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
