SUMMER 2015
VOLUME XXIV NUMBER 2
SHA MROCK Published for the Chandler School Community
SH A MROCK
PUBLISHED FOR THE CHANDLER SCHOOL COMMUNITY SUMMER 2015 WWW.CHANDLERSCHOOL.ORG
Table of Contents 2 Dedication Behind the Dedication 6 Tower Families 7 Big Service Day: Live Learn Serve 8 Big GREEN Giveback 10 Alumni Business Profiles 12 Congratulations to the Class of 2015! 16 Distinguished Alumnus: David Clifford ’86 18 Off to College: Class of 2011 20 Alumni Visiting Day 24 Alumni Class Notes 29 In Memoriam 30 Alumni Events & News 32 Alumni Council 33 Annual Fund: Support Tradition
MISSION
GOALS
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.
To uphold the Chandler tradition of academic excellence and intellectual discipline in a program that develops the mind, body and spirit. To promote respect, trustworthiness, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship, which are the core values of our school community. To foster an educational environment that values and communicates respect for racial, religious, cultural and economic differences. To serve the greater community, in recognition that as much is given to us, much is expected from us.
Chandler School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
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Message from the Head of School In The Road to Character, David Brooks writes about Albert Schweitzer, the German medical missionary, and the approach he took to hiring people to work at a hospital in the African jungle. He did not hire idealists or people who had a righteous sense of how much they were giving to the world. He only wanted people who would perform constant acts of service with the no-nonsense attitude that they will simply do what needs doing. Schweitzer said, “Only a person who feels his preference to be a matter of course, not something out of the ordinary, and who has no thought of heroism but only of a duty undertaken with sober enthusiasm, is capable of being the sort of spiritual pioneer the world needs.” One of Chandler’s goals is, “To serve the greater community, in recognition that as much is given to us, much is expected from us.” In this issue of The Shamrock, we look at ways our current students and graduates give back to the community through service. At Chandler’s eighth grade community service fair in June, one of our students who had visited Mother’s Club in Pasadena described her concern with the ‘word gap.’ By the age of 3, children born into low-income families have heard roughly 30 million fewer words than their more affluent peers. The ‘word gap’ factors into a compounding achievement gap between the poor and the better-off in school and life. “This is a problem right here in Pasadena that I didn’t know about before we went to read to the kids at Mother’s Club. We need to close the gap,” she said. Another eighth-grader talked about spending time with developmentally and physically disabled children at Shane’s Inspiration playground in Griffith Park. The mission of Shane’s Inspiration is to create social inclusion for children with disabilities through the vehicle of inclusive playgrounds and programs. When asked what he learned from the experience our eighth-grader replied, “It’s hard moving a boy from a wheelchair to a swing, but I figured it out with some help, and we had fun.”
Performing service with the no-nonsense attitude that they will simply do what needs doing is the habit of heart we want to instill in Chandler students.
The day after he spoke at graduation, Chandler alumnus David Clifford ’86, the founder of East Bay School for Boys, spent a morning giving back to the community with a workshop for Chandler faculty. David is at the forefront of the ‘Maker Movement’ in education in which students use tools to solve problems through designing and building. He organized us into small groups to design prototypes for student desks. The activity provoked lively discussion. David will continue to give back by consulting with us as the maker program grows at Chandler. Performing service with the no-nonsense attitude that they will simply do what needs doing is the habit of heart we want to instill in Chandler students. It’s a habit that Chandler graduate David Clifford ’86 has developed through ‘a sober enthusiasm’ for improving communities through fresh approaches to education. Most sincerely,
John Finch Head of School
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Dedica
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tion Behind the Dedication Chandler School is as lucky as a shamrock for having a strong, generous and caring community. The dedication of the new Tower and parking structure on Friday, January 9, 2015 is a prime example as one of many occasions in which our community rallies together. From a parade of classic cars, a stunning balloon display, superheroes and special guests, the dedication event was a success thanks to the devotion of current and past parents, alumni, faculty and staff and members of the greater community. Former Chandler parent and owner of Balloon Emporium in Pasadena, Scott Johnson, went beyond the call of duty, decorating the parking structure in bright green and white balloons. He and his crew worked through the night to create the elaborate display. Scott is forever grateful to Chandler because of the experience and education his children Sarah ’14 and Prescott ’16 received.
that fostered our children’s intellectual and personal development,” Scott said. “We hope to continue this environment for future generations.”
“Their time at Chandler was all encompassing, from engaging and challenging academics to the emphasis on character building,” Scott said. “Through this strong sense of community, they developed meaningful friendships.”
Member of Chandler’s Alumni Council, Travis Young ’96, attended Chandler for his Middle School years and has a fond appreciation and great memories of Chandler. When asked to dress in a Superman costume, his answer, without hesitation, was a resounding yes!
Scott, whose company has done balloon décor for over 500 television shows, commercials, movies, the World Cup and the Super Bowl, does not hesitate to offer his help when it comes to Chandler.
“It was just amazing to see the kid’s faces and how excited they were,” Travis recalls. “It was great to give them high fives. I mean, that’s what it’s all about, the kids.”
“Participating in the South Campus Capital Campaign is important to us, because we believe in the mission of the School and appreciate the Chandler environment
But Travis’ appreciation goes further than wearing red and blue tights. He also draws from his own experience at Chandler as a student for inspiration to be involved.
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“I can’t even begin to state how much my three years at Chandler prepared me for high school and made me the person I am today,” Travis said. “I’ve always believed in helping people and organizations that I care about, and I want to be an example not only for my two boys, but also for other children.” During his time at Chandler, Travis even met his wife Erin Kaneko ’96, who is also a member of the Alumni Council. “The opportunities and experiences that Chandler provided me were unmatched by the rest of my academic career,” Travis said. “The friends I stay most in touch with are also Chandler alumni, and this is not a coincidence. It truly is a great community, and I consider myself lucky to be part of it.” Chandler Trustee Michael Albrecht, spouse of Chandler alumna Lauren Craig Albrecht ’85 and current parent of Maggie ’21 and Alexander ’17, was assigned to serve as the Owner’s Representative and coordinated the construction of the Tower Project. At the same time, Michael oversaw the refurbishment of the Head of School residence. “One of the greatest honors of my life was when I was asked to be on the Chandler Board of Trustees,” Michael said. “I take the role very seriously.” Michael was honored for his efforts at the dedication with a parking spot in the new structure from Board President Matt Wright ’74 CHS ’78. Michael acknowledges the admirable efforts and the Chandler spirit that go beyond his own. “I was a bit embarrassed by the comments,” Michael said. “I knew I was going to be acknowledged, but I felt uncomfortable because there were so many other contributions from the Chandler community. A significant reason the Tower Project ran smoothly was the tireless efforts and attention to detail by Trevor Spicer, Chandler’s Director of Information Technology.”
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Dedication Behind the Dedication Michael’s reasons for giving are simple, and he takes great pride in being a member of the Chandler community. “I believe in the School’s mission,” Michael said. “I want to do all I can to make Chandler the best K-8 school in Los Angeles.” Dwight Sityar, events coordinator for Early Rodders, a group of car enthusiasts based in La Cañada, helped provide a stunning collection of classic cars for the dedication parade. The collection featured a 1955 Thunderbird, 1956 Chevy, 1957 Thunderbird, 1964 Corvette, 1966 Corvette, 1966 Ford Mustang and a 1969 Oldsmobile 442. The parade also featured Chandler Board President Matt Wright’s ’74 CHS ’78 1965 Corvette and Chandler parent Randy Renick’s ’78 1964 Chevelle. Former Chandler Director of Development, Laura Dicovitsky, approached Dwight at Regal Entertainment Theater in Montrose, the site where Early Rodders meets every Saturday since it was founded in 2001. “I asked (Laura) how many dignitaries would be there and though it was short notice, I assured her that Early Rodders would love to help,“ Dwight said. “We have always been very supportive with parades and activities in the Foothill area. We usually get 125-175 cars every Saturday and a majority of the owners are always willing to enjoy a good show or cruise at a moments notice.” The ceremony also featured many special guests, including Rose Princess Emily Stoker ’11, Disney Channel actress Sarah Gilman ’10, Mayor of
Pasadena Bill Bogaard, Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson and On-Duty Battalion Chief Dan Rosetti. Faculty and staff also went above and beyond making the dedication memorable. Maintenance Associate Art Quintero joined Travis ’96 in superhero form, dressed as Batman. Director of Maintenance Ray Arebalo, Maintenance Associate Brian Osorio, Director of Information Technology Trevor Spicer, System Administrator Scott McQueen, Director of Human Resources Katherine Anastasia, Director of Facilities Nancy Hutton, Accounting Manager Yvonne Reyes, Lower School Administrative Assistant Lynne Westphal, Director of Admissions Gretchen Lurie, Director of Annual Fund Maureen Short ’84, Education Specialists Callie Opel and Alicia Ferri, Lower School Librarian Stacey May, Lower School Technology Integration Specialist Kimberly Marlow and Director of Communications Justin Frank all arrived early to help Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events, Jennifer Sells Johnson ’94, who oversaw the dedication. With the continuous support of generous donors and countless hours of dedicated effort, the parking structure and iconic Tower dedication was a success.
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Tower Families Chandler School is deeply grateful to the Tower Families who have contributed $50,000 or above to the Tower Phase of the South Campus Campaign. American Rena International Corp. Anonymous Bazic Products/The Hioe Family Steven and Leslie Carlson Dwight and Yana Holcomb Tsutayo Ichioka and Satsuki Nakao Charitable Foundation The Krech Family Mark and Phaedra Ledbetter Weiguo Li Family Foundation Joseph and Kristie Lin Mr. John Pan and Ms. Lijun Shen Maggie Han and Geoffrey Ren Tom and Caroline Rose A s of 6/24/2015
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SERVING UP
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COMPASSION
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At Chandler School, along with strong academics, students develop compassion and a sense of caring. Our students exhibit a true desire to help and give back to their community. There is no better example than Chandler’s inaugural Big Service Day, which took place on Saturday, May 2. Close to 100 students from all grades teamed up with their parents, faculty and staff to create about 1,000 hygiene kits, 350 sack lunches and a dozen blankets to help those less fortunate. Local nonprofits My Friend’s Place and Union Station Homeless Services benefitted from the event, and representatives from these organizations spoke at Big Service Day.
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Union Station’s Director of Volunteer and Community Programs, Octavia Sisley, introduced special guest Jerome. He shared his inspirational story of being homeless and needing support from Union Station, returning to school at the age of 34 and eventually becoming a lawyer who gives back to his community.
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“Some people aren’t as fortunate as us. We are able to help, and it makes us feel really good.”
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-Kabir Bindra, Third Grade
“It really helps both sides. We enjoy giving and they get something they really need.” -William Farhat, Sixth Grade
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Chandler alumna Susan Zeren Dutra ’94, who is the Director of Development for My Friend’s Place, described how her organization makes a difference in the lives of homeless youth in Hollywood. (Read more about Susan on page 21.)
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-Jackson Headley, First Grade
“I think it’s important. So many people don’t have as much as some of us have. It’s the least we can do.”
Students who took part in Big Service Day explained why they wanted to give back and help their community:
-Lauren Ginn, Sixth Grade
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BigGREEN ALUMNI MADE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER On March 17, 2015 Chandler held a one-day alumni-focused fundraising event. Alumni were invited to make a difference in students’ lives with contributions to the School’s financial aid program. Our determined alumni volunteers called and emailed hundreds of alumni. Chandler School is grateful to the donors listed who contributed a total of $12,440.10 toward the Thomas A. Chandler Alumni Scholarship Fund during this event.
