Chandler School Shamrock Magazine 2020

CHANDLER S H A M RO C K 2020

MESSAGE from the HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Friends of Chandler School, Long ago in January 2020, before Zoom became a way of life, coronavirus became a household word, and masks were what we wore for Halloween, during admissions season we held gatherings in the lower school library for prospective kindergarten parents applying their children to Chandler. While the children participated in their playdate in the classrooms, visitors mingled, watched a Chandler video and asked questions to a panel of current parents.

When everyone was seated, meetings would begin with parents being asked to share with a partner memories of their favorite teachers. Once conversations started, it was hard to quieten everyone. People who had never met each other before spoke of their favorite teachers with loving reverence. When we came back together, a few people would share details of their conversation with the group, and the conclusions were always the same. Favorite teachers believed in us and instilled confidence so that we believed in ourselves. They convinced us we could discover qualities in ourselves that we did not know we had. They drew out our best work. They inspired us, and we wanted to please them.

They had high expectations. What they taught was not as important as how they made us feel. They changed our lives. We would conclude by letting the parents know we hoped their child would find teachers who would make them feel the same way.

This Shamrock is dedicated to Chandler teachers who have sparked the joy of learning in generations of students.

During the pandemic, we confirmed that the act of effective teaching is not dependent on a place but a relationship forged by concrete learning experiences. Teachers instill a love of learning in us by dedicating themselves to their craft and to their students. Teaching that ignites a love of learning requires self-awareness, ingenuity, stamina, and above all, a love of children. Chandler’s classrooms are filled with men and women of the highest caliber who grow from the legacies of their predecessors as they leave legacies of their own. You will read about them in these pages.

Most sincerely,

John Finch Head of School

CHANDLER

SHAMROCK MAGAZINE 2020 is published for parents, alumni, past parents and friends of Chandler School.

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Share your alumni news and thoughts on school communications.

Chandler Celebrates 70 Years!

Reflecting on the past 70 years, we are grateful to the Chandler community, members past and present, school leaders, dedicated faculty, students, families, alumni and friends. Thanks to your ongoing commitment and support, we are able to sustain the mission of the school and continue to enhance our programs, create innovative approaches to learning, and establish strategic goals that strengthen our foundation and propel us to reach a more ambitious future.

Chandler School’s vision for educational excellence is at the forefront of everything we do. Building upon the strong foundation of those who came before us, we hope to continue that tradition for generations to come. Thank you for being part of the community that prepares the world’s future leaders, Chandler students, to thrive as scholars, leaders and citizens in a diverse, global and connected world. Here’s to the next 70 years!

alumni@chandlerschool.org communications@chandlerschool.org FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

THE MISSION OF CHANDLER SCHOOL

is to provide each student with the highest quality and most academically challenging education in a nurturing, balanced and diverse environment. We strive to have our students gain a love of learning, a means of thinking independently and an ability to work collaboratively. A Chandler education seeks to develop good character, self‑reliance and a commitment to community in students as a foundation for academic and personal success.

THE GOALS OF CHANDLER SCHOOL are

to uphold the Chandler tradition of academic excellence and intellectual discipline in a program that develops the mind, body and spirit;

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to promote respect, trustworthiness, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship, which are the core values of our school community;

The Center for Innovation

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to foster an educational environment that values and communicates respect for racial, religious, cultural and economic differences;

Mrs. Catherine S. Chandler

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Chandler Highlights

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Working Together

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Helping Students Find Their Voice

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Distance Learning

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Graduation & Promotion

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Off to College: Class of 2016

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Alumni Visiting Day

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Class Notes & Profiles

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Celebrating Alumni

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Golf Classic

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Deborah Nesbit Award

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to serve the greater community, in recognition that as much is given to us, much is expected from us.

1005 Armada Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103 www.chandlerschool.org Chandler School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation.

Center Innovation

BY EIGHTH-GRADER CHASE WALDHEIM ’21

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Construction is complete on Chandler’s latest campus addition: the Center for Innovation! The building will provide new opportunities for students in kindergarten through eighth grade to participate in making, robotics, engineering, design thinking and project-based learning.

In addition, there will be a large space dedicated to music and the performing arts.

Split into three main levels, the lower level will be the new performing arts studio. “This space will allow us to expand our drama and performing arts program and utilize new equipment, tools and resources in everyday classes,” says Music and Performing Arts Teacher Brandi Williams-Moore.

The main level will be the Innovation Lab which will allow for woodworking, 3D printing, laser cutting, and many more hands-on activities. “It will be a place for students to create, tinker and make with high-tech and low-tech tools,” says Innovation Lab Director Pete Carlson.

The top level will feature a flexible classroom, which will have many uses such as an exhibition space for collaborative projects, group work and presentations such as the 7th grade “This I Believe Project” or the 8th grade Social

Justice unit. “The new building will be an exciting new hub for student learning. It will be a space that fosters creativity, innovation and openness to new ideas where students can apply problem solving, critical thinking and intellectual risk taking,” says Director of Innovation Kimberly Edwards.

While we may not be using the building for its intended purposes in the 2020-2021 school year, the building will be an integral part of instruction. When we return to school for in-person learning, the Center for Innovation will give Chandler the ability to provide the necessary indoor classroom space for the additional cohorts created this year. The Center for Innovation will allow for a safe return to school for all students, but in the future, we look forward to the many new student experiences with the expansion of the performing arts program, opportunities for enhanced student creativity, and opening the door to endless possibilities in the Center for Innovation for years to come.

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In Memory Of

Catherine S. Chandler

Catherine Chandler was born in a suburb outside of Chicago, Illinois during the roaring twenties. She was the middle child of three siblings. Her parents grew up as next door neighbors in the town where she was born and raised. Catherine’s family was well educated, and this shaped who she became. From Lincoln Elementary School through Nichols Junior High School, Catherine earned academic honors in all subjects, from physics to French. As an excellent student, she was chosen as president of her class in both 7th and 8th grade. She also excelled in theater, horseback riding, ballet, and especially in swimming. Her swimming coach even recommended that she train for the Olympics, but her mother would not allow it. At the age of 16, through testing that competed with college sophomores, she received the highest averages of the year in chemistry, physics, and biology. Teachers encouraged her to become a doctor. Catherine also led multiple academic and social groups at Roycemore Upper School. She was the student council recording secretary, captain of the badminton team named ‘The Eggbeaters,’ on the basketball team, and even subbed on the hockey team.

Katie always took a keen interest in the school. She loved seeing Chandler students around Pasadena in their uniforms. She believed that the development of a child's character and intellect should be at the heart of Chandler's mission and it brought her joy knowing those values continue to guide us. We honor her legacy each day at Chandler and remember her as a kind, loving matriarch.

- Head of School John Finch

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The school continues to reflect the strong life values, academics, and athletics that were so important to Tom and Katie. The two of them were an unbeatable team. Their gifts enriched the life of the school. Catherine’s mere presence epitomized grace, dignity, love and commitment. Her warmth, special caring, infectious laugh and abiding faith make Catherine very special to so many.

- Former Head of School Jeff Stephens

At Monticello College, her influence expanded and she became known as the ‘BWOC,’ or Big Woman On Campus. She was president of both the student council and the Marlin Swimming Club, where she specialized in diving. She also joined the softball team called the ‘Mad Batters.’ Her endless achievements were noticed by her instructors and peers alike as seen in these two quotes taken from her college evaluations. “Catherine has won the admiration and respect of both faculty and students by her resourcefulness, independence, and lively participation in group activities.” — College Counselor. “An all-around good student with ability, initiative, and capacity for work.” — College Physics Teacher.

After college and during World War II, Catherine worked an office job that specialized in tax law for a few years. On a short trip to the West Coast, she met Thomas Chandler. They quickly fell in love, married, and together they co-founded Chandler School in 1950. In the early years, Catherine worked hard for the success of Chandler School by taking on multiple roles including janitor, secretary, bookkeeper, dish washer, art teacher, and whatever was needed. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler started a family, and also always considered Chandler School their extended family. Catherine Chandler passed away peacefully in September of this year with family and friends by her side. Her family considers it a great honor to have had her as a part of their lives and will miss her dearly.

As her personal accomplishments so clearly show, Catherine Chandler absolutely was the ‘All-Around Girl.’

The Catherine S. Chandler Award for Best All-Around Girl was established in 1970. This award, aptly named in honor of our school's co-founder Katie Chandler, is presented annually to the girl who demonstrated success as a citizen and a positive class leader, as a student, and as an athlete and a participant in the Fine Arts.

She was a lovely lady, fiercely loyal to the people and things she cared about.

- Former Director of Development Joyce Greif

Please email Jennifer Johnson '94, director of alumni relations and major gifts, at jjohnson@chandlerschool.org with your favorite memories of Catherine Chandler or a note for the family.

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Our Partnership with the Huntington The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens selected Chandler School as one of their official School Partners. This partnership has allowed our students to learn by enhancing their curriculum in this collaborative program with a blend of classroom and museum education.

Our teachers work with The Huntington’s program educators to develop opportunities for hands-on

learning and enriching experiences, aligned with the curriculum taught in our classrooms. Beyond the benefits of enhancing studies in art, gardening, English and science, we are able to offer access to The Huntington for Chandler School families. Together, this partnership supports a community of inquiry, life-long learning, and enhanced student achievement.

When I greeted the Chandler students at The Huntington for their Seeds, Soil, and Surprises School Program, it brought back a flood of memories of visiting local cultural institutions with my Chandler classmates.

- Kristin Brisbois ’07, School Partnerships & Program Assistant at The Huntington Read more about Kristin in “The Rest Is Art History” on page 41.

Chandler Girls’ Basketball made history in the 2019-2020 season. The girls took the championship in both the Middle School Independent League and the Middle School Independent League Tournament with an 8-0 record. Head Coach Pete Carlson says that the girls can attribute their success to their hard work all season. “Playing team sports in Middle School has so many benefits for both boys and girls; it teaches teamwork, perseverance, and respect,” says Coach Carlson.

Jamie Yue ’20 closes out this season as the winningest athlete in Chandler’s history. As a Chandler graduate, Jamie will leave behind a proud legacy, with a 24-2 record. Chandler Girls Basketball boasts a 62-6 record in the last eight years, and they have won seven of the last eight championships in both the Middle School Independent League and Tournament. Jamie is this year’s recipient of the Clyde E. MacQuoid Award for Best Girl Athlete.

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# CH A ND L ER # H IG H LIG H T S

In June, Lynette Heydorff announced her retirement as Director of Finance after 35 years of service to Chandler.

Lynette’s work ethic, fastidious attention to detail and unimpeachable integrity epitomize Chandler’s mission. Her stewardship of Chandler’s resources kept the school in a position of strength, securing Chandler’s future financial sustainability.

That is a remarkable accomplishment and Lynette’s lasting legacy.

In her retirement letter, Lynette wrote, “Of the many highlights of my career at Chandler, my favorite has been collaborating with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees as we navigated Chandler’s financial growth. I have been blessed to witness many changes - from old PCs and Dot matrix printers to a one-to-one laptop program with plenty of HP printers, old buildings renovated and new buildings erected. Chandler is poised for continued growth in service of the school’s mission.”

One of the final events on campus before the COVID-19 closure, Chandler’s Kindergarten through 5th-Grade competed in track and field events on March 4. Like in years past, parents, teachers, and families gathered to cheer on their favorite athletes. While there are no ribbons or medals, the competition is fierce and everyone joyfully participates.

On his last day in May, Bob Kondrath, Chandler's Registrar and former teacher of computer science, found himself being honored by his colleagues through the very medium he once taught to Chandler students - technology! Mr. Kondrath leaves behind a legacy as one of the kindest and most selfless men at Chandler School. While we were not able to honor Bob in person, his colleagues recorded a touching tribute in his honor to serve as timeless reminders of his lasting impact on our community.

