2024 Distinguished Alumni & Faculty Award Winners

His close relationship with Mrs. K started in preschool and lasted until she passed. Scott cites Mrs. K, as well as all of his teachers along the way, with helping shape his character and develop a strong sense of his own values. Gulliver, as Scott describes it, was a place where all kids were accepted and appreciated. By that example, Scott and his classmates learned how to treat others. Core memories of Gulliver include the joy of high school pep rallies and feeling appreciated and wanted by seniors when he was a freshman. In his words, Scott remembers “a million different relationships rather than a million different events.”

After graduating, Scott earned his bachelors in economics from George Washington University and his MBA from Yale University’s School of Management. Even during his years of higher education, Scott returned to Gulliver to serve as a camp counselor and an assistant soccer coach. By the time he was working in finance, the leadership skills he’d gained from coaching at Gulliver proved a significant advantage over his peers.

Scott has worked as the CEO of a publicly traded company, as a portfolio manager for hedge funds, and in commercial real estate investment and management. He spent many years working in New York. When he finally shifted his work life to Miami, Scott took on more active volunteer roles for Gulliver.

Giving back to Gulliver is second nature to Scott and something he has done consistently through his lifetime. Whether as a volunteer assistant soccer coach in his youth to serving on Alumni Council to being one of our first donors answering the call to lead when Gulliver stepped into its new chapter as a nonprofit, Scott has continuously given back to Gulliver throughout his entire life.

Scott’s volunteer time currently includes being the Head Varsity Soccer Coach, a responsibility he says he loves even more now than when he started more than 30 years ago. In addition to being an example of excellence in his sport by leading the team to two state championships and being honored twice by the Miami Herald as Coach of the Year, he has also worked to build a network between his soccer players and soccer alumni. Scott has invited younger soccer alumni to come back to volunteer as assistant coaches on the team, he invites soccer alumni to come out to varsity scrimmages to give alumni better access to the players than regular season games, and he opens the field for alumni to play a couple days a week during the summer alongside current athletes. Scott built our first athletic alumni group, the Gulliver Soccer Society, which aims to connect soccer alumni back to Gulliver, to current players, and to the soccer program. He’s proud to see alumni athletes in other sports building their own similar programs to reconnect with each other and the current varsity teams.

Scott also continues to serve on our Board of Trustees. He has held roles ranging from Treasurer to Vice Chair to just completing his term as the Chair. He will continue to serve as the Past Chair and a Successor Trustee. With Scott’s leadership, the Board of Trustees has been instrumental during this transformational period in securing the operational and financial security of Gulliver for future generations, which he speaks about proudly. In addition to his time and talent, Scott and his family have given generously to Gulliver, naming the Judith Davis Atrium at the Upper School after his mother, who was close friends with Mrs. K.

Scott is a devoted family man, married for nearly 25 years and a father of three, including a son who graduated from Gulliver in 2020 and a younger son currently attending. His daughter also spent her early educational years at Gulliver. Outside of his philanthropic efforts and coaching, Scott enjoys spending time on the water, fishing, skiing, and practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Scott Davidson’s story is one of gratitude, leadership, and a deep-seated commitment to community. His life’s work and contributions to Gulliver highlight not only the values he received but also the values he strives to instill in future generations. As a proud alumnus, Scott exemplifies the spirit of giving back, ensuring that Gulliver continues to thrive as a beacon of education and personal growth in South Florida and beyond. His belief in the power of community involvement drives his dedication, encouraging others to engage with Gulliver and experience the personal rewards of giving back.

In addition to the arts, Nikki became involved with student government, where she served as student body president during her senior year. These experiences not only honed her leadership skills but also instilled a strong sense of responsibility and community engagement that she carries today.

Initially aspiring to pursue a career in medicine, Nikki’s trajectory shifted during her senior year after a transformative experience in a U.S. Government class with Patrick Griffin. In Nikki’s words, “He not only encouraged me but showcased my public speaking skills and provided me with ample opportunities to grow as a student. Because of him and his class, I ultimately decided to pursue a career in the legal field.”

From Gulliver, she was the first in her family to go to college and graduated with her bachelors from the University of Miami. From UM, she decided to leave Florida and graduated this spring from Emory University School of Law in Georgia. She is finally back in her hometown working as a litigator in a Miami-based law firm.

In the midst of her studies, she has continued to make time to serve Gulliver. She chaired her 5th year reunion committee, reaching out to dozens of classmates, recruiting volunteers, arranging the event and ensuring fantastic attendance– even though she wasn’t going to be able to be in Miami for the event herself. She has served on Alumni Council from a distance, balancing evening meetings with school and other activities, bringing her always-positive energy and passion for Gulliver to this group of volunteer leaders. She has helped reconnect us with many of our younger alumni, bringing their voices into the development of the alumni program over the last two years. Finally her personal advocacy for recognizing excellence within the arts has led to broadening our alumni recognition program. Her passionate commitment to this will come to fruition next year when we launch Gulliver’s first Arts Hall of Fame.

In 1988, Maria moved from New Jersey to Miami, where she began her long and fulfilling tenure at Gulliver Preparatory School. Over her remarkable 36 years at Gulliver, she has taught English to grades 7 and 8, covering all levels, including CP, Honors, Enriched, and MYP. Her innovative spirit led her to create a Gulliver Middle School Newspaper and manage the yearbook for three years. In 1994, she became the English Department Head and, alongside colleague Juan Carlos Garcia, launched the MYP Program at the Academy. Maria served as the MYP Curriculum Coordinator for a decade, leaving a lasting impact on the curriculum.

Throughout her distinguished career, Maria has received several accolades, including the DEVA Award and the Presidential Scholar Award. She also became a character in one of her former students’ novels, a testament to her influence and connection with her pupils. Since 1992, she has been the advisor for the National Junior Honor Society, guiding and inspiring countless students.

Maria attributes her personal and professional growth to the significant figures in her life, especially her mother and her husband, as well as her first-year teaching mentor and Mrs. Krutulis. Her family, including her husband, supportive in-laws, and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and godchildren, continue to be a source of strength.

Throughout her career, Maria has taught and mentored many remarkable students, including notable alumni. Her legacy at Gulliver and in the broader educational community is profound, and her dedication to nurturing young minds continues to impact students and alumni today.