CDS Turns 50 | 50 Alumni in 50 Years

Anne-Marie Bassi '21

Anne-Marie Bassi '21 spent her four years at CDS exploring different clubs and subjects to find her passion amongst the opportunities at the school. She was involved in the Environmental team, Social Justice club and in her final year she was Student Council President. She also loved the dramatic, visual and musical art departments she took part in and all the creative freedom they provided. She is now in her second year at the University of Toronto where she is working toward completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology.

Kerrigan Brown '12

Kerrigan Brown '12 is serving as the current President of the CDS Alumni Executive and teaches Physical Education in the Junior School. A Lifer having attended CDS since Grade 1, she went on to attend Wilfrid Laurier University majoring in Kinesiology and Physical Education, with a minor in Psychology. Her love for teaching then brought Kerrigan to Cardiff, Wales, to pursue a B.Ed. before returning to teach at CDS in 2020.

Kevin G. Caspersz '96

Kevin G. Caspersz '96 is a Managing Partner at Caspersz Chegini LLP family law firm in Vaughan.

Bianca Chambul '12

Bianca Chambul '12 obtained her performance undergraduate degree in 2016 at the University of Toronto, studying with Eric Hall, Principal Bassoonist of the Canadian Opera Company. She was on the U of T’s music faculty as a sessional bassoon instructor for the 2017 winter term. In 2019, Bianca completed one year of her Master’s degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas under the tutelage of Professor Benjamin Kamins. While attending the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara in 2019, she was awarded a residency fellowship with the London Symphony Orchestra and had the opportunity to perform with the LSO in England’s historic St. Paul’s Cathedral. Bianca has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and Toronto’s Tapestry Opera. In 2019, she was appointed Principal Bassoon of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The 2022-2023 orchestral season marks her professional debuts as a concerto soloist with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Edmonton Chamber Orchestra, and the Alberta Baroque Ensemble.

Tabitha Chan '12

Tabitha Chan ’12 spent seven years as a student at CDS where she was involved in musical extracurriculars while continuing to foster her love of art, math and biology. In her final year, she was yearbook editor. Tabitha graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in English and Certificate in Digital Communications. She earned her Masters in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto. She has been the Communications Coordinator in the Office of Community Relations at CDS since 2018.

Tarah Coates '03

Tarah Coates '03 has always been led by a sense of imagination and adventure. While studying at Dalhousie's Theatre Program in Halifax, Tarah developed a passion for surfing. Several years later, that passion bloomed into her becoming founder, owner and operator of Surfsup Eco Shop in Kincardine, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Huron. The shop has since expanded to include locations in Grand Bend and Goderich.

Vince Delisi, Faculty

Vince Delisi worked as a math teacher and department head at CDS from 1989-1999, and made valuable and memorable contributions as a coach as well as in the classroom, and as a mentor to his colleagues. Mr. Delisi moved to Ancaster after his retirement in 2014 where he enjoys cycling, pickleball and skating. He also enjoys lifting the spirits of young families when they need it most, playing piano at McMaster's Children's Hospital as a volunteer.

Tara Derbidge (Spencer) '96

Andrew Easterling '20

Andrew Easterling '20 is a dynamic force of enthusiasm, empathy and joy. He graduated in 2020 after taking full advantage of all CDS had to offer. He was a key member of Student Council, a dynamic athlete who played on the basketball and golf teams, and a stalwart member of CDS's Into the Breach Theatre Company, creating indelible memories for the audience while performing in The Cyclone City Comedy Review, In the Heights, The Laramie Project and The 39 Steps. Andrew is currently enrolled in the Theatre and Drama Studies - joint program with Sheridan College - at the University of Toronto.

Reese Falkenberg '23

Reese Falkenberg '23 is a CDS Lifer who served as both Student Council President and Class Valedictorian in her final year. She is now in her first year at New York University pursuing a degree in Acting.

Catt Filippov '11

Catt Filipov '11 is a poet, playwright and performer currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Having graduated from the University of Toronto's Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies in 2017, Catt has trained with Canada's National Voice intensive, Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre, The Guild of Embodied Practitioners, and Nightwood Theatre's Write from the Hip Emerging Playwrights Program. She recently earned her MFA in Playwriting from Columbia University and is currently working on a collection of poetry.

Paul Firmin '99

Paul Firmin ‘99 was involved in a wide range of activities, including a hilarious performance as Hysterium in Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Paul graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Wilfred Laurier University. Professionally, Paul has worked in several software company related positions, eventually moving into technical sales and his current role as Director of Global Pre-sales for a US based company called Logile - a company that produces labour planning software for retailers.

