A Welcome From Our Ninth Head of School
Click below to listen to Megan Harlan, our ninth Head of School, greet the FVS community.
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Fountain Valley School Renovations & Building Projects
Upcoming Changes to Campus:
» Full Renovation of the Kitchen & Upgrades to the Dining Hall
FVS is completely renovating the kitchen and updating the dining hall. This project began this summer and is scheduled for completion on November 1. These renovations were completely funded by our generous FVS community members!
» Additional Faculty Housing
FVS continues to move toward its goal of providing comfortable, on-campus accommodations for as many faculty members as possible. Additional faculty housing will be built to the west of the faculty housing project started in 2017. The completion date is projected for the end of December!
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The FVS Ranch Report
Ranch Report: August 2022
by Blake Pelton, Sustainability Committee
Thanks to recent rain, our pastures are growing well and our prospects for winter feed are looking good. We will get a second run of irrigation in the next couple of weeks, and as a result, we will get a second cut of hay.
Annie Overlin ’92, Regional Extension Specialist with CSU, was hired to complete a range
analysis for FVS. This included itemizing the species, size, volume, and density of the grasses as well as soil and irrigation water testing. She will return for a second visit, then write a final report for the school, which will guide the work to increase the overall health of our pastures over time.
In addition to ongoing general fence maintenance, repairs to the fence across Goldfield Road will begin shortly so that our horses can graze there over Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. This will relieve pressure on other pastures that have been heavily grazed.
The 82 field, which is now terraced, has been planted with cover crops. Perennial grasses will be added to counter invasive plants and create a functional system that will be ready for potential future use by students.
The campus pond restoration is moving along. Minnows were introduced a month ago, and they are breeding rapidly. In addition, six sterilized carp have been added to help control the algae. Larger fish will be introduced in early fall. Efforts to remove filamentous algae from the pond are ongoing. We are on track to get the pond ecosystem back in balance by next summer.
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FVS Partners with Black Rock Soccer
by Nevare Zimmerman, FVS Athletic Director
Fountain Valley School is proud to announce its partnership with the Black Rock FC Soccer Program.
This partnership allows FVS to provide an advanced soccer program for boys in grades 9-12. As part of a club-style program, students are able to compete at an elevated level of play during all 10 months of the academic year. The program is designed for both day and boarding student-athletes seeking to develop their skills beyond the level of high school athletics, with the intention to showcase these student-athletes' talents in front of college coaches nationwide.
Athletes will begin the fall season by competing in the United Premier Soccer League, as well as traveling to the East Coast for the NXT LVL Soccer Invitational – an invite-only showcase designed for top high school prep programs. The winter season sees the program compete in the Colorado Futsal Academy league, as well as in the North Carolina FC College Showcase in Raleigh, NC against some of the top club programs in the country. The spring season sees us play club friendlies against other club programs in the state of Colorado, as well as attend the President's Day College Showcase event in Arizona.
When speaking with Associate Director of Athletics and Black Rock FC Program Director, Kevin Ray, he said, “I am very excited to be partnering with Black Rock FC and be the Program Director for the residential soccer program here at Fountain Valley School. Black Rock FC has a proven track record at some of the most elite college showcase events in the country, helping many student-athletes reach their goal of playing college soccer. This year-round program will help FVS offer a college prep soccer environment to go with its college-prep education.”
Black Rock FC has a name that is synonymous with elite soccer programs on the East Coast, and we are excited to be able to help bring this level of play to Fountain Valley School. Taking this first step in providing our students with the opportunity to compete in high-level athletics while still providing a rigorous academic program will help take FVS athletic programs to the next level.
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Alumni Spotlight
Want to know what your classmates have been up to? Read on!
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» John "Jay" Kenney ’73
Jay Kenney, class of 1973, attended Harvard University and studied Classics after graduating from Fountain Valley School. He subsequently earned his Law degree from the University of Denver and practiced law for a number of years. And while this is so often where the story ends, Jay's story, like the stories of so many FVS alumni, merely begins with this achievement.
Jay has worn many hats throughout his life. He has worked as a private investigator and a ski instructor. While he no longer works as a lawyer, Jay—an avid outdoorsman—still uses his degree and experience to defend kayakers saddled with minor charges, such as trespassing. Jay has run two foundations: a creative writing group and an environmental organization. He was appointed to the Colorado State Land Board by Governor Roy Romer in the late ’80s, on which he served for four years. In 2007, Jay went back to school and earned a certificate in Geographic Information Systems, and, for a time, he created maps for cyclists, even compiling a book of his work.
