Full Circle CASTILLEJA SCHOOL MAGAZINE • SPRING 2022
Dignity
Tell me you went to Casti without telling me you went to Casti...
dignity CASTILLEJA 2021-2022
Growing wild upon the hillside
CONTENTS
Circle Up WISDOM 2
From the Head of School Nanci KauffmanHA
3
Alumna Spotlight Jackie Provost ’98
4
Castilleja Olympians Lessons and Reflections
8
Alumna Spotlight Yasmin Elayat ’00
9
Student Art Expressions
10 Visual and Performing Arts Upper School Play, Clue 11 Arrillaga-Morris Speaker NASA Astronaut Dr. Kate Rubins 12 Global Week Climate Justice & Indigenous Communities
WONDER 14 Q&A with Jessica Yonzon 15 Community Celebrations Student Affinity Groups 16 Q&A with Bridget Rigby 17 Computer Science Casti Codes! 18 Assessing Growth Castilleja Competencies 20 Athletics A Banner Season 22 Ceramics A Clay in the Life 23 Library Database Ambassadors 24 Around the Circle Photo Collage 26 Publications Student Expressions 27 Traditions Ringing & Families 28 Castilleja Reimagined Campus Update 29 Fond Farewells Faculty Retirements
WANDER 30 The Next Wanderers Celebrating the Class of 2022 32 Reunion Weekend Celebrating “6” and “1” 34 Alumnae Panel Defining Legacy 35 Connections Updates from the Alumnae Office 36 Student Art Dignity in Balance 37 Class Notes Alumnae Updates 44 Strengthening the Circle Alumnae Committee and Reunions 45 Faculty and Staff Updates Lifelong Learners 46 Lasting Impact Remembering John Arrillaga 47 In Memoriam Forever in Our Circle 48 Student Art Colorful Expression 49 Castilleja Leadership with Full Circle Notes Spring Spring2022 2022| |1 1
WISDOM FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Sharing Stories of Dignity I am so excited to share Castilleja’s stories with you in this issue of Full Circle. Once again, we are exploring a community-wide theme; this year, all across campus we are deepening our understanding of Dignity. In our daily lives at Castilleja, we honor each other’s dignity in both subtle and obvious ways—by listening to each other with compassion, by sharing ourselves authentically, and by working together to be a community where everyone feels that they are valued and belong. Within these pages, you will see that we are back on campus, enjoying seeing each other in person again in the classroom, in the ACE Center, on the stage, in the Bourn Lab, on the field, and just relaxing around the Circle. That said, our speakers and presenters were often virtual, which meant that we were able to invite more guests, including alums and their families. This silver lining means a great deal to me; as an educator, I have always hoped to inspire lifelong learning. Sharing these conversations with our broader community supports that goal while also strengthening our connections across generations. Be sure to check out the smiling faces in our photos of Reunion to remember how valuable those relationships can become. You will also find news from campus—including groundbreaking changes in our library, accomplishments from our teams, positive impacts of recent initiatives
2 | Castilleja Full Circle
and beloved traditions, and conversations with new community members. When I reflect on everything we have to share, I am impressed by our community’s capacity to continue to learn and grow through unexpected changes. Our reimagined Global Investigator Trip, which has traditionally taken place in the junior year but was moved to the senior year for the Class of 2022, is just one example. In early March, they returned from a trip to the Sonoran Desert and the U.S.–Mexico border where they explored the goals that have always been at the core of this experience— learning how to understand, value, and respect the dignity of others—this time in a new region and community within our own country. I hope that as you look through this issue of Full Circle, you can continue to consider what Dignity means to you; and sometime in the not-too-distant future, I hope that our paths can cross again around the Circle so you can share your thoughts with me and the other people at Castilleja who care so much about your story. Warmly,
Nanci Z. KauffmanHA Castilleja Head of School
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT
Leading with Dignity CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER FOR SABAN COMMUNITY CLINIC IN LOS ANGELES, JACKIE PROVOST ’98 BRINGS CASTILLEJA SPIRIT TO PUBLIC HEALTHCARE In water polo, the goalkeeper has the best view of the game and is the last line of defense. It’s a position that requires a depth and breadth of knowledge, coupled with sheer prowess and strength. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Jackie Provost ’98, former collegiate water polo goalkeeper, brings these same attributes to her position as Chief Operations Officer at Saban Community Clinic in Los Angeles, which serves the Medi-Cal population. At Castilleja and in college, Jackie knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, most likely in obstetrics. She was working at a neuroscience lab after college when a mentor suggested she consider public health. Jackie reflects, “I wanted to know what was happening at a community level. Why did certain populations have access to certain services or get afflicted with certain diseases because of where they live?” According to Jackie’s mentor, public health would allow her to not only have a greater community impact but to also find her passion. Since then, Jackie has worked at various health centers to increase access to care for high-risk patients. Access to equitable healthcare has never been more important than in recent years. When asked about what has kept her motivated throughout the pandemic, Jackie thoughtfully responded: “I’ve been extremely blessed with my health, so I feel lucky to be in a position where I can continue working. I have a purpose: my role is to fill the gap. I have to continue.” She realizes, though, to serve others successfully, it’s critical to work well as a team. These messages crystallized during Jackie’s years around the Circle, where she learned the saying “teamwork makes the dream work,” which is still repeated by current students.
“At the end of the day I know that if I stay true to my values, then we’re winning. You have to just trust in yourself.”
Aside from gaining valuable collaboration skills, Jackie credits Castilleja for preparing her to be a compassionate and confident leader: “In my career, I see that advantage, including when I work with other women of color. I’ve had to advocate for folks who were really strong and special but never felt they were in a position to advocate for themselves.” Jackie leads by example and with dignity. Especially in healthcare, leadership often requires skillful and difficult decision-making. She shares, “As a medical provider serving the most vulnerable, we always stress leading with empathy and understanding where a patient is coming from.” From the Circle to the Community Clinic, Jackie has demonstrated that she is a leader who is adept at wearing many hats and navigating choppy waters. Her end goal, though, isn’t about scoring points. It’s about finding a common ground. It’s about selfconfidence. “At the end of the day I know that if I stay true to my values, then we’re winning. You have to just trust in yourself.”
Spring 2022 | 3
CASTILLEJA OLYMPIANS
Lessons and Reflections With the closing ceremonies of Tokyo Summer Games taking place last August, and the Beijing Winter Games starting just six months later, the past year has been a big one for Olympics fans. Doesn’t that include everyone at one time or another? In truth, how many of us spent one or two childhood cycles of the Olympic Games imagining ourselves as elite athletes waving to admiring fans from the podium? For a few members of the Castilleja community, after lots and lots and lots of hard work, those fantasies became a reality. Two of them competed in the Olympics in sports they started after graduating from Castilleja, so maybe it’s not too late! They have shared their reflections, memories, and lessons with the rest of us—as we still patiently contemplate which sport really will be our true calling. And as it turns out, these lessons apply to all aspects of life.
Nancy Ditz ’72
EVENT TRACK AND FIELD / GAMES SEOUL 1988
Nancy Ditz ’72 attended Castilleja during what she calls “the pre-Title IX era.” In fact, she graduated just days before Title IX was passed, changing athletics for girls and women in America for the better. Of course, there were athletics at Castilleja when Nancy was a student. She remembers playing on the basketball team in the old gym, but to pursue diving seriously, she was given permission to ride her bike to the Stanford pool during lunch to train with her coach. Incidentally, he only worked at what was then the old men's pool, so she had to change in a storage closet. As she remembers it, she ran her first road race in 1979 or 1980. Following an impressive trajectory, by 1984—when the women’s marathon was first included in the Olympic Games—she was fast enough to compete in the trials. By 1988, she made the team and competed in Seoul. In addition to her achievements as an athlete, Nancy was the first recipient of the Castilleja Award. Castilleja experiences that prepared you for high-level competition: Castilleja gave me confidence in my capacity to learn and grow. The biggest lesson learned through athletics: There are no shortcuts. Some days just showing up is a win. Doing the daily work creates success.
Favorite Olympic memory: I come from a family of Olympics buffs. My dad was a spectator in ’32 in Los Angeles, ’36 in Berlin, ’60 in Tahoe, and ’68 Mexico (and Ms. Espinosa did not excuse me from classes so I could go along). We attended ’72 in Munich, ’76 in Montreal, the U.S. boycotted in ’80, and we watched ‘84 in Los Angeles. My favorite memory is of the opening ceremonies. The stadium held about 100,000 people, and the seats were not assigned so I didn’t know where to look for my family. I positioned myself on the outside of our delegation so that they could see me. About halfway around the stadium, it was as if my dad had leviated out of his seat, and I saw him through the crowd. You could make a movie out of it; the memory still brings me to tears.
Nancy with Barb Byrnes ’72
Something for young athletes to keep in mind: This is for everyone, not just athletes. Find the fun; choose the fun. It doesn't mean that every day will be easy, but find your joy. In running, even in my most competitive days, I could appreciate the wildflowers, or a beautiful sunset. It’s also really important to acknowledge the progress made by Simone Biles and others in opening the conversation about the role of mental health in our overall health. Which of the 5Cs do you most integrate into your daily life: Courtesy. I simply believe people should be kind. USA Olympic Women’s Marathon, Seoul 1988
4 | Castilleja Full Circle
USA Olympic Women’s Rowing Team, Athens 2004 Photo Credit: Row2K
Laurel Korholz ’88
EVENT ROWING / GAMES ATLANTA 1996, SYDNEY 2000, AND ATHENS 2004 OLYMPIC TEAM COACH LONDON 2012, RIO DE JANEIRO 2016, AND BEIJING 2018
Laurel Korholz ’88 came to Castilleja as a boarding student for her junior and senior year. She played basketball and volleyball at Castilleja, and went on to play Division 3 volleyball in college. In the spring of her sophomore year, she decided to give rowing a try because she found that she did better in her classes when she was also on a team. A natural, she left volleyball behind and transferred to join a Division 1 rowing team—opening a new chapter of athletics that would define her life going forward. Laurel competed in the 1996 games in Atlanta, the 2000 games in Sydney, and the 2004 games in Athens, where she took the silver medal. An 11-time member of the U.S. National Rowing Team, Laurel won numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals at international competitions. In Beijing in 2008, she attended her fourth Olympics games, this time as a coach. She is now the Women’s Assistant Coach for the United States Rowing Team. Something for young athletes to keep in mind: Showing up every day is actually the most important thing you can do. The people who are most successful overall are not always the most talented ones. The kids who show up every day and try to do the work before them, those are the ones who break through. Talent doesn't trump toughness. Thoughts on managing pressure: The important part is remembering the pressures you have faced already as you’ve grown. You try something in practice or in competitions and it isn’t perfect, so you figure out how to handle it and build capacity. There's pressure in high-level
Laurel coaching U.S. National Rowing Team Photo Credit: US Rowing competitions, but you build confidence because of the other challenges and frustrations you have handled along the way. It all adds up. Favorite Olympic memory: In the Olympic Village, you’re surrounded by people who are the best in the world at what they do. It's amazing. You see all of these different types of bodies that have been shaped by every type of sport. It’s amazing. And the dining room has food from all over the world so that everyone can find what they need to do their best. Craziest Olympic coincidence: I was in the dining room one night, and one of my classmates from Castilleja,
Katy McCandless ’88, who was running for Ireland, recognized me and came over to talk. How crazy is it that two of us from Castilleja were in the Olympics at the same time? Beyond the medals: My closest friends have always been through athletics. At Castilleja, in college, and throughout my life, my teammates have always been my best friends. We spend so much time together, but that’s not really it. It’s about working together toward a common goal. It’s about bringing out the best in each other even in hard times. You really know each other and care for each other no matter what. Spring 2022 | 5
USA Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Team, Sydney 2000
Amy Chow ’96
EVENT GYMNASTICS / GAMES ATLANTA 1996 AND SYDNEY 2000
Amy Chow ’96 started gymnastics lessons at age 3; she moved to an elite team at age 5; and soon after she started Castilleja in 6th grade, she began competing nationally. While she was a Castilleja student, she balanced 30 hours of training each week with her schoolwork, and the summer after her graduation in 1996, she competed in the Olympics in Atlanta. She was on the team that became known as the Magnificent Seven, the first U.S. team to take gold in Olympic gymnastics. In Atlanta, she also won the silver medal for uneven bars and became the first Asian American woman to win an Olympic medal in gymnastics. Amy made the team again four years later and competed in Sydney in 2000. During her Olympic career, she brought home bronze, silver, and gold medals. After retiring from gymnastics, she went to medical school and became a pediatrician. Thoughts on balancing school and athletics as Castilleja: Having both in my life actually brought balance because I never had all my eggs in one basket. If I had a hard day in the gym and I couldn’t get a new move, I could still do well on a test or a paper. And vice versa, if I wasn’t having my best day in one of my classes, I could go to the gym and still feel strong and accomplished. Favorite Olympic memory: When we walked into the competition space for training before the games 6 | Castilleja Full Circle
began—usually the stands are empty for those practices, but that day there were already fans waiting. They were cheering for us, and suddenly we realized the magnitude of it all. We were at the Olympics. It was amazing to realize there were so many people pulling for us. Castilleja experiences that prepared you for high-level competition: Even though I was really quiet, I felt comfortable voicing my opinions at Castilleja. In places where you feel heard and you know that people care about your point of view, you are more willing to open up. That experience helped me speak up to get what I needed as an athlete. Favorite Castilleja memory: I spent a lot of time in the library. I would go there with my friends during my free time. We loved it there. Sometimes we were doing work, but sometimes we were just talking. I remember the feeling of community and camaraderie there. Thoughts on balance now: Through Castilleja and college, I learned how to manage my time from doing so many things at once. I became really good at balancing everything. Right now, I’m also thinking about priorities as much as balance, and I’ve taken time off from work to be with my kids because that’s a priority for me. It’s a different way to think about the things that are most important to you.
