A Magazine for the Alumni of Crescent School
Summer 2018
Making Art Work Crescent alumni with creative careers find the balance between artistry and pragmatism. Page 14
PHOTOGRAPHER: NATION WONG
Page 22
As energy trends shift to renewables, the company co-founded by Mike Yan ’05 is taking flight
Solar Flair
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 1
Words from the Alumni Chair
Reflecting your Crescent experience Welcome to the summer edition of the revamped Past & Present. As with the first issue last January, our talented editorial board have used the magazine’s mission, vision and values to guide their choices in the stories you read here. Its mission is to deliver relevant, compelling stories for Crescent alumni that underscore Crescent’s values and culture while strengthening alumni connections to the school and each other. Every issue of the magazine is designed to build your Crescent pride and trigger positive memories of your student days and the relationships that led you to become the Man of Character you are today. Its vision is to inspire alumni loyalty, pride of association, engagement and philanthropic support for Crescent School. Furthermore, we hope the refreshed design and editorial focus has created a publication in which you, our alumni, aspire to be featured. The editorial process and content choices are consistent with Crescent’s core values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Compassion. Moreover, we strive to ensure your magazine reflects the essential qualities of Crescent’s Portrait of Graduate, which is best summarized by three key questions: Who am I? How do I lead? What is my legacy? We will strive to ensure that every issue of Past & Present delivers on its mission, vision and values, and helps you reflect proudly on your Crescent experience. Enjoy the read. Jamie Coulter ’87, P’21 Chair, Crescent Alumni Executive
Past & Present is published twice a year by Crescent School’s External Relations Department to help all alumni stay connected with the Crescent community. Cover: Gordon von Steiner ’06 by Ike Edeani
Editor: Leigh Bowser Editorial Committee: Leigh Bowser, Kathryn Foster, Lynda Torneck, Katie Watt Editorial Board: Peter Aceto ’87, P’21, ’23, Jacob Barnes ’05, Philip Lloyd ’09, Myles Slocombe ’92, Tim Watson ’01
Art Direction & Design: Aegis Design Inc. Senior Designer: Sabrina Xiang Writers: Leigh Bowser, Pat Morden Photographers: Betty-Ann Armstrong, Darren Calabrese, Ike Edeani, Jake Graham ’09, Nation Wong
Comments and suggestions about Past & Present are always welcome. Reach us at: Alumni Relations Office, Crescent School 2365 Bayview Avenue, Toronto ON M2L 1A2 e: alumni@crescentschool.org t: 416.449.2556 ext. 260
Upfront / Alumni Recommendations
FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR
PHOTOGRAPHER: SUSANNAH ANDERSON
THE BEST WAY TO KEEP MOSQUITOS AWAY
Hint: it’s not plain vanilla
Salted caramel truffle dipped in dark chocolate (in a waffle cone) Kawartha Dairy Moose Tracks (vanilla, peanut butter cups and fudge)
“Stay active! Don’t let them catch you!”
Chocolate Mint chocolate chip
—Remi Ojo Jr. ’08
Other tips we heard: citronella plants, bug spray and a wide-brim hat with netting – or just stay inside.
YOUR ABSOLUTE MUST-DO SUMMER ACTIVITY
FAVOURITE SUMMER DESTINATION
“My grandpa has this house on this tiny peninsula called Point Roberts. An hour south of Vancouver, it’s this beautiful town of a thousand people that’s surrounded by water. When I was younger, I thought it was incredibly boring, but I’ve come to love the quiet time you can spend with family there.” —Jonathan Ng ’17
BEST SUMMER ROAD TRIP SONGS
“Video games! It’s the only time of the year I have time for them.” —Greer Pedoe ’98
For other alumni we heard from, the summer won’t be complete without a great game of softball, kayaking, Frisbee golf on Toronto Island, and a family trip someplace.
FAVOURITE SUMMER SPORT
“Whatever has the most chocolate in it.”
THE ALL-TIME BEST SUMMER VACATION
“Every chance I get to spend with the kids. One year we did a road trip to PEI, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and then went back to do the Cabot Trail.” —Jeff Adams ’94
Get your playlists and mix-tapes ready… Can’t Stop The Feeling —Justin Timberlake
Layla —Eric Clapton Summer Paradise —Simple Plan
Red Headed Woman —Bruce Springsteen
Courage —Tragically Hip
“Baseball, but one day I hope it’ll be surfing.”
Gift Shop —Tragically Hip
—Paul Joliat ’94, P’24, ’26
Sigh No More
—Mumford And Sons
Summer of ’69 —Bryan Adams Shine —David Gray
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 3
Past /1987 Musical mischief: the Senior Band members switched instruments for their yearbook photo.
Upfront / Alumni Back on Campus
Sharing Career Advice
Alumni discuss career options with Grade 10s How do you choose a career? How do you know which job is right for you? In April, six alumni came back to Crescent to discuss these questions and more with Grade 10 students who are beginning to consider their plans for life after high school. David Forsayeth ’04, Nithin Kadayil ’06, Merrill Ong ’06, Philip Lloyd ’09, Oleg Baranov ’11 and Henson Tam ’11 each shared highlights from their chosen careers in technology, architecture, medicine, law, accounting and politics.
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 5
Upfront / Alumni Back on Campus
Saying Yes to Creativity
The art of improv inspires Crescent boys thanks to Paul “PK” Kingston ’99 A program designed three years ago by Paul “PK” Kingston ’99 inspires Crescent boys to unleash their creative energy. The annual Middle School Improv Showcase brings improv artists to the school to perform with the boys, teaching them about taking risks, listening skills, free association and the importance of saying “yes!” to others’ ideas. Kingston participated in the first two showcases before moving to Los Angeles to build his career as a writer, actor and comedian. The program continues to be a highlight of the Middle School experience.
Sharing Bee Expertise
Students learn about the benefits of bees from Oliver Couto ’81 Urban beekeeper Oliver Couto ’81 dropped by to share his apiology expertise with Crescent students in May. Couto is a member of the Toronto Beekeepers Co-op and teaches beekeeping courses at the Kortright Centre and the Toronto Botanical Garden.
