Cate School 2018 Spring Bulletin

CATE SPRING 2018

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Earl Maize ’68: THE MISSION TO SATURN Special Section: THOMAS FIRE & MONTECITO MUDSLIDE

CATE BULLETIN DESIGN JOE GOTTWALD ’10 COPY EDITOR JEFF BARTON CLASS NOTES EDITOR ANDREW MACDONNELL PHOTOGRAPHERS JOE GOTTWALD ’10, JENNY LEE ’18, ALANNA MORRIS, ASHLEIGH MOWER WRITERS JOE GOTTWALD ’10, MERCEDES MASKALIK, KATHERYN PARK, DAVID SOTO ’08 HEADMASTER BENJAMIN D. WILLIAMS IV ASSISTANT HEADMASTER EXTERNAL AFFAIRS CHARLOTTE BROWNLEE ’85 DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MERCEDES MASKALIK

ON THE MESA

MULTIMEDIA COORDINATOR ASHLEIGH MOWER MARKETING & PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR JOE GOTTWALD ’10 ARCHIVIST GINGER WILLIAMS DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT LINDSAY NEWLOVE CATE FUND DIRECTOR COLIN DONOVAN

HEADMASTER’S NOTEBOOK 2 CAMPUS NEWS 4 MONDAY CONVOCATION 12 MARVELS ON THE MESA 14 CREATIVE EXCELLENCE 18 + THINGS THAT MAKE US SMILE 22

DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS ANDREW MACDONNELL DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS AND PLANNED GIVING CHRIS GILES THE CATE BULLETIN IS PUBLISHED THREE TIMES A YEAR BY CATE SCHOOL AND IS DISTRUBUTED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALUMNI, PARENTS, AND FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL. SEND CORRESPONDENCE AND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: COMMUNICATIONS@CATE.ORG THE CATE BULLETIN IS PRINTED BY V3 ON TOPKOTE PAPER. THE DIEMER FAMILY FACULTY ENDOWMENT FUND WAS INCORRECTLY LISTED IN THE REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY. THE TOTAL AMOUNT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION WAS $129,465. OUR SINCERE APOLOGIES FOR THE ERROR. MISSION STATEMENT THROUGH COMMITMENT, SCHOLARSHIP, COMPANIONSHIP, AND SERVICE, EACH MEMBER OF THE CATE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTES TO WHAT OUR FOUNDER CALLED “... THE SPIRIT OF THIS PLACE ... ALL COMPOUNDED OF BEAUTY, VIRTUE, QUIET STUDY, VIGOROUS PLAY, AND HARD WORK.”

EARL MAIZE CLASS OF 1968 TAKES US TO SATURN COVER: MAIZE ’68 DURING HIS CONVOCATION

THREE ALUMNI JOURNALISTS DISCUSS THIS YEAR’S INQUIRY QUESTION: IS TRUTH UNIVERSAL?

THOMAS FIRE & MONTECITO MUDSLIDE SPECIAL SECTION

WE CATCH UP WITH TWO ALUMNI IN SIBERIA AND MANILA AT THE INTERSECTION OF CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

FROM THE ARCHIVES

THROUGH THE LENS: REGROWTH

CLASS NOTES 1

FROM THE HEADMASTER I have written a great many letters introducing issues of the Cate Bulletin. This one feels different. This year feels different. We have been confronted with truth in a year devoted to that very thing. Only this truth isn’t intellectual or theoretical. It’s practical, tangible; it drove us from our campus and our homes, it took lives and property and peace of mind, it revealed our vulnerability and our strength, and it connected us across the years and generations to each other and to Cate. Joan Didion wrote, “The weather of the West is the weather of catastrophe.” She was right.

And yet, this Bulletin and the narratives it captures are not about what was lost. They are about what was found.

That is as true for the Cassini Mission and its leader, Earl Maize ’68, as it is for the Thomas Fire or the floods and slides that inundated the Central Coast. Everything changed after these events, not simply in the geography of space or the topography of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties but in the posture of our community citizenry, in our relationship to the natural world and the forces that govern it, and in our understanding of our place in the matrix.

The change is not destructive like the fire or the storm. It is the human response to Mother Nature’s power, full of initiative and purpose, energy and hope. It acknowledges simultaneously that which is beyond our control and that which is within it.

And that insight, the spirit that rose in response to threat and challenge, is still here. It’s in our daily interactions and the value we place upon them. It’s in the communications we received from so many members of the Cate family who worried that our campus might be caught in the conflagration and answered that concern with affirmation and appreciation. It’s in the fellowship and companionship that has always been at the center of the Cate experience, the significance of which is so much greater. It’s in the language of William Shepard Biddle ’18: “The School remains, a steadfast light in a troubled world.…”

Cate the place is not invincible. We were reminded of that this winter. But Cate the idea – the one conceived more than a century ago and fortified ever since – no fire can burn that, no flood can dampen it. It is what we come to Cate for that matters, and in each individual gesture and aspiration we find our purpose, our possibilities, and our home.

Among a great many other things, this school year has confirmed definitively the universality of that truth.

Servons,

Benjamin D. Williams IV 2 ON THE MESA

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N E WS A DEEP DIVE

“Thanks to our incredible biology teacher, Ms. Caylor, Robyn Collins ’21, Simon Parker ’18, and I had the unique privilege of diving in the Aquarium of the Pacific’s tropical tank in L.A. at the beginning of this year. By far one of the best scuba experiences I’ve had, the dive was not only fun and entertaining but allowed me the opportunity to see what work in an aquarium would be like – something I have seriously considered as a career path. As we descended into the tank, we were immediately surrounded by an abundance of beautiful fish, including two leopard sharks and an enormous ray that glided right underneath our fins. As my eyes adjusted to the multitude of colors flashing and darting in front of my mask, I swam over to the side of the tank and smiled as little kids pressed their faces against the glass, completely mesmerised. This dive absolutely reaffirmed my love and passion for marine science.”

– Tilly Bates ’18

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LEADERSHIP DEFINED Headmaster Ben Williams was recently named incoming Chair of the Board for the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). Peter Upham, Executive Director of TABS, made the announcement at the organization’s 20th Annual Conference. “Ben’s life and work have been centered around schools,” Upham stated. “His experience, skill, and leadership will help the association and its member institutions navigate the many opportunities and challenges facing boarding schools today.”

The Association of Boarding Schools leads a domestic and international effort to promote awareness and understanding of boarding schools and to expand the applicant pool for member institutions. The Asheville, North Carolina-based not-for-profit organization is comprised of more than 250 member schools across the United States, Canada, and abroad and serves as a resource for educators seeking training, research, guidance, and support on all issues pertaining to the residential school experience.

“I come before you at a fascinating time in our association’s and our industry’s history,” Ben remarked during the conference presentation. “In a time when anxiety about the future seems to be the order of the day, our schools

stand as a potential bulwark against that uncertainty and a reminder of the power and purpose of human endeavor.

“Regardless of where we are or what role we play in schools we owe something transcendent to the young people growing up in this ever-more complicated world – not simply a meaningful education at our respective schools but the foundational tenets of learning and relationship building: trust, faith, opportunity, and conviction. And to do so, we have to commit ourselves, our schools, and our Association to the very things we ask our own communities to do on a regular basis – to band together, to celebrate and affirm our common ground, and to reach out not simply as individuals or individual schools but as a collection of individuals and communities offering a pathway for every young person who dares to dream of accomplishing something in this world.

We do this not for ourselves or even for our schools, but for our students.”

Ben has served as the Vice Chair of the TABS Board for six years and will succeed Susan Nelson, Head Emerita of The Webb Schools (CA), as Chair of the TABS Board, effective July 18, 2018.

“We do this not for ourselves or even for our schools, but for our students.”

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GRANDPARENTS WEEKEND

LUNAR NEW YEAR

On Friday, February 23, Cate grandparents from all over the world journeyed to the Mesa for a fun and fruitful Grandparents Weekend.

The Lunar New Year is all about family, and, personally, I felt like I was at home when I walked past all the red lanterns hanging around campus, ate Chinese food in the beautifully decorated dining hall while listening to traditional music, watched traditional performances, and overall shared my culture with my Cate family. The night was was truly something special, thanks to Mrs. Hildebrandt P’18 and all the international parents who put so much time and effort into organizing this event. We’re sure our year will be filled with happiness and good fortune because of it.

A blustery chill filled the air, but spirits were high as visitors delighted in the chance to experience a bit of Cate life.

Students raced out of sports on Friday afternoon to change into their formal dinner best and join up with grandparents for photos in the Johnson Library. Following a meetand-greet with Headmaster Williams, everyone enjoyed a festive meal together, with added ambiance provided by the Camerata and chorale groups. The entertainment continued as Cate classical musicians performed in the McIntosh Room; and as the evening wound down, golf carts were at the ready to help visitors back to their cars.

Saturday morning offered the chance for grandparents to attend classes, as well as an alumni panel in the Hitchcock Theater. The panel covered this year’s inquiry question – “Is truth universal?” – and current students presented various alumni with opportunities to address the topic. Eager for some quality time together, most students excitedly took their grandparents off campus to explore Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. A delightful weekend for all!

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The celebration included a festive dinner, prepared by of Uncle Chen catering, a dance presentation by the Lion Dance Company, and performances of okito screen, facemask changing, majinga rings, and floating table in various locations on campus.

“As one of the heads of the International Club, my goal has been to encourage and advocate learning, appreciation, and cooperation among nations and peoples around the world, and we are glad to see that the Lunar New Year celebration has done just that. We hope to continue celebrating this event and many other festivals from various countries that students come from in the years ahead.

– Rose Xi ’18

COACH BEN WINS BIG When analyzing a coach’s success, it’s easy to look at wins and losses. For Cate Head Football and Baseball Coach Ben Soto, success comes in the way Cate athletes grow as people, not just athletes. In recognition of that, the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) has named Soto a National DoubleGoal Coach of The Year award winner. Out of nearly 800 youth and high school coaches nominated from around the nation, Soto was chosen as one of the 50 winners.

According to their website, the PCA gives the Double-Goal Coach Award to “youth and high school sports coaches from throughout the U.S. who embody the ideals of the Double-Goal Coach, striving to win, while also pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports.”

“For over 20 years, Cate has been lucky to have Ben Soto as one of our master coaches. His impact on decades of young people has been substantial,” said athletic director Wade

Ransom of the School’s long-time baseball and football coach.

“All of us who have witnessed his unique combination of kindness, passion, and understanding as he uses athletics as a teaching tool for a successful life, realize how special he truly is. This is a terrific honor,” he added.

Soto acknowledged that while he is being recognized for this individual achievement, there have been many people who helped him get to this point. “I am humbled to have been picked as one of the fifty winners. Again, I state that I am just a piece of the puzzle that is made up of so many great, great people (coaches and non coaches) I have been able to have been around,” said the award winning coach.

The PCA’s National Youth Sports Awards & Benefit will take place on April 28 at Stanford University.

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WINTER SPORTS ROUNDUP Bailor Jalloh ’19

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ports can be a perfect place to fantasize about the ideal. In a dream world, every shot goes in, every pass is crisp and on point, and every game ends in victory hugs and high-fives.

However, as any athlete or coach can tell you, those dream scenarios are few and far between. It’s rare in a game for things to go perfectly according to plan. Athletes are forced to make adjustments and respond to adversity.

Our winter season teams had their seasons cut down significantly due to all the missed time this season.

Rather than complain or make excuses, our teams made the best of the situation. In fact, the compacted season served as a great reminder of how fortunate athletes are to have the right to compete. While their seasons were relatively short, they certainly were sweet, and we are so proud of all of our student athletes.

The two Cate sides that extended their season were the girls and boys basketball teams. For the girls, it came down to a hectic and frenzied final week of the regular season. With four games in five days, the Rams knew they had to win at least three to have a shot to get in. After winning their first three handily, the team was confident going into the fourth contest. However, as every athlete knows, not every ending comes out of Hollywood, and when the Rams fell in their final regular season contest, it put their playoff chances in jeopardy. As it turned out, lady luck loves blue and white, and the Rams were awarded an at-large playoff bid; they rode that momentum all the way into the CIF Southern Section semifinals, where they fell to the eventual division champion. That contest Cate saw great production from Elle Smith ’19, Lily Zanze ’21, Sarah Polowczak ’19, and Piper Brooks ’20. Despite the semifinal loss, the girls helped bring the community together; Sprague Gym was a packed house during that contest with students cheering for their peers.

The scene was a great reminder of the power athletics can have on a community. Seniors Laura Vences ’18, Maisie Oswald ’18, and Kaliyah Dorsey ’18 took off their sneakers for the Rams for the last time in that loss, but served as excellent mentors for the young team.

The boys basketball team marched into the playoffs thanks to a few big wins down the stretch of the regular season. The Rams finished the season tied for second place with rival Thacher, but won the coin toss to represent the #2 position out of the Frontier League.

The coin toss going Cate’s way meant the Rams avoided having to play in a wild card play-in game, and instead jumped into the 32-team tournament. In what became a trend for Cate hoopsters, the boys varsity team also fell to the eventual champion. The steady hand of the seniors helped lead the way for the Rams this season.

Desmond Castillo ’18, Chris Bennett ’18, Andy McHarg ’18, Patrick Armstrong ’18, and Marko Pliso ’18 led the team with great poise this season and have set the table nicely for Khadim Pouye ’20, Thomas Nettesheim ’20, and John Shelburne ’20 in future years.

Thomas Nettesheim ’20

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The girls varsity soccer team wrapped up their campaign with some tough losses.

The Rams ran on tired legs in the final week, as the condensed schedule caught up with the young squad. But the future is bright for this Rams team, as there were major contributions from Taylor Kane ’21, Tali Nam ’21, Jolea Moes ’21, and Lilly Riehl ’21. Cate finished the season with a 5-4-4 record and will look to build on the lessons learned from this season. The program will say goodbye to five seniors: Sophie Johnson ’18, Mari Espinoza ’18, Julia Farner ’18, Isabela Montes de Oca ’18, and Emily Burns ’18.

The boys varsity soccer team also had to hang up their cleats for the season earlier than they wanted. The Rams had a hard time building momentum after the long layoff, and playing in an ultra-competitive league didn’t help. Still, the team had plenty to be proud of, as they were in just about every league contest this year and will return the bulk of the roster next winter, including Harry Corman ’20, Buba Fofanah ’20, Jack Deardorff ’19, and Bailor Jalloh ’19. For Gavin Fansler ’18, Charlie Morris ’18, and Ben Jessup ’18, it marks the end of a Cate soccer career; their effort and leadership will no doubt have an impact on our teams for years to come.

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The Cate girls water polo team had to make every game count, as their season consisted mostly of the essentials; of their seven contests, six were Frontier League showdowns. The team finished 3-4 in the shortened year, just missing out on a playoff berth. The team was able to capture the unofficial city championship with a victory over Carpinteria High School to start the year. Ella Hendriks ’19, Celia Foster ’19, and Tilly Bates ’18 led the way offensively for Cate, while Jazmin Esteves Rosas ’18 was a force in net. The team will miss Bates ’18, Esteves-Rosas ’18, Maddie Goodman ’18, and Kat Scott ’18 next season.

The Cate surf team had their season impacted strongly by the weather. With all the runoff and debris in the ocean following the mudslides, the team ventured south to different surf spots in an effort to hang ten. The team made their biggest impact when they weren’t in the water. On those days, coach Peter Bonning had the team do beach clean-up in effort to improve our community, showing that the surf team lived by two mottos: Surf On and Servons.

No team was impacted more by the truncated schedule than the squash team.

Typically, the team competes in several tournaments throughout the state, and sometimes beyond, during the winter. However, due to the time away, the Rams competed in just two tournaments. Most recently, a handful of members went down to San Diego to compete in the SoCal High School Championships. The Rams were led by captain Ian MacFarlane ’18, who along with his brother Dylan ’20, Brandon Man ’20, Stefan Suh ’19, and Ryan Suh ’21, helped the Cate A team to a solid fifth-place finish. For the B team, Kate Bradley ’19, Mark Huerta ’20, Cooke Tarlton ’21, Abhi Bangaru ’21, and Alex Elrington ’21 paced Cate to a thirdplace finish in their league.

