BRIDGES ACADEMY ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
Annual Report 2018-2019
Contents 2 MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL 4 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 6 FINANCIAL STATEMENT 8 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY 12 COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCE 14 PARENT ASSOCIATION APPRECIATION 16 PHOENIX PROGRAM 18 MIDDLE SCHOOL 20 HIGH SCHOOL 22 BRIDGES PARENT UNIVERSITY 23 ALUMNI PROFILE
Track and Field: Congratulations to the Track and Field team members and their coaches. This year two of the team’s athletes, Sam Kahn and August Nicassio, became the first athletes in Bridges Academy history to represent the school at the CIF Track and Field Prelims tournament. Sam competed in the 1,600 and 3,200, and August competed in the shot put. We look forward to seeing the team continue to grow and advance in the coming years.
A year of continued growth.
Message from the Head of School
Bridges Academy is the leader in the education of twice-exceptional students. Our commitment to the continued research and development of teaching strategies for neurodiversity in the 21st-century classroom has not waned since Bridges’ founding in 1995. From our work in the classrooms and research through the 2e Center, we have made significant contributions to the field, and our visibility and influence is growing. We are increasingly looked to for advice and support by new schools and programs across the country. Fulfilling our Mission is central to every decision we make. We all know that sustaining and growing our school and program to better and continually serve our uniquely gifted students and their families is our primary calling. We know too that the world these students will move into after graduation and the world many younger 2e students are growing up in needs to change. To that end, we have founded the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education, which offers certificates and master & doctoral degrees. We want to help the next generation of teachers and change agents to understand and prioritize strength-based, talent-focused education. We also have taken on the 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter — which now operates as 2eNews.com and continues to be an online source of information and inspiration — and the publication of Variations2e magazine twice per year. We fulfill our mission in every way open to us.
Carl Sabatino Head of School
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We know that the world many younger 2e students are growing up in needs to change. To that end, we have founded the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education, which offers certificates and master & doctoral degrees.�
Building for the Future is an ongoing commitment. The 2018-2019 school year saw the completion of the renovations to the Laurel Canyon building, home to the high school and middle school programs. The newest upgrades include ADA restrooms and elevator. Three years ago we carried out our plan to remodel the dorm building to house the Phoenix Program (Grades 4-6) and our administrative offices, adding about 9,000 square feet to the usable educational spaces. Plans are in progress for future projects, including upgrading our kitchen, stage, and gym, and building our new Arts & Engineering Talent Development Center. All projects have been planned and carried out with the greatest fiscal responsibility to ensure that our growth is ongoing and sustainable. Strategic Planning and implementation is an integral and ongoing process. We are entering the third year of our 2017-2020 strategic plan. The four-point plan outlined in 2017 included critical work in Institutional Advancement, Branding & Marketing, Program Development, and Campus Development. We have increased the size, expertise, and economic capacity of our board, increased our staff to include marketing and media expertise, continued curriculum review, and
completed building renovations. During the 2019-2020 school year, we will once again evaluate our progress and engage the board and community in strategic thinking for a future that now includes a graduate school and a media outlet. The Bridges faculty, staff, students, and parents, along with education support professionals throughout Southern California, continue to believe in and support the real successes of our philosophy and programs. It is their energy, talents, and perseverance that will propel Bridges and the field to the next level.
Carl Sabatino Head of School
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A year of continued growth.