Chloë Flowers '18

Chloë Rose Flowers '18 is an award-winning actor, writer, and producer who is a graduate of University of Toronto's Drama Program. She is a CDS "Lifer" - having attended the school from Junior Kindergarten all the way through to graduation. Her love for the theatre was ignited and nurtured through the many productions she participated in from Grade 4 to 12.

Jeremy Garbe '19

Jeremy Garbe ‘19 is a CDS “Lifer” who was involved in theatrical productions, from Willy Wonka in Junior School to the Laramie Project in the Senior. He was also involved in concert band, robotics, ultimate frisbee and earned his Gold Award in the Duke of Ed program. Jeremy earned a combined honours in Humanities and Philosophy with High Distinction from Carleton University in Ottawa. He is currently staying at Carleton to pursue a Masters in Philosophy.

Julia Garbe '17

Julia Garbe ’17 graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Mechatronics Engineering after being a CDS “Lifer” involved in robotics, theatrical productions, concert band and sports before serving as Student Council President in her final year. Julia is currently living in San Francisco while working as an Engineering Program Manager at Apple in Sunnyvale, CA.

Scott Garbe, Faculty

Scott (Mr.) Garbe - otherwise known as OMG - Old Man Garbe - considers himself blessed to have worked at CDS for 26 years as an English and Drama teacher, as well as a director/designer/writer for CDS's Into the Breach Theatre Company before retiring in August of 2022. He continues to work part-time helping to support the school's 50th anniversary initiatives and cheering on alumni far and wide. Go Cyclones!

Martha Goodrow '06

Martha Goodrow '06 has been a devoted member of our Alumni Executive over the past few years and works as a Speech Language Pathologist at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie.

Madison Hayes '21

Madison Hayes '21 is majoring in English at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Kelsey Houston '12

Kelsey Houston '12 graduated from CDS in 2012 after serving that year as Student Council President. She was heavily involved in a wide range of CDS activities, most notably in the theatrical productions, including leading roles in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Kelsey holds a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from Queen’s University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Guelph. She now works as an Infection Control Practitioner with the University Health Network at Princess Margaret Cancer Center, and has served in a medical advisory role to CDS during COVID.

McKinley Hunt ’15

McKinley Hunt ’15 graduated CDS as a “Lifer” and went on to become a professional rugby player and Canadian National Team Athlete. McKinley completed her BA Honours and BEd from Queen’s University where she was a member of the No. 2 Queen's University Gaels, was a five time 1st Team USPORTS All-Canadian and a five time 1st Team OUA All-Star, and was named Queen’s Female Athlete of the Year in her graduating year. She went on to complete her Master of Education degree in England and played her final UK pro-rugby game with the Exeter Chiefs Women’s Team in June 2022. After just two seasons, the Exeter Chiefs Women’s Team not only won the Allianz Cup but were also runners up in the Premier 15s Finals. Last fall, she played for Canada in the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and returned to CDS shortly after to join the faculty as a Middle/Senior School Associate Teacher!

Hart Jackson '02

Hart Jackson '02 graduated as a “Lifer” having participated in all CDS had to offer over his 14 years, including competing on multiple sports teams (some that were coached by his father, the late Al Jackson), earning a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and serving as Student Council President. Hart graduated from Queen's University with a Specialization B.Sc.H in Biochemistry and completed his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at the University of Toronto. He did his post-doctoral fellowship in Zurich where he conducted a first-of-its-kind research study related to breast cancer, the findings of which were recently published in the prestigious journal Nature. Today, Dr. Jackson is the Canada Research Chair in Systems Pathology, an Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto, and an Investigator in the Systems Biology Program at the Lunenfeld-Tannebaum Research Institute at Sinai Health where his research lab works with highly multiplexed histopathology imaging to study the multi-cellular organization of tissues and tumours during cancer onset and progression.

Dima Kalander '19

Dima Kalander '19 graduated from York University with a degree in Law & Society last spring and was back on campus for our Alumni Music Concert in May!

Niki Kalergis '12

Niki Kalergis ’12 attended CDS for 12 years and ultimately gradated as a “Lifer”. After graduating from Queen's University with a BComm degree, Niki obtained her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation while working at BDO Canada. Currently, she resides in San Francisco with her fiancé and her mini goldendoodle and works as a Manager at Connor Group, a professional service firm specialized in IPO services and accounting advisory.

David Kuntz '20

David Kuntz '20 is starting his fourth year at the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University, where he is majoring in Finance and minoring in Engineering and French. This summer he interned as an Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Lincoln International in New York City.

