2024 Winter Beacon

IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURES

Curious Minds Wanted: Investigating Curiosity

PAGE 0 4

10 Things About Tech

PAGE 10

Celebrating Excellence: The Grand Opening of Harbor Day’s Completed Campus

P AGE 12

Top 5 Books with Mrs. Meyer

PAGE 16

IN THIS ISSUE

A Message from the Head of School | PAGE 03

Fall Benefit | PAGE 18

Turkey Bowl | PAGE 19

Class Notes | PAGE 20

Parent Social Events | PAGE 23

Total Giving | PAGE 24

Seahawks Athletics | PAGE 26

Middle School Holiday Program | PAGE 28

Lower School Holiday Program

Thanksgiving Program

Snapshot Stumper | PAGE 31

LET’S STAY CONNECTED!

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HEAD OF SCHOOL

Angi Knapp 75 Evans

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Noelle Becker

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Olivia Baumgartner

WRITERS

Olivia Baumgartner

Noelle Becker

Angi Knapp'75 Evans

Amy Meyer

Moujan Walkow

EDITORS

Noelle Becker

Angi Knapp'75 Evans

Susan Johnson

Melissa Mullane

Forrest Valdiviez

DESIGN

Eric Neuner | neuNERDesign

PHOTOGRAPHY

Noelle Becker

Sargeant Creative

PRINTING

Orange County Printing Company

©2024 HARBOR DAY SCHOOL (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ) No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from Harbor Day School.

Harbor Day School’s Mission Statement

Harbor Day School provides an academically challenging, well-balanced education in a nurturing and inclusive family-centered environment Our faculty inspires curiosity and a desire to learn, and cultivates in students the confidence, strong moral character, and perseverance to thrive. We celebrate diversity and traditions, value collaboration and innovation, and cherish our community and the lifelong relationships developed.

Non-Discrimination

Harbor Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or other programs administered by the School.

“

... what you learn today, for no reason at all, will help you discover all the wonderful secrets of tomorrow.

— NORTON JUSTER, THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH “

Curiosity connotes an open mind and a joyful spirit, two characteristics that led us to choose curiosity as a theme for Harbor Day School’s 2023-24 academic year. As we looked at the school year ahead of us, the administrative team genuinely wondered what the year would hold. How would we welcome our new students? When would we see some of the construction fencing roll away? How would we approach using our new field and playground at recess? What will be our stance on new forms of artificial intelligence? In a year full of unknowns, we agreed that a curious mind would help us face our exciting future.

In asking the HDS community to embrace curiosity, we hoped that the lightness associated with curiosity would alleviate some of the frustration that can accompany change.

A whimsical “I’m curious about...” beats a frustrated “How will we ever...” For the most part, we have enjoyed putting a curious spin on our attempts to solve challenges and face unknowns.

Harbor Day’s Mission Statement promises that “our faculty inspires curiosity and a desire to learn.” In this issue of The Beacon, language arts teacher Moujan Walkow shares how some of her colleagues leverage their students’ natural curiosity to teach literature, math, science, world languages, and the arts. The library is always a great place to both stoke and satisfy curiosity, and librarian Amy Meyer suggests several books in this issue that inspire questions and conversation. You can also read about the element of a 1990s bathroom that surprises students in Mrs. Meyer’s article (did I just make you curious?). Beyond the library, technology is another great partner for a curious mind. Don’t miss Director of Technology

James Gapp’s list of 10 Things About Tech, in which he shares some of the technology we use daily on campus.

We have a lot left in this school year. I am always curious to see how the school year will unfold. While I anticipated completing the new campus as a high point in our year, I did not adequately predict how wonderful it would be to have a full athletic field, the best play structure ever, a gym, theater, conference room, and all the rest of our final phase. The students and their teachers enjoy the spaces, fun, and learning more than expected. Harbor Day School continues to be a place of joyful learning. I hope this issue of The Beacon inspires you to be curious about something at HDS. Let us know what it is, or, better yet, come visit to get your answers. Don’t forget that we love to see alums cheer on their team at the Blue-Gold Track Meet, which is on June 7.

Gradatim ad Summum, Angi Evans'7 5 | Head of School

Investigating Curiosity

By Moujan Walkow

Investigating Curiosity

: an eager wish to know or learn about something (Cambridge English Dictionary)

to know or learn about something (Cambridge English Dictionary)

While curiosity may have killed the cat, it does just the opposite when it comes to humans. When we approach life with curiosity— when we are inquisitive, wondering, ready to experiment and figure things out—we are all the more enlivened by the process.

In fact, when something piques our curiosity, our brain enters into what is called the “curiosity state.” In this state, we first recognize that we lack knowledge or information, which makes us slightly uncomfortable. Then the parts of our brain responsible for learning and memory are activated so that we can learn and remember what we have learned more efficiently. When we learn information while in the curiosity state, our brain rewards us with a flood of dopamine, which makes us happier, thereby increasing the chances that we will try to satisfy our curiosity again in the future1. Not surprisingly, studies show that when students’ curiosity is engaged, they are better at learning and remembering information2. It has even been shown that curiosity is just as important as intelligence in determining academic performance3. At Harbor Day School,

curiosity is at the root of learning and creativity because we know that asking questions, seeking answers, and embracing the unknown are catalysts for innovation and progress.