For the past eight years, however, Jay has been making cider. For Jay, the hobby-turned-lifestyle began in the ’70s, when he borrowed (and never returned) his mother's cider press. Jay originally used the press to home-make fresh juice; but, the joy he found in the process compelled him to share his newfound hobby with friends who would arrive at his door with their own apples to press until, at one point, Jay found himself pressing around 1,500 pounds of juice in a single afternoon. As his pressing experience grew, he began experimenting with making hard cider in the basement. Eventually, his consistently not-so-delicious results led him to cider school at an organization called CINA – the Cider Institute of North America. His cider-making education was broken into two distinct courses. The first part consisted of a weeks-worth of classes on cider production. The second course focused on the business side of commercial production: licensing, administrative duties, and marketing.
During his time at "cider school," Jake met another student eager to launch his own cider company. Jay partnered with this individual; however, he is now a 90% owner of the company, with his original partner maintaining a 10% share.
Jay now owns six apple orchards, which he planted, with a seventh in development. His company – Clear Fork Cider – currently operates out of Wheatridge, Colorado, but they are in the process of relocating to the Paonia/Hotchkiss area on the Western Slope. Interested individuals can spend an afternoon in Jay's tasting room or purchase his cider at any of the locations provided on his website.
When asked whether he felt he'd continue producing cider in the long-term, Jay remarked, "The apple stuff feels—pardon the expression—very much a core thing for me. I expect to keep doing this for quite a while. I enjoy it, and it's something I can do myself."
Ever the Renaissance Man, Jay still maps apple orchards and digitally produces maps for authors of historical fiction on the side.
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» Scott van Hartesvelt ’98
After graduating from FVS in 1998 and then attending the University of Colorado, Boulder, Scott and his girlfriend, Monica (now wife), moved to Park City, Utah.
Having studied marketing at Boulder, having grown up in and around the hospitality industry—which gave him the opportunity to pursue several internships in marketing—and recognizing an opportunity in the fledgling years of widespread internet use, Scott quietly slid into a niche his background made him almost tailor-made for. Scott's company, gCommerce, began as a one-man gig, with Scott consulting on a novel concept – digital marketing. Scott helped his hospitality clients understand this new resource and capitalize on the growth of the internet.
The rise of gCommerce—now a well-established digital marketing agency that specializes in serving high-end hotels and resorts across the word—paralleled the rise of tech giants, such as Google, and, after several years, Scott began recruiting additional employees to help him run his growing business.
“I had to go to the FVS well for some great talent. I recruited both Will and Lindley Ferris. They both moved to Park City and now help me keep gCommerce Solutions running. It's great having them around. Every time I get too ‘bossy’ they remind me, and the team, about my antics back in high school.”
Lindley and Will both began as Junior Search Specialists, and in the twenty years that have passed since Scott was a one-man-band new to Park City, the company has grown significantly, with Lindley and Will growing alongside it. Both have advanced throughout the years to become executives in the organization, and Lindley now serves as the President.
Today, gCommerce Solutions employs 40 individuals and was recently included on Outside Magazine's list of "Top 100 Places to Work" – an honor Scott emphasized is a major accomplishment for the company, noting that gCommerce has been able to employ and work with so many incredible, talented team members. Scott noted that it's his goal to leverage workplace culture in order to continue to grow gCommerce Solutions as a compelling and productive voice in hospitality marketing for the next few decades and beyond.
In regards to working alongside his former classmates, Scott simply stated, "It's the dream."
"It’s been one of the great joys of my life, and I feel fortunate every day to wake up and do what I do. It’s so fun to be able to craft a company in the way that you think a business should be crafted. We have had a remarkable run with amazing talent throughout. Lindley is a remarkable leader, and seeing her put her thumbprint on the direction of the company has been really rewarding for me.”
As for Scott's life in Park City, Scott is as enamored with the community as ever. Scott joined his local Rotary Club and serves as the service chair, running about 23 service projects per year. Scott and Monica have a 12-year-old daughter named Laila, whose basketball team Scott coaches. As a family, the Hartesvelts love to hike, ski, and get outside. In reflecting upon his life in Utah, Scott notes that his love of the outdoors and being in a Mountain/Desert culture was instilled during his time at Fountain Valley School and is something he and his family wouldn’t trade for the world.
