FAIS Magazine Winter 2019

FAIS T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E F R E N C H A M E R I C A N I N T E R N A T I O N A L S C H O O L │ W I N T E R 2 01 9

NEW!

Toute Petite Section: Early Preschool for 2 ½-Year-Olds

MISSION STATEMENT THE FRENCH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CULTIVATES INTELLECT AND CHARACTER THROUGH RIGOROUS MULTILINGUAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES APPRECIATION OF DIVERSE CULTURES AND EXPERIENCES.

DEVELOP GLOBAL CITIZENS FOSTER MULTI-LANGUAGE ABILITY SHAPE ACTIVE LEARNERS

MISSION STATEMENT THE FRENCH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CULTIVATES INTELLECT AND CHARACTER THROUGH RIGOROUS MULTILINGUAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES APPRECIATION OF DIVERSE CULTURES AND EXPERIENCES.

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CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE

02 From the Head of School..................................................................................................03 Opened this Fall! Toute Petite Section: Early Preschool for 21/2-year-olds..........................04 Celebrating a Decade of Leadership: Pam Dreisin, Head of School..................................06 FAIS in Action.................................................................................................................08 International Trips: Spring 2018........................................................................................10 Sneak Peek Profile: Scott Hardister, Our Next Head of School...........................................12 Alumni Profile: Asa Miller..................................................................................................14 Alumni Updates.................................................................................................................16

From the Board Chair........................................................................................................

Head of School: Pam Dreisin Address: 8500 NW Johnson Street, Portland, OR 97229 Telephone: 503-292-7776 Email: fais@faispdx.org | www.faispdx.org Editor: Zach Laney Graphic design: Penelope Babst

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FROM THE BOARD CHAIR Dear FAIS Community, During my time as a parent and a Trustee, I’ve been witness to an unprecedented period of growth for the French American International School. From our status as a triple-accredited school, to the most successful capital campaign in our history and on to our campus expansion and improvement, we are standing at the juncture of a very special time for FAIS. Undoubtedly, much of this progress is due to the leadership of our current Head of School, Pam Dreisin. With these major milestones added to the list of her many accomplishments, Pam has made the decision to retire in July of 2019 as has been previously shared with our community.

The months leading up to Pam’s departure offer us an opportunity to not only reflect on where we have been, but to celebrate Pam’s numerous accomplishments during her 11 years as Head of School and 28 years as a member of our community (dating back to her time as a parent and Trustee). Foremost, Pam has been the champion of the aforementioned triple accreditation, which includes the French Ministry of Education, the International Baccalaureate (which recognizes FAIS as a World School for preschool through eighth grade), and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools – making FAIS the model for combined immersion/IB education. In addition, Pam has overseen the remarkable transformation of our campus, including the additions of the Rose Préau Commons, Discovery Park, and the Center for the Arts. Most significantly, Pam’s final year will be capped off by the completion of the new Gilkey International Middle School building, which will open its doors on the first day of school in September 2019.

Pam will remain with us through this school year to provide continued leadership as we transition to a new Head of School.

The Board of Trustees is excited to welcome our next Head of School: Scott Hardister, who will officially join FAIS on July 1, 2019. Scott’s unanimous appointment is the result of a six-month, extensive international search in partnership with education experts Carney Sandoe & Associates and with significant input of our community — including faculty, parents, administrators, and extracurricular staff who met directly with several candidates during the process.

Scott has an intense passion for kids, teaching, and building community. He comes to us from Marin Country Day School, a recognized leader among independent schools, where he served as Assistant Head of School for Strategic Implementation. Prior to MCDS, Scott spent 13 years at Oregon Episcopal School, during the last seven of which he served as Middle School Division Head. He brings a wealth of educational and business experience at all levels, a warm and approachable leadership style, and a deep commitment to growth and excellence.

Please join me in expressing our immense gratitude for the legacy Pam leaves us with and extending an enthusiastic welcome to Scott, as we embark on our next chapter and continued dedication to developing global citizens with an appreciation of diverse cultures and experiences.

Sincerely,

Matthew Donegan Chair, FAIS Board of Trustees

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Friends, It is with mixed emotions that I sit down to write my final letter for the FAIS magazine. As many of you know, I will be retiring at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. This marks the end of 25 years in independent school education and more than a decade serving as Head of School at FAIS. I am honored to have had the great privilege to lead FAIS during this time of remarkable growth, made possible through the strong commitment and diverse contributions of every member of this extraordinary community. I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to be at this vibrant school for so many years, and look forward to working with the entire community as we continue to move the School forward over the coming months.