To enter an optimal curiosity state, we must first feel comfortable in our environment. Walk into any classroom on campus, and you will find an environment that feels safe and inclusive, where students are encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas, and where students and teachers alike are on a shared and continuous learning journey. By modeling curiosity and utilizing the best teaching methodologies, HDS teachers stoke their students’ curiosity in myriad ways.

Are you curious to know more about how HDS teachers foster curiosity in their classrooms? These examples may further pique your curiosity!

1 “The Science of Curiosity.” Britannica, https://curiosity.britannica.com/science-of-curiosity.html.

2 Stenger, Marianne. “Why Curiosity Enhances Learning.” Edutopia, 17 Dec. 2014, https://www.edutopia.org/blog/why-curiosity-enhances-learning-marianne-stenger.

3 Price-Mitchell, PhD, Marilyn “Curiosity is a Core Predictor of Academic Performance.” Roots of Action, https://www.rootsofaction.com/curiosity-academic-performance/.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

and encourage them to observe, question, and hypothesize about the occurrence. For example, at the start of our weather unit, the third graders observed a hailstorm that occurred in Guadalajara, Mexico, on the night of June 29, 2019. It had been a hot month, and it was also hot that day. How did this happen? This initial exploration sparks curiosity and sets the stage for our unit. Throughout the unit, we engage in hands-on activities designed to gather clues and enhance our understanding of the phenomenon’s origins. This method not only captures the students’ interest but also ensures active participation in the learning experience. If any questions linger at the end of the unit, I research the answers, reinforcing the idea that curiosity is a driving force in our pursuit of knowledge.”

Science

Jean-Paul Rimlinger

FOURTH THROUGH SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE TEACHER

“ I have learned that it is not so much that you have the right answers for the students, but more importantly, that you ask children the right questions. This fall, I engaged the students with the concept of gravity—something the students are well aware of—but I wanted to show them ways in which humans try to resist the forces of gravity. The students decided to construct parachutes as a means of slowing the descent of an object. After constructing several parachute prototypes, I asked my students comparison questions about the materials that were used in the construction and how their parachutes behaved as they descended from the second floor of the south stairwell of Building B. There were no right or wrong answers here. The importance is that students are learning to think about order and unity in variety. Fifth graders furthered our understanding of parachutes by researching their history, purpose, and inner workings. They took this knowledge and were tasked with the challenge of creating a parachute that would have the longest flight time, accurately hit

a landing spot, and have an aesthetic design. I assisted in the construction, not by showing or telling, but by proposing action questions with the phrase, ‘What happens if…?’ This tended to lead to as many solutions that could be found by the students, and I saw the results in the variety of the parachute designs created by the students and their ability to explain their reasoning for doing so.”

Art

Leslie Yagar

LOWER SCHOOL ART TEACHER

“ Curiosity is the path that leads to creative ideas. The lower school art room is a place where students take that journey at Harbor Day School. Students eagerly attend art class twice a week and engage in thought-provoking lessons that encourage them to take risks and trust their intuition. Through playful experimentation with various materials like paint, clay, and papier mâché, our budding artists bring their ideas to life.

“Every piece of art begins with curiosity, and that leads them on a creative journey of self-discovery in art class. Along the way, the students learn new skills and fresh perspectives about the world, fueling their curiosity about what lies ahead in their visual arts exploration.

“Our program allows students plenty of time to work on projects that progress over several days. Each lesson unfolds like a captivating story, often beginning with tales or insights into the lives of artists and cultures connected to the project’s theme. These lessons encourage curiosity by introducing new concepts and technical skills gradually. This allows the students time to think, explore, and hone their artistic talents as they progress through the grades.

“We display student artwork throughout the school, celebrating their creative accomplishments.”

Music

Robyn Manion MIDDLE

SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER

“ In my music classes, we spend a lot of time creating music and performing. Students learn songs, sing in various school performances, compose miniature original pieces, and participate in exercises that strengthen acting and improvisation skills. My music students are constantly encouraged to be curious about their own creativity and the possibility of artistic expression. We also spend time learning about music from different periods of history or from different parts of the world. One particular project I enjoy doing with my sixth graders is our Decades Project. I divide the class into several small groups and then assign each group a different

decade from U.S. History. They are to explore the decade and put together a thorough class presentation that covers things like fashion, political or social movements, pop culture, and all of this through the lens of the music responding to it or shaping it all. It is so fun and inspiring to see the students discover new songs that they did not know before, or realize that a song they have loved their whole life is actually a hit from the 1960’s!”

STEAM

Sean Rowe

WOODSHOP, 3-D DESIGN, AND STEAM TEACHER

“ Like a desperate search for a lost set of keys, productive curiosity takes patience. To foster this sort of focused inquiry without the trauma of a key search, I encourage students to ‘play’ with their solutions so that they can come to appreciate the value of rethinking under less dire circumstances As such, the theme of seventh grade design this term was iteration. Supporting Harbor Day’s theme of curiosity, we sought to explore how iteration (the process by which repetition yields results, successively

closer to a solution) could help us find interest in all facets of our design challenges.

