionate about.

TAIKHOOM FAKHRUddIN ATTAR, son .of .Fakhruddin .and .Farida .Attar .of .Farmington .Hills, .attended .Roeper .for .seven .years . .Sharon .Carter .states, .“Children .are .often .cast .into .a .mold .from .early .on .and .feel .obliged .to .stay .within .those .expectations .Taikhoom .has .changed .his .identity .many .times .This .is .a .very .healthy .approach .to .life . .Learn .

from .your .mistakes, .and .don’t .be .afraid .to .change .your .goals .and .dreams . .Like .myself, .Taikhoom .was .born .in .Brooklyn, .New .York . .As .a .little .kid .Taikhoom .caught .wild .animals .such .as .frogs .and .had .an .aquarium .as .a .family .hobby . .Taikhoom .came .to .Roeper .in .6th .grade . .He .has .been .involved .in .Robotics .since .he .was .10 .years .old . .In .1999 .Taikhoom .got .his .first .computer .— .I .wonder .if .his .parents .regret .that .now! . .Taikhoom .spends .

Spenser … leading a nerd

and jock coexistence.

taikhoom …may

the Force always

be with you.

16

most .of .his .time .doing .Robotics, .administering .his .computer .servers, .building, .playing .Mine Craft and .‘trying .to .make .something .do .what .it .was .not .designed .to .do!’” . .Friends .describe .him .as .talkative, .curious, .outgoing, .funny, .kind-hearted .and .religious . .On .a .spiritual .level, .Shia .Islam .is .an .integral .part .of .Taikhoom .and .his .family . .They .make .the .pilgrimage .to .India .every .year . .Or .as .his .friend, .Jeremy .said, .“Taikhoom .goes .Mumbai- .bye!” . .Taikhoom .has .felt .very .accepted .at .Roeper .and .is .comfortable .wearing .T-shirts, .his .prayer .shawl .or .his .light .saber .with .Star .Wars .cape .to .school . .It .is .no .surprise .that .Taikhoom’s .favorite .books .are .science .fiction .fantasy, .and .his .favorite .movie .is .Star Wars VI, the Return of the Jedi . .Karen .Johnson .said, .“Star Wars .is .woven .into .the .fabric .of .how .Taikhoom .thinks .about .and .interacts .with .the .world ” . .This .fall, .Taikhoom .will .begin .studying .computer .engineering, .at .Rochester .Institute .of .Technology . .His .current .ultimate .goal .is .to .invent .a .new .kind .of .computer .system

Goodbye Roeper, thanks for the life skills and great memories.

AARON LEV bERNARd, son .of .Dennis .and .Hadas .Bernard .of .Birmingham, .attended .Roeper .for .seven .years . .Dan .Jacobs .stated, .“When .I .first .met .Aaron .Bernard, .I .thought .he .was .a .jerk . .But .now, .he’s .my .best .friend . .I .love .the .guy .— .there .are .no .other .words .for .it ” . .On .the .Roeper .Forensics .team, .they .downplay .

trophies .and .scores .and .refocus .attention .on .learning .and .personal .growth .But .it .is .true .that .growth .can .lead .to .recognition; .in .Aaron’s .case, .the .concepts .blend .together . .A .small .sampling .of .Aaron’s .accolades .over .the .years .includes: .highest .honors .in .Model .UN .throughout .high .school; .State .Champion .in .Impromptu .in .middle .school, .and .Oratory .in .high .school; .and .5th .in .the .nation .out .of .222 .teams .in .public .forum .debate .with .his .debate .partner-in-crime .Tom .Allen, .ending .four .years .of .national .level .debates .with .the .best .speech .of .his .career . . .Aaron’s .aptitude .and .intensity .as .a .debater .even .in .normal .classroom .circumstances .

has .caused .a .number .of .students .to .say .they .fear .him . .He .respects .Machiavelli’s .writings .and .is .working .on .his .first .book, .The Case for Bullying, .so .there .might .be .good .reason .for .fear . .But .Aaron .hasn’t .always .been .the .titan .of .rhetoric .that .towers .before .you .It .took .a .good .deal .of .work .to .become .fearsome . .Linda .Vernon .said .that .Aaron .elevates .all .of .her .classroom .discussions . .He .challenges .his .teachers .and .peers .alike .and .brings .constructive .criticism .as .well .as .an .encyclopedic .mind .to .each .class .Aaron .even .applies .his .powers .of .persuasion .on .a .personal .level . .His .friend, .wingman .and .fellow .tribunal .member .Matt .says, .“He .encourages .people .positively .— .in .a .fun .way ” . .Aaron .sums .it .up .best, .saying, .“The .knowledge .I .gained .here .is .only .part .of .it; .the .next .important .piece .is .to .be .able .to .articulate .my .thoughts .and .ideas .and .to .give .them .to .others ” . .Affirming .this .resolution .gives .the .University .of .Michigan .a .valuable, .powerful .voice .in .its .community, .and .also .means .the .rest .of .us .will .not .have .another .year .of .losing .debates .against .Aaron .Bernard

I’m going to miss Roeper a lot. I really valued my time here.

KIARA SIMONE CANALES, daughter .of .Darin .and .Kimberly .Canales .of .Detroit .and .sister .of .Denzel .’10, .attended .Roeper .for .seven .years . .Reanne .Young .explains, .“If .Ki .had .it .her .way, .she’d .never .let .you .know .that .

she .had .sickle .cell .— .she’d .never .let .you .see .that .her .pain .impacts .her .ability .to .focus .or .study; .that .the .task .of .walking .down .a .hallway .or .running .up .and .down .the .basketball .court .is .difficult .at .best . .No .— .Kiara .would .have .you .believe .that .she’s .like .any .other .teenager . .The .truth .of .the .matter .is, .she .is .not .like .any .other .teenager; .wise .beyond .her .years, .Pee .Wee .(as .Ernie .calls .her) .always .has .a .lot .on .her .mind . .And .while .she’s .

Aaron … he is

persistent, he strives to succeed but is not afraid

to fail, and he rapidly

applies what he has

learned.

Kiara … she says

“Suck it up and deal with it … Roeper is

a gift!”

17

not .afraid .of .backing .down .(from .anything .OR .anyone) .— .you .won’t .always .know .when .she’s .hurting . .Kiara .has .always .made .it .clear .that .Roeper .has .afforded .her .the .opportunity .to .get .a .great .education; .it’s .given .her .a .community .of .people .that .have .positively .impacted .her .life .and .most .of .all, .Roeper .is .her .place .to .be .a .normal .teenager .(mouthy, .argumentative .and .sassy .— .just .kidding) . .Kiara .doesn’t .want .special .treatment, .she .wants .our .trust; .she .wants .us .to .believe .that .she .can .and .will .always .do .her .best . .Kiara .plans .to .attend .Wayne .State .University .in .the .fall ”

I enjoyed playing varsity ball for four years for Coach, and I am sad to leave him, my team and my fellow classmates.

JEREMY RYAN KRUMAN, son .of .Lisa .and .Craig .Kruman .of .West .Bloomfield, .attended .Roeper .for .seven .years . .Jeremy .Kruman .embodies .what .it .means .to .be .empathetic . .As .his .friend .Jacob .Dalton .said, .“What .really .stands .out .about .Jeremy .is .that .he .really .cares .about .the .feelings .of .the .

people .around .him ” . .He .is .exceptionally .aware .of .the .emotions .of .others, .and .he .reaches .out .to .people .with .tremendous .compassion .and .does .all .he .can .to .help .them . .He .cares .deeply .for .others .and .it .shows .in .every .aspect .of .his .life . .Jeremy .also .has .a .wonderful .sense .of .humor, .and .he .has .learned .to .use .his .humor .to .help .put .others .at .ease . .Teachers .love .having .him .in .class . .His .kindness .to .others, .wonderful .sense .of .humor, .exceptional .work .ethic .and .enthusiasm .for .learning .make .him .a .joy .to .have .in .the .classroom . .Susannah .commented, .“A .casual .observer .of .our .class .might .be .surprised .to .know .that .one .of .the .kindest .and .mellowest .students .is .also .one .of .the .hardest .and .most .thoughtful .workers ” . .Dan .Jacobs .observed .that .Jeremy .would .often .make .an .insightful .observation .in .class .and .then .follow .it .with .a .ridiculous .pun . .Jamie .Benigna .admires .Jeremy’s .keen .sense .of .humor, .excellent .study .habits .and .his .

devotion .to .Family Guy . .Eulalia .describes .Jeremy .as .kind .and .responsible, .and .she .has .enjoyed .that .he .makes .jokes .in .Spanish . .Kelly .McDowell .commented, .“What’s .not .to .like .about .Jeremy .Kruman? . .He .really .is .an .ideal .student .with .an .excellent .work .ethic, .who .also .manages .to .brighten .the .classroom .with .his .engaging .personality .and .wit ” . .In .the .fall, .Jeremy .will .begin .University .of .Michigan’s .Health .Sciences .Scholar .Program

Well, Roeper, it’s been fun. Thank you so much to all of my incredible teachers that I have had over these past seven years, and to all of the amazing friends that I have made. You have all had such a profound positive ef fect on my life, and I will definitely miss you all. So thanks to everyone for all of the knowledge, laughter and fun times. Stay classy, Roeper.

wILLIAM RObERT MARTYKA, son .of .R Amy .LoDico .of .Redford .and .brother .of .fresh-man .Justen, .attended .Roeper .for .seven .years . .As .Jamie .Benigna .explained, .“Will’s .fourth .grade .teacher .remarked .that .Will .‘enjoys .an .opportunity .to .be .challenged .and .has .the .ability .to .meet .each .challenge .head .on . .He .is .not .intimidated .or .easily .stressed .out .by .challenging .work ’ . .William .was .one .of .the .most .laid .back, .easy-going .students .he .had .had .the .privilege .of .working .with ” . .Teacher .after .teacher .confirms .this .observation . .As .stated .by .Susannah .Nichols, .“He .was .one .of .those .students .that .I .knew, .because .he .was .in .it, .the .class .would .be .better ” . .Teachers, .classmates .and .siblings .alike .repeatedly .remark .on .Will’s .discipline, .diligence, .focused .yet .easy-going .nature, .and .determination .to .do .the .right .thing . .Will’s .artwork .exhibits .astonishing .clarity .and .detail .with .scientific .

Jeremy … loving and

independent with a

strong moral compass.

will … the change

he will make in the world

will be positive.

18

precision . .He .shatters .the .false .dichotomy .that .art .and .science .are .opposites, .and .one .cannot .excel .at .both . .Historically .art, .science .and .philosophy .attempt .to .do .the .same .thing: .enable .humans .to .understand .the .world .around .them .— .they .simply .use .different .tools .to .complete .the .same .task . .Will’s .toolbox .for .explaining .the .world .is .rather .aptly .stocked . . .When .asked .what .three .wishes .he .had .in .fifth .grade, .Will .remarked, .“Happiness .for .everyone; .for .everyone .to .be .fair; .and .to .be .able .to .live .a .good .life ” . .In .the .fall .William .will .be .attending .Michigan .State .University

Thank you for all you have given me and all of the strong relationships you have allowed me to build. I am happy to say that because of Roeper my high school experience has been one that I will always remember and always be reminded of.

JACK TEH-LUEN MURRAY, son .of .Stephen .and .Chi-Ying .Murray .of .Beverly .Hills, .attended .Roeper .for .seven .years . .Ed .Bergonzi .explained .that .Jack .started .swatting .tennis .balls .at .the .age .of .three . .He .won .a .national .clay .court .title .in .his .age .group .at .12 . .His .dream .is .to .be .the .NCAA .champion .— .certainly .a .noble .and .worthy .pursuit! . .It .would .be .wrong, .however, .to .see .this .young .man .one-dimensionally . .Jack .is .much .more .than .he .seems . .Jack .is .personable, .with .a .ready .smile . .Jack .is .a .really .nice .young .man . .Both .Shey .Yi .and .Lily, .two .of .Jack’s .teachers .who .think .very .highly .of .him, .remarked .about .his .politeness .and .good .nature . .I .would .certainly .agree . .Jack .is .smart .… .he .can .surprise .you .with .his .intellect .… .and .his .seriousness . .Jamie .Lyons-Eddy .comments: .“More .than .most .students, .Jack .has .the .self-awareness .and .the .motivation .to .correct .each .error .and .use .those .experiences .to .grow .— .as .an .athlete, .as .a .student, .and .as .a .person ” . .Jack .will .be .attending .the .University .of .North .Carolina .this .fall .Maybe .we’ll .see .Jack .at .Centre .Court!