Patrick coaching Castilleja athletics
Patrick BurrowsHA
EVENT FIELD HOCKEY / GAMES LOS ANGELES 1984 AND SEOUL 1988 OLYMPIC TEAM MANAGER SYDNEY 2000 AND ASSISTANT COACH BEIJING 2008
Many may not realize that long-time fitness teacher and beloved coach Patrick Burrows had a career as an Olympic field hockey player before he started at Castilleja. His parents were from Britain, and field hockey, which was popular in schools there, drew together their community of expats when they moved to Ottawa, Canada. Mr. Burrows explains that the game with a ball was known as “hockey” and the game with a puck was known as “ice hockey,” and he played both. On the ice he was a goalie, but in the summers on the grass, he was more comfortable as a field player, and he excelled. Growing up in rural Ottawa, he began to appreciate athletics as a way to see new places as he traveled around Canada, North America, and the world on the regional and then the Canadian National Field Hockey team. He competed in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984 and in Seoul in 1988, and he was the team’s manager in the Sydney 2000 Summer Games, as well as an assistant coach during the Beijing 2008 competition. He was also on Canada's goldmedal winning Pan American teams in 1983 and 1987. How athletics shaped you: Mostly in my attention to detail. As an athlete, it's in the nooks and crannies where all the gems are found. If you run the mile, you don’t stop 15 meters short; you do the whole thing. You pay attention to that detail. To get to the next level, you need to invest in the nooks and crannies.
Biggest Olympic surprise: During the actual competition—when the whistle blows—it can feel just like every other game you’ve ever played. At some level, you could almost be transported to any field anywhere because the game takes you in. You are playing just like you’ve always done so many times before. Favorite Olympic memory: The Opening Ceremonies. Before it starts, all the athletes congregate, and people are playing frisbee, trading things, and laughing. Then it’s time to go in. You parade down this walkway into a dark tunnel and then suddenly it opens up and there are fans everywhere. You are there together with your team and also with all the other teams. It’s so exciting it makes your hair stand on end.
An important lesson from athletics to share: You might doubt yourself sometimes, especially if you make an attempt at something and it doesn't work out the first time. Just pass through it and keep going. Always keep trying. It can take time for your brain and your body to get stronger. Find ways to be patient and determined at the same time.
Which of the 5Cs do you most integrate into your daily life: Courtesy and Character. With courtesy, I play ice hockey now, and I always thank the referees and the guy in the booth. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t get to play. I appreciate the opportunities that other people give me, and I see what other people are doing for each other every day. Especially in these last couple of years that has become even more important to me. And character is always at the core of everything for me, being an upstanding person and being respectful.
Spring 2022 | 7
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT
The Intersection of Art & Technology EMMY-AWARD WINNING CREATOR YASMIN ELAYAT ’00 FINDS HERSELF THROUGH VIRTUAL REALITY DOCUMENTARY STORYTELLING “I was always moving along parallel tracks, following two passions, at least that’s how I saw it at the time,” Yasmin Elayat ’00 explains about her time at Castilleja. She loved math and science classes. In her free time, she taught herself to build websites on a computer her dad had given her. She felt lucky to be going to Castilleja and growing up in Silicon Valley because her school community and the wider world around her supported her desire to explore emerging technologies. Meanwhile, though, there was the parallel track. “The websites I was building when I was a kid, I was making them to share my art and poetry and digital animation projects.” She took art classes, and she loved them, but she remained convinced that art was her hobby, something that happened beside her real work, which was computer science. After she graduated from college, Yasmin became a software engineer, and for many years she thrived. “I was doing interesting work and solving creative problems, but over time, something felt missing,” she admits. Then there was a moment; actually, it was a piece of art called Wooden Mirror, by Daniel Rosen, that brought her passion for art and technology into alignment. “He used technology to turn small pieces of wood into an interactive mirror. As soon as I saw it, I thought, ‘There are others like me.’” Yasmin enrolled in graduate school and began to explore where her passions intersected. Through creative technology, she became confident expressing herself as an artist while designing the platforms to support her works. But there was still one element that hadn’t come into focus yet. Finding the crossroad was one thing; understanding why she was there was another. Yasmin kept working while she sought the answer to that question, always focusing on questions of social justice. During the Egyptian Revolution, Yasmin, who identifies as Egyptian American, moved to Cairo because she was inspired by how Egyptians were documenting events in real time using social media. “It was like the world was witness to the frontlines of history in the making,” she explains. During her time there, she built a team to co-create 18DaysInEgypt, an interactive documentary 8 | Castilleja Full Circle
When a friend said she was, above all else, a storyteller, “All the pieces locked into place and finally made sense.”
that calls on the community to tell their own story in their own voices. In another work, Blackout, she co-created an immersive documentary inviting New Yorkers to share their stories. Yasmin, finally understanding herself as a director, won an Emmy for Zero Days VR, a documentary she made about cyber warfare. Over time, she had amassed an impressive body of work, but she was still grappling with finding the throughline in her projects. “In grad school, my thesis was an animated film about my family’s history in Egypt told through three generations of women.” Looking back on that now, the answer seems obvious, but it was an outsider's perspective that helped her see herself more clearly when a friend suggested that above all else, she was a storyteller. “In that moment,” she says, “all the pieces locked into place and finally made sense.” Now, she is thinking about new ways to tell stories. As the co-founder of a company called Scatter, she is one of the pioneers in volumetric filmmaking, which she defines as a way to capture human performance in full 3D, using depth and color to create immersive content. Her newest work, entitled The Changing Same, is a magical-realist virtual-reality experience that travels through time and space to explore the last 400 years of American history of racial injustice—an ambitious and brave undertaking. The title itself, though, seems also to be a nod to its creator, someone who has both changed and remained the same throughout her creative and innovative career.
EXPRESSIONS Student art, taught by Deborah TrillingHA (clockwise from top left): Ruby Dowling ’24, Finley Liu ’23, Chloe Cheng ’27, Lissette Cortes ’28, and Diana Gutierrez ’24.
Spring 2022 | 9
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
“Having an in-person production–with a full house–brought the Chapel back to life. Seeing the cast, crew, and creative team working together again in person for the first time after two years reinvigorated us all. It was rewarding to have a live audience to revel in our hard work; it brought back the excitement, energy, and joy of live theater!” – TANNIS HANSON AND AYA MATSUTOMO
THE SHOW GOES ON! Upper School Play, Clue Director, Tannis Hanson Technical Director, Aya Matsutomo
10 | Castilleja Full Circle
Students with Dr. Kate Rubins
2022 ARRILLAGA-MORRIS SPEAKER
A View from Above A VISIT FROM NASA ASTRONAUT AND MEDICAL RESEARCHER DR. KATE RUBINS
This year’s Arrillaga-Morris Speaker was out of this world! Dr. Kate Rubins is a NASA astronaut and medical researcher and has traveled to space twice—once spending six months on the International Space Station (ISS), where she became the first person to sequence DNA in space. Across her two flights, she has spent a total of 300 days in space, the fourth most days in space by a U.S. female astronaut. Because her visit with Castilleja was virtual, parents and guardians and alumnae and their families were able to join as well, certainly a silver lining. During her time on the ISS, Dr. Rubins conducted a wide range of experiments, and as she described her work to the Castilleja community, she connected that research to relevant biological and medical questions we are currently seeking to answer on earth. In particular, she talked about her work on the Cardinal Heart experiment, which examined how gravity impacts cardiovascular cells and tissues, and outlined how those findings could help identify new screening measures and treatments. She also shared that her discoveries about the microbiomes on board the ISS could continue to inform ongoing research about the connections between human physical health and mental wellbeing and their own particular microbiomes.
Although she is trained as a scientist, she shared much more than just the results of her research as she spoke. She also described the changes that astronauts go through after spending time in space. For example, their taste and smell become a bit dulled. “I packed a lot of hot sauce to take with me,” she explained, adding, “That made me really popular at dinner.” A COMMON MISSION The team she worked with on the ISS included astronauts from around the world. In response to questions from students about what it was like to work on such a diverse team, Dr. Rubins shared that having a common mission united the team. In addition, training for possible emergencies together brought them all closer until they trusted each other with their lives. In the end, she explained, they learned that their differences made their team better. FAR FAR AWAY When talking about a new perspective she had gained from her work, she explained that seeing the entire earth, including all of the continents each day, gave her a different sense of proximity to those places.
photo credit: NASA
“I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to visit Nepal, but I could see it almost every day [from space], so part of it makes you feel like there are places on earth that become home to you.” —DR. KATE RUBINS It seems hard to believe in the abstract, but listening as Dr. Rubins described how beautiful it was to see the earth glowing from space, it became easier to appreciate how the distance also made her feel more connected. Spring 2022 | 11
GLOBAL WEEK 2022
Climate Justice and Indigenous Communities Global Week was virtual again this year, with speakers joining over Zoom to guide our community through learning about our theme, Climate Justice and Indigenous Communities. Our students have long been invested in environmental sustainability, but we explored the fact that Indigenous Peoples around the globe have been fighting on the front lines of the climate crisis for generations. Global Week has become a learning experience that is as much about questions as it is about answers, and these are some of the questions and themes we faced together.
“What are the first steps to solving the impacts of climate change?”
“How do we protect water?”
“Is land a source of belongings or a source of belonging?”
“What should life look like?”
Dr. Robin Kimmerer Dr. Robin Kimmerer, a botanist, author, and member of the Potawatomi community, encouraged us to combine Indigenous and western science when thinking about the climate crisis and our relationship to land: “Is it a source of belongings or a source of belonging?” Using a framework of the “Honorable Harvest,” Dr. Kimmerer explained how Indigenous science honors land and nature by focusing on taking less and giving more. Both scientific approaches offer different tools to understand the natural world. Dr. Kimmerer is the author of bestseller, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants.
12 | Castilleja Full Circle
Lorén Spears Lorén Spears, Executive Director of the Tomaquag Museum and member of the Narragansett Tribe, spoke about the interconnectedness of climate justice and indigenous rights. We must learn to live in balance with the earth: “Mother Earth takes care of us if we take care of it.” How can we continue to be givers?
Silvermoon LaRose In Indigenous culture, water holds many meanings. It is identity, ceremony, nourishment, and life. For all these reasons, and more, we must protect water. Silvermoon LaRose, from the Tomaquag Museum, engaged students in questions about how to preserve waterways and why it is important to do so. Underlying this discussion was the notion that climate change is impacting access to resources that are vital to sustaining ecosystems and Indigenous livelihood.
Jeff Wagner Jeff Wagner, Instructor at Where There Be Dragons, delivered a presentation that prompted students to consider the causes of climate change and to evaluate what life should look like based on cultural norms. For example, when choosing the materials to build a new home, Wagner’s mentors in Thailand conveyed that “Life should be easy.” In contrast, his Bolivian mentors’ framework is that “Life should be beautiful.” Our cultural beliefs inform our actions and responses to climate justice and sustainability. Wagner encouraged us to set the example for the kind of life and culture we would like to have. There is beauty in holding multiple perspectives.
Expressing Gratitude “I’m now looking at land through a different In recent years, it has become customary to spend the last few minutes of a guest speaker assembly expressing gratitude
lens and asking not ‘how we can take’ but ‘how we can give.’ Thank you for letting us learn and grow.” — YONU OH ’23
and sharing a key takeaway from the presentation. During Global Week 2022, there was much gratitude to deliver.
“I appreciated learning how fire suppression policies have been used as a tool of colonization and how we should reframe our mindsets to see fire as an ally.” — ZOYA CHUGHTAI ’22 “Thank you for your call to action and reminder that we have a responsibility to protect the waters. I’m inspired by your passion, knowledge, and dedication.” — ANNA BIRMAN ’23
Spring 2022 | 13
WONDER THE HOT SEAT
Q&A with Jessica Yonzon Get to know Jessica Yonzon, Castilleja’s new Director of Global and Experiential Programming
The biggest lesson you’ve learned so far at Casti? To be flexible. It’s not just a lesson at Casti. I think it is from the pandemic, but I have used it here. If you go into something with the mindset that you may need to change, you can be ready for anything. How many languages do you speak? Three and a half. I’m from Nepal, so I speak Nepali. I learned English in school, and I learned Hindi from Bollywood movies. The half is Urdu, which is a mix of Hindi, Persian, and Arabic. I think I’ll be able to understand half of what people are saying if I go to Pakistan. What inspires you at Castilleja? The students. They’re motivated, hard working, curious, articulate, and willing to learn. What inspired you to focus on global education? My experiences as an immigrant helped me realize how important it is to understand multiple perspectives, and in my opinion that is what global education is all about. Biggest difference between Castilleja and other schools where you’ve worked? Having the ACE Center. DEI and Leadership overlaps with global education, and it’s helpful to collaborate and understand the bigger picture about the program.
14 | Castilleja Full Circle
What does Dignity mean to you? It reminds me of humanity, of being a human, but after Robin Kimmerer spoke [at Global Week], I began to see that every living being has dignity and we can be respectful of that. Which of the 5Cs do you incorporate most into your daily life? Courage. I have moved so much and been in new places and new cultures. It is scary at first, but I have started to embrace that challenge because it opened up my eyes to new views. What do you listen to while you commute? Always NPR, whatever program. An accomplishment you are proud of? Most recently, Global Week. I went into the experience for the first time, not really knowing everything, and we had to go virtual at the end. It felt good that everything went well. Favorite Casti lunch? I’m loving the soups, all of them.
