Gulf Stream School deeply values its alumni and wants all who attended GSS to stay informed and involved.

My spouse, Marco, and I got married in 2013, and we have two children, Emma (age 5) and Liam (age 2).

My time at Gulf Stream School really helped me become the person I am today. When I came to GSS in fourth grade, I had a heavy Italian accent and was still adapting to life in the U.S.

I had just moved to Delray Beach and transferred from Palm Beach Day School. I made incredible friends from the first day and was able to really discover what I was passionate about.

Academically, I was introduced to incredible literature and learned how to overcome my fear of math. I was also able to learn about different time periods and parts of the world in history class.

This all set me up for success not only based on the subject matter, but because my teachers and peers gave me the courage to push myself outside of my comfort zone.

This is a difficult question, as so many teachers made such an impact in my life.

Mr. Wilson’s history class was something I always looked forward to. He taught me how to be disciplined, thorough and curious. He is the reason I chose to major in International Studies when I went to college.

Mrs. Voight taught me to love Latin and continued to spark my curiosity of learning new languages such as French, Spanish and some Chinese in college.

Mr. Winans and Ms. Gibb added another dimension to literature and poetry. They made it seem as if you were there when the author was writing his or her piece.

Mr. Sherry and Mr. Cook took the time to share their knowledge about math, providing the right amount of push so I could accomplish my goals and never letting me give up.

The relationships I made at GSS are what I hold most dearly. All my siblings — Nicolo Ragazzi, Daniel Young, Jack Young and Andrew Young — went to Gulf Stream, and I was always happy to go back to campus to see everyone.

I have stayed in touch with most of my classmates and continue to speak with some on a regular basis. I have been to some of their weddings and seen some become parents. They have become part of my family, and that is priceless!

Along with my three older siblings — Bethany (Thomas) Bibliowicz (‘04), Leah Thomas (‘05), and Aidan Thomas (‘08) — I am a third-generation Gulf Stream School alumni. Our mother, Raina (Cassady) Thomas (‘75), also graduated from GSS, and our grandmother, Ann (Rentschler) Cassady, attended Gulf Stream School as a seasonal student in the 30s!

Gulf Stream School had a tremendous impact on who I am today. GSS puts an emphasis on community and treating each other with kindness, and the small classes allow you to become really close with everybody and makes it feels like a family. I would consider my GSS classmates my core group of friends to this day.

Picking a favorite teacher is a tough one! I have great memories in Mr. Winans’ English class, learning the game of baseball or having class on the beach. Mrs. Bogert also made science fun; I loved art class with Ms. Holly!

All of the amazing field trips we took at GSS are among my best memories. Traveling to Costa Rica, Canada, and St. Augustine with classmates are memories I’ll never forget! Field Day also brought out a level of competitiveness I never knew I had. Go Blue!

I grew up in Delray Beach, and my brother, Geoffrey (‘02), also attended GSS.

I met my wife, Ashley, in 2010, while we were both working for a leading Washington, D.C., technology firm. We married in 2013 at the Gulf Stream Bath & Tennis Club, and moved back to the area in April 2020, with our two children (Alexander Jr., 5; and Ellen Ann, 2).

Ashley currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources for EdgeConneX, a D.C.-based global data center firm. Alexander Jr. is in his third year at Gulf Stream School in the Kindergarten program and I have a younger daughter, Ellen Ann. Both children are eager swimmers and tennis enthusiasts!

Gulf Stream School’s incredible faculty and robust curriculum prepared me for success in both a rigorous secondary school and collegiate liberal arts program. Thanks to my experience at GSS, I was a step ahead of my peers when transitioning into those environments from both an educational and maturity standpoint.

Professionally, I continue to employ the foundational values I embraced at GSS, such as always treating others with dignity and respect. This has enabled me to be an effective leader managing large, diverse, global teams while maintaining productive and mutually-beneficial relationships within my network.

Lastly, I have always appreciated the exposure to multiple team sports that I received at GSS. I learned how to embrace healthy competition and compete under pressure. It greatly aided me in my collegiate tennis career.