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NGiveback C H A N D L E R S C H O O L , PA S A D E N A
F. Stephen Nash ’57 William Brackenridge ’62 Douglas C. Gregg, Jr. ’62 Peter Sloman ’62 Gordon J. Pashgian ’63 Whitney Chandler ’66 Ronald Garretson ’70 Sarah Horton Anderson ’72 CHS ’75 Earl Barr ’72 CHS ’76 Blake Devine ’73 Todd S. Swain ’73 CHS ’77 Laura M. Brown ’74 Monie Wheatcroft Tenbroeck ’74 Philip Odell ’74 CHS ’78 Matthew G. Wright ’74 CHS ’78 Melina Eversole Montoya ’75 Katie Shea High ’80 Nicole McCullough Swingle ’80 John Drewry ’81 Kristine Marx Morley ’81 Michelle Waldheim Wilner ’82 Andrew Wang ’84 Cara DiMassa ’85 Corinne Rising ’85 Taneka Shehee ’85 Artelle Gray Summers ’85 Christine M. Madsen ’87 Joseph Mathews ’87 Joyce Wang Sakonju ’87 John D. Armstrong - Past Parent, class of ’91
Brecken Armstrong-Kelsey ’91 Allison Benter ’92 Gabriel R. Ross ’92 Nadia Fakoory ’93 Tanya Ross ’93 Annabelle Chan ’94 Chad Colton ’94 Krista Fakoory ’94 Jennifer Sells Johnson ’94 Chris Mang ’94 Lauren Poindexter ’94 Matthew Lawler ’95 George Witter ’95 Roger Chen ’96 Brandon Dickerson ’96 Nicole Fakoory ’96 Erin Kaneko ’96 Keisuke Nakagawa ’96 Daniel Rothenberg ’96 Farrell Heydorff Young ’96 Travis J. Young ’96 Andrew Chan ’97 Oliver Pilco ’99 Tyler Stutin ’99
Regan Ball ’00 Devon Dickerson ’00 Stephanie Cobb Masek ’00 Laura Stone-Reardon ’00 John C. Massar, III ’01 Gillian Heydorff ’02 Cameron L. Dewey ’04 Lauren W. Ascher ’05 Justin T. Liu ’05 Brian Ulmer ’05 Jessica Austin ’06 Paige C. Dewey ’06 John C. Oswalt ’06 Stephen Ascher, III ’07 J. Erin Fong ’07 Kevin Ulmer ’07 Conner Ascher ’08 Michael Anastasia ’09 Gabriel Oswalt ’09 Jenny H. Ascher ’10 Tyler S. Fong ’10 Derek Iwata ’10
Victoria Peng ’10 Adrian Chang ’11 Tyler Anastasia ’12 Noah Finch ’12 Lindsay Garretson ’12 Riley Renick ’12 Emily Wright ’12 Nikhil Adarkar ’13 Kim Austin ’13 Gavin C. Campbell ’13 Austin Chang ’13 Natalie Akins ’14 Riley M. Frey ’14 Ron Garretson ’14 Sarah Johnson ’14 Christopher K. Jung ’14 Ethan Liu ’14 Ivan Y. Schmidt ’14 Nadina J. Wu ’14
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Chandler School Alumni Edition
ALUMNI BUSINESS PROFILES Lindy Brownsberger ’85
Creating promotional merchandise for more than 35,000 restaurants worldwide with locations in California, Nevada and China, Pro Pacific is a family-operated business dedicated to quality and customer satisfaction. Lindy (Dotts) ’85 and Scott Brownsberger began almost 30 years ago making promotional merchandise for major entertainment studios, such as Disney and Paramount. After five years of serving the world of film and television, they were approached by one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, Procter & Gamble, to create a uniform for a new brand called Swiffer. Since then, they have been providing various companies and corporations with quality uniforms and customer service. Their uniforms are found across various industries. Specifically specializing in the quick-service restaurant industry,
they work with major companies including Subway, Round Table Pizza, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club as well as a variety of smaller businesses. “Our customers are an extension of our family. The customer always comes first,” says Lindy. She takes pride in creating the personal touches that create long lasting relationships with their customers. In 2013, Subway awarded Pro Pacific with its Excellence in Customer Service Award. For the past 20 years, Pro Pacific has experienced tremendous growth as a result of the quality of their products and their commitment to customer service excellence. Lindy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing from the University of Southern California. After graduation, she explored the worlds of marketing, advertising, and
special events. One of her favorite experiences was working at Disneyland in both the character and special events departments. Lindy finally found her passion working side by side with her husband Scott. Her advice to Chandler students: “Be open and try something. Find out what you love.” Lindy is grateful for the years she attended Chandler. “It was amazing and shaped who I am today. It gave me confidence,” says Lindy. “The smaller class sizes gave me the opportunity to talk to my teachers and created an open dialogue of communication that always carried with me.” She fondly remembers Mr. Korn, Mr. Cotton, Mrs. Wilson, playing sports and cheerleading. Lindy proudly supports Chandler. “It was such a special part of my life,” says Lindy. “Those years were so important to me. I want to participate in any way shape or form. Chandler is part of me, and I think I would be different without it.” Lindy and Scott have four children Kaylee (17), Ashley (14), Lexi (10) and Kai (4) and reside in Hermosa Beach.
Kyle Ransford ’86 ed with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University. After college, Kyle jumped into the exciting world of real estate investment Accomplished entre- and development, which inspired his preneur Kyle Ransfirst business, Carford ’86 has an imdinal Investments. pressive resume, Kyle went on to but his most recent receive his Master of venture is a rather Business Adminisdelicious one. tration from the UniCapitalizing versity of Southon the fast-growern California. After ing food industry graduating from trend of meal kit deUSC, he worked in livery, Kyle pubinvestment banking lically launched at Houlihan Lokey, Chef’d in April. leaving to form an “Chef’d offers internet incubator in more than 100 Korea with Microfamous recipes with soft as the lead invespremium ingretor. While continudients and easy to ing to invest in real follow cooking inestate for both Cardistructions, convenal and as a partner niently delivered at Halcyon Asset to your front door. Management, a New We partner with ceYork based hedge lebrity chefs like Chris Santos, Robert fund, he later started Bank of Manhattan. Irvine and Fabio Kyle has always Viviani, popular had a passion for New York restaurants Beauty & Essex cooking and found solace in the culiand Stanton Social, nary arts. “I escaped food bloggers, magazines such as Men’s into the kitchen and into the world Health, PureWow of cooking,” says and Palio MagaKyle. While reading zine and food media an issue of Bon around the world Appétit magazine, to recreate their acKyle developed the claimed recipes into simple and delicious idea for Chef’d. With a 40,000 square fully-prepped meal foot facility in El kits,” says Kyle. Segundo and more Kyle graduat-
than 50 employees, Chef’d is poised to become a leader in meal kit delivery. “It has been really fun to watch friends and friends of friends get so excited about eating better food and spending less time getting it all together and more time with loved ones,” says Kyle. Looking back at his Chandler experience, Kyle recalls fond memories of playing sports under Mr. Cotton and Mr. Korn. He proudly remembers his time on the mound and beating Poly for the baseball league championship, memories of Boojum and Mr. Korn’s Substance X. Kyle is a proud supporter of Chandler. “You want to support the people who support you.” Kyle resides in Manhattan Beach and has two children, Austin (9) and Kaitlin (7). In addition to growing Chef’d, Kyle still has his hands in the world of real estate managing Cardinal Investments’ Southern California portfolio and the current development of a marina and boutique hotel on the Nawi Islands in Fiji.
THE BUSINES La Cañada High School | University of Southern California
Flintridge Preparatory School | Southern Methodist University | University of Southern California
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Sunjay Lad ’95
For the father and son dental team of Dr. Sunjay Lad ’95 and Dr. Chiman Lad, life is more than just filling cavities at their Temple City practice; it’s about cultivating lasting relationships with their patients for generations to come. Dr. Sunjay and Dr. Lad care for patients ages two to 100. “Our patients are an extension of our family,” says Dr. Lad. He and Sunjay proudly serve up to four familial generations. From dental education and
awareness to prevention, they teach patients to be responsible for their dental health. Providing services ranging from general oral health to cosmetic procedures. Sunjay says, “It’s all rewarding. We are making a difference in the lives of our patients.” Sunjay and his father are a wonderful team, complementing each other in their experience and knowledge to provide the most comprehensive dental experience. Dr. Lad earned his
Daniel Gong ’07
Featured in the Los Angeles Business Journal as an upcoming entrepreneur in his 20’s for his pursuits in the music industry, Daniel Gong ’07 is working to his own beat professionally and it’s not going unnoticed. Daniel, who just graduated from the University of Southern California in May with a Bachelor
of Business Administration and minor in Music Industry, has been running his own music production and licensing company called Dansonn Beats since 2010. He has worked with such hip-hop artists as RZA of the Wu Tang Clan, MC Jin, and Kool G Rap. Daniel has also created and licensed music to companies such as ESPN, New Balance, and the Tennis Channel. “I’ve always had a passion for music,” Daniel said. “Music was an escape. It served as an outlet.” During Daniel’s freshman year at USC,
Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Dundee in Scotland and his Doctorate in Dental Surgery at the USC School of Dentistry. He held a faculty appointment at the USC School of Dentistry for 18 years. Dedicated to giving back, he established a dental clinic at an orphanage in rural India where he and fellow dentists donate their time to provide free care for less fortunate children. Dr. Lad has been practicing in the Temple City area for over 35 years. As a child, Sunjay spent the summers at his father’s practice. He enjoyed watching his father interact with patients and work in the lab. Influenced by the personal connections his father developed with his patients along with the impact he had on the
broader community, Sunjay was inspired to pursue a dental career. After receiving a degree in engineering from Stanford University, Sunjay followed in his father’s footsteps and received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from USC and holds a faculty appointment at the USC School of Dentistry. Sunjay also assists with a number of volunteer efforts throughout the year, including free dental screenings at elementary schools and the USC Mobile Dental Clinic program. Throughout the year, he also volunteers at free dental clinics run by the California Dental Association. Sunjay also serves on the Board of Directors for the San Gabriel Valley Dental Society.
he attended an event at where USC alumnus and entrepreneur, Carl Choi, spoke. Daniel approached Choi and expressed interest in interning for Choi’s talent management company, The Great Company. Daniel then talked to Choi about beat licensing and created a business plan for him to review. With Choi’s help, Daniel co-founded and is the Managing Creator of their joint venture called The Arche. The Arche is a music production and licensing company that consists of a team of Los Angeles based music producers. With production credits such as Kendrick Lamar, Logic, and
other major artists, The Arche strives to provide a road map for aspiring artists to become successful. Daniel also signed with music production companies Shadowville Productions in 2012 and Anno Domini Beats in 2014. Daniel releases his beats on YouTube and has accumulated over 35 million views and 75,000 subscribers, along with 30,000 likes on his Facebook page. Daniel has fond memories of Chandler’s family-based community and inspiring teachers.
