We love it when alumni drop by, and last month we had the best kind of surprise: a visit from Class of 2021 graduates Leon Ruiter Lopez and Adrian Crespo.

Many in our community may remember Leon and his family, who were part of ASB from 2008 to 2013. Leon moved to New Jersey when he was in fifth grade; his brother, Max (Class of 2025), was in first grade, and their sister, Sophia, now about to start high school, was just a baby. Their mom, Sandra, was an active member of our Parents Association and served as PA president in 2012. Some might even recognize Leon from the cover of our 2009–10 Yearbook, the year Barcelona saw its magical, once-in-a-decade snowfall! That photo, captured by his mom, is still a sweet reminder of that rare winter wonder. 

Leon and Adrian spent the afternoon catching up with teachers and staff who remembered them so fondly, including Ms. Aniko Bacsa, Ms. Febe Bellon, Mr. Taylor Bingle, Ms. Johanna Cena, Ms. Michelle DeZerne, Ms. Ana Martinez, Ms. Sandra Mitjana, Mr. Mark Pingitore, Ms. Marta Vernet, Mr. Daniel Whitehair, and Mr. Bill Volchok. And, of course, they were warmly welcomed by our campus guard, Manuel Hernandez, who has an incredible knack for remembering every name and always making our community feel at home.

Leon recently completed his Pre-Med and Neuroscience studies at the University of Pittsburgh and is now working full-time as a researcher in neuroscience at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Maryland. His brother, Max, meanwhile, is graduating from high school this year, having starred in productions such as Fiddler on the Roof and Chicago. He will head to the University of Maryland this fall to study Opera and Pre-Med on a merit- and talent-based scholarship.

Adrian is pursuing a Master’s in Aerospace and Defense at the University of Bath. As part of his program, he spent a year working as an engineer with Warwick 3P Innovation. His sister, Carlota Crespo (Class of 2017), is now in New York City, marketing for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

It’s always such a joy to see our alumni come home and share where life is taking them. Thank you, Leon and Adrian, for taking the time to visit. Once a Lynx, always a Lynx!

View the Photo Gallery below for more photos of their visit (registration required to view).