My favorite teacher from my time at GSS was Ned Wilson, who taught History. Mr. Wilson sparked my interest in the subject with his unique perspectives and strong attention to detail. Thanks to him, I am an avid history buff to this day!

Beating St. Andrews with Coach Cathy Abrams to win the league tennis championships in 1999 is an incredible memory for me. It was the first banner hung from the gym rafters!

My eighth-grade speech about Henry Flagler will always resonate with me as well. Ann Gibb’s laser-focused attention to public-speaking skills are lessons that I carry forward with me to this day. It definitely comes in handy when having to speak in front of large groups!

My daughter, Margaret Lusk, attended Gulf Stream School for nine years and graduated in 2014.

The biggest benefit from my time at GSS has been the lifelong friendships I made there. Nearly 50 years later, my core friends are still my fellow Gulf Streamers.

The Class of 1976 was Miss Anne Gibb’s first full, four-year English class. We both arrived at GSS in 1972, back when the school went through ninth grade — British style! It’s not an understatement to say that Miss Gibb, with her kind heart and Scottish sensibilities, exerted a powerful and lasting influence on us.

“A cookie is a little bit of happiness.” — Anne Gibb

My brother and sister also attended Gulf Stream School, and my father served on the Board of Trustees for most of the time we attended. My mother was very involved in the early years of the pre-school Montessori program.

These days, my partner and I have two young daughters who attend an independent, pre-school through eighth-grade lab, project-based school that was inspired by Duke University. Likely highly influenced by my time at GSS, we are all very involved in the school, and I serve on its Board of Trustees.

My experiences at GSS made a tremendous impact on who I am today, and I am grateful to my parents for always prioritizing education. GSS launched my love of learning, especially reading, writing, critical thinking, and curiosity — all of which are crucial skills for me today. My parents and the Gulf Stream School community had an extremely meaningful impact on my interest in education and community involvement, which has been a big part of my non-work life as well.

There were too many to list, for sure, but English with Anne Gibb and David Winans, History with Ned Wilson, Latin with Mrs. Thistle, and Music with Peter Robinson are certainly top of mind.

My sister is Chanthy Evans-Cross (’10), and our parents are Christine Evans, a former GSS English teacher, and Pete Cross.

My time at Gulf Stream School helped shape me in many ways. I felt loved and academically challenged at GSS, and teachers knew what made me tick and how to reach me both emotionally and academically. That special attention and care has helped me stay grounded, especially through seasons of confusion in high school and college.

Gulf Stream School is where I fell in love with learning, and writing the term paper my eighth-grade year and doing the eighth-grade speech gave me a sense of urgency in my learning and challenged me to communicate in front of a crowd. Being required to play sports also showed me the benefits of stepping outside of my comfort zone.

Now, as a teacher, I try to incorporate the personalized learning, love, support, and academic challenge that I received as a student at GSS.

Some of my favorite teachers, subjects, and assignments, include…

Mrs. Obernessor and our beach trips to measure erosion.

Ms. Bianco and her Romeo and Juliet Socratic seminars and stellar performance.

Mr. Handler’s tactile teaching. I still remember when negative numbers clicked for me — when Mr. Handler had me stand up and walk backward and forwards on an imaginary number line.

Ms. Abrams’ no-nonsense classroom culture, coupled with a whole lot of care and attention.

The supportive coaching from Mr. Cook, Mrs. Handler, and Ms. Bianco.

I loved so many teachers at GSS, including all of my Lower School teachers — Ms. Anita, Mrs. Coe, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Handler, Ms. Holly, Mrs. Moore, and Ms. Sousa.

All the field trips!

My wife, Maggie, and I have two children, Sophia and Henry. Sophia attended Gulf Stream School (’18) and recently graduated from Oxbridge Academy. She will be continuing her studies at the University of Florida. Henry is about to graduate from GSS (’22) and will attend Oxbridge Academy next year.

Both of my brothers also attended GSS and my niece, Eleanor, is a rising eighth grader. My father served on the Board of Trustees of Gulf Stream School in the 1970s and 80s.

My time at Gulf Stream School played an enormous role in who I am today. The academic programs, particularly the challenging reading, writing, and speaking assignments, gave me an advantage in my later studies and activities in college and law school.

