About
Portrait of a Graduate
Portrait of a JCDS Graduate
The Portrait of a JCDS Graduate captures the school’s core beliefs and how those are reflected in each of our students and graduates. Our Portrait of a Graduate focuses on the qualities that make our students uniquely prepared for middle school and beyond. It is this portrait that brings our mission to life and affirms the choice that families make when sending their children to Jacksonville Country Day School.
A JCDS Graduate:
A JCDS Graduate:
- is prepared for academic success
- approaches challenges with confidence
- communicates thoughtfully and effectively
- acts with compassion and respects others
- leads by example
A JCDS GRADUATE...
COMMUNICATES THOUGHTFULLY AND EFFECTIVELY
Kathryn Huyghue ('08)
“During my time at JCDS, I was able to develop fundamental writing and presentation skills that have helped me to communicate thoughtfully and effectively. From writing book reports in English, presenting geography group presentations in History, and designing graphs and charts in Computer class, JCDS encouraged me to find my voice and share it in unique and creative ways. These skills gave me the confidence and ability to pursue a career in media and entertainment.”
COMMUNICATES THOUGHTFULLY AND EFFECTIVELY
Kathryn Huyghue ('08)
“During my time at JCDS, I was able to develop fundamental writing and presentation skills that have helped me to communicate thoughtfully and effectively. From writing book reports in English, presenting geography group presentations in History, and designing graphs and charts in Computer class, JCDS encouraged me to find my voice and share it in unique and creative ways. These skills gave me the confidence and ability to pursue a career in media and entertainment.”
Kathryn Huyghue recently graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she majored in film and television production. Kathryn strives to use her work to provide insight into perspectives and stories that we rarely hear or see with hopes of evoking compassion and empathy from the audience. As the daughter of two attorneys, Kathryn has always had a passion for human and civil rights.
Ms. Huygue had an internship with HBO last summer, where she worked on videos for HBO’s YouTube channel, selected clips and GIFs for digital social campaigns for HBO’s original series Insecure, and presented to 200 HBO executives about targeting Generation Z. Kathryn was also a Digital Services Intern at Showtime.
A JCDS GRADUATE...
IS PREPARED FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Victoria Spruance ('02)
“Jacksonville Country Day School has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to preparing its students for future academic success. Specifically, the thoughtful curriculum targets early exposure to writing and reading comprehension, integrated character education, and advanced STEM-based learning. Most importantly, JCDS laid an excellent foundation for success in my secondary education and subsequent university studies. In fact, my transition from JCDS to Episcopal was a relatively seamless experience, which I consider a testimony to the thorough preparation I received through my 8 years at JCDS. I remember feeling only excitement at the prospect of making new friends, starting middle school coursework, and trying out for a new sport.”
IS PREPARED FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Victoria Spruance ('02)
“Jacksonville Country Day School has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to preparing its students for future academic success. Specifically, the thoughtful curriculum targets early exposure to writing and reading comprehension, integrated character education, and advanced STEM-based learning. Most importantly, JCDS laid an excellent foundation for success in my secondary education and subsequent university studies. In fact, my transition from JCDS to Episcopal was a relatively seamless experience, which I consider a testimony to the thorough preparation I received through my 8 years at JCDS. I remember feeling only excitement at the prospect of making new friends, starting middle school coursework, and trying out for a new sport.”
Victoria Spruance is a neuroscientist with seven years' experience in spinal cord injury, cell therapy and respiratory research resulting in four co-authored publications and multiple research grants.
Victoria earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Drexel University College of Medicine and a B.S., Biology, summa cum laude and honors, with a minor in Spanish from the University of Florida. She recently completed her Graduate Research Fellowship at Drexel University’s Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy. Her dissertation was titled “Neural Progenitor Transplantation to Promote Recovery of Breathing after Spinal Cord Injury.”
A JCDS GRADUATE...
APPROACHES CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE
Owen Broder ('02)
“At JCDS, we learned to be strong, independent individuals and to work effectively within a team. In creative classroom environments and a wide variety of extracurricular activities, JCDS equipped us to be confident in ourselves while working collaboratively with others. These invaluable tools have enabled me to meet complex challenges, think independently, discover creative solutions, and achieve the goals I set for myself.”
APPROACHES CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE
Owen Broder ('02)
“At JCDS, we learned to be strong, independent individuals and to work effectively within a team. In creative classroom environments and a wide variety of extracurricular activities, JCDS equipped us to be confident in ourselves while working collaboratively with others. These invaluable tools have enabled me to meet complex challenges, think independently, discover creative solutions, and achieve the goals I set for myself.”
Owen Broder is a saxophonist based in New York City. He leads his own groups and participates in others. Owen’s jazz quintet, Cowboys & Frenchmen, released its debut album, Rodeo, in 2015, which earned rave reviews and enjoyed top placement on radio charts. Their recent 2017 release, Bluer Than You Think, received a four-star review from Downbeat magazine. Most recently, his American Roots Project’s album Heritage (2018) earned him a 2018 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award. He has traveled with the Temptations and the Four Tops, and opened for John Legend. Owen’s academic achievements include a Bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, and a Master’s from the Manhattan School of Music.
A JCDS GRADUATE...
LEADS BY EXAMPLE
Peter Blumeyer ('02)
“JCDS taught me to lead by example by showing me the importance of always treating others with respect. In order for anyone to put their trust in you as a leader, you have to show them that you value their time, effort, and support. ”
LEADS BY EXAMPLE
Peter Blumeyer ('02)
“JCDS taught me to lead by example by showing me the importance of always treating others with respect. In order for anyone to put their trust in you as a leader, you have to show them that you value their time, effort, and support. ”
After graduating as valedictorian of Episcopal in 2008, Peter Blumeyer attended college at Vanderbilt University, where he majored in Political Science and was active in student government. In 2012, he graduated from Vanderbilt, summa cum laude, with departmental honors in Political Science. After college, he remained at Vanderbilt for law school, where he served as student body president during his final year. He then returned to Jacksonville and accepted a position as a commercial litigation attorney at Holland & Knight LLP, where he practiced for a year before taking a sabbatical to complete a one-year federal judicial clerkship. Peter is a commercial litigation attorney at Holland & Knight, where his focus is on trust, estate, and fiduciary litigation and private wealth services. In his spare time, he enjoys running, watching movies, and volunteering on the Salvation Army of Northeast Florida's Advisory Board.
Mr. Blumeyer currently serves on JCDS's Board of Trustees.
Mr. Blumeyer currently serves on JCDS's Board of Trustees.
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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