I’m gonna miss all of you guys a ton ! !

NICHOLAS GEORGE PANOURGIAS, son .of .John .and .Lisa .Panourgias .of .Birmingham, .attended .Roeper .for .seven .years . .Karen .Johnson .describes .Nick .as .a .dedicated, .intense .and .inspiring .student .with .a .creative .streak, .a .perceptive .wit .

and .a .reflective .nature . .She .speaks .about .a .paper .that .Nick .wrote .on .the .topic .of .fate .and .free .will .in .Vergil’s .Aeneid . .Karen .explains .it .as .an .exemplar .in .literary .analysis .for .advanced .Latin .students .to .read . .It .is .no .surprise .that .Nick .has .affected .curriculum .at .Roeper .in .other .ways, .too .— .Dan .Jacobs .explained .how .his .story .about .Tram-Law .(that’s, .Wal-Mart .spelled .backwards) .inspired .an .entire .lesson .on .morality .and .capitalism .for .Stage .III .students .one .year . .His .sense .of .humor .is .priceless, .and .his .comedic .timing .is .impeccable . .Nick’s .friends .can .clearly .see .him .writing .for .TV .or .appearing .on .Saturday Night Live . .One .of .his .proudest .moments .here .at .Roeper .was .being .a .part .of .the .forensics .multiple .performance .of .Pootie-Tang .in .ninth .grade, .a .piece .that .brought .the .group .to .the .State .Competition .that .year . .Nick .has .returned .to .the .forensics .State .Tournament .every .year .since .as .a .formidable .competitor, .due .in .large .part .to .the .time .and .attention .he .gave .to .every .piece .performed . .In .the .fall, .Nick .will .be .going .to .Albion .College

Goodbye, Roeper! I will remember all the happy memories I had here and psychologically repress all of the bad ones.

JACOb RAYMONd dALTON, son .of .Jeffery .and .Patricia .Dalton .of .Waterford .and .brother .of .former .student .Dakota, .attended .Roeper .for .eight .years . .Jacob .Dalton .loves .a .good .fight .Ju-Juitsu, .Hapkido, .swordfighting; .he .loves .fighting .in .table .top .and .live-action .RPGs . .His .senior .page .is .a .

picture .of .him .in .full .battle .armor .wielding .a .broadsword, .and .somewhere .buried .in .the .

Jack… personable, polite and respectful.

Nick … valued and respected among the teachers and students at Roeper.

Jacob … no matter what he’s fighting for or who he’s fighting against, he throws himself into it and gives his all.

19

depths .of .the .internet .is .a .video .of .Jacob .soundly .beating .and .bodyslamming .one .of .his .forensics .coaches . .And .Jacob’s .lust .for .battle .extends .to .other .fields . .Track, .musical .theater, .editing .a .script, .coaching, .directing, .judging .a .speech .competition, .even .learning .chemistry . .Anything .that .poses .a .challenge . .Anything .that .gives .him .the .opportunity .to .dig .in .the .trenches, .devise .a .battle .plan, .rally .the .troops .and .meet .the .enemy .head .on .— .Jacob .is .there . .And .though .he .doesn’t .like .to .lose, .he .knows .winning .isn’t .everything . .He .fights .to .win, .but .knows .how .to .learn .from .defeat . .His .outlook .is .more .often .Sun .Tzu .than .Thunderdome .Jacob .appreciates .the .full .experience .of .a .challenge, .Jacob .doesn’t .even .have .to .be .the .one .fighting .to .enjoy .it . .One .of .his .greatest .joys .is .coaching .middle .schoolers . .He .loves .preparing .them .as .best .he .can .and .sending .them .off .to .fight .for .themselves . .No .matter .what .he’s .fighting .for .or .who .he’s .fighting .against .he .throws .himself .into .it .and .gives .his .all, .to .the .benefit .of .those .fighting .alongside .him .and .the .opposition .as .well . .You .could .not .ask .for .a .better .brother-in-arms .or .a .finer .adversary

I owe so much to Roeper as a whole. The way the school has shaped me will be instrumental in the life I plan to lead. I can’t believe I’m finally graduating and saying goodbye.

THOMAS FRANCIS ALLEN, son .of .David .and .Colleen .Allen .of .Detroit .and .brother .of .Roeper .students .Joe .and .Francis, .attended .Roeper .for .nine .years . .Mike .Ruddy .posed .the .question .…“What .makes .Tom .tick? . .Academics, .ideas, .and .politics .inspire .Tom ” . .His .favorite .classes .were .Constitutional .Law .with .Regis, .Expository .Structure .

with .Susannah, .Outdoor .Ed .and .Fishin’ .with .Ed, .and .European .History . .Tom .has .been .elected .and .has .served .as .Senior .Class .Vice-President, .Student .Government .member, .and .student .member .of .the .Board .of .Trustees . .Sports .definitely .make .Tom .tick . .He .played .basketball .and .soccer .in .Upper .School, .but .since .returning .to .Roeper .from .a .football-induced .freshman .hiatus, .baseball .has .been .his .top .sport . .Coach .Todd .Dunfield .reports: . .“Tom .played .all .three .years .and .made .a .huge .leap .from .sophomore .to .junior .year . .What .we .did .in .the .past .two .years .was .largely .through .Tom .and .his .leadership, .and .even .if .things .didn’t .always .go .well, .Tom .pitched .half .our .league .wins, .hit .two .homers .in .a .District .game .last .year, .and .batted . 395 .this .year ” . .Tom .said, .“Roeper .made .me .the .person .that .I .am .and .gave .me .the .confidence, .knowledge, .to .become .a .better .leader, .and .shaped .what .I .want .to .do ” . . .Speaking .activities .really, .really, .make .Tom .tick, .as .he .reports .spending .even .more .time .preparing .for .these .than .for .his .homework . .Tom .has .been .a .key .Upper .School .Model .UN .member, .winning .Best .Delegate .and .Honorable .Mention .awards .at .various .conferences .from .Kalamazoo .to .Stuttgart, .Germany . .His .most .notable .achievement .was .at .the .opening .session .of .MUNOG .2012 . .His .confident .and .polished .speechmaking .convinced .600 .international .delegates .to .reject .a .proposed .Security .Council .reform .that .would .have .fundamentally .weakened .the .UN . .In .the .fall, .Tom .will .attend .the .University .of .Michigan . .There .he .plans .to .prepare .for .law, .study .politics .and .international .relations, .and .as .an .upperclassman .hopes .to .attend .the .Gerald .Ford .School .of .Public .Policy . . . . . . .

After leaving Roeper for freshman year I finally learned the true meaning of “you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone”. I knew I could achieve academically and socially at any high school, but Roeper was the only place I could truly enjoy doing it. The teachers, the freedom, and the Roeper philosophy are three things that make me believe Roeper is the best high school in the state, and I will miss it for sure.

GARRETT ALExANdER HOUSE, son .of .Charles .and .Kimberly .House .of .Lathrup .Village .and .brother .of .Ross, .attended .Roeper .for .nine .years Ladies .and .Gentlemen, .a .letter .from .the .President .of .the .United .States .of .America:

tom … If he

accomplishes 10% of what he wants to do, he’ll do more than

most people in their

lifetimes.

20

Dear Mr. Garrett House:

This letter is a cease and desist order for you to, effective immediately, stop your impersonations of me that are entirely too accurate. You have already generated 1,767 hits on your YouTube video where you dupe an unsuspecting campaign office manager into believing that she was receiving a congratulatory phone call from yours truly. You have also been observed impersonating myself in Biology presentations as well as in school assemblies. This … must stop. There are other actions that we in the Oval Office think you should bring to an end. First, stop being so darn good at, uh, everything. Your prowess in basketball, academics, drawing and public speaking is, frankly, making everyone else look bad. And to top it off, you do it all in a style that has been described by our informants as “kicking back” and looking “relaxed.” This kind of inequality is unacceptable. You appear to be hoarding all of the knowledge to yourself by taking summer classes at Penn and independent studies in microbiology and quantum mechanics. At this rate of knowledge acquisition, you will have it all, and no one else will be able to get their fair share. Should you fail to abide by this cease and desist order, you will be sentenced, starting in September, to four years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There, you will experience hard labor in biomechanical engineering and synthetics.

Sincerely,President Barack Obama

P.S. It is my honor to have Jamie Benigna, Chemistry Teacher at the Roeper School, present your diploma on my behalf.

I am proud to be a graduate of The Roeper School and a member of the Roeper community. As an alum, I will strive to carry the philosophy and share the lessons it has taught me wherever I go in life. Thank you to everyone who has shared

this experience with me along the way, and I hope that I have been successful in leaving a positive impact on our community.

ALEx MATTHEw ROSSETTI, son .of .Matt .and .Terri .Rossetti .of .Bloomfield .Hills, .attended .Roeper .for .nine .years . .Karen .Johnson .describes .Alex .as .a .genuine .philosopher . .“At .times .he .is .a .Stoic, .contemplating .the .curiosities .and .complexities .of .life .around .him .with .a .detached .calm . .At .other .times .he .seems .to .be .an .Epicurean, .finding .happiness .through .purely .joyful .pursuits . .Even .if .contradictory, .he .has .found .a .way .to .engage .with .both .philosophical .traditions .such .that .of .two .images .of .artwork, .which .seem .to .tell .his .story . .The .first .is .Rodin’s .iconic .sculpture .The Thinker — .that .man, .perched .as .if .surveying .the .world .and .engaged .in .profound .reflection, .could .easily .be .a .representation .of .Alex ” . .As .long .as .he .has .been .at .Roeper, .his .teachers .have .commented .on .what .a .careful .and .deliberate .scholar .he .is . .He .is .an .expert .problem-solver . .The .second .image .that .reminds .Karen .of .Alex .is .Picasso’s .sculpture, .Guitar . .Over .the .years, .playing .guitar .has .become .an .important .part .of .his .life . .In .earlier .years .with .the .instrument, .his .teacher .and .friend, .Kors, .explained .that .he .just .kept .working .on .fingering .and .strumming .techniques .and .asking .questions .on .how .to .improve .until .he .could .play .just .about .any .melodic .or .rhythmic .line .without .hesitation . .This .year, .in .particular, .we .have .witnessed .how .this .instrument .and .the .guidance .from .Kors .has .brought .a .confidence .in .front .of .an .audience .(such .as .at .this .year’s .talent .show) .and .a .valuable .means .of .personal .expression .for .Alex . .In .the .fall, .he .will .join .the .freshman .class .at .the .University .of .Michigan

It’d be nice if I had something a bit more inspirational or fair-hearted in mind at the moment, but all I can say for now is that it’s been a fun ride. The teachers, students and the Roeper community was really quite a lucky opportunity for me, and I’m sincerely thankful to have been a part of it.

Garrett… competitive streak combined with a quick mastery of new ideas and skills, makes him a serious threat to others.

Alex … intellectual curiosity and clarity of thought.

21

ERICA JANELLE PARKER, daughter .of .Bridghette .Parker .of .Southfield .and .Frederick .Parker .and .sister .of .Roeper .alum .Jonathan .’08, .attended .Roeper .for .nine .and .a .half .years . .Karen .Johnson .described .how .she .and .Erica .have .connected .over .their .passion .for .languages . .Through .Erica’s .studies .in .Chinese .and .Spanish, .she .has .shown .a .curiosity .for .how .thought .and .culture .become .encoded .in .the .languages .that .people .speak . .Erica .has .a .strong .desire .to .reach .out .to .others .whose .native .language .is .different .from .English, .and .has .explained, .“Something .vital .about .humanity .is .lost .when .we .fail .to .embrace .all .the .world’s .languages ” . .Lily .Zhu .explains .that .she .is .a .determined .student .who .is .open .to .other .cultures .in .ways .that .many .people .are .not, .and .that .she .is .brave, .not .least .when .singing .karaoke .in .Chinese . .Eulalia .Ferrer .shares .that .Erica .is .a .dedicated .student .who .can .almost .intuitively .comprehend .the .sense .of .a .passage .in .Spanish .and .convey .beautifully .a .summary .of .ideas . .It .is .easy .to .see .why .family .and .friends .can .imagine .her .becoming .a .language .teacher .and/or .cultural .ambassador . .Over .the .years .at .Roeper, .her .voice .has .grown .increasingly .stronger, .and .recently .issues .of .social .justice .have .been .the .beneficiaries . .Her .personal .relationships .have .been .especially .meaningful: . .friends .describe .her .as .fiery, .feisty .and .spunky . . . .Furthermore, .they .explain .that .if .she .were .a .punctuation .mark .it .would .undoubtedly .have .to .be .an .exclamation .point .— .her .exuberant .spirit .could .not .be .expressed .any .other .way . .Erica .will .head .to .Howard .University .in .the .fall . .

