HRS Magazine, Summer 2021: Looking Forward

H EAD -ROYCE S CHOOL MAGAZINE

THE HYBRID ISSUE: Looking Forward, Looking Back

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THE FUTURE IS NOW Let’s imagine what an average day will look like on the New South Campus.

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5th Grade Promotion

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8th Grade Promotion

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Class of 2021 Graduation

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Heads Up Graduation MANAGING EDITOR Nichole LeFebvre EDITORS Jennifer Beeson Julie Kim-Beal PHOTOGRAPHY

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Mariana Avila Llorente Richard Wheeler CREATIVE DIRECTION + DESIGN Con Todo | www.contodo.co

COURTNEY JENKINS ’03

PRINTING Solstice Press VISIT US ONLINE!

interviewed by Anika R. ’23

Discover more about our mission and activities at headroyce.org.

@HeadRoyceSchool

@HeadRoyce

Head-Royce School Magazine is a bi-annual publication for alumni, families, and friends of Head-Royce. Changes of address may be sent to communications@headroyce.org.

W H AT S T O R Y W I L L YO U T E L L?

Welcome to the summer edition of Head-Royce Magazine.

ten stuck and felt powerless; they cut us off from people and our potential.

This special double-issue serves as both a retrospective of the challenges and triumphs of a pandemic year, and a hopeful look to our future with what we hope will be a very different year on the horizon.

If, on the other hand, we see our journey more like a river, we can feel open, connected, and optimistic. River stories reflect a commitment to learning, growth, and perseverance. Like rivers themselves, they ebb and flow, and continue to move toward a single destination whether conditions are calm or wild.

A river story has all of these aspects: it moves and flows, adapts and changes.

As a teacher, reader, and writer, I’ve always been interested in the stories we choose to tell––and why. At the Class of 2021’s Commencement, I spoke about how each one of us has the power to choose our own narratives about our lived experiences. The writer Robert Hargrove distinguishes between what he calls “rut stories” and “river stories.”

Rut stories describe the times we’ve got-

we’ve been granted the opportunity to experience our fortitude in action.

Read the feature “Know Thyself” to hear directly from students about how this past year challenged and changed them.

As you reflect on the past and look toward the future, what story will you tell?

CRYSTAL M. LAND HEAD OF SCHOOL

As we tell our stories of the past year and chart our paths ahead, what will we remember and why? We have confronted immense challenges this year, with the double pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism, and

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FIF TH G R ADE PROMOTION Class of 2028

PROMOTION

“What I hope our students take away from this year is that we navigated something entirely new together. There might have been lots of unknowns––like a new roller coaster we haven’t been on yet––but once we pushed through the fear, we experienced the thrill, and now, we can feel a deep satisfaction.”

LEA VAN NESS

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

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PROMOTION

UNIQUE VIGNETTES The four 5th grade teachers, Morgan May, Ben Ladue, Debra Harper, and Ciara Coleman, wrote and shared traditional vignette stories of each graduating student.

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PROMOTION

“You value each other, you value our community, and you want to make a difference in the world. As one of my favorite superheroes, Wonder Woman said, ‘Because no matter how small an act of kindness or generosity or simple positivity you put out into the world, it will make a difference.’ Fifth graders, as you move into the world of Middle School and beyond, I know you will carry your superhuman traits with you.”

CRYSTAL LAND

HEAD OF SCHOOL

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Congrats to the Class of 2028!