As I reflect back over the last eleven years, I am proud of where the School is today. We are now a fully authorized International Baccalaureate World School, and our commitment to developing the next generation of internationally minded, actively engaged global citizens has never been stronger. Our students, supported by a devoted and passionate faculty working in partnership with their families, consistently demonstrate active inquiry in and out of the classroom, and graduate well prepared for the next phase of their personal and intellectual journey. Our campus has seen a number of significant improvements, including the addition of the Rose Préau Commons, Discovery Park, the beautiful Center for the Arts, and most significantly, the construction of a new middle school building designed specifically to enhance teaching and learning at FAIS. Personally, seeing the new middle school becoming a reality is truly a dream come true. Prepare to be amazed when this building opens this fall!

There are many things I will miss after I leave FAIS. First and foremost are our students. They are the reason we come to work every day.

It is such a pleasure to walk into any classroom and see our students actively engaged in their learning, experiencing “aha” moments, grappling with failure, and rising to the challenge time and time again. And of course, at the heart of this student journey is our faculty and staff, who strive daily to provide a vibrant learning environment that inspires both passion and compassion within our students. But none of this would be possible without the support and involvement of our FAIS families. FAIS is fortunate to have so many wonderful and committed volunteers who give generously of their time and resources to support the School in fulfilling its mission. While I will miss all of the people that come together to create our community, my husband and I are looking forward to enjoying more leisure time together to pursue our love of travel and finding new and impactful ways to connect and contribute to our local community. In the meantime, I will continue to partner with the Board of Trustees to ensure a seamless transition as we warmly welcome our new Head of School, Scott Hardister, who will join us on July 1, 2019.

I wish to thank all of you for our time together and for supporting FAIS and its mission for so many years. FAIS has such a bright future, and I can’t wait to watch the School continue to grow and thrive over the next decade!

Warmest regards,

Pam Dreisin Head of School

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OPENED THIS FALL!

WHY DID WE OPEN THIS NEW CLASS? FAIS has always welcomed children as young as 2½ years old in our mixed-age preschool classes, but we’ve long-believed our youngest students would best flourish in an environment that meets their unique needs. After years of careful consideration and planning, we’re excited to launch our first class of Toute Petite Section (TPS)! And we’re not the only ones… there’s already a waiting list!

HOW IS TPS DIFFERENT? Everything is designed with these little learners in mind. Centered on play-based inquiry, this child-driven learning environment follows their rhythm and interests, engages their senses to explore and experiment, and naturally empowers them to become part of something bigger than themselves—from their classroom community to the school-wide community (such as the buddy program with the 5th graders). This all helps prepare them for the structure of preschool (ages 3-4) by introducing the concept of guided inquiry and how things work (form, function, and causation).

HOW IS IT THE SAME? Like the rest of our Maternelle classes (preschool, prekindergarten, kindergarten), TPS is a nurturing French immersion setting with concept-driven curriculum that serves as a springboard to our International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. Children also learn from, and have a regular connection to, nature… including Discovery Park, our forest, nature trails, and the garden courtyard.

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TOUTE PETITE SECTION:

EARLY PRESCHOOL FOR 2½ YEAR-OLDS

To learn more about Toute Petite Section, visit www.faispdx.org/TPS

WHAT ARE PARENTS SAYING?

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I could not be more thrilled with the TPS program. There is clearly so much care, attention, and purpose put into the classroom. My daughter looks forward to school, is happy to be there, and drop-off is a joy knowing she is happy. I have full confidence she is in the best care. I love that they spend so much time outdoors, discovering and playing.

ALLISON M, TPS PARENT

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TPS provides a more diverse, organized, and social type of play than I could provide at home. It is genius that they find amazing ways to play, both outside and inside, and that the students are prompted to discover new things. It is so comforting knowing that she is well cared for, making friends, learning, and playing—all while being exposed to another language. I cannot imagine a better situation, and we are so happy.

DOROTHY O, TPS PARENT

Do you have a little one turning 2½? Know someone who would be interested in joining next year’s TPS class?

Contact our admissions team at admissions@faispdx.org or 503-292-7776 ext 310!

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CELEBRATING A DECADE OF LEADERSHIP

PAM DREISIN, HEAD OF SCHOOL RETIRING JULY 1, 2019

Clockwise from left: Pam as a parent volunteer in the late '90s; in 2009 with then Lower School Division Head Michel Deschodt; with Honorary French Consulates Françoise Alymer and Claudine Fisher; at the 2015 FAIS Annual Gala with Laura Hunter, trustee and alumni parent ; speaking at the 2012 New Family Social; with a student at the 2010 FAIS Gala

For the past 11 years, our community has witnessed an unprecedented period of growth… from our tripleaccreditation by the French Ministry of Education, the International Baccalaureate, and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools to the remarkable transformation of our campus—including our new middle school building, opening in September.

We stand at the juncture of a very special time at FAIS, thanks to the leadership of our Head of School, Pam Dreisin. Pam will be retiring in July of 2019, and will continue to lead us through the rest of the school year and a smooth transition to our next Head of School.

