As Coral Gables Senior High commemorates 75 years of fostering young minds, generations of Cavaliers were invited back to the campus to reflect on the impact of their Alma Mater. Preceding the nighttime celebration, eight transformative alumni were inducted into the Hall of Fame, where they were honored for their impact within school walls and beyond. On Oct. 24, the auditorium was filled with current Gables students, staff and families of the alumni, as they secured their spot in Cavalier history. To each inductee, the ceremony represented far more than a respect for their prestige and an award, it solidified to them that their success could lead them to making a difference throughout their journey.
While each Hall of Fame inductee emerged from a distinct graduating class, a set of consistent traditions, that still stand today, were displayed at the event. As the lights dimmed and the audience’s attention was directed towards the stage, the Gablettes opened the show with a 1920’s inspired piece, combining present-day elements with nostalgic costumes and music. Following the performance, the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps proceeded with the Posting of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance, signaling the start of the main event. As the ceremony progressed, the cheerleaders took the stage and performed a series of routines, allowing the audience to truly indulge in the unwavering theme of Gables spirit.
The 2025 Hall of Fame was meticulously planned by the Friends of Gables High Hall of Fame committee, who were represented at the podium by Luciana Gonzalez and Jennifer Piedra. Prior to the honoring of each inductee, the two provided an essential synopsis on the person’s achievements, introducing audience members to the alumnus standing before them and why they were receiving the recognition.
The first alumni to be honored was Nancy Bailey, who stands as a symbol of feminism in her line of work. After her life as a Cavalier, she became one 0f the first women to obtain a management position at Procter and Gamble, where she fulfilled her role as the mind behind many of their promotional projects. As she continued to flesh out her career, she created Nancy Bailey & Associates Incorporation, where she set yet another record as one of the first companies to license the brands of solely Fortune 100 companies.
Following her, Dr. David Brumbaugh was recognized for his efforts to help others with his skill and qualifications. Throughout his time at Gables, he balanced a life of higher academics and sports contributions. He now makes an effort to blend his career as a gastroenterologist and professor at the University of Colorado with volunteer work around the world.
“But all of those years spent studying, were fueled by asking questions, not just about medicine, but also about the world around me. So I encourage all of you to listen more, talk less and be curious,” said Dr. Brumbaugh.
The third distinguished alumnus was Gil Green, whose partnerships with renowned artists including Camila Cabello, John Legend, Pitbull, Usher and Drake have helped ignite a new era of music video production. He uses his love of music to provide future generations of producers with the opportunity to walk a mile in his shoes with his LOVE, CAMERA, ACTION summer camp. As he spoke to current students and his family in the audience, he honored Gables and Miami as the place where he was introduced to diversity, the cornerstone of his career.
Preceding a second performance by the Gablettes featuring their iconic kick, former Gablettes coach and 1976 alumna Rosanna Hoff Karpiak was respected for her avid participation and dedication to Gables dance. Her 18 years of guidance and passion towards Gables’ young girls did not go unnoticed and still remains a crucial part of Gables’ dance history. As she received her award on the auditorium stage, she reminisced on the days spent in her first classroom.
Combining a heart of gold with a natural flair for cuisine, Kathy Manning from the Class of 1963 was recognized at the event for her unwavering humility and sympathy for the less fortunate. After the conclusion of the Vietnam War, Manning made it her sole objective to house Vietnamese refugees who found themselves in a foreign land, allowing at least a dozen to seek shelter in her humble house in the Gables. Through her mission, she met her business partner and dear friend Tung Nguyen, who assisted her in opening Vietnamese restaurant Hy Vong and bringing Nguyen’s culture into The Magic City. Her speech entailed details about her journey beyond Gables and how it affected her on a personal, professional and emotional level.
The spotlight then shone on Mary Snow, the founder of the Friends of Gables High, who focused her civic career on the city that raised her. After receiving an education at Gables and revisiting more than a decade later, Snow became the CEO of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, which flourished in philanthropy under her leadership. She compelled the foundation to focus in areas like education and preservation of history and art through scholarships and grants. She credits many of her experiences, morals and values to her time in high school and says she often encourages her nine year old son to follow in her footsteps.
“I have a nine-year-old son and I tell him…have a good attitude, work hard, put in the effort and I tell students here today that as well. Have a good attitude and put in the effort, that will get you very far in life,” said Snow.
Maribel Perez Wadsworth’s largest impact came from the strength of her words and the encouragement she gave to others to discover their power. After her time within the walls of Gables, she jumpstarted her career in journalism with the Associated Press, before pursuing and increasing her status in the renowned Gannett. Throughout her time with the marketing company, Wadsworth was able to suggest and execute innovative ideas in fields of media formatting, including holding the position as the first Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. Presently, she holds the title of the first female to be CEO of the Knight Foundation, which focuses on funding journalistic and communicative programs.
“To the students in the room, I want to share some of those life lessons with you, as I was taught here. Say yes, even when you think you can’t. Take part, get involved. Life is not a spectator sport and every single one of us has the ability to give whatever small bits of our talent to helping our communities be better and that’s the responsibility we have,” said Wadsworth.
The final inductee honored at the event was the late Gail Payne, a former College Assistance Program counselor, who took each aspect of her position to unimaginable levels in order to accommodate each of her students. She made an effort to truly understand each child’s situation in order to provide the help and support they needed, helping them to overcome their endeavors. Her contributions to Coral Gables as a school and a community went far beyond her job description and the improvements she initiated during her time as CAP counselor have benefitted students new and old. At the event, her plaque was accepted by her children and grandchildren, who have shown nothing short of pure humility for their home-away-from-home throughout the years. Moving forward, the CAP office will be renamed the Gail Payne CAP Office, in honor of the efforts she placed into the program.
Each Cavalier’s life after high school will diverge into different paths and and stepping stones toward their future, but whether one is a doctor and another a music producer, the foundation behind each of them traces back within the hallways of Coral Gables Senior High School. The eight Hall of Fame inductees that were honored returned to their Alma Mater to accept the recognition and solidify the bond with their origins. The ceremony consisted of performances by undying Gables organizations, heartfelt speeches from each inductee and nothing short of true Cavalier spirit.