In addition to the strong academic baseline, GSS provided me with a strong character-development framework, and taught me to value and give back to my communities. I have applied that outlook in volunteer work involving fisheries and habitat conservation.

There were so many, but seventh-grade English with David Winans and eighth-grade English with Anne Gibb stand out. I was gifted a love of literature from my GSS English teachers, even if I didn’t know it at the time.

Science classes with Ric Craig were also always interesting, creative, and memorable. My class was full of clowns! Mr. Craig used to make us run laps around the field (during class) when we misbehaved, which of course happened regularly.

Gulf Stream School was an early adopter (in Florida) of the game of lacrosse, for which I am grateful. I believe Donald Miller, the headmaster just before my time at GSS, introduced it. My parents had never heard of the game at the time. I went on to play lacrosse in college, as did my brother, Dan, and the game has become a part of our family now thanks to GSS. I have also enjoyed watching my children play in the Stingrays Blue and White the last few years.

My sister, Ariana Prophete, attended Gulf Stream School (Class of 2020) and is currently a sophomore at Oxbridge Academy. My mother is currently the Director of Extended Learning for the Palm Beach County School District.

Gulf Stream School instilled in me a rich sense of community, pride and humility. I still use these traits and lessons as I seek to find my path and complete my purpose within the world.

I truly enjoyed my experience at Gulf Stream, and it provided me with a great foundation. The quality of education and supportive community fostered a love for helping others, and also for education. I am forever grateful for the staff’s commitment to making sure I felt loved, accepted and prepared for life after graduation.

My favorite subject was Latin with Ms. Fiorile. Her energy and passion were unmatched!

My favorite memory from my time at Gulf Stream School was Field Day. The competitive spirit filled with love was always amazing!

My sister, Brittany, also attended Gulf Stream School from Kindergarten through eighth grade, and graduated in 2001.

Gulf Stream School has had a tremendous impact on nearly every area of my life — from teaching me proper etiquette to helping me create lifelong friendships. To this day, some of my closest friends — Jason Zeigler, Sean Iglehart and Lance Aker — are those I met in Montessori. I play a lot of charity golf tournaments and, by far, the one I get the most excited for is Gulf Stream’s! I really enjoy playing with those three lads and having the iconic Nick Hagoort “chaperone” us. I don’t know who is more punch drunk full of joy when he somehow takes home the Long Drive or Closest to the Pin Award each year, Nick or the crowd.

I was absolutely devastated when Mrs. Byrd announced to the class that she would be sailing off into the sunset. Seriously…I was very upset! Fortunately, Mr. Mahady filled her shoes splendidly! GSS Lesson: In the face of tragedy, something equally as great might be just around the corner.

Going to class at the beach with Mr. Winans will forever stay in my mind. It was so wonderful and unique; definitely a memory I’ll never forget.

Of course, I still always laugh thinking about how, on the first day of history class with Mr. Wilson, our homework assignment was to bring in a copy of the National Enquirer. Talk about a lesson in next-level thinking! It was such a brilliant way to make sure we were not blindly following orders, while at the same time providing a hilariously light-hearted “test” to see if parents were paying attention as well. A good chuckle was had by all!

My wife, Tracy, and I have two sons — John Jr. (Jack), currently in Kindergarten at GSS; and William, age 2. My brother, David Backer (’02), and sister, Katherine Backer Moyer (’03), are also both GSS graduates. My mother is a former member of the Gulf Stream School Board of Trustees as well.

The culture of humility, manners, refinement, and leadership that were instilled in me during my time at Gulf Stream School, along with the first-class education I received there, has helped me every day of my life.

There was always an emphasis on the “Golden Rule” — treat others as you would want to be treated, which seems like common sense but, sadly, is so lacking in today’s world.

Working in groups helped me learn how to respect my peers while also being a leader, and the connection I had with the teachers showed me the importance of having (and being) a mentor.

You can’t help but feel a tremendous sense of pride in a place like Gulf Stream School, which motivated me to go “all in” with my loyalty and support for things I am passionate about, which is one of the many reasons I so proudly serve as a GSS Board member today.