Bob Kondrath says, "In May of 1984, I applied to work at Chandler. When Jeff Stephens interviewed me, he asked me how long I thought I would be at Chandler. I replied, ‘Four or five years.’ I've now completed 36 years. One of the highlights of my years at Chandler was to see my son be presented with the Thomas A. Chandler Award for Best All-Around Boy. There are many other events I recall, but they are linked to the personal relationships I developed over 36 years."

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WorkingTogether CROSS COLLABORATION AT CHANDLER Our community has always supported the idea that test scores and grades are not the only measures of achievement. Deeper understanding and learning come from constant curiosity and active pursuit of building upon lessons, and we learned many years ago that together we could be more effective. This cross-collaboration among teachers is emblematic of our teachers’ dedication and commitment to best serve our students.

“Last October, our Kindergarten class studied the bones of the skull,” says Lower School Science Teacher Stephanie Ho. She continues, “During lunch, I will sit with teachers and ask what they are studying to reinforce lessons in the classroom. The same week that we were attaching maxillas to mandibles, they were also learning about the significance of calaveras for Dia de los Muertos in Mrs. Villanueva’s class and drawing sugar skulls in art class.”

While Lower School Director Emily Brown encourages teachers to work as teams, the collaborative spirit is really innate with the synergistic Chandler faculty. She says, “Our teacher teams are highly collaborative and students learn from their example of what it means to be innovative, caring and resilient team members. The students look forward to learning alongside each other, tackling challenges to obtain a deeper understanding of academic concepts and strengthening their social-emotional skills.”

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# CH A ND L ER # H IG H LIG H T S

Middle School is no exception when developing new approaches to learning. When distance learning was new to our school, our Middle School science teachers brought labs into homes by their novel camera set-ups. This allowed students to get the benefits of performing guided lab experiments utilizing available technology to enhance learning in the virtual classroom. And the innovation doesn’t stop there. Even while physically-distanced, Middle School teachers work year-round, improving their craft, innovating best practices, and developing new approaches to keep students engaged.

With Chandler’s new Center for Innovation, we hope to use these new spaces in creative and fun ways. Besides the maker space and performing arts studio, the three-level building features a multipurpose room to host larger groups, allowing teachers to blend their classrooms to provide the opportunity for students to work together and learn from one another.

“Our teachers have long craved a flexible space where they can engage in more creative projects and further differentiate their teaching,” says Director of Middle School Jill Bergeron.

Director of Innovation Lab Pete Carlson is also eagerly awaiting the day that students are able to use the building, but specifically, the Innovation Lab. Mr. Carlson says, “As a teacher, I am proud of students when they engineer, problem-solve, and build; this not only teaches the life skills of safely using tools, but soft skills like grit, determination, and working together.”

Chandler School integrates collaboration across multiple disciplines as a deliberate strategy to improve educational outcomes, make school more engaging, and foster leadership and teamwork because it is never too early to teach the future what is possible when we work together.

To learn more about the Center for Innovation, please read the feature written by Eighth-Grader Chase Waldheim, Class of 2021, on page 2.

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# CH A ND L ER # H IG H LIG H T S

Few professionals can say that they have worked for the same company their entire career. Ashley Laird has not only worked at Chandler School for 25 years, but she has also led as department chair, dean of girls, coach, and yearbook representative.

She has left a lasting impact on generations of students.

STUDENTS FIND THEIR

Ashley Laird, Middle School English Teacher and Department Chair

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When Ashley Laird joined Chandler, the quality that stood out the most was that it was deeply rooted in tradition. In her time at Chandler, she has seen not only the student body become more diverse, but also pedagogy becoming more student-centered from being testcentric. However, one thing that has remained consistent is the faculty's deep commitment toward professional excellence. This tradition of excellence continues with the same dedication that Thomas Chandler started 70 years ago.

Ashley teaches with the same dedication. Her annual poetry reading program is a testament to her commitment to allowing her student’s voices to be heard. She excitedly talks about the English Expo, which she started four years ago, in which students showcase their writing at the end of the year and recite their essays about their beliefs.

Guiding her students to find their voice is just as important to Ashley as teaching reading and writing. She

appreciates the creative freedom she gets at Chandler to design curriculum that makes students think about the burning issues of our times and allows them to learn to express themselves in various forms. She is always excited to see students making cross-connections and meaningful conclusions on topics as deep as race, identity and prejudice.

For years now, she has conducted a diversity panel after students read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and a nonfiction short story unit on themes of code-switching, microaggressions, stereotypes and racism.

It never ceases to amaze her seeing how much learning happens when students listen and relate to guest speakers who have real-life experiences dealing with critical and timely issues like oppression, persecution and stereotypes. While the panel features people from different racial backgrounds or sexual identities, students and adults in attendance are often moved to tears, relating with the participants and even reaching out after the event.

She puts a lot of thought into selecting the literature she teaches.

She says, "some books, like Animal Farm, are so timeless that I continue teaching them even after a decade." She brings fresh energy and excitement to teaching old classics and new literature to middle

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schoolers. It is also one of her goals to help students see themselves, their ideas, and their thoughts reflected in the curriculum.

When asked if she was inspired by one of her teachers growing up, she says, "Ms. Gilchrist, my English teacher in high school once took my entire class on a field trip around Pasadena’s neighborhoods.” When Ms. Gilchrist heard a student calling an area in Pasadena "ghetto," during

the class discussion of the novel Our Town, she guided the students in a better understanding of systematic racism and the racial division of Pasadena. This type of lesson in the classroom is what Ashley creates through her English classes’ study of literature.

She credits her childhood teacher for using English as a medium to discuss the world and, to this day, Ashley never fails to pass that on to her students. Ashley believes that the voice students find during middle school is a sacred tradition. Much the same way that Ashley credits her high school English teacher for fostering that deeper understanding, many alumni express their gratitude to Ashley for giving them that spark for the joy of learning that has changed their lives.

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# CH A ND L ER # H IG H LIG H T S

Distance Learning

In March, Chandler’s students joined the thirty million school children throughout the country who were faced with a new reality. When the campus closed, administrators and teachers designed and implemented a distance learning program that kept academics as a focus with an emphasis on students’ social-emotional well-being and sensitive consideration to each family’s situation.

In both the Lower and Middle Schools, our dedicated teachers reimagined learning with synchronous and asynchronous models, providing quality instruction despite not being together on campus. While we had to physically distance, that did not mean we became disconnected from each other. Our community came together to honor traditions and continued to work together to celebrate each other virtually, fortifying the community that is emblematic of our School.

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THE 2020 CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Thank you students, parents, faculty and staff for the strength of your commitment to each other, to find opportunities to be together while apart, to keep Chandler traditions alive from home, and to imagine new and creative ways to honor the Class of 2020 and their achievement of this important milestone.

Special thanks to the Class Representatives for their leadership, creativity, vision and steadfast support.

Fun Fridays, the virtual celebration, carline parade and diploma distribution were just a few ways that we united to celebrate the Class of 2020. We are so proud of their accomplishments, but we are especially proud of their positive attitude and camaraderie throughout this unprecedented time.

Enjoy these special highlights.

Thank you to our Class Representatives for their ongoing leadership to keep their class connected to the school and each other.

Aaron Chao ’20 Aidan Chao ’20 Lucas Chatham ’20 Chloe Leong ’20 Ella Moriarty ’20 John Mueller ’20 Chloe Zavistovski ’20

presented to members of the class of 2020 Arthur L. P. Brown Award for Scholastic Progress Cayenne Tze Shuen Lee

Vernon L. Hill Citizenship Award Lucas Lowell Chatham

Robert T. McInerny Award for Excellence in School Service Peter Hollis

Clyde E. MacQuoid Award for Best Girl Athlete Jamie Yue

William Wilson Award for Best Boy Athlete Andrew Allen Khachatourian

Fine Arts (Performing) Award Adan Michael Trujillo

Fine Arts (Visual) Award

Isaac Caleb Tiu & Lucas Lowell Chatham

Jefferson C. Stephens Scholarship Award

CHANDLER’S GRADUATES HEAD TO TOP SECONDARY SCHOOLS! Alverno Heights Academy Flintridge Preparatory School

Anastasia Grace Kung-Volkoff

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

Catherine S. Chandler Award for Best All-Around Girl

International School of Los Angeles

Kelsey Hyunah Sarte Kim Honorable Mention - Chloe Alexis Palmer

Thomas A. Chandler Award for Best All-Around Boy Cole Taj Mallinger

Harvard-Westlake School La Cañada High School L.A. County High School for the Arts La Salle College Preparatory The Loomis Chaffee School Loyola High School Maranatha High School Mayfield Senior School Polytechnic School Sequoyah School St. Francis High School The Webb Schools Westridge School for Girls

While we were unable to celebrate the Class of 2023 in person, a virtual promotion was held in June. This event marked the transition to Middle School, a new journey for these remarkable students. We are so proud of your determination, grit and resilience during this time, and we congratulate you on your achievement!

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On May 1, the Class of 2016 reunited on Zoom for their Off to College Reunion. Nearly 60 alumni attended the event for the chance to reconnect with classmates, faculty and administrators. Later in the evening, parents of the Class of 2016 had fun at their own reunion catching up with old friends.

EMMA CADENA ’16

LANGDON DEARBORN ’16

Mayfield Senior School | University of California, Santa Cruz

The Webb Schools & La Canada High School | University of Southern California

Chandler’s rigor greatly prepared me for the workload and skills required to juggle Mayfield’s honors track, athletics and instrumental programs. As Chandler prepared me to understand different perspectives, Mayfield refined them and showed me the power that an educated female can have in a class, on a field, and a stage. Chandler’s emphasis on empowering women in STEM significantly impacted my confidence in choosing Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology as my major. Mr. Cal’s molecular biology elective and Mr. Korn’s woodworking elective helped me become an unapologetic-curious female in science.

My dream is to become a researcher-scientist capable of helping others to understand what is happening to them at a cellular level.

Currently, I am taking a race/ethics class and the discussion reminded me of the critical thinking Mrs. Laird and Mrs. Dretzka required in English class. I truly owe a lot of thanks to Mr. Korn. He was the first coach that believed in me enough to encourage me to run.

His kind presence in my life gave me the confidence to commit to running at UC Santa Cruz.

As I write this, I am living, training and studying with my team, who are becoming my second family. My team shares a love for music, nature, activism and science; I am so happy to surround myself with friends who love the same passions. Mayfield helped turn me into the student and runner I am today, but Chandler created many of those pathways.

From 8th Grade at Chandler to freshman year at a challenging private boarding school, the transition was seamless. During high school, I was freshman class president, played a lead in two musical theatre productions, participated in the pit band for Mamma Mia!, sang in Hawai’i and France with a touring choir, played in orchestra and jazz band, and started a rock band, among other things. During quarantine, my band was able to play 125 social-distanced serenades all around Los Angeles, raising money while promoting safety and social distancing. Eventually, we were able to donate over 25,000 meals to families affected by poverty and COVID-19.

From Chandler, I most appreciated the loving faculty and the high standards they set. Current Chandler students, if you put your teachers’ advice to practice, the constant messages about being respectful, caring, and kind will distinguish you and give meaning to your pursuit of success and fulfillment.

For the next four years, I’ll be pursuing USC’s Music Production degree. I’m hopeful for the relationships I’m building with those who share my interests and the professional skills I’m developing with yet another group of caring and committed faculty.

My band, Rose Avenue, released our original album on September 25. It’s been my passion project for nearly two years now, and if you’d like to check it out, you can find it at roseaveband. com. Feel free to email me at langdondearbornmusic@gmail.com as well if you’d like to share your thoughts or get in touch!

KIRA FARMER ’16 Harriton High School, Pennsylvania | Carleton College Going to Chandler was incredibly helpful as I started high school. The school was academically-rigorous and competitive, and I wouldn’t have kept up with my peers and thrived without everything I learned at Chandler. For example, I felt comfortable going to my teachers when I needed help or extra practice since the same interaction was encouraged while I was at Chandler.