“Dignity reminds me of humanity, of being human.” – JESSICA YONZON
Tea or coffee? Depends on the time of the day. One coffee in the morning and then only tea in the afternoon. How do you like to spend your free time? Netflix! And moving to a new place, my husband and I do a lot of exploring. Before the winter, almost every weekend we were going to beaches and the outdoors. In November, we did a four-day drive up Highway 1, and it was so beautiful. Your superpower? People have told me that I am very calm, and I’m grateful for that because it’s good for my mental health that I’m not agitated easily.
The last book you read? Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer. She writes so beautifully about nature that she really takes you there. We pass by nature all the time, and I don't always make deep observations, but I am doing that more now. Share a time that you changed your mind? I change my mind about my breakfast a lot. I try to eat my healthy oatmeal every day, but sometimes I just want banana bread. Something you plan to learn more about in the next year? I would like to explore Yosemite and Sequoia. Your hero? My mom. She has been a very strong female figure in my life. She finished college and had a career, which was not common in her generation in Nepal. At many times she supported the family. She is very strong, and I have been influenced by that in so many different ways.
STUDENT AFFINITY GROUPS
Community Celebrations COMMUNITY EVENTS ORGANIZED BY STUDENT-LED AFFINITY GROUPS
DIWALI HOSTED BY THE SOUTH ASIAN AFFINITY GROUP
LUNAR NEW YEAR HOSTED BY THE CHINESE+ AFFINITY GROUP AND THE SOUTH KOREAN AFFINITY GROUP
HANNUKAH HOSTED BY THE JEWISH STUDENT ASSOCIATION
BLACK CULTURE WEEK HOSTED BY THE BLACK STUDENT UNION
Spring 2021 | 15
Spring 2022 | 15
THE HOT SEAT
Q&A with Bridget Rigby Get to know Bridget Rigby, Castilleja’s new Bourn Idea Lab Director
What was your first Maker project? In fourth grade, I created a lamp store with a police car and a robber outside. There was a circuit that ran through a brad that I used as the doorknob, so when the robber tried to open the door, all the lamps and the siren lit up. What perspective do you bring to Castilleja? I like to look at what’s happening on a deeper level. What students are making in the lab empowers them to imagine, design, and create a life and world they love. What does Dignity mean to you? When things don’t go the way we want or we see things differently, we respond with respect, for ourselves and others, allowing the space for everybody to share their voice and find collaborative solutions. Which of the 5Cs do you feel you incorporate most into your daily life? Courage. The Maker mindset is all about having the courage to try something even though you have no idea how it will play out, spectacular failures and all. 16 | Castilleja Full Circle
“When things don’t go the way we want or we see things differently, we respond with respect, for ourselves and others, allowing the space for everybody to share their voice and find collaborative solutions.” – BRIDGET RIGBY
What do you think about while you commute? When I ride my beach cruiser, my favorite part is that I’m not thinking about anything at all. I just totally relax and look around and breathe as I pedal along. An accomplishment you are proud of? It’s sort of an antiaccomplishment. Yoga is a huge part of my life, and I love channeling my passion into something with no extrinsic recognition or reward.
Tea or coffee? Tea, no coffee. Ginger tea, please! How do you like to spend your free time? I like to hike and be out in nature, do yoga, swim, and play soccer. I love to cook and spend time with friends and family. I also love the ocean and surfing. Favorite Casti lunch? I have a lot of them, but if I have to choose, it’s falafel. Your superpower? Playful creativity. I have not grown up, and I never plan to. Which tool in the Bourn Lab do you rely on the most and why? My feather glue gun boa. It’s a glue gun with a feather boa attached to the cord. I wear it around my neck and it makes me more likely to try new things and helps me keep a positive, solution-based mindset, even when things fall apart.
Which teacher in your life made the biggest impression on you? I have two. My K and 1st grade teacher designed a free and creative learning space and inspired my love for learning, cooking, and makery stuff. And a college professor who taught a physics, math, and philosophy mash-up told me, “Through mathematics you can transcend all space and time.” I was hooked for life. Share a time that you changed your mind about something? Mid-way through college, I applied to transfer to another school so I could pursue my academic passions. It turned out to be a very expansive experience, and I wouldn’t have traded my 2 years at either school! Something you plan to learn more about in the next year? The state of flow that comes with creativity, and the neuroscience behind it. Your hero? Jim Henson is a trailblazing creative spirit who brought the world so much joy. He followed his passion and truest self and by doing that he was able to create a whole world for us and all the people who work for him. Early bird or a night owl? A former night owl, now learning to let my inner-early bird sing.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
CASTI CODES! In the fall of 2019, Castilleja introduced a new requirement in the 9th grade program; all students needed to take a one-semester introduction to computer science. Adding this as a graduation requirement ensures that every Castilleja student attains a baseline of digital competence and confidence. Whether graduates elect to go into STEM fields or not, as future leaders, they will need computational literacy wherever they choose to make an impact. DIGITAL COMPETENCE This year, three out of the four grades in the Upper School have benefited from this learning, resulting in exciting changes inside and outside the classroom. Perhaps most notable is that Gatorbotics, Castillleja’s robotics team, now claims the prize for the largest team on campus. This year, 75 students, which is 30 percent of the Upper School, participate in one of many sub-teams, including building, entrepreneurship, and marketing. The most significant growth is on the programming side; in 2018, there were only three students on that sub-team, and now there are 35 programmers. In synergy between what happens inside and outside the classroom at Castilleja, the work students were doing on the robotics team has also had an impact on the academic program. The original intro class had focused on Python, but because the Gatorbotics team relied on Java to prepare for their competitions, the Computer Science and Engineering department adjusted the curriculum to support and align with those goals and practical applications.
“You develop persistence in problem solving and self-sufficiency. Eventually you enjoy the process of making something work, and the comfort with trial and error is key to learning.” — ANN GREYSON PRACTICAL PROGRAMMING One other important long-term shift is an increased interest in classes on statistics, artificial intelligence, and advanced computer science and engineering. This year, students in the Advanced Topics in Computer Science Mobile App class and the Advanced Topics in Engineering class are working together to solve one of Castilleja’s age-old questions by collaborating on an app to tell seniors who are running late to school whether there are any spaces left in the Senior Lot before they burn precious minutes turning in to see for themselves. Ann Greyson, Head of the Computer Science and Engineering department, explains that the work taking place in these upper level courses mirrors realworld challenges. “Students in these project-based upper level courses do a lot of independent problem solving. We give some parameters and a little bit of direct instruction, and students build from that to find an authentic problem, pitch a solution, use real tools to build out their ideas, manage the project, track the progress, and test the results.” FULL CIRCLE LEARNING She adds that the intro Computer Science class gives students skills that apply even if they don’t move into upper level courses. “The ability to write a small program from scratch is like detective work. If it doesn't work the first time, you investigate why, and you try again. You develop persistence in problem solving and self-sufficiency. Eventually you enjoy the process of making something work, and the comfort with trial and error is key to learning.”
Spring 2022 | 17
CURRICULUM
SM COMPETENC IRACI IES ANT
AGILITY
PURPOSE
Moving Beyond Ess en t i ali sm
Problem Strategizing
INITIATIVE
thy pa m
Co mm itt
ENC IES
E
Collab o r ati on
sitionality g Po n i d an rst e d Un Curiosity
CO RE O C
es tiv rra Na
g in
Valu ing Co mp O M C P et P I E T H ENC S R in E IES AD g E L Em ul f b e Am rac n os big in rp ctio uit g Pu efle y R MPET
ire ew R to
D ing with issonance Sitt
Castilleja Competencies EQUITY AND GROWTH THROUGH COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING The world is changing faster than ever before and so too is the job of a teacher. Today, teachers are focused on outcomes that extend beyond sharing knowledge and skills, as they take on the responsibility of shaping the people and communities who will impact the future. Coinciding with this shift is a natural evolution of how we plan and assess learning, as we seek ways to match how students learn in school with how they acquire the competencies to thrive and contribute to the world. Within this competency-based learning environment, where all students receive specific feedback and adequate support, we are able to promote equitable education. As the goals of our program have shifted, our assessments have evolved. Initiative, agility, and purpose, for example, cannot be measured with grades. Instead, teachers have sought ways to redefine the relationship between assessments and true learning in countless department meetings, faculty professional development days, and sabbatical proposals. Dr. Karen Strobel, Castilleja’s Director of Institutional Research and Teacher Support, explains, “Much of my work with teachers over the past five years has focused on ways we can help students view assessments as tools to inspire further growth rather than as the end of the learning process.” Now, as we deepen our community-wide commitment to antiracism, Castilleja teachers must create new tools to assess new competencies–our Teaching and Learning Antiracist Competencies. These include: Sitting with Dissonance; Understanding Positionality; Committing to Rewire; Valuing Multiple Narratives; and Moving Beyond Essentialism.
18 | Castilleja Full Circle
Embracing the challenge of teaching and assessing new competencies, faculty members are choosing their own paths, seeking strategies that reduce unconscious bias, provide meaningful feedback, inspire further learning, and foster lasting self-confidence and deeper self-knowledge. Here are four examples of this ongoing work.
1
Standards-Based Grading
Emphasizing learning as a process, standards-based grading focuses on core concepts and skills and relies on frequent smaller assessments to create ample opportunity for teachers to provide specific feedback and for students to demonstrate growth and improvement. This model also helps to reinforce the idea that learning takes place in phases as you revisit ideas over time. At various grade levels and within different subject areas, teachers are finding ways to explore standards-based grading. Once they do, teachers observe students taking more risks as they solve problems and engage in more meaningful conversations as they reflect on their progress. Math Department Head Dr. Dave LowellHA observes, “I am clear with my students that I don’t expect them to get everything right the first time, so they have stopped focusing on the answers and they are thinking more about the ideas. I’m seeing them become willing to learn from their mistakes, and that results in a deeper understanding of the mathematical concepts.”
2
New Ways of Writing Comments
Some teachers have formed a working group to think about how they write midsemester comments in an effort to make them as helpful as possible to students. Within this process, focus groups of students have shared their experiences with reading and interpreting comments and what their ideal experience might look and feel like. One immediate change is that all comments are now written directly to students, recognizing the student as the primary audience and the agent of their own learning. Head of Upper School Anne Rubin sees this as a proactive and clarifying shift, “We are consulting with kids about what we are saying and what they are hearing. We’ve seen a real shift in the intention behind the process when we chose to write directly to our students about their accomplishments and their opportunities for growth.”
3
Teaching and Learning Antiracism Audit
Since our Teaching and Learning Antiracism Competencies were introduced in the fall of 2020, teachers across divisions and throughout departments and programs, including the ACE Center and the Library, have been working to find ways to integrate them into their pedagogical practices and their course content. Different subject areas and different developmental stages lend themselves more or less easily to different competencies. In her first year as Assistant Head for Curriculum and Community, Dr. Nadia Johnson led our faculty through an audit of their work thus far, asking them to reflect on which competencies they are exploring and when. She explains, “This audit allows us to ensure that we are creating developmentally-appropriate scaffolding as we seek to grow our students’ capacity and understanding over time and across disciplines and settings. This process will help us make sure the program is evolving in ways that best support our students’ needs.”
4
Redesigned Student Survey
This fall, we revised our student survey to capture students’ perceptions of their own competencies. For example, students in grades 6 through 12 answered questions about their capacity to sit with dissonance, voice a different viewpoint, or navigate difficult situations with agility. The changes we made to the survey signal the priority we have assigned to these competencies and our commitment to support students through this learning process. By analyzing the students’ responses, we are able to identify students’ strengths, developmental trends, and areas of growth across the school as a whole. Grades in courses give students feedback about a particular subject area or discipline, and our new student surveys provide insight into the school experiences that best support growth in learning, leading and practicing antiracism competencies over time. At Castilleja, assessment has long been a tool to enhance learning. Going forward, as we look for new ways to leverage the power of assessment, we will be guided by the words of Curry School of Education’s Carol A. Tomlinson: “Assessment is today’s means of modifying tomorrow’s instruction.” Spring 2022 | 19
ATHLETICS
A Banner Season FALL 2021: A SEASON TO REMEMBER This fall was one for the books for Upper School student-athletes at Castilleja. They demonstrated resilience, commitment, perseverance, and grit. New teammates and new coaches came together to deliver huge wins for the Gators, week after week after week. As any athlete knows, it takes both skill and teamwork to succeed in the pool, on the court, or on the course. It also requires support and encouragement, two necessary elements that Castilleja Athletics has in great supply. Yes, it was indeed a “banner season,” with an unbelievable nine new banners added to the gym walls this fall, but more important than accumulating accolades is the sense of pride our student-athletes felt at the close of a truly incredible season. Perhaps as impressive, all five teams were awarded the Scholastic Award, meaning that their achievements as students matched their drive as athletes. With practices every day after school and competitions many weekends, all of Castilleja’s student-athletes stayed committed and focused inside and outside the classroom as their teams succeeded through league and postseason competition. The Gators worked hard and played hard. Meanwhile the Middle School Athletics teams also boasted outstanding participation and results, with two-thirds of students joining the action, and a notable uptick in interest in lacrosse. Due to COVID, by the fall of 2021, 7th graders had only spent a few months in-person on campus. Of course 6th graders were completely new, so the fall teams were a place for students to build friendships as they learned new skills together and began to gain a fierce sense of their new identities as Castilleja Gators. Say it once! Say it twice! Never stop! GO GATORS!
