Alumni News | Summer 2021

Welcome to Fort Worth Academy's Alumni Newsletter!

Our Alumni - Far & Wide

Send us your summer news and pictures!
We want to know what you've been up to.

Our next FWA Alumni Newsletter will be all about NEW BEGINNINGS, So make sure you send us your updates!
FWA Graduates - Class of 2021
William M. Broderick Leadership Award
This year's William M. Broderick Leadership Award was given to Ryan King in recognition of his leadership skills and contributions to the FWA student community. Former Head of School William Broderick joined Head of School Shannon Elders at graduation in presenting the award. Congratulations, Ryan!
Molly Stinson-West
Distinguished Alumni Award
This year’s recipient of the Molly Stinson-West Distinguished Alumni Award is Hailee Moore (FWA '94).

Hailee was a member of the Nine Year Club, attending FWA from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Hailee served as a member of NJHS and shared that FWA really felt like a second family. After FWA, Hailee attended Paschal High School, and it was during this time she developed an eagerness for cooking and working in professional kitchens.  
 
Hailee went on to attend Stephen F. Austin State University earning a Bachelor's of Science with a major in Hotel + Restaurant Management. Soon after graduation, Hailee moved to NY to attend the French Culinary Institute earning a Grand Diploma in Culinary Arts. Hailee continued on at the school for 2 years as an assistant chef and shared that it was during this time she learned the importance of good work habits in and out of the kitchen. For almost 18 years, Hailee has worked in a variety of culinary positions including the Four Seasons Hotel before eventually venturing out on her own to start a private dining and catering business, Simply Hailee. 
 
About two years ago, Hailee received a call from a long-time family friend working on a project building out an Italian restaurant in the tiny Texas town of Mingus. The purpose was to develop an on-site job training program for adults with intellectual disabilities, which is now the non-profit organization, Mingus Job Accelerator. Hailee moved back to Fort Worth to help with this project and the restaurant, Beneventi's, opened in June of 2020.

Hailee, you are a shining example of grit, perseverance, creativity and empathy. We are so proud of you!
Alumni Giving Back
NJHS Alumni Speaker
Beau Poitevent (FWA '17), former FWA NJHS officer and 2020-2021 FWCD Senior Class President, returned to speak at our National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony in March. Beau, we greatly appreciate the insights you shared and your continued support of the FWA community!
Three Generations of Buddies
We love the opportunity to see the special bond FWA Kindergarten and 8th Grade Buddies share! John Shipp (FWA '13) returned to campus to visit his Kindergarten buddy, Dylan (FWA '21), who is now the 8th grade buddy to Greyson (FWA '28).
An Update from an FWA Graduate
Nine-year-club member Bailey Albany (FWA '12) tells us: “I graduated from Abilene Christian University in May of 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and a minor in Spanish. I was blessed to immediately begin my career as an Operations Coordinator with Luxor Staffing in Arlington, TX. In the foreseeable future, I will pursue a Master’s degree to expand my knowledge in Management, Marketing and Human Resources.”
Congratulations, Bailey!
Congratulations to
our Alumni Graduating from High School
Nate Webster graduated from Fort Worth Country Day. He will be attending Colorado School of Mines. Nate is planning to major in Computer Science.
Gwen Bruce completed their coursework at Southwest High School in January, took classes at Tarrant County College for a semester, and will be attending UT Arlington in the fall.
Maia Farmer graduated from Trinity Valley and will be attending TCU.
Beau Poitevent graduated from Fort Worth Country Day and will be attending Sewanee: The University of the South.
Caden Harvison graduated from Fort Worth Country Day and will be attending the University of Arkansas with a major in Business.
Mia Mason graduated from Lake Country Christian and plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in Special Education.
Riley Evans graduated from Southwest Christian School and will be attending Tarleton State University to study Nursing.
Alex Lerma graduated from Trinity Valley and will be attending UT Arlington.
Ricardo Garcia graduated from Trinity Valley. He will be attending University of Colorado, Boulder.
Matthew Rosenberger graduated from All Saints' Episcopal School and will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute, majoring in Engineering.
Kynnedi Smith graduated from Fort Worth Country Day and will attend New York University (NYU), majoring in Dramatic Writing.
Gracie Toparlak Potter graduated from The Oakridge School and will be attending Birmingham-Southern College with a major in Psychology.
Riley Peveto graduated from Paschal High School and will be attending Texas Tech University.
Jackie Herman graduated from Fort Worth Country Day and will be attending University of Colorado, Boulder.
Grace Strittmatter graduated from Southwest Christian School and will be attending University of Arkansas to study Nursing.