My favorite teachers at GSS were Miss Gibb and Mr. Winans. My favorite subject was math with Mr. Handler.

Some of my fondest memories from my time at GSS involved the beach; whether it be taking our eighth-grade photo, or even just walking there to read.

I also have great memories of our trips to St. Augustine and Spain, the Pinewood Derby, stocking the soda vending machine, the baseball unit with Mr. Winans, signing my name on the Tiki Hut after graduation, and Field Day — GO BLUE!

My time and experiences at Gulf Stream School are best captured by the John Wesley quote that was shared at Miss Gibb’s memorial service: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

In addition to my parents, Leslie and Devon Coughlan, I have an older sister named Kelly.

Attending Gulf Stream School put me a step ahead of others when I entered high school. I was prepared to tackle a heavy workload and knew how to manage my time well. My years participating in athletics at GSS also enabled me to be a team player and gave me the confidence I needed to compete at a high level while still having fun.

My favorite teachers at GSS were Mr. and Mrs. Handler. They were always the first teachers I would see when I arrived at school in the morning — smiling and getting my day started on the right foot. I think they are the reason that GSS continues to provide such a safe and positive atmosphere for its students, both in the classroom and on the athletics fields.

Some of my fondest memories were the trips I took to Canada and the Grand Canyon in seventh and eighth grades, respectively. They were incredible! The itineraries were always packed with amazing experiences, and those trips sparked my love of travel and made me the adventurous person I am today.

My older brother, Trent Kilpatrick, graduated from Gulf Stream School in 2001, and he now has two twin daughters who will hopefully attend GSS in the near future. My sister, Taylor (Kilpatrick) Pohl, also attended GSS until 2005.

Gulf Stream School created an incredible environment to grow up in. The teachers and administrators were always engaged with every student, which helped make it feel like a family. The community that Gulf Stream provided outside of the school itself has also been a blessing. The friends I was able to make at Gulf Stream are still some of my closest friends to this day, and their families have always treated me as one of their own. Gulf Stream really is an amazing place!

Some of my favorite teachers were Mr. Mahady, Mr. Winans and Mrs. Bogert. They always made it a point to make sure their students were succeeding not only in their classrooms but also as individuals. Some of my best memories from my time at Gulf Stream School included these three teachers, especially on trips and excursions — Quebec, Red Sox game, The Keys, etc.

I don’t think I can give just one memory that I cherish from my time at Gulf Stream School since there were so many. I also think I would still get in trouble for some of them, as I did get into my fair share of trouble! Honestly, it was the bonds that I was able to make that are still holding strong to this day. As I said before, some of my closest friends include Charles Schmitt ’05, Chris Valentini ’05, Bo Stunkel ’05, Chris Colletta ’05, Johnny Thom ‘05, Ryan Logan ’04…and many others. It has been great growing up alongside them, but the bond that always connects us all was our time spent at Gulf Stream School.

I have three siblings who attended Gulf Stream School — Berkley (Class of 2003), Langley (Class of 2006) and David (Class of 2009). My nephew, Tripp, is currently a kindergarten student at Gulf Stream and will be in the Class of 2030. My mom, Karen Sweetapple, also just rejoined the Board this year. This will be her second term, as she originally served from 2003 to 2012.

My years at Gulf Stream were more formative than many of my experiences after graduating. From the small class sizes that allowed for meaningful teacher-student relationships to the emphasis on athletics, community and integrity, Gulf Stream School gave me the confidence I would need to challenge myself in the years beyond. I am so lucky that almost 10 years later, I’m still incredibly close with many of my middle school classmates and will undoubtedly have them in my life forever.

I loved sixth-grade English with Mrs. Evans-Cross!

I always looked forward to Field Day, when I got to compete with friends and spend the day running around in costumes and face paint. Go Blue!

My wife, Kristin, and I have three children — Harrison, Caroline and Stirling. Harrison graduated from Gulf Stream School four years ago, Caroline is graduating this year and Stirling is in fourth grade.

