Notable Alumni

When it comes to “breaking boundaries,” Garrett deRosset is no exception. Graduating from Palmer Trinity School in 2005, he continued his education at the University of Florida—earning a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction in 2010. Today, Garrett is living in Tokyo, Japan, where he teaches classes at the Tokyo HackerSpace, a community center that provides opportunities for research and scientific exploration in a variety of areas. Under the leadership of Mr. Carl Rachelson, currently a member of the Middle School English faculty and Assistant Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach, Garrett went to Japan in his senior year. Visiting historical icons like Kyoto and Tokyo, and living with a Japanese host family, Garrett had the opportunity to learn about Japanese culture firsthand—and has since always dreamed of living and working there. Upon his graduation from UF, it was time for Garrett to start chasing his dreams. “I learned about the Tokyo Hackerspace from one of my Google Reader subscriptions,” he says. “Before the earthquake happened, I believe I had read an article about their open source Geiger counters. I definitely starred that article and kept the place, Tokyo HackerSpace, in the back of my mind.” Applying for a position, Garrett was ready for an adventure. “Two weeks after I found the job, I was on a flight to Japan.” The Tokyo HackerSpace is a community-operated environment where people can meet and work on a variety of projects, be it technology, building, gardening, cooking, science, sewing, digital art, gaming, and more. At the Tokyo HackerSpace, programmers, engineers, IT administrators, artists, chefs and musicians alike can find the space, the like-minded people, and the infrastructure needed to work on their projects and share their interest in geek culture. As a teacher there, Garrett has the opportunity to teach students about a variety of subjects, while simultaneously learning more about his own educational interests. “If you want to learn about something, you ask if someone knows anything about it,” he says. “Most of the time, people are already passionate about their knowledge and have classes going already.” Foremost, Garrett loves the open communication he finds at Tokyo HackerSpace and the willingness with which everyone learns from, and helps, one another. “I could send out a question and expect a very knowledgeable response within the hour,” he says. “I love the passion I find at the HackerSpace.” Living in Japan as a working American, and not a tourist, Garrett has had many memorable experiences. “Things are more special [here in Japan],” he says. “When your eyes meet with those of another foreigner, there is a special gaze. You have a conversation with a Japanese person, and this is something you couldn’t have with that foreigner you just passed.” His trip has also been marked by invaluable educational experiences, like the one he had learning about RGB LEDs, a semiconductor light source that incorporates red, green and blue lights, a longtime personal interest that he had never had the opportunity to explore. “When I went on a trip to Akihabara, I picked up a RGB LED just to mess around with. With a little help at the HackerSpace—amid some hilarious bickering amidst the hackers about the best way to manage the process—I was able to control every independent color of the LED,” he says. Nothing is more exciting to see than something you’ve desired to learn about come to fruition, in this case, being able to control the color spectrum with an LED. It’s experiences like these that keep me excited about what happens next. With that being said, his greatest experience has been one of personal growth. “This experience has driven me towards an independence I would never find in America. It has certainly driven me out of my comfort zone, and I love Japan for that experience, aside from the beauty to be found here.” His travels are a testament to Garrett’s hard work and dedication; Garrett owes his time in Japan to two very special teachers. “There are two teachers at Palmer who influenced my life in a very large way—those teachers are Mr. [Robert] Moorhouse and Mr. [Carl] Rachelson,” he says. “They opened the gateway to my first experience in Japan.” With his earliest return date set for next May, and even that date set in question, his first experience has become one with lasting effects. “I’ve always stuck with these three rules: have something to do, have something to look forward to, have something to cherish,” Garrett says. “These days I always have something to look forward to and something to do. Cherishing myself has kept me going.”

Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda graduated from Palmer Trinity School in 1998, and went on to receive her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University. After graduating in 2002, she earned a Masters of Science in Nursing and Masters of Public Health from John Hopkins University, and finally obtained a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (Nursing, Epidemiology and Psychology) from the University of Miami in 2008. Currently, Rosa is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Miami, and she was recently awarded a three-year, $350,000 research grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop JOVEN (Juntos Unidos contra la Violencia Entre Novios/Together Against Dating Violence), an intervention program for teen-dating violence among Hispanics. Looking back on her years at Palmer Trinity School, Rosa can recall many fond memories and lasting friendships. “My experience at Palmer Trinity was one filled with opportunities to learn, grow and lead,” she says. As a member of the PTS Girls’ Volleyball, Basketball and Softball teams and Treasurer of Student Government, Rosa still found time to work on the school yearbook, engage in multiple service opportunities and attend various French State competitions. Her classmates and teachers became vital figures in her development as a student, and continue to influence her today. “I enjoyed developing friendships with peers who came from across the globe and had diverse socioeconomic, religious and cultural backgrounds. I was also inspired by teachers, coaches, and mentors that taught me by their examples, motivated me, and provided me with the knowledge, confidence and skills to be successful in my professional and personal life.” Of all of these memories, her favorite was playing Varsity Girls’ Basketball under Coach Judi Jennings, now Dean of Upper School Students. “I loved being coached by her,” Rosa says. “During my senior year, she lifted me onto the basketball hoop, where I sat for our team photo. She made me feel like I was on top of the world. I would never forget that.” Among many mentors who continue to inspire her success, one person at Palmer Trinity School stands above the rest: Danny Reynolds, Director of Admission, Financial Aid and College Counseling. “He opened my eyes to the possibility of going to Georgetown University, when I had not even imagined going away for college, and encouraged me to apply,” she says. “If I had not gone to Georgetown, I would not have gone to Johns Hopkins. If I had not gone to Johns Hopkins, I would not have developed a commitment to evidenced-based public health nursing practice and uncovered the responsibility I had to address health disparities through research. Johns Hopkins actually led me back home, as my mentor there urged me to contact the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies at UM. The Dean at UM inspired me to obtain my PhD and become a faculty member. The faculty member role has allowed me to conduct research, mentor students, serve my community, address health disparities, and influence health policy. Danny opened the first door for me at Palmer Trinity. I just decided to walk through it and ended up here.” Rosa was first attracted to nursing as a high school student, when she began conducting mission work in the Dominican Republic. “Seeing the avoidable causes of disease and death that affected these communities made me aware of the importance of public health prevention efforts—such as clean water, sanitation and health education,” she says. It is this same compassion for others that drives her position as Assistant Professor. “My responsibilities are to conduct research, teach and serve my community, all things I receive tremendous rewards from doing,” she says. As a result of her tremendous success, to no one’s surprise, Rosa has had many memorable experiences. Working with the Institute of Medicine Committee on the Future of Nursing, Rosa was able to recommend specific changes in State policies associated with nursing education, practice and leadership—ultimately benefiting the health of the U.S. population as a whole. She also became a leader in the UM-Coordinated Victim Assistance Center, a communityacademic partnership that assesses the needs and preferences for domestic violence prevention in South Florida’s Hispanic community, which she continues to work with today. Most importantly, she started JOVEN. When Rosa began studying the behavioral health disparities (e.g., substance abuse, HIV, violence) in the Hispanic community of Miami-Dade County six years ago, she realized the prevalence of teen-dating violence there and the harmful effects it has had on the community. With the help of her grant, she hopes to make JOVEN the first evidence-based teen-dating, violenceprevention program for Hispanic youth, and is excited to further her research by working with high school students at Hialeah Senior High School. “Research is always strengthened from these types of partnerships,” she says. Rosa currently lives in Coral Gables, FL with her husband, Luis, and two sons, Sebastian (2) and Marco Andres (2 months). Staying true to her alma mater, Rosa continues to show her support by serving on the Admission Advisory Board for Palmer Trinity School.