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A CENTURY OF PHYSICS BRAD ROBERTS ’72

THE HARSH REALITY HARRIET WASHINGTON

The first Monday Convocation of 2018 featured Cate alumnus and Director of the Center for Global Security Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Dr. Brad Roberts ’72.

On January 22, the Cate community was given an inside look at the world of nuclear defense, global security, and international relations.

Harriet Washington’s February convocation talk in the Hitchcock Theatre was a call to action. Dr. Washington is a well-known medical ethicist who is currently a fellow at the University of Nevada’s Black Mountain Institute. She was a research fellow in medical ethics at Harvard Medical School and held positions at the National Center for Bioethics at Tuskegee University, the Harvard School of Public Health, and Stanford University. Ms. Washington’s latest book is titled Medical Apartheid: the Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present.

Dr. Roberts’ presentation was quite timely, unfortunately – just a week following the mistaken January 13 statewide alarm that warned all of Hawaii of an imminent ballistic missile attack.

The resulting widespread panic only served to heighten nerves already fraught by the escalating tensions between the United States and North Korea. Dr. Roberts addressed the North Korean threat and emerging weapons program as well as the escalating tension between world powers and the anxiety felt

by American allies in the Balkans and in East Asia in the wake of what he described as “the Trump Administration’s withdrawal from the world stage and from long-standing international agreements.”

After his presentation, Dr. Roberts met with a small group of students and faculty in the McIntosh Room for a Q and A session. Questions ranged from the implications of arming U.S. allies with nuclear weapons to the usefulness of NATO agreements such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Jeffrey Kim ’19 asked about the development of a sophisticated anti-ballistic missile defense system, such as the system currently being tested at Vandenberg Air Force Base, just north of Santa Barbara. Dr. Roberts explained that such a system, which could target and shoot down rudimentary missiles, would draw the ire and suspicions of Russia and China. History teacher Ivan Barry asked about the possibility of a dirty bomb, a device that uses enriched material to sicken individuals. Dr. Roberts outlined the steps of preventing a dirty bomb attack, which he says, to the best of our knowledge, has not occurred in the U.S. “If the 20th century was the century of physics and chemistry, the 21st century will be the century of biologics,” warns Dr. Roberts.

Despite the grimness and gravity of his profession, Dr. Roberts remains cautiously optimistic about the state of global affairs.

(He’s fairly confident Kim Jong Un will never initiate nuclear war.) At the end of his talk Dr. Roberts was asked what students could do to prepare for an uncertain and dangerous future. He drew on the thinking of the distinguished American diplomat, George Kennan, who was once asked to describe the attributes of a successful foreign service officer. Kennan’s answer: someone with respect for others (and the knowledge of when to speak and when to listen), honesty (and loyalty to others and oneself), and education (of sufficient breadth to develop strong powers of observation and analysis).

Ms. Washington recounted her somewhat unusual upbringing as a way to explain how she ended up in her current career.

Both of her parents were in the army, and they chose to bring the family with them as they were posted from base to base.

Ms. Washington grew up in Europe and Asia, only coming back to the United States when she was eleven. Her parents were forthright about their desire to protect their children from racism in the United States, so when Washington did return as an eleven-year-old, she was able to see the racism in the United States from an outsider’s perspective. This experience led her eventually to study history, as she believes, “You must know history to see the patterns.”

Ms. Washington is a sleuth and a sensitive reader of history.

She uses her skills to call attention to the injustices still heaped upon the African American community in its relationship to the field of medicine. Ms. Washington presented a series of slides that detailed various well-known “facts” that used to be believed about African Americans. For example, the myth that blacks could tolerate pain to a much greater extent than whites.

The many medical studies historically performed upon unwilling African American patients were unconscionable, all the more so because some of the perpetrators are now hailed as heroes of medicine for their discoveries. As a disturbing example of the presence of patterns stretching from the past to the present, Ms. Washington cited statistics from contemporary emergency rooms, where black patients are given significantly less painrelieving medication than white patients regardless of the level of patient-reported pain.

For many Cate students, the events outlined by Ms. Washington were startling. “I’ve learned about the Holocaust,” said sophomore Ava Weinstein, “but I’ve never heard about this.” Marcos Brasil ’20 was equally surprised that the proof of many instances of experimentation on African Americans has been so hard to unearth. By burying procedures in medical libraries, accessible only to the few, it is “knowledge withheld,” he declared. However, although many of the facts that were cited during Ms. Washington’s lecture were very difficult to hear and believe, not everyone saw her work as depressing.

“She presented a problem but also a solution,” said one student. “By showing a list of people who’ve made a difference, she showed that some of these issues have been solved.” Ms. Washington certainly agrees. “One person doesn’t always make a difference,” she concluded. “But one person can.”

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MARVELS ON

n the journey of learning, defining moments in the lives of our students vary significantly depending on their particular paths of growth and discovery.

Rarely, however, do these moments and lasting memories involve being selected among thousands of advanced musicians to play on some of the world’s most renowned stages. And yet, for Charles Xie ’19, Luca Kim ’19, Zoe Hale ’19, and Jennifer Soh ’19, that’s exactly what happened.

For Luca, Zoe, and Jennifer, the years of dedication, grueling practice, and unwavering passion for their musical craft paid off this winter with coveted seats in the Honors Symphony Orchestra, one of the five Honors Performance Series honors ensembles limited to the highest rated international high school performers.

Photo by: Vin Gaudio

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The students, joined by other exceptional high school performers from across the globe, including six provinces of Canada, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Qatar and more, rehearsed and performed under celebrated conductors at a truly world-class venue – Carnegie Hall.

According to Morgan Smith, HPS program director, “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing.

We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year and have selected nearly 700 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians never forget.”

And, how could they forget?

Jennifer Soh captured the moment beautifully. “The first couple days were a little rough,” she reflects. “We had eight-hour rehearsals and were

all running on very little sleep. I was seated as principal second violin, so I had a little bit of extra stress added as well. But when I got to Carnegie Hall, all the nerves washed away. I was basically in tears after our first sound check.”

The culmination of their hard work took form in the February 5 evening performance at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage for New York concert-going patrons, educators, and family. The Honors Symphony Orchestra performed various movements from Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite,” a contemporary composition

by Dana Wilson titled “Hold Fast to Dreams,” and Manuel de Falla’s “Spanish Dance No. 1.” It was a dream come true for the players. “I can’t even begin to describe what it felt like to perform on that stage. I am so, so grateful for this experience,” Jennifer remarks.

Charles Xie knows the feeling of exhilaration and accomplishment playing on the stage of the legendary

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hall carries. In November he performed in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall as part of the United States Classical International Piano Competition Series, presented by BC Virtuoso International Culture. Auditions for a seat in the competitive series included one to two solo pieces, under ten minutes, with acceptable compositions ranging from Baroque to contemporary musical period. “Playing in Carnegie Hall has always been a dream for me as a musician, and being able to realize that dream was both exhilarating and beautiful. My performance stage was in its way sentimental, for it was my reward for eleven years of dedication to the thing that I love: music.”

"Having students of this caliber playing in the Cate ensembles encourages everyone to raise their game,” says Director of Instrumental Music, John Knecht. “When our Cate student body sees these musicians performing regionally and nationally, it can inspire others to say, 'Maybe if I put in the extra effort, I can play with the best of the best,' regardless of the field of study."

The advanced players also set the example for dedication, hard work, and professionalism. “They show up on time, ready to play, and demonstrate the highest level of rehearsal acumen.

As a result, the entire music program becomes better every time we get together," John says.

“Playing in Carnegie Hall has always been a dream for me as a musician, and being able to realize that dream was both exhilarating and beautiful.”

The opportunity for advanced players to serve as leaders in the music department is entirely intentional.

“The professional cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, describes this ethic as being a 'citizen-musician.'” John shares. “They

help developing students tune their instruments, learn difficult passages in sectionals, and improve the overall sound of their ensembles. In the meantime, they elevate the Cate community by performing at alumni events, Tuesday Talks, assemblies and Family Weekends. They reinforce our culture and make us a stronger community."

This is just the beginning for Luca and Zoe, who have been selected to play this summer at the Sydney Opera House with the HPS touring group from July 18 to 23. Of more than 18,000 applications, Luca and Zoe are two of just 250 selected from the applicant pool to continue to study under master conductors, work with other elite musicians, and perform at Sydney Opera House. Of course, they’ll also find time to visit Bondi Beach, see famous sites, and celebrate on a cruise in Sydney Harbour before their performance on Saturday, July 21.

Zoe

Hale ’19

Q: Does a piece change for you at all after you have performed it? Is your interpretation mutable or do you develop a certain way of hearing the piece after performing it?

A: Every person has their own unique physical and emotional qualities, making every musician have a special set of technique and style of playing. As I learn a new piece, I listen to performances from various musicians, and all perform with their own specialized interpretations, meaning that no piece is played correctly or incorrectly. After I perform a piece in front of an audience, the first thing that I would take away is how differently I perform with pressure. Although I become much more conscious of my technique, I also take away how much time and effort has led me to the moment of a performance. It may not seem like it, but sometimes hundreds of hours are put into practice before performances. It is rather inspiring to finally see the ending product after long and hard hours of work.

My personal interpretations of music stay with me after I perform, so I will always have a different idea than another musician. Although I still love to witness other alterations on musical works.

Charles Xie ’19

Q: How would you describe the relationship with your instrument?

A: I wish I could take my instrument with me wherever I go, but unfortunately, pianos aren’t very portable. To this day, the baby grand Yamaha that my parents bought for me at the beginning of my musical career is still the best piano I’ve played on, and I certainly relish every time I go back home during breaks. That said, my relationship with my instrument is special; I love the crisp sounds that it produces and the feel of each key shared by no other piano.

Throughout the years, I have started to realize how important music is to me, and therefore how important my piano was in enabling me to express myself in a very pure, musical form.

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Jennifer Soh ’19

Q: What advice do you have for Cate’s young musicians?

A: I completely understand the struggle of being a musician at Cate. After a long day of classes, sports, meetings, and homework, even the thought of trekking to the practice rooms is unbearable, especially when you’re a CHEbie.

But my biggest piece of advice for musicians at Cate is to make the time for even just fifteen minutes of practice because those fifteen minutes really do make a difference. And make it fun! I’ve recently been obsessed with bluegrass and Irish fiddling, so whenever I need a break from a particularly demanding piece, I love to just switch gears and transport myself into a different realm of music. I would encourage all Cate musicians not to limit themselves to just classical music or jazz - explore a little! Find what kind of music makes you happy, and Mr. Knecht will undoubtedly be there to support all of your musical endeavors.

Q: How has Cate School contributed to your success as a musician?

A: Cate’s music program, under the baton of Mr. Knecht and Mr. Radford, truly allows me to feel proud about being a musician. Incorporated with our school’s motto, Servons, Cate’s music program also allows me to see the value in service with music. This can be exemplified from the pep band rallies we have during sports games to the community concerts we give to the Carpinteria Elementary School students. Cate contributed to some of my musical accomplishments, such as performing at Carnegie Hall multiple times, and in the near future, at the Sydney Opera House; however, it more importantly allowed me to understand the significance of sharing my talents with others.

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CELEBRATING CREATIVE EXCELLENCE In the following excerpt, Art Department Chair Patrick Collins congratulates this year’s 28 Scholastic Art Winners.

Since 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have identified students with exceptional creative ability and presented their work to the world. Half a million pieces were submitted for this, the national competition for creative students.

The Scholastics have a great track record for identifying creators. Past winners include artists Andy Warhol, Philip Pearlstein, Robert Indiana, and John Baldessari; writers Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Bernard Malamud, and Joyce Carol Oates; photographers and filmmakers Ken Burns, Richard Linklater, and Richard Avedon; actors Robert Redford, Alan Arkin, and Lena Dunham; fashion designer Zac Posen. Judges have included Philip Pearlstein, Edward Sorel, Red Grooms, Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, Judy Blume, Billy Collins, and David Sedaris. It’s the big time.

Unlike SAT subject tests, APs, or courses and competitions where you dig into a given problem, the special challenge of the Scholastics is that you have to use your ability to create something new. Not a right answer to someone else’s question, assignment, or problem, not a more correct or better version of something everyone is doing – something new; something clearly your own; and something not just done but created.

Cate students participate at a much, much higher percentage than happens elsewhere. We love the breadth and creative strength of the writing culture and visual culture here. Look up our neighbor schools and our friendly rivals, and you will find only a handful of names, if any. Nobody here gets credit – not even doughnuts – for competing, and we love the way Cate students put themselves out there for judgment. We were evacuated during the submission period, so entry was difficult this year and some students lost the opportunity to participate; otherwise, we would have even more to celebrate. Despite the challenges, we had more entrants and more award winners than ever. Our artists have been joined by a vastly increased number of writers who have also achieved remarkable success.

I want to thank those teachers who educate and inspire students -- and who also have the wisdom to step back and resist giving directions so that individuals may create their own work. I want to thank our students for stepping up and doing what artists and writers do, which is delivering words and images to others. We are pleased and proud that your efforts have been rewarded.

Left: Maisie Oswald ’18 Water Opp top: Kenneth Liou ’20 In a Different Light Opp. bottom: Julia McCaw ’18 My Fish Died 18 ON THE MESA

ON THE MESA 19

20 ON THE MESA

Clockwise from top left: Brad Godron ’19 High in the Sky Shelagh Morphy ’18 Head in the Clouds Kathryn Antonatos ’18 Sunbathing Julia Farner ’18 Self Portrait (Submerged) Kenneth Liou ’20 Swimming Stars Winners included: Kate Bradley ’18, Katie Cheng ’19, Maddie Denis ’19, Maddie Erickson ’19, Kaiser Ke ’19, Hunter King ’19, Young Su Ko ’18, Yui Kosukegwa ’19, Luke Laurence ’19, Huy Le ’20, Elizabeth Li ’19, Parker Matthews ’18, Ruby McCullers ’18, Spencer Michaels ’20, Janice Ng ’18, Andre Pincot ’18, Raja Promige ’19, Charles Shi ’18, Millie Todd ’20, Alice Zhang ’19.

ON THE MESA 21

the black student union’s black artist playlist of songs, featured during every February assembly: www.cate.org/bhm the moulin rouge-inspired dance convocation

Maureen Soto captures a perfectly framed rainbow on campus during Spring Break 22 ON THE MESA

girls varsity basketball make it to CIFss semi-finals for the first time

the class of 2019 at junior retreat, a weekend of leadership and bonding

Rovenna Armi ’19, Sean Zhan ’19, and Ian MacFarlane ’18 discuss prompts during Art Relay

Sammy, the Sotos’ dog ON THE MESA 23

OUTER LIMITS

EARL MAIZE ’68: THE JOURNEY TO SATURN

T MAKENA FETZER ’16 & JOE GOTTWALD ’10

The first time we are introduced to Saturn, it is number six in a lineup of eight foam balls, usually crudely painted. Though it is neither the biggest nor the brightest planet, its otherworldly rings make it an icon of the solar system. For most of us, space is more of an abstract concept than a frontier for exploration. When you add up the scientific, physical, and financial challenges of leaving our planet to the billion kilometers between it and Saturn, one can see how foam balls make for an adequate substitute for the real thing – that is, until now.

In a flagship mission that spanned decades, NASA sent a spacecraft to explore Saturn and its neighbors. The Cassini-Huygens Mission united the world as we received stunning images of Saturn and its moons from closer than ever before. Cassini discovered a subsurface ocean and thermal jets on the moon Enceladus, revealing a likely candidate for life beyond Earth.

The Huygens probe landed on the moon Titan and confirmed the existence of lakes of liquid methane complete with waves, wind, and rain.