I’m glad I came here. This is a place that taught me things I never would have learned if I had coasted through a school where everyone was like me. There have been struggles, but the good definitely outweighed the bad.

MILES JAMES EddY, son .of .Jamie .Lyons-Eddy .and .Chris .Eddy .of .Troy .and .brother .of .sophomore .Julia, .attended .Roeper .for .ten .years . .Jason .McIntosh .states, .“When .the .6th .grade .Miles .Eddy .first .walked .into .my .classroom, .I .don’t .think .I’d .ever .encountered .

a .young .musician .with .the .amount .of .knowledge, .discipline .or .passion .that .he .has .within . .I .realized .almost .immediately .that .I .had .met .a .real .‘pro’, .and .was .in .for .one .of .the .greatest .times .and .challenges .of .my .career .so .far . .The .enthusiasm .and .love .for .music .that .he .brought .with .him .that .day, .has .continued .to .fill .my .classroom .and .the .halls .of .our .school .every .day .since ” . .There .hasn’t .been .a .program .printed .at .Roeper .in .years .that .didn’t .have .Miles’s .name .somewhere .in .it .— .almost .a .decade .of .band .and .choir .concerts, .galas .and .auctions, .RTC .productions, .senior .projects .… .the .list .goes .on, .influenced .by .and .credited .to .his .fantastic .friends .and .teachers, .and .an .extraordinarily .musical .family .as .well . .Miles .accepts .it, .but .hopes .to .be .remembered .for .a .lot .more .than .his .time .on .stage . .Fueled .by .Monster .energy .drinks .and .gas .station .snacks, .Miles .“The .Machine” .Eddy .is .successfully .(and .frantically) .rooted .in .just .about .every .social .and .academic .scene . .Mary .Kay .said .that .he’s .“one .of .the .very .few .students .I’ve .ever .had .the .pleasure .of .teaching .who .would .make .a .fine .English .professor ” . .Whether .he’s .serenading .us, .entertaining .us, .making .us .laugh, .or .making .us .think; .whether .we’re .hearing .his .voice .on .the .PA .or .from .inside .the .Tuna .suit, .we .are .always .going .to .remember, .and .smile, .and .sit .on .the .edge .of .our .seats .to .see .what’s .next: .Columbia .College .in .Chicago .next .year, .that’s .what .— .to .study .and .arrange .and .compose .amazing .music .for .stage .and .screen . .

See you ‘round, Roeper. You have been the backdrop to many of my best experiences, and, thanks to you, I feel fully prepared to move on to the next stage of my life.

ALEC STUART SEGEL, son .of .Carol .Graff-Segel .and .Mark .Segel .of .West .Bloomfield, .attended .Roeper .for .10 .years . .Susie .Small .was .the .first .Roeperian .to .meet .the .seven-year-old .Alec .Segel . .“What .a .sweet .boy,” .she .said .that .day . .“He .offered .to .carry .my .testing .material .downstairs, .did .so, .and .held .the .door .for .me . .He .is .very .polite .and .gentle .— .he .has .to .be .at .this .school ” . .Unlike .the .experience .he .would .have .

Erica … centered

and self-assured.

Miles … a wonderful

heart and a knack for

knowing when

someone needs a friend.

Alec … we enjoy

seeing that special

smirk when he permits himself to

speak from his heart.

22

had .anywhere .else, .Alec .found .opportunities .here .to .learn .and .grow, .and .form .the .relationships .he .needed .to .become .a .brave .and .successful .citizen . .He .says .that .he’s .connected .with .teachers .unlike .he .ever .imagined .possible . .He .is .thankful .that .he .has .been .allowed .to .become .who .he .wants .to .be, .and .not .what .everyone .else .wants .to .be . .Jason .McIntosh .states, .“His .intensity, .intellectual .capacity, .compassion .and .sense .of .hilarity .are .fully .appreciated . .Alec .brings .to .this .world .a .grace .that .we .may .never .fully .understand, .but .seek .within .ourselves . .We .enjoy .seeing .that .special .smirk .when .he .permits .himself .to .speak .from .his .heart . . .He .devours .lists .of .facts .and .would .spend .endless .hours .with .a .book .of .world .records . .He .has .a .deep .appreciation .for .the .human .spirit .and .is .awed .by .the .world .around .him ” . .Alec .will .attend .Albion .College .next .year .He’s .enrolled .in .the .Institute .for .Healthcare .Professions, .and .plans .to .graduate .in .four .years .with .a .double .major .in .neurobiology .and .music; .neurobiology .because .he .wants .to, .music .because .he .needs .to

To all of the people at Roeper who helped make my life the one that it is today, I say thanks.

FLYNN MARKHAM dREw, son .of .Thomas .Drew .and .Donna .McGuire .of .Beverly .Hills .and .brother .of .Reilly .’10 . .Karen .Johnson .asks .the .question, .“Why .is .Flynn .Drew .so .tall?” .She .explains, .“There .may .be .a .perfectly .good .biological .explanation, .but .let’s .suspend .reality .for .the .moment .and .

explore .what .Flynn’s .height .represents . .You .have .to .be .that .tall .in .order .to .accommodate .all .the .talent .Flynn .has .shown .in .photography .and .filmmaking . .He .has .to .be .as .tall .as .he .is .seemingly .messy . .‘Seemingly’ .because .one .would .recognize .something .like .the .contents .of .his .backpack .as .hopelessly .disorganized . .(Whoever .had .the .idea .to .“taco” .your .backpack, .honestly .didn’t .know .what .they .were .taking .on ) . .It .is .necessary .for .Flynn .to .be .tall .to .contain .the .size .of .your .kind-hearted .spirit . .He .is .a .loyal .friend .to .many; .he .has .a .good .head .on .his .shoulders, .and .he .knows .how .to .be .inclusive .in .his .interactions . .Of .course, .it .may .be .unscientific .and .somewhat .teleological .to .say .that .

he .is .tall .because .his .qualities .and .characteristics .and .creativity .demand .it, .but .if .we .shelve .rationality .long .enough .to .entertain .an .alternative .explanation, .we .can .begin .to .see .the .world .from .a .novel .perspective, .and .that’s .what .you .have .shown .me .during .your .time .at .Roeper . .Flynn .actually .sprouted .another .four .inches .this .past .school .year .— .one .can .only .imagine .that’s .because .he .needed .to .make .room .for .an .even .greater .future .at .Columbia .College .in .Chicago .this .fall ” .

Thanks for having me, Roeper has been a wonderful place to learn and grow.

CATHERINE ANNE GALLIGAN, daughter .of .Matt .and .Maribeth .Galligan .of .Clarkston .and .sister .of .Stage .IV .twins .Gina .and .Griffin, .attended .Roeper .for .11 .years . .Christina .Miceli .states .when .asked .to .describe .Catherine, .each .of .her .friends .used .a .phrase .synonymous .with .dazzling .intellect .Justin .Finkel .noted .Catherine’s .

incredibly .sharp .mind, .ingenious .insights, .and .competence .as .a .student . .Mikayla .Konst .said, .“She’s .brilliant,” .and .elaborated .on .Catherine’s .ability .to .see .things .logically .from .an .outside .perspective .while .others .are .caught .up .in .trivial .things . .Max .Gordin .said, .“She .knows .what .she’s .doing .with .everything! .Even .Mario .Kart ” . .In .a .letter .Catherine .wrote .to .her .parents .in .Stage .III, .she .said, .“I .am .having .fun .at .school . .I .like .art, .reading .and .sometimes .math ” .At .the .time .Catherine .was .not .quite .as .enthusiastic .about .the .subject .as .the .prospective .engineer .she .is .now, .but .Cathy .and .Susie .already .recognized .that .Catherine .was .developing .into .an .insightful .mathematician .In .her .report .they .said, .“She .loves .to .take .risks .in .thinking .— .in .fact .she .relishes .this ” .It .was .not .until .summer .calculus .junior .year .when .Catherine .finally .recognized .these .characteristics .within .herself . .When .Jamie .Lyons-Eddy .described .Catherine’s .calculus .work .she .said, .“Catherine’s .quiet, .respectful .demeanor .complements .her .razor-sharp .intellect . .She .was .always .a .great .math .student, .but .suddenly .she .was .a .standout .among .the .strongest .

Flynn …a loyal friend to many.

catherine …her unparalleled lucidity and honesty of thought will be a great contribution to the world.

23

math .students .in .the .school ” . . .Catherine’s .gifts .are .not .limited .to .those .of .logic .and .analytics; .she .has .also .preserved .her .passion .for .drawing .and .music . .Catherine’s .versatility .of .talents, .pragmatic .and .logical .thought, .sense .of .wonder .and .creativity .will .lead .her .to .success .in .her .pursuits .at .Michigan .Tech .University .next .fall

Dear Roeper Community, I am not going to take this time to gush about how great Roeper is or how much I am going to miss going there. I am ready to start a new chapter in my life. That being said, I know that I would not be where I am now if I had not gone to Roeper. Because of Roeper, I have been able to reach my academic potential. But, more importantly, I have enjoyed every step. No, Roeper is not a secluded Utopia like some members of the community like to claim, but it is a place where students “love to learn,” and that is really what matters the most. Thank you to everyone who has helped me finally spread my wings.

MIKAYLA SUE KONST, daughter .of .Sue .Konst .of .Rochester .Hills .and .Larry .Konst .of .Livonia .and .sister .of .7th .grader .Meagan, .attended .Roeper .for .11 .years . .As .Andrew .Brock .stated, .“Mikayla .is, .in .a .word, .inspiring . .Anyone .asked .will .tell .you .that .she .is .brilliant, .talented .and .kind ” . .Through .her .confidence .and .self .respect .she .is .a .leader .to .her .peers .and .a .role .model .for .younger .students . .But .hers .has .been .a .long .road .of .self-discovery . .What .may, .now, .be .difficult .to .conceive .of .is .that .Mikayla .was, .a .lifetime .ago, .a .shy, .quiet, .fragile-seeming .little .thing . .Perhaps .the .most .obvious .testament .to .Mikayla’s .transformation .is .the .Girl’s .Mentoring .programs .she .organized .and .directed, .a .program .in .which .high .school .girls .help .middle .school .girls .by .teaching .them .to .be .more .confident .and .socially .aware . .A .place .where .young .girls .can .find .their .voices, .as .Mikayla .found .hers, .and .grow .easier .into .the .people .that .they .will .be, .as .she .was .helped .to .grow . .Mikayla .had .the .courage .to .grow .from .a .little .girl .who .didn’t .think .she .could .do .anything .to .change .the .world, .into .someone .who .already .has . .In .the .fall .Mikayla .will .attend .the .University .of .Rochester . .

Mikayla … a fierce, strong,

and confident

young woman.

Brooke… ambitious,

willing to take risks,

and always ready to have a good time.

