2023 FVS Alumni Weekend

You are cordially invited back to the FVS Campus for our annual Reunion Weekend! From

June 1 – 4, 2023, you'll enjoy favorite activities such as dancing under the tent, trail rides, Arts Guild and Athletic Hall of Fame inductions, Distinguished Alumni Awards, and much more!

» Mike Jardine ’73

Mike has worked for Patagonia, worked in finance (and published two books on trading: New Frontiers in Fibonacci Trading and A Trade a Day), completed his MBA through the University of Washington, spent a short time at a German software company owned by a friend, developed the first-ever productivity app when the first iPhone was released in 2008, and now runs two businesses with over 50 designers and developers in Vietnam.

» Jillian Porter ’98

Jillian Porter ’98 grew up in Colorado Springs. She attended neighborhood public schools up through her freshman year of high school, at which point she started expressing a desire for a greater academic challenge. In the spring of that year, her parents suggested she apply to Fountain Valley School, just on the off-chance she might get a scholarship. At Fountain Valley School, Jillian was thrilled to find herself “surrounded by students who were motivated and had unlimited opportunities.” For her, FVS was a place of great intellectual challenge and possibility.

» Bailey Knecht ’13

After graduating from Fountain Valley School in 2013, Bailey attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Bailey had always wanted to live in a city—specifically a “sports city.” Boston seemed just the place. At Northeastern, Bailey participated in a 5-year journalism program, where she partook in several internships; and it was through these internships that Bailey was introduced to communications and public relations work.

Bailey remained in Boston for another year after graduating from Northeastern. During this time, she held a variety of roles in college athletics and with the Boston Bruins. She also engaged in freelance writing and a number of other pursuits as she searched for her next big step.

FVS Welcomes New Director of College Counseling, Jeff Kurtzman

A faculty committee led by John Litchenberg, with Blake Pelton, Penny Steele, and Matt Rinkin as members, met throughout the fall and engaged in a nationwide search for a new Director of College Counseling. After numerous first-round interviews, three talented finalists were invited to campus to interview, and we are delighted to announce that Jeff Kurtzman will be joining Fountain Valley School as the next Director of College Counseling beginning in July.

The FVS Ranch Report

March 2023

by Blake Pelton, Sustainability Committee

What's new on the 1100 acres of prairie land here on campus? Blake Pelton & Tyson Phillips of the FVS Sustainability Committee bring us this update.

Senior Capstone Projects:

A Call for Mentors — WE NEED YOU!

by Danielle Llewellyn

All seniors participate in our Senior Capstone course during their second semester, which is an exciting opportunity for them to choose a subject that interests them and take it to the next level. Students engage in ideation during the first semester of senior year and define a project that they will complete during the second semester. Some may choose to take a deep dive into an area of interest or a passion through research on campus, some may branch out and create something with their hands, and still, others may shadow a professional in a career of their interest. At the end of the course, students share what they’ve learned through a culminating presentation to the entire community in late April. No matter what students choose, the ability to direct their own learning and share the results is a skill that will serve them well in college and in life.

Some examples of projects for this year include the restoration of the campus pond to create a habitat for native (and often threatened) species, an exploration of the consequences playing college athletics vs. going directly to a professional or national level team, a deep dive into the environmental benefits of ethically hunting meat, designing and executing a Western road trip exploring investigative journalism and artistic expression in the southwest, learning and articulating the acquisition of language and any differences that exist between different cultures and languages, writing and publishing a children’s book, and investigating the benefits of art therapy. Past students have explored a fascinating array of subjects, including rocket technology, outdoor climbing certification, flight training, food rescue, graphic design, veterinary medicine, architecture/3D design, writing a novel, woodworking, video game design, printmaking, baking, music production and robotics, to name just a few.

Part of the students’ projects require them to interview an expert in the field of their project in order to learn first-hand about their topic and interact with the professional community.

If you would be willing to be interviewed by a senior for their Capstone Project, please fill out this survey—linked below—email dllewelyn@fvs.edu to share your contact information and field of expertise. If you are associated with a professional sports team or league, we would especially appreciate hearing from you! 

FVS Language Department Chair, Nathan Eberhart, Reflects on his Ballantine Grant Experience

FVS Language Department Chair, Nathan Eberhart, was awarded the coveted Ballantine Grant in 2022. That summer, he spent two weeks La Nouvelle-Calédonie, or New Caledonia. A sui generis territory of France located just north of New Zealand, it is one of France’s most independent territories, neither a department nor a region like French Guiana, and subject to even less French control than relatively nearby French Polynesia.

Follow the link to read more about Nathan's Experience:

A Call for Class Notes

We rely on you to tell us what is going on in your life! So please, share your news.

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.

Deadline: March 15, 2023

To get involved with FVS or

for questions about upcoming events, contact your Class Agent!

Contact Information is available below:

Join the Casa Serena Society

The Casa Serena Society is the Cornerstone of Annual Fundraising

ANY gift of $1,930+ to the School will induct you into the Casa Serena Society and includes invitations to special events.

For questions, please contact Ryan Linder, Development Coordinator, at rlinder@fvs.edu or (719) 391-5226.