ALUMNI THEN
If you remember green text on black screens, this 1980s photo of Middle School boys Tim Thompson, Steven Martin and Mark Lewis (L to R) will bring back memories.
6 Past & Present / Summer 2018
Helping the Coyotes
Senior Rugby team gets a hand from Peter Milazzo ’14 Peter Milazzo ’14 captained the Ontario Blues Senior Men’s rugby team last year and now plays for the Ontario Arrows. In his spare time this spring, he helped out with training Crescent’s Senior Rugby squad. The Coyotes enjoyed a strong season, capturing Crescent's first RugbyFest championship hosted by Rothesay-Netherwood School and bringing home bronze from OFSAA.
Upfront / Crescent News
Planning Ahead
Master Campus Plan will guide Crescent’s development over the next 20 years
Left to right: David Grant, Michael Jansen, Sylvia Duckworth, Michael Fellin
Honouring Excellence
Prime Minister’s Teaching Award for Michael Jansen Michael Jansen has been honoured with a 2018 Certificate of Achievement from the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. This award recognizes outstanding teachers for their remarkable achievements in education and for their commitment to preparing students for a digital and innovation-based economy. Jansen’s exceptional teaching skills had previously been recognized by the Chemical Institute of Canada with the 2017 Beaumier Award for High School/CEGEP Chemistry Teachers. This is the third time a Crescent teacher has been recognized by the Prime Minister’s Teaching Awards. Lower School French teacher Sylvia Duckworth received a Certificate of Excellence in 2014, and Dean of Studies David Grant P’14 received a Certificate of Achievement in 2015. They attended Jansen’s award presentation with Headmaster Michael Fellin.
Enhanced robotics and athletics facilities, an expanded dining hall, new quiet reflection spaces and more flexible, hands-on learning areas – these ideas and others are being considered for Crescent’s new Master Campus Plan, which will guide the school’s development over the next 20 years. The ideas came from hundreds of students, alumni, parents and staff through meetings and an online forum held in January and February. Crescent’s Facilities Committee, working with design and architecture firm Perkins+Will, guided the process to gather and transform the ideas into design concepts that will ensure Crescent’s buildings, open spaces, sustainability and accessibility will meet future students’ needs. A feasibility study for the concepts is planned for the fall.
ALUMNI NOW
Technology has come a long way! Class of 1991 members Tim Thompson, Steve Martin and Mark Lewis (shown L to R) returned to Crescent this spring to try the computers students use now.
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 7
Upfront / Crescent News
Outstanding Scholarships Prestigious university scholarships awarded to three Crescent grads
Left to Right: Scholarship winners Ryan Cheng, Christopher Chettleburgh and Max Bennett.
Among the many university scholarships awarded to Crescent Grads this year, three stand out. Christopher Chettleburgh received a Hellmuth Scholarship from Huron University College at Western University. Valued at $30,000 over four years, up to 10 Hellmuth Scholarships are awarded annually to academically excellent students who demonstrate a passion for student life through community leadership, volunteer service or passion for the arts or athletics. Ryan Cheng received a Faculty Entrance Scholarship from Western University. Valued at $30,000 over four years, Faculty Entrance Scholarships are awarded to up to 15 students each year. The recipients are outstanding academic performers who demonstrate creative and innovative thought and a passion for learning, along with exceptional achievement in extracurricular activities and a commitment to community service. Max Bennett, Crescent’s 2017/2018 Head Boy, received a Chancellor Award from Queen’s University. Valued at $36,000 over four years, up to 50 Chancellor’s scholarships are awarded to students who show superior academic ability, creative and original thinking, and proven leadership qualities. “These scholarships are a significant honour,” says Susy Bellisario, a Guidance and University Counsellor at
8 Past & Present / Summer 2018
“What sets Chris, Max and Ryan apart is that they went the extra mile to apply for specialized scholarships, putting their abilities on the line against hundreds of other high school students. We’re very proud of their outstanding results.” —Kathy Porteous, Guidance and University Counsellor
Crescent. “They offer considerable financial support, and they also distinguish the recipients both in the start of their university programs and to future potential employers.” Crescent’s Guidance and University Counselling team works closely with all graduating students to help them identify and prepare strong applications for scholarships that are a good fit for their interests. Approximately 90% of the graduating class members are offered university scholarships. “It’s not unheard of for all of our grads to be offered entrance scholarships from most, if not all, of the universities to which they apply,” says Guidance and University Counsellor Kathy Porteous. “What sets Chris, Max and Ryan apart is that they went the extra mile to apply for specialized scholarships, putting their abilities on the line against hundreds of other high school students. We’re very proud of their outstanding results.”
Upfront / Crescent News
Taking Care of Business
First-place result for Crescent at DECA Internationals For the first time in Crescent’s history, two Upper School Business Team members won the top spot in their category at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC). Grade 12 students Christian Gnam and Keshiv Kaushal (pictured left-right) placed first in the “Overall Buying & Merchandising Team Decision Making” category, which included a multiplechoice exam and presentations on marketing case studies. The ICDC event, held in Atlanta in April, had 19,000 competitors from high schools around the world. Other Crescent students also enjoyed strong results at ICDC: Grade 12 student Ryan Cheng finished in the Top 10 of his category, and Grade 11 students Cory Gill and Kyle Chang finished in the Top 20 of their category. The Crescent students qualified for ICDC based on their strong results at the DECA Provincial Competition held in Toronto in February.
Learning Through Service
Outreach trips provide life-changing experiences This year, more than 30 Upper School students participated in Crescent’s Outreach trips. They travelled to India, Tanzania and South Africa during March Break, and to the Superior North region of Northern Ontario in May. (A trip to Ecuador will take place in August.) Each trip offered life-changing experiences. Whether they were learning Maasai warrior skills in Tanzania, tutoring children in West Bengal, participating in traditional First Nations activities in Northern Ontario, or shadowing students at the Vela School in South Africa, the Crescent boys learned first-hand what life is like for their peers in different cultures. Building relationships with local people through service allowed the boys to make a difference in the lives of others, develop personal leadership skills and reflect on the kind of men they want to become. “Hopefully the boys developed greater empathy for the less fortunate and the importance of serving them, cultural adaptability, greater respect for people’s differences and got the travel bug to explore the world,” says faculty member Geoff Green, who accompanied the India trip.