Thanks. I’ll miss you. Take care of each other.

bROOKE SARAH MICHELSON, daughter .of .Jamie .and .Beth .Michelson .of .West .Bloomfield .and .sister .of .Rebecca .’12, .attended .Roeper .for .11 .years . .Susannah .Nichols .explained, .on .her .first .day .at .The .Roeper .School, .Brooke .instinctively .smiled .when .she .saw .a .shed .on .this .campus .festooned .with .brightly .painted .quotes .and .sponged .leaves . .And .this .February, .on .the .Friday .of .Spirit .Week, .everyone .was .

stopped .in .their .tracks .by .the .massive .senior .banner .strung .across .the .gym, .featuring .each .staff .member .cleverly .rendered .as .a .Disney .character . .Two .inimitable .and .enduring .pieces .of .art .with .no .signature .— .but .both .belonging .to .Brooke .Michelson . .Art .isn’t .often .the .first .thing .that .comes .to .mind .when .people .think .of .Brooke . .After .all, .this .is .the .girl .who .was .finishing .two .years .of .Latin .as .an .8th .grader, .taking .on .an .independent .study .in .AP .US .History .as .a .9th .grader, .racking .up .A+ .after .A+ .semester .after .semester . .Being .such .an .intellectual .force .of .nature .might .make .someone .kind .of .annoying, .but .those .who’ve .been .lucky .enough .to .learn .alongside .Brooke .know .that .she .is .inherently .likeable, .both .in .and .out .of .the .classroom .For .teachers .and .peers .alike, .this .uncommon .warmth .is .more .than .nice, .it’s .inspiring . .Middle .School .volleyball .coach .Samantha .Miceli .stated .that .when .she .polled .her .team .on .which .Varsity .player .they .aspired .to .be .like, .Brooke .was .the .near-unanimous .answer . .This .fall, .Brooke .will .attend .the .Wharton .School .at .the .University .of .Pennsylvania, .joining .a .legacy .of .Michelson .women: .sister .Rebecca, .mother .Beth, .and .grandmother .Bonnie, .the .latter .of .whom .was .one .the .first .women .to .attend .Wharton

To my supportive family, inspiring teachers, and lovably-of fbeat classmates — I wouldn’t want to have grown up anywhere else. Thank you.

24

ALExANdRA LOUISE bLANKENbURG,daughter .of .Bob .and .Dee .Blankenburg .of .Rochester, .and .sister .of .Ryan .(6th .Grade) .and .Cooper .(Stage .IV) .attended .Roeper .for .12 .years . .Christina .Miceli .explains, .“In .an .Olympic .commercial, .Morgan .

Freeman .says, .‘1/100th .of .a .second .is .faster .than .a .blink .of .an .eye, .faster .than .a .flash .of .lightning, .and .the .difference .between .Michael .Phelps .winning .eight .gold .medals .instead .of .7 ’ . .Alex .knows .just .how .significant .1/100th .of .a .second .can .be . .On .Day .1 .working .toward .her .Olympic .Trial .cut, .Alex .misses .by .1/10 .of .a .second . .One .day .later .she .comes .back .and .misses .by .1/100th .of .a .second .She’s .got .to .wait .a .week .before .she .will .have .another .chance . .During .this .week .Alex .must .travel .back .to .Michigan .because .it .also .happens .to .be .the .week .of .midterms . .She’s .studying .and .working .to .finish .the .semester, .all .the .while .thinking .about .the .1/100th .of .a .second .that .is .completely .within .her .reach . .One .week .later .at .the .Grand .Prix, .in .spite .of .an .incapacitating .migraine .in .the .first .rounds, .Alex .makes .her .Olympic .cut .in .the .last .trial .while .swimming .the .200 .fly .against .former .Olympians ” . .Alex .has .an .extraordinary .swim .résumé, .but .those .closest .to .her .are .most .impressed .by .her .versatility .and .ability .to .be .more .than .just .a .swimmer . .Claire .Dennis .said, .“She’s .one .of .the .most .talented .people .in .every .respect . .No .one .realizes .she .loves .singing, .guitar .and .piano . .She .has .more .standout .categories .than .she .gives .herself .credit .for ” . .Alex .has .maintained .strong .friendships .with .her .winning .sense .of .humor .and .fierce .loyalty,” .Claire .said, .“She’s .one .of .those .people .that’s .drama .free . .She’s .consistently .easy .to .get .along .with, .always .smiling; .if .you’re .having .a .bad .day .— .just .hang .out .with .Alex ” . .These .same .characteristics .were .recognized .when .Alex .started .Stage .II .by .Annette .and .Laura .who .said, .“Alex’s .energy, .love .of .learning .adds .a .special .spark .that .brightens .even .the .gloomiest .of .days ” . .Next .fall .Alex .will .be .attending .Vanderbilt .University

Thank you for helping me become the person I am today. Without this community I would

have never been able to achieve what I did. The Roeper community was so supportive of my schedule and helped me succeed. I will miss the atmosphere of this school and the strong sense of togetherness.

AARON RObERT KETEYIAN, son .of .Rodney .and .Barbara .Keteyian .of .Royal .Oak .and .brother .of .sophomore .Rachel, .attended .Roeper .for .12 .years . .Jason .McIntosh .stated, .“It’s .been .fun .to .watch .Aaron’s .leadership .and .sense .of .self .expand .in .so .many .positive .ways . .He .has .an .extremely .creative .flare .that .comes .through .in .each .of .his .endeavors . . .He’s .quick .to .create .images .in .his .mind .and .set .about .bringing .his .visions .into .reality . .He .has .a .precise, .meticulous .style .that .we’ve .all .come .to .appreciate .as .such .an .important .part .of .who .Aaron .is . .He .likes .to .organize .projects, .groups .of .people, .and .direct .Kid TV .skits ” . .When .Aaron .was .in .the .Lower .School, .Diana .and .Elise .wrote .a .fairly .accurate .and .relevant .report . .It’s .there .that .he .believes .he .learned .to .genuinely .care .for .people, .to .make .decisions .based .on .how .it .might .affect .the .well-being .of .someone .else . .He .also .gained .a .certain .maturity, .because .the .teachers .and .students .treat .each .other .so .well . .He .often .feels .more .confident .conversing .with .adults .than .many .of .his .teen .friends . .Aaron .states, .“I .also .really .enjoyed .my .years .playing .the .saxophone .in .the .Roeper .band,” .and .“Journalism .was .a .high .point, .and .my .two .classes .with .Mary .Kay .greatly .developed .who .I .am .as .a .writer . .But .Colleen’s .7th .grade .film .festival .is .what .truly .sparked .my .interest .in .filmmaking; .if .were .it .not .for .Colleen, .I .would .likely .not .be .pursuing .a .career .in .film ” . . .That’s .what .he’ll .be .doing .next .year . .At .Columbia .College .in .Chicago, .he’ll .study .film .and .video .production . .

I am very grateful to the Roeper community for providing an education in academics as well as ethics and morality. Attending Roeper has undoubtedly shaped who I am as a person. Thank you to my Lower and MIddle/Upper School teachers, friends, and anyone else who has crossed my path during the last 12 years.

Alex… gets along with everyone.

Aaron…a composed, classy, kind, critical and well-dressed kid with high expectations.

25

CONNOR wILLIAM SHEIdLER, son .of .Alan .and .Leslie .Sheidler .of .Rochester .Hills .and .brother .of .Colin .’11, .attended .Roeper .for .12 .and .a .half .years . .When .Ed .Bergonzi .was .approached .by .Connor .to .prepare .his .Senior .Speech, .he .was .“touched, .honored .and . .flattered ” . .Connor .underwent .shoulder .surgery .last .summer, .

followed .by .a .six-week .convalescence; .he .then .was .diagnosed .with .cancer .and .had .to .undergo .two .rounds .of .chemotherapy . .Oh, .and .he .had .to .keep .his .grades .up, .prepare .for .graduation .and .start .thinking .about .Michigan .State, .where .he .will .be .in .the .fall, .rooming .with .Dan .Thibodeau . .Connor .sums .it .up .… .“It .was .a .tough .year ” . .No .18-year-old .should .have .to .deal .with .what .Connor .has . .Ed .explains .how .he .got .to .know .Connor .in .his .Comparative .Anatomy .class . .Connor’s .profoundly .negative .health .experience .was .turned .into .a .positive .by .his .friends .at .Roeper, .who .shaved .their .heads .to .show .support .for .him . .All .those .bald-headed .soccer .players; .one .could .only .smile .and .empathize . .Connor .is .still .recovering, .but .recently .broke .the .school .record .in .the .pole .vault . .Connor .aspires .to .be .a .pediatric .oncologist . .Connor’s .Roeper .experience .in .a .sense .prepared .him .in .a .unique .way .for .the .“slings .and .arrows .of .outrageous .fortune ” . .In .2012, .Connor’s .math .teacher, .Jamie .Lyons-Eddy .wrote .of .Connor: .“We .have .many .extremely .bright .and .talented .students .at .The .Roeper .School, .but .Connor .stands .out .as .a .particularly .quick .and .detailed .thinker . .He .is .able .to .make .connections .almost .immediately, .and .once .he .has .put .a .new .idea .together .with .the .concepts .he .already .understands, .he .is .able .to .apply .what .he .knows .even .to .an .unfamiliar .problem ” . .She .writes .further: .“Connor .has .a .sense .of .humor .that .is .both .natural .and .well-developed, .and .he .loves .sarcasm .and .irony ” . .Jamie .closes, .“I .recently .learned .that .Connor .aspires .to .be .a .trauma .surgeon . .I .can’t .imagine .a .better .way .to .utilize .his .exceptional .intelligence, .physical .dexterity .and .self-discipline .I .highly .recommend .him ” .

I love my teachers, my school, and my friends! Keep in touch ! School record is mine !

MAx bURTON GORdIN, son .of .Eric .Gordin .and .Elizabeth .Schneider .of .Detroit, .attended .Roeper .for .13 .years . .Andrew .Brock .explained .he .finds .one .of .the .great .joys .of .working .with .kids .is .what .he .learns .from .them . .And .he .has .learned .a .great .deal .from .Max . .He .learned .the .difference .between .a .“frumor” .and .a .“trumor;” .he .learned .that .athletic .shorts .can .be .worn .with .a .cardigan; .and .he .learned .to .never .underestimate .the .element .of .surprise . .“Max .is .full .of .surprises . .For .one, .he .is .lazy . .He .is, .in .fact, .‘lazy .as .Max ’ . .Yet .surprisingly, .he .manages .academics, .extracurriculars, .the .play, .time .to .play .league, .and .coached .a .Middle .School .multiple .for .his .senior .project . .He .delivers .expert .and .experienced .coaching .guidance .while .rolling .down .the .hall .in .an .office .chair, .his .lap .heaped .with .bagels .and .doughnuts ” . .Beneath .Max’s .carefully .polished .veneer .of .sloppy .disorganization .is .something .surprising . .He .is .also .thoughtful .and .introspective . .Max .is .simultaneously .the .most .immature .student .and .most .mature .coach .in .the .room . .While .testing .the .patience .of .parents, .teachers .and .friends .alike, .he .is .also .acting .as .a .responsible .leader .for .Middle .School .kids .at .Forensics .tournaments .and .on .class .trips .In .dark .times .his .constant .positive .attitude .has .been .a .bright .and .guiding .light .for .teammates .because .Max .will .always .have .fun . .It .is .his .confidence .and .honesty .in .himself .that .allows .him .to .be .comfortable .in .who .he .is, .wherever .he .is, .and .to .share .the .fun .with .others . .Max .will .attend .Rose-Hulman .in .the .Fall

Roeper, it’s been great over the years. After attending school here for 13 years, I can safely say there it was the perfect match for me. I don’t think I, with all my quirks, would have done

connor …has a sense

of humor that is

both natural and well-

developed.

Max … perpetually obnoxious,

but also thoughtful

and introspective.

26

this well anywhere else. So for these last 13 years of my life, I would like to thank the school and the community for making them wonderful.

MARA ALISSA JAFFE, daughter .of .David .Jaffe .’74 .and .Erica .Peresman .of .Birmingham .and .sister .of .alumna .Adela .’09, .attended .Roeper .for .13 .years . .The .muffins .Mara .makes .on .“Muffin .mornings” .are .not .from .a .Betty .Crocker .box . .That .would .be .ordinary, .and .as .Christina .Miceli .stated, .“Mara .Jaffe .does .not .do .ordinary . .She .has .grand .

ideas .that .are .combined .with .high .expectations .and .a .drive .that .brings .her .revelations .to .life .She .sees .what .hasn’t .been .thought .of .and .makes .it .happen ” . .Brooke .Michelson .recognized .this .trait .even .in .Stage .IV .while .building .stick .forts .outside .“Mara .went .above .the .normal .collecting .sticks .that .the .rest .of .us .did . .She .assigned .jobs .to .each .of .us, .including .ordering .Matt .and .Tom .to .carry .the .larger .sticks .for .her . .She .talked .to .the .maintenance .staff .to .get .a .bunch .of .sod .and .excess .patio .rock . .A .normal .fort .was .not .going .to .be .enough .for .her ” . .Mara’s .events .are .always .impressive .and .require .careful .planning, .powerful .leadership, .and .a .commitment .to .excellence . .The .work .that .she .puts .into .these .events .stems .from .a .common .motivator .— .she .wants .more .than .anything .to .bring .people .together .for .an .unforgettable .experience . .As .Class .President, .Mara .took .it .upon .herself .to .establish .the .Class .of .2013 .as .one .force; .she .inspired .support .of .everyone’s .extracurricular .endeavors .and .originated .events .beyond .established .traditions .Mara .is .ambitious; .she .sets .her .sights .high .and .does .everything .in .her .power .to .achieve .her .goals . .Mara’s .Senior .Project, .The .George, .was .a .well-planned .and .successful .pop-up .restaurant .in .Eastern .Market . .Mara .created .top-notch .recipes .and .took .care .of .product .ordering .and .menu .design . .Next .fall .Mara .will .be .studying .at .Cornell’s .School .of .Hotel .Administration

This school has made me who I am today. Thank you to my teachers and fellow members of the Class of 2013 for inspiring me every day of the past 13 years.