My extracurriculars consisted of four years of basketball and softball. I also participated in a club called the National Society of Black Engineers, which focused on STEM-related activities. Outside of school, I interned at an organization called SquashSmarts in North Philadelphia for two summers. As an intern, I helped high schoolers and middle schoolers with their academics.

At Chandler, I loved how close a relationship everyone had with each other since we were a smaller student body. Also, spirit week was always a blast! To current Chandler students, don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers when you need help; they want you to succeed! And take opportunities to try new things while you’re there, like an elective that’s out of your comfort zone.

My intended major as of right now is English, but I still have a year to figure out if that will be my path. I hope that I gain a greater understanding of the world, learn more about myself, stay on top of my workload, and take the time to explore and have some fun.

The Class of 2016 has enrolled in these colleges and more American University California Lutheran University Carleton College Case Western Reserve University Claremont McKenna College Colorado College Cornell University Duke University Emory University Georgetown University

Loyola Marymount University Mount Saint Mary's University New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Occidental College Pomona College Princeton University Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College

Smith College Texas Christian University The University of Chicago University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Los Angeles University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Barbara University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Connecticut University of Michigan University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Southern California Vanderbilt University Vassar College Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University

GRACE HITCHCOCK ’16 Phillips Academy Andover | Georgetown University The educational philosophies of Chandler and Andover aligned well—the importance of curiosity, a passion for learning, an in-depth curriculum, and academic rigor. What I carried with me from Chandler was my teachers’ passion for learning, which was contagious and made me enjoy school. I am incredibly grateful to the teachers who pushed me outside of my comfort zone, encouraged me to try new things, supported me, and taught me what it means to be a good person.

Without a doubt, I can say that I am where I am today because of the guidance, support, and inspiration of my Chandler teachers.

I strongly encourage Chandler students to be excited about where you are and what you’re doing. Chandler has a lot to offer and every student should take advantage of that. I tried to follow my own advice in high school—as captain of the varsity swimming and cycling teams, a student government member, and a peer tutor. I was also a proctor in the school’s first all-gender dorm, where we built an openminded and accepting community. You never know when you’ll come across opportunities that shape your experience and forge meaningful, lasting friendships.

I plan to major in government at Georgetown, potentially with a minor in Russian. But long before the pandemic began, I wanted to take some time to gain real-world experience—and, what a year to venture into the real world! I feel fortunate to be working for Congressman Seth Moulton. I hope that this gap year and my continued educational journey will continue to reinvigorate my outlook on the world.

FRANCISCO SALINAS ’16 Loyola High School | Santa Clara University Chandler did a fantastic job of helping me develop the skills necessary to become independent and disciplined throughout high school.

Talking with teachers came easy because I had already developed that level of confidence and accountability from Chandler.

I was heavily involved in community service throughout high school, which was a passion that Chandler introduced me to early on.

My brother and I led eleven service trips down to Tijuana, Mexico, to build homes for families in need. We spent three weeks living at a shelter on Skid Row, serving the homeless population of Los Angeles.

I graduated cum laude from Loyola High School and was recognized by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for my commitment to service. In addition, I received my Eagle Scout Award.

What I most appreciated about Chandler was the variety of opportunities available to me as a student to discover new interests. STEAM projects and the many STEM-oriented electives, helped me find my passion for technology and engineering.

The many non-academic related activities that Chandler offered helped me strengthen relationships with my peers and teachers, which greatly benefitted my academic performance. Many teachers I had were committed to challenging their students, which was matched by their compassion and care outside the classroom.

My advice for current students: Force yourself to try activities outside of your comfort zone. The earlier you discover your interest, the more time you’ll have to gain experience and invest in your future.

I am currently majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Santa Clara University, and I am grateful for all the opportunities that Chandler has provided me.

GABRIEL SALINAS ’16 Loyola High School | Loyola Marymount University Outside of running cross-country and writing for the newspaper, I was heavily involved with Loyola’s community service program. I spent a large amount of time with the student-run service leadership team while also leading a home-building project in Mexico four times a year. During my senior year, I received “The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Christian Service Award,” which is given to three students in the graduation class of Catholic schools across L.A. County. I received this award alongside another student and my brother, Francisco.

Beyond the challenging material during my middle school years, Chandler’s academic rigor gave me an advantage by placing me into Honors Geometry beginning freshman year, compared to most students taking Algebra 1. I am also very fond of the STEM projects during middle school. Not only were they the most memorable activities from my Chandler experience, but also helped build a closer bond with teachers too — something I didn’t realize until the reunions and alumni visits. To Chandler students, I would recommend that you not be afraid to explore your passions academically, athletically, and artistically. From my experience, high school is much more enjoyable if you have a wide dictionary of interests that you can grow upon.

Currently, I am undecided but plan on studying towards a major in computer science or mechanical engineering. I am hopeful that I can continue reconnecting with former teachers and faculty that have helped me achieve the educational status that I enjoy today.

ANNA MARTINEZ-YANG ’16 Harvard-Westlake School | Washington University in St. Louis I believe Chandler prepared me very well for high school. Transitioning to Harvard-Westlake from Chandler, I felt I had cultivated all the necessary skills like time management and effective learning strategies.

At Harvard-Westlake, I was the co-president of the Asian Students in Action (ASiA) club on campus. My most significant commitment outside of school is my lab work at UCLA regarding disease pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. I am a student researcher tasked with conducting various lab procedures, much of which I started learning about in Chandler, like Gel Electrophoresis and PCR. As I think back on my Chandler experience, I most appreciated the tight-knit community. My most vivid memory is Mr. Finch waiting by the tower each morning to greet every student walking onto campus. I also truly appreciated the outstanding teachers who cared for every student. To current Chandler students, I hope you make the most out of your Chandler experience and cultivate friendships that continue into high school and beyond. I would also encourage you to talk to your teachers often because they truly know best, and you might never have such a dedicated, one-on-one learning experience elsewhere.

I am currently planning on double majoring in Neuroscience and Computer Science. I am most excited to finally tailor a schedule best suited to my interests and dive into undergraduate research of my own.

I also can’t wait to get closer to the amazing professors on campus, albeit socially distanced or on Zoom.

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Alumni Visiting Day Chandler welcomed alumni back to campus for its annual Alumni Visiting Day on February 5, offering a chance to reconnect with former classmates and faculty and share their expertise, insights and talents with students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Alumni participated in an African American Read-In; shared personal stories of identity, California history, the power of team sports, the importance of archaeology, the value of persuasive arguments, and pathways to becoming a writer, musician, creator, doctor, entrepreneur and more.

Middle School Keynote speaker, Naveen Jeereddi ’88, inspired students to embrace challenges and approach lifelong learning with a hyper-growth mindset.

In the evening, alumni participated in the inaugural Debate Showcase event, hosted by Mr. Hulm and Mr. Spencer, as team members and judges. The debate demonstration between alumni vs. eighthgrade students was an exciting battle of the minds. Ultimately, our alumni team, William Farhat ’17 and Andrew Gong ’17, were awarded the Champion metals.

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MANY THANKS! to all of our alumni experts who made Alumni Visiting Day a success!

Maya Alvarez-Galvan ’84 Earl Barr ’72 CHS ’76 Sebouh Bazikian ’10 Maddy Berger ’16 Cameron Boswell ’93 Kristin Brisbois ’07 Nadia Chan ’99 Patrick Dillon Curry ’03 Senthil Durairaj ’92 William Farhat ’17 Andrew Gong ’17 Blakley Coe Graham ’93 Karissa Hurzeler ’05 Leslie Ito ’88 Naveen Jeereddi ’88 Taryn Kim ’16 Leon Kuo ’17 Sunjay Lad ’95 Matt Lawler ’95 Frank Luh ‘94 Joe Mathews ’87 Isamu McGregor '03 Neal Salisian ’94 Jennifer Spinoglio ‘17

ALUMNI COUNCIL 2019-2020 Thank you to the Alumni Council for their leadership and support at school and alumni events, giving campaigns, and much more.

Thank you for inspiring our alumni families to have lifelong connections to Chandler School.

Chris Waldheim ’81 PRESIDENT Casey Zuber Solomon ’00 VICE PRESIDENT Lauren Craig Albrecht ’85 John Berger ’88 David Gerst ’86 Blakley Coe Graham ’93 Sameer Hansen ’95 Erin Kaneko ’96 Faculty Liaison Ashley Laird

Matt Lawler ’95 Chris Lee ’92 Joyce Mitamura ’80 Catherine Pearson ’09 Victoria Peng ’10 Past Parent Liaison Candy Renick Dan Rothenberg ’96 Joyce Wang Sakonju ’87 Faculty Liaison Will Salmon

Amit Sura ’96 Travis Young ’96 Ex-Officio Joan Bravo DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Jennifer Sells Johnson ’94 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS & MAJOR GIFTS Fall 2020

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class notes The Shamrock is dedicated to Chandler teachers, past and present, who sparked the joy and love of learning and who made a difference in generations of Chandler students. Enjoy stories of gratitude featured throughout the class notes.

SHAUN SHATTUCK ’53 “My parents, Richard and Janet Shattuck, helped Mr. and Mrs. Chandler start the school in Altadena, CA on Mariposa Ave. We lived in a very small house in the Southeast corner of the property. I was in the sixth grade and graduated in the third class. I went on to Midland School. I am sure my father and mother are remembered with fondness,” says Shaun.

DEVEREUX “DEV” BALDWIN PURCELL ’66,

born on October 13, 1952, passed away on January 11, 2020. He was the son of Anne Baldwin Purcell and Hugh Devereux Purcell.

He was born in Pasadena and resided in Santa Barbara since the late 1970s. Dev attended Chandler School (’66) and Blair High School (’70). He studied at the University of Grenoble in France and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Dev is survived by his sister, Anita Purcell DeAragon ’78 (Bruce), his nephew (Cameron DeAragon) and niece (Muriel DeAragon), his cousins, Deanne Wallace, Brent Wallace, Jane Hopper ’70, Heather Hopper, and Wilbur (Willie) Hopper Jr.

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MATTHEW MORPHY ’80 reconnected with former English teacher Cathy Rose at his son’s graduation ceremony from Crane Country Day School. In addition to Chandler, Cathy also taught English at Crane. During the ceremony, Cathy presented the Rose Bowl Award, aptly named in her honor. Afterward, Matthew and his brothers, Tim ’71 and Chris ’74, caught up with their former Chandler English teacher Ms. Rose.

ANNA PEHOUSHEK ’80 is still working as an Assistant Community Development Director for the City of Orange. Her son, John, is now a high school freshman.

CHRIS WALDHEIM ’81 along with fellow Chandler parents Dimple Bhasin, Jennifer Madden, and Jennifer Giancola Labrucherie, summited Mt. Whitney in November. The trip totaled 17 hours and 22 miles roundtrip.

This was a shared goal for these Chandler moms which was achieved after two years of training with Chris as their fearless leader. It was a memorable moment for all.

LAUREN CRAIG ALBRECHT ’85 “It’s hard to believe we graduated from Chandler 35 years ago! Where has the time gone? These past several months have given me the chance to reflect on my years at Chandler and the friends and teachers I had while there. One teacher, in particular, made a significant impact on me — Mr. Mac. When I was in 6th grade, he told me, ‘Lauren, you can play anything the boys are playing.’ His voice stayed with me my whole life and was one reason I played sports in high school, college, and beyond. Mr. Mac holds a special place in my heart, and he will be missed. My son, Alexander ’17, is a rising senior at Cate School in Carpinteria, CA, and was selected to be a senior prefect for the freshman dorm. This summer, he began working on getting his pilot’s license. Maggie ’21 is excited to start her ninth and final year at Chandler. She was selected to be on the yearbook committee and will be deciding where to go to high school. We’re hopeful they can get back on campus soon. I’m finishing up coursework for a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) license at Pepperdine University, something I’ve always wanted to do. I hope everyone is hanging in there during these challenging times and that we will be able to reconnect in the future,” says Lauren.