20 | Castilleja Full Circle
FALL 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS WITHIN WBAL Co-Champions—Golf, Team Champion—Cross Country, Individual Champions—Cross Country, Team Champions—Volleyball Individual Qualifiers— Tennis 4 League MVPs WITHIN SCVAL Co-Champions— Water Polo 1 League MVP—Water Polo League Achievement—Coach of the Year WITHIN CCS Champions—Volleyball Champion— Cross Country, Individual Runner Up—Cross Country, Team Runner Up—Golf, Individual
Spring 2022 | 20
Norah Yang ’25 Golf “I really felt that starting from my first day on the golf team, I already had a community of friends and mentors. We learned that everyone is an integral part of the team and that the fun comes from having everyone on the team working together.”
Amy Chinn, Assistant Athletic Director and Water Polo Coach “Our players worked hard during COVID, so they were ready to compete at a really high level. They came in with excitement, and that led to more success. Energy built from success and possibilities. In water polo, we were co-league champs, making it to the open division. That put us in the top eight teams in our section, which was really amazing for a school our size.”
Eveliena Pasmooij ’22 Volleyball “We all gained a whole new level of gratitude for having the ability and resources to play volleyball. A lot of people's thoughts definitely switched from a ‘have to’ to a ‘get to.’”
Spring 2022 | 21
CERAMICS
A Clay in the Life “Ceramics is a vehicle to dig into art that pushes boundaries,” mused Helen ShanksHA. What is the role of an artist, if not to question the world around them? At Castilleja, students pose questions in many forms—through spoken words, writing, images, and movement. In some classes, like ceramics, the answer can only be found by asking all of those types of questions. Ms. Shanks would know. She has taught the ceramics course more than thirty times since 2004. “I still love it,” she gushes. IT STARTED WITH A TEAPOT It is perhaps fitting that Ms. Shanks, who grew up in England, assigns a class project associated with tea. After learning the basics—coil, pinching, slabbing, cross-hatches, it’s time to apply them to creating a larger object: a teapot! But it’s no ordinary teapot. This teapot must make a statement about a social justice issue, often related to topics covered in 8th grade. The social justice teapot project has evolved during her time at Castilleja, but its roots began in Ms. Shanks’ college courses, in which she had to create her own teapot. “It’s the perfect way to apply new skills. You have to think about so many components of ceramics and the ergonomics of the object,” she shares. “Not only is there a huge creative piece, but also students have to think about translating ideas from a drawing to a three-dimensional object.” In many ways, the teapot is a vessel for learning. Ceramics is just another way to apply the design thinking process that students learn through the Bourn Idea Lab, and clay offers flexibility in rapid prototyping. It’s important that students have a framework through which to create something of their own. Ms. Shanks explains, “I teach them the right tools for the job. After they know the rules, they can break them in the name of creativity.” BREAKING BARRIERS Ceramics class levels the artistic playing field because many people who feel they can’t draw end up creating three-dimensional objects in which they have so much pride. “I want students to have the skills that will enable them to create anything,” Ms. Shanks declares, with a sparkle in her eye. “The truly amazing thing is that all the teapots look SO unique.” The ceramics studio provides students a space to practice risk taking and creativity so they learn how to push themselves and the boundaries of what is possible.
22 | Castilleja Full Circle
Student Library Database Ambassadors 2021–22 A DIVERSE LIBRARY
Database Ambassadors “WHAT DO OUR EDUCATIONAL TOOLS TEACH OUR STUDENTS ABOUT WHO IS IN THE WORLD AND WHAT SUBJECTS ARE IMPORTANT?” Castilleja’s Instructional and Programming Librarian, Tasha Bergson-Michelson, has been pondering this question since she began working in libraries. Taking it further, she also encourages students to inquire: “How is the authority of a source constructed?” Traditional database business models offer a product that features predominantly White perspectives; unfortunately, this problem is replicated in open web searching as well. Institutions can purchase additional products if they wish to add wider representation in their database collections. These costs can quickly grow insurmountable. “Diversity with equity and inclusion is available for universities that can buy 1,000 databases. But this is not accessible for schools, and results in resources that do not reflect our communities,” Ms. Bergson-Michelson explained at a DEI in Libraries Conference last year. It's critical that core database products include a diverse range of voices; students shouldn't have to choose a niche database to see their communities and concerns reflected. Not one to sit idly by, Ms. Bergson-Michelson began engaging database companies in conversations about expanding their basic offerings. Changing the paradigm had been long overdue. After months of discussions, Ms. Bergson-Michelson finally achieved one of her objectives: obtaining better resources for Castilleja students of all backgrounds. The Espinosa Library is now home to 250 databases and is serving as a pilot client for new database structures.
Throughout this process, Ms. Bergson-Michelson developed more questions. In particular, she wanted to understand how she could she make a larger impact. Aside from continuing conversations with the database companies to examine what inclusivity and diversity look like for schools nationwide, she is also creating opportunities for Castilleja students to share their own knowledge. These “database ambassadors”–29 in grades 8 to 12–have volunteered to help their peers apply the newly-acquired sources to their classwork. This is one way that students question inequity, reconstruct authority, and effect change in the world. Spring 2022 | 23
AROUND THE CIRCLE
24 | Castilleja Full Circle
JOIN US ONLINE:
CastillejaSchool
@Castilleja_School
@CastillejaNews
Spring 2022 | 25
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Arts, News, Humor, & Expression
CALEDONIA It is rumored that a Castilleja dad was sorting the mail recently and said, “I was having a bad day, but Caledonia just arrived. I love Caledonia.” In truth, this could be happening in homes across the Bay Area. The Upper School literary magazine used to be distributed on campus, fanned out in tempting piles here and there, but after campus closed due to COVID, things changed. The magazine is now mailed to families, and readership is definitely on the rise. That’s not the only area of growth; the team working on the magazine has gone from two to 20 in just a couple of years, and submissions are increasing as well. Some of this may be due to the fact that the English department is making frequent use of the writing workshop, so students have become more accustomed to sharing their work. In addition, sophomore and junior classes are exploring personal essays, opinion pieces, and news writing—leading to pieces that can easily be adapted for publication, tying together the work inside and outside the classroom. 26 | Castilleja Full Circle
COUNTERPOINT Counterpoint, the Upper School newspaper, has also undergone two significant changes recently that have increased both participation and readership. First of all, the paper shifted from being a club that met during lunch to becoming an ACE Org, meaning that there is dedicated time during the school day for students to work together on pitching stories, sharing sources, reporting to add new perspectives, and finalizing articles for publication. Second, Counterpoint is now available online as well as in print, and Castilleja alums can stay in the know about campus happenings by reading past and future issues. To read Counterpoint, visit castillejacounterpoint.com or scan this QR code:
FLAME The Middle School literary magazine, Flame, is a spring elective, allowing students time to explore different types of creative writing throughout the fall and winter inside and outside their classes and then apply their learning to producing the magazine as a culminating activity.
If we can’t see air but we can see water, and fish can’t see water does that mean they can see air? The object of golf is to play the least amount of golf. Clapping is just high fiving yourself for something someone else did. If everybody’s not perfect, doesn’t that mean that everybody is perfect?
CHaD News (featuring Wisdom Juices) There is also a new grassroots publication in the Middle School, CHaD News (short for Castilleja Humor, Arts, and Discoveries). Started by several members of the Class of 2027 when they were in 6th grade, it is a humor magazine for kids written by kids. Including sections such as Webtoons, Pet Pages, Jokes & Riddles, and Memes, CHaD News has quickly gained a faithful following to become the unofficial newsletter for the Middle School.
CASTILLEJA TRADITIONS
Ringing & Families BUILDING LASTING FRIENDSHIPS THROUGH TIME-HONORED CASTILLEJA TRADITIONS Many of Castilleja’s favorite traditions are fun and joyful while they also serve to strengthen the connections between students across different grade levels. Middle School Families and Ringing are two such examples, and both traditions are evolving in ways that further continue to help students build new friendships that last throughout their time at Castilleja and then even after graduation. MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES For many years, 8th graders have been matched with 6th graders at a picnic on the Circle in May, welcoming them into their Middle School Family. Then when school starts in August, they move into lockers gathered near their 7th grade family members, assuring that they cross paths throughout the day. This year, during Global Week, rather than working on grade-level projects to explore the theme, students gathered in their Middle School Families to collaborate across grade levels. Middle School Dean of Students
Tiffany Crist-StudleyHA explains that these shared moments lead to more time together, “Now I see more Middle School Families, with the Bigs, Middles, and Littles, talking at break or walking to the shuttle together at the end of the day, and I love to watch those relationships last, even when older students move into Upper School.” UPPER SCHOOL RINGING Ringing, a culminating tradition that pairs juniors and seniors together for a series of secret surprises and ultimately a fun reveal, has also become more of a group activity. Now two or three Ringers (seniors) match with another two or three Ringees (juniors). The collaboration makes the process even more fun, and sharing the planning, trading off making notes and bringing little treats builds community and excitement. Perhaps as important, the connections that people build through Ringing are more extensive and inclusive.
“I missed a lot due to COVID, but my siblings helped remind me of the best parts and teach me about Casti—even when I’d never been on the campus before. Having Middle School family members that care about me was the perfect way to get introduced to Casti.” — DEEKSHA VENKAT ’27
“After my ringees rang us, my bond with my family was very strong. The ringing season gave me my best friends and it's a tradition that has shaped my Castilleja experience and allowed me to strengthen intergrade connections.” — BELLA MONSALVE ’22
Spring 2022 | 27
CASTILLEJA REIMAGINED
Vision for the Future SUSTAINABILITY AND TREES Only native, droughttolerant plants are part of the design
Irrigation controlled with ET controller. Water for irrigation system uses collected stormwater from onsite
Lighting controls that integrate and respond to daylight
Skylights and borrowed light
Controlled ventilation via CO2 sensors allows for reduction in airflow based on occupancy
Photovoltaic generation system designed to achieve net zero energy
Exterior Kellogg Street ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE CORE OF CASTILLEJA’S PLANS TO MODERNIZE CAMPUS. From the very beginning, as we considered our footprint, layout, building and planting materials, air filtration, water reuse, and landscaping, we have been thinking about reducing our environmental impact. As a result, our new Master Plan surpasses the ambitious sustainability goals set by the City of Palo Alto and the State of California, setting a new bar for environmentally-sound design and supporting a clean and sustainable future for our campus with the following elements working in tandem: • • • • • • • • • •
Fossil Fuel-Free—outside of instructional use in science labs Energy—entirely generated through on-site solar, heat recovery, or renewable credits Transportation—new electric shuttle routes, ride-sharing, bike parking, and charging stations for electric vehicles Water—high-efficiency and recycled-water infrastructure Landscaping—drought-resistant plantings include over 100 new trees Green Materials—non-hazardous and responsibly sourced Light and Air—optimized ventilation and efficiency Deconstruction—disassemble old campus buildings and separate materials on-site to maximize reuse and recycling Retain—the historic Gunn Administration Building and the Joan Z. Lonergan Fitness Center will remain intact Reuse—salvageable building materials from old campus buildings in new campus design
Castilleja is also committed to integrating environmental education into the curriculum and into the building itself with a sustainability dashboard that tracks resource usage and renewal. By teaching students to be environmental stewards, the seeds of conservation will be planted in the next generation of leaders.
Exterior corner of Kellogg and Emerson Streets 28 | Castilleja Full Circle
FOND FAREWELLS
Faculty Retirements Kyle BarrigerHA
“Teaching Castilleja students, you always benefit from the energy and curiosity they bring every day.” — Kyle BarrigerHA
Mr. Barriger came to Castilleja in 2001 after working for over 20 years in computer operations, with the last five in the startup environment. He explains that his experience in industry informed his approach to teaching, saying, “My goal is really to help students think about how to solve problems. Whether they use math skills and concepts in their future pursuits or not, they will all need to solve problems.” During his teacher training, he worked in a larger school with 30–40 students in each class, and he appreciated moving to a smaller setting, “As someone who was coming into teaching later in life, I wanted to be able to build meaningful relationships with my students, and that happens at Castilleja because it is a smaller school with more intimate classes.” In addition to teaching, Mr. Barriger was the first coach of the Robotics team, bringing his own tools in for the students to use in the early days, so now when he goes out to his garage, everything is labeled with “Team 1700.” Looking back on his more than two decades around the Circle, Mr. Barriger says, “I can’t think of a better place to go to work. Teaching Castilleja students, you always benefit from the energy and curiosity they bring every day.”
Margaret LaneHA
“The small classes gave me the opportunity to get to know the students in a much deeper way.” — Margaret LaneHA (pictured third from left)
Mrs. Lane started teaching at Castilleja in 2001, beginning with one section of 7th grade history because she had young children at home. Fairly quickly, she realized she wanted to put down professional roots here. As she explains it, “The small classes gave me the opportunity to get to know the students in a much deeper way.” Since then, she has spent 11 years as the head of the History and Social Sciences department and has taught every level except 6th grade. She recalls, “There were classes that I had almost every year of high school, and the ability to watch them grow and transform was really special.” As she “graduates” from Castilleja this year, her advice for students comes from her own life, “I had to take a year off from law school to recover from my depression. Because it was drilled into me that you finish what you start, I went back even though I now see I could have transitioned into teaching sooner. As you move through life, remember to allow yourself to stop doing something if it isn’t right for you. It leaves more room for the things that make you happy.”
