A Legacy of Growth: One Family’s 16-Year Journey with Cardigan

By Pablo Rocha Vázquez, Director of Alumni and International Relations

In 2007, when Monica and Raul Ramonfaur P’10,’16,’18,’25 began considering boarding schools for their eldest son, Diego ’10, they weren’t just seeking academic rigor; they were searching for a place that would help shape their young boy into a well-rounded, independent man. Cardigan was many miles away from their beautiful home in Monterrey, Mexico, but it would come to define a chapter in their family’s story that lasted for nearly two decades.

In order to choose a boarding school, the family took a methodical approach. The Ramonfaurs sat around their kitchen table and created a chart, listing the family’s most important values: academic rigor, small classes, supportive dorm life, daily sports, cutting-edge technology, access to the arts, and above all, community. After visiting Cardigan, the whole family agreed that Cardigan stood out across the board.

“The academics were strong, but it was the sense of connection and character development that set it apart,” Raul explains. “The boys wouldn’t just be students; they’d be part of something more profound.” Cardigan’s comprehensive approach, its bond with nature, and the personalized attention to each boy’s journey made it clear: Cardigan would be their new home away from home.

Why Cardigan?

Of course, sending each child away came with emotional weight. “Saying goodbye never got easier,” Raul and Monica expressed. “But knowing they were in a place that was safe, nurturing, and inspiring gave us peace.” 

As the eldest, Diego’s experience set the tone, and his success and growth sparked a sense of aspiration in his younger siblings. “They looked up to him,” says Monica, “and Cardigan became a dreamland they each wanted to explore.”

Quick to adapt to every endeavor, Diego discovered a passion for biology during his ninth-grade year with former science teacher Allan Kreuzburg H’24, P’14,’17. This early spark set him on an academic journey in science that would eventually lead him to study cardiology. Diego went on to pursue clinical research at Harvard Medical School and completed his medical training at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Today, he is a resident physician at the Cleveland Clinic and continues to make remarkable strides in his field.

David ’16, while inspired by his older brother, initially struggled at Cardigan with math and English. But with the guidance and support of his teachers and advisors, he not only overcame those challenges but also became the varsity soccer goalkeeper, leading his team to a victory during an Eaglebrook Jamboree. After this formative experience, he continued his studies in the U.S. at Avon Old Farms before returning to Monterrey to graduate from Universidad de Monterrey. A passionate explorer, David enjoys traveling around the world and capturing breathtaking photographs, including many during his most recent adventure to Antarctica.

The academics were strong, but it was the sense of connection and character development that set [Cardigan] apart. The boys wouldn’t just be students; they’d be part of something more profound.

Raul Ramonfaur P’10,’16,’18,’25

Daniel ’18, the most attached to home, had a more emotional start but grew to love Cardigan so deeply that he requested to stay for a second year. Beyond excelling on the soccer field, during his ninth-grade year, he helped younger students from Mexico adapt smoothly to life at Cardigan. Daniel then crossed the Atlantic to further explore the field of business at IEB University in Madrid before returning to Monterrey to earn a degree in international business. Today, he is the co-founder of RIKOMX, leading initiatives that integrate food services with restaurant point-of-sale and logistics platforms.

Eugenio ’25, who grew up hearing stories about The Point, felt at home on day one. Always eager to contribute to the family tradition, he broke new ground by joining the wrestling team. In addition, he was a two-year varsity soccer player, where his strength and dynamic play were evident from the start. Recently, Eugenio visited San Francisco, participating in an exclusive international program with Prepa Tec (a high school in Monterrey, Mexico) at the University of California, Berkeley. During his stay, he and his team will be developing a real startup project, an experience that has him excited and completely inspired. As part of the program, they will visit Silicon Valley, where they’ll tour the offices of major tech giants such as Google, Apple, Meta, Tesla, and NVIDIA. Back in Monterrey, Eugenio is also training intensively in Jiu-Jitsu, a discipline in which he competes at the state level, demonstrating the same determination he brings to his studies. 

Despite their differences, all four boys shared a wealth of common experiences: the excitement of Sandwich Fair, the tradition of Mountain Day, the thrill of Polar Bear, the freedom of weekend adventures on the ski slopes, and, above all, a collection of unforgettable friendships.

The Lasting Impact

The Ramonfaurs credit Cardigan with shaping their sons into the young men they are today: “They learned responsibility, resilience, and leadership. They were challenged in ways that a regular school could never do.” Boarding school prepared their sons not just for high school and college, but most importantly for life. The independence, time management, and interpersonal skills they gained continue to serve them well in all aspects of their lives.

“It’s the end of a beautiful chapter in our parenting journey,” the parents say. “Cardigan gave our sons more than we could ever have imagined.”

To other parents just beginning this path, their advice is simple: “Trust the process. Let your children grow. Cardigan will challenge them—but it will also nurture them in ways you can’t do alone.” For the Ramonfaurs, Cardigan wasn’t just a school. It was a home away from home, a proving ground, and a place where four boys grew into the best versions of themselves.

This article was originally published in the fall/winter 2025-2026 issue of the Cardigan Chronicle