Sunjay and his father are proud supporters of Chandler. “Chandler over-delivered,” says Dr. Lad. “The school provided my son with a very well-rounded education. The nurturing faculty and caring environment provided Sunjay with a solid foundation that has carried him throughout his life.” Sunjay reflects, “I appreciate that Chandler allowed me to focus on the core subjects while exposing me to language, art and music. I learned Spanish at Chandler, and I still use it daily in my practice. Chandler taught me how to be methodical and detail-oriented. I learned discipline.” “My parents have always taught me to support those who
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have helped me to get to where I am,” says Sunjay. “As I get older, I realize how nine years at Chandler shaped me and influenced where I am today. It feels good to support Chandler.” Sunjay recently secured a large donation of toothbrushes and toothpastes for Chandler’s Big Service Day on May 2 for hygiene kits for local charity organizations My Friend’s Place and Union Station. In their spare time, Sunjay and his father enjoy skiing, backpacking, fishing, camping in the Sierras and running around the Rose Bowl. Sunjay lives in Pasadena with his wife and their three dogs.
Polytechnic School | Stanford University | University of Southern California
“Chandler goes the extra mile to make people feel welcome,” Daniel said. “High school was really easy because we had caring teachers who pushed and challenged us like Mrs. Dretzka. She cares for her students and genuinely wanted me to do well.” Among Daniel’s favorite Chandler memories is when he and several other students, along with Mrs. Amy Cote, visited Puerto Rico during sixth grade where they helped build a foundation for a house. “I felt lucky to have that experience,” Daniel said.
“Universities, like USC, offer similar experiences, but I had the opportunity to do it in Middle School.” Daniel is very grateful for his Chandler experience. Chandler provided him with the will and strength to make a name for himself in the difficult world of the music industry. “I really appreciate the value of caring at Chandler. It helped me become better and pushed me harder and to always remember where I came from. It feels good to give back and it’s become a part of my mentality.”
SS PROFILES St. Francis High School | University of Southern California
Congratulations to the Class of 2015!
The Chandler School Alumni Association welcomed 59 new members on June 10 as the Class of 2015 graduated. Twenty-six graduates were Chandler lifers. The ceremony included remarks from Board President Matt Wright ’74 CHS ’78, class valedictorian Kyle Lee ’15, Assistant Head of School Anneke Emerson, Head of School John Finch and David Clifford ’86, who was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award by Alumni Council President Lauren Craig Albrecht ’85. As the leading fundraiser for the eighth grade Bike-A-Thon, Carson Yu ’15 presented Mr. Finch with a check for $8,086.24, which the class voted to use in support of the Edgar Rivas Memorial Scholarship Fund and the purchase of 24 custom sideline chairs to be used for athletic and special events. “You all have wonderful adventures ahead of you, and as a fellow alumnus, I promise that you will make use of the lessons you learned at Chandler for the rest of your life,” Matt Wright ’74 CHS ’78 told the Class of 2015 during his speech. “Even four decades later, I hear the voices of my Chandler friends and teachers when I face challenges in life, and I’m always grateful for their continued presence. You will be, too, believe me.” “Each and every one of you is good at something. Some of you discovered that thing at Chandler with its amazing program. Some may discover it down the line like I did,” David Clifford ’86 shared with the Class of 2015 during his speech. “When you find it, own it, nurture it, share it, do something with it. Give it a purpose.” (Read more about David Clifford ’86 on page 16.)
THE CLASS OF 2015 HAVE ENROLLED IN THE FOLLOWING SECONDARY SCHOOLS: Campbell Hall School Flintridge Preparatory School Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Harvard-Westlake School La Cañada High School La Salle High School Loyola High School Maranatha High School Mayfield Senior School Polytechnic School St. Francis High School Westridge School The Waverly School
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AWARDS PRESENTED TO MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2015 ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Nelida Ayala Ashley Lim Skylar Bowyer Ava Manson Zara Castillo Sophie Mullin Mikaela Celeste Shaya Naimi Vashisht Chaluvadi Caroline Nowak Chloe Daniel Tiffany Oh Uma Durairaj Madeleine Pearce Graham Finch Jonathan Potter Caitlin Fong Gabriela Rojo Ian Freer Andrew Rosenfeld Carson Hasbrouck Paloma Ryan Kenneth Hiyake Amanda Schaller Preston Ho Kian Soltani Diego Jaime Sofia Stellar Kyle Lee John Stellwagen Carson Yu
FINE ARTS AWARD
Madeleine Pearce
PERFORMING ARTS AWARD
Sofia Stellar HONORABLE MENTION: Graham Finch and Shaya Naimi
ARTHUR L.P. BROWN AWARD FOR SCHOLASTIC PROGRESS Nelida Ayala HONORABLE MENTION: Diego Jaime
VERNON L. HILL AWARD FOR CITIZENSHIP Dexter Renick and Amanda Schaller
JEFFERSON C. STEPHENS AWARD FOR SCHOLARSHIP Kyle Lee HONORABLE MENTION: Uma Durairaj
ROBERT T. MCINERNY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL SERVICE Caitlin Fong and Shaya Naimi
CLYDE E. MACQUOID AWARD FOR BEST GIRL ATHLETE Mikaela Celeste and Caitlin Fong
WILLIAM WILSON AWARD FOR BEST BOY ATHLETE Ian Freer
CATHERINE S. CHANDLER AWARD FOR BEST ALL AROUND GIRL Caitlin Fong
THOMAS A. CHANDLER AWARD FOR BEST ALL AROUND BOY Ian Freer
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ALMOST ALUMNI PROGRAM: CLASS OF 2015 EVENTS The Chandler School Almost Alumni Program is an informative series of activities and events planned for eighth-grade students. Through this program, our eighth-graders learn what it means to be Chandler alumni; the importance of their connection to Chandler and each other; and that they will always be part of the Chandler community through the growing Chandler School Alumni Association. Every year the Alumni Council selects several eighthgrade students to serve as liaisons to the Alumni Council and to help plan the Almost Alumni Program activities and
events. This year six students were selected to serve as Eighth-Grade Ambassadors, Emilie Alvarez, Ian Freer, Preston Ho, Tiffany Oh, Dexter Renick and Sofia Stellar. Now that they are official alumni, they have made the commitment to serve as Class Representatives. In the fall, Emilie will attend Polytechnic School; Ian will attend St. Francis High School; Preston will attend Flintridge Preparatory School; Tiffany will attend Mayfield Senior School, Dexter will attend Polytechnic School and Sofia will attend Flintridge Preparatory School.
ALMOST ALUMNI BREAKFAST
On December 12, 2014 the Alumni Council hosted a pre-final breakfast for the Class of 2015 in the Johnson Library and Media Center. Council members wished the eighth-graders well on their math exam as they served a delicious variety of Jamba Juice smoothies, hot cocoa and a delightful spread of bagels, granola bars, muffins and fruit.
ALMOST ALUMNI 100 DAYS CELEBRATION
Eighth-graders gathered in the Johnson Library and Media Center on March 3 for a lunchtime pizza party to celebrate the milestone 100 days until graduation. Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Jennifer Sells Johnson ’94 and Alumni Council President Lauren Craig Albrecht ’85 spoke to the students about what it means to be Chandler alumni and the importance of staying connected to Chandler and each other. Eighth-Grade Ambassadors Emilie Alvarez, Ian Freer, Preston Ho, Tiffany Oh, Dexter Renick and Sofia Stellar prepared a photo slideshow presentation of special highlights, interview clips and fond memories from their years at Chandler School.
TIME CAPSULE LAUNCH
On May 15, the Class of 2015 gathered together with their parents for the seventh annual Time Capsule Launch party held in The Rothenberg Family Courtyard and Dickerson Point. Eighth-graders placed various keepsakes from their years at Chandler into a trunk which they personalized with their signatures. After they enjoyed a delightful spread of refreshments. At the end of the launch party, the trunk was locked and will not be opened again until the Class of 2015 returns in 2025 for their 10-year reunion.
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Chandler School 2015
Distinguished AWARD Alumni WINNER
David Clifford ’86 86 Wednesday, June 10, 2015, was an emotional day for the 2015 recipient of Chandler School’s Distinguished Alumni Award, David Clifford ’86. He parked his car in front of his grandparents’ house on Armada Drive to set foot onto Chandler School’s campus for the first time in 29 years since graduating as a Chandler lifer. That morning, he saw an All School Assembly, teared up a bit hearing the school song and took a stroll down memory lane on a campus tour. “The campus was completely different, but the footprint and scale were the same, allowing the memories to flood back. I stood at the exact spot on the field where I met my best friend Misha Klein ‘86 for the first time in third grade.” David said. “I loved walking up to the Armada brick wall, standing where we used to perform flag duty and watching all Chandler students gaze up at Mr. Finch, look him firm square in the eyes with love and trust, shake his hand and enter school. I was reminded that there is not a more important job in school than to let students feel seen, trusted and cared for.”
David hopes not only for the East Bay School for Boys to continue to flourish, but he envisions continuing to build irresistible schools that inspire humanity by empowering the purpose and passions in all of us by creating a blueprint that any school can follow. That mission became abundantly clear in his recent venture of being a Stanford Fellow in the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, a.k.a., the “d.school.” David’s goals are laid out in his vision statement. “I want to build schools that not only serve young men and women; they serve as models for other schools and educators. I want to inspire the courage in others to become change agents, thinking and doing ‘school’ in a whole new light. I want to build schools that revolve around character, creativity, and empathy, combined with the skills to authentically implement these qualities.”
While attending the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, David discovered the magic he felt in a creative environment that excited students to learn new things and kept them coming back for more. That revelation made him further appreciate his experience at Chandler.
Before founding the East Bay School for Boys, David spent 13 years at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, “a private school with a public purpose,” in numerous roles. It was there that he discovered education wasn’t just his career, but his life’s work. “It was my sixth year of teaching at Lick-Wilmerding. I designed a chair making course, and I realized at that moment that teachers are not simply deliverers of content, but they also design user experience,” David said. “Teachers are the first designers of user experience. So kids can discover their ‘awesome’ or their potential.”
“I actually did not enjoy the academics, but I found my place at Chandler with the relationships with my friends, teachers and the arts. But, looking back, those things I struggled with then made me the father, husband and educator that I am today,” David said. “I swore that I would be the Mr. Morrison, Mr. Korn and Mrs. Leese to students. Chandler was great. I always wanted to go to school.”
David saw his chair making course as one that used all of his students’ academic skills, giving him the courage to begin his passionate work in building a message of social justice and cultural competency. “You could really see the students’ deep sense of joy in creating and making,” David said. “From there I had the confidence to start pushing curriculum on race and equity.”
David earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from California College of the Arts in 1994 and his Masters in Educational Leadership from Mills College in 2010. He has gone on to be an innovator in the world of education. David builds learning environments. He’s a maker, teacher and advocate for social justice. He is a founding member of the East Bay School for Boys in Berkeley, a private middle school that features his Pillar Philosophy, which centers around Self, Prep, Work and Life to create problem-solvers deeply connected with social justice and equity. It’s a three-year program that uses selfknowing, practical skills and the love of learning to compassionately create and communicate with one’s environment.
David even became the first white male to serve as a board member for the People of Color in Independent Schools, an organization he has always admired. As a three-year board member, he helped design conferences, workshops and was a graphic artist designing its posters. One of the workshops he created was called Redesigning the Colorblind Mind, which used design thinking to help redesign well-intentioned, progressive school cultures to be more inclusive and equitable to their communities of color. “It’s not easy doing equity work. As a white man doing this work, I have developed an interesting insight on how white people think,” David said. “It helped me get better at designing experiences for people and push them just enough to think a little differently.”