“I employ word associations, timed sketching, and the rapid production of paper models, among other brainstorming techniques, to help students develop a catalog of solutions (good, bad, and in between) to share and evaluate with their classmates. In these circumstances, poor or impractical solutions are shown to be valuable as they identify how and why certain choices and assumptions may be better suited to project aims. In addition to helping teams address the tasks at hand, these iterative exercises provide designers with tools to find patience with, and indeed, confidence in, the dissatisfaction that drives any creative endeavor.” n

THINGS ABOUT

By James Gapp

Technology is woven into so many parts of our new campus. Here are 10 interesting facts about technology on the Harbor Day School campus:

SPEAKERS

Our campus is equipped with speakers inside our buildings and outdoors in our parking lot and field areas. What better way to energize the start of a day than with music playing outside during morning carpool?

DISPLAY MONITORS

Spread across our A and B buildings, our nine monitors display more than just announcements. Visitors might see images of the cultural celebrations we honor each month or snapshots of our students deeply engaged in learning activities.

BELL SYSTEM

Our system is entirely remote-controlled, making it easy to adapt to schedule changes. We can program our bell system with songs for special occasions or vary the tone to keep things interesting. It also serves as part of our emergency announcement system.

AUDIO VISUAL (AV) BOOTH

Our theater’s newly completed AV booth is chock-full of technology. It includes remotely controlled cameras for recording shows and athletic events, a video switcher for multi-angle event coverage, and live-streaming equipment. It has full theater lighting controls and a 64-channel audio mixer. We are “show ready!”

SMART BOARDS

Every classroom is equipped with a “smart” projector, seamlessly integrated into the teaching wall. When not in use, the wall serves as a dry-erase whiteboard. Turn on the projector, and it transforms into an interactive smart surface.

1-TO-1 iPADS

Our iPads are used regularly as tools to create rather than consume. Students use them for a range of activities, from writing papers to programming games and even creating videos that give parents a glimpse into their school day.

SOUND AND VIDEO SYSTEM IN THE GYM

Our gym now features two large screens with projectors and a three-way speaker system, offering an immersive sound experience. It’s a hit for PE classes, too, where music adds to the fun of physical education.

DESIGN AND TECH LAB FEATURES

Our design and tech labs are DIY havens featuring 3D printers, a Glowforge laser cutter, and tons of fun electronics. Here, students can design and build projects in both the analog and digital realms.

CONFERENCE ROOMS

Our conference and meeting rooms are equipped with large screens for computer connectivity, adjustable wall-mounted cameras for Zoom calls, and high-quality ceiling microphones for clear voice pickup during important meetings.

DEVICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Though less visibly exciting, our device management systems are essential. They allow us to update software, manage apps, locate lost devices, and maintain the digital heartbeat of our campus. n

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE:

THE GRAND OPENING OF HARBOR DAY’S COMPLETED CAMPUS

On a bright, sunny weekend in November, the entire Harbor Day community prepared for the debut of our completed campus. The name tags alone took three days to prepare, and decades of our Harbor Day families returned to help us celebrate the achievement. Our campaign and building teams led the way; we cut the ribbon and began our march through Phase I and out onto the field, ultimately landing in Phase II. We were privileged to hear remarks from Tony Moiso, who helped us bridge our past to our future and reminded us of each generation’s challenges that we have faced together. We are Harbor Day School, and we are so proud of what we have accomplished together. THANK YOU! n

What Is Your Favorite New Space on Campus?

GYM

“ One thing I like about the new building is the gym because we get to climb on the rock wall.”

— Dempsey Olsen | FOURTH GRADE

“ My favorite space on the new campus is our gym. I love our new gym because I’m so happy that I can finally play a basketball game at home with my team. Also, I like our new Seahawks logo at half-court, and I think it is an upgrade from the previous one.”

— Nicholas Ronaghi | SEVENTH GRADE

“ My favorite space in the new building is the gym. I love the gym since we are able to practice either basketball or volleyball at recess, and practicing volleyball is very useful right now since we are in the volleyball season! ”

— Chloe Dufty | SEVENTH GRADE

“ My favorite new space is the gym. It reminds me of the old one and has plenty of space.”

— Lilliana Aali | SIXTH GRADE

“ My favorite part of the new building is the gym because it has a movie screen and a rock wall. ”

— Thomas Shepherdson |

FIRST GRADE

FIELD

“ My favorite new space on campus is the new field because it is the perfect place for me and my friends to play football and other games. There is so much space for us to run around and have fun.”

— JP Kirkowski | SIXTH GRADE

“ My favorite part of the new space on campus is the field because I get to play soccer with my friends.”

— William Werner | KINDERGARTEN

PLAYGROUND

“ My favorite space is the playground because I like the slides.”

— Drew Kappler | FIRST GRADE

“ My favorite thing about the new building is the field and play structure because we haven’t had one since kindergarten.”

— Bella Peterson | FOURTH GRADE

THEATER

“

My new favorite space is the theater because we can now produce more music and events. In the theater, we now can have a spectacular musical. Also, during assemblies, it is always a blast watching everyone on stage!”

— Cecelia Cudzil | SIXTH GRADE

“ I like the field, gym, and theater because I like how they are designed.”

— Brooks Khalili | KINDERGARTEN

In December 2023, the entire student body, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate the completion of the new campus with a historic "HDS" photo on the freshly finished field.

TOP MRS.