Dawn Hoyt Kidd joined Palmer Trinity School in her eighth-grade year, the first year middle school grades were added, and was graduated from Palmer Trinity School in 1980. She attended Vanderbilt University until her graduation in 1984, where she pursued a double major in Special Education and Spanish Education in the Peabody College of Education and Human Development. In 1985, Dawn received her Master’s in Deaf Education from The University of Texas at Austin, and later earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the same university. Currently, Dawn is a math teacher at Texas School for the Deaf, a residential school for deaf or hard-of-hearing students in Austin, TX. Like most of our students today, when Dawn was at Palmer Trinity School, she was overly-involved and extremely motivated. Between her classwork, club participation and athletic involvement as a Palmer Trinity School cheerleader, Dawn recalls, “I spent more time at Palmer than I spent at home.” On her summers off, she was already preparing for a future in teaching by working as an Arts and Crafts Counselor at Ransom Everglades Day Camp. It was during those summers that her desire to teach was affirmed—the joy she gained from teaching her students and witnessing their sense of accomplishment continues to inspire her today. Dawn’s decision to work specifically with hearing-impaired children stems from her fascination with American Sign Language (ASL), which she saw at length for the first time in 1979, during Hurricane David, when an ASL translator on a local news station piqued her interest. As a student, she studied Spanish and French at Palmer Trinity School and welcomed the opportunity to learn more methods of communication. She took two semesters of ASL in college, later perfecting her abilities when she worked as a teacher’s aide for a deaf teacher. By the time her position ended, Dawn had attained her interpreter’s certification, and she later worked as an ASL interpreter during graduate school. Though there are many challenges associated with her unique teaching position, they are little compared to the rewards she gains from her students. “Deaf people can do anything except hear, so the communication aspect is vital,” Dawn says. “The challenge is getting all of my students to look at me at the same time.” Teaching at Texas School for the Deaf for over twenty years now, Dawn has made many lasting memories with her students. Her favorite experience was traveling to Rochester, New York, with her middle school math team, for a competition at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Competing against twenty other teams of deaf and hearing-impaired students from around the United States, Dawn’s students placed first! “[The students] were certainly proud of themselves,” she recalls. “This is my favorite experience because they were able to meet and compete against other deaf students who were all excited about learning and furthering their knowledge.” Throughout her tenure, Dawn has also had the opportunity to build lasting relationships with her students. “I have been in this position long enough that I have taught children of my former students!” She says. “I enjoy seeing how [my students] have grown, landed wonderful jobs, and started families.” Looking back on her memories of Palmer Trinity School, Dawn attributes many of her positive career choices to the people she met, and experiences she had, at Palmer Trinity School. “I have a treasure trove of memories I will always remember about Palmer Trinity School,” she says. “Palmer was such an enjoyable school to attend, with an environment of positive support.” Her inspiration to teach, however, came from a very special English teacher whom PTS continues to recognize today: Mr. Bob Yarbrough. “Mr. Yarbrough was the biggest influence. He was an educator with high standards, and he worked with students individually to help us succeed,” Dawn recalls. “I worked hard in Mr. Yarbrough’s class, as well as classes with my other Palmer teachers. Today, I know it still takes hard work to do a good and thorough job, and I have carried this with me through college, graduate school and in my professional life.” From one Palmer student to hundreds of others, what final piece of advice would this Pirate give our current Falcons? “Well, of course it is crucial to do your best and learn as much as you can,” she says. But most importantly: “Get to know at least one teacher very well—he or she can be a wonderful mentor to you.”

Upon graduating from Palmer Trinity School in 2007, Tal took the opportunity to train as a deep wilderness guide, leading adventurous groups of individuals across deserts, arctic tundra’s and other remote, ecological systems. Afterwards, Tal backpacked through Eastern and Western Europe, opting to travel as a “pilgrim” instead of a “tourist” to get a better taste of what life there is really like. He spent the majority of his time in remote countries, taking the time to experience the beauty, people and culture of each location. Coming back to Miami to start college at FIU, Tal received a grant to travel to India and study in a Jain Seminary. Tal’s travels enabled him to discover so much about others, and more importantly, himself—and as a result, he will graduate from FIU, this spring, with a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Eastern Religion.

