Ava ’22 and Peter Golde ’86

Ava ’22 and Peter Golde ’86 share more than a last name. They also share a deep love of learning, which was nurtured at The Bush School. While the father-daughter duo attended during different eras, they were both Lifers—they spent all thirteen years (K-Twelve) at Bush and can both attest to Bush’s strong community, outstanding faculty, and unparalleled experiential education.

“What I remember about Bush was its ability to customize education,” Peter shared. “Since I was a young kid, I have always loved science and math. In Middle School, I had the opportunity to take Upper School math courses, so I was in Seventh Grade, taking geometry with Ninth and Tenth Graders. The experiential education is the highlight of this institution.”

Peter’s passion for math and science led to a career in computer programming, and his pursuit of subject-matter expertise inspired Ava to lean into her fondness for history. Ava, now in her third year at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, is confident that her devotion to learning was a trait she inherited from her father.

“My dad is probably one of the smartest people I know,” Ava said. “He is someone who is always reading and listening to podcasts. That is something really beautiful that we share—the ability to connect with whatever new fascinating topic he has found or an article I’ve read that I’ve sent him. I think he understands this love of learning like no one else.”

Since graduating in 1986 under the guidance of the fifth Head of School, Les Larson, Peter has visited Bush many times and was surprised at the physical changes around campus that have taken form, including the refreshed Lower School, Upper School, and Gracemont Alumni Hall buildings. However, the expansive curriculum and college preparatory support offered at Bush were exactly as he remembered. 

“The education that Ava received at Bush was just amazing,” Peter said. “I loved hearing about high school, the kind of classes she got to take, and the discussions she had with her teachers. Bush is a very competitive and challenging school, but Ava was prepared for everything at college.”

As a student, Ava developed her Spanish-speaking skills with the help of Upper School faculty Marilina Kim and Meritxell Deegan. The Spanish department eventually chose her to assist her peers in developing their Spanish-speaking and grammar skills. 

After graduating from Bush, Ava was granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity through Swarthmore College to study for six months in Seville, Spain, through an enriching program called the Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad (CASA). She’s lived in Spain since January and remained with her homestay family into June.

“I am so lucky to be here, and I’m having the best time,” she said. “Living in a new country where you don’t know where anything is or anyone else has been challenging in a really good way. It’s forced me to make friends and try new things.”

Ava is no stranger to overcoming obstacles or cultivating new connections, as she did when she attended Bush, where she thrived under the leadership of Head of School Frank Magusin and outgoing Head of School Percy L. Abram.

“Percy was someone who always projected a calmness and a level-headed approach to everything,” Ava said. “When I was in Upper School, the pandemic happened, so we were online for a year and a half. But I remember when Percy sent all-school emails or hosted assemblies; he was always very compassionate and tried to understand everyone’s perspective.”

Although Ava and Peter have graduated and blazed their trails in different areas, they share forever ties to the Bush community. They are grateful to those who have welcomed them with open arms for two generations.

“It’s a cheesy thing to say, but I remember showing up at school and being so excited to be there,” Ava said. “Graduating Bush was a hard loss; I miss it a lot. I remember walking through the hallways and saying ‘hi’ to everyone, sitting with friends in the Commons, and being greeted by my teachers.”