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David has also created Private Skills for a Public Purpose, a servicelearning course for metal fabrications students in which they design and build school desks and storage for Oakland public schools. He also uses his efforts internationally. David helped create the Senegal Service Learning Project, which is an ongoing partnership between high school students and rural villagers with projects including solar lighting, the building of school desks, playgrounds and classrooms. As part of his visit to Chandler, David gave a workshop to faculty on his experiences in making and design thinking. Chandler Lower School Director Gayle Cole was moved by David’s workshop. “The way David was able to inspire and engage us all in the process of making and reflecting, spoke volumes about the meaning of the work that he does as well as the passion of our teachers for handson learning,” Gayle said. “Another thing that really resonated for me was his wise advice to be careful not to follow trends or fads, but to build on ideas that are authentic to our own school culture.” As part of the workshop David gave the Chandler faculty a handson lesson in making by having them collaborate on designs of learning spaces using recycled material. This left them anxious to share their experience with students for the upcoming school year. “You could feel the enthusiasm in the room,” Gayle said. “I know we took away ideas that will translate into our work with the students in the fall.” Assistant Head of School Anneke Emerson said, “David’s intuitive and hands-on workshop immersed Chandler faculty in a design thinking mindset. David inspired Chandler faculty to design curriculum and learning experiences that allow students to create, connect and problem solve.”
Director of Innovation and Academic Technology Jill Bergeron reflects, “he showed us how maker projects are thoughtful exercises that engage students, heads, hearts and hands. It gives kids opportunities to think, to play, to make mistakes and to solve problems.” Jill also enjoyed David’s approach to classifying student skill levels. “I love the way he uses ninja/novice instead of strength/weakness. It’s a really great way to approach students who are in the process of learning something from scratch.” Despite his admirable and innovative accomplishments in the world of education, David is most proud of his efforts as a father to Lucy, 13, and Misha, 10. “I try to be a strong, compassionate and empathetic man to my two daughters,” David said. “There are not that many great examples of great men in the media, so I make that a goal.” David shared some poignant and inspiring words to the Class of 2015 during his speech at graduation. “Take your time to learn your passions, your purpose, your place in this world. Yes, of course, be disciplined in your schoolwork, artwork, music or sport. But, be more disciplined in being a good, empathetic and kind person. Define your own finish line. This takes courage. Chandler has given you the tools to sculpt that courage. Use them.”
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Alumni
A W A R D 2 0 1 6 The Chandler School Distinguished Alumni Award is given annually to a Chandler alumnus in recognition of outstanding achievement and unselfish dedication to his/her community. Those who are honored with this award have, through their life and work, embodied Chandler’s mission and Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
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s David’s Pillar Philosophy at the East Bay School for Boys, which he hopes will become a model for other schools.
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The Chandler School Alumni Council invites nominations for this award. If you know of a Chandler alumnus or alumna whose life or work you would like to see honored with this award, please consider any of the following criteria: • Significant accomplishment in career or field of interest; • Excellence in service to the community or to society in general; • Volunteer service which has inspired others; • Embodiment of Chandler’s Six Pillars of Character. The deadline for nominations is FEB. 22, 2016. Nominations will be considered confidentially by the Chandler School Alumni Council, and the award will be presented at Commencement in June. Please contact Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Jennifer Sells Johnson ’94 with nominations or questions: jjohnson@chandlerschool.org | (626) 795-9314 x111
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OFF TO COLLEGE REUNION
Class of 2011
Nearly 50 members of the Class of 2011 and their parents returned to Chandler’s South Campus to celebrate their high school graduations and departures for college. The Rothenberg Family Courtyard was filled with excitement as alumni spent the afternoon catching up with fellow classmates, faculty and staff. Alumni reminisced on the newly renovated Dickerson Point while looking through yearbooks from their time at Chandler. Head of School John Finch kicked off the event with a warm welcome while guests enjoyed a delightful spread of refreshments, which included a gourmet quesadilla station. Alumni Council President Lauren Craig Albrecht ’85 shared words of wisdom with the soon-to-be college students on the importance of staying connected with their Chandler peers as they spread out across the country for the start of their collegiate careers. Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Jennifer Sells Johnson ’94 introduced herself as Chandler’s alumni contact and provided a brief introduction to the College Connection program. At the end of the event, alumni were pleased to receive a pair of Chandler green flip flops to take to college.
DeeDee Logan ’11 “High school was a completely different experience from Lower and Middle School,” says Chandler lifer DeeDee Logan ’11. “I really had no idea what to expect as a new Poly student, and I didn’t know how prepared I would be for such an academically rigorous school. Chandler prepared me well, and this is especially evident in the language department. Chandler students were always in the advanced language classes.” DeeDee further reflects on the impact of her fifth grade teacher Mrs. Jacobson. “She was a spunky teacher who really cared about how her students learned. It was one of the first classes that I really struggled in, and she made me realize that when you struggle, you shouldn’t give up, but instead you should try harder.” Beyond her academic career at Poly, DeeDee played 10 out of the 12 sports offered, while also playing on a year-long club volleyball team her freshman through junior years. She was selected ALL CIF in volleyball her sophomore and senior years. This year, her water polo team won the CIF championship for the first time in Poly’s history. In the fall, DeeDee will attend the University of Washington as a member of the crew team. “I may pursue sports medicine or sports psychology,” says DeeDee. Her advice to Chandler students: “Take advantage of your Chandler education. Chandler does a great job of preparing its students for high school, but it is a two way street, and it will only pay off for those who put in the effort to learn.”
THE CLASS OF 2011 HAVE ENROLLED IN THE FOLLOWING COLLEGES American University Berklee College of Music California Maritime Academy Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Cal State University, Los Angeles DePaul University Georgetown University Lafayette College Marist College
Miami University New York University Princeton University San Diego State University Santa Clara University Simmons College Texas Christian University Tufts University University of Arizona
University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Cruz University of Oregon University of San Diego University of Southern California University of Washington Wesleyan University
Amber Park ’11
“In high school, I had a very positive experience. I grew a lot as a person intellectually and developmentally,” says Amber Park ’11. “Chandler provided me with the fundamental study, reading and analytical skills that have become the foundation of my education. Looking back, I am so appreciative of my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Jacobson, who helped me discover a love for learning and applying what you learn in the classroom to daily life. She made one of the biggest impacts on me as a student and person, and I am so grateful for everything she taught me.” Throughout high school, Amber played tennis at the national and international levels. In her senior year, she competed on Poly’s tennis team which won the Division 3 CIF Title. In the fall, she will attend Princeton University and continue her athletic career on its tennis team. “As of right now, I want to further my studies in history and business and hope to concentrate in Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School,” says Amber.
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Emily Stoker ’11 Temple City High School Class of 2015 Honorary Speaker, Rose Princess and Chandler lifer Emily Stoker ’11 shares this advice with Chandler students: “Although it may be rough now, all of your hard work will pay off. Chandler prepared me well for high school and ultimately college. The academic challenges I experienced, and the skills I learned made high school seem like a breeze. I was fluent in Spanish leaving Chandler which enabled me to complete four years of high school Spanish in two years.” Emily further reflects, “the foundation for my career interests started at Chandler. I can trace my love for science back to elementary school. By eighth grade science with Mr. Korn, I knew I wanted to pursue a science related career. I also loved eighth grade math with Mr. Carlson. The financial profile project was a lot of fun, and it was a great lesson in finance. One of my fondest memories was my eighth grade Boojum trip. Whenever we thought we couldn’t hike any longer, Mr. Finch would pull out his bag of candy and give one to each of us. That gave us hope to trek on for a little longer.”
Her advice to Chandler students: “Enjoy learning. As you get older, the stress and pressure of meeting expectations and achieving a certain academic success can take away from the joy of learning. Appreciate every minute and cherish each piece of new knowledge that you gain. Allow yourself to have fun.”
In her senior year, Emily was selected to be on the 2015 Tournament of Roses Royal Court. A member of the cheer team for the past four years, she was captain of the varsity team, which placed ninth at nationals. She is a member of Link Crew, a freshman mentoring program and also a member of the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation. She is also active with the First Baptist Temple City Church, volunteering at their annual vacation bible school and summer cheer camp.
Eli Snyder ’11
In the fall, Emily will attend San Diego State University and plans to major in Chemistry. She hopes to pursue a career in the medical field.
“High school was great,” says Chandler lifer Eli Snyder ’11. “I accomplished a lot and made friendships that will last for the rest of my life. Chandler had a lasting impact on me throughout high school. Chandler gave me a foundation on which I was able to build. I remember Mrs. Emerson teaching me how to edit on iMovie. This simple tool allowed me to experiment and expand on my interest in making videos. Any time I was given a film project at Maranatha I knew I had the editing skills necessary to do well. I also recall Mr. Anderson challenging me in athletics. I always had a competitive nature, but he helped me hone my abilities, which directly translated to success in high school sports.” Further reflecting on his time at Chandler, Eli recalls, “I have a distinct memory of spirit day. In eighth grade, we decorated our room in a Las Vegas theme. It’s a bittersweet memory because we placed second behind the seventh graders. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Newhall, my favorite class was Mr. Carlson’s eighth grade math class, and I loved the Colorado River trip in seventh grade.” While at Maranatha, Eli was involved in the Spanish Club, Fashion Club and Botany Club. He also played football for all four years. In the fall, he will attend the University of California, Los Angeles and plans to major in film and television. His advice to Chandler students: “Enjoy your time at Chandler. You have your entire life ahead of you.”
Miller Whitehouse-Levine ’11
“Chandler definitely prepared me for high school,” says Miller Whitehouse-Levine ’11. “In many instances I was better prepared for high school than many of my classmates who had gone to Poly’s Middle School. This advantage was most evident when it came to computer skills. The computer program at Chandler definitely gave me a leg up in high school because, instead of learning how to use programs, I could spend my time using them.” “My favorite class was eighth grade science with Mr. Korn,” says Miller. “In his class, I lit more stuff on fire than any other time in my life so far!” At Poly, Miller was involved in the Global Initiatives Program and Ambassadors Program. “I really enjoyed the Ambassadors Program. It’s a rewarding experience to contribute to your school’s future,” says Miller. In the fall, he will attend Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. “It’s not as restricting as it sounds, although many of the graduates of SFS will go into the State Department and CIA. The curriculum includes history, economics, language, and international relations, and that is one of the reasons I chose the school. However, I still have not decided on a major.” His advice to Chandler students: “A kid at my high school graduation gave a speech on the phrase ‘try this.’ It was so moving that I will give the same advice to Chandler students. In high school you will hear the phrase ‘try this’ repeated a countless number of times. Whether trying a new sport, a new fruit, or a new language, try it. In the tenth grade, I decided to take Chinese for the first time. If I hadn’t tried, I would never have had the opportunity to live with a host family for a year in Beijing. It is amazing what taking that simple advice and acting on it can do.”