Gulf Stream School shaped my future far more than any other school I attended. It nurtured a shy kid into a student who was confident enough to not only speak in front of audiences, but allowed me to fall in love with creative writing. This discovered talent has made all the difference in my career, as my writing skills and understanding how to uniquely communicate with people has permitted me to promote some of the largest businesses in South Florida.

The incredible faculty members at Gulf Stream School were different than teachers I had anywhere else. It wasn’t about the memorizing lessons; it was about discovering concepts.

Mr. Winans inspired us to read. Mr. Robinson inspired us to create with words. Mr. Craig taught us to discover. And although Miss Gibb was the toughest and most intimidating teacher ever, she was preparing us to achieve success at the next level and we love her for it.

I’ll never forget the day of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. I was in what was at the time the library, when our Head of School, Mr. Garten, rushed in and had all the kids come into the one room that had a TV and we watched the coverage. It was as if the school paused so we could all mourn together. I did my eighth grade speech on the Challenger crew…it was an emotional time.

My brother, Whittaker, was in the Gulf Stream School Class of 2004, and is now a senior manager at Accenture. My wife, Kimi, and I welcomed our daughter, Charlotte, into the world this summer. She’s full of spirit!

Gulf Stream provided a strong foundation for my education and career. I learned the value of hard work, teamwork and critical skills like public speaking. I hope I can provide my own children an equivalent education.

I benefited from having so many great teachers at Gulf Stream that it’s hard to narrow down the list. I’ll always remember Mr. Wilson’s history class. He was the ultimate history buff. I loved all the obscure anecdotes he incorporated into his lessons. I didn’t understand most of them at the time but appreciate them today!

I clearly remember the morning of September 11, 2001. We were so shocked and scared. We had English with Miss Gibb that morning. I remember she shared her experience from the war years with the class. She emphasized how important it was to carry on, not to alter our way of life. We then opened our grammar books and held our lesson as usual. I’ll never forget her strength and resolve.

My sister, Holly Coughlan, was in the Gulf Stream School Class of 2018, and is currently attending the St. Andrew’s School.

My years at Gulf Stream School taught me important skills that I have used throughout my academic career and personal life. The academic foundation and development that GSS helped me build has guided me toward success in and out of the classroom. I learned study habits and time-management skills that have enabled me to balance the rigorous academic and athletic schedules I have in college. It also helped me develop a confidence in myself and my abilities that has allowed me to pursue a career path that interests me, while still taking classes that help me to be a well-rounded individual. It was also at Gulf Stream School that I played lacrosse for the first time, prompting me to then play the sport outside of school and eventually preparing me to play at the Division I level in college. In addition to the technical skills I learned and education I received, I made friends at GSS that have stuck with me to this day, no matter how much distance there may be between us.

I will always remember our class trips to Canada and the Grand Canyon! Our class really bonded through the shared experiences we had and, looking back, it was such an amazing opportunity to experience different places, people and cultures…together.

My sister, Nicolette Adrian, was in the Gulf Stream School Class of 2009, and is currently enrolled in PA school. It’s safe to say we both owe our love of science to our time at GSS.

I feel extremely grateful to have gone to such an amazing school. Gulf Stream School helped prepare me for life in so many ways. From encouraging me to try every sport to teaching me public speaking, GSS aided my growth as a young student and set me up for success.

I don’t know if I could pick one favorite teacher or subject. I did really enjoy math, science, art and Latin, though. While at Gulf Stream School, my favorite sport/activity was lacrosse, which I also played throughout high school and college.

GSS created such an amazing community to grow up in. I remember all of the chapel assemblies fondly — singing as a Streamer, going up on stage every year in my Halloween costume, performing in a play in front of the entire school, my eighth-grade speech, the Field Day skits and, finally, my graduation ceremony!

The rigorous academics and athletics programs at Gulf Stream School helped prepare me for success as I continued my education and also in my career. The support of the Gulf Stream School community also drove me to become the best version of myself. I only attended GSS for four years, but the education and community bonds from my time there are timeless.

History and math.

I’ll always remember having English class on the beach with Mr. Winans.