BOOKS WITH MEYER

By Amy Meyer

This year’s school theme for the year is curiosity. Here are some books that will capture your interest and curiosity!

icture Book Recommended for All Ages

Twenty Questions

BY MAC BARNETT

Barnett, a favorite among HDS students and faculty, presents the reader with twenty open-ended questions, each paired with an equally vague illustration. Some inquiries beg for multiple answers, while others seem inexplicable. This is the type of book children may revisit endlessly, allowing their minds to wander through the pictures and prompts. This is a wonderful book to read together. Take your time and allow curiosity to creep in as you notice new details in the carefully chosen words and deceptively simple pictures.

Chapter Book Recommended for Middle School Students and up

Finally Seen

BY KELLY YANG

Curiosity begets open-mindedness, and in this book, we meet Lina, a girl who moves to Los Angeles from Beijing at the age of ten. Lina worries about the perceptions of her family and peers, and as such, she draws herself inward as she struggles to acclimate. Because Lina spends much of her time in her head, readers get special insights into her observations of American life and school dynamics. Lina is a curious, open-minded character who wonders often about the motivations and pressures adults encounter. This book is a fantastic read for young people who want to build a sense of empathy or curiosity in their own lives, as well as those readers who might also be seeking to feel “finally seen.”

Picture Book Recommended for All Ages

The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey

BY JASON CHIN

This book begins by comparing the Calliope hummingbird (the smallest bird in the United States) to the size of a child’s hand. From there, the book meanders through our bodies as Chin explains how the smallest building blocks combine to construct our bodies and the universe around us. Beautiful watercolor illustrations accompany facts about the relative size and functions of cells, molecules, atoms, and protons. This picture book is suitable for younger and older children and is sure to ignite a sense of wonder and appreciation for our bodies and the wider universe.

Chapter Book Recommended for Lower School Students

The Questioneers Series

BY ANDREA BEATY

“Read, question, think.” These are the three imperatives of The Questioneers, a diverse group of creative and curious kids portrayed in this entry-level chapter-book series. The children depicted in these books are interested in engineering, art, design, and science. They ask complex questions, find experts for help, sometimes fail, sometimes succeed, and always encourage one another.

Recommended for Lower School Students and up

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2024

One of my library lessons that inspires the most curiosity is called “Bathroom Books.” I begin this lesson by showing the students a photo of a residential restroom from the 1990s and asking if anyone notices something unusual. Of course, the item that inspires wonder and giggles is the basket of books and magazines tucked discreetly in the corner. We then launch into a discussion of some of the perennial classics, such as Chicken Soup for the Soul and Poor Richard’s Almanac. While this lesson is silly, the big takeaway is that books are great companions when you need to pass a few minutes. The National Geographic Kids Almanac is an excellent example of this: Full-color illustrations and short, informative blurbs inspire curiosity about all the strange, noteworthy, and wonderful things happening in our world. This almanac is published annually. You know where you could leave it in your home…give it a few days, and I bet your child will have some fun facts to share! n

FALL BENEFIT 2023

ALIA BATNIJI AND JULIA BEATON CO-CHAIRED THIS SPECTACULAR EVENT ON OCTOBER 28. WITH THE SUPPORT OF THEIR TALENTED AND DEDICATED VOLUNTEER TEAM, AN OCTOBER EVENING IN SHADY CANYON TRANSFORMED INTO A VIBRANT NIGHT IN HAVANA. GUESTS FILLED THE PARTY WITH JOY, LAUGHTER, AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT AS THEY WERE SURROUNDED BY BRIGHT DECOR, LIVELY MUSIC, AND COLORFUL DANCERS. DELICIOUS FOOD AND SPECIALTY COCKTAILS FUELED THE EVENING. THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF HARBOR DAY FAMILIES, FACULTY, AND FRIENDS, THE EVENT WAS AN ASTOUNDING SUCCESS, AND RAISED OVER $415,000 TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL. n

Fall Benefit Co-Chairs Alia Batniji and Julia Beaton.

80’s 1988

Kristen Coleman'88 Hatfield co-founded SNAPup! [www.snapup.shop] with alumna Jillian Harrington'83 Griffin. SNAPup! [@shop_snapup] is an online platform in Orange County that streamlines the process of buying and selling furniture. Kristen is also a proud mother to Luke Hatfield '16, a senior, and Brady Hatfield '19 , a freshman, both at the University of Washington. In February, Kristen

returned from a meaningful trip to Tanzania with the Sojourn Foundation. The team, consisting of 11 members including Kristen’s mother, Joan Coleman, former HDS Business Manager, and her father, embarked on a journey to support the most vulnerable children.

90’s

1996

Kaylee Acuff '96 Robbins is the co-founder and co-owner alongside her husband Josh Robbins of New Terrain Brewing Co. in Golden, Colorado. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the University of Colorado Boulder, she spent several years working in Denver as an Air Quality Scientist at a Weather Software Engineering Company. In 2012, she received her PhD in Mineral and Energy Economics from the Colorado School of Mines, where her research focused on the external benefits of aluminum can recycling—a passion well aligned with New Terrain’s mission to manifest a socially responsible company,

focused on the art & science of elevated craft beer while cultivating a joyful environment for all to enjoy it in. After Harbor Day, she graduated from Fountain Valley High School in Colorado Springs before pursuing her multiple degrees. Kaylee is the mother of two children, Luna (8) and Cosmo (5), and they live in Littleton, Colorado.