In celebrating Pam’s legacy, we asked Pam to reflect on memories from the past decade, and share a little bit about her plans for a much-deserved retirement. On behalf of all past and present parents, students, faculty, and staff… thank you, Pam—you will always be a member of the FAIS family!

07 What do you remember most from your first year as our Head of School?

I vividly remember Opening Day of 2008, when the renovation of the Préau was not yet complete. There was scaffolding blocking the sidewalks, and the gym was still an active construction zone.

It felt like mass pandemonium!

How has FAIS evolved over the last 10 years? Are there any milestones that should make our community especially proud?

Over the last 10 years, FAIS has experienced tremendous growth in educational programming, enrollment, and campus improvements.

Becoming a fully authorized International Baccalaureate World School is a significant accomplishment for our community, and of course, the addition of Discovery Park, Center for the Arts, and our amazing new middle school building is thrilling! The successful implementation of the IB pedagogy, coupled with thoughtfully designed new learning spaces, will allow innovation in teaching and learning to flourish for years to come.

You have witnessed so many students progress through FAIS, from their first day to graduation. What do you hope they will take away from their time here?

Wisdom and an ongoing sense of wonder. We are a school and, as such, have been given the challenge not only to educate our students, but to impart wisdom. And the one thing that wisdom requires is a healthy sense of wonder. To cultivate wisdom, therefore, we must cultivate a vibrant curiosity. I believe that if a student leaves formal schooling with his or her innate, vibrant curiosity alive and well, who still finds learning exciting, we will have succeeded on a deeply important level. And of course, I hope they leave us with a strong moral compass in place to help them on their ongoing journey of personal discovery.

What are your three funniest memories of FAIS? When a kindergarten teacher asked her student if she knew who I was, she replied “Elle est la grande tête” (the big head). Certainly has kept me humble!

Listening to an “enthusiastic” group of French faculty singing karaoke at our staff winter celebration. Certainly worthy of a Grammy.

My favorite end of year gift from a student—my very own Chia pet!

What will you miss most about leading our community?

Calling snow days! Seriously, I will miss the students. They are our “raison d’être.” It is such a joy to visit a class full of

curious preschoolers who can’t wait to share with me their latest discoveries, or listening to a group of 8th graders trying to articulate how the views of the great philosophers of the 18th century would translate into the 21st century (in multiple languages!).

How do you plan to spend your first year of retirement?

Where do you envision yourself in 10 years?

Well, my plan for my first year is not to plan! I am looking forward to staying open to whatever opportunities may present themselves. I want to be surprised about what I am doing 10 years from now.

SPEED ROUND Wine, part one – red or white (or rosé)?

WHITE!!

Wine, part two – Oregon or France?

OREGON Chouquettes or gougères?

Gougères Oregon or Oklahoma?

Oregon (sorry, Dad!) Drop-off or pick-up?

Drop-off (when it isn’t raining!)

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FAIS IN ACTION

5TH GRADERS LAUNCH RADIO PROGRAM

2018 GALA: THE WORLD IS YOUR CANVAS

PRESCHOOLERS VISIT LIBRARY WITH 3RD GRADE PARTNERS

In January 2018, 5th graders worked with a representative from Radio France to create their own radio program. Their broadcast debuted on World Radio Day (February 13), a day designated by UNESCO to strengthen diversity, peace, and development through broadcasting.

Thank you to everyone who attended, dressed up, and supported the 30th Annual FAIS Gala and Auction on April 14, 2018 at the Sentinel Hotel. It was a great success, and we raised over $215,000 for FAIS! There were 200+ people in attendance, including one table of fun-loving, generous alumni parents!

In December, preschool students visited the library with their teachers and 3rd grade "partenaires" (French for "partners") for the first time this year.

Since then, this entirely student-led program (written, produced, and engineered by students—in French and English) was showcased in April 2018 on the French website, l’atelier webradio, and has been broadcasting episodes every month for our community! Stay tuned for more episodes in future issues of la Gazette! To listen to previous episodes, visit www.faispdx.org/ webradio.

We raised nearly $90,000 for our Special Appeal, funding the new amphitheater that will bridge the new middle school with the existing campus.

Special thank you to 2018 Gala Co-Chairs Regan Nelson and Jennifer O'Brien, and to the rest of the committee for putting together what was a glamorous evening celebrating FAIS. Thank you to Andrew Kilshaw, the emcee, for bringing his charm and wit to the evening.

At the beginning of the school year, the library came to them in the classroom: library assistant Giulia brought in a small cart of books for the students to choose from, then read stories in French.

It was quite an adventure for the preschool students to walk up to the main building accompanied by "partenaires" from the two 3rd grade classes. Several 3rd grade students read a story to the little ones as a group, then all the preschool students were paired with one or two helpers to select two books to take home.