For thirteen years, Cassini orbited Saturn and the world watched as the spacecraft revealed exciting truths and raised new questions. Cassini was so successful that its mission was extended twice, and it has built a strong foundation which future planetary missions will rely on. And if that weren’t intriguing enough, this mission was led by a Cate grad – Earl Maize ’68.

This story is about a long flight and a Cate alum, but it starts with the much shorter flight of a more recent graduate, Makena Fetzer ’16. The Berkeley sophomore was suggested to interview Mr. Maize and to discuss his work on the Cassini mission. Makena seemed like the natural choice – at Cate she regularly used the observatory behind the tennis courts. She exhibited photographs taken through a telescope she built for her

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Senior Inquiry Project. She is double-majoring in mechanical engineering and astrophysics and she also has an internship with NASA lined up for this summer. Mention her name on the Cate campus today and you’ll hear emphatic exclamations of “amazing,” “wonderful,” “great,” “you’ll love her,” so you get the idea – she’s one of those smart and kind people who leave positive impacts on others everywhere they go – and the perfect person to interview Earl at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. Makena is waiting outside the Hollywood Burbank Airport on a sunny Friday morning. I recognize her from her characteristic round black glasses.

At 5 a.m., she flew from a dreary SFO on her only day off. We are both somewhat apprehensive to meet Earl and tour JPL, as details of our visit had not yet been solidified. The day prior to our scheduled meeting we received emails about heightened security, requesting a list of personal and contact information. We were then informed that a member of JPL Media Relations would be joining us – turning our perhaps naive expectations of a fun field trip into a more serious matter. Personally, I am relieved someone smarter than I was going to be doing the talking during this official-sounding event at NASA.

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On our way to JPL, like all Cate alumni who meet for the first time do – we talk about our common experiences at school. Makena left the Mesa for her junior year and attended school near her family home in Marin, CA. She says, “leaving made me appreciate Cate ten times more.” It also sparked her love of astronomy – the very reason why we are driving together now on the way to NASA. We pass the guard kiosk at the end of a pine-lined avenue.

JPL feels very fifties – grids of tinted glass, lots of concrete, sloped flat roofs. It’s reminiscent of 2016’s Hidden Figures (which Earl talks about in the following section). There is an endearing outdatedness to everything we see, surprising for the groundbreaking scientific research coming out of this facility.

Makena says, “Entering the visitor center was an emotional moment. I’ve dreamed of working at NASA for years. The foyer was full of visitors and students waiting to be admitted and the excitement in the room only added to my own.”

Earl comes out from beyond the turnstiles to greet us, accompanied by a silent but friendly shadow promised from Media Relations. Earl is sharply dressed. He looks more like a tech investor than a scientist, sporting brown oxfords, jeans, and a navy blazer.

“I was immediately struck by Earl’s gentle and humble demeanor,” says Makena. She had felt intimidated to meet someone so successful in the field she wishes to one day 26

join. “He seemed excited to meet me and was eager to answer all of my questions. I immediately felt at ease.”

We start our tour in a museum, which catalogues several planetary exploration missions. Makena points to the halfscale replica of the Galileo spacecraft in the center of the room, recognizable from its oversized antenna dish and long yellow arm full of sensors. Launched in 1989, Galileo studied Jupiter and its moons. Earl’s first job at JPL was working on the Galileo Mission, where the team struggled to solve a mission-critical problem involving an antenna that wouldn’t fold properly. Although Galileo was not as successful as the team had hoped, “it was a good learning experience and helped pave the way for Cassini’s success,” says Makena.

Following the museum, we enter a viewing gallery of the Clean Room, “where spacecraft are assembled in extremely clean and controlled conditions,” and then the Mars Yard, “an engineer’s playground ­– a large open space where mock rovers are driven over rocks and cement bricks for testing.”

The last stop of the tour is Mission Control. “I don’t think there exists a more peaceful place in the universe,” says Makena. Red and blue lighting softly glow in a windowless, black room. A few scientists silently monitor ongoing missions from their computers. A dim hum fills the room.

“For a day, I was the luckiest space-loving girl in the world,” she says. “Earl’s passion for space and learning reminded me why I hope to work in the space industry, and how important it is to do what you love.”

Makena Fetzer ’16 and Earl Maize ’68 in Mission Control at JPL in February.

Earl has worked at JPL since 1983. He says he wanted to be “a pure mathematician. I had a very good advisor [in college] and he did a lot of mathematics and then went on to ‘industry,’ or what is known as applied mathematics, and I followed him there.” Once at JPL, Earl fell in love with the field of astrodynamics, the application of physics to manmade objects in space. “I love it. The ability of these folks to alter and take control of trajectories to control the mission is incredible.” The models created through the study of astrodynamics is how Cassini was able to make it to Saturn, by slingshotting off Venus. It is also how the spacecraft was able to orbit Saturn and its moons for thirteen years without burning through its fuel reserves. Its flight path visualized looks like a ball of yarn with hundreds of loops, each of which was planned in advance. And in the case of a miscalculation, “You use your rocket boosters to fix the miss.”

After years of careful piloting and collecting data, the spacecraft was running out of fuel and the end of its mission was drawing near. The ground crew decided that, however unlikely, leaving Cassini in orbit could result in a crash on Titan or Enceladus. To prevent contamination of future studies of habitability or potential life on the moons, it was decided that Cassini would make a series of twenty-two daring fly-bys between Saturn and its rings, ending in a fiery plunge into the planet’s atmosphere. Until the very end, Cassini collected information about the planet’s magnetic field, the composition of its rings, and its atmosphere, and transmitted them back to Earth.

The School welcomes Earl back to the Mesa for the first time in 40 years on Monday, February 26 for Convocation in the Hitchcock Theatre, to discuss the Cassini Mission.

“If I thought I was going to be taking a billion dollars’ worth of government equipment and burning it up …” he trails off. When students ask about his current role at NASA, he credits “plain, dumb luck” for getting him there, though former faculty member Selden Edwards recalls from his time at Cate that “Earl was a very talented guy.”

During his talk, Earl’s talents are obvious. He is serious and informative. Yet he is also endearing and silly. He lands a self-deprecating joke and the audience collectively pauses before they laugh – it seems strange for a scientist of his caliber to be goofy, but before that registers he’s back on track explaining astrodynamic principles with a careful metaphor: it’s walking along the sidewalk, grabbing a light post, swinging around, and changing direction. “It’s that simple” he says, referring to the convoluted and extremely detailed flight path of Cassini.

The students are clearly entertained, impressed, and inspired. Questions range from “What’s your advice to students today?” to “How did you get to where you are?” but truly trying to glean “How can I be like you?” His advice? “Don’t go to engineering school. Major in something technical but don’t forget the classics. Be a human, be able to communicate, understand the context of your science. As you begin to change the world, understand that.”

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A QUESTION & ANSWER WITH EARL MAIZE ’68

Makena Fetzer ’16: What advice would you give to students interested in engineering?

EM: Specialize, yes, but don’t do that too early. Get the breadth of education, get the classes – history, English, music. Learn how to be totally human and totally exposed and then neck in on something. That’s some of the best advice I’ve been given and I try to pass that along.

If you want to get really good at one thing, you can, but then you also need to be a really good communicator at that one thing and you can be good at seeing perspective, where what you’re good at fits in with everything else. If you don’t maintain some relevance and some context you’re not doing everything you should. Old Curtis Wolsey knew what he was doing.

MF: How did you get to explore your nerdy, scientific side at Cate?

EM: I built robots and remote control stuff. I remember Hans Summer standing up in assembly and (in a convincing Austrian accent) asking, “Who ordered plans for the laser?!” You could get electronic hardware so I ordered laser plans. I had great plans for this laser but Hans intercepted them. There was a radio station, and I didn’t want to be a DJ, but I would goof off with it and do nerdy stuff. The courses were general education – about getting you into an Ivy League education. I was really into chemistry at that time.”

EM: What about you?

MF: I left Cate for a year and I took a general astronomy course. During that break I looked through the telescope atop Mount Lemmon that the U of A owns. I looked at Saturn and I knew “Yep, this is what I need to do with my life.” Then when I came back to Cate I heard that we had this observatory that hadn’t been used in a while and was collecting dust and I had full access to it. I borrowed DSLR cameras to practice astrophotography.

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Makena Fetzer ’16 and Earl Maize ’68 touring the Mars Yard at JPL.

MF: Do you have trouble moving away from just achieving tasks and living in the moment?

EM: I think a lot of us have that problem. I personally play classical guitar, I bicycle, I hike. You get back into a different moment. I have to say I come home and it takes a little time to turn work off. These days there are classes in that. You can be mindful, you can learn to meditate and, believe it or not those exercises are useful. I’ve got my family, I’ve got my grandkids. But it can happen and there are folks here who are totally consumed by the excitement, by the deadlines, especially if you’re heading toward a launch or a critical event.

Joe Gottwald ’10: What was the role of international cooperation on Cassini?

EM: We would not have had a mission, I don’t believe, if we hadn’t had international cooperation. When we were about to be canceled in the 90s, the Europeans came and said, “Hey, look, you’re our bus; you’re taking us, you can’t do that.” There were letters to the Vice President and the Academy of Sciences and they swayed the balance. When they were in trouble we took this entire team back and forth to Europe to help them out. I’m very proud of the cooperation. It’s one of the first things that I brag about.

MF: Public versus private space industry?

maybe we can live with that. You want to make sure that it doesn’t get too clouded with commercialism. As soon as we get something that we can hand off to private industry, we do it. When we develop something that they can use, then by all means. That validates a lot of our work. If the cause is served then all players are welcome.

JG: Why should people consider themselves stakeholders in missions like this?

EM: On any venture of exploration, on any venture of research, but in particular space, it’s about understanding where we are. It’s kind of corny but there is this quote, “When you explore, you explore to understand where you are and where you’re from,” and space especially extends us. And this is one of the things I miss most since the loss of Cassini – that you and I, we were all at Saturn. It wasn’t just a spacecraft. We were extended. Man’s reach was extended out and that’s what space exploration is about – extending our reach, small steps to understand where we are, what we are, and also to understand what’s there, even just for its own sake and the fact that there happen to be practical implications to this spin-off in technology; those are all wonderful benefits of the exploration. It’s our nature to see what’s out there. We will always have a discussion about resources; it’s not cheap, but in the grand scheme of things it’s worth it. I do believe that it lifts us all. I consider myself incredibly lucky to be part of that.

EM: As far as I’m concerned if there’s another way to get to Jupiter and there are a few advertisements on the side 29

EARL’S BUZZWORDS I’m not so sure it is declining. We have smart children everywhere. I’m not sure what the metric for decline is but I run into smart well-educated kids all the time. I’m encouraged by it.

Declining Science Literacy

The Comet “Umoamoa”

I’m suprised its the first one we’ve seen. Cassini has found dust from outside the solar system. We know that Saturn is pulling it in. So we know there are extra-solar system objects and to see a big one is really cool.

I get up for all that stuff. These are unique, they’re free and to understand what’s going on there, to have that context is a thumbs up from me.

Super Blue Blood Moon

Hidden Figures

Women in STEM

Extraterrestrials

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I loved it. We have our own story here: we still have one of what they call ‘Rocket Girls’ still working here, these human calculators. And man they’re awesome. To have the folks that had to do a lot of those things with discrimination against women and racial problems as well – it’s an inspring story.

My flight team is probabaly 75% women. I’m sorry we have to even ask about it. It shouldn’t be an issue.

Where are they? The universe is too big and we’ve seen enough compelling things in our solar system to not believe there isn’t something out there. They might be out there but the distances are so vast we might not know it.

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ALUMNI JOURNALISTS ANSWER: IS TRUTH UNIVERSAL? Maybe it’s those late nights working on El Batidor in the Batcave, or possibly the influence of legendary English teachers such as Gaby Edwards or Jim Durham, but whatever the reason, Cate seems to produce an unusually large number of professional journalists.

This year’s inquiry question – “Is truth universal?” – provided a perfect topic to pose to a panel of Cate’s alumni journalists. Representing the full gamut of news media, our three alumni panelists (Sara Blask ’99, Ryan Bradley ’02, and Fernando Hurtado ’12) were well positioned to challenge our students to think deeply about the role of truth in the news. The panel coincided with the release of the Grandparents Weekend edition of El Batidor. Upon seeing the hard copy, Sara Blask ’99 exclaimed, “the El Bat ... keeping print alive!”

narrative that has been written, I try to find where the narrative breaks down and gets more complicated, because that’s where you can guide your reader.”

Current El Batidor editors Will Borghesani ’18, Anika Brown ’18, and Maddie Goodman ’18 came armed with timely questions and a shared eagerness to hear from the professionals. Before diving into the inquiry question, Maddie opened the panel discussion with a question about the writing process and the responses were as varied as the media our alumni cover. On one point, however, there was absolute agreement – research is key.

The panel discussion addressed myriad topics – approaches to subject matter, integrity and transparency in storytelling, journalism on the client side (Sara discussed how to effectively portray a sensitive narrative on behalf of her clients), and being objective in crafting narratives. For the record, Fernando doesn’t believe any writer can be truly objective. But for his part, he always tries to examine an issue from various angles and give some context to the other side.

For Ryan, reading before writing is a must. In his work as a long-form feature writer, he consumes as much information as possible on the person or topic he’s been assigned (or the one that he plans to pitch to his editors) before putting pen to paper. “I always try and find the gray area,” Ryan shared. “If it’s an issue or a very clear

The audience enjoyed the ebb and flow of the conversation, which was expertly guided by the El Bat editors’ thoughtful and engaging questions. The panelists reveled in an animated conversation about the rise of fake news, the future of journalism in the current political climate, and social media as a disrupter in the industry and a major factor in

Fernando guides his audience in an alternative way. Finding inspiration and news leads by perusing the micro communities on Facebook and Twitter, Fernando can’t remember a time in his professional career as a multimedia journalist when social media and the internet weren’t part of everyday life.

And as disruptive as social media have become in the industry, Fernando relies upon it as an undeniably effective tool in journalism. “Ninety percent of the people I reach out to are on Facebook or Twitter,” Fernando says. The platforms inform his work and help him stay on top of current trends.

the rapid spread of misinformation. The topics couldn’t have been timelier given the recent scrutiny of Facebook and its privacy practices. “It’s a story that I follow incredibly closely because I am deeply, intellectually, fascinated, but also horrified, by it,” Sara commented.

“But what is news, even, anymore?”

Ryan asked, referring to the rise of chatbots (employed in social media networks to automatically generate messages) and social media’s role in the dissemination of fake news by nontraditional media sources.

Most alarming for Sara is the prospect of machines mechanizing the creation of fake news. “When you have machines, which we now have, that can actually read and write, that’s terrifying,” she shared. “And when you have machines that can autowrite comments on Facebook, that’s terrifying. Where that’s leading to is possibly the mechanization of opinion formation.” She asked the audience to consider how people are influenced and how their worldview and narrative are shaped.

“When you have machines... that can read and write, that’s terrifying” Which brings us to the overarching inquiry question of the year: Is truth universal? For our alumni panel, the answer is a resounding No! Perhaps that’s a good thing. For Ryan, at least, it is. “I think that we wouldn’t have jobs if there were some agreed-upon universal truth.”

– Mercedes Maskalik 33

TREVOR WALLACE ’09

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Trevor Wallace ’09 is a storyteller of the human condition, present and past – an alumnus on a quest to get people curious about the world around them. “What drives me and inspires me to do the work I do, especially now in the zeitgeist that we’re in – closing ourselves off, building walls, becoming more insular – what has really broadened my horizons and connected me with the greater world is exploring different places.”

To meet Trevor is to be instantly captivated by his quiet confidence and blue-sky spirit. It’s a demeanor that serves him well in his work as an international documentary filmmaker. And the industry is taking note. On March 10, Trevor and his field research partner, Dr. Gino Caspari, were presented with the New Explorer Award at the 114th Explorers Club Annual Dinner in New York City.