Message from the Chair of the Board of Trustees On behalf of the Bridges Academy Board of Trustees, I am pleased to present the 2018-19 Annual Report. Over the past academic year, Bridges Academy has achieved numerous objectives. Bridges Academy completed its renovation of the Laurel Canyon building’s first and second floors. This included upgrades to the electrical and alarm systems, new flooring and doors, and other enhancements. Efforts are under way to refurbish the area used for drama in the gym building. Further campus renovations are under consideration. Bridges Academy conferred Young Expert status on four members of its graduating class. This prestigious designation represents the demonstration of extensive knowledge and practice in an area of the student’s interest. We continue to refine our curriculum to enhance our students’ learning and preparation for their future endeavors. Bridges Academy also initiated its parent education program with a full-day event called Bridges Parent University. The program covered topics relating to the 2e student at school and at home. Bridges continues to develop programming to extend 2e education beyond our campus. Our 2e Center will hold its next Symposium in October 2019. The Symposium will host participants from around the world and focus on the best 2e strategies for home, school, and the workplace. This past summer the 2e Center hosted its Master Class series for teachers and other professionals. Bridges Academy acquired the 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter and launched 2eNews.com, a subscription-based service. 2e News is a hub that disseminates information about 2e and the emerging interest in cognitive diversity. Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education, a separate non-profit, was approved by the State of California and welcomed its first cohort of students in January. The school offers a certificate in 2e education, a master of education in cognitive diversity, and a doctorate of education in cognitive diversity. The board continues to evaluate additional plans to renovate the grounds in order to complete our goal of developing a more innovative campus that will further support and grow the strengths and talents of our children.
Once again, we have united to support the Annual Fund in remarkable fashion, with a fantastic 97-percent parent participation rate. Our students undertook a day of fundraising through the Decathlon, and we also enjoyed another very successful Gala. Because of this strong support from our students’ families and friends, we have accomplished so much and our future continues to look bright. At this time, the board welcomes Corrine Kohlmeyer-Hyman as a new trustee. Ms. Kohlmeyer-Hyman has served as a marketing and branding specialist in both the private and nonprofit sectors. She is a co-owner of BMuse, a high-tech company. She also is the parent of a Bridges student. I want to thank all of our dedicated supporters and encourage those new to the community to get involved. Your efforts are what make Bridges Academy a place where our children can continue to imagine, persevere, and achieve. Thank you, once again, for a great year. Ellen Rosen, chair of the Bridges Board of Trustees.
Ellen Rosen, Chair of the Bridges Academy Board of Trustees
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2018-2019
Tuition
ANNUAL GIVING BY CONSTITUENCY Board: Faculty: Parents:
Operating Income, Gifts & Contributions 88.12%
Fundraising 3.28% Other 8.6%
100% 100% 97%
$9,337,822
100%
Operating Expenses
Payroll & Benefits
Administrative General $9,337,822
70.45%
2.25% 2% 100%
Financial Aid
9.9%
Buildings and Grounds
9.3%
Remodel
3.1%
Instructional Support
3%
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The 2018-2019 school year saw the completion of the renovations of the second floor (high school) of our Laurel Canyon building.�
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Report on Philanthropy: Annual Fund Donors BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ANNUAL FUND
HEAD OF SCHOOL Carl Sabatino
ANGELS CIRCLE ($25,000 or more)
BOARD CHAIR Ellen Rosen
Marti & Mike Ornest The Palermo Ravich Family Foundation
TRUSTEES Karen Breslow Jim Dauterive Christine Evey, PA representative Peter Godwin Max Goldberg Brian Haskin Vi Huang Marilyn Kingston David Lapeze Lori Lepler Margie Power Tom Ropelewski Ellen Rosen Carl Sabatino Robin Schader Larry Scheindlin Keith Stolzenbach Lisa Vebber, PA representative Kevin Yoder
FOUNDERS ($10,000 - $24,999) Jeff Hall & Kevin Yoder Ann Sheldon BENEFACTORS ($5,000 - $9,999) Karen Breslow & Robert Schwartz Evelyn & Jim Dauterive Leslie Dixon & Tom Ropelewski Elizabeth Kopple & Chuck Gillman Kim & Mark Kuskin Margie Power & Ken Jones Ellen & Marty Rosen Robin Schader Jody & Jacques Stambouli Susan & John Swihart
PATRONS ($2,500 - $4,999) Kayla Alpert & Peter O’Meara Brian Boyle Pamela & Jared Bush Kate Colleary & Rand Ravich Lexi Conrad & Josh Mogin Laurence Dumortier & Matthew Greenfield Sarah Dunn & Peter Stevenson Hilary & Peter Godwin Michelle & Dan Greenberg Melissa Hayes Judith & Edward Hirsch Lauren Hoffman Rebekka & Dan Hosken Vi & David Huang Stephanie & Ted Humphrey Harriet Ikenson & Brian O’Kelley Lisa & Daniel Katz Tina Keller & Leif Sandaas Corrine & Michael Kohlmeyer-Hyman Anahid & Shant Koumriqian Sabine La Folie & George Levy Lori Lepler Yanti & Mike Palleschi Barbara & Don Rice
Sharon & Rick Rosas Carl Sabatino Lora Silverman & Keith Stolzenbach Lisa & Justin Walker Emily & Michael Wang Anousha & John Wickser Leilani Jones Wilmore Rianna & Uzi Zimmerman SUSTAINING GIFTS SPONSORING CIRCLE ($2,000 - $2,499) Teresa & Robert Baker Susan & John Boken Edith Edwards Rachel & Dan Eli Marylin Kingston & Harry Cynamon Edita & Michael Kremerman Victoria Lai & Sian Chan Caroline Lubbe & Jeffrey Hill Laura & Alden Melbourne Hang & Larry Pacey Jennifer & Thomas Powledge Heather & Herbert Rim Tami & Jeff Turner Chrissy & Antoine Wilson Emma Wilson-Duke & William Duke
SUPPORTERS CIRCLE ($1,000 - $1,999) Lisa & Vikram Anand Elissa & Scott Ashwood Karin & Henrik Bastin Sarah Boyd & Jennifer Rothman Debra Brause & Mike Dieffenbach Evan Corday Brody Dalle-Homme & Joshua Homme Elizabeth Fuller & Daniel Kegel Judith & Aryeh Goldberg Melissa & Rob Gordon Beth Greenfield & Paul Kyllo LeAnne & Sven Hackmann Kristin & John Harms Lisa & Nickolas Hauselman Ellen Isaacs & Lary Rappaport W.M. Keck Foundation Rachel & Aaron Lerner Susye & Tito Melega Ali Montazeri & Leila Zafaranchi Katharine & Sam Nicassio Nancy Niederman & Mark Batterman Kristin Peterson & Bret Hambrick
Tami Reiker Mya & Michael Rosett Judy Share & Ed Wang Jana & Alan Shelton Lisa & Dan Vebber CONTRIBUTING GIFTS ASSOCIATES ($500-$999) Stuart S. Applebaum Giving Foundation Tatiana Armbruster Jeff Baskin Fely & Rob Berry Maureen & Alan Cheney Valerie & Charles Faithorn Sandra & Brian Haskin Linda & Chris Jackson ChloĂŤ & David Jones Randi & Richard Jones Leslie Kapner Helen & Ken Kleinberg Teri Katz & Joel Kornfeld Marra & Joseph Kraemer Seth Kurland Ann & Ray Mallel Ronna Mandel & Dan Sokol Victoria Marks & Dan Froot Mickey & Mark Melichar Ruth Oroshnick & Steven Bramson
Lauren Peng & Chris Tang Lisanne Sartor & Dakota Sunseri Laurence Scheindlin Tracy & Eric Shabsis Frederick L. Spinrad Sue & Sean Spuehler Corinne Taylor-Cyngiser & Ram Cyngiser Juana & Gregory Weingart Rachel Zients Schinderman & Jay Schinderman FRIENDS ($50-$499) Gloria Apt & Richard Rabkin Nichole Auden & Greg Jones Stephanie & Josh Avedon Scott Bergstein Toby Berkow Rose Blucher Elliot Brown Beneth Browne & Matthew Dodson Lisa & Chris Carey Jerome Castro Colin Cheer Marie & Richard Colabella Jeanette & Brian Comer Heather & Amnon David Meredyth & Joshua Deighton