“Last summer, I volunteered in Arusha, Tanzania with my fiancé, Robert Moore ’05 for five through a volunteer agency called International Volunteer Headquarters We volunteered at a day school for children who were either orphans due to AIDS or their family has been affected by the deadly disease. POSA (Positive Steps in Arumeru) is an organization that primarily deals with AIDS education in Usa River, which has an abnormally high percentage of the population living with HIV. From our first day, Bobby and I were thrust into a small “classroom,” constructed of tarp wrapped around four trees. No concrete. The children sat on a makeshift mat on the floor. No desks, no tables, no books. The students ranged from 2 years – 7 years old, and yes they were all taught in the same classroom! We were astounded that we were expected to teach addition and subtraction to 2 year olds! Beside these obvious infrastructural barriers, our munchkins did not speak a word of English. Bobby and I quickly learned the most essential words in Swahili: sikileza (listen), andika (write), hesabu (count), angalia (look), and of course, acha piga (don’t hit). After our first transitional day, we came back to POSA with posters and books and decided to split up the students into two classes: baby class and big kid class. The students are in class from 8 a.m. till noon. At around ten, the school serves ugi (porridge), which for many of these children is the only substantial meal of the day. Bobby and I knew how hard this experience emotionally would be for us, but we couldn’t truly grasp the hardships these children’s families go through. We visited many of their homes while we were there. Most of our students live in mud houses with only one room, one bed, and with about 6 family members. We fell completely in love with our students and knew our connection couldn’t end once we left Arusha. Tanzania does have affordable public education (government schools) for the students to attend once they “graduate” from POSA, but the price of these schools is still too much for the families of the students we were with. Also, the percentage of students who actually finish primary level at the government schools and the percentage of students who enroll in secondary school are incredibly low. Our buddies living in harsh conditions have the odds against them. Education IS the way out for these students. Bobby and I have sponsored two students to attend a private boarding school in their area, which enables them to be entirely surrounded by a positive, educational environment. We are currently working to create a nonprofit organization that would help us find sponsors for the children. Bobby and I, as well as my family, went back to Arusha over spring break to visit the school and to fortify our relationship with POSA. It is our hope to assist the school at POSA itself, as well as to send the students who “graduate” from POSA to this great school (called Usa River Academy) which would greatly help improve their lives.”

Laura Vogel, PTS Class of ’09, has embraced the world of research at the University of Miami. Prepared with a strong background in mathematics and science, she faced many choices for major study at the university level. The tipping point for her decision came from a discussion about the green initiatives taking place at Palmer Trinity. Remembering her readings and coursework from the senior seminar Universe Story, Laura realized that the future of the environment depends on changes we make now. Deciding to major in Environmental Engineering, Laura was accepted into a National Science Foundation, Oceans and Human Health, in the Spring of her freshman year – conducting experiments to study microbial bacteria issues in sand on public beaches. She worked with a research team collecting sand samples, testing their bacterial content, and analyzing the enormous amount of collected data. The study resulted in the submission of an academic paper to the journal Environmental Science & Technology. During her sophomore year, Laura continued her laboratory research, working as part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates program sponsored by National Science Foundation. The sand analysis was expanded to a multibeach study, involving a wave tank, where laboratory simulations were tested against real life results.

Outside of the laboratory, Laura continued to work on the analysis of the data and the conclusions that could be drawn from the results of the various experiments. She submitted her research to the EPA National Beach Conference and was accepted as a poster session presenter in March 2011. A week after that conference, Laura traveled with a team of engineering students to the American Society of Civil Engineers Southeast Student Conference. There, Laura placed third in the environmental engineering competition, where she treated water for humic acid. She was also recognized for her research work in the 2011 Research, Creativity, Innovation Forum hosted by the University of Miami Office of Undergraduate Research. Her poster presentation won third place out of the 50 student submissions in the microbiological sciences category. Recognized for her academic achievements, Laura was recently inducted into Chi Epsilon, the Engineering Honor Society, and will be one of ten students selected from the University of Miami undergraduate body to present at the 6th Annual ACC Meeting of the Minds Conference. A recent alumna of Palmer Trinity School, Laura is just one example of a PTS student taking her knowledge and passion to new heights at the university level.

Patrick Murphy ‘01

When it comes to helping those in need, the Palmer Trinity community never hesitates to lend a helping hand. Alumnus Patrick Murphy ‘01 continues the Palmer Trinity standard of outstanding citizenship, giving back to those affected by natural disasters. After graduating from PTS and the University of Miami, Murphy spent time working at Deloitte and Touche as a CPA; auditing fortune 500 companies before he started Coastal Environmental Services. Serving as the company’s Vice President, Murphy oversees disaster relief projects within the United States and abroad.