Christiane RepellinHA
“When all of the different students come into my class as themselves, I say to myself, ‘Now I feel complete.’” — Christiane RepellinHA (pictured on right)
Madame Repellin came to California after teaching for many years in France. She began to substitute in 2002 and then joined the faculty. “The teacher-student relationship is very different in America,” she explains, “but I went to a girls’ school myself so Casti was familiar to me.” She has appreciated being able to learn a new approach to teaching that allowed her to feel more true to herself as an educator. She particularly cherishes her memories of the Centennial celebration, explaining, “It was something magic. The faculty all dressed up and danced around the Circle. It was such a joyful celebration of the memory of the people who had built the school. We were inspired by those pioneers in education and also happy to think of the school in the future.” She has also valued being part of a team at Castilleja. “When my parents passed away, the community was so caring. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before. It was healing to be here and be teaching and thinking about the growth of my students.” When she considers advice for Castilleja students going forward, she says, “Always be true to yourself. Don’t try to be like another person because there is a richness to you. When all of the different students come into my class as themselves, I say to myself, ‘Now I feel complete.’” Spring 2022 | 29
WANDER
THE C LASS OF 2 02 2
The Next Wanderers
“We are inherently unique, and yet, our similarities transcend our differences. Dignity—as intrinsic as our need for air, as innate as our desire for respect—binds us together. When we understand this, we can fight for a more just world, wherein every individual is treated with dignity.” — ASHNI SHETH ’22, ASB PRESIDENT
SENIOR DANCE FOR ARTS WITH A HEART 2022 “I may not have had the story of Odysseus, but I am still endlessly grateful for my journey—and the people who I love, and who taught me the value of family.” — AIZZA ROCHA ’22, Senior Speech Excerpt 30 | Castilleja Full Circle
SPIRIT WEEK FALL 2021 “Although you might have no idea what’s hiding in the waters, or what the future holds, you won’t get anywhere unless you take that first step, skip, and maybe even leap.” — ELISE HAYEK ’22, Senior Speech Excerpt
“When things seem to fall apart, we must trust that the people we love are just as honored to help shoulder our burden as we would be for them. No matter what, their love forms a part of us that is indelible.” – ABIGAIL KRENZ ’22, Senior Speech Excerpt SENIOR CELEBRATION — SOCCER
SENIOR CELEBRATION — TENNIS
SENIOR CELEBRATION — WATER POLO “I love words. I love how strangely assembled sequences of black lines on a white page can conjure up vivid worlds, can allow you inside the most beautifully complex mind of an assuming stranger, can bring you to immense happiness, to anger, even to tears.” — AMANDA CHENG ’22, Senior Speech Excerpt SENIOR CELEBRATION — VOLLEYBALL Spring 2022 | 31
FOREVER CASTILLEJA
Reunion Weekend CELEBRATING THE 6s AND 1s In October 2021, we welcomed Castilleja alumnae from the Classes of 1951–2021 back to campus for our annual Reunion Weekend. We celebrated individuals and the winner of the Castilleja Cup, the Class of 1986, pictured below. Mark your calendars for this year's event September 23–24, 2022, when we celebrate classes ending in “7” and “2.”
32 | Castilleja Full Circle
ALUMNAE EVENT CALENDAR 2022–23 REUNION WEEKEND Friday, September 23–24, 2022 We welcome all alums to campus and honor the classes ending in “7” and “2.” Join us Friday afternoon for an all-school pep rally, sporting events, and BBQ, among other weekend reunion festivities. ----------------------CAPA EVENT Thursday, December 1, 2022 Alum parents gather in Seipp Gallery for art and wine. ----------------------HOLIDAY PARTY Monday, December 19, 2022 Catch up over cocoa, cider, and treats while crafting gift tags. ----------------------YOUNG ALUM BRUNCH Wednesday, January 4, 2023 Return to the Circle for a festive brunch during Global Week. ----------------------CAREERS & COCKTAILS Wednesday, March 8, 2023 Annual virtual career event on International Women's Day featuring a panel of alums. ----------------------VIEW360 BENEFITTING TUITION ASSISTANCE Saturday, March 25, 2023 Be inspired by world-renowned speakers and entertainment.
ONGOING EVENTS FRIDAY ALUMNAE LUNCHES Friday, September 9, 2022 Friday, November 11, 2022 Friday, February 3, 2023 Join us for Castilleja lunch. ----------------------AFFINITY & IDENTITY GROUP MEETINGS Virtual meetings will be held throughout the year. ----------------------REGIONAL GATHERINGS Let us know if you would like to host or organize a gathering in your city. Spring 2022 | 33
ALUMNAE PANEL
Defining Legacy We can all remember being asked as a child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But few of us are asked to consider the legacy we would like to create. During this year’s Reunion, Zoya Chughtai ’22 posed that question to four alumnae: Jeanne Fisichella Hahne ’71, Donielle Wallace Prince ’91, Victoria (Tory) Wobbers ’01, and Griselda Carlos Arzate ’11. Unsurprisingly, their answers were grounded in similar values. Legacy is not based on whether they’re successful, in traditional terms, but whether they set out to meet the needs of their community. Despite working in distinct fields, all four alumnae are united in a desire to be of service to others and to grow along the way. Perhaps setting a goal that is much larger than oneself leads to acts of bravery. Jeanne and Tory courageously shifted gears when they left established careers to pursue alternate forms of making an impact. After over 40 years as a registered nurse, Jeanne is now the founder and CEO of FaceView Mask LLC; her company creates clear surgical face masks that enable lip reading, thereby improving the patient-provider relationship. Following her PhD, Tory worked in high tech before becoming a career coach. Now, she draws upon her own experience transitioning careers to help people determine what fulfillment means to them. Donielle and Griselda are both passionate about advocating for and lifting up marginalized communities. In Griselda’s field of financial services, this means actively building products to be more inclusive so that people who typically may not meet certain criteria can still access and benefit from these services. Donielle earned her PhD in education reform and went on to become a therapist for many years. Her primary focus is reforming mental health services and facilitating community healing. Currently, Donielle is building a network of traumainformed organizations and policies throughout the Bay Area. Listening to Jeanne, Donielle, Tory, and Griselda reflect on their legacies, it is clear that they are confident in themselves and in their capacity to leave the world in a better place.
This poem was selected by the Class of ’91 to be recited at their graduation. Donielle has kept this quote where she could see it every day.
34 | Castilleja Full Circle
Jeanne Fisichella Hahne ’71 “Don’t listen to the people who say it can’t be done. Keep going.”
Donielle Wallace Prince ’91 “I no longer evaluate myself on traditional accomplishments. I feel successful if I’ve helped, participated, and civically engaged.”
Victoria (Tory) Wobber ’01 “Courage is showing up when you’re not sure of the outcome. Lead through example, regardless of the situation.”
Griselda Carlos Arzate ’11 “How do we expand participation all across the board? People’s stories can be unclear and hard to tell just by looking at a resume.”
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.” — RALPH WALDO EMERSON
UPDATES FROM THE ALUMNAE OFFICE Castilleja’s alumnae community is stronger and more vibrant than ever. The last two years have required the world to be courageous and creative. At Castilleja, we focused on deepening the strong connection with and within our alumnae community. We are proud to share examples of our collective initiatives, and hope you will feel inspired to stay connected.
ENGAGED LEADERSHIP
INSPIRING CONNECTIONS
The alum perspective strengthens all aspects of the Castilleja experience.
We have introduced virtual events to connect alums all over the world.
12 Alumnae Executive Committee Members 5 Alumnae Trustees 2 Alumnae Board Committee Members
• • • •
AFFINITY AND IDENTITY GROUPS
ALUMNAE
TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT Over the last five years, alums have increasingly supported the next generation.
We launched the following groups this year: • • • • •
Alumnae Panels Careers & Cocktails State of the School Address During Reunion Guest Speaking Opportunities: Global Week, AwaH, and more
Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance Latinx LGBTQ+ Parents and Allies of LGBTQ+ South Asian
• Tuition Assistance and Annual Fund: Top Gift Designations • 10% More Alum Donor Participation • $1,000 Average Gift • $3M Total Planned Gifts
WHO ARE WE? OUR ALUMNAE COMMUNITY:
4,954
INDIVIDUALS
5
CONTINENTS
41
COUNTRIES
49
STATES
60%
LIVE IN CALIFORNIA
Spring 2022 | 35
— Kira Libby Robertson ’25
— Kelsey Sweetland ’25 36 | Castilleja Full Circle
CLASS NOTES
We’d love to hear from you! Help us stay in touch by sharing your new contact information and exciting updates on life, work, family, accomplishments, travel, hobbies, and more. Submit your Class Note (75 words or fewer) to appear in the next issue of Full Circle Magazine at: castilleja.org/alumnae
1960s
1961 Susan Dyrud Rimkeit ’61 shares, “Greetings classmates, I missed you at the fun 60th reunion. Thanks Class of ’71 for letting me hang with you. If any of you get up to the Portland area, there are four of us up here. While moving slower, my time is spent skiing, playing tennis, kayaking, and learning how to play pickleball. I go back and forth from the Sunriver area to my tiny house. The NWSCC board, Cascade Primers Timers board, and the MAC Outdoor Activities committee keep me busy. My loving standard schnauzer, Kave, keeps me active. Looking forward to my annual trip to Sun Valley with the Mt. Hood gang. If you get to the NW maybe we can get together.”
1964 Bonnie Eggink Allen ’64 and Steve enjoyed time on the beach this year.
Questions? Ideas? Please contact: (650) 470–7743 alumnae@castilleja.org
Jeffie Welsh Feakins ’64 and her family happily spent the holidays at the beach.
1310 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA 94301
1940s
1949 Joanne Maxfield Anderson ’49 sadly reports the loss of her dearest cousin and classmate, Susan Maxfield May, who passed away in February 2021 after a long illness. Joanne gathered with a small group of family members to remember Susan.
1950s
1950 Eleanor Ellacott ’50 shares, “In the meantime I will say that I am alive and kicking, and will be 90 years old in February. I retired from working in 2020, and am reasonably healthy and very unhappy with the COVID situation because it is so confining. I'm sending all good wishes, and hope this will be a better year in every way for everyone.”
Christie Haas Fenton ’64 announces that she is a great-grandmother!
Sue Loveland Shepherd ’61 writes, “We are enjoying retirement in Mount Vernon, Washington; our children and grandkids live nearby. Kate, our 7-month-old standard poodle, keeps us entertained. Her favorite toys are empty toilet paper rolls and cardboard boxes. We also enjoy sailing. Stay well, everyone." Photo: A Summer Sail on Puget Sound. 1962 Judith Liff Robertson ’62 sends warm greetings! “This coming spring is my 60th celebration of graduation. Crazy huh. I don't even feel 60. My life is still wonderful with my husband of 35 years. We have slowed down but not stopped. We still ride horses, go Jeeping, garden, and paint a lot together. We are now doing paint by numbers and enjoying it a great deal.” 1963 Sinclair Reizner ’63 shares, “Sadly, my wonderful husband, Ray, passed away last December. I decided to sell our cottage in Michigan. Next year, I will be moving to my condo in Alexandria, Virginia.” Virginia Smedberg ’63 played her first opera in 20 months in November: Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, with Opera San Jose. Upcoming productions hopefully include Carmen (in February) and West Side Story (in April), as well as a production of Pique Dame in May, and La Traviata in October 2022 with West Bay Opera. She writes, “We musicians take it week by week, sometimes day by day. Happily the Youth Orchestra I'm now conducting has continued rehearsing every week. Keep the music going!”
1953 Mollie Bray Campbell ’53 and Jean Kay McGillis ’48 now live at Segovia, a senior residential community in Palm Desert, California. They are having fun reminiscing and sharing their Casti experiences. Photo: Jean (left) and Mollie (right).
Sandra Saviers Halley ’63 and Mary Haines Glover have been friends since they were sophomores at Castilleja and roommates twice. Now, their grandsons are friends who play local team sports and attend Bishop Manogue High School in Reno, Nevada. Photo: Sandra and Mary’s grandsons.
Denise Kaufman ’64 sends her warm wishes from her small organic family farm on Kauai. She writes, “Our family is all vaxxed and boosted and have, thus far, avoided COVID. Very grateful. My band, Ace of Cups, is getting ready to release a new EP and some videos. Our touring stopped in 2020 but we hope to get back to live shows sometime this year. Until then, I'm gardening, farming, getting in the ocean, hanging with family, donating produce to our local food bank, and making political contributions in hopes of saving voting rights, the right to choose, and our precious planet.” Photo: Garden bounty.
Cary Golub Lurie ’64 and Wayne Smith are happy to have received the COVID vaccine. Now that they have their vaccination cards, they ask: "What's in YOUR wallet?" Cindy Swanson Miller ’64 and Buff enjoyed time with their grandchildren.
Spring 2022 | 37
1960s, continued
Lauren LaPlante Younger ’69 writes: “I am without a husband now, but my three children and their families all live in the area. I just received the gift of my ninth grandchild's birth, so that's fun!” She reports she is happy, and well enough.
Enid Hardcastle Nuisberger ’64 and husband Geoffrey tried wassailing this past Christmas and were so colossally out of tune that they offended the households they tried to serenade. Geoffrey was a little too aggressive in his demand for a figgy pudding–he made it sound naughty–so he was reported and taken in. Sadie Morris Pullen ’64 has enjoyed spending 2021 with her family. As the world slowly returns to normal, she remains an enthusiastic community volunteer for the guild of her local Broadway Rose Theater. She offers the following toast for 2022, “May you find your bumper full to the brim, wisdom and verve present in equal amounts, joints well oiled, and your heart full of passion for who and what matter most to you. Blessings and health to you all throughout 2022!”