GAbRIEL LUKE LINd, son .of .Steven .and .Elise .Lind .of .Ortonville .and .brother .of .Alex .’10 .and .freshman .Calvin, .attended .Roeper .for .13 .years Eulalia .tells .the .story .of .Gabe’s .arriving .at .Roeper .at .the .age .of .four, .when .the .world .was .so .new .that .many .things .had .no .names, .at .the .enchanted .Roeper .Domes .on .the .bank .of .the .creek .where .he .played .in .the .shadow .of .the .Trojan .horse . .Gabe .loved .his .first .teachers, .teachers .who .at .the .end .of .each .season .change .wrote .affectionate .comments: . .Annette .and .Laura .sang .his .praises .as .a .very .inquisitive, .cooperative .child, .who .loved .to .play .and .to .make .people .laugh .with .his .bag .full .of .jokes . .Sue .and .Marta .admired .his .empathetic, .caring .and .cooperative .spirit; .and .Gloria .and .Rosalee .marveled .at .his .integrity, .sensitivity .and .willingness .to . .stand .up .for .his .beliefs . .Gabe .serenaded .his .friends .and .loved .ones .with .his .piano .and .clarinet .skills .that .he .had .been .perfecting .for .12 .years . .He .sharpened .his .sense .of .humor . .He .took .pleasure .swinging .for .the .fences .and .running .bases .on .the .baseball .diamond . .Gabriel’s .comrades .in .comedy .and .parody .grew .closer .and .stronger . .Jacob, .Max .and .Alex .all .praise .Gabe .as .a .sassy, .energetic, .inspiring, .amazing .and .loyal .friend . .As .his .hundredth .month .at .Roeper .comes .to .a .close, .his .magical .but .real .Roeper .family .left .him .a .message: .“Gabe, .you .are .not .leaving .the .Roeper .family .tree, .you .are .simply .branching .out . .It’s .time .to .turn .a .new .leaf, .and .as .your .future .becomes .more .realized .with .every .passing .day, .may .you .keep .your .wonderful .sense .of .magic ” . .Gabriel .is .on .his .way .to .Kalamazoo .College .to .study .psychology .and .neuroscience . . .

I would like to thank everyone at Roeper. The teachers, the administration, the students, everyone. Every single person there at Roeper made Roeper what it is, and that is a great and wonderful school.

CHLOE ISAbELLA RYbICKI-KLER, daughter .of .Christina .Rybicki .and .Robert .Kler .of .Royal .Oak .and .brother .of .sophomore .Liam, .attended .Roeper .for .13 .years . .Colleen .Potocki .stated .when .Chloe .was .born .on .a .snowy .day .in .

Mara …has set the bar high for every future leader in this community.

Gabe … a warm-hearted, kind-hearted, good-hearted human being.

27

January .at .10:17pm, .the .doctors .announced .she .was .neurologically .advanced . .The .diagnosis .should .have .been .tweaked .just .a .bit .— .Chloe .was .born .neurologically .adventurous . .During .her .years .at .Roeper, .teachers .have .used .synonymous .language .to .describe .Chloe’s .approach .to .her .learning: .tenacious, .relentless, .enjoying .mountains .of .work, .immersed .in .the .life .of .the .mind, .determined .— .fiercely .determined .— .diligent, .personally .driven .— .amazingly .driven, .hyper-driven, .self-driven .— .indefatigable, .razor .sharp, .laser-focused, .discriminating . .Chloe’s .friend .Justin .Finkel .describes .Chloe .most .succinctly: .She .is .a .“scholar ” . .According .to .Chloe, .she .likes .“the .largeness .in .the .tiniest .detail ” . .Chloe’s .imagination .and .humor .complement .well .her .uncommon .investment .in .learning . .Chloe .describes .her .humor .as .“usually .too .subtle ” . .When .Colleen .asked .Chloe, .for .example, .if .she .wanted .any .particular .experiences .mentioned .in .her .senior .speech, .she .replied, .“No, .I’d .like .to .be .surprised .as .long .as .said .experiences .do .not .include .vomit, .clothing .mishaps, .a .quotation .taken .out .of .context, .or .any .type .of .stealing ” . .Chloe .has .also .enriched .Roeper .with .her .endless .endurance, .most .notably, .in .her .Cross .Country .successes .and .her .status .as .a .capable .and .knowledgeable .“foodie ” . .Chloe .has .repeatedly .demonstrated .a .generous .commitment .to .the .community: .Chloe .served .meals .at .the .Thanksgiving .Feast .in .7th .grade, .earning .funds .to .shop .for .a .family .in .need; .she .and .Mara .Jaffe .volunteered .to .take .their .places .on .the .Middle .School .serving .line .again .this .year; .and .most .recently, .Chloe .stepped .up .to .design .this .year’s .Roeper .Benefit .Talent .Show .logo . .Chloe .will .be .attending .the .University .of .Michigan .Honors .College .this .Fall

Thank you for your time. I will remember the ride and keep the lessons.

JULIANNE LAINE wALKIEwICZ, daughter .of .Joseph .and .Anne .Marie .Walkiewicz .of .Troy .and .sister .of .alumnae .Lauren .’09 .and .Leah .’11, .attended .Roeper .for .13 .years . .Michelle .Stamler .explained, .“On .the .application .to .Roeper, .her .mother .wrote .of .four-

year-old .Julianne .that .she .‘already .has .learned .that .life .is .finite ’ . .This .gets .us .closer .to .understanding .the .internal .mandate .that .dictates .how .Julianne .has .and .will .live . .The .essence .of .life .will .never .be .squandered .because .Julianne .squeezes .as .much .as .she .can .out .of .everything . .If .this .is .perfectionism, .it .is .a .new .hybrid .where .the .coalescing .of .kindness, .determinism, .dedication, .and .the .need .to .achieve .for .the .good .of .the .community .as .well .as .for .herself, .coexist . .Julianne .strives .for .what .might .be, .for .the .best .of .the .unknown ” . .Two .high-level .sciences .classes .for .three .years .and .photography .and .yearbook .all .seven .years .fed .two .aspects .of .what .Julianne .loves . .She .has .an .uncanny .ability .to .put .herself .in .the .shoes .of .others . .Jamie .Lyons-Eddy .wrote .that .Julianne .needs .to .make .sure .she .is .always .helping .students .around .her . .Additionally, .for .the .last .two .years, .Julianne .has .gone .to .American .House .weekly .to .be .with .the .residents, .determined .that .they .know, .through .her .attention, .that .their .lives .have .meaning . . .Close .friends .saw .last .year’s .trip .to .France .as .a .turning .point . .An .initially .tentative .Julianne .studied .photography .in .Paris .but .also .spent .almost .two .weeks .with .a .host .family .in .Brittany . .Julianne .returned .more .independent, .open .and .willing .to .put .herself .out .there . .That .will .stand .her .in .good .stead .in .the .fall .when, .after .an .unprecedented .quandary .about .college .choice, .Julianne .will .head .to .the .University .of .Michigan

I want to thank Roeper for allowing me to discover and define myself over the past 13 years. I will cherish my memories here and the relationships I’ve created with my teachers and classmates, who have always helped me grow, learn and laugh with them over the years.

chloe …amazingly

driven.

Julianne …she

squeezes as much

as she can out of

everything.

28

ZOE O dEMKO, daughter .of .Monica .Moons .of .Farmington .and .John .Demko .of .Detroit, .attended .Roeper .for .14 .years . .Mary .Kay .Glazek .stated, .“Zoe, .Greek .for .life-force, .is .well-named .because .she .knows .that .life .doesn’t .happen, .that .a .life .isn’t .had, .but .

is .made . .Zoe, .you .are .the .life-force . .You .make .things .happen .The .force .is .with .you ” . .Mary .Kay .explained .that .were .the .life-force .to .assume .human .shape, .she’s .pretty .sure .it .would .be .that .of .a .long-haired .girl .playing .a .tenor .sax . .And .were .the .embodied .life-force .to .lay .down .her .saxophone .to .pursue .a .career, .she .bet’s .that .career .would .be .in .epidemiology . .“Think .about .it: .epidemiologist .— .also .a .Greek .word .—meaning .something .like, .‘credentialed .champion-of-life-against-death’ .— .in .other .words, .the .life-force . .By .definition, .the .life-force .is .engendering, .which .is .to .say, .it .makes .things .happen . .Like .Zoe . .For .example, .when .accepted .by, .but .not .yet .enrolled .at .Johns .Hopkins, .she .applied .for .and .received .a .grant .of .$10,000 .to .study .infectious .diseases .in .a .French-speaking .country ” . .Mary .Kay .continues .that .one .must .make .a .life, .and .that .takes .effort . .Zoe .is .all .about .effort . .Zoe’s .effort .looks .like .untold .hours .of .helping .others .to .learn .history, .to .stage .plays, .to .perform .forensics .pieces . .It .looks .like .writing .her .Stage .IV .book .report .in .Braille .… .It .looks .like .dragging .Mikayla .out .of .bed, .sending .Miles .to .class, .picking .out .ties .for .Will, .and .stocking .her .locker .like .a .convenience .store, .for .the .convenience .of .her .friends . .It .looks .like .stiletto .heels .and .pencil .skirts . .It .looks .like .finger .jousting .with .Jeremy, .who .remains .at .a .loss .to .explain .how .Zoe .always .wins .at .everything, .even .when .there .is .no .contest . .In .the .fall .Zoe .will .be .attending .Johns .Hopkins .University

After spending nearly the entirety of my conscious life at Roeper, I find it difficult to say goodbye in so few words. So, I won’t. I will simply say, farewell, take care, and see you next break.

CLAIRE ELLEN dENNIS, daughter .of .Rick .Dennis .and .Anne .Gahagan .of .Birmingham .and .sister .of .Griffin .’12, .attended .Roeper .for .15 .years “Claire .is .a .wonder . .She .is .highly .motivated .and .enthusiastic .about .her .learning . .She .is .very .much .in .charge .of .herself ” . .These .words, .written .by .Claire’s .science .teacher .Susan .Yamasaki .13 .years .ago .are .just .as .appropriate .today . .Linda .Vernon .explains, .“In .Stage .I, .the .little .tomboy .didn’t .have .much .time .for .the .‘girly’ .stuff ” . .As .Claire .said .recently, .“You .can’t .play .in .the .sand .in .a .dress ” .Claire .didn’t .have .time .for .naps, .either, .and .was .given .activity .books .to .complete .so .she .wouldn’t .distract .her .sleeping .classmates .In .Stage .II, .Claire .was .the .only .student .in .Maria’s .class .to .ask .for .homework . .Claire .wrote .on .a .Stage .III .evaluation, .“Something .about .getting .tests .appeals .to .me, .something .with .studying .… .it .seems .fun ” . .When .Claire .moved .over .to .the .Birmingham .campus, .she .loved .playing .Varsity .Soccer, .cooking .with .Mara .and .creating .such .specialties .as .the .Pot-o-Food, .doing .community .service .work .for .The .Bottomless .Toy .Chest, .and .designing .award-winning .layouts .in .Yearbook . .Impressing .all .with .her .knowledge .of .’70’s .trivia, .and .her .voice .of .reason, .Claire .also .continued .her .no-nonsense .approach .to .learning .Claire .was .one .of .three .freshmen .in .the .country .to .take .the .AP .US .History .exam . .As .teacher .Jamie .Benigna .observed, .“Claire .does .not .stop .at .‘good .enough ’” .“I .think .that .Claire .has .a .confidence .and .put-togetherness .that, .though .she .is .often .a .bit .unorganized, .allows .her .to .be .such .a .strong .person, .student .and .friend .I .think .she .is .very .secure .in .who .she .is .and .what .she .stands .for, .and .that .is .so .crucial .to .her .entire .character,” .Julianne .says . .Claire .has .always .followed .her .own .path, .and .that .path .is .now .leading .her .to .Wesleyan .University .in .Middletown, .Connecticut . .

