Alumni News

the Swall Drive campus, the Junior High library was tucked away upstairs. It felt like a secret treasure trove. Dark wood paneling lined walls filled with books. A Tudor window looked out over the central field. I was often the only student in there. It felt like a library just for me, and I devoured the books in it.

While McMahan Library is light and bright and a central hub of the campus, I hope our students feel just as excited when they come to check out some of our more than 11,000 books. The students aren’t on campus right now, but I’m busy shuttling books from our treasure trove out to waiting cars, happy to get them into the hands of our eager readers.

It’s good to be home.

Sean Vayberman ‘19

I’ve been doing well, just still trying to get a routine for my school. I have been playing a lot of basketball lately. I have been in the gym and on the grind to make varsity. I try to hang with as many people as I can so I am not just cooped up at home. I have made a lot of new friends at my school, but I will always keep the ones I have made at BHS, and for that I’m grateful. Thank you, and tell everyone I said hello.

Ann Wickham Scott ‘58

I live in Carlsbad, California. Have one son, Tracy Scott, who lives in Palm Desert, and two grandchildren, who are both expecting babies anytime.

Henry Good ’17

Henry Good’s first Mock Trial experience was while he was a student at Berkeley Hall. He continued participating in high school as part of the Crespi Team. He was the Team Leader this year, and won MVP (voted on by the opposing team), his second year in a row. This is what the judge had to say:

“I enjoy it when a closing argument is able to change my mind on a case, and this one did,” Judge Mohr.

Way to go, Henry! Cliff has had a long and successful career, starting in 1959 as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Los Angeles and continuing today with CFO Center, London, England, UK, Partner, Los Angeles Metro, providing strategic advisory services to Owners and CEOs of SMEs. There is no doubt that his expertise has benefitted his employers and clients alike and will do so for many years to come.

Cliff Lightfoot ‘53

After graduating from Berkeley Hall, Cliff went to Dorsey High School, followed by USC for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. Cliff proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army for six years. In one of his postings he served with fellow BHS classmate Kendall Foster ’53.

Cliff has had the opportunity to serve on multiple Governance Boards including: Town Hall Los Angeles Board of governors, USC Alumni Board

of Governors, EY Alumni Board of Directors and president, South Bay Entrepreneurial Center, and Freedom Farms of America Advisory Board (provides housing, income and work for U.S. Military Veterans and Native Americans).

In 2017 Cliff was inducted into the Dorsey High School Hall of Fame and in 2019 he received the USC Veterans Recognition Medal.

Cliff’s favorite hobby is reunions. He has chaired 43, including his BHS 50th, his USC 25th, and six for Dorsey High School including the 25th and 50th. He loves staying connected with his classmates.

Riley Young ‘11

After I graduated from BHS, I attended El Segundo High School. I earned my degree in Marine Science with a Minor in Cinematic Arts and Technology from California State University, Monterey Bay.

During my undergraduate education, I had the privilege of being selected for a research fellowship with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in which I was immersed into the field and analysis aspects of science. For a year and a half, I conducted fieldwork within the intertidal at Catalina Island, located in Southern California. I used the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute facilities to analyze all of the field data I collected. This experience allowed me to take a more active learning approach towards science, and I gained valuable skills through the research I conducted. This experience taught me the importance of science communication and being able to effectively communicate my findings to a wide range of audiences. I was faced with the difficulty of explaining my research to individuals with no background in science, but more important, I was faced with the challenge of persuading them to understand why this research is important.

Within my experience working on my fellowship research, I decided to add a minor in Film to further help in science communication. My goal of becoming a marine scientist shifted to becoming a filmmaker to educate others on scientific findings. During my final semester of undergrad I studied abroad at the University of Sussex in England where I took classes specifically in documentary filmmaking and how animals are perceived in screen media. I am currently working on an MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking at Montana State University. With this degree (the only one of its kind in the United States, and one of three in the world) I plan to use my knowledge in science and learn how to make films that can be both engaging and educational. I have learned a great deal about the issues that the ocean and our environment are facing today from my undergraduate experience in studying marine science. Some of these issues include pollution, microplastics, overfishing, ocean acidification, and climate change. There is a lack of awareness and concern about these major issues because individuals have not yet felt the effect directly. I strive to take my experiences and the knowledge I have gained to transform these environmental issues into films that grab the public’s attention. I want to convey the urgency and seriousness of these issues to a larger audience.

Michael T. Jones ‘09

After graduating from Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, Michael went on to earn his B.S. in Engineering, Aerospace & Astronautics from Purdue University. In May 2020, Michael completed his graduate work by earning his doctorate degree from the School of Law at the University of San Diego with a concentration in

Intellectual Property and Technology Law. Michael passed the California Bar Exam in October 2020 and is working as a Legal Strategist at a midsized law firm in San Diego.

Garrick Gao x24

I will never forget the school that was much more than a school. Berkeley Hall taught me about friendship, life, and community. Although I was only here for a year, this wonderful place made me learn so much. In my year I was here, I made many friendships and learned many lifelong lessons. After I left Berkeley Hall, I went back to Canada and now I am reunited with my mother again. Right now, I do many sports, including hockey, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, and much, much more. My favorite is hockey. Last year, my hockey team won a season banner. We almost won the playoffs banner as well, but we lost by 2 goals in the finals. I have won many awards in swimming and golf as well. Every day, I think about the school that supported me in so much, whether in class, or life. I take Chinese, SSAT, math, debate, and French, on zoom once every week. Thank you, Berkeley Hall.

Amber Peters ‘15

On September 26, 2020, Amber Peters received the Congressional Gold Medal Award. Members of the US Senate and House of Representatives recognized student leaders with Congress’ highest honor for youth. The ceremony was supposed to be held in Washington DC but due to the virus, it was virtual. Her brother Blake Peters ‘13 received the same award a few years back at a ceremony held in Washington DC.

Buddy Day at Early Kindergarten where 5th Graders come down to read to their EK buddies

We couldn’t do it without you!

Berkeley Hall School gratefully acknowledges the generosity of our amazing community of families, employees, trustees, alumni, families of alumni, foundations, corporations, and other friends of the school. We deeply appreciate the support of all contributors. In 2019-2020, 100% of our parents, trustees, faculty, and staff supported the Berkeley Hall Annual Fund, chaired by Chappale Burton and Erica Moore-Burton.

This unanimous show of support demonstrates this community’s dedication to the Berkeley Hall mission and vision, and the programs in place to fulfill both.

The donor-level listings recognize cumulative totals for 2019-20 donations to Berkeley Hall School. As with all our efforts to recognize and thank BHS supporters, we have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of our information.