Nia Milan Alexis Missgana Negatu Bezuayhu Benjie Calcoen Harper Maryse Caruana Nicholas Castro Toby Clay Josh Cohen Hawk Coulston Cristina Díaz Sanjay Ernst Charlotte Clare Farnham Oliver Freyre Angie Haas-Jajeh Sebastian Hieatt Benjamin Huang Gia Desai Jhaveri Ava Lynn Malan Jackson Christopher McLear Natasha Marie Miller Ryan Seo Jun Oh Khalil Pearson Makaio Paul Popp Corinne Ruth Roberts Mason Sacksteder Nicolo’ Luca Salvadei Bella Spencer Jackson Tom Stowell Jordan Tai Dylan Dwyce Taylor Kiran Dorina Vann Caroline Vissing-Morse Kara Waldrop Geneva Walker-Lund Colin Alexander Wicks Adagio Coltrane Williams Micah Michelle Williams Madeline Wong Noelle Simone Yearns Cheri Sun Zhou

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Head-Royce School

EIGHTH GRADE PRO M OTIO N Class of 2025

PROMOTION

“You’re tough, you care about each other, and you try to use your voices and your power to help. You were that way in 6th grade and you’re that way now, only more so, and it takes a class like you to get through this year.”

IAN WALTERS

FACULTY SPEAKER

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PROMOTION

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PROMOTION

“Thank you, 8th graders, for all of the whimsey and joy you have added to our lives in this extraordinary year.

I hope, as you go forward into high school, you will continue to learn, to be joyful and, of course, to play.”

CRYSTAL LAND

HEAD OF SCHOOL

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2025!

Sakeenah Abraham Mikael Solomon Akpala Beckett James Alper Gabriel James Augustine Ameen Berjis Nina Bhuket Aiden Joseph Bowler Zain Boxer Maxine Carlson Caleb Liam Carroll Hayes Alastair Caruana Michael Charles Cave Logan Fites Chan Bryce Clepper Maisie Cook Hawley Dick

Declan Ricardo Dolorico-McPeake Mila Elisabeth Einspruch Hannah Grace Evans Makeda Faxio Malaya Fernandez Alexander Clifton Furber Ginger Catherine Greacen Hattie Rose Gutkin Maya Isabel Hammerman Savannah Allyce Harris Tyler James Amir Harris Lucy Henrich Sebastian Heredia-Zulaica Dillon Hong Allison Huang Joséphine Ignaszewski

Andre Iguodala II Parker Ingalls Sophia Jackson Audrey Jayasekera Aaryn Johnson Noe Johnson Naomi Jumper Mina Antonie Katzev Sara Adel Khalil Josie Landreth Reese Elizabeth Langdon Chloe LeVine Sabia Lewis Thomas Lowry Clare Luskin Nathan Montgomery Lynn

PROMOTION

“As you walk away from this school year, be sure to look back and see not just what was hard, but also what was beautiful: the support of your friends and your teachers, the strength you had to keep going forward, the lessons learned.”

LINDA HOOPES

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Natalia Martell Mirabella Marubio Calvin McClure Domino Rose McMillan Millicent Moon Darya Morshed Soleil-Chandni Mousseau Micah Nyamuzuwe Jayden Oh Lucia Patterson Dahlia Peeters Hayden Emmanuel Peterson Mia Elise Quilici Chetan Zihung Raghavan Sonya Ravipati Gabriel Ellis Reader

Max Heinrich Reese Quattro Han Reichel Micah Riebel Caroline Christine Ripsteen Dash Ross Morgan Paige Ross Duncan Russell Harrison Sade Jack Sample Rory Sample Charlotte Kate Shamia Ethan Grayson Shankman Hailey Smith Desmond Sobel Isaiah Stokke Rowan Strozier

Naomi Rogue Su-North Wylie Sweetstevens Colin Tai Diego Tam Joshua Tam Maxwell Nguyen Taylor Ani van Lynde Hayley Corinne Vest Matthew Maria von Mayrhauser Henry Wit David Wolff Urzua Maxwell Wong Matthew Yang Diana Zepeda

Christopher Akinwale Ajose-Nixon Saman Alikhani Burdine Clayton Atherton Rosemary Anne Gong Avila Mitchell L Baltz Zoe Emerson Beach Theryn Jeffrey Beck-Nguyen Kaylyn Davina Beckford Addie Xiu Mei Behrens Haimanot Wale Belay Brennan Kai Benson Karishma Jo-lin Bhargava David Brambila Brandon Khalid Moody Byrd Sean James Cavalieri Mia Madison Cecchettini