Milagritos Del Carpio & Jose Mujica Salpy Demirjian & Missak Kasbarian Shannon & Ian Dittbrenner Denise & Brendan Durrett Liliana & Juan Carlos Escudero Christine Evey Kim & Matt Federgreen Robin Fleck & Richard Graves Janet & Donald Frisch Melissa & Dan Glasser Tracy Goodwin Rachel Holmes-Davis & Geoffrey Davis Alexa Junge Gina Kilberg Lance Krieger Bill Lepler Siri & Drew Maness Peggy & Gwilym McGrew Anne Milder & John Mattson Mary Ellen & Chris Miller Lisa Moricoli-Latham Nancy Morrison & Greg Pincus Jennifer & Eric O’Rafferty Leah & Robert Oye Panny Pang & Jeff Griffin Marie & Bruce Parker Bonnie & Vance Peterson 9
Thank You Rina & Martin Pritikin R.L. Rosen Kate Schlesinger Michelle & Scott Spinrad Alecia & Tony Steiner Colleen Ventimilia Jen Ventimilia Rennie Weller & Mike Leznik Holly Whatley & Stephanie Vassallo Judith & Tom Whitaker Janet & Mark Whitman Sharon & Randall Wixen Susan & George Zaleski Zeta Tau Zeta Corporation Holly & Gil Zuniga
FACULTY Omid Abrishami Jessica Altuch Laura Bahr Danny Batterman Jon Baum Susan Baum Natali Becerra Michael Beer Heidi Behrendt James Berkowitz Araceli Blanco Barry Blonsky Eileen Brennan Shane Brennan Noah Bresler Cody Buchanan Cristhian Camacho Matt Carroll Keely Chaisson Kristy Chavez Toshimi Chida Hannah Clarke Cassandra Condos Brian Daley Rick Danenberg Marcy Dann Michael Dennis Caitlin Epsteen Vincent Fiamma Patryce Harris Lisa Herz
Stacey Hilborn Lucien Holmes Mikayla Hubert Shawn Jayasinghe Greg Kaczynski Dafna Kaiserman Sean Kangataran Michelle Katz Maria Kennedy Jesse Landy Heather Lembcke Doug Lenzini Anna Le Roy Annalee Littlefield Bobby Livingston Jose Malagon Stuart Matranga Caroline Maxwell Mary McInerney Dylan McKenzie Kim Miller Claire Moolenaar Ken Moore Dakota Moxon Pilar MuĂąoz Hank Nicols Therese Olson Devin Parks Garrett Peabody Tyler Peck Cynthia Pereira Annie Radigan Mitchel Ramos
Kyle Rubalcava Anna Schaerf Nick Scheftic Carmen Sevilla Will Sherman Brad Sparks Kirk Stauffer Anna Lee Stone Ian Tindell Ty Trumbo Kari Umbreit Kim Vargas Jasen Vita Anthony Vo Kayla Waesche David Wildkress Michael Wilt Kyle Wittlin Sam Young Matthew Yuen VOLUNTEERS (100+ Hours) Nancy Alder Robert Baker Toby Berkow Cathy Blumel Cynthia Bond Meredith Chinn Vanessa Coifman Kate Colleary Brian Comer
Heather David Milagritos Del Carpio Liliana Escudero Christine Evey Nick Hauselman Joe Heist Stephanie Humphrey Terri Kanner Gina Kilberg Corrine KohlymeyerHyman Sabine La Folie Victoria Lai Siri Maness Marie Parker Mickey Melichar Gary Miller Amanda Millett Hank Nelken Marti Ornest Ruth Oroshnik Hang Pacey Wendy Pasinski Sharon Rosas Mya Rosett Judy Share Robin Share Susan Swihart Corinne Taylor-Cyngiser Tami Turner Lisa Vebber Colleen Ventimilia Eileen Wolter Holly Zuniga
We are deeply grateful for the commitment of our donors,
whose support makes Bridges Academy possible. The future of Bridges Academy and twice-exceptional education itself is made better and brighter by this philanthropic investment in education. The Annual Fund covers the gap between the actual cost of education and tuition and goes to our bottom line. Funds in excess of our annual goals can be directed toward building, departmental, and other projects that build our space and our overall program. While we occasionally receive gifts from foundations and business, we rely on donations of every size from each of our community members to reach our annual goals. Annual Fund includes gifts from our current families, alumni and alumni parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees, and other friends of Bridges Academy. We can never express our gratitude enough. Thank you! Badges recipients Jack Ventimilia and Floyd Teper with H.S. Director Chris Wiebe