GREEN TEAM: LEADING THE CHARGE ON CAMPUS ENERGY CONSERVATION Guided by the Eco-Schools USA pathways to sustainability, the Gilkey Green Team has swelled to 16 delightful students. We are working on an energy conservation initiative to bring down the School's electricity bill, which runs at about $70,000 per annum. Louise Kausche (the school's accountant) and Ralph Medina (Director of Facilities) spoke to the kids about the cost of energy and how to conserve it at school. It was fun to see the kids pepper them with questions; no shrinking violets in this group!

Each satellite has been divvied up between team members to conduct an energy audit, which entails assessing the energy efficiency of every room on campus. New thermostats were installed over winter break with instructions to the room owners to maintain temperatures at 70ºF / 21°C (according to the EPA, there is improved student and staff health, thinking, and performance with an indoor temperature range of 20 - 23°C). The kids are currently conducting a light and technology audit. Stay tuned to hear more about their achievements and audit results!

By Dharshini Pillai and Jeanette Swafford, Gilkey Green Team Leaders

FAIS IN ACTION

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6TH GRADERS DESIGN A VILLAGE FOR HOMELESS PORTLANDERS In September of this year, 6th grade Design students collaborated for two weeks to practice the Design Cycle in a deeply meaningful way.

Ms. McDermott's Materials Design class was focusing on designing "pods;" tiny homes for people experiencing homelessness. She talked with Mrs. Sinclair, who teaches a Digital Design class that focuses on using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to address problems using digital mapping technology.

"We realized that the way my class focuses on 'sense of place' and topography connected with Ms. McDermott's focus on 'place making' for communities," says Mrs. Sinclair. "Ms. McDermott found a training opportunity for both of us where we studied the central aspects

of building communities, then we brainstormed ways our classes could work together."

Mrs. Sinclair's GIS Design students visited Ms. McDermott's class, acting as "mapping consultants" for the housing development project. They then returned to their classroom and created topographic maps, planning landscapes that would promote the clients' needs for a sense of security and community.

Ms. McDermott's class, then evaluated the five maps and decide which terrain is best suited to creating a community with the pods they're designing.

In the second semester of this year, the two classes will switch; Materials Design students will learn GIS Design, and vice versa. All

students will be able to experience both sides of this collaborative design process. These experiences are intended to prepare our students for real life design situations, where multiple groups work together with a single vision toward a shared goal for a client.

8TH GRADE COMMUNITY PROJECTS As an IB World School, all 8th grade students are required to participate in the Community Project. This inquiry-based, student-led activity is an experiential learning opportunity performed during the fall semester in a sustained, in-depth inquiry leading to service as action.

The projects are student-centered but guided by a mentor, and enable students to engage in practical explorations through the IB learning

cycle of inquiry and action. Students reflect on their learning and discuss major skills learned throughout all four phases: Investigating, Planning, Taking Action, and Reflecting.

In mid-January, 24 student groups presented to 5th, 6th, and 7th graders, as well as parents and FAIS community members. Projects spanned a wide range of interests, from Nature Trail Design/Maintenance and GPS Mapping

FAIS FAMILY GAME NIGHT WAS SO FUN! Over 65 families and 200 people came together for this family fun event on January 12, put on by the PLC’s FUN Committee.

Highlights of the night included Bingo and Musical Chairs. The middle school kids were super excited to have Rainy Day Games there to help lead them in various strategy games that drew in parents and children alike. Keep an eye out for the next FUN Committee family events, which will be the Art Gallery on March 29 and an "outdoor games" event that will take place in June!

in Tanzania to a variety of efforts supporting Oregon Humane Society, NW Children’s Outreach, and Randall’s Children’s Hospital.

The community project truly gives students an opportunity to consolidate their learning by working in small groups on a challenging and inspiring service project of the students' initiative, and it reflects their learning as an IB student.

JOURNALISM PM CLASS This year, 5th grade teacher Aurore Molerus began a 4th-6th grade PM Class on journalism to work toward creating FAIS's first student-led publication: The Satellite!

Students investigate their subjects during the week. Then, they come together Thursdays after school to explore different forms of journalism, discuss content, and edit stories relevant to the School, community, city, and more (in both French and English).

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INTERNATIONAL TRIPS: SPRING 2018 5TH AND 8TH GRADE

Each year, our 5th and 8th graders have the opportunity to embark on a two-week international trip. Students stay with a host family, attend the local school, and take a number of fun and educational field trips to explore the sights. Grayson Dempsey and Kristin Wellenstein Kilshaw The 5th graders travel to France for a real world test of their immersion experience in Lower School. The 8th graders are encouraged to travel

to the country of the beginning language they started studying in 6th grade. Past destinations have included Belgium, Costa Rica, Cuba, Germany, and Taiwan.

These trips are a culmination of the students’ Margo Litwin and Lubna Qureshi language and cultural learning, a more than 25-year FAIS tradition, and at the core of our commitment to international mindedness and developing global citizens.