Rose Ellen Cook Sophie Pearl Coutu Bryce Renee Beatrice Dawkins Ethan Charles de Anda Sanchez Ellen Recio Dickey Eliza Karen Ellis Erin Danielle Epstein Jalen Christopher Evans Nicholas Alavian Farzaneh Aaron Porter Finkelstein Jessica Elise Furstein Ivan Garcia Luke Gentry Amalie Claire Getz Lali Chinmayi Ghate Zoe Ann Gibbs

Yuvraj Gill Cooper Goldenberg Marley Olivia Goldenberg Eve Elizabeth Greacen Yoska Senbeta Guta Kallie Hansel-Tennes Kendall Taylor Harris Nicholas Michael Hebrard Nicolas Claude Walker Ignaszewski Kirsten Erica Ishii Caroline Jacobs Vivek Jayaraman Tia Rei Jeffs Charles Tao-Wei Jones Hailey Alexis Jones Omolara Fayemi Kammen

Head-Royce School

1 3 1 ST COMMENCEMENT Class of 2021

Dash Patrick Kamriani Beard Duncan Samuel Keker Marcus Robert Kenton Lisa Rachel Kopelnik Josephine Ann Kövecses Anya Krishnan Sophia Rose Levin Sasha Jia-Yi Lu Elizabeth Grace Marchant Olivia Jordan Gurmendi Marshall Artemisia Hai-Ling Matera Parker Jordan Mergelkamp Georgia Lauren Milani Sanaz Mizbani-Adibsamii Nina Tsuzuki Owen Arun Kishore Parwani

Ella Rose Peterson Dominick Kofi Yaate Quaye Vikram Sandanam Ramaswamy Karina Jean Ravipati Jasper Michiel Reid Catherine Elyce Rosenbaum Isabel Pixie Ross Joshua Lev Abrams Rubin Claudia Catherine Russell Sidney Lauren Shah Maya Jane Shrestha Eli Meyer Siltanen Asta Lise Sequoia Sjogren-Uyehara Marcus Jordan So-Holloway Stephen Robert Spencer-Wong Juliana Tabesh Starr

Christopher C. Tam Benjamin Taylor Tanenbaum Jena Danielle Thorne Que Lam Tran-Perez Cassidy Tara Vawter Eva Kate Verner Kealia Rayne Victorino Amaya Lena Weekes Cole Andrew Parr Wogan Clarisa Wolff Urzua Jaedon Kyle Wong Justin Wong Taylor Jennings Wong Loucas Michael Xenakis Zachary Rei-Xe Yu

G R A DUAT IO N

A theme emerged during our 131st Commencement: togetherness. The Class of 2021 spent their last year and a half of high school learning and socializing at a safe distance, often in masks. They navigated online learning, hybrid classes, virtual college tours and interviews, and an outdoor prom.

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As they gathered in their caps and gowns and walked across the athletics field, these students celebrated their achievements, all they’ve accomplished and weathered in community. “Look around and make note of how far you’ve come,” said Saya McKenna, Interim Head of Upper School. “You started the year apart but are together in the end.”

Head of School Crystal Land honors this year’s Interim Head of Upper School Saya McKenna, who began her tenure just weeks before the School closed in March 2020, as the crowd applauds and cheers along.

G R A DUAT IO N

“After all that you have done and all that you have been through, you are well prepared to take the path to a richly fulfilling life. And here is that path: Cultivate deep, authentic relationships, and make your circle of connection and concern as wide as you can in the process.”

MARK SCHNEIDER ’00

UPPER SCHOOL ENGLISH + HISTORY FACULTY

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IN HARMONY Colla Voce stuns the crowd with their moving rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

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G R A DUAT IO N

“I truly believe that it is our resilience, spirit, and strength that brought our grade together over the years...In a society and community marred by racial injustice, a lack of rights and support regarding bodily autonomy and sexual violence, and pressing climate issues, we saw our grade lift each other up in unimaginable ways. We rose to the occasion to help fight for the well-being of our peers, of our faculty members impacted by these same issues, and of our community members.”