1970s Janey Mauel Edwards ’64 with Bernie Sanders.
Christy Hulden Westmoreland ’64 and Dave share news of their daughters: “Lisa has taken on freelance editing but is mostly busy with 2-year-old Skye. Lori is a veterinarian at the North Carolina Aquarium and an instructor at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.”
1971 DeBorah Eaton Beatty ’71 shares, “Now that my daughter, Shannon, and her husband have moved to Salem, she's brought a breath of fresh air into my coaching business. New programs, new products, such a great flurry of activity with a little help. The latest is putting a Women's Summer Retreat together on the Oregon Coast.” Jeanne Fisichella Hahne ’71 had a wonderful 50th reunion with her classmates: “I loved every minute with them and catching up! Love to all of you! Thanks to the Castilleja staff for making it great.” Jeanne received a NIH nursing grant in 2021 for her patented, clear N95 mask (FaceView Mask). She writes, “I still appreciate the work ethic I learned while at Castilleja!”
Helene Chandler Williams ’64 sends hugs. Gail Wilson Zetter ’64 was so happy to visit her children and their families in 2021: “When we finally arrived in Boston and our daughter’s boys ran the length of the corridor in the airport to hug us, our son's 6-year-old announced, ‘The old lady's here!’ I'm happy to be an old lady because I get to be a grandma.” The following members of the Class of 1964 sent in holiday greetings: Cristina Lerche de Balestra, Sadie Morris Pullen, and Cheryl Hertzog Coleman, Barbara MacCornack Leutwiler, and Pat Hunter Gregory.
Cheryl Hertzog Coleman ’64 and her husband.
Janet Mauel Cronk ’64 with her 7-year-old grand twins at their circus-themed birthday.
38 | Castilleja Full Circle
1968 Maryanne Greninger Merritt ’68 shares, “Our family has slogged through the last years as others have, adjusting our lives to survive. Thankfully we are well and in our 70s now. A big hello to other grads out there!” Photo: Me and my Maggie by the ocean. 1969 Georgie Gleim ’69 is still working in her jewelry business, Gleim the Jeweler, at Stanford Shopping Center, the company her grandfather founded in Palo Alto in 1931. “We celebrated our 90th anniversary this past year, although the endless pandemic meant we couldn't do any kind of a party. When asked if I'm going to retire, I tell people how can you not enjoy working with beautiful jewels and sharing happy stories with your clients? Over the decades I have developed some of my closest friendships with people from the industry, so it would be hard to imagine simply retiring. I feel blessed to be in retail, as my day to day life has not changed much once we could reopen after shutdown. Later this year I will move up to being President of Peninsula Volunteers Inc., a Menlo Park organization whose mission is allowing seniors to age in place. This will be a fun challenge; the organization is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, proving just what can happen when a group of dedicated women decide to get together to do some good things.”
1972 Betsy (Janet) Barker's ’72 quilt “Corona Virus Blues” has been published in Quarantine Quilts: Creativity in the Midst of Chaos curated by Sandra Sider. She shares, “My quilt describes what I did to cope with the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Barbara Davis Reynolds ’72 shares, “It's been great to reconnect with classmates. Last May, Joyce Bogner Bohn sent an email to our class after participating in Founder's Day via Zoom. That started a nice chain of replies from the class as we roll up to our 50th reunion in 2022. Sarah Jones Hinkle, Beth Johnson Riley, Lise Giansiracusa and I have been meeting regularly since that email. I'm still hooked on pickleball and in December played singles and mixed doubles with my husband, Brad, at the 2021 National Championships at Indian Wells, California.” Photo: Team Reynolds at Nationals.
Barbara Most Weissman ’72 and her husband Joe are still practicing Neurologists. Joe turns 70 this year, and Barbara plans to retire in two years after 35 years at Emory. This past year she was honored at Emory as a Master Clinician. Barbara and Joe's younger son, David, wishes to marry his fianceé, Kari, but events have been postponed due to COVID. She hopes all are trying to stay well. Photo: A Time Together.
1976 Susan Smith Flesher ’76 shares, “The Class of 1976 held a 45th reunion dinner event at Teleféric Restaurant in Palo Alto on October 6, 2021. In spite of COVID, we were thankful that nine of our classmates could gather together and share some fantastic memories from our days at Castilleja. As one attendee said, “I really got a lot out of this one and being able to meet up again with everyone, especially with my longlost friends.” Looking forward to celebrating our 50th reunion in 2026!” Photo: Members of the Class of 1976 at Teleféric.
1980s 1973 Sarah Wallace ’73 continues her passion as a street reporter in NYC, now in her sixth year at WNBC after 30 years at WABC. Sarah and her family are happily living in New Jersey, but she often visits her mom and three Castilleja alum sisters in the Bay Area. Photo: Covering News.
1974 Giuliana Danon Vural ’74 writes, “I am semi-retired and so proud of our son for being a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, where he is pursuing a Master's in Global Affairs. He is one of 151 students from around the world, and will graduate in 2022. I'm also proud to share that our daughter began her PhD in Applied Math at UCLA. She is one of four females in a 60-person cohort for the Class of 2025.” Photo: At the airport!
1980 Erika Tiegel-Freitas ’80 is enjoying teaching and being a part of the leadership team for St. Mary School in Los Gatos, California. Last year, her students took part in a program called BizWorld, which instructs students on all aspects of starting a business. She writes, “The students loved participating in this hands-on program and I think it gave them new insight into owning a business.” Photo: Daughter's wedding at our ranch in Calistoga, May 2021.
Ellen Stewart Moore ’80 shares, “Elizabeth Leep ’81 and I enjoyed catching up over dinner recently. Friends for over 47 years, Elizabeth and I both attended Duke University and were roommates in Washington, D.C. after graduation. Elizabeth was also one of my bridesmaids 30 years ago. I'm in my fourth year working at Castilleja as the Director of Events and Parent Engagement and love to see students back on campus building those lifelong friendships which I cherish to this day.” Photo: Ellen and Elizabeth at Ellen’s 21st birthday celebration.
1981 Angela DiVecchio Foster ’81 is still living in Colorado and working in financial services. Her older sons have joined the working world and the youngest is a junior in college. “Lots of careful traveling made for a fun 2021. I'm still in touch with several of my Casti besties!” Photo: Angela DiVecchio Foster ’81 and Taryn McCollam Enney ’81 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Nancy Butcher Olson ’81 writes, “Here is an updated picture of the Olsen family! Our daughter Jessica was married to Lawrence Reese on July 2, 2021, in Reno, Nevada, where we have resided for the past 24 years.” Photo: Time flies....kids are growing up! Andrew Olson, Nancy Butcher Olson ’81, Jessica Olson Reese, Lawrence Reese, and Dave Olson.
1982 Liz Babb ’82 has started a local Peninsula Casti Dinner Club. “We are trying to meet every month and have had two terrific dinners so far. I've sent out emails to alums I know from the 80s. If I've missed you, let me know! The dinners have been at a great restaurant called Camper in Menlo Park.” Photo: Debby Kramer Rudich, Ruth Maurice, Liz Babb, Robyn Lieberman, and Sarah Rosenbaum Gaeta.
1984 Max Fagan ’84 shares “After a 19-year career, I left my role as General Counsel at Veritas Technologies for an adventure as VP of Legal for Business Development & GTM Programs at a startup called Databricks. Both my kids (ages 13 and 14) are now taller than I am, so I now stand in front of them wagging a finger to scold. We have all that matters—our family's health and the prospect of interesting and fulfilling things to come. Wishing the same for all of my classmates and the broader Casti community!” Photo: Max with hubby Jason Born.
Spring 2022 | 39
1980s, continued
Heather Allen Pang ’84 has authored an essay in the new book, Twenty Things to Do with a Computer Forward 50. 50 years ago, Cynthia Solomon and Seymour Papert published Twenty Things to Do with a Computer, a revolutionary paper that predicted learning with laptops, the maker movement, and computer science for all. The new edition gathers dozens of the world's most creative teachers, scholars, activists, and developers, to reflect upon the vision of Papert and Solomon's to propel the future of education. You can purchase it today on Amazon. Photo: Heather Allen Pang ’84 with book. Jamie Haber Shifman ’84 shares, “Our daughter Shoshana, 23, got married in Florida this February to her perfect match. They met in university in Israel and both are originally from South Florida. Shoshana intends to pursue a career in fashion design, starting with her own wedding dress line.”
1985 Lynne Lampros ’85, mother to Annabelle Arthur, 20, and Brayton Arthur, 17, recently changed her legal practice area and is now an advisory attorney to the City of San Jose's Clean Energy Department. Her daughter is a sophomore animal science major at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and her son is a junior at Bellarmine. Photo: Thanksgiving 2021.
40 | Castilleja Full Circle
Melissa Riofrio ’85 writes, “So much has happened since I last gathered with Class of ’85 in... 2015?! I didn't share this at the time, but my husband was slowly dying from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (a degenerative neuromuscular disorder). By the end of 2018 I was widowed. I kept working–I loved my job running the editorial team at PCWorld.com, but I finally convinced myself last year that I had earned, and deserved, a break. My plan so far is to have no plans. I did join the Alumnae Executive Committee at Castilleja and am looking forward to working with a great group of enthusiastic and whip-smart women.” Photo: Part of my job I miss the most: Covering car technology.
1990s 1990 In 2021, Eileen Tse ’90 started her 13th year at Equinix, which continues its growth as a top company for digital transformation. She also joined the Board of Directors for the Santa Clara Aquamaids, a top artistic swimming club in the country, and is helping navigate the first head coach change in over 30 years. Eileen’s daughter is in high school and continues to compete with the Aquamaids, earning a bronze medal at Junior Olympics in June 2021. Her son is finishing his junior year in high school and is wrapping up his time with Boy Scouts, on target to make Eagle Scout in the next year. Her family was able to enjoy their annual tradition of Christmas Eve dinner with Karen Phipps Anderson ’90 and her family at House of Prime Rib in San Francisco. To the Class of 1990, she writes, “This year will be the big 5-0 for most of us, and I look forward to celebrating the milestone with my classmates throughout the year!” 1991 Ronit Alcheck Bodner ’91 hosted the Class of ’91’s 30th Castilleja Reunion at her home. Betsy Gilliland ’91 is starting her 10th year as a professor in the department of Second Language Studies at the University of Hawai‘i Mānoa in Honolulu. Last year she co-edited the book Empowering the Community College First-Year Composition Teacher (University of Michigan Press) and is now working on an edited volume about writing teacher education in underrepresented contexts. “I have a house with a huge mango tree close to campus and would love to see any classmates coming through the islands!”
1993 Carol Patel ’93 arranged a dinner with classmates Michelle Wu, Jackie Loong, Courtney Dyar, and Leslie Cardozo Stafford in San Francisco. It was a great time reminiscing about Casti life, including the dorms, but also sharing about present day career journeys and family life! Photo: Class of ’93 Alums at dinner in San Francisco. 1994 Lisa Kitayama Wallgren ’94, Subena Mahal Tilley, Suzan Huang Grisanti, and Pratima Sethi have continued to keep each other sane during the pandemic with late night texts on their group chat named “Casti Girls” discussing what are the best masks, where to get tested, what pharmacy has antigen tests available, and more. But all joking aside, they continued (safely) their yearly tradition of Pajaro Dunes and a holiday gift exchange-white elephant with the families. Lisa and Pratima continue their involvement with Casti as parents of 7th graders. Marian Washington Williams ’94 spent the fall jet-setting back and forth to the east coast for college visits with her son Wyatt, hunting for an amazing college experience for him. After attending the Castilleja Holiday Tag Making event, she got quality girl time with her friends Carol Patel ’93 and Leslie Cardozo Stafford ’93. “Looking forward to seeing more of you this year!”
1995 Christine Chang Leyva ’95 continues to work as a clinical psychologist during the day, seeing anxiety patients, but this year she got her band going again and has been performing as the lead singer of Shakedown (www. shakedownaustin.com) all around Austin, Texas. "Taking a seven-year maternity leave was great, but it is so invigorating to be back with the band. Plus, my kids and husband are my biggest fans!" Photo: Shakedown performs at the Speakeasy, Austin Texas.
Emily Glenn Tucker ’99 enjoyed a visit with classmate Cara Cipriano over the summer. As they have been friends for over 30 years, it was special to see Emily's daughter, Amelia, now 10, playing with Cara's daughter, Audrey. Emily and her family live in Lafayette, California, where she is a child psychologist in private practice.
Orlena Fong Shek ’95 shares, “December 2021 marked the 10-year anniversary of my stroke due to Moyamoya Disease. When I’m not running after my 4-year-old son or doing speaking engagements about stroke survival, I dabble in poetry. To commemorate my 10-year anniversary, I compiled a collection of my Warrior Poetry along with twenty other warrior-poets into a collection entitled, Emerging From the Smoke: A Collection of Warrior Voices to be published by Archway Publishing of Simon & Schuster. Mr. Smoot and Mrs. Melmon, among others, were sources of support and inspiration for my poetry.
1998 Lindsay Austin Louie ’98 made an exciting career shift in 2022. After nine years at the Hewlett Foundation, she has transitioned to independent consulting for foundations, funder collaboratives, and nonprofits. She is also excited to have re-joined the Alumnae Executive Committee this year. On the home front, her son, TJ, is in 6th grade and her daughter, Kaya, is in 4th. The Louie household also recently expanded to include two pandemic puppies, Coco and Blaze! Photo: Lindsay Austin Louie ’98’s crew: Coco, Kaya, TJ, and Blaze.