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 9
Upfront / Alumni Recognition Awards
Celebrating Exceptional Alumni
Crescent’s 2017 Alumni Recognition Awards spotlight Men of Character who merit special acknowledgement for their exceptional achievements and community service
“Crescent School alumni are involved in exciting endeavours transcending industries and countries,” says Philip Lloyd ’09, who serves on the Alumni Recognition Awards Committee. “We’re proud to recognize these exemplary individuals; not simply for their accomplishments, but as a way to inspire our entire community.”
ALUMNI ON THE LINKS
Of all the golf courses where you have played, which is your favourite?
10 Past & Present / Summer 2018
Naveen Gupta ’15 Student, Western University The Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland – even though I’m not much of a golfer!
Andrew Kung ’15 Student, University of Toronto The Old Course at St Andrews Links in Scotland.
Upfront / Alumni Recognition Awards
Mike McDerment ’94 received the Alumni Excellence Award, which honours alumni who have distinguished themselves in their professional careers, personal endeavours and community service. As the co-founder and CEO, McDerment has built FreshBooks into the world’s number one cloudbased accounting software company for self-employed professionals. Toronto Life magazine listed him as one of the 20 most brilliant tech innovators in 2017, and the Toronto Region Board of Trade named him its 2017 Business Leader of the Year. Despite his hectic schedule, McDerment is keenly involved in Crescent’s mentoring program. He also spoke at an Alumni Breakfast event in February.
Oleg Baranov ’11 received the Young Alumni Excellence Award, given to alumni who have distinguished themselves within 15 years of graduating from Crescent. Baranov is honoured for his dedication and hard work in co-founding and building CleanSlate UV, a product of the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre. CleanSlate UV uses ultraviolet (UV-C) light to sanitize smart phones, tablets and other handheld devices used by healthcare staff and patients. It placed second in a 43North business competition and its co-founders received the Queen’s University 2016 One To Watch Award. In addition to this work, Baranov enthusiastically supports Crescent’s Team 610 robotics team.
Matthew Allion ’15 Student, Queen’s University The Pebble Beach Golf Links in California.
Jamie Lougheed ’87, P’18 Exec. Dir. Advancement, Greenwood College School Cabot Cliffs Golf Course in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Rob Watt ’85, P’14 received the Alumni Community Leadership Award, which honours alumni who have demonstrated tremendous volunteer service to Crescent. Over the past decade, Watt has made Crescent one of his main priorities in an already very busy life. He began volunteering on the Alumni Executive in 2010, where he served as Chair of the Fundraising Committee and as a member of the Alumni Internship Program committee. He assumed the role of Chair of the Alumni Executive in 2013, serving as an exceptional leader for three years. As his Class Chair, Watt successfully spearheaded an $85,000 fundraising campaign supporting student financial aid, a cause that he is passionate about. Watt now chairs the Facilities Committee on the Crescent School Board of Governors.
Ned Bowland ’08 Trader, Ronald A. Chisholm Ltd. Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina, which is the centrepiece of all Pinehurst courses.
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 11
Present /May 2018 The annual Friday Night Lights Rugby match brings out the Crescent School spirit.
Perspective from the Headmaster
Brotherhood for the World
I
am often asked by current and prospective parents, “What is unique about a Crescent School education?” The heart of this query relates to how we deliver on our mission: Men of Character from Boys of Promise. Of course, there are many ways to answer this question, whether through the lens of our faculty, our programs and our campus; but perhaps the best response involves our graduates. In addition to being well-prepared students and well-rounded people, our boys are good young men. I believe this best distinguishes our School. In essence, Crescent School exists to prepare boys through their transition to manhood. This journey, often filled with peaks and valleys, is also marked by significant experiences, key learnings and important relationships for our boys to know themselves, serve others and leave the School better than they found it. It has been said that the journey is more important than the destination, and I believe this is especially true with regards to building character; for becoming a Man of Character is the work of a lifetime. Our boys graduate not just because they have earned their academic credits but because they are ready to lead as brothers (and men) for the world. Veritate Stamus et Crescimus.
Michael Fellin P’24 Headmaster, Crescent School
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 13
“When I write a song, I wonder why I don’t focus on the business. The next minute, I feel that I’m good at the business and terrible at the art!” – Chris Luedecke ’94
Making A 14 Past & Present / Summer 2018
PHOTOGRAPHER: DARREN CALABRESE
Art Work How alumni balance their creative talents with business skills By Pat Morden
A
16 Past & Present / Summer 2018
PHOTOGRAPHER: DARREN CALABRESE
s a young man, Chris Luedecke ’94 enjoyed life as a bohemian singersongwriter in the Halifax music scene. Then he and his wife settled in Chester, an hour from the city. Their vehicle, an old school bus, took $20 in gas to drive to Halifax and back. “Suddenly I realized that I couldn’t go out and play with my friends for $35 a night,” he recalls. The realization didn’t turn Luedecke into a commercial “sell-out,” but he did start paying more attention to the business of music. Today, performing as Old Man Luedecke, he makes a good living doing what he likes best – playing music and entertaining people. Luedecke’s story is familiar to many who choose creative careers. Driven to express themselves through art, they must also find a way to build a business and make a living. Each artist has a unique formula for living within that tension. After university, Luedecke spent a summer in the Yukon, working and saving money. Along the way, he fell in love, and he and his girlfriend (now wife) Teresa Bergen moved to Vancouver where he bought a banjo. “I had a huge head of creative energy that was looking for an outlet, and all of a sudden I found a way to harness it.” He started writing songs while working a series of menial jobs. “My music is about my life, my own experiences,” he says. “I need to feel that what I’m doing is honest, sincere and as good as it can be.” To put his career on a more businesslike footing, Luedecke began working with a publicist and manager. He put out records on a friend’s label and sent them to college radio stations. For a decade, he toured extensively, even doing a six-week tour when his twins were less than a year old. Now established and managing his own career, he admits that he’s still trying to find that balance. “When I write a song, I wonder why I don’t focus on the business. The next minute, I feel that I’m good at the business and terrible at the art!”
Being authentic Chris Luedecke lives and creates in beautiful rural Nova Scotia, finding his inspiration in his life and experiences. right:
Chris converted a small wooden building on his lot into a studio.