Sophie Gudimetla

A.J. Gutierrez

Salim Markabi

Jacob Pipes

Brynn Stephens

Jonathan Whitling
These accomplished graduates are each members of the
FWA class of 2017! We are so excited to see
where you go from here!
Senior Reunion
Congratulations FWA Class of 2017
NEW TRADITION - Fort Worth Academy held our very first annual Senior Reunion this past May, in order to honor our class of 2017, as they graduate from high school! In attendance to celebrate were: FWA classes of 2018, 2019, 2020, current faculty, retired faculty, family and friends. Please join us in May 2022 for this recurring, special Alumni event!
Project Blaze Moves Ahead!
Friday, March 5th, was the groundbreaking ceremony for our new middle school renovation, Project Blaze. At the ceremony, Head of School Shannon Elders said, "Today is a wonderful day in the history of Fort Worth Academy. Our new middle school building will be a physical representation of our unique innovative spirit. It will serve to cultivate many future entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators for years to come." Our plan is to complete it by the first day of school in August 2021.

Honor the Memory of Ken Rice

Ken Rice, husband of our beloved Sharon Rice, Associate Head of School and Head of Middle School at FWA, and father of Joe Rice, Class of 1999, passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

Ken was a proud alumni parent and loved Fort Worth Academy as much as Sharon does. Any student, parent, grandparent, teacher or staff member associated with FWA over the past 30 years knows the profound impact of the contributions of Sharon Rice. 
 
In an incredible act of kindness, generosity, and in typical Rice fashion, Sharon has made a special request regarding those wishing to honor her husband upon his passing. 

Sharon has requested that that any gifts to honor Ken's memory or support Sharon are directed toward Project Blaze, Fort Worth Academy's middle school renovation. Sharon has been an instrumental part of the team working tirelessly for over three years to improve our middle school building, which she oversees. 

* Be assured that any gifts made to the Ken Rice Memorial Fund at Fort Worth Academy will be directed to Project Blaze, as requested by Sharon Rice.
Alumni Demo Day
As our middle school renovation began, we invited current and past students to a special "Demo Day." Plenty of FWA Alumni came to campus to walk through the middle school one last time with friends and to take a swing at some of the walls!
FWA Family and Friends -
You're a Part of Our Alumni FWAmily too!
Fort Worth Academy community is like no other. Once a member of the FWAmily, you are forever a valued part of our community of teachers, students, parents, grandparents and friends.
Pictured above - the Class of '21 Blanket Ceremony.
New Director of Development
and Alumni Relations
MaryEmily Pardue has joined the Fort Worth Academy team as our new Director of Development and Alumni Relations.

MaryEmily graduated from Texas Tech University in 1997 with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy. In 2000, MaryEmily and her husband Bill relocated from West Texas to their all-time favorite Texas home, right here in Fort Worth.
 
For the past two decades, MaryEmily has devoted her time, talents and fund-raising expertise with Fort Worth ISD and other partnering nonprofit organizations that specialize in benefiting students, families and education. Serving students by supporting education has been a priority and a lifelong commitment for MaryEmily.
 
MaryEmily and Bill have 3 beautiful teenage daughters, 2 silly golden doodles, 3 cats and 2 fish. MaryEmily says she is thrilled to be your newest Trailblazer, and she is looking forward to connecting with all of the FWA community, especially our alumni! Say “Hello” when you see her!

Hey Trailblazing Warriors -
We want to feature you!
Getting married, new job, exciting move or vacation pictures - do you have a story that we should tell your former teachers and classmates all about? We want to include it here! Email MaryEmily Pardue or Hira Chaudhary and we will do the rest!
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