ERIC ORTIZ ’88 lives in Minneapolis,

Minnesota, with his wife, Maria, and their three kids — Eva (12), Emilia (8) and Cal (5). Eric works as a senior editor for Granite Media, a digital media company based in San Francisco, managing a sports website called Stadium Talk and a business site called Work+Money. In 2020, Eric wrote and self-published a children's book with his kids (Emilia and Cal) called "How the Zookalex Saved the Village" (available on Amazon). It's about accepting people who are different than you and the importance of building community. He also is a board member for his neighborhood association, leading an effort to create a community mentorship network for youth in underserved communities, and is executive editor of Community Based News Room (CBNR), a news organization for Law at the Margins, a social justice nonprofit based in

New York City. CBNR investigates issues that impact underrepresented communities such as immigration, prison reform and homelessness. Maria is CEO of 7 Generation Games, a company that makes educational video games. Eric always will have fond memories of Chandler and wishes all of his old Chandler friends and teachers well wherever they are.

challenge! Martin is excited to get back to work and Gwyn has adapted well to life in Chandler homeschool. Stay healthy and safe, and wear your masks!

To choose only one teacher from my nine years at Chandler to highlight is difficult! So many teachers inspired, encouraged, and motivated me over the years.

If I had to choose ONLY one teacher who did the most to spark the joy of learning in me, it would be Arlene Anderson, my fifth grade teacher. She had a “bedside” manner that took me from being a wandering mind to an engaged learner. She was firm, direct, and tough, but she also helped to guide and excite me. We diagramed endless sentences, recited “The Highwayman” ad nauseam, and drilled multiplication tables until we were dizzy. Her M&M jar taught us perseverance and dedication to complete our tasks in an age-appropriate manner. I had the pleasure of getting to take her to lunch before her passing and getting to tell her these things in person about 10-15 years ago. To this day, I give Mrs. Anderson a little bit of the credit for every success that I’ve had since I left her class over 30 years ago. Mrs. Anderson was the one who flipped the “learning switch” in my brain to the “on” position,” says Brecken.

class notes

KATHLEEN MORRISON ’86 is a Reverend and Special Education teacher known to her students at Venetia Valley K-8 School as “Ms. Mo.” Her students learn about their beauty, worth, and belonging under Katie’s loving tutelage. Before she was a teacher, Katie traveled the nation, teaching churches about inclusion. Over the summer, Katie created an outdoor sculpture of 160 large, wooden hearts, made in memory of 160 of the more than 7,000 black lives lost since the lynching of Emmett Till. The Pray Their Names project was featured in locations throughout the Bay Area as visual and digital art combined to make a stunning appeal for attention to black lives lost to police violence. The vision for this installation comes out of a lifelong sense of solidarity with the pain and suffering endured by black and brown bodies. Katie hopes that this visual work will be a source of healing for all bodies, a unifying force to bring people together to meet in the pain and wrestle with the implications of institutionalized racism.

“Once we acknowledge and face the wrong, we can begin to do what is right,” says Katie.

BRECKEN ARMSTRONG ’91 “We’ve had a great year thus far! I married my best friend, Martin Garret, on April 4, 2020, after a friendship of 20 years. Although our wedding was planned as a cliffside ceremony in Santorini, the coronavirus had other plans for us. We had a beautiful backyard ceremony with our immediate family followed by a wonderful parade through our neighborhood, during which nearly 150 people lined the streets with rice, homemade signs, balloons, and champagne to wish us well. Our parade made the local news and was featured in the Pasadena Star News, Meet the Press, and CNN World. Even our wedding planner in Greece saw the story on local TV! I remain at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle as an ER doctor at Kaiser Fontana/Ontario. We see COVID all day, every day. It has been a challenging time, but we are up for the continued on page 25

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IN MEMORY OF

S. Allan Johnson ’51 Chandler's first graduate and our school's most generous individual benefactor, died on March 27, 2020. Allan ’51 once described the experience of being in a class of one as “thrilling” because he had a one-to-one relationship with his teachers. “A unanimous decision voted me as Class Valedictorian,” he joked.

He was also the first “Best All-Around Boy” and “Best Athlete.” Allan went on to attend Flintridge Preparatory High School and The Thacher School before earning a degree in engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. He loved computer technology, and he went on to have a successful career buying and selling businesses.

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Allan and his wife Marguerite were married for 59 years and have two daughters. He credits the Chandlers, Tom and Katie, for giving him a strong foundation. Allan was Chandler’s first recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Head of School John Finch reflects, “He always enjoyed talking about Chandler for which he had such fond memories and hearing about the advances that Chandler was making always cheered him.

Since being appointed Chandler's Head of School, I have taken trips every two years to visit Al

and Marguerite in Atherton whenever a new Chair is appointed to the Board of Trustees. Allan was the most unpretentious and down to earth of people - kind and successful. Chandler has lost a great friend, a tribal elder who lived a life of consequence and who loved the school.” He will be greatly missed. Allan’s legacy will live on at Chandler and continue to be felt by generations of students and families.

Each time we step foot into the Allan and Marguerite Johnson Courtyard, we will be reminded of his lasting impact on our school.

CHRISTOPHER LEE ’92 and his wife, Christine, welcomed the birth of their daughter Corinne in November 2019. Their son, Caleb, started second grade at Chandler this fall. Chris reflects, “I was around Caleb’s age when our family moved out of town, and I had to leave Chandler. We are so happy that this is just the beginning of Caleb’s Chandler journey."

KELSEY PETERSON-MORE ’96

and Dave Szamet are thrilled that their daughter Reese has started Kindergarten at Chandler this fall.

AMIT SURA ’96 and his wife Esha welcomed their second child, Selene, in January, right before the pandemic struck. Amit continues to work at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as a pediatric radiologist and serves as the fellowship director. He continues to remain passionate about medical education and international aid teaching medical students at USC and Malawi where he served on a medical mission in November 2019. Currently, he serves on committees addressing diversity, equity and inclusion both at the hospital, Chandler, and Poly.

love the numerous neighborhood scavenger hunts Elise has set up and the learning materials she has created for her company, Express Readers. The photo is from our family’s recent socially-distanced outing to Dana Point to escape the terrible air quality in Pasadena and go whale and dolphin watching. You wouldn’t be able to tell from the photo, but the kids had a blast while it was the parents battling seasickness, but overall it was a lovely trip and necessary respite from quarantine life,” says Erica.

class notes

LAUREN POINDEXTER ’94 is in New York City for a fellowship in sports medicine where she guides athletes and a local NCAA DIII college through the murky return-tosport phases during COVID-19.

ERICA YEN ’97 left law firm life last year to take on a new opportunity with the legal department of a medical device company, KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc. in El Segundo, California. She provides legal support for the North American entities of the parent company headquartered in Tuttlingen, Germany. She is back in Pasadena, exploring old haunts and new places with husband Phuong Le and their children, Zoey (5), and Miles (2). “I’ve reconnected with Elise Lovejoy ’95 since we were in the same Mommy & Me class together at The Family Room, and my kids

KEVIN KOHORST ’99 traveled to Croatia over the summer with his wife Kate, their children William ’27 and Charlotte, brother Matt ’03 and Jennifer Serdienis. Kevin and Matt’s parents, Shelley Allen and Robert Kohorst reside in Croatia, where their father serves as the United States Ambassador to Croatia. During their visit, William trained with Dinamo Zagreb, a Croatian professional football club based in Zagreb, for three days. It was a memorable experience for the entire family.

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ALUMNI PROFILE THE WALDHEIM FAMILY

The Chandler Difference Chris ’81 and Lena Waldheim were very clear about one thing when choosing a school for their children, Ryan ’16 and 8th-grader Chase. They wanted the best experience for their family. As an alumnus, Chris’ education and experience at Chandler during the late 1970’s played a part in choosing that school. Chris believed that “Chandler would challenge his boys intellectually and maximize their potential.” He is delighted that Chandler has not only lived up to this promise but has far exceeded it. Lena reflects, “We toured several local private schools, but Chandler stood out to me. I enjoyed what I saw. When we eventually chose Chandler, it was even more special, because it was becoming a family tradition.”

Chris credits Chandler for developing his own self-confidence when he was a student, yet he is still amazed seeing the confidence and poise of current students at Chandler.

He says, “They have great composure, and they can hold conversations with adults very easily; that was something I didn’t do until I was 25.” He still remembers his teacher, Mr. Hill, who encouraged him to participate in Spanishspeaking contests. As the owner of J’s Maintenance, a family business which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, the confidence and mastery of his Spanish skills has been essential to communicate effectively with his team and the advancement of his business.

Chandler’s Supportive Teachers Chris believes it is crucial that a teacher recognize a student’s potential. He says this encouragement makes learning enjoyable and that motivation sticks with you long after your education is officially over. He adds, “I still remember my eighth-grade science project with Mr. Mac, the experiments we conducted and competing in track meets. The whole learning experience has left a big positive mark on my life.”

Lena has witnessed the same support and encouragement with her children. She adds, “Ms. Dolan pushed Ryan in his writing, she took him out for stand-up comedy and taught him how to do it. She was just so encouraging; I simply adore her.” The high quality of teachers stood out at Chandler for Lena, but more than that, Ryan and Chase have felt supported in their interests and passions.

More Than Just a School If the Waldheims could use just one word to describe Chandler, it would be “community.” For them, this community consists of not only teachers, students, and their parents, but 26

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also the parent volunteers, alumni, trustees, and so many more who are committed to the school’s success. He says, “This massive community creates its own energy which is not easy to find in any other school.”

Get Involved and Take the Plunge The warmth and pride that Chris and Lena feel with their sons continuing the Chandler tradition is indescribable.

Ryan has already started to give back by volunteering with his fellow alumni during Big Service Day and serving as a Class Representative. “When I have the opportunity to welcome new families into our community at events, I always tell them to get involved and take the plunge,” says Chris.

The Waldheims have also been vital supporters of the school.

Chris reflects, “When we were asked to support the campaign for the Middle School back in 2010, it was an easy answer.

We wanted to do everything we could to help Chandler continue to provide the incredible educational foundation to each and every student. And while helping with outreach for the new campaign, we decided to create an Endowed Fund specifically around the Spanish program and their amazing teachers because learning a new language opens up new parts of children’s minds. Knowing a second language provides inspiration and confidence that translates into an inherent knowledge that there are no limits to the ability inside your mind. We will soon have three Chandler Alumni in one house and we have all benefited greatly from the strong foundations that were built on the Chandler campus. For all we have received, we believe that we must pay it forward for the next generations of families who attend Chandler.”

Chris and Lena “took the plunge” and got involved at Chandler as soon as their kids were enrolled. While Chris served formally as a member of the Board of Trustees, he continues to serve as a vital hands-on volunteer for numerous school and CFA events and currently as the President of the Alumni Association and Council. Lena has also served on the Board of the Chandler Family Associates and as a regular volunteer at school and CFA events like the annual Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day. She tells new families, “Partake in this incredible energy that is the Chandler community. It is the difference between just a school and Chandler.”

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class notes

BLAKE THOMPSON ’99 married his wife, Jaime, in June 2019, and on July 6, 2020, welcomed the birth of their first child, a beautiful baby boy named Chandler James Thompson.

KATIE FREDERICK ’00 is living in Paso Robles wine country on a walnut orchard where they harvest apples, pears, and walnuts.

With their first flock of chickens, they have fresh eggs daily. Daughters Addie is 4 ½, Clemmie is 2 ½, and their youngest, Teddie, is eight weeks old. Katie is still making toffee for her company, Simmering Sugar.