1999 Ali Adornato Baiardo ’99 has been living in San Mateo since 2012 with her husband Phil and their two children Charlie, 8, and Giuliana, 5. Her stepson Aiden, 19, is a freshman at UCSD and is loving the sun. Ali attended Santa Clara Law with her classmate, Liz Karlin Wagstaffe, and is now a partner at McGuireWoods LLP in San Francisco practicing Financial Services Litigation. Ali and her family spent a wonderful week on the Big Island over Christmas with Ali's sister Blair Adornato Hennessy. Photo: Ali Adornato Baiardo and Blair Adornato Hennessy with their families on the Big Island.
2000s
2000 Leah Davis ’00 was appointed senior editor of the digital platform, No Proscenium, a publication sharing immersive theater, virtual reality, podcasts, interviews, events, and more.
2002 2021 was busy for Naima Bridges ’02. “We recently welcomed a baby girl, Camille, and closed a chapter at Kaiser Permanente in anticipation of a move to North Dallas where I will be an ObGyn at a new organization. We are excited and looking forward to new beginnings!” Photo: Our family. 2003 Emily Williams ’03 and her fiancé welcomed their son in May 2021, and they hope to introduce him to his Castilleja “aunties” this year if travel to the U.S. is possible. Emily is still based in Santiago, Chile, and happy to connect with any fellow alums who are planning trips down south.
1997 Deborah Leight Mansfield ’97 writes: “Paul and I are living in SF with our 3-year-old son. I just re-joined Google as an Executive Business Partner after having been gone for 10 years.” Photo: Family fun in Kauai. Annie Shahinain ’97 writes, “I've spent the last four years taking the classes I need to go to nursing school. In case anyone is wondering, Chemistry makes much more sense to the 39-year-old brain than it did to the 16-yearold one. I was wait-listed this fall, which is less confidence-boosting than one might imagine, but I am currently working on applying again. In the interim I'm still a stay-at-home mom for my son, and my favorite part of each day is the walk to and from school together.”
Liz Ericson ’99 has been living in London for nearly 17 years where she occasionally sees Jenny Marcus Sandler. “I've been at McKinsey for more than a decade and a partner for the past five years. I now lead our M&A and Partnerships team globally–something about a million miles from what I would have imagined after Castilleja or my six years at Google. I still see Charlotte Stevenson every year, although we've moved on from water polo practice and boy gossip to the grown up versions thereof: what are the best yoga pants and the complexities of adult relationships.” Photo: Charlotte and Liz near Sun Valley, Idaho.
In August 2021, Elizabeth Wright ’03 married Herbert Chang in Harvard, Massachusetts, one year after originally scheduled. Then in October, they moved from Boston to San Mateo via a 16-day road trip, during which they saw Courtney Yin and her family in Houston. Since the move, Elizabeth has met up with Katherine Li and Julia Goldstein, and is very excited to reconnect with more Casti alums in the area! Photo: Elizabeth and Herbert just after their ceremony in Harvard, Massachusetts.
Spring 2022 | 41
2000s, continued 2004 Meaghan Fitzgerald ’04 was thrilled to celebrate her wedding to Neil Goldberg in October 2021, in the company of Castilleja classmates Deborah Kang and Gianna Giancarlo. Sister and Casti alum Kelly Fitzgerald ’07 was her maid of honor. Meaghan still lives in Seattle with Neil and their two cats, and works as the Product Marketing Director for Horizon and Metaverse products at Meta (formerly Facebook).
Meagan Kenny Wendstrand ’06 celebrated the birth of Baby Madeleine (Maddie) Iida to her family over the summer. “We all enjoyed catching up with many members of the Casti family during our ’06 meetup and hope we don’t have to wait another 15 years to do it again!” Photo: Outnumbered.
2005 Katie Given ’05 lives with her sons in Menlo Park and is a dermatologic cancer surgeon after 15 years of training at UChicago, Yale, and UCSF. “I feel fortunate to spend time regularly with 10 wonderful classmates and my sister, Annie Given ’07. We arrange birthdays, hiking, kids play dates, dinner dates, and even international travel. What an amazing and diverse group of young women. In my free time I love to play golf, ski, hike Wunderlich and the Dish, and ballroom dance.” Photo: Katie Given, Theodore, 6.5, and William, 3. 2006 Seana Oliver ’06 is still living in Colorado, almost used to the snow, and recently started a new job doing events management for AlsoEnergy, a solar monitoring company. She ran her first tradeshow setup and teardown this month, which went well. Seana writes, “Please reach out, I'd love to be in touch. My email is blue.lyrebird@gmail.com.”
In early 2021, Laurel Tincher ’06 co-founded a team to compete in the $100M XPRIZE Carbon Removal, funded by the Musk Foundation. She is the Chief Business Development Officer for the team and the company they are forming around the project. She writes, “Our team is called Pull To Refresh, and we are developing technology to grow and sink macroalgae in the high seas using advanced robotics. We now have 40+ people on our team and are still growing!” Photo: Laurel Tincher taking measurements of giant kelp.
42 | Castilleja Full Circle
Emily Yelencich ’06 at a Castilleja reunion at Shoup Park. 2007 In September, Courtney Chang ’07 and her husband moved to Los Altos and welcomed a baby girl named Myla. Kelly Fitzgerald ’07 is living in NYC while she completes her oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She and her husband Zef are delighted to announce the birth of their son, Avery, on December 30, 2021!
Kristin Leasia ’07 was recently promoted to Counsel at Komatsu, a worldwide leader in the manufacture of mining and construction equipment. Kristin also started her third year as an adjunct professor teaching Legal Writing to first-year law students at Loyola University Chicago. Kristin still lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her grumpy-yet-lovable pup, Chester. Photo: Kristin with Chester at Starved Rock, Illinois.
In December 2021, Tiffany Wong ’07 and Katherine Jordan attended the Alumnae Holiday Party where they enjoyed decorating seasonal gift tags. Tiffany displayed her artistic talents, crafting cards that would probably impress Martha Stewart. Katherine, on the other hand, adopted the minimalist approach and realized she should stick to working as a corporate lawyer. While Tiffany lives in the northeast and was only briefly in town visiting family, Katherine resides locally in the Bay Area. They hope to see other classmates at future alumnae events! Photo: Tiffany Wong and Katherine Jordan representing the Class of 2007 at the Holiday Alumnae Party. 2008 This April, Rachel Baden ’08 will complete her residency in avian medicine at the Medical Center for Birds, and begin the process of studying for her qualifying exam in the fall. She is excited to join the ranks of less than 200 doctors worldwide in this specialty. Pooja Prasad ’08 has been moving around for medical training, and is currently completing a cardiology fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. She recently met fellow alum Carolyn Cobey Heeder ’00 in her first month, and has enjoyed reconnecting with fellow classmate Kate Cobbett. Pooja's highlight of the past two years has been being an aunt and getting to know her little niece, who she looks forward to spending more time with in 2022.
Sylvia Rodriguez ’08 and her husband Matt Hendricks welcomed their first baby, Sofía Elena, in February 2021. Although starting a family in the pandemic has had its challenges, they are happy to have family that is local, the support of friends and family from further away, and a great small group of new parents. Photo: First Christmas photos!
Surya Brown-Moffitt ’13 is a second year student at the University of Washington's School of Medicine Physical Therapy program.
2009 Noelle Schoettle Bechtel ’09 and her husband Bradley currently live in San Francisco with their cat Allagash and golden retriever Nilla. Noelle works as a small animal general practice veterinarian after previously working as an emergency veterinarian on the East Coast for 3 years. Her primary interests include preventative and emergency medicine, soft tissue surgery, mentorship for new veterinarians, and promoting workplace wellbeing within the veterinary profession. Her science classes at Castilleja (especially the fetal pig dissection with Ms. Barker in 8th grade!) helped inspire and motivate her to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Photo: Dr. Bechtel at work.
2010s 2010 Madison Brown-Moffitt ’10 continues to work in the library at Sacred Heart in Atherton. Dr. Kyra McCarty ’10 will complete her Pediatric Residency in June, then begin her Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship at UT Southwestern. After spending the last seven years in Kansas City, Missouri, she is excited to return to Dallas, Texas, to complete her medical training in order to achieve her dream of becoming a Pediatric Oncologist.
2012 Shannon Doherty ’12 completed her PhD in Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami in August and married her partner, Kay McMonigal, in San Mateo in September 2021. Shannon and Kay live in Raleigh, North Carolina, and are working as postdoctoral researchers at North Carolina State University. Photo: Shannon Doherty and Kay McMonigal were married in September.
After taking a few years off from school, Malaika Ramachandran ’12 completed her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Notre Dame de Namur University in 2020. She spent a year working in cybersecurity sales at Fortinet, where she learned foundational sales principles and explored tech sales in the federally funded space. In October, Malaika joined remodelmate, a startup based in College Park, Maryland, that works on effortless, efficient, tech-based bathroom renovations. She was recently promoted to Head of Sales and is thriving in her new role.
Saloni Kalkat ’13 is excited to be back on the Circle as Castilleja’s Alum Outreach Associate! She loved reuniting with her classmates over the holidays to exchange laughs and stories. Photo: From left to right: Saloni Kalkat, Taylor Wilkerson, Simone Seiver, Katherine Hobbs, and Hannah Hsieh O’Neel.
2014 Hayley Korman ’14 married Eric Menser in an intimate ceremony in Washington, DC. They met in college in Colorado and are moving to Okinawa, Japan, for the next three years. He is a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and she is working in venture capital and cofounding a startup in the defense tech space. 2016 Sanah Imran ’16 will be attending Harvard Business School for her MBA, and is excited to be a part of the Class of 2024!
Class of 2016 reunion in Washington, DC.
2011 Natasha von Kaeppler ’11, Claire O'Malley Glass ’12, and Katie Kirsch ’12 share a selfie in between their classes at Harvard Business School.
2013 Jordan Fowler Bull ’13 shares, “I channeled the 5C of courage and spontaneously moved to Nashville with my husband. I also convinced my parents to move here from the Bay Area. We're loving country life in our first home, and it's exciting to expand my work doing celebrity partnerships for Google/YouTube to a new market. Meanwhile, I'm loving exploring this city, learning more about real estate, and developing relationships new and old!” Photo: First holiday card photoshoot in our new city, Nashville.
2019 Niav Layton ’19 writes, “I am majoring in mechanical engineering and studying abroad at the University of Glasgow in Scotland this semester and I'm loving every second of it! I've been adjusting to the British schooling system and learning how to balance school while traveling to take full advantage of my abroad experience. Can't wait to explore so much more of the UK in the next few months!”
Spring 2022 | 43
KEEP IN TOUCH
Many thanks to this year’s ALUMNAE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE for their efforts in keeping our alumnae active and connected. To submit your updates or get involved, please contact alumnae@castilleja.org
Alumnae Regional Reunion: Nashville
Anne Murray Puricelli ’95 hosted an intimate gathering at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, for Castilleja alums who live in the area. Six alums from graduation years spanning the 1970s to the 2020s joined Anne and the Director of Alumnae Engagement Lauren Heysse and her daughter Ellie Heysse ’28. Photo above (top row, left to right): Kristin Bell ’95, Sone-Serae Harper Batten ’96, Marion Mackenzie Pyle ’70, Anne Murray Puricelli ’95, Saayili Budhiraja ’21, Lauren Heysse, Ellie Heysse ’28 (bottom row, left to right): Jordan Fowler Bull ’13, Beca Ramon ’16
The Alumnae Executive Committee, pictured in Zoom meeting above (clockwise from top left): Hala Kurdi Cozadd ’92 Claire Fischer Fluhr ’95 Melissa Riofrio ’85 Carol Patel ’93 Marian Washington Williams ’94 Emily Hobbs ’09 Kelly McKenna ’05 Kristin Bell ’95 Jordan Fowler Bull ’13 Sylvia Rodriguez ’08 Lindsay Austin Louie ’98 Sydney Larson ’03 Castilleja Alumnae Outreach Associate: Saloni Kalkat ’13 skalkat@castilleja.org
44 | Castilleja Full Circle
Clockwise from top left: Jordan Fowler Bull ’13, Saayili Budhiraja ’21, Anne Murray Puricelli ’95, Sone-Serae Harper Batten ’96, and Kristin Bell ’95.
Faculty & Staff Updates LIFELONG LEARNERS Otelima Abraham My passion for education brought me to Castilleja, where I learned many life lessons. I learned more from the students than I ever imagined. I carry the Women Learning, Women Leading spirit with me everywhere I go. I found my VOICE at Castilleja, and I have been boldly using it for the good of humanity everywhere I go. I am now working in the Technology Department at San Francisco University High School. When I am not at work, I spend time on personal development programs. As a lifelong learner, I am always open to learning new things to upgrade the quality of my life and spread joy to those going through difficult times. I have so much to be thankful for and I appreciate the opportunity to share here. Thank you, Castilleja! Chris BlairHA, former Head of Upper School and History teacher, has moved to Penn Valley. He is busily involved in helping to raise his 6-year-old granddaughter, Harte. His first visitor, photo above, was Joseph MitchellHA—a happy reminder of the joys of working with colleagues at Castilleja. Aurélie Bordet taught US French from 2000 to 2006. Nina Rennert Cohen taught MS French from 1999 to 2002. Aurélie shares, “21 years after meeting at Castilleja, Nina and I are still bonnes amies.” After loving their travel together to France with Casti girls, they knew they were bound for a lifetime friendship of laughs and travel. Here they are (photo) taking a much-deserved trip together to Turks and Caicos in October. Nina is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the East Bay School for Boys, and Aurélie still teaches French at the Head Royce School in Oakland. They both live in Berkeley, marveling that their four boys (Nina’s Oren, 14, and Judah, 9, and Aurélie’s Sasha, 14, and Oscar, 11) are also fast friends. They met their husbands the same year and spend most Thanksgivings together.