In 2019, Brad Rothwell '96 and his family moved to Piacenza, Italy, to pursue a master’s degreein Viticulture and Enology. Brad worked at Berlucchi, Italy’s largest producer of sparkling wine, after graduation, followed by Dobbes Family Estate and Rex Hill in Oregon in the years after returning home. As of October 2023, Brad has taken on the role of head winemaker of Aurora Colony Vineyards in Aurora, Oregon.

1998

Lauren Lyon '98 is an operating partner with Headline, an early-stage and growth funds venture capital firm representing names like Angi, Cameo, and The RealReal. After Harbor Day School, she went on to Corona del Mar High School and completed her AB in English Literature and Women & Gender Studies from Princeton University. She spent a year at Operation Smile before moving on to Pinnacle Asset Management as their director of marketing and investor relations. She relocated to the San Francisco area with Samasource before spending three years as a vice president of investor relations and marketing with Mohr Davidow Ventures. She has been in her current role with Headline, based out of San Francisco, for eight years.

Luke, Brady, and Kristen Hatfield

Kaylee Acuff 96 Robbins is the co-founder and co-owner of New Terrain Brewing Co. in Colorado.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS SINCE HARBOR DAY YEARS

1999

Ebba Baath '99 is a mathematics teacher in Sweden. She graduated from Corona del Mar High School before attending the University of California, Berkeley for her Bachelor of Arts degree in Development studies, focusing on Latin America. She briefly worked at iBank as the marketing director before pursuing her passion for teaching at the Will Rogers Learning Community. During that time, she received her single-subject teacher credentials for mathematics from California State University, Los Angeles, in 2012 and relocated to Stockholm, Sweden. She has been a math teacher for the past 10 years at the Internationella Engelska Skolan, six of which she served as the Head of the Mathematics Department.

Graham Brant-Zawadzki '99 is an emergency physician and member of the teaching faculty at the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics. His subspecialty training includes fellowships in wilderness medicine and emergency medical systems. He is the medical director for the Unified Fire Authority and a member of Utah’s FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 1. Graham attended Stanford University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in religious studies. He pursued his M.D. at Tufts University, during which time he was the president of the Ski and Snowboard Club and the Climbing Club, and helped to co-found Tufts in Haiti. He completed his residency at Highland Hospital in Alameda County and worked in Telluride, CO, before relocating to the University of Utah hospitals.

Britton Caillouette '99 is an executive producer at the Eames Institute in Petaluma, CA, and an award-winning storyteller, visual artist, and design

thinker. As a director with Farm League, his most recent release is a collaboration with Google Design entitled “Making Material You.” He also works independently through his own studio. After Harbor Day School, he went on to Sage Hill High School, and then studied American History at the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University and is a member of the Directors Guild of America.

Bryan Charney '99 is currently a senior designer and project manager with GAA Architects. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in City and Urban, Community, and Regional Planning from the University of Arizona and a Master of Architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona. He is the 2015 American Institute of Architects Orange County Chapter Citation Award recipient in the Inspire Category for his design of the “Wedge,” which was ultimately selected to be built throughout California State Parks. Bryan has managed his firm, BJ Charney Design Co., since 2016.

Blake Lyon'99 is a partner and chief business officer at Red Antler in New York City. He is also a managing partner of Habitat Partners, an early-stage venture fund. Before joining Red Antler, he was an investment associate with Lerer Hippeau Ventures, focusing on direct-to-consumer brands & e-commerce, SaaS, media, and marketplace businesses. Previously, Blake was director of business development at Spanfeller Media Group and held real estate investment analyst positions at Palatine Capital Partners and Antares Investment Partners. After Harbor Day School, Blake went on to Corona del Mar High School before studying history at Princeton University.

00’s 2003

Steven Hillgren '03 is a vice president at Kearny Real Estate based in Southern California. He attended Corona del Mar

High School, then went to Georgetown University, earning his bachelor’s degree in Management while playing wide receiver on the football team and club baseball. He held early roles in real estate banking at Sunwest Bank and Wells Fargo before moving over to Kearny, where he focuses on industrial and office real estate development. He and his wife, Celia, live in Newport and are happily raising their two young daughters, Genevieve and Madeline.

2004

Emily Hillgren '04 is the founder and executive producer of Indigo Projects, Inc., a boutique production company based in Los Angeles specializing in content creation and experiential events. Her clients have included RCA Records, Universal Music Group, André 3000, Doja Cat, Paramore, P!NK, Foo Fighters, Postmates, and Spotify. She attended the University of Michigan for her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and pursued work in marketing and communications with Sandro and Maje in New York City before returning west to start her own enterprise.

Steven Hillgren 03 with his family.

CLASS NOTES

Carrie Kawamura '04 is an interior architect and designer with Perron-Roettinger based in Los Angeles. After Harbor Day, she went to Newport Harbor High School before heading to the Parsons School of Design at The New School in New York City. She worked as an interior designer with Wall for Apricots and Kelly Wearstler while completing a Certificate of Interior Design through the University of California, Los Angeles, after which she worked with Hye-Young Chung Architecture. She then earned a Master’s of Interior Architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona before taking on her current role with Perron-Roettinger.