ARUN P. ’21

SALUTATORIAN

THE DOCTORS ARE IN Johára Tucker, J.D., Rosemary Durousseau, Psy.D., Phillip Harris, D.M.A., and Jacqueline Spivey, Ph.D. don their triple-striped doctoral robes to celebrate their students.

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a r g n o C THIS YEAR’S GRADUATES ARE HEADING TO: Amherst College Barnard College Bates College Bennington College Brown University Bryn Mawr College California Polytechnic State University Carnegie Mellon University Claremont McKenna College Colby College

Colgate University Colorado College Columbia University Cornell University Duke Kunshan University Emory University George Washington University Georgetown University Harvey Mudd College Howard University

Indiana University Loyola Marymount University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Middlebury College Mills College New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Oberlin College Pacific Lutheran University

s t a Pitzer College Pomona College Princeton University Scripps College Spelman College Stanford University Tufts University Tulane University of Louisiana University of California, Davis University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Merced University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Barbara University of California, Santa Cruz University of Chicago University of Colorado Boulder University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Michigan University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania University of Southern California University of Virginia University of Washington, Seattle Vassar College Washington University in St Louis Wellesley College Wesleyan University Williams College Yale University

H E A D S U P G R A D U AT I O N

Classes of 2020-2021

Aligned with Head-Royce School’s core tenets of scholarship, diversity, and citizenship, the Heads Up program provides first-generation, college-bound students of color from Oakland public schools with challenging courses and enriching activities. Students enter Heads Up in 6th grade and graduate from the program at the end of 9th grade, wellprepared for high school, college, and beyond.

This 32-year-long partnership, which cultivates socially responsible leaders, pivoted to its first virtual program in 2020 with online classes like chess, business and branding, gardening, and video animation. We’re thrilled to have Heads Up students back on campus this summer––for engaging, rigorous classes, intentional social connection, and a celebration of the 2020 and 2021 graduates.

Read on to hear from a few of our recent graduates, interviewed by Saman Alikhani ’21, and to see some photos of the students in 6th grade, at the start of the Heads Up program..

What advice would you give your 6th grade self, entering Heads Up? “I would have told myself to not be shy, because at first I was scared to meet new people. ”

What’s next for you? What are you hoping to study in high school and beyond?

In high school, I am trying to get my college credits early, so that in college, I won’t have to take as many classes, I’ll be ahead. I think just being is what I want to accomplish. I want to study engi-

What was your favorite Heads Up class or a particularly memorable project or event?

My favorite memory is just sitting in the patio area eating lunch with all of my friends. My favorite class was called Soul Sisters. I really liked my teacher.

What’s next for you? What are you hoping to study in high school and beyond?

I’m hoping to learn what I want to do with my life. I’m interested in performing arts but I’m also

Did Heads Up help you realize that?

Yes, I think it was during the pandemic, when Mr. Walters first had his engineering and building class.

That really brought me back to my creativity.

JAYDEN K. ’20

interested in being a pediatrician or psychiatrist. I did drama in Heads Up and danced.

Which teacher made the biggest impact on you and why?

They all did! But I think my humanities teacher Mr. Walters taught me the most. He taught me about poetry, speaking out loud, and how not to be so nervous.

ALEXANDRIA W. ’21

What was your favorite Heads Up class or a particularly memorable project or event?

My favorite class would probably have to be fashion design. It was my favorite because I learned a lot and I could be creative in that class. My favorite memory would have to be just the community, being with everyone, playing games, and having fun.

What’s next for you? What are you hoping to study or accomplish in high school and beyond?

neering, because I like building and math, so I want to put my creativity to the test and see how good I am.

I am hoping to study business or chemistry. I like them because they are fun for me. In business, I can create my own thing and in science I get to learn.

What is a lesson you learned in Heads Up that you feel will be helpful in your future?

Being able to work together and building strong communities can really help you go far. The teachers and staff at Heads Up––they really care and will help you whether it’s Heads Up-related or anything else––made me realize community is so important.