PHOTOGRAPHER: IKE EDEANI
Gordon von Steiner ’06 says he’s fortunate that “business and art have been able to flow together.” A film buff from his early teens, he made “bad movies” on his camcorder and watched dozens of film masterpieces while at Crescent. After he graduated, he studied film at New York University, created video content for GQ magazine, and worked with renowned photographer Steven Meisel before setting up his own studio in Brooklyn. Referred to by the New York Times as “the budding Fassbinder of fashion videos,” his quirky films for brands like Vogue, Prada and Lanvin have featured mega-stars like Céline Dion and Michelle Williams. Von Steiner’s artistic ambition is simple. “I love coming up with an idea and seeing it come to life on the screen,” he says. “I want to continue moving forward, challenging myself, and doing things I’ve never done before.” On the rare occasion that inspiration flags, he turns to his DVD collection and immerses himself in classic films. He has found a ready market for his work, and plenty of creative flexibility. Although he’d like to do a feature film at some point, he’s content learning his trade. A recent video featured Cindy Crawford dancing through suburbia, starring in a soap opera, and then being driven by a monster to a photo shoot. “It was genuinely fun and creative – and commercial too!”
Creative Respite Gordon von Steiner chills in his Brooklyn loft between gigs working for some of the biggest brands in the fashion industry.
“If you’re too focused on the creative, you’re going to be stunted because you need money to make movies. At the same time, if you only take projects that pay a lot but aren’t necessarily creative, you’ll also be stunted.” – Gordon von Steiner ’06 Crescent School Alumni Magazine 17
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES
“Time pressures and heavy constraints shock the mind into looking at problems differently and trusting first instincts.” – Jason Beck ’89
18 Past & Present / Summer 2018
PHOTOGRAPHY: SCORING SESSIONS
When Jason Beck ’89 was young, he says discovering his musical talent was “like acquiring a super power.” At Crescent, he began to dream of a career in music. At the same time, he was influenced by his father’s drive for success and the pragmatic side of learning at Crescent. “I really understand now that the skills I learned as a teenager have given me a leg up over some other musicians who remain in that purist, no-compromise zone.” Jason, who performs under the name Chilly Gonzales, has built an international recording career. Along the way, he set a Guinness World Record for the longest solo piano performance (27 hours), starred in and scored the soundtrack to the film Ivory Tower, and wrote a set of études for lapsed pianists. Mostly recently, he launched the Gonzervatory, an innovative approach to teaching performance to young musicians. These days Jason doesn’t have to do commercial work, but he occasionally takes on lucrative projects. “When I’m in the position of having to be inspired on demand, I have a good sense of discipline, and I know it won’t last long!” He believes creativity is enhanced, not threatened, by limits. “Time pressures and heavy constraints shock the mind into looking at problems differently and trusting first instincts.”
PHOTOGRAPHER: ALEXANDRE ISARD
A Tale of Two Brothers Talent runs in the Beck family DNA. Chris Beck (above) built an Oscar-winning career in film scoring.
PHOTOGRAPHER: PHILIPP JEDICKE
Grammy-winning recording artist Jason Beck (left) has achieved international celebrity status performing under the name Chilly Gonzales.
“My own sense of entrepreneurship and ambition drove me to hustle gigs. I really enjoyed the competitive nature of getting work as a freelancer.” – Chris Beck ’87 Jason’s brother Chris ’87 found a different way to blend musical creativity and business. After graduating from Yale, he studied film scoring at the University of Southern California. He interned with legendary TV composer Mike Post and then worked on several shows, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer. “My own sense of entrepreneurship and ambition drove me to hustle gigs,” he says. “I really enjoyed the competitive nature of getting work as a freelancer.” Eventually he quit his TV shows and focused on film work. Bring It On, a 2000 sleeper hit about cheerleaders, led to a string of comedies. Then in 2012, he had the opportunity to score a Disney short film, Paperman, which went on to win an Oscar. The following year, he was asked to score a Disney princess movie, which turned into the smash hit Frozen. “Before Frozen there was a little voice in the back of my head that would speak up when I was in a difficult moment with a client and remind me I was still building a career and making sure my family is taken care of,” he says. Now the financial pressures aren’t as great, and he has more time to pursue his art. He is being more selective about the jobs he takes on and has discovered the joy of making music with a modular synthesizer. Crescent School Alumni Magazine 19
Jake Graham ’09 studied communications and entrepreneurship in university and then got interested in photography while backpacking across Europe. After three years working in marketing, he decided to focus exclusively on a new career in photography. He explains: “I learn best by throwing myself right into things, where it very quickly becomes sink or swim. When you don’t have the comforts of an office job to fall back on, it forces you to adapt and find solutions.” Graham’s creativity is driven by the desire to share his discoveries about Canada, and to encourage other Canadians to explore their wonderful country. “I love it when people reach out and say, ‘I just came back from this park or hike, and the reason I went was because I was inspired by your work.’” Graham knows the importance of looking after the business as well as the art. He does commercial shoots for outdoor brands and some event work. When he travels, which is as often as possible, he contacts tourism boards and companies in the locations he’s visiting and sets up work in advance. He also licenses his photography and offers workshops. While many of his shoots are meticulously planned, some of his favourite times are spent sitting in a remote and beautiful location, away from the camera as it captures time-lapse footage. Last summer, he spent five months travelling from coast to coast to coast. Now he’s working on a book of photographs from that trip. The variety of his projects helps keep him inspired and looking at the world in new ways, he says. Graham knows that success doesn’t come with talent alone. “You have to hustle,” he says. “If you’re not putting in the time, there’s probably someone out there who is.” Jason Beck agrees. “It’s about the tempering skill of being pragmatic, rather than being a pure artistic idealist.” It’s all about finding a balance. “If you’re too focused on the creative, you’re going to be stunted because you need money to make movies,” says von Steiner. “At the same time, if you only take projects that pay a lot but aren’t necessarily creative, you’ll also be stunted.” At some point, though, the desire to create art does re-assert itself. Says Chris Beck, “There’s a feeling I get in my whole body when I’m having a pure music experience, only to express myself and not to please a client. It’s a great feeling.” 20 Past & Present / Summer 2018
A Solitary Pursuit Jake Graham takes his camera to some of the most beautiful and remote natural places on the planet.