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» Elvina "Ellie" Zadow ’18
Ellie Zadow, a 2018 FVS alumna, recently graduated from Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she earned her degree in Biology and Biomedical Science. Initially, Ellie intended to go on to study large stock animal veterinary medicine—an idea originally sparked during her time riding for Fountain Valley and throughout her summers working in the FVS Barn coaching riding camps.
While studying Biology and Biomedical Science during the pandemic, however, Ellie realized she wants to go into nursing. Ellie is currently in the process of applying to nursing school and is working as a CNA in a skilled nursing facility in Fort Collins.
Ellie—who attended FVS for her junior and senior years and won the Top Horseman award for riding her senior year—was an athlete for the CSU Riding Team up until the pandemic interrupted their competitive seasons. Still an avid rider, Ellie returns to FVS to coach the children's riding camps every summer. Ellie has also helped with the trail rides during the FVS Alumni Weekends, and she has worked as a full-time assistant to FVS riding coach Liz Bjorklund for the past two summers.
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FVS Welcomes New Athletic Director, Nevare Zimmerman
Nevare Zimmerman joined Fountain Valley School this past July as our Director of Athletics. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Nevare comes to FVS most recently from Emma Willard School in Troy, New York, where she spent time in their Advancement Office fundraising for athletics and assisting with alumni relations. Prior to working at Emma, she served as the Manager of Business Operations for the Windy City Bulls, the official G-League team of the Chicago Bulls.
“Working for Windy City and with the Chicago Bulls was an absolute dream. They are such a wonderful organization, and the experience and connections I gained from working with them have been invaluable. Ultimately, though, I missed working in education, and I knew when the opportunity presented itself that I would need to make the decision to leave in order to follow my passion.”
For nearly 10 years, Nevare has worked in boarding schools, starting her career at Montverde Academy, a boarding and day school just outside Orlando, Florida. As the Assistant Director of Athletics at Montverde Academy, Nevare oversaw two National Championship teams, and Montverde was the first high school in the league to witness two teams within the same season winning National Championships. In total, Nevare helped oversee 30 teams between middle school and high school and developed one of the first beach volleyball teams at a high school in the county.
“I love what I do, and I am thrilled to be at Fountain Valley School and begin working with the coaches and athletes. My goal isn’t about winning every game, it is about developing well-rounded student-athletes who want to achieve success both academically and athletically.”
Nevare holds a Master Of Science degree in Recreation and Sports Administration from Western Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Stetson University, and FVS is thrilled to welcome her into this director position!
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We rely on you to tell us what is going on in your life! So please, share your news. |
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Nominate a Classmate: FVS Arts Guild & Athletic Hall of Fame |
If you recall a classmate who deserves our recognition, follow the link below to submit your nomination for the 2023 Arts Guild & Athletic Hall of Fame inductions.
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Save the Date:
Upcoming Major FVS Advancement Events
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» Support FVS – Giving Dates
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Giving Tuesday: FVS Parent Giving Day – November 29
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Colorado Gives Day – December 6
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FVS Gives Day – May 11
» Reunion 2023 – June 1-4, 2023
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Featured Event: Business After Hours Chamber Event at FVS |
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FVS will host the Chamber & EDC for "Business After Hours". These monthly events connect the business community with organizations throughout the region. Enjoy an evening with your colleagues in the beautiful Hacienda Courtyard. Registration is required!
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Friends, YOU are Fountain Valley’s most powerful marketers!
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We’re still accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year! If you know of a student who would benefit from the distinctive FVS education and experience, please let them know about us—and us about them! We're happy to reach out with a call.
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Upcoming FVS Admission Events
» Upcoming Virtual Events
- FVS Faculty Voices
- Tuesday, August 16 at 5:00 p.m. (MST)
» FVS Open House
- Friday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. (MST)
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Opportunities to Support Your FVS Family |
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Planned Giving:
Join the Elizabeth Sage Hare Society
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The Elizabeth Sage Hare Society honors individuals who have included Fountain Valley School in their estate plans.
If you would like to include FVS in your estate plans and become an FVS Legacy Donor, please contact Margie Shere at msherer@fvs.edu or (719) 391-5315.
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Extra! Extra!
2022 Bulletin Release
» Be on the lookout for the latest issue of the FVS Bulletin,
to be released this Fall.
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FVS Veterans
We would like to honor you.
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FVS Veterans, please submit your graduation year, military branch, and years of service via Class Notes. Hero photos can be sent to communications@fvs.edu. Please include your first and last name with photos.
Thank you for your service!
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