KATIE WEBB ’00, “The teacher who sparked the joy of learning for me was my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Bev Jacobson. She taught with joy and creativity. She made learning fun and enjoyable, even when basic algebra, literature, and writing skills can be tedious

to a 10-year-old. Her passion for teaching was evident, and it seeped into the minds of her students, making me eager to get to class every morning. Fifth grade is a key year as you prepare for the new, intimidating world of Middle School. Mrs. Jacobson made sure everyone was ready, and we were!

I have now spent 12 years in a career in the entertainment world where I can tap into the skills and creativity she taught me every day. I love my job because every day I am learning something new; no day is the same. I am continually finding myself asking questions and regularly researching to continue to learn and be the best I can be.

Mrs. Jacobson taught that, and she taught me to be curious. She taught me to be kind. But most importantly, she taught me to be bold.

Mrs. Jacobson, you had such an important role in shaping the woman I am today. I think of you often, and I am forever thankful that my name was listed on your class list that summer day in 1996,” says Katie.

ALLISON MCGUIRE ’01 just launched Present Like A Pro Online, an immersive course that gives business leaders and innovators the skills to powerfully persuade, sell, and motivate in a remote environment.

After working with companies like Capital One, Goldman Sachs, and ColgatePalmolive, she developed this 5-week storytelling curriculum that mixes her acting background with business applications.

She enjoys dancing indoors and coaching Chandler 8th graders on how to present themselves in their virtual high school interviews confidently.

GILLIAN HEYDORFF SUTTON ’02 and her husband Robin welcomed the birth of their son Robby Sutton on May 31, 2020.

PATRICK DILLON CURRY ’03 “I only attended Chandler K-3; my older brother, Chris, attended 3-8, so we can say we covered the grades! The teachers who were standouts for me were Mrs. Christine Barry in first grade, summer, and afterschool programs. She didn’t let anyone get away with a thing but made learning fun while challenging us!

I loved her accent, too. Third grade was Mr. Jeff McClune, who was a genuinely caring person who set high standards for learning but believed we could achieve the learning goals and helped us get there. We learned report writing, step by step with the mission, and wild animal reports.

Looking back, it still seems like a challenge from where I started that year. Last but perhaps first in his impact on me was Mr. Will Salmon. I loved music and performance, and still do, and Mr. Salmon was so creative and enthusiastic in his

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IN MEMORY OF

Mr. Mac

On July 6, 2020, the Chandler community lost a legend. “Mr. Mac,” as we all knew him, dedicated 31 years, 1961 - 1992, to the students and families of Chandler School as a former athletic director and science teacher. His legacy as a founder of the Middle School Independent League, a pioneer of girl’s athletics and a creator of Chandler’s athletics and track program are just a few of the benefits Chandler students still enjoy today. In the classroom, Mr. Mac was a talented teacher who brought his lessons to life with humor, enthusiasm and great story-telling. He had a positive and lasting impact on generations of alumni, and he will be remembered by all of us who were blessed to know him as a teacher, coach, mentor and friend. Each time we step onto MacQuoid Field, we will think of you, Mr. Mac.

A message from the MacQuoid Family: “I promised my dad that I would share this news with his Chandler family. He loved each of you, and we thank you for being a part of his life.

He also asked that we express his sincere thanks to the school’s founders, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler.” – Sheryl MacQuoid Price ’74 CHS ’78 Clyde MacQuoid of San Luis Obispo, California, peacefully passed away on July 6, 2020, just nine days short of his 89th birthday. Clyde was born in San Gabriel, California, where he lived throughout his formative years until he joined the United States Army. Upon being discharged, Sgt. MacQuoid returned home and enrolled in Pasadena City College, where he met the love of his life, Lynn. The couple married and moved to Arcata to attend Humboldt College, where he graduated with a “I promised my dad that degree in Marine Biology.

I would share this news Clyde quickly obtained a job with the California Fish with his Chandler family. & Game Department (Mt. He loved each of you, Shasta Hatchery) and later accepted a teaching position at and we thank you for Chandler School in Pasadena. being a part of his life.

After 31 years of teaching He also asked that we science and running the athletic department, he retired from express his sincere thanks Chandler and moved to Big to the school’s founders, Bear Lake, which was arguably his favorite and most treasured Mr. and Mrs. Chandler.” place on Earth. Eventually, – Sheryl MacQuoid Price ’74 CHS ’78 Clyde and Lynn relocated to San Luis Obispo to be close to their daughter, Sheryl.

Clyde is survived by his wife, Lynn, of 65 years, and their three children, Michael MacQuoid ’70 (Sandy), Charles MacQuoid ’71 CHS ’75, and Sheryl MacQuoid Price ’74 CHS ’78 (Rusty). He leaves behind seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three sisters, and three brothers. Clyde was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, and friend to many. In celebration of Clyde’s life, contributions are encouraged to be made to Chandler School at www.chandlerschool.org/give.

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ALUMNI PROFILE

NEAL SALISIAN ’94

Reinventing Yourself “You need to get it together,” Mr. Korn said to Neal ’94, “or you are going nowhere fast.” Having bottom tier grades and being known as the class clown pretty much summed up Neal Salisian’s experience at Chandler until the 8th grade.

For Neal, it was the moment of tough love from Mr. Korn that made all the difference. After that frank conversation with Mr. Korn, and during his last year at Chandler, he received his first “A” in Spanish. From that moment on, he learned that he could be a good student, and he applied himself — it was the spark he needed to reinvent himself.

When Neal left Chandler School, he shed his nickname, shed his past, and started over at St. Francis High School.

“My resurgence in high school was easy because Chandler prepared me. I knew what it meant to be a good student, as they were all around at Chandler.” While Neal jokes that he learned through osmosis, he eventually graduated as a Salutatorian from St. Francis in 1998.

Neal completed his undergraduate education at the University of Notre Dame, graduating magna cum laude with a B.B.A. in Finance and a B.A. in Computer Applications.

He then went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, where he was a member of the Hale Moot Court Honors team and president of the Corporate Law Society.

As a Finance major during his undergrad, he was uncertain about what he wanted to do for his career. His father was in Finance, but after interning at an investment bank, Neal was able to see how the attorneys were really the ones making the deals with investment bankers. While attending the prestigious law program at USC, Neal interned at the international law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius and worked there for almost six years as an associate litigator.

From there, Neal went on to co-found Salisian | Lee, LLP - a boutique law firm specializing in real estate and business litigation. He says, “I wanted to build something of my own, to have pride in building my brand and my firm.”

This seven-lawyer, 15-employee law firm has been going strong for ten years. When asked what he enjoys most about

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his career, Neal says that building something from nothing, developing employees, and changing people’s lives has been exceedingly fulfilling. He says, “I have witnessed lawyers grow and mature into fantastic litigators, and being part of their development is something in which I take a lot of pride.”

From his journey at Chandler to St. Francis to Notre Dame to USC, his most significant accomplishment is still having had the chance to do a 180 and correct his course. The advice that he’d give to anyone who is struggling right now is: “Don’t be limited by the definition others have for you - they are usually false and there are so many opportunities to reinvent yourself once you make that discovery.” He adds, “Sometimes it takes some tough love to realize that you have to be the one to break the cycle and reinvent yourself.”

Neal Salisian met his wife, Stephanie, at Notre Dame in 1998, and they married in 2009. They live in Playa Del Rey and have two children, Neal Samuel “Sammy” Salisian III, five years old, and Nicolette Salisian, four years old. Neal is a founder and Co-Managing Partner of Salisian | Lee LLP.

approach that I know he inspired many of us.

I remember I had signed up for a summer class in theater he was teaching, between K and 1st grade for me. My mom told me the story of how he pointed out I was the only boy signed up and asked if that was a problem. I apparently responded, ‘You’re a boy, too, right?’ I loved the summer class, but when the next summer came around, I recruited at least three boys from the Class of 2003 to sign up; Isamu McGregor ’03 was one. We put on a play of Alice in Wonderland, and Mr. Salmon was writer, director, music director and motivator! Thanks to all of these great teachers!"

JENA UMFRESS STARRING ’05 married

Daman Starring at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, CA, on September 10, 2020, in a small ceremony with immediate family and close friends.

of their first year at Harvard Law School that they both were lucky to have had Mrs. Bev Jacobson as their fifth grade teacher. “Colleen and I were in the same section, meaning we took most of our classes together our first year, but we didn’t discover this commonality until the year was nearly over. We bonded over it immediately because Mrs. Jacobson is so important to both our childhoods. She so palpably believed in all her students and encouraged confidence but not at the expense of kindness. Colleen and I still remember what she said about us at our fifth grade commencements. She called me an encyclopedia because of how much I read - and talked and encouraged me to keep

MEAGHAN ALLEN ’08 was a lifer at Chandler, graduating in 2008. Since then, she has attended La Salle College Preparatory, Class of ’12; UC Berkeley for her BA in English Literature, Class of ’17; received an MScR (Distinction) in Cultural Studies from the University of Edinburgh in 2019; and recently completed a second MA at University College London in Art History.

In January 2021, Meaghan will be starting her Ph.D. English Literature and American Studies at the University of Manchester in the UK with Dr. Anke Bernau and Professor David Matthews.

Meaghan’s Ph.D. project is intended to explore medieval women martyrs, particularly virgin-martyrs, and their connections to Contemporary Gothic/Horror Final Girls. Meaghan will be considering contemporary women such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Vanessa Ives from Penny Dreadful, Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks, Helen Lyle from Candyman, and the haunted poet Sylvia Plath in relation to Medieval saints like Saint Barbara, Saint Ursula, and Saint Margaret of Antioch through lenses such as Medievalism, Torment, Viscera, and Calling. For more information about this project, you can listen to Meaghan speak on the episode “Sacred Slayers & (Un)Willing Martyrs” on the podcast she co-hosts ‒ Modern Medieval: The Podcast ‒ available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

JEFF BU ’08

graduated from Harvard Business School in May and joined Bain’s San Francisco office as a management consultant.

SARAH JACKSON ’08, Brown University 2016, completed her law degree from Columbia University in 2019 and passed the D.C. bar. She is an associate for Hughes, Hubbard, and Reed in D.C. SAMANTHA JACOBS ’08, “All my teachers at Chandler were passionate and impactful, but Mrs. Jacobson, Mrs. Laird, and Mrs. Newhall have been particularly significant to me. I went into education, first as a teacher, and now working in education policy, and these three teachers shaped my path and gave me invaluable guidance.

In 5th grade, I faced some challenging medical issues, and Mrs. Jacobson taught me to acknowledge that the change was monumental but that I should see my difference as a strength and not a weakness. It changed my life, truly, and it showed me that teaching is about more than curriculum - it’s about connections and seeing students for who they are beyond the tests and homework.

Once I began teaching years later, I reached out to Mrs. Jacobson, who gave me so much advice on the ins and outs of the classroom and the emotional labor that comes with teaching. I was teaching 6th grade English, so I also reached out to Mrs. Laird and Mrs. Newhall. I didn’t even know if they would remember me so many years later, but both adamantly did and went above and beyond in sharing their resources and advice about how to teach middle school and how to imbue a love of language and literature, as they did for me when I was their student.

I became a teacher and continue to work in education because teachers like these showed me firsthand the power of teachers who care about their work and their students.

They taught me that the best teachers never stop learning, and I do my best to carry that lesson with me. I thank them for everything they have done for the Chandler community and me,” says Samantha.

class notes

STEPHANY BAI ’06 AND COLLEEN O’GORMAN ’09 discovered near the end

being curious. She recalled that Colleen had written a diary entry admiring Sandra Day O’Connor for being the first woman Supreme Court Justice and said Colleen should aspire to be on the Supreme Court because she was not only smart but because justice and fairness are so important to her.