MARIETOU N. ’21

What was your favorite Heads Up class or a particularly memorable project or event?

My favorite memory at Heads up was definitely the Dodgeball game. I think I was going into the seventh grade and we had a counselors vs. students dodgeball game and I really liked it. We lost, actually.

Mr. Walters was the best because he is super fast.

My favorite class at Heads Up was math class going into sixth grade with Ms. Rohrs. It was a fun class and we played a lot of games.

What advice would you give your 6th grade self entering Heads Up? Definitely to schedule your classes early. And definitely to try classes that you don’t think you will like.

Because you might like them. For me, I didn’t think I would like drumming or tennis classes but I did.

What’s next for you? What are you hoping to study or accomplish in high school and beyond?

What was your favorite Heads Up class or a particularly memorable project or event?

My favorite memory from Heads Up is playing soccer with my friends. We did it daily: 9A against 9B. It was a big competition and then we began bringing in the other grades. It was really fun. My favorite class at Heads Up was probably coding because I like the teachers.

What advice would you give your 6th grade self entering Heads Up?

I don’t know what I want to study in high school, but I want to focus on my grades. I am really interested in engineering, because I like to make things and I like the trade as well.

Which teacher made the biggest impact on you and why?

Probably Mr. Walters because he always encourages me to improve my writing. I wasn’t a really good writer or reflector before I went heads-up. Basically, and I didnt like it at first, but he had us summarize and write. He really helped my writing and reflecting skills.

What is a lesson you learned in Heads Up that you feel will be helpful in your future?

To get to know everybody, because everybody has something they can help you with.

JOHNATHAN P. ’20

I would talk to more people. I had a group of friends but there were people outside of the group who I wish I talked to more.

What is a lesson you learned in Heads Up that you feel will be helpful in your future?

I learned how to take better notes and listen well to my teachers.

JIMMY J. ’21

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S T O O U R O U T S TA N D I N G G R A D U AT E S !

We wish you the best of luck with high school and beyond.!

Class of 2021

Class of 2020

Jimmy J.

Damaris L.

Belen S.

Bryan P.

Ahmed A.

Ivan A.

Alexandra N.

Naara S.

Daniela M.

Johnathan P.

Ramon A.

DeMani K.

Tariq G.

Gladys Yohana P.

Melissa A.

Alanzo G.

Daniel S.

Telicia B.

Marietou N.

Amara H.

David M.

Amal M.

Emanuel M-G.

Robyn H.

Irma Nathaly M.

Sebastian T.

Edgar F.

Jayden K.

Edwin L.

Gabriel B-P.

Jose C.

Evelyn M.

Christopher R.

Raven R.

Alexandria W.

Allan Daniel G.

Sarai P.

Jerry G.

Hector R.

Axel P.

Luis Fernando J.

Sabina C.

Jaquelin H.

Vaiolini M.

Jazmine R.

Johara A. Paea T. Liz H. Devin A.

THE FUTURE IS NOW Imagining a Day on the New South Campus

LOOP ROAD OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS WELCOME CENTER & SCIENCE CLASSROOMS Welcome Center, Head’s Office, Admissions, Science Labs

PLAYING FIELD COMMONS

STEM CENTER Maker Lab, Classrooms, Robotics Zone

COLLABORATION CENTER Community & Performance Space, Huddle Rooms

If you asked us three years ago, we could not have predicted 2020 would bring a pandemic, and with it, two radically new learning models: HRS@Home and HRS Blend. Likewise, it’s difficult to fast forward three years and imagine a school day in 2024, when we’ll open our new South Campus. Still, if this year has taught us anything, it’s that we rise to a challenge. Check out the architectural rendering in the following pages for a snapshot of a day in the life of a few future Jayhawks.

For those new to Head-Royce, who might be thinking, “What should I know about the South Campus?” here are the highlights: Nearly ten years ago, the School purchased the eight-acre property across the street. After years of dreaming, gathering feedback, prototyping, and refining, we created a Master

Plan that perfectly aligns with our strategic priorities.