Alumni Visiting Day
Alumni and former faculty reunited on campus for the annual Alumni Visiting Day on November 14. An all-star line-up of alumni guests, celebrating their 20-year graduation anniversary, spent the day participating in Lower and Middle School classes, sharing their wisdom and know-how with eager students before coming together for a special Middle School lunchtime program, Lunch with Leaders. The all-star alumni line-up included:
DAVID BRADLEY ’94
Chief Operating Officer, Hawk Ridge Partners Hedge Fund High School: Laguna Blanca High School College: Claremont McKenna College
“It was a really cool day,” said David of his return for Alumni Visiting Day. “I was struck by Chandler’s outstanding development, a result of families who deeply care for the school. It was beautiful to see.” As the Chief Operating Officer for a hedge fund in West Los Angeles, David spent the day with Mr. Carlson’s eighth grade math classes. “I had the privilege of helping teach a class that is technically part of the math curriculum, but is really its own subject matter altogether. I’d say it is the most important but also generally ignored topic in academia - personal finance,” said David. “Students track a hypothetical life in which they have a job, a comprehensive budget, and random circumstances that for
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some students include a family and in others do not. They then have to react to real world issues and adjust their financial lives accordingly. All of which is expertly interwoven with Microsoft Excel modeling and budgeting. This is about the most important thing young people should be learning. I was able to take it a step further and teach the students about retirement concerns, compounding capital and various rates of return, and demonstrating how a very minimal amount of money saved each day can lead to incredible wealth when compounded over a lifetime through smart investing.” David was impressed by the depth and character of the eighth grade class. “They are so much farther along than I was at their age from their interpersonal skills to their perspective of the world. Something is really working at Chandler,” remarked David. During the Lunch with Leaders program, David shared this advice with students: “Best practice, research always. Start talking to people now about how to do things better. And, network! You can be the smartest, most capable person around, but unless you have people in your life that are intimately aware of your abilities, it will be harder to get ahead. Join groups, clubs, teams, take leadership roles, volunteer, and when people see how good you are, it will lead to boundless opportunities for the rest of your life that will seem to pop up serendipitously, but really, it will be the consequence of the hard work you put into expanding your network now and beyond, and it will be very satisfying.” Read more about David on page 24.
CHAD COLTON ’94
Law Student, University of San Diego, School of Law, Environment and Energy Law High School: Flintridge Preparatory School College: Bowdoin College
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SUSAN ZEREN DUTRA ’94
Director of Development, My Friend’s Place High School: Westridge School for Girls College: University of California, Los Angeles Graduate School: University of Southern California
“Stepping onto campus brought back a flood of memories, despite all the wonderful physical upgrades rendering the campus nearly unrecognizable,” said Chad.
“It felt wonderful to be back! Chandler holds a tremendously special place in my heart and being back on campus brought back so many fond memories,” said Susan.
As a first year law student, Chad spent the day alongside fellow law student, Meigan Thompson ’95 in Mrs. Dretzka’s eighth grade English classes. They led dynamic discussions with students about issues raised in To Kill a Mockingbird and the legal profession. “I was blown away by the students’ level of aptitude and engagement with a story set in a time and place so different from Pasadena,” said Chad. “The students looked so young, yet seemed so mature. I don’t remember being that way when I was their age,” remarked Chad.
Susan is the Director of Development for My Friend’s Place, an organization that offers comprehensive services to homeless youth in Los Angeles. “I had a great time,” said Susan of her session with fourth grade students. “I was able to share some of the challenges that young homeless people face on the streets of Los Angeles through interactive engagement activities that challenged the students to thoughtfully examine the issue of homelessness. I enjoyed the opportunity to help them develop a deeper knowledge of issues in their own community and how they can participate in meaningful ways as informed and engaged community members.”
During the Lunch with Leaders program, he left students with this advice: “Always do the work you are asked to do; question why you have to do it, but do it anyway. It will make sense later, and you will be glad that you did.” Read more about Chad on page 24.
What emerged from her visit was a wonderful service-learning opportunity. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, fourth grade students rallied together to create snack bags for My Friend’s Place to provide to homeless youth in advance of the long weekend when the center is closed. Chandler students made a difference! Susan encourages Chandler students to: “Challenge yourself!”
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CLAIRE PASTRE MARCO ’94 Senior Merchant, BASE4 High School: San Marino High School College: Southern Methodist University
“Walking onto campus felt like home,” said Claire. “So much of the campus has changed, but it still felt the same.” Claire and Matthew Lawler ’95 spent the morning with students in Ms. Cleare’s Pinterest elective sharing how they use Pinterest in their careers. As a Senior Merchant for BASE4, an import company, Claire works with retailers Target, Walmart, Ulta, The Container Store and various national drug and dollar stores and often uses Pinterest to track trends and source product ideas when putting together product assortments to present to retailers. She was curious to learn how students were using Pinterest and excited to share her application of the tool. “We work-shopped a Pinterest board and focused on ways to approach Pinterest not just as a consumer, but as a marketer,” said Claire. “We had a blast. It was great to catch a glimpse into the minds of Middle School students.” Later Claire shared this advice with students: “You’re getting a world-class education; make the most of what you want to get out of it. And, when you get to college, take at least one business class, no matter what you major in.”
BRIAN HUSKEY ’95
Chef High School: Polytechnic School College: University of California, Los Angeles Graduate School: California Culinary Academy
As a season 11 contestant for Bravo’s hit TV series Top Chef, Brian ’95 is a shining example of what it means to follow your passion. Brian spent the morning with students in Ms. Chrysler’s Pursuit of Happiness elective sharing how he found his true happiness following his passion for cooking. While attending UCLA, Brian had his first job as a short order cook. “The opportunity opened a new door,” said Brian. He discovered a love for cooking and found he was most happy in the kitchen. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in economics, Brian moved to San Francisco to obtain a formal culinary education at the California Culinary Academy (CCA). After graduating from CCA, Brian traveled as far as the Caribbean on a culinary journey. He eventually returned to Los Angeles where he worked for the Patina Restaurant Group, Westin Bonaventure, and later for Chef Ricardo Zarate as R&D chef for Picca, Mo-chica and Paiche. Brian deliciously incorporates Asian, French, Peruvian and Californian influences into his food. In 2014,
Brian was selected to compete on Top Chef. The show propelled his career. After the show, Brian became the consulting chef for The Holloway restaurant in Echo Park. He has worked for numerous chefs, helping them to open their restaurants and build their dreams. Brian lives by the guiding principle to “stay humble and hungry.” This year, he takes a leap of faith to work on a concept restaurant with a fellow chef. Brian is grateful for his experience at Chandler and the sacrifices his parents made for the education he received. Brian’s foundation for success: discipline and the readiness to be prepared at all times. At the Lunch with Leaders program, Brian shared: “Half of life is being prepared and the other half is passion.” Later that evening, Brian generously donated his time and talents to the annual Alumni and Past Parent Wine Tasting event which brought back a record number of alumni and past parents to campus. Read more about this event on page 31.
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MATTHEW LAWLER ’95
Director, Social Strategy, Initiative High School: Polytechnic School College: University of Pennsylvania Graduate School: University of Southern California
“I have so many fond memories,” Matt said of returning to Chandler. “Seeing Mr. Korn doing science experiments off the second story ledge of the Middle School building brought me right back to seventh and eighth grade. Only now, the students have laptops, iPads and a host of other tools and technologies to help facilitate learning. I was jealous and inspired all in one. But, being back in the classroom environment showed just how much Chandler has developed over the past 20 years.” As the Director of Social Strategy at Initiative, an advertising agency, Matt brought a wealth of knowledge to Ms. Cleare’s Pinterest elective, and he was excited to share his experience and expertise with the students. “I get to play on Facebook and Twitter all day,” said Matt. He buys ad space on social media for clients Kia and Hyundai. From inspiration boards to business applications, Matt and Claire ’94 demonstrated Pinterest’s vast range of use from personal to professional. “We explored how a company might use the platform to drive their business and sales of the products they carry. We also discussed the social media phenomenon that is ‘Alex from Target.’ “We had a good time,” said Matt of his time with the students. Matt shared this advice with the students: “The best thing to come out of my Chandler experience aside from discipline and work ethic are the connections and having a network of people that really push you to be a much better individual. Also, commit and don’t be afraid to fail. Whatever it is that you’re interested in, be fully invested. Your level of commitment and subsequent expertise will ensure your eventual success.”
ELISE LOVEJOY ’95
Founder & CEO, Express Readers High School: Flintridge Preparatory School College: Boston College Graduate School: Fitchburg State University
“There were so many memories that came back, all warm feelings about a wonderful childhood spent at Chandler. However, the campus has grown and developed so much since I was a student there,” said Elise. As a former Kindergarten teacher, Elise could not wait to jump back into the classroom with the Kindergarten students. “The kindergarten students at Chandler were so open and excited, and I had a blast reading with them and sharing the Express Readers books,” said Elise. Elise developed Express Readers, a program for early readers, out of the desire to bring joy back to reading by encouraging confidence and enthusiasm in young readers. She later shared with Middle School students: “Take all of the confidence, skills and knowledge that Chandler gives you and go forward knowing you have been given a gift that many people wish for. Use your gifts to improve the world, develop your dreams and be who you want to be.” Read more about Elise on page 24.
MEIGAN THOMPSON ’95
Law Student, University of California, Irvine, School of Law, Public Interest Law High School: Flintridge Preparatory School College: Spelman College
“Prior to Alumni Visiting Day, I hadn’t been on Chandler’s campus since graduating in 1995,” said Meigan. “It was an awesome treat to see how much the campus has changed and grown since then. Being at Chandler brought back all sorts of memories like track meets on the field and dances in the gym. Best of all was seeing faculty and administrators that were at Chandler when I was there.” Meigan brought a wealth of experience to share in the discussion with Mrs. Dretzka’s students as they explored Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. “We led a discussion on the promise of the U.S. Constitution as it relates to law, society and justice. Mrs. Dretzka’s students were reading Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird and had also researched 1930’s popular culture, Jim Crow laws and segregation,” Meigan said. “We asked the students to consider the ways in which the promise of the Constitution has been fulfilled or unfulfilled, in relation to Lee’s book and in society. The students were impressive. They gave thoughtful responses to our questions, asked insightful questions and were willing to express their opinions on a subject that can be tough even for adults. Mrs. Dretzka is phenomenal!” Meigan’s advice to Middle School students: “You’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne “Work hard, apply yourself, and ultimately, you’ll become successful,” said Meigan.
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ALUMNI
Class Notes Larry Lisle ’59 retired after 30 years of service with the U.S. Army. He and his wife now live in North Carolina to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Douglas Gregg, Jr. ’62 is enjoying retirement with his wife Chris. They enjoy bike riding, golfing, snorkeling in Hawaii, taking long walks with their dog “Buddy” and doing volunteer work. “I owe both Tom and Katie Chandler so much, not only for their educational guidance, but for their friendship with my parents and personal presence in my life,” says Doug. He sends best regards to Katie Chandler, the Chandler School family and fellow classmates.
Roger Riffenburgh ’63 continues to live in Sunnyvale and edit the BayAreaGOP Newsletter. William “Doby” Fleeman ’64 is alive and well in Davis. He is married with two kids in college, and still working because it’s fun. Katie Horton Safford ’74 CHS ’78 is teaching elementary school in Los Angeles and living happily with her husband and daughter (11). She says, “I can still ride a unicycle!” *Kip Freytag ’78 is enjoying a year of travel with her husband. In February, they attended their nephew’s wedding in Los Angeles and visited San Juan Capistrano to whale watch and visit the local Mission. They stopped in Lake Havasu, Arizona to see the London Bridge. In March and April, they met up with German relatives to visit New York City and the Everglades in Florida, all while managing a side trip to Colonial Williamsburg. This summer, Kip and her husband will make their annual visit to family in Rocky Mountain National Park. They will
*Correction from printed issue.
also enjoy a trip to Hawaii and the Christmas Markets in Germany in the fall. “I look forward to a future visit to see how the campus has changed,” says Kip. She hopes all her classmates are doing well. Paula McCullough Bown ’79 loves life as a mom. She proudly reports, “Sarah is getting married; Elizabeth is going to Jerusalem on BYU’s study abroad program; Peter returns from a two year mission for the LDS church in Houston, Texas; Caroline graduates from high school; Grace gets her driver’s license and Martha turns 12.” Paula loves helping her kids with homework and piano and enjoys reading and swimming. Her husband Jim continues to work as a gastroenterologist in St. George, Utah where they live. Anne Clifford ’83 lives half a mile from her brother, David ’86, in Oakland. She works as a freelance grant writer for nonprofits. She raises bees and travels via motorcycle with Gill, her “manwich” since 2006. Michael Knox ’85 is starting his ninth year managing the hospitality programs for Baldacci Family Vineyards in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District. “If any Chandler alumni find themselves in the Napa Valley, please come visit me for a tasting,” says Mike.