Words of wisdom: how to be creative, whatever you do
Be an individual. Don’t try too hard to fit in. Find the thing that makes your whole being hum and do it. (But make sure you’re good at it!)
“You have to hustle. If you’re not putting in the time, there’s probably someone out there who is.”
Find your own path. Don’t be distracted by what everyone else is doing.
– Jake Graham ’09
Play games with yourself to shock your mind into creativity. Be a perpetual child, constantly processing new information and testing boundaries. PHOTOGRAPHER: JAKE GRAHAM
Be sure you have natural creative ability, ambition and drive. Without these, you'll find it hard to compete. Go for it 100%. You’ll never know how good you can be until you do. There’s never going to be a “right time.” The right time to start something is now.
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 21
Solar Flair Mike Yan ’05 is helping the green energy industry thrive and grow. By Pat Morden
22 Past & Present / Summer 2018
PHOTOGRAPHER: NATION WONG
M
ike Yan ’05 admits he has always been a tinkerer. In fact, it was that propensity that led his parents to enrol him at Crescent in Grade 7. As Yan tells the story, one of his Grade 6 teachers told his parents that they didn’t know what to do with him and that Yan would be bored in public school. His family decided to check out Crescent, meeting with the Head of the Middle School, Pat Mills, and touring the campus. “He showed us what all the possibilities were,” Yan remembers. “I was really fortunate that my parents agreed to send me there.” From the beginning, Yan’s passion for tinkering was encouraged at Crescent. He recalls building a mechanical toy in his Grade 8 science class as a time when he created something “technical rather than for the purpose of art.” In Grade 9, his science class built an electricity-generating wind turbine – an early hint at his future career in the renewable energy sector. Yan also joined Team 610, Crescent’s keenly competitive robotics team. “The school offered us an opportunity to try new things safely,” he says. “Crescent expected a lot from us, but we didn’t have to be right the first time.” Now an entrepreneur in the solar power market, Yan recognizes just how valuable that experience was. After Crescent, Yan completed an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics and a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, both at Queen’s University. Along the way, he worked for several engineering companies and banks. “That helped me understand that I wouldn’t thrive in an environment that was too structured and had a lot of rules!” His first full-time job was with Taplytics, a firm started by four Crescent alumni: Aaron Glazer ’02, Cobi Druxerman ’02, Andrew Norris ’03 and Jonathan Norris ’07. Taplytics helps clients optimize digital marketing and online customer experience. Yan moved with Taplytics to Silicon Valley in 2013, where they worked with Y Combinator, the legendary high-tech incubator.
When Yan moved back to Canada in 2014, he connected with Rob Andrews, a friend from Queen’s. While doing his PhD in solar modelling, Andrews had identified a gap in the market. The data available from existing monitoring systems at solar farms was too high-level to pinpoint issues with individual panels – a problem when the largest solar farms can house millions of panels. Yan and Andrews developed a platform that maps solar farms from the air, using energy lost as heat to identify problems and analyse the root cause. With personal funds and government grants, they developed a prototype and made their first sales. Heliolytics was launched. “We’re able to create a treasure map for our clients, with a mark on every single panel where we find some sort of fault or anomaly,” says Yan. “And we can do more than tell the customer that something’s wrong: we can tell them why.” Sometimes the solution is as simple as sending out a cleaning crew; other times,
24 Past & Present / Summer 2018
AERIAL IMAGES PROVIDED BY HELIOLYTICS
02, 03 & 05 Heliolytics, uses proprietary technology on aircraft to accurately guage solar farm efficiency for industry clients. PHOTOGRAPHER: NATION WONG
01
02
“The school offered us an opportunity to try new things safely. Crescent expected a lot from us, but we didn’t have to be right the first time.” – Mike Yan ’05
01 & 04 A record number of green energy installations have been constructed around the world in the last 12 months, more than net additions of coal, gas and nuclear plants put together.
04
03
“From a very technical standpoint, there are a million interesting problems to solve, and what I like most is that they’re meaningful problems. We see ourselves as part of the process of ensuring that renewable energy makes sense.” – Mike Yan ’05
05
it requires a team of engineers. Whatever the solution, Heliolytics helps its customers increase the productivity of their farms. Since 2014, Toronto-based Heliolytics has scanned roughly 25% of the North American solar market. And it’s a market that’s expanding globally at a rate of 25% per year. Yan is thriving in his role at Chief Technology Officer. “From a very technical standpoint, there are a million interesting problems to solve,” he says. “And what I like most is that they’re meaningful problems. We see ourselves as part of the process of ensuring that renewable energy makes sense.” Two other Crescent alumni – Scott Innes ’07 and Gord Smith ’05 – now work at Heliolytics. And Yan hasn’t forgotten where it all started. Every year, he and other Team 610 alumni assist the current team as it prepares for the FIRST Robotics world championships. Another annual event for Yan is the Ride to Conquer Cancer. He and a group of Crescent alumni have participated every year since it was launched. The future for Heliolytics looks bright, Yan says. “It’s a balance between making sure that we own our market and staying curious about where else we can move,” says Yan. “That’s why I’m so lucky – we’re always trying new things and learning a lot.” Crescent School Alumni Magazine 25
Expert Advice Here are five ways for a good critical thinker to avoid the information echo chamber and get useful, original, trustworthy information.
PHOTO REPUBLISHED WITH THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF: NATIONAL POST, A DIVISION OF POSTMEDIA NETWORK INC.
1
Brands Matter: Choose five diverse, quality news brands whose core values are based on trusted information and switch between them. Social media platforms like Facebook make money in lots of ways, so if they screw up on, say, fake news, they still survive. The Wall Street Journal, the Economist or the Globe and Mail cannot. If they get it wrong too often they go out of business, so they have an incentive to report accurately. There are lots of changes in media, but brands that live and die by the values of good journalism will survive. Read, watch and listen to these good news outlets so you can get different perspectives. For example, NationalNewswatch.com is a helpful aggregator for a political junkie to get a diverse read from good sources.