Mom and Dad — thank you. The fact that I’ve been able to spend 15 years of my life at Roeper makes me pretty lucky. Thank you, classmates, teachers, and staf f — you make Roeper, Roeper.

Zoe …makes things happen.

claire …very much in charge of herself.

29

SAMANTHA LYNN HEIMAN, daughter .of .Jim .and .Lynn .Heiman .of .Clarkston, .attended .Roeper .for .15 .years . .When .Jamie .Benigna .asked .Samantha .what .her .favorite .animal .was, .she .paused .for .a .while, .and .she .eventually .talked .herself .into .

answering, .“Otters ” . .That .which .we .love .often .reflects .our .true .selves, .so .Jamie .presented .his .analysis .of .Samantha .and .her .favorite .animal . .Otters .are .skillful .and .creative . .Jamie’s .first .knowledge .of .Samantha .was .actually .a .year .before .she .ever .took .a .class .with .him, .when .former .English .teacher .George .Tysh .remarked .of .Samantha, .“She .is .just .the .most .creative .kid ” . .Throughout .her .academic .career, .teachers .have .routinely .commented .on .her .inventiveness, .her .flair .for .the .dramatic, .and .her .ability .to .engage .in .make-believe . .Mara .perhaps .stated .it .best: .“With .Samantha .you .can .propose .something .crazy, .and .she’ll .totally .go .for .it ” . .Otters .are .noted .for .their .playfulness, .and .perhaps .one .of .Samantha’s .most .endearing .qualities .is .her .genuine .delight .in .experiencing .something .new .… .she .gets .really .excited .… .REALLY .excited . .Many .species .of .otters .are .known .to .be .compassionate .and .caring, .with .some .exhibiting .strong .social .connections . .Samantha’s .friends .describe .her .as .the .one .who .will .never .exclude .anyone, .the .one .to .make .people .feel .included, .and .a .very .good .friend . .Samantha’s .empathy .towards .others .has .made .her .a .natural .leader, .but .her .reliability .has .ensured .that .her .peers .and .teachers .hold .her .in .the .highest .esteem . .When .Samantha .commits .to .do .something, .you .know .it .will .get .done . .Stage .I .teacher .Colleen .Shelton .perhaps .put .it .best: .“Samantha .was .loving, .funny, .and .wise .beyond .her .years, .a .much .loved .friend . .This .not .a .student .anyone .will .ever .forget .— .for .all .the .right .reasons ” . .Otters .are .not .highly .migratory .animals . .They .generally .venture .fewer .than .50 .miles .from .where .they .are .born . .Samantha .will .not .migrate .far .for .college .this .fall, .with .U .of .M .a .mere .48 .miles .from .home . .

Roeper has been with me almost my entire life,

but there’s something in me that isn’t so sad about leaving because I know I will keep in touch with all the wonderful people I met here. I wish all my friends and teachers a wonderful future at Roeper, or, to my fellow seniors, wherever you’re headed.

AMY MICHELLE ROMANO, daughter .of .Paula .Romano .of .Royal .Oak .and .Richard .Romano .of .Birmingham .and .sister .of .alumnus .Andrew .’11, .attended .Roeper .for .15 .years . .Jarie .Rudy .presented .the .“Top .Ten .Things .About .Amy”… .#10 .— .She’s .one .smart .cookie . .Amy .loves .to .learn . .Laura .Panek .describes .her .questions .in .

biology .as .truly .exceptional, .showing .her .ability .to .synthesize .fields .of .science .and .find .new .ways .of .understanding .the .world .around .her .#9 .— .She .loves .sports . .Coach .Christina .sites .Amy’s .senior .leadership .as .one .of .the .reasons .they .had .a .successful .volleyball .season .this .year . .Her .hard .work .and .sportsmanship .recently .gained .her .a .spot .on .the .All-District .soccer .first .team . .#8 .— .She .will .always .find .a .way .to .convince .you .of .her .point . .Christina .recounts .this .story: .One .time .we .were .talking .about .walking .directions .to .a .park . .A .group .of .us .said .go .left, .Amy .said .right . .She .finally .convinced .us .that .you .could .turn .right .and .go .around .the .entire .block, .and .her .way .would .work . .#7 .— .She’s .pragmatic .and .practical . .Her .very .clear .life .plan .includes .medical .school .for .pediatric .orthopedics, .becoming .part .of .Doctors .Without .Borders, .and .then .living .in .a .ski .chalet .in .the .Canadian .mountains . .#6 .— . .Amy .gives .back . .Her .senior .project, .teaching .pre-algebra .all .year .to .two .gifted .Lower .School .mathematicians .was .the .perfect .way .for .her .to .give .back .what .she .has .internalized . .#5 .— .She’s .incredibly .loyal .and .kind . .Erika .Parker .sums .it .up .the .best, .saying, .“Amy .is .the .most .steadfast .friend .anyone .could .hope .for .She .would .bend .over .backwards .for .those .she .considers .her .friends .and .she .makes .it .easy .to .return .the .favor ” . .#4 .— .She .is .totally .unassuming . . .Amy .has .a .childlike .wonder .about .the .world .This .innocence .and .genuine .niceness .leads .us .to .wonder .— .is .she .someone .cryogenically .frozen .from .the .1950s? . .#3 .— .Oh, Canada! . .Who .could .

Samantha … relishes

trying new things

and working

hard.

Amy …the first one to run over to any new

person walking into the

school and introduce

herself.

30

forget .the .talent .show .when .10-year-old .Amy .sang .that .song .in .a .slightly .off .key .and .absolutely .heartfelt .way? . .So .great .is .Amy’s .Canada .love .that .next .year .she .will .be .attending .Queens .University . .#2 .— .Her .family .is .amazing . .Amy .is .incredibly .well-adjusted .and .grounded . .And .the .number .one .thing .about .Amy! .She’s .a .hugging .maniac .In .Stage .IV .Amy .had .the .distinction .of .being .our .designated .hugger .— .always .there .when .you .needed .a .hug .— .since .then .she .has .used .her .stealth .moves .to .constantly .one-up .me .with .hugs! .

This school and community has given me more than I could ever return.

dANIEL JAY THIbOdEAU, son .of .Ed .and .Amy .Thibodeau .of .Royal .Oak, .attended .Roeper .for .15 .years . .Christina .Miceli .speaks .about .the .Senior .Trip: .“As .most .of .Dan’s .class .was .whitewater .rafting, .Dan .was .back .at .the .lodge, .heating .up .bed .sheets .by .the .fire .to .keep .the .sleeping .Connor .

Sheidler .warm ” . .Everyone .knows .that .he .would .do .anything .to .help, .not .just .those .closest .to .him, .but .anyone .who .needs .a .friend . .Dan .is .very .aware .of .how .people .should .be .treated .in .order .to .feel .valued .and .included . .These .characteristics .lend .themselves .to .those .of .a .successful .and .inspiring .educator, .which .is .why .Dan .decided .to .teach .the .introduction .of .Calculus .to .a .Pre-Calc .class .for .his .senior .project . .In .the .classroom, .Dan .forces .students .to .think .for .themselves .and .believe .that .even .the .most .challenging .concepts .are .manageable . .Jamie .Benigna .commented .that .Dan .is .“completely .at .ease .with .making .himself .the .brunt .of .a .joke, .and .he .clearly .takes .himself .lightly .while .simultaneously .taking .learning .very .seriously ” . . .Dan .believes .that .school .should .be .fun .and .memorable, .and .that .you .learn .best .when .enjoying .the .experience . .Whether .it .was .dressing .up .as .Lisa .Baker .during .Spirit .Week, .singing .Stacey’s .Mom .to .homeroom, .or .telling .Jamie, .“My .eyes .are .up .here,” .as .he .modeled .new .jerseys .for .girls .volleyball . .In .addition .to .these .silly .stories .though, .Dan .has .played .an .instrumental .role .in .

shaping .the .experience .of .many .Middle .School .students .through .his .leadership .as .a .chaperone .at .Wolverine .Camp, .tutoring .in .math .clinic, .and .coaching .the .Middle .School .girls’ .Soccer .team .this .spring . .He .brought .the .same .demeanor .to .the .girls .that .he .demonstrated .as .a .captain .of .the .Varsity .team . .Zoe .Demko .described .Dan’s .leadership .as .“an .air .of .optimism .and .positive .support .that .can .be .felt .even .from .off .the .field ” . .Next .fall .Dan .will .pursue .his .passion .for .teaching .at .Michigan .State .University

I really have grown more than I could imagine by being a part of the community. Thank you all and thank you, Ma and Pa, for taking me here.

dAVId JAMES VEILLETTE, son .of .Steve .and .Deb .Veillette .of .Lake .Orion .and .brother .of .Jordan .’12, .attended .Roeper .for .15 .years . .Like .so .many .students, .Roeper .is .more .than .a .school .for .David .— .it .is .a .way .of .life . .Lisa .Baker .states .David .has .the .heart .and .tenacity .of .an .athlete .coupled .with .the .sensibility .of .an .artist .and .the .soul .of .a .potter . .He .is .a .complex, .committed .and .highly .empathic .student . .Ed .Sack .describes .him .as .“one .of .the .most .fit .players .I’ve .ever .coached ” . .It .seems .on .many .days .that .he .could .play .the .position .of .two .people . .He .is .living .proof .that .talent .and .hard .work .pay .off! . .David .has .learned .to .take .care .of .himself, .and .in .the .process .he .takes .care .of .those .around .him .Lisa .Baker .says, .“He’s .the .kid .I .find .picking .up .trash .in .the .hallway .when .no .one .has .asked .and .no .one .is .watching . .He’s .the .player .who .makes .the .pass, .to .set .up .the .assist .that .ends .in .a .goal .that .wins .the .game . .David .revels .in .the .team’s .win .and .the .school’s .success . .He .is .as .likely .to .be .in .the .stands .at .a .playoff .game .as .he .is .in .the .audience .

Dan … his analytical skills, extraordinary ability to listen fully, and gift for connecting with others will lead him to success.

David … quite simply, one of Roeper’s unsung heroes.

31

at .a .play .— .because .David .understands .what .it .means .to .be .a .part .of .a .community .— .you .have .to .show .up!” . .David’s .friends .and .teammates .describe .him .as .someone .they .can .count .on .and .someone .who .doesn’t .take .himself .too .seriously .“ . .David’s .love .of .running .free .— .of .being .unencumbered, .takes .life .in .the .art .studio . .Tessa .says, .“His .glazes .are .intuitive, .playful, .and .spontaneous . .He .allows .the .material .to .lead .him, .and .if .things .don’t .turn .out, .he .can .shift .easily ” . .David .will .be .attending .Lawrence .Tech .in .the .fall, .where .he .will .play .soccer .on .a .scholarship

Thank you, Roeper. Thanks to my teachers, my coaches, my peers, and all of my supporters. You have made Roeper the most fantastic experience of my life. I have been very fortunate. I have learned so much along the way. I am so lucky that I was able to experience so much. My graduation isn’t then end of my life with Roeper, and I am excited to see how much will change when I come back to visit.