Mrs. Jacobson taught both my sister Tammy Bai ’08 and I. I think Mrs. Jacobson’s attitude towards life–hard work and optimism even in the face of hardship– also influenced many of us. Colleen remembers speaking with Mrs. Jacobson after school one day, feeling very upset after reading The Diary of Anne Frank and learning about the Holocaust and how evil people can be. Mrs. Jacobson told her that, yes, the world could be horrible, but there are things you can do about it. This rings true to this day and is something I hope both Colleen and I continue to carry with us even after we graduate law school next year,” says Stephany.

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ALUMNI PROFILE THE RIVAS FAMILY

Reflections

Reflecting on their family’s time at Chandler, Daisy Rivas reminisces about the years she spent receiving hand-painted gifts when her kids were in Lower School, attending countless athletic games, and ultimately watching all three of her children shake Mr. Finch’s hand at commencement. Sixteen years of dropping off and picking up her children Alyssa ’10, Samantha ’12, and Chris ’16, who are all Chandler lifers, really integrates you into a community. And, for the Rivas family, it’s the community that makes Chandler so unique.

Daisy’s late husband, Edgar Rivas, who passed in April 2015, immigrated to the United States from Ecuador in 1972. He and his wife valued education and worked hard to put themselves through college. They felt education was the key to opportunities for themselves and their children. They bought a house, started a family, opened a business, and made a commitment to give their children more than they had.

As parents, Daisy says, they found themselves in the fortunate position to be able to provide their kids with an excellent education and lay the groundwork for being part of a community.

Daisy says, “We understand the value of education. Our philosophy on philanthropy is giving back, whether through time or resources.”

A family of dual-working parents, Daisy and Edgar enrolled their children into the Afterschool Program but did not hesitate when it came to volunteering. Daisy was a member of the Board of Trustees, served as CFA President, chaired the Book Fair and participated in countless other events steeped in the Chandler tradition. Eddie was also very involved at the school serving on the Board of Trustees and volunteering for Chandler’s Art Appreciation program. Daisy recalls that there was always something going on at Chandler. “The community of faculty, parents, and students sets Chandler apart.

There were always so many different avenues to engage, and it provided a sense of belonging,” says Daisy.

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Throughout the years, many faculty members made a difference in the lives of their children. Next to parents, Daisy believes teachers are the ones who provide lifelong lessons throughout the various stages of childhood. They receive skills that last a lifetime.

Samantha recalls how Mrs. Jacobson made a difference in her life. “Mrs. Jacobson impacted my life in ways that I could not even put into words. She was the first teacher to ever give me an F and was the first teacher who taught me to believe in myself and be independent. When my dad was diagnosed, Mrs. Jacobson was informed, and since that day, she has never stopped being there for me. Despite her always busy schedule, she will always find time for a visit or to check up on me when I was away at school. My Chandler experience and life would not be complete without Mrs. Jacobson and her husband, Mr. Jacobson.”

“Mr. Hopkins has been essential in my growth during my teenage years,” says Chris, the youngest of the Rivas siblings.

“During those times, I had no one that I could look to and trust and I found a mentor in Mr. Hopkins. He always believed in me throughout all my problems and has never given up on me. Even though he moved out of the state, we keep in touch often as if he never left. He is a lot more to me than just my 8th grade history teacher.”

In 2015, the Edgar Rivas Memorial Scholarship Fund was established. To honor his memory, this scholarship is awarded annually to a Middle School Latino student who embodies a spirit of leadership, community service and love of academics, athletics and the arts, all of which were qualities of Eddie.

Board President at the time, Matt Wright ’74 CHS ’78, says, “Eddie Rivas taught us how to move through the world with integrity, generosity, iron determination, and a sense of humor.

He valued education and worked tirelessly to ensure his children acquired the knowledge and skills to open the doors of opportunity. Alyssa, Samantha, and Christopher are proof of his success.”

Daisy was honored to have had this scholarship in her late husband’s name but feels immense gratitude for being able to award this every year to a young, deserving Latino. Having been welcomed and embraced at Chandler, the Rivas family always felt they could share their culture and celebrate diversity.

This scholarship would help further promote diversity, equity and inclusion at Chandler. She says, “Establishing a scholarship in his name was something I know would have meant so much to him. I know that his legacy will live on. Chandler has a history, as a school, but also in my family. We are proud to be part of that history and to know that Eddie’s legacy, spirit and boundless love will continue in the generations of students who are recipients of this meaningful fund.”

Chandler developed my sense of entrepreneurship early in my learning career, this was only made possible by the incredible faculty that enabled me to take creative approaches to fulfilling my assignments and projects. If not for those experiences I wouldn’t be prepared for the ever changing and creativity driven career that I now find myself in.

- Alyssa Rivas ’10

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SARAH ANDERSON ’09 is in the Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, doing brain cancer research in biomedical engineering.

SEBOUH BAZIKIAN ’10 AND SHAWNT BAZIKIAN ’12 continue to run the One

class notes

Bicycle Foundation. With the incredible support of the Chandler Class of 2019, they were able to deliver 30 bicycles to healthcare workers in Kenya to help combat COVID-19 by increasing their mobility and reach to dispersed communities. Shawnt graduated from the University of Michigan via Zoom and is working for Intrepid Investment Bankers in Los Angeles, and Sebouh attends medical school in Los Angeles. Despite the circumstances, they are taking advantage of spending more time at their family home in Glendale and enjoying the outdoors.

ERIC FUNG ’10 proposed to Kelly Lau at Princeton University where they met. Eric and Kelly shared the sweet moment at Poe Field, where, as students, they would meet to walk around due to its proximity to the molecular biology and chemistry labs.

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BRAXTON WILLIAMS ’11 is working as an analyst at Point B, a management consulting firm.

TYLER ANASTASIA ’12 graduated from the

University of Mississippi in May with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing, with an emphasis on digital marketing. Tyler loved his time in Oxford, Mississippi, and wishes he was back in The Grove rooting for the Rebels this year. He is currently a sales representative for Lock-Up, Inc. in Pasadena.

RILEY RENICK ’12 graduated from the University of Denver with a BA in political science in June. He plans to go to law school after a one, or two, year pitstop in Shasta, CA, where he is currently a fly-fishing guide.

In addition to fishing, Riley enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and skiing. He credits his memorable Chandler Boojum trips for sparking his passion for the great outdoors.

JAMES ANDERSON ’12 completed his senior year at George Washington University in the field of psychology and social work.

WILLIAM PAI ’12 graduated this past June with a degree in economics and accounting, after finishing an amazing four years at UC Santa Barbara. “I am leaving Santa Barbara, even though it will forever feel like home, with a new perspective and a great group of friends to start this next chapter of my life. Not living within a two-minute walk of the beach is sure to be an adjustment! Professionally, I will be starting my career with KPMG in the Audit practice and pursuing my CPA license. Starting my career remotely may not be ideal, but I am looking forward to making the most of the experience and seeing where my journey will take me next! I spent my last summer watching the whirlwind of sports happening concurrently, re-exploring some of California’s National Parks, and surfing whenever the waves are good - hard to complain,” says William.

SAMANTHA RIVAS ’12 graduated from the University of Portland in May with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and minors in chemistry, biology, and Spanish.

She is back in Pasadena, working with the Veteran’s Administration reviewing medical reports to help veterans obtain disability benefits. Currently, she is applying to medical school and hopes to enroll in the fall of 2021.

THEODORE ROSENFELD ’12 graduated

from UC Berkeley. He starred in several productions such as Hamlet, playing the role of Hamlet, Eurydice, Noises Off, and 70 Scenes of Halloween. Theo was also very involved with the university’s comedy group Theater for Charity.

He has a degree in media studies from UC Berkeley’s School of Letters and Sciences, and he was awarded the Cloak and Dagger Award from the theater department.

organized events and recruited volunteers to provide food, water, and supplies for encampments around L.A. NPP and the admissions office have been a way for her to connect with other students of color and give back to the Eagle Rock community.

She has also been heavily involved with the Black Lives Matter movement through organizing and raising money to bring food, water, and supplies to protests.

YUMI BALTHAZAR ’16 started her first semester of college at Case Western Reserve University after an unusual high school graduation from Poly. Though distance learning is not what she imagined, she is enjoying her classes, and even after 13 years of school with Sean Liu ’16, they still FaceTime nearly every day to complain about their chemistry class.

class notes

ALEC WYNDHAMSMITH ’13 will graduate from the University of Southern California in May 2021 with a degree in economics. Then he will enter the US Navy as an officer in the naval pilot training program.

JOE BALDWIN ’16 graduated from the Episcopal School of Los Angeles, where he was President of the Thespian Honors Society and Captain of the Varsity Cross Country team.

He is a freshman at Vassar College and considering a major in drama.

CHLOE DANIEL ’15 earned first-team All-Ivy honors and became the individual women’s epee champion as a UPenn freshman. Her 12-4 performance and .750 winning percentage led all of women’s epee and aided the women’s team who defeated the #1 Princeton Tigers and came within two bouts of the Ivy League title. Chloe is just the 10th women’s epee fencer in program history to be named first-team All-Ivy.

THELONIOUS CUNDIEFF ’14 is a junior at the University of Southern California. He is busy playing in rock/jazz bands and making music with his band “Off Task,” while also working part-time.

CARINA GRANDE ’14 is a junior at Occidental College, majoring in psychology with a minor in kinesiology. She is active in many on-campus and off-campus clubs and organizations, including LegUp Los Angeles, Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP), Occidental’s Admissions Office, her local sorority, and psychology research. As the Advocacy Director for Leg Up, a non-profit serving the unhoused community of Los Angeles, she has

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MADDY BERGER ’16 graduated from Polytechnic High School. She was the Chief Copy Editor of The Paw Print, Captain of Poly’s Moot Court team, and Co-Founder of Poly’s Ethics Bowl team.

Maddy was a member of the debate team, participated in musical theater, and served as a Poly Ambassador. She is a freshman at Duke University and plans to major in public policy.

SOPHIA DE REEDER ’16 graduated from Grand Arts High School, where she was a Music Academy member. At Grand Arts, she was able to direct and produce productions, play lead roles in musicals including Penny in Hairspray and Maureen in Rent, and study singing and guitar. Sophia says, “I really loved my high school experience. Outside of school, I’ve been working on writing and recording original music with my band, and hopefully, I will get to professionally release my songs to the public sometime soon. I’m very excited for the years ahead,” says Sophia.

Sophia is a freshman at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, studying creative writing, film, and music.

class notes

ELLA DESHOTEL ’16 graduated from Mayfield Senior School, where she participated in Dance Conservatory all four years. She is a freshman at the University of Southern California, majoring in communications.

REBECA CASTRO ’16 graduated from Webb High School. At Webb, she enjoyed yoga, hiking, participating in science fairs, and various sports, including volleyball, dance, tennis and water polo. She was a member of the Honor Cabinet Committee. Rebeca is now a freshman at Smith College, and she plans to major in engineering.

DELANEY CHOI ’16 graduated from La Cañada High School. She played varsity golf and softball, qualified as a national merit scholar, and volunteered with Teens for the Advancement of Children’s Hospital. She is a freshman at the University of Chicago and plans to major in mathematics.

TARYN KIM ’16 graduated from Polytechnic High School. She was the Debate Captain, Opinion Editor of The Paw Print, and member of the Associated Student Body. She is currently taking a gap year from the University of Chicago and spending her time teaching English to Nicaraguan students virtually.

AARON KORNFELD ’16 graduated from La Cañada High School. He began his fall semester at the University of Zurich, Switzerland as a pre-med student. So far, he is enjoying living abroad! Although he could not visit Chandler at the end of his senior year due to COVID-19, he looks forward to visiting the campus and his former teachers the next time he is back in Pasadena.

WILLIAM LABRADOR ’16 is happy to be living on campus at Washington University in St. Louis and taking a combination of asynchronous, hybrid, and in-person classes.

SEAN LIU ’16 is currently attending Case Western Reserve University after recently graduating from Poly. He is adjusting to on-campus college life during this strange COVID time while still ranting with and complaining to Yumi Balthazar ’16 as they continue their education together.

