REPORT OF PHILANTHROPY 2018-19
KIRK THATCHER ’77 is an Emmy award winning writer/producer, an award winning television, commercial and viral video director, as well as a creature maker and designer for both films and television. Kirk was one of the three regular judges on the Syfy channel series,“Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge”. In 2018 he created and Executive Produced a series for Netflix entitled, “The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell” with Christine McConnell and the Jim Henson company. He also co-wrote and co-directed the hit Muppet Live Shows that played at the Hollywood bowl and in London’s O2 stadium. Kirk was an associate producer on Star Trek IV, in which he had a memorable cameo as the Punk on the Bus, rocking out to the punk anthem he both wrote and sang, called, “I Hate You.” Hard to believe he once suffered from severe stage fright. Kirk credits teachers Cindy Linke and Hal Hoerner, from his time at Berkeley Hall with understanding his potential, getting him out of himself, casting him in two plays. He had such a good time performing, he lost all sense of embarrassment, and the rest is history.
ALLEN RUBINCHUK ‘13 after being away for a full year in the Army, came back to Berkeley Hall to surprise his brother Milan in Kindergarten! He shared, “Seeing my brother for the first time in a year made me so happy. He always looks up to me, and now that he’s at Berkeley Hall, I feel he will follow in my footsteps and work hard to be successful. Berkeley Hall taught me how to strive for success in life, my teachers prepared me educationally and I learned how to achieve goals I never thought I could accomplish. Being mentally prepared for high school was a big advantage because I knew how to better myself in life, as I pursued becoming a doctor, and as I took my first steps into adulthood by joining the army. I’m thankful that my brother is getting the same preparation for life, it has served me well.
DANIEL MALAKHOV ’01 “BHS made a significant impact on me and I’m forever grateful for my time there”. Daniel moved to San Francisco in 2015 and is currently working as a Manager of Brand Marketing for Blend, a financial technology startup. In March 2019 he married his long-time partner Joshua Brost, Director of Marketing at Microsoft.
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