CHRISTIAN ANdREw CLARK wHITE, son .of .Patrick .White .and .Amy .Clark .of .Birmingham, .attended .Roeper .for .15 .years . .Jason .McIntosh .describes .Christian .as .a .strong, .silent .man .— .alive, .and .very .well . .Every .one .of .his .few .words .is .important, .confident, .and .well-selected .before .being .delivered . .Do .not .mistake .this .quiet .man .— .he .is .brilliant, .creative, .strategic, .assertive, .and .prepared .to .interject .when .the .time .is .right . .His .quietness .is .a .running .theme, .through .15 .years .of .written .reports . .Although, .from .the .start, .his .teachers .recognized .the .wisdom .Christian .quietly .carries . .“He’s .really .just .taking .it .all .in,” .they .said . .“He’s .collecting .knowledge .and .waiting .for .the .right .time .to .return .the .favor ” . .“I .often .look .at .Christian .and .wonder .what .he .is .smiling .about,” .Laura .Panek .wrote . .“He .always .seems .to .have .a .small, .sly .smirk .on .his .face . .I .wonder .if .he .has .a .running .commentary .going .in .his .head .about .his .classmates .and .what .is .going .on .

christian … honest,

thoughtful, funny, and

sincere.

around .him ” . . .In .fact, .in .a .college .essay, .Christian .wrote: . .“If .I .have .a .camera .in .my .hand, .I .am .happy . .Through .photography, .I .have .learned .that .attention .to .detail .leads .to .success . .As .a .photographer, .I .capture .more .than .just .the .moment; .I .want .to .create .a .work .of .art .that .is .truly .unique .by .composing .the .elements .within .the .image . .I .see .details .that .others .may .overlook, .like .the .way .the .sunlight .reflects .on .trees .and .the .way .raindrops .change .the .color .of .roads ” . .Christian .has .been .here .at .Roeper .his .entire .life . .It’s .all .he .knows .— .the .comfort .of .a .small .community .accepting .who .he .is .and .the .pure .joy .that .radiates .from .him . .The .words .of .his .Stage .III .teachers .seem .fitting .today: .“Dear .Amy .and .Patrick, .What .a .delightful .son .you .have! . .Christian .is .so .genuine . .He .has .passions, .and .he .has .information . .He .has .dreams .and .desires, .and .he .lets .us .in .on .all .that .is .important .to .him . .He .is .honest, .thoughtful, .funny, .and .sincere . .We .are .delighted .to .know .him . .Thank .you .for .sharing .him .with .us . .We .will .miss .this .charming .boy .of .yours, .but .he’s .ready .for .the .new .challenges .he .will .face .in .Stage .IV” .— .or .in .this .case, .at .Indiana .University . . .

After spending 15 years at Roeper, I still find myself enjoying and learning something new each day. I have truly enjoyed the 15 years that I have spent at Roeper. I have made a lot of friends over the years at this school. The values that I learned at Roeper will last with me for the rest of my life. F

32

KITOUTTAKES

33

34

KITCLOSING REMARKS

Lisa BakerUpper School Director

The .Class .of .2013 .is .a .remarkable .group .of .individuals, .who, .as .Mara .pointed .out .are .strong-

willed, .intelligent .young .adults .who .rise .to .challenge .and .confront .adversity .directly . .In .ninth .

grade .we .described .them .as .“northside” .and .“southside;” .(and .clearly .they .still .remain .proud .

of .their .roots) . .However, .over .the .last .few .years .they .have .discovered .their .commonalities .

and .have .harnessed .the .power .of .every .class .member! . .Just .last .week, .at .the .Senior .Project .

Festival, .over .75% .of .the .class .was .in .attendance . .You .see .the .Class .of .2013 .celebrates .their .

peers’ .work .as .much .as .they .do .their .own . .They .have .raised .more .money .and .organized .

more .class-sponsored .trips .and .activities .than .any .class .in .my .tenure .One .hundred .percent .

of .the .class .has .participated .in .an .extracurricular .activity .at .Roeper, .and .academically .they .

have .set .the .bar .at .a .new .mark . .Nearly .60% .of .students .in .this .class . .were .offered .merit-

based .scholarships, .and .90% .of .those .students .were .offered .scholarships .at .more .than .one .

school . .They .are .leaving .very .big .shoes .to .fill

Many .students .in .this .class .have .faced .real-life .challenges . .They .seem .to .know .inherently .

what .some .of .us .are .just .learning .— .that .you .can’t .always .choose .what .happens .to .you .

Events .and .people .will .kick .you .in .the .gut .sometimes . .It’s .not .your .choice . .However, .you .

can .always .choose .your .response . .You .can .always .frame .your .day .and .your .life .as .you .

choose . .In .Abena .Stone’s .one .act .play .The Roomba Bomb, .one .of .her .main .characters, .Osei .

says, .“Today .a .bouquet .of .flowers .fell .at .my .feet, .as .though .they .came .down .from .heaven .with .the .rain .

and .the .lightning . .Because .I .knew .the .sky .was .not .wicked, .I .have .decided .to .love .today .with .my .feet .on .

the .ground ” . .He .continues, .“Don’t .avoid .bumping .into .life . .Open .yourself . .Let .yourself .be .human .Let .

yourself .love ” . .

Roeper .has .taught .you .many .things .— .not .the .least .of .which .is .how .to .love, .how .to .support, .and .how .and .

when .to .take .action . .Trust .me .when .I .tell .you .that .this .group .will .never .sit .idly .and .let .the .world .pass .them .

by . .

Last .week .driving .up .Woodward .Avenue .I .noticed .a .sign .that .reads, .“Walsh .College .grads .hit .the .ground .

running ” . .My .son .Matthew .said, .that’s .not .true .at .Roeper . .I .was .taken .aback . .Surely .we’d .all .want .to .think .

our .graduates .hit .the .ground .running . .“No,” .he .explained, .“at .Roeper, .graduates .are .so .far .ahead .they .don’t .

need .to .worry .about .running ” . .Turns .out, .in .this .case, .he’s .right!

So, .Class .of .2013, .I .hope .you .hit .the .ground .walking .and .decide .to .love .today .with .your .feet .on .the .ground .

Take .time .to .appreciate .the .little .things . .I .know .you .will .continue .to .bring .your .fire .— .to .push .and .ask .

hard .questions .and .challenge .the .world . .Most .importantly, .I .hope .you .will .remember .that .you .are .loved .

and .appreciated . .You .may .be .moving .beyond .our .walls, .but .you .will .always .be .welcomed .back .with .open .

arms . .

Ladies .and .Gentlemen, .it .is .with .great .pleasure .and .pride .that .I .present .the .Class .of .2013! . .F .

trust me when I tell you that this group will never sit idly and let the world pass them by.

35

KITSENIOR PROJECTS

The George A. Roeper Senior Projects are designed to allow students to follow their personal passions and extend their learning beyond the classroom. These projects represent skill sets that students have developed over time. The students have managed at least one semester of independent, self-directed learning. They have been supported by mentors within our walls as well as professionals in their respective areas of interest outside the Roeper Community. It would be easy to focus solely on the results these students have produced; however, the process they employed and relationships they developed are likely what will impact them most in the years to come.

Listed here are the Class of 2013 participants and their projects.

. Aaron Bernard . . . . . . Internet Sociology in Viral Videos & Garrett House

Jacob Dalton . . . . . . . The Art of Performing

Zoe Demko . . . . . . . In My Own Little Corner: A Seamstress’s Tale

Rosie Desantis . . . . . . Young Detroit Solutions

Miles Eddy . . . . . . . . Exploring the Music of Others

Max Gordin . . . . . . . Phineas & Ferb: Directing a Multiple

Samantha Heiman . . . . . The Beautiful Days, a novella

Mara Jaffe . . . . . . . . The George: A Pop-Up Restaurant

Mikayla Konst . . . . . . Girls Mentoring

Max Raimi . . . . . . . . The Roeper Show

Amy Romano . . . . . . . Teaching Pre-Algebra

Abena Stone . . . . . . . The Roomba Bomb

Dan Thibodeau . . . . . . Teachin’ Ain’t Just for Teachers

Matt Wagner . . . . . . . Sailing Brought Back to Life

36

KITPASSIONS & PURSUITS

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Claire .DennisJustin .FinkelSamantha .HeimanBrooke .MichelsonJulianne .Walkiewicz

FORENSICS

Tom .AllenAaron .BernardStuart .CrawfordJacob .DaltonJack .DecerchioZoe .DemkoRose .DesantisFlynn .DrewMiles .EddyAustin .FarrowMax .GordinGarrett .HouseMikayla .KonstJeremy .KrumanGabriel .LindNick .PanourgiasMax .RaimiAmy .RomanoMelanie .SchwarzSpenser .SolysAbena .StoneKyle .Westphal

GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE

Kiara .CanalesRose .DesantisMax .RaimiAbena .Stone

MOdEL UN

Tom .AllenAaron .BernardJacob .DaltonClaire .DennisSamantha .HeimanBrooke .MichelsonErica .ParkerAmy .RomanoSpenser .Solys

PERFORMING ARTS

dance ensemble/repertorytheatre

Morgan .HarrisonSamantha .HeimanAmy .Romano

instrumental music

Alex .BlankenburgZoe .DemkoClaire .DennisFlynn .DrewMiles .EddyAustin .FarrowJustin .FinkelCatherine .GalliganAaron .KeteyianGabriel .LindMikayla .KonstBrooke .MichelsonNicholas .PanourgiasChloe .Rybicki-KlerAlec .SegelChristian .White

roeper theatre company

Jacob .DaltonZoe .DemkoRosie .DesantisMiles .EddyAustin .FarrowMax .GordinSamantha .HeimanAaron .KeteyianMax .RaimiChloe .Rybicki-KlerAlec .SegelDan .Thibodeau

vocal music

Alex .BlankenburgJacob .DaltonMiles .EddyAustin .FarrowCatherine .GalliganMorgan .HarrisonSamantha .HeimanEsohe .OsabuohienAlex .RossettiChloe .Rybicki-KlerAlec .SegelChristian .White

SIERRA CLUbAustin .FarrowJustin .FinkelChloe .Rybicki-Kler

STUdENT GOVERNMENT

Tom .AllenAaron .BernardAustin .FarrowMax .GordinSamantha .HeimanNick .PanourgiasMatt .WagnerKyle .Westphal

TUNA TALK

Mara .JaffeAaron .KeteyianAlec .SegelMatt .Wagner

UMOJA

Morgan .HarrisonEsohe .Osabuohien

VARSITY SPORTS

baseball

Tom .AllenAustin .FarrowAbrahim .HashwiGabriel .LindAlec .Segel .Dan .ThibodeauMatt .Wagner

Roeper students are not simply products of the curriculum, they are an integral part of the learning process and are encouraged to be fully engaged community participants by uncovering their passions in a myriad of venues. This important dimension allows students to experience the special rewards and self-esteem that come from exploration and mastering.

Here is a snapshot of the Class of 2013 journey:

37

basketball

Tom .Allen .Kiara .CanalesJack .DecerchioAustin .FarrowMorgan .HarrisonAbrahim .HashwiGarrett .HouseJulie .PudarAmy .RomanoSpenser .SolysDan .ThibodeauMatt .Wagner

cross country

Austin .FarrowJustin .FinkelGarrett .HouseMara .JaffeChloe .Rybicki-Kler

golf

Jack .MurrayAlex .RossettiSpenser .SolysDavid .Veillette

soccer

Tom .AllenClaire .DennisMorgan .HarrisonAbrahim .HashwiSamantha .HeimanMara .JaffeWill .MartykaBrooke .MichelsonJulie .PudarAmy .RomanoChloe .Rybicki-KlerConnor .SheidlerSpenser .SolysDan .ThibodeauDavid .Veillette

track

Aaron .BernardKiara .CanalesJacob .DaltonJustin .FinkelAbrahim .HashwiGarrett .HouseWill .MartykaChloe .Rybicki-KlerMelanie .SchwarzConnor .SheidlerSpenser .Solys

volleyball

Morgan .HarrisonBrooke .MichelsonErica .ParkerAmy .RomanoJulie .PudarMelanie .Schwarz

YEARbOOK

Alex .BlankenburgClaire .DennisMara .JaffeJulie .PudarDan .ThibodeauDavid .VeilletteJulianne .Walkiewicz

38

KITAwARDS & HONORS

The Order of The

Roeperian Empire

In .1975, .David .Jaffe .’74 .proposed .the .creation .of .a .new .award .to .recognize .exceptional .Upper .School .students . .George .accepted .the .proposal, .and .each .year .since, .the .school .has .awarded .individuals .who, .by .virtue .of .their .extraordinary .sharing .of .time, .effort .and .self, .made .outstanding .contributions .to .the .Upper .School .community . .Remarkable .achievements .alone .do .not .qualify .a .student .for .the .award . .Contributing .to .the .community .is .most .important . .Richard .B .Morris .’72 .coined .the .term .“Order .of .the .Roeperian .Empire” .for .the .award, .and .designed .the .official .crest .