Meredith Langston '13

Meredith Langston '13 joined the Middle and Senior School as an Associate Teacher in September. She has a BA from the University of Guelph; a Postgraduate Certification in Education, Art and Design from Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales; as well as a pending M.Ed. degree from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Prior to joining CDS, Meredith was an Art teacher at Bayview Glen School. It is wonderful to have her back at CDS!

Jacqueline MacDonald '15

Jacqueline MacDonald '15 teaches Yoga at GoYoga in Orangeville and also teaches yoga to junior school students, hoping to inspire others to lead a healthy lifestyle. Off the mat, she also loves painting, hiking, being outdoors and spending time with her family and all the creatures at her farm.

Brennan McDonell '21

Brennan McDonell '21 pursued a degree in Aeronautical Management Technology with a concentration in Professional Flight at Arizona State University. He has advanced in his flying by completing his Instrument Rating in May 2022, followed by my Commercial Single Engine License in March 2023, and most recently my Commercial Multi Engine License in May 2023!

Olga Moltchanova '01

Olga Moltchanova '01 completed her undergraduate degree at University of Toronto in International Relations. She later earned a post-grad certification in advertising and went on to work as an Account Executive for six years before moving to London. At that time, Olga began to study wine for fun, taking courses with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET). She earned her MBA from Hult Business School in London, and then moved back to Toronto shortly after to continue her wine studies and begin work in the wine industry. Olga is currently a certified sommelier, French Wine Scholar, and WEST Level 4 (Diploma). She also has a WSET Level 3 designation in Saké recently started her own boutique wine distribution agency three
years ago.

Arman Naziri '16

Arman Naziri '16 graduated with a BSc in Biotechnology/Economics from the University of Waterloo in 2021 and a Masters of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) from Waterloo in 2022. He is now working as Lead Financial Manager for Quatro Card Group.

Katie Noble '05, Jacquie Noble '06 & Colin Noble '08

Thank you to the entire Noble Family for helping to organize our 50th Alumni event in June, including Colin ‘08 (Diana), Katie ‘05 (Derek), Jacquie ‘06 (Richard), and Nancy and Gerry!

Laura Ouellette (Marchand) '99

Lara Pagano (Cotnam) '96

Lara Pagano '96 is a Senior Drama teacher at Royal St. George's College.

Julia Peters (Pratt) '74

Anthony Rea '20

Anthony Rea '20 was a lifer at CDS from 2006-2020. He performed in a myriad of theatrical productions throughout his time at CDS - from a star turn as Willy Wonka in the Junior School through to his involvement in the deeply moving Laramie Project and mad-cap 39 Steps in the Senior School. Embodying the mantra of "Education with Balance," Anthony also was an enthusiastic member of many sports teams. Anthony continues to tailor his love for theatre in extracurricular performances at YorkU.

Timur Saklica '06

Timur Saklica '06 was back on campus this summer visiting with Mr. Garbe and still has a love for teaching drama.

Joshua Simmonds '09

Joshua Simmonds ‘09 is a CDS “Lifer” who started in Ms. Sutherland's (later Mrs. Matin) JK class. Some of his favourite extracurriculars were Euchre Club, Concert Band/Wind Ensemble, and Math Club. One of his favourite memories - Mr. McCutcheon's countdowns. Joshua earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in Integrated Science at McMaster University and his B.Ed. at Redeemer University. "Captain Simmonds" - as he is known to his students - has been a much beloved and respected faculty member at CDS since 2017. His responsibilities include teaching Senior School Math, Business and STEM.

Durward Smith '93

Durward Smith '93 graduated CDS in 1993 after attending for six years. He earned his Honours degree in Business Administration from Richard Ivey School of Business at Western in 1997. After graduating from UWO, Durward began working for Magna International where he held various positions in operations management and product development in several of its operating facilities and at its head office. Durward is currently President and CEO of Terradyne Armored Vehicles Inc.

Rachel Thexton '00

Rachel Thexton '00 has been married for the last 5.5 years, has three children: ages 9, 5 and 3, and her 16-year-old dog Bandit. She is Principal of Thexton PR, a business she started in 2010. Rachel works primarily with real estate, corporate and non-profit clients and does volunteer and advocacy work with mental health, substance use disorder, and animal welfare-related groups. She is a volunteer Communications Chair for Urban Land Institute and guest communications/PR writer for Daily Hive.

Rachel recently started a podcast called Rachel Thexton Connects where she chats with media bloggers and influencers, and connects with experts who can speak on current societal issues facing Vancouver, such as the toxic drug crisis.

She lives in Burnaby, BC, and loves reading, travelling and spending time with family.