2
Read Books: It sounds old-fashioned, but in a culture where quick information is abundant, deep perspective has scarcity value. Most great leaders and CEOs I speak to say that by reading books, they turn information into actionable intelligence by filtering it through a deeper perspective.
Five ways to get out of the info echo chamber By Evan Solomon ’87 Evan Solomon is the host of CTV’s Question Period, the most-watched political program in Canada. He is also the host of BellMedia’s nationally syndicated radio program The Evan Solomon Show and a columnist for Maclean’s magazine.
When I think of the tidal wave of information which swamps us all every day, I often think of the old expression, “water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.” There’s an abundance of information, but too often it’s recycled, reused material that passes for conventional wisdom. It’s hard to know who to trust, what to read, or where to spend your scarcest resource: time. To compound the problem, the deluge of information from powerful platform media like Facebook and Google has been weaponized by political partisanship, “fake news”, digital algorithms, bots and malign political actors who want to manipulate your ideas and have no obligation to higher values like objectivity, the social good or empathy. As a journalist, I can fight back by cultivating sources, conducting personal interviews and calling dozens of people a day to get multiple points of reference. But that’s my job. Most people have no time for that. So what do you do?
26 Past & Present / Summer 2018
3
Change Your Mind: As the saying goes, a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. When the facts change – and they do all too often – change your mind. Change that is evidence-based is a sign of strength, not weakness.
4
Get out of Your Bubble: Nothing gives you better knowledge than first-hand experience, so leave your bubble. Travel to new places, talk to people and make sure you meet people outside of your own comfort zone.
5
Listen to Your Kids: Want to keep up with new ideas and change? Talk to young people and take them seriously. They are the pulse of change we are all looking to discover.
Expert Advice
GREG’S THREE DESTINATIONS ON THE VERGE OF BIG CHANGE Raja Ampat Islands
Myanmar A magical country and headlines will never do justice to its complicated history and current tensions. Tourism is the best form of backdoor diplomacy. Go see and learn for yourself.
Bolivia Bolivia’s infrastructure is finally catching up to its neighbours, and tourism is about to heat up. Be a part of the change by supporting responsible tourism.
PHOTOGRAPHER: LYNDSAY HARSHMAN
It has some of the most pristine underwater environments left on the planet and dreamy archipelagos above the surface. Pair with a visit to Java for the ultimate 1-2 knock-out.
Stop planning trips and start planning great travel By Greg Sacks ’91 Greg Sacks is an owner and founding partner of Trufflepig Travel. Trufflepig specializes in custom trip planning and, like the animal that is its namesake, Trufflepig leads its clients to unique and unforgettable experiences buried just under the surface and worth their weight in gold.
Great travel experiences can transform individuals, spark new fires in long-term relationships, and significantly improve family dynamics. Bad travel experiences, on the other hand, can be true nightmares. Faced with today’s ragged pace, overstimulation and digital dependency, we are slowly realizing the true worth of quality time spent connecting with ourselves, our loved ones and the extraordinary world around us. These moments when we step out of the daily fray are rare, deeply meaningful and priceless – so shouldn’t you have a strategy for making the most of them? Imagine if you approached your financial investments the way many people approach travel investments. You would likely think one transaction at a time, there might be that “oh sh*t” moment when you realize you are way late in making plans, you might spend hours on a “Stock Advisor” website crowdsourcing
opinions from amateur critics, and you would start from scratch every time you decided to make a play. Before long, you would be broke. You should have a strategy for accomplishing all the important things in your life, including travel. Transactional travel – planning one trip at a time – is akin to making one financial investment at a time. Taking a longer view, and building a relationship with a travel advisor or company, will help you get more out of each and every trip you take. Think about all the places you want to go (call it your bucket list if you have to) and then also think about who you want to go with and when you might be able to go. Do you have any big birthdays or anniversaries coming up in the next three to five years? Are there weeks that you take off every year? Now start mapping it out in your brain – or better yet, find a travel advisor with broad expertise who can get to know you, help you prioritize and keep you on track. Some places on your bucket list are changing rapidly while others are timeless. Some places are kid-friendly while others are not. Some must be booked 18 months in advance. An advisor can help you sort through the variables so that you can enjoy an optimal travel experience. The number of vacation days are few and the dollars spent on them are many. There is much to be gained by treating your travel planning more like your financial planning: bring a little strategy to the process. Basically, stop planning trips and start planning great travel experiences. Crescent School Alumni Magazine 27
Social Life
Together Again It’s always a good time when Crescent brothers get together. For more photos and upcoming event listings, go to crescentalumni.org.
Toronto
Mike McDerment ’94 was the Alumni Breakfast guest speaker in February, which was hosted by Chris van de Water ’99.
Halifax
Alumni on the east coast enjoyed a get-together in March with Crescent faculty Michael Brisbois and Richard Prosser.
28 Past & Present / Summer 2018
Social Life
Dentonia Luncheon
Our Dentonia Luncheon on May 11 welcomed esteemed alumni who attended Crescent when it was located at Dentonia Park (1938 to 1975).
Montreal
Back Row (L to R): Headmaster Michael Fellin, Dick Howard (former teacher), Cameron Anspach ’61, Robin Beamish ’61, Bruce Boyle ’61, Marc Joliat ’52, P’94, GP’24, ’26, Bruce Burgess ’57, John Cernik ’54, Fred Gaby ’75, Lee Barker ’58, John Porter ’54, Douglas Kennedy ’57 Front Row (L to R): Allen Tweddell ’55, George Gardiner ’64, Fraser McKee ’37, Thomas Symons ’39, Allan Wilson ’53, Fred May ’53, Gordon Pritchard ’53
The Montreal winter didn’t deter the Crescent grads who attended the alumni reception there in January.
New York City
A reception in April for alumni in the Big Apple was hosted by Michael Donnelly ’88, with Crescent teacher Michael Jansen as the special guest.
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 29
Social Life
California
Alumni events held in San Francisco and Mountain View in March gave David Grant P’14, Crescent’s Dean of Studies, an opportunity to connect with his former students who are now in tech careers.
Kingston
In January, more than 50 alumni attended the Kingston reception, which is always popular with the many Crescent grads who attend Queen’s University.
London, Ontario
Crescent alumni who are now at Western University enjoyed a chance to reconnect in April.