20’s

2015

R. Wyatt Genc'15 will graduate from UCSB in microbiology in June 2024 and start dental school at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco in July. He is an EMT and has been a Lifeguard for the State of California for the past seven years, working at Crystal Cove State Beach. After Harbor Day School, Wyatt attended Corona del Mar High School before heading to UCSB.

2019

Finn Genc'19 is studying economics and accounting at UCSB while playing water polo there. After Harbor Day School, Finn attended Newport Harbor High School before heading to UCSB.

2020

Class of 2020 graduates Erika Wein 20 and Peyton Vovan '20 visited Harbor Day in February 2024 during a school assembly and captivated the entire student body with their discussion on girls’ flag football, shedding light on their advocacy efforts locally and nationally. Erika’s additional achievement of authoring a children’s book, The Underdog, serves as a beacon of inspiration, promoting perseverance for children regardless of size or gender. The narrative encourages young readers to pursue their dreams with determination.

CLASS OF 2020 NEWS Colleges and Universities*

Cameron Danz Boston College

Carter Danz Northwestern University

Chase Decker Dartmouth College

John Elliott University of Southern California

Alex Gomez University of Pennsylvania

Chandler Green Stanford University

Danyel Khan Washington University

Tate Natland New York University

Sarah Sonenshine Wesleyan University

Reed Wainwright Stanford University

In addition, Chandler Green '20 and Walker Vaicek '20 are both Newport Harbor High School valedictorians this year. Chandler earned a perfect score on her ACT earlier this year.

HEY ALUMNI... GOT UPDATES? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have a life update, please share it with your Harbor Day community. You can email us at development@harborday.org or scan the QR code below to fill out the Alumni Update Form.

Members of the class of 2020 heading to winter formal. (From left to right): Dylan Lane, Erika Wein, Everett Welton, Rio Haupt, Michael Lynch, and Carter Danz.

Erika Wein and Peton Vovan visit Harbor Day School.

PARENT SOCIAL EVENTS

Harbor Day’s Parent Social Committee, chaired by Taylor Lingenfelter '98 and Laura Tennant, brought our community together with two events this year. On a rainy Monday in January, nearly 50 parents joined us for a dressed-down, invigorating breathwork session led by HDS alumna, Certified Breathwork Instructor, and Level 1 KAP Facilitator Mary Buckingham '05. Parents were welcomed with warm tea, and together, we discovered new methods of breathing that offered a variety of personal experiences, from reflection and catharsis to meditation.

Then, with spring approaching, our chairs brought us together again on March 4 for a Ladies’ Event. More than 75 of our parents joined us for fun, socializing, and additional thrills by a close-up magician. The evening featured A Restaurant’s delicious drinks and food and offered a first opportunity for newly admitted families to join our parents in this social gathering.

Thank you, Taylor and Laura, for creating these wonderful events! n

Parent Social Co-chairs Laura Tennant and Taylor Lingenfelter 98

ANNUAL GIVING TO DATE

Harbor Day School is grateful for the contributions of the families listed below who have supported the Annual Fund, Fall Benefit, and Financial Aid to date. Nearly 70% of our families have participated, and our goal is to reach 100% by June 2024. Thank you for your generous gifts on behalf of our school!