FRANCE (PARIS) GRADE: 5th NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 28 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: Notre Dame Cathedral, Mémorial de la Shoah, Musée de l'Homme

“My parents were right – it was the trip of a lifetime. I keep in touch with Camille. I am hoping she and her family will visit us in Portland one day. I am now taking Spanish and looking forward, with excitement, to visiting Spain in three years with my 8th grade class.”

Bonnie Stewart and Norm Auzins -Sophia O.

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AUSTRIA GRADE: 8th NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 9 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: Vienna, Wolfsberg

"We visited some amazing places in Vienna that really gave us a feeling for the Hapsburg culture. The kids also loved the freedom of being in a small village... the fast moving river that runs through the town, and especially being able to ride their bikes out in the country." - Anne Prouty, FAIS teacher/trip chaperone

CHILE GRADE: 8th NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 19 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: Santiago, Temuco, Valparaíso, Viña del Mar

CHINA GRADE: 8th NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 5 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: The Great Wall, Chengdu, Xi'an

“I had a great time on the trip and my Spanish was greatly improved. We got to see a lot of cool landmarks and we got to eat some great food. I highly recommend the trip to any 8th grader.” – Stella E.

"At first I wasn’t sure that I wanted to go on the China trip since there wasn’t going to be many people going. It turned out that it was actually more fun because it was easier to travel and we got to do more things! Some highlights were the chairlift up to the Great Wall, the slide down the Great Wall, the giant pandas, and learning how to make dumplings.

It was a trip to remember! "– Claire A.

FRANCE (MARTINIQUE) GRADE: 8th NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 11 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: Fort de France, Le Robert, Trois-Îlets

“It was an unforgettable experience! I absolutely loved every part of it, my host family, the group of students I was with and the chaperones! If I could I would do the whole trip again.” – Avery E.

SPAIN GRADE: 8th NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 14 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: Gijón, Madrid, Oviedo, Segovia, Toledo

“I learned so much Spanish and now have a new understanding of the culture and history of Spain. It was very fun because we saw so many beautiful places in the country and made memories with our classmates that we’ll never forget.“ – Deeya C.

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SNEAK PEEK PROFILE SCOTT HARDISTER, OUR NEXT HEAD OF SCHOOL

JOINING US JULY 1, 2019

Scott comes to us from Marin Country Day School, where he served as Assistant Head of School for Strategic Implementation. Prior to MCDS, Scott spent 13 years at Oregon Episcopal School, the last 7 of which he served as Middle School Division Head.

His wife, Emily, and their two children, Cole and Zoe, are excited to return to Portland, where they have extended family and have retained deep friendships. One of Scott’s biggest personal interests is soccer — a coach of multiple state champion high school varsity teams and former president of the Bridlemile Soccer Club in Portland.

We caught up with Scott for a quick chat to give the FAIS community a sneak peek into how he got here, what he’s most excited about, and a speed round of fun either/or questions.

13 Why did you want to become a teacher?

I have always, always loved school. When I was in 9th grade I received a scholarship to go to an independent school, Carolina Day School. I loved every second of it. I had the most inspirational teachers and coaches. They were smart, kind, and challenging. As I considered what I wanted to do throughout college, I always gravitated towards teaching and coaching. When I had the opportunity to do both at Athens Academy, I immediately realized that the community provided by a school was something I cherish. I also realized that the joy I felt being around kids all day was energizing.

And how did that lead to you becoming our next Head of School?

I have had the great fortune to work at incredible schools with incredible colleagues. My colleagues, like my teachers, have always driven me to be my very best. As I continued my career, it became clear that I had the ability to support and lead my colleagues as well as my students. I found great joy in working with teachers to help them grow and think about how they can nurture their students. As I moved into administration, I also loved working with parents to help support and guide them as we partnered together in their children's education. All of this has prepared me to lead FAIS. What excites you most about joining our community?

The immersion program and the focus on global citizenship come quickly to mind. I am excited to immerse myself in all things FAIS – from the IB World Program to working with the students, faculty/staff, and parents. Honestly, it is difficult to pin down just one piece. I am excited about every component of starting my work at FAIS. How do you see your first year unfolding?

I am hoping this will be a year for exploring and learning.

I plan to explore and learn all I can about the culture and community of FAIS. This is a critical piece of being new to a school community. I want to meet and talk to as many people (including students) as absolutely possible.

SPEED ROUND Dogs or cats?

Dogs Oregon or California?

Oregon Math or reading?

Reading Basketball or soccer?

Soccer Movies - action or comedy?

Comedy

What's your favorite thing to do when you're not at school?

That is a hard question! Be outside… fish… read… be with my family. Not all at the same time, though!

Oreos – twist apart or eat them whole?

Whole

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ALUMNI PROFILE

ASA MILLER

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NAME: ASA MILLER AGE: 18 YEARS ATTENDED FAIS: 2005-2014

HIGH SCHOOL: LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE: GAP YEAR CAREER ASPIRATIONS: BUSINESS

How has FAIS prepared you for high school, college, and beyond?