Gulf Stream School was so unique and had such an amazing group of teachers, coaches and mentors. My experience there set the foundation for a lifetime of hard work and dedication to learning and growing. The people at Gulf Stream School were my second family. The school provided a wonderful environment to grow and develop, and I created lifelong friendships and mentors who shaped who I am today.

Miss Gibb, the matriarch of the school! But, of course, I cannot forget the Gulf Stream School classics — Mr. Winans, Mrs. Forde, Mr. Sherry, the Handlers, the Cooks, the Wilsons, Miss Holly, Miss Abrams, Mr. Mahady and so many others!

Every year at Gulf Stream School was memorable, and I love getting together with old friends to reminisce. The most memorable year was eighth grade with Miss Gibb, especially the tea party, her “Jolly Lollys” and visits to the soda machine. Winning back-to-back basketball championships was also unforgettable.

Gulf Stream School instilled the etiquette, manners and work ethic that would allow any young professional to succeed in life. At a young age, Gulf Stream taught me the importance of listening to others and evaluating situations with an open mind. They taught the value of hard work and if one wants to be successful, one has to put in the hours. But, at the same time, Gulf Stream taught the importance of community. Having grown up in the Town of Gulf Stream, I spent most of my weekends playing around the school and climbing the big banyans out front (Don’t tell the headmaster, but my initials are carved in a couple of them!). The school was always a meeting point for the community, and I always felt welcomed as if it were a second home.

This is kind of a funny question because math was always my strength, but I somehow ended up becoming an attorney.

One of my greatest memories was our seventh-grade trip to Costa Rica. This trip was every other year, so it was my grade as well as the eighth-grade class. Some of my best friends were in that class, too, and I still see many of them on a weekly basis. Anyway, one of the hotels we stayed in was along a river, and a small group of us, along with Mr. Mahady, went for a swim. Next thing we know, we’ve swum to the other side and are climbing up a tree to jump out of it. We were probably 15 to 20 feet up, trying to decide who should jump first. All of a sudden, and completely unexpectedly, Mr. Mahady dives in — we judged it a 1.5 (a full front-flip rotation and then another half-flip finishing in a dive). The rest of us looked at each other in disbelief and then jumped in after him.

My brother, Chase Pierson, also attended Gulf Stream School and is currently in Los Angeles working in the art department for broadcast commercials.

Gulf Stream School served as a launchpad for me. Here is this incredibly special and insular sanctuary that went far beyond academic rigor (of which there was plenty) to educate, prepare, and guide each of us for the world beyond. The safety of its tight community gave each of us the chance to strive and to grow and to succeed as whole people.

Whether it was the invaluable emphasis placed on writing skills or real-world practicalities as memorable as the eighth-grade speech and as everyday as how to properly shake hands with an adult, Gulf Stream School created a foundation upon which I continue to stand today.

Amongst a stellar and generous group of educators – too many to name them all – Miss Gibb stands out singularly as an inspiration and an influence whose impact on me continues to this day.

As time goes on, Gulf Stream School’s emphasis on traditions both big and small — from Costco muffins in the gazebo during exams to the unseen bell ringing at the back of the chapel at the end of The Polar Express — constitute many of my fondest memories and are among those I aspire to offer my children during their educational career.

That said, we, of course, were the eighth-grade class on 9/11. I’ll never forget seeing the early reporting on a television screen in the computer lab, but it was what followed that has had the most lasting impact.

To our surprise, we were directed back into Miss Gibb’s English class. To a person, we wore the confusion and shock that characterized that day, but the last place we expected to return was a classroom for regular programming.

Miss Gibb, with all of her characteristic strength and poise, sat at the front of the class and shared with us her experience of living through the Battle of Britain. She concluded the succinct, but clearly personal, story with the true lesson of the day: In the most difficult times, life must go on and we must carry on.

With that, she dove back into the day’s grammatical lesson.

To this day, I’m inspired by the vision, strength, and leadership she displayed in that moment, and it’s a lesson I’ve drawn from often in the years since. When the going is at its most tough, we must press forward. It’s also indicative of Gulf Stream’s lasting impact and value — not just academically, but to our wider growth toward adulthood and the world beyond those special walls.