Last year, Patrick spent six months in the Gulf of Mexico operating a fleet of oil skimmers brought in to clean up the BP oil spill. On the international level, Murphy has ensured Coastal Environmental’s role in helping with the rebuilding effort in Haiti, following the tragic 2010 earthquake. “Rebuilding Haiti’s infrastructure gives the country the opportunity to move forward while also giving Haitians jobs in the construction process,” stated Murphy. Coastal Environmental is an affiliate of Coastal Construction, a leading construction firm in the country, named as one of the nation’s top “Green Contractors.” Additionally, Patrick is the Co-Chair of Coastal Cares, which guides Coastal Construction projects for large contributions to local and regional charities; including the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County, United Way, Camillus House, and Education Fund/Teach-A-Thon. Most recently, Murphy has taken to civil service, announcing that he will run for the United States House of Representatives as a democrat in District 22. Patrick noted “I have always had an affinity for politics and serving my community. I am tired of politicians spending more time bickering with each other, rather than finding solutions to our country’s problems. I know my business background and innovative problem solving skills will bring a much needed new look to Congress.” Murphy’s campaign announced that he raised an astounding $350,000 in the first quarter of fundraising, making Patrick the top fundraiser in the nation of democratic challengers. “We have a long road ahead of us, but I am so confident in our campaign team and our constitutes that – come November 2012 – we will come out of this thing, winners”.

For more information, please visit www.patrickmurphy2012.com

Chip and I showed up the day before the Challenge on SUP (Stand Up Paddleboards), and as we were the first two racers to attempt the Challenge, many people questioned whether or not we would actually complete it. This was great motivation for us, and we needed it!

On the first day of the race, we launched from Ft. Desoto and went straight across Tampa Bay It was difficult from the start, and we spent seven hours fighting a headwind and waves for ten miles. It was physically and mentally exhausting, but we kept paddling through the first day for a continuous 25 hours.

By the end of our first day, we had paddled about 50 miles. We beached our boards and gear, laid everything out to dry, and allowed three hours for warm food, rest, and rehydration. When the tides flowed in our favor, we complete the “Ultra marathon” portion by reaching our first checkpoint, 70 miles from Ft. Desoto to Placida, FL.

Upon arrival in Placida, we began to understand how difficult this challenge would actually be. Veterans of the race, including the “Chief” and race manager “Pelican,” said this year had been the worst for weather. By this point, the Coast Guard had already been called to rescue a racer who had been blown three miles out to sea. Over 25% of the racers had dropped out, and one was even sent to a local hospital to be treated for hypothermia. The conditions were treacherous, but we were determined to finish the race.

After recovering, we set off on sunny day three to reach the next checkpoint. As we sailed past sailboats that had launched 30 minutes before us, we began to face strong headwinds in the open water of Charlotte Harbor, just near Three Sisters Island and Devilish Key. After two hours, we made it across a six-mile stretch of open water, finding shade and shelter amongst the mangroves. It was good to get out of the sun to once again plot our route, but as we came out of the mangroves, we were surprised and delighted to catch a tailwind! We opened our “chutes”–a Palmer Trinity School Sandy Golf Tournament umbrella and “wind” paddle–and cruised along Pine Island, riding the wind for 18 miles. We found ourselves in absolute darkness at the southern tip of Pine Island, navigated a few channels, and arrived at Ft. Myers Bay. After 30 miles of paddling, we stopped at a nearby dock for some rest and relaxation. We came across a boat crew who proved very helpful! Not only did they give us a place to park our boards, but they also housed us, fed us a warm plate of couscous and venison, and quenched our thirst with ice-cold wheat sodas. This experience alone made the trip worthwhile, and we set off the next day with a stash of Captain Kibbe’s own smoked fish!

After this departure, we found ourselves victim to one of the most difficult stretches of the trip. We felt like we were going nowhere as we paddled four hours against the wind and tide, completing only eight miles. From there, it was another open-water paddle for 10 miles.

After a much needed rest, we found a sheltered inter coastal waterway to cruise, and continued 12 miles until we arrived, by nightfall, at the greater Naples area. Stopping to review the maps, we realized we were still 70 miles out from the next checkpoint, and a massive storm front was approaching. As we continued on, it dawned that we were about to embark on the most treacherous portion of the journey, and had to make a critical decision on whether or not to continue. Whatever decision we made, it had to be made fast. Nearly midnight, we realized we would need to cover 10 more miles that night, and another 50 miles a day for the next four days.

In fair conditions, this would have been attainable, but not with the approaching ominous weather, over 40 mph winds, and temperatures dropping in the low 40s. It was a tough decision to make on many levels–physically we were ready, but to continue into an uncontrollable situation meant defining our efforts as reckless. Regretfully, we were forced to stop. However, we now have an opportunity to use this program as a jumping off point for awareness programs about sustainability at an elementary school level.

Over the next few months, Chip and Ian will participate in several other races around the country. Stay tuned!