The Community Corps Board comprises representatives of former staff, students, and parents of The Horizons School, as well as Atlanta neighbors interested in the development and well-being of their neighborhoods.
Alden Mahler Levine, President
Alden Mahler Levine is a program assistant for Development at The Carter Center, where she works with donors and databases to ensure funding for The Center’s humanitarian work around the world. In her previous lives, Alden was a news editor for CNN International and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jordan. She holds an undergraduate degree from Carleton College and a Masters of International Relations from Emory University. Alden is also a docent and educational animal handler at Zoo Atlanta.
Scott Levine, Treasurer
Scott Levine is a business professional with over 15 years’ experience in accounting, taxation, and project management. Scott has worked as a cost accounting consultant, corporate controller, financial systems analyst, project manager, and tax technology director. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from Georgia Tech and an MBA, a Master of Professional Accountancy, and a Master of Taxation degree from Georgia State, as well as being a CPA. Scott enjoys martial arts, running, and movies.
Celia Washington, Secretary
Celia Washington is a native of Atlanta and a 1997 graduate of Horizons School. She received her bachelor’s degree in sociology and Pan-African Studies from Barnard College in 2001, and her Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law in 2006. Growing up, Celia was fortunate to encounter many influential mentors that guided her strong passion for helping others. She is now a Partner at Clark and Washington, P.C. where she works with clients in their goals of eliminating and restructuring their debt while working towards financial stability.
As a consumer bankruptcy attorney for the past 13 years, Celia has had the opportunity to represent individuals from underrepresented communities by helping them navigate their financial challenges. She has seen first-hand how this work can effectuate transformational improvements in the health and prosperity of families, communities, and societies.
Celia lives with her husband and daughter in Marietta, Georgia and enjoys reading, spy thriller movies and spending time outdoors.
Patrick Garver
Patrick Garver was born and raised in Michigan but moved to Atlanta in 1990. Both of Patrick’s kids attended Horizons School from 3rd grade through graduation. Patrick says that he thinks sending his kids to Horizons was probably one of the best decisions he made as a parent. “They flourished there and made lifelong friends, as did my husband and I.” Patrick and his husband, Rob, reside in the Grant Park neighborhood, where they have lived since 1999.
June Bridgford Garber
June Bridgford Garber has lived in intown Atlanta since 1980. She became part of the Horizons School community in 1982 when she married Les Garber. June received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina in 1968 and 1980. She taught at Horizons School until 2005 and retired from teaching at Emory University with designation as Professor Emeritus the same year. She continued to work as a Physical Therapist at Grady and Emory Midtown Hospitals until retiring in 2019. From her own educational experiences, June is grateful for the inspiration of several wonderful science teachers as well as a few distressing instructors that stimulated an interest in alternative education.
June lives with her husband, Les, Maya the Great Dane, and Oliver the parrot. She continues to enjoy long walks, photography, reading, sewing, gardening, and anything that kept her busy during the past months of quarantine. She is looking forward to the planned Reunion this Fall and hopes to participate in Horizons/ Community Corps granting process for years to come.
Les Garber
Les Garber, aka Paul Leslie Garber, Jr., was born in Atlanta and has lived here most of his life. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University and his M.Ed. in Administration from Georgia State University. Les and his colleague Lorraine Wilson, along with several other individuals, founded Horizons School in 1978. He served as an administrator, teacher, dorm parent, real estate investor, general contractor, trip organizer, maintenance man, purchasing agent and cook throughout Horizons School’s 40-year history. His interest in democratic, student-directed education grew from his own educational experiences and frustrations as well as understanding of his own and others’ learning disabilities.
Les lives with his wife June, Maya the Great Dane, and Oliver the parrot. He continues to enjoy any and all types of woodworking projects from construction of small, intricate boxes to Adirondack chairs and deck renovations. Although his personal garden is smaller than the garden at Horizons, he continues to enjoy growing plants, tending orchids, and hoping for a bumper crop of figs, peaches, grapes, and persimmons this year. He is looking forward to the planned Horizons reunion and plans to participate in Horizons/Community Corps granting process for years to come.
Sally Turnage Gustin
Sally Turnage Gustin first encountered Horizons School in 1990 when her daughter, Heather, experienced a period of disenchantment with public middle school. The whole family got involved: Lety (Sally’s wife) started teaching Spanish before work in the mornings and Sally herself eventually became a teacher, administrator, and all-around supporter of the school and its ideals. Eventually Sally joined the Horizons Board that became The Community Corps. Her wife Lety passed away peacefully in January 2020, and The Community Corps’s first grant was a $25,000 donation to MD Anderson in her memory and in support of her care team.