30 Past & Present / Summer 2018
Social Life
Golf Tournament
The Crescent School Golf Tournament was a great day on the links for alumni, students, parents and staff. Congratulations to the tournament champions: Class of 2015 alumni Matthew Allion, Naveen Gupta, Andrew Kung and Ryan Volk, who won the trophy and the opportunity to once again wear a Green Jacket for Crescent.
Alumni Reunion
After the excitement of the Friday Night Lights Rugby game and Saturday’s Alumni Basketball Challenge featuring the Bidiak Cup, the fun continued on Saturday evening at the Alumni Reunion. It included special receptions as the Class of 1993 marked their 25th anniversary and the Class of 1998 marked their 20th anniversary.
Thank You!
Your support through sponsorships, gifts-in-kind and donations helped us raise over $35,000 for The William L. Burridge Alumni Bursary Fund for student financial aid. Special thanks Albatross Sponsors
Eagle Sponsor
Visit crescentschool.org/golf for a full list of sponsors.
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 31
Life After Crescent
Milestones and Celebrations Have family or career news to share? Send your Life After Crescent updates to alumni@crescentschool.org.
1950s
1990s Jesse Wente ’92 was appointed Director of Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office in January 2018. He previously was the Director of Film Programmes at TIFF Bell Lightbox for seven years.
Ryan McAskile ’97 has accepted a new role as Vice President, Sales Representative for the Private Capital Investment Group at Colliers International.
Paul Joliat ’94, P’24, ’26 ran the Boston Marathon in April, enduring brutal weather. This is the 13th marathon he has completed and he has no plans to slow down anytime soon!
1970s George Milic ’78 lives in Nha Trang, Vietnam and is President of Stablewood Financial Consultants, an independent firm that assists international clients who wish to purchase Canadian real estate and Canadian and U.S. securities.
1980s Don Haag ’86 will begin a new role this September as Guidance and University Counsellor at Hillfield Strathallan College in Hamilton.
Greg Wells ’89 has published his fourth book, The Focus Effect. Co-authored with Bruce Bowser, The Focus Effect offers techniques to improve your creativity and productivity.
32 Past & Present / Summer 2018
achievement
Marc Joliat ’52, P’94, GP’24, ’26, a long-time Toronto Blue Jays fan, threw the first pitch at the game on April 27, 2018 against the Texas Rangers at the Rogers Centre.
Andrew Lindsay ’97 and his wife Otilia welcomed new daughter Mirabel in August 2017. Since January, Andrew has been working for a tech company called HubSpot, where he leads their business and corporate development groups.
Chris van de Water ’99 and his wife Diana welcomed their first daughter, Evelyn John van de Water, who arrived on January 14, 2018. She weighed 6 lb, 9 oz.
Life After Crescent
David Forsayeth ’04, his wife Erin and proud big brother Luke, welcomed their new baby girl, Sydney Alison, to their family on February 12, 2018.
Myles Slocombe ’92 and his wife Kirstin welcomed their new daughter, Maie Susanna Fry Slocombe, on April 18, 2018. She weighed 7 lb, 11 oz. Neia is a very proud older sister. Myles received the 2017 Johnston & Daniel Gairdner Award, awarded to realtors who represent exceptional sales achievement.
2000s Ryan Fleming ’01 and his wife Kelly welcomed their son, George Donald Fleming, on December 4, 2017 – to the delight of big sister Robin who is excited to have a little brother.
Scott Watson ’04 and his wife Katie welcomed their first son, William (Liam), on April 22, 2018. Liam is already much loved by his family, including uncle Tim Watson ’01.
babies Lee Berger ’05 and his wife Courtney welcomed their first son, James, in March 2018.
Nick Warwick ’06 and his wife Stephanie are thrilled to announce the birth of their first child, daughter Sophia, on March 8, 2018 (fittingly, International Women’s Day).
Kieran Quinn ’01 and his wife Lynn (sister of Rob McLernon ’01) welcomed their new daughter, Kennedy McKenzie, on November 24, 2017. Brothers Hunter and Austin adore their little sister who they have affectionately nicknamed “Baby Sunshine.”
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 33
Life After Crescent
weddings
Jacob Barnes ’05 married Valerie Noonan on April 22, 2018 in Nags Head, North Carolina. Crescent alumni in attendance included Class of 2005 members Daniel Tarshis Neil (Best Man), Gabe Diamond, Chris Penner, Patrick Forbes, Ryan Nelson, John Gould, Jared Schwartz, Andrew Woods and Tom Gutierrez, as well as his brothers Adam Barnes ’95 and Matt Barnes ’08. Jacob is serving on the Past & Present Editorial Board. Robert Amelard ’06 received the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal for his PhD thesis work on developing new light-based methods for monitoring cardiovascular health. He is continuing his research as a postdoctoral fellow and is exploring commercialization opportunities. Nithin Kadayil ’06 is taking time away from his role at Quadrangle Architects this summer to join the Crescent School staff as the instructor of the Architectural Concepts & Design Camp.
Daniel Laveau ’05 married Jessica Valentine on May 27, 2017 at the Toronto Hunt Club (above). The wedding party included his brother Nicholas Laveau, Roddy Campbell ’05, Michael Devlin ’05, Sean Forder ’05. Other Crescent alumni in attendance were Class of 2005 members Alex Ng, Peter Stransman, Ryan Ballard, Chris Lawrance, Cam Jette, Gordon Smith, Mike Schwartz, Alan Koutsaris and Dan Pringle. The couple lives in the Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto, where Daniel works as an Associate, AML Initiatives with RBC Investor and Treasury Services.
34 Past & Present / Summer 2018
Eric Khoury ’06, Assistant Coach of the Toronto Raptors, served as Director Analytics and Assistant Coach to Team Lebron Head Coach Dwayne Casey at the NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles in February 2018.
2010s Matthew Corolis ’13 and Carter Smith ’13 are co-directing and coproducing a documentary, tentatively titled Cancer Divided, about the inequity of cervical and breast cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa. They are filming in Tanzania this summer and plan to film in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and Sierra Leone in the coming year. This is their first project with their production company, About That Media Inc.