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College and University Acceptance Bard College Brandeis University Cal Poly Pomona Cal Poly San Luis Obispo California Lutheran University Cal State Fullerton Cal State Long Beach Cal State Northridge Cerritos College Chapman University Clark University Cornell University Digipen DePaul University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Fairfield University Gannon University George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology Gnomon School of Visual Effects Hofstra University Illinois Wesleyan Ithaca College Landmark College Los Angeles Valley College Lewis and Clark Loyola Marymount Mercyhurst University Muhlenberg College New Jersey City University Northern Vermont University- Johnson Otis College of Art and Design Pasadena City College Purdue Rochester Institute of Technology
South Dakota School of Mines Southern Oregon UC Davis UC Irvine University of Illinois University of La Verne University of Nebraska University of the Pacific University of Washington Western Kentucky University Whitman Whittier Gap/transitional years: Kivunim College Internship Program: Long Beach CC & internship/work
Universities in bold type are where students plan to attend in the fall of 2019
IMAGINE PERSEVERE ACHIEVE
Congratulations to the Bridges Class of 2019 High fives all around from senior advisor and history teacher Sam Young!
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Parent Association Appreciation The Parent Association’s first major event of 2018-19 was the annual Halloween Carnival. The traditional assortment of games, costumes, delicious treats, animal petting zoo, music, and a movie zone kept students and parents entertained all night. The high school parents went nuclear, adding in a toxic wasteland lounge just for the older students, while the P.A. co-chairs went the extra spooky mile and organized the Haunted Convent to add a mature flare to the festivities. Many thanks to the families who contributed to this amazing event, which has become a proud Bridges tradition. If you didn’t have time to have your palm read, or didn’t get the wax hand you were dying to take home, join us next year. While we love our traditions at Bridges, we also are keen on experimenting to find something even better. In 2019, the walk-a-thon walked right out the door in favor of the new Bridges Decathlon. The event was designed to foster community among all three divisions, giving Phoenix, middle school, and high school teachers and students a rare opportunity to work together as teammates. Fifteen teams of students and teachers competed in 10 events ranging from the traditional (archery, tug of war, and giant bowling) to the contemporary (Fortnite dance-off, Zorb [giant orb] race, and a giant slingshot armed with rubber chickens). The day was fun-filled and made true believers out of even the most reluctant athletes; there really was something for everyone. The Annual Gala had a decidedly more “leid” back feel this year as we celebrated with a Hawaiian Luau. The traditional Hawaiian dance performance was extraordinary, the roast pig was unforgettable, and the cozy blankets were a lifesaver at our unseasonably chilly event. The Bridges Ohana relaxed, supped, and danced the night away. Many thanks go to Gala committee co-chairs Toby Berkow, Liliana Escudero, and Sabine La Folie, and to the many volunteers who made this special event possible. Special thanks to the Bridges Academy Board of Trustees for underwriting the event, and to the community as a whole for donating auction items and supporting the school by bidding on the offerings. Additional thanks to Zuniga Productions for providing DJ services to all of the Parent Association events this year. Mahalo!