From the challenging curriculum to the amount of homework in Middle School (perhaps more than my last two years of high school), I already knew how to successfully manage the workload so I could also pursue new experiences and passions outside of school. For me, it was sports, but I’ve seen friends from FAIS participate in singing competitions, Constitution teams, and more. Secondly, the teachers at FAIS were always friendly and open to helping, even after class hours. Though I didn’t always take advantage of it, that opportunity isn’t as readily available in high school.

with other people. There are numerous occasions where you happen to run into someone who speaks the same language, and it's always a pleasant experience.

The FAIS community was so proud to follow your journey during the 2018 Winter Olympics! Would you share a little about the process and what you've learned from the experience?

There have been many lessons learned from my trip to the Olympics and sports in general, which is why I believe that it’s such a key part of a person’s development. The largest thing I would say I’ve learned is how to overcome opposition and challenges. Things don’t always go as planned, no matter what you’re doing. But learning how to improvise and adjust has become a daily skill that is applicable everywhere. A second skill I’ve begun learning is how to cope with pressure to perform.

Skiing in the Olympics was an eye-opening moment, and it’s rare to feel the kinds of stress that I did before competing.

Learning a routine and how my brain functions competitively have been key for executing my plan and skiing my best.

How many languages do you speak? How have you put them to use?

Currently, I speak French and English, though I took another two years of Chinese after attending Middle School. I continued to take French throughout high school, and most often I’ve used it when talking to strangers I meet while traveling. It’s a nice skill to have, especially with how common it is outside of the US. What long-term benefits do you feel you've gained from a language immersion education?

I feel it was a really good opportunity to learn a second language at a young age. Language begins to open up your worldview, working as a gateway to see and experience other cultures. It's very easy to focus your life on only what happens in your immediate surroundings, ignoring the vast amount of other things that are constantly happening. Secondary languages also give children an additional method to connect

Where do you envision yourself in the next 5-10 years?

I envision myself competing in another Winter Olympics in four years. Academically, I will be just finishing college in five years, due to taking a gap year before attending university. Honestly, I’m not sure what I’ll choose as a major in the end, but am curious to see where I end up.

What are some of your fondest memories of your time at FAIS? My favorite memory at FAIS would have to be my 8th grade trip to China, simply due to how fun it was to travel to a foreign country with my classmates and teacher. Many laughs were shared and there was never a dull moment, between wandering Chinese markets and seeing live pandas. Another significant experience was my 5th grade trip to France. It was my first exchange program. After hosting a student for two weeks earlier that year, I was excited to trade roles. I remember arriving in France and eating cereal with warm milk (not the most pleasant thing), but it was a small example of how cultures and styles differ between countries. Getting to live the daily life of someone in France wasn't something that I fully appreciated at the time. But now I see how lucky I was to do it at such a young age.

If someone were to ask you why FAIS is special, what would you tell them?

Not many places are oriented like FAIS. I would say the international focus and size of the school are its most special qualities. The class sizes are small, allowing for close relationships with both teachers and fellow students. Being an immersion school makes FAIS unique from the beginning, highlighting that there is more in the world than your immediate surroundings like other general public schools often forget. Throughout Lower School and Middle School, the language classes are meant to prepare students for their trips to China, France, Spain, or wherever is chosen. Those trips are an eye-opening experience for the kids, but also a chance to test the proficiency of their language skills. Lastly, the learning at the school is based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) learner profile, which is comprised of traits that competent adults possess and utilize each day to be successful. FAIS' teachings strive to guide children along that path, further helping their maturity as they grow up.