Catherine Ellis DeMott ’94 stopped by Chandler for a visit with her family in December. “I wanted my children to see where I went to school when I was their age. It’s been 20 years, and almost everything about the school has changed. I am grateful to have seen the changes and know that Chandler is doing an amazing job educating its students. I owe a lot to the education I received at Chandler,” says Catherine. Chris Mang ’94 will marry Van Dang in July. He is currently completing an Executive MBA program at USC and will graduate in 2016. Elise Lovejoy ’95 is thrilled to announce her engagement to Quinn Baker. Patrick Miller ’96 is head chef at Rucola restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. The restaurant received a great review in the New York Times as well as other positive reviews. Patrick has hosted a number of alumni at Rucola.
Maryann Baribault Zeira ’92 and her husband Ohad welcomed the birth of a healthy baby girl Daphne June Zeira. Maryann and Ohad feel very blessed. David Bradley ’94 and his wife Chelsea welcomed the birth of their son Nathan in March. Their children, Juliet (6) and Colin (3), adore their baby brother.
Chad Colton ’94 was elected President of the Environmental Law Society at the University of San Diego and is the managing editor of Motions, the law school newspaper. He is a core member of Surfrider San Diego and coordinates weekend beach cleanups. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing with his wife Beth and hiking with their Siberian Huskies, Asher and Lucy.
Jon Kondrath ’97 and his team at ReKon Productions were awarded a Local Area Emmy for their work on Artbound: Invisible Cities. Jon’s feature film A Leading Man opened at the Vista Theater in Los Angeles and played in film festivals in Philadelphia, Boston, Vancouver and Virginia. The film also became available on VOD platforms such as Google Play, Sony, Xbox video and Amazon. Jon continues his work as a sports photographer for Flintridge Prep and USC. He also teaches Art of Digital Photography and Digital Movie Production at Chandler.
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Dia Parker-McWhorter ’98 and Clemens Riegler were married at Schloss Röthelstein in Admont, Austria on July 12, 2014. The bride’s brothers, London ’96 and Prophet Parker-McWhorter, officiated. Tucked away in a hillside of Styria, guests dined on Austrian fare and danced into the morning to a string quartet. They celebrated later in the month by waltzing in the Gloriette at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. The bride, a graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University and the Boston Teacher Residency Program, currently teaches in Boston. The groom is finishing a PhD in Neuroscience at Harvard University. Jason Wong ’98 is an award-winning commercial director who recently returned to Chandler to direct a commercial for Shell Oil. The narrative of the commercial follows a young girl whose love for science eventually leads her to a career in human robotics. “It was an amazing and somewhat surreal experience to return to a place where I have so many fond memories of growing up and learning. The nostalgia was amplified by the fact that two of my former Chandler classmates, Andrew Kim ’98 and Matthew Yang ’98, were with me as members of the crew. The campus has been renovated quite a bit since our childhood, but the spirit still remains, and our visit only further impressed upon me how privileged we were to attend Chandler School,” says Jason. He is grateful to Mr. Kondrath for hosting their visit and to Mr. Finch for allowing them to film on campus.
Mana Nakagawa ’99 graduated in June with a PhD from Stanford University Graduate School of Education and starts a new job on the Global Diversity Team at Facebook in charge of managing women’s initiatives across the company. Mana lives in the Bay Area with her fiancé Aaron Ver, who is an attorney. They look forward to their spring 2016 wedding in Aaron’s hometown of Juneau, Alaska.
Katie Kelley ’00 married Jacob Frederick on July 4. The couple recently purchased a home in the Arroyo of Pasadena.
Patrick Curry ’03 is working as an actor in both New York and Los Angeles and as a painter of minimalist “hard edge” modern works. Allison House ’03 is working for electronics company Sonos in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Matthew Kohorst ’03 was awarded La Salle’s 10th Battalion Alumni Athletic Award at their homecoming game in October for his outstanding achievements in baseball. The award recognizes alumni for their athletic accomplishments at La Salle and beyond. In 2012, Matt graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership. Currently, he is a financial analyst in acquisitions for Everest Properties in Pasadena. Elizabeth Ortiz ’03 graduated with honors in art history from Trinity College in 2011. After graduation, she moved to New York City and began working for Christie’s in their client service department. Later she transitioned to their prints and multiples department, where she manages a series of auctions in modern and contemporary art. Jeremy Ortiz ’03 graduated from Arizona State University in 2011. He currently teaches children with autism at the Westmoreland Academy in Pasadena, and he’s the defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Temple City High School, for the freshman football team. He is also President of the Board for the Jerry Ortiz Memorial Gym and Youth Fitness Center which was founded in memory of his father, Deputy Jerry Ortiz. Nicholas Weinstein ’03 graduated from Occidental College in 2011. He is a recent graduate of Loyola Law School, where he was awarded a merit scholarship for three years. While attending law school, he worked for Sports One, Fox Sports and Legendary Films. After passing the bar exam, he now works for
Ramo Law in Beverly Hills, an entertainment law firm. He will travel to Japan in the fall. (photo in Patrick Miller ’96) Dennis Lowe ’04 and Steven Stringfellow ’04, U.S. Army First Lieutenants, are currently serving overseas as Platoon Leaders, in Armor and Field Artillery Divisions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Spartan Shield. Justin Liu ’05 graduated from Duke University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 2013. He was part of Duke’s NROTC program and participated in the intermural water polo club. After graduation, Justin was commissioned as an Ensign with the U.S. Navy and assigned to the San Diego Naval Base and the Frigate USS Gary. Justin served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and Legal Officer aboard the USS Gary with a recent promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade. While on deployment with USS Gary in Panama where their duty was to interdict drug smugglers along the coasts of Columbia, Panama and Mexico, Justin started a SAT tutorial class for the enlisted men on the USS Gary to help them with their college applications after active service. He enrolled approximately 38 sailors and got Kaplan Test Prep to donate materials and exercise books. Justin, along with another officer, held SAT classes on board the USS Gary in shifts to fit everyone’s schedules. Recently, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Award. Justin returned safely from deployment, and in August, he will report to Navy Nuclear School in Charleston, South Carolina. John Thomas “J.T.” Treadwell ’05 lives and works in New York City for Success Academy Charter Schools. He misses Southern California weather. Jessica Austin ’06 looks forward to completing her collegiate career at Union College in Kentucky. She is a member of the soccer team and is pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
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Cara Lowe ’06 graduated with honors from Rhode Island School of Design in 2014. She is currently contracted as a designer for Astek Design Company in Los Angeles. Natalie Weinstein ’06 graduated from Trinity College with a major in English and minor in Hispanic Studies in 2014. While at Trinity, Natalie spent a semester abroad in Argentina and served on the editorial board of the Trinity Tripod, the college newspaper. Natalie went on to receive a wine certificate degree from UCLA. She now works for Jarvis Communications and specializes in the wine industry. (photo in Patrick Miller ’96) Jennifer Erin Fong ’07 graduated in May from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration with a minor in real estate. After graduation, she enjoyed a trip to Greece with her Chandler friends since first grade, Kristin Brisbois ’07 and Naomi Hatanaka ’07. In July, she will move to New York City and work for Prudential Real Estate Investors. John Haskett ’07 is currently studying history at Sonoma State University and enjoys scuba diving, hiking and camping. Elizabeth “Lizzy” McLennan ’07 graduated in May from Ohio State University with a degree in early and middle childhood studies and a minor in music. Samantha Stringfellow ’07 graduated with honors from Emerson College with a degree in marketing and communications and a minor in publishing. She currently resides in Boston. Samantha Jacobs ’08 studied abroad this spring, living in central London and studying public relations at the University of Westminster on an exchange program with USC. “It’s been an amazing experience. I love getting to explore somewhere so far from home,” says Samantha.
Anissa Stoker ’08 graduated with honors from Azusa Pacific University in May, with a degree in business management and minor in biblical studies. She is a youth leader at her church and will be going to Taiwan in July for the second time since 2012 on a church mission trip.
Audrey Barthold ’11 will attend Simmons College in the fall, where she will be a member of the crew team.
Sarah Anderson ’09 enjoyed her sophomore year at Harvey Mudd College.
Tyler Anastasia ’12 is a member of the La Salle varsity golf team, which finished the season with a 19-0 record as the 2015 Del Rey League Champions. Tyler was named team co-MVP, qualified for CIF as an individual and was named First Team All-Area by the Pasadena Star News. In June, he placed second in the SCPGA Junior Tour Ping 2-Day Tournament. Tyler hopes to catch up with fellow classmates at the 2015 Chandler Golf Classic in the fall.
Carole Gong ’09 is majoring in human biology and minoring in sports media studies at the University of Southern California. She is an athletic trainer at USC Athletic Medicine and enjoys working with USC athletes. She plans to become a physical therapist working in sports medicine. She is also a member of the Alpha Delta Gamma Sorority, Club Gymnastics, and Pre-Physical Therapy Club. Tyler Fong ’10 is a student-athlete at Haverford College. He is running for the cross country and track teams while pursuing a degree in physics. Alyssa Rivas ’10 enjoyed her freshman year at Tufts University. She is on the cross country and track and field teams. She is a member of the Association of Multiracial People and works for Tufts Telefund. Alyssa was also elected to the executive board of Tufts Mountain Club and has recently ventured into ice climbing. She is a guest writer for the online publication Alpenclimb. “I am having a great time and absolutely loving it,” says Alyssa. Michael Weinstein ’10 graduated cum laude from Flintridge Prep in 2014. At Prep, he served as a peer counselor and was the offensive MVP for the baseball team and selected all-league. He will be enterting his sophomore year at Georgetown University. Michael is a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and a manager of the basketball team. Over the summer, he will tutor students at Lindamood-Bell in Pasadena. (photo in Patrick Miller ’96)
Adrian Chang ’11 graduated from Milton Academy and will attend New York University in the fall. He is pursuing his dream of becoming a magician.
James Anderson ’12 will be a senior at Brookline High School in Massachusetts. He is a member of the crew team. Shawnt Bazikian ’12 and his brother Sebouh ’10 started the organization Bike 4 Orphans in 2012. In March, the second annual Bike 4 Orphans Bike-AThon and Hike-A-Thon was held at the Glendale Sports Complex. With over 150 participants, the event was a success raising $10,000, which allowed the delivery of 20 bicycles to an orphanage in Ethiopia. “This is our seventh orphanage, and we are finalizing a delivery to several orphanages in South Africa,” says Shawnt. Shawnt is grateful for the support of fellow Chandler alumni Thomas Christopoulos ’12 and Major Minus band members Noah Herndon ’12, Erwin Mendez ’12, Charles Smith ’12 and Lukas Hutzler ’13 who played at the event. “Tommy helped me create a Bike 4 Orphans Club at school; he accompanied me to City Council meetings and helped spread the news about our event,” says Shawnt, who will be a senior at St. Francis in the fall. Charles Smith ’12, Noah Herndon ’12, Erwin Mendez ’12 and Lukas Hutzler ’13 formed the band Major Minus during their Middle School years at Chandler. Charlie is the lead singer and plays keyboards; Noah plays bass guitar; Erwin plays lead guitar and Lukas plays guitar and drums. Charlie’s
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ambition has always been centered on music. His inspiration, Sir Paul McCartney, motivated him to put a band together and start playing gigs around the city. After gathering experience and writing material for three years, they produced their first album, which was engineered at the world class Village Studio in Santa Monica, a true highlight for the band. They are learning the music business and hope to build a bigger name for themselves as an “Indie” band with a West Coast tour at the end of July. Their self-titled album Major Minus is available on iTunes. Charlie and Noah will be seniors at L.A. County High School for the Arts. Erwin will be a senior at St. Francis and Lukas will be a junior at Flintridge Prep.