Founded in 1904, The Explorers Club promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural, and biological sciences. Other award recipients of the evening included Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, presented with the Buzz Aldrin Space Exploration award; Apollo 13 astronaut Captain James A. Lovell, presented with The Explorers Club Medal; and several others.

Trevor completed three investigative and field research expeditions with Gino, capturing their search for Scythian tombs in the feature documentary Frozen Corpses Golden Treasures. The Scythians were a group of nomadic horse lords that ruled over Central Asia from about the 9th to 3rd century BCE. In the summer of 2017, Trevor and Gino, along with a team of archaeologists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, were the first to document the tomb of Tunnug-1, the oldest Scythian royal tomb ever found.

“We had a very small portion of area that we could excavate where we found wood samples. We dated the tombs at nearly 3000 years old,” Trevor explains. “We discovered an area, which is really exciting, where there’s permafrost.

Underneath the ice lands, everything inside has been preserved. We’re talking mummies; we’re talking organics – meaning textiles, the oldest saddles, beautiful carvings – this amazing artwork that tells us so much about the culture. If there were no ice, it would all just deteriorate within just hours.”

Their field research combines the use of cutting-edge technology with rugged travel into the backcountry. But, don’t mistake it for exploration. “Exploration is a colonial term,” Gino says. “The real merit in field work is having a scientific background, having a scientific question, being the first to document something, bringing it into a larger conversation with scientific literature, publishing it, and getting it out there for people to work with. That’s where the real merit lies. It’s not about being the first to set foot on something.” Trevor agrees, saying, “With this project, it’s about being interested and curious about other cultures, other identities, other perspectives, rather than the trend of

‘voluntourism’ or going out to just help those other people.

I’m not just about this paternalist view of saving the needy.

I think that, first and foremost, it’s about appreciating and trying to understand and get excited about things that are new and different cultures.”

Travel wasn’t something Trevor came to Cate believing was possible. “Being on scholarship and growing up with a single mom, travel was not in the cards for me.” In fact, Trevor credits his appreciation of other cultures, identities, and different perspectives to his time at Cate. “My closest friends at Cate came from Saudi Arabia, Korea, the South Pacific. I had friends from all over the world that I was living with and, ultimately, through Cate, I had so many opportunities to travel.”

As a student, Trevor participated in Inside Thailand, a program that afforded him the opportunity to teach English in a Thai village. He also attended Where There Be Dragons, a program started by fellow alum Chris Yager ’85, which involved a six-week cultural immersion stay in Bolivia. The summer of his junior year Trevor and his friends pooled their resources and hitchhiked more than 1000 miles across New Zealand. “And so, it all started here,” he says smilingly. “I became fascinated with delving into other cultures and new environments.”

Trevor returned to the Mesa earlier this year to film a series of videos for Cate’s alumni and admissions offices, including the Welcome to Cate video for newly accepted students and the 2018 March Magic video for our G.O.L.D. alumni.

Spending most of January and February at Cate allowed Trevor to deep dive into the School today, even joining the January Los Niños trip to Mexicali. “It was amazing to be able to come back on campus and sit in on the American Wilderness class and participate in the outdoors program, which were huge for me.” Trevor said. “I think these programs are some of the most memorable parts of life at Cate.”

This summer Trevor and Gino will return to Siberia, now with a team of more than 50 archeologists and excavators to start fully excavating the tomb. “We set up the Foundation for ArcheoExploration to support this project and other understudied regions like this,” he says. “After we spend this first season in Siberia, we will finish our film and enter the festival circuit. Having produced the film ourselves, we’re hoping to find a distribution deal through a festival premiere.”

For the young explorers out there, Trevor shares sage advice.

“Tell the stories that are authentic to you and that only you can tell. There are many opportunities to try to amplify causes that are important – giving voice to the voiceless is one of the huge tools the media have. But first and foremost, it’s important that young people find out how they can best tell the story.”

– Mercedes Maskalik

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JULIA NEBRIJA ’02 36

“I see cities as our greatest form of collaboration,” says Julia Nebrija ’00. The Manila-based urban planner has had a busy year. On top of her regular speaking engagements about urban design issues like inclusive mobility and the importance of public spaces, she helped launch the Pasig Ferry Convergence Program, rehabilitating the neglected and polluted river for transportation, recreation, and leisure.

She also eloped to Hong Kong, celebrated her marriage with family in New Orleans, and is planning another celebration with her husband’s family in Spain this summer.

“The best cities offer all people, rich or poor, male or female, young or old, with varying abilities, the opportunity to live the life they deserve.”

As the Assistant General Manager of Operations for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Julia works for the government agency responsible for overseeing flood management, solid waste management, environmental protection, traffic management, and public health and safety for the seventeen cities that make up the Metro Manila region. Recently she began managing a $50 million fund to enhance public open space in 145 cities around the Philippines. She has, until recently, served as the Executive Director of the NGO Viva Manila, “which promotes arts and culture for neighborhood revitalization.”

Julia came to the Philippines in 2008 on a Fulbright Scholarship researching informal settlement (often referred to as ‘shanty towns’) upgrading. She then worked as a consultant for the World Bank in Manila on urban development issues. After completing her master’s in urban design at City College of New York in 2012 she moved back to Manila and worked on post-typhoon assessments, housing issues, and historic urban revitalization strategies.

“I grew up not really knowing my roots, so it has been meaningful for me to come to my father’s country and contribute to its betterment.” However, now as a resident she realizes why her father’s family left to pursue better professional opportunities. “When I get frustrated that our progress might be hindered by factors such as corruption, lack of knowledge, or political will, I am pushed by the deeper motivation to make Philippine cities places where people can make their dreams come true at home, without having to go abroad.” Julia says that the best cities offer “all people rich or poor, male or female, young or old, with varying abilities, the opportunity to live the life they deserve and aspire to live.”

Julia was born in New Orleans and raised in Saudi Arabia.

“My parents took me on a tour of schools across the US. When we visited Cate I just had a feeling it would be a place I would thrive.” She says two classes informed her career path. “Jim Masker taught an international relations course that immediately captured my curiosity in global

development. Having lived abroad and traveled widely, I saw myself as a global citizen and his class opened my eyes to the complexities and promise of an ever-more connected world.” The second course was Cheryl Powers’ AP Environmental Science class. Julia says that learning about sanitation, water quality, and waste management issues helped her understand the social and economic factors that contribute to the growth of informal settlements. “At that point I started looking into the international organizations that work on reducing urban poverty and that led me to learn about the world of international development.” Both teachers were influential in her interest to apply to the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, where she completed her undergrad.

While at Cate, Julia was the Student Activities Coordinator.

She organized bowling trips, dances, talent shows, and live music. She says her role helped her learn “how to conceptualize ideas, propose budgets, and manage teams.

“It also taught me to take responsibility for things I put in motion.” Julia says she still uses the skills she learned at Cate – “the power of placemaking ... a way to activate the spaces on campus in our own way and creating engagement with each other and the place where we lived.” While she has recently taken a less-involved approach to her NGO, Viva Manila, she still works to highlight forgotten gems in the city, “such as the historic center of Intramuros, a commercial street in the old Chinatown, and various parks.”

The group plans street markets, performances, parties, and tours to bring people back into these underutilized spaces.

While Julia’s work addresses social and cultural issues in cities, she also has a keen understanding of the implications of poor urban planning. “Density is an asset if well managed; when mismanaged it can lead to dangerous consequences.”

She says, “The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and at risk for natural disasters.”

In her role she advocates for more open, public spaces, such as parks, with permeable surfaces to absorb rainwater and prevent flooding.

If you read Julia’s CV and wonder how one person could be involved at such a high level in so many different endeavors, no one would blame you. But the reason she supports green spaces, public transportation, street markets, waste management, and international development is because she knows a healthy, liveable city requires attention on so many levels – physical, political, cultural, social, and environmental. Despite the long to-do list, she’s optimistic. “You don’t have to be an urban designer to be an urbanist” She says everyone can contribute to solve the problems of rapid urbanization while also “harnessing the innovations that are specifically possible because of the high concentration of talent and opportunity” in cities. Her goal in the end is both noble and simple: “To contribute to better urban planning as one way I can help make life better for Filipinos.”

– Joe Gottwald ’10 37

REGROWTH:

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Photographers Ashleigh Mower and Jenny Lee ’18 took to the hills behind Carpinteria to capture new growth emerging from the charred landscape.

Through the Lens

The Mesa glowed orange the day the fire broke out. School continued as usual.

THE THOMAS FIRE & MONTECITO MUDSLIDE Just before 6:30 p.m. on December 4, 2017, a brush fire started in the hills north of Santa Paula. Pushed by strong easterly winds and fueled by thick brush made brittle by a six-year drought, the fire raged toward Ojai and Ventura and sent residents fleeing for their lives. Cate’s first indication of the fire’s fury came later that evening, when students and faculty from Thacher School arrived by busloads on the Mesa, seeking shelter from the oncoming flames. Three days later, after keeping a watchful eye on the fire’s surging front and under skies dark with smoke, Cate opted to evacuate as well. Nearly 300 students and 43 faculty families left the Mesa that day, welcomed in by a generous network of Cate parents, alumni, and friends.

Ben Williams kept in constant communication with Cate families and alumni during the following days, and his missives, included here, present a moving and fascinating window into what was to become a historic disaster for Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, one that touched the edge of the Cate Mesa in very real ways. The Mesa became a staging area for firefighters, and the heroic efforts of fire crews saved the School and thousands of homes and lives in both counties. By the time it was over, the Thomas Fire – named for its origin near Thomas Aquinas College – had burned nearly 440 square miles and become the largest wildfire in modern California history.

Tragedy struck again in early January, just as Cate students were returning to the Mesa after an extended winter break. An intense rainstorm in the early hours of January 9, 2018, sent a massive debris flow down the fire-scorched hills of Montecito, demolishing homes and killing 23 people, including a young Cate alumna and her father. Ben’s words helped the Cate community process the terrible news and confront, once again, Mother Nature’s unforgiving power.

– Monique Parsons ‘84 Chair of the Board of Trustees

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December 5, 2017

December 6, 2017

Dear Cate Families,

Dear Cate Families,

We are all still safe at Cate and continue to monitor the progress of the Thomas Fire. The fire is still at some distance from the campus, but out of an abundance of caution we are sharing our emergency plans with the students and community.

We have been monitoring the Thomas Fire through the night.

Though the campus is still not in the path of the fire, the air quality continues to deteriorate. As a result, we have decided to move our students to family homes in the area. We have canceled classes, asked day students to remain home, and will meet with all boarders and faculty at 10:00 am to detail plans moving forward.

We do not anticipate needing to evacuate, but should the situation change, we will share the following plan with students at an allschool meeting tonight. At that time we will reiterate that there is no immediate threat. We simply want to be prepared for what has proven to be an unpredictable fire.

Students will be asked to pack a small bag with clothes for two days, a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, a water bottle, and any essential personal effects such as cell phones, laptops, and chargers. The Health Center will ensure that we have all necessary medications prepared.

Should an evacuation be warranted, students will bring these prepacked items and meet at the Sprague Gymnasium, where buses will be waiting to take them to Laguna Blanca School in Santa Barbara.

From there we will transport students and faculty to the homes of local parents, alumni, and friends to await next steps.

Local families receiving this note should let us know if they are willing and able to host Cate students, faculty, and perhaps a few dogs! Thank you to the many who have already offered their homes.

You should know, too, that Cate’s campus is a staging area for wildland fire crews and we have been in dialogue with several fire departments recently to confirm our support for their efforts and to update ourselves fully on the evolving path of the fire. All have stressed that we are currently not in the path of the fire.

Assuming that continues, we will run classes as usual tomorrow.

We are dealing with some smoke and ash, so we are encouraging students to remain indoors as much as possible.

Again, we do not anticipate needing to activate this emergency plan, but hopefully this information will assuage any worries you may have. As always, please feel free to call if you have any questions or concerns.

Servons, Ben

A team of faculty is currently assigning students to the nearly 30 homes of the parents and friends who have so generously offered to serve as hosts. We will feed the students at 11:00 am before loading them on buses. Our intention is to have the students en route to pick-up locations detailed below by noon. We expect the students to remain off-campus through Friday, at which time we will make a decision about next steps contingent on the behavior of the fire, the air quality, and any continuing potential threats to people or property. We are communicating with local fire districts and working closely with our own Health Center and consulting physicians to be sure all students’ health and safety needs are met.

While some Cate faculty and staff will be traveling with our students off-campus, a group of faculty will also remain on the Mesa to monitor the situation here and coordinate with any fire teams working in the area. We have been blessed with moderate winds for the last twelve hours and expect things to remain calm until this evening. That weather window gives us an opportunity to manage this evacuation thoughtfully and patiently.

Our intention is to take students in Cate buses to three locations: Lower Manning Park in Montecito, the Mission parking lot in Santa Barbara, and the Santa Ynez Valley near Los Olivos. That will make it easier for host families to pick the students up and prevent any potential traffic challenges in and around the school. Already many displaced families from Ventura County have settled in Carpinteria, making travel in and around town quite slow. The 101 remains open towards Santa Barbara, and the air quality improves dramatically the farther north we go.

We are well aware of how unsettling this situation is, both for our families and for our students, and we are doing everything we can to ensure everyone is safe and well cared for. If you have questions or

concerns, you are welcome to contact us. In the meantime, we will continue to update you on our plans and intentions.

As I noted to the community in our meeting last night, events like these remind us all of what education is for, revealing the challenges of facing the unpredictable or the unfamiliar with composure, care, and the many tools at our disposal. Based on all assessments to date, your children and their teachers have been magnificent in responding to the many demands of this unprecedented week.

time away from Cate be extended.

I appreciate your support through all of this and look forward to the return of our clean air, our students and faculty, and the opportunity to hold another productive week of classes before the winter holiday.

Servons, Ben

Servons,

December 7, 2017

Ben

Dear Families,

December 6, 2017 Dear Cate Families, I write as the sun sets on a remarkable day. Every Cate student is now safely in the care of our wonderful host families and the campus is eerily quiet. A contingent of faculty and staff is remaining on the Mesa for the time being as we prepare for another night with an unpredictable fire. The host families have been incredibly flexible and accommodating as we juggle the many pieces of this puzzle.

Your children today were responsible and cooperative, patient and cheerful. The air quality is worsening steadily, making the decision to move everyone north seem all the more prudent.

We will monitor the fire from the Mesa for the next several days as we assess whether the tentatively planned return of the community to the Mesa on Saturday is reasonable. We will send out daily updates on fire impacts here on campus. Should plans change or the fire dictate a very different course of action, we will be in touch as soon as we formalize plans.

In the meantime, I ask that all families respect the current host family assignments so that we and our host families can continue to support our kids. Dr. Bob Gayou and Natalie Jackel are also reaching out to host families to be sure all student health needs are fully satisfied, so we would prefer that everyone stay where they are until Saturday. At that time we will communicate ensuing plans and allow for some potential change in assignment should the students’

Good morning from the Mesa. We are relieved to report that the School remains intact. We are under a voluntary evacuation at the moment, and watching the situation closely.

Based on the current and predicted future air quality, the inaccessibility of campus, as well as the unpredictable path of the fire, we have determined that we will not plan to open again until after Winter Break. Throughout this situation our primary concern has been the health and safety of our students and the decision to close now for the break is made in that very spirit.

At this point, families are free to begin coordinating travel home.

We are reaching out to all the host families of our students to make sure they have seen this update. Host families will begin the process of assisting kids with their travel plans home by touching base with the parents of the children in their care. Host families should double check that students have their important documents, such as I-20s and passports.

Currently the campus is closed and students and families may not return. The road is blocked to through traffic and the firefighters may be using the Mesa as a staging area.

We will do our best to respond to your questions as soon as we can but please recognize that we are addressing many issues today.

Please stay safe and thank you for your understanding.

Servons, Ben

The balconies of Schoolhouse are eerily dark as smoke and ash fill the sky.