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ALUMNI UPDATES

Gilkey Class of 2016 Gilkey Class of 2018 Farida Abdelmoneum Mohamed Aboumengel Lake Oswego High School RianneAnderson Aboumengel Sunset High School Claire Delaney Armstrong Central Catholic High School Henry AnDyke Anshul Arunkumar Axel Audié Lincoln High School Tim Barthel Claire Barbosa Torrey Pines High School (San Diego) Collin Barton Timothé Barthes Jesuit High School Alexandra Beall James Beight Lincoln High School Batiste Bergstrom Sofia Braun Lincoln High School IshaanChandran Bhutani Deeya Sunset High School Cameron Chen Lincoln High School Greyson Bruder Lincoln High School Sam Crandell Christian Chang Noémie Debrun-Sittler Lincoln High School Henry Channell Stella Eastman Jesuit High School Sriya Chinnam Miles Eastman Jesuit High School Marilyn Chow Avery St. Mary's Academy SiennaEastman Francis Sunset High School Siera Edwards Max Garcia Efe Ertem Lincoln High School Helena Garzotto William Fieni-Thies Lincoln High School Eden Gotcher Alana Findley Anousha Greiveldinger Columbia River High School Nicholas Gabor Jesuit High School Kaitlyn Gresham Lincoln High School Keeli Guilfoyle Arthur Grisot Lincoln High School Kenji Gullo Isabella Grunkemeier Kevin Gurney Lincoln High School Emma Gurcan Luc Henry de Tessan Lincoln High School RachelJacobson Haughton St. Mary's Academy Sarah Tom Hockensmith Alex Jarmon Jesuit High School Gabe Javurek Hodgson Lincoln High School Phina Nicole Hopman Katherine Jensen International School of Beaverton Margot Jaffe Ellyse Jensen Lincoln High School Sydney Jensen Sunset High School Noah Jozanovic AileyKaufman Johnson Julia Sunset High School Cyrus Kagan Mountain View High School (Bend) Anthony Kellogg Niko KangKinzie Sebastian Lincoln High School Béatrice Kelly Josephine Koepping Lake Oswego High School St. Mary's Academy Olivia RohanKuchela Lalwani Maren Kuether Sunset High School Caroline Lee Lincoln High School Teagan Rowe Amelia La Leonard Kate Lincoln High School TaliaLackey Lippincott Benjamin Lee Catlin Gabel Clara McIntyre Jesuit High School Joshua MaddieLee Murphy Eli Long Hana Nakamura-Daya Lincoln High School Wilson High School Liam AbaniLuckett Neferkara Joy Marcuson Nikita Novokhatniy Southridge High School Alex Lincoln High School CarlyMartin O'Donnell Lakeridge High School Colette Mayer Cole O'Donnell John Mays Lincoln High School Isabelle Packham Lincoln High School John McIntyre Alesandra Pardini Zara Mecklai Lincoln High School Lucas Pejovic-Nezhat Catinca Mosley St. Mary's Academy AislynO'Neill Putnam Eavan St. Mary's Academy Max Renwick Sofía Poida St. Mary's Academy Addison Riley Jacob Root Lincoln High School JacobSandieson Root Mila Lincoln High School MayahShah Salhi Rohan Lincoln High School Alexandra Kira Shertz Scates Jesuit High School Frederick Schemel Will Silver Catlin Gabel SpencerSu Schuh Angela Lakeridge High School NazleeThomas Shahidzadeh Central Catholic High School Isaiah MargotTownes Sims Charlie Lincoln High School Sophia Southridge High School Nicole Townsley Stoffels Annika OES Allison Vallabhanath Thigpen Coco Hameren Jesuit High School Mollyvan Townes Matea Vidackovic Lincoln High School Alexander Voutsas Jordi Vintro Lincoln High School Sivanny Walz Simon Vloon Sunset High School Evan Wehbe Maggie Wallace Sunset High School Jack Wentzien Shail Lincoln High School Lena Weesner Werner Sophia Weprin St. Mary's Academy Sudeeksha Yadav Elijah Widdows Catlin Gabel Aimee Yuan Jesuit High School

ALUMNI UPDATES 1992

Alex (Caitlin) Friendly Attended FAS (pre “I” in FAIS!) from 1982 to 1992 at the original East Sylvan building. Living in Washington, DC, and own a lifestyle photography business (instagram.com/alexandrafriendly), shooting primarily weddings (alexandrafriendlyphotography. com), and families and newborns (afriendlyphoto.com).

Performing regularly with a group called Opera on Tap, singing arias and art songs in a dive bar (it's awesome), and occasionally act in musicals or plays around the DC area.

Married to Oliver Friendly, with two boys (Dashiell, age 4, and Oscar, 13 months), an 8-year-old Portuguese Water Dog (Phoebe), and three chickens (Jeff, Feist, and Buffy)!

2009

Janine Wilson Graduated from the University of Arizona. Moved to Denver, Colorado, and worked at an audiology clinic for a year and a half. Currently studying for a doctorate of audiology from the University of Colorado Boulder!

2010

Kirra Klein Completed high school in San Diego at La Jolla Country Day School and Laurel Springs School: Gifted & Talented Academy.

Undergrad at NYU’s Global Liberal Studies program, spending Freshman year in London, Junior year in Paris, and the rest of the time in New York. These last four years have focused on how belief systems—political, philosophical, and religious—contribute to society-formation, governance, and international relations. Interned at the New York City government, Paris-based NGO European Grassroots Antiracist Movement (EGAM), and DC-based international human rights organization Freedom House. Completing a thesis on the comparative philosophies of the 2000-2005 Bolivian Revolution. I graduate in December and plan to take a few years to pursue fellowships before applying to law school or graduate school.

Diego Molina Ochoa Recently graduated from the University of Washington. Currently applying to medical school, while working as a research assistant at OHSU.

2011

Arjun Mouli Attended Jesuit High School.

Co-Founder of Portland Junior Scientists — a student-run nonprofit organization offering free, afterschool science classes at 6 Title I elementary and middle schools, serving at-risk and underprivileged children in Portland (while at Jesuit). Current senior at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business, studying Finance.