Middle School and Beyond Alumni Panel Jillian Brady ’13 will be a junior at Flintridge Prep. She is beginning her third term on Student Senate as class commissioner. She is captain of the varsity soccer team, runs track, serves on the Athletic Council on Leadership and is a member of a collaborative leadership group unofficially known as The Big 3, which consists of representatives from the school’s three leadership groups. “I’m enjoying high school immensely! I was well prepared for the academic rigor I met in high school, and was already well versed in balancing academics and extracurricular activities,” says Jillian. Patrick Egan ’13 will be a junior at Harvard-Westlake and is a member of the water polo team. “I am enjoying high school very much,” says Patrick.
Colin Treidler ’12 and Cameron Wheeler ’12, members of the St. Francis Robotics team, placed first in their division and fourth overall at the VEX World Championship in April. Emily Wright ’12 was the assistant director and dance captain for the La Salle musical, Disco Inferno. She has won several awards for La Salle at the Inter Scholastic Equestrian League, placing in the top 12 of the novice division. “I am really enjoying my experience at La Salle,” says Emily. In June, she traveled to Costa Rica on a Spanish immersion trip and later this summer will travel to New York with Theatre 360 to take master classes with actors, dancers and casting directors. Kim Austin ’13 is enjoying her experience as a boarding student at The Webb Schools. “Living on campus allows me to excel in all aspects with great support and resources. I knew Webb was the school for me after my first day. It has the same honorable and trusting community you find at Chandler,” says Kim. She plays soccer in the winter, track in the spring and looks forward to playing football in the fall.
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Aron Guevara ’14 will be a sophomore at Westridge and is a member of the soccer and volleyball teams. Jonathan Thein ’14 will be a sophomore at Poly. He is a member of the junior varsity volleyball and varsity basketball teams. He participates in the baking club, super hero movie club, outdoor service club, and Poly Ambassadors. “I am enjoying my high school experience very much. A lot of people had told me that the transition to high school is tough but Chandler prepared me very well for the task. The transition was smooth and allowed me to enjoy the change in environment and new classmates. This has all led to an amazing high school experience where I can try new activities and feel comfortable while doing it,” says Jonathan.
Dean Johnson ’13 will be a junior at Poly. He is a member of the varsity water polo and swim teams. He is an active member of the school’s Ambassador Program and next year he’ll be a junior staff editor for the yearbook. “High school so far has been a blast; Poly is a very connected community, so there’s lots of fun to be had,” says Dean.
Rhiana Boyles ’13 is a member of Flintridge Prep’s water polo team and plays flute in the orchestra. Outside of school, she volunteers at the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and participates in the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra. Austin Chang ’13 is playing junior varsity baseball at St. Francis High School. Talia Dell Angelo ’13 is a member of Westridge’s basketball and softball teams and participates in theatre production as a stage manager. She enjoys high school and looks forward to the next two years. Emilie Hu ’13 is a member of Flintridge Prep’s tennis team and partakes in the debate and sewing clubs. Emilie is also a member of the Spanish Honors Society, a club recognizing students’ academic achievements in language.
Jordan Hu ’13 runs for Flintridge Prep’s cross country and track teams. He also participates in the school’s debate club and is a part of the computer hardware club. Lillian Maxfield ’13 is a member of Flintridge Prep’s track and field team and cross country team, which won the CIF state championship. Both experiences have been rewarding “because of the sense of team and family,” says Lilly. She enjoys high school and finds everyone is helpful, kind and hardworking. At Prep, she’s met great people and extraordinary teachers. Sophie Silva ’13 will be a junior at Mayfield. She is a three-sport athlete. Sophie plays cross country in the fall, soccer and track in the spring. She is enjoying her high school experience.
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Charlotte Strasburg ’13 is a partner in La Cañada High School’s Health Club as well as the Red Cross Club. She is also the vice president of the school’s Be the Change Club. High school has been a great experience for her both academically and socially. Maya Vasquez ’13 enjoyed her second season on Flintridge Prep’s varsity softball team, playing first base and enjoyed spending her free periods working on art assignments and projects. Natalie Akins ’14 is a member of the cross country, soccer, track and field teams at Westridge. She will be a sophomore in the fall. Anton Aritz ’14 is a member of Eagle Rock High School’s junior varsity volleyball team and Freshman Class Officers. “I love high school so far,” says Anton. Outside of school, he plays volleyball on the Forza 1 club team. Anton recently returned to Chandler in the spring to assist Mrs. Newhall with boys’ volleyball tryouts and enjoyed helping the team this season.
Dylan Choi ’14 will be a sophomore at La Cañada High School. “Chandler prepared me well for high school,” says Dylan. In his first semester, he earned a 4.33 GPA. Dylan is a member of the varsity golf team. “I am enjoying high school very much,” says Dylan. He returned to Chandler in the spring to mentor Middle School debate students. Isabella Estrada ’14 will be a sophomore at Mayfield. She says Chandler prepared her well and the transition to high school has been smooth. She is a member of the Dance Conservatory.
Carina Grande ’14 will be a sophomore at Mayfield. She feels that Chandler prepared her well for high school both academically and socially. She misses her Chandler classmates but she’s made good friends in high school. This year, Carina took a black and white photography class and really enjoyed it. Theodore Jaffrey ’14 participated in the debate program at Chandler, which he feels prepared him well for high school at Flintridge Prep. “It helped me with my writing, organization, time management and public speaking,” says Theo. He recently returned to Chandler to help prepare debate teams for an upcoming tournament. “I am glad to see that the program is running strong,” says Theo. He looks forward to working with debaters for many years to come. To offer continuity beyond high school, Theo seeks out new styles of debate outside of the San Gabriel Valley. Conrad Jensen ’14 entered and won second place in the St. Francis science fair in the category of physics and mechanics against mostly seniors during his freshman year. Conrad created a pulse jet by welding steel pipes together and then measured the thrust comparing three different fuels. He also ran on the junior varsity cross country team, won the Hall of Fame award for top four freshmen, maintained a 4.3 GPA average, and was a member of the robotics team. Conrad is a Life Scout in Troop 502 and plans to work on his Eagle and take driver’s education and art this summer. Sarah Johnson ’14 was named First Team All-Prep League as a member of Poly’s varsity basketball team. She was also a member of the freshmen/sophomore volleyball team and named the team’s MVP. Sarah is part of the Ambassadors Club and member of the yearbook staff. She also serves on the Pasadena Youth Council. This past summer, Sarah played basketball in Japan on a cultural exchange trip.
Ethan Liu ’14 is enjoying Poly and says that Chandler prepared him well for high school. Ethan is a member of the varsity water polo and varsity fencing teams. Isabella Longoria-Valenzuela ’14 is involved in SPARC (Random Acts of Kindness club), cross country, and student ambassadors. “I really love Poly,” says Isabella. “The transition coming into Poly has been really smooth because of the great foundation Chandler gave me.” Joshua Ma ’14 enjoyed his freshman year at Loyola High School. The summer before his freshman year, he had the opportunity to build and program with the Loyola robotics team and run with the Loyola cross country team. He was one of five incoming freshmen invited to run with the Loyola varsity cross country team in Mammoth Lakes this past August. At the awards banquet, he was presented with a trophy and recognized as the MVP freshman cross-country runner. He runs track and his events are the 800-meter and 1600-meter. Joshua has joined many clubs such as the Ping Pong Club, Jazz Club, Chinese Club, Pinoy Club and African American Association. He is also a member of the Model UN Club and Service Leadership Club. This summer, he will volunteer with the Special Olympics. Indu Pandey ’14 is currently involved in Lincoln-Douglas debate on the varsity squad and travels across the country to debate at different schools. She’s gone to Atlanta, New York, Stanford, Berkeley, San Jose, Oakland and Las Vegas. She also writes two columns in the Harvard-Westlake Spectrum. She is enjoying high school. This spring, Indu returned to Chandler to coach Middle School debate students on a variety of topics. Ryan Pizante ’14 entered the 2015 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a prestigious national competition, and won the Silver Key Award, a regional award for poetry writing, for his collection of poems. He dedicates this award to Chandler and teachers like Mrs. Dretzka whose guidance and support have had a profound impact on him. John Politis ’14 will be a sophomore at Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks. He is a member of the football and baseball teams. Dylan Riley ’14 is a member of the St. Francis cross country and track and field teams. He loves high school.
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Catherine Szeto ’14 will be a sophomore at Harvard-Westlake. She participates in contemporary dance workshop II and Madrigals Choir. She assists with the literary magazine team as well as the interview and design team. She hopes to work on the school newspaper and join a sports team next year. She looks forward to the next three years. Logan Taylor ’14 is a member of the St. Francis lacrosse team. He misses his fellow Chandler classmates, teachers and spring break trips.
Ashley Wu ’14 is a member of Poly’s Ambassadors Program, orchestra and Random Acts of Kindness Club. “I am so grateful to have been a part of a community like Chandler. Not only have I made lifelong friends, but Chandler prepared me for high school, providing me with a solid foundation,” says Ashley. She is also a member of the varsity tennis team, which won CIF. “Winning CIF has been a highlight of high school so far,” says Ashley.
Edgar Rivas,
Jack Kabateck,
father of alumnus Brian Kabateck ’77, passed away in August 2014. He served his country in Seoul, Korea as Sergeant of the Guard to General Douglas MacArthur. Jack graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications. While at USC, he helped start the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity; and in recognition of his service, received the Order of Merit, the highest honor given to a member. He met his wife Glady while working at KABCTV and produced early TV shows, including Criswell Predicts, before he left to sell air time on the radio, which would become his business for the next 60 years. He spent more than 20 years at Westinghouse Broadcasting before starting his own company Western Regional Broadcast Sales, representing radio stations along the coast.
He was an active member in the Glendale community, serving as a member of the Verdugo Woodlands Dads’ Club, Glendale Symphony Board, the local Red Cross and Boy Scouts Boards. For his years of service, he was awarded the Glendale Man of Achievement (1999), The Glendale Chamber of Commerce Golden Service Award (1998) and the Paul Harris Award from Rotary. He was a devoted and longtime member of the La Cañada Presbyterian Church where he served two terms as a beacon. He also enjoyed trips to Big Bear with his family and friends. Married for 55 years, he is survived by his wife Glady, sons Brian (Roxanne Hampton) and John (Maggie Uhey) and grandchildren Lily and Simon.