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December 8, 2017

December 8, 2017 – Letter to Faculty

Dear Cate Families,

Folks,

On Thursday evening law enforcement personnel arrived on the Mesa to let us know that we are now subject to a mandatory evacuation. The few remaining faculty and staff still on campus departed almost immediately, and access to the Mesa is now blocked by a manned barricade. We have moved our base of operations into Montecito and will be here until we are allowed to return to the Mesa. We continue to monitor and manage the movement of our students from host homes to their own homes, and we have been humbled and inspired by the efforts of so many in our extended community to care for our students, communicate with distant parents, and shuttle students to airports, train stations, and individual homes. In support of those very gestures and to enable our continued management, we ask that all students update the transportation information link that we sent out yesterday.

I write from a kitchen table at a home in Montecito. The crisis team has assembled here and will remain active until such time as the Mesa is accessible again. We are focused primarily on what lies ahead and how we might inform all of your efforts in the coming weeks. First and foremost, we hope that you will let us know if you are struggling with accommodations now that we are in a mandatory evacuation. Obviously, there is no way of knowing how long we will have to be away from the Mesa, but we stand ready to help any of you who need a place to stay. We hope that you and your families are safely tucked away from harm.

Our thoughts now have turned to planning for what lies ahead, both for our students and our faculty. Our best effort at comprehensive FAQ’s are below, but here are the most important decisions we have made to date: – There will be no change to the overall structure of the school year. We will not change the timing or duration of vacations, we won’t return early in January to make-up lost time, and we won’t extend the school year beyond the current calendar.

– Students are not responsible for additional work over the extended Winter Break. The faculty will be using the already planned in-service days in January to restructure courses to address the loss of teaching time resulting from the impacts of the Thomas Fire.

– Any possibility of parents or students returning to the Mesa to collect particular belongings is contingent on the fire department’s continuing safety assessments. If the mandatory evacuation status persists, then there will be no access. If it is lifted or amended, we will notify families directly and build a structure and schedule to allow access.

Mother Nature has thrown quite a wrinkle into all of our planning, and I’m not sure there is anything that is likely to put everything back into equilibrium, save time and some energetic restructuring and course re-planning. The key, it seems, is to focus on what we can do, rather than worry too much about what we can’t. Certainly, the fire has revealed very clearly that which is beyond our control or even influence. But there is still much we can do even in the face of the Thomas Fire juggernaut.

We have also put together a list of FAQs designed to cover issues relating to housing as well as those questions that may arise regarding other programs.

Feel free to reach out via email, phone, or text if there are questions that we have not addressed here. We will be working and communicating through the weekend.

Many thanks for your understanding, support, and resolve as we have worked through this unprecedented week on the Mesa. It is heartening to note that the stories of generosity, compassion, and care are of a scale that more than matches the fury of this fire.

Whatever happens, we’ll push through it.

Servons,

Obviously, much still depends upon the path of the fire, how long it lingers, and what direct impacts it has on our campus. At present, the winds remain low and there has been some progress in gaining containment on the fire’s south flank. Unfortunately, we are threatened by the eastern and northern flanks, both of which pose significant challenges to firefighters. Weather reports continue to suggest that the offshore flow, which is driving these fires towards Carpinteria, will give way to the more typical onshore flow later this weekend. Time will tell if that comes to pass.

In the meantime, the Mesa is safe, as are all of its displaced occupants. Isn’t it strange that an assumption we have long taken for granted is now revealed as something for which we should be immensely thankful? Life is an education.

Servons, Ben

Ben

December 9, 2017 Dear Cate Families, It’s morning in Montecito, and the ash is falling like a gentle snow.

Winds are calm and the fire seems to be moving a bit more lazily than it has over the last several days. The campus remains safe and intact, with the fire line holding along our south flank. Fire crews have been using CA-150 and CA-192 extensively, trying to hold the fire at those boundaries and prevent it from encroaching any farther towards Gobernador Canyon and Cate Mesa.

Casitas Pass Road is barricaded at the T intersection with Foothill Road, and the officers there have prevented us from gaining access to the campus for the last two days. What is clear, though, from the various maps and the reports of local fire officials, is that the movement of the fire north along the coast has been slowed. A pitched battle at La Conchita resulted in the fire being stopped at the outskirts of that village, with only one structure burned. There are still perilous areas on the coastline – HWY 101 was closed at Seacliff earlier this morning – but the march of the fire is less energetic.

The larger concern now is the area east of Cate towards the Los Padres. From Montecito we can see heavy smoke over the mountains, whereas the coastline looks surprisingly clear. One of our team in Carpinteria reported blue sky at the shoreline. As always with fires, much depends upon the wind. The fire crews on our campus are focused in large part on the backcountry and the need to keep the fire from turning toward the coast and imperiling Montecito and Santa Barbara. It is remarkable to watch the strategies of the incident commanders play out as they concede certain territory to protect other areas.

Yesterday Cal Fire gained the use of a flame-retardant-dropping 747, which they have been using on the leading edges of the fire. It drops nearly 18,000 gallons on every pass, almost double what the current fleet of DC-10s have been dropping. Our hope is that such efforts will turn the tide.

In the meantime, new staging areas have been set up at Carpinteria High School and at the top of Toro Canyon, focused presumably on securing the populated areas along the coast. This is a long fight,

clearly, and estimates regarding containment – which does not mean the fire is out, simply corralled – go past Christmas.

For the last week, time has been a way to measure and gauge threat.

We mark it by the progress of the fire and the relative risk to our community and our campus. And we discover – in the things that we worry about … and the things we don’t – what we value. Even as Ginger and I left our home with the few things we could take with us, we were not overcome with worry. Everyone was safe and away. We knew that. The rest of the “stuff ” that so often seems pivotal to our lives … we can afford to lose that. Heck, I even left a bunch of fly rods behind.

I don’t believe we are going to lose any of it. The police officer at the barricade this morning said those bulldozers based on our campus built a “freeway” through the backcountry last night. Our campus will be safe. But at least we know now that it will be okay even if isn’t. We have what we need.

Servons, Ben

December 10, 2017

December 11, 2017

Dear Cate Families,

Dear Cate Families,

The campus is still intact and unharmed, but it’s been a long day and night. The fire grew dramatically in the Los Padres last night and has moved south and west into the Carpinteria Foothills. As I write from a home in Carpinteria, I can see flames on the first ridge stretching all the way from the Ventura County Line to the mountains above Santa Monica Lane.

A week into this fire and we all find ourselves becoming afraid of the dark, not simply because the fire takes on a more menacing look, but because the winds that rise in the night dramatically increase the danger. While the Mesa remains safe and intact, the winds blew embers from the north and east onto the campus all night long. Firefighters stationed strategically were attentive to the blowing menace and as of this writing there has been no ignition.

Although still closed to all residents, the Mesa endures much as it did before the inferno, ready to do for us what it always has.

Evacuations are now under way in Summerland and Montecito as the fire moves west. Though it is calm in the town of Carpinteria, with not much air movement at all, the fire seems to be creating its own weather in the mountains. As we watch, there are periodic explosions of flames as some new tree catches fire. Then everything burns steadily until there is another conflagration. In that way the fire marches south and west. The firebreak that all of the bulldozers based on the Mesa built in the backcountry yesterday – as wide as an airplane runway apparently – held the fire back until 3:00 am, when the flames bridged the gap and continued their movement toward Carpinteria.

On the Mesa, nearly a dozen engines and crews are protecting our structures. On Woodworth Lane (the Shelf) there is an engine adjacent to each house They even have gel coat to apply to the buildings to protect them from flying embers. The crews we met with yesterday hailed from five different jurisdictions: Ontario, Corona, Apple Valley, Big Bear, and Fort Irwin. Ten different states have sent crews to this fire, which now exceeds 230 square miles of scorched earth. We spent a portion of yesterday afternoon and evening with some of the crews assigned to the defense of our campus, and even prepared them a meal of tri-tip, potatoes, and Cate guacamole in the Raymond Commons. So they are well nourished and, as of last night, seemed eager to get to work.

I wish I could offer the “all clear,” but it seems we are very much in the middle of this fight. Daunting as the whole experience is, though, the skill and energy of the first responders is mighty reassuring. When you walk outdoors, all you hear is the sound of helicopters cycling through water drop after water drop. There are fire engines everywhere and the crews they support seem totally invigorated by this fight. I spoke to one crew that also served during the Napa and Sonoma fires and they assured me that they are more than up to the challenge. Frankly, that little bit swagger from the first responders made me feel all the more confident. If anybody can stop this thing, they can.

Servons, Ben

Indeed, as day breaks in Carpinteria, the winds have shifted a bit and the humidity in the air has increased. It remains incredibly smoky and masks are a necessity, but it’s daytime and we can’t help but hope that the incredible army of firefighters in the area will be able to make some progress on this fire. The reassuring sound of aircraft making drops has begun again.

The city of Carpinteria is bustling still, but most of the stores and restaurants are closed. Albertson’s, the town’s largest grocery store, is the center of activity as folks both staying and going stock up on supplies. Electricity is on now, but we have had a series of power outages as the fire ravages power lines and transformers around the county.

For many in the town and those of us displaced from our homes, the challenge is not simply the peril the fire poses to home and property but the challenge the air poses to health and respiration. It really is remarkable how the smoke just wears us down. We feel it in our lungs, taste it in our mouths, smell it perpetually. It’s inescapable and exhausting. Many have taken day trips south, even to Ventura where the fire started, because the air there – relatively speaking – is clear and clean.

As easy as it is, though, to dwell on what is worrying or difficult or uncomfortable, it seems far more productive to imagine what lies ahead. There is only so much matter that can burn here, and our school has weathered the conflagration. At some point, hopefully quite soon, the Thomas Fire will abate and we will turn the corner on this trial and begin the welcome task of preparing campus for the return of our students and the resumption of our mission.

No doubt we will mine this experience, ultimately, for all that it can show us or teach us or remind us. Already we are musing on the meaning of the last week. But in truth, all we really want to do is go home and get back to work, to worry about the things we are used to worrying about, and relish again the many joys and challenges of delivering a meaningful education. In short order, I’m confident, that’s exactly what we’ll be doing.

Servons, Ben

46 THOMAS FIRE SPECIAL SECTION

Smoke breaches the row of eucalyptus trees next to the Day Walkway.

THOMAS FIRE SPECIAL SECTION 47

December 12, 2017

December 13, 2017

Dear Cate Families,

Dear Cate Families,

It’s cool in Carpinteria this morning, and there is far more moisture in the air than we have noticed since before Thanksgiving. The mountains, which were aglow yesterday and in the early part of the evening, are dark, save for a few small flare-ups. Helicopters are still patrolling the ridges. We can hear them, though the darkness and the smoke make them hard to see.

The danger seems to have passed. Yesterday afternoon a small group of us talked our way past the policeman at the Casitas Pass barricade and drove onto campus. It was quiet and ash-covered, but there is remarkably no damage at all. The fires, which have been burning so brightly on the ridges behind the campus, are gone, replaced by smoking embers. It looks like a moonscape on the path to Bee Camp, or something you might see in the volcanic fields of Yellowstone, but in close proximity to campus everything remains alive and green.

The Mesa is also quiet. Yesterday, because of favorable onshore winds, firefighters set a series of backfires all along the Carpinteria foothills. Those backfires were less intense than the main fire, appearing more yellow than orange. But because of the direction of the wind, they burned up toward the main fire, depleting the fuel in the area and preventing (presumably) the Thomas Fire from driving farther down the slopes toward our Mesa or the city of Carpinteria.

Based on what we see this morning, the strategy worked.

Firefighters were busy early in the evening putting out concerning hot spots and spot fires, but the blowing embers that were so perilous on Sunday night were much less of a factor last night.

We are hoping that we have turned a corner. Firefighters are pretty taciturn folks and not inclined to offer a lot of predictions about the future, so no one is telling us that we are out of the woods yet.

But that is exactly what we want to believe. The fire itself has not diminished significantly – it burned another 1,000 acres last night – but it is responding to the influence of firefighting and moving slowly north toward the Los Padres and away from homes and villages. All of Carpinteria plus Summerland, Montecito, and Santa Barbara north of CA 192 up to CA 154 are under evacuation orders but perhaps those impacting us here in the southern part of the county will be lifted soon. The incident commanders make those decisions.

In the meantime, we will wait and hope and wonder. It has been quite an odyssey. It is hard to imagine that the firefighters staging throughout the Central Coast do this on a regular basis.

Perhaps most impressive, beyond the extraordinary dedication and commitment they exude, is their unflappability and their patience.

While we worry and wring our hands, they plan and adjust, attack and fall back, managing a foe that would otherwise seem indomitable.

There is no question that our campus is safe because of those firefighters. Isn’t it fitting that we owe our salvation to a group of people whose profession is service?

Servons, Ben

The firefighters who called our campus home have moved west and north with the fire, though three different crews came through on patrol during our stay on campus. I spoke to one fire chief who said that when the evacuation order is lifted – it remains in place as I write – we will have the signal that the Mesa, its structures, and its residents need not fear any return of the fire. The few hot spots along Casitas Pass Road that were still burning yesterday afternoon were the target of continuing water drops from helicopters. It feels, truly, like we are almost there and this remarkable chapter in the life of our School will soon give way to clean-up. I’m not sure I have ever been so enthusiastic about the prospect of picking up a broom!

The other lingering issue – and it’s hardly significant except from an olfactory and respiratory standpoint – is the smoke. With the merciful absence of wind, the residue from the fire is hanging over the Carpinteria Valley like an acrid marine layer. It’s especially conspicuous outdoors, but it’s inside too, making everything we own smell like we just took it on a camping trip and spent too many hours sitting by the fire. A friend of mine keeps washing her hair because she says, “I just feel perpetually grimy.” This, I suppose, is a good problem, especially given the peril we have faced for the last week. But I am looking forward to the moment when I inhale or blink and it doesn’t burn just a little bit.

That is pretty petty on my part. I know that. And, thankfully, you will not have to deal with my occasional venting much longer. I expect that the next update you receive will be my last regarding the Thomas Fire – an even baker’s dozen. And it will be blissfully short.

Something like, “We are back. All is well.”

In the meantime, please know how appreciative all of us are of the care, the concern, the hospitality, and the kindness members of the Cate Family have shown our community throughout this memorable December. From the moment we decided to evacuate our campus to this minute, we have been overwhelmed with gestures of support, compassion, and empathy. The Cate community has, in my experience, always been distinctive for such things, but our virtue is appropriately understated, resting quietly beneath the business of life and work and learning. But then some threat arises, and like the Thomas Fire itself, the community explodes into action, producing its own conflagration of energy and earnest endeavor to see our membership through.

For that and so many other qualities conspicuous over the last week, our School is forever grateful.

48 THOMAS FIRE SPECIAL SECTION

December 14, 2017

December 15, 2017

Dear Cate Families,

Dear Cate Families,

A windy forecast and an ominous prediction by a firefighter had us worried again last night. Burning embers that can travel long distances in the air are still a concern, though frankly we can no longer see fire anywhere around us. The foothills of Carpinteria that have been glowing orange for the last week now look strangely luminescent especially in the twilight and early morning hours. The ash that covers everything causes that apparently.

Our mandatory evacuation has now entered its second week. And though our campus remains safe, there continues to be concern about forecasted winds, Santa Ana’s, and sundowners. There were new burns east of Cate on the Lake Casitas side of Rincon Mountain yesterday afternoon. It was pretty chilling to see the two large plumes of smoke rising and to wonder if somehow the blaze would return. That didn’t happen, thankfully, though worry about that very thing is keeping us away from our home.

Yet the work around campus has not diminished. There are dozens of trucks and bulldozers high on the ridge above Cate, continuing construction of a firebreak. We can see them clearly because all of the vegetation is gone now, and they work day and night. Perhaps there is fire somewhere deep in the Los Padres that they fear will suddenly turn our way again. Or they are just operating out of an abundance of caution. Either way, we are happy to know they are still guarding our Mesa.