Jake Fisher ’14 spent the fall in California working as a Firmware Intern at Tesla as part of his co-op program at the University of Waterloo. Jake is studying mechatronics engineering and will graduate in April 2019. Petr Schumacher ’16, who is training to be a pilot, gave Don Haag ’86 a brief flight over Vancouver this spring.
career
Ryley Mehta ’16 and Nick Wellner ’16 were part of the First Law Mobility team which won the first prize Robert G. Siskind Entrepreneurial Award in the annual Business 2257 Feasibility Study Competition, held at Ivey Business School in March 2018. First Law Mobility produces a mobility aid for seniors called the Freelator to promote safe exercise. Emanuel Vella ’16 of the Mississauga Steelheads was named the Vaughan CHL Goaltender of the week in the Canadian Hockey League in February 2018. Emanuel is currently in his second full OHL season and first with the Steelheads.
Life After Crescent
Many happy returns to Chris Gordon P’87, GP’21, Headmaster of Crescent School from 1970 to 1982. He celebrated his 80th birthday in March 2018. The Gordon legacy continues at Crescent: his son, Barry Gordon ’87, P’21, is Chair of the Board of Governors and his grandson Oscar Gordon just finished Grade 9 in the Upper School.
celebration Retired faculty member Pat Mills P’99 is a grandfather! Pat's daughter Zoe and her husband welcomed their daughter, Isabelle Blakeley, on October 18, 2017. She is doted on a lot by Pat and her loving uncle (and Crescent teacher) Charlie Mills ’99.
In memoriam
Dr. Sacha Tehranchi ’96 passed away on February 14, 2018 in Santa Monica, California at age 39. Sacha graduated from the University of Guelph and Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, where he was awarded Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his training at Midwestern University in Chicago and the LA Orthopedic Institute in Los Angeles. He worked in Fountain Valley, California, where he specialized in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. In Sacha’s honour, the Crescent Class of ’96 alumni renamed their class fund to the Sacha Tehranchi Memorial/ Class of ’96 Fund and raised nearly $1,000 in his memory. The fund supports student financial aid at Crescent School, giving future Boys of Promise the opportunity to come to Crescent.
Stay Connected Join the Crescent Alumni Network Site. Go to crescentalumni.org to find mentoring opportunities, internship positions, reunions and networking events, news from your former classmates and ways to get involved at Crescent. Find alumni news on our social media: CrescentSchoolAlumni @CrescentAlums @crescent_alumni Crescent School Alumni Group Have questions? Contact alumni@crescentschool.org
Crescent School Alumni Magazine 35
Catching Up With...
Reflecting on Crescent’s Supportive Collegiality Doug “Smitty” Smith joined the Crescent faculty in 1985, teaching history in the Middle School until he retired in 2008.
where the Apostle Paul, out of the Bible, was preaching when they came and arrested him.” I was standing right there. It makes the little hair I’ve got left stand up even thinking about it.
MS: You officially joined the faculty in 1985, but I understand that wasn’t your first time teaching at Crescent? DS: That’s right. While I was a teacher at Royal St. George’s, I came to Crescent in 1983 via an exchange with a Crescent teacher, Stephen Harper. We both taught in the Middle School and coached U-13 soccer. We returned to our home schools at the end of the academic year. I was hired at Crescent in the fall of 1985. At least, I was in the classroom, but we didn’t know whether I was the teacher or the kid. (chuckles)
MS: It’s one thing to teach it from a textbook, it’s another thing to actually go and see it. Personally, travelling is one of my biggest passions. The amount of things to see out in the world is unbelievable! DS: I remember a trip to Vimy Ridge. I was looking at the German front lines, and you literally could have taken a rock and fired the rock across there. That’s how close this was. And I was standing there, looking up and down the lines, and one of the guys said, “Mr. Smith, you’d be dead by now if the war was on.”
MS: Amazing, I didn’t know that. It’s been 10 years since you retired in 2008, if you can believe it! What role does Crescent play in your life today? DS: Ten years into retirement, although some would suggest that it was in 1987 when I retired! But, Crescent still provides me with memories of students, parents, and staff. As a history aficionado, I still enjoy leafing through “old” yearbooks.
MS: What did you enjoy most about your time at Crescent? DS: The staff room, the classroom and the unequivocal guidance and support from all the lead administrators, especially Pat Mills. In the staff room, I remember the collegiality and the fabulous minds.
MS: What have you been up to since retirement? DS: Reading, researching and cruising. The best cruise so far was 14 days from Rome to Rio de Janeiro. Another cruise, Hong Kong to Mumbai by way of Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar, was a close second. I’ve been all over the world, following the explorers I taught, their voyages. MS: The more you see, the more you want to see. DS: I was in Turkey once, in Ephesus. The guide said, “this is the exact location
MS: I know there’s a very strong community of retired Crescent teachers, like Steve Davies and Dave Budden and all you guys. DS: And Ross MacDonald. MS: Of course, and Ross MacDonald, among many others. There’s such a solidarity among Crescent students. But I think it speaks volumes that there’s such solidarity with the teachers as well. We had our 25th reunion last May and it’s shocking to me that it has been 25 years! Some of my best friends are Crescent guys.
Myles Slocombe ’92 is a member of the Past & Present Editorial Board. He says, “Smitty’s approach to teaching epitomized the true collegiality among the phenomenal teachers at Crescent. It was a pleasure and an honour to catch up with him.”
36 Past & Present / Summer 2018
By Myles Slocombe ’92
DS: That is interesting because what we are really talking about is the fabric of the school. MS: Now that I am a parent, I have begun to look at school systems in a different way. I’ve noticed that one of the strongest features about Crescent is the teachers. They set the foundation and justify why people want to send their kids to Crescent. DS: It’s an incredible place and we are lucky to be part of it. One memory I’ll never forget is David Heaney, Mark Suckling and Angie Beck and the Grade 6 trips to Sudbury. In two years, Crescent boys planted over 2,000 trees in the “moonscape” on the outskirts of the city. I’d love to see it now. Crescent does make a difference! MS: My prediction for this issue of Past & Present is that this interview with you will get the most eyes! DS: Or darts. You could put it up on the wall and just fire at it.
Crescent School 2365 Bayview Avenue Toronto, Ontario M2L 1A2
