Hear from SEED Supporters

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Kristie and Jonathan Blanco '88, Past Parents

Summit is more than just a school—it’s a community that shapes character, inspires curiosity, and nurtures lifelong learners.

As a proud Summit alum class of '88 and parents of Bennett '16, Cally '19, and Mercer '20, and members of the Advocates Council, I can confidently say that Summit is more than just a school—it’s a community that shapes character, inspires curiosity, and nurtures lifelong learners. My own experience at Summit gave me a strong foundation not just academically, but also personally. The teachers truly saw, challenged, and encouraged me to grow in ways I didn’t fully appreciate until years later. Now that my children are graduates, I’m filled with gratitude. The same warmth, intentionality, and excellence I remember are alive and well—and it’s even more meaningful to witness it as a parent. Summit isn’t just preparing students for the next academic opportunity; it’s preparing them for life. We are proud to support the Seeding Possibilities Campaign and the Center for Excellence and Innovation to support our teachers and faculty and their continued professional development.

-KRISTIE and JONATHAN BLANCO '88, PAST PARENTS

Charlotte Chandler Broughton '87 and David Broughton, Past Parents

Our family has had the privilege of being involved with Summit for nearly 50 years.

We have had two generations that have been educated, challenged and loved by the remarkable teachers, administrators and staff at Summit through its wonderful legacy of providing innovative classroom teaching and experiential learning. We are forever grateful for Summit and for the lifelong friendships our family has made through this amazing community. We are proud to support Summit through its SEED campaign as a way of saying thank you to Summit and helping foster new opportunities for other generations to come.

-CHARLOTTE CHANDLER BROUGHTON '87 and DAVID BROUGHTON, PAST PARENTS

TJ Petronzio, Science Teacher and Current Parent

When everyone, from students to the facilities team, has a voice in the design, the result is a space that truly works for everyone.

I’ve been teaching science for 24 years, including 14 years at Summit School. My current classroom is in an older building that wasn’t designed with modern teaching in mind. The new building, however, has been thoughtfully designed with input from teachers and the curriculum in mind, offering dedicated spaces for activities like boiling maple sap into syrup and making hot sauce with students. I’m incredibly excited about the large windows, the covered outdoor teaching space, and the addition of raised garden beds and a greenhouse, which will be great teaching tools. When everyone, from students to the facilities team, has a voice in the design, the result is a space that truly works for everyone.

-TJ PETRONZIO, SCIENCE TEACHER and CURRENT PARENT

Mary Louise and John Burress, Honorary Campaign Cabinet

Knowing that our donation will support cutting-edge facilities and innovative programs that will enhance the learning experience for many years is inspiring.

As longtime supporters of Summit School, we are honored to not only serve on the Honorary Campaign Cabinet but also to contribute to the capital campaign and help bring the vision of the new SEED Center to life. The impact this building will have on the students, faculty, and the entire Summit community is immeasurable. Knowing that our donation will support cutting-edge facilities and innovative programs that will enhance the learning experience for many years is inspiring. Summit has always been a place that nurtures creativity and fosters growth, and I am honored to be part of making this next chapter possible. We hope you will join us in this endeavor.

-MARY LOUISE and JOHN BURRESS, HONORARY CAMPAIGN CABINET

Sarah and Coleman Team, Current Parents

By contributing, we hope to leave a lasting impact on future generations and empower others to reach their full potential.

Sarah and I proudly support the Seeding Possibilities Comprehensive Campaign because we believe in fostering Summit’s vibrant and unique community through education and opportunity. Summit provides a wonderful environment for our girls every day, and we are committed to creating a new state-of-the-art space where students of all ages can access resources for growth, learning, and success. By contributing, we hope to leave a lasting impact on future generations and empower others to reach their full potential.

-SARAH and COLEMAN TEAM, CURRENT PARENTS

Lindsay Hodgson, 4th Grade Triad Teacher, Current Parent

The CEI Endowment played a key role in addressing our students' social/emotional needs.

The CEI Endowment played a key role in addressing our students' social/emotional needs in the Triad division by providing me with the resources to research the Brilliant Strengths program, analyze its foundational research, evaluate resources for teachers, and provide training. I coordinated the program's implementation in grades 1-5 and have been exploring how to extend it to the entire Upper School. Educating students about dyslexia and how their brains work is incredibly valuable, as it fosters a deeper understanding of their unique learning profiles. A strengths-based approach helps students identify their strengths, build resilience, and cultivate advocacy, ensuring lifelong impacts on their mindsets and perspectives.

Without the support from the CEI Endowment, I would not have had the opportunity to support our Summit community in this significant way.

-LINDSAY HODGSON, 4TH GRADE TRIAD TEACHER, CURRENT PARENT

Melissa Blake and Jonathan Rivas, Current Parents

Our contribution allows us to pay forward the generosity we once received!

Our family was more than delighted to support the Seedling campaign, recognizing the transformative impact of STEM education for both students and the communities that they are destined to serve. As beneficiaries of philanthropic efforts that enabled us to pursue our own careers in dental medicine and technology, we deeply value the opportunity to contribute to the next generations of rising stars. Our contribution allows us to pay forward the generosity we once received! Investing in STEM education has been a meaningful way for our family to do our part to build a brighter future and lasting impact on our community.

-MELISSA BLAKE and JONATHAN RIVAS, CURRENT PARENTS

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frequently asked questions

Questions? Contact Margaret Turner, Campaign Director, margaret.turner@summitmail.org, 336-722-2777, ext. 1030

Click on the images below to read why these community members deeply value Summit and the future SEED Center.

Charlotte Chandler Broughton '87 and David Broughton, Past Parents

"Our family has had the privilege of being involved with Summit for nearly 50 years."

Kristie and Jonathan Blanco '88, Past Parents

"Summit is more than just a school—it’s a community that shapes character, inspires curiosity, and nurtures lifelong learners."

Lindsay Hodgson, 4th Grade Triad Teacher, Current Parent

"The CEI Endowment played a key role in addressing our students' social/emotional needs."

Mary Louise and John Burress, Honorary Campaign Cabinet

"Knowing that our donation will support cutting-edge facilities and innovative programs that will enhance the learning experience for many years is inspiring."

Melissa Blake and Jonathan Rivas, Current Parents

"Our contribution allows us to pay forward the generosity we once received!"

Sarah and Coleman Team, Current Parents

"By contributing, we hope to leave a lasting impact on future generations and empower others to reach their full potential."

TJ Petronzio, Science Teacher and Current Parent

"When everyone, from students to the facilities team, has a voice in the design, the result is a space that truly works for everyone."