Halloween Carnival: Christa Cheney, guest & Maddie Ornest
Decathlon’s most spirited: Andrew Steiner, Grace Cotner & Mara Greene (not pictured)
Halloween Carnival: Michael Dennis (Phoenix teacher) & his Trojan warrior family
Decathlon Champs. Front row (left to right): Myles O’Meara, Harry Baskin & Reid Powledge. Back row (left to right): Jesse Landy, Matteo Simeone, Vincent Fiamma, Dylan Heist, Ethan Shelton, Milo Marks-Froot, Tony Steiner & Jose Malagon
Annual Gala & Luau: Beth Greenfield & Paul Kyllo
Gala Co-Chairs Liliana Escudero, Sabine La Folie, and Toby Berkow
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Phoenix Program Bridges Academy is known for its ability to teach students in the manner in which they learn best. Focusing on students’ talents and interests while helping them find strategies for their challenge areas is the foundation on which the curriculum is built. The Phoenix staff begins each year helping students explore these strengths and interests, enabling the faculty to create strength-based, studentcentered, and student-driven activities. During the Intersessions, students spent two weeks working in small groups to solve real-world problems. They were challenged to explore ways that art could become more engaging and valuable to people every day. They also considered how to ensure the survival of human beings if in 20 years the earth became uninhabitable. The students produced amazingly detailed and extensive work for both projects — including a fully functioning escape room, an airlock, interactive art forms, currency, a stock exchange, and their own original music. Using the style of a job fair, students were able to select their enrichment cluster by interviewing for positions within a company that either needed their skill set or would help them develop specific skills. Out of this came the very first Japanese Festival, organized by Phoenix’s Japanese Ambassadors. Other highlights included Phoenix Storytellers, where students wrote one-act plays and then auditioned professional actors who ultimately played the parts; the Phoenix Film Festival, where students directed and shot their own short films; the Duet Publishing Party, where writers created collections of their poems and stories; and a science fair, which brought the year to a close in a flurry of experimentation and inquiry. The level to which students were able to present, test, and evaluate their hypotheses was phenomenal, demonstrating a high level of scientific aptitude.
Science Fair: Lily Kyllo & guest
Science Fair: Harry Bastin
Duet Publishing Party
Enrichment Cluster Job Fair: Michael Dennis (teacher) & Noah Pritkin
Enrichment Cluster Job Fair: Michael Beer (teacher), Elan Goldberg & EJ Pasinski Duet Publishing Party 17
Middle School The Bridges middle school continues to impress the community with its innovative ideas and projects that demonstrate the students’ willingness to express creativity and rigorously strive for expertise. The year’s engaging curriculum began with field trips. At the Theatricum Botanicum, students studied stage acting and costume designs. The field trip to Riley’s Farm permitted students to think freely about the details of colonial life, and local outdoor learning experiences helped students interact pragmatically through dialogue and brainstorming. Students used their talents and strengths around the theme of protest, creating an authentic and in-depth colonial experience of the Boston Tea Party. Parents and guests were awed while being led through the student-produced Revolutionary War scenario, traveling through a homestead, a colonist pub, a loyalist store, and the grand finale of the harbor for the Boston Tea Party itself. Guests marveled at the complexity of the scenes, which incorporated academic tools learned in mathematics, humanities, science, and art and design. The fall Intersession project paved the way for the spring Intersession performance of the middle school students’ adaptation of When Bad Things Happen to Good Actors. The students chose their workshop group and applied their strengths and talents to create a show that was performed at a professional theatre. From the rewriting of the script to the marketing of the play, faculty and students worked together to give another fantastic performance. These essential, cross-curricular collaborative projects provide the necessary intellectual freedom our middle school students crave to allow for relevant and authentic experiences. The students can look back on these projects and be proud of such amazingly complex accomplishments.