Angi Chau “I am in the middle of my fourth year at The Nueva School as the Director of the Innovation Lab PreK-12 and Director of the Quest program for our upper school. I also teach some of the required middle school computer science classes and this semester, a Mechatronics class in the upper school. But most exciting of all is that this year, my son (now 6 years old!) and I get to commute to school together every day since he is now in Nueva’s kindergarten class!” Photo: At the Oakland Zoo. Carol Friedman, CAPA and former member of Castilleja’s Development team, shares that she and her husband, Joel, are grateful for the COVID vaccines that have enabled them to safely see friends, golf, and travel. “I miss seeing students around the Circle and working with parents, faculty, and staff. As a nearby neighbor, I am always pleased to advocate for Castilleja Reimagined before the City Council. I continue development endeavors at the Palo Alto Community Fund Advisory Board, and I serve on the Endowment Committee at Gamble Gardens. Travels have included hiking and visiting National Parks in Utah with our family of ten as well as a Crystal Riverboat cruise on the Rhine River in September and an art visit to Paris. Joel and I enjoy walking the Baylands with Peggy McKeeHA. I continue to attend Zoom meetings with my Book Bunch, Music@Menlo outdoors, SF Symphony at Frost Amphitheater, and lectures at the Cantor and The Bing. Rob Morrill “I ride my e-bike each day to the Woodland School in Portola Valley where I'm the MS Innovation Lab Teacher. I teach 4th–8th graders to enquire, conceptualize, and create using code, CAD, cardboard, and more. Very fun. I also write Rob's Tinkercad Classroom blog for Autodesk's Tinkercad on ideas for using CAD with students. When I'm not teaching, I'm cheering on Casti's volleyball and basketball teams since I am a superfan of one of the players.” Rebecca SherouseHA In 2021, Rebecca hiked in Yosemite, reunited with family in North Carolina, and took a trip down the California coast. After 27 years in the classroom, Rebecca retired from teaching in June. She is looking forward to finishing one of the half written novels that have been languishing in her desk drawer.
Spring 2022 | 45
Left: Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen ’88 with her father, John Arrillaga. Center: Laura, in 2010, with Nanci KauffmanHA Right: Former Head of School Joan Z. LongeranHA, John Arrillaga, Shirley Ely, and Trustee Emeritus Leonard Ely.
Remembering John Arrillaga John Arrillaga P’88 was a devoted father, a renowned builder, and a visionary partner whose generosity helped shape Castilleja's campus and create new opportunties for engaged learning. Soon after becoming Head of School at Castilleja in 1993, Joan Z. LongeranHA rolled up the architect’s plans for transforming the dorm into a learning center, and drove to meet John Arrillaga for the first time. “I was so nervous, but I walked into his office and started talking about what we wanted to accomplish. Before I knew it, he had a pencil in his hand and the plans spread out on the table, and he was totally engaged. From that moment on, I could always count on his full support.” INSPIRED GIVING When thinking about John Arrillaga’s impact on Castilleja, that phrase may actually be an understatement; his philanthropy moved past support to encompass vision and inspiration. As beneficiary of a basketball scholarship when he attended Stanford, John understood the transformative power of education. However, after watching his first wife Frances devote herself to Castilleja as a board member and seeing his daughter, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen ’88 grow up on the Circle, he also came to understand the unique importance of women’s education. Today, he leaves behind a legacy that has improved all aspects of daily life on our campus. One of Silicon Valley’s most successful real estate developers, John brought his expertise to bear on updating our Campus Center— home to classrooms, offices, the Dining Room, and the library—a building that bears his name, was funded by his generosity, and was improved by his wisdom. But with John, it was not enough to remodel the buildings; he also wanted to extend the learning. Thus his endowment to support a speaker series, which, in conjunction with gifts left by his life-long friend Merv Morris, brings outstanding leaders to campus each year to enrich the student experience and expand our community’s horizons. 46 | Castilleja Full Circle
1996–97 Morris-Arrillaga Speaker Doris Kearns Goodwin (right) is joined by (left to right) Kimberley Morris Rosen '98, Kimberley's mother, Debbie Ziegler Rosenberg ’73, John Arrillaga, and his daughter, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen ’88.
THE ARRILLAGA FAMILY CIRCLE With a building and a speaker series named after his family, it would be easy to forget one of his most thoughtful gifts. In the summer of 2010, he transformed the Circle by regrading the land and resurfacing the sparse grass that often turned to mud for weeks or months at a time. With the new turf surface, students can now enjoy the Circle all year long. Yes, John ensured that Castilleja’s buildings were updated for learning. Yes, John brought new voices to campus to enhance the learning. And, just as important and perhaps even more insightful, he gave us back the heart of our campus, a place to sit and laugh and tell stories and create shared memories. When asked to reflect on John’s legacy, Head of School Nanci KauffmanHA shared, “I believe the Arrillaga Family Circle held a special place in John’s heart. Periodically, on an especially sunny day, I would snap a photo of students eating lunch on the Circle, and I would share it with him. He appreciated how his gift impacted all of us on a daily basis.”
In Memoriam
FOREVER IN OUR CIRCLE ALUMNAE Jacqueline Gaudin Andrews ’47 Mary Arlee Delk ’57 Eleonora VanReekum Kobelt ’47 Susan Maxfield May ’49 Barbara Nathan Strain ’40 Emi Toshing Pearce ’85
FAMILY John Arrillaga Father of Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen ’88 Barbara DeubertHA Mother of Valerie Stephens ’80 Kevin Harris Father of Virginia Harris ’09 and Caroline Harris ’15 Charlotte Maurice Mother of Julia Maurice ’78 and Ruth Maurice ’82 Merv Morris Father of Diane Morris ’71 and Grandfather of Kimberley Morris Rosen ’98 Keith Poe Father of Naomi Poe ’20 and Noelle Poe ’22 Margaret Raffin Mother of Lizzy Raffin ’00 and Aunt of Julia Ishiyama ’09 Pearl Anne Seipp Mother of Anita Seipp ’71 Leonard “Leo” Ware Father of Laura Ware Nethercutt ’79 and Pamela Ware Single ’85
EMPLOYEES Edwin “Ted” McKee Husband of Peggy McKeeHA and Grandfather of Megan Andersen ’16 Kristopher “Ken” Ochi
Lasting Legacies Merv Morris
Merv’s grandparents ran a store during the Gold Rush, and his parents owned a store in the Central Valley, so it comes as no surprise that he opened the first Mervyn's store at age 29. Merv met Roslyn Grossman on a blind date, and they married and soon welcomed four children: Diane Morris ’71, Jeff, and twins, John and Jim. Merv eventually set his sights on opening additional locations, and by the time he sold the company to Target in 1979, there were approximately 75 stores. During his career, Merv built a reputation of having both a keen business mind and a deep sense of loyalty. At Castilleja, Merv and Roz are remembered for the endowment they created to expand learning outside the classroom by inviting inspiring and insightful thought leaders from around the world to campus. The first in the series was Madame Sadat, the former First Lady of Egypt and lifelong human rights activist, which set a high bar for a program that continues to bring courageous speakers to Castilleja—among them Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, and Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca, Founder and CEO of Dreamers RoadMap. Merv was a loving husband; devoted brother; remarkable father to his children; invested grandfather to 10 grandchildren, including Kimberley Morris Rosen ’98; and doting greatgrandfather. Merv and Roz created an admirable philanthropic legacy during their nearly 66 years of marriage, and that astounding impact will live on for his family and for the broader community.
Margaret Raffin
Elegant, kind, and generous, Margaret wrapped her arms around a universe of family and friends, enveloping all with love and support. She was petite in stature but commanded an outsized influence: a keen and perceptive observer of human nature, she identified where there was need and set about filling it. Her parents, Setsuko and George—who were incarcerated with other loyal Japanese Americans during World War II—modeled a philosophy of responding to adversity with dignity and perseverance with an emphasis on education and civic responsibility. Margaret married college classmate, Tom Raffin, and their daughter Elizabeth (Lizzy) Raffin ’00 was particularly close to her mother. Margaret’s work as a medical social worker solidified her lifelong commitment to mental health advocacy and motivated her to earn a masters in psychology and work as a therapist. At Castilleja, Margaret served as a trustee from 1997 to 2004 and through a challenge grant, she jump started the campaign to renovate the classrooms, serving as a leader and role model for transformational fundraising at Castilleja. All Castilleja families have also felt the warmth of her generosity when they visited the Gunn Family Administration Building for the first time and saw the beautiful rug she donated to adorn the lobby. Margaret is survived by her sister and brother, Lizzy, her niece Julia Ishiyama ’09, and former husband, Dr. Tom Raffin.
Pearl Anne Seipp
Annie, as she came to be known, was raised in Highland Park, Illinois, with three brothers in a home filled with music, each child developing proficiency on a different instrument, hers being the piano. As a young child, Annie became her father's eager helper in the garden. Thus began a life-long passion. After college, Annie worked in the personnel department of the Northern Trust Company. In 1950, Annie and her mother traveled to San Francisco, where they were entertained at a cocktail party given by Edwin Alexander Seipp, Jr., the son of family friends in Chicago. Annie and Ed fell in love and married, ultimately settling in Atherton to raise their four children. Annie found joy and fulfillment in her family and home. Friends of all ages were welcomed warmly, and the cookie jar was always stocked with her special chocolate chip cookies. Annie is survived by her four children—including Anita Seipp ’71, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. A generous contributor to many worthy causes, she took special pleasure in supporting charities benefiting families and preservation of nature's beauty. Edwin became a Trustee Emeritus, and The Seipp Art Gallery was named after the family for their service and generosity to Castilleja. Since its opening in 1980, the space has represented many things that were important to Pearl Anne's life—enhanced beauty, inspired creative expression, and an event space where our community is warmly welcomed. A few weeks before she died, Annie declared herself the "luckiest woman alive"—such was the enormity of her gratitude for her many blessings during a life well-lived.
Spring 2022 | 47
Sydney Lowell ’24
Baylee Ha ’23
48 | Lulu Castilleja GunadiFull ’23 Circle
Emma Foster ’24
Yonu Oh ’23
Sketchbook Art by (left to right) Christine Ryu ’25, Abigail Kim ’25, and Ananya Nukula ’25
Leadership Team
Board of Trustees
Nanci KauffmanHA Head of School
Mary Speiser, Chair Jim Bean Jennifer Carolan Mahooya Dinda Steve Dowling Venky Ganesan Jon Giannandrea Odette Harris Saima Hasan ’04 Nanci KauffmanHA David Ko Bob Kocher Hala Kurdi Cozadd ’92 Aileen Lee
Josée Band Director for New Campus Design for Learning Christina GwinHA Dean of Faculty Nadia Johnson Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Community Sue KimHA Director of Advancement Kathy Layendecker Associate Head for Finance and Operations Jill LeeHA Director of Admission, Tuition Assistance, and Summer Programming Emily McElhinney Director of Communications and Community Relations Anne Rubin Head of Upper School Laura Zappas Head of Middle School This issue was written and produced by Emily McElhinney and Elke Teichmann ’09 with contributions by Tanya Campbell, Sue KimHA, Lauren Heysse, and Saloni Kalkat ’13, photography by Sara Cowell Coburn and Elke Teichmann ’09, and graphic design by Kris Loew P’18 P’20. Many thanks to Castilleja alumnae for their updates and photos. Special thanks to Nancy Ditz ’72, Laurel Korhulz ’88, Amy Chow ’96, Jackie Provost ’98, Yasmin Elayat ’00, and Patrick BurrowsHA for sharing their stories with us. Thank you to Jeanne Fishichella Hahne ’71, Donielle Wallace Prince ’91, Victoria Wobber ’01, and Griselda Carlos Arzate ’11 for joining our alumnae panels. Thanks also to the ArrillagaMorris Family Foundation for sponsoring speaker Dr. Kate Rubins. The Communication and Advancement Teams greatly appreciate the faculty, staff, and students who contributed to the stories and artwork throughout the magazine.
Jennifer Newstead Shanti Perkins ’90 Anjali Pichai Amy Rao Alyssa Rieder Mia Rocha Sarah Sands Tiffany Silva Andie Sobrato ’08 Eric Temple Eugenie Van Wynen Jeff Wong Elizabeth Yin ’00 Zac Zeitlin
Alumnae Association Executive Committee Hala Kurdi Cozadd ’92, President Lindsay Austin Louie ’98 Kristin Bell ’95 Claire Fischer Fluhr ’95 Jordan Fowler Bull ’13 Emily Hobbs ’09 Sydney Larson ’03
Carol Patel ’93 Melissa Riofrio ’85 Sylvia Rodriguez ’08 Kelly McKenna ’05 Marian Washington Williams ’94
Spring 2022 | 49
CASTILLEJA SCHOOL MAGAZINE
Castilleja School Foundation 1310 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA 94301
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Palo Alto, CA Permit No. 100
castilleja.org
Castilleja School • Full Circle Magazine
Full Circle
Full Circle CASTILLEJA SCHOOL MAGAZINE • SPRING 2022
Stained Glass, Castilleja Chapel
Spring 2022
Dignity