Alumni News

From the time Nina Varela ’13 learned to read and write, she knew she wanted to be a writer. She is grateful to the Durham Academy teachers who “who encouraged me and took my writing seriously — even when I didn’t.” Her debut novel, Crier’s War, was released in the fall, and now she’s finishing up edits for the sequel and outlining her third book. 

Nick Livengood ’08 spent his entire pre-college educational career at Durham Academy. And now, he has returned to his alma mater as the 2019–2020 Alumni Board President.

Six alumni athletes will be inducted into Durham Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame on Dec. 6. This marks the fourth class of inductees for the Athletic Hall of Fame, which was established in 2013 and taps new members every other year.

As a coordinator for clinical trials at Duke Cancer Institute, Marco Reyes ’10 sees “the good in humanity” as patients participate in trials that may one day benefit people they’ll never know.

Durham Academy challenged Yates Sikes ’08 to think of different ways to problem solve. Now, as a mechanical engineer, he’s using that skill to innovate and modernize rail cars that impact riders in major cities across the U.S.

Life-changing teachers make a difference. Jessica Whilden is the epitome of a life-changing teacher who makes a difference. Thus, it is fitting that she is honored with the 2019 F. Robertson Hershey Distinguished Faculty Award.

Katie Ryan (Amick) Kantz ’98 was a “lifer” at Durham Academy, where she played field hockey and other sports passionately and was a student leader.

For Margaret Jones ’99, every day of work is “filled with promise” as she helps patients with neurologic injury to regain quality of life and independence. Her work has taken her to cities around the country, and along the way, she’s visited all 50 states.

Dr. Malinda Maynor Lowery ’91, the Rev. John Hage ’94 and first-grade teacher Debbie Suggs were honored with DA’s Distinguished Alumni Award, Alumni Service Award and the Faculty and Staff Legacy Award, respectively, at the Spring Alumni Reception on April 26.

Thanks to All Who Came Out for Our Spring Alumni Gatherings!

The Durham Academy Alumni Board will honor two accomplished alumni and a beloved faculty member at its Spring Alumni Reception, set for April 26. The entire DA community is invited to celebrate the selection of Distinguished Alumni Award winner Dr. Malinda Maynor Lowery ’91; Alumni Service Award winner the Rev. John Hage ’94; and Faculty and Staff Legacy Award winner Debbie Suggs.

LaQuesa Gaillard ’06, an Atlanta-based public relations professional, is passionate about exploring nature and different cultures, and she credits Durham Academy with showing her “how amazing adventures in nature can be.”