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ALUMNI PROFILE ALEX FORD ’09

Truths Intertwined In the collective pain that was felt in 2014, Alex Ford ’09 joined the protests over the killing of Mike Brown and Trayvon Martin, two unarmed young Black men who died at the hands of white men. Moved by sadness, anger, pessimism, but also hope, he ran across Princeton’s campus to get his camera and document the moment.

Six years later, with countless more murders, the pain that he felt in 2014 still resonates in 2020. Alex created Human Dreams shortly after the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. The trauma of 2014 of a mother losing a son was simply replaced now by a mother losing her daughter, a daughter losing her father - black families torn apart again.

“The fact that we were, six years later, in the same space as a nation was tragic to me,” Alex said. This was the inspiration behind his latest creative endeavor.

Human Dreams was created from Alex’s introspection in that moment. He took some time to navigate the numerous feelings swimming through his heart and mind during these times in relation to the conversations in the media. The outpour of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and discussions around racial equity help to develop language to create change. But in the abstract, showing support on social media by posting a black square on your profile is merely adequate; it doesn’t change fundamental problems around racism.

Human Dreams opens by listing what seem to be shared dreams of all humans - to create, to love, to experience, but the scene quickly switches from light to dark and Alex’s body floating in a void. Although he has human dreams, everyday society is telling black people that they are not human.

While Alex shared his truth in this video journal, many resonated with the message. “I think it was well-received because I share a truth with so many people,” he says, “Our truths are intertwined and one of the big issues in the country is that

we can't see the ways that our truths overlap. We create all these divisions that serve no one but those in power.”

“Like anyone else, I have dreams. I believe that dreaming–– searching for something––is one of the most human traits we could possibly share. I don’t know what the perfect version of this world looks like or if that even exists, but at the end of the day, I would choose to be Alex Ford time and time again. I have learned to find comfort in my friendships. This world is a crazy place with good days and bad days.

Sometimes it’s difficult to navigate, so find your friends and lean on them. The friends you make at Chandler, in high school, and beyond have to be part of your journey. Good friendships will always help you find comfort in nervous times and joy in sad times. Friends make this journey more fun and way less scary because they remind you that you aren’t alone. I made Human Dreams with some of my closest friends, and if they didn’t support me, I don’t know if I would have ever made it. So make sure you love on your friends, because they’re going to be here forever if you do.”

Alex Ford is a storyteller using writing, filmmaking and art to change the world. We look forward to reading, watching, and experiencing Alex’s creative pursuits.

After Chandler, Alex attended Loyola High School, Princeton University, and is currently working on his Masters in Fine Arts in Film & Television Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. You can learn more about his upcoming projects by following Alex on Instagram at @alex.mjv or visiting his website at www.myhumandream.com.

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ALUMNI PROFILE CHRIS CHIEN ’96

Coming Home

Dr. Chris Chien ’96 may very well be one of the youngest Chandler alumni to attend college. At 14, Chris was admitted into the early entrance program at Cal State LA, where he graduated in 2001. He then went on to study medicine at Chicago Medical School, followed by an Internal Medicine training at Cedar Sinai and Cardiology and Heart Transplant training at Oregon Health and Science University.

Although he might have been the youngest person in the room, Chris has enjoyed every bit of his experience, which led him to many different parts of the country and provided a rich and varied experience.

How Diversity Shapes Experience Chris has studied and worked in different parts of the United States and the world. He says that this experience was enlightening to him and has since started appreciating proficiencies he developed at Chandler. One thing that helped him adjust to diverse viewpoints and cultures in his journey was the exposure to diversity when he was at Chandler.

Blessed with an enviable career, Chris is also a proud husband to an equally brilliant wife, Julie Doberne, who also happens to be a doctor specializing in cardiac surgery.

He is a doting father to daughter, Samantha (3), and son, Adrian (1).

As many students who went to Chandler in the 90s and 2000s can attest, learning Spanish has been vital to communicating to an entirely different population. “Even a small effort to speak in someone else’s language goes a long way in building credibility and gaining trust,” he says, fondly remembering the fun he had with verb conjugation in Spanish class. He is delighted to see that Chandler has been making a conscious effort to advance diversity.

Chandler Instilled Curiosity

Coming Home

Chris attributes a significant part of his success to the curiosity established in him by an open and encouraging environment at Chandler. This curiosity led him to double major in biology and philosophy in college. While seemingly opposed fields, it is perhaps a perfect combination for a doctor who values and empathizes with patients daily.

Chris says, “As a cardiologist, it is helpful to be able to talk to my patients about a life and death matter with empathy, as well as the procedure of transplanting a heart.”

Chris often reminisces about growing up in the Los Angeles area. He remembers that these years were filled with a sense of optimism and a can-do spirit. Chris recalls, “In the mid90s when Kobe Bryant entered onto the NBA scene, these were the years of making the impossible possible for me.” A huge Lakers fan, he admires Bryant and often reflects upon growing up in LA with his friends and going to basketball games. He still considers LA his home and knows he will return one day.

While he is not known for his fadeaway by his patients, he often draws parallels between Bryant’s and his own life - both entering their respective fields so young.

While Chris chose a path less traveled, it has made all the difference in his life, helping him explore his passions and find himself. If he has any message for the current Chandler students, it’s “Don’t be afraid of taking a different path. Only you know what is right for your life.”

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BLAKE NEITHART ’16 graduated from Loyola High School. He was a member of the school choir, co-found the podcast club, and was appointed to the Senior Leadership team, where he mentored incoming first-year students. Blake served as a sports reporter for the school newspaper, The Loyalist, and he played junior varsity baseball and varsity football. As a versatile football player, Blake played safety, running back, wide receiver, and kick returner for all four years. In his senior year, their football team made it to the CIF Southern Section Championship, and although they lost by one touchdown in the final seconds of the game, Blake received nine offers to play football in college. At graduation, he received the Jesuit Schools Network Award, which is awarded to one person in each of the 52 Jesuit High Schools. The recipient exemplifies the ideal profile of what a Jesuit education represents.

Ultimately, Blake committed to Carleton College, where he is a freshman this fall. He plans to major in economics.

GIUSEPPE PERONA ’16 graduated from St. Francis High School. He was a member of the Cross Country team and Culinary club and participated in Habitat for Humanity. He is a freshman at UC Berkeley and plans to major in computer science.

CHRIS RIVAS ’16 graduated high school in May of 2020 and is currently attending Texas Christian University. He is on the 3-2 program majoring in movement science and focusing on athletic training and kinesiology.

He plans to graduate in 2023 with his bachelors, 2025 with his masters, and then pursue his Ph.D. in physical therapy.

HARRISAN SMYSER ’16, along with Jenna Khachatourian ’16 and Mimi Campbell ’16, were St. Francis Homecoming Princesses, with Mimi being crowned Queen in November 2019. In June, Harrisan graduated from Mayfield Senior School. She was a member of the yearbook committee, and in her senior year, was appointed Editorin-Chief. Harrisan participated in sports on the soccer and swim teams. She also volunteered over 100 hours at Huntington Hospital each year and earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Harrisan has served as a camp counselor for Summer@Chandler as well as for the Afterschool program. She is a freshman at the University of Connecticut.

class notes

CRISTIAN PANG ’16 graduated from Harvard Westlake. As a member of the Varsity Water Polo team, they won two Division 1 CIF championships. He will continue playing Water Polo at Claremont McKenna College, where he is now a freshman. Cristian plans to major in economics and accounting with a minor in international relations.

KAITO ROBSON ’16 graduated from Westlake Academy in May with the honor of Salutatorian, and he completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Kaito is now a freshman at Pomona College, Claremont taking classes remotely due to COVID-19.

KARA SUN ’16 graduated from Webb High School, where she was a prefect for the Varsity Tennis team. She is a freshman at the University of Southern California and plans to major in communications.

LANCE TAM ’16 graduated from La Salle High School. He was a member of the swim, tennis, and water polo teams. In his senior year, he completed his Eagle Scout project, which involved a bench restoration at the Arcadia Arboretum. “We sanded down and oiled 11 wooden memorial benches from around the park,” says Lance. After the board of review, he officially became an Eagle Scout. Lance is a freshman at the University of California, Berkely majoring in computer science.

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ALEX TIPPIE ’16 graduated from La Salle High School. He co-founded the Economics and Math Honors Societies at La Salle.

He was also a member of the Just Dance and Go Clubs and Captain of the Varsity Tennis team. He is a freshman at UC San Diego and plans to major in economics and mathematics.

RYAN WALDHEIM ’16 graduated from Flintridge Preparatory School. While at Prep, he participated in performing arts, improvisation and wrote a play for his senior independent study titled Showstopper. He is a freshman at Loyola Marymount University and taking introductory classes in psychology and economics.

class notes

LINDSEY WELLER ’16 graduated from Maranatha High School. She participated in advanced choir, dance, and theater, performing in seasonal choir and dance showcases and various productions such as Zombie Prom, White Christmas, Wizard of Oz, Seussical, and 12 Angry Jurors. She is a freshman at California Lutheran University, majoring in musical theatre.

AARON VAN BLERKOM ’16 graduated from La Salle College Preparatory School.

He was Captain of the Speech and Debate team. Aaron studied abroad for two summers in Berlin and completed an internship in Germany. He is a freshman at Northeastern University and plans to major in international relations.

TIMOTHY YOSHIDA ’16 graduated from St. Francis. He was a member of the Robotics Club, Track and Field team, and a National Honors Scholar. Timothy is a freshman at Occidental College.

SIMONE CUNDIEFF ’17 is a senior at Polytechnic High School. She is a member of the Poly Girls Varsity Tennis team. Last year she acted in the Poly student production of Othello and Fiddler On The Roof. This year she will be featured in an upcoming Poly production, Poly Awakening. Simone is also completing her Girl Scouts Gold Award project to create coloring books that highlight black figures in California and Pasadena. She is partnering with Poly and other private schools, and the coloring books will be posted online for free use.

WILLIAM FARHAT ’17 After winning the Gold Key Award for his video game Outset, it was automatically entered into the Scholastic Arts’ national competition, which combines photography, visual arts, poetry, and creative writing into the same pool as game design. “I’m happy to say that Outset managed to win a silver medal from the competition and will be featured as part of their arts portfolio for 2020,” says William.

LEON KUO ’17, “This summer, Camille-Marie Pai ’18 and I taught Zoom classes to elementary school kids about culture and gastronomy through Project Sprout, a non-profit my classmate Alex Yeh ’17 started. I also wrote a college-level research paper with a professor from Carleton College on NGOs’ impact on independence movements in Spain. I’m currently writing college applications, learning a few new recipes, and taking on new responsibilities as the senior treasurer at Prep. I’ve also taken up reading again—my current favorite is Fitzgerald’s This Side of Paradise,” says Leon.

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ALUMNI PROFILE KRISTIN BRISBOIS ’07

The Rest Is Art History Kristin Brisbois ’07 was prepared for the interview to get into the prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art. The only thing was that the Courtauld provided her with subjects to be covered in the interview for applicants for the MA History of Art and not for her MA program, Curating the Art Museum. After an uncomfortable interview with the head of the programme, she called her parents to let them know she didn’t get it and prepared herself to move forward to the next thing.

“Tough interviews build resilience, but ultimately, you can make that into a learning experience for the next thing,” Kristin says. A few weeks later, and to her surprise, she was accepted into the program in which only twelve students world-wide gained admission. Sometimes life has other plans.

After Chandler School, Kristin went to Flintridge Preparatory. From there, she double majored in Art History and French at Pepperdine University, made her way to the University of London to study at the Courtauld Institute, and then ended up back in Pasadena, where she serves the Education Department at the Huntington - Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

“I used to take classes at The Huntington with other girls in my Girls Scout Troop,” says Kristin, "The Huntington was breathtaking to me as a little girl.” As School Partnerships and Programs Assistant, her team is responsible for educational programming, deep learning days, and coordinating learning experiences that blend with lessons from the classroom. Coming full circle, she hosted Chandler students shortly before the School closed for in-person instruction.