The plan includes renovating three buildings from the 1920s which adds 20,000 square feet of K–12 classroom space, all designed for hands-on, experiential learning and collaboration. The remaining six acres shape the habitat, with its native trees, into an educational greenbelt of open-air classrooms, a teaching garden, and a central commons. Finally, a new loop road encircles the campus to move family drop-off and pick-up away from Lincoln Ave, improving the traffic flow for the whole neighborhood.

With the South Campus, we’re able to expand our K-12 academic program with even more hands-on learning, STEM innovation, outdoor education, and expand financial aid––making Head-Royce the premier K–12 independent school in the Bay Area.

“I am super excited about the prospect of the teaching garden on our new South Campus.

Food is, without a doubt, the most common and intimate way that we interact with our environment. The old saying “you are what you eat” is, of course, quite true.

Unfortunately, many of us have a distant relationship between what we eat and the people and place that produced it. Growing your own food––and watching plants from seed to sprout to plant to plate––is an empowering, humbling experience.

When we get out of the classroom and into the soil, the water cycle, and that big, beautiful sun we learn important lessons about who and where we are.”

-PAUL SCOTT, UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY FACULTY

“Expanding our campus allows us to increase access to Head-Royce for exceptional Bay Area students and to develop even more rigorous, engaging courses.

Small programs that are growing in interest––computer science, engineering, 3D art, and place-based, Oakland curriculum––will have not only space to flourish, but also the student enrollment needed to develop them. And our existing programs will benefit from more students, too, adding to the experience––things like clubs, athletics, and leadership opportunities. Our Oakland neighbors will also benefit from a beautiful new South Campus, through the Heads Up and Summer Programs, open to all East Bay students.”

-SHAHANA SARKAR, DEAN OF ACADEMICS + COMMUNITY

When will the South Campus open?

WE ARE HERE

Entitlement Process

Project Prep

PLAN APPROVAL 2021

Construction

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS 2022

CAMPUS OPENS! 2023/2024

SINCE 2012 . . .

ü Purchased property ü Selected architect ü Stakeholder input

ü Site assessment ü Updated use permit ü Fundraising feasibility

ü Neighbor engagement ü Master Plan proposal ü Launched fundraising

ü Selected contractor ü Refined cost estimates

Ms. Johnson, a Middle School English teacher, walks to class in the springtime sun. It’s a warm, Oakland afternoon, and she has reserved an outdoor classroom, aka a Campsite, for her poetry lesson. She’s excited to share work by Elizabeth Acevedo, Elizabeth Bishop, Ross Gay, and Pablo Neruda, and hear what her students think.

These kindergarteners are shaking out their sillies in a wiggle break, before their teacher, Mr. Williams, brings them inside the STEM Center. Today, a few Robotics Team members are leading a coding lesson and the kinders will learn LEGOs aren’t just for play. Afterwards, the students will enjoy lunch and recess under the shade of the Gathering Tree, a Coast Live Oak native to California.

During free period, sophomore Sarah meets up with her 11th grade friends Imani and Evan, to grab food from the snack cart and rehearse their FADE dance routine. The Community Hub is the best place on campus to dance, as the sprung floor absorbs shock and prevents injury. Speaking of shock, these three cannot believe the annual FADE performance is only weeks away.

Noah is a freshman, new to HeadRoyce this year. He has just left his conceptual physics class in the upstairs of the Welcome Center, where he and his peers launched balloon-powered rockets. Now he cuts across the Commons to meet friends for lunch before meeting his Debate partner Camila in the Collaboration Center.

They have reserved a Huddle Room, so they can talk through strategy with their two, 12th grade coaches.

Prepping for policy debate is no joke!

A LUMNI PROFI LE

BY ANIKA R. ’23

3 ’0 s n i k n e J y e Courtn in a very nuanced, diverse way.”

She cites policy, economics, and technology as three of the overlapping disciplines in her work and also suggests studying world cultures and languages, adding: “It makes a huge difference to travel the world to understand and work to solve some of these massive global issues.”