Summer Finance intern at Qualcomm (San Diego, Summer 2017); Finance & Data Science intern at Accenture (San Diego, Summer 2018). Will be an incoming Management Consulting Analyst at Accenture (San Francisco Bay Area), starting in Summer 2019.

17 Gilkey Class of 2014 Coral Ng Interned this past summer in Seattle with Turner Construction in their Self Perform Operations division, which works specifically with concrete and casework. Offered (and accepted) a full time job with Turner Construction to start after graduating college. Currently a senior at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, studying Civil Engineering, where my brother, Fisher Ng (2014), has begun studying Mechanical Engineering! President of Gonzaga's Society of Women Engineers (SWE) chapter, and a leader for GAME, one of the Center for Community Engagement's volunteering programs with middle schoolers. After graduating this May and before starting at Turner, I plan on traveling to east Asia to see more of the world.

Brooke Starr Graduated from Jesuit High School in spring of 2015, and now a senior at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., majoring in international affairs and minoring in French language, literature, and culture. Interned for the National Conference of '12 State Sara O'Donnell Legislatures (NCSL), Representative Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), and graduted from the Koch Internship Program (KIP) at the Cato Institute. Currently a Federal Affairs Associate at Americans for Tax Reform as I finish my last year of undergrad. I plan on going to graduate school for a masters in either international affairs or political science, and excited about the many post-grad possibilities, thanks to my education and work experience.

2013

Jules Rosier Graduated from Lincoln High School in 2017, attended Portland Community College, and currently a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

2014

Coltrane Liu Graduated from Lincoln High School with a full IB diploma in 2018, while dancing 20 hours a week with Bodyvox’s Junior Artist Generator (JAG) program. Became a certified EMT this fall, and currently apprenticing with Portland's Bodyvox, dancing in their upcoming Pearl Dive Project, and touring with them this spring. Will begin the University of Oregon's architecure program next fall and minor in dance.

Frannie Mace Graduated from Lincoln High School in 2018. Worked for the governor's campaign in the finance department, which led to an internship with a state representative in the Oregon legislature. I teach swimming lessons to kids with disabilities on weekends, and work at a small business incubator during the week, developing corporate-social responsibility and diversity programs. I also started my own violin studio. Next year, I plan to attend either the University of Nebraska—Lincoln or ASU Barrett, the Honors College, as a Global Studies/ Business double major, and hope to work in International Development in New York as a career.

Mackenzie Barton Lara Bauer Sophie Beall Anya Bennett Gaby Cancel-Rivera Kendsy Carmichael Weesam Chehab Gabriel Crew Paul Danowski Mathieu de Bergh Clara Debrun-Sittler Diane Erickson Julia Espinosa Maya Fernandez-Powell Christian Fin Joshua Findlay Lea Garzotto Elise Gellman Liv Gilliam Caroline Hobson Tobi Irrgang Landon Jantz Zachary Jones-Neuray Jackson Keene Raimy Khalife-Hamdan Ben Korngiebel Nikita Lalwani Lauren Lee Anthea Leng Danny Levine Frannie Mace Cate Marcus Claire Miles Asa Miller Mani Mohtasham Arianna Mokhber Olivia Moyer Fisher Ng Henry O'Hearn Curran Ochwat Matthew Orfaly Gianni Orlando Edward Pinkava Lux Preciado-Solis Noah Prince Gabrielle Reiten Megan Richardson Keegan Riley Alexandre Sathler Madeline Sekara Michael Seung Olivia Stepleton Yvette Stoffels Katie Swigart Parmis Taraghi MyaIndia Thomas Karthik Tiruvallur Akif Ucarkus Meredith Vessely Wilson Walker You Li Weiner Lissette Wilhelm Dorsey Wilhoite Pirrie Wright Noureldine Yehia

Loyola Marymount University Karlsruhe Institute of Technology University of Oregon Wittenberg University Clark College at the University of Oregon Gonzaga University University of Wisconsin Oregon State University The Theatre School at DePaul University unknown at time of publication Clark College at the University of Oregon Portland State University gap year Georgetown University University of Colorado at Boulder Arizona State University University of Michigan University of Denver unknown at time of publication Carroll College unknown at time of publication University of Oregon gap year University of Redlands University of Oregon unknown at time of publication University of Southern California unknown at time of publication UC San Diego Williams College gap year University of the Arts London University of Oregon gap year Parsons School of Design, The New School unknown at time of publication Arizona State University Gonzaga University University of Oregon gap year University of Illinois University of Oregon Dodge College of Film and Media Arts University of Washington Oregon State University Tulane University unknown at time of publication Oregon State University Portland Community College Wellesley College Texas Christian University unknown at time of publication Santa Barbara City College Oregon State University Barnard College of Columbia University Lane County Community College unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication gap year Loyola Marymount University George Washington University unknown at time of publication University of Redlands International Fashion Academy UC San Diego

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