And we are making plans to offer our thanks to those remarkable men and women who have battled this blaze. In all likelihood, we will focus our efforts on CalFire, which has brought together and coordinated this incredible inter-agency effort. We are also toying with the idea of collaborating with the Thacher School, since we are inextricably linked in this fire odyssey, to offer our collective gratitude. I will keep you posted as plans evolve and we refine our intentions a bit further. There is no gesture that will be wholly sufficient considering the difference those firefighters have made for our community and so many others, but we can certainly try.

In the meantime, we will stand vigil like a kid in the old days staring at the mailbox waiting for the mailman to deliver that special message or parcel. For us, it is the invitation to return to the Mesa and begin the post-Thomas Fire era. The incident commanders have moved the Casitas Pass roadblock east to the intersection of 192 and Lillingston Canyon Road. Another few feet, and we’ll be home. We sense, though, based on our visit yesterday, that our campus is still a staging area for many of the fire crews. Often they come to rest after fighting in other parts of the County through the night. Sometimes they are surveying the area and putting out spot fires that materialize out of nowhere. One such fire appeared yesterday in Gobernador Canyon.

The rest of the time they are like us, waiting for the fire to dictate what happens next. Control is an elusive thing. But soon, we trust, we’ll have some semblance of it again. I will let you know when that happens.

Servons,

The story yesterday and today has been about the firefighters, stories of their gallantry and of the ultimate sacrifice. A 32-yearold firefighter from San Diego lost his life battling the most recent blow-up of the fire near Fillmore. Other recently evacuated families from Ventura returned to their burned homes to find that firefighters had somehow recognized that the homes couldn’t be saved. So they ran inside and grabbed all of the pictures and photographs they could find. As one homeowner noted, “I lost my house, but the fire crews saved my memories.” Pretty unbelievable.

It is hard, actually, to know how or what to feel at this moment.

There has been so much good news in the last week, both in regards to our School and in the successful coaxing of the fire north and east. Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito, and Santa Barbara have essentially been saved from the brunt of the inferno by masterful firefighting and timely episodes of gentle winds. Yet there is so much loss: nearly 1,000 homes, 300,000 acres, and now a life. The depth and the scale of it all make any discomfort we might be feeling seem pretty trivial. All that is being asked of us now is that we be patient, that we wait until those fighting this fire are sure that we and our campus are and will be safe. How can we argue with such care?

So today we are planning and staging, taking a cue from the incident commanders who have managed this massive Thomas Fire response. In due course we will be back on campus to implement those plans and to prepare for the reopening of School. It is a truly exciting prospect.

For now, though, we’ll consider what has been committed to this fight, what has been saved, and what has been lost. And we’ll remember the service modeled by those who came from throughout the state and the country to protect us. It has been a humbling week, indeed.

Servons, Ben

Ben

THOMAS FIRE SPECIAL SECTION 49

December 16, 2017

December 16, 2017

Dear Cate Families,

Dear Cate Families,

We are home. At noon on Friday the Thomas Fire Incident Commanders allowed the residents of Gobernador Canyon, Shepard Mesa, Lillingston Canyon, and Cate Mesa to return. Though high winds and continuing county warnings confirm that all is not yet back to normal for many of our Santa Barbara families, the Mesa has weathered the storm.

As you likely saw from today’s update, faculty and their families are now allowed to return to the Mesa. It is a thrilling moment, seeming long in coming. It is still, however, somewhat conditional, dependent on the ever-evolving narrative of this remarkable fire.

As I write faculty families are returning to the Mesa and beginning the process of moving forward. It’s a strange thing about those days we spent with the fire at our doorstep. The hours were interminable; even the minutes amidst such risk went by slowly. Yet looking back, even from so close a vantage point, it now feels as though time stood still, waiting as we all were for whatever happened next.

And now we are there, fortunate, relieved, intensely connected, and fundamentally changed. As a great friend of the School who endured the fires in Sonoma and Napa earlier this year wrote, “As we go forward, things will be distinctly different. In many ways, our home and our neighbors have become more precious.” So it is with Cate.

I will end as the astronauts in the Apollo missions always did when their capsules splashed down in the ocean, with thanks, with hope, and with the knowledge that we have been part of something overwhelming and miraculous.

This is Ben Williams signing off.

For that very reason, we’re not authorized by the police or the Thomas Fire Incident Commanders to admit students or their parents onto the campus to access dormitories or retrieve belongings. We will let all of our families know when that possibility exists and how we will manage it.

Our larger concern at the moment is the campus itself. We have begun working with professional companies to assess our cleanup needs. Fortunately, the great work of the firefighters who were on campus meant that our buildings were closed up tightly, which minimized the amount of material inside. There isn't any soot or heavy ash in the buildings. We do, though, have air scrubbing, surface cleaning, servicing of heating and air circulation systems, ash removal, and a host of other responsibilities to take care of. Professional personnel who specialize in this type of work will be on campus beginning next week to begin the cleanup effort.

We are mindful of the fact that many of you will have questions and possibly concerns about a great many issues over the coming weeks. Already we are fielding queries about air quality, risk to those who suffer from asthma or other breathing issues, potential toxicity of the ash and the

like. We, too, would like answers to those questions, which is why we have contracted with experts to help us get the campus ready for students to return on January 7.

Faculty will be back on January 2 and will use the time prior to our opening to prepare and plan for the now altered trimester before us. It would be helpful, if you have questions relating to the opening of school, if you could hold them until the faculty return. We have had our hands full these last ten days, and we will be in a far better position in two weeks to provide you with useful information.

In the meantime, please know how much we appreciate the many gestures of kindness, support, and generosity that have been extended to all of us on the Mesa throughout these harrowing days. It is a December none of us will ever forget.

But ahead lies January and all the exciting possibilities of the new year. See you all in 2018.

Servons, Ben

December 17, 2017 Dear Cate Families, What a difference a day makes. Though the campus and its inhabitants remain safe, the Thomas Fire grew dramatically over the last 24 hours, moving south and west from the hills above Montecito and Santa Barbara into heavily inhabited areas. A host of Cate families and alumni have been impacted by this blow-up, many of whom are now finding shelter away from their evacuated homes: some here on our Mesa. It is an honor to welcome to the Mesa those who

were our deliverance last week and saw our students safely home, and to show our gratitude as hosts.

I have been reminded over the last ten days that experiences such as this fire are not new to Cate or to the area. There are stories of boys tamping down flames along the edge of Long House in the 1930’s, accounts of the blaze that straddled the Mesa in the 1970’s, vivid memories of the fire that burned down the edge of the Rincon in the late 1990’s, and all-too-familiar images of the Tea Fire that claimed hundreds of homes in Santa Barbara and Montecito just a few years ago, many of them occupied by Cate alumni, current parents, and parents of alumni.

Kinship comes in many forms, especially at Cate. And they all bind us. They remind us, too, of the importance of proximity and geography. Cate is built on the premise that discovery is an interactive and interpersonal journey. We are all about the “who.” But we can’t forget the “where,” especially in moments like this. Not simply our Mesa, but Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito, Santa Barbara; they are us too. And they and many of the people who call those places home face the same peril, the same worry, the same scale of loss that we have for the last week.

As we learned in the fight to preserve our Mesa, there is little that we can do to deter the flames, save trust those charged with our defense. But we can be mindful that though the storm has passed this Mesa, it has not passed the communities that surround and support us; nor has it released its grip on many who also call Cate home.

For them, for the firefighters who are protecting them, and for the communities of the Central Coast, we will maintain our vigilance, extend our hospitality, and

trust ultimately that this will be a story of salvation rather than sacrifice. This long odyssey is not over yet. And we will see it through to the end.

Servons, Ben

January 7, 2018 Dear Cate Families, Challenges seem to come in bunches. The forecasted rainfall in the approaching storm led the County of Santa Barbara to issue a voluntary evacuation warning for all areas impacted by the Thomas Fire. We received this notice this evening and have been in dialogue with the county, law enforcement, hydrology experts, and emergency services personnel to understand any potential threats to this Mesa and to inform our decision-making regarding our community.

At issue is the debris that will likely be washed down the drainages by the rain.

There is great concern that some roads will become impassable due to mud or debris beginning late Monday night. The storm is expected to abate by Tuesday evening and the forecast for Wednesday is sunshine.

We understand from our conversations with various county officials and experts that we are not in any danger on the Mesa. In fact, one hydrologist told us that we may well be in the safest place in the County. We are preparing, though, for the possibility that we may have limited or no vehicular access to Carpinteria for a day or more. We have canceled classes for Monday and Tuesday and have asked day students and faculty who live off campus to stay home. We have

also made adjustments in our provisioning to be sure we have all the necessary food to support the community for as long as necessary.

We maintain emergency water and provisions anyway, but we do not expect to have to tap into those supplies. Generators support operations both in the dining hall and in other buildings in the event of a power outage, facilities are also in place in the unlikely event that water lines go out, and we will have medical staff on site throughout the storm and its aftermath to meet needs that arise.

We will meet as a community tomorrow at 10:00 am, at which time we will share this news with students and faculty and update them on the evolving situation. It is a bit surreal that we find ourselves in this position again, but the recent experience with the fire continues to be instructive.

Though we are staying on campus this time around, our rationale for that decision is the informed understanding of what is safest for our kids.

In the meantime, you can expect regular updates as we track the progress of this storm and adjust our school response as appropriate. Many thanks for your support and your patience. As we noted throughout the early months of December, the community of the School is a great and powerful comfort at all times but particularly when challenges present themselves.

This too shall pass and we will be happily underway again soon.

Servons, Ben

The ash-covered hills behind the Nelson D Jones ’48 Stables are marked by fire trails.

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January 8, 2018 Dear Cate Families, While the rain has begun to fall rather steadily, it has not dampened spirits. We held a series of meetings this morning with faculty and staff and then with students, so everyone is up to speed on our plan for the next two days. As of noon today, all of the areas impacted by the Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara County, including Cate Mesa, are under a mandatory evacuation order. This was a planned transition that we discussed with County officials and law enforcement yesterday, the goal of which is to get potential evacuees off the roads prior to the significant rain event forecast for late tonight.

As I mentioned in my letter yesterday, we made the informed decision to stay on our Mesa, where we have the services, the facilities, and the food to sustain the community through the storm and its aftermath. The Sheriff ’s Office, with whom we conferred, is supportive of that decision, so we have spent the time today getting ready for whatever rainfall might result from this storm.

We have also spent a good deal of time thinking about our students and their level of comfort with this admittedly unsettling return to the Mesa. We have held a series of meetings with our kids so that they know that we have adults here ready to support them. A group of students and faculty have also collaborated to produce a whole bunch of scheduled activities including movies in Hitchcock, gaming in the Keck Lab, builder spaces in the Art Loft, guided meditation in the Johnson Library, a broadcast of the National Championship Football Game in

the McIntosh Room, and a gratitude film project for the firefighters who protected our campus and our county. There is even a yoga class tomorrow morning for those looking to unwind after the storm. It is nice to see all the energy actually, even if it isn’t directed as we had expected and planned.

We are, though, even in this brief hiatus, making plans for the trimester ahead.

We were prepared after last week, during which the faculty reconstructed syllabi, to adjust our program accordingly. As a result of the loss of these two additional days, we have elected to run classes on both Martin Luther King Jr. Day later this month and on Public Service Day in late February. We have a series of experiences under construction to see that we honor Dr. King’s legacy, the first of which will take place next Monday evening, but we will do so without taking a full class day away. We are taking a similar approach with Public Service Day, opting to accomplish our service intentions through a series of activities rather than scheduling everything on a single day. These adjustments allow us to respond to the loss of teaching time without sacrificing the priority we place on Dr. King’s legacy or the service that is so much a part of our mission and culture.

So it seems 2018 begins much the way 2017 ended: with the unexpected and some necessary adjustments. We will be on our way again soon, but it is probably best that we not overlook the value in being agile. It is a skill, after all, that can be learned. And Mother Nature is a heck of a teacher!

Servons, Ben

January 9, 2018 Dear Cate Families, Mother Nature reminded us who is in charge last night, dropping an extraordinary amount of rain on the Central Coast in the space of a single hour. Heavy winds and showers preceded the storm, knocking leaves and branches off trees and creating a good deal of debris. And then the heavens opened just before 4:00 am, overwhelming creeks and drainages. We cleaned out a drain above Cook House West just after the deluge began, and despite the stacks of sandbags surrounding it, the water climbed the dam and sent a full foot of water into the dorm fifteen minutes later. One of our seniors alertly called to notify us of the emergency. We’ve been clearing the dorm out and draining the runoff ever since, and the students have been moved to other quarters for the next few days.

As we anticipated, the top of the Mesa is safe and secure but the bottom is a river of mud and downed trees. The telephone pole at the end of the road is leaning out over Route 192, pushed there by a wall of tree trunks. A water main is broken adjacent to the road. Bulldozers are trying to clear the debris on Casitas Pass Road, which stretches from the entrance to the School all the way to the Forest Service Office.

The faculty homes in Gobernador and Lillingston Canyons, which we evacuated, are still standing, but all are inaccessible and surrounded by the remains of the run-off.

The power went out just about the time the rain intensified, which was especially disconcerting when the drainages began to groan with the volume of water. Homes

on Woodworth Lane actually shook as the wall of water and debris passed through the canyon and slid over Lillingston Canyon Road and Route 192. Two-inch-thick metal fence posts snapped like twigs, no match for the force of the water.

We understand from the few news reports that have reached us – the internet is out and cell service is pretty spotty – that many suffered far worse damage, including loss of life to our north in Montecito. What a frightening few weeks the Central Coast has endured. Our focus, in the midst of all the worry and concern, is to provide our kids some sense of normalcy and to build the momentum of the school year anew. To that end, we plan to run classes tomorrow, whether we have power on campus or not. We hope the evacuation order will be lifted by late tonight or tomorrow, and that progress can be made on the roadways, allowing students and faculty who are off campus to reach us and resume their work.

We realize that this decision potentially advantages the students who are here over those trying so hard to get here, but waiting for Mother Nature – especially given the challenges of the last month – seems irresponsible. We hope and expect that the current challenges will abate like the rain and that power, internet connection, and heat will return. We are getting a rare glimpse of the Cate of cold showers and frigid dormitories. No doubt the old boys will get a good chuckle out of our far less hearty “modern sensibilities.”

January 10, 2018 Dear Cate Families, Though things are far from normal on the Central Coast, we’re beginning to feel that familiar rhythm to life on the Mesa.

Students woke up to cold showers and no power again, and we held our assembly outdoors in the Class of '81 Amphitheatre so that we could enjoy the warmth and light of the sun. Shortly thereafter the power came back on and the 101 south towards Ventura was opened at Route 150. Access to the north is still impossible, as is access to Carpinteria for any of our families north of the city limits.

We have been in contact with many families eager to have their children back on the Mesa. Now that we have power again, we believe we can accommodate any day students on campus for as long as necessary if they can reach us or reach an area where we can reach them. We understand, for instance, that Island Packers and Condor Express ferry visitors from Santa Barbara Harbor to Ventura Harbor. If any of our students can reach the Santa Barbara Harbor and take the ferry to Ventura, we can travel to Ventura to pick students up and bring them to the Mesa.

Admittedly, our overnight accommodations for day students are likely to be far from luxurious. We have already filled faculty homes with all of the boys who were displaced from Cook House West because of the flooding, and we expect the restoration of that dorm to take a week at least. As long, though, as a comfortable spot on the floor in a sleeping bag will do for our guests, then we are ready to receive you. We simply ask that families be in touch with the Dean’s Office to notify us of day students

who would like to stay on campus and to coordinate any travel that requires the school to meet arriving students at off-campus destinations to our south.

As to questions about programming, we want to reiterate that though we have returned to the structure of our school day, we are not currently introducing any material for which students will be held accountable. We are simply stretching our intellectual legs a bit as we transition back into the trimester. We do have (or will have) assignments available online for students to complete homework, though we are being very careful to be sure those assignments are self-explanatory and do not presume presence in class. Now that the internet is back up, we are looking at ways of streaming or recording classes for students still away.