The Order of The Roeperian Empire2013 Recipients

. aUStin Farrow Mara JaFFE

MiKayla KonSt dan thiBodEaU

The Order of The Fighting Tuna

Each .year .the .reigning .Knight .or .Dame .Commander .of .the .Order .of .the .Fighting .Tuna .appoints .a .successor .from .the .Junior .Class . .The .Order .of .the .Fighting .Tuna .was .estab-lished .in .1985 .to .“protect .the .honor .of .the .members .of .the .community .of .the .Roeper .City .and .Country .School ” . .Each .year, .the .new .member .of .the .Order .is .knighted .during .a .ceremony .befitting .the .mock-seriousness .of .the .occasion

The 2013/14 Fighting Tuna20th .Knight .of .the .Order .Miles .Eddy .appointed

dylan Shallow

21 st Knight of the Order

Athletic Awards 2012/13 Upper School

Athletes of the YearaBrahiM haShwi

JUliE pUdar

Roeper Scholar AthletesJUStin FinKEl

garrEtt hoUSE

BrooKE MichElSon

George A. Roeper Sportsmanship Award

aUStin Farrow

aMy roMano

chloE ryBicKi-KlEr

Super Boosterof the YearnicK pUdar

39

KITCOLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

Patti BostwickDirector of College Counseling

Of the 48 members of the

Class of 2013,47 will go

on to college immediately.

Melanie Schwarz will return to

Switzerland for more schooling

there before college.

Six students were National Merit

Finalists, two of whom became National Merit Scholars; two

more were named Commended

Scholars. Two students were

National Achievement

Finalists, one of whom became a

Scholar.

Class members were admitted

to the listed institutions

and enrolled at colleges and

universities in BOLD CAPS.

The Class of 2013 was offered nearly $4 million total in

scholarships.

ALBION COLLEGE (2)

. Alma .College

. The .American .Academy .of .Dramatic .Arts

. The .American .Musical .and .Dramatic .Academy .

AMERICAN UNIvERSITy

. Belmont .University

. Boston .University

. Brown .University

. Case .Western .Reserve .University .

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIvERSITy

COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO (4)

CORNELL UNIvERSITy

. Culinary .Institute .of .America

. Denison .University

. DePaul .University

. DePauw .University

. Drexel .University .

. Duke .University

. Eastern .Michigan .University

. Emerson .College

. Emory .University

. Ferris .State .University

. Georgia .Institute .of .Technology

. Grand .Valley .State .University/Honors .College

HOWARD UNIvERSITy

INDIANA UNIvERSITy

. Ithaca .College .

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIvERSITy

. Johns .& .Wales .University .

KALAMAZOO COLLEGE

. Kettering .University

. Lake .Superior .State .University

LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIvERSITy

LAWRENCE UNIvERSITy

. Louisiana .State .University .

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGy

MICHIGAN STATE UNIvERSITy (4)

MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIvERSITy

. Middle .Tennessee .State .University

. The .New .York .Conservatory .of .Dramatic .Arts

NEW yORK UNIvERSITy TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

. North .Carolina .Central .University

. Northern .Michigan .University

. Northwestern .University

. Northwood .University

OAKLAND COMMUNITy COLLEGE

OAKLAND UNIvERSITy

. Oberlin .College

. Oxford .College

. Pace .University

. Princeton .University

QUEEN’S UNIvERSITy (KINGSTON, ONT)

. Rice .University .

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGy

ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGy .(2)

. Saginaw .Valley .State .University

. Suffolk .University

. University .of .Chicago

. University .of .Louisville

. University .of .Massachusetts .Amherst

UNIvERSITy OF MICHIGAN (9)

UNIvERSITy OF MICHIGAN LSA HONORS PROGRAM

. University .of .Michigan .– .Dearborn

UNIvERSITy OF PENNSyLvANIA THE WHARTON SCHOOL

UNIvERSITy OF NORTH CAROLINA

UNIvERSITy OF ROCHESTER

. University .of .South .Carolina

. University .of .Toledo

. University .of .Toronto

. University .of .Western .Ontario .

UNIvERSITy OF WyOMING

vANDERBILT UNIvERSITy

. Virginia .Commonwealth .University .

WASHINGTON UNIvERSITy/ST . LOUIS

WAyNE STATE UNIvERSITy

WESLEyAN UNIvERSITy

. Wentworth .Institute .of .Technology

. Western .Michigan .University

WHEATON COLLEGE/ILLINOIS

. Wright .State .University

. Xavier .University

40

KITA NOTE FROM EMERY

Emery PenceAlumni Relations Coordinator

This speech was given by Emery to the attendees at the 2013 Junior/Senior Dinner on June 8.

Good .evening   .As .Alumni .Director .it .is .my .job .to .welcome .you .to .the .wonderful .of .alumnihood   .But .before .I .do, .I .must .say .a .few .words .about .you As .a .class .you .have .come .a .long, .long .way   . .You .have .always .had .strong .individuals, .but .in .earlier .years .you .were .not .a .cohesive, .supportive .group   .Somehow, .you .realized .that .you .could .do .more .together .than .apart   .You .began .to .understand .that .if .another .succeeded, .it .was .not .a .loss .to .you, .but .a .benefit .to .you .and .your community

As .you .pulled .together, .you .began .to .accomplish .in .many .ways, .often .punching .above .your .weight   .You .celebrated .and .reveled .in .each .other, .and .thus, .created .a .positive, .supportive .atmosphere .that .produced .both .more .individual .and .class .success

As .you .look .back, .ask .yourself, .“What .did .I .do .to .build .a .better .class, .a .better .school .and .better .community?”  .Now .ask .yourself .how .you .will .create .a .better .world .once .you .leave .us

Now, .take .a .minute .to .think .about .your .parents’sacrificing .to .give .you .the .best .education .and .experience .they .could   .Some .sold .blood, .and .others .knocked .over .the .occasional .liquor .store, .while .others .simply .didn’t .take .a .vacation .for .10 .years   .They .drove .to .watch .you .play .in .Allen .Park .and .perform .at .forensics .tournaments .in .Saginaw   .They .volunteered .innumerable .hours   .They .took .a .big .leap .of .faith .to .keep .you .in .a .very .unusual .school   They .did .so .because .you .were .grateful .for .and .took .advantage .of .what .Roeper .had .to .offer    .The .third .leg .of .the .stool .of .your .success (I .like .that .— .stool .of .your .success) .was .the .educators .who .tutored .you .during .free .blocks, .stayed .with .you .after .school .until .the .project .was .done, .listened .to .you .when .you .were .down, .cheered .your .victories .and .challenged .you .to .go .farther   .Lord .knows .they .don’t .get .paid .enough, .but .your .growth .and .accomplishments .blinded .them .to .that .lack .of  .financial .compensation   .Be .sure .to .go .shake .the .hand .or .hug .a .teacher .sometime .tonight

A .welcome .to .wonderful .world .of .alumnihood  .means .“goodbye ” . .You’ve .got .to .go, .break .our .hearts .and .leave .us   .But .you .can .still .support .each .other .and .rely .on .each .other   .As .Alumni .Director .I .talk .to .Roeper .grads, .and .many .of .them .talk .eloquently .about .how .the .friendships .they .formed .at .Roeper .have .been .the .strongest .of .their .lives .and .how they .can .always .turn .to .those .who .journeyed .with .them .here .at .Roeper

Even .if .you .don’t .know .another .alum, .that .person .and .you .have .a .special .affinity   .A .couple .of .years .ago .we .were .having .a .gathering .in .a .fancy .chocolate .shoppe .on .the .ground .floor .of .30 .Rock .in .New .York   .After .it .was .over, .one .of .the .employees .said, “Those .people .were .all .different .ages; .did .they .know .each .other?”  .I .responded .that .many .of .them .were .meeting .for .the .first .time, .and .she .questioned, “Then .how .come .they .acted .like .old .friends?” . .I .tried .to .explain .that .they .all .grew .up .in .a .community .that .valued .relationships, .preached .respect .for .the .individual .and .commu-nity, .downplayed .winning .at .the .expense .of .others .and .created .people .not .afraid .of .life .or .the .future   .She .glimpsed .that .she .was .in .presence .of .something .special .but .really .couldn’t .understand .fully .the .bond .Roeperians .have

Whenever .you .need .help, .a .whole .lotta’ .of .people .have .your .back   Likewise, .be .sure .to .extend .your .hand .when .one .of .us .could .use .a .little .assistance

Lastly, .this .school .and .community .have .given .you .a .lot   .Stay .connected .to .it   .Come .back .and .tell .us .what .you .have .learned   .When .you .get .that .Annual .Fund .call, .be .as .generous .as .you .were .as .high .school .students

Now, .go .and .continue .to .make .the .world .a .better .place .like .you .made .Roeper .a .better .place

Make .us .proud .and .stay .hydrated! . .F . . Note of explanation:The Alumni Office gift to the seniors this year was a beautiful silver water bottle with all of the Class of 2013’s names on it.

41

KITPARTING THOUGHTS

Denita Banks-SimsDirector of Development

Dear .Friends .—

Please .note .the .missive .written .by .Emery .Pence .and .posted .on .the .door .of .the .Development .Office .(Jimmy .and .Vi’s .old .apartment), .in .the .Hill .House .last .year:

AREA CLOSED!DUE .TO .AN .OUTBREAK .OF .SQUIRREL .FEVER,

EMPLOYEES .IN .THIS .AREA .ARE .ORDERED .TO .GO .HOME .AND .EAT .CHOCOLATE .FOR .THE .REST .OF .THE .WEEK

DOING .ANY .KIND .OF .ROEPER .WORK .— .EVEN .AT .HOME .—

COULD .BE .FATAL .AND .THUS .SHOULD .BE .AVOIDED THIS .ORDER .IS .FROM .THE .HEALTH .DEPT

AND .THUS .OVERRULES .ANY .SILLY .COUNTERMANDING .ORDER .FROM .DENITA

Like .a .line .from .my .favorite .musical: .“How .do .you .hold .a .moonbeam .in .your .hand?”… .in .the .case .of .Emery, .you .grab .the .end .of .the .beam .and .HOLD ON!

Emery .assumed .the .Alumni .Relations .position .following .much .heralded .turns .as .the .Director .of .the .Middle .School .and .former .Lower .School .Science .teacher .— .where .he .was .once .honored .as .Michigan .Science .Teacher .of .the .Year .for .his .exemplary .skill .and .masterful .pedagogy . .He .has .brought .that .same .passion, .creativity .and .resoluteness .to, .as .Emery .would .say, .“the .world .of .alumni-ness!”

The .world .he .created .included .an .endless .array .of .implausible .acronyms .(RARBE, .POW, .ARF .and .more) .that .reflected .and .aptly .served .a .myriad .of .stewardship .and .fundraising .objectives . .The .levels .of .alumni, .former .student, .alumni .parent .and .former .staff .engagement .rose .significantly .under .Emery’s .watch, .and .the .number .of .alumni .who .donate .to .Roeper .has .nearly .doubled . .As .well, .we .are .reaching .more .and .more .alumni .and .former .students .and .former .staff .each .year .through .vigorous .outreach .and .thoughtful .stewardship . .This .past .year, .he .and .our .Student .Representatives .to .the .Board .of .Trustees .— .Tom .Allen .’13 .and .Alyssa .Flynn .’14 .— .led .an .historic .Student .Annual .Fund .Campaign .initiative .that .produced .more .than .83% .participation .rates!

Now, .as .many .of .you .know, .Emery .is .making .a .180° .turn .back .to .the .classroom .as .the .Middle .School .7th .grade .Social .Studies .teacher .— .a .position .and .placement .that .will .be .enriched .by .his .distinct .and .enduring .talents . .It .is .now .our .good .fortune .to .fortify .“the .world .of .alumni-ness” .and .make .Emery .proud!

Yours,

Emery with his daughter Amanda,

class of 2000, and granddaughter

Nadia.

We couldn’t have learned from better characters.

41190 woodward avEnUEBlooMFiEld hillS • Mi 48304-5020

rEtUrn SErvicE rEqUEStEd

THE ROEPER SCHOOL

NONPROFIT .ORGANIZATION

U S .POSTAGE

PAIdPERMIT .NO .16

BLOOMFIELD .HILLS, .MI .48304