Photos (top) Promoting Class of 2019 Colonial Home (upper right — clockwise from left): Veronica Groner, David Grauman, Daniel Share, Will Parker, Rachel O’Kelley, Brian Comer & Macey O’Kelley Tavern Scene (lower left — front to back): Keller Slotnick, Nadav Rosett, Griffin Blumel, Bryce Sterling & Chris Richardson Boston Tea Party (lower right — left to right): Thomas Boyle, Nate Schrobilgen, Joy Conrad-Mogin, Veronica Groner, Kayden Berkow & Maddie Ornest
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High School The Bridges Academy high school program continues to thrive in its mission to provide a rich, strength-based experience for twice-exceptional students, immersing them in an engaging academic environment while giving them the opportunity to pursue topics and programs of their own choosing. Toward this latter end, students in the Young Expert Program earned more than 50 badges in topics as varied as Collaborative Game Design, Oral History, Psychoanalytic Theory, and Non-Linear Study of Music Performance, Production, and Theory. Four graduating seniors were awarded “Young Expert Certification” on their diplomas, which is Bridges’ highest academic honor, bringing the total to eight students achieving this distinction in the history of the program. Bridges also added some unique elective offerings this year, including criminology, survival, philosophy, and math intuition. The music and robotics programs remain popular venues for students to showcase their talents and special skills, and the cross country and track teams saw two students become league champions in their respective events, a Bridges first. The drama department’s production of Seussical the Musical thrilled audiences with its spectacular student singers and dancers and imaginative set. During Wintersession in January, students engaged in experiential activities, from publishing a literary journal to traveling to Italy.
Photo (far left): Badge recipients Elias Avedon & Don Rice, Young Expert Coleman Sokol, and High School Director Chris Wiebe Photo (top right) — 2019 Robotics Team Back row: Ethan Kahn, Michael Miller, Henry Gillman & Joseph Mujica Middle Row: Matthew Yuen (coach), Winston De Jong, Nathaniel Greenfield, Jack Warner, and Gary Kasbarian Front row: Graham Hosken, Xavier Chan, and Tyler Peck (coach)
Photo (bottom right): Bridges study abroad in Italy participants Shane Cynamon, Caroline Maxwell (instructor), Zachary Jones, Ethan Faithorn, Malia Kapner, Kieran Best, Geoffrey Winkowski, Sam Young (instructor), Alexander Kegel, and Matthew Duke
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Matriculating with Honors The first-ever Bridges Parent University took place on February 9, 2019, and was an unqualified success! Nearly 100 parents attended the one-day event, which featured keynotes from Dan Peters and Susan Baum, and presentations and panel discussions with many more experts. Sessions were lively and informative, featuring speakers from Bridges and the Bridges Graduate School as well as invited presenters such as Dr. Peters of the Summit Center, noted children’s literature specialist Susannah Richards, and mindfulness expert Laurie Cousins. The participating parents all earned badges in a ceremony at the end of the event. They also received a sash with room for additional BPU badges in the future.
Alumni Profile: Victor A. Whitman Following his graduation from Bridges in 2009, Victor A. Whitman was uncertain as to what his career trajectory might look like. He matriculated at Pennsylvania State University, where he obtained a BA in political science and an MA in international affairs. During his master’s degree program, Victor worked as a graduate research assistant and completed a summer internship with the American Chamber of Commerce in Vientiane, Laos. After completing his master’s degree, Victor obtained a position at J.P. Morgan Chase in Columbus, Ohio. During his time at J.P. Morgan, Victor worked within the operations division of their Private Bank. He ensured that the transactions of the bank’s ultra-high net worth clients were processed efficiently and assisted with the implementation of firm policies to comply with the evolving regulatory framework of the U.S. federal government. Victor left J.P. Morgan in 2018 to move back to Los Angeles and accepted a position at RBC Capital Markets in Century City. He currently works within RBC’s private wealth management division, assisting financial advisors for high-net worth individuals, corporate retirement plans, philanthropic foundations, and educational endowments. In his current role, he researches investments and makes recommendations based on a client’s age and risk tolerance, rebalances portfolios to align with their original desired asset allocation, performs financial modeling to assess the likely performance of a client’s investments into their retirement, and puts together quarterly presentations to illustrate how managed portfolios have performed relative to the overall equity and fixed-income markets.
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BRIDGES ACADEMY 3921 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 506-1091 bridges.edu