We recognize, too, that some who are not here will - because of all the challenges the communities of the Central Coast are facing - not have access to digital portals like Haiku or may still be wrestling with the trauma and displacement this storm and the preceding fire have caused. We completely understand that some are not ready to begin their studies and others simply can’t. Our Student Services Committee is working diligently on addressing each individual situation that arises, and we will make every effort to transition each student at a rate and in a manner that supports his or her individual needs.

Servons,

One step at a time. We have known lots of good fortune at Cate, and more is surely on the horizon. But we know tragedy, too, and loss. No life – individual or community – can be all one or the other. We live mostly in the middle, between those two polarities. But of late we have had a taste – to borrow from Joan Didion – “of life on the edge.” I trust the next few weeks will see us steadily moving back to the center as life both here on the Mesa and in the communities that surround us goes on.

Ben

Servons,

But even they would be impressed with the resilience and agility of this year’s group. I was with our Director of Residential Life, in fact, when he received a phone call from a freshman girl asking if he’d open the library.

Clearly, it’s time to get back to work.

Ben

Postscript

Headmaster’s Notebook January 18, 2018 I was a substitute English teacher on our first day of classes in 2018. Some members of the faculty couldn’t reach us because of the storm, so I was pulled off the bench just to get kids thinking after a long hiatus from school. I reached for my favorite provocateur, Abraham Lincoln, and we read his speech at Gettysburg.

We focused on the language, which is always a treat on anything authored by Honest Abe. The opening sentence, which most people are quite familiar with, is arguably the most significant of the speech, for in it Lincoln discusses this nation’s “conception.”

The kids were fascinated by that word. He uses it, they said, because it recasts the country in terms people can understand. It’s like a person.

Pretty darn astute. Why would he want to do that?

Because it means the country is mortal, they said. It has a lifespan. Is that a good thing to say, especially in the midst of a civil war? Yeah, they eventually agreed. Because we take better care of things when we understand how fragile they are. When we don’t take them for granted.

He sounds more like a minister than a politician, they said, like he is speaking from a pulpit rather than a podium.

Any idea why?

Because he’s honoring sacrifice … the last full measure of devotion. That can’t be about politics, they figured. It’s too elemental, too fundamental.

Maybe it’s just coincidence that the students drew those conclusions on the day after mudslides and flooding devastated Santa Barbara County and after they had faced

their second evacuation order in several weeks. Maybe these are just really sharp kids with a knack for textual analysis.

Or maybe the events of the last several weeks made an impression on them that is already manifest in their scholarship. I can’t say if it’s any of those, all of them, or some other reason altogether, but I was reminded in that moment what a remarkable teacher life is.

Recent events and community losses have confirmed our fragility and our vulnerability. Humility is a virtue when it comes to learning and to life, but it’s hard-won.

Though we have returned to our familiar rituals, there remain residual impacts, many of which may never leave us entirely. I’m pretty sure I was seeing some newfound insight in that class.

A member of the Cate family wrote during the Thomas Fire evacuation, “A wise bishop once said to me that there are two essential human stories in every good sermon: that of making a journey and that of making a home.”

Lincoln included both at Gettysburg. And the story of these last weeks for Cate is not altogether different.

The journey has literally brought us home, back to the Mesa, which we now understand and know somewhat differently. It is not simply a place but a reminder of something we all believe in, a possibility that we make tangible every day.

Five score and eight years ago our community was conceived. Despite the myriad threats and challenges, and thanks to the care of generations, we’re still going strong.

May we always make it so.

54 THOMAS FIRE SPECIAL SECTION Photo by: Willie Kellogg

what THEY had to say

from the ARCHIVES

Grace Fuss ’21

“When the first responders extinguished the last embers, we thought we were safe. This sense of security was stripped away that fateful morning as we saw many of our friends and neighbors who had lost everything. The immediate outreach of the Cate community brought hope on those dark days. The Powell family’s offer to house me when I couldn’t get to school is an act of kindness that will be an enduring memory of my time on the Mesa.”

During the Thomas Fire and ensuing mudslide, Ben Williams sent daily updates to families, alumni, and community members.

The response the School received was overwhelming. Emails of encouragement, hope, and support pooured in, as did similar stories recounted by alumni who lived through disasters on the Mesa.

Marcos Brasil ’20

“The fire was undoubtedly disastrous, yet throughout the process of evacuating, I can firmly say that I felt nothing short of safe. With such caring faculty and generous parents, there was no doubt in my mind that we wouldn’t make it out in one piece.”

HEROS on the MESA

Tamar Adegbile, director of college counseling

“ It was surreal at times; I had to come to terms with the idea that we could lose the place we call home and many of our personal belongings. The silver lining was the way the Cate community, on the Mesa and beyond, came together. I could not be more grateful to our host family during the fire, the McCaws, for opening up their home to me and my family.”

Members of the School leadership, including Headmaster Ben Williams, prepared a tri-tip dinner in the Raymond Commons for just a handful of the thousands of firefighters battling the Thomas Fire.

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UNITED BY DISASTER: CATE with THACHER Cate and Thacher’s history of rivalry is no secret. From fiery athletic contests to spirited dodgeball matches and more, the two schools have competed for decades. But in the eighth year of March Magic, our young alumni giving competition, both schools have opted to work together for a great cause.

On Monday, December 4, the Thomas Fire began in Ventura.

Thacher was at risk from the start; they packed “go-bags” and went to bed knowing that they might need to evacuate if the fire came close to their campus. When it did, they made a call to Cate and asked to spend the night on the Mesa. Ben Williams met them at Sprague Gymnasium upon their arrival. Students, faculty, and their family members spent the early hours of the morning in sleeping bags in the gym. They then made arrangements to be housed in family and alumni homes throughout the area.

Cate took a lesson from the experience, including instructing everyone on the Mesa to have go-bags ready, which were needed just a day later. With smoke thickening and the fire moving northwest, Cate leaders made the decision to evacuate the campus.

While Cate had the gift of time, the day we spent sending students home (or to alumni and current family homes) was modeled after Thacher’s evacuation.

Thankfully, Thacher’s campus, Casa de Piedra, and the Mesa were spared from the fire, but both of our school communities have felt the intense loss experienced by our own. Our schools will always be convivial rivals, but in times like this, we realize that our friendship 56 THOMAS FIRE SPECIAL SECTION

and support far outweigh our need to compete.

Together, Cate and Thacher decided that in 2018, March Magic should take on a different tone. March Magic is the month-long young alumni giving competition where each school vies for the lead in participation by graduates of the last decade (GOLD). After nearly a decade of March Magic, the result for both schools is the highest GOLD participation rates in annual giving in the country.

Instead of Cate vs. Thacher, Cate with Thacher included a challenge match, directed to non-profit first responder or service organization (Cate to the Santa Barbara Firefighter’s Alliance and Thacher to Greater Goods Ojai).

The challenge was as follows: At 65% participation, two generous individuals from Cate and Thacher donated $10,000 to their organization, and at 70%, another $10,000 donation was made.

Cate’s community was so moved by this partnership that another donor offered $5,000 if 75% participation was reached. (It was!)

The result of March Magic was outstanding in every way. Cate achieved 78% participation from 557 donors – setting our own record – and Thacher achieved 70%, unlocking $20,000 gifts for both of our local non-profits.

In 2018, Cate won, Thacher won, and the greater communities surrounding our schools won. Rams with Toads, not squashing Toads. Servons.

– Lindsay Newlove

Communications from the School during the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide drew responses from parents, alumni, and friends of the School. Hundreds of emails and letters offered words of support, offers of housing and supplies, and well-wishes.

To Dave and Maureen Soto, Thank you both very much for opening your home and your hearts to Cal for the week after his dorm was flooded.

He really enjoyed staying with you and playing with Sammy!

We are grateful for your kindness and hospitality in making him feel so at home!

Very much appreciated.

Warmest Regards, Mechelle and Jack Sinclair

The Blattberg family would like to thank the Biles family for taking Maya in without a moment of hesitation when evacuating for the Thomas Fire.

While the air quality was worsening and questions loomed, Maya felt so at home and grateful to be with her friends to do some baking, watch TV and process what was going on in a safe, welcoming home. We are forever grateful to the Biles family for creating this cherished memory despite all of the worry.

Thank you, Biles Family!

Dear Cate Community, 2017-18 brought natural disasters to our door. Cate, thank you for answering the call to be teachers, care takers, grounds keepers.

Thank you for the enduring impression you've made in the lives you have touched, the time you have given.

Thank you for caring for our children and showing that there are people like you in this world.

Thank you for all you have done.

Love, Ione Cutter P’06, ’18

We would like to thank all those involved in making sure our children were safe during the fires. Our family only lives 2 hours away and yet we could not get to our daughter fast enough. We are forever grateful for all the love, care, attention and support the Cate staff provided for our daughter. We would also like to say how much we appreciate all the hard work and effort it took to get all the children to safety. Finally, we would like to thank the families that took in our daughter, fed her and provided her with a warm bed to sleep in and the family that brought her home safely! We are forever grateful to be a part of the Cate community.

With love and appreciation, Quintero Family

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Thank you to Andrew MacDonnell, Director of Alumni Relations, for staying close to campus, on the front lines and documenting December's Thomas Fire. He kept the alumni community informed with photos and messages on all social media platforms during the height of the crisis, which brought alumni from all areas of the globe together during the crisis.

His photo journalistic efforts have culminated with a special slideshow that is being shared with alumni and friends at Cate receptions across the country. Thank you, Andrew!

Many thanks to all the families who welcomed the evacuees of the Mesa. During a time when many people are scrambling to complete tasks and projects ahead of the winter break, you graciously made room in your homes and hearts for others in the community.

Many thanks to the Buildings and Grounds crew who, while always gamely meeting unusual situations with creativity and a can-do attitude, rose to this gargantuan challenge of cleaning the campus and keeping everyone safe and provided for.

Michelle B. Fontaine ‘86 P’19

Lauren Craig Albrecht ‘89 P’21 When contemplating the true heart of Cate, it is impossible to single out an individual to thank.

That is because at its core, this community is a bonded family of amazing people who seamlessly work together and provide the Cate students/families with unwavering confidence.

Throughout the last two months, we received updates from Ben Williams that were both beautifully written and informative. Every step of the way, each member of the Cate staff protected our kids and reassured our entire family in a calm and professional way. While it is hard to find good things in such tragedy, I can honestly say that my love and respect for the Cate staff has burst my emotional seams!

Robin Rodie Vitols P’18

Dear Cate Community, Sending your daughter miles and miles away to boarding school is not an easy thing to do as a parent. The distance just makes it seem like there is no way to reach her whenever you would like to. This becomes all the more difficult when there is an emergency and you wonder how things will turn out. It is in such moments that you realize distances become so much shorter and you feel that the people have done their utmost to take care of your child. I feel blessed as a parent that my child was taken care of amidst all the tragedy that unfolded all around us.

Thank you Cate faculty, parents, and staff for making us feel safe. What a Blessing!

Rasmi Jacob P’19

It was truly sensational to see how strong the connections are in this fabulous community. As parents, we thank every member of Cate School for everything they did.

Zhaoyu Tian P’19

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Winston Churchill “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” - Maya Angelou These quotes spoke to me, so I’m sharing them. I did not find adequate words to express my thanks and gratitude for the remarkable Cate faculty, staff and families, and to the firefighters and first responders.

Thank you for organizing this ‘Thank you’ event for the faculty & staff.

Many thanks to Ben and Charlotte for the almost daily emergency communications! The words helped us understand what was happening, so that we could keep the community in our prayers.

With gratitude, Pam Sak P’19

Toyin Oke P’21

We would like to express our immense gratitude to all the Cate staff, who were in our hearts and thoughts throughout the terrifying firestorm and mudslides, as they dedicated themselves tirelessly, to protecting our students and campus.

At the time of the Thomas Fire evacuation, the Firestone's and the Foster's hosted Sean. Mr. Shapiro, Ms. Brownlee and Ms. Spengler helped him safely return to Beijing. At the same time our headmaster, Mr. Williams, and some staff have been sticking to the school to protect the campus. We are very grateful to the faculty, they are always there to guard the children, guard our Cate. Their efforts to make sure everyone was kept safe, and the campus was well cared for in such a difficult period.

We love Cate, love this warm family!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Selina Wu and Harry Zhan P’19

Blessings, Terri Mundy P’19

It is hard to find words that reflect the magnitude of what Cate's extraordinary staff achieved throughout the month of December.

I am so grateful for the effort and personal sacrifices the Cate faculty and staff make to keep our kids safe.

The extra effort required during the fire and mudslides was incredible and overwhelming, and I can’t imagine how you were able to cope with your own personal and family situations while still supporting the Cate students. Thank you!

Thank you! Thank you!

Scott, Clare, and Jet Ochoa ’21 From the bottom of our hearts, we want to express our gratitude to every single member of Cate’s Administration, Faculty and Staff.

Thank you for everything you have done to keep our children and the Mesa safe. You’ve been great role models to our kids and your response to the Thomas Fire and the mudslide taught them the best life lessons – how to be resilient, take charge and how to survive in a crisis.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Dear Mr. Williams, Our profoundest gratitude for your eloquent and thoughtful reassurances during this turbulent time. Your daily missives were so calming, hopeful and beautifully expressed that we reread them, shared them and saved them.

Our confidence in Cate’s resilience and leadership has never been stronger.

Thank you.

Jane McConnell and Jeff Heyman P’20

We can’t begin to express the gratitude that we feel toward all Cate faculty and staff for everything that they have done during these two back to back natural disasters. We have gained tremendous confidence in Cate’s emergency disaster plan after witnessing it being tested to the fullest extent. It is clear that these same qualities spill over into all areas of Cate making it a truly spectacular place.

The Cheema-Pai family

Elena and Marc van Schendel P’18

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in MEMORIAM Frank Light April 7, 1925 - October 29, 2017 Frank Light -- “Mr. Light” to generations of Cate students, “Frank” to his colleagues, and “F.B.L” on his notes -- was a steadfast member of the Cate faculty from 1969 to 1990. With a character so indelible and clear, so utterly genuine, Frank’s place at Cate was as fundamental and firm as our beloved and timeless Circle of the Hills. He managed to be both feared and beloved. He belonged here as much as anyone ever has. Cate was his life’s work. To paraphrase Harry Potter, “Cate isn’t Cate without Mr. Light.”

A lifelong student of history, Frank graduated from Ursinus College, earned his master’s at Penn, and taught in several eastern schools before coming to Cate. As one of that generation of faculty members who arrived while Mr. Cate was alive (retired and living in Mesa House) Frank taught under headmasters Clark, Woodworth, and McLeod, transmitting virtues of the old school into the school we love today. History chair for 15 years, twice dean of faculty, and head of dormitories, Frank could certainly exercise formal leadership, but everyone who encountered him here would say that his mammoth impact was as an unwavering role model and a truly genuine individual.

Frank probably wearied of being described as “gruff ” -- some students would have called him “terrifying” -- but he was, and wanted to be. But not grouchy or mean. He cared about the School’s principles, and about things being done well. He cared about people doing their best, and cared about people, period. Generations of Cate teachers found their work made easier because Frank’s unwavering adherence to principle allowed others to be the “nice guys.” When it came to learning history, he wasn’t fooling around.

Students found that he was demanding and critical, sometimes feeling burdened by his high expectations only to figure out in later life that those standards reflected his respect and belief in them. You were always “Mister James” or “Miss Parsons,” not because Frank wanted to intimidate you, but because he took you seriously. On a faculty full of legendary teachers, Frank Light was the first recipient of Cate’s Burleigh Pattee Fellowship for great teaching.

“Fear of Mr. Light” features in one of my favorite Cate moments, when my wonderful advisee Jessica Rattner ’84 told me, in true terror, that she was doomed because she and some friends had been dangling a rubber chicken on a rope from a Schoolhouse balcony so it would catch the eye of students in Mr. Light’s classroom below, making them crack up and draw Frank’s ire. Jessica was afraid that he had figured out who the instigators really were. “He’s not going to yell at you,” I lied, but since she never got caught, who knows? Students were genuinely intimidated by Mr. Light, but I think everyone knew that he reveled in teaching and was devoted to students. He cared enough to scold you. He was touched when the Mesan was dedicated to him.