Nicolas Yeh ’14 is a member of the St. Francis volleyball team and participates in the Future Business Leaders of America and Surf Club.
beloved husband, father, and friend passed away April 11, 2015 after a five and a half year battle with Multiple Myeloma. Eddie was born in Babahoyo, Ecuador on December 10, 1966 and immigrated to the United States in 1972, settling in Brooklyn, New York. A hard working student, precocious entrepreneur, and talented athlete, Eddie ran for the Hillcrest High School track team and put himself through York College, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1992. Eddie’s entrepreneurial spirit and love of competition remained mainstays in his life. He founded Rivas Sports Inc., which operates seven Pro Image Sports retail stores in Southern California, and continued to compete on the field in The Pasadena 30 year old and up Flag Football League and as a member of the J.P.L. softball team. Eddie also nurtured a
love for art, which never deserted him. His eye for beauty found an outlet in the sketches he made throughout his life, and in his ability in teaching art appreciation to show others how to see the beauty in the world around them. Eddie served on Chandler School’s Board of Trustees from 2005–2011 and served as Chair of the Development Committee. He remained involved as a dedicated parent, serving as an art docent for the art appreciation program for his son Christopher’s class. But Eddie’s proudest achievement was the family he built with his wife Daisy. She survives him, as do his children Alyssa ’10, Samantha ’12 and Christopher ’16. They are a living testament to his character, energy, and boundless love. In honor of his memory the Edgar Rivas Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established at Chandler School.
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The Chandler School College Connection kicked off the 2014-2015 school year with a care package stuffing party on October 11, 2014. Past parents gathered in Johnson Library and Media Center to prepare nearly 100 care packages for
alumni in college which includ‑ ed a Chandler School charger for electronic devices, Hallow‑ een treats and inspired crafts designed by Kindergarten and Lower School students. In March, more than 100 apple pies in a jar were shipped to alumni in college in honor of Chandler’s Pi Day celebration. The Chandler School College Connection is de‑ signed exclusively for alumni in college as our way of letting
them know that they are fondly remembered and encourag‑ ing them to stay engaged with Chandler and each other. Through this program, alumni receive care packag‑ es, Shamrock publications, an‑ nouncements, birthday wishes and invitations to events. Chandler alumni in college who would like to be included in the program should report their college mailing address to alumni@chandlerschool.org in order to be included in next year’s mailing.
Pizza on the Point With the day off from school for the Veteran’s Day holiday, alumni in high school returned to campus to catch up with classmates and teachers during a special pizza lunch on Dickerson Point.
Expert Advice Elective This spring, alumni returned to speak with Middle School students in the Expert Advice elective about life after Chandler, their careers and professional achievements. At the beginning of the quarter, students were polled on their professional interests
which resulted in this all-star line-up: Dentist Dr. Sunjay Lad ’95, Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Brecken Armstrong-Kelsey ’91, Director, Producer and Writer Bruce Caulk ’74 CHS ’78, Principal Engineer Lisa Curry Austin ’74 CHS ’78, Owner of Chef’d Kyle
Ransford ’86, Attorney Casey Zuber ’00, Major Minus Band Noah Herndon ’12, Erwin Mendez ’12, Charlie Smith ’12 and Lukas Hutzler ’13 and Owner of Pro Pacific Lindy Dotts Brownsberger ’85.
Chandler High School Reunion Alumni of Chandler High School reunited with past faculty and staff for an evening of remembrances at Mijares to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Chandler High School.
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Alumni Events News
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Alumni Parent Reception
The third annual Alumni Parent Reception was held at the Head of School residence as a prelude to the Alumni & Past Parent Wine Tasting event at Chandler School. Alumni who are parents of current or former students gathered together with members of the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Council for a special reception
celebrating alumni parent participation in the life of the school. A tasting of the 2010 Thorne Estate
Pinot Noir, generously donated by parents John and Stephanie Thorne from their family vineyard, and an exclusive tasting with Santa Barbara winemaker Chris Wright ’78 of his Grenache Syrah blend made for a wonderful kick-off to the wine tasting festivities on campus.
More than 100 alumni and past parents gathered in Johnson Librar y and Media Center on Chand ler’s South Campus for the annual Alumni and Past Parent Wine Tasting on November 14. Napa Va lley winemaker David Brown ’84 genero usly donated the wine for this specia l occasion from his family vineyard, Brown Estate. The wines featured, 2013 Chaos Th eor y, 2013 Chardonnay and the exclusive pre-release tasting of the 2012 Brown Recluse, were a hit with all in attendance. To complement the wine, Top Chef Season 11 contestant Brian Huskey ’95 created a tasty menu of signature bites. Eighth grade students Tara Adarkar, Matthew Fu ternick and Sofia Stellar, exploring a food rel ated passion project, had the opportunit y to wo rk side by side with Chef Huskey to prepare and plate his delicious creations. The wonderful sounds of Andres Mendoza ’11 on piano pro vided a delightful setting for guest s to mingle as they enjoyed a memorab le evening of wine and food.
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New Alumni Council President Joyce Mitamura ’80 Joyce Yumi Mitamura ’80 is the new president of the Alumni Council. She attended Chandler School in second and third grades and has vivid memories of reading Charlotte’s Web and Island of the Blue Dolphins. Joyce graduated high school from Polytechnic School in 1984 and went on to Stanford University, where she graduated with a Bachelor in Psychology. After college, Joyce moved to Japan to study Japanese at Keio University. She enjoyed it so much she spent most of her 20’s living and working in Tokyo. Eventually, Joyce returned to the United States and earned a Masters in Japanese Linguistics from UCLA. In 2007, Joyce returned to Chandler when her daughter Yumi ’16 entered kindergarten. As a stay-at-home mom, Joyce served on the Chandler Family Associates board for three years before becoming CFA President for the 2011-12 school year. Together with her husband Mike, she is very much looking
forward to seeing her daughter graduate from Chandler next year as a lifer. Outside of Chandler, Joyce volunteers with her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. She and Yumi also enjoy volunteering at various organizations in Pasadena through the National Charity League. Recently, on Saturday mornings, Joyce has begun teaching Japanese to children at a Methodist church in Monterey Park. She is very excited about her new role as Alumni Council President. “Lauren (Craig Albrecht ’85) is leaving me with big shoes to fill. As Alumni Council President, she did a wonderful job reaching out to members of the alumni community. I hope to continue what she has begun and to further make lasting connections with alumni and their parents,” says Joyce. “After nine years at Chandler, both the students and their parents form lifelong friendships, and I look forward to helping them stay connected to the School and each other.”
Welcome New Alumni Council Members DAVID GERST ’86 is
delighted to join the Alumni Council and to have his son Daniel (seventh grade) follow in his footsteps by attending Chandler. “I was a lifer at Chandler and have a deep appreciation for the positive impact our school has had on my life and education. It’s great to continue to be involved at Chandler as a parent and as a member of the Alumni Council!” David’s career is in marketing and operations, both in the banking and alternative energy sectors. “Currently, I’m involved in several electric vehicle charging, natural gas fueling, and energy storage infrastructure projects. The work is both fulfilling and exciting!” Outside of work, he enjoys coaching sports and writing.
BRECKEN ARMSTRONGKELSEY ’91 is
an alumna and future Chandler parent. Brecken says, “When my daughter was born, I hoped to someday send her off to school in a kelly green jumper. Now, my dream has come true and Gwyn will be starting Kindergarten at Chandler this upcoming fall. I credit Chandler with giving me the best possible educational start in life. I am thrilled to be able to give my daughter those same opportunities. I joined the Council so I could give back to the school that gave me so much.” Brecken is an Emergency Medicine Physician at Kaiser Fontana. She lives with her husband and daughter in Altadena. Her daughter, Gwyneth Kelsey, will be joining the Chandler class of 2024 this September.
ERIN KANEKO ’96
is married to Travis “TJ” Young ’96 and together they have two sons, Tiernan (3) and Declan (15 months). In 2013, Erin joined Wilshire Capital a private real estate firm that invests in apartment, office, industrial, debt, and development opportunities throughout the Western United States. “I am excited to share that Wilshire Capital will begin development of a 50-unit apartment complex in the South Lake Union District in Seattle, WA. We also have a 244-unit 23 story apartment high-rise breaking ground this Fall located directly across the street from Amazon’s new headquarters.” Erin has also been a consultant for the Early Education Initiative and Community Teacher Program based in the East Sepik Region of Papua New Guinea. The program focuses on access and retention in community-based primary schools and didactic reports created from their research informs local government officials, educationalists, and community members.
CASEY ZUBER ’00 loved
the time that she spent at Chandler and is especially
grateful for the relationships she developed with classmates and teachers. She is excited to give back to Chandler by serving on the Alumni Council starting in the 2015-2016 school year. Casey looks forward to getting acquainted with the Chandler community. She currently works as an associate in the corporate department of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Downtown Los Angeles. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and cheering for the Dodgers.
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ALUMNI COUNCIL MEMBERS 2014-2015 Lauren Craig Albrecht ’85, President Lisa Curry Austin ’74 CHS ’78 John Berger ’88 David Gerst ’86 Erin Kaneko ’96 Brecken Armstrong-Kelsey ’91 Ashley Laird, Faculty Liaison Joyce Mitamura ’80 Joyce Wang Sakonju ’87 Peter Stavropoulos ’82 Amit Sura ’96 Travis Young ’96 Chris Waldheim ’81, Trustee Liaison
Support Tradition CHANDLER SCHOOL ANNUAL FUND
In addition to asking for 100% participation by our parents, the greater Chandler community of alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents and friends are also asked for annual participation. Every gift, no matter the size, is needed and appreciated. ANNUAL FUND DONATIONS GO DIRECTLY TO: Classroom resources Technology Arts Athletics Financial Aid Faculty enrichment
Have you earned a (shamrock) for consecutive years of giving?
The listing of donors in the Annual Report recognizes the loyal members of our community who have given a gift of any amount for five or more consecutive years. To make a donation to the Annual Fund, visit chandlerschool.org/annualfund. To learn more about increasing your gift or reaching a giving level by utilizing a corporate matching gift, visit matchinggifts.com/chandlerschool. The Chandler School Alumni Council provides leadership and defines strategies and direction for the Chandler School Alumni Association (CSAA) through Chandler’s traditions, mission and goals. Council members help plan social events for the CSAA, serve as resources for the school and its students and assist in fundraising efforts, especially in annual giving directed to financial aid for current students. It is the goal of the Council that a strong and positive relationship will be fostered between the CSAA and the Chandler community. If you are interested in becoming a Council member, please contact Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Jennifer Sells Johnson ’94 at jjohnson@ chandlerschool.org.
The Point Over the holiday break, Dickerson Point underwent a quick, efficient, eco-friendly and modern makeover, making it not only a scenic, cozy and beautiful place for eighth-graders to claim as their lunch spot, but with amphitheater style seating, it’s also a setting for teachers to have an outdoor class meeting or gathering.
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SAVE THE DATE The Chandler Golf Classic returns on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 at Annandale Golf Club to kick off the community celebration of Chandler School’s 65th anniversary.
THE SHAMROCK IS PUBLISHED FOR PARENTS, ALUMNI, PAST PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF CHANDLER SCHOOL.
EDITOR Justin Frank GRAPHIC DESIGN Jihyun Oh CONTRIBUTORS Laura Dicovitsky John Finch Sandy Hume Jennifer Sells Johnson ’94 Maureen Short ’84 PHOTOGRAPHY Justin Frank John McCarty Martin Voss HOW TO CONTACT US (626) 795-9314 www.chandlerschool.org alumni@chandlerschool.org contact@chandlerschool.org
The Shamrock is printed on recycled paper (50% content with 15% post consumer) using soy inks and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. International Printing & Typesetting, Inc. Printing