Jose Torrealba '17

Jose Torrealba '17 graduated from the five-year dual degree program at Richard Ivey School of Business at Western in 2022 where he pursued a double major in Business and Computer Science. During summer 2021, he did an internship in New York City at Goldman Sachs, working in their Corporate Treasury Department as a Software Engineer. Jose spent his final semester studying abroad at the ESSEC Business School in Cergy, France, just outside of Paris, before starting his full-time job as a Software Engineer at Goldman Sachs in NYC.

Billy Tsiolis '20

Billy Tsiolis '20 just finished his second year studying the art of film at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts: one of the world's leading film schools.

Josh Tuttle '05

Josh Tuttle '05 is living in Halifax with his wife, Erin, and works as a Legal Officer (JAG) in the military. He is loving being on the coast and does a lot of surfing in his spare time. Featured in the photo - CDS classmates in Costa Rica this past January: Tom Finkle, Ryan Rudge, Armen Khajerian, Curtis Vickers, Josh Tuttle, Kyle Hubbard and Zach Pancer.

Kevin Walker '03

Kevin Walker '03 is a father, artist and builder with Walker Build in Toronto. He has expanded his career in the fine arts to deliver custom homes of the highest precision. Inspired by service to others, thoughtful design and the potential of the empty space, providing exceptional homes for young families has become his most fulfilling work.

Andrea Wappel '98

Lukas Weese '14

A familiar face throughout the hallways of CDS, Lukas Weese's '14 booming broadcast voice and comfort level in front of a crowd have served him well both in debating competitions across Canada, as well as on the stage starring in numerous school drama productions. Upon graduating from CDS, Lucas studied Life Sciences in the Faculty of Arts program at the University of Toronto, Trinity College as one of U of T's two Schulich Leaders Scholarship recipients. In his third year, Lukas pursued a double major in Global Health and International Relations, completing a three-month internship at the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland during the summer. After volunteering with Rogers TV across the GTA, offering sports commentary for rugby and soccer games, Lukas entered Centennial College's graduate sports journalism program. As a passionate sports follower, he covered sports for a variety of outlets (Sportsnet.ca, PGATour.com, Raptors Republic, Canadian Baseball Network, LastWordonSports.com). Lukas launched Weesesports Quarantine Chronicles @Weesesports on Twitter during COVID-19. Lukas is currently a multiplatform sports journalist, broadcaster and content creator, working as an Associate Editor (News) at The Athletic.

Allyson Whitmell '19

Allyson Whitmell '19 graduated from the University of Toronto last spring with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Composition.

Fraser Young '95

Fraser Young '95 attended CDS from 1990-95, performing in the school play every year. He was also a regular on the rugby and volleyball teams, primarily because there were no cuts. After graduating university, Fraser began touring professionally as a stand-up comedian, headlining across North America, the UK & as far away as Hong Kong. He has made 5 appearances at Montreal's Just For Laughs festival, starred in his own nationally broadcast comedy special on The Comedy Network and released 2 albums, the 2nd of which debuted at #1 on the iTunes comedy chart. Fraser has written for dozens of shows airing in Canada & The US, and is currently the lead writer for CBC’s Still Standing, where he has won 5 straight Canadian Screen Awards for best writing.

Sarah Sutherland-Pace ’21, Carly Campoli ’20 & Jennifer Chiu (Hustadt) ’95

Alexia Constantinou '14, Logan Hunt ’18 & Bridger Hunt ’17

Bridger Hunt '18 is graduating with a Finance degree from Wilfrid Laurier this spring, and Logan Hunt '17 graduated with a Bachelor's degree of Science in Aviation with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Mount Allison University in 2021. Alexia Constantinou '14 has a BS in Forest Sciences and MS in Wildlife Biology & Forestry from UBC and has been a full-time Faculty member in the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation (FWR) department at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) for the past two years.

Katie (Eberts) Plintz '94 & Christina Bannerman-Nickerson '93

Eberts Family

The Eberts Family - Our Co-founder Ed Eberts turned 85 in April and was back on campus three times in June for the CDS Auction, Graduation Day & annual Eberts Breakfast, and the 50th Alumni Celebration! Two of his three daughters, Jennifer (one of the original 47 students in 1972) and Katie ‘94 (and her family), accompanied him for the Graduation ceremonies this year. Rachael Eberts Gray cheered them on from New York City!

Karen Adams, Board Chair

Karen Adams has served as CDS Board Chair since 2020 and been a CDS parent since 2011. Both of their children attended CDS; daughter Lauren '20 and son Nick '18.

50 Alumni for 50 Years