Frank lived as a confirmed bachelor in the Bothin apartment and was more sociable with colleagues than students would suspect. He would invite people over (including the new teachers, every year), show them his amazing collection of shells and his museum-quality archives of posters from the World Wars. He would laugh and converse about all kinds of things, making it obvious that this very private man contained worlds of ideas and experiences that you were lucky to sometimes share. Who knew that Frank served in the military -- twice, from 1943-45, and again in 1951.

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Who knew that he traveled to Australia and the South Pacific Islands three times (twice on sabbatical from Cate) discovering new places and collecting those shells? And, of course, his beloved dogs were omnipresent as a constant source of the most obvious delight.

I was honored to receive a dressing-down by Frank after a faculty meeting in which I had talked about how “we” as a faculty needed to do better about something or other. As soon as the meeting adjourned, Frank strode up to me and loudly explained that “you had better never again include everyone in a statement that does not apply to every single one of us.” Even in that stinging split second, I knew that Frank had delivered a principle that would prove valuable for the rest of my life. He was stern because he expected better of me. Getting chewed out by F.B.L. was a privilege. He wasn’t a grouch; he was an idealist.

The last time I saw Frank was at a recent Camp Cate. He had gotten a ride down from his retirement home in Cambria. He was very frail, with gaps in his memory, but he was extremely sharp and remembered way, way more than he had forgotten. He talked about being lonely and being unable to go on the long walks with his dogs that he loved so much. Eyes sparkling, he talked about innumerable events and former students and colleagues.

He was very aware of his failing health and memory, but he was funny and sharp, and we looked back over the years... and laughed.

– Patrick Collins

David Hood ’55 April 21, 1937 - January 11, 2018 David Crockett Hood, of Seal Beach, CA, aged 80, died January 11, 2018 of pneumonia at Pikes Peak Hospice in Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. Dave was born on April 21, 1937 in Tulsa, OK. He was predeceased by his parents, Reginald and Catherine Hood of Tulsa; his foster parents, Dr. Monroe Kuntz Ruch and Carolyn Asplund Ruch of Pasadena, CA; his foster brother, James Ruch, of Ojai, CA; his former wife, Lacey Hood of Escondido, CA; and his eldest son, Carl Hood, of Seal Beach, CA. His high school degree was from the Cate School in Carpinteria, CA in 1955; his B.A. degree (Economics) was from the University of California at Santa Barbara.; his PhD degree (Ancient History) was from the University of Southern California. He was a professor of ancient history at California State University at Long Beach for 51 years, complete with toga from time to time - Mr Crawford would have been proud! He served the university and the community at large in innumerable capacities with great diligence and verve. He is survived by his son, Mark Hood, his daughter-in-law, Natalie Quinonez, his granddaughter, Parris Hood, his foster brother, Pete Ruch, all of Colorado Springs, CO, and a vast extended family."

– Peter Ruch ’56

Sandy Hamilton ’74 April 26, 1957 - September 19, 2017

Sandy Hamilton, class of 1974 passed away on September 19, 2017. A celebration of life was held in San Francisco.

in MEMORIAM William New, Jr. ’59 1942 -2017

Bill New was a superb student at Cate and was loyal thereafter both to the School,

which he served as a trustee and generous donor, and to the Class of 1959, whose reunions he attended regularly. It is not an overstatement to say that no one loved Cate more or gave more of himself to it than he. When Bill retired from the Cate Board in 2002, he received the first William New, Jr. ’59 Servons Award, which was created in his honor.

Bill was born in Beaumont, Texas and lived in Hillsborough, California after World War II. After attending Cate he went to Stanford, where he received BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering. Bill subsequently earned an MD from Duke University, a PhD in Physiology from UCLA, and an MS in Management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He put these degrees to great purpose, first working as an electrical engineer at Hewlett-Packard and Ampex, then as an anesthesiologist at the Stanford School of Medicine, and finally as an entrepreneur who co-founded two medical device companies, Nellcor Inc. and Natus Medical. At Nellcor, Bill developed the pulse oximeter, which non-invasively measures the oxyhemoglobin saturation of blood and is used in operating rooms, intensive care units, and other in- and outpatient medical settings around the world. At Natus, he created widely used noninvasive devices to evaluate and monitor hearing and neurological function in infants, children, and adults. Bill continued bioengineering research after retiring from research and held 15 patents at the time of his death.

As manifested by his many degrees, Bill had a strong interest in education at all levels. He was a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and board member of the National Association of Independent Schools. In addition to serving on the Cate School board for 22 years (1978-1993 and 1996-2002), he was a trustee of the Groton and Putney schools. Bill also was an adviser to Altschool, a network of lab schools and a technology company.

Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Heather New. He was survived by three daughters, Catherine New of San Francisco; Caroline New of Philadelphia, a member of the Cate Class of 2000; and Christin New of Redwood City. He is also survived by his former wives, Margaret New of Washington, DC, and Patricia New of Menlo Park; and his partner, Carolyn Wilson, and her daughter, Claire Koerschen. Carolyn is Director of Education at Altschool.

I knew Bill as a classmate at Cate and Stanford, a medical colleague, and a fellow trustee of Cate School. I remember him best for his keen intelligence, his boundless curiosity, his unfailing optimism, his intense engagement with the world, and his ability to talk on almost any subject.

Although Bill was a scientist by inclination and training, his vocabulary changed as he evolved from engineer to physician to businessman, and he could speak capably in all the languages he accumulated. And speak he did, sometimes to the consternation of Cate board leaders trying to keep to a tight meeting agenda. Yet I never tired of listening to Bill because what he said was of great value. I will miss him, and I will miss his words.

– John Luce ’59

Calvin Hayes Cobb ’41

August 2, 1924 - October 28, 2017

Calvin Hayes Cobb, Jr., 93, died on October 28, 2017 in Naples, FL. Cobb graduated from Cate in 1941. In a letter to his mother, dated December 14, 1939, a faculty member wrote “I want to tell you that I think Calvin is a fine fellow, one of the nicest boys here.” According to other letters he excelled in music, art, and math. After Cate, Cobb graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1944. He then served on the USS Chester in actions at Wake Island, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

In 1947, he entered Georgetown Law School. He practiced law in Washington for more than 50 years. From 2004 to 2010, he was Chairman of the Foundation for Middle East Peace. He was National President of the Navy League of the United States from 1989 to 1991, after serving as its Judge Advocate for 14 years. He received the Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Medal twice and the Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Medal. He was a trustee of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association. He served as president of the Chevy Chase Club, the Barristers and the Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, Gibson Island Club, and Naples Bath and Tennis Club, and he founded the Catholic Alumni Club of Washington.

He played competitive tennis, platform tennis, and bridge. His wife Olive and he were married for more than 58 years, until her death in 2013. He is survived by five children and sixteen grandchildren.

Rick Rasmussen ’76

January 9, 1958 - April 9, 2017

Our good friend and classmate, Richard Carl Rasmussen, a.k.a.

Raz or Rick, died on April 9, 2017. He truly lived Servons in action and spirit. His positivity was infectious and uplifting, and he could turn a routine, mundane, and tedious chore into something enjoyable, meaningful, and tolerable. He was open-minded and broad-in-view and had a contagious emotional energy. Rick was a man of action, one who relentlessly pursued success, making sacrifices for his family, friends, and his community.

Rick was born on January 9, 1958 in Clearwater, Florida. He developed an early love for biology and marine life in particular. Rick spent four years at Cate, where he played soccer and lacrosse and was an outstanding defender.

And, of course, he spent a lot of time surfing! After Cate, Rick attended the University of Colorado, Boulder and continued to play soccer. After losing his soccer scholarship due to a skiing accident, he went on a surfing safari, contrary to the advice of his father. The surf adventure ended up proving very fruitful for Rick, as he realized that electronics were the future; so he and one of his friends sold and installed solar heating systems one summer.

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Rick enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to utilizing an array of weapons and radar systems. After his honorable discharge, Rick worked for Whittaker Electronics Systems. He worked in Saudi Arabia from 1992 to 1996.

After returning to the United States, Rick went to work for his father, Dick, at OSI Security Devices in Chula Vista, California. Rick brought much success to OSI with his promoting of OMNILOCK, which was at the time a revolutionary security device.

Rick had recently retired and enjoyed fishing in US and Mexican waters, taking long walks along the beach, and spending time with his loved ones.

Rick is survived by his cherished sons, Justin and Dane.

His classmates at Cate shared the following memories of Rick: a man of good cheer, gentleness and enthusiasm; a tough as nails spirit, kind heart and bright disposition. He took time to be with people and always gave of himself, was gallant and humorous with a charming, dazzling smile, a great cheerleader and teammate and a wonderful outdoorsman. Rick would easily win a Surf God Personified contest.

Rick was a wonderful, generous friend who will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.

– Pierson Hamilton ’76

Caroline Montgomery ’14

August 16, 1995 - January 9, 2018

May 3, 2012. Four girls in royal blue swimsuits interlink arms in a tight circle behind the starting blocks at the Cate Pool. Caroline is amongst them. In the background, the din and energy of the hometeam crowd carries on unabated, eager to witness the final event at the first ever swimming league championships hosted by Cate School. Though eight teams have given their all over the course of two days, it has all come down to this one moment: Cate and Carpinteria High, tied neck-and-neck, with only the Girls’ 400 Free Relay separating league champion from second place.

Standing strong at the center of the circle, a furrowed look of determination across her brow, Caroline rallies the group, barking a characteristically succinct, yet impassioned, “Guys, we’ve got this.

Let’s do it!” And true to form, they did, laying down the fastest consecutive four 100s Cate school has ever seen (to this day!) and securing the championship in the process. It was marvelous. It was epic. The crowd went wild -- and in so many ways, the genesis and catalyst of that spectacular victory was Caroline.

Though Caroline was diminutive in stature, her indomitable spirit always rose tall. As her closest friends have said, “We were and will always remain in awe of her courage, inspired by her passion, encouraged by her wisdom, and touched by her friendship.”

These traits did not come by happenstance. Caroline could be as lighthearted as any and certainly knew how to see the comical in life, cracking jokes and dropping wry comments with a knowing smile. But her rivers ran deep. She cultivated, with purpose and intention, the very characteristics that so endeared her to family, friends, and faculty. As Wade Ransom has said, “Caroline was the embodiment of what we hope a Cate student-athlete can be.

Dedicated to her endeavors, a tenacious competitor, and deeply focused, yet mindful and engaged with the world around her.” This 62 CLASS NOTES

engagement was equally present in the classroom, where Caroline time and again earned accolades from her teachers for her active participation, self-motivation, and hard work, combined with her openness to listen to classmates, accept their diverse points of view, and work with them. As Ben Williams said, “Caroline can run the race no matter the distance and navigate the challenges with willpower and teamwork better than anyone we know. And, at the end of the day, Caroline will emerge, serenely, to offer the warmth and charm of her very special company.”

In her passing, we are all a little poorer, for we have lost a special soul who could raise us up with equal parts laughter and grit, playfulness and depth. But were she with us today, she would ask us not to dwell on the past, but rather, would ask us to listen and live as she aspired to in her personal anthem, spoken so truly in her Senior-year Tuesday Talk in 2014. Therein, she challenged herself and all of us by saying: “Today, I am going to fight to be resilient, I will put every part of myself into every endeavor. It is hard to throw myself into something fully, fail, and then say I will try again tomorrow. That is what takes strength. That is what takes grit…. Each action should be rooted in kindness, each reaction should be anchored with truth, each commitment should be fortified with devotion. With compassion, honesty, and dependability comes respect… I am solely responsible for my actions, reactions, and commitments, so I will build on their foundations using these qualities as pillars to create my reputation as someone with strong character… I want to live a life of living, of trying…. So today, I am going to plant my feet on this earth with conviction. I will stand up taller than I did yesterday. I am one day older. I have lived on this earth one day longer. I will stretch my limbs and practice, practice being who I am and who I strive to be.”

In her words, we find truth, truth about who she was and how she lived. And though she will be forever missed by the community of lives she touched, her words and her actions will reverberate across time, reminding us all to strive to be our best selves, today and every day.

– Ivan Barry, Humanities Department Chair

John Callender

February 12, 1941 – January 19, 2018 Former Cate faculty John Henry Callender, 76 of Kamuela, Hawaii, passed away on January 19, 2018. He was born in Pasadena, California. John worked as a CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

John graduated from Oregon State University with two degrees: animal science and business administration.

He is survived by spouse “Muffet” Laurien; sons Rea (Kelly) Callender of Grass Valley, California; Brodie Callender of Waimea, Hawaii; daughters Laurien (Timark) Hamilton of McMinnville, Oregon; Whitney (Todd) Demorest of Santa Rosa, California; nine grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.

ASTRONOMICAL TRIFECTA

A HERD OF RAMS AND EWES BRAVED THE COLD AT 5 AM ON JANUARY 31 TO WITNESS THE SUPER BLUE BLOOD MOON – A SECOND FULL MOON IN A MONTH, CLOSER TO EARTH THAN USUAL, AND PASSING THROUGH EARTH’S SHADOW TO GIVE IT A CRIMSON TINT.

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OFFICERS OF THE BOARD Monique F. Parsons ’84 Chair Glencoe, IL J. Wyatt Gruber ’93 President San Francisco, CA Henry F. Burroughs ’68 Vice President Jackson, WY Eric C. Taylor ’80 Vice President Los Angeles, CA Greg H. Kubicek ’74 Treasurer Portland, OR Benjamin D. Williams IV Secretary/Headmaster Carpinteria, CA

LIFE TRUSTEES Richard D. Baum ’64 Kenwood, CA Dan A. Emmett ’99 Santa Monica, CA Nelson D. Jones ’48 San Marino, CA

TRUSTEES Calgary Avansino ’93 San Francisco, CA Jessica Bowlin Santa Barbara, CA Mimi Brown ’92 Hong Kong Kate Firestone Solvang, CA Stephen J. Giusto ’80 Laguna Beach, CA Peter Given ’99 Alumni Council President Redwood City, CA

Frank A. Huerta ’85 Santa Barbara, CA

Rosalind Emmett Nieman ’89 EX-OFFICIO STAFF Pacific Palisades, CA Charlotte Brownlee ’85 Edward Simpson ’86 Assistant Head, External Los Angeles, CA Affairs

Palmer Jackson Jr. ’82 Santa Barbara, CA

Marianne Sprague Santa Barbara, CA

Jason Dorion Assistant Headmaster

Ellis Jones ’93 Los Angeles, CA

Lisa B. Stanson ’92 Newport Beach, CA

Jenny Jones Santa Monica, CA

David Tunnell San Francisco, CA

Hallie Greene Director of Strategic Initiatives

Chris Maloney ’80 Rancho Santa Fe, CA

FACULTY ADVISOR TRUSTEES

David Horowitz Irvine, CA

Sebastian Man ’76 Hong Kong Sheila Marmon Heuer Sherman Oaks, CA Casey McCann ’97 Santa Barbara, CA Sidney McCullers CPO President Los Angeles, CA

John Swain Carpinteria, CA Faculty/Art Stephanie Yeung Carpinteria, CA Faculty/English

Lisa Holmes Director of Studies Peter Mack Director of Residential Life Lindsay Newlove Director of Advancement Sandi Pierce Assistant Head, Finance and Operations José Powell Director of Multiculturalism Bryan Rodriguez Dean of Students

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THREES AND EIGHTS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS

CAMP CATE 2018 JUNE 8 - JUNE 10

+ VINTNER’S PICNIC MAY 5 DENISON CUP ALUMNI LACROSSE GAME MAY 12 PALO ALTO SUMMER GATHERING JULY 7 To register or for more information, contact Director of Alumni Relations Andrew MacDonnell at andrew_macdonnell@cate.org

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