VISIONARIES $50,000+

The Fry Family Foundation

Cynthia Fry

Lindsay and Lance Jordan

Stephanie Workman

Audrey and James Sun

Donna and Chin Yi

BEACONS $25,000+

Alex and Alan Airth

Magi Yang and Gregory Chan

Gina and Luke Feltham

Stephanie and Kenneth Grody

Patricia and Jason Kellogg

Alison and Brett Ledger

Cari and Chad Peets

Jessica and Ryan Steelberg '88

The Stone Family

Jeffery and Stacy Stone

Julie and Clayton'99 Stone

Allison and Bradley '01 Stone

Jaimee and Gregory '04 Stone

Scott Stone '08

SEAHAWKS $10,000+

Apoorva Jha-Bansal and Sharad Bansal

Julia and Robert Beaton

Cameran and Josh Davis

Chris P. Dialynas

Family Foundation

Coco Yu and Chao Ji

Ying Zhou and Jiansheng Jin

Iram and Zafar Khan

Liz and John Kirkowski

Vivien Liu and Joe Li

Sophie and Philip Lu

Jennifer and Jesse Rodriquez

Veronica and Evan Slavik

Amber and Tim Smith

Christine and Tony Wang

The Whitten Family

Garland and David Yi

Danni Wang and Jason Zhao

INLUENCERS $5,000+

Karla Kraft and Anderee Berengian

Jody and Pierre Bergougnan

Gay Callan and George Stone

Kris and Jay Calvert

Nicole and Dean Camaras

Antonella Castro and Bradley Schumacher

Jennifer '98 and Matthew '97 Chapman

Anna-Marie and Brian Claassen

Nicole and Michael Cudzil

Michelle and Tim Danaher

Stacy and Dana Dowers

Judi Dutton

Amanda and Michael Erlinger

Danielle and Matthew '93 Foster

Jenine Esmail and Samer Habbas

Anne and Mark '82 Harrison

Megan He and Wei Wu

Cindy Huang and Ted Hsu

Emily and Jeffrey Irwin

Silvana and Kenneth Jones

Kara and Brandon Kerns

Linda Lai

Amy Laurendeau and Christopher Lal

Michelle'00 and Tom Linovitz

Dina and David Moatazedi

Ann and Michael Moorhead

Laurel and John Nelligan

Beth '94 and Alex Root

Kerri and Danny '87 Sonenshine

Nicole and Scott Townes

Megumi Yamato and Marco van Akkeren

Laura and Tim Vanderhook

Jennie and Scott Watson

Jessica and Eric '94 Werner

Liz and Spencer Williams

Vanna Yi and CK Wong

Peggy and Mohsen Zahedi

Annie Zhu and Davis Zhou

BUILDERS $2,500+

Jessica and Jason Brigulio

Laura and Mike Constantiner

Mahsa Mahmoudi and Seth Dinan

Fanny and Jan Eckermann

Angi '75 and Peter Evans

Diana and Gareth Evans

Mei-Chi and Greg Flesher

Staci and Ben Francois

Kristen and Brian Gooding

Caroline and Kevin Gray

Courtney and Duke Hasson

Celia and Steven '03 Hillgren

Meghan and Andrew Hoffman

Yvonne Li and Ming Hu

Wendy Jin and Rong Xu

Sindhu and Micah Jindal

Erin '01 and David Kingsley

Debbie Huang and Allen Lee

Kimberly and Robert Lewis

Taylor '98 and Brinson Lingenfelter

Jessica and Matthew McCormick

Miranda and Ricky '02 Nelson

The O Hill Family

Lisa and Terry O'Neil

Angela and Alan Parkin

Helia and Keyian Paydar

Olivia Albrecht and Lukas Pieter

Cathy Jia and Qianhui Shu

Elena '93 and Jeff Singletary

Jacqueline and Gene Smith

Sabrina Chu and Sean Sun

Bonnie Lee and James Sung

Catherine Lee and Mark Tran

Sheila Swaroop and Ashok Tripathi

Yoko and Gene Tsai

Sophia and Eugene Yim

Bell Li and Jun Zhou

Helen Ni and John Zhou

PATHFINDERS $1,000+

Anonymous

Emily Horowitz '98 and Chatom Arkin

Olivia and Ludwig Baumgartner

Chelsea and Joel Block

Trisha and Barrington Burke

Meghann '94 and Taylor '89 Butcher

Emily and Paul Casey

Christine '90 and Glen Cawthon

Heather and Jefferson '99 Cowart

Justine and Angelo Cuneo

Nicole Pierce-Dapra and Jeffrey Dapra

Margarita and Mark Donnelly

Stephanie and Nick '97 Foster

Whitney and Michael Gomez

Tonia and Gerald Gostanian

Min Cho and Brian Huang

Jennifer and Brandon '96 Johnson

Jillian and Robert Knapp '02

Jill Mather and Daryl Landy

Jane Zeng and Eric Li

Kate and Jeff Majit

Angela and Jon Margolis

Diana and Craig McCallister

Jessica and Ali Omid

Susan and Toby Page

Catherine Clementine Peets '20

Emma Peets '17

Rowdie Peets '16

Sonali and Rogelio Pier

Nancy Rossi

Natalia Sans and Daniel Zahoul Lopez

Whitney and Grant Shifflett

Hanci Song and Kuan Yang

Morgan and Lance Stern

Venzila and Satinder Swaroop

Elisabeth and Eric Swope

Alexandra and Richard '86 Taketa

Ayesha and Afnan Tariq

Laurel and Scott '96 Tippett

Melia and Michael Zweiback

PIONEERS UP TO $1,000

Mariam and Mazda Agha

Hailey Airth '23

Cameron Alagband '23

Melody and Frank Antilla

Nandika Bansal '23

Alia and Rami Batniji

Noelle and Jonathan Becker

Jeremy Beecher '00

Aline and Santino Blumetti

William Blumetti '23

Annie and Jeff Bower

Roshi and Jeremy Brigham

Dylan Brigulio '23

Jackson Casey '23

Shirley Shi and Allen Chen

Dinah and Jun Cho

Wright Claassen '23

Luke Cudzil '23

Morgan Czepiel '17

Paige Czepiel '15

Andrea and James Danaher

Allison and Matthew '01 Danzig

Caroline Davenport

Luke Dixon '23

Morgan Dollander '23

Julia Dong '23

Kaitlyn Dostert '23

Anne Foodym

Mary and Rick Godber

Charles Gomez '23

Jackie and Clint Graham

Kristen Nelson Green '01

Heather Paff and Chris Gstrein

Amy and Chet '84 Harrison

Kyle Henry '23

Kristi and Bryan Hogsett

Cait and Ross Holland