Courtney Jenkins ’03 compares her work at ENGIE North America to walking across hallways at school, moving from class to class. “Day to day, I’m constantly moving between different parts of the industry. At one moment, I’m looking at green hydrogen or solar energy. The next, I’m looking at advanced lighting technologies and how we could electrify school buses.”

As Vice President General Manager, Courtney supervises the Public Sector and Mobility Organization within ENGIE North America, a company working to transition the world to a carbon-neutral state through environmentally-friendly solutions and reduced energy consumption. “It’s a very dynamic world to work in,” she says, “and Head-Royce prepared me extraordinarily well to understand how interdisciplinary everything really is.”

Courtney advises students who are curious about the environmental sector to develop an interdisciplinary outlook “because it’s a dynamic field where you need to have an ability to think critically and to think

To familiarize students with her clean energy work, Courtney presented at Adulting 101 and also collaborated with Nancy Feidelman’s senior elective “Issues to Action.” She and ENGIE invited the students to a virtual field trip “aboard” the Energy Observer, which she describes as: “an incredible, hydrogen-powered boat that has no greenhouse gases and is fully powered by renewable energy. This is a fast vessel that travels around the world to educate about climate change.”

Head-Royce seniors logged in to the “living laboratory” alongside students from around the globe. “It was a virtual tour with the crew of the boat, who showed how the boat operated, how it ran, and what the climate and the carbon emissions of the boat were,” says Courtney.

“To me, what was really neat about it was the focus on biodiversity. The vessel does a lot of research on ocean and marine life, and it also does significant research on renewable technologies.”

Although as a high schooler she could not predict she would be working on innovative projects with ENGIE, Courtney was always interested in the environment. She hoped to find work that positively impacted people and communities, and she “really wanted to work in a field that was dynamic, that was ever changing and ever evolving, and where [she] could really see the impact at a much deeper scale.”

When thinking about high school, what comes to Courtney’s mind is that she “loved it and the pace of learning.”

She describes Head-Royce as “such a beautiful community of people. It was diverse, it was caring, and it was kind. It was a place where I grew a lot intellectually, as well. Head-Royce was a really supportive place for me to grow up.” Courtney also expresses her deep appreciation and thanks for the teachers who helped make her learning experience so positive.

AP Biology and Physics drove her interest in science, but various courses like History 9 and a senior elective about conflict in the Middle East fused her interests. “All the different classes seemed to connect into this overarching question: How do I think about serving and bettering the world around me? How do I maintain a philosophy about connecting synapses between the subjects?”

Clean energy has become Courtney’s way of serving the world. Her department partners “with school districts, universities, and cities across the United States,” she explains, so she gets to see the fruits of her work with local communities. “That’s really meaningful for me because how do you change climate change and energy and social justice and environmental justice? A lot of that comes through working with public agencies. So I’m really proud to be doing that.”

“We work really intense hours,” she admits. “It’s very demanding. It’s very challenging. It’s very intellectually stimulating. But I love the fact that the work that we do has that social and environmental mission and that the work that I do will result in something that’s meaningful.”

Courtney Jenkins presents a plaque to Superintendent Matt Wayne during the sustainability partnership ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Hayward Unified School District.

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Join us for a celebration 2x the size and 2x as fun!

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Celebrating the Milestones Reunions for Classes Years Ending in 0 & 5 AND 1 & 6

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Alumni Weekend & Reunion

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Nina Auslander Meehan ’96

Distinguished Alumna of the Year Founder and Executive Director, Bay Area Children’s Theatre

Olivia Lucas ’14

Outstanding Young Alumna of the Year Social Impact Partnership Coordinator, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

Don’t miss this chance to see your classmates in person and help us honor Alumna of the Year, Nina Auslander Meehan ‘96, and Outstanding Young Alumna, Olivia Lucas ‘14 The Alumni Office and your class agents are busy planning two eventful days.

Look for more information and invitations to come!