Pictured above: Jody Brant '87 (board of trustee president), Rodney Geier '71 (Virtue in Action award recipient), Sarah Herrlinger '90 (Distinguished Alumna award recipient), and Rob Zimmerman '98 (head of school) at the Alumni Breakfast. |
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Cincinnati Country Day School
October 2021 Alumni Journal
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Dear Country Day Alumni and Community,
As a Cincinnati Country Day School alumnus, parent, trustee, and now Head of School, I have developed a deep appreciation for the importance of community to the success of our students.
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Already this year I have seen great energy and momentum that only comes from community: students arm-in-arm singing our alma mater after a football win; parents reconnecting at a PA event after two years of social distancing; and alumni reuniting to remember the transformative Country Day experiences that prepared them for success in life.
Nowhere is that sense of community more important than in fundraising, for Together We Soar! Match Day, our most significant day of fundraising for the Country Day Fund, is Thursday, November 11. It's your chance to make a difference. As a fellow Country Day alumnus, I ask you to consider a gift in support of our school and its students.
On behalf of our students, faculty, and staff, thank you for your support. We have started strong and together we will continue to soar!
With sincere gratitude,
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Rob Zimmerman ’98
Head of School
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It was great to see alumni back on campus and together over Homecoming and Reunion Weekend! Over 100 alumni attended the reception Friday evening and watched the Nighthawks' football team defeat New Miami 45 - 0. Pictured above: Class of 2001 at the Alumni Reception.
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The Alumni Breakfast welcomed back graduates from all eras. Head of School Rob Zimmerman '98 honored Sarah Herrlinger '90 and Rodney Geier '71 (pictured in lead photo) with the Distinguished Alumna and Virtue in Action awards. After the event, six upper school students took alumni on tours around campus.
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Join CCDS Board President and CEO of Katz Teller law firm Jody Brant '87 to learn about recent changes to tax laws that allow your contributions to work to your advantage while empowering the charities that mean the most to you. |
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Jody will also discuss tax planning in an uncertain legislative environment, and review tax changes should any legislation pass. Jody specializes in tax and estate planning and is happy to share his knowledge with our Country Day community.
Wednesday, November 3
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Zoom video conference
RSVP by November 1
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Nighthawks Reach the Playoffs! |
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Football: Saturday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. (Brian J. Bortz Family Stadium)
The Nighthawks' football team are the Miami Valley Conference League Champions and have secured their first playoff game in over six seasons!
Coach Dennis Coyle's run-heavy offense powered by lineman Andrew Vance '22 and Silas Snell '22, have paved the road for over 2,000 rushing yards. Ashton Snell '22 is responsible for over 1,200 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.
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"I am so proud of this team and the determination that they continue to play with", said Coyle. "I reminded the seniors that their freshman year we only had 16 players on the team and the school shortened the season to only six games. These seniors have helped us to rebuild the football program and I am so proud of their commitment, they have earned extra games in the playoffs!" (Pictured: Seniors, Andrew Vance '22, Andon Peacock '22, Silas Snell '22, Zach Corbin '22, and Ashton Snell '22.)
Cheer on the Nighthawks when they play at Brian J. Bortz Family Stadium Saturday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m.
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Girls Soccer: Monday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m. (Deer Park High School)
The girls soccer team continue their dominance by finishing the regular season 14-0-1 and Miami Valley Conference Champions for the fourth year in a row. Their regular season winning streak moves to 2022, with their last regular season loss in October 2018!
The Nighthawks' defeated Clark Montessori High School 10-0 in the second round of the playoffs. Cheer on the team as they play Reading High School at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 25.
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Boys Soccer: Saturday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. (Brian J. Bortz Family Stadium)
The team has a record of 8-5-4 including a first round victory over Fayetteville-Perry High School in the playoffs. Boys soccer plays Georgetown High School at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23.
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Girls Volleyball: Tuesday, October 26 at 6:00 p.m. (Norwood High School)
The team has an 11-10 record including two victories in the playoffs against Deer Park and Blanchester High School. Girls volleyball plays Archbishop McNicholas High School at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday October 26.
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Drew Tholke '06 took what he learned at Country Day and brought it to Hollywood. A film executive for Ethea Entertainment, Drew recently worked on the reimagined movie, "He's All That" for Netflix and is currently working on "Wedding Crashers 2." His passion for TV and film started right here at Country Day. |
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"Being at a smaller school, you could try everything you wanted to do. I was able to do sports, and I was able to do theater. I loved that opportunity," said Tholke. “Playing Gaston in Beauty and Beast my senior year is one of my favorite memories. You could say that being heavily involved in theater at Country Day is kind of where I started my creative career.”
He studied acting at Boston University before heading to Hollywood, where he got his first job with a little surprise help from a Country Day connection. During his job interview CAA – one of the top agencies in Los Angeles – he was asked if he knew a fellow Country Day alum, Johanna Byer ‘05, who was doing well in the industry. “The agent from CAA reached out to her and she told him I was a good guy and he should hire me,” explained Tholke. “So, it’s funny, this old Country Day alumni helped give me one of my first jobs in LA. The experience changed my career.” After acting at Country Day and in college, Drew originally wanted to work in acting but then found that he was the most creatively fulfilled when producing. Currently, he works with producers Andrew Panay and Jennifer Gibgot who've produced numerous successful comedies including the original "She's All That," "Wedding Crashers," "Hit and Run, “Serendipity,” and “Pay it Forward.”
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Tholke uses his creativity to come up with interesting ideas, such as the new take on "She's All That" titled "He's All That," which debuted at number one in the U.S. and globally on Netflix in August 2021." Five years ago, I didn't think I would be doing this, but I set a goal for myself,” said Tholke. “I mean, I loved those movies when they were released – 'She's All That' and 'Wedding Crashers.' Now those are the people I work with every day. I'm learning and I get to be a part of all of it.”
Tholke is grateful for his time at Country Day and advises students to "try everything you can."
"I remember some days, I'd get to campus at 6 a.m. to go swimming, then I would have a full day of classes, and then we would have rehearsals after that,” said Tholke. “Whether it's a sport, a club, an activity, anything – if you want to try something, try it! I just loved taking advantage of every opportunity.”
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"Country Day was just a great, comfortable environment for me,” said Tholke. “Everybody knew each other; everyone got along with each other. Everyone was smart and driven. We had very close relationships with our teachers – our teachers really inspired us. Country Day people are awesome." |
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The upper school is planning its annual Senior Seminar for the morning of Tuesday, January 4, 2022. The program is Expanding the College Experience Beyond the Classroom, and we would like any alumni that graduated in the past three years to participate as a presenter.
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If, during your college years, you have participated in leadership or service programs, in a political or unique governmental projects, in an internship, in a research program, in a semester-abroad program, in a music or fine arts program, in ROTC or a cooperative education program, in a social or Greek-life program, in college athletics or some equally rewarding endeavor, please consider sharing your experience.
For those of you who have participated previously, we would love to welcome you back!
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Students cheered on the football team dressed in pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. |
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Second-grade students identified seeds and selected plants for CCDS's garden that will harvest next year. |
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Upper School history teacher Merle Black looked to dunk Head of School Rob Zimmerman '98 at FallFest over Homecoming Weekend. |
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Seventh-grade students added trees to the Will Thayer '05 Arboretum. Thayer's classmates and family donated funds to establish the arboretum in his memory. |
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Senior Lifer students and kindergarten students planted the Class of 2034 lifer tree on campus, as part of a long-running tradition. |
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