Godela and Stanley Iverson

Samuel Jindal '23

Amanda Johnson '92

Samuel Johnson '18

Debbie Keller

Campbell Kelly '23

Jensen Klein '18

Lila Klein '13

Nolan Klein '15

Ryan Klein '83

Ari Moshayedi and Matthew Krasinski

Brooklyn Krotts '23

David Kuehn '81

Deb'81 and Rich Lee

Lily Liu' '23

Kim and Richard Martin

Ella Massoudi '23

Sierra and Dane Matheson

Reed McCardle '23

Kathy and Joe McCurdy

Lauren '99 and Michael McDonald

Chris and Mike McKinley

Jamie and David Mead

Gavin Moatazedi '23

Sean Mohtashami

Timothy Morton '13

Colette Moshayedi '23

Caden Mossman '23

Colton Mossman '23

Sienna Neal '23

Darlene and Brian Nelligan

Amy and Ryan Nwankwo

Sarah Oliphant

Sherry and Doug Pak

Hayley '98 and Michael Palazzola

Dylan Paolone '23

Janet Peterson

Adam Pirnazar '23

Samantha Powell '23

Margie and Francis Quinlan

Daniel Quinlan '00

Ginger and Don Ressler

Jean-Paul Rimlinger

Cate and Dan Robinson

Ethan Sellers '23

Mateo Senizergues '23

Elliott Singletary '23

Logan Steelberg '23

Whitney and Phil '99 Stemler

Peter Stemler '02

Kyle Stern '23

Tyler Stern '23

Meggen and Ray Stockstill

Julie and Clayton '99 Stone

Andrea Acevedo-Tai and James Tai

Patti and Richard Taketa

Skylar Taketa '23

Shae Talleur '23

Sarah Thorp '23

Caitlin Pickart '90 and Anil Tiwari

Katie Quinlan '97 and Jeff Tomlinson

Riley Tsai '23

Jennifer and Gregory Vanderburg

Susie and David Vanker

Andrew Walbridge '23

Luke Watson '23

Jordan and Wes Webb

Lindsay '01 and Bart Welch

Alex Wellmerling '23

McCall Whitmer '23

Rhyse Wilks '23

Sofia Williams '23

Julie and Justin Wilson III

Kate Wilson '03

Dylan Young '25

Mackenzie Young '23

Eric Zhao '23

Jonathan Zhou '23

HDS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS ATHLETICS

HEAD TO THE FINALS

|6TH GRADE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL RUNNER-UP COACH JON GROGAN

Lilliana Aali, Cece Cudzil, Dylan Davis, Caroline Gross, Anya Khan, Cindy Li, Sophia O'Neil, Reese Paolone, Abby Robinson, Brigitte Wallin, and Paige Whitten

|5TH GRADE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

COACH CHATOM ARKIN

Congratulations to our outstanding 5th Grade Girls' Basketball Team and Coach Arkin in an exciting championship showdown against Covenant School. Harbor Day dominated the court with an impressive final score of 24-3. It was a standout performance by our Seahawks!

Cece Arkin-Horowitz, Perry Block, Nina Brown, Hadley Davis, Charlotte Irwin, Mikko Ji, Alice Lee, Ami Louis, McCall Morgan, Natalie Tao, Savannah Turner, Ophelia Wu, and Zoë Zimmermann

FALL SPORTS

| 8TH GRADE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL RUNNER-UP

COACHES JOSHUA PARKS AND JO PICKARD

Aleah Berengian, Capriana Cuneo, Sophia Eckermann, Maggie Kirkowski, Ella Olsen, Erynn Pak, Emery Pelinka, and Addison Stern

HDS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

| 7TH GRADE BOYS’ BASKETBALL RUNNER-UP

COACHES JOSHUA PARKS AND CHATOM ARKIN

Hudson Butcher, Townsend Butcher, Brian Chen, Connor Feltham, Brian Francois, James Joseph, Aidan Paolone, Keagan Peters, Noah Pierce, Nicholas Ronaghi, and Luca Zahoul Sans

| 7TH GRADE GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

COACHES MIKE COLEMAN AND KATIE CURCI

Let's give a round of applause to our remarkable 7th Grade Girls' Volleyball team on their triumphant victory over Ensign in the championship match! Displaying skill and determination, our girls battled through three intense sets, securing the win with scores of 20-25, 25-20, and 18-16. This remarkable achievement marks their second consecutive championship title.

GO SEAHAWKS!

Callie Arkin-Horowitz, Chloe Dufty, Josephine Geiler Allen, Kyleigh Jen, Leah Jindal, Macie Lewis, Shea Natland, Chloe Neal, Emily Niccol, Lila Peykoff, Sarah Rosing, and Dylan Young

Holiday Program | LOWER SCHOOL

THANKSGIVING PROGRAM

SNAPSHOT STUMPER

This photo is from 1986 or 1987. Who are these students? If you have an answer, send your best guess or confirmation by scanning the QR code and filling out the form or emailing communications@harborday.org.

SNAPSHOT STUMPER SOLVED!

This is the 1992 Blue-Gold Track meet relay with students from the class of 1993 (left to right) Kati Kern, Megan Strader Meihaus, Ashley Harrington Chalmers, and Brooke Smith Shepherdson.

Thank you to Hayley Sheetz ' 98 Palazzola, Trudi Kern, Brooke Smith ' 93 Shepherdson, and Ryan Eriksmoen ' 94 Johnson for sending in the correct responses.

BEYOND THE BELL | SUMMER CAMP 2024

We are excited to present our Beyond the Bell Summer Program 2024. Go to www.harborday.org/beyondthebell for more information. Summer classes at Harbor Day School are for current and incoming Harbor Day students.

MORNING CAMP TIMING IS FROM 8:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.

AFTERNOON CAMP TIMING IS FROM 12:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.

WEEK 1: JULY 08 - JULY 12

WEEK 2: JULY 15 - JULY 19

WEEK 3: JULY 22 - JULY 26

WEEK 4: JULY 29 - AUG 02