It wasn’t just seeing the students jump off the bus in the classic green Chandler jumper; Kristin remembers how her experience at Chandler made her into who she is today. Fourth grade teacher Mrs. Perry had a particularly unique project - the spice project. The task was that every student would study and present on a spice. With

this project, she learned facts about her spice’s origin, the climate it is grown in, how it is used by different cultures.

While the project in itself was simple enough, the lesson was forever etched into her mind.

“The spice project was so memorable because it wasn’t just memorizing facts; projects like these encouraged me to think creatively, globally, and sparked that love of learning,” says Kristin. She also fondly remembers Mrs. Leese.

“I always loved going to art class,” she says, “I learned printmaking and mask design, and these are techniques that I’ve used and redeveloped for The Huntington.”

While Kristin’s love of art started at Chandler, it wasn’t until she took her first art history class at Flintridge Prep that she realized that art could be her career and she didn’t have to be an artist. She thinks it’s important for children who love art to know that there is a range of careers in the arts from scientists and chemists who work in conservation to researchers, curators, and educators who study techniques, time periods, and cultures.

Currently, Former Chandler School art teacher Mrs. Leese volunteers as a docent at The Huntington. In a way that Kristin did not expect, her life came full circle, and to say it in her words, “the rest is art history.”

We cannot wait to hear about all the exciting projects to come from Kristin Brisbois.

GAURAV LAW ’17 currently attends Loyola High School, where he has been a class representative for the past four years.

He’s enjoyed the academic rigor, athletic competition, and the sense of brotherhood.

class notes

SIENNA ARROBIO ’18 continues to thrive at Flintridge Prep. In the fall, Sienna and fellow alum Will Fosselman ’18 were selected to the 2019 Homecoming Spirit Court, representing their Sophomore class. An active student-athlete in three sports, Sienna plays volleyball, participates in track & field, and helped PREP girls water polo reach the CIF championship final game as a team goalie. She enjoys writing for the Flintridge Press publications and participating in many school clubs. Recognized by President Donald Trump for her commitment to volunteer service, Sienna was awarded the President’s Silver Volunteer Service Award for over 250 hours of service through Pasadena National Charity League. “Hello to the Chandler community, please keep in touch,” says Sienna.

CAMILLE-MARIE PAI ’18 is a junior at

Flintridge Preparatory School. She is working towards her Girl Scout Gold Award and exploring her major passion for food and the whole farm-to-table cycle. In the spring, Camille-Marie’s ceramic project “Tree of Life” was selected for the Southern California High School Ceramics Exhibition at the American Museum of Ceramic Art.

TAKAJI ROBSON ’18 is a junior at Westlake Academy, active with the Varsity Cross Country team and drumline. Takaji is also a member of the Young Men’s Service League. Since the summer, he has been volunteering at the local food pantry and working for philanthropies like Operation Gratitude and Stepping Stones in north Texas.

ALEXANDER FORMAN ’19 taught a Master Class on “How to Call Cues and Design Lighting” to Chandler’s tech crew of 16 students for the Into the Woods winter production. Alex is a sophomore at Sequoyah High School.

JAMES LABRADOR ’19 is indeed loving Loyola and trying out new clubs in a socially distanced fashion. He is still running and involved in Boy Scouts.

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EMMA NEWHALL ’19

is a sophomore at Polytechnic.

She enjoyed her freshman year serving as a Poly Ambassador and is a member of the Varsity Soccer team.

RYAN GINN ’20, “Mr. Calderon was my seventh-grade biology teacher as well as my teacher for the advanced microbiology studies course. Over the past two years, he helped me with my science fair projects involving bacteria. During my seventh grade year, his witty jokes and humor made science even better. Mr. Cal teaches the material in an interesting and engaging way, allowing you to retain the material and build on. If I am ever going through a rough patch, he is very approachable; he wants only the best for us and treats us like adults, giving us ownership of our successes and failures.

This helped elevate both our level of learning as well as the development of skills useful outside the classroom.

I have always wanted to pursue a career in the science field. When I took Mr. Calderon's advanced studies class, I realized that I was fascinated by human biology, particularly the heart and the brain. After dissecting the fetal pig at the end of seventh grade, I found that I was not squeamish about cutting things open, and this discovery sparked my interest in becoming a surgeon.

Coupling this with my growing interest in the brain, I now want to be a neurosurgeon. For me, I need an intellectually stimulating class, preferably in either science or math. Before Mr. Calderon's class, I hadn't contemplated what I wanted to be, but as soon as Mr. Calderon had taught me for a year, I realized biology was something I was passionate about.

I couldn't have done it without Mr. Calderon, and I think he deserves to be recognized for all of his hard work and dedication to both Chandler and its students.”

ALUMNI PROFILE LISA OMORI, PARENT; MOM OF KAI BELZER ’21 & ELLA BELZER ’20

found power and purpose in making masks while sheltering-in-place in March of 2020.

As hospitals were overwhelmed with the pandemic and PPE supplies were scarce, Lisa joined thousands making masks for essential workers. Setting up shop at home and as the urgent need of hospitals waned, she started providing masks to the local community, including some essential Chandler parents.

Read her family’s story in the School News section on Chandler’s website.

JOHN MUELLER ’20

Surfer, Entrepreneur John Mueller ’20 was only ten years old when he walked into the announcers’ booth at the 2016 Rincon Classic. He was affectionately nicknamed Johnny on the Spot, a name given for his enthusiasm at running scores and handing out prizes. That same energetic young man set his sight and entrepreneurial spirit on finding a solution to painful surfer rash, and Johnny on the Spot Surfer Rash Balm was born.

A common problem in the surfing community, John dedicated his time to testing different formulations until he perfected an all-natural balm that both functioned and was safe for the environment. In the process, he learned resilience and listening to feedback - positive and negative alike. He says, “If you want to be successful, you have to take heed of both the good and the bad to be the best.” Since then, Johnny on the Spot Surfer Rash Balm has been selling in more than 25 surf stores in California and Hawaii with hopes of branching out to other surfing destinations.

For more about John’s story, 14-year-old surfer, entrepreneur, and Chandler alumnus, visit the Johnny on the Spot website at www.johnnyonthespotca.com.

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Chandler School 2019-2020

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CHANDLER

Shamrock Magazine

Alumni and their families are not only part of Chandler’s history, but they are integral part of Chandler’s success. At this time and always, we look forward to staying connected and sharing in your journey, Chandler and beyond.

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CHANDLER

Shamrock Magazine

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CHANDLER GOLF CLASSIC Thank you to everyone who helped make the Chandler Golf Classic a success! Chandler parents, past parents, alumni and friends enjoyed a beautiful day at Annandale Golf Club to raise funds for the Thomas A. Chandler Scholarship Fund. Congratulations to our 2019 Champions and Award Winners.

GOLF CLASSIC AWARDS MEN’S CHAMPIONS Peter Perez, Boris King Steve Mullin, Jeff Sanday LADIES’ CHAMPIONS Ashley Barrett, Kathy Cho Joanne Lee, Tiffany Rota WINNERS Joe Mallinger, Mike Ortiz ’92 Peter Rota, Steve Mena Ian Freer ’15, Sean Gates Nathan Kenigsberg Edward Wu PUTTING CONTEST Joan Higgins CLOSEST TO THE PIN Aidy Chou LONGEST DRIVE WOMEN Wendy Wisbon LONGEST DRIVE MEN Steve Mullin STRAIGHTEST DRIVE Robyn Tapert 50/50: Kyle Beswick

GOLF CLASSIC COMMITTEE Co-Chair Joe Mallinger Co-Chair Mike Ortiz ’92 CFA Liaison Sharick Smyser John Berger ’88 Joan Bravo Anthony Cannizzo Kristen Cannizzo David Chao Tony Christopoulos ’85

Sandra Gonzalez Dwight Holcomb Jennifer Sells Johnson ’94 Nobu Junge Chris Lee ’92 Cynthia Mansbridge Shannon McGuire Susie McKee Vernon Patterson

Derek Pippert Dan Rothenberg ’96 Joyce Wang Sakonju ’87 Sean Stellar Scott Street Chuck Tapert Chris Waldheim ’81 Beth Walker

Deborah Nesbit Award FOR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERISM

The Debbie Nesbit Volunteer Excellence Award is given annually to an outgoing eighth grade Chandler parent who, over the years, has demonstrated a true volunteer commitment; a person who gives selflessly of themselves to benefit the Chandler community. The award was established to honor Debbie Nesbit for her countless hours of volunteer work during her time at Chandler. She was an active member of the CFA and gave generously of her time, talent and enthusiasm.

It is our pleasure to announce the 2020 Debbie Nesbit Volunteer Excellence Award Recipient Claire Glidden and Honorable Mention Stephanie Ginn. Congratulations! Thank you for your endless gifts of time, talent, energy, dedication and service to the Chandler School community.

AWARD RECIPIENTS Shelley Allen 2003 Leslie Comras Aiken 2004 Stephanie Magsarili 2005 Elise Chow 2006 Barbara Goto 2007 Kelly Rouse 2008 Karen Deacy-Russell 2009 Kate Jacobs 2010 Lucia Logan 2011 Marianne Wright 2012 Maggie Chang 2013 Amanda McCarthy 2014 Marion Fong 2015 Yuen Fang 2016 Daisy Rivas 2016 Jennifer Walston Johnson 2017 Candy Renick 2018 Jeehyun Lee 2019

SPONSORS East West Bank The Mallinger Family Sarah and Dan ’96 Rothenberg Roger Stephens Hill Financial Advisors Wells Fargo Advisors StoneTapert Insurance Services ERS Security Alarm Systems, Inc. Camden Capital The Headley, Lin, Madden & McGuire Families Advantage Ford Lincoln Outlook Newspapers

EAGLE SPONSOR Ashley and Brad Barrett Kyle and Julie Beswick The Cannizzo and McKee Families Cheng & Associates The Chiang, Cho, Ma and Wong Families Jodey Exner, Class of 2026 The Freer Family The Kim Family Andrew and Mari Hsu Chris Lee ’92 Travis Mathew The Perez Family, Peter, Kim and Ally ’23 Pro Image Sports, The Rivas Family Ben Ray, Jerry Shen, Roger Yeh and Chris Ting, K & 2nd Grade Dads SouthEast Trading, LLC The Wickersham Family

BIRDIE SPONSOR Aviators Insurance Agency, Inc. Crystal Chong Drs. Paul Chu and Judy Liao, parents of Ryan Chu, Class of 2020 The Fat Dog The Finch Family The Headley Family J's Maids Johnny on the Spot Eileen Jin, Class of 2027 Irvin and Jenny Kaw Dr. Edward Xu and Mrs. Annie Xu Lynette and Stephen Heydorff The Jasper Family The Liao and Wu Family Anne Meng, Class of 2022 The Ortiz Family Dr. Victor Shi, Lili Sang and Victor Nathaniel Shi, Class of 2027 Dr. Robert Xiao & Yvonne Xie, Yolanda Xiao 2022 Zhirong Xu, Kitty Lo and Sophia Xu

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CONNECT Despite our physical distance, maintaining our connection to you, our Chandler community, is more important than ever. This new normal drives us to be creative in how we support and serve our amazing network of alumni, past parents, faculty and friends.

Stay connected and get in touch with our Advancement team to make sure that we have your current information. Connect with us about family or business news, updates or check-ins - we want to hear from you! You may also follow us on social media to stay up to date on important school and alumni news. communications@chandlerschool.org alumni@chandlerschool.org

1005 ARMADA DRIVE, PASADENA, CA 91103 | WWW.CHANDLERSCHOOL.ORG